The Story of a Teacher Who Chose to Prepare Early
Maria is a 34-year-old public school teacher. Like many teachers, she’s hardworking, caring, and selfless — always putting her students first before herself.
One day, habang nag-aayos siya ng requirements for her job, her HR officer reminded her:
“Ma’am, kailangan niyo po mag-submit ng proof of HMO coverage.”
So she started looking for an HMO — something to cover checkups, lab tests, and basic hospitalization. But while searching, she stumbled upon something that completely changed the way she saw “health protection.”
A Friend’s Story That Hit Too Close to Home
A few months earlier, one of Maria’s closest friends — also a teacher — was diagnosed with breast cancer.
At first, Maria thought:
“Okay lang ‘yan, may PhilHealth naman at HMO si ate.”
But she was wrong.
Her friend’s initial payment for treatment alone was already ₱500,000. That’s just the down payment. PhilHealth and HMO barely covered a portion of it.
The rest?
Out of pocket.
And because of that, her friend’s family had to pull out their small business savings. Employees weren’t paid on time. The financial stress piled up — not just for the patient, but for everyone around her.
Maria saw it all.
And it scared her.
The Realization
That’s when she said to herself:
“Hindi ko na hihintayin maging late. I need to prepare now, while I’m still healthy.”
So aside from getting her HMO, Maria decided to get a Critical Illness Insurance — something that would protect her income and give her a lump sum of money if ever she got diagnosed with a serious illness.
Because she learned:
- 👉 HMO is for hospitalization and medical care.
- 👉 But Critical Illness Insurance is for recovery — for life after the hospital.
It gives you money to cover treatments, pay the bills, and still provide for your family even when you can’t work.
Peace of Mind Over Fear
Today, Maria continues teaching with peace of mind. She knows that no matter what happens, she has a plan.
She said:
“Masarap sa pakiramdam ‘yung alam mong may backup plan ka. I’m doing this not just for myself, but for the people I love.”
What We Can Learn From Maria
Health emergencies are never just medical — they’re financial.
PhilHealth and HMO help, yes — but they’re not enough for long-term illnesses like cancer, heart attack, or stroke.
If you want to protect your family and your future, start preparing before life forces you to.
Plan Ahead. Protect Your Health. Secure Your Peace.
Just like Maria, you can take the first step today.
📝 Sign-up for a FREE consultation to learn how Critical Illness Insurance can give you the security and peace of mind you deserve.
About the Author
Jonathan Ventula Mendoza
💼 Licensed FWD Financial Wealth Planner
Helping Filipinos build a secure and confident financial future — one plan at a time.
