Good morning. T.G.I.F. (we’re clearly not running out of intro ideas)

Stocks

Stocks: The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) climbed on Wednesday, buoyed by strong performance in the banking and consumer goods sectors. Investors responded positively to the latest economic data showing an unexpected rise in consumer spending and a decline in the inflation rate. Today's release of corporate earnings reports from major companies will be closely watched for further market direction. Meanwhile, SM Investments Corp. saw a notable increase after announcing a strategic partnership to expand its retail operations, reflecting investor optimism in the retail sector's growth prospects.

Local News

😱 Forbes Asia 30 Under 30: Philippine Takeover!

by Tobias Bautista

Manila's serving up some serious talent! Seven Filipinos have made it to this year's Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 list, and they’re pouring their hearts in the arts, content creation, and entrepreneurial game. Let's dive into the roster of these trailblazers who are making waves and breaking molds.

Ez Mil

Meet Ez Mil, the rap phenom who dropped jaws with his hit "Panalo." Forbes noted that he got hip-hop legends Dr. Dre and Eminem vibing, even if they didn’t get his Filipino lyrics. This guy’s no one-hit-wonder. In July 2023, he signed a record deal with Eminem's Shady Records, Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records—joining the ranks of legends like 50 Cent. His collab with Eminem, "Realist," stormed the Billboard charts in August 2023. Talk about a mic drop!

Abi Marquez

Abi Marquez, or as we like to call her, the “Lumpia Queen,” just snagged a spot on Forbes Asia’s list a day after winning the 2024 People’s Voice Award for Food and Drink at the Webby Awards. With 3 million TikTok followers, she’s turning lumpia into a global sensation while promoting Filipino food culture. Lumpia: the new sushi? We think so.

Arshie Larga

Who knew pharmacists could be TikTok stars? Arshie Larga, that’s who! With almost 4 million followers, Larga makes pharmacy fun and accessible while raising funds for those who can’t afford their meds. Ethical pharmacy with a side of humor? We’ll take it.

Chia Amisola

Chia Amisola is the digital wizard behind Developh and the Philippine Internet Archive, preserving the digital art and culture of the Philippines. Forbes says her work’s been showcased from Berlin to San Francisco and even in the New Yorker. Her latest project, Ang Bantayog, honors the victims of Martial Law. Virtual high-five, Chia!

Joshua Serafin

Joshua Serafin dances through cultural identity, transmigration, and queer representation. This Brussels-based artist has performed all over—from the ANTI Contemporary Art Festival in Finland to the HAU Hebbel am User in Berlin. Dance like nobody's watching, Joshua (even though everyone definitely is).

Mikaela Helene Reyes

Ever struggled with getting paid from abroad? Mikaela Helene Reyes feels your pain. She founded Parallax to make global money transfers a breeze using cryptocurrency and blockchain. With customers in over 150 countries and $4.5 million in seed funding, she’s proving that borders are so last century.

Amanda Cua

Amanda Cua is the brain behind Backscoop, a newsletter that’s all about tech and startups in Southeast Asia. Her podcast, One More Scoop, helps startup founders connect with investors. Forbes says she’s got the scoop on everything tech. We’re here for it!

Keep shining, fellow Pinoys!

So what? We can learn a lot from these young fellas. A common theme among all of them is their impact, may it be for the Filipino community or for other startup founders. They are exemplars that positive societal impact and profitability can go hand-in-hand!

🧂 Manila’s Shaky History: A Tale of Ticking Time Bombs and Tectonic Trouble

By Tobias Bautista

Welcome to the vibrant streets of Manila, where the buzz never stops, and neither does the traffic. Among the hustle and bustle, you might miss a nondescript orange building on the corner of Doroteo Jose and Alonzo Streets. But oh, if these walls could talk!

In 1968, a major earthquake reduced the building to rubble, tragically killing its sleeping residents just before sunrise. The disaster led to the creation of the National Building Code of the Philippines, a set of regulations that have stood for nearly half a century to prevent another Ruby Tower tragedy. However, a deep dive by INQUIRER.net reveals that millions of Metro Manila residents remain exposed to earthquake-related hazards due to weaknesses in this aging code. Despite numerous attempts, Congress has failed to update it.

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, chair of the Committee on Public Works, emphasizes the need for careful study of the Philippines Building Act (PBA). While acknowledging the outdated nature of the current code, he points to the periodic updates of related professional standards. Yet, as the PBA remains pending, the risk of another disaster like Ruby Tower looms large over Metro Manila.

In a city where the ground can literally turn to liquid beneath your feet (due to liquefaction), the call for modern, robust building regulations is not just about safety; it's about survival. The clock is ticking, and the stakes couldn't be higher.

World News

🔍 Cracking the Case of the Baltimore Bridge

by Titus Bautista

Picture this.

You’re stranded in a ship in the middle of a river in a foreign land for the past 7 weeks. Your phone’s been confiscated and you have no way of contacting your family back home. Okay let’s stop picturing that because that’s exactly what’s happened to the 21 men who were aboard the Dali ship. If you will recall, last March 26, a ship crashed into the Baltimore bridge, and yes the crew members are still on board… sadly.

Why are they not allowed to disembark? Well, for one, the authorities are saying that they need to stay and cooperate until they finish the investigation. (Update: the ship had 2 power outages before the crash) And second: visa requirements. 20 of them are from India and 1 is from Sri Lanka, all without visas. Crazy right? Uhmm it gets even crazier!

The crew members had to surrender their phones to the FBI for “investigation purposes”. These nationals have no way of contacting their families, paying bills at home, and sending money to their loved ones.

Worry not though, the crew has been provided SIM cards and temporary mobile phones - with no data included. cue in cricket sounds

Let’s just hope that the FBI gets to the bottom of this accident and can allow these nationals to get home as soon as possible. 🙏 

🌠 Slovakia Shaken: PM Robert Fico Survives Assassination Attempt

By Tobias Bautista

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is in serious but stable condition after surviving an assassination attempt that sent shockwaves through Europe just weeks before the European elections.

The suspect, now in custody, allegedly had “clear political motivation,” according to Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok. Fico, a polarizing figure known for his pro-Russian and anti-American stance, was shot multiple times while attending a government meeting in Handlova, a former coal mining town.

Fico’s controversial return to power last year has stirred concerns across the EU, particularly due to his halt on arms deliveries to Ukraine and plans to amend laws that critics say could steer Slovakia toward autocracy. Protests against his policies have been a common sight in the capital, Bratislava.

Following the attack, doctors at the F.D. Roosevelt Hospital performed a five-hour surgery, and Fico is now recovering in the ICU.

Fico’s comeback has sparked fears that his leadership could divert Slovakia from its pro-Western path, with his hardline stance on migration, NGOs, and LGBTQ+ rights drawing significant criticism.

Sports

🏀 Celtics send Cavaliers home, Mavericks move within one win away of Conference Finals

by Koby del Rosario

Thursday, Philippine time NBA Playoff showcase pitted two highly-important Game 5’s that led to different second round series outcomes.

The Boston Celtics, on their home floor, have advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after winning their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-1, in Game 5, 113-98. Superstar Jayson Tatum almost had a triple double with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists while stalwart Al Horford stepped up big with 22 markers and 15 boards.

This will be the C’s third straight ECF appearance, going 1-1 in the last two years against the Miami Heat.

In the loss, big man Evan Mobley came to his own with 33 points and seven caroms with veteran Marcus Morris Sr. dropping 25 off the bench as the under-maned Cleveland now heads into the off-season. 

Out in Oklahoma, the OKC Thunder succumbed to the Dallas Mavericks, 104-92, as Dallas now leads their second round series, 3-2. The bruised and battered Luka Doncic put up a triple double with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists as he saw significant production from swingmen Derrick Jones Jr. and PJ Washington Jr. to be on the brink of Western Conference Finals contention.

Now facing elimination, OKC was spearheaded by their MVP runner-up, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 30 markers, six boards, and eight dimes as they will need all the help they can get for Game 6 in away territory. 

Going into today’s schedule of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, it’ll be a lone West Game 6 where it’ll be a do-or-die match for one team.

News Roundup

• The Victoria’s Secret fashion show is rumored to return after a 6-year hiatus

• Consumer groups accuse Temu of manipulating online shoppers

• Philippine Divorce Bill nears House Approval, with Senator Risa Hontiveros following the lead

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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