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15 February

The Philippines defense dilemma

REALPOLITIKBy Benjie Alejandro The release of the United States of America’s 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS) has stirred debate across the IndoPacific, especially in countries like the Philippines that stand at the crossroads of alliance commitments and the demand for selfreliance. At its core, the NDS calls for a “denial defense along the First Island Chain,” meant to deter adversaries by strengthening …

15 February

Marcos Vows to Speed Up Classroom Construction, taps DPWH Secretary Dizon to lead the project

LOVE FOR ALLBy: Virginia Rodriguez President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has promised to prioritize education for the rest of his term and build 40,000 new classrooms by 2028 to address the shortage in public schools. He has directed Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to speed up construction and complete unfinished school building projects across the country. When Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed …

15 February

It’s falling knives for foreign investments

Let us not dance around the issue of direct foreign investments (FDI). The Philippines is “kulelat” in the list of where foreign investors wanted to put in their capital, however government authorities here try to massage the numbers. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), approved foreign investments in the Philippines plunged by 50.1% year on year to P272.38 billion …

15 February

Water business booming in PH

Even in the water-rich Philippine archipelago, water has become a lucrative area of investment for homegrown businessmen. First Gen Corporation, Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc., MacroAsia, Summa Water Resources, Boracay Tubi System, New Earth Water System and even Poro Point in La Union are into the development of water infra and facilities, building of dams, and desalination and distribution. It was …

15 February

MSC Eagle service calls Victoria International Container Terminal

Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) fully automated operation at the Port of Melbourne, is expanding its trade links to the Americas with Mediterranean Shipping Company’s (MSC) newly launched Eagle service. The standalone service made its inaugural call at VICT on February 3 with the arrival of the 2,556-TEU vessel Etoile. The Eagle service connects Australia …

15 February

PHLPost Grows Its Nationwide Presence to Fulfill Last-Mile Service Mandate

With renewed focus on its role as the nation’s last-mile delivery service provider, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) continues to expand its nationwide presence through the opening of new post offices and postal stations across far-flung and remote communities in the country. The newly opened facilities include the Macrohon Post Office, located at the Municipal Hall in Barangay San Vicente …

15 February

Aboitiz InfraCapital warmly welcomes ASEAN delegates to Cebu & Bohol

Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, recently hosted delegates from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at its award-winning gateways, Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA). “What a lovely experience at [Mactan-Cebu] International Airport. A warm welcome goes a long way – it sets the tone for the journey ahead,” said Dubai-based hospitality …

15 February

ICCP names Augusto D. Bengzon as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

ICCP Chairman of the Executive Committee Guillermo D. Luchangco announced the election of Augusto D. Bengzon as Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Investment & Capital Corporation of the Philippines (ICCP). Bengzon brings extensive leadership and financial management experience to ICCP. He worked in financial services for 18 years, including 16 years with Citibank where he served in several areas in consumer, corporate and investment …

15 February

Fire and Ice Entertainment expands into full creative ecosystem

Fire and Ice Entertainment officially launched its expanded creative ecosystem, bringing together concerts, new music releases, original films and series, and theatre productions set to roll out throughout 2026. Held February 5 at Noctos Music Barin Quezon City, the grand media launch gathered artists, industry partners, members of the press, and cultural stakeholders as Fire and Ice Entertainment introduced five distinct yet interconnected brands: Fire and …

15 February

Luxury within reach

Luxury need not be out of reach, according to Ms. Charo Cordial, the woman behind Maddox Jewelry, a fast-growing, Marikina-based line of jewels. What started as a home-based live selling venture has grown into a full-blown jewelry business that caters to customers from many walks of life. Charo credits the widespread pandemic that hit the country between 2020 and 2022 as the inspiration behind Maddox. …

TimeLine Layout

February, 2026