Former Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) housemate Bryan “Brx” Ruiz recently expressed his appreciation for being given the opportunity to share financial knowledge with his fellow Negrenses during the BDO Mini-Fiesta held last October 12 at the Sipalay City Gymnasium.
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The 32-year-old seafarer-turned-reality star—known as the Seamanluluto ng Bacolod during his PBB: Gen11 stint—spoke about how his career as a seafarer helped him value financial literacy and savings.
Championing Financial Literacy
Ruiz shared how his 13 years as a seafarer taught him the value of securing his hard-earned income. He emphasized the importance of saving with a trusted bank like BDO Unibank. A Kabayan Savings account holder for four years, he emphasized how it simplified managing his finances even while working overseas.
“I’m a seafarer for almost 13 years. I’m a chief cook in a general cargo vessel in an international shipping company that sails worldwide. I’ll be back onboard next year,” Ruiz explained.
“I’ve also been a Kabayan Savings client for four years. As a seafarer, it provides me with easy access to my bank account especially since BDO has an online banking app. I can withdraw anytime from any part of the world. It also helps me save for the future.”
Pursuing Dreams Beyond the Sea
During his break from work, Ruiz pursued a long-time dream of joining Pinoy Big Brother. He recounted how he successfully auditioned and became one of the 37,000 hopefuls chosen for PBB: Gen11.
“When I disembarked last April 20, I auditioned in Novaliches to be a housemate on April 27. Luckily, I got picked out of 37,000 others who auditioned. Unfortunately, I got evicted (Day 29) as the Big Night nears,” shared Ruiz.
Ruiz’s time in the reality show was brief. Despite this, he said he was grateful for the experience. He encouraged others to pursue their passions, no matter the odds.
“I was the oldest housemate there (32). If you have dreams—joining PBB was my dream ever since high school—if you really want something, you can achieve it no matter what. If you have dedication and perseverance, you’ll achieve your dreams.”
BDO: A Partner for Every Filipino
Ruiz emphasized his trust in BDO, particularly in the Kabayan Savings account’s security features and its convenience for overseas workers.
“I feel my money is safe with banks because of its security features like (asking for) PIN and OTP,” Ruiz shared. “I also have no problem sending remittance (to my beneficiaries). It’s fast.”
Finding ways for Negrenses. Negrenses flocked to the BDO mini-fiesta in Sipalay City to sign up for the different financial products, play games, and avail of freebies.
A Warm Welcome from Sipalay
BDO Network Bank (BDONB) First Vice President and Marketing Head Emmanuel Lee Esguerra lauded the warm reception from Sipalay residents during the event.
“The people realize that it’s important to have a partner bank that they can go to, that they can talk to. They’re always welcome to visit the branch especially when seeking financial advice,” Esguerra said.
“If they need help in their financial products and requirements for their business, we’re just here for them. That’s what they like, to have someone to talk to. The opening salvo has been great. We expect the reception from Negrenses to keep on getting better as we go along.”
Spreading Financial Literacy Through BDO Mini-Fiestas
After the Sipalay event, BDO Mini-Fiestas continued in San Enrique and Murcia, offering locals not just entertainment, games, and prizes but also vital financial literacy insights. Booths were set up to guide customers through every step of their financial journey, demonstrating how BDO is ready to assist them at every stage.
Why Open a Kabayan Savings Account?
The BDO Kabayan Savings account offers unique benefits for seafarers and overseas workers like Ruiz:
- Convenient access to accounts via the BDO mobile app, anytime and anywhere.
- Secure savings with advanced features like PIN and OTP protection.
- Fast remittances to loved ones.
Whether you’re saving for the future or managing remittances, Kabayan Savings ensures your hard-earned money is safe and accessible worldwide.
