Vergel R. Ylarde, AFP®, is a financial professional and Senior Marketing Director at International Marketing Group (IMG). His financial journey began at an early age through hard work and resourcefulness, selling balut and chicharon in bus terminals during elementary school and helping his grandmother sell vegetables and fruits in the market. These early experiences shaped his understanding of money, effort, and responsibility, while also inspiring his desire to learn how money can work for him.
Ylarde’s financial turning point came at age 35, when he realized that relying only on employment for the rest of his life was not enough. After attending a financial literacy webinar through IMG, he became more aware of the importance of retirement planning, long-term healthcare, investments, and preparing for the future. As a Senior Marketing Director and recipient of the Global Pillars of Mission Award in June 2026, he exemplifies a growth-oriented and mission-driven financial professional committed to helping others avoid financial disasters through education, planning, and disciplined action.
AFP® Certification Story
Early Money Lessons from Selling and Working Young
“My first memory of money as a kid is how to make extra money by selling balut and chicharon. During elementary school, I climbed up to buses in bus terminals.
I also sold vegetables and fruits in the market with my grandmother.”
Wishing He Learned How to Make Money Work Earlier
“I wish I had learned about how to make money work for me.”
Financial Turning Point Through Financial Literacy
“When I was 35 years old, my only plan was to make money through employment for the rest of my life.
Until I got invited to a Financial Literacy Webinar in IMG that taught me about financial planning.
I learned that we should have a plan for the future to avoid financial disasters.
I realized that I didn’t have a retirement plan for myself.
I’m a second-generation OFW because my father worked in KSA for more than two decades, and I have seen his financial journey, and it was a big disaster. He didn’t manage his income well, had no retirement plan, no long-term healthcare plan, and no investments.
I saw myself going the same path as his, so I got scared of the outcome of that future.
So I studied financial planning and am still a student of it.”
Transformation from Spender to Saver and Investor
“Before, I was a spender, but now I’m a saver and investor.”
Best Financial Advice on Preparing Before Crisis
“Noah didn’t build the ark when it was already raining.”
Budgeting to Avoid Overspending
“I have to budget everything to avoid overspending.”
Investment Lesson from a House and Lot Property
“I once bought a house and lot property as an investment without making background checks about the property. I learned that not all investment is a good investment.”
Balancing Risk and Reward Through Time Horizon
“When making financial decisions, I have to assess whether it’s for a short-term goal or long-term goal, then I can adjust the level of risk. For example, if it’s a short-term goal, I’ll put it in a low-risk investment portfolio, and if it’s a long-term goal, I’ll put it in a high-risk investment portfolio.”
Current Goal of Acquiring a Property Investment
“I am now working on a two-year goal to acquire a ₱20 million house and lot property investment.”
Motivation for Joining the AFP® Program
“I understand that as a student of financial education, being part of the Associate Financial Planner program makes it a lot easier for me to access the information I need to continually increase my financial knowledge.
My approach now to financial planning is to start small and grow big.”
Building Wealth According to His Desired Lifestyle
“Becoming an AFP gives me the advantage to build wealth according to the lifestyle I want for the rest of my life.”
Most Valuable Lesson from the AFP® Program
“I learned here in AFP that having financial knowledge is very important. The economy is changing, so I must learn to quickly adapt to this fast-changing world.”