“Sana All May Ipon: A Financial Literacy Seminar on Planning a Career and Wealthy Life”

As 21st Century learners, the vast advancement the society has peaked now is seemingly
enraging a lot of possibilities. The passage of time through the ages led us into a whole broad
world of endless abundance and it is with great opportunity to open such doors in order to
expand the horizons of our mind into endless limits. Every living individual is bound to be engaged
in finances because it is a necessity of ours and thus, literacy on finances is vital to humanity’s
survival. Financial literacy is the ability to understand how money works: how someone makes,
manages and invests it, and also expends it. In-depth knowledge of financial literacy is a great
avenue for continuous learning on financial matters such as budgeting, saving, and others. This
is a topic suitable for all ages since it deals with a lot of branches that affect our daily lives.
“Sana All May Ipon”: A Financial Literacy Seminar on Planning a Career and Wealthy Life
was held last 8th of January 2020 at the University Theater of HAU. The students of School of
Business and Accountancy were invited on the said event since it is in line with the field they are
engaged in. The guest speaker is Mr. Ferdinand “Chinkee” Tan, who is a Radio / TV and Social
Media Personality, Businessman, Writer, Blogger and a YouTuber. Above all, he is a Financial
Expert who stands in his mantra: “Financial Literacy is the key top financial freedom”. According
to Mr. Chinkee, “My passion in life is to help people experience FINANCIAL FREEDOM and
become DEBT-FREE. I believe that the best way to accomplish these is through education. The
reason why a person remains poor and in debt is not because of the lack of money but the lack
of education.” Striking yet truthful statement isn’t it? As we fly into the heights of his Seminar, I
have indeed gained such learnings that changed and affected my perspective in life. Mr. Chinkee
started on a formula: “Mindset + Action = Result” which simply emphasizes the interrelationship
of our mental and physical self in order to manifest an outcome. What we substitute on it affects
the result such as when we have a negative mindset and negative actions, a negative result
always equates. But if we have a Positive Mindset, the rest falls into place; in life, having a
cheerful and positive mindset is important because we see a path towards progress and learnings
amidst hardships and crossroads. We often hear the phrase “Money changes a person” but
according to Mr. Chinkee, “Money doesn’t CHANGE a person but Money can surely REVEAL a
person”. I totally agree with it, wealth will reveal the true colors of someone who longs for it
because money centers always in this material world. Also, you cannot entertain in your mind
that money is the root of evil because the quest for wealth isn’t bad so as long as you do it for
your family and loved ones more than for yourself. Another point discussed on the seminar is,
“Way of thinking = Way of Living”. What is inside us will always be manifested outside us, the
way we think will always be the way we live. Thus, a positive thinking equates to positive living.
Mr. Chinkee said that Money can never create money, we can apply this formula in a way that
we should be capable enough in spending our money wisely and timely so that we could grow
and glow it. In my insight, I have experienced financial difficulties in life and I can say that the role
of our minds is really important because it channels the greater lion in us so that we could
overcome whatever crises we are dealing with. We should also surround ourselves with positive
people that we share the same goals and dreams with. Brighter circles light up wider areas, may
we value the people around us that lights our torch when darkness consumes us, indeed, we
bloom. Our journey towards success is never easy that’s why we need peace of mind and through
that we start to forgive. Simply because we deserve peace. Forgiveness detangles our hearts from
the chains of pain leading us to a better versions of ourselves. Next point as discussed, “The Goal
in Life should not be pursued for Financial Stability but the Goal in life is to Practice Financial
Responsibility” whatever you have right now, you make it fit and should make it work.
Responsibility over Stability, it is just nonsense if you have a stable money but not responsible
enough on handling. To be responsible is to be strong enough to handle downfalls and failures
as it encompasses the depths of our beings. According to research, at the age of 65, 45% are
dependent on Relatives, 30% are dependent on Charity, 23% are still working and 2% are
financially stabled. Moving further, another interesting point is, “It’s not how much money you
MAKE, it is how much money you SAVE” this is totally a bull’s eye, savings should be prioritized
because the mindset of a goal-oriented is in the Long-term. We should envision for the coming
of tomorrow and what the future has to offer because we deal in a society where risk and
uncertainties are evident and relevant on a regular basis. The fifth point which also struck me the
most is “Do not compare yourself to others but rather compare yourself to YOURSELF!” in wealth
and money rises insecurities. We ask why someone is richer than us and that totally leads us to
negativities. God offers great abundance and blessings for those who work hard and pray for it,
therefore, we should start comparing ourselves to OURSELVES! Because we can identify and
analyze our progress throughout the time simply because the only rival that we have is only one,
and we could see when we face to the mirror. Mr. Chankee is undeniable a great and marvelous
speaker that’s why I cannot help but to add points on his discussion because of the substance
and credibility his statements have. To add on my five chosen points, “Income – Savings =
Expenses” this formula is quite different from the standard Income less expenses equates to
savings that we know and this really also changed the way I see the management of income and
expenses. Indeed, savings should be of paramount need since financial responsibility also entails
long term savings. Savings before Spendings, Savings before Cravings and Savings before Travels.
To further add on the Pillar of my understanding, as said by Mr. Tan, we should incorporate
“SIPAG, TIYAGA, KARUNUNGAN, at DISKARTE” these elements are driving force in order to
achieve financial triumph. Another additional point is “Never kill the Goose that lay Golden Eggs