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.