Manulife Philippines, the local branch of international financial services provider Manulife, has partnered once again with brand ambassador Erwan Heussaff to shed light on the importance of environmental conservation in the Philippines. Their latest collaborative video, now available on FEATR’s YouTube channel, brings into focus the conservation and sustainable farming initiatives in Quezon Province. These initiatives have not only helped restore critical ecosystems but also generated new livelihood opportunities for the local communities.
The video takes viewers on a journey through various conservation efforts and showcases how these environmental projects have positively impacted both the land and the people. Through sustainable practices, residents are now able to rebuild natural ecosystems that future generations will rely on, while simultaneously establishing more stable income streams.
Manulife Philippines’ advocacy for environmental conservation is rooted in its belief that a healthier planet leads to healthier people. Through its global Impact Agenda initiative, the company has committed to scaling nature-based climate solutions as a response to ongoing environmental challenges. Among these is the alarming loss of mangrove forests—approximately 140,000 hectares have been lost in the Philippines since 1920. This is especially concerning in coastal areas such as Quezon Province, which regularly faces typhoons. In these regions, mangrove restoration has become essential for bolstering natural coastal defenses.
“One of the reasons we decided to partner with Manulife Philippines was their dedication to their Impact Agenda, where they have a mission of creating a better tomorrow for business, communities, and ultimately, for the planet,” Heussaff shared in the video.
The documentary-style content explores how local communities, particularly farmers, have become key participants in reforesting areas of the Sierra Madre, the country’s longest mountain range and a critical natural barrier against typhoons. These reforestation efforts are conducted with the support of the Haribon Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on biodiversity conservation. Since 2022, Manulife Philippines and Haribon have successfully planted over 21,250 native tree seedlings across 17 hectares in various Luzon provinces. Their collaboration has since expanded to include mangrove reforestation in Quezon Province, with a goal of planting 15,000 mangrove seedlings over three years.
“Our ridge-to-reef approach forms part of our holistic efforts to connect different ecosystems in the Sierra Madre mountain range. By protecting the Sierra Madre and our mangrove systems, we also protect the Filipino families who depend on them for livelihood,” said Nova Regalario, Conservation Specialist, Haribon Foundation.
The video also emphasizes the lasting impact of these environmental projects on the lives of local residents. Heussaff visits the municipality of Real in Quezon Province, where he meets with the women of Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI), who have established a flourishing cacao tablea business. There, he is introduced to entrepreneur Merissa Marquez, who explains how the collaboration with Haribon Foundation has empowered women in their community.
“Before, we used to import cacao from other places. When we became part of KALIPI and started working with Haribon, we realized we could produce our own tablea and provide business opportunities for women,” shared Marquez.
Heussaff also gets a taste of traditional Filipino cuisine, made more sustainable by using locally sourced ingredients from restored ecosystems. He prepares sinigang na baboy with katmon fruits—gathered from reforested areas—and sinantolan na alimango using crabs found in healthy mangrove habitats.
“What really struck me was seeing how important these natural resources are to the locals and their cuisine,” shared Heussaff. “The crabs come from healthy mangroves, the katmon fruits from reforested areas. It made me realize how we need to put more effort into protecting our environment if we want to safeguard Filipino culture for future generations.”
Manulife Philippines President and CEO Rahul Hora emphasized the broader significance of these efforts for community development and economic resilience.
“What’s remarkable about these communities is how they’ve turned environmental challenges into real livelihood opportunities, which we hope will contribute to their upward economic mobility,” said Hora. “This collaboration in Quezon Province aligns perfectly with our Impact Agenda—our commitment to empowering sustained health and well-being, driving inclusive economic opportunities, and accelerating a sustainable future. We want to continue supporting local communities like KALIPI through conservation efforts that create lasting economic benefits for families and protect the environment for future generations.”
Through its ongoing initiatives and partnerships, Manulife Philippines demonstrates that sustainable environmental practices and community development can go hand in hand. The video with Erwan Heussaff serves not only as an inspiring showcase of local resilience and innovation but also as a call to action for more companies and individuals to take part in protecting the Philippines’ natural heritage.
