Curious how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the Philippine workplace? While leaders acknowledge its importance, only about half feel they have a clear path to develop their AI strategy, according to Peter D. Maquera, chief executive officer of Microsoft Philippines. In this B-Side episode, he speaks with multimedia reporter Beatriz Cruz o…

This B-Side episode delves into the world of AI and ethics with Carl M. Javier, chief AI ethicist and executive director of Data and AI Ethics PH. It explores how artificial intelligence, a technology disruptive in both good and bad ways, impacts human dignity. While AI can worsen inequality - posing challenges for nations like the Philippines that…

Are you curious about the future of energy, and how we might overcome challenges like high energy costs and energy security here in the Philippines? What if the answer lies not just on Earth, but in space itself? In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld discusses renewable energy in space with Charleston Dale M. Ambatali, assistant professor of Univer…

Around 24 million Filipinos aged 10 to 64 are considered functionally illiterate, struggling to comprehend or apply basic reading, writing, and math skills in daily life. In this episode, UNICEF Philippines education specialist Nicholas “Nicki” M. Tenazas joins us to break down the numbers, explore the root causes, and discuss what can be done to a…

Food security is one of the most pressing issues faced by Asia and the Pacific, including the Philippines. Developing Asia accounts for more than half of the undernourished population in the world according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB). About 40% of the region's workforce are also employed in jobs related to agri-food systems. In this B-Side…

The 2025 midterm elections delivered unexpected results, with outcomes that defied pre-election surveys. Some familiar names were left out of the Magic 12, while underdogs made a surprising climb into the Top 5. What led to this shift? Political expert Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, senior research fellow at the Ateneo Policy Center, breaks down the S…

High electricity costs this summer are re-opening the conversation of reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). In this B-Side episode, the 2nd District Representative of Pangasinan and House Committee on Nuclear Energy Chairperson Mark O. Cojuangco share the challenges and benefits of rehabilitating the mothballed power plant. Interview by A…

As the Philippines transitions towards a green economy, the need to upskill its workforce to fill green jobs becomes even more important. Designing green is the easiest part, according to Christopher C. de la Cruz, an architect and chief executive officer of the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC). “It’s staying green that’s the biggest pro…

US President Donald Trump has given a 90-day pause on the reciprocal tariffs he imposed, and everything is still in flux. In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld speaks with former tariff commissioner George N. Manzano about the tariffs, their impact on the Philippines, the motivations behind them, and recommendations for how the country can navigate…

April 19 is World Liver Day, a day to raise awareness about the health of our often-overlooked yet vital liver. Liver diseases are a leading cause of mortality in the Philippines, accounting for 27.3 per 1,000 deaths, according to a 2023 study published in the Annals of Hepatology.Experts also warn that 10-20% of Filipinos may have non-alcoholic fa…

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. In this B-Side episode, we dive into everything you need to know about the disease. Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the Philippines, with an estimated one in 1,800 Filipinos at risk each year. To help understand its symptoms, treatments, and prevention, D…

In celebration of National Women’s Month, we recognize the trail-blazing Filipinas who have defied all odds through their success in various fields. However, we must also acknowledge the challenges that plague women into breaking existing glass ceilings. Carlota Salamat Andres shares in an interview with BusinessWorld her journey to becoming an S&E…

What's gender equality like in the finance industry? What challenges and opportunities do Filipinas face in this sector? BusinessWorld speaks with Abbie Dans-Casanova, president and CEO of SB Finance, in this B-Side episode. Interview by Patricia Mirasol Audio editing by Arjale Queral

In this B-Side episode, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health’s Dr. Vincent C. Casimero and Dr. Niko H. Ylagan talk about Rabies Prevention Month, the causes and transmission of rabies, plus the protocol for handling animal bites and scratches. Interview by Patricia Mirasol Audio editing by Jayson Mariñas…

She Secure is a program which provides funding and financial advisory support to women-owned and women-led enterprises in the Philippines. In this B-Side episode, Abigail de los Santos Tan, co-founder and managing partner of ARC SME Business Development Company, talks about how to program aims to address the funding barriers faced by female entrepr…

What causes reputational damage? How can one mitigate the effects of it? What are ways companies can protect their reputation? In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld talks about these topics with R.G. W. Gabunada, a partner at Louder PH, a full-service agency, and the CMO of Mansmith and Fielders, a training and consultancy company. Interview by Pat…

DeepSeek is a Chinese AI company that develops large language models, which is a type of AI program that can recognize and generate text, among other tasks. Its new AI model, R1, is said to rival the capabilities of leading AI models, while reportedly costing less to develop. In this episode, BusinessWorld talks about LLMs, DeepSeek, and the AI arm…

The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill, or Senate Bill 1979, was introduced to address the rising cases of teenage pregnancy in the country. However, it recently became controversial after a viral video from Project Dalisay claimed that the bill undermines traditional Filipino values, sparking various conversations and even leading seven senators…

Cancer affects over 5,000 children in the Philippines annually. Although highly treatable, late diagnoses and other factors contribute to the country’s low survival rate of just 30%.In this B-Side episode, we speak with Dr. Ana Patricia A. Alcasabas, head of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and chair of the Nat…

Hemogen is a possible business spin-off that's composed of a team of scientists from the DoST's Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. With the institute's radiation technology, the team was able to develop materials that can control severe bleeding in trauma patients. In this B-Side episode, two of the team members talk about Hemogen's plans for c…

Filipinos have evolved their way of thinking from that of an employee to that of an entrepreneur, according to Nagesh Devata, senior vice president for APAC at Payoneer, a business payments platform. In this B-Side episode, he shares insights about freelancing and digital finance trends in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Interview by Patricia M…

How do Filipinos spend and pay as they shop during the Christmas season? How are merchants and businesses addressing the challenges of the year-end holiday rush? BusinessWorld discusses this topic with Bryan L. Tiongson, Philippine country head of Global Payments, a payments solutions provider. Interview by Patricia Mirasol Audio editing by Jayson …

The Philippines has recently enacted Republic Act No. 12023, which imposes a 12% value added tax on digital services providers, both resident and non-resident. In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld discusses some of the ramifications of the law with Pia Rodrigo, a communications officer of Action for Economic Reforms, an independent, reform-oriente…

What are the top issues facing the Philippine electoral system? If the political party system is broken, then how do we fix it? How important is education in a democracy? BusinessWorld speaks with Clarita R. Carlos, a retired political scientist from the University of the Philippines, about these issues. Interview by Patricia Mirasol Audio editing …

Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed the CREATE MORE Act this November, a law that promises to attract more foreign investments and boost economic growth by reducing the corporate income tax rate from 25% to 20% for registered business enterprises (RBEs). The CREATE MORE Act also offers a VAT zero-rating on essential serv…

The 2024 U.S. presidential election is capturing attention worldwide as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump face off in a closely contested race to the White House. With the U.S. wielding the world’s largest economy and military, this election’s outcome will undoubtedly have far-reaching global implications. But what’s at…

How can podcasting help businesses in terms of brand management, community building, and thought leadership? In this episode, BusinessWorld speaks with Ron Baetiong, the founder and CEO of Podcast Network Asia, about the impact podcasting can have for businesses who get into this digital medium. Interview by Patricia Mirasol Audio editing by Jayson…

With the rise of influencers online and constant change in trends, it is hard to always stay relevant in the viewers' eyes. In this B-Side episode, Patty of ‘Masarap Ba?’ reveals her secret to mastering algorithm changes and other techniques to succeed in content creation.

Flooding seems to have become a part of life for many of our fellow citizens in various areas of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Despite the country having spent trillions on numerous flood management projects, Filipinos still suffer the seemingly endless flooding problem, as pointed out by several senators during a hearing after the devastation…

How is the Philippines solving its healthcare issues through innovation? How are healthcare workers being upskilled to keep up with these technological advancements? Are we putting too much premium on technology? In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld discusses robotics, artificial intelligence, and electronic medical records with Dr. Gerardo D. Leg…

A La Niña watch alert was issued by the state weather bureau in March, indicating that the phenomenon is likely to occur this year. Recently, there has been growing concern about whether La Niña has arrived in the Philippines due to the continuous heavy rains caused by several tropical cyclones, such as Enteng and Carina, along with the enhanced ef…

What is it like being a doctor to the barrio? What innovations are making the greatest impact in rural communities? What role does the local government play in all of this? In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld talks about these topics with Francine Nicole M. Araneta, who works as a rural doctor under the Department of Health's Doctor to the Barrio…

Obesity is now a rising health problem in the Philippines, with a staggering 27 million Filipinos considered overweight or obese, according to a 2019 survey by the DOST-FNRI. To combat obesity, the government imposed an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages under the TRAIN Law, which was signed in December 2017. Filomeno S. Sta. Ana III, a coordi…

How does the Filipino-Chinese community drive growth in the Philippine economy? What policies do they advocate the government to practice? What do they think of the West Philippine Sea issue? In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld converses with Cecilio K. Pedro, the president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, …

Alcohol drinking has been a vital part of various Filipino celebrations and festivals, creating camaraderie and a celebratory spirit. Some Filipinos turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism for stress, as it slows down brain function and can induce feelings of relaxation and calmness. During the pandemic in 2021, more Filipinos became alcohol drinke…

In 2023, the Philippine attrition rate and voluntary turnover increased to 15.9% from 14.2% the previous year, according to a study from a risk and employment consultancy company. This means that more employees are leaving their companies for better salaries and growth opportunities. From a company perspective, this is a potential indicator of dysf…

Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. asserted the country’s position on disputes over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), stating that “the West Philippine Sea is not a figment of our imagination; it is ours,” in his SONA 2024. This marks the first time that President Marcos Jr. has clearly stated his stance on the WPS dispute in his SON…

Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City this Monday, July 22, at 4 p.m. Filipinos from various sectors are anticipating that the SONA will address their concerns and are expecting to see progress with President Marcos's previous promi…

Since 1997, there have been multiple attempts to amend and revise the 1987 Constitution in response to various challenges the country has faced over the years. Recently, an economic charter change was approved on the third and final reading by Congress, which seeks to amend the 1987 constitution to lift foreign ownership to some vital industries in…

The Philippines is one of two countries in the world that does not allow divorce for married couples. On June 10, 2024, however, the Philippine House of Representatives transmitted House Bill No. 9349 – or the approved bill for absolute divorce – to the Senate. What are the implications of this bill? If passed into law, how will it affect Filipino …

The Philippines outlined renewable energy targets in its National Renewable Energy Program for 2020 to 2040, but what factors need to be in place for the Philippines to reach these targets? Why is flexibility in power generation important? In this episode, BusinessWorld discuss renewable energy in the Philippine and global contexts with Kari Punnon…

E-cigarette and tobacco products use in the Philippines is steadily increasing, particularly among the youth, according to the study of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey in 2019. Consequently, flavors and esteemed novelty contribute to the initiation and sustained use of e-cigarettes and tobacco use. With this concern, Dr. Maria Encarnita Blanco-Limp…

According to the World Health Organization, despite an alarming number of cases, road traffic injuries are often neglected public health issues. With this concerning issue, Mr. John Alison Uy of the Vehicle Inspection Center Operators Association of the Philippines (VICOAP) elaborated on the importance of road safety and road-worthy vehicles to avo…

Marketing is a tool that businesses can employ to increase brand awareness, acquire customers, and improve engagement. But is there a right way to do marketing? In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld asks what businesses should prioritize in their marketing campaigns with Ashish Goel, product marketing manager of Zoho Corporation's Campaigns, Market…

What advantage does the Philippines have when it comes to national defense? How should the Philippines approach the West Philippine Sea issue? Should the country prepare for war? In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld talks to Norberto B. Gonzales, who twice served as Secretary of National Defense, on defense strategies, military aid, and the West P…

The Philippines has a wet season and a dry season, or so the saying goes. Given the predictability of summer, in particular, what measures can Filipinos take to protect themselves from the heat? In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld speaks with Dr. Albert Francis E. Domingo, the Department of Health spokesperson, on how to both spot the symptoms of…

Is it costly to hire with persons with disabilities, or PWDs? Are PWDs only limited to certain roles? In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld speaks with Grant Javier, executive director of Project Inclusion Network, about the most common misconceptions surrounding PWD employees, as well as the benefits of hiring them. Recorded remotely on March 21, …

Contrary to popular belief, it's not only the lack of funding that spells doom among startup teams. In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld speaks with Martin Gonzalez, creator of Google's Effective Founders Project, about co-founder conflicts, quality disagreements, and the necessity of having difficult conversations very early in a partnership.…

Online gambling has evolved, thanks to advancements in technology and innovations within the industry. With this evolution, however, also comes the rise of sophisticated gambling fraud. In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld speaks with Frederic Ho, Jumio Corporation's vice president of Asia Pacific, on how online gambling has evolved, and how both …

More than giving us answers and ideas in seconds after typing in our prompts, generative artificial intelligence (genAI) is increasingly appreciated as a tool that can positively impact businesses. According to the latest study by the IBM Institute for Business Value entitled, “Forging the future of AI: Women can take the lead” genAI, alongside dis…