What were Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli's first investments when they were just starting in showbiz?
Sarah candidly answered: family home and aircon.
She began, "Ako po ano, kami ng family po, yung building our own house."
Then added, "At saka aircon kasi ang init-init dun po sa apartment namin before, kaya great investment."
Sarah mentioned the latter lightly, but investing in one's well-being is seriously important.
Matteo also invested in a real-estate property, which he considers one of his proudest achievements.
He said, "I think a few years after I started show business when I was able to save, I invested in my first property, and I was able to keep the down payment for that and loan the rest.
"After a few years, I was able to pay the whole amount. So, that was one of my proud investment moments."
Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli financial advice
When asked to give one piece of advice for those starting their financial journey, the couple unanimously said: Invest in a policy early.
Along with Piolo Pascual, they discussed money matters at the launch of Sun Life's Play for Life game on July 6, 2024, at the Conrad Manila Hotel, Pasay City.
Sarah shared, "Napag-usapan nga po namin na dapat it's best to start early on in life, para while you're capable of working hard, and, of course, parang siyempre, if you start earlier, the bigger the amount that you can possibly get."
Sarah added that while insurance policies may seem intimidating at first, they can actually be tailored to fit one's budget.
"Meron po kasi parang connotation na pag sinabing life insurance, para lang yun sa mga financially capable..."
Read: Sarah Geronimo: The Evolution of A Genuine Talent
Matteo had the same impression when he started looking into insurance policies five years ago.
Matteo said, "Like what Sarah said, it's very intimidating at first, you know, how much you have, do I have that much to invest, etc.'
"But, what's really good about Sun Life is that you get to talk to a very credible, knowledgeable advisor who can really guide you along the way.
"When I started more than 5 years ago...I was very confused. 'How do I start? What policy do I get first?'
"And, they guided me. They said, 'Matteo this is the first one if you want to have a longer-term investment, what kind of appetite you have,' etc.
"And, now that I got another policy just a few months ago, now that I'm a married man, I would ask again my advisor, what do you think best fits, what policy best fits my lifestyle now, and where I want to go.
"So I told them what my dreams, my goals, etc. for me and my wife. And they advised us on what policy to get."
SARAH GERONIMO AND MATEO GUIDICELLI: PLAY FOR LIFE
During the event, Sarah and Matteo also tried the Play for Life—a game developed by the financial services company they are endorsing and is now available on its website.
This single-player game helps simulate financial journeys.
It allows Filipinos to experience real-life financial scenarios through engaging gameplay, providing a glimpse into what their financial journey might entail.
Sarah said, "Ang galing po, no, that Sun Life came up with this new approach pagdating sa advocating financial literacy, and, of course, financial planning...
"Kasi, I think, for some of us, including myself, parang pag sinabing financial literacy or planning, parang overwhelming and parang nakaka-intimidate.
"But ginawa nilang game, so mas engaging, mas fun, di ba?
"And sabi mo nga, lalo, ito parang, in a way, meron ka rin parang it's influential also sa mga life choices mo, parang siya ang simulation, no, ng pag-manage ng finances mo."
Playing the game himself made Matteo realize the importance of emergency funds.
He told the attendees of the event, "It was fun because when we started the game, Piolo chose an insurance, Sarah chose an insurance.
"And both of them chose an emergency fund, I didn't, sabi ko, 'Sige, I'll risk it.'
"But yung second turn ko, yun, nagsisi ako, dapat I got an emergency fund.
"And it made me realize, it's really important to have an emergency fund compared to just being liquid. Priority yun.
"So it was fun, it was fun. Like what Sarah said, it really simulates [life], like, gives you a better understanding of different choices on your life, on the emergencies that life can give to you, kumbaga."
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