In the Philippines, the concept of “utang na loob” is often a polarizing topic among generations—as most elderly people believe in extending gratitude and reciprocity as a way to repay someone who did you a favor. Such a concept is also extended to families, with most children being brought up in a culture that puts importance on giving back to parents who have nurtured and cared for them.
However, more and more people believe that such belief isn’t ideal at all—as it only puts an unwanted burden on the kids who also have their own lives and futures to think of.
Pokwang shares her take on Pinoys' utang na loob culture
One celeb who believes that kids don’t owe their parents anything is comedienne Pokwang, who is a mom to her two daughters, Mae and Malia.
On her Instagram story, she shared her take on the subject matter. “Responsibilidad ba ng anak na tulungan ang kanilang magulang kapag sila ay matanda na? Para sakin, no! Basta ayusin lang nila buhay nila at itaguyod nila ng maayos, masaya na ako,” she wrote.
It goes without saying that Pokwang has a tight-knit relationship with her two daughters—they even recently uploaded a vlog and gave a tour of their gorgeous new house. Co-parenting-wise, though, the actress had a publicized rift with her ex-partner Lee O’ Brian, which led to the latter being deported from the country following Pokwang’s claims of her ex’s illegal work situation here.
In a recent interview with Boy Abunda as reported by Pep.ph, it seems like Pokwang is ready to offer an olive branch to her former beau for the sake of their daughter. She said, “When it comes to karapatan niya kay Malia, hindi ko naman yon ipagdadamot. Basta ayusin lang niya ang buhay niya. Anuman ang mangyari, tatay pa rin siya ni Malia. Hindi ko aalisin yon.”
She added, "Kung gusto ni Malia na pumunta doon [America], then go fine. Kung gusto niya na dalawin siya ni Malia sa Amerika, okay, go. Ihahatid ko pa, basta ibabalik niya sa akin.”
