Digital is quickly becoming the default in the Philippines — to no one’s surprise as Filipinos have, once more, topped global Facebook usage per a 2025 report. But if you need more proof, we are now paying everything, from groceries to electricity bills, through electronic payment portals. In 2024, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas noted that 57.4 percent of Filipinos’ monthly retail transactions were online, accounting for a nearly five-point leap from the previous year.
But as the country transitions to digital banking, Filipinos of all ages and standings remain susceptible to cybercrime. With cybersecurity education still being largely absent from institutional systems and an ever-growing gap between digital dependence and digital protection, someone has to step up and stand against the epidemic of digital fraud.
Luckily, digital banking leaders like GoTyme Bank are taking charge, and they’re calling in the unexpected cavalry: a lola. It might seem counterintuitive, with seniors often seen as the demographic most vulnerable to fraud, but a lifetime of dodging analog scams has trained this woman to sniff out digital ones just as quickly. And after all, who better to school Filipinos on digital banking safety than the most respected figure in the country?
Cybersecurity Awareness With Madame Alam
GoTyme Bank has teamed up with veteran actress Boots Anson Roa Rodrigo for her latest role: Madame Alam, the Internet’s favorite techie lola. Her mission? Protect Filipinos and their hard-earned money from online fraud.
Madame Alam is an expert in outsmarting traditional and old school scams, think would-be thieves covertly watching their victims withdraw cash from an ATM. Madame Alam now applies the same know-how to evade fraudsters’ digital modus operandi.
From telling audiences to keep an eye out for card skimmers to urging them to never share an OTP, Madame Alam’s sage advice on cybersecurity awareness takes center stage in videos as bingeable as they are educational. Her instructions blend relatability, tips on responsible banking, and the easy humor of a lola who knows all (complimentary).
While discussing the horrors of identity theft, she quips, “Fraudsters will charm you, hypnotize you — like staring at this perfection,” while pointing towards her face.
Known for her decades-long tenure in Filipino cinema, Rodrigo brings her signature wit and warmth to the role of Madame Alam, just as she has in over 100 films she has starred in. Also a staple in many Pinoy teleseryes, she has graced the screen alongside Fernando Poe Jr. and Ramon Revilla Sr., shaping generations of Filipino audiences and making her the perfect figure to guide users through the chaos of the digital world.
“Boots Anson Roa Rodrigo has spent decades inspiring generations and shaping her industry,” says GoTyme Bank’s President and CEO Nate Clarke. “At GoTyme Bank, we share that spirit — creating a culture where knowledge flows across generations to help Filipinos stay ahead of evolving scams. Through Madame Alam, we’re turning security into a shared advocacy that’s simple, relatable, and empowering, so everyone can bank with confidence and unlock their financial potential.”
Staying Safe In The Digital Age
Launched during Cybersecurity Awareness Month last October, the Madame Alam series runs for eight episodes until February 2026 on GoTyme Bank’s social media channels. Paired with GoTyme Bank’s security features, like AI-driven fraud detection, biometric authentication, OTP safety, and 24/7 in-app support, Madame Alam stands as a figure who helps make digital banking not just easier, but safer, too — and in turn, gives Filipinos the confidence to navigate an increasingly online world.
“I’m truly happy to be part of this meaningful campaign with GoTyme Bank to raise awareness about fraud and how Filipinos — from seniors like myself to the younger Gen Z generation — can stay safe in today’s digital world,” says Rodrigo. “It’s a cause close to my heart because safety and trust matter, especially when it comes to our hard-earned money.”
As Filipinos continue to lean on digital tools to power their everyday lives, Madame Alam serves as a powerful reminder that staying informed is the strongest defense. And whenever in doubt, always listen to lola.
#GoBeSecure. Follow @gotymebank on social media for the latest news, updates, and episodes of the Madame Alam series.
