April Fool's prank gone wrong: Man in PH tattoos brand logo on forehead

A man in the Philippines tattooed a brand logo on his forehead after falling for an April Fool's prank by takoyaki store Taragis.  On April 1, Taragis made a post challenging social media users to tattoo its brand logo on the forehead for a chance to win P100,000 (SG$2,387). 

In the now-deleted post, Taragis had placed an "April Fool's" message at the bottom of the image to clarify that the challenge was just a prank. The message could be seen when the user clicks on the photo itself. 

Unfortunately, a social media user identified as Ramil Albano had taken the post seriously and took on the challenge. Albano reportedly shared pictures of him getting tattooed and of the tattoo itself in the comment section.

He reportedly said that he sent a direct message to the company's Facebook page and was waiting for the cash prize. Albano also reportedly said that he took up the challenge to provide money for his youngest child with Down Syndrome and his other child's tuition. 

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In response, Taragis put out a now-deleted statement denying accountability. 

"Our April Fool's Day post was published earlier in the day. After that, we received a number of messages claiming our post was executed and that someone had taken it seriously," said Taragis in statement on Facebook. 

"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. Once more, Taragis Takoyaki is not accountable for the events that occurred." 

Responses from netizens and brands

Following the statement, Taragis had reportedly received backlash from netizens. Some users called for Taragis to take accountability, stating that not everyone in the Philippines knew what April Fool's day is. Others have reportedly said that taking advantage of people's naivety is unacceptable and unforgiveable. 

Since the incident, some brands have taken the opportunity to offer Albano help. Project Glow up, a beauty cosmetic and personal care brand, gifted Albano P100,000 while Cafe Galilea gifted him P10,000. 

"After an April Fool's prank went wrong, leaving a man with a permanent mark and empty promises, we couldn't stand by silently. At Cafe Galilea, we believe in accountability, kindness, and making things right. We salute you for doing anything just to bring food to the table," said Cafe Galilea in a statement. 

"We're stepping up with P10k in hand, not just as a gesture of gratitude for your unwavering support but also to remind everyone that honesty and compassion will always triumph."

This year's April Fool's Day saw plenty of jokes from bands from around the region. In Malaysia, 4Fingers faked selling crispy chicken croissant, while Durex Singapore organised a fake 6km and 9km run. 

In Hong Kong, Hong Kong Airlines introduced a fake button on plane seats called "Keep the child calm" on plane seats. By pressing the button, a special flight attendant in a fantastic costume will show up to entertain the child, guaranteeing an immediate end to any tantrums and ensuring a happy onboard experience for everyone. 

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