The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

By Rose de la Cruz After denying projections of higher rice imports this year, the Philippines must finally admit it had imported more rice in the first five months this year, totalling 2.3 million metric tons based on data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. The surge in imports comes alongside a strategic shift in supplier, from Vietnam, the …

Unbeaten National University and Letran set up a semifinals date after dominating their respective opponents in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals knockout quarterfinals on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Lady Bulldogs head coach Norman Miguel fielded back his veterans after giving them a day off last Friday in a swift demolition of University of Southern Philippines …

BingoPlus, your comprehensive entertainment platform in the country and provider of your favorite online tongits, bingo, and perya games, sustains its partnership with Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) through a collaborative TV Commercial featuring Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo, Miss BingoPlus Universe Maica Martinez, Miss Charm Philippines Cyrille Payumo, and Miss Philippines Eco International Alexie Mae Brooks. This BingoPlus x MUPH …

ArenaPlus, your 24/7 sports betting app, proudly stands with the country’s athletes as it launches a TV Commercial in partnership with brand ambassadors Scottie Thompson of Team Gilas Pilipinas, four-time gold medalist Carlos Yulo, and boxing champion Eumir Marcial. This TVC acts as a message to Filipino athletes, particularly those who are competing in the Paris Olympics, as they face …

By Rose de la Cruz While playing my favorite games on my Android, I noticed this ad constantly popping up at every break. It had Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona, an Ayala tycoon and a local newscaster, supposedly interviewing these respectable business leaders who were endorsing Tesler Code, an investment scheme that would attract people with at least …

First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Chairman/Postmaster General Mike Planas of the Philippine Postal Corporation (The Post Office) awarded the Centenarian Personalized Stamps to Mrs. Basilia Tabudlong Ortiz and Mr. Ceasario Gubaton Lamela, Jr.  of Mandaluyong and Bacolod City respectively during the LAB FOR ALL Service Caravan held in various cities in Mandaluyong, Bacolod and Tacloban. “Living to 100 years old …

Preliminary data indicated that outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs), net of reverse repurchase (RRP) placements with the BSP, grew by 10.1 percent year-on-year in May from 9.6 percent in April. On a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, outstanding universal and commercial bank loans, net of RRPs, rose by 1.1 percent. Meanwhile, outstanding loans to residents, net of RRPs, increased …

Preliminary data showed that domestic liquidity (M3) grew by 6.5 percent year-on-year to about ₱17.4 trillion in May from 5.6 percent in April. On a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, M3 increased by about 1.1 percent. Domestic claims expanded by 10.7 percent year-on-year in May similar to the previous month, as revised. Claims on the private sector grew by 11.6 percent in …

By Boy Villasanta BUCHEON CITY, SOUTH KOREA—It was a moment of victory for Filipino filmmaker Kenneth Dagatan when he won, not just one but two, significant awards at the recently concluded Network of Asian Fantastic Films (NAFF) of the 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) in this city. During the awarding rites held at the Webtoon Convergence Hall, Kenneth …

By Boy Villasanta There is a singing contest in Japan which is named after the famous Grammy Music Awards. Its title is Kitashinchi Grammy Singer Contest and Filipino singer Mika Lorie won second prize among several contestants. Mike sang the iconic song “My Way” in her own interpretation that got the nod of the judges. According to Lorie, she should …