José Manalo, Wally Bayola and Tugue Zombie. Image: YouTube/TVJ screenshot
“EAT” host Jose Manalo is being accused of “racism” after he dropped a “blackout” joke about fellow host, Nigerian internet personality Tugue Zombie.
During the “Sugod Bahay Kapatid” on July 24, Manalo was speaking with the host of the program Vic Sotto when the former pointed out Tugue Zombie and said: “Ito, ‘pag napalanunan mo sa Bingo’ to, ‘yan ang tinatawag na ‘blackout’.” (Yeah Tugue Zombie is a prize in Bingo, it would be called “blackout”).
As Manalo, Wally Bayola, and even Tugue Zombie laughed, Paolo Ballesteros didn’t seem amused as he immediately cut Manalo off and said, “Today.” Miles Ocampo also noticeably pulled his smile back.
A fan account reposted a clip from the segment. Animated Cristi Fermin on X (formerly Twitter) on August 2 and caught the attention of the Motion Picture and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
“RACISM LIVE on TV! Pag shows parents as MTRCB (There is no MTRCB if it is your parent’s program)!” said the Twitter user, apparently referring to the organization’s president and presenter Tito Sotto’s daughter, Lala Sotto.
RACISM LIVE on TV!
p show parents as MTRCB! pic.twitter.com/keH1tE6zoC— Anima Cristi Fermín (@altcristyfermin) August 1, 2023
Other netizens echoed the same sentiments, expressing dismay at 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, “EAT” management and MTRCB have yet to comment on the matter as of this writing.
This came after netizens also called on the MTRCB to take action on Tito and his wife Helen Gamboa’s cheek and neck kissing on “EAT”, in the same way that the board addressed previous complaints of alleged “indecent acts” for “It’s Showtime” features Vice Ganda and Ion Perez. /ra
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