Category: Community

Your Children Are Not Investments

This mentality might feel familiar – even within our own families. It’s not just a Filipino thing, but a common perspective in many Asian cultures. Here, the idea of having a large family is often seen as a way to secure the future.

Having a big family isn’t wrong – the choice of family size is deeply personal. However, it’s crucial to remember that children aren’t a magic solution. Quantity shouldn’t come at the expense of quality. We need to ensure we can provide for each child’s well-being, not just their basic needs.

Here’s the bigger issue: some parents believe a large family guarantees a comfortable retirement. They might not save for their own future or their children’s education, expecting older siblings to shoulder the burden. This creates a cycle of dependence.

Continue reading Your Children Are Not Investments

How To Become The Fourth Magi

Today is the 12th and the last day of Christmas for most Christians, especially from the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and other mega-churches like the Lutheran, Methodist, Anglican churches, among others. It’s a Christmas feast called the Epiphany which celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ.

We are all familiar about these three wise men in the traditional names of Melchor, Gaspar, and Balthazar who brought gifts to baby Jesus some 2,000 years ago. They may not bear those names in reality but this has captured the hearts of many Christians, children and adults alike. These are the “Three Kings” from the East who brought gold, myrrh, and frankincense. It is commonly accepted that they are the ones and their “giving” that are being celebrated today.

But it’s very interesting to note that a legendary writer Henry van Dyke wrote a story about “The Fourth Wise Man”. The story revolves around Artaban, a magi is the fourth wise man who desired to follow the star to the birthplace of the coming King, and was supposed to join the three other wise men, but misses the caravan because of too many “obstructions” along the way. Continue reading How To Become The Fourth Magi

Did You Borrow Money For Christmas and New Year Parties?

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day may have already gone but these days up to New Year’s Day are usually “reunion” days among families, classmates, barkadas, and some friends. So expect more unexpected spendings to come. Also, kids (and adults) will have to think over about what to do with their aguinaldo or cash gifts.

Our friend Ezra Ferraz compiled some advise for parents and kids to become financially-savvy especially during this Christmas season. You will find my advise at number 1 in this helpful article of Ezra at Rappler.com.

Unfortunately, inspite of all these priceless financial advise and suggestions, this festive period usually leave millions of people unable to pay their necessary bills in January next year. Especially those who were not able to monitor their use of credit cards, or worst, have borrowed money through loans (either personal or through 5/6 loan sharks) just to celebrate Christmas with a feast of food and gifts. Continue reading Did You Borrow Money For Christmas and New Year Parties?