Good morning. Effective today, gasoline prices are down by a whopping 2 pesos per liter while diesel prices are down by 0.5 pesos per liter. So fill those tanks while you can!

Stocks

Global stocks neared record highs yesterday despite high inflation. However, US sentiment on investment is still unclear due to Chinese retail sales and industrial output.

Local News

🍗 Jollibee and CBTL Brew Up Success in Kuwait

By Tobias Bautista

In a plot twist fit for a feel-good flick, Jollibee and CBTL, the dynamic duo of deliciousness under the Jollibee Group, have cooked up quite the hit in Kuwait.

Jollibee and CBTL found themselves rubbing shoulders with the cool kids, snagging spots in Kuwait's Top 10 Brands for Customer Satisfaction, courtesy of the Service Hero Customer Satisfaction Index Awards. With over 500 contenders, this isn't just a pat on the back—it's a big win for serving up smiles alongside their tasty treats.

From juicy burgers to steaming cups of joe, these brands nailed it in Kuwait, winning hearts with top-notch service, mouthwatering munchies, and that extra sprinkle of magic that keeps customers coming back for more.

Jollibee, the Filipino fast-food sensation, kicked off its Kuwait journey in 2012, quickly becoming a local favorite with seven buzzing stores across the city. And let's not forget about CBTL, the coffee and tea maestros, who've been brewing up perfection since 2004, with 73 cafés and counting in Kuwait alone.

But wait, there's more! CBTL's mission to caffeinate the world has seen them spread their aroma across 24 countries, boasting a whopping 1,172 stores worldwide as of February. Talk about a global coffee conquest!

So here's to Jollibee and CBTL, spreading joy, one bite and sip at a time. With their winning recipe for customer satisfaction, they're proving that great food and a warm smile are truly the ultimate combo. Cheers to that! 🍔☕️

So what? This goes to show how local Filipino food brands can compete globally. It makes us wonder how locally founded restaurants like Army Navy, Yellow Cab, and Pancake House would do abroad!

Tech

🔮 BSP Gives Thumbs Up to PHPC: Your New Crypto BFF

Get ready for the digital revolution, because the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has given the green light to PHPC, the Philippine Peso-backed stablecoin.

Operating under the BSP's Regulatory Sandbox Framework, PHPC promises to be a game-changer in the digital asset scene. It's your trusty sidekick, keeping your digital cash safe and sound, directly pegged to the Philippine Peso.

According to Wei Zhou, the brains behind Coins.ph, PHPC is all about making life easier for Filipinos in the digital age. With PHPC in your virtual wallet, you can send money home quicker than you can say "balikbayan box," dodging those pesky processing fees along the way. It's like sending a digital hug to your loved ones back home, 24/7 and in real-time!

And Coins.ph is aiming big with PHPC, hoping to snag 20,000 to 30,000 customers in its first month alone. That's like hitting the jackpot on your first spin at the crypto casino!

So, what's a stablecoin? Think of it as the rock-solid foundation of the crypto world. While other cryptos are rollercoastering through price charts, stablecoins like PHPC keep it cool, calm, and collected, tied to the value of real-world assets like the Philippine Peso.

But wait, there's more! PHPC isn't just about playing it safe; it's also diving headfirst into the world of DeFi (that's decentralized finance). Picture it as a digital Swiss Army knife, ready to tackle everything from trading to providing collateral and liquidity in DeFi applications.

So, whether you're a crypto newbie or a seasoned trader, PHPC is here to be your trusty companion in the wild world of finance. Just remember, always do your research and consult a financial expert before diving in headfirst. After all, even superheroes need a little backup sometimes!

🤖 Lost Voice Found: Lexi’s AI Adventure

By Tobias Bautista

Once upon a time, Alexis "Lexi" Bogan had a voice as vibrant as a neon sign at midnight. She belted out Taylor Swift tunes, debated politics over backyard bonfires, and laughed like it was going out of style.

But then, poof! That voice vanished into thin air.

Last summer, a pesky brain tumor barged into Lexi's life, forcing her to hit the mute button. Doctors battled the beast, but when the dust settled, Lexi's voice was still missing, leaving her struggling to communicate with friends and family.

Fast forward to April, and Lexi's got her groove back—well, sort of. Enter AI, the fairy godmother of modern tech. With a sprinkle of magic from OpenAI's Voice Engine, Lexi's phone now speaks for her, using a clone of her teenage voice.

Picture this: Lexi types a message, hits send, and voilà! Her phone chirps out her words like a loyal sidekick. "Hi, can I please get a grande iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso?" her AI voice chirps at the Starbucks drive-thru.

Sure, there are some hiccups along the way—like the occasional mispronounced word or missing intonation. But for Lexi, hearing her old voice again is like finding a lost treasure map.

Doctors and tech wizards alike are cheering Lexi on as she blazes a trail for others in her shoes. With a little help from AI, she's rewriting the story of speech recovery, one click at a time.

As for Lexi's future? Who knows! Maybe her AI voice will grow up alongside her, aging like a fine wine. For now, though, she's just grateful to have found her voice again, even if it's made of ones and zeros.

So what? Despite the eerie aura portrayed around the development of AI, this wonderful stories showcases its fruitfulness now and for the future.

Sports

🏀 Nuggets, Pacers even their own second round series up with commanding Game 4 wins

By Koby del Rosario

May 13th Philippine time of the NBA Playoffs had a couple of Game 4’s that saw both of those second round matchups come to a 2-2 standing.

The Denver Nuggets were in the driver’s seat for most of their 115-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves as the duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray had a combined 54 points, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists as swingman Aaron Gordon was almost perfect from the field with 27 markers on 11-out-of-12 shooting.

For the T-Wolves, they will be needing more from the rest of their squad in Game 5 as Anthony Edwards’ 44 points, five boards, and five dimes just wasn’t enough.

Out East, the Indiana Pacers squashed the injury-ridiculed New York Knicks, 121-89, to knot up their series. Tyrese Haliburton, who had 20 points, six caroms, and five assists, and company came firing as multiple Pacers were on the brink of scoring double digits.

Despite the crushing defeat, the Knicks still had 18 points from Jalen Brunson and 20 markers from Alec Burks who came off the bench. 

Today’s schedule of the 2024 NBA Playoffs sees two more Game 4’s under way.

🏐 NU Lady Bulldogs bite first in the Finals with Game 1 victory

By Koby del Rosario

The NU Lady Bulldogs handed a three-set sweep against the UST Golden Tigresses, 25-23, 25-20, 25-20, in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Finals held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. 

NU was charged by an all-around outing with four players scoring at least 10 points. This was highlighted by Alyssa Solomon’s 17 on 14 attacks with three blocks and eight digs while former MVP Michaela Belen supplemented her with 13 points and eight digs.

Even with Jonna Perdido leading the fight for UST with 17 points and nine excellent receptions while Regina Jurado logging in 10 points, they now hope for their rookie sensation Angge Poyos to recover quickly for a do-or-die Game 2 as she went down with an injured right ankle after a block play in the second set. 

Game 2 of the best-of-three Finals series will be on May 15th, 4pm, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Should the Golden Tigresses be able to force a winner-takes-all Game 3, it will be in the same venue on May 18.

⛹️ UP Fighting Maroons edge out the DLSU Green Archers to open the 17th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup

By Koby del Rosario

In their rematch of the UAAP Season 86 Finals, the UP Fighting Maroons were able to obtain sweet revenge over the DLSU Green Archers, 89-77, during the opening day of the 17th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup held at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, Manila.

Veteran guard JD Cagulangan had a game-high 19 points and three steals while incoming second year swingman Francis Lopez had 16 points with three swipes as the whole UP roster was able to replicate their run.

Aiming to bounce back, reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao was still excellent with 15 points and nine rebounds while big man Michael Phillips complemented his performance with 13 markers, nine boards, and a block.

Check out the results of other first games as well as the upcoming schedules in the tournament’s Facebook page. Livestreams and replays are also found on the webpage.

News Roundup

• In a “weak” upcoming NBA draft, the Atlanta Hawks win the rights to the first round pick. But it’s not like Wemby last year… we don’t know who it’ll be!

• Like Mission Impossible and Transformers, this franchise is going strong. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes opens with $56.5 Million.

• The Philippines is still the top rice importer, thanks to a growth in population, tourism, and Mang Inasal’s unli rice.

• Winter La Nina is coming, raising the chances of dangerous typhoons.

Games

🎯 Fun Brain Teasers

• Wordle: guess the random five letter word

• Connections: match four words of the same category

• Strands: word search but it depends on the category

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