It’s Friday, Nov. 7

Hey there, PesoWeekly readers,  it’s been a rough week for the country. From earthquakes to Typhoon Tino’s devastating floods, many Filipinos are still picking up the pieces. Cebu’s ₱26-billion flood control fiasco shows how corruption and neglect can make disasters even worse. But beyond the anger and politics, this is a moment to remember what really matters  sticking together, helping each other, and demanding better systems that actually protect us next time.

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The Cebu flooding crisis after Typhoon Tino has become a national symbol of anger and disbelief. Despite ₱26.7 billion spent on 414 flood control projects since 2022, the province was still “flooded to the max,” as Governor Pamela Baricuatro put it. Cebu City alone had 47 projects worth ₱1.8 billion yet it saw deadly floods and dozens of lives lost. In Talisay, ₱2 billion worth of flood defenses failed to stop entire neighborhoods from sinking underwater.

Billions, but Broken Promises
Governor Baricuatro revealed that all flood control projects in Cebu since 2019 were either ghost or substandard. Provincial investigators also found that some contractors used borrowed licenses to win bids and build defective infrastructure. As of November 6, 2025, official reports indicate between 108 and 124 deaths in Cebu, with more than 60 still missing. The Cebu Emergency Operations Center listed 108 fatalities as of 6 p.m., while later updates from local news placed the toll at 124. President Marcos Jr. has ordered a full probe into the ₱26-billion flood control spending and the alleged involvement of national contractors tied to other failed projects.

The PesoWeekly Take
The people are angry and rightfully so. Typhoon Tino didn’t just flood Cebu; it exposed years of corruption, complacency, and poor governance. But outrage alone won’t fix this. Filipinos often forget once the headlines fade. Real change will only come if we keep demanding accountability, not just during calamities, but long after the waters recede.

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The Philippines is bracing for a surge in telecom investments after the government released the implementing rules for the Konektadong Pinoy Act, the country’s new open-access data law. DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said six to seven foreign telcos plan to enter the market, with two expected to start soon. The law aims to simplify licensing and remove the need for legislative franchises, opening the door to more competition.

How It Works
The IRR allows data transmission providers to build and operate fiber, mobile, or satellite networks more freely. It also mandates transparent pricing, cybersecurity compliance, and shared infrastructure to prevent duplication. New entrants will enjoy tax breaks, duty exemptions, and extended tower operating licenses. The DICT will serve as the lead agency to ensure fair access and cybersecurity standards.

Why It Matters
The entry of new players could finally shake up the duopoly of PLDT and Globe, expand connectivity, and lower prices. With unlimited data now available for under P500, Aguda expects internet quality to improve further. Analysts say Konektadong Pinoy could spark a digital boom especially in rural areas where only 28% of households have fixed broadband access.

The Social Security System (SSS) is offering up to P20,000 in calamity loans for members affected by Typhoon Tino in Cebu. Applications are open until December 5 with a 7% interest rate payable over 24 months. Funds will be credited directly to approved applicants’ bank accounts. The storm left 71 dead and affected 700,000 people across 53 cities and towns now under a state of calamity, according to disaster officials.

STI Education Systems Holdings reported a 38% jump in net income to P2.22 billion for fiscal year 2024–2025, driven by record enrollment of 138,060 students. Revenues rose 18% to P5.56 billion, while operating income climbed 33% to P2.36 billion. Most students, about 73%, were in college programs under CHED. CEO Monico Jacob said STI will continue investing in digital learning and innovation as it expands its 66-school network nationwide.

Converge ICT Solutions earned P8.9 billion in the first nine months of 2025, up 8.4% from last year, driven by growing FiberX subscriptions and strong enterprise demand. Revenues rose 10% to P33 billion, with 2.93 million residential users and a 16% jump in business services. CEO Dennis Anthony Uy also announced the landing of the Bifrost subsea cable in Davao, calling it a “national enabler” for faster internet and new digital trade opportunities.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will ring the Philippine Stock Exchange’s opening bell Friday for Maynilad’s P34.3-billion IPO, the largest since Monde Nissin’s 2021 debut. It marks the first time a sitting president has attended an IPO since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2010. Maynilad, led by tycoons Manuel Pangilinan and Isidro Consunji, priced its shares at P15 each after strong investor demand, drawing backing from the IFC and Asian Development Bank ahead of its market debut.

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New research from Cornell University suggests your social life might be as powerful as diet or exercise when it comes to aging. Scientists found that people with deeper, long-term friendships and community ties showed younger biological profiles using DNA-based “epigenetic clocks.” Simply put, staying socially connected can slow how your cells age.

How It Works
The study tracked 2,100 adults over decades, measuring both their DNA and social lives. Those who experienced steady support from childhood warmth to adult friendships and community involvement showed lower inflammation and slower biological aging. Social bonds, researchers say, may protect the body’s core systems from stress-related wear and tear.

Why It Matters
Friendship isn’t just emotional medicine, it’s biological armor. People with lifelong social networks tend to live longer, healthier lives, with lower risks of heart disease and neurodegeneration. As lead author Anthony Ong put it: “Think of social connections like a retirement account. The earlier and more consistently you invest, the greater your returns, down to the cellular level.”

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Before the Industrial Revolution, people didn’t sleep straight through the night. Instead, they had a “first sleep” after dusk, woke up around midnight, then went back for a “second sleep” until morning. Historian Roger Ekirch discovered this forgotten pattern while studying centuries-old diaries and court records that casually mentioned “first sleep” as if it were completely normal.

How It Worked
After a few hours of rest, people naturally woke up for one to three hours. This “watch” period was used to pray, think, chat, write, or even handle chores. Farmers checked animals, servants brewed beer, and couples talked—or conceived children. When they felt tired again, they returned to bed for the second sleep until sunrise. The rhythm wasn’t disrupted; it was how the body worked before artificial light.

Why It Disappeared
As cities brightened and factories demanded early mornings, segmented sleep faded. Gas and electric lighting pushed bedtimes later, squeezing the night into one solid block. Ironically, scientists found that when people live without artificial light today, their bodies return to two sleeps naturally. So if you ever wake up at 2 a.m., don’t panic—you’re just sleeping like your medieval ancestors did.

Turns out your favorite mango might be doing more than satisfying your sweet tooth. A new study from George Mason University found that people who ate mango daily had better blood sugar control and lower body fat than those who chose “low-sugar” snacks. Mangoes have a moderate glycemic index (51–56), similar to orange juice, which means they’re safe in moderation. The fiber also keeps you full—proof that not all sweet things are bad for you.

Scientists from Aalto University and the University of Bayreuth have created a “hydrogel super skin” that can repair itself like human skin. Unlike most hydrogels that are either soft and weak or strong but brittle, this new version manages both strength and flexibility.The secret lies in tiny clay

A new study in Nutrients found that people who skip breakfast are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, a mix of belly fat, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and bad cholesterol. Researchers reviewed data from over 118,385 people and found breakfast skippers had a 10% higher risk overall. The takeaway? That quick morning meal may be one of the cheapest and easiest ways to protect your heart, metabolism, and long-term health.

A new study from Utrecht University found that chimpanzees can rethink their choices when shown better evidence just like humans. In a series of tests, chimps watched food being hidden in boxes with clues that ranged from clear (seeing the food) to weak (just hearing a rattle). When earlier clues turned out false, the chimps changed their decisions. The finding suggests that rational thinking isn’t just human, it may go back millions of years.

On November 6, 2025 Negros Occidental and Bacolod City have declared a state of calamity after Typhoon Tino devastated infrastructure, homes, and farms. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said 134,000 residents were affected across 31 towns. The declaration allows access to calamity funds and enforces a price freeze on basic goods. In Bacolod, nearly 8,000 families were evacuated, with over 2,000 homes damaged. Officials said clearing and power restoration are underway across affected areas.

A University of the Philippines resilience expert said rebuilding forest cover is more effective than building more dikes to prevent floods. Dr. Mahar Lagmay of the UP Resilience Institute urged reforestation, rainwater harvesting, and small dams to manage runoff before it reaches rivers. He said dikes should be the “last option,” as they often fail during major storms like Typhoon Tino. Forest restoration, he added, offers a cheaper and more sustainable flood solution.

Senator Bam Aquino has filed the Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act, which aims to use blockchain technology to make government spending fully transparent. Dubbed “Blockchain the Budget,” the bill would require agencies to upload all transactions like contracts and expenses on a public, tamper-proof ledger within seven days. Aquino said the system will let citizens track taxes “down to the last centavo,” helping prevent corruption and rebuild trust in government.

Almost 6,000 homes were damaged across Western Visayas after Typhoon Tino’s onslaught, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-6) reported Thursday. Iloilo province suffered the most, with over 4,400 affected houses. The storm also damaged roads and bridges in Antique and displaced more than 230,000 families. The national government is allocating P200 million in aid for the region, while OCD-6 urged a flood summit to push long-term, science-based flood control and nature-based recovery strategies.

Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil apologized after publicly scolding Miss Universe Mexico, Fatima Bosch, during a live sashing ceremony in Bangkok. Nawat was accused of calling Bosch a “dumb head,” which he denied, saying he said “damage,” not “dumb head.” The incident sparked outrage after Bosch and several contestants walked out. Miss Universe president Raul Rocha condemned Nawat’s actions as “humiliating and abusive,” and announced his role in the event will be limited. Bosch later said, “If something costs your dignity, walk away.”

Typhoon Kalmaegi hit Vietnam Thursday night with winds up to 92 mph, forcing six airports to close and putting 260,000 soldiers on rescue standby. The storm has already killed at least 114 people in the Philippines, where floods wiped out homes and cars in Cebu and nearby towns. Vietnam’s central provinces now face severe flooding and landslide threats. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged officials to reach isolated areas quickly, saying, “No one should be left hungry or cold.” Thailand is also preparing for possible flash floods.

Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state at 92, was sworn in Thursday for his eighth term as president of Cameroon, extending his 43-year rule. Official results gave Biya 53.7% of the vote, while rival Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who claims he’s the rightful winner, called for nationwide protests. The election sparked deadly clashes and mass arrests. Despite international criticism, Biya vowed to “restore order” and remain “worthy of this trust” as unrest continues across the central African nation.

Microsoft just announced a bold new AI unit, the MAI Superintelligence Team, focused on building artificial intelligence that can outperform humans in specific fields, starting with medical diagnosis. Led by AI chief Mustafa Suleyman (co-founder of DeepMind), the team’s goal isn’t general AI, but what he calls “humanist superintelligence” technology designed strictly to serve people. Suleyman says Microsoft could reach “medical superintelligence” within three years, with AI capable of spotting diseases early enough to extend human life and improve healthcare outcomes.

Move over “AI.” 2025 belongs to vibe coding. Collins Dictionary named the phrase its Word of the Year, defining it as “the use of artificial intelligence prompted by natural language to assist with writing computer code.” Coined by AI pioneer Andrej Karpathy, it means telling a machine what you want built without ever touching code yourself. Collins says the term reflects how AI is transforming creativity and making programming as simple as talking to your computer.

1. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk - A groundbreaking guide on how trauma lives in the body and how movement, therapy, and connection can help you heal.

2. Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant - A powerful read on finding resilience and purpose after loss when life doesn’t go as planned.

3. When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön - Gentle, grounding wisdom on how to sit with pain and uncertainty and still find peace.

4. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl - A timeless reminder that even in the darkest moments, meaning can keep us alive and moving forward.

5. Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - A short, moving reflection on love, loss, and the quiet, unspoken work of mourning.