The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

REALPOLITIKBy Benjie Alejandro The Department of Agriculture’s plan to introduce blended rice—mixing imported and locally produced grains—has sparked debate among stakeholders. Framed as a pragmatic response to rising food prices and supply concerns, the initiative offers short-term relief but raises long-term questions about sustainability. Blended rice is expected to lower retail prices, providing households some respite from inflationary pressures. By …

LOVE FOR ALL​By: Virginia Rodriguez First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos expressed her joy and pride as she attended a special concert on April 26, 2026, celebrating the achievements of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Chorale. Held at the Proscenium Theater in Makati City, the event honored the group’s Grand Prix victory in South Korea, a moment that brought pride not only …

Philippine PropTech company Inventi is making its move into North America through a partnership with Canada-based Property Copilot, marking a proud milestone for a homegrown SaaS firm as it enters a highly developed real estate market.  The move positions Inventi within a growing trend of Philippine tech companies exporting enterprise-grade software, as global demand for digital and increasingly AI-enabled property …

More than two decades after the phaseout of leaded gasoline, hazardous lead particles continue to circulate in Metro Manila’s air—now driven by newer, less visible sources. A research team, including scientists from the Ateneo de Manila University Department of Physics and the Manila Observatory, analyzed aerosol samples from 2018 and 2019 using lead isotope fingerprinting.  Their findings reveal that while …

BEYOND ELLIPTICALBy Rose Marie de la Cruz I BEG to disagree with the forecast of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. about rice retail prices reaching P62 per kilogram by September. In my last trip to the public markets in the third week of April, I saw prices ranging from P55 to P60 with some reaching as high as P64/kg …

AFTER BEING cleared of African Swine Fever, Taiwan’s pork can now enter the Philippines. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Philippines can now import domestic and wild pigs and its by-products, including meat, pig skin and semen from Taiwan. The DA said it had confirmed all reported cases of ASF in Taiwan were resolved with no additional outbreak …

ON September 16, 2021 a simultaneous national bamboo and tree planting activity was held in celebration of the World Bamboo Day and to promote commercial planting. Bamboo– aside from its vital role in preventing soil erosion, floods and other negative impacts of climate change–  also has a lot of commercial, industrial and infrastructure uses.  What led to the commercialization and …

OCEANA, an international conservation NGO, raised possible alarm about the possible water and fish contamination near the Navotas landfill since the garbage fire on April 10 that affected around 90 percent of the 44-hectare sanitary landfill, emitting toxic smoke that brought the air quality in northern Metro Manila (the whole of Quezon City), Bulacan and Bataan to dangerous levels. Oceana’s …

A vibrant cultural showcase featuring music, dance, and acrobatics of outstanding Filipino and Taiwanese performers was staged at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Frassati Auditorium, on February 27, 2026. From choral harmonies to dynamic dance performances and gravity-defying acrobatics,  the event highlighted the rich artistic traditions of both nations through a meaningful cross-cultural exchange. Representing the Philippines were the talented young singers …

Jakarta’s Gen Z tastemakers, top creators, and loyal Zushis (moniker for Maki’s fanbase) gathered for an exclusive Listening Party with rising Filipino alt-pop star Maki, held at the buzzing Rumah Kenangan Senopati, in partnership with popular coffee chain Kopi Kenangan  The night was a full-on vibe, filled with music, fandom, and Filipino-Indonesian connection. With his chart-topping Tagalog tracks playing alongside …