About Ateneo LSE

On April 2008 in Rome, Italy, the ﬁrst LSE Training Program was launched as the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) partnered with a Filipino migrants’ association, the Associazione Pilipinas OFSPES (Overseas Filipinos Society for the Promotion of Economic Security) to conduct LSE. In the Philippines, a similar program called the Financial Literacy, Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Training for OFW Families (FLSE) was created for the families of OFWs. As of April 2013, its ﬁrst batch in Baclaran, Paranaque City, Metro Manila will have graduated from the Basic Course. By 2014, the FLSE program is planned for La Union, Dumaguete, Davao City, and Cagayan de Oro City.

Read excerpts

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Our vision

Filipino migrants and their families united towards supporting each other in becoming empowered and highly respected members of society, while consciously contributing to nation building.

Goals

The Ateneo LSE aims to develop the OFW’s skills in:

Leadership - To empower OFWs to view themselves as leaders and as agents of positive change and transformation
Financial Literacy - To improve their economic security, particularly for their retirement and/or reintegration in the Philippines
Social Entrepreneurship - To give them an opportunity in having additional sources of income (so they do not have to rely solely on paid employment), while being able to serve the community with a social enterprise.

Hear our stories

The stories of 10 overseas Filipino workers from Italy -- their struggles and upliftment -- form the heart of the book, 'Blood, Sweat and Cheers'. Published by the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG), their stories chronicle the familiar challenges of exile and the longing to belong, to succeed, and find their way back home.

A common thread that weaves through these stories is their participation in the Ateneo LSE Training Program.They credit LSE for contributing significantly to their material, mental, and spiritual transformation.

Below are some of the excerpts from the book. Some of our Ateneo LSE-NL graduates have also shared their learnings, and we'll be adding more soon. May they all illustrate what the potential impact of your participation in the LSE can have in achieving your goals.

Excerpts from 'Blood, sweat, and cheers'

“During the LSE program, I started to learn about myself. I began to appreciate myself, to regain my selfworth, what's the value of being who I am. I began to develop self-confidence…I am happy that in LSE, I have found a home. It is my support system, to enable me to see my objective, reach my goal, manage and balance my life.” -- Hazel Ycasa, Italy

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“Because now I finally have my purpose, I realize what my goals are; now I have the right direction to follow. Before, I saw myself as nothing, just the shadow of my older cousins, my popular and beautiful friends. But now I see Jane, I see me.

"Then she struggled, but she stood up and believed she can, and she did."

Those people in my past were not right: I am good, I am better and I am able. I may not be always Number 1, a first honor, a title holder, or a beauty queen and record breaker. But I can also be Number 2, -- the Best Number 2." -- Mary jane Cruzat, Italy

"Through the LSE program I further learned the mechanics of being an entrepreneur. The course was at its beginning stage yet it was quite useful. It served as a guide that gave details in the trades that I did. I had a lot of indelible experiences being in the program. I absorbed such new valuable inputs so much so that for its second batch I encouraged and enrolled my daughter." -- Thess Borje, Italy

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"...Together with the other classmates, I took part in developing a social enterprise to build the financial literacy of OFWs in Rome. The mission and vision of this social enterprise was to open the minds and heart of OFWs through giving seminars on various migration issues and the importance of financial planning in order to improve the lives and future for themselves and their families back home.

By sharing with others what I have learned and experienced during the LSE training program, I hope that by becoming everything that I have learned, I would be an agent of change, a spark of light in the dark, a candle for a brighter tomorrow." -- Leo Virtucio, Italy

"The three most important learnings I took from the LSE are: First, our beliefs dictate our actions and our actions dictate our future. Second: Everything in life is all about choices and our choices in life reflect who we are. Third: Internal motivation is very important in achieving our goals."-- Rizalina Almoneda, Italy

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"Time was very important for me, and allotting time for the activity was a big constraint. Not that I would have rather gone out to amuse myself, but it was for the lack of time. I might add that often, I was already too exhausted, because besides my work on weekdays, I still worked during Saturday nights in a restaurant until early in the morning. And instead of sleeping in late to recover from extreme tiredness, I usually slept only for a few hours to come in time for those Sundays with the LSE training.

These sacrifices were compensated by the learnings I have gained from attending those sessions. I gained pointers from lessons and the speakers. My knowledge certainly grew and the encouragement from the group built my confidence to push through and drive me to where I wanted to be. I saw that my family situation improved. Not only because my siblings found jobs. Also, after LSE, I shared with them my learnings about entrepreneurship and investment." -- Ronie Hernandez, Italy

Insights from our LSE - NL graduates

Jacob Apostol, LSE 21

What specific problems were you trying to overcome as a Filipino migrant?

Before I joined the LSE Program, I had a feeling of uncertainty about my future in the Philippines. I was not quite sure of my financial goals because of lack of knowledge and discipline. I needed a source of income that would ensure the future of my family, and the education of my children. Although I already had a plan to set up a small business, I did not have a clear direction on how to start and pursue it.

Which problems did Ateneo LSE help you address?

Personally, the 6-month Training Program was profoundly fruitful for me in many ways. it did not only enrich my knowledge on entrepreneurship that I could use in the future when setting up a small business back home, but also broaden my personal experiences in dealing with different people from all walks of life. In short, the LSE Program has changed me considerably in a way I foresee my future. It deepened my determination and illuminated my vision in pursuit of my goals in life.

Name at least one insight about yourself that you discovered during the Ateneo LSE Training

After I attended several sessions of the program, I realized how inept I was on matters of financial planning. I discovered that I was far from realizing my goals. Through the LSE, I learned the scientific ways of planning a business. Furthermore, it also enlightened my perspective and changed my outlook on business. I learned that business is not only all about profits, but it is also about our responsibility to the community. A good business is one that creates a positive impact on the lives of the people in your community.

Which Ateneo LSE topic did you like the best? Why?

For me, the topic that I liked the best was about making a Business Plan lectured by Atty. Arnel Casanova. The lecture did not only teach me some basic ideas essential in writing a business plan, but also inspired me by his captivating words of wisdom. How could I forget his “rags to riches” life story? Indeed, his story has served as a powerful inspiration to me. For me, he is the best paragon to pursue my dreams.

Which three words/phrases would you use to describe the Ateneo LSE Training Program?

For me, the LSE Program can be described as our “mirror of hope”. We see our real selves through this training. We discover who we are and what we need to change for ourselves to attain our personal goal. It also helps us try to see our future by re-examining ourselves and our limitation. It helps us to see a part of reality that is hard to accept – changing our thinking!

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Lyra Agravante, LSE 21

What specific problems were you trying to overcome as a Filipino migrant?

Aside from homesickness, a common problem was how to manage my finances wisely.

Which problems did Ateneo LSE help you address?

LSE helped me gain ideas on how to manage my finances wisely, especially by distinguishing wants from needs.

Name at least one insight about yourself that you discovered during the Ateneo LSE Training

Because of LSE I discovered more about myself and that helped enhance my personality. Now I have a broader knowledge of finance.

Which Ateneo LSE topic did you like the best? Why?

Financial Literacy -- it was very significant and timely for my situation.

Which three words/phrases would you use to describe the Ateneo LSE Training Program?

Significant, Timely, Innovative

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Melanie Escaño, LSE 21

What specific problems were you trying to overcome as a Filipino migrant?

There were some problems that I was really trying to overcome as a Filipino migrant. Specifically, one of them was lack of strong decision in dealing with my relatives as far as my financial support for them was concerned. I was regularly sending big amount of money to Philippines because I had a hard time of saying “no” to them. Another problem was my future plan to have a business of my own, but I did not know how to pursue it.

Which problems did Ateneo LSE help you address?

After the LSE program, I came to know how to have self-discipline and how to value my hard-earned money. It made me focus on my future plans.

Name at least one insight about yourself that you discovered during the Ateneo LSE Training

During the training, I discovered that I was in a wrong path in terms of making decisions on spending and managing my money for my dreams. Fortunately, the LSE program restored my strong motivation in pursuing my dreams. It made me also realize that my future and my family’s future were at stake if I wouldn’t change my attitude. Through the LSE program, I learned the difference between needs and wants. Now, I know that buying things because it’s on sales is not a good decision either.

Which Ateneo LSE topic did you like the best? Why?

For me, I like all the topics because I learned from all the speakers. They actually helped me discover myself and have given me hope and inspiration spiritually and emotionally. The knowledge that I acquired about financial literacy and business plan strategy has given me a courage and confidence to pursue my plans in setting up business.

The LSE training also taught me to be more aware of my community and the people around me.

Which three words/phrases would you use to describe the Ateneo LSE Training Program?

Encouraging, motivating and inspiring

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Ree Amores, LSE 21

What specific problems were you trying to overcome as a Filipino migrant?

As a Filipino migrant, I'm always having problems with finances. As the breadwinner in the family I have to send regular remittance back home. I experience problems with budgeting, in making ends meet.

Which problems did Ateneo LSE help you address?

LSE helped me a lot with regards to proper budgeting of my finances and providing insights and ideas which can help me cut the practice of sending remittance, and start to focus on having income generating projects back home.

Name at least one insight about yourself that you discovered during the Ateneo LSE Training

Through LSE I have discovered that it's not yet too late to improve myself and be productive. I built more self-confidence and broke away from some old habits and beliefs that could hinder me in fulfilling my dreams.

Which Ateneo LSE topic did you like the best? Why?

I like all the topics in LSE Basic Course, but what helped me the most is the topic about Financial Literacy. It opened my mind to so many things and possibilities.

Which three words/phrases would you use to describe the Ateneo LSE Training Program?

To describe LSE in three words i would say it is:

'Logical' especially for OFWs like us.
'Service-oriented' for it focuses not only in helping yourself towards progress, but also in contributing in the progress of the society.
'Encouraging' because it encourages you to keep on dreaming and working on it and to not stop aiming for the best.

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Khokoy Cabales, LSE 21

What specific problems were you trying to overcome as a Filipino migrant?

Before I joined the LSE Training Program, I didn’t have enough savings for emergency. Now, I know how to save my money for any emergency because of the LSE. I also know how to spend my money wisely and avoid buying things which are not really important.

Which problems did Ateneo LSE help you address?

The LSE Training Program taught me how to plan in advance. It taught me the right way to pursue my dreams by means of saving a portion of my income and making wise decisions in spending my money.

Name at least one insight about yourself that you discovered during the Ateneo LSE Training

Which Ateneo LSE topic did you like the best? Why?

The topic that I liked the best was how to make a business plan explained in details by Ms. Tracy. Learning on how to start a business would give me more opportunities to apply my ideas and develop my skills passionately.

Which three words/phrases would you use to describe the Ateneo LSE Training Program?

Fruitful! But, I think it will become much more fruitful, if it has a next level program for our class. A program that teaches us on how to develop our business plan in details, particularly the technical aspects.

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