‘Like a complete meal in Michelin-star restaurant’
Don’t let this septuagenarian fool you. Blesilda “Bles” Ventura Relampagos, 72, still travels all over the world for work and leisure. Her profession—running several insurance outlets in the country with 1,000 people under her wing—has seen her set foot on all continents. From these extensive travels and meeting Pinays abroad, she has observed that “Filipino women are at par (with other women in different cultures) in terms of career opportunities, education, and communication skills.”
Bles reveals that her team is predominantly composed of women, and has thus made a positive impact on the insurance industry as far as women empowerment is concerned, she said.
“Our industry is dominated by women. We are empowered, with our professional licensed practice, to educate people the value of securing future financial needs when it’s needed the most. By nature, Filipino women are versatile when it comes to domestic, career, social as well as spiritual duties. I walk the talk. I own multiple insurance policy contracts that serve my financial needs and my grandchildren,” she revealed.
Even if Bles has been with the insurance industry for three decades, there’s no sign of slowing down. Before becoming Axa Philippines Life and General Insurance Corp’s branch director, she was an entrepreneur, sending food supplies to various hotels.
It also helps that her husband Rene, who is a vice president of a solar technology firm, has shown full support for her career.
“He trusts my capacity and capabilities to handle a team of a thousand people. He fully understands the nature of my business and the nobility of my profession,” said Bles.
When Bles discovers a winning strategy, she tends to stick to it. This is particularly true for her choice of vehicles. For 13 years now, she has been loyal to just one brand: Hyundai. And she has done her homework getting to know the brand. She knows the South Korean carmaker’s history, from when it was struggling to gain market acceptance in the 1990s, to the time that it had come to be globally recognized for its design and engineering.
In 2012, Bles and Rene bought their first Hyundai, a Tucson. This was followed by a Santa Fe in 2018. In 2024, they bought their third Hyundai, a Custin. All three Hyundai vehicles are still being used by the couple.
Switching brands for good
“It’s good to switch to this brand for a change,” she said, referring to the time when they decided to switch their preference from the more traditional car brand to Hyundai. “Each ride every day with our Hyundai vehicles has been a delightful experience, and yet they don’t cost a fortune.”
Bles admits that she has never been “seated behind the steering wheel” of her three Hyundai vehicles. Nevertheless, these cars have “served” her very well in all these years of being pampered in the back seat.
“If I had to put that in analogy, Tucson was the ‘appetizer.’ Then came the Santa Fe, ‘the main course,’ and lastly the Custin, which is the ‘dessert.’ It’s as if every day, I go on a sit-down dinner in a high-end Michelin star restaurant every time I ride my vehicle,” she explained.
Among the three, the Santa Fe is her favorite, primarily for its safety features. She said she was delighted to learn that the Santa Fe was recently named “Supreme Winner” at the 2025 Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year Awards, an award handed out by an all-female jury of 82 automotive journalists from 55 countries who have “exhaustively evaluated” the Santa Fe across a broad range of categories. The award recognized the fifth-generation SUV for its driving experience, spacious interior and value for money, as well as efficiency and innovative design. This latest recognition adds to Santa Fe’s growing list of global award wins, including those handed out by JD Power and TopGear.com.
Interestingly, when asked what she would buy as her fourth vehicle, she answered, “Another Custin, for its comfortable ride and elegance.”
“Though I said that the Santa Fe stands out, I am looking at an enhanced Custin at this point in time. Meaning, a sunroof that can withstand the summer heat in the Philippines. Yes, a summer heat-proof sunroof,” she said.
For busy women
She said that what makes her three Hyundai vehicles ideal for busy women like her are the safety features, the comfortable ride, the digital and electronic features (“The Custin’s wireless phone chargers are amazing!” she said), and spare parts and services that are readily available.
But the quality she appreciates the most is the ride comfort. “I often go on long rides, so it’s very important that there’s lumbar support to prevent back pain. That’s my number one priority,” she stressed.
She pointed out the Custin’s second row captain seat, which she said that, apart from providing lumbar support, provides “ample distance from the seat to the sliding door.”
“I trust the Hyundai brand whenever it says that it’s looking out for the safety and comfort of all its customers,” Bles said.
“It’s my chaffeur who explores the many features of our three Hyundai vehicles. Sometimes the high-tech features overwhelm me,” she laughed.
‘So far, so very good’
Bles said she has come to a point in her life when riding comfort trumps all the other technological considerations when choosing a car to buy. “In my case, I look forward to a Custin that has a lie-down position on the seat. Most of the time I go around Metro Manila and have to visit several branch offices. My seat is my most important space, so I’d like it to be more cushioned, and my window screen to shield me more from the sunlight. I’m also quite particular with the aircon,” she said.
For these reasons, Bles said she would keep on trusting the brand. “Overall, it has been so far, so very good.”
She encourages car buyers to try out the Hyundai models and compare them with their competitors, from the pricing to the features. “I’ve tried other brands. They served their purpose at the time, but since I switched to Hyundai, I’ve found myself sticking to the brand.”
And so, from the comfort of her own Santa Fe or Custin, Bles imparts her nuggets of wisdom to women of all ages still in search of that sweet spot in the game of life.
“For the not-so-young women like me, age is just a number. The challenges, the wisdom and blessings continue to meet us along the way. Let’s embrace what life gives us, and continue to be role models for the younger generations. And for the younger generations, take the initiative. Be entrepreneurs, be the game changers. There are enormous opportunities here in our country, and the insurance industry is one of those that can change not only your fortunes, but the lives of countless others.”
