As we approach World Mental Health Day on October 10, an international day for raising awareness on mental health, LAC Philippines is highlighting the inseparable connection between mental and physical health. As we strive for a healthier life, it's crucial to recognize that these two aspects of well-being are intricately intertwined.

Mental health conditions are a global concern, affecting approximately one in eight people worldwide as reported by the World Health Organizations (WHO). In the Philippines, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO)  mental health illnesses rank third in terms of morbidity. Studies also indicate that stress, anxiety, and depression are prevalent mental health issues in the country. These statistics underscore the need to prioritize mental health and seek support when needed. 

The Relationship of Mental Health and Physical Health

Mental health conditions can significantly impact physical health. According to a study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health, individuals with mental health disorders are at a higher risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Moreover, NIMH also reported that stress, anxiety, and depression can weaken the immune system, making individuals more vulnerable to infections and illnesses.

Engaging in regular physical activity has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, adequate sleep, a balanced diet, stress management, and regular intake of supplements are essential components of a healthy lifestyle. These factors can contribute to both physical and mental well-being.

Taking the Holistic Approach to Health

A holistic approach to health, which encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being, is essential for optimal health outcomes. By addressing all aspects of our health, we can create a strong foundation for a fulfilling life.

In support of one’s holistic wellness journey, LAC Philippines offers a range of natural supplements that are designed to address specific needs. LAC MoodRx and LAC TriAction Sleep Formula are two examples of supplements from LAC that can contribute to overall mental health and well-being.

LAC MoodRx is a natural supplement formulated to support emotional balance and reduce stress. It contains a blend of mood-improving herbal extracts and nutrients that reduce stress, promote relaxation and serotonin production for improved memory and a boost of happiness. To further improve one’s mood and mental health, LAC also offers LAC TriAction Sleep Formula, designed to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. It is made with triple layer sleep technology to promote quality sleep from start to finish. It also improves one’s day-time productivity and mood balance, naturally.

“At LAC Philippines, we understand that mental health is just as important as physical health. That is why we are committed to providing natural solutions to support the holistic well-being of Filipinos. By addressing both aspects of health, we can empower individuals to live happier, healthier lives,” said Evelyn Teo, Chief Marketing Officer of LAC Global. 

By incorporating supplements such as LAC MoodRx and LAC TriAction Sleep Formula to your daily routine, you can provide your body with essential nutrients and support your overall well-being, along with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep. By prioritizing both mental and physical health, you can create a stronger and more resilient version of yourself. 

Lars Voedish (Founder and Group CEO) and Paolo Alba (Country Lead and Regional Business Director) thanking partners for the continued trust and support in the Philippines and Southeast Asia 

PRecious Communications, an award-winning multi-market integrated communications agency, is celebrating its second anniversary in the Philippines. Highlighting a 2.5x year-to-date growth in business from established partnerships with industry leaders in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, PRecious Philippines is positioned to scale its operations further to support the evolving challenges of the market.

As businesses manage the impact of global headwinds, PRecious Philippines remains optimistic about the opportunities it has been seeing in the market.

“The Philippines continues to be one of the fastest growing markets in Southeast Asia. Despite the challenges brought about by inflation, its economy grew by 5.7% in 2023 and is expected to increase by 6% in 2024. The Philippines is also primed to reach a digital economy worth US$35 billion in 2025, representing the significance of the market and the role that we have to play. As we help businesses reach more customers and consumers, we also hope to support the growth of the Philippine economy,” said Lars Voedisch, Founder and Group CEO, PRecious Communications.

 

PRecious Philippines has grown into a team of close to fifteen consultants since it launched its operations in 2022. It has expanded its local–regional capabilities and diversified its portfolio with global leading companies, which include the global leader in digital payments Visa, APAC leader in data science and AI Aboitiz Data Innovation, and leader in health and wellness LAC, among additions to its established technology and startup practice.

At the helm of this is Paolo Alba, who has been spearheading the growth and development of PRecious Communications in the Philippines as Country Lead and Regional Business Director since it was established in 2022.

“As economic activity picked up in 2022, we saw it as an opportunity to leverage our regional network and grow our local capabilities to support foreign businesses that were entering the Philippines. Meanwhile, this also opened opportunities to support local businesses that were extending their footprints in Southeast Asia. As a regional player in a local market, it almost felt natural to support these segments,” explained Paolo Alba.

“This helped establish PRecious Philippines’ core strength and capabilities in B2B – leveraging our presence in key markets of Southeast Asia, knowledge of the local and regional business landscape, and relationships with relevant stakeholder groups – to implement strategic and market-relevant communication programs that address business challenges. Now that we are seeing more businesses engage consumers online and offline, we are actively growing our B2C capabilities to support the market further,” added Alba. 

Fueling the next Phase of Startup-powered Growth

As the business community navigates through times of global uncertainty, PRecious Philippines reaffirms its commitment to finding innovative solutions to support startup companies that fueled PRecious’ initial growth in the region and especially in the Philippines. In support of Filipino startup founders and entrepreneurs, PRecious Philippines is developing an exclusive startup offering that is meant to help early and mid-stage startups kickstart and elevate the traction they require to influence their next phase of growth: from investments to client acquisition or building a partnership ecosystem.

About PRecious Communications:

PRecious Communications is an award-winning multi-market integrated communications agency specializing in go-to-market strategies and integrated communications for clients across Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, with partners in Asia Pacific. With over 10 years of experience, the agency has delivered impactful results for diverse industries, such as tech, finance, healthcare, and consumer goods. In 2019, PRecious Communications joined the GlobalCom PR Network as its Southeast Asia representative, an association of 80 independent PR agencies in over 100 countries worldwide. Most recently, PRecious Communications bagged Gold for “PR Team of the Year” at the Marketing Interactive PR Awards 2022, and Gold at the 2023 APAC Stevie Awards for "Most Innovative PR Agency of the Year." 

End-to-end digitalization of insurance is becoming a crucial strategy to boost insurance penetration in the Philippines, especially as recent data indicates a decline in coverage across the country. In 2023, insurance penetration in the Philippines sank to 1.6%, lower than the 1.73% recorded in 2022.  This decline highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions to make insurance more accessible and appealing to a broader population.

Igloo, a regional insurtech, addresses low insurance penetration by leveraging technology and partnerships to streamline operations across the entire insurance value chain–from insurance and intermediaries to consumers. By digitalizing processes throughout the ecosystem, Igloo enables faster, more efficient services, seamlessly integrating insurance into everyday digital interactions such as e-commerce and travel bookings.

DriveEmpowering Intermediaries with a Digital Platform

One key aspect of this digital transformation is the creation of digital platforms for intermediaries. Traditionally, insurance intermediaries rely on manual processes from onboard customers to settling claims, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Digital tools allow intermediaries to streamline the entire process from customer onboarding to claim settlement. These tools help manage customer information, assess needs, and complete transactions faster and more accurately. As a result, intermediaries can focus more on building relationships with current and potential clients, rather than being burdened by administrative tasks.

Ignite introduced Igloo, a digital platform that helps insurance intermediaries sell more efficiently. Key features include a user-friendly interface for faster browsing, a quick quote system for instant premium calculations, secure payment processing, and tools for team and data management to simplify reporting. It also tracks referral fees in real time, depositing them directly into bank accounts. Launched in Vietnam in 2022, Indonesia in 2023, and now in the Philippines, Igloo offers 42 products across 9 categories, including Travel, Pet, and Motor protection. It was awarded Mobile App of the Year - Vietnam at the Insurance Asia Awards 2024.

Facilitating a Seamless Digital Experience through Embedded Insurance

Igloo is transforming the insurance landscape by providing a seamless, end-to-end digital experience through embedded insurance. As an insurtech platform, it enables businesses to integrate insurance products into their platforms, facilitating seamless policy applications, purchase, and claims management. This reduces friction for both insurance providers and distributors, streamlining complex tasks such as underwriting, policy issuance, and claims processing, making the entire system more efficient and user-friendly.

Igloo partners with online platforms like Lazada and Shopee, as well as payment services like DANA in Indonesia and GCash in the Philippines, and retail chains like Circle K in Vietnam, to develop customized and embedded insurance products that integrate smoothly into digital experiences. In addition, telecom companies like Smart, consumer finance platforms such as Skyro and Salmon, and B2B MSME enabler Growsari also collaborate with Igloo in the Philippines to expand access to insurance across different sectors. This enables customers to purchase insurance directly through these platforms with minimal hassle. As a result, consumers can easily discover, evaluate, and buy insurance products in just a few clicks, making insurance a natural part of their everyday transactions. Consequently, securing coverage for travel, electronics, or e-commerce purchases becomes nearly invisible yet highly convenient.

This frictionless approach allows customers to opt-in with just a few clicks, which improves conversion rates. It also appeals to those who might not have initially considered insurance but recognize its value when offered conveniently.

Bringing Insurance Closer to Consumers, Digitally

Building on its success in embedded insurance and business-to-agent models, Igloo has soft-launched a direct-to-consumer platform in Indonesia, igloo.co.id, where users can explore insurance products like motorcycle, car, pet, and travel coverage from top insurers.

Introducing these platforms is essential for improving insurance accessibility and expanding market penetration. Igloo’s direct-to-consumer platform streamlines the insurance process, enabling users to easily compare products, understand coverage, and manage policies in one place. This approach not only resolves common transparency issues but also empowers consumers to make informed decisions. Digitalization, in this case, increases accessibility, boosts efficiency, and builds trust, ultimately driving higher adoption rates and fostering a more inclusive insurance ecosystem.

As the Philippines experiences a decline in insurance penetration, digitalization offers a clear solution to reverse this trend. By simplifying processes for intermediaries and customers alike, insurers can eliminate barriers to entry. The growing prevalence of embedded insurance and direct-to-consumer platforms also exposes consumers to more coverage options, increasing the likelihood of purchasing insurance and improving overall financial security.

Preparing for various expenses is something my husband and I do annually. With three kids studying at different academic levels, each with unique needs, budgeting can be a challenge. The largest portion of our expenses often goes towards my college student son. In our experience, there are times when finances are abundant, but there are also lean seasons—financially speaking. When resources fall short, especially during critical times, we turn to cash loans.

For cash loans, we trust Home Credit. Home Credit’s cash loan offer provides a financial boost for families like ours. Whether for tuition fees or necessary and unexpected expenses, Home Credit helps make our financial planning hassle-free and worry-free.

Home Credit’s Cash Loan is easy and fast. With just a minute of online processing time, you can get same-day cash disbursement (maximum of P50,000) via online banking or cash pick up from a list of their partner stores, once you’re approved.  And why is it easy? You only need two requirements—first, you must be a Filipino citizen aged 18 to 68 years old; second, you need one valid ID. Additionally, you can choose from 6-month to 48-month installment plans via various payment channels.

As someone who advocates for practical and debt-free living, I encourage everyone to pay their loans on time and in full. This practice helps you maintain a good credit standing and be recognized as a reliable borrower, making it easier to qualify for higher loan amounts. Let’s face it: expenses tend to rise each year, and having adequate savings becomes increasingly important. Fortunately, when savings fall short, we can rely on Home Credit.

Apply safely, securely, and conveniently from home using the Home Credit App, which offers 24/7 customer support. Download it today on Google Play or App Store.

For your financial needs that require flexibility and convenience, choose Home Credit Cash Loan!

For more information about Home Credit Cash Loan, visit this link: www.homecredit.ph/apply/cash-loans. 

To learn more about Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website: www.homecredit.ph. Follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts to stay updated. Explore  www.shoppingmall.ph to get the best deals near you. 

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

*Cash loans are available to eligible customers only.

I’ve been there.

I know how back-to-school expenses, like any other major costs, can be stressful and daunting, especially if you have other financial responsibilities to manage—and even more so if you have more than one child.

Back-to-school season of my three boys in different levels: College, High School, and Grade School.

While budgeting is always helpful, there are times when unexpected expenses or emergencies arise, forcing you to prioritize those during the payment of tuition fees and other back-to-school needs. While there’s nothing wrong with asking for help from family or friends, I personally prefer to seek out financial companies, banking institutions, financial apps, or digital banks that offer loans for important expenses when I need them.

Maya Easy Credit, your dependable ally for all your school expense needs

Maya Easy Credit is a reliable ally when it comes to borrowing money to make back-to-school spending a breeze! Whether you need it for tuition fees, school supplies, gadgets, allowances, or any other expenses, you can count on Maya Easy Credit.

It’s easy—you read that right! You can borrow money as simply as 1-2-3 and without hassle! You can borrow up to ₱30,000 in seconds for your immediate needs and pay it back within 30 days. There’s no need for paperwork like proof of income, billing statements, or other documents to get the financial help you need. With Maya Easy Credit, you can use the funds for back-to-school expenses right after they’ve been transferred to your wallet. Once in your wallet, you can pay directly in-store or online when shopping for your child’s or children’s school needs. My back-to-school experience was a breeze, thanks to Maya Easy Credit.

However, as an advocate of living a debt-free life, it’s important to pay your Maya Easy Credit bill on time to avoid penalties. This also helps you build a good credit score, which is crucial when borrowing money.

Here’s how you could apply for Maya Easy Credit:

1. Go to the Credit dashboard in your Maya App and tap "Sign up for Maya Easy Credit."

2. If you're eligible for Maya Easy Credit, you will see an "Activate Now" button.

3. To become eligible for Maya Credit, complete your account and continue using Maya's other services actively.

To qualify for Maya Easy Credit, you must:

• Be at least 21 years of age and not over 65 years old.

• Have an upgraded account.

• Have been actively using your account.

• Have a good credit standing.

If you qualify for early access, you’ll be notified once you’re eligible to activate your Maya Easy Credit.

Maya Easy Credit saved me during my son’s college enrollment. While I had prepared for his tuition fees this semester, I completely forgot that I still had balances to pay from the previous semester. My back-to-school anxieties disappeared, thanks to Maya Easy Credit!

What made it even more attractive is their ongoing promo where you could win gadgets every week! Every ₱250 you spend using Maya earns you raffle entries for a chance to be one of the 20 weekly winners of ₱10,000 and Honor gadgets from July 1 to August 31, 2024. Pay for school supplies, shoes, backpacks, and more via QRPh at over 600,000 stores, check out online through Pay with Maya, or use the globally accepted Maya Card. Plus, stay connected with load and data from the app for all your homework and enrollment needs. Each transaction brings you closer to a win, making every purchase a step toward exciting rewards. The more you use Maya to spend, save, invest, and borrow, the higher your chances of winning!

In addition to all these fantastic features and promos, Maya is one of the digital banks that offers high interest rates when you open a savings account! With Maya Savings, you can grow your money while you spend it on school or other expenses. Boost your savings with up to 15% p.a. interest, credited daily whenever you use Maya for your transactions. Your savings grow faster, helping you handle school expenses more smoothly.

I can’t stress enough how much Maya and Maya Easy Credit have helped me manage my finances. My back-to-school worries turned into excitement in an instant. I know budgeting can sometimes be a challenge or even seem impossible at times, but with Maya, you can count on its perfect attendance!