Thinking Our Way Out of Stress
The article explains that stress often triggers regressive, childlike thinking patterns, manifesting as cognitive distortions such as personalizing, all‑or‑nothing, should‑ing, and blaming. It argues that these mental shortcuts distort reality, leading to impulsive decisions and strained relationships. By recognizing and reframing these distortions, individuals can shift to adult‑level, objective thinking. The piece highlights practical techniques from executive coaching and Neuro‑Linguistic Programming to transform stress into constructive perspective.
Middle East War: Global Economic Fallout
Amid the escalating Middle East conflict, a handful of vessels—including French and Japanese‑owned ships—have resumed transiting the Strait of Hormuz, easing a near‑three‑week blockade that has strained global oil and LNG flows. The war has also triggered a cascade of...
Japanese Airlines Mull Fuel Surcharge Hikes Due to Mideast War
Japanese carriers Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are weighing fuel surcharge increases as oil prices surge following the Middle East war that shut the Strait of Hormuz. Both airlines say no formal decision has been made, but...
Tesla Sales Rise After Brutal Year of Musk Boycotts
Tesla reported a 6% rise in first‑quarter vehicle deliveries, reaching 358,023 units—the first increase in three years. The figure fell short of the 381,000 units analysts expected, triggering a 5.4% drop in the stock price. The slowdown follows a year...
Oil Rises and Asian Stocks Fall After Trump Says US Will Hit Iran Hard
Oil prices surged over 4% after President Donald Trump pledged to intensify U.S. strikes on Iran, pushing Brent crude to $106.16 a barrel and U.S. crude to $104.15. Asian equity markets reacted sharply, with Japan's Nikkei down 1.9% and South...
USTR Flags ‘Widespread’ Philippine Customs Corruption
The U.S. Trade Representative’s 2026 National Trade Estimate flags pervasive corruption within the Philippines’ Bureau of Customs, citing 100% inspections, erratic fee assessments, and delayed processing. While the Philippine government has digitized many customs procedures, the report says transparency and...
Converge Eyes 200-Hectare Pampanga ‘Tech City’
Converge ICT Solutions announced a 200‑hectare "tech city" in Pampanga, split between 20 ha in Angeles City and 180 ha in Mexico town. The development will focus on AI, R&D, and software design to address the Philippines’ talent gap in emerging digital...
Bank Loans Grow Faster but Middle East Turmoil Poses Major Risk
Bank lending in the Philippines accelerated in February, with large‑bank loan balances reaching roughly $257 billion, a 9.5% year‑over‑year increase and slightly faster than January’s 9.3% pace. Business loans drove most of the growth, climbing 8.6% to about $216 billion, while consumer...
SEC Flags Unregistered Firms that Offer High Returns
The Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned that several firms, including Aura Financing Corp., Amari Luxe Aesthetic and Wellness Clinic, and Cosmolash, are operating unregistered investment and lending schemes. Aura Finance offered loans of ₱6,000‑₱20,000 (≈$109‑$364) with a...
SEC Drafts Tougher Auditor Accreditation Rules
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has released a draft circular tightening auditor accreditation rules, inviting public comment until May 15, 2026. The proposal expands mandatory SEC‑accredited auditors to corporations with government contracts of at least $1.8 million (single) or...
Manufacturing Activity Falters to 3-Month Low Due to Middle East Crisis
The Philippine manufacturing PMI slipped to 51.3 in March, a three‑month low and the first decline since December, as the Middle East war dampened export demand and spiked oil costs. While the index stayed above the 50‑point growth threshold, new...
Steady Travel Demand Lifts PAL Profit to $160M in 2025
Philippine Airlines reported a 6.1% rise in net income to $160.4 million for 2025, driven by steady travel demand and higher ancillary revenues. Total revenue grew 3% to $3.22 billion, with passenger operations contributing $2.73 billion as the carrier carried 16.3 million passengers, up...
Yanson Buses Offer 10% Fare Discount From Good Friday to Easter Sunday
The Yanson Group of Bus Companies announced a 10% fare discount for all passengers from Good Friday through Easter Sunday. The promotion spans its nine subsidiaries operating over 5,100 buses across Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. Company president Leo...
IMF Chief Visits Philippines to Deepen Collaboration Amid Asean Chairship
The International Monetary Fund’s Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva visited Manila from March 11‑13, 2026, to deepen collaboration with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The trip coincides with the Philippines’ chairmanship of the ASEAN summit, positioning the country as a regional...
PSEi Slides to 5,800 Level as Middle East War Escalates
The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 1.73% to 5,869.49 points, retreating to the 5,800 level as the Middle East conflict pushed oil prices higher. Elevated crude costs weakened the peso and stoked inflation fears, prompting investors to adopt a cautious...
Aurora Economic Zone Pitched as Data Center Hub
Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (Apeco) announced a partnership with Japanese‑backed InfiniVAN to build a 100‑km fiber backhaul linking the Casiguran ecozone to existing and planned submarine‑cable landing stations in northern Luzon. The project, estimated at PHP 400‑450 million (approximately $7‑8 million), could be...
When Stock Markets Are Rattled, Even by War, It Usually Pays for Investors to Be Patient
U.S. equities have historically rebounded from every major correction, including wars and financial crises, and the S&P 500 remains about 8.7% below its early‑year peak after a fifth consecutive losing week. The ongoing Iran‑related conflict has pushed oil to $119 per...
Tesla PH Previews 2026 Model Y L 6-Seater
Tesla Philippines unveiled the 2026 Model Y L, a six‑seat, longer‑wheelbase version of its popular compact crossover. The L variant stretches the standard Model Y by 186 mm in length, 62 mm in width and 44 mm in height, and adds a 150 mm longer wheelbase,...
Philippines Pushing for WTO Dispute System Reforms
The Philippines is championing reforms to the World Trade Organization’s dispute‑settlement system at the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque argued that a functional, accessible mechanism is essential for restoring confidence, especially for developing economies. WTO...
Klook: Filipinos Opting to Travel Closer to Home Amid Middle East Jitters
Klook’s Travel Pulse 2026 study shows Filipino travelers are pivoting toward short‑haul destinations in Asia as Middle East tensions and volatile oil prices dampen long‑haul appetite. Northeast Asia accounts for 67% of preferred trips, while Southeast Asia captures 30%, with Vietnam,...
Daughter of Ifugao Rises to Lead Major Gold Miner
Joan Adaci‑Cattiling, an indigenous Ifugao descendant, became president of OceanaGold Philippines (OGP) in 2024, leading the country’s second‑largest gold and copper producer. Under her guidance, OGP has deepened community ties through a 1% revenue Community Development Fund and a 0.5%...
SEC Extends Fee Discounts to Boost MSME Growth
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has extended fee discounts for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to promote growth and lower compliance costs. Under Memorandum Circular No. 13, Series of 2026, a 20% discount on corporate registration fees will...
DBP Lends P2B for Kabankalan City Flood Control Projects
The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has approved a roughly $36 million loan to Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental for flood‑control infrastructure. The financing is divided into three tranches—a 15‑year $30 million loan, a 10‑year $5.7 million loan, and a five‑year $0.02 million...
Naia Holy Week Traffic Seen Tempered by Middle East War Disruptions
Passenger traffic at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport is projected to reach 1.35 million travelers between March 28 and April 5, a modest rise over last year’s 1.33 million. Daily volumes are expected to exceed 143,000, with April 5 slated as the peak day at roughly...
Philippines Secures Supply Deals for 1M Barrels of Diesel
The Philippine Department of Energy has signed contracts to import 1 million barrels (≈165.7 million liters) of diesel, enough for five days of national consumption. The deals, brokered through the Philippine National Oil Company Exploration Corp., are part of a P20 billion ($360 million)...
Piki vs Gabby: New Lopez Leadership Squabble Erupts
Federico “Piki” Lopez has sued his cousins led by Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III over his removal as president of Lopez Inc., the family’s private holding company. A Mandaluyong court issued a preliminary injunction on March 26 halting the board’s February...
Oil Climbs, Stocks Fall as Markets See No End to War
Oil prices surged after the United States and Israel struck Iranian nuclear sites, with Brent climbing 4.2% to $112.57 a barrel and WTI jumping 5.5% to $99.64. At the same time, equity markets slipped, the S&P 500 closing 1.7% lower and...
Electricity Spot Market Also Reels From Price Shock
The Philippines' Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) will be suspended as spot power prices are projected to hit P9 per kilowatt‑hour (about $0.16), more than double February's average of P3.50 ($0.06). The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ordered the shutdown to...
Spike in LPG Prices May Hit Record High of P30/Kg
The LPG market in the Philippines is set to see a record price jump, with the industry association warning that per‑kilogram rates could rise by P30 (about $0.55) as early as March 28, followed by an additional P10 ($0.18) on April 1....
Prime Energy Eyes First Gas From New Malampaya Wells by Q4
Prime Energy Resources Development BV, part of the Razon group, plans to deliver its first gas from the new Malampaya Phase 4 wells by the fourth quarter of 2026. The Camago‑3 well in offshore Palawan has completed drilling, completion and flow testing,...
Stronger Output Boosts Benguet Corp.’s Profit to P760M in 2025
Benguet Corp. posted a 74% jump in net income for 2025, reaching ₱760 million (about $13.8 million). Revenue climbed 38% to ₱3.31 billion (~$60 million), driven by stronger gold and nickel output and higher commodity prices. The company also reported basic earnings per share...
ACEN Secures P4.8-B Loan for India Wind Power Project
ACEN Corp., the Ayala Group’s energy arm, secured a roughly $86 million (P4.8 billion) loan from Mitsubishi UFJ and Sumitomo Mitsui to fund Phase 1 of its Bijapur wind project in India. The greenfield financing will support 100 MW of capacity slated for commercial operation in...
First Gen Bullish on 2026 Amid Geothermal Energy Push
First Gen Corp., the Philippines‑based Lopez Group utility, posted an 8% profit increase in 2025, with attributable recurring net income rising to $264 million and revenue climbing 6% to $906 million. The company now operates 1,700 MW across hydro, geothermal, solar and wind...
JG Summit Profit Slides After Quitting Petrochemical Business
JG Summit Holdings reported a 7% decline in net income to about $650 million for 2025, as one‑off gains vanished and the petrochemical exit triggered a $1.6 billion loss. Recurring profit rose 3% to $574 million, powered by strong travel, leisure and consumer...
SM Prime Partners with Government to Ease Metro Manila Commute
SM Prime Holdings is partnering with Philippine government agencies to turn its malls into transport hubs, easing Metro Manila commuting. The company will invest roughly P300 million (about $5.5 million) in a covered pedestrian bridge linking LRT‑2 Antipolo Station to SM City Masinag,...
SM’s Geothermal Energy Arm Revs up Expansion
Philippine Geothermal Production Co. (PGPC), the geothermal arm of SM Investments, announced a P3 billion (~$54 million) funding round to explore six new steamfields across Luzon. Drilling has already started at Mt. Labo and Mt. Malinao, with projects expected to take five...
DigiPlus Backs Further Tightening of Gaming Regulations
DigiPlus Interactive Corp. announced its support for a tighter regulatory framework for the Philippines’ digital entertainment sector, joining a technical working group to draft new legislation. The proposed rules would tighten payment‑channel oversight and impose stricter marketing restrictions to boost...
Winter Is Coming. Are We Ready?
Henry Ong revisits the Kondratieff long‑wave theory, warning that the Philippines may be entering the “winter” phase of the multi‑decade cycle. He highlights that corporate debt relative to market value has climbed from about 12% in 2007 to roughly 51%...
ADB Preps Support for Asia Amid Middle East Conflict
The Asian Development Bank announced a rapid assistance package for its developing member countries to cushion the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict. The plan combines fast‑disbursing budget support through its Counter‑cyclical Support Facility and a Trade and Supply...
Metrobank Closes Sustainability Bond Offer
Metrobank closed its public offer for the Series F ASEAN Sustainability peso‑denominated bonds a week early, citing strong investor demand. The 1.5‑year bonds carry a fixed 5.4727% coupon and will be listed on the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on April 14....
PXP Energy Turns P561-M Debt Into Forum Shares
PXP Energy Corp. will exchange roughly ₱561 million (≈ $10 million) of loans for 561 million new common shares in its subsidiary Forum Exploration, Inc., raising Forum Energy Philippines’ ownership to 91.65% from 66.67%. The conversion is intended to shore up Forum Exploration’s balance...
SEC, Gov’t Agencies Boost Crackdown on Abusive Lending Practices
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission, together with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Privacy Commission, issued a joint advisory tightening compliance for online lending platforms. The directive reinforces the Data Privacy Act and consumer‑protection rules,...
Japanese Telco Bags Lease for Poro Point Cable Station
Japanese telecom operator InfiniVAN has signed a long‑term lease to develop the Poro Point Cable Landing Station in La Union as an open gateway for international subsea cables. The station, part of the Luzon Bypass Infrastructure—a 240‑km fiber corridor linking Baler to...
Digital Payments via InstaPay, PESONet Surged 43% in January ’26
Philippines’ central bank reported a 43% year‑on‑year jump in digital payments through InstaPay and PESONet, reaching a combined value of roughly $47 billion in January 2026. Transaction volume surged to 688 million, more than triple the previous year’s level. InstaPay alone grew...
Cebu Pacific Scales Back Int’l Flights as MidEast War Lifts Fuel Costs
Cebu Pacific announced a temporary scaling back of its international network as the Middle East conflict drives jet‑fuel prices to more than double 2025 levels. The airline will suspend Davao‑Bangkok, Iloilo‑Bangkok, Iloilo‑Singapore and Clark‑Hanoi routes through October and trim frequencies...
Global Economy Under ‘Major Threat’ From Strait of Hormuz Crisis: IEA Chief
International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol warned that the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis poses a "major threat" to the global economy. The US‑Iran confrontation has nearly halted traffic through the waterway, which carries about 20% of world oil and...
PSEi May Retest 6,000 as Global Risks Dampen Sentiment
The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped to 6,018.62, down 0.67%, as global geopolitical tensions and a hawkish Federal Reserve pause dampen sentiment. Technical analysis shows support at 6,000 and resistance at 6,150, with the index trading below key exponential moving...
Robinsons Land Charts Next Phase of Growth with 2026 Pipeline
Robinsons Land Corporation unveiled a 2026 development pipeline that spans malls, offices, hospitality and logistics across Dumaguete, Bacolod, Davao, Pangasinan and Calamba. The plan adds over 57,000 sq m of gross leasable area in mall expansions, introduces new Cybergate office towers, launches...
Leadership From the Ground Up
Ana Aluyen, the first female president of Chowking, emphasizes a ground‑up leadership style by regularly working in kitchens and stores to grasp operational realities. Her consumer‑obsessed mindset previously reshaped Panda Express in the Philippines, launching the Everyday Bowl, which now...
Rethinking Leadership: The Cost of Ego in the Boardroom
Leaders with fragile egos often react defensively to dissent, creating a toxic boardroom culture. The article outlines cognitive errors—reactivity, automatic thinking, overconfidence, and authority bias—that stifle open dialogue and lead to misdiagnosed problems. It quantifies the business cost: loss of...