THE INAUGURATION OF FFI FAIRVIEW on 18 June 2003 is going to be remembered most for the brief but very meaningful speech delivered by the Guest of Honor — no less than the Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) herself, Atty. Lilia R. Bautista.

The speech was an endorsement of the highest form. That it came from the SEC CHAIR gave it much more weight and substance. Indeed, it was a virtual ray of sunshine that invigorated and inspired all our employees.

In what may be described as just a simple enumeration of facts and figures, the SEC Chair publicly pronounced for all and sundry that Berkley International Plans HAS NO TRUST FUND DEFICIENCY. Wild applause greeted the statement.

Indeed, at a time when the entire pre-need industry was shaken by news of trust fund deficiencies, that pronouncement is nothing short of a guarantee that affirms the financial strength of both Berkley and Family First. It should reassure you, our dear planowners, that what you have bought from us is an investment worth its weight in gold when the time comes.

The SEC Chair then proceeded to assert, "Berkley is THE 8TH LARGEST IN THE INDUSTRY IN TERMS OF TRUST FUND." Wow! As if the initial statement was not yet enough, Atty. Bautista had to reinforce it with this bit of info. This is a fact that — come to think of it — I am sure many among the audience, including me, in fact, have heard for the first time. Certainly, this is the type of info that only the SEC Chair can knowingly lay claim to. She is the insider who, after all, is privy to the real numbers behind each industry player. While we know we are big, we did not realize that it was THAT big. Just imagine, to place 8th in an industry that counts more or less a hundred in its roster. That should make you, our dear planowners, more confident than ever that you will get due returns on your hard-earned money. Now, brace yourselves for even more earth-shaking figures…

Continuing her talk, the SEC Chair said, "In just six short years, BERKLEY, THROUGH ITS MARKETING ARM, FAMILY FIRST, RANKED 3RD OVERALL IN THE EDUCATIONAL PLAN SECTOR IN 2002. IT FURTHER RAKED IN P1.5 BILLION WORTH OF SALES LAST YEAR IN TERMS OF GROSS CONTRACT PRICE, CERTAINLY ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE INDUSTRY." Whew! As I looked around, I saw the faces of our officers and employees beaming with pride. Again, while we were aware of this internally, it is altogether a different feeling to hear it coming from an objective and esteemed third party. And it makes us proud to relay it to you.

In conclusion, the SEC Chair revealed, "BERKLEY IS VERY LIQUID. IT HAS PLACED MOST OF ITS INVESTMENTS IN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES… IT IS VERY LIQUID." We cannot over-emphasize the significance of this for all of you. It means that, should emergency circumstances dictate or should your plan mature, you would be able to get back your investment as well as all its earnings at any given time. That is how strong, that is how reliable Berkley is.
Armed with these facts straight from the head of the SEC, you would be able to sleep soundly each night, secure in the knowledge that your investment is safe and, with it, the security and future of your loved ones are guaranteed. Now, that is one piece of news certainly worth spreading around.
- Gina Dela Vega-Cruz