A cake-tasting interaction on “It’s Showtime” drew flak for portraying “indecent acts,” according to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
In an “Isip Bata” segment on the noontime show last July 25, host Ion Perez modeled a cake in the “Choose Ko Po!” round, where he was seen licking off icing from his finger. His fellow host and partner Vice Ganda suggested that he perform the gesture “with feelings,” similar to that of an ad model’s performance. Afterwards, the other show’s hosts prodded the comedian to do the same.
On July 31, the MTRCB, chaired by Diorella “Lala” Sotto-Antonio, issued a Notice to Appear and Testify to the producers of the show after it received complaints about “concerning scenes” by hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez that were allegedly “indecent.”
Following MTRCB’s ruling of calling the interaction “indecent,” social media users were quick to air their frustrations over the issue, citing an “overreaction” and “homophobia” as problematic roots that gave rise to the board’s decision.
Along with the discourse, past clips of “Eat Bulaga!” hosts Joey de Leon and Tito Sotto showing lewdness on their noontime show resurfaced online. Some social media users argue that they are the ones who had committed true “indecent acts.” With Lala being Tito’s daughter, it seemed to be a “conflict of interest” if they had been called to be committing such acts.
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