When Ronaldo from Muntinlupa suffered a stroke, life paused without warning. He lost much of his mobility, his job, and the steady income his family depended on. What followed was not only a medical recovery but also a financial struggle. With limited physical movement and no stable source of income, he needed to find a way to rebuild both his livelihood and his confidence.
His story reflects how digital financial tools such as GCash and GSave are helping Filipinos regain stability through accessible and practical savings solutions.
Turning to a Sari-Sari Store and Discovering GCash
To replace his lost income, Ronaldo opened a sari-sari store in their neighborhood. At first, the earnings were modest but steady. Then a customer casually asked him if he accepted GCash. The question sparked his curiosity.
He decided to integrate the e-wallet into his store operations. This simple step led to more customers and increased sales. What started as a passing inquiry created new opportunities for growth.
As daily sales improved, Ronaldo became more intentional about saving. He began transforming everyday income into a consistent habit of setting money aside. However, traditional banking presented challenges. Physical branches, paperwork, and maintaining minimum balances were not practical for someone managing a small neighborhood store while dealing with limited mobility.
In this uncertain period, digital savings provided a solution that fit his daily reality.
How GSave Made Saving Accessible
Through GCash, Ronaldo discovered GSave. The feature allowed him to earn interest by depositing savings through the app’s partner banks. Having access to financial services directly on his mobile phone enabled him to manage his money independently.
GSave gradually became part of his nightly routine. After closing his store, he would set aside excess funds from the day and deposit them. These micro-deposits steadily accumulated and eventually became working capital that helped him manage expenses and sustain his growing business.
GSave removed many of the common barriers that make saving difficult for small entrepreneurs and informal earners. There is no maintaining balance requirement, no paperwork, and savings are insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. Ronaldo found the interest competitive and the transactions easy to complete. Without complex requirements or fees, saving became accessible and sustainable.
“[GSave] was a big help for me. My deposits grow even while I’m asleep because of the daily interest. It’s also easy to withdraw and easy to make a deposit,” Ronaldo says.
What seemed small at first eventually accumulated into something meaningful.
Winning the GSave Ipon to a Million E-Raffle
After two years of consistent saving, Ronaldo reached an unexpected milestone. In December, he won the ₱1 million grand prize through the GSave Ipon to a Million e-raffle.
The e-raffle was designed to encourage Filipinos to save by giving users a chance to win ₱1 million in GCash credits, a motorcycle, or a laptop by depositing funds into their GSave account. Fully verified GCash users aged 18 and above could earn raffle entries by opening a GSave account with a ₱100 deposit. Additional entries were granted for every ₱5,000 deposit made during the promo period.
Despite becoming a millionaire, Ronaldo did not abandon his saving habits. Instead, the reward strengthened his commitment to financial discipline and long-term goals.
“Winning the raffle motivated me to remain committed to my savings routine. This huge amount will also help set more funds aside for my child,” Ronaldo said.
Building Long-Term Financial Security Through Digital Savings
More than the prize itself, GSave gave Ronaldo peace of mind. It restored his confidence in managing money in a way that works for his situation. For his family, it offered reassurance that they could move forward despite setbacks.
By making saving simple and accessible, GSave contributes to a more level financial environment where resilience and discipline matter more than starting circumstances. It demonstrates how digital finance can help ensure that Filipinos are not left vulnerable to financial instability after a crisis.
Ronaldo’s experience reflects a broader trend. Millions of Filipinos are using digital savings tools to build financial resilience through small but consistent habits.
As of 2025, GSave serves over 15 million registered users. One in four Filipino bank account holders has a GSave account, powered by partner financial institutions such as Bank of the Philippine Islands, CIMB Bank, Maybank, UNOBank, and Cebuana Lhuillier Bank.
For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.
