As reported, here’s what happened during President Duterte’s meeting with the Filipino community in Seoul last Sunday:
“After greeting and thanking the audience and informing them about recent developments in the Philippines as is his usual style, the President told those in attendance that he had a book (Altar of Secrets: Sex, Politics and Money in the Philippine Catholic Church) some copies of which he would give for free in exchange for a kiss. That excited the audience specially when he asked for volunteers. Two ladies in the crowd raised their hands and rushed to the stage. One of them he hugged, kissed on the cheek and gave a book. The second, Bea Kim, was beside herself, giggling and visibly flustered beside the President. He asked if she was single and Bea answered no she was married with two children. Then he asked would she be willing to be kissed pointing to his lips. Nervously giggling as the President leaned over for the kiss, Bea herself leaned over for the split second light touch of lips to the uproar and cheers of the crowd of about 3,000 Filipinos, men and women, who were obviously delighted with what happened.”
That’s it. Yet, that lighthearted gimmick of somebody known to have been doing such for years on end, on the campaign trail or in other public engagements, has been used as a handle by people and groups who should know better including members of the foreign media to excoriate President Duterte as unpresidential, a misogynist, sexist and power tripper. Wait. Not even Bea and the audience saw any kind of malice or sexism in that split-second “encounter.” Unlike the contrived prudishness of those who have gone to town cursing the President with all kinds of harsh words, those who were at the scene never for a moment saw anything dirty, reckless or even unpresidential about it.
It was done in good, healthy fun.
“There was no malice in it. For me, for him it did not mean anything. It was just a simple kiss.” This was how Bea felt about the whole thing. She even said that she treasured that moment with the
President and what happened “made her day.” She said meeting with the President face-to-face was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“It’s rare to have the chance to meet the President up close. It’s true, it was just a twist and there was no malice. The President even asked me if I was single. I told him I was married to a Korean.” These were her parting words to the reporters, some of whom were apparently waiting for word, even just a simple one which could even so slightly suggest otherwise—that indeed President Duterte was the sexist, misogynist power-tripper of an official that they imagined him to be. Well, tough luck. Nothing of that sort happened.
So, all the anti-Duterte guys, go ahead and pound the President to your hearts’ content. But nothing will change the narrative: It was a simple, straightforward, split-second touch of the lips of two people who were lightheartedly playing along as in a community of kindred souls enjoying the night of camaraderie and good vibes. Those who are thinking otherwise and making a big, super big fuss about it should probably lighten up and get their bearings back. Take Bea’s word for it and stop insinuating evil intent or some such contrivance where there was really none.