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BY RESEL JOY TIANERO
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Sunday, February 19, 2017
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ILOILO City – Photos of a nude young woman are raising the temperatures in the chilly tourist spot Bucari – the so-called “little Baguio” of Iloilo province due to its freezing atmosphere.
Taken in Bucari, the photos have gone viral on social media and the conservative mayor of Leon town where the mountain resort is located is fuming mad.
“We love Bucari. It’s a new tourist destination trying to make a name. We don’t need this negative publicity,” Mayor Rolito Cajilig told Panay News.
In the photos, the woman was seen alternately standing or lying down on a rock. She had nothing on but a pair of rubber shoes, a headset and a mobile phone.
Cajilig demanded an apology from the photographers. He said it must be made publicly and to him in person.
The mayor said he was also exploring legal options. He wanted to teach the photographers a lesson, he stressed.
He identified the photographers as Edward Mallada and Steve Quiatchon.
Mallada issued a public apology via DyFM Bombo Radyo Iloilo yesterday.
A tourist guide claimed in a radio interview that there were between 10 to 15 tourists at the time the photographers were taking pictures of the naked women.
Some of these tourists were scandalized but maintained their composure, said the tourist guide named Roberto.
Cajihig feared that the photos would destroy the image of Bucari that his municipal government is cultivating – a family-oriented, clean and fun tourist destination.
What he wanted, he said, were “positive” photos that could further promote Bucari.
‘SCANDALOUS PHOTO SHOOTS NOT ALLOWED’
“Way gid sila ‘ya nagpabalo. Nagsulod lang sila. Wala kami kabalo sang ila activity,” said Cajilig.
This time, public signs will be erected explicitly prohibiting scandalous photo shoots in Bucari, according to the mayor.
He urged photographers wanting to take pictures of Bucari to seek permission from the local government of Leon.
Cajilig revealed he was so angry that he crumpled the computer printouts of the photos given to him by furious residents.
“Gaumpisa pa lang kami. Dapat suportaran ang lugar nga ini,” he stressed.
Cajilig said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) may also investigate the photo shoot.
DENR administers the area which is some 4,500 hectares wide.
Mallada clarified he did not have any intention to denigrate Bucari. He also invoked art in conceptualizing the photo shoot for the recent Valentine’s Day.
In a radio interview, Mallada also insisted that his model was not totally naked. Her private parts were taped or plastered, he said.
The photos’ concept was that of a young woman listening to music to entertain herself because she did not have a date on Valentine’s Day, he explained.
Mallada said he was sorry for overlooking the sentiments of Ilonggos who may have been offended by his artistic photos.
He also publicly apologized to his model and her family for the trouble the photos have generated.
ART OR PORN?
The social media is abuzz with those condemning the photos and those defending them as art.
In a Facebook post, Francis Insular slammed the critics of Mallada’s photos as hypocrites.
He wrote: “Sa mga ga-comment nga kahimuan ini sang demonyo kag ginadalahig pa ang Dios, FYI, damu paintings sa sulod simbahan nga mga gahulublas kay form of art ini. One example is the Creation of Adam by Michelangelo at Sistine Chapel. ‘Wag kay’ng mag marunong. Du mga sin-o kamu nga mga banal! Kung maka-judge kag comment kamo du wala lang kamu sala sa kabuhi n’yo no? Hypocrisy in its highest form!”
Precious Cheche Pancho shared her take on the photos: “Kasi iba-iba ang pagkakaintindi ng tao. Kung may pinag-aralan ka, you know the meaning of art. Pero kung utak mo madumi, di mo ma-appreciate ganung bagay. Libog din pag may time. Just saying…”
Joseph Van Marc Vintola urged netizens to be more circumspect. He wrote on Facebook: “Chill lang bala kamo, guys. Indi ma-solve ang problema kun sagad kamo bash…Pamatian nyo anay ang both sides…”
Vintola was not offended by the photos. He further wrote: “Katahum man pagkuha sang pictures. Form of art ang nude photography…Para sa akon indi gid ni bastos…wala ka may makita nga part nga naka-expose kay nakatabon man…”
Another Facebook, “Taga Himal-os” user urged netizens to be respectful of places and their residents. He wrote: “Kada lugar may lain-lain nga kustumbre kag pagpati. Kun sa Leon indi pwedi ang mag-photo shoot nga naka-nude, respetuhon n’yo. Damu pa man da bukid pwedi kuhaan litrato nga pagusto ka kun mahublas ka.”
He challenged the photographers: “Didto bala kamu kadto sa Balaan Bukid kag mag (nude) photo shoot. Lantawon ta abi kun indi kamu mabuyayawan sang mga pari kag madre.”/PN
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