Many people dream of being able to give back to their parents as a way of showing gratitude for their hard work and care. It may be as simple as treating them to a nice lunch or something pricier like a designer bag.
For Jale Monique Abellas, a call center agent in Cebu, her goal was to take her parents on a trip outside of their hometown of Brgy. Matab-ang in the town of Toledo City, Cebu. Her father, Manolito, works as a caretaker for a coconut plantation while her mother, Maria, stays at home to tend to her and her siblings. Both rarely venture away from home, content as they were with the peace and quiet they enjoy in their hometown.
However, Jale, wished to be able to bring her parents with her to a beautiful destination. “I get to go on trips with my siblings, cousins, and friends. I thought it would be nice if I could do it with my family as well,” she shared.
As it would turn out, her insurance policy with Sun Life Philippines would pave the way for this to happen.
As part of its summer offerings, Sun Life launched a promo called “A Summer to Remember” where clients simply needed to subscribe to the company’s newsletter to qualify for a raffle draw. The grand prize was a trip to Boracay for four, with accommodation at a five-star resort in the island’s so-called Station Zero.
“I couldn’t believe I won! I’m never lucky in raffle draws at our company Christmas parties, so I was so surprised to have been announced as the winner in Sun Life’s raffle,” Jale said.
And that was how the Abellas family – Jale, Manolito, Maria, and Jhea – found themselves flying to Boracay one bright and sunny day in May for a weekend on the famous island paradise. The trip was marked with memorable firsts for the family: it was her parents’ first plane and boat ride, their first out-of-town trip together, and their first time in Boracay.
“It’s a very meaningful trip,” Jale mused. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do, but I never thought it would become a reality this summer. Thanks to Sun Life for making it happen!”