So what’s wrong with being kuripot? (Or, how the stars spend their money…wisely!)

Indeed, there’s no business like show business where, they say, money is “easy come, easy go.” When money comes, the wise ones make it grow by investing in business, so that when it goes it leaves behind some profit.

That’s what some stars are doing (bless them!), so that when hard times come, they won’t be left holding an empty bag, to wit: Luis Manzano operates a fleet of cabs; Ogie Alcasid is partnering with friends on the Japanese restaurant Ryu Ramen (on Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City) and so does Sharon Cuneta also on a restaurant (Mesa, same location); Karylle and former boyfriend Dingdong Dantes are investors in Centerstage (a fun place) with the family of Maribi Garcia, while Precious Lara Quigaman and husband Marco Alcaraz own a fine-dining restaurant in a Parañaque City subdivision; Sylvia Sanchez and friend, retired PAL purser Bobby Casuela, also in the Scout Area, Quezon City; Manny Pacquiao has several businesses; and, but of course, the biggest businessman among them is, you guessed it, Willie Revillame (who owns, among others, several multi-million-peso houses in elite addresses, a private plane, a yacht and a soon-to-open condo-mall with a TV studio).

There’s nothing wrong with spending a bit more if the thing is of good quality, whether it’s for personal use or otherwise.

Funfare asked nine stars — Martin Nievera, Kuh Ledesma, Derek Ramsay, Divine Lee, Christian Bautista, Carla Abellana, Mark Bautista, Bianca Manalo and Matteo Guidicelli — how they handle money.

What does the word “kuripot” mean to you?

Martin: Kuripot to me means not ever offering to pay for a regular group date dinner that he or she wasn’t expected to pay in the first place. I don’t believe kuripot applies to someone you “expected” a gift from.

Kuh: In English, kuripot means stingy. I’m not stingy especially now because I’ve learned that giving is the way to be blessed but it must also be done with wisdom. I am now more prudent because I am only a steward of God’s money, therefore I must be careful how I spend the money that passes through me.

Derek: Kuripot ka if you have money and you never spend it.

Divine: Kuripot for me is someone who finds it hard to part with money. Kuripot to some may have a negative connotation but I think kuripot is a must at certain times. I am very kuripot with certain things and magastos on others. I think I’m a balanced kuripot, hahaha!

Christian: Kuripot is an extreme case of not spending money if you have money to spare.

Carla: Frugality. It means you spend your money very wisely and often scrimp on material objects.

Mark: Kuripot means you have long-term plans in life, your know your limitations when it comes to spending your money and you are wise enough to identify the essential things in life.

Bianca: For me kuripot is someone who is not a big spender. Someone who buys the necessities/basics in life. Someone who knows how to save for the rainy day.

Matteo: Someone that would rather save than spend.

They say that in showbiz money comes easily. How do you see to it that your money doesn’t go to waste?

Martin: I’ll have to disagree with that. Unless we are talking about other forms of “show” turned into a “biz.” The money I make in showbiz as far as I can remember has always been from hard work and dedication, but if you mean being paid to do what you love to do best is easy, well, that goes for any job you love.

How do I see to it that my money doesn’t go to waste? I don’t spend it. But that almost never happens. I sometimes spend money I don’t have. Basta, I know a show or gig is coming I am already window-shopping. That’s not good either. So I guess that’s a good way not to waste money. Don’t window-shop.

Kuh: Even in shopping, I pray for guidance and self-control. I’m so much wiser in buying whether for my personal needs or for my businesses.

Derek: I don’t think money comes easily in showbiz. It’s actually very difficult to make money. In the beginning of your career, you spend more than you make.

Divine: I took an Economics course in college so I am a bit well-versed in investing. I make it a point to put my showbiz money in investments and savings. My course taught me that money needs to work and earn.

Christian: The money that I have goes to insurance investments, properties, banks and cash in different locations. 

Carla: I prioritize my investments. I spend my money on bills and other payables so that I have little left for everyday expenses and not get tempted to spend on other less important things.

Mark: I make sure that I invest my money in things that will  benefit me and my family.

Bianca: I make sure that I always save 70 percent or 80 percent of what I earn. The rest I use for myself. A little travel in Asia would be nice. And when I go to Mass every Sunday, I share my blessings.

Matteo: It doesn’t necessarily come easily. I have to work hard for it. But always, I get advice from my parents on how to save and invest properly.

Any business or investment that you can fall back on if and when?

Martin: I would love to open my own place where I can sing and serve my burgers and other comfort food. I believe everyone’s gotta eat and me, I gotta sing! It would be a good place to launch new talents, too. If I am gonna invest my money anywhere it should be in a business that has been very, very good to me.

Kuh: Hacienda Isabella (in Batangas) started as a bed-and-breakfast place and now it’s a popular wedding venue, company team buildings and retreats. Networks use it for teleserye location shoots. We are doing very well. It has now 55 rooms and we continue to build. I have also invested in land. I don’t believe in buying overly expensive cars, signature bags or jewelry. They are not important to me. I definitely believe in investing in clothes because of my profession. I also paint now and do exhibits and that’s another great income for me.

Derek: I’m very lucky to have a successful family business that I can work for. I still help out every now and then.

Divine: I have a clothing brand and other businesses even before I started in showbiz. I made sure that I maintain those and add more because showbiz is a very volatile industry.

Christian: I have a modest business in Imus, Cavite, which I can fall back on. I also own a row of townhouses.

Carla: I have two life insurances, one of which has a guaranteed profit, three properties and a franchise business along the way.

Mark: I’m opening a Japanese restaurant inside a school in Manila. I also bought some properties in our province. I have just started a “socks” business under my name.

Bianca: I used to be a tv commercial model since I was 12. I finished Advertising and Public Relations in Assumption College. So now I’m thinking, having the experience of being in the industry of the on/off camera production world, I want to have my own talent/modeling agency someday. As of the moment, I am still enjoying acting/hosting.

Matteo: There’s my family business but I would like to start something on my own.

What’s the most expensive thing or luho (whim) that you have spent or splurged on?

Martin: Wow, not cars or houses or watches like most men in my biz, because I seldom spend on myself. But when I splurge it’s usually when I try to spoil that special someone with gifts that make her scream, cry and hug. Not a smart investment I know, but I love doing that. And if there is extra leftover I love to redecorate, repaint and refurnish. Then after I almost always regret!

Kuh: A gold watch but only because I was not a Born-again Christian yet. Now I wouldn’t do it anymore. Very expensive things are just not that attractive to me anymore. I’m just wiser about where I put my money, and I have so many responsibilities and commitments that come first.

Derek: My most expensive luho would be traveling.

Divine: I will be taking my master’s through distance learning. I enrolled in Durham University, Warwick Business School, and London School of Business & Finance. Having the distance learning option and international school tuition fee, I think that would be my biggest luho. Yes, I’m a geek at heart.

Christian: The most expensive thing that I bought is an American muscle car. I bought it after 10 years in this business.

Carla: You mean in one go? I guess it’s a designer bag. I’m very particular with designer bags. I don’t just buy whatever I like. It still has to be within my budget range.

Mark: The most expensive thing that I have bought so far is my new car, a Hyundai Volster.

Bianca: I bought myself a van. I need it for tapings. “Diamonds are a girls’ best friends.” I love collecting jewelries. Aaaa, and, I love designer bags.

Matteo: Shoes and gadgets. Still I need to make sure of the things I buy.

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