September 9, 2026 l Business Mirror
“What matters most is how we respond to what we experience in life.”—Stephen R. Covey
If one would sift through all the news and highlights of posts on social media, the following may end up to be the most written about or talked about issues on an international level:
- Nepal flash floods
- US-Iran maritime tensions
- Russia-Ukraine war
- Middle East violence
- Rising global food prices
- The energy shock & currency plunge
- China, North Korea and Russia
- Global bond market stress
- Geo-economic fragmentation
On the domestic level, the counterpart list may include the following:
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star for Lea Salonga
- phenomenal rise and rise of Alex Eala
- impeachment trial
- flood control scandal
- impact of the typhoons and habagat
- “devaluing peso” vs the US dollar
- “legal issues” of Vice President Sara Duterte
- dangers confronting overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East
- Barmm elections
The list may be longer depending on one’s take on developments. It seems like it is, indeed, a very chaotic world with uncertainties.
On the international concerns, Juan dela Cruz may just try to understand things but cannot do anything. He may not even mind the issues.
On the other domestic issues, if one would spare time to read the opinion columns, watch the talk shows, and the different posts on a number of electronic sites, nothing is wanting on analyses and offered solutions including expected end games on the issues. At times, it could be a pointing of fingers play. The stories may go on and on with many comments/critiques given.
There are, however, a couple of unusual good developments: the first is Alex Eala! She is now seeded at age 21; a first and the pride of the Filipino people.
And the second, Lea Salonga! Last September 4, Lea became the first Filipina honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: a tremendous tribute to the immense talent of Filipino artists in theater and film.
Still, we hope more good news will come! Aren’t we entitled to a better world to lift our spirits up?
***The views expressed herein are her own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of her office as well as FINEX. For comments, email clmanabat@gmail.com. Photo is from Pinterest.