More Than Just a Finance App: How to Help People Through GCash

The latest #GCashStories highlights how people can provide support and financial assistance by transferring money in a simple and efficient way.

With 79 million registered users, GCash (G-Xchange, Inc.) has undeniably cemented itself in the hearts and wallets of many Filipinos as the number one Finance App in the Philippines. This longtime project by The Globe Group thrived during the pandemic as its primary functions include sending and receiving money anytime and anywhere in the Philippines.

Since then, the app has evolved to do so much more. This includes purchasing prepaid load, paying bills at over 1,600 partner billers nationwide, purchasing from over 5.2 million partner merchants and social sellers, getting access to savings, credit, loans, insurance, and even investing money, among others. What’s more, all this can be done at the convenience of their smartphones.

Beyond being a finance app in itself, GCash also taps into the caring hearts of its users, as it allows parents, friends, relatives, and even acquaintances to transfer money in a simple and efficient way—making it easier to provide support and financial assistance whenever needed.

#GCashStories: Highlighting Stories of Hope and Progress

In order to highlight its services and how the app has impacted every Filipino’s life, GCash launched #GCashStories—a series that highlights stories of hope and progress by weaving inspirational narratives about real people and their stories… into films.

First off was a short film about Cocoy Rubio, who lost his job due to the pandemic, but was able to become a small business owner through GCash and its different services. Thanks to GLoan, Cocoy was able to not only get a loan that helped kickstart his business, but the many services of GCash helped him make the necessary transactions that propelled him to success.

“We are now 79 million strong,” says Neil Trinidad, GCash’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We are providing 70% of Filipinos with the necessary digital tools and have distributed over USD 320 million [around PHP PHP 17.71 billion] of financial aid.”

Helping People Help Other People

Directed by Antoinette Jadaone, the second film in the #GCashStories series proves how technology can make daily transactions easier and provide an accessible way to genuinely lend a helping hand. 

By tugging at the heartstrings of many, it tells the true story of Alma Fermano—popularly known by many as Ate Alma—a photocopier from the Ateneo de Manila University who also serves as the sole breadwinner of her family. An icon in her own right, Ate Alma is a friendly face on campus and a well-loved figure who calls students “pangga,” which means beloved in Ilonggo.

Alma Fermano, popularly known as Ate Alma. Photo Credits: GCash

As one of the many victims of Typhoon Ulysses, a super-typhoon that hit the Philippines in 2020, which caused PHP 12.9 billion in damages, Ate Alma’s home was severely damaged. University students then took it upon themselves to start a fundraising initiative—powered by GCash.

When word got out through social media, many students and graduates sent their donations to Ate Alma through GCash’s Send Money feature. This feature allows volunteers to donate in real-time and from wherever they were—straight to Ate Alma’s GCash wallet.

Eventually, Ate Alma’s community was able to raise enough money to repair her house and purchase essential goods for her and her family, thus making the road to recovery after the typhoon that much easier.

Sa totoo lang napakalaking tulong sa akin ng GCash talaga. Hindi ako makapaniwala kasi first time lang nangyari sa akin. Thank you talaga sa GCash,” says Ate Alma. “Sobrang nagulat ako, hindi ko akalain na ganoon karami agad ang dumating. Isipin mo naging 100,000 agad ang dumating sa GCash ko. Talagang patuloy silang naghulog sa GCash hanggang nabuo yung bahay namin.

[Translation: To be honest, GCash was such a big help to me. I couldn’t believe it since this happened to me for the first time. Thank you very much, GCash. I was so surprised—I didn’t think that a lot of money would be sent to me right away. Just think—PHP100,000 instantly went to my GCash. People kept donating through GCash until I was able to rebuild my home.]

From L to R: GCash brand team members Willy De Ocampo and John Paraguya, Ate Alma, Director Tonet Jadaone, GCash CEO Martha Sazon, GCash Chief Marketing Officer Neil Trinidad, and GCash brand team member Lourdes Batac. Photo Credits: GCash

How GCash Send Money Works

As one of the new features of GCash, Send Money allows users to quickly transfer funds from one account to any of the other 79 million GCash users through a unique QR code or even through the user’s GCash number. The money is then safely and instantly transferred to the recipient, which can then be used to make cashless purchases with GCash payments, Buy Load, Pay Online, and more.

What’s more, cashing in to transfer is made easier, as users can Cash In from over 70 online banks, 650,000 over-the-counter partners, or through 4,000 cash-in machines, nationwide.

Beyond highlighting how GCash has changed people’s lives through #GCashStories, the company has also taken the extra step in its corporate social responsibility (CSR). How? By tapping several non-government organizations to help solve real-world problems.

In fact, GCash has partnered up with ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation and Caritas Manila—non-profit organizations—that help families in need of disaster relief, much like Ate Alma’s. 

“#GCashStories is everyone’s story,” Trinidad ends. “And this campaign aims to turn our moments into movements.”


Watch and be inspired by the story of Ate Alma and the community that rallied behind her in this video. Stay tuned for other upcoming #GCashStories by following GCash’s official social media pages: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok

Have your own story of hope and progress? Share yours by using the hashtags #GCashStories and #MyGCashStory, and tagging @gcashofficial. 

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