CONTENT creator Euleen Castro, popularly known as “Pambansang Yobab” on Saturday stood by her controversial critique of a popular Iloilo café, saying her comments were based on personal taste and were never meant to disparage the city or its people.
In a new YouTube video, Castro addressed the backlash she received after describing the dishes served at Coffeebreak Café as “hindi masarap” and “lahat tab-ang” in a now-viral TikTok post. The review drew strong criticism from Ilonggos and netizens, with many accusing her of being disrespectful and insensitive.
“Hindi ko sinabing huwag puntahan. Hindi ko sinabing magsara kayo,” Castro clarified. “Hindi ko po minura ‘yung pagkain, ‘yung staff, ‘yung café. Wala akong minura. Expression ko lang talaga ‘yon.”
She went on to acknowledge that her delivery lacked tact and failed to explain her opinion constructively.
“Hindi ko talaga in-explain kung ano ba talaga… Hindi ako naging constructive doon sa feeling kong kulang sa panlasa ko. ‘Yun ‘yung pagkukulang ko, and ‘yun ang ihihingi ko po ng pasensya sa mga taong nasaktan ko, especially sa mga chef, sa mga barista, sa mga server, and sa owner na din po nung café na ‘yon,” she said.
“Pasensya na po kayo kung ‘yon ang naramdaman n’yo na ipinahatid ng video ko. Hindi po talaga ‘yon, hindi po talaga mine-mean ko. Ang gusto ko lang po is ibigay ‘yung feedback ko na hindi po ako nasarapan sa food sa mga natikman ko, pero hindi po para pasamain.”
Castro also stressed that she never wished harm on the café or its staff, contrary to what some viewers assumed.
“Hindi ko po ever hiniling na may magsarang restaurant just because of my feedback. Never ever ko po hiniling na may mawalan ng trabaho dahil lang sa hindi ako nasarapan,” she said. “Alam ko po kahit paano ang hirap n’yo d’yan.”
“So ‘yun po, hihingi ako ng pasensya sa inyo na nagkulang ako sa kung paano ko dineliver, kung paano ko siya sinabi. Siguro doon po na parang pakiramdam n’yo nabastos ko kayo. Hindi ko po mini-mean na bastusin kayo. ‘Yun lang naman po ang gusto kong sabihin, kung ano ‘yung totoong nalasahan ko.”
The management of Coffeebreak Café earlier issued a statement defending their staff and calling for respectful and constructive criticism. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas also voiced support for the café and urged netizens to refrain from sharing content that promotes negativity or disrespect.
