For most young athletes, life revolves around dreams, discipline, and the belief that the future is wide open. For Jann Go Sanoria, those dreams once centered on sports.
Growing up in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, Sanoria spent much of his youth training in taekwondo and competing in national tournaments. He represented schools during UAAP Seasons 77 to 79, earning bronze and silver medals while balancing the demanding life of a student-athlete.
Life was simple for their family. They were not wealthy, he said, but they managed through hard work and determination.
Like many Filipinos, insurance was never something their family considered important.
“Before, my parents thought insurance was just an additional expense,” Sanoria recalled. “They did not really understand its purpose.”
Unknown to him at the time, however, his two older sisters already saw the importance of financial protection. Without even telling him, they secured an insurance policy for him through Pru Life UK while he was still young.
At first, it seemed like an ordinary decision — one that would later change his life completely.
In 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanoria received devastating news. At only 27 years old, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.
The diagnosis shocked not only him but also his entire family.
As someone who had lived an active lifestyle and dedicated years to sports, he never imagined he would face a life-threatening illness so early in life.
“I realized that being physically active does not guarantee that sickness will never come,” he said.
The battle quickly became emotionally and financially overwhelming. Their family had some savings, but it was far from enough to cover the cost of treatments, surgeries, and hospitalization.
One of the most difficult moments came when doctors had to perform a major surgery to remove an 11-centimeter tumor from his chest.
“We all know how expensive cancer treatment is,” Sanoria said.
Amid the uncertainty, the insurance policy his sisters secured years earlier became a lifeline for the family. Because the policy had already been active before his diagnosis, they were able to claim around ₱500,000 in financial assistance.
According to Sanoria, the support came at a time when they needed it most.
“It felt like a miracle and a blessing from God,” he shared.
He also recalled how surprised they were by how quickly the claims process was completed. While he was still recovering, hospital bills were already being settled with the help of the insurance coverage.
For Sanoria, the experience completely changed the way he viewed financial preparedness.
He believes many Filipinos only realize the importance of insurance after experiencing emergencies themselves. Because of tight budgets and rising living expenses, financial protection is often placed at the bottom of family priorities.
But after surviving cancer, he now sees preparation differently.
“Accidents and sickness do not wait for us to become financially ready,” he said. “That is why it is important to prepare early.”
The experience also changed the perspective of his parents, who once doubted the value of insurance.
Today, Sanoria openly shares his story to encourage more Filipinos to think long-term and protect themselves and their loved ones before crisis strikes.
He especially hopes younger people understand that insurance is not only for the wealthy.
“It was made for ordinary people,” he said. “For families who want peace of mind.”
Now recovering and rebuilding his life, Sanoria considers his journey more than just survival. For him, it became an opportunity to inspire others facing their own battles.
Through pain, uncertainty, and recovery, one lesson remained clear: preparation can make all the difference when life changes unexpectedly. (JME/MDN)
###
As published on Mindanao Daily News.
