Iloilo-based café claps back at ‘strong and explicit’ food review from TikToker

May 28, 2025 , 08:30 PM

by Liway Abas

(May 28, 2025) – Coffeebreak International, a café in Iloilo that has been serving customers for 20 years, has spoken out following “strong and explicit” review from TikToker Euleen Castro about their food and beverages in a recent video.

Photo courtesy: Coffeebreak International Inc. (Facebook)

“Thank you for sharing your thoughts Ms. Euleen Castro about your recent visit to Coffeebreak. We appreciate all feedback, as it helps us learn and improve,” the cafe said in a Facebook post.

“However, we were taken aback by the strong and explicit language used in your review. While we understand that not everyone will share the same taste, we believe that constructive criticism can always be communicated respectfully,” it added.

For Coffeebreak, creating a positive experience for their customers is a source of pride for the entire team. However, they felt disheartened by the explicit language Castro used to describe the food and drinks she and her team ordered.

According to the café, they have never received insulting feedback since opening business. Despite this, they expressed willingness to improve their offerings based on Castro’s preferences.

“And we will remain committed to providing a warm, satisfying experience to every guest — and to continuously grow from feedback shared with sincerity and respect,” Coffeebreak stated.

In her TikTok video, Castro expressed disappointment with the food and drinks she ordered, describing them as bland.

“Out of all of you, walang masarap. Even the drinks, even the lasagna – lahat tab-ang (bland),” Castro remarked in the video taken by her friend, jokingly saying that the food was for “persons with diabetes.”

“Ang dami n’yo diyan, walang masarap sa inyo? P*ta,” she added, asking for recommendations of must-try pastries in the city.

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

Netizens — particularly Ilonggos — voiced their disappointment and called out Castro for allegedly disrespecting local cuisine and businesses.

Calls for accountability followed, with many emphasizing that content creators should be more mindful of their remarks about local communities, drawing a clear line between honest critique and cultural insensitivity.

Meanwhile, the office of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, through spokesperson Joy Fantilaga-Gorzal, released a statement expressing full support for Coffeebreak.

“As one of Iloilo City’s homegrown brands, Coffeebreak has long been a part of our community’s growth, proudly serving Ilonggos for over two decades with consistency, dedication, and warmth,” the mayor said.

“[W]e affirm the importance of protecting our local businesses while also ensuring that customer voices are heard and treated with dignity. Feedback, whether positive or critical, plays a vital role in our collective growth but it must be expressed and addressed with mutual respect and responsibility,” they added.

At the same time, the City Government of Iloilo called on content creators and the public to express their opinions with compassion and constructiveness — especially in the digital space, where words can have a far-reaching impact.

The local government also reaffirmed its support for local entrepreneurs who work tirelessly to provide quality service and craft meaningful experiences for their patrons.

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