FACT CHECK: Video of Charo Santos endorsing joint, bone pain relief cream is AI-edited

An alarming video has been circulating on social media, specifically on a Facebook page claiming to be a news center for orthopedic health, suggesting that renowned actress Charo Santos is endorsing a product called "Bee Venom Turmeric Joint and Bone Pain Relief Cream." This post, which appeared on April 21, quickly gained significant traction, reaching a wide audience partly due to being a sponsored ad.

The promotional material accompanying the video features highly questionable health assertions, claiming the cream can completely cure conditions like joint pain, arthritis, gout, and mobility issues, even if they've persisted for decades. The post also directs viewers to a link to purchase the product, luring them with promises of discounts.

However, a fact-check has confirmed that this claim is entirely FALSE. The video featuring Ms. Santos has been found to be manipulated.

Investigations reveal that the clip used was sourced from an authentic video, specifically Episode 8 of the "Dear Charo" series originally posted on Instagram on April 10. The misleading Facebook post used artificial intelligence (AI) to alter Ms. Santos' mouth movements, making it appear as though she was speaking in endorsement of the pain relief cream.

Charo Santos herself has publicly clarified the deception. She stated that a video using AI was circulating online to mimic her voice and appearance, and this was used to sell a product she does not endorse.

Further scrutinizing the source, the Facebook page "Philippine Orthopedic News Center 24H" appears to be a fake page imitating the official Philippine Orthopedic Center. The legitimate center has previously issued a clarification stating it has only one official Facebook page, which has a significantly larger follower count than the deceptive page.

Adding another layer of concern, a check of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) verification portal shows that the "Bee Venom Turmeric Joint and Bone Pain Relief Cream" is not listed among registered products by the agency.

This incident is part of a growing trend, as similar AI-generated content has been used in other misleading posts to promote various bee venom products and make false associations with reputable medical institutions.