In the world of showbiz, every wedding is considered a “fairytale” that the public eagerly awaits. But for Kapuso actress Carla Abellana, her second chance at love with her high school sweetheart Dr. Reginald Santos has become the spark of a heated debate on social media. Not because of the ceremony itself, but because of something that is often a symbol of sweetness: the wedding cake.

On December 27, 2025, Carla and Reginald successfully exchanged “I dos.” Everything seemed perfect until actor Janus Del Prado posted on December 29. On his social media account, Janus shared a photo of Carla’s long, rectangular wedding cake with the caption: “Did you leave us with a cake?” This was followed by the insults “All you need is a chicken” and “You ordered the cake but you gave me a wake.”

This joke quickly went viral and garnered mixed reactions from netizens. For some, Janus’ humor was “undefeated” and was funny because of its practicality and truthfulness. At first glance, the white rectangular cake decorated with flowers on top did resemble the shape of a traditional coffin in Filipino culture. But for many, this comment was “tackless,” “disrespectful,” and “unnecessary,” especially since it was made at a very special event for the actress.

The Smooth Retreat of a Queen

Carla Abellana didn’t let the opportunity pass without explaining the design aspect of their dish. Amidst the laughter and mockery in Janus’ comment section, the actress calmly but boldly responded. “It’s delicious and fully edible. Even the guests enjoyed it. For us, it’s beautiful and that’s what’s important,” said Carla.

This response drew praise from Carla’s fans. She showed her “classy” side by focusing on their guests’ experience and their personal preferences as a couple rather than picking on the negative aspects of the joke. Despite the insult, the actress remained polite but the message was clear: their wedding is for them, not for other people’s opinions.

Cultural Perspective: Tradition vs. Modernism

This issue has opened up a deeper issue about how Filipinos view wedding traditions. In our culture, the cake is typically round or “tiered.” Anything that deviates from this design is often misinterpreted or associated with superstition.

According to some netizens familiar with designs from other countries, the “slab cake” or rectangular cake is now popular in Western countries because it is more practical, easy to divide, and can serve more guests. Carla and Reginald’s design is an example of “unconventional design” that reflects their personality as a modern couple. However, in the Philippines, where “humor” is often based on the similarities of things, the cake has not escaped being a target of temptation.

Some even say that choosing this shape seems like a “bad omen” or a bad sign for the two of them to get married. But Carla and Reginald’s supporters quickly refuted this. In the end, the strength of a relationship is based on the love and respect between two people, and the shape of a food has nothing to do with the fate of their marriage.

Joke or insult?

Janus Del Prado’s behavior left the public wondering: Where does the joke end and the insult begin? As someone who is both in the film and television industry, many believe that Janus should have been more sensitive to Carla’s feelings, especially since everyone knows what the actress went through in her past relationship. Making a “joke” involving death or a funeral on a happy day is considered “off” or out of place.

On the other hand, there are those who say that this is just part of Janus being vocal about what he sees. The actor is known for being bold in giving his opinion on current issues. But as one netizen said, “The cake looks a bit awkward, but he needs to be tactful about it. No need to ridicule considering they are both artists.”

The Truly Important

Aside from the controversial cake, it was also shared that the couple had a second cake—a round strawberry cake with a more traditional design. But the rectangular cake was the one that was talked about the most because it was used for the main part of the reception.

Ultimately, the success of Carla and Reginald’s wedding cannot be measured by the appearance of their cake. What matters is their happiness and the support of their family and close friends. Carla’s response is a reminder that in the face of bashing and negativity, the best weapon is positivity and appreciation for what is truly important to you.

The wedding cake may be eaten and gone, but the memory of their love and Carla’s courage to stand up for her decision will be talked about for a long time. Despite everything, a big congratulations was extended by the crowd for the newlyweds. Good vibes should still prevail, especially since their new phase as a couple is just beginning.