Have you ever noticed how Christmas Day arrives meaningfully at the end of the year? It serves as a culmination of the entire year and a celebration of thanksgiving for all the blessings our families have received. This is why Filipinos lovingly prepare Noche Buena, or the Christmas Eve feast, as a symbol of their family’s gratitude and togetherness.

So when the Department of Trade and Industry recently suggested that ₱500 is enough for a family of four’s Noche Buena, it struck a nerve with family-loving Filipinos. Why did so many of us react so strongly, and what does a ₱500 Noche Buena mean for families who work hard all year? Let’s break it down.

Ham, spaghetti, and fruit salad are not everyday meals for ordinary Filipinos. These little luxuries on the dining table, given the steady increase in prices of goods, are often reserved for special occasions like birthdays, reunions, or Christmas. If this means serving simple meals during the year to save for a meaningful Christmas spread, Filipinos will gladly do it. Every breadwinner’s reward for a year of hard work is worth far more than ₱500.

For families with Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs, Christmas is often the only time everyone is together. It’s when they finally share a meal, laugh, and tell stories without screens or distance separating them. It is only right to honor their sacrifices by not reducing this meaningful reunion to a ₱500 meal.

For a family of four, DTI claims that a ₱500 Christmas bundle, including a 500g ham for ₱170, spaghetti sauce for ₱48.50, 250g spaghetti noodles for ₱30, fruit cocktail for ₱61.75, 110ml all-purpose cream for ₱36.50, and 10-piece pandesal for ₱30, is enough. This totals ₱374.50, which fits the ₱500-budget.

However, the nutrition and quality of these ingredients are a far cry from a truly filling and nourishing meal. While it may get by, families are left with little choice to accommodate their brand and taste preferences. Sharing a meal should nourish not only the body but also the heart and mind. It should be satisfying and intentional, and not merely served for the sake of having a Noche Buena.

On Christmas Eve last year, it was just the three of us – my husband, our then two-year-old daughter, and me. We prepared rice, caldereta, and pasta, enough for Noche Buena and some leftovers for Christmas Day. It was a humble meal, but still a special one. We carefully considered what we would actually eat, making sure nothing will go to waste.

Our meal, although simple, cost more than ₱500. What made it priceless is sharing it with the most important people in my life. While it’s true we can celebrate with any budget, the point remains: Filipinos should not be reduced to a fixed amount just to hide inadequacies in government support. We must continue to fight for our right for fair wages and proper price regulation to ensure that the labor of Filipinos throughout the year is respected and honored, especially in this most wonderful time of the year.