His insatiable desire sounds simple: To bring digital banking to those who need it the most and make life easier for them.

The immediate thought is: can this even be done?

Yet there is a palpable sincerity in the way senatoriable Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson talks. He walks his talk, honoring his every word with utmost honesty.

This is easily discernable at the way he articulates his dream -- to include the masses in enjoying the perks of a happy, fulfilled and hassle-free life.

Political visionary

With a renewed zest to uplift the living conditions of the marginalized who have been left behind in the fast-changing times, Singson puts himself to task by bringing digital banking at one’s palm. 

The recent launch of VBank during the Blackout Festival in Quezon City with Ai Ai delas Alas and Rep. Richelle Singson as special guests further cemented his aim to enhance his purpose for financial inclusion for more Filipinos using the simplified banking app.

“We did this for the masses because 77 percent of our fellowmen do not have bank accounts. No one gets rich without a bank account. It’s all digital now, online. This is how I came up with VBank. You will see it in all your cellphones,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Also, his financial company is working on establishing a credit card to further help the marginalized.

This, he realized with the help of his tech-savvy daughter, Rep. Richelle Singson, an architect, Harvard graduate and IT head of his businesses, who paved the way for a tech-advanced banking system that’s just a few clicks away.

Future-minded

With electronic vehicles becoming more of a norm than a fad, Manong Chavit’s foresight is at great play.

His integration of e-vehicles in the local transport system is a work of a genius.

“I said, I will cover the capital of all -- electric vehicles, electric tricyles -- with no downpayment and zero interest,” Singson assured.

With these, all transport group went to him to get a better understanding of his transport project.

Singson revealed that to jumpstart this project, he asked his staff to go to Korea to get reasonably-priced e-vehicles.

He was told that the cheapest type his staff inquired about was pegged at P3 million. After negotiations, the price was reduced to P2.4 million per vehicle.

With dogged zeal to help the mass transportation group, Singson did the unthinkable -- offering to sell e-vehicles at half the discounted price.

“I will show to all of you that this is really help for the transport group. From P3 miilion to P1.2 million. And as I said, I’ll do it because I only have one word,” he said in Filipino.

Incurring instant losses by this decision, Singson brushed it off by saying he could easily recoup his losses with his other businesses.

Star maker

Of the many hats he wears, Manong Chavit is as pleased to help the local movie industry as a producer.  He felt the local filmmaking industry needed some push to attract global  patronage.

With his late mom being a producer herself, Manong Chavit pushed himself further by planning collaboration projects with Korean superstars and local stars.

Earmarked next year are a slew of projects with global appeal starring K-drama heroes like Lee Seung-Gi of Vagabond and world-class Filipino celebrities.  These projects are a celebration of Pinoy artistry and Korean supremacy.

Singson revealed that the Vagabond series will continue its shooting in the country where he intends to get local artists to join the cast.

He also said he has inked contract with GMA network and he will produce projects for them.

Chavit Five-O-O

Singson promised to help the poor constituents by providing them P500 for life from 18-year-olds and above.

While he admires government’s TUPAD program, Singson feels that this can be a source of graft and corruption.

“Sometimes, the ones they ask to implement this wants half of it. Other times, it gets lost. So, I will make it a law so that it’s direct to the people.  All indigents will all be given Chavit P500,” he assured once elected as senator.

Parents’ word of wisdom

Growing up, Singson learned a lot from his parents, dad Jose Singson and mom Caridad Singson.

With his mom, who is a businesswoman, Singson learned not to “put all your eggs in one basket.”

It was his dad Jose who taught him about palabra de honor.

“Whatever you say, you need to do it. When you don’t do it, nobody will believe you. When you have no credibility, no one will believe you,” Singson shared as his father’s advice to him which he still practices to this day.