'I lied and I am sorry': Filipino businessman admits tattoo-for-cash April Fools' Day prank was scripted
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.
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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.
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.
This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
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