MANILA, Philippines - Days after the Philippine Daily Inquirer suspended cartoonist Apolonio 'Pol' Medina, Jr. for a comic strip about lesbians, product endorser and actress Saab Magalona came to his defense, even taking a jab at her former school for its 'close-minded' policies.
Magalona said the comic strip is not only funny, but a social commentary on Filipinos as well.
(Related story: PDI cancels comic strip implying pretty students from girls' school are lesbians)
"Hardcore Christians say stuff about homosexuality being a lie from the devil and this comic strip gets people outraged?" she said in an article published Thursday in her website, www.spellsaab.com.
She added that children tend to be more rebellious if they are banned from a lot of things.
"I speak from experience. Sa Assumption Antipolo, even a simple thing like the color of your ponytail holder kailangan blue, red, black or white ONLY. NAKAKALOKA. ANONG CONNECTION SA PAG AARAL?? Simplicity?! Eh paano kung gift sayo ay puro pink na pangtali at wala ka nang budget pangbili ng bago?" she said.
Magalona said a number of things were not allowed in her school, and even recounted the instance where her sister, actress Maxene Magalona, was asked to transfer schools after appearing in a feminine napkin commercial.
Saab said the school administration told their family that it is alright to appear in commercials as long as they are educational in nature.
"Hindi educational ang napkin commercial? Hindi lahat ng babae nagkaka-period? SIMPLICITY?! NAG-ARAL BA KAMI PARA MAGING MADRE?!" she added.
Saab said they transferred schools after suing Assumption Antipolo for a lack in due process. She said they won the case.
"Hindi ako galit sa mga madre at pari. Galit ako sa mga holier-than-thou na hypocrites," she said.