When Ed Lapiz talks about money, he doesn’t mince words.
“I got into talking a lot about money matter because I saw a lot of people in the church and outside who were never really ready to face their financial needs in later life,” he told Financial Adviser PH. “Very especially those who are in the ministry. This issue of living by faith could very easily turn into throwing your caution in the wind and just being actually fate-ful.”
For Lapiz, faith without planning is a recipe for regret. “I have seen so many people who had very, very sad last quarters of their lives because they were not ready,” he said.
Why “live by faith” isn’t enough
Lapiz doesn’t dismiss faith—but he pushes back against using it as an excuse to avoid responsibility.
“I knew that it shouldn’t be God’s will for people to just let things happen as they happen,” he explained. “Because we are all given faculties to engineer mostly our journey.”
That perspective came from years of ministry. Lapiz watched fellow pastors and church workers dedicate their lives to service, only to struggle financially in their later years. For him, ignoring retirement planning isn’t a sign of spirituality—it’s negligence.
“You have to plan,” he said. “You have to prepare.”
Small contributions, big results
One of Lapiz’s practical solutions was something he called Club 50. Members gave a small but steady amount—either $50 or 50 riyals a month—and pooled the money.
“We began pulling funds,” he said. “We called it Club 50. I think you’d give $50 or 50 riyals every month, get Club 50. You commit to that. And the money is there. They see it’s growing.”
The lesson? Retirement readiness doesn’t require a windfall—it requires consistency. A disciplined habit, even in small amounts, creates a cushion for the future.
Why he chose real estate over banks
Lapiz also taught his members that where you put your money matters. For him, parking savings in the bank wasn’t enough.
“I said, why don’t we buy a piece of house and lot in Manila and park our money there?” he recalled. “Because if it’s in the bank, it grows what—0.5% a year. Real estate, we won’t park our money in the bank because the bank will make money from it, not us. Let’s buy a little house and lot and after two or three years sell it. And then the money would have increased by then.”
For Lapiz, this wasn’t about speculation—it was about making smarter, long-term choices. “We’ll buy a bigger lot because we will also be saving alongside,” he said.
Why this matters for every Filipino
Lapiz may have started by teaching pastors and church workers, but his message applies to anyone who dreams of a secure retirement.
“You have to plan,” he repeated. “You cannot just throw caution to the wind and call it faith. That is not faith. That is irresponsibility.”
The reality is that many Filipinos delay saving, hoping things will “work out” later. But as Lapiz’s words remind us, waiting too long can lead to painful consequences.
“I have seen too many people with very, very sad last quarters of their lives because they were not ready,” he said. “It should not be that way.”
The takeaway
Faith is important—but so is foresight. By starting small, pooling resources, and investing wisely, Lapiz shows that preparing for retirement is more than financial planning. It’s a way to live responsibly, honor God, and protect your family.
