The Palawan Group of Companies returned to where its story began, joining the “Baragatan Festival 2026” in Palawan to celebrate more than four decades of growth while reaffirming its commitment to the province that laid the foundation for one of the Philippines’ largest financial services networks.
The company’s participation in the annual festival underscored its evolution from a single pawnshop branch in Puerto Princesa into a nationwide financial institution serving millions of Filipinos through services spanning remittances, pawning, microinsurance, gold investments, and digital payments.
While the festivities highlighted Palawan’s rich culture and heritage, they also reflected the growing role of homegrown enterprises in expanding access to financial services beyond major urban centers.
Celebrating the province that started it all
Pikoy, the official mascot of Palawan Group, inspired by the endemic blue-naped parrot of Palawan
Among the highlights of the festival was the Palawan Group’s participation in the Parada ng mga Palaweño and the Float Parade, where the company joined local communities in celebrating the province’s history, traditions, and cultural identity.
Its official mascot, Pikoy — inspired by Palawan’s endemic blue-naped parrot — added color to the festivities as residents and visitors gathered for one of the province’s biggest annual celebrations.
Beyond the parade, the company also mounted an interactive booth featuring games, giveaways, and product demonstrations for brands including Palawan Pawnshop, Palawan Express Pera Padala, Palawan Gold, and PalawanPay.
The event provided an opportunity to engage directly with customers while introducing digital financial services that have become an increasingly important part of the company’s business.
“Palawan is not only where our business began. It is where we learned the value of trust, resilience, and service to the community,” said Karlo M. Castro, President and CEO of the Palawan Group of Companies.
“The support of Palaweños has shaped who we are today, and we remain deeply grateful for the opportunity to grow alongside the province that we proudly call home.”
From hometown pawnshop to nationwide financial platform
As festivities unfolded, Palawan Group took part in major parade events, celebrating alongside Palaweños.
Founded in Palawan more than 40 years ago, the Palawan Group has steadily expanded beyond its traditional pawnshop and remittance business to offer a broader portfolio of financial products aimed at improving financial inclusion.
Its digital platform, PalawanPay, has emerged as a key pillar of that strategy, enabling users to transfer money, pay bills, purchase mobile load, make QR Ph payments, renew pawn transactions, and access other financial services through a mobile application.
The company said the platform is now used by 22 million Filipinos, complementing its extensive nationwide network of more than 70,000 branches, Pera Padala outlets, and PalawanPay Money Shops.
The hybrid “bricktech” model — combining physical branches with digital channels—has enabled the company to serve customers who continue to value in-person transactions while gradually adopting digital financial services.
Supporting communities beyond financial services
Company executives present winners of Mutya ng Palawan 2026 with PalawanPay credits, ProtekTODO microinsurance, and Palawan Gold
As part of its participation in the festival, the Palawan Group also recognized winners of Mutya ng Palawan 2026 through special awards that included PalawanPay credits, ProtekTODO microinsurance, and a one-gram Palawan Gold coin for the pageant’s grand winner.
The initiative reflects the company’s broader efforts to support local communities while promoting greater awareness of accessible financial products.
Financial inclusion remains at the core
Although the Palawan Group has grown into one of the country’s largest financial service providers, the company said its roots continue to shape its long-term mission.
As digital finance becomes increasingly mainstream, providers are investing not only in technology but also in community engagement to build trust among consumers transitioning from traditional financial services.
For the Palawan Group, returning to the Baragatan Festival served as both a celebration of its origins and a reminder of the role regional enterprises can play in expanding financial inclusion nationwide.
From a hometown business in Puerto Princesa to a financial services provider with a growing digital ecosystem, the company continues to position itself around a familiar promise: making financial services more accessible, affordable, and convenient for Filipinos wherever they are.
