SINGAPORE — A Singaporean TikToker has gone viral after publicly condemning racist and classist online comments directed at a 14-year-old Filipino basketball player, following the Philippines’ 33-point win over Singapore in an international youth tournament.
In a TikTok video that has accumulated over 11,000 views and nearly 500 likes, user @singtaliantok criticised what she called “shameful comments” made by some Singaporeans toward Rudolf Labis, who represented the Philippines at the 13th Asia Pacific Cup, held in Singapore in October 2025.
Labis, nicknamed the “Naawan Pride,” had shared a celebratory post stating:
“Representing my country is my biggest achievement.”
According to the TikToker, the comment section under the post was soon flooded with xenophobic, racist, and classist remarks, many of which targeted Filipinos broadly and invoked stereotypes about domestic workers. Among the comments she highlighted were phrases such as “my maid,” “your mum is my neighbour’s helper,” and references to sending his mother back or assigning work permits.
Emphasizing the seriousness of the situation, the TikToker stated:
“He is in the 14-under category. I repeat — under 14. He is a child.”
She added:
“If you are an adult harassing a minor online, sending hate and attacking his mother, you should be ashamed of yourself.”
Addressing comments that mocked Filipinos using Singapore’s economic status, she said:
“Our strong currency that you strongly hold on to has no value if you lack compassion, humility, and kindness.”
She further criticised what she described as the glorification of economic inequality:
“Glorifying the exploitation of people from underprivileged nations for coming to our country to work for cheap is not the flex you think it is.”
One comment in particular — “End of the day, you’re still Pinoy” — drew her strongest response. In reply, she said:
“At the end of the day, we are all humans.”
She continued:
“Putting down an entire nationality, implying Singaporeans are of a higher status, is really problematic.”
Pointing to historical chance rather than merit, she added:
“Many Singaporeans are simply lucky to be born into this country. That’s not an achievement. It’s circumstances.”
The video also drew significant support from viewers, including other Singaporeans. Comments highlighted in the discussion included statements such as “As a Singaporean myself, it’s really shameful and embarrassing,” and “I’m Singaporean, and I’m proud that the Philippines beat Singapore.”
The TikToker concluded her message by warning of the real-world consequences of online harassment, particularly for minors:
“We live in a digitalised world where we are all connected, and we are supposed to be protecting our young from online harms, not perpetuating them.”
She ended with a reminder:
“Our words hold weight. Online or offline — just be kinder.”
