Rico Ybanez worked for 15 years in one of the hospitals south of Manila transferring to head one department to another. Leaving his comfort zone for higher income, he decided to quit and work as a training and development officer in an insurance company on February 21, 2015.
On March 27, of the same year, he was rushed to the same hospital where he worked. He complained of tenderness at the very slight palpitation at the lower quadrant of his abdomen and a lingering fever. He waited for two long hours of excruciating pain before the doctor came. After thorough examination, the doctor then advised emergency operation. He asked him to make a choice between a laser or exploratory operation. He chose the second as the first would be too financially draining. It turned out to be a wiser and life-saving decision. Initially, the diagnosis was appendicitis, however, when the doctors opened him up, they discovered his appendix was, yes, swollen not because of an infection from his appendix. The cause of the inflammation was an infection originating from a nearby perforated ulcer of the small intestine. He spent a fortune on his nine days at the hospital. The price tag? Php 400,000. A hundred of which, went to the professional fee.
His experience was a nightmare physically, emotionally and financially. He endured 16 stitches from his navel down, lost much weight and looked terribly thin. He was tube-fed via NGT (nasogastric tube that carries food and nutrients through the nose) and swallowing which is a normal, involuntary reflex was very painful. He asked his wife to get him an insurance policy as soon as possible while he was still in the hospital.
Prior to his operation, he recalled he was travelling here and there, taking spectacular landscape pictures, being fit, and going to the gym each day. He declined several offers from insurance sales agents to get a coverage as he did not see the need for it at the time. He believed he was in tiptop shape until the dreaded day came which proved him wrong.
Now, he is an advocate of health and financial wellness.
Financial planning helps at the time when you need it most. When disaster happens, there is a fund to cover for the need. Investing a little amount regularly can be life saving. A little sacrifice can go a long way. Income need not be hampered even when you are hospitalized because of its critical illness and hospital income benefit. It can provide for many costs associated with at least 36 critical illness treatment when need arises. Statistics say there is a good chance you will need to fight a critical illness in your lifetime like what happened to Rico, who was changed from a passive pessimist to an active advocate. The "that will never happen to me" attitude changed.
If and when you are lucky enough to escape from illness, there is a fund or wealth accumulation when you retire.
As a financial consultant, I help people understand and achieve their financial goals. If you provide for yourself and your family, then your income is important. We have to protect that income. Can you and your family maintain your present lifestyle in case something unexpected happens to you? On children's education, sending children to school can be expensive.
What are your dreams for your child? We need to prepare ahead. Protection of income? Retirement. Most of us wish for a comfortable retirement. For this to happen , we need money, Do you know that eight out of 10 retirees will be dependent in their children for financial support? Let me help.
Maria Arlene Goyenechea
Certified financial consultant/Life Underwriters Association of the Philippines, (LUAP) member
Purpurite Branch - Pru Life UK
09217973661/09158742966
email: mgoyenec@yahoo.com
Live a good honorable life. This is what makes life enjoyable.
