Cordi execs hit, forgive slur of actress vs Igorots

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY — Indigenous communities and local government units in the Cordillera condemned the latest slur committed by a stand-up comedienne against Igorots, but others said with her apology, she should be forgiven.

The provincial boards of Benguet, Mountain Province, and Ifugao have issued resolutions condemning the statements made by comedienne Candy Pangilinan during a performance in this city.

She reportedly said, "Akala ninyo Igorot ako, hindi a, tao ako ano."

The three provincial boards said that her offer of apology is accepted, but there is a need to teach her a lesson so that she would give due respect to the indigenous peoples of the country.

The resolutions of condemnation of the various local governments, local officials stated that the uncalled-for statement by the comedienne is a gross disrespect of the dignity of the Igorots as a tribe.

The resolutions stated that Pangilinan’s statement created the notion that the Igorots are not human beings, and this could be proof that even at this time of advanced information technology, other people still look down on Igorots.

At the same time, the resolution of condemnation of Pangilinan’s statement by the Igorots also got support of many indigenous cultural communities nationwide. They expressed their disgust over the latest slur that puts the tribe in a very bad light.

Earlier, the city council declared Pangilinan a persona non-grata or unwanted in the city and imposed a ban on the showing of Pangilinan’s movies in all theaters in Baguio.

Pangilinan, apparently repentant, had already issued a public apology for her uncalled-for statement in news broadcast and entertainment programs of a national television network.

In her website, the comedienne said she had never intended to insult the Igorots, and she admitted having been too irresponsible in making the statement.

Even if she did not intend to mean it that way, Pangilinan openly accepted that no explanation would be of help now, a city official said.

To make amends for her lapse, the actress vowed to spearhead fun-raising activities for the Igorots.

Meanwhile, Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan, who had earlier condemned Pangilinan’s slanderous statement, accepted her apology, but he reminded the actress to exert extra effort in reaching out to as many Igorots and apologize to them.

He said that no individual in this world is perfect, and so it is best for everybody to accept the sincere apology of the actress.