Financial Literacy Is For Every Pinoy

Coming out fresh from college, my career goal was very clear & firm --- I wanted to become an HR Manager by age 30 (did not matter if it's generalist manager or just one facet of HR) and every career decision that I was making from age 22 to 29 was geared towards achieving that goal. From being an entry level RA whose gross monthly salary was just 9k then raised to 10k upon regularization, I have worked my way up to getting closer to having that dream role and finally having a business card which indicated "Recruitment Manager". Quite ambitious or should I say, quite a selfish goal that I really wanted to be a decision maker in an organization. I felt I can make so much difference and contribute more to my chosen craft if I somehow had a "say" in departmental or organization decisions. Not certain if it was just the companies that I worked with or most of the bosses that I dealt with --- but despite getting the title and finally achieving the manager role at age 32, I was not fully happy. I felt like I was just like any other employee except that yes, my business card indicated "Recruitment Manager" and my monthly gross salary was more rewarding.

And so in 2013, I took on the road less travelled by most HR professionals. I got myself licensed as a Financial Advisor under Philam Life. This was an opportunity offered by my long time financial advisor since 2005 which I finally said yes to 8yrs after. Things were going well and I was included in a few Top Agent recognitions during my first year but the QA-spirit in me (thanks to Sykes Asia for strengthening this over the years) was wanting better processes and being a client myself of this company, I expected so much more. Unfortunately, the process improvements in that company was on snail-mode. I was impatient. I got very demotivated and focused my energy back into my first love.

A few more years passed and I was happy being back to doing recruiting work. New challenges came by and I surpassed them. I even landed a role in my dream company Accenture (and you don't know how many times I had to file a leave since 2008 just to attend to interview invites of this company!). But God puts a lot of twists in every persons life story. A major reorganisation & my daughter's health led me to pondering if I really wanted to continue doing my routine 8-5 job. I was spending more time with people who only knows and likes me because they needed a job. But what was I accomplishing really? What's in it for me long term? I felt there was very little that I am able to do as a person in such a very huge organisation. I became so curious and hungry for new knowledge that's beyond the arena of the HR profession. What else is out there that I have not done and excelled in yet? What else am I still capable of doing before I hit 40 or my senior years?

Just when I was about to update my CV, an angel in disguise sent me a note and asked if I can collaborate with her and build a team for Sun Life. She must have been my sister or my mother in my past life because without hesitation, I said yes. Little do I know that joining Sun Life was far more difficult than getting into ACN and my previous affiliation with their competition made it even more complicated. But God is good and gave me a 2nd chance to making A REAL CHANGE and a significant contribution in the lives of many more Filipinos.

I still continue to do my HR work, boldly accept the adventure of getting unlimited rejections while also heartwarmingly hearing priceless remarks, "Thank you. I learned a lot from you today" all at the same time. Just like when I was at ages 22-29, I am certain that it will not be easy to achieve my new goal but I will make it happen! My VISION is to educate AT LEAST 1000 Filipinos by end of January 2019 and increase the Financial Literacy rating of my country, the Philippines (and when I say educate, I mean "teach" not sell!). But I am optimistic that "kapag gusto may paraan". Financial literacy is for everyone, even the minimum wage earners. Every Filipino deserves to know about proper financial management.

As of today, special thanks to former colleagues and strangers-turned-advocacy-partners who have chosen to make a difference and to help make a positive impact to others. Allowing me to speak to your team and staff for a few minutes has hopefully provided them some new knowledge to help them on their financial planning and goals.

If you are willing to take part, please PM or text me at +63 939-9268527. Time to give back and expect nothing in return.

Let us be the change we want to see. Now! :)