My Heart Sings

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Pugad Baboy Issue - St. Scholastica's College to File a Lawsuit; Pol Medina Apologizes; PDI to explain

I used to be a reader of Pugad Baboy Series. Now, it faces controversy, an issue. To those who are interested, curious or even intrigued as to what's really going on, here are some related and relevant news about the Pugad Baboy issue. 

Happy reading!

Must-read articles.  Click the links. Take a stand.  :-) Good reads. 





Photo Credit : getrealphilippipnes.com
Inquirer: Sorry for 'offensive' Pugad Baboy strip
BY ANGELA CASAUAY

MANILA, Phiippines - The Philippine Daily Inquirer on Thursday, June 6, issued a public apology for the controversial Pugad Baboy comic strip by cartoonist Pol Medina Jr.

Calling Medina's cartoon "offensive," Inquirer publisher Raul Pangalangan clarified that Medina was not fired but his cartoon will not appear in the newspaper pending further investigation.

In an interview with Agence France-Presse, the Inquirer's internal ombudsman Elena Pernia said the inquiry would look into the editorial processes that allowed the controversial comic strip to appear in the paper, and a decision on the cartoon would be made soon after.

The comic strip, which appeared in the Inquirer on Tuesday, June 4, depicted two characters talking about how hypocritical it is for Christians to denounce homosexuality when gays and lesbians are tolerated in Catholic all-girls schools. It went on to name St Scholastica's College as an example.

Below is the full statement issued by Pangalangan:

‘‘The Philippine Daily Inquirer apologizes for the offensive Pugad Baboy cartoon by P.M. Junior on June 4, 2013. In the words of the president of St. Scholastica’s College, 'our school was singled out and our Sister-Administrators accused of allowing homosexual relationships between its female students.

‘‘Our Reader’s Advocate, Elena E. Pernia, has begun an inquiry into this matter. Her preliminary findings show that this cartoon strip had been rejected for its insensitivity when it was submitted in April 2013 but, due to a mix-up in the comics section, was picked up for publication. The Inquirer confirms its commitment to the highest standards of accuracy, fairness and good taste.

‘‘Contrary to erroneous news reports, P.M. Junior was not fired and remains a contributor. Pugad Baboy will not appear in the Inquirer, however, pending further investigation.’’

St Scholastica's College president Sr Mary Thomas Prado sent a letter to the Inquirer seeking an audience with the Inquirer on the day the comic strip was published.

Part of the letter said: "If we will not hear from PDI this week, the lawsuit will be filed. If the dialogue will be arranged, we will be inviting administrators, faculty and students who care about this issue to join us. The entire Sisters community will be present."

Medina, for his part, has hinted at a possible "conspiracy" regarding the issue. He said the comic strip was republished after he created a series of strips against former president Ferdinand Marcos. – Rappler.com

Why Inquirer suspended 'Pugad Baboy'
By Kim Arveen Patria | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

A major broadsheet on Wednesday announced  it is suspending the publication of a widely popular comic strip after a recent issue drew flak online.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer said it has pulled out “Pugad Baboy” from its comics section, following online outrage over a strip about a Catholic school for girls.

On June 4, the comic strip, penned by Antonio “Pol” Medina, discussed Catholic hypocrisy and alluded to St. Scholastica as a school riddled with lesbians.

A character in the strip said: "Sa St. Scho e wala kang makikitang magandang kulasa na walang girlfriend (In St. Scholastica you can't find a 'kulasa' who doesn't have a girlfriend.)"

Kulasa is a term used to refer to students in the exclusive school for girls run by nuns.

Another character said: "Di kaya tongril din 'yung mga madre (Could it be that the nuns are also lesbian?)"

The strip has stirred violent reactions online, with some St. Scholastica alumna posting their comments on the Inquirer website itself.

"I'm a true blue Kulasa, and not once did I hear the sisters or professors badmouth gays and lesbians. I'm proud that we were taught to always keep an open mind about things," Jenny Santiago said in a comment.

Meg Siasoco meanwhile said: "Una sa lahat, walang masama sa pagiging lesbian. Kaming mga Kulasa--all employees and superiors included--nirerespeto ang bawat tao ano man ang gender preference (First of all, there is nothing wrong about being a lesbian. We in St. Scholastica--all employees and superiors included--respect everyone regardless of gender preference)."


In its official Twitter account, St. Scholastica also posted a statement condemning the comic strip and hinting at a possible lawsuit.

The school has sent a letter to the Inquirer and has sought an audience with newspaper officials and Medina.

"We protest in strongest possible terms the way the school was singled out and out sister-administrations accused of allowing homosexual relationships between its female students," its letter read.

It added that it is ready to file a case against the Inquirer and Medina if they do not hear from the publication within the week.


Medina, for his part, said St. Scholastica's reaction to the strip, which was originally published in March, is questionable.

"If you zoom in on that particular strip that got me fired, you'll see that the strip first appeared in March. No reaction then," Medina said via Facebook.

"It was reissued after I made a series of anti-Marcos strips, then boom! nag-trending sa Twitter. Interesting. I smell a consPIGracy," he added.

Medina later on noted, however, that he received an email from the Inquirer saying that he did not get fired but has only been suspended.

"They're still deliberating... Let's wait for the official word. Salamat sa suporta (Thanks for the support)," he said via Facebook.

“Pugad Baboy” (pigpen) is famous its hard-hitting and satirical take on Philippine politics and society. It was first published by the Inquirer in 1988.



No comments:

Post a Comment