Unpacking the Buzz: Joey De Leon’s "ABS" Punchlines on Eat Bulaga Explained

Credits: TVJ Productions, Inc.

The King of Henyo is at it again. Joey De Leon is currently trending across social media platforms following a series of witty, albeit controversial, punchlines during a recent episode of Eat Bulaga.

The segment in question, "The Age is Right," featured an older model who confidently hit the runway despite no longer having a "six-pack." Joey’s commentary during the interview quickly caught the attention of netizens, leading to a whirlwind of interpretations—and some heated accusations.

Video Credits: TVJ Productions, Inc.

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The Breakdown: What Did Joey Actually Say?

To understand the context, we have to look past the snippets and "dissect" the jokes as they happened. Here is a look at the two statements causing the most stir:

1. "Di na uso ung ABS" (Abs are no longer in style)

In the context of the segment, Joey was directly referring to the physical abdominal muscles of the model being interviewed. The joke was a nod to the model's confidence; Joey was implying that having a "macho" or "sexy" physique with defined abs isn't a requirement to be a great model or to have "game" on stage.

Credits: TVJ Productions, Inc.

2. "Wala na nga ung ABS eh... ay... CBN pala yun sorry sorry"

This is where the internet caught fire. Joey followed up his initial comment with this quip, which many interpreted as a direct jab at the ABS-CBN network.

FILE: TV5 and ABS-CBN inked content partnership agreement in 2020

However, the "deep" humor Joey is known for often plays on multiple layers. While it was a clear pun on the network's name, local insiders suggest the context actually points to:

• The TV5 Partnership: A reference to the end of the ABS-CBN content partnership with TV5 earlier this year.
• The Guest's Physique: He was still primarily ribbing the guest, RJ, about his "missing" abdominal muscles.

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Understanding the "Henyo" Humor

The reactions from the rest of the Eat Bulaga family—including Bossing Vic Sotto, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Miles Ocampo, and Maine Mendoza—were a mix of laughter and playful "correction," signaling that the remarks were made in the spirit of the show's long-standing brand of irreverent comedy.

While some social media pages are fueled by the "network war" narrative, it’s important to see the jokes for what they are: wordplay. In the world of Joey De Leon, not every mention of "abs" is a political statement or a hit against a rival network.

The takeaway? Don't be too quick to jump to conclusions. Sometimes, a joke about "abs" is just about... well, abs.