EastWest Priority Wins Outstanding Client Experience Award at the Global Private Banking Innovation Awards 2025

EastWest Priority, the affluent banking arm of EastWest, has been awarded Outstanding Client Experience in Wealth Management at the Global Private Banking Innovation Awards 2025. This honor affirms EastWest Priority’s focus on thoughtful, tailored service and wealth strategies that speak to the needs of affluent clients across the country.

Raffy S. Algarra Jr., EastWest Head of Financial Markets and Wealth Management, receives the Best Discretionary and Advisory Services Offering award at the 2025 Global Private Banking Innovation Awards.

Launched in 2016 following EastWest’s acquisition of Standard Chartered’s retail banking and wealth portfolio, EastWest Priority has evolved into a trusted financial partner by helping clients grow, preserve, and maximize their wealth through a suite of tailored products and relationship-led service.

Get Closer to Your Dream Ride

Start the journey with PSBank Auto Loan

Whether it’s the daily commute, weekend errands, or family road trips, a reliable car gives you the freedom and confidence to go wherever life takes you. More than just a means of transportation, it’s an investment in convenience, safety, and peace of mind.

With PSBank Auto Loan, getting behind the wheel is simple, fast, and hassle-free.

Lhoopa Disrupts Real Estate Norms with 2.5x Growth in Affordable Home Sales

Thousands of first-time Filipino homeowners turn to Lhoopa as housing gap grows

For millions of Filipino families, the aspiration to own a home feels out of reach. Proptech company Lhoopa is fundamentally reshaping this reality, reporting 2.5x more homes sold in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. This surge reflects the company's growing momentum, helping almost 7,000 low- to middle-income Filipinos across 64 cities secure their own homes through its proprietary AI-enabled technology. 75% of these homeowners had no other option before discovering Lhoopa.

Sun Life Philippines appoints JJ Moreno as President of its insurance business

Jonathan Juan “JJ” Moreno, President of Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc.

Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. recently announced the appointment of Jonathan Juan “JJ” Moreno as the company’s new President. This strategic leadership move reinforces Sun Life’s commitment to strengthening its position as the number 1 life insurance company in the Philippines.

Moreno brings with him over 20 years of experience as a seasoned business executive, having held leadership roles across various industries. Most recently, he served as the President and CEO of the financial technology (FinTech) company behind Beep cards, AF Payments Inc. A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, Moreno is known for his ability to drive strategy execution and lead organizational transformation. He has consistently demonstrated a results-driven, values-centered, and Client-focused leadership style.

Going Further for You: EastWest Ends its Anniversary Celebration with a Dream Run Grand Finale in Manila

Filinvest Event Grounds in Alabang burst into color and excitement as more than 6,000 runners joined the final and biggest leg of the EastWest Dream Run 2025, marking the Bank’s 30th anniversary and the Filinvest Group’s 70th year.

EastWest’s founders took part in the event, with Filinvest Chairman Jonathan Gotianun lacing up alongside EastWest teams, partners, and customers. It was a proud moment that brought together decades of shared dreams, milestones, and everyday wins.

“It was an initiative that united thousands,” said EastWest CEO Jerry Ngo. “Manila showed up with its whole heart. You could feel the excitement from start to finish. It was everything we hoped for and more.”

Savings Hacks to Save Your Favorite Duo this PBB Celebrity Collab Edition

It’s heating up inside the Pinoy Big Brother House as the PBB Celebrity Collab Edition heads into its final stretch! With Kapuso and Kapamilya stars under one roof, we’ve seen unexpected friendships, emotional moments, and now, the rise of the most talked-about duos of the season.

As they conquer more challenges and tasks inside the House, Maya is with them every step of the way! From keeping the Housemates cozy with Maya bleeves, to helping them rest easy with Maya pillows, and adding fun with Maya floaters—Maya has been right by their side, powering them through.

Freelancer Perks You Didn’t Know You Needed—Now in the Maya App

Let’s be real: freelancing looks like freedom, but behind the curated schedules and café-hopping gigs lies a truth every gig worker knows—one accident, one delay, one missed opportunity can throw your whole month off balance. No gigs, no income, no backup.

Maya, the #1 Digital Bank in the Philippines, gets it. That’s why it’s making it easier than ever for freelancers to enjoy perks usually reserved for the 9-to-5 crowd. We're talking high-yield savings, instant access to credit, seamless payments, and now, insurance coverage built for your lifestyle.

How to Be Concert-Ready Like a True K-pop Fan with Maya

The biggest K-pop acts are coming and if you’re reading this, chances are you already know. Tickets? Selling out in minutes. Merch? Vanishing faster than a bias wrecker moment. And if you’re a true stan,  you know it’s time to start making that front-row dream  a reality.

That’s where Maya comes in, the #1 Digital Bank in the Philippines, and your ultimate concert survival kit for saving, spending, and staying ready when the next drop hits.

Demystifying Dementia

Today, an estimated one in 10 people aged 60 years or older in the Philippines is at risk of having dementia.

This is according to the results of the Marikina Memory and Aging Project (MMAP), the first population-based study on aging and dementia among Filipino adults aged 60 years and over, which was conducted from (2015) 2011 to 2022.

As the average life expectancy in the Philippines has been slightly increasing over a decade (71.79 years in 2021 from 71.15 in 2012), experts project that new dementia cases by 2050 could reach 2.52M or nearly 100,000 diagnosed annually.

Despite the increasing prevalence of dementia, awareness and understanding remain limited. Low awareness leads to late or missed diagnoses in all age ranges.

Lack of knowledge on dementia could spark fear and anxiety, which often breeds misconceptions. This inspired Sun Life Grepa, a major life insurance provider in the country, to organize a free webinar on “Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Facts and Myths” featuring Dr. Jacqueline Dominguez, head of the St. Luke’s Memory Center and member of the Dementia Society of the Philippines.

In the two-hour webinar, Dr. Dominguez gave expert medical advice and dispelled these common misconceptions on dementia:

1. Dementia is a normal part of aging.

While this is what most people believe, this is not simply true.

Dr. Dominguez said dementia is an umbrella term for diseases that affect the memory, thinking, and behavior and typically gets worse over time. “As we grow old, the risk of getting dementia increases but it doesn’t happen to everyone,” she clarified. "Based on the MMAP, ninety percent of aging adults will age happily with a relatively normal brain.”

2. Memory loss always signifies dementia.

Memory loss is one of the early warning signs of dementia, but it does not necessarily mean the start of the condition, Dr. Dominguez explained.

It’s normal to forget things once in a while, but when it starts interfering with one’s everyday life, this could be the start of Dementia. This can include problems with remembering, judgment, or reasoning.

She explained that there are three stages of dementia:

Mild dementia: one can function independently, has occasional forgetfulness, confusion, and lapses in judgment.

Moderate dementia: one requires assistance in daily activities as there is greater extent of memory loss.

Severe dementia: one requires round-the-clock care, has loss of mobility and difficulty in performing functions such as swallowing.

How AI-Powered Lending App Is Expanding Financial Access in the Philippines

JuanHand uses AI to deliver faster credit and a path to better financial opportunities.

Despite significant digital advancements, nearly half of Filipino adults remain unbanked, and 76% of loans still go to large corporations which leaves small business owners, informal workers, and rural communities underserved. While technology is no longer the barrier, trust, usability, and data that truly reflect the lived realities of Filipino borrowers remain lacking.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping to bridge this gap by leveraging alternative data, like utility payments, e-commerce activity, and social media behavior, to enable faster, smarter, and more inclusive credit assessments. Citing the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) highlights alternative data as a strategic priority in advancing financial access nationwide, and lending platforms like JuanHand are implementing this vision. It utilizes AI to expand access to credit for millions of Filipinos traditionally excluded from the formal financial system.

Cashalo Secures US$75M Facility from Community Investment Management to Accelerate Financial Inclusion, Celebrates 5 Million Loans Empowering Filipinos

Cashalo celebrates a major milestone with the signing of a US$75 million loan facility from global investment firm Community Investment Management. The partnership aims to expand access to fair and responsible digital lending for underserved communities in the Philippines, supporting Cashalo’s mission to promote financial inclusion and uplift more Filipino lives. (From L-R): Luke Stidham - President of Paloo Financing; Mac Muir - CFO of Empower; Gabby Ayala - General Manager of Paloo Financing)

Cashalo, a leading digital financial services provider in the Philippines, has secured a loan facility of up to US$75 million from global private investment firm Community Investment Management (CIM). The facility will support Cashalo’s rapidly growing business in the Philippines and further its mission to expand access to fair credit to millions of underserved Filipinos.  

Billease introduces Solar EasyPace with Blueshift Energy as its first partner

Billease, one of the Philippines' leading consumer finance providers, today announced a groundbreaking partnership with Blueshift Energy to make solar energy more accessible to Filipino households. This collaboration positions Billease as one of the first Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) applications in the Philippines to offer dedicated solar energy financing solutions.

As electricity costs continue to surge nationwide, Filipino families are increasingly seeking sustainable alternatives to reduce household expenses. While solar power presents a viable long-term solution, high upfront costs and complex traditional financing requirements have historically placed this technology beyond the reach of most households.

A Father’s Guide to Teaching Financial Literacy to their Kids

As children grow and explore the world, there are many lessons that every father hopes they will carry for life, from practical skills to important values. However, one that is often overlooked in certain cultures – including Filipino culture – is financial literacy.  

In many Filipino households, conversations about money are typically limited to the adults and center around immediate needs, familial support, or remittances from overseas workers, leaving little room for lessons on saving, investing, or budgeting. Fathers, however, can break this cycle by intentionally incorporating financial education into daily life. By teaching their children not only the value of money but also the importance of managing it wisely, they can empower the next generation to build a more secure and prosperous future. 

Four important financial lessons we learned from our fathers

Dads serve as every family’s protectors and providers – often responsible for building a stable environment for their families. And while they’re known to leave budgeting and household management to our mothers, many of them have influenced our money habits. Today, their practical wisdom continues to resonate with their children’s financial journey.

This Father’s Day, we gathered some important money lessons from young professionals that their dads have taught them. Read and learn how it can also help improve your money habits.

This Father’s Day, Get Closer to Your Dream Ride

Start the journey with PSBank Auto Loan

As a dad, you wear many hats—driver, navigator, mechanic, and the family’s go-to guy for every trip.

For you, a reliable car isn’t just about getting from point A to B—it’s about being there for your family, whenever they need you.

This Father’s Day, give yourself the ride you deserve. With PSBank Auto Loan, getting behind the wheel is simple, fast, and hassle-free.

Sun Life Philippines’ Deputy General Counsel lauded at the prestigious Asian Legal Business Southeast Asia Law Awards

Sun Life Philippines recently announced that its Deputy General Counsel, Atty. Paolo Macapagal, was named one of the Top 8 finalists for In-House Lawyer of the Year for Southeast Asia at the 21st  Asian Legal Business Southeast Asia Law Awards. The prestigious event, held in Singapore, recognized legal excellence across the region. 

This distinguished recognition highlights Atty. Macapagal’s outstanding leadership, legal expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence in the fields of investment and insurance law. His achievement stands as a testament to the strength and caliber of Sun Life Philippines’ in-house legal team. 

Banking Made Easier: EastWest Sets the Bar for Digital Innovation with Purpose

EastWest continues to purposefully shape the future of digital banking by delivering smart, intuitive solutions designed to make life easier. From seamless mobile experiences to AI-powered support, every innovation is built to go Further for You, making banking not just smarter, but simpler, more human, and easier to navigate.

“It’s not about flashy features, but about being intentional,” said Efren dela Cruz, Head of EastWest’s Innovation Center of Excellence. “What we’re building are not one-off features but ecosystems that do the work for customers, for employees, and for the Bank.”

From Science To Art To Hope: Sun Life Collaborates With National Museum, Liter Of Light, And Odangputik Art Space For Circle Of Light

Left to right: (top row) Sun Life PH Chief Agency Officer Deo Orpilla, Sun Life PH Chief HR Officer Michelle Garcia, Deputy Director-General for Museums for the National Museum Jorell Legaspi, Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. President JJ Moreno, Sun Life PH Chief Strategy and Enablement Officer Aleister Cruz, (bottom row) Sun Life PH Chief Client Experience & Marketing Officer Carla Gonzalez-Chong, Odangputik Art Space Co-Founder and Lead Artist Ianna Engaño, Odangputik Art Space Co-Founder & Curator Lin Bajala, and Liter of Light Co-Founder and Board Director Ami Valdemoro.

Get ready for a dazzling spectacle at the heart of Manila!

Visa and Maya launch cross-border funding solution for foreign-issued Visa cards

Launch of Visa Cross-border Account Funding Transaction (AFT) in Maya to enable payments flexibility and convenience for tourists, expatriates, overseas Filipino workers, and freelancers 

From left to right – Maya Consumer Business Lead Justin Soon, Head of Enterprise Product Nitin Chawre, Head of Consumer Business Mariam Randhawa, and Group Chief Commercial Officer Khurram Malik, along with Visa Philippines Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro, Head of Product and Solutions Ezer Escolar, Director for Commercial and Money Movement Solutions Abigail Aguilar, and Director and Account Executive Oliver Ornido. 

Get Your Money Together Like A Pro with Maya

You’ve got the fits, the playlists, the IG grid — everything curated just right.  But when it comes to your finances, things still feel a little... freestyle? Here’s the truth: being financially put together is the ultimate glow-up. And it doesn’t require a finance degree or a sit-down with a banker. You simply need the right app, one that matches your vibe, your pace, and your goals.

This is where Maya comes in - the #1 Digital Bank App in the Philippines. With smart tools that make saving feel effortless and security that doesn’t sleep, Maya helps you take control of your finances and actually feel good about it.

Young Filipinos turning to AI self-help tools amid rising mental health struggles

Latest AXA Mind Health Report highlights urgent mental health realities and evolving coping strategies in the digital age

AXA’s 2025 Mind Health Report highlights the growing mental health challenges faced by young Filipinos and the importance of digital tools and proactive support in fostering safer, healthier mental well-being for the community.

In an era defined by economic uncertainty, digital fatigue, and growing social isolation, young Filipinos are emerging at the forefront of a vital conversation: mental health.  According to AXA’s 2025 Mind Health Report, Filipinos, aged 18 to 34, are experiencing significantly higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than their global peers. Yet, they are also among the most proactive in seeking support through digital and AI-powered mental wellness tools.