Guides for Filipino borrowers
Plain-English and Taglish guides to borrowing safely in the Philippines. How loans work, what they really cost, and how to protect yourself before you apply anywhere.
- Getting started
First-Time Borrower's Guide to Personal Loans in the Philippines
Taking your first loan? What lenders look for, documents to prepare, mistakes to avoid and how to build a good credit record in the Philippines.
· 5 min read
- Getting started
Glossary of Tagalog Loan Terms: Pautang, Utang, Hulugan and More
A plain-English glossary of common Tagalog and Taglish loan words used in the Philippines: pautang, utang, hulugan, tubo, sangla, palugit, 5-6 and more.
· 5 min read
- Safety & regulation
How to Check if an Online Lender Is SEC-Registered in the Philippines
Learn how to verify a lending or financing company's SEC Registration Number, Certificate of Authority, and recorded online lending platform before you borrow.
· 6 min read
- Comparing loans
How to Compare Personal Loans in the Philippines (Step-by-Step)
A step-by-step way to compare personal loans in the Philippines: total cost, EIR, fees, terms, whether the lender is legit, and if the hulog fits your sweldo.
· 7 min read
- Costs & rates
Interest Rates, EIR and Loan Fees Explained (with Peso Examples)
Add-on vs diminishing interest, EIR, deducted fees and the total cost of a loan in the Philippines, with worked examples. Alamin ang tunay na tubo.
· 6 min read
- Safety & regulation
Loan App Harassment in the Philippines: Your Rights and What to Do
What online lending apps may not do when collecting debts, how to document harassment, and where to complain: SEC, NPC and the authorities.
· 5 min read
- Kaligtasan at regulasyon · Filipino
Paano Mag-loan Online nang Ligtas: Gabay para sa Pilipinong Borrower
Gabay sa Taglish kung paano mag-loan online nang ligtas sa Pilipinas: paano i-check ang lender sa SEC, basahin ang disclosure statement at iwasan ang scam.
· 6 min read
- Government loans
Pag-IBIG and SSS Loans: An Overview for Filipino Members
How the Pag-IBIG Multi-Purpose Loan, Calamity Loan and SSS Salary Loan work: eligibility, costs, how to apply and when they beat private loans.
· 5 min read
- Comparing loans
Salary Loan vs Personal Loan in the Philippines: Which Fits You?
Sweldo loan o personal loan? Compare employer, bank and SSS salary loans with regular personal loans in the Philippines: requirements, cost, speed, risks.
· 5 min read
Ready to compare? See SEC details for online lenders.