On June 29, Viva artist Clifford Pusing voiced out his thoughts on providing healthcare for sex workers.
At the media conference for ‘Bugaw,’ Pusing cited his observation on the local clubs in Subic, which have health centers that help sex workers.
“Para sa akin, ‘yung parang sex job, wala namang problema ‘yan kung talagang ‘yung mismong nagtratrabaho noong para sa ganon, gustong-gusto niya. Eh mayroon namang parang, maraming center–parang dito sa amin, dito sa Barretto Subic, marami pong mga club, maraming mga bar, so halos lahat sila, mayroong katabing mga center, so every month nagpapa-check sila, kung may sakit ba sila o wala.”
He then recounted his days as a nursing student and his interactions with local sex workers seeking healthcare in their area.
“Kasi naging ano ako eh, nursing student ako, naging patient ko rin ‘yung mga ganon, so ang sabi ko, ang importante, nakakapag-pacheck up sila. Wala silang binabanggang tao, wala silang tinatapakang tao. Kasi ‘yan ‘yung hanapbuhay nila, ‘yan ‘yung hanapbuhay nila na makakaya lang nila.”
Pusing also acknowledged how sex workers were only trying to make a living.
“So ayun lang, basta safe sila, okay na ‘yun, tsaka di mo mapipigilan ‘yun kung ‘yun talaga ang gusto nila. Wala kayong magagawa kasi ‘yun ‘yung gusto nila, ‘yun lang ‘yung kaya nilang gawin. ‘Yun lang magagawa nila.”
He highlighted the dangers of not providing health care to sex workers.
“Oo kasi mahirap na kapag nagkasakit eh, damayan ‘yan eh. Panibagong cure na naman ‘yan or virus, or kung ano man. Panibagong sakit na namang maiimbento. So maganda na dapat talaga mayroong health care na para sa mga nagse-sex workers.”
As for their upcoming Vivamax film, ‘Bugaw’ stars Jay Manalo, Alexa Ocampo, Ataska Mercado, and Pusing.
Under the direction of Yam Laranas, ‘Bugaw’ streams on Vivamax starting July 7.
