This article was originally posted on Malaya.
With a shared mission to support underserved communities in Metro Manila, Tala Philippines partnered with non-profit organization Project PEARLS (Peace, Education, Aspiration, Respect, Love, and Smiles) to conduct an outreach program in Tondo, Manila last May 2, 2025. The program expands Tala’s social impact and raises awareness on the importance of financial literacy for the global majority.
“Our partnership with Project PEARLS stems directly from Tala’s mission to advance financial health for the global majority. Their core programs in education, financial literacy, and skills development align perfectly with our goal of empowering underserved communities here in the Philippines,” said Mia Lim, People Director of Tala Philippines.
Since its foundation in 2010, Project PEARLS has helped children, youth, women, and communities grow and thrive through initiatives to provide access to education, nutrition, and healthcare.
According to Lim, it is through initiatives like this that Tala employees can witness firsthand the impact of their contributions.
Tala committed to sponsor scholarship grants for 20 hard-working students from the community in Tondo as part of the collaboration. It also provided 500 meals that were served to the educational program’s participants.
To teach high school and college students the basics of money management, Tala held a TALAkayan session led by registered financial planner, Jog Bondoc, from Empower & Transform during the outreach program. The topics discussed included financial concepts not normally taught in school, such as saving and budgeting, debits and credits, and the pitfalls of compound interest.
Talazens, including Moritz Gastl, General Manager and Charisse Alavarez, President and Head of Finance, joined the activities including an arts and crafts session for elementary students and a crochet and weaving session for women of the community.
Alvarez also reiterated how partnerships like this remain crucial in Tala’s mission of unleashing the economic potential of the global majority in the country.
“Tala Philippines brings to this partnership a track record of deeply understanding and serving underserved communities through our technology-driven data. Combined with Project PEARLS’ incredible grassroots work — from their education programs in Tondo to their livelihood and healthcare efforts across the country — we can extend the impact even further. It’s a partnership built on shared values: trust, compassion, and action. By joining forces, we can deliver not just aid, but real, sustainable financial empowerment,” she said.
This article was originally posted on Malaya on May 20, 2025.
