Power demand growth to benefit flexible generatorsFrom AB Capital's The Opening Bell: Three MovesEventNGCP projects electricity demand to rise across all grids in 2026, led by Visayas (+24%), followed by Luzon (+13%) and Mindanao (+12%), noting that recent peak demand levels have already breached forecasts. DOE said Luzon supply remains adequate, while Visayas faces tighter conditions, supported by contingency measures and planned capacity additions. ViewThe outlook points to a return to demand growth off a low 2025 base, with Visayas remaining structurally tighter. ActionWe see the demand reacceleration as more supportive for gencos with higher spot-market exposure (ACEN, SCC) where tightness can translate into incremental margin upside, albeit well below prior WESM cycle highs. It is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy the securities herein mentioned.

A new Korean crime drama series from the creator of the hit Netflix franchise Squid Game is now in the works. The streaming platform made the announcement on its website, sharing that it will be produced by Hwang Dong-hyuk. This project marks the directorial debut of Choi Young-hwan, an acclaimed cinematographer behind hit films Smugglers, Tazza: The High Rollers, and The Thieves. Aside from Hwang Dong-hyuk, Squid Game production company Firstman Studio will also do behind-the-scenes work. The Dealer is set to premiere exclusively on Netflix.

For decades, The Bistro Group has been Manila’s culinary passport—bringing international dining experiences to local tables without leaving the city. “The Bistro Group excels in a lot of things, but we don’t have our own Filipino restaurant. Siklab+ just opened a second branch at S Maison, bringing its Filipino flavors to a wider audience. “In a short time, Siklab+ has resonated with guests seeking bold yet familiar Filipino flavors,” Abuel says. Siklab+ isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a reminder that Filipino cuisine has both depth and versatility, capable of surprising even the most devoted fans of traditional dishes.

The United States said it was suspending the processing of immigrant visas from 75 countries, President Donald Trump's latest move against foreigners seeking to come to America. "Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits," he said. A US official said that the other countries affected would include a number of countries with friendly relations with the United States, including Brazil, Egypt, and Thailand. The State Department did not immediately release a full list of countries. The State Department said Monday that it has revoked more than 100,000 visas since Trump's return, a one-year record.

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Korean-Japanese joint venture to design Mega Manila rail networkMANILA, Philippines — A joint venture between South Korean and Japanese builders have won the $12-million deal to deliver the feasibility study for the plan to build a rail network in Mega Manila. The study, financed by the Asian Development Bank, aims to look into the viability of putting up a rail system in the GCR, also called Mega Manila. Right now, Metro Manila is home to three railways: the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2, and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3. By 2027, the DOTr expects private partner San Miguel Corp. to finish the P68.2-billion Metro Rail Transit Line 7, spanning between Quezon City and Bulacan. There are also efforts to put up new railways in the eastern metro, mainly the Metro Rail Transit Line 4, connecting Ortigas and Taytay, Rizal.

Corruption also corrodes respect for authority, especially when the electoral process is distorted by corruption. Corruption also undermines respect for constitutional authority, which tends to deprive a government of public support and alienates public devotion to government objectives. The corruption of the ruling group brought about economic difficulties and induced further corruption. The previous Marcos Sr. regime is blamed for breeding a whole political generation wherein corruption was a dominant trait. In a morally decadent society where corruption has become accepted behavior, people in other sectors have also become corrupt.

Ten points in Phl-UAE partnershipThe participation of President Marcos in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 Summit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a very good move. In particular, the signing of the Philippines-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is significant for the Philippines. Here is my list of 10 beautiful points in the Philippines-UAE partnership. Per capita GDP at PPP, UAE has $77,100 in 2024, the 12th richest in the world (source: IMF, World Economic Outlook 2025). Three, in international trade UAE is our 19th argest export market in January-November 2025 with $422 million, up from $359 million same months of 2024.

A Gift of Christmas blessingsEnjoyed tremendously our Christmas lunch with Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown, Msgr. Guiseppe Terendue, Sister Emily, Sister Rachelle, and Sister Lenny. Such a very awesome gathering of friends feeling the presence and blessings of righteousness in our midst. Yvette and Dely Fernandez, Jianping XueThis time, she prepared a delectable spread of Filipino food. Nikki Teodoro, UN; Menchu ConcepcionThey bring joy and brighten up our gatherings with their candidness and youthful attitude towards life.

Industrialized Philippines, an impossible dream? Thus the conglomerate that he founded put up a petrochemical business, JG Summit Petrochemical Corp., which traces its roots in the early 1990s. And Gokongwei, despite his patriotic intentions, would learn this the hard way – after investing billions in the petrochemical business. I’m assuming only foreign players would have the capacity to acquire the assets of JG’s petrochemical business. It was in 1994 when JG Summit established JG Summit Petrochemical, initially as a joint venture between JG Summit and Marubeni Corp. of Japan.

Ada, first storm of 2026, enters PhilippinesA state weather specialist points at Tropical Depression Ada during a presentation at the PAGASA main office in Quezon City yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has placed several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Tropical Depression Ada maintains its strength while slowing down over the Philippine Sea east of Mindanao. PAGASA said minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible in areas under TCWS No. PAGASA said the tropical depression may intensify into a tropical storm within the next 24 hours as it continues to strengthen over the Philippine Sea.

Preliminary data show that net foreign direct investment (FDI) fell by 40 percent in the month of October. We received only $642 million in net FDI last October, down from the $1.067 billion that flowed in a year earlier. The BSP forecasts that net FDI inflows for 2025 would be $7.5 billion. The emerging consensus, ahead of the official numbers, is that our economy will post a growth rate of between 4.5 and 4.7 percent. This was all along a test of whether the rule of law will prevail over the vagaries of local politics and unbridled zealotry.

Ping: I’m straight, without face enhancementSenate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, leads the launch of the probe into extortion and other abuses at the Bureau of Internal Revenue on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson and Sen. Imee Marcos resumed their word war yesterday by trading barbs about sexuality and cosmetic enhancements. He emphasized he respects the LGBTQ+ community and considers himself part of the Senate’s “macho bloc,” alongside Senate President Vicente Sotto III and former soldier-senator Gringo Honasan. When Lacson questioned Marcos’ “moral ascendancy” in criticizing the budget, Marcos deflected this by mocking him and hinting at his sexual orientation. Responding to Lacson’s statements, Marcos yesterday denied calling Lacson gay when she said she would lose to a hair pulling match or “sabunutan” with him.

PNP has 109 new lawyersBar examinees and their relatives gather at the Supreme Court compound in Manila during the release of the 2025 Bar exam. CEBU, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has honored 109 PNP personnel who passed the 2025 Bar examinations. That our police officers achieved this while serving the public makes their accomplishment even more meaningful,” acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said recently. New lawyers would strengthen the PNP’s commitment to due process, human rights and justice, Nartatez said, as he encouraged other personnel to pursue continuing education. DepEd’s Bar passersDepartment of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, himself a lawyer, has also congratulated 118 DepEd personnel who passed the Bar exams.

Time to act, BBMThis 2026 is a watershed year for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. (BBM), a decisive year of either great achievements or great disappointments, an annus mirabilis or an annus horribilis. Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Sr. shortened the lease on American bases, from 99 to 25 years and told the Americans to pay rent for their use. This is the reason why early in his presidency, BBM declared China cannot find a friendlier president than him. Marcos Sr. was also among the first of Asian leaders to visit Moscow, in June 1976, to formalize diplomatic relations with the then USSR. It’s good that BBM has a sister named Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios Romualdez Marcos.