Francis Kong’s Winning Disciplines for Success

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Randell Tiongson

I first encountered Francis Kong in 1997 aboard the visiting MV Doulos where he gave an inspiring talk. From then on, I have become a huge fan of Francis and have grown to admire him professionally and personally. Francis is one of my esteemed mentors and I often run to him for wise counsel.

Without a doubt, Francis Kong is the most sought after inspirational & motivational  speaker in this country and for those who have heard him would agree that he is truly ‘world-class’. I have listened to him dozens of times and even shared the platform with him and I always find myself overwhelmed with awe. Seminars featuring Francis is something I have always recommended.

On February 24, Francis Kong will run his signature Winning Disciplines for Success event at the SMX and I find it a treat that the event will also feature another favorite speaker of mine, Butch Jimenez among others. I’m so pumped up for this event that I am moving my trip to Cebu so that I can catch this life-changing event. See you there!

For your inquiries, please call Inspire at 687-2614

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2012 Outlook, part 5

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Randell Tiongson

As a young and aspiring financial services practitioner, I was often excited to get nuggets of financial wisdom from one of the pillars of the insurance and mutual funds industry. I often found myself wanting to hear more from the next featured expert and I feel blessed to be able to attend a number of learning opportunities from him. Let me now feature the prospective views of someone who is well admired and respected by many, Mr. Henry Herrera.

2012 Outlook of Henry Joseph Herrera

  • 2012: a volatile year for global equities on account of fiscal deficit and debt issues largely in EU and US, slowdown of global economy and its impact on emerging markets, and worsening impact on countries of natural disasters (such as those caused by global warming).

  • Spikes in interest rates may be in the menu for countries who are unable to get a handle of their ballooning fiscal deficits and national debts. More country sovereign credit downgrades may be expected.

  • Investment opportunities abound where financial threats exists. Focus should be on safety and liquidity of invested assets while the “dark clouds” persist. Reduced weighting on risky assets is the prudent approach at this time. The possibility of much cheaper asset prices sometime in the near future is not unlikely. Returns on fixed income instruments will remain subdued, at best, given the low prevailing rates in the country.

    Mr. Henry Joseph Herrera was the former President and CEO of Sun Life Philippines and a well sought after expert in his field.

    Henry joined Sun Life in 1998 and has held a number of senior positions including EVP & Actuary, VP & Actuary, and SLAMC COO.  He was AVP, Actuarial for the Region in 1998.  Prior to his career at Sun Life, Henry was the President and Director of Philippine Asia Life Assurance Corporation.

    Henry has over 28 years experience in the life insurance industry. He holds an MBA degree major in finance and a B.S. in Statistics, cum laude, from the University of the Philippines. He is also a Fellow and past president of Actuarial Society of the Philippines and a member of the International Actuarial Association.  He is a past president of the Philippine Life Insurance Association.

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2012 Outlook, part 4

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Randell Tiongson

Up next in this 2012 Outlook series is from a colleague in the Registered Financial Planners Philippines and one that I always seek for advise with regard to investments and economics. He is known to be a sharp researcher & analysts as well as an esteemed teacher and my good friend, James Lago.

Here’s the 2012 Outlook of Mr. Joseph James Lago

On PSEi:
Should the Philippine economy post at least a 5.0% GDP growth in the first two quarters of this year, corporate earnings continue to improve, concerns of a domestic real estate sector glut is not a severe as currently anticipated, and the US economy continue on a moderate growth path even if the euro zone enters a recession as a whole, we believe the PSEi could finally hit the 4,800 level in the 2nd half of 2012.The arguments to a resumption of the bullish trend are weighted on the 1st half of the year as valuation and global
economic growth concerns linger. The immediate support of another potential sell-off is the 4,100 level. A triple bottom pattern at 3,705 cannot be discounted in the medium-term.

Peso – US dollar:
The dollar’s appreciation is likely to be sustained in 2012 if the US economy continues on a moderate growth path as anticipated. The other push factor is the euro’s loss of allure as an alternative reserve currency given the still unresolved debt crisis. If the 44.70 level is
surpassed, the peso could depreciate to around 45.50 – 47.00.

On Domestic fixed income yields:
Given that excess liquidity might still be a dominant factor even if this year’s average inflation will be close to 4.0% more or less, we expect negative real returns on the short-term yields to continue despite it gradually rising and seeking a new equilibrium level.
Yields on the longer-tenor instruments might dip further as investors continue to seek more attractive peso yields. As a result, the spread between the average short-term and long-term yields should finally normalize to around 250 – 300 bps for the year, with the yield curve still essentially normal.

Equities portfolio:
Smart foreign portfolio managers began changing their equities strategy in the middle of 4Q last year given the uncertain short to medium-term outlook, and the unusually low fixed income yields. Following the massive sell-off and flight to safety that ended in
September, equities portfolios were realigned to be geared primarily towards dividend capture. This is not an unusual strategy as smart domestic investors already implemented this strategy in the latter part of the 2000 – early 2003 period. Local telco stocks that carry high dividend yields that were unappreciated for about two years
became the darlings in December.

We are essentially underweight equities for the first half of 2012, in line with our overall outlook for the PSEi. Our recommended equityportfolio allocation strategy is that the portfolio be skewed towards issues with a high dividend yield, and at the same time firms that practice a dividend growth model. We believe that value stocks whose leading PER and PBV are at a discount to both the PSEi and regional averages will be good additions to round out the equities portfolio.

We acknowledge that price returns with some stocks will occur and maybe realized even in an uncertain market. But the issues will most certainly be random. Should the domestic economy indeed meet the minimum growth hurdle rate, and the US economy continue on a moderate growth path as aforementioned, the equities portfolio must then be
re-balanced in the 2nd half of the year to capture price returns.

Joseph James Lago is the Head of the PCCI Securities Brokers Corp. He has over 2 decades of experience in the investments industry in various capacities. He is also a professor of the De La Salle University Graduate School teaching in Management and Economics. He is a sought researcher, economist and analysts.

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Personal Branding for Finance People

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Randell Tiongson

This interactive, engaging and practical seminar will help you understand, create and send out the unique brand that is YOU. Today’s business world is fast paced and so are the decisions and judgments we are making. There are more than a lot of business men and women, financial advisors, entrepreneurs both young and experienced bringing the same products, skills and services to your field in the industry. But why do some people still stand out above the rest? Best bet is that these people, consciously or not, have their own unique personal brand.

AN OVERVIEW:

WHY SHOULD I ATTEND?

Learn from Randell Tiongson, one of the country’s popular names in personal finance, a columnist for the Inquirer and MoneySense, and one of the directors and founders of RFP Philippines. Randell will teach you the secrets to building, winning and transmitting your personal brand. After this seminar, you will have uncovered why personal branding is so important to helping you on your way to wealth.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE AND BENEFITS:

  • Creating a personal brand for Finance Practitioners
  • Why is branding important
  • How branding can help your profession
  • How branding can result to higher productivity
  • Ways to be known beyond your circle
  • Ways to improve your personal brand
  • Case study presentation

Testimonials

“The program is very informative. It gives me a better perspective of my Personal goals and how to achieve them in my career. It is quite full of interesting information.”

Imelda Vergel De Dios

” Attending the Personal Branding Seminar is one of the important decisions I’ve been made me in my life. I also opened a new door for career info and opportunities.”

Paul Marvin Germo

“I realized the importance of Personal Branding after attending your seminar. To stand out in the industry you belong to, you have to be good at what you do. And when you’re good at it, people will notice you. And success will follow you.
One good application is the use of social media. People started sending me pms via FB when they learned that I do real estate. And all I did was to attach a Rltr title to my name. But because I’m a cross-seller, I have to balance my marketing or personal branding. So I continue to approach things from the Personal Branding perspectives.
I highly recommend this Personal Branding seminar because it will definitely change your game and mindset in how you see and do things if you really want to succeed in whatever you’re doing right now.
Ronnie Reyes

“This Personal Branding seminar gives you straight to the point know-hows. I will highly recommend this to my friends.”
Jacqueline Yap (VP Finance)
Sky International Inc.

“The most important thing that I learned from the “Branding for FPs program” is TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX! A Finance Practitioner is not just an investment or insurance salesman. He should know what’s unique about him, his competencies and more importantly, how can he add value to his clients. As a result of the program, I started helping people by blogging on personal finance topics and I unexpectedly got my first TV interview with NBN 4 (Bantay OCW) as a Financial Consultant! God bless and more power to Randell, Henry and RFP.”
Ge Cantor

Registration Details

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t miss this event, reserve your slots now!

  • Date: January 27, 2012
  • Venue: RFP Office, Tektite Bldg., Ortigas, Pasig City
  • Time: 1:00 to 4:30 pm
  • Contact Number: (632) 634 2204
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2012 Outlook, part 3

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Randell Tiongson

It is an honor to feature the 2012 outlook of a captain of her industry. I had the privilege to work with her about a decade and a half ago and it is a treat to see her in a meteoric rise to CEO, Ms. Riza Mantaring of Sun Life Financial.

Here’s the 2012 Outlook of Ms. Riza Mantaring

There is a lot of uncertainty attached to 2012.  While prospects appear to
have improved over the past few months from the earlier fears of a double
dip recession in the US or worsening of the European debt crisis, a number
of factors can affect global economic growth — a still bumpy and difficult
resolution to the Euro debt crisis, the struggle to cap large deficits in
other developed countries, political tensions in the Middle East and North
Africa, slower growth and higher inflation in emerging markets, and
political uncertainty as several countries undergo elections.

While 2012 is difficult to predict, we feel the Philippines is in a strong
position to weather the challenging economic and market climate this year.
Interest rates are projected to remain low, which should encourage
investments, while the robust flow of OFW remittances should continue to
support strong private sector consumption.  Increased government spending
is expected to boost economic growth.  Even under the best of circumstances
though, we expect volatility given the challenges in the global front, and
we do not expect equity markets to post outsized returns.  Still, fund
managers who adopt the right trading strategies through the market ups and
downs can produce good returns.  For fixed-income, the outlook for rates
remaining low underpins the outlook for decent returns.

Who is Riza Mantaring?

Ms. Mantaring is currently the President and CEO of one of the country’s preeminent financial services company, Sun Life Financial. Sun Life is a leading provider of life insurance and mutual funds. Riza has been in the financial services industry for over two decades and has been involved in information technology, customer services and operations. She was later named as the COO of Sun Life prior to her appointment of CEO. Under her management, Sun Life continues to improve its market share in the country and introduced many trail blazing enhancements. Sun Life has recently launched a pioneering financial literacy advocacy called “It’s Time” utilizing multiple media which resulted to their winning of many awards, even an international award.

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2012 Outlook, part 2

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Randell Tiongson

I am really blessed and honored to feature the view of one columnist who I admire a lot. I first encountered him in 2005 in a seminar as he spoke about what we can expect in the coming months. I have since been a fan reading his column at the Business Mirror, one that is full of insights and uncanny accuracy whenever he forecasts the economy and investments.

Here’s the 2012 Outlook of Mr. John Mangun

Peso = Steady to lower during first half, then appreciating through end of the year.

PSE (Phil. Stock Exchange) = Prices gradually increasing to 4,800/5,000 during first two quarters, then subject to a downtrend correction before going higher.

Economy = Flat growth through 2nd quarter, gradually increasing through year end.

Business = Flat business activity through 2nd quarter, then increasing through year end.

Who is John Mangun?

Interest in the stock market first hit John Mangun when he was in his early teens, following the stock price action of major companies in the daily newspaper long before the computer.

In 1976, Mr. Mangun earned his license as a stock broker on the New York Stock Exchange as well as being licensed and registered for the Options and Commodity markets.

After working for two major Wall Street firms, Mr. Mangun went to England as head of foreign exchange trading for a British asset management company.

Upon his return to the United States, he formed his own investment advisory company administering to the investment needs of corporations and high-net worth individuals.

Mr. Mangun has actively analyzed and traded the Philippine Stock Exchange since 1989, making his first stock purchase (and losing trade) buying shares of San Miguel Corporation on Friday, November 24th, one week before the 1989 coup attempt.

He has been a regular newspaper columnist, writing about the Philippine economy, business, and stock market since 1996. His website is MangunOnMarkets.com.

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2012 Outlook, part 1

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Randell Tiongson

I’ve been getting a lot of inquiries as to my view of 2012. Well, strictly speaking my view of this year is more ambivalent due to the many things going on, particular in the world economy. 2011 was a very eventful year, ballooning deficit on the US side, debt woes in the European front and lack-luster economic growth in the Asian sphere, particularly the Philippines. The stock market performed very well, only to wipe out its gains towards the later part of the year.

On the Philippine front, the Aquino government went on a all out war against corruption and the irregularities, while there is a view that the anti-corruption measures improved our situation, a lot of under-spending resulted to a sluggish economy, with forecasts being down graded fairly often.

It is not only economic woes that concerned the beginning of the new decade, the political landscape in the Middle-East is in a precarious situation. As that region controls a precious commodity, oil — the whole world is at its toes in fearful anticipation. Further, natural calamities seem to be more rampant and the damages it brings causes incredible losses as well as grief.

So what do we see for 2012? I am generally a very positive individual but I am also a realist at the same time. While my general view is on the bright side, it will be irresponsible for me to wantonly say that everything will be fine and dandy for 2012. Since my views on the matter really don’t hold much water anyway, who am I to be giving them in the first place, I thought of compiling the views of people who are really competent on their subject matters and asked them for their outlook. I opted to collect their views on post a series in my blog for the readers to peruse.

I will make my notes on the outlook and probably make mine in the last installment of this series. However, what I was able to gather from the experts are extremely insightful and very helpful to those asking what’s in store for 2012. I only asked from people that I personally know and all of them I truly admire and respect.

Catch this series!

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2011: A blessed year indeed

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Randell Tiongson

It is only 2 days before 2011 comes to an official end and we usher 2012. As the clock ticks during these times, I can’t help but look back on a year that was truly eventful for me.

By the end of 2011, it will mark a full 3 years since I left my corporate job to go full time on what I love to do, that is to teach  financial literacy to those yearning to learn. Amidst the uncertainties of becoming truly independent, bereft of a stable flow of income and benefits, I took the path of the less travelled unfazed by the risks that are inherent with the new endeavor. Many well-meaning friends and family were concerned at my new direction and for a good reason—I got 4 hungry mouths to feed, 1 of whom was entering the university. I held on to my belief that the Lord wanted me on this path, one that is unclear. Faith and obedience has not been my strongest traits in the past but when I let Christ rule my life, it has been the driving force of my life ever since. Well, all these are now in retrospect.

2009 saw a year of many struggles, ambivalence and yet I had a glimpse of what was to come. It was a year of faith and trusting completely on my creator. As my eldest child enters the University in 2009, my wife and I truly experienced the faithfulness of the Lord and the generosity of many friends and family. 2009 reaffirmed that I was on a path that was the right one for me.

By 2010, many changes transpired; the most eventful was a decision for my wife to home school our 2 young boys which also means that she must stop working – something not easy for her after being used to earning a living for 20 years. With my wife not working due to home school, the burden of providing for the financial needs of my family now solely belongs to me. Since the time we got married, my wife has been a tremendous help in keeping the family finances afloat but it was a decision we had to make. More opportunities opened up for me — more talks, more seminars, and more travels which equated to reaching out to more people. My career was in full swing, my family life was stable and my walk with Jesus was getting better. 2010 was truly a satisfying year and while there were a lot more things to improve on, I felt contented with what was going on. By the year’s end, I had a taste of my first quasi-endorsement as one being featured in UCC’s Beacon of Change 2011 Planner. This was also the year that we started to move in generosity because we knew that such acts pleased the Lord.

But the Lord is a God of plenty and a God of amazement. While I was contented He had bigger plans for me, beyond what I could have imagined. 2011 was truly an eventful year for me and my family. While it was not one without any challenges, the year brought in many pleasant surprises. My career was even productive and many more doors of opportunities are being opened. I found myself speaking all over the country, Hong Kong, Singapore and even in Macao. I’ve collaborated with many great friends whom I share a passion to teach… Cito Beltran, Francis Kong, Chinkee Tan, Paulo Tibig, Jayson Lo, Miriam Quiambao and more. I also found myself writing the stories of Richard Poon, Christian Bautista and others. It was also this year that I had the opportunity to reach out to more youth by being invited to speak in campuses and through our youth finance program, Blue Chip. My former staff and now business partner Jen and his ever supportive husband Luis and I established White Board, a formal entity for all our endeavors. My TV appearances were also on a high, as well as radio. My blogs have been read much more than before and I find myself being asked to write left and right.

2011 was turning out to be an unbelievable year but the Lord was not about to stop the surprises. After all, His gloriousness allows Him to bless those who are undeserving, of which I was one of the worse. After writing a column for the Business Mirror (an awesome newspaper) for about 3 and half years, my good friend and RFP big boss Henry Ong called me to ask me if I would be willing to start a column for the Philippine Daily Inquirer – it took me about half a second to say yes.  Money Matters is a weekly column which I alternate with my good friend Efren Cruz and has taken quite an interesting format, a Q&A one. My new column got me even more attention and opened even more doors. A short while after, I was surprised to see my name listed as one of the top 12 Most Influential People in Personal Finance by Moneysense Magazine. To be included amongst a roster of people I look up to is so surreal and overwhelming. Just when all the buzz of being part of the 12 people was about to die down, I got a call from a former professor of mine (Rose Dinio) and she seems so happy to let me know that I am included as one of the Most Outstanding Alumni of my school, the University of Santo Tomas.

2011 also so the actualization of a dream of mine, to run a full day seminar that will teach people on the process of financial security… not a 1 hour talk, not even a half day training but rather a full day program that will bring those attending into the a process that will answer many of their questions in achieving the much coveted goal of financial freedom. Since my program is a step by step instructional one, we decided to call it Steps to Financial Peace. It’s launching was a successful one and I am so privileged that many corporate sponsors lead by BDO and Cole Haan supported it. The same program was also brought to Davao through the industriousness of a dear friend, Joseph Doce and the generosity of our presenters, Sun Life and AirPhil Express.

I continue to help the Registered Financial Planner Philippines in its aim to professionalize the country’s financial planners. Go Negosyo was also an organization that I am proud to be a part of and we aim to teach as many Pinoys as we can. The Blas F. Ople Policy Center was also one of the groups that I co-labor with, reaching to our heroes – the OFWs. And of course, I am steadfast in my commitment to my church, Victory Green Hills – my spiritual family where we fellowship in honoring God and making disciples.

Many other events escaped me right now, trying to recall made me feel overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed because by my own, none of these would have even been remotely possible; and yet such blessings are bestowed upon me and my family. Why do I get such unmerited favors? Is it because of my faith, my obedience? Not really. We get all these blessings for one reason only, God is a faithful God, glorious and magnificent in all His splendor. The reason why all these are happening is because of Him. When I surrendered my life to Jesus 4 years ago, I did not only become a better me, I became a new me. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV

What does 2012 hold for me? I don’t know but I am steadfast because I know Jesus is the captain of my life. I need only to be faithful in my purpose in life, that is to worship Him.

Happy New Year to all and God bless all of you!

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Teaching our kids to be generous

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Randell Tiongson

The day after Christmas. We see a lot of wrappers, boxes and loads and loads of toys. Then we notice that our kids have more and more toys — so much more than what they can play with. This is an opportune time for us to teach our kids about generosity and what we should put value on.

Prior to Christmas, we have taught our kids that Christmas is not about receiving or even giving presents, its about a testament of God’s love by sending Jesus into our lives. Christmas is really about Christ and as parents we felt we needed to constantly remind them.

Jesus is the Lord of generosity too and I believe that whenever we are generous, it is an act of worship. We can teach kids to start being truly generous at an early age and after Christmas is a great way to do it. Usually, we teach our kids to give away old toys, stuff they don’t like to play with and after sometime of doing it, our kids find joy in giving away their old toys. Sometime ago, we slowly tried to teach them about sacrificial giving… generosity is not just about giving away things you don’t want anymore. We encouraged them start giving even new and unopened toys to bless others.

This morning, I got an sms from my mentor and dear friend Cito Beltran who is currently in Cagayan de Oro helping with relief operations. Cito asked me to create awareness in the viral world on sending toys and crafts to help relieve the affected children from a lot of stress. With a few text messages, posts in Facebook and Twitter, it was a joy to see people already responding. A short text message to my good buddy Paulo Tibig of V Cargo resulted to them agreeing to pick up and bring the toys and crafts to Cagayan de Oro and Iligan for Free!

Here’s what me and my kids got busy with earlier. We sorted out their new toys, mostly unopened still and I asked them the pray and seek what the Lord is telling them — if they want to give new toys and which of their new toys. My wife and I was overwhelmed when they wanted to give more than half of their new gifts. We also asked them to check their toys and start deciding which to give away. Again, we were delighted that our kids decided to give even toys they like to play with. At ages 9 and 6, it is such a blessing for parents like us to see how Jesus has touched their hearts and move in the spirit of generosity.

My boys story was picked up by Gerald Dela Pena of TV 5 and you can catch their short feature tomorrow (tuesday) at TV 5, 11:30am.

If you would like to move in generosity along with your children, please do so and send toys and crafts to the children of CDO and Iligan. Again, may we reiterate to send toys that are in good condition, not those that demean the dignity of our brothers and sisters. We suggest that you consolidate toys and crafts from your friends and family and V Cargo will pick them up for delivery to CDO and Iligan, free of charge. To arrange for pick up, please call or sms Nerz of V Cargo at 0927-7008059.

God bless you.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” - Matthew 19:14, NIV

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Our Savior

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Randell Tiongson

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

– Isaiah 9:6, King James Version

May the Lord continue to bless you and give you an abundant and productive life ahead. Let us not forget the reason for this season, Jesus Christ. May we always let Christ reign in our lives.

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!

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