In a heartfelt tribute to four decades of trust, growth, and service excellence, the Palawan Group of Companies marked its 40th anniversary with a grand two-day Partners’ Night celebration on August 5 and 6, 2025, at the Blue Leaf Cosmopolitan in Bridgetown, Quezon City. The event gathered business partners, suppliers, affiliates, agencies, senior leaders, and stakeholders to honor shared achievements and reaffirm the mission of empowering Filipinos through accessible and reliable financial services.
Honoring Partnerships and Shared Values
The Palawan Group recognized outstanding partners who have consistently embodied its values of Matatag, Maaasahan, at Mapagkakatiwalaan (dependable, reliable, trustworthy). Awards such as Loyalty, Outstanding Service Partners, Growth Driver, and Breakthrough Sales Award were given to those who have significantly contributed to uplifting Filipino communities. Guests proudly wore Modern Filipiniana, reflecting the theme Gawang Pinoy, para sa Pinoy (made by Filipinos, for Filipinos).
Highlights from the Two-Day Celebration
Day 1: Palawan for Business Launch and ProtekTODO Milestones
The first day focused on the company’s Business-to-Business arm, officially rebranded as Palawan for Business, unveiling a new chapter in serving enterprises and institutional partners. Chief Business Development Officer Lisa Castro-Sabado shared that in just three years, the B2B team has worked with over 1,700 partners, delivering solutions such as disbursement, bills payment, QRPH, and microinsurance via ProtekTODO, which has insured nearly 5 million Filipinos.
Day 2: Supplier Recognition and Global Partnerships
The second day opened with a tribute to suppliers—the backbone of operations across logistics, IT, creative, media, and security services—who help keep services running in over 10,000 branches and authorized agents nationwide. Chief Operations Officer Roberto Ben “Bobbit” Castro and Chief Human Resources Officer Korina Castro-Fernando emphasized that these partners are integral to reaching grassroots communities.
The International Partners Summit celebrated global remittance allies, with Vice Chairman and CFO Lilian Castro-Selda thanking them for bridging distances for millions of Filipinos abroad. The day also honored internal teams from International Remittance, Domestic Remittance, Marketing Communications, and Regional Sales Agents for their creativity, outreach, and dedication.
Looking Ahead: Innovation for the Future
President and CEO Karlo M. Castro announced bold innovations including Pera Padala Abroad, Project Voyager, and VISA Direct, integrating digital and physical solutions for evolving customer needs.
The celebration also featured documentaries highlighting the company’s humble beginnings in Puerto Princesa in 1985, ending with founders Bobby L. Castro and Angelita M. Castro reflecting on the company’s journey, resilience, and deep commitment to service.
FAQ
Q: What was the theme of Palawan Group’s 40th Anniversary?
The celebration focused on honoring partnerships, heritage, and innovation under the message Ikaw Pa Rin, No. 1 sa Palawan.
Q: What is Palawan for Business?
It is the rebranded B2B arm of the Palawan Group, offering services like disbursement, bills payment, QRPH, and ProtekTODO microinsurance for enterprises and institutional partners.
Q: Who were honored during the celebration?
Partners, suppliers, and internal teams were recognized for their contributions to Palawan Group’s growth and service excellence.
Q: What new initiatives were announced?
Pera Padala Abroad, Project Voyager, and VISA Direct were introduced to enhance service reach and adapt to modern customer needs.
