Editor's Note: This article has been updated on 3 October 2025 to reflect more details about the partnership.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Bukas partners with Unilab Education, Inc. (UniEd), the education arm of the Filipino-owned Unilab Group, to help create opportunities for students to access affordable, quality education that would prepare them for enriching careers in the future. Bukas and UniEd formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on August 7, 2025 at the Unilab Corporate Center to seal the partnership.

This is a strategic step towards securing a better tomorrow for students through skills training, cross-industry collaboration, and networking opportunities. Read more to know why the partnership is a big win for students!

Shared Mission: Championing a better tomorrow for students

Since 2019, Bukas has been committed to improving access to affordable, quality education for thousands of students through education financing. By partnering with leading colleges and universities nationwide, Bukas has provided that access to more than 25,000 students and counting. UniEd joins the roster of valued industry partners that pushes for a transformative education that would not only give students academic degrees but give pathways to employment for students from all backgrounds.

Dr. Noel Cortez, Chief Operating Officer of UniEd, emphasizes the importance of collaborating with leading institutions in education and industry that have the same mission; making sure that this generation of “Walang Hiyang Estudyante” (translated “unashamed students” in Tagalog) is given ample support from all fronts throughout their education-to-employment journey—a goal aligned with Bukas’ initiative to support and celebrate students’ journeys through the Sa’yo Ang Bukas campaign.

“Walang Hiyang Estudyante” is a term coined by Bukas to represent dedicated and hardworking students from different socioeconomic backgrounds who are committed to fulfilling their goals and dreams through finishing their education. Learn more about the Walang Hiyang Estudyante Awards here.

Picture from L-R: Paolo Loanzon, Head of Growth of Bukas; Carrie Sy, Partnerships Manager of Bukas; Jon Robert Emlano, President of Bukas; Samantha Escobar, Program Associate of UniEd; Alesandra Pacle, Junior Multimedia Artist of Bukas; Dr. Noel Cortez, Chief Operating Officer of UniEd; Angel Cruz, Brand and Marketing Lead of Bukas; Jelord Panaguiton, Program Officer of UniEd.

More Than Just A Partnership: Creating access for better opportunities

Whether it’s through offering student loans in Bukas partner schools, providing training workshops led by Unilab experts, or an innovative and collaborative project underway, what Bukas and UniEd could agree on is making sure students are equipped with opportunities inside and outside the classroom at present, and are made ready for the future as they step into their professional lives. It’s the now and the future hand in hand.

Doubling down on the urgency of access and importance of meeting students where they are, Bukas President Jon Robert Emlano shares, “What we [at Bukas] are looking at for now is improving access to education. There are differences in opinions on how education financing should be done. For us, it’s as simple as recognizing that we need to do something now; that something has to be done for these students. As someone who has gone through that journey myself, I know for a fact that it’s not about whatever shiny product we can offer. It is the reality that these students need help now, they need access now—whatever it is—and that’s exactly what we are trying to do at Bukas.”

What is Bukas?

Bukas is an education financing company that provides affordable and secure student loans to Filipinos who are in college, graduate school, or specialized learning institutions. With the vision of building a better tomorrow for Filipino youths through quality, accessible education, Bukas works closely with top colleges and universities across the country to provide students with more options to finance their studies through its integrated student loans.

Why take a UniEd program with Bukas?

As a third-party financing partner of UniEd, Bukas offers students an affordable and flexible payment option to pay for their studies at UniEd. Instead of a one-time payment for your tuition and other miscellaneous fees, paying through a Bukas student loan allows you to pay your tuition in affordable monthly installments so you can stretch your finances and allot your budget to your other needs.

✅ Up to 100% of your fees covered

✅ Low monthly interest rates

✅ One-time service fee

✅ Over 8,000 payment channels nationwide

✅ Dedicated customer support channels

How does the Bukas student loans work?

When you apply and get approved for a student loan, Bukas will pay your approved amount directly to UniEd. You will then have to pay your Bukas monthly dues for your preferred tenor or loan length. Depending on what works for you, you can choose between our 3 or 6-month plans. Take note that every Bukas student loan at UniEd includes an interest rate starting at only 1.9% monthly and a one-time service fee ranging from 4.5-7.5%.

For example, if you need Php 50,000 for a UniEd program, you can apply for a Bukas student to pay for your tuition. Once approved, the whole amount can be covered by Bukas and you can pay Php 9,658.33 every month. This computation is based on a 6-month Bukas plan with a 1.9% monthly interest and a 4.5% one-time service fee. Want to get an estimate based on your actual fees at UniEd? Check out our loan calculator!

If ever you want to pay off your student loan earlier than your original tenor, you can do that too! Since Bukas only charges interest for the months you consume your loan, you can actually save more by paying it off early. Unlike traditional financing options, Bukas does not charge any early termination fee or other penalties so you don’t have to worry about extra fees added to your loan.

How to apply for a Bukas student loan?

Applying for a Bukas student loan is easy and convenient. With a fully online application process, you can take a UniEd program in no time. Just make sure to have your requirements and documents ready and follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Create your account at https://app.bukas.ph

Step 2: Fill-out the application form. Upload all your documents.

Step 3: Submit your application. Wait for feedback and approval within 3-5 working days.

Once your application is approved, don’t forget to confirm your student loan agreement through your Bukas account and Bukas will then disburse your approved amount directly to UniEd. After that, you can already consider yourself enrolled for that program and start attending your classes! You can then start repaying your monthly dues to Bukas through our payment partners.

More than just a partnership for the future, Bukas and UniEd are committed to make change happen today, whatever that access looks like for the students at present. As cliche as it may sound, education does enable social mobility through quality education. The more students we get in class, the more graduates we get in the workforce. The more individuals we connect to enriching careers, the more chances we get in making a difference in education and industry. And through this newly launched partnership, creating access to those opportunities might just come sooner than later.

About Unilab Education, Inc. (UniEd)

Unilab Education, Inc. (UniEd) is the education pillar of the Filipino-owned Unilab Group. UniEd’s mission is to enable social mobility through quality education. Focused on ensuring that graduates secure relevant jobs and rewarding careers, UniEd collaborates with universities, colleges, and trade schools—guided by the principle of providing affordable and accessible education.

About Bukas

Bukas is an education financing platform that provides secure, flexible, and affordable student loans to students and professionals, partnered with leading colleges, universities, bootcamps, training institutions, technical and vocational institutions in the Philippines and overseas. Since 2019, Bukas has helped about 25,000 students with presence in more than 100 campuses nationwide and four international partners. For more information, visit www.bukas.ph.

About ErudiFi

Founded in 2017, ErudiFi is a mission-driven technology company focused on making education affordable in Southeast Asia. Operating as Danacita in Indonesia and Bukas in the Philippines, ErudiFi has helped secure funding for thousands of financially underserved students through tech-enabled partnerships with leading universities and vocational schools in the region. By improving access to education, ErudiFi is driving generational transformation and helping to build a better tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.erudifi.com.