The Department of Education apologized in a statement for promoting a physical education worksheet that body-shamed actress Angel Locsin by calling her “an obese person.”
According to DepEd’s Occidental Mindoro division, the material that has been circulating on social media was prepared by a Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (MAPEH) teacher but it was “not contained in the self-learning module developed and quality assured” by the Central Office.
“We would like to express our sincerest apology to the concerned individuals who may have been offended or harmed by this incident,” Occidental Mindoro division superintendent Roger Capa said.
"The Department of Education does not tolerate nor condone any act of body shaming, ad hominem, or any similar act of bullying both in the physical and virtual environments.”
The official also said they communicated with the teacher involved and appreciate the feedback to help improve and “provide quality education to all learners.”
“This office had already communicated with the concerned teacher and gathered facts from him. Rest assured that this matter will be given serious attention," Capa said.
Meanwhile, Locsin said DepEd must be held accountable for body-shaming. “I don’t mind the insults. Cheap comments do not define who I am," the actress said in an Instagram post.
Locsin said she was going to brush off the issue, but couldn't help but react when she read DepEd's official statement. “What bothers me most is apart from teaching incorrect grammar to the students, DepEd seems unaffected that the said teacher is teaching bad conduct and sowing discrimination among the children,” she said. “Anong mangyayari sa future kung ang mga kabataan ay tinuturuan ng pambabastos at pangungutya sa kapwa?" (What will happen to the youth’s future if they are taught to be judgmental to others?)
Locsin stressed that DepEd itself should be held accountable since the future of millions of Filipino children rests on its hands.
“The said teacher should apologize to his students and all the students that read the module,” the actress said. “I am fortunate that I had teachers who value good manners and right conduct. Every child deserves to have teachers like them.”