Charo Santos-Concio Finds a Partner in Health

Charo Santos-Concio

"The whole idea that someone you dearly love is not well at the time of COVID-19 is really scary." --Ms. Charo Santos-Concio

This was what Charo Santos-Concio had to say about her pandemic experience thus far. In the past year, she underwent one of the most trying challenges in her life because her husband, Cesar Rafael Concio, Jr. needed constant medical attention due to an existing health concern.

“I went through a roller coaster ride because my husband’s condition required us to make frequent hospital visits,” she recalls. “You really feel the anxiety, the worry, and the fear that you might get infected. However, it also strengthened my resolve to face these fears because my husband needs me.”

Charo further shared that, despite the stresses, it was important to accept the circumstances, remain calm, and keep up with the flow. “Life goes on. We must all learn to adjust to the new normal. We cannot be paralyzed by our fears,” she says. “Kailangan nating harapin ‘yan. Tingnan natin nang mata samata. Hindi tayo puwedeng magpatalo.”

The experience also highlighted the importance of securing her and her family’s health. “We must never take health for granted,” Charo reiterates. “We must all live an active life and take very good care of ourselves. It is equally important to look after our mental well-being as part of living healthier.”

And there’s also the importance of protecting one’s finances. Charo recognizes the importance of having a health protection plan to be financially secure should an illness strike. “Importante sa akin ang sense of security. Importante sa akin that whatever happens to me, I will not be a burden to my loved ones,” she says.

This was a lesson learned after the demise of her father, where the proceeds from his insurance policy allowed the family to financially cope after his passing. This experience taught her to be pragmatic and to embrace the value of security and peace of mind that an insurance policy brings to the family.

“Ayaw mong iwanan ang mga mahal mo sa buhay with uncertainty about their future,” Charo shares. “As we work hard for ourselves and our loved ones, we should also put our money to good use by investing it in insurance, health protection, and mutual funds.”

Today, Charo looks forward to living a full life with her loved ones. And while she has retired, she continues to take on interesting projects every now and then. With Sun Life as her partner in health, she is assured that no matter what happens, she and her loved ones are financially protected from life’s unexpected twists and turns. “Having a partner in health can indeed help you lead a brighter life,” she 
muses.

Just like Charo, you too can secure your future and be financially protected should an illness strike. Know more about Sun Life’s Partner in Health campaign by visiting https://sunlife.co/SLPIH.

SUN LIFE BAGS HIGHEST HONOR IN TRUSTED BRAND AWARDS

 Sun Life CEO & Country Head Benedict Sison and Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer Carla Gonzalez-Chong were on hand to receive the award from Reader’s Digest Asia Pacific Advertising Sales and Retail Director Sheron White.

For the 4th year in a row, Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. was once again bestowed the

highest honor in the Trusted Brand Awards, bagging the Platinum Award in the Life Insurance

category.

The awarding ceremony was held last April 8 at the EDSA Shangri La Hotel. Sun Life CEO & Country Head Benedict Sison and Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer Carla Gonzalez-Chong were on hand to receive the award from Reader’s Digest Asia Pacific Advertising Sales and Retail Director Sheron White.

Presented by international publication Reader’s Digest, the Trusted Brand Awards is fully based on consumer voting, where over 8,000 individuals in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan rated 50 categories of products and services according to trustworthiness and credibility, quality, value, understanding of customer needs, innovation, and social responsibility.

“We are grateful to be honored once again, especially at a time when Sun Life is pursuing its

transformation journey. This affirms that amid all the innovation and digitalization, we have

remained consistent in delivering the service our clients expect from us as their trusted financial partner,” Sison said.

This recognition follows the Insurance Commission’s report that Sun Life remains to be the No. 1 life insurance company in the Philippines, after topping the industry in terms of total premium income in 2021. Sun Life’s consistent performance in the industry metrics of New Business Annual Premium Earnings, Assets, Net Income, and Net Worth over the years demonstrates its strength, stability, and resilience amidst uncertain times.

“All these will further inspire us in the continued pursuit of our purpose, especially as we mark

our 127th anniversary this year,” Sison said. “Sun Life is committed to honoring its commitments to clients. We will continue to be here for every Filipino who dreams of achieving lifetime financial security and living healthier lives.”

 

UBP 1Q2022 Net Income at Php2.6 Bn

 

UnionBank recorded a net income of Php2.6 billion in the first quarter of 2022. This translated to a return on equity of 9.2%. The Bank’s recurring income grew 21% vs. the same period last year as net interest income increased by 12% to Php8.1 billion and fee-based income more than doubled to Php1.4 billion. Net Income, however, was lower by 45% due to extraordinary trading gains recorded in 1Q2021.

The year-on-year (YoY) growth in recurring income was attributable to the following: 1) Net interest margin improved by 6bps to 4.6% brought about by higher yields in earning assets, coupled by lower cost of funds from the expansion of our CASA deposits; and 2) Fee-based income came from the growth of InstaPay charges and interchange fees. Higher foreign exchange income (up 53% YoY to Php369.5 million) also boosted our topline revenues.

Versus 4Q2021, net income grew 40% mainly due to lower provisions for credit losses. As of end-March 2022, total assets were at Php844.4 billion, 13% higher than the same period last year. Total loans and receivables were at Php351.8 billion, up 2% YoY. Total deposits were higher by 15% to Php577.2 billion primarily driven by the sustained growth of CASA deposits at 28% toPhp356.5 billion.

 “The optimism generated by the reopening of the economy is palpable and if the pandemic is behind us, we are hopeful that the economic gains since 2021 are sustainable. While the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict could adversely affect investor and consumer sentiment, we think that the country’s economic fundamentals are strong enough to weather the challenges ahead. We, therefore, remain optimistic that improving credit appetite and spending patterns will allow us to sustain momentum in our recurring income for the rest of 2022,” said Jose Emmanuel U. Hilado,

Treasurer and Corporate Planning Services Head. “I am happy to report that we are on track to achieve the strategic milestones that we have set for the year. For the acquisition of Citi’s consumer business, we have already obtained approvals from the Philippine Competition Commission and Insurance Commission. Our Stock Rights Offering, which will fund the acquisition, is already in motion and expected to conclude in May 2022. We remain confident to become the legal owner of the consumer portfolio by July 2022. Moreover, our digital bank UnionDigital, is also on-track to launch by the 2nd half of the year. We are closely working with the regulators to complete key requirements for the start of our operations,” said Edwin R. Bautista, President and CEO.

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Fuel up your business acumen with your own set of ingredients towards success from Mekeni

 

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