A TikTok content creator’s opinions on encountering “noisy children” in public spaces have sparked discussions among Filipinos.
TikTok user “Rasta G” previously posted a reaction video of herself, with a child’s cries in the background.
In the clip, she looks at the camera, rolls her eyes as the child continues to cry, then rests her head on her knuckles, showing her frustration.
Text accompanying the video reads: “Me ‘pag may batang maingay na ’di naman cute:”
The post appears to have already been deleted from her profile, but it nevertheless caught the attention of several Filipinos, including actress-host Tuesday Vargas, who shared her two cents as a mother.
“It is completely understandable why that post touched a nerve. There is a specific kind of pressure that comes with parenting in public, and the idea that a child’s right to exist (or express big emotions) is contingent on their ‘cuteness’ can feel incredibly dismissive of the hard work parents do,” she shared in a post.
“Talagang tumaas ang kilay ko kasi naalala ko na minsan sa buhay ko makulit akong bata. I know now, as a mother myself, how hard it can be to manage your child’s emotions, especially in public,” Tuesday added.
“Remember na may autism at ADHD ako, kaya super saludo ako sa nanay at tatay ko sa tiyaga nila. That type of parenting comes without a manual, guys, so let’s give the child and parent some grace,” she continued.
Tuesday then shared her thoughts on Rasta G.
“Since she isn’t a mother yet, she likely lacks the ‘in-the-trenches’ perspective of managing a neurodivergent child, a toddler mid-growth spurt, or simply a tired human who hasn’t learned emotional regulation yet,” she said.
“Public spaces belong to everyone, including the messy, loud, and ‘non-cute’ versions of us. Masakit itong nasabi mo, ate, kahit disguised as comedy, madami siyang sinasabi. Sana makapaglabas ka pa ng isa pang content to explain,” the actress-host added.
“Empathy shouldn’t have a beauty standard! All kids (and their exhausted parents) deserve a bit of kindness when things get rough in public. It takes a village to stay patient while they learn to grow up,” she said.
Another content creator, Dior Veneracion, also called out Rasta G, noting that there are adults who can be “noisy” in public spaces like coffee shops and restaurants.
“May arguments pa kayo na ‘LET THEM ENJOY’ pero ‘pag sa bata? Anong klaseng pag-iisip ‘yan? Mas malala ka pa sa batang hindi pa developed ang utak,” he exclaimed in a post.
Like Dior, singer and father TONEEJAY explained that unlike children, adults already have a fully developed frontal lobe.
“You can suspend your emotions and judgment. You can choose to be understanding and kind,” he said in a now-viral TikTok stitch video.
@heytoneejayjust cause i think this needs to be said♬ original sound – TONEEJAY
Reports said it was not the first time Rasta G aired such opinions on children.
In 2021, she allegedly posted a video using a grocery store filter in which she bites her lip and extends her arm as she approaches the camera.
“May nakita kang batang makulit na ‘di naman cute,” a text in her post reportedly reads.
Gaming content creator Mikh Cruz also appealed to the public to “stop the hate train towards children.”
“It’s fine to get annoyed, but turning it into content that gathers hate, especially toward kids who can’t regulate their emotions yet, is so, so saddening,” she wrote.
“Tigilan natin ‘tong hate train towards children. Sa mga magulang naman na natatakot nang ilabas ang mga anak nila because of content like this, please don’t let it get to you. Our children only have one childhood. Let them be kids,” Mikh added.
Crying or noisy children are commonly encountered in public spaces such as malls and restaurants, where parents or guardians may bring young children for leisure.
