Rochelle Pangilinan during her interview with broadcast journalist Karen Davila. Screenshot from Davila's YouTube channel
MANILA — While their daring outfits and provocative dance moves became the Sexbomb Girls’ signature, it also made them the targets of criticism, the group's leader Rochelle Pangilinan recalled, reflecting on the challenges the all-female act faced in its early years.
Pangilinan discussed these challenges in an interview with Karen Davila, which was released Thursday on the journalist's YouTube channel.
During the interview, Davila asked if the Sexbomb Girls had faced discrimination, to which Pangilinan replied, "Maraming beses," citing the group’s sexy image.
"Pinapatanggal yata kami ng mga panahon na 'yon kasi ano raw, nagiging cause daw kami ng rape kasi sobrang sexy ng suot namin. Naka-bra sa TV. Shempre masakit sa'min 'yon," she shared.
Pangilinan admitted that at times, she also thought that their group could be considered as a bad influence to young people.
"May pagka-Maria Clara pa rin ang mga Pilipino eh," she said, referring to the character from Jose Rizal's novels, who has long symbolized purity and virtue.
"Pero ito kami, nga naman, kung titingnan mo 'yong ganoong side, baka nga, kasi ang sexy namin, ang lala ng giling naman, 'yong sobra, baka nga," she added.
The pain from past criticism, however, has largely faded, as the Sexbomb Girls now recognize that they have inspired many people, Pangilinan said.
"Pero ang iniisip ko na-heal 'yon kasi 'yong mga pinalaki ng Sexbomb ngayon, kung paano kami nakatulong sa kanila sa panahon na marami silang pinagdadaanan noong kabataan nila, lalo na gusto nila maging Sexbomb, nakapagbigay kami ng inspirasyon sa ibang tao sa kabila ng bina-bash kami noon," she said.
Pangilinan also confirmed that she and the other members received indecent proposals, but they turned them down.
"Sa mga interview na naririnig ko sa sinasabi ng mga kagrupo ko, nagkaroon sila. Ako, isa lang po," she said.
"Tumakbo po ako palayo, hindi ako lumaban, bawing-bawi po ako," she said when asked how she reacted to the proposal.
Pangilinan explained that she turned down the idea of having a sugar daddy because her parents raised her to value hard work.
"Parang lagi sinasabi nila nanay saka ni tatay sa'kin, 'Lahat paghihirapan mo,'" she said.
"'Yon na lang mabibitbit ko sa pagkatao ko na maipagmamalaki ko, lalo sa anak ko. Na, kahit mahirap ako, proud ako sa sarili ko na hindi mo ako kayang bilhin," she added.
The Sexbomb Girls have made waves in recent months with their reunion concert, which has been extended to a five-night run due to popular demand, with the final three shows scheduled for February.