Takoyaki brand owner and 'victim' of April Fool's Day post speak up on 'scripted scheme' allegations

The internet was set abuzz earlier this week after a netizen followed an April Fool’s Day prank that had him getting a tattoo on his forehead for a cash prize.

On Sunday’s “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” Carl Quion, owner of the takoyaki brand that posted the prank, said he did not expect that someone would do the challenge.

“Halo-halong emosyon ‘yung naramdaman ko. Nasabi kong hindi ko pananagutan kasi nangamba ako noon na baka may ibang sumunod,” he said.

[“I didn’t know how to feel. I initially said I wouldn’t go through with the challenge because other people might do it too.”]

Ramil Albano, the netizen who took on the task, admitted that he wasn’t able to read the entire post.

“Mayroon pa palang ano sa baba. Nadismaya. Nalungkot syempre. Kaya nga kinagat ko ‘yun para ‘to sa pamilya,” he said.

[“I didn’t notice there's still something written at the bottom. I was disappointed. I did it for my family.”]

Ramil used to be a fish ball vendor and is separated from his wife.

He is the one taking care of their youngest son, Louie, who has Down Syndrome. Ramil said that the P100,000 cash prize would have been a big help for Louie’s medications.

“Ever since hindi pa siya nakakapagpa-therapy,” he said. “Gusto ko lang na mapa-therapy siya nang maayos para makapagsalita na siya ng maayos.”

[“My son has never been to therapy. I wanted to have money for his therapy so he could speak properly.”]

But because the post went viral, netizens decided to reach out to Ramil and offer help.

“May nagbigay ng sapatos. May nagbigay ng pabango. May nagbigay ng cash assistance. P125,000,” he said.

[“They gave me shoes, perfume. Other people gave me cash assistance which all amounted to P125,000.”]

The same night of the post, Carl contacted Ramil and apologized. He gave him P100,000 as promised in their posted prize online.

“Laking pasasalamat ko sa tulong niya,” Ramil said.

["I am very grateful for his help."]

On ‘scripted’ allegations

Shortly after the incident, eagle-eyed netizens posted alleged evidence supporting claims that the entire thing was scripted and that Carl and Ramil had known each other even before the prank.

Users pointed out that it was suspicious how fast Ramil finished getting a tattoo after the post was published. Others said that Ramil had been spotted with the tattoo days before the challenge was posted.

Carl and Ramil, however, denied these claims. Ramil said that he had joined a previous challenge that Carl did, but they still didn't know each other.

“Kaya siguro siya naglakas loob na magpa-tattoo sa noo. Kasi dati na rin naming siyang natulungan,” Carl said, adding that he deleted the entire post in fear that another netizen might also accept the challenge.

[“We've helped him before. Maybe that’s part of the reason why he went through with the challenge.”]

Meanwhile, a resident of the same barangay where Ramil is residing said he has proof that the entire mess was staged.

“Ralph,” not his real name, showed a screenshot dated March 29, 2024.

“March 2024 ng gabi. Sigurado ako hindi April 1 ‘yun. Nag-iinom lang kami nagulat ako pagtanggal niya ng sumbrero? Sabi ko, ‘Ano yan?’ Tattoo pala.  Basta ipo-post daw ng April. Parang lipas na rin ‘yung tattoo. Pinicture-an ko gamit ang messenger, sinend sa kaibigan ko.” “Ralph” said.

["It was March 2024. I was certain it wasn't April 1st. We were drinking when he took off his hat. I asked him, 'What's that?' It turned out to be a tattoo. He didn’t say much, just said it would be posted in April. At the time, it looked like the tattoo has completely healed. I took a picture of it and even sent it to my friend."]

More residents also said the same, saying they even had a conversation with Ramil.

"Ramil is our neighbor. We saw his tattoo on his forehead last Good Friday. When I asked him about it, he simply told me it's a secret," his neighbor “Glenn” said.

The truth

Eventually, Carl admitted it was indeed planned. They released a video to confess that it was just a marketing strategy.

“Parehas sila puwede silang maging liable du’n sa crime ng other deceits. Maaari din silang parehas na maging liable or managot du’n sa damages na naging sanhi ng damage sa ibang tao ‘yung sa mga tumulong o mga nagpaabot ng pledges or donations provided na naglabas talaga sila ng pera,” Atty. Erika Lectura said.

["Both of them can be held liable for Crime of Other Deceits. They can also be liable for damages, for those who provided assistance or made pledges or donations, provided that money was actually disbursed."]

Despite all of these, the fact remains that Ramil’s son needs help.

“Mayroong siyang tinatawag natin na Down Syndrome. It's a genetic condition na kung saan ang bata ay pinanganak na sobrang chromosomes,” Dr. Ferdinand Salonga said.

[“His son has Down Syndrome. It's a genetic condition in which the child is born with extra chromosomes.”] 

“So ngayon, ang uunahin natin sa kanya is ‘yung occupational therapy intervention and also since ‘di pa daw siya daw na exposed sa kahit anong therapy. Of course, bibigyan natin ng chance ‘yun. Occupational therapy intervention, and also, ABA therapy programs or applied behavioral analysis program being given by ABA certified professionals para mag-improve ‘yung mga developmental functions na na-identify natin sa kanya.” he added. 

[“The priority is for him to undergo occupational therapy intervention, as well as applied behavioral analysis program to improve his developmental functions.”]

Ramil said he's thankful that his son was able to see a doctor.

Meanwhile, social media expert Janette Toral has a reminder for anyone posting on social media.

“Kung ang habol natin ay gusto natin mag-viral tayo, baka naman puwedeng naman tayo gumamit ng mga totoong kuwento. Is it possible na itong content na ito ma-misinterpret ng tao? Puwede ba siyang maka-deceive? So kung ang sagot mo no, then okay, pasado ‘yung content mo,”  she said.

[“If our goal is to go viral, we should use authentic stories. We have to ask ourselves, ‘Is it possible for this content to be misinterpreted by people? Is it deceiving?’ If the answer is no, then that’s quality content.”]

—JCB, GMA Integrated News