Kamusta, Ka-Peso!
Happy Thursday, May 29!
We're excited to launch a new section: "Kwentong Pera" — real stories from real people about money, diskarte, and life. Because sometimes, the best lessons come not from experts, but from each other.
Whether it's a debt you finally paid off, a creative way to save, a funny ‘’budol’’ moment, or timeless wisdom from your Tito — we want to hear it. Your story could inspire someone else on their own journey.
To share, just reply to this email with your "Kwentong Pinoy sa Pera" (100–250 words is perfect). Want to stay anonymous? No problem — just let us know.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
Got suggestions? Story ideas? Interesting news we should include?Any feedback? 📩 Send them to [email protected].
TOP STORIES
Guns, Warnings, and One Very Unwelcome Congressman
It’s been a week of mixed signals for the Philippines on the global stage. First, the country’s wishlist for U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets got a reality check. The $5.58B price tag is a bit steep, says Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, who’s now pivoting to cheaper land-based defense systems. Defense? Yes. Debt? Not so much.
Meanwhile, Romualdez is also in clean-up mode after the U.S. issued a travel advisory painting the Philippines as a hotspot for “crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.” The embassy’s pushing back, calling the warning overly broad. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez even wants the U.S. ambassador summoned for a chat—ideally one less dramatic than the Level 2 tag Mindanao just got.
And over in Timor-Leste, expelled lawmaker and accused terrorist Arnolfo Teves Jr. got rearrested—but not yet repatriated. The country’s president says Teves isn’t welcome. Neither, apparently, is diplomatic drama.
Markets
Here's a snapshot of today's key financial figures:
PSEi: 6,444.61 ▲ +59.99 (+0.94%)
BSP Rates: 5.50% (borrowing) | 5.00% (deposit) | 6.00% (lending)
🌐 Global Markets
Bitcoin: $107,222.10
Gold: $3,311.80
💱 Exchange Rates (PHP per 1 unit)
🇺🇸 USD: ₱55.49
🇬🇧 GBP: ₱76.92
🇸🇦 SAR: ₱14.71
🇯🇵 JPY: ₱0.38
🇪🇺 EUR: ₱61.47
🇦🇪 AED: ₱15.15
Exchange rates may vary slightly depending on provider and real-time fluctuations.
NEWS FLASH
Filipino civilians defy China in South China Sea convoy
Over 150 Filipino volunteers joined the Atin Ito (“This Is Ours”) mission to Thitu Island, asserting sovereignty in the face of Chinese Coast Guard harassment. Escorted by Philippine patrol ships, the convoy aims to deliver aid and stage a solidarity concert. Tensions remain high. Read more
DepEd, HOPE team up with top brands to tackle classroom shortage
The DepEd launched Generation HOPE with brands like BDO, Grab, SM, and Penshoppe to help address the country’s 165,000-classroom gap. The initiative will fund school construction through profits, donations, and consumer rewards. More
DSWD sends 30K food packs to flood-hit Maguindanao
In response to severe flooding in Mindanao, DSWD deployed 30,000 family food packs to Maguindanao. Over 86,000 families were affected. Relief distribution began immediately, with DSWD coordinating closely with local officials to fast-track the delivery. Read more
PH, Malaysia to Expand Ties Beyond Trade, Eye Tourism and Investment
Malaysia and the Philippines plan to boost ties beyond trade, eyeing new opportunities in tourism and investment. Officials see stronger collaboration ahead as BIMP-EAGA members push for inclusive regional growth. Read more
Marcos backs off VP Sara impeachment, says it’s Congress’ call
President Marcos distanced himself from the impeachment case against VP Sara Duterte, saying he never supported it—a move House prosecutors welcomed. Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor said Marcos’ hands-off stance respects the separation of powers and allows senator-judges to rule without pressure. Duterte, meanwhile, says she’s ready for a “bloodbath” in court. Read more
PESO PICKS
Curated Finds for Savvy Filipinos
1. Philippine Investing Platform: Seedbox Philippines
For Filipinos looking to start investing in mutual funds or UITFs (Unit Investment Trust Funds) with relatively low minimums, Seedbox is an accessible online platform. It allows you to invest in expertly managed funds, including both local and international options, simplifying the process of growing your money. They also offer PERA (Personal Equity and Retirement Account) funds.
Link: https://seedbox.ph/
2. Global Personal Finance Book: "The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel
This internationally acclaimed book by Morgan Housel offers timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness, focusing on the behavioral aspects of money rather than just the mathematical. It provides insightful short stories that explore why people think and act the way they do with money, making it highly relatable for anyone, including Filipinos navigating their financial decisions.
Link: You can find it at major online bookstores. Here's a common publisher page: https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/morgan-housel/the-psychology-of-money/9780857197689 (Also widely available on Amazon, Book Depository, etc.)
3. Local Filipino App for Small Businesses: GCash for Business
Beyond personal use, GCash offers robust features for Filipino small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). From accepting cashless payments via QR codes to managing payroll and facilitating online transactions, GCash for Business (or GCash Pay Bills and Cash-in/Cash-out features for business use) simplifies financial operations, making it a powerful tool for entrepreneurs across the Philippines.
Link: While the specific "GCash for Business" portal might vary, general business services are promoted on their main site and within the app: https://new.gcash.com/business
4. Global Online Learning Platform: Coursera
For Filipinos aiming to upskill or learn new subjects from world-renowned universities and companies, Coursera offers a vast array of online courses, specializations, and even degrees. Many courses are free to audit, or you can pay for a certificate. This is a fantastic resource for career development, personal enrichment, or even exploring new fields.
5. Creative Tool/App: Canva
Canva is a user-friendly graphic design platform that allows anyone, regardless of design experience, to create professional-looking visuals for social media, presentations, marketing materials, and more. It's incredibly popular among Filipino small business owners, freelancers, and content creators for its ease of use and extensive template library, helping them enhance their online presence.
Link: https://www.canva.com/
WORLD NEWS
From scandal to side-eye: The Macrons and that viral face push
French President Emmanuel Macron called the now-viral video of his wife Brigitte pushing his face “nonsense,” insisting it was just a playful moment. But it reignited curiosity about the couple’s famously unconventional love story—she was his high school drama teacher, 24 years his senior, and married with kids when they met. Despite gossip, awkward optics, and public scrutiny, they’ve remained tight. That face-push? Just marriage, French-style.
Four ex-VW execs guilty in Dieselgate fraud trial
Four former Volkswagen execs were found guilty of fraud over the automaker’s diesel emissions scandal, ending a four-year trial in Germany. Two were sentenced to prison (up to 4.5 years), while the others got probation. The 2015 Dieselgate saga—centered on VW’s cheating emissions software—has cost the company over €30B. Meanwhile, former CEO Martin Winterkorn’s case remains paused due to health issues.
Liverpool parade turns tragic as van plows into crowd, injuring 45+
A 53-year-old man drove a minivan into Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League win, injuring over 45 people—four seriously—during Monday’s parade. The crash, not considered terrorism, cast a shadow over the city’s long-awaited celebration. Videos showed chaos as the van struck fans and sped off before halting. Police arrested the driver and urged calm online amid fears of misinformation
Banned, jailed, and now crowned: Jafar Panahi wins Palme d’Or
Iranian dissident filmmaker Jafar Panahi won the Palme d’Or for It Was Just an Accident, a revenge thriller born from his own imprisonment. Banned from leaving Iran for 15 years, Panahi made films in secret—one from his living room, another in a cab. The Cannes crowd gave him a thunderous ovation. His message? “Let us join forces… cinema is a society.”
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
SpaceX Starship breaks up (again), but Musk vows faster launches
SpaceX’s Starship rocket flew farther than ever—but still ended in flames over the Indian Ocean. The upper stage failed to deploy its Starlink simulators, sprang leaks, spun out of control, and disassembled itself mid-reentry. The Super Heavy booster also blew up. Despite the chaos, Elon Musk promised faster launch turnarounds, aiming for one every 3–4 weeks. Video of moment SpaceX Starship spins out of control- Watch here
UK clears Alzheimer’s drug donanemab, but NHS says “not yet”
The UK’s medicines regulator has approved donanemab, a new Alzheimer’s drug that slows memory decline by ~35% in early cases. But don’t celebrate just yet—NICE, the body that decides NHS use, provisionally rejected it over cost concerns. The drug, priced at £60K–£80K per year, is delivered via monthly infusions and requires advanced testing pre- and post-treatment. Talks are ongoing. Meanwhile, donanemab shows promise—but access may remain limited for now.
ATBP (At Iba Pa) Section
Here are some interesting, quirky, and shareable links from around the web.
A Deep Dive into the "Dalagang Pilipina" Meme
Description: Remember the "Dalagang Pilipina" craze? This article breaks down how everyday Filipino moments, especially viral video clips and social media interactions, effortlessly turn into internet sensations, highlighting the unique humor and relatability that resonates deeply within the Filipino online community. It's a fun look back at how Filipinos turn anything into gold!
Link: Click here to see (Focus on the "Dalagang Pilipina" section and similar memes)
The "All Bark No Bite" Filipino Humor on TikTok
Description: A hilarious and relatable TikTok example of Filipino humor, particularly the "all bark no bite" type that often plays on promises vs. reality (like travel plans that never materialize). It showcases the self-deprecating yet endearing humor often found in Filipino households and friend groups. You might find yourself saying, "Puro drawing!"
Link: Click here to watch
Filipino YouTubers You Might Not Know (But Should!)
Description: Beyond the mainstream vloggers, this Reddit thread is a goldmine of recommendations for unique Filipino YouTubers covering a wide range of topics – from financial literacy for college students to everyday vlogs of simple living in different countries, and even unique cooking channels. It's a great way to discover new and authentic Filipino content creators.
Link: Here (Scroll through the comments for interesting finds)
Mind-Bending 3D Drawings That Look Real
Description: Prepare to have your mind tricked by the incredible 3D drawings of artist Stefan Pabst. His videos show how he creates illusions that make drawings pop off the page, challenging your perception of reality. It's a fascinating look at artistic skill and how easily our brains can be fooled.
Link: You need to check him out! click here (The page features an embedded video compilation of his work.)
Unbelievable Facts That Will Make You Seem Cultured
Description: Ever wanted to drop a surprising fact into conversation? This list provides a collection of truly wild and unexpected facts about animals, science, and the world around us. Did you know a chicken once lived for 18 months without a head? Or that giraffes are 30 times more likely to get hit by lightning than people? Fun conversation starters guaranteed!
Link: check here
Historybook: In 1543, Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos, during his Pacific expedition, bestowed the name "Las Islas Filipinas" (The Philippine Islands) upon Leyte and Samar, in honor of Prince Philip II of Spain. This name eventually encompassed the entire archipelago.
As one historian noted of this moment: "In the stroke of a pen, a scattered group of islands received a name that would forever link their destiny to a European crown." This seemingly simple act set the stage for centuries of colonial rule and cultural transformation that followed.
