When the pandemic hit, millions of Filipinos faced financial uncertainty. Jobs were lost, businesses shut down, and adapting to the “new normal” required more than just patience—it demanded financial creativity. For Tricia, a senior high school teacher in Bulacan, the key to thriving during the crisis was making a bold but strategic move: taking out a loan.
“Recently, I was able to talk to a friend and ask how she managed her finances during the pandemic,” said Fitz Villafuerte, a Registered Financial Planner (RFP), in an exclusive interview with Financial Adviser PH.
Tricia works in an integrated national high school. While she was fortunate to continue receiving her salary, the shift to blended learning brought its own financial challenges. After reviewing her household budget, she made a careful and practical decision.
“After careful study of her cash flow, she deemed it necessary for her to take out a Teacher’s Loan to be able to upgrade her laptop, buy a webcam, and set up a work desk and area at home,” Villafuerte shared.
While many would view borrowing money during a crisis as a risk, Tricia saw it as an investment. The new equipment wasn’t a luxury—it was essential for her to continue teaching effectively under the Department of Education’s remote learning directive.
In addition to her tech upgrades, Tricia faced rising household expenses. The pandemic brought new necessities—health and hygiene supplies like alcohol, face masks, and other essentials. Fortunately, her household received government cash aid, which she used wisely.
“Meanwhile, the cash aid that their family received from the government, she allocated for the additional spending on alcohol, face masks, and other pandemic essentials.”
Tricia didn’t get everything right immediately. It took time and trial before her family’s finances adjusted to the new normal.
“She told me that it took her a couple of months before she could properly adjust her budgeting. But with patience and financial discipline, her family’s finances were able to adapt to the new normal,” Villafuerte said.
Her story is a powerful example of financial resilience—someone who recognized a problem, made a plan, and used available tools like loans and budgeting to regain control. It also highlights the value of responsible borrowing when aligned with income preservation and long-term needs.
Tricia’s experience reminds us that loans are not inherently bad. When used purposefully—especially for work, education, or income continuity—they can serve as strategic stepping stones to financial stability.
Now that life is steadily returning to normal, Tricia is focused on rebuilding her savings and supporting her mother’s small food business. But her ability to weather the toughest parts of the pandemic started with one brave and calculated step: taking out a loan to keep her career and household on track.
