Miles Ocampo clears the air regarding the controversial comment made by veteran TV host Joey de Leon about her.
During the birthday celebration of Miles on Eat Bulaga! on May 1, 2024, the hosts took turns giving their greetings.
Former senator Tito Sotto began by saying, “Dahil birthday mo, wala akong ibang masasabi kundi pataas!”
“Pababa,” Miles playfully replied.
At that point, Joey—who carries the moniker “Master Henyo” for his word-play humor— quipped, “Pataba. E, este pababa.”
The incident quickly blew up on social media, earning the ire of netizens who called out Joey for the body-shaming nature of his joke.
MILES CLARIFIES “ASARAN” AS A SHOW OF AFFECTION
For the press conference of her first lead series—Padyak Princess—on June 5, 2024, Miles finally addressed the controversy.
“Si Boss Joey, sa mga Dabarkads, siya po yung tao na updated talaga sa lahat.
“Kaya po noong lumabas po yung issue na yun, updated siya agad. So the next day talaga, parang, ‘Huy, sorry ah.’
“Sabi ko, ‘Okay lang po, Boss Joey.’ Parang sa amin naman po, wala lang yun,” she affirmed.
The 27-year-old actress also points out the possibility of the detractors being unfamiliar with the playful interactions between the hosts.
“Hindi lang sanay siguro yung mga tao na marinig yun,” Miles said, adding that true Dabarkads can easily recognize these remarks as lighthearted and without malicious intent.
“Kung siguro po [Dabarkads sila], siguro naman po, alam na nila.
“Ilang taon na po ang Eat Bulaga! at alam na nila kung paano ang biruan at paano ang pagpapakita ng pagmamahal.”
The “asaran” is one of the many ways they show their closeness toward each other:
“Madalas dun ang asaran ang pagsho-show ng love namin sa isa’t isa, so walang problema po talaga.
“Sa Dabarkads, bawal ang pikon dun. Sanay lang kami sa bawat banat at hirit ng isa’t isa, so walang problema.
“Actually si Boss Joey, naapektuhan din kasi sabi niya noon, ‘Bakit galit yung mga tao sa akin?’
“Sabi ko kay Boss Joey, ‘Okay na po yun, sadyang ang mga tao talaga ngayon ay mabilis makahanap ng mali kaya napupuna agad.’ Pero wala pong problema.”
WEIGHT GAIN FROM THYROID PROBLEM
Miles’s weight gain could be attributed to her medication following a diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
In an interview with Kapamilya morning show Magandang Buhay on April 13, 2023, the 25-year-old actress revealed she recently went through a medical procedure to have her thyroid treated.
“Parang late last year ko pa naramdaman, yung feeling ko parang lagi akong hapong-hapo.
“Tapos yung feeling ko, laging may nakasakal sa akin. Hingalin po ako, nilalamig ako bigla o bigla akong naiinitan.
“So sabi ko, parang may something na. So nagpa-blood test ako, ganyan…”
Following a blood test and an ultrasound, it was confirmed that Miles suffered from a thyroid problem, and had two options: to have surgery or to delay treatment for three months.
But Miles said that the doctor told her, “Pero kahit ano, kailangan natin siyang tanggalin.”
She opted for the former and had to beg off from a scheduled guest appearance on ABS-CBN’s Sunday noontime show.
“After Batang Quiapo, I was supposed to guest pa sa ASAP.
“Dapat sasayaw pa ako, pero ayaw ko lumabas na hindi ko one-hundred percent. So kinailangan ko pa mag-cancel nang last minute tapos itinuloy na yung operation.”
Miles admitted to getting frustrated throughout the process, thinking she had done everything she could given the circumstances: “Anong nangyayari? Ginagawa ko naman yung part ko.
“Tapos [sinabi ng doctor], ‘Kailangan na natin siyang operahan ASAP.’ Ganun siya kabilis.”
When Regine Velasquez, one of the Magandang Buhay hosts, asked if the health problem is life-threatening,” Miles replied, “Yes, Ms. Reg, saka ang bilis ng pangyayari.”
Speaking about the experience, the former Goin’ Bulilit star felt relieved after going through the surgery.
“Kung hindi ko siya naagapan, may chance na mas kumalat siya. Meron pa akong last procedure na gagawin, after that, maintenance na lang for life.”
