Financial Literacy: Not in DepEd’s Agenda

Most children in the Philippines are financially-spoiled.

And most parents in the Philippines don’t teach their children the real value of money. When kids want to have something, most of the time, the parents will just give in and will do everything they can to look for money. Never mind if the money is credit card money. Or money borrowed from neighbor or officemates.

Most children are not taught to save money and to work hard to get what they want. However small or big that thing is.

What makes it sadder is that most Philippine schools do not even teach basic personal finance subjects to their young students. And saddest, most teachers are financially- illiterate as well. Continue reading Financial Literacy: Not in DepEd’s Agenda

How Do You Teach Your Kids About Saving Money?

It’s in the culture of Filipino elders to give money to children during Christmas as gift. Children (and parents) then use this money to spend on anything that they want as something new to have for Christmas and the New Year.

But while this tradition should continue, parents and godparents should also teach children to save money that they receive.

It is good to spend, but it’s better for them to learn the value and benefits of saving money. Continue reading How Do You Teach Your Kids About Saving Money?

Why Most Filipino Musicians & Artists Remain Poor

Most musicians remain poor. But the music that they make, even if it does not bring them millions, gives millions of people happiness.”Langston Hughes

Ain’t that sweet to hear? The last sentence from Mr. Hughes, I mean.

People and fans (groupies) adore you when you perform on stage. Or when they hear your song being played on the radio. Or when your painting is being exhibited in the hippest museums in town. Or when you finally got that acting part in the coolest indie movie of the year.

You feel like a temporary god for finally nailing that sweet dream of yours on a canvass of glorious euphoria after famished years of struggle and pay-for-play gigs.

But the first sentence can break a poor artist’s heart. Even the hardest and toughest hardcore metal screamer in the underground scene today will cry like a baby hungry for milk. Continue reading Why Most Filipino Musicians & Artists Remain Poor