i-Palawan Mo Na Yan: 40 Years of Trust and Serving the Underserved
For many Filipinos, the phrase “i-Palawan mo’ yan” means more than just sending money or pawning a valuable item. It’s about the trust that the everyday Filipino has in the 4-decade-old brand. Whether it’s a child receiving tuition money from their mom, a farmer pawning jewelry to make ends meet, or a small business in need of capital, the Palawan Group has become that trustworthy partner at every stage of a Filipino’s life.
A Lifeline for Everyday Filipinos
Palawan Group is best known for Palawan Pawnshop and Palawan Express Pera Padala, both cornerstones of its accessible financial services. Over the past four decades, it has expanded its offerings to meet evolving customer needs, from jewelry retail through Palawan Pawnshop Jewelry and Palawan Gold, to microinsurance with Palawan ProtekTODO, credit services with Palawan Credit, and its fastest-growing digital arm, PalawanPay.
Despite the rise of digital transactions, Palawan has retained its human touch. Its “BrickTech” model connects physical branches with digital platforms, allowing customers to transition seamlessly between over-the-counter services and mobile transactions. Wherever you are, there’s always a Palawan branch. “The space has been very competitive, but we do this thing called ‘coopetition,’” says Karlo M. Castro, Chief Executive Officer of the Palawan Group. “Filipinos love that human touch, and we keep on evolving with the market, with the times, with the customers.”
Humble Beginnings, Steadfast Values
Spouses Bobby and Angelita Castro opened a modest pawnshop in Puerto Princesa using their life savings of P50,000. “We weren’t from a business family,” recalled Bobby L. Castro, Founder and Chairman of Palawan Group. “We just wanted to survive and serve our neighbors better than what was available.”
Over the years, the brand has become known not just for its services but also for its sincerity. “It was later on that what we wanted to do was to help other Filipinos, those in need, whom the big banks aren’t serving,” Chairman Castro says.
Growth That Stays Grounded
Today, Palawan Group continues to innovate. PalawanPay, launched in 2021, now boasts over 22 million users, offering a secure and convenient way to send money, pay bills, load phones, claim international remittances, renew pawn loans, and more—all from a mobile phone. However, the company is quick to point out that its “BrickTech” approach combines digital innovation with traditional service.
The Next Chapter
“We’re very bullish and very ambitious,” says President Castro. “But everything we do, from tech upgrades to new products, is anchored in our purpose—to serve our sukis with dignity and care.”
Palawan continues to work with government agencies, fintech partners, and B2B clients to fill market gaps and make financial inclusion a reality.
40 Years and Still Number 1
In its 40th year, the Palawan Group’s secret lies in the human relationships it has built over four decades. In every branch, on every mobile app screen, and in every suki’s story, Palawan’s promise remains the same: “Mura, Mabilis, at Walang Kuskos-Balungos na Serbisyo.”
