Luzvimin News and Public Affairs

  With a wider range of investment options now easily accessible through various platforms, coupled with shifting financial priorities, more Filipinos are becoming more deliberate in how they allocate their mid-year bonuses. The decision is no longer simply about spending or saving, but increasingly about choosing where and how to grow their money in a way that aligns with one’s personal goals, risk appetite, and lifestyle priorities. This reflects a growing awareness that financial security is achieved not just by earning more, but by making intentional decisions about where money goes. While mid-year bonuses were once commonly directed toward practical household needs or family-related expenses such as education support, many in today’s working population no longer carry the same obligations. As a result, more Filipinos are redirecting extra income toward self-investment such as travel, skill-building, or long-term financial growth, prompting a more conscious evaluation of availa...

Students and speakers come together for conversations that turn financial awareness into real-life action at FEU Alabang Metrobank strengthens its push for financial education among young Filipinos, bringing its Moneygurado initiative to campuses and reframing how students understand and engage with money early in life. In its first leg at Far Eastern University-Alabang, the program moved beyond traditional financial literacy, opening grounded, real-life conversations about everyday money decisions and the mindset behind them. The session was led by Andoy Beltran, a financial advocate from First Metro Securities, the brokerage arm of the Metrobank Group. The discussion explored how today’s students are growing up in a digital financial environment defined by speed and convenience, making money management more seamless than ever, but also making it easier to spend quickly and often, sometimes without much reflection. Andoy Beltran, financial advocate from First Metro Securities, the bro...

  As global demand for resources continues to rise, the mining industry is undergoing a critical transformation. Under initiatives such as Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM), companies are rethinking traditional practices, shifting from extractive operations to models that promote environmental restoration, community development, and long-term sustainability. TSM has emerged as a framework that encourages mining companies to adopt stricter environmental standards, improve transparency, and strengthen relationships with host communities. It reflects a growing recognition that responsible mining must go beyond compliance and actively contribute to ecological and social well-being. Hallmark Mining Corporation (HMC) is among the companies advancing this approach. Since beginning operations in 1992, the company has consistently positioned itself as a leader in eco-responsible and sustainable mining, particularly in the Davao Region. Hallmark Mining Co, initiates not only to mitigate envir...

  Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) reported a net income of PHP12.6 billion in the first quarter of 2026 driven by modest asset expansion alongside better margins and healthy fee income growth. “Our first quarter results underscore the resilience of Metrobank’s core businesses and the consistency of our execution. With strong capitalization, solid asset quality and healthy buffers, we remain well-positioned to manage risks while continuing to support the growth and funding needs of our customers," said Metrobank President Fabian S. Dee.  The Bank’s net interest income rose by 13.6% to PHP33.4 billion, with net interest margin higher by 12 basis points to 3.7%. Gross loans grew by 9.2% year-on-year with corporate and commercial loans up 8.6% and consumer loan growth increasing by 11.2%, indicative of economic growth trends. Total deposits expanded to PHP2.6 trillion, with low-cost Current and Savings Accounts (CASA) rising by 8.4% year-on-year, accounting for 59.2%...

  Banaybanay, Davao Oriental Mayor Ian Larcia is known across Region 11 as one of its most dynamic and top-performing local chief executives. Beyond governance, public service, and the daily responsibilities of leading a growing municipality, Larcia holds another distinction—one that brings pride not only to his town but to the entire Philippines.  He is a world-class professional shooter and a proud member of the Philippine Shooting Team’s rifle division. Larcia currently ranks 12th in Asia and within the top 300 worldwide in rifle shooting, a remarkable achievement for someone who balances elite athletic discipline with full-time public service.  His journey in competitive shooting began long before his mayorship; he officially became a member of the Philippine Shooting Team in 2013 and later joined the rifle division in 2024. For Larcia, representing the country on the international stage is one of his greatest personal milestones. With his youthful energy and unwaveri...

  Two years ago, in the 2023 barangay elections, former model Ingrid Joy T. Scalercio made history as the first female captain of Barangay Communal in Davao City’s Buhangin District. Today, she stands as the driving force behind one of the city’s fastest-growing barangays—proving that leadership is as much about grace as it is about grit. Gifted with a strFrom iking presence that once graced the runway and a heart that beats for public service, Scalercio has seamlessly continued the legacy of good governance established by her adviser long-time former barangay captain and current first councilor Mark Galvez. Under her watch, tangible changes have transformed the daily lives of Communal’s residents. The list of completed projects tells a story of progress: the concreting of roads in Purok 1 has smoothed out daily commutes, while Phase 1 of additional CCTV installations has boosted community safety. A new vehicle for the barangay police has strengthened their ability to respond ...