'Hipon Girl' Herlene Budol admits financial struggles since pandemic: 'Back to zero kami, walang wala na talaga'

"Hipon Girl" Herlene Budol has admitted that she and her family are financially struggling since the pandemic struck.

In an interview with Toni Gonzaga on her vlog "Toni Talks," Herlene said she is back to zero, financially speaking.

The TV celebrity, who grew popular on Willie Revillame's show "Wowowin," shared how she was able to save the money she earned on the show, not even buying herself a prize or a gift for all her hard work.  

"Inipon ko lang. Buti na lang nag-ipon ako, kung hindi patay kaming mga pamilya ko dahil sa pandemic," she added.

[I just saved the money, and good thing I saved the money! If I didn't, my family and I would be dead from this pandemic.]

According to Herlene, her savings of P100,000 were all spent for the needs of her whole family during the pandemic. She would also provide for mother's family as well as pay for her grandparents' medicine.

"Umiiyak ako araw-araw. Dumating ako sa point na parang ayoko na. Ayoko nang magpakita sa pamilya ko. Nahihiya ako," Herlene said.

[I would cry every day. It got to the point that I didn't want to show myself to my family. I was so embarrassed.]

"Back to zero kami. Walang wala na talaga, kahit hanggang ngayon, wala na talaga akong pinagkukunan ng pera. Kasi sa kin nga umaasa buong pamilya ko, dati pagkain lang, pero ngayon pati kuryente sa 'kin," she added.

[We're back to zero. We really have nothing. I don't know where to get the family. My whole family is counting on me for everything. Before, I would only provide for food, but now, I'm also paying for utilities.]

She revealed that Alex Gonzaga was the only one who was able to help her, sharing how she cried after Alex gifted her with a Gucci purse.

"Si Ate Alex lang tumulong sa 'kin," she said. "Naiyak po ako dahil sa ano Gucci talaga. Mas mahal pa po sa bahay namin kasi yung bahay namin mura lang daw nun."

[Ate Alex would help me. I cried because the Gucci purse she gave is even more expensive than our house!]

Herlene initially didn't say anything about her situation, since she knew a lot of people were affected by the pandemic. She also admitted she became complacent after getting gigs at "Wowowin."

"Akala ko, may pagkukunan ako pagkatapos po ng 'Wowowin.' Wala po talaga," she said.

[I thought I'd be okay after 'Wowowin' but there's really nothing.]

According to Herlene, people would come up to her to ask for help, making her feel more ashamed and embarrassed. "Hindi ko masabi sa kanila na, ako nga wala ako nabibili para sa sarili ko," she said.

"Akala po nila, masayahin lang ako, pero hindi po ako masayhin talaga. Lagi po ako umiiyak kapag nakakapos po kami," she added. "Wala na po akong pinaghuhugutan."

[I couldn't tell them I have nothing to spend even for myself. People think I'm happy-go-lucky but it's not true. I'm always crying because I really don't know where to get money to sustain us.]

According to Herlene, she's started vlogging, but she hasn't really earned anything substantial from it. Social media posts and TikTok content meanwhile have helped her get by.

"'Pag may raket po, nagpapa-post, nagpapa-TikTok, doon na lang po ako bumabawi, kasi pag wala po yun wala na po akong pagkukunan," she said.

[I make up for it by posting on social media or TikTok.]

In the video, Herlene shared how she's held a lot of jobs before — being a caddy, a seller in the wet market, a personnel in the municipality. This is the first time she's experienced being the breadwinner.

"Dati di ako nawawalan ng pera sa wallet. Dati po kasi, walang nag-e-expect sa kin. Ngayon sa 'kin na po lahat umasa," she said.

But not all is lost. According to Herlene, her present hardships is teaching her a lot. 

"Walang permanent dito sa mundo. 'Wag kang makampante na merong taong gagabay sa 'yo. Dapat gumawa ka rin ng sarili mo," she said.

[Nothing is permanent in this world. Don't turn complacent, don't expect another person to help you and guide you. You should learn to count on yourself.]

At the latter part of the vlog, Toni said all the proceeds of the video will be given to Herlene.

As of this writing, the video is #1 trending on YouTube with over 2.5 million views.— Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News