Ben Madilynn
Internet personality Emman Atienza is under fire after participating in the viral “Guess the Bill” challenge, which quickly escalated when the dinner tab totaled a whopping PHP130,000.
Her video became the subject of heavy criticism, particularly for its display of wealth against the apparent economic disparity in the Philippines.
The “Guess the Bill” challenge is a viral trend where participants guess the total cost of their meal. The person who guesses closest to the actual bill is supposed to foot the entire sum.
However, in Emman and her five friends’ case, the bill hit an eye-watering amount of PHP133,423.99, drawing outrage from social media users.
Photo/s: Screengrab from TikTok | @emmanatienza
Many viewers were quick to express their disapproval, with some calling the content tone-deaf in the face of rising economic struggles.
Emman finally broke her silence on September 24, 2024, taking to TikTok to address the controversy.
“I find it so stupid that I even have to address this,” she says. “But it’s gotten to the point where I feel like I need to.
“One, the video was a joke. I thought it was obvious because we were laughing and the bill was at an outrageously high number. But apparently, it’s believable that I can pay that much for a dinner.
“So I want to clarify again. It was a joke. We didn’t pay that.”
She clarifies, “It was my friend’s birthday and her agency treated us to a dinner.
“On top of that, even if I had paid that much, even if we did have that much money, it is our choice and our freedom to do what we want with money that we earned.”
The daughter of weather reporter and TV personality Kim Atienza goes on to respond to an article published about the incident, pinpointing Emman to be at the receiving end of flak due to the content of her video.
“Then the last slide and the caption say ‘Check your privilege.’ First of all, I’ve been so honest about the privileges I’ve been given and the privilege that I have in my life,” she explains.
“For example on my podcast with Kush, I mentioned that I’m not one to deny the privilege I’ve been given.
“And on top of that, I’m also very open about the fact that I’m a nepo baby. I’m not ignorant nor do I deny the privilege I’ve been given and I never have been.”
A nepo baby is someone who is congenitally tethered to power, influence, or fame. They are born with connections from their parents, even forefathers.
Addressing privilege and public scrutiny
Emman proceeds to read an excerpt from the article written about her: “‘Given that only a small portion of Filipinos fall under the 1 percent, these people should be redistributing their wealth to those most in need of it.’
“I find that so insanely bizarre to say,” she comments.
“Hypothetically if you won the lottery and you won, let’s say a million pesos. Are you gonna immediately be giving all of your million pesos to everyone around you?
“No, you’re gonna pay your bills.”
She adds: “You’re gonna maybe get a nice dinner. You’re gonna get some nice clothes and then maybe the rest, you could possibly donate to charity.
“You are not gonna be giving each and every single bit of that million to other people. Be so honest right now.”
The influencer takes issue with being singled out, questioning why only she was being targeted while other wealthy individuals, including beloved celebrities, seemed to escape the same criticism.
“I find it so ironic that they were talking about how I need to check my privilege,” she sighs.
Still referring to the publication who insinuated Emman to check her privilege, she points out: “The next slide: Nadine Lustre at a Bulgari event, praising her saying ‘radiant as always mother.’
“If you’re gonna hate on me for being rich, you need to do the same for everyone because guess what? Your favorite celebrities not just in the Philippines, but worldwide, if you have a BTS profile picture, I don’t want to hear you talking.
“If you have Taylor’s version in your name, I don’t want to hear you talking because your favorite celebrities make more, have more, and spend more than I ever have.”
Driving home her message, she says, “I doubt any of them are redistributing their wealth; whether it be Nadine Lustre, BTS, f*ck*ng Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo.
“I doubt any of them are redistributing their wealth, and they have a thousand times more wealth than I do.”
Photo/s: Screengrab from TikTok | @emmanatienza
Emman calls for genuine advocacies
At the heart of her defense, Emman urges the significance of directing energy toward more meaningful forms of activism rather than attacking individuals online.
“I, a singular teenage girl, am not responsible for the wealth disparity in the Philippines contrary to current popular belief,” she expresses.
“I find it so stupid that people are picking and choosing what to be activists for.
“If you actually had an issue with the wealth disparity, if you actually had an issue with impoverished people, there are ways to help that are not attacking a teenage girl.”
She enumerates: “Advocate for those in need, or you can also volunteer, volunteering is free. I’ve done it.
“Talk to your local government, do something about it because this does nothing for advocacy.
“It does nothing for the advocacy that you’re trying to be an activist for. It does nothing to the economy. It does nothing to our country.
“All it does is attack a random person and bring hate to the table,” she concludes.
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