Darryl Yap cites alleged 1993 grocery receipt to comment on P500 Noche Buena pitch

• Darryl Yap criticized the DTI’s claim that P500 is enough for a Noche Buena meal
• He shared an alleged 1993 receipt from SM Delgado showing a complete holiday grocery list totaling P500
• The items included ham, queso de bola, pasta, hotdogs, and desserts, illustrating how far the budget went a few decades ago
• His reaction adds to widespread public and celebrity skepticism over the practicality of the government’s suggested holiday budget

Director Darryl Yap has joined the growing criticism of the Department of Trade and Industry’s claim that a Filipino family can prepare a Noche Buena meal with only P500.

In a Facebook post, Yap highlighted the dramatic rise in prices by sharing an alleged 1993 grocery receipt showing how far P500 used to go.

Yap wrote, “pwede pala yung 500 pesos NOONG 1993.”

The caption appeared alongside an image of an alleged official receipt from SM Delgado in Iloilo City, dated December 24, 1993, which showed a complete Noche Buena grocery list totaling exactly P500.00.

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The alleged receipt included holiday staples such as Christmas ham, queso de bola, spaghetti pasta and sauce, hotdog, cheese, loaf bread, fruit cocktail, all-purpose cream, condensed milk, gelatin powder, and graham crackers—prices that reflected the value of P500 more than three decades ago.

Yap’s post emphasized the stark contrast between past and present grocery costs. His reaction adds to the ongoing wave of public and celebrity criticism directed at the DTI’s suggested holiday budget, which many argue no longer represents the real cost of preparing a traditional Christmas meal.

Darryl Yap is a Filipino filmmaker, director, and screenwriter known for his bold and often controversial storytelling. He has gained attention for producing films and online content that spark public debate and challenge societal norms. Yap is also the creative force behind VinCentiments, a social media platform that produces short films and viral videos tackling social issues, politics, and everyday life. His work often blends humor, satire, and social commentary, engaging audiences while provoking thought and discussion about contemporary Filipino society.

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In a related report, DTI Secretary Maria Cristina Roque clarified that a P500 budget can accommodate a basic Noche Buena, covering staples like ham and spaghetti. The department cited its price guide to support the claim that this amount is enough for a small family. Roque added that not every household seeks an elaborate celebration, and some may opt to spend additional funds on gifts. Her comments were made amid public doubts about whether P500 is truly sufficient for a traditional Filipino Christmas feast.

Meanwhile, Xian Gaza slammed the DTI’s P500 Noche Buena budget as impractical and out of touch with the realities of everyday market prices. He emphasized the financial challenges faced by Filipino families, noting that the amount barely suffices for basic holiday essentials. Xian also questioned the relevance of the budget guide and its effect on price regulation. Additionally, he highlighted that the country’s high cost of living continues to burden households despite relatively low wages.

Source: KAMI.com.gh