Donny Pangilinan has established himself as one of the country’s most celebrated and adored talents. But on top of his impressive acting resume, did you know that Donny is also an entrepreneur who believes in the importance of financial preparedness? Young as he is, Donny shared that he has investments and insurance policies, and that he makes sure to find balance while saving for the future.
Donny Pangilinan is the face of Sun Life’s “Smart Small, Live Bright Now” campaign on financial literacy. | Photos: Donny Pangilinan Facebook page | Sun Life
But like many others who have also achieved success and financial security, this didn’t happen overnight for Donny. In a recent media conference with Sun Life titled “Smart Small, Live Bright Now,” the 28-year-old actor recalled feeling excited when he first started earning money and learning “the hard way.”
Sun Life, the first and longest-standing life insurance company in the Philippines, with the help of Donny as their brand ambassador, aims to help build financial confidence within young Filipinos.
He shared: “I remember when I first started earning, siyempre happy ako kasi may pumapasok na pera, na hindi ako sanay. Teenager pa lang ako nun eh. So I would spend on useless things. Like for me, I thought that would give me happiness, and that would make me fulfilled, But it’s really awfully temporary, those specific things.”
But how does one begin to build their dream life? For most young Filipinos who are still figuring things out, the thought can be a bit overwhelming. So we asked Donny to share some lessons he learned from his journey, and here’s what he said.
Donny shared tips on how to start small when it comes to building your future. | Photo: Sun Life
1. Start small, but start now.
Big dreams can feel paralyzing when you think you need a massive head start. But Donny wants you to know that with every major milestone—whether buying a home, launching a business, or securing your future— the most important thing is to simply take the first step.
And for Donny, starting small can even be as simple as writing it down. He talked about a habit he does when setting a goal. “At the start of the year, I have this notebook where I write my goals and I just hide it. When December comes, that’s when I check and I see which ones I actually did.”
But as with any goal, Donny gave a reminder that it has to be accompanied by action—even just small ones. “Remind yourself that that’s your goal and just do the steps to get there.”
2. Don’t be afraid to seek help from mentors and advisors.
Donny also credits his success to his mentors and partners—everyone who has helped and given him advice along the way. He stressed on the importance of “choosing the best partners,” and “learning from those who have done it already.” But, he points out, you should still be willing to show up and put in the work.
On the topic of finding the best insurance and investments, Donny admitted not knowing anything about these in the beginning, which led him to seek help from a Sun Life Financial Advisor.
He shared, “I learned a lot about insurance policies from my advisor, especially about how it can help you prepare for the future. What really surprised me was how many products are available. I realized it’s not about finding the most popular option, but finding what fits you best, what benefits you the most, and what aligns with your needs and priorities.”
3. Don’t forget to enjoy the present.
Many people think saving for the future means you can’t have any fun today. But for Donny, you shouldn’t have to choose between the two. He emphasized on the importance of enjoying the present, saying, “I’m not saying to not reward yourself. Siyempre that’s very important also, especially if you work very hard. But it all has to be balanced. I had to learn the hard way.”
When you take small steps to secure your tomorrow, you can actually enjoy your life today with zero guilt. You can still grab coffee with friends or go on trips because you know your future is handled. It’s all about finding balance, not giving up things you love and find joy in.
4. Stay curious and keep learning.
Donny admitted that his journey involved a lot of trial and error. Learning how to manage finances is a continuous process, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. This is exactly why Sun Life Philippines has spent years supporting Filipinos on their financial journeys. Through helpful financial literacy content, community activations, and wellness events, Sun Life makes learning about building a brighter future simple, engaging, and inspiring.
Like Donny, stay curious and keep learning, and reach out to a Sun Life Financial Advisor to take the first step and get expert guidance on your journey to financial freedom.
[L-R] Jaz Reyes, Bea Pelayo-Laderas, Donny Pangilinan, Yosh Dimen, Vins Carlos, and Sun Life Philippines Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer Carla Gonzalez-Chong at the Sun Life “Smart Small, Live Bright Now” media conference. | Photo: Sun Life
Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start small today, enjoy your life right now, and confidently build the tomorrow you deserve.
Take the first step and visit www.sunlife.co/LiveBrightNow to start your journey towards a brighter future. To learn more about Sun Life, visit www.sunlife.com.ph and follow Sun Life Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
