Jolina Magdangal Named First WAIS Loan Ambassador for Asialink

MPASIG CITY, Philippines — Asialink Finance Corporation has officially named actress and singer Jolina Magdangal as the ambassador of its Women’s Access to Inclusive Support (WAIS) Loan, a program designed to close the financing gap for women entrepreneurs in the Philippines.

The announcement comes as WAIS marked a 5,000% surge in loan disbursements, rising from an initial ₱10 million at launch in July 2025 to ₱525 million to date, reaching 1,025 women-led enterprises nationwide. The program allows borrowers to access up to ₱20 million with interest rates starting at 0.99% and flexible repayment terms of up to 60 months without the need for post-dated checks.

“Asialink’s growth shows the strong demand for financing solutions designed for women-led MSMEs, a sector that drives inclusive economic development,” said Samuel Cariño, President and CEO of Asialink Finance Corporation. “With Jolina as our ambassador, we aim to strengthen the visibility and impact of the WAIS Loan, enabling more Filipina entrepreneurs to access the capital they need to expand, create jobs, and contribute to nation-building.”

Magdangal, who has also ventured into business, expressed her pride in joining the initiative. “Seeing what the WAIS Loan has accomplished in such a short time is truly inspiring. It proves that when women are given access to the right financial tools, they can turn ideas into businesses and businesses into livelihoods,” she said. “I’m honored to be part of this movement to encourage more Filipinas to take that step with confidence, dream bigger, and create a lasting impact for their families, communities, and the economy.”

WAIS, developed with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has already provided an average of ₱500,000 per borrower for ventures across retail, services, and agribusiness.

Asialink reported that by July and August 2025, its total loan disbursements had reached ₱1 billion, with women-owned MSMEs now comprising 57% of its portfolio. Executives including COO Eleanor Yap, Finance Director Meynard Mendoza, and Board Member Antonia Y. Lugtu joined Magdangal and Cariño at the official launch event.

“Asialink remains committed to creating financial solutions that empower Filipino entrepreneurs and uplift communities,” Cariño added. “Moving forward, we aim to reach more women nationwide, equipping them with the right financial tools as they shape a better future.”