Letter To The Editor: Banning of Bikini Open

While Gabriela-Cebu does not always agree with the policies and decisions of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, we laud her and the whole of Cebu Provincial Government for enforcing the Women and Development Code and for banning the Bikini Open Contests in the province of Cebu especially during the Holy Week.

Gabriela has always believed that Bikini and Beauty contests are cruel contests that encourage and perpetuate commodification of our women. It gives the wrong signal especially to our children that physical beauty and vital statistics are the only things that matter in this world. Instead, we should inculcate to our children that strength of character, love of country and respect for people, women or men, gays or lesbians, rich or poor are the values that should be strengthened and developed.

We urge big businesses to sponsor socially-relevant events and causes like promotion of women’s rights as well as environment conservation awareness programs rather than spending on contests that humiliate and reinforce subordination of women.

Lolita Barellano

Secretary-general

Gabriela-Cebu