The "Pusuan or Laruan" dating show broke the internet with an episode featuring "Englishera girl" Aly Alindayu, who stated that she prefers someone who speaks English well.

Alindayu has received and continues to receive critical remarks from netizens, of which Marion Aunor, the producer and host of the online show, is well aware.

In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, Aunor, who created the show based on her song "Laruan," urged the public to be gentler to the participants.

“Although we’re grateful for the support that you have for the show pero put yourselves din in the shoes of the participants na they really put themselves out there. They’re vulnerable na maghanap ng love life and find friends. For them to receive backlash online na nagta-try lang naman sila to do something that they’re afraid of pero they’re brave enough to face it, maybe, maging kinder lang sila (netizens) sa comments section,” she said.

She added, “Instead of i-bring down natin sila, maging mas supportive na lang and have fun lang. Instead of laughing at them, laugh with them. ‘Yung nangyayari naman sa shoot, super positive naman.”

Aunor went on to say that Alindayu asked the production to remove the video, which they did.

“What happened was in-upload namin ‘yung clip then the next day I received the direct message from her and then she was asking for us to take down the video. We did immediately. We want to respect her decision din,” she revealed. 

The singer-producer further clarified that the show is not “heavily edited” for clickbait.

She shared, “There were no changes (edits) made by the production. Some people may even claim na, ‘Scripted ba ‘yan? Totoo ba ‘yang mga sinasabi niyo riyan? Do they have to have certain qualifications?’”

“Hindi siya heavily edited. Kung mag-e-edit kami, ‘yung mga pause lang. ‘Yung actual words na sinasabi ng participants, you can see naman. Hindi nga high budget ‘yung production. Whatever you’re seeing there, raw siya,” she continued.

Highlighting the importance of authenticity and explaining the process, Aunor added, “I always say, everyone is welcome to join as long as you’re single, and you wanna find love, and you’re within the certain age range. They just come as they are. Paano ka makakahanap ng love kung ipi-fake mo ‘yung personality mo. If you wanna find a real partner, dapat authentic ka sa self mo. When they get to the shoot, we just brief them on what the rules are. You have a balloon and you pop it kapag hindi mo type ‘yung person and later on explain mo lang kung bakit hindi mo na-type-an ‘yung person na ‘yun.”

When asked about the feedback from actual participants after doing their episodes, Aunor shared with ABS-CBN News, “Naging positive naman ‘yung experiences nung actual na mga sumali from the first batch onwards. Kung hindi love life, nagkakaroon sila ng friends within each batch.”

She continued, “Sa studio siya ginagawa. ‘Yung iba, kahit tapos na ‘yung episode nila, nag-i-stay pa rin sila hanggang dulo kasi na-enjoy nila na nakaka-meet sila ng new people. Ang hirap ngayon mag-make ng new friends as adults din. Either straight or LGBTQIA+ episodes, nagkakaroon ng mga barka-barkada. Minsan nakikita ko nga na nagha-hangout na sila outside of the show. That’s always fun to find out.”

Finding love and community

Aunor appreciates the viewers' support. As the show enters its second season, she reminds the participants that while they are looking for love, it is equally vital to have fun.

‘I’m really happy and grateful sa lahat ng mga sumusuporta. Mas dumami pa ‘yung mga gustong sumali. ‘Yung goal ng show is to help people to have fun and find love maybe and then find a group of friends,” she told ABS-CBN News.

She also pointed out that the show is a great platform for finding genuine connections rather than taking risks with online dating apps. 

“Minsan, catfish/catphish pa sa online dating. Dito, talagang nakakausap mo at mapi-feel mo agad kung may romantic vibes ba or friends lang,” she said.

The host and producer concluded the conversation by explaining how the show helps both viewers and participants.

“Sometimes we would upload about micro cheating for the purpose of ‘yung mga people na nanonood they are learning something from the show. Hindi lang ‘yung participants mismo but the viewers are realizing what they want in a partner. It’s fun pero at the same time nalalaman mo na within yourself kung ano ‘yung type mong person,” she ended.

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