Actress and celebrity mom Kris Bernal once again addressed the long-running criticism surrounding her house helpers’ attire, after renewed online backlash sparked by a family TikTok video shared last December.
The video showed Bernal, her husband Perry Choi, and their daughter Hailee Lucca treating their house helpers—whom she fondly calls her “angels”—to a meal at an Italian restaurant. While the post was meant to highlight a family moment, some netizens focused on the fact that one helper was wearing a uniform, prompting accusations of discrimination.
Bernal initially explained the issue in the comments section of her post, writing: “The condo where we live strictly requires helpers to be in uniform. Every time we go out, I tell them they can change. But maybe because they don’t mind anymore, they don’t change. ”
Despite this, the actress continued to receive negative remarks, leading her to further clarify the matter in a TikTok video uploaded on January 30.
“Alam niyo bago sila pumasok dito tinatatanong namin sila, ‘gusto mo ba ng uniform o ayaw mo?’ Karamihan sa halos lahat ng mga naging kasambahay namin, gusto nila may uniform so binibigyan namin sila ng uniform,” Bernal said. “Ngayon, choice nila ‘yan pag lalabas. Tinatanong din namin sila, ‘lalabas tayo, gusto mo bang magpalit?’”
She stressed that her helpers were repeatedly given the option to wear casual clothes but consistently chose not to.
“Hindi ko alam kung bakit ayaw nila magpalit. Pwede naman silang mag-dress, spaghetti strap… ayaw talaga nila magpalit. Anong gusto niyo, pilitin ko sila?”
“Alangan naman pilitin ko yung tao, eh ayaw nga nilang magpalit.”
Bernal also expressed confusion over the intensity of the criticism directed at her.
“Kung mambash naman kayo parang ako lang yung kaisa-isa sa mundo na may mga angels or helpers na naka-uniform. Ang dami-dami rin namang tao na naka-uniform yung kasambahay, pero bakit parang galit na galit kayo sa’kin? Ano bang ginawa ko? Nasaktan ko ba sila?”
To further put the issue to rest, Bernal invited one of her helpers, Tina, to speak on camera.
“Okay lang sa amin, talagang kami ang may gustong mag-uniform. Wala nang palit-palit kasi diretso na,” Tina explained. “Ayaw na namin ng more time para magbihis. Okay lang, walang problema.”
Bernal concluded by reaffirming that the choice was entirely her helpers’ decision.
“Okay lang sa kanila ‘yun at choice nila ‘yun kaya tahimik na lang tayo… Thank you.”
Following her explanation, many netizens rallied behind the actress, pointing out that uniforms are common in many professions and that what matters most is how employers treat their helpers. Several overseas Filipino domestic workers also shared their own experiences, expressing pride in wearing uniforms as part of their work.
In the same video, Bernal also addressed a separate comment about her appearance, clarifying that changes to her body were due to breastfeeding and not cosmetic procedures.
“Ayan na naman kayo. May makita lang kayong bago, akala niyo may pinagawa na agad,” she said. “Kapag breastfeeding ka, may tendency talaga na hindi pantay… normal ‘yan.”