“Paano niyo nalaman na mahirap kayo?”

This question keeps popping up all over social media, and it brought us back to when we realized we weren’t among the universe’s favorites, at least not finances-wise. Pinoy Redditors have been diving into this topic, and here are some of the most common answers:

“Kada-periodical exam, may promissory note na naka-ready tatay ko”

Education is for everyone, but many still struggle to keep up with its financial demands. Even in those free-to-attend public schools, families are hit with all sorts of expenses, such as school project expenses, daily pocket money, and funds for school trips. So much for wanting a brighter future, right?

“Sabi nung bisita, ‘Hindi ako makakatagal sa ganito’”

It’s sad to see people knocking others down, even when they’re already crawling on the ground. They let you know you’re beneath them through insults or shady comments. Believe it or not, some people respect you based on how much you have in your bank account or how beautiful your house is. 

“Nag-uulam kami ng tigpi-pisong chichirya”

When you see your parents or older siblings skipping meals so the rest of the family can eat, that’s how you know you’re not well-off. Some went as far as mixing oil and soy sauce with rice or adding chips for flavor. Eating three meals a day was a luxury, and now you have so much appreciation for whatever food you have because you know what it feels like to live on crumbs. 

“Isa lang ang pang ‘alis/labas’ ko na damit”

There’s no hard and fast rule on how many clothes you should have, but having little to no clothes for special occasions (or even just the weekend, when you’re not in your school uniform) was a reality check for many. 

“We literally lived sa squatters area, katabi ng riles ng tren”

Who doesn’t want to live in a decent, comfortable home? Sadly, many barely earn enough to afford a monthly mortgage. Our country is no stranger to the never-ending struggle for affordable housing. Some Filipino families often adapt by making do with makeshift shelters or living in cramped spaces to get by.

“Putting off the doctors when I was a kid and having to suffer through alternative medicine because healthcare is expensive”

The adage “health is well” rings painfully true for those living paycheck to paycheck. Getting sick or sustaining even the slightest injury is out of the question because you’re risking financial strain from medical bills. If you can sleep off the discomfort you’re feeling, the better.

“Nangungutang sa tindahan”

Families are forced to bury themselves in debt to stay afloat — not to mention the interest fees. Budgeting is hard if you barely have anything left to budget in the first place. It’s not just as simple as paying your debt and learning how to be financially savvy. 

“Six years old pa lang kaming magkakapatid, marunong na kami magsaka”

We’re all for helping our family with expenses, but something’s amiss when the young ones are also expected to chip in. They become young breadwinners, sacrificing their childhood to put food on the table. It’s even more heartbreaking knowing they have no choice but to embrace the responsibility.

To everyone who keeps pushing forward, no matter how tough life gets — may you achieve everything you want in life!

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