‘I lied and I am sorry’: Filipino businessman admits tattoo-for-cash April Fools’ Day prank was scripted
- Ramil Albano, who had the Taragis Takoyaki logo tattooed on his forehead, agreed to do so in advance, with the plan in the works since 2023
- Filipinos poured scorn on brand boss Carlo Quion after he admitted it was all a marketing stunt and apologised for stringing the public along
Albano got inked on March 28, a few days before Taragis posted a promo on Facebook offering to give 100,000 pesos (US$1,770) in cash to whoever would tattoo the store’s logo on their foreheads.
The poster’s fine print said it was an April Fools’ joke, but that apparently did not deter Albano from taking up the challenge.
Taragis and Quion later attracted criticism from social media users for lecturing Albano: “Let this serve as a reminder to us all how important reading comprehension is. It’s April Fools’ Day. Never trust anything or anyone. The same as any other day.”
To quell the anger over his antics, Quion met Albano with a cash-filled bag at his home in Caloocan, a city north of Manila.
The businessman offered to have Albano’s tattoo removed with laser surgery.