Whether it is for a payment, or to our loved ones, sending money has been a struggle for us Filipinos. Limited channel, cost, and accessibility are some of the concerns that rose in line with money remittance. And since the universe always favors us, the remittance industry has gone through a wonderful metamorphosis; it even went digital!
Supported by strong statistics, PayMaya Philippines (formerly Smart eMoney, Inc.) recently stated that it remains to be the leading company in the mobile remittance industry with its Smart Padala service on the back of a new consumer brand campaign coupled with strong remittance volumes here and abroad, further boosting the Philippine economy as investor and consumer confidence likewise continues to expand.
“Opportunities in this industry remain huge as there is a still vast need to service the gaps for the unbanked and uncarded Filipinos. We are sustaining Smart Padala’s momentum as the leading mobile remittance service in the country through our new brand campaign, more pervasive on-ground presence with our flagship stores, enhanced services, more partnerships and inclusive innovations. Through these efforts, we hope to drive financial inclusion as we also grow our business,” said Orlando B. Vea, president and CEO of PayMaya Philippines and Voyager Innovations.
Vea reaffirmed this positive outlook last June 29, 2016, during the unveiling of the new Smart Padala logo and the launch of its new campaign with celebrity Angel Locsin as its brand ambassador.
As part of efforts to sustain its leadership in the remittance service industry, Smart Padala aims to reinforce the brand message of Smart Padala which is PadaLapit.
Hearing the name of the campaign will easily help you relate and agree with the data from the first National Baseline Survey on Financial Inclusion released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas mid-2015. The study says that on average, it takes around 22 minutes for Filipinos to reach the nearest financial services touch point. It also costs an average of P43 for a roundtrip fare.
Smart Padala seems to erase that record and determined to change the game of remittance.
With 15,000 Smart Padala centers nationwide, there is a Smart Padala center in almost every municipality so users do not need to travel, spend for the fare, and consume time just to send or receive money remittances. Smart Padala makes the home feel closer by sending the remittances of family breadwinners to their loved ones in the most accessible, convenient, and secure manner. These centers include the recently launched Smart Padala International flagship stores that enable Filipinos to receive the remittances of their loved ones abroad.
“Since the brand was launched over ten years ago, Smart Padala has been enabling our countrymen to send and receive money anywhere in the country in a fast, easy, secure, and affordable manner. With this campaign, we reaffirm and strengthen this ‘PadaLapit’ brand that has made us a fixture of Filipino life,” said Benjie Fernandez, co-COO of PayMaya Philippines and COO of Voyager Innovations.
To support their campaign, Smart Padala introduces the simple yet feisty woman dressed in green and looking as gorgeous as ever; Angel Locsin no less! We all know how family-oriented she is and an advocate of various causes so to speak. These made her the best fit to represent the brand as it intensifies its push for financial inclusion.
“Angel Locsin represents the family and service-oriented values of Smart Padala. Aside from being a devoted daughter, she also supports advocacies such as the Philippine Red Cross and women’s rights. We’re happy to welcome her to the Smart Padala family,” said Lawrence Ferrer, Vice President and Head of Domestic Business at PayMaya Philippines.
“I’m proud to be the new ambassador of Smart Padala. Naniniwala ako sa brand dahil malaki ang naitutulong ng Smart Padala sa mga manggagawa at pamilyang Pilipino. By representing the brand, I hope to help in Smart Padala’s mission to uplift more lives and communities,” said Angel Locsin.
On top of enabling mobile money remittance, Smart Padala also fosters entrepreneurship in the community.
“The backbone of our business is our army of Smart Padala community partners. Part of our mission is to help families and communities by providing micro-entrepreneurship opportunities. Anyone can be our partner and open a Padala center — all they need is a cellular phone, our basic business documentary requirements, and the driving passion for being of service,” said Paolo Azzola, Managing Director and co-COO of PayMaya Philippines.
With 15,000 Padala centers nationwide, sending money to loved ones anywhere in the country can be as simple as buying mobile load from a nearby sari-sari store.
To make mobile money more inclusive, Smart Padala launched last year its Pick-Up Anywhere service, which allows users to send money to anyone, regardless of mobile network, to be redeemed at any Smart Padala center nationwide.
It also launched promos such as Padalang Padalow for lower customer service fees and incentives to Padala partners.
“Smart Padala is truly a Filipino brand. It has made its mark not only as the global pioneer in mobile money but as an inclusive financial services enabler, making lives easier for the unconnected, unbanked and uncarded. We are committed to bringing this vision of bridging the digital divide through relevant services such as Smart Padala,” said Orlando B. Vea, President, and CEO at PayMaya Philippines.
Lalayo ka pa? PadaLapit Lang with Smart Padala!
Visit www.smartpadala.ph to learn more about Smart Padala and like its official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SmartPadalaPH.
Karina is not your ordinary supermom. She juggles her time bonding with her three amazing kids while being in the loop on the latest happenings in the tech and lifestyle scene. Follow me on Instagram (@digitalfilipina) regularly visit www.digitalfilipina.com for daily dose of updates not just for moms but for everyone!
