“I can wear whatever I want to wear.”
Kapamilya actress and dancer Dawn Chang uttered these words during a heated argument with actor Tommy Esguerra during their stint as housemates inside the Pinoy Big Brother house. Her words helped remind women in the outside world to be more empowered on what they can wear and the importance of consent.
Dawn’s argument with Tommy stemmed from the latter’s concern over how she acts in front of Zeus Collins and claimed how guys think differently from girls.
READ: Dawn Chang and Tommy Esguerra’s confrontation clip resurfaces online
“You can tell me right now, 'I don’t like you Tommy,' but if you put your leg out, my brain’s not gonna work, I’m a guy,” Tommy expressed.
It was at that point where the Kapamilya actress couldn’t contain herself and said that women are not responsible for the actions that guys do after seeing someone attractive.
“I beg to disagree. Your actions, you should take responsibility for your actions. If you think I’m sexy, thank you very much. If you feel tempted because of what I wear, that’s your problem and not mine. I can wear whatever I want to wear,” she maintained.
Viewers of the hit reality program have mostly sided with the actress.
“She was ahead of her time. Walang ganitong mindset nung time na 'to,” a fan wrote.
“I randomly get the urge to watch this because Dawn was such a real feminist queen in this confrontation. every word she said was on point and idk i just admire her sooooo much,” another fan added.
READ: Dawn Chang set to open another branch of her cookie business: ‘My heart is full!’
The heated argument between the two remains relevant until today. Women have been using Dawn’s video to remind men that what they wear isn’t an excuse for any disrespect and harassment.
Dawn has also been vocal in the outside world when it comes to consent and feminism–– educating her fans as much as she can.
“If there is no consent, it’s not right. Kasi, kumbaga, ang pagkain, just because nasa harapan mo, pero hindi sa ‘yo, hindi ibig sabihin pwede mo kainin. Hindi rin po sa kasuotan ‘yun. No, it’s all here (pointing to her head). It’s how you control, it’s how you see it, it’s how you think it is,” she previously expressed.