Critic or Clout Chaser? Euleen Castro's Harsh Review Backfires

Social media personality Euleen Castro, who goes by the name "Pambansang Yobab" online, is facing serious heat after posting a harsh review of an Iloilo-based café. In a now-viral TikTok video, she openly bashed Coffeebreak Café’s offerings, saying none of the dishes or drinks she tried tasted good, and she didn’t hold back on the insults either.

@euleenc Kanya kanya po tayo ng panlasa pwedeng hindi masarap sakin pero sa iba masarap 😂 #pambansangyobab ♬ original sound - Euleen Castro

The video, which has reached nearly 2 million views and thousands of comments, shows Euleen criticizing the pastries, lasagna, and even the drinks. Her blunt statement — "Nothing tastes good, not even the drinks or the lasagna... there are so many of you here and not one is good" — quickly stirred outrage online. She even asked her followers to recommend better pastry spots in the area while her companions laughed in the background.

Despite adding a caption trying to soften the blow, saying that taste is subjective, many netizens weren’t buying the apology. Locals and business owners were especially upset, with calls to declare her persona non grata in Iloilo. Even Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas joined others in criticizing her remarks.

Coffeebreak Café, which has been in business for two decades, responded with grace, though their disappointment was clear. In an official statement, they expressed shock over the tone and choice of words used in Euleen’s review. While they welcomed feedback, they emphasized the importance of respectful communication, especially from influencers with massive followings.

They explained that if Euleen had raised her concerns during her visit, their staff would’ve been happy to adjust her food or drinks. It was the first time they had received such a scathing and public insult in their 20 years of service.

Interestingly, Euleen is the daughter of Guia Gomez-Castro, a former barangay captain in Manila accused of leading a drug syndicate and currently hiding in another country after being implicated in a police officer’s murder. Her background, now resurfacing amid the controversy, has only added fuel to the fire.

While the video remains on her TikTok account, the backlash hasn’t died down. The incident has sparked a bigger conversation about the responsibility that comes with influence, and the fine line between honest criticism and public shaming.