Julia Christine Botin

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ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774244523680New Project (3).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Service staff can be seen with food attached to their neck and back in a recent event that sparked controversy online. <em>Photos from Instagram/tonisiaa via Kweens&#x27; Facebook page</em></span></span></span></div><p>A local caterer has publicly apologized after getting backlash for its food service at a recent event, which many netizens have described as &quot;dehumanizing&quot; to its staff. </p><p>On Monday, March 23, Juan Carlo The Caterer released a statement acknowledging the concerns raised about how food was presented to guests at Nice Print Photography&#x27;s 20th anniversary celebration.</p><p>Servers can be seen balancing multiple desserts on trays attached to their neck and back in posts shared by influencer Toni Sia that <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KweensPH/posts/pfbid022dSQxwXfG5pkiG7KNn7M8N9J1LWA2BCucY332W2z6g2uBT1LjyoFvXW3E34wk2kXl">drew criticism online</a>, with many calling it &quot;modern slavery.&quot;</p><p>&quot;All of us are disappointed because this is dehumanizing. Hindi makatao &#x27;yung ganitong klase ng gawain. Ito ay hindi dapat ginagawa sa isang tao,&quot; said makeup artist Gino Monreal Hinolan in a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/940054495425327">Facebook reel</a>.</p><p>&quot;This is is not creativity. This is like another level of humiliating someone,&quot; added Hinolan, who also called out Sia for using her platform to enable such behavior.</p><p>In its statement, Juan Carlo The Caterer said it takes full responsibility for the matter.</p><p>&quot;While the presentation was part of a broader creative direction for the event, we recognize that it may have caused discomfort to some,&quot; it said.</p><p>&quot;We sincerely apologize to those who felt uncomfortable. We appreciate the feedback and will be more mindful in how we execute future experiences,&quot; it added.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjuancarlocaterer%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0jrp9hyrqCa96zgntyyY9Qz38AmZjogz2FjdhFFe7pV5Wcdy35T49F8ofGSYUE1VXl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="590" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Nice Print has also spoken amid the controversy, saying that segments of its food service and entertainment presentation were not meant to cause discomfort.</p><p>&quot;While the concept was intended as an artistic performance, we duly recognize that the execution was perceived by many as insensitive and may have caused discomfort,&quot; it said.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fniceprintphotographyexigeweddings%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0YEsurZ2i51FKSMJ9FUqi5sLmRf7kTNGDbGT2qDFqzncze2BymYHX3ZhAJkrmkuRbl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="498" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Sia, for her part, also apologized to those who have been offended by her now-viral posts from the event. </p><p>&quot;In the moment, I felt overwhelmed by the scale and atmosphere of the event, and I posted a video with a caption that did not fully reflect the respect I have for the people and work involved,&quot; she explained.</p><p>&quot;It was never my intention to belittle or disrespect anyone,&quot; she stressed. &quot;I take full responsibility for my lapse in judgment and the impression it caused.&quot;</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774242222774274dc7c1-094a-461e-8396-dce1821143cf.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Screenshot from Instagram/tonisiaa</span></span></span></div>

<p>A local caterer has publicly apologized after getting backlash for its food service at a recent event, which many netizens have described as "dehumanizing" to its staff.</p>

A local caterer has publicly apologized after getting backlash for its food service at a recent event, which many netizens have described as "dehumanizing" to its staff.

Caterer apologizes after getting backlash for 'dehumanizing' food service at event

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Caterer apologizes after getting backlash for 'dehumanizing' food service at event

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 23, 2026 01:25 PM PHT

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Updated Mar 23, 2026 01:42 PM PHT

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