Pru Life UK, together with its community investment arm in Asia and Africa, Prudence Foundation, and Junior Achievement (JA) Philippines, have certified over 2,400 teachers to teach financial education under the 2022 Cha-Ching Curriculum Financial Accreditation (CCFA) program for the school year 2021-2022.

Cha-Ching was introduced back in 2011 as an online, interactive platform to promote and teach children about the four money-smart concepts - Earn, Save, Spend and Donate. In 2016, Pru Life UK partnered with JA Philippines to have the Cha-Ching Curriculum, using the already successful Cha-Ching Money Smart Kids materials, integrated in the Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (Values Formation) subject of Grade 4 students, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd).

The objective is to provide an organized approach and structured lesson plans for teachers to ensure good learning outcomes for the students. It is also meant to adopt timely and proactive measures to intensify the integration of financial literacy in the K to 12 basic education system curriculum in the country.

In order to supplement the financial education curriculum implementation, the CCFA, an online assessment tool, was created. This tool is to accredit and recognize the hardworking teachers for their mastery in teaching the money-smart lessons of the Cha-Ching Curriculum.

“The idea of earning money, having to save, having to have a budget, having expenses, and understanding what are expenses versus savings - these are issues that affect all of us. By the age of seven (7), basic concepts related to financial behavior will have already been formulated or developed,” said Marc Fancy, Executive Director of Prudence Foundation.

“Our goal is to reach even more Filipino students and teachers in this continuing commitment for financial education and inclusion. It is our fervent hope that the Financial Education Policy will usher greater momentum for Cha-Ching to bring smiles to more Filipino children and their families, and help them get the most out of life,”

shared Atty. Emeren Vallente, SVP and Chief Legal and Government Relations Officer of Pru Life UK, in her opening remarks during the virtual recognition program.

“We at JA are in the business of empowering young people and what better way to do this than recognizing outstanding teachers and outstanding teaching. The CCFA program has been developed to inspire excellence and to recognize these special educators that have made such a strong positive impact on financial literacy,” said Maziar Sabet, President and CEO of JA Asia Pacific.

As the highlight of the celebration, various top and special awards were handed over to Cha-Ching teachers and institutions who have shown exemplary commitment, dedication and brilliance in teaching Filipino youth the value of financial literacy. About 40 CCFA exam topnotchers from the Philippines were chosen to attend the first ever regionwide Cha-Ching Financial Literacy Conference, sponsored by the Prudence Foundation in partnership with JA Asia Pacific, held on February 18-19, 2022.

Going forward, Cha-Ching will continue in its drive to foster financially literate youth, alongside teachers and partners in the education sector, through ceaseless improvements and innovations, toward expanding its reach beyond the current 170,000 student beneficiaries this year.

Between the years 2016 to 2021, Cha-Ching was able to connect with close to 500,000 Filipino students. Additionally, just in 2021, Cha-Ching was able to garner 6,747 educators to teach the Cha-Ching Curriculum in participating schools in the Philippines, bringing the cumulative number to 11,910 teachers from 2016 to 2021.

For more information about Cha-Ching, please contact coordinator2@japionline.org or visit https://chaching.cartoonnetworkasia.com/en/.

During this emotionally and financially exhausting time, financially preparing for anything that may happen is of utmost importance. As we continue to live through the pandemic, everyone should learn the value of saving and investing to cover future uncertainties.

While it is better for Filipinos to have certain layers of protection not only for themselves but for their families as well, having the knowledge about what they are availing or investing is equally important.

Products that offer protection and investment rolled into one are a great start among Filipinos wanting to have security amid these challenging times. Among the many reasons why these products are sought after even by the ordinary Juans is the security and growth it provides financially.

For people who want to invest but are concerned about having to deal with certain critical illnesses, products such as the PRUHealth Prime is perfect for them. It eases the financial burden of battling cancer with a 50% cash out upon diagnosis of pre-defined early stage cancer while giving its subscribers the ability to build a bigger health fund with its investment component.

The PRULink Elite Protector is also among the products that offer maximum life protection with payment terms that are flexible to suit your needs while letting wealth grow faster with a greater portion of premiums invested in chosen funds. On the other hand, the PRULink Assurance Account Plus is a great fit for people who want a bigger and more comprehensive protection package at a lesser cost, while allowing continuous payment with a portion of your premium investable in your chosen fund.

Filipinos who want life protection coverage and start investing at any time and can afford to pay once may want to avail the PRULink Investor Account Plus and PRUMillionaire.

Apart from having life protection and investment for ourselves and our loved ones, below are also some money lessons that we can learn during the pandemic:

Track Your Expenses and Save

Budgeting is important. Start looking at your income and expenses. There are mobile apps that track spending and manage accounts, making this step much easier. While most people are staying at home because of lockdown and other restrictions, it is the best time to find small ways to save, such as canceling unnecessary subscriptions, refraining from buying fancy or unnecessary things, and making bigger shifts, such as moving in with family members to save money on rent and shared utilities.

Take Advantage of all the Financial Relief Programs

If you’re able to receive financial aid from the government or other institutions during the pandemic, it’s smart to take that opportunity. Use that money to spend on the most important things you need daily, like food. You can also set a portion of it for your electricity and housing rental because there are businesses who are giving their consumers payment extensions.

The Best Time to Invest is Now.

Many surveys and studies show that the earlier you invest, the better. A little amount of money invested now will put more money in your pocket in the future. If you can stay disciplined, you will reach your goals. You can maximize this in the long run just by starting now and staying on track. If you need assistance, consider hiring a financial advisor and do research on which company you may invest in.

The pandemic has been a wake-up call for many people to be concerned not just about their financial security but also their health protection. Getting life protection and investment in one, can be one of the smartest things that a person can do during this time. Having health, life protection, and money growth means you can prepare for most of the hospital expenses and for anything that may happen in the future such as illness, retirement, or even death, while still growing your wealth as you achieve your life goals.

To learn more about Pru Life UK’s Insuravest products visit www.prulifeuk.com.ph.

Pru Life UK, the country’s leading life insurer, recently culminated its 25th year anniversary with a grand raffle draw and also its Give Back campaign for customers as part of the celebration.

Wrapping up a milestone year with a bang, Pru Life UK’s We DO Health & Wealth: 25th Anniversary Celebration promo ran from March to September through Pulse, its all-in-one AI-powered health app. From the start of the 25-week long bonanza up to the grand draw, the leading life insurer gave out Php 2.5 million pesos, 25 iPhone 12 mini (64GB), and over 600 electronic gift certificates worth P2,500 each.

As Pru Life UK enters another year, it is offering a free PRUMedCare product for Select Infectious Diseases to its loyal customers by availing of the free voucher in Pulse, as a way of giving back. The PRUMedCare – Select Infectious Diseases is the first and only product that provides coverage on the four infectious diseases such as Dengue, Typhoid, Measles, and Malaria.

“Our silver anniversary year has been spectacular for all the right reasons. Guided by our We DO Commitment, we made sure to give back to our loyal customers and to the Filipino people for all the support that they’ve shown us all these years. We would like to congratulate all the winners and we are committed to meet the health and wealth protection needs of our customers by continuing to provide innovative products and services as we enter our 26th year,” says Pru Life UK SVP and Chief Customer Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga.

Customers can also look forward to the launch of the Pru Life UK credit card powered by Robinsons Bank. The company will also introduce more features and services through its Pulse app.

Pru Life UK’s 25th year celebration is highlighted by its number one ranking in terms of New Business Annual Premium (NBAPE) for 2020by the Insurance Commission. It is also the only company among the top five insurers who registered positive growth in the category, compared to the previous year. The insurer also proved its status as a premiere company as it won the Insurer of the Year award in the Philippines from the prestigious Insurance Asia Awards 2021.

“As Pru Life UK is driven to become every Filipino’s partner to improve their lives with its We DO campaign, we continue to innovate our products and programs that will help them do more as they get rewards and enjoyment along the way. We will continue our dedication in listening, understanding, and delivering to serve them best,” adds Tumbaga.

Prepare the jackets, umbrellas, and vitamins—it’s the rainy season again! For some, this means hot meals and bed weather but for others, this requires taking additional precautions to avoid the flu.

With COVID-19 still looming in the country and stricter quarantine protocols being implemented, it remains important to do more to prevent one’s self from getting sick— even with just minor colds. This is why it’s important to consume the right food to help boost the immune system. While sometimes challenging, it can be made easier and gratifying with Pulse, the all-in-one AI-powered health and wellness app from leading life insurer Pru Life UK.

“With health being a top priority for all, Pru Life UK through the Pulse app, wants to be their customers’ partner in effectively monitoring their nutrition to help prevent any diseases especially this rainy season,” shares Allan Tumbaga, Pru Life UK SVP & Chief Customer Marketing Officer. “We at Pru Life UK want to help as many Filipinos as possible maintain optimal health, and instill this habit through our health management app.”

Some of Pulse’s features include Healthcheck, a comprehensive AI-driven health assessment tool that checks your medical and family history, lifestyle, nutrition, and mental health. It also has a Call-a-Dietician feature which offers unlimited chat access and a one-hour video call consultation with a licensed dietitian who can help address a user’s dietary concerns.

Through the Pulse Gold subscription, the app also has a Food Journal feature which allows users to upload a photo of their food and monitor their daily food intake to achieve a balanced diet. Some of the most nutritious fruits and vegetables that users upload as part of their meals are:

Oranges

High levels of flavonoids and vitamin C are present in citrus fruits which include oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. Vitamin C helps decrease inflammation, which is useful in fighting a fever. It’s better to enjoy these fruits raw since Vitamin C is heat sensitive and may be reduced when cooked. They also contain Quercetin, a specific flavonoid, which is helpful when treating rhinovirus infections that usually cause common colds.

Papaya

Aside from a substantial amount of Vitamin C, papaya contains papain, a digestive enzyme that has anti-inflammatory effects. This means that it is not only capable of protecting a body from viruses, but also of treating it. It also has fibers located by the bowels, allowing for better and more regular digestion. Lastly, papayas can be enjoyed raw, making them an easy treat.

Broccoli

Broccoli is an example of a cruciferous vegetable that is proven to boost immunity. It contains sulforaphane, which neutralizes toxins and in turn, prevents them from turning into viruses. These can be activated by consuming it raw or steaming it for one to three minutes below 140˚C.

Spinach

Spinach contains Vitamin C and antioxidants like digestion-regulating fiber, which aid in the excretion of unwanted toxins in the body. Similar to broccoli, spinach can be best enjoyed with minimal to no cooking to ensure that its nutrients stay.

Asparagus

Asparagus contains Vitamin E, an antioxidant that strengthens your immune system by widening blood vessels and preventing clot formation. Cooking it with a little olive oil increases its effect since vitamin E is absorbed better if eaten with a little healthy fat.

Red Bell Peppers

Vitamin C is three times as present in bell peppers as they are in citrus fruits. It is also rich in beta-carotene which can reduce inflammation and boost immune functions by increasing disease-fighting cells in the body. It can be cooked and baked in multiple ways.

Ginger

Ginger contains anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties such as gingerol, which can help strengthen the immunity system. Not only does it help prevent flu-like illnesses, but it can also ease the feeling of flu and common colds for those who have them. Ginger can be incorporated into multiple meals and drinks, such as Indian cuisine and tea.

Using the Pulse app by completing activities and challenges, such as uploading photos of one’s meal, will give users raffle entries for a chance to win amazing prizes in Pru Life UK’s ongoing We DO Health and Wealth: 25th Anniversary Free Raffle Celebration. Participants can win gift certificates worth 2,500 pesos or iPhone 12 mini 64GB weekly. Meanwhile, one lucky winner will get the grand prize of 2.5 million pesos to be announced in the grand draw in September as Pru Life UK culminates their 25th year in the Philippines.

“Through our raffle celebration and the various offerings that users can access on Pulse app, we hope to contribute to the wellbeing of the Filipinos and encourage everyone to continue being mindful of their health,” adds Tumbaga. For more information about the raffle draw, visit Pru Life UK's site.

Leading life insurer Pru Life UK has launched its latest health protection product designed for the independent and empowered women in our lives, the PRUHealth Prime - Select Breast Cancer, through Pulse, the company’s all-in-one health and wellness app.

“This protection product, designed for the women in our lives, be it our mother, sister, daughter, daughter-in-law, or grandmother, goes a long way for less than Php 2 a day. With it Pru Life UK underscores women’s health by giving hardworking and caring Filipinas financial protection from breast cancer, currently the most common cancer among women in the Philippines and worldwide1,” shared Pru Life UK Chief Customer Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga.

PRUHealth Prime - Select Breast Cancer comes in two packages. A one-time premium of Php 150 provides a lump sum amount of Php 10,000 upon diagnosis, while a one-time premium of Php 425 offers a lump sum amount of Php 10,000 upon diagnosis and a guaranteed lump sum amount of Php 20,000 when undergoing Mastectomy or Lumpectomy. This is valid for one year.

PRUHealth Prime - Select Breast Cancer protection is the first cancer-specific product offered in the market. The protection is available for purchase through Pulse, which can be downloaded for free on any Android or iOS mobile device. To get this product, visit this link.

Last month, Pru Life UK also introduced two new optional supplemental critical illness (CI) benefits or riders, the Select Top 42 and Select 523 Critical Illness riders to PRUHealth Prime, an insuravest plan with critical illness coverage against all forms of cancer.

The Select Top 4 Critical Illness Benefit provides for top 4 covered late-stage critical illness conditions, while the Select 52 Critical Illness Benefit provides for 52 covered late-stage critical illness conditions.

Customers who are availing of PRUHealth Prime but would want to be covered against other critical conditions can purchase either of the two new critical illness riders during the new business application process and/or after policy issuances.

Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential plc in Asia and Africa, the parent company of leading life insurer Pru Life UK, together with Junior Achievement (JA) Philippines kick-started 2021 by celebrating the achievements of the Cha-Ching Curriculum at the Cha-Ching Financial Accreditation (CCFA) virtual award ceremony on January 15, 2021.

“The future of a country lies in the classrooms of today; and by providing children with the right financial skills and knowledge, we are building a generation equipped with responsible financial behaviors that will help them achieve their goals and navigate a successful life,” said Marc Fancy, Executive Director of Prudence Foundation.

Amidst the ongoing pandemic, JA Philippines has acknowledged the Cha-Ching teachers through a new series of educational and institutional awards in the beginning of the year.

“We at JA are committed to empowering young people. A great way to drive this is to nurture and recognize outstanding teachers who dedicate and distinguish themselves in such a noble pursuit,” shared Maziar Sabet, President and CEO of JA Asia Pacific.

Celebrating its 10th year of launch in the Asia-Pacific region, Cha-Ching is a financial literacy program that teaches elementary students money-smart concepts of Earn, Save, Spend, and Donate. Through animated music videos and other educational resources, children as young as seven years old are exposed to foundational financial concepts that help guide their decision-making throughout their lives.

Launched in the Philippines in 2016, the Cha-Ching Curriculum, created by Prudence Foundation in partnership with JA Philippines and sponsored by Pru Life UK, is complemented by the rollout of the Cha-Ching Financial Accreditation (CCFA), an online assessment tool which aims to develop educators’ competencies in teaching the Cha-Ching Curriculum in their respective schools and regions, endorsed by the Department of Education in the Philippines and across Asia. Developed in partnership with JA Asia Pacific, the CCFA is aligned with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Core Competencies Framework on Financial Literacy for Youth and the ASEAN Teachers Competency Framework.

Teachers who successfully completed the training have received a CCFA certification as an acknowledgment of their dedication and professionalism in implementing the Cha-Ching Curriculum. Special awards were also given to teachers who have shown exemplary commitment and excellence in teaching young children the value of financial literacy.

“Pru Life UK remains committed to supporting financial education among Filipinos. We encourage everyone to join us as champions of this advocacy,” shared Allan Tumbaga, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Marketing Officer of Pru Life UK at the awarding ceremony.

Rose Fres Fausto, a renowned investment banker and current columnist at the Philippine Star, delivered a keynote speech focused on financial education at the ceremony. She also answered questions and shared valuable insights about the impact of financial literacy on personal development at a discussion forum.

Krishna Alejandrino, Executive Director of JA Philippines also graced the event.

A total of 2,075 Cha-Ching teachers registered and passed the accreditation for the School Year 2019-2020. These teachers are hailed from Negros Occidental, Camarines Sur, and Albay.

The following top awards were conferred during the virtual ceremony. The Top Certified CCFA Passers, given to teachers who scored full marks on their accreditation, were awarded to 50 out of 2,000 recipients across Negros Occidental, Camarines Sur, and Albay.

The Outstanding Educator of the Year Award recognizes teachers who exemplify remarkable dedication and implementation of the Cha-Ching Curriculum despite challenges around resources, geographical location, and fallout from COVID-19. The awards were presented by Marc Fancy to Vicky Sugino from Negros Occidental and Jerica Quitalia from Albay.

The Outstanding CCFA Network Partner went to Goa Elementary School, for their outstanding implementation and program structure. While the Cha-Ching Bling Award went to the school with the best implementation of Earn, Save, Spend, and Donate through school activities, resulting in the greatest impact on students and their community. Pagatpat Elementary School was the proud recipient of this award, with a cash prize for Brigada Eskwela.

Over 157,000 students in the Philippines have benefitted from the Cha-Ching program in the past year. Going forward, this will be expanded with modules further integrated into the country’s existing elementary school curriculum.

Leading life insurer Pru Life UK, in partnership with Prudence Foundation and Junior Achievement Philippines, ushered in a cheerful Christmas season with Cha-Ching Kid$ at Home: Money-Smart and Meaningful Holidays for Filipino Families. The expert-led and fun-filled webinar was attended by about 500 parents and their children.

The virtual event, which was hosted by Pru Life UK Assistant Manager for Investments Marketing Mary Jane Pangan, featured family and finance experts Rose Fres Fausto and Edric Mendoza, who shared how families can create a purposeful Christmas. Kids joined fun holiday-themed games that taught them basic money management concepts.

“While this Christmas season comes amid unprecedented times, the joyous spirit of the holidays remains and thrives. We hope that by extending the Cha-Ching money management values to families at this time of the year we will be able to help them have a more money-smart and meaningful celebration,” says Pru Life UK Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga.

Expert-led talks on a purposeful Christmas

Fausto is an investment banker turned author, columnist, and speaker on purposeful parenting. She also runs FQ Mom, a blog and YouTube channel that focuses on money and family. She led the talk Holidays on a Budget: How to Have a Merrier Christmas by Spending Less and shared her “Christmas FQripot Tips” with the audience. These include cutting back on gifts, clothes, and decor expenses despite seeing big discounts and sales. “When you shop at sale events, be sure to know the actual price of the item, and keep in mind that you should only buy what you need and not because it is cheap,” said Fausto.

She was joined by Mendoza, an entrepreneur, family advocate, and former lead anchor of ANC’s On the Money. He is also the chairman of Homeschool Global Learning Inc. and president of The Parentschooling Co. At the virtual event, he shared his insights on the values of charity in Meaningful Holidays: Ways You Can Give Back to Your Community, where his three kids made a special appearance and talked about buying gifts for the family with a budget. Mendoza also encouraged parents to teach their kids about charity at their young age. “For children to embrace the value of giving, we must provide them the opportunity to experience the joy of it. That way it would be easier for them to practice giving back to the community as they grow up,” he said.

During the games, kids tested their money management skills in Kris Kringle Quiz, where they had to choose the best gift that fits a given category and budget. In Matching Gifts, kids had to memorize the names of children and their corresponding Christmas wishes. They then had to match a donation to the kid who wished for it. A total of six participants won a P500 gift card and a set of Cha-Ching comic books, while one lucky attendee won a brand-new tablet and a Christmas gift basket perfect for Noche Buena.

The virtual event was in line with Pru Life UK’s We DO Education commitment to promote financial literacy in the Philippines. Beyond the webinar, Cha-Ching Kid$ at Home offers a set of printable resources that parents can use to teach their children basic money management concepts like Earn, Save, Spend, and Donate. The modules were created by Pru Life UK and Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudence plc.

“While Christmas can be an extravagant celebration, many of us are feeling the blow of the pandemic. We hope Cha-Ching Kid$ at Home provides people with helpful and useful money management tips, especially on saving and donating. Then hopefully everyone can still feel and share in the Christmas spirit even though traditional festivities may be disrupted,” shares Marc Fancy, Executive Director of Prudence Foundation.

Download the Cha-Ching Kid$ at Home modules and give your kids the gift of financial wisdom this Christmas. Access them on chaching.cartoonnetworkasia.com/en/. For more information, visit the Pru Life UK website at prulifeuk.com.ph or the Facebook page at facebook.com/prulifeukofficial.