Five faulty insurance assumptions you've fallen victim to

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When it comes to being smart about your money, nothing casts a greater shadow of doubt on your next investment than misleading information.

BPI-Philam, the country's premier bancassurance company, listed the top five myths you might have heard stopping you from getting your own insurance policy.

#1: The benefits aren't for now, only later when I get sick or die

Life insurance was once inaccurately touted as a contingency plan for sickness or worse, death.

Now it strives to be the Filipino's partner for total wellness through Philam Vitality, a wellness program designed to reward policy holders for being and staying active.

It isn't just about helping customers live, it's helping them live better.

#2: It's not for me

One size does not fit all. 

Insurance policies may differ between key moments in your life, but one thing is sure--there is a plan that fits your financial needs.

You may be starting a business, readying yourself for marriage or parenthood, acquiring a home or your dream car, going abroad, or even retiring--one thing remains: everyone is still at risk of getting sick, living too long, or dying too soon.

#3: It's expensive

For so long, "expensive" has erroneously been equated to "quality" and anyone who dared say otherwise is shady.

Whether you have two or ten thousand pesos, great comprehensive insurance products are made available for your specific need.

With a budget of P 1,600 a month for a policy you can have quality and comprehensive coverage assured with no strings attached. That's just P 55.00 a day! 

Imagine, the 55 pesos you'll be spending on unhealthy fast food meals or prepaid mobile data could be your start to protecting your future!

#4: I don't know where to get it

Insurance has become easier to get and have because you can obtain it through a bank.

In this era of bancassurance, insurance becomes more accessible by being offered in any BPI branch nationwide.

#5: It takes long to pay

Insurance payment terms are no longer a question of "How long do you need protection?" because a need isn't necessarily long nor short-term.

BPI-Philam sees security and ease of mind as needs for the appropriate term--for as long as your need exists.

They won't cause you to break your back paying premiums for the "long-haul" but will assure and protect your future through forward-thinking policies that aren't hard on you.

To experience great quality service and get top-notch products for yourself, visit: www.bpi-philam.com

Stay Healthy, Stay Happy: 10 foolproof ways to lead a healthier lifestyle

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As we enter the New Year, many of us promised to commit to a healthier lifestyle as part of our New Year’s Resolutions. Sticking to a resolution is easier said than done, but as long as we have a plan to fall back on, it shouldn’t be as daunting or as difficult as it seems. 

To help us out, here are 10 foolproof ways to ensure that we live a healthier and happier lifestyle.

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables.

• The health benefits of eating a diet with generous servings of fruits and vegetables are endless. Not only are they dense sources of a variety of essential minerals and nutrients, they are generally high in fiber which will keep your digestive system happy and smooth-running. Pro-tip: fruits and veggies have unique antioxidant properties depending on their color. Eat the rainbow!

2. Go for regular check-ups. 

• Don’t leave your body to take care of itself. We all need a little help sometimes, and your doctor’s job is to ensure that everything is in tip-top condition and to provide solutions when needed. 

3. Stay stress-free. 

• While diet and exercise are very important in leading a healthy lifestyle, your mindset and attitude may be sabotaging their benefits. Stress can affect your sleep, your tendency to engage in unhealthy behaviors, and your productivity. Ensure that your lifestyle is as stress-free as possible by organizing your financial and work life; create a long-term financial plan to alleviate financial pressures and increase your financial security. 

4. Avoid foods high in saturated fat and simple sugars.

• Swap out your white bread for wholegrain, and use canola or olive oil instead of butter in your cooking. Complex carbohydrates give you slow-release energy which will keep you energised throughout the day, and unsaturated fats will promote healthy cholesterol levels, keeping you trim and combating fatigue.

5. Find an exercise program you enjoy. 

• It is no secret that exercise gives you more energy, helps keep your head clear, and keeps you in shape. Find what you enjoy and stick to it! If you hate jogging, try dancing. If you don’t like exercising alone, look to join a basketball or frisbee team. 

6. Make sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep per night.

• Give your body a well-deserved break, so that it can re-energize and prepare itself for a happy and productive day. 

7. Ditch your unhealthy vices. 

• Smoking, drinking, or consuming too much caffeine is toxic to our bodies. Replace your unhealthy habits with healthier ones, such as exercise. If you are struggling to give up smoking, join a program that offers support and guidance.

8. Make time for friends and family. 

• Social interaction is essential to human well-being. Appreciate the supportive people in your life and invest in the meaningful connections that will ultimately lead you to a happier lifestyle.  

9. Stay hydrated.

• The common recommendation for water intake is eight 8-ounce glasses a day. Drinking a sufficient amount of water promotes healthy skin and will prevent headaches and other symptoms of dehydration. Additionally, for those of us trying to lose weight, a common sign of dehydration is the feeling of hunger despite having eaten adequately. Drink up!

10. Set and track fitness goals by using apps and devices.

• Having fitness goals is a sure fire way of ensuring happiness; overcoming hurdles, whether small or big, can increase your confidence. One fitness app that helps you track your progress and remind you to hit some benchmarks is Philam Vitality Active, a free mobile app that allows you to enjoy immediate and free rewards such as free cinema ticket, free game of bowling to name a few, upon completion of your weekly goals. To experience a whole new journey to being fit and healthy, you may download the Philam Vitality Active app now available in Apple Store Phils or Google Play and sign-up using the promo code “liveactive”.

Following these simple steps will ensure that you can make the most of 2017 towards a healthier and happier you.

The Music RunTM by Philam Vitality brings the party back to Manila

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ASIA'S MOST EXCITING RUN IS ABOUT TO GET EVEN LOUDER THIS YEAR

The ultimate 5k running and music festival drew nearly ten thousand runners when it first made waves in the Philippines last year. 

This year, The Music RunTM by Philam Vitality returns to amp up an equally large—or even larger—crowd with everyone’s favorite hits playing on 120 concert-quality speakers across McKinley West in Taguig City.

In partnership with music streaming service Spotify, The Music RunTM by Philam Vitality will rock Manila on December 3. Last call for registration is on November 25.

Philam Life has been at the forefront of leading innovations in the life insurance industry to change the general perception about insurance. Insurance is about living life to the fullest without worry and being healthy to pursue one’s passion and achieve one’s goals.

“This is the second time that Philam Life is partnering with The Music RunTM. We want to send a strong message that being healthy can also be fun and engaging,” Deputy Head of Philam Vitality Kats Cajucom said.

“One of our company’s main thrusts is healthy living through our Philam Vitality program, which is the first of its kind in the Philippines. It is a full-scale wellness program where members get rewarded for making healthy choices. Through Philam Vitality, we are taking active steps to positively transform the lives of Filipinos by helping them live longer, healthier, and better lives,” Cajucom added.

“While most fun runs originate from the US, The Music RunTM started in Asia and expanded throughout the region before crossing over to Europe and the US in the last two years,” said Martin Capstick, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Exceed Sports and Entertainment who is organizing the run.

“The reason for its massive success is its winning formula that combines music with the ever- growing fitness craze into the ultimate running and music festival that also puts control of the run’s soundtrack in the hands of our Music RunnersTM,” he added.

The five-kilometer run will include five music-themed zones playing rock, pop, old school, hip hop, and dance. Using the live Spotify Music Voting App on www.themusicrun.com.ph, participants can vote up to five songs per playlist every day to build the official soundtrack for each zone.

The ultimate after-run music festival includes world class DJs, live bands, dancers, laser lights, LED screens, fireworks, chill out zones, giveaways - and plenty more!

Rock Star, Pop Star or Dance Floor Demon, register now and come LIVE THE BEAT!

The event will kick off with a pre-run performance by up and coming local alternative band Sud, while the after-run music festival will feature Australian radio house DJ Sam Withers.

Music RunnersTM can select from two event packs—the Standard Pack for P850 and the Rock Star Pack for P1,400. The Standard Pack comes with a T-shirt, bag, beat band, sticker, and temporary tattoo. Those who would like to party with the Rock Star Pack will also receive a towel, water bottle, and cap.

Late registration for The Music RunTM by Philam Vitality starts on November 1. Standard and Rock Star Packs for late registrants are priced at P950 and P1,600 respectively. Children less than five years old can join the run for free.

For last call registrations starting on November 21, the Standard and Rock Star Packs will cost P1,050 and P1,800 respectively.

Registrants can collect their event packs at Glorietta 5 in Makati from November 26 to 28.

The Music RunTM first took place in Kuala Lumpur in 2014. Since then, it has drawn more than 100,000 runners across 12 events and nine countries.

For more information on The Music RunTM by Philam Vitality, please visit the official website, Facebook page, or YouTube Channel.

Philippine Homeschool Conference Expo (PHC) : Securing a Child’s Future through Education

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The sixth annual Philippine Homeschool Conference Expo (PHC) held at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier in Taguig City on October 22, 2016.

With this year’s theme “From roots to wings”, PHC hopes to nourish the firm foundation that they have with parents by continuing to equip them with knowledge and virtues that would help them soar together. The event, led by the Homeschooling Association of the Philippine Islands (HAPI) gathered some of the country’s experts on homeschooling to share their insights on the importance and implications of homeschooling.

Among them was Eric Nicdao, District Manager of Philam Life. Nicdao explained that while there are distinct advantages to homeschooling, it is never without a challenge. 

“The cost of education for homeschooling a child is not inexpensive as others perceive it to be”, said Mr. Nicdao.

He further explained that this is because homeschooling entails the presence of one of the parents at home which will potentially reduce the family’s overall income. With the increasing costs of college education, it will be very daunting to have only one breadwinner. Mr. Nicdao also shared why it is important to plan early for the child’s education.

“As a parent myself, I understand the real-life struggles that parents go through to give the best to their children. It is, therefore, wise and even necessary to invest in a plan with guaranteed education benefits even if school-going children are still quite young. Plans like this should have the potential to grow to cope adequately with annual tuition fee hikes.” Nicdao added. 

“More to the point, a parent and a child should not have to guess what the future brings. There are too many uncertainties already and having something secure and reliable allows a family to focus on learning and academic excellence rather than trying to make sure that there is a school they can afford.”

To help address these concerns, Philam Life launched a new education product, Future Scholar.

Future Scholar offers guaranteed education benefits and long term growth potential through access to expertly-managed funds. The plan will continue without the need to pay future payments should the payor pass away or suffer total and permanent disability.It is to these concerns that Philam Life’s Future Scholar plan focuses with its guaranteed educational benefits and unique features available like making life insurance coverage for parents or premium adjustments in times of great need.

To learn more about Future Scholar, please visit http://www.philamlife.com.

Philam Foundation and Happy Hearts Fund renew partnership for Pinoy children

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The Philam Group’s CSR arm, Philam Foundation (PFI), continues its philanthropic endeavours by continuing its partnership with the Happy Hearts Fund (HHF), which aims to rebuild safe, resilient schools in areas impacted by natural disasters. PFI and HHF recently signed an agreement for another joint project to build nine classrooms worth US$225,000 (Php10Million). 

The Happy Hearts Fund was founded in 2006 by Petra Nemcova after she survived the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Its mission aligns perfectly with the Philam Paaralan program of Philam Foundation, which aims to build classrooms in calamity-stricken areas around the country with the assistance of the Department of Education. To date, the program has constructed 101 classrooms since it started 4 years ago in 2012.

Present during the MOA signing at the Philippine Consulate in New York City were (from left) PFI President Max Ventura, Ms Universe Pia Wurtzbach, who lent her support for this project that will benefit her fellow “kababayans”, HHF Founder and President Petra Nemcova, Handang Tumulong President Nelsie Parrado and Philippine Consul Felipe Cariño III. 

For more information on Philam Foundation please visit www.philamlife.com