PROJECT 100

I am on a mission. I always have this longing to help out whenever I can,  even when I can't. But most of the time, I am distracted. Thus,  I fail. Still, I continue to strive. I may hear some comments and people may judge me of my decisions or indecisions, that is fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I believe that there is a reason for everything and every event has its own purpose, whether it be good or bad. But basically, that is up to you, how you see things. Our perpective makes a lot of difference.

Anyway, as I venture on yet another new horizon, it is something that always gets to me even when I was still in highschool. This is financial freedom through healthcare, insurance and investments. Looking back, I was 3rd year then, if I remember correctly, we were asked by our English teacher to write a term paper about anything that interests us.

I later found myself writing about the International Marketing Group (IMG), a company which offers healthcare, insurance, and investments like mutual fund and real estate. It acts as a broker. I was still 15 years young then, in 2001. I interviewed my uncle and his wife who were part of it. I listened intently to their lectures, so I could write my piece. After college when I was already working, my uncle talked to me about signing up and get healthcare for myself. So, I did. It wasn't hard for him to convince me, since I already knew what it was and I perfectly understood what it is for. But unfortunately, I got caught up with the "Cebu lifestyle and being young". I eventually forgot about how important it was.

A few years later, I visited my cousins who at that time were recently assigned in town. They were connected with Prulife UK. I wasn't able to sign up then, because I left my extra cash at home. Then about 3 years ago around April, I signed up with Insular Life with a dear friend and eventually ended up lapsing my policy because come May I decided to quit my job, go back to Iligan and  pursue my masters degree. Oh well,  yes, I know what your thinking,  that "I am crazy!", perhaps, and "I just wasted my money", I agree. There is no denying, I definitely did! Most of all, "Sayang!". True. It was indeed.

Nevertheless, I regard it as an investment I have made to myself because of those experiences, I was able to learn invaluable lessons. Now I'm more determined to not only secure myself but also secure those around me. That they too will be able to sustain the monthly investments in the long run. Thus, providing security and peace of mind to their respective families.

I know it isn't an easy task. Told you,  I've been there. Done that. Right?!  I requires discipline and will to remove ourselves from the rat race, that is - living from paycheck to paycheck, sustaining loans, paying bills and what not, with every peso we earn. You might think at this moment, "I don't even receive much". But then again,  if I may say "it is not how big you earn but how much you keep that makes the difference".

After recently resigning from my medrep job, I pursued one of the many things I dreamed of. Now,  I am happily connected with AXA - Metrobank, as a Financial Advisor. AXA is not an acronym for anything. Instead, it was chosen as a brand name of the Paris based company, simply, because it was easy to pronounce and has same pronunciation across the globe. It is a multinational company which provides insurance and investment to over 102 million people in 58 countries. With their investments being managed by Metrobank, the strongest bank in the Philippines. We know for a fact that we are "In good hands with Metrobank".

All that said,  I am off for an adventure to educate and secure the financial future of my countrymen. That together, we will be able to achieve financial freedom. So we may have time for our money and money for our time. I claim that I would be able to help at least 100 people to achieve the dreams planted in their hearts. After all,  nothing is impossible when you believe. It starts in the mind. "What your mind can conceive your body can acheive" one of the famous sayings.

Let us be one step closer to abundance not in the next lifetime but in this life. Let's talk and plan ahead. Now is the best time. Not later. By now, remember that we don't have all the time we want and need in this world. Time is of the essence. Please feel free to contact me by commenting below. Thanks for reading! Talk to you really soon. Receive abundance.

Excited for you,
Vanz

Oh Philippines!

I was down at our Barangay Hall yesterday. I went there past eight in the morning together with my parents. They were getting some papers from the office while I line up to apply for my voter's id from the COMELEC since they were in town to cater to new applicants and those who are transferring to vote here and the like.

There were already a bunch of people lining up. On second thought, there was actually no line. I mean the first phase of application, that is getting the forms, particularly has no line because people were stampeding toward the door. The second phase was to have your filled up form tallied on a record book so you can obtain your application number. Then, proceed to the third phase to have your picture and biometrics taken. After that, the last phase was to mark both thumbs on the form and submit.

The senior citizens, disabled, pregnant and those with children were given priority. While I was there, I observed how the seemingly rich just went pass everyone, as though a fast lane was provided for them too. And some of the people, who were able to notice it, was just left with not much, but to murmur. Talk about power play. Tsk. Tsk.

All of the people wanted to get it over and done with. Some were discretely cutting in the line. Perhaps,  it is a part of human instinct, the urge to get ahead of everyone else. What do you think? Or I guess the lack of discipline and respect for others. It seems so apparently rampant nowadays. Which would it be? We always see it everyday all around us in the news (scams and the like), in the streets (hold up), in our workplace (kiss ass) and even at home (sibling rivalry). Just a few examples of everyday life, as we live it.

Then, I saw this old man of 69, if I remember correctly. He was sitting holding his form. I asked what he was waiting for, since he should have been given priority. I learned that he was illiterate. I spoke with a woman who with him to assist. I thought she was his daughter but she told me she was a wife of one of her sons. She told me there was none but her who pursued to accompany the old man and two other illiterate boys. No one else was willing to go, maybe because everyone else back home were too ashamed to be lining up with them. She doesn't know if it's because of the lack of money or the deliberate disregard for education of their parents that cause them this unfortunate destiny.

Experiencing yesterdays so called "turmoil" (you know how it is with government services) left me with mixed emotions. I felt disgusted and irritated because of the lack of discipline, respect, and education of the people especially the power play that took place. At the same time, it was heart breaking to witness mostly the poor bringing their children with visible scars and allergies on their skin. Some brought their babies. There were even newly born present under the scorching heat of the sun. Their mothers breastfeeding them to sleep. Perhaps, because there was no one else to babysit for them. Oh what a sad sad reality this is. Helpless, they do not have much of a choice but succumb to what poverty has brought them. It got me to thinking if I am really sure I want to settle here in the "Pearl of the Orient Seas" or am I better off somewhere else. All the scams we hear everyday, such has become a norm. Even I felt the helplessness it brings. How could we ever change the way that it has been.

Disheartened, I can only do so much as to pray for our nation and be a good citizen. I'm hoping justice is served to where justice is due. Many has suffered and are still suffering and it gets worse by the second. May our land be healed and people be reunited to stand side by side to do what is right and just, not because, people are watching but because of the passion to serve with honor and utmost sincerity for the Philippines and the Filipino people.