Nature Meets Wellness: PH to Showcase Healthy Products at Indusfood 2026

The Philippines will aim to deliver a strong performance in Indusfood 2026, presenting four capable enterprises with healthy, premium-quality products to the Indian market.

With support from the Department of Trade and Industry-Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM), the Philippine exhibitors for this edition will showcase dried vegetable leaves, tropical snacks, crackers, and processed fruits. These offerings are produced through responsible farming and processing systems, with global certifications affirming their manufacturers’ compliance with food safety and quality standards. The producers draw from the country’s natural strengths—fertile soil, favorable climate, and established agricultural practices—to supply the global market with distinctly Filipino food products.

This participation is part of DTI-CITEM's efforts to create pathways for Philippine products in India, where demand for healthy and natural food continues to rise. 

This year’s exhibitors will be presented at the India Exposition Mart’s International Hall (Hall 1) under the FOODPhilippines banner, a CITEM-led industry branding initiative that promotes the Philippines as a dependable sourcing destination for food and ingredients. 

Innovative enterprises ready for global market

The lineup of Filipino exhibitors includes Dry Tech Manufacturing Corp., which will highlight ready-to-cook dried taro, moringa, lemongrass, and pandan leaves under its Sheentaro brand. The company uses eco-friendly drying technologies and responsible agricultural practices to produce natural, hygienic, pesticide-free ingredients suited to India’s plant-based market.

Also in the group is Monde M.Y. San Corporation, an accomplished Filipino biscuit and cracker manufacturer known for brands such as Skyflakes, Fita, and M.Y. San Grahams. The company uses advanced baking technology to maintain the quality of its goods and to ensure their production processes are sustainable. With over 90 years of experience, Monde M.Y. San will present its Skyflakes Snack Pack, Garlic Snack Pack, and Onion and Chives Snack Pack.

One Vizcaya Export Corporation will highlight sustainably sourced ube powder, calamansi, saba bananas, and fruit bars. Established in 2020, the company aims to supply high-value products that meet India’s growing interest in healthy fruit-based goods.

See’s International Food Manufacturing Corp., maker of Gold Chips banana chips, will feature snacks produced from freshly harvested Philippine bananas. The company highlights its products for India’s growing demand for premium tropical snacks.

Launched in 2017, Indusfood is one of Asia’s prominent food and beverage trade shows, providing a platform for exporters to connect with global buyers and widen their reach. Indusfood 2026 will run from January 8 to 10, 2026 at the India Exposition Mart in Greater Noida.

In addition to supporting enterprises in overseas trade fairs, DTI-CITEM organizes the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines, the Philippines’ largest business-to-business and export-oriented trade show for food, beverage, and ingredients. As the longest-running food sourcing event in the Philippines, IFEX Philippines spotlights premium products from across the regions and positions the country as a dependable supplier in the global market. Co-located within IFEX Philippines is the Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX) Exhibition and Conference, a platform that showcases innovations, facilitates knowledge exchange, and fosters collaborative solutions that support the country’s development of a circular economy. 

The 19th edition of IFEX Philippines will run from May 21-23, 2026 at the World Trade Center Manila in Pasay City, Philippines.

Register as an IFEXConnect exhibitor: https://citem.ph/p/6d5e50

Register as an IFEXConnect trade buyer: https://citem.ph/p/b426fb

 

Catch FOODPhilippines in the following trade fairs: 

 

· Anuga

· China-ASEAN Expo under PARTNERPhilippines

· China International Import Expo

· FOODEX JAPAN

· Gulfood

· Private Label Middle East

· SEOUL FOOD

· SIAL Paris

 

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the export promotion arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). CITEM advances the country’s image as a premier sourcing destination for quality export products and services.  

CITEM is committed to developing, nurturing, and promoting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), brands, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an integrated approach to export promotion in partnership with other government and private entities

AIA Philippines, Anytime Fitness partner to expand Vitality and broaden access to wellness

MANILA, Philippines – AIA Philippines has expanded its flagship wellness program, AIA Vitality, through a new partnership with Anytime Fitness, giving Vitality members access to exclusive discounts at all Anytime Fitness locations across the country. The announcement of this new partnership coincides with AIA Vitality’s 10th year in the country, and is just one of many enhancements AIA is launching to mark this milestone. 

Through this partnership, AIA Vitality members enjoy an exclusive 15% discount on 12-month Anytime Fitness memberships and earn 100 Vitality Points per gym visit. These points contribute to unlocking higher membership tiers within the program, and can enable members to earn increased insurance coverage, as well as other rewards such as e-vouchers and partner offers, encouraging members to incorporate physical activity into daily routines and build lasting healthy habits.

AIA Philippines’ Rethink Healthy study, which surveyed over 1,000 Filipinos nationwide, found that while most respondents define health beyond physical, challenges like financial stress, lack of rest, and the challenge of sustaining healthy habits remain widespread. AIA Vitality helps close these gaps by guiding members toward a more holistic approach to wellness, encouraging small, consistent actions and rewarding healthier choices across physical, mental, financial and environmental well-being.

Melissa Henson, Chief Marketing Officer of AIA Philippines, said, “The Rethink Healthy study confirmed that Filipinos want to be more active but face barriers in sustaining holistic wellness habits. This partnership with Anytime Fitness makes building healthy habits more accessible to our customers. In addition, their integration in our AIA Vitality program also makes visiting their gyms rewarding. Anytime Fitness’ nationwide presence and 24/7 accessibility perfectly complement AIA Vitality’s goal of integrating health into everyday life. As we mark a decade of AIA Vitality, we remain committed to evolving the program to meet the needs of our members and, more broadly, the Filipinos we serve.”

AIA Vitality is a science-backed wellness program that encourages members to make healthier choices by rewarding them with increased insurance coverage and other rewards. Members earn points for activities such as exercising, undergoing health checks, sleeping better and meeting nutrition goals. 

Mark De Joya, COO of Inspire Brands Asia, the exclusive master franchisee for Anytime Fitness across Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam, emphasized the shared vision between the brands, “Anytime Fitness is proud to operate over 5,600 clubs worldwide, including almost 200 here in the Philippines. Less than 1% of people in the region currently have a fitness membership, which shows how much potential there is to make wellness accessible. Partnering with AIA Vitality allows us to take our purpose seriously at both a personal and community level, helping more Filipinos prioritize their health every day while creating meaningful impact together.”

By integrating Anytime Fitness into its health ecosystem and guided by Rethink Healthy insights, AIA Philippines positions AIA Vitality at the intersection of insurance, technology, and healthy lifestyle. The partnership directly addresses cost and access barriers, empowering more people to actively rethink what healthy means, and embrace a truly holistic, sustainable approach to well-being.

AIA Vitality also offers new ways for members to earn points and access health resources. Members can now earn points for reaching just 5,000 steps in a day, with higher activity levels translating to greater rewards. Members can earn more points by using the app’s face scan function to regularly monitor and record health measures such as pulse rate, blood pressure and stress level. New Vitality members can receive an eGift voucher for linking a fitness device or app with Vitality for the first time, and earning their first fitness points. 

In addition, a new wellness hub within the AIA Vitality app serves as a dedicated resource center, offering expert videos, practical guides, and health tips to help members better understand their progress and maximize their wellness journey. The Hub is intended as an always-available companion, providing members with personalized support and actionable insights to make healthier living a daily habit.

Millennials and Gen Zs Prioritize Health, Purpose, and Financial Independence, But Health and Wellness Gaps Persist - New Manulife Philippines Study Finds

MANILA, Philippines – While millennials and Gen Zs in the Philippines are reshaping what it means to live well and live long, significant gaps between awareness and action jeopardize their health, wellness, and longevity aspirations, a new study by Manulife Philippines has found. 

According to “#FYP: Future-proofing Young Pinoys: Examining Health and Longevity Perspectives, Sentiments, and Aspirations of Millennials and Gen Zs,” which was conducted among 500 respondents across the Philippines, younger Filipinos are placing greater emphasis on healthspan, purpose, and financial independence. However, the study also revealed that while 83% of young respondents have good knowledge about health and wellness, only 76% say they are taking sufficient action to consistently practice healthy habits. 

“With a median age of 26.1, the Philippines has one of the youngest populations in Asia. Our latest study highlights the need to support younger generations in translating their health, wellness, and longevity aspirations into meaningful action. We found that millennials and Gen Zs are motivated to live healthier lives, but barriers like stress, excessive screen time, and sleep deprivation, among many others are holding them back from achieving this goal,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines.

Motivated to be healthy, but stress gets in the way; Millennial women among the most affected

The study found that millennials and Gen Zs are not short of motivation to pursue their health and wellness goals. While 64% said they are pursuing health to avoid getting sick, and 44% said they want to minimize potential medical expenses, many are equally driven by their personal well-being and self-image about feeling and looking good: 44% said they want to look good or fit, and 43% said they want to look youthful.

Younger Filipinos, especially women, are also putting more focus on healthspan, or the number of the years we live healthily, over lifespan. According to the survey, 60% of female respondents prefer to prolong their healthspans, while 53% of males prefer to prolong their lifespans.

Filipino millennials and Gen Zs face notable health and wellness gaps, from monitoring to their actual wellness behaviors:

- Young Filipinos show significant gaps in health monitoring (awareness vs what they actually monitor), particularly in mobility (24%), nutrition (23%), and cholesterol levels (20%). Gender differences are evident, with young women struggling more with nutritional monitoring (27%) and young men facing greater challenges in mobility monitoring (28%).

- Many young Filipinos find it difficult to consistently maintain healthy sleeping habits (20%), achieve work-life balance (19%), and follow a balanced diet (15%). Women report a larger gap in achieving work-life balance at 22%, compared to the 15% gap among men.

- Stress is the most prominent barrier to wellness, affecting 64% of respondents. Millennials report higher stress levels than Gen Zs (69% vs. 58%), and women are more affected than men (73% vs. 55%). Notably, 76% of millennial women say stress prevents them from pursuing their desired wellbeing—the highest among all generational and gender groups.

- Modern lifestyle habits further compound these issues, with excessive screen time impacting 48% and sleep deprivation affecting 45% of young Filipinos. Trends such as “bedrotting” and “doomscrolling” reflect how contemporary behaviors are undermining their wellness goals.

“We’re seeing that for young Filipinos, intent alone isn’t sufficient. While many are motivated to pursue healthier lives, they’re facing a complex mix of stressors and lifestyle gaps, which make it difficult to follow through. These habits quietly derail their ability to prioritize wellness. That’s why the next step is to find ways to embed wellness into their daily routine. By offering health and wellness-focused programs and collaborations with likeminded partners, we are helping them bridge the gap between intention and action, turning wellness goals into sustainable, everyday behaviors supporting their long-term health and longevity aspirations,” added Hora.

Younger Filipinos view age positively and prioritize attaining purpose and living independently than being illness-free

According to the study, 96% of millennials and Gen Zs surveyed believe aging is a natural process that should be embraced with positivity, while 91% of the respondents believe that living a meaningful life is more important than living a long one. The study revealed a striking perspective on aging priorities, with 83% of respondents believing that living independently and being able to do things that matter most to them is more important than being illness-free. 

Millennials surveyed focus more on physical health and family relationships as they age. Gen Zs, on the other hand, lean toward self-discovery, purpose, and making an impact. Only 13% of both generations consider maximizing lifespan as a top priority, with men showing slightly higher interest (17%) compared to women (8%).

“The findings reveal that young Filipinos see aging not as decline, but as a chance to live with purpose and independence,” Hora said. “It is therefore crucial that we create opportunities and support systems for them to live better at every stage of their lives. This means investing in holistic wellness programs, accessible financial health education, as well as tools that address both physical and mental needs, tailored especially for younger generations navigating various stressors of the modern world.”

“As one of the country’s longest-serving insurers, Manulife Philippines is deeply committed to supporting younger generations of Filipinos in their journey toward financial independence and longevity. Through our innovative insurance and investment solutions, and our nationwide network of over 10,000 professional financial advisors, we aim to empower millennials and Gen Zs to live fuller, healthier lives with purpose and confidence as they age,” said Hora. 

Financial independence: Younger Filipinos’ ultimate longevity concern

When it comes to living a longer life but also “adding life to years,” financial security tops the list of concerns for both generations. Among the respondents, 74% believe that longevity is a blessing only if they have sufficient financial resources, with running out of money being their greatest worry (61%). Millennials and Gen Zs agree that mental health is a top longevity concern (36% and 47%, respectively). Millennials surveyed are more concerned about keeping ties with children (37%), while Gen Zs are more concerned about living their desired lifestyle (39%).  

Gaining financial independence is also a top longevity priority for young Filipinos (52%), followed by family relationships (36%) and physical health (33%). Women, however, prioritize financial independence significantly more than men (60% vs. 44%). This gender gap reflects broader structural realities women face in the Philippines. Despite having longer life expectancies (69.9 vs 63.4), women have lower labor force participation (52.9% vs 76.3%) and are prone to career interruptions due to family and caregiving responsibilities. These factors make financial independence especially urgent for women, who must plan for longer retirement years with potentially fewer financial opportunities.

Financial planning remains one of the many challenges the youth face. Gen Zs surveyed estimate needing PHP22.3 million to achieve financial independence upon retirement, while millennials estimate PHP18.4 million. Yet only 20% of respondents have very high confidence in achieving these goals. Despite the challenges, young Filipinos take proactive steps. Among those who prioritize financial independence, 65% save part of their income, 45% purchase insurance, and 43% actively broaden their financial knowledge. However, 68% admit that sustaining investments remains difficult.

“It’s encouraging to see today’s younger generations starting to take more proactive steps toward financial planning. We’re seeing a shift in mindset, where millennials and Gen Zs are actively saving, purchasing insurance, and expanding their financial literacy. These are promising signs,” said Aira Gaspar, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Investments Philippines. 

“The key now is to help them bridge the gap between intention and sustained action, through accessible, flexible investment strategies that evolve with their life stages, financial capabilities, and aspirations. By enabling them with the right tools and guidance, we can help turn financial independence into a tangible, achievable reality for our younger customers in the Philippines,” added Gaspar.

The Manulife Philippines study, “#FYP: Future-proofing Young Pinoys: Examining Health and Longevity Perspectives, Sentiments, and Aspirations of Millennials and Gen Zs” may be accessed and downloaded via the company’s website, manulife.com.ph.

Century Tuna Superbods champion the #BestYouEver initiative at Superbods Underpants Run in Subic

Wearing their unique and creative costumes from superheroes to tuna cans, the 36 Century Tuna Superbods finalists displayed their stunning physiques, undeterrable spirit, and ingenuity as they sprinted the 5KM run during the recently held Century Tuna Superbods Underpants Run at the Subic Bay Boardwalk.

The 2024 Century Tuna Superbods Underpants Run became an avenue for the Century Tuna Superbods to promote the #BestYouEver campaign by celebrating health and fitness and inspiring others to become the best versions of themselves.

Usually held before IRONMAN races, the Century Tuna Superbods Underpants Run kickstarted this year’s Century Tuna Full IRONMAN Philippines in Subic Bay last June 7, 2024 

The run was participated by more than 500 runners, who also wore colorful and creative outfits, including this year’s Century Tuna Superbods finalists, Century Pacific Food Inc. executives, Century Tuna Superbod 2014 Grand Winner Mauro Lumba, Century Tuna Superbod 2022 Grand Winner Kirk Bondad and Century Tuna Guest Superbod Atty. Oliver Moeller.

   

Century Tuna Superbods 2024 Finalists wearing their creative and well-thought-out costumes from superheroes, cartoon characters, and iconic outfits.

Century Tuna Superbods 2024 finalist Patrick Patawaran was awarded the Best Costume during the run where he showed up wearing his Century Tuna can costume.

Anchored on the #BestYouEver campaign, Century Tuna championed personal growth and advocacies of the finalists including taking care of the environment. Before the run, Century Tuna also held its Saving Our Seas coastal clean-up in partnership with SBMA where the participants collected 32 sacks of plastic waste along the coastline of Subic Bay. This is also in preparation for the swimming stage of the IRONMAN competition.

“The Century Tuna Superbods Underpants Run is more than just a celebration of fun and festivities. It exemplifies the strong sense of community that Superbods has fostered over the years, providing a platform for people to embrace and celebrate their passion for health and wellness. We are proud that our Century Tuna Superbods are always going above and beyond in promoting the #BestYouEver campaign. Our solid set of Superbods finalist truly embodies what it is to be a Superbod – inspiring, passionate, and committed. We are a month down to finals and we have seen them grow their advocacies together with Century Tuna,” said Mr. Greg Banzon, EVP and COO of Century Pacific Food Inc.

The Century Tuna Superbods 2024 embarks on the #BestYouEver campaign and the remarkable journeys of the Superbods to promote the best versions of themselves and inspire others. Prior to the Century Tuna Superbods Underpants Run, the finalists also joined several onsite and online challenges including the Century Tuna Metcon Battleground, NCC Marathon and HOKA Trilogy Run. 

The #BestYouEver Finals night will happen on July 9 where the Century Tuna Superbods 2024 Male and Female grand winners will be named. The Grand Winners will receive Grand Winners will each receive cash prize worth PHP500,000 tax-free while the Runners-Up will receive PHP200,000 tax-free.

For more information, please visit https://centurytuna.ph/ or visit Century Tuna on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/centurytuna or @centurytunasuperbods on Instagram for more updates.