Team DailyPedia
Ramon Bautista, the man behind the hit book and movie ‘Bakit ‘Di Ka Crush ng Crush Mo?’, a UP professor, comedian, DJ, and commercial endorser, is under fire after his ‘hipon’ remark drew rage from Davao City officials in the celebration of Kadayawan Festival.
Ang daming hipon dito, alright?
Hipon is a slang term for women with beautiful bodies but unattractive faces.
Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte was there that time. When he heard Bautista’s line, he immediately talked to the comedian to let him know that his remarks insulted them, especially the women.
Later that same evening, Bautista went on stage and apologized for what happened.
“I’m here in front of you to say my apologies because sinabi ko ang daming hipon dito. Oo nga, nahihiya po ako sa inyo because you welcomed me in your beautiful city. Andito po ako lagi at nag-e-enjoy po ako dito. Para masabi ko po yung mga na marami sa inyo ang na-offend. I’ll say my sincerest apologies, sana po matanggap niyo. Andito po ako para makisaya sa Kadayawan Festival at para maging enjoyable ang gabing ito. From the bottom of my heart, sobrang nahihiya po ako sa inyong lahat. Sana mapatawad niyo po ako. Mahal ko po kayong lahat,” he said.
While some people accepted the public apology, many were still furious, including Sara Duterte, the former City Mayor. In her Facebook account, she says,
“Attended this Kadayawan Invasion and heard this (Ramon Bautista) guy say ‘hipon’ ang mga babae sa Davao. Pila sa ako mga fb friends ang konsehal.. if you do not call out this guy as a persona non grata, your doing a disservice to women all over!! P at F to you Ramon Bautista! bisita ka lang, gumalang ka!”
Persona Non Grata
Today, a resolution was approved by the Davao City council declaring Ramon Bautista as persona non grata to make him “understand that as a visitor he should be mindful of decency and propriety.”
The decree also quoted Bautista’s Instagram post. A snapshot with 3 girls captioned and hashtagged “Ito ang kabataan ngayon hihi #Kadayawan #YumoloNangNaaayonSaKakayahangBumawiKinabukasan #PasisikatinKitaHijaFoundation #LikeATito
In an interview on dzBB radio, the city Vice Mayor said that the resolution indicates Bautista can be arrested inside the city because he is not welcome in Davao. He also added, “Personally I have accepted his apology, but as I said it is not for me to decide.”
What Would It Take For The Resolution To Be Lifted?
Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte said Ramon can go to Davao City again and talk to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. He also stated that the comedian can apologize to the people once more.
In a report by GMA news, Duterte voiced out, “Tao rin naman tayong lahat” and said he can give assistance and fetch Bautista at the airport if he is willing to go back.
Previous Celebrity Who Were Proclaimed Persona Non Grata
It’s not only Ramon Bautista who have been in hot water because of his off remarks. In 2009, comedienne and TV actress Candy Pangilinan was declared with the same resolution in Baguio City. She was heard saying, “akala nyo Igorot ako, hindi ako Igorot, tao po ako! (you think I’m an Igorot, I’m not an Igorot, I’m human.”) in a show held in SM baguio for the celebration of Mother’s Day.
After a few months, the resolution was lifted. In an interview with PEP.ph, Pangilinan said, “Kumbaga, in-educate nila ako, at the same time, napagsabihan nila ako. Pero ang pinakamaganda sa lahat ay nakita po nila ang sinseridad at pinatawad nila ako. Binaba nila ang persona non grata at lahat po ng kasong isinampa nila. Doon ko nalaman na may mga kaso pa pala akong dapat harapin”
When asked what she did to make it right with the people of Baguio,
“Nasa plano ko naman po talagang pumunta sa Baguio at harapin ito para malaman po naman nila yung side ko. At the same time, gumawa na rin ako ng letter of apology to the whole local government ng ating mga kapatid sa Cordillera. Pumunta na nga po ako do’n at humarap na ako sa Council”
Effect of The Issue To Celebrities Involved
For people who have been issued a persona non grata order, the impact could cost their career. In Candy Pangilinan’s case, when asked if this affected her work, she said, “Hindi naman po. Sa pagkaka-explain ko naman sa kanila, I think ang nangyari, it was taken out of context. But nevertheless din, nakasakit po ako ng tao kaya humihingi po ako ng paumanhin. Nagkaintidihan naman po kami. “But then, ang pinakamagandang lesson kong natutunan dito is that in humility there is power. Do’n po nakikita ang sinseridad ng isang tao.”
As to Ramon Bautista, he has to face the fume of people he has hurt. Davaoeños may forgive him, but the scar he has left cannot be forgotten.
Yesterday, August 19, Bautista took to Twitter his second apology:
I myself believe that we Filipinos should also learn the value of forgiveness and understanding. Ramon Bautista has already made his apologies towards the issue and has accepted whatever the consequences are to be given to him. The other party should also clearly understand and look through the other sides of the situation instead of focusing on one dimension which causes them to overreact. We all commonly know that he is a comedian. He never even killed or stole something from them. He just made a joke because it’s his job to entertain people.
~Hanna Plaza
Contributor:
http://www. ourhappyschool.com/