Trying Seasons

"God can take me now. I know Niniw could handle everything when I'm gone"

These were my mom's last words before she was rushed to the hospital the next morning. She was well and healthy but In a span of 1 week, she's gone with our Father in heaven.

This was the start of a totally different season for me. 

From a mere income contributor, I was suddenly the head of the family. I used to just hand money to my mom and she will take care of everything. Now I am the one who budgets, plans and decides on almost everything. I'm just thankful that I have very supportive siblings who shares with me the responsibilities as we don't want to burden our ageing father anymore. 

Me and my siblings used to just point whatever we want to eat in our Mom's canteen. She can cook 8 different dishes in 2 to 3 hours. We love food and all we have to do is request what we want to eat. Now we learned to experiment on food. Me on baking and my sisters on traditional dishes. 

My routine used to be home-work-play-home when Mom was still around. Now less play as I have to attend to meetings, sideline work and sometimes check ups for our father. 

Mom's passing was the most painful and the most difficult time in my life. It's like our current weather where the rain just seems to never stop. It still move me to tears whenever I remember her. She was the funniest, sweet and tough, cool and smart mom I've ever known. But knowing how strong of a woman she is, I moved on and face the challenges she left for me to take. She is my best example and I want her to be proud of me, her lovely Niniw.

All through these struggles God has been holding my hand to guide and lead me. He has sent me angels in the form of friends and distracters. He taught me to be strong, understanding and patient. And true to His promises, He gave me overflowing blessings.

Several seasons passed and we are still going strong. Still learning and struggling sometimes. But at the end of the day, what matters is how well we have grown as a person all throughout the changing seasons. 

Ella Ganzan

This was written for the Expo Feast Bulletin Reflection. During my Rest days if it falls on Sunday, I write as part of my service with the Creative Media Ministry of Light of Jesus Singapore. I wrote this Reflection as a tribute for my Mom who is celebrating her birthday today, September 26. Though she is no longer with us, her memories and her love for us remain in our hearts.

Happy Birthday Nanay. 

We love and miss you so much. 

KERYGMA GRAND FEAST ASIA 2013 "ARISE & CONQUER"

I remember that I have promised myself that I will serve in Light Of Jesus community when I reached Singapore. On my first Sunday here, I went to Expo and met a friendly girl on the Registration table named Achie. I told her I inquired through the LOJ-SG FB page where the venue is and informed her of my interest to serve. She gladly welcomed me and I attended the Feast every Sunday.

It must be the most blessed decision I made in my life as an OFW. I was blessed with friends, spiritual mentors and financial mentors as well. My love tank was filled through their genuine care and love especially when I get attacked by homesickness. The community is my home away from home. Here I am exponentially blessed.

The Kerygma Grand feast Asia is on it's 2nd year. I was lucky to have been given a chance to serve last year on it's first ever Kerygma Grand feast Asia. So now let me invite you to join us again and be Exponentially blessed.

You can buy your tickets now for KERYGMA GRAND FEAST ASIA 2013 "ARISE & CONQUER"
12 October 2013 Saturday| Singapore Expo Max Atria

Pls. contact:
Ely - 8181 9704 or Erilyn at 9169 2858
Allan at 9739 1177 or Gee 8691 9357

DONOR TICKET $200
24 seats only. 2nd row seats. 4 authographed books

A CLUSTER $70
Free Seating

B CLUSTER $60
Free Seating

GENERAL ADMISSION $50
Free Seating

For more information pls. visit:  Kerygma Grand Feast Asia

The biggest Catholic learning event in the Philippines
returns to Singapore!

LOJFSG is a Catholic Charismatic Community and a recognized society by the Registrar of Societies in Singapore.

The Preachers.

Bro. Bo Sanchez
Bo Sanchez was only 12 years old when his parents, Gene and Pilar, brought him to a prayer meeting. Seeing Bo, then a student at the Ateneo de Manila, the leader of the prayer meeting prophesied that he would be preaching to thousands - a prophecy now being fulfilled.

Bo founded the Light of Jesus Family, a faith community that branched out to various ministries, the latest of which is the Feast, a Sunday prayer gathering at the PICC with Holy Mass, lively worship, and Bo's talk on practical Christian living. Bo, who was awarded one of The Outstanding Young Men or TOYM for 2006 and the recipient of the Serviam Award, the highest award of the Catholic Mass Media Awards, has partnered with various charitable organizations for orphans, street children, unwed mothers, and abandoned elderly.

Bro. Pio Español
Formerly a Senior Manager at San Miguel Corporation, Pio Espańol left his corporate role and became one of the pioneer elders of the Light of Jesus Family. He has established Light of Jesus chapters in the Visayas as well as in North America. He now leads the Feasts in Rizal (Philippines) and assists in the development of Light of Jesus Family Singapore.

Bro. Arun Gogna
Arun Gogna is a much sought-after national and international lay preacher. He started to preach when he was sixteen years and though he has a Bachelors Degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from De La Salle University, he has chosen preaching to be his life mission.

He acquired his Masters in Theology Degree from Don Bosco Center of Studies, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He is the founder of Creative House Inc., an organization specializing in retreats, recollections and values formation seminars for companies, schools, universities and organizations.
He is also recording artist with two Christian albums recently turned platinum namely "Ikaw Lamang" and "Big in God's Eyes". He is the author of the best-selling book entitled "Happy Secrets to an Obedient Life". He is regular columnist of the number one Catholic inspirational magazine in the Philippines, "Kerygma", and its sister publication's "Fish". He has also been serving for more than half his life in his various capacities as concert director.

Bro. Alvin Barcelona
Alvin Barcelona, rock singer-turned-Kerygma preacher, has a weekly show on TV Maria titled Nakita Ko (also the title of his book) and a radio program on Radio Veritas. Healed from a lingering disease, he has really championed his trials. He is the Feast Builder of the PICC PM Session, Manila, and Bulacan.


"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. 
And this is the victory that has overcome the world...OUR FAITH" 
1 John 5:4





















(Preacher's Bio taken from Official website:  Kerygmagrandfeast.com http://www.kerygmagrandfeast.com/speakers.html)

What if you Die too soon or Live too long?

One of the basic and powerful personal finance tool I learned from IMG is the X Curve Concept.

It gives a clear picture of the 2 stages of our Financial life.

Let's start with our younger years. 

This is the stage where we are still active and strong enough to work and make money. This is also the stage where responsibilities and expenses are big. This is the point where an active income is a must to provide for our basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, health, education and debts or loans. 

Our active income at this point usually comes from our job or businesses. Sadly, our basic needs are permanent while income is not. We still need to eat, change clothes, have a home and of course we need medical attention because as we grow older we are more prone to illness. 

It's best to practice our Prosperity formula at this point. This is also the best time to protect ourselves especially if we are the sole breadwinner in the family and many are depending on us. 

The question here is: What if we die too soon?

This is the question that shows how you really care for your loved ones. First, you need an Insurance to make sure they have something left when you can no longer provide for them. Next, you need to set up an emergency fund so in situations like loss of job, immediate hospitalization, fire or accidents you still have something to pay for the monthly bills while building your way to recovery.

Now on for Older years.

You may think that the next stage is still far from where you are now. But this stage is where we are all going to. Now what we did or did not do during our younger years will reflect on this stage.

Ideally, there should be less responsibility at this stage, no more debts and loans and at this point we should already be living on interest. No more dragging of ourselves to work and more bonding time with  the family. Our money should now be working for us.

Now, provided you have saved enough for your future. The dilemma is What if you live too long?

According to the latest reports,  life expectancy is longer now because of advances in medical technologies. You may have saved enough for 10 years after your retirement but is it enough? What if you lived another 10 years? I'm sure you don't want to be passed around by your children when you are already old and sick. By this time they already have a family of their own and on the stage of big responsibility. 

At this point you have to be covered enough for your health expenses, emergency fund and long term fund for all other expenses. Ideally at this point, you are already living on interests where your money is working for you.

Photo screenshot from sxyshandy

So what does the X Curve concept teach us? 

It basically shows that we should accumulate and save more while we are young and actively earning money to prepare us for our future. It takes time for money to grow and it is our great ally in securing our future. So better start now.

What's your next action?

1. Like the Pinay Helpdesk page to get bits and pieces of financial tips.

2. Answer this Appointment form if you are interested to attend a financial coaching in person or via online.

3. Join the Truly Rich Club to get your dose of financial and spiritual abundance.

*X-curve video credit

Be Storm Proof

Ella, What is your Investment?

This used to be my most dreaded question every time I discussed financial concepts and money machines. I cringe whenever somebody asks this. I take my time in answering this question. Thanks for the gift of gap. I'm almost tempted to answer in a Ms. Universe pageant way: "My kids are my investments not because I'm expecting them to take care of me when I get older but because they will be a reflection of how I have been as a parent. "

But of course the person asking the question wants to hear a different answer. It's actually a question of doubt challenging the person being asked. To put it bluntly: "Who are you to teach me these when you yourself is currently in debt?

Now before I answer that let me tell you my story.

3 yrs ago I learned about Bo Sanchez after searching for spiritual and inspirational ebooks and daily readings. I subscribed to his blogs and read his books. I attended his seminar on How to be truly rich.  I learned many practical ways on how to handle money and to change my perspective about it. I learned how to invest in myself by enriching my knowledge about finances and the importance of creating income streams versus depending on only one source. I enrolled myself in an online class mentored by Jomar Hilario, Bo's online marketing mentor about internet marketing where I have learned a lot and have used to empower myself and help other people as well. I learned about money jars, prosperity formula and the stock market because I joined the Truly Rich Club. I spent most of my free time attending all sorts of financial seminar there is while slowly adapting the bits and pieces of financial concepts in my life. I honestly learned a lot to the point of information overload. Then  I  realized I haven't done any real action yet.

You're probably asking why I haven't done any action yet despite the load of information I've been feeding my mind with. Ask me why.

Well, the place where you are now is exactly the place where I once was. Yes. That exact place where despite of all the promising and not so impossible great future (provided you coupled it with consistent hard work and persistence) I still have fears.

My big struggle was fear mixed with doubts. I believe in the logic and truth in the concepts I've learned. But will I be able to do it just by merely following the books? I believe in the vision of creating more Filipino Millionaires by the year 2020. But I fear that will I,  myself be included in that vision?  I believe in consistently saving for the future but I fear that I won't be able to sustain it as several reasons and the problems always appear like mushrooms. Well the truth is, problems do come and go but time doesn't. There will never be a right time and right opportunity when we don't take action.

You see, God is great. He prepared everything for me. He knows my fears so He has to bring me personally to my mentors. He brought me to SG to be surrounded by people who think the same as me financially.  All along I thought it was another story but amazingly He always has better plans for me.

Here in Singapore I met people who have started investing 2 or 3 years ago.  That very same time when I was just starting to follow Bo Sanchez,  attending financial seminars, reading blogs about Investing,  and became a Truly Rich Club member. These people have already gained a lot and have an impressive portfolio. They learned a lot too because they are doing it while following the stocks update from the TRC. While I was stucked with my fears, trying to secure myself by learning more, these people who bravely took action are already learning along the way and enjoying the planting stage.

The Financial Advocates from SG who attended the Money by the Book - Biblical Stewardship Seminar by Randell Tiongson, one of the most respected personal Finance  coaches in the Philippines.

It took me several years before I took my baby steps towards financial freedom. I finally opened an account with Citiseconline after more than a year when I last attended their seminar in PSE Ortigas. I opened my first Mutual fund account with Philequity and secured myself with Kaiser, a health card, insurance and investment all in one. I have plans for creating more after my debt management plan which hopefully will totally be wiped out before the end of the year.  I know doing all of these will give me more knowledge and experience which in truth is the best teacher. I'm learning along the way and especially now that my IMG family is here to support me and my friends who also share the same vision of No family left behind. As my recent post I got somewhere on FB: Friends don't let friends retire broke.

I haven't directly answered the question yet but I want to point out that if I bravely started the same time my new friends did, I would have been experiencing a harvest time now given the good economy of the Philippines recently. Honestly,  I have regrets but I believe God allowed it to happen because I have a mission to fulfill and that is to share this experience and teach the younger ones. Looking back, if I had known this 10 yrs ago, I wouldn't be here in SG away from my kids. My faith tells me to say Yes to God's will so here I am with the rest of my friends who are financial advocates as well ready to share and teach how to be good stewards of God's blessings. 

And to answer the main question. Yes I have investments but not that much yet but it is growing. I have just started and am continously learning. The important thing is I have successfully overcome the first challenge and that is when to start. The rest is easy. As a coach, I'm following the proper Foundation of investing. I was really inspired after I attended the Money by the Book - Biblical Stewardship talk by Randell Tiongson.  He told us financial advocates, " You are not storm free because you will still have financial problems but it makes you storm proof because you have solutions"

And I'm not scared anymore because I have support directly from mentors who have been doing this for years already. And that same support I commit myself too for my friends,  relatives and acquaintances I had coached previously and soon to be coached either personally or via online coaching.

And btw, being a Truly Rich club member not only teaches you about finances. It provides spiritual guidance and uplifting messages plus an opportunity to earn passively. It's actually one trickle of income stream for me. The rest, soon.

What's your next action?

1. Like the Pinay Helpdesk page to get bits and pieces of financial tips.

2. Answer this Appointment form if you are interested to attend a financial coaching in person or via online.

3. Join the Truly Rich Club to get your dose of financial and spiritual abundance.

Be storm proof, start now.

10-20-70 Prosperity Formula

One of the best things about IMG is the crusade to change people from being spenders to savers and eventually become Entrepreneurs and Investors. The big question is HOW?

Most of us consider our paychecks as profits. When we get the paycheck we always think of rewarding ourselves for the hard work we put in for the half month or for us OFWs, a whole month. There's nothing wrong with that actually. Remember that we have discussed this from our Money Jars  where we have Play Jar because we need to pamper ourselves too for balance. This also saves us from cheating in the other jars.

                                                      Photo credit: IMG TRM

And so this Prosperity Formula is a guide for us to be able to achieve the goal to financial freedom. It states Pay yourself first. Not pay our efforts by buying so many unnecessary things but pay ourselves by investing in our future. Keep in mind that we are still within the working age. The age line where we are still working hard to earn money. So take your paycheck as capital. Use it to earn more by investing in knowledge, experience and in various money vehicles that will yield more giving you greater opportunities to achieve your goals.

I learned this 10-20-70 Prosperity formula from Bro Bo Sanchez. I've been a follower years ago but it's only recently I really took the step to make an action. The baby steps really paid off. Now I'm not scared anymore and I appreciate more what I read and learn along the way.

This is a basic concept we all must learn and of course practice. 10 percent is nothing compared to what God has been blessing us. Remember that we can never outdo God's generosity. The mere fact that we have a source of income is already a great blessing, so what is 10% anyway? It's not necessarily exact but anything that comes from your heart will already please the Lord especially if that means helping others. Keep in mind that God is blessing us to be stewards of his blessings and be able to help others. 

The 20% is used for retirement plans. Remember that it takes time for money to grow. So while we still have the resources like, good health, strong body, a good paying job or a good business, we should start investing now so we can look forward to a good future. 

The 70% goes to our living expenses which includes our bills and basic needs such as food, clothes  and housing. Now since this is what's left, that means we have to live within the our means. With this we can surely fund our financial plans.

Here is a video of Bro Bo Sanchez when he guested in Aya Laraya's Pesos and Sense TV Show. He basically discussed here his different view on money and how it relates to our spiritual life.

 I personally believe that money is just a vehicle to bless more people and it will only be the root of evil if used otherwise. 

Money cannot buy you love, so where do you use your money?

Afraid of the Stock Market? Get a Mentor.

"The Philippine Stock Exchange's current bull run is expected to last for at least three more years, longer than previous cycles the country has seen, following the credit rating upgrade.
Read more: BULL RUN

(Photo: Bloomberg)

Philippine stock market's bull run to last at least 3 more years.
So what?

Guys, it's the best time to grow our hard earned money and save it from inflation. This also means that this is the best time to invest in our own country. Investing is like planting. Just like any plant, money takes time to grow. And now is the best time to start planting.

For guidance on what to pick in the stock market without the info overload, sign up and be a member of the Truly Rich Club. Truly Rich Club teaches people to become a Rancher, how to invest and know where to invest. Helping good people become rich so they can be a blessing to others.'

Click this link to know more.
TRULY RICH CLUB

Recently, Bro Bo updated that his first maid,  started her investment program under his guidance has now P518,844 in her stock market portfolio! Isn't it great?  She’s only 30 years old, btw.  Bro Bo added that if she keeps investing, she’ll have P15 Million by the time she hits 50. Yes. She is a maid! (Now she's been promoted as a bookkeeper).

Bro Bo Sanchez is the author of " My Maid Invests in the Stock Market... and Why You Should too!" Anyone who wants to borrow this book let me know or you can download from this link:

Truly Rich Club

Guide to signing up with TRC:


You can also follow my blog for bits and pieces of financial concepts that you can practice on your own. Don't forget to LIKE the page.

Pinayhelpdeskmom


"Opportunities don't happen, you create them."

When are you going to start?

all it took was that Walk towards HIM.

It's been a year since I bravely did something I've always wanted to do. That is to join the yearly "Alay Lakad" activity done by Catholics every Holy Week.

Alay Lakad is a way of Sacrifice as part of our Catholic belief where people starts to walk from Quiapo church to Antipolo Cathedral. You can actually start from your own place for example myself, I started from my workplace in Ortigas.

Since nobody wants to accompany me because it is after work, I bravely threaded the stretch of Ortigas Extension Alone. It was a meditating walk I must say. I got to reflect on what my life has been for the past years. I pray for enlightenment as I am about to make the biggest decision in my life. I look back, then I look forward. I don't see anything clear then, but a growing hope is slowly exciting me with something. I have to believe a major blessing is coming my way.

It was not a walk in the park and it was indeed tiring knowing it's a long way to go but all of it were negligible as I took the time observing the group of people around me. I wonder what  their real intentions are in participating in activities like this.

I was alone but I never felt scared because I believe I'm guided.

Half down the road, a stranger approached me. I thank God for times like these because He always send me angels. We talked and walked and waited for their friends. Turns out they are a group of friends who used to do these every year. Now I've got new friends and they led me to the stations of the cross.

First Station: Jesus is condemned to death.

Jesus is tried and condemned by the Sanhedrin, mocked and beaten and is condemned for making the claim of being the Son of God

I will never forget how I've felt those goosebumps on my skin while I listen to the recorded voices of the characters who played on this scene. The mocking, the shouting and the cruelness of people to Christ were heart wrenching. But Jesus just let them be. I felt ashamed of myself. There was a point in my life when I was so concerned on my name being dragged into someone else's insecurities. My name was tagged with malicious and false accusations and it hurt me and made me angry. I followed my feelings instead of letting my feelings follow what I am supposed to do. I realized Christ's sufferings are far unimaginable than what I have been through. So on that station I lifted up to Christ my name completely. It made me cry and His warm embrace felt really good. 

The stations of the cross reminds me of my own journey. Though I have surrendered all my pains before year 2012 began, sometimes my faith still get tested. But unlike Jesus, I sometimes still question how people can be so cruel and how they deserve such pitiful life with the choices they make. I'm still carrying new crosses every now and then. But this time I believe Jesus is carrying it for me. I used to think of many things on resolving my problems and all it took was that Walk towards HIM.

What will it take you to follow HIM?

Why I never ran after a guy & why I value myself so high

Why am I a princess?
Because my father made me so:-)

I normally don't eat cold rice so my father would get up in the morning to cook or make fried rice for me. I don't eat left overs so he would give me the newly cooked food. I normally take a bath with hot water so he'll heat up water for me. I don't really cook so father would cook the best ginataan pagi, laing, sinantol and the best cassava cake for me. When we have friends around, he would make his kilawin special. He also makes the best atsara (pickled papaya) and would gift us with  chickens from his poultry on our birthdays. I won't eat crab unless he remove the shell for me.

When I was just a little girl, I have all kind of dolls and he would still ask me what I want for my graduation day. He is always generous with "baon" giving us extra money whenever we ask. He is the sweetest man alive marrying my mother several times and sending her flowers during valentines day even when he is working overseas.

I used to hate his strict and conservative ways but looking  back,  it's not so bad at all because it instilled discipline and good manners in each of us. He was the unpredictable and short tempered person. He is the traditional authoritative father who never tolerate talking back. He is the protective father who would warn any guy who dare to court the young me (a guy friend just recently told me  this haha never knew this happened ages ago)

Now I'm grateful that God allowed enough time for us to know and understand him more. Despite that serious look, he's actually a funny guy with lots of good stories to tell about the places he had been to around the world.

He is a wonderful lolo to my boys doing the carpentry works in building their toy cabinets,  bookshelves, study table and playpen.  He teaches them how to plant and cook and build stuffs. During Ichirou's toddler years, my father would walk with him every morning around the subdivision for exercise.  I think my kid got the habit of waking up early from him and my mom.

I could list a lot of wonderful things my father is made of and it all sums up to why I never ran after a guy and why I value myself so high.

And to you my father dear, You know I love you. Despite the detours I had in my life, you never love  me less. You still accepted me and my little boys. I pray that may God continue to bless you with more blessings, love, happiness and most esp good health. Claim that you will be healed in Jesus name. Amen.

Happy birthday Tatay!
We love you.





Who treats you like a princess?
Do you value yourself enough to be treated like a princess?