Do You Have Scars?

Most of you know I’m a recovering porn addict.I was addicted to it for years—and it almost destroyed me.Today, God has healed me and continues to heal me.If you don’t know this part of my life, read my two books, Your Past Does Not Define Your Future, and 7

Secrets to Real Freedom.More than my writing or preaching, I think one of the greatest things I’ve ever done for others is to share

my scars to them. It gives people hope that they too can be healed and change their life.It’s like the vegetables I eat. (Be patient with my analogy.)My friend tells me I’m like a goat.Because every day, he sees me munching on raw salad.Specifically, raw green “organic” vegetables.Here’s something you may not know about organic: Their physical appearance won’t be perfect. They’ll

have pockmarks. Flaws. Blemishes.Why?Because they don’t have insecticides to protect them from bugs. Some people who don’t know this will choose the “perfect” veggies. The ones

with no defects. No wounds. No scars.A pity. Because their perfection is fake. They don’t have scars because they’re

covered with a truckload of chemicals. A few of them may even be poisonous. They keep out the enemy, but they also make the veggie very unhealthy.

You know what?I’ve met people who don’t seem to have any defects.No scars on the outside.At least, they make it appear as if they have no scars.But it’s not true.Their real scar is their pretending to have no scars.It makes them inorganic. It makes them plastic.Dear friend, give hope.Share your scars to others.

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

T h e N e w s l e t t e r f o r F i l i p i n o M i g r a n t s a n d O F W s

August 2016Volume 2, No. 1

G l o b a l F i l i p i n o

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I went through several weeks of pressure, discouragement and confusion the past month. First there was the house transfer, then there was a job change.

My brother said to me once after they had transferred house, “I will never transfer again!” Now I understand and we didn’t even transfer that far or had too many things to bring with us. But still, after living practically for free as house managers in a boarding house and transitioning to having our own rental place, was a lot of work. We had to buy almost everything--from washing machine, to refrigerator, to TV, and all the other smaller stuff you find in a house.

Then there was the job change, which was even more difficult for me. From working in a supermarket, I have now been working as a health care assistant for almost a month now (caregiver, in other words). I cried buckets of tears during that job transfer. Part of me felt that all my education and experience were going down the drain. Another part was crying due to loss of pride at working as caregiver. After studying and working for so long in another industry, it was so humbling to start from scratch again—and many of my workmates have been at their jobs for more than 10 years! I have become a bum cleaner, as one Kiwi workmate laughingly labeled it, having to memorize and report bowel motions and types (a necessary part of the job, since frequency and type indicate a patient’s health), besides the physical work of dressing, washing and showering a patient. And fixing their beds too. And all that I have to do within the space of three hours, just before they have their lunch. With four to five patients assigned to each carer, it seems very easy to accomplish. But when you’re talking aged care, even the moving of hands or feet, takes minutes, so it is challenging.

And the job change was so difficult because I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right decision. Was I doing God’s will or not? Am I pleasing Him or not? What should I do?

All these led me to a time of discouragement, depression and confusion. And yes, to writer’s block. What got me through the past month were daily graces: a helpful work partner who took up the slack since I was so slow at my job; an encouraging word from my job trainor; the sympathetic and listening ear of my husband.

One time, I tuned in to a local Christian radio. It happened that the host was interviewing pastor and author Joh Ortberg. He was talking about his book, All

the Places to Go, How Will You Know? John said, “We place emphasis nowadays on career advancement and reaching the top, but that’s not how God looks at things. He looks at what you become due to your choices, to the work that you’re doing.”

Those words really resonated with me because I had thought about all my friends and batchmates who are already “somebody” while I was starting all over again in a new country.

My GP (general practitioner) who is also my friend also said something when I shared about my struggle. She said, “Sometimes, you don’t understand things. But later, you will. So just push on.”

During our Filipino choir practice recently, I got to talking to our new Vietnamese assistant parish priest who came to watch us practice. He sometimes visits the retirement village where I work to give Anointing of the Sick and to hold Mass for the patients there. I mentioned to Fr. Thanh how much I was struggling with my new job. And he said, “Oh, but they love you there. They love your smile.” “Huh, Father, how do you know?” I asked (I could hardly believe it, okay?) “Because I talk to them and they told me,” he said.

And so, for now, this is where I am. I am very much a part of the struggling migrant—especially of skilled migrant women—where getting a job similar to that in their home country is a real challenge. If you are like me undergoing a challenging situation, let’s give each other a virtual high-five (or perhaps a virtual hug would be better?), and let’s trust that in God’s economy, all these are not useless.

Perhaps building God’s kingdom on earth is sometimes done with our smiles—grace shining through—in the midst of hidden heartbreaking pain.

Live to serve,

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Grace Shining ThroughBy Joyce Roa, TRC New Zealand

From the EDITOR

Joy Sosoban-Roa is editor of Bo Sanchez’ Tru-lyRichClub newsletters. She and her husband Hester live in Christchurch, New Zealand. You may connect with her through www.joyceroa.com.

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Emergency Fund: 6 Reasons Every OFW Needs to Know

By Jun Amparo

As an OFW, when was the last time you had an emergency? I mean you had an extreme situation that demanded extra money for emergency cases. Unfortunately, you might have failed to prepare for these worst-case scenarios:

• Your 65-year-old father was diagnosed with liver cancer and needed an immediate medical attention.

• Because of Typhoon Yolanda, you were obliged to send P50,000 for house repair.

• Your husband, who is a seaman, has to go back home temporarily due to a serious accident.

• The employer informed you that you have to extend your visa this time at your own expense.

• You were one of hundreds of Filipinos to be repatriated from the Middle East due to political unrest or civil war in the region.

• You received a call from your loved ones in the Philippines. They’re practically asking you to send P60,000 immediately because your 8-year-old son is in the hospital.

How did you picture yourself? Worried? Depressed? Nowhere to go? You don’t know where to borrow money? So sad, right?

This doesn’t’ have to be your story. If you have ever experienced any of these cases as an OFW, then you would know how important it is to have an emergency fund. The good news is we can learn financial lessons from the mistakes of other OFWs.

But what is the purpose of an emergency fund? As the word suggests, the ultimate purpose is to prepare for unforeseen emergencies. These are six reasons that every OFW needs to know about emergency fund:

1. Emergency fund will reduce your stress. Imagine how stressful it is to be repatriated from Syria due to political unrest? But it would be even

more stressful if you don’t have enough fund to sustain your personal financial obligations back in the Philippines. By having an emergency fund, you reduce your anxiety and stress. Having an emergency fund also means that you have room to breathe and stay calm despite the situation.

2. Itencouragesyoutopracticegoodbudgeting. Setting aside even a small amount of money regularly for emergency fund develops your skill in

budgeting. It can make you more financially-responsible. As a result, you will also have opportunity to curb your spending habits, especially on buying luxury items that are not important. It makes you practice living within your means, which is very important to become financially-independent. If you want to make your fund ready during emergencies, start building your emergency fund today.

3. Youavoidgoingintodebt. It is logical that when unforeseen event strikes, like accident or job loss, and you are not financially

ready, chances are you are going to borrow money, right? But what if nobody is willing to lend you

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money without interest? That means taking a risk on paying interest on top of the principal that you are borrowing. And this is where debt can start to haunt you. So to avoid huge amounts of debt in the future, it is necessary that you develop a habit of saving for emergency fund.

4. Remember to keep your money as liquid aspossible.

Many financial gurus suggest making your emergency fund readily available when you need them. You can keep them in the bank so you can withdraw the money anytime with no minimum holding period unlike mutual funds or other investment vehicles.

5. Haveareasonableamountofemergencyfund. How much money should you set aside for emergency fund? In a nutshell, emergency fund must be

about three to six months of your monthly expenses. For instance, if your monthly expense is P30,000, you should have at least P90,000 to P180,000. Having an emergency fund will allow you to continue with your current lifestyle without going into debt.

6. Youdon’tknowwhatwillhappeninthefuture. God wants to bless His children spiritually and financially. However, even God’s children are not free

from unforeseen events such as illness, accidents, disaster, and natural calamity. These definitely affect our lifestyle. As a steward of material blessings, God is not happy to see His children suffer due to negligence or poor handling of our finances. Therefore, you have to be ready financially in case emergency occurs.

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences (Proverbs 27:12, NLT).

Lastly, never forget to seek God and pray because He cares for you.

Jun Amparo is an OFW currently working as a school counselor in an international school in Thailand. He is the founder of Richly Blessed Today, a blog about personal finance and investment. Please visit www.richlyblessedtoday.com to read more of his blogs and articles.

But what is the purpose of an emergency fund? As the word suggests, the ultimate purpose is to prepare for unforeseen emergencies.

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Housewife to Mompreneur: An OFW’s True Story of Success

By Tina Santiago Rodriguez

Anna Chua Siaotong is probably like most OFWs in many ways. She has her own hopes and dreams for her personal life, as well as for her family. She has her own skills and talents, and hopes to maximize her God-given gifts as much as she can. As Anna shares her journey from being a fulltime housewife to starting her own business abroad, we hope you will be inspired and encouraged to achieve your own business dreams and goals.

The Quest for Financial Freedom

“My husband and I have been working outside the Philippines for about 15 years now. It was in Singapore where we started our journey as OFWs, my husband in IT and for me, I was working in the F & B industry,” Anne recalls.

“Back then, we had a daughter, Gwen, and we found it difficult for us both to be working and raising our young family. We had to fly members of our family in and out of Singapore just to help us out.”

Things changed in 2007, though, when Anna’s husband Andrew was offered a job in Dubai.

“We never had second thoughts of moving because of the opportunity presented to us, especially the chance to have financial stability,” Anna shares. “I started as a fulltime housewife as it was very difficult and expensive to get domestic help.”

Dubai was where Andrew and Anna’s second daughter, Andrea, was born. It was also there that they were able to achieve many of their financial goals.

“In a span of seven years, we had so much financial freedom. We managed to buy properties in the Philippines while still being able to set aside funds for future use,” Anna discloses.

From a Pastime to a Profit-making Venture

Anna’s becoming a businesswoman could be seen as an example of opportunities coming one’s way at the right place, at the right time. It’s also a story of starting a business based on one’s passion or interests. She explains:

“Ever since, I have been fond of getting beauty makeovers like any other woman. I used to frequent salons and spas to get services for my nails, hair, face and body.

“In 2013, I met a compatriot whose daughter was going to the same school as my kids. She is also a successful entrepreneur here in Dubai. She offered me the opportunity to become her partner in one of her business ventures, namely a salon and spa. That was the time I became an entrepreneur.”

Once Anna decided to enter the business world, she saw how quickly things can progress. “So many things happened in a span of two years,” she shares. “We opened a branch for our business, sold the main branch and I bought out the shares of my partner on the other.”

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Currently, Anna fully owns the business and says that it’s “doing very well.”

Tips for Fellow Business Owners and Wannabe Entrepreneurs

1. Knowwhat you are getting into. Learnwhat you canaboutit.

“Knowing the ins and outs of the business helped me in running it smoothly,” Anna says.

2. Find your greater purpose.

Anna shares: “The thought of doing something that you are passionate about and at the same time helping people make a living is what drives me every day.”

3. Exploreopportunitiesforgrowth.

“I am now contemplating on expanding the business and opening up one in the Philippines as there are services available here which are not being offered in salons/spas in our country,” Anna divulges.

4. Lovewhatyoudo,dowhatyoulove.

“For you to be successful in your business venture, you should love what you are doing,” says Anna.

5. Becommittedtoachievingsuccess.

Anna emphasizes, “Being an entrepreneur is not easy and it can take its toll on you due to the pressure and stress it brings. But if you have the drive to succeed, the opportunities are limitless.”

Tina Santiago Rodriguez is a Catholic wife and home educating mom by vocation, and a writer and editor by profession. Drawing from over a decade’s worth of experience serving as a fulltime mission worker, Tina also gives talks on topics like parenting, homeschooling, family life, faith-based personal finance, and “inspired living,” and is currently working on her first book. She is also the host of “The Truly Rich Mom Show,” an online TV show that airs on Bukal.TV and YouTube. Connect with Tina through her blog (TrulyRichandBlessed.com) or on Facebook (facebook.com/trulyrichandblessed), Twitter (@tinasrodriguez) and Instagram (@tinasrodriguez).

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Why Having a Clear Vision Is so ImportantBy Anselm Reyes

Is it possible to see the finish line in advance?Is it possible to have a vision of your goals materializing, your dreams or your aspirations happening right

before your eyes, many years before they even happen?The answer is a big “Yes!”But the main question is, why is vision so important?The Bible said in the book of Proverbs, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”I am reminded of Jebel Ali Port, the world’s largest manmade harbor and the busiest port in the Middle

East. When Shaikh Rashid (the late father of the current Shaikh of Dubai, Shaikh Mohammed) envisioned a commercial port dubbed as “where UAE meets the world,” many of his advisers were astounded by his vision stating that it was too far from the city center of Dubai (about 30 kilometers away), it had no harbour, and it would be a threat to the businesses that were newly-opened by the mouth of the creek. These advisers even sought the aid of his son, Shaikh Mohammed (the current ruler) to talk him out of it.

In his book Rashid’s Legacy, he stated that when his son raised his concern to him about the project, Shaikh Rashid decided not to answer right there and then so that the engineers would not hear them. Then when they were in private, when no one can hear them, that was when he told his son as written in his autobiography, “I am building this port now because there will come a time when you won’t be able to afford it.”

Now what if Shaikh Rashid had listened to the naysayers? To the pundits who tried to discourage him? I guess Jebel Ali would remain a tiny fishing village up to this day. They wouldn’t have acquired that much-needed dredging experience that was so important later on in dredging their other large-scale projects such as the The Palm, the Burj Al Arab and the the Dubai Marina. Dubai wouldn’t be recognized as a commercial shipping, aviation and tourism hub globally that it is known for today. Gosh, perhaps I wouldn’t be here today enjoying a blessed life with my family if not for that vision.

That’s the beauty of a clear and grand vision. It does not only bless your family, it blesses other people, communities and other nations as well.

So what is your vision for your future? What is your picture of the future? What do you see? What do you imagine? All of us can do this, but the

real question is, what kind of vision do you have?Do you have a clear vision, or do you have a fuzzy one? What is yours?

The Benefits of a Clear Vision

Every morning as soon as I wake up or when I am walking around the block for my exercise, here’s one of the many visions that I see:

Me and my wife, celebrating our golden anniversary, we are seated in the center, and our children (Ysabella and Leone with their spouses) and their kids (our grandchildren) giving us a dance presentation before our relatives and friends in one of Manila’s Five Star Hotel ballrooms.

Since we have been married for seven years now, most people would say, “Hey dude, that is too far from now. That will materialize 43 years from now.” But see, though it is not happening in the natural, I am playing it every day in my mind as if it is actually happening. I am relishing it every single day when I wake up over and over again.

Why am I doing this? Why is this so important? Because I am training my mind, strengthening its every cell to just focus on my biggest dream, giving it enough pull power for me to go to that direction. To aim for it and to work hard for it every single day. And since I am crystal clear on what I would like to achieve many years from now, it encourages me to begin investing for it today.

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For example, to reach that stage, I must be disciplined when it comes to my health; I must be tough against temptations; I must invest time, money and energy on my marriage; work on my attitude; control my temper and raise our kids in the best possible way I can. These are just some of the benefits of having a clear vision of the future. It is essentially a daily reminder of the most important tasks in our life.

Some people are trained to do the opposite. First thing in the morning when they wake up, they open the TV to watch their favorite morning shows e.g. the horrible traffic, accidents, robberies, road rage, corrupt politicians and terrorism in a far-flung place. No wonder by 9am, they are already exhausted, easily irritated, fearful to face the day because they have a vision of the negative news that they had seen. When they arrive at work, they talk about the negative news in the pantry during lunch, or during working hours—hours that could have been devoted to productive work that has a direct impact on their performance which could potentially lead to their promotion.

Friends, do not do this, for your health’s sake and for your future. I am not saying that watching news is completely bad. Sure, it is informative but what I am saying is, try to limit it to minimum level. Our goal is to develop our God-given talents to their fullest potential, be a great provider to our family, and to give back to society. Unless you would like to be the next CNN’s Anderson Cooper or TV Patrol’s Noli de Castro, of course.

So why is having a clear vision important again? Let me summarize them into three:First, it inspires you. It gives you the power to look at the future, to experience it even before it happens. It

pulls you towards your future, to your desired destination in advance. It gives you the nourishment or the daily inspiration that you need to propel yourself forward each day.

Second, it makes you tough. Fearless of the challenges that life may throw at you. Fearless of the black cloud negative people will try to put on around you. Fearless on how the economy may turn out. It brings out confidence in you because we are aware that in the long run, if you continue to do the little good deeds and work that you are doing today, it would lead you to your desired outcome in the future.

Third and lastly, it makes you passionate in life. Whatever your role is, be it a husband, a father, a provider, a friend, a teacher, a manager, a co-worker, whatever it is, you would notice that people who can paint a promising future in advance are oozing with energy. Their enthusiasm and optimism towards life are infectious. The inspiration that they bring attracts people from all walks of life. You have to hang out with people like them and be infected by their passion in life.

So what do you see five years, 10 years or even 20 years from now?What kind of dream house do you see for you and your family?What model of car do you drive? Is it a sports car, a sedan, a luxury car or a van?Where do you envision your kids in college?Do you see yourself being financially free at 40, 50 or 60? How much is your net worth by then?And then when money is not anymore an issue, what’s next? What advocacy do you want to take? How

can you bless society?Our advance answers to all these questions will determine the next five, 10, 20 or even 30 years. Not the

economy, not the stock market, not our boss, not our spouse and not our in-laws.Friend, I urge you, do your best to be clear (I didn’t say be accurate), just be clear, be specific. Say it with

definitiveness. Claim it!

Anselm Reyes is a financial literacy advocate. He taught his siblings, friends and maid to invest in the Philippine Stock Market, and all of them are successful stock market investors today. He regularly gives talks on personal finance and stock marketing investing. You may visit his website at www.anselmreyes.com.