Dr. Liza Ramoso-Ong, the wife of cardiologist and online health personality Dr. Willie Ong, does not endorse Lung Gold Milk, contrary to a misleading Facebook ad that used an old clip to make it seem she was promoting the alleged “cure” to lung diseases.
A Nov. 10 Facebook post by LUNG GOLD MILK - Natural Lung Care’ misused and altered the clip to falsely imply Ramoso-Ong’s endorsement of the product, with the caption that reads:
1 Cup Will CLEAR UP Phlegm & Mucus In Throat, Airways, Chest and Lungs
Ang mga taong may sakit sa baga sa loob ng 2 taon - 10 taon - 20 taon ay may pagkakataong magamot sa bahay.
Pagkalipas ng 3-7 araw, wala na ang ubo na may plema at napakakinis at komportable sa pakiramdam. Lalo na wala nang ubo, hirap sa paghinga, ......
98% ng mga pasyente ang ganap na gumaling pagkatapos gumamit ng Lung Gold Milk
( People suffering from lung diseases for 2, 10, or 20 years have the chance to be treated at home.
Within 3-7 days, coughing with phlegm will disappear, leaving a smooth and comfortable feeling. Especially no more coughing or difficulty breathing, ......
98% of patients fully recovered after using Lung Gold Milk)
A manual search in her husband’s official YouTube channel led to a Jan. 16, 2023 video in which Ramoso-Ong is seen wearing green clothing with a floral design and holding a red stick she used to point at her presentation. These details match the clip used in the misleading ad.
A reverse image search revealed that the YouTube health vlog was also posted on Ong’s TikTok account that day where Ramoso-Ong discussed warning signs of perimenopause and self-care tips to ease its symptoms. She did not mention Lung Gold Milk at all in the original video.
Deepfake analysis tool TrueMedia.org found “substantial evidence” with 68% confidence that the misleading ad, particularly during the first 1:17 minutes showing Ramoso-Ong’s YouTube clip, used artificial intelligence-generated audio. A closer look shows that the script of the misleading ad does not match Ramoso-Ong’s mouth movements.
In a public advisory on April 18, 2023, Ong said he and his wife only promote a milk supplement as a charity advocacy for seniors.
Lung Gold Milk is also not on the Philippine Food and Drug Administration’s list of approved food and drug products.
The FDA warned healthcare professionals and the general public in a Sept. 9, 2024 advisory against purchasing or consuming Lung Gold Milk, citing its “unapproved and misleading advertisements and promotions.”
“Since this unregistered food supplement has not gone through evaluation process of the FDA, the agency cannot assure its quality and safety. The consumption of such violative products may pose potential health hazards to the consuming public,” it said.
In December 2023, Rappler debunked a similar post that used Ong’s clip to promote the supposed cure for lung complications.
The misleading Facebook ad from LUNG GOLD MILK - Natural Lung Care,’ created on June 29, has garnered 1.4 million views, 4,500 reactions and 1,000 comments. As of writing, the video continues to gain traction, with netizens in the comment section inquiring about its price and where to purchase the product. (VG)