Labor Attaché Dr Elizabeth O Recio lectured on financial literacy towards starting a business during a free livelihood-training programme at the Philippine Embassy.
The trainings were conducted by the Philippine Embassy’s Philippine Overseas Labor Office in support of the Reintegration Preparedness Programme (RPP) of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), an attached agency of the Philippines’ Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Dr Recio, in a power point presentation talked about basic theories, tools and techniques on how Filipino workers in Brunei can manage their income, and promote savings to be financially independent, and how to set up their own businesses when they return to the Philippines for good.

Her presentation came after the livelihood training programme teaching overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) how to make traditional Filipino snacks like puto and kutsinta (steamed rice cake and brown cake), buko (young coconut) and apple pies.

The livelihood training is an ongoing activity of the Philippine Embassy in Brunei to encourage OFWs to invest their time in worthwhile projects they can use in their homes, families, and other self-employment opportunities for their eventual return to the Philippines.

Dr Recio cited Maslow’s hierarchy of needs depicted in a pyramid to explain what motivates people. Food, water and air are at the bottom. Security (house) and employment are on the second tier. Love (friendship and family) is on the third tier. Economic esteem (accumulation of wealth to invest) is on the fourth tier. On the top is self-fulfillment. Your investment can get you what you want to own, she said.

“Prayers and hard work are the secrets of success. Write down what you spend to track your spending. Target to save money. Use public transport. Avoid stores. Go to potluck parties. Use e-mail. Save your loose change,” she suggested.

Thirty OFWs attended the rice cake snacks cooking demonstration conducted by Ms Sonny Ronquillo Lopez, who has been in food catering business for over 11 years. She specialises in cooking Filipino dishes and delicacies.

Twenty six participants learned how to make fried apple pies and “buko” pies, a traditional Filipino pastry made of young coconut-filled pies conducted by Ms Rhodora Sta Maria Quiambao. She is an interior designer by profession and a multi-tasking super-mom who loves cooking.

Ms Quiambao was also OWWA’s resource speaker during the sushi and pizza pie making livelihood training course conducted at the Philippine Embassy in March 2010.

The participants enjoyed tasting their cooked apple pies and steamed rice cakes. They requested the Philippine Embassy for follow-up sessions and more livelihood-related and practical programmes.

The training programme was aimed at equipping the participants with new knowledge, skills and techniques for starting their own livelihood/income generating project in preparation for their reintegration in the Philippines.

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