MANILA, Philippines — GMA Entertainment has appealed to the public to stop doing “The Boyet Challenge,” which dares netizens to imitate a character from its show “My Special Tatay.”

In a statement on Friday, GMA Entertainment said it joins Autism Society Philippines (ASP) “in calling on netizens to treat people with autism with dignity and respect.”

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The Kapuso network also clarified that their program did not initiate the said viral challenge.

“The viral videos that have been circulating on social media tagged as ‘The Boyet Challenge’ was not initiated by the program and we join the ASP’s appeal to stop sharing and creating videos ridiculing people with autism,” the statement read.

ASP recently denounced the viral challenge, saying it is “a thinly-veiled instrument of ridicule of those who live with autism and intellectual disabilities.”

READ: Philippine autism group condemns ‘The Boyet Challenge’

GMA also noted that the Afternoon Series’ aim is to “spread awareness and appreciation for mentally, physically, and differently-abled people.”

“From the start, the advocacy of the show is to help viewers understand better the plight of people with intellectual disabilities,” the statement added.

“My Special Tatay” stars Ken Chan who plays the role of Boyet, a father with a mild intellectual disability. /muf

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