Dr. Joanna De Manuel, RFP®, is an accomplished academic and finance professional whose expertise is anchored by her credential as a Registered Financial Planner, signifying deep, practical proficiency in holistic financial planning and wealth management. She is also an Accredited Financial Analyst (AFA), demonstrating advanced analytical capability in investment and portfolio strategy at an international standard.
Her career blends rigorous scholarship and industry leadership: she holds a Doctor of Business Administration, earning the Rector President Award for Best Dissertation Paper, and has over a decade of experience as a Graduate School Professorial Lecturer. She bridges theory and practice as Managing Partner of Alpha Minerva Training and Consultancy, Inc., and contributes to the Manila Times’ business section—combining certified financial expertise, academic excellence, and thought leadership to advance financial education and strategic business practice.
Impact of RFP® on investment and wealth-building
“Becoming an RFP® sharpened the way I evaluate investments and build wealth. Before the program, I relied on solid habits but they weren’t connected to a clear framework. RFP® gave me a disciplined structure for matching every financial goal with the right product, risk level, and timeline.
It pushed me to assess investments based on purpose, cash-flow impact, and long-term compounding of dividends received. That made my decisions more strategic—less about reacting, more about building forward. The result is a tighter process for selecting assets, allocating capital, and sustaining growth.
Before RFP®, trading felt like a roller coaster. I knew technical analysis, but the moment the market moved against me, emotions took over. I even shared the experience during the RFP® interview of how much I lost from emotional trades.
The program shifted that pattern. It pushed me toward disciplined structure and purposive investing, which helped me rebuild my approach and trade with clearer rules and a calmer mindset.
My spending habits also tightened. Understanding the difference between assets and liabilities made me more deliberate with every purchase. Since joining RFP®, I focus on spending that delivers value, supports future cash flow, or strengthens my long-term position.”
Most valuable lesson from RFP® and personal application
“The most valuable lesson I gained from the RFP® program is that every financial decision must have a clear purpose. That single principle reshaped how I manage my money. Instead of treating saving, investing, and budgeting as separate tasks- a list of “must-dos”, I now anchor every move to a defined objective—cash flow growth, capital appreciation, risk control, or long-term security.
I apply this by aligning each goal with the right vehicle: equities for growth, dividend stocks for cash flow, and structured plans for long-term targets. This keeps my strategy focused, intentional, and consistent.”
Recommendation of RFP® and how it shapes a financial journey
“Yes, I recommend the RFP® certification because it gives a structured way to manage goals, assess risk, and select the right financial tools. Many people rely on instincts or random tips; RFP® replaces that with a clear framework that aligns every decision with purpose.
One of the biggest gains is meeting people who think the same way—investors who value discipline, growth, and long-term wealth. Some became mentors, and the environment itself made it easier to stay focused and committed. It’s a community that genuinely pushes each other forward towards an abundant life.”