Manulife expands Peso Smart University program to 100 students of ADMU, DLSU, UPD, and UST

Manila ― According to Manulife’s recent study, 77% of Filipino Gen Zs are already researching about finance, and 92% of Gen Zs consider owning an insurance product in the next 1-2 years. These young Filipinos also shared that they are mostly interested in life, health, and variable unit-linked insurance (VUL) products.

To respond to the increasing financial transformation of the younger generation, Manulife has extended its financial literacy program Peso Smart University to include students from Ateneo de Manila, University of the Philippines-Diliman, and University of Santo Tomas, after its successful pilot run to De La Salle University last year. 

More than 100 university students from these top schools attended the two-day virtual classes in early December 2021, where Manulife’s top actuaries and wealth management experts discussed the importance of insurance, investments, and financial planning so they can learn how to grow their money, prepare for the unexpected, and financially secure their future. 

“The goal of the Peso Smart University is to help Filipino Gen Zs understand the various opportunities and platforms available to them so they can start investing in their financial future. Time is their strongest asset, so they are encouraged to learn how to manage their finances by choosing the right options, managing risks and uncertainties, and setting aside funds for important life contingencies,” said Manulife Philippines Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Henson. “These university students, who will soon become part of the Filipino workforce, must form smart money habits early, so they can understand the value of financial independence that can help them secure a better future.”

Key lessons in the program include what it means to be a financially healthy person; setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Based) goals; understanding the importance of life insurance protection for peace of mind and to help grow your money; exploring various investment options and value investing; deep diving into unit investment trust funds (UITFs); and making your investment journey better so you can achieve your financial aspirations. 

Since its inception in 2020, more than 200 university students have graduated from Manulife’s Peso Smart University program. To know more about Peso Smart, visit https://manulife.pub/ImpactAgenda. 

For more information about Manulife, you may follow their Facebook page or visit manulife.com/ph.

About Manulife Philippines

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company opened its doors for business in the Philippines in 1907. Since then, Manulife's Philippine Branch and later The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), Inc. (Manulife Philippines) has grown to become one of the country's leading life insurance companies. Manulife Philippines is a wholly owned domestic subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation, among the world's largest life insurance companies by market capitalization. Learn more about Manulife Philippines by visiting their website manulife.com/ph and following them on Facebook (facebook.com/ManulifePH), Instagram (@manulifeph), and LinkedIn (Manulife Philippines).

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.