Did you know that the word of the year is “manifest”? This was recently announced by the Cambridge Dictionary, adding that it’s one of the most viewed words in 2024. So yes, this upcoming year, we are manifesting—our dreams, goals, and financial success, of course!
If you’re also in your era of manifesting financial success, here’s where you can start: by giving these finance and investment content creators a follow! Here, we’ve curated a list of some of our favorite FinLit (financial literacy) content creators—they are influencers we love for their posts about financial advice, investment tips, budgeting hacks, and more money lessons.
Photo: Sun Life PH
These FinLit content creators—Jacklord Esguerra, Bea Pelayo-Laderas, Garett Maralit, and Jen Laureles—are all certified Sun Life Financial Advisors, giving you that confidence that their advice are words you can trust. Together, these Sunfluencers work together to spread financial literacy—an important skill Filipinos can learn to help them manage, protect, and grow their finances better. In short, financial literacy can help you reach your goals and make your dreams of a secure and comfortable life come true.
Start your journey to financial literacy by getting to know these 4 finance and investment content creators and giving them a follow.
Jacklord Esguerra (a.k.a. Coach Jacklord)
Jacklord Esguerra | Photo: Sun Life PH
Follow Coach Jacklord for: Insurance and investment tips, and practical money advice.
Jacklord Esguerra has been in the industry for 5 years, and has worked with over 350 clients. He’s also recognized with national and international awards such as MDRT, IQA, and Macaulay and Medallion qualifications. According to Jacklord, his goal is to help make financial literacy easy to understand and accessible for Filipinos through his content, while also helping his clients secure their financial future.
Read on for more of our Q&A with Jacklord:
What are the most common financial mistakes you see people make?
“Taking on unnecessary loans. I often remind my audience that loans can be beneficial or harmful, depending on how they’re used. By understanding our financial capabilities and setting clear priorities, we can make more responsible decisions as an adult.”
Top financial tips that you think everyone should know?
“A) Regardless of your income, make it a priority to save—even if it’s just a small amount.
B) Remember that before accumulating wealth, investing in knowledge is essential. When you have the right knowledge, money will follow.”
Why is financial literacy important in today’s world?
“Financial literacy is important because it helps you build a life of security and peace of mind. It allows you to provide for your family’s needs, invest in your dream home, send your children to school, and build a comfortable future that can be passed on to the next generations.”
Follow Coach Jacklord here:
Facebook: Jacklord Esguerra
Instagram: @coachjacklord
Tiktok: @coachjacklord
Bea Pelayo-Laderas (a.k.a. The Savvy Pinay)
Bea Pelayo-Laderas | Photo: Sun Life PH
Follow The Savvy Pinay for: Personal finance, adulting tips, and motherhood and business content.
Want to learn more about insurance and investing your money in mutual funds? Bea Pelayo-Laderas is your girl. Known online as The Savvy Pinay, Bea has been a Sun Life Financial Advisor for 6 years and has worked with over 350 clients.
What are the most common financial mistakes you see people make?
“Budol culture and FOMO [fear of missing out]. Social media is a space that we are in majority of the day, so we get exposed to so many different retail temptations and lucrative lifestyles.
As an advocate of financial literacy, I try my best to incorporate topics that touch on money management, saving, investing, and other mindsets that can help my audience to have a good relationship with finance in general.”
What are your top three financial tips that you think everyone should know?
“1. The best way to start is by knowing where your money goes. Tracking expenses should be top 1 on your to-do list, may that be in the form of spreadsheets or expense tracking app.
2. As soon as you start earning, please set aside funds for your retirement! It doesn’t have to be big right away—the earlier you start, the more time you have before retiring.
3. Being savvy with money does not necessarily mean that you shouldn’t spend on wants or non-necessities. Find the balance between needs vs. wants and now vs. future.”
Why is financial literacy important in today’s world?
“Financial literacy can help us manage our money well, and that will ultimately lead to, dare I say, a happier life if done correctly and aligned with our values.”
Follow The Savvy Pinay here:
Facebook: The Savvy Pinay
Instagram: @thesavvypinay
Tiktok: @thesavvypinay
Garett Maralit (a.k.a. The Bright Millennial)
Garett Maralit | Photo: Sun Life PH
Follow The Bright Millennial for: Life and health insurance tips.
Aside from being a Sun Life Financial Advisor, Garett Maralit is also a Sales Manager, leading a team of 100 insurance advisors. He and his wife co-founded the Facebook page, The Bright Millennial (TBM), together with the intention of “making financial literacy viral.” Garett shared, “My wife and I realized how powerful social media was, on how efficient and effective it can be to spread an idea—why not that idea be financial literacy?”
At present, The Bright Millennial has grown to having almost 400,000 followers and over 100,000 community members.
What are the most common financial mistakes you see people make?
“Top 3 mistakes in my opinion:
1. Blindly investing in something just because they see a friend or someone on social media earning without actually studying how it works and what its risks.
2. Getting insurance without the proper knowledge of what to consider.
3. Not creating a spending plan.”
What are your top three financial tips that you think everyone should know?
“1. The best investment is an investment in yourself. Upskill to be able to add more value and earn more money.
2. Never invest on something you don’t understand.
3. Invest early, start small, do it regularly.”
Why is financial literacy important in today’s world?
“Because it helps people make smart money choices. It’s about knowing how to save, avoid debt, enjoy the present, and prepare for the future so they can live well and worry less about finances.”
Follow The Bright Millennial here:
Facebook: TBM
Instagram: @thebrightmillennial
Tiktok: @brightmillennial
Jen Laureles (a.k.a. Pretty Financial)
Jen Laureles Photo: Sun Life PH
Follow Pretty Financial for: Insurance tips, real-life client stories, common Pinoy money struggles, and everyday experiences turned into financial wisdom.
Jen Laureles is a marketing head turned financial advisor. In just five years as a Sun Life advisor, Jen a.k.a. Prettty Financial has achieved recognition from the Producers’ League, Maple Leaf Award, and five consecutive Million Dollar Round Table memberships, all while building a community of over 50,000 followers on TikTok. She’s also a single mom to two sons.
What are the most common financial mistakes you see people make?
“Pinoys overlook how powerful insurance is as a financial tool. The harder life is, the more you need it. If saving ₱50,000 feels impossible, how will you handle a ₱500,000 hospital bill for a critical illness? My content focuses on breaking this mindset by showing how affordable insurance can be—and how it can save lives and protect families.”
What are your top three financial tips that you think everyone should know?
“1. Start building untouched savings every time you receive your salary—it’s for your future self.
2. Build an emergency fund before thinking about investments—6 months of salary is the ideal cushion for unexpected surprises.
3. Get insured—it’s the easiest way to secure a huge fund you couldn’t save on your own and keep your family protected when it matters most.”
Why is financial literacy important in today’s world?
“Let’s be honest, for many Pinoys, ‘bahala na si Batman’ is still the go-to financial plan. Schools haven’t stepped in—money lessons remain MIA, despite their huge impact on our lives. But thankfully, today’s generation is breaking the cycle—hungry to learn, eager to take control, and determined to create brighter futures.”
Follow Pretty Financial here:
Facebook: Pretty Financial
Instagram: @prettyfinancial
Tiktok: @prettyfinancial
Photo: Sun Life PH
In today’s digital age, financial literacy is more accessible than ever, thanks to the efforts of influential content creators like these four Sunfluencers. These individuals are breaking down complex financial concepts into easy-to-understand and engaging content. By following their advice and tips, you can take control of your finances and work towards a brighter future.
Remember, financial literacy is not just about managing your money; it’s about empowering yourself to make informed decisions. Sun Life, with its team of licensed financial advisors, is committed to being your ultimate Partner for Life, providing you with personalized advice and guidance to help you achieve your financial goals, no matter what stage of life you’re in.
Talk to a Sun Life financial advisor today by visiting sunlife.co/TalkToAnAdvisor.
