The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

As a young Filipino-Chinese kid who spent my childhood years staying in my paternal grandparents’ store during school breaks in Binondo, Manila, I personally witnessed how a measly 25 or 50-centavo profit from every item they sold was enough to put a smile on their faces. Back then, I didn’t understand that it was my grandparents’ ploy to lure repeat …

Subic Bay International Terminals (SBITC), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) operation at the Port of Subic Bay, has added a new service that offers a direct link between the Philippines and China. Operated by Macrocean International Shipping, the CX1 service makes weekly calls to SBITC and Manila International Container Terminal to provide manufacturers and traders in Northern and Central …

Amid the devastating impact of El Niño on local harvests, Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) remains aggressive in extending financial support to rice farmers as total loans released through the Expanded Rice Credit Assistance under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ERCA-RCEF) reached P2.5 billion as of 30 April 2024.  In partnership with Department of Agriculture (DA), LANDBANK has been …

When one envisions Hawaii, pristine beaches, majestic mountains, and a laid-back island lifestyle typically come to mind. However, amidst the lively mix of people and cultures in its historic Chinatown, a hidden gem lies, adding a new dimension to the island’s allure – the hip tiki bar known as Skull & Crown.

 Rum enthusiast Joseph Chiong, also the National Sales …

The BSP is sharing the following information to clarify and respond to recent news  reports on six employees on the staff of certain Monetary Board members. We  hope this clarifies, within the bounds of confidentiality and fairness due to ongoing  proceedings, the steps the BSP has taken since first receiving reports on the issue,  to ensure that any erring employee …

Global cybersecurity giant, Kaspersky, reported that the Philippines had the highest increase in web threats in 2023 jumping by 243 percent, compared to its neighbors in Southeast Asia, or from 492,567 incidents in 2022 to 1.69 million in 2023. Singaporean businesses experienced an 86-percent rise from 889,093 in 2022 to 1.65 million in 2023 while Thai companies saw a notable …

I feel excited when the Gateway Group, the biggest multi-brand car dealership company that operates in key cities in the Philippines, offered me to try and test-drive the Nissan Leaf. The second-generation Nissan Leaf that was loaned to me for almost a week is my first fully electric car driven so far despite a number of EVs that are already flooding …

Cleanfuel, one of the fastest growing oil companies in the country known as selling “quality fuel for less,” and Go Traktora, distributor of well-known tractors in the country, officially signed up for a collaboration to help mostly farmers in Central Luzon get their cheap but quality fuel. The tie-up will mean that the clients of the Tarlac-based Go Traktora, which …

ACMobility, the mobility arm of the Ayala Group, recently launched two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Ayala Center Cebu located on basement 1 of the parking lot with the two charging stations rated 22KW AC and are available for use by all EV owners whose vehicles carry a CCS2 and GB/T charging standard. The charging stations are a first …

Leading mobility company Astara Philippines welcomes the Autohub Group to its growing family of dealer partners with the grand opening of GAC Motor Sumulong Highway.   The new dealership is along Sumulong Highway in San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal and outfitted to meet GAC’s international showroom standards, ensuring a world-class, premium experience for all its customers as a fully equipped 3S …