Joey de Leon on depression: “Gawa-gawa lang ng mga tao iyan”
Veteran television host and comedian Joey de Leon is on the receiving end of criticisms from netizens because of his dismissive remarks about people suffering from depression during a segment of their noontime show “Eat Bulaga.”
De Leon made his remarks during the popular segment Juan for All , All For Juan where host Jose Manalo asked their chosen home-owner named Maria Cristina about the condition of her mother. The lady said her mom, who’s probably in her 70s or 80s, is suffering from depression.
This is how the segment went:
Jose: Anong sakit ni nanay? (What is your mother’s illness?)
Maria Crstina: Depression po.
Jose: Bakit? Iyang bang depression nakukuha ba iyan dahil depressed ka, ganun ba iyon? (Why? Do you get the condition because you’re just depressed?)
Maria Cristina: Ang sabi lang po nung doktor, depression tapos yung katandaan, naging makakalimutin na po. (The doctor only said that she is experiencing depression and that because of her advanced age, she already tends to be forgetful.)
De Leon then went on to interject from the studio: “Yung depression, gawa-gawa lang ng mga tao iyan. Gawa nila sa sarili nila.” (Depression is just something imagined by people. They do it to themselves.)
Here are Joey De Leon's disgusting and dangerous comments about depression on Eat Bulaga today + Maine Mendoza taking a stand. pic.twitter.com/jo6STsIcvs
— DryedMangoez (@dryedmangoez) October 5, 2017
For her part, co-host Maine Mendoza gently reminded De Leon that depression is not a laughing matter because it is affecting a lot of people particularly the youth. “Hindi biro yang depression. Hindi siya joke. Hindi kasi maraming nakakaranas ng ganun lalo na sa mga kabataan. Kaya pag may nakakaranas ng ganun, kailangan natin bigyan natin ng suporta,” she said.
However, instead of backing down or just putting the matter to rest, De Leon reiterated his earlier point: “Hindi, huwag n’yo suportahan. Gawa-gawa lang nila iyon.” (No, don’t support it. They just make it up.) The backlash against De Leon from Pinoy netizens was swift:
https://twitter.com/KweenJ19/status/915826382210441216
Joey de Leon, people suffering from depression may commit self-inflicted harm and even suicide.
Remember, Pepsi Paloma?
— The Diliman Files (@dilimanfiles) October 5, 2017
My reaction towards the Eat Bulaga's hosts, Joey De Leon and Allan K's words. Pls spread awareness abt depression. Don't take it lightly. pic.twitter.com/Wl7v1XYOkp
— 🖤 (@eversorterminus) October 5, 2017
Kudos to Maine Mendoza for taking a stand against Joey De Leon when he said that depression is "gawa-gawa lang" on national television.
— Kito🐻 (@kitokun_) October 5, 2017
Psych majors, as you react on the Joey de Leon issue on depression, remember that we educate not preach nor shame.
— Renz Argao (@RenzArgao) October 5, 2017
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