Job hunt is over, but...

Ang hirap maghanap ng trabaho kasi madaming available jobs, madami akong gusto pero di pasok sa pangangailangan ko. I used different apps to look for jobs related to what I finished in college which is BSA. Andyan yung Jobstreet, Kalibr, Jora, Facebook, LinkedIn and Career Sites of certain companies. I am a Certified Public Accountant as well so iniisip ko na madali makahanap ng work. Another edge for me eh yung galing ako ng SGV & Co. or Ernst & Young, Philippines!

Becoming a Financial Consultant of Pru Life UK

Build Your Business is a forum that presents the opportunities of becoming a life insurance agent with Pru Life UK. You will get to know our agents and listen to their tips and success stories. You'll also learn the requirements needed to become a business builder with the winning agency force. Attending a session is free.

You may email me at plukenglebertvillegas@gmail.com or contact me at 09176237190 for assistance.

Financial Literacy

“Success in life depends upon on previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.”— Confucius.

According to a study, there are only 10% Filipinos who are financially free, 10% who are financially independent and 80% who live below the poverty line. From this we can already picture out that many Filipinos are facing difficulty in managing their lives. In order to lessen the number of people who are below the poverty line, different government and non-government institutions seek ways to help them.

Good employment opportunities, savings and investments are tools in making one’s standard of living better. These are life securities designed to protect the financial well-being of an individual. As people become rich, they also become afraid of losing their lives and properties because of dangers and hazards. Their worries can be mitigated by entering in insurance contracts, their protection against future losses after prepayments to the insurance company. People need to manage their resources well and experts are available to help them.

There are three people’s behaviors on money: (1) INCOME minus EXPENSE equals SAVINGS, (2) EXPENSE minus INCOME equals DEBT, and (3) INCOME minus SAVINGS equals EXPENSE. One should not be a spendthrift or someone who is recklessly wasteful. The ideal behavior of people on money is the third one because out of the income, you deduct your savings and the remaining balance will be allocated to your expenses. With this in mind, a person can plan his/her necessary expenses after maximizing the needed savings from one’s hard-earned income. 

At the age of 20 or earlier, a person is already getting started in handling his/her day-to-day expenses; he/she also starts saving money. Ages 27 to 30 are certain periods of having a family and preparing a budget for the entire household. People can start investing their money on worthy investment schemes once their budget allows it and by the age of 40-60 years old, they can have sources of funds in case of emergency situations and retirement. The last phase is when somebody dies or the leaving legacy, wherein assets and properties are transferred to the immediate family.

The key ingredients in building your fortune are time, money, energy and discipline. With the efficient and effective utilization of money, you can have more. But if you do not use the money well, you will have a bad future ahead of you. Plan for your expenses and list your priorities, be it in education, health, travel or food. Try putting your savings in a bank to earn interest, or investing in stocks or bonds to earn income, or establishing a business. These things will not only make you financially stable, but also will make you a catalyst of change for the improvement of the economy.

My Sister's Speech during the Recognition Day

My heartfelt greetings to all of my fellow Ateneans! This is indeed a celebration! I have never been so excited to share some thoughts to a lot of people.

First of all, I would like to thank God for giving me life – a life that I can share to the people I love. Lord, I know that the struggles we face are just indications of our very own capacity to solve them in the most efficient and effective manner.

To my family, friends and to all the supporters of my co-awardees, I thank you for always showing your warmest care and love. There will come a time that we can repay all the sacrifices you do just to make sure that we are safe and refined individuals.

To our mentors, faculty staff and school administrators, my deepest gratitude to all of you for being instruments of change and advocates of excellent education. You serve as inspiration to us all. Please continue to guide us so that we may not be able to enter the path of doom. Thank you so much!

Excellence is a habit. It is not a mere act observed for just a couple times. It should be demonstrated in our everyday living. It is a continuous process. We may find something extra-ordinary, but as times pass by, new things of greater worth emerge for our eyes to see or utilize.

Neither have we settled for less nor for mediocrity. The world is so vast and dynamic to remain ordinary at the middle of unique possibilities. Be proactive! Become leaders of your own lives. It is never been too late to reveal your true self to the entire universe – not for a sheer entertainment but for a grander purpose. Remember that you were not born to follow the trend – yes you may do so – but be ready to make innovations by yourself or with the help of others.

Neither have we settled for what is already present. We are the advance forms of Earth creations. We are the hope of restoring balance and social justice to the world. Let us all cooperate in striving for brilliance that is, quality in everything we do. Don’t be stagnant water, but rather a flowing current of crystal-clear water. We can make a transformation, even just a simple one because once all of these simple changes are combined; we can see a massive sphere of human revolution to betterment. If you have something worthwhile to say, do not hesitate to speak for our own welfare. Stop being lazy and use your talents and skills for very satisfactory human progression and environmental protection.

Overcome your fears and become the fear-remover of others. You have strengths – improve them; you have weaknesses – try to make them disappear; threats? – Oh, c’mon! You are definitely bigger and wiser than them! Exceed your known limits and you will discover that there are more things you can accomplish. Reach your full potential and accept varying degree of opportunities for your self-development and self-actualization. Just do not forget to put God at the center of your lives. Have faith in God that all things happening to you are according to His divine plan.

Lastly, I challenge every one of you to take a step ahead and make this world a better place to live in for the next generations to come.

AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM!

Sarah Geronimo in "Salute" birthday concert performance

Do your best – OSA

This is your added chance. Do your best if not better than last year.

Thus said Office of Student Affairs’ (OSA) Program Officer for Student Development and Student Organizations’ Formation and Training Trish Penelope B. Araña who shoved student organizations’ competencies in the pursuit of their respective goals this A/Y 2013-2014.

As early as 13 March, the OSA already sent letters to the organizations about their office tenure status at Xavier Hall. Last 1 April, a ceremonial was conducted at the Instructional Media Center where the OSA had awarded the top performing organizations with their office spaces.

And on 1 May, the awardees were already allowed to occupy their headquarters. The OSA also gave the organizations the privilege to acquire their very own bulletin boards.

Ousted, Transferred, Remained
Basing on the requirements given and the activities conducted last academic year, the OSA made the final list of student organizations which will be granted with workplaces.

The instance was related also to Student Organizations Awards and Recognition Night 2013 last 25 February where the nominees were screened through a pointing system, probing all the reports, evaluations, school performance, activities and completed requirements submitted by the organizations.

The results, unfortunately, made Progressive Organization of English and Literature Majors, Ateneo Nursing Students’ Association, Association of Psychology Students of Ateneo and Pathways for Higher Education Youth Group (PYG) vacate the premises of Xavier Hall.

However, Samahang Tagapagtaguyod ng Edukasyong Pilipino, which had just returned the favor for last year’s room sharing with PYG, adopted the latter.

“Nasabihan na naman namin sila during the start of the school year about our pointing system and the rewards or consequences base dun sa mga gagawin nila for the entire year, kaya feeling ko naman nauunawaan nila ‘yung sitwasyon,” said Araña.

“Yung medyo naging problema lang ‘yung ‘di agad pag-evacuate ng ANSA kasi ‘yung president nila eh ‘di pumupunta sa office kaya dumulog na lang kami sa department nila tapos sila na lang doon ‘yung kinausap, added Araña.

“Good luck! Do your jobs well. Conduct more high-quality activities and participate sa events na ginagawa ng OSA. Sa mga natanggalan ng office, may chance pa naman kayo this school year,” advised Araña.
Meanwhile, Ateneo Nature Crusaders, Economic Society and Junior Philippine institute of Accountants replaced the ejected organizations in Xavier Hall.

According to Araña, even if they want all the organizations to have their own offices, they cannot do so due to inadequate room areas. Moreover, OSA requested the current occupants if they can adopt one organization which will share with their office.

“Nasa plano naming i-require ang mga orgs na 3-in-1 na sa office pero ang dating kasi ‘nun eh ‘di na s’ya privilege for the top performing orgs kaya ngayon, we are asking the PPA [Property and Plant Administration] to construct a Conference Room sa Xavier na pwedeng magamit ng mga organizations, halimbawa kung mag-memeeting sila,” revealed Araña.

She also said that they are soliciting the help of Parent-Teacher Association to donate LCDs and other useful equipment that the students can exclusively utilize for their respective organizations.

When asked whether having an office is a factor being considered by students applying for organizations, Araña uttered that it is a ‘personal choice’.

“Kaya naman we are inviting all the students to participate in the Student Organizations' Festival on 8-12 July. It would be a great experience for them, something they can’t encounter sa classrooms nila,” ended Araña.

Here is the list of organizations with offices at Xavier Hall:

Ateneo Catechetical Instruction League (ACIL)
Ateneo EAGLES for Environment, Inc.
Ateneo Literary Association (ALA)
Ateneo Nature Crusaders
Ateneo Paradigm Éclat Xircle (APEX)
Ateneo Sarong Bangui Junior Eagles (ASBJE)
Ateneo Young Entrepreneurs (AYE)
Days with the Lord-Women (DWTL-W)
Economic Society (ECOSOC)
Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA)
Media Studies Society (MSS)
Samahang Tagapagtaguyod ng Edukasyong Pilipino
Uswag Ateneo Junior Eagles

3 Ateneans awarded as TOSP-Reg’l champs

Just before the awarding ceremony, their concerns seemed so far away.

But as of now, Leonardo Javier V. Rugeria, Ludel Maiello S. Mier and Marymon Severina Q. Florendo who were declared as the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) – Region V winners are just a few steps away from being TOSP-National titleholders.

Graduated last March 2013, they received various awards for excelling in academics, social responsibility and leadership activities.

”Through their personified academic excellence, exemplary leadership, and deep sense of social responsibility, anchored on good moral values,” they have now the chance to represent Bicol at the national level.

Eight students competed for the regional search, seven of them coming from Naga – Ateneo de Naga University, University of Nueva Caceres (UNC), University of Sta. Isabel and Mariners’ Polytechnic Colleges Foundation (MPCF) and one from Albay – Divine Word College.

The TOSP awards program is considered as the “most prestigious award for young role models of the country.” Commemorating the 100th birthday of Jose Rizal, Mr. Jose S. Concepcion, Jr. launched the award-giving body on 19 June 1961.

“The Search is open to bona fide graduating student of the current academic year from a first baccalaureate degree, Doctor of Medicine or Bachelor of Laws degrees without failing grades. The nominee should be a Filipino citizen not more than 30 years old, of excellent moral character, and without any record of criminal conviction or unfavorable disciplinary case in school.” (tospac.org)

The Hunt
“TOSP is an opportunity to create a network and support-system with your fellow youth leaders and at the same time and more importantly, rekindle the fire of nation building and service in an individual's heart,” shared Mier.

Meanwhile, the eight finalists underwent a selection process consisting of paper screening and panel interview. The application started first week of April and results were released in the first week of May.

Having prepared their bid books, containing information on academic achievements, leadership engagements and social involvements plus essays and recommendation forms, the candidates also attended a four-day formation held at University of Saint Anthony last 16-19 May 2013.

Organizing the board of judges, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) – Region V proclaimed three Atenean nominees as well as John Paul Taday of UNC as victors last 21 May 2013 held at the MPCF in Rawis, Albay.

Battle Anew
Being made possible through RFM Foundation in cooperation with CHED, National Book Store, PLDT, and TOSP Alumni Community, TOSP 2013 (according to Florendo) will be announcing the national nominees on 22 June.

It can be recalled that Entrepreneurship graduate and Mr. Kenkoy’s manager Daniel Philip Dy won in the said search last year. For the record, Ateneo had eight TOSP awardees already in the entire run of the said search.

According to Mier, the Office of Student Affairs is helping them out in making their documents competitive.

“Being recognized in TOSP or in any search simply becomes a cherry on top of your ice cream - an optional add-on which even without it, you're still satisfied and happy,” imparted Mier.

On one hand, Rugeria voiced out that he is not expecting very much in making it to the nationals but he will face the challenge if ever it comes.

”I believe I have a strong chance but I try to lower my expectations, kasi it’s sweeter when things come when you least expect them,” revealed Rugeria.