by Naiia Lajoie GLASS HALF FIL For any Filipino living abroad, the expectation of “sending help back home” is a familiar one. Whether in the form of hand-me-downs via balikbayan boxes as Christmas pasalubong, or literal cold hard cash as utang na loob, it is a cultural custom that has integrated itself into modern technology. As the latter is easier (and perhaps even preferred), there are numerous methods in which one can transfer funds between nations; physical brick and mortar banks, mall stands, wire transfers, and now phone apps. The process of sending money back to the motherland is an industry that has grown beyond Western Union. Tech startups are now entering game, and one such application is Sendwave. Founded in 2014, it has become a leading provider for money transfers to Africa and Asia. The app is the brainchild of Ivy League founders Drew Durbin and Lincoln Quick who graduated from Brown. While Drew ran a non-governmental organization in Tanzania, he witnessed firsthand how difficult it could be sending money quickly and affordably. Wanting to facilitate the process for immigrants everywhere, Sendwave was developed. The app allows users to quickly and securely transfer funds from North America and Europe to numerous countries across Africa and Asia; tackling anything from family emergencies to simply buying a friend a beer. Most of the sending countries are fee-free, while the remainder has very competitive exchange rates. “Our process is as easy as sending a text,” says Fil-Am Dan Santos, Market Launcher at Sendwave. “Mabilis at madali!” Sendwave allows users to send money from the comfort of their own home. This comes as a welcomed relief given long lines and high fees are common in the remittance space. The service is fast, reliable, convenient, secure, and takes what...... Read more on Full Issue!