Life & Perspective
Personal essays by Juno dela Cruz on money, work, burnout, and what it means to be Filipino right now. Published daily on BantayDaily.
Renting vs Buying a Condo Near BGC: What the Numbers Actually Say (2026)
We ran the actual math on buying versus renting near BGC — and the answer surprised us enough to change our plans. My partner and…
My Lola Lined Up Every Month. I Checked My Time Deposit from a Coffee Shop.
This morning I opened my mobile banking app to check a time deposit — two months in, rolling…
Best Savings Account Interest Rates in the Philippines (2026)
Okay so I went down a rabbit hole last week and now I have a spreadsheet with more…
The Specific Kind of Tired Sleep Can’t Fix
There’s a specific kind of tired that has nothing to do with sleep. You check your balance after…
Spending Money You Haven’t Earned Yet Is the Quiet Debt Trap Nobody Talks About
The salary notification arrives and, for a second, it feels like relief. Then you open your banking app…
Lifestyle Inflation: Why Your Raise Feels Like Nothing
There was a moment, somewhere between a salary increase and a new phone I didn’t need. When…
I Paid My Credit Card in Full Every Month and Here’s What Actually Happened
Walang drama, walang collectors — just the quiet relief of a zero balance and what it quietly changed.…
I Started Waking Up at 6AM Because My Partner Changed Shifts. Now I Don’t Know How I Lived Before.
Ang daming oras na nawala lang pala, and I only noticed when someone else’s alarm went off before…
I Booked a Flight Abroad During Seat Sale and Felt Both Proud and Guilty at the Same Time
Nag-invest ako sa experience. Pero bakit parang may multa? I searched flights twice in two days — once…
When Credit Card Rewards Start Costing More Than They Give
Some days I swipe to earn miles. Other days I swipe because the bill is due and I…