Many people wonder how former actress Rica Peralejo can afford to travel and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle when her husband, Joseph Bonifacio, is a pastor. One netizen even asked outright on TikTok:
“Just like to ask how can you afford to travel yet your husband is a pastor, they only have limited salary?”
Rather than ignoring the question, Rica addressed it head-on, giving a clear and insightful response that many Filipino parents can learn from.
Rica Peralejo’s financial journey: From child star to influencer
“Oh! Juicy question,” Rica began in her TikTok video. “Hindi ko alam kung hindi mo lang ako kilala or you don’t understand what I do, but first of all, celebrity ako since I was 12 years old. I’m now 44.”
Indeed, Rica started her career in the entertainment industry as a child star in the early ‘90s. Over the years, she built a solid reputation as an actress, host, and performer. While many child stars fade into obscurity, Rica successfully transitioned into other income-generating roles.
Because of her years in showbiz, she was able to invest in properties and other assets. Now, she leverages her name and influence in the digital space, working as a content creator and brand endorser. “I currently have like a million following on Instagram, like a hundreds of thousands here [on TikTok], 200,000 on YouTube, 2 million on Facebook,” she explained. “And because of that name and influence on people, I get brand deals.”
Image from Rica Peralejo’s Instagram
Rica Peralejo: More than just a pastor’s wife
Rica emphasized that she has always been financially independent, even after getting married. “Ever since I got married to my husband, I always made more money than him,” she said candidly. Her earnings come not just from social media but also from previous investments and properties she acquired during her early career.
But what about her husband? While pastors are not known for high salaries, Rica shared that Joseph has multiple income streams. “My husband is actually earning more now. Because he is not only a pastor. As a pastor, mababa lang ‘yong sweldo niya but he has a lot of other income streams and other jobs,” she revealed.
Image from Rica Peralejo’s Instagram
The power of multiple income streams according to Rica Peralejo
Rica’s response highlights an important lesson for Filipino parents: financial stability often requires multiple income sources. Whether through investments, freelancing, business, or digital content creation, financial security doesn’t have to rely solely on a single paycheck.
Her journey also underscores the importance of financial independence for women, especially mothers. Many Filipino families still follow traditional gender roles where the husband is the primary provider. However, Rica’s story challenges that norm. She proves that women can take charge of their own finances, secure their family’s future, and enjoy the lifestyle they want without solely depending on their partner’s income.
Image from Rica Peralejo’s Instagram
Lessons for Filipino parents
For parents who want to achieve financial stability and provide a comfortable life for their children, Rica’s experience offers key takeaways:
- Diversify Your Income. Rica and her husband don’t rely on just one job. Having multiple sources of income—whether from investments, freelancing, or entrepreneurship—can help families achieve financial security.
- Invest Early. Rica started working at 12 and used her earnings to build her wealth. Parents can teach their children the value of saving and investing early to ensure financial stability in the future.
- Adapt to the Digital Age. Rica successfully transitioned from traditional media to digital platforms. Parents can explore online income opportunities such as content creation, e-commerce, and remote work to supplement their earnings.
- Break Traditional Gender Roles. Rica’s financial independence shows that women can be primary earners too. Encouraging both partners to contribute financially can provide more security for the whole family.
- Be Transparent About Money. Rica openly discussed finances, breaking the taboo around money talk. Families should normalize discussing finances to make informed decisions and secure a stable future.
