Even the Sang’gres are not spared from the ripple effects of the global oil crisis, which has impacted millions worldwide.
Like many Filipinos, they too have felt the impact of rising fuel prices, leading to higher costs of goods and services and prompting celebrities to tighten their belts.
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) asked Bianca Umali, Kelvin Miranda, Angel Guardian, and Rhian Ramos about the practical adjustments they are making in response to the ongoing crisis.
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BIANCA UMALI GOES OUT ONLY WHEN NECESSARY
Bianca, who plays the Terra Sang’gre, was quick to say she has been spending more time at home.
“Nabawasan ang paglabas sa bahay nang hindi importante ang gagawin mo.
“I mean, personally, ‘no, I would do go out really just to do errands for groceries, for my lola and whatever it is…
“Pero yung lalabas para tumambay, lalabas ka just for leisure… ako, nagbawas ako nun…
“Because, siguro kasi, I’d rather clean my house, di ba. Sa bahay ko na lang igagastos.
“Makakatulong pa sa akin kesa sa igastos natin sa mahal na gas, sa mahal na bilihin sa labas na hindi naman makatulong sa atin.
“Yun yung adjustment ko, major…”
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KELVIN MIRANDA ADoPTS a SIMPLER LIFESTYLE
Kelvin has become more mindful of his spending habits.
“Adjust ko diyan pagko-commute saka in-adjust ko din yung mga bilihin ko kasi tumaas din lahat,” says the actor who plays Adamus, the guardian of the water gem in the Kapuso teleserye.
“So break down ko din, jot down ko din yung mga bagay mula palengke hanggang sa pang-araw-araw na bilihin.
“Kasi lahat na naapektuhan, e. Yung lifestyle ko mismo, in-adjust ko siya: damit, yung investment mo bilang artist, yung mga pangangailangan mo, medyo keep down ko lang nang konti para, at least, mabalanse ko yung gastos.”
These days, he also uses his motorcycle instead of a car.
“Isa pa doon yung hindi ako nagkotse, nagmotor ako kasi sobrang mahal talaga.
“So sa motor, mas nakaka-save ako ng gas kasi mas maliit yung tank, konti lang yung kailangan mong gas, pero efficient para makapunta ka sa dapat mong puntahan.”
Bianca threw in, “Ba’t hindi natin subukan mangabayo?”
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ANGEL GUARDIAN turnS to PRAYERS
Angel said in jest, “Ako, plano kong bumili ng bike. Bike na lang para mura."
Then she added in a half-serious tone, “Kung puwede naman, why not? Mahilig naman akong mag-bike.”
Just like Kelvin, the actress who plays Deia, the protector of the air gem, said she has also been monitoring her expenses.
“Ganoon din, parang tina-try ko din magtipid hangga’t kaya sa ibang part.
"Pero ang problema kasi now, dahil summer, ang hirap magtipid ng kuryente.
“Dahil ang init ngayon, so mas kailangan mo ng aircon, e.
“Kakarating lang ng bill, ang taas ng kuryente natin!"
Since this is beyond her control, she turns to prayers.
"So ang ginagawa ko na lang, mas madalas na yung malalim na dasal para sa lahat, kasi kawawa na talaga tayong lahat, kawawa na talaga yung mga tao.”
RHIAN RAMOS TO CONTINUE BEING A SPENDTHRIGHT
Rhian had her mom to thank for teaching her to value money.
“I think naman, I’ve always had the behavior that Kelvin was talking about,” referring to Kelvin’s resolution to monitor his expenses.
She continued, “I’ve always been like that. I think my mom trained me to be that way ever since.
“I’m not really a big spender in any way, actually. And I don’t go out either."
The Kapuso actress who plays Mitena, the major antagonist in Sang’gre, sticks to what she considers her essentials.
"It’s really more of just like awareness. And, kasi sometimes if you’re not aware, you don’t know where it all went. You don’t know kung paano umabot sa ganoon.
“So, yeah, it’s just like that. It’s just to make sure I have enough for the important things.”
Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre is down to its final two weeks and airs on GMA primetime block at 8:00 P.M.