For decades, the Philippines relied on mandated credit quotas to push banks toward underserved sectors. The Agri-Agra Law and micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) lending requirements under the Magna Carta were intended to correct market failures by steering resources toward agriculture and...
The Philippine herbal medicine industry is growing, driven by rising consumer interest in natural, plant-based remedies. According to Insight10, a healthcare-focused research and consulting firm—as mentioned in a BusinessWorld article last month—the Philippine herbal supplement market was...
I tend to agree with the Andy Williams song: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” While other people may not have nice things to say about the Christmas season, the point is that it is, indeed, the best time of the year. Top of mind among the things that make this season special is the...
We all look forward to celebrating Christmas and the holidays in December. But for some, it’s a mixed feeling—especially those who have revenue targets to meet, reports to complete, and taxes to comply with. And December often carries the highest financial budget for most companies. Businesses...
Ten years ago, my graduate school research proposal aimed to assess the public’s perception of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). My initial question was why CPAs do not seem to receive the same level of respect accorded to other esteemed professions such as doctors and lawyers. My research...
Nov. 23 was a red-letter day for my family. Four days before his birthday, my son, Carl Lorenz Cervantes, launched his book, Sikodiwa: Revisiting Filipino Indigenous Wisdom for Personal and Shared Well-Being, published by North Atlantic Books. It is a proud moment for a parent, naturally. But as I...
In 2025, success is no longer defined by the number of certificates, degrees, or the prestige of your alma mater, but by the skills you possess. It 's not about having a high intelligence quotient (IQ), but about cultivating a high emotional quotient (EQ). A recent survey from McKinsey Global...
It would be safe to say that most people do not view stress as something they would want. It is generally considered a negative thing that causes many health issues, including anxiety, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes, which can even lead to death. What causes...
The Philippines is currently ranked as the country most at risk from natural climate threats, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2024-2025 Global Perception Survey. This ranking is based on three critical indicators: exposure to climate-related hazards, population susceptibility, and a lack...
“Democracy fails not when people vote wrongly, but when they vote without understanding.” In recent weeks, major business groups, including the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX), have been issuing statements calling for greater transparency and public accountability in...
Any organization—be it a business, non-government organization (NGO), charitable or religious institution, government agency, or the government itself—can fall victim to an inside job where the very people entrusted to look after its best interests victimize it. While fraud by insiders isn’t...
In every organization, a persistent, inconvenient truth lurks: we sometimes simply don’t like our co-workers. The reasons range from clashing personalities and work styles to offhand remarks that sting. In the complex reality of the workplace, personal chemistry is not always a luxury we can...
