FROM THE MARGINS Last Jan. 27, 2025, the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City became the epicenter of groundbreaking discussions as over 400 stakeholders gathered for the National Microinsurance Forum. This annual event, held in celebration of National Microinsurance Month, underscored the...
FROM THE MARGINS How can Asia strengthen its philanthropy network and foster cross-sector collaboration to address pressing regional issues? This question brought together industry, philanthropy, and government leaders at the 3rd Asian Philanthropy Congress in Japan, held late 2024. Organized by...
FROM THE MARGINS Last week, I wrote about two remarkable winners of the 3rd Digital Financial Inclusion Awards (DFIA), an initiative celebrating microfinance clients who have harnessed digital solutions to revolutionize their small businesses. There is special kind of joy in writing our...
FROM THE MARGINS The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently lifted its moratorium on new electronic money issuers from non-bank financial institutions (EMI-NBFIs). This progressive move opens the doors for financing companies, microfinance institutions (MFIs), credit cooperatives, and other...
FROM THE MARGINS As we welcome the new year, I am delighted to highlight how digitalization is driving financial inclusion in the Philippines, bridging gaps in access to financial services for unbanked and underserved communities. Mobile wallets, digital banking apps, and fintech platforms have...
FROM THE MARGINS Christmas is the season of warmth and togetherness. I spent Christmas week surrounded by family and loved ones. Though work continued, the Christmas spirit infused every moment: meetings were filled with shared laughter, and meaningful traditions brought joy to our offices....
FROM THE MARGINS Last week, I wrote about the 2024 SineMaya Community Film Festival, the microfinance industry’s version of Cinemalaya. The SineMaya film fest also aims to promote Filipino independent films, but it is focused on the clients of microfinance and social development organizations...
FROM THE MARGINS Last week, I watched 16 short films created by microfinance and social development organizations across Southeast Asia. These films – submitted as entries to the 2024 SineMaya Community Film Festival – are based on the real-life experiences of ordinary people, documenting...
FROM THE MARGINS Decades ago, I started my microfinance journey by providing credit to landless rural women for enterprise and community development, with a holistic vision of fighting poverty. I have seen firsthand how microfinance can improve people’s lives. By offering a myriad of...
FROM THE MARGINS December is here. Even as we look forward to the Christmas season, many are still reeling from the devastation caused by the recent round of typhoons that visited the country. Typhoons Nika, Ofel, and Pepito caused almost ₱2 billion-worth of damages to agriculture...
FROM THE MARGINS The past weeks have been challenging for millions of Filipinos, especially the vulnerable clients of microfinance institutions (MFIs). At least five strong typhoons affected more than 500,000 families in areas where we operate, and as was our wont, we conducted relief operations to...
FROM THE MARGINS An average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year. But climate change is making them stronger, more frequent, and harder to predict. Just last week, Tropical Storms “Marce” and “Nika” battered Northern Luzon, even as we were bracing for Typhoons...
