Former TV host Jude Bacalso allegedly made the waiter stand for two hours.

Former TV host Jude Bacalso continues to face significant backlash on social media following an incident at a Cebu City restaurant where she allegedly berated a waiter for misgendering her. Bacalso reportedly made the waiter stand for two hours while addressing him over the incident. The controversy began when a viral Facebook post by John Calderon detailed the July 21 event, stating that Bacalso reprimanded the waiter after he called her "sir." Calderon’s post gained widespread attention, sparking outrage among netizens who felt Bacalso's actions were excessive and humiliating for the waiter. In response to the uproar, Bacalso posted a video on social media explaining her side of the story. She claimed that the waiter chose to stand and that she did not demand that he do so. Bacalso also issued a public apology, acknowledging that her approach could have been more considerate. "I could have done with a little measure of kindness," she admitted. Bacalso's apology and clarification have done little to quell the backlash, as many netizens continue to express their disapproval across various social media platforms. Notably, netizens, including Filipinos based in the UAE, have largely criticized Bacalso, with many comments on Facebook denouncing her actions as out of line. Commentators pointed out that making the waiter stand for two hours was unnecessarily harsh. Additionally, notable personalities like Ogie Diaz have weighed in, emphasizing the importance of respect and understanding in advocating for gender sensitivity issues. "It’s essential to teach and guide, but we must do it in a way that fosters understanding and respect without creating unnecessary tension," Diaz said. Media personality RR Enriquez questioned the necessity of making a significant issue out of the situation. Enriquez suggested that a simple correction would have sufficed without escalating the matter to a public debate Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera addressed the incident, calling for empathy and education. He highlighted the need for ongoing gender sensitivity training to prevent similar occurrences and promote a more inclusive environment. The restaurant involved, Ulli's Streets of Asia, released a statement expressing their commitment to providing a respectful environment for both guests and staff. They assured that they are taking steps to better handle similar situations in the future. ICA/Expat Media
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