Good day, Ka-Peso!

The 2025 Philippine general election has officially wrapped up. As always, many familiar names have come out on top once again.No matter which side of the political fence we’re on or what we believe in, let’s respect the people's decision and move forward together. It's time to set aside our differences and work towards a common goal: a better future for all Filipinos and the generations to come.

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We started PesoWeekly to offer Filipinos a different kind of news—smarter, more positive, and with a little bit of fun. Life’s already full of negativity, so we want to be a breath of fresh air.

Our goal is to highlight meaningful stories that often don’t get enough attention from mainstream media. And in the near future, once we build our team of writers, journalists, creators, and researchers, we plan to go even bigger—sharing explainers, inspiring stories, science updates, personal finance tips, and more.

For now, we’d love for you—our early subscribers—to help shape PesoWeekly with us. Got suggestions? Story ideas? Interesting news we should include?

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Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) is making its most aggressive play yet: up to ₱125 billion in capex from 2025 to 2030 as part of its “Vision 5-25-50” strategy. The goal? ₱25 billion in net income by its 50th anniversary in 2030. Annual spending will range from ₱20B to ₱25B, this time focused less on land-buying and more on full-blown development, according to CFO Kerwin Max Tan.

With 55 malls already operating (46 of them outside NCR), RLC plans to build 14 new malls and boost gross leasable mall area by 50%, while also expanding offices, hotels, and logistics assets. Their current mall business is thriving—93% occupancy, 8,700+ tenants—and RLC President Mybelle Aragon-GoBio says they’re doubling down on what’s working: “Malling is a way of life for Filipinos.”

In Q1 2025, RLC posted a 4% profit growth (₱3.48B net income), with strong performances across malls, offices, hotels, and logistics. Malls alone earned ₱4.72B, thanks to rising foot traffic and the opening of Robinsons Pagadian.

Surprise U.S.-China Trade Deal Slashes Tariffs, Markets Rejoice

In a weekend twist nobody saw coming, the U.S. and China have agreed to dramatically reduce tariffs—offering a major sigh of relief to the global economy. Following tense negotiations in Geneva, both countries will roll back the bulk of tit-for-tat duties they’ve slapped on each other since April, they will slash tariffs by 115% starting from Wednesday with US tariff on Chinese products dropping down to 30% and China’s reciprocal tariffs on the US falling to 10%

The deal, effective for 90 days, is designed to buy time for deeper negotiations and de-escalate what had become a high-stakes economic staring contest. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking from Geneva, emphasized that “neither side wants to decouple,” and that the U.S. is pursuing a “long-lasting and durable trade deal.”

Markets immediately popped. U.S. stock futures surged, the dollar strengthened, and bond yields rose as traders welcomed the unexpected tariff truce. Dan Ives of Wedbush called the agreement “a dream scenario,” especially after Trump recently floated an 80% tariff as a baseline.

Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific markets kicked off the week with a bang after the U.S. and China dropped a surprise 90-day tariff truce—slashing reciprocal levies by 115 percentage points. J.P. Morgan’s Tai Hui called the move “larger than expected,” adding it shows both sides know tariffs = global slowdown.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Tech soared 5.16%, while India’s Nifty 50 spiked 3.49% after a separate ceasefire with Pakistan. Even Japan, Korea, and China clocked solid gains.

PSEi: 6,458.20 ▲ +68.71 (+1.08%)
BSP Rates: 5.50% (borrowing) | 5.00% (deposit) | 6.00% (lending)
🌐 Global Markets
Bitcoin: $103,587.00 ▲ +0.56%
Gold: $3,332.00/oz ▲ +0.63%

Note: These numbers may vary slightly depending on your source.

STT GDC Philippines, the Ayala Group’s data center arm, is pouring up to $1.56 billion into two new facilities: the 124-MW STT Fairview in Quezon City (the country’s largest yet) and the 6-MW STT Cavite 2. With data center builds averaging $11–12M per megawatt, these hubs mark a massive push to support booming demand for cloud and AI services. Backed by Globe, Ayala, and Singapore’s STT GDC, the company is also partnering with ACEN to power its facilities with renewables.

The Philippines is Ready for Its Digital Moment

According to BusinessMirror, the Philippines is emerging as a key player in Southeast Asia’s digital infrastructure race, with rising demand for hyperscale data centers and AI-driven systems. Industry leaders like Vertiv stress the need to move beyond BPOs and develop a highly skilled tech workforce. With new training hubs, growing investment, and a push for high-value engineering roles, the country is well-positioned to lead in the region—if it can align talent, innovation, and infrastructure in time.

Strong Asian Currencies Now a Headache, Not a Flex

For decades, Asian economies feared weak currencies. Today, it’s the opposite. As the US dollar tumbles—DXY down from 109 to 98—Asian currencies are rallying fast. Taiwan’s dollar surged nearly 10% in just two days, causing margin pain for giants like TSMC. The peso has also appreciated 6.1%, catching Philippine firms with unhedged dollar positions off guard. Across Asia, strong currencies are hurting exporters, triggering financial mismatches, and forcing central banks into damage control.

New studies reveal a disturbing link between heat and aging: prolonged exposure to high temperatures can accelerate aging at the cellular level. A 2023 German study found that just a 1°C rise in average temperature can quicken “epigenetic aging”—how old your body is biologically—due to DNA methylation changes. This isn’t just lab talk: farmworkers like Kalpana Suryawanshi in India report premature health decline, while community health workers note that many people now look older than their age. Women, diabetics, and those in extreme heat jobs are most vulnerable. Even unborn children exposed to drought may age faster, one Kenyan study found.

Is Your Heart Older Than You?
Scientists at the University of East Anglia have developed a groundbreaking MRI technique that reveals your heart's functional age—a measure of how well your heart performs, not just your age in years. In a study involving 557 people, they found that unhealthy lifestyles—like having high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity—can dramatically accelerate heart aging. For instance, a 50-year-old with hypertension may have a heart that functions like it's 55. The team built a formula using advanced imaging to compare hearts with different health conditions and validate their results. This new method could allow doctors to catch heart problems before symptoms appear—potentially preventing millions of heart attacks and strokes.

Dr. Pankaj Garg calls it a “game changer” that could prompt earlier interventions and even motivate people to live healthier lives.

“Fur-tual” Reality: Artificial Touch Gets a Major Upgrade
In a big leap for neuroprosthetics, scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have enhanced brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to let paralysed users feel again—with nuance. Participants could describe the warm fur of a cat, the cool roundness of an apple, or the rigid surface of a door key—just by exploring digital objects using artificial touch.

Unlike older versions that felt like generic buzzing, the new system lets users tweak the electrical brain stimulation themselves, resulting in personal and intuitive tactile experiences. One described a cat as "warm and tappy;" another called it "smooth and silky."

Though users identified objects correctly only 35% of the time, that's well above chance—and researchers are excited. “We aimed for the moon and made orbit,” said lead scientist Dr. Robert Gaunt.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly challenged Vladimir Putin to meet in Istanbul on Thursday, offering direct talks to end the war—just hours after Donald Trump demanded Ukraine accept Putin’s offer. Zelensky insisted the talks should follow a full ceasefire, aligning with a 30-day pause proposed by European leaders. Putin, while open to “serious negotiations,” avoided committing to the ceasefire. The move signals potential diplomatic momentum, but deep divides remain, with Russia demanding a halt in Western arms aid and Ukraine insisting talks begin only after the fighting stops.

Disney Picks Abu Dhabi for Newest Theme Park

Disney’s next theme park will rise on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, cementing the UAE’s status as a global leisure and consumer hub. With 38 million annual visitors and strategic access to 500 million people within a four-hour flight, Yas Island has become a key piece of the UAE’s diversification playbook. While Disney won’t invest capital, its presence signals confidence in Abu Dhabi’s growing non-oil economy and its global financial muscle—powered by sovereign wealth and smart, steady development.

Scientists Open 40-Year-Old Salmon Cans, Discover Hidden Clues About Ocean Health
In a surprising twist, decades-old canned salmon have become valuable tools in marine research. Scientists from the University of Washington examined 178 cans—some dating back to the 1970s—and discovered preserved anisakid worms. Though harmless post-canning, these parasites serve as ecological indicators, revealing changes in marine ecosystems over 42 years. The study found increasing worm loads in pink and chum salmon, suggesting a stable or recovering food web. These forgotten cans have become unexpected time capsules, offering insights into the long-term health of our oceans.

Child Accidentally Damages $50M Rothko at Rotterdam Museum
A young child accidentally scratched Mark Rothko’s Grey, Orange on Maroon, No. 8 at the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam—one of the Netherlands' most valuable artworks, estimated at up to $60 million. The incident occurred during an “unguarded moment” in the museum’s open-access storage facility, which allows visitors to view art without traditional barriers. While the damage was unintentional, the painting’s unvarnished surface makes restoration complex and costly, potentially reaching $150,000. The museum declined to share photos of the damage, but confirmed it is assessing next steps. Art experts have since reignited debates about balancing accessibility and protection in modern display spaces.

MIT Students Crack Egg Myth—Sideways Drop Proves Stronger
Engineering students have debunked a long-held belief: eggs aren't strongest at their tips. In a study published in Communications Physics, researchers found that eggs dropped on their sides are more resistant to breaking than those dropped vertically. Using static compression and dynamic drop tests, the team discovered that while both orientations crack under similar force, sideways eggs absorb more energy—making them more impact-resistant. The key? Flexibility. Horizontal eggs compress more before breaking, acting like natural shock absorbers. The findings challenge decades of pop-science wisdom and highlight the importance of empirical testing. “It’s a reminder that even ‘settled’ science should be questioned,” said senior author Prof. Tal Cohen. The research, backed by the U.S. Office of Naval Research and the National Science Foundation, may also inspire new approaches in structural design under dynamic loads.

SB19, BINI, Flow G, G22, and More Set for Biggest OPM Concert of the Year
Mark your calendars: Puregold’s OPMCON 2025 is lighting up the Philippine Arena on July 5 with a star-studded lineup including SB19, BINI, Flow G, G22, KAIA, Skusta Clee, and Sunkissed Lola. Dubbed the biggest OPM event of the year, the concert celebrates Pinoy music, pride, and talent. Ticket selling kicks off May 16–17 at the Tindahan Ni Aling Puring Convention in Pasay. Expect powerhouse vocals, hip-hop fire, and bold anthems on a world-class stage.

Charo Santos and Dingdong Dantes Star in Unconventional Love Story 'Only We Know' Veteran actress Charo Santos and heartthrob Dingdong Dantes are pairing up for the first time in Only We Know, a Star Cinema and Agosto Dos Pictures film hitting cinemas June 11. Directed by Irene Villamor (Sid and Aya), the movie explores a love story “without labels” between a woman in her 60s and a widower in his 30s-40s. Shot in just 13 days, the film’s emotional depth and surprising chemistry are already generating buzz after a tearful advance screening for local directors.

NBC cancels Suits: LA before finale — fans divided over blame
Suits: LA is officially benched. NBC confirmed the cancellation of the spinoff just days before its May 18 finale — and the fandom is not taking it lightly. This week’s episode even brought back OG fave Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman), but it wasn’t enough to salvage the show’s struggling numbers. According to Deadline, Suits: LA hovered around just 1 million viewers per episode and failed to gain traction on Peacock. Many fans are pointing fingers… at other fans. Comments on NBC’s Instagram clip turned into a blame game, with loyal viewers accusing diehards of clinging too tightly to the original series and refusing to give the new cast a fair shot. Others argued the show lacked the magic because it tried to reinvent the wheel instead of building on what worked — namely Harvey, Mike, and Donna.

This marks the second failed Suits spinoff (the first being Pearson in 2019). Maybe lightning only strikes once in legal dramas?

HISTORY FLASH: Who Was the First Philippine Politician?

When we ask, “Who was the first Filipino politician?” the answer isn’t as straightforward as it seems. While Emilio Aguinaldo is officially recognized as the first President of the Philippines, the title of the first Filipino politician is often attributed to Andrés Bonifacio, the founder of the Katipunan.

Bonifacio established the Katipunan in 1892, a revolutionary society aiming to gain independence from Spanish colonial rule. He organized a structured leadership within the Katipunan, assuming the role of "Supremo," effectively acting as the head of a revolutionary government. This positions Bonifacio as a pioneering political figure in the Philippines.

However, the political landscape shifted during the Tejeros Convention on March 22, 1897. This assembly aimed to resolve leadership disputes within the revolutionary movement. During the convention, an election was held, resulting in Emilio Aguinaldo being elected as President, despite his absence due to military engagements. Bonifacio was elected as Director of the Interior, but his qualifications were publicly challenged, leading him to declare the proceedings null and void. This conflict culminated in Bonifacio's arrest and execution in May 1897.

Thus, while Bonifacio laid the groundwork for Filipino political leadership through revolutionary means, Aguinaldo's election at the Tejeros Convention marks the inception of formal political governance in the Philippines.