Angelu de Leon | Image: Instagram/@angeludeleonrivera
Actress-politician Angelu de Leon responded to the netizens’ criticism after her video giving some relief good items while promoting her new show “Pulang Araw” made the rounds of the internet.
De Leon, who is an incumbent councilor of Pasig City, took to Facebook to explain that she’s proud of their show, that’s why she’s promoting it, while the relief goods came from her own pocket so it wasn’t grand.
“I do my yearly birthday community pantry as a way of giving back and being grateful to my constituents. Personal ko po ito. Nahiya naman ako na hindi ito sapat para sayo (I’m embarrassed that it wasn’t enough for you guys). Pero I guess hindi ka naman taga-Pasig (you’re not from Pasig). I will promote Pulang Araw because I am proud of our show,” she remarked.
She also shared screenshots of the videos that went viral on social media as the netizens pointed out the small amount of vegetables being given in exchange for watching “Pulang Araw.”
“Meron pa hong putol na upo kasi hindi ko kaya mag bigay ng buo. Pinuputol namin para meron ang lahat. May talong, ampalaya at okra din. Ang mahal na pala talaga ng gulay ngayon. Hindi talaga aabot ang 64 pesos sa isang masustansyang meal per day,” explained de Leon.
(There is still a portion of bottle gourd because I can’t give it all. We cut it so everyone will have a part of it. There is eggplant, bitter gourd, and okra [lady’s fingers] too. The expensive vegetable is really today. P64 is really not enough for a healthy meal per day.)
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) recently released data indicating that if an individual in the Philippines can spend more than P64 for three meals a day, they’re no longer considered “food poor.”
NEDA’s data received backlash from netizens and economic groups as they affirmed that the “figures do not reflect the current situation of the country,” citing reasons such as inflation and more.
Meanwhile, de Leon is set to celebrate her 44th birthday on Thursday, Aug. 22.