The Relentless Rizaly: From SM Foundation Scholar to SM Prime Accounting Manager

The Relentless Rizaly: From SM Foundation Scholar to SM Prime Accounting Manager

Monday, July 18, 2022

Twenty years ago, high school student Rizaly Lim and her four siblings would watch in awe every time they pass by the construction of the first SM City in her hometown Sta. Rosa, Laguna. All five children, packed in the tricycle their father rides for a living, were all excitedly looking forward to happy family weekends they would be spending at the huge mall.

Today, after graduating Summa Cum Laude through a scholarship from SM Foundation, Rizaly is now a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) working as Accounting Manager for the head office of SM Prime Holdings, a leading property developer in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

From SM Foundation scholar to SM Prime accounting manager

At a young age, Rizaly was headstrong about getting her family out of poverty. She shares, “My father was the only one who worked for our family, and because we were a large family, his daily earnings as a tricycle driver were never enough.”

Rizaly finished high school at the Balibago National High School as class valedictorian in 2005 and was already sending applications for other college scholarships when her teacher asked the top 10 students to go to SM City Sta. Rosa for an interview with SM Foundation.

“Sa umpisa, hindi po ako naniwala kasi bago pa lang sa amin noon ang SM City Sta. Rosa,” she recalls. She proceeded of course, driven by the one goal of finishing college and helping her family. “Gusto ko rin po makapag-aral at makapagtapos noon. Maka-work at makatulong sa family.”

A few exams and interviews later, SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI) went to visit her and her family at home to inform them that she will be receiving a full scholarship with monthly allowance until she finishes her course.

In 2010, Rizaly graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy. She went on to pass the Philippine CPA Board Exams on first try in October 2010. The assistance of SMFI, she said, went beyond tuition and allowances. “With full scholarship grants and monthly allowances, as well as the opportunity to work at SM Store during our summer and Christmas vacations, the SMFI scholarship has enabled me to help my family financially.”

“I am the master of my fate”

While other parents were buying their college kids the latest Nokia phone back in the summers of 2000’s, Rizaly’s father gave her and her siblings weekly assignments to accomplish during the summer vacation. “Our late father instilled in us the love of reading and the value of studying,” she shared. “During summer, he would assign us English words and their meanings to memorize and asked us to recite these to him.“

Then there's the memorization of motivational poems and speeches, one of which stuck with her for life: “It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” She shared that this last stanza of “Invictus” by W.E. Henley had kept her motivated to look past the limitations of her circumstances and focus on her personal goals.

Career at SM

SM Foundation was established in 1983 by Henry Sy, Sr. and Felicidad T. Sy as the heart of the SM group. It has established programs that are focused on nurturing and caring for underserved communities where SM is present. It supports and empowers host communities through education, healthcare, shelter, disaster response, sustainable agriculture, and care for persons with special needs.

To date, SM Foundation has assisted more than 8,000 college and technical/vocational students, and has donated over 100 school buildings with a total of 334 classrooms built across the country.

Nurturing the graduates extends beyond the classroom as SM Foundation also provides job opportunities across the different companies of the SM group. The foundation organizes a Career Fair specifically designed for its scholars.

From the Career Fair organized by SM Foundation, Rizaly was able to get job offers from three companies – among which was SM Prime Holdings, one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia that offers innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities with the development of malls, residences, offices, hotels and convention centers. It is also the largest, in terms of asset, in the Philippines.

I still want to level up

“I haven't accomplished much yet, but I value what I have already accomplished and received so far,” said Rizaly, referring to the highest honors she has received in high school and college, becoming a CPA, and being promoted to manager in within only a few years of her work at SM Prime. “These are just a few of the accomplishments for which I will be eternally grateful. I'm also proud of my daily achievements at work, such as fulfilling particular duties assigned to me. They make me happy and proud of myself, and they inspire me to do better.”

“Ang mga dating pinapangarap ko lang, nagagawa ko na ngayon,” Rizaly said as she related how she has been able to travel to Taiwan for vacation and do the tri-city tour of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. But her biggest dreams, she said, remain centered on her family: to provide better for her family by sharing with them what she has now. “Nothing is simple. Nothing is easy. Hindi ko naman to straight line lang na na-achieve. Life is full of challenges. Just stay strong, keep the faith and always give your best effort.”

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Super Dads share how Fatherhood has Transformed their Careers

Super Dads share how Fatherhood has Transformed their Careers

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Fathers provide, protect, and persevere at home and at work. In celebration of Father’s Day, three fathers from Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, share how fatherhood has allowed them to become better versions of themselves, including at the workplace.

Martin: Evolving as a Leader and as a Father

Shopee Philippines Director Martin Yu has been leading teams to help businesses shift online through Shopee since 2017 and has seen the platform grow. As a father of two young boys, Martin has observed a common aspect between being a father and a leader that he now applies every day: the need to evolve. “When Shopee started in the Philippines, I had to be more of a coach, but as we grew and built up a larger team, I had to adjust my leadership style. I tried to foster a culture where my team is encouraged to speak up and contribute their ideas and initiatives. Now, my role is to ensure these align with our bigger business objectives.”

As a Father, Martin is mindful of how fast his sons are growing up and how he needs to similarly adapt his parenting style to keep up with their changing needs. “I encourage my children to try new things and try to be their buddy. I talk to my sons like we are friends now because they are developing their interests, and I want to encourage them to discover who they want to be in this fast-changing world. Looking ahead, I know I must adapt even more as they become teenagers and young adults.”

Martin’s ultimate hope is that his work will inspire his kids to pursue impactful careers. “My sons are still young, but I think it’s never too early to teach them the value of meaningful work that significantly impacts society and empowers them to pursue a career path that offers that opportunity.”

Michael: Building more Meaningful Relationships

Before coming to work for Shopee Xpress as a partner rider two years ago, Michael worked as an overseas Filipino worker in Taiwan, just like his father. Growing up, he found it difficult to form a solid connection with his father since their relationship mainly consisted of online video calls. When Michael became a father four years ago, he knew he wanted to be a more present figure in his daughter’s life.

As a Shopee Xpress partner rider, not only is Michael able to provide for his family’s needs, but he can also play a more active role in the lives of his two children, aged two and four. “Bago nagsimula ang pandemya, balak ko talaga bumalik sa Taiwan para masuportahan ko ang aking pamilya. Nagpapasalamat ako nang lubos na nakakauwi ako sa aking mga anak araw-araw dahil sa aking trabaho bilang Shopee Xpress rider. Dahil dito, mas nagkakaroon ng meaning ang aking buhay at trabaho.” (Before the pandemic, I planned to return to Taiwan to continue providing for my family. I am grateful that my job as a Shopee Xpress partner rider allows me to come home to my children everyday. Being able to play an active role in their lives has given my life and my job more meaning and purpose.)

One of the things Michael is most proud of in life, is being a present father in the lives of his children. “Ang pinakamalaking inspirasyon ko sa buhay ay ang aking mga anak. Ipinagmamalaki ko na natutupad ko ang aking tungkulin bilang tatay sa kanilang buhay.” (My children are my biggest inspiration in life. It is very meaningful for me that I now get to fulfill my role as a father in a better way.)

Mark: Giving His Best as a Father and a Seller

Since becoming a father, Mark has learned what it truly means to work hard and persevere. He nearly lost his daughter nine years ago to biliary atresia, a rare condition that affected her liver and required her to undergo an expensive procedure abroad. By selling customized pillows on Shopee’s platform, Mark has been able to provide for his family’s needs, including his daughter’s regular medication.

As a father and a seller, Mark said, “Nine years ago, I fought to become a father, and I continue to fight for my family every day. When I started my online business, I struggled to get orders, but I persevered and gave my all for them. Selling through Shopee has allowed my family to reach many milestones like building a home and a warehouse. Everything I do, whether as a father or a business owner, is driven by my love for my wife and daughters. Till today, I continue to give my best every day, not just for my family, but also for my customers.”

By embracing their roles as fathers, Martin, Michael, and Mark have come to understand better how to serve their customers and their teams in their respective roles as employees of Shopee and partners of Shopee Xpress. Their meaningful careers have enabled them to make a difference in the lives of others – both at home and in the workplace.

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Shopee interns speak up what it's like being with Shopee

Shopee interns speak up what it's like being with Shopee

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

As the e-commerce industry continues to grow, so does the need for tech talent that can help support the industry’s growth. Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, recognizes this need and aims to help develop young professionals to produce future industry leaders through its internship program.

Shopee’s internship program is a 3 to 5 month program that introduces eligible undergraduates to the e-commerce industry and immerses them into the fast-paced sector. Shopee interns are provided with opportunities to get firsthand experience working on nation-wide projects and campaigns, as they collaborate with their teammates and supervisors. Shopee also provides resources and training for interns to grow and learn during this period. This includes weekly Learning & Organizational Development classes, opportunities to shadow their supervisors, and integration in employee engagement events.

Karen Perez, Shopee Philippines Head of People, said “Shopee will continue to cultivate talent with its vibrant and collaborative working environment. Life at Shopee is about making sure that everyone has the best opportunities presented to them, and that they learn and upskill themselves with real-world training.”

Three Shopee interns shared what being an intern for Shopee is like.

A unique internship program

Alli, an intern under Shopee’s marketing team, shared that one of the defining characteristics of a Shopee internship is how interns are given the opportunity to directly contribute to the content produced by the team. “At Shopee, we’re trusted as if we are full time employees. My supervisors give me opportunities to take on big tasks. It truly is a unique experience in that we are given hands-on work where you’re really involved in the entire process—from brainstorming to the actual execution of the projects. You get to pitch your own ideas, make decisions, and maximize your own potential.”

A welcoming and collaborative culture

Mika, an intern working with the People team, really liked the culture at Shopee, where she and her fellow interns felt like they were part of the Shopee Family. “Even when I was still a new intern, I already felt as if I had been here for quite some time. It’s very easy to get along with everyone here, and to get my message across even during meetings, especially because Shopee’s team guides you every step of the way. Even if we’re just interns, we’re also empowered to speak our minds and contribute ideas.”

An engaging learning experience

Meanwhile Jewel, an intern for Shopee’s Marketing team, said that he was able to hone his skills through the opportunities Shopee provides. “I’m always given the chance to learn through the tasks that I’m given, and I'm able to do my best and overcome any challenges thanks to the guidance of my team. I’ve picked up new skills here—for example, I’m able to write better and manage my time well. My supervisors ensure I have all the tools and resources I need to do my best. They’ll teach you everything you need to know, and even then there’s still so much to learn from Shopee.”

Alli, Mika, and Jewel believe that talents who are interested in joining Shopee’s internship program can expect both personal and professional growth. “Being part of Shopee really allows you to believe in yourself and your capabilities, as you continuously grow and learn” Mika echoed.

For young Filipinos who are open to learning and want to develop their potential, working for Shopee might just be the key step to launching your career. Applications for Shopee’s 2022 Internship Program are currently open, and undergraduate students are welcome to apply here: https://shp.ee/rjqfnx5.

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