Team DailyPedia
A TikTok prank by content creator “Mr. Van” has drawn widespread criticism after it left a senior citizen vendor in Bantug, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, visibly distressed and in tears.
In the viral video, Mr. Van approached the elderly vendor to buy mangoes but requested to taste one first. The vendor agreed, but the situation escalated when Mr. Van invited his companions to taste the fruits as well.
The group inspected the vendor’s goods, with some of them complaining, “Hindi naman matamis.”
The vendor, clearly confused and worried, asked, “E paano ‘yung mga kinain ninyo?” The tension heightened as the elderly vendor, who relies on the sales of her fruits, tearfully explained, “Kawawa naman ako. Wala naman akong pang-abono. Maawa naman kayo…”
@mr_vantv Ito napo #viralvideo #viraltiktok #daddyfrankie #beatmaster #longervideos #trendingvideo
It was only after the vendor became emotional that Mr. Van revealed he would pay for the fruits. He handed the vendor PHP 3,600 while theatrically counting the money, a gesture that many viewers found patronizing rather than kind.
The video, posted in multiple parts, quickly gained traction but faced intense backlash from netizens, who condemned the prank as exploitative and insensitive.
Social media users expressed their outrage in the comments: “That’s not content—it’s taking advantage of someone vulnerable.” “If I were the vendor’s family, I wouldn’t let this pass.” “This didn’t make me laugh—it made me sad for the vendor.”
Many netizens pointed out that Mr. Van’s prank disregarded the vendor’s dignity and situation, calling it a distasteful attempt to gain views and engagement at the expense of someone struggling to make a living.
The incident has reignited discussions about ethical content creation, with critics urging online creators to exercise greater responsibility, especially when featuring vulnerable individuals. Calls for stricter oversight of prank content have also gained momentum, with viewers emphasizing that pranks should entertain, not humiliate or cause emotional distress.
As of now, Mr. Van has yet to issue a statement addressing the backlash. However, many viewers are demanding an apology and for platforms to take action against harmful content disguised as entertainment.
