Manulife Philippines Marks 119 Years of Helping Filipinos Secure Better Futures

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-       Manulife ranked highest in customer recommendation among Philippine life insurers for second consecutive year.

-       The insurer is expanding access and broadening impact through new solutions and partnerships across health, wealth, and protection.

-       Manulife is putting longevity into action through research and thought leadership, innovation and advocacy, and community partnerships—helping make decisions easier and lives better for more Filipino families.

 Manulife Philippines President & CEO Rahul Hora and Chief Marketing Officer Sonali Verma reflect on the company’s legacy as it enters its 119th year and its continued commitment to help make decisions easier and lives better for its customers.

As one of the country’s longest-serving global financial services companies, Manulife Philippines marks its 119th anniversary with a renewed focus on customer-led protection, health, and wealth solutions that help Filipinos plan with confidence and financial peace of mind. In a survey conducted by global research firm IPSOS, Manulife was named the Philippines’ best-performing life insurer based on customer recommendation, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner for financial advice and protection.

“To be the most recommended means Filipinos trust us, and trust is something you earn by listening and delivering on your word,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines. “For 119 years, we’ve listened to what matters most to Filipinos—from protecting their families to securing their health and building their financial future, and we’ve shaped our solutions around those priorities while supporting them through life’s major moments.”

“Our customers’ trust inspires us at Manulife to remain true to our purpose: Decisions made easier. Lives made better. By expanding access to innovative and comprehensive protection, health and wealth solutions, we enable Filipinos to plan with confidence and live better, for longer,” Hora added.

For 119 years, Manulife Philippines has shaped its solutions around what matters most to Filipinos; from protecting families to securing health and building financial futures. President & CEO Rahul Hora shares how that same commitment drives the company forward today.

Broadening access to holistic financial and health solutions

Rising healthcare costs remained a top financial concern among Filipinos in 2025 and many continue to feel a gap between the future they hope for and the one they expect, according to the 2025 Manulife Asia Care Survey. Additionally, the #FYP: Future-proofing Young Pinoys study, found that while young Filipinos are optimistic about aging, they still feel underprepared for long-term financial planning, with savings falling short of what they expect to need for retirement. The surveys also reveal that many Filipinos recognize the importance of preventive health, few have taken concrete steps toward it.

To help more Filipinos act on their financial and wellness goals, Manulife Philippines expanded its offerings across wealth, investment, and healthcare through new products and partnerships.

●        Health and protection access: Manulife Medical Secure offers up to PHP 5 million annual coverage and cashless access to over 1,700 hospitals and clinics nationwide, complementing HMO coverage. Manulife HealthFlex covers more than 100 critical illnesses with premium waiver and guaranteed benefits. Through Manulife’s partnership with AC Health, delivered on the flagship holistic health program ManulifeMOVE, Manulife health customers can access early-detection services, discounted cancer-screening packages, and dedicated support from Healthway Cancer Care Hospital.

●        Long-term savings and wealth building: Manulife GoalReady offers investment-linked coverage to age 99, local and global funds, and early loyalty bonuses, with  premiums starting at PHP 2,000 monthly. Through its partnership with GCash, Manulife Investments Philippines, the asset management business of Manulife Philippines, offers several Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITFs), including funds that invest in global and Asia-Pacific Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

Accelerating reach through bancassurance and strategic agency expansion

Manulife Philippines, Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corporation, and Manulife Investment Management and Trust Corporation continued to expand their collective reach—strengthening a shared network that enables more Filipinos to access their life and health protection and wealth-building solutions.

●     In 2025, Manulife Philippines and China Banking Corporation (Chinabank) renewed their long-standing bancassurance partnership under Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corp. (MCBL) for another 15 years. Since its founding in 2007, MCBL has offered customers comprehensive health and life insurance plans covering common critical illnesses in the Philippines, long-term savings, retirement planning, and a diverse range of fund options tailored to individual financial goals.

●     Manulife Philippines also recently expanded its physical presence with a new agency office in Makati City. In addition, the company will open six new and relocated branches across key locations nationwide—starting in March with Bacolod and San Fernando, Pampanga—to accommodate its growing agency force of more than 10,000 financial advisors and agency leaders and strengthen its ability to serve more Filipinos.

Turning insights into programs enabling longevity and driving real-world impact

As Filipinos redefine what it means to live longer and better, Manulife champions a view of longevity that encompasses financial security, healthier lives, stronger communities, and a better world for future generations. This belief powers the Manulife Longevity Institute, a global platform backed by a CA$350 million investment that advances research and thought leadership, innovation and advocacy, and community partnerships to help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives.

Key initiatives include Manulife Peso Smart, which has equipped over 4,000 young Filipinos across 18 schools with saving, budgeting, and investing skills, supporting financial resilience. Manulife Impact Forests, in partnership with the Haribon Foundation, has planted over 31,000 native trees across terrestrial and coastal sites nationwide, contributing to a healthier planet. Earlier this year, Manulife Philippines formalized a tripartite agreement with Haribon Foundation and the Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation (CSAMF) to scale these initiatives and expand their collective reach.

Manulife Philippines Chief Marketing Officer Sonali Verma talks about building financial confidence in the next generation, protecting the environment they will inherit, and forging partnerships that contribute to nation-building, because being a trusted lifelong partner means going beyond the policy.

"At Manulife, we believe our responsibility and impact as an insurer go beyond the policies we write," said Sonali Verma, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Philippines. "Our commitment through the Longevity Institute is to drive action on helping people live longer, healthier and more financially secure lives. Aligned to our Impact Agenda, we’re building financial confidence in the next generation, protecting the environment they will inherit, and forging partnerships that enable us to scale our reach, deepen our impact, and proudly contribute to nation-building. When communities are healthier and more financially secure, families thrive and build a more resilient future. That’s what it means to be a trusted lifelong partner to Filipino families."

 

Resources:

●     2025 Manulife Asia Care Survey - https://www.manulife.com/ca/en/about-us/news/Asia-Care-Survey-2025

●     #FYP: Future-proofing Young Pinoys - https://www.manulife.com.ph/about-us/newsroom/latest-news/fyp-future-proofing-young-pinoys-a-manulife-study.html

●     Manulife Medical Secure - https://www.manulife.com.ph/products/health/medical-secure.html

●     Manulife HealthFlex - https://www.manulife.com.ph/products/health/health-flex.html

●     AC Health Partnership - https://www.manulife.com.ph/about-us/newsroom/latest-news/manulife-philippines-and-manulife-china-bank-life-partner-with-ac-health-to-advance-cancer-prevention-care-for-filipino-families.html

●     ManulifeMOVE - https://www.manulife.com.ph/services/manulife-move.html

●     Manulife GoalReady - https://www.manulife.com.ph/products/savings/goal-ready.html

●     GCash Partnership - https://www.manulifeim.com.ph/about-us/newsroom/gcash-manulife-investments-ph-expand-filipinos-access-to-global-property-investing.html

●     Manulife Philippines and China Banking Corporation Partnership - https://www.manulife.com.ph/about-us/newsroom/latest-news/manulife-philippines-and-chinabank-sign-15-year-renewal-of-bancassurance-agreement-via-mcbl.html

●     Manulife Longevity Institute - https://www.manulife.com/ca/en/about-us/longevity-institute

●     Tripartite Agreement - https://www.manulife.com.ph/about-us/newsroom/latest-news/manulife-philippines-puts-longevity-at-the-center-of-its-tripartite-agreement.html

7 ways better eyesight strengthens your relationships

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Strong relationships are built on communication, time, and effort. But there’s one often overlooked factor that quietly shapes connection: clear vision. How well you see affects how present, confident, and emotionally attuned you are with the people you love.

According to the No. 1 optical in the Philippines with the most number of stores nationwide, EO Executive Optical, good eyesight supports awareness, understanding, and confidence—key elements of meaningful relationships. When nothing is left unseen, connection feels more natural and intentional

Here’s how better eyesight strengthens relationships in ways you may not expect.

You catch the small expressions that matter

A quick smile, a raised brow, a look that says, “Are you okay?”—these subtle cues speak volumes. Clear vision helps you notice them instantly, allowing you to respond with empathy and care.

You communicate more confidently

Good eye contact builds trust. When you see clearly, conversations feel easier, body language makes sense, and you engage without hesitation. And these factors make interactions feel more genuine and connected.

You avoid misunderstandings before they grow

Missed signals can turn into misinterpretations. Clear eyesight helps you read reactions accurately, respond in real time, and prevent small misunderstandings from becoming bigger issues.

You stay fully present in shared moments

Whether it’s a movie night, a family meal, or a long conversation, good eyesight lets you enjoy the moment without squinting, straining, or dealing with headaches—so attention stays where it belongs.

You move with ease…and confidence follows

Good eyesight improves balance and spatial awareness. When you move comfortably, you feel more confident. And, confidence naturally strengthens connection and intimacy.

You show up as someone others can rely on

From driving loved ones safely to watching over kids or aging parents, good eyesight plays a key role in care and protection. Taking care of your eyes means being dependable when it matters most.

You love with clarity, not distraction

When your vision supports your daily life, you’re less distracted and more emotionally available. You listen better, respond better, and connect more deeply.

Love is best experienced when nothing is left unseen

Strong relationships grow in everyday moments—shared glances, quiet understanding, and full presence. Prioritizing regular eye care is a simple way to protect not just your eyesight, but the relationships that matter most.

With EO Executive Optical, good eyesight helps you see and love better every day. Drop by EO Executive Optical for a professional eye exam, and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok for more eye-care insights, updates, and promos.

OPPO and MediaTek Showcase On-Device AI Innovations at MWC 2026

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Barcelona, Spain, — OPPO and MediaTek showcased new on-device AI advancements at MediaTek’s “AI for Life” keynote during Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026. Jason Liao, President of the OPPO Research Institute, highlighted how deep collaboration between the two companies is accelerating AI deployment on smartphones.

The event marked the rollout of new on-device AI capabilities, progress on the jointly developed Omni Model, and advances in cross-ecosystem connectivity — outlining a shared vision for the next generation of AI Phones.

From Chip to Experience: Advancing On-Device AI

As mobile experiences become increasingly AI-driven, OPPO is advancing its AI strategy centered on "New Computing, New Perception, and New Ecosystem." At the core of this strategy is "On-device Compute", enabling low-latency, privacy-preserving, and personalized AI experiences. As Jason Liao emphasized, "On-device Compute is a cornerstone of OPPO's AI strategy, making AI a perceptible, real-time experience integrated into everyday usage." This shared vision underpins the deep collaboration between OPPO and MediaTek on flagship chip platforms, accelerating the transition of on-device AI from technical concept to scalable deployment.

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 platform, OPPO's self-developed on-device AI Translate and AI Portrait Glow now deliver performance comparable to cloud-based solutions. These features will soon roll out to OPPO Find X9 series through the upcoming ColorOS 16 software update.

The on-device AI Translate can run directly on the device, achieving an average 15% improvement in accuracy over conventional approaches while supporting seamless multilingual translation. It maintains stable output even without internet connectivity or under weak signal conditions, enabling reliable translation across diverse scenarios.

Meanwhile, on-device AI Portrait Glow enhances portraits captured in challenging lighting environments. By intelligently analyzing and reconstructing scene illumination, it improves results in dim or backlit conditions while maintaining natural rendering — all without network reliance. Demonstrations have showcased exceptional performance in both visual realism and adaptability to various scenes.

OPPO and MediaTek also unveiled a technology preview of Omni, the industry's first on-device full-modal AI model designed for multi-modal understanding and interaction. Supporting voice, video, and text inputs, Omni enables live scene understanding and interactive Q&A directly on a smartphone. This advancement strengthens on-device AI’s ability to perceive and interpret the physical world, laying the foundation for more proactive and natural human–computer interaction.

 

Demonstrating Ecosystem Integration and Innovation

The collaboration was further showcased in the interactive experience zone at the MediaTek booth, where attendees explored Find X9 Pro’s on-device AI capabilities alongside its telephoto imaging with the OPPO Hasselblad Teleconverter. Reno15 Pro was also featured, presenting creative AI imaging tools including AI Motion Photo Eraser, AI Motion Photo Popout, and the AI Flash Photography.

Coming soon, OPPO’s Find X9 series will bring Android™ Quick Share, enabled in close collaboration with MediaTek and Google. Without installing third-party applications, users can conveniently and securely transfer files between OPPO smartphones and iOS, iPadOS and macOS devices, improving cross-platform interoperability. The feature is expected to begin rolling out via software update starting in March.

At MWC 2026, OPPO Find X9 Pro was shortlisted for the "Best Smartphone" award at the GLOMO Awards, gaining recognition for its innovation across performance, imaging, and AI integration.

 

 Looking ahead, OPPO and MediaTek will continue strengthening collaboration in frontier areas such as on-device AI to advance user experience. Together, the two companies remain committed to delivering more powerful and reliable AI experiences to users worldwide.

* Google, Android and Quick Share are trademarks of Google LLC.

PBB Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0 Closes with a Historic Finale and a Big Collab Charity Mission

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The curtain has officially closed on Pinoy Big Brother (PBB): Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0, and the Big Night delivered everything fans hoped for—high-stakes challenges, emotional farewells, and the long-awaited reveal of this season’s Big Winners. 

From an intense live final task given by Big Brother to the emotional crowning moment, the historic finale marked another milestone collaboration between ABS-CBN and GMA Network. Powering this unforgettable season was Maya—the #1 Digital Bank in the Philippines and PBB’s official voting partner—giving Mayamayans the power to vote and Housemates the tools to turn their weekly wins into something bigger. 

Saving with Purpose: The Big Collab Charity Mission 

Throughout the season, Housemates faced the Save or Spend Challenge, deciding whether to enjoy small comforts like favorite meals or unli shower time—or choose to save more with Maya. 

Time and again, the Housemates chose to save with Maya. 

By placing their weekly earnings in Maya Savings and growing their funds with up to 15% interest p.a., their money didn’t just sit—it multiplied. Because of Maya’s high interest earnings, their savings steadily increased week after week, allowing them to maximize what they could give back. 

In the end, their commitment to saving resulted in a powerful milestone: ₱ 488,673.04 donated to the charities chosen by the Housemates. What started as weekly task rewards transformed into meaningful contributions that extended far beyond Bahay ni Kuya. 

A Historic Big Night 

Kapamilya housemate Lella Ford, “Ang Blooming Bunso ng Tacloban,” was named the Kapamilya Big Winner, while Kapuso housemate Caprice Cayetano, “Ang Demure Daughter ng Quezon City,” emerged as the Kapuso Big Winner during the highly anticipated Big Night. 

Meanwhile, Kapamilya housemate Krystal Mejes and Kapuso housemate Heath Jornales were named second big placers. Kapamilya housemate Joaquin Arce and Kapuso housemate Ashley Sarmiento clinched third place, while Kapamilya housemate Miguel Vergara and Kapuso housemate Princess Aaliyah placed fourth. 

It was a finale filled with pride, gratitude, and celebration—closing a season that proved collaboration, strategy, and smart choices can create real-world impact. 

The Season May Be Over, But the Saving Continues 

While PBB Celebrity Collab 2.0 has wrapped, Mayamayans can continue to grow their savings with Maya. By using Maya for everyday transactions and keeping funds in Maya Savings, users can earn up to 15% interest p.a.—turning daily moves into long-term wins. 

Because sometimes, the biggest victory is also making your money grow for something meaningful. 

 

Baguio blooms brighter as Jollibee spreads joy at Panagbenga 2026

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Baguio City came alive as Jollibee, the Philippines' no. 1 fastfood chain, joined the vibrant Panagbenga Festival, delighting locals and tourists alike with a spectacular float, campus treats, and exclusive promos that added extra cheer to the City of Pines’ annual flower celebration.

“Panagbenga shows Baguio at its most beautiful, and Jollibee is proud to fill it with joy,” said Dorothy Ching, vice president for marketing of Jollibee Philippines. “Whether it’s a float that amazes or treats that make every day special, our goal was simple, and that was to share joy with every person, everywhere.”

Building on its legacy of festival excellence, Jollibee participated in the large float competition with a spectacular floral masterpiece inspired by Cordilleran artistry. The float featured a miniature Stone Kingdom symbolizing the region’s creativity, a radiant cityscape in full bloom, a rotating Mines View observation deck showcasing Baguio’s scenic landscapes, and a giant Chickenjoy Bucket seemingly blossoming from a flower, capturing the festival’s playful and joyful spirit.

Jollibee also partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry to bring its BEE Earth’s Best Friend campaign to Benguet, promoting sustainable practices. Customers who opted not to use plastic utensils for take-out or drive-thru orders from February 27 to March 27 were rewarded with incentives for future visits. Music fans enjoyed a lively appearance from Jollibee and Friends at the Coke Studio Concert at Melvin Jones Football Grounds on February 27.

Festivalgoers are encouraged to share their Jollibee moments on social media using #JolliPanagbenga2026 for a chance to be featured on the brand’s official channels.

Craving more Jollibee treats and exclusives? Head to www.jollibee.com.ph for the latest updates, order your favorites at https://order.jollibee.com, and follow us on social media for more JOYful surprises!