“Gusto Mo Ba’ng Tumikim ng Exotic?”; News Anchor Makes Offensive Aeta Joke In Front of Local TV

Aetas are native people living in scattered and isolated mountain parts of Luzon. Considered as Negritos, their skin varies from dark to very dark brown. They are characteristically petite with curly to kinky hair and dark brown eyes. History says they are among the first inhabitants of the Philippines.

Last September 10, 2014, a YouTube user posted a clip from a local news entitled Bigwas under TV 22 in Olongapo City. The 0:47-second video shows news anchor Tommy Abile asking viewers if they have tasted exotic food. With a chuckle, he added,

Ako gustung-gusto ko’ng tumikim ng exotic…Pagkain ha? Hindi yung katulad ng kaibigan natin na nagsabing, ‘Pare gustung-gusto ko talagang kumain ng exotic. Gusto ko’ng tikman Aeta,’

then laughed all the way through the end of the film.

This is a bad example of throwing a pun without the benefit of thinking. A second of good laugh at the expense of other people–not just any ordinary people, but our own.

This is the video of the said joke:

What would Aetas feel when they see this? Indigenous as they make look, they DO NOT deserve such tacky and insulting words, particularly from people who have a great influence to the public.

No further details as to when the segment was recorded and if the network has done something about the issue.

Meanwhile, the video gained a number of comments from offended netizens,