[Good Business] Good Deal sa pera: Kaalaman is good investment

Ano ang silbi ng sahod kung nauubos din bago matapos ang buwan? Paano magiging “middle class” kung walang ipon, insurance, o access sa credit? At paano haharapin ng pamilyang Pilipino ang kahirapan kung hindi natin alam kung paano gamitin ang perang pinaghihirapan natin lalo na sa panahong lalong nagiging magulo ang mundo?

As global tensions rise and conflicts in the Middle East continue to influence oil prices and global markets, economic uncertainty travels far beyond the battlefield. For countries like the Philippines, where imported fuel shapes the cost of transportation, food, and electricity, geopolitical shocks can quickly translate into higher daily expenses for ordinary families.

In this environment, financial resilience becomes more than just earning more income, it requires understanding how money works.

This is the belief of Aian Guanzon, CEO of Good Deal, and a former nurse who now advocates financial literacy as a foundation for long-term economic security among Filipino households.

From healthcare to financial care

Guanzon’s advocacy did not begin in finance. It began in healthcare. A licensed nurse and former BPO professional, he says his shift toward financial education came from witnessing how deeply economic insecurity affects people’s lives.

“In nursing, you don’t just treat symptoms, you look at the root cause,” Guanzon said. “When I moved into financial education, I realized it’s very similar. Poverty is not just about low income. It’s about lack of access and lack of understanding.”

For him, financial literacy is not simply about saving money.

“A financially literate Filipino is someone who knows how to use basic financial instruments like insurance, savings accounts, and credit — responsibly,” he explained. “It’s not about being rich. It’s about being prepared.”

Financial security goes beyond income

The conversation inevitably leads to the country’s poverty threshold — the minimum income required to meet basic needs. Despite the Philippines’ classification as a lower-middle-income economy, many Filipino families continue to live paycheck to paycheck. Rising food prices, transportation costs, education expenses, and healthcare needs leave little room for savings or financial protection.

Global developments only add pressure. Oil price volatility, inflation shocks, and geopolitical conflicts can easily ripple through the Philippine economy.

For Guanzon, financial security is not just about how much people earn, but about what financial tools they can access.

“Financial security means having options,” he said. “Even with modest income, you should be able to open a savings account, get insurance, and build a credit history. These are the things that protect families when emergencies happen.”

Responsible spending, combined with small but consistent savings and credit discipline, can gradually build financial stability.

“You don’t need a huge salary to begin,” he said. “What you need is discipline and awareness.”

Motorcycles as mobility — and opportunity

Good Deal operates under Asia Link Group, focusing on motorcycle financing as a practical mobility solution in the Philippines.

Guanzon shared that Good Deal aims to empower 30,000 Filipinos by 2030 through access to motorcycle ownership.

“If you look at Vietnam, Thailand, or Indonesia, motorcycle ownership is significantly higher,” he said. “In the Philippines, we’re still behind, but the need is very real.”

Motorcycles proved particularly important during the pandemic, when delivery riders, service workers, and small vendors relied on them to sustain their livelihoods.

“A motorcycle can mean income. It can mean access to work. It can mean being present for your family,” Guanzon said.

However, he emphasized that financing must be accompanied by education.

“We don’t just provide loans. We want people to understand what they’re getting into — how to manage payments, how insurance protects them, and how these decisions fit into long-term financial stability.”

Financial tools for micro and small businesses

Guanzon also underscored the role of financial instruments in supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Access to credit, insurance, and savings enables micro and small enterprises to expand operations while protecting families from financial shocks.

“Wealth is not about having millions in the bank,” he said. “It’s about being able to provide food for your family, send your children to school, and still contribute to your community and the environment.”

Financial literacy allows entrepreneurs to think beyond survival.

“When people understand financial planning, they start thinking about growth, protection, and long-term security. That’s how communities slowly break cycles of poverty.”

Learning financial literacy in the digital age

In today’s digital environment, Guanzon believes learning about finance has become more accessible than ever.

He encourages Filipinos to combine formal education with practical experience, while also being mindful about the information they consume online.

“There is a lot of financial advice on the internet, but people need to filter it,” he said. “The most important thing is understanding your own situation. Financial advice should never be one-size-fits-all.”

Guanzon also uses digital platforms such as TikTok and LinkedIn to reach younger audiences, hoping to normalize conversations about money, planning, and financial responsibility.

Financial literacy as a force for good

Ultimately, Guanzon views financial literacy as a tool for social good.

“When people understand money, they make better decisions — not just for themselves, but for their families and communities,” he said. “Financial literacy creates ripple effects.”

Access to savings, insurance, and responsible credit can move families from constant survival toward long-term planning.

“Once a household has financial protection and a good credit record, they stop reacting to emergencies and start building toward a better future.”

For Guanzon, wealth is measured less by numbers and more by stability.

“Real wealth is when you can feed your family, educate your children, and still help others.”

In a world increasingly shaped by economic shocks, geopolitical tensions, and uncertainty, financial literacy becomes a quiet form of resilience, strengthening households from within.

Sa huli, malinaw ang aral: sa panahong pabago-bago ang mundo at madaling maapektuhan ang kabuhayan ng bawat pamilya, ang kaalaman sa pera ay hindi na lamang kaalaman — ito ay sandata.

Dahil ang tunay na yaman ng pamilyang Pilipino ay hindi lamang kung magkano ang kanilang kinikita, kundi kung gaano nila kahusay pinapangalagaan ang kanilang kinabukasan. – Rappler.com

Ariestelo A. Asilo is TOYM 2021, Asia 21, and PHINMA-DLSU Siklab Fellow. He is the president and CEO of www.varacco.com and www.thinnkfarm.com which operate through social entrepreneurship selling Buy 1 Take 1 Coffee, and creating farmer-scientists in coffee production in Mindanao. He also has a cat named Libe which he found at the Liberica farm in Cavite. [email protected]