Tuesday, December 16, 2025

In Latest Collaboration with Manulife, Erwan Heussaff Puts Spotlight on Longevity

MANILA, Philippines – For Manulife Philippines brand ambassador and content creator Erwan Heussaff, living better and attaining longevity boils down to one thing: intentionality. In a video he produced in partnership with Manulife Philippines, Erwan looked back at his experience speaking during “Time to Move: the Manulife Longevity Symposium” in October where he and other industry experts tackled how Filipinos are approaching health and aging in the lens of longevity. 


“Today's world moves so fast. And so do the choices we make about our health, our habits, and our future. Longevity isn't just about living longer. It's about living with intention,” Erwan Heussaff said in the video posted on his Instagram account. 

The symposium served as a platform for discussions on how physical, mental, and financial health impact longevity. Heussaff shared the stage with Manulife Global Chief Sustainability Officer, Ariel Kangasniemi, in discussing living healthier and making sustainable choices, particularly in the food we eat. 

“When we think of food, we think of something that we eat, and something that keeps us going. I always say just do things with intent. When you do something, know why you're doing it, and that you shouldn't let guilt eat you up. So, if you want to eat fast food, I can't stop you. For the other things that you're eating, maybe just make a conscious decision of what you're eating, it really has to start with you,” Heussaff said. 

His work as a content creator traveling around different parts of the Philippines and his passion for food, he said, have made him realize more that even small steps count in taking care of our health and our communities. 


“Through what we decide to do every day, we can create change for ourselves and also for our direct community. But it really has to start with you—with the decisions that you make every day. Even the small ones, they all count and lead you to a bigger goal,” he said. 

“We are thrilled to continue shining a spotlight on these very important conversations with Erwan,” said Sonali Verma, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Philippines “Through his content and our other platforms, such as the Longevity Symposium and ManulifeMOVE, we aim to inspire and empower Filipinos with practical insights and actionable steps, helping them make intentional choices that lead to healthier, more sustainable, and ultimately better lives.” 

This latest collaboration between Heussaff and Manulife follows his previous features that centered around healthy eating and the impact of protecting the environment to communities such as Manulife’s partnership with Haribon Foundation, which continues to benefit residents, farmers, and micro-entrepreneurs in Quezon Province. 

This initiative builds on Manulife’s commitment to longevity and is exemplified by the recently launched Manulife Longevity Institute, which is a global platform that seeks to drive action to help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives by 2030 – in Asia and around the world.


Monday, December 15, 2025

Allianz Donates up to 200,000 Euros for Typhoon Uwan PH Aid, Relief Efforts

As part of its mission to provide humanitarian relief in areas impacted by disasters, Allianz SE recently announced a significant donation of up to 200,000 euros in response to the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung wong) in the Philippines.

The powerful storm unleashed torrential rains and destructive winds in 16 regions across  the Philippines in mid-November, impacting 2.1 million families. Some of these regions were already reeling from the effects of Typhoon Tino (International Name: Kalmegi) that caused landslides and flooding only a few days prior. The back-to-back storms have intensified the humanitarian crisis, leaving communities in urgent need of support.

Rescue, Relief, Rebuild 
Allianz SE donated up to 100,000 euros to the German Red Cross to support the Philippine Red Cross’ urgent rescue and relief efforts for affected areas. In addition, aid of up to 100,000 euros will be allocated for post-disaster support, in collaboration with Allianz PNB Life and local partners. This funding will focus on disaster prevention and climate resilience, helping communities rebuild and enhance their preparedness for future events, underscoring Allianz's dedication to protecting more Filipino families.
Renate Wagner, Member of the Board of Management of Allianz SE, responsible for Asia Pacific, Mergers & Acquisitions, People and Cultures says, “At Allianz, we stand united with the people and communities of the Philippines, determined to help them recover following the recent typhoons. Through targeted financial relief and hands-on support, we’re helping families rebuild, businesses restart, and hope returns.”

Protecting what matters most
As a leading life insurer in the Philippines, Allianz operates through its local entity, Allianz PNB Life, serving thousands of customers and employees nationwide. With over 400 financial advisors working with its bancassurance partner, Philippine National Bank, and 2,000 LifeChangers catering to its Agency clientele, Allianz PNB Life is committed to safeguarding the future of its stakeholders, especially in times of crisis.

“At Allianz, we stand beside you throughout a natural catastrophe, helping protect what matters most: people first, then property and business continuity. We are committed to bolstering disaster relief efforts in the Philippines, thanks to the generous support of our parent company Allianz SE,” says Joseph Gross, CEO and President of Allianz PNB Life.

The increasing frequency and severity of natural catastrophes challenge the resilience of families, businesses, and economies. Insurers play a crucial role in these situations, providing the financial lifelines that accelerate recovery, empower rebuilding, and stimulate local economies.
Allianz is fully dedicated to Asia and its people. It represents a strategic growth region for Allianz Group, which already has established strong market positions throughout Southeast Asia. Besides the Philippines, Allianz is present with various business segments in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, among others.  

Super Moments in Focus: OPPO Announces Global Winners of the 2025 Photography Awards

OPPO today announced the global winners of the 2025 OPPO Photography Awards, its annual international competition celebrating creativity, storytelling, and the power of mobile photography. The 2025 edition attracted nearly 2 million entries from 87 countries, making it the largest in the contest’s history. Winning works will be showcased at the global finale in Cairo, Egypt, on December 18, 2025, bringing together creators from around the world.

“Mobile photography is more than a tool—it has become a global stage for creative voices,” said Ling Liu, OPPO Overseas CMO. “Through the OPPO Photography Awards, we aim to support creators, let their perspectives be seen worldwide, and inspire audiences to discover the extraordinary in everyday life—the true essence of ‘Super Every Moment.’”

Gold, Silver, and Bronze Winners: Capturing Super Moments in Life

This year, 10 photographers were honored with Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards for their exceptional visual narratives.
This year’s Gold Award goes to boooya for “Dialect – The Fading Voice,” a compelling visual project that transforms an auditory cultural crisis into powerful imagery. Through a series of mobile photographs, the creator documents the fragile present and uncertain future of dialect culture—from traditional opera performances to scenes revealing the widening linguistic gap between generations. The series stands out for f its conceptual clarity and emotional resonance. The jury highlighted its social importance: “The disappearance of language is the disappearance of culture.” In recognition of boooya’s outstanding work and thoughtful artistry, the grand prize comprises USD 25,000 along with OPPO’s latest flagship devices to support his creative work.

Among the three Silver Award recipients, Ray Cheung’s “Person from Another Place” captures a young girl on a bus, her distant gaze turning a fleeting winter scene in St. Petersburg into a poetic reflection on youth and solitude. Judge Tina Signesdottir Hult called it “art,” praising its simplicity, balanced tones, and ability to convey emotion without distraction. The six Bronze Award honorees highlight cultural diversity, including Abdullah Salah’s “Timeless Framing” (OPPO Reno14 5G), which documents the centuries-old El Mermah equestrian tradition, capturing a single moment of speed, intensity, and cultural vitality.

Together, this year’s top works reflect the humanistic depth, cultural insight, and technical finesse that mobile photography can now achieve. As one judge remarked, “I’m impressed by all photographers’ remarkable control over the frame and rich spectrum of emotions their works evoked. It is a pure delight for me to experience all the entries, and almost hard to believe they were captured with a mobile phone camera.”


Expanded Recognitions: Spotlighting Diverse Talents

The 2025 OPPO Photography Awards introduced expanded submission categories, covering moments from fleeting beauties to profound human connections. This year, 60 photographers were recognized across Category Awards, as well as the newly added Honorable Mention, Audience’s Choice, and Regional Award, reflecting OPPO’s commitment to highlight global creative talent and provide a platform for their voices to be seen worldwide.
Entries capture the energy and vitality of everyday life, from a young couple holding hands in a subway to children playing in India or a Brazilian family during coffee harvest. Through the lenses of local creators, these images reveal authentic cultural moments and celebrate the diversity of human experiences across the globe.
Mobile Photography: A Universal Language of Cultural Exchange
This year’s diverse perspectives reaffirm OPPO’s view that meaningful stories are found in everyday life — and that mobile photography is a powerful way for people to express themselves and preserve what matters. Powered by the LUMO Image Engine, OPPO devices deliver more natural rendering of light, depth, and detail, enabling creators to tell stories that feel intuitive, human, and true to life.

Now in its third year, the OPPO Photography Awards has grown into a global stage that not only recognizes distinctive visual narratives but also supports emerging creative voices. Aligned with this year’s theme, “Super Every Moment,” OPPO continues to encourage creators worldwide to discover extraordinary stories hidden in ordinary moments.

To learn more about this year’s winning works and about the OPPO Photography Awards, please visit https://lumo.oppo.com/en/.