The recent Eat Bulaga Halloween presentation last Saturday, October 31, 2015 has gained various reactions from different people. Although many appreciated the efforts being made by the entire Eat Bulaga family we cannot deny that some will not have the same reception. One significant issue being hurled against some of the hosts of Eat Bulaga seen wearing the Arab costume.
There were different characters depicted by Eat Bulaga hosts by wearing costumes but Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon chose to dress-up as Arab men by wearing a thobe which is a traditional robe-like Arab gown with hatta (Arab headdress).
On the following day after the Halloween presentation of Eat Bulaga, ARMM or Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao governor gave out a statement that as a Muslim he feels that Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon had disrespected their culture and the outfit worn by the duo should not be treated as a Halloween costume.
Netizens across all social media platforms are too quick to react with various comments ranging from positive to vindictive reactions. Tito Sotto on the other hand has already spoken about this through an interview and Instagram post and explained that what he was wearing is traditional Arab attire commonly use in Arab countries that even Arab Christians are wearing it. He also said that the outfit was a gift from a sheik years ago and he has been wearing it on several occasions already.
In Facebook, the talks about the Arab costume issue on Eat Bulaga spread like wild fire that even the gentleman action star Robin Padilla has expressed his insights regarding this hot topic through his public Facebook account.
As controversies shrouded Eat Bulaga hosts Joey and Tito, Muslim actor Robin Padilla is very vocal in expressing his beliefs. He explained that being a Muslim has nothing to do with clothing and people should be careful about jumping into a wrong conclusion.
In an excerpt from Robin Padilla’s status on Facebook dated November 2 he said “Choose your Battles and be wise in propagating Islam, how can we achieve peace, prosperity and the realization of shariah when the representation of Islam in our hearts is the Arab Costume not the character and the light of Prophet Muhamad(SAW) i have fought with you in many peaceful ways but this campaign against a showbiz and political personality is for me not worthy of my revolutionary time, this is not an Islamic insult nor a Race issue.”
Robin Padilla even commented on his own Facebook post “Kung ang pagbabasehan ng ating pagkamuslim ay ang kasuotan na ito para na rin sinabi na ang lahat ng mga nasa you tube na pagmamalupit at panggagahasa ng mga arabo sa ating mga OFW ay pagkamuslim. Mag ingat tayo mga kapatid sa pagpukol ng puna at bato baka bumalik sa mukha natin at mawalan tayo ng mga mukha. Ang muslim ay hindi Arabo, ang Islam ay mula sa Allah at tanging pag uugali lamang ng propeta muhamad(saw) ang basehan ng ating pagkamuslim hindi kailanman sa kasuotan..” {If we will just base are being Muslim with that attire (costume) it is like saying that those Arabs seen in YouTube videos maltreating and raping our fellow OFWs is something related to Muslim. So my brothers we should be careful in finding faults and accusing others because it might come back to haunt us. Muslims are not Arabs, Islam came from Allah (God) and only the character of our Prophet Mohammad (SAW) is the only basis for our being Muslims and never about clothing.}
Is Robin Padilla defending Eat Bulaga hosts Tito and Joey by posting this comment? It would appear that way since right after this Facebook comment Robin even posted an image of Arab costumes.
Robin Padilla on Facebook took time to give light to the issue by giving sound logical explanations especially those who were angered by Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon wearing an Arab outfit on Eat Bulaga’s Halloween presentation. He even tried to reply to all those who negatively commented with hopes to promote peace and unity to all.
