According to the survey results, 91% of Sun Life Grepa employees affirmed that the company fosters an inclusive environment where they feel welcome. Furthermore, 92% acknowledged fair treatment regardless of gender, and 92% appreciated how the company celebrates special events.
Mandaluyong City has honored Maya, the #1 Digital Bank and the #1 Omni-Channel Payment Processor in the Philippines, as one of its Top 10 Taxpayers for 2024.
Beyond being a top taxpayer, Maya has played a key role in the city’s digital transformation, providing innovative cashless payment solutions that empower local government services, MSMEs, and citizens. The company has helped modernize payment transactions within the city, enabling businesses and government offices to accept digital payments securely and efficiently.
According to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), cybercrime complaints more than tripled in 2024, with 10,004 cases filed—a staggering rise from 3,317 in 2023.1 These scams led to PHP198 million in total financial losses, highlighting the growing sophistication of fraud, particularly consumer fraud and online financial fraud, which together account for 67% of all reported cases. Fraudsters continue to exploit deceptive tactics such as fake online sales, impersonation scams, investment fraud, and phishing to steal sensitive information like passwords and one-time PINs (OTPs).
Leading regional insurtech Igloo expands reach through new partnerships and products with notable consumer finance brands, e-commerce platforms, and digital wallets in Southeast Asia including Salmon, Skyro, and Shopee in the Philippines; Kredivo, DANA, and Akulaku in Indonesia, and True Money and Lazada in Thailand
Insurance industry vet Sasitharan Krishnan joins as Chief Distribution Officer to lead Igloo’s multi-modal distribution across digital and traditional channels
Leading regional insurtech Igloo enters 2025 with a strong push, launching new partnerships, introducing new products with existing partners across the region, and appointing a Chief Distribution Officer to grow its embedded insurance and sales intermediaries business lines.
The Recipe for a Strong Legacy
“Legacy” tells the story of Lorna Otsuka, owner of the popular Hanakazu Restaurant in Muntinlupa City. More than just a business, Hanakazu is the heart of her family and community, built with passion and love alongside their dedicated employees. However, when life threw a curveball her way, she was faced with the daunting task of continuing the restaurant’s legacy. With the help of Sun Life, Lorna was able to leverage the additional income from her policies to ensure the restaurant’s continued success.
Filipinos are encouraged to stay informed about key financial trends that shape consumer experiences and impact their financial well-being. With strategic planning and the right tools, they can confidently navigate an ever-evolving economic landscape.
Digital Banking and Fintech Adoption
The adoption of digital banking and fintech solutions continues to rise in the Philippines, with more consumers turning to mobile wallets, e-wallets, and other digital platforms for everyday transactions. These tools offer significant advantages, including enhanced convenience, 24/7 access to funds, and minimal transaction fees, all of which make financial services more accessible to a broader audience. With mobile-first solutions, consumers are able to manage their money in real-time, saving time and improving financial efficiency.
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This Happy YOU Year, Maya is giving you the chance to win year-round Philippine Airlines (PAL) Business Class flights just by saving, spending, or borrowing wisely. Here’s how you can fast-track your way to your dream destinations with these game-changing money resolutions:
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Extreme weather events such as typhoons, floods, and droughts continue to threaten 60% of our land and 74% of the Philippine population. These climate-induced disasters hit rural and farming communities the hardest, disrupting livelihoods, destroying homes, and leading to increased mental health concerns.
To shed light on these challenges, Pru Life UK facilitated a session for about 50 staff of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) in Cotabato City. The session focused on the critical intersection of climate change and mental health, emphasising the need for community resilience and practical interventions.
The session shed light on the growing psychological toll of extreme weather conditions, equipping attendees with the knowledge, practical tools, and strategies to help communities navigate the emotional and mental challenges brought about by these adversities.
In line with its 130th anniversary in the country, Sun Life Philippines introduced the Sun Life Premier Suite at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City, with the goal of providing Clients with access to exclusive and one-of-a-kind experiences.
To inaugurate the suite, Sun Life invited select Clients to the highly anticipated concert of Grammy-Award winning band Maroon 5 held recently.
Clients enjoyed the show complete with gourmet food and drinks, and a stunning view of the performances. Accompanied by a friend or family member along with their respective Sun Life advisors, the Clients had an unforgettable concert experience as they sang along to Maroon 5’s hits like Moves Like Jagger, Sunday Morning, and She Will Be Loved.
Sun Life Grepa Head of Talent Management and Organizational Development Gissell Katrina Valeza received the award in Bangkok, Thailand from one of the judges Mark Maclean, Deloitte Southeast Asia HR Transformation Leader.
Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa) has been recognized with the Philippines Employee Engagement of the Year – Life Insurance Award at Asian Management Excellence Awards 2025 for its “SLGFI Cares for You” program. This recognition highlights the company’s outstanding commitment to fostering employee well-being and resilience through comprehensive engagement initiatives.
Get ready to lace up and hit the pavement! EastWest, in partnership with RUNRIO, one of the country’s leading race organizers, is bringing the highly anticipated EastWest Dream Run 2025 to three key cities: April 6 at Azuela Cove, Davao, May 4 at City Di Mare, Cebu, and June 15 at Filinvest City, Alabang.
Choose Your Dream Run
The EastWest Dream Run 2025 invites runners of all ages and fitness levels to join an unforgettable race experience. Participants can choose from 1K, 2K, 5K, 10K, and an exclusive 30K category—the only run of its kind to feature this distance in celebration of EastWest’s 30th Anniversary. Adding to the excitement, the event also introduces a special 1K dog category for pet lovers, making it a fun and inclusive gathering for the whole family, including your furry friends.
Set against the scenic backdrops of Davao, Cebu, and Manila, the EastWest Dream Run symbolizes the pursuit of bigger and bolder dreams. By hosting the Dream Run in three key cities, EastWest strengthens its commitment to hyperlocal engagement, bringing meaningful and accessible experiences to communities across the country.
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Henry V. Moran thanked Allianz PNB Life and partners for their continued support of Liga Eskwela.
The festival highlighted how futsal is increasing in popularity among school children and how Liga Eskwela has evolved into a platform for holistic youth development, equipping underprivileged Filipino youth with valuable life lessons through sports.
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The new year is the perfect time to focus on health and wellness. For many, setting fitness goals and building better habits mark the first step toward a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Whether it’s exercising daily, meal prepping, or practicing healthy hydration everyday – these small, consistent habits can lay the foundation for long-term success.
The key is consistency—and it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Here are some steps you can take to invest in a healthier life this year.
1. Develop just one healthy habit – but do it every day
Healthy habits don’t have to be complicated. Start with an activity you genuinely enjoy and aim to do it every day for two months. Once it becomes a habit, you’ll no longer rely on willpower to stay on track—it will be automatic.
Visa appointments are absolutely free and available only on www.vfsglobal.com
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VFS Global is neither involved in job placement nor immigration-related services
With the surge in outbound travel demand from The Philippines, visa applications submitted for various countries are at volumes higher than ever before. With this increased demand for visa application appointments, scammers pose as employees or associates of the organisation; or agents and intermediaries who sell appointments, issue fake appointment letters, or claim to influence positive visa decision, etc. to embezzle innocent visa applicants.
Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) and its implementing partner, AHA! Behavioral Design® (AHA! BD), were recently recognized at the 60th Anvil Awards after Sun Pera-Aralan, the first behavioral finance program for public school teachers in the Philippines, won both the Grand Anvil Award and the Gold Anvil Award.
Sun Pera-Aralan was launched in 2018 by the Sun Life Foundation in response to the PHP 300 billion debt crisis faced by public school teachers. The program has taken a one-of-a-kind approach by employing behavioral science to promote and develop positive and practical daily money habits that do not disrupt the teacher’s routine.
Rex Mendoza; Bo Sanchez; and Al Quitangon, Chief Distribution Officer of Sun Life Philippines at the 2025 One Sun Life Congress
With a new year upon us, Filipinos are taking steps to attract good fortune and manifest their goals into reality. Many are likewise turning to experts for advice on how to have a winning mindset and overcome challenges that may arise along the way.
Sun Life, the no. 1 life insurance company in the Philippines, gave its advisors a head start through a gathering called One Sun Life Congress. The annual event was graced by renowned guest speakers including Bo Sanchez, financial expert and lay preacher, and Rex Mendoza, business strategist and entrepreneur.
Francisco “Coco” Mauricio, JuanHand CEO, stated, “At JuanHand, our mission has always been to extend a helping hand to underserved Filipinos, bridging financial gaps so they can achieve their goals. A key pillar of our success lies in our commitment to fair and regulatory-compliant debt collection practices, providing borrowers the flexibility they need to repay their loans responsibly.”
Building on this foundation of trust and responsibility, Mauricio highlighted that repeat users serve as a testament to JuanHand's customer-centric model, with an average repeat rate of 90%. This demonstrates the platform’s ability to consistently deliver value and maintain strong relationships with its users.
(L-R) Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP) Executive Director Alex Ilagan, CCAP Chairman Rolando Ebreo, Visa Philippines Country Manager Jeff Navarro, and CCAP President Geraldine Liggayu
Philippines, 10 February, 2025 – Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, is collaborating with the Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP) to enhance financial education in the country. Visa will provide modules from its Practical Money Skills global digital platform for use in CCAP's training sessions, aiming to empower Filipinos to make informed financial decisions. Visa’s educational resources aim to help Filipino cardholders in the Philippines, thereby enhancing financial literacy and inclusion in the country.
Parañaque, Philippines – D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Inc. (PSE: DMW) proudly announces that several of its key developments have achieved the prestigious WELL Health-Safety Rating from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified standard that evaluates operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement strategies, and emergency preparedness. This achievement aligns with D.M. Wenceslao’s vision of sustainability and innovation reaffirming its role as a leader in creating people-centric spaces that elevate quality of life.
The developments recognized with the WELL Health-Safety Rating are office and mixed-use properties in Aseana City that include Aseana 1, Aseana 2, Aseana 3, 8912 Asean Ave., Parqal, Aseana Powerstation, Aseana Square, and Aseana Town Center. Residential projects such as Pixel Residences and MidPark Towers also earned the certification alongside office developments in the Makati Central Business District, namely 58 Jupiter and the ERLAG Building.
That is why Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), one of the major life insurers in the country, has launched Sun Grepa Secure Income which aims to help individuals achieve a financially stable and worry-free retirement.
Consumers likely to prioritize value and affordability this Valentine’s
Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, has released new insights into consumer behavior during February 2024. Visa Consulting & Analytics found that more active cards were used for transactions, indicating a change in how Filipinos are celebrating Valentine's Day.
The data shows an overall increase in transactions for February 2024 compared to February 2023, driven by more active card users. Despite the rise in transactions, the average amount spent per transaction slightly declined. This suggests that inflation and higher commodity prices may have led consumers to be more cautious with their spending this Valentine's month.
Over 170 Sun Life volunteers joined the activities at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP) and Barangay San Rafael in Noveleta, Cavite, collecting over 400 sacks of waste with a total weight of 2.264 metric tons.
Marine coastal ecosystems are essential resources for both humans and wildlife. Some of these such as the LPPWP, which is one of the few remaining mangrove forests in Metro Manila, serve as habitats to a wide range of endemic and migratory bird species. However, pollution and waste buildup are persistent problems in these areas, posing threats to wildlife, local livelihoods, and public health. Regular coastal cleanups such as this activity help mitigate these threats.
Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) marked a significant milestone with the blessing and inauguration of the completed Alabel Public Safety and Security Complex on January 14, 2025. Located within Avia Estate, Alsons Dev’s master-planned township in Alabel, Sarangani, the Alabel Public Safety and Security Complex is the SOCCSKSARGEN region's first integrated emergency response center, combining three essential government services in one state-of-the-art facility.
The APSSC houses three critical facilities: a Fire Substation, Community Police Assistance Center, and MDRRMO Satellite Emergency Operations Center. This integrated setup mirrors a similar complex in Alsons Dev's Northtown township in Davao, further highlighting the company’s innovative approach to fostering public safety across its developments.
Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation), in coordination with AHA Behavioral Design, continued its commitment to nurturing the learning of Filipino children by donating over 1,700 school kits to six elementary schools.
School kits comprising school bags, hygiene kits, lunch boxes, and tumblers were distributed at Aguho Elementary School in Pateros, Sta. Lucia Elementary School in San Juan City, and Col. Ramon Camus Integrated School in Malabon, giving students the perfect gift for a bright start to the school year.
The event, held at Sitio Malamboon, Barangay 76-A Bucana, Davao City, saw EWRB volunteers planting 100 mangrove seedlings to strengthen the area’s ecosystem, create more public awareness, and reinforce the importance of mangroves in preserving coastal health.
This initiative highlights EWRB's focus on environmental sustainability and community engagement. Mangroves are vital for protecting coastlines from erosion, fostering biodiversity, and acting as natural defenses against storms and rising sea levels.
