Don Mcgyver Cochico (Facebook)

Gwapulis Don Mcgyver Cochico has another important mission: to provide financial services or guidance to clients. He admits it's a very tough case.

"Mahirap siya in a sense na maraming hindi open about insurance and investment. Tapos ang Pinoy parang hindi masyadong binibigyan ng atensyon ang financial literacy," said Cochico in an exclusive online chat recently.

Being a financial advisor at Pru Life UK - Official is a far cry from being a police officer, according to the 33-year-old former pageant king.

"The biggest challenge (about being a financial advisor) is napakalayo niya from my nature of work sa Philippine National Police. So back from the start ako. Same sa pageant naman din na malayo pero I work hard, I study and listen to people who are in the business ng matagal. That's why I'm doing well right now," the hunk said.

He added: "Filipinos are not yet open pa masyado sa insurance and investment. A small portion pa lang ng Filipinos ang nakakaintindi ng value ng insurance right now, so it's challenging. Plus the fact na may ECQ ngayon so the degree of difficulty is very high. Pero I'm adapting naman using non-face-to-face presentation and processing. We must adapt to any situation. Kung sino unang makapag-adapt will do good. Yung pilit naman na mag-stick sa nakasanayan at ayaw sumabay sa pagbabago, ma-i-iwanan."

Cochico recalled how he came into being a financial advisor in 2020.

"Nag-take ako ng licensure exam sa (Insurance Commission) noong January. Tapos lumabas ang code ko March 5. Pero while waiting for the result, uma-attend na ako ng trainings para once lumabas ang code ko, fully equipped na ako with product knowledge. Tapos after being coded, I religiously attend all trainings, kahit na-take ko na nag-u-ulit ako lalo if free naman ako para iyong pag-absorb ng learning, mas maganda and mas mabilis yung growth," he explained.

A "coded" person refers to someone who has been registered or allowed to start selling the products.

Yet his biggest challenge in life right now is being a good father to his daughter Arwen. He tells us how fulfilling it is to be a dad for the first time to his first child. Being a father is the best thing that happened to him, and he's proud of his kid, he said.

"Puro sarap now! Wala pang hirap. Yung pagpupuyat kasi sanay ako so no factor sa akin ang puyat. Super happy ko sa baby ko - from pagpapalit ng diaper, pagpapaligo, paghehele, pagpapadede, paglalaro at iba pa, hands on ako," Cochico said.

If there's one value he wants to impart to his children, it's all about hard work, he quipped.

"Hard work beats talent. I've seen a lot of talents in different industries and situation. Pero every time sunod kong makikita is yung kulang sila sa work ethic. Then dun nag-start mawala ang belief ko sa kanila. Pero hands down ako sa mga taong less talented but always work hard. They always show up, no reasons, and consistent. Those people na hardworking eventually napupunta sa top dahil na-le-learn din nila yung skills and talent needed plus the fact na they are hardworking and consistent," Cochico said.

Away from the limelight, Cochico loves being a dad and a financial advisor these days. Cochico first became a winner in Misters of Filipinas contest before he ventured into the international pageant arena. He later became one of the most sought-after models in the country.

On pageantry, Cochico said: "The pageantry opened doors for me. I've already had my fair share. Since 2015 nung nag start ako until 2020, naramdaman ko naman na buhay yung career ko. For a male titleholder, I can say na mahaba yung high ko so happy ako now."

No regrets

It's been three years since he left the PNP, and he's happy he made the right decision.

"No regrets," said the former policeman when asked if he had regrets when he retired from being a cop, during the opening of Tokyo Grill Japanese Restaurant in Morato, Quezon City recently.

He enumerated the reasons why his profession as a financial advisor is better now.

"Super happy ako kasi yung income better, more time sa family, at nama-maixime ko talaga yung oras ko sa family ko. Nagagawa ko yung gusto ko.

"Sa insurance, industry, it doesn't matter kung ano ang profession mo before, kung ano man ang gender mo, ang pinaka-secret lang dito ay maging masipag ka at willing to learn. Kapag masipag ka, matututo ka. Pag willing to learn ka, makikinig ka sa mga nauna sa'yo. Sipag lang talaga ang puhunan mo rito," the Gwapulis added.

Asked about his dream for his daughter, Cochico said: "Basta sana maging masaya siya. Kasi pag happy ka, mahahanap mo ang passion mo. Hindi magandang habulin ang pera. Habulin mo kung saan ka masaya."

Cochico shared a simple thought about life insurance. "You don't buy life insurance because you are going to die, but because those you love are going to live."