Governor slams lingam, says massage will not be tolerated

CEBU, Philippines – Just two days after Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said lingam massage is welcome in Cebu City, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said the controversial massage will not have a space in the province.

"Are we so impoverished that we resort to settling for those kinds of tourists who have problems in their prostate glands?" Garcia said yesterday.

Despite concerns raised on the morality of lingam massage, Young said earlier Cebu City will not stop massage parlors from offering lingam because the same has attracted many foreigners and tourists in Cebu. He, however, stressed that regulations and guidelines should be put in place so that no "extra services" will be involved.

"Ang question karon is about morality kay kung wala'y sex mahitabo, ok ra man," the vice mayor said earlier.

Yesterday, however, Garcia said she would not wish to attract tourists who "commodify and desecrate the dignity of the Cebuanos." She said she can only hope that officials who are given the responsibility to uphold public morals will do so.

Garcia said she echoes the objection of Board Member Agnes Magpale on the operation of lingam massage parlors in Cebu.

The governor argued she does not believe that all men who go to massage parlors for lingam go there simply for therapy or because they have problems in their prostate glands.

She said tour operators who offer lingam in the tour package here in Cebu need a "legal leg" to stand on as far as the province is concerned. An ordinance is currently brewing at the Provincial Board to ban lingam massage in areas under the provincial government.

In her proposed ordinance, Magpale, head of the committee on women, family and minors at the Board, said lingam massage can serve as a breeding ground for human trafficking and prostitution. The proposal will be opened to discussion during a public hearing.

During an appearance at the Provincial Board session, Honey Yoo, owner of Authentic Lingam Massage, earlier said Lingam is not genital massage but the stimulation of the soft tissues between the anus and the perineum wherein the prostate pressure points are located for purpose of relaxation. She said lingam massage is therapeutic for elder male clients to prevent prostate problems.

Johnnie Lim, president of the Spa and Wellness Association of Cebu, also said he is not personally discouraging the nature of the business, but questions its moral acceptability. He said it is the clients who should answer if Lingam massage is indeed therapeutic.

Lingam is a Sanskrit word for the male genitals. (THE FREEMAN)