CIMB urges Pinoys to rise above adversity toward a life of purpose
Year 2 of well-received Pinoy Mavericks Awards underway
MANILA, Philippines — When CIMB Bank first came to the Philippines in 2018, Filipinos had to make do with what was then considered normal: expending time, effort and resources to visit a bank to do the most mundane of transactions.
Long lines at branches and tedious paperwork were commonplace, and traditional banks would often charge sky-high fees for run-of-the-mill services. Worse, they gave customers peanuts as interest rates in exchange for entrusting their hard-earned money. Something was not right.
There was indeed much room for improvement, but with this also came a different challenge for branchless banks like CIMB Bank PH.
Digital banking was simply unknown to most locals. But the bank was determined to carry out its mission: To provide all Filipinos with accessible financial solutions that they deserve, so that they can achieve their goals.
From deposits, fund transfers, to bills payments and even loans—CIMB stopped charging exorbitant fees and made it easy for the common folk to have access to funds, and handsomely rewarded customers for their business through never-before-seen highest interest rates on savings.
Every day, CIMB Bank PH continues to do its best to really understand what Filipinos need and try to provide solutions that can truly help them, as part of the Bank’s financial inclusion mission.
Fast forward to 2025, and CIMB Bank PH has earned the trust of over 9 million customers and counting, supporting the bank’s belief that when no one is left behind, the path to individual prosperity and nation-building is within reach.
A disruptive force for good
CIMB Bank PH truly embodies the spirit of being a “maverick” that overcame adversity and has contributed to making the banking experience of Filipinos better.
There is still a lot of work to be done to fulfill CIMB Bank PH’s mission, which is why it remains committed to encourage the ordinary Filipino to take charge of their finances so they can focus on achieving their goals and living their purpose.
This is also why CIMB believes in celebrating the resilience and triumphs of individuals who have overcome challenges in order to achieve remarkable feats and give back to their community, like a kindred spirit.
In 2024, through a powerful celebration of grit, purpose, and community, CIMB Bank PH honored the stories of 10 extraordinary individuals through the first-ever Pinoy Mavericks Awards. The program aimed to honor inspiring stories of triumph over travails, while also promoting financial inclusion and social responsibility.
“The stories of these Pinoy Mavericks go beyond inspiration—they are a mirror of the Filipino soul,” Vijay Manoharan, CEO of CIMB Bank PH, said. “Through the Pinoy Mavericks Awards, we are proud to celebrate individuals who show us that resilience and a sense of purpose and community can turn struggle into strength.”
The inaugural run of the Pinoy Mavericks Awards went on a quest to search for exemplary people who rose above life’s challenges to lead lives of purpose and uplift their communities. From a vast search, 10 exceptional finalists stood out, each one embodying the values of perseverance, growth, and meaningful change.
The Pinoy Mavericks Awards 2024 celebrated three main winners:
Jerico Ramota is a simple Filipino doing extraordinary things for his community. As someone who also grew up on the streets, he empathizes with the plight of those who are struggling and barely scraping by. This is why he initiated his "Rolling Bayanihan" initiative, helping make sure that those in his community without food are able to eat and won’t go hungry—even when he himself doesn’t have much to give.
“Ang pagtulong, hindi naman siya nasusukat kung gaano kalaki. Ang mahalaga, may ginagawa kang paraan para makapagbigay ng kagaanan at pag-agapay sa mga taong nangangailangan (Help is not measured by how much you give. What’s important is that you find ways to give relief and assistance to the people in need)," he shared.
Phoebe Fructuoso became a victim of sexual violence at a young age. What truly made her story remarkable is her courage to share with the world that she is a gang rape survivor that is now using her own voice to empower the voiceless, especially other sexual abuse victims who are too afraid to stand up for themselves.
She bravely wears her scars and helps spreading awareness about rape culture and gender-based violence.
“Your voice doesn’t need to be loud to make an impact, it just needs to be real and rooted in love. When you share your story to help uplift or to encourage someone else, it already matters. We can’t change the world, but we can change our world,” Fructuoso said.
Marlon Fuentes is a ride-hailing app driver afflicted with Tourette Syndrome. Despite his condition, he is a hard worker who, just like all parents, simply wants to be able to provide for his family’s needs and give them the most comfortable life he can manage.
He bravely shares the story of his daily struggles—caused by physical challenges and societal discrimination—to continue inspiring others to keep moving forward to pursue their purpose.
“Lahat tayo may natatanging kwento sa buhay, may kanya-kanya tayong laban, may kanya-kanya tayong pinagdadaanan . . . pero may mga kwento tayo na makakapagbigay inspirasyon sa ibang tao, na akala mo wala lang, pero ‘di mo alam ay magbibigay ng lakas ng loob sa mga taong makakanood (We all have our own unique life stories, our own battles, our own challenges . . . but we also have stories that can inspire others. You may think they’re not much, but these stories can give strength to the people who will witness them)," Fuentes said.
Each winner received a cash prize, half of which was donated to a beneficiary of their choice. Their victories were not only personal, but also catalytic for broader community impact.
For the most part of 2024, the stories of the 10 Pinoy Mavericks reached thousands online, sparking important conversations and motivating others to reflect, act and uplift.
The heartfelt reception of their remarkable stories helped underscore that the Pinoy Mavericks Awards isn’t just a campaign, it’s a platform for genuine, human stories—stories that challenge, heal and inspire. The Pinoy Mavericks Awards proves that ordinary people can create extraordinary change.
More inspiring stories of triumph
As of writing, CIMB Bank PH is gearing up for Year 2 of the Pinoy Mavericks Awards.
“This upcoming edition promises to shine a spotlight on a new wave of modern-day heroes—individuals who choose purpose over fear, and community over self,” said D’Artagnan Aguilar, chief marketing officer of CIMB Bank PH. “There are many more inspiring stories of agents of positive change out there, and we can’t wait to uncover, honor, and share them all with you in the coming weeks.”
Stay tuned for more information about the 2025 edition of the Pinoy Mavericks Awards. For updates and announcements, visit cimbbank.com.ph/pinoymavericksawards.
Editor's Note: This press release is sponsored by CIMB. It is published by the Advertising Content Team that is independent from our Editorial Newsroom.
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