Television shows, regardless of genre, serve as platforms where audiences can engage in discussions and reflect on societal issues.

This was evident on February 28, 2025, during the “Sexy Babe” beauty-pageant segment of It’s Showtime, when 20-year-old candidate Heart Aquino struggled to answer a question related to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

As the country prepares for the upcoming 2025 midterm elections, pageant contenders—especially in advocacy-driven competitions—are often asked about political and social issues.

However, when host Vice Ganda posed the question, “Ano ang mensahe mo sa COMELEC?,” Aquino admitted that she was unfamiliar with the country’s election body.

“Sorry po, hindi po ako masyado knowledgeable about sa COMELEC,” she confessed.

Aquino’s response surprised the hosts, particularly Vice, whose disappointment was visible.

“Oh my gosh, that is bothersome,” the TV host-comedian remarked upon learning that the contestant is already 20 years old yet unfamiliar with the elections commission.

Host Kim Chiu then asked Aquino if she is a registered voter, to which the contestant replied, “Hindi pa po.”

Kim encouraged Aquino to register, while Vice added, “So, paano, wala kang sagot?”

Vice further probed: “Wala ka bang naririnig? Hindi ka ba nanonood ng telebisyon? Nagbabasa ng diyaryo? Internet?”

The contestant answered: “Wala po kaming TV. Hindi rin po masyado lumilitaw sa news feed ko.”

WHAT IS COMELEC?

Kim then asked Aquino if she had never encountered discussions about COMELEC in school, prompting Vice to question, “So, sino ang may kasalanan na hindi ka informed?”

The contestant replied, “Ako po.”

The hosts then attempted to educate Aquino on COMELEC’s role.

Jhong Hilario, who is currently serving as a councilor of Makati, explained, “Yung COMELEC, sila yung nag-aayos bago mag-eleksyon, mga kandidato.”

Vice added, “Sila ang may kinalaman sa lahat ng kaganapan tungkol sa eleksyon sa Pilipinas.”

Providing further context, the COMELEC is the government agency in charge of organizing, monitoring, and enforcing election laws to maintain democratic processes.

SEXY BABE CONTESTANT FINALLY ANSWERS THE QUESTION

When Aquino finally answered the original question, she said: “Siguro ang message ko sa kanila, let’s be fair po.

“Kasi meron tayo ano, kahit sa barangay lang yan, yung mga bayad, bayad ng votes.

“So let’s be fair po siguro kasi deserve natin yung uupo na talagang may mabibigay sa atin, lahat tayo sa community na may pakikinabangan.”

A portion of celebrity judge JC de Vera‘s remark then underscored the importance of staying informed about national affairs.

He said: “I think kailangan natin matuto sa lahat ng mga nangyayari ngayon sa paligid natin.

“Kasi, I think as Filipinos, kailangan natin talagang magbigay ng suporta sa bansa natin at alam natin na dapat nating alam ang mga nangyayari dito sa bansa.”

NETIZENS CALL FOR BETTER CIVIC EDUCATION

The clip has since gone viral, sparking discussions on the state of civic education in the country.

While many netizens expressed disappointment, their frustration was largely directed at the education system rather than the contestant herself.

The incident prompted calls for improved civic education to ensure young Filipinos are well-informed about government institutions and electoral processes.

Here are some of the comments:

“There is a need to include social issues discussion sa schools. Pati sa social media and TV media dapat ipinapakilala ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno at ano ang kanilang ginagawa. Masakit isipin na marami talagang kabataan ngayon ang walang alam at walang pakialam sa mga nangyayari sa pamahalaan at maging sa usapin sa bayan. Yung mga may alam naman ang nagbibigay sa kanila ng info mga makakaliwa kaya perverted naman ang knilang paniniwala. We adults should help young people get over this generational hump na kinasasadlakan ng kabataan ngayon.”

“nakakadismaya pero ito ang masakit na katotohanan ngayon”

“Hindi shaming un pagpuna. More of disappointment yun. Nakakahiya, nakakadismaya na walang alam mga kabataan ngayon. Paging DepEd. Talagang may krisis tayo sa edukasyon.”

“nasa pinas siya pero hindi siya aware. nakakadismaya mga kabataan ngayon.”

KEY PROVISIONS ON CIVIC EDUCATION

The 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates civic education through various provisions, primarily under Article II (Declaration of Principles and State Policies) and Article XIV (Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports).

1. Article II, Section 13 – The state shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, and encourage youth involvement in public and civic affairs.
2. Article II, Section 17 – The state gives priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster nationalism and civic consciousness.
3. Article XIV, Section 3 – All educational institutions shall:
   – Foster nationalism, patriotism, and civic consciousness.
   – Teach the Constitution.
   – Promote critical and analytical thinking about the country’s history, democracy, and governance.

WHO HANDLES CIVIC EDUCATION?

• The Department of Education (DepEd) is mainly responsible for civic education in basic education (K-12), particularly through subjects like Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (Values Education).
• The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) oversees civic education in colleges and universities, ensuring institutions offer courses like The Life and Works of Rizal, Philippine Government and Constitution, and Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) under the NSTP program.
• The National Youth Commission (NYC) and COMELEC also conduct voter education programs, but these are usually supplemental.