Vice Ganda has joined the growing public uproar over the government’s claim that a Filipino family can prepare Noche Buena for just ₱500.
During the Saturday, November 29 episode of ‘It’s Showtime’, the comedian-host reacted strongly to the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) statement that a small family could manage a Christmas meal within the suggested amount.
Before addressing the Noche Buena issue, Vice expressed shock and frustration over another concern: the low salaries of private school teachers.
“Kahapon ko lang nalaman, na ang private school teachers ay P10,000 a month lang. So below minimum.
Sabi nila, mababawasan pa ’yon ng mga teaching materials. ’Di ba? ’Yan ang dapat nating pinoprotektahan!”
Vice stressed that the country risks losing its educators if their wages remain insufficient.
“Kapag naubos ang mga guro sa Pilipinas dahil sa kakulangan ng sweldo, aalis ’yan ng bansa. Can you imagine a nation without teachers? ’Di ba, P10,000 per month!”
From there, he shifted to the government’s controversial ₱500 Noche Buena recommendation, delivering his reaction with characteristic sarcasm.
“Pero baka naman sumakto ’yon. Kunsabagay, ’yung P500 puwede na raw na pang-Noche Buena. Eh ’di kayo naaaa! Akala mo naman talaga siya nagpa-P500. Talaga itong mga ito, oh!”
Vice then assured viewers that ‘It’s Showtime’ would do its part to help Filipino families this Christmas.
“Sisiguraduhin natin na ang mananalo rito ay hindi 500 ang pang-Noche Buena. Pipilitin natin na may isa man lang na kababayan natin na hindi P500 ang pang-Noche Buena. Because we believe that the Filipino people deserve more!”
DTI Secretary Cristina Roque earlier defended the ₱500 estimate, drawing widespread backlash from netizens, public officials, and advocacy groups who said the figure was unrealistic given current food prices.
