The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

“Very sad to hear this. He was so gifted—and so young. Thank you, Direk, especially for ‘Pamilya Ordinaryo’ and ‘Lola Igna’,” penned award-winning entertainment journalist Emmie G. Velarde. “Panalangin at pakikiramay sa mga naulila ni Direk Edong (Prayers and sympathies to the bereaved family of Director Edong),” exclaimed movie columnist Mell T. Navarro. “Tragedy,” said TBA Films producer Eduardo A. Rocha …

Controversial young actress Julia Barretto has courted another issue—going topless in a film. Julia has agreed to appear bare topless but shot from her back while she was taking a shower in the fantasy movie, “Bahay na Pula,” a Viva Films production to stream in Vivamax starting on the commemoration of the 36th EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25, 2022. …

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) approved loans amounting to P2.11 billion in loans from January to December 2021 to assist 78 public transport operators purchase 810 brand-new and modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs). The loans were approved under the LANDBANK SPEED-PUV (Special Package for Environment-Friendly and Efficiently-Driven Public Utility Vehicles) Loan Program, which are 177% higher than the …

Sharp rise in the prices of oil and food will be experienced by various Asian economies due to the Ukraine-Russia war, with the Philippines expected to be badly hit, according to the Japan-based global investment firm Nomura. “Although ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia-Ukraine can hurt Asia through multiple channels, such as tighter global financial conditions, elevated uncertainty and the risk …

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III is luring American businessmen to invest in Philippine mass media and telecoms as soon as foreign restrictions are dismantled by an antiquated law’s amendment which is awaiting the President’s signature. Dominguez told an online economic briefing hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, that the amendments pushed by the economic team in the antiquated …

The stock market spiraled down after Russia invaded Ukraine, sending jitters to investors even as war loomed for weeks. Philstocks Financial analyst Japhet Tantiangco said the local bourse plunged as it joined its regional peers in negative territory amid the war between Russia and Ukraine. “The local market tanked after Russian President Valdimir Putin announced that he is launching a …

The Philippines signed a €30-million (about 1.71 billion) worth of financing agreements with the European Union (EU) for two new programs to boost the country’s disaster preparedness and improve Bangsamoro region’s local agricultural production and investment climate. Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III and EU Ambassador Luc Véron exchanged the signed financing agreements that will support the “National Copernicus Capacity …

The government is pushing for more innovative solutions to deal with rising oil prices, while expecting the Ukraine-Russia conflict to put further pressure on the commodity’s global costs. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said oil supply and prices are out of the hands of the Philippines being a net importer of the commodity. Brent crude, the basis for …

Ernest John “EJ” Obiena won another gold medal in men’s pole vault this time at the Orlen Copernicus Cup in Poland. Obiena cleared 5.81 meters to match his season best that placed him in first place at Orlen Cup in Lodz also in Poland only 10 days ago. Belgium’s Ben Broeders wound up second with 5.71 meters via countback over …

Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham Tolentino chastised the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) for excluding pole vaulter EJ Obiena from the national team. “How many more gold medals should EJ win for him to be reinstated in the national pool?” Tolentino said. “The people just can’t wait long enough for a national athletic treasure to be ignored.” …