Sparking Insight at the Lewis College
We at Camalig Bank love to talk about how finance can transform people’s lives. Regardless of who initiates the conversation, we show up in public spaces, on the radio, or in schools. As someone who’s been with Camalig Bank for less than two months, joining a financial literacy talk at a school for the first time was fun. I was glad we were given the opportunity to have a conversation about financial literacy, one of our core advocacies, at the Lewis College in Sorsogon City. Our objective for the day was to open up a discussion about our daily financial decisions.
That day, the welcome we received was warmer than the already warm weather. As a new employee at Camalig Bank, I found myself in a unique position. The tables turned as I visited the Lewis College as a banker and not a university student; it initially felt strange. Then, momentarily, I saw my old college self in the students; I would have been distracted by countless thoughts of academic requirements, household responsibilities, and my bed calling me from afar. Then, I looked at the students and saw their seriousness as the discussion focused more on personal finance. They were so deeply immersed in the topic that it seemed they were already reflecting on their financial decisions.
When we paused to ask the students to share their experiences, they started shy. There was snickering and giggling as the students pointed at each other to answer our questions. Luckily, we had an icebreaker prepared to lighten the mood. Afterward, the students looked more energetic as they participated more.
The question-and-answer segment was not a mere formality but a genuine exchange of ideas. The students had various questions about finances and banking, most related to tips on saving and the perks of saving in a bank. As a banker, it was pleasing to hear them ask these questions. Their apparent curiosity reflected how much value our generation puts into managing their finances. Then, the questions shifted and were more directed at us as Camalig Bankers.
As a newbie, answering questions highlighting my experience at Camalig Bank felt like a privilege. It made me realize the significance of my role and how the words I would be imparting to them could affect their career decisions in the future. Their curiosity to learn about Camalig Bank was a time for me as an employee to reflect on how much I love my job and how I can share it with them.
As we prepared to entertain one last question, a student asked for advice for her and her schoolmates. It was a loaded question, a simple one that required a simple answer. We stressed how everything is related in one way or another. Our answer made me think about how not all bankers started with a background in finance. Neither did I. Despite that, I became who I wanted to be. What matters is that I am eager to make an impact, and I wish the students at the Lewis College would someday do so, too.
Being a part of this talk gave me a feeling of nostalgia. As someone constantly learning about his job, it was easy for me to connect with the students. Witnessing them open up and feed their curiosities by asking questions indicates that they learned and were eager to learn something from our time together. Thus, we can say that the best students aren’t always the ones with the best answers but the ones with the most thought-provoking questions.
