What Happened When Benedict Cua Tried DTI’s ₱500 Noche Buena Challenge
BENEDICT CUA – Content creator and influencer Benedict Cua put DTI’s controversial ₱500 Noche Buena claim to the test, and the results were far more emotional than expected.
Benedict Cua recently put the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) claim to the test by attempting the viral ₱500 Noche Buena challenge. The DTI earlier stated that a family of four could prepare a complete Noche Buena meal with just a ₱500 budget, a statement that sparked mixed reactions online. Curious and wanting to understand the reality behind the claim, Benedict decided to document his own experiment and share it with his followers.
In his video, Benedict visited both a grocery store and a local market to compare prices and stretch his budget as far as possible. To keep costs manageable, he planned a simple Christmas menu consisting of spaghetti, fried chicken, and fruit salad, three dishes commonly served on Filipino tables during the holiday season. After gathering the cheapest ingredients he could find, he returned home to cook the dishes himself.
Once everything was prepared, Benedict assessed the outcome and shared his honest reaction. While he admitted that completing the challenge was technically doable, he said the experience made him emotional. According to him, preparing Noche Buena with such a limited budget felt insufficient for a celebration as meaningful as Christmas.
“Posible. Kahit ano naman posible, pero parang hindi siya enough. Ang tagal mong hinintay ’yung Pasko, parang gusto mong mas maghanda ng madami para sa anak mo, asawa mo, buong pamilya mo.”
He added that the challenge made him reflect deeply as a parent, especially when imagining this being the only food a family could afford for Christmas Eve.
“Sinasabi ko sa sarili ko dapat masaya na ko sa ganito pero nilalagay ko ’yung posisyon ko sa pagiging tatay na ang sakit pala pag ito lang ’yung handa mo. Hindi ko ma-feel ’yung Pasko.”
Benedict’s video resonated strongly with viewers, many of whom praised him for highlighting the reality that countless Filipino families face during the holidays. The challenge, while achievable on paper, opened a wider conversation about affordability, expectations, and the emotional weight tied to Christmas traditions.
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