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Build a bright future as a Financial Advisor

Sun Life Grepa Financial, one of the top 10 life insurance companies in the Philippines, has proven that it has a good environment and offers a promising opportunity for millennials in the field of life insurance, as exemplified by some of its outstanding young advisors

The calling to become a Financial Advisor did not come easy for Susan De Guzman, one of Sun Life Grepa’s top producers.

“I had an accounting degree, and I was about to enter my father’s business, when a family friend invited me to become a financial advisor. It took me 3 years before I took chance. But when I saw that the job was about helping people, I became more enthusiastic about the work. With the support of my agency and the company, I started succeeding.”

Susan shares her best memory as a financial advisor. “I recruited a person, and she asked me to train her. So, I taught her all I knew, and she became one of the company’s top producers too. It was a really proud moment for me.”

Susan De Guzman
Financial Advisor

Climbing the corporate career ladder was the ultimate plan of Venus Montenegro. “I had a steady routine at home and at work. I was not interested in anything else at that time,” says Venus.

Time came when Venus felt the need for work-life harmony. “After resigning from my desk job, I finally joined my mother at Sun Life Grepa. There I found work worth my while and an opportunity to enjoy quality time with my young family while helping others build better lives for themselves.”

In her 5 years as a Senior Agency Manager, Venus has learned many lessons. “Among other things, I have learned that it takes several discussions before a prospective client understands the value of life coverage and preparing for the future. I’ve also encouraged my team to have the same level of passion and urgency in safeguarding the needs of clients. In having this balanced outlook, I am happy to be part of creating a mindset and culture that help my fellow Filipinos and their loved ones become more financially secured.”

Venus Montenegro
Financial Advisor

Being a Financial Advisor was not in Fe’s long-term plan before, but the people and opportunities at Sun Life Grepa quickly won her over.

“At first, I just wanted to secure my own life insurance coverage from a former co-teacher who happens to be a Sun Life Grepa Financial Advisor. She invited me to attend and listen to a Business Opportunity Presentation. I was supposed to just take the Financial Advisor career as a “trial job” but ended up as my true profession and mission.”

Fe also shared what life is like as a Financial Advisor. “Working as a Financial Advisor provided me with lots of benefits. First, freedom and flexibility. I have been able to work at my own time, at my own pace. Second, there is a strong potential to earn and build one’s finances and third, I was able to help clients plan properly so they can secure a bright future for their families.”

Ma. Fe Regasa
Financial Advisor

Financial Advisor Fe Noveno has always extolled the merits of starting one’s financial journey early.

“Whenever I meet young clients, I treat them like my children; I tell them that they have to take advantage of being young and having more years to prepare for life goals. Through them, I am reminded of my beginnings as a financial advisor. I came from Bicol looking for work when Grepalife hired me in 1975.”

Since then, Fe has enjoyed the rewards of hard work. “From meeting my first client, a young woman with her first child, I have helped many generations of families. Seeing them flourish has been a source of great inspiration for me.”

Fe Noveno
Financial Advisor

As an entrepreneur, Marichelle was looking for a way to fund her business when she came upon the opportunity to become a Financial Advisor.

“It all started when my friend who was a Financial Advisor, invited me to try taking on the role. I was convinced when I saw how noble the career of a Financial Advisor is. You influence a person’s life and secure their loved ones’ future and at the same time have the potential to earn so much for yourself. It offers immense opportunities for growth and allows you to broaden your financial knowledge.”

Her advice to other aspiring Financial Advisors is “to be a Financial Advisor with a heart. Continue to learn, expand your skill set and most importantly love your work.”

Marichelle Tugaoen
Financial Advisor

Where job opportunities are limitless in our generation today, Leo Ona, a microbiologist, became one of Sun Life Grepa’s young Financial Advisors.

Leo, currently working as a Food Specialist, shares his learnings on being a part-time Financial Advisor. “This job is new to me, and it made me step out of my comfort zone. Starting this career was no easy task yet this career has given me opportunities to work with a variety of interesting clients. It made me improve and stretch my potential as an individual.”

His advice to other aspiring Financial Advisors is “we are educators, and we need to gain our clients’ trust from beginning to end to have a good relationship with them. Remember that the success of our clients is also our success as financial advisors.”

Leo Ona
Financial Advisor

Honelou Calumpag, 31, was a nurse in a private hospital when he joined Sun Life Grepa to sell insurance as a part-time job. “When I found myself enjoying the work and the benefits more than my day time job at that time, I decided to focus full time on financial advising,” he said. Now I have expanded my horizon and assuming a leadership role which makes my career even more exciting.

A positive outlook on life combined with supportive mentors at the company helps him work through challenges and enables him to live the way he wants to. “At Sun Life Grepa, I am now able to strike a balance between work and personal life. In fact, while I am able to help my financial advisors realize their dreams, I am able to spend time for my personal service in my parish,” he says.

A year after joining Sun Life Grepa, he was recognized as both the Rookie Area Manager of the Year and as a Million Dollar Round Table qualifier. “Being able to lead and inspire other people helps me stay focused,” says Honelou.

Honelou Calumpag
Financial Advisor

 

The same drive to excel is also something that Michelle Aldave, 31, embodies. When she started seeking success at an early age, she found it to be a daunting challenge. But she has proven that the right mindset can help one flourish. “I started with insurance at 19 years old. People said I was too young to enter such an industry,” Michelle shares.

Between balancing a day job and her advising role, she has found the latter to play a big part in fulfilling her passion to help others

“My work can be challenging especially if the idea of investing in life insurance is new to the people I speak with,” she says, “I help them by telling them actual stories about people suddenly losing a loved one without the right financial protection. People easily think that such stories happen only to others; but when I show them how real the situation can be, they grow to appreciate the advice I am giving them.”

Michelle Aldave
Financial Advisor

 

Finding a rewarding career and a new mission in life can sometimes come in unexpected circumstances. This was true for Nico Aguinalde, 28, who was working at an I.T. firm when he was recruited to be a financial advisor.

When I started working as an advisor for Sun Life Grepa, I had to learn new things and face many challenges. But I was determined to learn these new skills. I did not allow any failure to distract me.” Nico says.

His perseverance came in useful later on when super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit the country. “I realized how important my work is for the Filipino people in the wake of that disaster,” he said. “When our province was starting to rebuild, I became more aware of my role as a financial advisor. We were able to reach out to many Filipinos who were affected and needed our help. Their experience during this ordeal enlightened them to the advantages of having financial security in uncertain times,” he said.

Since 2014, he has been a member of the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table. “Having helped many people solidified my desire to remain in this profession.”

Nico Aguinalde
Financial Advisor