A KISS is viewed according to the viewer's cultural orientation. Commonly, a kiss on the cheek can be a form of a greeting like saying hello. A kiss on the forehead implies respect and adoration. A kiss on the lips may speak more of intimacy.
The context of a kiss also contributes to the meaning of the act. A child kissing the hand of an adult means reverence. Two women exchanging kiss on the cheeks presents a friendly gesture. A president kissing a woman who is already married in public is a different story and it can mean a lot of things, negative things.
The kiss on the lips by Duterte poses a lot of threat to the dignity of women. The kiss shows the traditional and repugnant treatment of women as objects of entertainment. The lady said it was meant to thrill the audience and there was no malice involved. This is her version in defending the act but I hope her words is enough to forget the show.
Duterte said it was only for a joke. A joke is given for fun and the object that was used to have fun is a woman. For the President, it was a joke to kiss a woman in front of the world despite the truth that one is married.
The kiss is an attack to the sanctity of marriage because of the act's context. A head of state must try to defend the values of his/her country. In the country, we put high regard on marriage and family. That is why a president kissing a married Filipina undermines this high regard we put on marriage and family.
While, a kiss is commonly seen as an expression of love, the kiss in South Korea presents an utter disrespect on women. The kiss was forced despite the lack of opposition from the woman. She was in no position to object. The crowd was cheering for the President. The President visit was understood to uplift the life of overseas workers. How can she reject the demand of a president in front of an applauding crowd?
The kiss presents an attitude of indifference on the part of the president. He knew that the act would be seen all around the globe. Many people, even children, would see it on televisions. The story will run on various headlines. Duterte did not care a bit. He knew people will have different reactions, him, being the head of the Philippines and her being a wife. He did not mind.
The kiss presents a case when an authority is used to manipulate others. He knew she has no room to reject his offer. He is the President of the country. He was there in his capacity as the head of the Philippines. His supporters were clapping and cheering for his presence. He owned the moment and he knew he could do whatever he wanted. He wanted a kiss. A kiss on the lips.
The kiss is a picture of women's abuse. It is an example of mistreatment. Women have the rights to be treated with respect regardless if they demand it or not. In this case, she did not demand it and she did not reject it. The case could be forgotten only this is not how respect works. Respect is not measured on how it is received but on how it is given.
The kiss reveals Duterte's attitude on women and his view on sexuality. Whatever it is, it is distasteful and far from the character of a true nobleman. A kiss on the cheek may have done it. A light embrace may have pulled it. But he was not satisfied with any of that. It had to be a kiss on the lips as if refusal was not an option. Never mind if it showed that the girl was not comfortable. For him, sexuality seems not a big deal as long as the people get thrilled. Sexuality, for Duterte, can be used as a mean to get people excited.
A kiss is a very beautiful thing. When done, it should be pleasing to the eyes. When people do not see the beauty in it, there must be something wrong. In any aspect, Duterte's kiss was no way beautiful. It was a kiss of destruction. It was stepping on the dignity of the woman and all women around the world. It was destroying the essence of kiss as an intimate act between two consenting individuals. For the Philippines, it was a kiss of death.
