Helping Filipinos pursue a life well-lived

Many people do not realize the value of insurance until the pandemic happened. Now is the time to prepare for the future more carefully, not just for yourself but for your family.

“With or without the pandemic, life insurance is needed, especially by breadwinners who provide for their families,” explains Joanne Marie Feliz “Maffy” Villamor, an Insular Life (InLife) financial advisor from MP Oliva and Associates General Insurance Agency, Inc. Batangas City.

Maffy, InLife’s Top Rookie Underwriter for 2020, explains two major realizations during the pandemic: the uncertainty of life; and the certainty that we can invest in our family’s financial security.

“Time is one thing we are not guaranteed with. We need time to build our retirement funds, save for our kids’ college expenses, pay the mortgage, ensure a roof over our family’s heads, and so much more. But what if we lose the time and we’re not able to finish these things? If we need time, we need life insurance,” she says.

A 2019 study from the second Philippine Wellness Index pointed out that many Filipinos could not afford to pay their hospital bills. In the study, 37 percent of the respondents used their savings, while 25 percent sought help from their relatives.  

Maffy witnessed how countless Filipinos could not get medical treatment due to financial constraints in her previous work as a medical technologist. This made her realize that she could do more to help Filipinos as a financial advisor.

“Illnesses can wipe out savings. As a result, you need the help of a financial professional to maximize your earnings for the future. This is where my passion to provide financial security for Filipinos came from,” she says.

When Maffy started as a financial advisor, she knew nothing about the insurance industry. But her work experience in the medical field and passion for service helped her. 

Since face-to-face interactions and public gatherings were restricted during the lockdown, financial advisors relied on online platforms and social media to build relationships with their clients.

Maffy notes that through the InLife Virtual Business Enabler (ViBE), financial advisors can complete insurance selling without any face-to-face interactions with the clients.  

“But even back then, InLife had the digital platforms in place such as the Automated Underwriting System and the Customer Portal. We are able to continue our service to our clients. Hindi namin sila napapabayaan despite the biggest changes in life,” she says.  

The lack of physical interaction with her clients did not affect Maffy’s commitment to help Filipinos pursue a life well-lived. She continued to offer customized financial plans to help secure the future of her clients.

“My clients come from all walks of life and it is very fulfilling to hear from them, especially during the lockdown. Some would call me and thank me for the security and peace of mind that I have helped them with through the InLife policies that they have,” she shares.

Working as a financial advisor also helped Maffy achieve her personal and professional dreams. “For me, the success factor is the shortened amount of time that it takes me to achieve my goals. I can’t imagine fulfilling these goals if I were not an InLife financial advisor. Now, I’m able to provide more than enough for my family and I can look forward to earlier retirement,” she says.

Being a medical technologist taught Maffy the value of health and medical treatment. But serving as a financial advisor made her realize a purpose to help Filipino families. It is not an easy journey, but seeing her clients live their lives to the fullest makes the journey worth taking.

To read more about InLife’s Circle of Pride, visit https://www.insularlife.com.ph.

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