Sun Life Grepa Launches Affordable Insurance Plan with Money-Back Guarantee for Working Filipinos

Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), one of the country’s leading life insurance providers, has introduced Sun Grepa Cashback Protect, a new life insurance plan designed to help Filipino employees and professionals secure their financial future without straining their budget. This new offering, which combines protection and a money-back guarantee, reinforces the company’s commitment to helping Filipinos achieve lifetime financial security. 
 
Depending on chosen variant, Sun Grepa Cashback Protect offers life insurance coverage of up to 20 times the annual premium*, with monthly plans starting as low as ₱2,500, making it accessible to more Filipinos. The plan is especially suitable for those with limited income who may find traditional insurance products financially out of reach. 
 
In addition, policyholders can look forward to guaranteed money-back benefits, receiving at least 100% of their total annual premiums paid* at the end of the 20-year coverage period, making this plan a smart and secure financial decision. Additionally, Sun Grepa CashBack Protect may be availed without the need for any medical exam, offering a hassle-free and convenient application process. 
 
Understanding the diverse financial realities of Filipino workers is central to the plan’s design. Despite growing awareness and interest in insurance, affordability remains a key barrier for many. 
 
“With Sun Grepa Cashback Protect, we’re providing Filipinos with a practical, budget-friendly way to protect what matters most while helping them develop the habit of disciplined savings at the same time,” said Richard S. Lim, President of Sun Life Grepa. “This plan responds directly to the needs of hardworking individuals who want to secure their future but are often constrained by cost. We want them to start building their future today with affordable protection that rewards them.” 

The plan also offers flexible payment terms, allowing policyholders to pay premiums over 5 or 10 years, with the option to choose from annual, semi-annual, quarterly, or monthly payment modes. In case of emergencies, policyholders can access their guaranteed cash value through a policy loan. Moreover, if diagnosed with a terminal illness, a portion of the coverage amount may be claimed in advance. This provides critical financial support during difficult times. 
 
Sun Grepa Cashback Protect is part of Sun Life Grepa’s broader mission to reach the underserved middle-income families and offer financial solutions tailored to their real-life needs. Whether you're just starting your career, supporting a growing family, or planning ahead, this plan can serve as a reliable financial foundation. 
 
“Financial protection and long-term savings should never be a luxury,” Lim added. “Through this plan, we’re making meaningful financial solutions more accessible to every Filipino so they can live brighter, more secure lives.” 
 
To learn more about Sun Grepa Cashback Protect, connect with a Sun Life Grepa financial advisor or visit www.sunlifegrepa.com. 

 

*Benefit payable is based on Original Annual Premium. Original Annual Premium is the annual premium of the basic policy effective date, excluding any rider premium, extra premium, and/or modal loadings.  

 

Note: Benefits indicated above are subject to the specific guidelines set by Sun Life Grepa and the actual provisions of the insurance policy contract. 

 

Time to Ditch Dr. Search, Enjoy Konsulta Plus Unli-Consult for only P150 Per Month

Have you ever experienced a strange symptom, searched it online, and ended up convinced you have a rare terminal disease? With the digital world within reach, it's all too easy to get lost in the sea of unvetted online health articles and scare stories. These often leave people more confused than ever, and most of the time unnecessarily worried.

What if there's a safer, smarter way to manage your health worries? Now, a real doctor is just a tap away!

Thanks to the internet, professional medical help is now accessible without leaving your home or even your bed. KonsultaMD, the country’s leading health tech platform, offers a solution for your medical inquiries, big and small. With its newest service, Konsulta Plus, you can now chat with a real-life doctor any time of day, any day of the week.

This isn't just a robot sending automated responses - it's actual advice from certified medical professionals. And what's more, it's budget-friendly! With just P150 per month, you can get unlimited access to quality medical consultations whenever you need them.

With KonsultaMD’s new offering, you can also skip the queue and get your prescription online!

Instead of hoping the internet leads you to the right over-the-counter medicine, let a licensed professional prescribe exactly what you need. With Konsulta Plus, you won't have to wonder if you're taking the right meds. Its licensed doctors will ensure you get the correct treatment when you need it. Plus, you can even buy your prescribed medicine through the KonsultaMD SuperApp and have it delivered to your doorstep anytime 24/7. Talk about convenience!

"Our mission at KonsultaMD has always been to make healthcare accessible to all Filipinos, no matter where they are or what time it is. With Konsulta Plus, we're one step closer to achieving this goal. For the price of a cup or two of your favorite coffee, you can have a doctor on call 24/7. We believe that good health shouldn't be a privilege for a few, but a right for all. And with Konsulta Plus, we're making that more attainable than ever,” said Cholo Tagaysay, CEO of KonsultaMD.

Konsulta Plus makes managing your health as easy as checking your phone. It's time to say goodbye to self-diagnosing and hello to convenient, professional, and affordable healthcare. Your health is worth it.

For more information about KonsultaMD, visit https://konsulta.md or download the app on the App Store or Google Play.

Patient Groups Call for ‘Bakuna, Now Na’

June 8, 2021, Manila, Philippines — The Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO), representing 38 patient groups in the country, today launches the “Bakuna, Now Na” campaign in a bid to increase vaccination uptake and decrease hesitancy to help curb the pandemic. The campaign is also in partnership with the Department of Health and is supported by the Department of Science and Technology and the Philippine Medical Association.

The Bakuna, Now Na campaign, an information and education advocacy to increase vaccine acceptance, also kicks off with a Unity Statement with partner groups urging Filipinos to get vaccinated against CoVID-19.

The patient-led campaign also aims to support efforts towards vaccine equity through various initiatives and collaborations with governments, manufacturers and the COVAX facility among other platforms.

“The pandemic has made Filipino patients more vulnerable to sickness and hardships. We urge all Filipinos, including patients and their families, to get vaccinated against CoVID-19 to protect ourselves and others from this potentially life-threatening illness. We also support initiatives to urgently address vaccine inequity and secure vaccine access for Filipinos, including those belonging to priority sectors like patients,” said PAPO President Ms Ma. Fatima Lorenzo.

“The Bakuna, Now Na is a campaign for Filipino patients and by Filipino patients. We aspire that through this campaign, we would help in informing the patients and the public that vaccines are safe and effective having gone through regulatory approvals and scientific research. We are stronger and healthier together, which is why we are calling on everyone to get vaccinated,” said Ms Karen Alparce-Villanueva, PAPO Treasurer and Campaign Project Lead.

A recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey found that only three out of 10 Filipinos are willing to be vaccinated even if they were free and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Efforts are also underway to identify barriers for the non-vaccination of a number of senior citizens and persons with comorbidities, belonging to the A2 and A3 priority sectors.

Seeing the vast number of Filipinos who are hesitant to get vaccinated, PAPO recognizes the necessity to address the people’s concerns through the Bakuna, Now Na advocacy. The campaign will center on frequently asked questions about CoVID-19 vaccines and dispel myths with verified medical facts. The Bakuna, Now Na is an effort to translate complicated medical terms into easy-to-digest content that will help educate the public.

“The Department of Health is pleased to partner with the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations in our effort to increase vaccine confidence and vaccinate more people as soon as possible. We continue to call on patients and our senior citizens to get themselves vaccinated because vaccines are one of the proven ways by which we could prevent this pandemic. Vaccines along with the wearing of face masks, hand washing, and physical distancing will help us move forward safely from this pandemic. Vaccines are safe and effective kaya Bakuna, Now Na,” said Department of Health – Health Promotions Bureau Director Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho.

Dr. Nina Gloriani, chairman of the Department of Science and Technology - Vaccine Expert Panel, is also present during the campaign launch as the advocacy will feature verified information coming from the country’s medical and vaccines experts.

The Bakuna, Now Na campaign is being led by PAPO in partnership with the Department of Health, the Department of Science and Technology, the Philippine Medical Association, the Philippine Pharmacists Association and former Health Secretaries Carmencita Reodica, MD, Esperanza Cabral, MD, Manuel Dayrit, MD, and Janette Garin, MD and 50 other organizations and growing.

According to Rey Sarmenta, the former Chairman of HAPLOS, the Hemophilia Foundation, he got vaccinated because he wanted to protect his family, and getting vaccinated is his chance to enjoy his life with his loved ones.

For Ara Lanorio, President of the Neurofibromatosis Friends Philippines, proper education about vaccines should take priority. She shared her initial concerns about the vaccine and how knowing the facts helped her decide to get vaccinated.

For more information about the campaign or to sign the PAPO Unity Statement, please visit www.papo.ph and PAPO’s FB page.

Taiwan launches Smart Medical Products through webinars

 

A series of webinars on smart medical products from Taiwan will be held in Taipei with hopes of offering the world a better understanding about Taiwan’s smart medical industry.

This was announced by the country’s trade representative recently as the global fight against the raging COVID-19 outbreak still continues.

Over the past decade, medicine and technology have joined hands to help change people’s lives. Today, global medical-related expenditure had already reached US$8.7 trillion, making the integration of two industries even more essential than before. And the healthcare and medical industry has become a huge business potential worth more than US$158 billion in applications of medical Internet of Things (IOT).

As extraordinary times come with extraordinary opportunities, Taiwan seized the moment to thrive and shine. Driven by both the pandemic crisis and the accelerating 5G trend, Taiwan’s dynamic medical industry has shown its innovative power in smart medical technologies, surgeries and medical devices. The country effectively showcased its capability and level of excellence in the use of telehealth technologies, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), and laparoscopic, endoscopic, and robotic surgeries, said Walter Yeh, President and CEO of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) during an online product launch campaign.

The one-hour webinar was part of a series of events held by TAITRA to highlight Taiwan’s strengths in the smart medical industry and to boost economic activities amid the global standstill, according to the trade promotion body.

The online product launch included the introduction of Mediland’s surgical tables and surgical lights, MedicalTek’s MonoStereo endoscopic visualization system, Asiatic Fiber’s PPE textiles and surgical textiles, and suction machines used in Operating Rooms or ORs from Doctor’s Friend Medical Instruments. These products all provide smart medical solutions for hospitals and medical institutions. The event also attracted over 1,700 viewers online from Malaysia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Germany, among others.

TAITRA also revealed that more events will be held in the future that will focus on medical products, including beauty products, eye care, and assisting devices for the elderly and in the field of dentistry.
For more online product launches of Taiwan Excellence Smart Medical Express, go to https://sites.google.com/taitra.org.tw/taiwanexcellencemedicalexpress .

Factors for Successful Dental Implants

Dental osseointegration, also known as dental implant, is rapidly becoming more popular. With advances in technology, this is the solution most people consider to replace a missing tooth, as it provides better long-term value than conventional replacement options.

But while dental implants are an effective, most natural, and long-lasting oral care solution, not everyone can undergo the procedure. There are several factors that can determine your viability as a good candidate. Here are a few factors you need to consider.

Choose the best system. The dental implant system you choose is a major factor, if not one of the most important decisions to make for the success of your dental implants. Asking your dentist for the best such as Straumann, the undisputed leader when it comes to implant, restorative and regenerative dentistry products, ensures that your investment will pay off.

Using the latest technological advancements in the ever-changing dental landscape, Straumann guarantees, not only the highest-quality materials, but also the best pre and post operative support for dentists, osseointegration specialists, and patients.

Good general health. It is important for patients to be in good overall health before undergoing treatment for dental implants. Those who smoke, drink alcohol, or have diabetes usually have lower success rates with dental implants since these conditions can negatively affect oral health, which affects the healing process of the implant.

Healthy gums. Healthy gums are necessary to support the new dental implant as it fuses with the jawbone. If you suffer from advanced gum disease, you may benefit from periodontal (gum) treatment to rectify this deficiency prior to receiving implants.

Adequate jaw bone support. For implants to be successful, ample support and structure in the jaw are required. Without healthy, strong bones, an implant can possibly fail. If you are lacking sufficient jaw bone density to anchor an implant, the aid of a bone graft can help create a stronger foundation for successful integration.

Commitment to good oral health. Candidates should commit to maintaining their oral hygiene for a successful implant, and to keep the teeth in good shape. This involves daily brushing and flossing, along with periodic visits to the dentist – these hygiene habits are crucial to preserving the health and strength of your natural teeth as well.

The next time you visit your dentist and consider dental implant as your option, you should ask for the best dental implant system which is Straumann – the world’s leading brand for more than 60 years.

For more information, contact Straumann Philippines at 0917-886-8266 or 0915-890-9107 or email gtindustries.comp@gmail.com. Straumann is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by GT Industries.

Where Innovation Meets Heritage: Straumann, the Global Leader in Implant Dentistry

Within the field of implant dentistry, foremost dental practitioners the world over turn to only one name, one that is recognized as the gold standard and the undisputed leader when it comes to implant, restorative, and regenerative dentistry products: Straumann.

Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, with other production sites across Europe, the United States, and Japan, Straumann is driven by their unwavering passion for quality and the desire to achieve the best restorative outcomes. By collaborating with leading clinics, research institutes and universities, Straumann is able to stay abreast with the latest technological advancements in the ever-changing dental landscape, all for the benefit of dentists, osseointegration specialists, and ultimately, patients who deserve only the very best.

The result is a broad range of groundbreaking products and solutions—designed on the basis of simplicity and freedom of choice—for both conventional treatment and digital workflows including guided surgery, intra-oral scanning and CAD/CAM restorations.

Comprising Straumann’s superior and state-of-the-art product line is the Tissue Level Implant Line, a true icon of implant dentistry, designed for one-stage surgery to simplify handling and reduce treatment complexity. Then there’s the Bone Level Implant Line, a flexible implant line for proven esthetics, designed for a natural look and feel, providing great flexibility and a balanced prosthetic portfolio for every indication. Furthermore, there’s the PURE Ceramic Implant Line, allowing even very demanding patients to smile with confidence, without compromising on esthetics, reliability and the most natural choice of material. And then, there’s the Mini Implant System designed specifically for edentulous patients for maximum trust.

Other advanced products cover implant-bone prosthetics, Biomaterials, digital solutions, instruments, and more!

Here in the Philippines, and joining the ranks of leading dental clinics globally who trust only Straumann, is GAOC – the Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center – giving patients peace of mind knowing that only world-class products are made available for their dental needs.

Philippines Paves the Yay for Functional Medicine in SEA through the First IFM conference in the region

Functional Medicine is experiencing a rapid development across the globe. In the Philippines, LifeScience Institute (LSI) champions this approach through various initiatives to educate, train and pursue research on Functional Medicine.

LSI collaborated with The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) to bring the first Advancing Functional Medicine (AFM) Conference in Southeast Asia, happening on November 16 and 17, at the Enderun Colleges in Taguig City.

With the theme “Uncovering the Interconnections Between Inflammation, the Gastrointestinal Tract and Toxic Exposure,” it brings together over 300 local and international doctors and other allied health professionals to talk about the underlying causes of complex chronic diseases through the Functional Medicine model.

The conference is the first of its kind in the Southeast Asian region. It will put the spotlight on the whole-body approach of Functional Medicine, which will equip doctors and patients to understand the body in its holistic sense.

This primary care approach looks at the whole body to provide long-term health solutions instead of targeting specific parts for short-term fixes. It determines how and why illness occurs and restores health by addressing the root cause of the disease and see how the body responds to the environment and lifestyle.

Through the conference, more allies in the medical field will understand the core principles of this health paradigm. It will delve into the mechanisms of diseases to know how to reverse them and will tackle topics such as the often overlooked gut health, intestinal permeability, and the immune and neurologic function and their effects on one’s overall well-being.

IFM’s very own Lisa Portera-Perry, MD, Michael Stone, MD, and Robert Luby, MD, will be conducting the talks throughout AFM.

As the purveyor of Functional Medicine in the Philippines, LSI vows to continue its advocacy in spreading awareness on the significance of this medical approach, with LSC as its partner. Should you wish to know more about Functional Medicine or to sign up for AFM, you may contact LSI at (0917) 829 7075 or visit www.lsi-sea.org and LSC at (0917) 573 5433 and www.lifescience.ph. To sign up for AFM, you may reach LSI through the contact details above.

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About LifeScience Institute

Our vision is a re-imagined 21st century health ecosystem addressing the root-causes of complex chronic disease. Our mission is to elevate the standard of care for healthcare practitioners to improve the assessment and management of underlying causes of complex chronic disease. We provide medical education and training for both health practitioners and patients about the assessment and management of complex chronic conditions. We support health practitioners in their journey of transition into the Functional Medicine perspective by providing introductory courses, mentoring programs, and case-based learning activities that are adapted to the Southeast Asian region.

About LifeScience Center

We all deserve modern primary care whose mission is to help us lead a happier, healthier life. No countless visits to different doctors, no buffet of medications, and no multiple diagnoses. LifeScience Center deviates from the old system of medical care to provide you personalized and preventive treatments. What makes LifeScience Center unique in today’s healthcare is how it champions genuine doctor-patient relationships. Simply put, your LifeScience care team will guide you on what to take out, what to put in, and it will let your body’s intelligent system do the rest to truly heal.

Local Mental Health Non-Profit Strongly Recommends Opening the Conversation on Mental Health in the Workplace to Achieve Better Productivity

World Mental Health Day is recognized across many countries, including the Philippines, on an annual basis to raise awareness of the growing concern over Mental Health issues that continue to rise amidst changing times. In the Philippines, the entire Mental Health Workforce is only composed of 2 people per 100,000 people in the Philippines. The latest report from Department of Health stated that 1 in 5 Filipinos suffer from a form of mental illness.  More than 300 million employees according to the study by World Health Organization (WHO) suffer from it.

According to WHO, the workplace is one of the key environments that affect our well-being and health.  Globally, only 9% of mental health promotion and prevention programs are focused in the Workplace.

“We spend at least 9 hours a day at our workplaces. If it’s not a healthy environment for your mind, body, and soul, your output and morale will definitely suffer,” states Philippa Keys, ex-officio of InTouch Philippines. This non-stock, non-profit organization has been providing Mental Health Services in the Philippines since the 80’s.

“A recent study conducted by the World Health Organization revealed that the global economy loses up to 1 trillion US dollars annually due to lost productivity caused by Mental Health Issues such as depression and anxiety,” Keys shares. “There’s still a stigma that prevents people from talking about their Mental Health issues. The ever-increasing demand to deliver more in the workplace in shorter timeframes is still prevalent across different industries. And it’s time for companies to play their part by providing an environment that opens the conversation on Mental Health.”

In Touch Philippines has extended help to hundreds of struggling employees along the way through its Employee Well-being Program or EWP.

Among those who have availed of EWP from In Touch Philippines is Havas Ortega. As an organization that belongs to the highly competitive and evolving marketing and communications industry, achieving work-life balance is a difficult task to contend with. Havas Ortega partnered with In Touch Philippines to help its employee address the day-to-day challenges that affect employees’ Mental Health as they do agency work. Through its partnership with In Touch, the organization was able to create its TALK program which provides every employee a dedicated 24/7 Employee Hotline as well as subsidized private counseling sessions. Adding to these benefits, resource speakers from In Touch Philippine’s pool of professional experts has enabled Havas Ortega to conduct monthly In-house Skill Builder Sessions to educate and empower the workforce on a range of topics such as “Mental Health Awareness and First Aid”, “Stress Management” and “Finding Grit”.

Jos Ortega, CEO of Havas Ortega enthusiastically shares why upper management has given its full support behind this initiative, “Employees are the most important asset in the company. Here at Havas Ortega, we want to make sure that we look after their health with a holistic approach - and that includes putting a premium on mental well-being. At the end of the day, we want to keep them inspired and motivated. We want to ensure them that there is a solid support system to help them keep going.” The first of its kind in the local advertising industry, Havas Ortega’s internal mental health program became possible based on its cohesive partnership with In Touch Philippines.

For more information on In Touch Philippines’ Employee Well-being program, you can call  893 1893 or email intouch@in-touch.org.  In Touch Philippines also hosts a 24/7 crisis line, offers face to face counselling, and leads training sessions to build skills for healthier mental and emotional well-being for individuals and their loved ones.