Influencer and entrepreneur Cat Arambulo-Antonio is facing backlash after posting a controversial video on TikTok. In the now-deleted video, Arambulo-Antonio shared her experience of driving through a flooded road in Manila with her children.
As she encountered the flood, Arambulo-Antonio commented, “Wow, look at this,” to which her daughter responded, “It’s cool.” She then mentioned it was the first time her children experienced flooding in Manila. Her daughter suggested using a floatie in the flood, and Arambulo-Antonio questioned their nanny, “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 video, though deleted from her account, was reposted by other users, sparking outrage online. Many viewers found the content insensitive, especially given the recent calamity’s severe impact on many people’s lives.
Social media users expressed their disappointment, calling out Arambulo-Antonio for her insensitivity. One user criticized her for being out of touch with the realities of those severely affected by the flood, while another highlighted how the influencer’s actions reflect the privilege and disconnect of the wealthy.