Stronger Together: How InLife empowers its employee force

A lifetime for good is not just a tagline for Insular Life (InLife). It is a promise that it continues to fulfill not just for its customers but for its employees as well. It doesn’t just safeguard the future of the people it serves; it also serves as an anchor for its people, especially during the most tumultuous periods of their lives. 

As InLife celebrates its 114th anniversary on November 25, the stories of InLife employees Ann Barbara C. Maingat and Edgardo B. Polistico stand as a testament to the Company’s commitment to being a source of support and a lifeline to its employees. 

Surviving the worst of times 

Ann Barbara C. Maingat, or Barbs, has been with InLife for seven years now. She started out as an executive assistant, a role that she thought she would never outgrow until the Company saw her potential and helped her move to another position. She is now a Training Specialist at InLife. 

During the pandemic, Barbs went through major life challenges that almost broke her spirit -- she lost her father, and her husband lost his job. Later on, he would be diagnosed with a major health condition that needed to be treated immediately. 

“Dinala ko siya sa Asian Hospital (I brought him to Asian Hospital), where I previously worked. All the other hospitals were in full capacity during that time,” she shared. 

Luckily, her husband was able to undergo the operation needed to treat his condition. Unfortunately, the hospital bill exceeded Barbs’ health insurance coverage. She felt hopeless and was about to give up. 

“I remember that InLife already stretched my Group Hospitalization Insurance coverage, but it still wasn’t enough. Then they came up with a solution. They offered me an emergency loan, so I could pay for the hospital bills and bring my husband home.” 

This lifeline not only rescued Barbs’ husband but also paved the way for her family to epitomize InLife’s tagline, A Lifetime for Good.   

Last year, InLife helped Barbs reach another milestone -- owning a home, through its housing loan program. 

“After twelve years of renting, I finally have a permanent address. We celebrated our first month in our new home last year,” she happily shared. 

Providing compassion and a lifeline 

In another corner of InLife, Edgardo B. Polistico, Edgie, to his colleagues, who is part of the Legal and Governance Division, encountered his own challenges.  

In 2017, while in Ilocos, Edgie felt unwell, which was a symptom of an impending health crisis: angioplasty. 

“I was still able to go home to Manila when it happened. On Monday, I went to work as usual, but I started feeling dizzy. I was immediately brought to the hospital,” Edgie recounted. 

Facing a staggering hospital bill nearing millions of pesos, Edgie found solace in InLife’s unwavering support. The Company covered half of the expenses and allowed for manageable deductions. 

“Hindi mabigat ang deductions. Isa ito sa mga bagay na nagpapasalamat ako, na hindi ako pinabayaan ng kumpanya (The deductions were manageable. This is one of the things that I am really thankful for -- that the company was there for me),” Edgie said. 

Last year, facing two additional angioplasties and a bill of PhP1.2 million, Edgie was once again embraced by InLife. 

“To my surprise, InLife said they would not collect what I owe them one time and that they were going to stretch the deductions. They even told me that they would not affect my benefits so that I could still enjoy them. They helped me a lot, and I didn’t even have to ask for it,” he said. 

Living up to its promise of A Lifetime for Good 

Apart from helping its employees during times of emergency, InLife has also shown that it makes a secure life possible where one’s dreams can be nurtured and one’s standing can be furthered. 

“InLife allows you to pursue your dreams. We will help you accomplish what you want in life, whether to raise a family or achieve personal and professional growth. We provide platforms and avenues to support our employees -- monetarily and otherwise,” said Romualdo P. Aquitania, InLife HR Business Partner and Engagement Lead. 

This support includes looking after its employees’ physical and mental health and well-being through various corporate programs and facilities, providing employee engagement activities led by The Good Squad, a group composed of employees from various functional areas and offering avenues for advancement and development through comprehensive educational programs.   

The Company also champions inclusivity and diversity, and encourages its employees to show their authentic selves. It recently introduced employee interest networks and resource groups, where they can share what they love to do outside of work and find fellow employees who share their passion. It has also formed a resource group for the LGBTQIA+ community. 

InLife is currently implementing a flexible work schedule where non-customer-facing employees are not required to report onsite for work 100% of the time.  

The Company’s Group Hospitalization Plan, meanwhile, gives employees the opportunity to include applicable dependents of their families, with the coverage encompassing medical, mental health and dental needs.  

 “It is not just A Lifetime For Good for employees, but A Lifetime For Good for their families, too,” Aquitania added. 

InLife takes care of its employees even after they retire. InLife’s retirement package, entirely paid for by the Company, is one of the best in the industry.  

“You can build a career at InLife, and you will also have something for the future,” InLife Rewards, Services and Technology Head Frederick D. Dioso said. 

As Barbs would say, “Blessing talaga si InLife kaya sabi ko dito na ako magreretire (InLife is truly a blessing, so I said that this is where I’ll retire). When you join InLife, you don’t just join a company. You join a family.”  

For its outstanding HR practices and commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture, InLife was honored with the HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2023 and 2024 Awards, as well as the Bronze Award for Excellence in Workplace Well-Being and a Silver Award for the Best HR Team by The HR Excellence Awards 2024.