The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

People are bound to be surprised when they watch the now-showing  Puregold mini-series, ‘Si Sol at Si Luna.’ It’s not so much the story, about a younger boy falling in love with an older girl. It’s the lead actor, former child star Zaijian Jaranilla, who sheds his Santino image completely in this coming-of-age story. What’s more, Zaijian gets to pull …

A team of international scientists led by Chinese researchers has developed groundbreaking contact lenses that enable humans to see near-infrared light — a capability once thought impossible without complex equipment. This innovation could open new frontiers in medical imaging, visual aid technology, and security applications. Published in the journal Cell, the study showcases how the team combined visual neuroscience with …

Soundcore, the audio division of tech brand Anker, has officially released its latest flagship true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds — the Liberty 5 — in the Philippines, offering premium sound features at a competitive price. The Liberty 5 boasts 9.2mm bio-diaphragm drivers and is powered by Adaptive ANC 3.0, a next-gen noise cancellation technology that recalibrates every 0.3 seconds to …

HONOR Philippines is building excitement for what it calls its most ambitious smartphone launch yet — an AI-powered flagship device designed to transform how users interact with photos. The company recently released teaser materials hinting at a revolutionary feature: AI technology that animates still images, turning static photos into dynamic, lifelike moments. This bold leap signals HONOR’s intent to redefine …

TCL is set to launch its latest innovation in home entertainment—the C7K Premium QD-Mini LED TV—a new model designed to deliver cutting-edge performance in clarity, brightness, and color accuracy. Equipped with advanced QD-Mini LED technology, the C7K combines the vibrant color range of QLED with miniaturized LED backlighting for highly precise light control. This results in deeper blacks, enhanced contrast, …

The Senate has approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2805, or the MTRCB Act, a landmark legislation that expands the regulatory powers of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to cover online streaming services. Authored and sponsored by Senator Robin C. Padilla, the bill seeks to modernize the MTRCB’s mandate—first established in October 1985—by …

Aside from the burgeoning film festivals locally, there are hundreds of movie events internationally, held all-year-round. In the Philippines alone, there are several film festivals not only in Metro Manila but in various regions as well across the country. While the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and other setbacks had cut short or permanently eliminated film festivals like the Cinema …

Manila Symphony Orchestra’s “A Night in Hollywood” is all set on June 28, 2025 at 7:30 pm at Aliw Theater CCP Complex as MSO proudly announces the second featured concert for its 99th Season dubbed as such. This exciting concert will feature new music composed for movies as well as a suite of iconic Hollywood compositions. Some of the artists …

The Italian Film Festival 2025 which returned last week at Cinema 2, SM Aura, with a curated selection of acclaimed films that celebrate the charm, wit, and emotional depth of contemporary Italian cinema will extend its other activities on Italian movies. Presented by the Embassy of Italy in Manila, in partnership with the Philippine-Italian Association, the festival showcased three standout …

Every year, the Virgin Labfest Writing Fellowship Program (VLF WFP) calls for aspiring playwrights who are brave enough to learn the best from the best. While the VLF prides itself on presenting the untried, untested, and unstaged plays it produces annually, its accompanying Writing Fellowship Program looks for fellows who are just as untried, untested, and unstaged. In line with …