Manulife Philippines, Erwan Heussaff Partner for Video on the Importance of Healthy Eating

MANILA, Philippines – Manulife Philippines, the local arm of leading international financial services provider Manulife, and its brand ambassadors, food content creator Erwan Heussaff and daughter Dahlia, premiered their third collaborative video, which emphasizes the importance of healthy eating.

The video, now live on Heussaff’s social media pages, shows the father-daughter tandem bonding at home on a rainy day and cooking tomato soup, highlighting that even small steps and simple recipes can make an impact on our overall health.

“Teaching kids to eat right at an early age is just as critical as instilling values like honesty or kindness. It sets the foundation for their life-l99ong health, discipline, and relationship with food,” Heussaff said. “Obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases once seen in adults, are now affecting kids. Healthy eating early can help prevent these long-term issues.” 

A recent Manulife Philippines study found that 33% of Filipinos consider their current lifestyle as unhealthy, while 24% of respondents say they do not really know what is considered a healthy diet. Further, this year’s Manulife Asia Care Survey revealed that while people in the Philippines view physical health as the most important factor to living their desired lifespan, only 5 of 17 preventive actions are being taken by more than half of the respondents to stay healthy. With his collaboration with Manulife, Heussaff aims to show how small everyday habits can lead to a healthier lifestyle. 

“Insights from our recent studies reveal Filipinos are aware of the importance of their physical health to living a better life. Despite the high level of awareness, there are still gaps in their action to fully attain a healthy lifestyle,” said Sonali Verma, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Philippines.  

Verma added, “At Manulife, we remain committed to empowering Filipinos to take charge of their health, wellness, and financial security through our products and solutions. Additionally, our partnerships with trusted public figures like the Heussaffs help us communicate this message—making decisions easier and lives better for more Filipino families.”

Since joining wife Anne Curtis as a Manulife brand ambassador, Erwan has collaborated with the insurer to produce a video series, which supports Manulife’s commitment to enable Filipinos to live healthier and better lives. The first two featured healthy cooking tips and the company’s Impact Agenda initiatives with Haribon Foundation in Quezon Province. The Heussaffs also recently starred in Manulife Philippines’ latest brand campaign, “M Knows Better.” 

Evolving View on Longevity: For Filipinos, Quality of Life Outweighs Lifespan - Manulife Asia Care Survey 2025

MANILA, Philippines – A shift in how Filipinos view longevity is emerging, as they prioritize quality of life more than simply living longer as they age, according to the Mapnulife Asia Care Survey 2025: "Embracing Longevity: Enjoying a Better Life." The comprehensive study, which surveyed 1,000 Filipinos, revealed that only 13% of respondents chose living a longer life as their top wish when they consider their older years, while 26% prioritize financial independence and 17% value staying physically, mentally, and socially active.

The Manulife Asia Care Survey 2025, which ran in January and February, explored attitudes around how the region views longevity, as global life expectancies continue to rise. 

Among those who value quality of life over lifespan, the respondents’ desired lifespan averages 69 years—below the national life expectancy, which is projected to reach 73.2 by 2050—suggests a preference for a life of purpose, vigor, and independence over sheer longevity.

“Filipinos are redefining what it means to live a good life,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines. “They are no longer focused solely on longevity. Instead, they want to live better—with freedom, dignity, and the ability to enjoy life on their own terms. This shift challenges us to rethink how we support them—not just with insurance, but with holistic solutions that enhance their quality of life.”

Health concerns continue to rise, especially among younger Filipinos

The survey also revealed that health issues are a growing concern, particularly among Filipinos aged 25-34. Nearly 44% of respondents reported experiencing physical or mental health problems that affect their daily lives. Despite this, most Filipinos surveyed are not taking enough preventive action.

On average, more than half of the survey respondents engage in only 5 out of 17 recommended preventive health measures that can support a longer, healthier life. Critical indicators of long-term health—such as muscle mass and oxygen uptake—are monitored by just 16% of participants. These metrics are scientifically linked to longevity and overall vitality yet remain largely overlooked.

Despite this, 74% believe their current health habits are sufficient to protect their health as they age.

“There is a clear gap between awareness and action. Filipinos understand the importance of health, but many are not taking the necessary steps to protect it,” added Hora. “This disconnect could lead to long-term vulnerabilities, which will be challenging to address later in life. To bridge this gap, we encourage Filipinos to take more proactive steps, such as scheduling regular check-ups, adopting healthier lifestyle habits, and seeking guidance from healthcare professionals, to help safeguard their overall health and well-being.”

Filipinos face a retirement savings gap

The survey also highlighted the strong relationship between financial stability and health outcomes. A significant 80% of respondents believe that their financial well-being directly affects how long they can remain physically healthy. Similarly, 76% say it impacts their mental health and emotional resilience.

However, despite this awareness, the average retirement savings among Filipinos is only PHP 630,000—16% of the PHP 3.85 million they estimate they will need to retire comfortably.

“Filipinos recognize that wealth and health are deeply connected,” said Aira Gaspar, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Investments Philippines. “However, their current savings and investment behaviors do not necessarily reflect this awareness. The gap between what they have saved and what they will need could compromise their ability to live independently and with dignity in later years.”

Retirement planning: A shift in priorities, but gaps remain

When it comes to preparing for retirement, cash remains king for many Filipinos. The survey found that 66% view keeping their money in cash or fixed deposits as one of their top 2 priorities, while 51% express they want to invest in property. However, more than half (54%) also expressed a desire for steady income streams during retirement—something that cash-heavy portfolios may not be able to provide, especially in the face of inflation and rising healthcare costs.

“We are seeing a shift in how Filipinos think about retirement,” Gaspar noted. “While they are starting to realize that relying solely on property or savings may not be enough, many still hold excessive cash, which raises their longevity risk or the risk that they might outlive their savings, particularly in the face of potential longer life expectancy. 

Gaspar added, “At Manulife Investments, we empower Filipinos to create more holistic wealth portfolios by giving them diverse and affordable investment choices, which they can use as building blocks to mobilize their savings, receive recurring income streams and achieve financial independence throughout their lifetime. Today, Filipinos can choose from our suite of 22 unit investment trust funds (UITFs), including six income-paying UITFs, spanning multi-asset, fixed income, equity and real estate investment trusts (REITs) asset classes that can be accessed for as little as Php1,000.”

The value of professional financial advice is also evident in the data: 70% of those who work with financial planners believe they will have enough funds for retirement, compared to only 38% of those without such guidance.

Supporting Filipinos’ fresh definition of Longevity

As Philippine life expectancy continues to increase in the coming years, the need for comprehensive health and wealth planning becomes critical.

"The message from Filipinos is clear—they want to age with dignity, maintain their independence, and have the financial freedom to do what matters to them," Hora concluded. "At Manulife, we are committed to evolving our products and services to support this vision. That means offering solutions that go beyond medical and critical illness coverage to address health protection needs and offering investment options that can provide reliable income streams for a better, more fulfilling life.”

Growing Concern: 94% of Metro Manila’s Middle-Class Gen Zs and Millennials Felt the Impact of Inflation

Metro Manila's middle-class Gen Zs and Millennials have expressed growing concern over the impact of inflation during the second quarter of 2023, according to a survey conducted by the Nomura Research Institute (NRI) Singapore-Manila Branch. The survey, which was conducted from May to June, revealed that a staggering 94% of respondents felt the effects of inflation during this period.

The rising costs of essential goods and services, such as food, transportation, fuel, and utilities, have forced these young adults to make cuts in their non-essential spending, including leisure and entertainment expenses. Among the respondents, 60% reported that the continuous price increases had the greatest impact on their food and beverage expenses, followed by transportation and fuel costs at 15%, and utilities, such as electricity, water, and internet bills, at 14%. Additionally, an overwhelming 83% of participants stated that they had reduced their spending on non-essential goods, while 79% found it necessary to cut back on leisure and entertainment expenses.

The survey also highlighted the financial challenges faced by this demographic. Approximately one-third of respondents (32%) reported being unable to save over the past 6 to 12 months. For those who managed to save, 44% saved a lower percentage of their income. The persistent inflationary pressures have led 38% of respondents to adjust their savings goals by either reducing the target amount or delaying their timelines. Similarly, 47% of participants had to make similar adjustments to their savings plans.

To cope with the financial strain, a significant number of respondents have turned to loans. Of the surveyed individuals, 71% reported having outstanding loans. In an attempt to augment their incomes, 43% of respondents resorted to taking out additional loans in the past year. Among those who already had loans, 58% had to cut back on other expenses to meet their loan obligations, while 19% were forced to delay payments. The survey also revealed that 41% of respondents possessed credit cards. Personal loans were the most prevalent type of loan, accounting for 30% of respondents, followed by alternative installment loans and salary loans, each representing 19% respectively.

Regarding investments, 52% of respondents had existing investment portfolios. Among these, mutual funds and stocks were the top investment products, chosen by 18% of participants each. However, due to the inflationary pressures, 12% of respondents had to partially liquidate their holdings for increased liquidity, and a minimal 1% sold off their entire investment portfolio.

Given the challenges posed by inflation, respondents have adopted a diverse array of coping strategies. A notable 94% expressed concerns that continuous price increases would persist over the next 6 to 12 months. Consequently, 91% of participants felt the need to explore additional income streams. To adjust to the current economic situation, 86% of respondents planned to continue cutting back on expenses, while 73% intended to reduce their spending on entertainment and leisure activities.

In terms of savings, 34% of participants expressed plans to increase their savings allocations to better prepare for the future, while 33% aimed to maintain their current savings pattern. However, 16% of respondents planned to reduce their monthly savings allocation due to inflationary pressures.

The survey also shed light on borrowing habits, with 46% of respondents indicating that they were less likely to take out loans, while 28% stated they were more likely to acquire additional loans.

Regarding investments, 12% expressed a desire to explore risky investments in the hopes of achieving high returns over the next 6 to 12 months. Meanwhile, 40% were considering more conservative options. Notably, 30% stated that they would choose to stay away from investing altogether, while 18% aimed to maintain liquidity.

The online survey conducted by the NRI Singapore-Manila Branch included 295 adults from Metro Manila, consisting of 92 Gen Zs and 203 Millennials from the middle-class. The participants had monthly individual income ranges of PHP 13,000 to PHP 41,000 and PHP 41,001 to PHP 163,000.

As inflation continues to impact the daily lives and financial well-being of Metro Manila's middle-class Gen Zs and Millennials, it is clear that they are actively seeking ways to navigate these challenges and secure their financial futures.