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Cai Cortez reveals how she deals with body shamers

By FRANCHESCA VIERNES,GMA News

Cai Cortez is not concerned with the negative comments about her body because she knows that she’s fabulous!

In an online interview with the press on Thursday, the “First Yaya” actress said that although she had a curvy body, it was “very rare” for her to get body shamed.

“I think it’s because the people know that I know who I am. Tanggap kong mataba ako at sexy rin ako (I accept that I’m both chubby and sexy),” she said.

“Even if they tease me that I’m fat, it’s true. Why would I get annoyed? I think it was never an issue for me. They send you hate because they want to hurt you,” she added.

According to Cai, she believes that words become hurtful when a person lets them be.

“If the words used against you aren’t hurtful for you, then they failed,” she said.

This did not mean, however, that people who stepped on others for their weight and body size should be tolerated, she said.

“If they’re wrong, it’s just right to put them in [their] place. For me, if they don’t feed or pay me then I don’t care. If they’re not my family or friends, I don’t care,” she said.

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Cai’s co-star in “First Yaya,” Kakai Bautista, meanwhile, has criticized the toxic culture of body shaming among Filipinos.

According to Kakai, she speaks up not just for one person but for everyone who has been and will be a victim of such comments.

“It’s not tolerable. You have to make a move for people to be aware that they’re wrong. We’re just raising awareness on body shaming and cyber bullying,” she said in Filipino.

“You have to be assertive and firm with your words because you’re making a stand for other women. When I answer, I’m just making a stand against words that hurt women,” she added.

Last month, the “First Yaya” girls held a bikini showdown which, according to Sanya Lopez, was done to celebrate body positivity.

“First Yaya” premiered in March. Its final episode is set to air on July 2. – RC, GMA News