Filipina wins second place in MTV Exit photo contest
‘Women & Children, Abuse & Violence’ by Soleil S. Pamatigan
MANILA, Philippines—Filipina Soleil S. Pamatigan bagged the 2nd place at the MTV Exit (End Exploitation and Trafficking) Bold Lipstick Competition.
Pamatigan’s photo depicts a piece of paper in the process of being engulfed by flames, bearing the words “Women & Children, Abuse & Violence.” This emotive photo brings to mind how the lives of those affected can be destroyed, and just like paper reduced to ash if people don't intervene.
A native of Las Piñas City, the 26-year-old Pamatigan passionately reminds us that “there is no gender or age required to support this fight against this 'modern slavery',” said MTV Exit, a non-profit campaign to raise awareness and increase prevention of human trafficking in Asia and Europe.
Malaysia’s Chuah Siew Lin grabbed the grand prize with her entry bearing the words “I want 2 go home,” a direct and ultimately central theme in the battle to end trafficking, returning freedom back to those who have been deprived of it.
The Bold Lipstick competition aimed to increase awareness of the critical issue of human trafficking through an engaging medium and culminated in six shortlisted winners as voted for by the public. The contestants were encouraged to write a resonating phrase representative of their thoughts and emotions on trafficking...in lipstick.
In 3rd place is New Yorker J.T Liss, who was inspired to create her emotional piece after watching “Planet Better.”
For the 4th place slot is Weaw J from Bangkok. Her photograph depicts a woman with the word 'SLAVERY” imprinted on her arm, echoing the fact that “we are taught to believe that slavery has been abolished a long time ago, however, that's not the case...it's only been abolished on paper.”
Isela Guerra from Rio Grande Valley, Texas placed fifth with her photo cleverly showing two hands forming a heart and bearing the message “There Is Hope.”
The 6th place runner up of the competition Mau Thi Thanh Nahn from Hanoi, Vietnam created a very relevant image of a girl in the aisles of a supermarket, with the words “I am not goods” emblazoned across a sign.
Over 5000 votes were cast, acknowledging the breadth of the human trafficking situation. “Bold Lipstick” was launched in conjunction with the newest music video in the MTV Exit series, which in the past has featured the likes of Radiohead, Muse, and The Killers.
The video portrays a young woman being promised a better life by an attractive stranger, unaware of the danger of putting her trust in him.
Pamatigan said that there is no age required to support the fight against this "modern slavery."
“We need to get involved in educating other people about this growing crime. There are countless ways to extend help and support, to show that we care. A single voice can make a lot of difference who knows, it could even save lives,” she said.
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