Celebrities and netizens are pushing back against the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) after Secretary Cristina Roque asserted that a Filipino family can prepare a Noche Buena meal with only ₱500—a statement that immediately went viral and drew widespread criticism.
According to Roque, ₱500 is supposedly enough to buy ham and ingredients for spaghetti and macaroni salad. The claim quickly trended online as Filipinos questioned how such a budget would be feasible amid soaring food prices.
One of the most notable reactions came from actor and host Edu Manzano, who teased followers with what he called his “₱500 Noche Buena Challenge.”
“Para sa mga hindi updated… eto po ’yung breaking news na nagpa-angat ng kilay ng buong Pilipinas. Sabi nila, P500 daw… kaya na ang ham, macaroni salad at spaghetti,” Edu wrote.
“Kaya naman susubukan natin. Kung sila ay confident… tayo ay curious. Abangan ang 500 Peso Noche Buena Challenge.”
Several celebrities also weighed in. Host Bianca Gonzalez questioned the implication that Filipino families deserved so little.
“Tungkol sa P500 pang Noche Buena: ‘Kapiranggot lang ba ang deserve ng pamilyang Pinoy?’” she wrote.
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Radio personality DJ Chacha posted multiple reactions, asking Filipinos to share their “palengke tips” so they too could supposedly stretch ₱500 for the Christmas meal.
“Kasya daw ang 500 pesos pang-noche buena. Saan pong palengke kayo namimili dun kami pupunta para makatipid sa Pasko,” she wrote, adding, “Saan ba kasi nakakabili ng 500 pesos pang noche buena kasi nanay ko mainit na ulo.”
Some netizens have since challenged Secretary Roque to demonstrate the ₱500 Noche Buena herself with her own family.
Kamanggagawa Party-list Rep. Eli San Fernando also slammed the DTI’s statement, releasing a video calling out Roque.
“May isa na namang tanga na sumulpot sa gobyerno… Sabi ni DTI Secretary Cristina Roque e kasya na raw ang limandaang piso para sa Noche Buena,” he said.
He went on to challenge the secretary directly: “Kung naniniwala ka… e mag-₱500 Noche Buena challenge tayo. Kayo na ang mamili ng palengke at lugar, sasamahan ko pa kayo!”
Roque earlier stood by her claim in an interview with DZMM Teleradyo on November 27, saying families only need to “choose wisely” to stay within the budget.
DTI has made similar statements since 2022, insisting that ₱500 is enough for a basic Noche Buena if consumers opt for cheaper alternatives. But this year’s claim has become a flashpoint, with many calling it “unrealistic,” “tone-deaf,” and “insulting” amid inflation and rising food costs.
