With Christmas just around the corner, malls are packed, travel plans are piling up and year-end expenses are in full swing.
To help Filipinos navigate the holiday rush, several brands, banks, and service providers have rolled out promos, extended hours and new offerings designed to make shopping, spending and travel more convenient.
Here’s a roundup of what’s new and how you can make the most of it before the year ends:
Shopping made more rewarding
If you’re still ticking items off your Christmas list, SM Advantage Card (SMAC) is offering a timely perk for new members.
Until December 31, new SMAC members can earn 50 SMAC Points worth P50 simply by purchasing a SMAC Kit and linking it to the SMAC&SHOP app.
The points can be used like cash at a wide network of SM retail partners, from groceries and hardware to toy and apparel stores—making every peso stretch further this season.
Meanwhile, holiday bazaar favorite World Bazaar Festival 2025, running from December 12 until December 21 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, is pairing shopping with convenience.
LBC Express, the festival’s official courier partner, allows shoppers to send purchases straight to loved ones anywhere in the Philippines. On-site delivery services, discounts, and freebies aim to take the stress out of holiday gift-giving, especially for those shopping for family outside Metro Manila.
Shoppers looking for footwear and sportswear also have new stops to explore. ABC-MART has opened a new store at Mitsukoshi BGC, offering a wider range of everyday, value-priced shoes ideal for gifting.
At the same time, Sports Direct has officially entered the Philippine market with its first store at Ayala Malls Manila Bay, bringing together international sports brands and exclusive labels under one roof.
Spend smarter, not harder
With expenses piling up, digital bank Maya is encouraging Filipinos to take control of their holiday spending. Through its Personal Goals feature, users can set savings targets for gifts, travel, or Noche Buena while earning interest on their funds. Maya also offers cashback on dining, rewards on card spending, and tap-to-pay convenience via Google Pay, helpful for quick transactions during the busiest shopping days of the year.
To keep track of expenses, the Maya app allows users to monitor spending, savings, rewards, and credit in one place. Holiday spending also comes with a bonus: every P1,000 spent earns raffle entries for a chance to win up to P2 million, shared with a friend.
Travel with fewer worries
Holiday travel often comes with unexpected hiccups—from delayed flights to misplaced luggage. To help travelers prepare, SafeTrip Travel Insurance, powered by M Pioneer Insurance, is now available directly inside the Maya app. Coverage starts at P99 and includes protection for medical emergencies, flight delays, baggage issues, and trip cancellations. The policy can be purchased in just a few taps, offering a simple layer of security for both local and international trips.
Easier banking during the holidays
To accommodate year-end transactions, Metrobank is extending banking hours by one hour to 5 pm. for select Metro Manila branches, while select branches across Metro Manila, South Luzon and North Luzon will be open until early afternoon on Saturdays.
“With the holidays being one of the busiest times for many Filipinos, we want to ensure that our clients can complete their banking transactions with comfort and ease,” Metrobank said in a statement.
“By extending our branch operations, we aim to give our customers more flexibility at a time when they need it the most,” it added.
Digital banking channels remain available 24/7 for those who prefer to transact online.
—With Rosette Adel
