Why Frankie Pangilinan is one of the most powerful voices of this generation
Generation Z has strong valid opinions and wants to be heard. Through their voices, this young generation wants to contribute significant changes in an adult-saturated community. They have always believed that their ideas and concepts of reality are just as valuable as opinions from older generations.
Through social media, this generation has become loud rational voices to be heard in any discussion — resourceful, opinionated, and logical. One of the most active voices in the online world is Frankie Pangilinan, the daughter of Megastar Sharon Cuneta and Senator Kiko Pangilinan.
Frankie from Generation Z
This 19-year-old college freshman at The New School in New York has always been outspoken about the causes she believes in. Just recently, her firm stand against rape culture and victim shaming in the Philippines has made headlines over the past days after veteran broadcaster Ben Tulfo belittled her stand on the said issues. Impressively, Frankie, or better known as Kakie, has been serving fierce clapbacks that are worthy of applause.
This isn’t Kakie’s first time speaking up— she has always been an active voice in social media about certain issues. Her progressive views and fearless statements magnify her social media presence.
Take a look!
“STOP TEACHING GIRLS HOW TO DRESS?? TEACH PEOPLE NOT TO RAPE,” Kakie tweeted
Ben Tulfo responded to the said tweet: “Hija, @kakiep83, a rapist or a juvenile sex offender’s desire to commit a crime will always be there. All they need is an opportunity, when to commit the crime. Sexy ladies, careful with the way you dress up! You are inviting the beast.”
With bravery and her forceful flow of rebuttals, Kakie schooled the certified card-carrying senior citizen. “Rape culture is real and a product of this precise line of thinking where the behavior is normalized, particularly by men. The way anyone dresses should not be deemed as ‘opportunity’ to sexually assault them, ever. Calling me hija will not belittle my point.”
#HijaAko movement
The said statement birthed the hashtag #HijaAko, which eventually became a movement to further educate people about the toxic rape culture in the country. Moreover, netizens have been using this to empower each other through sharing informative resources and real-life experiences where they are sexually harassed and molested.
“Hija’ as a term is constantly used in a condescending manner, especially when speaking to youth like me when we have something to say or a point to make. It kind of seems like the first instinct was to invalidate everything I was saying based upon my age,” Kakie said in her interview with ANC.
“I do respect my elders, but respecting my elders doesn’t mean agreeing with them. I believe that older generations should also afford Gen Z a certain amount of respect. Now that we’re stepping up to be informed and educated and generally more vocal about these issues, I don’t think we deserve to be invalidated and shutdown for such efforts,” she added.
Amazingly, Kakie is showing us how our voices enable us to be catalysts for change and progression.
