April Fools

[GeneChing]

Management behind viral April Fools tattoo challenge rewards victim
By: Zacarian Sarao - Reporter / @zacariansINQ INQUIRER.net / 05:15 PM April 02, 2024


From the video posted by Taragis on Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — The local takoyaki store, which bore the brunt of online criticism for an April Fools’ challenge featuring a hefty cash prize, finally rewarded the victim who fell for the tattoo-on-forehead prank.

In a video posted on its Facebook page, Taragis showed that its owner Carl Quion personally met with Ramil Albano — the victim of its viral April Fools’ challenge — and provided him the promised P100,000 cash reward.

Quion then issued a public apology, emphasizing that the incident should serve as a lesson to exercise responsibility in posting on social media.

“Sa lahat ng nagkaroon ng negatibong pananaw sa naging April Fool’s post namin, humihingi ako ng tawad. At sana magsilbing aral ito sa ating lahat … na maging responsable tayo sa lahat ng inu-upload natin,” Quion said in the video.

(To all who had a negative reaction to our April Fool’s post, I apologize. And hopefully, this serves as a lesson for all of us… that we should be responsible for everything we upload.)

The incident stemmed from a viral challenge posted by Taragis for April Fools’, asking followers to tattoo its logo on their foreheads for a prize of P100,000.

In meeting with Quion, Albano explained that he was not able to see the disclaimer that the challenge was meant for April Fools.

Father’s love for his kid

He explained that he decided to take part in the challenge in order to provide for his son who is living with down syndrome.

“Para sa bunso kong anak, pang-tuition, at service noong anak kong bunso [na] may down syndrome,” said Albano.

(For my youngest child, for his tuition fees, and service for my youngest son who has down syndrome.)

Quion, for his part, offered Albano to have the tattoo removed by a certified dermatologist.

Prior to finally giving in to the challenge, Taragis in a now-deleted post reminded the public that the challenge was a mere prank, and that it should serve as a reminder “how important reading comprehension is.”

April Fools’ Day is a custom usually observed in Western countries on the first day of April. The day is usually celebrated by conducting practical jokes and hoaxes, with some businesses even taking part in the event.

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April-Fools

[GeneChing]

‘I lied and I am sorry’: Filipino businessman admits tattoo-for-cash April Fools’ Day prank was scripted
Ramil Albano, who had the Taragis Takoyaki logo tattooed on his forehead, agreed to do so in advance, with the plan in the works since 2023
Filipinos poured scorn on brand boss Carlo Quion after he admitted it was all a marketing stunt and apologised for stringing the public along
SCMP’s Asia desk
Published: 2:15pm, 9 Apr 2024

The owner of a restaurant chain in the Philippines whose tattoo-for-cash April Fools’ Day prank went wrong has admitted the act was scripted and apologised over the stunt, saying he lied to make his business go viral.

Taragis Takoyaki’s boss Carlo Quion said Ramil Albano, who tattooed the brand’s logo on his forehead, had agreed to do so in advance and the plan was in the works since last year.



Albano got inked on March 28, a few days before Taragis posted a promo on Facebook offering to give 100,000 pesos (US$1,770) in cash to whoever would tattoo the store’s logo on their foreheads.

The poster’s fine print said it was an April Fools’ joke, but that apparently did not deter Albano from taking up the challenge.

Taragis and Quion later attracted criticism from social media users for lecturing Albano: “Let this serve as a reminder to us all how important reading comprehension is. It’s April Fools’ Day. Never trust anything or anyone. The same as any other day.”

To quell the anger over his antics, Quion met Albano with a cash-filled bag at his home in Caloocan, a city north of Manila.

The businessman offered to have Albano’s tattoo removed with laser surgery.

Strangers also started flooding the Facebook page of Albano with offers to send him gifts after he said he fell for the gimmick as he needed the money to provide for his youngest child, who has Down’s syndrome.

Quion said his company, which has more than 80 branches in the Philippines, badly needed publicity and “there was nothing more engaging than a brand logo inked on someone’s forehead”.

“Yes, I lied and I am sorry. We strung you along on a marketing stunt that involved a lot of emotions, discussions and acting,” he said on Facebook.


Ramil Albano had his forehead tattooed in response to a tattoo-for-cash prank by restaurant chain Taragis Takoyaki on April Fools’ Day. Photo: Taragis/Facebook

Filipinos poured scorn on Quion following his admission, accusing him of engaging in “inhumane and unethical” marketing tactics.

“A desperate strategy to gain social media attention but lost respect in the end. Poor people have no option like the rich people, they will always do everything to make ends meet like what Ramil did,” cryptocurrency entrepreneur Jem Francisco wrote on Facebook.

Some said Quion’s plan was a “scam” that could make people hesitate to donate for a good cause.

“Scammers/fraudsters will see this as an opportunity to run such a scheme. People might stop helping the ones in need thinking that it might be a similar trick,” said a user.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry also called out Quion’s stunt, saying it was considering suspending or revoking Taragis Takoyaki’s registration.

“You cannot use your official, legitimate name for an unlawful act or something that may destroy or harm others,” ABS-CBN quoted department assistant secretary Amanda Nograles as saying.

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