Financial services provider Sun Life Financial Philippines plans to open two more branches in Cebu before the year ends, high-ranking executives said.
Rizalina Mantaring, president and chief executive officer of Sun Life, said they have been growing 25 percent more in Cebu than in other key cities in the country.
Focusing on further development of the Cebu market can boost the company’s overall growth, she said.
“We are opening at least two branches before the year ends because we believe in Cebu. People can really see that financial literacy and health-centrism come hand in hand,” Mantaring said during the Sun Life Tri-Team press conference for Ironman 70.3 on Saturday.
She said Cebu could be the company’s next hub in the Philippines.
Mylene Lopa, chief marketing officer of Sun Life, said it is only recently that non-clients in Cebu recognize the brand name as an insurance firm.
“To non-clients, even in Cebu, they think we’re a bar of soap. But through developing applications and tapping activities closer to the younger market, we were able to expand,” she said.
She said this is why they tapped Ironman 70.3 in Cebu as the event has a strong grasp on the young adult market and can reach other age groups as well.
Mantaring said the increasing Cebuano participation for Ironman and the growing hype for the triathlon prove how Cebuanos prioritize health.
“As a triathlete myself, I know that joining triathlons is a huge investment, so we can see how managing your finances and health are tied together,” she said.
Sun Life’s brand ambassadors are actor and athlete Piolo Pascual and international Cebuano industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue./ Juli Ann M. Sibi, UP Cebu Intern