In a world cradled by the sun, sharing its life-giving light is the inspiration behind the Sun Life Financial – Philippines Foundation, the advocacy arm of Sun Life Financial in the Philippines. For the country’s longest-standing life insurer, bringing a brighter future is the way to give back to countless Filipinos who have put their trust in its hands.
Generous tradition
Incorporated in 2008, the Sun Life Philippines Foundation is the culmination of a tradition that Sun Life has honored through the years. Before the Foundation, its human resource department conducted its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, reflecting strong grassroots support.
Such positive reception nurtured the spirit of advocacy among Sun Lifers, carrying the causes of education, environment, health, and culture. Sustainability is at the heart of these ventures, which reflects the company’s mission to provide financial freedom to more Filipinos. In fact, Sun Life contributes a major portion of the CSR spend of the insurance industry.
Sustainable endeavors
“Our projects vary in scope, and we treat each project as a long-term commitment. For instance, we just welcomed over 100 families to the Legacy of Light village, where relocated families can start a new, brighter life,” shared Sun Life Philippines Foundation Executive Director Veron Estrella.
In partnership with the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc., the community is part of Sun Life’s support for the Ilog Pasig clean-up, including the resettlement of those who live along its banks. Humanitarian and environmental efforts move Sun Lifers to action, like its Gawad Kalinga tie-up a few years back, where Sun Life advisors constructed houses from the ground up.
And what good is a secure future with a fragile planet? The Sun Life Foundation joins hands with the World Wide Fund to raise money to protect and preserve threatened natural resources. Even the company’s used tarpaulins were recycled into bags, while the houses in the Legacy of Light were reinforced with melted plastics.
Focus on education
Education and culture is at the heart of a more secure and stable tomorrow, especially in teaching Filipinos sound financial planning. One of the Foundation’s earlier campaigns, It’s Time!, is the first sustainable and multimedia financial literacy advocacy that garnered numerous local and global recognitions.
Every year, Sun Lifers pitch in the Brigada Eskwela initiative by the Department of Education. To improve math comprehension among elementary students, the Foundation produced the courseware on elementary algebra that will be aired in the Knowledge Channel. And for numbers to be more fun, the Foundation built a Math Pocket in the Mind Museum.
Another annual cause is the SunPIOLOgy collaboration with actor-advocate Piolo Pascual and Hebreo Foundation. As of this year, this three-year-running event has raised millions of pesos to send more scholars to school.
“A brighter world makes good business sense, because uplifting the lives of our fellow Filipinos also enriches our own. We believe that to whom much is given, much is required. For Sun Life, to whom a legacy of trust has been given, it is but our duty to give back,” said Sun Life Philippines Foundation Board of Trustees President Riza Mantaring.
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