Good morning. It’s Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Hey there PesoWeekly readers, our community is growing fast and we’re happy to have more smart and curious minds joining every week. This Tuesday’s issue brings a full mix of stories  from storm surge warnings in Siargao and a ₱13.8B solar deal to new stem cell research and Microsoft’s big AI investment in the UAE.

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Zoom out:
Major manufacturing economies from the U.S. to Europe and Asia are slowing down as U.S. tariffs weigh on global trade. Business surveys show factories struggling to revive output in October, with weak American demand hitting export orders and supply chains worldwide. In the U.S., factory activity shrank for the eighth straight month, as producers warned that unpredictable tariffs make it hard to plan or expand capacity.

By the numbers:
In Europe, Germany’s engineering orders plunged and France’s factories stayed weak, while Italy’s output slipped again. Only Spain showed modest growth. Britain’s slight rebound was mostly driven by Jaguar Land Rover restarting production after a cyberattack. Meanwhile, Asia’s biggest exporters are also feeling the pain, China’s manufacturing slowed for a seventh month, and South Korea’s fell again, showing how deeply U.S. trade policy is reshaping global demand.

Why it matters:
The slowdown exposes how fragile the global manufacturing recovery remains. While President Trump’s recent talks with China and South Korea paused new tariffs, they did little to fix deeper rifts in trade. China’s exports to the U.S. have plunged 27% year-on-year, and Europe’s factories remain stagnant. As Asia’s smaller economies like Vietnam and Indonesia pick up steam, the world’s industrial giants are bracing for a prolonged period of uncertainty, one that could reshape global supply chains for years.

PesoWeekly Take:
This matters to the Philippines because global manufacturing slowdowns often ripple into local exports, electronics, and supply chains. A prolonged slump could weaken demand for Philippine-made components and impact foreign investments tied to regional trade flows.

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EastWest Bank and Visa have launched the BizAccess Visa Debit, a business solution designed to simplify financial management for small and medium enterprises. The card links to a BizAccess Checking Account and lets business owners issue up to 10 staff cards for easier expense tracking. “SMEs are the backbone of the Philippine economy, and we’re proud to give them the tools they need to thrive,” said EastWest CEO Jerry Ngo. Visa’s Sid Bada added that BizAccess connects SMEs to secure, global payment solutions and exclusive rewards. The card is available at all EastWest branches nationwide.

Billionaire lawmaker Leandro Leviste has sold ₱13.76 billion worth of shares in SP New Energy Corp. to Manuel V. Pangilinan’s group, giving Meralco’s renewable arm MGreen a 69% stake. The deal covers 10.83 billion shares, solidifying Pangilinan’s control of one of the country’s biggest solar firms. SPNEC is building the 3,500-megawatt Terra Solar project in Central Luzon, expected to be the world’s largest solar-and-battery system once completed by 2027.

Asialink Group of Companies has secured a $75 million syndicated loan from Standard Chartered Bank, becoming the first Philippine non-bank financial institution to do so. The funding will expand its lending to micro, small, and medium enterprises, which still fall short of the BSP’s target. Asialink’s loan portfolio is expected to grow to ₱48.7 billion by December 2025. CEO Robert Jordan Jr. said the deal strengthens their mission to give more small businesses access to much-needed financing.

The Philippines has officially approved the import of fresh Hass avocados from Peru following the signing of a new agricultural work plan between the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and Peru’s National Agrarian Health Service (SENASA). The agreement sets clear phytosanitary rules to ensure fruit imports meet top food safety standards. Officials say the deal marks a milestone in PH–Peru agricultural cooperation, opening new trade and investment opportunities while giving Filipino consumers access to premium Peruvian produce like Hass avocados.

Cebuana Lhuillier Bank marked World Savings Day 2025 with its “Ipon Moves” campaign, inspiring Filipinos to turn small savings into life-changing goals. Through Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings, the bank promotes financial inclusion and consistent saving habits. Stories from everyday savers: parents, workers, and breadwinners highlight how each “ipon” represents love, hope, and perseverance. To honor their dedication, the bank fulfilled their dreams, reminding Filipinos that every peso saved brings them closer to a better future.

Zoom out:
Saying "no" at work feels especially risky in Filipino culture where pakikisama or getting along is deeply valued. But research from the National Institutes of Health shows that professionals who set clear boundaries are actually more respected and less likely to experience burnout.

The strategy:
The key is how you decline. Start with gratitude: “Salamat for thinking of me.” This honors the relationship before the refusal. Then provide context: “I’m currently focused on [specific project] with a deadline next week.” This shows you are not lazy but strategic about your commitments. Offer alternatives when possible: “I can’t lead this, but I can review the final draft” or “Can we revisit this next month?” This maintains pakikisama while protecting your time and energy for high-priority work.

The smart move:
For unreasonable requests from superiors, try asking: “I want to deliver quality work on this. If I take this on, which current priority should I deprioritize?” This shifts the conversation from yes or no to resource allocation, putting the decision back on leadership while showing your commitment to excellence.

The bottom line:
The research is clear. Saying yes to everything means saying no to excellence. Your best work comes from focused effort, not scattered energy across too many commitments. Colleagues and managers ultimately respect professionals who deliver quality results over those who over-promise and under-deliver. Learning to decline gracefully is not about being difficult or uncooperative. It is about being honest with yourself and others about your capacity, protecting your ability to do meaningful work, and building a sustainable career that does not end in burnout.

Firefighters in Rome are racing to rescue a worker trapped under rubble after part of the 13th-century Torre dei Conti collapsed near the Colosseum. Another worker was critically injured during the conservation work. A second section of the tower later crumbled, sending bricks flying but leaving rescuers unharmed. Officials say the trapped man is conscious and communicating, but the operation is risky and may take hours. The 29-meter tower, built by Pope Innocent III for his brother, has long been closed to the public and was under restoration when the collapse happened.

Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says she wants to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the first such attempt in over 20 years. Speaking at a rally for families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea decades ago, Takaichi said she’s determined to resolve the issue during her term. Japan says 17 citizens were kidnapped in the 1970s and 1980s; only five were returned in 2002. Past leaders, including Shinzo Abe, failed to secure further progress, but Takaichi hopes direct talks can finally bring closure.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the Demilitarized Zone on Monday before high-level talks with South Korea on the future of their military alliance. Meeting Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, Hegseth reaffirmed the strength of U.S.–South Korea defense ties. The two leaders will discuss joint readiness against North Korea, cyber and missile defense, and Washington’s plan to give U.S. forces in Korea a more flexible regional role. South Korea, meanwhile, plans its biggest defense budget hike in years as it strengthens its own capabilities amid rising tensions in Asia.

Authorities in Siargao and Dinagat Islands ordered mandatory evacuations after Pagasa warned of storm surges over three meters high as Typhoon Tino nears. Residents in coastal and flood-prone areas were told to move to shelters, while sea travel, surfing, and island tours were suspended. Locals were urged to prepare Go Bags and secure homes, livestock, and belongings. Tourists staying near the beach were advised to transfer to inland evacuation centers for safety.

Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua has submitted a ₱114-billion budget proposal for 2026 to the Bangsamoro Parliament, urging quick approval and responsible spending. The plan is ₱19 billion higher than this year’s and focuses on education, health, and infrastructure. The Ministry of Education gets the largest share at ₱32.6 billion, followed by Health at ₱8.6 billion and Public Works at ₱5.7 billion. The proposal, funded through block grants and regional revenues, supports Macacua’s push for “moral governance” in the Bangsamoro region.

Police are hunting three suspects who shot and killed Indian moneylender Jagmeet Singh in Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao del Norte, on Sunday afternoon. Singh was collecting payments from borrowers when gunmen on a motorcycle shot him three times in the head before fleeing with his sling bag containing cash. Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura of the Bangsamoro police said the attack happened in front of a store in Barangay Limbo. Authorities believe robbery was the main motive behind the killing..

A Bacolod City police officer has confessed to killing his girlfriend “out of jealousy,” the Philippine National Police said Monday. The victim, a former nurse and single mother, was last seen in her vehicle, which was later found abandoned and bloodied in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental. The officer, a staff sergeant from Bacolod Substation 5, surrendered and admitted shooting her during an argument. A murder case has been filed, and the PNP has begun dismissal proceedings against the suspect.

Malacañang has approved the extension of the rice import ban until year-end to help stabilize farmgate prices and support local farmers. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said President Marcos Jr. decided to prolong the suspension after seeing minimal effects on retail prices but a strong boost to palay prices. The move aims to sustain farmer income as harvests continue across regions. The DA assured that rice supply will remain sufficient despite the extended import ban.

A new UCLA study found that the bacteria in a toddler’s gut could shape how their brain handles emotions later on. Kids with more Clostridiales and Lachnospiraceae bacteria at age 2 were more likely to show anxiety or depression by age 7. The microbes seem to affect how brain networks talk to each other. Scientists say future research could reveal if changing a child’s diet or probiotics can boost emotional health early.

Stanford scientists found a magnetic way to clear leftover kidney stone bits after laser surgery. They injected pigs with a magnetic hydrogel that stuck to stone fragments, then used a magnetic wire to pull everything out, removing 28 pieces in just seven minutes. No tissue damage, no toxins. If proven safe for humans, this tech could help millions avoid repeat surgeries and painful recoveries from kidney stones that don’t fully go away.

A new phase 3 trial found that injecting Wharton’s jelly-derived stem cells into the heart within seven days of a heart attack sharply reduced future heart failure cases. Conducted in Iran with 396 patients, those who received the stem cell infusion had less than half the rate of heart failure compared to standard care. Researchers say this approach could become a key add-on treatment for heart attack recovery.

Microsoft is pouring $15.2 billion into the United Arab Emirates, turning the Gulf state into a live test case for U.S. export-control diplomacy. The deal, announced at Abu Dhabi’s first Global AI Summit, includes the first shipment of Nvidia’s top-tier GPUs to the region, chips the U.S. tightly restricts elsewhere. With Trump’s approval and a new export license, Microsoft is building data centers, training a million locals, and anchoring U.S. AI influence in the Middle East.

Canva has unveiled its Creative Operating System, a major upgrade for its 260 million users across 190 countries. The platform combines design, collaboration, and marketing tools powered by a new AI Design Model that understands layout and visual creation. Users can now generate photos, videos, and 3D graphics, while Canva Grow helps marketers design and track campaigns in one place. The update also introduces smarter brand management, a new Business plan, and a free relaunch of Affinity for professional designers. Canva says the system aims to make creativity faster, more accessible, and deeply collaborative worldwide.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is urging the DICT and NTC to stop the online sale of pre-registered SIM cards,  a loophole scammers are exploiting for fraud and phishing, especially during the holiday season. He showed proof of SIMs sold on Facebook and Shopee, calling it a failure of enforcement. Meanwhile, the DICT warned of a possible DDoS attack on Nov. 5 that could disrupt websites, though it assured the public no personal data would be affected.