Iloilo town censors beauty pageants, bans bikinis
Here’s a first for Iloilo or perhaps the entire Western Visayas Region – an Ordinance prohibiting skimpy bikinis during shows or beauty pageants.
The town? The progressive Municipality of San Enrique, Iloilo. What is at stake? The reputation of women here “especially the young audience.”
With a lady mayor at the helm of the town’s leadership, Ordinance No. 2009-004 came to view.
Presented to the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) for the customary review, rationale of the Ordinance was explained.
There is a need to “criminalize” and penalize violators, the Ordinance stated, following observation that “lewd/vulgar attires” had been used in previous competitions and shows here.
The activities may have been income-generating, yes, yet for the town officials led by Mayor Rosario Mediatrix “Trixie” Fernandez Tupas, the time has come for some serious regulation.
As such, expect no more of the “lewd/vulgar” and too revealing bikinis during shows within the town’s jurisdiction. “Shows” will include fashion shows, all kinds of beauty pageants meaning the search for a queen, king or Miss Gay, and yes, “bikini open” competitions.
Violators face a fine of P5,000 or 15 day imprisonment or both at the discretion of the Court.
Councilor Marino Panes pushed for the Ordinance which got unanimous backing of the council and the lady mayor.