Entrepreneur and vlogger Rosemarie Tan came under fire after posting a now-deleted message on social media about the devastation caused by Typhoon Kristine.
In her post, Tan reflected on the stark contrast between her comfortable lifestyle and the plight of those affected by the storm in Bicol.
“”Ang hirap isipin na habang kami [nakahiga] sa malambot na kama, kagigising lang at [naka-aircon], ang daming bata, matanda na ‘di na alam paano ililigtas sarili sa Bicol dahil sa baha at bagyo 😮💨,” Tan wrote.
Though the post has since been removed, it quickly went viral and sparked outrage among netizens, who accused Tan of being “insensitive” and “flaunting her wealth” during a time of crisis.
Many described her remarks as “tone-deaf”, considering the struggles of those severely impacted by Typhoon Kristine.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) commented, “”In the middle of bagyong #KristinePH may pa weird flex si Rosmar talaga ano? Ganyan talaga siguro pag galing pilot section sa college, pabidang b*ba. Rosmar lang sa kanal 🤙🤙”
Another netizen reacted, “”EDI SANA ALL, ROSMAR. It’s giving I WOKE UP BLESSED, THEY’RE NOT. “Praying for Bicol” na lang sana ang pinost mo te. Hindi ‘yan makakatulong sa political career dream mo. Haha. Mag-hire ka na ng social media manager tutal afford mo naman ang kama at aircon. Hahaha”
Many criticized Tan for not recognizing her privilege, with one suggesting, “Check your privilege Rosmar. Don’t try to put your situation sa situation ng mga binabaha, binabagyo at nahihirapan ngayon. Tatakbo ka sa election diba at maglilingkod sa bayan? Then act like one.”
Tan, who recently filed her certificate of candidacy for councilor in Manila’s first district for the 2025 local elections, responded to the criticism with a series of follow-up posts expressing sympathy for the victims of the typhoon.
“PRAY FOR BICOL sana tumigil na ang Bagyo,” Tan posted, alongside a call for updates from those in Bicol so she could organize aid.
Tan also took the oppportunity to address the backlash, explaining that she had deleted the original message and clarifying that she never intended to flaunt her comfort.
“binura ko na ang post ko kaninang umaga. Hindi po ganun ang ibig ko sabihin, nakokonsensya kasi ako dahil ung iba Hirapan na sa Bicol, tapos mga nasa bubong na. Mga Aso at pusa, matatanda at mga bata puro dumadaan sa newsfeed ko. Hindi ko ibig ipagyabang na ang comfy namin ngayon,” the skincare brand CEO explained.
“Ang gusto ko lang sabihin ay parang ang hirap maging comfy habang may mga taong inaanod at lumulutang nalang sa baha. Parang nakakakonsensya na wala kang magawa ngayon. Dahil hindi passable ang Bicol,” she added.
Tan also apologized to those who found her post insensitive, writing, “Pasensya na kung tingin nyo mali ang pinost ko pero wala po akong intensyon na tulad ng iniisip nyo. Sadyang nag woworry lang ako sa mga Lolo at lola sa sinasapit ngayon ng Bicol Area. Again pasensya na po. At pagpatuloy natin ipag dasal na sana tumila na ang ulan at tumigil na ang bagyo.”
Tan concluded by saying she would delete her latest post as well to avoid further controversy.
As of writing, both posts have already been removed from her Facebook page.
