30/08/2026
Ariel Dome, a University of the Philippines Diliman graduate with a degree in BS Geography, brought more than a graduation story to “Eat Bulaga!,” he brought a pointed message about the poverty he had to overcome to earn his degree.
Dome shared that he supported his own education from a young age, driven by the hope of giving his family a better life.
“Bata pa lang po talaga ako gusto ko na po makapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Gusto ko po kasi kahit papaano guminhawa man lang ang buhay namin,” he said.
But while his journey may inspire others, Dome made it clear that he refuses to turn hardship into something aspirational.
“I extremely refuse to glorify the extreme poverty that I went through,” he said. “Ideally, kung equal lahat ang meron tayo sa mundo, hindi natin mae-experience ang mga ganitong bagay.”
He further challenged the usual narrative surrounding stories of people who succeed despite poverty.
“Yes, people may see my story inspiring, but I hope it also enrages them to challenge the [systemic] poverty that pushed our people in the first place.”
His statement resonated with netizens who argued that Filipino resilience should not be used to normalize deprivation.
“Hindi puwedeng puro ‘resilient ang Pilipino.’ We should be asking why Filipinos are constantly forced to be resilient in the first place,” one wrote.
Another praised Dome for making the statement in front of a politician’s wife, Maine Mendoza-Atayde, calling him a “tunay na iskolar ng bayan.”
Dome’s remarks come amid the still-unresolved and seemingly endless flood control controversy in the Philippines, as communities continue to face flooding whenever heavy rains hit.
For many, the issue is no longer about celebrating Filipino resilience. One netizen summarized it with, “Why [are] Filipinos continuously forced to be resilient, hardworking, inspiring in the first place while those responsible for the long-running corruption have yet to be held accountable?”
(✍️: Denchelle Castro)
