The Palawan Group of Companies closed its 40th anniversary in 2025 on a historic high, earning an unprecedented number of awards and marking a major milestone in its decades of service to millions of Filipinos. Each recognition underscored the company’s ongoing mission to provide accessible, affordable, and inclusive financial services that make a tangible difference in the lives of its sukis.
Karlo M. Castro, President and CEO of Palawan Group, said, “We are proud of these recognitions, but our work doesn’t stop here. They inspire us to push further, strengthen our commitment to service, and continue raising the bar for innovation. As we move into 2026, we will keep improving our services and expanding our reach to ensure every Filipino can access reliable and meaningful financial solutions. The Palawan Group has always been and will always be about serbisyo para sa Pilipino.”
For four decades, Palawan Pawnshop has served as a trusted lifeline for everyday Filipinos. Recognized as the Best Pawning Company at the 12th International Finance Awards (IFA) 2024, it is known for fair collateral evaluation, low interest rates, and fast, hassle-free service, helping families meet urgent expenses, pay school fees, and support small businesses. Its digital initiatives, including online pawn renewal and gold sales through PalawanPay, also earned a Bronze Stevie Award for Innovation in Digital Transformation in Financial Services, highlighting its commitment to convenience and accessibility.
Palawan Express Pera Padala continues to make sending money home safe, seamless,and affordable through its network of over 10,000 branches nationwide, reaching even the country’s most remote communities. Its service innovations were recognized at the Stevie Asia-Pacific Awards, where it received Silver for Innovation in the Use of Technology in Customer Service. The brand also earned the Most Innovative Remittance Company at the 12th IFA, reinforcing its role in expanding financial access.
PalawanPay triumphed at the Marketing Technology Awards, earning recognition for its outstanding use of marketing platforms to engage customers and drive measurable results.
The company’s digital arm, PalawanPay, has transformed everyday financial transactions for more than 20 million users. Through a single platform, sukis can pay bills, top up mobile loads, renew pawn items, purchase jewelry, and access microinsurance. PalawanPay was named Most Innovative E-Wallet at the 12th IFA, while its marketing initiatives earned 2nd Runner-Up for “The Big Bang” at the YouTube Works Awards Southeast Asia, as well as Silver for Best Use of Marketing Automation Platform and Bronze for Best Use of Omni-Channel Marketing Platform at the Marketing Technology Awards 2025.
ProtekTODO, the microinsurance arm of the Palawan Group, provides accessible financial protection to everyday Filipinos. Recognized with a Bronze Stevie Award for Innovation in Brand Development, it offers critical illness coverage that is affordable, easy to understand, and widely accessible, giving sukis peace of mind that they and their families are protected from unexpected health challenges.
Palawan for Business was honored at the NEXT Awards Asia-Pacific for its contributions to community development and government initiatives.
Palawan For Business, the company’s B2B arm, earned a Silver Award for Most Innovative B2B Campaign at the NEXT Awards Asia-Pacific 2025. Through innovative partnerships with government agencies, select branches were transformed into micro-payout hubs and mobile payout caravans, delivering financial aid efficiently to underserved communities across the country.
The company’s overall commitment to innovation and excellence was recognized at the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, where it won two Gold Stevies for Excellence in Innovation in Financial Services and Innovation in Brand Development, along with Silver awards in Innovation in Cross-Media Marketing and Use of Technology in Customer Service. These accolades celebrate the company’s holistic approach, blending technology, human-centered service, and creative marketing to deliver meaningful impact to millions of sukis.
The Palawan Group of Companies won seven Stevie Awards for its outstanding achievements in advancing financial inclusion and implementing impactful marketing strategies.
Bernard Kaibigan, Group Marketing Head of Palawan Group, emphasized, “Winning multiple awards this year reflects our commitment to our sukis. For four decades, our mission has been to provide fast, affordable, and hassle-free financial services to every Filipino, especially the unbanked and underbanked. These accolades affirm the hard work and dedication of our team and the trust of our sukis.”
As the company celebrates its 40th anniversary, 2025 stands out as a year of recognition and a milestone in its journey of impact. Each award tells a story of Filipinos empowered through accessible financial solutions. And as Palawan Group looks to 2026, it is committed to building on this legacy, delivering even more innovations and services that serve the sukis at the heart of everything they do.
