2 men fined over indecent show at Cadiz festival

BACOLOD CITY—Two men issued a public apology and paid a P3,000-fine each on Tuesday over an indecent exposure incident during the Dinagsa Festival in Cadiz City on Saturday.

At a press conference in Cadiz, makeup artists Stephen Matti and John Rey Abella of Silay City read their statement apologizing for their inappropriate actions during the festival on Saturday.

Videos and photos showing Matti and Abella while pole dancing in skimpy attires were posted on social media and drew the ire of the public.

A Cadiz ordinance prohibits nudity in public or any state of undress, which is punishable by 10 days imprisonment or payment of a fine of P3,000, said Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr.

“We have learned our lesson and we pledge that… [this] will not happen anymore, not only here in Cadiz, but in other cities as well,” Matti and Abella said in their joint apology. They said their acts were disrespectful as these were committed during the feast honoring the Sto. Niño de Cadiz. —CARLA GOMEZ