Ramil Albano shows the tattoo on his forehead of the name of the Takoyaki resto that made the April Fool's Day challenge. Andrea Taguines, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is looking at possibly suspending or revoking the business name registration of a Takoyaki store that went viral last April 1 after it posted an April Fool’s Day prank-gone-wrong.

In a now-deleted Facebook post, the store challenged its followers to have its logo tattooed on their forehead in exchange for a P100,000 prize. But once you click the full poster, it is revealed that it is only an April Fool’s joke.

But one netizen supposedly went ahead and did it anyway, thinking it was for real.

Tick these off your joke list: What not to do for April Fools’ Day

DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles slammed the post as irresponsible, noting that April Fool’s Day may be a foreign concept to some Filipinos, especially to vulnerable populations.

“Pwede nating i-suspend, i-revoke, i-cancel yung registration nila sa DTI, yung business name nila. Tapos pwede din i-refer ito sa mayor’s office or sa LGU (local government unit) dahil sila naman talaga ang pwedeng magrevoke ng business permit,” she said.

(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.)

“Hindi mo pwedeng gamitin yung official, legitimate name mo para gumawa ng isang unlawful act or something na makakasira or makakasakit sa iyong kababayan,” added Nograles.

(You cannot use your official, legitimate name for an unlawful act or something that may destroy or harm others.)

Nograles said the post may even be seen as an inducement to self-harm.

“Sa ibang bansa, yung inducing self-harm is actually penalized as a crime. Dito sa Pilipinas, we have to review. Ang ating prosecutors will check anong maaaring kaso ang mafa-file dyan. Pero sigurado either danyos or managot sila bilang krimen,” she added.

(In other countries, inducing self-harm is actually penalized as a crime. Here in the Philippines, we have to review. Our prosecutors will have to check what possible case may be filed. But for sure, they will either be liable for damages or for a crime.)

The DTI has also reported the incident to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) for possible charges, and to Meta, the parent company of Facebook, for violation of the social media platform’s community standards.

This April, don’t be foolish with your money

Nograles said the DTI is also ready to help other possible victims of the Takoyaki store’s post as well as other April Fool’s Day pranks by other business establishments.

ABS-CBN News tried to reach out and even went to the storeowner’s house to get his response but he was not there. According to his neighbor, the entrepreneur has not returned home ever since the issue blew up on social media.

Ramil Albano, who tattooed his forehead the name of a Takoyaki resto, puts shoes on his son, who has Down syndrome. Andrea Taguines, ABS-CBN News 

‘ANYTHING FOR MY CHILDREN’

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Ramil Albano, the netizen who did the challenge, said he has no plans of filing a complaint against the Takoyaki storeowner.

That’s after the owner, following the online backlash against him, personally went to see Albano to ask for his forgiveness and to extend some financial assistance, albeit not the promised P100,000.

“Pinapili niya ako e. Ang pinili ko kasi, yung pang-kabuhayan na dadalhin pa lang dito. Kasi ang pera madaling maubos yan e,” he said.

(He let me choose. I chose the livelihood package which will be brought [in our house]. Because money can easily be spent.)

Albano said he initially wanted the prize money so he could better provide for his children, especially for his youngest son who has Down syndrome.

“Therapy yung kailangan niya kaya lang wala nga kaming pang-therapy. Kasi nga yung mata ko, mahina, ‘di ako makahanap ng permanenteng trabaho,” he shared.

(He needs therapy but we cannot afford it. Because there is something wrong with my eyes that’s why I can’t get a permanent job.)

Other businesses, from shoe stores to food franchises, have also reached out to Albano on social media to extend help to his family.

Ramil Albano, who tattooed his forehead the name of a Takoyaki resto, talks to the ABS-CBN News team. Andrea Taguines, ABS-CBN News 

REAL TATTOO?

The Takoyaki storeowner is not the only one being scrutinized though.

There is also online speculation that Albano’s forehead tattoo looks old or fake. But Albano and his tattoo artist claim that it is real and that they had their session last April 1, 2024. Albano however wore a cap during the interview.

When shown an image of Albano’s tattoo, dermatologist Dr. Luisa Ticzon Puyat doubted it was fresh.

“Kapag bago yan, April 3 pa lang ngayon e, dapat may sugat pa ‘yan tsaka pula, inflamed. There’s a process of healing after tattooes. Kasi siyempre tinamaan mo yung skin, nasaktan mo e. You’re putting some foreign material there,” she said.

(If the tattoo is new, it’s only April 3 today, there should still be a wound, or it should be red, and inflamed. Because you hurt the skin.)

April Fools’ Day: 5 (in)famous pranks that have made April 1 headlines

As for Francis Field, a tattoo artist consulted by ABS-CBN News, it’s possible that Albano already had a tattoo on his forehead, but had gotten another one over it to comply with the April Fool’s Day challenge.

“Feeling ko dito sa tattoo na ‘to, may naka-tattoo na dyan tapos tinattooan lang ulit. Pero totoo yung tattoo. Tignan mo yung red dito, makintab, tapos eto hindi… Ayun, papunta na siya sa pagbabalat,” said Field.

(I feel like for this tattoo, there was already a tattoo underneath then it was covered up. But the tattoo is real. Look at this red part, it’s still shiny but this part is not anymore. This other part should start peeling soon.)

Regardless of the legitimacy of Albano’s claims, the DTI said the incident should serve as a lesson to both businesses and the general public.

“Regardless of whether may nagpa-tattoo, meron kang ginawa mali doon dahil ininduce mo ang mga tao na saktan ang mga sarili nila in exchange for a monetary amount na hindi naman pala totoo. Importante po sa mga establishments at tsaka sa mga businesses na meron tayong kaakibat na responsibilidad kasama ng pribilyeho na pwede kayong magpost sa social media at marating ang napakaraming mga viewers and netizens,” said Nograles.

(Regardless of whether anyone got a tattoo, there is something wrong with the post because you induced people to hurt themselves in exchange for a monetary amount that was not even real. It’s important for establishments and businesses to be responsible because they have the privilege to post on social media and reach many viewers and netizens.)

She also reminded the public to be wary of things they read online, regardless if it’s April Fool’s Day or not.