Netizens outraged over Joey De Leon depression statement
One of the hosts of the popular noontime show Eat Bulaga described depression as something made up by the person afflicted with it which then immediately drew flak to netizens on Thursday.
Screenshot by Bianca Grajo/THE FOURTH
Host Joey de Leon said, "Yung depression, gawa-gawa lang ng mga tao iyan. Gawa nila sa sarili nila,” in one of the segments of Eat Bulaga. (Depression is just made up by the people themselves.)This is the segment wherein hosts Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Maine Mendoza and Alden Richards were to visit a lucky viewer in their own home to interview them and to give certain prizes. The winner that day was a woman who was seen to be living with her sick mother. When asked about her mother’s illness, the woman brought up that her mother suffered from depression which led to Joey De Leon’s remark.Manalo and Bayola agreed with De Leon’s opinion with Manalo adding that depression starts with stress and then lead to acquiring other sicknesses.Maine Mendoza on the other hand opposed to De Leon’s statement saying, “Pero hindi biro yun ah. Yung depression.” (Depression is no laughing matter.)De Leon immediately cut her off by asking why. Mendoza answered back by saying that there are a lot of people suffering it these days, especially the youth.Mendoza then urged that people who have this sickness should be given support. Alden Richards echoed Mendoza by saying that mental health should be given moral support.De Leon answered back and said to not support these people because they just make these up themselves. Manalo added that these things are “all in the mind.”Before Manalo finished his reply, the line from the woman’s house was then cut off.Meanwhile, back in the studio, host Allan K asked the root of depression. De Leon again exclaimed, “Nagpapa-sosyal lang. ‘Pag mayaman, depression. ‘Pag mahirap, wala, wala nang pag-asa. ” (They do it just to seem rich. If they are rich, it’s depression. If they are poor, there is no more hope.) Immediate flak from netizens“Joey De Leon” immediately became the top trending topic in the Philippines on Twitter.
Celebrity personalities also weighed in on the matter, including Alden Richards and Ryan Agoncillo.
Depression continues to be one of the top reasons resulting to suicide.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 800,000 people die each year from suicide which is one person every 40 seconds.
The statement given out by De Leon coincided with the celebration of Mental Health Month which is this October.
If you are or you know anybody who seeks immediate help or needs someone to talk to, HOPELINE may be reached at (02) 804-4637; 0917-5584673, and 2919 for Globe and TM Subscribers.
UPDATE: On October 6 De Leon issued an apology on the noontime show.De Leon explained that the statements were just brought by the jokes.
He also said that as soon as he went home he was scolded by his wife and was immediately educated on the illness by his kids.
“Ako’y humihingi ng paumanhin sa mga napaitan sa mganabanggit ko at humihingi ng inyong unawa.” (I am asking for forgiveness, for pardon, for all the things that I have said. I am asking for your deep understanding.)De Leon also said that he called up Mendoza the night before to apologize for saying such things.
“At kung may maidudulot man na mabuti ang aking mga pagkakamali, ay sana mabuksan nito ang mga napakaraming pinto sa pagtalakay sa ganitong issue na ‘to.” (And if there would be something good from what I have done wrong is that I hope it becomes an eye opener for people to tackle these issues.)
