Charlie Dizon is speaking her truth, unfiltered and grounded, as she opens up about the realities of being a woman experiencing double standards in showbiz, after being tagged as "siga."
In a candid interview with Hot Takes, the actress offered a thoughtful perspective shaped by both personal experience and the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry. Early on, Charlie acknowledged how female celebrities continue to face scrutiny beyond their work, made by long-standing expectations of how women should act as “reserved.”
“Example, hindi na lang sa akin, pero feeling ko kasi parang ini-expect nila na ‘pag babae hindi masyadong outspoken… like mas mahinhin, mas [prim and] proper. Parang lately na lang na-appreciate talaga ‘yung nagpapaka-totoo ‘yung babae, ‘yung parang galawgaw pala, parang bakla din kumilos.”
However, for the What Lies Beneath actress, staying true to oneself is what ultimately sets a person apart.
“Feeling ko as long as nagpapakatoo ka sa sarili mo, mas lalabas talaga ‘yung spark in you. Mas lalabas ‘yung kakaiba sa’yo. Kasi ang boring naman kung lahat kayo pare-pareho.”
Charlie added that she carries this mindset with her, especially having entered showbiz at a point in her life when she already felt secure in who she is. Unlike younger artists who grew up in front of the public eye, she said that she was already “whole” when she started, giving her a stronger foundation to navigate the pressures of the industry.
Before entering the local showbiz industry, Charlie trained for nine months in South Korea with an undisclosed talent agency to be an idol. According to her, this experience further reinforced that sense of identity. Being the only Filipino trainee at the time, she felt a deep responsibility to represent her roots, which she said, became instrumental in shaping both her discipline and her sense of self.
During the interview, Charlie also spoke about how confidence in women is often perceived differently. Traits admired in men can be interpreted negatively in women, a reality she has personally encountered having been called too assertive or "siga."
“‘Di ko alam kung dahil ba sa culture dati pa. Also makikita niyo rin sa mga shows...‘pag CEO, suplado ‘yung lalaki, powerful...pero kapag babae ‘yung pala-salita sasabihin talaga ‘siga-siga nito,’ ‘ang tapang nito,’” she described.
“So actually, ako personal experience [ko], lagi akong sinasabihan na siga ako sa lalaki... parang [sasabihan ako] ‘ang siga mo naman’...‘Yung feeling nila nakaka-lalaki ako...‘Di ko din alam bakit. Pero feeling ko naman na normal naman ‘yun... sinasabi ko lang naman ‘yung gusto kong sabihin pero nasisigaan agad.”
She connected this to cultural norms that still expect women to be soft-spoken, adding that media representation plays a role in reinforcing these ideas. For her, there is a need for more stories where women can lead and stand strong on their own, without being defined by traditional dynamics.
The actress also shared her perspective on the conflicting expectations placed on women in the industry, whether one chooses to be bold or reserved, Charlie acknowledged that criticism follows. She pointed out how audiences negatively react when artists evolve beyond their original image, especially those who transition into a more mature or daring persona. For Charlie, the solution is simple – allow people the space to grow and find where they truly belong.
“Sana marealize ng tao na kung saan siya magsh-shine, pababayaan niyo, 'di ba?”
“For me, ikaw [dapat] magse-set ng standard sa sarili mo. Kung ano 'yung gusto mong ipakita, kung ano 'yung komportable ka. Kasi it will show also kung hindi ka komportable, makikita rin 'yun, eh. So dapat ikaw 'yung magse-set ng standard sa sarili mo,” she emphasized.
Speaking up, meanwhile, is a shared challenge across genders, though she observed that more women today are beginning to find their voice. Still, she emphasized that the conversation ultimately goes back to equality.
“‘Yun lang naman ‘yung pinaglalaban ng feminism talaga na equality sana, respeto. Same respect sa babae, sa lalaki. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na ‘pag pinaglaban ‘yung feminism, hihigitan natin ‘yung mga kalalakihan. Hindi naman ganun. Sana lang respeto.”
Charlie has established herself as a versatile actress known for playing strong, resilient, and emotionally complex roles in Fan Girl, Four Sisters Before the Wedding, and What Lies Beneath, among others.