Lloyd Saladaga
Emmanuelle Atienza, daughter of TV host Kim Atienza, has addressed the backlash surrounding her controversial TikTok video, where her group’s dinner bill reached over P133,000 at a restaurant.
The video, which quickly went viral, featured Emmanuelle and her friends playing a “guess the bill” challenge, where the person closest to the actual amount would pay for the meal.
In the video, one of Emmanuelle’s friends guessed the closest to the bill and proceeded to pay the staggering P133,000 using a credit card. While the group found the game entertaining, netizens criticized the video, accusing them of flaunting their wealth and being insensitive to others.
In response to the criticism, Emmanuelle posted another TikTok video on Tuesday, September 24, clarifying that the original video was meant as a joke. She explained that the dinner was actually a birthday treat for one of her friends, organized by their agency.
“I find it so stupid that I even have to address this but it has gotten to a 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 outrageously high number. But apparently, it’s believable that I can pay that much for dinner,” Emmanuelle explained.
She further emphasized that even if she could afford such an expensive meal, it was their choice how they spend their money, which they have earned.
@emmanatienza #stitch with @emmanuelle atienza if you have an issue with somebody having money, i need you to give the same energy to all celebrities, tycoons, etc.
The “guess the bill” challenge is a popular trend on TikTok, where participants try to estimate the total cost of a meal. While many influencers have done similar challenges, Emmanuelle’s version has been the most heavily criticized, leading to widespread bashing online.
Despite the controversy, Emmanuelle stood her ground, insisting that the video was meant for fun and not to flaunt their wealth.
