How to future-proof your wealth while earning passive income

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The feeling of financial security is the top reason why Filipinos consider saving and investing. However, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data from 2019 shows that only 29% of adults in the Philippines have bank deposits, while the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) says that only 20% of the 7.6 million Filipinos above 60 years old are covered by state-backed required pensions. This highlights a concerning situation for the working Filipino, who may be either dreaming or dreading retirement life.

Retirement planning is not always a top-of-mind priority when we start working or even when we are at our prime. The Filipino retirement dilemma also poses a challenge for those who need to take extra steps to ensure that their assets are passed on to their heirs properly, while still ensuring a comfortable retirement life for themselves.

For AXA Philippines, one of the leading insurance providers in the country, it is important to plan for your retirement as early as you can to future-proof your wealth. This ideally starts during the accumulation stage of our lives, meaning the time when our earning potential is at its peak, and when investing wisely and planning ahead is key. This can make easing to the decumulation stage of life easier, which is when you start to draw from retirement savings over time and potentially reinvest.

AXA Philippines Chief Marketing Officer Nandy Villar also shared, “When you set aside your assets for your family’s future, they don’t have to remain stagnant for years. Certain insurance products, such as our Asset Master policy, comes with an investment plan that allows access to a variety of investment opportunities across the world to diversify your portfolio and optimize the growth potential of your wealth.”

AXA Philippines’ Asset Master is a single-pay insurance and investment plan that helps Filipinos plan for retirement by growing and preserving your estate and seamlessly transfer it to your heirs, while also helping you diversify your investments by giving you access to a variety of investment opportunities across the world. It also grows your estate by 25% upon claiming payout thanks to its death benefit feature.

Having a strategy and a well-managed retirement plan aligned with your goals allows you to secure your family’s future and be able to live your dream retirement. To get the best of both worlds, AXA’s Asset Master also allows you to start enjoying the financial benefits of your investments now, without touching your savings, through a new option to invest in their first-ever income paying fund.

Recently, AXA Philippines introduced the AXA Global Assets Income Paying Fund (AXA GAIN Fund) as one of the investment options in their diverse global portfolio of funds under Asset Master. The AXA GAIN Fund is a global investment, income paying fund that allows you to have a regular cash payout while still protecting your wealth by investing primarily in a portfolio of income generating securities and using a multi asset approach to manage market volatility. Think of the payout feature as something you can use however you want - whether for travel, for pursuing a hobby, or even to supplement your day-to-day expenses throughout your retirement years.

“Early retirement planning that recognizes your needs today while securing your future without having to compromise the present is doable. We and our loved ones all deserve financial security wherever life takes us – both in the foreseeable and far future – to ensure that we can enjoy the life we are working so hard for. We at AXA Philippines are committed to be with you and your family every step of the way,” shared Villar.

Through Asset Master and the new AXA GAIN Fund, AXA Philippines aims to provide its customers with financial solutions and tools for them to be empowered to take charge of their retirement goals, no matter what stage in life they are in.

Know more about Asset Master and AXA GAIN Fund and get a quote, visit https://www.axa.com.ph/savings-investment/asset-master.

NBA forward Herb Jones shares importance of defending your health

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True basketball fans know that defense is just as important as offense. This is embodied by New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones, who was given the NBA All-Rookie Second Team honor for his outstanding performance during the NBA 2021-2022 season. The NBA rookie became a sensation for his impressive defense skills, prompting Pelicans fans to coin the term “not on Herb” to refer to his immovability on the court.

AXA Philippines, one of the leading insurance providers in the country, recently supported longtime partner NBA Philippines and hosted Herb Jones in a fireside chat to talk about his life on and off the court, including how he keeps wellness going in his own life. Here are some of the things we learned from Jones that we can apply in our own lives to better our physical and mental wellbeing:

Good defense requires versatility. Life is full of curveballs – so while planning doesn’t hurt, adapting is just as, if not more, important. If you want to be good at defense, you have to be flexible to change. “[Good defense players] have to be tough minded and just being okay with sometimes losing on some positions. But they have to be ready at all times. They have to be versatile,” shared Jones.

Never dwell on mistakes too long. We will all have our highs and lows. For Jones, he prefers to not dwell on the latter too much. He said, “I try not to get too low if I have a bad performance. I just go back and rewatch the game and try to correct the things that I did wrong and keep trying to do things that I did right.” It’s okay to let yourself feel sad about a loss or a bad day at work, but it’s important to always pick yourself back up, talk to someone, and take what you can learn from these experiences.  Failures are a part of growth.

Rest is an important part of training. Even professional athletes need time to recover, and this is something Jones strictly never misses, especially after grueling matches or intense training sessions. "I try to stretch a lot. I try not to miss any therapy sessions with the team and just stay on top of my massages and get the right amount of sleep,” shared Jones. According to the American Council on Exercise, a leading nonprofit organization certifying health coaches and exercise professionals, recovery is the most important part of any person’s exercise program as it prevents injuries and allows your muscles to adapt to the stresses it just underwent in order to grow stronger.

Stay humble. While there’s nothing wrong with celebrating your well-deserved wins, it's important to not let them get to your head. Jones shared that one thing his parents always told him is that “success can be just as detrimental as failing” if you let it get to you. This can lead to excessive pride, which can cause you to stop working hard and stop learning. “After a good game, I try not to get too high on my performance. I just try to stay even-keeled,” shared Jones.

It’s okay to change paths. Did you know that Jones also played football? While he started playing basketball at four, he also played football in eighth grade but decided to focus solely on basketball. He worked hard throughout his high school years until he earned a college scholarship. Like Jones, we are free to decide which path to pursue and work hard to excel in it.

AXA and NBA Philippines have been partners since 2017 and are one in advocating for the value of powering up your game plan and having a strong defense when it comes to one’s health and wellbeing. Nandy Villar, AXA Philippines Chief Marketing Officer shared, “AXA Philippines’ goal is to make people understand that success is achieved through strength in both mind and body. Through our continuous partnership with NBA Philippines, we hope to instill this thinking to more Filipinos, who are known avid basketball fans, to help them live their life to their fullest potential.”

AXA Philippines encourages everyone to “Keep Wellness Going” by doing what you love while keeping you and your loved ones protected. It promotes enjoying a long, productive, and fruitful life by caring for one’s health and wellbeing.

For more information about AXA Philippines and their products, visit https://www.axa.com.ph/.

AXA home insurance offers free post-COVID cleaning

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While COVID-19 cases are still a common occurrence in the country, the increased vaccination rate has helped make symptoms milder and more manageable, making it possible to isolate and recuperate at home. To ensure the safety of our family members, especially those with comorbidities, thorough home sanitation is crucial after recovery. AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance companies, has a special offer for AXA Home Security policyholders that allows them to reimburse COVID-19 home cleaning and sanitation services up to P5,000 until December 31, 2022.

“At a time when our house is our safe haven, AXA Philippines strives to ensure that the protection we offer extends to our homes as well. With our ongoing promo for Home Security, we hope to further support the evolving needs of our customers, for added peace of mind,” said Nandy Villar, AXA Philippines Chief Marketing Officer.

AXA Home Security is a comprehensive insurance package for your home, giving you and your family peace of mind for an annual premium as low as P1,200 for a coverage of P1 million. Its many features include property damage coverage that protects your home and its contents in case of unexpected natural disasters such as fire, typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and more. It also covers financial losses resulting from either robbery or burglary or both, as well as Family Personal Accident coverage in the event of permanent disability or accidental death of the policyholder or a family member.

It also provides additional benefits such as rent and relocation expense coverage if your property becomes uninhabitable, personal liability coverage plus household helper cover, as well as access to emergency services such as fire, police, or ambulance services via the Rescue Line feature on the Emma by AXA PH app.

Home Security policyholders can claim their one-time reimbursement by presenting two valid IDs of the family member who tested positive, their RT-PCR test result, and official receipt from the cleaning company. The claim must be submitted within 30 days after the confirmation of the COVID-10 infection.

AXA continues its commitment to help its customers protect what matters most. Get the protection you need for your family and home by visiting https://www.axa.com.ph/homesecurity.

New AXA campaign brings ‘Me-Time’ to Asia’s sandwich generation, encouraging them to redefine what it means to be well

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“Make Time For Me-Time” deepens AXA’s commitment to provide tangible and meaningful support

for positive mind health

AXA today launches an Asia-wide campaign encouraging everyone to ‘Make Time For Me-Time’, normalising the importance of making time for yourself because healthcare starts with self-care.

The campaign was inspired by the needs of Asia’s sandwich generation, who are caught between caring for their elderly parents and their children, meaning they find themselves spending their waking hours caring for others. When they do find a few minutes to devote to themselves, they can often feel guilty or ashamed – especially if it means telling someone ‘No’.

This insight reflects AXA’s continued focus on promoting positive mind health both in and out of the workplace. This includes raising awareness of its importance to overall health and breaking down stigma through initiatives like its annual Mind Health and Wellbeing Study, as well as equipping individuals with the tools to improve their own mental wellbeing, such as through its recent Fit to Flourish series that provided a path to developing the 10 skills that underpin good mental health.

“For the sandwich generation in Asia, cultural expectations mean it is normal to spend your waking hours caring for others, whether at home or at work. Yet AXA’s own research and experience in serving our customers shows that self-care is critical to wellbeing and the more you care for yourself, the more you can care for others,” says Gordon Watson, CEO of AXA Asia and Africa. “We therefore want to normalise the importance of taking time out for yourself, free from guilt, as a necessary part of what it means to be well.”

Watch the campaign film

The new integrated campaign is steeped in the science of colour: soft blues help with mental fatigue, red is associated with energy and improving blood circulation, and yellows create a sense of warmth.

To bring this to life, AXA has also collaborated with renowned artist YOSHIROTTEN to create an ‘Art Care Series’. A specially created series of eye, breathing and stretching exercises aim to soothe the body and mind using the science of shape, colour and sound. Ranging from 30-seconds to 15 minutes in length, the outdoor activations will be placed in high-traffic areas to remind people to take time out for themselves.

Experience the Art Care Series

Created by Publicis Groupe Hong Kong, ‘Make Time for Me-Time’ is launching Asia-wide in markets including Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines, with influencers sharing their personal experiences and tips for making time for Me-Time.

Watch the Art Care Eye and Breathing Exercise videos.

How to build a champion’s mindset from Olympic golfer Yuka Saso

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Whether in the game of life or sports, it’s vital to have a strong and healthy mind and body to overcome challenges. Just take, for example, 20-year-old Filipino-Japanese professional golfer Yuka Saso, who has also had her fair share of struggles on her journey to becoming a top player.

In 2021, she experienced one of the toughest moments of her career when she injured her neck on the third day of her British Open competition, one of the world’s four major golf tournaments. She had to power through the pain and its effect on her performance, but instead of being deterred by this incident, it made her realize the importance of taking care of her physical and mental health.

As an athlete, Saso shares her own learnings and experiences from golf, which is touted by experts as a highly mental sport, in the hopes that it might also help others develop the mental strength to withstand stress and pressure:

Be consistent. Many people thrive on consistency and a regular schedule because it gives them an idea on what to expect, making it easier to anticipate possible challenges. This is also true for Saso. “I want my golf to be consistent – even if I don’t win – as long as I’m in that range, like in top 20, then I feel good about it,” she said, adding that a healthy routine helps, too. “I keep my eating habit healthy and make sure I sleep well, which I think is really important so my body can recover better.”

Love what you do. Discovering your passions and doing something that you love may bring meaning to your life and help you feel fulfilled. Saso advised, “Build confidence. Believe in your job and love it. Because I love my job, I work hard to get my golf better. If you love your job, you’ll have confidence and work better. Just remember why you chose the job. Find your passion.”

Focus on the positive. For Saso, having fun and thinking positively builds confidence. “In golf, it's not really about physical strength. It's all about having the right mindset. I try to think positively or focus on the present, stay present, and not to look too far because you can't control your future or your past. You can only control what's happening in the present, so I'm probably just focused on what I have to do now so that I can perform in the future.”

Look for a good support team. Saso ensures that she is surrounded by a strong support system that shares the same values as her. “If I have good support from the people around me, then I can play golf better.” This year, she became the official partner of leading global insurer AXA because she resonates with the brand’s “Know You Can” brand signature, which is rooted in the understanding that confidence is essential for people to successfully achieve their goals.

As a professional athlete, it’s important for Yuka Saso to keep building up both her physical and mental strength. With her advice, we can also start taking steps to prioritize our own in order to keep wellness going on the road to a long and happy life.

For more info on AXA health solutions, visit axa.com.ph/health-protection.

AXA Philippines commemorates IDAHOBIT in support of the LGBTQIA+ community

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As a company that values diversity and inclusion as a strong and integral part of its culture, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, held a panel discussion with its employees to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) this year with the theme, “Our Bodies, Our Rights, Our Lives.” 

This is in time for Pride Month and in line with AXA’s continued commitment to fight for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community by standing up and speaking out against hate, discrimination, and violence.

(L-R) Lynn Pinugu, She Talks Asia Founder, Beatrice Gomez, the first openly queer Miss Universe Philippines, Mela Habijan, the first Filipina to win Miss Trans Global, Peachy Felix, AXA Philippines Director for Human Capital, and Nandy Villar, AXA Philippines Chief Customer Officer, were present during AXA Philippines’ commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)

On May 17, 1990, the World Health Organization declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder and recognized it as a natural variant of human sexuality. This milestone now marks an annual celebration of sexual and gender diversity, known as the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), which helps educate people and raise awareness for the work still needed to combat discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community.

AXA Philippines Director for Human Capital Development Peachy Felix (rightmost) talks about how the company has long supported gender equality during its recent commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). Joining the panel discussion were (L-R) Lynn Pinugu, founder of She Talks Asia who moderated the discussion, Beatrice Gomez, the first openly queer Miss Universe Philippines, and Mela Habijan, the first Filipina to win Miss Trans Global.

For the panel, AXA Philippines invited notable members of the LGBTQIA+ community, namely Beatrice Gomez, the first openly queer Miss Universe Philippines 2021, and Mela Habijan, the first Filipina to win Miss Trans Global in 2020, to share their incredible stories. This discussion aimed to inspire people to continue to rise above the current limits of society and to fight for equality and inclusion for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. Gomez and Habijan were also joined by AXA Philippines Director for Human Capital Development Peachy Felix and discussion moderator, Lynn Pinugu, founder of She Talks Asia, which provides a space for inspiration and support among women across multiple platforms.

“At AXA, we take pride in our commitment to fostering a culture that enables every employee to be their true selves in the workplace and ultimately, their best selves. This is one of the ways we can truly act for human progress by protecting what matters. As an LGBTQIA+ ally, I stand firm with this amazing community in the fight against discrimination and inequality. We urge everyone to join us in supporting and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and embracing a diverse and inclusive culture in the workplace and beyond,” said AXA Philippines Chief Customer Officer Nandy Villar.

As part of its effort to establish a diverse and inclusive work culture, AXA Philippines has also long been supporting gender equality through its Parent Policy, which has been implemented since 2017. The policy offers 112-day leave for new parent employees and aims to provide the same rights and opportunities to parents of all genders and sexual orientations.

Members of the AXA Philippines community and special guests present during the company’s commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

AXA Philippines also collaborates with different organizations such as UP Babaylan and LoveYourself, to help increase awareness about LGBTQIA+ issues, promote equality in the workplace, and advocate against bullying and harassment. In addition, AXA holds an annual Inclusion Conference focused on LGBTQIA+ inclusion.

With all these initiatives, AXA strives to be an equal opportunity employer in the Philippines and around the world, creating a work environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect.

For more updates and information, visit https://www.axa.com.ph.

Four natural ways to boost your mood and wellbeing

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The pandemic has had a profound effect on all of us, but there is a silver lining for mental health in the form of greater awareness and increased resilience, according to the AXA Study of Mind Health and Wellbeing 2022.

The Harvard Medical School Health Blog also published an article positing how positive emotions can help us live longer and healthier. While there are countless factors that influence our mood such as our diet, physical activity, amount of sleep, and social activities, there are also some simple things you can do to help you give your mood a boost that contributes to your overall wellness on the road to a long and happy life.

As a company that protects people’s health and wellness, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, shares these four things you can do to help uplift your mood and live a healthier life.

Look out the window and get some natural light. Being in an environment with access to windows and natural light can improve your mood and help your body deal with stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and even prevent infections, according to the American Psychological Association. Simply keeping your window areas clear and opening your curtains can allow maximum natural light to enter your home and give you a much-needed boost.

Unplug, at least for a while. According to a study, people who use social media for more than three hours daily are more likely to experience stress, anxiety, depression, isolation, and fear of missing out or FOMO. Try to make a conscious effort to limit your usage and log off from social media even just for an hour to focus on relaxing non-digital activities like meditation, journaling, or even decluttering. Something as simple as refraining from bringing your phone with you to bed can also help spare you from the unnecessary stressors associated with social media, allowing you to sleep better.

Get on your feet and exercise outdoors. Regular physical activity improves mental health and helps prevent and manage diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and several cancers. This can be as simple as taking a 15-minute walk outdoors or even riding your bike to get around instead of driving to nearby locations. Moreover, spending time and feeling connected to nature is also linked to cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health, and emotional wellbeing, according to the consumer health education division of Harvard Medical School. If you live in the city and are unable to head to a nearby province to commune with nature, there are still lots of ways to enjoy the outdoors, such as taking a walk at a strip mall, or doing activities like cycling, jogging, and doing yoga in an outside.

Build meaningful connections. Filipinos are known to have strong family ties, giving them a support system made up of generations of family members. This is just one example of how we make positive personal connections in life. Personal connection creates emotional stimulation, which is an automatic mood booster, according to a study by Harvard University School of Public Health Study. The AXA Study of Mind Health and Wellbeing also identified connectedness as one of the 10 key skills that help one become ‘fit to flourish,’ reaching the peak of mental health.

On the other hand, people with fewer active social contacts are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, cancer, delayed cancer recovery, slower wound healing, and mental health concerns. While activities such as volunteering and meeting up with loved ones can help you build meaningful connections, talking to mental health professionals can also help improve not only your mental health but also your overall health. By talking about your feelings and being honest and open, you can get the support that best suits your needs.

When we feel safe and protected, we find it easier to relax or focus on the things we need and want to do, resulting in better overall wellness. That’s why for many people, having health insurance coverage equates to peace of mind because of the feeling of security and protection that it gives.

For health care protection needs, Health Care Access from AXA Philippines is a comprehensive and affordable health care solution for hospitalization and medical needs. It comes with 24/7 teleconsultation, a Longevity Fund that you can use for medical emergencies when you reach age 76 and up, and life and accident coverage up to P500,000. Moreover, AXA also offers Health Max, a lifetime health coverage which has a critical illness coverage against 56 major and 18 minor conditions until age 100, plus an Advance Health Fund for medical emergencies, and life insurance.

Knowing you have a reliable partner like AXA Philippines to support your wellbeing through life can empower you to keep doing what matters most to you. To know more about AXA Health Care Access and Health Max, visit https://www.axa.com.ph/health-protection/health-care-access and https://www.axa.com.ph/health-protection/health-max.

AXA Philippines and GrowSari offer free insurance to sari-sari store owners

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Many small businesses like sari-sari stores are constantly at risk of encountering financial challenges. According to the World Bank, at least 81 percent of informal retailers like sari-sari stores suffered job losses at the height of the pandemic in 2020. With a relatively small capital, which they use to sustain daily operations, these micro enterprises are badly affected when the owner gets sick or hospitalized, especially when this is their main source of income.

AXA Philippines and GrowSari representatives during the memorandum of agreement signing. The partnership will offer free life insurance and a Daily Hospital Income benefit for Gold members of GrowSari’s Loyalty Program.

To help sari-sari store owners and their families during health emergencies, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, recently partnered with GrowSari, a tech-enabled B2B platform that supports MSMEs in the Philippines, including sari-sari stores, carinderias, pharmacies, and other roadside and market shops, to provide protection during emergency situations by offering free insurance coverage to member sari-sari store owners. The coverage includes a death benefit as well as a Daily Hospital Income (DHI) benefit in case of hospitalization.

“Our partnership with GrowSari is in line with our advocacy of providing better protection and financial literacy among micro, small, and medium enterprise owners. Through this partnership, we hope we can better the lives of Filipino entrepreneurs amid this pandemic and beyond,” said Alok Rungta, AXA Philippines Chief of Retail Proposition.

Attesting to this was Mai Mai Punzalan, GrowSari Chief Marketing Officer, who said, “It’s important, in terms of financial inclusion to drive awareness and education among MSMEs such as sari-sari store owners, to let them know that there are a lot of financial products that can help them during health emergencies. We are happy to have this partnership with AXA Philippines because their mission of promoting health and protection is aligned with the more secure future we envision for sari-sari store owners.”

The free insurance coverage is part of GrowSari’s Loyalty Program that is available to its Gold members who opt to be part of the program. It offers life insurance worth P35,000, as well as a DHI benefit amounting to P1,500 for 3 days of confinement. The DHI helps alleviate the burden of income loss should the beneficiary need to be confined in the hospital.

From only 1,000 members in 2018, GrowSari’s members grew to 50,000 at the height of the pandemic in 2020, and doubled in number in 2021 to 100,000 active stores in 220 municipalities. The partnership with AXA has so far protected over a thousand GrowSari members, as more sari-sari store owners embrace the importance of insurance in ensuring a more secure and safer future for their families.

To know more about AXA, visit https://www.axa.com.ph/.

Tips to protect yourself and your family from dengue

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This rainy season, protect yourself and loved ones from dengue.

The rainy season is here and with it comes to a higher risk of being infected with dengue, which is mainly transmitted by a mosquito called Aedesaegypti and is common in many tropical countries like the Philippines. In 2019, the Department of Health (DOH) declared a national dengue epidemic when the recorded cases from January to July 2019 reached 146,062.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dengue is a viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness and sometimes even a potentially lethal complication. This complication may cause plasma leaking that may lead to shock or respiratory distress from fluid accumulation, severe bleeding, and even severe organ impairment and death.

Here are some tips on how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from getting infected with dengue, according to the Department of Health:

Keep your house mosquito-free. Try to prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes in your home. They usually breed in ponds, puddles, and stagnant water in soda cans, bottles, or any water-filled container. Cover your water containers and make sure to get rid of stagnant water on a daily basis. Also, throw your trash regularly. Aside from that, consider having your house fogged for mosquitoes to prevent a dengue outbreak.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites. To protect yourself from mosquito bites, wear pants and tops with long sleeves to cover your arms and legs. Experts also advise to use insect repellant containing 20-30% DEET (N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide) or 20% picaridin.

Seek early medical consultation. Watch out for warning signs of dengue-like nausea, vomiting, rashes, ache or pain typically behind the eyes, and muscle, joint, or bone pain.If you suspect that you have dengue fever, consult a doctor immediately. In the event that you’re diagnosed, be sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations to prevent further complications.

Treating dengue may come at a hefty price. A dengue test alone can cost you up toPHP3,000. Once diagnosed, the average medical cost of one-week confinement is at least PHP20,000 in public hospitals and PHP40,000 in private hospitals. For severe cases, which may require treatments beyond one week, hospitalization and medicines may reach up to PHP800,000. To help you be prepared if diagnosed with unexpected illnesses like dengue and its complications, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, offers its new health insurance product, Health Care Access, a comprehensive and affordable health care solution for one’s hospitalization and medical needs.

It comes in two plan types: Health Care Access Prime and Health Care Access Lite.

Health Care Access Prime provides comprehensive coverage of up to PHP 5,000,000 annually and is ideal for those who have no HMO like entrepreneurs, freelancers, and consultants. Health Care Access Prime offers inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care treatment up to the plan’s Annual Benefit Limit (ABL). Health Care Access Prime also offers preventive care benefits and life and accident insurance up to PHP500,000. Moreover, customers can include an optical care benefit to the plan by paying a small additional annual premium.

For those with HMO coverage from their employment but need additional protection, Health Care Access Lite is designed to provide just that on top of one’s existing health care plan or personal health fund. Health Care Access Lite includes life and insurance accident coverage up to PHP500,000. In addition, you can enhance the coverage of your plan with outpatient care, optical care, or dental care benefit by paying a small additional premium. Both plan types include a Longevity Health Fund, a lump sum cash benefit that can be access at 76 years old for future medical needs.

For more information on Health Care Access, visit https://bit.ly/3xwunlp.

#TakeChargeOfYourHealth: AXA unveils Health Care Access to allay concerns on rising medical costs

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A virtual family day with the theme #TakeChargeOfYourHealth was hosted by AXA Philippines on August 11, Wednesday in line with the latest developments that constantly threaten ours and our families’ health and safety. Medical persons and celebrity guests Dr. Randy Dellosa, Megan Young, Mikael Diaz, Cheska Garcia-Kramer, Edric Mendoza, and Niña Corpuz discuss how we can take charge of ours and our family’s health.

AXA empowers Filipinos to take charge and protect themselves against financial uncertainties
with its new affordable and comprehensive health insurance plan.

According to a report on health spending released by the Philippine Statistics Authority in late 2020, paying for one’s medical needs grew in the country by 11% in recent years.

 

On this spending, a staggering 48% of the expenses came from “household out-of-pocket”—meaning Filipinos have resorted to digging into their hard-earned savings or worse, turning to loans from well-meaning families, to be able to pay for the cost of hospitalization or other medical expenses that they did not have the capacity to cover.

 

In a separate report from the National Economic Development Authority, it was cited that 96% of Filipinos are concerned about their own and their family’s health, but only 16% are prepared to pay for medical costs. But it does not have to be this way.

Take charge of your future through AXA Health Care Access

 

With this as a backdrop, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance companies, introduced its latest health insurance plan Health Care Access via a virtual press conference on August 11, 2021.

 

“We know all too well that sudden medical emergencies can happen to anyone, much worse if it rears its head during a pandemic,” said Rahul Hora, AXA Philippines President and CEO. “We developed Health Care Access as a way for Filipino individuals and families to protect themselves from life’s unexpected moments—freeing them from their worries while affording them a more secure future.”

 

An inclusive and value-for-money health care solution

 

AXA Health Care Access offers a comprehensive and affordable health care solution for one’s hospitalization and medical needs through a modest monthly or annual premium.

 

It comes in two plan types: Health Care Access Prime and Health Care Access Lite.

 

Health Care Access Prime provides comprehensive coverage of up to five million pesos (PHP5,000,000) annually. This plan is ideal for those who have no HMO like entrepreneurs, freelancers, and consultants. Health Care Access Prime offers inpatient and outpatient care, and emergency care treatment up to the Annual Benefit Limit (ABL). This also includes an Annual Physical Exam starting from seven basic exams, with a life and accident insurance benefit of up to PHP500,000. Moreover, customers can include optical care benefits to the plan by paying a small additional annual premium.

 

For those with HMO coverage from their employment but need additional protection, Health Care Access Lite is designed to provide just that on top of one’s existing health care plan or personal health fund. Health Care Access Lite offers inpatient and emergency care treatment up to the ABL. It also includes life and insurance accidents from PHP50,000 to PHP500,000. Moreover, you can enhance the coverage of your plan with outpatient care, optical care, or dental care benefit by also paying a small additional premium.

 

Full coverage in a pandemic plus other benefits

 

AXA Health Care Access provides full coverage and cashless payment arrangements which is advantageous given today’s ongoing pandemic. It also comes with free access to 24/7 teleconsultation via voice or video call with a medical professional.

 

Other superior benefits include the Longevity Health Fund, which one can tap into for health setbacks as they grow older and when they need it the most—beyond the age of 75. Customers get guaranteed renewability, family coverage within one plan, and even a premium reduction of 10% when the plan is extended to at least one family member, plus the option to add a ‘booster’ or add-on depending on your specific needs.

 

The Critical Illness Booster provides additional cash benefit if one gets diagnosed with any of the 56 critical illness conditions, and may be used for other medical expenses or as income replacement. The Annual Benefit Limit, on the other hand, automatically increases one’s annual benefit limit by 10% every three years to help keep up with rising medical costs.

 

AXA Health Care Access, which will be available starting August 16, encourages a more proactive and preparedness-oriented attitude towards health for everyone, allowing Filipinos to take full charge of their physical wellbeing for the future.

 

For more information on Health Care Access, visit https://bit.ly/3xwunlp.

How to get insurance coverage without leaving your home

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The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has propelled rapid digital transformation. At the forefront of all this is AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, who has long been pushing for digital innovation, beginning with the Emma by AXA PH app, a one-stop shop app for all insurance needs.

Emma by AXA PH now allows Filipinos acquire AXA insurance products in the comforts of their homes.

“With the ongoing pandemic, we were presented with a new challenge to provide Filipinos with the accessible means to get insured in the safest and most convenient way, and that’s possible with the Emma by AXA PH app,” says Rahul Hora, AXA Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer. “Through this app, we are able to make our products and services easily accessible to all, anytime, anywhere.”

The app conveniently allows users to purchase AXA insurance products online, and provides 24/7 free access to emergency services like ambulance, fire, and policy assistance. Users can also enjoy the Health Hub, which offers relevant health content and AXA’s wide range of health solutions.

Meanwhile, AXA policyholders can do so much more, such as enrollment of life and general insurance policies (Health Max, Health Start, Retire Smart, Smart Traveler, Home Security, Comprehensive Car Insurance, to name a few) to access their policy details anytime, conveniently pay their premiums, monitoring their investments, file for hospital income claims and car insurance claims, and even earn rewards points to exchange with goods and services from partner establishments.

AXA Philippines recently held a company campaign that encouraged its employees to download the app. AXA Philippines managed to achieve 100 percent downloads and registration on Emma, making them the only entity in Asia to do so. So far, all AXA PH employees are reaping the benefits of the app.

To enjoy the app’s top-notch services, simply download the Emma by AXA PH app on the Google Play or App Store. Then, register a valid email address, verify your e-mail via the e-mail verification link, set the password, and log in and start using the app anytime, anywhere.

To know more, visit https://www.axa.com.ph/emma.

Six tips to help female leaders achieve their goals

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As more and more women take top leadership roles, it becomes even more apparent that they are just as capable of being strong commanders in politics, business, health, and beyond.

Women are capable of being strong commanders

in politics, business, health, and beyond.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, offers goal-setting tips for female leaders who want to achieve more for themselves and for the people around them:

Write your goals down. 

Using a visual tool, such as writing, makes goals more tangible and gives you a clearer picture of what you want to achieve, be it in life or at work. When you write down your goals, not only do you become emotionally engaged, but you are also able to set deadlines and actionable steps on what needs to be done to achieve them.

Say no to fear. 

For many years, most women lived in fear of being judged and talked down to, thus preventing them from reaching their full potential. Break down these barriers by focusing on yourself: practice positive self-talk, never be afraid to ask for help or a second opinion when you’re doubting yourself, and don’t be concerned about what other people might think.

Turn weaknesses into strengths. 

Society has ingrained in women that their capabilities are limited. Use this as motivation to turn weaknesses as opportunities for self-growth. If a project you’re working on didn’t work the first time, consider another approach until you reach your goal. If you hit a roadblock, think through the problem. Just don’t give up and walk away.

Delegate and utilize people’s talents. 

Working closely with a team helps you know their strengths and skills and gain different perspectives. Their talent is a strategic asset, so keep them involved and encourage them to pursue creative ways to utilize their skills to achieve your shared goals.

Invest in yourself. 

It’s natural for women to wear many hats. Even with so much on their plate, they are flexible, agile, and able to take on many challenges. As a female leader, you’re more than capable. Start by learning more, develop new skills, or explore your creative side. When you know more, you’re able to discover your limitations or explore different ways to realize your goals or ambitions.

Celebrate your wins. 

Achieving your goals takes a lot of work. So revel in the feelings of pride and satisfaction when you’ve accomplished a goal. Take time to celebrate your little wins with the people who have helped you get to where you are. You deserve it!

In AXA, we recognize the important role played by women not just at work but also at home. Since January 2017, AXA has implemented the global parenting policy, which provides 16 weeks paid maternity leave and four weeks paid paternal leave for newborn parents.

As part of AXA’s corporate social responsibility, we launched Finlit 101: What’s Your Game Plan, which aims to provide grassroots training on the topics of financial planning, savings, and investment for public schools, universities, cooperatives, and micro-finance institutions. Through this program, AXA is able to empower educators and women in local communities to raise awareness on the value of savings and to highlight the importance of insurance in proper money management.

In observance of International Women’s Day and National Women’s Month, AXA Philippines participated in the global theme of #ChooseToChallenge through social media posts of CEO Rahul Hora and other members of the executive leadership team. As an internal campaign, employees were encouraged to post a “Choose to Challenge” statement on Workplace@Facebook to raise funds for the Virlanie Foundation, an NGO that cares and provides for young girls and boys in need of protection.

To know more about AXA Philippines, visit www.axa.com.ph.

Life lessons from the pandemic

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The COVID-19 outbreak has been putting a large amount of stress on everyone. However, we must also remember that this is not going to last forever and that if we are open to it, we can learn many life lessons that can help us live better lives.

Strive to be empathic and give what you can – no amount or donation is too small.

Here are some valuable lessons we can take from the health scare and enhanced community quarantine.

Be prepared for any scenario. The best defense we can have against life’s uncertainties is to be ready for anything. Have an emergency fund and insurance for chaotic times like these. If you haven’t yet, build up a savings plan or take out health insurance— these are a couple of the best ways to deal with financial setbacks that may be caused by unforeseen events.

Make adjustments to your lifestyle. Since restaurants and gyms have been either limited or closed, this pandemic has been teaching us to eat better, get enough sleep, and make time to exercise even at home. Remember, what you do every day essentially affects how long and how well you’ll live. It’s always better to establish good habits sooner rather than later. 

Be a friend of the environment. COVID-19 has been a wake-up call to how badly we’ve been treating the environment. With the enhanced community quarantine in place and limited cars on the road, nature has been healing, as evident in the smog-free skies. Taking even small steps like carpooling, recycling, and planting more trees can help further restore the balance of nature.

Take time for yourself. Participating in the rat race entails multitasking and promotes staying busy as a measure of success. Taking breaks to unplug and recharge is usually seen as weakness. However, overexerting yourself is unhealthy so it’s best to listen to your body. You are not required to stay busy. One of the silver linings of the pandemic is the gift of time. Use it wisely to honor your needs, whether that is reading a book or simply having more time for family.

Share your blessings with others. We should try helping those who find it hard to get by. In addition to the numerous deaths and cases, the pandemic has brought on negative economic implications: small businesses are closing, many people are losing their jobs and are finding it hard to take care of themselves and their families. We must strive to be empathic and give what we can – no amount or donation is too small. In the same vein, now is also a good time to show Pinoy pride and support local businesses.

For more information on AXA Philippines insurance products, visit www.axa.com.ph.

AXA empowers young athletes

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AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance companies, is the insurance provider of the UAAP, providing coverage for the organization for the duration of Season 82 that is currently underway. AXA Philippinescontinues to empower Filipinos – and in this case young Filipino athletes and spectators – and instill a sense of self-belief in them through their passion for sports. Photo shows(L-R) AXA Philippines chief customer officer Amor Balagtas, AXA Philippines president and CEO Rahul Hora, UAAP Season 82 president Emmanuel Fernandez, and UAAP executive director Rene Andrei Saguisag Jr.

AXA Philippines and Metrobank Foundation team up for financial literacy of public school teachers

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AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance companies, recently partnered with Metrobank Foundation to help public school teachers improve their understanding of financial wellness and empower them to live better lives. “Financial Literary for Teachers” is based on AXA’s existing program “What’s Your Game Plan?” that helps people understand their current and future financial needs and helps them prepare for unforeseen setbacks. Under the partnership, AXA and Metrobank will conduct the sessions and provide non-life insurance products to select teachers during National Teacher’s Month. 

Present during the official contract signing were (L-R)AXA Philippines chairman Solomon Cua, Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña, AXA Philippines president and CEO Rahul Hora, and chief human resource officer Jaspreet Kakar.