Donnalyn Bartolome’s Kanto style birthday bash is under fire as some netizens find her content insensitive.
Social media influencer Donnalyn Bartolome was trending over the weekend after posting a video of her birthday celebration last month with a street-themed party on August 11.
The vlogger’s 28th birthday celebration was star-studded as she was joined by her friends, influencers, and actors such as Zeinab Harake, Jelai Andres, Ella Cruz, Asian Cutie, Rastaman, Richard Juan, Mikee Quintos, Paul Salas, Mika Salamanca, Awra Briguela, and Andre Paras.
Despite gathering over 4 million views as of yesterday, August 15, the concept received mixed reactions as netizens were quick to point out how she used social class as a theme for her party, even tagging the event as “poverty porn.”
“Always seen poverty porn on her vlogs, if this doesn’t bother you, then you’re part of the problem, '' an online user said and reiterated that poverty is not a theme but a real-life problem.
Some netizens, however, found the celebration to be relatable as it had all the necessary things in a usual gathering with the roadside karaoke, monobloc chairs and tables, street foods, tutong (burnt rice) instead of a birthday cake, and guests wearing pambahay clothing.
Bartolome even hired a jeepney which brought the guests to the venue.
On Facebook, Donnalyn described her birthday party on July 9 as “Kanto Birthday Party,” relieving the days when she did not have a lot so she celebrated in the simplest way.
“My Kanto Birthday Party is not just a concept, this was my life when I left home abroad where my life was comfortable.. pero hindi mo maaabot pangarap mo sa pagiging komportable lagi,” Bartolome said in a Facebook post.
“So I relived the times when I was just starting out on my bday last month July 9, just like nung time na walang wala pa ako.. pero nandiyan yung mga taong mahal ako kahit butas butas ang shorts..at murang sapatos at tsinelas lang kaya kong bilihin,” she added on the post.
This is also not the first time that the influencer was criticized for creating “poverty porn” content as back in 2020, she received a backlash when she put out a vlog featuring her and her family switching lives with a low-income family.
Tags: #birthday, #vlogger, #influencer