Good Morning.

This week’s stories point in one direction. Jobs look steady on the surface but costs are rising faster underneath. Inflation is back in focus, risks are building in markets, and small money choices matter more than ever. Here’s what to know, and what to watch, before the week ends. worth knowing. Got topics you want us to dig into next? Hit reply and tell us.

Stay sharp,
Team PesoWeekly

Big picture: On paper, the job market looks stable. The unemployment rate stayed at 4.4% in December, but the number of unemployed Filipinos climbed to 2.26 million, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. Job losses were concentrated in construction, manufacturing, and transport, while overall employment growth in 2025 was the weakest in three years.

What’s changing: At the same time, living costs are picking up. Inflation rose to 2.0% in January, the fastest pace in 11 months, driven by higher electricity, water, and housing rents, according to Reuters. Core inflation also increased, suggesting price pressure is spreading beyond food and fuel.

Why it matters: Slower job creation plus rising costs squeeze household budgets. With the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas signaling fewer rate cuts ahead, there is less policy room to soften the impact on workers and consumers.

Picking your first digital bank is not about chasing the biggest interest headline. It is about choosing a bank that fits how you earn, spend, and save in the Philippines.

Start with safety. Make sure the bank is licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation up to ₱1 million. If this is hard to verify, skip it.

Focus on the base rate. Promos come and go. What matters is the interest you earn without doing tasks or hitting spending goals.

Check fees and transfers. Free cash-ins, easy bank transfers, and reasonable limits matter more than an extra 0.25%.

Test the app. Start small. If it feels clear, stable, and stress-free, you found a good first “suki” for your savings.

Cebu Pacific CEO Michael B. Szucs said Philippine airports should focus less on flashy terminals and more on longer, well-lit runways. Bigger runways allow larger planes, lower ticket costs, and more direct flights. Without them, airlines are stuck using smaller aircraft, keeping fares high and growth limited.

S&P Global Ratings warned that a failure of a major Philippine conglomerate could hit banks hard due to concentrated lending. The top 20 loans equal up to 200 percent of bank capital. One major corporate failure could erase a year of profits, pushing regulators to map risks and tighten safeguards.

Economic managers expect the peso to trade between ₱58 and ₱60 per dollar until 2030, based on updated government assumptions. Officials say the outlook reflects realistic budgeting amid a strong US dollar. A weaker peso could raise inflation and debt costs but help exporters, BPOs, tourism, and remittances.

TESDA launched the Skills Passport mobile app in San Juan City, offering job listings, training courses, and scholarships in one platform. Users can store certifications, apply for work, and enroll online, even without TESDA credentials. The app aims to reduce job mismatch and widen access to skills development nationwide efforts.

Gold laner Kelra bid farewell to ONIC PH after winning the M6 World Championship. The MVP will join ONIC Indonesia, ending a successful Philippine run highlighted by an MPL title. (Read More)

Bea Alonzo announced her television comeback during a press event in Taguig, also becoming the face of My Diamond’s White Halo collection. She said her upcoming teleserye will tackle current, bold issues. (Read more)

LISA will star in a Netflix rom-com inspired by Notting Hill, co-created with David Bernad. The film focuses on character-driven romance, blending nostalgia, modern celebrity culture, and emotional storytelling.(Read More)

The Philippines ranks sixth globally for Starlink use, driven by demand in remote areas, as the government prepares a 2026 pilot linking regular mobile phones directly to satellites nationwide connectivity. (Read More)

Singapore company Flint has started producing rechargeable, biodegradable paper batteries. Made from non-toxic materials and free of lithium, cobalt, and nickel, the batteries decompose in six weeks, offering a greener energy option. (Read More)

Researchers at Caltech and USC developed an imaging method combining ultrasound and photoacoustics to create 3D views of tissue and blood flow, improving cancer detection, nerve damage tracking, and research. (Read more)

Columbia University scientists combined optical tweezers and metasurfaces to trap more than 1,000 atoms, a step toward building much larger quantum computers with over 100,000 qubits. (Read more)

Many Filipinos delay checkups despite high blood pressure and cholesterol. With few cardiologists outside Manila, health officials urge screenings, reduced salt intake, regular exercise, and early medical consultation.

A 25-year study of nearly 28,000 people in Sweden found that adults without genetic Alzheimer’s risk who ate more full-fat cheese had lower chances of the disease, while higher cream intake was linked to reduced dementia risk.

Researchers report that the mouth bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum can increase tumor growth and trigger precancerous lesions in mice. The bacterium may harm cells, especially in those with BRCA1 mutations, suggesting oral health could play a role in cancer prevention.

A review of 52 studies found transgender women had slightly higher lean mass but no consistent differences in strength or aerobic fitness compared to cisgender women after 1–3 years of hormone therapy.

A landslide in Barangay Agusan, Cagayan de Oro, triggered by Tropical Storm Basyang, killed four, including two children. (Read more)

As ASEAN chair, the Philippines aims to finalize the South China Sea code of conduct with China this year. (Read more)

Court denies ex-Senator Revilla’s plea, citing adequate facilities and security at Quezon City jails for flood control case trial. (Read more)

Davao City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO) confiscated illegally slaughtered meat and fish in 2025, urging public to buy only inspected, certified products. (Read more)

Climate scientists warn global warming is making it harder to host Winter Olympics, as the 2026 Milano Cortina Games will take place in a warmer climate than past winter competitions.

Lebanon accused Israel of spraying glyphosate on southern farmland, calling it a health crime, after tests found high chemical levels, threatening crops, food security, and farmers’ livelihoods across the region.

Fuji-Yoshida city canceled its annual cherry blossom festival at Mount Fuji due to overcrowding, sanitation problems, and safety concerns, as thousands of tourists visit daily, disrupting local life and homes.

📝 Filipino tourist-turned-global star honored for film, business, and philanthropy in Dubai

📝 7 unique local Valentine’s gifts for family, friends, and even your beloved pets

📝Filipinos power Onlyfans behind the scenes, editing and selling explicit content for foreign creators

📝 Boy injured as phone battery explodes after chewing in mobile shop (Watch)

📝Louvre starts restoring historic crown damaged in heist

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