Netizens have expressed outrage over comments made by celebrity host Toni Gonzaga during an interview with Vivamax actress Angeli Khang, where Khang shared her experiences of being taken advantage of by male co-stars on set.
The interview, featured on Toni’s online talk show “Toni Talks” and uploaded to her YouTube channel on Sunday, August 4, discussed Khang’s career as a sexy actress at the age of 22. Khang recounted multiple instances of harassment during the filming of her recent movies.
“May time ba na you felt na taken advantage ka?” Gonzaga asked. Khang responded, “Yes, a lot. lalo na sa last, last movies ko,” revealing instances where male co-actors overstepped boundaries, including failing to maintain the proper use of protective plasters and continuing to kiss her after the director called cut.
kafrustrate yung interview ni Toni with Angeli Khang, ang gandang diskusyon na sana tungkol sa harassment at abuso na nangyayari sa loob ng Vivamax pero dinismiss lang nya na "eh kasi lalaki" tapos biglang nag change topic wtf?? pic.twitter.com/F0s95K1xAb
— jm #KantilCinemalaya (@mondaycleaners) August 6, 2024
Before Khang could elaborate, Gonzaga interjected, “Eh kasi syempre lalaki pa rin sila make-carried away talaga sila sa eksena,” a comment that has drawn significant criticism online.
Social media users quickly condemned Gonzaga’s remark, accusing her of dismissing the serious issue of harassment. One X user’s post criticizing the interview has garnered over 14,000 likes, reflecting widespread frustration.
“Ka-frustrate ‘yung interview ni Toni with Angeli Khang, ang gandang diskusyon na sana tungkol sa harassment at abuso na nangyayari sa loob ng Vivamax pero dinismiss lang nya na ‘eh kasi lalaki’ tapos biglang nag change topic wtf??” the post read.
Critics highlighted the need for better “intimacy coordination” in filmmaking to prevent such abuses. Many netizens expressed their disbelief at Gonzaga’s dismissal of Khang’s experiences.
“You can be a man and still be professional and know your boundaries. I’m a bit concerned on her perspective on this as she’s raising boys,” one user commented, referencing Gonzaga’s role as a mother.
A Facebook page named “We Are Millennials” also weighed in, saying, “Reducing harassment to ‘it’s because they’re MEN’ is why harassment and abuse continue in any space. This is especially sick in filmmaking, where they can excuse it as ‘it’s for the act’ to get away with it.”
Watch the interview below: