What Better Time Than Now



(HE)

I have been working since I was 17 years old.

This was what occurred to me as I was at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati for Sun Life’s kickoff for their Financial Independence Month through a workshop with fellow bloggers on financial independence. Incidentally, it was at this very hotel where I started working - as a banquet waiter.

I remember strolling through its corridors and preparing banquet halls for scheduled functions, much like this one. I would work at night, starting with the waiter-ing, then on to the set ups. I would go home at 7:00 in the morning.  The goal then was simpler—to earn enough money to move out of my parent’s house.

I would go on a series of other jobs, always with the self-awareness that I’m bound for something better. I was able to move up that ladder, so to speak. I have been able to get myself to a position where I am able to earn decent amount of money. But always, like most Filipinos, I would struggle to save. It seems as though I’d be living off paycheck to paycheck.

And, as serendipity would have it, here I am being talked to about this very struggle, right here, where I started on a journey to becoming financially independent from my parents.

We were treated to some wisdom from Peso and Sense’s Aya Laraya. It was a concise talk which I’m sure will resonate with many Filipinos who are struggling financially. From how we were raised with the belief that all rich people must have done something illegal to gain their wealth to our archetype of local superheroes being poor (i.e. Captain Barbell, Darna, Panday), Pinoys were conditioned to shun even the idea of becoming wealthy. I certainly don’t have such aversion to wealth. I’m not opposed to the idea of living the rest of my life well beyond my means. The thing is, with careful budget management and knowledge of the market, it is doable. And this is what Sun Life is setting out to do.

According to Sun Life’s executives, they will be doing a series of events through the coming months in the hopes of reaching out to Filipinos in becoming more financially literate. I wholeheartedly support such endeavor. Whether that would entail you acquiring insurance policies or investing your money through mutual funds, it doesn’t matter. The point is you should be saving up and investing for your future.

At some point I was awash in nostalgia, and wishing I was able to tell myself these very words years ago.  But I welcome the wisdom that comes with my age. And that wisdom prompted me to remind myself that whether I was 17 years young or 40 years old, the question is: “What better time than now?”

Visit Sun Life's Facebook page for details about their initiatives for Financial Independence Month, including Money for Life, a comprehensive, customizable financial planning program that will ensure that a client will have sufficient funds for every stage of his life; and the Bus to the Future, which offers a 360-degree visual reality (VR) experience where you can get a glimpse of the brighter future in store for you if you start planning for your future now.



Parkfest at Nayong Pilipino

(SHE)

My memories of Nayong Pilipino are pretty vague. I was very young when our class went there on a field trip, and it all went by so fast that I only really remember the demonstration of how to use a malong. I have no picture beside any miniature wonder of the Philippines that the place was known for.

Last I heard, Nayong Pilipino was moved to Clark, Pampanga. Sloan even went on a field trip there two years ago. I'm not sure if that one still exists, but as it appears, a new Nayong Pilipino is now situated in Luneta Park, where the Manila Orchidarium used to be; and it was re-launched via Parkfest, an arts and crafts event organized by Common Room and Type Kita. The two groups are the brainchild of Popjunklove's Roma and Maan Agsalud.

We checked out Day 2 of Parkfest, and were extremely pleased with what we saw. The art installations and crafty designs were wonderful, and the lovely park - with its majestic trees, ponds teeming with fish, and small playground - provided a perfect backdrop. Sloan had wonderful time checking out the typography-laden Sarao jeeps, playing on the see-saw with Michael and I, and crossing the hanging bridge. Some artists and crafters were selling their wares, and I bought some to give as gifts to friends.

By the end of the day, Michael, Sloan, and I were all sweaty (it was the tailend of summer) and dirty (we got down on the floor to do some chalk art). Sloan wanted to stay longer but Michael and I were already famished, and I was worried about the dark clouds looming in the horizon. Still, it was a Sunday well spent - unplugged and surrounded by nature and art.

 

 

 



Wacky Obstacle Run - Free Play Zone in BGC

(SHE)

Kids these days have so many choices for play, from nice parks to indoor playgrounds. While Sloan is into video games and Youtube videos like any other kid in today’s generation, I’m glad that he’s still frisky and always eager to engage in physical play. He was actually thrilled about checking out the Wacky Obstacle Run - Free Play Zone at the Bonifacio Global City last Sunday.

“It's like Wipe Out, Mommy!” He exclaimed upon seeing the giant inflatable free play zone. The set-up did look like the one you see on the said TV show (pero Takeshi’s Castle pa rin lol). The fee is P100 per head for 15 minutes. There are two obstacles courses to choose from, though they aren’t that different from each other.

It was scorching hot that morning, but Sloan happily bounced about, climbed up, and slid down along with the other kids. We were there for a total of 30 minutes only, but man, we were exhausted. Michael more so, because he was the one tasked to run after Sloan, while I took photos and waited with the water bottle and face towel in hand lol. After all the bouncy fun, Sloan still had the energy to run around BGC’s open areas - unbelievable, this kid’s energy is.

The Wacky Obstacle Run - Free Play Zone will be in BGC all Sundays of January. Go and check it out. I strongly suggest bringing a change of clothes, face towels, and bottled water. And slather on some sunscreen too.