For many Filipinos, investing has traditionally meant choosing between local stocks, government securities, mutual funds, or bank deposits. Building a portfolio with exposure to global markets often required significantly larger capital, access to overseas investment platforms, or navigating products that were not always easy for retail investors to understand.
That landscape is gradually changing.
Filipino investors can now access a broader selection of internationally diversified investment funds with a minimum investment of ₱1,000, following a new partnership between Rampver Financials and Manulife Investment Management and Trust Corporation (Manulife Investments Philippines).
The agreement allows Rampver Online users to invest in Manulife-managed Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITFs), expanding the platform’s offerings beyond local investment products and giving retail investors easier access to professionally managed portfolios that invest across global equities, fixed income, real estate, preferred securities, and multi-asset strategies.
Global opportunities, now within reach
Interest in international investing has steadily grown among Filipinos as markets become increasingly interconnected and investors look beyond domestic opportunities to diversify their portfolios.
While many local investors remain focused on Philippine equities and peso-denominated fixed-income instruments, overseas investments offer exposure to industries and markets that have limited representation locally, including artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, renewable energy, and high-growth Asian economies.
Through the expanded fund lineup, Rampver Online users can invest in companies across Southeast Asia, broader Asian markets, and Greater China, while also gaining exposure to global clean energy firms, multinational industry leaders, and semiconductor companies supporting technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and advanced electronics.
The platform also introduces several income-oriented investment options, including funds that invest in Asian government and corporate bonds, Asia-Pacific real estate investment trusts (REITs), global preferred securities, and diversified portfolios designed to generate recurring income alongside long-term capital appreciation.
Rather than requiring investors to search for individual overseas securities, the funds provide professionally managed exposure to multiple markets and asset classes through a single investment.
Making diversification more attainable
From left: Zedric Matubis and Aira Gaspar of Manulife Investments Philippines with Rex Mendoza, Janice Marie Fernando, and Enrique Romeo Mendoza of Rampver Financials.
For Rampver Financials Chairman Rex Mendoza, the partnership represents another step toward making investment opportunities that were once available primarily to affluent investors more accessible to ordinary Filipinos.
“Our partnership with Manulife Investments Philippines reinforces Rampver’s mission to give Filipinos access to world-class investment opportunities that were once out of reach for many everyday investors. Manulife brings decades of global expertise and a strong track record in growth and income investing, and we are proud to make their funds available on Rampver Online.”
He said the collaboration expands the investment choices available on the platform, allowing clients to pursue long-term capital appreciation while also building portfolios that generate potential recurring income.
Meanwhile, Aira Gaspar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Manulife Investments Philippines, said global diversification has become increasingly relevant as investors look for ways to grow and preserve wealth beyond conventional savings products.
“Through Rampver Online, investors can access Manulife Investments Philippines’ broad range of growth- and income-focused UITFs, opening opportunities across global markets, asset classes, and investment themes.”
She said the partnership aims to help more Filipinos build resilient portfolios that can better withstand changing market conditions while supporting their long-term financial goals.
Digital platforms are reshaping investing
IMAGE CREDIT: Rampver Financials
The collaboration reflects a broader shift in the Philippine investment landscape, where digital platforms are steadily lowering the barriers to investing.
Over the past few years, investment providers have simplified account opening, reduced minimum investment requirements, and expanded the range of products available online. These developments have made investing more accessible to first-time investors who may have previously viewed global markets as out of reach.
The addition of Manulife’s funds also strengthens Rampver Online’s position as a multi-brand investment marketplace, allowing clients to choose from a wider selection of professionally managed products offered by different asset managers instead of relying on a single provider.
For Manulife Investments Philippines, the partnership expands its digital distribution network as more investors turn to online channels to discover, compare, and manage investment products.
While greater access gives investors more choices, investment decisions should still be guided by individual financial goals and risk tolerance. UITFs are trust products, not bank deposits, and are not insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC). Their value may rise or fall depending on market conditions, and returns are not guaranteed.
