20/02/2026
Grateful for full-circle moments like this. š¤
From laughing with matching hampas and teary eyes in college to being invited by my dear friend, Lieutenant Commander EMA of the Philippine Coast Guard, to facilitate a Financial Management and Financial Empowerment Session for their class.
The students of the Coast Guard Non-Officerās Senior Executive Course (CGNOSEC) Class 05-2025 forty (40) Chief Petty Officers preparing for greater leadership roles welcomed us with such warmth and openness. It was truly an honor to stand before these respected men and women who have dedicated their lives to service.
I honestly didnāt expect how much I would enjoy the ice breaker, it didnāt just break the ice for them, it broke it for me too. I felt comfortable almost instantly because they were engaging, honest, and surprisingly fun.
They shared that men are usually not comfortable talking about their salary or financial status. Yet during our session, they opened up, asked questions, and trusted us with their concerns. That trust means so much to me.
This course was meant to strengthen their financial management as they prepare to retire in 3ā5 years. Many of them simply want to live comfortably without depending on their children or anyone else. But truthfully, while the session aimed to improve them, it changed me too.
It reignited a spark in my heart ā” the passion to truly help families retire with dignity and confidence. I prayed for wisdom before stepping into that room, and the Lord answered. Now my prayer is that He continues to use me as His vessel for the people He entrusts to us.
Special thanks to Ms. Shai, my boss, who didnāt just let me conduct it alone, she accompanied me, guided me, and taught me along the way. I know I still have so much to learn, and Iām willing to learn if this is how I can serve more families in their financial journey.
So grateful. So humbled. So inspired. āØ