Experiencing China with Sun Life Macaulay Club

China indeed was best experience that happened this year thanks to Sun Life, and we got on this trip with amazing Sun Life Financial Advisors who each have their own story to tell of their journey and being part of the Macaulay Club.

This journey started with the launch of the Sun Life Play For Life board game which I find very fun and exciting and wished that many could play this as it can also help in expanding financial literacy and making sound investments for the future.

They had a grand media launch with their brand ambassadors like Piolo, Sarah and Matteo and had an exciting game in which the grand prize is the trip to China (Beijing & Shanghai), and in a surprising turn of events, we won the grand prize.

The trip was scheduled for October and will be joined by the Sun Life Macaulay Club, a group of exceptional financial advisors and managers who achieved a lot for the company and their branches. Interestingly they are named after tree species which symbolizes growth as well as creating a network that reaps benefits.

It was my first time in China, yet I'm excited to see a lot of natural, cultural, and historical experiences that can be considered a trip of a lifetime. Beijing being the capital holds a lot of historical and cultural spots we usually see in textbooks, while Shanghai is known to be a financial and entertainment center showing great economic progress.

As we started in Beijing, we got to stay near the city center where we can also roam around. We had our first meal with at a restaurant serving sumptuous Chinese dishes which is also perfect for the Autumn cold temperature. We got to see iconic places such as part of the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, and saw their world-famous acrobat show which had shows jampacked with tourists.

We also had a whole day at Universal Resorts Beijing, where we got to experience rides inspired from the films like Jurassic Park, Minions, Transformers, Kung Fu Panda, and Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There is also the trending Pop Mart store where we wanted to buy the in demand Labubu toys but are out of stock.

Then from Beijing, we rode a high-speed train to Shanghai which also first for me and gave me a quick glance on the cities the train passes like Nanjing City. When we arrived in Shanghai, the vibe indeed is more commercial yet also has the charm of vintage architecture especially at the district called the Bund.

Here we got to see the Shanghai skyline especially the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower. There is also the district that has that old China aesthetic though filled with shops and restaurants catering to tourists. The next day we had a whole day at Shanghai Disneyland which my first time in a Disney theme park, and also has the tallest Disney theme park castle, The Enchanted Storybook castle.

As we are on our last days, we also had a great time exploring Nanjing Road which has roads to shopping and entertainment establishments like M&M's store and Miniso Land. I also had the opportunity to visit the one of the six Starbucks Roastery in the world in Shanghai. And indeed, coffee culture is big in this city as every corner has a coffee shop you can spot.

On our last night, there was a celebration dinner with the Sun Life Macaulay Club, formally awarding them for their achievements. We got to hear from the different heads and financial advisors and managers with their inspiring stories and visions for the future. Everyone who joined in the trip have something to be proud of as being part of the trip is a fruit of their hard work and growth.

Joining the trip with the Sun Life Macaulay Club was really fun as we saw diverse backgrounds and age groups that show that being a financial advisor can come from. During breakfast, we met some of them who are teachers, seafarers, and many professionals which found a calling with Sun Life and eventually entered the Sun Life Macaulay Club.

For this trip, I had a lot of firsts which will be part of my core memory. Experiencing the cities of Beijing and Shanghai was indeed amazing event it was just a week. Despite differences, the group is very energetic, friendly and super fun. The only downside is that we get too tired for having so much fun. Indeed, they all deserve this trip and came back home more motivated to be achievers in their respective branches. 

Thank you again Sun Life Philippines and looking forward to more events and experiences like this!