Today, any Filipino based overseas can send money home and be assured that it’s used for its original intent. Gift remittance service provider Ayannah Information Solutions, Inc. offers what it calls Sendah (sendah.com), which eliminates the need to ship items via balikbayan box by sending the gifts via third party-partners instead.

Like other countries in Southeast Asia, the Philippines’ startup ecosystem is in a growth stage. Tech in Asia earlier revealed how the country’s ecosystem is doing in terms of investors and accelerators’ activities. But for some, questions still remain: Why should we (or should we not) start an internet business in the Philippines? What should we expect?

Companies developing tech-based solutions for consumers in emerging markets see great opportunities in the Philippines today. A growing number of innovative visionaries view the country as a testing ground for products and services with potential for global scale. More are likely on their way. This may come as a surprise to those who think of the Philippines as a tech laggard. Although the country’s tech and startup ecosystems are growing, skeptics often point to the limited post-seed funding, unfavorable business regulations, and other challenges that await would-be innovators. Because of these challenges, the country came in at 90th place on the 2013 Global Innovation Index, a study by Cornell University, INSEAD, and WIPO that ranked 142 countries on their innovative capacity.

Manila, Philippines: With Sendah Direct’s success on the local front, Ayannah is going all out when it comes to encouraging Filipinos abroad to augment their income by reselling load or mobile airtime credits, game pins, dental cards, and PanaLoad Club products. Sendah Direct, Ayannah’s web-based retail system is an easy-to-use platform, accessible through web and mobile browsers, as well as legacy SMS.