Junior Financial Executives - PLM Chapter

𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐗 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐇 | 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞

Hello, JFINEX! I’m Shine. Some of you might know me for my favourite line—“ANG MGA RESIBOOO!!”

Kidding aside, I’m just a girl who traveled roughly 600 kilometers from her hometown to take a risk. Back then, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my life—especially in college. But somehow, things fell into place, and here I am, having served as Vice President for Audit for four semesters.

Being the new girl in the city wasn’t easy. I didn’t know how to ride a jeepney, I wasn’t familiar with the roads, and I got lost more times than I can count. I still remember crying and asking help from policemen—who were kind enough to drive me to school. It’s a memory I’ll never forget. Despite all that, I found my way—not just through the streets, but through people. I built connections, formed friendships, and slowly stepped out of my comfort zone, which, for someone like me who wasn’t naturally friendly, meant a lot.

My world eventually revolved around school and academics. I worked my brows off to achieve grades I could be proud of. The pressure I put on myself was intense, but the fulfillment that came with seeing the results of my hard work made everything worth it. That academic fire in me never burned out. And as someone who had always been active in organizations—even back in elementary—I knew I couldn’t let the opportunity to join JFINEX pass. The moment I saw they were looking for members; I signed up without hesitation.

I started as an Official Junior Director for the Grievance Committee. I still remember our Halloween event during my freshman year—it was fun, lively, and surprisingly comfortable for a first encounter. There was no awkwardness, no dull moments—just a genuine sense of belonging. By my sophomore year, I joined the Audit Committee, where I discovered my love for numbers and realized that my OC-ness had its place. Eventually, in my final two years, I had the honor of serving as Vice President for Audit.

That role made “receipts and supporting documents” practically my life. The stress from working on research papers and year-end reports for SCOA is still fresh in my mind. And to be honest, I was handling not just one, but two sets of reports, as I also held executive positions in other organizations. As a self-proclaimed workaholic, I thrived under pressure—but of course, ranting became part of the routine too. Still, everything paid off. We received a Qualified Opinion during my first year as VP, and I left the organization with an Unqualified Opinion in my final term. It was both fulfilling and bittersweet—knowing that I had reached that point, yet I would never experience it the same way again.

A few months after graduation, I can’t say that everything has drastically changed. In many ways, I’m still that academically driven, finds comfort in workloads, and slightly perfectionist version of myself. But if I were to choose between being a student and a corpo girlie, I’d honestly choose the former. Adulting has a way of making life revolve around money—alipin ng salapi, as they say. Work takes up eight hours a day, sometimes more with overtime, five days a week. Compared to student life, where you could still find pockets of rest and breathing space, it’s a different kind of challenge.

That said, earning your own money does bring a different kind of satisfaction. I just make sure that my corporate life doesn’t take away the things that make me happy—my small breaks, my “Happy T,” and my TGIF/S moments (iykyk). At the end of the day, you only live once. Missing a day or two of work is far better than burning yourself out. Your physical and mental health will always cost more than any salary deduction. We are humans, not machines—we’re not meant to function 24/7. So, take care of yourself, too.

To my younger self, Thine—you may still feel like you haven’t figured everything out, but look at how far you’ve come. You stood on your own, survived college in a completely new city, carved your own path, experimented with life, had your own fair share of regrets, and achieved your academic goals. The road ahead is still long, but giving up was never part of your story. You may still be indecisive and impulsive at times, but that’s okay—those traits shaped who you are today. You’re not even halfway through your story yet, so keep going.

And to all Financialistas—always choose courage. Don’t let your fire burn out. Go ahead—rant, curse, rest when you need to—but never stop moving forward. Fear will always be there, whether in academics or in life beyond it. Do the things you’ve always wanted to do. Life is about trying, learning, and living fully. At the end of it all, what stories will you tell your children and grandchildren if you let fear decide for you?

Take risks, but stay grounded. Make choices that not only serve you, but also respect the people around you. Mistakes may leave bruises, but they heal. Regrets, on the other hand, will haunt you forever.

Thank you, JFINEX and PLM, for all the challenges, achievements, and memories. I will always be grateful for the years we shared. Here’s to more legacies, more growth, and more triumphs.

Until we meet again.

That has been Shine, our featured Phoenix of the Month, reminding us that growth often begins with uncertainty and is sustained by courage, discipline, and the willingness to keep going. Through every challenge faced and every milestone achieved, her story inspires us to embrace risks, honor our limits, and continue writing a life we can be proud of.

❝ 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒅𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 ❞ ✨

Happy Birthday to Samantha Grace G. Rodriguez 🎉 our inspiring OJD for Project Development. Your creativity and passion bring fresh ideas to life, turning every plan into meaningful and memorable experiences. 💡💛

Through your dedication and thoughtful vision, you help every event flow smoothly while bringing excitement and energy to the team. Your efforts inspire collaboration and remind us of the beauty of working together. 🌸🌟

May your special day be filled with happiness, new inspiration, and blessings that guide you toward even greater success. Keep creating, shining, and reaching new heights, Samantha. You are truly appreciated. 🎂💖