For actor Donny Pangilinan, building a healthier future goes beyond staying physically fit. It also means developing financial habits that can provide security and peace of mind over the long term.
Speaking at Sun Life Philippines’ “Start Small, Live Bright Now” campaign launch, Pangilinan encouraged Filipinos to take small but meaningful steps toward their goals instead of waiting until everything feels certain.
He noted that more Filipinos have become health-conscious in recent years, citing the rise of running clubs and active lifestyles as signs that people are thinking more seriously about their future.
“People really want to take care of their bodies. Now, they consider, ‘What’s going to happen when I’m 40, 50, 60, 70 years old? Will I thank myself for doing these things?’ I think that’s becoming people’s mindset now,” Pangilinan said.
He believes the same long-term mindset should extend beyond fitness and into personal finances, where small, consistent actions can also produce lasting results.
Using marathon training as an example, Pangilinan said people should avoid rushing into ambitious goals and instead focus on building sustainable habits.
“If it’s your first race, I wouldn’t suggest going straight into a marathon. Take it step by step. Start with small kilometers, small distances and get your body checked first. Then, do it with a fun group. There are so many run clubs now, and it really helps when you’re doing it with people.”
As the face of Sun Life Philippines’ ongoing “Live Bright Now” campaign, Pangilinan said he learned the value of financial planning through experience.
“I wish I had started earlier. It also took me a while to step out of my comfort zone, but with intentional effort, I eventually learned to make thoughtful, calculated financial decisions.”
Throughout the event, Pangilinan shared practical first steps for achieving common life goals, whether starting a business, buying a first home, traveling or pursuing a new hobby.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, he emphasized the importance of seeking guidance and surrounding themselves with people they trust.
“The first step I did was call one of my mentors to ask for his advice. Then I contacted a team I trust because that’s really important. You can do whatever business you want, but if it’s not with the right team, it’s never going to turn out right. These are the people you’re going to go through the ups and downs with, so you want people you trust and people who are aligned with your vision.”
Pangilinan also encouraged Filipinos to put their goals in writing, saying the simple practice has helped keep him focused year after year.
“I actually have a notebook full of goals every start of the year, then I hide it and only check it again the following January. You’ll be surprised because the power of writing it down is really, really big. Your body wants to function in achieving that goal.”
Beyond goal-setting, Pangilinan acknowledged that fear of failure often prevents people from taking action. He said many spend too much time waiting for the perfect opportunity instead of simply getting started.
“Sometimes you don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t need to have everything lined up because life isn’t like that. You have to go there with the mindset that you’re ready and trust the process. Nothing in life is guaranteed, but you have to show up and do the work.”
He added that setbacks should be viewed as opportunities for growth rather than reasons to give up.
“If it fails, then at least it teaches you something. If it keeps going, then that’s another lesson. In this day and age, people want everything to be perfect or they compare themselves to others, and that’s why they’re not able to start in the first place. But if you just put that aside and say, ‘I’m going to take a leap of faith and let’s see what happens,’ you’ll be surprised by what can happen.”
According to Sun Life, its “Live Bright Now” campaign encourages Filipinos to enjoy life’s meaningful experiences while building financial resilience through consistent saving, investing and insurance planning. The company said its 2026 Financial Resilience Index found that rising living costs continue to make it difficult for many Filipinos to balance present-day expenses with long-term financial goals, underscoring the need to start planning early and build healthy financial habits over time.
Ending his message, Pangilinan urged Filipinos not to let fear or uncertainty keep them from moving forward.
“Start small, start today. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to begin,” he said.