The Professional Insurance & Financial Advisors

Association of the Philippines (PIFAAP)

”Raising the Bar – Part II”
Casino Español, Cebu City
14 September 2009

About our Speakers...

Efren Ll. Cruz, RFP - “Helping Your Clients Plan for Retirement.”

Best-selling author of “The Complete Pinoy Guide to Personal Finance” and “The
Complete Pinoy Guide to Estate and Retirement Planning”, Efren Cruz is a
Registered Financial Planner who has been involved in various aspects of fund
management for the past 25 years. Formerly SVP of Grepalife Asset Management
Corp. and GM for wealth management of Standard Chartered Bank, Efren will
conduct a workshop on how to design a financial road map while keeping close
tabs on our progress, identifying the milestones along the way, and creating a safety net to ensure that we
help our clients (and ourselves!) retire with dignity and enjoy the journey to financial freedom.

Rufina “Ping” G. Valencia – “If you were a product,

would you buy YOU?”

Effective communication and the projection of a powerful corporate presence are

the special purview of Ping Valencia. A former Directress of the John Robert
Powers Philippine Franchise and PR/Marketing Consultant for French Vogue
magazine in Paris, France, this one-time fashion model now conducts Personal
Growth and Business/Social Ethics seminars for multinational companies around
the country. In her talk “If you were a product, would you buy YOU?” she will
focus on personal branding and the role of empowered communication in strategic selling. She will also
discuss how our performance differentials are derived not from pure selling skills, but in large part, from the
overall image we project to our clients and prospects.

Dr. Jose Enrico Gandionco – “Developing an Entrepreneurial

Mindset”
“Raising the bar” is the inevitable result for any kind of business that learns to
develop an entrepreneurial mindset. This is the message of Dr. Rico Gandionco,
CEO of Julie’s Franchise Corporation, who will share the success story of a local
bake shop that grew, from humble beginnings in 1981, to an extensive franchise
operation with more than 500 branches and outlets nationwide. Awarded in 1999
by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce as “Most Outstanding Countryside
Investor”, “Success Story of the Year”, and Outstanding Small and Medium Scale
Entrepreneur,” Julie’s today is a household name that continues to strengthen its market reach with over 180
franchisees – and still growing. This story is a shining example of success through sheer commitment,
dedication and hard work.
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 Betty Q. Alejandro, RFC – “GenderSpeak: Targeting
the Female Market”

The growing economic power of women is one of the most significant trends of our
time. Nearly half of the world’s wealth is now owned or managed by women.
Time to train our attention on this largely untapped market! In “GenderSpeak:
Targeting the Female Market,” Betty Alejandro, PIFAAP Founding Chair and
author of the best-selling book “The Insurance Game: Playing to Win!” will discuss
how financial service professionals can skirt outdated, traditional gender roles and
help women become more comfortable, confident, and adept at handling their personal finances.

Joseph O. Janer – “VUL: Educating Clients

in a Downturn Economy”

Formerly involved in the trading of foreign exchange and NASDAQ stocks,

Joseph Janer has more than a passing familiarity with investment products. Now a
Senior financial Adviser and Associate Unit Head of Manulife Philippines, Joseph
will tell us why Variable Life plans should continue to be a major item in our
arsenal of financial products, despite the economic slowdown. He will also share
his bullet-proof answers to the many concerns our clients have regarding their investments.

Remedios L. Ngo, RFC – “Selling to the VIP Market”

A former Vice-President of Security Bank, Remy Ngo is a Registered Financial

Consultant who had already spent 20 years in the banking industry prior to
joining the insurance business. Currently a Unit Manager for Philamlife, she has
been leading a dynamic group of agents since 2004, garnering numerous
prestigious company awards for her team along the way. A firm believer in role-
modeling, Remy herself is a 4-time qualifying member of the Million Dollar
Round Table and has landed in the top 15% among Philamlife’s national
awardees for her personal production. If you’re wondering how some producers are managing to stay
consistently at the top of their game despite the economic slowdown, listen to this former banker share the
“soft skills” and closing techniques that work best with the VIP market.

Rep. Luzviminda C. Ilagan – “Making a Difference”

Who else to better motivate us when our country is going thru difficult times than
a Congresswoman who is, incidentally, also an insurance agent? In “Making a
Difference”. Davao Representative Luz Ilagan, former English professor and
2008 recipient of Ateneo de Davao’s “Living Legend” award, will teach us how
to look at our careers as a fulfilling advocacy. Currently also the National Chair
of Gabriela Women’s Party, this admirable lady will show us how to hurdle
daunting obstacles and maintain equanimity in the face of seemingly insurmountable difficulties, even
while keeping true to the mission of life insurance.