Hello, Ka-Pesos!
It’s the weekend, and we’re covering some quirky news, business stories, and of course, the victorious end to the Conclave saga. We also have a message for our OFW friends.

First time reading? Join nearly 5,000 smart and curious Pinoy readers.

Keep sharing us with your friends and fam—salamat! (copy URL here).
And as always, we’d love to hear from you—send us your feedback anytime at [email protected]

In a twist of science fiction turned real, a Wisconsin man who’s been bitten by snakes over 200 times may hold the key to saving thousands. Tim Friede, a former truck mechanic, spent nearly 20 years injecting himself with venom from deadly snakes like black mambas, cobras, and kraits. His goal? Build immunity—and a better cure.

Scientists from biotech firm Centivax analyzed Friede’s blood and discovered antibodies with “unparalleled” scope of protection. In lab tests published in Cell, a cocktail using his antibodies protected mice from fatal bites from 13 of the 19 most dangerous elapid snakes. Current antivenoms are species-specific, but this breakthrough moves closer to a universal antivenom.

With 140,000 snakebite deaths globally each year, this could be a medical game changer—especially in poor, rural regions.

Real talk: Isa kang alamat kuya Tim, sana may ibang mg volunteer para naman sa rabies.

Meet Pope Leo XIV — America’s First Pontiff

For the first time in history, the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics hails from the United States. Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago emerged as Pope Leo XIV on May 8, stepping onto the Vatican balcony to chants from St. Peter’s Square and offering: “Peace be with you all.”

Chosen just two days into conclave, Leo’s quick election signals broad support among cardinals. The 69-year-old Augustinian spent over a decade as a missionary bishop in Peru and recently headed the Vatican’s office for bishop appointments under Pope Francis.

In his inaugural message, Leo praised Francis’ legacy and called for a “missionary church… that builds bridges and dialogue.” Whether he continues Francis’ reformist path—or charts his own—remains to be seen.

Quick take: Pope from the West, kasi there is a declining catholic identity in the western countries.

When Business Meets the Ballot — Enrique Razon’s Empire

Enrique Razon Jr. didn’t get to the top by gambling—literally or politically. The 65-year-old ports and gaming tycoon, worth $10.9 billion per Forbes, has mastered the art of staying close—but not too close—to power. While other billionaires clashed with presidents, Razon kept a tight, low-profile grip on influence, backing key bets across party lines and quietly expanding his vast empire.

Through his flagship firm ICTSI, now the world’s largest independent ports operator with 32 terminals across 19 countries, Razon built a war chest from Manila’s MICT, which has long been the cornerstone of his business. In Q1 2025, ICTSI hit a record $239.54M net income, up 14%,thanks to global diversification.

His ties with politicians? Strategic. He was linked to (but denied bankrolling) Isko Moreno’s 2022 bid and allegedly shifted support to the winning Marcos-Duterte tandem. Marcos later appointed Razon's former CFO to head Maharlika Investment Corp.

From ports to power (Malampaya), from water (Manila Water) to winning franchises (MORE in Iloilo), Razon’s playbook is clear: invest in infrastructure, align with incumbents, and stay out of the spotlight.

In short: The real deal maker and a puppet master.

PSEi: 6,458.20 ▲ +68.71 (+1.08%)
BSP Rates: 5.50% (borrowing) | 5.00% (deposit) | 6.00% (lending)
🌐 Global Markets
Bitcoin: $103,587.00 ▲ +0.56%
Gold: $3,332.00/oz ▲ +0.63%

Note: These numbers may vary slightly depending on market providers.

Uptown Bonifacio is fast becoming the Makati 2.0 for U.S. multinationals. JPMorgan Chase now runs its 20,000-strong Philippine ops out of two towers there, while Google, Accenture, and Tesla (yup, with PH’s first Superchargers) have also moved in. Add to that LEED-certified buildings, a booming BPO hub, and “first in PH” retail experiences like Morton’s, Denny’s, and Randy’s Donuts—this Megaworld township isn’t just a place to work, it’s the new global playground. (Read more)

Real talk: BGC flexes hard—now with Google, Tesla, and wagyu.

Ayala Land banks P6.9B in Q1, premium segment leads the charge

Ayala Land raked in ₱6.9 billion in net income in Q1 2025, a 10% boost year-on-year, on the back of strong sales from its high-end brands. Revenues rose 6% to ₱43.6 billion, driven by a surge in property development (+11%) and steady leasing (+7%). Premium residential sales hit ₱20.7B, now making up 66% of monthly bookings. Even its industrial segment surged 60%, signaling broader market confidence.(Read more)

Quick Take: Ang daming may pera na pinoy na nakakaafford ng high end properties pero tahimik lng sila walang flex sa socmed.

Coca-Cola PH plugs into smarter power with Aboitiz partnership

Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines (CCEAP) just gave its Mindanao operations an energy makeover. Three of its bottling plants—Misamis Oriental, Davao City, and Davao del Sur—have switched to the RCOA program, letting them choose their power supplier. The move slashes energy costs and boosts flexibility, thanks to a new partnership with AboitizPower’s AdventEnergy. A Zamboanga plant’s next. With real-time monitoring and renewable options, Coke’s not just refreshing drinks—it's refreshing its grid game too.(Read more)

Translation: Sana nga lang hndi sila mg increase nang presyo kasi ayaw ko tlga bumbili ng Pesi.

Invest in YOURSELF, Not Just Stuff

Long-term wins > short-term luho.

Being an OFW is a powerful opportunity—but it shouldn’t be the final destination. It’s a stepping stone. A means to build something bigger, something lasting.

Yes, working abroad pays the bills, supports your family, and unlocks comforts you once only dreamed of. But if you’re still trading your time for money at age 60-70, exhausted with little to show for it—was that really the dream?

Instead of splurging on the latest iPhone for your pamangkin or endless balikbayan boxes, consider investing in something with long-term value: YOURSELF!

Most people will tell you to invest in property, stocks, or a business—those are all great. But the best investment you can make? You.

Because when you invest in yourself, you become informed. You start thinking clearly. You gain confidence. You become more creative, more resilient—and those traits unlock opportunities no one can take away from you. Not even a layoff, a crisis, or an economic downturn.

Take an online course. Learn digital marketing, bookkeeping, coding, writing or how to start a small business. Build a skill that earns—even while you sleep. Because the true goal isn’t just to earn abroad—it’s to come home empowered. With income streams that don’t depend on 12-hour shifts in a foreign land.

Imagine retiring in your 40s or 50s, not because you’re forced to—but because you planned to. That starts today. The world is shifting. AI, remote work, e-commerce—these are doors waiting for you to open.

So the next time you're about to drop cash on a new gadget or luho, ask yourself:
"Will this help me stop working someday?"
If not, maybe it’s time to invest in something that will.

India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed rivals, are teetering dangerously close to open conflict after a deadly militant attack in Kashmir left 26 civilians dead on April 22. India blamed the attack on Pakistan-linked group Lashkar-e-Taiba and responded with missile strikes on nine sites in Pakistan on May 1, claiming to have targeted terrorist infrastructure.

Pakistan countered, accusing India of hitting civilian areas, killing 31 people and injuring dozens. The tit-for-tat continued with drone and missile exchanges on May 2. India said it intercepted attacks targeting its military installations, while Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian aircraft and accused India of cross-border shelling that killed 16 and injured 59.

The region of Kashmir, claimed by both nations but split in control, remains the flashpoint. While the conflict hasn’t escalated into full-scale war, the stakes are high. Both countries possess nuclear weapons—India has a no-first-use policy, but Pakistan does not.

The bottom line: Magulo na naman Kashmir. Let’s hope this doesn’t go nuclear.

Trump Threatens 100% Tariff on Foreign-Made Films

Lights, camera… tariff? Donald Trump is now targeting the global movie industry, announcing plans to slap a 100% tariff on any film produced outside the U.S. The former—and possibly future—president called foreign film incentives a “national security threat,” claiming they lure production away from American soil. Industry reaction was muted, but critics point out that most blockbusters are filmed across multiple countries and U.S.-made films already dominate the domestic box office.

What this really means: Trump wants Hollywood to stay home—or pay double at the border.

Poland’s Chicken Empire Under Siege by Bird Flu and Biosecurity Fears

Poland—Europe’s poultry powerhouse—is facing a reckoning. A new wave of deadly bird flu has forced the culling of over 11.5 million chickens in just months, threatening its ultra-efficient but fragile meat machine. Once hailed as a climate-friendly protein hero, Poland’s vertically integrated poultry industry now faces scrutiny for creating virus-prone “chicken cities” with cramped, genetically uniform flocks. The EU has demanded stricter controls, but Poland’s official response? A plan crafted by the poultry industry itself.

Quick take: Poland bet big on chickens. Now bird flu’s calling the bluff.

May aircon talaga sa campaign mobile ng mga Politiko? (Check this)

Pope Prevost likes Pilsen Beer? . (Check this)

Top 10 beautiful images from Nature Photographer of the year awards. (Check)

What your earwax can reveal about your health. (Check it).