Lea Salonga, Pokwang hit those who insult single mothers | ABS-CBN

ADVERTISEMENT

Lea Salonga, Pokwang hit those who insult single mothers

Lea Salonga, Pokwang hit those who insult single mothers

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated May 04, 2017 05:41 PM PHT

Clipboard

Broadway star Lea Salonga and Comedian Pokwang. Photos from ABS-CBN

(2nd UPDATE) Broadway star Lea Salonga decried those who look down on single mothers, saying they deserve a "special place in hell," just an hour after Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III joked about Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo having kids out of wedlock.

At her confirmation hearing Wednesday, Sotto asked Taguiwalo whether she was single after seeing that she has two kids.

Taguiwalo replied that her life has never been a "normal one," before Sotto decided to make a quip and used a colloquial Tagalog phrase to describe her as "na-ano lang."

The controversial exchange appeared to have prompted a response from Salonga, who took to Twitter to share that she was raised by a her mother, Ligaya Salonga, single-handedly.

ADVERTISEMENT

"For much of my growing-up years, my mother was a single mother," she wrote. "I curse anyone and everyone that sees women like her as 'less than'.''

She added: "My husband was, for much of his upbringing, raised by a single mother. I curse anyone that sees women like her as 'less than'. For those that look down upon these beloved ladies, there's a special place in hell for the likes of you."

Others who were disturbed by Sotto's remarks include director Antoinette Jadaone and screenwriter Anj Pessumal, who worked on movies "Starting Over Again" and "English Only, Please."

Comedian Pokwang also blasted Sotto, saying that the reason she is a single mother is because the father of her daughter didn't have the guts to own up to the responsibility.

"Sa lahat ng single mom sa buong mundo, mabuhay tayong lahat!!! Yahooo! God bless us all," she wrote, before adding: "Hindi po ako na-ano lang! Naging single mom ako kasi wala pong bayag ang lalaking minahal ko! Pero binuhay ko ng marangal mga anak ko!"

For her part, actress Janine Gutierrez tweeted: "My respect to all the single mothers who take on the immense responsibility of successfully raising children on their own."

Here are the other celebrities who took offense at Sotto's comments:

Volleyball star-turned-television host Gretchen Ho described Sotto's comments as "misogynistic," while comedian Vice Ganda went with a more humorous approach.

Gabriela Women's Party criticized Sotto, saying that the senator "went out of bounds" in pointing out that the cabinet appointee had children outside marriage.

Sotto has already apologized but pointed out that those panning him for his remarks "didn't understand" his joke.

Saying he would be the last to disrespect women, Sotto explained that he meant nothing malicious in raising Taguiwalo's status as a solo parent, adding that two of his daughters are also single mothers.

Sotto's name was the most talked about topic on Twitter, even hours after the hearing concluded.

LJ Reyes, who has a son with former boyfriend Paulo Avelino, wrote on Instagram: "I am a proud single mom to my son Aki! I think it's time to stand up for all the women who single-handedly raise their child(ren)! No matter what people say! Respect begets respect! God bless you!"

Paolo Contis, Reyes' current beau, added: Ang alam ko sa joke dapat nakakatawa, hindi nakaka offend. Single motherhood should not be joked about."

"Well, what can I expect, hindi ka nga pala magaling magpatawa kahit kailan. [LJ] is one great mother and I am very proud of her! Malamang mas lalake pa siya kesa sayo!"

A post shared by LJ Reyes (@lj_reyes) on

A post shared by Paolo Contis (@paolo_contis) on

Regine Velasquez posted a quote that read: "Single moms: You are a doctor, a teacher, a nurse, a maid, a cook, a referee, a heroine, a provider, a defender, a protector, a true Superwoman. Wear your cape proudly."

Alex Medina, as well as Jennylyn Mercado, a solo parent to her son with Patrick Garcia, also took to Twitter to air their grievances.

Gabriela Women's Party criticized Sotto, saying that the senator "went out of bounds" in pointing out that the cabinet appointee had children outside marriage.

Sotto has already apologized but pointed out that those panning him for his remarks "didn't understand" his joke.

Saying he would be the last to disrespect women, Sotto explained that he meant nothing malicious in raising Taguiwalo's status as a solo parent, adding that two of his daughters are also single mothers.

Sotto's name was the most talked about topic on Twitter, even hours after the hearing concluded.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.