Rebecca’s ark of triumph

Mother of two. A would-be pianist/organist, teacher, entrepreneur. A Masters degree holder in Education. Bookeeper. Accounting Manager. Controller. Corporate Secretary. Vice Principal of a Christian high school. Director of a nationwide media organization. Multi-level marketing champion. Vice President of a large group of companies. President of a company operating seven radio stations. President of a versatile and dynamic entertainment company that specializes in the production, development and management of musical albums and artists. Director of Powermemory School. Publisher of a woman’s magazine for fit, fashion and in-control. Director of Jesus Cares ministry.

Catch your breath, and take something for motion sickness: the list just gets longer and more interesting after that last item, because we haven’t even gotten to what Rebecca Ann K. Sy has done and reached as a Sun Life Financial agent.

She definitely knows exactly where she wants to go, and does precisely what’s needed to get there.

“Being the youngest in a family of nine children, most people think I am spoiled. I’d say stubborn, not spoiled, because once my mind is made up, that’s that.”

At 16, she finished college at the University of Santo Tomas and completed her masters program in Education specializing in Early Childhood (minor in Accounting) at George Washington University in Washington D.C. in two years time.

In the Philippines, her steadily productive life continued. By the time she decided on her ‘career change’ in late 2000, she had already experienced being vice principal (business) of Grace Christian High School for five years; president (from 1985 till the present) of Ultrasonic Broadcasting Systems, Inc. which operates seven FM radio stations nationwide; and director of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) in 1990.

She was also multi-awarded distributor (and Top Life Builder and National Marketing Director) of Lifestyles of the Philippines, a multi-level marketing company offering an intra-natural food supplement; Vice President of SYSU group of companies from 1980 to the present time; President of Becca Music Inc. an entertainment company that specializes in the production, development and management of musical albums and artists; Publisher of Total Woman magazine; Director of Power Memory School; and Director of Jesus Cares Ministry, a Christian response to the bereavement. Oh, and by the way, she had to juggle all these with her responsibilities as a single mother with two daughters.

Something about selling insurance

It was one of her daughters who inadvertently pointed Rebecca towards the insurance profession.

“Rachel expressed her desire to pursue Masteral studies in the United States. It did not seem to be the right time, considering the exchange rate was very volatile then due to the economic and political crisis.” Rebecca mulled over how she could manage to help make her daughter’s dream come true.

“Anyway, my cousin asked me if there was any reason why I shouldn’t consider becoming a Sun Life Financial agent. I said no, thank you, I had no intention of being one ever. Honestly, I’ve always seen life insurance as a morbid business, kind of a second cousin to selling memorial plans, or coffins. It’s all about death. But I needed the additional revenue, moreover, it was challenged by my (agent) friend’s intimation that she was able to earn P10 million in just a year’s time. I have known these women, so I was pretty sure they were not pulling my leg.”

A full-fledged Sun Life Financial agent by the time the company’s biggest sales event ‘The President’s Month’ 2000 kicked off, Rebecca gamely took on her manager’s challenge to shoot for the top prize, which she eventually attained (with 169 policies netting the top net sales credit), to daughter Rachel’s delight. By yearend, she received a seven-figure commission.

And today, Rebecca has once again proven her mettle as a multi-awarded Sun Life agent with her becoming a full-fledged financial planner having met all the requirements in all the three lines of business of Sun Life: Life insurance, pre-need and mutual funds.

“My experiences have taught me there’s always room at the top for those who give their 100 percent to every task, and who are ready to face rejection…Can you imagine how many rejections I had to face on the way to getting my 169 policies?”

Balancing all her responsibilities has proven to be the even greater challenge over the years. She spends 11 hours in the office, takes time to bond with her daughters at home — and sleeps at 2:00 a.m.

“But the Lord has graciously given me the strength and the drive to excel. I give Him all the glory…facing clients…”