Good morning. Did you know the Philippines ranks as the fifth-largest English speaking country globally?! We even have more English speakers than the UK — the language’s origin!

Local News

💦 The Goose is Loose: Philippines Struggles to Attract Investments

By Tobias Bautista

While the Philippines may not be flying high just yet, there are still some golden eggs in the nest.

The Philippines is falling behind in the race to attract foreign direct investments shifting away from China. Despite being one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, the country is not the top pick for global companies seeking new production bases. Nomura, a Japanese investment bank, highlighted barriers in the local manufacturing sector and Manila’s geopolitical tensions with Beijing as key factors.

In the "wild-geese-flying pattern" of economic growth, where production shifts from advanced nations to developing ones, the Philippines is missing the mark. Nomura’s report showed Vietnam and Thailand leading the pack, thanks to favorable data and a survey of around 130 companies.

The electronics sector, which makes up nearly 60% of the Philippines' exports, hasn’t seen significant benefits from supply chain relocations. Add to this the sea dispute with China, which is deterring Chinese investments.

The country's challenges include the highest power rates in the region, poor connectivity, and high transport and logistics costs due to decades of underinvestment in infrastructure.

On the bright side, there are limited opportunities in industrial parks and nickel. Companies like Ayala Land are receiving increased commitments from Chinese firms for industrial parks. Additionally, the Philippines could capitalize on the growing global demand for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, thanks to its significant nickel reserves.

Cybersecurity: The New Brain Drain Crisis

by Tobias Bautista

The challenge is clear: to protect its digital frontiers, the Philippines must stem the tide of its cybersecurity talent drain.

Nurses, engineers, doctors – and now, cybersecurity experts. As the Philippines grapples with brain drain, a surge in cyberattacks has spotlighted its digital security skills gap.

US firm Resecurity reported a 325% rise in hacking incidents targeting the Philippines in early 2024, amid rising tensions with China. In response, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. launched a cybersecurity strategy to bolster the nation’s defenses. The military is also creating a cyber command.

However, industry analysts warn that these plans could stumble due to a severe shortage of skilled "cyber warriors." The country needs tens of thousands more cybersecurity professionals.

Experts highlight that the brain drain extends beyond healthcare to cybersecurity. Despite decent salaries (₱40,000-₱90,000 monthly), many Filipino experts are drawn abroad by better pay and working conditions. Globally, there’s a record shortage of cybersecurity pros, with 4 million vacancies, especially in developing countries.

Domestically, the problem stems from inadequate training and recruitment policies. Cybersecurity education is limited to a few pricey private universities.

The government is trying to address this with new cybersecurity standards for schools and plans for more specialist degrees. Boosting accessible career paths is crucial, as cybersecurity remains a niche requiring extensive prerequisites.

World News

⚔️ Rafah’s Last Stand: Innocent Lives Lost Amid Israeli Airstrikes

By Titus Bautista

May 26 -- At least 45 people , including women and children, were killed.

The international community has condemned the recent Israeli airstrike on Palestine. Israel claims that they targeted Senior Hamas commanders, which was in line with international law. However, innocent women and children in the Rafah area ended up becoming the victims, killing at least 45. They were staying in a supposed safe humanitarian zone.

Why are Eyes on Rafah?

“All Eyes” have been on Rafah because it was considered the last safe sanctuary in Palestine. It’s like living in Quezon City, then a Chinese (strikethrough) invasion comes and you have to move down to Makati City. After a few months, the invasion now reaches Makati and you once again have to move even more south to the Alabang area. Until you reach the end of Luzon. With nowhere to go, Rafah was the Palestinian civilians’ haven - a place to feel safe from the war. It was the area where Israel forced almost 1.4 Million civilians to evacuate to, since it was the claimed “safe zone”. The city is only 64 square kilometers.

Israel’s National Security Adviser Teach Hanegbi thinks the war will not conclude before the end of 2024. “The fighting in Gaza will continue for at least another seven months…” US Department of State claims that the images from the recent airstrike hurt on a “basic human level”. He adds, “We have been very clear with Israel (that) the imperative in this instance, as in other instances, (is) to immediately investigate and determine exactly what happened and why it happened - and if accountability is necessary, to make sure that there is accountability…”

2 interesting things to take note of:

1. Blinken’s Department has approved the transfer of billions of dollars (almost $18 Billion in this year alone) in weapons to Israel during the war

2. Images from the blast site showed that an American-made GBU-39 warhead was the culprit for the carnage, with a serial number traced back to a Californian-based weapons manufacturer.

I guess there’s accountability for you.

Sports

🎮 Heads up, gamers! UAAP disclosed that its long-awaited esports tourney is happening soon

By Koby del Rosario

After it’s been in the works for quite some time now, the UAAP has finally revealed that its adaption to esports is slated to happen in a tournament scheduled during the off-season. 

The information comes from the UAAP Season 86’s closing press conference, which included several other surprising new changes as well. Games that are to be included in the inaugural event are NBA 2K, Valorant, and Mobile Legends. 

While information about the tournament is still scarce, it’ll surely captivate the hearts of esports athletes and enthusiasts everywhere who have been eager for the change. Whenever it does happen, it’ll be a breath of fresh air of new competitions for the association.

News Roundup

• Supercell, the developers of Clash of Clans and Clash Royale, is launching a new “one-thumb” game — the companies first release in 5 years

• Sen. Hontiveros shows papers linking Mayor Guo and a Chinese national

• After Sweeden, Spain next to help us against China?

• BPI with growing loans for green technology (solar panels and EVs)

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Games

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