Even before the start of the ABS-CBN reality show Pinoy Fear Factor, Fil-Spanish "participante" Jose Sarasola had already hit the entertainment headlines when people started linking him to the nude photos and video of an unidentified man that circulated on the Internet. (Click here to read related article.)
Although Jose already denied that he was the guy in those photos and video, the entertainment press still asked him about it during the media junket prepared for the six eliminated "participantes" of Pinoy Fear Factor last January 14.
The 22-year-old student said that he was really clueless on how he was linked to the scandal.
"At the start po, I was shocked, parang I was wondering na the show didn't even air yet, but then these things come out about me. At first, well, my parents were shocked talaga about it. Pero me, I knew talaga in my heart na hindi talaga ako 'yon, so it was easy to accept," he said to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
The issue did not only affect him but also his parents, especially his Spanish father, who later on questioned his decision to join Pinoy Fear Factor.
Jose related, "My dad talaga got really angry na, ‘Why did you join this show? Look what's happening now! When you join showbiz, these things come out, scandals!' ganyan-ganyan.
"After the scandal, parang na-ano na siya, na parang, ‘See, you joined showbiz, tingnan mo ang nangyayari.' My mom talaga was sad talaga pero I assured them naman na hindi ako. I really don't know why it came out parang malas lang na ako ang napili, di ba?"
Instead of being disappointed, Jose said that he did not bother to find out where the issue started. "Hindi na po [inimbistegahan] kasi hindi naman po talaga ako. I didn't find a way to look for the person, kasi hindi naman talaga ako, e," he repeated.
After his stint in Pinoy Fear Factor, everything went back to normal in Jose's life. The aspiring chef continued his Culinary Arts course in La Salle College of St. Benilde and is expected to graduate next month.
As of now, the aspiring chef is still thinking whether he would put up his own restaurant or try his luck in showbiz.
With his father being shocked by the scandal issue, will he still be allowed to enter show business?
"Well, my dad naman, he learned from that na as long as you're not in there, whatever they're saying, basta hindi ikaw, okay lang," Jose quipped.
So, does this mean he's now ready to be part of the showbiz industry?
"If offers come up, yeah. I tried Fear Factor, so showbiz is parang another challenge. So, why not try it as well?" answered Jose.