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Brazilian city trials new biofuel aimed at replacing diesel entirely

REUTERS/DIEGO VARA

PASSO FUNDO, Brazil —  As widening conflict in the Middle East roils global energy markets, one city in southern Brazil is planning to run more of its municipal fleet on an innovative homegrown biofuel designed to replace diesel entirely.

Nestled among rolling expanses of soybean farms in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the city of Passo Fundo is deploying a diesel alternative for its municipal fleet made from feedstock including soy, animal fat and used oils.

Whereas traditional biodiesel is blended with petroleum-based diesel at a ratio of 15% in Brazil, the new fuel is designed to fully replace the fossil fuel in any vehicle that takes diesel, cutting carbon emissions and potentially reducing costs.

Be8, one of Brazil’s biggest biodiesel firms, received regulatory approval in late 2024 to start producing the new fuel, called BeVant, in Passo Fundo, aiming initially to make 28 million liters annually.

BeVant is a so-called drop-in for the fossil fuel and can be used in regular diesel engines without needing modifications, Be8 said.

With crude prices soaring due to the US-Israeli war on Iran, triggering fears of diesel shortages in Brazil, Passo Fundo Mayor Pedro Almeida said the new fuel has brought some peace of mind.

“When we talk about these conflicts … and when we have an alternative fuel like BeVant available, that represents, without a doubt, a very large competitive potential,” said Mr. Almeida.

Neither the mayor’s office nor Be8 commented on the current cost per liter of BeVant, but the company said it was around 15% more expensive than biodiesel and much cheaper than its direct competitor, HVO, or green diesel.

Although the initial contract for BeVant represented a premium over traditional diesel, the mayor’s office is confident prices will fall, and expects to use BeVant more widely across the rest of its fleet in the future.

“I am certain the fuel will start becoming cheaper as production increases, with more volume and a larger market,” Mr. Almeida said.

When the first stage of the rollout is complete, 17 Passo Fundo vehicles — including trucks, backhoes and a minibus —  will tank up with BeVant, requiring some 10,000 liters per month.

Brazil, which imports about a quarter of the diesel it consumes, is on track for a record soybean harvest this year, leading soy crushers and biodiesel producers to push the government to allow higher biodiesel blends.

“We are betting heavily on BeVant for the company’s growth in Brazil and abroad,” Be8 CEO Erasmo Carlos Battistella told Reuters, adding that the company is in talks with businesses seeking to lower their net carbon emissions.

Beyond Passo Fundo, BeVant is used in a popular Brazilian truck racing competition, Copa Truck, along with logistics firms and municipal bus fleets. — Reuters

K-pop supergroup BTS shuts down central Seoul for comeback concert

BTS receiving a Bonsang award at the 31st Golden Disk Awards in Seoul on Jan. 14, 2017. — COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG /AJEONG_JM

SEOUL — K-pop supergroup BTS performed to tens of thousands of fans in Seoul on Saturday in its first concert in more than three years, which saw authorities shut down the city’s historic downtown, though turnout was far smaller than expected.

The hour-long outdoor concert in Gwanghwamun Square was the official comeback for the group that helped make Korean pop music into a global phenomenon before going on hiatus in 2022 while members fulfilled mandatory military service.

They returned with a new album on Friday that their record label said sold nearly 4 million copies on its first day, ahead of a global tour that starts next month, billed as the biggest in K-pop history.

While there were only 22,000 tickets to the inner area to see Saturday’s concert live, Seoul authorities had anticipated as many as 260,000 people would turn out to be part of the crowd outside. A whole section of the city was shut with barricades.

In the end, most fans decided to stay away for now. The Yonhap News Agency, citing city government estimates, said 40,000-42,000 showed up. Fans, who call themselves the BTS ARMY, could watch the concert on Netflix instead, where it was streamed live to 190 countries.

“It’s been a long journey but now we’re finally here,” said RM, the leader of BTS, who performed much of the concert from a chair after hurting his ankle during rehearsals.

“While preparing this album, we did have some concerns that we might be forgotten, or whether you would still remember us,” said another member, J-Hope.

22,000 FREE TICKETS, 2,551 TOILETS
The municipal authorities in Seoul are extremely cautious about crowds since a crush killed scores of Halloween revellers in the Itaewon nightlife district four years ago. The Seoul government, the group’s management agency HYBE and other organizations deployed a combined 8,200 personnel and set up medical stations.

Jimena Pinilla, 31, had flown in from Spain and arrived at the square on Saturday morning to get a choice spot.

“I joined the ARMY in 2023, just as they began their service. I’m so excited to be part of this,” she said, sporting purple sneakers and a collection of BTS toys from Shein. “I spent my entire two weeks annual leave for this trip.”

But some South Koreans ridiculed the draconian security measures for a crowd that mostly failed to materialize.

“Authorities claimed 260,000 would show up — that’s basically a lie — and it ended up disrupting local businesses and even weddings,” wrote a user on the Naver Café online forum.

A ‘TRILLIONS OF WON’ COMEBACK
BTS’ world tour will last into 2027, spanning 34 regions and 82 shows so far, according to the tour website.

The comeback album Arirang sold 3.98 million copies on its first day of release, according to Big Hit Music, the music label run by HYBE.

Analysts project blockbuster revenues, with some estimates pointing to total tour earnings of as much as 2.7 trillion won ($1.8 billion), rivaling top-grossing tours such as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour.

“The number of shows could reach 100 once dates to be added next year are included,” said Hwang Ji-won, analyst at iM Securities. “Assuming only 50,000 attendees per show, that comes to 5 million,” he said, adding that the group’s use of a 360-degree stage for its shows meant crowds could be even bigger.

Roughly half the shows are expected to be in North America and Europe, where ticket prices are generally higher, Mr. Hwang said. — Reuters

Globe expands 5G, RE use in Misamis Oriental

GLOBE.COM.PH

GLOBE TELECOM, Inc. is expanding its services in Misamis Oriental through increased deployment of fifth-generation (5G) network infrastructure and the adoption of renewable energy (RE) initiatives.

In a statement on Sunday, Globe said it has intensified its 5G rollout in Cagayan de Oro and Gingoog, while enhancing coverage across both coastal and inland municipalities.

The upgraded network is expected to support faster speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity, enabling smoother streaming, high-definition video calls, secure digital payments, cloud-based operations, and real-time business applications.

Globe said that the expansion of industrial zones and business districts in Cagayan de Oro, as well as the increasing adoption of e-commerce and financial technology services, underscore the need for reliable and high-performance connectivity.

“Our sustained investments in Misamis Oriental reflect Globe’s commitment to building infrastructure that empowers communities and drives economic progress,” said Rozy Opina, senior director for territory business at Globe.

“Reliable connectivity is foundational to growth, productivity, and inclusion, and we are dedicated to delivering a network that supports the province’s ambitions today and in the years ahead,” he added.

The company said it is also continuing to shift its operations toward the use of electricity generated from renewable energy sources while upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment.

Globe added that key facilities in Cagayan de Oro are already running on renewable energy, with on-site solar installations providing backup power.

It is also upgrading its equipment to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions without compromising service reliability.

“Through continuous network upgrades, expanded 5G access, and green network initiatives, we are enabling families, entrepreneurs, and enterprises to seize opportunities in a rapidly evolving digital economy, while reducing our environmental footprint,” said Jowin Marquez, senior director for the network technical group at Globe. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

The BYD eMax 7 touted as timely mobility solution

PHOTO FROM BYD CARS PHILIPPINES

WITH FUEL prices on an upward trend as a result of the Middle East conflict, many families are starting to rethink what everyday driving really costs. Beyond what they pay for fuel every month are the repeated trips to the gas station and the attendant uncertainty every time pump prices move.

The BYD eMax 7 is being positioned as a “practical solution because it’s powered by electricity,” removing the guesswork that comes with “fuel-dependent driving and replaces it with something more stable and predictable.” BYD Cars Philippines said in a release that, for households trying to manage expenses more carefully, curbing uncertainty matters. “Every trip becomes less about watching fuel prices and more about simply getting where you need to go,” the company said in a release.

It continued, “With the eMax 7, every peso saved begins to feel real. Day-to-day running costs are lowered in a way that can make a meaningful difference over time. And because it’s a full-electric vehicle, owners can also benefit from simpler maintenance needs and lower periodic maintenance costs compared to conventional people movers. In a market where every expense is being watched more closely, that kind of everyday stability is hard to ignore.”

School runs, work trips, weekend plans, errands with a full load of passengers are the routines where every kilometer counts, insisted the company. The eMax 7 boasts a quiet, comfortable ride, a spacious cabin for up to seven, and up to 530 kilometers of NEDC range, making it easy to imagine as a daily family vehicle.

The eMAX 7 also “brings the refinement people expect from a modern BYD vehicle” via a roomy and flexible interior, advanced convenience features, and the safety of BYD’s Blade Battery technology. It also comes with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, giving owners added flexibility when they need to power their devices and small appliances in the event of power outages. “The result is a vehicle that feels calm and composed in everyday use while giving owners a stronger sense of reassurance when it comes to their daily drive,” added BYD Cars Philippines.

At a time when rising fuel prices are forcing many drivers to reconsider their options, the BYD eMax 7 is said to be a stable, sustainable, and electrified mobility option — spacious enough for family life, efficient enough for daily use, and built around the kind of everyday stability more people are looking for now. “For buyers looking beyond the pump, the BYD eMAX 7 offers a more sensible way forward,” concluded the statement.

Ending TB requires a whole-of-society approach

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Vectorjuice from Freepik

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases despite being preventable and, in most cases, curable. It continues to claim lives, strain health systems, and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable, reminding us that progress against TB is far from complete.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2025, an estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with TB in 2024. Of these, 8.3 million were newly diagnosed, and 1.23 million died from the disease. Men accounted for 54% of cases, women 35%, and children 11%. These figures underscore the persistent and widespread burden of TB worldwide.

Every March 24, the global community marks World TB Day. This year’s theme, “Unite to End Tuberculosis,” highlights the urgency of collective action through prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment to finally bring this disease under control.

The Philippines remains among the 30 countries with a high TB burden, which together account for 87% of global TB cases. In 2024, the country ranked third worldwide, contributing 6.8% of total cases, behind India (25%) and Indonesia (10%). This places TB firmly among the Philippines’ most pressing public health challenges.

TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterium that spreads through the air when a person with active TB coughs, sneezes, or spits. While the disease most commonly affects the lungs, it can also involve other parts of the body such as the kidneys, brain, spine, and skin.

An estimated one in four people globally carry TB bacteria in an inactive form. These individuals do not feel sick and are not contagious. However, a small proportion will go on to develop active TB disease, particularly those with weakened immune systems, including children, people living with HIV, and those with conditions such as diabetes.

Symptoms of TB include a prolonged cough, sometimes with blood, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. Early consultation is critical. Prompt diagnosis and treatment not only improve patient outcomes but also help prevent further transmission. Simple measures such as wearing masks, covering the mouth when coughing, and proper disposal of tissues can also reduce spread.

Without treatment, nearly half of people with active TB may die. Fortunately, WHO-recommended treatment regimens, typically lasting four to six months, can cure about 90% of patients when followed properly. TB preventive treatment (TPT), meanwhile, can stop infection from progressing to active disease, especially among high-risk individuals. Completing the full course of treatment remains essential.

In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DoH), in collaboration with WHO and partners, has intensified efforts to eliminate TB. A key initiative aims to screen 12 million Filipinos by 2026 under Phase 2 of the Philippine Strategic TB Elimination Plan 2025–2030. This strategy seeks to strengthen the entire continuum of care — from prevention and diagnosis to treatment.

Technology is playing an increasingly important role. The DoH is deploying ultra-portable, AI-powered chest X-rays and WHO-recommended nucleic acid amplification tests to accelerate detection and improve diagnostic accuracy, particularly in underserved areas.

Encouragingly, TB preventive treatment enrollment increased by more than 50% in 2024, driven by shorter treatment regimens and expanded contact tracing. Preventive care has also been extended to contacts of drug-resistant TB cases, while children with non-severe TB are now benefiting from shorter, more patient-friendly treatment courses. Public awareness campaigns, including TPTodo caravans, continue to promote early care-seeking and treatment adherence.

At the same time, the innovative pharmaceutical industry continues to invest in research and development as it works to improve diagnostics, develop more effective and shorter treatment regimens, and advance new vaccines that could transform TB prevention in the years ahead.

The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), together with the PHAPCares Foundation, remains committed to supporting national TB control efforts. Through partnerships with the DoH, local government units, and civil society organizations, we help strengthen healthcare access and contribute to programs that advance TB prevention and care.

Ending TB requires more than medical solutions alone. It demands a whole-of-society approach, one that brings together government, industry, healthcare providers, communities, and individuals in a shared mission. When efforts are aligned, fragmented initiatives become a coordinated response capable of delivering lasting impact.

By uniting across sectors and sustaining our collective commitment, we can move closer to a future where TB is no longer a public health threat.

 

Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines which represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are at the forefront of developing, investing and delivering innovative medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics for Filipinos to live healthier and more productive lives.

Vietnam accelerates shift to ethanol fuel as Persian Gulf crisis drives up energy prices

REUTERS/KHANH VU

HANOI — Vietnam will switch fully to ethanol-blended gasoline earlier than planned as part of its efforts to curb fossil fuel use, a government document showed, as the war in Iran continues to disrupt global energy supplies.

Vietnam will begin using E10 gasoline — a blend containing 10% bioethanol — from next month, according to a government directive signed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh last week, bringing forward a previous target of June 1.

Fuel prices in Vietnam have surged since the US-Israel war on Iran began three weeks ago, with gasoline prices up 50% and diesel prices rising 70%, according to data from top fuel trader Petrolimex.

The disruption has “caused significant fluctuations in energy prices, creating numerous challenges for countries dependent on energy imports and increasing risks to the energy security of many nations, including Vietnam,” according to the document.

The directive urges authorities to introduce incentives for the production and use of electric vehicles and calls for the expanded development and use of renewable energy.

It also said Vietnam will completely eliminate the use of 20-watt to 60-watt incandescent light bulbs from the third quarter of 2026. — Reuters

GoTyme Bank eyes profitability by 2027  

GOTYME.COM.PH

GoTyme Bank aims to turn profitable by mid-2027, driven by continued customer growth and ahead of potential entrants in the Philippine digital banking market, President and Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel C. Clarke said. 

“We’re still prioritizing growth over profitability, but we still think we’ll become profitable in 2027 ,” he told reporters. “Any new entrants don’t really change our strategy,” Clarke told reporters last week. “Our focus is to maintain momentum and stay ahead as the fastest-growing bank.” 

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) lifted a three-year moratorium on digital bank licensing in January, allowing up to four new players or traditional banks converting to digital operations. Six digital banks operate in the Philippines, including GoTyme, Maya Bank, Inc., Overseas Filipino Bank, Inc., Tonik Digital Bank, Inc., UnionDigital Bank, Inc. and UNObank, Inc. 

Mr. Clarke said GoTyme’s operations are largely insulated from interest rate fluctuations, noting that its loan book is short-term with minimal term deposits. “Unlike traditional banks with longer-dated loans, fluctuations in interest rates don’t really impact us,” he said. 

Customer growth remains a key driver of profitability. GoTyme’s customer base reached nine million last week, on track to hit 11–12 million by year-end. “We expect to reach 10 million by mid-year, and close to 12 million if all goes well,” Mr. Clarke said. 

Bad loans are projected to stay at 5% to 7% for 2026, following a 5.6% level at the end of 2025. Operational efficiency is also improving, with gross profits more than doubling last year, while operating expenses grew less than 15%. 

The bank posted a net loss of P3.44 billion in 2024, up from P2.47 billion in 2023, mainly due to higher operating costs during its early expansion phase. Mr. Clarke said the bank’s financial trajectory points toward breaking even once the customer base reaches scale. 

GoTyme Bank began operations in October 2022 as a joint venture between the Philippines’ Gokongwei group and Singapore-based Tyme Group. — Aaron Michael C. Sy 

Chuck Norris, macho star of Walker, Texas Ranger, 86

CHUCK NORRIS in a scene from Walker, Texas Ranger.

CHUCK NORRIS, the former martial arts champion and 1980s action-film hero who fought the bad guys in Code of Silence, Missing in Action, and The Delta Force and upheld the law in the TV series Walker, Texas Ranger, died on Thursday, his family said in a statement on his Instagram account on Friday.

“While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace,” the statement read.

The six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate Champion, whose tough-guy image inspired satirical “facts” that made him an Internet phenomenon, had been hospitalized in Hawaii on Thursday, Variety reported.

Mr. Norris starred in more than two dozen films portraying silent loners, soldiers, lawmen, veterans, and All-American heroes who captured criminals, released prisoners of war, rescued hostages, and battled terrorists.

With his roundhouse kicks he fought martial arts icon Bruce Lee in Rome’s Colosseum in his 1973 film debut The Way of the Dragon. Along with actor Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Bruce Willis he helped defeat villain Jean-Claude Van Damme in the 2012 blockbuster The Expendables 2.

Time magazine described him as “the ultimate tough guy.”

“In his strictly wham-bam B-movie genre, Norris, a former karate champion, has become the undisputed superstar,” it said in 1985.

Mr. Norris dodged bullets, landed kicks squarely on an opponent’s jaw, and dismissed multiple villains at a time in his action-packed films.

His macho image made him a hit at the box office and on the small screen. From 1993 to 2001, he played Sergeant Cordell Walker, an upstanding lawman, former Marine, and martial arts expert in Walker, Texas Ranger.

The bearded actor, writer, and producer became an online cult hero in 2005 when an American student created what became Chuck Norris Facts, online jokes about the actor’s physical prowess and masculinity that became a viral sensation and inspired several books.

Among the most popular were “Chuck Norris has a mug of nails instead of coffee in the morning” and “Chuck Norris doesn’t do push-ups; he pushes the Earth down.”

AN UNLIKELY TOUGH GUY
Carlos Ray Norris was born on March 10, 1940 in Ryan, Oklahoma, the oldest of three brothers. The family moved to California after his parents divorced.

He was extremely quiet and introverted, which he attributed to his father’s alcoholism and the family’s poverty.

“In school I was shy and inhibited,” Mr. Norris wrote in his 2004 memoir Against All Odds: My Story. “If the teacher asked me to recite something aloud in front of the class, I would just shake my head no.”

Mr. Norris was also not a natural athlete. He had to train remarkably hard to become a martial arts champion, he said. After graduating from school, he enlisted in the US Air Force in 1958. While stationed in South Korea, he learned Tang Soo Do, a form of karate, and other martial arts.

The future film star started teaching martial arts in California after his discharge. He also won major competitions. Actor Steve McQueen, who was one of Mr. Norris’ students, encouraged him to try acting.

“He told me that I should think about projecting a presence, and never do a part that had a lot of dialogue,” Mr. Norris told the New York Times in a 1985 interview.

“He told me, ‘Movies are visual, and when you try to verbalize something, you’re going to lose the audience.’”

Mr. Norris’ films grossed millions and made him a popular figure among the US military. He visited Iraq in 2006 and 2007 to show his support for American troops.

In 1990, he founded his own martial arts discipline, Chun Kuk Do, and established the nonprofit organization, Kickstart Kids, to teach children martial arts and self-esteem.

A patriot, Conservative, and devout Christian, he worked with the National Rifle Association (NRA) and was a contributor to WorldNetDaily, a far-right news and aggregator website.

In addition to his best-selling memoir, Mr. Norris published The Secret of Inner Strength – My Story, his guide to self-improvement, as well as several books on fitness and martial arts and two novels — 2006’s The Justice Riders and its sequel, A Threat to Justice.

He was married twice and had five children.

Mr. Norris defended his films to critics who claimed they promoted violence. If they are well written, he said, action films can tell a story as effectively as any drama or romance.

“It’s how it’s done. I don’t advocate violence for violence’s sake,” he told the Los Angeles Times in 1994. “What people hang on to is that the good guy wins in the end.”

Among the tributes and reactions made in reaction to his passing, was by US President Donald J. Trump. “He was a great guy,” he told reporters outside the White House. “He was a really good, tough cookie. You didn’t want to fight him, I can tell you. He was a tough, great guy, and he was a great supporter.”

Meanwhile, Republican governor of Texas Greg Abbott wrote, “Texas has lost a legend,” on X. “All of Texas mourns the passing of Chuck Norris. He was not only a martial arts champion, action icon, and the one and only Walker, Texas Ranger. But he electrified generations of conservatives. Giving them a passion and voice to fight for the principles that make America the greatest nation on earth. He embodied the toughness, grit, and patriotism that makes Texas supreme.”

In a post on X, the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Mr. Norris “a great friend of Israel and a close personal friend.”

Mr. Norris’ co-stars also took to social media. Sylvester Stallone wrote on Instagram: “I had a great time working with Chuck. He was All American in every way. Great man.” Belgian martial artist and actor Jean-Claude Van Damme wrote on Instagram” “We knew each other from my early days, and I always respected the man he was.” Swedish actor and director Dolph Lundgren wrote on Instagram: “Ever since I was a young martial artist and later getting into movies, I always looked up to him as a role model. Someone who had the respect, humility and strength it takes to be a man.”

Some could not resist coming up with their own Chuck Norris Facts in reaction to his death. “The Icon, Chuck Norris, has passed away,” the conservative American radio host Glenn Beck wrote on X. “Also, in breaking news, the Grim Reaper was found dead after attempting to take Chuck Norris to the afterlife.”

American actor and TV host Mario Lopez wrote on X: “Chuck Norris didn’t die, he just completed his mission & went to rest…” — Reuters

SMC Infra grants 2-month toll rebates on SLEX, STAR

Motorists pass through the toll booths at the South Luzon Expressway. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSELL A. PALMA

SMC INFRASTRUCTURE will provide temporary relief to select public utility vehicles and cargo trucks using the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway through a two-month rebate program starting March 23.

In a statement on Sunday, the tollway operator said eligible vehicles will receive weekly rebates equivalent to the difference between current and previous toll rates on SLEX and STAR Tollway.

The initiative responds to the government’s call to provide temporary relief to the transport and logistics sector amid rising fuel costs linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Eligible vehicles under the program include public utility jeepneys and UV Express vans under Class 1; public utility buses and modern jeepneys under Class 2; and cargo trucks and trailers with three or more axles and over 7.5 feet in height under Class 3.

On SLEX, the rebate will reduce toll costs to P147 from P160 for Class 1 vehicles, to P295 from P321 for Class 2, and to P442 from P481 for Class 3. SLEX runs from Alabang to Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

On STAR Tollway, tolls will be reduced to P104 from P113 for Class 1, P208 from P225 for Class 2, and P311 from P337 for Class 3. STAR Tollway runs from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Batangas City.

To qualify, eligible vehicles must be active Autosweep users in good standing and must have no unsettled traffic violations across SMC’s expressway network, which includes SLEX, STAR Tollway, Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), NAIA Expressway (NAIAX), and the Skyway System.

Vehicles with Autosweep To Go accounts must submit the required documents for full account verification at Autosweep customer service centers to ensure rebates are credited to legitimate owners or operators.

Cash-paying users are required to enroll in Autosweep and submit documentary requirements, including valid certificates of public convenience issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Qualified vehicles that are already active Autosweep users no longer need to register, but their accounts must remain in good standing, with no unpaid passages or negative balances. Account holders with arrears may settle these to qualify for the rebate program.

Enrollment will run for two weeks, from March 23 to April 4.

“Rebates will be applied retroactively beginning on the date of complete submission of documentary requirements and will be credited weekly to qualified accounts,” the company said.

The rebate program will run for two months and will be subject to review by the Department of Transportation and the Toll Regulatory Board.

SMC Infrastructure, a subsidiary of Ang-led San Miguel Corp., operates over 200 kilometers of expressways in Luzon, including the Skyway System, SLEX, STAR Tollway, TPLEX, and NAIAX. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Philippines ranks 3rd most impacted by terrorism in Asia-Pacific

The Philippines improved* by two places to 23rd out of 163 countries in the latest edition of the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) by the Institute for Economics and Peace. Despite its rank improvement,* the country scored 4.719, above the Asia-Pacific’s average score of 1.492 and making it the third most impacted by terrorism in the region. The index analyzes the impact of terrorism on a country based on four factors: the total number of terrorist incidents, fatalities, injuries, and hostages.

PSEi may extend losses on oil surge, peso slump

BW FILE PHOTO

By Alexandria Grace C. Magno, Reporter

PHILIPPINE shares may extend losses this week as surging oil prices and a weakening peso deepen inflation concerns and keep investors on the sidelines.

Analysts said sentiment remained fragile as war in the Middle East and a hawkish pause from the US Federal Reserve weighed on risk appetite.

“The local bourse closed the four-day trading week in the red, dictated by persistent risk aversion from escalating Middle East geopolitical tensions plus a hawkish pause from the US Federal Reserve,” brokerage 2TradeAsia said in a note.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell 0.6% or 36.83 points on Thursday to close at 6,018.62, while the broader all-share index declined 0.55% or 18.69 points to 3,344.87. Week on week, the PSEi slipped by 40.32 points.

Markets were closed on Friday in observance of Eid’l Fitr or the end of Ramadan.

Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco, research manager at Philstocks Financial, Inc., said investors largely stayed on the sidelines amid uncertainty.

“Trading was tepid for the most part of the week, implying that many are staying on the sidelines amid lingering uncertainties,” he added.

For the coming sessions, Mr. Tantiangco expects the market to remain under pressure as elevated oil prices and peso weakness fuel inflation risks.

Any signs of de-escalation in the Middle East conflict could support a rebound, while further escalation might drive additional losses, he added.

Investors are also closely watching the government’s response to rising fuel costs and their impact on the broader economy.

The peso’s slide to a record low added to concerns. It closed at P60.10 a dollar on Thursday, weakening by 58 centavos from P59.52 the previous day, according to Bankers Association of the Philippines data posted on its website. The latest level broke its prior record low of P59.87.

Technical indicators also point to continued risks. Mr. Tantiangco noted that the PSEi remains below its 10-day, 50-day and 200-day exponential moving averages, with the 50-day and 200-day lines nearing a “death cross,” a bearish signal for medium- to long-term trends.

“Both the MACD (moving average convergence divergence) line and the 14-day relative strength index are moving downwards, supporting bearish indications,” he said.

He expects the 6,000 level to be tested again this week, with support at 6,000 and resistance at 6,150. Brokerage 2TradeAsia placed immediate support at 6,000, with secondary support at 5,800 and resistance at 6,300 to 6,400.

Eala advances to Round of 16

ALEXANDRA EALA (PHL) reaches for a forehand against Laura Siegemund (GER) (not pictured) on day three of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. — REUTERS/GEOFF BURKE-IMAGN IMAGES

Sweeps Poland’s Magda Linette in two sets

CAN’T STOP, won’t stop.

Relentless Alexandra “Alex” Eala rocked and rolled her way to another Round of 16 stint, scoring a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) romp of Poland’s Magda Linette in the Miami Open before a roaring pro-Filipino crowd at the Grandstand of the Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.

Ms. Eala, WTA No. 29, recovered from a near meltdown in the second set with a torrid 7-2 rally in the tiebreaker to complete another sweep of the Polish veteran in the duel between youth and experience in one hour and 48 minutes.

The 20-year-old Filipina previously beat the 34-year-old Ms. Linette, WTA No. 50, in the quarterfinals of the WTA 250 ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand earlier this year, picking up where she left off to zero in on her lofty goals in Florida.

Ms. Eala, a wildcard qualifier who shocked the tennis world last year to become the first Filipina WTA semifinalist in Miami, is No. 31 seed in the main draw right away this time around after her meteoric rise that also included a similar Last 16 finish in the Indian Wells Open considered as the “Fifth Grand Slam” last week.

She is two wins away from retaining her place in the world’s Top 30 and recovering the hefty deduction of 390 ranking points she gained following her magical run last edition in the 1000-level WTA tour upon its expiration this week.

And she will try to move closer to that coveted bid against world No. 14 Karolina Muchova of Czechia on Monday (Manila time) for a slot in the quarterfinals. The 29-year-old Ms. Muchova, the No. 13 seed in Miami, scored a 6-3, 7-5 win over No. 67 Katie Boulter of Great Britain.

A win by Ms. Eala would set the stage against either fellow rising stars in No. 9 Victoria Mboko of Canada or No. 10 Mirra Andreeva of Russia after their easy victories in Round 3. Ms. Mboko, 19, drubbed Russian Anastasia Zakharova, 6-1, 7-5, while Ms. Andreeva, 18, beat Czech Marie Bouzkova, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2.

By the final four, either her good pal in No. 4 Coco Gauff or No. 6 Amanda Anisimova, both from the United States, is tipped to stand in the way.

“Being back in the 4th round, it makes me feel the same as I did last year. I’m so happy. I’m so excited. It’s such a privilege to be back in Miami,” said Ms. Eala, taking it one game at a time without thinking of the immense pressure on defending her ranking points to stay inside the Top 30.

Following the expiration of her ranking points, Ms. Eala is currently at No. 44 from as low as No. 50 according to the live WTA rankings after regaining 120 of those 390-point deduction with three wins so far.

As the No. 31 seed, she had a first-round bye before eking out a gritty a 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-3 Round of 64 win against No. 53 Laura Siegemund of Germany.

She rode the momentum of that back-and-forth duel that lasted three hours and 20 minutes for the longest match of her career, looking “as fresh as a flower” as she unleashed a 4-1 finishing kick on Ms. Linette from a 2-all score for the win in the opening set.

Ms. Eala appeared headed to a cruise with another strong start in the second, 3-1, but Ms. Linette proved her worth as the second-round slayer of world No. 3 and Miami No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, by staging a 5-2 blitz to snatch the set point, 6-5.

The lefty ace then held serve in the 12th to drag the duel to an extension, where she just stamped her class marked by three break points for a convincing 7-2 win.

Last year, Ms. Eala beat three Grand Slam champions and Top 20 players in Ms. Swiatek, Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko and USA’s Madison Keys one after another to harvest the said massive points, reach new feats for Philippine tennis and enter the world’s Top 100.

And in spite of an entirely different landscape now as one of the world’ rising stars from being an unknown qualifier last year, there is no stopping the Filipina pride. — John Bryan Ulanday

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