Forest Lake Hits ₱3.2 Billion in Sales, Sets Sights on Expansion in 2024
2023 was a record-breaking year for all of us at Forest Lake. We are proud to share that we surpassed ₱3.2 billion in sales, a milestone that reflects the dedication, excellence, and trust built between our sales teams, partners, and the Filipino families we serve. We celebrated this achievement at our 10th National Sales Convention last April at the Grand Ballroom of City of Dreams Manila. It was a night to remember—where we honored the efforts of over 5,000 active sellers, and gave recognition to the people who continue to power our mission forward. A Milestone Built by Our People This achievement belongs to our sellers, leaders, and park managers. As our President and CEO, Alfred Xerez-Burgos III, shared during the celebration: “Our sales team’s exceptional performance in achieving ₱3.2 billion in sales is a true testament to their dedication and hard work. Their relentless pursuit of excellence has been the cornerstone of our success.” And we couldn’t agree more. We’ve grown to over 37 parks across the Philippines, and we are more committed than ever to making accessible and dignified memorial care available to every Filipino family. As part of our reward system, our top performers earned an all-expenses-paid trip to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam—a well-deserved break and celebration of their consistent excellence. What We’re Looking Forward to in 2024 We’re not slowing down. In 2024, we are continuing our expansion into new regions, adding more parks to serve more communities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. At the same time, we’re deepening our commitment to the people behind our success—our sales partners—by continuing to offer generous commissions, performance bonuses, leadership development, and support tools to help them thrive. We’re also pushing forward with innovation: Always Moving Forward As we look ahead, our purpose remains unchanged: to become the most trusted and complete provider of memorial care in the Philippines. We’re grateful for what we’ve achieved together—and we’re even more excited for what’s next. Thank you for trusting Forest Lake. Let’s keep building A Better Place together. To learn more about our parks and services, visit forestlakeparks.com.
“Itim na Pusa” Video: A Humorous Take on Life’s Unexpected Turns
Forest Lake Memorial Parks has released a new video titled “Itim na Pusa,” which humorously addresses common Filipino superstitions, particularly the belief that encountering a black cat brings bad luck. The video features two individuals who, upon seeing a black cat while crossing the street, immediately associate it with misfortune—a nod to a superstition passed down through generations. This lighthearted portrayal serves as a reminder to not let age-old beliefs dictate our reactions to everyday occurrences. By blending humor with cultural commentary, Forest Lake encourages viewers to reflect on the superstitions they hold and to approach life’s uncertainties with a more open and positive mindset. The “Itim na Pusa” video is part of Forest Lake’s broader initiative to engage with the community through relatable content that resonates with Filipino culture and values. By addressing superstitions in a comedic light, the company fosters a sense of connection and prompts conversations about the beliefs that shape our daily lives. For more information about Forest Lake Memorial Parks and their services, visit forestlakeparks.com. Find us on Manila Bulletin
Talon: Ready for the Unexpected?
As we welcome a new year, we’re not just moving forward—we’re also taking time to reflect on what truly matters. For many Filipino families, honoring the memory of loved ones has become more intentional, more personal, and more thoughtful. This New Year’s message from Forest Lake reminds us that where we choose to remember is just as important as how we remember.
Alby Xerez-Burgos: A Journey of Resilience and Innovation
Introduction: Forest Lake, a prominent name in the Philippine memorial park industry, has carved a significant place in the hearts of families over its 25-year history. Renowned for its comprehensive memorial care services and its commitment to value and innovation, Forest Lake stands as a testament to a mission driven by accessibility and affordability. At the helm of this impactful journey is Alby Xerez-Burgos, Managing Director, whose vision and leadership have steered Forest Lake Development to national recognition and the highest operational standards. Alby Xerez-Burgos: A Journey of Resilience and Innovation Alby’s story is not one of conventional success but rather a narrative of overcoming challenges with a positive outlook and leveraging opportunities. His academic journey in Industrial and Chemical Engineering at De La Salle University laid the foundation for his diverse career path. Despite academic struggles, particularly in Mathematics and Sciences, Alby’s determination and adaptability shone through. His early professional experiences at Landco, amidst challenging economic periods like the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, highlighted his resilience and innovative mindset. His leadership and strategic decisions played a crucial role in overcoming financial hurdles and establishing new market trends. Forest Lake Development: Redefining Memorial Care Forest Lake Development (FLDI) stands out with a presence in over 36 locations across the Philippines, offering unique flexibility and comprehensive services to its customers. This includes the exchange of memorial lots and a range of complimentary interment services. Under Alby’s guidance, FLDI has embarked on ambitious expansion plans to cater to the growing demand for memorial products and services, aiming to decentralize functions for greater regional autonomy. The organization’s commitment to setting industry standards in death care services remains unwavering. Leadership Philosophy: Simplicity and Family Values Alby emphasizes a leadership style grounded in simplicity, family values, and open communication. He advocates for a family-oriented corporate culture, free from politics, where ideas are encouraged, and work is imbued with enjoyment and humor. This approach fosters a positive, resilient, and creative work environment. Monitoring Progress: Purpose Beyond Profit FLDI’s approach to monitoring progress is purpose-driven, focusing on making a positive impact and challenging industry norms, especially against predatory pricing practices. The company’s commitment is to offer dignity and respect in its services, striving to make every Forest Lake branch ‘A Better Place’. Advice to Emerging Leaders Alby advises emerging leaders to embrace their unique paths and resist conforming to conventional norms. He encourages focusing on strengths and navigating challenges with a sense of purpose and passion. The key, he suggests, is to find one’s niche and lead with conviction and a clear vision. Conclusion Forest Lake, under Alby Xerez-Burgos’s leadership, is more than just a memorial park developer; it is a beacon of innovation, resilience, and purpose-driven service in the Philippines. Alby’s journey and Forest Lake’s mission offer valuable insights and inspiration for both current and future leaders in the industry.
Your Guide to Thoughtful End-of-Life Planning
At Forest Lake, we understand the importance of facing life’s ultimate certainty with grace and preparedness. As the Philippines’ leading total death care provider, we believe it’s crucial for you to consider early end-of-life planning. It’s not just about being prepared; it’s a responsible financial decision that can spare your loved ones future stress and burden. We’re here to support you with services like “Libing Anywhere,” offering the flexibility to choose your final resting place in any of our parks nationwide. Our “Libreng Burol” service ensures a dignified farewell, including complimentary body retrieval, embalming, and casketing. Investing in a memorial lot with us is not only a wise financial move due to the steady appreciation of these assets but also a way to provide emotional security for yourself and your loved ones. By choosing to plan ahead with us, you’re ensuring peace of mind and a lasting legacy for your family. We invite you to consider the thoughtful, responsible options we provide for end-of-life planning. For more information, visit our full article at Tribune.net.ph and explore how we can help you plan with dignity and foresight.
Angelyn Aguirre Torre, A Modern Day Hero
Angelyn Aguirre Torre With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of Angelyn Aguirre, a devoted caregiver, loving wife, cherished daughter, and beloved sister. Angelyn’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 32, but her legacy of heroism will forever be etched in our hearts. Born in the Philippines, Angelyn dedicated seven years to caring for others in Israel, embodying the true spirit of compassion. Her final moments were spent protecting her charge, Nira, in an act of courage that has touched the world. Angelyn’s selfless love extended beyond her professional life, as she was a beacon of hope and strength for her family. She dreamt of returning to her homeland to start a family of her own, a dream that exemplifies her nurturing heart. She leaves behind a grieving family: her husband, her parents William and Erlinda, and her seven siblings, who will miss her more than words can express. As we lay Angelyn to rest in Forest Lake San Carlos, we not only mourn the loss of a hero but also celebrate the profound impact of her life. Her bravery in the face of terror will be remembered as a powerful testament to the human spirit. Rest in peace, Angelyn. Your heroism will never be forgotten. https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/884472191/66d953a153
Investing in the Future: The Wisdom of Early Memorial Lot Planning
Understanding Death and Early Planning Recognizing the inevitability of death, Forest Lake, the largest total death care provider in the Philippines, encourages early end-of-life planning. This proactive approach helps families avoid stress and burden in the future. Diverse Memorial Service Solutions Our services, like “Libing Anywhere,” offer the flexibility to use your memorial lot in any of our parks nationwide. On the other hand, with our “Libre Burol,” feature we provide complimentary burial services with our interment services. Investing in a memorial lot with us is not only a financially sound decision, thanks to the steady appreciation of these assets, but it also offers emotional security. It’s an act of legacy planning, ensuring a valuable asset for future generations, and provides peace of mind during grieving periods. Investing in memorial lots is a wise financial decision, offering benefits such as: Steady Appreciation: Memorial lots typically appreciate in value, offering financial stability and potential profit. Investment Diversification: For new investors, memorial lots can diversify portfolios, reducing risks. Inflation Hedge: The historical appreciation of real estate, including memorial lots, helps protect against inflation. Legacy Planning: These investments serve as a valuable asset for future generations. Emotional Value: Pre-investing offers peace of mind and reduces stress during grieving periods. Beyond Coffins: A Partner in After-Death Care Forest Lake, is committed to building a lasting legacy for individuals, emphasizing the importance of after-death care. For more detailed insights on early memorial lot planning and investment, you can visit the original articles on BoyRaket.com and LifeIsKulayful.com, where you can learn about the strategic advantages of investing with Forest Lake, the largest memorial park developer in the Philippines.
Innovating Tradition: Forest Lake’s Creative Tribute to the Dearly Departed
A Festive Twist on All Souls’ Day Forest Lake is revolutionizing the All Souls’ Day celebration with our campaign, “Di Mo Ine-expect, no? ‘Di Ordinaryong Undas 2023.” Moving away from the traditionally somber observance, Forest Lake introduces a festive element, aiming to honor the dearly departed with creative initiatives and innovative services. As a premier memorial park in the Philippines, we will transform iall our parks into vibrant spaces from October 28 to November 5. Each park is uniquely decorated to reflect the local culture, offering Instagram-ready spots, attractions for children, light shows, and film screenings. This celebration of life underscores the importance of remembering loved ones with joy and positivity, without overshadowing the essence of the season. Enhancing Memorial Experiences Forest Lake enhances the memorial experience with services like “Libing Anywhere,” allowing families flexibility in choosing any Forest Lake park for burial, regardless of the original lot purchase location. They also offer “Libre Burol,” providing free funeral services at Forest Lake Memorial Chapels. Additionally, recognizing the digital era, Forest Lake enables online lot purchases, simplifying the process for customers and investors alike. Discover more about Forest Lake’s unique approach to memorializing loved ones in the original article on Inquirer Memories.
Celebrating Excellence: Forest Lake’s Triumph at the 9th National Sales Convention
A Night of Pride and Achievement We at Forest Lake are thrilled to share with you our recent achievements and future aspirations. Our 9th National Sales Convention, held at The Bellevue Hotel in Alabang, was not just a celebration but a reaffirmation of our commitment to excellence, themed “PRIDE” (Passion & Reliability In Delivering Excellence). It was an occasion to honor our dedicated partners and acknowledge their vital contribution to our growth. 2022 was a landmark year for us, with record-breaking revenues of P2.17 billion and a 12% increase in net income. We expanded with new parks, marking it as our most profitable year yet. Our network of over 35 parks across the Philippines is a testament to our focus on celebrating life and creating family-friendly, nature-themed spaces that cherish life’s precious moments. The convention was also an opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, who are the driving force behind our continuous evolution and success. Looking ahead, we are set on achieving even greater heights. Our National Sales & Marketing Head, Carlos Miguel Locsin, emphasized the importance of maintaining our leadership in the industry through a more organized regional approach and enhanced support for our partners. Celebrating over 25 years in the memorial park sector, we remain dedicated to providing personalized service and creating spaces where family memories can be celebrated and cherished. Join us as we continue to grow and serve with pride and excellence. For more information on our journey and services, feel free to read the detailed article on our recent convention and achievements at Forest Lake’s 9th National Sales Convention.
PhilHealth for Senior Citizens: What You Need to Know
A great inevitability of life is that our body tends to be more prone to diseases and health risks as we age. Various medical institutions tend to emphasize this fact, and it is a main selling point among many health insurance companies. For this reason, senior citizens are encouraged to be more responsible for their health. They are advised to take better care of themselves by performing exercises appropriate to their condition, having regular checkups, and minding what they eat. Unfortunately, senior citizens are often deterred by exorbitant medical fees and expensive hospital costs, considering that most of them are relying on their pensions and retirement funds. However, this does not always have to be the case—especially in the Philippines. Should there be any need for medical checkups, hospital confinement, and other healthcare needs, seniors can take advantage of their PhilHealth benefits. While most seniors are aware of the standard twenty percent discount in hospitals, there may be benefits that they are uninformed about. So, as a senior citizen of the Philippines who regularly made contributions to PhilHealth while employed, what benefits do you have? And how can you process your claims? To find out, read below: PHILHEALTH BENEFITS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS a.) Inpatient Benefits PhilHealth’s inpatient benefits allow a certain amount to be deducted from the total of a senior citizen’s total private hospital bill. Hospital bills typically include hospital charges and the doctor’s fees, and the amount to be deducted (which varies on a case-to-case basis) depends on the patient’s condition or disease. b.) Outpatient Benefits Senior citizens are also entitled to outpatient benefits which include hemodialysis sessions, radiotherapy sessions, and outpatient blood transfusions, which senior citizens suffering from cancer or kidney ailments can take advantage of. Apart from all these, senior citizens are also entitled to TB-DOTS Package, which is worth Php4000, Animal Bite Package, worth three thousand pesos, and the cataract extraction package, which is worth Php16,000. Lastly, elderlies may also avail of the primary care benefits 1, otherwise known as the TSeKaP (Tamang Serbisyo para sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya). c.) TSeKaP (Tamang Serbisyo para sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya) Benefits TSekaP Benefits is a program that includes preventive befits such as regular BP measurements, smoking cessation counseling, digital rectal examinations, and lifestyle modification counseling. Other diagnostic medical examinations such as urinalysis, chest x-ray, fecalysis, fasting blood sugar, lipid profiling, and sputum microscopy. d.) No-Balance Billing Policy Senior citizens confined in accredited public hospitals will be able to avail of the No-Balance Billing Policy (NBBP). This means that senior citizens in public hospitals no longer need to pay anything upon discharge. However, this is subject to some rules and is typically done on a case-to-case basis. e.) DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course) Senior patients who require first-line drugs or anti-retroviral treatment for any HIV/AIDS-related diseases may avail of the DOTS package. The package includes diagnostic exams, consultation, and prescription medicines provided that seniors visit a PhilHealth-accredited DOTS center in their vicinity. f.) Z Benefits Package Senior citizens who are diagnosed with diseases that are medically and economically catastrophic need not worry. While these diseases require senior citizens to undergo long-term and expensive treatments, they can make use of their PhilHealth benefits. With PhilHealth’s assistance, the potential financial blow will not be as exorbitant as it would be without the coverage. Diseases that are covered under the Z package are: Early stages of breast cancer Standard risk for coronary bypass graft surgery Early stage of cervical cancer Prostate cancer with low to intermediate risks Acute lymphocytic/Lymphoblastic Leukemia with standard risks Z morph external lower limb prosthesis: Initial prosthesis from knee down (left, right, or both) Total Hip Prosthesis, cementless Kidney Transplantation for End-Stage Renal Diseases (Low Risk) Partial Hip Prosthesis (bipolar) Implants for Hip Replacement: Total Hip Prosthesis cemented Implants for Fractures around the Hip (Multiple Screw Fixation) Compression Hip Screw Set Femoral Shaft Fractures (Intramedullary Nail with Interlocking Screws) Proximal Femoral Locked Plate Locked Compression Plate (LCP: Broad/Metaphyseal/Distal Femoral) HOW SENIOR CITIZENS BECOME PHILHEALTH MEMBERS 1.) Lifetime Members People aged 60 and above or retired senior citizens who paid no less than 120 months of contributions are lifetime members. Also, it is worth noting that lifetime members get a free lifetime coverage premium. This means that there is no longer a minimum payment requirement for them to claim their benefits. 2.) Automatic Members With the Expanded Senior Act or RA 10645, all senior citizens who are aged sixty and above are considered PhilHealth members automatically—even if they did not pay for monthly contributions. These non-paying senior citizens also get a free lifetime coverage premium like any lifetime member. BOTTOMLINE As a senior citizen, availing of PhilHealth benefits can be a huge help to defray medical costs and lessen pecuniary burdens—especially in times of prolonged hospitalization. That said, one of the best courses of action to take is to research the various aspects of your medical needs and how government institutions can aid you.