False Alarm

Ok,  I think this month will be the hardest after losing my mother last July. I thought I was fairly ok because I have really waited for that moment when I had to break down and just let it all out. It never happened to me, not even during the semestral break where I convinced myself was the right time to do it. In November, I was even already feeling excited about the coming holidays and even invited my friend to spend the New Year at home. However, come 1st of December, things changed. It was my first real breakdown after the funeral. On several occasions in the past when I was about to cry, I was still able to convince myself that I shouldn’t. However, it was different since December 1st. I am really feeling the reality of my loss as the holidays come nearer, different from past months where I just know that my mother is gone forever.

Dear Mama,

I’m sorry for feeling this way. I know you wouldn’t want me to and that you want me to just move on with my life but I just can’t help it. Now that you’re gone, no one will tell me that it’s ok to skip going home on Christmas if it’s too tiring for me but would require me to be home before the New Year, by hook or by crook. It’s supposed to be our second Christmas in the new house. I’m just so sad that you had to go so soon. After I visited you last November, I thought I was already ok. However, when December rolled in, reality hit me. I am still lost now. I still don’t understand why you had to go. I still don’t get a lot of things. I still haven’t totally confronted myself about the whole thing. I’m still afraid to do it. I’m still afraid that doing so would make me weak and become demotivated to go on with my life, which I’m sure you won’t agree to. I’m afraid of what my future would be without you. I know I’m too old to be this clingy but when you were gone, it dawned on me that for the major decisions I had to do my entire life, you were my consultant. What happens now? The past months, all I did was to avoid this confrontation. But I know I just had to do it to help me move on. I promise I’ll get there, no matter how long it will take me to. 

I miss you everyday, Mama. For now, all I need is to believe that you are always there watching over us, so I can push myself everyday to continue with my life.

10th Year

As a service awardee this year (completed 10 years with the company last Feb.), I am allowed to bring 1 guest during our company Christmas party. My first option was my friend who also works in the same company but she recommended my high school friend instead. I told that other friend and she was ok with it. However...there was that feeling of uncertainty and discomfort with such plan and I don't exactly know why I had such feelings. Something was amiss. We were supposed to RSVP last Nov. 22, but given the circumstances, I did not send mine.

And then earlier tonight, it dawned on me. I want a family member to be with me. Specifically, I want to bring my Mama as guest. Thing is, I can't anymore. She's gone. Gone forever to be our angel. Sniff sniff. It would have been fun to spend the night with her and show where and who I spent the last 10 years of my life. 

So, the next best thing was to check with my aunt if she's available and she can spare time to come. Maybe bringing her would be like being with my Mama. If not, at least we can have some of the night reminiscing good memories of our times with Mama. If she is available, and if I'm still allowed to RSVP this week, then maybe it's meant to be. It remains to be seen.

Of Power and Honesty and Integrity

It's never too easy to be the bearer of bad news. However, it had to be done and it had to be that way. And it's true--with great power comes great responsibility. We should always know how to use it with honesty and integrity. Otherwise, we should be ready with the consequences because it's also true that karma is a b*tch. Enough said.

MTM Program: Summer Workshop

“Congratulations! You are accepted in the MTM (Master in Technology Management) program. In preparation for that, you are required to attend the 6-day workshop which will start this weekend until June 2.” This was the surprise call I got last May 17 from UP. What a news. I was so stressed for the first 2 hours after receiving that call early in the morning. First, the house blessing was scheduled for May 19, second, it’s my friend’s wedding on the 2nd of June. BOOM!  More on these 2 later.

Anyway, the workshops aim to prepare us, students, for the program hence, it is a prerequisite. The 6 days cover several topics as follows:

• Day 1: General Management
• Day 2: General Marketing & Orientation
• Days 3-4: Managerial Accounting
• Day 5: Business Communication and Technical Writing
• Day 6: Production and Operation Management

Payment is Php 7,200.00 for 6 days (Php 1,200.00/day). If you have attended similar programs in the past or if you took up the subjects in your undergraduate studies, you can also submit documentations and you won’t be required to take the workshop anymore.

So many jargons, but I hope and believe that these will somehow help me survive at least the first few meetings of the program. PUSH.

I learned after Day 1 that you can submit a formal letter of excuse if you won’t be able to attend one of the sessions. You can attend the workshops the following year. This is what I did for June 2. Never mind that I already paid in Day 1. The admin said to just keep my receipt and will just show it next year. As for the house blessing, everything was rescheduled to May 20, after much debate with myself, after consultation with my aunt and mother, and before learning that I can request to be excused for the May 19 session :p. Should I just say, that was one hell of an emotional roller-coaster ride before coming up with a close to acceptable decision :).

#AimForSablay

Sayote Kingdom's Milestone

***As posted in my Facebook yesterday***

Lord, thank you for today's perfect weather. Thank you for the fog that kept off the summer heat. Thank you for the drizzle during the mass. I know it was your way of letting Your presence known. Thank you for the beautiful songs sang by the choir. Those were the exact songs I had in mind and was planning to request but didn't have to. The songs brought me back to my humble beginnings and made me appreciate more what I have now. Thank you for the community who also celebrated with us. Most especially, thank you to my family and friends for all their help and who came even on a Monday just because I requested them to be there. Indeed Lord, You are the best project manager of my life. Your timing is always perfect. I am humbled and I am forever grateful.  #tuloylanghanggangmatapos #matataposkorinito

Thanks, Anne, for this pic collage and for the rest of the pictures . Walang kwenta cam ko haha.

***

Finally done with it. And I'm oh so glad it's over! :)

Just to note what Father Joel said (not his exact words): We are surrounded by worldly things, but we should always make an effort to continue working on our relationship with the Lord. So true! I'm glad that this year, I included it as one of my goals :). 

I am beyond amazed with the help I received from my family. Thank you so much for lessening my burden with all the things going on right now!  And I was truly touched with the presence of the community from Divine Mercy who took their time to join me in this milestone. May they be blessed more.

Lastly, it feels great to be celebrating mass in your own home! I hope there will be other opportunities in the coming months. I would be more than willing to host!

As an added bonus, we got to see this while we were already on our way to the terminal. I requested my uncle to stop for a while so that we could take a picture.

Beautiful day indeed! I am forever grateful. :)

Dear Lord

Dear Lord,

My heart is not at peace today and for the past few days. I'm sorry yet again. I'm weak and I'm confused. But please, help me get through this day with as much productivity as possible, I beg you. Also, I humbly ask  for your guidance on how to deal with my current issues, at least the 3 major ones. 

Thank you for Mama Mary's visit today and for the rest of the week in my humble home. I am honored to be her host. Thank you for the parishioners for insisting. Coincidence or not, it was timely, with what's going on lately. 

Lastly, thank you still for the endless blessings.

Cebu Adventure: Expenses

Starting the write up of our Cebu adventure :).

Travel Date: March 13-17, 2013

Destination: Cebu

Pax: 2

Set up: With guide and transport rentals for Bantayan Island, DIY in the city

Accomodations:

• Bantayan Island: Kota Beach
• Cebu City: Pacific Pensionne

Below is a detailed list of our expenses.

PMI Technical Session: Elevate your Executive Pitch

At a time when I was trying to digest and decipher deeper executives’ minds and expectations, this invite landed in my mailbox. Just in time LOL. Without fully understanding what it was all about, I forwarded the email for her approval. Luckily, I got the support from her and her boss on the same day I requested for approval, so I didn’t waste time in signing up the whole team before they change their minds hehe.

Some details from the site:

Date: March 19, 2013

Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM (dinner included)

Where: Clermont Function Room (to be confirmed), Discovery Suites, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Cost: P500.00 for PMI Philippines chapter members and P1,200.00 for non-members or whose membership has expired

About the Topic:

Elevate your Executive Pitch!

As project managers, chances are there will be times when you need to communicate with a senior executive about some aspect of your work. Media can vary and it could be a presentation to a group of leaders or a one-on-one meeting. In these types of situations, how do you get executives to listen to you? To improve your chance of success, you need to: have a good understanding of what's different about communicating with executives and equally as important is to adapt your communications to take those differences into account.

This session will discuss the following topics:

1. What is Executive Communications all about
2. Understand what's different about communicating with executives
3. Leading off with an Executive
4. Relationship to Benefits/Priorities the executive cares about
5. Agenda: Why, Who, What, How, Execute
6. Adding Value to Very Important Top Officer VITO's day
7. Managing Other Players in the Drama
8. Content fit with "Why for Who"

I have attended a session last year, also sponsored by PMI and I find it interesting and helpful. I hope I will learn a lot from this session as well.

Until then, I'm off to hibernate in the islands for the rest of the week :).

Two to Three Slides Only Please

Last week, we were asked by one of the directors to prepare options on how to move forward with our current project given some assumptions. The team provided an Excel file format, complete with all the details and important notes and all. After that, we had to meet with the director for review. It was ok, except that, his next requirement was for us to prepare an executive summary that will be presented to the executives (in our organization, these are the people directly reporting to the CEO). Not a jargon to me since I’ve heard it before from my boss and I even helped her prepare one (in Word doc format, around 10-15 pages). But the director’s different so I had to make sure and so I asked what his idea is of an executive summary. His answer? A presentation deck with 2-3 slides that contains all the essentials. Ok, in short, we need to summarize the contents of our Excel file in 2-3 Powerpoint presentation slides. Whew. So ok, we tried and so the gist went to the first 3 slides. The added slides are short explanations of the 3 main slides. Hooray to us! Hehe.

It was a challenging activity but this somehow gave me a glimpse of how it is to work with executives. They are not into the nitty-gritty details most of the time. In one glance (in this case, 1 slide of our presentation deck), they should be able to understand what we want to tell them.  And since all your ideas are in just a few slides, make sure you know the nitty-gritty details by heart so as not to faint during presentation LOL.

My next question…boss, who’s presenting? :D We’ll know that by next week perhaps.

MTM Program: The Examination

As mentioned in my previous post, I'm trying to apply for UP Diliman's Master in Technology (MTM) Program.

The qualifying exam was last February 24, 2013 from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM, still at the ASTI Bldg. Let me just say this---errrr, whatever happened to my measly Math skills?! It was the only exam type that I was not able to answer all hmp!  And I even spent some time to review some very elementary lessons. I even missed lunch since the review took longer than I thought. Oh well.

The exam is composed of the usual – abstract, logical reasoning, quantitative, reading comprehension and of course essay. All are with time limits. 

We were only asked to bring our permit (issued out when I submitted my application documents) and 1 or 2 #1 pencils. Err...I still don't know until now the difference between the numbers in those pencils hehe. Well, the proctor did not check if we were using #1 or #2 so I'm not sure if this is still strictly implemented. You might also want to bring your own sharpeners :p.

When I got to the examination room, 2 realizations:

1. I’m living a pampered (office) life. Nice workstation with own phone, swivel cushioned chair, own pedestal, very cold air-conditioning system which people sometimes complain about, tissue in the restroom, and the rest goes on.
2. Most of our government facilities are really not in tiptop shape. Sad but true. Monoblock chairs that make a screeching sound in the littlest movement, not so cold aircon, small classroom space…I fervently wish that one day, it will be better for my future children.

Anyway, I’m glad the exam’s over now.  It’s time to move on with other things that were put on hold while anticipating for this. I’m still crossing my fingers for at least average results though. Ooopps, forgot to ask the release of the results so need to check on that hehe. Gosh, I hope they would break the news to me gently LOL!

Note to self: Learn how to commute going to ASTI Bldg. Mahal magtaxi.

MTM Program: The Application

In January, I was surprised when my boss informed me that she has a budget for study assistance allotted for me.  Suddenly, I was in a situation where I had to decide quickly if I want to pursue the Master in Technology Management (MTM) Program of UP Diliman or not, since I know that applications start as early as December and that there are several requirements I need to provide coming from different offices. But while thinking over it, I already started securing the requirements.

First to check was how to get the documents from my undergraduate university. It would be my first time so I don’t know how hard or easy to request for the documents. I made that as my first sign-that if I get the documents from school without any problems, then it is a go. And so thanks to the Internet, I was able to get from St. Louis University’s website the contact details of the Registrar’s Office. A week after I made my very first inquiry, my requested documents were delivered to my friend’s home.

The rest of the documents were easier to produce since it’s coming from HR. Just to make sure, I called up Technology Management Center (TMC) to: 

• Validate the requirements listed in their site. Birth Certificate from NSO was not included in the site
• Inquire about who can fill out the recommendation form. As per the site, this can be the immediate supervisor or a former professor. I’m having second thoughts about requesting from a professor since I left university ages ago and of course my former professors have no idea of my life after college LOL. Good thing they allow previous immediate supervisors so that made it easier for me.

Here’s a complete list of what I submitted:

1. Application form (called TMC-GC Form 1, downloaded from their website)
2. Two recommendation forms (called TMC-GC Form 2, downloaded from their website). This should be placed in a sealed envelope, with the respondent’s signature in the envelope flap.
3. Birth Certificate from National Statistics Office (NSO)
4. Original transcript of records of all degrees
5. Certificate of Graduation (or applicants may also submit certified true copies of their diploma/s)
6. Certificate of Employment printed in a paper with the company letterhead and signed by the immediate supervisor.
7. Duties and responsibilities printed in a paper with the company letterhead and signed by the immediate supervisor. For this and #5, our HR prepared it for me and they combined it in 1 standard document. I just requested them to provision for a space for my immediate supervisor’s signature.
8. Two ID pictures (2x2) attached to the application form. In my case, I only attached one. The other one, I just handed it to them when I submitted my documents. They later on attached that in my exam permit.
9. Four 1x1 ID pictures. I failed to see this in the form so I did not have any upon submission. Good thing they allowed me to submit during the exam. And good thing, the studio where I had my picture taken few weeks prior keep their copies up to 6 moths so I was able to request for a reprint. Let me just say that it’s expensive to have ID pictures nowadays LOL!

After completing the requirements, I just went to their office located at ASTI Bldg. in C.P. Garcia to submit. I paid a total of Php750.00, breakdown of which are as follows:

1. Php50.00 - Application fee for Filipinos ($50.00 for foreigners)
2. Php250.00 - Processing fee
3. Php450.00 - Entrance examination fee

I did that on the last day of submission last February 22, 2013. Buzzer beater as always LOL. I don’t know what happened to my timeline hehe.

Anyway, you can read further about the program in TMC's website. As per checking, they are now entertaining second batch of applicants. Deadline of application is March 22, 2013 and exam is on March 24, 2013.

How to Request for NSO Birth Certificate Online

Last January, I needed to have a copy of my birth certificate that’s issued by National Statistics Office (NSO). Good thing that requests such as this can now be done online in few easy steps! Several options are available like filing out of online form, via chat, or calling a hotline. NSO’s website comprehensively describes each option.

As for me, I decided to just call the hotline because it’s my first time and I may have some verification along the way. 

So, here goes (as per personal experience):

Step 1: Call the hotline. Now, it’s (02)-737-1111

An agent will get all the details needed to be able to process your request. It is advisable that you know the pertinent details, which pretty much are also found in your birth certificate so you may want to have even just a photocopy of your birth certificate while on the call. After that, the agent will provide you with a reference number. Do not lose this number since you’ll need it later.

Aside from your birth details, you will also be asked for your mailing address. If you’re like me who have problems with no one to receive it at home, you may opt to have it picked up in a branch nearest you. As per time of request, they deliver via Air 21. The agent was kind enough to find the branch most convenient for me.

Lastly, the agent will advise you of the total amount you should pay. Again, as per time of request, I was charged Php350.00, with a delivery address in Metro Manila.

Step 2: Make Payment

Again, there are different options for this such as credit card, Bayad Center, Bancnet ATM, etc. Choose which is most convenient for you. As for me, I just paid using my credit card via this site. Just enter the reference number given to you in Step 1, and follow the succeeding instructions.

Step 3: Wait for the Delivery

You will receive several text messages on the status of your request. So just sit back and relax. In my case, I requested on a Monday and I was able to pick up my document on a Wednesday.

And you’re done.

Easy, quick, convenient but it may be more expensive. I believe charge is cheaper if you personally go to NSO. However, you would have to commute so additional budget on fare, and since NSO is far from your place of residence, you may get hungry and would buy food, plus this, plus that…you get the drift? Hehe.

I just have a concern which I still don’t know the answer until now (haven’t had time to research). I think the copy that NSO has of my birth certificate is so old that the clearest scanned copy is not really clear. There are some data that are not even readable anymore. Can they release another official copy with much clearer details? I hope so.

How to Request for Credentials in St. Louis University

I needed some documents from St. Louis University (SLU) but going there personally to file my request was not an option. After a quick search in SLU’s website, I found this and just followed the instructions. Below are the steps I did.

Step 1: Send email to sluregis@slu.edu.ph

My email (sent January 5, 2013)

To whom it may concern:

This is to request for the following credentials without picture:

1. Original Transcript of Records

2. Certificate of Graduation

Student details:

* Student Name: >>my complete name, with middle name<<

* SLU ID Number: >>my student number, which I know by heart until now :)<<

* Course: BS Computer Science

* Year Graduated: 2000

May I request for the said credentials to be mailed at: 

>>I used a friend's address because someone is always at her place to receive my documents<<

Is there a possibility that this be mailed via LBC or Air21?

Are there other payment options aside from check/money order?

Can I just deposit it in a bank? If yes, may I know the account number?

Or can someone in Baguio pay it for me? If yes, what does he/she need to provide?

Hope to hear from you soon for the next steps.

Thanks!

Their reply (sent January 7, 2013)

Dear >>me<<:

       Greetings of Peace!          

     

        Thank you for your e-mail addressed to the Registrar and forwarded to me, requesting this office to furnish you with a copy of your Official Transcript of Records.

    

        In this regard, please be informed that it is a standing policy of the University not to release any school credential unless all financial obligations have been settled with the Accounting Office.  As such, may we then request you to remit the following charges to defray the expenses incurred in processing your request which will take 15 working days upon receipt and payment of fees.  

   

            Official Transcript of Records…................................PHP128.00

            Documentary stamp.................................................PHP 15.00

            Certificate of Graduation........................................PHP  45.00 

            Mailing fee (via LBC)..............................................PHP  95.00   

                                                                                                                     ----------------

                     TOTAL CHARGES..........................................PHP 283.00

                                                                                                                    ==========

       You can advise somebody to come visit the office and settle, in your behalf, the financial obligation so we can start processing your request.           

                                           

       Should you have more queries, please feel free to get in touch with us.

       All the best for the year 2013!

Note: Fees vary depending on your request. They will provide you with that in their reply. For estimated cost, there are rates published in their site.

I sent them another email informing them that it will be my sister who will process on my behalf.

Step 2: Request my sister to process my request

The following day, my sister was available to process my request. She just needed to go to the Registrar’s Office to pay the fees. For hassle free transaction, I asked her to print the email exchange I had with the office, tell the guard about her business, look for the person who replied in my email and state her business LOL. True enough, after just a few minutes, she was done. They just advised her that processing will take at least 15 working days and they will just send my documents to the address I provided them.

Step 3: Take note of the expected delivery of your document so you can make a follow up should it be delayed.

I was expecting my documents to arrive at least on the last week of January but lucky me, it arrived just a week after my sister went to their office. Based from experience, these delivery services usually require someone to receive whatever package they deliver. Since no one is available to receive it where I live, I opted to ask the favor from my friend. I did not ask though if it is an option to pick up such package in any branch nearest you. I’m not sure if SLU allows it. Another company doesn't, due to the type of document (again, based from personal experience).

Hope this helps. Easy, isn't it? :)

MTM Program: State Your Purpose!

“Write or type a clear and concise essay of not more than 300 words stating your purpose in applying to the Master of Technology Management Program and your plans for graduate study. If admitted, include your specific areas of interest, and assessment of your academic, mental, and emotional preparedness for graduate study, and your future prospects.”

After reading this for the first time, I just stared at it because my mind went blank LOL. I don’t know how to answer it. Should the answer be technical in nature? Are semi-flowery words accepted? Will I exceed the 300 words or will I just have one-liners? I don’t know. After several attempts at starting and deleting and staring my essay all over again, I've come up with this:

The purpose of my application to the MTM program is to have a formal means of gaining a broader understanding of the appropriate and efficient management of technology that is beneficial to both the company and the community. It is my hope that through this study, I would be able to make accurate decisions, devise strategies that are suitable for each technological challenge, and formulate programs that take advantage of technology but without compromising other areas as well.

Specifically, I am interested in topics where it tackles strategies for technology planning, financial aspect of technology management, how to maximize technology in entrepreneurship, legal issues in technology, and to have an understanding of the different components of technology and how to manage these individual components and the whole system as a whole.

Even though this is one of my goals early on, I didn't rush to pursue higher studies right away. I first had to ensure that I am not in a crossroad in my career. I had to be sure that my purpose is not to just have a master's degree but to have one that will help me become better in my chosen field. With these, and with the way I handled my undergraduate studies, I believe I am ready to pursue graduate studies.

So there you go. I tried to write from the heart and not just from what I think will impress the screening committee. I hope this will help convince them even just a bit LOL!

10th Year!

Feb. 10:

And just like that, my 10^th year with my current company has started. That fast? I feel old…sometimes LOL! Anyway, thank you dear Lord for the gift of this job. It's not always smooth sailing but the bumps are not something that will kill me :p. Cheers for the next 10 years? I honestly don't know. Let's see where my road will take me. For now, I am excited to receive my token of appreciation which they (company) normally give hahaha! 

On Lent:

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent. Keywords for this season: PRAYER, FASTING, ALMSGIVING.

Lupa at Future BF

Random text-versation about lot tripping and future bf and standards hahaha!

"At syempre iba naman ang lupa sa future bf hahaha. Ang bf, minamahal ang buong pgkatao. Ang lupa nagmamahal ang presyo habang tumatagal char! Hahahaha"

Happy weekend!

#walalang #boredsabus #dimakatulogsabyahe

Personal Finance: My FAMI Experience

Hi everyone. I just wanted to share my First Metro Asset Management, Inc. (FAMI) experience.

I sent my initial investment last Jan. 11 via one of the Metrobank branches. On Jan. 14, I emailed pictures of the documents I sent them (emailed twice,  both they did not reply to acknowledge but I was not worried :)) On the week of Jan. 14-18, I made a follow up twice via call but did not get to speak to the one receiving the documents nor anyone in charge of processing the placements.

Made another call last Jan. 22 and luckily this time, I was able to talk to the right person :). I was informed that my investment was processed on Jan. 16 and that my Confirmation Receipt (COR) was picked up by Air21 last Jan. 21 :).  I was happy to learn upon checking that NAVPS were lower last Jan. 16 as compared to Jan. 11 when I submitted my docs.

On Jan. 23, my friend informed me that a package for me was delivered to her place. I used my friend's address as my mailing address since I don't have anyone to receive it in my apartment ( I live alone and my neighbours are also renters, no landlady/landlord who can receive it for me) and based from my readings in this forum, looks like the common problems are lost CORs. At least in my friend's place, she's usually at home. I also inquired if I can just pick it up from any Air21 branch closest to me but the guy said that's not an option.

Things I did before my initial investment:

• Read and re-read the Mutual Funds (MF) threads here (I really went back to the old threads, which I have also read 2 or 3 years back :))
• Read some blogs about MF
• I know that I am an aggressive investor simply because my goal for my FAMI investment is long term. But just for the heck of it, I reassessed my investor profile based on BDO's questionnaire for their UITF investments (got it from their website). FAMI's form also has a questionnaire but the grading is not available though
• Browsed through the FAMI site mainly to check on how to invest with them. Honestly, until now, I haven't yet read the Save & Learn Equity Fund (SALEF) prospectus and that's Step 1 of their procedures hihihi. Still in my to-do list :)
• This is out of my budget but since I really wanted to kick off my FAMI journey, I set aside part of my 13th month to fund this and the amount required to open a Metrobank account, which brings me to...
• I opened a Metrobank account so that future top ups will be online (just because I'm a sucker for online transactions as long as I know it is secured hehehe). I'm not sure yet what to send to FAMI if I top up online. I'll share with you after my actual experience :)
• I took my time in filling up the forms (Account Opening Form (AOF), Investment Application Form (IAF), and Signature Cards). I think it took me 3 days before I was at ease with all the information I placed in the forms. I even Googled all terms I did not understand and there were a lot of them because Finance is not my field. Thank you Google hihihi.

My inital investment was just the minimum of Php5K for SALEF. Based on my COR, I was deducted Php100.00 for Sales Load.

Was it hard or complicated? Not really. I just followed the FOUR steps in FAMI's website (there's a mistake in the step numbers so you'll see until Step 5 :D). I did not have an agent but it actually crossed my mind to have one at first. I also did not call FAMI beforehand to inquire because the information I got from the forum and blogs were more than enough for me to go with it. However, this does not work for everyone. As a general rule, it is still best that you do what would make you comfortable before diving into this. But don't wait or delay too long (like what I did) because as Financial advisers would always say---the time to invest is NOW. :)

May I just note (based from experience) that looks like most bank tellers are not familiar with these so you must research well before talking to them because do expect that you'll be the one giving them instructions on simple things such as pouching your documents to FAMI :D.

Happy investing!