The rainy season has begun in the Philippines, which means Filipinos need to be more mindful of dengue symptoms that might arise. There has been a boost in dengue cases this 2024, with a 68% increase in comparison to 2023. Given the uptrend, it has become more crucial to be mindful of possible dengue symptoms, such as high fevers, severe migraines, and body pain.

Advanced Abilities’ online insurance platform, Policymate, is offering Dengue Insurance with Select DengueGuard Medical Insurance by Pacific Cross. This provides PHP 10,000 worth of coverage for in-patient and out-patient treatments.

“With the rising dengue cases, it’s very pressing now to be prepared for whatever symptoms you may experience. We’re pleased to share this opportunity and support Filipinos in their times of need with our dengue insurance coverage on Policymate. Sudden illness can be alarming, and with our offerings, we hope to ease our clients’ worries,” says Angelo Antonio “AA” Buendia, CEO and President of Advanced Abilities.

Aside from Dengue Insurance, Policymate also offers a holistic array of Medical Insurance options from Pacific Cross to suit a variety of emergencies. Users may opt to avail of more than one type of policy in order to gain more coverage, which may vary from emergency medical conditions, COVID treatment, and even post-hospitalization medication coverage.

For instance, a client confined for dengue may purchase the Select DengueGuard policy, then on top of that, they may also purchase Select Assist in order to boost coverage for their final hospital bill. This way, clients may also maximize different benefits from the two products.

With Policymate’s user-friendly platform and interface, users are able to browse and select their preferred Medical Insurance policy as needed. This hassle-free process makes filing for claims and tracking updates as easy as possible, with insurance coverage being made accessible for all Filipinos.

“One of our goals has always been to bring modern services to Filipinos all over the country,” shares Buendia. “With Policymate, anyone can easily purchase the insurance policy they need and treat their illnesses as immediately as possible.” Policymate also provides options for Travel Insurance, Accident Insurance, Property Insurance, Automobile Insurance, and Pet Insurance.

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.”)

Expanding its reach to provide cutting-edge physiotherapy and rehabilitation services to Filipinos, Vital Kinetics recently opened its newest branch at Five ECom Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. The clinic’s other location is at Spark Place Mall, Cubao.

Vital Kinetics offers comprehensive rehabilitation services to those diagnosed with neurologic and musculoskeletal issues or injuries like movement disorder, stroke, sports, and spinal cord injuries. The clinic boasts a wide range of modern equipment that include therapeutic ultrasound, shockwave therapy, and dry needling – a technique, which targets affected muscles or trigger points, is not commonly available in other clinics due to its specialized certification requirement. To ensure patients receive comprehensive expert care, the clinic has assembled a highly qualified team of physiotherapy therapists and in-house orthopedic and rehabilitation doctors.  

“Opening our new branch is an exciting milestone for us,” Vital Kinetics clinic manager Princess Pepito said. “It will allow us to serve more patients who need our services, especially in the fast-growing and highly urbanized MOA district.”

She added that with the expansion, they “hope to continue setting the standard for physiotherapy services in the Philippines, with the goal of giving Filipinos access to high-quality recovery care that aims to help them get back to their best physical condition as quickly and safely as possible.”

Vital Kinetics accepts bookings, walk-ins, home services, and PhilCare members. To know more about Vital Kinetics or to schedule an appointment, visit their branch or call 09618703148 or contact Ms. Princess Pepito at 09950549922.