The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The Philippine Navy (PN) said it is fully capable of escorting Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) if directed by higher authorities, following recent incidents of harassment by Chinese maritime forces. Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, PN spokesperson for the WPS, emphasized the naval service’s readiness to provide protection depending on its operational capabilities, though he declined to …

The Marcos administration has set aside over ₱4 billion this year to create more than 10,000 new military and uniformed personnel (MUP) positions, while rolling out the first tranche of base pay increases totaling ₱21.7 billion, Malacañang announced Wednesday. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the move underscores President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to the welfare of soldiers, police, …

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has suspended a ride-hailing vehicle and ordered mandatory drug testing for its driver following a sexual harassment complaint, the agency announced Tuesday. LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza II said Green and Smart Mobility Philippines, Inc. (Green GSM) must present the driver implicated in a viral passenger post. The post detailed how the driver …

Senator Jinggoy Estrada is advancing a measure that seeks to criminalize the practice of red-tagging in the Philippines, aiming to shield citizens from harassment, intimidation, and persecution. Senate Bill No. 1071 defines red-tagging as publicly labeling or accusing individuals or groups as communists, terrorists, or enemies of the state without evidence. The offense can occur through statements, social media posts, …

Philippine politics has once again proven that when accountability knocks, distraction answers the door. The recent verbal skirmish between Senators Ping Lacson and Imee Marcos—sparked by the latter’s insinuation that Lacson wears a wig and is gay—was comic relief of the lowest order, a word-war better suited for a schoolyard than the Senate floor. Yet it succeeded in doing what …

by Boy Villasanta It’s a different ball game this time. The love affairs are detached, far, far away—for now—from the public performances. Still, the tension is palpable and more pronounced. For the moment, though, it is the pursuit of greater glory in professionalism and advanced career moves. ​Interestingly, the race is now thrusted on two equally beautiful and talented actresses, …

The local Tin Pan Alley is very competitive yet exciting. ​It is ferocious yet inviting. It is overcrowded yet accommodating. ​It is indifferent from the inside yet stimulating. ​It is concentrated and diversified yet imitating if not limiting. It is somewhat barren yet pulsating. However, cliche, “many are called but only few are chosen,” still holds water. ​It’s not only …

It was controversial Fil-Briton filmmaker Jowee Morel (“Moma,” “EC2Luv,” “Mona Singapore Escort,” “When a Gay Man Loves,” “Latak,” “HerStory,” “Strictly Confidential,” “Leona Calderon,” “The Making of Quezon City,” etc.) who thought of bringing back the real name of Armida Zuniga from Armie Zuniga to Armida Zuniga as screen name in the local entertainment industry. ​”Wow! That sounds good. Parang katunog …

Marious Alston who? Marious Alston, the actor and singer who has been around since the early 2010 when he was in the youth-oriented ABS-CBN show, “Luv U” with Kiray Celis. Miles Ocampo, Nash Aguas, among others with Edgar Mortiz at the helm. But offers came in trickles although his spirit wasn’t dampened. It was part of the struggle, he thought. …

A monologue if performed for more than an hour is no joke. Or more to it, to internalize and to interpret an exposition, a character, a setting, a motivation, a conflict, a theme, a denouement, a resolution etc. in a solo act, a simultaneous, multiple-character delineation in one, in one straight performance, is no peanut. But film and television actor …