'Golden retriever boy' shares he doesn't really have regrets joining dating show
"Golden Retriever boy" has spoken up about going viral for his appearance on a YouTube dating show.
22-year-old network engineer Josh held an AMA, or "Ask Me Anything," on Reddit to share that he deactivated some of his social media accounts after getting "hate" and doxxed online. He didn't want his family to be affected, he said.
But recently, he started making the rounds again after going viral in late 2024.
"Mas lumala pa [siya]. Like someone made a hate account under my username dati. And it started with posting of my clips and segments, with my face ridiculed as its profile," he wrote.
The "poser" being active again prompted the 22-year-old to release a statement.
"As someone who isn't really used to being known, lalo na [in] a negative light, [this] is very stressful and taking a toll on my mental health," he added.
But amid the online attention, Josh said he put his energy into work and his family, and has a good circle of friends supporting him.
"'Di sila nagpapakain sa'yo,' and that's right naman. Basta lang rin 'di madamay [family] ko, [I don't even care]," he said, adding that he's "used to" being bullied.
When his parents saw the video, they just laughed at how he held the mic, Josh shared.
"Buti nga 'di nila nakita 'yung hate comments ko kasi we all know na ayaw makitang nasasaktan 'yung anak nila, because magulang sila. So I hope they don't see all of the bashing."
On regrets, fidgeting with the mic, and being a 'Golden Retriever'
Josh said that he's doing "fine" after he went viral online. "[I don't know] if it's hard to understand na in tense situations, where you don't really know what to say, [stupid] things come out of your mouth. Constant fight or flight," he wrote, thanking some of the Redditors who supported him.
Asked about whether he regretted being on the dating show, Pusuan or Laruan with Marion Aunor, he said he didn't really have any.
"I have fun with the guys. Mababait sila and fun to be with. Nagkaroon ako ng insider knowledge sa fields nila, lalo na sa IT," he shared. "Pero I would tweak it a bit, 'yung paghawak ng mic. Pano ba naman kasi ang boring tapos gusto ko mag-fidget and smile."
In another comment, Josh talked about the "Golden Retriever" label. ICYDK, the animal-inspired relationship buzzwords are popular in the Gen Z dating scene. Golden Retrievers are often in reference to the dog's loyal, supportive, and overall cuddly personality, which some also see in their dating partners.
"'Di ko nga alam yang 'Golden Retriever' [na] 'yan eh. Nalaman ko lang 'yan sa mga dati kong kausap. Edi ginamit ko, ganyan description sa'kin eh," he said about the label.
"Naalala ko lang siya during the show [because] it adds flavor man lang sa description on myself."
Josh also shared that being on the dating show caused him "trauma, backlash, and emotional distress."
"Imagine nyo pinagpalit ko 'yung chill Saturday ko [for] a free lunch, not knowing na stress at [pagka] memeable ko sa buong Pinas nakasalalay kasi ang controversial ko pala. [To be honest,] I didn't expect the show to blow up kaya nilaro ko lang siya, as how it should be talaga," he said.
Despite this, he said that he won't take legal action against the show after consulting with his castmates and a lawyer friend.
Another contestant on the dating show that went viral, Aly, also broke her silence on the backlash she experienced.
On Pusuan o Laruan with Marion Aunor, contestants holding balloons are introduced to a potential match and pop it to show they’re not interested.
Josh went viral for describing himself as a "Golden Retriever boy" who wanted a "Golden Retriever gal."
Spliced segments of the video were shared on social media, with some users bashing Josh for the label.
