From delivering life to securing the future: A former midwife helps parents protect their children

Gregorio Gastilo, a three-year MDRT member, spent seven years in the delivery room as a registered midwife at St. Luke’s Medical Center - Global City, one of the Philippines’ leading hospitals. In 2013, he took on part-time financial advising to supplement his income and support his family in his home province, as he was the breadwinner. 

Time management was a challenge, as he balanced hospital shifts, part-time advising, and further studies in psychology. Yet Gastilo drew strength from his sales background and natural communication skills, honed from years of working in retail and talent acquisition before becoming a midwife. These early, varied experiences all played a role in shaping his ability to connect with people and earn their trust. In retail, he learned to listen closely to customers' needs and tailor his approach to each individual's personality, while his time in talent acquisition taught him how to ask the right questions and build rapport quickly — skills that now help him to guide clients through financial conversations with empathy and confidence. 

A new calling beyond the delivery room 

Over time, what began as a side pursuit grew into a full-fledged vocation. In 2016, Gastilo decided to embrace financial advising as a full-time profession. “My previous career was all about bringing life into the world. I didn’t expect that my next one would be about helping families protect those lives.” 

It took Gastilo seven years to qualify for MDRT while building his client base. “I started with ordinary employees and minimum wage earners. I did not have high-net-worth clients at the time, so I focused on small cases and made sure to increase their number. Eventually, my client base grew to include business owners, professionals, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).” 

This period tested Gastilo’s persistence and patience as he built trust with clients who were not always financially ready but valued his guidance. Each modest case honed his skills and laid the groundwork for greater opportunities with bigger clients. To progress, he stayed consistent by — keeping in touch with prospects, offering helpful financial advice, and continuously learning from training sessions and mentors. These habits strengthened his confidence and opened doors to higher-value clients. 

Finding meaning in moments of loss 

Personal experiences have profoundly shaped Gastilo’s career. Between December 2016 and April 2017, he lost his sister, father, and eldest brother to different health conditions. None of them had insurance. Bearing the financial burden of funeral expenses while grieving made him realize the critical importance of protection. “The truth is, we all have a sad story. Either you use it as an excuse or as motivation.” 

In 2024, Gastilo faced an even more devastating loss. His one-year-and-nine-month-old son passed away due to complications from the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). That tragedy marked his first death claim in 12 years as a financial advisor. He had taken out a policy for his son when the boy was just three months old, initially intended for future education. 

“That claim was not just paperwork. It was personal. It gave me a new perspective and a deeper sense of purpose. I knew then that I wanted to guide other parents in protecting their children, because I had lived through what it meant not to be prepared,”he shares.

This mission has become a cornerstone of his practice. He often explains to clients the first step is to secure the breadwinner, as a child’s financial security rests on the stability of their parents. Only then does he open the conversation about insuring children, whether for educational purposes, inheritance, or cultural milestones such as marriage. 

One client story that stands out for Gastilo is that of a former hospital colleague who initially only had a personal policy but later returned to insure her husband and, eventually, all three of her sons. “When she became pregnant, she messaged me right away and said she would get a policy for her child. That level of trust is what I value most.” 

Stories like these remind him of why he continues in this profession despite the challenges. For Gastilo, the losses he has endured have not closed doors, but have opened new opportunities to connect more deeply with the families he serves.

Conversations that build trust 

Today, Gastilo emphasizes that financial advising is not about pushing products but about meaningful conversations. “I don’t believe in hard selling. I focus on telling stories, my own and my clients’, because stories connect people.” 

His approach also extends to branding and marketing. Instead of flooding his social media with product promotions, he highlights family milestones, travels, and personal experiences. “Clients do not want to feel sold to. They want to feel understood. That is why I balance professional advising with sharing my family life online, so I am more relatable.” By positioning himself as a trusted guide rather than a salesperson, he has strengthened long-term relationships and increased referrals. 

For Gastilo, the journey from delivering life as a midwife to securing lives as a financial advisor has been one of transformation, resilience, and service. His story reminds both clients and fellow advisors that protection is not just about numbers; it's about people. It is about love, legacy, and the lives we value. 

 

Contact: MDRTeditorial@teamlewis.com