From struggles to triumph: Lives transformed as a financial advisor

Remarkable career journeys from humble beginnings 

Many aspire to find a career that ensures financial stability while economically empowering others, but feel held back by humble backgrounds or previous struggles with money. 

However, Manulife financial advisors have realized that poverty is not a barrier to achieving the life you’ve always wanted. If you dream big and succeed, and you connect more deeply with people, the right opportunities will come along. Arlene Genove, a municipal councilor, Shirly Termulo, a former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), and Richard Dimaculangan, a former contractual hardware salesman, prove that your past does not limit your future. To improve their station in life, sheer willpower, passion, and hard work fueled them, and being a financial advisor is a transformational step to the right direction. 

From barangay to the world

With a monthly honorarium of ₱6,000 as a barangay councilor in Quezon Province back in 2010, Genove tried to make ends meet so she can provide for her family’s needs. At the time, she was forced to take on side hustles such as online selling to supplement her income. “My family was poor, and I really dreamed of a more comfortable life. However, it was not easy. No matter what I did, it seemed to be never enough.”