Practical budgeting tips for the holidays and the year ahead

The holiday season is a time for celebration, but also a moment when many Filipinos feel the pressure of balancing festive spending with long-term financial responsibilities. And with year-end bonuses coming, the temptation to splurge can be even harder to resist. 

Still, this season offers the perfect opportunity to make thoughtful choices that support one’s financial well-being, not just during the holidays, but throughout the year. 

In its recent webinar, “From Bonus to Balance: Holiday Budgeting Made Simple,” Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa) encouraged Filipinos to take a more mindful approach to holiday spending and focus on decisions that support their long-term goals. 

The webinar shared these holiday budgeting tips people can use all year long: 

Five Ways to Make Your Holidays and Finances Merry and Bright

The holidays are a time for joy, connection, and celebration. However, they can also be a significant source of financial stress as this is the time for spending on gifts and celebrations. For Filipinos, the festive mood kicks off as soon as the “Ber” months come in. The earlier the season begins, the longer your budget is at risk of being overspent.

Sun Life believes that the key to a stress-free holiday and financial security is early and smart preparation. Here are five practical ways to manage your finances for the season, so you can enjoy the festivities without the dreaded post-holiday debt.

From Survival to Opportunity: Borrowing in a Time of Stability

How Responsible Lending Can Open Doors for Filipinos

For many Filipinos, borrowing money has long been a way to get through tough times. It can help to pay for food, tuition, medicine, or bills when income falls short. These needs remain real and urgent. But as the economy shows signs of stability, it’s also time to ask: Can loans be more than just a last resort?

Break Free from the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle with These Smart Money Moves

For many, payday doesn’t feel like a reward, it feels like a reset button. Money comes in, obligations go out, and by week two, you’re already stretching every peso. That’s why Maya, the #1 Digital Bank in the Philippines, is changing the game. With smart tools and a seamless experience, Maya helps you build financial breathing room and long-term stability—no spreadsheets required.

Here’s how Maya helps you move from just getting by to actually getting ahead:

Money Resolutions with Maya That Will Take You Places in 2025!

New year, new goals—but what if your resolutions could actually take you to your dream destinations? Whether it’s the white-sand beaches of Bohol, the bright lights of New York, or a luxe escape to Perth, 2025 is the year to make it happen. And with Maya, your smarter money moves can literally land you in Business Class!

This Happy YOU Year, Maya is giving you the chance to win year-round Philippine Airlines (PAL) Business Class flights just by saving, spending, or borrowing wisely. Here’s how you can fast-track your way to your dream destinations with these game-changing money resolutions:

Sustain Financial Growth with Sun Life Grepa Fund

Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), a major insurer in the country, is bringing back the Sun Grepa Peso Asset Builder (PAB) ProIncome for a limited time, this time with higher annual payout thus providing clients with the opportunity to earn regular income while participating in global investments using their Peso Assets.

The Sun Grepa Peso Asset Builder ProIncome is a single-pay life insurance product linked to structured investments. It offers life insurance protection of at least 125% of the one-time premium payment for seven years, fixed annual payouts of 4.50% for seven years, and the return of the single payment at maturity. These investments are made offshore, allowing clients to diversify their peso assets further.

Personal Finance Checkup: Top 10 smart financial decisions to make today

There is no better time to make the best financial decisions than now.

Every day is a chance to make better choices and one of the areas of our lives that would greatly benefit from a determination to improve and make smarter decisions on would be on finances. The less financial stress to deal with, the better life becomes. The more one gets to take care of financial wellness means greater chances of financial freedom.

According to the 2023 Financial Readiness Survey of major life insurance firm Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), Filipinos have a clear sense of financial priorities but lack financial preparedness when it comes to securing protection instruments to achieve goals and address needs. Only less than 10% of the respondents claim full financial preparedness. Those who are fully or somewhat prepared when it comes to having emergency funds are at 34%, 32% are prepared for major goals, 32% readiness for personal health and 30% for investments.

5 Spooky Money Myths Busted with the help of Maya!

This Halloween season, Maya, the #1 digital bank in the Philippines, is ready to unmask your financial fears! We're about to bust some common money myths that have been haunting your money moves. With Maya, you can wave goodbye to these misconceptions and master your money effortlessly. 

Myth #1: “Opening an online bank account is tricky and not safe.” 

Many believe that online bank account opening is complicated and poses security risks. However, with Maya, it's as easy as a few clicks. You can open a savings account without any minimum balance requirement, needing only one valid ID. Maya is not only user-friendly but also safe and secure as it’s regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and deposits are covered by the PDIC up to P500,000, providing peace of mind for your online banking journey.

PayMongo Chief calls for simpler and more convenient digital financial services in accelerating financial inclusion in the Philippines

PayMongo CEO Jojo Malolos as a panelist at the AI Summit held in Marriott Hotel in Newport, Pasay City on May 10, 2023. 

PayMongo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jojo Malolos stressed the importance of knowing your consumers well and identifying the specific needs and circumstances of consumers to achieve financial inclusion, especially here in the Philippines.

Mr. Malolos made this pronouncement as he participated in a panel discussion with his co-experts in the field of fintech to impart ways to create a more inclusive financial system through technology at the first AI Summit in the country hosted by the Aboitiz Data Innovation (ADI).

Asialink taps UBX for digitalization of finance business

UBX, the leading open finance platform in the Philippines, has been named the official technology partner of Asialink Finance Corp., one of the leading non-bank financial institutions in the Philippines that provides secured business loans, and personal financing and refinancing products nationwide, as it expands and improves its suite of financial services for the benefit of millions of Filipinos. 

Under the agreement, UBX will support Asialink in digitally transforming its lending processes via UBX SeekCap and its payment collections, enabling it to expand the reach and operational efficiency of its already lucrative lending business.

GCash enables young professionals, MSMEs to unlock financial goals

GCash, the Philippines’ number one financial super app, is enabling young professionals and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to unlock their financial goals through the many accessible digital financial services it offers like savings, loans, insurance, and even investments.

GCash recently shared that young professionals are becoming more independent, budget conscious, and open to trying simple ways to earn more while owners of MSMEs struggle to find accessible financing to expand their business and reach more customers.

Online shopping worries? We’ve got you covered at no additional cost!

Enjoy online shopping insurance with PayMaya's Buyer Protect   

PayMaya users can now enjoy better peace of mind when shopping online with Buyer Protect, the only online shopping insurance provided at no additional cost by an e-wallet in the country.   Buyer Protect is underwritten by leading general insurer AIG Philippines Insurance and developed by PayMaya with leading international insurtech, bolttech.  

If you shop online and pay using your PayMaya account, you now enjoy peace of mind for undelivered, incomplete, or damaged purchases. This is because you are now covered – thanks to Buyer Protect. Best of all, you can take advantage of this offer at no extra cost! 

With Buyer Protect Insurance, you can enjoy coverage for purchases with a minimum spend of PHP100 per transaction from legitimate online sellers with their own website or official stores on Lazada, Shopee, Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, and similar sites.    

5 Ways You Can Handle Money Better This Year

New Year, new you. Every first month of the year calls for a fresh set of resolutions, money included. We all need a certain level of inspiration to craft up new rules for our finances, but their success boils down to our effort and dedication. Having trouble making your resolutions work for you? Read on below for your new money commandments and how to finally stick to them this 2020.

1. Be realistic.  

Targeting to pay off all your debts is good and all, but you need to be realistic to make it successful. When assessing the amount that you want to pay off for the year, make sure that you leave enough budget to support your regular lifestyle. You have a higher chance of making financial mistakes like overspending if you limit yourself too much, so try to find the perfect middle between achieving your financial goals and supporting your needs.

7 Things You Need To Know About General Insurance

Because it pays to be prepared for life’s surprises, the Mercantile way!

In disaster-prone countries such as the Philippines, you can never be too prepared for unforeseen circumstances. With every unexpected thing that can really set you back, having non-life insurance is your best solution to rebuild assets that are accidentally destroyed or affected by natural disasters.

1CISP Posts record Growth In 2018

Total assets grew by 65% YoY to P2.57B 

1Cooperative Insurance System of the Philippines (1CISP), the largest cooperative insurer in the Philippines, ended 2018 with a record-high growth in assets, owing to the conducive business environment in the local insurance industry.

In a press briefing held recently led by 1CISP president Roy S. Miclat, he revealed that 1CISP’s total assets as of end-2018 has reached P2.57 billion, a hefty 65% increase from the cooperative’s total assets of P1.55 billion in 2017.  Joining the presentation were Brig. Gen. Teodoro P. Evangelista, Chairperson and 1CISP Directors Imelda S. Magabilen and Sec. Senen Bacani. 

Global Banking and Finance Review awards UnionBank “Best Digital Bank Philippines 2018” and “Most Innovative Cash Management Services Bank Philippines 2018

2018 Global Banking & Finance Awards® awarded UnionBank “Most Innovative Cash Management Services Bank Philippines 2018” and “Best Digital Bank Philippines 2018”

The leading British online and print magazine recently awarded UnionBank in recognition for its dedication to providing leadership, innovation and excellence in cash management and in digital banking.

“Union Bank of the Philippines is one of the leading banks in the Philippines and a pioneer when it comes to cash management and digital banking. They were first bank in the Philippines to establish a website and have continued to redefine banking by investing in technology and making banking more accessible and efficient. Their superior technology doesn’t stop with their retail accounts but provides for online, real time business solutions, including their cash management solutions where they have demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing customer experience through tailored solutions to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes. Their strategic vision, continued investment in technology, and strong risk management is what made them stand out as the winner this year", said Wanda Rich, Editor, Global Banking & Finance Review. “We look forward to seeing more from them in the years to come.”

Coins.ph: Anatomy of a Philippine digital startup success

When Silicon Valley entrepreneur Ron Hose founded Coins.ph in 2014, he only had one goal in mind -- to drive financial inclusion in the Philippines and eventually expand to other countries in Southeast Asia which have low penetration of formal financial services.

Ron’s determination, coupled with powerful technology and huge potential for growth in a largely underserved market, made Coins.ph a highly-attractive investment for international and local investors that included Quona Capital, Naspers, Pantera Capital, and Kickstart Ventures -- all of which strongly believed in the company’s ability to scale and succeed.

Payoneer empowers digital entrepreneurs and freelancers at the Manila chapter of global business event

Payoneer regional head and country manager Miguel Warren
 offers support for the SME BPOs and freelance professionals
and help enable their businesses to go global.

Global fintech company Payoneer successfully staged their flagship event, “The Payoneer Forum: Go Beyond and Expand Globally” recently held at the SM Aura SMX Convention Center in Taguig City. 

In addition to attracting Manila-based freelancers, business owners and online entrepreneurs to the forum, Payoneer also flew in several delegates from the provinces for free in order to include enterprising Pinoys from the rural areas.

The forum provided information and ideas for the growing community of Filipino digital entrepreneurs, startup BPOs and freelancers, equipping them with knowledge about industry trends and expanding a business globally.

Mapúa students enjoy cashless convenience with RCBC MyWallet ID Card

From meeting new friends to learning new things, students have a lot to look forward to as soon as they enter the university. However, much is also expected from this new generation. 

As young adults who will soon help grow the country’s economy, it is important that these individuals are educated, empowered, and financially literate. And taking the lead to begin their financial journey, RCBC ties up with Mapúa University to introduce a dual purpose MyWallet–Mapúa ID to all its freshmen students for the upcoming academic year.

5 ways you can protect your online banking details

Digitalization has certainly helped many young adults to manage their finances to keep pace with the demands of their active and busy lifestyles. From enjoying cashless transactions, to conveniently booking movie tickets and paying necessary bills, most of the millennials’ activities can now be done with just one click or tap on their smartphones.

As most banks now offer online banking, many Filipinos can experience transacting on-the-go or at the comfort of their homes. Unlike traditional banking, going online also provides you with an easier way to save and track where you are spending your money.