AKF Condemns "Cruel" Viral Video of Content Creator Romeo Catacutan

Screenshot from Animal Kingdom Foundation

The Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) has formally denounced popular content creator Romeo Sagum Catacutan, widely known as "Idol Romeo," for a viral video that allegedly depicts him cooking live fish. The organization, acting through its "Better Fish, Tomorrow" campaign, issued a strong public statement on April 21, 2026, after the footage drew widespread condemnation from animal welfare advocates and the general public online. The video reportedly shows several fish struggling and jumping in a pan over a live fire, an act that the AKF has explicitly categorized as cruelty rather than cooking. 

Photo: Romeo Sagum Catacutan

In their official communication, the foundation emphasized that fish are sentient beings capable of feeling significant pain and suffering. The AKF highlighted that the thrashing behavior seen in the video is a clear sign of a creature fighting for its life and urged digital audiences to stop patronizing or sharing content that normalizes animal cruelty for entertainment or social media engagement. This controversy has ignited broader discussions regarding the ethical responsibilities of influencers and the need for stricter accountability in digital content creation, particularly when animal welfare is involved. 

As of April 22, 2026, Romeo Catacutan has not released an official response or statement addressing the allegations or the foundation's criticism. The "Better Fish, Tomorrow" campaign continues to use this incident to advocate for more humane treatment and higher welfare standards for fish in the Philippines.