What Happened When Katrina Halili Attempted a P500 Christmas Grocery Budget
KATRINA HALILI – Kapuso actress Katrina Halili’s attempt to prepare a Noche Buena meal with only P500 turned into a surprising reality check.
Kapuso actress Katrina Halili took on a viral challenge that left her—and many netizens—completely stunned. The celebrity mom decided to personally test the much-talked-about claim that a Filipino family can prepare a Noche Buena feast with only P500, an amount the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) earlier said could be enough for basic Christmas dishes.
Determined to find out the truth for herself, Katrina headed straight to the grocery. Armed with just P500, she picked out the most affordable ingredients she could find for one of the simplest Noche Buena staples: macaroni salad. The actress documented her experience, later posting the video online with the caption, “Hindi ako papayag, uulitin ko talaga. Nakaka-challenge, eh!”
Inside the supermarket, Katrina carefully selected budget-friendly items such as macaroni, onions, cheese, and other inexpensive ingredients needed for the dish. She remained hopeful that her chosen items would stay within the P500 limit set for the challenge.
However, the real challenge unfolded at the cashier. When the total amount flashed on the screen, Katrina was visibly shocked—it reached P619, far exceeding her allotted budget. This led her to ask in disbelief, “Eh, ano pala kakasya sa P500?” followed by “Tin-try ko lang kung kakasya P500, hindi pala.”
Adding to the moment, the cashier told her that she was not the only one who attempted the challenge—and that no one had succeeded so far. This revelation made Katrina even more puzzled as she stepped into the elevator, carrying her grocery bags, still trying to process how quickly her budget had been exceeded.
Despite the unexpected result, Katrina refused to give up. She vowed to try again, expressing her determination with, “Wala, talo ako sa challenge. I think uulitin ko pa ulit ‘to. Uulitin ko ‘to, hindi ako papayag kasi palpak. Kailangan magawa ko ‘yong P500 na ‘yon.”
Meanwhile, DTI Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque has been receiving heavy criticism online after asserting that a family of four can supposedly prepare a Noche Buena meal with just P500. The backlash grew even stronger after Katrina’s viral attempt showed how difficult—if not impossible—the challenge truly is.
READ ALSO: Katrina Halili’s Heartfelt Plea: “Maawa kayo sa akin at sa bata”