IT was almost a done deal. “I am formally abandoning the Waste to Energy project,” Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced on July 31.
This would entail rescinding the contract signed between the city and Metro Global Renewable Energy Corporation on October 2, 2023.
The contract was for a commitment by the city to supply Metro Global with 500 tons of garbage every day that would feed a waste-to-energy (WTE) technology—one that would turn the waste to fuel and convert it into electricity.
The WTE was supposed to be one of the big-ticket projects of the city government under a public-private partnership scheme.
Despite the lengthy and thorough process of evaluating the feasibility of a WTE project to address the city’s growing solid waste management problem, a single hour-long lecture on the dangers of thermal waste-toenergy processing and the benefits of a zero-waste economy was enough to shift perspectives.
Metro Global had proposed to operate a WTE facility in Sablan, an agricultural town neighboring Baguio, and had prided itself in having an incinerator that would not emit smoke because of the level of intensity of heat it employs.
However, on July 31, Zero Waste Baguio, a band of environmentalists promoting a zero waste lifestyle, sponsored a forum called “Unmasking Waste-to-Energy,” where Dr. Jorge Emmanuel, adjunct professor of environmental science and engineering at the Silliman University in Dumaguete, spoke of the downside of the thermal waste-to-energy process. Emmanuel has dedicated decades of his life into studying incinerators and the toxic elements they emit, particularly dioxin. Emmanuel narrated that in one of his trips, the Japanese had tried to sell an incinerator to Davao with the guarantee that it doesn’t emit smoke.
“The health problems incinerators give cannot be seen by the naked eye,” he said. There is also the Philippine Clean Air Act or RA 8749 that prohibits incinerators as the burning of waste emits poisonous and toxic fumes. He found it perplexing why government is promoting it. Incinerators or thermal WTE emit many toxic fumes, including dioxin, considered as the most poisonous substance known, according to Emmanuel.
One drop of dioxin in a mediumsized lake can begin to have its impact on wildlife. That shows its toxicity at extremely small doses.
What is worrisome is the effect on agriculture and the food humans eat because of bio-concentration. Bioconcentration means the chemical has the ability to concentrate as it moves up the food chain.
adjunct professor of environmental science at Silliman University, lectures on “Unmasking Waste to Energy.”
According to Emmanuel, while dioxins can enter the body through contaminated air, the most common way is through the food we eat. For instance, invisible dioxin emissions can settle on soil where grass grows, which is then eaten by worms. Chickens eat the worms, and the eggs produced by those chickens have a much higher toxic concentration of dioxin than the soil or grass. Consequently, humans can ingest dioxins through meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, and other foods exposed to these toxins. So, Sablan can heave a sigh of relief, as farming is the main livelihood in the area. An incinerator of this design could certainly jeopardize their reputation as the fruit capital of the North.
This, because studies have shown that dioxin can travel up to 10 km from its source, and as early as 1998 was officially declared as a carcinogen. It has been associated with leukemia and respiratory system cancers, among a range of conditions. And because it invades the hormones, it affects sperm count, fertility, causes miscarriages and birth defects. It has been observed that fetuses exposed to dioxin have half the sperm count as their fathers by the time they are around 18 years old. The scary facts were enough to move the mayor to abandon the WTE project, and perhaps by a stroke of cosmic coincidence it was around this time that some proposals for SWM came about. “It also doesn’t make sense to have to produce more and more garbage to produce electricity when the goal is to reduce waste,” he said.
The black soldier fly, aerobic cribs and the circular economy MAGALONG is a big believer in the concept of circular economy, or the practice of turning waste into resource.
Days after Magalong had announced giving up the WTE project, Rolando James Bayang, more popularly known as Doc Brahman, approached the mayor with the proposal to replicate a solid waste management (SWM) system with the use of black soldier
flies (BSF) he is successfully running in Pampanga.
Baguio, the summer capital, becoming a breeding ground for flies and earning the title of “city of flies”? Understandably, the visual and the thought are repulsive. According to Doc Brahman, this is one reason why people and local governments are hesitant to adopt it, fearing it may lead to a pest problem.
To demonstrate the system, Doc Brahman started one setup at the dumpsite in Irisan barangay in Baguio, financing it on his own, because, he says, Filipinos believe in the idiom to see is to believe. He also presented a documentary by Atom Araullo produced by iWitness on BSF.
The BSF breeding station in Pampanga clearly shows the life cycle of the BSF. The place where the flies mate must be kept clean and not so hot. Unlike houseflies, the BSF has a life span of only nine or 10 days and their only mission in being is to propagate. Once they mate, the male BSF dies. Two days after mating, the female lays its 500 to 900 eggs and also dies after.
The eggs are harvested and very carefully nurtured in a nursery until they hatch after four days. At this larvae stage, all they do is eat and they can eat as much as 10 times their weight.
Black soldier flies are saprophytes, meaning they feed only on decaying, rotten, or dead organic matter. People often cringe when houseflies land on their food, fearing where they may have been. However, BSF larvae will not consume clean food. As adults, due to their short lifespan and the urgent task of mating and reproducing, they do not eat at all. After about two weeks, their brown droppings are sifted, dried, and used as fertilizers.
In the pupa stage, a portion is dried and turned into animal feeds. “We dry and grind them and deliver to feed factories,” Doc Brahman said. Another portion is left to thrive for propagation.
So BSFs solve trash problems, are good fertilizers and are used for animal feeds, asserted Doc Brahman, whose dream is to have a BSF facility in every town. Neighboring La Trinidad, a major producer of high-value crops, will also benefit as farmers here can produce more organically grown vegetables.
With all the trash the country has, Doc Brahman must exert quite an effort to have rotten feeding material to give the larvae. This is because the trash is not segregated,
he said. If the BSF project prospers, it will also encourage segregation at source.
Recently, Fred Fangonon presented to the city council a revival of his aerobic crib technology, a system that earned him recognition as an outstanding citizen when he first introduced it while serving as the barangay captain of Loakan.
He proposed to the council the massive crib composting technology. It involves large amounts of biowaste to be systematically distributed in cribs that allow air to compost the pile. It will also be aided by earthworms, microbes and, yes, BSF larvae.
The idea is to make an aerobic compost bed for a year, then another the second year before harvesting the composted material from the first bed to set a cycle of continuous supply.
Fangonon will be operating the project under his Dragonfly Eco-compost Corporation and has requested the council to help secure a large size of land where the composting can be done and eventually introduce the project to the barangays.
He assured that BSFs will not become a pest due to their short lifespan. They do not approach kitchen food, as the larvae feed exclusively on smelly, rotten matter, which they convert into high-protein, calcium-rich fertilizers and animal feed. “They are endemic to the country. When I started composting, they just came,” he said.
His dream is to compost all the biowaste of the city.
Eugene Buyucan, head of the General Services Office responsible for the city's waste management, stated that both technologies are complementary rather than competitive. “35 percent of the daily 500 tons of garbage collected is biowaste,” Buyucan said.
Councilor Lourdes Betty Tabanda, who chairs the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Committee, emphasized that the city needs all available support to address its garbage problem. She requested an initial cost estimate from Fangonon to facilitate the city's support for the project.
Lastly, as the city embarks on the rehabilitation and upgrade of its Baguio Sewage Treatment Plant, technology is also being developed to have drying beds for sludge and to be processed as fertilizers.
Indeed, the city may soon be not just the City of Pines but also a City of Flies, the good kind.
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BLACK soldier fly larvae on food waste. FEVZIIE RYMAN VIA DREAMSTIME.COM
DR . Jorge Emmanuel,
DOC BRAHMAN explains the life cycle of the black soldier fly, advocating its use in the Philippines to address garbage problems, produce fertilizers, and create animal feed.
MORNING market scene in Barangay San Roque, Parola, Cainta, Rizal, where residents navigate fluctuating prices. Despite inflationary pressures, recent declines in oil and rice prices offer some relief, though higher electricity
THE black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens)
SANDI WILDAN VIA DREAMSTIME.COM
STALK MARKET:
Vegetable traders try barter to tackle food security issue
By Ada Pelonia
BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya—
Traders in T-shirts here engage in the “stalk” market using something that lands on people’s plates or trash bins: herbaceous plants like carrots and cabbages.
And by doing so, they may be helping the province, even the country, attain food security.
One of these traders is Evangeline Ordonia, who sits, almost daily, behind a worn-out and scratched wooden desk inside one of the busiest agricultural trading posts in the country: the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal (NVAT). According to Ordonia, traders like her have always been saddled with the problem of wastage, especially during an oversupply of agricultural commodities. The latter leads to depressed prices that prompts her to make a decision painful to many capitalists: sell low or throw.
Sadly, she said she’s forced to opt for the latter.
Madalas po [kailangan itapon yung gulay dahil sa oversupply]. Pagka biglang bumaba yung presyo, hindi na mabibili [I often have to throw away vegetables when there’s an oversupply. When the prices suddenly drop, I can no longer sell them],” Ordonia told the BusinessMirror
This problem is shared by 61-year-old farmer Melania Runas, the go-to person by other farmers from Tinoc, Ifugao—a minimum 3-hour drive to the trading post. The farmers, Runas said, would ask her to sell their produce on
their behalf. Her farm, just beside her one-story concrete house, is 10 minutes away from the NVAT. Noon na-experience namin yung 10 sako ng carrots dinala ng farmer pero hindi namin mabenta kasi murang-mura nga; at saka yung cabbage na almost 800 kilos pero hindi na nabenta kasi lusaw na siya [One time a farmer brought 10 sacks of carrots, which we couldn’t sell due to low prices. There were also almost 800 kilos of cabbages that we couldn’t sell because they were already spoiled],” Runas told this newspaper.
Archaic method A STUDY commissioned by the Global FoodBanking Network (GFBN) revealed that of the estimated 500,000 kilos of fruits and vegetables brought to the NVAT every day, about half goes to waste with much of it dumped by the wayside. This occurs due to lack of demand, seasonal oversupply and products that fail to meet the size or shape requirements for marketability, according to the Chicago, Illinois, US-headquartered nonprofit organization.
Data from the 2023 “State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World” (SOFI) report by the Food and Agriculture Organiza-
tion showed that 44.7 percent of the Philippine population suffers moderate or severe food insecurity.
In a country grappling with such problem, food wastage that stems at a critical juncture in the supply chain poses a concern.
A local food bank, the Rise Against Hunger Philippines (RAHP), decided to take on the challenge.
But unlike technological ways urged to bolster farmers’ capacity to reduce wasted produce, the organization banked on an archaic market method: barter.
The RAHP spearheaded the first food bank in the country in 2019, recognized by the GFBN which they are a member of.
Upon receiving a $150,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, the RAHP jumpstarted the food bank project at the NVAT where farmers and traders can barter their surplus produce with shelf-stable goods to prevent food wastage.
Doing business
RAHP Executive Director Jose Mariano B. “Jomar” Fleras told the BusinessMirror that the organization recovers the vegetables, which are “normally just thrown away,” so “they can be put to better use.”
The vegetables are “recovered” at the RAHP’s warehouse, located at the far end of the 6.7-hectare NVAT. Bags of chayote and red plastic food crates of squash flank a male RAHP staff member who separates plastic bags for repacking of the produce.
Beside the warehouse stood the RAHP’s food bank, where a rack showcased canned goods, bottled juice, tubes of toothpaste and shampoo bottles. Sacks of rice lean against the walls. Half-opened boxes of instant noodles sit on the lowest shelf.
As muscle-toned men carry
red crates filled with produce to and from her stall inside the NVAT, Ordonia said she would bring to the food bank sweet potato, squash or sayote she considered as surplus.
Runas also said she would bring produce to the RAHP warehouse to be exchanged for nonperishable goods since these “could not be sold anymore.”
Taking off her straw hat, she said they barter the produce if the prices are low. Then she gives the traded items—rice and cans of sardines—to farmers from Ifugao.
Anchored on capacity
ACCORDING to Fleras, traders and farmers like Ordonia and Runas could trade their unsellable vegetables based on the fair market value per kilo of an agricultural commodity. The amount would be bartered with shelf-stable goods based on their respective suggested retail prices.
Hindi sila uuwing luhaan [They won’t go home dejected],” he said. “They get something out of their produce.”
Fleras said the RAHP aims to “recover” 125,000 kilos of vegetables monthly since the organization made the barter system operational in September last year.
He explained that sometimes they would cross the threshold and rescue even more vegetables from the trash bin. However, Fleras said, this was not always the case as they sometimes are unable to reach their monthly target.
“But the target is to be able to rescue that much,” he said adding one of the reasons for this is anchored on RAHP’s capacity.
“Our capacity is very small to be able to rescue more,” Fleras said. He noted that farmers would sometimes trade a thousand kilos of tomatoes but the RAHP could only get a hundred kilos.
“We only get about one percent [of the traded produce] kasi masyadong marami,” he said. To illustrate, Fleras said “this one percent that we’re able to rescue [and] recover are then given to 5,000 schoolchildren.”
Personal distribution
ACCORDING to Fleras, the RAHP could not get just one type of produce, like tomatoes, since they need to come up with a menu that the families of schoolchildren could make a meal out of the packed vegetables that households receive.
Some of these children are from Solano South Central School, a 31-minute ride from the NVAT.
Standing in front of a long table, some of the children eyed a truck moving towards the middle of the school’s covered court. After all the plastic bags containing squash, cabbages and chayote were placed on the table, RAHP staff gives one to each children.
According to Fleras, the Solano South Central School is one of ten schools identified by the Department of Education (DepEd) as beneficiaries for RAHP’s program. He said that the agricultural produce the organization rescued would be given regularly to 500 children per school.
Fleras added that each child is given about 3 kilos of different kinds of vegetables.
“Kami mismo nag -distribute together with the teachers. We actually see that the students are getting the package of vegetables [The teachers and our staff personally ensure that each child receive the package of vegetables].”
Bid to reduce
ration managing the facility would fully operate a juice processing factory by January next year. According to NVAT General Manager Gilbert L. Cumila, the factory would be processing lemons, pineapples and tomatoes into juice in their bid to reduce food waste.
Cumila said they plan to engage with farmers who will separate fruits with cosmetic issues—such as either too small, asymmetrical, or have blemishes—that would be processed into juices.
“We will organize the farmers na sa farm pa lang, ihiwalay na yung papunta sa juice. Yung mga small size, yung mga tabingi, yung may peklat [We will organize the farmers to separate the fruits that would be processed into juice such as those that are blemished, too small and asymmetrical],” the NVAT Inc. executive told the BusinessMirror Cumila explained that cosmetic issues drag down prices of commodities. He cited as example tomatoes that, he added, tend to surge in supply.
Kung merong juice processing [factory] to absorb this, makakatulong ’yan sa pag -maintain ng magandang presyo [A juice processing factory would help in maintaining a good price for the commodity],” he said.
A report by the Commission on Audit in 2022 noted that a multi-fruit and vegetable juice processing facility was completed at a cost of P15.433 million.
Marketing strategy
ACCORDING to Cumila, their initial target was to sell the products around Nueva Vizcaya and coordinate with local government units (LGUs) through the “buy local, support local” marketing strategy.
“[Yung juice factory] ang isang nakita naming solution para makatulong ma-solve yung oversupply at ma- minimize na yung maitapon dito na hindi mabenta [The juice factory is a solution we found to help solve the problem of oversupply and minimize the surplus produce that can’t be sold].”
The RAHP and the NVAT Inc. face a juggernaut task as Nueva Vizcaya, some six hours north of Manila, is next to Benguet as the largest producer of vegetables in Northern Luzon. The NVAT itself provides market channels not only for the province but also for Benguet, Ifugao, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Quirino provinces.
The RAHP and the NVAT Inc., indeed, have no time to waste.
ASSORTED vegetable packs prepared for distribution to children at Solano South Central School.
ADA PELONIA
A RISE Against Hunger Philippines staff member sorts plastic bags for repacking produce inside the organization’s warehouse. ADA PELONIA A FARMER hauls a cart
brimming with cauliflower at the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal. ADA PELONIA
BSP: Terminated deal with Natl ID supplier in arbitration
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) disclosed that the terminated contract for the production of the National ID cards was with AllCard Incorporated (ACI).
In a statement sent to BusinessMirror , BSP said the contract involved the Supply, Delivery, Installation, and Commissioning of the Lot 1 Lease of Card Production Equipment for National ID Cards.
However, the BSP decided against providing additional information regarding the contract due to pending arbitration.
“The contract is subject of a pending arbitration between BSP and ACI. In light of the confidentiality of arbitration, BSP is prohibited from disclosing matters relating to the proceedings,” BSP told this newspaper.
BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. earlier told reporters that the contract was terminated due to the company’s failure to meet the deliverables for the National ID.
Remolona also informed reporters that the BSP is also “negotiating for damages” while looking for a replacement.
nessMirror on Thursday, National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) supports the BSP decision to terminate the contract with its supplier for the national ID card production.
Mapa also assured the public that the PSA is taking the necessary measures to continue the issuance of National IDs, whether these be in physical formal or digital such as the ePhilID.
Based on data from the PSA, a total of 89.117 million Filipinos have been registered in the PhilSys as of August 2, 2024. However, only 55.5 million printed national IDs have been dispatched and a total of 52.989 million cards were delivered.
The PSA has also begun the registration of children aged 1 to 4 years old in registration centers, or through mobile registration in Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) or institutional registration in schools.
Parents or guardians registered to the National ID system just need to accompany their children during registration. The PhilSys Number (PSN) or permanent identification number of the child that will be generated will be linked to the accompanying parent or guardian. Cai U. Ordinario
Projects for Luzon Economic Corridor to be cut to 10 at most
By Samuel P. Medenilla
SPECIAL Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick D. Go said they are eyeing to reduce the list of projects for the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) to less than 10 to ensure the efficient implementation of the said joint initiative with the United States (US) and Japan.
“Because that is better. When you focus [on a few projects], then you know you will move forward faster,” the economic czar said in an interview in Malacañang last Thursday.
He noted that initially there were 28 proposed projects pitched to the LEC Steering Committee (LSC) by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Bases Con -
version and Development Authority (BCDA).
Neda earlier announced it recommended 21 of the said projects covering expressways, industrial parks,transport system, food storage terminal, bridges, seaport modernization, irrigation, railways, ferry system and airports.
During the second LSC meeting last week, Go said the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH), and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) also gave their proposed projects.
“Right now, we were told by our partners that their interest is more on three or four of these projects in Subic,” Go said.
“So from 28, I think we will end up with less than 10 primary projects,” he added.
He said the shortlist for the LEC will likely include railways, sea ports, airports, renewable energy, data centers, and food production.
“This is not a quick thing. It’s a long-term type of project. [But] it will definitely start during the administration,” Go said. The LEC was first announced during the Philippines-US-Japan Trilateral Summit last April as part of the Global Infrastructure and Investment initiative (GIP) of the Group of Seven (G7). The GIP aims to provide public and private investments for infrastructures in G7 partner countries.
PHL office occupancy hits 80% in H1, third highest globally
By John Eiron R. Francisco
THE Philippines’s office occupancy rate for the first half of the year was the third highest globally at 80 percent, driven by the 7-8 percent annual growth in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector, according to a report from real estate consultancy firm PRIME Philippines.
“This current increase in recovery for the office sector in the Philippines highlights the resilience and continued demand for office spaces in the country,” said Cholo Florencio, Executive Vice President of PRIME Philippines, during the midyear property press briefing on Thursday.
He noted that this growth shows the Philippines as a highly competitive player in the region, presenting substantial opportunities for both local and international investors.
Globally, Singapore leads with an 88-percent occupancy rate, followed by India at 85 percent. The Philippines surpasses regions such as the United States (62 percent) and Europe (60 percent), where the global average office occupancy rate stands at approximately 70 percent due to the ongoing prevalence of hybrid work setups.
In Metro Manila, the total office supply remained at approximately 13.47 billion square meters, showing a modest yearon-year growth of 0.9 percent. The average occupancy rate across the region was around 84.2 percent, reflecting a steady year-onyear increase of 1.1 percent despite minimal additions to the supply.
The Makati Central Business District (CBD) continues to lead in occupancy rates, reaching about 87 percent, or a 2-percent growth from the previous year. Quezon City, one of the largest cities in Metro Manila, demonstrated significant growth—a 4.4-percent increase in occupancy, bringing it to around 86 percent.
Meanwhile, the Ortigas CBD maintained an occupancy rate of 85.6 percent, though it experienced a slight year-on-year decline of 2.7 percent.
Bonifacio Global City (BGC) follows closely behind Makati with an occupancy rate of about 86.5 percent. Alabang, alongside two other cities in the area, continues to feel the impact of the exodus of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), resulting in expected occupancy rates of 74 percent to 75 percent, respectively. “Demand remains stable despite the minor decline in occupancy rates,” Florencio said.
Asked about the impact of the exit of POGOs on rental rates and property values in office spaces, he responded, “We haven’t fully experienced the effects of the POGOs’ departure yet.”
He noted that, as announced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a complete ban on POGOs is expected to take effect by the end of the year. However, some developers are already planning for this eventuality.
“Of course, it’s imminent. You never know,” he added.
Florencio emphasized the importance of proactive planning, suggesting that tapping into other sectors, such as the BPO industry and government agencies, could help offset the potential increase in office vacancies.
Philippines’s IT-BPO sector thrives MEANWHILE , Celeste Iligan, Chief Operating Officer of the IT & Business Process Association, reported that as of 2023, the IT-BPO industry employs 1.74 million full-time equivalents (FTEs) and generates $35.5 billion in service export revenue. For 2024, the sector is expected to grow by 6 to 8 percent, potentially reaching around 1.84 million FTEs and generating nearly $40 billion in revenue.
North America and the United Kingdom lead in outsourcing, with North America’s market valued at $101 to $130 billion and the UK’s at $30 to $35 billion. The Philippines holds approximately 20 percent and 8 percent of the outsourcing shares in these regions, respectively. The Asia-Pacific market, valued at $40 to $49 billion, offers substantial growth opportunities, with the Philippines capturing a 12 percent share.
Despite her optimism about the industry’s growth and strong global presence, Iligan identified several global trends that could impact the sector. These include the rise of digital transformation and artificial intelligence, which may lead to significant job losses; the continued shift toward hybrid or remote work, a trend accelerated by the pandemic; and increasing cybersecurity concerns, which are relevant not only to IT-BPO but to all businesses.
Based on last year’s English Proficiency Index survey by the international education center and think tank Education First (EF), the Philippines ranked second among Asian countries and 20th globally. To Romel Rey Dellosa, Senior Head of Commercial Property Investments at PRIME Philippines, this
high ranking is very attractive to foreign investors, as it indicates that local talent can easily adapt to the operations they plan to establish in the country.
Dellosa also highlighted the strong consumer market as a key trend. Last year, household consumption expenditure in the Philippines reached approximately P18.9 trillion, driven by the growing middle class. This growth is further supported by the country’s employment rate, which stood at 96.9 percent in June 2024. Additionally, the Philippines benefits from being in a demographic sweet spot, further boosting its appeal to investors.
Office spaces evolve
MOREOVER , real estate experts have revealed that recent trends in client preferences indicate companies are increasingly focusing on enhancing employee welfare by relocating to newer, more modern buildings. These facilities, often certified and constructed with high-quality materials, offer improved working environments and are designed to attract employees back to the office. Some companies are even adding recreational areas to make the workplace more appealing.
From a landlord’s perspective, Florencio said the pandemic has highlighted the need for cleaner and more sustainable office spaces. Building owners are responding to shifting tenant preferences and uncertainties by investing in greener initiatives and modernizing their properties to meet the evolving demands of their tenants. He added that the ability to adapt and be flexible is crucial for developers, landholders, and landlords. Florencio said they must adjust to the evolving demands of tenants, who are increasingly seeking higher-quality working environments and better fit-out conditions. This shift towards demanding superior workspaces has prompted many landlords to recognize the need for improvement and offer enhanced packages to attract tenants, particularly larger companies requiring significant space. As landlords adapt and offer these improved terms, Florencio believes they may be able to recoup initial rent concessions over time. Adjustments to rental agreements, deposits, and extended rent-free periods can also help draw more tenants to their properties, ultimately improving occupancy levels in the long run.
Rising costs pinch Negros Trade Fair organizers, but they still eye ₧48-M sales
Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror
ORGANIZERS of the 38th Negros Trade Fair this year hope to meet the P48 million in sales that were generated in 2023, as it offers an array of home-grown products from Negros Island.
But they admit that the increasing costs of production as well as higher expenses in transporting the products from Negros Island to Manila will be a major challenge. Negros Trade Fair chair Mike Claparols told the B usiness M irror , “Higher airfare is one
of our major costs, along with rising rent.” The event is held annually at the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati. “It’s [rent] no longer free like before,” he explained, “So we may have to look for another space next year.”
This reporter noted, for instance, that at last year’s event, an ensaymada from a popular purveyor in Bacolod cost P200 more at the trade fair. In the years prior to the pandemic, the retail price in Manila of the same was never more than P100 on top of the product’s price in Bacolod. Many of the food items are also brought to the trade fair daily to ensure their freshness, thus
necessitating additional costs, according to a source who sells her goods at the trade fair annually.
Round trip airfare between Bacolod and Manila, for example, is priced at least P3,300 (economy), with just a 10-kilo checked-in bag.
Prepaid baggage rates also cost from P300 to P1,100 for 20 kilos to 45 kilos, exclusive of value-added tax. Cargo rates carry special rates depending on the type of product to be shipped, volume, and declared value.
Organized by the Association of Negros Producers (ANP), the Negros Trade Fair (NTF) will be held from September 17 to 22, and
“promises to offer a unique blend of tradition and innovation, showcasing the best products from Negros,” said Claparols, an entrepreneur, who with his spouse Banj, founded Lakat Sneakers, which are handwoven from pineapple fibers.
The theme of this year’s trade fair is “Halad,” a Hiligaynon word which means “to offer, a dedication, a devotion, or a gift,” he added. Organizers are using the unique and captivating slipper orchid, to embody this year’s theme. It is an endemic flower in Negros, but also now very rare, he said. “This delicate yet resilient flower reflects the spirit
of Negros Island—its rich culture, vibrant arts, exceptional talents, and pristine environment. Much like this endangered orchid requires dedicated preservation efforts, the traditional arts and skills of Negros Island, which form the backbone of its cultural heritage, demand our urgent attention and care,” Claparols explained.
Participants of the NTF, he said, are thus “deeply committed to sustainability. This commitment is not only about preserving the island’s natural resources but also about nurturing the traditional practices that define our identity. By prioritizing sustainable products and engaging in outreach programs, we aim to build and rebuild a
future that honors both our environment and our heritage.”
This year’s NTF will feature 115 booths, up from last year’s 108 booths, showcasing a wide array of products that reflect the creativity and craftsmanship of Negrense producers. These include gifts, decor, and houseware; furniture and furnishings; food; natural and organic products; and fashion and garments.
“In addition, 28 local government units and government agencies are participating in the trade fair, bringing a diverse selection of products crafted by their local artisans, and featuring ingredients and materials that uniquely represent their respective cities and municipalities,” said Claparols. This year’s fair will also showcase products that have been entered into the prestigious Bulawan Awards, which is a recognition program by the ANP celebrating excellence in design and craftsmanship among Negrense micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The ANP will also highlight its BalikSalig Awards and Competition, a collaboration with the Negros Occidental provincial government to recognize excellence in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA). This program underscores the ANP’s commitment to sustainability and community development, fostering entrepreneurship and promoting the use of local resources. Its winners will join the NTF.
• Editor: Angel R. Calso
EU urged to rethink ties with Israel over Gaza and impose sanctions against some ministers
By Lorne Cook The Associated Press
BRUSSELS—The European Union must rethink its relations with Israel as the death toll mounts in Gaza and the West Bank and impose sanctions on some Israeli government ministers accused of fomenting racial hatred, Ireland and the bloc’s top diplomat said Thursday.
At a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Ireland’s foreign minister accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilians as well as Hamas militants with the military campaign it launched almost 11 months ago.
“This is a war against Palestinians not just against Hamas. The level of civilian casualties and dead is unconscionable,” Micheal Martin told reporters. “It’s a war on the population. No point in trying to fudge this.”
Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed over 40,000 people, according to local health officials, displaced 90% of the population and destroyed its main cities. Hamas has lost thousands of fighters and much of its militant infrastructure.
Violence has also surged in the West Bank since Hamas’ October 7 attack inside southern Israel ignited the war there. Israel launched a large-scale operation in the West Bank this week, in which Hamas
said 10 of its fighters were killed in different locations.
Martin said a legal opinion issued by the International Court of Justice that Israel’s occupation of Gaza and the West Bank is unlawful obliges the EU to take action. The Palestinians have hailed it as “a watershed moment for Palestine, for justice and for international law.”
“It cannot be business as usual,”
Martin told reporters. “It is very clear to us that international humanitarian law has been broken.”
Ties between the EU and Israel—which are major trading partners—are governed by a so-called Association Agreement. Ireland and Spain have been pressing their EU partners to examine whether Israel has broken the rules.
The EU is the world’s top provider of aid to the Palestinians but
holds little leverage over Israel, notably because the 27 member countries are deeply divided in their approach.
Austria, Germany and Hungary are staunch backers of Israel, while Ireland and Spain are more vocal in their support for the Palestinians.
Nonetheless, the bloc does have credibility as a European project founded on peace.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, with the backing of Ireland, urged the ministers to consider imposing sanctions on certain members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Cabinet over their remarks about the war in Gaza.
“Some Israeli ministers have been launching hateful messages, unacceptable hateful messages, against the Palestinians and proposing things that go clearly against international law and is an (incitement) to commit more crimes,” Borrell said.
Borrell did not name the ministers, but earlier this month he criticized Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for suggesting that the starvation of Gaza’s population of more than 2 million people “might be just and moral”
until hostages captured in the October 7 attack are returned home.
Borrell said there should be “no taboos” to prevent the EU from ensuring that international humanitarian law is respected.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock did not take a clear stand either way, saying only that things should be examined carefully on a case-by-case basis to assess “what are the allegations? Are these allegations enough to list to sanction?”
She underlined that any decision to impose sanctions would require unanimous support.
After the meeting, Borrell conceded that the move did not receive unanimous backing, but he said that he has launched the technical work required to impose sanctions, should the EU finally agree. “The ministers will decide, it’s up to them as always, but the process has been launched,” he told reporters.
Borrell also said he is preparing a high-level meeting on the war at the UN General Assembly next month, and that Arab countries and the United States have said they will take part. He said that Israel is welcome to attend.
EUROPEAN Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell rings a bell to signify the start of a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels on Thursday, August 29, 2024. AP/VIRGINIA MAYO
Nippon Steel’s $1.3 billion capital commitment to US Steel sparks political, labor controversy
By Marc Levy The Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa.—Nip -
pon Steel Corp. raised its capital commitment
Thursday by more than $1 billion to spend on US Steel’s plants amid entrenched political and labor opposition to the Japanese company’s nearly $15 billion acquisition of the iconic American steelmaker.
Nippon Steel’s $1.3 billion commitment to upgrade facilities in Pennsylvania and Indiana is on top of an earlier commitment to spend $1.4 billion.
The announcement was lauded by David Burritt, US Steel’s president and CEO, as evidence of Nippon Steel’s desire to “complete the transaction and expand US Steel.” The United Steelworkers dismissed it as “lip service.”
The sale comes during a tide of renewed political support for rebuilding America’s manufacturing sector, a presidential campaign in which Pennsylvania is a prime battleground, and a long stretch of protectionist US tariffs that analysts say has helped reinvigorate domestic steel.
In its statement, Nippon Steel said it will spend at least $1 billion to upgrade the hot strip mill
at the Pittsburgh-area Irvin Plant, along with other facilities in Pennsylvania’s Mon Valley Works, and about $300 million to improve one of the blast furnaces at Gary Works in Gary, Indiana.
The commitments “far exceed” what Pittsburgh-based US Steel would pledge on its own and will help make the company and the American industry stronger and more competitive, Burritt said.
“The bottom line is these are investments in the future of integrated American steelmaking and the employees, families and communities that rely on it,” Burritt said in a statement.
Such improvements will extend the life of the facilities and boost productivity, Nippon Steel said. It reiterated that it expects the transaction to close in the second half of 2024, despite ongoing political and labor opposition.
The United Steelworkers is against the deal after it backed a bid by US-based Cleveland Cliffs. The union filed a grievance, which was completed Aug. 15, and the case is now in the hands of the three members of the arbitration board, the union said.
The Steelworkers say they are intent on “keeping US Steel US owned” and are protesting what they view as the transaction’s fail -
Foreign governments criticize Hong Kong’s
By KANIS LEUNG The Associated Press
ONG KONG—The convictions of
Htwo Hong Kong journalists who led a now-shuttered online news outlet have deepened concerns of media groups and foreign governments over the city’s press freedom, though local officials say there are no restrictions when journalists stick to the facts.
Stand News former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen and former acting editorin-chief Patrick Lam were found guilty of conspiracy to publish and reproduce seditious publications, with the judge saying their outlet had become a tool for smearing the government. Their sedition trial was Hong Kong’s first involving media since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
Here are some reactions from governments and media groups:
United States
US State Department spokesperson
Matthew Miller wrote on X that the convictions were a “direct attack on media freedom” and undermined the city’s international reputation for openness.
“We urge Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to restore and uphold rights guaranteed in the Basic Law,” he said, referring to the miniconstitution which was adopted by China to govern Hong Kong after its handover from Britain in 1997 and which was aimed at preserving the territory’s capitalist system and way of life until 2047.
Britain
“Journalism is not a crime,” Britain’s Indo-Pacific minister, Catherine West, wrote on X, adding that Chung and Lam were convicted “for doing their job.”
She urged Hong Kong authorities to “end politicized prosecutions of journalists and uphold press and publication freedoms” as spelled out by the Basic Law.
ure to incorporate its contractual agreements on labor, pensions and other matters after they weren’t consulted on the details.
The union’s leaders dismissed Nippon’s commitment, saying that US Steel has already broken a string of promises that include shutting down plants and canceling capital investments, such as one targeted for Mon Valley plants.
“Nippon is still trying to hide behind its North American shell company to shield itself from its contractual obligations to retirees and our communities, and it still needs to answer to pressing concerns regarding our critical supply chains and national security,” the union’s international president, David McCall, and negotiating committee chair Mike Millsap said in a statement.
“This is just more of what we’ve seen all along: lots of words, no real change.”
With the United Steelworkers against the deal, the sale has drawn opposition from senior political figures on both sides of the aisle.
Last week, former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, reiterated his pledge to block the deal during a campaign appearance in York, Pennsylvania. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, who is endorsed by the Steelworkers union, has not spoken about the deal since President Joe Biden ended his candidacy in July. However, Biden, who had made his support for organized labor explicit, had all but vowed to block US Steel’s sale and said in an April rally with steelworkers in Pittsburgh that the company “should remain totally American.” Senior US senators have opposed the deal on both economic and national security grounds, including Democratic Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman, of Pennsylvania, and Sherrod Brown, of Ohio; and Republican Sens. Ted Cruz, of Texas, Josh Hawley, of Missouri, and JD Vance, of Ohio, now Trump’s vice presidential nominee.
The Department of Justice is reviewing it for antitrust compliance, and Biden’s White House has indicated the secretive Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States will review the transaction for national security concerns. The committee can recommend that the president block a transaction, and federal law gives the president that power.
convictions of journalists in sedition case
European Union
The European Union said in a statement that the conviction is another sign of the dwindling space for press freedom, guaranteed in the Basic Law.
“The ruling risks further inhibiting the pluralistic exchange of ideas and the free flow of information, both cornerstones of the economic success of Hong Kong,” it said.
China
THE office of China’s Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong firmly opposed the criticism from US, Britain and European Union in a statement, saying they have degraded right and wrong. It said Stand News is a political organization, and politicians in the West has long held double standards on the issue of press freedom.
“While they turn a blind eye to their own countries’ records of suppressing news media, they repeatedly use ‘press freedom’ as a political tool to make excuses for groups that are anti-China and destabilizing Hong Kong,” it said.
Hong
Kong
HONG KONG Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan said the government respects press freedom, as guaranteed by the law. He said when journalists conduct their reporting based on facts, there won’t be any restrictions on such freedom.
“Criticizing the government is not something that is banned,” he said.
Reporters Without Borders
REPORTERS Without Borders condemned the verdict, saying it set a “dangerous precedent” and dealt another blow against the city’s shattered press freedom.
Cédric Alviani, the global media watch dog’s Asia-Pacific bureau director, called the judicial decision “appalling.” “From now on, anyone reporting on facts that are not in line with the authorities’ official narrative could be sentenced for sedition,” he said.
Hong Kong Journalists Association
HONG KONG Journalists Association, a leading media professional group in the city, said the case against Stand News exemplified the decline of the city’s press freedom.
“The damage done to the city’s press and to a media company is irreversible, long before the verdict was handed down today,” it said.
Amnesty International
AMNESTY International’s China director Sarah Brooks said the verdict is “one more nail in the coffin” for the city’s press freedom.
“The court’s judgment that 11 articles on the Stand News website were ‘seditious’ will invariably force journalists working in Hong Kong to think twice about what they write and further entrench a climate of fear in the city, fueled by a succession of repressive national security laws,” she said.
Brooks was referring to the 2020 national security law imposed by Beijing and a new security law enacted in March.
Time BusinessMirror Our
DSWD to release ₧1.66-billion social pension for Eastern Visayas elderly
TBy Mary Judaline Partlow
DUMAGUETE CITY—The last World War II veteran in Negros Oriental who passed away recently will always be remembered for his brave and heroic deeds as he fought in the guerilla resistance to end the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.
The late 2Lt. Urbano F. Ramirez of the Philippine Army (retired) was born in Tanjay City on June 26, 1926, and turned 98 this year.
A certification from the Philippine Army in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City showed that Ramirez, at 17, was part of the guerilla service from Dec. 19, 1943 to June 16, 1945, and was discharged from the service on Aug. 20, 1948.
he was reenlisted in 1950 in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and rose from the ranks, starting as a Private until his retirement where he became a 2nd lieutenant, records show.
Naida Ramirez Clemente, in her 70s and the only living offspring among four, told the Philippine News Agency that she was born in Manila and their family had lived there for years while his father was still in active service.
her parents returned to their hometown, Tanjay, after the veteran’s retirement in June 1975 and built a house and a farm that kept them busy throughout the years, Clemente said. Every time he visited Manila once or twice a year, he spent most of his time at Camp Aguinaldo to visit his former friends in the military service.
“Papa was a sports lover, especially in boxing where he was once featured as an undercard for Flash Elorde,” she said. They would know if Ramirez won a boxing match because he would come home with goodies, she added.
“My fondest memory of my father is that since I was born, and especially during my elementary and high school years, he was supportive of everything that I did. Both he and Mama also helped take care of my children,” Clemente said.
“My father has always been my greatest source of support and wisdom, nurturing me every step of the way. he has
LBy Sarwell Meniano
ACLOBAN CITY—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is preparing for the release of P1.66 billion for the social pension of indigent senior citizens in Eastern Visayas for the second semester of this year.
Officials from the DSWD regional office here have been meeting with provincial and local social welfare and development officers, city and municipal accountants, and treasurers to discuss the guidelines on the release of the financial benefits.
“For the second semester of the year, there is a change of the frequency of distribution from semestral to quarterly basis. Our senior citizens can expect payout by September for the third quarter and December for the fourth quarter,” DSWD regional
information officer for social pension Ivan Malquez said in an interview on Wednesday.
In the first semester of 2024, the DSWD transferred P1.66 billion to local government units for distribution to eligible senior citizens.
With the effectivity of Republic Act 11916, or the Act Increasing the Social Pension of Indigent Senior Citizens, the monthly social pension stipend for each beneficiary has increased from P500 to P1,000 to support their daily subsistence and medical needs.
The program granted cash to 277,802 seniors from the six provinces of the Eastern Visayas region in the first semester of this year. Eligible recipients must be 60 years old and older, frail and sickly, and without pensions from other government sources such as the Gov-
ernment Service Insurance System, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, Social Security System, and private insurance companies.
Recipients also should not have a regular source of income or support from family or relatives to cover their basic needs. PNA
instilled in me the values of courage in facing life’s challenges and fairness in decision-making.”
Maricel R. Garol, a niece of the late Ramirez, spent more than four decades with him as she was raised by the couple since she was a young girl.
Garol, who addressed the veteran as “papa,” said a famous story about him handed down from generations past was about him going around town having ended the life of a traitor who collaborated with the Japanese.
“That earned him the respect of the people who said he was brave and strong,” she added.
Other family members also had kind words and wonderful memories to share of the late war veteran.
“I will miss the way you salute me every time we see each other,” Nap Calumpang, a grandson-in-law, said.
Leah R. Calumpang thanked Ramirez, “for being the wonderful grandfather that you were. I’m so grateful to have you and will cherish every moment we spent together.”
Another granddaughter, Lissa S. Ramirez, recalled how “we’ve talked a lot about how you bravely fought during the Japanese occupation in WWII.”
“Your love and dedication to the country as well as to your family will be cherished and remembered. Thank you, my greatest hero, my Lolo!”
Joy Napao, a caregiver of the veteran she called Lolo Lucio, also remembered him as a kind and funny man, even in his old age.
Ramirez was among the 45 WWII Filipino Veterans in Negros Oriental who were awarded the United States Congressional Gold Medal during ceremonies at Silliman University here on December 2, 2022.
The 98-year-old was laid to rest on Aug. 24, at a memorial park in Tanjay City with full military honors accorded him by the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army.
“Our patriarch of the family was deeply loved and will be deeply missed. To us, he was our heart,” daughter Nadia said. PNA
By Maria Cheng AP Medical Writer
ONDON—Britain’s drug regulator authorized the Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi on Thursday, saying it’s the first medicine to show some impact in slowing the progression of the neurodegenerative disease. But the UK government likely won’t be paying for it after an independent agency separately issued draft guidance concluding that the benefits of Leqembi “cannot be considered good value for the taxpayer.” In addition to the cost of the drug, providing Leqembi requires that patients be hospitalized every two weeks to receive it and be closely monitored for side effects. Experts also noted the lack of data regarding the long-term effectiveness of Leqembi, made by Japanese drugmaker Eisai.
“The reality is that the benefits this first treatment provides are just too small to justify the significant cost,” said Dr. Samantha Robers, chief executive of the National Institute for health
By Nick Tayag
A toast to the incompetent my
ThE recent Paris Olympics produced a batch of gold medalists who were faster, stronger and leaped higher than their respective rivals. They were able to attain the Greek Olympic ideal of “arete”, which means “excellence” of any kind, referring specially to the human individual’s “full realization of potential or inherent function.”
As for the rest of us, we can only bask in reflected triumphal glory. We enviously look at the material rewards and fame they are now receiving.
The truth of the matter is that 99 percent of us won’t win a gold medal in the Olympics. That’s because a human being’s real genius lies in incompetence in varying degrees. It is what we are good at and it is the quality that marks us off from animals and we should accept it and learn to respect it. As someone told me, God must have a sense of humor because he created bumbling human beings.
Of course the occasional Carlos Yulo, Simone Biles or Armand Duplantis do slip through this universal net of incompetence.
I would be the first to admit that I belong to the ranks of the incompetents and the non-excellent. I already knew that as early as in college. I took part in a long distance running race and arrived at the finish line as one of the last of the stragglers. I competed in a Spanish oratorical contest and the audience laughed at me.
I have clumsy manual skills. I’m not
and Care Excellence, or NICE.
The draft guidance issued by NICE will now be open for public consultation and all responses will be considered at a second meeting later this year before final advice is issued. The agency estimated about 70,000 people in Briton might benefit from Leqembi. The drug is still available to be prescribed if patients pay for it privately. In the US, it costs about $26,000 per patient per year. Some experts said that while they understood patients and their families might be disappointed by the news,
gifted to do splendid carpentry work, I’m lousy at fixing appliances and inept at car troubleshooting. I tend to do things haphazardly and erratically.
My consolation as an awkward, bungling incompetent is leafing through the pages of an odd funny book called “The Book of heroic Failures” by a certain Stephen Pile who confessed to being inept in a vast range of activities, the Renaissance man of incompetence.
Pile formed a club in England called “Not Terribly Good Club of Great Britain.” To qualify for membership one just had to be not terribly good and preferably downright awful at something like fishing, woodworking, or anything. Their motto was a line from GK Chesterton: “If a thing is worth
there was hope better drugs might be developed soon.
hilary Evans-Newton, chief executive of Alzheimers Research UK, said Leqembi represented “the beginning of a seachange in how diseases like Alzheimer’s will be treated in the future.” She said there were more than 160 trials underway testing over 125
doing it is worth doing badly.” It had a membership of 200.
The book contains anecdotes of real awkward and clumsy people doing things badly.
Some of the funniest include the fastest failure of a driving test, the worst car repair, the noisiest burglar, the worst battle tactician, the worst politician, the worst orator, and so on.
Reading the anecdotes would prove that pursuit of excellence is overrated.
In fact, howe’s law says: every man has a scheme that will not work. Surely, even Olympic gold medalists display degrees of incompetence outside their chosen sports.
Vincent Van Gogh was the maestro of failure. he never sold a painting while he was alive.
Samuel Beckett, the famous writer, came to believe failure was an essential part of any artist’s work, even as it remained his responsibility to try to succeed. his best-known expression of this philosophy: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”
Edward Davis “Ed” Wood, Jr. was known for making execrable movies that displayed technical errors, using poorly-matched stock footage, eccentric casts, idiosyncratic stories and non sequitur dialogue. he was posthumously awarded a Golden Turkey Award for Worst Director of All Time.
In the Philippines, we had a guy named Pascual B. Racuyal, a mechanic or garbage collector by profession who ran for president in every presidential election from 1935 to 1986 and lost badly each time. his persistent attempts at the presidency earned him folk status as the perennial presidential candidate.
This reminds me of what Winston Churchill said about some people who stumble from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.
As you can see, we incompetents are everywhere. We rule the world.
Even in the corporate world, we
encounter a lot of inept executives and employees. One of my favorite books is Peter Principle by Laurence J. Peter who declared: “I have accepted the universality of incompetence.” The principle named after him is expressed as: “In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence.”
Consider the leaders in our national political scene who strut and display their empty-headedness on our TV screens during committee sessions. Why do so many incompetent men become our political leaders? It’s because they do not know they are incompetent. Or as the comedian John Cleese bluntly puts it, people “are so stupid, they have no idea how stupid they are.”
It’s a sober reminder of the human folly for self-delusion. Stupidity and human incompetence are the great evils, not ambition and glory. When you see these bunglers in the corridors of power, you probably just shrug your shoulders. At least you know you are incompetent. That makes them stupider than you.
As you can see, we incompetents are legion. We are everywhere. We rule the world. So be at peace with your bumbling, bungling ways. Don’t feel dejected if you are not naturally endowed with talent and skill to reach the pinnacle of excellence.
After all, there’s a silver lining in the cloud of ineptness. In a world of incompetents, the less incompetent is king. So strive harder, try again, fail upward. Fall 7 times, stand up 7 times. Wait for the Peter Principle to kick in and soon you’ll find yourself eventually rising up the chain to your proper level of incompetence.
Seek inspiration from Robert Louis Stevenson, the writer of the children’s classic Treasure Island who wrote: “Our business in life is not to succeed, but to continue to fail in good spirits.”
Editor: Angel R. Calso
The late 2Lt. Urbano Ramirez, 98, of Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, was awarded the United States Congressional Gold Medal in 2022. Ramirez, a guerilla who fought during World War II alongside allied forces to end the Japanese occupation, passed on
GASTPE expansion to address overcrowding in public schools
By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes
THE Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program must be expanded to include Kindergarten to Grade 6, and help mitigate classroom congestion affecting the quality of education in public schools.
In a recent statement, Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) member and concurrent Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU) president Bern Villamor said that GASTPE’s expansion could address overcrowding in public schools by enabling private schools to absorb excess students, or so-called “aisle learners.”
“Expanding GASTPE to the elementary level [or “K-6” will boost] educational access, raise quality standards, and save government
funds by utilizing the spare capacity of private schools,” explained Villamor. “This would also reduce the pressure on the Department of Education to rapidly build new schools.”
GASTPE is currently limited to junior- and senior-high schools. Villamor also stated that programs like the Education Service Contracting, Teachers’ Salary Subsidy, Senior-High School Voucher Program, and In-Service Training are keys in giving financial aid to students, and enabling quality
education.
Because of GASTPE’s success, private schools expressed their support to extend the program’s financial assistance to more deserving students who hope to pursue elementary education in private learning institutions.
As trustee of the “Fund for Assistance to Private Education” led by the Education Secretary as chairperson, reported that as of School Year (SY) 2023-2024, PEAC has already assisted more than 2.2 million student-grantees.
However, it also noted that there are more students in congested public schools that require help from the government.
According to a PEAC-commissioned study: “The Absorptive Capacity of Basic Education in the Philippines” covering nearly 28-million learners in SYs 2018-2022, public schools are severely overcrowded, especially at higher grade levels.
Moreover, the committee also urged the government to increase the number of subsidies to GASTPE beneficiaries for junior- and seniorhigh schools.
Villamor said that current
GASTPE subsidies fail to cover the full fees private schools charge, which impels beneficiaries’ families to pay top-ups, more so in urban areas: “By reallocating and optimizing resources, we estimate that nearly 900,000 more learners could be accommodated [in] both public and private schools.”
He also highlighted the need for private-school learning, as he cited results of the “Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics-National Report of the Philippines.” The data revealed that private schools consistently deliver higher quality education, as evidenced by scores that significantly outperformed public schools in the three literacy domains of reading, writing, and mathematics.
“The evidence is clear: GASTPE provides cost-effective benefits that can significantly enhance our educational system. PEAC urges the government to fully appreciate the value of public-private collaboration in education, making decisions that prioritize the welfare of our learners, and the elevation of our national education standards,” Villamor concluded.
Energy think tank’s roadshow tackles PHL’s energy concerns
THE Center for Energy Research and Policy (CERP) recently launched the initial run of its educational roadshow “Watts Up: CERP Sparks Energy Dialogue” at the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UPD).
The event facilitated meaningful dialogue on pressing energy issues to empower students to shape the future of energy in the country.
The Department of Energy National Total Electrification Roadmap 20232032 report revealed that 8.9 percent of Filipino households—equivalent to 2.5 million households—have no access to electricity. Moreover, the Philippines grapples with one of the most expensive power rates in the Asean Region, according to a 2020 study.
CERP co-convenor Atty. Noel Baga emphasized the need to prioritize the development of indigenous energy sources, provide energy subsidies to consumers, and allow foreign participation in the energy sector to alleviate the high electricity prices burdening Filipino households.
“Almost 60 percent of our power supply is from coal, and about 81 percent of this coal is imported. This is…more costly, and less secure,” Atty. Baga said. “We have many bills currently pending in the Senate and House to [urge] more local and foreign investments in the
ABATCH of 48 scholars funded by Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI) recently graduated after they completed training under the Amazon Web Services (AWS) re/Start program in the high-growth field of cloud computing.
CPI—marketer of the Caltex brand of fuel and lubricants—partnered with Edukasyon.ph late last year to launch a program focused on providing digital training for underprivileged youth on cloud computing skills under the AWS re/Start program. The latter is a social enterprise that utilizes online platforms to connect learners with educational opportunities and foster career awareness.
CPI offers support to aspiring professionals, especially underprivileged youth, by equipping them with skills and knowledge in cloud foundations, Linux, cloud-adoption framework, databases and networking, as well as soft skills.
energy sector, and we must continue to diversify our energy sources.”
CERP co-convenor and UPD’s Department of Chemical EngineeringLaboratory of Electrochemical Engineering head Dr. Joey Ocon also illustrated ways various energy sources have varying degrees of affordability, sustainability, reliability, and modernity through the “unfortunate tetrahedron” framework, whereby not all factors can be positively reached by a single energy source.
“Balancing the tradeoffs between conventional, renewable, and nuclear energy sources is crucial,” stated Dr. Ocon. “There is no ‘silver bullet’ to developing a sustainable and reliable
energy strategy. Each option has…pros and cons.”
He also shared that the Philippines scores low in self-sufficiency due to heavy dependence on imported sources. He recommends strictly implementing energy laws, boosting generation capacity, enhancing transmission infrastructure, and streamlining distribution networks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7.
During the “Q&A” session, the speakers further discussed the importance of increasing power supply and streamlining grid interconnections
to respond to yellow and red alerts. Atty. Baga highlighted the necessity of reserve power supplies for each subregion and attracting more investors to the power-generation sector.
The discussion then shifted to the country’s role in combating climate change. A student asked: “Would transitioning to fully renewable energy in the Philippines significantly mitigate climate change?” To which, Dr. Ocon replied: “Not significantly. We contribute less than 1 percent of global emissions, despite having 1.4 percent of the world’s population. Yet, as a vulnerable archipelago, we must still lead by example.”
Another inquired about expanding coal and gas power plants. Dr. Ocon explained: “Globally, the impact would be minimal. But our decisions can’t be based solely on global metrics. It’s crucial to balance our country’s unique needs for affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.”
The UPD roadshow marks the beginning of CERP’s efforts to engage Filipino youth in the current energy crisis. The center is extending this initiative to other universities to broaden student engagement. Through similar initiatives and the dissemination of well-researched findings, it aims to urge our leaders to address pressing energy issues and take decisive action.
PSBA eyes resurgence under new leadership
By Roderick L. Abad
UNDER new management, the Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA) has the potential to reclaim its stature as a top academic institution in the Philippines, or even surpass that level.
This was the consensus among its alumni, as many of them expressed hopes that the institution, which is now led by the STI Education Services Group (STI ESG), will again become the go-to business and accounting school, similar to its stature in the 1970s and 1980s.
Some of the alumni, likewise, said that they will support the new administration by applying for faculty-member positions, as well as offer their time and advice to the Tanco-led group.
According to STI, among the initiatives being put in place to rebuild PSBA include a complete overhaul of its curriculum to ensure it matches current educational standards and industrial requirements.
Key programs like Master in Business Administration, Doctor in BA, Bachelor of Science in BA, and BS Accountancy, will see significant changes. More programs will be added, including the BS in Managerial Accounting, BS in Accounting-Information Systems, and BS in Entrepreneurship.
“We are confident that, with our extensive experience in elevating the standards of STI Education, we can replicate this success at PSBA,” said STI Holdings chairman emeritus Eusebio Tanco. “Our goal is to restore PSBA to its former glory as the country’s premier business school.”
“STI has a strong commitment to make PSBA what it used to be. And we will not stop [pursuing] this mission, this vision, this commitment that we will make you proud once again of PSBA,” STI ESG vice chair and CEO Atty. Monico Jacob added.
With 64 STI campuses na -
tionwide—including the highly recognized STI West Negros University—STI ESG has proven its ability to revitalize institutions and considerably increase student enrollment.
STI Holdings director Vanessa Tanco shared recent developments on the school: “We officially started the management of PSBA in Quezon City on July 1, and in Manila on August 1. Significant improvements have already been made—including painting the façade, fixing bathrooms, setting up computer labs, and equipping classrooms with TVs. Our revamped web site and Facebook page now offer online applications, making the enrollment process more accessible.”
Many PSBA graduates lauded STI ESG’s involvement and expressed their optimism for the future of their alma mater.
“People are so happy. They feel that it’s fortunate that STI is coming, as its entry gives a sense of hope for their alma mater,” the STI Holdings director noted.
A bright future lies ahead of PSBA after it launched new scholarship programs in partnership with SyCip, Gorres Velayo & Co.; Bingo Plus; and Asian Terminals. It has also revised the BS Accountancy curriculum.
Former Customs commissioner and prominent PSBA alumni Alberto Lina committed to the new management that he will grant scholarships for deserving students at the Quezon City campus. Plans for the consistency of curricula, tuition fees, and academic schedules in the two campuses are seen to boost the institution’s integrated approach.
PSBA’s newly appointed team who include vice president for Administration Fler Domingo, vice president for Academic Affairs Cecilia Sy, and dean of Accountancy Program Christy Gonzaga are dedicated to ensuring that the school continues providing quality education, while regaining its esteemed reputation.
Out of 50 qualified scholars selected by Edukasyon.ph from all over the country, 48 successfully graduated from the program. All scholars met face-to-face for the first time and celebrated their graduation after passing with flying colors. Finishers of the program acquired technical skills for designing, managing, and optimizing cloud infrastructures which is growing in demand among employers. In the case of Kymberlyn Valbuena, who was the topnotcher among the graduating batch, her experience with AWS re/Start showed the lifechanging power of accessible and inclusive education. Initially, she feared that her background may disqualify her, but was surprised to learn of the program’s well-structured curriculum, openness, diversity, and hands-on laboratory and lessons. Through CPI and AWS re/Start’s support, Valbuena rose beyond her anxieties and emerged as the top learner.
their background.”
The top graduate expressed her appreciation and value of Chevron’s program: “I did not only gain technology knowledge, but also personal skills such as communicating and socializing.”
“When I saw the program on social media, I immediately applied, though I wasn’t sure if I was qualified,” she shared. “If you [have doubts, I encourage you just to try AWS re/Start, because it is open for all] regardless of
Raissa Bautista, who is Chevron’s senior corporate affairs advisor, commented: “The AWS re/Start program [was our first social investment program in the digital sphere, and it fills us with much pride to see our dear scholars break boundaries and thrive in the field of technology. Their] unwavering resolve and talent in cloud computing will undoubtedly take them to great places. It truly goes to show how far determination and proper support can get you.” The AWS re/Start program was offered at no cost to the learners, and a technology background was not required to apply. After completing their three-month training, the learners validated their skills through the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification exam. Post-certification, they were intro -
duced to more than 15 hiring partners who conducted job interviews for the graduates.
“We believe our scholars will go places because of their talent and persistence to learn and work,” Bautista remarked. “Chevron looks forward to seeing these students turn from learners to professionals, and use their newly developed knowledge and skills to create impactful changes in our future.”
“AWS re/Start brings ‘net-new’ talent into the labor force, establishing a win-win-win scenario for individuals to launch successful careers in the cloud, organizations to increase their competitive edge with in-demand talent, and communities to thrive and grow,” Global Leader for AWS re/Start Tejas Vashi said. “We are proud to work with Edukasyon.ph and Chevron Philippines Inc. [in building a diverse, robust cloud work force of the future, enabling groups to hasten] their innovation via the AWS Cloud.” Visit https://aws.amazon.com/training/restart for more information.
THE SM Store, supported by its customers and in collaboration with SM Stationery (SSI), SM Foundation, and World Vision, recently distributed backto-school kits to 12,000 grade school pupils across more than 70 public schools nationwide. In Cebu, 1,350 students from Mandaue City Central School, Mandaue City SPED Central School, Opao Elementary School, and Umapad Elementary School received these essential supplies. The turnover activity complemented the upcoming opening of SM Store’s 76th location at JMall Mandaue.
The relaunch of SM Store’s “Shop & Share for Education” program has enabled customers to directly support underprivileged students by purchasing back-toschool kits. For a minimum singlereceipt purchase of P3,000 at participating SM Stores, shoppers can
contribute to a child’s education by buying a school kit for just P100. As students start a new academic year or continue their educational journey, SM Store is committed to helping them achieve their dreams. The program features the value of social responsibility, and enables an easy way for shoppers to give back. The retail giant said in a
This initiative proves that even small contributions can drive substantial change when
Editor: Mike Policarpio
CERP completed the first run of its ‘Watts Up’ university roadshow at UP-Diliman.
THE program rollout in Mandaue, Cebu together with SM Store JMall Team
Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan
GETTING AHEAD IN SHENZHEN
KEEpING up wITH THE fAST pAcE of cHINA’S SIlIcoN VAllEy
Many Filipinos might recognize the name “Shenzhen” from online shopping, where international parcels often pass through its sorting centers before reaching the Philippines. But as a first-time traveler to China, particularly to this city just north of Hong Kong, I was eager to discover what Shenzhen has to offer beyond its reputation as a major technology and financial hub.
But to get to Shenzhen, there are a few travel options from the Philippines. You can fly directly from Manila to Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX). If direct flights aren’t available, you can opt for connecting flights through major Chinese cities like Guangzhou or Shanghai, or even Hong Kong, and then take a connecting flight or train to Shenzhen.
In our case, we flew from Manila to Hong Kong, which took about two hours. After sorting out the necessary paperwork at the Hong Kong airport, we were quickly picked up by a van and driven to the border, which was less than a 30-minute drive.
As a foreigner, I needed a visa to enter China. I also had to show some travel documents, including the departure card from Hong Kong’s immigration department, when going through immigration at the Huanggang Checkpoint (or another border point). The process was smooth, and it took us about an hour to reach our hotel in Shenzhen. The weather here during June to Au -
gust is summer, and much more humid than back home. The city’s vibe reminds me of Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, with its towering buildings, unique architecture, greenery along the streets, and electric bikes for rent scattered around. However, Shenzhen is on a whole different scale—much bigger and more advanced. They say Shenzhen, one of Guangdong Province’s cities, is often called the “Silicon Valley of China” because of its rapid technology development and innovation, much like Silicon Valley in the US.
Even though Shenzhen covers just about 0.02 percent of China’s total land area of 9.6 million square kilometers, it is a significant economic hub and a key player in China’s technological and manufacturing sectors.
Time travel in the city
W HI l E exploring the towering buildings of the city with representatives of realme Philippines during the realme Global Fan Fest, we discovered a hidden gem: Nantou
Ancient Village. It’s one of the city’s oldest preserved areas, offering a window into the traditional architecture and cultural heritage of the Qing Dynasty.
The village is a maze of old-style houses, narrow streets, and historical landmarks that transport you back in time.
Walking through it feels like stepping into a living museum, with some of the houses transformed into cozy restaurants and cafés where tourists can relax and soak in the atmosphere.
Given the humid weather, the village has thoughtfully installed misting systems in these houses, spraying fine water droplets into the air to keep visitors cool and comfortable as they explore.
Step into a literary wonderland
O N the other hand, if you’re a book lover, Shenzhen Zhongshuge Bookstore offers a fresh take on what a library can be. Unlike the usual quiet libraries or bookstores where everyone is expected to be demure and mindful, here, you can fully immerse yourself in the store’s atmosphere—find a cozy corner, grab a book you’ve been
wanting to read, and snap a few candid photos while surrounded by shelves filled with a variety of books.
The area is famous for its cutting-edge interior designs surrounded by mirrored ceilings, winding staircases, and shelves arranged in maze-like patterns, which create optical illusions that really captivate visitors.
Soar above Shenzhen
J UST a short distance away, you’ll spot the Bay Glory Ferris Wheel, a standout landmark in the city. This impressive observation wheel, located by the waterfront, offers stunning panoramic views of the city skyline and surrounding waters.
At about 208 meters (682 feet) tall, it’s one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world. Its spacious, enclosed cabins make for a comfortable and scenic ride.
Moreover, if you’re not afraid of heights, you can enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree view of Shenzhen from the 118th floor of the Ping An Finance Center. From up there, you’ll see the entire city, including mountains, the sea, and the lively busi -
Cruising between two continents
ness district.
However, it’s not open to the public—visitors need to book in advance to experience this exclusive and premium vantage point.
The top floor of the building is known as the highest restaurant in Shenzhen. It’s a great spot to enjoy premium teas and pastries, and they also serve buffets and meals. I’d say the best time to visit is in the afternoon when it’s not too hot, so you can also witness the city lights at night.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking to explore some of the city’s finest public spaces, be sure to visit Shenzhen Talent Park and Shenzhen Bay Park. As you wander through the park’s wide lawns and winding paths, you’ll notice locals making the most of the outdoors—some are exercising, enjoying a picnic, or simply taking a relaxed walk.
The park is dotted with modern art installations and offers plenty of shaded spots where you can unwind and take in the scenery. One thing that really caught my eye was the tall sunflower plants along the edge of the park—perfect for
a selfie with their vibrant yellow blooms. Just watch out for the bees that buzz around the flowers.
A short distance away, Shenzhen Bay Park, offers a different kind of charm. This waterfront park stretches along the shoreline, providing stunning views of the bay and the skyline. It’s an excellent place for a leisurely bike ride or a casual walk along the wellmaintained pathways. The park features beautifully landscaped gardens, open spaces for recreational activities, and cozy spots to sit and watch the sunset. As a Gen Z traveler experiencing Shenzhen for the first time, I quickly realized that this city is a perfect fit for young people. Unlike the more traditional lifestyle often associated with
China, Shenzhen is
and focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology. The city buzzes with
attracting young professionals who
in its “work hard, play hard” culture. Here, you’ll find countless dining, entertainment, and leisure options that cater to a modern, dynamic lifestyle. Story
Airport, Scotland was still 18 hours and 45 minutes away so we took advantage of a complimentary Touristanbul service to discover İstanbul during our layover time, one of the eight carefully arranged and planned tours offered by Touristanbul for those with a layover between six and 24 hours. With such an abundance of historical sightseeing spots in Istanbul and too little time to squeeze them all into your short holiday, an unforgettable cruise, between two continents (Asia and Europe) along the Bosphorus r iver is probably the most overlooked Istanbul tourist attraction. After signing up and booking our tour, we were picked up by a friendly and wellinformed guide named Eray and boarded an airconditioned tourist bus with about 40 other guests. The 42.2-km. bus ride, from the airport to the BUDO Eminonu Pier near the Ataturk Bridge, took us around 45 minutes. Upon arrival at the port, we boarded the 24 meter long and 7 meter wide pleasure craft Naral Istanbul. During this unforgettable, two-hour tour experience, cruising at an average speed of 7.2 knots, we all had a fabulous view of the legendary Bosphorus r iver and had a look at the diverse architecture of the city, including some of İstanbul’s most notable and iconic historical sites, structures and monuments. Its rolling hills are covered with a mix of ancient and modern architecture, all of them overlooking the water.
featured in the 1999 James Bond film ‘The World is Not Enough.’ From 1966 to 1981, the tower also appeared on the reverse side of the Turkish 10 lira banknote.
The Bosphorus r iver is home to many beautiful and historical mansions (yalilar). Many designed by members of the Balyan family (Armenian architects for the Ottoman court for five generations), they are considered an important cultural heritage of Istanbul. Of the original 600 mansions, about 360 are still standing, with 150 preserved in their original form, each reflecting a particular era and architectural style.
The Maiden’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi), built in 1725 on a small islet at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus Strait, between the European and Asian sides, is one of the landmarks and most storied structures of Istanbul. Formerly an observation terrace, a tax collection area for merchants, a hospital and a lighthouse, it now houses a café and restaurant. r ecently, it was
1861 and 1865. Designed in the Second Empire style by Sarkis Balyan, it is now a museum.
Gracing the edges of the Bosphorus Strait, on the European side, is the beautiful and elegant Dolmabahce Palace, the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire (from 1856 to 1887 and from 1909 to 1922), was built from 1843 and 1856 and was home to the Sultan up to the end of the Ottoman Empire. The Beylerbeyi Palace, at the Asian side, is an imperial Ottoman summer residence built between
Former 19th century Ottoman palaces, on the European side of the Bosphorus, that have been renovated and converted into hotels include the five-star, 317-room Ciragan Palace Kempink and the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul. On the other hand, the Shangri-la Bosporus is a restored 1930s tobacco warehouse with a Neo-Classical façade. The city continues its long history as the center of architecture as diverse and rich as its past, with new buildings also being built upon the ancient landscape. The Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, designed by Italian architect r enzo Piano
along the waterfront zone of Karakoy, was opened last May 2023 while the futuristic, 369 meter high Camlica TV and
Story & photos by John Eiron R. Francisco
& photos by Benjamin Locsin Layug
Beyler B eyi Palace
Or Tak O y Mosque with the Bosphorus Bridge behind it
Ciragan Palace
Suley M aniye Mosque iSTan B ul Museum of Modern art
BusinessMirror
Retailer brings together P-pop artists on one stage
WHEN a health and beauty retailer puts together a concert with some of the country’s best artists, you expect that show to be consistent with their social purpose of “Look Good. Do Good. Feel Great.” What you don’t expect is for the show to be explosive.
I have to give Watsons credit for making me appreciate P-pop as much as I love K-pop. Watsons and tech firm Acer have staged concerts featuring some of the Philippines’ top acts and these shows have really renewed my appreciation for OPM.
In 2023, Watsons Playlist was held at the Araneta Coliseum and the concert featured BINI, Ben&Ben, SB19, and Zack Tabudlo. This was the first time for me to watch these artists live, except for SB19, and it was an unforgettable concert.
For 2024, Watsons Playlist: The P-Pop Power Concert took place at the MOA Arena and the featured performers were SB19, HORI7ON, Alamat, KAIA, and G22. This event was brought to you by Watsons Club, with major sponsors BYS and Watsons Brand. The concert was also supported by minor sponsors Bioten, Bare n Bliss, Deoproce, Fresh, Gaviscon,
Alamat opened the show with “Day and Night,” a feel good banger with a memorable melody and catchy lyrics. Watching this group makes you feel like catching your breath because the members sing and rap very well while dancing to complex choreography.
Composed of Taneo, Mo, Tomás, R-ji, Alas, and Jao, Alamat is known for incorporating indigenous Filipino elements into their songs and dances. The members also come from different parts of the country, such as Pampanga, Kalinga, Bicol and Samar. My favorite song from the Alamat set was “Maharani” from their EP “Pasulong.”
Next to take the stage was G22, a group known as the “Female Alphas of P-Pop.” Composed of AJ, Alfea and Jaz, the group kept the momentum going with their energy. They kept the crowd under their spell with “BANG” and their catchy pop-dance songs but for me, it was when they sang “Musika” that I fully understood why they’re called “alphas.” The members’ voices are so powerful and so compelling that you need to listen to what they are singing.
The energy only continued to build as KAIA took over with their unbeatable energy, after which they were joined by G22 for their first-ever collaboration on a P-pop stage. My favorite KAIA stage was “You Did It” because, to me, it showed what the group is about. I particular love the intro to this song.
South Korea-based group HORI7ON debuted its new song “Sumayaw Sumunod” live for the first time
at Watsons Playlist. By the way, “Sumayaw Sumunod” is HORI7ON’s rendition of the iconic song of the same name by legendary Filipino band The Boyfriends in 1978. The song has two song versions. One is written in a mix of Tagalog, English, and Korean lyrics, while the other is mix of Tagalog and English lyrics.
While the group is based in South Korea, the members—Vinci, Kim, Kyler, Reyster, Winston, Jeromy, and Marcus—are all Filipinos. During their set, HORI7ON also made a very important announcement.
“[On] November 3, we’re going come back to the same arena, and hopefully come back with the same people. Gusto niyo ba kaming makita sa November 3?” Marcus asked their fans who, of course, said yes. Next up was SB19, who showed why they are called the “Kings of P-pop” with their hits, like “Mana” and “Gento.” The group—composed of Pablo, Stell, Josh, Ken, Justin—once again demonstrated mastery of their craft while retaining the authenticity and realness that make their fans love them so much. The group also did its new song “Kalakal” with the surprise appearance of Gloc-9. But it was when SB19 performed its debut song “Tilaluha” that they had everyone’s heart. The group’s career began in 2018 with this song. I had hoped that they would sing “Mapa,” which is my favorite, but “Tilaluha” is good enough or even better as it was my first time to hear and see it performed live.
The finale brought together SB19, HORI7ON and Alamat for a medley, highlighted by their performance of “What.” G22 and KAIA joined them onstage as a fitting end to a sold-out concert that saw different P-pop fandoms united for the cause of supporting OPM. ■
META KILLS OFF MISINFORMATION TRACKING TOOL CROWDTANGLE DESPITE PLEAS FROM RESEARCHERS, JOURNALISTS
BY BARBARA O�TUTAY The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO—Facebook and Instagram parent
Meta Platforms has shut down CrowdTangle, a tool widely used by researchers, watchdog organizations and journalists to monitor social media posts, notably to track how misinformation spreads on the company’s platforms.
Wednesday’s shutdown, which Meta announced earlier this year, has been protested by researchers and nonprofits. In May, dozens of groups, including the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Digital Forensic Research Lab at the Atlantic Council, Human Rights Watch and NYU’s Center for Social Media & Politics, sent a letter to the company asking that it keep the tool running through at least January so it would be available through the US presidential elections.
“This decision jeopardizes essential pre- and post-election oversight mechanisms and undermines Meta’s transparency efforts during this critical period, and at a time when social trust and digital democracy are alarmingly fragile,” the letter said.
CrowdTangle, “has been an essential tool in helping researchers parse through the vast amount of information on the platform and identify harmful content and threats,” it added.
In March, the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation sent Meta a similar letter asking it to keep the tool, which was available for free, functioning until January. That letter was also signed by several dozen groups and individual academic researchers.
“For years, CrowdTangle has represented an industry best practice for real-time platform transparency. It has become a lifeline for understanding how disinformation, hate speech, and voter suppression spread on Facebook, undermining
civic discourse and democracy,” the Mozilla letter said.
Meta has released an alternative to CrowdTangle, called the Meta Content Library. But access to it is limited to academic researchers and nonprofits, which excludes most news organizations. Critics have also complained that it’s not as useful as CrowdTangle—at least not yet.
Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, said in a blog post last week that the company has been gathering feedback about Meta Content Library from “hundreds of researchers in order to make it more user-friendly and help them find the data they need for their work.”
Meta said Wednesday that CrowdTangle doesn’t provide a complete picture of what is happening on its platforms and said its new tools are more comprehensive.
Meta acquired CrowdTangle in 2016.
BY RIZAL RAOUL S. REYES
WHEN business organizations pursue digital transformation, it should also work in collaborative ecosystems as these will have an impact on internal and external stakeholders, from employees, leaders and partners.
Rishad Tobaccowala, author and former chief strategist and growth officer of Publicis Groupe, told BUSINESSMIRROR in an interview that it would be beneficial for organizations where they could get a lot of different perspectives and fresh ideas.
“But what we also espouse is that putting the right technology into this ecosystem helps improve results exponentially, because you can do things in real time, you’re able to share data across [the ecosystem] and so it’s transparent, which builds trust among stakeholders,” he said.
“Sometimes that’s what’s harder when you have different groups working on something, but when you’re all looking at the same dashboard, and you’re able to collaborate and communicate, whether remotely or at different times, it makes things flow much smoother,” he added.
Tobaccowala said it also helps build competitive advantage. Having higher productivity, he said workers are more effective and have better access to the market.
In her presentation “Collaborative Ecosystems: Globe Business Partnerships for Digital Success,” Globe vice president and head of Globe Business KD Dizon shared how innovative solutions foster a collaborative environment, empowering companies to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
“At its core, a collaborative ecosystem is a dynamic network of internal and external stakeholders working together to drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. Bringing in technology within this ecosystem elevates workplace dynamics through advanced tools and platforms that enable seamless communication, data sharing, and realtime problem-solving,” Dizon said.
“The collaborative ecosystem at Globe has yielded substantial benefits. Improved communication, streamlined processes, and data-driven decision-making have enhanced operational excellence, reduced costs and increased productivity. Customer satisfaction has also risen due to more personalized and efficient services enabled by Globe’s advanced analytics and digital solutions,” Dizon said. Tobaccowala, along with Dizon, spoke at the recent GSummit 2024 held in Pasay City. Other speakers shared their own experience on collaboration and its impact on their respective organizations. Capt. Stanley Ng, president and COO of Philippine Airlines, talked about the airline’s growth through strategic partnerships and innovations under his leadership, while Margot Torres, managing director of Golden Arches Development Corp., talked about how McDonald’s Philippines leveraged relationships and innovation to achieve sustained growth.
The event also included breakout sessions that delved into critical areas of business and technology, including the importance of synergy, building enterprise growth through tech, and enhancing enterprise security.
GOOGLE ROLLS OUT PIXEL 9 PHONES EARLIER THAN USUAL AS AI RACE WITH APPLE HEATS UP
BY MICHAEL LIEDTKE The Associated Press
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California—Google on Tuesday unveiled its next generation of Pixel phones, providing the maker of Android software a head start on the next iPhone in the race to bring more artificialintelligence services to devices that have become people’s constant companions. The showcase held near Google’s Mountain View, California, headquarters took place two months earlier than when the company typically rolls out the next models in its Pixel phone lineup, which made its debut eight years ago.
Although Pixel phones still represent a sliver of worldwide smartphone sales, they are still closely watched because they serve as Google’s platform for demonstrating the latest advances in the Android operating system that powers virtually every phone not made by Apple. And Google left little doubt that the Pixel 9 phones are meant to be a vessel for the AI technology that is expected to reshape the way people live and work, just as smartphones in general have done over the past 15 years. That’s similar to the theme Apple is accentuating as it prepares to make AI a centerpiece of the iPhone. But Apple’s plans for AI remain hazier than Google’s vision, and Google is also rolling it out more broadly, including on Samsung phones powered by Android, said Emarketer analyst Grace Harmon. That may increase the pressure on Apple next month when it unveils the next iPhone.
SEE “GOOGLE,” A9
Power through your day with the latest OnePlus smartphone
BALANCING a packed workday with your personal and social life can be a challenge. But with the new OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G (www.oneplus.com/ph) by your side, you’ll have a much easier time doing so. This smartphone is built to keep up with your hustle, ensuring you stay on top of everything, from powering through meetings to unwinding with your favorite shows, no matter where your day takes you. When you have a jam-packed day full of meetings, errands, a visit to the gym, then an evening out with friends, the last thing you want to worry about is your phone’s battery life. That would be the least of your worries with the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G. Its massive 5500 mAh battery is designed to last up to two days on a single charge, meaning you can confidently head out knowing your phone will be there for you from sunrise to sunset. No matter how long your day is, you will have enough power in your phone to play your favorite games, browse social media, or simply catch up on the series you’re binging.
If you do need a quick power-up, the 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging is there to save you some precious time. In just 50 minutes, you can go from 1 percent to 100 percent, giving you over 50 hours of playtime. If you’re catching up on emails during your morning commute or enjoying some downtime with your favorite series or vlogs, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G ensures you’re never left hanging.
When you’re out and about, it can be challenging sometimes to use your phone’s screen under the glaring sun. Worry no more with the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G’s 6.67inch AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 2100 nits makes everything crystal clear, even in bright daylight. It’s ideal for checking work emails, messages, and catching up on social media during lunch breaks or field work. And if the weather takes a turn, your phone’s equipped to handle harsh conditions. The innovative AquaTouch feature means your screen remains responsive even if it gets wet. Perfect for when you experience a sudden downpour during commutes or just a bit of sweat after an intense workout, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G can still operate hassle-free. Moreover, with the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G’s Sony LYT600 camera with OIS, you’re able to take stunning photos with ease. Imagine snapping a perfect group shot during a night out, or capturing the beautiful details of your surroundings on a weekend hike. The 2X in-sensor zoom lets you focus in on the details, while the Portrait Mode with 2MP Mono Camera produces more professional portraits with a beautifully blurred background and sharp subject. The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G is available at P17,999 and comes in Super Silver and Mega Blue colorways. More information can be had at OnePlus kiosks and OPPO stores nationwide, or via Shopee and Lazada which offer 0 percent interest installment via Shopee’s SPay Later and Lazada’s LazPayLater.
CONTINUED FROM A8
Not surprisingly, the Pixel 9 lineup is also packed with AI technology, a shift that Google began last October when it released that year’s model. This generation of phones will be the first centered around the Gemini technology that’s become the focal point of its push into AI.
Just as Apple is aiming to do with Siri, Google has designed its Gemini assistant to be more conversational, providing it with a range of 10 different human-like voices. It’s able to handle even more tasks, especially if users are willing to give it access to email and other documents. In another move mirroring Apple, Google is equipping the Pixel 9 lineup with a special chip enabling many AI-powered services to be handled on the device instead of remote data centers, with the aim of boosting personal privacy and security. Besides its latest phones, Google also took aim at several other
with
BusinessMirror
Please don’t stop the (Nubia) music
BEFORE the era of smartphones, there was a time when music phones were the hype. Devices like the Nokia XpressMusic, Motorola ROKR, and Sony Ericsson Walkman series dominated the market, offering users a dedicated music experience that was “lit,” as today’s Gen Z might say.
There was no Spotify, iTunes—or should I say Apple Music—back then and we still had to convert. That meant ripping our CDs into mp3 format, or download them from Limewire or good old Jack Sparrow. This era was characterized by phones designed specifically for music lovers, featuring dedicated music controls, superior sound quality, and large (64MB!) storage capacities for our music libraries. I remember having a Nokia 5310, followed by a Nokia 3300 which had such a bizarre design that you would have to Google it, as well as the Nokia 5800 (which had a touch screen and a stylus in 2008).
But the Motorola Rokr E1 was my dream phone. I don’t recall why, but I remember actually begging my boss for a cash advance because I was desperate— which was denied, of course, and was the reason I actually got into reviewing tech, but that is for another story.
So, you can imagine my excitement and high expectations when I first heard about the Nubia Music. As someone who frequently switches between being a seasonal Spotify subscriber and enjoying my music library offline, the idea of a modern musicfocused phone immediately caught my attention.
The Nubia Music seeks to rekindle that nostalgia by focusing primarily on being a music device, with phone capabilities as an added bonus. It’s a rare throwback in an industry that has largely moved on from dedicated music phones, and this Nubia even has a unique blend of retro design and modern functionality.
One of the standout features of the Nubia Music is its design. Available in POP Art and Zeal Orange, this phone is a visual tribute to the vibrant and bold aesthetics of the past. The POP Art variant, in particular, reminds me of those comic book styles or one of Piet Mondrian’s abstract paintings, making it as much a piece of art as it is a phone. The large speaker on the back, designed to resemble a vinyl record, immediately signals the phone’s focus on music, setting it apart from the sea camera-centric smartphones on the market today.
A MUSIC DEVICE FIRST, PHONE SECOND
I GUESS this is the best way to look at the Nubia Music to manage expectations as it is a refreshing nod to the days when carrying your entire music library offline was the ultimate convenience. It brings back memories of the iPod era, offering the ability to store and enjoy your music without relying on an internet connection. However, it’s surprising that Nubia didn’t include a dedicated music app with the phone, which means you have to download a third-party app—a small but noticeable omission in an otherwise musicfocused device.
LOUD AND PROUD
THE Nubia Music does succeed in delivering the loudest audio experience, especially considering its price point. The ultra-speaker, capable of delivering up to 600 percent more volume than standard smartphone speakers, is perfect for those moments when you want to fill a room with sound—or as a way of shutting up those fellow commuters on the MRT who plays music or watches video on loudspeaker. But while it’s great for blasting your favorite tunes, clarity, however, is sacrificed at higher levels. Think of it as a built-in entry-level Bluetooth speaker making it more suited for casual listening than for audiophiles seeking pristine sound quality. This could also be an option for older users that are hard of hearing and want a loud listening experience.
As mentioned, instead of having the traditional downward-firing speaker we have on smartphones, the vinyl disc near the cameras serves as the speakers, and while it does establish the device’s purpose, a proper stereo experience from a dual stereo speaker smartphone is still hard to beat. I also did notice that you can barely hear anything from 1 to 25 percent volume.
Interestingly, Nubia also chose not to include free earphones with the phone, which is weird considering it has not one but TWO headphone jacks! It might be a decision that aligns with its emphasis on the built-in speaker. The dual 3.5mm headphone jacks is another unique feature that allows you to share your music with a friend. Coupled with a built-in FM antenna, the Nubia Music is also for those old-school music lovers who appreciate the simplicity and reliability of radio, even in the digital age. Including earphones in the box would have been a nice bonus, since most of us probably have switched to Bluetooth buds and have gotten rid of our wired ones.
DISPLAY AND CAMERA
THE Nubia Music is equipped with a 6.6-inch HD+ display that supports a 90Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals whether you’re browsing the web or streaming content. It also has a Live Island feature
that adds a touch of interactivity by integrating various functions directly onto the screen.
On the photography front, the Nubia Music is equipped with a 50MP HD dual camera setup. Again the cameras are okay for this price segment, which means it isn’t terrible, but best used like the camera on your tablet—sparingly. It works best outdoors giving you the most details and best colors. As for selfies, the front-facing camera is only 5MP so again don’t expect too much.
A CASSETTE IN THE TIME OF CDS
WHILE the Nubia Music excels in audio, its performance as a smartphone leaves much to be desired. The device is powered by an aging Unisoc SC9863A processor, which is way outdated and struggles quite a bit with multitasking and heavier applications. The 4GB of RAM (expandable to 8GB via virtual RAM) helps, but not enough to make the phone feel snappy. Gaming, especially with graphically intensive titles, is best avoided, as the hardware simply can’t keep up. The 128GB storage is again good enough for its price point and you can further expand it via an SD card; not sure how much memory can support though.
The Nubia Music is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, which is more than sufficient for a full day of music playback and light phone use. However, charging is limited to 10W via USB-C, so charging times might take up to two hours to fully top up.
FINAL WORD: Priced at P3,999, I almost feel guilty pointing out any flaws in this phone because I genuinely love it. The Nubia Music is a niche device that knows exactly what it wants to be—a music player with phone functionality. It’s ideal for those who prioritize audio quality and a nostalgic design over cutting-edge performance and the latest software. Going back to our title, I just hope we see another iteration of the Nubia Music in the future. I’m not asking for much—just a snappier processor and stereo speakers would make a world of difference. I wouldn’t even mind a slight price increase. ■
A9 Editor: Gerard S. Ramos •
A12 Saturday, August 31, 2024
Gawilan, Ganapin gear up for battle
VETERAN swimmer
Ernie Gawilan and taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin plunge into action in the 17th Paris Paralympic Games.
Appearing in the quadrennial sportsfest for the third straight time, Gawilan, 33, begins his campaign on Saturday at the multi-purpose La Defense Arena in the heats of the men’s individual 200-meter individual medley SM7 race.
Gawilan, the Hangzhou Asian Para Games gold medalist, seeks a spot in the finals set Saturday evening (Sunday, Manila time) in the stint supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.
“Our main aim is to make it to the
JERROLD MANGLIWAN reached the final of the 400-meter T52 para-athletics wheelchair race Friday in the Paris Paralympics at Stade De France. Mangliwan, 44, a three-time Paralympian, clocked one minute and 5.79 seconds to finish fourth in the heat.
Maxime Carabin of Belgium topped the heat in 54.4.48 seconds followed by Fabian Blum of Switzerland at 1:04.08 and Salvador Hernandez of Mexico in 1:5.71.
Bantiloc 28th in ranking round
ARCHER Agustina Bantiloc shot a season best of 618 points but it was only good for 28th and last place in the ranking round of the women’s individual archery event Thursday in the 17th Paris Paralympic Games at the Les Invalides range.
Bantiloc, 56, from Tanudan, Kalinga, will face Brazilian veteran Jane Karla Kogel, a four-time Parapan American Games gold medalist, who finished No. 5 in the
NEW YORK—After doublefaulting to fall behind two sets to none—a deficit he’s never overcome—in the second round of the US Open on Thursday night, Carlos Alcaraz slung his equipment bag over a shoulder and trudged toward the locker room. Glancing in the direction of his coach, 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz pointed his right index finger at his temple, then wagged that finger, as if to say, “I’m not thinking straight.” He might have been excused for being confused by what was transpiring under the closed retractable roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium on a chilly evening, and one set later, Alcaraz’s 15-match Grand Slam unbeaten streak was over with a sloppy, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4, loss to 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp.
“It was a fight against myself, in my mind, during the match. In tennis, you are playing against someone that wants the same as you—to win the match—and you have to be as...calm as you can, just to think better in the match and try to do good things,” Alcaraz said. “Today I was playing against the opponent, and I was playing against myself, in my mind. A lot of emotions that I couldn’t control.”
The result eliminated the pre-tournament men’s favorite and certainly was hard to predict beforehand, given the No. 3-seeded Alcaraz’s standing in the game, his excellence of late and his opponent’s far-lesser resume.
It followed another exit in Ashe for a past US Open champion, Naomi Osaka, who was sent home Thursday by Karolina Muchova, 6-3, 7-6 (5). That one, though, was not nearly as out-ofnowhere as what happened to Alcaraz.
He won the French Open in June and Wimbledon in July to raise his career total to four major championships, including taking the title at Flushing Meadows in 2022. Then, in early August, Alcaraz won a
Saturday evening, and we will see how Ernie will fare from there,” national para swimming head coach Tony Ong said. Ganapin, 26, will finally get a chance to fight for a medal after being sidelined by Covid-19 during the 2021 Tokyo Games. The one-armed Marikina native opens his drive in the first round of the men’s 80-kilogram division at the Grand Palais near the iconic Eiffel Tower against Aghan Hassanzada Hadi, who is carrying the colors of the Refugee Paralympic Team. An even tougher challenge awaits in the next round for Ganapin, with World Taekwondo Grand Prix winner Abulfaz Abuzarlia of Azerbaijan waiting.
overall in the ranking round with a score of 691 points. They face off Friday for a spot in the next round.
“I am happy with what I performed because I believe I did my best,” Bantiloc pointed out in the post-match interview while acknowledging her debut in the Paralympic Games gave her jitters that resulted in the low score in the stint supported by the Philippine Sports Commission. “I think that Tina might have been awed at the moment, this being her first Paralympic Games. She might have been distracted that resulted in the low scores,” noted coach Jonathan Josol.
“Para archery is 90 percent mental and if you can focus on your shooting alone and nothing else then half the battle is won,” said the bespectacled coach. “What is important is that we do well in the knockout round and I believe Tina has the capacity to do that. This is the important round because we are battling for medals.”
PNVF chief Suzara elected Asian volleyball president
By Josef T. Ramos
BANGKOK—Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) chief Ramon “Tats” Suzara is determined to start work and usher in a new era for the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) after being elected president of the organization on Friday morning.
Suzara, 64, previously chairman of the AVC development and marketing committee, got a total of 48 votes out of 63 votes—20 were by proxy as Brunei and Mongolia were a no-show in the AVC Congress and Election at the Grand Fourwings Convention Hotel in Thai capital.
“The greatest boost shall be derived from the region’s grand tradition
silver medal at the Paris Olympics, losing to Novak Djokovic in the final.
Maybe, Alcaraz acknowledged, a tennis schedule he called “so tight” drained him too much.
“Probably, I came here with not as much energy as I thought that I was going to [have],” he said. “But, I mean, I don’t want to put that as excuse.”
What’s clear is he never found his footing against van de Zandschulp, a 28-year-old from the Netherlands. Alcaraz was way off, repeatedly missing the sorts of shots he usually makes routinely.
The 21-year-old from Spain came in with a 16-2 record at the US Open, where he never lost before the quarterfinals in three previous appearances. This also was Alcaraz’s earliest defeat at any major tournament since bowing out in the second round of Wimbledon in 2021 as a teenager; he’s never been beaten in the first round at a Slam event.
Suzara said. “The legacy of inspiring wisdom and nurturing leadership of previous administrations will be carried on, even as the AVC story
Alex takes
continues to unfold.”
Qatar’s Ali Ghanim Al-Kuwari, twotime West Asia Volleyball Association president, got 15 votes in the election witnessed by FIVB President Ary Graça and director general Fabio Azevedo.
“This is just the beginning, we should be united to change the landscape of the AVC for the next four years,” Suzara said.
“I thank everyone who has trusted me and as president, my work has just begun,” he said.
Suzara will serve a four-year term as the ninth president of the AVC. He is only the second Filipino—after former Makati City mayor Nemesio Yabut who was president from 1976 to 1979—to lead the organization.
Secretary-General Hugh Graham of Cook Islands, Treasurer Marina Tsui of Hong Kong, and internal auditor Hasan Alfrasiny of Bahrain. Also present during the event were PNVF Chairman Arnel Hajan, Vice President Ricky Palou and secretarygeneral Donaldo Caringal.
“Thank you very much my AVC family, to Mr. Ali [Ghanem Al-Kuwari] we will always be family,” he added. Graça and Azevedo congratulated Suzara and the rest of the new other officers, saying that AVC is in good hands.
“He is going to be a good president because Mr. Suzara is very professional,” Graça said.
In contrast, van de Zandschulp only once has been to a Grand Slam quarterfinal, getting that far at the US Open in 2021. Otherwise, though, he is not someone most folks would have expected to pull off this sort of monumental upset. Consider: van de Zandschulp was just 11-18 for the season at the start of this week and hadn’t won consecutive matches at a tour-level event in 2024 until now.
“Actually, I am a little bit at a loss for words,” he said. “It’s been an incredible evening for me.” Sure was. AP
THE young golfers’ strategic thinking will be tested as the International Container Terminal Services Inc., Junior Philippine Golf Tour Luzon Series 6 gets going on Monday at Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club course in Lipa City, Batangas. While the usual demands of length, ball control, club selection
lead Thursday in the inaugural FM Championship. Former US Women’s Open champion Allisen Corpuz and Lauren Coughlin, a two-time winner on the LPGA this year, were part of the large group at 69. Both are on the US team for the Solheim Cup in two weeks, and this is their final competition.
Two captain’s picks for the Americans, Lexi Thompson and Sarah Schmelzel, along with Massachusetts native Megan Khang, were at 70.
Suzara replaces Indonesian Rita Subowo, who led the organization in the past Olympic cycle, and joins the new set of officers chosen by the 21
four birdies and three bogeys for a oneunder 71 and a share of 17th spot.
Dottie Ardina, the other golfer in the field playing under the Philippine flag, carded a 73 and was in a group tied for 45th.
Yuka Saso of Japan was in joint 99th place after a 76 with a doublebogey and three bogeys, while making one birdie. The TPC Boston hosted a PGA Tour event for nearly two decades, and it took some adjustments with the firm greens and run-off areas.
For Alex, it was a happy adjustment compared with her last two weeks in Scotland. She played the Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links and then the Women’s British Open at St. Andrews and had to cope with a cold wind at both stops.
“The election has been done in a democratic manner and congratulations to the whole Asian volleyball family. Wishing Mr. Suzara in leading Asian volleyball all the best,” Azevedo said.
St. Andrews was particularly brutal, and Alex was among those caught on the worst side of the draw. She shot 80 in the opening round, leaving her little chance of making the cut. “It was tough for a lot of us on some of those waves,” Alex said. “I just felt like I wasn’t going to play a good round of golf again, if I’m being honest. It
members of the board. The new officers are first senior executive vice president Craig Carracher of Australia, Executive vice president Mohamed Latheef of Maldives,
RAMON “TATS” SUZARA will be in charge of volleyball’s continental governing body for the next four years.
PAGDANGANAN
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46. RANE, AISHVARYA
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BusinessMirror
84. YANG, CHUJIE Mandarin Quality Control Officer
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32/f Alphaland Corporate Tower, Ayala Avenue Cor, Malugay St., Bel-air, City Of Makati
86. TANG, BO Mandarin Marketing Specialist
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Mandarin Document Controller
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Basic Qualification: With excellent verbal communication skills specifically in Mandarin and English languages.
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Basic Qualification: With excellent verbal communication skills specifically in Mandarin and English languages.
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