In Cebu news today: a man dressed as a bright green snail stopped traffic.
Brian Emnace, a content creator who goes by Boss LB on Facebook, took to the National Highway in Consolacion on March 8 in the hopes of shooting a viral video. Emnace got his wish: In a Facebook post with nearly 30,000 likes as of writing, the aspiring influencer slowly crawls (like a snail!) along the highway, twerking his behind at a long string of jeepneys waiting for him to get off the road. The jeepney drivers angrily beep at Emnace.
Two days later, the “snail man” turned himself in at the Consolation Police Station, fearing legal charges. In a follow-up video that shows Emnace sitting forlorn at the police station, the content creator gave a public apology: “Mangayo lang gyud ko’g dakong pasaylo gyud tungod sa akoang gibuhat nga di mao, ilabi na nga naghatag og dili maayong pagtulon-an sa mga bata.” (I would like to sincerely apologize for my wrongdoing, especially because I set the wrong example for children.)
Highway Patrol Group-Central Visayas Chief Police Coronel Wilbert Parilla accepted Emnace’s apology, but still intends to press charges. “Para this will serve as a final warning nga magbuhat og mga vlog nga dili sa lugar nga maka-risgo o maka-samok sa katawhan,” said Parilla. (This will serve as a final warning to vloggers who are posing a risk and inconveniencing other people.)
The patrol group is currently investigating the traffic violations committed by Emnace.
Do It For The Content
At times, content creators take their pursuit for five seconds of fame a little too far. The “snail man” isn’t the only incident of an influencer creating a public disruption. In 2024, two content creators dressed up as Goku and Spiderman blocked traffic on the Transcentral Highway in Cebu City in an attempt to create content. Driving a motorcycle, the influencers performed stunts, chased after vehicles, and overall posed a threat to themselves and the people on the highway.
Other content-driven stunts are less wholesome than people dressed in fun costumes. In 2023, three vloggers who go by the Tukomi Brothers staged a prank kidnapping in Las Piñas City. The three vloggers wore black balaclavas and pretended to kidnap an individual along the street. An armed police officer drew his handgun at the trio, thinking it was a real kidnapping. While no one was harmed in the stunt, it could have easily taken a dark turn.
“Vloggers must be aware that their content can significantly impact the public and ensure that they are not putting anyone’s safety or wellbeing at risk,” said former Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group Director Brigadier General Sidney Hernia in a statement on the Tukomi Brothers incident.
While some content creators escape their stunts unscathed, others are less fortunate. On March 9, Iloilo-based vlogger Isaganijudyan Camare Canja, who goes by Boy Negro online, drank and bathed himself in gasoline before having a partner set him on fire for a video. Canja then posted a video online showing himself being treated for burns at a hospital.
Influencers need to realize when enough is enough when it comes to creating content that puts their own lives and the lives of others in jeopardy.
