01/05/2024
Corine Geraldino Munion
My friend from college became successful when she got promoted three times in a multinational company she is currently employed.
During the stint of her success, she managed to get a condominium and a brand new car as a reward for herself. Her properties are expensive that she needs to back those up with insurance. Since she managed to secure her properties with insurance, I asked her "IKAW? Kailan mo ikukuha ang sarili mo ng personal insurance? Ikaw nagbabayad ng lahat ng yan...." She goes, "Sige, pagusapan natin yan pag may time ako. Busy pa. Di ko pa yan mahaharap." I was silenced.
During free days, we would usually explore the restaurants and coffeeshops around the metro. In one of our weekend shopping sprees, she once jokingly told me "diba ang mga mayayaman may mga imported na a*o?" - she got herself a chihuahua.
She loves to travel. She is indeed a wanderlust. She would reward herself an out of the country or out of town trips during long weekends. Batanes. Coron. Siargao. El Nido. Amanpulo. UK. USA. Japan. Korea. Canada. Australia. She has been to almost all the places one can dream of.
Her life was blissful until...
One day, she felt a sudden pain gushing through her stomach down to her pelvis. The pain became unbearable in less than an hour that she needs to ask her neighbor to drive her to the hospital.
She was rushed to the ER.
Sedated. Confined.
The test went back with the result: COLON CANCER. Stage 3.
Her age? 31.
She called me up soon as she was able to gather her self from shock. I rushed to the hospital and comforted her. She's afraid to die but she was more concerned about the expenses she will face from that day forward.
She then said helplessly "Sis, baka pwede nating gawan ng paraan yung insurance na inooffer mo? Okay lang kahit doblehin ko na lang yung premium..."
I hugged her so tight that I cannot help my tears from falling down my cheeks in deep regret. I whispered, "Sis, I am sorry. Wala na akong magagawa sa insurance na kailangan mo..."
We cried.
She eventually resigned. Sold her condominium and her car to finance her treatments. Her puppy was adopted by another friend. She drained all her savings and owed some banks and friends some money. Her then co-workers passed the hats to help. She was broke.
She battled for two years but she was not able to make it. Leaving her family grieving and in debt. Leaving me with great regret.
She made me learn one thing: If you love your friends and if you are truly concerned with the people around you, insist to help them before it is too late.
So if I come around bugging you about insurance, do not shy away. Because if you are concerned about your family, you will be more than willing to sit down with me and talk: HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE YOUR FAMILY?
*Credits to Cams Dela Cruz Morales
