Objects

LOGARTA

The objects which surround us, or which we treasure somehow shape us. Because of dealing with objects so much, we at times overlook the difference between the objects and the subjects with which we deal. We have limited sensitivity, forget that the persons we face have feelings, hearts and carelessly throw around hurting words. Such is especially so when we relate to children and some women. In many cultures parents, especially fathers believe they own their children. At times they had the right to sell their children, choose their mates, decide their future. They even have this sense of ownership as they exercise incest. There has been a tendency among males to control and manipulate females and children, never expecting opposition or violent reactions.

Often when minors are ordered to do certain negative actions they are told: “This is for your own good; or for the good of our family.

But it has been more than a century since the UN Declaration of Human Rights; decades since the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Philippine laws usually begin with a declaration of policy asserting the dignity of human beings and respect for human rights.

Sadly we continue to read about parents and elders exploiting their children in cyber pornography. It seems that instead of fulfilling their parental responsibility of exerting efforts to support their children, they have encouraged them to expose themselves to cameras in indecent poses to earn for the family.

Lately, the interest in beauty contests has been increasing. Every now and then another one is announced and many young females eagerly prepare to join such activities. When Gemma Cruz participated in the Miss International Contest she was quite hesitant so she used this experience to clarify what is actually happening. Many previous contestants emphasize what a helpful positive experience these are saying how participation has developed their personality. It had been an occasion to develop their talents. The contest had been a beautiful time for friendship among persons from different nations. But with the degree of focus on the physical, is there really no objectification, commodification of women?

These thoughts actually emerged because of the recent case of sexual harassment in the Miss Earth Beauty Pageant. Contestants had experienced non-innocent touches on their bare backs. Some of them got offers in exchange for “sexual favors.” They hesitated to approach those in-charge fearing loss of points. When those in-charge were informed, the response was that the man will not be seen again. The man had actually violated a law, the anti-sexual harassment law. But what happened to him? Instead those managing the contest were angered by the contestants’ bringing the issue into social media.

Because of our desire to provide employment for Filipinos we have promoted tourism, claiming “It’s more fun in the Philippines!”

The government has been working to insure the safety of tourist destinations. It has been doing everything for environmental conservation still for the economic sustainability of the areas. Many have stressed that our most important attraction are our people. Quite a while ago, Hon. Agnes Almendras-Magpale encouraged those involved in the tourism industry to promote family tours. A few years ago, my graduate student introduced me to a Korean family taking a long vacation here because, the wife, a judge, who as using this vacation to learn English.

We can promote the well-being of our families without distorting our values, without sacrificing our children and our women. We have to be conscious of their worth, their dignity; let us love them authentically so they can motivate us to be creatively independent.