Angela Duckworth in her book Grit wrote that “as much as talent counts, effort counts twice.” Paul Adrian D. Luzon comes to mind when one comes across this quote. As one of the youngest fellows in the actuarial society, Paul represents how far innate talent could go, but more extraordinarily, how much further effort can take you.
Paul graduated as Valedictorian from Jose J. Leido Jr. Memorial National High School in 2008, the start of his trajectory in his pursuit of excellence. He then completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, Magna Cum Laude, from the Ateneo De Manila University in 2012 with Program Award for Mathematics and Departmental Research Award for Mathematics.
His actuarial journey began as an intern of the Risk Management Division at the United Coconut Planters Bank in 2011. After graduating in 2012, Paul joined Philam Life’s Product Actuarial Office. Paul then worked in Philam Life’s Financial Management Office and later joined the IFRS17 Actuarial Workstream where he is now currently the Assistant Actuary.
In a span of six years, Paul became a Fellow of the Actuarial Society of the Philippines, an Associate of the Society of Actuaries and a Fellow of the Life Management Institute. Throughout his actuarial career, it was common to hear people introduce Paul as “future chief actuary” to which Paul would reticently demur. With Paul, actions spoke louder such as when one sees him work tirelessly into the night to complete a report or when one sees him study for his exams, be it inside the office on a Saturday morning or at a coffee shop late at night. Paul has also been a source of light and support for his friends and family. That seems to be his brand, delivering results without much fanfare, making the lives of people around him better.
Paul’s career has shown the tremendous value of effort in his pursuit of excellence. He has equivalently put in effort in giving back, by participating in career talks for students at his alma mater and by serving in different committees of the actuarial society. On a lighter note, he has also been effortful as a yoga practitioner and as an outdoor adventurer by hiking, surfing and skydiving. With Paul, talent does count but effort definitely counts twice.
