AXA Philippines, one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing insurance providers, has reaffirmed its partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to raise awareness on the importance of mental health. As part of this long-standing collaboration, 2006 NBA Champion and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton Sr. visited Manila to engage with fans, share his personal journey and emphasize to Filipinos that true strength begins with the mind, underscoring the importance of openness, resilience, and support in sports and everyday life.
NBA Legend Gary Payton with (from L-R) AXA Philippines Chief Marketing Officer Nandy Villar, CEO Ayman Kandil, Chief Transformation and Technology Officer Caloi Santos, and Chief Human Resources Officer Sharon Hernandez. During his visit, Gary Payton highlighted the importance of mental well-being—both on and off the court.
AXA Philippines and the NBA’s dynamic collaboration reflects a shared commitment to spark conversations that place mental health at the core of a person’s true well-being. It brings to light an important message: that resilience and balance are built when people allow themselves to talk about their experiences and emotions.
For athletes in particular, mental health has long been a taboo topic, and strength is often equated with silence. Payton knows this firsthand, having faced the pressure to appear confident on the court while managing personal challenges privately. His visit to Manila, hosted by AXA Philippines, reinforced the message that overall well-being includes caring for one’s mind and fostering supportive communities, and not just about physical health.
“AXA is in the business of protecting what matters, and that includes mental well-being. We want to provide the right support when people need it the most, in the everyday challenges that shape their lives,” said Ayman Kandil, President and CEO of AXA Philippines.
“Conversations on mental health goes beyond generations and cultures. By working with the NBA, we hope to offer a fresh outlook through the athletes who have shown that speaking about mental health is not a sign of weakness, but an act of strength,” Kandil added. “Our goal is to create safe spaces where everyone can thrive, reminding that resilience involves both seeking help and offering it.”
Gary Payton reflected on how mental health was treated in his playing years, contrasting it with what younger athletes face today. “[During his playing career] You had to grind it out. Grind. And that’s why a lot of these kids now are going through mental health because they don’t know how to deal with it. They don’t know who to go and talk to, who to become,” he said. For Payton, young players need guidance and safe spaces to open up. “You want somebody to talk to you… you need somebody on your shoulder to cry on. You need to release it.”
By bringing voices like Payton’s into the conversation, AXA Philippines and the NBA aim to help reinforce why mental health should be openly discussed. That it is not just about overcoming struggles, but about having the confidence to move forward by finding balance, nurturing resilience, and building communities where people feel seen, heard, and supported. Through these efforts and with the right protection, Filipinos are empowered to know they can live a healthier, more balanced life—on the court, at work, at home, and in everyday moments.
For more information about AXA Philippines’ end-to-end solutions for all your protection needs, visit https://www.axa.com.ph.
