Good morning,

Every week, we’re working to bring you better, more useful information.

Starting this issue, we’re introducing a new investing section in collaboration with AB Capital Securities to help break down what’s happening in the markets and what it actually means.

This is just the beginning. We’re building PesoWeekly to give Filipinos clear, high-quality information that helps you think better and make smarter decisions.

Stay Sharp.

Big picture: Innovation in the Philippines is picking up. Intellectual property filings hit a record 53,231 in 2025, signaling that more Filipinos are building and protecting ideas.

What’s happening: Data from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines shows growth driven by patents, utility models, and industrial designs. These categories jumped by 8% to 30%, reflecting stronger activity in inventions and product development, even as trademark filings slightly dipped.

What’s driving it:

Bottom line: Filipinos are no longer just creating ideas. They are learning how to protect and monetize them, turning innovation into real economic value.

The Department of Energy said fuel prices could roll back next week after weeks of increases, following a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran. Final adjustments depend on global trading. A P10-per-liter subsidy for public transport drivers also rolls out, helping offset still-elevated fuel costs nationwide.

Oil Prices Are Cooling, But PH Businesses Aren’t Feeling It Yet

Oil prices may be easing after the ceasefire, but businesses are still under pressure. The Federation of Philippine Industries says firms are stuck with high-cost inventory and rising logistics expenses. They want subsidies, fuel cost controls, and EV support. For now, relief is delayed.

S&P Revises Philippines’ Credit Outlook to Stable

S&P Global Ratings downgraded the Philippines’ outlook to “stable” from “positive,” citing risks from rising oil prices and the Middle East conflict. The country kept its BBB+ rating but faces weaker chances of an upgrade. Higher deficits and energy costs may strain finances despite steady growth projections.

The Asian Development Bank lowered the Philippines’ 2026 growth forecast to 4.4% from 5.3% due to the Middle East conflict. Inflation is now seen at 4%. Higher oil and commodity prices may slow consumption, investment, and remittances, with vulnerable sectors expected to feel the biggest impact.

World Bank Warns Oil Relief May Strain PH Finances

The World Bank said government subsidies and tax cuts to ease oil shocks may strain public finances and slow growth. It cut 2026 GDP forecast to 3.7%. Higher debt, weaker consumption, and rising inflation could hit the economy, with low-income households and remittances most at risk.

Global searches for BINI and Katseye hit peak levels on Google Trends as both groups prepare for Coachella 2026 performances, signaling rising international attention for P-pop and Asian acts. (Read more)

Anne Curtis and Mimiyuuuh interviewed Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep at The Devil Wears Prada 2 Tokyo press tour, highlighting a rare global spotlight moment for Filipino stars. (Read More)

Colegio de San Juan de Letran defeated De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in a five-set Game 3 to claim its first NCAA women’s volleyball championship since 1998, snapping a long title drought. (Read more)

RRHI has shifted into a very different kind of trade.

Robinsons Retail Holdings is being taken private at ₱48.30 per share by its majority shareholder, JE Holdings, setting a clear ceiling on where the stock can go. With that in place, the story is no longer about earnings growth or expansion plans.

Instead, the focus turns to the deal itself. Investors are now watching whether the transaction closes, and under what conditions.

As of late March, shares were trading around ₱46, below the offer price, reflecting regulatory approvals, tender participation, and execution risk still being priced in.

If the deal pushes through, the remaining upside comes from that spread. If it falls apart, the stock could slide back toward earlier levels.

At this point, the trade comes down to one thing: confidence that the deal gets done.


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.

Netflix added three Jackbox party games, Fibbage 4, Quiplash 3, and Drawful 2, to its TV app, letting subscribers play for free as it expands family-friendly interactive entertainment offerings. (Read More)

An AI-powered machine in Zhangjiagang, China sorts used clothes by material in seconds, processing tons hourly and reducing waste, helping improve recycling efficiency and cut pollution from synthetic textiles. (Read more)

An autonomous vehicle in Austin, Texas killed a mother duck, raising concerns about self-driving technology. The company adjusted routes and is reviewing system performance to prevent similar incidents. (Read more)

DTI Lanao del Norte partnered with Mindanao University-Iligan Institute of Technology to develop an AI system for price monitoring, helping detect unusual changes and improve government response during supply disruptions. (Read more)

Artemis II astronauts are set for splashdown after a 10-day lunar mission, as NASA monitors reentry risks, including extreme heat, while officials await safe recovery before declaring mission success.

Emperor penguins and Antarctic fur seals were listed as endangered due to climate change, with melting sea ice reducing breeding grounds, food supply, and survival rates, pushing populations closer to extinction.

Oldest Octopus Fossil Misidentified, Scientists Say

Scientists found a 300-million-year-old fossil once labeled the oldest octopus is actually a nautilus relative, correcting earlier claims and reshaping understanding of octopus evolution and ancient marine life history.

Scientists Discover Hidden Brain Waste System

Researchers found a hidden drainage pathway in the human brain using MRI scans, showing fluid flow along arteries, which could improve understanding of Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases.

🔫Sixty-three-year-old man killed in accidental shotgun firing in Toledo City, Cebu while wife was wounded, police recovered improvised firearm at scene incident. (Read more)

🌧️ Tropical Storm Sinlaku may enter PAR Wednesday and could intensify but is likely to avoid landfall, PAGASA said. (Read more)

⚖️ Mindanao lawyers and stakeholders asked Supreme Court to intervene in Sara Duterte impeachment case citing constitutional violations and seeking TRO. (Read more)

🏛️Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo denied coup talks to oust House Speaker Faustino Dy and expressed support for his leadership amid political rumors. (Read more)

⛽ Baguio City declared a state of calamity due to fuel crisis, enabling access to disaster funds and emergency interventions. (Read more)

India proposed new rules to regulate news and political content on social media, extending oversight to influencers and users, raising concerns about censorship while officials say it aims to curb misinformation.

A pastor in Birmingham, UK was charged with gross negligence manslaughter after a 61-year-old man drowned during a baptism ceremony in October 2023, with the case now set for court proceedings.

Authorities in Daejeon, South Korea deployed over 300 police, firefighters, and soldiers after a 30-kilogram wolf escaped from a zoo, prompting a school closure and ongoing search operations.

📝Police vehicle transports commuters amid fuel shortage crisis. (Watch here)

📝 RSPCA confirms viral dog rescue photo is real amid AI claims. (Watch here)

📝 Seoul startup galaxy builds AI and robot idols to challenge K-pop system. (Read more)

📝 PAWS urges pet owners to prevent heat stroke during hot season. (Read more)

The "Future-Proof" Geek