Sun Life Foundation Advances Environmental and Social Causes with Key Initiatives

Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) continues its commitment to environmental sustainability and community health development through a series of impactful initiatives. These include a new mangrove conservation project, a tree planting drive in La Mesa Watershed, and the turnover of Barangay Health Stations in Central Luzon.

As the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, the Foundation continues to focus on initiatives that address health, education, and environmental sustainability. The Foundation’s recent activities further underscore its role in fostering community-driven solutions that promote long-term resilience. “Each step we take contributes to the greater good. If a small step makes a difference, imagine the impact our concerted effort will have not just in the present but for generations to come,” said Sun Life President Alex Narciso, emphasizing the importance of collective action.

Mangrove Conservation Initiative in Eastern Visayas
Sun Life Foundation enhances mangrove conservation in Samar and Biliran

In a bid to support environmental preservation, Sun Life Foundation has launched the Integrated Mangrove Citizen Science and Sustainable Livelihood Initiative in partnership with the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation. The project, which covers sites in Samar and Biliran, aims to empower local communities with sustainable livelihoods while improving mangrove conservation efforts. According to Kristine Dianne Millete, Executive Director of the Sun Life Foundation, “Protecting mangroves is more important than ever given their role in mitigating the impacts of climate change. We hope that this project will empower communities to actively care for mangroves while sustainably reaping the benefits these ecosystems provide.”

Tree Planting Activities at La Mesa Watershed
PRESS RELEASE [FINAL] - Sun Life Foundation champions environmental sustainability, plants 3,000 trees at La Mesa Watershed

Furthering its commitment to environmental sustainability, Sun Life Foundation, with the support of over 200 volunteers, organized tree planting activities at the La Mesa Watershed, one of Metro Manila’s last remaining large forests. A total of 3,000 seedlings were planted in collaboration with Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST). In her remarks, Kristine Dianne Millete emphasized, “It’s crucial to conserve and protect nature, especially here in Metro Manila where pollution, climate change, and monsoon rains greatly impact the quality of life of millions. Through annual tree plantings, we hope to help in building a more sustainable, climate-resilient, and livable city.”

Expansion of Barangay Health Stations in Central Luzon
Sun Life Foundation Turns Over Four New Barangay Health Stations in Central Luzon

In an effort to enhance healthcare access in underserved regions, Sun Life Foundation has officially turned over four new Barangay Health Stations (BHS) in Tarlac and Nueva Ecija. This initiative, in partnership with Health Futures Foundation, Inc., aims to provide primary healthcare services and health education, particularly in remote communities. Sun Life Foundation President Alex Narciso remarked, “The Sun Life Barangay Health Stations program aims to empower residents and aid in building healthy, resilient, and thriving communities. Having a health station helps eliminate distance as a barrier to forging a brighter future.”

Through its multifaceted programs, Sun Life Foundation not only champions environmental sustainability but also plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in the communities it serves. These initiatives reflect the Foundation’s ongoing dedication to improving public health, protecting natural resources, and supporting local communities in line with its core values of social responsibility and sustainability.

Details provided in recent press release.

Sun Life Philippines shines in communication excellence and community sustainability

Sun Life Philippines celebrates dual achievements in marketing excellence and community development.

Sun Life Philippines, the leading life insurance provider in the country, has garnered significant recognition at the prestigious Gold Quill Awards for its exemplary marketing campaigns. Simultaneously, its philanthropic arm, Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation), continues to make strides in promoting food security and livelihood sustainability in remote areas.

Excellence in Communication: Gold Quill Awards Triumph

Sun Life Philippines was honored at the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Awards, securing three distinguished awards for its innovative marketing initiatives. The company received an Award of Excellence for its Brand Health Journey and an Award of Merit for its Freedom to Live Brighter campaign. Additionally, Sun Life’s Client Experience & Marketing Departments were bestowed with the Team of the Year Special Award.

Sun Life Corporate News

The Brand Health Journey aimed to maintain Sun Life’s status as a top-of-mind brand in the Philippines by deploying comprehensive digital and traditional advertising campaigns. These efforts ensured a wider reach, encouraging more Filipinos to secure their health and wealth.

The Freedom to Live Brighter campaign, a refreshed financial literacy advocacy, targeted younger audiences through engaging digital films created by Sun Life’s Gen Z multimedia artists. This campaign successfully boosted financial literacy awareness among the younger demographic, significantly enhancing the company’s appeal to this age group.

Carla Gonzalez-Chong, Chief Client Experience & Marketing Officer of Sun Life Philippines, expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “We share this achievement with our clients, who inspire us to be innovative. We will continue striving for excellence in communication to help Filipinos achieve lifetime financial security and healthier lives.”

Promoting Food Security and Sustainability in Surigao del Norte

Parallel to its marketing success, Sun Life Foundation has made significant contributions to community development through its Food Shed Farming Enterprise project in Surigao del Norte. This initiative, conducted in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines, aims to enhance food security and provide sustainable agriculture-based livelihoods to the barangays of Caub and Halian in Del Carmen.

Sun Life Corporate News

The remote locations of these barangays have historically faced challenges in food supply due to their reliance on the main Siargao island and Surigao City. The new food sheds, equipped with sustainable technologies, are designed to mitigate these challenges. They ensure access to safe and quality food, reduce dependency on external supplies, and boost local income by facilitating market linkages.

Furthermore, the project incorporates climate-adaptive farming techniques and financial education to ensure long-term sustainability. The food sheds directly benefit 250 individuals and indirectly improve the lives of 2,943 barangay residents by providing fresh, locally-produced, nutrient-rich food.

Sun Life Foundation’s commitment to health, education, and environmental sustainability underscores its mission to uplift the lives of marginalized Filipinos. Through initiatives like the Food Shed Farming Enterprise, the Foundation aims to build a brighter future for all.

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and  health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide,  including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India,  China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2023, Sun Life had total assets under  management of $1.37 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the  ticker symbol SLF.

Details provided in recent press releases.