Defining moments usually happens very quickly, sometimes at the blink of an eye. They are unalterable. Our choices define our moments. They are either negative or positive. The story of my life defines who I am now and what will I will be in the future.
I was born with parents who were undergraduate students and out of wedlock. After my birth, I was left with my grandparents so that my mother can continue her studies. My father chose a different path and worked as a jeepney driver. While other kids were drinking formulated milk for babies, I was drinking milkmaid instead.
When I was in grade school, I assisted my parents with their small dry goods business in the public market by selling slippers, rope, hat (sombrero) and sleeping mat every Sunday. I also assisted my grandfather who taught me how to work in the farm. He would always tell me “Study hard so that you don’t need to do this when you grow up. You will work in the office and would not have to work under the sun like us”. He even showed me his cracked heels, calloused palm and dark skin as a result to working in the farm all day. He also showed me how people with office jobs dressed were compared to farmers. People in the office wear nice shoes and clothes. To my grandfather, education equates to successful future. So I followed his advice and studied hard. At a very young age, I have already set my goals to finish college and get myself a degree.
One night, while we were having chicken for dinner, my grandfather noticed there were still some meat left on my portion of the chicken. He took the bone from my plate, ate everything that was left and said “If I can only eat the bones I will. I paid for all of these, including the bones”. He then told me about is efforts to work for that meal and also saying that I am lucky that I am fed 3 times a day.
My seminary life can be described as years of formation rather than vocation. It transformed me to be independent, exposed me to different sports and traditions, and learned how to play musical instruments. I became more God fearing. Moreover, I developed critical thinking, confidence, competitiveness and time management. I’ve learned the value of brotherhood. Our class motto was “frater amant fratrem (brother loves brother)”.
During the orientation in San Beda, our rector asked us to look around us, look at the faces of the people inside the auditorium. He then said, “These people will be your business partners, will be your customers, their parents might become your boss, colleagues, etc.”. This is when I learned the value of establishing good relationships with the people around me and the importance of expanding my network. I joined clubs and was active in gatherings. I knew that one day, some of these friends, classmates and acquaintance will be successful. Therefore, I made sure I maintained that friendship with all of them from that day onwards
My father used to tell me, “Study hard. Don’t allow yourself to get distracted by girls. When you graduate, the girls will be the ones wooing you”. I believed him. I wanted to be better than my parents who were both undergraduates, not to mention, they were unmarried when they had me. So I studied even harder. I spent my days in the library. Although I would go for a drink sometimes (Remember my goal of building a network?), I made sure that I still study even when I have had alcohol. I chose and kept good friends who are studious, who have ambitions and who strived harder for that ambition.
I had Apostolate as one of my subjects in Theology and one of the requirements was to engage ourselves, working with the poor and the needy. I chose to work with the Missionaries of Charity in Tayuman, Metro Manila. This is the congregation that Mother Teresa founded. I had the opportunity to look after orphaned children, wash their clothes, and help them bathe, feed them and play with them. With this experience, I realized how lucky I was then and that I should be thankful to God for what I had. I also realized the value of generosity, not only through giving money and material things, but more importantly, by sharing your time.
I joined SGV & Co after the CPA board exams where I met my partner in charge. My partner was a very tough guy, he shouts if he can’t understand your FS/IT/Reports. At one time, he threw an audit working paper in the garbage and shouted, “This is GARBAGE!” Unfortunately, I was assigned to audit alone Pan Pacific Hotel in Malate and reported directly to my partner. I studied his working style. I learned to think like how he thinks. In that way, every time I have FS/ITR/Reports for him to review he won’t have any questions and comments. True enough, every time there are special tasks and difficult audit jobs, he will always assign me in the team or lead the team.
I grabbed the opportunity to work in The Bahamas in 2006. Working in the Bahamas was very different. It was more laid back. Offices and stores close at 5pm. Most of the local Bahamian audit staffs also do not work past 5pm. In one of my engagement in the Bahamas, I was assigned to do interim audit Hutchison Whampoa Group (Port, Harbor, Airport and Hotel Chains) in the Bahamas on September 30 and should have an initial audit report in October 15th. I was assigned with 3 local Bahamian staffs. On that same day, I held a meeting with the team and discussed what the things we needed to do are and the expectations. It was very difficult to sell the idea that we need to work overtime and overnights to complete the job. We discussed about their role and how will the audit affect their career. I also discussed with them the exposure that they will be gaining with the said audit. I was able to convince them, joined my team and no objections with overtime and overnights. We were able to provide an initial report on October 15th.
Although I am good in communication and rapport, joining FedEx was a different environment for me. FedEx value and invest so much in the development of their people. We have tuition fee allowance for further studies such as Ateneo MBA. They have a lot of trainings especially on Leadership even have a e-learning portal where employees can do self-training or read books that interest them. FedEx emphasized the PSP Philosophy (People, Service and Profit). It means hire the right People, invest in their development, keep them motivated and they will perform an outstanding Service to FedEx customers which will in-turn result to a better Profit. In FedEx, they emphasized empathy and emotional intelligence as important part of leadership. FedEx emphasized the following principles, Integrity, Responsibility, Commitment, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Optimism, Change Management, Empowerment, Courage, Role Model and Preparation. The Leadership training of FedEx provided me with a better view how to be respectful and influential to people.
I was earning much in the Bahamas. I was able to purchase farm lots other residential lots (for a planned apartment complex). When I had enough money, I came back to Philippines. Unfortunately I woke up one day looking at my USD account with Zero balance. I realized I had a spending spree when I came back. I didn’t adjust my lifestyle when I came back. My apartment complex plan was not even started! Then I realized I made an error with my spending habits and lifestyle. I immediately downgraded my lifestyle. Even change my saving formula into Salary – Savings = Expenses.
My mother died last year. She has been complaining about her stomach ache for a year but resisted medication. She will always say I will go to the hospital but never did. I learned that the most important asset that I have is my body. I realized that I must not take my body for granted. I must keep it always healthy. Your body is the most important income generating asset that you have. I should prioritize on it.
What I learned during my lifetime:
<![if !supportLists]>1. <![endif]>Life is about decisions and goals. If you believe you can attain your goals you will make necessary adjustments to reach that.
<![if !supportLists]>2. <![endif]>Learn to GIVE:
<![if !supportLists]>a. <![endif]>Give your best in all things.
<![if !supportLists]>b. <![endif]>Give to the poor.
<![if !supportLists]>3. <![endif]>Build a good network. Be friends with a lot of people. Surround yourself also with successful people. Learn from them.
<![if !supportLists]>4. <![endif]>Work hard on weekdays. Play harder on weekends.
<![if !supportLists]>5. <![endif]>Empathize. Shouting to employees will instill fear not respect.
<![if !supportLists]>6. <![endif]>Delegate. Empower people.
<![if !supportLists]>7. <![endif]>Life is too short. Spend time with the people you love.
<![if !supportLists]>8. <![endif]>Invest in yourself in mind and body. Keep yourself healthy. And keep on learning.
<![if !supportLists]>9. <![endif]>Pay yourself first. Formula for savings is Salary – Savings = Expenses. Budget your expenses!
<![if !supportLists]>10. <![endif]>That the advice of my father about girls wooing me when I graduate is a lie. But effective.
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