Erwan Heussaff & Manulife: Investing in a Longer, Healthier Life

• Filipino restaurateur and award-winning cultural storyteller Erwan Heussaff champions intentional living as key to overall health and longevity.
• Manulife’s Longevity Symposium highlights how small, intentional choices in physical, mental, and financial health can create lasting impact on individuals and communities.

For Manulife Philippines brand ambassador and content creator Erwan Heussaff, living better—and living longer—comes down to one key principle: intentionality.

In a video produced in partnership with Manulife Philippines, Heussaff reflected on his experience as a speaker at “Time to Move: The Manulife Longevity Symposium,” held in October, where he joined industry experts in examining how Filipinos are approaching health, aging, and longevity in today’s fast-paced world.

“Today’s world moves so fast. And so do the choices we make about our health, our habits, and our future. Longevity isn’t just about living longer—it’s about living with intention,” Heussaff shared in the video posted on his Instagram account.

The symposium served as a platform for meaningful discussions on how physical, mental, and financial health collectively shape longevity. Heussaff shared the stage with Ariel Kangasniemi, Manulife’s Global Chief Sustainability Officer, as they discussed healthier lifestyles and sustainable decision-making—particularly when it comes to food choices.

“When we think of food, we think of something that keeps us going,” Heussaff explained. “I always say, do things with intent. Know why you’re doing them, and don’t let guilt consume you. If you want to eat fast food, that’s your choice—but for everything else, make conscious decisions about what you eat. It really has to start with you.”

Through his work as a content creator traveling across the Philippines—and his deep passion for food—Heussaff said he has come to appreciate how even the smallest choices can make a meaningful difference, not just for personal health but for communities as well.

“Through what we decide to do every day, we can create change for ourselves and for our direct community,” he said. “It all starts with you and the decisions you make daily. Even the small ones count and eventually lead to a bigger goal.”

“We are thrilled to continue shining a spotlight on these important conversations with Erwan,” said Sonali Verma, Chief Marketing Officer of Manulife Philippines. “Through his content and our platforms—such as the Longevity Symposium and ManulifeMOVE—we aim to inspire and empower Filipinos with practical insights and actionable steps that encourage intentional choices toward healthier, more sustainable, and ultimately better lives.”

This latest collaboration builds on Heussaff’s previous partnerships with Manulife, which focused on healthy eating and environmental protection initiatives, including the company’s collaboration with the Haribon Foundation—a program that continues to support residents, farmers, and micro-entrepreneurs in Quezon Province.

These efforts align with Manulife’s broader commitment to longevity, exemplified by the launch of the Manulife Longevity Institute—a global platform designed to drive action and help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives by 2030, in Asia and around the world.