On April 1, a local takoyaki store, “Taragis,” posted a challenge on their Facebook page, offering P100,000 to anyone tattooing the store’s logo on their forehead. Upon clicking on the picture of the now-deleted post, it was revealed that it was intended to be a joke for April Fools. 

A user with the name “Ramil Albano” uploaded an image of them participating in the challenge in the comment section with the caption, “Sir, nag pm po ako sa inyo, ginagawa na po w8 po ako ng chat ninyo.” Taragis Takoyaki then released a statement claiming they were not accountable for the events that transpired. “Let this serve as a reminder to us all how important reading comprehension is. It’s April Fool’s Day. Never trust anything or anyone. The same as any other day,” the store wrote in another deleted Facebook statement. 

Social media was then divided into two groups: those who agreed with the store’s sentiment that responsibility for one’s own reading comprehension and media is crucial. The other half accused Taragis of negligence and insensitivity, acknowledging that those in the working and lower classes have different cultures. 

Although April Fool’s Day is supposedly a day of laughter and jokes, it is quite the opposite for the misled victim. When asked about his motivations for partaking in this bizarre challenge, he revealed the prize money would be used for his children. “Para sa bunso kong anak tsaka pang-tuition ng anak ko. Service ng anak kong bunso [na may] down syndrome," he stated. Since then, other local establishments flooded him with support. Namely, Project Glow Up offered him P100,000; BOSS Philippines with P10,000; Micchiatos Coffee with P5,000; PONG’s Buffalo with P1,000; and others. 

In the Philippines, fake news circulates at an unbelievable speed day to day. Posts intended to fool people cannot be easily spotted on a day like April Fool’s, where jokes and pranks are celebrated. Media literacy and reading comprehension are crucial in fostering informed decision-making. It is acknowledged nationwide that both are skills that the Philippines needs to improve, with the country previously ranked no. 1 in digital illiteracy, according to a report from the United Nations (UN) in 2019. Labeling those who do not have access to proper education as “idiots” or “dumb” propagates harmful stereotypes and adds more to the problem as opposed to resolving it. In a Social Weather Station (SWS) survey conducted in December 2021, it was discovered that only 48 percent of Filipinos find it easy to spot fake news on platforms such as television, radio, or social media. Over half of the population will likely be victimized by misinformation and disinformation. 

In this day and age of fake news, hoaxes, misinformation, and disinformation, does making online jokes and misleading followers leave you scot-free? Or is everyone responsible for causing themselves to fall prey to believing everything they see online?

Every post made or information shared carries the weight in shaping the mass perception. Engaging in humor to mislead isn’t without consequence, regardless of whether it is branded as a joke. Consumers must be able to discern fact from fiction, as creators do not shoulder all the responsibility. Combating misinformation lies not just in content creators' hands but also in the choices consumers make with online content.