Hello Ka-Peso!

Hope you're all doing well and staying safe. Medyo mabigat ang mga balita nitong mga nakaraang linggo—lalo na ‘yung tragic na bus crash sa Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) noong May 1, 2025. At least 10 ang nasawi, and over 30 ang nasugatan. Sabi rin ng Department of Health, dumami ang road crashes kahit pa noong 2024 holidays dahil sa mga driver na mabilis magpatakbo, lasing, or walang suot na helmet.

It’s really painful to see families lose their loved ones. So, kapatid, let’s be extra careful.  Wear helmets, use seatbelts, and watch your surroundings. I hope the government makes roads safer, like giving drivers better training. If we work together, we can reduce these accidents. But I don’t want to focus on sad news. Let’s check out the latest happenings in the Philippines!

Please send us feedback, or any topic you want us to feature? Email Us: [email protected]

What was supposed to be a game-changing solution to Metro Manila’s traffic hell has officially derailed. The $3.5 billion Makati City Subway project—once hyped as the Philippines’ first intracity underground rail line—is now dead on arrival, after its main contractor, Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc., formally pulled the plug and filed for international arbitration in Singapore. 

Launched in 2018 and slated to carry up to 700,000 passengers daily, the subway hit a legal brick wall when the Supreme Court ruled in 2021 (and affirmed in 2023) that key barangays in the subway's path—including the depot site—actually belonged to Taguig, not Makati. This ruling essentially invalidated the original route, stripping the project of both legal ground and economic logic.

By 2024, Infradev had already booked ₱44 billion in losses. Construction was halted, stations unfinished, and the dream of unclogging Ayala traffic vanished into legal quicksand. Now, Makati says it’s exploring other options—including a potential above-ground monorail with a different contractor. The fiasco also hurt Chinese stakeholders like Greenland Holdings, whose stock dropped 38% over the dispute years.

Metro Manila’s traffic remains as gridlocked as its urban planning. And the dream of a modern subway? For now, it’s back underground.

Would you still ride a Makati monorail, or is this a sunk-cost city?

Translation: Traffic hindi na ba talaga masosolusyunan?

PSEi: 6,522.80 ▲ +104.11 (+1.62%)
BSP Rates: 5.50% (borrowing) | 5.00% (deposit) | 6.00% (lending)

🌐 Global Markets

Bitcoin: $96,400.00 ▲ +0.56%
Gold: $3,394.15/oz ▲ +0.63%

💱 Exchange Rates (PHP per 1 unit)

🇺🇸 USD: ₱55.37
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🇸🇦 SAR: ₱14.76
🇯🇵 JPY: ₱0.3841
🇪🇺 EUR: ₱62.78
🇦🇪 AED: ₱15.25
Note: Exchange rates may vary slightly depending on provider.

Watsons launches 4 new Greener Stores in BGC, pushes for eco-conscious retail.

Watsons Philippines just opened four new Greener Stores in Bonifacio Global City, boosting its push for sustainable retail. Building on its first green branch in Laguna, the BGC stores feature LED lighting, inverter appliances, recycled materials, and digital meters to cut energy and waste. The stores also highlight Sustainable Choices products—eco-friendly yet affordable items including Watsons' own brands. Through programs like Recycle for Rewards, Watsons invites customers to shop smart and go green. (More)

Top Line hits ₱3.35B in 2024 revenue, up 21%

Cebu-based Top Line Business Development Corp. posted a record ₱3.35B revenue in FY2024, up 21%, with net income rising 49% to ₱115M. Fuel sales jumped 29% to 72.45M liters. Fresh from its PSE listing, the firm plans to expand across Central Visayas.(More)

PSBank nets ₱1.21B in Q1, boosted by strong lending

PSBank posted a ₱1.21B net income in Q1 2024, up 1%, driven by robust consumer lending. Gross loans rose 19% to ₱152B, while nonperforming loans improved to 2.6%. Core revenues climbed 9% to ₱3.81B. The bank remains bullish amid stable economic conditions. (More)

Philippines Faces Cyber Talent Crisis Amid Brain Drain

The Philippines is struggling to retain cybersecurity professionals as higher pay abroad continues to lure local talent. Eight in ten Filipino cyber experts now work overseas, leaving just 200 behind—compared to 2,000 in Singapore. Government pay (₱50,000/month) pales in comparison to the private sector (₱200,000/month), driving the exodus. Cyberattacks cost Philippine organizations nearly ₱56.5 million in 2023, with the financial sector losing ₱5.82 billion. Experts are calling for performance-based pay models, stronger public-private partnerships, and investment in education and training to build a resilient cyber defense force.

Translation: Kung walang increase sa sahod, goodbye na sa cyber guardians natin.

SSS to cut loan interest rates, expand benefits by 2025

SSS will cut salary loan interest rates from 10% to 8% and calamity loans to 7% by July 2025 for members with good credit. It also plans to extend pension loans to 1.2M surviving spouses by September, with ₱150,000 max loan and credit life insurance. A micro-credit loan facility for short-term needs is in the works. These enhancements aim to better support Filipino workers and pensioners.

Security Bank seals ₱10.4B deal for 25% stake in Home Credit PH

Security Bank Corp. has completed its ₱10.365 billion acquisition of a 25% stake in Home Credit Philippines (HCPH) from MUFG Bank Ltd., with a final price still subject to net asset adjustments. The deal strengthens Security Bank’s push into consumer finance and marks its second collaboration with Krungsri, HCPH’s majority owner. The move also deepens Security Bank’s alliance with MUFG, its strategic partner since 2016. Executives hailed the deal as a step toward greater financial inclusion.

Translation: Home Credit, now part of the SB barkada. More loans, more options, more power to the Pinoy consumer.

First Circle urges faster, smarter financing for MSMEs

At GrowthX 2025, fintech firm First Circle highlighted the need for financial services that match the speed and flexibility of 1.24 million Filipino MSMEs. They launched a no-maintaining-balance business account with free transfers, QR payments, and digital check deposits, plus a 1-day Express Business Loan. Also introduced: solar financing that lets businesses save on electricity costs and own solar panels in 8–12 years. The goal? Make money move as fast as entrepreneurs do.

Translation: Hindi lang dapat may pondo—dapat mabilis din kumilos.

Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Bets Big on Tech and Trust

Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers now issues over 1.5M policies monthly—and it’s not slowing down. With an upgraded claims system, expanded team, and AI plans in the pipeline, CLIB is streamlining service while scaling up, aiming to make affordable, fast insurance accessible for every Filipino.

Translation: Mas mabilis, mas matalino, mas maaasahan—insurance na swak sa masa.

After nearly six decades at the helm, Warren Buffett, 94, is stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by year-end, passing the baton to longtime heir-apparent Greg Abel. At Saturday’s annual shareholder meeting—aka “Woodstock for Capitalists”—Buffett also took a swing at U.S. trade policy, warning that tariffs are bad for business and national security. “Trade should not be a weapon,” he said to thunderous applause. Meanwhile, Berkshire posted a sharp drop in quarterly profits and joined other corporate giants in flagging tariff-related risks.
What makes Buffett truly irreplaceable? As WSJ’s Jason Zweig explains, it’s a rare trifecta: his obsessive, lifelong dedication to financial analysis (he’s estimated to have read 100,000+ financial statements), the perfect era he was born into, and the unique structure of Berkshire itself—a public holding company immune to panic-induced inflows and outflows. Together, these made him a stock market outlier for nearly 60 years. As Zweig notes: “There’s only one Warren Buffett, and there will never be another.”

Diddy on Trial: From Mogul to Defendant

Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing a federal trial that could land him in prison for decades. The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting women across state lines for prostitution. Prosecutors say Combs used his empire to orchestrate drug-fueled “Freak Offs” and abused his power to silence victims. He denies all but one caught-on-camera assault. Jurors will see graphic evidence—including hotel footage of Diddy attacking ex-girlfriend Cassie in 2016.

Translation: From VIP booths to the defendant's bench—Diddy’s party might be over.

Temu’s $1 Deals Just Got Tariffed Out of Existence

Temu, the Chinese e-commerce app known for $3 yoga pants and $1.50 garlic presses, has slammed the brakes on direct-from-China shipping to U.S. buyers. Why? Trump’s new tariffs (up to 145%) and the death of the de minimis loophole, which previously let sub-$800 packages sneak in duty-free. Overnight, Temu shifted to U.S.-based sellers only, yanked most China-based listings, and quietly added “import charges” of up to 150% before cutting them altogether.

Translation: Your $2 gadget now costs $5—and it's probably shipping from New Jersey.

Prince Harry Loses UK Security Battle, Says Rift With King Charles Remains

Prince Harry says he's "devastated" after losing a five-year legal fight to reinstate taxpayer-funded police protection during UK visits. The British court upheld a 2020 decision to grant him security only on a case-by-case basis—despite Harry offering to pay out of pocket. The Duke of Sussex called it the “last hurdle” to reconciliation with his family and claimed the dispute has cost him contact with King Charles. “Life is precious,” he said. “It would be nice to reconcile.”

Translation: No security, no reunion. Prince still estranged.

Let’s be real—most OFWs don’t plan to stay abroad forever. Whether it’s 5, 10, or 20 years, the endgame is always umuwi sa Pilipinas with a stable life waiting. The problem? A lot of OFWs send money home but forget to build something for themselves.

That’s where Pag-IBIG comes in—not just for housing, but for long-term savings too.

Enter: MP2 Savings Program.
Pag-IBIG’s Modified Pag-IBIG 2 (MP2) is a voluntary savings program that gives OFWs a safe, tax-free way to grow their money. It earned 6.96% in 2023 and 7.1% in 2024—way better than most bank savings. You can start with just ₱500/month. No hidden fees, no complex rules. You can save for 5 years, then withdraw all, or roll it over.

Now pair that with a Pag-IBIG housing loan.
You don’t need to be in the Philippines to apply. OFWs can buy property, build a house, or refinance—even while working abroad. Imagine this: You’re working in Dubai now, but in 5 years, your MP2 matures and your housing loan is halfway paid. Welcome home, may bahay ka na!

Translation: Passive income + permanent address = peace of mind.

It’s time OFWs flipped the script: from always sending money, to building wealth for their future selves.

Pro tip: Enroll online or through a Pag-IBIG desk at the nearest embassy. Your future self will thank you. I also wrote more about this in the last issue.

Man Rescued Twice from Mount Fuji After Going Back for His Lost Phone

A 27-year-old Chinese student studying in Japan had to be rescued twice from Mount Fuji within four days—first for losing his crampons, then again after returning to retrieve his belongings including his mobile. The student first called for help on Tuesday while stuck on the snow-covered Fujinomiya trail, 3,000m above sea level. Despite warnings and trail closures during the off-season, he returned days later to recover his gear but was rescued again on Saturday due to altitude sickness.

Japanese authorities strongly advise against climbing Mount Fuji outside of July–September due to unpredictable weather, closed medical stations, and difficult rescue conditions. Critics online slammed the student for ignoring safety protocols, with some saying he should cover the cost of both missions. In 2023, over 220,000 people legally climbed Mount Fuji during the summer season.

Translation: Sana all , free rescue mission take 2!.

Man Sets Own House on Fire—Twice—Just to See Firefighters in Action

Talk about a hot obsession. James Brown, 26, from Northumberland, UK, was sentenced to eight months (suspended) after admitting to setting two fires in his home just 90 minutes apart—all so he could watch firefighters in action. Brown had called the fire brigade 80 times in a year and filmed them during their response. He blamed faulty wiring, but fire crews caught on after realizing the electricity had already been shut off. He’s now remorseful and undergoing treatment.

Translation: Gusto mo lang makita ‘yung firemen? Hindi mo kailangang sunugin bahay mo, bro.

Man Buys Back His Own Stolen Car, Realizes Only After Spotting His Mars Bar Wrappers

Ewan Valentine, 36, from Solihull, UK, thought he was buying a £20,000 replacement for his stolen Honda Civic Type-R. Turns out, he was buying the stolen car. Weeks after it vanished from his driveway, Ewan spotted a near-identical model 70 miles away—same year, same obnoxious exhaust. But once home, familiar signs crept in: Christmas pines, a tent peg, Mars bar wrappers, and finally—his address on the satnav. VIN tampering and odometer rollback confirmed the theft. Police and Honda techs were stunned by how sophisticated the cloning job was.