While I still enjoy reading, I have a huge waiting line in my reading list and I have been trying to find more and more time to read. Since I take a lot of long trips, the travel time would have been a great time to catch on my reading right? However, I am unable to do so because I have some motion sickness… Fail!

The next best thing? Podcasts. I’ve been subscribing to some podcasts and they are very convenient for an information junkie like me. So what’s in my podcast subscription list right now?

1) Ravi Zacharias: Ravi and his team are my favorite Christian Apologetics and they have 2 programs over at iTunes — Just Thinking and Let My People Think. Listening to Ravi and his team’s podcasts is an absolute must for me… this is nourishment for my spirit and my brain as well. If you doubt your faith and if you doubt God, listen to Ravi Zacharias!

2) The Dave Ramsey Show: I try to catch Dave’s radio podcasts and his podcasts are always updated over at iTunes. I get a lot of practical personal finance knowledge from Dave Ramsey, I just love his no nonsense approach to money. I must admit though that I haven’t been listening to Dave’s show as much of late. Looks like I need to do so again.

I’ve also recently subscribed to the podcasts of Seth Godin and the The Economist. Seth Godin was introduced to me by my good friend Carlo Ople and my pastor Dennis Sy. The Economist was a magazine/journal I used to read a lot before, good thing they now have podcasts.

While reading books/journals are still best, podcasts may be the next best thing.

However, there’s still one book that I must read everyday and no technology can be a good substitute for me, the Bible.

ps – I still like to read books by the way, I just need to find time to do so. Will share my reading list soon.

Proverbs 22:6, NIV

A few moments ago my my heart was filled with joy because of my 8 year old son Riggs. He got in our bed and in between my wife and I, got his bible and asked me where we stopped. My sons and I read the Bible together — I usually read to them but I also let Riggs read a few verses on his own as practice.

Earlier was a different scene — without prodding from me or my wife, Riggs said he wanted to read the Bible and he did so on his own. He just asked me where he should start and he started reading aloud on his own. He actually read the Parable of the Sower, quite lengthy for my son yet he persevered and completed the whole story.

As parents, we often think about the future of our children and in some cases, even worry about their future. Many times, we feel we want to do everything we can to ensure a bright future for them but we soon face the fact that when they are grown, there’s really not much we can do for them anymore. The best insurance for their future is teaching them the right values — from hard work to finances, from relationships to respect… and most especially, to love God more than anything else in their lives. When we take time and impress upon them these virtues, you can be assured that they will not only live successful and happy lives, they will live godly lives.

Oh by the way, as Riggs was reading out aloud, his younger brother Chino was near him and listening to his Kuya Riggs. In a short while, I am sure that Chino will follow in his Kuya’s steps… like Riggs did with her 2 older sisters.

As a parent, it can’t get any better than this. Thank you God for all these.

Being a Dad is the most fulfilling thing that happened to me. Here’s a great tip to all the Dads from the manual of life:

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. - Ephesians 6:4, NIV

I used to hate waiting and I get annoyed if I have to wait. However, I needed to get used to waiting with the kind of work I have so I decided to make my waiting time productive. When I say productive, I didn’t mean bringing my laptop with me and do a lot of those work — I meant being productive in the sense of recharging oneself.

How? I read and listen to podcasts a lot during those ‘waiting time’. I make sure I always travel with my Bible, a book and an iPod especially on those trips that I need to ride a plane. I fly often, like 2 to 3 times a month but I look forward to those trips so I can recharge myself. The best benefit is I get to read God’s word more than I do during my normal routine — in doing so, I can read the Bible cover to cover once a year (give or take a month or two). I also get to read my books and I have loads of them (most are unread). I also get to listen to podcasts, something I don’t get a chance to under my normal routine.

I just finished the book “Heavenly Man” and I probably will grab another book and shove it to my body bag. I just updated my iPod with my favorite podcasts – the Dave Ramsey Show. I also downloaded podcasts of someone Francis Kong recommended to me a long time ago, Ravi Zacharias — I never really got to it and totally forgot it, until now.

So next time you fret about waiting, make it a productive wait and take the chance to do some real learning. Happy waiting!

To say that my maternal grandmother Paz Garcia Reyes was a strong woman is an understatement. Long before women were being empowered, my lola was doing many things women of her time would only dream of. Never graduating high school, my lola went on from an elementary teacher and onto a very successful businesswoman, and a giant of her time. Lola Paz’ strongest character is her entrepreneurial spirit.

From trading auto parts in Manila to establishing many other businesses like battery manufacturing, my grandparents help usher  the economic renaissance the country was experience after the war. Through her efforts, she was able to help amass substantial wealth that made her financially independent to her very last breath. Another strong trait of my lola was a keen ability to train her children. Despite achieving business success, she did not raise inept and incompetent children like many of her contemporaries did. All her children would be involved in the family enterprise in one way or another and in different capacities. However, she did not restrict the growth of her children even if they were working for her. As soon as her kids are able, she let them go, bless them and watch them establish their own successes – some surpassing what my grandparents established. My grandfather was a politician back when a politico was honorable and the position carried with a lot of respect. Lola was a dutiful wife, never over-stepping her boundaries despite her strong entrepreneurial character and always in the shadows of my more public grandfather. She managed the pressures of being a public figure’s wife, a businesswoman running a huge enterprise and a mother of 7! My mother inherited her fiscal discipline from my grandmother – she frowned upon being in debt and understood that money is not an unlimited resource. She also did not choose to live an extravagant lifestyle like most women of her stature did.

My lola’s greatest legacy was helping her children become successes themselves. I remember her as the strong willed lady that loves her family dearly. I have very fond recollection of my discussions with my lola; she was very intelligent, sensible and despite her advance age, she was still very good with numbers. I lost my grandmother about 10 years after I lost my mother but the lessons I learned from her are still clear as water to me.

… to be continued

My mother was a caring and nurturing mother like most mothers out there. She was a great mom to all of us and we were a hand full because we are 7 siblings. My mom had to raise 7 distinctly different and difficult kids as we were demanding, self-centered and even rebellious. On top of that, my mom was also a great wife to our father. Mommy understood what self-sacrifice meant when he married my father and gave life to us. She was a blessed child – a society icon of her youth, chauffeured and pampered in every way. At a young age, instead of being self-absorbed, she married my father and lived a life serving her husband and her children.

My mom was a fantastic finance officer – great at cash flow management, allocation of resources, debt management and even investing. Mommy was a super finance officer despite not having any formal training (she is a licensed pharmacist). She took charge of all the finances of my father’s businesses – from jeep manufacturing to fishponds to steel fabrication. Despite limited resources, my mom was able to ensure adequate cash flow, minimizing debt exposure and proper accounting. Mom kept records of everything in a very orderly manner and was a very good steward. She once told me that should my dad ask her where the money goes; she can give an adequate report down to the last centavo (dad never asked her). My mother had tremendous fiscal discipline which we rebelled a little bit against because we didn’t know any better. Mommy made sure that each and every one in the family is properly fed, clothed, schooled while at the same time ensuring the financial viability of the family business. How did she do that? My mom understood one thing that she held steadfast to – spend less than what you earn! My mother made us realize about their priorities and that sacrifices were needed to be made. Despite all these challenges, my mom was timid and quiet but had a strong confidence in her, in a regal manner. Mommy didn’t spend much on clothes, jewelry, bags and make up; hardly ever goes to the salon, never even went to a spa yey until the very last days of her life, she was just as beautiful as she ever was – inside and out.

I lost my mother when I was just 20 years old but the lessons I learned from her, I carry until today. By the way, my mom was my very first fan – I was about 17 or 18 years old when she told me that I was different from all her children and that if I am deliberate and work hard on my goals, I can achieve great things. She was a great motivator and my great encourager; and most of all she was a great wife to my dad and great mother to me and my siblings.

… to be continued

There are two individuals who are at the top of my list – Ruffy Biazon and Susan “Toots” Ople.

I first heard about Ruffy from my friends in Victory Church. He seems to have the respect of many of those whom I respect so I got really curious about this guy. It was in July of 2009 when I first met the Congressman, we both had to do a short line on stage for the Victory 25^th anniversary in Araneta. Our encounter was very brief and I was surprised that Ruffy was actually timid and a bit shy for a politician. A few months after, my friend Carlo Ople organized a bloggers meet for Ruffy and although I don’t attend many bloggers meets, I made an exception for this one. Ruffy was still shy and timid (I guess he will always be) but I had a longer time engaging him. I am quite notorious in blogger’s meetings as I always ask questions which are, well ‘nose-bleed’, haha! Most of the questions I asked the congressmen were answered except for  a few tough economics & finance related ones. I was inspired by Ruffy’s deep sincerity in that meeting – he’ll give straightforward answers to those he can, and be sincere enough to admit that he doesn’t have the answers to some. After all the other bloggers asked their questions, they were obviously smitten by his sincerity. I asked 2 more questions and I saw the jaws of the others dropped when I asked them: “are you real” and my follow-up question was “I believe you are the real deal… but, how sure are we that you will not change and be swallowed by the system?”.

Ruffy’s answers kept each and every participant of that meet in awe. Ruffy said something like “I can fool my constituents; I can fool people around me and I can even fool my family – but I can’t fool God”. He further said something like “I will always be accountable to people around me, my family, my pastors but I am deeply accountable to God”.  Before that meet, hardly anyone knew Ruffy Biazon – after 2 hours, everyone became a fan of Ruffy.

I got to know Susan “Toots” Ople through my good friend and her nephew, Carlo Ople. My first encounter with Toots was during a bloggers meeting for the stranded bus drivers in Dubai. I was impressed at Toots dedication to help OFWs. Toots wasn’t doing it for popularity or because she wanted look good in the public’s eye – she was doing it because she sincerely care for the plight of those unfortunate bus drivers who were conned and scammed. After that encounter, I’ve had the privilege to further work with her and the Blas F. Ople Policy Center. Toots asked me to help them provide financial literacy to the OFWs through their center and of course, I immediately said “Yes!” Toots wasn’t just concerned about the OFWs, she also asked me to teach all the staff of the Ople Center – she was just as concerned with everyone around her.

Toots, the Center and myself partnered in many endeavors bringing financial literacy to many OFWs and their dependents: from Marikina to Davao, and to as far as Hong Kong. I was able to experience firsthand her dedication to the plight of the OFWs. While we were in Hong Kong, we visited the Bayanihan center and she saw a class of domestic helpers reviewing for a midwifery exam. When she learned that the domestic helpers in Hong Kong were not only paying the reviewer but even the room in the center (a grant to the Philippine Government by Hong Kong), her heart went out for them. Then, in my amazement, she talked to the organizer and gave them a big sum of money (from her own pocket) to help cover the cost. I was amazed at her passion and willingness to help even to the point of self-sacrifice. Toots also ushered for a wonderful and life-changing program for OFWs and their dependents through a grant from Microsoft – the Tulay program. The Tulay program provides computer literacy to OFWs and dependents which ushers for skills upgrade and cost-efficient tools of communication.

I used to be very cynical with our politicians but later realized that I shouldn’t be. We need to open our eyes for a few good men who should be part of the government and help them get into government. There is no sense cursing in the darkness, rather, let’s all try to be a source of light and help those who can be a source of hope for many other Filipinos – that for me, is true Nationalism.

I’m off to fill my slots this coming May 10 – I hope to find more Ruffys and Susans.

When I was offered a job to be such, I wasn’t too sure if I was the right person for the job and really gave the offer a lot of thinking. I was used to being introduced and being guided by moderators but being on the other side of the fence made me think twice. Why? I was not sure if I was the right person for the job. I accepted the job because it was difficult to say no to my friend who organized the program (Tom Gotuaco) and I will be moderating for three of my most respected colleagues (Efren Cruz, Suzan Bigay and Melvin Esteban).

It was a good thing that I took the challenge because I really enjoyed the ‘new’ challenge. It is a great feeling making other people look good, redirecting attention away from you and towards others. I am not sure if I did a good job but I definitely enjoyed it.

Some take-away lessons for me:

1)      I may think that I am good at what I do but in reality, there are people who are really much better and they deserve the spotlight, or the stage;

2)      Just like in life, everyone has an important role;

3)      Making other people look good is not only a humbling experience, there must be sincerity in it; and

4)      Challenges are meant to be met, not feared.

This activity is also a good reminder about our purpose in life. Your purpose is never about you and will always be bigger than yourself; and whenever there is an opportunity, redirect whatever glory there is away from you and towards God – He is the only  one who is worthy of any glory.

If ever I will be offered a job as a moderator and host, I will not think twice anymore.

There were a couple of questions that was fired during the round table discussions. Not only were they candid, the discussions were raw and honest.

Here are the questions discussed:

1) Do you read your bible? When? How often?

2) Do you pray? In what manner? What do you pray for?

3) Do you engage in pornography?

4) How do you manage your finances? Do you tithe? Do you practice extreme generosity? Do you save? Are you becoming debt free? Do you invest? How do you spend your money?

5) Do you make disciples?

For some, these questions are simple — or are they? Real men will answer the questions in a straightforward manner. No beating around the bush and certainly no justifications. Tough men don’t need to massage their egos — they admit their short comings and they commit to improving themselves.

Here’s more — tough men know that they need other men too! They need to be held accountable with each other if they are to walk in  righteousness as commanded by the Lord.

Are you accountable to anyone? Are you part of an accountability group? It’s about time you think and act on the concept of accountability — Tough Men are big on accountability!

Oh, tough men are also tough with their appetites!

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:25, NIV

Tough Men: Insurance Executive, Radio DJ, Printing Business CEO, Post-Grad Student, and me.