- A Philippine autism support group has condemned ‘The Boyet Challenge’
- The non-government organization has asked people to stop doing ‘The Boyet Challenge’
- The challenge is a dare to mimic the mannerisms of the lead character in GMA Network’s ‘My Special Tatay’
“The Autism Society Philippines condemns the latest social media experiment called “The Boyet Challenge” wherein participants mimic the title character from the soap opera #myspecialtatay. The group sees this as a thinly-veiled instrument of ridicule for those who live with #autism and intellectual disabilities. This we implore as we commemorate the National Autism Consciousness Week!”
That was how the Autism Society Philippines denounced the viral internet experiment called “The Boyet Challenge” which dares people to imitate a character from the GMA Network series, ‘My Special Tatay.’
This is to discourage social media users from participating in the trend that was made in time for the National Autism Consciousness Week.
https://www.facebook.com/autismsocietyphilippines/posts/10157070841991473
The organization also cited Republic Act No. 9442, which amended the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.
“Republic Act 9442 protects PWDs from ridicule and vilification; and imposes fines and imprisonment as penalties to violators. Pero kahit walang batas, makatao ba na pagtawanan ang mga kapatid nating may kapansanan? Huwag gawing kutya o katatawan ang pagkakaroon ng autismo.”
Netizens have mixed reactions
Tangina ng mga nagpopost ng Boyet challenge na yan. Kakatawa? Kakatawa? Anong nakakatawa sa autism? Mga gago.
— ᜋᜓᜐᜓᜃ (@apceelog) January 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/jnyahsa/status/1089550411902504960
https://twitter.com/tatynipreyy/status/1088140259160772608
The Boyet Challenge is a big disrespect to those people who has autism and mental disability. Memes about Bimby is cyberbullying. I hope people with pea-sized brain should channel their sensitive a$$es that not all jokes are funny if it's invalidating someone's feelings.
— dio (@rnkngbrmdz) January 27, 2019
Stop the Boyet Challenge, not the show! May difference.
— Miss France Sajorda (@PrincessFrance) January 28, 2019
theres nothing funny about the boyet challenge, discrimination will never be funny nor entertaining
— willem daHOE (@dolldi0r) January 27, 2019
My son has autism and "Boyet Challenge" ISN'T FUNNY at all. I would like to ask everyone to STOP cracking your NONSENSE and OFFENSIVE JOKES about it. If you wanna help to create awareness about their challenges, READ AND UNDERSTAND their condition.
Happy Sunday! pic.twitter.com/HJHmvGhS8Z
— Layne KZ (@DearDiaryPlease) January 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/namiieeoww/status/1089484437325209600
