TO EMPOWER WOMEN in the field of finance through “breaking barriers and making cents,” San Beda University’s (SBU) Junior Financial Management Association (JFINMA) launched a seminar entitled, “The Women of Philippine Finance: Filipino Women Leading the Way” at the Abbot Lopez Hall, March 6.
During the celebration of Women’s Month, the activity’s chairperson, Cholo Miguel Ramirez, spearheaded the event together with the whole committee and officers of JFINMA. Disclosing the secret behind the “successful activity,” Ramirez emphasized the importance of teamwork and coordination “in accomplishing their roles and responsibilities.” Moreover, he added that while “there were issues, but nonetheless, they were solved – as the evidence of accomplishing the activity.”
Inclined with the programs’ goals, Ramirez highlighted how the invited phenomenal women deserved their awards. “Including that, for the guest speakers, we were able to invite some relatively really popular speakers since they are experts in their fields and these women are able to work in their respective industries for decades,” he claimed.
Ramirez’s main objective was to give recognition and inspiration to students—that no matter what the challenges that they are facing, in the workplace or even in society in general, anyone, and not only women, can overcome such challenges with the support of the people surrounding them.
In the said seminar, three women were acknowledged with awards in line with their expertise and fields being successful and inspirational. Atty. Florence Rosalind R. Claveria received the “Outstanding Woman in Capital Market Category Award”, Usec. Ma. Francesca M. Del Rosario obtained the “Outstanding Woman in the Public Finance Category Award”, and Ms. Salve Duplito got the “Outstanding Woman in the Personal Finance Category Award.”
In an interview, Ms. Duplito, a prominent speaker at the seminar, underscored the importance of early financial planning. She cautioned against delaying saving and investing, emphasizing the concept of compound interest and its potential for wealth creation. Duplito’s message resonated with the audience, highlighting the value of time alongside financial knowledge.
Duplito stated that, “I always say when you’re forty years old or fifty years old and you start to save and invest your money, it’s already too late and you’re playing a catch-up game. But when you talk to young people, that’s the best part, to introduce the concept of the power of compounding.” Further, she shared, “Like I said earlier, it is not just the amount of money you put in, but it’s the time. When the time and the wisdom of where to put the money, they both affect one person, there’s a higher chance that this person will have more wealth.”
(with Jake Evangelista)