Good morning.

Good morning and happy Saturday. Here’s your end-of-week briefing. From a subway that promises 29-minute cross-city travel to debt hitting ₱17.7 trillion and new tax reform pressure, this week was about time and money. Grab your coffee. Let’s close the week smarter than we started it. Also, join our growing team! We are looking for brand partnership lead. If you have experience or happens to know someone in media or sponsorships and believe in value aligned work, email us at [email protected].

Stay sharp.

Big picture: Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the groundbreaking of two new underground stations in Bonifacio Global City for the 33-km Metro Manila Subway Project. The pitch is simple: less traffic, more life.

Why it matters: Once fully operational, travel time from Valenzuela to BGC is expected to drop from 1.5 hours to 29 minutes. End-to-end travel from Valenzuela to Parañaque could take about 46 minutes. Quezon City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport may shrink to 35 minutes.

The details:
• 17 stations from Valenzuela to Bicutan, Taguig
• Direct link to NAIA Terminal 3
• Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency
• Target completion: 2029
• Estimated 500,000 passengers daily

Marcos said the goal is to restore dignity to daily travel. For many Filipinos, that starts with getting home on time.

Big picture: A “high-yield” app is legit only if two things are true: the company is properly licensed in the Philippines, and the returns make sense versus normal market rates. If it skips licenses and promises wild profits, assume risk first, excitement later.

1. Reality-check the returns
• PH banks and e-wallets usually offer low single-digit % per year, sometimes higher on promos.
• “Earn 60% in 30 days” or “double your money fast” matches patterns flagged by SEC advisories.
• “Guaranteed, no risk” is marketing, not finance.

2. Verify the company and license
• Get the exact corporate name and SEC number.
• Confirm authority with the Securities and Exchange Commission for investments or lending.
• For apps holding funds, check supervision by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

3. Follow the money
• Payments should go to a corporate account under the same legal name, not personal wallets.
• Clear contracts beat Telegram promises.

If one gate fails, walk away. The easiest way to earn more is not losing your capital.

The OECD urged the Philippines to phase out VAT exemptions for senior citizens and private education to raise revenue and curb debt, which hit ₱17.71 trillion or 63.2% of GDP in 2025. It also pushes for tax reforms, pension changes, and climate action to secure long-term fiscal stability.

Bank of the Philippine Islands raised ₱50 billion from a two-year social bond, its largest peso issuance, after demand hit 10 times the ₱5 billion base offer. The bonds pay 5.405% annually and will fund eligible social projects under BPI’s Sustainable Funding Framework.

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development is backing a law to institutionalize business permit and licensing offices under local governments to streamline registration and attract investors. The move follows an OECD review urging fewer regulatory barriers, digitalization, and faster approvals to boost competitiveness.

Pacific Online Systems Corp. is exiting its 37.5% stake in HHR Philippines and withdrawing from the PCSO E-Lotto project after stricter government policies on online betting. The move signals rising regulatory risk for gaming firms and a shift in strategy toward more stable business opportunities.

Catriona Gray said Sam Milby ended their engagement after realizing he was not ready for marriage. She felt blindsided, sought therapy for two years, and is now healing while dating privately. (Read More)

Zayn Malik says he never “truly” loved Gigi Hadid despite dating her and having a daughter, Khai, clarifying he respects and loves her as the mother of his child. (Read more)

Two Dubai-based OFWs won gold in men’s doubles 45+ table tennis at the Abu Dhabi Open Masters Games, beating Indian teams 3-0 twice, while also reaching singles quarterfinals. (Read More)

The Department of Public Works and Highways and the Blockchain Council of the Philippines launched the Integrity Chain portal to monitor foreign-funded infrastructure projects, allowing independent groups and institutions to validate and audit implementation. (Read More)

The Department of Information and Communications Technology said it will soon launch Oplan Bantay Padala, an online portal where consumers can report lost parcels, delivery delays, and poor courier service, with anonymous filing and public tracking features. (Read More)

Worldwide Olympic Partner Alibaba launched “Wonder on Ice,” an AI-powered interactive exhibit at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games in Milan, offering visitors a personalized virtual retail experience through cloud technology at Piazza del Castello. (Read more)

Researchers at the University of Stuttgart twisted ultra-thin chromium iodide layers to create a new magnetic state that forms stable skyrmions, potentially enabling smaller, denser, and more durable data storage devices. (Read more)

A recent study found 51% of global coral reefs suffered moderate or worse bleaching due to ocean warming, with 15% facing severe damage, raising concerns about long-term ecosystem degradation.

The World Health Organization said more than 94 million people worldwide have cataracts, but about half cannot access the 15-minute surgery needed, as cases rise with aging populations globally.

Researchers at NYU Langone Health found the transcription factor HOXD13 promotes melanoma growth and helps tumors evade the immune system by triggering blood vessel formation, offering a potential target for new treatments.

Scientists discovered HD 137010 b, a rocky planet slightly larger than Earth orbiting a Sun-like star 146 light-years away. The planet may be very cold, but a thick atmosphere could make it more hospitable.

Manila hosted a mass wedding of 100 couples, led by Mayor Isko Moreno, as part of pre-Valentine’s Day festivities. (Read more)

Emma Amit died from toxins in Zosimus aeneus, a poisonous crab common in Palawan’s waters, warns BFAR. (Read more)

PNP Chief Gen. Nartatez urged caution online, noting scammers target lonely, emotionally vulnerable individuals and have already recorded six cases this year. (Read more)

Regional offices can now adjudicate cases, with digital filing, videoconferencing, and protections for vulnerable workers nationwide. (Read more)

Driver linked to 23-year-old student’s death released as police cite lack of clear negligence and full cooperation. (Read more)

A dog that stayed by his owner’s grave for 10 years inspired the Bob Coveiro Law, letting pets be buried alongside their owners in São Paulo, recognizing the bond between humans and animals.

President William Ruto announced that Kenya will reopen its border with Somalia in April, nearly 15 years after it closed due to al-Shabab attacks, with strong security measures to protect travelers.

Mahnoor Omer and colleague Ahsan Jehangir Khan are pushing a legal case in Pakistan to remove taxes on sanitary products, calling them essential goods and fighting period poverty and social stigma.

📝Valentine’s Day movies beyond the usual love story picks.

📝 Saudi celebrates largest-ever healthcare graduate cohort ready to transform care nationwide. (Watch)

📝 Perfect Guide to Celebrate Valentine’s Day by focusing on yourself. (Listen here)

📝Man caught stealing motorcycle to visit girlfriend in another town. (Watch)

📝1 in 4 Filipinos have witnessed or experienced cheating, survey shows diverse relationship betrayals.

Wellness & "Adulting"