2010 News Releases

Manila - Manulife Philippines has marked 10 years of partnership with Migi’s Corner Foundation, Inc, a charity created to set up special recreational activity spaces in hospitals for children battling serious illness.

“I’m grateful that these ‘corners’ for children continue to this day through the help of Manulife Philippines and the people who maintain these special spaces for children,” said Cathy Babao-Guballa, who established the foundation in memory of her son Miguel, called Migi, who passed away due to congenital heart disease while he was four years old.

Manulife Philippines has supported the Migi’s Corner and Cathy’s vision since its inception. Along with financial donations, Manulife Philippines also sends volunteers to the corners to help stock the areas with toys, books and furniture. 

“We are proud to be an active donor and supporter of Migi’s Corner in line with our objective to give back to the communities in which we operate,” said Indren Naidoo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines.

Throughout the 10 year partnership, Manulife Philippines and Migi’s Corner have built 10 projects within Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao, including the Corners at the publicly-run East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City, Davao Medical Center in Davao City, and Philippine General Hospital in Manila.

“I’m very grateful that after a decade the Corners continue to serve as helpful channels for helping children to heal,” said Cathy, a grief counselor and inspirational author.  “I’d like to believe that my son Migi continues to live on in every child who comes to play at the Corners.”

About Manulife
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 leading life insurance companies in the country.  Manulife Philippines is a wholly-owned domestic subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation, among the largest in the world and North America's largest life insurance company by market capitalization (as of September 30, 2009).

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 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$437 billion (US$407 billion) as at September 30, 2009.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

-30-

Media Contact:
Shyla Reyes                                                                              Lils Liwanag
M2.0 Communications                                                               Manulife Philippines
332-1031 local 103                                                                    884-5416
shyla.reyes@m2comms.com                                                   lils_liwanag@manulife.com