Is Pops Fernandez kuripot?
"I think the better term for that is I'm very practical," Pops said about her spending habits during a recent chat on PEP Live.
Elaborating further, the Concert Queen said she would spend money for her loved ones without a quibble, but would think twice when spending for herself.
"In other words, when I have to spend, I will spend. When I like something, I will spend.
"When it's for my kids, I'll spend. When it's for my family, I'll spend.
"Pero yun na nga, pagdating sa akin, okay na iyan, puwede na iyan, happy na ako diyan."
Pops, by the way, is doing promo for her upcoming concert billed, Always Loved, on February 9 and 10, 2024, at The Theater at Solaire in Parañaque.
POPS FERNANDEZ ON HANDLING MONEY
Pops's attitude towards money was shaped growing up in a financially strapped household.
Born in Lucban, Quezon, Pops is the daughter of actors Eddie Fernandez and Dulce Lukban.
Despite the celebrity status of her parents, money was tight in the household leading to domestic stress that continues to affect Pops even to this day.
Pops recalled, "Siguro kasi nung bata nga ako, nakita ko yung mga hardships ng mom ko."
It's no secret that Pops' father Eddie was imprisoned for his involvement in a shooting incident that led to the death of Bulacan-based businessman Renato Pangilinan in 1969.
Pops was only three years old when Eddie was put behind bars because of the crime.
Read: Pops Fernandez recalls growing up while dad Eddie Fernandez was in prison
Dulce was the lone breadwinner and was also providing for her siblings aside from looking after the needs of her children.
As a result, the family's finances took a hit, and Pops remembered how tough life had become both emotionally and financially at home.
Continued Pops, "And as a kid, I said, 'Oh my, God, kawawa naman si Mama, parating umiiyak.' Sabi ko ayoko nang ganun.
"So even as a kid, I would tell myself, 'When I grow up, I want to save, save, save, save, save.'
"'I want to earn, save, save, save, save, save.' That's what I would always tell myself.
"Ako, bata pa lang ako, nag-iipon na talaga ako."
WHAT LESSONS POPS FERNANDEZ LEARNED FROM HER MOM
Pops eventually followed in the footsteps of her parents.
At age 16, Pops began her career as a singer, and, in 1982, released her self-titled debut album under Canary Records.
Pops was also seen on television, gracing the noontime show Eat Bulaga! in its maiden year in 1979 before serving as main co-host of the variety show The Penthouse Live! in 1982 with fellow singer and future husband, Martin Nievera.
Read: Tape Inc. requests TRO over Eat Bulaga trademark decision
Pops was a true professional even at a young age.
She learned the value of hard work early on with the help of her mother, who was familiar with the ins and outs of the entertainment business.
"I have to admit, my mom kind of babied me. Siyempre panganay ako," said Pops.
She remembered her mom telling her not to do any kind of housework, "Yung mga housewife chores, bawal iyan.
"Kasi nga, 'Ah, hindi mo kailangan mag-kitchen, huwag ka na diyan...'
"Pero pagdating sa pagtatrabaho, okay siya."
One of the lessons Dulce taught that Pops had taken to heart was the importance of being punctual and honoring work commitments.
"Pero pag work, ever since naman, pag sinabing work, work naman talaga ako.
"Kasi nga, magagalit si mama, 'Late ka na naman? Gumising ka na!'
"I think it helped me a lot. Kasi I'm always either early or on time. Ma-late man ako, it's because hindi ko alam na traffic or something.
"Ayaw kong may naghihintay sa akin. I get very diyahe, alam mo yun."
WHAT lesson POPS FERNANDEZ learned AFTER SPLIT FROM MARTIN NIEVERA
Another defining moment for Pops was when she separated from Martin.
Pops and Martin got married in June 1986.
The couple reportedly split up in 1996 because of infidelity on Martin's part.
Pops filed for an annulment of marriage in 1999.
Their marriage was officially annulled on October 25, 2000, with Judge Leticia Morales of the Makati Regional Trial Court handing down the verdict.
Read: Pops Fernandez recalls healing journey after separation from Martin Nievera
If anything, the breakdown of her marriage made Pops more guarded in handling her finances and emotions.
"Kasi na-realize ko, 'Oh my gosh, now I'm on my own,'" recalled Pops.
"Dati mayroong support kasi dalawa kaming nagtatrabaho. Ngayon na, mag-isa na lang ako, di ba?
"So, siyempre yung first thought mo is, kaya ko ba? Kaya ko bang gawin to? Kaya ko ba lahat?"
"But yun na nga, dahil feeling ko, kailangan kong gawin. Wala na akong choice."
Read: Pops Fernandez inaming nagkakatampuhan pa rin sila ng ex-husband na si Martin Nievera
Looking back, Pops feels relieved and thankful for surviving the heartache and skepticism that she felt after her split with Martin.
"I feel so grateful and blessed na hindi naman ako pinabayaan ni God," remarked Pops.
"I prayed a lot. I was one of those na umiiyak ako because isa nga yun sa kinakatakutan ko.
"But kinaya naman.
"So I feel na pag nalagay ka sa isang situation na you have to save yourself, save your kids, save your family, kakayanin mo, kakayanin mo lahat."
POPS FERNANDEZ ON EARNING MORE MONEY
Pops knew from experience what it's been like to have multiple projects and suddenly to have only a few to none for long stretches.
"Kasi nga, dito na rin ako sa showbiz lumaki, di ba? Sabi ko nga, iba ito sa regular business or whatever," said Pops.
"Here kasi, sometimes, ang dami-daming work, di ba? Sometimes, walang work.
"Paano na pag walang work? Wala ka naman magagawa. Seasonal talaga yun.
"There was a time I would get so depressed. Sabi ko, bakit wala akong concert at wala, nung bata-bata ako, bakit walang pumapasok?
"So nagpa-panic ako, right?"
This had driven Pops to try her hand at producing shows to help augment her income when projects were few and far between.
"Sabi ko, 'Oh, I can do pala other things aside from just being in front of the camera.' I can also do things behind the camera.
"Tapos, put up small businesses, di ba? Some work, some don't. It's always a learning process."
All these made Pops realize something about herself: "I am less afraid now."
Pops went on, "Totoo yung sinasabing, it's okay to try and fail, rather than never try at all, di ba?
"And when it doesn't work out, that's the time you learn."