The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) saw its net income plunge 85 percent to P2.17 billion in January to September 2026, as a steep decline in electronic gaming revenues and higher statutory remittances squeezed its earnings.

Razon‑led digital platform OnlyFun.PH has partnered with Viva Communications’ VMX Live to launch an in‑app livestream offering headlined by popular Viva personalities, blending real‑time fan interaction with regulated gaming under the brand FollowBet.

Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV), the non‑east zone arm of Manila Water, is stepping up preparations across Pangasinan and Isabela — areas flagged by state weather bureau PAGASA as prone to dry spells through late 2026, with drought risks extending into early 2027 — to keep water supplies steady amid the El Niño weather pattern.

Hard Discount Philippines Inc., the firm behind discount retail chain DALI, recorded an accumulated shortfall of P1.03 billion as of the close of 2025, marking five straight years of operating losses for the local hard‑discount player. In its audit report for the year, Sycip Gorres Velayo and Co. (SGV) flagged significant uncertainty over the company’s ability to keep running as a going concern, citing deepening financial gaps even as top‑line sales expanded rapidly.

Aboitiz Power Corp. reported a 13‑percent increase in net income for the first nine months of 2026, reaching P26.2 billion from P23.3 billion in the same period of 2025, the company said in a disclosure filed Thursday at the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Renewable energy groups are pushing for an urgent energy summit for the Visayas region before the Christmas holiday, warning that narrow power reserves are putting households and businesses at risk of outages and higher electricity bills.

Canadian investment firm Brookfield Corp. is exploring additional renewable energy investments in the Philippines, building on its entry into the market through the acquisition of a developer with a 1.8-gigawatt pipeline of wind, solar, and battery storage projects.

As Filipinos mark All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day this coming November, the Manuel V. Pangilinan‑led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has assured customers of round‑the‑clock crew readiness to address any power issues within its service franchise during the holiday period.

Anflo Industrial Estate (AIE) in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, has attracted an estimated P8.5 billion in combined investments from its developer and locators, as new cold storage and manufacturing operations are set to expand its industrial footprint this year.

Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) has opened Astra Lifestyle Centre along A.S. Fortuna Street in Mandaue City, adding a retail component to its mixed-use Astra Centre development as property developers increasingly combine shopping, dining, residential and workplace offerings in a single destination.

Flexible office spaces are gaining ground in Metro Manila’s subdued property market, with net take-up rising 185 percent in the first nine months of 2026 as companies seek to contain costs and adapt workplaces to changing business needs.

Metro Manila’s condominium market continues to grapple with persistent oversupply as buyers withdraw from purchases when monthly payments jump sharply upon transitioning from developer financing to bank loans.

Globe Telecom has stepped up network preparations in line with the National Telecommunications Commission’s call for stronger readiness and coordination among telcos ahead of the Undas observance this month.

PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications are accelerating roll‑out of the government‑backed Bayanihan SIM program through expanded network coverage and on‑the‑ground activation efforts, strengthening the group’s role as a key private‑sector partner for national digital inclusion. The Bayanihan SIM initiative gives underserved communities access to basic mobile connectivity, with PLDT‑Smart leveraging its extensive fixed‑fiber and mobile network infrastructure to bring the program to more remote locations.

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 latest vow of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to defend the peso with the country’s foreign exchange reserves and policy tools invites a question: Has his administration forgotten the costly lessons of the 1997–1998 Asian financial crisis?

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.”