‘Rude, racist’ Robin Padilla slammed for forcing Korean to speak Tagalog
“Pilipinas Got Talent” (PGT) judge Robin Padilla came under heavy fire for “forcing” a South Korean contestant to speak Filipino on national TV.
In the Saturday episode of the newly opened season of PGT on ABS-CBN, Kim Jiwan, a South Korean who grew up and studied in the Philippines was auditioning for the Philippine franchise of the hit talent show.
Kim introduced his girlfriend who is a Filipino. This sparked the curiosity of another judge, Vice Ganda, who asked him: “Do you speak Tagalog?”
Kim replied: “No, because they didn’t teach it at the international school.”
Vice Ganda then told Kim to perform so he could stop speaking English.
But when Kim approached Padilla to ask if he could “use” him to participate in his magic tricks, the action star declined, saying he should speak Tagalog first.
“Look at the back. It says ‘Pilipinas Got Talent.’ You are in the Philippines. You should speak Tagalog first before you could use me,” Padailla said.
But the language of the Philippines, according to the 1987 Constitution, is Filipino not Tagalog.
PGT judge and actress Angel Locsin came to the rescue and taught Kim how to ask Padilla.
The incident earned the ire of viewers who took to social media to chastise Padilla for being “rude, racist and insensitive” to Kim.
Below are some of the reactions to the incident:
Force someone to speak in Tagalog? Where in the first place, it is not easy to learn English. As long as they used Universal language, we can understand each other. Just sayin' #PGTisLife
— Eykeyyy9 (@ME_Caponpon) January 13, 2018
We know na it's Pilipinas Got Talent. But WTH, you shouldn't have accepted Kim Jiwan for auditions if you will shame him like that. 😒 #PGTisLife
— Aly Bosch (@AlyJunieBosch) January 13, 2018
I can't bear watching Robin being rude to someone who loves Phillipines and its people. A big clap for Angel for being considerate. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 #PGTisLife
— KHYS (@KhysJhanin) January 13, 2018
Force someone to speak in Tagalog? Where in the first place, it is not easy to learn English. As long as they used Universal language, we can understand each other. Just sayin' #PGTisLife
— Eykeyyy9 (@ME_Caponpon) January 13, 2018
#PGTisLife Robin Padilla please take note that Filipino is also joining Got talent to different country and they speak english. Don’t be rude.
— chris manuel (@creese_manuel) January 13, 2018
LANGUAGE BARRIER IS NOT A FCKING REASON FOR YOU TO BE RUDE IN FRONT OF SO MANY PEOPLE ON A NATIONAL TV #pgtislife
— Maria 👑 (@mramriee) January 13, 2018
Some netizens also reminded Padilla that Filipinos joined and excelled at “Got Talent” shows around the world and were received warmly without being forced to speak the local language.
That is so insensitive Robin. Nt a good way to welcome a visitor or rather a long term resident in the Philippines. We dnt force someone to learn our language & humiliating him infront of TV. Got talent abroad dnt force Filipinos to speak their language jst to perform. #PGTisLife
— Mad (@itshammad23) January 13, 2018
Totally disgusted what Robin did to this guy. People deserve respect tho. In fact, filipinos perform to other nation and still get respected as what they deserve. We filipinos right? Known as kind and friendly. Mahal ko kayong lahat. #PGTisLife
— hannah jamila 🍹 (@_hannassy) January 13, 2018
Don't be rude Robin, remember Filipinos also joined international competition without doing that kind of act. Huwag OA! #PGTisLife
— Kenneth Uy 🍀 (@Kennethbby2) January 13, 2018
Some netizens also didn’t not agree with Vice Ganda when the host said that Kim owed it to himself to learn the Filipino language and its culture.
SMH on Vice Ganda saying it's the contestant's 'social obligation' to learn Filipino bec he has stayed long enough in the Philippines. Like seriously?
Tapos may Robin Padilla pang nagdedemand na mag-Tagalog siya dahil Pilipinas Got Talent daw. WHAAAAAT? #PGTisLife
— Paolo Martinez (@KingPaoloXIV) January 13, 2018
But others praised Locsin for helping out Kim talk to Padilla.
Be the Angel Locsin in this world full of Robin Padilla. #PGTisLife
— Nak Balaba (@engr_nak) January 13, 2018
Saw two kinds of people in the world tonight. A rude man and an admirable woman.
Angel Locsin is ❤
#PGTisLife— Ferd (@AgdoroFerdinand) January 13, 2018
HAYS WE NEED MORE JUDGES LIKE ANGEL LOCSIN!!! #PGTisLife
— ALJAYkolinmo (@aldridz_) January 13, 2018