It was the '90s and Eddie and Raquel Bigay had worked for the life they wanted with their kids. The pair successfully built a business in Paranaque after years of selling fish. That is until tragedy struck. Eddie died unexpectedly from a second operation to remove his cirrhosis. But even with his passing, the family man was still able to provide comfort to his grieving family. He left them the gift of starting over, courtesy of a reliable partner, Insular Life.
Widowed at 33, Raquel took charge of the family and the business. “We felt that things were difficult for mama, but for us kids, life continued as it was. My sisters and I thought we would be transferred to a public school but nothing changed. Our quality of life remained,” recalled Ernie. Nothing would have prepared Raquel for his last gift—one million pesos from Eddie’s Insular Life insurance policy. It was more than enough to pay for the hospital bills and the funeral service, and she didn’t have to give up the life they have built together.
Death was not going to end what Raquel and Eddie built. Instead, it gave Raquel a chance to explore other opportunities and apply her knack for business. With the insurance proceeds as back-up funds, Raquel with the help of her mother, siblings and her young children dared to continue the fish dealership /retailing. Through the years, she slowly but successfully expanded to other lines of businesses.
It was Insular Life Financial advisor Marietta “Ayie” Lantican who helped Eddie prepared for whatever life gives him despite his condition. And good thing he was prepared, for he left his family’s Magandang Buhay intact. “I tell people, you can’t control everything. Even simple things, like growing old everyday, are out of their hands. Life doesn’t see them as a vendor, business owner, or chairman of the board,” said Ayie. This is why Insular Life helps them realize their unspoken dreams, including the ones they hold for their family and even grandchildren. It has been almost 25 years since Eddie left and 27 years since he took Ayie’s advice. These two women have returned his gift in manifold ways. All family members now have their own policies and are enjoying their Magandang Buhay. Now all grown up, son, Ernie works with Raquel in growing their businesses; daughters, Mary Ann works with China Bank (IT group) and the youngest, Lady is a software developer with Orbium.
Despite receiving the returns from her investments, Raquel still intends to work on her next project: augment her pension earnings, become independent for all her days, and secure an even better Magandang Bukas.
Blessed with the gift of life and lucrative business, Raquel confidently shares her story with Insular life.
