Inclusive Employment Program.The Jollibee Group and the Pasig City Government inked a partnership for the implementation of the company’s inclusive employment program that will provide qualified senior citizens and persons with disability in Pasig with jobs at select stores of Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King in the city.
Recently, the Jollibee Group and the city government of Pasig, represented by Mayor Vico Sotto, signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the company’s inclusive employment program, which offers gainful employment to qualified senior citizens and people with disabilities (PWD) in a few Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King locations in Pasig.
Ruth Angeles, vice president of Jollibee Group, head of global organization leadership and culture, and head of human resources Philippines, claims that the company’s commitment to giving all members of society equal employment opportunities while fostering inclusivity and diversity in the workplace is congruent with the Pasig city government’s partnership.
“We are happy to support the local government unit of Pasig in advancing the interests of our elderly and the differently abled. Through this partnership, we recognize their invaluable role, capacity, and desire to work by giving them the opportunity to become productive members of the community,” Angeles added.
Under the agreement, Pasig City’s Public Employment Services Office (PESO) will assist in conducting initial interviews and profiling of the applicants, while the People with Disability Affairs Office and the Office of the Senior Citizen’s Affairs will provide trainers to assist and instruct qualified applicants prior to deployment.
It’s Time for Pasig. Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto personally welcomed the delegation from the Jollibee Group during the MOA Signing ceremonies held at the Pasig City Hall.
In the interim, the City Health Office will act as the authorized medical facility to perform health exams and provide certified “fit to work” certificates to eligible candidates. The chosen candidates will work in customer interactions and other “front of house” tasks.
In order to expand the program’s eligibility for older citizens and those with disabilities, Jollibee Group has partnered with the provincial governments of Rizal, Manila, Antipolo, and Muntinlupa in addition to Pasig City.
Partners for Promoting the Well-Being of Senior Citizens and PWDs. Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto is joined by the Jollibee Group delegation that includes operations team from the participating brands Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King.
“We aim to form partnerships with other LGUs in the future so we can help uplift more lives and find qualified and reliable staff who can join us in our mission of spreading the joy of eating to everyone,” Angeles said.
The Cebuana Lhuillier corporation, formerly known as Agencia Cebuana, has consistently offered convenience and comfort to Filipinos, particularly with regard to financial accessibility, since its founding in 1953. Over 70 years later, Cebuana Lhuillier is still well-known throughout the nation, having been the primary supplier of microfinancial services and had a significant impact on Filipino culture.
The organization has successfully changed the financial landscape and improved society access to financial products and services in various ways by running close to 3,500 branches around the country.
The organization has transcended conventional corporate limits throughout the years by deliberately positioning itself at the nexus of financial and social impact. A financial institution’s position has been altered as it adopts a multifarious mission that surpasses customary practices. Fundamentally, Cebuana Lhuillier views microfinance as a social purpose as opposed to a numbers-driven enterprise, helping Filipinos at every stage of their journey toward financial wellness.
Moreover, the company has also launched several[KJ5] corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and specialized projects that uplift Filipinos, the company has shown its deepest intentions of helping Filipinos in the many facets of life. Aside from pushing financial wellness, Cebuana Lhuillier also advocates for education and champion sports development.
“We purposely continue to develop new products and services that we know will help uplift lives of Filipinos. We believe that our market is capable of making smart financial decisions if provided access to good products. Aside from that, we also champion education and sports as we believe that these are good tools for people to improve their lives”, says Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier’s President and CEO.
A Proponent of Financial Wellness
According to statistics, the average C and D markets often undergo the different steps of financial wellness journey which starts from bridge financing to saving up, starting a business, getting insured, and learning how to invest. In its more than four decades of operations, Cebuana Lhuillier has evolved and introduced different products that cater to the needs of people in every step of their financial wellness journey.
The first one among these steps is bridge financing, which is something Cebuana Lhuillier has been long addressing through its pawning services. Aside from that, the company also offers loans, as well as money transfer products and services, to help Filipinos get funding that will get them through various scenarios.
The next step of financial wellness highlights the importance of saving up and a chance to safely store money. With this, the company launched the Micro Savings Account through Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, providing Filipinos an affordable and easy way to open an account and save money. Through this, Filipinos may open an account that doesn’t require a maintaining balance for as low as PHP 50 and with just one valid ID.
The next step is to open up a business, which is why Cebuana Lhuillier launched the KaNegosyo Center (KNC) which empowers MSMEs by helping them to start and grow their business. The company also offers Microbiz loans that can serve as capital for budding and existing business ventures.
For people with enough savings and for those who have their own business, there is an important need to be protected. This is where Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers (CLIB) and its products come in. The exceptional insurance products, such as ProtectMax which provides death benefits, accident or sickness emergency cash assistance, accidental dismemberment and/or disablement Benefit, among others for as low as PHP 50. Another remarkable offering is HealthMax[KJ6] , which has affordable offers that allows Filipinos between 15 and 65 years old to receive an annual maximum benefit of PHP 150,000 for emergency care and hospitalization in over 282 accredited hospitals nationwide.
The company also offers the Miners Protect for miners who were once considered uninsurable due to the risks that come with their job.
Lastly, Cebuana Lhuillier has also paved the way for affordable and valuable investment products that people can go for, especially for those who wish to attain a full circle moment in their financial wellness journey. The company has made it possible through the likes of Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry, Cebuana Lhuillier Gold, and even through the Atram partnership through the KNC which enables people to invest in stocks for as low as PHP 50.
Through such offerings, Cebuana Lhuillier has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to financial inclusion.
An Advocate of Education
More than just being an established name in the financial space, Cebuana Lhuillier also highlights the importance of education in Filipino lives. Through the Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc. (CLFI) and in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the company opened almost 150 Alternative Learning System (ALS) Centers nationwide with the goal of helping out-of-school youth and adults to complete their education, thus becoming the foundation’s biggest project.
The foundation achieves its goal by holding classes, workshops, and even symposiums. Cebuana Lhuillier’s program also extends its support to ALS programs of different schools by providing buildings, classrooms, and halls through donations. [KJ7]
What sets the Cebuana Lhuillier ALS program apart is that it secures every facility with the latest equipment. The foundation is also hands-on when it comes to the reproduction of reviewers and modules that their students will need. This makes the students under the Cebuana Lhuillier ALS program better equipped.
Aside from that, Cebuana Lhuillier’s ALS program also provides incentives to teachers, so that they can stay motivated to provide the best education for their students.
Over the years, Cebuana Lhuillier has also empowered dedicated students through its scholarship programs.
A Champion of Sports Development
Cebuana Lhuillier and its President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier has been supporting sports for more than four decades already, as he started with basketball with successful teams in the Metropolitan Basketball Association, Philippine Basketball League, and the PBA D League. Cebuana Lhuillier and Jean Henri were also at the forefront of the gold medal winning teams from 2003 to 2007.
But it is in softball and tennis that JHL has made the most impact on, until now. They are behind the very successful Philippine softball and tennis programs in the country, focusing both on national team support and grassroots development.
In tennis, Jean Henri Lhuillier was also instrumental in bringing top tennis superstars such as Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, among others to the country in 2014 to 2015 as co-owner and team manager of the Manila/Philippine Mavericks. [KJ8]
Cebuana Lhuillier and Jean Henri Lhuillier have been supporting the country’s top players for several years such as Cecil Mamiit, Treat Huey, Eric Taimo, Ruben Gonzales, Katharina Lehnert, and Francis Casey Alcantara among others. They have also organized close to 2000 age group tournaments all over the country for the past two decades. Until now, they are continuing this with Jean Henri as the president of the Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP).
As the eminent president of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL), Jean Henri and Cebuana Lhuillier have played a pivotal role in guaranteeing triumph in the global softball contests for both the RP Blu Girls and RP Blu Boys. In the last ten years, both teams have placed third on many occasions in Asian softball tournaments and won over ten gold medals in sea games. Their most successful year to date was 2023, when four teams qualified for and participated in the world cup. The Blu Girls and Blu Boys, ranked 14th overall in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) standings, were the highest-ranked Philippine sports teams in the world.
Growing to Be a Recurrent Part of Filipino Life
With its goal of improving the lives of Filipinos, Cebuana Lhuillier solidifies its place at the forefront of businesses who have made a commitment to changing the game. The organization commits to pursuing its goal of inspiring good change by offering a wide range of services, products, education programs, and sports initiatives that are matched with unshakable dedication.
baka almost four decades lang since Cebuana started in 1987 [KJ1]
mention agencia cebuana [KJ2]
financial access [KJ3]
financial wellness [KJ4]
Moreover… [KJ5]
basta emphasize na iba yung CSR initiatives kaysa sa company mission
provide descirptions for each offer [KJ6]
add miners protect for previously uninsured miners
add incentives to teachers for them to stay motivated and give their best for their students [KJ7]
Cebuana Lhuillier and Jean Henri Lhuillier remain dedicated to improving the quality of life for Filipinos by means of their significant educational endeavors. These programs, which place a strong emphasis on education, are a revolutionary step toward a better and more educated future for the Philippines.
Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc. (CLFI), through its corporate social responsibility arm, spearheads the effort with its Nationwide Scholarship Program, offering financial assistance to students who are academically outstanding but have limited resources. In addition to the yearly scholarship award, the program gives participants access to extra learning materials and learning events, as well as job prospects in PJ Lhuillier Inc. (PJLI), the parent business of Cebuana Lhuillier. Working with 14 universities around the nation, about 1,000 graduate scholars have been produced so far. In addition to providing opportunities for the scholars, this has a cascading effect as they use education to raise the status of others.
Another of its initiatives is the Alternative Learning Program, which addresses the needs of out-of-school youth and adult learners across the Philippines. These ALS community learning centers (ALS-CLCs) empower individuals to complete basic education, transforming them into competent and productive members of society. Since it was established in 2013, 155 ALS-CLCs have been built across 70 provinces, reaching almost 60,000 ALS learners.
“I have always been a staunch advocate for education. At Cebuana Lhuillier, it is our firm belief that the journey of learning holds the key to transformative change, shaping destinies and creating a profound impact on individuals. Through our initiatives and programs, we strive to improve lives and contribute to the growth of a country built on the foundations of knowledge and empowerment,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.
A shining example of success is Atty. Pia Faustino, a Ka-Cebuana who has been with the company for over 20 years now. Faustino was a CLFI scholar during her undergraduate years. Upon completing her degree, she received a job offer as the Administrative Assistant in the Legal Services Group (LSG) of PJLI. It was within this role that she discovered her passion for law, and with the unwavering support of her colleagues and bosses, she decided to pursue further studies.
Embracing the challenge, Faustino embarked on her remarkable journey through law school and in 2023, her dedication and hard work culminated in passing the Bar, earning her esteemed title of a lawyer.
“I’m very grateful to the Lhuillier family and all LSG Group Heads. Everyone has been so supportive, even my colleagues. Just last year, I passed the bar. Law school was not a walk in the park, I had my ups and downs, but I was determined to finish it and to pass the bar. Now, just fresh from passing the bar, I still crave learning and opportunities. I hope and pray to become a good lawyer,” said Faustino.
The journey of Faustino from scholarship recipient to successful lawyer is a prime example of the transforming power of educational support and the growth prospects offered by Cebuana Lhuillier and Jean Henri Lhuillier.
Beyond the programs themselves, Cebuana and Jean Henri Lhuillier’s aim for educational empowerment is reflected in their continued leadership of significant initiatives. It is evident in the lives it has transformed, the communities it has strengthened, and the hope it holds for the Filipino people’s future.
Win amazing prizes, witness epic performances, and enjoy fun activities with the #CokeZeroExcuses promo
Now that 2024 has arrived, there’s never been a better moment to seize fresh chances and make resolutions or goals! With the #CokeZeroExcuses Promo, Coca-Cola Philippines is giving Filipinos the chance to participate and win exciting prizes, among other things.
There’s more to the #CokeZeroExcuses Promo than just a clever hashtag. This is your opportunity to stop dreaming and start acting by proving to both the outside world and to yourself that you are capable of standing up for what you believe in and achieving your goals. People “manifesting” their aspirations on social media are a buzz, bringing their wishes to life via positive thought and deeds. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar supports this movement and invites you to follow suit as we work to promote a sense of accomplishment, self-expression, and self-discovery in 2024.
Opening a bottle or can of Coke Zero Sugar is all it takes to take part in the #CokeZeroExcuses promotion! Just share a 15-second video or picture of your 2024 objectives along with a Coke Zero Sugar product. Using the official hashtag #CokeZeroExcuses, write your 2024 goals in the caption and tag @cocacolaph on Facebook or Instagram. Please remember to publish your post publicly. The best part is that you could win any of the thrilling prizes up for grabs:
Weekly Minor Prizes:
PHP 5,000 GCash Credits
Polaroid Camera (Fujifilm Instax Mini 12)
Fitness Watch (Oppo Band B1)
Major prizes:
PHP 100,000 Gcash Credits
iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB)
The promo runs from January 8 to March 24, 2024, 11:59 P.M. Hurry and don’t miss out on the amazing prizes up for grabs with the #CokeZeroExcuses Promo! Check this link to see the full promo mechanics: https://cokeurl.com/CokeZeroExcusesPromo.
The excitement doesn’t stop online! Coke Zero Sugar is taking over 2024, starting with a bang at the Bonifacio High Street Activity Center. On select dates in January, people can enjoy epic performances, thrilling activities, and the chance to win epic prizes. And get ready, because Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and star Julie Anne San Jose are coming your way on January 27!
We kicked off this series of immersive experiences with Kyle Echarri and Darren Espanto last January 13-14. The two amazing artists serenaded fans with the hottest songs while bopping to the coolest dance moves! Kyle sang his song Dyosa, and Darren performed and invited fans to dance to the tune of his hit Bibitaw Na. The two artists also shared their manifestations for 2024 with Kyle saying that he is manifesting “for a good year this year and more music,” while Darren manifested “Zero Excuses to have a more positive mindset.”
Together with Mark Dee, Senior Marketing Director, Coca-Cola Philippines, Kyle and Darren led the #CokeZeroExcuses toast to manifest for the best 2024!
Don’t let the action pass you by. Follow along for all the surprises coming ahead in the #CokeZeroExcuses campaign.
Let’s tackle 2024 together, full of potential and no justifications! Follow Coca-Cola’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts to get updated on the #CokeZeroExcuses promotion.
This new title honors innovative circularity solutions that exhibit creativity, significant value and impact, and scale maturity. An impartial group of specialists from business, academia, and public life chose the new lighthouses.
Schneider Electric was recognized by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey for its end-to-end circular approach across a broad portfolio of its energy and building automation solutions. Through eco- design, waste-to-resources sites, and a global network of refurbishment centers, Schneider Electric hasavoided approximately 513 million tons of CO2 to customers since 2017.
The company also uses 27% green materials across its products with the ambition to reach 50% by 2025. 22% of Schneider Electric’s product families have a circularity option, and more than half of Schneider Electric’s manufacturing sites recover more than 99% of waste.
“Circular business models offer compelling sustainability and commercial benefits,” said Peter Herweck, Schneider Electric’s Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to the opportunities this new Circularity Lighthouse network offers to learn, share, and accelerate action.”
One example is how Schneider Electric gives its MasterPact MTZ circuit breakers a second life. Refurbished at the MasterTech plant in France, these circuit breakers are collected from customers at the end of life, disassembled, diagnosed, upgraded and tested before being put back on the market.
At the recent World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Herweck also urged that greater deployment of existing technologies is needed to keep climate change from spiraling out of control.
“With energy accounting for 80% of carbon emissions, the energy transition is central to decarbonization. The potential of AI is currently capturing everyone’s attention. But let’s not forget that existing technologies – both renewable energy generation and digital and electrification tools that lower energy demand by rendering sites and operations far more energy efficient – can sharply reduce emissions now. There’s no time to wait for tomorrow’s solutions when much more can be achieved with what we have today,” he added.
IMPACT Supply Chain Program
Schneider Electric’s IMPACT Supply Chain program includes supply chain design and circular business concepts. This is the next phase of the company’s supply chain transformation, with the goal of improving the environment and customer experience. Key pillars of it are:
People – Schneider’s people are empowered to innovate and make a positive impact for customers every day.
Planet – Schneider Electric is building a sustainable, responsible, and net-zero ready supply chain.
Performance – Schneider Electric drives performance through advanced technology, smart and unified processes, regional ecosystems, and collaborative design.
Manulife today launched a new multi-year collaboration with UpLink, the open innovation platform of the World Economic Forum (WEF), aimed at influencing longevity innovation investment and future directions. The biennial Manulife-powered Global Longevity Innovation Challenges, organized by UpLink, will be part of the three-year agreement. Manulife will additionally back WEF’s wider initiatives aimed at tackling the financial and demographic issues associated with the world’s ageing population in order to assist more people live longer, healthier lives.
“Around the world, people are living longer, but not necessarily healthier,” said Roy Gori, President and CEO of Manulife. “One-fifth of an individual’s life, on average, is now expected to be lived with morbidity or in a state of illness. Solving this longevity crisis will require a comprehensive approach to promoting healthier lifestyles, addressing socio-economic inequalities, and investing in new research and technologies. By working across sectors and with partners like the World Economic Forum, we can focus on driving the longevity economy for the future of society’s health and well-being.”
The UpLink challenges, driven by Manulife, will foster an ecosystem of entrepreneurs that can expedite longevity solutions centered around well-being, health, and finances. Significantly, the program will be implemented at Manulife’s worldwide headquarters in Asia, the United States, and Canada as the business strives to use place-based solutions to promote global transformation.
“This collaboration will drive innovation in the retirement ecosystem, offering financial solutions and policy recommendations for a resilient, equitable, and sustainable extended life,” said Olivier Schwab, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. “By combining Manulife’s expertise, UpLink’s commitment to elevating early-stage impact entrepreneurs, and the work of the Forum’s Centre for Financial and Monetary Systems, this initiative will play a pivotal role in promoting healthy aging and enhanced living standards throughout the world.”
With the goal of promoting nature-based solutions to climate change in two important areas, Manulife and WEF’s UpLink will collaborate to host innovation challenges in 2023, which will be built upon by this multi-year commitment.
While the second revealed innovations meant to strengthen the link between planetary and human health, the first concentrated on finding novel solutions throughout the whole sustainable forestry value chain. The challenge winners included 21 ecopreneurial start-ups offering creative and scalable models for sustainable forest management, among others, here is further information on the program.
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).
Find out who among the young future champs made it.
The top motorcycle manufacturer in the nation, Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), acknowledged the gifted racers who emerged from the most recent Honda Pilipinas Dream Cup (HPDC) tryouts. The purpose of the event, which took place on November 18, was to assist HPI in identifying and eventually developing the next wave of motorcycle racing talent.
Eighteen hopeful motorcycle racers took part in this round of tryouts, which was conducted at the Carmona Racing Circuit in Cavite. Each rider demonstrated their abilities on the CBR150R race bikes.
Below are the 12 outstanding riders who made it during the tryout:
*In alphabetical order
All 18 participants were officially recognized at a special ceremony at the Honda Safety Driving School Center in Paranaque. The 12 will then participate in Honda’s “Road to Champion” racing campaign for 2024, where they will take part in upcoming domestic and international races.
Honda Pilipinas Dream Cup TryOut participants together with HPI Riders, Mr. Alfonsi Daquigan and Mr. Jakob Sablaya.
HPI President Ms. Sayaka Arai emphasizes that “We will continue to support the dreams of these young riders that one day there will be a Honda Filipino rider who push themselves and accepts the challenges and be the next rider aiming to be on the Road to Champion. Again, to all young riders, make the most of your passion and challenge yourself to achieve your dreams.”
Thanks to HPI’s frequent racing events organized both domestically and overseas, this is made feasible. The corporation found and helped promote talented racers who had shown themselves, including Mr. Jakob Sablaya and Mr. Alfonsi Daquigan, through this domestic competition.
HPI Vice President for MC Office and SCM Division Mr. Jomel Jerezo added that “HPI are overwhelmed that many young Filipino riders are dreaming to become world-class racers.Again, to all young riders, make the most of your passion and challenge yourself to achieve your dreams.”
To learn more, go to www.hondaph.com. Follow Honda Philippines, Inc. on Facebook (facebook.com/hondaph), Instagram (instagram.com/hondaph_mc/), YouTube (HondaPhilippines_Motorcycle), and Tiktok (tiktok.com/@hondaphilippines) to stay up to date on the company’s newest offerings. You can also reach them by calling (02)-8581-6700 to 6799 and 0917-884-6632.
Interested students may apply until March 1, 2024.
The Ajinomoto Postgraduate Scholarship Grant for 2025 is now available to Filipinos who wish to study abroad in Japan. The program’s goal is to assist worthy people who need financial aid in order to continue their postgraduate studies in human nutrition and food technology. Applications must be submitted by March 1, 2024.
A complete scholarship to study for a master’s degree at any of the following esteemed Japanese universities: Waseda University, Ochanomizu University, Institute of Science Tokyo, University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Nagoya University, and Kagawa Nutrition University.
“The annual scholarship program is Ajinomoto’s way of giving back to empower the future of food technology and nutrition in the Philippines,” says Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) General Manager of Corporate Planning and Public Relations Roann Co.
The candidate’s examination, admission and tuition costs, psychological and medical evaluations, Japanese language instruction, flights, and monthly stipend will all be covered by the scholarship award.
“I am very happy and thankful for this rare opportunity to study with a full scholarship in one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The Ajinomoto Foundation and Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation has always been consistent in providing me prompt support and guidance. This does not only provide me academic privileges but also allows me to learn new cultures, enjoy good food and make new friends,” shared 2023 awardee Johndel Obra who is currently taking Masters in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Tokyo.
As screening process, the grant requires applicants to have excellent academic records – a graduate or expecting to graduate within the top 5% of their class or with a grade point (GPA) of 3.7 or higher. In return, the chosen scholar is sure to gain a lot from the program in terms of academics as well as life experiences.
“When I was awarded with the 2022 Ajinomoto scholarship, I was very excited because Japan was my dream country to visit. Aside from its advanced technology and innovative research, I found a very welcoming and warm country that felt like a second home to me. The scholarship enabled me to be fully equipped in pursuing my current doctoral research program,” shared Ann Elaine Wagan, a BS Nutrition graduate and the 2022 Ajinomoto Scholarship Awardee now taking up PhD on Applied Biosciences at Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University.
One of Ajinomoto’s main initiatives to improve food science education is the annual scholarship program. The company wants to help people all around the world become more healthy. According to Co., “APC hopes to use the grant to further address food and health issues in the Philippines through innovations led by its passionate scholars.”
Leveraging modern technology to empower Filipinos to reach their financial aspirations through insurance and investments
Manulife Philippines is responding to the dynamic movement in Filipino consumer behavior toward digital solutions by speeding up its digitization efforts to fulfill the growing demand for investment and insurance services. According to a recent Manulife study, the Filipino house has developed into a central location for all digital activity. As seen by the fact that 82% of Filipinos polled use finance apps for cashless transactions, investments, and insurance, there is a rising recognition of the security and convenience that digital financial platforms provide.
Simplified and more intuitive insurance processes
Manulife Philippines has unveiled a range of digital services aimed at streamlining the insurance buying and claims handling process for its clientele. The company wants to make insurance more accessible, user-friendly, and relevant for modern Filipinos. It does this by utilizing platforms like Manulife Online, which was voted the top self-service online platform in the insurance industry, and its mobile version, the Manulife Online Mobile app, which is available on the App Store and Google Play; and Manulife Shop, its digital platform that lets Filipinos buy reasonably priced insurance products online at their convenience.
These initiatives support Manulife’s existing efforts to fully digitalize its customer journey, helping them learn about insurance products and customizing them based on their individual goals, so they can understand more complex insurance products and their suitability for personal financial goals.
Ivan Buenaventura
Ivan Buenaventura, Chief Information Officer, Manulife Philippines, shared: “Grounded by our commitment to becoming our industry’s most digital, customer-centric global company, our digital services at Manulife are focused on addressing the most common pain points related to insurance, such as information access, financial literacy, affordability, and ease of use. We believe that with our continuous efforts at digital transformation, we are making insurance more accessible, intuitive, inclusive, and convenient, providing our customers the best experience and guidance they deserve.”
Sound financial planning amid enhanced investment opportunities in the digital age
Paul Lu
According to Paul Lu, Head of Wealth Solutions, Manulife Investment Management Philippines, the company has been attracting a growing number of investors in its diverse range of unit investment trust funds (UITFs), especially among Filipino millennials and Gen Zs. “Since the onset of the pandemic, the total number of our millennial and Gen Z clients has more than doubled, accounting for more than half of our client base. Based on our study, the pandemic fast-tracked their financial transformation, particularly because some of them lost their jobs or experienced reductions in their total family income as a result of the economic disruptions. This caused shifts in their behavior that emphasize the importance of saving, investing, and prioritizing necessities.”
However, Lu is quick to note that first-time investors must start with a sound financial plan with clear investment goals and a thorough assessment of their risk appetite. “It is tempting to jump headfirst into the world of investing, but having a plan that is aligned with your investment goals and risk appetite will help you make more informed investment decisions and enable you to take full advantage of different investment options. This can be done with a trusted financial professional who can personally guide you,” Lu said.
Manulife Investment Management Philippines empowers investors to begin their investment journey by providing them affordable access to its distinctive selection of UITFs via Manulife iFUNDS, its easy-to-use and secure digital investment platform. The company’s certified UITF salespersons can help facilitate investors’ choices considering their unique goals, needs and risk appetites.
Online platforms have been instrumental in broadening financial awareness on reliable investment strategies such as long-term investments and diversification. Against this backdrop, Manulife Investment Management Philippines has made it easy for investors to diversify their investments through its UITFs that invest in both local and global securities. Through Manulife iFUNDS, investors can explore different investment options, schedule regular investments or top-ups via the Regular Savings Plan (RSP), and manage their UITF investments on-the-go with a few taps.
“While there is a perception that young Filipinos are chasing the fastest returns, we are more hopeful on the improving trends seen in investor education. Our study revealed that many Filipino millennials and Gen Zs are keen to learn more about investing, giving us the opportunity to educate them further on the important role that UITFs can serve in creating a sound financial plan even during periods of high market volatility. Although market volatility is an inherent element of financial markets, history shows that investing regularly can potentially reap better results over time. Moreover, there are investment options available for investors who prefer a stable holding facility for their surplus cash while planning for their next move,” Lu added.
Investors can invest in Manulife Investment Management Philippines’ UITFs for as low as PHP1,000 or USD100 via Manulife iFUNDS.
Empowering employees and financial advisors with digital tools
To further empower Manulife’s teams in embracing digital transformation to help achieve its business goals, the company has also continued accelerating its Drive to Cloud initiative, a comprehensive digital transformation project that targets migration of all its corporate technology assets to the cloud by end of 2024. The initiative prioritizes quicker time-to-market, scalability, increased reliability, enhanced performance, and operational cost-efficiency. This will help strengthen the company’s security and possible disruptions, risks, and cyberthreats brought by future innovations by ensuring preparedness and risk mitigation. Integrating AI-powered employee enablement tools in its daily functions, Manulife aims to further explore ways on how to boost efficiency and productivity as well as streamline overall operations.
“We stay at the forefront of technological advancements such as AI, cloud computing, and mobile technologies to enable our distribution teams in their sales activities,” Buenaventura added. “These technologies serve as great partners to equip and empower our agency force to thrive and stay true to our commitment to customers amid a fast-paced business environment and hyper-digitalized market.”
The continuous enhancements of its established platforms like the Electronic Point of Sale System (ePOS), an agent digital portal, a sales performance and activity tracking tool, and customer needs analysis tools also provide its financial advisors with centralized platforms that help them engage with customers better, understand their needs, propose tailor-fit solutions, optimize strategies, and facilitate sales with much ease and convenience.
Manulife Philippines’ cybersecurity staff are taking proactive measures to safeguard customer data by conducting frequent training, security assessments, and application testing in addition to these activities.
Go to https://www.manulife.com.ph/ to find out more about the insurance options offered by Manulife Philippines. Go to https://manulifeim.com.ph to learn more about Manulife Investment Management Philippines’ top investment option for your financial objectives.
In 2022, a family of four cat owners made the decision to create an online platform so that every Filipino home could have access to premium lifestyle, home care, and pet care products. Motivated by their enthusiasm for business and their love for their kitties, the family wanted Mo & Bear PH to be the place where you go to find high-quality goods that support sustainability, wellness, and health.
“We wanted to build a network of manufacturers, suppliers and distributors whose products and services meet our standards of quality, safety and value,” shared Bernard C. Suiza, President of Azius Ventures Corporation, at their brand and product launch held at Yebisu Ramen Daang Hari in Bacoor, Cavite.
Purr Delight, a line of wet cat food manufactured by Mo & Bear PH, is available in two flavors: tuna in jelly and tuna in moringa. This is the first wet cat food with moringa included in the nation.
When compared to other brands on the market, Purr Delight is a healthier choice because it is made with real tuna flakes and doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or extenders. It is locally made, responsibly sourced, and has the Bureau of Animal Industry’s certification. Most importantly, though, is that cats have tested and approved this medicine.
Happy Life Organics is another distinctly Filipino brand that is distributed by Mo & Bear PH. Happy Life Waterless Shampoo, Happy Life Hand Gel Sanitizer, Happy Life Shampoo and Conditioner, Happy Life Pet Neem Soap, and many more items are available from Happy Life. Their broad variety of items are all-natural and eco-friendly, making them a fantastic fit for the platform.
Mo & Bear also carries Archies footwear, the world’s “comfiest” flip-flops. Designed by physical therapist Daniel Jones, Archies Arch Support Thongs feature a built-in patented arch support made of a specialized memory foam footbed that cradles and molds to your feet. So now your traditional flip-flops can give you all the benefits of orthotic footwear.
“We are committed to quality and customer satisfaction. Every item is handpicked, tested and vetted to guarantee its quality and reliability,” Bernard Suiza said.
Daughter Trish Suiza emphasized, “All of the products that we put on the platform are products we are excited to use ourselves.”
