Just So Cute!

I was browsing my phone gallery and saw these two videos of my kids. I thought it's nice to share these to the world. Pardon the landscape view of the first video. :p

This was taken sometime in 2008.

This was just last June.

What I Shared with the New CPAs

Sharing the full script of what I said during the Career Orientation for New CPAs last July 9, 2015 at the City Sports Club, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City. 

"Your passing the Board Exams is a rewarding conclusion of your four or five years of working hard to earn the Accountancy degree and six months of sleepless nights for the review. To all of you new CPAs, congratulations!

I am very honored to be here and share with you some of my thoughts and experiences as you start your career as CPAs in public practice in particular.  

Let me start with telling you on what I believe in.  You may or may not agree, but for me there is no such thing as destiny. Everything is a matter of choice. We all know that life is a series of ups and downs, a mixture of blessings and predicaments, and a random sequence of events which we may not have any influence over. However, we always have a choice in dealing with it, with how we think about it, and what we say or do about it. You must make the choice if you want anything changed.

I was not born with a silver spoon. My family raised me with modest means, my father, a 2^nd grader and my mother a high school graduate. As early as seven, I was already exposed to laborious chores, like scrubbing the floor, fetching pails of water, washing dishes, etc. Some of you can probably relate to that. And that probably is the reason why I did not grow tall. J J. I graduated from Argao Central Elementary School.  I could vividly recall walking to that school with only a pair of slippers and my net bag. Those experiences developed my character, and at that young age, I already made a choice that this is not how I want to live the rest of my life.

Life is tough.

My father met an accident sometime in 1990. My family’s little savings were gone thus my late brother and I had to work. We rented a trisikad and namasada ming duha for the whole summer. My brother’s earning for the day went to buy sud-an and mine to buy rice.  With that accident, I knew that my parents couldn’t afford to send me to college. But I did not give in to the circumstances. I had to persevere. Luckily, I got a scholarship for being an honor student. 75% of my tuition was covered by my scholarship and the remaining 25% shouldered by my uncle and my aunt who also took me in their humble home. To return the favor, I had to do some errands and household chores.  

My college life was really a struggle.  I was living with 100 pesos a week. Food and pamlete included. I got by with the help of my friends sharing their food/snacks with me.  Perhaps in my entire 4 years in college, I only had 4 pairs of jeans and 2 or 3 pairs of shoes. I could still remember going to USC with torn and buslot na sapatos. My wife always teases me with this line “kaya ka bili ng bili ng sapatos no kahit di mo ginagamit dahil gusto mong makabawi?” J J J.  But all these did not stop me from chasing a better life.

To cut the story short, I exhausted all efforts for me to survive and finish Accountancy. I was a working student for 2 years. I worked in the Library section 4 hours a day, 6 days a week. I also became a scholar of the Commerce department just checking test papers for Mam Dabalos. Thank you very much Mam Dabalos for the opportunity. You will forever be remembered. Thank you also to SGV Foundation for giving out 2-year scholarships.

By the way, my becoming a CPA was not planned at all. Initially, I wanted to take up civil engineering. Nursing and Nautical were also in the list. But my uncle and my aunt persuaded me to take a different path… and that is Accountancy. You will be glad to know that they, too, are CPAs and are both graduates of USC.

For many, starting a career can be challenging yet exciting. When I was still in the review school, I could distinctly remember some of the reviewers advising us to never get employed by accounting firms because we’d just get exploited - we’d be working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So working in public sector was not an option then. But see how funny life is? Few days after we got the results, my best friend called me up and convinced me to visit SGV Cebu office.  No intention to apply at all (we didn’t even bring CVs) but just to see how the environment was or what the work would be of a CPA. The partner met with us and showed us around. After a short conversation with the partner, he asked “so when are you going to start?” I responded without hesitation, “tomorrow”.  So that’s how my career in public practice started.

At first, I thought of staying in the Firm for only a year but great opportunities came —trainings, scholarship to an Executive MBA program and what have you—so my stint in that Firm lasted for 10 years. The reason I stayed is because, as much as public practice is laborious, it is a good training ground for managing stress, time and pressure and of course for one’s professional development. The career path is clear and the growth is much more rapid.  Rising through the ranks in public practice is quite smooth. You only need sufficient hard work, skills and diligence.  

In 2005, I had the opportunity to work in New York City.  A year after, I was given the National Chairman’s Award for Excellence by PwC. Moving to NYC was a big and tough change for me but I was determined to take on the challenges. I continued to aspire for a better life not just for myself but for my growing family.

I went home in 2011 and another opportunity opened up—a spot in Reyes Tacandong & Co. where I finally made partner.

That brings us to this day.

It’s almost 20 years and my journey is far from over.  Yes, it was certainly a colorful story with the trials and tribulations I encountered but I made a choice to go through it and it was well worth it. My life continues to be very interesting, challenging, sometimes frustrating but rewarding at the same time. And now, please allow me to impart bits of wisdom I’ve learned over my two decades of experience.

First, as Stephen Covey wrote in his book, “begin with the end in mind.”

Before making choices, we have to make a conscious effort to visualize who we are and what we want in life. As early as now, determine what you want to become, where you want to be, and ensure that each choice you make is directed towards achieving your dream. 

If you are that type who easily gets bored, public practice is for you. Your work will not be routinary.  You will work with multiple clients that will give you the opportunity to gain increased exposure to various types of business operations and industries. To me, only public accounting can offer you that exposure.

Second, surround yourself with good people, people who are close to success.

Choose to be with people who will not hamper you down but rather empower you.  Our environment is crucial in paving the way to our destination. Borrowing the words from my managing partner for audit services, “we are defined by the people we spend most time with”.  Thus, you have to be highly selective of the Firm or the Company that you will keep or the Company where you will build and develop your career.

Working in an accounting firm offers you the chance to work with or be exposed to incredibly smart and successful people inside the firm (e.g. Partners, principals, consultants, etc.) and outside the firm (e.g. Chairman/CEO and CFO of the clients, politicians, prominent businessmen, etc.)  You just have to take advantage of these resources.

Third, give nothing less than your best.

Life doesn’t give dole outs. Just because you want something, it doesn’t mean you will get it. You have to earn it.  Work for it and give everything you’ve got to get it.

Fourth, maintain integrity.  

Sometimes, things will not go our way. There will always be factors that will affect our decisions but no matter the situation is, we are not bound to it. Amidst this changing world, there is no room for compromise to keep your reputation intact. This is one legacy that our parents have passed on to us and which we must pass on to our children too. Respect and recognition take years to earn and develop but it only takes a day to lose them. As professionals, we are guided by the Rules on professional Ethics and Independence. We just have to comply.

Fifth, keep on learning.

Education doesn’t stop in schools. New knowledge can be acquired in different avenues. In our profession, we need to update ourselves with the current standards and rules because these become our ace cards to raise our value at work. Accounting firms offer you rigorous technical trainings and actual experiences.

And last but not the least, choose to endure.

We all know how life is. There will be ups and there will be downs. But every time we stumble, we must rise. Never give up. Begin again. I assure you all the hardships will be worth it.  Always remember, it is not how far you have come but how far you are willing to go.

Ladies and gentlemen, let us not forget the people who helped you become what you are now - your parents, your family and your mentors - your parents and your family for all the moral and financial support; and your mentors for developing the foundation for you to meet the technical requirements and the discipline necessary for the Board Exams.

Let me end this by telling you that you cannot slow down and be complacent basking in the glory of your success. Your topping or passing the Board Exams will definitely jumpstart your career but sustaining the momentum brought by your success is another story.

Once again, congratulations to you all.  Have a long and enduring journey to the Accounting Profession.  And as you enter this new journey in your life, choose to be GREAT!  

Thank you."

Escape to Argao

This is the third straight year that I was able to celebrate the feast of our town's patron saint - St. Michael the Archangel - with my colleagues from Cebu Office. This year though is quite different. Different because i) we didn't stay in the Mahayahay Beach Resort (we just stayed in our house); ii) there were four of them who were first-timers to visit Argao; and iii) we have taken more pictures of our escapade. Few of these pics are shown below :)


If I count it right, it's 10 years that I was absent in the town fiesta --- from the time I moved from Cebu to Manila in 2002 until the time we came back from the US in 2011. Argao town fiesta is celebrated every September 28-29 of the year. There were stories told that every time the Parish tried to change the dates of the fiesta (e.g., fixing the days to Saturday/Sunday), it always rained on those days. The folks believe that St. Michael doesn't like changing the dates.

I got to celebrate the fiesta and enjoy the food again starting in 2012. It was the first time I invited my Cebu colleagues to our place in Argao. In 2013, only the Cebu guys went. This year, my guests were a mixture of old and new faces.  Special mention though to these guys who were never absent these past three years:  Karl, Rendol, Aldrin and Xenon. I had been enjoying the company of these guys who gladly shared their talents in singing, playing cards and of course the timeless game of drinking. :P

Another memorable experience while I was in Argao was meeting important people again. After 12 years, I met my Auntie Susan and Uncle Mars again. We last saw each other in 2002. With them were Auntie Vangie and Uncle Felix whom I did not see for almost a year now. They still did not age. Haha. 

Hope to see all of you in 2014!

At the Pier.....with lights coming from our cellphones.

Picture taken under a kalachuchi plant. To our left is the bell tower of Argao Church, which has three levels supporting a single large bell on the second level and with 8 smaller bells on the third.

At the back (or atop) is one of the four gates of the Pueblo called "Puerto Marina". Legend says Maria Cacao would sail to the Americas to sell her freshly harvested cacao and would come back with new plates and utensils she would freely lend to the townsfolk.

Picture picture while the guys were playing Pusoy.

I lost in all the games. Do you see who's too relaxed here? It was confirmed that Cess plays so well and so fast. :P 

It's evident in this pic and the three pics that follow everyone's tipsiness.

This and the next two pics were taken early morning while still figuring out whether to go to the beach or not.

...and finally we decided to swim. :)

With my mama and my younger bro before heading back to the city.

My Journey to College

In the article Looking Back:  Childhood and Decisions, I mentioned about me taking up civil engineering. However, I ended up enrolling in Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. So what happened?

It was December of 1989 when my late father got into an accident. He was driving a tricycle carrying x number of passengers going to Bulasa (I think) when a truck hit them. He was hospitalized and underwent an operation to fix his broken leg. He was still fortunate then as he was alive. One of his passengers did not make it.

Because of that accident, the savings my parents had from their small business were totally depleted. I was 15 that time when I had to work for my family to survive. Both me and my late brother had to drive "sikad-sikad" to earn a living. My earnings were used to buy rice and his to buy viand. 

I graduated high school and I knew continuing my studies would be a challenge. My parents told me that I might not be able to go to college because of financial difficulties. I was determined then so I exhausted all my efforts to convince my parents to help me get to college. We approached my aunt (my father's sister) and her husband and asked them to shoulder 25% of my tuition and of course the food and the place. As I graduated salutatorian in high school, I automatically became an academic scholar at the University of San Carlos. Although only 75% of the tuition was free, it was more than good enough for me. Thanks a lot Auntie Vangie and Uncle Felix for all the help. I will forever be grateful. (By the way, both of them are CPAs. So I need not explain any further why I took up BSA) :p 

I thought if I could maintain the required grade, I would continue enjoying the academic scholarship. To my surprise, I got a mid-term assessment in my 2nd year. I was so worried thinking of where I would get the money to pay off the assessment. I went to the scholarship office and was explained that the privilege was only good for one year. The head of the scholarship office referred me to the Working Students office to check if there was an opening. Fortunately, there was. I was accepted as a working student of the periodicals section of the library. In exchange for free tuition, I had to work four hours a day from Monday to Saturday. My tasks were to man the periodicals section and facilitate the borrowing of books and magazines, as well as to deliver the daily newspapers to the different offices in the University. These were my daily routines all throughout my second year in college.

Then came the third year. I was introduced by a co-working student to a teacher who was looking for a scholar. The only task needed was to check all her test papers and no required number of hours was required. So I changed gears. I was her checker for a year. 

Before the end of my third year, SGV Foundation offered scholarship to deserving students for two years - third and fourth. I took the exams and luckily I was one of the only three students who passed. I didn't have to work at all until my graduation in March 1995.

My journey to college graduation was tough. I had to make ends meet. My allowance that time for food and transportation was only P100 per week. It was really hard as I needed to skip a meal or two a day. Thanks to my friends who sometimes sponsored afternoon snacks. :) That helped me survived. And I have to mention that sometimes I had to make "bukong" for me to reach school. Haha. Thank you jeepney drivers for that silent but well acknowledged help.

Having only one pair of jeans and a pair of shoes in my first year was also a challenge. I had to be careful not to mess them up during the school days. Otherwise I had nothing else to wear for school. I washed my jeans only on Saturdays. So just imagine how I looked that time. Hehe. And oh, there was a time when that athlete's foot was a pain. My only pair of shoes gave up. Walking in my torn shoes in the rain soaking my feet wet was the culprit. Those were the days. 

I am proud of these experiences. They were my inspirations. With perseverance, drive and diligence, I don't think getting a degree is impossible. Being poor should not be a hindrance. We often read articles or hear stories about why one was not able to finish college or even go to school at least. The reasons are endless but one common denominator is poverty. Such an easy way to rationalize failure to get an education and eventually having a not-so-good life. We have to realize that we make our life. We are the only ones responsible for whatever life we have now. Other forces may be present but they are there just to help us choose and decide for our path. Sometimes, people blame their being mentally deficient for not successfully finishing school. But I tell you I don't believe there are unintelligent people. Yes, there are intelligent people and even geniuses at that. But dumb people? Just a plain no. I am not intelligent. I am just diligent. Hope you find that diligence in you to make things happen.

"Passion, vision and diligence

are the most sure fire path to success.

Combined, they are unstoppable."

WEfies

Oxford Dictionaries define selfie as a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or a webcam and shared via social media. 

I like taking selfies.  In instances when I feel good, I believe that the moment should be seized and thus should be documented.  We read a lot of articles about selfies both positive and negative. But to me, these are all good especially if those selfies were taken with my kids. These "wefies" are the moments worth reminiscing. Those wefies I have taken do not only remind me of how I look or how my kids look but more on how I feel in that instant. It is the story I consider more important in taking those wefies. Hope it is to you as well. 

Sharing some wefies with my kids below.  :P