Good morning. It’s Saturday, August 9.

PesoWeekly readers! new Saturday, new reason to stay ahead. Whether you’re juggling deadlines, chasing that next big deal, or just looking for news that actually matters, we’ve got you covered. This issue, we break down who’s getting richer (and who’s losing millions) on the Philippines’ latest Forbes 50, how China’s low-profile battery king Robin Zeng is rewriting the billionaire rulebook, and what Apple’s $100B pivot means for your next gadget and your wallet. We’ve got Ramon Ang’s bold (and free) plan to fix Metro Manila floods, Clark’s aviation boom, and the real risks for Filipinos if the Taiwan conflict heats up. Plus, a reality check on rising leptospirosis cases, Marcos’ India deals, and why massive investments still matter. Plug in, it’s the smart way to start your Saturday.

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Big picture: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. just kicked a geopolitical hornet’s nest by openly saying the Philippines “can’t stay out” if conflict erupts between China and the US over Taiwan. His reason? Geography and the 160,000+ Filipinos living and working on the island. China’s reaction: strong words, official protests, and a warning to Manila not to “play with fire.”

Context check: For Filipinos, this is more than news cycle drama. If shooting starts in Taiwan, the Philippines could be swept up militarily, diplomatically, and through a humanitarian lens, especially for OFWs.

Why it matters: The Taiwan flashpoint is no longer just a US-China story. The safety of Filipino lives, the country’s diplomatic balancing act, and the possibility of real regional fallout put the Philippines at the center of Asia’s most dangerous rivalry. It’s not just about politics, every Filipino family with a loved one in Taiwan now has a stake in how this high-stakes game plays out.

The Cebu Provincial Government will now livestream all competitive bidding activities to boost transparency. Under Executive Order 37, signed by Gov. Pamela Baricuatro and approved by the Provincial Board, all procurement conferences must be shown online including pre-bid meetings and bid openings. Details of each project and contract, including winning bidders and amounts, must be posted on official websites and social media. High-value projects (₱50 million and above) also require post-award details in newspapers. Video records must be kept for five years. Officials face penalties for violations, and all documents stay open to the public, unless confidential by law.

San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang has offered to clean up Metro Manila’s waterways and help solve flooding, all at no cost to the government or public. Speaking with MMDA chair Don Artes and several Metro Manila mayors, Ang said San Miguel will handle waste removal and clear structures blocking water flow, but needs local approval to start. He promised to provide new homes for families moved from riverbanks and to rebuild any important structures, like schools, that are removed. City mayors and MMDA welcomed Ang’s plan, saying San Miguel’s help could speed up the flood clean-up.

Nearly five hectares of land along the Iponan River in Misamis Oriental have been destroyed by illegal mining, with pits up to three meters deep now marking Barangay Nangcaon. Authorities raided the site on August 2, seizing excavators, pumps, and records tied to commercial mineral sales. Only one suspect, a local resident, was arrested, but officials believe the operation was organized and possibly linked to foreign investors. Opol Mayor Jay Bago urged stricter penalties and called on nearby Cagayan de Oro officials to act, saying the damage has hurt both the environment and the area’s reputation.

Davao City Councilor Luna Maria Acosta is proposing a clamping ordinance to curb illegal parking and reduce traffic jams. The plan will set up designated clamping zones in busy streets like Quimpo Boulevard and R. Castillo, where parking will be strictly banned. Vehicles found in these no-parking areas will be clamped and owners fined ₱1,000 to ₱3,000, depending on vehicle type. Pay-parking and free-parking areas will not be affected. The ordinance, which requires changes to the city’s traffic code, aims for approval by year-end to give traffic enforcers more power to tackle congestion.

Leptospirosis cases are increasing across the Philippines, with the National Kidney and Transplant Institute now treating 35 patients and reporting 13 deaths this year. Senator Bong Go called on the Department of Health to act quickly, especially in flood-prone areas like Quezon City, where 23 have died. Most cases are linked to wading through floodwaters. Go urged Filipinos to seek medical help if symptoms appear and reminded everyone that PhilHealth covers treatment costs. The Department of Health has also flagged the disease as a public concern and encouraged rapid action to prevent more deaths and severe complications.

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The combined wealth of the Philippines’ 50 richest grew over 6% to $86 billion this year, thanks to strong domestic demand and infrastructure investments even as US tariffs and a 7% stock dip created headwinds. The Sy siblings remain at the top with $11.8 billion, followed by Enrique Razon Jr. and Manuel Villar. Standouts include Converge ICT’s Dennis Anthony and Maria Grace Uy, whose net worth soared 74%. Meanwhile, tough competition hit Wilcon Depot’s William Belo hard. The entry point to the list rose to $185 million. As the economy recovers, the country’s biggest tycoons remain key players in growth.

Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) attracted more than P1.19 billion in new investments from January to July 2025, doubling last year’s inflows. CIAC’s rebranding as an aviation business capital spurred growth, drawing foreign and local firms seeking a prime location near Clark Airport. Major investments include P600 million from Stellavia for a mixed-use complex and P400 million from Global Square Plaza for a multi-use facility, creating over 100 jobs. Other companies like All Fashion Gloves and UET are expanding, too. In total, the investments are expected to generate more than 700 direct jobs and boost Clark’s economy.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called his recent state visit to India a success, saying it marks a “new era” of stronger ties between the two countries. The Philippines secured $446 million in new investments across sectors like digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and healthcare, plus interest for almost $5.8 billion more. These deals are expected to create thousands of jobs for Filipinos. Marcos and Indian officials also signed agreements on space, defense, tourism, and digital upskilling. Prime Minister Modi announced free e-visa for Filipino tourists, boosting travel. Marcos said these stronger ties support peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Robin Zeng, founder of battery giant CATL, is worth nearly $40 billion but prefers to stay humble, focused on sharing his wealth and building a “good society.” Unlike flashy tycoons, Zeng aligns closely with China’s government and its push for high-tech, green industries. CATL, which supplies batteries to global brands like Tesla and BMW, now powers one in every three electric vehicles worldwide. Zeng grew up poor in rural China and built his success through hard work, government support, and strategic timing. His low-key style, philanthropy, and tech leadership mark a new era for China’s richest entrepreneurs.

Let’s get real: For many Filipinos, “family” and “finances” go together like rice and ulam—inseparable, comforting, and occasionally too much to swallow. Whether it’s the classic “Pautang muna, anak” or the festive “Padrino” requests during holidays, family financial pressure is practically a rite of passage.

The Numbers Game:
A recent Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas survey found nearly 1 in 3 Filipinos regularly support family beyond their own household. OFWs send over $36 billion home each year, and even locally, many breadwinners play the role of walking ATM.

But here’s the twist:
Trying to help everyone can leave you broke or worse, resentful. If you’re feeling the squeeze, here’s your playbook:

Why it matters:
Filipinos are some of the most generous people on earth. But real generosity means knowing when to say “no” so you can say “yes” for years to come not just until your wallet runs dry.

Big picture: Apple is dropping $100 billion more on US manufacturing after President Trump threatened massive tariffs on imported electronics. The White House is spinning this as a win for US jobs, but it’s more about survival in the age of global tech wars.

Context check: For Filipinos, this reshuffling could mean higher gadget prices in the US and maybe new supply chain opportunities in Southeast Asia if Apple diversifies further. The cost of iPhones and laptops may rise, especially with tariffs hitting global tech.

Why it matters: This is not just an Apple drama. Trade wars have a way of raising prices and shifting jobs. Wherever you buy your gadgets, the “Made in America” push could change what’s inside—and who profits—faster than you can say “Tim Apple.”

Imagine patching up airplanes with glue made from the same tree that gives us pili nuts. That’s exactly what 26-year-old Mark Bantugon did. Tired of toxic aircraft adhesives, this Batangas-born engineer created Pili Seal®, a biodegradable glue using resin from Pili trees, a product usually thrown away. His invention is so impressive it won global awards, beating out young inventors from around the world. Pili Seal isn’t just safe for people and the planet; it could also give Filipino farmers extra income. Mark grew up fixing leaky roofs with chewing gum. Now he’s patching airplanes and the future with Pinoy ingenuity. Who says science can’t be both smart and makabayan?

Filipino engineer Carvey Ehren Maigue invented AuREUS solar panels, which turn wasted fruits and vegetables into clean electricity. Unlike normal solar panels, AuREUS works even when it’s cloudy and can be put on walls or windows, not just rooftops. Farmers can sell their damaged crops for use in these panels, giving them extra income and cutting food waste. AuREUS solar panels are already winning global awards for their smart, sustainable design. In a country where high electricity bills and food waste are big problems, this homegrown invention proves a simple Filipino idea can light up the world.

Chinese drone giant DJI says it can’t get a response from the US government about avoiding a ban on its products. DJI needs to pass a national security audit before a new US law takes effect in December 2025. If it fails, DJI drones will be banned in America, including future sales and software updates. DJI’s global policy head, Adam Welsh, says officials refuse to meet. US politicians fear Chinese tech could be used for spying. Meanwhile, DJI is expanding into new markets like robot vacuums. But with a possible US ban, these new products may never reach American buyers.

Google is teaming up with US power companies to use artificial intelligence (AI) for making power grids more stable. By adding “demand response” features to its data centers, Google can reduce or shift electricity use during peak hours, helping prevent blackouts and cutting the need for new power plants. This is Google’s first time using AI to adjust machine learning tasks based on grid demand. The move is part of Google’s goal to run fully on carbon-free energy. As more companies adopt AI, Google hopes its technology will help power grids handle bigger energy needs in a cleaner way.

OpenAI has launched GPT-5, its newest AI chatbot, saying it can now give PhD-level answers in areas like coding and writing. CEO Sam Altman claims GPT-5 is smarter, faster, and more helpful than before like talking to a true expert instead of a student. The new model promises fewer mistakes and can show its step-by-step thinking. GPT-5 is now free for all users. Some experts say the hype is bigger than the reality and warn that more rules are needed as AI grows stronger. The real test will be if it delivers on these promises in daily use.

BPI AIA Free Courses – Simple video lessons on budgeting, saving, and financial planning. Click here

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason: Timeless money lessons told through short, easy parables. Available on any bookstores

Philippine Spirits by Jean Karl Gaverza – A digital archive of 2,000+ mythical creatures and deities from Filipino folklore. Find it on: Philippine Spirits

🎙️The Koolpals:  Pinoy comedians talk life and pop culture with jokes, banter, and big laughs. Click here

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel: Why how you think about money matters more than what you know. Available in all bookstores.