Paul Christian Ocampo

Benedict Cua tries the ₱500 budget for Noche Buena

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Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<p>Benedict Cua tested out the claim made by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) earlier this month about a ₱500 budget being enough for Noche Buena. In his Instagram post, the content creator tried maximizing the resources he had for a decent holiday meal.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRxCuklk0DZ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=485&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A962014.9000000954%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="880" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Celebrities and netizens have expressed their opinions about the trending topic with the majority disagreeing that ₱500 is enough for a family of four.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2024/5/27/benedict-cua-is-now-a-father-2320" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Benedict Cua is now a father</strong></a></div><p>“Pasko ang isa sa pinakamahalagang araw sa buong taon–– pinaghahandaan talaga natin yan,” he shared.</p><p>Benedict went around to buy the ingredients he needed for his simple noche buena–– fried chicken, spaghetti, and fruit salad. He first went to a grocery store to purchase most of the things he needed such as the fruit cocktail, all purpose cream, condensed milk, and a pack of spaghetti noodles and sauce.</p><p>“184 na yung natira wala pa yung mga karne ko. May mali ba akong nagawa? For sure may mas mura pa dun eh pero di naman siguro nagkakalayo,” he expressed.</p><p>The content creator then went to the wet market to buy his chicken, ground pork, and some other ingredients needed. As he was buying, he asked the vendors as well if the budget given by DTI was enough for a Noche Buena meal to which most disagreed.</p><p>As he was buying meat, Benedict was limited to purchasing tiny amounts of ground pork and small pieces of chicken just to make the budget work.</p><p>READ: https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/1/3/why-did-benedict-cua-take-a-break-from-social-media-2323</p><p>“Parang feeling ko wala tuloy akong karapatan mag spaghetti. [Ang] dami ko pang gustong bilihin na tinapay or soft drinks or iced tea… Sumakit yung ulo ko talaga,” he said.</p><p>Though he completed the challenge, Benedict couldn’t help but express how sad the final product would look if it were a Noche Buena meal. As a father, he shared how he wants to serve a lot of food for his family during the holiday season.</p><p>“Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat. Ito na ang ating noche buena sa halagang 500 pesos. Posible, kahit ano naman posible pero parang hindi siya enough. Ang tagal mong hinintay ang Pasko parang gusto mong mas mag handa ng madami para sa anak mo, asawa mo, buong pamilya,” he explained.</p><p>“Sinasabi ko sa sarili ko dapat masaya na ako sa ganito pero nilalagay ko yung posisyon ko sa pagiging tatay na ang sakit pala kapag ito lang yung handa mo. Hindi ko mafeel yung Pasko,” he continued.</p><p>Fans of the content creator expressed their sentiments in the comment section and agreed how challenging the 500-peso budget really is. Other netizens shared their experience as well and how heartbreaking it is to be celebrating the holidays with small portions of food. </p>

<p>Benedict Cua tries the ₱500 budget for Noche Buena and shares how he doesn't feel the Christmas spirit after completing it. </p>

Benedict Cua tries the ₱500 budget for Noche Buena and shares how he doesn't feel the Christmas spirit after completing it.

Benedict Cua tries the ₱500 budget for Noche Buena: ‘Hindi ko mafeel yung Pasko’

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Benedict Cua tries the ₱500 budget for Noche Buena: ‘Hindi ko mafeel yung Pasko’

Drew Acierto,

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Published Dec 04, 2025 05:28 PM PHT

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Benedict Cua

DTI

Noche Buena

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