Go USTe! Home Credit PH Advances Overall Wellness with Growling Tigers, Golden Tigresses Partnership

Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), the country’s leading consumer finance company, is broadening its impact by incorporating wellness and financial empowerment into the lives of more Filipinos.  

 

As part of this advocacy, HCPH has teamed up with the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers and Golden Tigresses for UAAP Season 88, giving student-athletes and fans a platform that connects both sports excellence and smarter money choices.  

 

The tie-up was formally announced during the Future Focus: Building Tomorrow Together event, underscoring HCPH’s intent to reach young audiences not just in the classroom but also in arenas where values of discipline, resilience, and responsibility thrive.  

 

In another first, HCPH has partnered with Cignal TV, the country’s premier sports broadcaster, to enhance its brand presence in the most-watched sports events in the country. Through this tie-up, HCPH will be featured in UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Conference and Cheer Dance Competition, and the PVL Reinforced Conference, all running from September to December 2025.  

 

These collaborations strengthen HCPH’s connection with a next generation of Filipinos, many of whom are beginning to make independent financial decisions. By tapping into sports communities, the company aims to spark conversations about financial readiness while supporting a culture of health and well-being. 

 

From financial empowerment to championing everyday well-being 

Now on its 12th year in the Philippines, HCPH has served more than 12 million customers and partnered with 18,000 stores nationwide. Building on this scale, the company is expanding its purpose: from financial literacy to a more holistic advocacy that embraces physical, mental, social, and financial wellness.   

 

“We have always been about enabling Filipinos to do more #ParaSaLife,” said Sheila Paul, Chief Marketing Officer of HCPH. “This year, we’re taking that commitment further by linking financial literacy with overall wellness. A rewarding life doesn’t stop at financial security—it’s also about having the health and support system to sustain it. When both come together, people are better equipped to make meaningful and smarter choices for their future.” 

 

Wellness as a movement 

This push has already taken shape in large-scale community events. Earlier this year, HCPH staged its inaugural Takbo #ParaSaLife 2025, attracting more than 2,300 runners—from athletes and families to kids. Originally started as a customer appreciation initiative, the run now serves as a platform for HCPH to champion its advocacy for holistic wellness, a passion the company continues to drive forward.  

 

Building on this momentum, HCPH is making Takbo #ParaSaLife 2026 bigger and bolder in partnership with the country’s premier race organizer, RunRio. Together, they are set to stage a two-city event expected to gather more than 8,000 runners, with the Manila leg on February 1 at the MOA Grounds in Pasay City and the Cebu leg on March 29 at Citi de Mare in Cebu City. 

 

Wellness rooted in financial literacy 

At the heart of these efforts is HCPH’s belief that wellness is most sustainable when paired with financial confidence. By building awareness early—especially among students, young professionals, and families—the company hopes to empower Filipinos to live healthier, more secure, and more fulfilling lives.  

 

“For us, wellness is not just about fitness or finances,” Paul added. “It’s about creating opportunities for every Filipino to live fully, freely, and meaningfully. That’s the true spirit of #ParaSaLife.” 

 

To know more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, get the Home Credit App. 

Fighting Maroons Starts Preparations, Eyes Overseas Training and Tournaments

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons look to leverage on the remaining six months before the tip-off to Season 83 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) with scorching off season action.

Fifth year head coach Bo Perasol acknowledged that the off season is key to having a good run in the regular season as players hone their skills and build the all-important chemistry and camaraderie.

“Off-season training is going to be the baseline of how you will do in the regular season. So, whatever it is that you do in the off-season is going to dictate what your season is going to be,” said Perasol, who led the Maroons to back-to-back Final Four appearances in Seasons 81 and 82.

Thanks to staunch UPMBT supporter JJ Atencio of STATS Performance Apparel, the Diliman-based squad has benefited greatly from training camps they’ve attended in Las Vegas and Serbia. UP’s consistent attendance in the skills honing, character building sessions the past two years has helped whip them into competitive shape the past two seasons.

“Training plays a vital part in preparing the players for the season. I personally targeted to come in and sponsor training abroad to help mould the mentality of the group. This is not only for their physical development but also for their mental fortitude; and for them to realize that there is much more to achieve if they set their mind properly,” said JJ Atencio who is also CEO and Chairman of Januarius Holdings Inc.

“The countries we go to are usually places where basketball is big. The development there is way ahead of us, so that is where we benefit from new technologies, new advancements, new ideas, new ways to train,” Bo Perasol said. “Besides looking for training opportunities, we also look to compete in pocket tournaments here and abroad to give us different points of view, a different experience and different kinds of play”.

This time, the Maroons have their sights set on training in other countries. There’s training scheduled in Auckland, New Zealand for a start. But Coach Bo is open to other possibilities.

“The plans are already in place, but they all depend on how fast this (Covid19) virus thing is going to go away. We are going to train and play in Melbourne, Australia as well and we’re also supposed to go to Taiwan. But we’re still on the lookout for more training opportunities that will make us experience a highly competitive tournament before the UAAP starts,” Coach Bo said.

Being the only public school in the UAAP, Perasol admits that UP does not have a big budget to fund the team’s training camps abroad. “That’s why we’re really thankful that JJ Atencio, despite being an alumnus of the Ateneo de Manila University, chose to help UP to the point of being known hereabouts as the “UPMBT’s Training Dude”. He has been supporting and sponsoring the various activities and training camps of the UP Fighting Maroons since UAAP Season 80,” Coach Bo revealed.

Atencio, for his part, looks forward to seeing a more mature and cohesive UPMBT on and off the court. “I expect a team that wouldn’t succumb to the pressure and the unnecessary noise from outsiders – especially those coming from social media.”

He has a wish for this team, Atencio said, “A championship, as the ultimate goal. And to get there, it wouldn’t hurt if they take it one game at a time.”

The UP Fighting Maroons plan to take part in the Fil-Oil Pre-Season Tournament in May and defend their title in the upcoming BLIA Cup in Taiwan this July.

Enjoy a Cashless Lifestyle Like the UP Men's Basketball Team with PayMaya

Going cashless makes everyday tasks easier - from purchasing airline tickets at home, getting awesome rebates while you shop, and even avoiding long lines when you pay your bills. You can transact business with just a tap, swipe, or scan these days, thanks to the first of its kind online payment app, PayMaya.

Members of the University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) now enjoy the perks of a cashless lifestyle. They shop online, subscribe to on-demand services like Netflix or Spotify, book flights from anywhere, pay in movie theaters or restos in a secure, convenient way even without a credit card. Thanks to PayMaya, one of their team’s supporters, they now have a payment buddy that is easy to set up, with an application process that is non-tedious and completely hassle-free. It takes just a few seconds and a couple of taps on a smartphone to get a PayMaya account.

What’s more, there are countless deals and cashbacks to be enjoyed when one shops online or in stores, when bills are paid, or when money is sent to chosen recipients. PayMaya can also be used to shop at any Visa or Mastercard partner store worldwide, and funds can be withdrawn in whatever local currency wherever and whenever needed.

Adulting with PayMaya

UP Fighting Maroons forward David Murrell says his Pay Maya card makes it convenient for him to pay bills, even when he’s in class. He likes that all he has to do is tap “Pay Bills” on the app, select the biller, key in the amount and the billing number, then hit pay.

UP’s #3 James Spencer, who is also a Gilas Pilipinas U19 guard, says his PayMaya card is a great tool to manage expenses. “When you have cash on hand, it’s so easy to spend it and before you know it, it’s gone. The PayMaya app lets me see how much I still have on my account, how much money I’ve spent, and what I spent it on. It helps me be responsible when it comes to spending.”

To enjoy the same joys and conveniences of going cashless, all one needs to do is download the PayMaya app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.

Visit https://www.paymaya.com/deals to find out how to get the best value for your money with every spend.

AXA Launches Second Management Trainee Boot Camp

AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance companies, recently kicked off its management training program for students from top universities. The program aims to equip excellent students with skills for career success. Held over two productive days, the Boot Camp featured talks on financial literacy and financial planning, business case reviews, group presentations, a coastal clean-up outreach activity at Freedom Island in Parañaque, and various activities designed to build camaraderie among the participants. The program will also provide the best performing students the opportunity to have exciting careers at AXA Philippines. Photo shows this year’s participants with AXA Philippines president and CEO Rahul Hora (top row, center), flanked by chief human resources officer Jaspreet Kakar and regional head of internal audit Asia Peter Stigant, chief of retail propositions Alok Roongta, and head of human resources for internal audit group Heather Ness.

AXA Philippines is the Insurance Provider of UAAP Season 82

AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance companies, teamed up with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), both aiming to reach more Filipinos and instill a sense of self-belief in them through their passion for sports. Through this partnership, AXA provides insurance coverage for the UAAP organization for the duration of Season 82. Present during the partnership signing ceremony are (L-R) AXA Philippines chief customer officer Amor Balagtas, AXA Philippines president and CEO Rahul Hora, UAAP Season 82 president Emmanuel Fernandez, and UAAP executive director Rene Andrei Saguisag Jr.

PayMaya Supports the UP Men's Basketball Team for the UAAP’s 82nd Season

There is nowhere to go but up for PayMaya Philippines, the country’s leading digital payments company, as it officially backs the UP Men’s Basketball Team in the upcoming Season 82 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

The UP Fighting Maroons have recently gained immense popularity due to their stellar performance in the last UAAP season. Iskos and iskas all over the country, along with many Filipino basketball fans, cheered for the team considered by many as perennial underdogs in the collegiate basketball tournament.

“As a home-grown digital brand that aims to change the game for the Filipino consumers and enterprises, the story of the UP Men’s Basketball team, along with their hard work, grit, and passion for excellence, resonates very well with all of us at PayMaya”said Orlando B. Vea, Founder-CEO of PayMaya Philippines.

The UP community, headed by the University President, Danilo Concepcion, also expressed his excitement about this partnership. “We’re thankful to PayMaya for the trust and the faith they have placed in our basketball team. Having the support of a young and innovative brand like PayMaya, will definitely give us the much-needed boost to step up our game. We couldn’t be more excited to go on this journey to the finals with them, and to deepen our collaboration with PayMaya in  the future,” Concepcion said.

"The UP Men's Basketball Team is extremely grateful for all the support that has come our way the past year, and we're more than glad to welcome PayMaya into the growing UP Fighting Maroons family. As we gear up for the upcoming season, we need all the support we can get and local brands such as PayMaya help us get to where we want to be," added UP Men's Basketball Team Head Coach Bo Perasol.

Supporting Passion 

This is not the first time PayMaya Philippines showed support to a promising sports team and endeavor. Just recently, the brand backed PayMaya Highflyers at the Premier Volleyball League, flying high with the team until the finals. Afterwards, the brand also threw in their support towards the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League which features teams representing their regions in a semi-professional tournament.

Now, as the UP Fighting Maroons prepare for the start of this year’s UAAP season, PayMaya extends its support to the league’s most-anticipated team by also providing the student-athletes a digital way to spend their allowances with their very own PayMaya account.

With PayMaya on hand, the players will be able to kickstart their cashless living, allowing them to use their money in the most secure and convenient way, so they can focus their energy on their daily training.

During the launch, the UPMBT players received their very own PayMaya cards which they linked to their PayMaya app so they can get the most out of their cashless experience. With PayMaya, they can easily shop online and in their favorite establishments, send and receive money to and from their loved ones, pay bills, buy discounted prepaid load and gaming pins, and many more.

Download the PayMaya app now and experience cashless living like no other. All you have to do is register an account, add money, and start paying for the things you love. To know more, visit www.paymaya.com.

Amazing Student Housing Experience at Casa Esperanza

Demand for quality student dorms is at an all-time high, with more and more students from out of town on the lookout for student housing that will enhance their student life.

An accessible location, safety and security, conducive conditions for study, and creature comforts rank high in the list of what student residents and their parents look for in student housing. Thankfully, there are fully-furnished student residences with facilities and built-in services that make students feel like they never left home.

Casa Esperanza, a new 9-storey boutique apartment located just across the University of Santo Tomas on AH Lacson Street is ready to take “dorm life” to a whole new level.

With 76 units for occupancy, it has twin beds in every room with individual study tables and chairs, and cabinets. Each room is equipped with a kitchenette with microwave oven and refrigerator, a toilet and bath with water heater and cable TV.

There is free Wifi access in the facility, but for students who wish to study in groups, there is a Study Room with high-speed internet where they can concentrate on their books and notes in cubicles, or do group work with class mates, conference-style in a bigger table. There is no need to worry about brown-outs because of a 100% backup genset power supply.

Residents can do their laundry in card-operated machines at a laundry room, and there is free housekeeping service twice a month, with options to upgrade to more frequent cleaning, if desired. The building is managed by a professional resident manager and serviced by a 24-hour maintenance staff.

Amenities-wise, there is a 24-hour convenience store on the ground floor, and a coffee shop on the second floor. The building has its own gym and an open roof deck where residents can hold events, parties or get-togethers.

Security-wise, there is 24-hour security, CCTV cameras, and proximity card entry for each floor. Safety-wise, there are smoke detectors, sprinkler systems and fire escape/fire-extinguishing equipment on all floors.

There is also a stunning fibre glass-topped atrium on the third floor that makes the building breathe and sparkle with light. The area can be used as a lounge place for residents or a place to watch the moon, or the stars at night.

Named after the mother of owner, Precy M. Florentino (also the president of the Music Museum Group that runs Theater Mall, Promenade, Greenhills Cinemas, Shoppesville Plus, Teatrino and Music Museum) says Casa Esperanza echoes the care and concern that her mother always had for her children. “She was always on the lookout for our safety and comfort. She always tried her best to give us the best. We want to pass on that motherly care to our residents to give them a home away from home. We want to continue our mother’s legacy,” Ms. Florentino said.

Starting May 4, an Early Bird Promo will provide a 5% discount on the room rate for those who will book a unit for one year. Room rates can go as low as P6,800 a month.

Casa Esperanza is located at 926 A.H. Lacson Avenue, Sampaloc, Manila. Please call (0917) 536-0914 or (02) 531-5487 loc.100 for inquiries.