The owner of the takoyaki stall that went viral over an April Fool’s prank tattoo challenge admitted the stunt had been planned since 2023.
The stall owner, in a video posted online yesterday, said Ramil Albano played the part of the social media user fooled into having the store’s logo tattooed on his forehead.
He said Albano got the tattoo on March 28, or days before the April 1 challenge that came with a P100,000 offer was posted on Facebook.
“Bakit sa noo? Dahil kung hindi sa noo ay mawawalan lang ng saysay ang tattoo dahil wala nang nakakawili pa sa isang brand logo na nakatatak sa noo ng isang tao,” the stall owner said.
“Oo, nagsinungaling ako sa inyo at gusto kong humingi ng tawad. Dinala namin kayo rito sa isang malaking marketing stunt na may iba’t ibang klaseng emosyon, diskusyon, at pagpapakitang tao,” he added.
Earlier, the Department of Trade and Industry said it was looking at possibly suspending or revoking the business name registration of the takoyaki store.
DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles said the post was irresponsible since not all Filipinos are familiar with April Fool’s Day.
“We can suspend, revoke, or cancel their registration with the DTI, their business name. Then we can also refer this to the mayor’s office or to the LGU since they are the ones that can revoke a business permit…You cannot use your official, legitimate name for an unlawful act or something that may destroy or harm others,” Nograles said.
