CinemaBravo

Esteemed actress and entrepreneur Arci Muñoz, celebrated for her captivating performances in TV and movies, brings more than just her star power to the forefront.

In a recent virual interview with CinemaBravo, she fearlessly disapproved the cultural attitudes toward borrowing and repayment in Filipino society.

“Siyempre, hindi,” she boldly answered. “Importante talaga na you know your etiquettes when it comes to borrowing money…” (“Of course not. It’s really important that you know your etiquettes when it comes to borrowing money.”)

Drawing from her own experiences, Muñoz challenged the notion that borrowers should feel responsible for their actions, stressing the importance of taking initiative in repayment.

“Ako, ha, siyempre grateful ako pag pinahiram ako ng isang tao. Kasi, that means I’m in a desperate time kaya ako nanghiram ng pera. So bilang pagpapasalamat do’n sa taong yon na pinahiram niya ko during that time na I really needed money, kailangan pag nagkaroon na ako ng money or enough to pay back, babayaran ko na lang agad.

(“I, you know, am always grateful when someone lends me money. Because, that means I’m in a desperate time, so I borrowed money. So as a way of thanking that person who lent me money during that time when I really needed it, when I have money or enough to pay back, I will immediately repay it.)

“I don’t agree sa kultura ng Pilipino na yung nagpahiram pa yung mahihiya. Di ba? Dapat kung sino yung nanghiram, magkusa na magbayad kapag meron na siyang money na pambayad.

(“I don’t agree with the Filipino culture that the lender should be the one ashamed. Right? Whoever borrowed should take the initiative to pay when they have money to pay.)

As she assumes her role as the newest brand ambassador for online lending app JuanHand, Muñoz embodies values cherished by Filipinos: humility, helpfulness, and a commitment to empowering others financially. Together with JuanHand, she aims to uplift the quality of life for Filipinos through a potent combination of financial empowerment and cutting-edge technology.

“Sa atin sa Pilipinas, yung nagpahiram pa yung mahihiyang maningil, pero hindi dapat gano’n. Kaya ituturo rin yon ng JuanHand sa atin: ang responsible na borrowing.”

(“In our country, the lender is the one hesitant to ask for repayment, but it shouldn’t be like that. That’s why JuanHand will also teach us: responsible borrowing.”)

JuanHand as a growing leading online cash lending platform in the Philippines is proud to announce Arci Muñoz as their newest endorser. With her unwavering dedication to advocating responsible borrowing and financial literacy, Muñoz aligns perfectly with JuanHand’s mission to provide accessible and transparent financial solutions to Filipinos.

Continuing with the candid interview, Muñoz shared her personal experience with borrowing money, stating, “Nangutang lang ako sa nanay ko. Thank you, Lord, wala akong utang o pinagkakautangan!”

(“I only borrowed from my mom. Thank you, Lord, I don’t owe anyone.)

“Medyo ako yung nahihiya during that time na kailangan ko nang maningil, kaya I’m glad nga na meron ding program ang JuanHand that I’m so looking forward to. It’s really important for us to learn yung mga ganitong bagay… I’m not pretty good at handling paniningil pag ako ang nagpapautang.

(“Whenever I needed to collect, it myself who feels intimidated on asking for the payment, so I’m glad that JuanHand has a program that I’m so looking forward to. It’s really important for us to learn about these things… I’m not pretty good at handling collection when I’m the one lending.

“Hindi ko pa naman na-experience mangutang ng malaking halaga. Siguro no’ng college lang ako, pamasahe kasi naiwan ko yung wallet ko. Pero hindi na rin ako siningil ng mga kaklase ko noon.”

(“I haven’t borrowed a large amount yet. Maybe back in college, for transportation because I left my wallet. But my classmates didn’t ask for repayment.”)

In terms of persuading people to use the JuanHand app, Arci emphasized its ease of use, safety, and educational value in finance. “It’s easy. It’s safe. Also, you can learn a lot in terms of financing. And, it’s the easiest and safest online lending company out there,” she asserted.

JuanHand’s Brand Head Brian Badilla also shed light on the company’s unique customer experience. He highlighted the simplicity of the application process, the absence of collateral requirements, and the swift approval and disbursement of loans, often within five minutes.

“We make the application very easy. We don’t require any collateral. You just need to submit one valid ID for your application. In as fast as five minutes, we can give you an approval for your loan. Even if you reloan or borrow again, if you have a good payment history, in five minutes our disbursement is sent right away…

Moreover, he emphasized JuanHand’s compliance with Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, contrasting it with less scrupulous practices in the industry.

“In terms of the experience, we are very compliant with the Fair Debt Collection Practices [Act].

“Hindi kami yung nababalitaang nagpapadala ng kabaong sa nangungutang, nagpapadala ng bulaklak ng patay… At the end of the day, ang mga tao naman, nahihirapan lang e!

(“We’re not the ones who are known for sending coffins to debtors, sending flowers to the deceased… At the end of the day, people are just struggling!)

“But if you help them, I’m sure they will give it back to you and pay you back. That’s why even if we don’t know you, we would still lend you, because we don’t actually go [for] a background check… We trust everyone that they will be responsible borrowers, and then we give them the loan.

“Probably one more thing that sets us apart, this year our thrust is to build on financial literacy in the country. As you are aware, pretty much, financial literacy has always been a challenge in the Philippines. We’re gonna be working towards trying to improve that and helping everyone out there to be responsible borrowers.”

Together with Arci, JuanHand aims to fulfill their three-pronged mission of offering tech-enabled loans to the creditworthy yet underserved, spreading awareness on responsible borrowing, and creating programs to increase financial literacy.

JuanHand distinguishes itself as the online cash lending app more Filipinos trust, boasting SEC accreditation, fair interest rates, transparent fee structures, and prompt customer service.

In collaboration with Arci, JuanHand is committed to tirelessly advancing financial inclusion, educating Filipinos, and alleviating the anxieties stemming from financial constraints. Together, they aim to uplift the quality of life for Filipinos through the potent combination of financial empowerment and cutting-edge technology. As its tagline goes, “Sagot Ka ni JuanHand.” (“JuanHand has got you covered.”)