Pageant candidate’s toxic masculinity ‘advocacy’ draws criticism and confusion

Others believe Ervin Arciaga is going against it—but struggled to express it clearly.

A Mister Philippines candidate has gone viral for citing toxic masculinity as “advocacy”—but others suggested he may have meant going against it.

During the pageant’s inaugural screening, the contestant—whom radar discovered was Ervin Arciaga—is asked what’s his reason for joining the competition. “Ang reason ko lang po is based po sa advocacy… advocacy ko,” he said, “which is ‘yong toxic masculinity po,” he can be heard saying in a May 17 Reel by pop culture platform CinemaBravo.

Ervin went on to explain: “Gusto kong tulungan ‘yong mga fellow men ko na huwag sila mapanghinayangan ng sarili. Mayroong taong naniniwala sa kanila.”

“Tutulungan ko silang… tutulungan ko sila na ma-boost ‘yong confidence nila, for them to… for them to boost their confidence,” he added.

Ervin’s answer quickly drew mixed reactions, with several users ridiculing the apparent contradiction between his advocacy and its meaning.

Cambridge Dictionary defines toxic masculinity as “ideas about the way that men should behave that are seen as harmful.” In a 2024 blog post, WebMD lists some examples, including homophobia, need for control, promiscuity, refusing to help with household duties, risk-taking, sexual aggression toward women, stoicism, and violence.

Others, meanwhile, had more generous interpretations—believing the contestant struggled to express his thoughts clearly.

“Toxic masculinity itself cannot be an advocacy because it refers to the harmful, restrictive social behaviors,” a commenter said. “However, advocating against toxic masculinity to promote healthier, more inclusive versions of manhood is a widely recognized and necessary cause.”

 

 

Ervin’s answer quickly drew mixed reactions, with several users ridiculing the apparent contradiction between his advocacy and its meaning.

 

 

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