Interest rates, heightened geopolitical risks, global growth and many other factors will have an effect on 2015 and yet, Riza Mantaring, the CEO of the country’s number 1 life insurance company (Sun Life) feels that Philippine outlook is still positive. Ms. Mantaring’s company has been in the forefront of getting Filipinos financially abled and she views that there is still a lot to be done.

The 2015 Outlook of Riza Mantaring

Giving an outlook for the year almost seems like a shot in the dark given how wrong most people were last year — equities market expected to be slow in anticipation of higher interest rates and a global slowdown, but the PSEi ended the year up 22.8% and close to its all-time high; US interest rates expected to be up with the end of quantitative easing, but ended the year much lower; Philippine treasuries expected to move past 5% but ended at 4.5%; oil prices hit an all-time high mid-year at $107/barrel but ended at $53, a price not seen in years.

Again, this year, interest rates are expected to move up, and heightened geopolitical risks and global growth dragged by Europe and China may cause some volatility, but for the Philippines, our outlook is quite positive. Abundant liquidity, lower oil prices, and a slightly weaker currency will all contribute to strong domestic consumption. Aside from this, anticipation of election spending and increased government spending on infrastructure and public works can all contribute to higher GDP.

Riza is a member of the Sun Life Asia Executive Team. She has also participated in various international special projects and teams such as the task force for worldwide restructuring of the company, the task force for business processes, and special teams for Mergers & Acquisitions.

In 2010, on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the University of the Philippines College of Engineering, she was selected one of the 100 Most Outstanding Alumni of the past century. In 2011, she was named by Moneysense Magazine one of the 12 Most Influential in Personal Finance. She is also a recipient of the 2011 CEO EXCEL award given by the International Association of Business Communicators. Riza was recognized for bold and innovative programs anchored on a five year strategy, “Route 5”, and harnessing the power of communication to implement these programs, including the multi-awarded and pioneering “It’s Time!” financial literacy advocacy. The strategies and programs put in place have resulted in unprecedented growth for Sun Life in sales, assets under management, and provincial presence.

In February 2011, the company announced the acquisition of 49% of Grepalife Financial Inc, creating Sun Life Grepa Financial and opening up the bancassurance channel for Sun Life.

Riza graduated with a B.S. Electrical Engineering degree (cum laude) from the University of the Philippines, and an M.S. Computer Science from the State University of New York at Albany. She has also attended numerous executive development programs conducted by Harvard University, The Wharton School, Duke University, Oxford University, Asian Institute of Management, and The Niagara Institute. She is a Fellow of the Life Management Institute (with distinction).

She was a board director of the Philippine Life Insurance Association from 2011-2013, serving as Secretary in 2012 then Treasurer in 2013. She served as a board director of the Philippine Federation of Pre-need Companies from 2006-2008.

Riza also serves as an independent director of Ayala Land Inc., the country’s largest real estate firm, and Microventures Foundation Inc., which runs the Hapinoy social entrepreneurship program.

Great news to those attending the Money Manifesto Conference this Saturday (Nov. 29, 2014). Our sponsor, Sun Life will be raffling of Sun Life Prosperity Funds worth P5,000.00 each to the lucky winners!

What are Sun Life Prosperity Funds?

Sun Life Prosperity Funds
Simplicity, Accessibility, Affordability and Returns. These are only a few of the benefits that a Sun Life Prosperity Fund investor receives.

• Affordability: For a minimum of Php 5,000, one can jump start an investment account and be on his/her way to prosperity
• Higher potential returns*:  The Sun Life Prosperity Funds is  a family of funds that caters to various risk appetites and investment horizons. Whether you’re a conservative or aggressive, short term or long term investor, at least one fund is suitable for you to achieve your investment goals.
• Diversification: For as low as Php 5,000, your investment is instantly diversified among different financial vehicles in order to minimize risk.
• Flexibility:  Risk appetite tends to change over time and should you feel like changing where your funds are placed, you can do so accordingly up to four times in a year at no charge!
• Liquidity: Sun Life offers the option to redeem fund shares any time on a business day at the current fund value.
• Professional Portfolio Management: The Sun Life Prosperity Funds are managed by  top notch investment professionals who are dedicated to ensuring that the funds generate the best returns over the long term.
• Global Expertise: Sun Life Asset Management Company, the fund manager and distributor of the Sun Life Prosperity Funds is a member of the Sun Life Financial Group of Companies operating in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China, India, the Philippines and Indonesia.

For more information on Sun Life Prosperity Funds, visit http://j.mp/174yGXG

To know more about the conference, CLICK HERE.

See you this Saturday!

Do not miss the life-changing conference that will help transform Filipinos from Spenders to Savers and ultimately to INVESTORS!

iCon was a long dream of mine because I yearned for the time where more and more Filipinos will be interested in investing for their future. I longed for the day to see long lines of people queuing to enter a financially themed event, the way they do for a block-buster movie. In 2013, the first iCon proved that Filipinos are more receptive to learning finance and investments as 1,000 people flocked to the very first iCon. I was overwhelmed with the site of 1,000 people all eager to take better control of their financial future.

This year, despite the difficulty of mounting an even bigger event, we felt that the Filipinos need an iCon again so we put together even more speakers and an even longer conference time for those attending iCon2014. Our roster of speakers are impressive as they are indeed the subject matter experts of their own fields. However, it is not just the competence of the speakers that made them part of iCon2014 — it is their passion to help Filipino achieve their dreams!

For inquiries and registration, visit http://www.brandspeakasia.com/iconor send an e-mail to [email protected]