Kyle Filomeno

Can you tell us a little more about yourself and your personal/professional journey so far?

I attended school, started my career and continue to work in Manila. My professional journey began when I joined a multinational bank as a graduate trainee and eventually discovered an endless fascination for banking. I've never looked back ever since.

Any fun facts about yourself you would be willing to share?

I didn't really have an idea what I wanted to do right after college so I was actually a traveling soap and cosmetics salesman at one point before my banking career. It was a very interesting stint that taught me just how important social dynamics are.

So, what made you decide to take on the EMFin programme at INSEAD, amongst the other programmes out there?

I looked at quite a number of programmes before applying, but in the end I chose and only applied to INSEAD because I knew there was a complete fit.

The school has a rich heritage, warm and deeply connected community, presence across multiple continents and world-class professors.

The EMFin programme amplifies the school's strengths by giving participants the opportunity to learn finance in a versatile modular format, interact with experienced professionals from other executive programs and think like an industry leader while having a strong anchor in Asia. I knew that the programme would give me the momentum I need to maximise my career.

You’ve completed module 1. Please share your thoughts on your classmates, the faculty and classroom experience?

I tried to prepare well and understand what the programme entailed significantly in advance, but my take is that you really have to experience it for yourself to truly understand INSEAD's calibre of education.

One alum said that it's like throwing everything out of the book, spinning it around and bringing it back with a fresh perspective. I cannot agree more.

Would you like to share any classroom experiences or anecdotes so far?

Professor Massimo Massa regularly asks a question about the clarity of your intuition after an intensive exchange of ideas in the classroom. I think this is reflective of the EMFin programme, which focuses on applying what you've learned in an actual business situation - transforming the experience into actionable results.

Any advice, application or admissions tips for someone thinking of joining the EMFin programme?

I learned two things relative to the admissions process. The first is to attend an event where you can listen to and interact with the EMFin community because it will help you understand your fit and that's very important. It doesn't even need to be a formal one. The second is to just take a shot and try.

What are your plans post-graduation?

I intend to stay close to the restructuring community while accelerating my career by fully leveraging the EMFin programme.

Any parting words of wisdom?

One thing that my experience with INSEAD has highlighted is that everyone brings something of value to the table. Join the community, be open to diversity and enjoy the experience.