Sun Life Foundation’s Project SUNRISE Continues to Brighten Futures for Cebu Youth

MANILA, PH – (September 2026) – Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) and Children of Asia recently renewed their collaboration for Project SUNRISE, continuing their shared commitment to helping Cebu youth stay in school, prepare for future careers, and build brighter futures.

 

Through Project SUNRISE, 125 high school and college students in Cebu City as well as the municipalities of Alegria, Daanbantayan, Medellin, and Minglanilla receive financial assistance for expenses such as miscellaneous fees, uniforms, and school supplies. The program is renewed annually and will continue until all the scholars graduate from college.

 

Launched in 2020, Project SUNRISE aims to help address a persistent challenge in the Philippines where one in four youth is out of school. 

 

The program also supports the students’ holistic development through additional courses, career development orientation, and soft skills training to help strengthen their future employability. Meanwhile, their families also receive post-disaster support, individualized aid, and parent learning sessions on child development and quality family life.

 

A MOA signing ceremony was held in Cebu City to mark the continuation of the collaboration, graced by Sun Life Philippines Country Head and CEO JJ Moreno as well as the Sun Life Foundation leadership including President Joy Castillo, Vice President Aleister Cruz, and Executive Director Kristine Millete. Children of Asia was represented by its Country Director, Barbie Romeo-Guardiario, and Deputy Country Director, Andre Frossard.

 

“We believe that education is one of the most powerful foundations for a brighter future,” said Castillo. “With Project SUNRISE, our aim is to empower Filipino youth and enable them to remain in school, feel supported, and build a future filled with possibilities not just for themselves, but also their families and communities.”

 

“Project SUNRISE is about giving students from underprivileged backgrounds the support and confidence to keep moving forward, even when circumstances are difficult. This year, with the earthquake and typhoon affecting Cebu, that support has been especially meaningful,” said Romeo-Guardiario. “By helping our scholars stay in school and develop their potential, we hope they will build a better future for themselves and have the confidence and sense of responsibility to give back to their families and communities.”

 

As the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, the country’s first and longest-standing life insurance company, Sun Life Foundation supports initiatives that expand access to education, promote health and well-being, and promote environmental sustainability in communities across the country.

Sun Life Foundation’s Sun Pera-Aralan wins Silver at 2026 Marketing Excellence Awards

MANILA, PH – (September 2026) – Sun Pera-Aralan, Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc.’s (Sun Life Foundation) flagship financial literacy program in collaboration with AHA! Behavioral Design, was recently recognized at the 2026 Marketing Excellence Awards with a Silver Award for Excellence in Financial Empowerment Marketing.

 

Launched in 2019, Sun Pera-Aralan aims to help lessen the debt crisis among public school teachers. The program uses insights from behavioral science, combining an innovative budgeting tool called Peso Sobre, cash flow management learning sessions, learning resources, and peer networks to help make better money management habits part of everyday practice. Through these efforts, the program aims to help teachers strengthen their financial health.

 

In 2025, Sun Pera-Aralan achieved its goal, reaching over 133,000 public school teachers across more than 2,300 schools in Metro Manila and CALABARZON. The program has also helped teachers build healthier financial habits, with 81% of Peso Sobre users reporting that they are able to stretch their budgets for the entire month and 90% reporting that they are able to save consistently.

 

Its impact can be seen in teachers such as Maria Elena of Muntinlupa City, who has been able to build her savings, and Sharon of Quezon City, who credits Sun Pera-Aralan for helping her develop financial discipline.

 

“All that we have accomplished in Sun Pera-Aralan ties back to a simple dream: to empower our public school teachers by making financial literacy practical, relevant, and accessible,” said Joy Castillo, President of Sun Life Foundation. “We are honored to receive this recognition and are inspired to continue our work in promoting financial wellness and security among our fellow Filipinos.”

 

“Sun Pera-Aralan shows that financial empowerment requires more than sharing knowledge. Change happens when programs are grounded in people’s lived realities and make healthier financial habits easier to do and continue,” said John Leinard Ramos, Principal and Chief Marketing Officer of AHA! Behavioral Design. “This is why, for us, behavior-centered solutions are so powerful: insights become practical action, and meaningful change can take hold and be sustained at scale.”

 

As Sun Pera-Aralan enters its final stages of implementation, its focus has shifted to preparing school communities to carry the program forward by equipping them with the tools, support systems, and ownership needed to sustain healthier financial habits after the program concludes.

 

As the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, the country’s first and longest-standing life insurance company, Sun Life Foundation helps uplift Filipino lives by supporting programs focused on health, education, and environmental sustainability.

Sun Life Strengthens Disaster Response to Mindanao Earthquake with CAD 100,000 Donation

MANILA, PH – (September 2026) – Canadian-based financial services company Sun Life recently donated CAD 100,000 (PHP 4.3 million) to support relief efforts following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao in early June.

 

The earthquake caused widespread damage, leaving many families displaced and with limited access to basic needs and services.

 

Of the total donation, CAD 50,000 aided Save the Children Philippines in providing food and essential household items to the most affected and vulnerable families, including women-headed households, Indigenous communities, and families with young children, seniors, and persons with disabilities. 

 

Over 300 families received food packages and essential household supplies sufficient for one month, sleeping bags and cooking supplies, hygiene kits, and portable solar-powered radios and lamps to help address their immediate needs as they recover. Around 1,530 individuals, including an estimated 383 children, were supported.

 

Meanwhile, CAD 50,000 supported the operations of the Philippine Red Cross through a partnership with the Canadian Red Cross. This donation enabled the organization to deliver food, water, medicines, and temporary shelters to heavily impacted areas in Mindanao.

 

In addition to Sun Life’s donation, Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation), the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, also mobilized aid for affected communities in Sarangani province and General Santos City. 

 

Through Sun Life Foundation’s partnership with World Vision Philippines, Hope Kits containing essential non-food items, including sleeping mats, blankets, and mosquito nets were distributed to 400 affected families. Food packs were also distributed to 750 families through the partnership with ABS-CBN Foundation.

 

“Our hearts are with the families and communities affected by this devastating earthquake in Mindanao,” said JJ Moreno, Country Head and CEO of Sun Life Philippines. “Sun Life has walked alongside the Filipino people for over a century, and we stand in solidarity with them during this difficult time and remain committed to supporting their path to recovery.”

 

NOTE: The attached photos were provided by Save the Children Philippines. Please include the credit line "Photo courtesy of Save the Children Philippines" beneath each photo used in this press release.

Sun Life Foundation Earns Recognition at LCF’s 2026 CSR Guild Awards

MANILA, PH – (July 2026) – Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) was recently recognized for its commitment to environmental sustainability at the 2026 CSR Guild Awards ceremony held in Mandaluyong City.

 

The CSR Guild Awards honors exceptional corporate sustainability programs. It is organized by the League of Corporate Foundations, a network of corporate foundations and corporations dedicated to advancing CSR practices in the Philippines.

 

Sun Life Foundation was named a Finalist under the Outstanding CSR Project in Environment category for the Food Shed Farming Enterprise, a collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines that constructs food sheds in remote areas.

 

Capable of food production year-round, these food sheds provide local residents with sustainable livelihoods and promote food security through improved access to affordable, healthy, locally produced food. To promote program sustainability, the initiative also integrates financial education and formation of community-managed savings and loans associations. As of 2026, the collaboration has established sheds in over a dozen climate-vulnerable communities across the provinces of Albay, Negros Oriental, and Surigao del Norte.

 

“This recognition inspires us to continue advancing environmental sustainability in ways that support and empower Filipinos,” said Joy Castillo, Chief Operating Officer of Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. and Sun Life Foundation President. “We are grateful to WWF-Philippines and our partner communities for sharing our vision of a brighter, more climate-resilient nation and working with us to create solutions that generate lasting impact.”

 

As the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, the country’s first and longest-standing life insurance company, Sun Life Foundation helps uplift Filipino lives by supporting programs focused on health, education, and environmental sustainability.

Sun Life Foundation Partners with WWF-Philippines for Earth Hour 2026

Manila, Philippines (April 2026) – Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) recently joined forces with World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-Philippines) to advance environmental sustainability through Earth Hour 2026, reinforcing both organizations’ mission to boost climate action and conservation efforts in the country.

 

Earth Hour is a worldwide movement by WWF that unites people across the globe in a switch-off to raise awareness about climate change and rally for urgent action. As a local activation partner for the Philippines, Sun Life Foundation played a pivotal role in bringing together Filipinos for the Earth Hour’s landmark 20th global switch-off event held on March 28 in Pasig City.

 

Beyond the main event, Sun Life Foundation also extended its support to the Earth Hour Virtual Run 2026 by mobilizing 250 Sun Lifers to participate. Taking place from March 28 to April 30, the virtual run encourages participants to walk, jog, or run at their own pace, merging personal wellness with environmental action while directly supporting WWF-Philippines’ initiatives.

 

Sun Life Foundation’s support to Earth Hour 2026 marks another milestone in its partnership with WWF-Philippines, which includes the Food Shed Farming Enterprise, an initiative that builds food production systems in remote communities to enhance food security and provide livelihood sources, and previous Earth Hour Virtual Run activations.

 

Addressing the crowd at the switch-off event, Sun Life Foundation Executive Director Kristine Dianne Millete emphasized the importance of collective commitment to climate action: “Tonight, as we switch off our lights, let’s switch on something more powerful – our commitment to care for the planet together. Because when we act as one, we can create brighter days for all.”

 

“Tackling climate change is not just the responsibility of one organization or sector, but a collective effort. We are thrilled to see Sun Life Foundation rally its employees and communities to take meaningful action for the planet, proving that every switch-off can spark a brighter, sustainable future,” said Atty. Angela Consuelo Ibay, WWF-Philippines Climate and Energy Program Head and National Director for Earth Hour Philippines.

 

As the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, the country’s first and longest-standing life insurance company, Sun Life Foundation remains committed to building a sustainable future for Filipinos through initiatives that champion education, health, and environmental sustainability.

Sun Life Foundation and WWF Philippines Scale Up Food Security and Climate Resilience Program in Surigao del Norte

Manila, Philippines (April 2026) – Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation), in partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines, recently launched a Food Shed Farming Enterprise project in Surigao del Norte, bolstering efforts to promote food security and climate resilience in the province.

 

The project will build four new food sheds in Barangay Julio Ouano, Pungtod, Ombong, and San Pedro in Alegria, benefiting 120 rice farmers and 600 residents. The sheds, which are constructed using sustainable materials, utilize highly replicable climate-adaptive farming technologies like composting, rainwater harvesting, and natural pest and disease control to produce food. The aim is to improve access to locally produced, affordable, and nutritious food in remote and low-income communities, provide sustainable agriculture-based livelihoods, and enhance resilience against challenges posed by climate change.

 

The project also features capacity-development activities aimed at enhancing financial wellness, including access to basic financial literacy and the formation of savings and loans groups.

 

This initiative marks the latest chapter in the collaboration between Sun Life Foundation and WWF-Philippines, which previously built five food sheds in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte. The collaboration also constructed nine sheds in Sto. Domingo in Albay, Manjuyod in Negros Oriental, and Burgos in Surigao del Norte, through additional funding from Sun Life’s global headquarters.

 

“We are proud to expand our partnership with WWF-Philippines in bringing sustainable food solutions to more communities across the Philippines,” said Joy Castillo, President of Sun Life Foundation. “This new project demonstrates our shared commitment not only to building healthier and more climate-resilient communities but also to promoting environmental sustainability.”

 

“This collaboration goes beyond building food sheds: it is about enabling communities to take control of their food systems in a way that is sustainable and climate-resilient,” said Chrisma Salao, WWF-Philippines Director for Conservation Programs. “By equipping farmers with the right tools, knowledge, and support, we are helping ensure that even the most remote communities have access to affordable and nutritious food while strengthening their capacity to face climate impacts.”

 

As the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, the country’s first and longest-standing life insurance company, Sun Life Foundation is committed to building a brighter future for Filipinos through education, health, and environment programs.

Sun Life Foundation Expand Basic Healthcare Access in Central Luzon with Turnover of Three New Health Stations

MANILA, PH – March 2026 – Thousands of residents in Central Luzon have gained access to basic healthcare services following the recent turnover of three new health stations by Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) to communities in the region.

 

Implemented in partnership with Health Futures Foundation, Inc. (HFI), the Sun Life Barangay Health Stations program expands healthcare access by constructing equipped and fully functional health stations in remote, low-income, and underserved communities. Here, residents can receive health services, including vaccinations, prenatal checkups, and health education.

 

The stations are complemented by the Community-Based Health and Wellness Program, which trains volunteer residents to serve as community health workers, enabling them to be active partners in managing community health. Having these stations nearby also reduces residents’ travel time and helps lower the cost of seeking healthcare.

 

Ceremonial turnovers were held to mark the completion of the stations in three barangays: Brgy. Masalasa in Victoria and Brgy. San Agustin in Gerona, Tarlac, and Brgy. Tandoc in Talugtug, Nueva Ecija. This brings the total number of operational stations to 16 across the provinces of Batangas, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija, with each station providing access to an estimated 5,000 residents.

 

“These health stations represent our commitment to ensuring that quality healthcare is within reach of all Filipinos, regardless of their location or economic circumstances,” said Joy Castillo, Sun Life Foundation President. “By bringing essential health services directly to these communities, we’re empowering them towards a healthier and brighter future.”

 

“This is a proof that all of us support the realization of the Universal Health Care (UHC),” said Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, Health Futures Foundation, Inc. Chairman.

 

Sun Life Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, the country’s first and longest-standing life insurance company. Its mission is to uplift the lives of Filipinos through sustainable initiatives that foster education, health, and environmental sustainability.

Sun Life Foundation to Illuminate Last Mile Schools for Sun Life Philippines’ 130th Year

MANILA, PH – JULY 2025 – The future is looking brighter for off-grid schools as Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) teams up with Solar Village Foundation to bring solar power to Last Mile Schools in celebration of Sun Life Philippines’ 130^th anniversary.

 

Last Mile Schools are small schools located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. They often face resource challenges, from lack of access to electricity and the internet to inadequate learning materials and limited teaching staff. Many of these schools serve indigenous people (IP) learners in multigrade classrooms.

 

Dubbed “Project 130 Brighter Schools,” the program’s goal is to reach up to 130 schools by 2030. It aims to improve these learning environments by installing 2KWH solar energy systems that can power lights, laptops, printers, and basic electronics. This will extend learning hours, improve safety, comfort, and efficiency, and enhance teaching resources.

 

The first phase of the project will cover 20 schools in Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat, directly benefiting around 180 teachers and 2,600 students.

 

“We are grateful to mark our 130^th year in the Philippines, and this milestone inspires us to reach more Filipinos,” said Sun Life Philippines CEO and Country Head and Sun Life Foundation Chairman Benedict Sison. “With this project, we hope to not only brighten schools in the far reaches of our country but also transform lives and empower communities.”

 

“Empowering isolated schools and communities isn’t just something we do – it’s who we are. It’s our passion and purpose. And today, doing this work in partnership with Sun Life, as you celebrate 130 years of transformational service to Filipinos, is an incredible honor and a true privilege,” said Solar Village Foundation Trustee and ED Jaime Gabriel Ayala.

 

A ceremonial launch was held to kick off the partnership, which was graced by Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. Chief Operating Officer and Sun Life Foundation President Joy Castillo, Sun Life Philippines Chief Strategy and Enablement Officer and Sun Life Foundation Vice President Aleister Cruz, Sun Life Foundation Executive Director Kristine Millete, and Sun Life Foundation Treasurer Leo Carl Chin. Also present from Solar Village Foundation were Trustee and Interim Executive Director Jaime Gabriel Ayala, Deputy Executive Director Ronel Menor, Finance and Admin Director Marilou Muega, and Creative Specialist Salve Dagnalan.

 

As the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, the country’s first and longest-standing life insurance company, Sun Life Foundation’s mission is to uplift Filipino lives through sustainable initiatives.

 

Sun Life Foundation Bags Two Wins at 2025 CSR Guild Awards

MANILA, PH – July 2025 – Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) was recently recognized for its social development programs, winning two awards at the 2025 CSR Guild Awards held in Makati City. 

 

Presented by the League of Corporate Foundations, the CSR Guild Awards honors organizations for exemplary corporate citizenship initiatives.

 

Sun Life Foundation received the Outstanding CSR Project in Financial Inclusion award for its “Building Household Resilience Among Near-Shore Fishers” initiative. A partnership with international nonprofit group Rare, the program promoted financial literacy and resilience among fisherfolk in six communities in Negros Oriental and the Camotes Islands in Cebu.

 

The team also won the Outstanding CSR Project in Health award for the “Sun Life Barangay Health Stations” program, a partnership with Health Futures Foundation, Inc. that builds fully equipped health stations in remote rural areas. With 13 health stations completed as of 2025, and three more underway for a total of 16 stations, the program has to date brought basic health care closer to over 40,000 residents.

 

“At Sun Life Foundation, our goal is to deliver sustainable support to communities, benefiting both current and future generations. These awards from LCF affirm our vision and motivate us to continue doing our share to uplift lives,” said Executive Director Kristine Millete. “We share this recognition with our partners, volunteers, and everyone involved in our programs’ success.”

 

The League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) is a network of corporate foundations and corporations in the Philippines dedicated to advancing corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices.

 

As the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, the country’s first and longest-standing life insurance company, Sun Life Foundation supports various programs that promote education, financial well-being, health, and environmental sustainability across the country.