MANILA, Philippines — Actor Coco Martin has repeatedly expressed his profuse regret over having taken part in “The Naked Truth” fashion show of clothing and underwear label, Bench.
Martin said on Tuesday that he was “extremely sorry” for his involvement in the segment for which he was highly criticized for playing the part of a master pulling his “pet” woman on a leash.
His lawyer, Lorna Kapunan, issued a statement on his behalf: “Mr. Martin feels extremely sorry for what transpired and admitted that this incident taught him a major lesson to be more sensitive and mindful of the repercussions of his portrayals,” the statement said.
The actor clarified that he had no part in the conceptualization of that segment, or any other part of “The Naked Truth.” He likewise noted that he was only informed of his one day before the actual show.
Even at that late stage of preparation, however, Martin added that he wanted air his concerns about the role. But he felt insecure about communicating properly with the Canadian model appearing with him on the segment, due to language differences.
Furthermore, he thought it best to keep quiet about it “because it was impressed upon him that the whole show was already finalized and he felt insignificant as to cause a scene and demand an overhaul of the entire segment,” the statement explained.
Martin has promised that he will never again portray a role as insensitive as that one; stressing his high regard for women, “just as he respects and loves his mother, his grandmother, and his three sisters.”
“Mr. Martin humbly asks for the public’s understanding and assures the public that he will no longer allow himself to be obliged to participate in a similar insensitive portrayal,” the statement said.