A Smart Start for the Next Generation - a Celebrate living story about Adulting

We often think we have our whole life ahead of us to do everything. But here's the twist: Life is happening right now. Accidents, health issues, and business setbacks don't care about our social media likes or how young and fabulous we are. A random sports injury or a conflict in a distant place can disrupt our carefully laid plans.

Just ask Kristina Delos Reyes-Torres, one of FWD's top young financial advisers. She's seen it all. There was one time she encouraged an entrepreneur friend to get insurance. The friend ignored the advice, feeling secure with her family's businesses and property. Sadly, her friend's dad passed away suddenly, leaving them with a huge estate tax bill and a life insurance that hadn’t kept up with inflation.

It was a wake-up call. With Kristina’s help, her friend navigated through her grief and managed to put her finances back in order. But that incident left a lasting impact. As her friend confided in Kristina, “Ayokong mangyari ‘to sa mga anak ko. (I don’t want my kids to go through this.)” At age 38, she became very clear about her financial goals and strategies, promptly purchasing plans to cover critical illness and her young children’s education.

Adulting’s not all hard choices. Some are surprisingly easy.

Let's face it, a big part of adulting is prioritizing so you can move forward. You might choose one path and always wonder if it was the right choice (just like in the movies). But insurance? That's a power move. It's like having a financial ninang (godmother) looking out for you. When you're protected, you can worry less and have peace of mind to chase your dreams. Start that business. Build that family. Travel the world. With the right insurance coverage, you're creating a safety net that lets you live life to the fullest.

“I meet so many different clients, different ages and situations. One thing they all say, “I wish I’d done this sooner,” Kristina says. “It’s become my advocacy. Di kailangan mag-intay na malaking kinikita mo, or mag-38 or 35. Feeling ko nga late na yun eh. (You don’t need to wait until you earn a lot, or to be 38 or even 35. I feel like that’s starting late, actually.)”

“SmartStart is new, but I really do recommend it,” Kris explains. “It’s the insurance plan for everyone. You have life insurance protection – so you or your family get a benefit if something happens to you – but you’re also starting to invest so your funds have time to grow. May option ka pa (You also have the option) to add more protection, for critical illness or accidents. Premiums are low, especially kung bata ka pa. So, you’re protected and saving at a rate you can afford. Sa’n ka pa? (What more could you want?)”

When Kristina talks about “investing,” it’s not just about money. It’s also about investing in your future self, the YOU who’ll make it through today’s uncertainty into a more stable adulthood. Lock in those rates while you're young and healthy. The difference adds up, and you really will thank YOU later

Making financial literacy relevant to the next generation 


For five years now, Kris has made it her mission to help Pinoys shed generations of limiting beliefs and cultural norms.

“In our culture, it’s almost taboo to talk about money. … So many families are just not financially literate. But we can change that. We communicate, we visualize, we organize. We learn by doing, not by waiting. That’s why SmartStart is the perfect first step forward.”

FWD understands that everyone's needs and priorities change over time. That's why we offer a variety of plans that let you customize your coverage and payments. Our financial advisors provide honest and clear advice to help you make the best choices.

For Kris, being a financial adviser is not just a career, but an advocacy. “It’s a service that I can give to every Filipino: to educate ourselves and become financially literate, so we can start early and move toward the futures we want.”

It's never too early to make a SmartStart. Got questions? Chat with an FWD Financial Wealth Manager who’ll get where you’re coming from.