Chix & Tell

How a single clerical error delayed my dream of working abroad  and why it took me 50 years to finally correct it. If you've known me personally, you'd probably laugh at the title of this blog. No, I didn't spend 50 years questioning my gender. I spent 3 months shy of 50 years trying to correct a typo. Yes, you read that right. Turns out, for the first 25 years of my life, I had absolutely no idea that according to my birth certificate... I was male . Imagine discovering that only when you're already processing your passport. Hindi nagbabasa nganiii! I was in my mid-twenties then, full of dreams and excited about the possibility of working abroad and giving my kids a wonderful future. My passport application was supposed to be the first step toward a better future. Instead, it became one of the most heartbreaking days of my young adult life. THE CULPRIT? A single letter on my birth certificate. Sex: M. As in MALE. I remember staring at the document, convinced there had ...

Maya , the Philippines’ leading digital financial services platform, won two accolades at the PR Awards Asia-Pacific 2026—Gold in the Best Brand Collaboration category and Silver in the Consumer Launch category. Its Welcome to Maya Black campaign was also shortlisted in the PR Event category.   Maya took home Gold in the Best Brand Collaboration category, a new award under the Effectiveness track, for its 2025 campaign, Save a Housemate. Save with Maya.  As young Filipino fans rallied behind their favorite housemate on Pinoy Big Brother—the Philippines’ longest-running reality show and local version of the global franchise—Maya saw an opportunity to encourage better financial habits.    By replacing the legacy SMS voting system with a seamless in-app experience, Maya introduced “Save-to-Vote,” where users first deposit money into their accounts then cast a vote.   Integrated into weekly on-air segments and amplified through fan content, Maya became an ...

Residents of General Santos City can once again shop for their everyday essentials as SM Supermarket Gensan has officially resumed regular operations following the completion of post-earthquake safety inspections and the issuance of the necessary clearances to reopen. The reopening comes as a welcome step toward restoring normalcy after the recent earthquake, ensuring the community has reliable access to groceries, fresh produce, household necessities, and other daily essentials. Store management emphasized that the safety and well-being of both customers and employees remain its top priority. SM Supermarket Gensan is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday to Thursday , and 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday to Sunday . For those who prefer to shop from home, customers may also order through the supermarket's online shopping service. Throughout July 1 to 31, 2026 , shoppers can enjoy exclusive online promotions, including free delivery for purchases worth at least ₱2,000 and ₱100 off on...

Mother’s Day hits different when you want to go all out but still stay in control of your finances. That’s where moneymaxxing comes in: making every peso work smarter so you can celebrate more, without the after-stress. With Maya , the country’s #1 Digital Bank and leading all-in-one fintech platform, it’s easier to do just that, so you can enjoy the day without overthinking it later. If you want it to feel special, don’t start with the price  It’s easy to default to one big, expensive gift, but more often than not, it’s the experience that people remember. A planned lunch, a small but thoughtful present, or even just uninterrupted time together can feel more personal than something rushed or over-the- top. When you shift the focus this way, your spending starts to feel more intentional, not just bigger. If you’re going to spend anyway, make it work for you Mother’s Day spending is going to happen either way, so it helps when it gives something back. Using the Maya Black Credit Car...

 As fuel prices rise and utility costs continue to put pressure on household budgets, many Filipinos are feeling the squeeze of everyday expenses more sharply, not just because things cost more, but because everything seems to come in at once. Bills don’t always arrive with a warning. A subscription renews, a utility rate adjusts, a weekend plan comes together — and before long, next month’s salary already feels allocated. In moments like this, staying ahead of bills isn’t about cutting out every small comfort or putting your life on hold. It’s about having a system in place, something that helps keep things steady, even as costs shift around you. As the #1 Digital Bank and leading all-in-one fintech platform in the Philippines, Maya is helping Filipinos move from simply keeping up with their expenses to feeling more on top of them. Here are a few ways people are starting to make that feel more manageable. 1. Build a Buffer and Make It Grow Bills are predictable. Emergencies aren’t...

Miss Universe Philippines has always delivered iconic moments—from pasarela turns to unforgettable Q&A answers. But this year, there’s a new twist: fans now have a real say in who takes the crown. Maya, the #1 Digital Bank in the Philippines and Official Voting Partner of Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) 2026, collaborates with Dogshow Divas’ Baus Rufo and Macoy Dubs to launch KEMELEC, a witty, pageant-meets-politics spin on how Filipinos can now take part in choosing the next queen. The KEMELEC introduces Baus and Macoy as the official Kemessioners—your go-to authorities for MUPh updates and voting paandar—guiding fans on how to turn their support into actual votes. Watch How the KEMELEC Gets It Done Video Link From national costume reactions to pasarela critiques and Q&A commentary, the KEMELEC makes every MUPh moment fun, interactive, and a push to vote. Your Vote, Your Queen.  For the first time in Philippine pageant history, fans are given a more meaningful way to supp...