“Hi bhe.”
“Bhe, uwi ka na. Di na ako galit.”
“Hi bhe. Labyu.”
“Hi te. Ang ganda mo naman.”
“Te, sexy mo naman.”
“Te, pwede makuha number mo?”
“Bhe, sabay ka na. Hatid na kita.”
If you’re someone who thinks a little catcalling is harmless, you should think of it again.
Women hate being catcalled. It’s terrifying, insulting, embarrassing. It’s not a compliment, it’s a disrespectful manner. I don’t understand why men loves doing this. Women don’t want to be called “sexy” in an empty street. Women wouldn’t welcome any anonymous endearments in any place. Those compliments doesn’t even give you the “confidence” you need. Morning or even night, as you walk outside the boulevard dressed decently or not, you have to take those whistle and rude pseudo-appreciative comments from a stranger. Karamihan naman, sasabihan nila ang mga kababaihan na manamit ng maayos para hindi mabastos. For your information, kahit balot na balot ka na nababastos ka parin. Minsan kahit kasama mo pa pamilya mo or yung boyfriend mo, pasimple ka parin nilang babastusin.Â
Catcalling is a loud whistle or a comment of a sexual nature made by a man to a passing woman, according to oxford dictionaries. Catcalling is a global problem. According to a study, ages 12-16, agression begin to develop in the early teen years. It can lead to a harmful perception that we, women are solely to be seen as a sexual object in the eyes of men. Worst thing, hindi lang catcall ang kadalasang natatanggap ng mga kababaihan, kadalasan kapag nakita ng mga kalalakihan na nagiisa ang babae, dun na nila susundan at pagsasamantalahan, ang masakit lang dun, papatayin pa nila. It is traumatizing.
I already experienced this kind of disrespectful act. I’m wearing a tshirt and jeans (not fitted) while I’m passing by our street early in the morning, when there’s a two guys inside a car and suddenly stop and they offered me na sumabay sakanila. Hindi ko sila pinansin, naglakad parin ako pero sumunod parin sila. Nung nainis na sila kasi hindi ko sila pinapansin sabay ako sinabihan ng “Pakipot ka pa.” and they laughed together. Nakakabastos. I told my parents about this matter and they talked to our neighbor which is visitor niya pala yung mga yun.
Boys, a simple reminder, if you are one of those who always do a catcall, think of your sister, your mother, your daughter/soon to be daughter (if you have), what if sila naman yung maka-encounter ng katulad niyo and then they will tell you na “Kuya/Anak/Daddy, binastos ako nung mga lalaking nadaanan ko sa kanto.” What would you feel? What will you do? Isipin mo yan maigi.
And girls, don’t be afraid to tell your parents about this, as soon as possible kung may malapit na police station magsumbong ka kaagad. Fight for your right. Never ever tolerate them, don’t let them take advantage of our weakness.Â
