Actor-television host Edu Manzano sparked fresh buzz online after jokingly introducing his new “pet crocodile.”
The showbiz personality, who recently took a jab at the lavish lifestyles of contractors and their families, posted a photo of himself holding a crocodile with a crown on its head, naming it “Bombardino Crocodilo.”
“Magandang umaga, Pilipinas!” Edu wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday, September 10, with a Philippine flag emoji.
“Meet my pet, Bombardino Crocodilo,” he added.
“Bombardino Crocodilo,” a form of “Italian brainrot” content, is an AI-generated internet meme character that combines a crocodile with a military bomber plane, flying through surreal cityscapes with a fake Italian accent. It originated from a TikTok video in early 2025.
Meanwhile, Edu’s post has since racked up over 60,000 reactions, 1,800 shares, and 1,600 comments across social media.
Many interpreted the post as a symbolic swipe at corrupt officials in light of the ongoing probe into alleged irregularities in government-funded flood control projects.
“It’s the new National Animal of the Philippines,” a Facebook user wrote.
“Pet ng buong Pilipinas,” quipped another user.
“Ibigay ‘yan sa best among [the] best corrupt officials of the Philippines,” said a different user.
“My interpretation [of] this picture of Mr. #EduManzano. Those who are corrupt in the Congress [and] Senate, down to lower level, the corrupt contractors [or] District Engrs [and] working in diff. gov’t agency, who are also corrupt, are having allies so that they will not be exposed [with] their anomalies,” a Facebook user said.
“‘Di po ata nabanggit sa Senate hearing yung pangalan niyan,” another quipped.
“Sir Edu, ano ba pinapakain mo dyan? Pwede ba ipakain mo diyan ang mga kurakot na mga politiko at kontraktor para malinisan ang ating gobyerno? Galit na kami eh!” a Facebook user also commented.
Others got the Italian brainrot reference and commented a name of another AI character.
“Bombardino Crocodilo Tralalelo Tralala,” a Facebook user said.
Edu’s post was uploaded just a day after Sen. Imee Marcos brought a crocodile-shaped bag to the Senate, an accessory that caught the attention of Senate Majority Floor Leader Miguel Zubiri during Tuesday’s, September 9 session.
“I just also like to make special mention of the bag of Senator Imee Marcos. I’ve never seen such [a] kind of unique bag. Does that have a name?” he asked.
In an interview, Marcos quipped that she has already “caught” one crocodile.
“Nakahuli na ako ng isa,” she told a reporter.
“Dapat makulong silang lahat,” the senator added with a smile. “Lahat ng buwaya, dapat makulong!”
In the Philippines, corrupt politicians are often referred to as “buwaya,” a derogatory term that literally means crocodile.
The animal is commonly stereotyped as ferocious monsters or bloodthirsty man-eaters and is associated with greed and deceit.
