Davao Diaries: January 23, 2026

Shubhrendu Khoche • January 23, 2026

yufin team at the Davao airport.

While the headlines focus on Davos, yufin continues growing in Davao, on the other side of earth, showing how technology and trust are coming together to grow earning of small businesses in the “Global South.”

1. Sunday was Sinulog in Cebu. I got a glimpse while transiting. Worth a visit!

2. yufin added the next branch of our anchor wholesaler, for small businesses to order their weekly supplies faster and more smartly.

3. From three to four: We are now onboarding our fourth supplier on yufin’s yuOrder service that goes live next week. Plus, this distributor referred us to the potential fifth supplier.

4. What does the yufin team do when killing time at the Davao airport? Why, sign up merchants there, of course. Majority of the stores at the airport now use the yufin app for ordering supplies, and more.

5. The sachet phenomenon is spreading from FMCG to financial services, content, and commerce.

6. The blockbuster item this month on the yuOrder platform is “Kojic soap.” The desire to look paler is common in many parts of Asia. But Kojic acid inhibits formation of melanin and might lead to skin issues.