Photo via Gary Valenciano(@garyvalenciano) / Instagram
On October 11, 2024, GCash marked its 20th anniversary with an unforgettable gala at the Manila Marriott Hotel. The event featured a show-stopping performance from OPM legend Gary Valenciano and the rising P-pop group SB19, creating a night to remember.
Gary Valenciano and SB19 Take the Stage
The evening kicked off with Gary Valenciano, GCash’s first celebrity endorser from 2004, delivering an energetic performance of his hit song “Hataw Na.” His high-energy dance moves and stage presence brought excitement to the crowd. To everyone’s surprise, Gary also added a rap section to his performance, showcasing his versatility.
Following Gary’s set, SB19 took the spotlight with their 2024 hit “Moonlight.” A massive LED screen displaying a glowing moon set the stage for their mesmerizing performance. Clad in sleek white outfits, the group wowed the audience with their powerful vocals and impeccable choreography.
The real highlight of the night was the collaboration between Gary and SB19. Together, they performed SB19’s hit song “Gento,” marking a symbolic moment that bridged GCash’s early beginnings with its present-day success. The performance embodied GCash’s journey over two decades, from Gary’s endorsement in 2004 to SB19’s role in 2024.
During the event, Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu reflected on GCash’s evolution. In its early days, the app struggled to gain traction. Cu shared that in the beginning, only Globe employees were using GCash. To boost adoption, Globe Tower—the company’s headquarters in BGC—made GCash the exclusive payment method in its food hall, encouraging employees to embrace the app.
This initiative laid the foundation for GCash’s growth. A turning point came in 2017 when GCash entered a P100 million partnership with Ant Financial, giving the app the technical capabilities it needed to scale up. This move proved crucial, especially during the pandemic, when GCash’s services expanded, allowing it to handle millions of transactions effortlessly.
Today, GCash boasts 94 million users and offers a range of financial services, including money transfers, bill payments, savings, credit, and investments.
A Night of Spectacular Performances
The gala wasn’t just about speeches—it was filled with unforgettable performances. Louie Ocampo and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra delivered a heartwarming version of “Rise Up,” featuring Morissette and Bituin Escalante. SB19’s Stell also impressed with his rendition of “Defying Gravity” from the musical Wicked.
For the grand finale, Gary Valenciano, Stell, Morissette, and Bituin teamed up for an emotional performance of “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman. The night ended with a celebratory toast and a memorable photo featuring Joshua Garcia, Gary V, and SB19, celebrating GCash’s incredible 20-year journey.
The event, hosted by Robi Domingo and Kaladkaren, celebrated not only GCash’s achievements but also its bright future as the leading finance super app in the Philippines.
References: