Good Morning.

It’s Wednesday. Are you reading this with your coffee, on the way to work, or sneaking a few minutes before the day gets busy? Either way, you’re in the right place. We’ve got plenty coming for you today from why Filipinos are so patient online, to founders who built quietly, market moves, tech, culture, and global headlines. Have stories you want us to cover? Email us anytime.

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Team PesoWeekly

Big picture: Filipinos are the second most digitally patient consumers in Asia-Pacific, based on a study by Twilio. About 76% are willing to stay patient with online or automated support, waiting around 27 minutes for a fix. That patience is rooted in trust and the familiar “tiis ganda” mindset.

Where it cracks: Patience holds for high-stakes issues like healthcare or travel. It drops fast for everyday pain points like telecom outages, billing disputes, and late deliveries. Speed matters, but clarity, data security, and warmth matter more.

Why it matters: Filipino patience is a fragile advantage. Brands that waste it risk losing loyalty fast.

Started small: Orphaned young, Que learned early how to survive on discipline and hard work. Before World War II, he worked in a Manila drugstore, quietly studying how medicines were priced, stored, and sold. That everyday exposure became his edge later on.

Big bet: In 1945, with Manila in ruins, Que spent his last ₱100 on a single bottle of medicine and sold it per tablet. Selling tingi-tingi meant slower profit, but it made life-saving drugs reachable for ordinary Filipinos.

Trust wins: Customers kept coming back because Que sold genuine medicine at fair prices. That reputation grew from a pushcart into Mercury Drug, where trust mattered more than ads.

Lesson: Que’s story shows that quiet consistency beats noise. Solve one real problem, reinvest patiently, and show up for decades.

The Philippine Stock Exchange targets four IPOs in 2026, including GCash and PNB Holdings, aiming to raise up to P175 billion. The push follows a weak 2025 with two listings and a 7.29% market drop. Recovery hinges on easing public ownership rules and restoring investor confidence amid corruption probes investigations.

The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. urged urgent tourism reforms as Philippine arrivals fell 2.2% in 2025, lagging ASEAN peers. President Victor Lim’s blueprint flags congested airports, weak digital connectivity, strict visas, and fragmented marketing, calling for modernized gateways, easier entry rules, and tourism push.

Alternergy Holdings Corp. will start commercial operations of four renewable projects this year, totaling 225 MW across wind, solar, and run-of-river hydro. The 28-MW Balsik solar is already generating, while hydro and wind projects near completion. The expansion advances the company’s One Green Gigawatt goal by 2030.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group issued standby letters of credit for San Miguel Global Power’s 1 GW floating solar and hydropower projects and SN Aboitiz Power’s 50 MW floating solar project. These deals mark MUFG’s first green trade finance in the Philippines, supporting large-scale renewable energy projects under the Green Energy Auction.

Chris Tiu, Doug Kramer, and JC Intal reunited with Blue Eagles at Pinoy Liga Alumni Cup, reliving brotherhood decades later. (Read More)

Filipino film Tigkiliwi joins Fantasporto 2026 Director’s Week, earning international recognition and highlighting Puregold CinePanalo-backed Philippine cinema worldwide. (Read More)

The Philippine Sports Commission pushes more ice rinks after Philippine medal haul at SEA Games, aiming to expand training access nationwide for athletes. (Read More)

Salesforce says AI will handle 41% of customer service cases in Singapore by 2027, up from 30% today, allowing staff to focus on complex work, boost revenue, develop skills, and take on leadership roles. (Read More)

Apple will use Google's AI to power Siri and other services through a multi-year partnership. The deal aims to improve user experience while maintaining privacy but may raise regulatory concerns. (Read more)

Meta unveils Meta Compute, aiming to build massive energy infrastructure for AI, with executives overseeing datacenters, long-term strategy, and government partnerships to support the company’s AI growth globally. (Read more)

ChatGPT Health lets users connect medical records and wellness apps to review results, track patterns, and prepare for doctor visits, while keeping sensitive health data private and secure. (Read more)

Scientists in Austria found laser-kicked atoms stopped heating and froze in motion because quantum coherence blocked energy absorption, proving some driven quantum systems can stay stable instead of chaotic behavior.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo developed a biodegradable hydrogel for diapers and pads that absorbs like plastic but breaks down in soil within three months, reducing long-term waste globally.

US scientists created a system that watches leaf pores open and close while tracking gas flow, helping them study water use and develop crops that grow well in dry conditions. Watch this video to learn more.

Study finds 10–12 minutes of intense exercise may boost DNA repair and reduce colorectal cancer cell growth, offering insight into how physical activity can help protect against the disease..

The DOE penalizes Leandro Leviste’s company for failing to deliver nearly 12 GW of renewable energy projects. (Read more)

President Marcos orders DILG to seek Zaldy Co’s arrest in Portugal over flood control corruption using Interpol despite no treaty. (Read more)

The Philippines and UAE signed historic CEPA in Abu Dhabi, cutting tariffs on exports and boosting investment in digitalization and sustainability. (Read more)

A low-pressure area seen 1,015km east-southeast of Mindanao may become tropical depression “Ada,” bringing rain, thunderstorms, and flood risks. (Read more)

Landfill collapse kills 13, leaving 23 missing. City taps ₱30M Quick Response Fund for rescue, relief, and waste management efforts. (Read more)

Big picture: US President Donald Trump urged Iranians to “keep protesting,” saying “help is on its way,” as Washington openly weighs tougher action against Iran following a deadly crackdown on demonstrations.

What’s happening: Trump said he canceled all talks with Iranian officials and confirmed that military options, including airstrikes, are under consideration. The US also announced a 25% tariff on any country still trading with Iran, widening economic pressure beyond existing sanctions.

Why it matters: Rights groups estimate about 2,000 people have been killed and over 16,000 detained. European countries condemned the violence but signaled caution on military escalation. Analysts say the regime remains intact, though global pressure is rising fast.

📝 Filipino traveler proposes to girlfriend on 7,000-foot Vietnam glass bridge. (Watch)

📝 CES 2026 concludes in Las Vegas with final tech and AI device announcements

📝 Italy to issue nearly 500,000 work visas in 2026 for foreign workers across multiple sectors.

📝 Ateneo tops 2025 Bar exams, followed by UP and UST in top-performing law schools. (See full list)

📝 MRT-3 Cubao platform crowded as passengers wait 30 minutes to board southbound train. (Watch)