2006 News Releases

Manila, Philippines – Offering solutions to the Filipino family’s expanding savings and protection needs, Canada-based insurer Manulife recently launched New Minds, an all-in-one savings program for children.

“New Minds is the latest and most comprehensive life and educational product designed for a growing market in need of a reliable future source of funds that may be used to cover educational expenses,” said Carl S. Gustini, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines.

The product offers policyholders a range of cash benefits that include a fund to cover tuition fees, an optional fund to cover other school expenses, and an optional graduation gift. It also comes with a non-guaranteed premium bonus that may be used to help the child fund his or her own Manulife policy when he or she turns 25.

Apart from educational benefits, New Minds also provides insurance protection for the child. “Purchasing some life insurance for a child does make good financial sense. Once a child is insured, he or she remains eligible for that insurance well into the future, regardless of the child’s subsequent state of health,” explained Mr. Gustini.

He further pointed out that New Minds provides value for money and is backed by a company that has consistently demonstrated financial strength and stability.

“The company continues to enjoy the trust of policyholders who are assured that Manulife is committed to providing them a wider product selection, enabling them to achieve their financial security goals in an institution deemed to be stable, and therefore, safe,” added Mr. Gustini.

Marking 100years in the Philippines in 2007, Manulife consistently ranks among the country’s top five life insurance companies in terms of individual insurance premium volume and among the Top 10 in the Pension and Education segment of the pre-need industry.

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Philippines is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation, the world’s fourth largest and North America’s second largest life insurance company by market capitalization.

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$370 billion (US$332 billion) as at June 30, 2006.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet atwww.manulife.com.

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For further information, please contact:

Bobby Rodrigo Manulife Philippines Phone: (632) 884-5417 bobby_Rodrigo@manulife.com