‘It’s Showtime’ contestant clarifies she knew about Comelec, appeals for end to bashing

Metro Manila, Philippines - Heart Aquino, the 20-year-old noontime show contestant criticized for her alleged ignorance about the Commission on Elections, explained that it was simply a case of a “mental block.”

”Hindi lang po ako masyadong knowledgeable po pero meron naman po akong kaalaman and na-mental block lang din po ako since first appearance ko rin po sa TV and medyo nakakakaba po talaga,” Aquino told reporters at the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday, March 4.

“Sa mga bumabatikos po, sana lang po is, intindihin din po muna nila and alamin din muna nila yung reason po kung bakit hindi ko siya nasagot. And stop the bashing naman po,” she added.

[Translation: I’m not very knowledgeable, but I do have some knowledge, and I just had a mental block since it was my first appearance on TV, and it was really nerve-wracking. To those who are criticizing, I hope they first try to understand and find out the reason why I couldn’t answer. And I hope they stop the bashing.]

Aquino admitted that she hadn’t read much about the Comelec, as she primarily uses social media for leisure to unwind from work. She added that she is focused on supporting her family, having been orphaned at a young age.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia invited Aquino for an educational tour and briefing after she went viral on social media for an “It’s Showtime” episode. During its “Sexy Babe” segment, Aquino was asked for a message to the Comelec, but she responded that she was not knowledgeable about the poll body.

Garcia welcomed Aquino to the Comelec office, where she was given a tour by other poll officials.

Aquino said she now has a deeper understanding of the Comelec and its functions and would love to encourage her generation to scrutinize the candidates and cast their votes. She also clarified that she had voted in the last Sangguniang Kabataan elections, contrary to what she had said on TV out of nervousness.

Asked if Aquino could be an ambassador to educate young voters, Frances Arabe, director III of Comelec's Standards and Innovation Office, said, “Why not?”

”Si Heart kasi nakikita namin na pwede siyang maging influence sa youth [We see Heart as a possible youth influencer]… Heart can be that person who can reach out sa mga kapwa niya kabataan [to her fellow youth],” Arabe said.