GCash, the Philippines' leading financial technology platform, has announced its role as an official partner of the 48th ASEAN Summit, bringing cashless convenience and financial inclusion to the region's largest leadership gathering. The summit, held in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, is one of the highest-level meetings of the regional bloc for the year, where heads of state from 11 member countries convene to discuss and decide on key regional issues.
GCash's Role at the Summit
“We are incredibly honored to be a huge part of the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship. Our partnership with ASEAN provides us a chance to showcase Filipino innovation on the global stage and demonstrate how the Philippines is leading the charge toward a more integrated, digital ASEAN region,” said Paul Albano, General Manager for GCash for Business.
At the Partners Pavilion, GCash is powering booths featuring Cebuano micro-entrepreneurs engaged in home décor, pastries and confections, handcrafted woven goods, chocolates, dairy and food items, and locally made souvenirs and artisan crafts. These include Adorno '72 Home Decors, Audrey's Confectioneries, Dahlia Chocolates, Hinablon sa Cebu, Holicow, Island Souvenirs, Profoods, Rambie's Collection, Tuburan, and Ver & Ver Handicrafts.
Empowering Micro-Entrepreneurs
“By supporting the MSME marketplace at the Pavilion and enabling cashless transactions for Cebuano micro-entrepreneurs, we are showing how digital financial inclusion creates tangible, real-world impact,” Albano added. The booth also features on-site card printing and dedicated customer experience representatives to assist users and address inquiries in real time.
It will also highlight a range of GCash offerings, including lending and wealth management products, GCash for Business payment solutions and devices, and services tailored for overseas Filipinos. Beyond product demonstrations, the booth aims to boost MSME digitalization by onboarding new merchants to GCash for Business and showcasing how digital tools can help local enterprises grow and scale in an increasingly cashless economy.
“We are powering the MSME marketplace by bringing cashless payments to Cebuano micro-entrepreneurs. When a local vendor can accept a digital payment as easily as a major retailer, that is digital financial inclusion in practice,” Albano added.
Discussions and Side Events
GCash will also join key side events at the summit to participate in discussions on digital transformation and advance wider access to financial services across the region. The summit, with the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” is being held this week in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines, as part of the country’s ASEAN chairmanship.
The event gathers leaders from all 11 ASEAN member states, along with thousands of delegates, officials, and international media. Discussions will center on energy security, food security, regional stability, and protection of ASEAN citizens, alongside broader themes of economic integration, sustainability, and digital cooperation.
