Goldilocks responds as Duterte supporters call for boycott over cake

A composite photo of Goldilock's statement and a cake sample design that the customer expected to receive. ARCHIVE

Philippine bakeshop chain Goldilocks issued a statement on Sunday (March 30) after a customer claimed that staff refused to write a birthday greeting for former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte on a cake she ordered. The controversy has since led to calls for a boycott of the brand. "We are aware of an isolated incident involving a cake greeting that has raised concerns online,” Goldilocks said in its statement. “At Goldilocks, we truly believe in messages that celebrate, uplift, and bring people together—reflecting the joy and togetherness we've always valued. We are always happy to accommodate personalized messages on cakes that have space specially designed for greetings," the company added. Goldilocks assured customers that it is taking steps to ensure that all customers “feel seen, included, and celebrated in every store, every time.”

Duterte supporter claims store refused cake message

The issue surfaced after Facebook user Am-am Cabase-Porras alleged that she bought a Salted Caramel Crunch cake from Goldilocks' Antipolo, Rizal branch a day before Duterte’s 80th birthday on March 28. She claimed she requested staff to write "Happy Birthday Tatay Digong" on the cake, but they later informed her that their manager ordered it to be removed. "To my dismay, they refused to write ‘Tatay Digong’ on the cake! Not even a ‘Happy Birthday,’" she wrote in a now-deleted post. Cabase-Porras added that staff members told her they wanted to remain “neutral.”

The incident quickly went viral, drawing divided opinions from netizens. Some Duterte supporters criticized the bakeshop, with others calling for a boycott of Goldilocks. However, others pointed out that Cabase-Porras had purchased a regular cake, not a “greeting cake”, which is specifically designed for personalized messages. Social media personality Ms. Bisdak Blog called on the bakeshop’s owner to ensure that all staff remain neutral and demanded action against the manager or employee who allegedly removed the cake message. She described the incident as "bastos" (rude) and said Goldilocks deserved to be boycotted. By Sunday (March 30), videos began circulating online showing what appeared to be deserted Goldilocks outlets in some locations in the Philippines, as the boycott movement appeared to gain traction. The cake controversy emerged as thousands of Duterte’s supporters held rallies worldwide to mark his birthday and protest his detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. On Friday, March 28, an estimated 330,000 people gathered in Davao City for a prayer rally in support of Duterte. Similar demonstrations took place in New York and The Hague. The former president, who turned 80 on March 28, remains in detention as he faces crimes against humanity charges over the extrajudicial killings during his administration’s war on drugs. ICA/CAM/Expat Media