GMA-7 actor Alden Richards sees nothing wrong with Filipinos' affinity for the hashtag #DeserveKoTo, especially when they put in significant effort to be able to reward themselves.
"I think, parang, we need a reward system sa buhay natin," the 31-year-old Kapuso talent told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in an interview last March 2, 2023.
He continued, "Kumbaga we worked hard, and, of course, we also have to treat ourselves every now and then.
"So I think, pag sinasabing, 'deserve ko to,' you will buy something for yourself, I think it’s all worth it.
"I think you deserve it no matter who you are, where you’re from, what you do, kung talagang you know to yourself na [deserve mo] after you have a purchase this certain thing..."
PEP.ph caught up with Alden during Lazada Phippines' 11th-anniversary event held at Market! Market! in Taguig City.
In the interview, Alden reiterated that rewards—whatever they may be—can serve as a source of motivation, and evoke a sense of pride in one's achievements.
He expounded, "It doesn’t matter naman kung material, or maybe minsan you can treat yourself to go on a vacation. Parang ano kasi yun, e, drive yun to work hard even further...
"If that... parang continuous on a systematic kind of way sa buhay mo, hindi ka mabu-burn out, hindi ka mawawalan ng gana sa trabaho."
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SELF-REWARDS AND BUDOL BUYS
Asked how he rewards himself, Alden said he usually indulges in video games, massages, and travels abroad.
"Sobrang simpleng tao ko lang talaga. As in, ang treat ko lang sa sarili ko ay stay at home, playing my video games and have a massage, spend time with my family, and go abroad."
The Kapuso actor, however, recognized that there are drawbacks to the self-reward system, especially when people justify their online "budol" purchases with the #deservekoto hashtag.
Alden admitted that he, too, gives in to these "budol" purchases occasionally.
He revealed, "Nako, medyo mahirap kasi yun nga, kagaya ng sabi ko on stage, parang lately being, uh, yung pagla-Lazada ay pasttime na iyan e...
"Kumbaga, usually we go to bed, social media, social media, and then, at one point, mabo-bore ka na sa social media, 'Ano kaya meron sa Lazada?'
"[And] because sometimes, like myself, pag pupunta ako sa Lazada app, minsan wala talaga ako bibilhin but you’ll end up buying something.
"Yun yung kasi yung budol talaga e.
"And sometimes, when you see something on social media, siyempre, especially sa TikTok di ba? Kapag nagba-browse-browse ka, biglang, 'Uy may ganito palang item?'"
KEEPING IT PRACTICAL
To make the most out of online splurges, Alden ensures that his "budol" purchases are worth it and practical.
He said, "I make sure that whenever I buy something, it makes my life comfortable, or even more comfortable kasi hindi naman siya luho lang e.
"Kumbaga mga panlinis ng cellphone, yung parang lint remover ng carpet, mga ganon.
"So, yun lang yung mga ano ko, yun lang mga pinagbibibili ko talaga kapag nagkaka-time ako."
Alden also emphasized the importance of not spending to reward one's self beyond one's financial capacity.
The Start-Up PH actor expounded, "If it feels like na talagang hindi na siya tumutugma doon sa [means]...
"Kasi, of course, when you say deserve, you get something or you pay a certain amount for something you want.
"So, involved na yung pera, so kung medyo you’re spending beyond your means, baka yun na yung pang-aabuso ng #deservekoto hashtag. Huwag naman ganon."
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