08 January 2015 – On  21 December 2014, the Philippine Embassy in Ankara concluded its series of Gender and Development (GAD) Projects for 2014 with a Seminar on Financial Literacy and Livelihood Demonstration involving house decors and accessories made from recycled materials. The Embassy's Finance Officer, Mr. Cristopher Baguya, led the presentation and discussion on Financial Literacy based on Francisco Colayco's workbook titled "Pera Palaguin." Members of the DFALF-Ankara Chapter and Mr. Marvin Ablaza, a member of the Embassy Team, led the livelihood demonstration.

Both activities were well-received by the Filipino community members who attended the event as they readily shared their own ideas and experience on how to be enhance their financial capacity. They also expressed their desire to participate in a workshop on house decor and accessory making which will be conducted by the DFALF-Ankara Chapter in 2015.

During the Financial Literacy Seminar, Mr. Baguya urged the participants to Plan Effectively, Save Efficiently, Spend Wisely and Invest Properly. The DFALF-Ankara Chapter and Mr. Agustin, for their part, convinced the participants that beautiful decors and accessories can come out of things we would normally consider trash, i.e. empty soft drink bottles and old magazines. Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez also imparted with the community that “with a little creativity at hand, one can make beautiful pieces which can either be a source of income or used as a substitute for something which one normally buys.”

To close the program, the Embassy's GAD Focal Person, Ms. Ericka Anna Abad, expressed hope that the knowledge and skills learned during the seminar and demonstration will assist all attendees in their efforts towards financial independence.END