The groundswell of watchful optimism persists in 2024, and one of the country’s leading conglomerates maintains that there is still room for growth. SM Investments Corporation says the Philippines has been consistently positive in terms of consumer growth. “If you look back at the historical performance of the Philippine economy, […]
PSEi to hit 7,500 level this year — First Metro Investment
THE Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) is expected to reach the 7,000 to 7,500 level this year, driven by improving investor sentiment, investment company First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) said on Thursday. “Our forecast is (that the PSEi will hit) 7,000 to 7,500 level this year, and that is supported […]
Call for entries: First Sining Filipina national art competition
THROUGH the decades, artists have found success thanks to the mentorship and sponsorship of supporters who believed in them. But more often than not, such opportunities were given to men. With the theme “Women Power,” the first Sining Filipina national art competition opened for submissions with the goal of giving […]
Charter change: good to have, or must have?
There is one ad that is currently going the rounds of television networks and it is a push for charter change. The Inquirer described it as one employing “a play of words on the Filipino slang “echapwera,” which means “left out” or “ostracized” in English, and inserting the word “EDSA.” […]
Hollywood actors union signs first big deal for AI in voice-over work
THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD (SAG), which represents 160,000 film and TV actors, signed a deal requiring consents and guaranteed minimum payments when members’ voices are replicated digitally in video games and other entertainment. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s executive director, announced the agreement Tuesday with Replica Studios, which describes itself as an […]
Megaworld says second Palawan hotel to open in 2029
TAN-LED property developer Megaworld Corp. on Thursday said the second hotel development of its Paragua Coastown township in San Vicente town, Palawan, is set to open in 2029. Megaworld is currently constructing the Paragua Sands Hotel and will join the company’s first hotel development in the township, called Savoy Hotel […]
Developing countries and external debt: What is wrong?
AREK SOCHA-PIXABAY LAST DECEMBER, the World Bank published its annual report on international debt (https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/debt-statistics/idr/products). The report indicates that, in 2022, the developing countries spent $443 billion on debt-service repayment (principal plus interest) of their external public and publicly guaranteed debt, 5% more than in 2021. These payments are expected […]
RCBC raises $400M from note offering
PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO RIZAL COMMERCIAL Banking Corp. (RCBC) has raised $400 million from its offer of five-year senior unsecured sustainability notes, it said on Thursday, marking the lender’s return to the overseas debt market after over three years. “The transaction saw strong interest from a wide range of high-quality Asian […]
Bridgerton’s Dynevor, Saltburn’s Elordi among BAFTA Rising Star nominees
ACTRESS Phoebe Dynevor in a scene from Bridgerton. —IMDB.COM LONDON — Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor, The Bear Golden Globe winner Ayo Edebiri, and Saltburn actor Jacob Elordi are among the nominees for the EE Rising Star Award at this year’s British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Film Awards. […]
Metrobank sees strong loan demand boosting income
METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) expects loan demand this year to be boosted by stronger economic growth and rate cuts from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which could propel its net earnings. “We expect faster GDP (gross domestic product) growth coupled with the prospect of rate cuts [this] […]