RIYADH, 30 August — Cut down on your expenses on non-essentials and save fast, or be sorry.
This reminder comes from a Filipino banking and investment specialist in the Kingdom, exhorting fellow Overseas Filipino Workers that the time for complacency is over.
“Save fast, invest early and retire later,” Ricardo Roda, who works with the Arab National Bank, told participants in the 2nd educational seminar organized by the Mother Movement in Riyadh recently.
“There is nothing worse than being retired or out of job and broke,” he emphasized.
Investments, the participants were told, could mean money spent on insurance, educational plans, pension plans, land or house. It could also mean money deposited in banks or placed in the stock market, or invested in business.
Whichever choice the individual makes does not matter, Roda said, as long as they put a portion of their earnings in investment.
But he stressed the need to be wise in making choices by asking around first before parting with one’s money.
Held on the occasion of Mother’s 2nd founding anniversary, the one-day educational activity with the theme “Enlightenment, Enhancement and Enrichment in an Environment of Multi-Cultural Diversity” focused attention to the practical ways and means essential for OFWs to optimize their stay overseas, said movement founder and chairwoman Perla S. Vega.
The whole day seminar cum prizes galore held at the embassy was sponsored mainly by Power Horse Energy Drink,which footed the bill for the venue, sounds, lunch for resources speakers and guests plus around 100 door prizes.
Cultural Attaché Carmelita Hidalgo, who had been personally involved in the planning and preparations, also cited various groups who helped make the seminar a success — Philippine Airlines, ABS-CBN, Phil Aiki Kai of Riyadh led by Sensei Jun Samantela, Lito and Julie Cascante and the various Mother Chapters, as well as the representatives from different establishments including the schools, IPSR, SPIS, RIS; hospitals RNH, Insurance Hospital; RKH; KSU; KFSH, RCH; KKESH and others.
Vega said the event was also made possible with help and private individuals and collaborating groups who continue to support Mother.
Consul Jesus Gary S. Domingo, the Philippine Embassy’s first secretary who represented Guest of Honor Ambassador Rafael E. Seguis, hailed the seminar as a timely activity considering the increasing uncertainties that OFWs and other expatriates face as the host country comes to terms with its expanding labor force.
More insights
Vice Consul Celeste Balatbat, the embassy’s second secretary, shared techniques for someone living overseas which she herself developed as a young scholar in the US.
These include identifying one’s priorities and keeping expenses within one’s means, an advice that could be useful to Filipinos, who are not known for being frugal.
Balatbat stressed the need to exercise discipline in managing personal expenses and to take full responsibility of oneself because living overseas means being isolated with no relatives to run to in case of financial emergencies.
Ransam Pirote, an engineer-trainer at the Saudi Aramco who led the delegation from the Eastern region, discussed techniques in setting goals and monitoring the progress with his topic: “Have you set your Goal, What, Where, When and how will you after Saudi?”
There are three things successful people have in common, he said. These are: they saw and opportunity, they are teachable, and they apply what they learn.
PAL Country Manager Jun Ordillano expounding on the topic “Competitiveness of Returning OFWs vis-à-vis Age, retrogressive education, reverse cultural shock and other factors,” encouraged the participants to look at the bright side of things and look for alternatives as employment is not the only source of livelihood.
Having started from the low gear of his career, he has risen from the ranks out of sheer determination. Most importantly, he had always won the trust of his employers.
Mariesol Palma, discussing the topic “Turning problems into opportunities,” said that given all the formula for success, the mechanics and investment know-how in this seminar, developing a positive mental attitude will serve as the fuel by which OFWs can overcome challenges that may come their way.
“Problems need not daunt us as they simply insist we grow to be stronger and better human beings,” she said.
Ramon “Nonoy” Quema, a multi-talented international-award winning poet and sportsman who is also the administrative and support services manager of the popular energy drink Power Horse, expounded on his “Formula for Success.”
Injecting wit and humor gained from a long experience as management lecturer in motivation courses while in the Philippines, Quema noted that enthusiasm, calling people by name, kindness, good human relations plus the other guiding principles of success should be practiced in everyday life.
Assist Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre took the occasion to explain President Gloria Arroyo’s statement that it is better for the OFWs to stay put in their present jobs at this time when the country is facing economic crisis.
De la Torre said the statement should not be taken in a negative light for the president was being forthright and was actually asking OFWs to continue with their much-needed help to keep the country afloat.
De la Torre added that such activities as the seminar organized by Mother shows that OFWs are now enlightened into getting themselves better prepared for their future repatriation when the time arises.
Part of the day’s agenda was the launching of Mother’s Free-Self Defense Clinic, Part 2, whereby training on martial arts will be provided by the Phil Aiki Kai, Riyadh to be held 2-5 p.m. every other Friday for the next two months at the embassy; the outreach clinic whereby blackbelters going on vacation will approach their barangays, NGOs, school authorities, and other civic groups to offer their voluntary services in providing training while they are at home.
