But money and finances remain inside glass ceilings, still sacred cows even in the most liberated circles. Because if financial freedom leads to emancipation, how come we put such a critical detail at the back of our pretty heads?

Rude awakening: Simply put, women and money are not complementary.

It’s like that annoying notion about female drivers, where being fickle seems to extend to the steering wheel. As women blaze the trail and shatter glass ceilings in every imaginable territory, mutual respect on financial management continues to elude the sisterhood.

Truth is, gender issues inevitably extend to financial biases. From household planning to personal portfolios, women’s rights are hardly felt in the financial services. Worse, public opinion only regards a lady’s financial prowess between budgeting a grocery list and maxing out a slew of credit cards.

Not-so-rude awakening: Surprisingly, money knows no gender.

The great male-female divide may be a throwback to the days before suffrage and women-wearing-pants acceptance. And though studies reveal that women CEOs are way behind their male counterparts when it comes to compensation, these green-colored glass ceilings are well on its way of being shattered.

For if we can do a thousand different styles to our hair, we can surely be as creative in stretching the family budget and balancing the must-have and the need-to-have. After all, money is blind, except to the hard work one puts in.

So watch out for falling debris. The glass ceilings are breaking, and this is no time to run for cover.

Photo Credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joshmcculloch/2105186740/

It’s Time! aims to address the market’s growing need for information and guidance about financial planning. Through a multi-media approach, Sun Life wants the public to act with more urgency in fulfilling their financial goals.

Digital messengers

Aptly called Blog Time, the affair came at the heels of a nationwide mall campaign that aims to cultivate awareness and empower Filipinos to achieve financial freedom.

Bloggers from diverse backgrounds snap away as Pia Magalona stepped into the front.

“We believe that bloggers are today’s thought leaders, and they can help spread the powerful message of financial planning through their digital medium,” said Sun Life marketing services head Mylene Lopa.

"So how exactly do we get to our ideal lifestyle? I have two words for you: saving and investing," says Bam Aquino.

Pia fight back tears as she recounts how she and Francis have thought they would be growing old together.

Hannah Villasis and Vince Golangco pose with the advocates at the booth.

Bloggers Jenny and Jeff Aspacio write down their pledges at the It's Time! booth

Pia shares stories and laughs over Italian food with some of the female bloggers.

Bam Aquino, on the other hand, enjoys bonding with other bloggers.

As a social entrepreneur, Aquino imparted the lesson of saving and investment, a value nurtured by his own parents. On the other hand, Magalona espoused the benefits of life insurance, which helped her family recover from the early loss of her husband. Both shared personal stories and even tips on how to start one’s own journey to prosperity.

On the advocacy

To encourage active online participation in the advocacy, the Tell-a-Friend program allows an advocate to invite their friends to also sign up. Prizes at stake are Rudy Project watches, SunPIOLOgy calendars, and Kulay Pinoy diaries.

1. Visit www.itstime.com.ph and sign up as advocate.

2. Specify your name, age, address, and telephone number in the form so that we could contact you.

2. Click the “Invite-A-Friend” then enter the e-mail addresses of your cyber-friends.

3. Every referral who signs up gives you one raffle point.

4. Raffle will be held every 2 weeks.

Grand Prize:

Rudy Project Watch

10 Kulay Pinoy Diaries

10 SunPiology Calendars

Winners will be notified thru email or phone.

Aside from the online promo, the It’s Time Challenge invites mall-goers to Check, Commit, and Carry Out for a chance to win instant prizes and a trip for two to Switzerland.

Related Links:

http://www.marriageandbeyond.com/2010/03/03/sun-life-financial-its-time/
http://fitzvillafuerte.com/the-personal-finance-habits-of-filipinos.html
http://boy-kuripot.blogspot.com/2010/03/its-time-for-sun-life.html

When Zenaida Bangloy heard the news that she won the P 120,000 It’s Time starter fund contest, she refused to believe her luck. After all, this hard-working Igorot knitter loops beautiful creations with her own hands. And for such a blessing to simply fall on her lap, it filled her with overwhelming gratitude and an unwavering belief for a brighter future ahead.

The Path of Prosperity stems a new road from here. Zenaida Bangloy (center), a 48 yr.old Mountain Province native wins the Php 100,000 pot money (with additional Php 20,000 raised from the ITM cards) from It’s Time’s raffle promo last December 2009. Together with Zenaida is Marketing Services Head Mylene Lopa and her SLF Financial Advisor from Redwood, Jocelyn Audar.

Stitches and riches
A Mt. Province native, Zenaida and her family live in an Igorot community situated around Cainta. They knit bonnets and other novelties that they sell in big markets like Baclaran. And to augment their humble income, the Bangloys also maintain a simple sari-sari store.

But what makes this particular household remarkable is their faith in the merits of insurance and investment. Prior to winning her BizFund, Zenaida availed of SunProtect10, which she will finish paying for this coming April. She also ventured into investment with her latest acquisition of a Variable Universal Life policy.

So when asked what she plans to do with her prize money, Zenaida’s answer was not surprising. “Para po sa business. At para rin sa dagdag na insurance ng pamilya (For our business. And for additional coverage for my family),” she said. Also, she found it much easier to get a loan from her insurance dividends as compared to banks.

Tapestry of advocates
In a country of low insurance penetration and shallow investment appreciation, Zenaida demonstrates a very mature and savvy attitude towards her finances. Her Sun Life agent even revealed that she never missed a payment, even during a lamentable period of neglect where no agent was catering to her needs.

Of course, it does not hurt that the community where she belongs also recognizes the value of financial freedom thru insurance and investment opportunities. Surrounded by financially responsible neighbors, Zenaida is now reaping and enjoying the fruits of her labor, a virtue that she eventually shared with her children.

And what will be her advice for Filipinos who are yet to find the right needle to stitch their financial tapestries? “Hindi niyo alam kung ano ang pwedeng mangyari. Mas mabuti nang handa kayo para sa inyong pamilya (You never know what can happen. So it’s better to be prepared, especially for your family),” shared Zenaida.

MANILA, Philippines — Nine out of 10 Filipinos have nothing to bequeath to their loved ones when they pass away, thus leaving many young dependents with an uncertain future, research done by the financial giant Sun Life of Canada shows.

Sun Life’s latest study on lifestyle, attitudes and relationships (SOLAR) also showed that 45 percent of senior Filipino citizens—those aged 65 and above—become a burden to relatives after retirement while 30 percent are dependent on charity and 22 percent continue to work instead of enjoying retirement.

Only 2 percent of retired Filipinos could be considered financially dependent, Sun Life of Canada (Philippines Inc.) president Riza Mantaring said in a press briefing on Friday.

“The statistics aren’t very good,” Mantaring said. “Filipinos don’t understand as well as they should the importance of preparing for their future.”

The urgency of boosting Filipinos’ financial literacy, Mantaring said, was the reason why Sun Life started seven months ago the “It’s Time!” campaign, seeking to bring to a broader market base the importance of preparing for the future.

The It's Time! booth opens at Shangri La Plaza Mall

The latest SOLAR study, which was based on a survey of 1,200 respondents from various income segments last year, showed that health ranks among the top concerns for Filipinos. But while 76 percent of Filipinos are concerned about paying for health treatment, an overwhelming 85 percent have to dip into their savings when they get sick instead of depending on health insurance.

Insurance penetration also remains low in the country even in the presumably financially savvy “AB” income segment (45 percent).

Continue reading here: http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20100206-251545