It’s not every day that you hear one of the country’s most private and grounded actresses talk about money matters—but when she does, people listen.
In a recent interview with DJ Chacha, Kapamilya actress Julia Montes shared her candid thoughts about the struggles many Filipinos face as the cost of living continues to soar.

Photo: DJ Chacha/YouTube
“Ang napapansin ko kasi, tumataas ang bilihin, lahat. Pero ang sweldo, hindi tumataas. So sana, kung may tumataas man sa Pilipinas, tumataas din sana ‘yung salary kasi hindi nababalanse,” Julia said.
Her statement struck a chord online, especially among young professionals and working-class Filipinos who’ve been feeling the pinch of rising prices—from the cost of rice to daily commute fares.
Julia pointed out how the imbalance between wages and commodity prices has become increasingly difficult to ignore.
“Taas ‘to nang taas, so parang unfair din para sa mamamayan,” she added.
During the lighthearted conversation with DJ Chacha, the topic eventually veered into discussions about “nepo babies”—children of wealthy or influential families—who flaunt their privilege online. Julia empathized with ordinary Filipinos struggling to make ends meet.
“Kung ako nga iniisip ko na ‘yung mga gastusin, paano pa ‘yung ibang tao?” she shared.
And while she admitted to feeling a little envy when seeing others live lavishly, she kept things real and relatable.
“Pag nakakakita ka ng sobra ring lavish lifestyle, syempre napapaano ka rin na… Talaga ba? Hashtag, sana all.”
Julia’s honesty about everyday financial struggles earned praise from fans who appreciated how grounded she remains despite her celebrity status. Her remarks echoed the sentiments of many who hope for fairer wages and a better balance between prices and paychecks.
At the end of the day, Julia reminded everyone that it’s okay to dream of comfort, but also to speak up for fairness.
ALSO READ: Julia Montes Calls Coco Martin “The Man I Love” After ABS-CBN Ball
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