The Palawan Group of Companies (PGC) received seven awards at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards ceremony held in Seoul, South Korea, on 13 May 2025.
These included two Gold Stevie awards for its work in financial innovation and brand development. Palawan Group of Companies stated that these awards reflect its focus on financial inclusion for Filipinos.
PGC received Gold Stevies for Excellence in Innovation in Financial Industries and Innovation in Brand Development. These awards highlighted its PalawanPay e-wallet and “bricktech” model (integrating physical branches with the app).
PGC also received Silver Stevie Awards for Innovation in Cross-Media Marketing and the Innovative Use of Technology in Customer Service. Its insurance brand, Palawan ProtekTODO, obtained a Bronze Stevie for Innovation in Brand Development, having provided over five million insurance policies.
Another Bronze was awarded to Palawan Pawnshop for Innovation in Digital Transformation. This award recognised services like online pawn renewal and gold jewellery sales via PalawanPay. Additionally, PGC received the People’s Choice Stevie Award for Favourite Company in the finance category, following a public vote.
The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are part of an international business awards programme. This year, the Asia-Pacific segment considered over 1,000 nominations from 29 markets.
Commenting on the awards, PalawanPay CEO, Third Librea, said they highlight PGC’s customer service efforts.
“This recognition validates the hard work we put into constantly evolving our offerings and ensuring that our customers receive the affordable, fast, and hassle-free service they deserve,” PalawanPay’s CEO said.
Bernard Kaibigan, PGC’s Group Marketing Head, linked the recognition to the company’s long-standing aim of improving financial service accessibility in the Philippines.
“This is at the heart of everything we do, and winning seven Stevies awards is a testament to our ongoing efforts to break down barriers and create meaningful change,” Bernard added.
Winning these highly esteemed international business accolades reinforces the Palawan Group of Companies’ market presence. It also emphasises their forward-thinking, customer-focused strategy.
These accomplishments offer more than global acknowledgement. The company views them as a way to honour the trust shown by Filipinos across the nation. PGC dedicates these awards to its loyal customers (‘sukis’). The company stated that its sustained support has positioned it as a leading pawnshop and money remittance firm in the country.
The recognition marks an important stage in the company’s nearly four-decade-long effort to provide inclusive, dependable, and accessible financial solutions throughout the Philippines.
Featured image by Palawan Group of Companies.
