A local Takoyaki store named Taragis has stirred controversy on Facebook after it posted an April Fools’ Day challenge, sparking debates about responsibility, cultural awareness, and the perils of online pranks.
Taragis, whose social media presence revolves around trendjacking as well as social media stunts and challenges, boldly captioned a post, “KAYA MO BANG GAWIN PARA SA 100k?!” (Can you do the challenge for ₱100k?!), entailed a hefty reward of ₱100,000 for anyone daring enough to tattoo the Taragis logo on their body. The allure of quick cash drew attention, but the aftermath revealed more profound consequences.
A participant in the challenge, took it to heart and inked the page’s name on his forehead, becoming a symbol of the blurred lines between humor and harm. He commented on the post with a photo of him having ‘Taragis’ logo tattooed on his forehead, saying, “Sir nag-pm po ako sa inyo ginagawa na po wait po ako ng chat ninyo [Sir, I messaged you. It’s already being done. I’ll wait for your chat.]”
Social media erupted with mixed reactions. While some criticized Taragis for negligence and insensitivity, others defended the page, citing individual responsibility and the need for media literacy. Comments ranged from demands for accountability to legal threats, highlighting the gravity of the situation in today’s digital age.
One user remarked, “This is your responsibility. Take accountability and make things right.” Another pointed out the cultural divide, stating, “Not everyone knows about Western traditions like April Fools.”
Another user expressed legal concerns, stating, “Misinterpretation, Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress, Battery. Taragis: LIABLE, Responsible, and Accountable. See you in court.”
The controversy also highlighted cultural differences, with some users pointing out that only some are familiar with Western traditions such as April Fools’ Day. One comment read, “You should have known na yung audience mo are Filipinos. Some don’t know about Western traditions such as April fools. Sa panahon ngayon na grabe ang inflation, most Filipinos are in dire need of money and will do anything para lang maka-ahon kahit konti. YOU ARE DEFINITELY ACCOUNTABLE. [“You should have known that your audience is Filipinos. Some may need to become more unfamiliar with Western traditions such as April Fools. In this time of severe inflation, most Filipinos are in dire need of money and will do anything to improve their situation, even a little. YOU ARE DEFINITELY ACCOUNTABLE.]”
The situation drew comparisons to potential legal repercussions, with a user noting, “If we were in the US, this would be an instant messy lawsuit.”
More people sympathized with the participant, emphasizing that the posted challenge was indeed an inappropriate prank.
Some users have started tagging the page Raffy Tulfo In Action in an attempt to get Mr Tulfo’s attention on the matter.
Amid the backlash, Taragis released a statement reiterating the nature of April Fools’ Day and the importance of reading comprehension. The statement read, “Our April Fools’ Day post was published earlier in the day, After that, we received a number of messages claiming that our post was executed and that someone had taken it seriously. Let this serve as a reminder to us all how important reading comprehension is. It is April Fool’s Day. Never trust anything or anyone. The same as any other day. Once more, Taragis Takoyaki is not accountable for the events that occurred. Thank you!”
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of online pranks and the importance of considering cultural contexts and sensitivities. As social media continues to play a significant role in shaping public discourse, incidents like these underscore the need for media literacy and responsible online behavior.
POP! is attempting to get in touch with the man who had the logo tattooed on his forehead to get a deeper understanding of his side, and to help clear his involvement regarding the issue. We will update the story as soon as we receive a response from him.
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