NOT many institutions have the honor and history to commemorate 125 years. Sun Life Philippines, the country’s first and longest-standing life insurer, is blessed with this honor which comes the pleasure to acknowledge what made this longevity possible.

Benedicto Sison, Sun Life chief executive officer and country head, said that the key to the company’s longevity is the partnership it built through the years especially the one forged with its clients.

“We nurture and keep this sacred – this partnership and the mutual trust built with our clients for generations,” Sison said, adding that it takes a village to nurture these partnerships.

Sun Life has stood the test of time alongside Filipinos, providing them quality insurance products and services for over a century. It acknowledges and values the support of individuals and organizations which enable the company to serve its clients, achieve its goals and prosper in the industry.

It has always been a collective effort among Sun Life regulators, as well as its business partners, former and present leaders, field managers, financial advisors, employees, and clients. The leading international financial services organization honors the village of partners and friends that made this happen.

The company that achieved its target five million clients ahead of the schedule takes pride of what it has accomplished – targets exceeded and numbers surpassed, as well as awards, recognitions, and citations conferred.

Though worthwhile, what really makes this celebration meaningful are the stories the company had been a part of, he pointed out.

These are the stories of promises it has kept, the often unrecorded testaments of dreams it has fulfilled, the hope amid the darkness of families losing their loved ones, and the transformation of lives it has made brighter, according to Sison.

He also said the company is committed to delivering products and services ‘beyond lifetimes’ – a fitting theme for its anniversary celebration.

To immortalize oneself beyond one’s lifetime, he noted to plant trees which will later on bear fruits, feeding the next generation. In fulfilling the company’s purpose, “we are in a sense planting trees and immortalizing both the clients and ourselves,” he added.

Sun Life plants seeds of financial security that like a tree will give its clients shade and comfort throughout their lives, Sison related. “We plant trees that in time will bear abundant security for the coming generations.”

In the past 125 years, the company has been overjoyed to witness the countless fulfillments of these in clients it has served for generations, such as the families of Dio Sy and former Philippine president Manuel L. Quezon.

In the life of its advisors, one of whom was Sixto Sandejas who was a Sun Life advisor from the 1920s and one of the first Filipinos to advocate the cause of financial security. Even then, he considered his job as an insurance agent a vocation second to none.

Another one is its oldest active financial advisor Carlos Medina who has been an advisor for over 40 years and continuous to serve his clients until today at the age of 93.

Since the company is given this rare privilege and rich legacy to live by and uphold, “we shall make sure to preserve it and make it even richer,” Sison said. It will also continue to serve its clients with renewed fervent, caring for them and their loved ones in this and in the next generations.

Sun Life, named the country’s number one insurance company for eight consecutive years, has likewise unveiled its commemorative marker and client stories art exhibit.

Last January 17, a grand concert musical was held to celebrate the company’s 125th year, remembering significant events that shaped the company’s history and honor the people who became a part of this journey.

The concert musical featured Sun Life brand ambassadors Charo Santos-Concio, Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, Piolo Pascual, Enchong Dee, and Matteo Guidicelli.

Iñigo Pascual, Gian Magdangal, Acapellago, Baihana, Radha, Frenchie Dy, Katrina Verlade, Aicelle Santos, Philippine Madrigal Singers, Gabriela Pangilinan, Morisette Amon, Ben & Ben, and Rachelle Ann Go also performed at the event.