Mariel Padilla challenged herself to prove whether she can stretch ?500 to prepare a noche buena after the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) stated that the amount is enough for a Christmas festive meal.
In the latest episode of her vlog, Padilla documented her attempt to stretch ?500 into a small holiday spread, where she initially shared that hearing the agency’s remark ‘triggered’ her.
‘Katulad po ninyo, nung lumabas po yung sinabi ng DTI na kung tutuusin, sa 500 pesos makakagawa na ng noche buena ang isang pamilya, na-trigger po ako doon ng matindi,’ she said, adding that she goes to the grocery store twice a week, so she knows how expensive items are.
(Like you guys, when the statement from DTI saying that ?500 is enough to make a noche buena for a family came out, I was triggered by it.)
The actress shared that she messaged a friend from DTI to say that spending ?500 for noche buena was ‘impossible,’ as she proceeded to shop for minimal quantities and the cheapest available ingredients for spaghetti, macaroni salad, ham, jelly dessert (gelatin) and juice for a household of four.
Padilla noted that while shopping, she assumed that other ingredients or condiments, such as oil, were already available at home; hence the items that she bought.
‘I’m happy because nagawa natin. Bilang maabilidad na nanay tayo, na-stretch natin. Dahil ganiyan tayong mga Pilipino, we always make things work, pero may struggle,’ she said.
(I’m happy that we did it because as a resourceful mother, we were able to stretch it because we Filipinos are like that; we always make things work despite the struggle.)
Despite managing to assemble a simple ?500 worth noche buena, Padilla emphasized that Filipinos deserve more.
‘I think baka namang makakapagpasaya siya (maybe it can make someone happy). I think it looks festive enough. I’m not siding with DTI, and I do believe that Filipinos deserve more. I just wanted to prove it and challenge myself that I can make ?500 work,’ she explained.
It can be recalled that DTI Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque asserted that ?500 is sufficient for a simple noche buena, roughly enough to buy ham and the ingredients for spaghetti and macaroni salad. Her remark raised eyebrows from netizens and celebrities, who slammed the DTI for being out of touch with reality amid a flood-control corruption scandal.
Katrina Halili earlier tested the budget as well in her own grocery run but exceeded the amount. Her attempt totaled ?619, leaving her saying that DTI’s amount is not realistically sufficient.
Aiko Melendez, Benjamin Alves, Edu Manzano, and Zoren and Carmina Legaspi, among others, likewise slammed DTI’s proposed budget.
Gloria Diaz, on the other hand, supported the DTI’s claim, saying that with wise choices, you could have corned beef, fruit salad, pansit (noodles) and pineapple juice, a remark that sparked strong criticism online.