Manulife Philippines’ Peso Smart program teaches De La Salle University students how to form better financial habits

Manila - Leading global life insurer Manulife concluded its most recent run of its Peso Smart program, held in partnership with the Business Management Society (BMS) of De La Salle University (DLSU). The three-week financial literacy program taught over 50 university students valuable lessons on financial planning, growing their money, and business resilience.

“Since the program’s inception in 2017, we have evolved our Peso Smart program to reach and educate more Filipino students on the importance of building smart financial habits. Given today’s online distance learning environment, we are delighted to partner with DLSU’s Business Management Society to bring Peso Smart experience to their members virtually, and teach more students the value of being financially independent,” said Melissa Henson, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Manulife Philippines. “After they graduate from the university, these students will be earning their own money, so it’s important that they have the right financial mindset and tools as early as now.”

Manulife Philippines’ partnership with DLSU BMS started in July 2020 when the insurer tapped 20 university students as the pilot run’s participants. The students' feedback helped in developing and enhancing the learning modules, making them more relevant and insightful for university students.

"We, at Manulife Philippines, believe that every Filipino deserves financial freedom. We hope that through our program, these Peso Smart graduates learn how to manage their personal finances and start building a future where they can live every day better,” added Henson.

"The Business Management Society recognizes the importance of financial literacy to young adults, including within our Lasallian community. Amid today’s economic realities, the ability to manage one's finances well has indeed become more valuable now. We thank Manulife Philippines for the great opportunity to educate our members and fellow youth, as we aim to be financially responsible adults in the future," said Kimberly Ang, President of DLSU’s Business Management Society.

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.