I asked PNB's Economist and Research Head Alvin Arogo about the 2024 economic results. He said the Philippine economy grew by 5.8 percent during the first 9 months of 2024 and is on track to expand at a faster rate compared to 5.5 percent in 2023. Key components that outperformed were construction...
Noah Lapuz (Courtesy of 1507 Media) This was the case when long-time Formula 1 (F1) photojournalist Kym Illman featured a Filipino on a post that appeared in both his Instagram and TikTok accounts during the Qatar Grand Prix (GP) of last year’s F1 season. Illman, who has been covering F1...
Strategic planning is more critical than ever as organizations gear up to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the coming year. This period, typically dedicated to annual goal-setting and resource allocation, provides businesses with an opportunity to reflect on past performance and chart a...
Gerry Z, my golfing buddy, messaged me about my availability to join a select group of journalists to break bread with Francis Chua, to which I readily agreed, curious about the developments at the Bank of Commerce, which he chairs. It would also be my first face-to-face interview with a news...
Bohol's economy surged by 6.6 percent in 2024, exceeding the national average of 5.5 percent, fueled by a global "revenge travel" phenomenon that revitalized the tourism industry. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Bohol's gross domestic product (GDP) reached P182.4 billion (at...
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has called for sustained action against Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to ensure that the industry's remnants are effectively purged. “More than ever, we need to sustain our efforts to clear out all criminal syndicates that are products of POGOs. We must...
Goal setting and planning is a good strategic activity, not only for your business but in your personal life as well. But according to my favorite author, Jim Rohn, "The more you talk about your plans and share them with so many people, the less energy you have to actually execute it." Keeping...
The IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) is calling for proactive measures to equip the counrty’s workforce with the skills needed to navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence (AI). In a statement, Jack Madrid, IBPAP president and...
Business leaders are urging a more transparent and accountable process in finalizing the 2025 national budget amid concerns over budgetary adjustments and a lack of clear justification for certain allocations. "We are alarmed by some of the adjustments made by the bicameral committee to the 2025...
Today, technological, economic, social, and financial trends are rapidly reshaping the financial world. Personal assets in Asia continue to grow, pushing capital markets to continue playing their greater role in the Asian region. As you get nearer your retirement age, it’s a good time as any to...
As Christmas draws near amid the raging wars in some parts of Europe and the Middle East, holiday celebrations are muted globally this year. Moreso here in the Philippines, where some regions were hit hard by six tropical cyclones within a 30-day period from mid-October to mid-November 2024....
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has called on local government units (LGUs) in the country to establish their own Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) to help encourage investments and support economic growth. By establishing a BPLO, the senator said LGUs create a one-stop shop for...
