MANILA, Philippines – The Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas (BSP) invited the UST Department of Business Economics students to a tour and learning session as they celebrate 75 years of Central Banking in the Philippines during the 75th Central Banking Anniversary Exhibit. The event featured an exhibit tour and learning session at the BSP Head Office in Malate, Manila City, on September 13, 2024.

The BSP Exhibit Tour and Learning Sessions were divided into morning and afternoon batches. The event kicked off with an exhibit tour that showcased the evolution of the Philippines' monetary system. Students were able to learn about the birth of the first Philippine banknotes in the 1560s, the creation of the Central Bank of the Philippines after World War II in 1949, the establishment of the BSP Security Plant Complex in 1975, the Filipinization of money in the 1960s-1970s, and the introduction of the First Polymer Peso among others. The exhibit also featured the history of coins in the Philippines, including those used during the Galleon Trade between the Philippines and Mexico from the 1500s to 1800s. Experts from the Central Bank Museum shared their knowledge about using currency, dubbed the "Mickey Mouse money," during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines and using commemorative coins and banknotes. The exhibit also highlighted the country's adaptation to the digital era, showcasing the journey of financial technology (fintech) and the BSP's Regulatory Framework for fintech.

After the exhibit tour, a learning session was held at the BSP's Economic and Financial Learning Center Auditorium, which focused on "Central Banking 101". The lecture for both batches was respectively given by Ms. —— and Ms. Sharon O. Ang, an alumna of the UST Department of Business Economics. Their lectures delved into the Central Bank of the Philippines' three pillars: Price Stability, Financial Stability, and Efficient and Reliable Payments and Settlement Systems. Meanwhile, the afternoon batch had the opportunity to meet Deputy Director Chuchi D. Fonacier, Deputy Governor for the Financial Supervision Sector of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, wherein she discussed her role in steering the financial landscape of the Philippine nation. 

The BSP Exhibit Tour and Learning Session was a unique learning experience for students from various higher learning institutions and universities, including forty-nine (49) students from the UST Business Economics Department. Through the exhibit tour and learning sessions, students gained invaluable insights into the significance of central banking in the Philippines and its poignant role in mitigating inflationary shocks in the economy, known as "inflation targeting." This experience exposed students to the realms of central banking and finance in the Philippines and the career opportunities that await them after graduation.  

The tour and learning session was organized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Communications Office and led by Mr. Robin Renz T. Salvador, an alumnus of the UST Business Economics Department.

The UST Economics Society and the UST Department of Business Economics extend our heartfelt gratitude to the BSP for this enlightening and enriching endeavor!