Rica Peralejo defends family's trick-or-treating from 'evangelical bullies'

Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio did not hold back at critics, particularly fellow Christians, when they came after her over a Halloween post. 

On Oct. 31, the former actress and TV host took to Instargam to share that her husband—famous pastor Joseph Bonifacio—and her two kids, Philip and Manu, dressed up in Halloween costumes and went around their village for the annual trick-or-treating. 

The family portrayed characters from games and graphic novels Super Mario, Ninjago, Geometry Dash, and One Punch Man.  

“Last minute Halloween. We were not supposed to for so many reasons but wow thanks to our friends who made it happen, now our kids have the funnest costume party and trick-or-treat experience. Pati nanay at tatay sobrang saya kasi may TAHO sa neighborhood as TREAT — LEVEL UP GRABE," Rica wrote.

"Nagkaidea ako. Next year ang ipapamigay ko ay beer," she joked. "Too much kwento about this Halloween. Tsaka na. For now, claps nalang for our costumes na unrelated pero color blocking. Pakihulaan nyo nalang sino sino kami." 

However, her post quickly drew flak from social media users who pointed out that they should not be celebrating Halloween with respect to the religion.   

One Instagram user wrote: “I have never seen any pastors I know personally or the ones I listen to online dress up for Halloween.” 

“In whatever aspect this is still participating. Compromising to be exact and that's it,” another user commented. 

Another social media said, “We cannot allow our own convictions about a holiday to cause division in the body of Christ, nor can we use our freedom to cause others to stumble in their faith. We are to do all things for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).” 

Rica, for her part, promptly defended her family's practice, saying that everything they do is for fun to ensure their kids are happy, just like any other parent. 

“If you mean halloween to be demonic practices and evil stuff [the], of course, no one should. But if by 'halloween' we mean a big costume party with treats for kids, like a whole day candy affair, then I don’t see why not,” she answered one of the comments.

She also answered another basher, saying, "Hindi ako nagkasala. Ikaw ang naglagay ng judgment na 'yan, hindi si Lord. I am merely speaking the truth. If you are so turned off, wala na along magagawa but you are also not my standard or judge. The Lord is. And if that, for you, is not an acceptable answer, then you also should check your heart."

After several exchanges on her Instagram post, the TV personality and content creator continued to stress her point on Instagram Stories on Nov. 3. She said that initially, she didn't want to speak up against her bashers as they are not the people she "wants to talk to or with anyway!"

However, the former actress opted to do otherwise to enlighten "those who have genuine questions and no spirit control." She would also like to speak up for "those who are truly loving and those who have been bullied."

Rica began her explanation, pointing out that she and her husband decided to join Halloween festivities because Jospeh "never did it as a child" while she "had no childhood." Rica began her career in showbiz as young star in the youth-oriented '90s show Ang TV.

She said that her main takeaway from this experience of being bashed is that "Evangelical Bullies" exist.

"Maybe God allowed all of that to happen now so He can finally expose what He is not pleased with. And what is that? LEGALISM TAKEN TO THE EXTREME. Evangelical Bullies," the content creator ranted.

In one of her Instagram Stories, Rica asked if bashers are aware that how they act and think “imply arrogance and pride" and also emphasized that people should embrace love instead of being self-righteous.

"Dunno also how people are not realizing they have sinned and not by condemning that which God does not condemn! They have played God and judge and wow their words, too... In their anxiety, they have resorted to blatant disrespect and calling of names and heckling. How is that Christian and godly at all?" she wrote. 

“As expected, some are horrified by our wearing of costumes and trick or treating. I had made no disclaimer simply because they won’t listen. They are not asking for explanations, they only want to say their piece.”  

“I am just as horrified at how Christians have become the gatekeepers of heaven. No wonder people leave church because so many think they’ve lost God just because they didn’t follow the rules established by the community but not God himself,” she added.