Ninong Ry creates Christmas menu of 8 dishes worth P1,500: 'Noche Buena na may dignidad'

For years now, it has been Ninong Ry's annual tradition in his vlog to create a Noche Buena menu worth P1,500 to give his viewers ideas on what to cook for Christmas.

However, before presenting his menu for Christmas 2025, the chef and content creator shared his thoughts on the controversial P500 Noche Buena budget suggested by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

"Para lang magbigay ng opinion doon sa P500 na Noche Buena, kaya nga naging issue 'yan kasi alam naman natin na masyado talagang mababa eh," he said.

"Sa P1,500 na gagastusin natin ay makakapagbigay ng Noche Buena na may dignidad na puwedeng pagsaluhan ng buong pamilya," he added.

For this year, Ninong Ry created an eight-dish menu worth P1,503.50, which is suitable for four to five family members.

Here's a breakdown of the ingredients for each dish, excluding water, salt, sugar, and pepper.

Roasted Chicken Hamonado

• Whole chicken P285
• Crushed pineapple P45
• Total: P330

Fish Lumpia

• Lumpia wrapper (3 pack) P23
• Kinayod na bangus (500 grams) P75
• Carrot (1 pc.) P18
• Onion (1 pc.) P8
• Garlic (1 pc.) P7
• Oil (1 plastic) P33
• Total: P164

Buko Pie

• Buko (1 pc.) P40
• Loaf bread P60
• Egg (1 pc.) P9.50
• Oil (1 plastic) P33
• Total: P142.5

Laing

• Kangkong (2 packs) P30
• Labahita P20
• Garlic (1 pc.) P7
• Ginger (1 pc.) P5
• Coconut milk P80
• Total: P152

Baked macaroni

• Macaroni (500 grams) P30
• Ground pork P85
• Hotdog (4 pcs.) P32
• Tomato paste P22
• Banana ketchup P15
• Onion P10
• Garlic P7
• Evaporated milk P22
• Margarine P10
• All-purpose flour P15
• Total: P248

Tilapia Escabeche

• Tilapia (3 pcs.) P135
• Banana ketchup P15
• Ginger P10
• Garlic P10
• Cornstarch P13
• Total: P183

Beef Misono

• Beef sukiyaki P150
• Cabbage (1 pc.) P40
• Onion P10
• Garlic P7
• Togue P25
• Total: P232

Palitaw

• Glutinous rice flour P42
• Sesame seeds P10
• Total: P52

Previously, Mariel Padilla and content creator Benedict Cua also took on the challenge of preparing a P500 Noche Buena feast and shared their reflections on the budget.

Mariel said she does not side with the DTI regarding its P500 Noche Buena budget statement, adding, "I do believe that Filipinos deserve more."

Meanwhile, Benedict said that while the P500 budget is feasible, it is simply insufficient.

"Ang tagal mong hinintay 'yung Pasko, parang gusto mong mas maghanda ng madami para sa anak mo, asawa mo, buong pamilya mo," he said. —Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA Integrated News