The best moments in life are unplanned. The spontaneity makes it more surreal or mysterious in a sense, and I believe that ‘coz that’s just how I was wired. However, that’s not exactly how I envisioned my 2026 to be. Earlier this year, I promised myself to become more disciplined, so I carefully curated a 2026 plan with savings goals and a focus on my music. But one notification from a friend presented an unexpected opportunity, and I had to make a conscious decision about whether it was worth adjusting my plans for.
Out of the blue, our President and my friend Gem announced that we will have sponsored tickets to the EXO 2026 concert. In a moment of reflection, I told myself, “I swear I would never derail my savings plan for a concert, but I have always enjoyed the thrill of saying yes to unexpected opportunities. It definitely wasn’t something I had originally budgeted for, we all know that, but I just can’t deny how rich the experience will be, and how the universe intended this for me.“
For an EXO-L, this was the concert of the year. And to be honest, we tried buying tickets last April during its selling period, but to no avail. All the tickets got sold out (at least for the non-sponsored tiers). So, we moved on, and I continued with my 2026 savings plan, until days before the concert, when we learned about the free tickets.
Here’s the thing. I am in Davao, and Manila is a plane ride away. And my focus on a saving mindset meant that I didn’t exactly have travel funds ready. Hence, I stared at my Maya app, calculating. Flight? Check. Accommodation? Check. The inevitable food trips and hangouts with friends? Check.
This definitely wasn’t in the year plan, but sometimes, life doesn’t care about your plans.
Some Opportunities are Worth Borrowing For, if You Borrow Responsibly
I’ve always been the type of person to avoid borrowing money, and that hasn’t changed. But this feels really different. It wasn’t necessarily reckless spending. It’s just saying yes to an experience that I’ll forever cherish or regret if I don’t grab the chance. And the universe was practically handing me free concert tickets. Who says no to that?
But I didn’t just jump to it. I took a moment to assess my financial situation. Could I pay this back within the terms? Was this a want or a need? Did the joy and memories of this experience outweigh the temporary money adjustment? After careful consideration, I decided this as a calculated decision for me, and not an impulse.
So I went to Maya’s Credit tab and activated Maya Easy Credit. Within minutes, I had access to funds up to P50,000. No paperwork needed, no collateral, no standing in line at some office. Just me, my phone, and that instant extra budget for my concert trip.
To be honest, the application time took less than deciding my EXO bias in 2013 (I first resonated with Luhan, but eventually fell in love with D.O. after two weeks).
For me, Maya Easy Credit fit exactly what I needed, like a short-term credit line for an expense I could comfortably repay. I’ve been using Maya for years, so I already felt comfortable using it when I needed access to credit.
I didn’t have to gather a certificate of employment or business, billing proofs, payslips, etc. Unlike going to a pawnshop, where you have to pawn your valuables, Maya Easy Credit doesn’t require collateral. The only thing I think I risked was a manageable service fee, which was super fair. The fee is transparent and predictable. There are no surprise charges or hidden fees. With up to 30 days to pay, I could book my flight first, but I already knew how I planned to repay it before confirming my booking.
I Borrowed Only What I Could Afford to Repay
I didn’t max out my credit limit just because it was available. I calculated my travel costs, added a buffer for food and hangouts, and borrowed only that amount. Responsible borrowing means knowing your limits and sticking to them.
This trip only required a short-term credit line, so Maya Easy Credit was the better fit. But if I were funding something much bigger, like a home renovation, business expansion, or another major milestone, I’d consider Maya Personal Loan, which now offers eligible users up to ₱400,000 with repayment terms of up to 48 months.
Takeaway
I went into 2026 with a “save, save, save” mindset, and to be honest, I still believe that. But I want to stay authentic in my belief that sometimes, life gives you opportunities that don’t fit neatly into your spreadsheets. My free EXO ticket is a sign and a confirmation.
Maya gave me an option to manage an unexpected expense while staying within a repayment plan I was comfortable with. But more importantly, it made it possible for me to say yes responsibly. Whether you use the Maya Easy Credit for short-term needs or the Maya Personal Loan for bigger plans, having that safety net means you can live your life the way it’s meant to be lived, again, as long as you borrow within your means.
So here’s my final advice: Keep your savings goals and stay disciplined. Borrowing isn’t something to rely on for every want. Assess your finances. Borrow only what you need. Understand the terms. Commit to repayment. Lastly, having everything managed in the Maya app makes staying on top of your payments much easier. Maya has been my trusted app for almost 10 years now, and they’ve always been the most secure and trustworthy e-wallet and digital bank platform in the Philippines.
