Nueva Ecija teacher takes on #IponChallenge, saves Php 106,000 in 1 year

A 26-year-old teacher from Nueva Ecija has taken on the #IponChallenge and saved as much as Php 106,000 in a year.

According to Oscar Oida’s report on “24 Oras” Tuesday, Cathlyn Mariano started saving money in January 2020.

“Kada sweldo ko nagse-set na ako ng percent na ibubukod ko po sa salary,” the teacher said. “Hindi ko po dapat galawin. Dapat ise-save sa alkansya.”

Cathlyn said she reached her savings goal in September when she hit Php 60,000. However, instead of breaking her piggy bank, she just continued saving up.

Growing up in a poor household, Cathlyn said she had experienced what it’s like to not have money when it’s most needed.

According to cultural analyst and professor Jimmuel Naval, saving money is ingrained in our Filipino culture as a predominantly agricultural country.

“May kaugnayan ito sa gawain natin sa bukid. Nag-iipon tayo ng pambili ng binhi para sa susunod na taniman mayroon tayong pantanim,” he said.

Cathlyn said that instead of spending her savings, she’s planning to invest it in a business or in mutual funds.

“Gusto ko po siya i-invest sa isang negosyo or sa mga mutual funds so pinag-iisipan ko po saan ko po siya gagamitin para lumago po siya, para makaipon po ako for the future,” she said.

She also created her own ipon challenge and her own money organizer, saying those who would try it could save up to Php 40,000.

“Ang masasabi ko lang po lalo na sa mga kabataan, ma-realize nila ’yung kahalagahan ng pag-iipon. ’Yung pagtitipid niyo po makakabigay ginhawa pagdating ng panahon,” she said. – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News