The Best Time to Invest in Health Protection is Now

Manila, Philippines — Young Filipinos are becoming more conscious about their health span, or how long they will enjoy good health, according to the recent Manulife Asia Care Survey. While Filipinos surveyed, on average, expect to be healthy until approximately 62, younger millennials (born 1989 to 1996) anticipate that they will only be at the prime of their health until age 55.

The pandemic brought unprecedented changes, especially regarding one’s health and finances, so Filipino millennials and Gen Zs have become concerned about financial security. They realized that they needed to start investing in life and health protection, or find more ways to grow their money, especially in light of the following concerns:

1. Their critical illness risk. Genetics, the environment, the stresses of modern living, and even binge-eating and endless feasts brought by the holidays, may conspire to put everyone at risk for various critical illnesses. Even Gen Z and millennials find that their relatively young age does not guarantee protection. For Filipinos, coronary heart diseases, tumors, and cerebrovascular conditions are the top health and mortality risks, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 

2. Their poverty risk. Medical treatments remain costly, and they can be challenging even for the otherwise comfortable middle class. This financial burden is a significant concern for many Filipinos, with almost half or 45% of the national health expense coming from out-of-pocket payments. At least 1.5 million Filipino families are pushed to the poverty line every year due to unexpected health expenses, according to the Insurance Commission.

3. Weakened social safety nets due to economic uncertainties. Most Filipinos rely on health maintenance organization (HMO) plans and government-subsidized health insurance programs for their protection. However, with economic uncertainties causing medical inflation to soar to as high as 12-13%, Filipinos need more resources to cover the rising costs of hospital and medical treatments. 

While they realize the importance of bolstering one’s health protection, some millennials and Gen Zs – many of whom are just starting their careers, shifting priorities, or changing life journeys – may feel held back by their limited income.

To address this gap and help make it easier for young Filipinos to boost their health and life protection, Manulife offers HealthFlex and FutureBoost.

HealthFlex, an innovative and flexible life and health insurance plan that protects against up to 112 critical illnesses and guarantees health coverage until age 100. Furthermore, if diagnosed with one of these covered critical illnesses, premiums are automatically waived, allowing them to focus on recovery instead of worrying about their medical bills. They can also customize their plans by adding coverage benefits for early-stage illnesses, second occurrences of cancer, heart attack, or stroke, and hospitalization and recovery assistance.

Meanwhile, FutureBoost is an all-in-one plan for life, savings, and health benefits that offers critical illness coverage of up to 10 times the plan’s face amount or as high as Php 15 million, and access to various investment funds where Filipinos may grow their money and boost their coverage anytime through various add-on benefits, such as hospital income benefit that can help them pay for hospital expenses while protecting their savings. With FutureBoost, young Filipinos can get early protection from critical illnesses, while they save and prepare for their life goals.

As more Filipinos seek insurance solutions but struggle with budget constraints, Manulife strives to find innovative ways to make insurance more accessible, enabling customers to personalize their health coverage while financially protecting themselves and those they love most. 

To learn more about Manulife's life and health insurance products, visit manulife.com.ph.

Manulife Philippines Holds Inaugural Blessing of its Cebu 2Quad Branch, Reinforcing its Agency Force in the Queen City of the South

Manila, Philippines — Manulife Philippines recently inaugurated its new Cebu 2Quad office, one of 47 branches of the Company in the country, to further strengthen its agency force’s commitment to providing life and health protection and financially securing the future of more Cebuanos. 

Currently, Manulife’s hub in the Visayas has 23 agents belonging to the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), a global and independent association of the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals. The hub will house Manulife’s growing agency force in Cebu, now with more than 200 agency leaders and financial advisors.

“As more Filipinos prioritize their health and future, Manulife empowers its agency force with comprehensive training and education programs, innovative digitized tools, mentorship programs, and collaboration opportunities with fellow financial advisors, enabling them to serve and help more Filipinos make well-informed decisions related to finance and health coverage,” said Rahul Hora, President and CEO, Manulife Philippines. “With our expanding presence in Cebu and the Visayas region, we look forward to financially protect more Filipino families and make their every day better.”

Along with Hora, also present during the inauguration were Sailesh Nalinakshan, Manulife Philippines Head of Agency Strategy and Support; Maya Lee, Manulife Philippines Chief Operations Officer; Maiko Diaz de Rivera, Head of Distribution Operations; the Honorable Rey Gealon, City Councilor of the City of Cebu, and Visayas-based Manulife Agency Leaders and Sales Management Team. 

 

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About Manulife Philippines

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company opened its doors for business in the Philippines in 1907. Since then, Manulife's Philippine Branch and later The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), Inc. (Manulife Philippines) has grown to become one of the country's leading life insurance companies. Manulife Philippines is a wholly-owned domestic subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation, among the world's largest life insurance companies by market capitalization. Learn more about Manulife Philippines by visiting their website manulife.com.ph and following them on Facebook (facebook.com/ManulifePH), Twitter (@ManulifePH), and Instagram (@manulifeph).

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our Global Wealth and Asset Management segment, we serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2022, we had over 40,000 employees, over 116,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 34 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong.

Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

Manulife’s Brand Ambassador Anne Curtis says being a Goal Maker can Empower more Filipinos to Secure a Better Future

Manila, Philippines – You can’t be ‘self-made’ alone, as it requires finding the right team to work, learn, and grow with, so you can maximize your potential. For multi-faceted A-lister and Manulife brand ambassador Anne Curtis, fulfilling your dreams is not impossible if you are focused on your goals, and have the much-needed support to achieve them. 

As wife to content creator and creative director Erwan Heussaff and mother to two-year-old Dahlia, Anne shared how her priorities have evolved — thinking more about her family than herself, especially when making financial decisions. The mindset has become almost selfless, focused on building a beautiful future for the people who matter to her. 

“I am happy that my personal advocacies go hand-in-hand with my partnership with Manulife. I love how they really brought out the “Anne with a Plan” in me, especially now as my life and family goals continue to evolve and grow. My family has become my top priority, and my focus is to ensure that we are ready to face whatever the future holds while living our lives to the fullest,” Anne said.

 “I encourage Filipinos to be goal makers — have the courage to reach for your dreams and become more financially empowered to get the future that you want,” she added. “By learning to save, finding creative ventures to help augment your income, and securing insurance and investment policies, you can seize every opportunity to be a step closer to your financial goals.” 

Anne had been taught the importance of being financially smart, having started in the entertainment industry at a young age. “I learned early on that I must work hard to get what I want. My parents taught me the value of hard-earned money when I started earning — malaki na noon ‘yung Php1,000, my first paycheck. It made me realize the value of hard work. Along the way, you also want to make sure that what you’ve worked hard for all these years, may mapupuntahan.  I am glad that Manulife has always been there to guide me on how to maximize my hard-earned money, and sustain financial stability and growth, so I can better prepare for my future and that of my family.” 

To help Filipinos make more informed financial decisions by being goal makers, Manulife has developed a way to help consumers identify which life and health insurance products best fit their priorities, life stages and goals. “We at Manulife want to support every Filipino, wherever you are in your life journey, and make your everyday better. To this end, we’ve aligned our insurance solutions with Filipinos’ most common life goals. Whether you are someone who wants coverage to help with expenses if you fall ill; a parent who wants to plan for your children’s future; a professional who wants to save for retirement; or an entrepreneur protecting your business and employee well-being, we have a plan for you,” said Melissa Henson, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Philippines. 

Anne added: “I was a policyholder years before I became their brand ambassador, so I have a long-standing relationship with Manulife. With Manulife as my financial partner, I know I am always protected, no matter what life may bring.” 

“It won’t happen anytime soon but planning for retirement is also on my mind. Some might view it as slowing down, but I view retirement an opportunity to explore new interests and adventures. While I have my businesses and investments, I plan on getting a Manulife retirement policy to support my dreams for that stage of my life. I encourage everyone to get a retirement plan while young because you only need to set aside a small amount regularly, and see your investments grow.” 

To learn more about how to become a goal maker like Anne, visit. www.manulife.com.ph. 

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About Manulife Philippines

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company opened its doors for business in the Philippines in 1907. Since then, Manulife’s Philippine Branch and later The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), Inc. (Manulife Philippines) has grown to become one of the country’s leading life insurance companies. Manulife Philippines is a wholly owned domestic subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation, among the world’s largest life insurance companies by market capitalization. Learn more about Manulife Philippines by visiting their website manulife.com.ph and following them on Facebook (facebook.com/ManulifePH), Twitter (@ManulifePH), and Instagram (@manulifeph).

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our Global Wealth and Asset Management segment, we serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2021, we had more than 38,000 employees, over 119,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 33 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, the Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' in Hong Kong. 

Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

Manulife Peso Smart Extends Financial Literacy Program to Elementary and University Students, as well as Filipina Heads of Household

Manila, Philippines — Manulife expanded its award-winning Peso Smart financial literacy program with new sessions for over 300 university students from across the country and extended the program to provide financial lessons to 50 female heads of household from two communities in Quezon City and Sagada, Mountain Province. To further promote financial education through creative storytelling, a new iteration of the Manulife Peso Smart storybook series is also available to download for free on the company’s website. 

These initiatives are aligned with a key area of focus within Manulife’s Global Impact Agenda – driving inclusive economic opportunities to create a more even playing field for all. Since it started in 2017, Peso Smart has produced more than 1,500 graduates nationwide.

“We continue to evolve Peso Smart, so we can reach more Filipinos and equip them with the financial skills they need to be smarter money managers,” said Melissa Henson, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Philippines. “Through customized modules and activities that are delivered using various media, we share knowledge and practical skills that can empower them to save, grow their money, and more confidently take charge of their future.”

Manulife’s recent study, “The Modern Filipino Family: Exploring family dynamics and digitalization in the new normal,” revealed that 69% of Filipino Gen Zs surveyed cited financial challenges as one of the top triggers of family conflict, signaling the need to learn smart money habits so they can learn how to financially protect themselves, especially in times of uncertainty. To respond to the increasing desire among Filipinos for financial well-being, Manulife held a four-part virtual Peso Smart University class attended by 300 university students who learned more about personal finances, investments, and unit investment trust funds (UITFs), as well as explored a career as a financial advisor. 

This year’s Peso Smart University students included Gawad Kalinga scholars who study at various universities, along with students from Silliman University, St. Scholastica's College Manila, University of Santo Tomas, and University of the Philippines-Los Baños.

Peso Smart Pinays

In partnership with Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation (CSAMF), Peso Smart has also produced self-learning modules and instructional videos for female heads of household from Quezon City and Sagada, Mountain Province under its Peso Smart Pinays program. As part of this program, these women gathered weekly for two-hour huddles with a financial expert to discuss, share and analyze outputs. 

“To make financial education a family affair, we hope to empower Filipino families to manage their finances and make informed decisions together – like setting and monitoring their budget for basic necessities, saving for emergencies, and covering school expenses – so that they can collaboratively build their plans for a better future and live every day better,” added Henson.

Dalia de Guzman, a mother of three and Peso Smart Pinay participant from Quezon City, shared how the program has enabled their family to achieve their short- and medium-term financial goals, including their home renovation in November 2022. Masaya po ako na natutuhan namin ang tamang kaalaman sa pag-manage at pagpapalago ng aming kinikita sa tulong ng Peso Smart Pinays. Maraming salamat sa Manulife at CSAMF sa pagiging tulay upang maging Peso Smart ang aming pamilya, at mas maging handa sa aming kinabukasan,” Dalia said.

 New Peso Smart storybook launched

To promote creativity in learning, Manulife has also recently launched “Manny and Liv: The Saving Jars,” the fifth Peso Smart storybook installment. This is based on a winning entry from the Peso Smart University storybook creation competition, submitted by University of Santo Tomas (UST) AISEC members.

The story follows the adventures of siblings Manny and Liv, who learn how to use three “Saving Jars”: “Savings (for my future),” “Just in case,” and “Wants.” The story also includes financial literacy concepts that are common in everyday life, so children can better understand and replicate these in their behavior. 

To learn more about Manulife’s Peso Smart financial literacy program, visit manulife.pub/PesoSmart.

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About Manulife Philippines

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company opened its doors for business in the Philippines in 1907. Since then, Manulife’s Philippine Branch and later The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), Inc. (Manulife Philippines) has

Manulife and National Geographic Society Partner to Protect Banaue Rice Terraces and other World Heritage Sites from Climate Change Impacts

Manila, Philippines – Manulife announced a new partnership with the National Geographic Society to deliver on an ambitious global project to safeguard several historical and culturally significant heritage sites from the impact of climate change and protect the physical and financial well-being of the communities that depend on those sites for their livelihood. The Philippines’ Banaue Rice Terraces is among the 10 natural and cultural sites providing tourism and economic resilience to surrounding communities from Asia, North and South America, and Europe that will be protected under the newly launched project Preserving Legacies: A Future for Our Past. 

 To safeguard these cultural heritage sites, Preserving Legacies will build community capacity to visualize climate impacts on a local scale and make the science of climate change relevant and applicable to the conservation of specific sites. Led by National Geographic Explorer Victoria Herrmann and connected to Manulife’s Impact Agenda, this project will focus on network building between sites, where knowledge sharing will be key to developing climate change adaptation plans.  

  

“By partnering with Manulife and the National Geographic Society, our ambitious approach to addressing this critical issue will not only lead to tangible protection of cultural heritage sites; it will be the game-changers needed to increase access to heritage adaption and transform conservation as a field to meet the challenges of a climate-changed world,” said Herrmann. 

  

“As a health and wealth company with a 130-year history serving customers, colleagues, and communities across the globe – it’s important we work to protect our environment and drive inclusive economic opportunities to create a more even playing field for all,” said Sarah Chapman, Global Chief Sustainability Officer, Manulife. “Through our partnership with National Geographic, we have an opportunity to equip communities throughout the world with the tools to better anticipate worsening climate impacts and safeguard them for the future.” 

  

“The Philippines is considered one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. With this partnership, Manulife Philippines aims to contribute to efforts to mitigate its risks to people’s lives and livelihoods, expanding our initiatives to advocate for the well-being of people, communities, and the environment while driving sustainability and creating long-term value,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines.

Manulife and National Geographic will support local communities throughout the world to turn scientific knowledge into actionable management plans that will safeguard these sites cohesively with community priorities and values. Additionally, they will support continued community adaptation through peer mentoring programs and educational materials to inspire and activate future generations.   

  

Using local weather data, localized climate models give every historic site a way to visualize how much flooding, heat, sea level rise, and changing seasonality will threaten their site in different warming scenarios. This allows community leaders and site managers to answer critical questions about which climate impacts they should plan for and when they are likely to experience them. 

  

The ten sites included in the project:  

• Banaue Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras 

• Petra, Jordan 

• Angkor Archeological Park, Cambodia 

• Border Fields, USA and Mexico 

• Historical Mosque City of Bagerhat, Bangladesh 

• Nan Madol, Micronesia 

• Levuka, Fiji 

• Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba, Togo and Benin 

• Sceilg Mhichil, Ireland 

• Port, Fortress, and Group of Monuments at Cartagena, Columbia 

  

This effort supports Manulife’s recently announced Impact Agenda, which aims to build a better business to better the world by making decisions about the future of the firm’s business, rooted in the belief that collective actions drive meaningful change. 

Earlier this year, Manulife launched Impact Agenda in the Philippines by partnering with respected non-government organizations Gawad Kalinga, Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation (CSAMF), and Haribon Foundation, whose groundbreaking work interconnects with the program’s three pillars: empowering sustained health and well-being, driving inclusive economic opportunities, and accelerating a sustainable future. The NatGeo partnership aims to further drive Manulife’s efforts globally, strengthening its Impact Agenda by working with more like-minded organizations that can help Manulife build a better business to better the world. 

To learn more about the commitments made by Manulife through its Impact Agenda, and to track progress against our goals, visit Manulife.com/Impact. 

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About Manulife 

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our Global Wealth and Asset Management segment, we serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2021, we had more than 38,000 employees, over 119,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 33 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong. 

About Manulife Philippines

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company opened its doors for business in the Philippines in 1907. Since then, Manulife’s Philippine Branch and later The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), Inc. (Manulife Philippines) has grown to become one of the country’s leading life insurance companies. Manulife Philippines is a wholly owned domestic subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation, among the world’s largest life insurance companies by market capitalization. Learn more about Manulife Philippines by visiting their website manulife.com.ph and following them on Facebook (facebook.com/ManulifePH), Twitter (@ManulifePH), and Instagram (@manulifeph).

Manulife Philippines Wins at Marketing Excellence Awards for Insights-based Integrated Marketing

Manila, Philippines — Manulife Philippines is delighted to announce that it won a Bronze Award at the local Marketing Excellence Awards 2022 for the integrated marketing campaign centered on its research study: “Know Your Ys and Zs: A Closer Look at the Financial and Mental Well-Being of Filipino Millennials and Gen Zs in the time of COVID-19.” 

Marketing Excellence Awards Philippines is organized by Marketing Interactive Magazine, Asia's leading source of advertising, marketing, and media news, which recognizes exceptional campaigns and talent. The Know Your Ys and Zs study won in the Excellence in Data-Driven Marketing & Consumer Insights category.

 

“Through our campaigns, we hope to empower more Filipinos to secure their financial future,” said Melissa Henson, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Philippines. “This recognition inspires us to amplify our efforts to help address the evolving protection needs of Filipinos as we strive to make every day better for our customers.”

 

The pandemic heightened Filipinos’ concerns about health, well-being, and finances, especially among younger generations, based on the Know Your Ys and Zs study. The sentiments and behavior of Filipino Millennials and Gen Zs have helped Manulife innovate its offerings to help address consumer needs through tailored insurance and investment solutions.

 

Manulife’s financial literacy program Peso Smart was also named as a Finalist in the Excellence in the Corporate Social Responsibility category at this year’s awards. 

 

The 2021 Financial Inclusion Survey of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas1 found that only 2% of Filipinos can correctly answer basic financial literacy questions. Manulife has evolved Peso Smart to reach beyond its initial beneficiaries, who were grade school students from public schools, by partnering with different organizations to bring financial skills and knowledge to university students and out-of-school youth, as well as teachers, principals, and the children’s parents. 

 

Most recently, Peso Smart was also brought to female heads of households from marginalized communities in Quezon City and Sagada, Mountain Province. Manulife’s Peso Smart is also one of the main drivers of Manulife’s Impact Agenda in the Philippines, which aims to promote inclusive economic opportunities, empower health and well-being, and accelerate a sustainable future.

 

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About Manulife Philippines

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company opened its doors for business in the Philippines in 1907. Since then, Manulife’s Philippine Branch and later The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), Inc. (Manulife Philippines) has grown to become one of the country’s leading life insurance companies. Manulife Philippines is a wholly owned domestic subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation, among the world’s largest life insurance companies by market capitalization. Learn more about Manulife Philippines by visiting their website manulife.com.ph and following them on Facebook (facebook.com/ManulifePH), Twitter (@ManulifePH), and Instagram (@manulifeph).

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our Global Wealth and Asset Management segment, we serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2021, we had more than 38,000 employees, over 119,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 33 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong. 

Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com. 

Cultivating Well-Being in Today’s Evolving Digital World

Manila, Philippines — As Filipinos navigate today’s evolving digital world and adjust to life-changing disruptions brought by the pandemic, Manulife shared key lessons on how to cope with changes and cultivate one’s overall well-being at this year’s DigiCon Valley 2022, the largest gathering of the digital marketing and advertising industry in the country organized by the Internet & Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP).

Headlining Manulife’s segment were Melissa Henson, Chief Marketing Officer of Manulife Philippines and Hidilyn Diaz, Olympic Gold Medalist and one of Manulife’s brand ambassadors, while actor and stand-up comedian Victor Anastacio served as the host. 

 

At the DigiCon’s special segment, Henson and Diaz shared their insights and personal takeaways based on Manulife’s recently released study, “The Modern Filipino Family: Exploring Family Dynamics in the new normal.” The study aimed to understand how Filipino families adapted to the new normal, as hyper-digitalization has impacted relationships, and has been deeply imbued in everyday decisions at home and in family life. 

 

Make time for self-care and mental wellness

 

Victor Anastacio started the discussion on the challenges Filipinos faced at the height of the pandemic. “Sobrang daming challenges ang kinaharap natin noong nagsimula ang pandemic – physical, emotional and financial challenges. Lahat ito nakaapekto sa ating pamilya, dahil sa maraming hindi pagkakaintindihan.”

 

These challenges still impact majority of Filipinos today. While people across generations have said that their well-being has improved compared to during the peak of the pandemic, Generation Zs expressed that they are still grappling with negative pandemic effects. Henson shared: “Our study found that 65% of Gen Zs are dealing with digital fatigue, prompting them to seek more offline interactions with friends and family. They also shared that they are sleep-deprived, developed unhealthy eating habits and have increased occurrence of stress, fatigue, and depression. These younger Filipinos may need further guidance on reacquainting themselves in the real world as they have spent most of their time online in the past two years.” 

 

Younger Filipinos may also look to Generation X and millennials for inspiration and ideas on how to deal with stressors. “Gens X and Y have learned to focus on self-care, mental well-being, and personal development, which helped empower them despite the many changes they’ve had to weather,” Henson added.  

 

Diaz agreed and emphasized that caring for one’s mental health has a tangible impact on one’s physical well-being too. “When I started training for the Tokyo Olympics, I needed to condition my mind that I could win at hindi ako nag-iisa sa pag-abot ng pangarap na ito. Naging malaking part ng aking preparations ang mental training at eventually, ang ‘”ma-manifest” ko na makakuha ng gold medal.”

 

Learn to seek help when needed

 

According to Manulife’s study, more Filipinos have also explored various financial products during the pandemic. In the past 12 months, among those surveyed, 25% of Generation X and 33% of Millennials bought insurance products online, while 41% of Generation Z expressed a desire to purchase insurance in the next 12 months. To guide them in their financial journey and make more informed decisions, Henson emphasized the importance of seeking expert advice to help sift through the overwhelming wealth of information available.

 

“Seeing how more Filipinos are exploring various financial channels to diversify their portfolios is a good sign that they are actively seeking ways to grow their wealth. However, we will need to double down our efforts to provide them expert financial guidance, so they’ll also understand how to balance risk and reward,” Henson said. “Seeking advice from a financial advisor is one way to help Filipinos get a clearer picture of their financial goals and find ways to achieve them while being conscious of their risk appetites to yield better returns.”

 

To achieve the historic Olympic gold medal, Diaz also underscored the importance of asking for help, by having people around you whom you can rely on for support. “There is a team behind my success. Hindi ko kakayanin ito ng mag-isa. I needed the support of Team HD, Manulife, at ng aking mga kababayan.”

 

Life has no guarantees, but we can get ahead of uncertainty

 

The pandemic showed how fast things can change, and Filipinos must be ready to keep up with the pace as it can accelerate further. Such mindset and attitude transcend to Filipinos’ heightened desire for protection and security. “The interest in insurance products and life protection increased during the pandemic because Filipinos became hyper aware of the physical and financial impact of falling ill, and the broader impact of other financial challenges. However, this has been a reactive stance. The power of insurance and financial planning is that it helps us prepare for the unexpected before it happens, so we continue to encourage and empower Filipinos to embrace the value of planning ahead and being financially prepared,” said Henson. 

 

To help Filipinos better prepare for uncertainty, Manulife launched a series of flexible and highly customizable financial solutions that can be tailor-fit depending on needs and budget -- HealthFlex, which provides protection coverage for critical illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, and stroke; and FutureBoost, which gives additional rewards on top of insurance protection coverage so Filipinos can grow their wealth simultaneously. 

 

As change is inevitable and developments can be beyond our control, Henson noted that it helps to live by an attitude of lifelong learning. “We are all learning creatures. We always find ways to retool ourselves to better cope with the changes in our environment, which is crucial to making us more resilient.”

 

Diaz added that just as essential is acquiring knowledge on how to plan ahead. “Having a strong foundation sa kung paano mag-plano para ma-achieve ang financial goals ay crucial para sa kinabukasan natin. Mahalaga na maging mas aware ka sa mga financial options available as early as possible para mas maintindihan ang mga kailangang gawin to achieve your goals. Once you decide to grow your investments, you’ll be more consistent with your decisions to make every day better.”

 

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About Manulife Philippines

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company opened its doors for business in the Philippines in 1907. Since then, Manulife’s Philippine Branch and later The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), Inc. (Manulife Philippines) has grown to become one of the country’s leading life insurance companies. Manulife Philippines is a wholly-owned domestic subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation, among the world’s largest life insurance companies by market capitalization. Learn more about Manulife Philippines by visiting their website manulife.com.ph and following them on Facebook (facebook.com/ManulifePH), Twitter (@ManulifePH), and Instagram (@manulifeph).

About Manulife 

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our global wealth and asset management segment, we serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada, and the United States, where we have served customers for more than 155 years. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong. In the previous 12 months, we made CAD$31.8 billion in payments to our customers.

Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.