Coco Martin maintains he has no control over the conceptualization of his controversial circus act.
Coco Martin’s legal counsel Lorna Kapunan said in a press conference: “During the rehearsal most of the people on stage were foreigners and even the choreographer was a foreigner. Mr. Martin wanted to voice out his concern, particularly with the leash strapped on the neck of the lady model, but he failed to successfully communicate his thought because of the language barrier.”
Pormal nang humingi ng dispensa si Coco Martin sa publiko.
Lalong-lalo na sa mga nagpahayag ng disgusto sa kanyang controversial circus act sa ginanap na September 20, 2014 fashion show ng Bench na tinawag na The Naked Truth.
Dahil sa insidente ay nagpatawag ng press conference ang kampo ni Coco, na pinangunahan ng kanyang legal counsel na si Atty. Lorna Kapunan at manager na si Biboy Arboleda, ngayong araw, September 30.
Ayon kay Atty. Kapunan, walang intensiyong makaagrabyado, makainsulto, o makasakit si Coco nang pumayag itong rumampa sa fashion show na may hawak na lubig na nakatali sa leeg ng isang banyagang babaeng modelo.
Ang totoo ay hindi raw naging kumportable si Coco sa konsepto ng sariling circus act nang dumalo ang aktor sa rehearsal ng The Naked Truth, isang araw bago ginanap ang event.
Ngunit hindi na umano nagkaroon ng pagkakataong magpahayag si Coco ng saloobin, lalo pa’t halos panay foreigners ang namahala sa produksiyon ng fashion show at nangimi ang aktor sa lenguwahe.
Paliwanag ni Atty. Kapunan para kay Coco: “During the rehearsal most of the people on stage were foreigners and even the choreographer was a foreigner.
“Mr. Martin wanted to voice out his concern, particularly with the leash strapped on the neck of the lady model, but he failed to successfully communicate his thought because of the language barrier.
“Mr. Martin kept mum on his opinion on the matter because it was impressed upon him that the whole show was already finalized and he felt insignificant as to cause a scene and demand an overhaul of the entire segment.”
Hindi raw akalain ni Coco na ang pagganap niya ng “circus master” sa isang “pusa,” na ginampanan naman ng isang professional female model, ay mauuwi sa matinding kontrobersiya.
Ikinalungkot ng aktor ang pagkakasangkot niya sa insidente, na ayon sa women’s group na Gabriela ay may mga elementong nakakababa sa dignidad ng kababaihan.
Ayon pa kay Atty. Kapunan, malayo sa personalidad ni Coco ang makasakit ng damdamin ng babae, lalo pa’t kilalang likas na malapit at mapagmahal sa lola at mga kapatid na babae ang aktor.
Aniya, “Mr. Martin feels extremely sorry for what transpired and admitted that this incident taught him a major lesson to be more sensitive and mindful of the repercussions of his portrayals.
“Let it be clarified, however, that Mr. Martin did not have the slightest intention on his mind to insult women by this single unfortunate act.
“Mr. Martin has high regard for women just as he respects and loves his mother, his grandmother, and his three sisters.”
Inihayag din ng abugada na dismayado si Coco sa pamunuan ng Bench, dahil hindi raw agad naipalam sa kanya ng clothing company ang isinagawang protesta ng ilang grupo laban sa ginawa niya sa fashion show.
Matatandaang humingi ng paumanhin at nag-isyu ng opisyal na pahayag ang naturang clothing brand noong September 23.
Sumunod namang naglabas ng opisyal na pahayag ang mismong may-ari ng Bench, na si Ben Chan kahapon, September 29.
Dito ay humingi ng dispensa si Mr. Chan kay Coco dahil sa pagkakadawit ng aktor sa kontrobersiya.
Bagamat hindi nakadalo si Coco sa presscon ngayong araw, kinumpirma ng kanyang manager na si Biboy na hanggang ngayon ay malungkot ang aktor sa nangyaring insidente.
Kaya raw bukod sa paglabas ng official statement, plano rin ng kampo ni Coco na kausapin nang personal ang grupo ng Gabriela at Philippine Women Commission para linisin ang pangalan niya.
Ayon pa kay Biboy, dahil sa kinasangkutang eskandalo ni Coco, apektado ang tatlong proyekto ng aktor.
Sa huli, iginiit ng kampo ni Coco na mas magiging maingat at mapanuri na ang aktor pagdating sa mga susunod nitong gagampanang papel, upang maiwasan ang ganitong klase ng insidente.
COCO’S FULL STATEMENT. Narito ang kabuuan ng opisyal na pahayag ng kampo ni Coco hinggil sa isyu:
“Mr. Coco Martin (“Mr. Martin”) was one of the models in the Naked Truth Fashion Show sponsored by Bench on September 20, 2014.
“The show was initially slated for September 19, 2014, but due to a storm, the event was re-scheduled the next day.
“During the segment entitled ‘The Animal Within Me,’ Mr. Martin appeared on stage and walked with a woman on a leash.
“Bench clarified that the woman was actually a member of a Canadian Circus Troupe who played the role of a cat while Mr. Martin portrayed the role of a Circus Master.
“This scene was found offensive, particularly to women.
“Mr. Martin sincerely expresses his apology and requests the public for understanding.
“Mr. Martin equally feels bad about the incident and saddened at the thought that he unwittingly offended the public.
“While offering no excuse and admits that a mistake has been made, Mr. Martin wants to set the record straight about the incident.
“Mr. Martin has an existing contract with Bench to model its apparels and this same contract obliges him to appear in fashion shows for Bench.
“Nevertheless, Mr. Martin, nor his manager or staff, was not involved in the conceptualization of the production of the Naked Truth Show nor the segment entitled ‘The Animal Within Me.’
“He only appeared once for a rehearsal which was a day prior to the show and it was only then that the role, as a ring master, was given to him.
“During the rehearsal most of the people on stage were foreigners and even the choreographer was a foreigner.
“Mr. Martin wanted to voice out his concern, particularly with the leash strapped on the neck of the lady model, but he failed to successfully communicate his thought because of the language barrier.
“Mr. Martin kept mum on his opinion on the matter because it was impressed upon him that the whole show was already finalized and he felt insignificant as to cause a scene and demand an overhaul of the entire segment.
“Mr. Martin feels extremely sorry for what transpired and admitted that this incident taught him a major lesson to be more sensitive and mindful of the repercussions of his portrayals.
“Let it be clarified, however, that Mr. Martin did not have the slightest intention on his mind to insult women by this single unfortunate act.
“Mr. Martin has high regard for women just as he respects and loves his mother, his grandmother, and his three sisters.
“Mr. Martin humbly asks for the public’s understanding and assures the public that he will no longer allow himself to be obliged to participate in a similar insensitive portrayal.”
