Cocolife Times - ISSUE 2020-08

TIMES














Issue No. 2020-08




























Amid A Crisis
Operation P10
Amid A Crisis P2
COCOLIFE COVID Relief



Workforce P4
Wants to Ensure

That No One is Amid A Crisis P2 Skeleton COCO Unity Run
Workforce P4

Left Behind Skeleton COCO Unity Run P7




Dominate P8
P6






Atty. Martin Loon Cocolife
President & CEO What’s
COCOLIFE INSIDE

Amid A Crisis, Cocolife Wants to Ensure That No One is Left Behind

“It’s the values we share, the empathy we have for each other, for the Filipino,” says Cocolife President
and lawyer Martin Loon.


When the national government working arrangement befitting the beings. Therefore, the inability to
declared a Luzon-wide lockdown in new and unpredictable nature of personally connect with each other
mid-March, Cocolife President and the economy and of everyday life. It is really a challenge. Thank God for
CEO, Atty. Jose Martin Azcárraga was a significant undertaking, and a technology.”
Loon, decided that he would keep necessary one, to adapt to the crisis.
working from the company’s Ayala But Cocolife is nothing if not resilient. But the 33-year-old chief executive
Avenue office rather than from home. does believe that while this pandemic is
With him was a team that comprised “We had to make sure unprecedented, it isn’t insurmountable.
the company’s skeleton staff, and For his part, he’s counting on the very
together, they took up the task of service continued. We reason Cocolife has been resilient
ensuring that Cocolife could continue had to make sure our through 42 years: its core principle of
serving its policyholders, despite the “Believing in the Filipino.”
limitations. employees were healthy
and well. We had to “It’s the values we share, the empathy
Even then, they acknowledged that we have for each other, for the Filipino,”
these limitations were necessary to make sure no one was Martin says. When the coronavirus
curb the spread of the coronavirus. left behind.” outbreak worsened, he drew from
But Cocolife’s policyholders depended these values, which have kept Cocolife
on the company’s approvals for their Founded in 1978, Cocolife is the strong all these years. “Our priority
healthcare and life insurance claims. biggest Filipino-owned stock life is to take care of our people and
Moreover, Cocolife had its employees insurance company, and as such, it policyholders,” he says. “We had to
to think about. The company had to has seen its fair share of crises: natural make sure service continued despite
keep running. calamities; political unrest; the 1997 the lockdown. We had to make sure
Asian financial crisis; and the global our employees were healthy and well.
So for the first few days, he and his financial crisis in the late 2000s. The We had to make sure no one was left
team manned the fort. They traded company weathered all these, but behind.”
their dress shoes for slippers and set Atty. Loon—who prefers to go by just
up camp at the office, where they Martin—admits that COVID-19 is by “We thought that the
would stay 24/7. This allowed them to far, the greatest challenge that the
attend to client concerns effectively, country and the world has faced in best way to move
and to coordinate with other Cocolife recent times, “because of its duration forward is to emphasize
employees who had already been and its direct threat to human lives.”
asked to work from home. In this time, the faith and trust we
the team was also able to establish, “The crises and calamities we’ve have in the Filipino:
for the whole company, a sustainable
overcome in the past, at least for my Filipino talent, Filipino
2 generation, didn’t last this long,” he values, the Filipino
says. “Also, we are affective human

dream.” seasoned colleagues. With him on the insurance policies, and has extended
board are fellow lawyers, executives, the grace period for all premium dues
Coincidentally, these values were the a media practitioner, an accounting from March 1 to April 30, from 31 days
very same that Martin grew up with. expert and former Supreme Court to 61 days.
Early in his life, he saw his parents raise Justices, including former Associate
seven children while simultaneously Justice Bienvenido Reyes, who is now “I just want our policyholders to feel
doing work that made the country and the Chairman of the Board. that we’re there for them, that they
its people part of their lives. can rely on us even during the darkest,
But Martin also relies on a dynamic new most difficult, and trying times,” Martin
Martin’s father, retired Marine Colonel generation of leadership at Cocolife. says. “We do our best to make sure
Ariel Querubin, is a recipient of the The company’s departments are led that we take care of their needs and
Medal of Valor, the highest award given by a mix of seasoned Cocolife veterans their situation in life. If nothing else,
by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and new recruits from top local and that’s what empathy is about, after all.
(AFP) to soldiers who go beyond the international universities—many of You have to think of their welfare.”
call of duty. His mother, Pong, raised whom Martin personally invited to join
the children and stood by her husband the team. In fact, all the fresh young Naturally, the same empathy extends
in their family’s most trying times. talent has placed the average age of to Cocolife’s employees. Early into
company management at just 30 years the crisis, without delay, the company
Martin went to Ateneo de Manila old. They are young Filipinos who released its employees’ 13th-month
University, which honed in him the recognize the importance of Cocolife’s pay and offered financial assistance
creed of being a “man for others.” While role in Filipino society, and are well- packages and emergency loans,
he didn’t choose to pursue a military equipped to carry out the company’s among other forms of support. “We
career, Martin developed a particular vision and mission. had to make sure that everyone was
interest in law, and was guided by the okay,” Martin says.
belief that justice should be accessible “I want our policyholders
to all and not just a privileged few. He to feel that we’re there Cocolife turned 42 this year, and for
believed, early on, that no one should the first time, the company cancelled
be left behind. for them, that they can all its corporate activities for the rest
of the year. The amount the company
rely on us even during
So Martin took up law at the University was able to save will be used to address
of the Philippines, where he was a the darkest, most the effects of the pandemic. “The
member of the Order of the Purple difficult, and trying resources were diverted to helping
Feather (the UP Law Honor Society), people,” Martin says. Particularly,
the University Student Council, and times.” these resources were channeled to the
the Sigma Rho Fraternity. Then, he financial assistance for the employees,
went to Georgetown University and The coronavirus outbreak has made sales force, partners, and beneficiaries.
earned his Master of Laws. everyone at Cocolife adjust to a new
normal, to think beyond the box, and Cocolife also donated to the UP
After graduating from Georgetown, to go an even further extra mile for National Institute of Health for the
Martin would go on to build a their clients and their own colleagues. purchase of a Real Time-Polymerase
prodigious legal career. With some “We were so used to the convenience Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) machine
partners, he set up a law firm that, of personally being present in that would help efforts for COVID-19
in 2019, was named the Best New the workplace, coordination and testing. On top of that, Cocolife has
Law Firm in the country by the Asia meetings,” says Martin. “We depended also made significant contributions
Business Law Journal. much on personal interaction. This time, to the efforts of both the government
we relied heavily on technology, which and non-government organizations in
By then, Martin had also become the took some time to get accustomed to, the frontlines, sending donations such
youngest member of the Consultative but after a week, Cocolifers got the as food, disinfectants, and face masks.
Committee that, in 2018, reviewed hang of it. We’re performing optimally
the 1987 Constitution. As part of this despite the work from home system.” “We thought that the best way to
committee, Martin was able to work move forward is to really emphasize
alongside some of the country’s most Wasting no time, Cocolife established the faith and trust we have in the
prominent legal minds. 24/7 helplines and a special ground Filipino: Filipino talent, Filipino values,
force to provide clarity and assistance the Filipino dream,” Martin says. “It’s
“It’s what the insurance when people needed it most. The really what the insurance business is
all about. It’s about helping people
company also made sure that customer
business is all about: service facilities and payment systems capture their dreams no matter what
helping people capture are available online. happens, the best way we can. I am
optimistic that humanity will come
their dreams no matter But perhaps most meaningfully, out of this better and kinder to one
what happens, the best Cocolife was quick to grant its health another.”
way we can.” card members full coverage for COVID-
19-related hospitalizations, subject to
policy terms and regular reviews. The Source:
At Cocolife, Martin is guided by company has also provided hospital esquiremag.ph/money 3
the experience and knowledge of income benefits to affected life May 4, 2020

Skeleton Philippines has become no
Workforce


(HO and Feliza)
exemption to the effects of the
rapid increase of COVID-19 cases
now
a
became
global
which
concern. Locally, we have adapted
to certain measures with the hopes
of mitigating further risks.
It was around the second week
of March when Cocolife has taken
on a skeletal workforce system,
while all others are in a work-from-
home arrangement, as business
continues to operate. This was our
way of responding to the call of the
government in reinforcing the initial
measures imposed as we fight this
battle – which required a more firm
approach in ensuring everyone’s
safety.

The first few days may find some
baffled and a bit worried on how
things will unravel as everything
appears to be relatively new to
everyone. Certain employees, who
have answered to the call of duty
and braved the odds, continuously
reported to our Ayala and Feliza
offices amid the crisis.

The Risk Management and
Compliance Division headed by
Atty. Alloysius Yebra, together with
Atty. Jan Darryl Dimaculangan and
Manager David Roy Padin, who
worked closely with our President
Atty. Jose Martin Loon, has
remained on top in monitoring the
developments of COVID-19. They
continuously developed strategies
and contingency plans that secure
the welfare of the employees, the
company and the clients.

The Information Technology
Division, particularly the System
Development team represented
by Mikki Dela Cerna and also the
Technical Support team led by
Manager Virsalon Manlulu along with
Jerico Argame, Jeffrey Mangaba,
Donn Miron, John Paul Madronio
and John Mathew Santos, have been
supporting the community to ensure
the workforce continuity as well
as address all other technical and
systems concerns that may arise.
4

The Operations Division, headed by Rolly Neri, Lensy Mateo and and Mary Joy Villahermosa, Kaycee
Senior Manager Mark Anthony Arbis, Mary Joy Manzano, has been Pacson, Manuelito Vivero, Heather
has been efficiently processing the revisiting company guidelines Gonzales, Jimeliza Ringor, Arrah
releases of claims of our insurance and keeping themselves updated Ivy Peregrin, Shazy Tucay, Russel
policy holders. It has also been with DOLE regulations to ensure Tabanao, Brendalyn Divino, Charina
responding to the queries and that employees are financially Juanich, Marileine Chua, Jhonacel
requests of the clients. Together equipped and covered; while the Ropez, Sheena Obmerga, Ernest John
with him is a team composed of Facilities Management team led Malayao, Dayanara Fabonan, Winnie
the following : Ariel Miguel, Rowena by Engr. Amos Carlos Sanchez Gajultos, Kristine Serrano, Joana
Enojo, Sherwin Raon, Rovelin along with Engr. JC Porciuncula, Jacob, Jhony Tercero, Robertson
Acebes, Christian Molabola, Irish Joy Arnel Advincula, Rogelio Malla, Albano, Windy Tabangcura, Mary
Palma, and Jansen Arano of Policy Princess Erika Cestina, Reynaldo Suzanne Matawaran, Lai Regencia,
Administration; Manager Norma Diaz and Eugene Fernandez, has Glen Jalbuena, Lijean Ragunjan,
Gojar, Brenia Nuguid, and Reymar been providing extensive support Maybelyn Rodriguez, Rose Ann
Demoral of Field Operations; Jehan to guarantee deliveries, mobility, De Guzman, Marie Joy Barredo
Mae Gojit, Jerry Felarca Jr., Paula safety, orderliness and maintenance and Kristine Reglos from Helpline
Bianca Gomez and Mario Pradia in the office. –ensuring prompt processing of
Jr. of Claims; Chazel Cabatbat and medical insurance claims as well as
Catleya Maaño of Underwriting; Rose The Group Marketing Division, extending assistance 24/7.
Ann Dolor and Maredith Madrazo of particularly the Group Term Life
Client Relations; and Lara Amadeo, team represented by Alvin Ydia and It is also proper to give credit right
Jane Bersales, Jerelyn Calibuso, Business Development - Migrants to our agency personnel – the
Michiko Felizarta, Jhunilyn Gacho, Insurance represented by Mary drivers, messengers, clerks, security
Kanee May Mendoza, and Regane Ann Andal and Jarmay Galay, have and canteen for all the assistance
Velasco of Customer Care Contact. been attending to account-related they have extended to the skeletal
concerns for group life insurance workforce.
The Finance Division, particularly and OFW loans.
the Cash Management team, has As Angela Duckworth once said,
been facilitating the requests The Healthcare Division, particularly “Enthusiasm is common. Endurance
of various departments in the the Account Management team of is rare.” Being resilient as we all
swift processing and issuance of Alex Gonzales and Elvis Balanon Cocolifers are, the above mentioned,
checks for urgent payments and has been providing all the support whom we consider as our frontliners,
release of commissions. This was needed by our individual and have remained true to our core in
made possible by Manager Janeth group HMO clients. They were delivering the utmost commitment
Villanueva, ACS, Assistant Manager fully supported by the Accounting of servicing the Filipino people.
Marisol Bulaon, and Jenifer Laurido team of Gladys Delanta, Fernando Hours may have turned to days, and
and Gladis Cuneta. Dela Cruz, Fernchrist Ancheta and days may have turned to weeks –
Carl Lazo; Provider Relations team these frontliners had to stay in-house
The Human Resources Division, represented by Audrey Lucero, Mary and vigorously face the challenges
particularly Compensation and Grace Siringan and Celine Noble; head on even if this would cost them
Benefits team led by Assistant and Medical Services comprised time to be with their families in order
Vice President Rita Bernad along of Anna Laurel, Marichelle Datoy to be there for the organization.
with Manager Deeda Concepcion, and Cherrylyn Camo from Claims
May this be an inspiration that despite
facing all these uncertainties, we let
go of the ‘what if’s’ and think of ‘what
we can’. Never let any adversary get
in the way as it would be great to see
things differently and look forward
for a brighter tomorrow.

To all Cocolifers serving in their
respective areas of assignments
including those reporting at home,
maraming salamat and see you
again soonest!




5

The Morning Zest of COCO Unity Run




The Coco Unity Run took place in snacks stops stationed along the Jose Martin A. Loon together
Liwasang Ulalim, CCP Complex, racetrack. Around 2,000 runners with Cocogen Insurance President
Pasay City, in the early hours of the of various ages participated, Andres Y. Narvasa, Cocolife
morning last February 9, Sunday. comprising not only the employees Foundation President Santiago
The event was organized by an of the Coco Group, but also their Varona, CAMCI President Artemio
intercompany team from Cocolife, friends and families. Tanchoco, Jr., UCPB Group Head
Cocogen, and UCPB, coordinated & Executive Vice President for
by Cocolife Marketing Planning To show total support for the Branch Banking Group Edmond
Department. The event’s aim is historic event - the very first ever E. Bernardo, members of Cocolife
to promote health and wellness intercompany race for the Coco and Cocogen Management
as well as promote camaraderie conglomerate, in attendance were: Committees, and famous
among employees. It also served Cocolife President and CEO Atty. personalities such as Cocolife Brand
as a fundraiser for the benefit
of Cocolife Foundation, Inc. and
Operations Smile, an organization
providing care for children with
cleft palate conditions.

There were four race categories:
the 1K, 3K, 5K and the more
challenging 10K. Refreshments
before and after the race were
served courtesy of race sponsors
Pocari Sweat, Milo, and Mogu
Mogu. There were also drinks and

6

Ambassador and Gilas Pilipinas
Team Captain Kiefer Ravena,
MPBL South Division Champion
Davao Occidental Tigers-Cocolife,
and Congresswoman Claudine
Bautista.

The run started with the 1K runners
first off the block. This was followed
by the 3K, 5K and finally the 10K
runners trudging off in the cool
early morning. The race proceeded
totally without a hitch, with race
marshals watchfully guiding and
looking after the runners the
entire length of the track. After
the run, the hosts of Platinumlist.
ph gave out individual finishers’
medals, loot bags, freebies and
special prizes for all the runners.
They also introduced a cooldown
aerobic dance regime, with those
having excess energies gamely
participating. The announcement
of the runners-up and winners
per division followed, with senior
company officers handing out the
medals and cash prizes

The Cocolife Group is very
delighted indeed to have received
such enthusiastic support for the
run, and thankful for organizers for
the topnotch service in ensuring
that the event went smoothly - and
more importantly, that everyone
had lots of fun!































7

CHAIRMAN’S PRESIDENT’S
SPEECH SPEECH














































The Cocolife 2019 Christmas party performances. The dynamic hosts
was held at the posh Okada Hotel, for the evening were DJ Sean Kyle
on December 18, with the event title, Japanese and Daiana Menezes then took over,
“Cocolife Dominate!” The revelers were Yakuza shortly queuing the congratulatory
decked in colorful gangster costumes message delivered by Cocolife’s
- Japanese Yakuza kimonos, Chinese Chairman of the Board, the former
triad cheongsams, dapper American Supreme Court Justice Bienvenido
50’s suits, Mexican cholo open shirts – Reyes.
everything a would-be gangster can
research in YouTube. Sumptuous dinner came next and
Chinese then the much-anticipated annual
The program opened with a fast-paced Triad dance competition between the
number from JABAWOCKEEZ, doing neophytes and the main contest
the hip-hop the dance crew was so pitting four gangster dance groups
famous for. After their performance, – the American, Chinese, Japanese
Atty. Jun Nario, the company Corsec, and Mexican – with the American
delivered the opening remarks, officially production of HMO winning first
prepping the audience for upcoming prize.
Mexican
Mafia
8

Kiefer Ravena’s introduction as
Cocolife’s brand ambassador
was announced afterwards
along with the athlete’s
contract signing. Between
numbers, Nicole Laurel Asensio
formerly part of the General
Luna Band, performed.

During the Christmas message
of the President and CEO
Martin Loon which followed, a
bit of good news was met with
raucous good-natured cheer
from the audience – a special
bonus will be granted, for the
company’s collective effort in Present during the event were Cocolife’s brand ambassadors: Kiefer Ravena (Gilas Pil-
setting the bar of excellence ipinas Team Captain), and MPBL Davao Occidental Tigers - Cocolife players Billy Ray
Robles and Mark Yee.
in 2019 to another record high.
The ceremonial Christmas cum
yearend toast was then held on
center stage, with the Cocolife
Board, the President and
senior executives wishing the
company all the good wishes.
At the tail end of the party, The
Voice finalist Jason Fernandez
performed, followed by an
electric performance by
Parokya ni Edgar’s lead singer,
Chito Miranda.








The event indeed is
both a celebration for

what was achieved
in the past and at
the same time, for
strengthening the bond

among Cocolifers as
the stage is set for
the challenges in the
coming year.






9

COVID-19 Pandemic



Relief Activity In Barangay 72 Concha – Dalanghita,












another batch of relief goods were
given to street sweepers, ambulant
vendors, tricycle drivers, and even
hobos who were sleeping on the
streets. The team also handed kiddie
bags to street children they met
along the way.

A touching incident happened when
Nanay Selya, a senior citizen who
recently lost her husband, thanked
As early as February, Cocolife the team quite so profusely – crying
Foundation, Inc. (CFI) was resolved for joy, for delivering the relief packs.
to prepare its relief assistance
capability, having freshly experienced some volunteers proceeded to
firsthand, relief operations in Bicol Barangay 66, District 1 in Tondo –
after the typhoon and Batangas without question, the area where
during the Taal volcano eruption. most of the country’s low-income
On early March, a modest budget families reside. They distributed
of P50K was accordingly set aside hundreds of relief bags house-to-
with the intention of stocking up on house. The bags contained rice,
essential relief items, so as not to be common medicines, washable face
caught unawares the next time an masks, pasta pack, instant coffee,
emergency occurs.
biscuits, instant noodles and bread.
Priority were given to persons with
And then it happened. The spread of disabilities, senior citizens and low-
the COVID-19 pandemic was so swift wage earners. Front-liners of the
and explosive it caught everyone by barangay who were on duty were
surprise, so much so that Enhanced also included. One special donee is Jhon
Community Quarantine – total Mhel Roxas, a 17-year-old
lockdown in Luzon was declared by boy from Sampaloc, who
President Duterte on the last week has Subacute Sclerosing
of March, eventually being extended Panencephalitis, a rare form
up to the end of April. of chronic progressive brain
inflammation caused by the
Entire communities were locked measles virus. His father is
down and isolated, with low- a sweeper in a church while
income families virtually having no his mother stays at home to
idea where they can get the next take care of his needs.
day’s meals. An appeal for aid was
accordingly aired in all media, and in In this time of crisis our life
however a small way, CFI heeded the is certainly more meaningful
cry for help. when we live for others.
Quite discretely and very
Foundation Project Management sincerely, in its own small
Officer, Ms. Kaya Xenia Galang and way, Cocolife Foundation
Inc. is privileged to be part of
10 nationwide effort for helping
those in need.