The Halloween presentation of last Saturday’s Eat Bulaga episode was such a big hit among millions of EB followers.
Viewers were delighted to see Eat Bulaga hosts all dressed up with their Halloween costumes that even audience were given a chance to join in the fun and win some prices in the best costume contest. One unforgettable Halloween transformation in Eat Bulaga on that day was Ryzza Mae’s depiction of the scary character Annabelle.
But amidst all the fun and lavish costume presentations, the said episode has a negative implication which points out directly to Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon.
The former Escalera brothers of the defunct Iskol Bukol comedy hit series is the subject of attention by the representative of ARMM or Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Governor Mujiv Hataman of ARMM strongly feels insulted by Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon when the 2 iconic Eat Bulaga hosts came out of the show wearing an Arab costume. ARMM Gov. Hataman is demanding a public apology from the duo explaining that the Arab inspired attire worn by Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon should not be associated with Halloween and should not to be feared.
In his defense, Tito Sotto reacts on the issue about the demand for him and Joey de Leon to give a public apology as requested by Gov. Mujiv Hataman of ARMM. Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon wore a ‘thobe’ with ‘hatta’ (Arab headdress) on the Halloween special presentation of Eat Bulaga last Saturday. A ‘thobe or thawb’ is a robe-like ankle length outer Arab garment and is typically with long sleeves. It is commonly used by Arab men in the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq and neighboring Arab countries.
Tito Sotto made a statement via Instagram saying that the Arab attire was a gift from a certain sheikh and defended that he have no intentions of making a mockery of any religious group or culture.
On his Instagram post Tito Sotto said “Sheikh Shawaf of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia gave me that costume. He likes it everytime I get a chance to wear it. I wear it to honor him! @aldubnaton”
On one interview with Inquirer, Tito Sotto reacts to the issue hurled to him by ARMM governor by saying “He (ARMM governor) is wrong! We were wearing an Arab costume. There are Arab Christians if I may remind him. I have been wearing that outfit for many years after a sheikh from Riyadh gave me one and asked me to wear it.”
He further explains “Others wear priests’, nuns’ and even the Pope’s outfits, and as long as you are not disrespecting what you wear, there is nothing wrong. I suggest the people complaining should find out more about the origin of Halloween so they will not have misplaced sensitivities.”
As of this moment Joey de Leon has not made any statement about this issue.
