The making of an entrepreneur

How does one make a good and well-rounded entrepreneur? Maybe by pursuing a Business and Management degree and by studying in prestigious universities inside and outside the country. Experience may also count.

However, Fr. William F. Masterson S.J has his own unique way of forming a good, competent, and kind-hearted entrepreneur. With his passion for helping the rural communities and lifting them up from poverty, Fr. Bill has inspired a responsible man in the person of Mr. Robert “Bobby” Ansaldo.

 A look on “Bobby” Ansaldo

            Bobby, as what most people call him, is currently the president of Xavier Estates Home Owners Association. Despite the great responsibility he is carrying, he remained bubbly and charming, establishing rapport and becoming close to his colleagues and the residents of the subdivision in the process.

            He was a product of the College of Agriculture under the Animal Husbandry and Agricultural Economics program. After taking up Agriculture, he decided to pursue another degree in Business and Management at the Asian Institute in Managing (AIM).

The entrance of Fr. Bill

Blessed with a good job, a nice and comfortable home, and with a caring family and friends, Bobby also had his share of struggles and frustrations.

            After graduating high school, Bobby immediately decided to take Agriculture in college as it has always been his dream. His only problem was where to pursue the course. The choices ultimately narrowed down and became a battle between two prestigious universities: University of the Philippines in Los Baños and Xavier University. He chose the latter because of the influence of two people—his father and Fr. William Masterson S.J, the former dean of the College of Agriculture in XU.

            Fr. Bill, weak and bed-ridden, endorsed Xavier University to him. Bobby was convinced when he said, “You will enjoy taking up Agriculture in Xavier University. We do not have the kind of facilities that the UP Los Baños has but we will be able to give you the benefits of a Jesuit education that is going to give you a more rounded education than just a technician.” With those overwhelming words, he proceeded to take his degree in the university.

            His life had its share of ups and downs, but, his determination to attain his goals had been consistent. He took up a master's degree in Business and Management at the Asian Institute in Managing and was able to sustain his needs through student loans. He studied more because he did not only want to be labeled as merely an agriculturist but a “developmental agriculturist.”

The influence of Fr. Bill in his life

            Becoming an agent for development—that's the biggest contribution of Fr. Masterson in his life.

            Taking up Agriculture in Xavier University gave Bobby the passion to serve the rural communities. It also gave him a broader view of life.

Fr. Bill also influenced him greatly in business management. He became as passionate and as wise as the “Big Boy” in terms of rural development. He’s always in for business transactions that will benefit the farmers and the rural communities just like Fr. Masterson. In fact, Bobby is one of the people behind the “Café Ateneo”—a tambayan coffee shop—which is now established inside XU. The coffee will be mass produced by farmers in the highlands of Bukidnon and other places. His goal is to place more machines in the vicinity to produce more jobs for the farmers.

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Bobby’s love for the farmers is inspired by Fr. Masterson. With his motivation and overflowing passion in Agriculture and Business, he will definitely be more successful in the years to come. Fr. Bill has transformed him into a better and more rounded entrepreneur through his words and actions—from a plain “agriculturist” to a helpful and kind-hearted “developmental agriculturist”. Because of the “Big Boy”, Bobby had not only helped himself but many others as well.

A book review on The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

“Its Xavier days Jane, but you have to do your assignments.”

If you read the 4^th edition of The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White, you would notice the flaws in the sentence (though they are few). Crack open the book so you’ll know.

I can’t imagine how a very thin book can cost so much and contain a lot. One of its advantage is its size—it’s handy. Another is it’s short and concise. Everything you need to know in writing and grammar is compressed in over 100 flips. The book contains elementary rules of usage, elementary rules of composition, few matters of form, words and expressions commonly misused, and an approach to style. The first chapters are purely educational—serious but not tedious. The last chapter is entertaining.

Rule 17 in chapter II says, “Omit needless words.” This rule isn’t new but I always fail to follow it. This is the most famous rule in this volume. “Every word tells,” say Strunk and White. Their explanation has great impact that I want to quote every line, but I prefer not to because it will overload my article with quotations, and that’s bad writing. Strunk and White omitted needless words to come up with a slim volume.

In the 4^th chapter—words and expressions commonly misused—I was thankful that I didn’t skip a word. Flammable, for example, is one of the terms I often use, but swear not to because it’s wrong. It should be inflammable when you mean combustible. I also interchange words like fewer and less. The former refers to number while the latter to quantity.

The last chapter of the book was the best. It motivated me to keep writing and to write my style. “The act of composition, or creation, disciplines the mind; writing is one way to go about thinking, and the practice and habit of writing not only drain the mind but supply it, too.” It also taught me how to behave as a writer. “Remember, it is no sign of weakness or defeat that your manuscript ends up in need of major surgery.” The best writers have gone through this; there’s no need to feel shame.

I appreciate everything in the book including the glossary. It helped me a lot especially when I read the first four chapters. Learning would be difficult if I didn’t know grammar.

The Elements of Style is a book as slim as a straw; with knowledge as thick as a cake.