KMJS Says Sorry to Pio Fadul’s Family and Paete Residents After “Ukit” Halloween Segment
The team behind Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) has issued a clarification and an apology to Paete woodcarver Pio Fadul, his family and the people of Paete, Laguna, after its Halloween special drew criticism for linking one of his carvings to supernatural experiences, GMA Entertainment reported.
The segment, titled “Ukit,” aired on November 1 as part of “Gabi ng Lagim XIV.” In it, Nathan Reyes, guitarist of the band Lily, recounted the eerie experiences he said started after he brought home a wood carving given to the band after a gig in Paete. Fadul, who was also interviewed, rejected claims that his works are possessed by evil spirits, according to INQUIRER.net.
A Facebook page featuring the works of Fadul and his fellow carvers said they did not expect his craft to be used in a horror story that could leave viewers with the wrong impression of him. The group also clarified that his wife’s remarks about his past mental health struggles had nothing to do with anything paranormal.
Reyes later apologized in the comments of that post and said he takes responsibility. He added that he had already reached out to the KMJS team to correct the narrative and would address the issue publicly.
In its statement, KMJS said it respects Fadul’s craftsmanship and the artistry of Paete’s woodcarvers. The program explained that the report was only about experiences tied to one particular carving and should not be used to link Fadul’s other works, or Paete woodcarving in general, to evil entities. It added that it has spoken with the Fadul family and apologized to them and to Paete residents for the worry the report caused.
The local government had also stepped in. The Sangguniang Bayan of Paete unanimously approved Resolution No. 166 on November 3, asking GMA and the show for a public clarification and apology, the Inquirer reported. The council noted that the episode reached 870,000 views on YouTube and 1.1 million on Facebook within a day, and warned it could declare those responsible persona non grata if no action is taken within 15 days.
For a town known as the “Carving Capital of the Philippines,” the issue goes beyond one TV segment. It is a reminder that a scary story can easily affect the livelihood of the artisans behind the craft.
