AIA Philippines, formerly Philam Life and one of the country’s largest life insurance companies, announces the appointment of new members to its Board of Directors (the “Board”): AIA Philippines Chief Executive Officer Ms Melita Teo and ABS-CBN Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Mr Carlo L. Katigbak. They are joined by industry veterans Gregorio Yu and Aurelio Montinola III, who also recently became part of the board.

Teo brings over two decades of experience in the insurance industry to her role. Prior to assuming the position of AIA Philippines Chief Executive Officer in January 2024, she served as Chief Customer and Digital Officer at AIA Singapore. There, she spearheaded advancements in customer experience, brand strategy, integrated health propositions, and wealth management solutions. Teo also played a pivotal role in accelerating the company’s digital transformation and leveraging data analytics to create value for customers and distribution partners. She introduced many policy controls and growth initiatives for the company, and under her leadership, AIA Singapore received accolades in Digital, Healthcare and Customer Service Excellence.

Katigbak was appointed Independent Director of AIA Philippines in April 2024, bringing 30 years of leadership experience to the Board. Currently President and Chief Executive Officer of ABS-CBN Corporation, he has held leadership roles at SkyCable Corporation, ABS-CBN Interactive (Digital), and Bayantel Holdings Corp. His background also includes experience in corporate finance at Capital One Equities and as a Financial Analyst at First Pacific Capital.

Leo Grepin, AIA Group Regional Chief Executive and Group Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman of the AIA Philippines Board, said, “AIA Philippines is delighted to welcome Melita and Carlo to our Board of Directors. Melita’s proven track record in digital transformation and customer experience in a competitive economy like Singapore is a huge asset to the insurance industry in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Carlo’s business expertise and intricate understanding of the local market will help us reach more Filipinos and fulfil our Purpose of helping people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.”

Melita Teo said, “I look forward to bringing more than 20 years of knowledge and industry expertise to the Philippines, where there are many opportunities for insurance. AIA Philippines is committed to being there wherever life takes our customers, while being a steady pillar in the insurance industry. Through my experience in digital transformation and customer-centric strategies, I aim to further enhance AIA Philippines’ ability to respond effectively to the evolving needs and aspirations of Filipinos.”

The appointments of Teo and Katigbak follow the strategic additions of Gregorio Yu and Aurelio Montinola III to the Board in 2023. Yu, Chairman of Nexus Technologies Inc. and Director of the Philippine Bank of Communications Inc., has extensive experience leading companies like Belle Corporation and serving on the boards of numerous public and private companies. Montinola, recognised for his leadership in the banking sector as the former President and current Director of BPI, as well as his role as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Far Eastern University, further strengthens the board’s financial acumen and strategic foresight.

“We are also deeply grateful for the contributions of our former board members, Kelvin Ang, Doris Magsaysay-Ho, and Joaquin Quintos IV,” Grepin added. “Their guidance and leadership have been instrumental in AIA Philippines’ growth and success.”

The new board appointments come at a time of significant growth for AIA Philippines. With a focus on innovation and customer-centricity, the company is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of Filipinos and help them live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.

The demands of the working week, often influenced by school or work schedules, can lead to sleep disruption and deprivation. However, new research presented at ESC Congress 2024 shows that people that ‘catch up’ on their sleep by sleeping in at weekends may see their risk of heart disease fall by one-fifth.  

“Sufficient compensatory sleep is linked to a lower risk of heart disease,” said study co-author Mr Yanjun Song of the State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease, Beijing, China. “The association becomes even more pronounced among individuals who regularly experience inadequate sleep on weekdays.” 

It is well known that people who suffer sleep deprivation ‘sleep in’ on days off to mitigate the effects of sleep deprivation. However, there is a lack of research on whether this compensatory sleep helps heart health.  

The authors used data from 90,903 subjects involved in the UK Biobank project, and to evaluate the relationship between compensated weekend sleep and heart disease, sleep data was recorded using accelerometers and grouped by quartiles (divided into four approximately equal groups from most compensated sleep to least). Q1 (n = 22,475 was the least compensated, having -16.05 hours to -0.26 hours (ie, having even less sleep); Q2 (n = 22,901) had -0.26 to +0.45 hours; Q3 (n=22,692) had +0.45 to +1.28 hours, and Q4 (n=22,695) had the most compensatory sleep (1.28 to 16.06 hours). 

Sleep deprivation was self-reported, with those self-reporting less than 7 hours sleep per night defined as having sleep deprivation.  A total of 19,816 (21.8%) of participants were defined as sleep deprived. The rest of the cohort may have experienced occasional inadequate sleep, but on average, their daily hours of sleep did not meet the criteria for sleep deprivation – the authors recognise this a limitation to their data.  

Hospitalisation records and cause of death registry information were used to diagnose various cardiac diseases including ischaemic heart disease (IHD), heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation (AF), and stroke. 

With a median follow-up of almost 14 years, participants in the group with the most compensatory sleep (quartile 4) were 19% less likely to develop heart disease than those with the least (quartile 1). In the subgroup of patients with daily sleep deprivation those with the most compensatory sleep had a 20% lower risk of developing heart disease than those with the least. The analysis did not show any differences between men and women. 

Co-author Mr Zechen Liu, also of State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease, Beijing, China, added: “Our results show that for the significant proportion of the population in modern society that suffers from sleep deprivation, those who have the most ‘catch-up’ sleep at weekends have significantly lower rates of heart disease than those with the least.”  

Recognizing the role of both agriculture and sustainable future in community-building, Damosa Land stays true to its DNA of being a premier real estate and agro-industrial developer in Mindanao. The property builder recently broke ground for Agriya Gardens, an innovative green project designed not only to enhance sustainability, but to demonstrate Damosa Land’s commitment to driving growth and fostering a vigorous community in the region. 

“At Damosa Land, our goal is to create properties that significantly enhance the way people live. Through Agriya Gardens, we are dedicated to helping individuals embrace a healthier lifestyle, deeply rooted in the principles of sustainable practices,” shared Damosa Land President Ricardo “Cary” Lagdameo, in the groundbreaking ceremony on August 28. “This project holds special significance for us as we continue our commitment to developing properties that prioritize environmental stewardship, much like our previous endeavors, such as the Damosa Diamond Tower.”

Located within the Agriya township in Panabo City, Davao Del Norte, Agriya Gardens features a 1-km linear park, a detention pond, and solar street lights. It also includes parks, a playground, and open spaces, all designed with permeable pavers, providing inviting areas for relaxation and leisure.

Community farms are also something to watch out for in the development of Agriya Gardens. With this, people are expected to integrate farming as part of the way they prepare their food, encouraging them to eat fresh products that they, themselves, will plant and harvest.

“Agriya Gardens is dedicated to providing a livable sanctuary for the residents. By integrating the natural environment into our development, we are not only creating a haven for our residents, but also enhancing the value of our investment,” says Lagdameo. “Agriya Gardens stands as a testament to our commitment to offering a unique blend of serenity and smart, sustainable living, making it a valuable choice for discerning investors who prioritize long-term growth.” 

With a gross developable area of 123,303 square meters, Agriya Gardens is projected to finish its construction by August 2027. The new project offers a total of 404 units with lots that have sizes ranging from 150 to 234 square meters. This will feature a California Mission-Style Architecture which will blend international structure and design to the new property.

Over the years, Damosa Land has seen vibrant communities thrive through green living in its previous projects, therefore, bringing the same commitment to Agriya. “This is the start of more progress. When we set out to do this project here in Panabo, our promise to the government and its people was that we were going to build something that is going to accelerate progress and give importance to what Panabo is all about – agri-business. We have never left that promise, and with this new project, we will continue to hold on to that promise. So I invite you all to join us in continuing with that goal of progress for Davao del Norte,” Lagdameo added.