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Analysts see sustained long-term growth for Mynth ahead of stock market debut

FINANCIAL ANALYSTS EXPECT Mynt Inc., the parent company of dominant e-wallet operator GCash, to maintain a steady upward trajectory following its upcoming debut on the Philippine Stock Exchange, though its performance may resemble the measured pace of a mature corporate giant rather than a high-speed startup.

News Dispatch

Agriculture

DA upbeat after global event puts PH pineapple, abaca in spotlight

The Philippines sees brighter prospects for its pineapple and abaca products following their successful showcase at the Food and Agriculture Organization’s World Food Forum 2026 in Italy, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Sunday.

DA launches probe into smuggled vegetables

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is launching a full investigation into reports that allegedly smuggled vegetables are making their way into local markets, raising concerns about fair trade, farmer livelihoods, and food safety.

When Manny meets Kiko: Pacquiao, DA chief join forces to fight poverty 

National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary and Lead Convenor Manny Pacquiao is joining forces with Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. to strengthen government efforts to alleviate poverty, particularly among farmers and fisherfolk, who remain among the country’s most economically vulnerable sectors.

DA rejects auction of seized Vietnamese rice, pushes donation to DSWD instead

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has firmly opposed plans to auction thousands of metric tons of seized Vietnamese rice, warning the move could let those behind its illegal entry earn from the shipment.

Corporate

Globe Platinum rethinks iPhone 18 launch with intimate dining events

Globe Platinum has reimagined the traditional crowded iPhone launch experience, rolling out intimate, simultaneous midnight unboxing events across Manila, Cebu, and Davao ahead of the nationwide iPhone 18 release.

Security Bank Wealth, St. Luke’s launch healthcare concierge service

Security Bank Wealth and St. Luke’s Medical Center have teamed up to launch a concierge healthcare service, giving clients faster, easier access to medical care and more time for what matters.

CHP cement plants recycle 50 million liters of water annually

Concreat Holdings Philippines (CHP) is recovering and reusing 50 million liters of water annually across its cement plants in Cebu and Rizal, bolstering efforts to conserve freshwater as climate extremes put pressure on water resources.

PhilWeb investee JKS secures exclusive MegaWin gaming deal

PhilWeb Corp., a listed gaming company, is expanding its footprint in the Philippines’ regulated digital gaming market after investee JKS Tech Solutions secured an exclusive partnership with international gaming content provider MegaWin.

Banking & Insurance

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Corporate Bulletins

Globe Platinum rethinks iPhone 18 launch with intimate dining events

Globe Platinum has reimagined the traditional crowded iPhone launch experience, rolling out intimate, simultaneous midnight unboxing events across Manila, Cebu, and Davao ahead of the nationwide iPhone 18 release.

Security Bank Wealth, St. Luke’s launch healthcare concierge service

Security Bank Wealth and St. Luke’s Medical Center have teamed up to launch a concierge healthcare service, giving clients faster, easier access to medical care and more time for what matters.

JTI Philippines names Alan Jackson as new GM

JTI Philippines has appointed Alan Jackson as general manager, tapping his international leadership experience as the tobacco company seeks to expand its portfolio, strengthen operations and address illicit trade in the local market.

Tanduay returns to Whisky Live Manila 2026, showcases Filipino craftsmanship and new Sauternes cask rum

Tanduay is set to present Filipino rum-making heritage and...

Social Responsibility & Sustainability

CHP cement plants recycle 50 million liters of water annually

Concreat Holdings Philippines (CHP) is recovering and reusing 50 million liters of water annually across its cement plants in Cebu and Rizal, bolstering efforts to conserve freshwater as climate extremes put pressure on water resources.

Honda leads tree-planting drive with DENR and local government across Batangas, Laguna

Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), the country’s top motorcycle maker, has teamed up with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR–CENRO), and the city governments of Tanauan and Biñan, to carry out a two-part tree-planting effort supporting local reforestation, ecosystem restoration, and community progress. Bringing together Honda staff, local government officials, and DENR representatives, the project saw a total of 400 Kamagong seedlings planted across both locations.

Aboitiz Economic Estates bags sustainability leadership award

Aboitiz Economic Estates has won a sustainability leadership award from the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC), underscoring how green infrastructure, reliable utilities and workforce development are becoming key factors in industrial investment decisions.

Globe launches Konek kay Attorney to bring free legal aid to communities

Globe has launched Konek kay Attorney, a program providing free legal consultations to underserved communities, partnering with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Rizal-RSM Chapter.

Markets

Stocks face cautious trading as inflation, rate risks mount

Philippine equities are likely to remain volatile this week as accelerating inflation, peso weakness and mounting expectations of monetary tightening weigh on sentiment, tempering optimism over corporate earnings and potential new stock market listings.

Forensic accounting connects the dots

Forensic accounting is where spreadsheets lose their innocence, receipts acquire personalities, and money is asked to explain where it has been hiding.

GCash shares start as few as 100 shares or only P660 for retail investors

Mynt Inc., GCash’s operator, lets the public buy shares for as low as 100 shares — just P660 at P6.60 apiece — far lower than the usual 1,000-share minimum for small investors.

Depressed valuations could drive Philippine stocks higher

Philippine equities may be approaching a potential re-rating as depressed valuations increasingly reflect concerns over elevated borrowing costs, peso weakness and a fragile domestic macroeconomic backdrop. With the broader market trading at roughly eight times earnings, valuations suggest investors are pricing in substantial pessimism, creating room for upside if economic conditions stabilize and confidence improves.

Travel

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Energy

PH, US move to expand energy security partnership

The Department of Energy (DOE) and its United States counterpart have met to explore an expanded bilateral cooperation agreement designed to strengthen the country's long-term energy security, diversify its fuel supply, and accelerate the development of domestic resources.

Rollback at the pumps: deep gasolibe price cut offers relief to consumers 

Consumers and business operators across the Philippines can expect mixed relief at the pumps this week, highlighted by a substantial price drop for gasoline products alongside steady to slightly higher diesel rates.

CHP cement plants recycle 50 million liters of water annually

Concreat Holdings Philippines (CHP) is recovering and reusing 50 million liters of water annually across its cement plants in Cebu and Rizal, bolstering efforts to conserve freshwater as climate extremes put pressure on water resources.

Malampaya safety record bolsters reliability as gas expansion nears

Prime Energy’s Malampaya Onshore Gas Plant (OGP) in Batangas has marked 25 years without a recordable safety incident involving harm to people or a significant process safety incident, underscoring the importance of operational discipline as the Philippines moves to expand indigenous natural gas production.

Transport & Communications

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Property

50,000 housing units to be offered at National Housing Expo

At least 50,000 housing units will be offered to prospective homebuyers by more than 80 property developers at the government-led 2nd National Housing Expo 2026 on October 19 to 20 at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City, as the government seeks to widen access to homeownership through closer coordination between developers and housing finance institutions.

Southlinks earns BERDE 5 stars, offers greener metro living 

In property development, green credentials can help sell a dream. Southlinks Estate now has five stars to back up the pitch—but turning a sustainable masterplan into a sustainable neighbourhood is the harder part.

DMCI Homes taps Pag-IBIG for affordable condo financing

DMCI Homes has entered the government’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program through a partnership with Pag-IBIG Fund, opening a potential new financing pathway for homebuyers, beginning with its Anissa Heights condominium development in Pasay City.

Manulife expands global real asset investment options

Manulife Investments Philippines has broadened its investment offerings beyond real estate investment trusts (REITs), introducing a multi-asset fund that gives Filipino investors exposure to global infrastructure, natural resources and inflation-linked securities.

Environment

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Technology

Strong demand for iPhone 18 persists, key to Globe’s postpaid performance

Demand for Apple’s new iPhone 18 lineup stays robust even amid economic headwinds and premium pricing, according to Globe Telecom Inc. “The demand is still there,” Jo Anne Pique, Globe’s postpaid business head, told reporters, noting financial pressures have not dampened interest in the latest models.

Globe: Plan connectivity early for future-ready communities

Globe is calling on property developers to factor connectivity into the very first design stages of new projects, rather than working out network needs once construction is underway. Planning ahead avoids costly retrofits and redesigns, while ensuring homes, commercial spaces, and estates are fully digital-ready the moment people move in.

Lenovo unveils new AI PCs – performance without the premium price

Lenovo has expanded its Personal AI vision with a new consumer device portfolio that brings smarter, connected AI experiences alongside bold, style-focused designs — all at accessible price points.

Smart scores zero dropped calls in latest NTC Metro Manila checks

Smart Communications has achieved a perfect zero percent call drop rate in the National Telecommunications Commission’s most recent service quality tests across Metro Manila, marking a major milestone in reliable voice service for subscribers. The result easily clears the regulator’s required standard of less than 2 percent call drop ratio, meaning calls connect and stay connected consistently for users. For customers, this translates to clearer, uninterrupted conversations whether for personal calls, work updates, or emergency communications—no more frustrating cut-offs that waste time and cause inconvenience.

Health & Science

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Opinion

When the game becomes a bet

There was a time when watching a basketball game largely meant arguing about the referee, questioning the coach’s substitutions, and insisting that the player who missed three free throws should have been benched in the second quarter. These remain perfectly respectable ways to ruin a Sunday afternoon. Of late, however, there is increasingly another reason to get worked up over a game: money.

Haay naku! The fine art of being charged for breathing near your bank account

Quite a lot of us have had the experience. We open our banking app to send P500 to a godson for his birthday, and the screen politely informs us that this act of generosity will cost us P25. Nakagulat. Five percent of our kindness, gone—not to our godson, not to charity, but to a fee whose only visible purpose is to exist. Haay naku.

Put down the pitchforks; let Alex play

Apparently, the moment Alex Eala cracked the WTA top 20, she also signed an imaginary contract to win every match.

The coding exemption that comes with a catch

Filipino motorists appreciate the freedom to leave the house on a given morning without checking the last digit of the license plate. In Metro Manila, this can be worth a surprising amount of money. A day without number coding means another day of using the car, another day without arranging a ride, another day without pondering why a perfectly serviceable vehicle has to stay in the garage. So when a salesperson mentions that a particular electrified vehicle can be driven even on its coding day, a prospective buyer has incentive to sit up a little straighter.

Sports & Entertainment

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Exclusive

iPeople targets 200,000 students with global expansion push

iPeople, the listed Yuchengco-Ayala education joint venture, is pursuing an expansion strategy built around international partnerships, new campuses and facilities, sustainability-focused programs, and deeper artificial intelligence integration as it aims to nearly triple its student population to 200,000.

Vivant Water sees 2026 as launchpad for bigger growth 

Vivant Water is treating 2026 as a pivotal year as it moves from building its presence across the water industry to scaling operations, investments, and its project pipeline.

Visayas roots, Singapore routes: Top Line redraws its map

Singapore is no longer just a distant dot on Top Line Business Development Corp.’s growth chart. It has become a very literal marker of how far the company has travelled in 12 years, from a Visayas-based real estate developer to an emerging energy player now thinking in global supply routes.

Sunlight Air chooses precision over size aloft

In an aviation industry often driven by scale and speed, Sunlight Air is taking a more measured route. The boutique carrier is building its business around efficiency, discipline, and destination depth, convinced that smarter operations can deliver both commercial returns and environmental gains.