Ant International, IFC, GCash Pioneer First-of-its-kind Sustainability Impact Scorecard to Expand MSME Access to Sustainable Financing

Furthering its mission of driving digital financial inclusion, Ant International, International Finance Corp. (IFC), and GCash are developing a Sustainability Impact Scorecard that will make it easier for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to track their environmental and social impact, easily adopt sustainability practices in business operations, and align with global standards.

 

The Scorecard provides Filipino MSMEs with trusted, clear, and accessible pathways to measure sustainability performance, strengthen credibility, and unlock opportunities aligned with global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. By leveraging the GCash ecosystem and metrics tailored to the Philippine market, the Scorecard aims to empower local MSMEs with relevant, simple insights to help transform businesses.

 

In the Philippines, MSMEs account for 99.6% of businesses and employ over two-thirds of the workforce, yet limited access to financing remains a key challenge. The Scorecard, which serves as a benchmark for MSMEs, will help businesses demonstrate their sustainability practices and unlock access to sustainable financing to support growth.

 

Aside from tracking sustainability performance, the Scorecard also provides MSMEs with a way to build the credibility needed to engage with investors and lenders on sustainability performance.

 

“For MSMEs, this is a game-changer. It provides visibility into their environmental and social impact and credibility that can attract green capital and partnerships,” said GCash group head for new businesses Winsley Bangit.

 

“Crucially, MSMEs’ growing social impact cannot be overlooked. Through our collaboration with GCash and IFC, we are making technologies such as AI more accessible to local MSMEs, empowering them to participate in the next wave of sustainable digital transformation. This scorecard serves as a vital tool for future innovation, reinforcing that true environmental sustainability integrates social and economic impact, and it must never be sidelined,” said Carrie Suen, vice president and head of global affairs and strategic development at Ant International.

 

“MSMEs play a critical role across markets. By equipping them with the right tools, we can strengthen resilience, support adaptation, and enable sustainable growth at scale,” Christina Ongoma, IFC East Asia and the Pacific Regional Advisory manager for the Financial Institutions Group, added.

 

Shaping a world-class, competitive & sustainable future for Filipino MSMEs

 

The partnership builds on discussions at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and Ant International’s Programme Sirius, launched in 2024 to support MSMEs in taking the first step toward sustainability. With GCash as a pilot partner, the initiative aims to translate global sustainability commitments into practical, on-ground digital solutions for underserved communities in the Philippines.

 

The Scorecard pilot will roll out in phases, starting with ecosystem assessments, stakeholder engagement, and the development of the sustainability impact scorecard, followed by validation and field testing. Learnings from the pilot will inform potential scaling across the Asia-Pacific region.

 

This initiative underscores the power of collaboration in expanding MSMEs access to practical, data-driven ESG tools, enabling small businesses to integrate sustainability into everyday operations, scale responsibly, and connect with solutions previously deemed out of reach. This reflects the shared commitment of Ant International, IFC, and GCash to advance sustainable finance solutions and build a more inclusive digital economy.

 

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

BizKarte Moves for Pinoys: Skyro Spotlights Real Negosyo Wins

Dreams grow when someone believes in you. Behind every successful business is a story of support, hard work, and the courage to start.

 

From inspiring life stories and finding one’s passion to real conversations on entrepreneurship and business growth, the newly launched BizKarte Moves by Skyro, an SEC-registered fintech company in the Philippines, offers a wealth of practical wisdom for Filipinos, especially aspiring entrepreneurs.

 

With episodes now available for viewing on Skyro’s social media platforms, BizKarte Moves is a podcast-style series that follows a simple format: the host visits Skyro’s partner merchant stores and interviews business owners.  They share how they started, the challenges they faced, and how Skyro’s flexible loans and Buy Now, Pay Later options supported their growth.

 

“Our goal in launching Skyro BizKarte Moves is to help entrepreneurs navigate the dynamic world of business. Through the stories of our partner merchants, we hope to inspire others to start, or keep going, with their own ventures,” shared Iya Lelyanova, Skyro Head of Marketing.

 

One of the featured guests is Joseph Luigi Torres, who started a buy-and-sell business offering mobile phones while still in college. He has been in the industry for over 16 years and now owns six branches under the name Legitech across multiple locations, selling a wide range of mobile phones, gadgets, and wearables. His first official store was established in Angat, Bulacan, in 2017.

For Mr. Torres, offering flexible payment terms has been key to staying competitive. “Ang pinakahinahanap na kasi ng mga tao ngayon ay laging installment,” he shared. Around 80-90% of their customers who message online ask about installment options. With Skyro’s light and easy terms, Legitech has been able to attract more customers and boost sales.

He first discovered Skyro at their Starmall branch, where neighboring stalls were already offering installments for brand-new cellphones. “We made sure to talk to the area manager to learn more about Skyro. We submitted a proposal, and fortunately, we were accepted. Now, all our branches offer Skyro installment plans,” he added.

 

Legitech officially became a registered Skyro partner merchant in 2024, recognizing that Skyro was a strong fit for their secondhand phones, as it made them more affordable compared to brand-new units.

 

Known for providing fast and flexible installment financing through its digital lending platform, Skyro has also been actively supporting its partner merchants by helping boost their visibility. It provides marketing materials like flyers, banners, and tent cards to help stores attract more customers.

 

Since its introduction in the Philippines in 2022, Skyro has quickly built a reputation for its simple and accessible digital financial services. Today, it is present in over 8,900 partner merchant stores nationwide and serves more than 600,000 active product loan customers.

 

To learn more about Skyro and its latest updates, visit skyro.ph and follow its social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and TikTok. Catch the full testimonial video on YouTube to see how Skyro supports partners like Legitech in growing their business.

Closing the Credit Gap: How GCash, Fuse are Helping Women MSMEs Access Fair and Credible Financing

With the celebration of Women’s Month, Fuse Financing, Inc.—the lending arm of GCash— reaffirms its commitment to championing women by making credit more accessible and dignified.  Through a landmark Php 1.75 billion credit facility from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Fuse’s digital lending product GLoan,  Fuse is breaking long-standing barriers in traditional banking, providing Filipinos with a vital gateway to financing that helps keep their stores stocked, grow businesses, and bridge critical funding gaps for their families.

 

One of the borrowers is Juvy Camante, a 55-year-old store owner from Pateros. In the past, she avoided applying for loans because of complicated paperwork and strict requirements from traditional lenders. The simple application process of GLoan helped Camante overcome this barrier, providing her with confidence to use credit to support her business.

 

“Dati natatakot ako mangutang dahil sa dami ng requirements at baka hindi makabayad, pero sa GLoan, ID lang ang kailangan. Dahil dito, lumago ang inventory ng tindahan ko at talagang nakakatulong ito sa pamilya namin,” Camante shared. ("I used to be afraid to borrow because of the many requirements and the risk of not being able to pay, but with GLoan, all I need is an ID. Because of this, my store’s inventory has grown, and it has really helped my family.)

 

For Angelyn Avila, a store owner from Mandaluyong, managing repayments while running both a household and a small business was a major concern. Informal lending often meant dealing with collectors and rigid repayment schedules that added pressure to her daily routine. Digital repayments through GCash offered Avila a dignified solution, allowing her to pay at her own pace or through automatic deductions from her digital wallet.

 

“Mas gusto ko ang GLoan dahil walang kolektor na kumakatok at pwedeng mag-bayad anytime sa app. Malaking tulong ito para tuloy-tuloy ang ikot ng puhunan sa aking sari-sari store kahit mahirap ang buhay ngayon,” Avila said. (I prefer GLoan because there are no collectors knocking on my door, and I can make payments anytime through the app. This is a big help in keeping the capital turnover going in my sari-sari store, even though life is tough right now).

 

Beyond supporting businesses, access to digital credit is helping families meet important needs. Parañaque resident Fevelyn Bellen shared how the platform helped her support her child’s studies, “Ginamit ko ang GLoan para sa allowance at school needs ng anak ko sa probinsya. Dahil mabilis ang approval, agad kong naipapadala ang pera sa kanya para hindi siya magkulang sa pag-aaral.” (I used GLoan for my child’s allowance and school needs in the province. Because the approval is fast, I can send the money to them immediately so they won’t fall short in their studies.)

 

Bridging the credit gap

 

Women continue to play a major role in the local economy. Data shows they accounted for 62% of new business registrations in 2020, yet around 72% still faced challenges in securing formal credit due to strict requirements and collateral demands. Many small entrepreneurs, especially those running sari-sari stores or home-based businesses, often turn to informal lenders with high interest rates.

 

To address this gap, Fuse is extending credit access directly to communities through GScore, its tech-enabled underwriting which analyzes users’ financial behavior within the GCash app to determine eligibility. At a broader level, this shift is transforming how credit is extended to underserved sectors by replacing traditional bank requirements and physical collateral with  digital records and responsible usage within the platform.

 

“By removing the barrier of physical collateral and replacing it with digital trust, we are ensuring that every Filipina entrepreneur has the capital she needs to thrive in a digital economy,” said Baby Aquino, chief product officer and strategy head at Fuse Financing Inc.

 

As of the end of 2025, Fuse has disbursed P362 billion in loans, with three in five borrowers being women—a clear indicator of how digital finance is opening new opportunities for Filipinas to participate in the formal economy.

 

Fuse continues to champion women by making credit more accessible, helping them grow their businesses or bridge funding gaps so that a better life becomes truly achievable for every Filipina.

 

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

Modernizing the Nation: 5th GCash Digital Excellence Awards Recognizes the Pioneers of Inclusive Digital Governance, a Citizen-Focused Cashless Nation

In a showcase of public sector excellence, the 5th GCash Digital Excellence Awards (GDEA) officially set the benchmark for modern governance, honoring local government units (LGUs), national agencies, health care and education institutions that have successfully bridged the gap between traditional service and a digital-first Philippines

 

Held at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, this year’s theme, “Recognizing Digital Pioneers: Empowering the Public Sector for a Modern, Inclusive Philippines”, highlighted the vital role of government institutions in driving the country’s digital modernization. Through its digital payment infrastructure, GCash continues to support these public institutions in building secure, efficient, and citizen-focused services.

 

Across agencies, digitalization has created a stronger culture of transparency, reduced manual cash handling, and shortened transaction times. Citizens now experience faster access to benefits, simplified requirements, and more reliable payment channels, while institutions report improved oversight, financial control, and operational efficiency.

 

“2025 was truly a year where GCash doubled down on its commitment through partnership with the government in advancing digitalization in our country. We are moving beyond mere access to delivering world-class innovations that people use daily,” said Mynt chairman Ernest Cu. “We could not have reached these heights alone. Together, we have brought strengthened fiscal management, streamlined disbursements, and connections to the LGU.”

 

Meanwhile, Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) director general, secretary Ernesto V. Perez, highlighted that the ultimate measure of digital excellence is the citizen experience. “Digital excellence within government rests on tangible results experienced by individuals and enterprises.

 

It is seen in faster transactions, simplified requirements, dependable payment channels, and platforms that reach communities regardless of geography or circumstance,” said Perez. “Through this initiative, GCash and ARTA continue to champion the goals by promoting ease of doing business, enhancing digital payment systems, and fostering stronger collaboration between government and the private sector.”

 

This year’s GDEA highlighted several award categories representing different stages of digital adoption. The Digital Breakthrough Growth Award recognized LGUs and NGAs that successfully adopted digital solutions within their first year, while the Excellence in Digital Transformation Award honored institutions demonstrating sustained growth in digital transactions from 2022 to 2025.

 

The Catalyst in Financial Inclusion Award recognized initiatives that expand access to financial services, while specialized categories such as Digital Transformation Excellence in Healthcare, Education, and Utility Efficiency honored institutions that improved service delivery through digital payment adoption.

 

Long-term leadership was recognized through the Leader in Sustainable Financial Digitalization Award, honoring agencies that have partnered with GCash for at least five years, and the Leader in Sustainable Financial Digitalization for Public Markets, which recognized markets with at least 70% vendor adoption of digital payments. The Palengke Digital Breakthrough Growth Award and the Champion for Digital Advocacy and Connectivity Award also highlighted grassroots and partnership-driven progress in financial inclusion.

 

Digitalization remains a key priority in expanding access to government services, particularly in underserved communities. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, over 97% of government-to-government and government-to-employee transactions are now processed digitally, while retail digital payments account for more than 57% of total transaction volume.

 

By recognizing digital pioneers in the public sector, the GDEA reinforces GCash’s role in supporting the country’s modernization agenda and expanding access to technology-driven public services nationwide.

 

"We are one with the government in the mission to serve every Filipino. Everything we do is anchored in our shared vision of finance for all. Every leader here tonight is a testament to the belief that no Filipino should be left behind in the digital economy,” said GCash VP and head of public sector Cleo Santos.

For more information, visit https://www.gcash.com

Vinta Market Sets Sail at Newly Opened SM City Zamboanga, Championing Local MSMEs

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — As SM City Zamboanga opened its doors on March 20, the vibrant spirit of local entrepreneurship and culture took center stage with the unveiling of Vinta Market, a colorful marketplace dedicated to supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from across the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Launched in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 9 and the SM for MSMEs program, the Vinta Market brings together 20 local MSMEs, showcasing proudly regional products ranging from handcrafted items and artisanal goods to local delicacies, fashion pieces, and unique souvenirs.

SM Supermalls executives  and DTI Region 9 officials lead the ceremonial opening of the Vinta Market at SM City Zamboanga, celebrating a new platform for local MSMEs. (L-R: DTI Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Director, Ma. Rovie Manzanares; DTI Zamboanga City Office Provincial Director, Grace Aduca; SM Supermalls AVP for SM Communities Program, Royston Cabunag; DTI Regional Director Al-Zamir Lipae; SM Supermalls SAVP for SM Communities Marketing, Pats Dy;  DTI Assistant Regional Director, Maridel Dengal;  and SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing, Joaquin San Agustin)

Inspired by the iconic vinta, the traditional sailboat known for its vibrant sails and deep cultural roots in Mindanao, the Vinta Market reflects the same spirit of color, movement, and community. The marketplace brings together passionate entrepreneurs and skilled artisans, offering mallgoers a lively and meaningful shopping experience rooted in local culture.

More than just a retail destination, the Vinta Market serves as a growth platform for MSMEs—and for many entrepreneurs, this opportunity translates into real business expansion and sustained livelihood.

“We are very happy for the opportunity given to us by SM City Zamboanga… because of that, I have a growing market and a lot of suki na at SM,” shared Maria Donna of Marya Soaps and Scents from Pagadian, highlighting how increased visibility at SM has helped strengthen her customer base.

For heritage artisans, the impact goes beyond business—it’s about preserving culture and passing traditions to future generations. “Maraming salamat sa mga opportunity na mga ganito na pwede kaming magbenta para makahanap lalo ng market… kayo na ‘yung kasangga namin sa pag-promote ng aming weave,” said Evelinda Otong, a 4th generation Yakan weaver, underscoring the importance of platforms like SM in sustaining local craftsmanship.

Through capacity-building programs and expanded market access, MSMEs are also able to scale their operations and reach wider audiences.

“With their trainings and seminars, we’ve learned a lot… we’re proud to say that we supply all over the Philippines—and with SM Supermalls, our products can reach around the country and are now in the mainstream market,” shared Shaun Alavar of Alavar Food Products, reflecting the broader growth opportunities enabled through the partnership.

Featured MSMEs proudly showcase their locally made products at the Vinta Market, highlighting the passion and dedication behind every creation.

During the launch event, SM Supermalls executives, DTI officials, and partner stakeholders joined entrepreneurs and guests in celebrating the opening of the marketplace—highlighting a shared commitment to empower local businesses and provide them with greater market opportunities.

Visitors explored booths filled with proudly local products—each representing stories of craftsmanship, passion, and perseverance. The marketplace quickly became a vibrant hub where mallgoers discovered unique regional goods while supporting local livelihoods.

Intricately crafted local products showcase the artistry and cultural heritage of Mindanao’s talented artisans.

The launch of Vinta Market stands as one of the highlights of the opening of SM City Zamboanga, the city’s newest lifestyle destination bringing together shopping, dining, entertainment, and community experiences closer to Zamboangueños.

Locally made delicacies from MSMEs offer shoppers a taste of Zamboanga’s rich culinary heritage at the Vinta Market.

Through initiatives like the Vinta Market, SM Supermalls continues to champion Filipino entrepreneurship, providing MSMEs with accessible platforms to grow their businesses while celebrating the rich culture and creativity of local communities.

As shoppers explore the colorful stalls and meet the passionate makers behind the products, the Vinta Market stands as a vibrant symbol of Zamboanga’s thriving entrepreneurial spirit—where tradition, creativity, and opportunity sail forward together.

About SM Supermalls – MSMEs

SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers and operators with 89 malls nationwide—continues to maximize the MSME experience by creating opportunities designed around what Filipino entrepreneurs need most. As the country’s most preferred and loved retail destination, SM champions entrepreneurship by supporting MSMEs across different stages and sectors—serving diverse business tribes through market access, visibility, mentorship, and platforms that help enterprises grow and thrive. From emerging startups to growing homegrown brands, SM provides a marketplace where Filipino innovation can flourish, connecting entrepreneurs to communities and customers in meaningful ways. Because when MSMEs succeed, communities grow stronger—and every opportunity created is part of SM’s commitment to building a future designed All For You. To learn more, visit msme.smsupermalls.com or email customercare@smsupermalls.com.

GCash Helps Baguio’s Small Businesses Thrive as Panagbenga Festival Goes More Cashless

Baguio City once again came alive with colors, blooms, and celebration as the Panagbenga Festival filled its streets with floats, music, and the vibrant spirit of the Cordillera community. Beyond the festivities, the festival also highlighted a deeper story unfolding on the ground: how local entrepreneurs—many of them small family-run businesses—are gaining greater access to financial tools that allow them to participate more fully in the local digital economy.

 

For many nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises (NMSMEs), access to safe and convenient financial services is not just about efficiency—it is about opportunity, dignity in work, and the ability to grow their livelihoods. At this year’s Panagbenga Festival, GCash, the country’s leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem, supported local merchants by bringing practical digital solutions and on-ground activities that help level the playing field for small businesses.

 

By enabling simpler, safer, and more accessible transactions, these tools help ensure that even the smallest vendors—from sari-sari stores to flower stalls—can serve more customers and benefit from the surge in tourism during one of the country’s most beloved cultural celebrations.

 

The grand celebration was led by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, together with Congressman Mauricio Domogan and the Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon as guests of honor. The local government recognized the growing role of digital financial access in helping communities strengthen livelihoods and support inclusive economic participation.

 

"As proof of Baguio's resilience, our deep pride in our Cordillera heritage, and our unique capacity to celebrate culture with discipline, it fuels our creative economy and strengthens local livelihood," said Vice Mayor Olowan.

 

For this year's festivities, GCash carried the theme "Festival of Progress: Empowering Local NMSMEs as the Heart of the Celebration," highlighting how cashless payments help small businesses serve more customers and unlock new income opportunities during peak moments of celebration.

 

GCash activations reached festival-goers and merchants across multiple touchpoints—from bus terminals and malls to gas stations, public markets, and along the famous Session Road. Merchant crawls showcased MSMEs embracing digital finance, while mall and market activations demonstrated how QR payments and GCash Pera Outlet can transform everyday stalls into community financial service points.

 

For this year’s Panagbenga, GCash initiative highlighted how accessible digital tools—from QR payments to community-based digital hubs for financial transactions — can help small merchants participate more equitably in the festival economy and expand their growth opportunities.

"Financial inclusion is about ensuring that every enterprise — no matter the size — has access to the tools needed to participate and thrive in today’s economy. Through solutions such as QR payments, SoundPay Plus, EasyPOS, and PocketPay, we help give smaller businesses the same opportunities as larger enterprises. At the same time, GCash Pera Outlet enables sari-sari stores and market stalls to provide essential services such as bills payment, remittances, and mobile load, bringing financial access closer to communities," said Cleo Celeste Santos, GCash vice president and head of public sector.

 

Strengthening livelihoods at the community level

 

Across Baguio’s neighborhoods, sari-sari stores, flower vendors, cafés, and market stalls are more than businesses—they are lifelines that sustain families and support local communities. During Panagbenga, these entrepreneurs serve as the frontliners of local commerce, welcoming thousands of visitors and supporting household incomes.

 

For many merchants, access to digital financial tools has helped make their livelihoods more stable and resilient.

 

Jen, a cashier at Caroline Trading, has seen the small sari-sari store grow into a mini mart since adopting GCash. "Halos lahat nasa GCash na po, at mas dumami pa ang pumupunta dahil parang pinakamadaling way dito sa amin—very convenient. Mas nag-improve yung sales kasi halos cashless na po lahat. Para sa mga negosyo na mag-start pa lang, i-try lang nila kasi effective siya."

 

For GCash Pera Outlet partner Marie Audrey Salvador, a general merchandise store owner in Baguio’s public market, going cashless created a more stable income stream while allowing her business to serve as a financial access point for the community.

 

"Nag-start kami ng negosyo noong July 2023, at napakarami na nitong naitulong sa akin—sa bills, sa rents, at sa travels with family. Dati sapat-sapat lang; ngayon nakaka-afford na rin kami mag-travel. Aside from cashless payments, nagse-serve din kami as cash-in, cash-out, pay bills, at load—sobrang laki ng tulong."

 

Meanwhile, Tita Leah’s Food Specialty, a well-loved Baguio delicacy brand, found that digital payment tools helped streamline operations as their business expanded. "Dati hiwalay din ang nakukuha ng transaction confirmation. Na-solve yun ni SoundPay. Ngayon hindi na kailangan ng storekeeper na tumawag sa amin for confirmation—seamless na siya," shared Don Paez.

 

For Yuan, a barista at Balai Studio Cafe, the shift to cashless payments also means better service for a growing number of tourists. "GCash eases our business operations at talagang napakadali. Marami po kaming foreigners na customer at naghahanap din po sila ng cashless payment."

 

Protecting livelihoods in the digital space

 

As more Filipinos embrace digital finance, ensuring safety and trust remains essential to protecting the livelihoods of merchants and consumers alike. GCash continues to promote awareness and education to help users safeguard their accounts and income. The message remains simple but important: do not click suspicious links and never share your one-time password (OTP) with anyone.

 

By strengthening financial safety and awareness, GCash aims to ensure that small businesses can confidently participate in the digital economy while protecting the income they work hard to earn.

 

Sustaining inclusive growth beyond the festival

 

While Panagbenga lasts only a few weeks, its impact on communities can endure far longer. By expanding access to financial tools and services, GCash supports local entrepreneurs in building stronger businesses, supporting their families, and contributing to the broader local economy.

 

For GCash, working alongside communities like Baguio City is part of a broader commitment to advancing financial inclusion, expanding economic opportunity, and helping build an economy where progress is shared—ensuring that the benefits of growth reach even the smallest businesses at the heart of Filipino communities.

 

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

GCash Supports Local MSME Growth and Local Entrepreneurship through Accessible Digital Financial Tools at Sinulog Festival 2026

Cebu City once again came alive with color, devotion, and celebration as the Sinulog Festival filled the streets with music, movement, and community spirit in honor of the Santo Niño. Joining the festivities, GCash brought a mix of exciting on-ground activities and practical digital solutions, turning Sinulog into a celebration of faith and culture, and progress for local nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises (NMSMEs).

GCash Sinulog activities highlighted how faster, cashless payments can help small businesses keep up with the festival rush, serve more customers, and unlock new income opportunities during peak moments of celebration.

Festival-goers enjoyed GCash experience hubs across key festival areas, with interactive booths at the grandstand and mobile PisoCarts stationed along parade routes. Through these PisoCarts, essential items were offered for just ₱1 when paid via GCash QR, showcasing how digital payments make transactions quicker, easier, and more convenient amid large crowds. Driving additional income boost and faster payment processing for our NMSMEs engaged for Sinulog Festival. 

"We want every festival-goer and merchant partner to experience a Sinulog that is as seamless as it is vibrant. Through initiatives like our PisoTreats and cashless QR payments, we are weaving financial technology into the very fabric of the festival. We are proud to support Cebu’s nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises (NMSMEs) as they transition from traditional retail to a digital-first future and a trusted financial hub in their communities through GCash Pera Outlet Plus, ensuring that no one is left behind in our journey toward a 'Finance for All' Philippines," said Tania Gil Padilla, Vice President for GCash Regional Business Unit.

From tradition to transformation: MSMEs at the heart of Sinulog

In Cebu’s communities, sari-sari stores and family-run businesses remain everyday lifelines. During Sinulog, they also become frontliners of commerce—serving locals, devotees, and tourists alike. By bridging traditional retail with digital finance, GCash helps these businesses not just survive busy seasons, but grow sustainably beyond them.

One such story is Ysabela Store in Mabolo, Cebu City, run by husband-and-wife team Soledad “Sol” Braceros and John Paul Braceros. What began as a modest sari-sari store named after their daughter has grown into a mini-grocery, driven in large part by their early adoption of GCash and GCash Pera Outlet Plus (GPO+).

“What began as a small sari-sari store named for our daughter nine years ago has grown into a mini-grocery, significantly thanks to GCash,” shared Sol and John Paul. “The cash-in, cash-out service provides us with a steady revenue stream. This is essential for serving our community, particularly the families who receive remittances from loved ones working in Manila every payday. GCash has been crucial to our expansion.”

Through services such as cash-in, cash-out, and bills payment, Ysabela Store has become a trusted financial touchpoint in its neighborhood—proof that digital trust can thrive even in the most local of spaces.

Keeping up with the pace of festivities

Meanwhile, at Taboan Market, where tourists flock for Cebu’s famous dried fish pasalubong, Cindy & Nico Dried Fish Store reflects how digital payments are reshaping long-standing family businesses.

“My parents founded this store years ago, and I joined them to help manage it two years back,” said Cindy Bayon-on. “After the pandemic, we started using GCash because customers kept asking for it. Now, especially during Sinulog, it’s been a huge help. Tourists buying pasalubong are often in a hurry to see the next event. With GCash, transactions are quick and hassle-free, and it’s convenient for our customers, which makes business much smoother.”

A festival of progress shared by the community

Through initiatives like these, GCash further strengthens its commitment to help MSMEs grow their businesses. Its initiatives during festivals like Sinulog, aims to help participating merchants increase service-related earnings as it encourages the  continued use of digital payments even after the festivities.

By weaving financial technology into one of the country’s most iconic festivals, GCash helps make the Sinulog experience more inclusive and empowering by supporting local businesses, easing everyday transactions, and ensuring that progress is shared across the community long after the final dance.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.