Filipinos challenged Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque to try preparing a traditional Christmas Eve dinner with P500, following her recent remarks about holiday spending.
The Cabinet official drew buzz after saying in an interview that Filipinos can prepare Noche Buena for P500, though she clarified that the amount would still depend on the size of the family.
“Kung tutuusin, [sa] P500, makakabili na kayo ng ham. Makakagawa ka na ng macaroni salad, makakagawa ka na rin ng spaghetti, depende rin po ‘yan kung ilan ‘yong taong kakain,” she said.
Noche Buena is the traditional Christmas Eve dinner in the Philippines, typically featuring dishes such as ham, pancit, fruit salad, lechon, queso de bola, and bibingka, among others.
Roque’s remarks drew widespread criticism, with many Filipinos challenging her, along with other DTI officials, to test for themselves whether P500 is enough to prepare an enjoyable holiday meal.
“If DTI truly believes P500 is enough for Noche Buena, I’d love to see them prepare one. Grocery vlog na rin para fair. Ang hirap na nga ng buhay, tapos sasabihin na P500 enough for Noche Buena? Don’t downplay the reality of Filipino families,” a Pinoy commented.
“I challenge DTI Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque to lead an example of 500.00 worth of Noche Buena with her family this year,” priest Ronald Balase wrote.
“Challenging you, madam sec, to go out with P500 bill and shop for your noche buena. Tingnan natin kong hindi ka ma-fu frustrate sa mga pinagsasabi mo. That insult is very unacceptable amidst the massive corruption we face today,” another Pinoy said.
“Petition for all DTI executives na ‘WAG TUMANGGAP NG BONUS. At PAGKASYAHIN NILA ANG P500 sa noche buena,” another commented.
“Sige nga, i-challenge nga natin ang DTI Secretary na P500 lang ang gastusin para sa Noche Buena. ‘Pag hindi niya nagawa, mag-resign siya,” writer Jerry Gracio commented.
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) also challenged Roque to limit her Noche Buena budget to P500 to determine whether such a meal would still be worth celebrating, especially during the festive season.
“Kung talagang kaya ng DTI at ng First Family ang P500 Noche Buena, ipakita nila at sila ang unang gumawa,” KMP Chairperson Danilo Ramos said.
ALSO READ: ‘On what planet?’: DTI criticized for P500 Noche Buena claim
In response to the criticisms, Roque clarified that the “P500” figure originated from a TV reporter who, she said, asked her whether that amount would be enough for a Noche Buena celebration.
“I said yes, kasya, kasi depende ‘yan kung ilang miyembro ang pamilya. Kung mother, father, two children, kasya na siya. Lalo na kapag isang anak lang. Meron pa, mother and son lang, or mother and daughter. ‘Di ba ganyan na ngayon ang typical na family,” she said on Friday, November 28.
“It depends on the choice ng family. Huwag na ‘yung sobra-sobra. For a family of four, kasya na ang salad na P98.26 ang halaga, with Pinoy Pandesal na P27.75, luncheon meat o corned beef na P41 at P34 ang presyo. We are talking about a simple and regular family in the P500 Noche Buena budget, not those families that are preparing extravagant feasts,” Roque added.
She also said that not everyone “wants to celebrate ostentatiously” on Christmas Eve.
“Not everybody naman wants to celebrate ostentatiously or ‘yung sobra-sobra. ‘Yung iba, mayroon lang silang budget para rito. For them, ito lang ‘yung handa ko, tapos whatever extra money, siguro, pang-regalo na or whatever,” the DTI chief said.
Roque added that her comments were based on the DTI’s Noche Buena Price Guide.
Based on the DTI price guide, Roque said the most affordable 500g ham sells for P170, while a 250g pack of spaghetti noodles costs P30, and spaghetti sauce is priced at P48.50.
She added that households can still include macaroni salad with mayonnaise and cheese within the suggested budget.
The DTI chief said that ham, salad, and pandesal could already serve as an “almost complete” basic Noche Buena meal.
The agency made a similar suggestion about the P500 budget in 2022.
— with reports from Philstar.com/Dominique Flores
