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TikTok is exploding with videos of people flexing their envelope-stuffed cash. One viral clip shows a girl fanning out ₱30,000 in neatly labeled envelopes with the caption: “Loan ₱30k first, pay later #IponChallenge2025.” On Threads, over 65,000 posts are tagged under #IponChallenge2025 since September, proof that Filipinos love a good savings challenge kahit medyo masikip ang budget.
But with 3.3% inflation, December sales everywhere, and 13th-month pays disappearing faster than Lazada vouchers, many are asking: “Pwede bang umutang muna para may pang-start? Or delikado?”
This guide does the Filipino math: bayad, interest, at sipag. So by the end, alam mo na if borrowing to start the 100-Day Ipon Challenge is smart… or a trap.
The mechanics are simple but addictive—parang Money Heist, pero envelopes.
There are also popular variants:
It’s going viral because it’s visual, structured, and feels like a mini game—perfect for TikTok and IG Reels.
Per DOLE rules, 13th-month pay = 1/12 of annual basic salary. For a call center agent earning ₱22,000, the typical take-home is around ₱18,000–₱20,000.
But where does it go?
According to BSP’s 2025 household spending survey:
Meaning: the average Pinoy is left with ₱8,000 (at best) for ipon—kulang to fill 100 envelopes.
That's why people are considering loans para may puhunan muna. But does it make financial sense?
Below is a realistic comparison of what a typical ₱30k loan will cost, using public rates available as of November 2025.
“Kita mo? Nagbabayad ka ng ₱3k–₱12k interest… para lang makapag-ipon agad.”
And that assumes PERFECT on-time payment. Pag-late? Mas malala.
Net gain: ₱2,000
Pero:
After 100 days:
“Mas matalino ang diskarte kaysa interest.”
Borrowing for an ipon challenge is almost always a bad deal, unless:
Example:
Buy 10 air fryers at ₱3,000 each → resell at ₱4,000
₱10,000 profit = more than enough to offset loan interest
Some BPOs and factories offer this quietly. If it’s literally 0%, pwede.
Meaning: the cost of not having cash is higher than the APR.
This is the only scenario where a “starter loan” is justified.
“Ang emergency fund dapat 3× monthly expense. Kung wala talaga, minimum viable loan lang—enough to cover 1 month, not 10×,”
— BSP Consumer Affairs, 2025
Reminder: Always check the Disclosure Statement and look for “effective interest,” hindi lang add-on.
Auto-siphon 30% of your bonus to a digital bank before Dec 15 payday. Out of sight, out of mind.
Choose an MP2 index tracker fund (~6% average).
₱50/day × 100 = ₱5,000 saved, possibly with small gains.
Skip one café drink worth ₱70 for 100 days → ₱7,000 saved.
You don’t need utang to start—you need consistency + tiny wins.
If you checked 3–4 boxes → “May puhunan.”
If less than 3? Skip muna.
The 100-Day Ipon Challenge is fun, visual, and incredibly motivating—pero hindi siya dapat maging dahilan para pumasok sa toxic debt. Borrowing only makes sense if your money will grow faster than the interest you're paying, or if you have a clear financial purpose that immediately improves your safety net.
For most Filipinos, the better path is start small, stay consistent, and let your diskarte outperform the temptation to borrow. Whether you’re saving for emergencies, travel, or next year’s holiday budget, the goal isn’t the perfect envelope—it's progress that doesn’t put you in a hole.
Before you even consider applying, try the LoanOnline Calculator to see your real monthly bayad and total interest. Malaki ang matitipid mo when you know the math.
Ipon muna, bago Hermès. Happy counting, happy envelopes!
