On or off social media, Chito Miranda fully supports wife Neri’s endeavors, and that includes her many business ventures.
"I think it's very important kasi lahat ng puwede kong gawin for her, kunwari may mga lakad ako, I’m gonna have to cancel it, kasi wala kaming yaya," Chito told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at the Globe Star Bazaar held in August 2018.
The Parokya ni Edgar frontman said caring for their son Miggy remains their top priority, and they take turns whenever the other needs to work.
He continued, "Pag siya yung busy, ako yung mag-aalaga. Kami ng Inang niya, kami mag-aalaga kay Miggy. Or kapag may work ako, siya yung nag-i-stay. So tulungan. By shift. May shift talaga.
"If I’m busy with work, ita-try niya i-move yung meetings niya. Pero pag wala naman akong work, gigising akong maaga para makapag-meeting siya agad and do her rounds."
GROWING FROM FAILURE
As for Neri’s business ideas, which she often turns into reality, Chito said he keeps his intervention minimal, and he lets Neri take off on her own.
"I let her do what she wants," he explained. "Nakikialam ako to a certain point na para akong devil’s advocate. Kung may idea siya, 'Are you sure? Ganito ilalabas mo diyan…'
"Pero ngayon, I think she knows more about business than I do, so di na ako nakikialam masyado. Support na lang."
At present, Neri’s many businesses include her bottled gourmet tuyo, managing Neri’s Cottage, Neri’s Bakeshop, and selling bed linens and sleepwear.
Although Neri's ventures are now thriving, Chito witnessed how his wife learned by trial and error.
"Yeah, andami niyang failed attempts bago niya makuha yung, kumbaga bago niya matutunan how to do everything. It took years talaga.
"Kasi dati wala siyang...self-taught talaga siya, e. Natuto siya by failing a lot of times, several times.”
MANAGING INVESTMENTS
Chito has expressed in the past how being in a relationship with Neri, and eventually marrying her and building a family together, help him find direction and purpose in life.
For his part, Chito taught Neri how to handle her own finances.
He recalled, "Kasi before nung artista siya, she'd earn, and then she'd spend it. And then tinuruan ko siyang mag-save.
"Tinuruan ko siya how to handle money, not to spend everything. To save everything, to spend and invest, and to spend lang kung anong natira. Parang gano'n, instead of spending everything and saving what is left. Binaliktad ko lang.
He added, "And now, for me, ah, nakikita ko talaga [ang difference]. Fearless pa rin siya when it comes to deciding and investing pero okay lang ako kasi she's playing with her money."
While Neri has free rein on investing her money, Chito remains the voice of reason.
"Lagi ko siyang nire-remind na wag siya masyadong careless, kasi when you're playing with your own money na, mas malakas na yung loob mo na sumugal nang sumugal, e.
"Yun yung control ko na, 'Ops I need to list it down.' We sit and down and list, 'O ito yung lalabas mo diyan. Baka maipit tayo if you do this.' So we have to decide. 'I-let go mo muna itong investment na ito para makatutok ka dito.'
"Basically ganun lang, but when it comes to running her business, she knows what she wants. She knows what she needs to do, ako yung nandiyan lang para brake lang na, 'Ops ingat-ingat din.'
"Kasi siya yung mas risky. Kumbaga sa investor, ako yung conservative, siya talagang volatile talaga siya, 'Tara kuha tayo niyan.'"
Chito has his own business investments, including being part-owner of Honey's Kimchi, a Korean restaurant in Fora Mall, Tagaytay, and Quento, a self-service laundry shop/barbershop/cafe in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.