Gawad Kalinga’s Tony Meloto ‘deeply pained’ by ‘sexist remarks’ claim

Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto said he was shocked to hear the claim by the Center for Philippine Studies of the University of Hawaii that his speech during the institution's 40th anniversary last April was sexist against Filipino women.

In a statement sent to GMA News Online on Tuesday, Meloto denied the CPS' accusations and said that it was the first time he was called a "sexist, elitist, and a person with colonial mentality."

"It was a shock for me to hear about the negative report from University of Hawaii-Center for Philippine Studies (UH-CPS) 45 days after the event... I am deeply pained to read and hear about all that has been written, especially after hundreds of speeches in the Philippines and abroad, and after caring for the poor every day, protecting women and children and promoting pride as a Filipino everywhere I go in the last 20 years,"  he wrote.

Meloto said that there were probably those in the audience who did not appreciate "[his] humor", and said that the institution should have written him first before releasing a statement on social media.

'Disrespectful to Filipino women'

In its statement, CPS said Meloto's speech was "outrageously sexist and deeply offensive."

"His belief that the 'greatest asset of the Philippines is our beautiful women,' and that the future of the nation can be advanced by using them to attract the 'best and brightest' men from the West, and enticing them to invest in the Philippines, was outrageously sexist and deeply offensive to everybody in the audience, as well as patronizing and disrespectful to Filipino women in particular," the CPS wrote.

To this, Meloto admitted that he indeed talked about foreigners finding the country a land of opportunity. But he explained that his very own daughters married foreigners, giving context to his statements.

"I cited two of my daughters who married foreigners, a Brit and a Fil-Am, who were volunteers in GK and left their countries to live in the Philippines. It would be ridiculous for a father like me to trivialize and insult my daughters, whom I love and respect, to lure foreigners to our country. I have nothing but the highest respect for our Filipina women who are the heart of our home and community," he said.

Moreover, the GK founder said that he did not sense any public negative response about his speech at the CPS. He noted that he received another invitation to speak at a big event in Hawaii in August. He also cited the Filipino Chronicle's report on the event, saying it was factual. The article did not say anything about Meloto's alleged sexist remarks.

"I am saddened that my statements were taken out of context and my metaphors given a negative interpretation, and I was not prepared for the massive bashing I received from social media after because of this," he added.

Meloto said the incident taught him valuable lessons, particularly about the power of social media.

"Social change will inspire many but also upset others. I am also learning the power of social media and would like to encourage everyone to use this powerful tool to continue to create positive change online and on-ground," he wrote.

Read his full statement below:


— BM, GMA News