Every holiday season, a familiar rhythm moves through Filipino households: grocery runs for noche buena, balikbayan boxes arriving at the doorstep, and the steady flow of remittances sent home by millions of overseas Filipinos. December has always been the busiest time for padala. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data shows that remittances consistently surge in the “ber months,” with November and December delivering the strongest inflows—reaching more than USD 3 billion during last year’s holiday peak.
These remittances do more than fund noche buena spreads or holiday gifts. They support tuition fees, medical expenses, local small businesses, and even post-disaster recovery efforts. For countless families, money sent from abroad is both a lifeline and a symbol of presence and sacrifice. With overseas Filipinos contributing around 7% of the country’s GDP, remittances continue to play a crucial role not only in households, but in the national economy.
But while the meaning behind every padala remains the same, the way Filipinos send money has changed. Today, senders look for services that are fast, secure, affordable, and accessible, whether through a trusted branch or through a mobile app. As digital financial services become more integrated into everyday life, expectations for cross-border transfers have shifted toward convenience and speed.
It is in this landscape—and during one of the most meaningful remittance seasons of the year—that the Palawan Group of Companies introduces Pera Padala Abroad, an outbound international remittance service that allows Filipinos to send money from the Philippines to over 200 countries.
Strengthening Global Connections
The service is offered through a strategic partnership with RIA Money Transfer, one of the world’s largest and most established international remittance providers. With RIA’s support, Pera Padala Abroad connects Filipinos to more than 500,000 pick-up locations worldwide, including underserved and remote communities where access to financial services is often limited.
“Affordability and convenience were the top priorities,” said Karlo M. Castro, President and CEO of the Palawan Group of Companies. “Pera Padala has grown into a truly sizable business for us—one built on trust, accessibility, and our longstanding promise to deliver mura, mabilis, at walang kuskos-balungos na serbisyo. Expanding into outbound remittances is a natural step in supporting the evolving needs of everyday Filipinos.”
Outbound remittances have been steadily increasing as more Filipinos pursue global opportunities: children studying abroad, freelancers serving international clients, entrepreneurs working with foreign suppliers, families supporting loved ones overseas, and retirees settling in other countries. Pera Padala Abroad addresses these needs with the same reliability that has made Palawan a household name.
Fast, Transparent, and Budget-Friendly Sending
With fees starting at ₱300, Pera Padala Abroad offers one of the most affordable outbound transfer options in the market. Customers can send money through the PalawanPay app or any of the 3,500+ Palawan Express Pera Padala (PEPP) branches nationwide.
Funds can be sent to:
- Bank accounts
- E-wallets
- Cash pick-up locations
Senders also have the choice to send money in the destination country’s currency or keep the transfer in the recipient’s preferred currency. Transactions are processed in real time, and once a reference number is issued, the funds are sent instantly, giving both the sender and the recipient peace of mind.
Lilian C. Selda, Vice Chairman and CFO of the Palawan Group, described the service as a natural extension of the company’s mission. “By streamlining our systems and partnering with established global providers, we offer fast, transparent, and budget-friendly transactions. Customers can send money in our branches or via PalawanPay anytime, anywhere. No long lines. No complicated forms. Just a few taps to support loved ones wherever they may be in the world.”
A Partnership Built on Global Reach and Reliability
Espen Kristensen, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at RIA, underscored the strength of combining Palawan’s nationwide presence with RIA’s global network. “Ria’s extensive global network ensures that Pera Padala Abroad can reach even the most remote locations with reliability and speed. Our partnership brings established compliance, operational expertise, and consistent service standards, enabling Filipinos worldwide to send money safely and conveniently.”
For Filipinos who have embraced the convenience of digital payments but still rely on physical branches for personal transactions, the Palawan–RIA collaboration provides flexibility, accessibility, and confidence in every transfer.
Advancing Financial Inclusion for the Global Filipino
With nearly 40 years of experience in serving Filipino communities, the Palawan Group continues to evolve with the needs of modern senders. Pera Padala Abroad is not just a new product — it is a commitment to expanding financial inclusion beyond Philippine borders.
The service empowers Filipinos to participate more confidently in global commerce, support their families abroad, and stay connected across distances. Backed by a trusted local brand and one of the world’s strongest remittance networks, Pera Padala Abroad gives customers a simple, dependable, and affordable way to send money worldwide.
