CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — A caravan for the promotion of fair portrayal of women in media and entertainment rolled out on Friday in this province as part of the continuing efforts to enhance people’s awareness on gender equality and sensitivity.
The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), together with concerned government agencies and local government units (LGUs) on Friday relaunched the Philippine Revised Gender-Fair Media Guidebook at the Benigno Hall, Provincial Capitol here.
PCOO Assistant Secretary Marie B. Rafael said the gender-fair media guidebook is aimed at addressing gender stereotyping in news and entertainment writing, as well as on film and TV production.
Rafael asked the media people as well as the ordinary ones to shift the perspectives on the discriminatory and derogatory portrayal of women which is still common.
She, however, clarified to the media people that they are not imposing rules but merely suggesting or recommending the coming up with solutions to the gender inequality problem.
“At least if we do something in our own little ways, we can do something better,” Banaag said.
Likewise, she said the gender-fair media guidebook is not only meant for women, but also for men and members of the LGBT community.
“Let us be fair to all that should be our perspectives,” she added.
Meanwhile, indie film director Romm Burlat, in his message of support to the campaign, said the relaunching of the gender fair media guidebook is a wake up call not only for the government sector but also to the film making industry.
Burlat cited that nowadays, the role of women in films is more recognized compared to during the '70s and '80s,.
“Unlike before, there was not enough respect for women. The role of women in those years were not properly defined, “ he said.
According to Burlat, film makers should give more emphasis to the story rather than gender or sex.
Maria Rachel Arenas, chairperson of the Movie, Television Review and Classification Board, who was represented by public information officer Diana Sabado, assured their agency’s full support in pushing changes towards responsible description on women.
The local government units of Pampanga also expressed their full backing to the campaign of PCOO to foster the fair portrayal of women in media and entertainment.
Lawyer Andres Pangilinan Jr., Pampanga provincial administrator, congratulated those behind the relaunching of the gender fair media guidebook.
He expressed the provincial government’s unwavering support to the campaign which he believes is crucial in promoting gender equality.
“Kami po sa lalawigan ng Pampanga ay laging naniniwala sa gender equality. At sinusuportahan namin ang mga programa at advocacy para sa protection ng mga kababaihan. (We, in the province of Pampanga always believe in gender equality. And we are supporting programs and advocies for the protection of women),” Pangilinan said.
The regional launch was also participated in by students from Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University, University of the Assumption and Holy Angel Univetsity.
Carla Santillan, a second year college student of the University of Assumption, said she is excited to read the gender fair media guidebook to learn more on the promotion of gender equality and gender sensitivity.
“I am very happy to have this guidebook which I know I will learn a lot from that I can apply in the future,” she said.
Also present in the event were representatives from the Film Development Council of the Philippines, information officers of different regional government agencies and local government unit of San Fernando.
Assistant Secretary Banaag said they are contemplating on holding the next caravan for the relaunching of the Philippine Revised Gender-Fair Media Guidebook in Batangas City for the Calabarzon area.
The said guidebook was first launched in December last year in Manila. (PNA)
