How Visa Advisory Services Unveils Gen Z's Influence on Payments and Commerce

 Gen Z, now in their 20s and 30s, is beginning to drive changes in work, business, and relationships, according to research from Visa, a global leader in digital payments.  As these young professionals aged 16 to 30pursue financial independence, they are redefining youth financial management and embracing a dynamic, holistic approach to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. 

Visa’s latest Green Shoots Radar survey found that Gen Z respondents surveyed in Asia Pacific tend to save their income, setting aside about 30% of what they earn. Increased awareness of financial goals (47%) drives these young individuals in the region to further build their savings, with about half committed to practicing better financial management (47%). As a generation shaped by diverse experiences and perspectives, this group places significant value on cultivating a stronger mental and emotional approach toward financial management (36%).

“Gen Z is a generation that values flexibility and innovation, leveraging digital tools to navigate an increasingly dynamic financial landscape,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines. “At Visa, we are committed to empowering Gen Z with secure, accessible, and innovative payment solutions that align with their needs and aspirations. Through our advanced technologies and educational initiatives, we aim to support their journey toward financial independence and long-term success.” 

Emphasizing Payments in Financial Journeys

For Gen Z, financial success is not about following a single path but finding a strategy that aligns with their individual aspirations and lifestyles. As a generation that values adaptability and independence, they seek flexibility in their financial journey, balancing enjoying the present and securing their future.

To manage the rising costs of living, over half of Gen Z in APAC (57%) reduce spending and cut back on non-essential expenses. Additionally, 36% of this age group in the region value the importance of creating and following a strict budget as part of maintaining financial stability. 

While Gen Z prioritizes saving, they also embrace opportunities to indulge in meaningful purchases, with 91% in the region willing to spend on big-ticket items. Topping their list is travel and vacations (53%), followed by electronics, computers, and mobile devices (49%).

Supporting a Digital-First Lifestyle with Visa

As digital natives, Gen Z relies on technology for everything from shopping to banking. Visa’s Green Shoots Radar survey highlights that 60% of Gen Z in APAC already own a credit card, underscoring their adoption of cashless transactions. Payment systems tailored to a digital-first lifestyle, including mobile wallets, contactless options, and integrated financial apps, provide ease and accessibility, enabling financial independence to become a tangible goal.

Visa’s commitment to innovation ensures that Gen Z can transact confidently and securely. By integrating advanced technologies such as tokenization and fraud prevention, Visa provides a seamless and safe payment experience for this tech-savvy generation. Features such as Click to Pay and Tap to Pay by Visa also support Gen Z in fulfilling their financial priorities and pursuing their lifestyle aspirations with ease and seamless accessibility. By combining intuitive security with the convenience of a simple click or tap, Visa ensures that transactions are not only convenient but also secure.

Visa’s Value-Added Services Empowering Businesses

Visa’s Value-Added Services (VAS), such as Acceptance Solutions, Issuing Solutions, Visa Protect, and Advisory Services, empower businesses to innovate, grow, and build trust in a fast-paced digital environment. By leveraging insights from Visa's Advisory Services on Gen Z behavior in the Philippines, businesses can better engage their target audiences, improving customer acquisition, engagement, and retention.

Understanding Gen Z's Impact on Payments and Commerce

As Gen Z continues to navigate an increasingly digital world, their financial habits and preferences will shape the future of payments and commerce. For businesses, understanding this generation's focus on practicality, flexibility, and meaningful choices is essential. Leveraging targeted insights, such as those provided by Visa’s Advisory Services, can help businesses craft experiences that align with Gen Z’s expectations in a digital-first world.

Gen Z’s adaptable, purpose-driven approach balances immediate needs with long-term goals, leveraging technology to manage expenses and drive growth. Their influence shapes a future of progress and innovation. Visa, through its solutions, empowers businesses to navigate these shifts and create meaningful experiences that resonate with this influential generation. 

“I Am Forest Lake: Celebrating the Stakeholders Behind Its Remarkable Success"

 Forest Lake Development Inc. capped the year 2024 by presenting an initiative that aims  to celebrate the success-driven people behind Forest Lake, the country’s leading memorial park developer.

Life Achievement Award Presentation

From left: President & CEO, Alfred Xerez-Burgos III, Mr. Antonio V. Syyap (2nd from left), receiving the Life Achievement Award, and Chairman, Alfred Xerez-Burgos Jr.

Aptly called “I Am Forest Lake,” the program takes immense pride in the employees, sellers, and sales leaders who continue to propel the company to its coveted status in the industry. Byshowcasing their stories and their vital roles in Forest Lake’s growth, the initiative affirms how the company values its people, builds their morale, and fosters loyalty and a sense of belonging among them. 

 

For one, “I Am Forest Lake” motivates the company’s sales leaders by acknowledging their accomplishments, stressing on their crucial role in Forest Lake’s success.

 

“I Am Forest Lake” likewise spurs clients and customers to share the trust and satisfaction they experience as they avail of Forest Lake’s services, highlighting how the company offers comfort and support in meaningful ways.

Life Achievement Award Presentation

From left: Chairman, Alfred Xerez-Burgos Jr., President & CEO, Alfred Xerez-Burgos III, Mr. Antonio V. Syyap (3rd from left), receiving the Life Achievement Award, Treasurer & Managing Director, Jose Antonio Xerez-Burgos, and Group CFO, Rupert L. Rivera

At the event held last December 3 at the luxurious Okada Hotel, 

“I Am Forest Lake” validated the company's commitment to fostering deeper emotional connections with their stakeholders. This was achieved by relating the personal success stories of employees and sellers and through testimonials that reflect on Forest Lake’s mission on families and communities. These in turn revealed the heart and humanity that lie at the center of any successful business.

 

Forest Lake President and CEO Alfred Xerez-Burgos III underscored this point, saying, “At Forest Lake, our success is built on the dedication of our employees, sales leaders and sellers, and the trust of our clients. Through ‘I Am Forest Lake,’ we celebrate the people who make our mission of care and service possible.”

 

Among the many people who were honored at the event was Ruperto Rivera Jr., Group Chief Finance Officer for Forest Lake. Rivera was awarded for his twenty years of service with the company, a tenure marked by excellence and loyalty. 

Exhibit Gallery: I Am Forest Lake 2024 Service Awardees

President & CEO, Alfred Xerez-Burgos III, takes a moment to appreciate the gallery honoring Forest Lake's 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year service awardees. Their dedication and contributions remain an integral part of the company’s success and legacy.

Rivera expressed his gratitude for the recognition, saying, “As someone who has been part of Forest Lake for two decades, I am deeply honored to be part of this celebration. It reminds us all that our work is not just about numbers—it’s about people, families, and the legacies we help create.”

Forest Lake’s clients were equally jubilant as they spoke at the event about the positive impact Forest Lake’s services havehad on families and communities.

 

Hailing the contributions of all these stakeholders is an act of gratitude on the part of Forest Lake. “Our employees and sellers are the heart of Forest Lake,” HR Director Jose Antonio Xerez Burgos asserted. “Their stories of perseverance and dedication inspire us to continuously improve and create a workplace where everyone feels valued.”

 

All in all, “I Am Forest Lake” empowered everyone in attendance to stay on track as they make Forest Lake not just a memorial park developer, but a “community built by people, for people.”

 

For more information, interested customers may view Forest Lake’s official Facebook page at fb.com/forestlakememorialparksand Instagram @forestlakememorialparks.

Women Take the Lead in High-Stakes Spy Thriller ‘The 355’ on Lionsgate Play

What happens when four powerhouse actresses team up in an action-packed spy movie? You get The 355 – a star-studded thriller that delivers high-stakes suspense and heart-pounding action. The film follows a group of international agents who must put aside their rivalries to keep a top-secret weapon from falling into the wrong hands and triggering World War III.

CIA operative Mace (Jessica Chastain) is tasked to retrieve a top-secret weapon – a flash drive that can hack into any computer with a few keystrokes – and recruits the help of her colleague, retired British MI6 operative Khadijah Adiyeme (Lupita Nyong’o). The mission gets messier when DNI agent and psychologist Graciela Rivera (Penelope Cruz) and rival German BND agent Marie Schmidt (Diane Kruger) join the hunt, each wanting to claim the program drive for their respective agencies. But a group of four head-strong heroines clashing heads isn’t the end of their problems, they must work together to make sure the weapon doesn’t fall into the hands of international crime entrepreneurs.

The 355 is an original action thriller conceptualized by Jessica Chastain herself and written by Simon Kinberg and Theresa Rebeck. Featuring some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, The 355 is sure to be an exhilarating ride for fans of high-octane espionage. 

In an interview with Screenrant, Jessica Chastain, who plays Mace and is also one of the film’s producers, talks about what excited her most in creating the movie, “Well, I like the idea that the actresses are all the bosses of the film. They're the owners of the film. We raised the money on our own. We developed the script together, the characters together, we are the owners. It was made outside of a studio system, independently. We made it for a fraction of the cost of what a normal movie like this is made for. So, it's exciting to me that the artists are now the owners of the work, and especially women. It's exciting to me that the actresses are the ones in charge of the film.”

Director Simon Kinberg shared with CBR what drew him into directing the film, “I'm a huge James Bond fan and I love the spy genre in general. The first script I ever wrote was Mr. & Mrs. Smith. The 355 is a different kind of spy movie, but it is a love letter to spy movies. So, I was intrigued by the fact that it was a spy movie. I loved the idea of a female-ensemble spy movie. There are two things in there that are novel. One, there's not a lot of female spy movies. But two, there are even fewer ensemble spy movies.”

Buckle up for a thrilling ride when The 355 comes to Lionsgate Play on January 31, 2025.

Landco Pacific and AIM Unveil New Student Lounge to Empower Future Leaders

 Asian Institute of Management and Landco Pacific Corporation officially unveiled the Landco Pacific Student Lounge at the AIM campus in Makati City. The ceremonial event was led by Dr. Jikyeong Kang, President and Dean of AIM, and Erickson Y. Manzano, President and CEO of Landco Pacific Corporation.

“We are thrilled and grateful for the donation of Landco Pacific in providing a space designed to enable our students to connect and engage in meaningful discussions and strengthen their bonds,” said Dr. Kang, President and Dean of AIM. 

Manzano highlighted the support of Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman of Landco Pacific Corporation and its parent company Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), in making the student lounge a reality. “This initiative wouldn't have been possible without the vision and support of Mr. Pangilinan. Our donation of the new student lounge reflects our commitment to education as a vehicle for progress and aims to enhance the learning experience for AIM students, helping them become the next generation of innovative leaders.”

The collaboration between AIM and Landco Pacific further reinforces both institutions’ shared vision of fostering the growth of future leaders who will drive sustainable change in Asia and beyond. AIM continues to be a pioneer in management education, committed to producing transformative leaders who are equipped to thrive in a dynamic and rapidly evolving world.

As one of the premier business schools in Southeast Asia, AIM has maintained its reputation as a leading institution for business and management education. Its MBA program is internationally recognized, and its alumni network spans across the most influential sectors in Asia.

“My time at AIM played a crucial role in shaping my leadership abilities. The case study-based learning approach and real-world problem-solving experience provided me with invaluable skills that I still apply in my career today. I hope that with our donation of the lounge, AIM students will appreciate its value as a platform for exchanging ideas, sparking creativity and forging lifelong friendships,” Manzano shared as an alumnus of AIM. 

In recognition of his leadership and contributions, CEO Insights Asia Magazine named Manzano as one of the Top 10 Best Alumni Leaders of AIM in 2023. This prestigious recognition put into spotlight his outstanding achievements in the business and real estate sectors. 

Landco Pacific is acclaimed for pioneering premium developments for more than 30 years, and has a long-established reputation for creating valuable developments, a legacy that continues to ring true since its first development, Punta Fuego in the 1990s.  

Under Manzano’s leadership, Landco Pacific has been at the forefront of the development of innovative and sustainable Leisure Resort Estates – CaSoBe (Calatagan South Beach) and Club Laiya in Batangas and Costa Azalea in Samal Island, Davao; and The Residences at Terrazas de Punta Fuego, the luxury residential beachfront condominium as the last call to be part of the exclusive community of Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas. LandcoBeachTowns are master planned and mixed-use developments featuring cutting-edge designed beachfront condominiums, sprawling estates and resort attractions in premier tourist and leisure destinations. These developments complement Landco Pacific’s premium residential and commercial communities in key locations across the country. 

For more information about AIM and its programs, please visithttps://aim.edu/. For information about Landco Pacific Corporation, please visit https://www.landco.ph/.