BDO Unibank, in partnership with SM Supermalls, concluded the second and final installment of the Pamaskong Handog 2025 celebration at SM City Laoag on 13 December, bringing together hundreds of overseas Filipino (OF) families for a day of community activities, entertainment, and recognition.
Now on its 14th year, Pamaskong Handog is an annual initiative that honors overseas Filipinos and their families in recognition of their contributions and sacrifices. The Laoag leg of the program featured booth activities, raffles, promotions, and live entertainment, creating a festive space for OF families to gather and celebrate the holiday season.
The event also highlighted BDO Pay, the bank’s digital payment application designed to support Filipinos both in the Philippines and abroad through secure and convenient cashless transactions. BDO officials said the platform provides overseas Filipinos with a cost-efficient way to send financial support to their families.
David Michael P. Khodr, BDO vice president and head of Consumer Banking Group–Digital Acquisition, said BDO Pay allows OFs to send money conveniently to Kabayan Savings accounts, with transactions such as sending money to BDO accounts and paying bills already offered free of charge.
BDO Senior Vice President and Head of Remittance Genie T. Gloria emphasized that BDO Pay is directly linked to interest-bearing BDO accounts, allowing funds to remain secure while growing over time. She added that the bank continues to strengthen its services for overseas Filipino communities throughout the year under its Alagang Kabayan commitment.
One of the highlights of the Laoag celebration was the story of Babilyn Manuel, a 36-year-old overseas Filipino worker currently employed as a domestic helper in Singapore. A single parent who has worked abroad for nearly a decade, Manuel shared that her only Christmas wish was to come home and spend the holidays with her two children—a wish that BDO and SM helped fulfill during the event.
The final Pamaskong Handog also featured live performances by Piolo Pascual, Small Laude, Donnalyn Bartolome, MC and Lassy, along with other guest performers. BDO remittance partners and various bank units were also present to showcase services aimed at supporting overseas Filipinos not only in their day-to-day financial needs but also in pursuing long-term goals.
SM Supermalls executives reaffirmed their commitment to initiatives that engage and support overseas Filipino families nationwide. Rona Vida B. Correa, regional operations head of SM Supermalls, said SM continues to position its malls as welcoming spaces for Filipino families, including those with loved ones working abroad.
With the conclusion of the Laoag leg, BDO and SM reiterated their continued support for overseas Filipinos nationwide, noting that their programs will remain focused on providing convenience, financial security, and recognition to the OF community.