SOUTH KOREAN soldiers salute in front of a huge national flag in Pohang, South Korea, Sept. 30, 2021. — LEE JIN-MAN/POOL VIA REUTERS
SEOUL — South Korea’s presidential candidates were scheduled to face off in their first TV debate on Sunday evening ahead of a snap election on June 3 to choose a successor to former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached over his short-lived martial law declaration in December.
Sunday’s debate, the first of three TV debates scheduled over the next two weeks, will focus on how to revitalize the struggling economy, one of the hot-button election issues.
Asia’s fourth-largest economy contracted in the first quarter as exports and consumption stalled amid fears over the impact of Washington’s aggressive tariffs and political turmoil at home.
South Korea has begun trade talks with the US and is seeking a waiver from the tariffs. After US President DonaldJ. Trump slapped 25% tariffs on South Korea in April, Seoul was one of the first countries to hold face-to-face talks with Washington, following in the footsteps of Japan.
Lee Jae-myung, the main opposition Democratic Party’s candidate and the frontrunner in the race, has vowed to raise artificial intelligence investment up to 100 trillion won ($71.52 billion) and offer a production tax credit of up to 10% for semiconductors manufactured and sold domestically.
Kim Moon-soo, the presidential candidate for the conservative People Power Party, has pledged to create a government agency dedicated to innovating regulations and invest over 5% of the budget in research and development.
Mr. Lee holds a lead with 51% support in the latest Gallup Korea poll released on Friday, with Mr. Kim trailing far behind at 29%.
Former President Yoon was ousted last month over his short-lived imposition of martial law on December 3, stoking political turmoil and triggering the election.
Mr. Lee called earlier in the day for constitutional reform to allow a four-year, two-term presidency and a two-round system for presidential elections through a referendum.
South Korean presidents currently serve a single five-year term.
He also vowed to curb the presidential right to declare martial law and hold to account those responsible for the Dec. 3 martial law declaration.
“We must gather the people’s strength to root (them) out and strictly hold (them) accountable,” he told a press briefing. — Reuters
SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised drills by the nation’s air force and underscored the need for a step-up in war preparation, state media said on Saturday.
Mr. Kim, who inspected anti-aircraft combat and air strike drills by North Korea’s 1st Air Division on Thursday, called for “all units in the entire military” to bring about “a breakthrough in war preparation,” KCNA reported.
Footage of the drills on North Korean state TV showed a MiG-29 jet launching a missile, which appeared to be a North Korean version of a Russia-developed mid- to long-range air-to-air missile, said Hong Min, North Korea analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification.
So far this month, Mr. Kim has overseen a missile test, inspected tank and munitions plants, made a rare visit to the Russian embassy in Pyongyang reaffirming the country’s alliance with Russia, and supervised tank firing drills and special operations unit training.
North Korea also slammed the US State Department for placing it on a list of countries that do not fully cooperate with US counterterrorism efforts. Pyongyang has been placed on the list every year since 1997, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency said.
“The more the US provokes the DPRK with unnecessary and inefficient malicious acts, the further it will escalate the irreconcilable hostility between the DPRK and the US,” a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, using the country’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
“The DPRK will… take effective and proper measures to cope with the US hostile provocations in all spheres.” — Reuters
SINGAPORE — As the currencies of South Korea, Taiwan and Japan rise, so too is chatter that these economies could use exchange rate revaluation as a carrot in trade talks with US President Donald Trump.
While a stronger currency has historically meant a competitive disadvantage for these Asian exporters, revaluation may now be the least costly bargaining chip in their scramble for favorable trading terms with the US.
The Korean won surged last week after officials there said currency policy was discussed at a meeting they had in Milan with US officials on May 5. That comes just days after US-Taiwan talks triggered an unprecedented 8% surge in the Taiwan dollar.
Japan’s finance minister is meanwhile seeking to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the G7 meetings in Canada this week to discuss foreign exchange.
Market participants have been quick to connect these developments with China’s surprise 90-day trade truce with United States on the weekend at Geneva.
“This China deal is very bad news for Korea, for Japan, for anybody waiting in the queue, because now they need to offer what China managed to avoid,” said Alicia Garcia-Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis.
She believes Taiwan may have agreed to revalue its currency as part of trade negotiations, while China pushed back against such a request.
The clock is ticking for export-reliant Asia. Trump’s April 2 reciprocal tariffs, ranging from 25% for South Korea to 46% for Vietnam, were suspended for 90 days but could kick in on July 8, unless deals are struck.
There is greater urgency for China’s immediate neighbors Japan, Korea and Taiwan, which risk being displaced from semiconductor and autos supply chains as China and India expedite negotiations with Trump.
China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam are also among the economies on the US Treasury’s “monitoring list” for currency practices — something Trump’s team could use as a talking point in negotiations.
“The Koreans might think, ‘well actually a stronger currency is in our interest and so we may as well propose this in these negotiations’,” said HSBC’s chief Asia economist Fred Neumann.
“These currency angles are only coming up in certain negotiations and not in others, maybe because the US is not insisting on it, but it’s really the other country that has brought them in as a way to kind of appease US demands.”
TAIL WAGGING THE DOG Trump and Bessent have both expressed a preference for a strong dollar, though that has done little to squelch suspicion that the US President wants an adjustment lower in the world’s top reserve currency, a deal dubbed the Mar-a-Lago accord.
“If one country comes out and agrees with the Trump team that they are going to maybe accept a slightly stronger currency, then it sets the tone for the others,” said Homin Lee, senior macro strategist at Lombard Odier in Singapore.
A weaker dollar could theoretically reduce the burgeoning US trade deficits with the rest of the world. Investors have used that hunch to sell the dollar and US assets in the past few weeks.
Taiwan’s central bank has repeatedly denied the United States asked Taipei to allow its currency to appreciate during tariff talks with Washington.
But one Taiwan source familiar with the matter expects foreign exchange issues will eventually come up in any negotiations.
“No one can withstand US pressure,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter.
In Asia, analysts also make the case that most Asian currencies are weaker than their long-run trade-and-inflation-adjusted real effective exchange rates, which means they have room to trade higher.
Yet, analysts also say the undervaluation of the yen, won, yuan and Taiwan dollar are a result of disinflationary pressures in these economies that make their goods cheaper by the day.
“The solution to that problem would be more fiscal stimulus, more encouragement of domestic demand,” said BofA strategist Claudio Piron.
“You could argue if they appreciate their currencies, it could worsen the problem by creating more disinflation and deflation as well.”
RISKY BUSINESS Not only is the plan fraught with such economic risks, it could also be unsafe for markets.
For one, Asian governments and citizens own tens of trillions in dollars assets that they’d need to sell as the greenback falls.
That includes a chunk of the $33 trillion of dollar-based stocks and bonds foreigners held at the end of 2024, and Asia’s roughly $7.5 trillion foreign reserves plus a couple of trillions more of dollar deposits retail investors and exporters have accumulated.
Equally challenging is the idea that governments can manipulate their currencies, even in Asia’s less open markets.
HSBC’s Neumann reckons currency deals, if any, will not be ironclad and could at most be broad statements of principles on currency management that ultimately don’t make too many demands on individual countries.
“Nowadays central banks can only lean a little bit against the wind, they can’t affect the overall direction of currencies,” he said.
Tohru Sasaki, chief strategist at Fukuoka Financial Group, says any kind of currency accord, similar to the 1985 Plaza Accord to weaken the dollar, is unlikely.
“Some people say ‘maybe the US and Japan will agree to see a 10% higher yen against the dollar.’ But how can we do it and how can we manage to keep it?” said Sasaki. “So it’s something like a dream. In the real world it’s impossible.” — Reuters
AN ICE CREAM VENDOR passes by a wall covered in campaign posters in Quezon City, May 4. Midterm elections are scheduled for May 12. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN
by Edg Adrian A. Eva, Reporter
The 2025 midterm elections may have seen a game-changing shift from Millennials and Generation Z, defying dynasty and celebrity candidates who had led in pre-election surveys, according to analysts.
In an interview, Senior Research Fellow at Ateneo Policy Center Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco said the younger generation of voters is now seeking change amid the country’s unsolved problems—a change they believe can be achieved by steering clear of candidates from political dynasties and celebrities.
“I think there is now a brewing anxiety, and that is giving voters pause.Na baka nga hindi na okay na bumoto ng dynastic candidates and celebrities, kasi wala naman silang nai-offer na solusyon [Maybe it’s no longer okay to vote for dynastic candidates and celebrities because they have not offered any solution],” Mr. Yusingco said.
“I’m not saying, I’m completely sure… In other words, if they have a choice, they will choose non-dynastic candidates. And that’s partially the explanation why you have Bam Aquino, you have Kiko Pangilinan, and Marcoleta at the top six.”
Mr. Yusingco also said that one key difference from the pre-election surveys was the drop of several highly popular celebrity bets from the winning circle known as the ‘Magic 12, based on the Commission on Elections’ partial and unofficial results.
These include re-electionist Senator Bong Revilla, Manny Pacquiao, and newcomer candidates and hosts Willie Revillame and Ben Tulfo.
He added that some well-known candidates from political dynasties also fell short of expectations compared to their rankings in pre-election surveys.
Erwin Tulfo, who previously ranked first in the last SWS pre-election senatorial survey, landed in fourth place, while Tito Sotto dropped from an expected fifth to eighth place.
Also notable was the loss of Abby Binay, who was ranked 10th in the same survey.
Apart from the Senatorial race, Mr. Yusingco said he also observed a similar pattern in some local elections, where several dynastic and celebrity candidates lost their election bids.
Notably, the Villars lost grip of their 33-year-old congressional seat, and actor-comedian Lucky Manzano’s defeat in his bid to become vice governor of Batangas.
Meanwhile, political scientist and retired University of the Philippines professor Clarita A. Carlos welcomed the youth’s increased participation in the recent elections.
“The signs are good that we are reaching political maturity little by little. Voters are becoming more educated and discerning in choosing their leaders. And that’s all good,” Ms. Carlos said in an interview.
She added that youth were more eager to vote in order to change the country’s current political landscape.
“I would imagine they’re sick and tired of the corruption and the ineptitude of many of our leaders,” she furthered.
“It may have come from the realization of many that it is their responsibility to really participate. Otherwise, they have no reason, you know, to comment or even critique any of the actions of the government.”
In a press briefing on Thursday, COMELEC said the youth vote was a key driver in the recent election, helping achieve a record-high voter turnout of 81.65%, the highest among previous midterm elections.
“Naniniwala ako that the votes of the youth matters talaga. Yung pagdagsa nilang sobrang dami… Yung boses nila, gusto talaga nilang (iparinig) [I truly believe that the votes of the youth really matter. Their overwhelming turnout… Their voices, they genuinely wanted to be heard],” COMELEC Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said.
The Department of Education (DepEd) Election Task Force (ETF), which ran a 24/7 command center in Makati from May 11 to May 13, recorded 603 election-related reports on Tuesday.
DepEd said the most common issues reported involved machines malfunctioning, irregularities in ballots and receipts, and voter list concerns.
Most reports came from Region IX, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and the National Capital Region (NCR), according to DepED.
Although most of the problems were solved by their regional and division ETF counterparts, the department said some cases were endorsed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for appropriate action.
On Monday, similar complaints from netizens regarding ballot and receipt mismatch, missing names and precincts, and rejection of ballots have surfaced online.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia dismissed claims of ballot and receipt mismatch, stating that there is no evidence to support such allegations. He added that voters might have simply forgotten who they voted for.
On the rejected ballots, Mr. Garcia said that damage to the ballot’s timing marks could result in being ejected by the machine.
Despite the logged reports, the DepEd, Comelec, and other government agencies claimed that the midterm election was “largely peaceful.”
“We can say that overall, the elections were conducted smoothly,” Undersecretary Malcolm S. Garma, chair of the DepEd ETF, said in a press release.
Out of the 758,549 poll workers during the midterm elections, over 660,000 DepEd personnel were deployed to ensure safe, fair, and orderly elections in thousands of polling precincts nationwide.
“These are not just public servants,” Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara said. “They are frontliners of democracy.” – Almira Louise S. Martinez
Repurposing forgotten pieces around the home does more than save space. It reduces waste, adds character, and turns everyday objects into functional pieces. Sometimes, the most inspiring spaces come from giving old, forgotten items a fresh purpose. With a bit of creativity, imagination and the right tools, you can recreate whatever you have into something valuable.
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2. Birdbath to succulent sanctuary
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Even broken pots and chipped tiles deserve a second chance. Use shattered ceramics to line pathways. It will bring an instant rustic charm and a touch of color underfoot. Scatter them artfully across garden beds or lay them between stepping stones for a playful, lived-in feel that money simply can’t buy.
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Mayor-elect Lord Arnel L. Ruanto proudly completes the Special Virtual Executive Education Program for Young Legislators (January–August 2023), hosted by Harvard Kennedy School and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS.
A 36-year-young political and campaign strategist successfully toppled a long-entrenched politician who has been in power for 33 years in Infanta, Quezon, a feat almost nobody of his townmates would believe.
But incumbent Vice-Mayor Lord Arnel L. Ruanto — or simply L.A. as friends and constituents call him — did it through his 5th ranked incumbent councilor who beat outgoing mayor Filipina Grace America who ran for vice-mayor in the last May 12 midterm elections.
Ms. America has been lording it over Infanta local politics for over three decades by running for mayor or vice-mayor after every three terms and she seems invincible in every electoral fight.
But here comes Vice-Mayor Ruanto himself — apparently applying his political knowledge and campaign strategies and tactics honed through his established firm called Grassroots Analytics Philippines (GRAPH) as its chief strategist — who went on to be the youngest mayor of Infanta when he defeated, Ebit Escueta, his political rival in the mayoralty race by over 6,000 vote margin.
Mr. Ruanto, applying survey data and in-depth research, cobbled together his political lineup with incumbent councilor Mannie America as his vice-mayoralty teammate which finally altered the political landscape in Infanta which voted 8 of Mr. Ruanto’s partymates in STAN Q as against only 2 councilors who survived the electoral fight for the veteran Ms. America — who was beaten herself in the vice-mayoralty race by a plain municipal councilor — along with Ms. America’s mayoralty candidate in Lakas who was beaten by the young Mr. Ruanto.
The newly elected mayor Mr. Ruanto happens to be the youngest in Infanta’s political history, as he was also elected the youngest councilor at 21 in 2010 before he went on to be elected 2 times as vice-mayor.
Ruanto’s political ascent
In an interview at his residence, three days after the elections, Mr. Ruanto recounted in a media interview that he was a student activist graduating in PUP Manila in 2009 when then Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca was the invited speaker in a student leadership forum who challenged the young audience to venture into politics and into governance.
He said that he asked Ms. Padaca why would the young people get involved in politics and in government when it is ‘dirty.’ It was the time of then Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was then facing various allegations of graft and corruptions.
Mr. Ruanto said Ms. Padaca’s reply was seared in his memory when she said that if all the people would look at government and politics as dirty, no good people would seek public office and the rot in government would fester.
Armed only with a PUP academic degree of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Ms. Padaca’s words decided for him right after graduation, with his mom as OFW and his father as a municipal government employee, to run as town councilor and being jobless as he filed his candidacy after watching an ANC documentary of the late Naga city mayor Jesse Robredo.
At a young age in 2010, he gave leadership trainings to teachers and youth leaders who became his campaign arms and machinery in the political campaign for councilor.
He recalled that during his college, his favorite subject was group dynamics and counseling in which he got flat A so he launched his ‘racket’ giving seminars, leadership trainings and team building to various companies and organizations.
In high school, he became student government president and in college he said he got elected to the biggest organization in the College of Arts, the PUP Psychology Students Association with membership of 1,500. He said this became his energy and passion to transition into the real life of public service.
During the next elections in Infanta, from no. 4 he landed last in no. 8 even with his records of performance legislation which got him to realize that one has to relate well with the constituents to find real political traction. He then endeavored to learn campaign management, as he also learned from different firms and campaign groups such as Fortis, Glozen of Dr. Edwin Monares and Schale Strategies in the US.
He bought books from the Ateneo University on how to win an election and what he learned he applied ‘by heart’ the principles, the basics in campaigning — house to house, man to man, making ‘pakiusap’ — that was the start of his real political education. From being last in 2013 in the councilor race, he became no. 1 councilor in the next elections.
In 2017, Mr. Ruanto was one of the three young legislators to have been given a fellowship grant by the US State Department. He was mentored by Steve Shale, the campaign director of then Pres. Barack Obama who was only 32 years old when he made Mr. Obama win in the State of Florida, a Republican stronghold.
They were in the same wavelength, Mr. Ruanto thought, so he decided when he went home to put up his companies, one of which is GRAPH which do scientific surveys, then followed this year by CHARTS or Campaign Hub for Analytics, Research and Strategies, which concentrated on analytics and strategies for various political clients which most of them ended in successful elections last May 12.
Local political campaign
“At the onset, we have tracking survey, I seek to feel the people’s pulse through scientific tracking. In April to May, I did two surveys so I saw where I stood, my worry is my political teammates so I focus my resources on them,” Mr. Ruanto said about his mayoralty campaign, adding that when you manage a local campaign, you run it like a business company — with clear and distinct structure, systems, researched data, among others, that became the winning formula.
Mayor L.A. Ruanto with Senator-elect Kiko-Bam and Mayor Leni at the Kaya Natin Movement political retreat
He said that his team in the firm includes former board members, councilors, youth council members with practical experience on politics, and on local campaign management.
“We help those people who are deserving to be in government, and to be candid, we decline clients who have bad records,” Mr. Ruanto said as he emphasized that a survey is a tool to plan the campaign of a candidate, not an indicator who will win outright.
He said their surveys might point to real problems in the municipal or barangay level, so the campaign messaging or narrative must be tailored-fit and these problems must be addressed with appropriate interventions supported with data.
He said that good governance is the heart of his campaign in his mayoralty fight accompanied with slogan, “Lingap Agad” and he was inspired by Serbisyong Tunay at Natural of Gov. Helen Tan, whom he also helped in her own political campaign since her last term as congresswoman in the province’s 4th District and when she got elected as governor in 2022.
Lingap Agad became the shorthand for their team in service response and any emergency like typhoon where they make sure that before it arrived, relief goods are prepositioned, people are evacuated during the typhoon and after typhoon rapid response must be undertaken.
He disclosed that they formed a political campaign team composed mostly of outsiders — campaign manager with no political knowledge and experience in actual campaign, finance officer, data management team — all have no political experience, did not handle political campaign, just followed the structure he set up.
“There is value in tabula rasa because sometimes if you have many experience you get to think ‘Alam ko na yan‘ or AKNY mindset with tendency to see yourself as too smart loaded with too much experience,” the young mayor-elect said adding that he provides the strategy, structure and one follows the system and how it works which eventually leads to win an election.
Recognition and awards as councilor, vice-mayor
As Infanta’s town councilor, Mr. Ruanto became known as “Champion of Good Governance” and recognized as “Ten Outstanding Movers of the Philippines” and recipient of “Outstanding Service Award” by the Philippine Councilors’ League.
During Mr. Ruanto’s two terms as vice-mayor, he was elected president of Quezon Vice Mayors League (QVML), became vice-president of VML in Internal Affairs in Calabarzon region, and chairman of the Committee in Education of the VML at the national level.
As chair of the Committee on Education, he was at the forefront in running the Academy of Presiding Officers when they partnered with UP Diliman National College for Public Administration and Governance.
As president of the QVML, Mr. Ruanto set up the Vice Mayors Leadership Academy which was launched on Aug. 29, 2022 in Lucena City, the first of its kind in Quezon province where during meetings they have free seminars on different topics.
Last year, he was awarded America Asia Award as Vice Mayor of the Year in 2024 but was unable to attend the awarding ceremony held in California as he was then acting mayor when Mayor America was administratively suspended by the Sangguniang Panglalawigan. He was evaluated for his initiative of the VM Academy of Presiding Officers and his launching of the VM Leadership Academy.
Grateful for this moment and meaningful conversation with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte
‘Lahat may siyensiya’
“We want to put science in what we do, to have some level of measurement. Lahat may siyensiya — awareness rating, satisfaction rating, trust rating, lahat ay may intervention, kung saan ka mas hindi kilala, you put your tarpaulin there, hindi lagay lang nang lagay. Kung saan ka di mataas ang trust rating, doon ka magpakita nang personal, bumabad, makipag-kuwentuhan, inom, kunsultahan, lahat may intervention,” said Mr. Ruanto, who bared he has helped in the election campaign of senators-elect Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, and local candidates like Laguna governor-elect Sol Aragones, Quezon congressmen Mark Enverga and Reynan Arrogancia, and several others he declined to name names.
He elaborated further that campaign and election management is not just science but an art, an odd combination actually of art and science in winning the hearts and minds of one’s target constituency.
Mr. Ruanto cited also his KampanyaOke, doing door-to-door campaign and even outdoors, in the ricefields, while serenading the rural voters with a portable karaoke back in 2016, a very effective way of captivating attention that ties up nicely with campaign strategies.
He introduced “KampanyaOke” — a door-to-door campaign like no other. Armed with a portable karaoke set, he serenaded residents while sharing his message, blending music with politics in a uniquely Filipino way.
“What began in 2016 took the internet by storm in 2022 during the campaign for VP Leni Robredo, racking up millions of views,” he said, adding that in their first survey in Quezon, VP Leni lost so he did it twice at that time with more heart and purpose, especially as part of her campaign’s core team in the province.
In recognition of Mr. Ruanto’s expertise in the field of campaign management and strategies, sometimes in the thick of his mayoralty campaign, a client would suddenly call and send for him to give lecture on campaign management and coaching on strategies.
Both his established firms — GRAPH and CHARTS — serve clients in whole package, from research, conducting thorough surveys, doing public relations communication, and down to the operational strategic level at the grassroots to engage with the target end-users.
Mr. Ruanto cited his being a core group member for more than a decade of Kaya Natin Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership founded both by Misses Robredo and Padaca, and when he won as councilor, he was included in the group. He said their stories of humility and integrity in governance lit the spark for his own pursuit of public service.
“When I became the young councilor in Infanta, they welcomed me into the fold and it felt full circle being mentored by those who once inspired me,” the young Infanta mayor-elect said.
Infanta Mayor-elect L.A. Ruanto stands proudly with Laguna Governor-elect Sol Aragones and Quezon Governor ‘Doktora Helen’ Tan.
Beyond local borders
Mr. Ruanto said that their work in promoting good governance and effective campaign management has reached audiences beyond the local borders. Over the years, he has been invited to share his insights on international platforms such as the Yushan Forum in Taiwan in 2019 and the World Youth Alliance in New York, USA.
In 2017, he joined the Professional Fellows Program in Washington, D.C., deepening his understanding of civic leadership on a global scale. These experiences have been further enriched through partnership and alliance-building efforts in Gummersbach, Germany in 2023, and most recently, through participation in The Hague Academy for Local Governance in the Netherlands in 2024.
Mr. Ruanto said that each engagement has affirmed the belief that strong, ethical leadership transcends geography and continues to inspire positive change around the world.
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Wholesale price growth of construction materials in the National Capital Region (NCR) rose in April, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Friday.
The construction materials wholesale price index (CMWPI) in Metro Manila slightly picked up by 0.3% year on year in April, inching up from the 0.2% growth in March. However, this was lower than the 0.7% growth recorded in April 2024.
In the four months to April, Metro Manila’s CMWPI averaged 0.2%, slower than 1% growth during the same period.
The pace recorded in April was the fastest in nine months or since the 0.5% growth in July 2024.
Contributing to last month’s increase were faster growth in tileworks (3.6% from 1% in March), sand and gravel (0.4% from 0.3%), electrical works (0.4% from 0.3%), and painting works (1.1% from 1%).
The year-on-year growth in other commodities remained unchanged when compared with the previous month: plumbing fixtures & accessories/waterworks (0.9%) and doors, jambs, and steel casement (0.4%).
In a separate report by the PSA, the construction materials wholesale price index (CMWPI) in April eased to 1%, lower than 1.2% growth of March. It also cooled from 1.2% in April 2024.
Year to date, CMRPI averaged 1.1%, easing a bit from 1% growth in January-April 2024.
April print was the lowest in more than a year or since the 0.6% in March 2024
The CMRPI is based on 2012 constant prices, while the CMWPI is based on 2018 constant prices.
The PSA attributed the slower annual CMWPI growth to prices in carpentry which slowed down by 0.4% in April from 0.7% in March and tinsmithry materials with 1.5% from 1.6%.
Commodity groups where rates steadied were painting materials and related compounds (2.4%), plumbing materials (0.7%) and miscellaneous construction materials (0.3%).
Jonathan L. Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co., said that the modest construction growth could be influenced by several factors such as election ban and tariff risks.
“The ban on public works during the election period can lead to delays in construction projects and procurement of materials. This restriction, aimed at preventing the misuse of public funds for electioneering, often results in a temporary slowdown in construction activities. This can affect the demand for construction materials, contributing to the modest growth observed,” Mr. Ravelas said in a Viber message.
Mr. Ravelas added that tariffs on imported construction materials can increase costs and disrupt supply chains.
“These tariffs create uncertainty in the market, as companies may face higher expenses and delays in material delivery, impacting overall project timelines and budgets,” he said. — Lourdes O. Pilar
COOLER NIGHTS, DEEPER SLEEP. The Emma Bedframe and award-winning Hybrid Mattress Collection are now at OUR HOME — made for tropical comfort, modern style, and uninterrupted rest.
The scorching heat is back in the country — and for many Filipinos, that means another restless night of tossing, turning, and waking up drenched in sweat. Even with the AC on full blast, truly restful sleep feels like a luxury these days. For couples, it’s even worse — one person’s discomfort can ruin the entire bed. But what if the secret to cooler, better sleep wasn’t in your air conditioning…but in your mattress?
Awaken Your Best with Emma
Emma isn’t your average mattress brand. Founded in Frankfurt, Germany in 2015, Emma has grown rapidly, expanding to 22 countries across 5 continents. Its mission is simple yet powerful: to deliver better sleep across the globe. Backed by German-engineered design and science-driven innovation, Emma’s products are trusted by over 6 million happy sleepers worldwide.
Hot nights? Meet your cool solution. The Emma Diamond Hybrid 2.0 is cooler, comfier, and built for deep, uninterrupted sleep with its 7-layer interior. It features advanced cooling, plush comfort, and motion isolation — all in one luxurious, breathable design. Now at OUR HOME — try it today!
Hybrid Innovation for Hot Nights
At the heart of Emma’s product line is its Hybrid Mattress Collection that combines both spring and foam to help you sleep better — even in the tropical heat. Say goodbye to restless, nights and hello to refreshing sleep:
Diamond Hybrid Mattress 2.0 – Experience sleep at its finest. Indulge in luxurious rest with the Diamond Hybrid Mattress 2.0—engineered with advanced cooling technology and superior motion isolation for truly uninterrupted sleep, night after night.
Original Hybrid Mattress 2.0 – Emma’s award-winning mattress globally. Crafted with the perfect balance of foam and springs, the Original Hybrid Mattress 2.0 delivers just-right firmness for exceptional comfort and support—all night, every night.
Unlike traditional foam or spring mattresses, Emma’s hybrid technology delivers the best of both worlds — offering plush comfort and firm support in one perfectly balanced mattress.
Sleep the way you’re meant to with Emma’s award-winning mattress. Crafted with the perfect balance of foam and springs, the Original Hybrid Mattress 2.0 delivers just-right firmness for exceptional comfort and support. Designed by sleep experts and built with German precision, it features 7 interior layers and 7-zone back support — ideal for proper spine support and alignment.
Experience Emma at OUR HOME
Europe’s fastest-growing sleep brand, Emma Sleep, is thrilled to announce its exciting new partnership with OUR HOME, the Philippines’ premier lifestyle furniture retailer. Now, Filipinos can experience the transformative power of Emma mattresses firsthand, bringing dream-worthy sleep closer to home. This collaboration between Emma and OUR HOME is rooted in a shared commitment: to help people create their ideal living spaces, and it all starts with a better night’s sleep.
You can now experience the Emma difference yourself. Visit select OUR HOME branches — SM City North EDSA, SM Megamall, and SM Mall of Asia — to discover your perfect Emma mattress. Now available in SM City North Edsa, SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia branches. You can now experience the Emma difference yourself. You can also explore the Emma Sleep collection online at OUR HOME.
Whether you want to test the cooling effect, feel the spring-foam combo, or get expert recommendations in-store, we are more than ready to help you discover the mattress that could transform your sleep!
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TGR street race to be held South of Manila in Villar City
Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is bringing back the thrill of street racing on May 24 & 25 for Race Weekend 2 of the 2025 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup (TGR Philippine Cup) season. The highly anticipated event will be held south of Manila in Villar City and marks the first time the racing series will be taking on the streets since 2018.
The event is open to all. Interested attendees need only to register at https://www.tgrphcup.com/ to receive their pass. Admission is free.
The race weekend will be held over two days, with Saturday heating up the track with the Qualifying and first Sprint Race of the weekend. On Sunday, the second and third Sprint Races will be held. There will also be Drag Races, and Car Club and Gymkhana Exhibitions on both days. Both days will be livestreamed on the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines Facebook and YouTube channels.
Previously known as the TGR Vios Cup, the TGR Philippine Cup has held street races in Alabang, Muntinlupa City; Cebu City; McKinley, Taguig City and Pasay City. This will be the first time the street race will be held in Villar City. With their tight corners and long straights, street races have been a favorite of both racers and spectators, providing memorable wheel-to-wheel racing and exciting fan activities.
Eventgoers can look forward to adrenaline-pumping action on track while enjoying side activities, including vehicle displays and test drives, sim racing rigs, food concessionaires, original GR merchandise, and live entertainment. OPM powerhouses Rico Blanco and Parokya ni Edgar will be tearing down the stage on May 24, while Ely Buendia and Bamboo will be rocking it out on May 25.
There will also be special event-exclusive promos on Toyota vehicles for those on the lookout for a fresh, new ride during the race weekend. More details will be announced soon.
“We have heard how much the racers and fans wanted to bring back the street race after the successful ones we’ve had in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. With the races closer to the Metro, we hope more people will come to experience the thrill and joy of motorsports for themselves and perhaps even discover a passion for speed and all things racing,” shared TMP Assistant Vice President for Marketing Services Andy Ty.
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup is sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and is brought to you by Official Fuel & Lubricants Partner Petron and Official Tire Partner GT Radial, in cooperation with Official Venue Partners Villar City and Brittany.
This event is also supported by Official Timekeeper Seiko, Toyota Financial Services Philippines, Tuason Racing, AVT, 3M, Denso, ROTA, OMP and Kinto One.
Follow TMP’s official pages—ToyotaMotorPH on Facebook, Instagram, and X, and join the Viber community at Toyota PH for updates.
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THE health maintenance organization (HMO) industry saw its net income surge to P579.39 million in the first quarter from P6.78 million in the same period last year, data from the Insurance Commission (IC) showed.
The increase was attributed to the 26.15% increase in membership fee collections in the period, which accounted for 97.52% of the total revenues of the industry, according to data based on the unaudited financial statements submitted by 28 HMOs, up from the 24 submissions in the same period in 2024.
The growth in membership fees was driven by qualified government employees availing of the P7,000 medical allowance as part of their coverage, the IC said.
“This significant increase demonstrates the industry’s sustained recovery from the impact of the pandemic… These statistical growths are not just mere numbers. They are reassuring indicators that the HMO industry continues to be a strong and reliable industry that affords Filipinos with healthcare security, ultimately uplifting Filipino lives,” Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo A. Regalado said in a statement on Thursday.
The sector’s total assets grew by 22.67% to P87.48 billion in the first quarter from P71.31 billion in the same period last year amid higher net membership fee receivables, financial assets at amortized cost, and cash in banks. Cash on hand and net deposit to healthcare providers also grew by 119.68% and 127.55%, respectively.
Total invested assets, which made up 21% of total assets, rose by 11.03% year on year to P18.37 billion in the period.
This came as cash equivalents increased by 23.37% and as investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures, and associates surged by 86.92%.
The 356.82% jump in loans and receivables and the 16.55% increase in investments in government securities also helped drive the growth in HMOs’ combined investment assets.
The industry’s total equity also grew by 21.77% to P11.96 billion as retained earnings surged by 120.49%.
Meanwhile, the sector’s total expenses increased by 20.02% year on year to P22.41 billion.
“This is because of the 17.41% year-on-year rise in healthcare benefits and claims paid, which comprises 78.87% of the industry’s total expenses,” the IC said.
HMOs’ total liabilities grew by 22.82% to P75.52 billion.
“This upswing resulted mainly from a 78.73% increase in membership fee reserves amounting to P17.89 billion, which are essential for an HMO to meet its financial obligations and ensure the long-term sustainability of its operations,” the regulator said. — AMCS
In photo are (from left to right) RCBC Bankard Services Corp. President and CEO Arniel Vincent B. Ong, RCBC Executive Vice-President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva, Gogolook Chief Operating Officer Manwoo Joo, and Gogolook Philippines Country Head Mel Migriño during the partnership signing at Yuchengco Centre in BGC Taguig City.
Whoscall, a global anti-scam application, has partnered with Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) and RCBC Bankard Services Corp. — two financial institutions under the Yuchengco Group of Companies — to enhance mobile security and protect customers from scam calls and SMS scams that affect the online banking experience for RCBC depositors and credit card holders.
During the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Gogolook’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Manwoo Joo emphasized the growing need to rebuild trust in digital communication.
“Our mission is to empower users with full confidence in every digital interaction,” Mr. Joo shared. “A few decades ago, answering phone calls was a normal part of life — people even looked forward to it. But today, there’s noticeable hesitation, even when businesses like RCBC are trying to reach their customers.”
“This hesitation stems from a lack of trust, and that’s where we step in. Our goal is to equip users, especially Filipinos, with the tools they need to identify and verify potential threats ahead of time. We want to provide a protective shield so they can enjoy the digital world with peace of mind,” Mr. Joo explained.
Mr. Joo further emphasized that the partnership goes beyond a simple business agreement.
“This is about making a real difference in the Philippine banking sector through technology. I’m genuinely excited about the impact we can have,” Mr. Joo said.
Gogolook, the leading global TrustTech company, is the developer of the Whoscall app.
As part of the collaboration, RCBC and RCBC Credit Card holders will receive free access to Whoscall Premium Basic.
This subscription includes automated features like automated call blocking of identified scam calls according to it’s global anti-scam database, automatic update of its database, and auto-scanning of any links from text messages and detection of scam images.
Lito Villanueva, Executive Vice-President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer at RCBC, highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in the bank’s innovation efforts.
“One thing I want to emphasize is that this initiative is deeply embedded in the bank’s core mission, particularly in promoting cybersecurity, cyber hygiene, and cyber resiliency among our users,” Mr. Villanueva said.
“At RCBC, we recognize that as digital financial services continue to evolve, so do the threats that come with them… Gogolook’s cutting-edge AI-driven scam and fraud detection, and scam prevention tools align seamlessly with RCBC’s vision of fostering a safer, more inclusive digital economy,” Mr. Villanueva added.
Arniel Vincent B. Ong, President and CEO of RCBC Bankard Services Corp., stated, “We highly value the trust of our cardholders and are committed to protecting them from fraud. By integrating Whoscall’s advanced technology into our services, we reinforce our dedication to safeguarding our over 1.3 million RCBC Credit Card holders from fraudulent activity. This initiative enhances the security of their transactions and aims to foster a greater sense of trust in digital financial interactions.”
Gogolook Philippines Country Head Mel Migriño said the partnership is an important step toward helping RCBC customers and advancing the broader cybersecurity landscape in the Philippines.
“This partnership between Whoscall and RCBC not only benefits Filipino customers by protecting them from scam and fraud attempts but also contributes to strengthening the country’s cybersecurity framework — especially in addressing threats that target online banking users,” Ms. Migriño said.
Additionally, RCBC and RCBC Credit Card hotline numbers will be whitelisted and verified on Whoscall, ensuring that calls from these official numbers are clearly marked and easily recognizable when received by Whoscall users.
This aims to enhance call credibility and reduce the risk of fraud from impersonation or spoofing.
The partnership, which took place at Yuchengco Centre in BGC Taguig City, also includes joint public information campaigns to raise awareness about common scam tactics and promote safer communication practices.
These campaigns will be rolled out across various digital platforms, including in-app notifications, online content, and customer outreach programs.
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Start with a simple ladder that may be gathering dust in the garage. Instead of letting it go to waste, turn it into a tiered farm. Each step offers a perfect ledge for potted herbs, trailing plants, or cute blooms. It’s a clever way to maximize small spaces and add height and movement to your garden design.
However, if you are currently on the hunt for a reliable ladder for your home projects? Visit your nearest Wilcon Depot and discover 
An old birdbath can become the perfect cradle for succulents and small plants. Its shallow basin and weathered look make it an ideal, ready-made planter, adding texture and history to your garden without effort.
Even broken pots and chipped tiles deserve a second chance. Use shattered ceramics to line pathways. It will bring an instant rustic charm and a touch of color underfoot. Scatter them artfully across garden beds or lay them between stepping stones for a playful, lived-in feel that money simply can’t buy.
You can also redesign your balcony with a
For another layer of airy and greenery vibe, add a
Transform your antique wheelbarrow into a charming planter. A little creativity goes a long way. This vintage piece can become a unique focal point, filled with bright-colored flowers, or trailing plants. The rustic appeal of the wheelbarrow contrasts beautifully with the greenery. Not only does it repurpose an old item, but it also brings a touch of personality to your garden decor.
Once your plan is in place, you’ll need a few practical tools to bring your garden ideas to life. You will be needing tools that actually work wonders like the compact 
For trimming, the 
In an interview at his residence, three days after the elections, Mr. Ruanto recounted in a media interview that he was a student activist graduating in PUP Manila in 2009 when then Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca was the invited speaker in a student leadership forum who challenged the young audience to venture into politics and into governance.
During the next elections in Infanta, from no. 4 he landed last in no. 8 even with his records of performance legislation which got him to realize that one has to relate well with the constituents to find real political traction. He then endeavored to learn campaign management, as he also learned from different firms and campaign groups such as Fortis, Glozen of Dr. Edwin Monares and Schale Strategies in the US.
