Actor Kiko Matos has stepped in to clarify online misinformation involving former senator Kiko Pangilinan, who was wrongly accused of eating a banana leaf during a recent farm visit in Pampanga.
In a viral video from April 9, Pangilinan was seen eating food wrapped in a leaf at content creator Romeo Catacutan’s farm in San Arayat. This prompted online speculation that he consumed a banana leaf, with one Facebook user mocking, “A clueless Kiko Pangilinan ate inedible banana leaves. Even monkeys know not eat it.”
Matos countered the claim in a video he posted on April 19, demonstrating the traditional Kapampangan way of eating buro (fermented rice and fish) with mustasa (mustard leaves). “Alam niyo, sa mga Kapampangan, ang pagkain ng hilaw na mustasa sa buro ay isang delicacy,” he explained, comparing it to Korean samgyupsal. He clarified that the leaf Pangilinan used was edible and commonly eaten raw in Filipino cuisine. “Ang problema kasi, ignorante na nga kayo, proud pa kayo,” he added, slamming those who spread false information.
Content creator Catacutan also issued a statement online, apologizing and clarifying that the leaf used was indeed mustard and the white liquid seen in the video was carabao’s milk, not vinegar.
Pangilinan, who is seeking a Senate comeback in 2025, addressed the claims in a Facebook Live on April 12. He explained that using a pot lid was simply a practical substitute for a plate, and reiterated his message: “Pwede ba, nagpapakatotoo kami.”
He further expressed concern about what he sees as coordinated online attacks, noting that suspicious comments came from accounts with “Vietnamese-sounding names.” He urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to take action: “We hope the Comelec can convene the digital technology giants… on how to take down those clearly fictitious accounts.”
The 2025 midterm elections are scheduled for May 12, with campaign season ending on May 10.
