In the month of August, resonating with the essence of National Heroes Day, a transformative event – Life, Skills, and Motivational Seminar (LSMS), hosted by the esteemed Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI), converges the CFBCI Scholars both in person and virtual participants from Cagayan, Batangas, and Isabela on the 20th of August 2023 taking place at Tower 1 in Binondo, Manila.

This seminar serves as a modern-day tribute to heroes, providing a platform for emerging minds to forge their own paths and embrace their potential through dynamic set of discussions: a debate that delves into the US vs. China powerplay, a talk that unveils nine steps to success, and an inspirational talk that intertwines mathematical principles with personal growth insights.

The seminar commenced with the serendipity, taking the form of a thought-provoking debate under the theme of “WHEN TWO GIANTS CLASH: AN INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION ABOUT US-CHINA POWERPLAY." Divided into teams representing PRO-US, ANTI-US, and PRO-PEACE viewpoints, three scholars each, the discussion unfolded with an emphasis on respectful engagement and decorum.

As scholars exchanged insightful perspectives, they left behind a trail of informative discourse, setting the stage for further enlightenment among CFBCI scholars. Some of the points raised by the scholars are: “Pinili po namin yung pro-peace dahil naniniwala po kami na ang kapayapaan ang sagot sa lahat ng problema dito sa ating bansa." – a PRO PEACE scholar said. “China is a center od obligation. US doesn’t have that power against what china has… China is really developing fast." – from an ANTI-US scholar. “We highly believe that the united states have been impacting us since 1900s, they have helped us with our education… US is the center of globe as of now, they are becoming the standard setter for third world countries" – uttered by PRO-US scholar.

Following the spirited and engaging debate, the spotlight shifted to our esteemed CFBCI Director, Mr. William Rogando, who passionately guided the scholars through the transformative “nine steps to success." Like a master storyteller, Mr. Rogando unraveled these steps that hold the potential to shape the scholars’ destinies. The journey begins with “Checking Your ID," inviting scholars to explore their influences and understand their own psyche. Through “Creating Your Vision," they are encouraged to dream big and identify their unique qualities. With each step, from “Developing Your Travel Plan" to “Committing to Your Vision," the roadmap to success becomes clearer, firmly anchoring aspirations in reality.

Overall, the journey involved learning about yourself, setting goals, and making clear life plans. They talked about being brave in tough times, making friends, and making good choices. All of this led to a message to hold onto your dreams with strong determination.

The day’s enriching discourse continues as Ms. Eloisa Marie A. Piedad, our CFBCI Alumna Batch 2018 and a Certified Public Accountant, takes the spotlight. Being a graduate of BS Accountancy from PUP Sta. Mesa herself, the talk revolves around “Mathematics of People," a fusion of mathematical concepts with human behavior.

Using the M.D.A.S. idea, she combines math with our feelings. Multiplication is about making things bigger as she aligns multiplication with the law of leverage, elaborating on how each connection made multiplies opportunities. Division is about fear of losing diving into our fear of separation and rejection, echoing the innate human desire for acceptance.

Addition adds good things and elaborating on the “addition" of value to life, embracing mindfulness, self-awareness, and a multitude of elements that contribute to holistic growth. And, subtraction, a principle not just of reduction but also of transformation as it is to subtract complications, pride, and laziness, inviting them to witness the resulting difference—a testament to the impactful discourse they’ve just experienced. This helps us see how people interact and understand ourselves better.

Following the really beneficial and engaging address from our speakers, everyone prepared themselves to have their snacks and lunch to eat altogether before leaving the office. The CFBC Chorale held its another practice for the upcoming CFBCI Graduation Ceremony.

菲華工商總會訊：本會於八月二十日（星期日）上午，假八樓禮堂為「點亮未來」助學方案的受助生舉辦生活技能交流培育講座，講座內容著重於培養學員的道德思想，個人素質和生活技能的提高以及良好生活習慣的養成，陶冶身心。當天出席的學員包括Batangas 和Isabela的外省受助生遠程觀看臉書現場直播，和馬尼拉市受助生共一百五十四位。本會出席的領導有：董事杜祖蔭，常務顧問曾煥眉，理事留牡丹和理事張其安。

本次研討會的第一部分是應執行副理事長黃書瑋的提議，增加學員們的國際觀，通過一系列的討論，開闢思路，並發揮個人潛力，深入探討近期美國與中國實力博弈的辯論會，以「當兩大巨頭交鋒：一場關於中美權力對弈的互動討論」為主題。辯論分為代表親美、反美和親和平觀點的小組，每組由三名學員組成。隨著各組學員提出的論點，交換有見地的觀點，最終留下了一連串富有資訊性的話語，為學員們的進一步啟蒙奠定了基礎。學員們提出的一些觀點如下：平和派「我們選擇了親和平，因為我們相信和平是解決國家現有問題的答案」。親中派「中國是創新先驅國家。美國沒有能力對抗中國所擁有的實力…中國真的發展得很快」。親美派「我們堅信，自一九零零年代以來，美國一直在影響我們，提供教育方面的幫助…美國仍是環球中心，他們正在成為國際標準的制定者」。

在經過激烈及引人入勝的辯論之後，董事杜祖蔭轉移了話題焦點，他引導學員們完成了具變革性的「九個成功步驟」。用講故事的方式闡明這些有可能改變學員命運的步驟。旅程從「檢查你的身份」開始，邀請學員探索他們的影響並瞭解自己的心理。通過「創造你的願景」，鼓勵學員胸揣遠大夢想，並確定自身的獨特品質。從「制定你的旅行計劃」到「致力於實現你的願景」，每一步都讓成功的路線圖變得更加清晰，將願望牢牢地固定在現實中。總的來說，這段旅程包括瞭解自己、設定目標和制定明確的人生計劃。他們談到在困難時期要勇敢，結交朋友以及做出正確的選擇。所有這些都傳達了一個信息：即以堅定的決心堅持你的夢想！

接下來進入當天的修養講座，主講人是二零一八年畢業於菲律濱理工大學(PUP Sta. Mesa)，主修會計系，現已是一名註冊會計師的受助生Eloisa Marie A. Piedad女士。講座題目：「人文的數學」。以數學概念與人類行為相融合，將數學與我們的情感相結合起來。例如：「乘法」是關於使事情變得更大，主講人將乘法與杠杆原理結合起來，闡述了建立的每一個聯繫是如何使機會成倍增加的。「除法」含義是害怕失去，這與我們害怕分離和被拒絕的心理吻合，呼應了人類與生俱來渴望被接納的心理。「加法」增加美好的事物，如增加生命的價值，包括正念、自我意識和有助於整體成長的多種元素。而「減法」不僅是減少的原則，也是轉變的原則，因為它是減去複雜性、驕傲和懶惰，這有助於我們更好地瞭解人與人之間的互動，並更好地瞭解自己。主講人以她的數學專業結合人文的新穎又另類的比擬方式，讓人耳目一新。

本會出席領導曾煥眉和張其安在講座後也分別致詞，勉勵學員們要融會貫通，學以致用，多關心自己的身心理狀況，過上健康、平衡的生活。

圖片說明：
上圖：（左起）曾煥眉，Eloisa Marie A. Piedad，杜祖蔭，張其安分別主講致詞之影。
中圖：向主講人頒贈感謝狀（左起）曾煥眉，張其安，杜祖蔭，Eloisa Marie A. Piedad，留牡丹，Mexica Bausa。
下圖：主講人Eloisa Marie A. Piedad演講現場。