Robin Padilla. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
“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:
https://twitter.com/ME_Caponpon/status/952139469146091520
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 🦋 (@danhwas) 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
https://twitter.com/ME_Caponpon/status/952139469146091520
#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 Man (@CreeseMan) January 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/mramriee/status/952141668643319809
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.
https://twitter.com/itshammad23/status/952148045268885504
https://twitter.com/_hannassy/status/952139787711819783
Don't be rude Robin, remember Filipinos also joined international competition without doing that kind of act. Huwag OA! #PGTisLife
— K (@kayeeuyyy) 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 ✨ #FreePalestine 🇯🇴 (@paoloxmartinez) 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 🌙 (@engr_nak) January 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/AgdoroFerdinand/status/952144814371254272
HAYS WE NEED MORE JUDGES LIKE ANGEL LOCSIN!!! #PGTisLife
— al (@aljaykol) January 13, 2018