BY GRACE C. DIEZ
For multi-generational Cocolife ambassadors Ret. Col. Ariel Querubin, hardcourt star Kiefer Ravena and Cocolife medical director Dr. Ana Karmela So, health is definitely wealth.
When it came to the subject of wealth, American philosopher Henry David Thoreau put it succinctly: “Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” But true wealth doesn’t just lie in accumulating an enormous amount of money. It has more to do with having the freedom to live life to the fullest. Said sometime in the late 1700s, this statement continues to resonate today.
Cocolife ambassadors Ret. Col. Ariel Querubin, renowned athlete Kiefer Ravena and medical practitioner Dr. Ana Karmela So couldn’t agree more. The three open up to PeopleAsia about the value of true wealth, which is ultimately acquired through good habits as well as sound and judicious financial decisions.
Though being physically fit and financially stable are often viewed through different lenses, these two aspects of life are deeply connected and often determine our overall wellness and happiness. After all, you can only maximize life and live without worries when you’re financially and physically prepared.
Investing on healthy habits
Overall wellness and having the ability to fully experience what life has to offer begin with investing in yourself. Your body, after all, is your greatest resource and asset.
For these three Cocolife ambassadors who belong to different generations, this truism holds true, and their belief in it is embodied in the way they developed their very own fitness regimen to ensure they’re at their optimum health day in and day out.
Querubin, for instance, starts his day at 4.30 a.m. doing push-ups. At 67, he maintains a healthy blood pressure and resting heart rate that could probably rival that of an athlete. And he attributes these to healthy habits.
“I used to struggle in doing 180 push-ups, but now I can easily do 270. I have since tried not to do high-intensity exercises and just go for frequency. I also eat a heavy breakfast, skip lunch and eat less in the evening. I sometimes fast, too. When time permits, I do brisk walking with my dogs,” Querubin shares.
For So, she maintains a morning exercise regimen with a group of friends. They focus on strength training, which is usually capped off by meditation.
“Because of exercise, I can now do a lot of things like lifting heavy objects. I do meditation daily. It has made me calmer because I’m hyper and I used to be high-strung. When I started doing meditation, I began to think more clearly and became more relaxed,” So explains, adding she also went as far as quitting sugar cold turkey.
For a basketball player of his stature, Ravena is no stranger to keeping a fitness regimen. He wakes up at 5.30 a.m., works out in the morning either on the court or at the gym, eats breakfast and goes to basketball practice from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
“After that, I would always find a way to recover either by relaxing in the sauna or taking an ice bath. I also make sure that I get enough sleep and eat on time,” Ravena says. Apart from these, meditation is also a big part of his routine and he credits it as a major stress-buster.
“Sometimes it’s also nice to take a step back, see what’s in front of you, especially during times when you experience burnout. Ten to 15 minutes of just meditating every day helps me get ready physically and mentally. The mind is such a powerful weapon we should take care of,” the star player continues.
All three find it valuable to maintain their routine as part of their everyday lifestyle and as insurance for a healthier quality of life.
Wealth in overall wellness
There may be an abundance of physical fitness advocacies online, but the Cocolife ambassadors also put premium on mental wellness, with Querubin practicing mental calisthenics by doing crossword puzzles and sudoku, while Ravena and So build on it with meditation.
“Mental wellness is very important because if not, your diet, exercise, sleep, work and relationships are affected. You have to find a way to find the balance and it’s different for everyone,” So states, sharing that some find it in meditation, hobbies, being with friends or by seeking professional help.
“There should be no stigma if you need to get professional help. Professionals address physical wellness, too, because there are ailments like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and thyroid problems that affect mental wellness. In the workplace, there are health insurance options to help get themselves checked and address certain issues,” So adds, citing that HMO packages, such as those offered by Cocolife, now include mental wellness services.
The three health enthusiasts further underscore the relationship between overall health and financial wellness.
“If your financial problem is negligible, your stress level is negligible as well. Being financially able empowers you to get insurance, monitor your health closely and get an executive checkup [so you can take better care of yourself],” says Querubin.
For So who has worked for the life and health insurance sector for 15 years, she has witnessed a number of patients’ lives take turn for the worse when their health takes a hit.
“When you become gravely ill, it’s very draining. Your physical and financial health are connected. Good health starts now, financial stability and savings and investments start now. While you’re still young, you can do it. That’s the time to invest, save up, exercise and live healthy,” she admonishes.
Ravena couldn’t agree more: “No matter how many investments and how much money or power you have, if you’re unwell it’s difficult to enjoy certain perks that you’re working hard for. Invest in yourself, your body, in your physical well-being as you would on your mental wellbeing because obviously they coincide and work together.”
How to be in tip-top shape
Asked what valuable tips and advice they can share with people who would like to enjoy the freedom to live life without unmanageable health and financial burdens, the three took stock of their own experiences.
“Health is wealth. People shouldn’t miss their visit with their doctors, especially when they reach 40. Medical care can be expensive so they should get health insurance. Finances-wise, they should save whatever they can for the future,” says Querubin, who also encouraged new entrants to open an account and save a portion of their pay while working for the Marines training center.
“Find your tribe. Influence plays a big role in what you do. I now have a group of friends who are health-conscious and it pays to listen and learn from them. For example, my husband is also into fitness. It really helps if you are surrounded with people who are on the same page,” adds So.
Speaking to those who belong to his generation and beyond, Ravena emphasizes the importance of seizing available opportunities.
“Financially, make your money work for more money because there are opportunities available. If you’re doing everything correctly and you feel like this is the best opportunity for you, go for it. Insurance also played a role in my life because it made me feel more secure. You know you have something stable and you can move with freedom. You’ll be able to reap something in the future,” he concludes.
Photography by Mark Chester Ang / Art Direction by Dexter Francis De Vera / Grooming by Eddie Mar Cabiltes
