At the beginning of any journey, it can be difficult to find the path to success only to see the overwhelmingly long road ahead. The thought of what’s to come can be discouraging and often leaves people reluctant to continue, especially when the going gets rough. But it is only when one perseveres, and progresses one step at a time, can anyone find himself where he wants to be. This was the case for Danilo Yting, father and janitor-turned-life planner who turned his life around to a complete 180-degree for the better.
Growing up, Danilo always played the cards life dealt him to the best of his ability. Born to a poor family in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, he worked a series of odd jobs as soon as he could after he graduated high school. He left his hometown for Cebu where he worked in the day and attended night school after work. It was there he took every opportunity he could get his hands on: a jeepney conductor, waiter, fast food service crew, janitor, delivery boy, and truckman while juggling an education.
After his father passed away in the middle of the school year, he was forced to come home and find a job to help his family make ends meet. It was also then he had begun a family of his own. With the determination to support his immediate and new family to have a better future, he accepted a job as a janitor in AIA Philippines, where his brother-in-law worked.
A Diamond in the Rough
With a modest pay every month, Danilo was even more determined to stay focused and work hard. It didn’t take long before the manager noticed Danilo’s potential. “Pina-take nya ako ng life planner licensure exam. Doon lang nagsimula,” Danilo explained. His first try did not go so well, since he did not have any prior knowledge of finance. But this hurdle did not stop him from trying harder. Danilo was inspired to study, learn more, and trained for the next exam, which he passed with flying colors. At the time, he decided to keep the janitor job for extra income in the day and worked as an advisor by looking for clients at night. He would search far and wide for clients by going to far-flung areas, did house to house visits, as well as checking in with his own personal network who needed insurance. He said he would often explore other neighboring towns and other municipalities just to find clients. Though he did not know anyone in most towns, he would introduce himself just to get a sale. Danilo also credits his manager, Jose Elmer Jamora for the extra push. “He told me, ‘You have to make your own story. Kaya mo ‘yan.’” His biggest challenge was to convince clients for a portion of their time to explain what insurance was all about. He learned about the importance of patience in the process: “Patience lang talaga. Binabalik-balikan ko yung clients,” he confides.
He made his very first sale to a client who was a teacher whose high school-aged son will be going off to college soon. He made the sale in three days, and it was the turning point and just the push he needed to realize this job was his calling. After some years of dabbling in the position, he decided to take the leap of faith and work full time as a life planner.
Find What Drives You
When asked about his why, he said it is always because of his family. Growing up poor, he had his share of struggles and had to fend for himself and his family at a young age–this inspired him to strive in life to make sure his family will have a different fate from what he had. He wanted to provide them with a comfortable life and more importantly, secure a good future for them. He set his ambitions high—not only did he want to save up to send his daughter to college, but he wanted to support his siblings as well. And now, his family is living the good life he never thought was possible. Because of his drive and determination, in mere two years after he had become a full-time life planner, he earned a seat in the MDRT, or the Million Dollar Round Table, an association internationally renowned for its standard of excellence in the life insurance and financial services business.
Aside from being a life planner, his inspiring story of patience and drive opened doors for Danilo to be a guest speaker in various engagements to inspire other aspiring life planners. He candidly confides: “Dati po, nahihiya ako magsalita sa harap ng mga tao. Dahil sa mga training na pinrovide ni AIA Philippines, na reach ko ang aking full potential na hindi ko akalain na meron ako. Ang laki ng naging personal development ko, naboost yung bilib ko sa aking sarili.”
With the money he saved with all his hard work, he now owns a house, SUVs and even a grocery store which gives his family extra income. On top of that, he has been able to pursue his passions, with his caring attitude leading him to be voted as a barangay kagawad in his area. Because of his growing network, he has been able to keep a steady stream of clients.
Finding Success with Purpose
Danilo says being a life planner is a big opportunity where one can not only manage time and finances, but also help others by teaching them the importance of finance and saving as well. “Parang umikot ako ng 180 degrees!” he shares about his own life. “Iba talaga sa AIA Philippines kung mayroon kang sipag, tibay ng loob, at tiyaga (diligence, strength of character, and perseverance).” With his success is the greater desire to help others and stresses the importance of insurance for anyone in all walks of life— it serves as security for those that support themselves as well as their own families. “[H]indi natin hawak buhay natin. May mga anak tayo na kailangan mabuhay kahit wala na tayo,” he explains.
AIA Philippines welcomes aspiring life planners to be part of their purpose-driven business that will give them the power to change their lives and the lives of others. With AIA Philippines’ solid franchise business model, future life planners can leverage on their strong brand, world-class training, and state-of-the-art digital platforms that allow them to provide seamless service to their clients so they can live healthier, longer, and better lives.
