The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

BellissimaBy Isabella E. Cuartero “Pag-usapan natin ang pag-ibig,” Ice Seguerra says as he opens the media conference February 11 at the Fire & Ice offices in Quezon City, setting the tone for an afternoon of heartfelt conversations. How do we define love? Love exists in many forms and moves in mysterious ways. Love is blind. Love is patient. Love is …

PASSERBYBy Nestor Cuartero There’s so much more to returning politician Lino Cayetano than a brewing family feud. It all stemmed from his older brother, Senator Allan Peter Cayetano’s endorsement of film and TV director Lino’s rival candidate for the same congressional post in Taguig. The younger Cayetano is making a comeback to politics after a long hiatus. He was mayor …

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), the premier orchestra of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), is set to make history with a nine-city tour across the United Kingdom this May. Under the baton of internationally acclaimed Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, the PPO will showcase its world-class talent in some of the UK’s most renowned concert halls. UK Tour Schedule: • …

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco recently pledged financial support for the construction and upgrade of key facilities at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). During this year’s PMA Alumni Homecoming ceremony where he served as guest of honor, Tengco pledged funding for the construction of a new Candidate Control Liaison Office, a modern warfare laboratory, …

The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) last week held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new outpatient services (OPS) building that will cater to more people in need of organ transplants and renal care services. NKTI executive director Dr. Rose Marie Liquete said that the state-of-the-art facility is expected to finish construction in 24 months or less. The OPS building …

President Ferdinand ”Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed an executive order reducing and condoning real property taxes (RPTs), including interests and/or penalties assessed on power generation facilities of independent power producers under build-operate-transfer contracts with government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs). Executive Order No. 83 states that all liabilities for RPTs for calendar year (CY) 2024, including any special levies accruing to …

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) recently announced plans to establish OFW Hospital branches across the country to provide better healthcare access for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families. “Gusto rin namin palawigin yung OFW Hospital, para hindi lang siya sa San Fernando, Pampanga. We intend to develop branches so to speak, or units. You know how clinics are …

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has successfully addressed a long-standing issue on the unstable road section of Caraycaray-Calumpang Road with the completion of a slope protection structure in Sitio Lupa, Barangay Calumpang, Naval, Biliran province. In his report to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Regional Office 8 Director Edgar B. Tabacon highlighted the significance of Caraycaray-Calumpang Road, which …

I am still feeling sad after knowing that Sam Milby and Catriona Gray have parted ways. It was officially confirmed by Sam himself during the press conference of the TV series “Saving Grace.” One member of the entertainment press asked Milby if he and Catriona are still together. The actor casually answered, “No.” That’s the final blow. I was quite …

I heard it first from actor Gary Estrada that someone told him he was being considered to play Manuel Luis Quezon, the First President of Philippine Commonwealth government during the American period. “Pero hanggang hindi pa gumigiling ang kamera ay hindi ako naniniwala (But until the camera rolls I don’t believe it’s mine),” quipped Gary. Quezon’s character fits Estrada to …