Opinion
Read editorial articles and opinion pieces from the Philippine’s industry experts and top editors. In Business Mirror’s Opinion and Editorial Articles, you can get expert opinions about various Philippine issues and topics in different industries and cultures: from business and economy to education and parenting. Reading opinion pieces is a great way to stay up to date with the most recent topics as of late, and learn how the experts are seeing it.
Staying the course amidst headwinds
The Philippines faces a daunting economic landscape in 2024, with higher-for-longer US interest rates, stubbornly high inflation, and the risk of spiking oil prices due to geopolitical turmoil. These challenges threaten to undermine the country’s growth trajectory, which international observers still project to be among the fastest in Asia this year. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan says that despite these concerns, international observers remain optimistic about the country’s economic performance. (Read the BusinessMirror report: “Government keeping growth goals despite risks,” April 24, 2024).
Is the world getting dumber?
American comedian George Carlin once said, “Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.” I am an old man and that makes my perspective different than 96.5 percent of the world who are younger than 70. But if you think that the world is getting dumber, you may be correct.
Happy summer learnin’: Preschool edition
LAST week, I shared summer learning activities for toddlers. This week, I will focus on our preschoolers. Preschool is the age between 3 to 5 years old. This is a time when I observed my children were very enthusiastic about anything I introduced to them. It was also the time, and I am sure a lot of you can relate, that our children just want to be with us all the time. That’s why I was most excited to play with my preschooler with educational tools. I wanted them to have happy learning memories that build deep foundations for their lifelong love for learning.
Playoffs mania
IT’S that time of year again when Pinoy fans are willing to forego sleep to watch National Basketball Association (NBA) games playing at ungodly hours and when those who can afford to do so report late for work so they can finish the game. (Thank God for work-from-home set-ups.) When dopamine and adrenaline abound in bet-happy odds-watchers who think the NBA Playoffs are the happiest season of all.
Tesla stock in ‘no man’s land’ after 43% rout ahead of earnings
Elon Musk is known to challenge the status quo—and that’s exactly what Tesla Inc.’s investors are worried about right now.
Investors loved weak yen boosting shares until it went too far
The yen has become stuck around a 34-year low against the dollar after months of declines, increasing concern the currency is becoming a liability for Japan’s economy and stocks.
Russia’s crude exports cling to gains with refineries hobbled
Russia’s seaborne crude exports maintained a multimonth high in the four weeks to April 21 as the country’s refineries struggled to recover from flooding and Ukrainian drone attacks.
Chinese knockoff raid jolts a global throng of fake-fashion influencers
Christmas came early last year for Brandon Lee King, a youthful online influencer who lives near Birmingham, England. An eagerly awaited shipment of luxury goods arrived just in time for the festive season, and like many of his peers, he was keen to show off his haul.
Dealing with a weak peso
ON May 2, 2019, the peso was at 51.7808 to the US dollar, and was as strong as P47.66 to $1 on June 1, 2021; hitting a low of 59.0197 on October 10, 2022. Currently the peso is at a little over 57 to the greenback, meaning our currency devalued by about 10 percent over the last five years. More significantly, the peso devalued 23.79 percent from 47.66 to 59.02 in only a span of 16 months!
Sales leaders are hope-givers
I’ve known many people who tried to get into a sales career but ended with a very short stint. And it’s not because they can’t sell, but because they lost hope in closing transactions. And that’s exactly where sales leaders play a vital role—to give hope. Here’s a few tips for sales leaders in their role as hope-givers.
Extending RCEF: A key to boosting Philippine rice production
Among all the crops grown in the Philippines, rice is heavily favored in terms of the support it receives from the government. The increase in spending in agriculture in recent years has largely benefited the rice sector. Billions of pesos have been poured into activities that sought to increase rice production, such as the repair and rehabilitation of irrigation systems that primarily serve rice lands.
Honoring my beautiful and loving wife on our glorious 58th Wedding Anniversary
(This marks a significant deviation from my typical column, which predominantly explores industry matters. I kindly request the understanding and indulgence of my readers as I seize this moment to honor my beloved wife, Evelyn, on the occasion of our 58th wedding anniversary.)
Housing sector a boon to the economy
Unlike other countries where there is an oversupply of housing units, the Philippines has plenty of opportunities to further develop our residential market.
Keep it positive
AS a people manager, creating a positive work environment is not only beneficial for your individual well-being but also crucial for promoting productivity, collaboration and overall job satisfaction among your team members. A workplace infused with positivity can inspire creativity, innovation, and a sense of purpose. When your team feels good about themselves and with each other, you create an environment where they can exponentially grow and maximize their potential.
Richest Mango Tee ever in the works
ONE of the country’s most eagerly awaited club-level tournaments is none other than the Mango Tee. The premiere Alabang Country Club fare boasts yearly of a bonanza of perks and prizes accorded hundreds of participants since its inception more than three decades ago.
Russia’s North Korea embrace could embolden Kim Jong Un, US says
Russia’s “complete embrace” of North Korea could increase Kim Jong Un’s appetite for risk when it comes to threatening South Korea and exporting weapons abroad, as well as helping Pyongyang ignore Washington’s call to return to nuclear talks, a senior Biden administration official said.
China wants everyone to trade in their old cars, fridges to help save its economy
China’s world-beating electric vehicle industry, at the heart of growing trade tensions with the US and Europe, is set to receive a big boost from the government’s latest effort to accelerate growth.
Oil market sees Iran sanctions having muted impact on exports
Legislation pushing Joe Biden to ratchet up sanctions on Iranian crude oil is on track to become law as soon as this week. But don’t expect the president to fully use his new powers any time soon.
A renewed commitment: PBBM’s efforts to combat hunger, poverty, and crime
IN a bid to address pressing social issues and foster grassroots engagement, President Marcos has taken decisive steps to intensify government efforts against hunger, poverty, and crimes. Through two significant memoranda, the government aims to tackle these challenges head-on, forging partnerships and implementing comprehensive strategies. (Read the BusinessMirror report: “President orders intensified actions vs poverty, social ills,” April 22, 2024).
Failed tariffs and sanctions
Tariffs and trade sanctions have been a critical part of modern foreign relations going back to the Opium Wars between 1839 and 1842.
Ease of Paying Taxes: On changes in the regulations
After some agonizing weeks of speculation and anticipation, the final versions are in! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, the EOPT RRs!
Do we need Self-Motivation?
FRIENDS, this week, I would like to discuss the science of self-motivation with you.
Safe swipes: Essential tips for credit card protection
YOU’RE scrolling through your phone when suddenly, a notification pops up. Your heart sinks as you realize that you’ve fallen victim to credit card fraud, leaving you scrambling to rectify the situation and reclaim your lost funds.
‘Black Rider’ shifts into the fast lane
GMA’s top-rating primetime action-drama series Black Rider has just been accorded its first-ever international award, winning a Bronze Medal at the 2024 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards under the Entertainment Program: Drama Category.
CCP marks Earth Day 2024 with ‘one-of-a-kind’ show
THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) marks yesterday’s Earth Day with a scintillating, multi-sensory presentation spotlighting light design as a vital element of events, theater productions, and festivals.
Dollar’s extended reign delivers stark wake-up call for markets
The world’s financial markets are encountering a force they didn’t bet on for 2024: A strong dollar is back and looks set to stay.
Hedge funds cry foul over Chinese education firm’s default
Hedge funds and other international investors are sounding alarms after a profitable education company from China defaulted on its convertible bonds in March.