A few years ago, I was just one of the many people walking around expos, collecting flyers and freebies, quietly observing different businesses and ideas. I always found business expos exciting because you get to see people proudly sharing something they built from scratch. Back then, I never imagined that one day, I would also become one of those exhibitors.
Last May 7–10, 2026, my startup company, MuralTech PH, joined PHILBEX Davao, a platform for technology, construction, and innovation here in Davao City.
And honestly, standing there inside our own booth felt surreal.
For a quick background, MuralTech PH is the first wall-printing service in the Philippines. Instead of painting murals by hand, we print them directly onto walls with our wall printer. Every time people see the machine for the first time, their reaction is almost always the same:
“Wait… diretso talaga sa wall?”
And yes, it really prints directly on walls.
To be honest, even now, I still get amazed by it myself. The machine is huge, heavy, and honestly a little intimidating at first. But seeing it transform blank walls into detailed artworks in just hours still feels magical to me.
When March came, I had to make one big decision as a startup founder: should I spend our marketing budget on online ads or invest in joining a local expo?
As a startup without a physical showroom yet, trust is something we’re still building. People usually want to see your work personally before they fully believe in your product. So after thinking about it for weeks, I decided to take the risk and join PHILBEX.
It was not cheap.
The booth alone cost almost ₱100,000 for four days, including booth space, registration fees, and design preparation. For a startup, that amount already felt massive. But I kept telling myself that opportunities rarely come when you feel fully ready.
So I prepared everything carefully. I designed the booth. Prepared my machine. Printed sample works. Planned my schedule.
And mentally prepared ourselves for four very long days. I was excited… until the actual exhibit days arrived. That’s when reality suddenly hit me.
I realized that while I prepared for the “big expenses,” I completely forgot about the small but necessary ones that quietly pile up during events.
Staff meals and snacks.
Transportation.
BIR-related fees during the event.
Unexpected supplies.
Small booth adjustments.
And a few last-minute expenses we didn’t anticipate.
You know those moments where you suddenly check your wallet and think: “Wait… saan napunta yung budget?”
That was me during Day 1.
As a startup founder, you try to stretch every peso because every expense matters. I knew potential clients were coming in already, and I was confident that eventually we’d close projects from the expo. But, of course, business income does not always arrive immediately when you need it.
And that’s where Maya Easy Credit honestly helped me breathe a little easier during the event.
Instead of stressing out or scrambling for cash, I was able to access extra funds quickly through the app while waiting for sales and client payments. No paperwork. No long lines. No complicated process. Everything was fast and straightforward, exactly what I needed in the middle of a busy event.
Maya Easy Credit gives users access to a revolving credit line of up to ₱50,000 directly in the Maya app. It’s designed for short-term and unexpected expenses, which honestly made perfect sense for situations like mine during the expo. What I appreciated was that repayment felt manageable and straightforward, so it didn’t feel like I was taking on a long-term financial commitment. For a temporary cash flow gap during a busy event, it was exactly the kind of flexibility I needed.
What I appreciated most was the convenience.
When you’re running around, managing a booth, entertaining visitors, answering inquiries, and making sure your team is okay, the last thing you want is another stressful financial process on top of everything else.
Life moves fast.
Business moves fast.
Unexpected expenses happen fast, too.
And sometimes, having quick access to extra budget makes a huge difference.
I also learned that as entrepreneurs, we often prepare for the “main plan” but forget the little in-between expenses that come with executing it. The reality is, growth usually comes with uncomfortable moments, risky decisions, and situations where you simply have to adapt quickly.
Looking back now, joining PHILBEX was still one of the best decisions we made for MuralTech PH.
We met potential partners.
Connected with curious clients.
Introduced wall printing technology to more people.
And somehow, I also got reminded of how far life can really take you. From being a curious visitor collecting brochures years ago… to finally becoming an exhibitor sharing our own innovation. That quiet realization stayed with me throughout the event.
Sometimes, growth really happens slowly and silently until one day you suddenly find yourself standing in spaces you once only dreamed of entering.
And along the way, having accessible tools like Maya Easy Credit can genuinely help entrepreneurs and individuals navigate those unexpected moments with less stress and more confidence.
For bigger plans, Maya also offers Maya Personal Loan, where users can borrow up to ₱250,000 with repayment terms of up to 24 months. The application process is fully digital, fast, and hassle-free, something that can really help when funding larger goals or important investments.
I think one thing I appreciate about modern financial tools today is how accessible they’ve become compared to before. Opportunities now move quickly, and sometimes, support is literally just a few taps away.
But of course, responsible borrowing still matters.
Financial tools are there to support growth, emergencies, and meaningful investments, not unnecessary spending. It’s always important to borrow within your capacity to pay and use it wisely for things that create value in the long run. At the end of the day, business, dreams, and growth all come with risks.
Sometimes you just need the right support system beside you while building them.
Love lots,
Princess Joem 💜
