Hindi pinalagpas ni Filipino-Tongan actor, model, TV host, comedian at rugby union player Eric ‘Eruption’ Tai ang mga netizens na nag-body shame sa kaniyang misis na si Rona Samson-Tai, isang ‘plus-size model’, matapos niyang mag-post ng Christmas greetings sa kaniyang social media accounts para sa Kapaskuhan.
“From the bottom of my maskels, a SAFE & BLESSED-MERRY CHRISTMAS to your family from mine!” caption ni Eric sa kaniyang social media posts, kalakip ang larawan nila ng kaniyang misis na nakasuot ng red swimsuit, at kanilang anak na lalaki.
Marami naman ang nagpaabot ng pagbati sa kanila, subalit marami rin ang pumuna sa katawan ng kaniyang misis. Komento ng mga netizen, bakit daw hindi turuan ni Eric na maging fit ang kaniyang asawa.
“Why bro, you can advise someone who can work out, but your wife can’t teach her to be fit.”
“Pag-exercisesin mo naman ‘yung asawa mo, lods. Idamay mo naman siya sa pagka-healthy mo.”
“Bakit hindi mo turuan ang misis mo na maging fit kagaya mo?”
Malumanay namang sinagot ni Eric ang mga netizen na nanlalait sa kaniyang misis. Ipinagmalaki niya na isang model ang kaniyang asawa.
“She’s one of Philippines most sought-after plus-size model. Actually one of the best. You’ll see her on Avon, HnM, Cosmopolitan, SM & many more advertisements, prints and commercials,” sey ni Eric.
Sa isa pang hiwalay na post, saad pa niya na “Pag mataba ka, hindi ibig sabihin unhealthy ka.”
Marami naman sa mga netizen ang sumang-ayon kay Eric at nagpaalala na hindi tama ang body shaming.
“Merry Christmas, you have an amazing family and you have the most beautiful wife because you love her!”
“You have the sexiest woman in the world bro because you love her so much! Merry Christmas to your family and keep inspiring Filipino people! Thank you for being you all the time.”
“Sa nagsasabi na dapat niya baguhin yung wife niya to be fit… Hindi naman po palaging ganon… if you love your wife, you do not have to ask her to change her appearance just to please the audience. In fact, his wife is beautiful and sexy inside out. She is more than enough…. #womenempowerment.”
Maging si Rona ay nag-post din sa kanyang social media accounts tungkol sa insidente.
“To everyone that body shamed me on my husband’s recent Christmas post. My prayer for you is to find true & unconditional love. Not just from your significant other, but also from yourself.”
“Love yourself enough even if you’re going through something that you will see it’s beauty and strength despite it’s imperfection.”
“Know that you can body shame me all day long, but sweetheart, that don’t faze me!”
Sinagot din niya ang komento ng isang netizen tungkol sa pagkakaroon ng sakit dahil sa plus-size body, sa isa niyang hiwalay na post.
“Medyo bias sa post. Tanggapin na lang nating mga medyo malusog na kailangan nating magbawas ng timbang. Yun ang reality. Wala din akong bisyo, may exercise naman ako pero may sakit pa rin ako dahil sa mabigat na timbang.”
Tugon niya: “If they choose to, yes absolutely. But they should do it because they love themselves. And never let their body shape be the basis of their happiness.”
