At the 46th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) last May, leaders adopted what appears to be a landmark document, the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean 2045: Our Shared Future. The declaration sets a 20-year roadmap to transform Asean into “a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered community.” It further emphasizes “regional solidarity,...
Category: Business
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Donald Trump’s brutal tariff assaults on Southeast Asia
As of Aug. 1, US President Donald Trump has finalized a sweeping set of new and brutal trade tariffs on Southeast Asian countries after a series of bilateral negotiations with the region’s leaders and trade representatives. These tariffs reflect an increasing trend toward protectionism and moving away from free trade principles and practices. The tariffs...
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In Albay, the Longganisa Festival is both culinary celebration and economic boost
The bustling wet market in Iraya, Guinobatan, Albay, is more than a platform for the famed “longganisa” (native sausage). It is a display of food and heritage for those who appreciate the sausage’s distinct taste and the means of livelihood for its small stallholders. The Longganisa de Guinobatan, the town’s handmade staple, requires no price haggling...
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In Marikina, micro eateries present a balance between tradition and technology
The food scene in Marikina City is bustling, but not all small food businesses enjoy an equal helping of visibility. For some, the aroma of home-cooked meals is still sufficient to draw passersby who eventually become suki (regular clients). However, digital “likes,” “hashtags,” and Facebook group posts are now just as essential as toasted garlic...
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Stuff of dreams: Childhood friends, all student athletes, open a Pilates studio
LIPA, BATANGAS—It all came together for three childhood friends when they sent out the invites to the blessing of their Pilates studio in this city south of Manila. They had been planning this project for ages. And their guests, including friends from Quezon City, didn’t fail them, arriving before 9:30 a.m. on June 26. Fr....
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Experience autumn in Korea (or how it aims to be Asia’s prime MICE destination in 2025)
Holding a corporate meeting with special frills afterwards? Korea is pulling out all the stops to become Asia’s destination for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) this year. The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) kicked off the campaign with the 2025 Korea MICE Roadshow in the Philippines with the Manila leg at Fairmont Makati on June...
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Take the ‘Trump tariffs’ to the local levels and to the May elections, economist says
How can the Philippines cope with the unpredictability of US President Donald Trump, who has upended the rules-based global trading system with a tariff war he is waging against scores of countries? “We cannot predict what Trump will be doing next [during his second four-year term]. We can’t rely on the US to maintain rules-based...
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Lease of Grande Island under review after arrest of Chinese spy suspects
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is looking into its lease contracts with a Philippine company after the arrest last week of several Chinese nationals for alleged espionage on Grande Island in Subic Bay. Eduardo Aliño, chair of SBMA, issued instructions to review the specifics of its extended leasehold agreement with Silver Dragon Cruises...
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Election spending, lower inflation to help boost economy, says report
Election spending, along with falling inflation, is expected to give the Philippine economy a boost as the campaign for the midterm polls in May goes into full swing, according to Unicapital Securities Inc. (USI). “All-out election spending, both on the local and national scale, coupled with easing inflation, will boost household spending and ultimately favor...
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Enhanced training programs and verified social media platforms to advance financial literacy
As 2025 began, SmarTrade reaffirmed its commitment to advancing financial literacy and trading education in the Philippines by expanding its reach both online and offline. It announced the launch of an enhanced training program and the recent verification of its social media platforms, assuring aspiring traders access to high-quality learning resources and a trusted community...