It’s never fun when players cheat on a game but doing it on national television is a new level of audacity. A couple who played for the Eat Bulaga ‘Pinoy Henyo’ segment last week is being criticized for cheating during the February 14 episode. They have managed to earn the ire of not only the Internet but of the noontime show hosts too. Here’s what happened:

‘Pinoy Henyo’ controversial cheating scandal

The couple was playing for the game’s jackpot round which meant cash prizes for every correct guess. One correct guess equals Php 10,000, two equals Php 20,000, and a third correct guess will win them Php 50,000. Acing the jackpot round also meant they had a shot at the grand prize. Clearly, a lot was at stake.

During the game, while her partner attempted to guess, the girl subtly mouthed the answer (“stomach”). She was even shown glancing at the hosts first, a move the Internet interpreted as her checking if the hosts were looking. While the hosts might’ve missed it, millions of people watching obviously didn’t. Check out this video and you be the judge:

@eyronman26 Stomach na lang nandaya pa yata 🥺 #eatbulaga #pinoyhenyo #fy #fyp #xyzbca ♬ original sound – A.p. Benoza – Ey

The video above has been viewed 10 million times on TikTok alone and it has since spread on other social media platforms.

“Awit. The audacity. Sa national TV pa,” read one comment from a disappointed netizen.

“Kaya malikot mata niya kasi tina-timing niyang hindi nakatingin sa kanya mga host. Kaso yung camera man nahuli siya,” concluded another.

Many were feeling the secondhand embarrassment from watching the contestant: “On National TV talaga teh! Juskoo kakahiya ka mahiya ka naman masa. Madaming deserving na ngailangan ng prize na yan.”

“Sa tagal ng Eat Bulaga parang ngayon lang ata may nag-cheat sa Pinoy Henyo. Ang lala kahit sino basang basa yung sinabi yung stomach muted or with sound kitang kita,” said another.

Some even said that the male contestant also attempted to cheat when he mouthed “Abra”:

@iamjhck Replying to @CHASE #eatbulaga #pinoyhenyo #stomachgirl #abraboy #viral #trending #fypシ ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

Eat Bulaga hosts speak up about the issue

‼️Bawal Judgmental at Bawal din ang Mandaya‼️ pic.twitter.com/WKddVCoZHb

— Eat Bulaga! (@EatBulaga) February 17, 2023

A few days later, Eat Bulaga host Joey De Leon addressed the viral cheating scandal. During the show’s episode last February 17, De Leon stressed that cheating takes the fun out of the game.

“Simulan na natin ang pautakan pero [uunahin] ko na itong warning na ito. ‘Pag nagchecheating ka sa isang game wala na yung fun,” said de Leon.

“Pati ikaw madidishearten sa ginawa mo,” adds Allan K.

“Akalin nyo itong Pinoy Henyo ay pasukan ng mga mandaraya rin. Kaya inuulit natin, kahit anong game pa yan, pag nandaya kayo wala nang fun,” continued de Leon.

Even other Eat Bulaga hosts chimed in: “Babantayan natin ‘yan,” chimed in Jose Manalo.

“Kahit naman sa school tinuturo ‘yan. No cheating!” said Allan K.

Meanwhile, host Miles Ocampo reacted on Twitter with a simple statement: “Kapag nandaya, susuntukin sa stomach.”

kapag nandaya, susuntukin sa stomach. https://t.co/avhbBc0WML

— Miles Ocampo (@milesocampo_14) February 17, 2023

What happened to the couple?

Eat Bulaga took down the episode from their YouTube channel after the fiasco. GMA Network also deleted its article about the couple making it to the show’s jackpot round.

What do you think about this viral Eat Bulaga ‘Pinoy Henyo’ cheating controversy?

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