Manuel Roxas, the fifth President of the Philippines, also served as Quezon’s Executive Secretary from December 1941 until March 1942, just a month before he was captured by Japanese forces.

As what most expert says, eExperience is a major consideration in appointing the “Little President.” The Executive Secretary needs to hit the ground running, with barely any time to learn how to navigate the labyrinthine maze of the bureaucracy. Owing to the demands of the job, past Presidents picked Executive Secretaries who had proved their mettle through the posts they’ve held over the years.

ErnestO Maceda, a cum laude graduate of the Ateneo Law School, served as councilor of Manila—and was named Outstanding Councilor— before becoming the youngest Cabinet member of then-President E. Marcos as Secretary of Community Development at 29 years old. He served as Marcos’ Executive Secretary in a concurrent capacity as Chairman of the Commission on Reorganization from July 1969 to February 1970.

Joker Arroyo held the record as the human rights lawyer who handled the most number of cases between 1972 and 1986 before becoming then-President Corazon Aquino’s first Executive Secretary in 1986. Franklin Drilon served as Labor Secretary for three years and Justice Secretary for one year before his appointment as Aquino’s Executive Secretary in 1991.

Teofisto Guingona, who went on to become Vice President under the Arroyo administration, served as senator for six years before his appointment as Executive Secretary. He also chaired the Commission on Audit from 1986 to 1987. Ronaldo Zamora worked under the Marcos and Aquino administrations prior to becoming President Joseph Estrada’s first Executive Secretary from 1998 to 2000.

The longest serving Executive Secretaries were appointed in the past three administrations: Eduardo Ermita, Paquito Ochoa and Salvador Medialdea held the post for six years under Presidents Gloria Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte, respectively. Both Ochoa and Medialdea were lawyers while Ermita was a three-term congressman from Batangas who also handled the national defense portfolio under Arroyo.

Compared to many of his predecessors, Vic Rodriguez’s resume comes up a little bit short.

Accordingly, he was barangay captain of Sacred Heart in Quezon City for 10 years before becoming special assistant to the chief of the Business Permits and Licensing Office in 2002 under then-Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. He later became the officer-in-charge of the city’s Community Relations Office.

Rodriguez’s profile rose when he became spokesperson and chief of staff of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the run up to the 2022 elections. He was named Executive Secretary shortly after Marcos won as President.

The administration’s recent blunders have shown Rodriguez’s ineptness for the job. The appointment of Archipelago Philippines Ferries-FastCat owner Christopher Pastrana as Philippine Ports Authority General Manager has been met with criticism owing to perceived conflict of interest and his company’s supposed P132-million debt to the Department of Transportation.

So far, Pastrana’s appointment remains in limbo. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has instead designated a long-serving ports manager to become PPA’s officer-in-charge GM until further notice.

Former Energy chief Raphael Lotilla’s appointment also hit a snag as Malacañang appeared to have been remiss in vetting his credentials. Republic Act 7638 or the Department of Energy Act of 1992 prohibited the appointment of an Energy Secretary who used to be an officer of a private company engaged in the energy industry within two years from his resignation or retirement.

Lotilla, however, was an independent director of Aboitiz Power Corp., and the oil and gas exploration firm ACE Enexor. The Department of Justice later affirmed his nomination as “valid and lawful,” but not after the Palace’s head-scratching clarification that Lotilla’s appointment was a “nomination” for now.

Rodriguez’s hand was also seen in Marcos’ veto of the bill creating the Bulacan Airport City ecozone, which disappointed lawmakers and investors. He claimed there were “defects” that should be remedied by passing an entirely new legislation.

Philippine Star columnist Jarius Bondoc said there’s no one but Rodriguez to blame for the administration’s recent snafus. “From murmurs in Malacañang, Rodriguez had it coming. Supposedly he re-centralized to his office functions formerly dispersed to other units. That made him powerful, if overloaded,” Bondoc said.

Rodriguez has apparently taken upon himself to vet candidates for thousands of presidential appointees. No wonder the announcement of appointments is moving at a snail’s pace, with a number of key vacancies still unfilled.

For all his talk about being close to Marcos, one would think Rodriguez wants nothing more than the administration to succeed. But he seems bent on bringing his principal down, one wrong decision at a time.

This time it's about the Executive Secretary or what many often call it as "Little President." The reason it is called "Little President" is because of the power the position holds.

Here are some points why the position is described as Little President. Or in a best possible term to understand is the duties and responsibilities of the Executive Secretary:

1. Implementing presidential directives, orders and decisions;
2. Supervise various agencies under the Office of the President, and appoint officials whose appointments do not need the President’s approval.
3. The Executive Secretary also has the power to sign papers such as executive orders “by authority of the President.”
4. And decide on matters for and on behalf of the President if they don’t require the Chief Executive’s personal attention.

In the entirety of our Philippine Government History, the post of Executive Secretary has been held by distinguished men since it was created in 1936. Lawyer Jorge Vargas, the first Executive Secretary, was appointed by President Manuel Quezon after serving as chief clerk of the Department of Interior and legislative secretary to then-Speaker Sergio Osmeña.

Manuel Roxas, the fifth President of the Philippines, also served as Quezon’s Executive Secretary from December 1941 until March 1942, just a month before he was captured by Japanese forces.

As what most expert says, eExperience is a major consideration in appointing the “Little President.” The Executive Secretary needs to hit the ground running, with barely any time to learn how to navigate the labyrinthine maze of the bureaucracy. Owing to the demands of the job, past Presidents picked Executive Secretaries who had proved their mettle through the posts they’ve held over the years.

Ernesto Maceda, a cum laude graduate of the Ateneo Law School, served as councilor of Manila—and was named Outstanding Councilor— before becoming the youngest Cabinet member of then-President E. Marcos as Secretary of Community Development at 29 years old. He served as Marcos’ Executive Secretary in a concurrent capacity as Chairman of the Commission on Reorganization from July 1969 to February 1970.

Joker Arroyo held the record as the human rights lawyer who handled the most number of cases between 1972 and 1986 before becoming then-President Corazon Aquino’s first Executive Secretary in 1986. Franklin Drilon served as Labor Secretary for three years and Justice Secretary for one year before his appointment as Aquino’s Executive Secretary in 1991.

Teofisto Guingona, who went on to become Vice President under the Arroyo administration, served as senator for six years before his appointment as Executive Secretary. He also chaired the Commission on Audit from 1986 to 1987. Ronaldo Zamora worked under the Marcos and Aquino administrations prior to becoming President Joseph Estrada’s first Executive Secretary from 1998 to 2000.

The longest serving Executive Secretaries were appointed in the past three administrations: Eduardo Ermita, Paquito Ochoa and Salvador Medialdea held the post for six years under Presidents Gloria Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte, respectively. Both Ochoa and Medialdea were lawyers while Ermita was a three-term congressman from Batangas who also handled the national defense portfolio under Arroyo.

Compared to many of his predecessors, Vic Rodriguez’s resume comes up a little bit short.

Accordingly, he was barangay captain of Sacred Heart in Quezon City for 10 years before becoming special assistant to the chief of the Business Permits and Licensing Office in 2002 under then-Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. He later became the officer-in-charge of the city’s Community Relations Office.

Rodriguez’s profile rose when he became spokesperson and chief of staff of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the run up to the 2022 elections. He was named Executive Secretary shortly after Marcos won as President.

The administration’s recent blunders have shown Rodriguez’s ineptness for the job. The appointment of Archipelago Philippines Ferries-FastCat owner Christopher Pastrana as Philippine Ports Authority General Manager has been met with criticism owing to perceived conflict of interest and his company’s supposed P132-million debt to the Department of Transportation.

So far, Pastrana’s appointment remains in limbo. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has instead designated a long-serving ports manager to become PPA’s officer-in-charge GM until further notice.

Former Energy chief Raphael Lotilla’s appointment also hit a snag as Malacañang appeared to have been remiss in vetting his credentials. Republic Act 7638 or the Department of Energy Act of 1992 prohibited the appointment of an Energy Secretary who used to be an officer of a private company engaged in the energy industry within two years from his resignation or retirement.

Lotilla, however, was an independent director of Aboitiz Power Corp., and the oil and gas exploration firm ACE Enexor. The Department of Justice later affirmed his nomination as “valid and lawful,” but not after the Palace’s head-scratching clarification that Lotilla’s appointment was a “nomination” for now.

Rodriguez’s hand was also seen in Marcos’ veto of the bill creating the Bulacan Airport City ecozone, which disappointed lawmakers and investors. He claimed there were “defects” that should be remedied by passing an entirely new legislation.

Philippine Star columnist Jarius Bondoc said there’s no one but Rodriguez to blame for the administration’s recent snafus. “From murmurs in Malacañang, Rodriguez had it coming. Supposedly he re-centralized to his office functions formerly dispersed to other units. That made him powerful, if overloaded,” Bondoc said.

Rodriguez has apparently taken upon himself to vet candidates for thousands of presidential appointees. No wonder the announcement of appointments is moving at a snail’s pace, with a number of key vacancies still unfilled.

For all his talk about being close to Marcos, one would think Rodriguez wants nothing more than the administration to succeed. But he seems bent on bringing his principal down, one wrong decision at a time.

 
Bump it out with the SuperKids with the AweSM Bumper Cars!

Get the best aerial views onboard the AweSM Ferris Wheel!

Have a ball and jump into the colorful AweSM Glowing Ball Pit!

 

Climb up the AweSM Rainbow Obby (obstacle course) and discover a secret maze on the rooftop – our favorite!

And there’s so much more! SuperKids of all ages are welcome to explore and do their own thing in the same fashion as a real-life mall experience, only this time it’s virtual and made especially for them.

What are you waiting for? Check it out and get your kids to play the AweSM SuperKids Zone at Roblox today! Roblox is available online or via the app that you can download for free through the App Store or Google Play.

For more information on the AweSM SuperKids Zone in Roblox, visit www.smsupermalls.com or like and follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms.

 

Did you know that 53 million Filipinos have no bank accounts? That is a staggering 69% percent of the country’s population from BSP’s Q3 2021 study.

The problem? Access. Many of them lack the documents required to open bank accounts. They opt to just keep their cash at home for easy access in case of emergency.

To encourage more Filipinos to go into formal banking, GCash, the country's leading e-wallet, recently partnered with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to reach unbanked Filipinos, particularly working millennials.

This is part of the top mobile wallet’s continuing innovation to empower Filipinos and find solutions to digitalize their financial transactions, including paying for their purchases and bills, sending money to their loved ones, and building up their savings so they can have greater financial security and freedom in life.

The partnership between GCash and BPI offers BPI #MySaveUp, an in-app feature in the GSave marketplace.

"The goal of GSave Marketplace is to provide savings account options that would best fit their needs," Winsley Bangit, chief customer officer at GCash said. “The collaboration with BPI allows GCash users to enjoy the bank's wide reach and services nationwide. BPI #MySaveUp gives the underbanked and unbanked Filipinos access to formal banking through the GCash app.” 

Helping further scale up financial inclusion, BPI #MySaveUp paves the way for unbanked Filipinos to easily apply for and own a formal and all-digital account sans the long application process, allowing them to start their saving journey and achieve their financial goals while earning higher interest rates.

Through this partnership, doing financial transactions and managing an account become plain sailing thru their GCash account or BPI mobile app. This new feature also offers free fund transfer from a user’s BPI #MySaveUp account to his GCash wallet and vice versa.

Users also have an option to get a BPI Debit Mastercard in any BPI branch for only P150 so they can access their account and withdraw from thousands of BancNet and Mastercard ATMs worldwide.

"We, at BPI, are committed to realizing our vision of building a better Philippines. We are committed to continuously pursue financial inclusion programs in support of the BSP's goal for 70% of adult Filipinos to have formal financial accounts by 2023. This partnership with GCash brings us closer to this target as we provide more Filipinos a path towards financial wellness," said Maria Cristina L. Go, Executive Vice President and Head of Consumer Banking at BPI.  BPI #MySaveUp users can also win monthly prizes. Every Php 10,000 saved by the end of the month or have at least Php 3,000 worth of valid transactions within the month earns them 1 #Coin which they can use to buy a game card to win electronic GCs or eGCs from BPI. Applicants can open their BPI #MySaveUp account on their GCash app. They simply need to click the GSave icon then choose BPI #MySaveUp. Once in, they can open a savings account and proceed with using their GCash profile. After receiving the email confirmation from BPI, they can then finally start accessing BPI #MySaveUp. 

For non-GCash users, they just need to download the app, upload one valid ID and wait to be verified. Once done, they can enjoy all the products and services of GCash. 

 
Channeling ‘80s synth-pop with modern R&B textures and brooding themes, Banzuelo reflects on loss and loneliness with a more matured perspective. Sonically speaking, “Walang Himala” retains his signature glossy synth production on top of a playful storytelling that connects his past and present releases. “My music provides a strong multiple set of stories, and this new track follows the storyline of Himala,” the Muli hitmaker points out.

According to the young multi-hyphenate, the most memorable moment for him during the recording process is coming up with the introduction and a first verse. The line “ang hirap,” which means, “it’s difficult” really stuck with him; hence, playing around with it as part of the song’s main hook. “Another memorable moment was coming up with the chorus because I didn’t have to revise it. I knew it had to be those words: Walang himala, mali ako pala (translation: There’s no miracle; it’s my fault),” shares Banzuelo, putting more context to the lyrics’ poignant rough spot.

“Walang Himala” is written, produced, mixed, and mastered by Ace Banzuelo himself. The song is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines.

Listen here: http://lnk.to/AB-WalangHimala

 

 

There is a notion that physical therapy is only for post-stroke patients or those recovering from accidents, but physical therapy can benefit everyone. This is pain management that aims to fix the root of the problem, dealing with every muscle, sinew, nerve, and bone that causes the major or minor aches that plague daily life, such as back pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, scoliosis, to name just a few. Some patients think this is something you have to live with, but relief is possible with physiotherapy. Athletes of all levels can also look to Buela to boost their performance and be more resilient to injuries and to treat muscles that are overused in relation to their sport.

Gerald Buela, CEO of Buela Physical Therapy Clinic and a licensed physiotherapist himself, has a personal mission to raise the level of the profession. “That's my advocacy, to elevate and push the boundaries of what this practice can achieve through technology and physiotherapy.” Buela is elevating the PT (Physical Therapy) industry, by bringing in top of the line machines from abroad. “It's the latest technology so the Philippines doesn’t fall far behind,” he says. ”Most of the Physical Therapy clinics in the Philippines are quite traditional. I want to transform the industry into one of the most advanced in the region.”

The physiotherapists and staff of Buela Physical Therapy Clinic

 

All the machines at the Buela clinics are the latest models. The clinic touts an advanced approach using these machines that aid in various therapies: Myofascial Dry Needling, Microcurrent/Macrocurrent Therapy, Deep Radiofrequency Heat Therapy, Vibration Therapy, Manual Therapy (joint mobilization and spinal manipulation), Postural Correction Program, High-Intensity Laser Therapy, Focused Shockwave, Traction Therapy, Tecartherapy. Patients undergo a thorough screening and medical assessment by doctors and therapists to determine which treatment is most beneficial for their areas of concern.

There is a misconception that physical therapists are similar to massage therapists, but physical therapists or physiotherapists are licensed medical professionals whose field of study takes five years. While massage deals with the muscles, physical therapy can go deeper dealing with muscles, bones, and nerves, affecting the totality of the body. “Our promise is to fix your problems one posture at a time,” explains Buela. When you don’t fix the posture, the muscles aren’t activated properly, the pain and discomfort will return. The machines also target tissue at a deeper level that a simple massage cannot reach. “Massages are good for relaxation, but you need physical therapy for pain and discomfort.”

Gerald Rivera Buela – CEO of Buela Physical Therapy Clinic Corporation. Buela's goal is to make physiotherapy a part of people's healthy lifestyles.

 

Cost is also something that precludes people from getting the physical therapy that they need, often choosing to pop a pill for the pain. But that solution is temporary, especially for those with chronic pain. People don’t often realize that their health card coverage includes physical therapy, and a visit to the Buela clinic can bring them more lasting relief.

Buela’s sleek and industrial chic interiors of blue gray, wood and steel is aimed at trying to do away with the cold and antiseptic feel of physical rehabilitation clinics, treating it more like going to a spa, gym or an aesthetician, while still getting the level of treatment you would get at the most advanced physical rehabilitation center. “Some of our patients don't do well in hospital settings. Their progress is very minimal, and they don't find the level of pain relief they desire,” explains Buela. Hospitals also don't do certain treatments, like dry needling, a practice whose roots trace back to acupuncture but have now combined with Western research.

The Buela PT interiors of slate blue with wood accents may look like a spa, but the clinic utilizes the most advanced tools in physical therapy.

 

Buela has not only invested in machines, he also invested in people. The Buela clinic makes it a special point to design the staff area of the physical therapists to be as nice as the rest of the clinic. This does a lot for staff morale, as the staff room is usually the most neglected part of any establishment. Buela, who worked as a physiotherapist himself, knows the ins and outs of the industry and champions that therapists be treated as professionals. It’s only logical that happier staff can give better service. “I pay them a premium, twice as much as the average. I want physiotherapists to feel ownership of the space and to be comfortably working in that space. Compared to other clinics, we pay them double. I really value our people.”

During the pandemic a lot of lifestyles have become sedentary. The work from home setup, which continues even through a hybrid setup, has resulted in a lot less time for moving and socializing, often just remaining at your desk for the whole day. This has resulted in a lot of posture problems that result in or compound all manner of bodily aches and pains. “What we want to give to them is freedom from pain,” declares Buela. ”That way you can work more efficiently, have better relationships, and live your best life.”

Buela Physical Therapy Clinic is located at Unit 2R, The Garden Walk, 105 Felix Avenue, Cainta, Rizal.

Alabang Branch: Unit 2504 Entrata Urban Complex, Civic Drive, Filinvest, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

(02) 869-32428

+63 975 670 2478

@buela_physicaltherapy
www.facebook.com/buelaphysicaltherapy
customercare@buelaphysio.com
www.buelaphysio.com

With the changing world, uncertainty is always present. The future is uncertain, and one must be prepared for anything. To make protection more inclusive, the country’s premier life insurance company, AIA Philippines, allows customers to enlist their same-sex partners as beneficiaries, as aligned with the Insurance Commission’s position on the matter.

To learn more about ShopeePay, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay. Follow ShopeePay’s Instagram and Facebook pages to be updated with the latest promos.

It’s that time again to sing along and release your karaoke skills as this fun kiddie edition promises to be an exciting show with a new roster of Jukebossess and the original Sing Masters - Randy Santiago, K Brosas, and Donita Nose.

Photo shows (L-R): PLDT Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Business Home Group, Jeremiah de la Cruz; Google Philippines Marketing Head, Gabby Roxas; and First Vice President and Head of PLDT Home Product Management and Marketing, John Henri Yanez at the series’ media launch.

 
Available in both English and Filipino in the Philippines, Be Internet Awesome aims to teach children the fundamentals of leading a digital life which includes what kind of information to post on social media and how to deal with cyberbullying among others. This is part of the many efforts of Google to help keep people safe online.

“Our children are true digital natives. They grew up with the internet and everything the digital world has to offer. But as they broaden their horizons for discovery and learning, it also exposes them to risks and dangers,” said Jeremiah de la Cruz, Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Home Group, PLDT Inc. “Through this original series, we at PLDT Home want to translate the teachings from Google’s Be Internet Awesome program into an entertaining and practical show that children can enjoy watching while learning about online safety early on.”

Be Internet Awesome aims to teach children the fundamentals of leading a digital life which includes what kind of information to post on social media and how to deal with cyberbullying. The series features the character Robo-berto, pictured here with children at the Be Internet Awesome launch.

 
“PLDT Home’s partnership with Google for Be Internet Awesome aligns with our larger group-wide commitment: to strengthen customer-centricity. At PLDT, we not only find ways to simplify technology and experience for our customers, but we also strive to do business responsibly by putting their safety and well-being at the forefront of all our products and services,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, President and CEO of PLDT Inc. And Smart Communications, Inc.

In 2021, PLDT also invested over P2 billion in cybersecurity and protection filtering. The country’s largest integrated telco has since been very active in detecting, responding, and preventing both domain and content-level access to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) within the network. PLDT’s Child Protection Platform has blocked almost 300,000 URLs linked CSAM by the end of May and prevented more than a billion attempts to access these illegal sites from November last year to May this year.

Be Internet Awesome’s lead characters - Sam Elora (L) and Robo-berto

 
“After launching Be Internet Awesome in 2021 in the Philippines, we are glad to have found a like-minded partner in PLDT who champions the same values when it comes to protecting kids online. Through PLDT and more potential partners in the future, we hope to scale Be Internet Awesome and provide more families with a practical way of teaching digital safety and wellness to their children so they can become responsible, confident explorers of the online world,” said Bernadette Nacario, Country Director of Google Philippines.

The Be Internet Awesome online series will premiere on the PLDT Home YouTube channel on July 8, 2022.

Get a grip on your busy days with this Haylou Waterproof Smart Watch, equipped with health and sleep monitoring, 12 sports modes, weather notifications and music functions. Craving those unreachable, beautiful views? Explore the world using this Dual Camera FPV Drone so you can conquer the scene and reach heights for better travel memories for you and your friends thanks to its 4K double camera, three-sided infrared avoidance, and 100-meter distance features. Be on top of your game with this Adjustable High Back Gaming Chair, complete with a wide backrest and adjustable heights and tilts so you can have that customized comfort while in battle. Unlock the touch-screen potentials of your phone, iPad, or tablet with this handy Stylus Pen, perfect for taking down notes, signatures, and drawings.

Make your home safe and comfortable with the help of these must-haves! Embrace extra safety in your front door with this auto-sensing Spray Sterilizer, complete with 3 spray modes, 320-mL capacity, and easy-to-install pieces. Cooking and convenience go hand-in-hand with the TJean Air Fryer, non-sticky and hassle-free to navigate with its pre-set menu and timers. Be your own barista with this Hibrew Espresso Machine, which comes with easy to use large buttons and displays, a retro-stylish look, and a 15-bar pressure for ground coffee to help serve you that much-needed punch of delicious espresso.

More exciting offers await at the Shopee 7.7 Mid-Year Sale

Aside from these amazing bagsak-presyo items, get exclusive deals and discounts at the 7.7 Mid-Year Sale from top brands such as Abbott, Pedigree and Whiskas, Colgate-Palmolive, Omega Houseware, Ace Hardware, Pampers, Garnier, L'Oreal Paris, Maybelline, P&G Beauty, Olay, Havaianas, LOVITO, Huawei, OPPO, and infinix.

You can also score ₱7 deals every 15 minutes during the Lightning Flash Hour sale this 7.7 Mid-Year Sale. Get a chance to take home a new laptop or TV just by checking out ₱7 deals from 12-1PM and 8-9PM this 7.7. To know more about these amazing deals, visit the Lightning Flash Hour Sale page on Shopee.

While still choosing what to checkout this 7.7, join the Mukha Ng Panay Checkout Sa Shopee raffle to get a chance to be one of the lucky 5 winners who will take home ₱10,000! Just show off your best Shopee-inspired shopping photo and use the Mukha Ng Panay Checkout Sa Shopee Facebook frame in order to join. Visit the Mukha Ng Panay Checkout Sa Shopee post to know more about the raffle.

The mid-year surprises don't stop there! Activate and verify ShopeePay now to get more rewards when you send money, buy load, and pay bills. Send money for free and get a chance to win ₱1,000,000 worth of prizes with the ShopeePay Mission promo. To join, simply send at least ₱50 to any unique ShopeePay user or bank/e-wallet account from July 1 to 7 and earn raffle entries for every transaction. Don’t miss out on ShopeePay-exclusive deals on load and cashback vouchers for bills payment this mid-year sale. For more rewards, use ShopeePay to get shipping discounts when you pay for your 7.7 bagsak-presyo finds. For more details on the latest promos, follow ShopeePay’s Instagram and Facebook pages.

To know more about the 7.7 Mid-Year Sale, visit the 7.7 Mid-Year Sale page on Shopee.

 

 
In 2010, Rizaly graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy. She went on to pass the Philippine CPA Board Exams on first try in October 2010. The assistance of SMFI, she said, went beyond tuition and allowances. “With full scholarship grants and monthly allowances, as well as the opportunity to work at SM Store during our summer and Christmas vacations, the SMFI scholarship has enabled me to help my family financially.”

“I am the master of my fate”
While other parents were buying their college kids the latest Nokia phone back in the summers of 2000’s, Rizaly’s father gave her and her siblings weekly assignments to accomplish during the summer vacation. “Our late father instilled in us the love of reading and the value of studying,” she shared. “During summer, he would assign us English words and their meanings to memorize and asked us to recite these to him.“

Then there's the memorization of motivational poems and speeches, one of which stuck with her for life: “It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” She shared that this last stanza of “Invictus” by W.E. Henley had kept her motivated to look past the limitations of her circumstances and focus on her personal goals.

Career at SM
SM Foundation was established in 1983 by Henry Sy, Sr. and Felicidad T. Sy as the heart of the SM group. It has established programs that are focused on nurturing and caring for underserved communities where SM is present. It supports and empowers host communities through education, healthcare, shelter, disaster response, sustainable agriculture, and care for persons with special needs.

To date, SM Foundation has assisted more than 8,000 college and technical/vocational students, and has donated over 100 school buildings with a total of 334 classrooms built across the country.

Nurturing the graduates extends beyond the classroom as SM Foundation also provides job opportunities across the different companies of the SM group. The foundation organizes a Career Fair specifically designed for its scholars.

From the Career Fair organized by SM Foundation, Rizaly was able to get job offers from three companies – among which was SM Prime Holdings, one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia that offers innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities with the development of malls, residences, offices, hotels and convention centers. It is also the largest, in terms of asset, in the Philippines.

I still want to level up
“I haven't accomplished much yet, but I value what I have already accomplished and received so far,” said Rizaly, referring to the highest honors she has received in high school and college, becoming a CPA, and being promoted to manager in within only a few years of her work at SM Prime. “These are just a few of the accomplishments for which I will be eternally grateful. I'm also proud of my daily achievements at work, such as fulfilling particular duties assigned to me. They make me happy and proud of myself, and they inspire me to do better.”

“Ang mga dating pinapangarap ko lang, nagagawa ko na ngayon,” Rizaly said as she related how she has been able to travel to Taiwan for vacation and do the tri-city tour of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. But her biggest dreams, she said, remain centered on her family: to provide better for her family by sharing with them what she has now. “Nothing is simple. Nothing is easy. Hindi ko naman to straight line lang na na-achieve. Life is full of challenges. Just stay strong, keep the faith and always give your best effort.”