Good morning. Today’s issue starts with a Filipino hotel brand going bigger overseas, as Hotel101 lines up a 770-room Bangkok project. We also look at Jollibee’s global value story, inflation pressure, cheaper electricity options, strange AI trends, science finds, and a few quick headlines worth your second coffee today.

Stay Sharp.

Big picture: DoubleDragon’s Hotel101 Global has signed binding agreements with Thailand’s Origin Property for a new Hotel101-Bangkok project, its latest push outside the Philippines.

What’s planned: The hotel is expected to have around 770 rooms on an 8,336-square-meter site along Phahon Yothin Road, near Don Mueang International Airport 

Why it matters: Once completed, the company says it could become one of Bangkok’s three largest hotels by room count and generate about 1.925 billion baht, or $58 million, in sales revenue once fully sold.

The catch: The project is still subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Bottom line: Hotel101 is exporting its standardized condotel model deeper into Southeast Asia.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects June inflation to settle between 6% and 7%, driven by higher electricity rates and vegetable prices. Lower fuel, rice, and meat prices helped ease some cost pressures, but inflation is expected to remain above the central bank’s 2% to 4% target range.

Households Gain Access to Cheaper Electricity Options 

Residential consumers can now choose their electricity supplier after the government lowered the minimum power requirement under the retail competition program. Two household groups in Quezon City and San Juan have already switched providers, marking the first residential participants under the expanded policy that aims to offer more affordable electricity options. 

DITO, Stere Partner to Expand Digital Insurance Access 

DITO Telecommunity and Stere Asia Pacific signed a strategic partnership to offer digital insurance and protection services to more Filipinos. Supported by insurance and healthcare partners, the collaboration aims to expand access to affordable, technology-driven protection solutions through DITO’s nationwide telecommunications network and digital platform. 

Japanese Firms Remain Cautious on PH Investments 

Japanese companies remain cautious about expanding investments in the Philippines, citing concerns over taxes, corruption, infrastructure, and political uncertainty. While consumer-focused businesses continue to grow, manufacturers are holding back additional investments, with many preferring other Southeast Asian markets such as Vietnam due to a more favorable business environment. 

Alex Eala faces Maya Joint in the Wimbledon second round, aiming to avenge her heartbreaking Eastbourne Open finals loss from last year. (Read more)

BINI Postpones Europe Leg of 'Signals' World Tour 

BINI postponed the Europe leg of its “Signals” world tour due to unforeseen circumstances, with new dates to be announced and ticket refunds offered. (Read More)

Kim Chiu Shares Cryptic Posts After Ogie Diaz Remarks

Kim Chiu shared motivational posts after Ogie Diaz recalled a past encounter, while fans defended the actress over her recent Ryzza Mae joke controversy.  (Read More)

AB Capital says the market may be missing Jollibee Foods Corp.’s global growth story. The company is preparing an international spin-off, with private separation targeted for March to April 2027, followed by an overseas listing by August to September 2027.

Why it matters: The report says JFC’s current valuation mostly reflects its Philippine business, while faster-growing assets like Jollibee US, Highlands Coffee, Compose Coffee, Tim Ho Wan, and Vietnam may not be fully priced in.

The catch: Management says weak first-quarter earnings were mainly from margin pressure, not soft demand.

Bottom line: The broker kept an Outperform rating and a ₱211 target price, versus JFC’s ₱134.50 close on June 30.

In collaboration with AB Capital Securities. This section is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Please conduct your own research or consult a licensed professional before making investment decisions.

NASA launched a robotic mission to rescue the aging Swift space telescope by moving it into a higher orbit, aiming to extend its mission and test future satellite servicing technology. (Read more)

Artificial intelligence is helping LGBTQ creators produce and share same-sex romance stories independently, expanding representation and global reach while raising concerns over bias, privacy, and responsible AI use. (Read more)

China's AI-generated short drama boom has increased demand for licensed image rights, with companies paying people to legally use their faces and avoid copyright and identity disputes. (Read more)

A Chinese company unveiled AI-powered humanoid companion robots designed to provide conversation, emotional support, and companionship, targeting single adults and seniors amid growing demand for social care technology. (Read more)

Mandaluyong Confirms Second Mpox Case This Year 

Mandaluyong health officials confirmed the city's second mpox case this year, prompting contact tracing and monitoring while reminding residents to practice hygiene and avoid close skin-to-skin contact.

Scientists Develop Injectable ‘Mini Livers’ for Liver Disease 

MIT researchers developed injectable “mini livers” that restored key liver functions in mice for weeks, offering a potential alternative or bridge to liver transplantation in the future. 

New Jacket Harvests Drinking Water From Air 

Engineers developed a wearable jacket that collects moisture from the air and produces up to 900 milliliters of drinking water daily, offering portable hydration for outdoor and emergency use.

Rare Antarctic Dinosaur Fossil Identified After Decades 

Scientists identified a rare Antarctic dinosaur tail fossil decades after it was discovered, confirming it belonged to a titanosaur, a long-necked plant-eating dinosaur that lived millions of years ago. 

🚀 Filipino engineer Dr. Mark Angelo Purio joined a Poland analog astronaut mission, supporting lunar and Martian research with international scientists. (Read more)

🎓 Karla Gundaya graduated from UP Mindanao after eight years, encouraging students to keep pursuing their goals despite setbacks and delays. (Read more)

🕊️ Grade 10 student, 14, died after being stabbed inside a Bulacan home, while a teacher found at the scene remains under police investigation. (Read more)

🎭 A satirical post claims authorities may ban songs, including Fitterkarma's "Pag-Ibig ay Kanibalismo II," over alleged aswang references. (Read more)

💳 BPI permanently removed transfer fees for money sent to other banks and e-wallets, with the new policy taking effect July 1, 2026. (Read more)

Niger's military government has arrested dozens under a new law criminalizing same-sex relations, raising concerns over human rights, public health, and disrupted HIV prevention services.

Finland Ends Analog Landline Phone Service 

Finland ended analog landline phone service after nearly 150 years, completing its shift to digital communications as mobile technology and fiber-optic networks replace aging copper-wire telephone infrastructure. 

Japan Serves Oyster-Topped Soft-Serve Ice Cream 

A roadside diner in Japan is attracting visitors with oyster-topped soft-serve ice cream, combining creamy vanilla, fresh oysters, and soy sauce into an unusual summer dessert experience.

📝 Kuya Kim teases more collaborations with viral creator LANS (Watch here)

📝 Street closure for zumba draws reactions online (Read more)

📝 New Minions movie takes fans to 1920s Hollywood. (Watch here)

📝 Rare Philippine brown deer spotted in Marinduque. (Watch here)