Sunset lifestyle

As the sun slowly slid back into the horizon at the end of another day, Mansueto "Maning" Alpa Bulilan snuggled comfortably in their living room sofa. He was watching a good show on TV with his wife Babe beside him. It was a luxury he greatly treasures, laid-back leisure in his retirement years. Although that does not mean he has had a lazy day; quite the contrary, his days were now as full as ever.

After 33 years of dedicated service in the military, Maning retired in 2004. His life back then was of total loyalty to the country – seven grueling years of tour of duty in Mindanao, three years within the Visayas region, and the remaining years in the Lapu Lapu Station Camp Hospital.

In the military, he had little left for family time. Even when he was finally based at the Camp Hospital, he reported for work at 4 a.m. and went home around 6 or 7 p.m. In between, he could still be summoned at 1 or 2 a.m. for emergencies. He was ward master, overseeing four wards with over a hundred patients. He was fondly called the camp’s "M.D."

Now after retirement, he is happy to be back home by 3 or 4 p.m.! So what does he do within the day? He works! Maning is a real estate agent and he focuses on selling lots at Golden Haven Memorial Park.

"My lump sum retirement benefit got used up after two years and I had to wait until I could avail of my monthly pension. My income from Golden Haven helped me in a time of need. It paid our electricity and telephone bills and more. When my pension arrived, my wife wanted me to stop selling Golden Haven lots. But I said, no, I enjoy life better by working," said Maning.

By 7:30 in the morning, he would be ensconced in his office desk, armed and ready to do telemarketing. Punctuality in military life is sure imbedded him. Later in the day, he goes out to meet his prospects.

"Ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you – I apply this in selling. I ask the Holy Spirit to instill a convincing power within me as I approach my clients. I seek and really go around and walk everyday. I literally knock on doors from house to house for one-on-one talks with people on the benefits of buying a memorial lot," he shared.

Maning believes that sincerity and truth are essential, for one cannot reach hearts without them. It is not easy convincing people to buy a memorial lot, which they at first consider only secondary to the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing. He asserts that, "They say no at first, but you just have to be consistent in giving updates and brochures. They will eventually call you later."

"Wisdom, knowledge and understanding given by the Holy Spirit help me convince people to buy Golden Haven lots. It is also done through effort, constant information and telemarketing; through constant attendance in product orientation seminars. If you read the scriptures, you retain endurance and perseverance. It strengthens you," he continues.

One can easily see the authenticity of his convictions for he himself has his own lot in Golden Haven Memorial Park. He claimed, "Time comes when there’s a storm and you should have preparation. Having a loved one pass away is inevitable. It is bound to come."

He recalled a friend whose husband died when she was not ready. They had no plan, no funds, but they had friends who chipped in to help spend for expenses. On the 40th day, her eldest son died. Maning remembered she was devastated.

Maning said, "Owning a memorial lot is preparing for the inevitable and it is also an investment. I also believe in the quality of Golden Haven products. Trips to the site alone are convincing enough for potential buyers. Once they see the beauty of the place, they can’t help but be part of it."

Bulilan is a consistent seller since 2005, with as many as ten to fifteen lots a month in peak seasons. What he loves are the added benefits and incentives he gets from Golden Haven. In his first few months, the incentive was one ham for every lot sold and one lechon for every four lots. He got four hams and one lechon, and in a few days after that, it was his birthday!

The SSS and PhilHealth benefits that one gets for selling a number of lots also helped Maning a lot. Now he has himself covered! He gets continuous free training to better his selling skills and to develop his personality, in general.

At sun up, Maning dons his walking shoes and brisk walks across Ayala Business Park. At other times, he opts to play tennis. Then it’s back to working clothes and off to the office at 7:30. For Maning, there surely is life at sunset.