Kapamilya actress Xyriel Manabat bravely opened up about the harsh reality of being sexualized and objectified as a woman on Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition.
On the 38th episode of the hit reality show, housemates were given a task to reflect on the most hurtful comments they’ve received from bashers and share the impact it had on them. For Xyriel, the comment she chose to highlight was: “Kaya ka nababastos”.
The former child star opened up about how such remarks—often aimed at her physical appearance and clothing choices—have deeply affected her.
“Hindi naman ako nababash nang bash talaga. More on sexualized and nao-objectify,” she began her story. “Ang lagi kong natatanggap ko na talaga nakakaapekto sa’kin is ‘yung comment na ‘kaya ka nababastos.”
Xyriel stressed that there is never a valid excuse for anyone to be disrespected based on what they wear.
“For me there will be no valid reason para mabastos ang isang tao. Babae ka man o lalaki ka, kahit anong piece of clothing mo, that will never validate someone’s disrespect or someone’s behavior lalo kung ino-objectify ka,” she said.
She further shared that these moments push her to speak out even louder, saying, “Naapektuhan ako kasi dito ako nangangati magsalita, talagang papamukha ko sayo na hindi tama yung sinasabi mo.”
Xyriel also didn’t hold back when she talked about her reaction to such mindsets.
“Sa bahay man ‘yan, sa public, basta may marinig akong vinavalidate mo ‘yung nababastos na isang tao dahil sa pananamit nila, magkakasagutan tayo at magkakasagutan,” Xyriel concluded her story, eliciting cheers from housemates.
Her powerful words earned applause and support from fellow housemates, who were visibly moved by her courage and honesty.
In a one-on-one moment with Big Brother, Xyriel explained that her outspoken nature is something she developed as a way to protect herself after experiencing bullying.
“Feeling ko po kaya po ako naging opinionated kasi po parang na-develop ko po sa sarili ko na hangga’t alam ko pong tama ako, may point ako or wala akong tinatapakang tao, wala akong nababastos, talaga pong ipaglalaban ko po ‘yung opinion ko. Talaga pong sasabihin ko s’ya,” she told Kuya.
“Siguro po ano ko s’ya, defense mechanism, kasi naranasan ko pong ma-bully, maliit-liitin. […] Kailangan kong mag-stand up for myself, kailangan kong ipaglaban kung nasa tama ako,” added Xyriel.
Netizens praised the actress for her candidly tackling sensitive issues such as sexual harrasment and objectification of women.
Prior to the episode, Xyriel also addressed being judged with the misconception of “having no self-respect” because of the outfits she wears.
“Feeling ko, ang biggest misconception sa akin is just because of the way I dress, or I express myself sa pananamit, feeling ng tao, wala kong self-respect. Which is a big no,” she said during a press conference segment with the housemates, shortly after entering the PBB house alongside Kapuso star Shuvee Etrata last Sunday.
“For me, hindi nasusukat yung respeto ko sa sarili ko sa piraso ng tela. Para sa ’kin, kahit ga’no ’ko ka-confident or ka-komportable sa skin ko, hindi mo masasabi na hindi ko nirerespeto yung sarili ko,” she added.
