Search and You Shall Find in My World

19 November 2009

Bothered and Bewildered: Sex Tourism in the Philippines?

WARNING: I HAVE UPLOADED HERE A PICTURE CIRCULATING AT FACEBOOK THAT MAY OFFEND SOME SECTORS.

I have no problem with people luring tourists to this country, the Philippines. I am even glad we have been recognized by entities like National Geographic for our diverse culture and unique tourist spots.

What I don't like is the way some people "promote" this country as a sex-tourism destination. One proof is the circulation of this picture in Facebook and I am offended by it. (I actually saw two, this one is tamer and the other more XXX.)


I wonder what the Filipinos and other concerned groups like Gabriela were doing on this matter. (Gabriela is a group promoting the rights of women and children and has been recognized by the Philippine government as a partylist, so they now have a seat in Philippine Congress.)  In this time when you can access the internet from the remotest islands, I don't believe they have not seen this pic and some others, I assume. Unless of course, if they have remained blind and deaf on matters like these.

I visited the website printed on the picture GO2PHIL.COM A GENTLEMEN'S GUIDE TO THE PHILIPPINES and was shocked that the site is supported (or owned?) by the Angeles Clarkfield Tourist Association or ACTA. (As of this writing, those links are still accessible.) They claimed the group is registered with SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission?) and recognized by City Hall officials (wherever this city hall is. Pampanga?).

ACTA's vision for Angeles Clarkfield is "a mini-Las Vegas scenario." Whatever that means. Furthermore, their website claims a very noble deed, mostly beautification of that place. Indeed. But visit their website and all you see are butts and boobs and a nearly nude Filipinas holding a pole but not for a healthier pole-dance.

The [ACTA's] objectives... will lay the groundwork but the development of the entertainment belt will take years, not months. We are looking at beautification, cleaning up, upgrading the image, lifting the level of entertainment, upscale gaming, more restaurants, and a crime free environment. There will be increased prosperity for the City Government, investors and all business owners in the entertainment belt. We will develop individual pride in all participants, from the flower ladies, tricycle drivers, vendors to each and every business owner. It will take hard work, it will take money, it will need 100% membership in ACTA and it will take 100% support from the City and barrio administrations.

But still, enticing foreigners (I believe they cater foreign clients mostly) with nearly naked women posing in rivers is truly disgusting and questionable. Even if you are promoting a river. 


I once approached a politician on this matter but he said it's way beyond his means because of territorial local government units (LGUs). Now the question is in the hands of our social welfare and concerned groups of national stature. 


What have happened to women's rights? What have happened to gender equality? What have become of the Family Code of the Philippines? What have been done by the DSWD? 


What have we done?


AY BAHALA NA ANG PURI NG MGA FILIPINA BASTA MAY PERA TAYO PARA SA IKAGAGANDA NG ANGELES AT CLARK! Very noble indeed.


Am I a hypocrite?



It's more fun in the Philippines?


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6 comments:

kg said...

as a Filipina, i do find this offending. wala na ba ibang ma-offer ang philippines?

Unknown said...

filipinas reading this should at least do something. inform angeles and clark? write to pampanga officials? ask gabriela to investigate?

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting this. We need to do something about this!

عبد القادر الجزائر said...

We hope that this phenomenon is stopped, because sex tourism is responsible for the destruction of any society, whatever the culture or religions.

- And especially we in the information age there is a lot of haters and atheists and criminals who want to harm the women and all societies, and also the inherent insult to all religions.

Anonymous said...

because of sex tourism remittances are the largest single source of revenue for the Philippine Islands without which they would simply be a 4th world country

sunny sharma said...
This comment has been removed by the author.