Peso Smart program
Accelerate the upward mobility of underrepresented groups and contribute to making financial solutions accessible to everyone.
Recognizing that many financial habits are formed during one’s childhood, Manulife launched an innovative financial literacy campaign meant for a younger audience. Peso Smart started as a financial literacy program implemented as a series of in-person weekend classes, conducted by Manulife employees for Grades 5 and 6 public school students. It has since continued to evolve and address our beneficiaries’ learning needs during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since its inception in 2017, Peso Smart has successfully reached more than 2,900 learners.
After the completion of the Peso Smart program, learners were asked to answer a survey to assess its effectiveness. For S.Y. 2024-2025, the results show that:
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66% of learners feel confident managing their money
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93% of learners make a budget and adopted budgeting habits
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139% of learners can differentiate between needs and wants, suggesting stronger confidence in financial decision-making
When we really want to empower people through literacy, it’s really such a powerful tool for people to know that they have the capacity to chart their own path
Margaux Atayde
Co-Founder of Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation
Our projects
Peso Smart Storybooks
Launched in 2020, Peso Smart storybooks are educational books that introduce good money habits to children through visual storytelling. These books tell important tales about common life and family moments where they can learn practical lessons about money, saving, budgeting, and other concepts -- empowering every young Filipino through financial literacy.
Watch Manny and Liv's story below.
Download Peso Smart Comic books below.
Peso Smart X RecoveReads
Understanding that students are to undergo remote learning during the pandemic, we partnered with Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation to launch Peso Smart x RecoveREADS, a learning program designed to equip grade school students with Peso Smart kits. These kits included an activity journal based on the company’s award-winning financial literacy modules, a storybook, and school supplies. The learning kits were distributed to Francisco Legaspi Memorial School and Buting Elementary School, which will benefit more than 100 students.
Manulife Philippines and Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation (CSAMF) launch Peso Smart x RecoveREADS with Pasig City Honorable Mayor Vico Sotto.
Peso Smart for University Students
In July 2020, Manulife Philippines partnered with Business Management Society (BMS) of De La Salle University (DLSU) to run a pilot phase of the Peso Smart program for 20 members of the organization. The lessons include sound financial planning, digital financial apps, and investing money.
In January 2021, Manulife Philippines started the new year with the second run of its Peso Smart program. Also in partnership with BMS, the sessions were made available to more DLSU students. The three-week financial literacy program trained more than 50 university students with valuable lessons on financial planning and business resilience, among others.
Our Success Stories
Leshti's Journey: From Young Entrepreneur to Financially Savvy Student
S.Y. 2021-2022
In the 2021-2022 Peso Smart Report, Leshti was recognized as one of our success stories—a Peso Smart learner who took the lessons from the program and turned them into action. With just ₱300 in starting capital, she opened an online shop on Facebook Marketplace, selling cellphone organizers, ponytails, and turbans.
“Thankful po ako sa Peso Smart kasi doon po ako natutong mag-ipon at kung paano gumastos ng tamang pamamaraan.” More than just applying it to herself, Leshti has passed on her financial knowledge to her younger siblings and cousins, guiding them on the importance of spending wisely.
Leshti’s journey is a powerful example of how Peso Smart empowers children with financial wisdom that lasts a lifetime. Whether through personal savings, smart spending, or helping their families navigate financial challenges, our scholars continue to prove that financial literacy is an investment in a brighter future.
Jewel's Peso Smart Journey: Learning to Budget for a Brighter Future
S.Y. 2020-2021
In S.Y. 2020-2021, Jewel Lane Pagaduan became a Peso Smart Scholar where she gained valuable lessons in saving, budgeting, and managing money wisely—skills that have stayed with her to this day.
"Sa Peso Smart ko po natutunang magsagot sa bank forms," Jewel recalls. As a child, she often accompanied her grandmother to the bank, and learning how to fill out forms gave her confidence in handling financial transactions. More importantly, Peso Smart taught her the difference between needs and wants, an insight that changed how she approached money.
"Mahirap po kasi mag-budget pag konti ang pera, kaya titiisin mo po yung gusto mo para lang 'di ka ma-short sa budget," she shares.
Now in Grade 10, Jewel still applies what she learned from Peso Smart. The financial habits she developed as a young scholar continue to shape her choices, proving that early financial education can have a lasting impact. Jewel’s story is a testament to how Peso Smart empowers children with real-life financial skills, preparing them not just for school but for life.
Read more about Peso Smart