Stripteased

I was suppose to meet with a couple of officials of the PNP Directorate for Police Community Relations yesterday as part of the PNP’s continuing efforts to equip officers with the necessary skills and knowledge related to image building and reputation management. Unfortunately, they could not make the appointment as they were busy filing an official complaint about a telenovela that portrayed the PNP in an embarrassing situation.

It seems that an actor named James Reid was portrayed in a Police uniform performing a “strip show” at a bridal shower. In their letter-complaint to the MTRCB board the PNP stated:

“Although that particular TV series may not have any similarity in real life, scenes like these on primetime national television do not augur well with the PNP’s commitment and duty to preserve the dignity of the police uniform and the Institution that it represents. Demeaning and undignified portrayal of police roles by actors, fictional or otherwise, leaves a bad taste and lasting misimpression.”

There will probably be mixed reviews or public reaction on the PNP complaint, but I certainly commend the PNP for being proactive in calling attention to the misuse or possible misrepresentation that happened as a result of media exercising artistic license. The media cannot on one side demand that our police officers act and conduct themselves professionally, while the very same media organization or company thinks nothing of projecting a person in uniform as a shallow sex object who thinks nothing of what the uniform represents.

I don’t know if the PNP officials spoke with the management or the corporate ombudsman of the media outfit, but they should do so. In many cases, TV programs tend to operate independently on day to day matters, and only when “incidents” are brought directly to their attention do they realize something went wrong or in the case of the strip tease at the PNP’s expense, that something was insulting or demeaning to certain parties. This of course is not meant to exact punishment or revenge, but in order for people to be aware and to set up “guard rails” that prevent abuse or indiscretion.

On the part of the MTRCB, it might be high time for them to sit down with the KBP and seriously study the state of affairs, attitudes and practices in broadcast media. From there it may be a good idea to initiate a campaign that will refresh, re-educate and train artists, production staff as well as program executives on what is acceptable or unacceptable. This should not be limited only to telenovelas or the likes but even to current affairs programs both on TV and radio where many practitioners have lost restraint and professionalism in terms of “jokes, critiques, or language.” This is not an attempt at curbing freedom of the press but to remind media professionals that making a joke of things or people does not in any way diminish or legitimize our views or opinions.

As far as the striptease of “a man in uniform,” the PNP complaint is not simply about their image or the sanctity of the uniform, it is part of the larger picture and greater issue that covers sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and treating men and women as sex toys or sexual objects. Incidentally, strip shows for bachelor’s parties and bridal showers are peddled off as a joke, as something funny, and where the guilt and embarrassment or utter stupidity in behavior is washed off and justified by alcohol consumption. But the reality is that it is a behavior or practice we copied from TV shows also. It is a vicious cycle that produces more victims with every turn.

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After writing about all the motorcycle related deaths and accidents, I learned from my friend Mr. JP Tuason of the Tuason Racing school that two years ago they had intentionally expanded their training programs to improve the riding skills of people who owned or were planning to buy big bikes. According to JP who originally specializes on automotive racing instruction and events, he and his partners were traumatized by the deaths of friends who were killed in motorcycle related accidents.

At that time JP Tuason was already a certified BMW instructor for the company’s high-end / high performance vehicles so it was not a major leap to study the problem with Gil Balderas of BMW-Motorrad who in turn handled the operations and sales of those gleaming and expensive Superbikes we only get to see on posters and Youtube. By coincidence, the same thoughts and concerns plagued Emil Banno, a businessman-big bike rider who found himself ticking off names of friends dying on the road.

Call it fate, destiny or sheer frustration, but the three guys found a common cause in staging or hosting a training program for big bike riders since they had the most powerful machines and an increasing statistics on accidents and fatalities. As they say, God is able to turn bad into good and in February of 2015 they officially staged the first ever CSS or California Superbike School, a three-day driver education and riding skills development under the strict supervision of approximately five of the top Superbike instructors from the United States, Australia and New Zealand. That program not only produced better Superbike riders, it also produced five competitive riders for the Philippines.

Perhaps the best proof that the program really works is that in their second offering from Feb. 5 to 7, they have more applicants than available slots. Even members of media have to settle for a short course and even lesser time on the track because, not only are there limited slots, there are many repeat customers or students who have enrolled for the next level. When a customer comes back to get more, you know the product is excellent.

I just hope that the government and our legislators can pass a law that makes it mandatory for all motorcycle buyers to enroll in schools such as the Honda riding school in Sucat, or for big bike buyers to enroll in the CSS program, and for other manufacturers to stage driving skills enhancement such as Suzuki does once in a while. Even better if a law was passed that the manufacturer-sellers in the Philippines organize into an association and be required to put up riding schools for the millions and even growing number of motorcycle riders and buyers! At the very least let’s make it our goal to save lives and drive safe.

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