In celebration of its 10th-anniversary in the Philippines and as part of its commitment to continuously promoting inclusive financial literacy, FWD Life Insurance (FWD Philippines) launched its Community Care Month in August – a program that is likewise observed across the insurer’s 10 markets in Asia.
The event kicked off with an energetic introduction hosted by Coaches Jim and Toni Saret, who are top fitness coaches of Philippine national athletes. Participants engaged in an obstacle course filled with modified parlor games and mental activities inspired by financial concepts like saving and budgeting, as well as activities like flag-making and a Zumba session.
FWD Philippines launched its Community Care Month with an exciting sporting event called Dream Big, Play Hard. The event welcomed FWD Philippines’ Community Care partners through the decade: Junior Achievement of the Philippines (JA Philippines) , Humanity & Inclusion (H&I) and Special Olympics Pilipinas (SOP). Members from these partners participated as volunteers alongside FWD Philippines employees.
As mentioned by Roche Vandenberghe, FWD Philippines’ Chief Marketing and Digital Business Officer, during her opening speech, “FWD is committed to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion, which is why we encourage everyone to join us in building a community and creating the best future for all.”
JA Philippines Executive Director, Krishna Alejandrino, highlighted the importance of creating a sense of inclusion and belonging through such sporting events. He said, “This kind of opportunity creates an invaluable impact for people with disabilities because they have very specific skills that are often overlooked. This kind of event empowers them to learn and experience how to be a positive contributor to society.”
SOP Program Director, Kaye Samson, also emphasized how events like Dream Big, Play Hard help shift perceptions about the abilities of people with disabilities, allowing them to showcase their talents and skills – “People often box those with disabilities to have limited capabilities. We aim to change that by providing them the chance to play and learn alongside everybody else, as they often excel beyond expectations when given the opportunity.”
Adrianne Odulio, a 21-year-old member and volunteer of SOP, shared her excitement after the event by saying, “It’s important for us to participate in these events because they give us the space to interact and connect with different people. They allow us to show that while we might not be perfect, we are constantly improving.”
FWD’s Community Care vision focuses on financial inclusion. By educating the next generation, FWD aims to build a better future and empower people to live fulfilled lives. This commitment to financial empowerment supports nation-building by creating resilient and inclusive communities.