THE GIFT OF AGING

Mr. Antonio Viñalon Abutanmo (91 years old)

 & Mrs. Teresa Alibuga Abutanmo (87 years old)

My parents in-laws were here in Cebu from December 14-18.  My father in-law, 91 years old, is from Camiguin and my mother-in-law, 87 years old, from Bacolod.  Both are now physically fragile but they still enjoy each other's company.   We took the opportunity to have them photographed at GREAT IMAGE at  SM Consolacion for prosperity sake.  This had been the happiest day they have together when this picture was taken.

Last December 19, the gospel speaks about Aaron and Elizabeth who according to the gospel were described as  "both advanced in years".  Or bluntly speaking, they are old and weak. Thus, I cannot stop comparing my in-laws to Aaron and Elizabeth in terms of their age. Coincidentally, the theme for my 4th day Novena to Achieve Prosperity and Well-Being is about Health and Prosperity with Psalm 31:10-11 as the Word of God for the Day:  "Be gracious to me, Lord, for I am in distress; with grief my eyes are wasted, my soul and body spent.  My life is worn out by sorrow, my years by sighing.  My strength fails in affliction; my bones are consumed." 

Praying for good health especially in our advanced years makes us remember that the simpler our lifestyle, the better it would be for us. Good health is a gift that we should also work for.  The more prosperity makes our life simpler, the more we would enjoy good health.  And if we don't spend so much for luxurious items, the more excess we would have for good works.  Good health is also a sign that we are not abusing the blessings of our prosperity.  We should really consider our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. 

Before they flew back to Bacolod in the afternoon of December 18, my mother-in-law sung a song for me over breakfast table that goes like this:  "When Will I See You Again? " a 1974 sung by an American Group popularly known as  "Three Degree".  Listen to this link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgTzauT58xA

Why is she singing the song?  What does it mean?  If ever this would be last time God has given us to be together, might as well have a picture with the old folks, hand-blessed and kissed their foreheads before I say goodbye.  As I was driving to my office that day, I reflected if ever I would reach the same age as my in-laws.  They are blessed with age.  Truly a GIFT OF AGING from God.  Would we be blessed the same as they are?  Can we MAKE IT HAPPEN?  Only God knows.

Breakfast with Papang & Mamang, December 18, 2012 - 6:15AM, Tito's Residence

12-12-12: My Christmas Message

Dr. Liberato A. Reyes:  USC SBE Graduate Programs “Glitz & Glam” - Christmas Message

Speech by Dr. Liberato A. Reyes, Coordinator – Graduate Programs, School of Business and Economics, University of San Carlos at Grand Majestic Convention Center, 12 December 2012.

*        *        *

As I was writing my Christmas Message at home, my attention was struck to the recent Facebook status of my brother from Saudi Arabia that says 12-12-12:  The last such date that you and I will see in our lifetime.

Today is 12-12-12 and we are celebrating our Christmas Party with a theme “Glitz and Glam” for the School of Business and Economics Graduate Programs of the University of San Carlos. Is this a coincidence that we celebrate it on 12-12-12?  We have some Chinese PhD students here with us.  Does it have any meaning in Chinese calendar?

There is no 13th month on the calendar, and after tonight’s 12/12/12, the next such repetitive date will occur on January 1, 2101, when the date will be 01/01/01 again.

That is a good 88 years away from now.

Add that ‘88’ to your current age, and with a hand on your heart, tell me that you expect to live that long. Unfortunately for a majority of us, today is the last such repetitive date that we will see in our lifetime.

Many people around the world have indeed, decided to make12-12-12 a memorable one.  And probably the ELITE student organization has felt the same way too.  By the way, ELITE means “Enhancing Leadership and Intelligence of Today’s Executive”, the vibrant student organization of the Graduate Programs of the University of San Carlos’ School of Business & Economics.

Looking forward to 2013, there are still a lot of challenges to make for our Graduate Programs and to align with the University’s goals and objectives for next year.  One of which is a mandate of initiating and monitoring the implementation of Outcomes Based Education (OBE) and monitoring the Doctoral and Masteral programs wherein we are required that the population for the Graduate Programs should represent 10% of the total population of the undergraduates.  Another challenge is the strengthening of linkages:  networking and linkage with industry and community.  Another area to improve is RESEARCH.  We are challenged to do RESEARCH that will contribute to the production of new knowledge and in the development of the country most especially in the area of FOOD, ENERGY, WATER and WASTE.  And last but not the least, is the establishing of a disciplined based Community Extension Service (CES) programs that are fully operational and contributing to the well being of marginalized partners in the community.   These are great tasks to do but with you my dear Masterands and Doctorands, hand-in-hand we can do this together.

As I end, you may notice that the Christmas lights and decorations are breaking out all over the City of Cebu.  This is an indication that the season of goodwill is coming. To some, they are a sign of crass commercialism, but to me they light the way to a festival that transcends all attempts to diminish it. It is a time for the family, the giving of gifts and the celebration of life and the New Year.

The administrators of the School of Business and Economics of the University of the San Carlos, our beloved Dean Dr. Challoner A. Matero, our Assistant Dean, Dr. Melanie de Ocampo, the professors of the SBE Graduate Programs, and yours truly, the Coordinator of the Graduate Programs would like to thank all of you, our dear students, for your valued support during 2012.  We look forward to working with you in the New Year 2013 and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

But before I end my speech let me give you something to ponder on:   if somebody asks you, where were you on 12-12-12?  Will it really matter?  What will you say to them?  For me, even though it’s the last time I will see that date, I will just remember this date and be happy that God still allowed me to be alive up to this day to experience 12-12-12 with you.  Thank You and enjoy the rest of the night. 

The Moon Represents My Heart

Looking at the moon after the San Pedro Calungsod National Thanksgiving Mass last November 30 reminded me of the Chinese song I learned from my Chinese Class entitled "The Moon Represents My Heart".

The beauty of the moon was so magnificent that you cannot disregard her existence that night.  My son, Ryan, coached me to touch the moon with my hand  which I vehemently obeyed.  While doing this, I silently sang the song which I know by heart.  Try listening the song sung by "Zhao Peng" with the link provided and below is its lyrics.

Accordingly to my PhD Chinese students that this song is a must to learn when you are in China.  It is like an out-lander who will sing "USAHAY" in our native Cebu.

I thought I cannot touch the moon but I MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Lyrics:  The Moon Represents My Heart

Ni wen wo ai ni you duo shen

Wo ai ni you ji fen

Wo de qing ye zhen

Wo de ai ye zhen

Yue liang dai biao wo de xin

(Repeat *)

Wo de qing bu yi

Wo de ai bu bian

Yue liang dai biao wo de xin

** Aing qing de yi ge wen

Yi jin da dong wo de xin

Shen shen de yi duan qing

Jiao wo si nian dao ru jin

(Repeat *)

*** Ni qu xiang yi xiang

Ni qu kan yi kan

Yue liang dai biao wo de xin

(Repeat **)

Listen to the Song Below:

FINDING HAPPINESS

Dr. Liberato A. Reyes

Photo Courtesy by Great Image:  December 7, 2012

Yesterday was December 8, the Feast of Immaculate Concepcion.  On my way to school, I was able to visit 3 churches namely:  Our Lady of Fatima Parish (Basak, Mandaue), Adoration Convent of Divine Peace (Banilad, Mandaue City) and Sto. Rosario Parish (Cebu City).  While I was spending moments with the Lord at the Blessed Sacrament at Adoration Convent of Divine Peace or popularly known as Pink Sisters' Convent, I was able to come across a flyer about FINDING HAPPINESS.  I was so struck by the last paragraph that says:

"It's knowing that life is determined and planned,

And that God holds the world in the palm of His hands.

And it's by completing what God gives you to do

that you find contentment and HAPPINESS too."

No matter where we are in difficult situation, it is up to us to find happiness and MAKE IT HAPPEN.  Below is the complete poem written by Helen Steiner Rice.

= = = = = = = = = =

HOW TO FIND HAPPINESS THROUGH THE YEARS

Happiness is something you create in the mind,

Not something you search for but can't seem to find,

Not something that's purchased with silver or gold,

Not something that force can capture and hold.

It's just waking up and beginning each day

By counting your blessings and kneeling to pray.

It's giving up thoughts that breed discontent

And accepting what comes as a gift heaven-sent.

It's giving up wishing for things you don't have

And making the best of whatever you've got.

It's knowing that life is determined and planned,

And that God holds the world in the palm of His hands.

And it's by completing what God gives you to do

that you find contentment and HAPPINESS too.

Make it Happen

Some make it happen, some watch it happen, and some say "What happened?"

"Make it happen".  My blog title.  It connotes something positive. Things that has been accomplished.  Or it can be defined as encouraging someone who is dilly-dallying a task and command him to do it.  An endless definition ...

○ To frame or formulate in the mind.
○ To provide the most enjoyable or satisfying experience.
○ To reach on certain direction.

This is a tag line that I want to live with.  Making things happen with every endeavor that I want to do in my life.  Be it in finance, family life, real estate, entrepreneurship, academe, and corporate life. The title itself gives a lot of meaning.  As a multi-discipline person, I believe I can share a lot of interesting things related to these topics in my blog.

As a financial educator, my first love is PERSONAL FINANCE, although, INVESTMENT & PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS gives the same degree of interest too.  In my almost 30 years in the corporate world and as a professor in a Graduate School, I get a load of young and promising executives managing company resources but sadly, cannot manage their own PERSONAL FINANCES .  A result of wasted years throwing away money probably because it is the least of a priority and only realize that it is too late to do it. We can endure this together  and MAKE IT HAPPEN.

As a PRC licensed Real Estate Broker, I am also overwhelmed by a mushrooming condominiums that have been growing all across Cebu City.  Is this a good sign? Are Cebuanos ready to embrace this type of lifestyle? Or is this another investment tool that is ready to burst?  Will the real estate industry MAKE IT HAPPEN?

As an educator, I want to share the recent researches I encounter in the academe. It may be a Dissertation or  a Thesis as an adviser.  Most of the topics that I advised are akin to Finance.   Being the Chairman of the Graduate Business Program of the School of Business and Economics of the University of San Carlos and a professor of the Graduate Programs of Ateneo de Manila University are very challenging.  Life in the university has been extra ordinarily exciting.  I have done a lot of new things and MAKE IT HAPPEN.

I love travelling.  In every travel, I make it enjoyable and productive trip be it local or international.  Even with just few cents on my pocket, I MAKE IT HAPPEN.

I am bliss with an understanding wife and two fine children.  I have been married for almost 25 years and looking forward to our golden years.  Family life and family experience can also be a good investment for sharing and MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Some make it happen, some watch it happen, and  some say "What happened?"

I MAKE IT HAPPEN ...