Ride-hailing service Grab Philippines apologizes for sharing a promotional ad showing showbiz cheating rumors between Gerald Anderson and other stars linked to him, after netizens found it to be offensive.
In an ad released on Tuesday afternoon, it promoted its 6-Seater cars for hire via its mobile app, showing the compilation of six female celebrities in one photo.
On Tuesday afternoon, Grab went to promote its 6-Seater cars for hire via its mobile app and compiled six female celebrities in one photo. Their sales pitch: “Walang kailangang maiwan. Walang kailangang masaktan. Sa GrabCar 6-Seater, pwedeng magsabay-sabay.”
[No one needs to be left behind. No one needs to get hurt. With GrabCar 6-Seater, everyone can ride all at the same time.]The six female celebrities include Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, Sarah Geronimo, Pia Wurtzbach, Bea Alonzo, and Julia Barretto — actresses who have been romantically linked to Anderson.
Grab’s ad quickly went viral, which earned over 3,000 reactions in its first 10 minutes on Facebook. But the ride-sharing firm took it down shortly after netizens reacted badly on sexist promotion.
“We apologize for running the light! We were in no way encouraging nor condoning the disrespect for women and disrespect within relationships,” Grab said. “We share the love and loyalty that fans have for all these wonderful women.”
“Thank you for reminding us what not to be,” Grab said.
