Full disclosure, the first thing that popped into my head when I saw Jinkee Pacquiao’s Instagram post of his and hers luxury bikes was this: “How much do those cost?” The wife of boxer-turned-senator Manny Pacquiao has clarified that they were gifts from Rotary Club of Manila member Hermie Esguerra. Still, seeing the Hermes (at P531,480) and Louis Vuitton (no reports have been made for its exact price but a Nigel Sylvester’s was sold at P890,000) bikes on her ‘gram already had people talking. One of those who dropped her take on the flex? Actress Agot Isidro.
Isidro quote tweeted Inquirer’s post on the monogrammed two-wheelers and implored Pacquiao to be more sensitive. “Alam namin na marami kayong pera. At kung ano ang gusto ninyong gawin sa pera na yun, wala kaming pakialam. Pero marami rin ang walang trabaho at nagkukumahog humanap ng pera para may pakain sa kanilang pamilya,” she said. She capped it off with the hashtag #nouveau.
Some netizens found the comment harsh. There are replies on the tweet that spoke about how the Pacquiao’s have helped people and should be entitled to buy what they fancy. There are users who advised Isidro to utilize the mute feature of social media site. Friends of the couple such as ALV Talent Circuit head Arnold Vegafria said that the bikes were blessings.
Isidro clarified in another tweet that she doesn’t care how they choose to spend their money and that she’s sure that they’ve helped a lot of people. “Ang sa akin lang, kailangan ba namin makita yan, sa gitna nang paghihirap na dinaranas ng nakararami? Sensitivity ≠ accountability. Iba po yun. Ktnxbye,” she said.
Other netizens shared her sentiments on the matter. One user cited Article 25 of the Civil Code of the Philippines which “enjoins against thoughtless extravagance in expenses for pleasure or display during a period of emergency.” Some even commented with a GIF of the iconic Kourtney Kardashian quote, “Kim, there’s people that are dying.”
The Preen team has reached out to both Isidro and Pacquiao for comment and have yet to receive their response.
Whatever your take is on this week’s beef is, it seems we all have bigger fish to fry right now.
Photo screengrab from the “Changing Partners” trailer
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