Happy Monday! Start the week with the stories moving Filipino wallets and conversations. We look at storm-hit farms, a suspended wage increase, changing shopping habits, an analog astronaut, smarter weather forecasts, and Alex Eala’s next test, plus practical tools to protect your digital life from scams and hackers this week.

Stay Sharp.

The big picture: Resources across the Philippine financial system reached a record ₱38.31 trillion in June, up 8.9% from a year earlier, preliminary BSP data showed.

By the numbers: Banks held ₱31.96 trillion, or most of the system’s resources. Bank assets rose 10.3%, while loans from large banks expanded 9.8%. Digital banks grew fastest, with resources jumping 46.7% to ₱208.4 billion, although they still represent a small share.

Why it matters: The increase points to strong deposits, lending and bank earnings, even as inflation stays high and economic growth weakens.

The catch: More money inside the financial system does not automatically lift the economy. The bigger test is whether it funds productive investments, business expansion, infrastructure and jobs across the country.

Agricultural damage from the southwest monsoon and recent tropical cyclones climbed to ₱689.66 million, affecting 19,634 hectares and destroying 17,527 metric tons of crops. Rice, corn, cassava, livestock, and farm infrastructure were among the hardest hit, with Pampanga recording the biggest losses.

Cosiquien Builds His Own Housing Legacy

Developer Michael Cosiquien is carving his own path in Philippine real estate by focusing on thoughtfully designed residential communities. Drawing from his family’s construction roots, he is pursuing projects that balance quality, functionality, and long-term value while addressing evolving homebuyer preferences.

Villanueva Seeks Aid for Wage Earners

Sen. Joel Villanueva urged the Department of Labor and Employment to provide interim assistance to Metro Manila minimum wage earners while the ₱85 wage hike remains suspended. The increase was supposed to roll out in two tranches: ₱60 in July and ₱25 in January 2027.

Middle East War Reshapes Spending Habits

Filipino consumers are tightening budgets as the Middle East conflict pushes up fuel and commodity costs. A Worldpanel by Numerator survey found more shoppers are seeking discounts and buying from community and online stores, with sari-sari stores accounting for 41% of in-home purchases in the second quarter.

Disney's Ultimate Princess Celebration concert unites Brandy, Susan Egan, Paige O'Hara, Judy Kuhn, and other iconic princess voices for a live musical celebration of beloved Disney classics. (Read More)

Alex Eala Opens Cincinnati Campaign

Alex Eala begins her Cincinnati Open campaign against Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse, aiming to build on her recent breakthrough WTA title and continue her impressive rise in world tennis. (Read More)

'58th' Brings Maguindanao Massacre Story Home

The internationally acclaimed film 58th, inspired by the Maguindanao Massacre, returns to the Philippines for what organizers say could be its only local screening, honoring the victims' legacy. (Read more)

Filipino engineer Dr. Mark Angelo Purio joined analog astronaut missions in Poland, simulating space conditions and conducting tests that could help prepare astronauts for future missions beyond Earth. (Read more)

China Uses AI to Improve Weather Forecasts

China is developing AI weather models that can predict storms faster and sometimes more accurately than traditional systems, helping authorities prepare for flooding, evacuations, and other extreme-weather risks. (Read more)

AI Reconstructs Missing Atoms in Crystal Structures

Researchers developed XtalPaint, an AI tool that reconstructs missing atoms in crystal structures. Tests showed a 97% success rate, potentially helping scientists study materials for batteries, hydrogen storage, and superconductors. (Read more)

China to Host World Humanoid Robot Games

China will host the World Humanoid Robot Games with 2,056 robots from 16 countries competing in sports and practical challenges, showcasing advances in robotics, teamwork, movement, and autonomy. (Read more)

UP Tracks Flying Foxes to Support Conservation

University of the Philippines researchers tracked nine flying foxes using GPS collars to study their movements, habitat use, and feeding patterns, providing valuable data for better conservation efforts.

245-Million-Year-Old Reptile Found With Organs Preserved

Scientists discovered a fossil of Austronaga minuta in China with its stomach, liver, and intestines remarkably preserved, offering rare insight into ancient marine reptiles.

‘Poop Pills’ May Help Ease Insomnia, Early Study Finds

A small study found fecal microbiota transplant pills improved sleep among adults with chronic insomnia, but researchers say more studies are needed before considering the treatment.

Rising CO2 Linked to Surprising Changes in Human Blood

Researchers found blood bicarbonate levels rose about 7% since 1999, while calcium and phosphorus declined, suggesting rising atmospheric CO2 may be affecting human body chemistry.

🚰 Scheduled maintenance will cause water interruptions across parts of NCR and Greater Manila from August 17 to 21, affecting thousands of customers. (Read more)

🎓 Seventy percent of McDonald’s Philippines’ 75,000 employees are working students, with flexible schedules supporting education, skills training, and career growth. (Read more)

🌏 Analysts said China’s arrest of Filipinos could signal increasing diplomatic pressure amid continuing tensions over disputes in the West Philippine Sea. (Read more)

🌧️ Baguio recorded nearly a month’s worth of rainfall in just 10 days, triggering floods, landslides, and heightened disaster response efforts. (Read more)

🤖 An investor proposing an AI data center in Oton, Iloilo walked out of a public hearing after disagreements with participants. (Read more)

North Korean operatives reportedly used stolen identities, AI tools and U.S. accomplices to secure remote jobs at American companies, funneling millions of dollars back to Kim Jong Un’s regime.

Free Hugs Offer Comfort to Colombia Quake Survivors

A Colombian musician is offering free hugs in quake-hit Cali, providing emotional support to survivors, volunteers, and rescuers coping with trauma after the deadly 7.4-magnitude earthquake.

Caspian Tigers Return to Kazakhstan After 70 Years

Kazakhstan released a female tiger into a nature reserve, launching efforts to rebuild a self-sustaining Caspian tiger population after the species disappeared from the country decades ago.

📝 ‘K-pop-level prices?’: Pinoys react to Rene Baterbonia merchandise. (Watch here)

📝 DOT’s take on the ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ trend gets praise online. (Watch here)

📝 Filipino-French cyclist completes 28,000-kilometer journey across 26 countries to finally reach home in Cebu. (Watch here)

📝 Firefighter stays calm through blazing fire but panics when stubborn dog refuses rescue. (Watch here)