As promised, my second article of the Filipino sex trade. I did mention that I will be reviewing a documentary that was aired on the CBC's The Lens in 2007 entitled "Selling Sex in Heaven." On a side note, it is narrated by Kieffer Sutherland which brings a calm and collected voice. Moreover, I will put a link which will enable all to view the documentary if willing. I strongly recommend that you do so because you will better understand this world that so many women live in. The documentary follows the life struggle of one girl named Mila. She lives in Angelas city one of the most popular destinations for sex tourism in southeast Asia. She works at a bar called "Heaven" on blowjob alley. She works long hours to support not only herself, but also sending money to her family. Mila is only 21 years old! As many girls, she was sold without knowing it at a young age and left to fend for herself in this new disturbing world. Survival is the key word and the fate that they have, "...that a white man will bring them home with them" is so strongly engraved in their minds. I wont elude the fact that I find it terribly sad that they would think that. Men that do go there are there for one specific reason and that's for cheap sex! Mila has a boyfriend as she's mentioned. You can clearly see in the picture that he is much older, but he does give her hope of a better future. They clearly live day by day lives as they never know if some foreigner has malicious intents; however, they blindly trust them as they welcome them with open arms.
"They wave at me and wink at me" as professor Stephen Perrott mentions. The men there all think everyone else is up to the same thing they are. A somewhat disturbing thought as many men are so much older. I wont go into older men marrying younger women as that is a sensitive subject and I am not one to criticize others choices. It's like living in a fantasy world when they are with younger women. The professor also brought along two young girls as interns. Coming to a third world country trying to make a difference is admirable; however, seeing the bad nature of the sex trade just might be too much for them to handle. You will be surprised at how easy the girls talk about their trade, but you can see in their eyes the pain and fear of doing what they do. The documentary also speaks of the Catholic Church; however, I feel that you the reader should form your own opinion on this particular segment!
The most compelling part of this short video is that of the casas! These are were local Filipino men go for sex. Yes, casa does mean house...but once you see the segment, you would never call this a home. The women are subjected to relative slavery as they are kept in small 8x4 rooms 24hours a day. They are only allowed to go out if a client chooses her services. Imagine living your young life cornered in a small room until you are deemed useless to men because you have lost your beauty! The first time I saw this documentary in 2007, I was shocked to learn that men would subject young girls to such barbaric slavery! You will be shocked or amazed at their situations, but there seems to be almost no choice for these young women. As a police woman put it bluntly, "...they're slaves. Imagine how they were treated when they were given their food. I can't describe...As if you see a dog eating under a table."
I wont say how it ends nor should I. I leave it up to the readers to look at the video and form their own opinions. I hope I have brought you a little closer to their reality and how these girls live day by day. Remember that it is difficult to write or talk about such a subject, but I am happy to have the freedom to express it here for everyone to see.
Do not accept to install any program just cancel and it will play if ever this happens.
Thank you for reading!
