The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Amateur mixed martial arts action (MMA) got going on Monday night with Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino vowing to help nurture the sport that will make its debut in the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) next year in Saudi Arabia. Tolentino heads the newly-established Nasyonal Mixed Martial Arts Pederasyon ng Pilipinas (NMMAPP)—the highest governing body for amateur MMA in the country—which …

By Rose de la Cruz Despite earlier  protestations of the Department of Agriculture on the rice import projections of the US Department of Agriculture of 4.9 million metric tons in 2024, actual arrivals as of mid-October already hit 3.4 MMT or 95 percent of actual shipments of 3.61 MMT in 2023.  Clearly, at this rate, the numbers suggest that by …

World Cup veteran IM Michael Concio Jr. came through with another brilliant performance as he held top seed and defending champion GM Aleksey Grebnev of Russia to a draw in the fifth round of the Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships at the Knights Templar Hotel here Wednesday. Concio, the country’s highest-rated junior player but seeded only eighth in the …

By Robert Andaya Standings after four rounds:Boys4 points — A. Grebnev (Russia)3.5 –M. Concio (Philippines)3 — S. Aswath (India), A. Uskov (Russia), M. Amilal (Mongolia), Y. Bharadia (India), A. Adireddy (India), A Dolorosa (Philippines).2.5 –K. Rohith (India), K. D. Dau (Vietnam), C. Arca (Philippines). I. Alkhibay (Kazakhstan)  C. S. Yu ( Vietnam) Girls4 — A. Shukhman (Russia).3 — G. Tajaswini …

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is now accepting applications for Batch 12 of the CCP Kabataang Gitarista (KG) Program. A project of the Artist Training Division under the CCP Arts Education Department, the KG Program provides classical guitar training and performing opportunities for aspiring guitarists, while developing an increased appreciation for classical guitar. Interested applicants must be in …

The nation’s girl group BINI surprises fans with a thrilling collaboration with Indonesian superstar AGNEZ MO for “Cherry On Top (BiniMo Remix) feat. Agnez Mo,” now available on all digital streaming platforms. This unexpected union brings together two of Southeast Asia’s most celebrated female artists in a cultural and musical fusion bound to captivate listeners globally. The collaboration between BINI and AGNEZ …

Viewers continue to tune in to ABS-CBN’s hit primetime shows every night after “Lavender Fields” and “Pamilya Sagrado” logged all-time high viewership records on Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube on October 2 (Wednesday). “Lavender Fields” recorded 657,514 peak concurrent views in a thrilling episode where Jasmin (Jodi Sta. Maria) confessed to Zandro (Albert Martinez) why she changed her identity to …

By Rose de la Cruz The successful award and takeover of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to the New NAIA International Corp (NNIC) led by the San Miguel group has prompted the government to expedite the awarding of five more projects (including three airports) to the private sector under the Public Partnership Program (PPP) late this year and early 2025. …

By Boy Villasanta From October 15 to 26, 2024, the Filipinos are treated with an avalanche of performance arts in every nook and cranny of Philippine society. “In Situ, Performance and Exhibition” the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) with the collaboration of Belarmino & Partners provide the nation with practical and realistic art forms that can liberate the hearts …

Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) operation in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, received the inaugural call of MV Ever Core under a new joint service by Evergreen and Wan Hai Lines last August. The new bi-monthly service enhances MCT’s connectivity with key international markets in Hong Kong and Taiwan through the ports of Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Shekou, …