Tala was recognized at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for its impactful initiative in enhancing financial literacy in the Philippines. Its program “TALAkayan With Salve Duplito” received a Bronze Stevie® Award for Innovation in Community Relations or Public Service Communications.

The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are the only business awards program to recognize innovation in the workplace in all 29 markets of the Asia-Pacific region. The Stevie Awards are widely considered to be the world’s premier business awards, conferring recognition for achievement in programs such as The International Business Awards® for 23 years.

TALAkayan is a series of financial education workshops conducted by Tala Philippines with Empower and Transform (EAT). Through interactive sessions led by financial guru Salve Duplito, participants from various sectors were able to learn the basics of personal finance and money management and acquire helpful tools they can use in improving their financial health. They also gained new understanding about financial services platforms and the benefits these can offer users.

“We are honored and proud to have TALAkayan recognized by the Stevie Awards. This program was created to strengthen financial education in the Philippines, especially for hardworking and deserving Filipinos who have limited access to financial services,” said Missy Santos, Tala Philippines Marketing Director, who also spearheaded the initiative. “This award reaffirms our mission to serve the global majority and expand financial inclusion. As we evolve to become growth partners for Filipinos, we remain committed to empowering them, creating change and long-lasting impact on their financial journeys.”

The TALAkayan workshops were held in various locations in Metro Manila, Laguna, Quezon Province, Nueva Ecija, and Singapore. Each session was catered to the needs of its respective participant group, including laborers, factory workers, jeepney drivers, BPO employees, farmers, microentrepreneurs, and OFWs, among others.

Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 100 executives around the world acting as judges in February and March. Winners will be celebrated during a gala awards ceremony in Seoul, South Korea.