Donnalyn Bartolome gets flak for ‘toxic positivity’ after remark on being grateful for work after holidays
Donnalyn Bartolome. Image: Instagram/@donna
Donnalyn Bartolome has once again earned the ire of netizens after advising her followers to just be “grateful” for having a job despite returning to work after the holiday season.
Bartolome revealed that she’s “feeling lucky” to return to work on her Facebook page on Tuesday, Jan. 3, and advised netizens to “change” their mindset this new year. Despite coming back to work after Christmas and New Year, the vlogger noted that employees should be thankful because having a job is a “blessing.”
“Bakit may sad dahil back to work na? Diba dapat masaya ka kasi may chance ka na pagandahin buhay mo at ng pamilya? Trip ko pa nga may work ng January 1 dahil superstition ko may work ako buong taon pag ganun. Dapat grateful kasi may work,” she said.
(Why are you feeling sad about going back to work? You should be happy because you have another chance to improve your own life, as well as your family? For me, I prefer working on January 1 since I adhere to the superstitious belief that I’ll be working for the whole year anyway. You should be grateful for having work.)
The vlogger also clarified her statement is merely a “reminder” to her followers on social media.
“If work makes you unhappy, I hope you find a job that will. Yung pakikiligin ka and sheet [emoji] Anyway, this is just a reminder that having a job is a blessing bessss change mindset, it’s 2023,” she added.
(If work makes you unhappy, I hope you find a job that makes you happy. Anyway, this is just a reminder that having a job is a blessing. Bes, change your mindset. It’s 2023.)
Bartolome’s post caught the attention of netizens, particularly on Facebook and Twitter, with some calling her out for being “privileged” and “out of touch with the plight of everyday Filipinos.”
“So-called ‘influencers’ like Donnalyn Bartolome [are] the kind of person that [obviously] out of touch with the plight of everyday Filipinos. Although I don’t totally disagree with her opinions, her sentiments are coming from a place of privilege and sadly came out as toxic positivity,” one @joshuaceefox said.
So called “influencers” like Donnalyn Bartolome is the kind of person that obv out of touch with the plight of everyday Filipinos. Although I don’t totally disagree with her opinions but her sentiments are coming from a place of privilege and sadly came out as toxic positivity.
— 𝕁𝕠𝕤𝕙 (@joshuaceefox) January 4, 2023
Facebook user Jay-ar Nicolas said it’s better to feel “positive” about coming back to work if everyday Filipinos are blessed with “good governance.”
“Mag out ng 6pm, pipila sa bus/jeep/MRT aabutin ng 2hrs 8pm nakasakay kana siksikan pa. Traffic 1-2hrs byahe mo. Makakarating ka sa bahay ng 10-11pm. tapos nasa minimum wage… Imagine Ms. Donnalyn every senaryo ng bawat Pinoy, sino ang sasaya pumasok araw araw para sa mga kababayan nating ganito ang sitwasyon,” they said.
(Imagine logging out of work at 6 p.m., riding a bus, jeep, or MRT after lining up for two hours, and being stuck in traffic for one to two hours. You’ll probably be at home at around 10 or 11 p.m., then you’re earning minimum wage. Ms. Donnalyn, imagine this being the daily scenarios of Filipinos. Who would feel happy to go back to work when you’re faced with this situation on a day-to-day basis?)
Image: Screengrab from Facebook/Donnalyn
Meanwhile, one Dhayanna Lou agreed with Bartolome, saying netizens should be grateful for “having a job.”
Image: Screengrab from Facebook/Donnalyn
One Eun Ice, on the other hand, thanked Bartolome for the reminder. “Not really sad but you made me realize that having a work is a blessing. Even a minimum wage earner at malaking gastos sa araw araw but still I see myself as a grateful one to have a job,” they said.
Image: Screengrab from Facebook/Donnalyn
“SIS IKAW BA NAMAN WELL-COMPENSATED AT MILYON KINIKITA SYEMPRE FEELING LUCKY KA TALAGA,” another netizen, Venilyn Dano, stated.
(Sis, of course you’ll feel lucky because you’re well-compensated and earn millions in your job.)
Image: Screengrab from Facebook/Donnalyn
Despite not mentioning Bartolome, “Drag Race Philippines” season 1 finalist Eva Le Queen said advising wage earners to be grateful is an “arrogant and privileged” take.
It’s arrogant and privileged to tell wage earners and anyone trying to make a living to just be grateful and that their grievances is just a matter of not being grateful. That is their truth and should not be invalidated. Focus on yourself. Wag mo na pakialaman ung iba teh.
— Ms. Eva ‘I Drink Wine’ Le Queen (@eva_lequeen) January 4, 2023
The vlogger previously drew criticisms on social media for holding a “kanto” birthday party in August 2022, as well as a sexy baby-themed photoshoot in July 2022. She eventually apologized for the latter, saying that it was an “honest mistake.” EDV
