FROM THE MARGINS Last March 26 to 28, I visited Iloilo upon the invitation of Bente Productions for a cameo appearance in the film Kusinerang Bulag. While acting is far from my field, I was drawn to the project’s meaningful theme. The film captures the everyday life of a Filipino family amidst...
FROM THE MARGINS As Filipinos move beyond the Lenten season — a time of reflection, sacrifice, and renewal — the country continues to face a sobering economic reality. Recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that 2.96 million Filipinos remain unemployed, per the January 2026...
FROM THE MARGINS Success in entrepreneurship is rarely instantaneous. It is built through perseverance, sacrifice, creativity, and the courage to rise after setbacks. Across the Philippines, four remarkable entrepreneurs — Josefina Quinto Mantuano, Clemente Bombales Ramos, Rose Ann Desagon...
FROM THE MARGINS In the Philippines, where elections are often marred by reports of vote-buying, red-tagging, political dynasties, and digital disinformation, many citizens are understandably disheartened. The same names dominate the ballots. The same patterns repeat. And year after year,...
FROM THE MARGINS I had the honor of joining the ASEAN Forum on Inclusive Financial Well-being on April 8, upon the invitation of Governor Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). Held in Kuala Lumpur, the forum was a sideline event of the 2025 ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central...
FROM THE MARGINS As I edge closer to my 68th birthday, I find myself reflecting on the years gone by with gratitude and renewed hope. I am semi-retired — no longer engaged in the day-to-day operations of an office, yet, performing advisory roles in several financial organizations and...
FROM THE MARGINS Small businesses are the lifeblood of the Philippine economy, employing the majority of our workforce. However, despite their crucial role in driving economic activity, many micro-small-and-medium-enterprises (MSMEs) still struggle to keep pace with digital advancements —...
FROM THE MARGINS What happens when the world’s most vulnerable communities face the harshest impacts of climate change — without the financial tools to adapt? This is a pressing question because climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is already reshaping economies, livelihoods,...
FROM THE MARGINS On March 11, 2025, I had the privilege of speaking at the Mansmith Market Masters Conference, an annual strategy and marketing event that brings together top industry leaders, CEOs, and marketing experts. Held at the SMX Convention Center in Taguig City, the conference was led and...
FROM THE MARGINS There is an African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This wisdom holds true. Partnership and collaboration with other organizations have been the cornerstone of my decades-long work as a microfinance practitioner and...
FROM THE MARGINS Are we prepared to embrace the future that is arriving faster than we expected? I am, of course, talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is transforming industries across the world. I have been receiving a lot of invitations to attend seminars and conferences about...
FROM THE MARGINS A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of organizing a Baguio trip for my batchmates from Ambray Elementary School in San Pablo City. Around 35 of us, led by Batch ’69 officers, Ruel Merin and Carol De Villa-Galomo, and some family members, joined the journey. It gave us an...
