Have you ever gotten a “business proposal” promising to double your money, or a text saying you’ve won a prize but need to deposit a small sum first? Sadly, scams are so common, reminding us that financial literacy is essential.

Education has always been called the great equalizer. It empowers people to break the cycle of poverty, gain confidence, and improve their lives. Today, financial education is becoming just as vital—helping Filipinos make informed choices, avoid scams, and invest for a better future.

Recently, I attended the launch of Project RISE (Retail Investor and Shareholder Education) and the turnover of the SEC Digital Library. Guest speaker Francis Lim, then a trustee of Sharephil, was part of Project RISE's early days. He was delighted, as he never imagined he'd be advancing the cause of financial literacy now that he is SEC Chairman. He said, "Many have the will and resources, but not always the knowledge or confidence to make the right choices, and that's what Project RISE is about: closing that gap."

What is Project RISE? Its mission is simple yet powerful: to make finance understandable, practical, and accessible to everyone. It aims to demystify the world of investing, encouraging responsible habits that can help build a stronger, more inclusive economy—from the grassroots to the boardroom. The event highlighted the first set of Project RISE educational videos, which serve as easy-to-understand guides to retail investing.

According to SharePhil Chairperson Ma. Aurora “Boots” Garcia, Project RISE is "a significant step forward, founded on credibility and collaboration." It brought together foundational partners such as the Capital Markets Development Foundation (represented by Fred Parungao and Ed Francisco), FINEX Foundation (Augusto “Toti” Bengzon), Philippine Stock Exchange (Ramon Monzon), Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) (Gerry Sanvictores), Junior Achievement Philippines (Kirk Kenny), and the Management Association of the Philippines (Wilson Tan). SharePhil Trustee Marivic Escaño had this message for young professionals: "Invest wisely, grow securely. Informed investing, guided by discipline and knowledge, leads to true financial well-being."

The Project RISE video series stars Melvin Esteban, Wealth Management Head of COL Financial, the Philippines’ pioneering online stock trading platform. His videos explain key investment concepts—risk appetite, time horizon, liquidity, and the difference between saving and investing. And he explains all these in the videos in an easy-to-understand, straightforward, and relatable way: Taglish.

Can you be a millionaire? Yes! Melvin gives an example: If you invest ₱1,000 monthly, you could become a millionaire in 83 years. Ah, too long. I may not be around by then. Wait—but with just two percent interest, that shortens to 49 years; at four percent interest, only 37 years. Now, what if you double your investment to ₱2,000 monthly and can earn six percent interest? Then you can reach a million in about 20 years. This is the value of compounding interest. The secret is simple: start early, be disciplined, and stay consistent.

My mother, Carolina “Arling” Gozon, always reminded us to live within our means, avoid unnecessary spending, and always save for a rainy day. “No matter how much you earn, if you spend everything, nothing is left.” She compared it to a leaky pail—even if water flows in, it won’t fill up if there are holes. Her timeless lesson was: “Everything is the Lord's. We don’t own anything but are caretakers. Whatever you are given, make it grow. Pagyamanin mo.”

At a recent get-together in my Antipolo garden with some PNB ladies, including PNB Wealth Management Head Mau Velasco, we talked about gardening, growing plants, and growing money. Mau said that the first step to investing is saving regularly and intentionally. You need to know your financial goals and risk appetite. She also explained the power of compounding interest: Invest ₱10,000 monthly at three percent annual interest and you can be a millionaire in eight years. Double that to ₱20,000, and you reach the goal even faster. She also emphasized "time in the market" instead of "timing the market." Mau uses the U.S. SEC’s “investor.gov” for the compound interest sample calculator table, which is easy to use.

Some investment tips:

* Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

* Diversify your investments.

* Never invest in something you don’t understand.

* Keep learning and always stay informed.

* Don’t be too greedy.

Every Filipino deserves the chance to learn how to save, invest, and grow wealth responsibly. With tools like Project RISE, that future is within reach. Use the Project RISE videos (Google search: SharePhil /Project Rise) to learn the basics and take control of your financial journey. The best investment you can ever make is in your own financial education. Start saving and investing now!