Sun Life Philippines: Market Outlook for 2017

I was recently invited to Sun Life Philippines' Market Outlook for 2017. And I truly consider myself luck because I was able to learn so much from the said event. I admit that at my age now, I still had a lot to learn about economics and investments as well as financial planning. Of course, I'd like to become well-equipped for the future as I know fully well I'm not getting any younger anymore and being prepared for the future is something that we should all set out eyes on.

Sun Life Financial Philippines's Chief Investment Officer, Michael Gerard Enriquez

I am thankful that Sun Life Philippines are conducting talks such as these so that more and more people will become not only aware but also understand what stock market is all about as well as its importance in our lives. The lectures have really been very educational and informative for people like me who's really a neophyte when it comes to these financial matters. 

Sun Life Chief Investment Officer Michael Enriquez explained that the increased consumer and government spending, the marketing outlook remains positive. "Remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the BPO industry, and the large amount of working and employed Filipinos are the factors that boost the economy from the consumer's end. The rise of government spending is bringing about more jobs and has increased demands as well for construction materials," said Enriquez.

Sun Life Asset Management Company, Inc.President Valerie Pama

As consumers, we need to maximize opportunities by investing on mutual funds. The Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, for instance, yielded a five-year return of 39 percent and a 10-year return of 119 percent. The Sun Life Prosperity Balance Fund marked a 28 % and 89% growth in the five and ten-year return respectively as of December 2016. "We're delighted that our investors are reaping the rewards of their commitment to invest for the long-term, and we hope to see more Filipinos treading the same path so they too can experience financial security," said Sun Life Asset Management Company, Inc.President Valerie Pama said.

It is quite alarming that the exchange currency of Philippine Peso is equivalent to Php50-$1. But Enriquez and company assures this is the best time to invest while stock prices are low to get a higher return in the long run. Sun Life Philippines also introduced a financial program that educates people so they can start investing soon. 

Yes, it's best to start investing while you're still young (Millenials, are you reading this?) It takes discipline and perseverance alright, but the benefits of investments will soon be reap in the long term. It's often called 'adulting' by the new generation of youngsters. 

With Sun Life, you've got a whole lot of financial products to choose from: Sun Life Prosperity Funds has seven peso-denominated funds (Money Market Fund, GS Fund, Bond Fund, Balanced Fund, Dynamic Fund, Philippine Equity Fund, and Philippine Stock Index Fund), plus four dollar denominated funds (Dollar Abundance Fund, Dollar Advantage Fund, Dollar Wellspring Fund and World Voyager Fund). You can choose from all the options given with the help of SUn Life financial advisors. Just give them a call, and they're willing to guide you in every step of the way! 

For more information, please visit the Sun Life website.

10 Things You Need to Do When in Baliwag Bulacan

The Lakad Pamana group with Baliwag town Mayor Ferdinand Estrella

Baliwag. I know it's one of the many towns in the province of Bulacan but my knowledge of Baliwag used to be limited to two things that are connected with it--Baliwag Transit and Baliwag Lechon Manok. Prior to my recent familiarization tour courtesy of Lakad Pamana tours headed by Sir Gilbert Dino and Walk with Chan with my good friend and fellow blogger, Rence Chan, I knew nothing much about Baliwag except for the ones I have mentioned above. My recent Baliwag trip with these two amazing guys was not only very informative and educational, but it also served as an eye-opener for a city-dweller like me. I even had the opportunity to meet, chat for a while and even handshake with the young looking but very much experienced when it comes to politics, the Baliwag town mayor, Mayor Ferdinand Estrella. There were so many things I wanted to tell you about Baliwag, Bulacan which I had truly enjoyed. 

Allow me to share with you through my humble blog what I think every traveler needs to see and experience when traveling to the town of Baliwag, Bulacan. Here, to make things easier for you, I have made 10 things(in no particular order) you need to do when going to Baliwag. Read on...

Looking for the One this Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day has got to be my least favorite time of the year (yes, apart from Christmas Day. I know I'm such a Grinch. But that's another story.) Oh, boy, another miser sourgraping her dateless existence. I could almost hear couples hollering. 

What I hate most about Heart's Day is that everybody seems to be nauseatingly mushy and lovey-dovey that you'd wonder if they are so genuinely feel for each other or because the occasion only calls for it. Besides, since when did being in love equate to being sucky?

Center for Possibilities Promotes Inclusion Through The Arts

Samantha Kasper

Press release:

On January 28, the Center for Possibilities Foundation (CFP) will be staging a back-to-back event at the RCBC Plaza in Makati. At 5:30 in the afternoon, the self-titled exhibit of 19-year-old Samantha Kaspar will open to the public. At 7:00 pm, the Manila Symphony Orchestra will take center stage.

Art Auction

            “Samantha” will consist of around 40 artworks, some on fabric to be used as fashion accessories and others on canvas for wall hangings.

            “Samantha uses a wide variety of media for her work and we wanted to show the gamut of her abilities. She works primarily on piña silk using silk paints. She also uses acrylic paint on canvas sometimes,” explains Samantha’s mother, Mitzi.

            “She has a consistent style with a lot of edges and lines, her artworks can be very linear. She also has this certain way of giving shapes to her images which aren’t necessarily realistic but are more cartoonish,” describes Samantha’s father, Martin.

11th Chinese Spring Film Festival 2017 runs from January 25 to 29

Movie enthusiasts once again look forward to the opening of the 11th Chinese Spring Film Festival 2017 slated from January 25 to 29, 2017 at the Shangri-La Plaza mall's Shang Cineplex. Six noteworthy film are lined up for this year's Spring Film Festival organized annually by Shangri-La Plaza in cooperation with Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies at the Ateneo De Manila University and Film Development Council of the Philippines. The aim is to further encourage appreciation of Chinese culture and language in the Philippine society.