The owners of the Pinoy Takoyaki store appeared to have handed over the P100,000 worth of cash prize to a father who fell victim to their tattoo challenge that turned out to be an April Fools’ prank.
The local food business named, “Taragis”, received online backlash after a man, identified as Ramil Albano, took its tattoo challenge to heart, which involved tattooing its brand on the forehead in exchange for the prize money.
The following day, the food store broke its silence, after removing its initial statement about the viral issue, by posting a five-minute video that showed them visiting Ramil in his residence in North Caloocan to hand over the cash prize.
“Last time nag-post ako nung April Fools’ Day na kung sino makakapagpa-tattoo sa noo eh mananalo ng one hundred thousand. Eh April Fools’ nga yon eh, sa kasamaang palad may isang gumawa,” the owner began in the video.
“‘Di ko alam, puntahan natin siya, tignan natin sitwasyon niya kung ano bang ginagawa niya, kung ba’t niya ginawa ‘yung bagay na ‘yon,” he added, showing clips of them traveling to the prank victim’s house.
“Kamusta! Siya ‘yong nakabasa ng post natin noong April Fools Day ‘di ba? Sa kasamaang palad ‘di niya nabasa yong message sa ilalim so ayon ang nangyari. April Fools’,” the owner introduced the man to their viewers.
Ramil explained that he had only seen the instructions on the post, and failed to read the disclaimer at the end that stated that it was an April Fools’ joke.
When asked what pushed him to do the challenge, Albano revealed that he was motivated by the monetary reward to provide for his 16-year-old son who has Down syndrome.
“Para sa bunso kong anak, pang-tuition ng anak ko, service ng anak ko na may Down syndrome,” he told the owners of Taragis.
In addition to the P100,000 cash prize, Ramil’s son was also given an additional P1,000 and was treated to his favorite fast food chain.
The owners also offered to have the tattoo removed by a professional but Ramil had declined.
Concluding the video, the owner expressed his sentiments towards the “unexpected” April Fools’ incident, regarding it as a chance to make a child happy.
“Unexpected lahat ng nangyari. Ito may anak pala si tatay na may espesyal na karamdaman kumbaga ‘yung April Fools’ Day na post namin naging daan para makilala ko siya at kahit papaano may napasaya kaming bata,” the business owner said.
He went on to emphasize his clean intention and business’ goal to provide joy and help for others, saying, “Wala akong intensiyon na maging perwisyo sa kapwa tao ko. Nakilala ang Taragis sa pagpapasaya ng tao at mamigay ng papremyo araw araw sa mga challenge namin.”
The owner reminded his fellow influencers and brand owners to be responsible with their posts online.
“Kaya sa mga nagkaroon ng negatibong pananaw sa naging April Fools post namin, humihingi ako ng tawad at sana magsilbing aral ‘to sa ating lahat. Lalong lalo na sa mga kapwa influencers ko o brand na nasa internet na maging responsable tayo sa lahat ng inaupload natin,” he said.
“Hindi natin alam na mayrong taong gagawin ang lahat para sa pera. Kaya iwasan nating gumawa ng mga bagay na pwedeng makaapekto sa kabuhayan nila,” he added.
“Pero kung sakaling makaapekto man tayo kahit isa. Siguraduhin natin na maging responsable tayo at makabawi tayo sa kanila kahit sa simpleng paraan lang.
Lastly, he addressed a message to Ramil, saying, “Sana makatulong yung inabot namin sayo, ‘tay. Hindi pa ‘yan ang huli. Marami ka pang aabangan. Salamat.”
This video came after many concerned netizens took to social media to accuse Taragis of “negligence” and “insensitivity” with the viral prank.
Meanwhile, several local brands have also offered support to Albano with monetary assistance and in-kind tattoo removal sessions.
