Food Safety and Personal Hygiene (for Food and Beverage Services)

Cases of Food Borne Disease can cause a irreparable damage to the reputation of a food establishment. One single case of food poisoning can already discourage dinners from coming back to the restaurant or canteen. An unhygienic food handler can be an instrument in transmitting bacterial contamination and food borne disease. It is therefore important for every server to understand and practice the rules of food safety in handling and serving food.

Microorganisms

This are tiny, living and active beings that rapidly multiply in numbers under the right conditions.

Bacteria breeds in unsanitary, moist and slightly acidic environment like:

• Dirty surroundings
• Wet, undisposed and uncovered garbage
• Stagnant and dirty water
• Crowded places like storerooms that are dirty
• Dirty and unsanitized containers, pans and utensils
• Undisposed, uncovered leftover food

A Food Borne Illness is carried or transmitted to people by contamination or cross-contamination of microorganisms or bacteria, virus or toxins through:

Food and contaminated food containers

Unsafe of unhygienic food handlers

Conditions that contributes to the growth of bacteria

• Temperature
• Time
• Moisture
• Oxygen
• Food
• PH level

The word Food Safety covers practices designed to:

• Prevent the growth and multiplication of bacteria
• Prevent food from contamination of bacteria, toxins and other harmful substances
• Prevent food spoilage
• Prevent the occurrence of food poisoning and infection as well as the spread of disease
• Retain nutritional and aesthetic qualities of food

Contamination is the presence of harmful substances not originally present in the food

Cross-Contamination occurs when micro organisms are transferred from surface or medium to another as in a contaminated/ dirty container to food, dirty hands or contaminated food to uncontaminated food.

Source of Diseases

• Microbiological
• Biological
• Chemical
• Physical Hazards

How to WashHands

·                     Wash hands with hot water in a hand washing sink

·                     Moisten hands, soap thoroughly and lather up to elbow

·                     Rub hands together using friction for 20 seconds

·                     Rinse hands thoroughly under running water

·                     Dry hands using single service towels or paper towels

HACCP is the abbreviation for Hazards Analysis Control Critical Point. It is a food safety management system that provides identification and assessment of the hazards and risks associated with the food operation. It likewise provides prevention strategies on known food hazards that endanger the health of humans.

Always practice the basic principle- Clean as you go. Immediately dispose trash and clean your working area right after preparing food and drinks.

FIFO- First In, First Out

You have to consume first what comes first.

Personality Development (For Service Related careers)

What is Personality?

Personality is the embodiment of feelings and behaviors which makes each person unique

What is Personality Development?

Personality development is a process of improving one’s feelings, behaviors or characteristics on how to be a better person

Components of Personality

• Habits
• Attitudes
• Interest
• Values
• Principles
• Mental Capacity

Aspects of Personality

• Physical
• Mental
• Emotional
• Moral
• Social
• Spiritual

Two Types of Personality

1. Appealing
2. Repelling

Image

It is a reproduction or mental pictures of you as seen by others

Improving One’s Personality and Self Image

• Personal Discipline
• Self Awareness
• Attitude Awareness
• Self Esteem
• Self Confidence
• Creative Thinking
• Time Management
• Plaaning of Activities
• Innate Love for Others
• Getting More with Less Time

Ways to Improve Self Image

1. Physical health and hygiene
2. Good grooming
3. Good posture

Fashion

Reveals a significant message about you and your world

How to Assemble a Basic Wardrobe with Limited Budget

• Clean up your clothes
• Know your figure
• Shop wisely and well

 HOW TO THINK POSITIVELY ABOUT YOURSELF

• Acceptance
• Trust
• Set Realistic Goals
• Encouragement
• Take Time to be Alone with Yourself
• Respect for Yourslef
• Take Pride to your Achievement

Qualities and Characteristics of Good Work Ethics

• Caring
• Dependability
• Consideration
• Cheerfulness
• Emphaty
• Trustworthy
• Respectfulness
• Courtesy
• Conscientiousness
• Honesty
• Cooperation
• Enthusiasm

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF WORKING FOR OTHERS

1. Do not lie. It wastes mt time and yours. I am sure to catch you in the end and that is the wrong end
2. Watch your work not the clock.
3. Give me more than I expect and I will give you more than you expect. I can afford to increase your pay only if you increase my profit.
4. You owe so much to yourself that you cannot afford to owe to anybody else.
5. Dishonesty is never an accident
6. Mind your own business and in time you will have your own business to mind.
7. Do not do anything to hurt your self-respect. An employee who is willing to steal for me is willing to steal from me.
8. It is none of my business what you do at night, but if it will affect what you do the next day and do only half as much as I demand, you will last half as long as you hone.
9. Do not tell me what I like to hear. Tell me instead what I need to hear.
10. Do not kick if I kick. If you are worth correcting, you are worth keeping.

Job Interview Questions

One of the most important processes in a job hiring is the job interview. It is where the job applicant gets screened by the Human Resources Personnel, Agency Recruiter sometimes the Manager or the Business owner himself.

Here are some few commonly asked questions during a job interview.

Job interviews are always stressful - even for job seekers who have gone on countless interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared. Take the time to review the common interview questions you will most likely be asked. Also review sample answers to these typical interview questions.

Then take the time to research the company and to prepare for an interview. This way, you will be ready with knowledgeable answers for the job interview questions that specifically relate to the company you are interviewing with. (from here) 

Job Interview Questions About You

• So, tell us about yourself…
• Why do you want to work for us?
• Tell me about your strengths and weaknesses.
• What has been your biggest professional achievement?

Interview Questions: Work History

• Tell me about your experience at ___. (Fill in past job.)
• Tell us about a situation when you encountered a conflict in your team and your team members misunderstood you.
• Why did you leave your last job? (Or why are you thinking about leaving your current job?)
• Tell me about a time when… (Fill in with situations relevant to the position. For instance: Tell me about when you had to take initiative … you had to deal with a difficult customer … you had to respond to a crisis … you had to give difficult feedback to an employee … You get the idea.)

Job Interview Questions About the New Job and the Company

• What interests you about this opening? (Or why do you want to work for us?)
• What do you know about our company so far?
• What experience do you have doing ____? (Fill in each of the major responsibilities of the job.)
• What salary range are you looking for? 

Interview Questions: The Future

• Where and how do you see yourself in 2-4-8 years?
• What questions do you have for me? 

Other sources:

http://profitseo.com/top-7-the-most-important-job-interview-questions/

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2011/01/24/the-10-most-common-job-interview-questions

For more common questions asked in a job interview click the links here:

The 25most difficult questions you'll be asked on a job interview

50 Most Asked Job InterviewQuestions and How to Answer Them

50 COMMON INTERVIEW Q&A

Let this be a quick guide for anyone who will be going to a job interview especially for the first time. Study this questions to have an idea what to expect and how to impress the interviewer.

Job Interview Preparation

Aside from having a well-written Resume and wearing your best dress, what else can you do in order to impress the interviewer and increasing the chance to have that job offer you have been aiming for.

Here are some few tips and a collection of articles that could help you...

Be mentally prepared to interview

Preparing for a prized interview entails much more than just knowing what to wear or where to go, looking neat and being on time. Beyond logistics and physical appearances, there should be constructive mental and psychological planning as well. Follow these steps to emerge a winner in your next interview: 

• Do some research. 

• Know your strengths and weaknesses.

• Study your employment history 

• Be familiar with the questions. 

• Ask your own questions. 

read more at:

http://careers.jobstreet.com.ph/interview/be-mentally-prepared-to-interview

Interview Preparation 

Most people go to interviews hoping to be questioned and assessed by an interviewer (s). They go anxious and worried, wondering whether they would get the job. People like Zagorski approach an interview with a completely different mind-set. They go well-prepared to demonstrate how they would fit into an employer’s needs and bring value to their business. They go as a value provider, not as a job seeker. 

Would you also like to impress your would-be employer just like Zagorski? If yes, the next time when you get an interview call, do not lose any time and get down to preparing a powerful presentation. 

Here is a road map: 

• Know the employer
• Review the job
• Review yourself
• Prepare a presentation
• Practice

read more at:

http://careers.jobstreet.com.ph/interview/success-at-interview-the-zagorski-way

Job Interview Tips

Job interviews in many organizations are getting sophisticated these days. Psychological tests, role plays, and challenges to one's "quick intelligence" and street smarts are often part of the package. While it's impossible to anticipate everything you may encounter, here are ten tips that will help you negotiate the interview process successfully. 

• Prepare and over-prepare
• Be particularly clear on what you know and what you want to achieve
• Make sure your responses match your claims
• Be clear about your strengths
• Describe your weaknesses as strengths
• If you've been fired, be forthright about it
• Be clear where you want to go
• Have clear personal standards
• Interview the interviewer
• Don't allow yourself to be badgered by the salary issue

read more at:

http://careers.jobstreet.com.ph/interview/job-interview-tips

For additional exercise go to this link:

Job Interview Skills

How to Think Positively About Yourself

How to Think Positively About Yourself

Acceptance

                Identify your strengths and weaknesses

Trust

                Observe your behavior and feelings

Set Realistic Goals

                Try to develop your skills, abilities and actions

Encouragement

                Be open, move on and be positive always. Go for your goals. Yes, you can!

Take Time to be Alone with Yourself

                Try to reflect on your attitude, ups and downs side of your life. Decide on what to do with your future, life and career. Think constructively then put things into action after thinking it over.

Respect for Yourslef

                Accept who and what you are, don’t pretend, love and respect yourself first before you ask others to respect you.

Take Pride to your Achievement

                It is your pride to labor. Be proud of your achievements in the right way or manner

How to wash Hands Properly

Simple steps into hand washing...

How to Wash Hands Properly

• Wash hands with hot water in a hand washing sink

• Mositen hands, soap thoroughly and lather up to elbow

• Rub hands together using friction for 20 seconds

• Rinse hands thoroughly under running water

• Dry hands using single service towels or paper towels

Proper hand washing is very important for it gets into contact with different surfaces and areas through out the day. Let this be our habit for a good personal hygiene and sanitation purposes.

Ten Commandments of Working for Others

Let me share you something I learned from a Personality Development Course...

We all do work. We work for ourselves, for our family, for our friends and for anybody. All things have a set of rules we have to follow. In these rules, it is as if the work we do for others are talking to us personally. Here are some simple rules we can apply in our work...

Ten Commandments of Working for Others

1. Do not lie. It wastes mt time and yours. I am sure to catch you in the end and that is the wrong end

2. Watch your work not the clock.

3. Give me more than I expect and I will give you more than you expect. I can afford to increase your pay only if you increase my profit.

4. You owe so much to yourself that you cannot afford to owe to anybody else.

5. Dishonesty is never an accident

6. Mind your own business and in time you will have your own business to mind.

7. Do not do anything to hurt your self-respect. An employee who is willing to steal for me is willing to steal from me.

8. It is none of my business what you do at night, but if it will affect what you do the next day and do only half as much as I demand, you will last half as long as you hone.

9. Do not tell me what I like to hear. Tell me instead what I need to hear.

10. Do not kick if I kick. If you are worth correcting, you are worth keeping.

Keep your heads up and have a happy working day!

C3: Counter Culture Cafe :"A Flavor Experience"

C3:Counter Culture Cafe

"A Flavor Experience"

TRIVIA:
C3 is a feasibility study of students from UST-HRM Batch 2011

please like our page:

https://www.facebook.com/counterculturecafe

H2 Batch 2011
Clockwise from Top Left - Ra, Cid, Jeff, Lloyd, Bern,
Joy, Quenie, Malta and Jonalyn

CFAD partners
L-R: Kit, Cha, Nikka

2009-2010 Feasibility Studies

Description

An Elite Beverage Bar in the Making, catering to the clients needs and wants. Will cover from House Parties to Corporate Events and other different Celebrations. C3 provides innovative beverage concoctions infusing coffee, alcohol, fruit juice, jelly, wine, soda and tea.

We guarantee into bringing "A FLAVOR EXPERIENCE" to our patrons with our cocktails, shooters, mocktails and coffee concoctions together with fun and excitement.

 

Ang mga Babae

Isang sulat ng isang lalake tungkol sa mga babae.

"Ang mga babae, madaldal/mabunganga." Oo, wala talagang tigil ang bibig nila sa pag-rachada sa kakasalita. Lalo na sa tuwing pinapaalala nila sayo na oras na para inumin ang iyong gamot, kapag nagtatanung sila kung kumain ka na ba, kapag ginising ka nila sa umaga upang hindi ma-late at sa mga pagkakataon na nag-aalala sila sayo at tinatanung kung nasaan ka na at bakit hindi ka pa umuuwi. Walang duda, madaldal nga. Hayaan mo na, balang araw, siguro magbabago din sila. Tipong maririnig mo lang ee "Oo", "Hinde" at "Pwede". Para kayong naglalaro ng Pinoy Henyo. Romantic siguro ng buhay nyo nun.

"Ang mga babae, mashadong sentimental." Sinabi mo pa. Tandang tanda nga nila ang petsa at lugar kung saan kayo unang nag-date, isinulat niya din sa kanyang diary kung ano ang mga ginawa ninyo, nakatago at ingat na ingat siya sa mga larawan nyong dalawa, daig pa niya ang Smithsonian sa pag-aalaga ng mga iniregalo mo at kahit kailan hindi niya nalilimutan ang mga importanteng okasyon tulad ng anniversary, monthsary, weeksary o birthday mo. Nakaka-inis ba? Ok lang yan, malay mo next time, hindi na siya ganun. Tipong i-aasa na lang niya sa Facebook ang iyong kaarawan. Tapos tamang post na lang sa wall mo ng "hapi bday".

"Ang mga babae, emosyonal." They cry about movies. They get teary with a romantic novel. They blush and gasp upon seeing a picture of a cute dog or a cuddly baby. Bakit ba ganun sila? Buti na lang tayo hindi. Kinikimkim lang naten lahat ng emosyon sa loob hanggang sa sumabog at atakihin sa puso o di naman kaya ee magpapakalasing tapos magwawala at maghahamon ng wrestling. Di ba mas logical un? Madalas pa mag-imagine na ikakasal kayo sa simbahan. Lagi nag a-iloveyou, imissyou, take care at mwah mwah sa text. Asar ka na ba at nacocornyhan? Ayos lang yan. Darating din siguro ang time na titigil siya at isesend ang mga un sa iba.

Women are probably the greatest gift to men, from God, beside beer and sizzling sisig. At para sken, women deserve all advantages, lalo na sa pag-ibig. Sana lahat ng babae ay maging masaya ang lovelife. Sana, walang babaeng heart-broken, kasi, tayong mga lalake, we're meant to pursue them and it's okay if we fail from time to time. It's the way nature intended it. Gaya ng isang leon sa usa o pag-ikot ng earth sa paligid ng araw. Mas okay kung tayo na lang ung masasaktan. Ee sila? Isipin mo, nagkakaroon sila ng "dalaw" at nababaliw kada buwan, nabubuntis at nahihirapan ng 9 months, at pinaka matindi sa lahat, kailangan pa nilang panatilihing makinis at walang buhok ang kanilang mga kili-kili. Ano ba namang pasayahin sila at gawing "scar-free" ang kanilang buhay pag-ibig.

And if you are with a great gal, do everything to make her happy. Don't ever break her heart. Wag kang magpa-uto sa mga statistics, na nagsasabing, mas marami ang babae sa lalake, kaya okay lang mang-chiks. Ano pa bang gusto mo? Hindi pa ba sapat na minahal ka niya sa kabila ng iyong pagiging engot at kawalan ng Romantic DNA sa katawan? Malaki man ang populasyon nila sa mundo, napaka-liit ng tsansang makakilala ka ulet ng katulad niya na magtya-tyaga sayo.

Tandaan, pansamantala ka mang maakit ng naglalakihang pulang high-heels o maaarteng makintab na sandals, mas masarap pa ring umuwe sa nag-iisang tsinelas ng buhay mo.

-maaring nabasa niyo na ito sa mga social media sites

Success in Leadership

Are you a Leader?

Do you want to know what you need to be to succeed? 

Here is an article from an email sent to me...

"8 Things You Can Do To Be The Leader 

You Need To Be To Succeed'

by John Calub Training Incorporated

First, be alert to new potentials. 

"Reality" is not absolute but rather subject to constant change. Think about inventors, explorers, and agents of social change who have achieved greatness. Some might simply say that certain people are successful because they are lucky to be in the right place at the right time. Maybe so, but if they hadn't had their eyes open for the opportunity, then it wouldn't have mattered if they were in the right place.

Second, accept inspiration from wherever it comes; even your opponents.

 The wisest leaders constantly study their competition. In war, politics, and business we constantly see examples of this research and reconnaissance. Too many times though a certain study, many concentrate on finding a weakness to exploit. If you want to a be a leader of positive change don't fall victim to this trend. Instead, if you find a weakness, make sure to avoid that pitfall yourself. If you find the strength then find a way to strengthen your own qualities to match.

Third, learn something new and promote in new ways every day. 

This means you must continually seek to expand your horizons, internally and externally. Feed your mind with new lessons and knowledge, but constantly expand your social horizons as well. Seek out and meet new people and immerse yourself in new social situations. You never know when these new experiences will help you in your leadership role.

Fourth, search for and find answers in subtle clues. 

Look beneath the surface and constantly question. This is an extension of the third step in that you are seeking new knowledge. But this also means that you will need to step off the traditional paths of knowledge. Don't simply read books in the literary canon or the bestsellers list. Take seminars rather than classes as there is more room for questioning and debate. Seek out the unconventional thinkers, teachers, and writers.

Fifth, improvise if no existing solutions are available. 

No excuses. Necessity is the mother of invention. How do you know it won't work if you've never tried it before? Remember, not all approaches need to come from the front. Look at your problem from all sides and systematically attempt different solutions in various combinations.

Six, make at least one person you care about happy every day. 

If you make it a point to be thoughtful and caring for one person every day then soon this thoughtful, caring behavior will become a habit and that habit will spread to the others around you. Making someone else happy also feeds your own personal happiness. Just imagine how much better the world would be if we all did a little bit more to spread happiness.

Seven, offer help, even if there's no apparent advantage to you.

 This means more than writing a check. It means giving of your time and energy and yourself. Sometimes it will mean helping someone you don't know and sometimes it can be a very personal action.

Finally, never let negativity be your last word on the subject. 

If your final words are negative than no matter how hopeful you may be about the potential of a project or action the lasting impression you give to others is one of negativity. Accentuate the positive and you are more likely to see a positive outcome. 

For a Leadership Seminar click here.

Why Get Insured?

Here are some benefits of being Insured:

• Life Insurance As Mortgage Protection

Would you want your family to become homeless if you die unexpectedly? Of course not! You can get a life insurance plan as a form of mortgage protection. Proceeds of your insurance plan can be used to pay off your mortgage on your home.

• Life Insurance As Bankruptcy Protection

Did you know that in case of bankruptcy, your creditors cannot run after the cash value and death benefits of your life insurance policy? The cash value and death benefits from your life are exempt from creditors, thereby offering you a protection against bankruptcy.

• Life Insurance As Income Replacement

Your family may have planned for a future based on two incomes - your income and your spouse's income. But what if one of you passes away unexpectedly? Life insurance can be used to replace lost income, so that your family can maintain the same standard of living as they were used to.

• Life Insurance For Final Expenses

Funeral expenses, burial costs, and medical bills can be a huge burden to your family if you or your spouse pass away unexpectedly. Life insurance can be used to plan for these final expenses, so that your family will not have the additional burden of scratching for money in a time of grief.

• Life Insurance For College Funding

Life insurance can help fund the college education of your children. If you die, the death benefit of your life insurance policy may be invested and potentially grow to the needed amount by the time your children reach college age. Feel better knowing that you helped prepare for their future - even if you are not around to see it.

• Life Insurance For Estate Planning

Life insurance can secure your hard-earned estate for your heirs by providing tax free cash which can be utilized to pay estate taxes. You don't want the BIR to eat up your hard-earned assets, do you?

Source: http://lifeinsurancephilippines.com/why-get-life-insurance


Tips on getting an Insurance:
Tips for getting the best insurance quotes

News Article Collection: Pru Life UK

Here are some news article available online about Pru Life UK.

From Manila Bulletin:

Aimed at providing more investment opportunities for Filipinos, British life insurer Pru Life UK has launched a product that will allow consumers to piggyback on offshore funds from Asian economies.

Antonio G. De Rosas, Pru Life UK president and chief executive said the insurer has introduced the PruLink Asian Local Bond Fund, which is structured as a feeder fund that invests in International Opportunities Fund — Asian Local Bond. Full article at PruLife Launches New Investment Product

By Chino S. Leyco

• PruLife Launches New Investment Product
• Prulife Grows Premium By 33%

From Business Mirror:

ASIA is now the single biggest contributor to the operating profits of London-based insurer Prudential Plc, its Philippine unit, Pru Life UK, said on Wednesday.

In Manila, Pru Life President and Chief Executive Officer Antonio de Rosas said the group’s Asian life insurance operations accounted for 34 percent of global profits and equaled 34 percent in 2011 from only 12 percent in 2007.

• Asia business top source of profit for Prudential Plc

From Sun Star Bacolod:

What needs to be done?

The Insurance Commission seems to be exclusively concerned about insurance companies meeting its capital requirements. We believe that safety of clients’ money is one of those contexts where size does not matter—at least not too much! What is more important is that the insurance company has respect for the client and employs people who are fit to handle clients’ money. (By Neil Honeyman, An Independent View) Click on the link below to read more.

• Honeyman: Pru Life, Philam Life and the insurance commission

From Philippine Star:

MANILA, Philippines - Pru Life UK Philippines said its premium income has grown by an average 78 percent over the past three years, capped by the impressive 33.33-percent growth in 2011.

Total premiums last year grew to P10.4 billion from P7.8 billion in 2010 to P10.4 billion. In 2009, premium income was recorded at P3.5 billion.

 The huge leap in premium growth catapulted Pru Life UK from sixth largest insurer in 2009 to fourth in 2010. To read the full article click the link "Pru Life marks impressive 33% growth in premiums"

• Pru Life marks impressive 33% growth in premiums 
• Pru Life UK bags accounting honors 
• Pru Life upgrades unit-linked product 

Financial Management: Savings

Savings, Investments and Insurance.

What are these and How do they affect our Financial Capacity?

Is there a Recommendable System for us to Manage our Finances?
Part I

Income - Savings = Expenses

How much income do you earn?

What are the things so budget for your expenses? How big or how little goes into your savings? 

Income is defined as an economic wealth that is generated in exchange for an individual's performance of agreed upon activities or through investing capital. Income is consumed to fuel day-to-day expenditures. 

It is a word that Can Mean a lot to a person. One can spend his income for going to the beach, eating in a fine dining restaurant, buying a new shoes or a book. It can also be spent by paying the electricity bill, providing allowance to your child or simply buying food for your daily needs. Each person have different standards of living depending on how much income do they have. The higher income you have, the more things you can buy or purchase. However, this Income should be spent wisely. Having an Income means having the ability to spend and to save. If you spend, you use your income to have a goods or services in return which you can use in the meantime. In saving, you put the money you earn into a tool or a system that in the future can have gains, losses or be retained. 

So how does one manages his or her income? Here are two Cases:

Case 1

Mary works as a Call Center Agent in Ortigas and earns 25,000Php monthly. She usually have good times with her friends on weekends, gives a part of her income to her parents and shops for new clothes regularly. At the end of the month Mary usually deposits 5,000Php to her Savings account.

Case 2

Lei is a Restaurant Staff and makes 12,000Php a month plus her daily tips. When she gets home, Lei puts the tip she had for the day in an Envelope. Weekly, Lei deposits 500Php to her Bank account. She also hands some money to her parents then the rest that are left are for her personal needs. Every month she also puts in the bank the money she had in the Envelope.

Whom do you think handles the money wisely, Mary or Lei? Why?

Here are some tips into saving: Trick yourself into saving

Project J.18

"One Small Change Can Make One Big Difference"

On John Calub's "How to Become a Money Magnet" by Miguel Oscar

How important is Money to You Nowadays? 

Where can We Learn a System on How to Manage our Money?

Money is important to each one of us. We Earn. We Spend. We Save. With money we can provide for our basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing. It also gives us the opportunity to enjoy a Lifestyle we choose to have. We also have the responsibility to save and invest for future needs.

There was this Seminar held by John Calub titled "How to Become a Money Magnet"

A friend wrote an article for me about the said event:

On How to Become a Money Magnet

by Miguel Oscar D. Castelo

As a Financial Advisor, I constantly seek ways to improve my service to my clients and teach them new things, that’s why I never get tired of attending seminars and trainings that would help both them and me.

I started the month of September by attending a seminar provided by John Calub on how to become a “Money Magnet” by managing your money well and having the proper mind set to achieve your financial goals. Obviously I wanted to learn more so that I can teach more, and paying 500php for knowledge that I would be able to use forever was a cheap price to pay.

What struck me the most, during the seminar was the methods and techniques that I have learned as regards to paying yourself first before you pay for your bills and buy your necessities, a process that most Filipinos are not familiar with and the main reason why we always seem to burn through our salaries really fast. Have you ever heard of the saying “mabilis mawala ang pera”? That was what John Calub was referring to.

Another aspect of the seminar which caught my attention was the notion that you will never become rich or financially free and stable if you just keep your savings in the bank. This is something that I actually tell my clients about. It is not enough to spend less than what you earn and put the difference in a savings account, that’s pointless because it will never grow. You will need to “spend less than what you earn and invest the difference”. The best part of this was that one of the safe investment mediums John Calub was talking about is something that I specialize in which is “Variable Life Insurance” (financial protection plans packaged with Investments). John told his audience to seek a Financial Advisor and Life Insurance Agent because they can help kick start safe investments. You can imagine how much I was trying to restrain myself from standing up in a crowd of over 1000 people and shouting, “Financial Advisor right here I specialize in Variable Life Insurance, talk to me after the seminar”.

All in all, it was a great experience as I now teach what I have learned to my clients as part of my service. Whether they get Life Insurance from me as crucial part of their financial planning method doesn’t really matter, for as long as I see them financially free in the future because of what I was able to teach them, I would consider myself repaid for my efforts.

I would like to end this entry with a question.

When you retire, do you suppose your money will outlive you? Or will you outlive your money?

If you answered that your money will outlive you, then congratulations you probably are financially free or at least on the road to getting there. You are part of the few people who can eat at a fancy restaurant without the need to look at the right hand column of the menu (where the price is located). Or you don’t need to charge everything on your credit card because you’re still waiting on your months’ salary.

But if you answered the latter, and you feel that what you make won’t be able to support you until the final days of your life then ask yourself why. Maybe you need to learn how to manage your money properly.

I find it funny that we spend such a long time in school to receive a degree in order to get a good job and earn money but we were never taught how to handle it. For that reason I take pride in my work as a Financial Advisor, because I teach people something that they do not actually learn in all their years inside the four corners of the classroom that cost our parents a small fortune just to put us through school.

I’d like to give a shout out to all my fellow Filipinos who would like to learn more about how to manage your own money and make you stop working so hard for the money you earn to the point of breaking your backs and not enjoying life.

But instead making your money work hard for you simply because you deserve to become rich while you enjoy the company of your friends and family as well as enjoying what life has to offer.

I would love to share what I have learned from this experience as well as what I have learned throughout my career that would make the financial lives of Filipino people better.

Have a Good day and may God Bless us all

                                                                                                                               

Miguel Oscar D. Castelo

                                                                                          Pru Life UK Financial Advisor

                                For inquiries you may contact Oscar at: 09178039114 or 6711686

 PROJECT J.18

"ONE SMALL CHANGE CAN MAKE ONE BIG DIFFERENCE"

Financial Intelligence - An Overview

Financial Intelligence. 

Is it the same as Financial Literacy and Financial Management? How can people relate with this stuff? 

Where does one learn Financial Education? 

Let me give you an overview...

What is Financial Literacy?

Financial literacy is the ability to understand finance. More specifically, it refers to the set of skills and knowledge that allows an individual to make informed and effective decisions through their understanding of finances.

In Asia Pacific and Middle East Africa

A survey of women consumers across Asia Pacific Middle East Africa (APMEA) comprises basic money management, financial planning and investment. The top ten of APMEA Women MasterCard's Financial Literacy Index are: Thai 73.9, New Zealand 71.3, Australia 70.2, Vietnam 70.1, Singapore 69.4, Taiwan 68.7, Philippines 68.2, Hong Kong 68.0, Indonesia 66.5 and Malaysia 66.0.

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_literacy 

Robert Kiyosaki's New Financial Advice

Meaning of Financial Management

     Financial Management means planning, organizing, directing and controlling the financial activities such as procurement and utilization of funds of the enterprise. It means applying general management principles to financial resources of the enterprise.

Scope/Elements

1. Investment decisions includes investment in fixed assets
2. Financial decisions 
3. Dividend decisions

Objectives of Financial Management

The financial management is generally concerned with procurement, allocation and control of financial resources of a concern.

The objectives can be:

• To ensure regular and adequate supply of funds to the concern.
• To ensure adequate returns to the shareholders which will depend upon the earning capacity, market price of the share, expectations of the shareholders.
• To ensure optimum funds utilization. 
• To ensure safety on investment.
• To plan a sound capital structure.

Functions of Financial Management

1. Estimation of capital requirements
2. Determination of capital composition
3. Choice of sources of funds
4. Investment of funds
5. Disposal of surplus
6. Management of cash
7. Financial controls

Read more at http://www.managementstudyguide.com/financial-management.htm

See also : http://tutor2u.net/business/accounts/finance_management_intro.htm

Conventional Education Vs. Financial Literacy

Here is a preview of an article about the trends in finance management of Filipinos.

Filipinos Taught Better Financial Management

By Ramona Ruiz

taken from  http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/filipinos-taught-better-financial-management 

ABU DHABI // Filipino migrant leaders are teaching their compatriots how to manage their hard-earned money, invest their savings and prepare them to reintegrate into their communities back home....

The move follows a financial literacy "training of trainers" organised in Dubai by the Ministry of Labor, not only for Filipino migrants but for those from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

A series of workshops were held in January by representatives from Atikha, a non-governmental organisation that provides economic and social services to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families in the Philippines. Atikha also developed a training module that was applicable to other migrants.

The financial literacy seminars discussed basic concepts of saving, investing and borrowing and the various investment instruments that Filipinos could utilise.

"It is our nature to make sacrifices for the family," Mr Junio said. "We need to know how and when to say 'no' to some of their demands."

Just click the link to read the whole article.

For a review about the banks in the Philippines such as Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas, Banco De Oro, CitiBank Philippines, Bank Of The Philippine Islands, Union bank, Philippine National Bank, Metrobank, Security Bank, Land Bank Of The Philippines, HSBC Philippines and China Bank Philippines click here.

So where do we learn this Financial Stuff...

For me, I learned from a book. Then through videos and eventually through seminars. There are people that have knowledge and wisdom to share about Financial Literacy, Financial Management, basically finding Financial Education.

Robert Kiyosaki has been one of my Best Mentors. Who is he? Wikipedia says Robert Toru Kiyosaki is an American investor, businessman, self-help author, motivational speaker, financial literacy activist, and occasional financial commentator. Kiyosaki is perhaps best known for his Rich Dad Poor Dad series of motivational books and other material published under the Rich Dad brand. He has written over 15 books which have combined sales of over 26 million copies. He has created three "Cashflow" board and software games for adults and children and has a series of "Rich Dad" CDs and disks.

As a devout global financial literacy advocate, Kiyosaki has been a staunch proponent of entrepreneurship, business education, investing, and that comprehensive financial literacy concepts should be taught in schools around the world.

Here is a video or Robert Kiyosaki talking about Financial IQ

Here is my Conclusion:

• Financial Intelligence means being Financially Educated and having a Financial Management System that works for you.
• It is Important that each person has a High Average Financial IQ for money has a very important role in our life today.
• To be Financial Educated, it starts from within. Your DECISION. Decide to be financially educated, raise your financial IQ and have a financial management system. Resources are available at hand. It can be your friends, family, books, newspaper and Internet.

Project J.18

"One Small Change Can Make One Big Difference"