Think before you speak—a simple reminder to consider the impact of your words before saying them. After all, every word we utter shapes how we connect with others, builds or breaks relationships, and can either heal or hurt. Words can humiliate, wound, and even destroy. There is no excuse for disrespect. No "biro lang." No pretending it's harmless. Making someone feel small, exposed, or unsafe is not a joke, it's a violation. Too many still ignore this truth. But it is time to say it loud and clear: harassment, sexism, and objectification are abuse. No one—not even a television show—is above accountability.
What happened in the Pinoy Big Brother house was neither humor nor fun. It was entitlement wrapped in laughter. And it sends a dangerous reality, that in the Philippines, it is okay to cross lines and hide behind "biro lang." It is not. Never.
Sexist jokes are weapons disguised as humor. They teach young viewers that laughing at someone's body is acceptable. They normalize treating women like objects. They turn boundaries into suggestions. Letting these jokes slide is not harmless—it is complicity. PBB is a famous reality show that has millions of eyes watching, millions of minds learning. And allowing "birong bastos" to go unchecked is a national problem.
The law is clear. The Republic Act 11313 also known as ‘The Bawal Bastos Law’ defines gender-based harassment as unwanted sexual comments that cause fear, shame, or emotional stress. Section 11 punishes sexist and objectifying remarks, even when said casually. Section 12 mandates institutions to prevent harassment, educate their members, and protect people from degrading behavior. These are not suggestions. They are rules. And they must be enforced.
This is why what happened inside the PBB house matters. It is not only about the housemates—it is about every young viewer learning from them. It is about every girl taught to laugh off a comment that hurts. It is about every boy believing "green jokes" make him cool. Entertainment cannot come at the cost of respect.
Pinoy Big Brother has the power to transform this controversy into a learning moment. A joke should lift people up, not break them. A joke should respect boundaries, not cross them. A joke should make people smile—not shrink in silence.
Our message is loud and clear: Pilipinas, Bawal ang Bastos!
Written by John Benedict N. Banday (Veritas), Insight PH
John Benedict N. Banday (Veritas), Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
