CCF Talk - "Ang Pera Na Hindi Bitin"

I've seen the ad on the CCF Bulletin regarding the financial talk but I never considered going since the target audience was parents with children who have special needs. Last week, I joined the L.A.W. (Lord's Attorneys at Work) ministry orientation, and we were told that they needed volunteers to act as ushers at the talk. Since I had nothing to do at the time the talk was scheduled, I volunteered. I had a shoot in the afternoon so I brought along my camera, just in case they would need a photographer. 

 

Volunteers were asked to come in at 7 am. I arrived at 7:30. I was assigned to stand by the entrance, greet people, and lead them to empty seats. I honestly felt awkward doing it, especially since I was the solo usher at the area, so I asked one of the organizers if they wanted me to take photos instead. It was much easier for me to assume the role of a photographer and hide behind the lens rather than to put a smile on my face and interact with people. While shooting, I saw Ms. Malu Tiongson, the event organizer and one of the speakers. She's an authority in parenting children with special needs, having singlehandedly raised a young girl with down syndrome. She recognized me from a similar talk last year which I also covered with some members of our discipleship group. She thanked me for volunteering to shoot. Later on, she asked me if I was willing to make an announcement onstage (whu...?). It was just about some logistic matters, but for a quick second there, I wanted to tell her I only came to shoot. Public speaking in any form scares the hell out of me (and yes, I've been a lawyer for almost 4 years :P) I went onstage anyway, took the mic, and made the announcement. I felt nervous and thrilled at the same time going up the stage and speaking in front of people (who were half-asleep anyway hehe). Maybe God just wanted me to get out of my comfort zone and stop using my camera as an excuse to be anti-social. 

I stayed until lunchtime and got to listen to the entire seminar. There were six speakers in all - Malu Tiongson, Ardy Roberto, Randy Tiongson, and Atty. Robert Samarita, among others. They presented a lot of info, from finishing well in life to proper handling of finances. Atty. Robert even gave a lecture on wills and succession. I felt the four-hour time allotted for the event was too short since there were a lot of topics the speakers could have expounded on. These are some of the ideas that struck me from the talk: 

- Expenses can only be categorized into two - needs and wants. I know this is a very simple fact, but I probably needed to hear this from someone (other than myself) for it to sound convincing. Before spending, we should ask ourselves if it's something necessary or it's just for pleasure/enjoyment. I suddenly thought of all those times I ordered Starbucks or milk tea and justified my spending with, "minsan lang naman eh" or "I deserve this after a stressful day." Definitely, these things are merely "wants" that I should've reconsidered buying. During lunch that afternoon, I ordered the cheapest on the menu. I was craving for a more expensive dish, but I knew the cheapest was enough to keep me satisfied until dinner. I should learn to be more disciplined in matters like this in the future. 

- We should let go of the poverty mentality and instead trust that God will provided for our needs, with strong emphasis on the stringent qualifications of "needs". Learn to give to others, give back to God a portion of what you earn, and see how He will bless you more financially. We should also keep a stewardship mentality and learn to manage well what God has entrusted us - our finances, time, bodies, and even relationships. 

- On finishing well: live a life of purpose. Know what your purpose is. Instead of living life aimlessly, life a life of direction. If you know where you're going, it will be easier to let go of unnecessary things that take up so much time and energy. 

- Be a life-long learner. I would add her, as a precondition to being a learner, is to be humble. One can't be teachable if he or she isn't humble enough and open to correction. 

- Leave a good legacy behind. When you are finished in your earthly race, think of how you want to be remembered by all the people around you, especially your family members who look up to you and most likely emulate the life you live. 

From Ardy Roberto's book with the seminar title, "Ang Pera Na Hindi Bitin":

- Apply the 20-20 strategy: Save 20% of your income 20 years before you retire.

- The author encourages us to go into business ("mag-negosyo"). Fact: 74% of the world's millionaires are businessmen - not professionals, not celebrities. Only 10% of millionaires are specialists or professionals (so if you think being a lawyer will turn you into an instant millionaire, think again. I was talking to myself there. Hehe). Find out what you're good at and what you're passionate about and you might be able to use it for profit. 

- Chinkee Tan, in his book, "For Richer & for Poorer", says:

"Rich people educate themselves more than they entertain themselves. Poor people entertain themselves more than they educate themselves." 

Poor people lack the foresight rich people have and tend to focus on short-term satisfaction. I'm guilty of thinking like a poor person a lot of times (like the aforementioned bubble tea drinking times and all my impulsive shopping episodes). While entertainment is good once in a while, I should think of my time as an investment and use it to learn new things to improve myself, not just in terms of financial knowledge. 

huge turnout :)

I thank God for the opportunity to learn from this seminar and the chance to serve/be a blessing to others in causes like this.