Though she might have the means to help out in her own way, Melai Cantiveros is firm on imparting lessons to her relatives when it comes to being responsible.
Appearing on Enchong Dee's vlog recently, Melai said she doesn't want to pay for her relatives' tuition.
Melai said her father taught her not to rely on others and work hard to achieve her dreams.
“Kunyari sa mga pinsan ko, hindi ako magbabayad ng mga tuition fee nila. Hihingan ako ng kapatid ng pang-tuition, (sasabihin ko) ‘Ba’t ako (magbabayad ng) tuition fee ng anak mo?’ Eh anak mo ‘yan,” Melai said.
Then Enchong asked the TV host to expound her belief about this "normal Filipino culture" of "kahit hindi mo na responsibilidad, sige akuin ko kasi nakakaluwag-luwag ako."
“The best 'yung maging breadwinner pero dapat breadwinners," Melai pointed out. "Lahat kayo breadwinners ng family. Kunwari nagta-trabaho si Ate. Dapat nagta-trabaho ka rin. Kunyari sinabi ng kapamilya ko tuition fee, (sasabihin ko) ba’t ako mag-tuition fee? Pagalitan talaga. Manginginig ka talaga.”
She added: “Pag responsibilidad mo, responsibilidad mo ‘yan. Kasi pinasok mo ‘yan. Hindi pwedeng ako ‘yan.”
Though Melai is strict on such rules, she made sure to spoil her family through vacation and such.
“Pag umuwi ako ng GenSan sa December, i-prepare niyo na ang bag niyo kasi hindi na kayo makaka-stay sa bahay niyo. Kasi pupunta kami ng Davao, pupunta kami ng Bohol. Ako lahat ‘yan,” she said.