Stephen Chan

"Buti na lang, my mom taught us the value of insurance and saving money at an early age. When my brother and I got employed, we bought our own insurance. Kuya and Mom are now gone but with the help of my plan, I was able to stand up again and pick-up from where I stumbled."

- Stephen J. Chan, 31 years old, from Quezon City
OFW, Working as a Salesman in a Paint Company in Saudi Arabia
Philam Life Plan Beneficiary and Policyholder

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When we are faced with an inescapable ordeal, our faith is put to test. Destiny challenges us to conquer life’s battles and when we are about to succumb to defeat, an unexpected blessing finds its way so we can start anew.

I came from a broken family. I was 9 years old when my father abandoned us. While my mother suffered from depression, she still tried her best to raise me and my brother in a good way despite the absence of our father.

At a young age, Mom taught us the value of money because she didn’t want us to bear the same fate as she did and as much as possible, she wanted us to be responsible and independent.

In 1998, Mom had a heart attack which led to her death. I was scared because I didn’t want to stop from schooling. I knew it would lead there because Kuya, who had just graduated from college, still had to find a stable job. We also had to prioritize our basic needs over my tuition fees.

Little did we know that when Mom was still alive and working, she saved for our future in the form of an insurance plan.

How could I forget Mom and her desire to give us a good future? How could I overlook her philosophy of valuing money? Mom never really left us empty-handed. Until her death, she prepared everything for us. With the money we got from Mom’s insurance, I was able to continue my studies. Part of the money was spent for my schooling while some was used to pay both Kuya and my insurance plan.

Yes, we did buy insurance plans on our own as well because we knew it was the right thing to do, something we could rely on, especially during times of need.

After graduating from college, I worked abroad while Kuya established his career in the Philippines. Again, I invested in another plan and so did my brother.

A few years later, at the least expected time, obstacle found its way to test our faith and placed us in a difficult situation. In 2006, my brother, who after our mother’s death became my protector, was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer that really tested us spiritually and financially. Since his medications were too expensive, my brother soon lost all his savings. His resources started to dry up. I helped him in every possible way I knew to somehow ease his pain. I never left him alone. I love my brother so much and I couldn’t stand seeing him in that condition. I used up all my savings and worked hard to be able to send money for his treatments. I did not think of myself anymore as long as my brother got better.

In the end, when we were both almost financially drained and in debt, Kuya finally succumbed to his illness. He had a hard-fought battle with cancer.

After my brother’s death, I was able to claim from Kuya’s insurance. When I was down because I was left with nothing, Philam Life came to my rescue and saved me.

With the money I got from Kuya’s insurance, I managed to pay all our debts and still had a few amount left – enough to help myself stand up from where I stumbled and start a new beginning.

At present, I work in Saudi Arabia and though I have not fully moved on from Kuya’s loss, I can still say that I have survived the hardships of life, of course, with the help of Philam Life.

Indeed, Philam Life has helped me in so many ways – from graduating from college, to getting a stable job, to paying debts and providing medication to my brother. But beyond all material things, what was more important was that Philam Life became a shelter, a friend, and a family, always ready to comfort me when I felt weak and needy.

I believe that comforting is the best way to show care and affection. And the moment you feel alone and helpless, there you will find Philam Life ready to give a helping hand.