Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has once again secured the prestigious Four Golden Arrow award, marking another milestone in its commitment to upholding high standards of corporate governance.

As more tourists venture beyond popular Philippine destinations, Globe Prepaid is expanding its Traveler SIM benefits to keep visitors connected while making nationwide travel more convenient and affordable.

Maynilad Water Services Inc. is stepping up water-loss reduction efforts and nearly P10 billion in treatment facility improvements as the west zone concessionaire prepares for potentially drier conditions associated with El Niño.

TP in the Philippines was named Sustainability Company of the Year at the 2026 Asia CEO Awards, earning recognition for its environmental initiatives, workforce development and community programs as it marks three decades of operations in the country.

The Philippines’ investment approvals surged to P900.06 billion in the first nine months of 2026, driven overwhelmingly by energy projects and bringing the Board of Investments (BOI) closer to its P1-trillion full-year target.

Listed renewable energy developer Alternergy Holdings Corp. has completed the Philippines’ first overhead sea-crossing transmission link built specifically for a wind power project, a key milestone that connects clean energy generated on Alabat Island directly to the Luzon mainland grid.

Local mining leaders are preparing to take legal action against Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2026-01, recently issued by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Sector executives warn that the new framework directly conflicts with established Philippine laws, introducing severe regulatory uncertainty and heightened risks for investors across the country.

Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC) is exploring rooftop solar power and electricity cost-saving measures through a partnership with SunShare Philippines Inc., as the property developer seeks to integrate renewable energy solutions into its projects.

AFC SME Finance Inc. is expanding access to home construction financing, offering loans of up to P5 million to landowners who have regular income but may struggle to meet traditional banks’ documentation requirements.

Ayala Land Premier (ALP) has begun turning over units at Gardencourt Residences, bringing its garden-centered residential concept to life at Arca South, the 74-hectare mixed-use estate in Taguig.

Manila-based conglomerate SM Prime Holdings Inc. has secured key beachfront parcels along Puerto Princesa’s west coast, marking a significant expansion into Palawan’s premier real estate and tourism market, according to city Mayor Lucilo Bayron.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. is moving ahead with the first phase of a redevelopment of Susana Heights Village in Muntinlupa, planning new retail plazas and upgrades to community amenities as it seeks to refresh the established residential estate while preserving its low-density character.

The Philippines and the European Union are advancing an artificial intelligence laboratory designed to bring research closer to market, attract investment and encourage responsible AI adoption across businesses and government.

PLDT Enterprise has expanded its footprint in the Zamboanga Peninsula by bringing tailored connectivity and digital solutions directly to local businesses and government agencies.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has partnered with Mastercard to help Filipino micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) strengthen their digital capabilities, as smaller businesses face growing pressure to adapt to online commerce and electronic payments.

Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp. (CHPC) will sell its entire stake in Cirtek Electronics Corp. (CEC) to India-based Sancode Semi Private Ltd. for USD20.2 million, using part of the proceeds to cut debt and finance its remaining core operating business.

Christmas is coming, and with it, the annual homecoming of thousands of overseas Filipinos eager to reunite with their families, enjoy familiar food, visit favorite destinations, and celebrate the holidays in the Philippines.

There are few things more amusing than watching otherwise sensible adults become unreasonable over a basketball game played by people young enough to be their children. A missed free throw becomes a character flaw. A referee’s call becomes evidence of a conspiracy. A victory is proof that an entire institution is superior, while a defeat is something that requires immediate explanation. The players may be the ones on the court, but the people in the stands often behave as though their own futures are at stake.

Woke up this morning hoping for a reset, with my circadian rhythm hopefully back on track after weeks of near-sleeplessness, due in part to bodily changes occasioned by advancing age and to the ayuda economy, which has gone from bad to worse to overdrive. I cannot believe what has recently been printed in both legacy news outlets and portals like the one where I currently work, or the level of absurdity that has pervaded the country. When I ask any reasonable person what ails the Philippines, with its rich resources and poor economic performance, the retort and the discussion that follow quickly turn absurd. The survey firms Pulse Asia and OCTA have a four-word answer: the cost of living. Two-thirds of the country say the most urgent issue is inflation, and that “public sentiment . . . is being shaped primarily by economic strain and the rising cost of living.”

A Toyota is not a car that makes you want to write poetry. It is a car you get into, press the start button, select Drive, and take wherever you need to go. No drama, no complicated rituals, no need to call the children over to explain how to operate the touchscreen.