Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Philippines' central monetary authority, has launched the first Philippine Polymer Banknote Series.

According to BSP, the new, polymer-made banknotes are “smarter, cleaner, and stronger” than the previous version, as they are equipped with “more sophisticated security features, have a smooth and non-absorptive surface, and are more durable than the paper banknotes.”

In a ceremony held in Malacañang on Dec. 19, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized that the polymer banknote series can last up to seven and a half years, five times longer than the paper bills.

BSP also switched the design of the polymer bills to focus more on protected wildlife across the archipelago, contrary to the paper banknotes’ national heroes-centered layout. This move, according to the bank, is to “remind Filipinos of their role as responsible stewards of the country’s natural resources.”

The bank, however, also preserved some notable elements from the paper banknotes. Below are design highlights of each polymer banknote denomination:

• P1,000 - Philippine eagle and sampaguita flower, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, South Sea pearl, and the T’nalak weave design

• P500 - Visayan spotted deer and Acanthephippium mantinianum, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, blue-naped parrot, and Southern Philippine weave design

• P100 - Palawan peacock-pheasant and Ceratocentron fesselii, Mayon Volcano, whale shark, and Bicol Region weave design

• P50 - Visayan leopard cat and Vidal’s lanutan, Taal Lake, native maliputo fish, and Batangas embroidery design

In a separate press conference last Dec. 20, BSP encouraged the public to get to know the polymer banknote series. “The BSP encourages everyone to get to know the new banknote series — including consumers, cash handlers in banks and other financial institutions, retail stores, public transport operators, and other businesses involved in financial transactions,” said BSP Assistant Governor Mary Anne P. Lim.

The bank also clarified that while the new polymer banknotes will be rolled out, the paper banknotes will remain in circulation.

This type of banknote was first introduced in the country in April 2022 with the launch of the P1,000-peso polymer bill.

Explore the Philippines’ first Philippine Polymer Banknote Series via BSP’s website.

“There’s nothing wrong with being kuripot (stingy).”

This is the mantra of Filipino millennial content creator, Jax Reyes. Known for his helpful guides on credit cards and discounts, Jax had always been keen on all things about personal finance. Even before he left corporate life, he admits that he was always the finance guy at work, often searching for discounts, credit card deals, and ways to earn reward points and sharing them with his co-workers.

Wanting to help others and share all this knowledge with even more people, Jax began uploading content on YouTube during the pandemic and then on TikTok. His “tipid hacks,” ranging from shopping to travel, proved to be helpful to millennials and Gen Zs looking to manage their finances while experiencing the better things in life. Today, the content creator boasts over 300,000 followers on TikTok and more than 55,000 subscribers on YouTube.

In 2022, the credit card whiz co-founded the online community “KasKasan Buddies,” where they share some of the latest credit card promos, guides, and tips on how to save money, among other things. Two years since its creation, the community now has over 750,000 members on Facebook.

“[I thought], if I share it, and more people enjoy it, hindi ba mas masaya ang mundo (wouldn’t the world be happier)? For me, it's always about creating that value for other people in whatever way. And the value that I like to create was maximizing your money, maximizing every peso,” Jax told The Beat Manila.

In an exclusive interview, we caught up with Jax to learn about his own financial journey, along with his best tips on how to make the most out of your money.

The Importance of Starting Young

“I got comfortable using credit cards because early on, my dad was able to give me a supplementary credit card. When we were growing up, he taught us how to manage. It was not really for us to spend, but it was really for us to use it for emergencies,” Jax shared.

According to him, having early exposure to how to use credit cards was what ultimately piqued his interest in personal finance. It also made him more conscious about his spending habits, on what perks he could get with it, among other things.

But more than this early training with credit cards, it was really his own experiences that led him to pay more attention to his personal finances. “I was a young adult. I started earning money, so syempre ang dami nating gusto, ‘di ba (of course we wanted a lot of things, right)? So it was really my mistakes as well, growing up,” he confessed.

To this end, Jax emphasized that starting young, especially when it comes to saving and investing, is vital.

“I always say, sa lahat ng mga content ko (on all my content) about investing, [is that] ‘you have to start early.’ One of my biggest regrets was also not starting that early. If I could have saved or invested more, I would have more right now.”

‘Credit Cards Are Not Your Enemy’

Filipinos would often associate credit cards with debt, but for Jax, it’s all about learning how to use them properly.

“That’s also the reason why I wanted to start creating content [about] credit cards. Because I want to demystify na hindi siya masama, pero kailangan din natin siyang gamitin ng tama (that it is not bad, but we need to use it wisely). We have to learn it the right way.”

On how one should assess if they should be getting a credit card, Jax said that there are three key things to consider: your ability to manage your finances, your commitment to pay your credit card bill on time, and your capability to say “no” to temptations.

“The credit limit that you have is not the money that you have. It’s something that’s given to you by the bank because they trust you. If you feel na pera mo ‘yan (that that’s your money), that’s where you’ll go down the rabbit hole and mababaon ka sa utang (be knee-deep in debt),” he added.

Jax also had three things to say on how one should choose the right credit card.

“People would always ask me, ‘What’s the best credit card?’ And I would always say, ‘It depends on you.’ It depends on your lifestyle. The first [thing to do] is ask yourself, ‘Where do I usually spend?’ Is it groceries? Is it traveling? Is it shopping? Iba-iba (It varies).”

The next thing to consider, according to Jax, is the perks one would want in a credit card. “Is it the perks of earning points, or earning cashbacks? [Because they’re] two different things,” he explained.

Lastly, the content creator encourages credit card beginners to look into its features. “Some credit cards would have fees, some won’t have fees, but wala masyadong (not a lot of) features.”

“For me, credit cards have different rewards. Some people like point-earning or miles-earning. Some people, on the other hand, want cashback, kasi ayaw na nilang nag-iisip ng (because they don’t want to think about) ‘What can I claim with my points?’ Gusto nila, pera na lang, ibabawas sa bill every month (They just want cashback to be deducted from their bill every month),” he added.

On the ‘Deserve Ko ‘To’ Mentality

We've all had our own “Deserve Ko ‘To (I Deserve This/These)” moments, wanting to reward ourselves for our hard work with our hard-earned money. But sometimes, things can get out of hand, especially for people who don’t know how to control it.

When asked what he thinks about this issue, Jax had some strong opinions, “I’m okay with the ‘Deserve ko ‘to’ mindset — when it’s budgeted. Minsan, nagde-’Deserve ko ‘to’ ka na lang lagi (Often, you say ‘I deserve this’) and you make it a reason na mangutang ka (to borrow money) just to buy this stuff because you just say na ‘Deserve ko ‘to.’”

On how one could deal with this self-conflict, he said, “Ask yourself first: ‘Is it budgeted?’. If nilaanan mo ng pera (you allocated money for it) like funds mo for your wants, for your needs, then you say, ‘Deserve mo ‘to.’ If not, I don’t think deserve mo siya muna ngayon (you deserve it for now).”

Savings & Investment Tips

Aside from credit cards, the content creator also shared some helpful tips on saving up money.

“Out of sight, out of mind” is Jax’s ultimate tip when it comes to saving money. According to him, creating a separate bank account for savings alone is one of the most effective ways to set money aside for unexpected expenses.

“There are a lot of digital banks out there. Why not just create a digital bank [account] specifically for your savings only? I always wanted to push digital banks kasi mataas ‘yung mga interest (because their interest rates are high). You have the GSave, Seabank, [and] Maya. When you put it there, iiwan mo siya (then leave it there), at least tumutubo ‘yung pera mo (your money grows).”

He added, “The more you save, the more you can sleep soundly at night. We don’t want to live a life na lagi nating iniisip (where we always think), ‘Oh my God, do I have enough [money] for tomorrow?’”

With many people, especially the uninitiated, getting into investment scams, Jax also has a few pointers on how one could properly choose where to invest.

“There will always be scams out there. If you want to invest, make sure you understand what you’re getting into. Kung hindi mo siya naiintindihan (If you don’t understand it), don’t. If you don’t have the money to invest, don’t risk your daily money just because you want to invest. And of course, go with the legit platforms.”

There are a lot of ways to spend money. But for Jax, there are a lot of ways to make the most out of it, too. And the very first step is looking into yourself and your budget.

“I know that budgeting seems hard, and sometimes annoying to do. But wala eh (there's no way around it), that’s really step one. You really need to know how much [of your] money goes in and how much goes out. Because if you have a really clear picture kung saan mo ginagastos kadalasan ‘yung pera mo (of where you spend your money often), that’s where you can make slow and small adjustments in your life to be more financially sound and stable.”

Want to get more ‘tipid’ tips and credit card hacks from Jax Reyes? Make sure to follow him on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, subscribe to his YouTube channel, or join the online community KasKasan Buddies. Kaskas wisely!

Andrea Tetangco has been in the fashion industry for 17 years now. As such, the fresh-faced designer, has seen the rise and fall of various trends, as well as the advent – and continuous growth – of social media.

“Seventeen years ago, we didn’t have social media. Growth was very organic,” she recalls. “We didn’t have that many young designers back then either.”

Today, Andrea has established herself through a namesake atelier that is known for elegant and feminine designs. She makes intricate yet timeless bespoke dresses for brides and event attendees. Through this, she’s had the privilege of dressing some of the most influential women in the country, including actresses and politicians. Yet, she acknowledges there’s a new wave of women today, one that cannot be discounted: the rise of social media influencers.

Crediting content creators as one of the drivers for her new ready-to-wear collection, Andrea says, “We have more influencers now and people see that you can dress up. [The] Majority of people are on social media and they see that it is possible to dress up for things, it is accessible.”

For those curious about Andrea’s ready-to-wear line, it is available at her boutique office in Kirov Tower, at Proscenium Rockwell. Here, a wonderland of beauty awaits: from beaded gowns to ruffled skirts, to bow-top dresses, and feathered capes.

Dubbed “luxury ready-to-wear," Andrea’s designs are truly next level. “I love statement details on timeless silhouettes,” she explains.

Though established now, Andrea admits that growing up, she had no idea she would end up as a fashion designer.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do [when I was young],” she says. “But I know what I wanted to become. I wanted to become successful.”

A born leader, Andrea established her design studio after completing her studies. To this day, she’s never worked under anyone but herself. Her powerful statement pieces embody the “girlboss” she is.

“I knew I wanted to lead, even at a young age,” she notes.

Of course, the business and fashion landscape was vastly different in 2007, when Andrea first started. As previously mentioned, social media had yet to fully take off. Back then, the designer had had to rely on word of mouth to gain traction.

“No one trusted me [in the beginning] but I couldn’t give up,” she recalls. “If people don’t believe in you, but you believe in yourself, you’ll find that you’ll [be okay]. You have to believe in yourself first before other people will.”

Now, through social media platforms such as Instagram gaining global prevalence, Andrea has found greater success. She dresses women who have the power to share their experiences with friends and followers. In this way, word of mouth is still the best kind of marketing for fashion designers.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that creativity and a good following are all it takes to run a business. As Andrea has come to realize, learning the technical aspects of management is crucial for designers.

“When you study fashion design, sometimes, business education is lacking. Fashion designers can be proud of their designs, but at the end of the day, it’s still a business. If you want to last, you have to learn, because the DNA of it all is your team, your production, and the data.”

When it comes to business, branding is everything. It’s the armor your business wears — the distinct identity of your brand in the minds of your potential consumers. Over the past decade, digitization has become a driving force behind marketing strategies, but with millions of people online going through thousands of posts every single day from several businesses that may have similar intentions or offerings locally and internationally, it’s a challenge to stand out.

Studio Naghisa Founder Sheila Mae Naghisa Fuentes knows this firsthand as her entire business revolves around creating branding strategies for her clients. After being in the banking industry for a little over a decade, Sheila took her corporate hat off and took the entrepreneurial route to help her fellow business owners.

“Since I started a family, I decided to do my own thing. I think life was really pushing me to really go into business. Even back when I was in the corporate, I've been doing business sidelines. I sold fashion and beauty products. I decided to go full-time just last year,” she shared.

Studio Naghisa is a digital marketing agency that offers branding and web design services for female entrepreneurs. When asked about why and how she started the business, Sheila told us how her skills for marketing were something she discovered while working on an entirely different business beforehand.

“I had a startup — a sustainable fashion e-commerce platform. We're trying to build that since the pandemic, joining different acceleration programs like IdeaSpace, and then pushing that advocacy to move or to create a movement for the fashion industry and sustainability,” she said. “But it didn’t go well during the pandemic and I decided to stop operations. It wasn’t profitable at all, and there were a lot of challenges back then.”

Sheila then saw an opportunity for freelancing and started as an Instagram manager for a local salon. From there, she began building her skills and learning about branding and website design.

“I realized this is what I am good at and is something I want to help businesses with, especially female entrepreneurs who are really into impact-driven businesses, meaning they're not just building the business for the sake of generating sales, but they want to make a change in the world.”

Empowering Women Leaders Through Strategic Branding

From her start as a freelancer in 2020, Sheila explored the space with vigor, absorbing all that she could learn about marketing through firsthand experience as a social media manager. During that time, she realized that she could do so much more and wanted to be known in the branding space, which gave birth to Studio Naghisa in the later part of that same year.

A business with a niche client target, Studio Naghisa caters to female entrepreneurs, coaches, and visionaries. When asked why she chose this particular group, Sheila replied that it stemmed from a personal reason.

“I'm an entrepreneur and also a mom, so I know the struggles of a female entrepreneur or business owner. Building a business is hard, but when you are a mom or a woman who has other responsibilities to their families for example, which is expected in our society, that puts a lot of pressure on them.”

Sheila mentioned how she had been exposed to gender inequality in the workplace from her previous jobs, which opened her eyes to the underlying problem when it comes to working women.

“I’ve also seen in the past years while working with our startup that a lot of women are now starting their businesses, so there's a big opportunity. Women are risk-takers. They start mission-driven businesses, social enterprises, or profit businesses but with underlying impact as well. That's the trend I'm seeing and as a mother and entrepreneur myself, I decided I want to help people like me.”

Studio Naghisa currently offers web design and social media marketing services. Under web design, you can choose among different platforms like Shopify, WordPress, or Kajabi which Sheila and her team can create for your business. The agency also features signature services like “Lush” — a website-intensive package that aims to launch a website that converts browsers into buyers in just seven days, and “The Powerhouse” which is a brand marketing subscription service that intends to empower your brand and allow you to position yourself online as a credible and trusted leader in your respective industries.

Sheila also added that for their social media marketing services, they have three tiers. Tier 1 provides a monthly consultation where they can set up a creative direction for the business and make sure their content is on brand. This caters more to startups and is the most budget-friendly option.

Tier 2 is a full-on service, meaning all the things you need for social media content creation will be on them from strategy market research and creating the actual content to publishing it. This also includes a monthly review.

The more diverse of the offerings is Tier 3, which caters to businesses that are already scaling by providing them with full-service social media marketing. This includes organic posting, paid ads, blog content, and more. This Tier aims to build that omnichannel presence for the brand while also helping it stand out and build authority online.

“A lot of the people or entrepreneurs I’ve worked with, their number one challenge is being seen online, marketing, and branding — like how they can position themselves; [how] to stand out online and make them a top choice in their market,” Sheila said. “That's a common problem that I've seen, and I thought digital marketing could really support them in growing their business and brand online because nowadays that is the new direction. E-commerce, online purchases, and a lot of digital transitions.”

Building Trust with Brands and Learning to Delegate

Having a niche business has its own set of advantages and disadvantages but Sheila sees this more as an opportunity to better connect with her clientele.

“Number one is potential clients can relate to you. We share the same problem even if we have different niches, different markets, we know the [same] struggle. So it's easier to relate to them and get their trust or that initial connection.”

As someone who runs an impact-driven business, Sheila finds it easier to understand her client’s visions and in turn makes her clients feel understood and connected to her more. “I think that's one of our superpowers as well, like our secret sauce. I think that [being impact-driven] is an underlying niche. People can also sense how passionate we are, so that's a plus point.”

Sheila also expressed some of the unique challenges she faces in running the business. “First, the challenge of delegation for founders who are ready to scale. At first, it's challenging to think about getting help, especially for women, like we're used to caring for ourselves, and sometimes it's hard to embrace that masculine side of us to just be the boss or delegate things. Until now I'm still learning to let go of some tasks in order to scale, which I know is important.”

Furthermore, she emphasized how there was one thing she hoped entrepreneurs would talk about more openly, which is the subject of learning how to balance work and life.

“One thing that I want to just share and I hope most founders will be open to talk about it is also taking care of yourself. Navigating your personal life could sometimes affect the business and most of the time when we see failed startups, that's one of the factors why some businesses fail to continue their journey.”

Although still a startup, Studio Naghisa has already accomplished its goals with its clients as shown through the rave reviews and business case studies on their website. It was the best part of running her business, she stated, seeing her clients happy and knowing that their sales improved or how their business was able to revamp their online presence with their support. She also emphasized how her agency is more than just marketing or a transactional process, but provides holistic services to help them build a brand from the ground up.

“Know your customers. Really think about their needs, their wants, and their challenges,” she said when asked about the best lesson she has learned through her journey. “Take note of what they're saying, what they want, what improvements that they want to see. What are the unique desires that they have that your brand can also cater to?”

As for her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, Sheila looked back on the advice she received which she told us still holds true no matter how far you are into your journey of running a business.

“Don't limit and stop playing small. Allow yourself to dream big and you will realize how capable you are. From there, you will be able to take bolder actions to make your business bigger. You just got to hold the faith and bet on yourself.”

You can visit Studio Naghisa’s website to learn more about their services, follow them on Facebook, and check out Sheila's Instagram. Sheila also hosts a weekly podcast called, “Her Powerhouse Brand,” where you can tune in for expert insights on strategic brand marketing designed to help you grow a purpose-driven business and scale your impact.

Year 2025 is just around the corner! But before you welcome a new beginning, why not give yourself a pat on the back for your hard work throughout this year?

But for us employees, what’s better than a pat on the back? Money, of course! Now that the end of the year is near and the holidays are upon us, there’s this one thing that we are looking forward to the most — the 13th month pay. In case you didn’t know, it is the much-anticipated bonus pay for employees, typically given by the end of the year.

For many of us, the 13th month pay isn’t just an extra paycheck — it’s a symbol of hard work paying off, quite literally. But what exactly is 13th month pay, and why is it such a big deal in the country? Let’s break it down.

What is the 13th Month Pay?

Simply put, 13th month pay is a mandatory annual benefit given to all rank-and-file employees in the private sector in the Philippines, regardless of the nature of their employment and how they are paid.

According to Article 212 of the Labor Code of the Philippines, rank-and-file employees are those who don’t fall under a managerial, leadership, or supervisory position.

We all know that there is no 13th month on the calendar, but why is it called 13th month pay? This is because this bonus is often equivalent to a month’s worth of an employee’s basic salary — just like having an extra month for a year!

How Is It Computed?

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in its 2024 Workers Statutory and Monetary Benefits Handbook, declares that the 13th month pay amount an employee is entitled to should be equal to the total basic salary earned during the year, divided by 12 months; hence, it should not be less than one-twelfth (1/12) of the total basic salary earned by an employee in a calendar year.

Below is a sample of 13th month pay computation, as seen from the handbook:

An important thing to note, though, is that the computation does not include allowances and additional benefits, such as cash payments for unused leaves, overtime pay, night differential, and holiday pay, among others.

Those who have resigned or have been terminated at any period before the 13th month pay is distributed must also receive a pro-rated payment. For example, if you only worked in a company from January to August of a calendar year, you’ll only receive a total of your basic salary for eight months, divided by 12.

Who are Entitled to a 13th Month Pay?

As mentioned, 13th month pay must be given to all rank-and-file employees of the private sector, whether they are regular, contractual, casual, or probationary, provided they have worked at least a month in the company. This, however, is not mandatory for government employees. In turn, government workers typically receive midyear or year-end bonuses.

Another exemption for 13th month pay is domestic helpers, or “kasambahays.” Don’t fret though, because they are still entitled to other benefits under the Kasambahay Law, also known as Republic Act No. 10361.

When Should It be Given to You?

According to DOLE, 13th month pay should be given no later than Dec. 24 every year. However, an employer may opt to give half of the accrued 13th month pay mid-year and the other half on or before the mandated day, depending on the agreement between the employer and employee.

What are 14th Month Pays and Christmas Bonuses?

While 13th month pay is mandatory, 14th month pay and other Christmas bonuses are entirely optional and voluntary. Meaning, it is up to an employer to reward their employees with such benefits. Usually, 14th month pay is computed the same way as 13th month pay, while Christmas bonuses depend on how much an employer wants to give. Some companies even offer a 15th month pay!

What to Do If You Don’t Receive It

As an employee, it’s important to know your rights. If you’re perfectly qualified for a 13th month pay and you don’t receive it within the deadline, there are legal options to consider.

Law firm Respicio & Co said in an article that employees can file a formal complaint with the DOLE Regional Office which has jurisdiction over their workplace, where mediation between the involved parties will occur. There’s also an option to file a small claims case in court, where you’ll need to gather the necessary documents to prove your claim.

Employers who fail to comply will be subject to penalties, including fines or administrative sanctions, among others.

Whether you’re looking to spend or invest your 13th month pay, it’s important to treat yourself, too, even just a little. After all, it’s Christmas!

If there’s one thing the current generations love, it’s a well-balanced life: having great health and making smart financial decisions. Thankfully, UnionBank, in cooperation with drugstore chain Mercury Drug, has launched a new credit card that will give us just that!

The UnionBank Mercury Card, UnionBank and Mercury Drug’s newest offering, is a credit card that’s designed for the “health-conscious, rewards-loving generation.”

With it, cardholders can get numerous perks, including getting five times the reward points on all health and wellness purchases — whether you’re stocking up on vitamins and skincare products or signing up for your favorite fitness classes.

What makes it even more exciting is that there are no annual fees for life (NAFFL), plus there are other exclusive perks to enjoy, like getting a free annual physical exam and ambulance service, among many other benefits!

Apart from its stellar perks, cardholders can also enjoy that card’s sleek, modern, and stylish design, featuring an image of the iconic "Mercury Man" on the front.

Giving users a peek of its various benefits, UnionBank and Mercury Drug held a launch party on Oct. 18 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in BGC, treating the guests to a day full of wellness activities. This included an outdoor yoga session, an indoor cycling class led by the fitness concept of Saddle Row, and rejuvenating treatments and massages from the Grand Hyatt Wellness team.

Speaking about the new card’s relevance in today’s generation, Steve Azcona of Mercury Drug said during the launch event, “We know the current generation is always looking for ways to live better, and that’s exactly why we created this card. It’s built around the idea that health is wealth, and we’re here to reward you for making the right choices.”

Want to get your hands on the new UnionBank Mercury Card and get started on your wellness journey? Apply here!