“Bahala na si Batman” Won’t Work for Retirement—InLife Dreamweaver Sharon Cuneta

Bahala na si Batman. 

We often hear this phrase when we are unsure of how to respond—especially when it comes to making plans.

However, Megastar and InLife (Insular Life) Dreamweaver Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan says that when it comes to retirement, we can’t just let nature take its course.

In her latest vlog as part of InLife’s Dreamweaver Stories, Sharon shared that while she is not yet planning to retire immediately, she nevertheless thinks of it. She shares that one of the things she has learned in all her years in showbusiness and as a mother, is the value of planning ahead, including and most importantly, for retirement. 

“Think of it this way: If we can plan for the next chapter of our careers habang nagtatrabaho tayo, all the more we should plan for the next chapter of our lives. Start doing more for your future by doing less, by having a retirement income plan as early as your 30s or 40s. The younger you start, the more you will be able to save and the more your savings will grow. Pag sinabi mong retirement, tungkol sa pagtanda lang natin. No, it’s about wanting to finally be able to rest and kasama na doon yung living our lives to the fullest nang hindi na tayo nagtatrabaho. Minsan sa dami ng ginagawa natin, we just get caught up in the present. We work hard, we support ourselves and our families pero hindi natin napapansin na yung panahon natin para maghanda para sa sarili nating future ay slipping away. In 2023, Filipino households spent over PHP 600 billion out-of-pocket for healthcare. Dagdag pa natin dito ang projected inflation rate na 3% by 2029 - ito yung pagbaba ng value ng pera over time dahil tumataas ang cost of living. Lastly, ang mahirap pong i-predict is how much longer will we live. Kahit marami po tayong i-save, ang nakakatakot we will outlive our savings, lalo pa ngayon nag improve po talaga ang life expectancy dito sa Pilipinas. Mas humahaba ang buhay natin. This underlines the irony that while our lives continue to extend, there is so much to be done to financially prepare for those long retirement years. I know it’s in our culture na maraming Filipinos rely on their kids to take care of them in their old age. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful gift to our children kung hindi tayo magiging pabigat? We don’t want to be a burden to them pagdating ng araw. Para naman lahat tayo sa pamilya—especially our children—can live our lives with less worries. We have a chance to turn things around. Retirement planning, it’s intimidating di ba, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We need to think long term. Magplano para sa ating mga kinabukasan. As your InLife Dreamweaver, I’m more than happy to share that every Filipino can now retire without worries! The secret lies in having a steady stream of retirement income for life—one that complements your pensions and helps you avoid dipping into your personal savings, emergency funds, or retirement benefits. It’s designed to provide guaranteed monthly income starting at age 60 or 65, all the way until age 100. Simply put, parang tumatanggap ka pa rin ng sweldo kahit na tumigil ka na sa years and years of pagtatrabaho. What’s even better? This income has the potential to grow over time through additional cash dividends, offering protection against inflation. Ang dual benefit na ito—retirement income at life insurance—ay nagbibigay ng tunay na financial independence at peace of mind, hindi lang para sa’yo kundi pati sa mga mahal natin sa buhay. Lastly, it features guaranteed issuance—no medical evaluation needed, regardless of your health condition. Retirement isn’t about slowing down; it’s about starting an exciting new chapter. Let’s plan it right so we can live life to the fullest and retire without worries.” ~Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan, Megastar and InLife (Insular Life) Dreamweaver 

In a recent study on retirement commissioned by InLife, which says 80% of senior citizens in the country do not have adequate financial resources once they retire. The respondents surveyed in the research also said they would need a monthly retirement income between P25,000 to P50,000 to sustain the lifestyle they have gotten used to, but this may not fit the lifestyle retirees dream of enjoying. The disparity in funds needed vs available funds upon retirement may become larger due to unforeseen circumstances, often involving healthcare costs.

She also underscored the cultural practice of children being expected to take care of their parents. All these future concerns, she says, may be addressed by preparing ahead. 

Sharon then talks about InLife Retire Assure, the first true retirement insurance product in the country that has guaranteed benefits, is comprehensive, and has a hassle-free application process. 

Retire Assure includes guaranteed life insurance given to the insured’s beneficiaries in case of death. She encourages Filipinos to start saving for their retirement while they are still young. 

InLife Dreamweavers Sharon Cuneta- Pangilinan and youngest daughter Miel Pangilinan  have partnered with InLife for a series of videos and articles where they give tips on and talk about how they explore their passions, challenge their creativity and amplify InLife’s mission of providing A Lifetime For Good to its fellow Filipinos. Recently, Sharon shared her tips on saving in a video called “Mag-Sharon para sa Kinabukasan.”  As Filipinos traditionally bring home extra food after celebrations ("mag-Sharon"), InLife encourages them to 'mag-Sharon' for the future by saving and securing insurance like Megastar Sharon Cuneta, who emphasizes the importance of “financial planning for a secure tomorrow."

For more information on the InLife Retire Assure, visit https://bit.ly/InLifeRetireAssure. 

About The Insular Life Assurance Company, Ltd.

Insular Life (InLife) is the first and largest Filipino life insurance company in the country with over 114 years of uninterrupted service. We apply over a hundred years of experience in financial protection, risk management, savings, and investment to help you make confident decisions for you and your loved ones.

Our policyholders can be assured of being protected by a company that has an asset base of over P153 billion and net worth of P47.8 billion. We have a nationwide presence through our 56 offices all over the country, and an expanded digital footprint to serve our customers, wherever and whenever they want. Our success is anchored on the well-being and security of our policyholders and beneficiaries, employees and financial advisors, partner companies and institutions, and host communities as we exist to offer A Lifetime for Good for everyone. For more information, visit www.insularlife.com.ph. 

Insular Foundation Conducts Career Readiness Summit

Insular Foundation Conducts Career Readiness Summit

Insular Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Insular Life (InLife), recently conducted a Career Readiness Summit to prepare its scholars for the demands of the modern workplace.

The summit was attended by third- and fourth-year Gold Eagle scholars from Insular Foundation’s partner state colleges and universities: University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, Aurora State College of Technology, Benguet State University, Bohol Island State University, Central Mindanao University, and Davao Oriental State University. 

InLife’s Chief Human Resources Officer Rozana Pecson shared nuggets of wisdom to help the scholars excel in their professional career.

“Find your passion and build your career on it. Leverage on your strengths. Lead change. Bounce back in times of adversities.” ~Rozana Pecson, Chief Human Resources Officer at InLife

She also advised the scholars to adhere to their values, prioritize their well-being, and establish meaningful connections.

In his keynote presentation, Anthony Pangilinan, Chairman of The Master’s Lighthouse Foundation, discussed that individuals should do the following to achieve success: have a vision, accept life challenges or tension, and take action. 

Pangilinan pointed out that tension inspires people to act on their vision.

“Kung walang tensyon sa buhay, walang accomplishment of vision. Hindi ka babangon sa umaga. You stretch a rubber band vertically – the lower part of the rubber band is your reality, and the upper portion of the rubber band is your vision – mga pangarap mo sa buhay.” ~Anthony Pangilinan, Chairman of The Master's Lighthouse Foundation

Insular Foundation Executive Director Ana Maria Soriano, for her part, reiterated InLife and Insular Foundation’s commitment to supporting young Filipinos in underserved sectors through the Gold Eagle College Scholarship Program. 

“We take immense pride in witnessing our scholars excel academically, graduate, and make significant contributions in their chosen fields. Your drive, ambition, and remarkable determination to overcome challenges and strive for a better future for yourself and your family inspire us to continue the Insular Foundation’s Gold Eagle College Scholarship Program. As long as there are young Filipinos like you, we will remain dedicated to this cause.” ~Ana Maria Soriano, Insular Foundation Executive Director

The Insular Foundation also recognized the 2024 Gold Eagle Scholar Graduates from UP Diliman, and Graduates of InLife’s Scholarship Program for Employees’ Dependents during the summit. 

“We are privileged to have access to education, and hopefully, this privilege will not be caged in us alone. I am hoping that as the sunflowers bloomed despite the storm, we will also power through amidst chaos and seeming hopelessness.” ~Yannis Fernandez, Gold Eagle Scholar from UP Diliman

In her message on behalf of the graduates, Gold Eagle Scholar Yannis Fernandez from UP Diliman expressed appreciation to Insular Foundation for supporting their academic journey. 

InLife campaigns for an Un-sandwiched Generation

Leave and cleave.

The phrase "Sandwich Generation" refers to a generation of people who are expected to care for their parents while also attempting to raise their own family. This is a growing group of Filipinos, estimated to number in the millions, who are in their early 20s to early 50s.

This normally refers to a husband and wife leaving their respective families in order to form their own family. Furthermore, it means prioritizing the new family’s needs over those of their respective families. In the Philippines, however, it is a common practice to support one’s parents and siblings while building one’s own family. This is what the Sandwich Generation is about.

While this phenomenon is a global issue, the Philippines’ Sandwich Generation finds itself with more pressing challenges.

Due to cultural and societal factors, many Filipinos not only take care of their parents but also family members from the previous generation (grandparents, uncles, and aunts). They are raising their own families and at the same time, helping their extended family. It is common to hear of Pinoys who must financially take care of nephews and nieces and other younger relatives.

InLife: The Un-Sandwiched Generation Campaign

InLife, the country’s first and largest Filipino life insurance company, has taken notice of the Sandwich Generation’s challenges prompting it to launch a campaign to aid the Filipino Sandwich Generation “Un-sandwich” their lives.

Called InLife: The Un-Sandwiched Generation, the new project aims to empower the Pinoy Sandwich Gen with resources and tools for financial planning and management, education planning, caregiving resources, mental health and self-care, and insurance knowledge, among others. Anyone may access these information through different channels, among them, a new microsite within the InLife website, guides, webinars, podcasts, and other forms of content.

According to InLife Chief Marketing Officer Gae L. Martinez, this is InLife’s long-term commitment to be there for the Sandwich Generation. It is a massive challenge but something InLife is more than willing to undertake.

“The InLife Sandwich Generation campaign is our way of acknowledging the amazing strength and resilience of these unsung heroes of society who balance the responsibilities of taking care of their elders while also taking care of the younger generation. This initiative is our promise to stand by the millions of Filipinos who are part of the Sandwich Generation. We want to help them un-sandwich themselves and future generations and be able to live A Lifetime for Good. InLife’s product ecosystem is designed to address the pivotal financial milestones of Filipinos. We offer a roadmap to navigate this challenging journey. With this approach, we provide a lifeline that will help them un-sandwich themselves and liberate them from the pressures of multi-generational financial responsibilities and give them the financial independence not just for themselves but also their loved ones.” ~Gae L. Martinez, InLife Chief Marketing Officer

The InLife Product Ecosystem

The campaign also seeks to highlight how financial literacy and planning for the future can help Filipinos free themselves from this cycle but still be able to help their elders while ensuring a good future for themselves. One of the solutions is by taking out insurance products designed to address the different challenges a person will likely encounter in the future.

InLife’s Abundance, for instance, is a savings and insurance plan payable in either five or ten years and gives guaranteed cash payouts for 20 years or until the age of 65 regardless of market conditions when they become due. The guaranteed cash payouts are equal to 10% of the sum insured and paid every two years starting at the end of the 7th policy year for the 5-pay, and on the 11th year for the 10-pay variants until the plan matures. These cash payouts may be set up as a nest egg so the insured will have a ready source of funds when they reach retirement age.

InLife’s Resilience is a critical illness plan that provides life insurance and guaranteed lump sum cash upon diagnosis of a critical illness, aside from other additional health benefits. Resilience serves as a cushion against potential huge medical bills that could have a major impact on the family’s finances.

Wealth Assure Plus, on the other hand, provides a versatile and flexible way of combining life protection and investment, allowing them to tailor their financial plans based on their needs and budget.

Members of the Sandwich Generation may get more information on customizing solutions to their needs by visiting https://www.insularlife.com.ph/insurance-for-individuals.

InLife@111 joins Lazada 11.11 festivities; launches 11.1K raffle bonanza

Joining this year’s Lazada 11.11 festivities, Insular Life (InLife) is giving away prizes to 111 lucky winners of its Lazada ad promo. At the same time, InLife is also holding an 11.1K raffle bonanza with electronic gift checks worth Php11,100 to giveaway to 10 lucky raffle winners on InLife’s website. 

This month of November, the country’s largest Filipino life insurer is holding a series of events and promotions in celebration of its 111th anniversary with the theme “The Good In Life” . 

The leading insurance company is giving away limited edition InLife jackets to 111 lucky qualifiers to their Lazada ad post promo. To qualify, simply post the comment #TheGoodInLife111 in InLife's 11.11 Lazada ad post from InLife's FB page (https://bit.ly/InLife-Facebook). 

“Joining the Lazada 11.11 festivities is our response to be continuously present in the lives of Filipinos. InLife believes in bringing out the good in every Filipino. At the core of this belief is our company’s efforts to always think of ways to empower them with easy-to-use financial tools. By simply visiting our flagship store in Lazada or by visiting our website and trying our online calculator or reading articles there that help them make financially sound decisions for their families, we know we are getting a step closer to directing them to their financial goals. The online calculator helps users know their needs to build their financial portfolio. We encourage our visitors to the website to answer the try answering the questions and discover the possibilities to grow financially.” ~Gae Martinez, InLife Chief Marketing Officer

Starting Nov. 11, 2021, on the other hand, 10 lucky Insular Life website visitors will get a chance to win P11.1K worth of electronic gift checks each by simply trying InLife’s online calculator at https://bit.ly/InLife-FNA. 

From Nov. 11 to Nov. 23, 2021, ten (10) lucky winners will be selected via an electronic raffle draw. Winners will be announced on Nov. 25 during a livestreaming on InLife’s FB page. 

About The Insular Life Assurance Company, Ltd

Insular Life (InLife) is the first, largest, and only mutual Filipino life insurance company in the country with over 110 years of uninterrupted service. We apply over a hundred years of experience in financial protection, risk management, savings, and investment to help you make confident decisions for you and your loved ones. 

As a mutual life insurance company, our accountability is to our policyholders.  They can be assured of being protected by a company that has an asset base of over P148 billion and net worth of P37 billion. We have a nationwide presence in 57 branches all over the country, and an expanded digital footprint to serve our customers, wherever and whenever they want. Our success is anchored on the growth and security of our partners, policyholders and beneficiaries, because we exist to offer a lifetime for good for everyone. For more information, visit www.insularlife.com.ph.