Seminarista

OFSI Core Team

Seminarista ka na!!! 

This is what I told a friend of more than 10 years while he is updating me on the many seminars which he has been attending in the last one year. It is amazing how he transformed from a spender into a very focused OFW investor and entrepreneur in just one year.

I am overwhelmed with joy as I look back to how he started last year when he attended one of my seminars. He really applied all his learnings from goal setting to building his family's emergency fund, securing protection, investments into financial instruments as well getting into business. He did not only apply his learnings but he continuously sought events where he can grow and learn more. And my friend and his wife are way younger than me, so I am excitedly looking forward to see them retire young as they already have target passive income to retire. 

Whenever he tells me how he is grateful for getting him into becoming financially literate, I am always overwhelmed with emotions. But I also feel a little regret as he tells me how he wish they listened to me 10 years ago.

You see, I have been telling my OFW friends to start investing in financial instruments since I learned about mutual funds more than 12 years. But I guess, I was not yet believable then since I was just starting as well.

Financial Literacy is a basic life skill for everyone!!! And surround yourself with great friends who are positive influence and inspiration. I was just mentoring my friends before but many of them are now my inspiration to do more and become consistent in fulfilling God's purpose in my life.

Picture Taken during the Wealth Summit 2015 of Bro Bo Sanchez

MOH Nurses Special Batch 4 started

MOH Nurses Special Batch 4

The MOH Nurses Batch 4 started today with the module 1 of the Basic Financial Literacy Series for OFWs. The special batch for nurses allows us to reach out to the thousands of fellow OFWs in the medical profession who works in shifts.

The session is extra special as I am still trying to regain strength from a sudden sickness and had to do the session practically sitting most of the time.

The hunger for information and guidance of fellow OFWs in today's session had once again affirmed OFSI's beliefs of this great need of financial education to greater number of OFWs. And it is also an honor to see the previous attendees who are now advocates themselves reaching out to their friends and colleagues.

This is indeed the kind of Modern Day Bayanihan spirit that the country needs. This is the kind of Modern Day Bayanihan of OFWs that contributes to the vision of united Filipino families in the next generation. Such that the next generation of Filipinos will no longer need leave their homes behind...

MOH Nurses Special Batch 3

MOH Nurses Special Batch 2

MOH Nurses Special Batch 1

MOH Nurses Original Batch who are considered OFSI Batch 2

OFSI-TGFI Batch 10 Graduates

BATCH 10 Attendees with OFSI Founder/President

Nineteen OFWs completed today the 5 sessions Basic Financial Literacy series for OFWs. This series is being provided for FREE, Modern Bayanihan of OFWs, where we empower and enable fellow OFWs make better financial decisions.

Below is a testimony of one of the attendees, Mr. Maynar Molina, who is a Nurse/EMT.

"The experience in the course was awesome and it was an eye opener for all of us. Now, the no.1 myths about stock market and investment is broken, my thought process has changed. The course was organized by OFSI headed by Renz Leano, has largely been a rewarding experience. The course not only provided extensive coverage on the topic but also touched upon the vital aspects of money management that is crucial for designing healthy portfolio strategies especially how to become successful investors. Mr Leano brilliant presentation decoded all necessary information in an absolute lucid way. His profound knowledge on the subject, and an immaculate style of teaching has practically rendered all participants speechless. "One of the best courses I have attended". For OFSI Founder and President Mr Renz Leano and officers who devoted their time and resources just to teach OFW like me on how to manage their finances FOR FREE. Thank you and may God bless you. Isa kayong tunay na bayani!!!!"

Batch 10 with the OFSI Core Team

OFSI Batch 10 with Core Team

Selfie with the Attendees

Celebrating the milestone with great food

Blessing the food

Post session guidance

Edric Mendoza's Key Lessons from his 1,000+ guests

Edric Mendoza of ANC On The Money

Listening to Edric Mendoza during his talk at the Truly Rich Club's Wealth Summit last month was another great learning moment for me. Mr. Mendoza who hosts the ANC On the Money started his talk by sharing key lessons he learned from his 1,000+ guests.

He also shared that one of the most cherished values that he teach his children is about Obedience and that if we don't obey, there are consequences.

It also my second time to see his eldest son, Elijah,  to give sharing on stage during a financial event. Elijah shared 3 biggest learnings from his father. The value of hardwork where he narrated how they bonded as father and son on his 13th birthday where they climb Mt. Apo. They struggled for four days to reach the summit but the view was spectacular and worth all the difficulties along the way. 

At a young age, Elijah had started investing in the stock market with blue chip companies. He said that this is the value of Oversee. He also shared the importance of being grateful in life.

Edric Mendoza is indeed living to his mantra that we can change the world one family at a time.

Edric Mendoza's key lessons from interviewing more than 1,000+ guests in his program On The Money

Father and Son

Edric Mendoza explaining the importance of having a clear End-Goal.

Edric and Joy Mendoza's five children

Max's - A Piece of Home

Guess what... We did not mind waiting for more than 2 hours just to be called to enter the restaurant and another 30 minutes before our food was served. But who cares. It is a piece of home for us OFWs. A home where we are always longing to be.

And it did not fail us. The food is superb and ambience feels like home...

Max's restaurant opened its first branch in Kuwait this month which delighted the hundreds of thousand of Filipinos in the country. 

For those who may not be aware of the long history of Max's, here's an excerpt from their website.

Max's Restaurant's beginnings started in 1945, after World War II. Maximo Gimenez, a Stanford - educated teacher, befriended the American occupation troops stationed at Quezon City. Because of this friendship, the soldiers regularly visited Maximo's nearby home for a drink or two. Later on, the troops insisted that they pay for their drinks. This prompted Maximo to open a cafe, where the troops could enjoy food and drinks.

The cafe initially served chicken, steak and drinks. Maximo's niece, Ruby, who managed the kitchen, created a special recipe for chicken that became an instant favorite for the GIs. Soon, the Filipino public heard about the delicious chicken-tender, juicy and crispy - and they came too! Max's Restaurant was born.

Over the years, Max's Restaurant's popularity grew and it became known as "the house that fried chicken built." It has expanded in Metro Manila, Southern and Northern Luzon, Cebu, and to California and other places in the United States. It has also expanded to Canada. It will soon open restaurants in other countries as well.

Max's Restaurant has established itself as a household name in the Philippines, an institution, and a proud Filipino tradition. The second and third generations of the family continue to zealously uphold the standards and traditions set by Maximo and Ruby for all Max's Restaurants.

WOW Philippines - Amazing Quezon and Laguna!!!

I love to travel. It thrills me to see new places and experience the life and culture of other people. So whenever I get the chance, I always try to use it as an opportunity to bond with my family.

Last month, I was so happy to explore with my family and some friends the beauty of Lucban, Quezon and several towns of Laguna. 

From Carmona, Cavite, we travelled to Lucban through the mountainous towns of Cavinti, Laguna. Lucban is subtly nestled by the Majestic Mt. Banahaw which towers 1,875 above sea level.

We fell in love with cool breeze of fresh air, the natural beauty of Lucban and its neighboring places as well as the delicious food.  

The next day, as we make stops from the different towns of Majayjay, Liliw and Nagcarlan, we can't help but plan to come back and explore more  especially the falls, resorts and farms.

The Majestic Mt. Banahaw

Pure Natural Beauty

San Isidro Church of Lucban, Quezon

Majayjay, Laguna Church

The historic and beautiful church of Liliw.

Nagcarlan, Laguna Church

Underground Cemetery of Nagcarlan, Laguna

With my Travel Buddies

OFSI at 2

Today, OFSI is turning 2 from its formal start as an organization but my advocacy for financial education started the day I learned about saving and investing more than 10 years ago. It started with the genuine desire to let fellow OFWs learn about personal finance.

Today is a good time to look back at the good times and the challenging times. It also a great opportunity to look forward to a brighter future.

When OFSI turned one last year, I was in Manila at PICC attending The Feast of one of the greatest influences in my financial and spiritual life, that of Bro Bo Sanchez. In my prayers, it dawned on me that my advocacy gave more meaning and purpose to my being an OFW. My almost 20 years as an OFW is a story of many OFWs - constantly longing to be home, not only to be with our loved-ones but to be able to pursue other endeavors back home. But our desire to break the cycle of poverty in our families keeps us focus in what we do.

As OFSI turns two with more than 500 OFWs in the Middle East who attended our sessions in both LIVE and Online, I am deeply humbled with this opportunity to be an instrument of change to fellow OFWs and their families. The experiences changed me tremendously. I became more prayerful as I offer to HIM the challenges that we are facing. It gave me a sense of purpose as a Filipino in a foreign land.

Many people asks me about my long term vision of the group and how can I sustain our advocacy. I always tell them that in many instances, God provided our needs. But today, as we turn 2, I dream that our advocacy will become irrelevant someday. I long for that day when our advocacy for financial education for Filipinos specifically for OFWs will no longer be needed because it is already part of our institutions as a nation. And that I live long enough to see that the next generation of Filipinos who longer need to leave their family and friends behind just to earn for their dreams. I am praying that I live long enough to see a more united Filipino families.

OFSI is a modern day bayanihan of OFWs and their families, helping one another in reaching financial freedom and abundance. 

As OFWs, we know how difficult it is to be away from HOME. We do not wish the next generation of Filipinos to experience the same.

To my OFSI family - cheers to financial freedom and abundance of every OFW families!!! It is such a big blessing to be part of a great community... 

#OFSIat2

www.ofsi.ph Overseas Filipinos Stocks Investors (OFSI)