There’s a famous saying about death and taxes that I’m thinking of, except that those are two things I never like to think about. Thank goodness there is Sun Life of Canada, which can deal with that stuff.

The financial services company recently hosted an intimate gathering of friends at the Manila House Private Club, together with the Red Charity Gala (RCG) team, to discuss estate planning, legacies and other uncommon yet vital topics. As part of its efforts to raise awareness and give people more information on estate taxes, Sun Life also invited lawyer Benedict Tugonon, partner and head of tax at the Quiason Makalintal law firm, to highlight tips on the efficient transfer of estates through estate tax planning.

Mylene Lopa, Sun Life chief marketing officer, said that without proper estate planning, the legacy we’ve worked so hard to pass on to our heirs may end up being more of a burden to them if we don’t prepare for its efficient transfer. One common headache is how heirs often are unprepared to pay estate taxes, which must be done within six months of the passing of the loved one. If not settled, a 25-percent surcharge and 20-percent interest will be added per year.

Jenny del Mundo, Sun Life head of agency distribution support, then showed how the product solutions of Sun Life can actually help alleviate the cash issue in estate tax payment, specifically how life insurance can be used by the beneficiaries to settle estate taxes or be left with the heirs as the inheritance itself.

Also present were Alex Narciso, Sun Life president and chief agency distribution officer, and Riena Pama, Sun Life asset management president.

The RCG guests included Beth Fernando, president of Fersal Hotel Group, and Marife Zamora, CEO of Convergys Philippines. Both were among the personalities recognized at the Gala, together with Charo Santos-Concio, Sun Life ambassador.

Sun Life can make wealth preservation easy. All it takes is to have the right information and the right partner to help guide us through the ins and outs of estate planning.

Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individuals and corporate clients.

Visit www.sunlife.com.

#AmIReallyFit

After the affair, Melissa Lee, head of Hi-Precision Diagnostics, gave special attendees HP Executive Healthcare Program and Imaging packages. Hi-Precision, one of the most reliable names today in medical diagnostic services, is known for its innovative, quality delivery of diagnostic-related products.

I invited Melissa to attend the Sun Life talk after I saw her at the new Hi-Precision campaign launch. Their #AmIReallyFit campaign aims to bring awareness to the real definition of “being healthy” and living well.

Joined by other fitness enthusiasts like Christine Jacobs-Sandejas and Brent Javier, the Hi-Precision campaign launch at The Upper Deck Sports Center revealed the true state of our health, based on the tests given. The package offered is part of their new campaign on what “being fit and healthy” really means.

The beauty of the package is that the blood and urine tests can be done in the comfort of one’s home with the HP technician on call. Other tests can be done at Hi-Precision Diagnostics at Power Plant Mall Rockwell, or at branches in Del Monte or Santa Rosa to name a few.

Visit hi-precision.com.ph.

Flexform

Now that I’m in my 50s, I really see the value of living well and keeping health as a priority. Another lady my age but who looks amazingly younger is singer Zsa Zsa Padilla. I bumped into her at the grand launch of the Flexform flagship showroom.

Flexform’s Italian principals and owners Saul Galimberti, Giuliano Galimberti and Matteo Galimberti flew in just to grace the impressive launch.

Flexform was founded in the furniture manufacturing district of Brianza, in northern Italy. In 1959, the Galimberti brothers started a crafts workshop, which they called Flexform di Galimberti.

Today, Flexform is the leading expert in the production of finely crafted sofas and furnishings, with collaborations with the best designers. Crafted with the best materials and the most advanced technique, Flexform products are made to last.

Leading the guests of honor at the Flexform ribbon-cutting ceremony were Senator Nancy Binay, Italian Ambassador Giorgio Guglielmino, Flexform Manila’s Gec Chia and Flexform Italy’s Giuliano. Joining Zsa Zsa and other guests were celebrities Charlene Gonzales and Diether Ocampo. DJ Bigboy Cheng provided the music, while Gaita Forés of Cibo di M Signature Caterer handled the food.

‘Under The Stars’

We welcome November with the coming Bench 30th anniversary show , “Under the Stars,” on Nov. 18 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Bench started with a dream. What began as a small department store brand carrying men’s T-shirts and jeans back in 1987 has evolved into a Filipino fashion favorite.

Bench continues to raise the benchmark for the Philippines’ retail landscape. After three successful and noticeably eventful decades in the biz, Bench celebrates with almost 50 of the country’s hottest stars at the Bench Show.

The show is a collaborative effort between Bench’s main man Ben Chan, stylist and Bench creative consultant Noel Manapat, long-time Bench collaborators fashion director Robby Carmona and production designer Gino Gonzales, and international production team Les 7 Doigts de la Main, headed by creative director Gypsy Snider, who also worked on the 2014 Bench denim and underwear show, “The Naked Truth.”

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