Helping Filipinos balance today’s needs and tomorrow’s goals

Dream Builder 2-Pay’s arrival reflects changing consumer behavior due to economic uncertainties. According to NielsenIQ’s insights report “How Filipino Consumers are spending, saving, and banking in 2026,” Filipinos want to have enough funds for their everyday needs without compromising their long-term financial goals. 

With Dream Builder 2-Pay, policyholders just need to pay premiums for two years. After that, they will receive guaranteed annual cash payouts starting at the end of the sixth policy year, along with a maturity benefit at the end of the 20th policy year. They can also claim a death benefit that is 200% of the Sum Insured, plus an additional 10% benefit applicable from the 11th up to the 20th year. This makes it an ideal solution for those looking to protect their loved ones while building guaranteed funds to support future milestones and life goals. 

In addition to the new 2-Pay option, Dream Builder is also available in 5-Pay and 10-Pay variants, giving customers the flexibility to choose a payment term that best fits their financial priorities and budget.

“We recognize that Filipinos are prioritizing what is essential while becoming more intentional about how they spend and save,” shares Sjoerd Smeets, EastWest Ageas’ President and CEO. “And with Dream Builder, especially its 2-Pay option, Filipinos don’t have to choose between getting protected and their other needs. Its guaranteed cash payouts can help them fund the dreams and goals that matter most.”

Dream Builder is part of EastWest Ageas’ PURPLE Solutions, a suite of insurance plans designed to help Filipinos protect what matters most while preparing for the future. Other plans under PURPLE Solutions include Sure Start, Future Assure, Future Assure MAX, Future Assure with Health Riders, and Life Essentials, each offering benefits tailored to different life stages and financial needs.

For more information about Dream Builder and EastWest Ageas’ other insurance offerings, visit www.ewageas.com.ph. 

But this is more than a seasonal behavior, as EastWest Ageas' newly launched PURPLE Report on Consumer Trade-Offs and Intentional Spending found that more Filipinos are now carefully weighing their financial decisions as they work toward their goals. This intentionality often starts with five simple questions:

1. Am I on Track?

It may be a simple question, but Filipinos often ask it to themselves in different areas of their lives. Are they on the right track with their careers? Are they close to hitting their health goals? This also applies to how they manage their expenses, with 52% closely monitoring their budgets to see if they’re saving enough.

However, being on track doesn’t necessarily mean having everything figured out. Rather, it means having the clarity to focus on their priorities and taking the steps to achieve them.

This is easier said than done. Taking a step back every now and then can help people assess where they are today, identify what needs to change, and determine the next best step.

2. Am I Spending on the Right Things?

For years, progress was often measured by milestones like a promotion or a new home. However, more Filipinos are recognizing that progress can also come from the everyday choices they make and aligning those choices with what matters most.

That’s why everyday spending decisions have become more thoughtful. Whether it's an online purchase, a weekend getaway, or a subscription renewal, more people are taking the time to ask whether something truly adds value to their lives. The question is no longer simply, "Can I afford this?" but "Is this worth it to me?"

3. What Can I Let Go Of?

Part of intentional living comes from recognizing that not everything deserves equal attention. This shows how Filipinos are becoming more selective about their purchases, with 42% cutting their non-essential spending. The same mindset can extend beyond finances, as people decide which commitments to take on and how they want to spend their time.

Far from being restrictive, these choices reflect a growing awareness of trade-offs. After all, every decision to let go of something makes more room for the things that truly matter.

4. Who Am I Doing This For?

At the heart of many choices is a bigger motivation. People save because they want security. They work hard because they want opportunities. They plan ahead because they want peace of mind. They prioritize health because they want more time with the people they love.

In many ways, financial decisions are rarely just about money. They are ultimately about the lives people hope to create and the people they want to care for.

This idea is at the heart of EastWest Ageas' latest campaign, Life Looks ____ in PURPLE.

PURPLE stands for Purpose and People. Whether consciously or not, people often make their biggest life choices around their life plans and loved ones. So whether you are a parent building an educational fund, a young professional hoping to move out of your family home, or a breadwinner preparing for emergencies, no doubt that you have a vision of how your life should look.

5. How Do I Want Life to Look?

By leaving a blank in Life Looks ____ in PURPLE, people can define success on their own terms. After all, every person's vision of a good life is unique. What matters is knowing what that vision looks like and making choices that bring it closer to reality.

The challenge, of course, is that life rarely unfolds exactly as planned because of changing circumstances, new opportunities, and unexpected setbacks. That’s why purpose remains a powerful guide. It can help make decisions easier to navigate, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

There is no one-size-fits-all definition of a good life. It can mean building a career, supporting loved ones, or pursuing personal goals. What’s important is that people make intentional decisions along the way.  After all, when your path is guided by your purpose and people who matter to you, each choice brings you one step closer to the life you truly want.

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and continued innovation.

Commenting on the certification, Lois Dalida, Chief People and Culture Officer, shares, “We are humbled and grateful to receive the certification once more. At EastWest Ageas, we value fostering a workplace culture that ensures our people thrive both in their professional and personal lives. This milestone only pushes us to continue pursuing this purpose and explore more ways to live up to our status as a Great Place to Work.”

People-First culture at EastWest Ageas 

EastWest Ageas has achieved this certification through programs that focus on employee well-being, workplace engagement, and career advancement. The company’s WFH 2.0 program, which requires staff to report on-site twice a week, has also enabled employees to balance their work with their personal responsibilities. 

EastWest Ageas also values empowering its people through training seminars that develop their skills. It also remains open to fresh ideas, allowing employees to take the lead in their respective departments. 

These efforts are reflected in the company’s own numbers: 94% of the employees report feeling welcomed when they first joined EastWest Ageas. The company likewise saw its time-to-fill rate grow from 50% to 69% within the past year. 

These internal results mirror broader patterns Great Place To Work has observed across certified companies. According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers value working at organizations with this certification, as they are 4.5 times more likely to find a supportive boss. Staff at these companies are 93% more likely to look forward to reporting to work. They are also twice as likely to be paid fairly, to earn a share of the company’s profits, and to have equal opportunities for a promotion. 

For people planning to advance their careers in a company that puts them first, EastWest Ageas is currently hiring new talent. Check out its careers page at www.ewageas.com.ph. 

Most Filipinos have only around ₱50,000 in emergency savings—an amount that can be quickly depleted by a single medical emergency. As inflation pushed the cost of goods up by 4.1% in March 2026, many are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with daily expenses while setting aside funds for long-term financial security.

These insights come from the PURPLE Report, a recent study commissioned by EastWest Ageas in partnership with global consumer intelligence leader NielsenIQ. The study highlights how rising costs are steadily eroding Filipinos’ financial buffers, leaving many more exposed to unexpected expenses.

As more Filipinos grapple with the effects of inflation, EastWest Ageas is expanding its nationwide footprint to help more policyholders balance everyday expenses with long-term savings. This mission came to life during its Manila and Cebu trade shows, where it reiterated its commitment to helping more Filipinos reach their goals amid major setbacks.

Understanding Filipinos’ Most Pressing Needs

During the Manila and Cebu Trade Shows, EastWest Ageas executives presented The PURPLE Report’s key findings and their implications about Filipinos’ most pressing financial concerns. The study found Filipinos value preparing for health emergencies in particular, with 8 out of 10 people using up their personal savings to pay for medical bills. However, only 20% of Filipinos have enough emergency funds to last over three months. This makes them just one hospitalization away from bankruptcy.

Luckily, 9 out of 10 Filipinos recognize life insurance as a critical safeguard for medical crises. This figure, however, has not translated into an increase in policyholders, as the country’s insurance penetration rate has stalled at 1.79%. The PURPLE Report attributes the insurance coverage gap to Filipinos prioritizing daily expenses over long-term savings, with the population allocating only 7% to their financial plans.

Where EastWest Ageas Comes Into the Picture

EastWest Ageas shared during the trade shows that Filipino policyholders often factor in the following in picking their insurance partners: value for money, number of years of payment, and expansive critical illness coverage.

To encourage more Filipinos to begin their financial planning journeys, the insurer has designed its Purple Solutions for different concerns and simplified the overall application process. Here are a few of the plans policyholders can consider:

• Young adults who want to invest in their first life insurance plan can opt for Sure Start, thanks to its fuss-free application process and affordable premiums.
• Future-oriented policyholders can try out the Dream Builder plan and maximize its guaranteed cash payouts.
• Households with massive medical expenses can secure protection from the Life Essentials plan, which covers 48 critical illnesses and conditions.
• Future Assure helps Filipinos build their health by providing access to local and global funds.

Over the years, EastWest Ageas has also expanded its network to ensure more Filipinos can enjoy the benefits of its coverage plans. At present, the insurer has set up four agency houses across Luzon. It also has onboarded more than 1,300 financial agents who are available for consultation online and onsite at any EastWest bank location.

Reflecting on EastWest Ageas’ continued nationwide expansion, President and CEO Sjoerd Smeets said that the insurer wants to help more Filipinos purposefully build on their savings to better the lives of their loved ones amid tough times. “Over the years, EastWest Ageas has made it its mission to help Filipinos balance spending on their daily needs and building their savings. By keeping our PURPLE solutions accessible and straightforward, we hope to help more policyholders reach their financial goals, whatever they may be.”

Despite these benefits, many freelancers still face challenges, including lack of company benefits, feelings of isolation, and unpredictable income. EastWest Ageas’ digital series, #FYP (For Your PURPLE), brings these challenges to life through Thea’s story. Her journey shows her growth from frazzled rookie to flourishing freelancer—with a little help from her PURPLE Barkada.

Want to be like Thea and thrive in a gig economy? Here’s how:

1.) Build a strong portfolio to stand out

The gig economy is lucrative but highly competitive. To stand out, develop a strong portfolio that showcases your best work. And if you can, add client testimonials to boost your credibility.

2.) Network, network, network

Connections matter, and you can build those online and IRL. You can start by using your family, friends, and even former schoolmates and colleagues as your base, and then branch out online through work marketplaces and job sites.

3.) Be strategic with your rates

Charging can be tricky because expensive rates can drive potential clients away, while below-market rates won’t compensate for your hard work. To come up with fair rates, check out industry-standard rates and benchmark from there. Consider other factors as well, such as your years of experience, expected turnaround time, and the scope of work.

4.) Your contract comes first

A contract is a freelancer’s greatest ally. By clearly communicating your work conditions with your client, you can set the foundation for a solid partnership.

5.) Plan for yourself

Freelancers typically do not have any employee benefits, such as health insurance, leaving them without protection during emergencies. That’s why it’s good to get your own health or life insurance plan to prepare you for the unknown.

Just like Thea, the challenges of being a freelancer shouldn’t hinder you from bravely pursuing your dreams and goals. All it takes is belief in yourself, the support of your people, and a solid plan to help you build your better tomorrow.

#FYP (For Your PURPLE) is now available to watch at https://plantoday.ewageas.com.ph/fyp and on all EastWest Ageas Insurance social media platforms.