Now, this is another level of being ‘out of touch.’
Influencer and entrepreneur Cat Arambulo-Antonio has recently drawn significant online attention with a controversial post.
In the TikTok video she posted, she shared her experience of driving home with her kids while encountering a flood along the road.
https://twitter.com/pinoy_reaction/status/1816252893378547766/video/2
“Wow, look at this,” she said as she saw the flood. “It’s cool,” her daughter responded.
“So first time for the kids to experience baha [flood] here in Manila,” continued. Her daughter then suggested that they use a floatie in the flood. “Safe ba magfloatie diyan, yaya?[Is it safe to use a floatie there, yaya?] I guess so? It’s just water. Should we try? We should wakeboard.”
The said post has now been deleted from her TikTok account but other users reposted the video online.
People who saw the tweet were not pleased, as they felt it was inappropriate given the situation of people who experienced the impact of the recent calamity. By now, it should be common knowledge that floods are destructive and should not be taken lightly, let alone seen as amusing.
Social media users voiced their disappointment with the influencer across various platforms.
One user wrote, “Kapag naranasan nyo ng sumampa sa bubong, matulog sa evacuation center, pumila para sa relief goods dahil sa baha at magka leptospirosis dahil sa baha saka nyo sabihin yan. Mga insensitive! Sarap mo ihagis sa baha ate! [If you have experienced climbing up the roof, sleeping in the evacuation center, lining up for relief goods because of the flood and have leptospirosis because of the flood then you can say that. You’re insensitive! I want to throw you in the flood sister!]”
Another user wrote, “The case of Cat Arambulo is just an example of how out of touch, vain and oa the rich are. Imagine the level of insensitivity someone has to have to see the storm like it’s the beach where you can use “floatie” and do wakeboard while lots of people are losing their lives over it.”
A third user wrote, “She’s so gross. Always has been. I can’t stand her. When any of her content appears on my timeline, I mute it or swipe next right away. We shouldn’t give her any views or engagement.”
More and more were enraged by the post:
How privileged must some people be to find amusement in situations that cause others to suffer? While the suffering may not be their fault, their inability to acknowledge the gravity of the situation speaks volumes about their insensitivity.
In times like these, it is crucial to empathize with those affected by disasters and to avoid posting content that could be perceived as insensitive.
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