AIMING TO “INSTILL financial literacy” among members of the Bedan community, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Student Council (SC) Finance Committee staged “PROJECT FLIP – From Pockets to Portfolios: A Financial Literacy Expedition” at the Jonathan Sy Auditorium, January 17.
The CAS Prefect of Student Activities, Dr. Marvin Reyes, PhD, delivered the event’s opening remarks, where he said that he “hoped the activity would help students and teachers, alike, in managing finances.”
Open to many attendees including students from the Integrated Basic Education Department (IBED), the activity featured two speakers, one of which was a Registered Financial Planner and esteemed columnist at Manila Times and Business Mirror, Ms. Janice Sabitsana, and online personality and “Pambansang Wealth Coach,” Mr. Chinkee Tan.
In her discussion, Ms. Sabistana shed light on the importance of budget-setting, tracking expenses and sources of income, saving, investing, and managing risks, emphasizing that “it’s never too early to start saving for your retirement fund.”
Moreover, when prodded about her thoughts on the conduct of the seminar, Ms. Sabitsana was ecstatic. “Grabe, very empowering… it really makes my heart jump with joy kasi talagang magagamit, this is a life skill.”
Following Ms. Sabitsana, Mr. Tan shared his own tips in being financially successful by highlighting the traits “sipag, tiyaga, karunungan, at diskarte” as a means to earn money honestly. “After all,” he said, “the moment you stop working, you stop earning, but you don’t stop spending.”
Prior to delivering his speech, Mr. Tan highlighted the signifiance of “applying what is learned,” adding that it also depends on “how you process, how you do critical thinking, how you manage your emotions, how you interact, how you adjust, how you adapt” in pursuit of becoming financially successful.
Enrique Bonete, the current SC Treasurer and this program’s Activity Chair, commented on how the event “went unexpectedly well” especially with the number of attendees that this event was meant to happen last October of last year.”
Anticipating a future sequel of the event, Bonete cheered on future organizers while exclaiming the “possibility of doing everything with a supportive and competent team behind you,” crediting the Finance Committee behind the success.
“If we’re blessed with a part two, if kaya pa ng budget, why not? Because there are external partners offering San Beda with regards to this program. So, let’s just wait and see for the possibilities in the future,” said Bonete.
(with Nate Soriano)