For top-level executive Eng Teng Wong, a life well lived is best summed up by theologian John Wesley. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
Abundance, perseverance and faith
Long before his appointment as Pru Life UK president and CEO in November 2021, Eng Teng was a child who grew up with 15 siblings in a small town called Ayer Tawar in Perak, Malaysia. His family was among the first Chinese immigrants in the country.
While he had to share everything with his siblings, Eng Teng cultivated a mindset of abundance that allowed him to see things from a different perspective. From an early age, he lived with overflowing love and care from his parents, both of whom worked hard to provide for their needs and supported them in chasing their dreams.
“My parents were 101 percent supportive of my studies. Education was the only way to improve our socio-economic well-being,” Eng Teng begins. He studied hard and persevered, knowing that good grades could improve his family’s quality of life.
This paid off, as he was hailed as the best student in the district for the national public exam called the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), or the Malaysian Certificate of Education.
While he wanted to become a doctor, he had to take a detour because he could only get a scholarship for engineering. Instead of dwelling on it, he held on to his faith like his parents did and made the best out of the situation. Eng Teng enrolled in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology in England.
He worked hard, even if engineering was not his dream career. He shares the greatest lesson he learned from his parents: “success does not come easy and you must be ready to persevere to succeed.”
His diligence did not go unnoticed: Eng Teng was offered a job as an analyst programmer for a consulting firm while he was a student. He took on the role upon graduation.
Eng Teng spent eight years in the company, building useful skills and creating a clear career path. He applied the same grit that he showed in school, and he was rewarded with managerial and consulting roles in different companies. He eventually became the regional head of a leading bank in the ASEAN region.
Life at Prudential
In 2014, Eng Teng entered the world of insurance. He shares, “I love meeting people face-to-face, instead of machines. Putting people and customers at the heart of everything I do fulfills me, especially when I can help them.”
Working in the insurance industry is not surprising considering how resonant the Wesley quote is to him. Eng Teng’s journey with Prudential began as Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad’s chief information officer, where he eventually became its chief operating officer.
From there, he took on a regional role to become the chief officer for ecosystem implementation at Prudential Services Asia, where he led the implementation and launch of the AI-powered app called Pulse by Prudential across many countries in Asia and Africa. Pulse is an all-in-one app that offers holistic health and wealth management solutions to consumers.
“This industry is more than just about protecting lives and people’s health but also helping them get the most out of life by making them healthier and wealthier. For many, health is the ultimate wealth and that truly resonated with me,” Eng Teng reveals.
Last November, Eng Teng was appointed as Pru Life UK’s newest president and chief executive officer following the retirement of Antonio “Jumbing” De Rosas.
He comes in at an auspicious time: the insurer recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Now, Eng Teng is ready to inspire and lead the company to new heights with his perseverance and determination as it ushers in another 25 years in the Philippine insurance industry.
Man of God and family
While he spends most of his days calling the shots for Pru Life UK, Eng Teng Wong’s most important role in life is a family man. He has known his wife since primary school, and they developed their friendship after secondary school in 1990. They share five kids, three of whom are still in school.
“Fatherhood came fast after I got married. I guide my children to fear God and follow their hearts as they grow up and pursue their ambitions,” he says.
Similar to what his parents taught him when he was younger, Eng Teng is also teaching his kids the value of working hard and sharing their blessings to those who need it most.
Aside from being a great husband and father, Eng Teng also serves as the chairman of a local church in Malaysia, leading and managing its operational methods, which helps him stay grounded and caring. When asked about the reasons for his success, he is always proud to share that it’s because of his faith and relationship with God.
In his spare time, he plays badminton with his kids or walks in the park with his family. He is a fan of the Manchester United Football Club and watches their goal highlights.
From being that small town boy nurtured by his parents’ love, to the man at the helm of one of the most prolific insurance companies in the world, Eng Teng is definitely a product of hard work, dedication, abundance, perseverance, and faith in God.
And now, he passes on his greatest life lessons to a new generation of dreamers and achievers. “Dare to fail but recover fast. My job is to provide a safe environment to fail and recover fast,” he ends.
For more information, visit prulifeuk.com.ph.
