The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The roar of the crowd was deafening, a sea of eager faces illuminated by the electrifying glare of spotlights dancing across the arena. The SM Mall of Asia Arena pulsed with energy as the Philippine music scene cranked the volume to its highest with the first-ever Filipino Music Awards (FMAs) on October 21. At the heart of it all was PlayTime, not …

MANILA, Philippines — November 3, 2025. Strokes Beauty Lab ushers Soft Veil Filter Foundation into its next era with a major shade expansion—from 9 to 16 shades—engineered across four tone families and four undertones for an effortless, true-to-skin match. The cult-favorite formula stays lightweight, breathable, and skin-blurring with a soft-matte, tropical-proof finish. What’s New • From 9 → 16 shades for precise tone + undertone matching (Fair, …

NorthPort, the Philippines’ lead gateway for domestic cargo operated by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), takes a significant step toward more sustainable operations with the conversion of its rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes into hybrids. The conversion enables the RTGs to operate more efficiently while reducing the terminal’s carbon footprint. Six RTGs were converted into hybrids by replacing their diesel …

Dondon Nakar, matinee idol of the mid to late 1970s, passed away quietly on November 1 at his home in Mandaluyong City. His wife, Candy Nakar, said the former actor died of cardiac arrest. He was 66. Dondon’s remains will lie in state at Mount Carmel Church in New Manila,  Quezon City on November 5 and 6 from 2 to …

The Asenso Center, the first livelihood hub of its kind in Grab’s Southeast Asia network, was inaugurated by Grab Philippines and Move It in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology last Thursday in Marikina City.  The Asenso Center is expected to generate 500,000 livelihood opportunities for the Philippine government. The leading superapp said it has already delivered …

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has imposed a  ₱1-million fine on Surity Cash Lending Investors Corporation for engaging in unfair debt collection practices through its mobile lending platform. In a decision dated September 16, 2025, and approved by the Commission En Banc, the SEC found Surity Cash guilty of three counts of violating SEC Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 18, …

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) inaugurated last week a new socio-civic center in Barangay San Gregorio, Laurel, Batangas — a facility designed to serve as both an evacuation site during disasters and a venue for community activities. In a statement, PAGCOR said the two-story, ₱50 million building features multipurpose halls, kitchens, restrooms, and other disaster-resilient amenities to ensure …

The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) has entered into a tripartite agreement with South Korea’s Yooshin Engineering Corporation and the Philippines’ Lordsbridge Resources Corporation to develop the Casiguran International New Port in Aurora. The memorandum of agreement was signed Tuesday by APECO President and CEO Atty. Gil Taway IV, Yooshin Director and Philippine Regional Representative Jin Ho …

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) reported a 14-percent increase in consolidated core net income (CCNI) to ₱40 billion as of end-September 2025, driven by strong performance of its power generation business. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday, Meralco said its distribution utility (DU) business remained the biggest income contributor, accounting for 55 percent or ₱21.9 billion …

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) assured the public on Thursday that its investment operations are guided by strict governance standards and multiple layers of safeguards to ensure the prudent management of its members’ contributions. Speaking at *The Agenda* media forum, GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso emphasized that transparency and discipline are at the core of the pension …