Understanding One's Self: Professional Tree

Audit and Corporate Policies

After graduating from University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City, and passing the CPA board exam in 2002, I worked as an associate auditor at KPMG Laya-Mananghaya (now KPMG Manabat-SanAgustin). And after eight months of working as external auditor, I decided that it was not the right job for me – or not a job I truly wanted. I couldn’t imagine myself pencil pushing and number crunching until four in the morning and sacrifice my weekends any longer. My heart was longing to do something meaningful.

In 2003, an opportunity opened for me at the Department of Trade and Industry. The undersecretary for regional operations group Nelly Favis-Villafuerte was looking for an executive staff to handle the finance and operations of her sector. I took my chances and worked there for two years. Since we manage all DTI offices in 16 regions and 79 provinces, I had an invaluable training in MSMEs. I learned to appreciate more of our country’s best products and talents through local and international trade fairs.

When President GMA appointed my boss as Monetary Board member of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in 2005, my boss offered me a job to handle corporate finance and banking policy research requirements for her office. Now, I am still enjoying my job – and the benefits! – at BSP. Doing policy research and sitting in the corporate audit and I.T. committees give me a better picture of how the central bank operates. My boss once told me that I am helping her help our country through sound monetary policies. For years, I have seen how my seemingly insignificant, unnoticed contributions made an impact to the banking industry.

Spiritual Leadership

As Christians, we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. As what my favorite author always says, “One of the most exciting spiritual adventures in life is helping another human being find God.” This is why I started THY Marketplace. It’s a place for young professionals to know Christ better and to make Him known to others. We conduct inspirational talks and activities for young people in the country and abroad.

Volunteerism

I’ve always had passion for volunteerism, so when Dr. Mylene Matti and her husband James Matti, founders of GreenEarth Heritage, asked me to be a member of the board of trustee of their organic agricultural foundation, I thoughtfully agreed. Being part of GEHF is an opportunity to help improve the lives of the farmers and, of course, promote healthy living. Community development is one of our goals in the next five years.

Business

My family background and work experiences have influenced my business inclinations. The 1415 Group is an accounting and I.T. consultancy business that I am still trying to establish. Hopefully, it can be a good way to help solve unemployment and improve stakeholders’ economic lives. My work experiences at DTI and involvements at BSP have helped me develop my management skills. I have brilliant business ideas, which, I believe, will one day come to pass.

One of which is to have my own chicken inasal outlets in Metro Manila! J

Confession: I have not really thought about the facets of my professional life until my Ethics professors required us to submit a term paper. Honestly, I don't think I have such remarkable acumen in business matters compared to the others. But what I do know is that every time I do something and put my heart into it, I bring results. I'm not saying, I am jack-of-all trades, master of none. I am simply called to do something different, unconventional. What I'm saying is that God has allowed me to have rich experiences at a young age and brought me to different fields for me to see where He is at work and how I can be a part of His plan.