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Healthy ways to control your diabetes
In 2020, deaths due to Type 2 diabetes mellitus or adult diabetes ranked fourth at 37,265 after heart disease (99,680), cancer (62,289), and cerebrovascular diseases (59,736), as revealed by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.

Diabetes has been a bitter pill to swallow, particularly for countries affected by the rising number of cases every year. In 2019, approximately 463 million adults (20-79 years) were living with this chronic metabolic disease, characterized by an increase in blood sugar levels; by 2045, this will rise to 700 million, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
A similar trend is also happening in the Philippines. In 2020, deaths due to Type 2 diabetes mellitus or adult diabetes ranked fourth at 37,265 after heart disease (99,680), cancer (62,289), and cerebrovascular diseases (59,736), as revealed by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.
However, having diabetes does not mean you can never have a healthy, everyday life.
Working closely with your doctor can help you manage diabetes, and you can also start focusing on some critical changes in your daily life. Here are some ways to manage your blood sugar levels, as listed by the Department of Health (DOH).
Keep yourself active. Despite being inside your home most of the time due to existing lockdowns and community quarantines, staying active is crucial to help control your blood sugar levels. A little cardio can be a big help, no need to push yourself to do hardcore workouts.
Workout at least three times a week for at least 30 minutes each session. Not only can it help you bring down your blood sugar levels, but it can also help you lose some extra pounds, increase your endorphins (happy hormones) and ease stress.
Manage your stress. Getting stressed when you have diabetes will do you no good. When you’re stressed, your blood sugar levels go up. That is why it pays to relieve your stress by doing hobbies that relax you and doing some breathing exercises or yoga.
Quit Smoking. Smoking is harmful to your health, especially if you have diabetes. In addition, it may trigger other health problems, such as heart disease, eye disease, stroke, and kidney disease. Smoking also can make it harder to exercise. If you’re a smoker, consult with your doctor about the ways to quit.
Maintain normal blood pressure. Since hypertension puts a person at high risk of cardiovascular disease, primarily associated with diabetes, reliable blood pressure monitoring and control is highly advised. Seek your doctor’s advice on proper management.
Eat healthy. Eating healthy food is crucial when you have diabetes. Do not skip or delay meals since it causes fluctuations in blood sugar levels. It also pays to eat more fiber-rich foods like vegetables and cut down on salt. Drinking alcohol, on the other hand, must be avoided. Dietary guidelines recommend no more than two drinks for men and not more than one drink per day for women.
‘Eating Sweets? Still Possible’
When it comes to eating sweets, it is advised to avoid simple sugars like cakes and chocolates. But it does not mean that you can’t let anything sweet pass your lips again. Instead, have complex carbohydrates like rice, pasta, cereals, and fresh fruits.
You can use some alternative sweeteners now available in nearby drugstores nationwide. For instance, Santé, a premier natural and organic health and wellness product and services provider, offers Sweet Via, a sweetener from a natural source with amazing health benefits.
Sweet Via is made with stevia, a natural substitute for sugar, derived from the leaves of a small perennial green shrub. Anyone who suffers from blood sugar disorders or who needs to limit their caloric intake should know about the remarkable properties of stevia. It is an accepted sugar substitute that can contribute to weight management and improved caloric control.[1]
Aside from stevia, Sweet Via contains Inulin, a natural soluble dietary fiber from a chicory plant that promotes digestive health. It acts as food for good bacteria in the colon. Studies also suggest that Inulin aids in keeping blood sugar levels low.[2]
Free from artificial additives, Sweet Via turns sweets into a treat without the guilt. It is also a perfect sweetener for not only for people with diabetes but also perfect for weight watchers and those who want to cut down on their sugar or calorie intake.
Sweet Via is now available in leading drugstores nationwide and online shopping platforms, such as Shopee and Lazada. This product comes in a box containing 10 sachets. Each sachet contains 1g of the sweetener, equivalent to 2 teaspoons of sugar. It instantly sweetens any beverage and food recipe minus the guilt and harmful effects of too much sugar.
This product is just one of the many other organic health and wellness products offered by Santé, known for developing a comprehensive selection of everyday barley-based products. They are designed to improve people’s quality of life so they can live more and do more.
To learn more about Santé, visit its website at santebarley.com.
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Manulife Wealth and Asset Management appoints Fabio Fontainha as Head of Asia
Fabio will be a member of the Manulife WAM leadership team and Manulife’s Global Leadership Team (GLT). He will be based in Hong Kong and report to Paul Lorentz and will also have accountability into Phil Witherington, President and CEO, Manulife Asia.

Manulife Wealth and Asset Management (Manulife WAM), the global wealth and asset management business of Manulife that brings investment solutions to institutional, retirement, and retail customers across the globe, has announced Fabio Fontainha as its new Head of Wealth & Asset Management, Asia, effective February 2025. Fabio succeeds Michael Dommermuth, who is leaving the firm at the end of the year.
“We are excited for Fabio to build on the momentum that has been growing for Manulife Wealth and Asset Management in Asia as we look to provide wealth and investment solutions to even more investors. We believe his expertise in key areas of focus for our business will make his transition into the role feel tangible almost immediately,” said Paul Lorentz, President and CEO, Manulife Wealth and Asset Management. “We are also appreciative of Michael’s commitment to our firm and the impact he has had on our expansion in multiple markets over more than two decades, ranging from multiple emerging Asia markets including India, as well as the conversion of our joint venture in China into a wholly-owned entity in Manulife Fund Management. We are grateful for his leadership that has provided broader capabilities to our clients across Asia.”
Fabio will be a member of the Manulife WAM leadership team and Manulife’s Global Leadership Team (GLT). He will be based in Hong Kong and report to Paul Lorentz and will also have accountability into Phil Witherington, President and CEO, Manulife Asia.
Fabio will collaborate closely with all country and regional heads, chief investment officers, and global product teams to deliver investment capabilities for the region. He will also drive Manulife WAM’s strategic growth plans locally and provide local oversight to the retail, retirement and institutional businesses, partner closely with local functional heads, and serve as a touch point for teams working on strategic initiatives throughout Asia.
Fabio was previously at Citigroup where he had an extensive career spanning more than three decades including experience with consumer and private wealth, as well as retail markets. He has also lived and worked in Tokyo, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur during this time. He most recently served as Global Business Execution Head – Citi Private Bank. Throughout his career he has managed global, regional, and local businesses in Asia, Latin America, Europe, the United States, and the Middle East with various mandates including Head of Retail Banking for Citi across APAC (Asia Pacific) and EMEA (Europe Middle East Africa).
“I’m delighted to be joining Manulife WAM at a significant inflection point in their business. I have been privileged to see the expansion and growth in Asia throughout my career and admire the progress and the commitment Manulife WAM has made to serve its clients in the region,” said Fabio. “I am looking forward to bringing my knowledge and expertise to this role and help to meet the goals of our institutional, retail and retirement clients.”
Manulife WAM believes its business will see additional organic growth opportunities as a result of prevalent global megatrends including the retirement savings gap, increased longevity and the need for individuals to prepare for potentially spending additional years – or even decades – in retirement compared to previous generations, and the anticipated demand from both the middle class and high net-worth populations who are seeking additional solutions to save and invest and new strategies to diversify their portfolios.
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PhilCare members can now access Healthway’s full-service offerings
This development comes on the heels of a recent partnership that allows PhilCare members to receive leading-edge, holistic, and affordable cancer treatment via the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH).

PhilCare, one of the country’s top HMO providers, has entered into a partnership with Healthway Multi-Specialty Centers (HMC), the clinic arm of Healthway Medical Network (HMN), to provide its members access to their full suite of services, from diagnostics to primary care.
This development comes on the heels of a recent partnership that allows PhilCare members to receive leading-edge, holistic, and affordable cancer treatment via the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH).
“We are excited to be joining forces with PhilCare as they are aligned with our entire care continuum model that starts from screening, diagnosis, and treatment, all the way to post-recovery. We’re happy that their members can now access our multi-specialty clinics and hospitals located all over the Philippines,” said Mr. Jaime Ysmael, Healthway Medical Network President and CEO.
“Our Healthway Multi-Specialty Centers are very eager to develop special programs and packages for PhilCare members, as well as to deliver high-quality care to them in the most efficient way possible. I am certain that the partnership will expand to other exciting mutually beneficial initiatives,” Mr. Ysmael continued.
According to PhilCare Executive Vice President for Operations Raymond Tiangco, the partnership is a testament to the alignment of the goals, mission, and vision of PhilCare and Healthway Medical Network, through its Multi-Speciatly Centers, to provide quality care to the Filipinos – and this sets his company apart from the rest of the market.
“Unlike other HMOs that are putting up their own clinics, PhilCare has a different plan,” he added. “We intend to partner with experts. And there is no more premium brand than Healthway when it comes to delivering healthcare services.”
Healthway Multi-Specialty Centers COO Edwin Magsino said that HMC is happy to become the go-to provider of PhilCare members for essential healthcare needs. He is confident that the partnership will satisfy the needs of many people—from their entry to the clinic all the way to their availment of HMC services.
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Watson boosts global expansion, unveils 16,800th store worldwide
This store was opened in Rotterdam, marking a remarkable milestone in AS Watson’s ongoing expansion and its commitment to delivering a seamless and exceptional O+O (Offline plus Online) customer experience.

As Watson, the parent company of Watsons Philippines, announced the grand opening of its 16,800th store worldwide, further consolidating its position as the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, with a portfolio of 12 brands operating across 29 markets. This store was opened in Rotterdam, marking a remarkable milestone in AS Watson’s ongoing expansion and its commitment to delivering a seamless and exceptional O+O (Offline plus Online) customer experience.
Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson, expressed her excitement at the store opening ceremony, “The opening of our 16,800th store represents more than our growth as a company – it symbolises our commitment to serving the communities worldwide. With every store we open, we create jobs, foster customer relationships, and build lasting trust.”
“16,800 is a number with special meaning in Chinese culture. The number 6 symbolises ‘everything goes smoothly’ while 8 represents ‘good fortune’. We embrace the special meaning of this milestone and look forward to a future of lasting success and prosperity, not only for our business growth but also in extending these best wishes for a brighter future for the world during this festive Christmas season,” Malina added.
Commitment to Continuous Growth
Ed van de Weerd, CEO of AS Watson Benelux, remarked, “We’re honoured that AS Watson’s 16,800th store worldwide opens in vibrant Rotterdam, demonstrating AS Watson’s steadfast commitment to growth in the Benelux region and globally. As the No. 1 health and beauty retailer in the Netherlands, Kruidvat serves its customers with nearly 1,000 O+O stores and over 24,000 passionate colleagues and has become an integral part of many Dutch people’s lives.”
The brand-new store will serve over 11,000 customers every week. As one of the largest Kruidvat stores, it spans over 770 square meters and is designed to enhance O+O shopping experience with clear in-store navigation. The store offers an extensive assortment of over 36,000 products, making it the largest selection among all Kruidvat stores.
Watsons Philippines operates in over 1,100 stores nationwide, reflecting its commitment to bringing health, wellness, and beauty closer to every Filipino. Enhancing this experience is the Watsons app, which provides customers access to exclusive deals, personalized recommendations, and convenient services such as Click & Collect and home delivery.
Looking ahead, AS Watson remains committed to innovation and excellence in customer experience, and will continue its growth journey with the purpose of putting a smile on the customers’ faces today and tomorrow.
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