GCash Stories: GLoan Helps Iloilo Lawyer Pass the Bar

For many Filipinos, borrowing money is not just about covering emergencies. It can also be the key to unlocking opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.

That was the story shared by Atty. Shiela Gomez of Iloilo during this year’s GCash Stories event, where GCash highlighted how its financial services are helping Filipinos pursue their dreams through accessible digital lending.

Atty. Gomez recalled the financial challenges she faced while preparing for the bar examinations. Wanting to invest in her future but lacking the funds needed for review classes and study materials, she turned to GLoan.

She borrowed around PHP 24,000 through the GCash lending service, allowing her to enroll in review classes and purchase the materials she needed to prepare for one of the country’s toughest professional exams.

While studying for the bar, Gomez also continued serving the public by providing free legal aid in Iloilo, balancing long hours of work with her review schedule. Her hard work paid off when she successfully passed the bar examinations, becoming a lawyer while continuing her commitment to public service.

The story was shared as part of GCash Stories, an initiative that showcases real experiences from users whose lives have been positively impacted by the digital finance platform.

This year’s GCash Stories is made possible with Fuse, the company that powers GCash’s lending products, including GCredit, GLoan, and GGives. During the event, Fuse shared the scale of its lending operations across the Philippines. The company said it has already disbursed more than PHP 406 billion in loans to 11.1 million unique borrowers.

Perhaps more notably, around 85 percent of GCredit, GLoan, and GGives users are first-time borrowers from formal lending institutions. According to Fuse, technology has helped bridge the gap for millions of Filipinos who previously had limited access to credit. Many borrowers live far from traditional lending institutions or lack the documents typically required to secure conventional loans.

By making the application process digital and more accessible, the platform has enabled more Filipinos to borrow responsibly for different life goals. Fuse said borrowers commonly use GCash loans for:

• Education and school-related expenses
• Additional capital for small businesses
• Family celebrations and important occasions
• Multipurpose personal needs
• Pursuing bigger opportunities that can improve their lives

Stories like Atty. Gomez’s illustrates how access to digital financial services can become more than just a source of funding. For many Filipinos, it can serve as a stepping stone toward education, career growth, entrepreneurship, and long-term financial inclusion.