You were so young and beautiful. You died mysteriously, others said you were murdered and did not kill yourself. No one will ever know how you really died, but we know you died broken hearted, afraid and angry at those people who violated you. You had so much ahead; a future so promising, but they took that away from you.
They did not care about you and how they destroyed your life. They went on as if nothing happened, and now they are basking in limelight, stoned with the glitter of money their fame brings.
Some people said forget it because now the culprits are helping others. These apologists embrace the fact the offenders beat justice under a system where the poor people are powerless. To them your life was unimportant, and under the blinding lights of star power, you are just a distraction and should now be forgotten.
On April 12, a group of concerned citizens stood in front of the Sony Theatre where the Eat Bulaga show was about to open. We held up colorful placards expressing our objection and outrage at the show’s disrespectful foray into our adopted home.
We wanted to let people know that the three main stars- Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon and Senator Tito Sotto- are the ones responsible for your misfortune. Now they have the nerve to ply their cheap tricks as entertainment in our virtuous-minded Canada.
We received different reactions, some knew what happened but told us to forget it because it happened in the past. Those that have been here for long were shocked, surprised, and wondered how they got away with it.
Some questioned the system and how the crime was conveniently forgotten with no reports about it afterwards. Thanks for the modern technology that there are some good hearted individuals that also wanted to get justice for you posted it in YouTube.
The few partisans who countered our protest were clearly Eat Bulaga faithful or connected with the organizers. Some were wearing jackets with Eat Bulaga and sponsors’ logos. We were told later that many were given complimentary tickets as a last minute ploy to fill up the place, on condition that they root for the stars, and they did make loud noise.
Years ago, when another star Maggie dela Riva was gang raped, the crime became a media sensation. She courageously faced her attackers, until justice was done, and they were eventually found guilty. One died in prison while the others were executed in spite of the desperate efforts of their powerful and wealthy families to free them.
Maggie dela Riva was able to move on. She said it was only her body that was violated but not her spirit. Maggie was already a mature adult in those days. But you were only 14 years old, legally still a child just beginning to see the wonders of life, while also being the breadwinner for your family.
You did a good job to complain to the authorities expecting them to get punished but for some unknown reasons, you retracted and withdrew your claim. Only you know what actually happened next. People believe what you said that it was Senator Tito Sotto who threatened you at gunpoint to change your statement and abandon your rape charges. These rapists would have faced the death penalty if you did not retract.
. You were just a child, in great fear for your life. Nobody would be able to understand what it’s like to be hunted down, watched and to live in fear. Anyone in your shoes would have done the same thing- we all understand that.
The Philippine justice system failed you big time. Like in many movie themes, the powerful and wealthy can influence the outcome of court cases. People totally ignored your desperate cry for help
Our little feat here in Toronto to retell your story and restart the call to give you justice has reverberated not only within the Sony Theatre Eat Bulaga show, but in the hearts and minds of the sponsors, the rapists themselves, the attendees and their families and friends, and now all over the world, and back to the Philippine justice system.
It probably alarmed these comedians and the senator to not appear in their own press conference called by themselves to talk about their show. The organizers who enthusiastically welcomed them at the airport did not bother to be there for the send-off, abandoning them to fend for themselves. Conspicuously absent were the paid hacks that stirred the crowd to make noise at the show opening.
We will continue to spread the videos and write ups until your story becomes common topic among kababayan households again. The people that have already been impacted by our work are now talking about you and praying that justice will somehow be done. For sure the people that now know will also pray for your peace
This rally may have helped explore the extent of the violence done to you, the impact to other people and may also help reform justice in the Philippines.
There are still concerned citizens that are boiling inside, hoping that the elusive justice may finally come. Let’s wish that the rapists’ conscience continue to bother them as they are constantly reminded of their crime. We hope that their remaining time on earth be as miserable as what you have experienced. We also hope to include those people that continue to embrace and idolize them, treating them like they are their chiefs.
This is Canada where justice is as it should be. As concerned Filipino Canadians, we were appalled at the move of the sponsors in importing the Eat Bulaga show. For the same reasons that Canada does not admit criminals, terrorists and the similarly inclined within its borders, we strongly felt your rapists should be barred in the same spirit of the law
Pepsi, you are a remarkable young woman; you work at an early age to support your family. We sincerely hope that your journey through the darkness here on earth will serve as a reminder to those that worship them.
We hope that our efforts somehow have given you a little bit of peace and hope. We wish that we could have done more
We urge the people to spread the word and to continue praying for you. May God fill you with His light, cast the dark energy, so you’ll find comfort, relief and the heart to forgive. It is sad that you did not have the chance to see and realize that there are still good people around you. .
When our time comes and we finally meet you in Heaven, we hope to see you in peace and that we can finally see contentment and a big smile on your lovely face. ****
