Benel D. Lagua

Balikbayan Philippine retirement dream

In my youth, many of my peers and relatives had the American dream of migrating to the land of milk and honey. Several of them took the chance and found material prosperity practicing their chosen profession, as nurse, accountants, teachers, engineers, and so on. They were able to afford a lifestyle that would not have been possible had they stay put in the country.

Investment: Science or art

In a finance class on investments, I initiate a fund management simulation exercise using an initial virtual fund of ₱5 million. Students are asked to build a portfolio and track its growth or decline at the end of the semester. The group is assessed on how they set goals, develop strategies, select the most appropriate investment outlets (stocks or bonds), and handle risks.

Righting the wrong

The book The Right Kind of Failing Well by HBS Professor Amy C. Edmondson provides a comprehensive framework for understanding different types of failure and offers practical strategies for leveraging them to foster learning and innovation.

Inspire to motivate

In this age of social media and the internet, it is easy to browse and search for motivational quotes, videos, or clips to find inspirational content. Many of the things we view are well-designed and enticing. They are often concise, relatable, and emotionally resonant.

The unbridled consequences of overzealous audit

The issue of regulators and auditors imposing unfounded penalties is a significant concern, particularly when such actions irreversibly damage careers, reputations, and businesses.