The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Welcome 2026 with a Roar at Kingsford Hotel Manila  Paranaque, Philippines – Ring in 2026 with a celebration that goes far beyond the midnight countdown. This New Year’s Eve, Kingsford Hotel Manila invites guests to a full-sensory staycation escape from check-in to the final countdown where every moment is thoughtfully curated for a memorable year-end celebration. Perfectly located in the …

By Tracy Cabrera  QUEZON CITY, Metro Manila — The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) management has assured commuters there will be no fare increases in the coming year as it confirmed that it will be focusing instead on improving the line’s stations, particularly the escalators.  In a public statement, MRT-3 general manager Mike Capati announced plans to replace escalators at Taft …

Tecon Suape S.A. (TSSA), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) business unit in Pernambuco, Brazil, is once again recognized as one of the country’s leading environmentally responsible port facilities after receiving the 2025 Ocean Friend seal. The award underscores the company’s commitment to sustainability and ocean protection. The award was presented at Suape Conecta, an event organized by the Suape Port Industrial …

By Tracy Cabrera  MALATE, Manila — A day after Christmas, China’s embassy in Manila publicized an incident involving a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warship that allegedly provided food and water to a Filipino fisherman, claiming coordination with Philippine authorities.  The incident was framed as humanitarian assistance but in truth, the narrative was clearly intended to portray China as a benign …

Manila Water is encouraging customers across the East Zone to start 2026 with a clean and healthy home environment as the company releases its desludging schedule for January 2026. The company continues to remind customers that regular septic tank cleaning is essential in safeguarding both household hygiene and community sanitation, especially at the beginning of the year when many families …

By Tracy Cabrera  PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER, Pasay City — Following yesterday’s signing of the bicameral conference committee report on the reconciled P6.7 trillion 2026 General Appropriations Bill, the stage has been set for its ratification and submission to Malacañan in a one-day extended session today. President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. is expected to sign the budget bill into law in …

As a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Kapuso fans for their unwavering love and support throughout the year, GMA Network is set to welcome the New Year in grand fashion with “Kapuso Countdown to 2026,” a star-studded thanksgiving celebration happening this December 31. Taking place at the SM Mall of Asia Seaside Boulevard, the much-anticipated event brings together some of the …

Every piña fiber, abacá, and jusi fabric woven into a barong Filipino carries the struggles of being acknowledged as the Philippine national dress for men. Along with them, the nation’s fight for acceptance and freedom is reflected in patterns drenched in Philippine culture and tradition. “The barong Filipino overcame many obstacles, the biggest of which is the Filipinos’ own colonial mentality,” said cultural advocate and …

There are many ways to share gifts, material or immaterial, on Christmas. Two of them are music and other allied arts. Take for instance, the pre-Christmas recital of the music students of Nika Music School founded by Shey Placer held at the Entertainment Plaza of the Makati Circuit. One of its teachers, musician and fashion designer Erick Valena, thought of …

As early as July 2025 in time for the announcement of the first four official entries to the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the box-office projection of the potential moneymakers were already getting ahead of its story. As one of the selected entries, Star Cinema, IdeaFirst Company and Viva Films’ “Call Me Mother” is a favorite winner not only …