The wait is over! The Ever Bilena Beauty Bar is back and better than ever, bringing its much-loved “Fit All You Can” activity to SM Clark.

Shoppers can mix and match their favorite Ever Bilena products from the Beauty Bar and choose from three goodie bag sizes: Medium at Php 499, Large at Php 599 and Extra Large at Php 999.

Here’s the exciting part: the Extra Large pouch is a new addition, making its debut exclusively at SM Beauty Department Store in SM City Clark Pampanga. It’s the perfect size to fill with all your must-haves and try the latest from Ever Bilena’s innovative lineup.

After selecting their pouches, fitting in their products, and paying for the goodie bags at the cashier, customers can head back to the booth for a fun, creative twist—personalizing their pouches with cute and stylish stickers! It’s a delightful way to add a personal touch to their beauty haul and make their Ever Bilena experience even more memorable.

This run of the Beauty Bar also features a completely refreshed product mix! Shoppers can now snag the latest beauty innovations, including best-selling EB Serum Tinted Lip Balms (selected shades), TikTok trending blushes, and top-rated eye and brow makeup for that perfect everyday glam, among others!

“The Ever Bilena Beauty Bar is all about giving our customers a fresh and exciting way to enjoy their favorite beauty staples,” said Denice Sy, chief sales and marketing officer of Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. “With the introduction of the Extra Large pouch and our new product mix, plus the crazy savings, we’re thrilled to offer an elevated experience that’s truly worth the trip.” This exclusive pop-up at SM Beauty Department Store in SM City Clark is your chance to stock up on your beauty faves, discover new products, and enjoy the ultimate Ever Bilena shopping experience.

Manulife Philippines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canada-based insurance and financial services provider Manulife Financial Corporation, marks its 118^th year with a commitment of driving customer satisfaction by adapting and responding to the needs of its clients. In a survey conducted by the global market research firm IPSOS in 2024, the company led other Philippine life insurance companies in terms of customer recommendation, based on the Net promoter Score (NPS). As a trusted financial partner for its customers, it paid PhP12.9-billion claims over the last five years.

According to Manulife Philippines president and chief executive officer Raul Hora, customers in the Philippines are more proactive in planning their financial security by patronizing products and services that enable them and their families to live better lives. “As we aim to the No.1 choice for our customers, we are deeply committed to providing them with better innovative solutions on all fronts.”

“I am pleased to see the trust and confidence our customers have given us particularly on the end-2024 NPS results, where we ranked No.1 in terms of customer recommendation. These results inspire us to delight customers even further and consistently provide them the level of service and customer focus they truly deserve,” Hora added.

Among Manulife’s goals are to protect more families and expand customer base to include household decision makers and young Filipinos by offering them Manulife Freedom and Manulife HealthFlex, a comprehensive suite of health and life protection products.

Manulife Freedom offers guaranteed cash payouts and life protection as it serves as a reliable savings plan to help customers fund their children’s education, pursue their passions, prepare for a comfortable retirement, or leave a legacy to their loved ones.

Manulife HealthFlex, on the other hand, offers comprehensive protection for over 100 critical illnesses from early diagnosis to recovery, with different payment plans tailored to customers’ lifestyle and budget.

Manulife also introduced content creator and creative director Erwan Heussaff and daughter Dahlia as the brand’s newest ambassadors, joining actress and wife Anne Curtis to promote better protection for Filipino families.

Manulife Philippines also recently introduced renowned content creator and creative director Erwan Heussaff and daughter Dahlia as the brand’s newest ambassadors, joining actress, wife, and mother Anne Curtis to promote better protection for Filipino families.

Hora shared that they partnered with the Heussaffs to inspire more Filipino families to make financial planning a priority. They are constantly looking for ways to boost Filipinos’ level of financial security through products and services that provide protection against uncertainties, empowering customers to live better every day.

To show the importance of early preparations to secure their financial futures, Manulife focuses on Millennials and Gen Z customer base, and enhances its product offerings and health and life protection solutions based on customer insights. It also recruits young advisors who can provide financial advice to help address young Filipino customers’ evolving insurance needs. This is in light of a 2024 Manulife Philippines study, which found that Filipinos remain largely unprepared for medical emergencies, with 41% dipping into out-of-pocket spending. On average, surveyed

Filipinos have set aside PhP62,000 for future medical needs. However, those ages 18-29 only have an average of PhP38,000 saved.

“While Gen Z customers are starting to build their financial security, they are also highly conscious of how easily factors beyond their control, like medical emergencies, can deplete their savings. In this view, we encourage young customers to start investing in their health and financial future through protection solutions that suit their unique needs and budgets, helping them face the future with confidence,” Hora said. “They can count on us at Manulife to continue developing solutions that provide financial and health protection when it truly matters.”

Since opening its doors in 1907, Manulife Philippines has expanded its business to provide customers with diverse and innovative health, wealth, and protection solutions through its comprehensive product suite. In 1999, Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC), was officially listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange. As of end-January 2025, MFC has the largest market capitalization among companies listed in the PSE with PhP2.95-trillion.

As part of its legacy, Manulife Philippines has also committed to invest in communities it serves through the Impact Agenda, its global community investment program focused on building a better business to better the world.

These programs include the Peso Smart, which is Manulife Philippines’ award-winning financial literacy program that supports the initiatives of the Department of Education to expand and improve the financial literacy aspect of the K-12 curriculum. To date, nearly 2,500 Filipino learners have benefited from the program, with its offshoot PesoSmart x RecoveREADS currently being implemented in 10 public schools and three community centers in nine cities nationwide.

Manulife Philippines also engaged colleagues and advisors through its Forests for Life collaboration with Haribon Foundation since 2022. This program successfully planted over 21,000 native tree seedlings across 17 hectares in the provinces of Quezon, Zambales, and Rizal, and contributed to a much-needed increase in forest cover across Southern Luzon.

Manulife Philippines also established and operationalized 20 Community Food Farms in Gawad Kalinga villages to benefit community members and enable them to grow, harvest, and earn from their own produce.

Last year, Manulife colleagues from different countries in Asia and North America visited partner communities in the Philippines during the five-day ‘Impact Agenda Adventure.’ These global colleagues spent time on the ground to understand the communities’ needs and see the real-life impact of Manulife’s programs in collaboration with its NGO partners.

“Through our Impact Agenda, we are deeply committed to making a positive impact on the communities we serve to empower sustained health and well-being, drive inclusive economic opportunities, and accelerate a sustainable future with the help of our colleagues and partners,” Hora added.

Manulife Philippines continues driving health and longevity through innovative products, high-quality sustainable growth of its business and distribution channels, and meaningful community initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to securing better futures for Filipinos.

Pru Life UK recently took part in recovery efforts for communities affected by typhoons and flooding in the Philippines and Thailand.

In the Philippines, Pru Life UK extended support to children and their families recently affected by Typhoon Kristine by contributing Php 300,000 to Save the Children Philippines’ emergency response initiatives. The company also organised its in-kind donation drive for affected families in the Bicol Region, distributing essentials through the Project Banyuhay relief operations of the Rotaract Clubs of Rotary International District 3820.

Pru Life UK also joined Prudence Foundation’s PRUVolunteers (PRUVols) Programme, bringing together employees from Prudential in Asia, Africa, and the United Kingdom to rebuild homes and restore infrastructure for communities affected by severe flooding in Sukhothai Province, Thailand.

Prudence Foundation, established in 2011 as the community investment arm in Asia and Africa of Prudential plc, is committed to create better futures through initiatives that achieve sustainable, real-world impact and long-term resilience in the communities we operate in.

Through programmes like PRUVols, Prudence Foundation mobilises resources to provide meaningful support to communities while fostering collaboration across its regional network. This year’s programme was in partnership with Prudential Thailand and the Foundation of Older Persons Development (FOPDEV).

Pru Life UK employees including Kenneth Leyco, Rodel Caricativo, and Jerome Martillano, worked with regional volunteers to construct new homes, prepare drainage systems, and rebuild sanitation facilities.

Volunteers also participated in cultural exchange activities with the local community, including basket-weaving and traditional cooking workshops at Yang Sai Elementary School.

The week-long initiative concluded with the turnover of houses, where beneficiaries received the keys to their newly rebuilt homes.

Kenneth Leyco, a Senior Training Specialist, described the experience as “life-changing, happy, and fulfilling.” He shared, “I learned so much, from carpentry techniques to cultural insights. It was humbling to work alongside people from diverse backgrounds, united by a common purpose. Seeing the beneficiaries’ joyful faces made every effort worthwhile.”

This sentiment was echoed by Senior Accounting Specialist Rodel Caricativo, saying, “Participating in this programme was a meaningful way to give back and connect with communities in need. It reinforced my belief that even small contributions can make a big difference.”

This year’s PRUVolunteers Programme in Thailand reflects the Prudence Foundation’s mission of strengthening communities by ensuring our support is both impactful and sustainable. It is a testament to its commitment in building community resilience and supporting vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, who are often disproportionately affected by such natural disasters and climate change.

For Pru Life UK, these efforts underscore its commitment to being a trusted partner in navigating life’s challenges and creating a better future for all.

“Community investment strengthens Pru Life UK’s commitment to sustainability,” shared Atty. Paul Mandal, SVP and Chief Legal, Government Relations and Sustainability Officer of Pru Life UK. “Through these initiatives, we not only extend our resources to support disaster recovery efforts but also demonstrate our long-term commitment to building stronger and more resilient communities.”