GIVEN the rampancy of sexual offenders in both the online and real worlds, Filipina actresses Coleen Garcia and Sanya Lopez have a few tips to share against all kinds of predators.
In an interview with reporters, Garcia and Lopez offered advice to women to protect themselves from the danger of predators, which happens to be the theme of their new movie called âPlaytime,â with co-star Xian Lim as a predator who lures women into trusting him.
Garcia asserted that itâs important that people acknowledge that predators are real and that they can happen to anyone and anywhere, especially in the era of dating apps.
âHindi ko kasi naabutan âyung single ako, and thereâs Tinder. But I guess itâs a case-to-case basis. Itâs different for everybody what you can do to protect yourself. But itâs important especially that weâre all aware that it does happen,â she said during the media conference of âPlaytime.â
âAnd most of the time, it happens sa hindi strangers. âDi ba sometimes, it happens in your workplace, sometimes it happens in the family, so itâs important to get help, if you feel youâre in danger, if you feel like somebody has crossed those boundaries. You really need to tell people who can help you,â Garcia added.
The former âItâs Showtimeâ host further shared that she hasnât experienced any close encounters with a predator, but she knew some people who did suffer from such, so itâs important that people take measures to protect themselves.
Garcia said itâs best for people, especially women, to not put themselves in a compromising situation by distancing themselves from someone they cannot fully trust, specifically strangers.
Meanwhile, Lopez admitted that there were times that she felt she was in danger, especially when she was young, when people are mostly reluctant to believe a child when certain things happen.
âParang âdi ka paniniwalaan agad kasi bata ka, kumbaga wala ka pang boses,â Lopez said. âMay kapitbahay lang na lasing na lumapit sa akin, âyung parang feeling mo may gagawin silang masama. May mga ganun akong takot.â
Growing up without a father figure, the Kapuso actress underscored that she runs to her brother, actor Jak Roberto, and her mom whenever she feels uncomfortable, saying that she learned that itâs important for women, especially the younger ones, to not be left alone.
Lopez then extended the advice that women should always tell someone they trust about their whereabouts as part of safety measures.
âThere has to be one person that you can tell, âIâm here.â In case of emergency, ito ‘yung tao malalapitan mo at alam niya kung nasaan ka. There are things that we want to do on our own, but we have to prioritize our safety,â she said.
Directed by Mark A. Reyes V, âPlaytimeâ will hit local cinemas on June 12. (Jessica Ann Evangelista © Philippine Daily Inquirer)