Love is Never Gone actress Ivana Alawi has spoken out against the persistent online criticism directed at women over the way they dress.
On her Facebook page, the actress addressed comments that often blame women for the harassment they experience based on their clothing.
“‘Puro ka pasexy’ ‘Paano hindi babastusin eh tignan mo naman ang suot mo?’ Andaming opinion ng tao about women. Madaming posts patungkol sa damit at dapat sinusuot ng mga babae para sila ay respetuhin,” Ivana wrote.
She emphasized that a woman's worth and the respect she deserves should never be measured by what she wears.
“Ang respeto sa babae ay hindi dapat nakabase sa haba ng kanyang pananamit, o kung anong sinusuot niya. Walang anumang kasuotan ang nagbibigay ng karapatan sa iba para husgahan, maliitin, o bastusin ka,” she added.
Instead, Ivana said a person's character and how they treat others matter far more than outward appearance.
“Sa dulo ng araw, mas mahalaga ang kabutihan ng puso, ang respeto sa kapwa, at kung paano mo pinakikitunguhan ang ibang tao,” she expressed. “Lahat ng babae ay karapat-dapat respetuhin anuman ang suot, anuman ang hugis ng katawan, anuman ang estado sa buhay.”
Ending her message on a positive note, Ivana encouraged women to embrace who they are, saying: “Wear what makes you happy. Be proud of who you are. Love yourself. Hindi damit ang nagdedefine kung sino ka, Character does. ❤️”
Ivana's statement came amid online discussions comparing female content creators based on the type of content they produce and the way they present themselves on social media.
Among those who responded was content creator LANS, who expressed support for Ivana.
“Your character speaks louder than their criticisms, Ate Ivana. People may talk, judge, and criticize, pero hindi nila mababago ang fact na you’ve used your platform to help, inspire, and give hope to so many people po, that is what truly matters, ate,” she commented.
“Thank you for reminding us that kindness is way way more powerful than criticisms. Hugs po, Ate Ivana. We see your heart, and we support you.”
She also condemned the practice of putting women against one another in the name of praise in another post.
“‘Gayahin nyo si LANS, karespe-respeto’ Maging ako po mismo ay hindi rin nakaligtas sa pambabastos, tapos sasabihin ng iba ‘ sa ibang babae? wala rin pong sense,” she wrote.
She added that she does not see any achievement in gaining followers if it comes at the expense of tearing other women down. ”Hindi ko po ma-consider na achievement yung pagtaas ng followers kung may mga kababaihan naman pong ibinababa para lang may maitaas,” she stated. “Hindi po ako masaya na may mga kapwa babae na bina-bash, kinukumpara, o minamaliit gamit ang pangalan ko.”
LANS also stressed that women should not have to fit a certain image to be treated with respect. “Women do not have to fit one image to deserve respect. Hindi kailangang educational creator ka, mahinhin, conservative, o tahimik para masabing “worthy” kang respetuhin. A woman can be confident, expressive, feminine, strong, matalino, creative, o simply comfortable being herself by posting photos, dressing a certain way, or expressing themselves (ourselves) online.”
She continued by saying that women should be free to express themselves however they choose: “The way we dress is never an invitation for disrespect. Hindi babae, hindi ang aming kasuotan, ang dapat pinapabago para itrato nang maayos. Ang pagiisip po ninyo sana ang ayusin.”