Niña Jose criticized for ‘candlelight date’ joke amid power outage due to Kristine

Niña Jose. Image: Instagram/@therealninajosequiambao

Actress-turned-Bayambang mayor Niña Jose joked about how those affected by power outage caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine can have a “candlelight date” while awaiting power to be restored.

Jose said this through her Facebook page on Thursday, Oct. 24, informing her constituents that she has been in coordination with Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative (CENPELCO) regarding the power interruption.

The post has apparently been taken down but screenshots of it have already circulated on social media.

“Sa mga may brownout, pwede kayo mag-candlelight date ng asawa mo, pamilya mo, jowa mo habang nagdi-dinner. Oh ‘di ba?” she quipped. “Kidding aside, konting pasensya sa mga walang ilaw.”

“Meanwhile, stay safe, dry and let’s pray together to shoo away this bagyong Kristine! Shoo shoo away! Wooosh wooosh!” she stated.

Further making a joke, she added, “See, ‘yan ang nangyayari pag ang lakas ng hangin, walang naidudulot na tama… Lesson here: ‘wag masyadong malakas ang hangin! ‘Wag umeme ‘pag ‘di mo carry.”

Image: Facebook/Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao

Jose’s post was then re-shared by Facebook page Follow The Trend Movement which drew reactions from netizens.

Some pointed out how the Bayambang mayor’s remark was “tone-deaf,” with some stating that she “romanticizes typhoon easily” because she is “safe and too privileged.”

Image: Facebook/FTTM

Image: Facebook/FTTM

Image: Facebook/FTTM

In another Facebook post, Jose again appealed for patience from Bayambang residents amid the power outage, saying CENPELCO is already fixing the electricity lines.

“Ilan sa inyo ay sensitive ang pinagdadaanan—kakaanak lang, mga babies din. Konting tiis lang po,” she said.

In the comment section, Jose then acknowledged a netizen’s sentiment on how she should “approach [these situations] with the seriousness [her constituents] deserve.”

“We should always practice empathy and sympathy, and I hope public officials, in particular, can lead by example,” the netizen added, to which Jose replied, “Thank you. Your comment is appreciated.”

Image: Facebook/Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao

Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, which has the international name Trami, made landfall in Divilacan town in Isabela province at 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Pangasinan remain under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 as of Friday morning, Oct. 25.