Filipino politician goes viral after saying ‘[play] ball first before drugs’ on TV

Jolo Revilla attended a basketball game where his hometown’s team played, and ended up making an unforgettable gaffe. Photo via ABS-CBN.
Jolo Revilla attended a basketball game where his hometown’s team played, and ended up making an unforgettable gaffe. Photo via ABS-CBN.

It was just the kind of boo-boo that Filipinos would never forget.

Jolo Revilla, a former actor and now the vice governor of Bacoor, Cavite, was one of the high profile guests in a basketball match at his hometown last week.

His appearance has recently gone viral, not because he’s particularly popular, but because unforgiving netizens can’t get over a TV interview he did where he misspoke and told the audience in Filipino to “[play] ball first, before drugs.”

He said this after a typical politician greeting: “First of all we’re thankful for the support of all Bacooreños from the city of Bacoor. And of course, to everyone watching MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League), thank you.”

Revilla, a meber of a family of actors and politicians and last year joined President Rodrigo Duterte’s party, obviously did not mean to tell people to do drugs after shooting hoops.

He quickly corrected himself and said: “Actually, [play] ball, don’t [do] drugs,” with a grin on his face.

But the damage has been done.

Just like that, Twitter exploded, jeering Revilla for the faux pax.

User @IWantToStayQPI posted a video of Revilla’s interview, along with the caption, “Always remember. [Play] ball first before [doing] drugs.”

“July Meme of the Month,” was how @DwightMarten called it.

Responding to an article on Revilla’s mistake, @DphantomBoss wrote: “[Pluck your] eyebrows first before [doing] drugs.”

Another Twitter user wrote that “[Rodrigo] Duterte is triggered,” followed by emojis of laughing faces, the hashtag #BolaMunaBagoDroga, an emoji for a ball, and a pill.

Duterte, in case you haven’t heard, has led a campaign against drug lords that has reportedly left thousands of Filipinos dead.

Someone confessed that he couldn’t stop watching Revilla’s interview, calling it the “best.”

Parody account Professional Heckler quoted Revilla, then wrote: “You can’t take it back. In quiz shows, your first answer is your last answer.”

Maybe stay away from saying empty platitudes next time, Vice Governor Revilla? It may have been an honest mistake but when the internet finds something funny, it won’t let it go.



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