Joey de Leon. INQUIRER file photo
“Eat Bulaga” host Joey De Leon earned the ire of netizens for criticizing a contestant’s past life on live TV.
In the “All for Juan, Juan for All” segment of the noontime show held in Olongapo on Tuesday, a woman named Mary Jane shared that in the past, she was a former prostitute in Pasay City. She got pregnant twice and bore two children. She was later saved and brought to a ministry, where she became a Born Again Christian.
As she was recalling her past life, de Leon asked Mary Jane, “May naging guest ka bang taga-‘Eat Bulaga’? Hindi, baka napasyal lang.” (Did you have a guest from “Eat Bulaga”? No, someone who just passed by.)
The veteran host added, “‘Yang dalawang katabi mo.” (Those two beside you.) De Leon was pertaining to co-hosts Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola. This drew laughter from Allan K, while Mary Jane and Maine Mendoza stayed silent.
When Paolo Ballesteros asked Mary Jane if she was familiar with either Manalo or Bayola, she replied by saying their names. Manalo then said to Bayola, “Sabi ko na nga ba eh. Kita mo oh. Ako ba?” (I knew it. You see, is it me?).
She once again said their names, to which Manalo replied, “Oh tignan mo oh. Ikaw din pala.” (You see, you too!)
The incident drew anger from the social media sphere. One netizen, Paollo Sebastian, called the veteran host “garbage” in a viral Facebook post last Monday.
Twitter users also did not hold back their disgust of de Leon, posting their criticism of the comedian.
SIR JOEY DE LEON, YOUR JOKE WAS FUCKING DISGUSTING. pic.twitter.com/s9AQ4P6ZNT
— Governor (@SiMarcoJoseAko) February 20, 2018
There are those who pointed out that the whole matter is not a joke, because prostitution is rooted from poverty.
We have people defending Joey de Leon by saying that “it’s just a joke, di pa ba kayo nasanay?” The discrimination experienced by single moms & the economic incapacity leading to sexual exploitation experienced by prostitutes are not a joke, karen. Kadiri kayong apologists, sobra
— Sabila (@sabilandako) February 21, 2018
Others took note of the kind of humor de Leon has recently been making, from “remarks on people with depression to making fun of sex workers.”
From insensitive remarks on people with depression to making fun of sex workers? How low can your “humor” go @AngPoetNyo pic.twitter.com/I2oFYeG2YJ
— Ross Angelo Negrillo (@halipaross) February 20, 2018
Some were no longer surprised.
joey de leon pic.twitter.com/jWjxbVRGSF
— Angeli Jean Koreen Corpuz (@corpuzcallosum) February 21, 2018
Known for being highly vocal, some of de Leon’s personal opinions on sensitive issues have previously stirred controversy, for which the comedian has apologized several times. JB
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