Barangays & Settlements

7 min read

1st Valley Bank: History, consolidation and agricultural financing in Mindanao

Profile of 1st Valley Bank, a Philippine thrift bank formed by the 2005 consolidation of two rural banks in Misamis Occidental.

11 min read

Digital banks in the Philippines: Regulation, market entry and key players

Overview of digital banking in the Philippines, BSP regulation, and major licensed and non-licensed digital banks.

16 min read

Cooperative Bank of Tarlac: History, operations and receivership

Profile of the Cooperative Bank of Tarlac, its 1977 establishment, provincial role, and 2014 PDIC receivership.

13 min read

UnionBank: Corporate history, digital transformation and ownership structure

Profile of UnionBank of the Philippines, its history, mergers, digital banking initiatives and ownership.

10 min read

Chinabank: History, operations and corporate governance in the Philippines

Chinabank, founded in 1920, is the Philippines' first privately owned local commercial bank. This article covers its history, subsidiaries,...

13 min read

The Real Bank: History, operations and acquisition by BDO Unibank

History of The Real Bank, a Philippine thrift bank established in 1976 and acquired by BDO Unibank in 2014.

6 min read

BDO Unibank: History, mergers and market position in the Philippines

Profile of BDO Unibank, the largest Philippine bank by assets, its SM Group ownership and major mergers.

10 min read

Philippine National Bank: History, privatization and corporate structure

History and corporate profile of the Philippine National Bank, from its 1916 establishment to its status as a major private domestic bank.

15 min read

Al-Amanah Islamic Bank: History, operations and ownership

Al-Amanah Islamic Bank is the first and only Islamic bank in the Philippines, owned by the Development Bank of the Philippines.

12 min read

SM Center Dagupan: Profile and commercial role in Pangasinan

SM Center Dagupan is a shopping mall in Dagupan, Pangasinan, operated by SM Prime Holdings.

14 min read

SM City Legazpi: Development, architecture and commercial role in Albay

SM City Legazpi is the largest mall in the Bicol Region, opened in 2018 with typhoon-resilient design and views of Mt. Mayon.

14 min read

SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown: Development and commercial role in Cagayan

SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown opened in 2017 as the first SM Supermall in Cagayan, featuring sustainable design and strategic location.

12 min read

Robinsons Tuguegarao: Development and commercial role in Cagayan

Robinsons Tuguegarao is a mixed-use mall in Cagayan, opened in 2018. It features rice-inspired architecture and serves as a regional retail...

11 min read

SM City Puerto Princesa: Development and commercial role in Palawan

Profile of SM City Puerto Princesa, the first SM Supermall in the Mimaropa region, located in Palawan.

12 min read

Maharlika Livelihood Center: History and Development in Baguio

History of the Maharlika Livelihood Center in Baguio, from the 1970 Stone Market fire to lease negotiations.

20 min read

Robinsons North Tacloban: Development and commercial role in Eastern Visayas

Robinsons North Tacloban opened in 2017 as the second Robinsons Mall in Tacloban City, featuring cinemas and events.

10 min read

Legarda Ancestral House: Heritage, Architecture and Adaptive Reuse in San Miguel

The Legarda Ancestral House in Manila, built in 1937, served as the Philippine Senate from 1945 to 1947 and later became a heritage restaura...

12 min read

WalterMart: Community retail expansion in the Philippines

WalterMart is a Filipino chain of community shopping malls owned by Abenson Ventures, operating across Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Cala...

12 min read

Ayala Malls Harbor Point: Development and commercial role in Subic Bay

Overview of Ayala Malls Harbor Point in Olongapo City, its 2012 opening, and its role in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

9 min read

Kamuning Bakery Cafe: History, heritage and operations

Historic Quezon City bakery established in 1939, known for pugon-baked pan de suelo and the Pandesal Forum.