How this man’s journey in life is proving that people have the power to shape their future
It is believed that our lives are not actually preordained by anything, but they are strongly shaped by the choices we make. While our circumstances are peppered with a fair share of obstacles and opportunities, it’s our decisions—right or wrong—that will ultimately determine our life’s direction. Mikko James Rodriguez firmly believes in this, too. He is not a stranger to hardships as these were intricately woven into the fabric of his childhood, but yielding to defeat was never his option. He sought solutions and strategized his game plan, enabling him to navigate his fate successfully. Currently, Rodriguez is a Branch Manager at Pru Life UK, where he is Rookie of the Year nationwide in 2020, among other recognitions and accolades. He is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of a general agency called Banyuhay Bagani Life Insurance Agency, Inc (BBLIA).
Rodriguez’s life journey is proof that, indeed, people have the power to shape their future. He has worked through his struggles by mindfully making good choices after another, and eventually empowered himself by claiming ownership of the life he truly desired and deserves.
Early Life
“I was raised by my grandmother because my parents were both working. We belong to a struggling middle class family. Neither of my parents finished college. In fact, I was the first in the family who has earned a degree. My father was a ‘liaison officer’, a better term for messenger and driver, among other things,” Rodriguez quipped. “We had a serious financial struggle while I was growing up, and when my father succumbed to heart failure and died at 45, I needed to be the breadwinner since my mother’s salary wasn’t enough for all of us,” he added.
Pru Life UK Branch Manager Mikko Rodriguez, during an exclusive interview with INQUIRER.net. Photo by INQUIRER.net BrandRoom
Being the eldest, he was aware of the family’s dejecting financial situation. Their hard knock life motivated him to be proactive in college, where he was Student Council President and Student Regent, and served the Board. “Then, I had relatives who got sick and died of cancer, diabetes or heart failure. So very early on, I already knew these trials were not only about sickness but also of not being financially prepared,” he recalled, and promised to work hard and smart, to be able to earn enough and support his family.
Rodriguez worked as a College Instructor and soon transitioned into the corporate world, balancing multiple side hustles along the way to support his family. However, he realized that he wanted a job that not only sustained his loved ones but also created a positive impact on the community. “So, when a friend offered him a part-time job at Pru Life UK in 2019, he immediately jumped at the chance. Less than 2 months later, Rodriguez surprised everyone and decided to become a Pru Life UK financial advisor full-time. Now in his 5th year, Rodriguez reflects, “In Pru Life UK, I get to play different roles. It’s challenging but I make an impact, and I have always been championing the welfare of the vulnerable, the Overseas Filipino Workers, the elderly and the indigenous community. Basically, it was just a belief that I should be in-charge of my dreams…and I held on to that,” the 33-year-old entrepreneur shared.
“Rodriguez was first introduced to a life insurance product in 2012, during the passing of his father, who was a Pru Life UK policyholder. “We weren’t oriented about these things as our family’s priority was to put food on the table, secure our school allowance, and pay household bills so, getting insurance was not a priority,” he shared. Although his father’s policy was minimal, Rodriguez admitted how amazed he was, especially when the policy claim was turned over to them. Rodriguez realized how fleeting life is, and that tomorrow is never promised, so he was steadfast in his resolve to make an impact.
Paradigm shifts and proving a point
Being with Pru Life UK surely checks all the boxes for Rodriguez, as someone who loves talking to people of all ages, finding solutions to their problems, and one who has always dreamed of transforming many lives. When the global pandemic hit, there was a sudden surge of awareness about the vulnerability of people and of life and Rodriguez turned this into an opportunity and educated more people about preparedness for the future. “I started building my team. In 2021, I got promoted to Unit Manager, handling 50 to 60 Financial Advisers and then became Unit Manager of the Year Runner-Up,” he shared, making this the fastest general agency appointment for a Branch Manager in the company.
In his career, Mikko Rodriguez has gone so far as to break an industry record. Photo by INQUIRER.net BrandRoom
Securing policy holders’ future
“I saw how my father worked so hard, and with the policy he could afford then, we were able to get a minimal claim, but it helped the family a lot. And sharing this experience with clients, I would always underscore how these products could really protect the family. That’s why I tell my team ‘We’re not just selling insurance. We are all finding our way to make an impact, help someone, and to some extent, we’re saving lives,” Rodriguez gushed. Evidently, he finds joy in what he does.
To date, Rodriguez is a Financial Consultant with an exclusive level, his non-medical authority is PHP 20 million, the highest in the life insurance industry of the Philippines. He has also been conferred as President’s Club Qualifier four times, among other recognitions and has been proudly representing the Philippines as a national delegate to the Prudential Agency Leaders Conference abroad since 2021.
He also appreciates the flexibility of working remotely from wherever he is (whether out of town or abroad) because of the business setup, as he could do business even virtually. “I had this client who I never met in person, as we only interacted online. Two and a half years after he purchased his insurance, he died. His beneficiary called and told me of the news, and we had a heartfelt conversation, this proves that meaningful connections with clients can be forged even virtually.”
Soldiering on with transformation
Always on an endless mission of saving and changing lives one policy at a time, he opened his own general agency, Banyuhay Bagani Life Insurance Agency Inc. in April 2023, stating that Banyuhay translates to ‘transformation’ while Bagani is a Filipino term which means ‘soldier’. “This is beyond being a business, it is my personal advocacy. I want to make insurance accessible to everyone. I want Filipinos to realize that one doesn’t need to be rich to avail of the insurance products offered by Pru Life UK,” Rodriguez explained. BBLIA has three major locations in Ortigas, Bulacan, and Laguna, but is expected to grow and expand to more provinces, cognizant of the fact that people in the countryside need more education about financial literacy.
The man behind the champion: Mikko Rodriguez is busy forging his passion, profession, and vocation. Photo by INQUIRER.net BrandRoom
Rodriguez also dedicates a portion of his earnings for the welfare indigenous communities and ethnic groups which he has always been championing. Transforming Lives. Making Heroes—this is BBLIA’s captivating tagline. And with his leadership by example and dedication, BBLIA envisions that every Filipino should have a secure life and future. “I breathe this business, I enjoy what I’m doing, I don’t get tired easily. Honestly, I was able to find my Ikigai here, as this is something that gives my life worth, meaning, and purpose. This is my passion, profession, and vocation,” he emphasized.
Changing the money mindset
According to the Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey, private insurance covers solely a total of only 1.9% Filipino households, which translates to roughly about 1.9 million out of the 115.56 million Filipinos. But given that health care in the country can be too costly, a private health or insurance is an essential investment because it offers a lot of benefits such as financial assistance during times of need. It takes just a little change of money mindset, and that’s what Rodriguez always tells his clients and friends.
“We should change our perception about getting insurance products. I believe that your hard-earned money should be enjoyed and one way of enjoying your earnings is saving, protecting yourself, so that when the time comes and you need it, you have your source. Insurance is not always about death, it’s also about enjoying life that’s why it’s called ‘life’ insurance. It also has living benefits, and death is just a portion of it. People should realize that it’s not an expense but an asset,” he shared, while explaining that there are plenty of product options and insurances are highly customizable according to the needs and wants of an individual.
As the Filipino’s trusted partner, Pru Life UK’s purpose is hinged on giving everyone the opportunity to get the most out of life and is committed exceed customer expectation in services and products, caring for the well-being and development of our people, and contributing to the development of the Filipino community by offering products according to the ever-evolving needs of every client. Once you join Pru Life UK, there will be top-performing financial advisors who will mentor you as an agency force so you could also share with your own clients about the company’s standards of excellence in customer service and financial planning.
Tips on smart spending
Rodriguez noted that most Filipinos are expected to receive a bonus during the coming holidays—something they’ve worked hard for and truly deserve. He also emphasized the importance of understanding money behavior, particularly the distinction between a ‘want’ and a ‘need.’ According to him, many people tend to splurge on wants but scrimp on their needs.
“I want people to enjoy themselves when they have money. Sure, reward yourselves because you’ve worked hard for it, but I also want to share my three ‘S’ concepts. One, set a limit—how much do you really want to spend? Two, strategize your expenses—if you can, skip the malls and shop online to save on transportation, dining out, and dealing with traffic. Last, self-assessment is key. If you think your income isn’t enough, consider getting a side hustle that complements your job, like the opportunities we offer at Pru Life UK. This way, you don’t have to wait for the next yearly bonus,” he explained.
Learn more how you can make the most out of your Christmas Bonus by tapping or clicking here.
Rodriguez loves to counsel people about their money behavior, and changing people’s perception about getting insurance products. Photo by INQUIRER.net BrandRoom
The man behind the champion
Rodriguez may be regarded as an OG not only in Pru Life UK but also within the insurance industry, but at home he is a simple, low-maintenance kind of guy who loves to travel and hang out with friends, sharing to everyone why he does what he does, and continuously talking about the benefits of being financially literate. His ultimate dream, however, is to see that every Filipino has an insurance and be able to provide appropriate financial solutions based on the economic and social realities in the Philippines through his #IsangPolisiyaSaBawatPilipino campaign.
It seems like there is no stopping champions like Rodriguez. Rather than accepting defeat, he turned these trials into a testimony, and the mess that his life once was, has become a meaningful message, urging everyone that whatever curveballs life throws at us, succumbing to them should never be a foregone conclusion. Rodriguez knows that all these are actually doors in disguise, the same pathways that have empowered him to blaze a trail and shape his own destiny.
For more information about Pru Life UK’s insurance products, visit their website: prulifeuk.com.ph. You may get in touch with Mikko James Rodriguez through Facebook: @banyuhaybagani.
INQUIRER.net BrandRoom/GC
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