2004 News Releases

1,000plus Staff and Insurance Advisors Help Raise Funds for Elderly-Care Services

Hong Kong— Manulife (International) Limited (MIL) today staged the “Qile” Charity Cake Drive Kick-off Ceremony at Manulife Tower in North Point to kick start the fund-raising event organised by the Haven of Hope Christian Service. The ceremony was thronged with enthusiastic Manulife volunteers pledging their support to this charitable cause.

This is the third consecutive year that Manulife has participated in this meaningful effort to raise donations for improving elderly-care services in Hong Kong. More than 1,000 staff and insurance/financial advisors from the company formed volunteer teams to sell cakes to the public at more than 56 Mass Transit Railway stations and shopping malls during this weekend.

“It is part of the corporate culture at Manulife for staff and insurance/financial advisors to volunteer for community programs,” said Michael Huddart, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Hong Kong, MIL. “Each year, our staff and insurance/financial advisors participate in many different charitable activities and the “Qile” Charity Cake Drive is among the largest of them. Last year, our wholehearted support for the Drive again set a record in funds raised for the Haven of Hope Christian Service. This year, with the concerted effort and commitment of our people, I believe we will continue to achieve excellent results and help give something back to Hong Kong’s senior citizens.”

Manulife’s involvement in this charitable activity already began back in October when an internal company-wide cake sale was launched to rally support. “So far, more than 11,000 tins of Qile Charity Cake have been sold,” added Mr. Huddart. “ We hope we can further build on this initial success in the coming public sale.”

The “Qile” Charity Cake Drive (“Qile” means “Happy Elderly” in Chinese) is the Haven of Hope Christian Service’s annual initiative to raise funds for various services that benefit the elderly and the needy in Hong Kong. Each year, the event relies on more than 1,000 volunteers to help organise and drive the sale.

Manulife’s participation in the “Qile” Charity Cake Drive in Hong Kong is part of the company’s ongoing Global Volunteer initiative that encourages employees to participate in meaningful causes that make a difference in their communities.

About Haven of Hope Christian Service
The Haven of Hope Christian Service is a non-profit making and inter-denominational Christian organization founded by a group of overseas missionaries in 1953. It has been serving Hong Kong for more than 50 years, offering health care, elderly care, rehabilitative care and family care services as well as evangelistic works to the local community.

About Manulife (International) Limited
Manulife (International) Limited is a member of the Manulife Financial group of companies. 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$346 billion (approximately HK$2,138 billion) as at September 30, 2004.

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 at www.manulife.com.

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For more information, please contact:
Helena Lee / Jeanie Ho
Manulife (International) Limited
Tel: 2202 1050 / 2510 3191
Fax: 2234 6875
Email: helena_lee@manulife.com
jeanie_ho@manulife.com