Living a bright and carefree life is something many aspire to achieve. According to actor, producer and entrepreneur Donny Pangilinan, it begins with making smart financial decisions and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

As the face of Sun Life Philippines' Live Bright Now campaign, Pangilinan said financial security and enjoying life should go hand in hand.

During the campaign's media launch, the 28-year-old shared five principles that have helped him build a more balanced and financially secure life.

The first, he said, is vulnerability — acknowledging when you need help managing your finances.

"I wish I had started earlier," Pangilinan admitted.

He also encouraged people to define their long-term goals, whether traveling to a dream destination, buying a home or starting a business.

Once those goals are clear, Pangilinan said the next step is building the confidence to pursue them.

"Confidence is important because if you have confidence, you're able to take calculated risks," he said.

"You have more of the ability to decide on things that could create opportunities for you," he added.

Pangilinan also advised people to begin saving with an amount they are comfortable setting aside, then gradually develop the habit of saving consistently.

He stressed the importance of having a financial system by creating a monthly budget, allocating money for savings and investments, and building an emergency fund.

"We shouldn't make money the center of everything. That's not the end goal. Instead, we should use it as a tool to build the life we want to live," he said.

Lastly, Pangilinan encouraged people to stop comparing themselves with others and instead seek guidance from mentors, trusted friends and financial professionals.

"Everyone has their own journey. It's important to know that you're not behind. You're exactly where you need to be to make your next move," he said.

He also encouraged Filipinos to speak with a Sun Life financial advisor to help define their goals, understand their options and develop a financial plan tailored to their needs and priorities.