I continue with my search for products that provide us with good value. I know that I often say that we should save, save and save (and invest too) but we also need to spend. It is very impractical to say that we should not spend on things we need… what we should do is to make sure that what we spend on is of good value — and gives us a bang for every buck we spend on, so to speak.

Although I am a personal finance person and the resounding theme of what I write and speak about is money, its proper use and its growth; but I am also a dude and what does most dudes like a lot is fashion, not! While many of us, specially the married men, do not ogle at other women anymore (I only stare at my wife), we do so with cars. Cars remain to be one of those things we like to look at, drive and own.

I’m on my 3^rd car which I was blessed to review and this time, I was able to use and enjoy the mighty Honda Jazz. The Honda Jazz is one of those ‘iconic’ vehicles that a lot of people simply go ‘ga-ga’ over. Personally, I was not a big fan since I’m not into small cars, owing to my body frame. When my friend called me and asked if I would want to test the 2011 Honda Jazz, I agreed but was not really too ecstatic, it’s just a small car after all.

All my pre-conceived notions about the Jazz were instantly thrown out of the window the moment I sat in the driver’s cockpit. Firstly, the Jazz is not as small as I thought it was. I’m not sure if it’s just optical illusion but I was really delighted that the Jazz was really roomy – even for a big guy like me. The biggest come-on of the Jazz is its roominess relative to its size. I love the leg room, head room and its over-all spaciousness. The riders at the rear will likewise enjoy the space. It is amazing how the Honda Jazz can have so much space considering it is a sub-compact car. I particularly enjoyed the folding seats so you can load bigger cargo. The ease of folding the rear seats is also a big plus and so convenient.

So the car is roomy, a big benefit — but space is not the only criteria for value right? I like looking at the interiors of the car, particularly the dashboard since a driver spends a lot of time inside a car and a functional and ergonomic panel that is pleasing to the eye helps us stay sane amidst the stressful Manila traffic. A great sounding stereo where I can plug my iPod plus an air conditioning system that keeps the whole car cool despite the scorching Philippine heat is definitely a win-win combination for me.

The car is nifty, the car is spacious and the car is functional… but does it drive as good as it looks? While many reviewers like to test cars by taking them outside Mega Manila, the real test for me is how the car handles in our city streets – after all, I spend more time driving in the city than I do outside. My best gauge of driving pleasure is that if at the end of the day I am not exhausted from driving, the car gets two thumbs up from me. After traversing through the crazy streets of Metro Manila, going to places for meetings from one after the other, and the occasional request from my wife for unscheduled errands, the Jazz was such a dependable partner. Was I tired after ‘playing’ with the Jazz for a whole day? Not at all! I was actually looking forward to my wife asking me to do errands because it is an excuse to use the definitive Honda for another spin.  With only a 1.3 L displacement, the response of the Jazz was impressive – it is zippy and handles the streets like it was hugging the road. The suspension was also smooth even if it is on a small platform.

Like I said before, the acid test of any car for me is how my family enjoys it. I got twoyoung boys who love to tag along with me and they were raving about the Jazz, from how it looks from the outside and in the inside. My Teenage girls also liked the car a lot, even asking me to buy one each for them – well, I told them that after they graduate and earn their own income, they can get themselves their own Jazz with their own money – but with my blessings! Since my wife drives a lot too, I asked my wife to drive the Jazz as well and did she approve of the popular car? She said just said that she wouldn’t mind having one for herself to replace our older cars – that’s one of the best endorsement any car can get.

I never really got why the Honda Jazz was a very popular car and why its owners rave about their cars with cult-like behavior. A few days with this diminutive yet grand automobile, I have become a huge fan of the Honda Jazz.

My only issue with the Jazz is its cost — the model I tested, 1.3 L A/T, has an SRP of Php 792,000. But I suppose one needs to pay the price for the quality and value the Honda Jazz brings. After all, you get what you pay for.  Oh, before I forget, the best feature of the Jazz for a personal finance guy like me is its fuel consumption! Is it efficient? You bet! I estimate about 14 kms. to a liter and that city driving with insane traffic at times!

The Honda with all its Jazz, got themselves a keeper.

A few months ago, my former teacher in Economics called me up and asked for my CV. She said that she wants to nominate me for the annual school alumni awards. I was honored and thankful to even be considered.

Most people assumed that I was an exemplary student, but I am far from it and I want to share something that’s really personal to me for this post.

I had a very colorful history during my University years. When I entered college, I was a mediocre and too care-free. During my freshmen year, I never paid attention to my classes nor do I even listened to my professors. As expected, I started to fail my classes and since my school had standards to uplift, I was being debarred from re-enrolling. I can vividly recall the fateful day in the summer of 1985 when my parents got the advise from the University letting them know of my debarment. My father was furious and it really broke my mother’s heart. You see, my mom and I had a special relationship. She was my very first fan and at a young age, she told me that I will do great things in life. In a palanca letter in high school, my mom told me that among her 7 kids, I was the most different and that I will do great things in life. My first ‘real-life’ lesson happened in the summer of ’85 and I was determined to remedy my situation.

My solution? I turned to the Lord. At 19, I prayed and prayed to the Lord that He save me from my situation. A distant relative appealed my situation to the college regent, a Dominican priest who agreed to hear my appeal. The priest talked to me and felt pity on me, so much so that he said he will give me a second chance but I need to be in academic probation. He only asked that I do well this time and that at the end of the semester, I should go back to him to show my class cards.

Did I learn my lesson and take my studies seriously? You bet! On the first semester of my academic probation, my grades were all up and I narrowly missed being in the Dean’s List. It was probably the first time in my life that I became diligent; I opted to sit in the first row, intently listening to my professors and actually taking time to study my lessons. As promised, I came back to the college regent and happily showed my class cards. Upon seeing my grades, the priest looked at me with a smile and told me “I knew you can do it… keep it up”. Since then, I never failed a class, never failed a test, never missed an assignment.

The rest of my stay in college became great and by my senior year, I became a student leader and even becoming the president of an umbrella organization composed of about 10 to 12 universities. About 2 years after graduation, I found myself in the same college, this time teaching a few classes on Business Administration. I bumped into the priest who gave me a second chance and this is what he said…  “a few years ago, you were pleading with me to stay in the university — now, I am talking with you here at the faculty room.”

I have graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Commerce majoring in Economics in 1988. Since then, I taught there for a semester and been back a couple of times to speak to students and teachers.

The other day, a mailman was in my house and handed me a letter. When I opened it, I was delighted to read this…

Reading this brought back a lot of memories and on the importance of 2nd chances. Fr. Terry Campillo, O.P. — thank you for believing in me when no one else did. To my mom (she passed away before I graduated), thank you for never losing your faith in me and for planting the seed that I can do great things in my life. To my teachers who patiently taught me and also guided me, my appreciation. To my dear wife who stands by me regardless of our situation, my undying thanks.

And to my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ — my eternal gratitude. You loved me despite my sins; you were faithful even I was not; you stood by me despite my rebellion. You orchestrated everything in my life because you are after my welfare, even if I wasn’t. All of these is because of your grace and all of these is for your Glory. Thank you.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8, NIV

Moneysense, the country’s first and only Personal Finance magazine recently listed the 12 most influential people in personal finance. I was surprised to see my name as one of the 12 because the list includes really powerful and much respected individuals.

It felt surreal to be part of such an illustrious list but I am nonetheless honored. Clearly, the hand of the Lord is at work for this accolade.

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The list includes:

1.   The Lawmaker: EDGARDO J. ANGARA (Philippine Senator)

2.   The Regulator: AMANDO TETANGCO (Central Bank Governor)

3.   The Treasurer: ROBERTO B. TAN (Treasurer of the Philippines)

4.   The Adviser: EFREN LL. CRUZ (Pwede Na! Author & Investments Guru)

5.   The Coach: RANDELL TIONGSON

6.   The Director: HENRY ONG (Head of the Registered Financial Planner & others)

7.   The Moderator: JAMES RYAN JONAS (Pinoy Money Talk)

8.   The Blogger: FITZ VILLAFUERTE (Ready to be Rich Blog)

9.   The Banker: AURELIO R. MONTINOLA (BPI)

10. The Enabler: JESUS P. TAMBUNTING (Planters Development Bank)

11. The Stock Broker: CONRADO F. BATE (Citiseconline)

12. The Insurer: RIZALINA G. MANTARING (Sun Life Financial)

Grab a copy of the July-August issue of Moneysense to read about why they think the 12 deserves to be part of the list.