Karina Bautista answers a fan’s question about why she didn’t attend the recently concluded ABS-CBN Ball:

“Gusto ko lang sagutin ’yung mga tanong n’yo kung bakit hindi ako nakapunta sa ABS-CBN Ball.

Tinimbang ko rin kasi kilala n’yo naman ako—love kong rumampa at umawra—and every year, we have been serving looks on every carpet.

Plus, exposure, tsaka networking na rin, ’di ba? Kaso, financially, napaka expensive niya, ha.

And right now, ang dami ko kasing pinapagawa, pinapaayos—sa lupa, dito sa business, sa kuwarto ko—dahil ginagawa kong pang-podcast soon so bagong bili ng ilaw and everything. And of course yung glam team—that doesn’t come cheap, ha, kasi biruin mo naman, ang ganda ko every time, pasabog.

So, siyempre, kailangan ko rin palitan ’yon ng monetary value, ’di ba? Kaya nagdesisyon na ako, as your independent girly—at hindi rin naman tayo anak ni Henry Sy—na mag-pass muna para makatipid.

At ayoko rin naman kasing magkautang dahil hate na hate ko po ’yan. Akala ko nga hindi niyo naman mapapansin na hahanapin ba ako dun parang hindi naman.

Thank you guys, very very much…Promise, babawi tayo sa next ball.”

Knowing your financial priorities is a smart choice.

It means you’re thinking ahead and focusing on what really matters.

It’s okay to say no to things that cost a lot, even if they seem fun or exciting.

Being wise with money helps you feel more in control. In the long run, saving and spending right brings more peace and less stress.