Kinapos Pero Kinaya: Diskarteng Pinoy Stories on Stretching Every Peso

Sometimes, no matter how resourceful you are, unexpected shortfalls happen. Sometimes it's running out of money for the daily commute, being low on gas, or coming up short on budget at the grocery counter. Other times, it’s something simple but urgent, like needing shampoo, baby’s milk, or even a quick snack.

Filipino breadwinners don’t just get by. They get creative. In a culture built on resourcefulness, diskarte stories are part of our shared experience: the small hacks, clever tricks, and laugh-or-cry moments we all use to stretch every peso. 

We asked real breadwinners to share their most relatable stories, and here’s what we found: 

• “Biglang naubusan ako ng rekado, kaya takbo agad kay mare para manghiram!”

We’ve all been there, cooking adobo when suddenly you’re out of laurel. The pot’s simmering, and there’s no time or budget to run to the supermarket. For many Filipinos, quick fixes are part of everyday life. When you’re short on budget, even a simple missing ingredient can feel out of reach. Small, practical moves like borrowing or knocking on a neighbor’s door for a missing ingredient help keep dinner on the table and the household running.

• “Nilagyan ko ng tubig yung shampoo para umabot pa hanggang bukas.”

Payday’s still a day away, and the shampoo bottle is nearly empty. Like many Filipino households, we add water, give it a shake, and hope it lasts one more wash. From shampoo to baby’s milk to medicine, these small emergencies test our creativity. More often than not, we stretch what’s left by adding water to the bottle, scraping the last bit from the jar, or making do until the next payday. It’s these small acts of resourcefulness that help us get by.

• “Nilalakad ko na lang pauwi pag kinapos sa pamasahe.”

A week before payday, our wallets are down to coins. We line up for the jeepney and realize the pamasahe isn’t enough for the full ride home, so we improvise. Maybe we get off a few stops early and walk the rest of the way, or borrow a little gas money from a friend. These everyday hacks aren’t just about saving; they’re about survival, showing how resourceful and adaptable we become when times get tight.

The Ultimate Galawan for Everyday Gaps

These stories show how Filipinos handle daily gaps with creativity and grit—from food and groceries to minor emergencies and transportation. But even the most resourceful can’t plan for every setback.

That’s where GLoan Sakto comes in. It’s a simple, reliable, and valuable way to cover small but important needs:

• Food and Groceries: pang-rekado, pang-merienda, or pang-araw-araw na bilihin sa convenience store

• Minor Emergencies: pang-shampoo, sabon, gatas or diaper ni baby, at pati gamot

• Transportation: pang-pamasahe sa commute or pang-gas sa motor

GLoan Sakto is a pre-qualified entry loan from GCash that lets eligible users instantly borrow ₱100–₱300 via the app. With a short 14-day term and minimal fees, it’s a convenient way to access quick cash.

To apply for GLoan Sakto, open the GCash app, tap “Borrow,” and follow these steps:

1. Tap GLoan, then tap “Get Started.”

2. Choose the purpose of the loan and tap “Get this loan.”

3. Make sure your personal information is correct, then agree to the Data Privacy Agreement and loan agreements.

4. Double-check the amount that will be credited to your GCash account and tap “Confirm.”

5. Wait for the OTP from GCash, enter it in the app, and tap “Submit.” Users will receive a message from GCash confirming if they’re eligible for GLoan Sakto.

With GLoan Sakto, breadwinners can confidently handle everyday budget gaps—no drama, just solutions.

Learn more about GLoan Sakto on the GCash app or visit https://help.gcash.com/hc/en-us/articles/21435929589657-What-is-GLoan-Sakto.

It starts with Php 100: How GLoan Sakto supports a working mom of three to help cover daily needs

Josephine Russiana, a hardworking mom in Sampaloc, Manila, taps GCash loans to keep her family thriving.

 Josephine Russiana, 45, cleans condominium units at Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig for a living. As a mother of three, every peso counts to sustain her family’s daily needs. 

But there are days when her hard-earned income simply isn’t enough. Her husband, once a motorcycle taxi rider, had to give up the job when they could no longer keep up with the motorcycle’s monthly payments. He now works part-time as a family driver, leaving the family without a steady second source of income.

"Kumikita ka, pero minsan kinakapos ka talaga," Josephine laments. (I bring in money for my family but sometimes it is not enough.) 

Josephine recalls the day when she didn’t have enough money for her children’s baon for school. She usually splits the P200 budget among her children.  Fortunately, she remembered what a friend told her once: GCash offers cash loan products to eligible users. She tried her luck and was granted P100 instantly.

Josephine was able to get this financial support via GLoan Sakto, a sachet-type (“tingi”) loan, offered by Fuse Financing Inc., the lending arm of GCash.  GLoan Sakto enables dignified lending where they can borrow within a digital formal credit system eliminating the shame of borrowing face-to-face or resorting to unregulated "5-6" predatory lenders. These lenders charge loan shark rates, resulting in an even bigger financial burden for the borrowers. GCash wants to end this cycle of debt traps that only burn a deeper hole in Filipinos’ pockets. 

Often used as “pambale,” borrowing even just P100 can make a meaningful difference for most Filipinos. Through GLoan Sakto, eligible users can borrow small amounts, instantly credited to their wallets, with repayment set within 14 days to help cover immediate needs such as buying a few kilos of rice or canned goods for the family’s next meal. 

The next time she needed to borrow money, Josephine says GCash offered her an increased sum: P300, which she used for her commuting expenses. Eventually, Josephine was able to loan P1,000, allowing her to have additional budget for food and utility expenses. 

What began as a short-term solution to Josephine became her entry point to formal credit and a broader financial journey. Josephine was able to increase her loanable amount because of timely repayments. 

“Wala pang due, binayaran ko na. Hindi po ako nagpapa-overdue,” Josephine says. (I pay before the due date. I never let anything go overdue.)

A gateway to formal credit

For most Filipino families, every sustainable credit journey starts with a first step—often a modest one like this sachet-type loan. 

"Josephine’s story reflects why we launched GLoan Sakto in the first place—to give hardworking Filipinos access to safe, reliable, and dignified credit," says Tony Isidro, president and CEO of Fuse Financing Inc. "Too many families fall into debt traps because traditional loans are out of reach. With GLoan Sakto, we are showing that even the smallest amount, paired with responsible repayment, can open doors to financial confidence and stability," he adds.

To date, Fuse has served 9.5 million unique borrowers, 90% of whom are first-time users of formal credit through Fuse—highlighting how the company and its lending products have enabled many Filipinos to access formal financial services for the first time.

“At Fuse and GCash, we believe that there is good in doing good business— that’s why we make affordable loans accessible, even to ‘high-risk’ segments because they are the ones who were traditionally sidelined by other lenders and yet needed support the most,” Isidro says. 

Through GLoan Sakto, GCash reaffirms its commitment to financial inclusion—empowering millions of Filipinos to rise above daily struggles and build long-term financial confidence. To know more about our lending products, visit gcash.com.