The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) confirmed the Philippine hosting of the 2026 ACC Track Championships at the brand-new Tagaytay City Velodrome from March 25 to 31. ACC president Dato’ Amarjit Singh Gill made the confirmation as the continental body recently released its first official Newsletter. “It’s an honor and a privilege, but it’s equally a challenge,” said Philippine Olympic Committee …

PASSERBYBy Nestor Cuartero As war rages, then subsides, between Israel and Iran in light of current issues (nuclear weaponry, spiralling oil prices), we remember our business-pleasure trip to Israel in the mid-1990s. What better way, we thought, to mark that than by celebrating Father’s Day, June 15 this year, at this Mediterranean restaurant owned and managed by an Israeli husband …

BellissimaBy Isabella E. Cuartero Fernando “Nanding” Mendez is a creative professional with decades of experience in advertising and art direction. But to the Filipino-American community across the U.S. East Coast, he is so much more: a cultural pioneer, the thread that weaves communities together, and the driving force behind Fiesta in America, the largest indoor Philippine expo this side of …

ABS-CBN has always been my home network even if I am not part of it anymore. In my heart, I will forever be a Kapamilya. It is where my full blast broadcast career blossomed and came to fruition. Even if I left a rosy, famous and wealthy life I don’t give a damn as I know it’s not the end …

The death of the irrepressible talent manager and showbiz columnist Lolit Solis has been bringing memories of all sorts. Lolit, or I should say Tita (a term of endearment to an elderly aunt by affinity or by blood) Lolit, was also an influence in my career as an entertainment journalist for both print and broadcast media. She started her movie …

Actress Gretchen Barretto is on the hot seat when she was implicated in the disappearance of cockfighters hooked on e-sabong. Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Thursday that Gretchen and businessman Atong Ang are now considered suspects in the case and must be investigated. This developed after Julie “Dondon” Patindongan, alias “Totoy,” one of the accused in …

After 18 years as a singer, songwriter, actress and all-around performer, Nicole Laurel Asencio’s timeless artistry and unique identity in modern day jazz has stepped up to the world stage. Of course, Nicole is no stranger to performing for international audiences as she has participated in events and concerts in U.K., Barcelona, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Maldives, U.S.A, Shanghai, Tokyo to …

80s’ star Vida Verde still mourns the death of her gay sis John Jenally Mejia who recently died of breast cancer. “I miss him so much,” lamented Vida who was launched in the box-office hit “Nene.” “It’s good his wife Helen is still with us,” she said. Helen and John were together for 26 years. “I was only 14 when …

Once devastated by Super Typhoon Odette, a small elementary school in Siargao Island is now experiencing a transformation, thanks to its first internet connection. Cabawa Elementary School (CES), tucked away in the remote barangay of Cabawa in Dapa, Surigao del Norte, went online for the first time in May through the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) “Free Wi-Fi …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) have joined forces with Grab Philippines and Megaworld to explore the use of drones for urban deliveries, marking a significant step toward integrating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into the country’s transport and logistics system. In a statement released recently, Grab announced the signing of a memorandum …