The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

In a party hosted by actor Rey “PJ” Abellana and his wife Sheena Abellana, one of the guests who came was Tom Rodriguez. Although Tom came minus Carla Abellana, it was a gesture seen by observers as an act of goodwill on his part especially these days that he and wife are rumored to be on the brink of split-up …

There’s no turning back for stage and TV director Vince Tañada from filmmaking. After the completion of his maiden big screen job “Katips,” a foray into student activism and dissent during the dark days of Martial Law and alluding to the revolutionary organization Katipunan during the oppressive Spanish rule, Vince has rolled his cameras on his second outing. “Ang Bangkay,” …

Manila Harbor Center (MHC), the largest bulk and breakbulk handling facility in the Port of Manila in the Philippines, is expanding its cargo handling capacity with the completion of eco-friendly bulk cargo bays (BCB) and dredging of the berths to accommodate larger vessels. This new development increases MHC’s number of BCBs from two to five, effectively improving the terminal’s bulk …

With the single biggest increase in oil pump prices this week in Philippine history, beer is now much cheaper than gasoline or diesel and car owners call gas stations as one of the most expensive places in the metro. Beleaguered Filipinos get pro forma lip service from government agencies with no immediate action. Any trumpeted band-aid measure stand to benefit …

Going into its 3rd week, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has seen the collapse of negotiations held in Belarus (Russia’s collaborator), a Putin-sponsored ceasefire and a derailed all-out movement of “peace-keeping” troops ordered to destroy a whole country. Young Russian soldiers, mostly conscript teenagers who were captured by Ukrainians, revealed they were lied to; they were told it was a military …

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will include Asia’s No. 1 men’s pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena on the list of Team Philippines entries that will be submitted to organizers of the Vietnam 31st Southeast Asian Games. Obiena was one of 654 athletes who will defend the country’s grip of the overall championship in the SEA Games that Vietnam will …

Leeana Bade, daughter of former pro basketball player Chris Bade, will represent the Philippines in Muay Thai in the The World Games in Birmingham, Alabama later this year. Bade qualified as a wildcard in the women’s 63.5kg category, according to the Muaythai Association of the Philippines. Bade is 6-0 in her amateur Muay Thai career and currently holds three amateur …

Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes announced the PBA players who are included in the training pool for the Philippine men’s basketball team for the coming Southeast Asian Games. Selected to the pool are six-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer, Poy Erram and Kib Montalbo of TNT, Japeth Aguilar of Ginebra, Isaac Go of Terrafirma, Troy …

The country will field defending doubles champion Francis Casey Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon, as well as junior sensation Alex Eala, in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam this May. National team coach Chris Cuarto revealed the roster that also includes veterans Ruben Gonzales and Treat Huey, Eric Olivarez, Khim Iglupas, Marian Capadocia and Jenaila Rose Prulla. “It’s a …

Jimuel Pacquiao, eldest son of Manny Pacquiao, will see action in a three-round amateur bout at The House of Boxing today in San Diego, California. Sean Gibbons, who runs the Pacquiao-owned MP Promotions, said Jimuel’s opponent will be Andres “The Thorn” Rosales of Rain Cross Boxing Academy of Riverside, California. Fighting out of Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club of …