Derrick Monasterio apologizes over “witty joke”

On the night of January 17, Kapuso actor found himself in hot water after posting what he thought was a “witty joke” on his Instagram story.

The 22-year-old actor said he did not expect the negative feedback after making fun of AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

Posing candidly

A post shared by Derrick Monasterio (@derrickmonasterio) on Oct 7, 2017 at 3:03am PDT

Im thankful for the beauty of nature and I'm lucky that I am here to witness it. Taken though the eyes of the @oppophilippines F3 #OPPOF3 #SelfieExpert #OppoMoments

A post shared by Derrick Monasterio (@derrickmonasterio) on Sep 23, 2017 at 4:18am PDT

“Here’s a witty joke: I have a friend who’s miserable because he just found out that he has AIDS.

“My advice: stay positive,” he wrote on in Instagram story.

According to the World Health Organization, AIDS is a “term which applies to the most advanced stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.”

The same source also said HIV “infects cells of the immune system, destroying or impairing their function.”

The virus can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse; sharing of contaminated needles or syringes; or between a mother and her child through pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

Netizens in Twitter criticized the actor by calling him “insensitive.”

Not a good joke after all #DerrickMonasterio pic.twitter.com/a5xHAqgLsJ

— Shine Palisoc (@shhanshine) January 18, 2018

Well hindi Joke ang Issue ng AIDS di siya joke dapat mo pagtawanan at hamakin sila para sa kasayahan mo #DerrickMonasterio pic.twitter.com/JwkQcI0GbX

— vice Nobleza (@vice_nobleza) January 17, 2018

wow no wonder this actor's career has not taken off shame on you derrick monasterio pic.twitter.com/WaHYsnVVNa

— Maru S. Alberto (@marusalberto) January 16, 2018

Hi @derrickleander, I hope you get yourself educated on the ff: 1. HIV-AIDS, 2. Sensitivity, and 3. Witty jokes. https://t.co/M5KUHYMgMm

— Jai Cabajardashian (@jaicabajar) January 17, 2018

You finding that kind of joke you saw on twitter witty, and thinking na it isn’t going to be an issue make it more problematic. Keep your disgusting apology and ignorance to yourself, @derrickleander. pic.twitter.com/R89xaygZf4

— Michaelangelo (@mykeeabelo) January 17, 2018

AIDS is not a joke, @derrickleander but your "career" is. ? pic.twitter.com/kUoVoGVr3A

— Geminid (@ronaldgem) January 17, 2018

Monasterio deleted the photo but netizens were able to take screenshots of it.

The actor immediately posted an apology after the backlash of his joke.

“Hi guys! Good evening! I just saw that joke on Twitter and I didn’t think that it’s gonna be an issue. But sorry if I offended some of you in a way,” he said.