ALEX GONZAGA AND THE IMPORTANCE OF “PONDO”

(The social media superstar speaks seriously about the future as she enters a new chapter as a wife)

THERE probably isn’t anyone in the country who has not heard of, have seen or have witnessed the antics of, and the humor of Alex Gonzaga whether on television, the big screen and most especially online. She has always been seen as the counterpoint to her sister Toni Gonzaga. Alex was the wild, wacky one, while her sister Toni was the more conservative and responsible of the two in the public eye.

“From day one naman, when I entered showbusiness, it has always been my uncaring, off-the-cuff and galawgaw ways that have endeared me to fans and the public,” said Alex Gonzaga. “I was young, carefree, and rebellious in my own way while si Ate Toni talaga ang mas serious, mas dutiful daughter and ate na image talaga sa mata ng publiko.”

Alex stressed that this public image, the wild and wacky sister of Toni Gonzaga was in fact what she used as her “pondo”, her investment and foundation to make a name for herself in showbusiness.

“I had to zero in on something, something na hindi malalayo sa pagkatao ko, para naman believable, I can build on, and use to endear me to the public,” she added.

Of course, Alex added that it did not hurt to have a more established sibling in showbusiness to teach her the ropes and guide her as she started life in the public eye, but she knew she had to be known for something more than being the sister of Toni Gonzaga.

“What people did not realize then na syempre, our parents raised us a certain way and that deep down, I was still a product of that up-bringing di ba,” Alex exclaimed. “I had a strong sense, a strong pondo ng mga pangaral ng mga magulang, a foundation of being God-fearing, a need for a sense of purpose, and above all financial security para sa future namin.”

A few years back, Toni and Alex on their own ventured into a business venture aside from their showbusiness careers. One of the more notable venture of the sisters were their Happy Cup Milk Tea business in 2017.

Alex said, “These business, yung milk tea namin is really a product of the deep lessons on preparing for the future that we have learned from Mommy Pinty, na lagging maging handa, laging may nakatabi na fall back, may investment at syem-pre para pomondo sa kinabukasan.”

Alex did not stop there. She invested as well in her own future with her product endorsements and YouTube channel, as a sought-after online content creator that has generated millions upon millions of followers which definitely generated more financial security for the young thespian.

“Yang YouTube channel na ‘yan is probably one of the best moves I have made in my career,” Alex excitedly said. “A lot of thought comes in producing each video, a lot of planning, and of course creativity to ensure that the audience will enjoy what they watch that is true to the Alex Gonzaga brand.”

“Relevance, ayan, relevance and reinvention ang pondo natin dyan sa YouTube Channel.” Alex mentioned that she capitalized on her showbiz identity, on how she has been seen by the public, and her connections as well as her investment on video equipment, learning editing skills, and the like to ensure that she remains relevant as people begin to move their attention to ‘digitainment’.

In a rare moment of introspection, Alex Gonzaga turned very serious and said, “Now that I’m a wife and syempre, in the future a moth-er, lahat ng natutunan ko, lahat nang naipondo ko sa sarili ko, sa business, at kung anu-ano pa, I have to channel now in my new role.”

Alex married long-time boyfriend Mikey Morada, a businessman and City Councilor in Lipa Batangas in November of 2020 during the height of the pandemic.

“I have to be wiser in my investments, I have to be wiser in spending money, need na mas maingat sa mga desisyon kasi I no longer just have to look after myself at mga needs ko, may sarili na ako ngayong pamilya and di na naman uso na dapat bilang maybahay ay iaasa natin buo ang kinabukasan sa mga asawa natin di ba?”

“This deal that I have now with Villarica Pawnshop is a blessing,” Alex added. “Dati kasi pag nasa isip ko pawnshop, ibig sabihin nun sangla, parang utang ba na may collateral kasi short ka sa pera, negative ang dating.”

Alex further mentioned, “Habang nakikipag-usap ako sa kanila, I learned so much more that the industry pala ng pawn-shop has transformed. Naging paraan na sila para maka-access ang mga Pilipino sa mga lugar na di nararating ng mga bangko sa mga serbisyo na parang pang bangko na rin. They offer such a wide range na service, sila Villarica pala ay ka tie-up na rin ng mga bangko, na nag po-provide na rin sila ng mga paraan para makakuha ng karagdagang pondo para sa mga negosyo ng mga tao.”

Especially in this time of the pandemic, where businesses are closing, that companies are right sizing left and right, people need to adjust the way they think or else risk their future and their families.

“Naku when you see the news, minsan nakakaawa ang mga nawawalan ng mga trabaho. Napalaki kasi ang iba na need mo maging empleyado, na maging manager para sure ang future. Right now, people need to realize na dapat pondohan nila ang mga sarili nila, na pwede rin naman magsimula ng maliit na negosyo, maging entrepreneur,” Alex said. “And si Villarica, believe it or not can help them with that, among other things.”

Alex also mentioned that some Filipinos may find it more prudent to invest in gold if they have the extra money. “Sabi nga ni Mommy Pinty sa akin, ang alahas, lalo na ang gold, pondo rin yan. She said that it was and will always be a wise investment.” She added that Villarica is a good source of excellent quality gold if one has the extra funds.

With more than 500 branches nationwide, Villarica remains to be a leading pawnshop with the highest appraisal value and a preferred money remittance (“cash padala”) and money changer outlet in the Philippines.

To learn more about other services like bills payment, POS withdrawal, auctioned jewelry selling and even loading, and most especially how Villarica can help you ensure your future and aid you in setting up your business especially in the time of the pandemic, visit www.villaricapawnshop.ph for more information.