‘It’s Showtime’ apologizes for bad joke on orphans
Erin Ocampo
Only days after Gretchen Barretto received considerable flak after supposedly laughing at a fan in need, the management and staff of ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime” was also forced to apologize to viewers following its use of a bad joke on orphans.
Erin Ocampo
The joke was delivered by GirlTrends member Erin Ocampo as part of the show’s PUROKatatawanan segment that aired Thursday.
Based on available footage, Erin was heard asking Hashtags member Jimboy Martin, “Paano gumawa ng panget na anak?”
The dancer replied, “Paano gumawa ng panget na anak? Ba’t di mo itanong sa nanay mo?”
Erin then shot back, “Ano’ng sagot mo? Tanong ko sa nanay ko? Mali! Tanong mo sa totoo mong magulang kasi ampon ka!”
NORFIL Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization focusing on disabled, neglected, and abandoned children was quick to react on the matter.
Via a statement published Friday, it said: “We at NORFIL Foundation Inc., would like to express our grave alarm and dismay to Showtime’s episode that was aired yesterday, June 7, 2018 (Thursday)…
“This kind of insensitive and ignorant joke should not be tolerated and taken lightly.
“We hope that the media, as a powerful influence should convey proper information about legal adoption.
“As an adoption agency, we are calling for support and proper corrective action regarding this issue especially from MTRCB and Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“All children are beautiful and unique.”
With a good number of netizens joining in on the fray, the management and staff of the show issued a formal apology on Friday as read on air by one of the show’s host, Amy Perez.
She said, “Ang buong programa po ay humingi ng paumanhin at hindi po namin intensiyon na mawalan ng respeto at gawing katawa-tawa ang marami pong tao.”
“Magtiwala po kayo na mas lalo po kaming magiging maingat, responsable, at sensitibo sa amin pong mga salita para sa kasiyahan po ng lahat.
“Muli ang amin pong paumanhin sa lahat at mahal po namin kayo madlang people. Maraming salamat po,” she added.
The MTRCB as with the DSWD is yet to issue a statement on the matter as of this writing. (Neil Ramos)