Merry Christmas! Pass the Imaginary Ham

On November 27, 2025, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Christina Roque released a controversial statement that a basic Noche Buena for a family of four could be prepared with 500 pesos. Not long after, the statement sparked widespread criticism for being unrealistic amidst the high rise of inflation. Day after the statement went public, the DTI Secretary reiterated that the 500 peso budget was a guideline for a basic meal, not a lavish one, depending on the family size and choices—even proposing a list of ingredients to be bought. The DTI emphasized it was for families not celebrating extravagantly, but critics argued it diminished the spirit of Christmas.

This statement seems like a mirror of the past, back when yet another statement from the department introduced the 488-peso budget for Noche Buena and insisted it’s already a realistic option. However, it was not in late 2022 that the DTI Consumer Protection Group started this delusion—it was 2019 when they remarked that 500 pesos could produce a respectable Noche Buena for a family of four.


As prices hike, the proposed budget becomes stagnant. How come? The irony is clear as day. This just goes to show that the government is making every Filipino feel stupid by repeatedly insulting us with their own version of the Hunger Games: Noche Buena edition.


“Noche Buena" is derived from two Spanish words that originate from Latin: "Noche" comes from the Latin word "nox, noctis," which means "night," and "Buena" comes from the Latin word "bona," which is an adjective that describes positive qualities such as goodness. Thus, "Noche Buena" can be interpreted as "the good night" or "the favorable night," which is especially meaningful in the Christian calendar as it celebrates the eve of Jesus Christ's birth, according to Catholic beliefs. The term has evolved to represent not only a religious celebration but also a night of togetherness, generosity, and hope, embodying universal values that unite people beyond their beliefs.


In Hispanic culture, Noche Buena is a tradition celebrated with family gatherings and special meals. The evening often includes religious observances and festive activities that highlight the cultural importance of the holiday season. Noche Buena is also the Spanish name for the Poinsettia flower, which is widely used to decorate homes and churches during Christmas.


In the Philippines, Noche Buena refers to the Christmas Eve dinner shared with family. This tradition is deeply rooted in the country's history, dating back to the Spanish colonial period. It is a blend of indigenous practices and Christian beliefs, celebrated after attending the Misa de Gallo, or Christmas Eve mass. The Noche Buena feast includes traditional dishes, often of Spanish descent, such as hamon (Christmas ham) and queso de bola (Edam cheese), alongside local delicacies.


Drawing from this, how can we afford a queso de bola with 500 pesos when one ranges in price from 200 to 600, depending on the brand? Are Filipinos equipped to only buy cheap products with questionable quality because our government lacks the decency to make our economy better? Are Filipinos only expected to choose less when they bathe in money from the taxes of the people, coming from hard work and endless struggle to live?


Noche Buena is supposed to be a feast. How can Filipinos experience a feast with a mere 500 pesos? Prices are indeed skyrocketing. Basic commodities like rice, cooking oil, and vegetables have become increasingly expensive. The peso's value has weakened, making imported goods, including traditional Noche Buena staples like ham and cheese, even more unaffordable. To suggest that a family can create a meaningful Noche Buena with such a meager budget is not only out of touch but frankly insulting.


This is what happens when we elect people to rule who don’t have a single idea of the struggles of a normal Filipino in a normal community. The real insult lies in the implication that Filipinos should simply lower their expectations. That we should be grateful for whatever scraps the government deems affordable. But Noche Buena isn't just about the food; it's about family, tradition, and a shared sense of hope. It's a time when we set aside our worries and celebrate the bonds that hold us together. To diminish that to a mere budgetary exercise is to strip it of its meaning.


We need a government that understands the situation of its people and takes concrete steps to address the economic challenges they face. Instead of offering unrealistic Noche Buena budgets, our leaders should focus on creating jobs, raising wages, and controlling inflation. Only then can we truly celebrate a "Noche Buena" that is both "good" and accessible to all.


The government needs to stop insulting our intelligence. We deserve better than empty promises and tone-deaf pronouncements. We deserve a government that works for us, not against us, especially during the holiday season.



Written by Michaela Pastoriza
Art by Osamah Flores Balaki