Brian Cu, 22, went to Ateneo de Manila University to pursue Management Engineering after graduating among the top students of his batch at Xavier School. After his sophomore year, he transferred to NUS, and is now taking up Business Administration, majoring in Finance. He has constantly been on the Dean’s list, earning a perfect QPI most semesters, and was recently chosen to be part of the team that represented NUS at the Citigroup International Case Competition (CICC) in Hong Kong last month. An avid golf-player, Brian is currently the President of the NUS Golf Sub-Club.

Mike Abito, 22, graduated from Ateneo de Manila High School and likewise went to ADMU to pursue the challenging feat of a double-degree in Management Engineering and Economics Honors. He transferred to NUS on full scholarship after his sophomore year and is now taking up Economics Honors. While not dreaming of future plans at his dream school, the University of Chicago, Mike – a musician himself, plays the guitar for his own band in Singapore.

Those who know these two would probably want to bop their heads or commit some other less violent but equally satisfying act, for they make things look so easy. Good in sports? Check. High grades? Check. Girlfriend? Own band?Happy? Check, check, check. And so on. But they’re the first to admit that accomplishing what they have has required much effort on their part. They’ve spent sleepless nights studying at the benches outside the school library – even bringing their own pillows and mattresses at one point in an attempt to convert the study area into their very own bedroom. Their social life outside school has dwindled to the point of non-existence, but the journey to fulfilling their dreams has been well worth their efforts.

YS: How was the Citigroup International Case Competition experience?

Brian: Those five days in Hong Kong was the most eye-opening and enlightening experience I have had in years. The event was very well organized, kudos to Citigroup. In addition to the first class treatment, being given the opportunity to slug it out with other universities from all over the world is really something that will remain with me for years to come. I can still recall the rush I felt when I heard that our team made it to the final four. During the finals, presenting in front of a lecture theater full of international judges and faces I had never seen before gave me a sense of pride. And of course, the team I was sent with was simply great. We got along really well and this helps a lot when you are with the same people for 60 sleepless hours. 

YS: Philippines, Italy, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore – you’ve been to these places in the past year; which one’s your favorite?

Brian: It’s very difficult to say; all these places have their special merits. For instance if you want to explore history and art, there is no question that Italy is the place to go to. If you want shopping and really good food then it’s Hong Kong and Singapore. If you want to commune with nature, go to New Zealand. And of course, if you want no worries and a good home cooked meal, then it’s the Philippines! But overall, I’ll have to say that the Philippines is still my favorite. Each time I go back home, the air of familiarity that surrounds me after I leave the plane makes me realize how much I miss home.

YS: I heard you’re planning to go to the University of Pennsylvania next year – can you tell me more about this plan?

Brian: That’s right. I will be going under one of the many programs NUS offers. It is called the NUS Overseas College where they send a selected group of students to the University of Pennsylvania to be a full time intern and part time student. During this one-year program, I will be working for a start up company in Bio Valley while taking entrepreneurship-based courses in UPenn. The program aims to build the entrepreneurial skills of the participants. What attracts me to this program is that even though I have taken a couple of internships I feel that I have never really acquired any of the essential skills that would make me ready to face the world after Uni.

I remember the interview I had for the program where I was rambling about a business plan I came up with on the spot. Luckily, I was interviewed by one of my professors who gave me very constructive feedback. This changed the way I looked at things and made me realize that even though I do well in school, I am illiterate when it comes to starting my own business. Through some miracle, I got selected as one of the participants and I will be off next year to fill in that experience gap.    

YS: How does it feel to be one of the NUS Business School’s top students?

Brian: (Laughing) I guess I feel just about how anybody would feel when he gets to the top…STRESSED! The business school has a very competitive environment. In other words, being on top does not mean you can start to relax and slack off. Given the caliber of students here (and a grading system that makes sure only a handful get As), it is hard to get excel, and once you’ve made your way up you find that it is even harder to stay there. Although I am proud of what I have achieved, I see it only as something temporary. What is important to me are the lessons I have learned in the process. 

YS: Why the love for golf?
 
Brian: Golf started out as a family thing (all the men in my family play) that turned into my private frustration. (Laughing). I guess it’s the feeling of independence I get whenever I am out on the fairway. I find golf to be a very individualistic sport; if you play badly because of your own efforts, there is no one else to blame. But the flipside is if you do well you have only yourself to praise.   

YS: I heard you’re planning to take your PhD straight after graduation – is this true?

Mike: Actually, it depends if I’m admitted to my “dream school” (University of Chicago) immediately after getting my bachelor’s degree. If not, then second choice is to go to University of Cambridge or the London School of Economics (and Political Science) for Masters then try again for Chicago when I’m armed with published papers; but again, these plans are contingent on admission and getting a fellowship. Last resort is to stay in NUS for Masters or teach in the Ateneo for two years (to be eligible for World Bank scholarships or Fulbright fellowships), and then apply again to Chicago.

YS: Any plans of going back to Manila to teach?

Mike: Among other things, after weighing costs and benefits (e.g. earning a smaller salary in Ateneo compared to the stipend for research students in NUS vs. being and living with my family before I go off again for PhD), it seems that I’m more in favor of teaching in Ateneo for a year or two rather than my last resort of getting a Masters in NUS.

In terms of the long term, assuming all my grand educational plans go well, I want to spend at least 5 years teaching and doing research in prestigious universities in the U.S. and Europe. Even an academic career – in terms of getting published for example, must go through “office politics” first. After that, I want to go back to Ateneo to teach and encourage more bright students to pursue serious studies in Economics and not just consider it as a substitute for M.E. or Management. My dream is for the Ateneo Economics program and department to gain recognition as a globally competitive research and teaching institution.

YS: From an economist’s point of view, comment on the current state of Philippine society.

Mike: The more I see the situation in the Philippines, the more I agree with what neoclassical economists are fighting for (minimal government and a “market-friendly” environment). I guess due to our colonial history, we are terribly allergic to any developmental state (ala Singapore) kind of growth and development trajectory.

YS: If you were given the opportunity to change one thing about the Philippine system, what would you change?

Mike: In my honest opinion, no one or nothing can single-handedly change our current plight. Though admittedly some people in our government have done “wrong” things, I pity the government (especially our long line of presidents) for getting all the blame. I believe that the solution is not to be found on what the government can do. Too much governmental action, which translates to too much power, can be damaging in some sense. The more you expect our government to do things for you, the more you need to give it power and resources, and the more it is prone to commit such “errors”. So there: stop blaming the government and start doing something in your own way, however small it may seem!

YS: How do you manage to keep up such high grades? Any study tips?

Mike: Ironically, it’s to always help out your classmates. When you are able to teach the topic clearly, then I guess you’ve already understood it fully.

YS: What made you decide to transfer from Ateneo to NUS?

Brian: Words of wisdom given to me by the columnist! 

Mike: Singapore Scholarship (Singapore Cooperation Programme, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore)

YS: Highs? Lows? (of Singapore experience)

Brian: It’s funny how most of my memorable experiences since coming here to Singapore would be outside Singapore. One would be scoring a hole-in-one in Indonesia [golf tournament]; the other would be getting into the finals of CICC in Hong Kong. The most memorable moment in Singapore was when my girlfriend surprised me by visiting during my last birthday. I wouldn’t say that I’ve experienced any lows although I do get bouts of homesickness. Luckily, my brother is here to keep me company. 

Mike: Highs: The facilities are really great (e.g. JSTOR access not limited to computers inside the campus) and the place is really conducive for studying and research since there aren’t many distractions. Lows: There’s too much emphasis on grades; it’s very stressful and highly competitive.

YS: What advice would you give to students deciding on which college to go to?

Brian: There are a lot of good colleges in the Philippines. Students graduating from high school should look around for the college that best suits his/her lifestyle. If one is considering going abroad, he should do some research on the school. If possible, visit the campus and if you know any alumnus or current student in the University, don’t hesitate to ask for advice. 

Mike: If you take your education seriously, it doesn’t really matter where you study, especially for undergrad studies. The diploma and the name of the school are just for prestige though sadly, the name of the school is sometimes treated as an indication of the quality of the student when employers conduct assessments. So I guess you need to determine first whether you want to go to college for the name or for learning, then decide which school is best for you.

YS: What’s your social life in Singapore like?

Brian: Social life? I don’t think I have one. (Laughing)

Mike: I used to go clubbing with my friends but recently I became too tired of it. Besides, it’s so expensive to go out. We (Brian, Kheg from Laos) actually joke around and say that a typical day for us is to wake up, go to the library, eat lunch, go back to the library, eat dinner, go back to the library, then return to our respective hostels and sleep once the library closes. Here in Singapore, studying became synonymous with tambay since I actually look forward to going to HSSML (the business library) to study with my friends.

YS: Any girlfriends – okay, girlfriend?

Brian: Yes, and she’s just the most wonderful person in the world! Kits, if you’re reading this, I love you!

Mike: Nopes.

YS: Any regrets about decisions you’ve made in the past years?

Brian: I wouldn’t say I have any; if ever I did, I have probably forgotten about them already. 

Mike: What we are now is the sum of all our decisions in the past. I do not regret what I am now so I guess I don’t regret any decisions I’ve made before.

YS: Biggest dream?

Brian: Other than being a professional golfer (which has as much chance of happening as elephants growing wings) I would like to be able to do something good for my country. 

Mike: Get a PhD in Chicago, teach in the best universities in the world, then go back to the Philippines to teach.

YS: What are your top priorities in life right now?

Brian: GRADUATING! 

Mike: Family and education

YS: Choose one.

Entrepreneurship or Corporate?
Brian: I would like to go the corporate path for a couple of years after I graduate just to see what it’s like. But eventually I will definitely want my own business. 
Mike: Neither. I want to teach

Optimist or Realist?
Brian: I can’t really say…although I like to see things as they are, sometimes I still hope for the impossible.   
Mike: I want to be an optimist but I guess I’m a realist. Would this make me an optimist?

Love or Money?
Brian: Love. Essentially, when I collapse everything I’m doing at this moment, I will find love at the core. And love includes love for money right? Haha.
Mike: Balance of both but a slightly allowable excess of the former.

Philippines or Singapore?
Brian: You can take me out of the Philippines, but you will not be able to take the Philippines out of me. 
Mike: Definitely the Philippines

YS: Any personal heroes/idols?

Brian: My granddad! 

Mike: My dad and my late grandfather. Actually, most fathers in general.

YS: What are the main differences between studying in Manila and abroad?

Brian: The exposure you get when studying abroad is tremendous compared to Manila.  You get to meet a lot of people from all over the world and learn a lot from them.  Studying abroad forces you to extend your zone of comfort and gives you a broader perspective on the way you deal with the issues you face in life. 

Mike: Manila isn’t that conducive for studying and research. Everyday you have to deal with traffic and the fear of not getting home safely.

YS: What’s your greatest strength? Weakness?

Brian: My greatest strength is my ability to keep cheerful no matter what the circumstances are. I like to consider myself a generally happy person who does not let any problems affect my life…not too much at least. My weakness would be being caught up with ambition too much. I tend to forget to take a look around me and appreciate what I already have. 

Mike: I tend to excel in most of the stuff I do, though it might be because I tend to do the things that I excel in. In terms of weakness, I’m a bit fickle with things I think I like.

YS: What has life taught you in the past two years?

Brian: No matter how good you think you are, there will always be someone better.  This has taught me to work even harder and constantly push myself to the limits of my capabilities. 

Mike: That money or owning a Ferrari isn’t everything. What’s the use of being rich in a country where most of the people are poor? You’ll just breed envy instead of admiration.

YS: Amen. Final words?

Mike: Though I’ve already said a lot, please visit my website at http://www.geocities.com/mikeabito for a glimpse of the stuff I’ve been doing here in Singapore.