- Many netizens thanked the show for bravely discussing the issue and breaking the stigma
- The segment invited guests who were HIV-positive who shared inspiring experiences and realizations
Eat Bulaga‘s segment “Bawal Judgmental” became a top trending topic on Twitter for its episode last December 7, Saturday which tackled HIV/AIDS awareness.
The segment opened its doors to guests who have been diagnosed as HIV-positive. These persons then narrated their personal experiences and realizations upon being knowing their condition as they were being “judged” by news anchor-TV host Susan Enriquez, the contestant.
One of the noontime show’s regular hosts, Paolo Ballesteros, then burst into tears as one of the guests, Kael made his speech to Susan.
Kael said,“Sige sasama ako sa Eat Bulaga. Kasi gusto ko ipakita sa lahat na ang isang taong may HIV ay hindi less na tao. Ang isang taong may HIV ay pwedeng mamuhay nang normal katulad nyo. Hindi kami disabled. Hindi kami dapat pandirihan.
“Yes, may pagkakamali kami pero hindi enough para ituring kaming less. At kung may isang bagay akong sasabihin sa lahat, yung yakap ni Mama yun yung nagpawala ng lahat ng pagod at sakit. At the end of the day, i-discriminate ako… I know pag-uwi ko sa bahay meron akong nanay na nagmamahal sa akin,” Kael said while crying.
"hindi enough para ituring kaming less. At kung may isang bagay akong sasabihin sa lahat, yung yakap ni Mama yun yung nagpawala ng lahat ng pagod at sakit. At the end of the day, i-discriminate ako… i know pag-uwi ko sa bahay meron akong nanay na nagmamahal sa akin."
– Kael pic.twitter.com/938yWqd9HV— Eat Bulaga! (@EatBulaga) December 7, 2019
The other guest named Basha then said,“ Yung acceptance yung pinaka importante dun. Kung natanggap mo sa sarili mo, tulungan mo ang sarili mo kasi hindi ka naman mamamatay dahil sa HIV.”
"Yung acceptance yung pinaka importante dun. Kung natanggap mo sa sarili mo, tulungan mo ang sarili mo kasi hindi ka naman mamamatay dahil sa HIV…"
– Basha pic.twitter.com/w6AuI2el42— Eat Bulaga! (@EatBulaga) December 7, 2019
“For everybody na lang, yun nga, yung segment Bawal Judgmental. So ang mga taong merong HIV is pwede pa ring magkaroon ng relationship and pwede pa ring magkaroon ng pamilya… at maging masaya,” Mae stated.
For everybody na lang, yun nga, yung segment Bawal Judgmental. So ang mga taong merong HIV is pwede pa ring magkaroon ng relationship and pwede pa ring magkaroon ng pamilya… at maging masaya.
– Mae pic.twitter.com/8ijLjgEC9Q— Eat Bulaga! (@EatBulaga) December 7, 2019
"And to you, Ma, thank you. Two years pa rin akong nabubuhay nang may HIV and I've been healthy. And thank you for supporting me all the way…"
– Mhark pic.twitter.com/asp9D18ipX— Eat Bulaga! (@EatBulaga) December 7, 2019
Meanwhile, Dr. Stanley Carrascal from Infectious Disease Prevention and Control ng Department of Health was also invited to the show. He then made clarifications to common misconceptions about HIV.
“Once diagnosed ang isang tao with HIV, ang ating treatment will be lifetime. Pag nag-start na sila nang gamutan, ang HIV hindi na parang taning na 10 years ka na lang mabubuhay.
“Those people living with HIV that maintain treatment, ang lifespan nila pareho lang sa mga taong walang HIV… They really have to maintain on Antiretroviral Therapy,” the doctor shared.
"Those people living with HIV that maintain treatment, ang lifespan nila pareho lang sa mga taong walang HIV… They really have to maintain on Antiretroviral Therapy"
– Dr. Stanley Carrascal
Head, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
DOH pic.twitter.com/Jut0XiX1s9— Eat Bulaga! (@EatBulaga) December 7, 2019
This episode stirred the emotions of thousands of viewers in the studio and on social media. Many netizens showered Eat Bulaga with praises for featuring an informative and meaningful topic.
Hands down to @EatBulaga for doing this in behalf of our brothers and sisters living with HIV. Ganito dapat ang standard pagdating sa tv shows, entertaining yet informative and raising awareness to important social issues. #BawalJudgmental https://t.co/hVptqfzWJc
— Aaron Aquino (he/him) (@aarondagreat23) December 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/edrocksworld/status/1203200638932275200?s=19
https://twitter.com/joanacddc/status/1203181957829410819?s=19
Thank you, @EatBulaga, for providing a platform for HIV awareness and augmenting the voices of the marginalized. And to all those PLHIVs who bravely stood on national TV to tell their stories, you are all lovely, lovely people. May life always treat you kindly. #BawalJudgmental
— Francisco Montserrat (@fmontserrat) December 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/karenrvth/status/1203203010748223488?s=19
Kudos to #BawalJudgmental for making another 'first' with seven people bravely facing the cameras, sharing their best-kept stories and advising everyone how to avoid exposure to HIV with an accompanying doctor as a guest resource person. #EatBulaga#EB40 pic.twitter.com/0XrHcWf3uM
— Rommel Villegas (@for__keeps) December 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/mcuzain/status/1203186467381465089?s=19
https://twitter.com/svge101/status/1203214786592264192?s=19
Kudos EB! Today's segment is really one for the books. Not only was it entertaining, it was very informative and calls for attention. Kudos also to the 7 lineups who bravely stood before a national audience to educate us more about HIV. We are proud! #BawalJudgmental #EatBulaga https://t.co/hUCsbtPo2e
— Jazny Dae Ferrer (@streeper5ever) December 7, 2019
December is HIV/AIDS awareness month. According to Mary Joy Morin, Technical Officer of the Department of Health (DOH), in her speech this July, the Philippines has the “highest in HIV increase rate in the Asia Pacific region” adding that 140 percent increase of HIV cases has been recorded by the DOH over the past 10 years.
