The Smart Saver’s Guide to Surviving Rising Prices

At this point, checking prices before buying anything is already a must. One minute you’re grabbing your usual coffee, the next you’re doing mental math like, “Wait… has this always been this expensive?” Between rising gas prices, pricier groceries, and everything in between, it’s getting harder to pretend your budget hasn’t changed.

Now more than ever, it helps to be more intentional with how your money moves—because even small shifts can add up over time.

VUL: The Entrepreneur’s Tool for Wealth Preservation

For entrepreneurs, success is rarely linear. Income can peak in one season and soften in another, opportunities arrive without warning, and personal and professional risks are part of everyday decision-making. While building a business demands agility, preserving the wealth that comes with it calls for a different mindset – one anchored on protection, discipline, and long-term planning.

This is where Variable Unit-Linked (VUL) insurance becomes especially relevant for today’s entrepreneurs.

UnionBank and SSS equip Filipinos with a digital loan for access to cash when it matters most

UnionBank of the Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding with the Social Security System (SSS) to launch SSS LoanLite — a fully digital lending program offering customers affordable and accessible loans for everyday needs. 

Active SSS members and UnionBank customers can enjoy instant access to short-term loans — from P1,000 to P20,000 — with flexible payment terms ranging from 15 to 90 days. The application process can be done through the UnionBank app, and once approved, loans are credited instantly, giving members quick access to cash when they need it the most. Backed by the trusted partnership of SSS and UnionBank, SSS LoanLite allows Filipinos to borrow with ease and confidence.

EastWest Earns Citations for Excellence in Corporate Financing

Wins at the 19th Alpha Southeast Asia Best Deal & Solution Awards 2025 reflect EastWest’s strength in capital markets execution

EastWest has secured major distinctions at the 19th Annual Alpha Southeast Asia Best Deal & Solution Awards & ESG Awards 2025, highlighting the bank’s expanding role in the country’s capital markets and its capability to deliver high-impact financing solutions for industry-shaping corporations.

As Domestic Participating Underwriter, EastWest played a key role in Maynilad Water Services, Inc.’s landmark PHP 34.3 billion Initial Public Offering (IPO), the second largest IPO in Philippine history, which earned the titles Best IPO for Retail Investors in Asia 2025 and Best Equity/IPO Deal of the Year in the Philippines 2025. 

PLDT Enterprise Bolsters AI Adoption in the Workplace With Digital Assistant ‘Ellie’

PLDT Enterprise is strengthening AI adoption within the PLDT Group with the launch of Ellie, an internal AI-powered digital assistant designed to boost productivity, collaboration, and operational efficiency—enabling faster and more responsive customer engagement.

Short for Enablement and Intelligence Engine, Ellie reflects PLDT Enterprise’s commitment to embedding AI into daily workflows. Accessible via Microsoft Teams, the platform provides teams with quick access to product information, sales materials, and a centralized, searchable knowledge base—helping employees work more efficiently and focus on higher-value activities.

Beyond the hour, PNB Holdings drives year-round impact

PNB Makati Center along Ayala Avenue powers down select lights for Earth Hour 2026.

PNB Holdings Corporation (PHC) joined the Earth Hour 2026 by shutting off nonessential lighting across its major properties in Pasay and Makati. 

The coordinated switch‑off continues PHC’s broader resource management program and provides a scheduled opportunity to reinforce its year‑round energy efficiency measures. The initiative also supported ongoing efforts to monitor consumption patterns and validate operational strategies already in place across the company’s facilities.

5 reasons estate planning shows lasting love

Estate planning remains one of the most underutilized financial tools in the Philippines. 

A study by Sun Life Asia shows while 64% of Filipinos are aware of wills and estate planning documents, only 32% use them. Even more striking, only a mere 18% of respondents feel fully prepared in terms of legacy arrangements if they were to pass away.

These numbers highlight a clear gap between awareness and action. Many Filipino families understand the importance of estate planning, yet only a few take the necessary steps to secure their family’s future.