May 21 ------ Award-winning actress and TV host, Charo Santos-Concio — whose very name has been synonymous to heartwarming stories thanks to the long-running drama anthology "Maalaala Mo Kaya" — has a new project that tells extraordinary stories of equally extraordinary Overseas Filipino Workers.
Titled "Shine On, Overseas Pinoy," the talk show provides relevant financial education to OFWs and their families towards achieving a stable financial future. A partnership between leading international financial services organization Sun Life Philippines (Sun Life) and TFC, ABS-CBN's flagship international multiplatform media brand, the show aims to help OFWs achieve financial wellness and come home to the Philippines for good. But in taking this new endeavor, the celebrated host is not only bringing her expertise in telling stories, but sharing them with a deeper connection TO OFW. "Napakalapit nito sa puso dahil this is connecting with our kababayans, laging malapit yan sa puso ko," the host and former ABS-CBN CEO said in a media interview.
Unknown to many, Santos-Concio once had a crossroad in life where she almost became an OFW. "This was after doing my first movie, 'Itim.' My father told me, 'I'll allow you to only do one movie but really, I want you to find a regular job because you finished a 4-year college course, sayang naman, you put your education to good use." The diligent daughter that she was, Santos-Concio followed his father's wishes and went to the US. "Nag apply ako sa United Nations as an executive assistant. I was a fresh graduate, natanggap ako. But then again, soon after, I lost my father so nag iba ang takbo ng buhay ko."
As result, Santos-Concio turned down the job offer, came home and chose to pursue a career in the movies. The rest, as they say is history. Besides finding a new career, this dark chapter in her life imparted an important lesson that Santos-Concio still share today. "My father was only 49 years old when he passed away. We were six in the family and my mother was a non-working housewife. But he had an insurance policy at yun ang ang nagtawid sa amin. Since then, I was only 22 at that time, alam ko na ang kahalagahan ng life insurance," she recalled. "So kung may kapasidad ka na makaipon para sa isang policy na magse-secure sa future ng family mo, gawin mo," she continued, adding that she herself got her first insurance policy when she gave birth for the first time at the age of 27. Armed with her innate talent in storytelling and this wisdom her father's passing inadvertently left, Santos-Concio hopes "Shine On, Overseas Pinoy" can help its intended audience.
Each episode will feature the host with a guest OFW and an expert financial advisor discussing real life financial concerns and possible solutions. The episodes will cover relevant topics like alternative sources of income, health protection for OFWs and their families, life insurance, education and retirement planning, estate planning, building an emergency fund, and starting a business, among others. "With over 10 million overseas Filipinos across the globe that contribute up to 10 percent of the country's GDP, OFWs are undoubtedly one of the most important sectors in our nation," said Alex Narciso, president of Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc.
Source: manilatimes.net
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