NEWS | A Decade of Excellence: JFINEX-PUP Concludes 10th Metro Finance Congress, Redefining Realities Through the Twists and Turns of Finance

Manila, Philippines - Marking a historic decade of empowering the next generation of financial leaders, the Junior Financial Executives – Polytechnic University of the Philippines (JFINEX-PUP) successfully staged the 10th Metro Finance Congress (MFC) on June 11, 2026, at the packed PUP Gymnasium - Sta. Mesa, Manila. More than 700 delegates gathered for the milestone event under the theme, “REDEFINING REALITIES: Twists and Turns of Finance,” exploring the evolving realities and behavioral dimensions shaping the financial landscape.

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The MFC remains JFINEX-PUP’s premier one-day academic convention, bringing together students, industry leaders, and faculty members from the College of Accountancy and Finance (CAF) and the Department of Financial Management (DFM) for insightful discussions on contemporary issues in finance. Celebrating its tenth year, the congress featured distinguished speakers and interactive panel discussions that highlighted behavioral finance, investing, sustainability, and the economic forces influencing the future of the industry.

The conference opened with a warm welcome from Dr. Ria S. Fajilago, Chairperson of the Department of Financial Management. Invoking the timeless adage, "Smooth seas do not make a good sailor," Dr. Fajilago urged the delegates to eagerly absorb industry insights to navigate today's financial waters.

Following her, Assoc. Prof. Noel A. Bergonia, Dean of the College of Accountancy and Finance, delivered an inspirational message charting the rapid evolution of the financial sector. He emphasized that the constant "twists and turns" in the industry ultimately build resilience, advising future financial leaders to anchor themselves on three core tenets: Agility, Integrity, and Vision.

This year’s behavioral block featured Mr. Enrique F. Fausto, Mr. Isiah Lazan, and Mr. Gem Galupar, who challenged to confront the psychological roots of money management.

The keynote address, “Design Your Money Life: Behavioral Finance in Action,” was delivered by Mr. Enrique F. Fausto, CFA, Chief Financial Architect of IFE Management. Reiterating the Financial Architecture Program, for cash-flow auditing, emergency funding, and asset allocation, he urged students to adopt a savings-first mindset. 

Fausto emphasized that “to consistently invest your money in the right bucket” remains the cornerstone of lifelong financial security.

Mr. Isiah Lazan, Unit Manager of Pru Life UK, followed with “DoomTok: The Human Side of Finance,” tackling "doom spending" – the deployment of capital as a maladaptive coping mechanism for psychological stress and existential anxiety, advising a 24-hour rule to curb impulse purchases. 

Mr. Gem Galupar, a representative from BDO Unibank Inc. and a Faculty member of the Department of Financial Management - PUP, delivered “Master Your Cards - Smart Debit and Credit Card Management,” reframing credit cards as strategic tools rather than debt traps. Galupar warned that invisible digital transactions trick the brain into treating credit limits as disposable income, asserting that successful card utilization rests entirely on behavioral discipline.

Moderated by Dr. Allan A. Calderon DFM, Faculty Research Coordinator and DFM-PUP Faculty Member, Panel Discussion I brought together Mr. Isiah Lazan and Mr. Gem B. Galupar for a session titled “Own Your Money: Master Your Real-Life Spending Habits and Spending.”

The dialogue focused on how social media algorithms systematically feed on user interactions, with Lazan revealing that it takes 2 to 5 minutes of intentional, redirected searching to alter a consumerist feed on Meta platforms. The panel also exposed how features such as zero-interest installments and promos are strategically advertised to create an illusion of financial advantage while steering consumers toward invisible transactions that drive over-consumption.

Addressing financial wellness among students, Dr. Calderon cautioned that a credit limit should never be misconstrued as personal wealth, stressing that strict behavioral discipline is where to draw the line. The panel concluded that saving income on top of one's allowance for future investments allows students to secure the ultimate foundation of Experience, Knowledge, and Networks.

In the Fireside Discussion II, “Building Returns: Building Smart Investment Habits,” Mr. Raphael Antonio D. Bustamante, Wealth Trainer from COL Financial Group, moderated a conversation with Mr. Edward K. Lee, CEO of COL Financial, who encouraged delegates to begin investing early and view time as their greatest advantage.

Lee shattered the myth that equity markets are reserved exclusively for the wealthy, declaring that time serves as a young investor's ultimate leverage. The discussion highlighted the importance of understanding market cycles, seizing opportunities amid challenges, and taking responsibility for one's actions and successes. Participants were urged to save a portion of their allowance, embrace technology and artificial intelligence as tools for generating income, and reinvest dividends to build long-term wealth.

Emphasizing discernment and personal growth, the session challenged delegates to show up ethically, stay optimistic, learn from their mistakes, and build their fortunes through discipline, character, and experience.

Expanding this responsibility from individual wealth creation to global stewardship, the next segment shifted focus toward sustainability. Atty. Emma A. Valencia of the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission led the third fireside discussion titled “Green Flags: Students Shaping the Future of Green Finance.” 

In her address, Atty. Valencia featured green bonds, blue bonds, and green equity as crucial drivers for meaningful environmental, social, and economic impact, explicitly dispelling the notion that green investing is merely an elite trend for the wealthy. Instead, these instruments were presented as a necessary, collective movement for a sustainable future.

Following these individual insights, Panel Discussion II, “Invest Beyond Yourself: Creating Wealth while Creating Change,” brought together Chairman Edward K. Lee and  Atty. Emma A. Valencia. Moderated by Asst. Prof. Prince Guillan D. Cruz and Doc. Allan A. Calderon, the session bridged the gap between personal wealth accumulation and institutional sustainability, focusing on actionable steps for young investors.

Addressing student engagement in green finance, the speakers clarified that sustainable investing is accessible to both institutional and individual investors alike. The speakers cautioned against trend-chasing, noting that wealth is built through continuous learning rather than quick gains, and likewise encouraged students to take an active role in advancing financial literacy and sustainability, emphasizing that the motivation and choice to create meaningful change ultimately rest with them.

Pivoting from sustainability and financial literacy to macroeconomic realities, the fourth speaker, Mr. Al Benedict B. Magday, Acting Deputy Director of the Department of Economic Research at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), led a session titled “Bridging the Gap: Inflation and Its Real-World Impact,” alongside moderators Doc. Henry B. Prudente and Prof. Rolly I. Fernandez of the PUP DFM faculty, zeroed in on how the central bank navigates economic crises by prioritizing price stability over growth.

“The BSP handles demand-side control, while the government handles supply-side control.”

Magday explained that global supply shocks, particularly from oil and fertilizer bottlenecks, continue to drive up local commodity prices, forcing the government to implement targeted subsidies despite being restricted by heavy national debt. Given that inflation has recently breached targeted thresholds, the panel advised students to mitigate future financial risks by securing fixed-rate loan contracts where applicable. Furthermore, the discussion clarified that the BSP avoids direct market intervention to manipulate the currency, stepping in strategically only to temper extreme exchange rate volatility.

As the core academic discussions and insights drew to a close, the gymnasium erupted in applause to recognize individual and collective brilliance. Shifting from academic discourse to a celebration of excellence, JFINEX-PUP moved into the official awarding ceremony for its series of competitive events, beginning with the acknowledgment of the enthusiastic participants who won the “Days to Go” challenges during the MFC Countdown.

In the high-stakes Deal Breaker: Risk vs. Reward competition, 23UE Dealers claimed the 1st Runner-Up spot while the Lucky Deal Breakers emerged as the Undisputed Champions. This was followed by the Finlens: Snapshots vs. Reality photo-essay contest, where Catalyst secured 2nd Runner-Up and KrisJha Captures bagged the Championship title. 

Keeping that momentum soaring, the JFINEX Elite Singers and the Finex Dance Company also took the stage with high-energy musical and dynamic dance performances that kept the entire gymnasium thoroughly electrified. Anchoring the production, Ms. Sharina C. Dela Cruz and Ms. Priestine Grace G. Parreño served as the official masters of ceremonies for the 10th MFC, seamlessly steering the program from start to finish. Throughout the day, the vibrant atmosphere was further amplified by exciting raffle draws and giveaways that kept the audience on the edge of their seats.

The monumental success of the 10th Metro Finance Congress was made possible through the invaluable support of its visionary partners, sponsors, and collaborating organizations. The event was proudly co-presented by RED Images Timeless Photography, Inc., Pru Life UK, Franchise Manila, 933 Creative Inc., and Otoki Philippines, in dynamic partnership with Gardenia, Motivo, and Kadakareer.

The congress also gained significant momentum through major sponsors Coins.ph, A Bonne' Philippines, Vybe, and the PUP College of Accountancy and Finance Student Council, alongside event sponsors Nature's Spring, Selecta Cornetto, Samgyup N’ Things, and Canon. Generous backing and interactive contributions were also provided by Special Thanks partners Coconut Printing, By Love, Bonnie, Into the Garden Studio, Mim Krafts, Vybe by BPI, COL Financial, Famous Belgian Waffles, and Greenwich, which served as the official food partner.

Amplifying the event’s reach and creating substantial buzz across multiple platforms were media partners Monster RX93.1, Red Cloud Interactive Marketing Services, Edge TV Philippines, Icons of Change, The New Channel Media Corp., WhenInManila.com, and Block Tides.

Crucial policy and industry insights were anchored by prestigious partner institutions, including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), COL Financial, BDO Unibank Inc., and the CFA Society Philippines. 

Furthermore, the event expanded its academic footprint in collaboration with the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation, the De La Salle University – Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, Formation, and Empowerment (SLIFE) – Investors’ Society, Junior Financial Executives - PUP Lopez Campus, National University MOA Junior Financial Executives, Junior Financial Executives – Dr. Filemon C. Aguilar Memorial College of Las Piñas, Junior Financial Executives - PUP San Juan, National College of Business and Arts – Fairview, and José Rizal University - Mandaluyong City.

Special thanks go to The Luminary and JFINEX Creatives for their dedicated efforts in executing the visual identity of the congress. Ultimately, the collective support of these partners and sponsors ensured that the 10th Metro Finance Congress left a profound impact on the next generation of financial leaders.

In a special testimonial message, Ms. Camille Salvador, the Visionary Founder of the Metro Finance Congress, reflected on seeing a long-held dream turn into reality. Having once sat in the audience as an attendee prior to the inception of MFC, she expressed immense pride in how the congress has officially become JFINEX-PUP’s signature flagship event. True to her original vision for the future of finance, Salvador reminded the delegates that while the financial landscape is massive and constantly expanding, every student in attendance will undoubtedly find their unique place in the industry in the years to come.

Framing the Congress through a financial lens, Asst. Prof. Prince Guillan D. Cruz, faculty member of DFM-PUP and the Adviser of JFINEX-PUP, highlighted the immense "return on investment" the experience provided. He reminded the next generation of leaders to continuously invest in themselves, noting that the knowledge, professional networks, and technical skills gained throughout the convention are the most valuable assets they could ever possess.

Driven by a newfound sense of empathy and responsibility, hundreds of delegates departed the venue equipped to navigate a rapidly shifting global economy with confidence and purpose. They walked away not merely as students of technical concepts but as future leaders prepared to drive innovation across the financial industry.

By anchoring complex macroeconomic theories into everyday experiences, the event challenged participants to view financial management as a vehicle for genuine societal impact. This approach demonstrated that true industry leadership extends far beyond spreadsheets, market data, and corporate bottom lines.

Bringing the event to a successful conclusion, the 10th Metro Finance Congress instilled in the next generation of professionals an enduring guiding principle to carry into their future careers: 

“Mastering the art of finance begins with mastering the human side of money.”