Comedian Ramon Bautista under fire over 'hipon' joke in Davao City

MANILA, Philippines – Comedian Ramon Bautista is currently in hot water after a joke he made at the recent Kadayawan Festival in Davao City on Saturday, August 16.

In an event, Bautista quipped: “Tama! Ang daming hipon dito sa Davao, alright.” He then asked the crowd to chant the word “hipon.”

Hipon is a Filipino slang that refers to a person with a sexy body but an unattractive face.

The comedian later apologized over his remark.

“I'm here in front of you to say my apologies because sinabi ko ang daming hipon dito. Oo nga, nahihiya po ako sa inyo because you welcomed me in your beautiful city. Andito po ako lagi at nag-e-enjoy po ako dito. Para masabi ko po yung mga yun na marami sa inyo ang na-offend. I'll say my sincerest apologies, sana po matanggap niyo,” he said.

Bautista added, “Andito po ako para makisaya sa Kadayawan Festival at para maging enjoyable ang gabing ito. From the bottom of my heart, sobrang nahihiya po ako sa inyong lahat. Sana mapatawad niyo po ako. Mahal ko po kayong lahat.”

In a Facebook post on Sunday, August 17, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo “Pulong” Duterte said he reprimanded Bautista over his joke.

Meanwhile, former Davao City mayor Sara Duterte is calling for Bautista to be declared as a persona non grata.

“Attended this Kadayawan Invasion and heard this (Ramon Bautista) guy say "hipon" ang mga babae sa Davao. Pila sa ako mga fb friends ang konsehal.. if you do not call out this guy as a persona non grata, your doing a disservice to women all over!! P at F to you Ramon Bautista! bisita ka lang, gumalang ka,” she posted on Facebook on Saturday, August 16.

On social media, the reaction of netizens are mixed regarding Bautista and his “hipon” joke:

I don't understand why Ramon Bautista has to apologize for a joke. He's supposed to be a funny man. And funny men usually say funny things.

— paco evangelista (@pacoevangelista) August 17, 2014

papi @ramonbautista wag ganon idol.. davaoenas is not the hipon capital :( </3

— Erwin Kim (@erwinsvirus) August 18, 2014

Ramon Bautista ano? daig pang napaso, hipon pala ha?? lol hahaha! #ramonbautista

— Ad? Z??et? Ricaros (@shadesofspyke) August 18, 2014