Celebrity couple Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola have joined the growing chorus of Filipinos reacting to the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) suggestion that families can prepare Noche Buena for ₱500.
During their recent Thanksgiving media gathering, the couple was asked for their thoughts on the widely criticized budget—and neither held back.
Jessy, who manages the household expenses, said she strongly disagrees with the claim.
“My goodness! Sinabi sa akin ni Luis, ‘I’m sure itatanong ’yan.’ Honestly, no! Hindi na talaga (pwede). ’Yung mga bilihin ngayon mataas na talaga. I disagree,” she said.
She added that current prices make the ₱500 target unrealistic: “Ako ang nag-aasikaso ng expenses sa bahay, eh. So kapag nakikita ko, ‘Ganito na pala kamahal ’yung prutas at karne.’ Mahirap na rin talaga kung ₱500 lang.”
Luis echoed Jessy’s sentiments, acknowledging that even with their stable financial situation, they still feel the rise in costs.
“Actually, the same. Siya rin kasi ang humahawak ng expenses, eh. I want to believe that we are already blessed in terms of kinikita natin. Lord, thank you,” he said.
But even then, household spending remains a challenge: “Kahit na ’yung kuryente… minsan mapapansin mo talaga.”
Luis recalled that DTI even released sample items showing “possible” ₱500 combinations, but he said that budget may only make sense if the meal was meant for two.
However, when told the ₱500 is meant for a family of four, he reacted with disbelief: “Kami nga bina-budget namin ng husto ang aming grocery so it’s really challenging. Tayo pa. Pinoy pa! Hindi tayo natatapos sa apat. Meron at merong darating sa bahay talaga.”
When asked what message he wanted to send to Trade and Industry Secretary Maria Cristina Roque, Luis replied: “I think with everything that has been said on social media, I’m sure nabasa naman ni Secretary ’yan.”
He also shared an anecdote to highlight how vastly different Filipino household budgets can be: “May kilala ako ang budget niya for Noche Buena ay ₱150,000. Tatlo lang sila. So iniisip ko, ‘Paano mo ginagawa ’yan kung lahat kami ay medyo binabantayan namin ang gastos namin?’”
Jessy then teased that the person Luis was referring to was his “ex–best friend.”
Online reactions have largely criticized the ₱500 figure as impractical amid rising food prices. Jessy and Luis’ remarks only reflected what many Filipinos have been saying—stretching ₱500 for a traditional Noche Buena is nearly impossible, especially for larger families.
