The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Makati, Philippines, October 16, 2025—Now in its 15th year, the Security Bank Economic Forum continues to be a premier platform for business and investors to understand trends driving growth and opportunity across ASEAN. This year’s theme, “Trump, trade, and the impact on ASEAN,” zeroes in on how shifting US trade and tariff policies are reshaping the region’s economic outlook and …

For over 15 years, Josie Conlu has been at the forefront of serving the Filipino and wider expatriate communities in Dubai, earning recognition as the community’s most familiar and influential personality. Known for her warmth, generosity, and infectious positivity, she is also an award-winning personality, a dedicated youth mentor, and an advocate for SMEs, empowering individuals and communities to grow, …

By Tracy Cabrera  In an unprecedented proposal, the Department of Education (DepEd) plans to include lessons on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the basic education curriculum in public schools, earning praise from several civic groups who called the move “a wise and patriotic step toward building national awareness.” Civic leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, chairman emeritus of the Alyansa …

Primetime King Coco Martin took a break from his hard-hitting action scenes to spread joy and personally thank avid viewers of the hit primetime series “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” which opened a new chapter recently. For his first stop for “Katok Bahay,” Coco together with a few of his co-stars, visited the family of 65-year-old solid Kapamilya viewer Albino Alcoy in …

Durable singing trio The Rainmakers return to the Bicol region for a vibrant, three-city tour that promises unforgettable nights of retro-glow and timeless harmonies.  Relive the golden eras of the 70s, 80s, and 90s with beloved hits like Binibini, Okay sa Akin, Sinta, I Won’t Last a Day Without You, and Oh Baby, reimagined with The Rainmakers’ signature energy and …

THE Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has classified  “Quezon” with a PG (Parental Guidance) rating following a thorough review. Under PG, the film may contain themes or scenes that require parental supervision for 13 years of age and below. Starring Jericho Rosales as President Manuel L. Quezon, the film is a historical biopic about President Quezon’s relentless …

Lyric, the largest musical instrument retail chain in the country, is now the official and exclusive distributor of Casio digital pianos and weighted, portable keyboards in the Philippines. The partnership between two music equipment titans brings Casio’s world-renowned digital piano innovations—including the Celviano, Privia, and Casiotone series—to Filipino musicians and hobbyists nationwide through Lyric’s 24 retail stores, numerous third-party dealers, …

Synergyauto Ventures Corporation complete the transformation of its former pop-up Nissan store into a full-blown dealership with the inauguration of its Nissan Carmona recently in Carmona City, Cavite. Dealer principals Tey Sornet and the brothers Paul and Mark Tionson were on hand together with the other special guests including the president of Nissan Philippines Masao Tsutsumi. Nissan Carmona, strategically located …

MORE than 8,000 runners turned the streets around SM Fairview. into a sea of straw hats, pirate flags, and anime-inspired energy during the first-ever One Piece Philippines Run held early Sunday morning. Organized as part of the celebration of the long-running anime series One Piece, the fun run brought together running and fitness enthusiasts, cosplayers and fans from across Metro Manila …

Elite 16 champion English brothers Javier and Joaquin Bello return to the country in the Beach Pro Tour Challenge this week from October 15 to 19 at the Nuvali Sands Court by the Ayala Land in Santa Rosa, Laguna.  Ranked 19th among the 65 men’s participants coming from 25 countries in the tournament hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), …