“THE WHOLE PHILIPPINES IS IN SHOCK! A LEAKED VIDEO FROM THE ‘EAT BULAGA’ SET ALLEGEDLY SHOWS VETERAN HOST JOEY DE LEON TOUCHING ATASHA MUHLACH INAPPROPRIATELY — FANS OUTRAGED, NETWORK SILENT, AND NOW A MYSTERIOUS INSIDER BREAKS HIS SILENCE WITH A TERRIFYING CLAIM!”
The entertainment world of the Philippines has once again been shaken to its core — and this time, the controversy involves one of the most established figures in the country’s showbiz industry. A viral video that surfaced late last night allegedly shows veteran host Joey de Leon behaving inappropriately toward young star Atasha Muhlach on the set of the long-running noontime show Eat Bulaga.
The footage — now deleted from most social platforms but still circulating in private chat groups — appears to capture a moment during a commercial break. Joey, who has long been part of the legendary trio “TVJ” (Tito, Vic, and Joey), can be seen joking around with other hosts. Suddenly, he places his hand near Atasha’s waist — and for a brief second, it seems to move in a way that has sparked outrage online.
Atasha, the 21-year-old daughter of showbiz royalty Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales, appears visibly uncomfortable in the clip. She quickly steps aside and forces an awkward smile before the feed cuts.
Within hours, “Joey de Leon” and “Atasha” began trending on X (formerly Twitter), with thousands of netizens expressing fury, disappointment, and disbelief.
“She looked so uncomfortable — and everyone around just laughed. It’s disgusting,” one user wrote.
“This is why young women in showbiz are scared to speak up,” another commented.
The Silence That Spoke Volumes
While the online uproar grew, Eat Bulaga’s production team and network management remained silent. No official statement was released in the first 12 hours after the video went viral — fueling public speculation that a cover-up might be underway.
Inside sources told Showbiz Insider PH that the production team immediately ordered all behind-the-scenes footage to be “reviewed and secured,” and that staff members were instructed “not to speak to any media outlets.”
One insider, who requested anonymity, claimed that “meetings were held behind closed doors,” describing the atmosphere as tense and fearful.
“Some people were crying. Others were told to delete copies of the footage. Everyone knew something serious had happened,” the insider said.
Atasha’s Family Reacts — Quietly
Perhaps even more intriguing is the eerie silence from Atasha’s famous parents, Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales. Both known for being protective of their children, they have not made any public statements since the scandal broke.
A close friend of the family, however, told PhilStar Now that they were “deeply upset” and “considering legal action.”
“They’re handling it privately right now, but they’re not going to let it go,” the source said. “They’ve seen the clip. They know what people are talking about. They’re just being careful.”
Joey de Leon’s Camp Denies Everything
By mid-afternoon, a representative from Joey de Leon’s camp finally broke the silence. In a brief statement sent to select media outlets, the veteran comedian “categorically denied any wrongdoing.”
“Mr. de Leon has always been respectful toward his colleagues,” the statement read. “The viral clip was maliciously edited to distort a harmless interaction. We urge the public not to spread false narratives.”
However, netizens were far from convinced. A detailed analysis posted by a tech-savvy fan showed that the video had no signs of editing and was recorded during a live broadcast rehearsal.
“There’s no cut. No jump. No splice. It’s raw footage. What we saw is what happened,” the post claimed — gaining nearly 500,000 views overnight.
Fans Demand Accountability
As the scandal deepened, fans demanded action from Eat Bulaga’s producers and the network. Hashtags like #JusticeForAtasha and #ProtectWomenInShowbiz began trending, calling for an investigation and a public apology.
Activist groups also joined the outcry. The Women’s Media Alliance of the Philippines issued a statement condemning the alleged act and calling on broadcast companies to create safer environments for women.
“This is not about one incident — it’s about a culture of silence and power imbalance,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Atasha’s co-hosts have also come under scrutiny. Observers noted that none of them appeared to intervene or express concern in the video. Fans accused them of “laughing it off” and “normalizing inappropriate behavior.”
Behind the Curtain: The Hidden Power of TVJ
For decades, Tito, Vic, and Joey have been the kings of Philippine noontime television. Their influence runs deep — both inside and outside the industry. Insiders claim this might be the reason why people are hesitant to speak out.
“Everyone knows that crossing Joey means losing work. He’s that powerful,” a former Eat Bulaga staffer alleged.
Rumors even suggest that attempts to report previous “uncomfortable moments” were dismissed as “jokes” or “misunderstandings.”
A long-time producer, speaking under condition of anonymity, added chillingly:
“This isn’t the first time someone felt uneasy. It’s just the first time it got caught on camera.”
A Sudden Disappearance
Adding to the mystery, several Eat Bulaga behind-the-scenes social media pages — including one run by fan crew members — went offline just hours after the video broke. Posts featuring Atasha were deleted, and one page even posted a cryptic message before disappearing:
“We’re told to stay quiet. But the truth will come out.”
The message sent shockwaves through fans who have followed the show for decades.
Public Divided — But Curious
As with any major controversy, public opinion remains divided. While many condemn Joey, some longtime fans insist that the moment was “taken out of context.”
“He’s always been playful. Maybe it was just a bad angle,” one user commented.
But others pushed back strongly:
“Playful or not, it’s 2025. You don’t touch someone like that on live TV.”
Network’s Final Word — Or Beginning of the End?
Late Sunday night, after almost 24 hours of silence, the network finally issued a brief statement:
“We are aware of the circulating video involving our talents. The company takes all allegations seriously and has initiated an internal review. We ask the public for understanding while we address this matter.”
However, the vague language only intensified suspicion. No mention was made of Joey, Atasha, or the nature of the allegations.
Industry observers believe that the issue could lead to a larger reckoning in the Philippine entertainment scene.
“This might finally expose the ‘boys’ club’ culture in local TV,” one columnist noted. “People are no longer afraid to record, to post, to call things out. The old ways are dying.”
Where Is Atasha Now?
As of this writing, Atasha has reportedly taken a break from taping. Her Instagram stories — usually filled with behind-the-scenes content — have gone completely dark. Friends say she’s “staying with family” and “processing what happened.”
One of her close peers revealed:
“She didn’t expect this kind of attention. She’s overwhelmed, but she’s strong.”
The Insider’s Terrifying Claim
Perhaps the most chilling twist came from the same insider who earlier confirmed the private meetings. Hours after the network’s statement, he sent an anonymous email to several reporters containing one cryptic sentence:
“What you saw on camera wasn’t the worst part.”
No one knows what that means — yet. But one thing is certain: the silence that follows this scandal may be louder than anything ever said on the Eat Bulaga stage.
