Page 3 - Cocolife Times - ISSUE 2020-08 REV 2

Coincidentally, these values were the a media practitioner, an accounting from March 1 to April 30, from 31 days
very same that Martin grew up with. expert and former Supreme Court to 61 days.
Early in his life, he saw his parents raise Justices, including former Associate
seven children while simultaneously Justice Bienvenido Reyes, who is now “I just want our policyholders to feel
doing work that made the country and the Chairman of the Board. that we’re there for them, that they
its people part of their lives. can rely on us even during the darkest,
But Martin also relies on a dynamic new most difficult, and trying times,” Martin
Martin’s father, retired Marine Colonel generation of leadership at Cocolife. says. “We do our best to make sure
Ariel Querubin, is a recipient of the The company’s departments are led that we take care of their needs and
Medal of Valor, the highest award given by a mix of seasoned Cocolife veterans their situation in life. If nothing else,
by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and new recruits from top local and that’s what empathy is about, after all.
(AFP) to soldiers who go beyond the international universities—many of You have to think of their welfare.”
call of duty. His mother, Pong, raised whom Martin personally invited to join
the children and stood by her husband the team. In fact, all the fresh young Naturally, the same empathy extends
in their family’s most trying times. talent has placed the average age of to Cocolife’s employees. Early into
company management at just 30 years the crisis, without delay, the company
Martin went to Ateneo de Manila old. They are young Filipinos who released its employees’ 13th-month
University, which honed in him the recognize the importance of Cocolife’s pay and offered financial assistance
creed of being a “man for others.” While role in Filipino society, and are well- packages and emergency loans,
he didn’t choose to pursue a military equipped to carry out the company’s among other forms of support. “We
career, Martin developed a particular vision and mission. had to make sure that everyone was
interest in law, and was guided by the okay,” Martin says.
belief that justice should be accessible “I want our policyholders
to all and not just a privileged few. He Cocolife turned 42 this year, and for
believed, early on, that no one should to feel that we’re there the first time, the company cancelled
be left behind. for them, that they can all its corporate activities for the rest
of the year. The amount the company
So Martin took up law at the University rely on us even during was able to save will be used to address
of the Philippines, where he was a the darkest, most the effects of the pandemic. “The
member of the Order of the Purple resources were diverted to helping
Feather (the UP Law Honor Society), difficult, and trying people,” Martin says. Particularly,
the University Student Council, and times.” these resources were channeled to the
the Sigma Rho Fraternity. Then, he financial assistance for the employees,
went to Georgetown University and The coronavirus outbreak has made sales force, partners, and beneficiaries.
earned his Master of Laws. everyone at Cocolife adjust to a new
normal, to think beyond the box, and Cocolife also donated to the UP
After graduating from Georgetown, to go an even further extra mile for National Institute of Health for the
Martin would go on to build a their clients and their own colleagues. purchase of a Real Time-Polymerase
prodigious legal career. With some “We were so used to the convenience Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) machine
partners, he set up a law firm that, of personally being present in that would help efforts for COVID-19
in 2019, was named the Best New the workplace, coordination and testing. On top of that, Cocolife has
Law Firm in the country by the Asia meetings,” says Martin. “We depended also made significant contributions
Business Law Journal. much on personal interaction. This time, to the efforts of both the government
we relied heavily on technology, which and non-government organizations in
By then, Martin had also become the took some time to get accustomed to, the frontlines, sending donations such
youngest member of the Consultative but after a week, Cocolifers got the as food, disinfectants, and face masks.
Committee that, in 2018, reviewed hang of it. We’re performing optimally
the 1987 Constitution. As part of this despite the work from home system.” “We thought that the best way to
committee, Martin was able to work move forward is to really emphasize
alongside some of the country’s most Wasting no time, Cocolife established the faith and trust we have in the
prominent legal minds. 24/7 helplines and a special ground Filipino: Filipino talent, Filipino values,
force to provide clarity and assistance the Filipino dream,” Martin says. “It’s
“It’s what the insurance when people needed it most. The really what the insurance business is
all about. It’s about helping people
business is all about: company also made sure that customer capture their dreams no matter what
service facilities and payment systems
helping people capture are available online. happens, the best way we can. I am
their dreams no matter But perhaps most meaningfully, optimistic that humanity will come
out of this better and kinder to one
what happens, the best Cocolife was quick to grant its health another.”
way we can.” card members full coverage for COVID-
19-related hospitalizations, subject to
policy terms and regular reviews. The
At Cocolife, Martin is guided by company has also provided hospital
the experience and knowledge of income benefits to affected life
seasoned colleagues. With him on the insurance policies, and has extended Source:
esquiremag.ph/money
board are fellow lawyers, executives, 3
the grace period for all premium dues May 4, 2020