Lhoopa Disrupts Real Estate Norms with 2.5x Growth in Affordable Home Sales

Lhoopa Disrupts Real Estate Norms with 2.5x Growth in Affordable Home Sales

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Thousands of first-time Filipino homeowners turn to Lhoopa as housing gap grows

For millions of Filipino families, the aspiration to own a home feels out of reach. Proptech company Lhoopa is fundamentally reshaping this reality, reporting 2.5x more homes sold in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. This surge reflects the company's growing momentum, helping almost 7,000 low- to middle-income Filipinos across 64 cities secure their own homes through its proprietary AI-enabled technology. 75% of these homeowners had no other option before discovering Lhoopa.

Making Homeownership Accessible at Scale

Lhoopa was founded in 2018 with a clear and vital mission: to streamline through technology the entire property journey, from acquisition to move-in, so homeownership becomes accessible to underserved communities at scale. “This mission guides our work every day, as we address the core challenges faced by aspiring homeowners,” said CEO and Co-Founder Marco Caillot.

Lhoopa's end-to-end model combines AI-powered land assessment and real-time supply-demand matching tools together with a growing network of decentralized partner contractors, brokers, and agents working on-ground. Through Lhoopa’s mobile applications, partners can access a suite of features to easily track and manage property listings, oversee construction progress, and monitor legal documentation and payments, just to name a few. Upon purchase, buyers are also assisted with their loan applications, closing the loop on an innovative system that drives efficiency while enabling scale where it's needed most: affordable housing.

“Our technology and network bring together available properties, accessible financing options, and user-friendly tools that simplify each step of the homeownership process,” Caillot added. “People need a straightforward and practical way to buy a home that doesn't leave them guessing or overwhelmed. Lhoopa is here to support them through this journey from start to finish.”

Building an Inclusive Housing Ecosystem

The average Lhoopa homebuyer has a monthly income of PHP 20,000 (about USD 350), a segment not fully served by traditional real estate systems. Lhoopa's impact is best seen in people like Mario and Yhang, both visually impaired massage therapists who recently bought their first home in Laguna, and Jennifer, a church caretaker who now lives with her family in their Cabanatuan home. “Malaking bagay yun samin na magkaroon ng sariling bahay [It’s a big deal for us to own a home],” Jennifer shared. “Talagang masasabi mong maiinvest mo sa pamilya mo, mabibigay mo sa anak mo [This is an investment for your family, something you can pass on to your children].” These are just some of the stories that reflect Lhoopa's firm commitment to homeownership for the underserved.

“We’re committed to building a more inclusive housing ecosystem, where more families can say, 'This home is ours’," Caillot highlighted. “Our focus now is to scale: continue enhancing our platform and expanding our network of local partners to further bridge the housing backlog, while helping more and more families access safe, quality, and affordable homeownership.”

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Visa Strengthens Presence in the Philippines with AI-Driven Commerce Solutions

Visa Strengthens Presence in the Philippines with AI-Driven Commerce Solutions

Visa, the global leader in digital payment technologies, is bringing next-generation AI-driven commerce solutions to Filipino consumers and businesses. With the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reporting that 50% of retail payments were digitized in 2023, the country is primed for more advanced, secure, and seamless payment experiences.

To meet the growing demand for smarter payment tools, Visa Philippines is rolling out a suite of AI-powered innovations that focus on flexibility, security, and acceptance—key components of a modern, inclusive digital economy.

“The Philippines has one of the fastest-growing digital payment ecosystems in Southeast Asia. With our latest AI technologies, we aim to support every Filipino—from MSMEs to online shoppers—with more secure and intuitive ways to pay and get paid,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager, Visa Philippines.

Visa Intelligent Commerce: Powering the Future of AI-Powered Payments

Leading Visa’s latest efforts is Visa Intelligent Commerce, a breakthrough initiative that enables developers and fintech platforms to integrate AI-based payment APIs into everyday platforms. This means Filipino consumers may soon experience AI that can automatically order meals, manage subscriptions, or book travel—all while ensuring secure Visa checkout integration.

Visa is also exploring partnerships with tech giants Ant International, Grab, and Tencent to expand intelligent commerce capabilities across Asia Pacific.

“Filipinos can look forward to more personalized, frictionless transactions powered by AI,” said Poojyata Khattar, Head of Product, Regional Southeast Asia, Visa. “Whether it’s reordering your favorite food on Grab or booking concert tickets, Visa’s payment network ensures every digital moment is secure and seamless.”

Strengthening Digital Payments in the Philippines

Visa is launching new services tailored for Filipino consumers, small business owners, and merchants:

Visa Pay

A groundbreaking service that links local e-wallets like Maya to Visa’s global network. Now, Filipinos can pay at millions of merchants worldwide—whether in-store or online—using just a tap, scan, or click.

Digital Identity Solutions

From Passkeys to Tap to Confirm, Visa is helping improve online security while reducing transaction friction. These tools ensure safer payments for Filipinos without compromising convenience.

Visa Accept

Designed for micro-sellers and freelancers, this tool lets vendors accept contactless Visa payments through their smartphones—no additional hardware required. This feature will benefit informal businesses and self-employed Filipinos looking for simple ways to get paid.

New Payment Options for a New Generation

Visa continues to innovate with products that resonate with Millennials and Gen Z in the Philippines:

Visa Flex Credential

This multi-functional card lets users switch between debit, credit, and rewards in real-time. Originally launched in Japan, Flex is now being explored with partners across Southeast Asia, and may soon arrive in the Philippines.

Stablecoin Support & Tokenized Assets

Visa is leading the charge in crypto-friendly payments, offering stablecoin-backed cards and settlement services. In Asia Pacific, Visa has already processed over $225 million in stablecoin settlements and is collaborating with regional players like StraitsX and DTC Pay.

Through its Visa Tokenized Asset Platform (VTAP), Visa is also working to make blockchain-based payments and cross-border money movement more accessible for banks and fintechs in the region.

Collaboration is Key

Visa’s success in delivering innovation to the Philippines relies on strategic partnerships with local banks, merchants, acquirers, and government institutions.

“These collaborations help us ensure that our global innovations create real, local impact,” said Navarro. “From empowering SMEs to enabling next-gen payments, we’re committed to helping the Philippines lead in the future of digital commerce.”

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From Sacrifice to Software: How One Man’s Family-First Vision Sparked a Tech Success in Bulacan

From Sacrifice to Software: How One Man’s Family-First Vision Sparked a Tech Success in Bulacan

Sunday, June 29, 2025

On PLDT Enterprise’s “ROI’d to Success” podcast, Michael Sta. Maria of NBSI shares the journey behind a growing local tech firm rooted in resilience, family, and community impact.

For Michael Sta. Maria, success didn’t begin with software. It started with sacrifice.

Long before he led a growing enterprise resource planning (ERP) software company serving clients across the country, Sta. Maria was a young professional from Norzagaray, Bulacan who spent many years working away from home, missing important family moments in pursuit of stability.

“I really wanted to give back the investment and time to my family, as well as the time to myself. I never thought it would be possible. Before, I would doubt myself, but eventually, after almost ten years, we now see that, while we struggled in the past, we are now established and can run the business well and continue to grow it,” he shares on the latest episode of ROI’d to Success, the podcast collaboration between PLDT Enterprise and Hustleshare.

That turning point came in 2016, when Sta. Maria decided to take a leap of faith and build something from the ground up. The result was Northeast Business Solutions, Inc. (NBSI), a Bulacan-based software company specializing in timekeeping, human resource management systems (HRMS), and payroll.

What started as a homegrown solution to a common business problem — reliable and affordable payroll software — soon evolved into an enterprise payroll and timekeeping solution catering to small and even very large-sized companies. By 2018, NBSI had successfully launched its product in the Philippine market. But the story behind the code is as powerful as the tech itself.

Building a Business with Heart

For Sta. Maria, NBSI was never just about growth, it was about reclaiming time, not only for himself but for others in his community.

Coming from a humble background, he poured himself into mastering software development. His early career took him far from home, requiring long hours and frequent travel. But with his family’s unwavering support, he eventually found the courage to strike out on his own.

Sta. Maria also believes that no business thrives in isolation, emphasizing that, “It is very important to listen to our team. I’ve learned a lot over the past few years about the business from my people. Our employees are truly our ambassadors. And, of course, how they represent themselves is a direct reflection of our company.”

Today, NBSI serves as a pillar of local employment in Norzagaray, providing opportunities for young professionals to pursue careers in tech.

“My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: If you plan to start your own business, be prepared for challenges—they are part of the process. But you will reap the rewards later. You can do it,” he adds.

Tech, Trust, and a Reliable Connection

NBSI’s growth, however, didn’t happen in isolation. Behind its ability to deliver reliable solutions to clients lies a strong digital backbone provided by PLDT Enterprise’s iGate.

“PLDT Enterprise helped us achieve zero downtime in internet connectivity,” explains Sta. Maria. This dependable connection allowed NBSI to provide seamless service to businesses relying on them for sensitive, time-critical operations.

“Thanks to PLDT Enterprise, our productivity increased by over 15%. Our client base grew, while our total working hours decreased—reflecting improved efficiency,” Sta. Maria shares.

Looking ahead, NBSI plans to expand further with PLDT Enterprise’s broadband upgrades and Smart 5G Postpaid Plans, a move that will better connect its mobile workforce and help support its rapidly growing client base.

A Platform for Progress

For PLDT Enterprise, supporting MSMEs like NBSI means amplifying their own stories.

“Through stories like NBSI’s, we see how meaningful technology adoption drives real, measurable business outcomes,” said Jay Lagdameo, Vice President and Head of Enterprise Revenue Group at PLDT Enterprise. “Through ROI’d to Success, we give entrepreneurs a platform to share their stories, highlighting how they harness digital solutions to overcome challenges, grow their businesses, and inspire others.”

You can listen to the full ROI’d to Success episode featuring Northeast Business Solutions, Inc. now on Hustleshare via Spotify.

To discover more inspiring stories and learn how PLDT Enterprise’s solutions empower businesses, visit https://bit.ly/pldtenterprise-ROId-nbsi-pr.

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EastWest Priority Wins Outstanding Client Experience Award at the Global Private Banking Innovation Awards 2025

EastWest Priority Wins Outstanding Client Experience Award at the Global Private Banking Innovation Awards 2025

EastWest Priority, the affluent banking arm of EastWest, has been awarded Outstanding Client Experience in Wealth Management at the Global Private Banking Innovation Awards 2025. This honor affirms EastWest Priority’s focus on thoughtful, tailored service and wealth strategies that speak to the needs of affluent clients across the country.

Launched in 2016 following EastWest’s acquisition of Standard Chartered’s retail banking and wealth portfolio, EastWest Priority has evolved into a trusted financial partner by helping clients grow, preserve, and maximize their wealth through a suite of tailored products and relationship-led service.

Where Personalized Care Meets Technology

In 2024, EastWest Priority demonstrated its leadership in client-centricity by expanding its footprint to 12 Priority Centers nationwide, bringing premium banking closer to clients in key cities across the Visayas and Mindanao. This hyperlocal strategy, a rare advantage among its peers, enabled the Bank to meet clients where they live, work, and invest.

Complementing its physical network, EastWest Priority offers a full spectrum of wealth solutions across deposits, investments, insurance, and lending, each matched to a client’s goals, risk appetite, and life stage. Supported by expert Relationship Managers, the segment’s bespoke experience includes:

• Exclusive asset swap and gold investment opportunities via EastWest Financial Markets and Wealth Management and through its referral program with J. Rotbart & Co.
• Preferred foreign exchange rates and banking fees
• Visa Infinite debit and credit cards with concierge access, waived ATM charges, and global travel protection
• Strategic global partnerships like Henley & Partners for citizenship and residency services
• Experience-driven client events

On the digital front, Priority-exclusive features on the EasyWay app include a dedicated interface and online foreign exchange capabilities by bringing added convenience to globally mobile clients.

“At EastWest, we believe banking should be both personal and powerful,” said Raffy S. Algarra Jr., EastWest Head of Financial Markets and Wealth Management. “EastWest Priority is about anticipating our clients’ aspirations and crafting solutions that go beyond transactions. This award is a testament to our people’s dedication and our long-term belief in customer intimacy, local relevance, and innovation.”

Richie Tamayo, Head of EastWest Wealth Management, added: “We understand that trust, expertise, and access are the currencies of wealth relationships. Our Priority team doesn’t just manage portfolios. They nurture ambition, with service that adapts to each client’s life stage, market conditions, and dreams.” All these can be enjoyed with a minimum total relationship balance of only P2.5Mn.

This distinctive value proposition, premium banking with inclusive thresholds, has helped position EastWest Priority as a rising leader in the Philippine affluent segment.

What’s Next

In 2025 and beyond, EastWest Priority is set to:

• Launch enhanced Priority Credit and Debit Cards with curated lifestyle offers
• Expand its footprint to new growth markets
• Broaden digital access to investment products

“Client experience is our compass,” Algarra concluded. “Winning this global recognition inspires us to elevate every solution and every interaction in our customers’ financial journey.”

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Angels Initiative, World Stroke Organization, and Stroke Society of the Philippines lead Stroke CARE Meeting to elevate stroke care and build a stroke-ready Philippines

Angels Initiative, World Stroke Organization, and Stroke Society of the Philippines lead Stroke CARE Meeting to elevate stroke care and build a stroke-ready Philippines

Thursday, June 26, 2025

 

The Stroke CARE (Coalition for Acute Stroke Response and Excellence) Meeting brings together global and local leaders from the World Stroke Organization (WSO), Stroke Society of the Philippines (SSP), and Angels Initiative, Boehringer Ingelheim’s global healthcare program, driving excellence in stroke response and care nationwide. 

Regional stroke champions from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao engaged in the discussions to address the growing burden of stroke in the Philippines and bridge global standards with local solutions for better stroke care. Stroke remains a major public health concern in the Philippines, as the third leading cause of death and a major cause of long-term disability, with 34,464 fatalities from January to August 2024. 

WSO President Prof. Jeyaraj Pandian reaffirmed the organization’s support for the Philippines, highlighting progress through the WSO Angels Certification Program and emphasizing the need for multisectoral collaboration, community awareness, and capacity-building across all levels of care. Key priorities discussed include the development of a unified national stroke strategy, improved access to timely treatment, adoption of data-driven tools like the Registry of Stroke Care Quality (RES-Q), and expanded training for frontline health workers. 

The Angels Initiative remains committed to advancing stroke care in the Philippines through strategic partnerships, continuous capacity-building, and a shared vision of a stroke-ready nation.

 

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Smart surges ahead as the PH’s leading wireless broadband provider in terms of subscribers

Smart surges ahead as the PH’s leading wireless broadband provider in terms of subscribers

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is now the Philippines’ leading wireless broadband provider in terms of subscribers, as it serves over 430,000 customers nationwide as of the first quarter of 2025.

This translates to a significant 44% of the wireless broadband subscriber base share, outpacing its closest competitor’s 42% subscriber base share within the same period.

“This milestone achievement is a testament to our unwavering pursuit of customer satisfaction and network excellence. Our growing subscriber base and market leadership also reflect the trust our customers place in our network and our commitment to delivering world-class connectivity,” said Anastacio R. Martirez, Smart Chief Operating Officer.

Connecting families in fiber-limited areas

Smart’s market-leading performance comes on the heels of its strategic launch of the Smart Home WiFi brand to carry products and services that cater to Filipino families living in fiber-limited areas, ensuring no one is left behind in the digital age.

As part of its launch, Smart Home WiFi unveiled the Smart 5G Max Turbo WiFi. This prepaid and plug-and-play device offers unparalleled convenience, allowing customers to instantly set it up at home, in dorms, or small offices. It seamlessly connects up to 15 devices simultaneously, providing powerful internet access where fiber connectivity is unavailable.

Unlock the power of 5G

Smart Home WiFi is powered by Smart 5G, which enables customers to stream videos seamlessly, upload and download heavy files in seconds, instantly post and share content online, and play mobile games without lag.

Smart continues to strategically deploy its 5G infrastructure across the country as part of the PLDT Group’s continued investment in enhancing its integrated network, which is aligned with the Group’s commitment to deliver a leveled-up customer experience.

“The growth of our broadband subscriber base is just the beginning. Our customers can look forward to even more amazing products and innovative services as we continuously strive to delight them and cater to their evolving lifestyle needs - powered by our world-class network,” said Martirez.

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Eastern Communications Ramps Up Activities for 2025 National ICT Month

Eastern Communications Ramps Up Activities for 2025 National ICT Month

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Supports NICT Summit 2025 as Official Connectivity Partner and launches digital literacy initiatives

In alignment with the Philippines’ nationwide push for digital transformation, Eastern Communications extended its full support to the Chief Information Officers Forum Foundation, Inc. (CIOFF) for this year’s National ICT Summit 2025 (NICT2025) — the culminating event of National ICT Month.

This year’s NICT2025 took place last June 19-20, 2025, at The Manila Hotel, with the theme: “Transforming Together: Building an Inclusive Digital Nation.”

As the official connectivity partner of the summit, Eastern Communications provided a seamless, reliable internet connection for the event, making it more accessible for its online participants. Through this collaboration, the company actively supports initiatives that promote innovation, digital inclusion, and greater ICT awareness across the country.

“At Eastern Communications, we continuously seek opportunities to support the country’s digital advancement by way of strategic partnerships, digital education programs, and by empowering communities with reliable and accessible connectivity,” said Eastern Communications Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer Edsel Paglinawan.

The telco provider will also roll out its latest “Brown Bag Session” and “Access Eastern” tech workshops across Metro Manila and the new videos of its "Thoughts on Tech" video podcast as part of its ICT month initiatives.

Driving Nation-Building Through NICT Summit 2025

Supported by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the NICT2025 brought together national leaders, private sector innovators, and global ICT experts to present strategies and technologies that advance inclusive digital development.

The summit was joined by around 400 in-person delegates and 200–500 online participants, including representatives from the academe, IT associations, private industry, and government bodies. The event previewed the upcoming ASEAN CIO Association (ACIOA) 9th Forum in Singapore this September, featuring thought leadership on digital transformation, AI, cybersecurity, sustainability, and emerging tech trends shaping ASEAN’s future.

Furthering its mission to support nation-building and empower Filipino communities through technology, Eastern Communications is proud to be part of the annual National ICT Month celebrations, observed every June under Presidential Proclamation No. 1521, s. 2008.

Empowering Businesses Through Tech Workshops

Eastern Communications announces the return of its award-winning thought leadership events with its annual “Access Eastern” tech workshops, and its new learning series, the Eastern “Brown Bag Session.” These series of workshops will gather key opinion leaders in the technology sector to build collaboration and drive digital transformation among businesses in the Philippines. The dynamic lineup of sessions include:

• Future-Proofing Philippine Retail Industry for next Gen Connectivity in partnership with Huawei
• Accelerating Innovation Through Next Gen/Emerging Technologies in partnership with Cisco
• Resilient IT-BPM Delivery Using Hybrid Cloud in partnership with CloudSigma
• Empowering Governance Through Emerging Technologies in partnership with Nexusguard
• Securing Distributed Teams with Zero Trust and SASE in partnership with CATO Networks
• Access Eastern: Solutions That Power Your Business with workshop runs in Clark & Laguna

These industry-focused tech workshops will provide valuable insights and actionable strategies for businesses looking to leverage the latest technological advancements.

"Thoughts on Tech" Podcast Returns with Ai & Digital Literacy Focus

Eastern Communications also launched the third series of its official video podcast, "Thoughts on Tech," hosted by renowned news anchor and event host Danie Laurel. This series features insightful conversations with industry leaders, focusing on ICT as a crucial enabler of progress and why digital transformation is now a fundamental necessity for all businesses.

The series will address the need for greater AI and ICT awareness among Philippine businesses. Research from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) indicates that despite national efforts for AI integration, local businesses, especially MSMEs, face challenges in adoption due to barriers in infrastructure, awareness, and funding. As of 2021, only 14.9% of businesses were using AI technologies, highlighting the early stages of AI adoption in the country.

The "Thoughts on Tech" episodes are released weekly throughout June via Eastern’s official Facebook and Youtube channel:

• The Future of the Filipino Workforce in the Age of AI featuring Tonichi Parekh, Vice President of Concentrix.
• The Creator Economy, Its Challenges and Unique Trends with Marla De Castro Rausch, President of Creative Content Creators Association of the Philippines (SIKAP) and CEO of Animation Vertigo.
• From Classroom to Boardroom: Integrating Digital Skills in Education with Aurelien Chu, Co-Founder of Eskwelabs.
• Code Red to Code Ready: Managing Risks in Modern Enterprises with Alvin Harilla, Eastern Communications’ Enterprise Risk & Quality Management Head.

Through these various initiatives, Eastern Communications supports the Philippines' digital transformation journey by empowering businesses with knowledge and championing digital literacy during the National ICT Month.

 

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