AXA global executives highlighted the Philippines’ strong growth potential during their visit in the country, citing its expanding economy and young population’s rising demand for insurance and financial services. [From left to right: AXA Philippines Chief Financial Officer Mikael Malaganne, Chief Human Resources Officer Sharon Hernandez, Chief Operations Officer Kathleen Villegas, Chief Transformation and Technology Officer Caloi Santos, AXA Group Chief Executive Officer Thomas Buberl, AXA Philippines Chief Executive Officer Ayman Kandil, AXA International Markets Chief Executive Officer Hassan El-Shabrawishi, AXA Philippines Chief General Insurance Officer Gael Lapie, AXA Philippines Chief Distribution Officer Khaled Younis, and AXA Philippines Chief Marketing Officer Nandy Villar.
AXA, one of the world’s leading insurance and asset management companies, has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the Philippines, calling it a strategic growth market during a recent visit by its top global executives.
AXA Group Chief Executive Officer Thomas Buberl and AXA International Markets CEO Hassan El-Shabrawishi highlighted the country’s sustained economic expansion—averaging 5 percent annually—driven by strong domestic consumption, a rapidly expanding yet vulnerable middle class, and a young, tech-savvy population. They described the Philippines as “a vital pillar in AXA’s global strategy” and “a hub of innovation and resilience in the Asia-Pacific region.”
The visit also underscored AXA’s enduring partnership with Metrobank, which has anchored its Philippine operations for over 25 years. Through this joint venture, AXA and Metrobank have pioneered bancassurance in the country, widened digital access to insurance products, and championed financial education among Filipino households and businesses.
“Together, AXA and Metrobank have brought financial protection closer to millions of Filipinos,” Buberl said. “Our partnership continues to evolve, ensuring that protection and financial inclusion grow hand in hand with the country’s economic progress.”
Buberl and El-Shabrawishi emphasized that AXA’s mission in the Philippines extends beyond traditional insurance. The company aims to deliver inclusive, future-ready protection solutions that anticipate local risks—from climate change and natural disasters to evolving health and financial challenges.
“Insurance today must go beyond protection after the fact,” Buberl said. “Our goal is to help communities anticipate risks, prepare for them, and recover faster. If risk preparedness can be strengthened here in the Philippines, it can serve as a model for other high-risk regions around the world.”
El-Shabrawishi added that the Philippines plays a central role in AXA’s EssentiALL program, the company’s global inclusive insurance initiative. “We’re committed to reaching underserved sectors—MSMEs, informal workers, and low-income households—by offering practical, affordable solutions that build financial resilience.”
Beyond products, AXA continues to invest in programs that promote financial literacy, enhance digital access, and foster resilience-building. These efforts aim to make insurance a more familiar and essential part of everyday life for Filipino families.
“Our focus is on prevention, education, and inclusion,” El-Shabrawishi said. “We want to redefine insurance as a foundation of national resilience—an infrastructure that supports communities before, during, and after life’s challenges.”
The executives’ visit signals AXA’s broader global direction: positioning insurance not merely as a financial service, but as an essential component of social and economic stability. In reaffirming its Philippine commitment, AXA strengthens its role as a catalyst for inclusive growth—empowering Filipinos to build stronger, more secure futures.