BusinessMirror April 27, 2024

Tourism boost seen for Dinagat new sea route with Siargao

BBy Erwin M. Mascariñas

UTUAN CITY—Dinagat Island

Governor Nilo Demerey Jr. hopes to anchor the island province to the popularity of Siargao and gain a much-needed tourism boost as a new shorter route connecting the two islands launched earlier this week.

The new route that was launched on Monday, April 22, connects Dinagat Island town of Cagdianao to the ecotourism destination of Del Carmen on Siargao Island. It marks the first regular ferry service that will cater to 120 passengers and will only take one to two hours of travel.

Demerey pointed out that the new sea route is an initiative meant to boost local tourism in the island province of Dinagat by anchoring to the established tourism hub of Siargao, adopting the tagline “Complete your adventure, visit Dinagat Island”— not to compete with Siargao but to link Dinagat to the broader island adventure experience that

Siargao offers.

“We copied what Siargao has done so that Dinagat can also become a part of Siargao, that’s why it is ‘Complete your adventure,’ not to compete with Siargao, because we know that tourism in Siargao is really good: they have a nice airport, clear plans, and beautiful surfing spot, making them the surfing capital,” he said.

Anchoring Dinagat Island efforts is the town of Del Carmen, one of the top tourist destinations in Siargao, the second largest commercial port on the island, and one of the busiest domestic airports in Northeastern Mindanao.

6.2% Q1 GROWTH SEEN ON JOBS, FACTORY DATA

By Cai U. Ordinario

THE Philippine economy may have posted a growth of 6.2 percent in the first quarter of this year on the back of better jobs generation and higher manufacturing output, according to a local think tank.

In its latest Market Call report, First Metro Investment Corp.-University of Asia & the Pacific (FMICUA&P) Capital Market Research revised its earlier forecast of 6.1 percent due to better employment and factory output data. The think tank also said much optimism comes from the increase in loans at 13 percent by BDO Uni-

bank and 11.9 percent by the Bank of the Philippine Islands, among the largest banks in the country.

“[Our growth forecast is] founded on high, including three, record levels of employment, the manufacturing sector showing signs of new life with output accelerating each month since November 2023 to February 2024, and

NGCP places Visayas grid on red alert; Luz-Min at yellow

By Lenie Lectura

supply in the Visayas grid was insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement. As such, the red alert was hoisted over the grid. At 4 pm-7 pm and 8 pm-9 pm, the alert for the Visayas grid was downgraded to yellow. The yellow alert in Luzon, meanwhile, took effect at 1 pm until 5 pm and from 7 pm to 10 pm. The yellow alert in Mindanao lasted for two hours starting 1 pm. A yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement. NGCP said the declaration of yellow alert was due to a forecasted increase in demand. Manual load dropping or rotational

The Department of Energy (DOE) is expecting more yellow alerts and possibly red alerts in the next few weeks until middle of May. Meanwhile, the NGCP conducted this month its annual blackout drills to further sharpen its plans and improve grid reliability and security in preparation for contingencies, including massive power outages or disturbances.

The annual NGCP-led blackout drills, conducted separately for the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids in compliance with the Philippine Grid Code, also aim to align the responses of energy sector players in the event of extensive power interruption.

Similar to the previous years, the drill, which carried the theme “Fortifying Communication and Coordination in Black Start and Restoration Strategies,” included both tabletop discussions and practical simulation exercises.

“This annual Blackout Drill is crucial for all our stakeholders as it shows preparedness, response efficiency, strong coordination, and public awareness. By fostering shared understanding about the importance of each stakeholder’s role and responsibilities within the system, we can ensure the timely dissemination of critical information to the public, and the continuity of essential services during power grid disturbances,” the NGCP said in a statement.

Among those tackled during the table-top presentations were black start services, actual restoration experiences, blackout restoration guidelines and procedures, breakout sessions, and workshops focusing on area-specific blackout restoration highways. Following the tabletop presentations, a simulation drill is held a week after to replicate an actual blackout scenario. The activity was attended by stakeholders from the generation sector and distribution sector, as well as representatives from the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission.

increased national government and Public Private Partnership (PPP) spending on infrastructure, as the former would use less funds for interest payments,” FMIC-UA&P Capital Market Research said.

While inflation remains high and will reach 4.2 percent in the second quarter, the local think tank believes the increase in commodity prices will revert back to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) inflation target of 2 to 4 percent by the third quarter this year.

“Inflation will likely rise to average 4.2 percent in Q2 from 3.3 percent in Q1 due to elevated prices of crude oil and rice, tempered by softer prices of other food products, and base effects [relatively low in Q22023]. But we expect a return to under 4 percent year-on-year by Q3, and end the year at an average 3.8 percent uptick,” the think tank said.

Nonetheless, there are a num-

ber of downsides to the country’s economic performance. FMICUA&P Capital Market Research said the Philippines may continue to post trade deficits on the back of more expensive imports for infrastructure, oil and rice.

The country’s trade deficit, the local think tank said, could reach $55 billion this year. The country’s trade deficit, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, reached $52.59 billion in 2023.

However, the think tank also expects a 5- to 10-percent growth in exports for 2024 on the back of the recovery of the global economy.

“The faster implementation of infrastructure projects [e.g., Metro Manila Subway, the North-South Commuter Rail (NSCR], including big-ticket PPPs such as the LRT-1 extension and MRT-7, plus rice importations, will require large for-

WAREHOUSES and factories in Meycauayan, Bulacan. MICHAEL EDWARDS DREAMSTIME.COM

South Korea’s $80-B real-estate debt bomb exposes weaknesses in $63-trillion shadow banking system

By Finbarr Flynn Bloomberg News

SOUTH Korea is emerging as a closely watched weak link in the $63-trillion world of shadow banking.

Real-estate exposure has been showing cracks at home and abroad after interest rates rose, prompting financial firms including T. Rowe Price Group Inc. and Nomura Holdings Inc. to express concern about stress in shadow loans to the sector.

Delinquency rates at one key group of Korean lenders nearly doubled to 6.55 percent last year, while economists at Citigroup Inc. estimate 111 trillion won ($80 billion) of project-finance debt is “troubled.” Korean shadow-bank financing to the real-estate sector rose to a record 926 trillion won last year, over four times a decade ago, data from the Korea Capital Market Institute show.

Policymakers stemmed contagion risks by expanding certain loan guarantees, but a shock restructuring announcement late last year by builder Taeyoung Engineering & Construction Co. underscored the threat of flareups. The firm will need a debt-to-equity swap of about 1 trillion won to erase capital impairments, its largest creditor said last week.

Such restructurings stand to worsen strains among shadow

banks—as non-bank lenders are often called. The part of that sector with activities that may pose stability risks is large compared with other advanced economies, and is second only to the US in relative size, according to data from the Financial Stability Board.

“What is happening in Korea is probably a microcosm of what could be happening elsewhere,” said Quentin Fitzsimmons, a global fixed-income portfolio manager at T. Rowe Price Group Inc. “It has made me concerned.”

Shadow-bank lending, which includes what is typically termed private credit, grew quickly in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis as banks pulled back from risky loans, prompting smaller and less profitable businesses to turn to alternative sources. The challenges of refinancing such borrowings rose to the fore after the Bank of Korea became one of the first major central banks to raise interest rates in 2021. Of course, Korea is now far from the only economy dealing with the unintended consequences of higher financing costs. The default rate on US leveraged loans topped 6

percent for the first three months of 2024 and spreads on the riskiest European junk bonds recently widened to the most since early in the pandemic.

But in Korea, the extent of the concern can be seen in the rapidity of the policy response. An official at Korea’s financial watchdog, the Financial Supervisory Service, said earlier this month that the organization may conduct on-site inspections of savings banks after evaluating loan delinquencies for the first quarter.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol suffered a loss in a parliamentary election earlier this month, but with the polls at least out of the way, authorities may have freer rein to refocus on cleaning up soured loans.

“The government will speed up restructuring” in the property sector, said Jeong Woo Park, an economist at Nomura Holdings Inc. “Taeyoung’s debt work-out isn’t the end, but it is likely the beginning of project-finance debt stress.”

Still, overall credit risks haven’t sparked broader economic damage, in contrast to China. An unprecedented real-estate slump there has fueled more than $130 billion of bond defaults and persistent deflation. It also led shadow lender Zhongzhi Enterprise Group Co. to file for bankruptcy this year.

Many private lenders spooked by such risks in China have considered channeling money elsewhere in Asia including Korea. KKR & Co., for example, signed a deal to

lend $40 million to property firm Innovalue earlier this year. But the worst from Korea’s property malaise is likely yet to come. Citigroup economist JinWook Kim reiterated the bank’s view this month that restructuring of project finance debt will slow economic growth in the second half to 0.2 percent in their base case scenario.

Project finance loans—a kind of short-maturity debt—became popular with developers after the Asian financial crisis in 1997 when South Korea requested an International Monetary Fund bailout.

The practice of using such funding gained momentum during the years of low rates and rising property values. Brokerages got in on the action by securitizing such loans and selling them on to money-market investors.

But they have become a common thread through the recent scares.

The first signs of trouble in Korean credit markets emerged about 19 months ago, when the developer of a Legoland amusement park to the northeast of Seoul missed payment on project finance loans, triggering the biggest local runup in short-term debt yields since the global financial crisis. Then, in July last year, fears about ill-timed real estate bets forced a branch of a non-bank lender, one of Korea’s biggest credit unions, to shut.

Korean authorities have so far managed to limit the pain. After Taeyoung, they promised to expand

a $66-billion stabilization package if needed to limit the spillover. Last month, the government backed up those pledges with billions of dollars of additional support.

“They are managing the risks but it has to be monitored closely,” Krishna Srinivasan, the International Monetary Fund’s director of the Asia and Pacific Department, told Bloomberg. “Some of the smaller institutions could be at risk.”

Policymakers can ill afford a steep drop in property prices that might exacerbate bad loans and hurt the economy, as happened in Japan in the 1990s.

Korea’s non-bank lenders have made large investments in overseas commercial real estate in the past decade, lured by favorable exchange rates and the perception— common until the pandemic—that offices, with their long-term leases, provided safe returns.

Many of those assets suffered in the post-Covid slump. Hana Alternative Asset Management’s investment in London’s No. 1 Poultry retail-andoffice property is an example.

Threats are most acute for smaller lenders of the type that, at least in Asia, are often considered part of the private credit market.

“Given the government’s intention to restructure some of the weak performing development sites, we think some of the smaller and nonbank financial institutions are more vulnerable,” said Matt Choi, director of Asia-Pacific Financial Institutions at Fitch Ratings.

6.2% Q1 growth seen on jobs, factory data

eign-exchange outlays and so the trade deficits will reach some $55 billion [a 5-percent increase] for the year. The peso will generally experience depreciation pressure for the rest of the year,” FMIC-UA&P Capital Market Research said. Government spending for infrastructure projects, the think tank stressed, will not put pressure on national government borrowings as tax revenues have been robust.

“Money growth still points to a tight policy stance, but this will unlikely affect the peso’s likely tendency to weaken for the rest of the year due to the above and higher trade deficits,” the think tank said.

Drivers

FMIC-UA&P Capital Market Research noted that in February 2024, a weak month for economic activity, showed promise with 3 million jobs created.

This is also despite the lower Labor Force Participation Rate. The think tank noted that total employment reached 49 million, the third highest on record and in the last 12 months.

This supported business firms’ much improved outlook for the second quarter and for the next 12 months based on BSP’s first-quarter Business Expectations Survey. “After all, we have also found statistical evidence that changes in employment precede changes in GDP.”

The national government’s spending is also expected to be a major growth driver, especially given that interest payments are no longer an issue with debt maturities and local elections are still slated for 2025: there will be “speedier work and spending on infrastructure projects both at the national and local government levels.”

Manufacturing, meanwhile, has shown continuous improvement with the Manufacturing PMI still above 50, by higher output and by rising exports, both in the first two months of 2024.

Together with the Construction sector gains envisioned above, the think tank said the Industry sector should perform better compared to the unspirited gains in 2023.

Tourism boost seen for Dinagat new sea route with Siargao

Del Carmen Mayor Alfredo Coro II pointed out that the new sea route will open wonderful economic opportunities for both Siargao and Dinagat.

“While Dinagat benefits from accessing Siargao Airport for trade and supply chain of agricultural produce, this will also expand Siargao’s tourism experience with Dinagat’s exciting adventures as a mountainous island province and host to Asia’s largest bonsai forest,” said Coro.

Coro added that small island economies must continue to explore collective and coordinated actions to maximize natural assets to promote sustainable development and inclusive growth.

Ivonnie Dumadag, Regional Director, Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga Region, said Dinagat has a huge potential, especially since the transport sector is slowly growing for the island province, such as the new sea route with Siargao.

“Connecting Siargao to the island province of Dinagat signals the birth of a new tourism circuit and paves the way for the promotion of lesser-known but similarly beautiful destinations in Caraga Region,” said Dumadag.

“This is the mission of the DOT and Sec. Christina Garcia-

Frasco, to promote equitable distribution of income from tourism for inclusive growth. We capitalize on the strength of Siargao, which is primarily its accessibility, and use that strength to help nearby Dinagat Island, which also offers world-class yet pristine natural attractions,” Dumadag added.

Dumadag revealed that the accreditation of accommodations in the island province is not yet at 100 percent, but the DOT regional office is on track and they are working on finalizing the capacity survey.

Dumadag added that Dinagat Island has several tourist destinations that are on a par with some of the best the Philippines has to offer with world-class pristine natural attractions, such as the limestone island and natural lagoon found in the town of Libjo.

Data from DOT Caraga’s tourist arrivals for Dinagat Island reported a total of 22,832 arrivals in 2023, marking a 35.76-percent increase from its record in 2022 with 16,818 tourists.

Siargao recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals in the region for 2023 with a total of 529,822 tourist arrivals, or a 323.56-percent increase from the 125,088 tourist arrivals in 2022.

A local tour operator who requested not to be named pointed

out that the new route will hopefully help the island province grow in terms of having mature and environmentally conscious resort destinations as several are yet to obtain proper permits, environmental compliance certification, and proper sanitation system for toilet facilities.

Several Dinagat residents also hope that with more tourists coming to the islands, the expensive rate of visiting beaches on some of the islands will eventually decline, making it accessible to local island residents and backpackers who can’t book ahead with local travel and tours which are known to hike prices for those who just want to visit one of two of the island province tourist destinations.

The boat named MV French of the Nier Shipping Lines was given Special Permit No. 2024-04-042 by Marina; trip schedules are on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday— to depart from Del Carmen at 7 am and then from Cagdianao at 1 pm. For the Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule, it will depart from Del Carmen at 1:30 pm and from Cagdianao at 3 pm.

Boat fares are P350 for regular passengers, P280 for senior citizens, and P175 for children aged 4 to 10.

THE Taeyoung Engineering & Construction headquarters in Seoul. SEONGJOON CHO/BLOOMBERG

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

PBBM: Batangas Port expansion to boost bid to decongest NCR

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., said the launch of the new Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) of the Batangas Port will help unlock the greater economic potential of the Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Bicol regions.

By increasing the annual passenger capacity of the Batangas Port to 12.8 million from 4 million, the chief executive noted that the PTB is poised to further expand the strategic value of the said transportation hub to agriculture, tourism, and trade.

“With the large volume of trade and passengers that it handles, the port of Batangas is so crucial that economic planners have underscored the importance of the continuous expansion of this major transportation hub to support the country’s economic transformation,” Marcos said during the inauguration ceremony of the PTB last Friday.

“True enough, maximizing the port of Batangas helps in decongesting our Manila ports, causing the dispersal of economic activities to places more than capable of housing entrepreneurial and industrial boom,” he added.

The 1.5-hectare PTB features fully

air-conditioned lounges, facilities for the elderly and persons with disabilities, baggage x-ray machines, walkthrough metal detectors, and extensive closed-circuit television (CCTV) coverage.

The facility operated by the the Asian Terminal Incorporated (ATI) also features a multilevel car storage facility that can take on 13,000 vehicles.

Marcos urged the users of the PTB to help in maintaining the state-of-the-art facility.

“The true success of our work lies on how we take care of this new terminal and those who will use and pass through these halls. This is the culture of excellence that we must perform every hour, every day, every week, every month, and every year,” he said.

Last week, ATI announced it will increase its capital expenditure to P2.7 billion this year for the expansion of the ports it operates, including the Batangas Passenger Terminal Phase 2 project.

ATI’s expansion plans i in anticipation of the increase in port use with the easing of the economic restrictions from the pandemic.

Samuel P. Medenilla

Naval vessels refine strategies, maneuvers in ‘Balikatan’ drills

By Rex Anthony Naval

PARTICIPATING naval vessels from the Philippines, United States, and France have successfully conducted the exercises tasked to them during the second day of the multilateral maritime exercise (MME) in Palawan waters which are among the highlights of this year’s “Balikatan.”

“The MME, a key component of Exercise ‘Balikatan’ 2024, [saw] Philippine vessels BRP Davao Del Sur [LD-602] and BRP Ramon Alcaraz [PS-16] operating alongside the US Navy’s USS Harpers Ferry [LSD-49] and the French Navy’s Vendémiaire [FFH-734],” said Lt. Col. John Paul Salgado, chief of the Combined Joint Information Bureau.

The MME started on April 25 and will conclude on April 29.

Salgado said Friday’s exercise followed the successful division tactics (DIVTACS) drills conducted on Thursday.

“The participating units engaged in the continuation of DIVTACS, focusing

on refining strategies and maneuvers to enhance effective force deployment and coordination. This ongoing effort aims to bolster their combat readiness and operational effectiveness,” he said.

Highlights of Friday’s activities include the cross-deck landing and simulated medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) where BRP Davao Del Sur conducted flight quarters operations to receive an AW-109 helicopter (NH-434).

The aircraft then simultaneously performed a simulated MEDEVAC/CASEEVAC (casualty evacuation) exercise.

“This was followed by a successful crossdeck landing with a French Navy FH-160 helicopter, showcasing the interoperability between participating forces,” Salgado said.

The MME will also provide opportunities to hone critical skills through a diverse range of activities.

These activities include communications exercise, photo exercise, maritime search and rescue with man overboard exercise and others.

No defense pact yet, but DND meets Lithuania foreign minister

THE Department of National Defense [DND] announced on Friday that Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landbergis paid a visit to the Philippines’s defense establishment for the first time.

“(DND) Undersecretary for Capability Assessment and Development Angelito M. De Leon welcomed Hon. Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, to the DND, marking the first time that a Lithuanian Foreign Minister visited the Department,” Defense Spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.

Landsbergis was in the Philippines for an official visit from April 23-25. He visited the DND last April 25.

“Highlighting the shared values and

adherence to a rules-based international order of the two countries, Minister Landsbergis expressed Lithuania’s shift in increasing its presence in the region, with the Philippines, as one of Lithuania’s focal points of engagement,” Andolong said.

“Undersecretary De Leon expressed confidence in the development of cooperative defense engagements between both countries in the areas of cyber security, defense technology and industries, and countering hybrid threats,” he added.

And while there is no formal defense partnership between two countries, Andolong said the two officials committed to conduct “meaningful defense interactions” through exchanges of best practices and knowledge, reciprocal visits, and education and training opportunities. Rex Anthony Naval

FDC looking to hasten earnings growth in ‘24

FILINVEST Development Corp. (FDC) on Friday said it registered a 58-percent hike in both earnings per share and dividends per share, in line with its net income increase in 2023. The company said this underscores its commitment to deliver increased value to shareholders by translating its profitability into higher earnings per share while hastening growth in the next five years, the company said. FDC registered a net income attributable net income of P8.9 billion in last year, 58 percent higher than the P5.7 billion recorded a year ago.

Neda clears new ICC guidelines for review, OK of PPP projects

TBy Samuel P. Medenilla

HE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) has approved the new guidelines for its Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) in the review and approval of public-private partnership (PPP) projects.

Neda made the decision during its 15th Board Meeting presided over by its head, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday.

Neda Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said they hope the measure will bring in more investments in the country.

“With the right policies and enabling investment ecosystem, we hope our partners from the private sector can join us in the crucial task of nation-building as we

continue on our journey toward a Bagong Pilipinas,” Balisacan said in a statement on Friday.

Under the new guidelines, the ICC will approve projects costing P15 billion and above within 113 calendar days, with a maximum limit of 120 calendar days.

For projects below P15 billion, ICC will approve it in 83 to 90 calendar days, with a possible extension of up to 120 calendar days.

The Neda Board also approved the revised terms and conditions of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Cancer Center Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

When it was green-lit by Neda last February, the facility was projected to cost P6 billion and have 300 beds as

well as contain outpatient care, cancer diagnostics, and facilities for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and oncological surgery.

Its revised terms and conditions raised its project cost to P9.49 billion to cover its built-up area, which was increased from 20 to 27 floors, and its procurement of cutting-edge technology and equipment.

Balisacan, who also serves as vice chairman of the Neda Board, said they expect the Cancer Center to be completed by the end of 2027 and will start operations by early 2028.

Last, its Board also adopted the Basic Education Development Plan 2030 (BEDP) and the “MATATAG Agenda” as the national policy and plan for basic education, which aims to promote “high-quality lifelong learning.”

The MATATAG Agenda comprises four critical components: MAking the curriculum relevant; TAking steps to accelerate the delivery of basic education facilities and services; TAking good care of learners by promoting learner wellbeing, inclusive education, and a positive learning environment; and Giving support to teachers to be able to teach better.

“The BEDP 2030 is the country’s first medium-term plan for basic education, covering formal K-to-12 education and non-formal education for youth and adults,” Balisacan said.

“This initiative primarily addresses our students’ learning losses during the pandemic and strengthens the government’s investment in the welfare of our children,” he added.

Chinese Embassy slams ‘racist’ comments from PHL officials

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

THE Chinese Embassy in Manila has filed a diplomatic protest over comments allegedly by the Armed Forces chief and a congressman which they deemed “racist.”

The Chinese Embassy took offense at the remarks supposedly made by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. for local executives to be on alert for possible Chinese infiltrators in the localities.

It also strongly protested the House of Representatives resolution filed by Cagayan Rep. Joseph Lara alleging an “alarming increase” in the number of Chinese students enrolled in Cagayan province.

“Those comments made were racist and contrary to the commitments made by the Philippine government that the South China Sea dispute should not affect our overall bilateral relations,” the Embassy spokesman said.

The Chinese Embassy spokesperson also said that they have received “written

reports” from Chinese companies in the Philippines that the local police are also investigating Chinese workers employed by Chinese companies or projects.

What AFPCS said ON April 21, Brawner said the military is looking into reports by some local officials of the rising number of Chinese nationals in different parts of the country.

He said there were Chinese nationals residing in communities but “did not know how to speak Tagalog.” Some firearms were also found when houses of these suspicious Chinese nationals were raided, a newspaper quoted Brawner as saying.

B usiness M irror has sought a reaction from the AFP, but no comment has been given at presstime.

On March 20, Rep. Lara filed Resolution No. HR01666 directing a House committee to conduct an inquiry “on the surge of alleged Chinese students enrolling in the various higher education institutions in

Cagayan province.”

The resolution aims to “ensure national security amidst the prevailing situation in the West Philippine Sea.”

In a radio interview, he said that in one private university alone in his congressional district, there are at least 4,600 Chinese students.

“There is nothing wrong with having foreigners around here, but we should not sacrifice our national security,” Lara said in a radio interview.

‘Sinophobia’

THE Chinese Embassy spokesperson said based on their record, there are only 486 Chinese students in Cagayan, although he conceded that the Bureau of Immigration has “more accurate figures.”

According to the Bureau of Immigration, there are only around 1,900 Chinese issued student visas in Cagayan.

“These students come here to this country legally and with all these proper

documents, with proper vetting from various agencies. And now they are saying they are threats to national security? Come on!” the embassy official said. He said there are also many students in the Philippines coming from other countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and even as far as Nigeria.

“So why are they singling out the Chinese students? You know what that is—it’s called ‘racism, Sinophobia,” he added.

The official also noted that some Filipino politicians are hyping up the maritime disputes, linking “every aspect” of the Philippine-China bilateral relationship with the maritime dispute “to serve their political agenda and self-interest.”

“We have previously agreed that maritime dispute is only one part of our overall bilateral relationship, not the sum total of our bilateral relationship. And now you are saying that this is a major concern?” he asked.

Consunji Group adds cement manufacturing to biz portfolio

By VG Cabuag

THE Consunji Group has signed a purchase agreement with Cemex Asia B.V. to acquire its entire stake of 42.14 million common shares in Cemex Asian South East Corp. (CASEC) for $305.6 million.

CASEC is the majority shareholder of Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. (CHP), which owns 89.86 percent of its outstanding capital stock. Cemex is the fourth largest cement manufacturer in the country.

“Through this agreement and subject to the satisfaction of various pre-closing conditions, the buyers would become the 89.86 percent indirect shareholder of CHP upon closing,” it said.

DMCI Holdings Inc., the listed holding firm of the Consunji Group, is set to acquire a 56.75-percent stake in CASEC, comprising 23.91 million shares, while Dacon Corp. will secure 32.12 percent of the shares, totaling 13.53 million shares.

Semirara Mining and Power Corp. will purchase the remaining 11.13 percent or 4.68 million shares.

“Cement manufacturing will be a good, strategic addition to our business portfolio. We can leverage our group’s expertise and create new revenue streams from this acquisition,”

Proportionate to its income, FDC reported a 2023 earnings per share of P1.03, while dividends due its shareholders amounted to P0.10346 per share, a 1.93 percent yield based on FDC’s end-December 2023 share price. Achieving strong financial results in 2023, FDC said it is now focused on growing earnings by an average of at least 20 percent annually.

“We believe we are well positioned to achieve our target given our strong performance in 2023. We will push for transformation across the group to attain faster earnings growth with a healthy balance of higher return on invested capital and revenue growth,” FDC President and CEO Rhoda A. Huang said.

FDC’s growth was driven by a 31-percent increase in total revenues and other income to P92.8 billion in 2023 from P71.1 billion in 2022 following a double-digit improvement across all business segments.

“It plans to support its subsidiaries in areas such as capital allocation, business development, and initiatives to accelerate value creation. Driving stronger synergies, the company will leverage key platforms to foster operational excellence and build a highperforming organization with the purpose of enabling Filipinos to achieve their dreams,” the company said.

Huang earlier said the company is keeping its 5-year plan. For this year, FDC is targeting at least a 20-percent annual

DMCI Holdings, Dacon and SMPC Chairman Isidro A. Consunji said.

The transaction is expected to close before the end of the year, contingent on key conditions.

These include securing clearance from the Philippine Competition Commission and completing a mandatory tender offer to the minority shareholders of Cemex.

Dacon has been appointed as the bidder for the tender offer to acquire the remaining 10.14 percent of the total issued and outstanding capital stock of Cemex Philippines.

Cemex would indirectly dispose of its 40-percent interest in each of APO Land and Quarry Corp. and Island Quarry and Aggregates Corp.

Cemex operates two principal subsidiaries—APO Cement Corp. and Solid Cement Corp. Both companies are engaged in the manufacture, marketing, distribution and sale of cement and other building materials in the Philippines under the established brands such as APO, Island and Rizal, among others.

APO Cement and Solid Cement have a combined annual installed capacity of 5.7 million tons, with a 1.5-million-ton expansion coming online later this year, the company said.

growth in net income from the P8.9 billion it reported in 2023.

“Honestly, I think the [prospects in 2024] are good. When you look at the controlled inflation, interest rates coming in, there is a drive in terms of a consumer-led economy...I thing it’s very positive,” she said.

“We’re well positioned for banking [EastWest Bank] and real estate [Filinvest Land Inc. and Filinvest Alabang Inc.] notwithstanding high interest rates.” She said despite prevailing high interest rates, FLI has still shown the ability to sell its inventories and rack up revenues because there is still a shortfall in housing, particularly in the low to medium income segments. VG Cabuag

Banks see steady demand for business loans in Q2

DBy Cai U. Ordinario

ESPITE the tight monetary policy of the central bank, local firms are expected to have the same, if not more, appetite for loans in the second quarter, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Based on the results of the Senior Bank Loan Officers’ Survey (SLOS), BSP said the majority or 70.6 percent of banks pointed to a steady overall demand for business loans based on the modal method. Using the Diffusion Index (DI) Method, the demand for loans could increase due to the latest offerings of the surveyed banks.

BSP explained that in the modal approach, the results of the survey are analyzed by looking at the option with the highest share of responses.

“The DI approach showed a net increase in loan demand from across all firm classifications driven by banks’ more attractive financing terms, bank customers’ lack of alternative sources of funds, and improvement in clients’ economic expectations, among others,” BSP said.

The three options for the modal approach are either tightening; easing; and unchanged credit standards for loans to enterprises and for loans to households.

The DI approach, meanwhile, indicates whether the proportion of respondent banks that have tightened their credit standards did or did not exceed those that eased.

THE Philippines and Germany have strengthened their ties through the 3rd Asean Purchasing Initiative, by far the largest one initiated by German firms as they seek new suppliers in the Asean region.

“With initiatives like this, we advance our core goal of fostering partnerships between businesses in the Philippines and Germany,” said German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (GPCCI) President Marie Antoniette Mariano.

“We are thrilled to witness the growing interest and participation from both sides and we eagerly support both German and Philippine businesses in facilitating mutual growth,” Mariano added. The GPCCI, in collaboration with the German Association of Supply Chain

It provides that a positive DI indicates banks who tightened exceeded those who eased their lending standards while a negative DI means there are less banks who tightened than those who eased. Meanwhile, BSP said unchanged credit standards in the DI approach indicate that the proportion of the respondent banks that have tightened their credit standards is equal to those that eased their credit standards.

“For the next quarter, the modal approach showed participant banks’ anticipation of steady lending standards for enterprises,” the BSP said.

Management, Procurement and Logistics (BME) and the German Chambers in Asean are executing the German Purchasers Initiative.

The organization of German businesses in the Philippines said in a statement on Friday that this project is under the market access program of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action which aims to “reshape” the landscape of trade between Germany and the Asean region.

According to GPCCI, the initiative was launched last April 22 with over 120 participants, marking the largest purchasing initiative for German companies seeking new suppliers in Asean, featuring 87 suppliers and 27 buyers. GPCCI said the German side emphasized the “increasing demand” for a diversified sup -

“The DI method pointed to expectations of tightening loan standards given the deterioration in the profitability and liquidity of banks’ portfolios and borrowers’ profiles,” it added.

The results of the Q1 2024 Senior Bank Loan Officers’ Survey (SLOS) indicated that the majority of the participating banks maintained their credit standards for loans to businesses and consumers as shown by the modal approach.

Meanwhile, the DI method reflected a net tightening of lending standards for loans to businesses and unchanged credit standards for loans to households.

The SLOS consists of questions on loan

ply chain and the importance of establishing reliable partnerships in Asean.

Supported by the Department of Trade and Industry, the initiative encouraged Philippine manufacturers to apply for businessto-business (B2B), providing suppliers with the opportunity to showcase their products, facilities, and expertise to German buyers.

Despite the “significant” time difference, GPCCI said over 21 meetings with Philippine suppliers “have been running smoothly, as evidenced by the positive feedback received thus far.”

For his part, GPCCI Executive Director Christopher Zimmer underscored the importance of the purchasing initiative on top of the the resumption of the talks between the Philippines and the 27-member bloc European Union (EU) and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to Germany in March as these will “continue the

officers’ perceptions relating to the overall credit standards of their respective banks, as well as to factors affecting the supply of and demand for loans to both enterprises and households.

The analysis of the results of the SLOS focuses on the quarter-on-quarter changes in the perception of respondent banks.

The responses for the Q1 2024 SLOS were gathered between February 28 to April 8 with a total of 53 respondent banks out of 60 surveyed banks.

The response rate of 88.3 percent is higher compared to the response rate of 83.6 percent in the previous quarter.

momentum” between the two nations.

“We are delighted to continue the momentum between our countries, the Philippines and Germany, following the Presidential visit in March and the resumption of the EU FTA Agreement talks,” Zimmer said.

“All this helps us to further elevate the Philippines’s presence and significance on the global stage,” the GPCCI official also noted.

GPCCI is part of the international network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad which is represented by 150 offices in 93 countries.

The business group is the official representation of German businesses in the Philippines; a bilateral membership organization with around 300 members; and a service provider to companies in their market entry and expansion. Andrea E. San Juan

PHL,

RECOGNIZING LOLOS’ AND LOLAS’ ROLE IN SOCIETY Sen. Imee Marcos, chairperson of the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development on April 24, 2024, presides over a hearing on several measures concerning senior citizens’ welfare and privileges. Marcos said that while Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ intention for Senate Bill 141 or an Act Granting Universal Social Pension to all Senior Citizens, is noble, it would require a huge amount of funding. She stressed that the measure would require P165 billion. What is needed, she said, is to update the existing social pension for indigent senior citizens amounting to P1,000 each, which requires P49 billion. She said she fought for its funding for the 2024 national budget amounting to P49.807 billion covering 4.085 million marginalized senior citizens. The amount, however, is insufficient because there are 490,000 more senior citizens in the waitlist. “What is the update [on the payout for indigent senior citizen] for 2024?” Marcos asked. The senator was told by representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development that it started social pension payouts to 754,000 senior citizens since January 2024. Aside from SBN 141, other measures involving emoluments are SBNs 1066 and 2169 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act); SBN 2223 and 262 on discount and privileges; and SBN 1799 or the Comprehensive Senior Citizen Welfare Act. The committee also discussed measures on other senior citizen privileges and elderly infrastructure. NelsoN ortiz/seNate PriB

How a group of elderly Swiss women won a historic human rights verdict

TBy Hugo Miller & Olivia Rudgard

HE seeds of this week’s historic victory by an association of elderly women at the European Court of Human Rights were sown in the baking heat of summer 2003.

That year, a heat wave killed as many as 70,000 people across Europe, with a disproportionate number of deaths occurring among elderly women. Zurich-based lawyer Cordelia Baehr, now 43, was attending law school at the time, but in 2016 she had an “aha” moment informed in part by that heat wave’s impacts: Research has shown that elderly women are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat, and that extreme heat is exacerbated by climate change.

“That’s when I came up with the idea of protecting older women,” Baehr says, “based on statistics that the risk of dying from extreme heat was far greater to women than men.”

In August 2016, Baehr and about 270 pioneering members of KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz, which loosely translates as Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland, held their inaugural meeting. (Today the group represents about 2,500 women.)

Almost eight years after that first confab, the women made legal history. On April 9, the European Court of Human Rights ruled by a margin of 16 to one that the “Swiss Confederation had failed to comply with its duties” concerning climate change and had violated the plaintiffs’ rights to respect for private and family life. The verdict carries outsized importance because decisions by the court are binding across all 46 member states of the Council of Europe.

“The court recognized that climate change affects human rights now and in the future and that, as a result, countries need to adopt science-based targets to limit dangerous climate change,” says Lucy Maxwell, co-director of the Climate Litigation Network.

The victory didn’t come easy.

Three months after KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz’s first meeting with Baehr, the group submitted a request to the Swiss Federal Office of the Environment to correct the course of its climate policies. That request was dismissed in 2017, as were two subsequent appeals that went all the way up to the Swiss Supreme Court. Crucially, though, that cleared the way for the women to take their case to the European Human Rights Court in 2020.

Baehr’s decision to zero in on her clients’ vulnerabilities proved a

Cayetano eyes wellness hubs for senior citizens nationwide

TO show appreciation and love for senior citizens, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is seeking the passage of a law that will provide holistic spaces for the well-being of our lolos and lolas nationwide.

He wants to institutionalize this facility in every city and municipality through Senate Bill 69 or the Center for the Elderly in All Cities and Municipalities Act.

In this measure, Cayetano seeks the establishment of wellness hubs across the country equipped with basic health services and recreational

winning one, says Kelly Matheson, a human rights lawyer and deputy director of climate litigation at Our Children’s Trust. “Everybody is impacted by climate change in one way or another,” she says. “But the more serious and grave the harm, the more compelling it is for a court.”

Leïla Choukroune, a professor of international law at the University of Portsmouth in the UK, says this is set to become an important part of any climate-human right plaintiff’s arsenal. “It shows how women’s health rights could guide international climate litigation,” she says. “It’s very likely we are going to see much more of these cases in the coming years.”

Frail in body, sharp in mind

ELISABETH STERN, 76, has been a member of KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz since 2016 and now sits on the organization’s board. An ethnologist who has studied and taught in California, Switzerland and Zimbabwe, she says the group’s intention has always been to use medical facts to push for tangible change on climate policy.

“When I joined in 2016, the narrative was, ‘Why don’t you sit back and knit something?’” she says. “But I knew that they might be frail in body but were sharp in mind.”

The 2003 heat wave in Europe killed more than 72,000 people, according to United Nations figures; in France alone, the excess mortality rates for women were 75 percent higher than for men. At the time, temperatures topping 41C (106F) in Switzerland and France were seen as extreme. Now the mercury regularly climbs into the low 40s in European hotspots. Last summer, temperatures hit 48.8 in Sicily, shattering regional records.

That incontrovertible trajectory is part of what pushed Baehr forward. While the world might have been surprised by this week’s verdict, she says she was “quite confident” the ECHR would side with their claim that Switzerland was failing its senior citizens.

“The climate crisis is real, it’s there, it’s urgent and has the greatest impact on human rights you can imagine,” she says. “If they’d said climate protection is not a human right, it would’ve been impossible.... that Europe’s biggest court on human rights would’ve stepped back.”

Now the next phase of waiting begins. The Swiss Federal Office of Justice said it will analyze the extensive judgment and “review what measures Switzerland will take in the future.” Viola Amherd, Switzerland’s president, was more blunt: “I would like to know what the grounds for it are,” she said. Bloomberg

facilities appropriate for the elderly.

These include adequate space for indoor activities and open spaces and garden areas for outdoor activities. Qualified staff such as doctor, nurse, and at least two barangay health workers are also envisioned to render services on three rotations in these hubs.

Cayetano said this wellness hub is a way for the country to look after the elderly and at the same time acknowledge that they still have an important role in our lives.

“Ang kultura, pananamit, music, pagsayaw, ay nagbabago. Pero sa ating kultura, nagbabago ba ang magandang ugali, y’ung pagrespeto sa matatanda?” the independent senator said.

“Malaki ang role ng senior citizens na hubugin ang ating bukas.

Sana po ‘wag niyong maliitin at ipagkait ang kanilang role as seniors na gumabay, magbigay pangaral, yakapin, at disiplinahin ang ating kabataan,” he added.

Citing the success of Taguig’s Center for Wellness Hub for Seniors— the first in the country—he said he envisions this facility to be replicated nationwide.

“Ito pong Taguig Center for the Elderly, mayroon po iyang water pool therapy para sa mga na- stroke, sauna, activity area para sa mga gusto ng ballroom , tapos inaayos pa nating magkaroon ng dialysis center,” Cayetano explained.

“With the introduction of the Taguig City Center for Elderly model, the national government’s agenda to promote inclusivity, fairness, and good governance will further be advanced,” he also wrote in the bill’s explanatory note.

On April 24 at 2 p.m., the Senate started deliberating on Cayetano’s bill under the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development. Stay tuned for developments on this measure.

To all waste pickers, thank you for your service

SHE is a familiar figure in our street. Weather beaten and stocky, she could be mistaken for a man at first sight. Her name is Bilot, short for Violeta. Once every week, undeterred by the heat of the sun or the rain, she flits from one garbage bin to the next as a bumblebee from flower to flower. Poking at the garbage with her stick, she is looking for and sorting out scraps of waste that she can sell to junk shops. Rummaging through dustbins is her way to survive. As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

One time a neighbor confronted Bilot and told her in an angry tone to mind their garbage alone. I wondered what was in their garbage that she wanted not to be espied upon.

That same neighbor, who happened to be the wife of a seaman, refused to offer a bottle of cold water to the municipal garbage collectors when they kindly requested it, as she was overseeing her maid as she disposed of numerous sacks filled with waste and litter from their big enclosed house.

The surprising thing about those collectors was that even after that shabby treatment, they still dutifully continued to pick up the garbage of that obnoxious neighbor of ours.

Instead of being shooed away or shunned, Bilot and her kindred workers should be shown gratitude.

By Nick Tayag

More than just bottles of cold drinking water and biscuits why not also give them used clothes, bags, shoes or objects we don’t need but their children will need?

I honestly believe scavengers, waste pickers, and garbage collectors should be given the equivalent of a combat pay, like the soldiers who are sent to dangerous war zones. In a way they are “soldiers” putting their health on the line. They do their work without any gloves or protective gear, which often poses a serious safety threat to their lives, but they’re left with no choice but to continue doing their job, unmasked and barehanded.

Truth is they are the real “ecowarriors” not the eco-advocates like us who sit in air-conditioned offices mouthing out platitudes about climate change, climate action, zerocarbon targets and sustainability. They are the ones doing the necessary heavy lifting for our survival as dwellers of planet earth.

Much of our garbage consists of non-biodegradable materials such as plastic. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), “more than 400 million tons of plastic are produced every year worldwide, half of which is designed to be used only once.”

The looming problem is that we are running out of landfills in which to dump all our ever-increasing amount of garbage and wastes.

The solution is not to look for more empty lands to convert into landfills. The better solution is to divert non-biodegradable wastes before they reach our landfills, not to mention rivers, lakes, and oceans where an estimated 19-23 million tons of single-use plastics end up annually.

We must find ways to recover, reuse, recycle, or better yet, repurpose or upcycle every disposable material.

This is why more and more enlightened cities and local governments are transitioning to what is called “circular economy” as opposed to “linear economy.”

A linear economy follows a “make it, use it, dispose it” model: resources are extracted from the environment, turned into products and then discarded after they are used or consumed. We call this “tapon” or disposable mindset.

In a circular economy, existing materials are repeatedly cycled instead of becoming waste. In our lingo, walang tapon (zero waste.) After being used, non-biodegradable materials such as plastic bottles or textile wastes are recovered and reintroduced into the production process to make new products. Or they can be purposed for a “second life,” like turning glass food jars into pen holders or plant vases, making wall painting collages with the use of plastic straws. Scrap textiles can be turned into dust rags, old clothes can be transformed into sustainable fashion creations, which is now emerging as a profitable industry in many countries.

Do you know that there’s now a new law called “Expanded Producers Responsibility?” The EPR Law for short mandates companies to be the ones responsible for the proper disposal of the plastic packaging waste of their products.

This means that big manufacturers and distributors of plasticpackaged products now need to recover their plastic wastes. How? By buying their plastic wastes back from waste pickers and so-called scavengers like Bilot.

With the new EPR law, Bilot and other so-called scavengers are now seen as a “critical and essential” part of the circular economy. There’s now a new designation for them: “Solid waste diverters.” They help

“divert” the flow of solid garbage and wastes away from our landfills and waterways.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources are calling on companies to make these waste diverters an integral part of their respective solid waste management systems. In other words, they now become part of the value chain of the companies, tapping them as formal “partners,” perhaps on a contractual basis.

It’s a win-win solution because companies don’t have to do the dirty work of collecting, sorting and recovering used plastic materials, textile scraps, aluminum wastes, and other non-biodegradable refuse. In turn, these companies who buy back these properly sorted garbage from contracted waste diverters provide them with a regular income. They become self-employed individuals who can make money as waste diverters, thus enabling them to improve their living and working conditions.

Hopefully, by having waste diverters as their partners, companies would help them become more professional and efficient, initially providing them with better gear and apparel, such as masks and gloves, caps, drinking canisters, and raincoats using battery powered carts. They could even be trained as “eco-educators” in their communities on proper segregation of household wastes.

I would encourage waste diverters to band together to professionalize their work, establish standards, and even secure healthcare benefits for their members. If we have Tricycle Drivers Associations, why not Waste Diverters Associations, too in our subdivisions? They would be the backbone of what would soon become a full-fledged sector in its own right called Solid Waste Management Industry.

I look to the day when Bilot will be doing her work with a sense of dignity and a measure of professionalism. Garbed in a protective coverall, and a cap and proper mask and gloves, she would be regarded as a professional waste diverter, no longer afraid of being subjected to the humiliation of being shooed away, or needing to beg for a cool drink to quench her dehydrated body.

To Bilot and her fellow waste diverters, thank you for your service.

Cebu City dad to probe cash assistance anomaly

By John Rey Saavedra

CEBU CITY—The chair of the city council’s committee on senior citizens on Thursday pushed for the investigation of the alleged anomaly in the distribution of cash assistance to the elderly.

Each senior citizen in the city gets a cash assistance of P3,000 quarterly or P12,000 annually.

“This problem is the same problem that we heard before. Why is

Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. called for a probe as he continued to receive reports and complaints about senior citizens failing to get their cash assistance from the city government. The latest of which, he said, were the cases of two senior citizens from Barangay Mambaling who reported to his office that they failed to get anything during the last distribution of cash aid.

this problem lingering on without punishing anyone?” Alcover said in an interview.

Distribution of cash aid to the city’s 90,000 elderly citizens is done through the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).

Alcover said the matter should not be left unaddressed and officials and personnel behind the anomaly must be held accountable.

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera

echoed the concern raised by Alcover, saying she supports the call for an investigation.

“Cases should be filed against whoever is liable because this is too much,” Pesquera said.

In March, the city’s senior citizens got a total of P271 million in cash assistance.

Alcover said he wants the probe done before the next cash aid distribution in June. PNA

DENR launches contest empowering students to protect planet vs plastic

By Roderick L. Abad

THE Filipino youth’s sheer power was harnessed with the launch of the “Earth Day Every Day” project to help address the country’s perennial plastic-pollution menace.

This plastics-collection competition among students nationwide by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is aimed at engaging them on the importance of recycling plastics and promoting a culture of environmental responsibilities, in-line with the values of scouting.

At the project’s kick off during the Earth Day celebration last April 22, girl and boy scout-students from various schools all over the country brought their collected waste items like plastic bottles and bags for a weigh-in at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. The class with the highest vol -

ume of plastic items won a prize.

Because this is a sustainable initiative, students can still bring their gathered plastics to designated SM Supermalls collection facilities in Pasay, Marikina, Pasig, Manila, Quezon City, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Cebu, and Davao.

Each type of collected plastic will be assigned with corresponding points. Prizes will be awarded every month to the class with the highest points and at the end of the year, to the school with the highest pointer classes.

The project is in-line with this year’s Earth Day celebration theme: “Planet vs

Sen. Go supports tech-voc programs, aids Tesda students in Malabon City

SEN . Christopher “Bong” Go has dispatched his Malasakit Team to assist Malabon City students in their Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) orientation on April 20.

“As Tesda students, remember that the skills and knowledge you have acquired… will be your foundation for success in your chosen field,” said Go in a video message. In Filipino, he added that their dedication, perseverance, and determination will be key in achieving their dreams.

Held at the Perpetual Help Technological School Inc., 25 beneficiaries received Tesda scholarships through the senator’s initiative. In addition, they were given basketballs, volleyballs, shirts, and snacks.

Likewise, Go emphasized the importance of education in the nation’s progress. He pledged to support educational

THE De La Salle Araneta University’s (DLSAU) Robotics Team emerged victorious in the RoboSports Tournament 2024 held at the De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute on April 6 and April 7.

The RoboStallions team competed against more than 450 teams from over 40 schools in the country.

Siblings Jhon Moris Quinit and Jhon Jason Quinit earned gold medals in the 3-kilogram Sumo Boxbot Auto Open Category, while Drake Namron Andres and Benedict John Manalo snatched silver medals in the Line Tracing Open Category, as well as the fourth-place ranking in the TrackMania RC Category.

Meanwhile, Dwight Gerard Generato and John Christian Niegas took home silver medals in the 3-kg Sumo Boxbot RC Category; while Jerald Montana and Angelo Gabriel Citra captured the fourth-place finish in the 1-kg Sumo Boxbot RC.

Head coach of the DLSAU-RoboStallions Dr. Alex Pasion mentioned that during their preparations for the contests, they evaluated the strengths and areas of improvement of their current robots, then plotted strategies to beat their opponents. He added that their regular training and rigorous practice helped them win.

Asked about the RoboStallions’ plans for the future, he remarked that they aim

initiatives to provide the poor with a better future.

The lawmaker co-authored and cosponsored Senate Bill (SB) 1864, or the “Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act,” which has been approved in the third and final reading in the Senate. This proposed legislation aims to assist students facing challenges in repaying their student loans due to unexpected disasters and emergencies.

The senator also filed SB 2115 to institutionalize Technical and Vocational Education and Training or TVET, as well as livelihood programs for rehabilitated drug dependents. The bill seeks to provide skills training and enhance the employability of former drug dependents, allowing them to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.

to keep on joining and hopefully win other local and international competitions. The achievements awarded to them, according to him, are their way of positioning DLSAU on the pedestal of highly acclaimed schools in robotics.

DLSAU faculty members Engr. Norman Andres, Danilo Bilbao Jr., and Benito Quinit Jr. assisted Dr. Pasion in coaching the students.

Citra, who is a DLSAU Robotics team member from the college level, said that winning in the competition filled him with a sense of accomplishment at an early age, while John Jason Quinit said that being a RoboStallion makes him persevere more and think critically even as a student. Manalo expressed his belief that such competitions help them build connections with other likeminded students.

For the other Quinit, the support of their coaches, parents, and the whole university “motivated and inspired them to achieve what they have achieved.”

Since 2020, the RoboSports Tournament (RST) managed by the De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute converges robotics and sports in promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics or STEM.

RST is the first of the three annual robotics tournaments, organized by RoboRAVE Robotics Consultancy and Services.

Plastic,” which “calls to advocate for widespread awareness on the health risk of plastics, rapidly phase out all singleuse plastics, urgently push for a strong United Nations Treaty on Plastic Pollution, demand an end to ‘fast fashion,’ and build a plastic-free planet for generations to come.”

Pledge of commitment

DURING the unveiling of the project in Pasay City, a “Pledge of Commitment” for the program was signed by Secretary

THERE is a “huge challenge” for

the Philippine economy to address the so-called inequality gap in the country, and the business sector has a crucial role to play in alleviating poverty, according to PHINMA chair and CEO Ramon del Rosario.

At the launch of the PHINMA-De La Salle University’s Center for Business and Society (PDCBS), del Rosario said business enterprises and leaders have a particular responsibility to do their part in improving the lives of Filipinos.

The vast resources of enterprises and the positions of influence held by business leaders led to their decision to establish the PDCBS, according to the PHINMA executive. He hopes to tap into the energy and expertise of the business sector to train future business leaders who will rally the business community to be a catalyst toward social transformation.

“It is our hope that this center will become the country’s foremost advocate

GLOBE Telecom has partnered with top universities across the country to provide students an opportunity to take part in a high-impact on-thejob training program that could kick start their careers after graduation. The telco firm has created strategic alliances with local academic institutions for an internship program designed to endow students with industry-standard skills, ensuring their smooth transition into the rapidly changing job market.

Being committed to nurturing emerging talent, Globe is excited to serve as an immersion hub for young starters eager to gain experience in a tech-driven firm.

“By providing intensive training through internships, we aim to address the growing skills gap in the tech sector and familiarize students with the corporate environment,” said Globe’s University Partnerships project lead Raquel Prado.

“This program highlights our commitment to corporate social responsibility, connecting academic learning with professional practice.”

Globe Recruitment account manager Nelson Credo Jr. noted the dual benefits of the program: “Through this initiative, we’re preparing the next generation of tech professionals with real-world, on-ground experiences beyond the four walls of the classroom. It is a ‘win-win’ for everyone involved.”

To date, Globe has successfully integrated the Mapua Institute of Technology,

Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga of DENR, together with SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, SM Prime Holdings Inc. assistant vice president Jessica Bianca SyBell, Nestlé Phils. Inc. Corporate Affairs head and senior vice president Joey Uy, Boy Scouts of the Philippines secretary general Kim Robert de Leon, and Girl Scouts of the Philippines national president Cristina Lim-Yuson.

“The ‘Earth Day Every Day’ project advocates the promotion of feasible methods to reduce waste and foster a culture of sustainability among the youth and communities, [as well as] motivates participation through incentives,” said the environment chief. “We thank Nestlé, SM Supermalls, and the Boy and Girl Scouts of the Philippines for their invaluable support and collaboration. Their robust presence and proactive engagement will serve as a multiplier effect in our advocacy efforts.”

The DENR advocates for a circular economy where all plastic applications are reused, recycled, and responsibly handled during and after use, while enabling a lower greenhouse-gas emissions

plastic economy.

“Regenerating our planet has long been our advocacy at SM—through our many initiatives in recycling water and repurposing solid waste, as well as the use of renewable energy,” noted Sy-Bell. “With this program where students will be motivated to collect plastics within their communities and bring them to our collection facilities at the nearest SM mall, active participation and a sense of friendly competition among the students will make this activity [relevant and] fun.”

“At Nestlé Phils., we recognize that partnerships are essential in urgently and effectively tackling the plastic waste crisis. And so, we work closely with our partners in implementing environmental sustainability initiatives. These include solid-waste management education for 11 million public school students and capacity building for over 2,000 community leaders nationwide,” Uy said. “Collaborating with the DENR, we will be able to build greater synergies to fulfill our shared responsibility [in nurturing] the health of the planet which we call home.”

for business as a force for what [its aim is: to produce business leaders who will embrace the idea that businesses have a responsibility beyond profits; that they must do their] part in bringing about a better Philippines and a better life for Filipinos,” he said.

The PHINMA official also noted that, despite the harsh criticisms, capitalism can be inclusive and could help boost development, especially among marginalized sectors: “We want to prove that capitalism is an inclusive endeavor. There is an observation that capitalism has a bad [reputation; ‘business is greed; everything that businesspeople are concerned about is to make money; and that they don’t care what is happening to society.’ We are trying to address those] as well.”

“But I don’t want to start with a negative thing,” he remarked. “I just want to start with the idea that we need to do our part. Whatever else happens around you, we are at least doing our part.”

Meanwhile, the Federation of Fili -

Asia Pacific College, National University (NU), STI College and most recently Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Calamba, into its IT, tech, and digital internship program.

For marketing internships, the telco has established partnerships with the Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, and the University of Santo Tomas. It is also working on agreements with other state universities and colleges or SUCs.

Since the partnership with academic institutions kicked off in the second quarter of 2023, more than 200 students have completed the internship program, with 48 student interns currently participating. Globe’s initiative opens doors to further collaborative ventures such as career talks and symposia, designed to boost students’ preparedness for a technology-dominated professional environment.

From the academic side, NU’s director for Business Development and Linkages Office Shainne Hostalero shared that “our partnership with Globe [shows] our commitment to future-proofing our students. By providing them with actual office and industrial experiences, we are enhancing their readiness for the corporate world and ensuring they have both the technical and soft skills to excel.”

STI ESG AVP for Academics Ferdie Dantes also stressed the significance of these linkages: “Working together with industry giants like Globe enables us to

pino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) said capitalism could be an agent of change if implemented properly, as its president Dr. Cecilio Pedro explained in a text message: “Capitalism—when approached with enlightened principles, dynamic competition, and effective safeguards— becomes an inclusive tool for economic development.”

Dr. Pedro added that a capitalist framework encourages innovation, efficiency, and entrepreneurship, driving overall prosperity, as he stressed that it is essential to have decisive government regulations, as they are crucial to preventing abuses and ensuring a fair playing field, while striking a balance between societal needs and interests of workers, the poor, and marginalized communities.

“[This] way, capitalism can be harnessed as a force for inclusive growth and sustainable development,” the FFCCCII president concluded. Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

tailor our academic offerings to meet current industry demands, equipping our students to navigate the obstacles and seize the opportunities that lie ahead,” Dantes said.

FEU’s Career and Placement director Adalbert Alcaide Director praised the initiative: “This partnership with Globe is a strategic step toward enhancing educational experiences and fostering innovation. It’s about shaping a landscape where education and technology work hand-inhand for the betterment of our students and society.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Floricon V. Encabo, who is Letran’s vice president for Academics and Research, said the Globe program helps bridge academic and on-ground learning for students, giving them holistic preparation for future work: “We… are excited about the program, which will help give our students practical experience on the integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, aligned with our curriculum.”

Globe’s internship program highlights its dedication to cultivating future professionals and enhancing collaboration between academia and industry. It positions the firm as a preferred employer for emerging talent, significantly enriching its pool of skilled individuals. For more information about the internship program and ways to apply, visit https://www. globe.com.ph/.

Edwin P. Sallan

&Entertainment

BEYOND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE

There’s more to India than meets the eye

Most tourists to India begin and end their adventure in the sub-continent in the so-called Golden triangle— which spans the states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, as well as the National Capital territory of Delhi and takes in spectacular landmarks such as the taj Mahal, the pink city of Jaipur and the historic Qutub Minar. But beyond the Golden triangle, there is so much more to see in India that one visit isn’t enough. Disregarding common misconceptions about solo travel outside of the so-called Golden triangle, I decided to venture to other cities in Rajasthan, located in northern India, where there is a ‘blue city,’ a ‘white city’ with engineering wonders, and a temple with over 1,000 pillars bearing different hand-carvings.

The City of Lakes

sURRo UNDe D by the lush forests of the Aravalli Mountains, seven inter-connected lakes, and centuries-old ornate structures, Udaipur is one of most romantic and scenic cities in India. Many call it the ‘white city,’ some say it’s the most romantic city in India, while others call it the ‘Venice of the e ast’. t he tricky part about getting around Udaipur is that many of the heritage havelis and hotels are located in the old part of town where the roads are winding and narrow, barely able to fit even an autorick (India’s variation of our tricycle), with cows blocking much of the way. But to stay in this part of town is totally worth it—the rooms are old

but equipped with modern amenities. t he most efficient way to get around is to hire a guide with a motorcycle, though navigating some of the narrow alleys and avoiding the sacred cows felt like a roller coaster ride.

t he most popular among Udaipur’s seven lakes is Lake Pichola, a large, man-made lake built in 1362 to provide water for the city and neighboring areas. Along its banks is t he City Palace, a sprawling complex technically comprised of 11 palaces that serves to this day as the primary seat of the Mewar family, the ancient rulers of Udaipur—royalty in India.

t he family has been able to preserve their wealth by transforming their palaces into some of the most luxurious hotels in the world. While this generation of the Mewar family still resides at t he City Palace, a portion has been turned into a museum. Inside, there a courtyards, balconies and hallways with intricate glass art, murals and carvings that have been carefully maintained and preserved for over 400 years.

From t he City Palace, it’s a quick boat ride along Lake Pichola to the Jag Mandir Palace—basically the Mewar family’s summer retreat and party island. e ight huge marble elephants welcome you at the dock and the

island has cafes and restaurants to enjoy. My favorite landmark in Udaipur is the s ahelion-Ki-Bari, built in 1710 by Maharan s angram s ingh for his queen and the royal ladies. Aside from its architecture, what makes this place unique is the way the pools are fed through a system of well-designed pipes perfectly designed to mimic gentle rain, then flow back to the Fateh s agar Lake.

In what is considered downtown Udaipur, the Jagdish temple is a must-see. o ver 400 years old, it’s devoted to Lord Vishnu and boasts of a striking statue made from a single piece of black stone. o utside the main temple, there are shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Lord s urya, Goddess s hakti and Lord s hiva, some with intricate carvings from the Kama s utra.

Ranakpur Jain Temple

A t Wo-ho UR land trip from Udaipur, the Ranakpur Jain temple is one of the most important temples of the Jain Dharma religion. Built in the 15th century, the temple took over 50 years to build and has more than 1400 pillars—each one unique in design and carvings. t he play of light and shadows against the white marble is stunning, creat -

Budget-friendly summer destinations for Pinoy Gen Zs

To help Pinoy Gen Zs see the world for less, digital travel platform Agoda spotlights three ‘budgetarian’ travel options at varying levels of budget-friendliness for travelers eager to explore wonders close to home or those ready to embark on one of their first adventures abroad. All of course without breaking the bank.

“Everyone loves a great bargain, and Pinoy Gen Z are no exception, and will go the extra mile to seek out value for money option, particularly on activities and things they don’t want to miss out on, including travel,” Michael Hwang, Country Director Philippines at Agoda shared. “As the popular Gen Z meme goes, it’s sometimes challenging to splurge on the things we care about ‘in this economy’. It’s Agoda’s mission to help travelers— of all ages—see the world for less and these three destinations are sure to inspire Gen Z travelers, and probably many others as well.”

Agoda’s ‘budgetarian’ suggestions: Don’t sweat the bargain hunt in Baguio With prices starting from P1000 it’s a budget getaway in more ways than one Savvy savers, particularly the Gen Zs, are discovering the joys of thrifting—or ukay-ukay as it is known locally—for its blend of cost-effectiveness and eco-conscious ethos. Baguio is not only known for its

ing a serene and peaceful ambience. It’s not only one of the most sacred sites for Jains, but one of India’s architectural wonders.

The Blue City I F Jaipur is called the ‘Pink City,’ Jodhpur is the ‘Blue City.’ Located in the t har Desert, many of the edifices in the city are painted blue, as locals believe that color keeps their homes cool and wards off termites. o verlooking Jodhpur is the 15th century Mehrangarh Fort, set on top of a rocky outcrop.

My home in Jodhpur was a centuries-old palace owned by the Pal family that they have converted into a hotel. My room had antiques and a bathroom that carefully maintains the old and blends it with modern fixtures. t he family continues to live in the palace so I was treated to sumptuous home-cooked Rajasthani dishes served in the palace balcony that had a dramatic view of the city.

t he palace was walking distance to the s adar Bazaar, with its iconic clock tower and traditional shops that sell everything from spices to clothing to trinkets. s trolling and shopping here is a feast for the senses with the sights, sounds and smells.

Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest

a trip to Baguio makes for an ideal escape for the stylish savvy spender.

Go off the grid in Iloilo

Accommodation prices starting from P2800 per night offer great bang for your buck

Agoda recently named Iloilo the most affordable tourist destination in the Philippines. Iloilo made Agoda’s Cheapest Destinations in Asia list because of the average room rate of P2,800 throughout the months of April and May. While it is most known for its beautifully preserved Spanish structures, to reduce Iloilo to merely a hub of colonial heritage would mean missing out on the full range of experiences on offer.

Beyond the historic cityscape, Iloilo’s Gigantes Islands boasts its own pristine white sand beaches, providing an affordable seaside vacation—the perfect opportunity for a heat-busting dip, too. Meanwhile, adventure-seekers may opt for a refreshing trek through the Bucari Mountain Range, known as the “Summer Capital of Iloilo,” which offers cool temperatures and lush scenery.

Iloilo’s strategic location makes it a great hub to explore, making it a great value trip altogether for those with a bit more to spare.

Ready, jet set, Japan!

While prices start at P5000, it’s an investment that’s worth it

fortresses in India built in 1459. t he fort was featured in the film “Dark Knight Rises” as the façade of the prison. s everal of the outdoor shots in the film were also shot in Jodhpur.

About a kilometer across the fort, Jaswant t hada is a Cenotaph built in 1899 that is still used to this day as the cremation ground for the royal family of Marwar. t he main temple and gazebos are made of shining white marble and the gardens are quiet and serene.

Walking around (and alone) Jodhpur was a treat. o n foot, you can find ancient ghats and structures, murals and little cafes and street food. Just remember to dress properly, wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes and bring your own water.

Getting there

t he R e are no direct flights between the Philippines and India at this time. You can opt to connect through h ong Kong, Bangkok, s ingapore or Kuala Lumpur—the latter seems like the most affordable. From Delhi, you can take a domestic flight to Jodhpur or Udaipur, and land travel between the two cities is about five hours. PhotosbyCharoLogarta

Gen Zs, with their strategic budgeting, are not averse to spending on experiences and purchases that they perceive to be an investment for their personal growth (Nomura Research). And where better to find your ‘ikigai’, or sense of purpose, than Japan! And perhaps the best part: temperatures in the Japan don’t usually peak above 30°C until July, making it a great destination to escape the summer heat.

Travelers can book a range of great activities via Agoda including the impressive interactive art installations at TeamLab Planets T o KYo o r rise to great heights and witness the Japanese skyline come to life at the Tokyo Tower o bservatory. These quintessential experiences are a must when visiting the Land of The Rising Sun, and each is available for under P2,000.

Airfare may be the primary financial consideration when planning a trip to Japan, but quick savings can be made by booking the accommodation and flight together on Agoda, often leading to additional discounts. When it comes to accommodations, one of the capsule hotels in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district are ideal for Gen Zs. o r stay close to the airport in Narita, Japan’s destination that made Agoda’s Cheapest Destinations ranking. Agoda helps travelers of any age see the world for less with great value deals on over 4.2 million accommodations globally, in addition to flights and activities. The latest deals can be found at agoda. com and on the Agoda app.

BusinessMirror

Iconic Bollywood movie inspires TikTok trend

IF you’re an active TikTok user, you must have heard of the Asoka makeup challenge and how a number of Filipino content creators have slayed the trend. You must have waited for TikTok content creator Leni Aycardo, who is known for her viral videos doing the hottest online trends, upload her second attempt of doing the Asoka makeup challenge on April 22 at 10 am.

Side note: Aycardo had already uploaded an Asoka makeup challenge video, which was stunning and did really well. It showed her wearing cool-toned makeup, silver jewelry, and an embellished lavender sari. These clothing choices and her perceived fatigue (she and her boyfriend had just come back from a vacation when she did the challenge) led to criticisms from certain online personalities.

But Aycardo, in my opinion, did a really great job in both videos. She looked beautiful and was committed to the challenge, which was not an easy thing to do. At presstime, her two Asoka videos had over 135 million views and over 16 million likes on TikTok.

British cybersecurity firm enters local market

BY RIZAL RAOUL S. REYES

There were also TikTok users who compared Aycardo’s videos to others. I’d like to think of the challenge as something fun, instead of a competition. Everyone who did it was amazing and beautiful.

Anyway, the point of this column is not to pit one against another, or to say that the Filipino creators are better than those from other countries. The point is that I was curious where the trend originated (India) and how it came to be.

Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor are the stars of Asoka, which was released in 2001.

The movie is based on the life of ancient Mauryan emperor Ashoka the Great, who ruled in the Indian subcontinent during the third century B.C.E. Of course, the movie showcases ancient Indian styles

of dress and makeup such as dark eyeliner and geometric patterns drawn on the face and body. The bright colors, bold eyes, dramatic makeup, and gold jewelry of the Asoka trend on TikTok were obviously inspired by the movie.

The movie Asoka was one of the biggest and most ambitious films of  Shah Rukh Khan’s distinguished career. Kapoor, on the other hand, made an impact in that part of the movie where she dances to the song being used in the Asoka trend dressed in a maroon blouse and matching lehenga.

The song used in the movie is titled “San Sanana,” which was performed by Alka Yagnik, Anu Malik, and Hema Sardesai.

In the movie, director Santosh Sivan did not use any special effects, demonstrating that technical

expertise and creative artistry can make a film epic. The Asoka makeup challenge celebrates the rich colors and intricate designs of Indian wedding culture. TikTok content creators use creative transitions to transform themselves into stunning Indian brides, revealing the final look as the song culminates.

What I love about the Asoka makeup challenge is that it educates people about Indian culture. Many creators were at first hesitant to do the trend, fearing it might be cultural appropriation. People pointed out that it was cultural appreciation instead of appropriation.

The creators spend money and exert so much effort in making their videos so beautiful and their posts are like tributes to Bollywood and Indian culture. ■

GOOGLE IS COMBINING ITS ANDROID SOFTWARE AND PIXEL HARDWARE DIVISIONS TO MORE BROADLY INTEGRATE AI

BY DAVID HAMILTON The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO—Google will combine the software division responsible for Android mobile software and the Chrome browser with the hardware division known for Pixel smartphones and Fitbit wearables, the company said on Thursday. It’s part of a broader plan to integrate artificial intelligence more widely throughout the company.

In a letter to employees, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the changes will “turbocharge the Android and Chrome ecosystems” while helping to spur innovation.

The decision will place both operations under the oversight of Rick Osterloh, a Google executive who previously oversaw the company’s hardware group.

Not long ago, Google insulated Android development from the hardware division, saying it wanted to avoid giving its phone designers an unfair advantage over the other major smartphone makers who used Android—including Samsung and Motorola, as well as Chinese companies such as Oppo and Xiaomi.

interview, required deep knowledge of not just the complex hardware and software systems involved, but also the then-early AI models used for image processing.

“That hardware-software-AI integration really showed how AI could totally transform a user experience,” Osterloh said. “That was important. And it’s even more true today.”

“What you’re now starting to see Google do is flex its core AI innovation engines,” said Chirag Dekate, an analyst with Gartner. “Google wants to dominate the AI, the commanding heights of the emerging AI economy, both on the consumer side as well as on the enterprise side, essentially by infusing AI everywhere and by connecting it.”

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom-based NCC Group wants to popularize the brand and recently expressed optimism that the local market would be open to their services even if its competitors have established a longer presence in the Philippines. “We’re giving more knowledge to the Philippine market and capacity to its cybersecurity capabilities,” said NCC chief operating officer Kevin Brown in a recent briefing after its Philippine office inauguration at the NEO 7 Building at the Bonifacio Global City.

“We are also confident that we can improve cybersecurity in the Philippines,” Brown added.

Mike Maddison, NCC global chief executive officer, said the company aims to build the capabilities of Philippine organizations to support the changing environment. Moreover, the NCC plans to develop local tech talent and nurture a community of future cyber leaders in the region as it continues to enhance global cyber capability for clients.

Maddison pointed out that NCC plans to be active in providing cybersecurity capabilities to the heavily-regulated public sector, intellectual property space, pharmaceuticals, financial services and information technology.

Brown added that the NCC has an active presence in these sectors in the United Kingdom. Manila is NCC second office location in Southeast Asia and builds on the group’s strategy of developing its capability to deliver quality, world-class services at scale, be more competitive in the market, and continue to deliver cutting-edge services to protect clients.

“Our people are the ones who make our purpose possible; a global community of talented individuals working together to create a more secure digital future,” said Maddison.

“We are delighted to be expanding our global footprint with our new office in Manila. The city provides an impressive balance of highly educated tech and cyber capability, and we are excited to welcome our new colleagues over the coming months.”

NCC is already engaged with the top universities in the city and helping them to shape their curricula and sponsoring core programs to create job-ready cybersecurity talent and cyber leaders that will support the industry in the future. “Our new office in Manila gives people a great opportunity to be part of something new from the beginning, but with the added benefit of being part of an established, global company,” adds Saira Acuna, country director, Manila of the NCC Group. “I hope that Filipinos will recognize this opportunity to be part of a burgeoning industry and see NCC Group as the place where they can start or develop their cybersecurity career.”

The significant infrastructure development and attention to detail and security in BGC is an environment that supports our ambition,” Brown noted. ”With our new office in Manila, we are enhancing our ability to deliver cutting-edge cyber services to our global client base and adding even more flexibility in our cyber teams to support future growth and client demand.”

Xiaomi...

CONTINUED FROM A9

concert companion as you can see in the photos.

At the heart of Xiaomi 14’s appeal is its exceptional camera system, co-engineered with Leica. It features Leica Summilux optical lenses, including a 75mm floating telephoto lens renowned for its precision and clarity. The phone’s Leica Summilux optical lens is adept at handling low-light conditions typical of concerts, ensuring that every video and photo is crisp and vibrant. With the capability to shoot in 4K (or even 8K), the Xiaomi 14 can record every detail with clarity, from the dynamic expressions of the performers to the enthusiastic crowd, making it possible to relive these moments over and over.

Complementing this is the Light Fusion 900 image sensor, which provides outstanding dynamic range and noise reduction. This setup allows users to capture high-definition photos in various styles, including the Leica Authentic Look and Leica Vibrant Look, ensuring that every snapshot is gallery-worthy.

Beyond its legendary Leica lenses, the Xiaomi 14 also excels in performance and design. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, it handles every task with ease, from intensive gaming sessions to multitasking between apps.

Then a few years ago, Google started to position the Pixel as a flagship for demonstrating what AI could accomplish and leaned heavily into developing features that could demonstrate its potential. That meant more integration of AI hardware and software to power those features on mobile devices.

growing more dependent on AI, citing the development of the Pixel camera, which among other things uses the technology for features that enhance nighttime photos or automatically choose the best of several closely timed shots.

In an interview with The Verge, a tech publication, Osterloh noted that AI is the primary reason for bringing together Google’s consumer hardware and software engineers. He argued that phone technology is already

Combining the teams, Osterloh added, is a way for Google to move even faster on infusing AI into its features. Designing the Pixel camera several years ago, he said in the

Meanwhile, the chief of Google’s software division, Hiroshi Lockheimer, is left without a title and, according to Pichai’s letter, will be starting some other unnamed projects. Lockheimer did join Osterloh for the Verge interview, though, and the two men insisted the changes weren’t the result of a power struggle.

Google is also reorganizing its AI research and responsibility groups, although those changes mostly won’t directly affect consumer products—at least not for now.

The compact form factor, measuring just 152.8mm x 71.5mm x 8.20mm, makes it a comfortable carry, while the ultra-thin bezel and the 6.36” CrystalRes AMOLED 1.5K display with a 120Hz refresh rate offer an immersive viewing experience that is both smooth and visually stunning. Xiaomi 14 also addresses the need for fast charging with its 90W HyperCharge technology, allowing the phone to be charged to 100 percent in just 31 minutes. This feature ensures that users can stay connected and active all day without concerns about battery life, perfect for capturing and sharing every important moment without pause.

The Xiaomi 14 is now available and is priced at P47,999 for the 12GB+512GB model and P45,999 for the 12GB+256GB model. Watch out for the full review soon. ■

A8 Saturday, April 27, 2024 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

LENI AYCARDO’S stunning look for the Asoka makeup challenge. PHOTO BY HAJIE ALEJANDRO ON TIKTOK

GOOGLE said it will combine the software division responsible for Android mobile software and the Chrome browser with the hardware division known for Pixel smartphones and Fitbit wearables. AP

From user to fan: How Xiaomi created a loyal community

MORE than any cutting-edge feature or marketing blitz, the cornerstone of success in the smartphone industry is building and maintaining customer loyalty. This strategic focus on cultivating lasting loyalty goes beyond the spec sheet—it’s about winning customers’ hearts and minds.

In this fiercely competitive market, loyalty is basically the currency of success, where brands like Xiaomi have distinguished themselves not just by developing innovative products but by creating an ecosystem for both its devices and users that foster emotional attachments.

But how do you turn brand curiosity into loyalty?

It all starts with great products and Xiaomi’s innovative product ecosystem stands out. The brand has successfully cultivated a broad and interconnected range of devices, extending beyond smartphones to include smart home devices, wearables and lifestyle products. This ecosystem strategy is not merely about selling individual products; it’s about offering a cohesive and integrated experience that enhances the user’s daily life.

For instance, Xiaomi’s MIUI operating system, which currently runs on all its smartphones, is highly customizable and integrates seamlessly with other Xiaomi smart devices, from fitness bands and smart watches to air purifiers and robot vacuums. This interconnectivity ensures that once a user invests in one Xiaomi product, they are more likely to buy additional products to complement their ecosystem, enhancing user stickiness and brand loyalty. And with the rollout of its new HyperOS, things are going to be even more interesting.

Xiaomi’s pricing strategy is another reason how the brand has successfully transitioned users into fans. Since Jun Lei cofounded Xiaomi in 2010, the goal has been to “build amazing products with honest prices,” to let everyone enjoy the fun of technology.

Known for offering high-quality products at significantly lower prices than competitors, Xiaomi adheres to a pricing model that prioritizes accessibility while maintaining high standards of innovation and quality.

By making technology affordable, Xiaomi lowers the economic barrier for consumers, allowing more users to access the latest technological advancements. This strategy not only drives sales volume but also builds a loyal customer base that appreciates the brand’s efforts to provide value. These satisfied customers are likely to return and explore other products within Xiaomi’s ecosystem, solidifying their loyalty and promoting organic growth through wordof-mouth.

Building on this, Xiaomi’s dedication to

community involvement has notably broadened its appeal beyond typical consumer relationships. It crafts an identity that’s more akin to a cultural movement than just a consumer electronics brand. Through social media, fan forums, and its own Mi Community platforms, Xiaomi engages with its fans in real-time discussions, co-creation of content, and even product development suggestions. This strategy not only garners feedback but also creates a highly engaged community that feels a part of Xiaomi’s innovation journey.

This sense of ownership and inclusion is crucial for cultivating brand ambassadors who not only buy products but advocate for the brand within their circles, thereby increasing Xiaomi’s reach and influence organically. Furthermore, Xiaomi’s agility in adapting to market feedback allows it to innovate rapidly, aligning new products with consumer expectations effectively.

And to show their appreciation, Xiaomi involves its fans in celebrating the brand’s culture and success with the annual Xiaomi Fan Festival (XFF).

The XFF gives fans a sense of belonging to the Xiaomi community. During the festival, Xiaomi offers a series of activities such as live concerts, exclusive product launches, special-edition sales, and substantial discounts, all of which are designed to enhance engagement and loyalty.

This festival also acts as a platform for Xiaomi to showcase its latest technological advancements and gather valuable feedback directly from users. Such interactions help in refining products and ensuring that the innovations meet the practical needs and desires of their consumers.

Moreover, the festival has been strategically used to strengthen the brand’s global footprint. By tailoring the festival activities to resonate with local cultures

and preferences in different countries, Xiaomi has created a localized experience that deeply connects with the attendees, making them feel truly part of Xiaomi’s global family.

THE BEST XFF DEVICES AND DEALS

XIAOMI kicked off its 14th anniversary in an iconic way with the Xiaomi Fan Festival Sale from April 1 to 30, 2024. Fans can shop from a wide range of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones at discounted prices, and get a chance to take home exciting freebies.

The Xiaomi Fan Festival Sale include deals for the Redmi Note 13 Series, Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 12 Series, Xiaomi 13 Series, and more. Xiaomi fans get a free Xiaomi Fan Festival Knapsack when they buy devices from the Xiaomi 13T Series, Redmi Note 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 Series, and Redmi Pad.

Meanwhile, they will get a free Xiaomi Fan Festival Coffee Cup with every Redmi 12 or Redmi 12C purchase. They will also get a free three-month Viu Premium subscription on all Xiaomi smartphones and tablets.

To commemorate this year’s XFF, Xiaomi also launched the Xiaomi Fan Festival Special Edition of Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G. This exclusive device is distinguished by its Mystic Silver rear finish, adorned with the Xiaomi Fan Festival logo. Created through an intricate design process, the rear CMF includes a silver film base, covered with glass. Upon this, the device features a super logo meticulously crafted using nanolithography. The result is a refractive effect, making the logo come alive with a mesmerizing play of light and shadow.

It is equipped with an ultra-clear 200MP camera with OIS, and 1.5K 120Hz AMOLED curved display for an immersive viewing experience. It’s also powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200-Ultra processor

to ensure optimal performance that’s powerful and highly responsive. Encased in an exclusive box with silver embossing and logo, Xiaomi Fan Festival Special Edition comes with an exclusive wallpaper that complements the device’s metallic back, in addition to a variety of Xiaomi Fan Festival-themed stickers, letting users create their own unique logo pattern.

As summer is the perfect time to experience iconic moments, this year’s XFF is culminated with an immersive event and iconic concert held at SM MOA By the Bay. Right off the bat, Xiaomi fans were treated to Xiaomi Fan Festival essentials, such as balloon clappers, LED wristbands, and more. They were free to explore the festival grounds to join games and raffles to win prizes. At the Xiaomi Pop-Up Showroom fans were able to try the latest Xiaomi and Redmi phones, including the limited-edition XFF Redmi Note 13.

The concert stage lit up with electrifying performances from acts like Demi, Alisson Shore, Juan Caoile, Arthur Miguel, Nateman, P4blo and Seann Jefferson. P-pop sensation SB19 headlined the show and got everyone in the zone while performing their hits “GENTO,” “Bazinga,” “Mapa,” etc. Lucky fans also got the chance to play a game with SB19 on stage and win prizes.

XIAOMI 14 PREVIEW

WITH all the recent concerts happening in the country, you might be looking for a phone that could capture great photos and videos to relive those unforgettable performances. I was able to put the Xiaomi 14 cameras to the test during the Xiaomi Fan Festival event and it proved to be quite the amazing

SEE “XIAOMI,” A8

Summer health watch: Advice on hot weather risks

AS the summer season goes on and heat index levels rise across the Philippines, KonsultaMD, the country’s leading telemedicine provider, is urging the public to take precautions against common health risks during the hot weather months. Extreme heat can take a serious toll on one’s health, making it crucial to take appropriate measures to prevent harmful conditions.

Here are some health concerns to watch out for this season, and some helpful tips from KonsultaMD:

■ Sunburn. Sunburn is one of the most common summer afflictions, caused by overexposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. To prevent sunburn, use a high SPF sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and seek shade whenever possible, especially during peak sun hours around midday.

■ Heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats due to hot temperatures or strenuous activity, and is unable to cool down. Warning signs include excessive thirst, weakness, dizziness and anxiety. Stay hydrated, avoid sugary and alcoholic beverages, and limit outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day. This condition may escalate into an emergency situation. If a patient experiences convulsions or loses consciousness, this is likely a heat stroke. Go to

immediately. ■ Food poisoning.

as hand washing, thorough cooking and proper refrigeration are critical during these months.

Those experiencing symptoms are encouraged to speak to a medical professional, which can easily be done through a virtual consultation on the KonsultaMD app.

“One of the biggest advantages of telemedicine, like what KonsultaMD offers, is preventing issues from escalating by providing expert medical advice early on,” said Beia Latay, KonsultaMD CEO.

To use KonsultaMD’s virtual consultation platform, download the super app, select “Talk to a Doctor Now”, and choose between a video or chat option. Enter the reason for the visit and confirm. A licensed physician will be ready to evaluate the symptoms securely and confidentially.

Nadal cruises to straight-set win against mistake-prone US teen

MADRID—

Rafael

Nadal

couldn’t learn much from his comfortable straight-set win over American teenager Darwin Blanch in the first round of the Madrid Open.

Nadal cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 victory over the mistake-prone 16-year-old Blanch on Thursday.

“I didn’t test much my body today,” the 37-year-old Nadal said. “I played a decent match doing the things that I had to do to be through, but at the same time I played against a player...making more mistakes.”

Blanch, playing only in his second Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tour match, made 27 unforced errors. Nadal never faced a break point and was in control from the start against the wild-card entry, closing the match in just over one hour at the Caja Magica center court in the Spanish capital.

“I think today I played against an opponent with a great future,” Nadal said. “But today, still making mistakes. I just tried to be there, be solid all the time without taking a lot of risks. It worked well. I’m happy to be through and I wish him all the very best for the future.”

The encounter marked the largest age gap (21 years, 117 days) between two opponents at an ATP 1000 tournament.

Nadal looked in good form and showed no physical limitations in just his third competitive match since returning from his latest injury

layoff. He had made his return in Barcelona last week, losing in the second round to Alex De Minaur, who will also be his secondround opponent in Madrid on Saturday.

“I hope I can give my best and be competitive against De Minaur,” Nadal said. “Every time I have the chance to be on court in this amazing stadium with an unconditional supportive crowd, it means a lot to me. Just trying to enjoy every moment. Tomorrow, one more day of practice here and then after tomorrow, on court again. That makes me feel great.”

Nadal had arrived in Madrid saying he was not 100 percent fit, and that he was only going to play because the clay-court tournament was at home.

On Wednesday, the record five-time champion in Madrid said that in his current condition he would not play if this was the French Open, a tournament he has won a record 14 times.

The Spaniard is trying to get back in shape for the tournament in Paris for what will likely be his last Roland Garros appearance. The French Open begins next month.

A 22-time Grand Slam champion, Nadal had hip surgery last summer and said 2024 would probably be his last year on tour. He had skipped Monte Carlo, and his last tournament had been in Brisbane in January, when he played three matches. AP

Bianca 3 shots off in LA after 67

IANCA PAGDANGANAN

Bhighlighted her openinground four-under 67 with three straight birdies from No. 13 for a share of eighth place Thursday in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour’s JM Eagle LA Championship in Los Angeles. The Filipina Olympian had two birdies against a bogey on the front nine and was tied with major champion and LA titleholder Hannah Green of the US and South Korea’s Amy Yang, three strokes behind Grace Kim of Australia.

Green, the 2019 Women’s PGA champion, also had five birdies against a bogey, while Amy Yang shot six birdies against two bogeys.

Playing in the morning session, the 23-year-old Kim capped her bogey-free round with a chip-in birdie on the par-3 18th.

“Well, I chunked my tee shot on the last hole 20 meters short and then I chipped it in it,” Kim said. “I think that’s pretty cool, in front of everyone.”

Maja Stark of Sweden, Sei Young Kim of South Korea and Chanettee Wannasaen of Thailand were a stroke back at 65. Stark finished second last week outside Houston in The Chevron Championship, two strokes behind top-ranked Nelly Korda.

“I was so tired when I got here,” Stark said. “I barely been practicing. Just did a little bit of what I needed to do. I feel like it’s kind of similar anyway because there are just some pins that you can’t go for just like at Chevron.”

Korda withdrew Monday, a day after her fifth victory in a row.

Grace Kim won the LOTTE

RAFAEL NADAL wins but says he didn’t get to test his body much. AP

GENEVA—Heavily criticized for its secretive oversight of positive tests by 23 Chinese swimmers before the Tokyo Olympics, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Thursday appointed a veteran Swiss prosecutor to review how it handled the cases.

The Montreal-based doping watchdog said Eric Cottier will be an independent prosecutor “to conduct a thorough review of WADA’s handling of the matter.”

Cottier was attorney general of Vaud—the home canton (state) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and swimming’s governing body World Aquatics—for 17 years until his retirement in December 2022.

The prosecutor is expected to deliver a report, WADA said, “within two months”—just weeks before the opening of the Paris Olympics where some of the same Chinese swimmers could compete.

Three of the 23 swimmers later won gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics where American and British swimmers took the silver medals. The Games were held in 2021.

It was unclear if Cottier will travel to China to question people involved in the 2021 investigation.

One of WADA’s top critics, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), put out a news release calling the announcement “self-serving” and questioning the independence of the investigation.

“By calling this an ‘independent’ investigation,

WADA puts self under review

WADA leadership is trying to pull the wool over our eyes,” the release said. “Instead of WADA’s hand-picked lawyer with a limited and self-serving scope of review, the world’s athletes deserve a truly independent review commission with a wide scope of review.”

Cottier’s report will go to the executive committee of WADA. Its vice president Yang Yang is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in speed skating from China and a former IOC member.

Investigations by the New York Times and German broadcaster ARD published over the weekend detailed how top swimmers from China tested positive for the same banned heart medication in January 2021 at a national meet about seven months before the Tokyo Games.

Chinese state authorities later explained to WADA it found evidence weeks after of contamination, including in spice containers, in the kitchen of a hotel where the swimmers stayed. It is still unclear how traces of the medication trimetazidine (TMZ) got into the kitchen.

WADA accepted the explanation and the Chinese anti-doping agency rulings that the swimmers were

not to blame in 2021 when its own investigators could not travel to China during a lockdown in the Covid-19 pandemic.

The swimmers never served provisional suspensions during the investigation and their positive tests were never made public until the past week.

The Times and ARD revelations have angered athletes, swim federations and anti-doping officials worldwide who suspect favorable treatment for China, which has paid WADA almost $2 million in extra funding in recent years.

Throughout 2021, China was working closely with the IOC on the challenging preparations to host the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February 2022. They were successfully staged in lockdown conditions.

WADA leaders insisted at a 90-minute news conference Monday they had followed their rules and due process in world sports.

“WADA’s integrity and reputation is under attack,” its president Witold Bańka, a former 400-meter runner from Poland, said Thursday in a statement.

Banka said WADA was “unfairly accused of bias in favor of China” by not appealing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne to challenge decisions that cleared the swimmers.

The agency said Cottier “will be granted full and unfettered access to all of WADA’s files and documents related to this matter and will be free to consult with any independent experts as he sees fit.” AP

NU vs UST in girls’ final of PNVF U18 championships

NChampionship last year in a playoff in Hawaii for her first LPGA Tour title. She missed the cut in The Chevron, shooting 76-72.

“If I was to compare my round today to last week, I really focused on just not having too much in my mind,” she said. “I think I overthought a lot of things through my first and second round last week and struggled a little bit mentally.”

Sei Young Kim had four straight birdies on Nos. 12-15 in her afternoon round. She won the last of her 12 LPGA Tour titles in 2020.

Auston Kim, Haeran Ryu and Nataliya Guseva shot 66.

ATIONAL UNIVERSITY (NU) again delivered a resounding performance to stay unscathed on Friday heading into the girls’ championship of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Under-18 Championships at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Lady Bullpups blasted De La Salle-Lipa, 25-19, 25-15, 25-23, in the semifinal behind Denesse Daylisan and team captain Harlyn Serneche to set up a title duel with also undefeated University of Santo Tomas (UST).

“This is a transition team where the older faces did not play anymore as we focused on fresh faces to be developed,” NU’s long-time coach Norman Miguel said. “This team is composed of grade nine athletes in high school. We’re looking forward to the final against UST.”

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN is the only Filipina in the field.

Marathon Manila-leg lures 20K runners

MORE than 20,000 runners will answer the gun in various categories—highlighted by the full 42.195-km race—in the Manila Leg of the National Milo Marathon on a course that starts and finishes at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds in Pasay City. Maricar Camacho will defend the women’s crown in the full marathon that flags off at 1 a.m. but expects tough challenges from Jocelyn Elijiran, Welfred Esporma, and Florendo Lapiz. A six-hour cut off will be applied in the full marathon with the other dis -

tances flag off at different times—21K at 3 a.m., 10K at 4:30 a.m., 3K at 5 a.m., 5K at 5:30 a.m. and 1K at 5:45 a.m. The races are aligned with the celebration of Milo’s 60th year in the Philippines.

“We believe that sports are a great teacher where we learn the valuable lessons that shape us to become successful not just in our athletic endeavors, but also in life,” Head of Milo Sports Carlo Sampan said. “Whether it’s to bond with family, hit personal records, or simply enjoy themselves, everyone has a place in the National Milo Marathon.”

UST also swept Kings’ Montessori School, 25-20, 25-14, 25-17, in the other girls’ semifinals of the event organized by the PNVF headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara to give way to high school volleyball talents all over the country.

Both teams were able to win all four games each in pool play before UST booted out Canossa Academy, 25-13, 25-15, 25-12, and NU outplayed fellow University Athletic Association of the Philippines team De La Salle-Zobel, 25-18, 25-16, 2517, in the quarterfinals last week.

The boys’ semifinal between Orion’s Angatleta and VNS-Savouge, Umingan and Canada’s Academy were played late Friday.

The PNVF is giving students

from the schools seeing action in the semifinals Friday, classification matches on Saturday, and the finals on Sunday the opportunity to watch the games live for free by showing their school ID cards.

The classification matches for fifth to eighth places for both genders are on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. with the last match set at 5:30 p.m., while the schedule for Sunday are the battle for bronze at 10 a.m. for boys and 12:30 p.m. for girls.  The gold medal duels at 3 p.m. for the girls and 5:30 p.m. for the boys.

NATIONAL University’s Sarah Joy Lumbango is challenged at the net by De La Salle-Lipa’s

Cabaral, Mercado head San Jose Salt netfest roster

ARIEL CABRAL and Chloe Mercado started showcasing their talents in the San Jose Salt National Juniors Tennis Championships which kicked off Friday at the Jethro Sports Center in Valenzuela City.

Close to 150 young athletes in nine age categories are competing for top honors and ranking points in the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop.

Cabral faces stiff competition from Antonio Ng, Jr., Jose Santillan and Rueben Otadoy in the boys’ 18-under division, while Mercado will be challenged by Sandra Bautista, Jana Diaz and Izabelle Camcam in the premiere girls’ play of the five-day event sponsored by Keizan Steel Trading.

Ng, meanwhile, leads the talented pool of players in the 16-and-under category of the tournament that is part of the nationwide circuit under the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala program led by president and CEO Bobby Castro.

Notable contenders include Julio Naredo, Troan Vytiaco and Zachary Morales. In the girls’ division, Diaz and

Bautista are expected to vie for the top spot, along with Ave Maria Policarpio and Jasmine Sardona.

For details, contact event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

The tournament also promises intense competition in other catego ries with Naredo and Vytiaco, along with Antonio Bengzon and Enzo Masaga, leading the charge in the boys’ 14-and-U class, while Policarpio and Camcam are bracing for a spirited battle in the girls’ division with Athena Liwag and Lilith Rufino also aiming to make their mark.

Terrence Batallones and Cristiano Calingasan gear up for a showdown in the boys’ 12-andunder while Liwag, Vania Parawan, Rufino and Stella Policarpio are determined to slug it out in the girls’ category of the event sanc tioned by the Philippine Tennis Association and Universal Tennis Ranking and supported by Slazenger.

La Salle, CEU go 1-0 in semifinals of PBA D-League

DEFENDING champion EcoOilLa Salle pulled away in the second half for an 85-65 rout of Go Torakku-St. Clare and gain a headstart in the Philippine Basketball Association D-League Aspirants’ Cup semifinals on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

After a slow start, the unbeaten Green Archers went on 34-13 barrage in the third period to rip the game wide open and zero in for a third straight finals appearance.

But the spotlight fell on Centro Escolar University (CEU), which repeated over Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda, 75-71, in the other semifinal.

The Green Archers and Scorpions will advance to the finals with another victory in Game 2 of the best of three series on Tuesday also at the Pasig City venue.

“Actually, we discussed this before the game and that is to respect St. Clare as they’re capable of playing that way,” La Salle assistant coach Gian Nazario said. “Even at halftime, I repeated that to the boys.”

“Without Jonnel Policarpio [bum stomach] and EJ Gollena [hamstring], we needed more players to step up and they did,” he added.

Michael Phillips tallied 17 points and nine rebounds laced with six steals and two blocks to lead the Green Archers’ onslaught, while Nigerian big man Henry Agunanne had 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks and Joshua David and CJ Austria chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Daniel Marcelo waxed hot in the fourth quarter while Dylan Darbin and Jerome Santos provided the insurance free throws to save the day for the Scorpions, who nearly blew double-digit leads in the second half.

Marcelo poured 14 of his 31 points in the payoff period, including a booming trey to give the Scorpions a 71-66 lead in the final minute as the Scorpions held on to the finish to repeat over the National Collegiate Athletic Association kings. CEU beat San Beda, 72-63, in the classification round.

“We don’t want to come into the game thinking that we’re the No. 2 team,” CEU coach Jeff Perlas said. “I reminded them that San Beda will be a different team in the semis and we’re still the Davids here, not the Goliaths.”

Althea Feliss Sumague and Raizah Nicole Mamailao. NONIE REYES

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Antony Blinken meets with China’s President Xi as US, China spar over bilateral and global issues

By Matthew Lee Ap Diplomatic Writer

BEIJING—US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping and senior Chinese officials, warning of the dangers of misunderstandings and miscalculations as the United States and China butted heads over a number of contentious bilateral, regional and global issues.

Blinken met with Xi in Beijing after holding talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong.

Talks between the two sides have increased in recent months, even as differences have grown.

“We are committed to maintaining and strengthening lines of communication between us,” so that the two sides can prevent “any miscommunications, any misperceptions and any miscalculations,” Blinken said.

Earlier, Blinken and Wang also underscored the importance of keeping lines of communication open as they lamented persistent

and deepening divisions that threaten global security. Those divisions were highlighted earlier this week when US President Joe Biden signed a massive foreign aid bill that contains several elements that the Chinese see as problematic. Their comments hinted at a long list of differences to be discussed, including Taiwan and the South China Sea, and trade and human rights, China’s support for Russia and the production and export of synthetic opioid precursors.

“Overall, the China-US relationship is beginning to stabilize,” Wang told Blinken at the start of about 5 1/2 hours of talks. “But at

the same time, the negative factors in the relationship are still increasing and building and the relationship is facing all kinds of disruptions.”

“Should China and the United States keep to the right direction of moving forward with stability or return to a downward spiral?” he asked. “This is a major question before our two countries and tests our sincerity and ability.”

Wang also outlined, without being specific, well-known Chinese complaints about US policies and positions on the South China Sea, Taiwan, human rights and China’s

right to conduct relations with countries it deems fit.

“China’s legitimate development rights have been unreasonably suppressed and our core interests are facing challenges,” he said.

“China’s concerns are consistent. We have always called for respect of each other’s core interests and urge the United States not to interfere in China’s internal affairs, not to hold China’s development back, and not to step on China’s red lines on China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests.”

Blinken responded by saying that the Biden administration

places a premium on US-China dialogue even on issues of dispute. He noted there had been some progress in the past year but suggested that talks would continue to be difficult.

“I look forward to these discussions being very clear, very direct about the areas where we have differences and where the United States stands, and I have no doubt you will do the same on behalf of China,” Blinken told Wang.

“There is no substitute in our judgement for face-to-face diplomacy in order to try to move forward, but also to make sure we’re as clear as possible about the areas where we have differences at the very least to avoid misunderstandings, to avoid miscalculations,” he said.

The State Department said later that Blinken and Wang had “in-depth, substantive, and constructive discussions about areas of difference as well as areas of cooperation” and made clear that Blinken had stood his ground on US concerns.

Blinken “emphasized that the US will continue to stand up for our interests and values and those of our allies and partners, including on human rights and economic issues,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Blinken arrived in China on Wednesday, visiting Shanghai shortly before Biden signed the $95

billion foreign aid package that has several elements likely to anger Beijing, including $8 billion to counter China’s growing aggressiveness toward Taiwan and in the South China Sea. It also seeks to force TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell the social media platform.

China and the United States are the major players in the IndoPacific. Washington has become increasingly alarmed by Beijing’s growing aggressiveness in recent years toward Taiwan and its smaller Southeast Asian neighbors with which it has significant territorial and maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

China has railed against US assistance to Taiwan and immediately condemned the aid as a dangerous provocation. It also strongly opposes efforts to force TikTok’s sale.

The bill also allots $61 billion for Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s invasion. The Biden administration has complained loudly that Chinese support for Russia’s military-industrial sector has allowed Moscow to subvert western sanctions and ramp up attacks on Ukraine.

US officials have said China’s ties with Russia would be a primary topic of conversation during Blinken’s visit, and just before Friday’s meetings began, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he would visit China in May.

A US-led effort to bring aid to Gaza by sea is moving forward. But big concerns remain

By Lolita C. Baldor, Julia Frankel & Jon Gambrell The Associated Press

JERUSALEM—The construction of a new port in Gaza and an accompanying US military-built pier offshore are underway, but the complex plan to bring more desperately needed food to Palestinian civilians is still mired in fears over security and how the humanitarian aid will be delivered.

The Israeli-developed port, for example, has already been attacked by mortar fire, sending high-ranking UN officials scrambling for shelter this week, and there is still no solid decision on when the aid deliveries will actually begin.

While satellite photos show major port construction along the shore near Gaza City, aid groups are making it clear that they have broad concerns about their safety and reservations about how Israeli forces will handle security.

Sonali Korde, an official with the US Agency for International Development, said key agreements for security and handling the aid deliveries are still being negotiated. Those include how Israeli forces will operate in Gaza to ensure that aid workers are not harmed.

“We need to see steps implemented. And the humanitarian community and IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) continue to talk and

engage and iterate and improve the system so that everyone feels safe and secure in this very difficult operating environment,” Korde said.

A senior US military official said Thursday the US is on track to begin delivering aid using the new port and pier by early May. The official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public, said deliveries through the sea route initially will total about 90 trucks a day and could quickly increase to about 150 trucks daily.

The senior official acknowledged, however, that the final installation of the US-built causeway onto the beach at the port will be governed by the security situation, which is assessed daily. The Israeli Defense Force has a brigade—thousands of soldiers—as well as ships and aircraft dedicated to protecting the deliveries, the official said.

Asked about the recent mortar attack, the military official said the US assesses that it had nothing to do with the humanitarian mission, adding that security around the port will be “far more robust” when the deliveries start.

In addition, the US has rehearsed offensive and defensive measures to ensure US troops working at the pier and those on the floating platform several miles off shore are all protected.

Aid groups have been shaken by the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen aid

workers in an Israeli airstrike on April 1 as they traveled in clearly marked vehicles on a delivery mission authorized by Israel. The killings have hardened sentiment among some aid groups that the international community should focus instead on pushing Israel to ease obstacles to the delivery of aid on land routes by truck.

The World Central Kitchen staff, who were honored at a memorial service Thursday in Washington, are among more than 200 humanitarian workers killed in Gaza, a toll the UN says is three times higher than any previous number for aid workers in a single year of any war.

Development of the port and pier comes as Israel faces widespread international criticism over the slow trickle of aid into the Palestinian territory, where the United Nations says at least a quarter of the population sits on the brink of starvation.

This is how the sea route will work:

n Pallets of aid will be inspected and loaded onto mainly commercial ships in Cyprus, which then will sail about 200 miles to the large floating platform being built by the US military.

n The pallets will be transferred onto trucks, driven onto smaller Army vessels and then taken several miles to the causeway, which will be roughly 1,800 feet, or 550 meters, long and anchored to the shoreline by the Israeli military.

n The trucks will then go down the causeway to a secure drop-off area, where

pallets will be distributed to aid agencies. That mission could last several months, the US military official said.

A UN official said the port will likely have three zones—one controlled by the Israelis where aid from the pier is dropped off, another where the aid will be transferred, and a third where Palestinian drivers contracted by the UN will wait to pick up the aid before bringing it to distribution points.

The construction of the new port in the Gaza Strip appears to have been moving quickly over the last two weeks, according to satellite images analyzed Thursday by The Associated Press. Offshore, US Navy and Army vessels have started the construction of the large pier, or floating platform.

The port sits just southwest of Gaza City, a bit north of a road bisecting Gaza that the Israeli military built during the fighting. The area once was the territory’s most-populous region, before the Israeli ground offensive rolled through, pushing over one million people south toward the town of Rafah on the Egyptian border.

No militant group immediately claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s mortar attack at the port site, and no one was hurt of killed. But it reflected ongoing threats from Hamas, which has said it would reject the presence of any non-Palestinians in Gaza.

High-ranking Hamas political official Khalil al-Hayya told the AP that the group

would consider Israeli forces—or forces from any other country—stationed by the pier to guard it as “an occupying force and aggression,” and that they would resist it.

The UN’s World Food Program has agreed to lead the aid delivery effort. Carl Skau, WFP’s deputy executive director, speaking Thursday at the UN, said it’s “necessary for us to be able to operate, reach communities, have access to needs, and to do so in a safe and secure way.” He also said the port mission must be just one part of a broader Israeli effort to improve sustainable, landbased deliveries of aid to avert a famine.

The UN official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss behind-the-scenes deliberations, said several sticking points remain around how the Israelis would handle the port’s security. The military is reportedly seeking to install remote-controlled gun positions, which the UN opposes, said the official, although it was not clear what weapons were being described.

In a statement Thursday, the IDF said it “will act to provide security and logistical support for the initiative,” including the construction of the dock and the transfer of aid from the sea to the Gaza Strip.

The port will provide critical extra aid as getting more supplies into Gaza through land crossings has proven challenging, with long backups of trucks awaiting Israeli inspections. Past efforts to get land in by sea faltered after the World Central Kitchen attack.

Countries have even tried airdropping aid from the sky—a tactic that aid groups say is a last-ditch resort because it can’t deliver aid in large quantities and also has led to deaths.

“The more time we spend talking about JLOTS,” said Bob Kitchen, vice president for emergencies with the International Rescue Committee, using the US military acronym for the US-built pier, “the more we talk about air drops—all of this is massively expensive, comparatively low-scale and is a side-show. It’s a distraction.”

Baldor reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations, Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington and Abby Sewell in Istanbul contributed to this report.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People on Friday, April 26, 2024, in Beijing, China. AP/MARK SCHIEFELBEIN

USC cancels graduation ceremony and dozens arrested on other campuses as protests grow

By Steve Leblanc & Nick Perry

The Associated Press

THE University of Southern California canceled its main graduation ceremony and dozens more college students were arrested at other campuses nationwide Thursday as protests against the Israel-Hamas war continued to spread.

College officials across the US are worried the ongoing protests could disrupt plans for commencement ceremonies next month. Some universities have called in police to break up the demonstrations, resulting in ugly scuffles and hundreds of arrests, while others appeared content to wait out student protests as the final days of the semester ticked down.

Schools such as Columbia University in New York continued to negotiate with protesters who first set up an encampment last week. At California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, faculty members met with students who have barricaded themselves inside a campus building since Monday, trying to negotiate a solution. The campus was shut down earlier this week with classes moved online.

Other universities are rewriting their rules to ban encampments and moving final exams to new locations.

But encampments and protests continued to spring up Thursday.

At Indiana University Bloomington, a tent encampment popped up before police with shields and batons shoved into a line of protesters, arresting 33 people.

At the City College of New York, hundreds of students who were gathered on the lawn beneath the Harlem campus’ famed gothic buildings erupted in cheers after a small contingent of police officers retreated from the scene. In one corner of the quad, a “security training” was held among students.

Police arrested one protester and tore down tents at the University of

Connecticut Thursday, while demonstrators at Stanford University rallied on a day when newly admitted students visited the campus.

Students protesting the war are demanding schools cut financial ties to Israel and divest from companies enabling the conflict. Some Jewish students say the protests have veered into antisemitism and made them afraid to set foot on campus.

USC announced the cancellation of the May 10 graduation ceremony a day after more than 90 protesters were arrested on campus. The university said it will still host dozens of commencement events, including all the traditional individual school commencement ceremonies.

Tensions were already high after USC canceled a planned commencement speech by the school’s pro-Palestinian valedictorian, citing safety concerns.

“We understand that this is disappointing; however, we are adding many new activities and celebrations to make this commencement academically meaningful, memorable, and uniquely USC,” the university said in a statement Thursday.

The Los Angeles Police Department said 93 people were arrested Wednesday night during a campus protest for allegedly trespassing. One person was arrested on allegations of assault with a deadly weapon.

At Emerson College in Boston, 108 people were arrested overnight at an alleyway encampment. Video shows police first warning students in the alleyway to leave. Students linked arms to resist officers, who moved forcefully through the crowd and threw some protesters to the ground.

“As the night progressed, it got tenser and tenser. There were just more cops on all sides. It felt like we were being slowly pushed in and crushed,” said Ocean Muir, a sophomore.

Muir said police lifted her by her arms and legs and carried her away.

Along with other students, Muir was charged Thursday with trespassing and disorderly conduct.

Emerson College leaders had warned students that the alley was a public right-of-way and city authorities had threatened to take action if the protesters didn’t leave. Emerson canceled classes Thursday, and Boston police said four officers suffered injuries that were not life threatening during the confrontation.

The University of Texas at Austin campus was much calmer Thursday after 55 people were arrested a day earlier—26 of whom had no affiliation with the university, according to a statement to the campus by university president Jay Hartzell. University officials pulled back barricades and allowed demonstrators onto the main square beneath the school’s iconic clock tower.

Thursday’s gathering of students and some faculty protested both the war and Wednesday’s arrests, when state troopers in riot gear and on horseback bulldozed into protesters, forcing hundreds of students off the school’s main lawn.

At Emory University in Atlanta, local and state police swept in to dismantle a camp. Some officers carried semiautomatic weapons, and video shows officers using a stun gun on one protester whom they had pinned to the ground. The university said late Thursday in a statement that objects were thrown at officers and they deployed “chemical irritants” as a crowd control measure.

Jail records showed 22 people arrested by Emory police were charged with disorderly conduct. Emory said it had been notified that 28 people were arrested, including 20 members of the university community, and some had been released as of nighttime.

Protesters at Emory chanted slogans supporting Palestinians and opposing a public safety training center being built in Atlanta. The two movements are closely entwined

in Atlanta, where there have been years of “Stop Cop City” activism against the center.

Many colleges, including Harvard University, were choosing not to take immediate action against protesters who had set up tents, even though they were openly defying campus rules. And some colleges were making new rules, like Northwestern University, which hastily changed its student code of conduct Thursday morning to bar tents on its suburban Chicago campus.

George Washington University said it would move its law school finals from a building next to the protest encampment to a new location because of the noise.

The current wave of protests was inspired by events at Columbia University, where police cleared an encampment and arrested more than 100 people last week, only for students to defiantly put up tents again, in an area where many are set to graduate in front of families in a few weeks.

US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said the ability to embrace student voices and different perspectives was a hallmark of the nation’s growth but warned authorities wouldn’t tolerate hate, discrimination or threats of violence.

Since the Israel-Hamas war began, the US Education Department has launched civil rights investigations into dozens of universities and schools in response to complaints of antisemitism or Islamophobia. Among those under investigation are many colleges facing protests, including Harvard and Columbia.

Perry reported from Meredith, New Hampshire. Contributing to this report were Associated Press journalists in various locations including Stefanie Dazio, Kathy McCormack, Jim Vertuno, Acacia Coronado, Sudhin Thanawala, Jeff Amy, Mike Stewart, Collin Binkley, Carolyn Thompson, Jake Offenhartz, Jesse Bedayn and Sophia Tareen.

Chinese companies are investing abroad at fastest pace in 8 years

CBy Bloomberg News

HINA’S overseas investment is heading for an eight-year high as its dominant firms build more factories abroad, a shift that could soften criticism of Beijing’s export drive.

Chinese companies made 243 billion yuan ($33.5 billion) in foreign direct investments from January to March, data released last week showed. That was the highest first-quarter figure since 2016— before a crackdown on capital outflows— and up almost 13% from a year earlier.

Leading the push are firms in industries where China is racing ahead of rivals, like

electric vehicles and solar energy. These investments may help tamp down trade tensions—by creating jobs and economic growth in overseas markets, instead of flooding them with exports that threaten to put local producers out of business.

“China wants to produce overseas so the trade surplus is reduced and most importantly, overcapacity is reduced,” said Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief Asia Pacific economist at Natixis SA. “I expect this pace to continue very aggressively. But they will still face protectionism.”

Geopolitical competition—especially with the US and Europe—means investment from China may not always be welcome.

‘Huge suspicion’

JAPAN in the 1980s was able to use overseas investment by its world-leading carmakers to smooth diplomatic ties. But it wasn’t a strategic competitor with the US the way China is today. That means Beijing might not be able to follow suit, according to Bert Hofman, a professor at the National University of Singapore and a former World Bank country director for China. “There’s a huge suspicion against Chinese investments” in the US and Europe, he said.

There’s no official breakdown yet for where investments this year or last year have gone.

In 2022, about three-quarters of Chinese FDI was in Asia—though that figure is skewed because much of it goes to Hong Kong and is then re-routed to other countries, or even back to the mainland in what’s known as “round-tripping.” Almost 17% of investment was in manufacturing, the second-biggest single sector.

A separate report released this week showed a surge in Chinese manufacturing investment in the Asean bloc of Southeast Asian countries, which almost quadrupled last year. At $26 billion, it was nearly twice the combined total for US, South Korean and Japanese firms.

Chinese businesses have plowed cash into processing key materials, such as nickel mines and smelters in Indonesia. They’re making downstream investments, too. Chery Automobile Co. this week announced plans to become the latest Chinese carmaker to set up a plant in Thailand, aiming to start EV production next year.

Chery signed another deal this month to take over an old Nissan factory in Spain and produce electric cars there. BYD Co., the world’s biggest EV maker, began work last month on a factory in Brazil—its first outside of Asia—and aims to start output by early 2025. It also has a big project in

Journalists critical of their own companies cause headaches for news organizations

By David Bauder Ap Media Writer

NEW YORK—This spring, NBC News, The New York Times and National Public Radio have each dealt with turmoil for essentially the same reason: journalists taking the critical gaze they deploy to cover the world and turning it inward at their own employers.

Whistleblowing isn’t unique to any industry. Yet the contrary outlook baked into many journalists—which can be a central part of their jobs—and generational changes in how many view activism have combined to make it probable these sort of incidents will continue.

In the past few weeks, NBC reversed a decision to hire former Republican National Committee chief Ronna McDaniel as a political contributor following a revolt by some of its best-known personalities. An NPR editor was suspended and then quit after critiquing his company’s willingness to tolerate diverse viewpoints and an internal probe provoked by Gaza coverage ended at the Times.

Journalism as a profession attracts people who are anti-authoritarian, who see themselves as truth-tellers. Many believe the way to make an organization better is by criticizing it, said Tom Rosenstiel, co-author of “The Elements of Journalism” and a professor at the University of Maryland.

“We’re taught to hold power to account,” said Kate O’Brian, president of news for the E.W. Scripps Co.

It’s in their nature

SO was it really surprising to see Chuck Todd, who spent years questioning politicians on “Meet the Press,” do the same to his bosses when there was resistance to putting McDaniel on the payroll? MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, Joy Reid, Joe Scarborough, Jen Psaki, Nicolle Wallace and Lawrence O’Donnell all joined a protest that was extraordinary for how it played out on the network’s own airwaves.

National Public Radio editor Uri Berliner didn’t receive much internal support for his complaints, but that actually reinforced his point. He said NPR had become too one-sided in promoting a liberal point of view, and that he went public with an essay in another news outlet when his concerns went unanswered by his superiors.

NPR management says he is wrong. But Berliner quickly became a hero among conservatives who hold the same belief.

Journalism history has many examples of meaningful internal protests. Women journalists sued in the 1970s to force The New York Times and The Associated Press to confront gender discrimination. Los Angeles Times journalists exposed a deal their company made to share profits with a sports arena from a special issue. A Chicago TV news anchor quit to protest her station’s hiring of talk show host Jerry Springer as a commentator.

The 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police was a significant moment, forcing news organizations across the country to confront how they covered racial issues, both past and present, often at the prodding of their staff. It also forced a look at a lack of diversity in newsrooms.

There are several reasons why many journalists are more apt now to go public with complaints they may once have kept to sharing with colleagues down at the corner bar. Among them is the likelihood that their outlet is owned by a faraway hedge fund instead of a local family, said Joel Kaplan, associate dean for graduate studies at Syracuse University’s Newhouse communications school and a former Chicago Tribune reporter.

A generational change also has emboldened many young journalists. In his own classroom, Kaplan sees more young journalists questioning traditional notions of objectivity that keep them from expressing opinions. Many believe they have the right to state their beliefs and support causes, he said.

“Now you have journalists that are advocates,” Rosenstiel said. “That reflects something of a culture war that is happening inside of journalism.”

Debates over coverage of the Trump administration had a similar galvanizing effect.

Hungary, which has become a hub of Chinese business activity in Europe.

Tariff workarounds

IN the solar industry, Chinese manufacturers that dominate global production are looking to invest more overseas after many countries grew uncomfortable relying on a geopolitical rival for equipment that’s vital to the energy transition.

Longi Green Energy Technology Co. and Trina Solar Co. have announced plans for factories in the US, where generous government subsidies are available as part of the Biden administration’s push to develop renewable power.

Some Chinese investments have been aimed at accessing the US market without incurring tariffs, according to Hofman. Now “something similar is happening with the European market,” he said, amid expectations there’ll be more China tariffs imposed there, too. Companies may also be factoring in the weak demand at home, as China’s housing slump weighs on consumer spending.

The increase in factory building marks a shift away from the infrastructure investment that until recently was the centerpiece of Chinese spending overseas. It’s not necessarily a geographical change, because investment in countries that are part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative reportedly hit a record last year.

But since the pandemic downturn, a lot of Chinese lending that financed infrastructure has gone sour—while countries in Africa and Asia are looking to restructure and lower their debts. That’s triggered a reversal in the flow of Chinese labor for construction investments. The number of Chinese workers in Africa fell almost two-thirds between 2015 and 2021, according to the International Monetary Fund. With assistance from Tom Hancock and Dan Murtaugh/Bloomberg

“There are some journalists who say, ‘I’m not interested in covering conservatives because they are not interested in the truth,’” Rosenstiel said.

A backlash to the backlash

SOME traditionalists, like former Washington Post editor Marty Baron, have despaired over some of these changes. Battles with young staff members over how they express their opinions over social media left him despondent, a factor in his eventual retirement.

“Never have I felt more distant from my fellow journalists,” he wrote about a staff meeting on the topic in his 2023 book, “Collision of Power.”

One of the most prominent thinkers on this issue, journalist Wesley Lowery, has written that some defenders of objectivity are more interested in inoffensiveness and appearance, less so on journalistic rigor.

“In pursuing objectivity, we silence the marginalized,” a Harvard student, Ajay V. Singh, wrote at the height of the debate. “In silencing the marginalized, we tip the narrative of ‘truth’ into the hands of the powerful.”

The New York Times frequently has been at the forefront with journalists questioning their organization. In 2020, the newspaper’s editorial page editor resigned after the newspaper disowned an opinion piece written by US Sen. Tom Cotton about Floyd-related protests, following a staff protest. Some Times staff members also have spoken out intensely against the newspaper’s coverage of gender issues.

Its executives, however, appeared to have lost patience with a debate surrounding another contentious issue: the war in Gaza.

They launched an internal investigation into who leaked material to an outside publication, the Intercept, about a podcast based on a late December article about Hamas and sexual violence. The podcast was never done. That angered some staff members who were concerned the Times was striking back against employees for doing something that its own reporters do on a regular basis: write stories based on leaked material.

Yet management of the Times viewed the action as a violation of trust, particularly the sharing of what was essentially drafts of material that never saw the light of day.

“Reporters, editors and producers need to be able to have candid exchanges and disagreements about the best way to tackle a difficult piece of journalism with the understanding that those exchanges will strengthen the story, not become the story,” Joe Kahn, Times executive editor, said in a memo to staff on April 15. He said the probe concluded without determining who leaked the material.

Against this backdrop is another truth: The media itself and how it covers news are issues that interest the public more than in the past, creating the market for just the sort of material that Kahn was talking about—and for this story as well.

Because of the interest, and because of the journalism DNA that courses through the debate, there’s likely to be no shortage of sources for such news, Rosenstiel said.

“Newsrooms,” he said, “are full of people who are often disgruntled.”