A true patriot at the helm of BSP

Today marks the end of one year and the beginning of another. I say, let’s begin the new year on a positive note. We have all had more than our fair share of misery, tragedy, calamities, and accidents in the past 12 months and especially in the final quarter of 2013. In fact, so many of these happened in such a short amount of time that it was only natural to feel that perhaps the good Lord had abandoned us. But then again, whenever I start to feel this way, I remember that there are still so many things to be grateful for as well. Though it’s often hard to remember these in the light of tragedy they are still there and are reminders that not all things are bad and that eventually the silver lining will shine through.

And in truth, it is difficult to forget about the bad when thinking about the year that passed, but if we must do so, let us think about these things with the matching opportunities they bring. Yes, we learned how many officials we trusted misused our money for their own personal gain, but instead of just dwelling on that let us think this can pave the way for better standards when it comes to our elected officials and transparency in the future administrations and their dealings. When we think about the super typhoon that changed so many lives, let’s remember how those who were affected rose with strength and dignity and refused to be beaten. And let’s continue to give thanks for all those that lent, and continue to lend a helping hand in getting them back on their feet. 

Indeed, as the year draws to a close I think it’s important to look back on the good things that happened in the past year and there are definitely many to remember. In fact, I am confident that if we’re really tasked to think long and hard about it we would find so many things to fall on our knees and be thankful for. I think it’s important that as 2014 begins we allow ourselves to remember the good things instead of the bad. After all, a new year is supposed to be about hope. It’s a brand new chance to start again and is filled with so many possibilities.

That’s one of the things that is always exciting about starting a brand new year. You have the anticipation of starting fresh. Like a blank page with no mistakes yet, January 1st always represents a new beginning and it’s up to us what we fill the page with for the next 12 months of our life. Let’s fill those pages with hope and brighter tomorrows. In fact, in my experience, Filipinos tend to start the new year with hope. I think doing so gives us the chance to let go of the heavy feelings that may have marred the year that passed and start the new one with the chance of things getting better. That’s another reason that despite perhaps not fulfilling our resolutions from last year we make new ones. It’s truly up to us how we choose to welcome the new beginning.

So, as we begin 2014, let’s do so filled with hope and a lasting peace in our hearts, entering this next chapter with deep optimism. With this in mind, please allow me to wish you all a very meaningful and blessed New Year and all of your loved ones. May it bring you everything you pray for and more.

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A great way to start the new year is to listen and heed someone with the authority to talk about what has happened in the past and what our prospects are for the year ahead. Unfortunately that is a tall order for the officials in our government and only a handful of them are honest and knowledgeable enough to fit this bill. One such official who has received and will no doubt continue to receive both local and international accolades and recognition is none other than Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. who I have personally known for many years. “Say” Tetangco has been given another six-year mandate at the BSP by the President for his efficient handling of monetary policy during his first term.

To be sure, central bankers face numerous challenges in developing economies and they are tasked with managing monetary policy to positively influence economic growth and stability. It is their difficult task to find the perfect balance amidst political interference and to continuously influence the government in a positive way on spending and saving and retaining economic openness to foreign investment. This is a job that Governor Tetangco has continued to do with success. So much so, that he was even awarded one of the world’s best bankers by a global finance magazine – an award he also garnered four times in the past.

When Mr. Aquino wanted to give him another term at his post, he had to think about it very carefully. He had more opportunities to better himself and his family, but in the end he decided to stay for his country and continue to do his good work here. Indeed, “Say” could have easily gotten any other position he wished for locally and even had opportunities abroad with higher compensation and better living standards, but in the end he opted to stay to do what he could do for the Philippines. This is most definitely the mark of a true patriot indeed.

With that in mind, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Governor Amando  “Say” Tetangco Jr. will be the guest of honor  at the 20-year-old Tuesday Club at the Heat Coffee Shop of the Edsa Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City as we open the New Year on January 7, 2014. This marks the first meeting of the New Year and we could not think of a better guest to open the year on a high note.