Judy Ann Santos Blasts DTI’s P500 Noche Buena Claim
JUDY ANN SANTOS – Award-winning actress Judy Ann Santos did not hold back as she criticized the DTI’s viral claim that P500 is enough for a Noche Buena feast, saying the statement “na-degrade masyado ang mga tao.”
Judy Ann Santos has joined the growing number of Filipino celebrities expressing disappointment over the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) viral statement claiming that a P500 budget is enough to prepare a Noche Buena meal. Her reaction adds to the ongoing public discourse questioning the realism and sensitivity of the agency’s announcement ahead of the holiday season.
During a recent media conference for a brand she endorses, Judy Ann shared that she wished the agency had taken a broader and more thorough approach before declaring that families could rely on just P500 for their Christmas Eve feast. Similar to the concerns raised by other public figures, the actress made it clear that she also does not believe the DTI’s assessment reflects the actual cost of today’s household expenses.
For Judy Ann, the numbers simply do not add up. She stressed that P500 is not enough to feed a family of four. According to her, “Napaka controversial talaga niyan. Actually, ang daming nasaktan, maraming na offend, maraming hindi nakaappreciate kasi parang nadegrade naman masyado ang mga tao. Siguro, they could be more specific sa 500 na yun.” She added that with the rising cost of goods, even two people would struggle to prepare a decent holiday meal with that amount.
The actress also pointed out that Filipinos are in an especially sensitive state because of the many challenges the country has been facing. This, she said, made the DTI statement even more difficult for the public to accept. “Probably more research could’ve been done before naglabas ng ganun statement kasi sa panahon ng buhay natin ngayon that everybody’s just clinging in to a thin thread, kahit anong sabihin talaga mapapansin–– lalo usapang pera,” she explained.
Judy Ann further hoped that the agency had exercised more compassion, noting how many felt offended by the announcement. “Anyway, sana maging mas compassionate lang sa mga ganyan klaseng pagbibigay… Gusto mo tumulong sa Filipino family pero parang mas nakaoffend ka pa. Sana mas naging sensitive lang sa part na yun kasi ilan lang ba ang Filipino families na walang anak?” she said.
She ended her remarks with a poignant reflection: “Nakakalungkot lang isipin that they could’ve been more sensitive in that part because marami na tayong pinagdadaanan. Masyado ng durog ang Pilipino. Sana, bilang mag papasko, mas pinagisipan kung paano siya idedeliver.”
READ ALSO: Katrina Halili Tries the P500 Noche Buena Challenge & Gets Shocked at the Checkout