ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM
You have heard it said, “You shall not commit adultery”. I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart”. Matt 5:27–28
The opening salvo of 2013 Kalibo Ati-atihan festival featured scantily clad male and female models painted by artists to enhance physical beauty and form. Competition said Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Foundation Inc. (KASAFI) Pres. Albert Meñez aimed to portray rich but banishing culture of early Aklanons. History books call them pintados derived from their painted faces, arms, and bodies (mainly black and white) or those parts not otherwise covered by their skimpy outfit. This was popular among Visayans notably Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Leyte and closely associated with pagan rituals called animism (worship of spirits living in trees, rocks and animals).
Ms. Chita C. Heap, Kool Earth Aklan president alleges that she have seen remnants of Pintados tribesman in the hinterlands of Libacao. It is a welcome news to have them living in our midst. Their cultural way of life and identity, however are largely unknown to the modern world. There is no attempt made to contact this reclusive tribal group.
No Pintados In Aklan
This is disputed, however, by Ms. Sumra Dela Cruz Rojo, curator, Museo it Akean. Based on history and tradition of Aklan culture, there is no Pintados in Aklan. Pintados may have been nurtured as part of pre-Hispanic religious ritual in other places like in Passi, Iloilo where there is Pintados festival but not in Aklan, asserted the daughter of Roman A. Dela Cruz, an eminent Aklan historian and author.
It is said that the world famous Mona Lisa painting of Leonardo da Vinci is perfect. In other words, if one adds or deducts something to the masterpiece, it is considered unpardonable sin. What’s more of the human body that is perfect made in the image of God? And God saw everything that He had made and behold it was very good. Gen. 1:31.
Now what is the reason of the present day artists to tamper with God’s creation as to paint the human body from head to foot?
Debasing Woman As Sex Object
Is it not. Man, just stimulates the senses to view it with “coveted eyes?” Of course malice is not in the eyes of the beholder. The Lord did not paint naked bodies of our first parents after they sinned but covered them with animal skins. However, for Petes’ sake, let no man makes youth, girls in particular as sex objects. It is known that billboards depicting scantily clad women in Metro Manila were eased out three years ago because they distracted drivers and commuters. Several met serious road accidents as drivers focused more on shapely curves.
There is public perception that tattooed men though of athletic build are considered social outcasts. The reasons are that they may have been from jail or neighborhood toughies. Many of their kinds are found in the slums of Tondo and squatter areas. They do nothing but drink wine and create trouble.
Those who opt to continue with this cheap commercialization of the Ati-atihan festival is under no obligation to stop debasing women as sex objects. Indeed, this fake innovative idea runs counter to deep religious, historical and cultural significance. There is considerable doubt if the Catholic Church allows bikini clad painted models to enter the cathedral and undergo “paeapak”. It would even be scandalous to see them prance, dance and gyrate in the streets of Kalibo. Mardi grass spectacle of Rio de Janeiro appears tamer since participants don elaborate costumes and props as they do street dancing to the beat of reggae music. Here in this instance, we simply throw away our prudishness and child-like innocence to the wind. It seems pretty old that this obscenity is done with the image of the Sto. Niño nearby!
The theme of the body painting contest this year is “Environmental Tourism”, held in the afternoon of October 27, 2012, Pastrana Park, Kalibo, Aklan. /MP
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