The internet never forgets, and this contestant from Marian Aunor’s YouTube dating show, “Pusuan or Laruan,” proved that once it’s online, it stays online, after her comments about being a supposedly fluent English speaker resurfaced five months after the episode was uploaded.
A 28-year-old contestant faced criticism from many social media users earlier this month after her reason for rejecting a bachelor from the matchmaking themed show was due to language, stating, “I’m an englishera (English speaker), halata (obviously).” She clarified, “I can come off as strong to a lot of people that I try dating— they find me strong. And then, parang (like)– as in nosebleed. Like, I get it a lot, it doesn’t offend me.”
She closed noting, “I feel like baka ma-overwhelm ka sakin and baka ma-overwhelm rin ako sayo pag straight tagalog, yun lang,” (I feel life maybe you’ll be overwhelmed with me and I might be overwhelmed with you too when you speak straight tagalog, that’s it). Ian, the initially rejected bachelor, politely revealed that he was actually fluent in both Tagalog and English as he teaches international students. The two did not end up dating after Aly ultimately rejected him, with her new reason being that he was more compatible with another contestant named Pao.
@bryl0205 I’m an Englishera halata 😳😂😆 #trending #viral #fyp ♬ original sound – 梅梅 Edel to 梅梅
As the episode just recently gained traction online, many users showed strong feelings against Aly’s sentiments. Tiktok creator Shelby Rana shared her thoughts in a video, highlighting that Aly’s behavior was demeaning, voicing, “Speaking English doesn’t make you better than anyone,” and “Coming from someone who moved from the States when she was 8, speaking Tagalog is literally one of the most important things ever for people who move over here (the Philippines).”
@shelbyrana #fyp #fypシ #relatable #filipino #philippines ♬ original sound – Shelbs ྀི 🇵🇭
Many viewers agreed as Rana emphasized that knowing how to speak Tagalog was a means for one to be closer to their Filipino roots.
Other users were quick to point out slight contradictions between Aly’s statement and how she actually spoke. They noted that despite her “Englishera” claim, she engaged in the conversation more fluidly while speaking Tagalog, ultimately sparking memes.
@the.anxious.me Parang bagay ata sila as Englisherang halata 🤣🤣#CapCut #meme #pinoymeme #englisheranghalata #poptheballoon #filipino #filipinos #pinas #funny #funnyvideos
@itsme_archclodd I popped my balloon ’cause l’m an Englishera. Halata. #imenglishera #pusuanorlaruan #dub #foryoupage
@auxoassistph like, dire-diretso talaga 😎 #virtualassistant #wfh #wfhjobs #fyp #englishera
@trabahopartylist Ka-trabaho, advice lang: ‘Wag ka maintimidate sa job interviews, dapat ang interviewer ang ma-intimidate sa’yo! Char lang 🤗 Kaya mo ‘yan, ka-trabaho! Best of luck sa iyong job-hunting journey! 💙❤️ #106TRABAHOPartyList #TRABAHOPartyList #PanaloTayoPagMayTRABAHO #englisheragirl #InterviewTips #goldenretrievercouple
Sobrang Englishera.
I don't know why the English language is such a big thing to be considered intimidating 🙃 pic.twitter.com/b2IvlA3bNL
— James (@jamesthemesa) March 3, 2025
me realising i’m an englishera ❤️🩹 halata ❤️🩹 and i can come off as strong ❤️🩹 to a lot of people ❤️🩹 that i tried dating ❤️🩹 they find me strong ❤️🩹 as in nosebleed ❤️🩹 like i get it a lot ❤️🩹 and it doesn’t offend me ❤️🩹 pero yun lang ❤️🩹 yun lang ❤️🩹 that’s why ❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/AqbJilrY74
— ༗ (@C0NTRU4L) March 7, 2025
Sobrang englishera, halata. pic.twitter.com/E8HWowaSwC
— Mikha Colet Visuals ✨ (@mikholetgalleri) March 8, 2025
mina saying calm down. 🥹 englishera siya halata
pic.twitter.com/tGnmGdPZFj— 😴 (@jeongsbtch) March 8, 2025
While observations on the now-viral game show segment have been shared left and right, a slightly opposing take on the matter had later come to light. Emman Atienza, a widely known local user on the platform, was linked to the drama with people stating she was the “original englishera girl.” To this, she posted a video attempting to speak as best as she could in Tagalog, poking fun at herself.
@emmanatienzahindi naman ako englishera kasi sobrang intimidated ako sa english siya♬ original sound – emmanuelle atienza
Days later, Emman was quick to publish a statement on the situation addressing all the “tags” she was mentioned in, in regards to the viral video where users have asked for her opinion on the matter. She clears up that she purposely did not mention Aly and did not want to talk about “what she did wrong or what did said right,” expressing, “I’m so sure that poor girl has probably heard it a thousand times.”
@emmanatienzai don’t agree with her mindset but she’s getting way too much hate♬ original sound – emmanuelle atienza
Emman mentioned that she too was bashed by Filipino media in the past, ultimately relating to the heavy bullying that Aly must be experiencing at the height of her trending video, stating, “When I was in that position I was getting so much hate. I did not need another comment, another video talking about how terrible of a person I am because I already heard it a thousand times from a thousand different burner accounts hating on me.”
She closed off by mentioning that although Aly’s mindset was “flawed” and may appear “annoying” to some, that “what she did and the hate are disproportionate to each other.“ Emman reminds her viewers that “these people online that we turn into memes and make fun of and hate on are real people. Like, they’re real people with real lives and they are probably reading and listening and watching everything that you guys are saying— and a lot of it is very terrible.”
Emman clarified that she does not agree with Aly’s mindset and does not agree that speaking English makes one a better person. She simply states that the hate was heavier than the actual mistake in which Aly had played out. Her very own father, TV host and presenter famously referred to as “Kuya Kim,” and voice-over artist Inka Magnaye commented in agreement with her take, urging the public to stop with the hate.
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