Businessman and motivational speaker Rendon Labador addressed the critics of the price of extra rice in his newly-opened restaurant.
In his video, Labador thanked the netizens for making his ‘motivational rice’ number one in the Philippines.
He then explained that the people criticizing the pricing in his restaurant were not part of his target market.
“Saan niyo ba ikinukumpara ‘yung mahal para sa inyo? Kasi depende yan sa tao eh, sa ibang tao mura, sa ibang tao sobrang mahal, meron namang iba na sakto lang.” said Labador.
“Nasaan ba kayo doon? Baka oras na para isipin ninyo na ‘nasan ba ako sa buhay ko [at] bakit ‘yung 100 pesos hindi ko ma-afford’ sinong kawawa sa huli, edi sarili niyo,” he added.
He also denied discriminating against people by offering expensive extra rice.
Labador then revealed that his rice was 100% local to support the Filipino farmers.
“Hindi naman po kanin ang ibinebenta ko dito, I’m selling you your future, na baka mapaisip ka, na baka mangarap ka, na baka subukan mo ulit. Mahirap kasi sa mga Pilipino, naja-judge tayo agad, bakit ‘yung Thai rice, Japenese rice, ang mamahal ng bili natin, bakit pa tayo kailangan bumili sa ibang bansa, bakit kailangan pa nating mag-import, meron naman tayong Filipino rice, suportahan natin ‘yung mga farmers natin,” he said.
“Again, gusto ko lang kayong i-motivate, wake up call ito para ma-realize niyo ‘yung mga bagay na dapat niyong ayusin sa mga sarili ninyo para later on, ma-enjoy niyo ‘yung buhay na deserve ninyo.” he added.
It can be recalled that Labador received criticism for several weeks already because of his statement.
His bad publicity affected his business and failed to sell tickets for the first grand opening of his restaurant.