“Eat your
vegetables. Lay off the junk food.” 

These are the typical advice we get
from our moms and they really know best. Whether or not you heed the advice
at the dinner table when you were a kid and ignored it when away from
home is not the question. The question is: Do you take her
advice to heart now that you’re old enough to think for yourself? 

According to the World Health
Organization, 33% of deaths due to non-communicable diseases result
from cardiovascular ailments. And the risk of death due to
cardiovascular diseases is higher in lower-income countries
like the Philippines than in developed countries
like the United States. The DOH said 17.5 million Filipinos
die each year of a heart disease — now
one of the leading causes of death
in the country. 

Heart attacks and strokes are brought on
by blockage to the arteries,
restricting the flow of blood
to the heart or brain. These obstructions are often
because of fatty deposits that have accumulated
along the passageways where blood flows. 

And where do these fatty deposits come
from? Trans fats! Because trans fats
enhance the flavor of food, many food manufacturers and restaurants
use these synthetic fats
in the preparation of packaged goods and fast food such as
doughnuts, cookies, cakes, chips, fries, margarine, animal fat, and nondairy
coffee creamer. 

The DOH
recommends the following to beat heart problems early, especially
for individuals in their 30s and up: 

• Include
  more fruits and vegetables in your diet. Instead of cakes and sweets
  for dessert, try fresh fruit. If you need a snack, munch on fruits and nuts
  instead of salt-laden chips and sugary cookies. 
• Craving
  chocolate? Choose dark chocolate, which contains more flavonoids and
  antioxidants. 
• When
  doing the groceries, always read the nutritional labels and
  ingredients list on the packaging of food products to avoid
  trans fats, also called hydrogenated oils. 
• Instead of soft
  drinks, lattes, and milk teas, try buko (coconut) juice or other
  freshly squeezed fruit juices, or just plain water. 
• Home
  cooking is healthier than restaurant food. Avoid eating out too often,
  especially in fast foods where most menu items are fried or cooked in animal
  fat. When eating out, try to order more salads and fewer fried dishes. 

But wait! According to health experts, trans
fats can be burned as energy. And since it’s not always easy to resist
temptation, keeping yourself heart-healthy also involves conscious
lifestyle decisions like: 

• Cultivate
  an active lifestyle. Sedentary habits are the root of many
  health problems. If you work at a desk all day, try to stand up and move around
  every two hours. Buy a standing desk. Drink water. You can hydrate and get your
  blood flowing at the same time.
• Going
  on a date? Instead of a late-night movie or a sit-down
  meal of rich food, try a brisk early-morning couple’s jog or couple
  time at a gym. Go kite-flying at a park or on a walking tour to
  rediscover the sights in nearby cities. 
• Stop
  smoking. Smoking leads to the formation of plaque
  in the blood vessels that limit the flow of blood
  to vital organs such as the heart. Avoid places where people tend to
  smoke, such as bars. 
• Get
  enough sleep at night. Chronic lack of sleep and late nights can
  interfere with the body’s biological processes and lead to greater
  chances of heart disease. 
• Reduce
  stress in your life. Try not to take your work home. If you work from home, set
  a time for all work to stop and your home life-slash-relaxation to begin.
  Stress is not good for your heart. 
• Regular
  visit to your doctor. Don’t self-medicate and leave it up to medical
  professionals who have years of experience and expertise
  on matters of the heart.  

The important thing is to cultivate
healthy habits while still young. That’s why Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc.
(Sun Life Grepa), a major life insurance company
in the country, offers a new generation health
protection plan suited for young people who want to be well-covered
throughout their health journey — from prevention, diagnosis,
treatment, and all the way to recovery. 

The Sun Grepa Fit and Well plan
provides coverage until age 100 and cash benefits that will
help secure your finances should a covered critical
illness strike such as heart attack. It
also offers preventive wellness benefits such as access to premium
workouts and various wellness activities that encourage you stay fit
and healthy. 

Let Sun Life Grepa help you take care of your heart and
health. Your loved ones will appreciate you for it. To know more about Sun
Grepa Fit and Well health protection plans, contact a Sun Life Grepa advisor,
visit any Sun Life Grepa branch, or email: sunlifegrepa@sunlifegrepa.com.  

As we move up to the different phases in our lives, our definition of a brighter future becomes more concise and tangible. Whether it’s moving into your dream house, starting your own family, opening your business, or enjoying a comfortable retirement, life will always be better and brighter when you have the courage to begin and have the right partner who can guide you through the complexities of a financial journey. This is the inspiration behind Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc.’s (Sun Life Grepa) newest campaign. 

In line with its mission to help every Filipino achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives, Sun Life Grepa, one of the major insurers in the country, has recently rolled out its latest campaign entitled “Bright Beginnings”. It reinforces the value of starting a financial plan that can help clients control over their finances and give them a boost to secure a brighter future for themselves and their families.   

“Financial planning is an ongoing process to achieve our short and long-term goals. As we progress through life’s stages, our goals can shift. A person in their 20s will have a very different perspective of a brighter life than someone in their 60s,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim said. “No matter what stage you are in your life right now, reaching your goals is always possible when you start a financial plan. Like any solid relationship, Sun Life Grepa can be your partner who can guide you and celebrate with you throughout this journey.”  

Through its wide range of financial solutions, Sun Life Grepa can help clients meet their financial needs for every important stage in their lives – from protecting their income and ensuring continuity no matter what happens, saving up to make their dreams come true, coming home for good, growing in their profession, future-proofing their business, up to building and protecting estate for the next generations. Furthermore, Sun Life Grepa has over 1,000 financial advisors nationwide to guide clients on the many financial products available in the market. Sun Life Grepa financial advisors also offer free consultation and can help develop a personalized plan to take one through all of life’s stages and assist clients in making sound financial decisions which is key to achieving lifetime financial security.  

“We can never really predict what the future holds for us. But we believe that the best time to start is always today, and Sun Life Grepa is always here to provide clients with the right tools and support so they can look forward to a better, brighter future,” Lim added.   

Begin your financial journey today and celebrate it with Sun Life Grepa. Because a brighter future starts with bright beginnings. For more information, go to https://www.sunlifegrepa.com/bright-beginnings/, contact your Sun Life Grepa advisor, visit any Sun Life Grepa branch, or email sunlifegrepa@sunlifegrepa.com.    

Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), a major life insurance company in the country, was recently recognized by the 2022 International Finance Award (IFA) as the Best Insurance Provider for SME-Philippines for its tailor-made insurance and protection solutions for MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises). 

The annual IFA seeks to validate industry talent, leadership skills, industry net worth and capability on an international platform. After careful consideration of nominations, winners are declared on the strength of their application and past initiatives in the industry. 

“MSMEs are a key component of every economy,” Vice President for Group Marketing Operations Peter M. Miranda said. “However, life protection products suited to their specific demands often do not exist and it is true that MSME employees typically rely on these insurance products provided by their employers to ensure that if something were to happen to them, their families would have something to live on. Through Sun Life Grepa Healthcare, employers can avail of straightforward yet comprehensive and affordable packages for their employees – whether their businesses are just starting, growing or are already well-established.”

These packages were introduced to the public through Sun Life Grepa’s MSME MyBiz, a campaign aimed to help business owners promote financial security through a suite of insurance products that address the wellness, protection and medical recovery needs of employees. Among these products are Accident ProSafe, Smart Care Plus and HIPSTER, which are available for MSMEs with 5 to 200 employees.

“The IFA recognition gives added impetus to our mission of providing lifetime financial protection to our clients,” he continues. “Working to the best of our abilities, we intend to continue innovating our offerings according to what our clients need. In this way, we ensure that we remain a reliable partner for MSMEs in business and in life.”

This is the second award for Sun Life Grepa under its Healthcare division. Recently, Sun Life Grepa also won the MSME Insurance Initiative of the Year – Philippines at the Insurance Asia Awards 2022.

To know more about how Sun Life Grepa helps bolster MSMEs and their workforce’s bright future, go to any Sun Life Grepa branch, talk to a Sun Life Grepa advisor or visit Sun Life Grepa Healthcare’s Facebook page. 

Recent global index ranking showed the Philippines as having the second worst retirement income system among 44 economies. To address this, Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), a major life insurance company in the country, offers options and solutions to address Filipinos’ retirement woes.

The Mercer-CFA Institute’s Global Pension Index, which benchmarks global retirement income systems, recently listed the Philippines 43^rd out of 44 economies with the country receiving an overall grade of “D.” This grade indicates that the pension system has desirable features but also possesses major weaknesses that need to be addressed.

Coming from this index, Sun Life Grepa is providing options for sustainable retirement benefits. With the volatility of inflation and increasing cost of living especially when it comes to elderly care, it is important to prepare for a future that covers these concerns. After all, government pension may not be enough during retirement as one’s income decreases while expenses increase on bills, travel, home improvement and inevitably, medical or long-term care.

“We are aware of the struggles and challenges facing the Philippine landscape when it comes to retirement, insurance, and protection. That’s why Sun Life Grepa, along with YGC (Yuchengco Group of Companies), is offering solutions to future-proof the lives of many Filipinos. There are various ways to prepare for the golden age of retirement so Filipinos can live their sunset years more comfortably without worrying about the burden of expenses. Sun Life Grepa would like to be a part of a more financially literate and healthy Philippines and equip our kababayans with knowledge, products and services that could help plan and prepare for the years ahead,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim says.

Sun Life Grepa encourages Filipinos to secure the future by getting them covered and by seeking professional advice from a financial advisor. With Sun Life Grepa’s life insurance plans, you can prepare for your retirement needs. Here are some of the Sun Life Grepa products that are relevant to address your retirement needs:

Sun Grepa Power Builder 5 or Sun Grepa Power Builder 10 is a life insurance plan that provides protection up to age 88 and coverage that is at least double the policy’s Face Amount. As an investment-linked insurance, it also comes with suitable investment options to potentially grow the fund over the long-term. It allows partial withdrawals to help pay for expenses during retirement. It also has manageable premium payments with the option to pay for 5 and 10 years for Sun Grepa Power Builder 5 and Sun Grepa Power Builder 10, respectively.

Another one is Sun Grepa ProSecure Plus, where you can get life insurance coverage that is double the Face Amount from Day 1 up until the age of 100. It provides regular guaranteed cash benefits amounting to 8% of the policy’s Face Amount starting from the 6th policy anniversary, and every other year afterwards, as long as the insured is still alive, thereby providing that much-needed cashflow during one’s retirement. It may also earn non-guaranteed dividends that can be withdrawn, used to pay future premiums or additional coverage, or left with Sun Life Grepa to accumulate.

Make your golden years one of the most exciting and fulfilling times of your life. There is more to retirement than just sitting around and watching life go by. It is a time to live life to the fullest, pursuing interests and passions as well as maximizing things that matter in one’s life. You can prepare for a comfortable and experience-filled future with Sun Life Grepa.

For more information on insurance and investment products to start planning for the sunset years and for your legacy, call 88499633, visit any Sun Life Grepa branch, log on to www.sunlifegrepa.com or email wecare@sunlifegrepa.com

Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), a major life insurance company in the country, ends 2022 on a positive note, posting 25% increase in the number of affiliated medical providers and implementing transformations on digital platforms to strengthen its group members’ access to health insurance and medical providers nationwide.

Sun Life Grepa has now grown its affiliated partner hospitals and clinics to more than 1,300 across the country covering far-flung and rural areas to provide ease of access to serve the needs of clients. The company is expected to continue growing its current base of healthcare provider partners even further in the coming year to better service its clients.

Apart from its growing list of affiliated medical providers, Sun Life Grepa also intends to make its products and services more accessible in the digital landscape. With the launch of Sun Life Grepa Healthcare TeleConsult, Group Medical members may now consult with doctors in the comfort of their own homes. Sun Life Grepa also enhanced its online servicing (via Facebook Messenger and Facebook FAQ tab) to include semi-automated requests for LOA (Letter of Authorization) Issuance and Teleconsult. From its launch in 2022, it has served and addressed almost 2,000 customer inquiries and concerns online.

In addition to the Sun Life Grepa Healthcare TeleConsult, the company fortified its digital assets in 2022 and is set to implement enhancements to better serve the clients through the comprehensive Medical Provider Locator. It aims to provide real-time information on the HIP (Health Insurance Partner) partner hospitals, clinics and doctors nearest the Group Medical members.

“Digital transformation is one of our priorities as the market continues to pivot to digital. We need to be where the clients are so we can communicate with them and address their needs. Just as digital is essential to our day-to-day operations, so is customer care. It is our way of letting them know they can rely on us as we continue to apply enhancements and improve access to our digital channels,” Lim says. “Our work at Sun Life Grepa is in line with YGC’s (Yuchengco Group of Companies) vision to future-proof the lives of Filipinos by developing innovative products that would help ensure wellness when it comes to physical health or financial,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim states.

“All of these expansion efforts demonstrate Sun Life Grepa’s commitment to provide convenient and easy access to quality healthcare for the Filipinos. While it’s vital for us to develop life and health insurance products that are relevant and would provide security to our client base, it is equally important for us that we have partner providers that can be easily reached in key and strategic locations across the nation. After all, it is imperative that our member company clients can readily avail of their benefits and services from our affiliates. We understand how urgent medical emergencies and healthcare needs can be for employees of member companies,” he adds 

For inquiries about the Sun Life Grepa Healthcare programs and services, contact your Sun Life Grepa advisor, visit any Sun Life Grepa branch or email groupsales@sunlifegrepa.com. You may also direct your inquiries at the official Sun Life Grepa Healthcare Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SunLifeGrepaHealthcare.

The holiday season has just wrapped up, with 13^th month pay and holiday bonuses making things merrier for you, your family, and loved ones. But who says you can’t play Santa year-round? Here are seven smart strategies to make your hard-earned monetary benefits last for yourself and the ones you hold dear.

#1: Reward yourself and others.

Rewarding yourself is a good habit to build — a good motivation to keep going and feel proud of your accomplishments, both big and small. It benefits your mental health, raises dopamine levels in your brain to feel happy, increases memory retention, induces better sleep, and regulates your mood and appetite, to name a few. The same can be said of giving.

In wanting to share your blessings with others, you may explore the following:

• Book your loved ones a staycation or spa retreat.
• Treat your siblings or trusted help to a hearty meal.
• Offer the gift of education by sponsoring a child scholar.
• Donate to your favorite charity or to those affected by calamities and disasters.
• Get together with a few friends and organize a charity event, volunteering your time and talent in the process.

There’s no need to go big every time; every little effort counts, and it’s the spirit of self-love and sharing that ultimately matters. 

#2: Pay off your debts.

It might seem like the Grinch has knocked on your door last Christmas and stayed to ruin the entire year. But paying off your debt gives you the peace of mind that comes with not owing anyone money.

Remember though that there’s no need to settle the entire debt amount right away. Here’s a technique: pay off the loans with the largest fees and charges first, particularly if you find yourself in a debt avalanche. This way you save a little from interest rates and pay the rest faster.

#3: Save or get a head start on investing.

Tuck money away for a specific goal or simply boost your savings. Explore opening a high-yield savings account. Save for a house or a trip, beef up your emergency fund, or open a new savings account if you haven’t. Whatever it is, you should get motivated to save even more money for the future or the proverbial rainy days.

If you’re in your early 20s or even much later (better now than never), start investing. But if you’re already in the game, diversify your portfolio to reap greater gains later on from your passive income. Sound options include:

• Mutual funds, where you can start investing for as low as P1,000
• Stocks, a high-risk, high-reward option where you can flex your investing muscle a little more
• Real estate, where you can check if your bonus can cover part of the down payment for a lot or a condominium unit to rent out for added income

#4: Travel or follow your leisure.

Indulge in the gift of experience by booking that flight, planning a beach holiday, taking a cruise, or camping on the mountainside. Create memories alone or with your family or friends, and you will be surprised at how much physical and mental well-being serves as a great non-financial return.

#5: Fund home renovation or a DIY home improvement project.

Use your extra cash to make your home a better place to live in. It doesn’t have to be a significant home improvement plan; you may simply allocate a budget to replace old roof, wires and sockets, or plywood. If you’re bored with those old bedspreads, wall paint, or curtains, redecorate. You may also purchase a replacement TV set or refrigerator finally, or buy seeds and supplies for that lush flowering or vegetable plant corner to make your plantito/plantita dreams come true.

#6: Invest in yourself through online courses or a new hobby.

Enroll in an online course you always wanted to take, whether as a happiness project or to increase your chances of getting promoted or landing a coveted job. While free online courses are aplenty, paid ones come with certificates issued by reputable institutions, serving as proof of completion. You may also pay for a subscription to a professional league or a membership to your local chamber of commerce or industry association – a great way to meet new people or network to further your career.

If you want self-enrichment to feel joy and satisfaction, then you should go for the course your heart is crying out for: a perfume-making workshop, basic fashion course, or perhaps an advanced baking class.

#7: Give the gift of wellness.

Prioritize your health and wellness by finally going for that gym membership, shopping for new workout gear, or paying for services that promote good health, from organic food delivery to nutritionist services. You may also ensure a safe, healthy future through insurance, which is often overlooked yet keeps you covered when tragedy or illness strikes.

While there are many options for insurance coverage out there, Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa) is among the few that offers a comprehensive life and health protection plan. Providing financial benefits when you needed them most, a plan like Sun Grepa ICU Protect ensures coverage until age 100 in case of ICU confinement, diagnosis of a covered major critical illness, and untimely passing. On top of all these, you also get to enjoy any one of the preventive health care benefits such as flu or pneumonia vaccination, preventive medical exam, or COVID-19 screening test. You may avail yourself of this plan at a young age to enjoy health protection for life.

The beauty of most of Sun Life Grepa’s health protection plans is the range of benefits for every key stage of your health journey. “From prevention and diagnosis to treatment and recovery, we’re there to meet our clients’ needs. On top of that, they get maximum protection through lifetime insurance coverage, providing comfort and peace of mind during uncertainty,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim said.

To know how Sun Life Grepa health protection plans can help keep building your brighter future, contact a Sun Life Grepa advisor, visit any Sun Life Grepa branch, or email wecare@sunlifegrepa.com. 

Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), one of the major life insurers in the country, recently received the Great Place to Work® certification after its employees affirmed the company’s positive work culture in a survey.   The employee survey was conducted independently by Great Place to Work®, the global standard of workplace excellence and culture.  

“This shows how we truly value not only our clients but our employees as well,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim said. “We consider our people our greatest asset. That is why, we invest in opportunities that develop a culture that is not only engaging, but also nurturing, empowering, and inclusive and in which our people get to grow with our business.”  

According to the survey, 92% of respondents said that Sun Life Grepa is a physically safe place to work in while 89% said that the company makes them feel welcome. Some 87% believed that their work has a special meaning and is not just a job.   

Moreover, 88% of respondents said that they are proud to tell others that they work in Sun Life Grepa and they feel a “sense of pride” over what they have accomplished.   

“These results tell us that creating healthy work-life boundaries brings out the best in our employees,” Lim added. “This milestone will be a great opportunity for us to work towards making Sun Life Grepa an even greater place to work in the future.”   Sun Life Grepa continues to welcome talents looking for a workplace that will allow them to harness their full potential. For more information about career possibilities at Sun Life Grepa, visit https://www.sunlifegrepa.com/home/about-us/careers/. 

There are a significant
number of possibilities to diversify portfolios and explore global
opportunities. In today’s world of interconnectivity, nothing seems to be out
of reach, even in the aspect of investment opportunities.  

Sun Life Grepa Financial,
Inc., one of the major insurers in the country, is launching SLG Peso Global
Opportunity Payout Fund, its newest global Variable Unit-Linked Fund that
allows clients to expand the reach of their Philippine Pesos and gain easy
access to offshore investments.

SLG Peso Global Opportunity
Payout Fund is operating as a fund-of-funds that invests in foreign
currency-denominated, income-generating financial assets. These assets may
include exchange-traded funds, equity-linked securities, fixed income
instruments issued by the Philippines, United States, and other foreign
governments and corporations, or similar securities.  

“Our goal has always been to offer our clients relevant financial
products, especially in this new landscape,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard
S. Lim said. “The launch of the dollar-based fund of the SLG Global Opportunity
Payout Fund has been a success and with this, we want to provide our clients
with similar features but this time, in Peso,” Lim added.

“SLG Peso Global Opportunity Payout Fund is a good outlet for our
clients who are looking to build exposure to a wide spectrum of global assets
since the fund invests in both fixed income and equity markets. With the help
of Sun Life Grepa’s expert fund managers, clients can also take advantage of
the income opportunities and enjoy a sustainable stream of payouts that they
can use for any financial need,” he said.

SLG Peso Global Opportunity
Payout Fund is offered as a fund option to any Sun Life Grepa’s
peso-denominated investment-linked insurance plans, which provide coverage
until age 88 or 100, depending on the plan chosen.  

Generate income beyond
borders using your Peso with SLG Peso Global Opportunity Payout Fund. For more
information, go to www.sunlifegrepa.com, contact your Sun Life Grepa advisor,
visit any Sun Life Grepa or RCBC branch or email wecare@sunlifegrepa.com.