Walang halong CharEs: Behind the struggles of a Filipino ‘bread-teener’

Breadwinners to big winners.

This was the motto echoed by fans of the Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) duo Charlie Fleming and Esnyr (known as CharEs) during their Big Winner campaign. Throughout their stay in the Big Brother House during its monumental Celebrity Collab edition, their story captured the hearts of viewers and netizens as they showed maturity and unwavering determination to win not only for themselves, but for those waiting for them at home.

When they were chosen by their fellow housemates to move on as the first duo to be part of the Big Four, their desires were simple: to pay for their tuition and settle their family’s debts, even if they ended up in fourth place (with a cash prize of ₱200,000 each). Both of these sentiments are shared by many breadwinners across the country.

However, this begs the question:what is up with the “bread-teener” phenomenon, where teens and young adults like CharEs are the primary providers for what should have been their caretakers?

All real, walang chares

As two of the youngest housemates at 16 and 23, ‘The Bubbly Bread Teener ng Cagayan de Oro’ Charlie and ‘The Son-sational Viral Beshie ng Davao del Sur’ Esnyr had a clear goal in mind in the Big Brother House — to support their families as breadwinners.

Though pink as their signature color may have been bright, their journeys were far from light, as both of them have had their fair share of family struggles.

Charlie, a singer, actor, and dancer under the Sparkle GMA Artist Center,revealed that her parents were separated and was worried about their finances, as her British father plans to stop sending financial support once she turns 18.

“Yung pagiging breadwinner ko, totodo pa ‘yan po. Kaya yung iniisip ko yung career ko ngayon. Hindi sa lalaban dito sa loob, pero sana may trabaho pa rin ako kahit di ako ganoon kagaling,” Charlie confessed.

On the other hand, Esnyr — known for creating relatable content and starring in several films, shared how he was in conflict with his family. Specifically, as he recounted certain instances where he was not able to reply to his father due to being swamped by brand deals he took on to pay his father’s debts.

“Doon ko unang natanggap ‘yong unang message ng Papa ko sa ‘kin na ‘grabe kang magpasarap ng buhay mo diyan, kaya mong makita ‘yong parents mo na nagpapakahirap, pero sige lang gusto ko lang malaman na mabubuhay kami kahit wala ka,'” he said.

Though some of these rifts have been mended with time and communication, their experiences show just how prevalent this occurrence is — children and teens taking up the mantle at such young ages. What’s worse is that this is not just in Philippine showbiz, but in the entire workforce.

Stardom at a cost

The ‘bread-teener’ phenomenon is nothing new, as many may remember the likes of Ryzza Mae Dizon and Lyca Gairanod, who participated in televised competitions such as Little Miss Philippines and The Voice Kids over a decade ago to ease the burden on their parents’ pockets. 

From ‘gigil-inducing’ cha-chas to belts that can be heard even in the vastest crowds, they are stark reminders of the hardships some families face and how some kids feel the responsibility to help out.

Accordingly, singer-songwriter Juan Karlos Labajo — a judge in the singing competition Idol Kids Philippines, has expressed his dismay with kids joining these programs not to showcase their talents to the world, but to have a chance to help their families.

“Sobrang nakakalungkot para sakin kapag merong isang eight year old. Ba’t ka sumali ng Idol Kids? Para po matulungan ang magulang ko. Why? Let the kids be kids. The kids deserve to be children. Bago kayo mag-anak, mag-ipon muna kayo,” Labajo remarked.

“Nakakalungkot lang na parang at eight years old, you’re already thinking about that? Won’t it be nice to just have fun?” he added.

According to a 2024 survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority, almost 900,000 Filipino children ages five to 17 are already working to make ends meet. Though this is a decrease from the 1.48 million working children in 2022, their labor can be detrimental not only to their education but also to their well-being.

A 2021 infographic by the United Nations Children’s Fund also states that 37.2% of child workers across East and Southeast Asia are out of school, and those who are in school struggle to balance academics and work at such a young age. Furthermore, a 2017 publication by the International Labor Organization reveals that there are 73 million children across the world involved in work that may compromise their health and safety.

Between gratitude and obligation 

“Obligasyon ba ng anak ang kanilang mga magulang?”

This topic has been the catalyst for sizzling debates across social media. Some netizens argue that a child should take care of their parents once they get older to repay their efforts to feed and house them. Others, however, believe that children should not be treated as safety nets when they get older.

Furthermore, with the recent news of Senator Ping Lacson filing a proposal of the Parent’s Welfare Act of 2025 — seeking to make abandonment of aging and sick parents a criminal offense, the matter of filial responsibility has become even more relevant.

“Children fail to provide the necessary support to their aging, sick and incapacitated parents. This happens despite our moral and natural obligation to maintain our parents who are in need of support,” Lacson stated in a press release by the 20th Congress of the Philippine Senate.

Looking deeper, this can be rooted in the Filipinos’ culture of “utang na loob” — a feeling to return a favor that one owes to someone. Children often feel indebted to their parents and thus sacrifice their own financial stability for their families’ benefit. 

However, it can brew conflict between members when that is not enough, as with Esnyr’s case.

Usually, these issues stem from financial support. One example was the rift between double-Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo and his mother, and how a lack of clarity of where the gymnast’s incentives are being allocated caused a discourse that sparked nationwide coverage.

However, this argument implies that parents taking care of their child is a favor rather than a responsibility. A child cannot consent to being born and would not know that such a heavy burden would be forced upon them once they grow up.

This sentiment was also shared by family life and child expert Tina Zamora in an interview with “Sakto”, stating that they should focus on their own future. She further expressed that a child helping out their parents when they get older should be done out of gratitude, not obligation.

“If you raise your children well, they are generous, they are helpful, they will remember [what you did for them],” Zamora stated.

Breaking the cycle

In the end, the “bread-teener” storyline is not something to romanticize. While it is commendable, a child should not have to think about how they would afford their next meals or having to feel the responsibility of taking on work to pay off bills or taxes.

Nonetheless, Charlie and Esnyr have been not only important representations to breadwinners out there but also pillars of inspiration to those hailing from Visayas and Mindanao — known as “bisdak”. Furthermore, Esnyr has been loud and proud about him waving the rainbow flag for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Placing as the third big placer duo in the said season on July 5, their stories are both tales of resilience and a wake-up call for aspiring parents to carefully plan their futures, ensuring that they are financially stable enough to raise their own families.

Through the rise of more progressive mindsets among the youth, may future generations of children live lives highlighted by their happiness and the pursuit of their own dreams — unshackled by the chains of outdated cultural norms.

Now that CharEs are back in the outside world, it is undeniable that their futures are bright. At wala ‘yang halong chares!