Angel Locsin drew flak from netizens after rejecting an all-girl group in a television competition.

The group called Playgirls performed a sexy dance move in a carwash setup, which did not please Locsin.

“Kung may talent kayo, ’yun ang ipakita niyo sa ’min dahil talent ang hinahanap namin dito, hindi katawan. Kaya ko kayo binuzz, ayaw kong ma-objectify kayo. Masyado ako nagmamalasakit para sa inyo para i-go ko ’to at patuloy kayong panoorin ng mga kalalakihan na ginagawa iyan,” Locsin said after stopping their performance.

While some netizens agreed with the actress, many did not sit with Locsin’s remarks, interpreting it as some kind of slut-shaming.

In a Twitter post, user @dmaraesguerra said “If @143redangel were really there to empower women such as playgirls, she could’ve refrained herself from slut shaming, it’s their body after all; and they loved and are proud of what they did #pgtsuperfiesta.”

The actress was quick to reply and tweeted, “There is no such thing as a ‘slut’ or ‘nonslut.’ There are WOMEN.”

Gabriela lauds Locsin

Women’s rights group Gabriela praised the actress’ firm stance against the objectification of women as exemplified by her recent statement in a local talent show on national TV.

“Women’s objectification is widespread because it brings in huge corporate and private profit. It is also a profitable endeavor for unscrupulous politicians who use women’s bodies to gain favor from powerful figures or entities or to trivialize pressing social issues by using sex as entertainment,” Gabriela said in a statement.

Gabriela also appealed to public personalities to use their power to influence public opinion to promote women’s rights. “Something that is badly needed particularly today amid the misogyny wantonly being displayed by the highest officials of the land,” Gabriel added.

Playgirls’ backlash

Members of the Playgirls posted their grievances against the actress on their personal Facebook accounts.

Camsi Sierra, one of the members of Playgirls, said in a Facebook post, “Walanjo bakit umiyak yun? Pasalamat ka nga nagbra at panty pa kami. Ikaw nga diyan nag-Darna, may nude picture ka pa na halos hubad na. Buti sa balat namin concern ka sa sarili mong balat wala. (Why did she cry? You should be thankful that we wore a bra and panty. You played the role of Darna, you have a nude photo where you’re nearly naked. Good thing you’re concerned about our skin when you aren’t about yours.)”

Yuna Love Lee wrote in a now-deleted post, “Makapagsalita akala mo naman di siya nagsuot ng sexy… Nung nag-Darna nga siya naka bra’t panty lang din siya. Buti nga may suot pa kaming damit eh. Hahaha yoko na! Sana pala nagbestida nalang kame.” (She talks as if she’s never worn something sexy… When she was Darna she was only in bra and panty. At least we were wearing clothes. Whatever! We should’ve worn dresses instead.)

Darlene Domingo said in a post that has been taken down, “Iniyak mo e! Easy lang mga basher. Hindi naman kami naghubad sa PGT.” (You cried about it! Take it easy, bashers. We didn’t strip down on PGT.)

However, Domingo has later on apologized on behalf of the women on her Facebook page. “Kung anuman mga sinabi ng kagrupo ko pagpasensyahan n’yo na lang po. Bilang kagrupo nila, ako na po ang humihingi ng dispensa.. sorry po lahat ng bashers namin. (Whatever my group members said, I apologize for them. As their group member, I ask for forgiveness. Sorry to all our bashers) ”

Locsin played the role Darna in the 2005 GMA Network TV series where she wore a two-piece super heroine costume.