With PayRemit, Filipinos in the UAE can now shop on Sendah, Ayannah’s gift-remittance service and send airtime credits (load), food and celebration packages, micro-insurance, gift certificates, flowers, groceries, and more to their loved ones in the Philippines. According to Sendah Product Manager Bryan Jadina, “Our focus is on giving migrants options that can really improve the quality of life of their beneficiaries. Compared to plain cash remittance, Sendah gives Filipino migrant workers assurance that their hard-earned money is being used for its intended purpose. Plus, given our partnerships with domestic and international vendors, we are able to offer our customers a number of discount deals, which works out cheaper than buying stuff abroad and sending them via a balikbayan box.” Sendah customers in the UAE can pay for their online purchases in any of PayRemit’s over 100 partner outlets/remittance centers.

The Philippines has one of the highest population growth in Southeast Asia and remains a strong economic performer in the region, despite slow global growth. That shouldn’t last too long, though, as HSBC predicts that in 2050, the Philippines should rank as the 16th largest economy in the world, the 5th largest in Asia, and THE largest in Southeast Asia. The future seems bright given the country’s fast growing economy, and yet 69% of the Philippines’ adult population remains unbanked, according to the World Bank.

Have you ever wanted to know what the startup ecosystem in Philippines is like without actually travelling there? Or maybe you want to meet these influencers? Being at e27, we have the advantage of helping a first-timer out; so here’s a brief snapshot of the top 27 innovators that are strong influencers and players in the Philippine startup ecosystem:

Philippines-based digital commerce and payment startup Ayannah has announced today that it has raised US$1 million as part of its Series A round from Singapore-based fintech VC Life.SREDA, Silicon Valley VC 500 Startups, London-based fintech VC Blue Compass and other investors.