You Don’t Need to Be an Expert to Start Investing
Let me be honest with you for a second.
If you’ve been putting off investing because it feels complicated, scary, or like something only rich people or finance graduates do — I completely understand. That feeling is more common than you think. Most Filipinos who are interested in the stock market never actually start because no one sat them down and said: “Here. This is exactly what you do. Step by step.”
That’s what this guide is for.
By the time you finish reading this, you will know exactly how to invest in the Philippine stock market — from choosing a broker to buying your first stock. No jargon overload. No theory for theory’s sake. Just a clear, honest roadmap written for someone starting from zero.
And if at any point along the way you feel like you still need a hand — someone to tell you which stocks to buy, when to buy them, and how to stay the course — I’ll introduce you to a resource that has helped thousands of Filipino beginners do exactly that.
But first, let’s talk about why this even matters.
Why Investing in the Philippine Stock Market Matters
Here’s a truth most Filipinos don’t hear enough: keeping your money in a savings account is not enough.
A typical savings account in the Philippines earns somewhere between 0.1% and 0.25% per year in interest. Meanwhile, the average inflation rate hovers around 3% to 5%. What this means in plain terms is that the ₱100,000 sitting in your savings account today will be worth less in real purchasing power next year — even if the number on your passbook hasn’t changed.
Investing in the stock market gives your money the chance to outpace inflation over time. Historically, the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) has delivered average annual returns significantly higher than bank savings rates, especially for long-term investors who stay patient and consistent.
Beyond beating inflation, investing in stocks offers you:
Wealth building over time. Even small amounts invested consistently — say ₱2,000 to ₱3,000 a month — can grow into something meaningful over 10, 15, or 20 years thanks to compounding returns.
Partial ownership of great Filipino companies. When you buy stocks, you’re buying a small piece of real businesses: Jollibee, SM, Ayala, BDO, Globe. You grow when they grow.
Passive income through dividends. Many Philippine-listed companies pay dividends — cash distributed to shareholders — just for holding their stock. You don’t have to do anything to receive it.
The best time to start was years ago. The second-best time is right now.
What Is the Philippine Stock Market, Exactly?
Think of the stock market like a giant marketplace — but instead of selling goods, it sells small pieces of companies.
When a company like Jollibee Foods Corporation wants to raise money to expand, they can offer ownership shares to the public. These shares are listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), and anyone — including regular Filipinos like you — can buy them.
When you buy a share of Jollibee, you become a part-owner of that company. If Jollibee does well and its value grows, your share becomes worth more. If the company pays dividends, you receive a portion of their profits.
The PSE is where all of this buying and selling happens. It’s regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is open Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. There are over 250 companies listed on the PSE, covering everything from banks and real estate to telecommunications and food.
You don’t walk into a physical marketplace to buy these shares. Instead, you use a platform called a stock broker — and that’s the very first step.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Start Investing in Philippine Stocks
Step 1: Choose the Right Stock Broker
A stock broker is a company that acts as the middleman between you and the PSE. Without a broker, you cannot buy or sell stocks. Think of them like the app or platform you use to shop online — except instead of products, you’re buying ownership in companies.
Here are the top brokers recommended for Filipino beginners:
COL Financial — Best for Learning While Investing
COL Financial is the most popular online broker in the Philippines and arguably the best starting point for beginners. They serve over 550,000 active clients — which tells you something about the trust they’ve built.
- Minimum to activate account: ₱25,000 (updated August 2025)
- Account types: COL Starter (₱1,000 minimum to open, ₱25,000 to activate and trade), COL Plus (₱25,000), COL Premium (₱1,000,000)
- Best for: Beginners who want access to educational resources and research tools
- Funding options: GCash, Maya, BPI, BDO, Metrobank bills payment
- Platform: Web-based and mobile-friendly
The ₱25,000 activation requirement is relatively new, so if you saw older guides mentioning lower amounts, this is the updated figure. That said, ₱25,000 is still very accessible and well worth it for the quality of tools and research COL provides.
BDO Securities — Best for Existing BDO Account Holders
If you already have a BDO savings account, BDO Securities makes getting started almost effortless. Your bank account and trading account are linked, so you can transfer funds instantly without waiting days for clearance.
- Minimum investment: No separate minimum if you’re an existing BDO account holder
- Best for: BDO clients who want a seamless, no-hassle setup
- Platform: Web-based with solid mobile experience
- Additional perks: Access to BDO research reports, IPOs, and mutual funds
- Commission fee: 0.25% of the gross trade amount (no minimum commission fee)
If you bank with BDO and you want to get started with the least amount of friction, this is a genuinely great option.
First Metro Securities (FirstMetroSec) — Best for Metrobank Clients and Intermediate Features
FirstMetroSec is backed by First Metro Investment Corporation under the Metrobank Group — so it carries solid credibility and financial backing.
- Minimum deposit: ₱5,000 (waived entirely for Metrobank account holders)
- Best for: Metrobank clients, investors who want research-backed guidance
- App: FirstMetroSec GO (mobile app for trading on the go)
- Platform: Also offers FirstMetroSec PRO for more advanced traders
- Regulated by: SEC, PSE, and BSP
FirstMetroSec provides good market research and a user-friendly mobile experience. If you bank with Metrobank, starting here makes the most sense.
Which one should you choose?
If you’re a complete beginner with no existing bank preferences, go with COL Financial. Their educational content and research tools are designed for people who are just starting out. If you already bank with BDO or Metrobank, go with the corresponding broker to make funding easier.
Don’t overthink this decision. All three are SEC-regulated, reputable, and trusted by hundreds of thousands of Filipinos. The best broker is simply the one you’ll actually use.
Step 2: Open and Fund Your Account
Opening a broker account in 2026 is fully online. You don’t need to visit a physical branch.
Here’s what you typically need to prepare:
- One valid government-issued ID — passport, driver’s license, SSS/GSIS card, PhilSys ID, PRC ID, or Voter’s ID
- TIN number (Tax Identification Number) — if you don’t have one yet, you can apply through the BIR
- Bank account details — for funding your trading account and eventually withdrawing profits
- Active email address and mobile number
- Selfie and short video verification (most brokers now require this for security)
The application process typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. After submission, account approval usually takes 2 to 3 business days. Once approved, you’ll receive your login credentials by email.
How much money do you need to start?
This is probably the question you’ve been most worried about, so let’s address it directly.
- COL Financial: ₱25,000 to activate your account and begin trading
- BDO Securities: No separate minimum if you’re an existing BDO client
- FirstMetroSec: ₱5,000 minimum deposit (waived for Metrobank holders)
If ₱25,000 feels like a lot right now, FirstMetroSec or BDO Securities gives you a more accessible entry point. Even starting with ₱5,000 is completely fine. The goal in the beginning isn’t to go big — it’s to start, learn, and build the habit.
Starting small is not a weakness. It’s wisdom.
Step 3: How to Buy Your First Stock
This is where a lot of beginners freeze up — but it’s actually much simpler than it looks once you understand three basic terms.
Stock code: Every company on the PSE has a short code. Jollibee Foods is listed as JFC. SM Investments is SM. BDO Unibank is BDO. When you want to buy a company’s stock, you search by this code.
Board lot: You can’t buy just 1 share of any stock on the PSE. The minimum number of shares you can buy in one transaction is called the “board lot,” and it depends on the stock’s price. For example, if a stock is priced between ₱1.01 and ₱5.00, the board lot is 1,000 shares. If it’s priced between ₱500 and ₱999.50, the board lot is 10 shares. Your broker’s platform will automatically show you the minimum.
Market order vs. limit order: A market order buys the stock at whatever the current price is. A limit order lets you set the exact price you’re willing to pay. For beginners, a limit order is often safer because it prevents you from paying more than you intended.
Here’s a simple example of buying your first stock:
Let’s say you want to buy shares of BDO Unibank (stock code: BDO). You log into your broker account and type “BDO” in the search bar. You see the current price is ₱120 per share and the board lot is 10 shares.
You decide to place a limit order for 10 shares at ₱120. Your total cost would be:
- Stocks: 10 shares × ₱120 = ₱1,200
- Broker commission: 0.25% of ₱1,200 = ₱3 (or the minimum fee, whichever is higher)
- Other standard fees: PSE transaction fee, VAT on commission, SCCP fee
So for roughly ₱1,210 to ₱1,215 including fees, you’d officially own 10 shares of BDO. You’d be a part-owner of one of the largest banks in the Philippines.
That’s it. That’s how you buy a stock.
The mechanics are simple. The harder part — and the most important part — is deciding which stocks to buy and when.
Step 4: How to Choose Which Stocks to Buy (The Most Important Part)
Here’s where many beginners make their most costly mistakes, and it’s not their fault. Nobody tells you this clearly enough.
Most beginners do one of two things when choosing stocks: they guess based on brands they recognize, or they follow whatever’s trending on social media. Both approaches almost always lead to losses — not because stocks are dangerous, but because investing without a system is essentially gambling.
Think about it. If you walked into a casino and bet on random numbers, you’d expect to lose over time. The stock market works the same way if you don’t have a strategy.
So what does a good approach look like?
For beginners, the most effective strategy isn’t to become a stock analyst overnight. It’s to follow a proven, structured system built by people who’ve already done the hard work of research. You focus on consistency and discipline, not trying to predict the next big winner.
This is exactly where Truly Rich Club becomes invaluable.
Truly Rich Club is a membership community founded by author and financial mentor Bo Sanchez. It exists specifically to help everyday Filipinos — people with no finance background, no trading experience, and no extra time to study charts — invest in the stock market with clarity and confidence.
Here’s what you get as a member:
- SAM (Strategic Averaging Method) stock recommendations — a monthly updated list of specific Philippine stocks recommended for long-term buying, based on careful research and fundamental analysis
- Step-by-step guidance on how much to invest and when
- Educational materials to help you understand investing as you go
- A community of investors walking the same journey as you
- Newsletters and updates keeping you informed without overwhelming you
The key thing to understand is this: you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
Joining Truly Rich Club is optional. You can absolutely invest in the Philippine stock market without it. But if the thought of choosing stocks on your own feels overwhelming — if you’re afraid of picking the wrong ones, losing money, or not knowing when to buy or sell — then Truly Rich Club is not just helpful. For a beginner who wants a guided, simplified, and stress-reduced investing journey, it’s essentially essential.
Thousands of Filipino investors, many of whom started with no knowledge at all, have built meaningful portfolios by simply following the Truly Rich Club system consistently over time.
You don’t have to be smart. You just have to follow the system.
How to Join Truly Rich Club: Step-by-Step Tutorial
If you’ve decided you want the guidance, structure, and community that Truly Rich Club provides, here’s exactly how to join:
Step 1: Click the affiliate link below
Visit: Truly Rich Club — Join Here
This takes you directly to the Truly Rich Club sign-up page.
Step 2: Choose a membership plan
Truly Rich Club offers different membership options. Review what’s included in each plan and choose the one that fits your budget and goals. Even the most basic plan gives you access to stock recommendations — which is the core of what you need to start.
Step 3: Create your account
Fill in your name, email address, and basic details to set up your Truly Rich Club account. Make sure to use an email address you check regularly, as your recommendations and updates will be sent there.
Step 4: Complete your payment
Truly Rich Club supports various payment methods. Follow the instructions on the payment page to complete your subscription.
Step 5: Access your stock picks and learning materials
Once payment is confirmed, you’ll gain access to the member portal. This is where you’ll find the current SAM stock recommendations, educational content, and community resources. From here, your job is simple: follow the recommended stocks, invest consistently through your broker account, and stay patient.
To be clear: this step is optional. You are not required to join Truly Rich Club to invest in the Philippine stock market. The mechanics of opening an account, buying stocks, and holding them long-term work exactly the same with or without it.
But if you’re the kind of person who wants to feel confident about what you’re buying — not just how to buy — then having a trusted, proven system behind you makes an enormous difference. Not just in your returns, but in your peace of mind.
Beginner Investment Strategy: What to Actually Do After You Start
Once your account is open and funded, here’s the approach that works best for beginners. No complexity. No guesswork.
Buy regularly, not all at once. This strategy is called Peso-Cost Averaging (PCA). Instead of trying to time the market perfectly and invest a large lump sum, you invest a fixed amount — say ₱2,000 or ₱5,000 — at regular intervals, like once a month. When prices are low, your money buys more shares. When prices are high, it buys fewer. Over time, this smooths out the ups and downs and reduces your risk.
Focus on quality companies and hold long-term. For beginners, the stocks to focus on are established, stable, profit-generating companies — the blue chips of the PSE. These include companies like SM Investments, Ayala Corporation, BDO Unibank, and Jollibee Foods. They may not double overnight, but they’ve proven their worth over decades.
Don’t watch your portfolio every day. This sounds counterintuitive, but it’s crucial. Checking your portfolio daily leads to emotional decisions — selling in panic when prices drop, buying in excitement when prices surge. Neither is a strategy. Long-term investing rewards patience, not hyperactivity. Set your schedule, invest regularly, and then step away.
Reinvest your dividends. When companies pay out dividends, don’t cash them out immediately. Use them to buy more shares. This accelerates the compounding effect significantly over time.
Common Mistakes That Cost Beginners Thousands
Learning from other people’s mistakes is far cheaper than making them yourself.
Mistake 1: Investing based on tips from Facebook or group chats
Someone in a Viber group says “Buy XYZ stock now, it’s going to explode!” — and without doing any checking, you buy it. A week later, the stock drops 20%. This happens constantly. Social media investing tips are rarely based on real analysis. Following them without a system is one of the fastest ways to lose money in the stock market.
Mistake 2: Panic selling when prices drop
Stock prices go up and down — this is normal and expected. Beginners who don’t have a strategy often sell the moment their portfolio turns red, locking in their losses unnecessarily. Investors with a long-term plan and solid stock picks understand that temporary price drops are not permanent losses. Selling in fear is almost always the wrong move.
Mistake 3: Investing money you can’t afford to hold
The stock market rewards patience. If you invest ₱20,000 that you might need next month for rent or bills, you may be forced to sell at the wrong time. Only invest money that you can genuinely leave untouched for at least 3 to 5 years.
Mistake 4: Starting without any guidance or system
This is the most common and most avoidable mistake. Investing without a strategy is not investing — it’s guessing. A simple, consistent system — whether you build your own or follow a trusted one like Truly Rich Club — dramatically improves your results and reduces the emotional rollercoaster.
Tips for Long-Term Success
Be consistent, even when it doesn’t feel like anything is happening. Wealth built through investing is rarely dramatic. It’s quiet and gradual. Show up every month, invest your fixed amount, and trust the process.
Keep learning, but don’t let learning replace doing. Read books, watch videos, follow credible finance writers. But don’t use “I’m still learning” as a reason to delay starting. You learn fastest by actually doing.
Ignore market noise. During market downturns, the news will sound terrifying. Headlines will say the market is crashing. People in your social feeds will be panicking. Tune it out. Long-term investors who stay calm during those periods are the ones who win when the market recovers — and historically, it always does.
Celebrate small milestones. The first time you buy a stock. The first dividend you receive. The first time your portfolio turns green. These moments matter. They reinforce the habit and remind you why you started.
Your First Step Starts Here
If you’ve read this far, I want you to hear something clearly: you are ready.
You don’t need to know everything. You don’t need a big salary, a finance degree, or a perfect understanding of how markets work. You just need to take one step — open a broker account, fund it, and make your first purchase.
Starting small is not just okay. It’s smart. ₱5,000 in the market today is worth more than ₱100,000 you keep promising yourself you’ll invest “someday.”
And if you want to make that first step feel less daunting — if you want someone to point to the exact stocks worth buying and walk you through the process with a proven system — then consider joining Truly Rich Club: Click here to get started
It’s optional. But for beginners who want clarity, confidence, and a community walking alongside them, it might be the best investment you make before your very first stock purchase.
The Philippine stock market is open to you. It has always been open to you. All you have to do is walk in.
Start today.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. All investments carry risk. Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Please invest only what you can afford to set aside long-term.