PalawanPay, the official e-wallet and payment platform of the Biyaya Sustainable Living Festival, played a key role in promoting Filipino culture and supporting local communities. This three-day event celebrated the country’s rich heritage through three core themes: local coffee, Filipino traditions, and Filipino couture artistry. By partnering with the festival, PalawanPay contributed to the success of local businesses while helping preserve the nation’s cultural identity.
Held at Parqal Aseana City, the Biyaya Festival celebrated Filipino-made products and practices. Visitors had the chance to enjoy freshly brewed local coffee, view sustainable fashion displays, witness live mural competitions, and experience vibrant cultural performances. The festival also featured discussions on sustainability and tradition, fostering a deeper connection to the Filipino way of life.
One of the standout contributions of PalawanPay was its focus on financial literacy for agricultural communities. Recognizing that farmers and artisans face challenges when it comes to managing finances, PalawanPay hosted financial literacy workshops for coffee, cacao, and coconut farmers, as well as traditional weavers. The workshops covered essential financial topics and introduced the Palawan Group of Companies (PGC) services, helping participants gain practical skills for a more secure future. These efforts were further supported by offering free insurance to help protect their livelihoods.
PalawanPay also provided seamless and secure payment services to the festival’s vendors and visitors. With the platform’s easy-to-use e-wallet, local farmers and artisans were able to receive their earnings quickly and safely. Thanks to the over 10,000 Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala outlets, attendees could access their funds either through branch pick-up or app transfers, making the process convenient and efficient.
This partnership helped strengthen the Filipino spirit by empowering local communities to thrive in today’s digital world. As the festival’s financial partner, PalawanPay ensured smooth, secure transactions, allowing visitors and vendors to focus on the festivities without worrying about financial concerns.
“PalawanPay has been with our farmers and artisans from the very beginning,” said Rich Watanabe, Festival Director. “It’s not just about making payments; it’s about ensuring their hard-earned income reaches them securely and directly.”
Lilian Castro-Selda, Executive Vice President and CFO of PGC, shared how the company’s roots as a small pawnshop grew into a trusted financial institution dedicated to giving back to the community. “Our mission is to promote financial inclusion for farmers, artisans, and small businesses,” she said. “We want to ensure they have the support they need to succeed in today’s economy.”
PalawanPay, which is “gawang Pinoy, para sa Pinoy” (made by Filipinos, for Filipinos), stands as a proud advocate for local industries and Filipino traditions. By providing farmers and artisans with essential financial tools, PalawanPay is helping them build sustainable livelihoods while strengthening the cultural roots that keep the Filipino spirit alive. This partnership with the Biyaya Festival exemplifies PalawanPay’s ongoing commitment to supporting Filipino communities and promoting a sustainable future.
