Product Showcase
‘Manulife Stories’ video series launched
In this three-episode series, Manulife customers Peach Abella, Mark David, KL Fernando, Marielle Malaga, Yvonne Reyes, and Manulife brand ambassador and policyholder Anne Curtis share their personal stories of resilience and how investing in themselves paid off over time.

Manulife Philippines proudly presents “Manulife Stories,” a video series that celebrates the achievements of realized dreams and the challenges overcome to reach them. This campaign reinforces Manulife’s new brand strategy and global tagline, “Where will better take you.”
In this three-episode series, Manulife customers Peach Abella, Mark David, KL Fernando, Marielle Malaga, Yvonne Reyes, and Manulife brand ambassador and policyholder Anne Curtis share their personal stories of resilience and how investing in themselves paid off over time.
“At the core of every insurance policy is a very human story. No matter the situation, we want our customers to feel supported and know we are looking after their dreams and those of their families,” said Sonali Verma, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Philippines.
“It is heartwarming to hear our customers talk about how the Manulife team gave them the support and encouragement when they needed it most. Through ‘Manulife Stories,’ we hope to inspire more Filipinos to take proactive steps toward their financial security, knowing that Manulife will be their trusted partner in securing a better future.”
The joys and tears of motherhood
When KL purchased her first Manulife policy, she never imagined its living benefits would play a crucial role in helping her and her husband start a family.
“My husband and I have been married for 14 years. We always wanted to have a baby. We tried everything and in vitro fertilization (IVF) was our last hope. I asked my financial advisor if I could withdraw from my policy to help pay for the procedure. She said yes and helped me with the whole process. A few months after, we had our son, Pedro,” KL shared.
Like KL, Anne Curtis credits her early financial planning for helping her better manage her pregnancy with her daughter Dahlia during the pandemic.
“Everyone was in lockdown, it was a scary feeling. Lalo na I wasn’t working na so may fear of, “paano ‘to?” Of course, I had my husband to help me through it and I had that security also of the insurance that I had in case anything would happen to me. That’s why sobra akong saya (I’m so happy) that at an early age, I decided to prepare. I feel that Manulife has helped me feel assured. From being a single person who loved to travel, now I’m prepared for my own family,” Anne said.
Legacies that save a child’s future
Losing a loved one is destabilizing and it comes with financial and emotional challenges that some families may not be fully prepared to handle. Two families share how their lives were made more secure in the long term with a proactive insurance plan.
Yvonne lost her husband when she was 30, leaving her a grieving single parent to a young daughter. Thanks to her Manulife insurance plan, Yvonne was able to put her daughter through nursing school. “That was when I realized, maybe there was a reason I had to get and keep that plan. Now, as a single parent, I can use the benefit payouts for my daughter’s tuition,” Yvonne shared.
Similarly, Marielle thought she would have to put her dreams of becoming a healthcare professional on hold to financially support her family, spending a month looking after her hospitalized mother. But, in Marielle’s words, she “luckily didn’t have to make that choice” after all. “The money from three combined (Manulife) policies was enough to help pay for her (stay in the) ICU, for the medical expenses, and allowed me to continue (studying) medicine,” Marielle said.
Providing for unique needs
Securing insurance for those with pre-existing conditions, can be challenging. Peach, who is HIV-positive, and Mark, who cares for his son with autism, intellectual development delay, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), found hope with Manulife.
“We weren’t able to find that security. Alam kong, hindi kaya [ng anak ko] na siya lang (I know that my son can’t do it on his own),” Mark shared. “He’s already disadvantaged. We want to give him every opportunity, everything that we can give him,” he added.
Filled with determination to financially secure themselves and their loved ones, both Mark and Peach found Manulife financial advisors who collaboratively worked with them to find the right insurance plan and became a good friend to them.
“Siya po yung tumulong, at siya ang rason, kung bakit ako may insurance policy. Hindi ko pababayaan. Sobrang thankful ko na secured na ako ngayon,” Peach said.
(“She helped me find the right insurance policy. She’s the reason I have one. I won’t let this go to waste, and I’m so thankful to be secured now.”)
Product Showcase
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.
Product Showcase
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.
Product Showcase
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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