Machong Chismisan hosts explain side after mocking Josh Aquino in recent podcast episode
The hosts of podcast Machong Chismisan faced backlash from netizens earlier this week following they made an insensitive joke that mocked Joshua Aquino. On the Facebook account of their podcast, Makoy Pare and Tito P broke their silence and explained what happened after the episode aired.
In the now-deleted episode that was published last October 5, Tito P compared brothers Bimby Aquino and Josh while the rest of the hosts were seemingly laughing at the remark. Netizens were able to grab a recording of the episode which has been posted on various social media platforms.
“Si Bimby sobrang okay na anak, si Josh walang kwenta eh,” Tito P remarked. There were additional remarks made seemingly pointing out Josh’s condition.
Makoy Pare then shared that the episode has been taken down and explained what the goal of the podcast was–– to make those who are listening laugh. Despite the backlash, he maintaiend that it wasn’t the intention of the hosts to “malign or punch down” and recognized how it could’ve been insentive and hurtful.
“Not all jokes or statements mentioned in every episode are funny, or are necessarily true. There has never been any intention to malign or punch down for the sake of likes or views, nor to raise ourselves to be a platform where the people speaking are always correct, or always funny,” he shared.
“We would also like to extend our apologies to those mentioned in the episode, and will reach out through private channels to determine how we can proceed and make amends in a respectful manner,” he added.
Moving forward, Makoy Pare assured that they will be diligent in reviewing the episodes that could contain something hurtful to a group.
“We will carry on knowing that while we cannot please everyone, we can be held accountable and strive to better ourselves. We cannot always make everyone laugh, but we will always ensure that those who actually listen will not forget that laughter is the goal. Even if it is not always the result,” he ended.
Meanwhile, Tito P, who made the remark, expressed that he could relate to Josh Aquino as he has been diagnosed as neurodivergent as well. He asserted his position that the remarks he made in the episode was not coming from a place of malice.
“As someone with ADHD, impulse control can make filtering thoughts difficult. An edgy joke might pop into my head, and before my executive functioning can evaluate the social risk, it has already been said aloud. I share this not to excuse my behavior, but to provide context.
“It took the public backlash for me to realize where the joke was coming from. But that is how people learn,” he said.
He shared that he has already reached out to those who were affected as he wants to apologize in person and asserted that he is accountable for the actions that have caused harm to others.
“As for everyone else, I sincerely hope that cut portions of the episode would not be used to malign, hurt, or disparage anyone. Or to summon negative feelings from those who would not have heard the clip had it not gone viral,” he ended.
Josh’s mom, Kris Aquino, has yet to make a statement about the issue as of this writing.