Ayala Secures $100 Million Sustainability-Linked Loan
Ayala Corp. has signed a $100 million sustainability‑linked loan with Singapore’s DBS Bank, its first hedged facility denominated in Singapore dollars. The loan can be swapped between US and Singapore dollars, giving the conglomerate flexibility to fund expansion projects while meeting ESG targets. Ayala plans to use the proceeds for growth across its core businesses, reinforcing its commitment to responsible financing. The deal expands Ayala’s funding options and adds to its $6.9 billion ESG‑linked loan portfolio.
Phl, ASPAC Face Food Security Shock
The Asian Development Bank warns that the Middle‑East conflict is creating a new food‑security shock in the Asia‑Pacific by driving up fuel, freight and fertilizer prices. Higher input costs are already squeezing farmers, raising production and retail food prices, and...
Hard Times
The Philippines is grappling with a stagnant 2.8% GDP growth rate and a 7.2% inflation surge, the highest in years. Food prices are climbing sharply, with rice inflation at 13.7% and overall food inflation at 6.1%, disproportionately hurting the poorest...
Government Debt Payments Dip to P169 Billion in March
The Philippines’ Treasury reported that government debt service fell 7.8% in March, settling ₱169.09 billion (≈ $2.8 billion) versus ₱183.36 billion a year earlier. The drop was driven by a 23.7% decline in amortization payments, while interest outlays rose 9.4% to ₱96.38 billion (≈ $1.6 billion). Despite...
Ayala Bringing in Another International Retail Brand
Ayala Corp is negotiating to add another unnamed international retailer to its Philippine portfolio, following recent deals with UAE’s Spinneys, Thailand’s CP AXTRA for Makro, and Australia’s Kmart‑backed Anko. Spinneys will roll out 12 premium supermarkets, with two slated to open...
Japan Intervenes
Japan’s central bank launched a massive currency defense on April 30, buying roughly ¥5.48 trillion (about $35 billion) as the yen slipped past the 160 per dollar mark. A second, larger outflow of ¥4.51 trillion ($29 billion) was recorded on May 7, bringing total intervention to...
Reputation in the Age of Permanent Visibility
The Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines’ new "State of Digital" report shows that two‑thirds of top brand touchpoints now happen online, signaling deep digital integration. While organizations gain data‑driven decision‑making and responsive content systems, the report warns that digital...
Cebu Pacific Scraps Dividend Payout Plan
Cebu Air, the parent of low‑cost carrier Cebu Pacific, announced it will suspend dividend payouts for 2026 to safeguard cash as jet‑fuel prices soar above $180 per barrel. The decision follows a sharp rise in fuel costs linked to Middle...
BPI, Robinsons Retail Expand Cash Deposit Service
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is extending its barcode‑based cash‑deposit service to more than 1,000 Robinsons Retail stores across the Philippines by year‑end. Customers generate a deposit barcode in the BPI app, present it at a partner store, and...
For Mean Moms
The essay reflects on the paradox of “mean moms,” arguing that strict, disciplined parenting—often perceived as harsh—actually cultivates honesty, responsibility, and long‑term character. It uses personal anecdotes to illustrate how boundaries, truth‑telling, and occasional disappointment shape resilient adults. The piece...
Philippines, Vietnam Agree on Fixed-Price Rice Deal Till April 2027
The Philippines and Vietnam have signed a fixed‑price rice trade mechanism delivering 1.5 million metric tons of Dai Thom 8 rice at $450 per ton through April 2027. The agreement was sealed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on the sidelines of...
Diesel, Kerosene Rollback Likely Next Week, Says DOE
The Philippine Department of Energy said a strong chance exists for diesel and kerosene price rollbacks next week, with diesel expected to fall about P9 (≈ $0.16) per litre and kerosene about P12 (≈ $0.22). Gasoline is projected to rise modestly by...
Group Warns Against Blanket Ban on Social Media
Consumer advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines warned Philippine lawmakers that a blanket ban on minors’ social‑media use could backfire, exposing youths to riskier corners of the internet. The group highlighted that teens can easily bypass bans using VPNs, fake IDs, or...
Palawan Group Strengthens Nationwide Payments Network Through BDO Partnership
Palawan Group of Companies has formalized a strategic partnership with BDO Unibank to integrate its extensive pawnshop and remittance network with BDO’s payment and collection services. The collaboration will allow BDO corporate billers, employees and customers to use over‑the‑counter locations...
‘Mideast War, El Niño May Weigh on Coconut Industry’
The Philippines’ coconut sector faces a perfect storm as the Middle East war forces the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, inflating ocean freight and war‑risk surcharges. At the same time, a strong El Niño is expected to depress export volumes...
Sustainable Funding for Agriculture
Food inflation in the Philippines surged to 6.1% in May, with rice prices up 13.7%, while fuel‑driven cost spikes hit fish and vegetables. The 2026 national budget earmarked ₱215 billion (≈$3.9 billion) for agriculture, a 38% increase, yet formal credit to farmers...
Trumpflation, Asean Pacifism and Leviste VATism
The Philippines’ consumer price index surged to 7.2% in April 2026, up from 1.4% a year earlier, as higher oil and fertilizer costs from the Middle‑East conflict – dubbed “Trumpflation” – ripple worldwide. Unemployment also climbed, reaching 5.0% in the same...
Carmakers Put Brakes on 500K Sales Target
The Philippines automotive sector is projected to miss its 500,000‑unit sales goal for 2026 as fuel price spikes, driven by the Middle East war, depress demand. First‑quarter sales dropped 10% to 105,642 vehicles, while electrified vehicle (xEV) sales rose 36%...
SM Bullish on Luxury Residential Market
SM Prime Holdings, through its premium Signature Series brand, announced a major facelift of Susana Heights Village in Muntinlupa. The first phase, beginning in Q3 2026, will overhaul the clubhouse and add covered tennis courts, an indoor basketball court, a gym,...
Upskilling, Digital Infra Investments to Sustain IT-BPM Growth – ADB
The Asian Development Bank’s 2026 Development Policy Report urges the Philippines to keep investing in digital infrastructure and upskilling to sustain its IT‑BPM sector. The report highlights that broadband costs and talent shortages threaten competitiveness, even as the industry accounts...
House Bill Eyes to Overhaul Sugar Industry
The Philippine House has introduced the Tunay na Ugnayan, Buhay, at Oportunidad sa Asukal (TUBO) Act of 2026, amending the 2015 Sugarcane Industry Development Act. The bill expands the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s remit to cover sugar substitutes and creates a...
More Consultations on Data Rollover Bills Pushed
CitizenWatch Philippines has asked lawmakers to suspend deliberations on proposed data‑rollover legislation until broader stakeholder consultations are held. The group warns that the current drafts could clash with the Philippines’ promo‑driven prepaid mobile market, which relies on low‑cost, short‑term bundles....
Inflation Jumps to 7.2%, Highest Since 2023
Philippine inflation accelerated to 7.2% in April, the fastest pace since March 2023. The jump far outstripped Reuters’ 5.5% forecast and the STAR’s 5.6% median estimate. Food and beverage prices rose 6%, while transport costs surged 21.4%, together accounting for over...
Chizmozza: From a Cheese Cart Idea to a 10-Year Success Story
Chizmozza celebrated its 10th anniversary, growing from a single cheese cart in 2016 to over 70 branches nationwide. Founder Marydae Hannah Ramos handled everything from recipe development to construction, often learning on the job. The brand survived the 2020 COVID‑19...
Meralco Income up 2% in Q1
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) posted a modest earnings rebound in Q1 2026, with core earnings climbing 2% to P11.43 billion (≈$208 million) and net income rising 4% to P10.83 billion (≈$197 million). Revenue grew 5% to P120.78 billion (≈$2.2 billion), driven by higher power generation and...
1,821 Farmers to Benefit From Hibulangan Dam in Leyte
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inaugurated the Hibulangan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in Villaba, Leyte, on April 30. The P1.12 billion (≈ $20 million) dam will irrigate 2,750 hectares, providing year‑round water to 1,821 farmers across three municipalities. Featuring a 25‑meter‑high earth‑fill dam, a 9.01‑million‑cubic‑meter reservoir, and...
Price Tracker: Oil, Fuel Monitor for May 4
The Philippine Energy Department’s May 4 price tracker shows Manila’s fuel market shifting from late‑April rollbacks to renewed price hikes. Early‑May estimates forecast diesel up ₱1‑₱3 per litre (about $0.02‑$0.05) and gasoline up ₱1‑₱2 per litre (about $0.02‑$0.04) as the peso...
Weakening Peso
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas lifted its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 4.5% as oil prices surged past $120 per barrel amid a renewed Hormuz blockade. The central bank aims to curb second‑round inflation and stabilize a peso...
Government Borrowings Fall by Nearly 40 Percent in March
The Philippines’ Treasury reported a sharp 39.4% drop in total government borrowings in March, falling to ₱116.66 billion (about $2.1 billion) from ₱192.45 billion a year earlier. The decline was driven by a 70.4% plunge in domestic debt, while external financing more than...
17-Year US Bull Market
The U.S. equity market has entered its 17th year of an uninterrupted bull run, with the S&P 500 breaking 7,200 and the Nasdaq 100 soaring past 27,000 despite geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices. The rally is being powered by a succession...
DA Eyes Expanded MAV for Pork, Corn
The Philippine Department of Agriculture is set to approve an expanded Minimum Access Volume (MAV) for imported pork and corn under the MAV Plus scheme within the month. The expansion adds roughly 250,000 metric tons of corn to the existing quota...
Slowdown in Shipping Cargo Adds Pressure to Food Prices
The Philippines saw domestic cargo volumes drop 3% to 27.47 MMT in Q1 2026, while total port throughput rose modestly to 66.96 MMT. Shipcalls fell 1% for local vessels but foreign arrivals grew 6%, reflecting higher fuel costs that prompted shippers to...
Boracay’s Untapped Potential
The Department of Public Works and Highways awarded San Miguel Holdings Corp. a 30‑year concession to finance, design, build, operate and maintain a 2.54‑kilometre bridge linking Boracay Island to Caticlan. The P7.95 billion (≈US$145 million) project is slated for three years of...
EV, Solar Loans Emerge as Bright Spots for Banks
Philippine banks BDO Unibank and Bank of the Philippine Islands are tapping electric‑vehicle (EV) and residential‑solar loans as a nascent growth engine amid soaring oil prices and grid‑price volatility. BDO’s sustainable‑finance portfolio reached roughly $22 billion in 2025 and it arranged...
A More Deliberate Path Forward
Security Bank Corp., celebrating its 75th anniversary, is shifting from broad expansion to a disciplined, performance‑focused strategy under CEO Victor Lee. After a hands‑on review of operations, the bank reported 2025 revenue of PHP66.9 billion (≈$1.2 billion), up 22%, and net income...
Middle East Conflict May Derail Philippines Upper Middle-Income Bid
The Department of Economy, Planning and Development warned that a prolonged Middle East conflict could dampen the Philippines’ economic growth, threatening its bid for upper‑middle‑income status. The World Bank will base its July 2026 income classification on 2025 performance, not...
Redefining Work for Gen Z
Recent commentary highlights that Gen Z’s ambition has not vanished but reshaped around autonomy, mastery and purpose. Unlike previous generations, they view work as a hobby‑like pursuit, demanding clear impact, flexible schedules, and meaningful challenges. Leaders are urged to abandon...
Filipino Jobs Among Most Exposed to GenAI Risks in ASEAN
The International Labour Organization reports that 21%‑28% of jobs across ASEAN are exposed to generative AI, with the Philippines at the upper end of that range due to its service‑driven economy. Nearly 94% of Filipino clerical positions face AI exposure,...
Power Spot Market Back in Operation
The Philippines' Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) resumed trading after a month‑long suspension triggered by the global oil crisis and soaring fuel costs. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) lifted the halt to restore transparent price discovery while keeping consumer‑protection safeguards...
Leadership in Times of Crises
Francis J. Kong’s column in The Philippine Star outlines how businesses can navigate the cascade of global crises—from energy shortages to supply‑chain shocks—by focusing on disciplined leadership. He stresses that cash flow, operational flexibility, customer proximity, core‑strength focus, and composure...
The Northward Shift: Central Luzon as Philippines Next Industrial Core
Philippines manufacturers are expanding northward as land constraints tighten in the traditional southern hubs of Laguna, Cavite and Batangas. Central Luzon, anchored by Aboitiz Economic Estates’ 384‑hectare TARI Estate in Tarlac, is emerging as the country’s next industrial core, offering...
Infrastructure Spending Plunges 40% in January-February
The Philippines' Department of Budget and Management reported that state infrastructure spending plunged 40.1% in January‑February 2026, falling to ₱88.7 bn ($1.6 bn) from ₱148.3 bn ($2.7 bn) a year earlier. The decline is linked to delayed billing claims, ongoing completion of prior‑year projects,...
Robinsons RetaiI Delivers Higher Earnings, Rewards Shareholders
Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. announced a P2‑per‑share cash dividend, amounting to roughly $38 million, ahead of a voluntary delisting from the Philippine Stock Exchange. The payout, representing 40% of 2025 core net earnings, will be paid on June 10 to shareholders of...
ALI Cuts Capex as Q1 Profit Drops
Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) announced a steep reduction in 2026 capital expenditures to PHP 50 billion (≈ $0.9 billion), trimming the original PHP 70‑80 billion plan. The cut follows a 23% drop in Q1 net income to PHP 5.4 billion (≈ $98 million) and a 14% revenue decline to PHP 37.5 billion...
As Tax Cuts Spread Globally, Filipinos Hit by Power Bill Spikes
Global energy taxes are being slashed in 39 economies, yet Filipino households are seeing electricity bills double as generation costs, a 12% VAT and the universal charge surge. Meralco says the higher charges are pass‑through costs approved by regulators, not...
SMDC Brings Solar Power to Iloilo with 1st Renewable Energy Energization in the Visayas
SM Development Corporation (SMDC) celebrated Earth Day 2026 by energizing its first solar power system in the Visayas at the Style Residences in Iloilo City. The installation, part of a pilot rollout with Buskowitz Energy, is expected to shave roughly...
8990 Expands Colocation Deal with PLDT Data Center
8990 Holdings Development Corp announced an expanded colocation agreement with PLDT’s data‑center arm VITRO, adding Makati and additional facilities to its existing Cebu footprint. The deal gives the affordable‑housing builder direct access to VITRO’s high‑capacity data centers, including the 50‑megawatt...
SM Prime Profit Flat in Q1, Eyes Cut in Capex
SM Prime Holdings reported flat first‑quarter net income of ₱11.66 billion (≈$212 million) while revenue rose modestly 2% to ₱33.3 billion (≈$606 million). Rental income surged 8% to ₱21.6 billion, cushioning a 16% drop in real‑estate sales. The developer, which earmarked ₱100 billion (≈$1.8 billion) for 2026...
ATRAM Launches Nasdaq Feeder Fund
ATRAM Trust Corp. launched the ATRAM Nasdaq Equity Income Feeder Fund, a Philippine‑focused vehicle that invests in J.P. Morgan’s Nasdaq Equity Premium Income Active UCITS ETF. The fund employs a covered‑call strategy on the Nasdaq‑100 to generate premium income, targeting an...
Megaworld Makes Splash with Ilocos Township Beach Club
Megaworld Corp. is launching Ilocandia Beach Club, Laoag’s first beach club, as the centerpiece of its new 84‑hectare Ilocandia Coastown township in Ilocos Norte. The club will offer direct beach access, a promenade of restaurants, cafés, shops, a fitness centre,...