Gloria Diaz’s No-Nonsense Advice to Her Daughters About Money

A quick dose of wisdom from one of the most iconic moms in showbiz.

Published on Aug 4, 2025

Smart Parenting, Instagram/ @isabelledaza

Gloria Diaz keeps it real when talking to her kids about life, and that includes money. She doesn’t offer financial tips in the traditional sense. Instead, she shares small but powerful reminders about self-worth, humility, and knowing when to keep things private.

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At the GMA Gala on August 2, Smart Parenting caught up with the veteran actress and former Miss Universe. In a candid interview, she delivered her signature blend of humor and insight, offering financial advice that was less about numbers and more about perspective.

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“Well, never tell [people] how much you earn,” Gloria said with a knowing smile, making it clear that being smart about money also means knowing when to stay quiet. “Also, don’t tell them how much you owe,” she added.

Instead of making money the main topic at home, Gloria preferred to focus on values that matter more in the long run.

“Keep money not the main conversation,” she said. “But more than anything, make sure they (children) always share, that they’re always part of a group, and that they don’t feel the need to keep up with anyone.”

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The Anti-Comparison Mindset

In a world where kids are growing up with social media, luxury hauls, and peer pressure from an early age, Gloria’s approach is a breath of fresh air. Her go-to mindset? Who cares?

“That’s the number one thing I always told my daughters,” she shared. “Who cares?”

When her daughters—Isabelle Daza Semblat and Ava Daza Zanirato—would compare themselves to others or complain about what someone else had when they were younger, Gloria kept her response simple.

“They always say, ‘I care!’” Gloria laughed. “She has this, she has that,” they’d say.

Her comeback was calm and practical: “It’s OK. We’ll go somewhere else, you know.”

Gloria didn’t dismiss their feelings, but she offered a different lens. Life isn’t about matching someone else’s lifestyle. It’s about knowing your circumstances and learning to be at peace with that.

One of the most iconic pieces of advice Gloria gave her daughters came during family meals out.

“The number one thing I used to tell them when we were in a restaurant: Adjust your appetite. Look at the price from right to left. Adjust your appetite to the price.”

“And they still do it now,” she added with pride.

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Then and Now: Gloria Diaz on How Motherhood Changed

“Before, it was different,” Gloria said, reflecting on how parenting looked when she was younger. “Your mother wasn’t your friend. She always said no. She would tell you something couldn’t be done. She was your protector, your everything.”

She observed how things have shifted over time. Today’s parents often give their children more space to make mistakes and grow on their own.

“Now, they let kids make mistakes,” she said. “Like my daughter (Isabelle). She let her children fall. And when they cried, that was fine. Unlike me before, when they fell, I got upset. It was very different.”

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When asked about her relationship with daughter Isabelle, especially as they still share funny skits on social media from time to time, Gloria laughed and said, “Belle has a very different kind of sense of humor.”

Even in their day-to-day interactions, Gloria said Isabelle treats her more like a close friend. “She really treats me like I’m her friend. I always remind her, ‘I’m your mom, not your barkada.’ Then she jokes, ‘Next time, you’ll be my mom.’”

Still, Gloria saw it as part of a generational shift in parenting. “I think that’s the new age. That’s just how they are now.”

As a mom herself, Isabelle also takes a more relaxed approach. “She’s not the typical mother who says, ‘Don’t do this, don’t do that.’ She’s never like that,” Gloria said.

Click here for tips on building a closer bond with your kids.

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Hanna is a News Desk Writer at Smart Parenting, covering parenting, health, culture, and more. Off the clock, she’s likely people-watching at a café or park, matcha latte in hand.