Ma’am Ines was my second professor in actuarial subjects in college after Mr. Bert Nieves. I found actuarial science tough initially. However, Ma’am Ines made the basic concepts in actuarial science a lot easier to understand by her teaching method. That first course I took under her made me firmly resolve that I will pursue the actuarial career and that I will be an actuary like her someday!
She would diligently follow the careers of her students even after college. She was very interested in our progress in the actuarial field. I do recall her providing me feedback when we would meet in the ASP gatherings. I even went to her house one morning to consult and discuss with her those snippets of feedback she provided to me.
She was a professor who went beyond what the university requires in caring for her students. As a student, I feel more like I had a second parent in her.
Henry Herrera
Even though we are of many different generations and have all kinds of jobs and career paths, it is certain that we all have one thing in common: our respect and admiration for an individual who has always been there for us and for our profession. That individual, of course, is Professor Ines Belleza. Like many of you, I’ve known Professor Belleza since I was in school. I will always remember the enthusiasm and passion she showed whenever she talked about the actuarial profession and this has stuck with me ever since.
I never had the chance to work with Professor Belleza after college but I’ve always carried with me the very important guidance she provided to me while in school and that has proven as priceless as any career advice you can get. As an actuary who has worked outside the Philippines, I am very thankful that my introduction to the world of actuaries included a very rewarding experience with Professor Belleza. I’m sure many of the Filipino actuaries working overseas will agree that, in addition to teaching us the technical aspects of the discipline, she also inspired us and convinced us that we can work and excel with the best of actuaries from all over the world.
Amado R. Montenegro
