Economic Growth. Credit Upgrade. Bullish Market. Transparency in Governance. Empowered Nation.

As we brace for explosive growth, we need to continue to have faith in our nation… it’s not just more fun in the Philippines, it’s also more exciting to be in the Philippines.

What do we need? More investments, more creativity, more ‘out of the box’ thinking, more competitiveness, better transparency and most of all unparalleled transparency.

How do we ensure sustainable growth? Let us always turn to the Lord.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.  – Psalm 33:12, NIV

Watch this video!

Question: Our economic fundamentals showed a lot of improvements lately—credit ratings upgrades, BSP rate cuts, lower inflation rates and stock market all-time highs. But it seems Juan dela Cruz doesn’t feel these improvements yet. The poverty and unemployment rates are still high according to news. How long will it take for our poor kababayan to feel the said improvements in our economy?

—Leo Manalaysay via Facebook

Answer: With all that we see and hear about the growth of the Philippine economy, there is real reason to be very optimistic about the future. I share the view of many that the Philippines will be among the most prosperous nations in the near future, all in God’s time.

Economic growth ushers many positive changes and if the government and the business sector will properly manage growth, the benefits will ultimately trickle down to the masses. Economic growth can manifest in different ways but not all of them will have the desired effect. Some growth can be unsustainable and without sound fundamentals. Managing the economy through growth can just be as tricky as managing it through recession. A properly managed growth should be able to create a healthier business environment that will generate more employment and more taxes, and should be sustainable. As more jobs are generated, our kababayans will be able to experience better income opportunities, lower unemployment and underemployment. It is through better employment that economic growth can really trickle down to the masses.

The big issue is when. Typically, it takes time before all the benefits of economic growth can be felt, and business and the government will be the main drivers. Unlike in the stock market, where a report on economic growth can cause an overnight spike in the bourse, it takes time before business can actually experience the gains.

A corporation will want to perform adequate study before going into an expansionary phase, ascertain first if current capacity can accommodate the growth in demand for its products or services.

Companies will not immediately go into hiring more employees because it will need to ensure that the new hires will actually contribute to a better bottom line and not the other way around. Businesses need time to expand as they would still have to raise more capital, study trends and build capacity.

There must be some effects in a year or two, but not in a quarter or two. Will the effects be felt by the masses? Only if growth will result in increased employment.

Another concern is, how ready are we for the change? While many of us will benefit from the growth, how we benefit will differ from one individual to another. Some individuals will use this as an opportunity to save and invest more money that will open more opportunities for wealth accumulation and long-term savings. However, some may opt to use the income improvement for short-term wants and a lifestyle upgrade– when we do so, we will miss the opportunity to have a better quality of life that is sustainable.

While waiting for positive changes to trickle down to us, it is best that we remain prudent with whatever we have. If we can manage the little we have now, we will also be able to manage our resources when they get bigger.

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” —Luke 16:10, NLT

WEALTH STRATEGIES FOR EVERYONE!
A Comprehensive Investment Seminar

Happening this November 23, 2012 (Friday) at the Case Room,
5th Floor Tower II, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City
1:00 – 5:00 pm.
Our TOPICS will include…

•    Understanding Risk & Return
•    Economic Cycles
•    Understanding Debt & Equity
•    Creating an Investment Portfolio
•    Discussion on Investment Instruments
•    Growth Investments for 2013
•    Hedging and Defensive Stocks
•    Preferred Shares vs Common Shares
•    Capital Appreciation vs Dividends
•    Stock Market Diversification
•    Stock Investing Plan

Meet our EXPERTS …

MR. RANDELL TIONGSON

As a Financial Advisor & Educator, he is…
•    Director of the Registered Financial Planner Institute Philippines
As a Columnist of …
•    Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nominated for the 2012 Catholic Mass Media Awards)
•    Moneysense Magazine
•    Former Columnist for Business Mirror
 As a Public Speaker
•    In 2011, Randell reached thousands of people in educating and leveraging FinQ through programs like Wealth Summit, All About Money, Usapang Pera, Steps to Financial Peace Conference 2011, Blue Chip, and many more.
•    Speaker for Go Negosyo
•    Featured speaker for educational institutions like the Asian Institute of Management, Ateneo, De La Salle, Mapua University, University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle, University of the Philippines and various conferences, companies and organizations.

As an Influential Public Figure on Finance, he is…
•    One of 12 Most Influential people in Personal Finance by Moneysense Magazine
•    2011 Outstanding Alumni of the University of Santo Tomas
•    20+ years of experience in the Financial Service Industries –  Banking, Mutual Funds & Insurance.
•    International Speaking Engagements (Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore & Israel)
•    Appears as a resource person for various TV shows like TV Patrol, Bandila, 700 Club Asia, Mornings at ANC, Shoptalk, Business Nightly, Light Talk, Sis, Umagang Kay Ganda, Unang Hirit, Aksyon TV, News to Go, GNN, Talk Back, On The Money, etc.

As an an Advocate, he is an
•    Adviser of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center; in-charge of financial literacy advocacy for OFW’s

MR. MARVIN GERMO

•    General Manager of Ephesians Management Corporation
•    Financial Planner and Advisor
•    Stock Market Trader & Investor
•    Stock Market Investment Writer for China Business Magazine

His Passion and zeal to educate the Filipino people has translated into transformed lives, financially free families and has transformed ordinary consumers into investors.

He is an Entrepreneur and an International Financial Resource Speaker who out of his eager desire to make an impact in this nation has spoken in different spheres of society – corporations, government agencies, churches, schools, clubs, organizations, and numerous public events.

His ability to breakdown complicated investment concepts and translate it into something that is simple, basic and understandable to everyone. The ABS-CBN News Channel and Entrepreneur Magazine also interviewed him with regards to his skills in stock market investing.

He completed the Registered Financial Planners Institute (RFPI), He also owns (www.marvingermo.com), a financial planning help site. He graduated from Mapua Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Electronics & Communications. He has completed the Philippine Stock Exchange Certified Specialist Course in the Ateneo Center for Continuing Education.

To register please call (0915)898-6495 / (02) 852-7377 and look for Mr. Greg Pimentel or email us at training@ephesians.ph