The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

THE Philippines and Morocco celebrate  50 years of diplomatic relations with a joint commemorative stamps issuance featuring the Philippines’ Mactan-Cebu and Morocco’ Marrakech-Menara Airport. According to Postmaster General Luis D. Carlos, “This stamp is more than just a symbol — it is a bridge that connects both countries’ innovation and connectivity in the aviation sector”. The PHLPost stamp features the …

Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. (MRSGI) achieved P39.62 billion in net sales for 2024, a 3.5 percent  increase compared to P38.27 billion in 2023, reflecting positive contributions from the company’s ongoing expansion efforts and a solid 4.9% upswing in the food retail business. The same-store sales grew modestly by 0.5% compared to 2023, primarily influenced by scaling down low-margin wholesale …

BellissimaBy Isabella E. Cuartero In today’s fast-paced digital world, we value connection now more than ever. Whether we’re catching up with loved ones away from home, chasing work or school deadlines, or winding down with a game or a Netflix binge, we rely on a fast, stable internet connection to get us through.  That’s exactly what Globe At Home 5G …

Santé International’s CEO Joey Marcelo shared insights on resilience, purpose, and building a global brand at the Asia SME Forum 2025 held March 27 at the Marriott Hotel Manila. In his keynote speech, Marcelo shared his journey—one marked by resilience, reinvention, and relentless optimism. He opened about founding Santé International back in 2007 after enduring five failed direct-selling ventures, a …

The Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL) or the Writers’ Union of the Philippines, the largest group of creative writers in the country, held its 51st National Writers’ Congress on Saturday, 26 April 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, at the Gimenez Gallery, University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. A significant part of the National Literature …

In a groundbreaking event, China held recently the world’s first marathon featuring humanoid robots racing alongside human participants. Leading the pack was the Chinese-made robot Tien Kung Ultra, which completed the 21-kilometer half-marathon in just under 2 hours and 40 minutes — all without showing any signs of fatigue, according to the state-run *Global Times*. Nearly 20 robotics companies participated, …

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently renewed its appeal to the country’s researchers, scientists, and innovators to collaborate with the agency to bring their work beyond the laboratory and into the hands of the public through commercialization and utilization. “To all researchers, scientists, and technology developers, I urge you to go beyond the laboratory and explore the market …

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has unveiled its own digital wallet, giving travelers a more convenient way to manage and use various electronic cards through a single account. The new PAL e-Wallet, launched recently, allows passengers to consolidate travel-related e-cards such as Mabuhay Miles, travel credits, compensation vouchers, and e-gift cards.  “This is part of our ongoing effort to enhance the passenger …

Artificial general intelligence (AGI) — machines with human-like cognitive abilities — may be just five to ten years away, according to Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind and Nobel Prize-winning AI researcher. In a recent interview on CBS News’ 60 Minutes, Hassabis offered both a bold vision for AI’s future and a grounded assessment of its current limits. While the …

To date, a total of 631 individuals from 43 countries have ventured into space, based on recorded accounts.  This figure includes astronauts, cosmonauts, space tourists, and other non-professional travelers, with 82 women representing 13 nations among them.  The United States tops the list, having sent 369 astronauts into orbit. The Soviet Union and Russia follow with 138 cosmonauts, while China …