Toward greater heights: The promise of a financial advisor

“It gives me fulfillment to do well and excel in what I do, because once I am blessed, I can also bless and help others.”

CEBU, Philippines — Kendall Revilla-Plando, a 31-year-old Certified Public Accountant and Certified Investment Advisor, attributes her success in financial advising to her active involvement in a Catholic ministry, Youth for Christ since she was young.

Her mission started with serving during youth camps to draw the youth closer to God—from as simple as preparing food to as complex as giving talks about God’s greatness and financial stewardship. Over time, she transitioned from Singles for Christ to Couples for Christ as she matured.

Now, in a different phase of her mission, she remains dedicated to serving others through financial advising. 

From follower to leader

Before becoming a financial advisor, she was already interested in personal finance. Her admiration for motivational speaker and lay preacher Bo Sanchez began after she graduated from college. She read his books and became a member of his Truly Rich Club, a subscription-based community that offers guidance on living an abundant life, both financially and spiritually.

Her background as a CPA and experience investing in the stock market fueled her drive to manage her funds carefully, while trying to secure her future with an insurance policy.

The first time her financial advisor asked her to join them, she declined, citing her busy schedule as a project finance manager in a Cebu-based conglomerate. However, after a year of persuasion, she reconsidered, viewing it as a potential additional source of income despite her satisfaction and compensation in the corporate world.

Having no experience in financial advising, Kendall initially doubted her potential for success in the field. However, in 2019, she decided to give it a try as her New Year’s Resolution, especially since she already had two policies with Pru Life UK at the time. Little did she know, she would end up making a significant impact on many others.

Defining moment

As she built her portfolio, those inspired by her work continued to grow. While protecting her clients and building her own team, a significant moment occurred.

One of her clients was diagnosed with colon cancer and urgently needed funds. Despite the policy being under the contestability period, Pru Life UK delivered on its promise, granting the claim within 12 days. This experience gave her a sense of fulfillment and motivation to help Filipinos’ financial wellbeing.

That's when Kendall decided to leave the corporate world and become a full-time financial advisor instead, stating that she couldn't serve three masters at the same time—her team, clients and a full-time job. She was aiming to provide her clients with the dedicated and quality service they deserved.

The power of digitalization

It was the time of freedom that ultimately convinced her to go full-time, especially when the pandemic hit.

“Plus, gusto ko, akoy magbuot sa oras, mao gyud na, kana bang parehas niadtong panahon sa pandemiya nga naa lang ta sa balay. Di kinahanglang moadto sa opisina. Makaatiman gihapon ta sa mga kliyente dinhi sa Pilipinas, bisa’g asa pa sila, kay mabuhat man nato via Zoom o online, mao ni nagpagana nako," she recalls.

Of course, there would inevitably be rejections, especially when potential clients aren't ready for the policy or open to becoming an advisor.

And when Kendall was just starting, the most challenging part of her financial advising journey was time management. She vividly recalls how she had to personally visit the office to submit forms during lunch breaks, often on an empty stomach, before returning to her full-time corporate job to work again in the afternoon.

Her challenge with non-digital technology was short-lived, as Pru Life UK underwent digitalization in 2019. When the pandemic struck, therefore, the company was well-prepared.

Another challenge she had to hurdle was balancing client care, team management, personal time and her role as a wife. Their team now consists of over a hundred members, her co-soldiers and financial missionaries, as she calls them, who assist her in reaching out to families.

Despite the challenges, quitting her career as a financial advisor never crossed her mind because she genuinely enjoys what she does. According to her, when it comes to her goals, she has always been tough on herself, aiming to surpass her previous performance each time.

While she has low moments, what keeps her going are her clients and teammates. Kendall says, “These are the people whom I promised to serve (my clients) and whom I promised that I will bring them to greater heights (my teammates).”

What it takes to be a financial advisor

That’s why, for Kendall, a financial advisor must be resilient. One encounters rejection from morning until night, so whenever she faces one, she understands where the clients are coming from and is empathetic about them, emphasizing that financial advising today is more about educating than hard selling.

Kendall added that another essential trait for a financial advisor is combining hard work with smart work. Being consistently prepared, engaging in activities, building trust with people, and actively connecting with others. Smart work alone is insufficient without hard work. It is also vital to approach the role with genuineness, listening to clients' stories, as this builds rapport and trust, establishing the foundation for success.

Lastly, an aspiring financial advisor must possess grit. Even with diligence and strategic thinking, without grit, success in this field is challenging to attain. Kendall emphasizes that grit involves consistent dedication, passion and perseverance for your long-term goals.

If she were to give advice to aspiring financial advisors, it would be this: "Give it a try! If one is hesitant, they should give it a try and say yes to that opportunity presented to them. Just go and try if people invite you to attend career previews. You'll never know where it could lead you."

“Think about what you can bring to every life you protect against uncertainties, the impact, and quality of life it can give to your families, and the location, time & resources freedom you will enjoy if you take flight and decide to commit.”

For those already in the field, Kendall suggests always listening to their leaders and mentors, and being open-minded about the strategies, tips and experiences they share. With that approach, they will undoubtedly go a long way.

Leading insurance company

As a leading insurance company, what Kendall also loves about Pru Life UK, the #1 insurer in the Philippines, is its proactive approach in providing tools to simplify processes for clients and advisors alike. Kendall proudly states they were among the first, if not the first, to offer fully digital insurance processing during the pandemic.

She added that clients can purchase insurance through the digital platform GCash, or they can simply meet via Zoom to process and get insured in as fast as 30 minutes.

There is still room for improvement as the company continues to develop, she assures potential clients. There would be new products to be launched and partnerships with other providers are also underway.

With the power of social media, more people have become aware of life insurance policies, especially after the pandemic, when they have become more open than ever to securing their futures.

Life and love insurance

For Kendall, it’s not just life insurance but also love insurance. She builds relationships with the families of her client as they are entrusted to her as a financial advisor. If anything happens to the breadwinner, she’ll be the one to take care of them financially and deliver the promise that Pru Life UK has towards them through the policy they got.

She doesn't just take care of her clients when they are absent or unwell, she also ensures they are able to enjoy their living benefits. She assists them in managing investments to grow their funds and make wise decisions about their personal finance.

In her five years as a financial advisor, there are moments that will forever stay in her mind, where she made a heartfelt impact on her clients.

One such instance was when she met a client online, who she later discovered came from a family of doctors. They got policies for their parents and eventually for themselves, all processed online.

One day she received a message from the same client asking, “My father-in-law passed away,  will we be able to claim from Pru Life UK?” It turned out his father-in-law had passed away due to liver cirrhosis, which deeply shocked her.

Uncertain of what to do due to the distance and the wife not having an account, she traveled all the way to Iloilo to personally deliver the check to them. It was their first meeting after she handled five policies for them.

While informing the mother at church, Kendall received a hug and heard her say, “Wa naman tuod siya (papa) apan naghunahuna diay gihapon siya namo, kaming mga nabilin,” which deeply moved her.

She realized the significant impact she could have on a family whose member has passed away, starting from something as routine as processing their insurance policies.

“For me the most fulfilling is the impact and influence that I have over my clients and my team. Because of the job that I have, I am able to help change more lives for the better,” she reiterates.

In addition to her job as a branch manager and financial advisor, she, her team, and some family and friends, also administer regular outreach programs for the less fortunate.

They also grant scholarships to deserving students and are currently supporting 40 scholars since they started in 2020. They facilitate connections with sponsors rather than collecting funds directly. Thanks to their support, four college scholars have successfully graduated under her financial support & guidance.

She believes that the purpose of her success is to bless others, and the impact she has on the community and those who place their trust in her is the most important aspect of her role as a financial advisor.

What to prepare

For aspiring financial advisors, the first step is to pass the licensure exam facilitated by the insurance commission. Adding value to clients can also be an option, where one can pursue additional certifications such as becoming a certified wealth planner or certified trust and estate planner.

Pru Life UK also provides comprehensive training opportunities, including leadership development.

Stepping into a leadership role, much like Kendall, who was recently promoted to branch manager, and is now guiding a dynamic team of over 170 young professionals, offers a powerful opportunity to drive meaningful change. It's a chance to inspire others to embrace leadership and elevate their collective potential.

By leading with vision and dedication, Kendall exemplifies how effective leadership can transform not only individuals but entire teams, creating a ripple effect of growth and success.

For more information, visit www.prulifeuk.com.ph.

Editors Note: This press release for Pru Life UK is not covered by Philstar.com's editorial guidelines.