Following the viral video of a woman “educating” a grab driver that lugaw or rice porridge is a non-essential good, several celebrities took to Twitter to rally behind lugaw making the hashtag #LugawIsEssential trend.
On Wednesday, social media has been bombarded with the video of a barangay official who didn’t let a grab driver proceed with the delivery of an ordered lugaw because according to her, it is not part of the essential goods allowed during the ECQ status on the NCR plus bubble.
The woman insisted that lugaw is not essential, thus, it should not be served past the curfew hours of 6 PM to 5 AM.
Celebrities didn’t help but take to social media to defend lugaw’s “dignity.”
In her tweet, Kapamilya young star Barbie Imperial shared a gif from the movie, Four Sisters and a Wedding, with an imposed text of “Ang Tanga Lang.”
https://t.co/993vJuFT7f pic.twitter.com/QjKZHtBvqF
— BARBIE IMPERIAL (@barbieeimperial) March 31, 2021
Kapuso journalist Atom Araullo also shared his reaction saying “Ipagtanggol ang dangal ng lugaw. #LugawIsLife”
Ipagtanggol ang dangal ng lugaw. #LugawIsLife
— Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) March 31, 2021
Kapuso singer-host Julie Anne San Jose also took to Twitter to add her voice for lugaw saying “Lugaw lang sakalam #RespectTheLugaw.” Sakalam is GenZ term that means malakas or strong.
Lugaw lang sakalam #RespectTheLugaw
— JULIE ANNE SAN JOSE (@MyJaps) March 31, 2021
Kapamilya comedienne Pokwang, meanwhile, laughed and asked the woman if she didn’t consider lugaw as essential then what is it, a luxury?
so ate kung para iyo e hindi po essential ang lugaw, ano po siya? luho lang? Hahahhaaa kakalerki!!! #lugawessential
— marietta subong (@pokwang27) March 31, 2021
Theatre actress Gab Pangilinan, Saab Magalona, and Jeff Canoy also shared their individual take all saying that lugaw is essential.
Essential si lugaw. That's the tweet
— gab (@gabpangilinan) March 31, 2021
Lugaw is essential https://t.co/RAu6a1Ow6G
— Saab (@saabmagalona) March 31, 2021
Lugaw is lifer
— Jeff Canoy (@jeffcanoy) March 31, 2021
The concern delivery app involved in the viral video Grab Philippines also gave their reaction to the controversy.
In their tweet, Grab thanked all its riders for their continued service in delivering essential goods to the people. In the picture attached to the tweet, Grab maintained that food is essential and since lugaw is food then lugaw is essential.
They also used LUGAWISESSENTIAL as their voucher code for their loyal customers to enjoy free delivery.
Let’s give thanks to all our Grab riders na tuloy lang sa paghatid ng ating essential needs! Saludo po kami sa inyo, kuyas and ates! 💚
Use LUGAWISESSENTIAL to get free delivery on your GrabFood order! T&Cs apply. pic.twitter.com/IBiwaTnwRr
— Grab Philippines (@grabph) March 31, 2021
Meanwhile, other social media personalities also linked the viral lugaw trend to the Vice President. Lugaw has been used by the DDS to poke fun at the Vice President.
However with many netizens now saying Lugaw is essential @malacanangevents and @mykapalaran linked it to VP Leni as an essential need of the country.
Lugaw is essential. Lugaw is life. pic.twitter.com/wrDdM5MGXm
— Malacañang Events and Catering Services (@MalacananEvents) March 31, 2021
In his tweet, @mykapalaran said, “If Leni is Lugaw and Lugaw is essential, therefore Leni is essential.”
If Leni is Lugaw
and Lugaw is essential,
therefore Leni is essential. pic.twitter.com/J6viLE8QIv— Myk (@mykapalaran) March 31, 2021
Meanwhile, with the debate on whether lugaw is essential or not, Malacanang has set the record straight.
According to the Palace spokesperson Harry Roque, lugaw or any food item is an essential good, and deliveries of such items should not be blocked in checkpoints.
“Lugaw, or any food item for that matter, is considered an essential good. Delivery of food items must remain unhampered 24/7. Huwag natin harangin sa checkpoints,” said Roque.
It's settled. Lugaw is essential, according to the Palace. pic.twitter.com/k6eNDQRbJj
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) March 31, 2021
