Holiday Travel Made Easy: 3 Ways to Beat the Christmas Rush

Make your holidays merry, not heavy—GCash GGives, GCredit, and GInsure got you covered.

Between group chats that can’t decide where to go, sold-out stays, and flights that suddenly cost more than your 13th-month pay, holiday travel planning already feels like a sport. Your wallet’s crying before you’ve even booked a ticket, and that konting budget? Lalong ‘di kakasya kasi mahal lahat! 

Holiday travel hits different—it’s exciting but expensive, and the chaos can test even the most seasoned traveler. But don’t hang up your travel goals just yet—here are three foolproof, wallet-friendly ways to make it through the holiday rush and actually get to your destination, stress-free:

Security Bank Economic Forum 2025: Navigating tariffs, trade, and ASEAN’s next moves

[From left] Mimi Ong, business journalist and TV host; Cirilo P. Noel, Chairman; Curtis S. Chin, former U.S. Ambassador to the ADB and Senior Advisor for Global Markets at Milken Institute; Dr. Cielito F. Habito, former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary; and Sanjiv Vohra, President and CEO at the Security Bank Economic Forum 2025.

Now in its 15th year, the Security Bank Economic Forum continues to be a premier platform for business and investors to understand trends driving growth and opportunity across ASEAN. This year’s theme, “Trump, trade, and the impact on ASEAN,” zeroes in on how shifting US trade and tariff policies are reshaping the region’s economic outlook and influencing strategies for resilience and growth.

Alsons Dev to Redevelop Aldevinco to Support Davao’s Growing Urban Landscape

Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) announced that it will begin the redevelopment of the Aldevinco Shopping Center site by the end of October 2025. Located at the corner of C.M. Recto and Roxas Avenue, the property has long been an iconic presence in downtown Davao. The redevelopment will usher in a new era for this historic landmark, paving the way for a modern, mixed-use destination that supports the city’s continued growth and revitalization while honoring its history and heritage.

Aldevinco Shopping Center served as one of Davao City’s earliest commercial hubs and stood as a cultural landmark for over five decades.

The Truth About Retirement: What You Need to Know

Retirement is a chapter in life that many look forward to, yet few are truly prepared for. 

An online survey by Sun Life Asia across the Philippines, mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Malaysia Singapore, and Vietnam conducted in July 2024 revealed that 21% of retirees in the Philippines had not planned their retirement expenses and close to half express regret over past financial decisions, with 73% saying they have not saved enough for retirement.

Today, many Filipinos live well into their seventies, and many may outlive their retirement savings, as the cost of living doubles approximately every eight to 10 years, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Additionally, major illnesses that come with age can deplete years of hard-earned savings.

The Pink Glitter Edition Maya Visa Card Just Dropped—Here’s Why Everyone’s Obsessed

ICYMI: Maya, the #1 Fintech Ecosystem and #1 Digital Bank in the Philippines, just dropped its newest Pink Glitter Edition Maya Visa Card, and everyone is raving about it. This isn’t just another card in your wallet, it’s the card you’ll want to carry, use, and show off every single day.

All glitter. No filler. 

The Pink Glitter Edition Maya Visa Card delivers on all fronts: design, function, and benefits. Its matte glitter finish gives it a premium, polished look while ensuring it slides smoothly into ATMs and payment terminals for easy, worry-free transactions.

Visa readies banks for expansion of digital payments in other train lines with urban mobility workshop

With the launch of the open-loop, contactless payment system in the MRT last July, Visa is readying local banks to facilitate transit payments for expansion to LRT 1 and 2

Visa, in partnership with Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), conducted a forum to boost readiness of Philippine banks for transit payments as the country gears up for expansion of the automated fare collection system in LRT 1 and 2.

Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, is gearing up for the expansion of automated, contactless fare systems to other train lines in partnership with Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC). Through a workshop on smart mobility, Visa and RCBC shared solutions and best practices for issuers on managing digital payments for various modes of transit, particularly urban rail. 

VUL Insurance: Your Shield and Your Tool for Financial Growth

Ivan Corcuera, Head of Insurance Investments at Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation

In the world of financial planning, one solution that has sparked both interest and debate over the years is a Variable Unit-Linked (VUL) insurance plan. While it became well-known for offering life insurance with an investment component in one package, it has also garnered mixed feedback, often with negative reactions from Clients who felt their investments did not grow as expected.

“VUL has been misunderstood by many,” shares Ivan Corcuera, Head of Insurance Investments at Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all product, and it’s certainly not a shortcut to wealth. It’s a financial tool designed to protect first and grow second.”

A life insurance plan that combines lifelong protection and fund accumulation, VUL’s core purpose is to provide a substantial financial shield for a family when they need it most. The opportunity for growth, while a powerful and valuable feature, is a secondary benefit.