This blog post is a tribute to a batch mate, a colleague, a client and a friend Dr. Jay Pee Cruz.
He was a silent person, easy to like and have conversations with. Our journey together as a batch mate and colleagues in Medicine started years before we can be officially called Doctors. We were part of Ex-First Gentleman’s Scholarship to deserving 4th year – 5th year medical students of UP-PGH and PLM. I often met him in the dining hall of Malacanang Palace at least twice a year, as we got to be invited in honour of our benefactor.
As part of our pay back as scholars of the government, we were required to serve as “Doctors-to-the-Barrios” to serve the doctor less, remote areas of our Country. I was assigned in Magsaysay, Palawan and him in San Jose, Romblon and later to Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija.
Unlike everyone else, getting ready for deployment, I had another role to fulfil. Before actually running to my post of assignment, I studied finance and took the examinations to have my license to sell life insurance and investment products, actually, it was about the same time I got my PRC license as a Physician. Why? Needless to say, because, I am also a scholar of my sister (financial adviser).
When I began offering insurance policies to my colleagues, Jay Pee was one of those who rejected me the first time. But being determined, I proposed it again whenever I had a chance, and the next chance I had with him, was when we were in Coron. Coron, Palawan being one of the most scenic places in the Philippines and having the most beautiful beaches in the world, and there I was, hounding Jay Pee. I think he was supposed to decline again, but before he did, I offered, Term Insurance. Just for temporary protection, I told him. Actually, I’m not exactly sure how he eventually agreed but maybe due to my persistence and maybe he wanted to enjoy Coron as much and not be bothered by an “insurance agent.” He took it and finally signed the application forms.
On the next CME (Continuing Medical Education/conference) we had, I again ask him, if he wanted to convert his Term Policy to a more permanent one. He agreed right away. I think then, he somehow started to realize the importance of having something to leave to your loved ones in case of early death. I believe he loves his parents and siblings enough to make sure they are taken care of in case he won’t be around anymore. Moreover, after our stint in the Doctors to the Barrios, he even attended a COP (career orientation program), to become an agent himself. It was then, that I think he realized how important really Life insurance is. He wanted to spread the good news of life insurance and how it can help a family cope. But although due to other commitments, his career as an agent did not push through, he referred his whole family to me. He told me, he want this to his family as well.
In the process of getting insurance policies for the whole family, tragedy strike. He was incidentally diagnosed with cancer that had already metastasized. A series of tests and treatment were done. There were earlier successes, but later on cancer still managed to progress and finally lead to his untimely death.
Meanwhile (backtracking), before I went to Canada for a conference last end of May 2014, I visited him. I went to see him together with some of our batch mates. We ate together, had fun and laughter, not knowing that, that would be the last time I will see his smile.
In Canada, it became a journey of self-assessment, I’ve been asking myself, why am I really here? (In the finance industry?) Am I really right where I should be? Do I need to refocus again to become a full time doctor? Those questions remained unanswered even before going back home. The day after I got home, I found out the news of his death. I was sad that I won’t be able to see him alive again and personally give to him my gift from my trip.
I came to his interment, and saw his mother, Tita Fanny. And we cried together while looking at him. Then, she told me, “Anak, maraming salamat ha. Maraming salamat sa pagkumbinsi sa kanya na kailangan nya ng insurance. Sa totoo lang, ikaw ang unang nag-introduce sa kanya how to be financially ready. Maraming salamat.”
From the time I educated him on financial literacy and life insurance, from then on, according to his mom, from what he learned from me, he was able to organized his savings and investments and left everything well-organized and well-instructed.
That statement melts my heart. It suddenly became clear to me, that indeed, where I am now, is where God wants me to be. That this profession is as noble as being a doctor. To be able to reach out and teach Families the importance of life insurance and knowing what it can do to a family. God is using me to help Filipino families to prepare for something that is so sure to happen —- which is death.
I’m exactly where God wants me to be. The questions I’ve been asking myself previously suddenly became answered. If there is another Dr. Jay Pee who will be touched, or there will be another family who will be supported and helped, if there would be orphans that will be comforted, if there would be a child who will grow up with support with the help of life insurance. I will never be ashamed to offer this miracle product to all the people I know and would come to know.
I would like to thank you Jay Pee, for making me realize that I need to continue educating people about life insurance, money, investments and their future. Thank you for being a friend, a great client and a fellow advocate of financial literacy. You will always be remembered by all the people you have touched. You have shown that you truly love your family by leaving behind a legacy. And I am just so honored to deliver your last love letter to your family. You are the “kuya, Yaku, Doc JP, Jayps, Hero” to all the people you touched and served. Thank you for touching our lives. A toast to a life well-lived.
Read more:
How much Life Insurance you exactly need? How to compute!
What are Life Insurance Riders? What do you need to know about them?
5 Insider tips how to get the best life insurance agent for you!
Top 10 Life Insurance company in the Philippines, the most updated and most unbiased review
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A very inspiring story Doc! It goes to show how Life insurance can make a huge impact on a family’s financial future. His decision finally to get a Life insurance assures that his family will have financial security after the loss of a loved one. Thank you for sharing Doc Pinky.
Yes indeed. Thanks martin. I hope many will learn from him.