How Gary V’s life changing experience helped him find the best support system

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Gary Valenciano has indeed come a long way in his 37 years in show business. He's won many awards, has starred in countless films, danced on many stages, released 39 best-selling albums, and raised a family— all while living with Type 1 diabetes, a debilitating disease he’s had since his teens. The 55-year old singer is no stranger to health issues. “I learned to take care of myself as my mom was in the USA. When I married Angeli, she studied diabetes and its potential complications so she, in some way, became my nurse.”

In April of 2018, when he and his son, Gabriel, performed on ASAP, he complained of chest pains.

“I hugged him after the number and while people were clapping and cheering for us, I turned to him and told him to pray for me because I wasn’t feeling well. He didn’t know how bad it was but it was really bad because I think anytime I express that to anyone it means I am really not doing well.” After going through an angiogram a few weeks later, they discovered he had 95% blockage on his left artery and had to immediately undergo a cardiac bypass surgery. While still reeling from this heart operation, they found out he had kidney cancer.

The new diagnosis was a big blow to him and his family. “With my heart, I already knew something was wrong. With the cancer, it allowed me to position myself and simply put my life in the hands of God because it was at that point in our lives where we found security and safety.” It was extremely difficult and painful for his family, just as it was for him, but prayers and the constant support from each other became their anchor.

Gary’s hospital bills opened their eyes to the high cost of medical expenses. “Angeli knows many times, when it comes to financial planning, I’m always just trusting God for it, but there are tools He has given us in order to live productively. With the help of savings, an insurance plan and some generous friends, we covered all the costs without a loan.” 

Mr. Pure Energy recently signed with AIA Philam Life as its newest ambassador. The brand hopes to inspire Filipinos, through Gary, to live a healthier, longer, and better life just like how he lives his life to the fullest despite life’s setbacks. “With AIA Philam Life having my back, I know I’m in good hands. I know I have been insured and assured I’ll be okay.”

A support system for life’s uncertainties 

AIA Philam Life understands that unlike Gary V, most Filipinos are financially unprepared for medical emergencies, and will benefit from a product that can support them when the worst health crisis happens. The Company recently introduced AIA Med-Assist, an affordable variable life insurance plan with medical benefit rider designed to address medical expenses due to hospitalization. “I believe until you go through the experience yourself, that’s the only time you will really understand the importance of protecting yourself and your family,” Gary says. Having a backup plan indeed ensures your savings remain untouched during unexpected circumstances. 

Available for 18 to 55-year olds, AIA Med-Assist comes in four different packages ranging from PHP500,000 to PHP4 million yearly hospitalization coverage to match your budget with a longterm payment scheme for more manageable premium payments. It comes with Daily Hospitalization Income for every day you're confined and a lump sum cash benefit to your beneficiaries in the event of loss of life, and is also powered by Philam Vitality, AIA Philam Life’s science-backed wellness program which incentivizes members with rewards for knowing and improving their health.

“It’s true, life is really short. But somehow, you have to do as much good as you can with this life you are given,” Gary adds. For someone who was given a second shot at life, there were many life-changing lessons he picked up along the way and has since treasured, including having his family and AIA Philam Life as his best support system. “I always believe you work on your strengths and entrust your weaknesses with those who can partner with you to take care of the rest, then you can’t go wrong.”

Know more about AIA Med-Assist by visiting the AIA Philam Life website at philamlife.com, Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AIAPhilamLife/, emailing philamlife@aia.com or calling (02)8528-2000.

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About AIA

Philam Life The Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company (AIA Philam Life) is the country’s premier life insurance company. Established on 21 June 1947, AIA Philam Life has earned the trust of customers for its financial strength, strong brand name, and ability to deliver on its promises.

AIA Philam Life has PHP291.38 billion in total assets as of 31 December 2019, while serving over 500,000 individual policyholders and over 1,500,000 insured group members.

AIA Philam Life understands the needs of its customers and provides holistic solutions that include life protection, health insurance, savings, education, retirement, investment, group, and credit life insurance. It also offers bancassurance and fund management products and services through its subsidiaries—BPI-Philam Life Assurance Company (BPLAC) and Philam Asset Management Inc. (PAMI).

AIA Philam Life is a member of AIA Group Limited, the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group.

About the Philam Group

The Philam Group comprises the biggest life insurance company in the Philippines. By putting its customers at the center of its operations, the Philam Group has earned the trust of its stakeholders and has achieved continued growth over the years.

The Philam Group was formed with the mission of empowering Filipinos to achieve financial security and prosperity. Through its strong network, it is able to offer financial solutions such as life protection, health insurance, savings, education, retirement, investment, group and credit life insurance, and fund management products and services.

After the establishment of AIA Philam Life in 1947, the Philam Group has since expanded to include other affiliate companies, namely: BPI-Philam Life Assurance Company (BPLAC), Philam Asset Management Inc. (PAMI), Philam Call Center, and Philam Foundation.

Based on the Insurance Commission results as of 31 December 2019, the combined total premium income of AIA Philam Life and BPLAC is at PHP33.87 billion. Its strength and stability is solidified by AIA Philam Life’s assets at PHP291.38 billion, and net worth at PHP88.94 billion. It is a member of AIA Group Limited, the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group.

About AIA

AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively “AIA” or the “Group”) comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets in Asia-Pacific – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Mainland China, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan (China), Vietnam, New Zealand, Macau SAR, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar, a 99 per cent subsidiary in Sri Lanka, and a 49 per cent joint venture in India.

The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in the Asia-Pacific region (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$284 billion as of 31 December 2019.

AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia-Pacific, AIA serves the holders of more than 36 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.

AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock code “1299” with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: “AAGIY”).

Media Contact:

Abbie L. Remo
AIA Philam Life Head of Corporate Communications and PR
Telephone: +(632) 521 6300 local 2812
Email: Abbie-D.Remo@aia.com