Pinoy Potter's Chronicles

A good friend is really rare nowadays, but what are the odds for one to be able to find a friend who is almost identical with your personality (even a few mannerisms and preferred animes) and goals (literally)?

Like I mentioned in my previous blog entries, this year marks the unfolding of a new chapter in my life. Part of that transition is meeting a whole new cast of characters. However, only a few made an effort to make me part of their lives and showed interest in becoming part of mine, and that becomes more evident when the person goes “an extra mile”. One of them came along on a peculiarly good time, and that gratefulness of mine for that person was reinforced with the fact that we have a lot of things in common (in fact, quite identical), and it all started with my job search and “bulalakaw” story.

My struggles seem to continue piling up, mostly goals-related, and a few other personal concerns. Just a while ago, I was able to emit a lot of problems. Had it been another person, he or she would have stopped finding time listening and giving advice to my recurring and growing frustrations. Thanks to this good friend and companion of mine, not only did I have a positive perspective of things that give me pressure, I also met someone who is hopefully willing to be a sounding board during tough times especially in the absence of my family, even if I'm stupid in nature. Haha.

I met a handful of new people from different walks of life this year. Among those people, a few made a difference and made a mark in my life. It happened that today is the birthday of one person that made a mark by inspiring me to pursue a very challenging career in the field of finance. I really value his trust and friendship because he is the very first person that believed in me even if I keep on feeling frustrated because of the challenges that I'm currently experiencing (heck, I even felt and is somehow still feeling that I won't last in this field). He is even more patient than me. Art, as I fondly called him, is really such a noble and helpful friend, even if I've caused him several inconveniences (I've practically lost count). I will always be grateful to him for being there not only as a friend, but as a father figure to me.

On his birthday, I wish him nothing but more intangible blessings, especially those that really matter. I also wish him more health for him and his family, especially her daughter.

May the Lord continue to watch over my friends like Art.

Last October 31, we, the MIB associates, spontaneously decided to reward ourselves by having drinks at Masas (Greenbelt 2) after office hours. We took advantage of the long weekend. The drinking session made us discover more about each other, aside from the new loveteams that were formed. I guess it feels good to get to know my colleagues not as officemates, but as carefree persons outside work. These guys are actually fun to be with (well, even while inside the office).

Would you believe that I had the guts to drink beer and liquor even if I have some sort of kidney problems? Thank God I didn't have any problem afterwards. It's just that, well, it's been months since I had my last drinking session with friends. As long as I know how to moderate myself, I know I'll be fine.

Feel free to check out my Multiply and Flickr.

Last Monday, me and my colleagues Kacel and Miss Kathy decided to play badminton for the next day. Keena ,not wanting to miss the fun, decided to join us. We were so excited to the point that I had to rush at Rockwell Powerplant Mall the same evening just to buy a badminton racket.
The next day, we left the office at exactly 6:00PM. Mind you, we had a lot of trouble going to Powersmash Badminton courts. We were standing at the side of Dela Rosa for an hour just to wait for a cab, and it was traffic, but all the troubles were nothing compared to the fun we had, even if we were amateurs in this sport.

We had so much fun. In fact, we decided to play badminton once again. We just had our second time this morning, together with another colleague Roschelle Lim. Well, when Roschelle joined, I realized how amateur I am in this sport. Too bad we didn't have a camera this time.

Badminton is one heck of a sport. At least I now have an alternative to bowling. I hope I'll get to play badminton with my other friends despite our busy schedules.

More photos of my first badminton experience at my Multiply and Flickr.

The new chapter of my life is really on the rocks, though recent occurrences are somewhat becoming favorable. However, at the middle of the roller-coaster ride of this new chapter, I met a a lot of passionate people who are of my age. In fact, as early as my job hunting days, I've meet quite a handful of fresh graduates that are pretty much serious with their goal of getting a reputable job, the most admiring of which are those that applied for management training programs of certain companies. In addition, sometimes I can't help but wonder what happened to my batchmates in high school and college. I have lost track with them, especially my friends. Some people I know are now working, while some are pursuing further studies.

Together with me at work is an economics graduate from UP. Despite the intellectual and professional struggles that we are experiencing at the company, she manages to stay composed. In fact, she delivers at the most unimaginable situations. Right now, I can say that we are partners (even on crime, haha). Hands down to my new partner at work. For the last 5 days, we managed to put up a sound forecast of something assigned to us, thanks to our teamwork. Two other young people joined the company last Wednesday, but due to our preoccupation with work, I really can't give my fair assessment about them. Nonetheless, I know they are very hungry and willing to learn. Most of the company's frontroom and backroom people are also young people. Mind you, a couple of those young people are Chartered Financial Analysts (Level 1). I hope that I will be granted a space in this competitive field that I have chosen.

During the Starfish Awards night, I met another twenty young people that are very vigorous in making a difference. Three of them became acquaintances. Reading their essay entries makes me think that I should not give up despite the troubles because they have experienced more challenges and unimaginable stories of hardships as early as their younger days. I am actually not surprised that I didn't win the top prize of the nationwide competition. Even putting grammar and composition aside, the unique life-changing stories of these young people are all winners. I thought that my own dwellings are already extraordinary, but the Starfish event made me realize that a lot of young people are hoping to make a minimal difference in this world, just like the "Starfish story".

At my very short Game KNB stint, I befriended an incoming PhD Optical Science student at University of Arizona. At the age of 24, he had a Master's Degree in Physics from UP and is currently at the United States to pursue his PhD as a scholar. A gifted and blessed fellow indeed. I am just glad that I have known someone like him in my lifetime. No wonder he became the winner in our Game KNB episode. What even made me admire him is the fact that he doesn't explicitly brag his intelligence. Humility is all over him.

A frequent reader of my blog of is of the same age happened to be idealistic in the field of mainstream finance, specifically in the field of investment banking. I got the chance to meet him in person and I would say that we are friends now. Surprisingly, he managed to give me a big hand when I was solving a certain task at work. According to him, my passion towards finance and investment banking, and also my idealism, drew himself to me. When in fact, whenever we converse, he seems to be more knowledgeable about the industry than me. I can tell that he has more of what it takes to survive the finance and investment banking industry.

Of course not everybody will be fortunate enough in getting stability and a sense of achievement soon. I have friends who have their own struggles like me. However, as long as the flame of determination remains despite the odds, their destiny to shine will come in God's time. (Easier said than done, haha!).

I met all these passionate young people within the span of one month or so. To be honest, I am overwhelmed after meeting all of them. I guess God had a purpose for making my paths cross with them. Somehow, I am reminded that a lot of people will be better and less than myself, and those that are better have reached their stature because they have what it takes, and they have turned their potential into something kinetic.

This blog entry is a tribute to the hardworking and passionate youth of today.

Here is my entry to the nationwide non-fiction essay writing contest of Starfish Magazine, the publication arm of Ayala Young Leaders. I made this essay last November 2006. My piece made it to the top 10 among 103 entries chosen by a distinguished panel of judges (Maritono Ortigas of Filipinas Heritage Library, Zo Aguila, the EIC of Cosmopolitan Philippines, and Marites Vitug, the EIC of Newsbreak). The awarding rites were held last night at Hotel Intercontinental. (Photos here).

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My Starfish Story: Musings of a Young Financial Literacy Advocate Whenever I am given the chance to tell others who I really am, I make sure that I tell them that I am a Son of God, a Filipino, and a Bedan - proud to be a Financial Management major. I remind myself about my usual introduction for my daily encounters and musings. These three characteristics of mine have a bearing with regard to my attempts of making a difference and being able to inspire others.

However, it was never easy. I cannot deny the fact that most of the time, I have been too ordinary, not so critical, and sometimes, too naïve. There have been times when I even thought of being indifferent, just like the rest of the people in the society. What makes things even more difficult is on how to live by my introduction, or to simply put it, to be true with what I usually say. In an article from a broadsheet, Korina Sanchez was asked about her thoughts on her removal from TV Patrol. She replied, and I loosely quote, “How can you make one link sterling if the entire chain is corroded?” I used that particular quote in the aspect of making a difference, or at least, in trying to be a solution to various problems that our society is facing right now. However, for several instances, I have not found an affirmative answer to that very difficult question. Until the point of realization came when I said to myself, “It is still better to have one link sterling that may somehow prevent the destruction of the entire chain, at least there’s one chain link that you could rest your hopes on”. It is no different to the Starfish story. I said to myself, “If I cannot immediately make the entire chain sterling again, at least I could do something with one link”.

Originally, I planned to take a degree on Accountancy. Despite my hardships, it was not meant to be. I decided to shift to Financial Management. I started to realize that it was the best thing that I have ever done in my college life, and I was able to come up with a clearer career path, which is to integrate Finance and Journalism, so that someday, I can be someone like Ricky Carandang. However, it was not really that easy. A lot of people have conclusively labeled Financial Management as a dumping ground for Accounting aspirants. To add pain to such conclusion, some students have decided to stick themselves under the shadows of such label. That challenged me to prove them otherwise. When I was offered with the Vice-President post for our program’s professional organization despite being a sophomore, I immediately accepted the post because I knew the organization will be the avenue where I can prove others wrong. I pioneered a number of our organization’s activities, and started to introduce our program to several financial institutions. Such lasted for almost 20 months. Though the experience was difficult, the entirety of my experience made me have high regard to the Finance profession. In fact, it made me appreciate more the role of financial institutions. However, the most important discovery of that particular journey is that “you don’t have to be a finance graduate to be financially literate and informed”, for such has been the stereotype.

Having realized that, I decided to become an intern, and eventually a volunteer at Colayco Foundation so that I can promote financial literacy not only to Bedans, but to our fellow citizens as well. In fact, I even decided to invest my winnings from my recent television stint on a certain investment security. At the course of my voluntary work, I met financially illiterate people from all walks of life. OFWs, construction workers, market vendors, and other hardworking Filipinos cry for having short-lived wealth and for not being able to save money that they might need in case of emergency. I even proved that the “riches to rags” legend are true. On the other hand, I met some successful individuals, like this former taxi driver named Jim Poliquit who grew up poor and practically tried almost all jobs there is, became successful after carefully managing his finances. From there, I decided to become an advocate of proper savings and investment in my own little way. I help the foundation in their seminars and in selling their financial literacy books. I also did some research for the foundation, especially for their upcoming book “The Wealth Guide”. I met the advocates of banks, UITFs, mutual funds, real estate, franchising, etc. At least I am able to help a few people to be more careful in managing their finances. Moreover, I get the chance to practice what I decided to pursue. I also post some of my inputs about managing personal finances in my blog. From this experience, I learned that there is no shortcut in becoming reach, and wealth becomes meaningless if you misuse it.

Last semester, I was given the chance to speak in behalf of the Accountancy, Financial & Legal Management Department on how to be “better than perfect”. My answer to the challenge of being better than perfect, and on making a difference is by not limiting attained achievements to one’s self. The challenge for us, particularly the Bedan youth of today, is on how far we are willing to give up indifference and mediocrity in order to become better people, for ourselves and the society at large, and later on, to help the society become better in its entirety. There is no age or timing in doing such, except that the serious efforts to eradicate indifference and to walk on the journey towards making more than one link of the corroded chain sterling should start now, no matter how little the effort is.

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Post-essay writing thoughts (as displayed at the Starfish gallery last night):

I have never thought that I have become more goal-oriented. Since the time when I became more vocal about my struggles and feats, my conscious effort of becoming a better person became stronger each day. In anything that we do, what really matters is that we find meaning and genuine happiness in making a difference. I really hope that the youth of today will never get tired of reaching for the stars without disregarding what is really essential in this world.

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Postscripts:

• I am not really sure why I made it to the top 10, but I'm certain that it's not because of grammar and composition. Feel free to correct my grammatical errors, if there's any. :D
• The event had several media sponsors, namely ABS-CBN News & Current Affairs, Philippine Star, UniversiTV, and Manila Bulletin. Who knows, you might have a rare citing of my participation in this event from any of these media entities. Haha.
  
• Unfortunately, the "rags to riches" guy that I cited in my essay writing contest was the same guy that almost deceived me in investing at Francswiss, an investment ponzi scheme that turned out to be a scam. He is in fact, one of those being hunted down by the National Bureau of Investigation.
  
• The event also proved that my blog has become helpful to a few people. Sheryl Pedroso (3rd placer) and Mary Bianca Consunji (1st placer) was able to confirm that they were finalists because of my blog. The website of Starfish Magazine loads too slowly on dial-up, and even on DSL. Thanks to my blog entry, they managed to avoid having to wait miserably for the Starfish website to load.
  
• As I previously mentioned, my entry made it to the top 10. During the awarding ceremonies, I had a few-second encounter with Fernando Zobel De Ayala, the President and COO of Ayala Corporation, and Victoria Garchitorrena, the head of Ayala Foundation and our commencement speaker. My mom attended the event with me. Sadly, no one from the school administration bothered to attend such an important occasion, though my friend and AYLC member Harold Verayo was there. Incidentally, the father of Bianca Consunji, the first placer, is also a Bedan. We got the chance to talk for a while.

• Speaking of San Beda, Mr. Simon of Ayala Foundation, the one that handed to me my award together with Miss Garchitorrena, whispered to me while going down the stage and asked, "Are you in favor of the uniform policy?". I immediately said "no" and asked him why he knows about this chaotic policy. I found out that he was invited to be a resource person during the team building of San Beda's Student Organizational Circle.
  
• I am glad that I had the chance to meet several young people who also have their own unique starfish stories. I sincerely wish them nothing but the best in their endeavors, and of course, more blessings.

• As for my goals, they still remain as options. Indeed, I still crave for being a financial journalist. Right now, I am currently under training program in an investment house for the purpose of gaining more than enough knowledge in the finance arena so that if ever I do become a financial journalist, I will be credible in giving my reports. Ideally, I want to become a Chartered Financial Analyst first before leaping to broadcast media in the arena of business. However, my current training program is so darn difficult. I can't even guarantee if I can pass or make it to the program.
• Lastly, in relation to my previous point, my Starfish story continues. In fact, I would say that the present is one heck of a climax. God is good. In fact, he's recently giving me a lot of rewards again. However, I have two major problems and pressures. One is the "very rocky start" of my career, and the other is my health (I have a severe urinary tract infection). Nonetheless, like I mentioned in my essay, I should be willing to go far, give up indifference, mediocrity, and if I may add, my fears, in order to become a better person each day. I even claim that I am now more conscious in becoming a better person each day. I hope that I could really practice what I preach. All I can say is that as of the moment, despite this particular feat, I am currently experiencing major struggles. I hope that I will have enough strength to stand up and win the challenges that I'm currently facing.
  

This blog entry will be quite melodramatic. Another friend and a frequent companion in college is bound for the land of Uncle Sam on Friday. She invited her close friends for a despedida dinner of some sort at Dencio's Araneta last Tuesday.


I somehow don't feel good about the fact that a dear friend will be leaving this soon, but I know that she wants nothing but the best for herself. She is a United States citizen after all, and the land of Uncle Sam has more opportunities than the land of Juan Dela Cruz. Most of her loved ones are there as well, so I guess there's no other choice but to support her.

What really adds more to this drama is the fact that she isn't the first friend that went to the USA, and I will not be surprised if there will be more that will leave the country.


Geraldine Hernandez, or Din as her friends fondly call her, is a unique friend. We became close due to weird situations. She was one of those whom I can easily invite for dinner or snack whenever she is free, and she really knows how to put up any kind of conversation, be it intellectual or very personal. She is a rare kind of friend and person, and pretty inside and out, that's why a lot of people appreciate her for who she is. At the height of my "intellectual struggles" in school, and during the times that I feel incompetent, she served as an example that being genuinely smart and intelligent is not limited to tangible achievements, and certainly not limited to being the star in school. That's why for me, she is one of the smartest Bedans that I have met during my stay in college. Mind you, those that I consider smart in college can be counted by the fingers. Apart from academics, I say 70% of our friendship was really on a personal capacity. We could talk anything under the sun, be it politics, entertainment, heck, even Pokemon, and the stupid people in school and in our lives.

What else can I say Din? Thanks for being my partner at my first TV stint on Studio 23's Breakfast, for being a nice housemate even for a short while, for all the "eat outs" we had, for correcting my seemingly hopeless grammatical errors, for enjoying Pokemon anime and for the Pokemon miniatures that you gave me, and for all your honest opinions on the matters that I have consulted to you. Thanks for all the conversations and for the gift of friendship.

See you soon, Din! The people that I consider dear friends are those with whom I can learn not only about themselves, but also more about myself. Certainly, I learned more about myself with you, and you have contributed significantly to my conscious efforts of becoming a better person each day, and I hope I was able to do the same to you. It will not be easy in the United States, but you're a strong person. Always remember that I am always here for you, even if we are miles away. Godspeed!