Money has long been at the heart of Filipino storytelling. From family dramas to OFW narratives and rags-to-riches arcs, Philippine cinema and television have consistently mirrored how Filipinos earn, spend, sacrifice, and define success. In the second episode of Moneygurado docuseries, Metrobank turns to one of the country’s most acclaimed filmmakers to look at how Filipino culture and media shape the way people think about debt, sacrifice, and success.
Titled “Utang sa Pelikula: Self-Worth and Borrowing in the Filipino Context,” the episode features Direk Joey Reyes, who unpacks how decades of Filipino storytelling have influenced emotional attitudes toward borrowing and financial struggle.
Known for his films such as Pahiram ng Isang Umaga, Batang PX, and Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, Direk Joey reflects on how local films often portray debt as suffering, sacrifice, or shame, particularly through stories centered on breadwinners, struggling families, and overseas Filipino workers.
“Films are not just new stories. They are reflective of specific moments in the political, cultural, and spiritual history of the country,” Reyes shared.
The episode discusses how these portrayals, while rooted in real Filipino experiences, may also unintentionally reinforce unhealthy financial mindsets, such as equating self-worth with wealth, glorifying self-sacrifice at the expense of personal stability, or viewing debt purely as a burden instead of something that can be managed responsibly.
One of the key themes raised in the episode is how many Filipinos were exposed to narratives where utang is associated only with hardship, embarrassment, or survival. Reyes notes that local films rarely portray debt as a financial tool that, when understood and managed properly, can help individuals build businesses, improve stability, or achieve long-term goals.
“The problem is the lack of education in seeing loans as tools. We are often afraid of them instead of understanding how they can help build financial capability. Can we possibly change the whole concept of utang as a trap into utang as a tool? Yes, we can. But it requires education,” Reyes emphasized.
While acknowledging the real dangers of predatory lending, Reyes points out that responsible borrowing, when understood and approached with intention, can serve as a legitimate instrument for growth, particularly for entrepreneurs and individuals building their financial capability.
He also calls on institutions to close the education gap. “I wish the banking system could create more materials that help people understand the value, flexibility, and proper use of loans,” he says – a challenge that Metrobank’s Moneygurado initiative directly takes up through its Earnest platform and accompanying digital learning resources.
The episode also underscores how cultural narratives quietly govern everyday money behavior—from aspiration and spending habits to shame, discipline, and long-term planning. Reyes says the shift he believes is necessary: “Hindi yung halaga ng inutang ang importante. Mas mahalaga kung ano yung dahilan kung bakit ka umutang at higit sa lahat, kung paano mo binayaran ang iyong utang. Doon mo nabibigyan ng kahalagahan yung proseso ng pag-uutang.”
That reframing, Reyes argues, is the cultural shift Filipino storytelling has yet to fully embrace.
Metrobank said the episode forms part of its broader Moneygurado advocacy, which aims to help Filipinos become more intentional, informed, and emotionally aware in managing their finances. Rather than focusing purely on technical financial advice, the docuseries explores the cultural beliefs, social pressures, and personal experiences that often shape money decisions.
“Financial behavior is deeply personal and cultural. Through Moneygurado, we want to create conversations that help Filipinos better understand not just how they handle money, but why they make certain financial decisions in the first place,” said Digs Dimagiba, Metrobank Chief Marketing Officer.
The first episode of the series, “Kapit Lang: The Filipino Way of Surviving,” explored resilience and rebuilding through the story of OnlyPans Taqueria founder Audrey Cruz following the pandemic and a devastating fire incident.
Future Moneygurado episodes will continue to tackle Filipino behaviors and mindsets surrounding money through conversations with cultural personalities, educators, and experts.
Watch Episode 2 of Moneygurado featuring Direk Joey Reyes here.
To support the advocacy, Metrobank’s Earnest platform provides free learning materials and financial education resources.