In her recent podcast episode titled “The Difference Between Utang na Loob and Giving Back,” Dani Barretto, daughter of Marjorie Barretto, delved into the topic of discouraging the toxic “utang na loob” culture among Filipinos. She emphasized the need for voluntary support rather than obligatory repayment.
“Hindi ka pwedeng magkaroon ng utang na loob sa isang bagay na dapat nilang gawin para sa’yo,” Dani expressed in her podcast, elaborating on her stance. She clarified that while recognizing sacrifices made by parents is important, using it to obligate children to provide for them in return is unjust.
She highlighted the parental responsibility of caring and providing for their children, stating, “You’re my parent, you’re supposed to do that.” Dani stressed the importance of children being able to live their own lives and support their own families without feeling burdened by past sacrifices made by their parents.
Dani’s remarks on her podcast’s TikTok page drew mixed reactions from netizens, prompting her to release a follow-up video to clarify her stance. She reiterated that her opinion revolves around the voluntary nature of giving back, emphasizing that she respects those who support their families out of love and not obligation.
With a four-year-old daughter of her own, Dani emphasized the importance of love-driven support rather than guilt-driven obligation in familial relationships.