Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Tugue Zombie. Image: screengrab from YouTube/TVJ
“E.A.T.” host Jose Manalo is being called out for “racism” after he blurted out a “blackout” joke on fellow host, Nigerian internet personality Tugue Zombie.
During the “Sugod Bahay Kapatid” segment last July 24, Manalo was talking to show host Vic Sotto when the former pointed at Tugue Zombie and said, “Ito, ‘pag napalanunan mo sa Bingo ‘to, ‘yan ang tinatawag na ‘blackout.’” (If Tugue Zombie is a prize in Bingo, it would be called “blackout.”)
While Manalo, Wally Bayola and even Tugue Zombie laughed it off, Paolo Ballesteros seemed unamused as he immediately cut Manalo and said, “Hoy.” Miles Ocampo noticeably drew back her smile as well.
A clip from the segment was reposted by fan account Anima Cristi Fermin on X (formerly Twitter) on Aug. 2, and called the attention of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
“RACISM LIVE on TV! Pag show ng parents walang MTRCB (There’s no MTRCB if it’s her parent’s show)!” the Twitter user said, apparently referring to the organization’s chairperson and host Tito Sotto’s daughter, Lala Sotto.
https://twitter.com/altcristyfermin/status/1686516008402763781
Other netizens echoed the same sentiments and aired their dismay over Manalo’s apparent lack of “character development.”
Image: Twitter
Image: Twitter
Image: Twitter
Image: Twitter
Image: Twitter
Image: Twitter
Image: Twitter
Image: Twitter
Image: Twitter
Manalo, the management of “E.A.T.” as well as MTRCB have yet to comment on the matter as of this writing.
This came after netizens also called on MTRCB to take action on Tito and wife Helen Gamboa’s cheek and neck kisses on “E.A.T.,” in the same manner the board addressed earlier complaints of alleged “indecent acts” by “It’s Showtime” hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez. /ra