Actresses Jodi Sta Maria and Carla Abellana are being criticized online for virtue signalling after speaking out against the slaughter of 100 cattle for a prayer rally held yesterday, September 21.
Sta. Maria had posted a graphic on Instagram urging to “stop the killing of cows,” but netizens quickly resurfaced her August 2024 post showing her proud of her “not so little chef” for her “perfectly cooked steak.”
Abellana, for her part, reposted a statement from Animal Kingdom Foundation with the caption: “Prayer should NEVER come at the cost of 100 innocent lives.” Soon after, an older Instagram photo of her posing with a tray of cooked beef began circulating.
Netizens also noted that she had at one point co-owned Holy Smokes, a steakhouse, which critics say undercuts her advocacy.
The prayer rally, called “Pray for the Philippines,” was organized by supporters of former President Rody Duterte. Organizers said the slaughter of 100 cattle was offered as a ritual sacrifice “to the heavens,” meant to seek divine intervention and cleanse the country’s spirit amid corruption and political turmoil.
Both Sta. Maria and Abellana have yet to respond to the controversy.
