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Sunday, December 2021 Vol. No.5858 Friday,December April 29, 2022 Vol. 17 No.1717 201 Sunday, 5,5,2021 Vol. No.

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‘DIGITAL DIASPORA’ By Bianca Cuaresma

‘CRAZY RICH ASIANS’ AUTHOR Online shopping platformnotes notes behavioral shift Online shopping platform behavioral shift OREIGN short-term investor ‘WANTS TO SHOOT IN PALAWAN’ sentiment turned sour towards

@BcuaresmaBM

among consumers, brand makers amid Covid among consumers, brand makers amid Covid the latter part of the first quarter

approaches,especially especiallyfrom fromthe thelatter, latter, approaches, See “End-Q1,” A2 asdata dataanalytics—since analytics—sincethe theonset onsetof ofthe the as pandemic—indicatethe theemergence emergenceof of pandemic—indicate morediscerning discerningconsumers consumersadaptive adaptiveto to more electronic,or oronline, online,shopping shoppingexperience. experience. electronic,

BSP sanctions 2 banks over role in ‘Mark Nagoyo’ scam

For one, one, the the Southeast Southeast Asia Asia For Bangko Sentral PiliTrenderHE Report 2021 Zalora Trender Report 2021 bybyng Zalora showsthat that 40(BSP) million Asiansmade made pinas announced on shows 40 million Asians theirdebut debut Internet andim70 their ininInternet and 70 Thursday that use ituse has million havemade made their first online million have their first online posed sanctions on BDO Unibank purchase withinBank the2020 2020 and 2021 purchase within the and 2021 Inc. and Union of the Philipperiod, many of them attracted period, many of them attracted pines for their involvement in the anddrawn drawn intoactual actual purchasebyby and into recent “Nagoyo” scam.purchase product salespromotion promotion andBank disproduct sales and disIn a statement, the Central countofferings. offerings. count confirmed that it has completed its When pandemic pandemic curbs were were When curbs investigation into the incident that imposed by the first quarter imposed by the first quarter ofof originated from a compromised 2020,sales salesofofproducts productslike liketrendy trendy 2020, web service in December 2021. dressesand andfashion fashionwear weardropped dropped dresses The incident involved unauthorsharply,and andreplaced replacedbybyproducts products sharply, ized access ofhealth accounts BDO relating andwith wellness, relating toto health and wellness, personal care care and and apparel, apparel, even even personal sportsand andaccessories. accessories. sports However, some some items items that that However, were dropped dropped byby consumers consumers for for were practicalreasons reasonsofofmovement movementrerepractical strictionsare areseeing seeinga arevival revivalinin strictions saleslately, lately,asasa apromise promiseofofa a“less “less sales stressed”year yearofof2022 2022on onCovid-19 Covid-19 stressed” infections,are areopening openingavenues avenuestoto infections, revivethe theengines enginesofoftravel, travel,fueling fueling revive newinterest interestinintravel traveland andfashion fashion new wearagain. again. wear Zalora,a amember memberofofthe theGlobal Global Zalora, Fashion Group, Group, boldly boldly predicted predicted Fashion

Unibank Inc. (BDO), where cash was transferred unknowingly from BDO account holders to a person named Mark Nagoyo, mostly to accounts with UnionBank. “Based on the results of the investigation, the Monetary Board [MB] approved the imposition of sanctions on BDO and UBP to ensure that both banks will swiftly address the issues the BSP noted,” the statement read.

ZALORACEO CEOGunjan GunjanSoni: Soni:“The “Thedawn dawnofofa a ZALORA newera eraofofretail retail already hereininSoutheast Southeast new isisalready here See “BSP,” A2 Asia.AsAsconsumers consumersbecome becomemore morediscerning discerning Asia. andconnected, connected,weweare areseeing seeingincredible incredible and innovationshappening happeningininthe theretail retailsector sector innovations ncompletely US 52.2610 n japan 0.4068 n that completely reimagine theshopping shopping that reimagine the experience.” experience.”

PESO exchange rates

that“the “thefuture futureofofretail retailisisvirvirthat tual,”pointing pointingatatthe themomentum momentum tual,” Asianconsumers consumersgoing goingonline online ofofAsian andbecoming becomingadaptive adaptiveand andsavvy savvy and aboutonline onlineshopping. shopping. about

Shoppersofoftomorrow tomorrow Shoppers

“THEdawn dawnofofa anew newera eraofofretail retailisis “THE alreadyhere hereininSoutheast SoutheastAsia. Asia.As As already

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

Product (GRDP) of the National Capital Region (NCR) last year grew to P5.8 trillion from P5.6 trillion in 2020, but this was still down from the prepandemic level showsofofproducts, products,with withhosts hostsand and shows of P6.2 providing trillion recorded in 2019. guests moredetails details and guests providing more and Thistestimonies, is also slowerZalora compared giving said. to giving testimonies, Zalora said. the economic growth 14 other wouldalso also helpof brands inItItwould help brands inregions in the country and is also novateon onflexible flexiblesales salespromopromonovate below the Philippine GDP tions,such such2021 giving discounts, tions, asasgiving discounts, growth of 5.7 percent. and offering easier and attracand offering easier and attrac-

@BNicolasBM

ETRO Manila’s economic growth rebounded by 4.4 percent last year, but it is among the 13 regions in the country that have yet to fully recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). In a briefing on Thursday, PSA said the Gross Regional Domestic

consumersbecome becomemore morediscerndiscernconsumers ingand andconnected, connected,we weare areseeing seeing ing incredibleinnovations innovationshappening happening incredible theretail retailsector sectorthat thatcompletely completely ininthe reimagine the the shopping shopping experiexperireimagine ence,”Gunjan GunjanSoni, Soni,chief chiefexecutive executive ence,” officerofofthe theZalora ZaloraGroup, Group,told toldan an officer tivepayment paymentoptions optionssuch suchasasthe the onlinepresentation presentationofofits itsTrender Trender tive online See “NCR,” A2 buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) opopReport2021. 2021. buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) Report tion,which, which,ititsaid, said,emerged emergedasas Shedescribed describedthe the“shoppers “shoppersofof tion, She themost mostpopular popularoption optionamong among tomorrow”asas“digital “digitaland anddiverse diverse the tomorrow” Asianshoppers. shoppers. acrossSoutheast SoutheastAsia.” Asia.” Asian across Indonesia, for for example, example, “It’s a a digital digital diaspora,” diaspora,” she she InIn Indonesia, “It’s Google saw saw a a “10x “10x increase increase inin said,citing citingGoogle Googletrend trendmonitormonitorGoogle said, searchesfor fore-wallet e-walletservices servicesand and ingthat thatshows shows40 40million millionnew newInInsearches ing 15xrise riseininBNPL BNPLservices servicesininthe the ternetusers userscame cameonline onlineinin2021, 2021, 15x ternet lastfive fiveyears. years.Other Otherappealing appealing “bringingthe theinternet internetpenetration penetration last “bringing payment options options like like monthly monthly SoutheastAsia Asiatoto75 75percent.” percent.” payment ininSoutheast Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan and award-winning Hollywood producer Lawrence Bender installments,toto00percent percentinterinter“Infact, fact, eight out 10InterInterinstallments, “In eight out ofof10 visit Amanpulo and Nido (lower left)digirecently estfees feeson oncredit creditcards, cards,provide provide net users theElregion region are digi- for possible locations in their next movie. 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Arnaldo Basterds, etc.,Malaysian recently visited nancialinclusion. inclusion. expanded their online presencetoto “Thereport reportisispositioned positionedasasa a trendshows shows Malaysian shoppers nancial expanded their online presence “The trend shoppers @akosistellaBM Amanpulo and scouting Zalora,for forinstance, instance,offers offers21 21 reachthese thesenew newdigital digitalconsumconsumreferencepoint pointthat thathelps helpsZalora’s Zalora’s spendclose close hours onlineon on Zalora, reach reference spend totoEl 99Nido, hours online Special to thereported BusinessMirror for possible locations for likely their paymentmethods methodsacross acrossthe therereers,and and Zalora reported 19-per900brand brandpartners partnersnavigate navigatethe the average, “and arethe themost most likelytoto payment ers, Zalora a a19-per900 average, “and are next film. Prior to their visit to gion, including including cash-on-delivery cash-on-delivery centincrease increaseininnew newbrands brandsthat that region’sdiversity diversityand andevolving evolvingrerebevalue-driven.” value-driven.” gion, region’s cent be HE next big HollywoodPalawan, they attended the 21stare andBNPL BNPLoptions optionsacross acrossthe themarmarjoined the platform in 2021,” she taillandscape,” landscape,”Zalora’s Zalora’sCEO CEOGunGunSingaporean shoppers are and tail joined the platform in 2021,” she Singaporean shoppers World Travel and Tourism Counkets.ItItlaunched launchedits itsfirst firstco-brandco-brandadded. produced “Asian” movie janSoni Sonisaid. said. mostlikely likelytoto invest luxury purkets. jan added. most invest ininluxury purjust be located in cil (WTTC) Global Summit creditcard cardininpartnership partnershipwith with Withmight moreSoutheast Southeast Asians Aside from from digital digital partners partners chases, with Google searchin data ededcredit Aside With more Asians chases, with Google search data the Philippines. RCBCand andMastercard Mastercardininthe thePhilPhilbrowsing nowand andgetting gettingthemthemlike Google, Google, Mastercard, Mastercard, H&M, H&M, showing a21-percent 21-percent year-on-year Manila asapanelists in year-on-year “Through RCBC like browsing now showing Kevin Kwan, best-selling auippines,the thefirst-ever first-everfashion fashionand and selves more online, the average average Lush,Paula’s Paula’sChoice, Choice,HABIB, HABIB,AtAtincrease Singaporeans’ searches the Lens,” aSingaporeans’ discussion on searches how a ippines, Lush, selves more online, the increase inin thorshopper of Crazy Rich Asians, lifestylecredit creditcard cardininthe theregion region Asian shopper browses acrossand 7.9 ome, Revery.AI, Revery.AI, Visenze, Visenze, BeLive BeLive forluxury luxurygoods. goods. destination benefits from being lifestyle ome, Asian browses across 7.9 for thatrewards rewardscustomers customersevery everytime time websites before making decision, Technology,TaFF, TaFF,Finix FinixWear, Wear,JoJoLawrence Bender, award-winthat Technology, websites before making a adecision, featured in films and novels. theyshop. shop.ItItisisalso alsothe thePhilippines’ Philippines’ upning from5.2 5.2inin2020. 2020. 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of 2022 as more investors chose to pull ByManuel ManuelT.T.Cayon Cayon By out their capital from the Philippines in March.AVAO A private bankleading economist said AVAO CITY—A leading CITY—A online brandretailer retailer inAsia Asia online brand in growing uncertainty over global and local seeingcould sharp behavioral isisseeing aasharp behavioral developments affect the economy shiftamong among consumers consumers andinvestors’ brand shift and brand and, subsequently dampen makersthat thatsentiment mayreinvent reinvent andPhilippines. innovate makers may and innovate short-term to the

NCR had 4.4% growth, but has yet to revert to ’19 level

NMEDIA | DREAMSTIME.COM NMEDIA | DREAMSTIME.COM

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet one-on-one Tuesday for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine, and the United Nations said they agreed on arranging evacuations from a besieged steel plant in the battered city of Mariupol. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the Russian leader and UN chief discussed “proposals for humanitarian assistance and evacuation of civilians from conflict zones, namely in relation to the situation in Mariupol.” Satellite photos on Wednesday showed Russian fire is intensifying on a steel mill that is the last Ukrainian-held area in the city of Mariupol. Vladimir Astapkovich, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

PESOEXCHANGE EXCHANGERATES RATESnnUSUS50.4010 50.4010 nnJAPAN JAPAN0.4454 0.4454 nnUK UK67.0888 67.0888nnHK HK6.4693 6.4693 nnCHINA CHINA7.9027 7.9027 nnSINGAPORE SINGAPORE36.8159 36.8159 nnAUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA35.7494 35.7494 nnEU EU56.9683 56.9683 nnSAUDI SAUDIARABIA ARABIA13.4356 13.4356 Source: Source:BSP BSP(December (December3,3,2021) 2021) PESO

News

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A2 Friday, April 29, 2022

Four dead, 23 injured as Bohol bridge collapses amid heavy vehicular traffic

he Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) launched on Thursday a massive search and rescue operations for the victims of an old quake-damaged bridge in Bohol that collapsed on Wednesday noon under the weight of heavy vehicular traffic, killing at least 4 persons, including an Austrian visitor. PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo said operations were being undertaken by Coast Guard personnel in Bohol along with volunteer divers from Panglao in the same province. Reports said an Austrian visitor was among the dead, and at least 23 others including his wife, were injured in the collapse of the bridge Wednesday afternoon in the coastal town of Loay in Bohol province, police and provincial officials said. Vehicles were reportedly traversing the bridge or were stuck on top when it collapsed, plunging the vehicles into the famous Looc River. A spot report sent to Camp Crame said at least eight vehicles went down into the river. The PCG said traffic was rerouted to the old bridge as the new Clarin bridge was being constructed. A traffic congestion, however, piled up on top of the bridge, and due to the enormous weight, it reportedly collapsed. Rene Acosta with AP

EU completes review of PHL’s rights profile for GSP+ future By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

MONITOR ING group of the European Union has completed the review of the Philippine human rights situation to determine if Philippine products can still be exported duty-free to the world’s largest economic bloc under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences-Plus (GSP+). In a joint statement, the Philippines and EU said the 4th Monitoring Mission for the EU’s GSP+ commenced February 28 until March 4. “During the mission, relevant Philippine agencies and EU institutions engaged constructively regarding the former’s commitment to implement effectively the 27 core international conventions on good governance, labor, human rights and the environment,” both sides said. Since December 2014, the Philippines enjoys enhanced trade preferences with

NCR...

Continued from A1

PSA-NCR Regional Director Paciano B. Dizon said Metro Manila’s GDP growth was slower compared to other regions due to the recurring lockdowns imposed in NCR to contain the surge in Covid-19 cases. “If you will differentiate some of the regions and the cities, [there were more] lockdowns in NCR,” Dizon said. "I think that was February and March, [it was really] almost a month, so that is also a contribu-

the EU under the GSP+. Under this “special incentive arrangement,” around 6,274 Philippine products can be exported to EU countries without tariffs. Agriculture goods, including processed foods and fishery products and manufactured goods, highly benefit from GSP+. The GSP+ will expire by the end of 2023. In order to renew this GSP+ privilege, the Philippines is subject to a regular monitoring of its obligation to the effective implementation of 27 core international conventions on human and labor rights, environmental protection and good governance. In February, the European Parliament reiterated that human rights abuses continue under the Duterte administration and called on the European Commission to “immediately initiate the procedure which could lead to the temporary withdrawal of the GSP+ preferences if there is no substantial improvement and willingness to cooperate on the part of the Philippine authorities.”

The European Parliament also called on the EC to “set clear, public, time-bound benchmarks for the Philippines to comply with its human rights obligations under the GSP+ scheme.” Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez earlier commented that the European Parliament resolution is a form of “bullying [of] a small country.” He claimed the Philippines has been complying with the international conventions on good governance, human rights, labor and the environment. During the joint committee meeting on April 26 in Manila, both parties “recognized” the need for “tangible and measurable progress in some areas of concern” on the promotion and protection of human rights as mentioned by the UN High Commission on Human Rights.

tor to the slow growth rate of the NCR in comparison to the other regions.” Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Director III Shiela Gail Satura-Quingco also pointed out that it was only in December last year when the government eased the mobility restriction in NCR to Alert Level 1. Of the 17 regions in the country, only four have already exceeded their prepandemic economic growth levels, PSA Assistant National Statistician Vivian R. Ilarina said. “Actually NCR has not yet reached [its 2019 level]” Ilarina said. So far, for 2021,

there are only four regions that have surpassed the 2019 pre-andemic levels, meaning they have already recovered. These are the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) with GRDP of 7.5 percent, Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9) with 5.7 percent, Northern Mindanao (Region 10) with 6.3 percent, and Soccsksargen (Region 12) with 5.2 percent. However, Ilarina expressed optimism that Metro Manila will be back to its prepandemic economic growth this year on the back of the continuous reopening of the economy. “We saw a lot of hotels now opening and we continue to look at the possibility of many tourists coming to NCR so that’s one factor,” she said. “Actually, if you look at the accommodation and food services...this is still declining, but we are projecting that all these tourism-related activities will pick up after 2021.” All industry sectors in the NCR grew last year except the accommodation and food service activities which suffered a decline of 5.2 percent. Metro Manila’s economic growth was mainly driven by the transportation and storage sector as well as mining and quarrying activities which both posted 10.8-percent growth. Based on their projections, Dizon revealed that it may take two decades for the accommodation and food services activities sector in the NCR to recover under the worst scenario. He said that its output last year is even lower than the level recorded in the year 2000. “As far as our computations are concerned, in the year 2000 we have P56 billion but for the year 2020 we have P54 billion, so we are expecting that this accommodation and food services [sector] will be able to recover in about 20 years,” he said. All regions recorded positive growth last year, with Calabarzon posting the fastest growth at 7.6 percent, followed by BARMM and Cordillera Administrative Region at 7.5 percent each. In terms of regional performance for Services in 2021, the NCR cornered the biggest share at 42.4 percent, followed by Calabarzon and Central Luzon at 10.7 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively. In terms of each region’s share to the whole industry, Calabarzon constituted the largest share at 25.1 percent, trailed by NCR, 19.6 percent, and Central Luzon,15.4 percent. For Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing, Central Luzon topped the share at 13.5 percent, followed by Northern Mindanao and Western Visayas at 10.5 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively. At the national level, all industries grew last year except for agriculture, forestry, and fishing which declined by 0.3 percent. Human health and social work activities recorded the highest growth at 14.1 percent, followed by construction with 10 percent, and information and communication, 9.2 percent.

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End-Q1... Continued from A1

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Thursday that foreign portfolio investments (FPI) in March this year yielded net outflows of $305 million. This resulted from the $1.6-billion gross outflows that outpaced the $1.3-billion gross inflows for the month. This is also a reversal from the net inflows of $274 million recorded in February and the $14.6-million net inflows in January this year. Despite two months of net inflows, the cumulative FPI standing of the country in the first three months of the year is at a net outflow of $65.3 million. FPI are known as “hot” or “speculative” money because they are easily pulled in and out of the local platforms with the slight change of global and local sentiment. The first-quarter net outf low standing of the country’s FPI, however, is smaller than the $483.49-million net outflow in the first quarter of 2021. The $1.3-billion registered investments for March this year reflected an increase of 35.3 percent compared to the $945 million recorded in February 2022. About 87 percent of these investments registered were in listed securities, particularly in holding firms, property, banks, food, beverage and

Crazy... Continued from A1

“One of the reasons why we are here is we want to make a movie here,” said Bender. “Kevin wrote a script, and it’s like a love letter to the Philippines.” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, who accompanied Kwan and Bender to Palawan, told the BusinessMirror, “[Kwan] really wants to shoot in Palawan.” She added the novelist also wanted to visit Coron and was “interested in Bucas Grande in Surigao del Norte. I told him about the stingless jellyfish in the Tojoman Lagoon.” The Department of Tourism (DOT) usually helps the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in recommending locations for international film and TV productions. (See, “Foreign film crews love shooting in the PHL—DOT,” in the BusinessMirror, June 7, 2021.)

Spotlight on the destination, culture At the panel discussion, Kwan also talked about his particular love for the Philippines, which he said was one of the best trips he has taken. “It’s a country with so many amazing locations, cultures, flavors, and of course, the people are amazing…. This is my fourth trip. So it’s always a pleasure to be back and it’s always surprising what happens. I never know what will happen when I get to the Philippines, but it’s always a grand adventure,” he added. When planning a film or writing a novel, Kwan said he purposely puts a spotlight on particular destinations, as he did in Crazy Rich Asians. “It’s about showcasing cultures for me. It’s telling stories that are authentic to the place and to really celebrate these places. And, you know, we did that in Singapore for Crazy Rich Asians quite

BSP...

Continued from A1

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said this incident is a “reminder that we should continue to enhance our defenses against cyber threat actors to protect the integrity of the financial system and the interests of depositors.” The BSP, however, did not specify the type or gravity of the imposed sanctions. “The sanctions imposed emphasize the importance of continuously enhancing risk management systems involving cybersecurity, anti-money laundering, and combating terrorism and proliferation financing. The sanctions also reinforce the need for banks to take a proactive stance in ensuring that their depositors are adequately protected,” the BSP statement read. Earlier this year, the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) issued

tobacco; and transportation services. The remaining 13.3 percent went to investments in Peso government securities. The BSP said the top 5 investor countries for the month were the United Kingdom, United States (US), Luxembourg, Singapore and Hong Kong with a combined share-to-total at 78.4 percent. This was, however, more than offset by the $1.6-billion gross outflows for the month, which were higher by 136.1 percent than the $670 million recorded in February last year. The US received 80.3 percent of total remittances. Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said increased uncertainty in global and local developments could affect the economy and, in turn, the short-term sentiment of investors to the Philippines. “For the coming months, more aggressive Fed rate hikes, lingering Russia-Ukraine conflict for more than two months already, some lockdowns in China, as well as election-related uncertainties and possible increase in the local policy rate as early as June 2022 could be headwinds to the recovery in the local economy and financial markets, including on net foreign portfolio investments data,” Ricafort said. These could potentially be offset by measures to further re-open the economy towards greater normalcy, he added.

effectively. It boosted tourism exponentially for the country.” Bender, however, underscored the need for destinations like the Philippines to offer “either a tax rebate and film incentive” to encourage filmmakers to come here. “When we come into an area to shoot, we hire local people, we bring in people, we go to hotels, we rent cars…you know, it’s a local economy that we all of a sudden just create. Obviously, we have 150, 250 people who we’re employing; they pay taxes, they buy food, they employ other people, they pay taxes. So it’s a net positive for the economy, and the government ultimately, who pays out these incentives ends up getting the money back.”

Gov’t earns from hosting film productions He added, “Movie stars also talk about the great shooting location, which is a really great way to promote your local [destinations]. And we’re hoping that happens here, because we really want to come and shoot this movie here.” The FDCP offers a variety of fiscal incentives for foreign film and TV producers, especially when local crew and talents are hired. Meanwhile, Romulo Puyat expressed optimism on the Philippines’s role in future Hollywood projects. “Film and literary works hold great potential to reach more people and show them how rich the Philippines is in terms of breathtaking destinations and diverse cultures. We hope these will in turn encourage more travelers around the world to visit and experience our country,” she said. “Given our expansive tourism portfolio, we look forward to having more film and TV projects shot here in the Philippines. Rest assured we have the guidelines in place to ensure their health and safety while filming in our destinations,” she added.

a statement, lauding the arrest of the perpetrators of the “Nagoyo” scam. “We thank the National Bureau of Investigation [NBI] and the Department of Justice [DOJ], for their successful collaboration in holding cybercriminals accountable for what they have done,” BAP President Jose Arnulfo Veloso said. “The BAP and its member banks are fully confident in the capabilities of our law enforcement and judicial system. We trust that the perpetrators of the scam and their victims will be afforded a just and speedy resolution,” Veloso added. In the same statement, Nestor V. Tan, President and CEO of BDO assured their clients that all of their cybercrime-related concerns will be immediately addressed. “We continue to make investments and enhancements in our security systems to assure our banking clients will have a safe and secure banking experience,” Tan earlier said. Bianca Cuaresma

Economy BusinessMirror

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Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Friday, April 29, 2022 A3

DA rushes aid to onion farmers after commodity price plunge By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated P85 million in grants to help onion farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) cope with the plunge of prices of the commodity due to oversupply. The DA issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 14 that outlined the guidelines for the implementation of the grant program titled Enhanced Kadiwa: Sagip Sibuyas Project. The DA explained that the project seeks to “address the pressing needs” of onion farmers due to “overproduction” that resulted in the decline in

farm-gate prices. Under the program, the beneficiaries of the financial grant shall be FCAs and their respective farmermembers in the regions of Central Luzon, and Mimaropa. Eligible FCAs may receive a maximum grant amount of P5 million, according to the DA. “An eligible FCA shall use the financial grant for trading capital to cover all or combination of the following costs: procurement cost of onions bought directly from farmers; attendant direct costs in hauling and delivery to markets and/or cold storage facilities; and cold storage rental fees,” the document read.

Based on the DA’s funding allocation, a total of 9 FCA beneficiaries in Central Luzon will be chosen, while 8 FCA beneficiaries in Mimaropa will be accepted under the grant program for a total cost of P85 million. The DA said it would source the P85-million project funding from its P250-million locally funded projects for the implementation of the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita program. “The DA through the RFO will directly transfer/release the grant funds to eligible FCAs,” it added.

Grant conditions

INTERESTED beneficiaries must be

duly registered with the appropriate government agencies such as Securities and Exchange Commission, Cooperatives Development Authority, among others. The FCAs must also be composed of small agricultural producers, farmers, farmworkers and agrarian reform beneficiaries. The DA said FCA beneficiaries must buy all the onions from their farmer-members or farmers in general at a farm-gate floor price set by the department’s Regional Field Office (RFO). The farm-gate floor price will be based on actual production cost of the onion farmers in the two regions.

“The onions bought by the FCAs shall then be marketed in food markets or to buyers, or stored in cold storage facilities while waiting for better prices,” it said. “A portion of the total onions bought may also be used by the FCAs in extending assistance to indigents through ‘community pantries’ or similar activities where onions will be or sold at discounted prices,” it added. The DA said FCAs that previously availed of a grant under the Enhanced Kadiwa Financial Grant Program may still avail of the grant under the Sagip Sibuyas project provided that

they were able to fully liquidate their previous grants and received satisfactory evaluation from the RFOs. Earlier this month, some onion farmers in Mindoro were forced to abandon or sell their produce at a loss as price of the commodity fell to P12 per kilogram to P15 per kilogram, which was below the breakeven cost of P18 per kilogram. The average price of onions last year was at P42 per kilogram, according to DA. The decline in farmgate prices was a result of onion oversupply due to higher output driven by new players in the industry, the DA added.

New law seen to boost Philippine EV industry amid oil price hikes in global market By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

ITING the timely enactment of an implementing law embodied in the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian foresees the Philippines gradually reducing reliance on dollardraining imported fuel supply. “The country can now look forward to transitioning to sustainable transportation with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act having lapsed into law last April 15,” the senator said.

Gatchalian, the presiding chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, pointed out that “from the initial proposal of having a national policy and regulatory framework for the use of Electric Vehicles and the establishment of electric charging stations, we have come up with a law that will not only promote the use of EVs but develop the industry as well.” The senator struck an upbeat tone foreseeing local production of electric vehicles (EV), noting “some industry players already initiated it ahead of this new

law.” He projected, “This will not only increase the uptake of EVs but likewise pave the way for the generation of new jobs and reduce the transportation sector’s reliance on imported fuel.” Gatchalian, as principal proponent of the enabling law embodied in Senate of RA 11697, cited a salient feature of the new law creating a Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI) intended to “accelerate development, commercialization, and utilization of EVs in the country,” which includes

construction or installation of charging stations in dedicated parking slots and spaces. Reminding that CREVI shall be incorporated in the Philippine Energy Plan and the National Transport Policy, he noted that the measure also requires industrial and commercial companies, such as cargo logistics companies, food delivery companies, tour agencies, hotels, power and water utilities to ensure that at least 5 percent of their fleet should comprise EVs, adding public transport operators

and government units are also included. The senator is upbeat that the current high price of EVs will eventually go down quickly as the industry grows fast, saying “Mataas man ang presyo sa kasalukuyan ng EVs, inaasahan natin na mapapabilis ang pagbaba ng presyo nito at maaaring mas abot-kamay pa sa tradisyunal na mga sasakyan ngayon kung mapapalago natin ang industriya sa lalong madaling panahon.” Moreover, he projects that “if implemented correctly, it can help reduce oil consumption in the country by as much as 146.56

million barrels per year and create $9.8 billion or almost P510 billion in savings per year based on the current exchange rate. Gatchalian reminded, “Under the new law, fiscal incentives are provided in the manufacture and assembly of EVs, charging stations, batteries, parts and components, and other related support infrastructure.” In addition, the senator noted that “a set of nonfiscal incentives will also be applicable for a duration of eight years for EV users, manufacturers and importers.”

A4 Friday, April 29, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

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Gem-Ver owner, crew to receive ₧6-M compensation–DOJ chief W

BBM: Let’s avert another Covid surge, get your booster shots

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed on Thursday that the owner and crew members of boat Gem-Ver have agreed to settle for P6 million in compensation from the owners of a steel-hulled trawler that rammed and sank the fishing boat and aban-

doned them in open sea in 2019. “I confirm that there has been a final settlement of the damage claims of the Gem-Ver fishermen against the owners of the Chinese vessel,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told reporters. “The agreed compensation is P6 million. I understand that the owner of F/B Gem-Ver will receive the amount on behalf of the fishermen

and himself,” Guevarra added. The Chinese fishing vessel Yuemaobinyu 42212 owned by Liang Jin rammed the F/B Gem-Ver in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on June 9, 2019. The wooden-hulled fishing boat came all the way to the WPS from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro and was anchored in Recto Bank, which is within the Philippines’s ex-

clusive economic zone (EEZ) around 80 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan, when the incident happened. After the Chinese ship reportedly rammed and sank the boat, it allegedly turned off its lights and left the Filipino fishermen floating in the open sea. A Vietnamese fishing boat passed by and managed to rescue the Filipino fishermen.

SC lauds signing of law creating Robredo told to mind cases Office of the Judiciary Marshals of enforced disappearances

HE Supreme Court (SC) welcomed on Thursday the signing into law of Republic Act 11691, or the Judiciary Marshals Act, which would pave the way for the creation of the Office of the Judiciary Marshals (OJM) to address the killings and other forms of violence committed against the members of the judiciary. Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said the OJM would be primarily responsible for the security, safety, and protection of the members, officials, personnel, and property of the judiciary, including the integrity of the courts of its proceedings. “Indeed, the creation of RA 11691 will not only secure, protect, and safeguard the Judiciary but will also boost the morale of its members, officials, and personnel at this time when there is the concern of the threats to judges and killings of lawyers,” CJ Gesmundo said. The creation of the OJM, which was patterned after the US Marshal system, was the brainchild of retired Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta. Under the law, the Office of the Judiciary Marshals shall conduct threat assessments, investigations, and forensic analyses of crimes and threats committed against judiciary members and court properties. The judiciary marshals will also investigate alleged corruption committed by justices, judges and other court officials as directed by the Supreme Court. It shall have concurrent jurisdiction with other law enforcement agencies to undertake investigations of crimes and other offenses committed against justices, judges, court officials and personnel, halls of justice, courthouses, and other court properties. The Philippine Judges Association (PJA) has also expressed its support for the passage of RA 11691, as this would provide security escorts for justices and judges, especially those handling sensitive cases and may be under threat. From 1999 to 2017, there are already 31 active judges killed, five of them and one retired associate justice of the Court of Appeals were killed under the Duterte administration. There are more than 2,600 courts nationwide. “As the Supreme Court En Banc expressed in a statement on March 23, 2021, the Judiciary is one of the three pillars of our republican democracy, which itself hangs on a careful balance between and among governmental powers. To threaten our judges and our lawyers is no less than an assault on the Judiciary. To assault the Judiciary is to shake the very bedrock on which the rule stands,” the Chief Justice said. CJ Gesmundo had met with United States Embassy officials last February where he signified his intention to seek assistance of the US government in the operationalization of the OJM, particularly in establishing a judiciary marshal academy.

HE mother of missing farmeractivist Jonas Burgos has appealed to presidential candidate Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo to include enforced disappearance and justice to its victims in her election agenda. The appeal was made by Edita Tronqued Burgos, wife of the late press freedom icon Jose Burgos Jr., in her letter to the vice president as the family marked the 15th year of Jonas’ disappearance on Thursday. “The victims of enforced disappearance were taken away from the protection of the law, their whereabouts are kept unknown to their families. They are the poorest among the poor because they are voiceless,” the mother said. “I am confident that you will open your heart, the heart of a mother to this mother and to all relatives of victims of enforced disappearance and be the VOICE OF THE VOICELESS by putting the issue of enforced disappearance and the search for justiceinyourelectoralagenda,”sheadded. Burgos was eating in one of the restaurants at the Ever Gotesco mall along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City when six men forcibly took him. Staff of the restaurant and mall security personnel witnessed the incident. The victim was forced into a vehicle that was later established as having been in the custody of the Army’s 56th Infantry Battalion based in Bulacan.

The Commission on Human Rights, which investigated the case, declared that soldiers were involved in the case. After the kidnapping, Burgos has never been seen or even his body was ever been recovered. His mother said they are commemorating the 15th anniversary of the abduction of her son with the “same vigor and determination,” though “with sadness,” even as they accept God’s will and the situation. Still, the mother said, they were marking this year’s commemoration of her son’s disappearance with hope, given the country’s current socio-political situation. “This perspective has given us hope. Hope to find the truth, hope to obtain justice, hope to be able to continue our response to our baptismal promise to ‘work for justice and peace in the world’…by helping the poor, the voiceless, and the oppressed, now fill our hearts,” she said. Edita said that with Robredo, the hope might just come and turn into reality. “Drawing confidence from what I have heard about your track record, your values from your speeches, and interviews, and seeing how you are drawn to the least served people in our country and most of all knowing that above all you are a caring and loving mother to your children, I take courage in asking you to please be the voice of the voiceless,” she appealed to the presidential candidate. Rene Acosta

ITH the World Health Organization warning earlier this month that Covid-19 cases in the country will likely rise following the relaxation of health protocols that allowed for more social gatherings and interactions, presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. urged qualified citizens to get their booster shots already. In a news conference, Marcos said the public should not wait for the Philippines to see a rise in cases again like other countries such as South Africa and India before getting booster shots, lest it prompts the government to re-impose policies that could affect workers, businesses and the general public. “Everybody should get their booster shots, everyone who is qualified to have a booster shot should get it already. Covid is making a comeback. Let’s not wait for cases to spike before we act,” said the former senator, speaking partly in Filipino. Marcos noted experts’ advice that the protection provided by a Covid vaccine wanes, hence, the need for booster shots. As of April 24, over 12.9 million Filipinos have received their booster dose. Around 37 million, meanwhile, have yet to avail of it. Earlier this month, Dr. Rajendra Yadav, acting WHO Representative to the Philippines, warned that the country should prepare for a new Covid surge with the social gatherings and social mixing due to the observance of Ramadan, Holy Week, and engaging in electionrelated activities. Yadav listed three reasons for providing the booster doses. First, current evidence shows protection provided by the vaccines against infection or disease, particularly severe disease, wanes gradually. Second, there could be reduced protection against more transmissible variants of concern over time. And third, some risk groups may not develop adequate protection from the recommended primary series of the existing vaccines.

In addition, Marcos also appealed to the public not to be complacent and continue complying with the minimum public health standards to avoid a potential surge so postpandemic activities can proceed. “Let me repeat my call to everyone to watch out and be safe again. I know we’re all tired of wearing masks, do social distancing. But we need to be careful at all times. So we can overcome this pandemic and get on with our post-pandemic activities. I call this, Jabs to Jobs, we get our jabs so we can have our jobs,” he said. T he W HO cited continued masking and high vaccination coverage as the bare minimum tools against Covid-19. The health agency also recommended that the national government, local government units (LGUs), and communities take urgent action to reach the unvaccinated individuals from the priority groups, particularly senior citizens and indigents, to achieve high coverage with the primary series and booster doses of Covid-19 vaccines. The Department of Health earlier reported that a 50-percent decrease in compliance with minimum public health standards (MPHS) in the National Capital Region may result in 25,000 to 60,000 new Covid-19 cases per day by mid-May. While a 20-percent decrease in MPHS compliance nationwide may lead to around 34,788 active Covid-19 cases; a 30-percent decrease in MPHS compliance might swell cases, possibly to as high as 300,000, over the same period. It added that lowering transmission would lessen the possibility of the emergence of new variants, while high coverage of both primary series and booster doses will greatly contribute to a high defense wall against infection and severe disease. Last week, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the DOH is seeing an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in 14 areas under Alert Level 1. The DOH also reported on Wednesday that the Omicron subvariant tagged as causing the spiralling rise in cases abroad has reached Philippine shores.

Former DPWH chief Mark Villar remains top choice for senator in RPMD survey

ORMER Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary and senatorial candidate Mark A. Villar remained on top in the senatorial survey for the upcoming May 2022 elections, with a 72.6 percent voter preference, according to the latest survey conducted by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation (RPMD). The poll was conducted from April 17 to 21 using face-toface interviews with 10,000 respondents nationwide. It has a (+/-) 1 percent sampling error margin for national percentages. “Maraming salamat po ulit sa

RPMD, isang malaking karangalan po ulit na manguna sa senatorial survey, mas lalo ko pa pong pag bubutihan ang aking serbisyo publiko. Nakakataba po ng puso na maraming sumusuporta sa akin,” Villar said. Mark Villar (72.6 percent) was followed by Antique Rep. Loren Legarda (67.1 percent), Sorsogon Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero (61.5 percent), broadcaster Raffy Tulfo (60.3 percent), former House Speaker Alan Cayetano (53.8 percent) and Sen. Win Gatchalian (52.4 percent). Also included in the list of preferred senatorial candidates ranking 7th to 12th place were

Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri (51.7 percent), former Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay (44.8 percent), film actor Robin Padilla (43.6 percent), former Senator Gringo Honasan (43.2 percent), Sen. Joel Villanueva (37.5 percent), former Senator JV Ejercito (34.8 percent). Close behind the Magic 12 are former Senator Jinggoy Estrada (33.5 percent), Sen. Richard J. Gordon (31.2 percent), Sen. Risa Hontiveros (30.8 percent), former Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque (29.6 percent), former Defense Secretary

Online dispute resolution will go live soon–DTI We expanded the department administrative order on the use of PODRS and then it was a work in progress, so that as time went on, we kept adding or amending the procedures or the guidelines that we already had in place,” she said. Among the problems they encountered were related to system design and the unavailability of resources that can be used in testing the system. In addition, she stressed that: “IT infrastructure is also a big challenge

in the Philippines because we’re not sure how the provincial offices of the DTI would be able to log into the system so that this system can be used nationwide.” However, despite these challenges, Castelo said they are already coordinating with the Department of Science and Technology and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). At the height of the pandemic, the trade department noted that consumer

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complaints rose substantially amid the increase in online shopping as some consumers avoided physical stores. The session on Monday aimed to address and present current initiatives, challenges, and recommendations for developing national online dispute resolution (ODR) systems in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations member-states to increase consumer trust in the digital economy and enhance consumer welfare. Andrea E. San Juan

Kerwin Espinosa recants drug-tie claim vs de Lima However, in his counteraffidavit, Espinosa said that since he has been removed from the WPP, the NBI can no longer use his alleged confession before the Senate or any written documents to prove his guilt and those of other people he may have implicated.

“The complainant must rely on the strength of its own evidence and not on the basis of Espinosa’s alleged admissions outside of Court which the complainant itself admitted…as his ‘extrajudicial confess,’” his counteraffidavit stated. Earlier, the Regional Trial Court of

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Makati City dismissed the drug charges filed against Espinosa and several others for failure of the prosecution to produce sufficient evidence to overturn their presumption of innocence. However, Espinosa is still facing trial for drug cases before the Manila RTC and in Albuera, Leyte.

Gilbert Teodoro (26.3 percent) and former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista (25.1 percent). “Maraming salamat po sa mga naniniwala sa atin, asahan niyo na akin pong ipagpapatuloy ang magandang nasimulan ng Build, Build, Build, program upang makapagbigay ng kabuhayan para sa mga manggagawang Pilipino. Patuloy kong isusulong ang kapakanan at karapatan ng mga manggagawa,” Villar vowed. Villar also came up on top of RPMD’s preferred senatorial candidate survey last February 2022, which was conducted from February 22 to 28 nationwide.

Sandro Marcos widens lead over rival in Ilocos Norte congressional race

ASED on the latest survey results from the RP-Mission and Development Foundation (RPMD). Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, son of former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and congressional candidate for the First district of Ilocos Norte currently leads the race with a 62 percent voter preference. Marcos is 26 points ahead of incumbent Congresswoman Ria Christina Fariñas as she only received 36 percent voter preference. Two percent remain undecided. He is expected to go up against the Fariñas family for the post. Fariñas is also the incumbent representative of the province’s first district. Marcos also came up on top of RPMD’s survey conducted last April 3 to 8, 2022, with 53 percent voter preference.

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Mayor Isko says Guimaras can serve as template for country’s food sufficiency

KSYON Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso on Wednesday said the island province of Guimaras can serve as a template for food sufficiency which, hopefully, can be replicated in other provinces of the country. Moreno and his Aksyon Demokratiko slate barnstormed Guimaras where they were warmly welcomed by Gov. Samuel Gumarin and other local officials of the island province known for its sweet mangoes, which are of export quality. “Ang isang napag-kwentuhan namin ni Governor kanina, nakakatuwa na ang isang isla katulad ng Guimaras nagpapadala pa ng pagkain sa labas ng isla. So, ibig sabihin magandang maging modelo ang Guimaras sa food sufficiency. They produce their own rice, in fact sobra pa nga. They reserve

for the summer tapos nagpapadala pa sila sa Iloilo,” Moreno told reporters during an ambush interview in this Western Visayan province. “So, that’s one food basket. Then, proper zoning. Meron silang ecozone, gateway zone, food basket zone, and tourism zone. ’Yun ’yung kini-kwento ni Gov. kanina. Tapos they produce their own electricity through renewable energy at nasu-sustain nila ang kanilang utility,” the 47-year-old presidential candidate said. Guimaras is well known for its agricultural crops, particularly mangoes, where some 50,000 of these trees are planted. Guimaras Island is famous for producing some of the sweetest mangoes in the world thus earning the nickname “Mango Capital of the Philippines” from local and foreign tourists.

Friday, April 29, 2022 A5

DENR vows to implement faster titling process, end land conflicts By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is moving to fast track the land titling process and put an end to land conflicts and insurgency problems in the Philippines. DENR Acting Secretary Jim O. Sampulna said he has ordered the Land Management Bureau (LMB) and other DENR offices to implement the measure following the National Task Force-Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict meeting led by President Duterte in Butuan City on April 12. The event, which was also high-

lighted by the distribution of 7,000 land patents, enforces President Duterte’s order to hasten land distribution as a counterinsurgency measure in the provinces. “I would like to urge the Land Management Bureau and the Undersecretary for Legal, Administration, Human Resources and Legislative Affairs and supervising undersecretary of LMB to fast track the titling of all areas because of the fact that 70 percent of the conflict around us is caused by land conflict,” he said during the DENR’s flag-raising ceremony on April 18. “I hope that all of our regional executive directors can fast track this, to be monitored by LMB Director Emelyne Talabis, for us to be able to

distribute lands until the end of the year,” he added. Republic Act 10023 or the Residential Free Patent Act mandates the DENR to accept and process applications for free patent titles of residential lands. He acknowledged the low number of Filipinos with land titles and underscored the importance of bringing the agency’s services to the public to ease the processing of free patents. “I think by estimate, 30 to 35 percent of our people still do not have titles but they are in possession of tax declaration. This is mainly because they do not want to undergo the process of land titling, as they do not know who to

approach. That is why we have to bring our service to them. Let us be closer to the people to speed up the transactions of the public with us,” Sampulna pointed out. Moreover, the DENR chief noted that while the agency handles other environmental sectors, it should also focus on addressing land conflicts. “There are three reasons the DENR exists. First is to give lands to those without titles. Second is for the country’s natural resources—forestry, mines, and the environment. And last, to address conflicts on land, which is a pressing issue at present. Let us concentrate on land conflicts and whoever is in charge should work more,” Sampulna stressed.

PRC starts administering 2nd Covid booster shots to the elderly, immunocompromised

HE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) started administering second booster shots of Covid-19 vaccines in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday to the elderly and the immunocompromised. The inoculation was carried out as the Department of Health announced last April 13 that the Food and Drug Administration has approved the administration of Covid-19

second booster shots to the elderly, the immunocompromised, and frontline health workers. PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Richard J. Gordon, advised the immunocompromised who are fully vaccinated and have the first booster shot to get the second booster shot if the required time interval has lapsed. “Hinihikayat ko ang ating mga kababayan na immunocompromised na fully

vaccinated at may first booster shot na kumuha ng second booster shot sa akmang panahon,” Gordon said. The spouses Ninfa and Nicanor Viray, who are both elderly and immunocompromised, had their second booster shots at the PRC on Wednesday. Ms. Viray, 84 years old, is a cancer patient who just had a mastectomy. Mr. Viray, 85 years old, is a diabetes patient. They both had their first booster shot

in December 2021. The second booster shot against Covid-19 is given at least four months after the first booster shot, but the interval could be earlier for other patients if prescribed by a doctor. “That we’ll be more protected from more severe symptoms owing to our age. We’d like to be as protected as possible, considering that sometimes we are also compelled to go out

of the house to buy some basic needs,” Ms. Viray said when asked what she hoped the second booster shot would do. She added that getting the second booster shot is part of their taking care of themselves because their decisions about their health affect the rest of the family. When asked how they would encourage other members of the elderly population to

get vaccinated, Ms. Viray said she would show them how she and her husband have relative capacity to still enjoy life, because they can be mobile and interact with people with confidence despite their advanced years. Mr. Viray shares that his style is personal; he talks to his friends about the benefits of getting vaccinated.

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Friday, April 29, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

24 INCH GAUGE CONSTRUCTION INC. L4 Blk. 4, Near Kay Buboy Bridge, San Dionisio, City Of Parañaque

CHEN, CHUNGUANG Quality Construction Specialist 1.

Brief Job Description: Reviews, inspects, and documents all construction projects during the construction period of the current Bond Program

Basic Qualification: Skilled in identifying local construction technologies and construction material sources; Can carry out and monitor testing and inspection of products and materials to ensure the finished product meets quality standards Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

XU, GUOQIAN Quality Construction Specialist 2.

Brief Job Description: Reviews, inspects, and documents all construction projects during the construction period of the current Bond Program

OKAMOTO, TAKERU General Manager

11.

CHE SI NGOC Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

12.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

GAO, YONGZHI Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 4.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

KONG, DEJIANG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 5.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

LAM CHINH ANH Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 6.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

SHI, XINGAN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 7.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Basic Qualification: Can speak mandarin

Brief Job Description: Assist in determining pricing quotes for customers

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: To make sure day-to-day operations and to enhance the value of the company through leadership and proper management of the company’s resources

14.

ARDINE TRISNA WIGATI Bahasa Indonesian Language - Officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs.

15.

16.

17.

18.

LIAO, CAIXIA Mandarin Language - Officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs.

LIN, CHIA-HUI Mandarin Language - Officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs.

PHAM THANH HIEN Vietnamese Language - Officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs.

PHAN HOANG THANH TUYEN Vietnamese Language - Officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

AB LEISURE EXPONENT, INC. 5/f Sm Megamall Bldg. D, J Vargas, Wack-wack Greenhills, City Of Mandaluyong

LIANG, BO-WEN It Supervisor Brief Job Description: Manage the IT team

Basic Qualification: With IT management experience

19.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

TRAN CHI KHUAN Vietnamese Language - Officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs.

ACCENTURE, INC. 7f, Robinsons Cybergate Tower 1, Pioneer St, City Of Mandaluyong BHARGAV, PRAJJWAL Service Delivery Ops Senior Analyst 9.

Brief Job Description: Provide support in monitoring and evaluation of performance gap in relation to language skills

Basic Qualification: JLPT N2 Certified

20.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

TU BOI LINH Vietnamese Language - Officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs.

AIRVENT MECHANICAL SYSTEM INC. Unit 4 9/f Ri-rance Corporate Center, Aseana City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque ZENG, JIE Multilingual Business Process Development Consultant 10.

Brief Job Description: To analyze and design business processes in collaboration with stakeholders and subject matter experts for both sales and marketing organizations

Basic Qualification: 18-55 y/o, with at least 6 months experience, with good oral and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS CO., LTD. 15/f Tower 11 Rcbc Plaza, 6819 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in both Japanese and English. In-depth knowledge of different business functions such as operations, HRFinance, and marketing

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION CHAN KIM FU Host, Premium Services China/sea

22.

Brief Job Description: Providing high quality services to our gaming customers as front runners of Solaire and Casino and project a good image and goodwill of the company

21.

NHU DUC TRUONG Vietnamese Language - Supervisor Fund Management Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs.

Basic Qualification: Must fluently speak and write Bahasa Indonesian language.

WU, ZHENGKAI Project Manager 23.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write Bahasa Indonesia, Vietnamese, Thai, to cater foreign market.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing technical issues on materials and equipment being used

ALIKIN Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Executive 24.

Brief Job Description: Interprets and analyze data using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports.

WU, CHE-YU It Support 25.

26.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write Bahasa Indonesia, Vietnamese, Thai, to cater foreign market. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

BLOOMBERRY RESORTS AND HOTELS INC. Solaire Resort And Casino, 1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the following languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malasia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese. 1 year experience of working in a similar role.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problem

Basic Qualification: Degree in computer science or information technology Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

GERRY Sports Trader-bahasa Speaking I Brief Job Description: Good in statistic or probability

Basic Qualification: Must have good analytical skills, excellent in writing, reading and speaking Bahasa and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CRAWFISH HEAVEN CORPORATION Unit No.h-6c Bldg. No. 6 Philippine National Bank Citem Hall Bldg., Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard St., Zone 10, Barangay 76, Pasay City

LIN, XIAN Executive Chef

27.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write Bahasa Indonesia, Vietnamese, Thai, to cater foreign market.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CLOVERSENSE TECHNOLOGY INC. 29/f Robinsons Summit Center, 6783 Ayala Center, Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin and English both verbal and written

CLICKPLAY SPORTSGAME CORP. 3/f, #119, Dr. Lazcano St., Laging Handa, Quezon City

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write Bahasa Indonesia, Vietnamese, Thai, to cater foreign market.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write Bahasa Indonesia, Vietnamese, Thai, to cater foreign market.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing; relevant experience in this position

CHROMELAB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 25/f Techzone Bldg., 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write Bahasa Indonesia, Vietnamese, Thai, to cater foreign market.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

CHINA CONSTRUCTION FRONT GENERAL DEVT. CORPORATION Unit 3001, Atlanta Center, 31 Annapolis St., Greenhills, City Of San Juan

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

BIGCAT SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS, INC. 18/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue Cor. Rufino Street, Salcedo Vill., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Basic Qualification: At least 15 years’ experience in managerial role in airline industry; good knowledge of different business and operational functions of airline industry; fluent in English and Japanese

HUAN YIK PING Mandarin Accounts Staff

TANAKA, SHIGEHARU President And Chief Operating Officer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

ASAHI NETWORKS PHILS. INC. 6/f Maripola Bldg., 109 Perea St. Legaspi Village, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

13. Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Oversee business as a whole; responsible for branch office targets; responsible for branch office organizational operations accurately and effectively; delegates appropriate discretionary authority to subordinates; improve the level of subordinates and successors management; identifying growth opportunities; developing and implementing growth strategies; responsible for innovation in branch office methods and effective resource allocation

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

ALPHA CENTURY CONSULTANCY INC. Unit 215 Campos Rueda Bldg., 101 Urban Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5-10/f Tower 1, Pitx Kennedy Road, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Ensuring promptness, freshness, and quality of dishes Coordinating cooks’ tasks. Implementing hygiene policies and examining equipment for cleanliness Designing new recipes, planning menus, and selecting plate presentations Reviewing staffing levels to meet service, operational, and financial objectives. Hiring and training kitchen staff, such as cooks, food preparation workers, and dishwashers. Performing administrative tasks, taking stock of food and equipment supplies, and doing purchase orders. Setting and monitoring performance standards for staff. Obtaining feedback on food and service quality, and handling customer problems and complaints.

Basic Qualification: 2+ years of culinary education 5+ years of experience in a similar position preferably in Chinese restaurants and/ or hotels. Advanced knowledge of food professional principles and practices Knowledgeable of authentic Hubei cuisine and other traditional Chinese cuisines. Proficient knowledge of human resources management. Excellent communication skills, speaks and write Mandarin, English and Filipino languages. Ability to meet deadlines. Available to work on-call, shifts, after hours, over weekends, and on public holidays Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

DEXIN INTERNATIONAL IMPORT AND EXPORT CORP. Lot 3 E&e Cmpd., F. Santiago St., Parada, City Of Valenzuela

28.

YU, ZHENJIANG Chinese Cargo Office Agent Brief Job Description: Prepare airline and custom documentation.

Basic Qualification: Have skills in Chinese documentation. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

FAREAST OUTSOURCE PROCESSING INC. 7th, 8th, 9th Flr. Nu Tower, Moa Coral Way, Barangay 76, Pasay City

29.

SHI, JIALIN Customer Service Representative (csr) Brief Job Description: Customer service representative

Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese curriculum. Can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin. Can operate computer mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

FLYING DRAGON NETWORK PHILIPPINES INC. Ri Rance Ii Bldg., Block 2 Lot 3 Aseana City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ANDIKA NASUTION Customer Service Representative 30.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

DANG QUOC DOANH Customer Service Representative 31.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

DHEA RIESPUTRI ADRIATIK Customer Service Representative 32.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

FEBE Customer Service Representative 33.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

LE QUANG TAM Customer Service Representative 34.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

LE SI HIEU Customer Service Representative 35.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

MARTHA AYU LESTARI Customer Service Representative 36.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

MICHELLE VALERY NICOLE Customer Service Representative 37.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

NGUYEN THAI BINH Customer Service Representative 38.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

NGUYEN THI NGOC TRINH Customer Service Representative 39.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

NGUYEN TRUONG GIANG Customer Service Representative 40.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

TRI BUDIARTO KRISMONO Customer Service Representative 41.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

UNG PHU QUAY Customer Service Representative 42.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

VU NGOC TAN Customer Service Representative 43.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College Graduate Level, preferably with Customer Service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

YAP KIAN HUI Customer Service Representative 44.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College Graduate Level, preferably with Customer Service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

45.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate Level, preferably with Customer Service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate Level, preferably with Customer Service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English

DAI, GUANPENG Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 46.

DAO THI THU HIEN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 47.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

FAN, JIE Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 48.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate Level, preferably with Customer Service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English

FU, YAHAO Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 49.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate Level, preferably with Customer Service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English

GAN, HANG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 50.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English

51.

Basic Qualification: College graduate level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English

HOU, JIZHUANG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 52.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

HUANG, QINGJU Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 53.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate Level, preferably with Customer Service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

LIU, NAN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 54.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

MO, HUIHUI Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 56.

57.

58.

59.

60.

61.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

XIONG, HU Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 62.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

YANG, LIHONG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 63.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

WEI, XIAODONG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

TIAN, GEN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

RUAN, XINGHANG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

REN, FEIRAN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

QI, CHENGMING Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in Handling Customer Questions About Services or Products/Excellent Mandarin Communication Skills

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

ZHAO, JUN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 64.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

HAIER ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES PHILIPPINES INC. Blk 11 Lot 35 B Acropolis, Green Subd., Bagumbayan, Quezon City

Basic Qualification: College graduate level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

HOANG VAN HIEP Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in Handling Customer Questions About Services or Products/Excellent Mandarin Communication Skills

GLOBALLGA BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING, OPC Ground Level, Level 2-5 Floor, Silver City 4, Ortigas East, Ugong, City Of Pasig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customer information about products and services

No.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

GLADIOLOUS INC. Unit 25d 2/f Zeta Ii Bldg., Salcedo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Developing, implementing sales strategies, client service, plan and analyzing sales data

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Basic Qualification: College graduate level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and Basic English

WANG, JIA Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

Friday, April 29, 2022

LUONG THUY QUYNH Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 55.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust though open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

WANG, QUN Marketing Director

65.

Brief Job Description: Carry out brand marketing activities to improve the reputation and popularity of Haier brand in the Philippines; standardized shop front, display sample, demonstration and pop material layout of terminal on-site stores to improve terminal competitiveness; responsible in planning the terminal promotional activity plans and investigated market product trends; connect resources with Qingdao headquarters

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 HEIDELBERG PHILIPPINES, INC. Molave Bldg., 2231 Chino Roces Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Must have bachelor’s degree in international business; with at least 10 years of experience in the sales industry; skilled in windows, Microsoft office, access, Photoshop and sap system; must be analytical and logical; fluent in both mandarin and English language; strong interpersonal skills; strong written and verbal communication

FOORD, ABRAHAM JACOBUS Lifecycle Operations (service) Manager 66.

Brief Job Description: Over-all in charge of the Service & Spare Parts Operations for the Territory.

Basic Qualification: Male/Female between 40-45 years of age;Graduate of any Business/IE course from any of Manila’s top colleges/ universities;Minimum 5 years experience in a Managerial Role; Well adept in daily Service operations, Customer Engagement, Customer Service and Complaints Management; Strategic leader with a clear vision and proven track record of efficient management of direct reports; Able to work in a Multi-culture/ fast-paced environment ; Highly articulate with satisfactory Communication & Negotiation skills. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

BusinessMirror

Friday, April 29, 2022

A6 A8

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

IBM BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. 8th Floor, 1800 Bldg., Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City

WEI, SHILIU Multilingual Business Processing Consultant 75.

MAZIMPAKA, THIERRY Hr Contact Center Representative - French Language

67.

Brief Job Description: French Language Quantity of workers needed: 1 Brief description of function/s: The HR Service Administrator is an integral part of IBM and HR. Your goal is to create an outstanding employee experience for IBMers by delivering HR-related services and supporting our employees as they support our customers and clients Help IBMers to build their career by providing them with a personalized experience in this role, you can be part of a team that works with all areas of our global organization and is empowered to achieve goals that align with IBM strategy • Receive inbound calls from customers and answer questions, as well as question participants to obtain full understanding of what information is being requested. Educate callers on client processes whenever necessary • Document all calls with regards to caller’s inquiries accurately using Call Tracking System - Provide quality customer service on every call . Communicate clearly and effectively with participants • Maintains up-todate expertise in a specific subject area With Back office processors, manage events with higher level of difficulty and Customer services, i.e. Death cases • Approve exception requests where there are historical precedents and/or where documented rules are made available. Handles end to end case management process in accordance to agreed time and quality standards. - Follow up escalated cases through the eHR Case Management system - own issue resolution, client follow up, and case closure • Conduct in-depth research, interpret policy based on documented rules and exceptions and resolve complex issues for escalated cases • Facilitate resolution between employees and 3rd party Administration Service Provider, follow up on escalations • Escalate issues that require evaluation by the client (e.g., an exception request with no historical precedence, threat of legal action, etc.) Does outbound calls/ emails to provide resolution to employee • Comply to ILC clocking requirements

68.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help customers, give customers information about product and services

YUAN, SISI Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 69.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help customers, give customers information about product and services

Brief Job Description: To analyze and design business processes in collaboration with stakeholders

COSTE, ALEXANDRE LUCIEN Multilingual Business Processing Consultant 76.

Basic Qualification: Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor’s/ College Degree,preferably Human Resources or equivalent,Excellent verbal and written communications skills required in English and French. Similar work experience of at least 1-2 years especially in a BPO or similar fastpaced setting.Good English Communication (verbal & non verbal) skills.Basic computerand internet navigation skills. Amenable to working in shifting/night schedule. Intermediate in MS Excel Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: To analyze and design business processes in collaboration with stakeholders

NGUYEN THI THUY LINH Multilingual Business Processing Consultant 77.

Brief Job Description: To analyze and design business processes in collaboration with stakeholders

70.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for supervising, managing and coordinating the administration on complex dredging projects worldwide. Responsible for local bookkeeping, secretariat, HR department, import and export and insurances. Must head a team of administrative and bookeeping personnel

JIANG, ZHONGHUA Mandarin Project Planner

78.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Project Planner is responsible for planning and scheduling various workloads. Gathers and analyzes information to prepare status report. Evaluate current procedures and recommends changes to improve the efficiency of planning and scheduling of projects.

LE DANG HUYNH NHU Mandarin Project Planner

79.

Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written

71.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services.

Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written

NGUYEN VAN THUY Mandarin Project Planner

80.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Must have work experience of at least 10 years on International dredging projects; Minimal language skills: Fluent in English and additional points for Dutch and French

TUONG THE QUANG Mandarin Project Planner

81.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for. Fluent to Chinese Mandarin is an advantage

JTI GBS PHILIPPINES, INC. 14th And 17th Floor - Office A, Ten West Campus Building, Le Grand Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

72.

Brief Job Description: Serve as an escalation point for respective stakeholders (Brand Managers, Global Supply Chain, and R&D) in Asia Pacific and Americas region. Responsible for building the New Product Development department, setting up the KPIs and establishing the Service Level Agreements for the respective entities. Ensure a timely transition and successful implementation of the NPD processes through GBS

Basic Qualification: Must be a university degree holder. Must have at least 5 years of related work experience in New Product Development

ZHANG, DONGCAI Mandarin Speaking Computer Support Specialist 73.

Brief Job Description: Resolving service desk problems and improving service methods to increase the service desk productivity and customer service WANG, YAJUN Mandarin Speaking Service Manager

74.

Brief Job Description: Resolving service desk problems and improving service methods to increase the service desk productivity and customer service

Basic Qualification: 18-55 y/o, with at least 6 months experience, with good oral and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: In-depth understanding of construction procedures, materials and project management principles. Must have understanding in cost planning and contracts administration. Familiarity with construction/project management in Mainland China and the Philippines.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, writing and speaking in mandarin

KASCHENBACH, JOHANNES Solar Project Consultant 82.

Brief Job Description: Preparation & update of the Project Schedule required for the construction of the Project on as required basis. Preparation of the Project communication plan.

Basic Qualification: More than 10 years’ experience in the construction of Solar projects & related management experience. Expertise in Renewable energy.

Brief Job Description: Ensures the success of the outlet by effective leadership, consistency and commitment, always keeping in mind the interest of the stakeholder and colleagues, while providing optimum service and maximizing financial results in the department

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

HO THI HA Vietnamese Operations Csr Ii 86.

Basic Qualification: Skilled in Vietnamese Language

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to Vietnamese Speaking clients and customers

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

THINKING MACHINES DATA SCIENCE INC. 16th Floor Twenty-four Seven Mckinley Building, 24th Street Corner 7th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

KIM, MOSES Machine Learning Researcher 87.

Brief Job Description: A highly technical role focused on architecting full machine learning products with cross-functional teams for our clients and internal initiatives.

SOCIALATEMYIND INC. Unit No. Unit 2c Flr. No. No. 4/f, One E-com Center Bldg., Lot No. 4/f Mall Of Asia Complex Ocean Drive St. District 1, District 4, Barangay 76, Pasay City

WONG JUN WEI Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 83.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about products and services

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer questions about services or products / Excellent Mandarin communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SPRING DRAGON TRADING LTD. INC. 35th Flr. Penthouse 1,2 & 4 Manila Eco Tower, 9th Ave. Cor. 32nd St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

XU, JUAN Product Development Specialist

84.

Brief Job Description: Conducts research and keep the track/ logs pertinent information and findings. Report update/ result of efficacy testing done on exploratory raw materials/ concepts to the Product Development Supervisor. Review the product stability and testing results. Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. Must be fluent in English and Mandarin Language

Basic Qualification: Must be able create prototypes for the new materials. Knowledgeable in research and keeps track/ logs pertinent information and findings for product development. Must be fluent in English and Mandarin Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SURESTE PROPERTIES INC. The Executive Offices, Solaire Resort & Casino, 1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

Basic Qualification: PhD in mathematics. Very fluent in English and Korean (speaking and writing), strong fundamental statistics skills, and linear algebra handling skills. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

UNOBANK INC. 2f Baic Building, 2232 Don Chino Roces Avenue, Bangkal, City Of Makati KUMAR, VIVEK Head Of Payments, Loans And Ecosystems

88.

Basic Qualification: Holder of a Master’s Degree in Management

Brief Job Description: Responsible for creating, implementing, supporting innovative and comprehensive digital solutions and services to various customer segments and partner ecosystems for Unobank

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

VICCI BUSINESS CONSULTANCY CORP. 10/f Liberty Plaza, 102 H.v. Dela Costa St., Bel-air, City Of Makati DANG THUC LAN Customer Relation Representative (mandarin Translation) 89.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through Mandarin to English translation HONG, SONG-FU Customer Relation Representative (mandarin Translation)

90.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through Mandarin to English translation LE THI MY HANH Customer Relation Representative (mandarin Translation)

91.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through Mandarin to English translation LOW BOON LEONG Customer Relation Representative (mandarin Translation)

92.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through Mandarin to English translation PENG, WENWU Customer Relation Representative (mandarin Translation)

93.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through Mandarin to English translation

WANG, HONGQIONG Customer Relation Representative (mandarin Translation) 94.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

OKKDA ASIA TECHNOLOGY INC. Unit 5b 5/f Marvin Plaza, 2153 C. Roces Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking, Reading & Writing; Complete Degree of Programs in Business

SANTA CRUZ SOLAR ENERGY INC. 4/f 6750 Bldg., Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Proficient in reading, writing and speaking in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

TELUS INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES, INC. Units 23/f, 31st/f - 37th/f Discovery Centre, Adb Avenue, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

NEWIMPACT INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY INC. 7/f Ba Lepanto Bldg., 8747 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

85.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 18-55 y/o, with at least 6 months experience, with good oral and written.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION CHEN, TAO Supervisor, House Of Zhou International

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CHIRKOVA, MARIYA New Product Development Center Process Manager

Basic Qualification: 18-55 y/o, with at least 6 months experience, with good oral and written.

No.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

JIU ZHOU TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. 31/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Avenue, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

HUANG, WEI-QIANG Chinese Customer Service Representative

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

POWERCHINA PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit 2101 21/f Bdo Equitable Tower, 8751 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

JAN DE NUL (PHILS.), INC. 302 3rd/f Aseana Power Station Macapagal Blvd., Cor. Bradco Ave. Aseana City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

OROLE, DEBBY Financial Manager

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

INFOVINE INC. 8th, 9th, 10th/f Aspire Corporate Plaza Bldg., Macapagal Blvd. St., Zone 10, Barangay 76, Pasay City

NGUYEN THI HUONG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through Mandarin to English translation WU, HAO Customer Relation Representative (mandarin Translation)

95.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through Mandarin to English translation XING, XIAOXIAO Customer Relation Representative (mandarin Translation)

96.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through Mandarin to English translation

Basic Qualification: Through, Extensive & Fluency in Mandarin Language and Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Through, Extensive & Fluency in Mandarin Language and Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Through, Extensive & Fluency in Mandarin Language and Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Through, Extensive & Fluency in Mandarin Language and Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Through, Extensive & Fluency in Mandarin Language and Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

VPC CORPORATE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED 11/f 100 West, Sen Gil Puyat Ave. Cor., Washington St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati NGUYEN MINH NHAT ANH Vietnam-speaking Customer Service Officer 97.

Brief Job Description: Responsible to resolve queries of the malay-customers through email and chats.

Basic Qualification: Excellent in reading, writing and speaking Vietnamese. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

*Date Generated: Apr 28, 2022 Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE National Capital Region located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication. Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Friday, April 29, 2022

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

Name and Address of Employer: MOA CLOUDZONE CORPORATION Covelandia Rd., Brgy. Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Regional Office No. IV-A 4th Flr. Andenson Bldg. II, Brgy. Parian, Calamba City Telefax No.: (049) 545-7362

Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National

April 29, 2022

NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT (AEP)

Notice is hereby given that the following employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s.

HUI XIE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

15.

TAN ZI XIAN Malaysian

MALAYSIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

16.

YUNFENG SHAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

17.

BAIHUA AI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

18.

ZHENZUO WANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

19.

SHENGHUI WANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

14.

Name and Address of Employer: TKD PHIL. MEGA VENTURE INC. Lot 8, Blk 4, Costa Verde Subdivision, Tejeros Convention, Rosario, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National 1.

MANAGING DIRECTOR Develop and execute the company’s business strategies in order to obtain the goals of the board and shareholders.

HYEONGGOO KANG Korean

Monthly Salary Range Php60,000.00 – Php89,999.00

Name and Address of Employer: IBIDEN PHILIPPINES INC. FPIP, Sta. Anastacia, Sto. Tomas, Batangas Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National 2.

EQUIPMENT ENGINEERING (EE) FOL ASSISTANT MANAGER Install and set up FOL equipment, especially highly advanced requirement in semi-additive process machines of plating and exposure

KOTARO HIRAO Japanese

Monthly Salary Range Php150,000.00 – Php499,999.00

Name and Address of Employer: JAE PHILIPPINES INC. Linares Extension Gateway Business Park, Javalera, General Trias, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign National 3.

Position and Job Description GENERAL MANAGER FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE & ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Manage product and process quality as well as Quality Assurance Department activities.

AKIRA NATORI Japanese

Monthly Salary Range

Php500,000.00 above

Name and Address of Employer: ULTRA-PAK PHILIPPINES CORPORATION FCIE, Brgy. Langkaan, Dasmariñas, Cavite

Name and Address of Employer: KEDICA PHILIPPINES CORPORATION FPIP, Brgy. Sta. Anastacia, Sto. Tomas, Batangas Name and Citizenship of Foreign National 4.

Position and Job Description

NOZOMU MORIMOTO Japanese

MANAGER Oversee the overall operation Technical Department

Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National Monthly Salary Range

YUN-JUNG HUANG Taiwanese

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER Create and implement training programs

20.

CHIEH-YO DOONG Taiwanese

YI LIANG Chinese

VO NGUYEN HOANG YEN Vietnamese

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Monthly Salary Range Php90,000.00 – Php149,999.00

Monthly Salary Range

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Files incoming help request from end user from the People’s Republic of China via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner consistent with Chinese standards.

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Files incoming help request from end user from the People’s Republic of China via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner consistent with Chinese standards.

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

21.

WICHIT BUAPHUAN Thai

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

22.

NOBUHIRO SUGAYA Japanese

YUKI MATSUMOTO Japanese

Position and Job Description GENERAL MANAGER Act as management representative responsible for the maintenance and monitoring of the quality management standard all throughout the organization

Position and Job Description

TESTED SLIDER ENGINEERING SR. MANAGER Direct and coordinate production, operations, quality assurance, testing, and maintenance in industrial plants

Monthly Salary Range

Php150,000.00 – Php499,999.00

Position and Job Description

VP – PRODUCTION Plan & direct all manufacturing activities and quality control standards

Monthly Salary Range

Php500,000.00 above

Name and Address of Employer: CHANGHONG TECHNOLOGY PHL CORPORATION FPIP II- SEZ, Brgy. Sta. Anastacia, Sto. Tomas, Batangas

Monthly Salary Range

Position and Job Description

Monthly Salary Range

XIANWEN TAN Chinese

FINANCE MANAGER Produce accurate financial reports and information

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

24.

HAIWEN YAN Chinese

TOOLING SUPERVISOR Lead, supervise and coordinate the activities of production

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

25.

TIAN CHUQIANG Chinese

INJECTION MOLDING PROCESS SPECIALIST Collate, verify, analyze and process data

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

26.

LUBIN DENG Chinese

MOLDING SUPERVISOR Organize workflow by assigning responsibilities and prepare schedule

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

27.

SHIHUA ZHU Chinese

SALES SUPERVISOR Direct and supervise sales and inventory

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

23. Php150,000.00 – Php499,999.00

Name and Address of Employer: TRP, INC. Toyota Sta. Rosa (Laguna) Industrial Complex, SEPZ, Pulong Sta. Cruz, Sta. Rosa, Laguna Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

KENZO ABURAYA Japanese

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

JAPANESE PRODUCT MANAGER Manage the overall strategy and goals of the company

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

Name and Address of Employer: YKK PHILIPPINES, INC. L10, B1, First Philippine Industrial Park -II, SEZ, San Rafael, Sto. Tomas, Batangas

Name and Address of Employer: STANLEY ELECTRIC PHILIPPINES INC. Brgy. Sampaloc 2, Dasmariñas City, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National

SALES MANAGER Manage the sales operation

Name and Address of Employer: WESTERN DIGITAL STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES (PHILIPPINES) CORP. 109 Technology Avenue, SEPZ, Laguna Technopark, Binan, Laguna

Name and Address of Employer: SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan, Laguna Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National

Monthly Salary Range

Php30,000.00 – Php59,999.00

Name and Address of Employer: KINPO ELECTRONICS (PHILIPPINES) INC. Block 7 Lot 1, Main Boulevard, Lima Technology Center – Special Economic Zone, Lipa City, Batangas Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National

Monthly Salary Range

Php90,000.00 – Php149,999.00

Name and Address of Employer: USHIO PHILIPPINES, INC. FCIE-SEZ, Langkaan II, Dasmariñas, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

10.

11.

YASURO KIKUCHI Japanese

SATOSHI KOSHIMIZU Japanese

Position and Job Description TECHNOLOGY SENIOR MANAGER Establish & maintain testing procedures for assessing raw materials, in-process & finish goods.

SALES PROMOTION GENERAL MANAGER Key person to communicate with other Ushio Affiliates with regards to the sales and promotion of Xenon Lamps in the global market

Monthly Salary Range

Php90,000.00 – Php149,999.00

Php150,000.00 – Php499,999.00

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at the DOLE Regional Office within 30 days from the date of publication. Please inform the DOLE Regional Office if you have an information of any criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

Name and Address of Employer: ROHM ELECTRONICS PHILIPPINES, INC. PTC-SEZ, Carmona, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign National 13.

RYOICHI KITAHARA Japanese

Position and Job Description

DEPUTY HQ MANAGER Control the over-all production division condition

Monthly Salary Range

Php150,000.00 – Php499,999.00

To avail of free job referral, placement, and employment guidance services, visit the nearest Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) or log on at http://www.philjobnet.gov.ph

A10 Friday, April 29, 2022

The World BusinessMirror

Editor: Angel R. Calso • www.businessmirror.com.ph

Taiwan’s Covid cases soar past 10,000 in key test of safe haven B

More Beijing classes go online in tightening of Covid-19 rules

aiwan’s Covid-19 cases spiked sharply to more than 10,000 on Thursday, more than doubling in a matter of days, even as the government seeks to avoid imposing widespread restrictions that could harm the economy. The number of domestic infections rose to 11,353, health minister Chen Shih-chung said at a briefing in Taipei on Thursday. That’s up from 5,108 on Monday and 2,969 a week ago, according to government data. The dramatic increase is the first major challenge to Taiwan’s Covid strategy. Through a mixture of tight border controls, quarantine measures and contract tracing, health authorities managed to stamp out all previous outbreaks. The arrival of the highly-infectious Omicron variant has made it more difficult to contain, however, leading to surges in places including China and Hong Kong that had also previously kept the pathogen at bay. Taiwan has been one of the

safest places in the world during the Covid pandemic, with fewer than 850 deaths. Nearly 80 percent of the population has had two vaccines, while about 57 percent have had a third dose, as of Wednesday. The government has been slowly shifting away from its earlier strategy of trying to eliminate all cases, and instead largely allowing life to continue as normal while still trying to prevent uncontrolled spread. While mandatory quarantine remains for those who have come into contact with a confirmed case, officials shortened the length of isolation to three days for those who test negative. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping isn’t facing a challenge to his rule from a public that’s

grown increasingly frustrated at strict Covid controls, although he is taking a hit to his reputation, officials in Taiwan said. Measures to address the latest virus outbreaks have posed increased “political security risk” to Xi’s government, the National Security Bureau said in a report to Taiwan’s lawmakers on Thursday, but “there haven’t been large-scale protests under the tight control of the Chinese Communist Party.” “At the current stage, there’s no obvious internal force in the CCP to challenge Xi,” the spy agency said in the report. “With the Covid situation in Shanghai among other areas gradually under control, it’s believed that Xi’s power status is not shaken yet.” Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which handles issues related to its neighbor, said the reliance on lockdowns to tame flareups has led to a large number of complaints that “will hit the credibility of the CCP leader and his confidants, forming policy pressure.” China’s ruling party urges officials from the highest levels of power to the grassroots to maintain secrecy, so it can be difficult for people observing the nation to get a firm handle on the current state of affairs. Still, it’s clear that

public frustration over the monthlong lockdown of Shanghai—a city of 25 million people that has had difficulty delivering food and ensuring access to medical care— worried the leadership in Beijing given censorship of protest videos. The costs to China’s economy and markets are also beginning to mount. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg last week lowered 2022 growth forecasts for the world’s No. 2 economy to 4.9 percent, versus the government’s target of about 5.5 percent. This poses perhaps the biggest test yet to Xi as he seeks a precedent-breaking third term in power at a major party congress this year. Earlier this month, the 68-year-old defended the lockdow n-dependent approach to fighting the pandemic, although he did reassure the world that his nation was still committed to opening its economy. China’s Covid strategy has also raised tensions with the US, which told all non-essential staff at the consulate in Shanghai to leave the nation. The Foreign Ministry in Beijing said Washington “should immediately stop attacking China’s epidemic prevention policies,” which it has said were based on science and saved lives. Bloomberg News

Latin American nations ease restrictions as infections drop

OGOTA, Colombia—Colombians will soon be going to movie theaters without having to wear face masks. Chile opens its borders next week for the first time in two years. Mexico’s president has declared the pandemic over. And in Rio de Janeiro, tens of thousands attended Carnival parades just two months after the worldfamous spectacle was postponed to prevent Covid-19 infections. Even as coronavirus cases rise half a world away in China and authorities there impose new lockdowns, plummeting infection rates in Latin America have countries eliminating restrictions on mass gatherings, lifting some travel requirements and scrapping mask mandates that have been in place for two years. The region has been hit hard by the pandemic, with nations like Brazil and Peru registering some of the world’s highest death tolls. But cases and deaths fell this month in most places to lows resembling levels last seen in the first two months of the pandemic. Some epidemiologists believe vaccination campaigns and months of exposure to different strains of the virus have helped the region’s populations resist new waves of contagion. “What we appear to be seeing is that while the virus is still circulating, many people are not falling ill or presenting symptoms,” said Fernando de la Hoz, an epidemiology professor at the National University in Bogota, Colombia’s capital. Last year Latin American countries were pummeled by the coronavirus, with the Delta and Gamma variants—the latter of which emerged in Brazil—infecting millions and killing hundreds of thousands. I n Ju n e , B r a z i l r e a c h e d 5 0 0,0 0 0 d e at h s a nd s e v e n countr ies in South A mer ica

A fan cheers during the 22th edition of the Vive Latino music festival in Mexico City on March 20, 2022. The Vive Latino Festival has become Latin America’s biggest Latin rock celebration. As coronavirus cases increase during 2022 in places like China, where authorities are implementing a new round of lockdowns, Latin American countries are eliminating restrictions on mass gatherings and stopping mask mandates that have lasted for two years. AP/Eduardo Verdugo

were among the 10 nations in the world with the highest death rates per capita. Peru is now the only Latin American nation still to have that dubious distinction, according to data compiled by Statista, a market research platform. But even in Peru, Covid-19 deaths have fallen dramatically, from more than 200 a day in February to around 20 by the end of April. Coronavirus intensive care units, packed a year ago, were at just 11 percent of capacity at the beginning of this month, according to the Ministry of Health. T he B A . 2 v a r i a nt of t he v ir us, which spread rapid ly t h rough C h i n a , t he Un ited St ates a nd some Eu ro p e a n countries in March, has not had a sig nificant impact in most of the region so far. In Colombia, cases are down from 35,000 per day in mid-January, when the Omicron variant peaked, to around 250 per day. Daily deaths are in the single digits, and as of the first week of April, just 177 of a total of 10,700 ICU beds were occupied by coronavirus patients, according to the Pan American Health Organization. “We don’t expect that wave

from China to arrive here because our strategy has been different to theirs,” Martha Lucía Ospina, the director of Colombia’s National Health Institute, told radio station La FM this month. “ T hey shut dow n contact w it h t he out s i d e w or l d a s they aimed for a zero Covid strateg y...while we opened up gradually and applied different kinds of vaccines that have generated an interesting mix of immunity,” Ospina said. Most countries in the region have met the World Health Organization’s target of vaccinating 70 percent of their people with at least two doses. As case numbers and hospitalizations fall away, so do many restrictions on social life. Brazil’s federal government revoked a 2020 measure that declared the pandemic a health emergency, and many states have eased mask mandates and other constraints. Masks were not required last weekend at the packed Sambadrome, Rio’s Carnival parade ground, which can hold more than 60,000 spectators. Vaccination cards were supposedly a condition for entry, but people had no trouble getting in without

them. After being suspended in February, the celebrations were moved to an April holiday. Colombia’s government announced that starting May 1, masks will no longer be needed at shopping malls, cinemas and other large indoor venues in cities with vaccination rates of at least 70 percent. Argentina lifted all travel restrictions in March including for unvaccinated people, and Buenos Aires, the capital, no longer requires masks in any venues. In Central America, El Salvador stopped requiring them in public spaces as of April 21st. Masks are also no longer mandatory in most places in Mexico, which has seen daily cases fall from 40,000 in late January to 1,000 in mid-April. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said this week that the country had entered a “new stage” in which the virus will have seasonal variations. There is at least one place where infections are rising: In Puerto Rico, cases rebounded after mask requirements and caps on attendance in public venues were lifted March 10, prompting the island’s government this month to once again mandate masks at large events. The island surpassed 3,000 cases a day this week, according to Johns Hopkins University, up from about 200 per day during the first week of March. Iván Darío Vélez, a specialist in infectious diseases at Colombia’s University of Antioquia, said new mutations and outbreaks can still happen in the coming months, and governments in the region may have to apply new rounds of vaccinations or take other steps. “This virus is very unpredictable,” he added. “Governments will have to monitor its behavior closely and take appropriate measures.” AP

EIJING—Beijing shifted more classes online Thursday in a further tightening of Covid-19 restrictions, as China’s capital seeks to prevent a wider outbreak. The city of 21 million has already ordered three rounds of mass testing this week for the virus, with the third due to take place on Friday, and closed down some communities where cases were found. On Thursday, it moved most students in the sprawling Chaoyang district to online learning, with exceptions for middle and high school students who are preparing to take crucial exams that could determine their academic futures. Beijing announced 50 new cases on Thursday, two of them asymptomatic, bringing its total in the latest wave of infections to around 150. Students make up more than 30 percent of total cases, with clusters linked to six schools and two kindergartens in Chaoyang. At least three other districts had already moved students online, and officials on Thursday announced rules requiring residents to remain inside two housing compounds in Chaoyang where cases have been detected. Beijing has moved more swiftly than many Chinese cities to impose restrictions while case numbers remain low and the scale of the outbreak is still manageable. The goal is to avoid the sort of sweeping measures imposed on Shanghai, where the highly transmissible Omicron variant has torn through the city of 25 million. Restrictions confining many Shanghai residents to their homes are now in their fourth week and all schools have been online since last month. T he st r ic t mea su res h ave spurred anger and frustration over shortages of food and basic supplies, the inability of hospitals to deal with other health emergencies and poor conditions at centralized quarantine sites where anyone who tests positive—or even has contact with a positive case—is required to be sent. The National Health Commission on Thursday reported 11,285 new cases across mainland China, most of them asymptomatic and the vast majority in Shanghai, where an additional 47 deaths were reported. S h a ng h a i c it y aut hor it ies said Wednesday they will analyze the results of new rounds of testing to determine which

neighborhoods can safely expand freedom of movement for residents. Shanghai is seeking to achieve “societal zero Covid” whereby new cases are found only in people who are already under surveillance, such as in centralized quarantine, or among those considered to be close contacts. That would indicate chains of transmission in the open community have been severed, reducing the risk of new clusters forming from previously undetected sources. While China’s overall vaccination rate stands at around 90 percent, just 62 percent of people over 60 have been vaccinated in Shanghai, the country’s largest and wealthiest city. Health workers have been visiting elderly residents at home to administer vaccines in a bid to boost that figure, the city’s Health Commission said Thursday. The pandemic and stringent lockdown measures have taken a toll on the economy, especially in Shanghai, which is home to the world’s busiest port and China’s main stock market, along with a large international business community. A full month’s shutdown of the city will subtract 2 percent from China’s annual economic growth, according to an analysis from ING bank earlier this month. Lockdowns could also affect spring planting, driving up food prices, while transport has also been badly hit. Baiyun Airport, in the southern manufacturing hub of Guangzhou, saw 80 percent of flights canceled Thursday after “abnormal results” were found while testing airport staff, according to online state media source The Paper. Travel, particularly between provinces and cities, is expected to fall during next week’s May Day holiday. China’s international borders have largely remained closed since the Covid-19 outbreak was first discovered in the central city of Wuhan. Despite Beijing’s promises to reduce the human and economic cost of its strict “zero-Covid ” strategy, leaders from President Xi Jinping down have ruled out joining the United States and other governments that are dropping restrictions and trying to live with the virus. All but 13 of China’s 100 biggest cities by economic output were under some form of restrictions earlier this month, according to Gavekal Dragonomics, a research firm. AP

China’s virus lockdowns affect northern hub for coal shipping

he northern port of Qinhuangdao is the latest Chinese commodities hub to get hit by virus-related lockdowns. The city in Hebei province has locked down its Haigang district, which includes the port, after infections were found in the area, although a spokesperson said the port is operating normally. In the first quarter, Qinhuangdao handled nearly 50 million tons of goods, mostly coal from the interior and metal ore imports. Hebei is China’s biggest steel province and its mills rely on seaborne supplies of iron ore. The city is chiefly known as a transition point for sending coal from the mining regions of the north to the coastal industrial centers in the south. The price set at the port is an important benchmark for China’s coal market, which is the largest in the world. While port administrators are working remotely, workers are on site and coal is being transported

normally, the spokesperson said. Still, coal flows have drawn particular scrutiny in recent weeks as markets in the south stress over dwindling imports and a resurgent virus that has clogged up transportation of the nation’s mainstay fuel. Much of the Chinese economy was crippled by an unprecedented power crunch in the fall. Earlier this month, an executive at the China Coal Transportation and Distribution Association said eight coastal provinces, including economic powerhouse Guangdong, are threatened once again by a growing shortfall of the fuel for industry and cooling needs. Miners in the top producing province of Shanxi have since been told to guarantee supplies to the at-risk areas, according to a report. Earlier this week, Baotou, the biggest city in Inner Mongolia, China’s No. 2 coal region, was locked down. Baotou is also a crucial hub for the production of rare earths. Bloomberg News

www.businessmirror.com.ph

The World

European leaders blast cutoff of Russian gas as ‘blackmail’ By Yesica Fisch, Jon Gambrell & Vanessa Gera The Associated Press

OKROVSK, Ukraine—European leaders blasted Russia’s decision to cut natural gas shipments to Poland and Bulgaria as “blackmail,” saying the cutoff and the Kremlin’s warning that it might cease shipments to other countries is a failed attempt to divide the West over its support for Ukraine. Russia’s move Wednesday to use its most essential export as leverage marked a dramatic escalation in the economic war of sanctions and countersanctions that has unfolded in parallel to the fighting on the battlefield. The tactic against the two EU and Nato members could eventually force targeted nations to ration gas and deal another blow to economies suffering from rising prices. At the same time, it could deprive Russia of badly needed income to fund its war effort. Poland has been a major gateway for the delivery of weapons to Ukraine and confirmed this week that it is sending the country tanks. Just hours before Russia’s state energy giant Gazprom acted, Poland announced a new set of sanctions against the company and other Russian businesses and oligarchs. Bulgaria, under a new liberal government that took office last fall, has cut many of its old ties to Moscow and likewise supported punitive measures against the Kremlin. It has also hosted Western fighter jets at a new Nato outpost on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. The gas cuts do not immediately put the two countries in any dire trouble. Poland, especially, has been working for many years to line up other suppliers, and the continent is heading into summer, making gas less essential for households. Also, Russian gas deliveries to both Poland and Bulgaria were expected to end later this year anyway. Still, the cutoff and the Kremlin warning that other countries could be next sent shivers of worry through the 27-nation European Union. Germany, the largest economy on the continent, and Italy are among Europe’s biggest consumers of Russian natural gas, though they, too, have been taking steps to reduce their dependence on Moscow. “It comes as no surprise that the Kremlin uses fossil fuels to try to blackmail us,” said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “Today, the Kremlin failed once again in his attempt to sow division amongst member states. The era of Russian fossil fuel in Europe is coming to an end.” Gazprom said it shut off the two countries because they refused to pay in rubles, as President Vladimir Putin has demanded of “unfriendly” nations. The Kremlin said other countries may be cut off if they don’t agree to the payment arrangement. Most European countries have publicly balked at Russia’s demand for rubles, but it is not clear how many have actually faced the moment of decision so far. Greece’s next scheduled payment to Gazprom is due on May 25, for example, and the government must decide then whether to comply. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told his country’s parliament that he believes Poland’s support for Ukraine—and the new sanctions imposed by Warsaw on Tuesday—were the real reasons behind the gas cutoff. Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov called the suspension blackmail, adding: “We will not succumb to such a racket.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia views gas as a weapon for political blackmail and “sees a united Europe as a target.” On the battlefield, fighting continued in the country’s east along a largely static front line some 300 miles (480 kilometers) long. Russia claimed its missiles hit a batch of weapons that the US and European nations had delivered to Ukraine. One person was killed and at least two were injured when rockets hit a residential neighborhood in Kharkiv. Western officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence findings, said Russia has made slow progress in the eastern Donbas region, with “minor gains,” including the capture of villages and small towns south of Izyum and on the outskirts of Rubizhne. Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk region, conceded that Russia has made some progress in its advance on Rubizhne through its nearly constant bombardment, but that Ukrainian troops are fighting back and retreating only when there is nothing left to defend. “There is no point in staying on territory that has been fired on so often that every meter is well known,” he said. Maxim, a Ukrainian tank commander in the Donbas who didn’t give his last name, offered his rationale for why Ukrainian forces have been able to hold back the better-equipped Russian army: “The strength is not in the tank; the strength is in the people.” The Western officials said some Russian troops have been shifted from the gutted southern port city of Mariupol to other parts of the Donbas. But some remain in Mariupol to fight Ukrainian forces holed up at the Azovstal steel plant, the last stronghold in the city. About 1,000 civilians were said to be taking shelter there with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian defenders. “The situation is very difficult. There are huge problems with water, food,” Serhii Volynskyi, commander of the marine unit inside the plant, said in a Facebook video message. He said hundreds of fighters and civilians were wounded and in need of medical help, and those inside included children, older people and disabled people. In the Black Sea port city of Kherson, which Russian forces have occupied since early in the war, a series of explosions boomed late Wednesday near the television tower and at least temporarily knocked Russian channels off the air, Ukrainian and Russian news organizations reported. Just across the border from the Donbas in Russia, an ammunition depot in the Belgorod region burned after several explosions were heard, the governor said. Blasts were also reported in Russia’s Kursk region near the border, and authorities in Russia’s Voronezh region said an air defense system shot down a drone. Earlier this week, an oil storage facility in the Russian city of Bryansk was engulfed by fire. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak hinted at the country’s involvement in the fires, saying in a Telegram post that “karma [is] a harsh thing.” With the help of Western arms, Ukrainian forces managed to thwart Russian forces’ attempt to storm Kyiv. Moscow now says its focus is the capture of the Donbas, Ukraine’s mostly Russian-speaking industrial heartland. A defiant Putin vowed Russia will achieve its military goals, telling parliament, “All the tasks of the special military operation we are conducting in the Donbas and Ukraine, launched on February 24, will be unconditionally fulfilled.” Gambrell reported from Lviv, Ukraine, and Gera reported from Warsaw, Poland. Associated Press journalists Jill Lawless in London, Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, David Keyton in Kyiv, Oleksandr Stashevskyi at Chernobyl, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, and AP staff around the world contributed to this report.

BusinessMirror

Friday, April 29, 2022 A11

UK: Allies must ‘double down’ and send Ukraine tanks, jets By Jill Lawless

The Associated Press

ONDON—Britain’s top diplomat called Wednesday for Western allies to send tanks, warplanes and other heavy weapons to Ukraine, saying fears of escalating the war were misplaced and “inaction would be the greatest provocation.” Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said “this is a time for courage, not caution” among nations helping Ukraine fight Russia’s invasion. “Heavy weapons, tanks, airplanes—digging deep into our inventories, ramping up production. We need to do all of this,” Truss said during an annual foreign policy speech at Mansion House, the residence of the Lord Mayor of London. Nato nations have supplied Ukraine with military weapons and gear, including missiles and armored vehicles. But they have been reluctant to send fighter planes—despite pleas from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—for fear of escalation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has already accused Nato of effectively waging a proxy war against Russia. Western officials deny that, saying the conflict is between

Russia and Ukraine due to Russia’s illegal invasion of its neighbor. Britain has sent 450 million pounds ($565 million) in military aid to Ukraine, including thousands of missiles. But Despite Truss’s call for jets, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman, Max Blain, said there were “no plans” for the UK to send planes. He did not rule out Britain sending planes to another country, such as Poland, that would then give its own jets to Ukraine, but said there were “no specific plans” to do so. Truss said Russia’s attack on Ukraine must be a wake-up call for international institutions that failed to prevent the invasion. “ The architecture that was designed to guarantee peace and prosperity has failed Ukraine,” Truss said. “The economic and security structures developed after

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss speaks at the Easter Banquet at Mansion House in the City of London, England, on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Britain’s top diplomat called Wednesday for Western allies to send tanks, warplanes and other heavy weapons to Ukraine, saying fears of escalating the war were misplaced and “inaction would be the greatest provocation.” Victoria Jones/PA via AP

the Second World War and then the Cold War have been bent out of shape so far that they have enabled rather than contained aggression.” Truss called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “desperate rogue operator” who was ripping up the global order and outfoxing international institutions. “Russia is able to block any effective action in the UN Security Council,” where it has a veto as a permanent member, she said, adding that the Group of 20 club of wealthy and emerging nations “cannot function as an effective economic body while Russia remains at the table.” In response, Truss called for a new focus on “military strength, economic security and deeper global alliances” among “free nations.”

After years of declining military spending in many countries, including Britain, she said Nato’s goal that countries spend 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense should be “a floor, not a ceiling.” Truss also called for tougher economic sanctions on Russia, saying the West must cut off Russian oil and gas imports “once and for all.” That would be an easier thing to do for Britain than for many other European nations. “If Putin succeeds, there will be untold further misery across Europe and terrible consequences across the globe,” she said. “We would never feel safe again. So we must be prepared for the long haul and double down on our support for Ukraine.”

Occupied Ukrainian city fears sham Russian referendum plans By Francesca Ebel & Yuras Karmanau The Associated Press

VIV, Ukraine—Ever since Russian forces took the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson in early March, residents sensed the occupiers had a special plan for their town. Now, amid a crescendo of warnings from Ukraine that Russia plans to stage a sham referendum to transform the territory into a pro-Moscow “people’s republic,” it appears locals guessed right. After Russian forces withdrew from occupied areas around Kyiv in early April, they left behind scenes of horror and traumatized communities. But in Kherson—a large city with a major shipbuilding industry, located at the confluence of the Dnieper River and the Black Sea near Russian-annexed Crimea—the occupying forces have taken a different tack. “The soldiers patrol and walk around silently. They don’t shoot people in the streets,” said Olga, a local teacher, in a telephone interview last month after the region was sealed off by Russian forces. “They are trying to give the impression that they come in peace to liberate us from something.” “It is a little scary,” said 63-year-old Alexander, who like other residents gave only his first name for fear of reprisals. “But there is no panic, people are helping each other. There is a very small minority of people who are happy that it is under Russian control, but mostly, nobody wants Kherson to become a part of Russia.” While the city has so far been spared the atrocities committed elsewhere, daily life is far from normal. After Russia occupied Kherson and the surrounding region, all access was cut off. Kherson now suffers from a severe shortage of medicine, cash, dairy and other food products, and Ukrainian officials warn the region could face a “humanitarian catastrophe.” Russia has blocked all humanitarian assistance except its own, which troops deliver before Russian state TV cameras, and which many residents refuse to accept. With no cash deliveries to Kherson’s banks, the circulation of Ukraine’s hryvnia currency is dwindling, and damaged communication networks mean credit card payments often fail to go through. Access to Ukrainian TV has been blocked and replaced by Russian state channels. A

strict curfew has been imposed. Residents believe Russian troops have not yet besieged or terrorized the city—as they did in Bucha and Mariupol—because they are planning to hold a referendum to create a so-called “People’s Republic of Kherson” like the pro-Russia breakaway territories in eastern Ukraine. Ballots are already being printed for a vote to be held by early May, Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Lyudmila Denisova warned this month. In an address to the nation on Friday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke directly to residents of occupied Kherson, accusing Russia of planning an orchestrated referendum and urging residents to be careful about personal data they share with Russian soldiers, warning there could be attempts to falsify votes. “This is a reality. Be careful,” he said. Kherson Mayor Igor Kolykhaiev joined the chorus of warnings, saying in a Zoom interview on Ukrainian TV that such a vote would be illegal since Kherson remains officially part of Ukraine. Russia has been silent about any plans to hold a referendum in Kherson, with Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko saying this week he knew of no such proposal. But there is reason for concern. In 2014, a disputed referendum in Crimea amid the Russian annexation was widely believed to be falsified, with results showing nearly 97 percent of voters supported joining Russia. A series of Russian actions this week have added to the growing sense of panic in Kherson. The mayor reported on social media on Monday that Russian troops had seized City Hall, where the Ukrainian flag no longer flew. On Tuesday, the Russians replaced the mayor with their own appointee. A prominent Russian commander, Maj. Gen. Rustam Minnekayev, announced plans to take “total control” of southern Ukraine and the Donbas, eastern Ukraine’s mostly Russian-speaking industrial heartland, with the aim of setting up a land corridor to Crimea. And Ukrainian military intelligence reported that Russia intends to forcibly mobilize the local population, including doctors, in the southern occupied territories to support the Russian war effort. Kherson is a strategically important

city and the gateway to broader control of the south. From Kherson, Russia could launch a more powerful offensive against other southern cities, including Odesa and Krivy Rih. The occupation of the Kherson region would also maintain Russia’s access to the North Crimean canal. After the annexation, Ukraine cut off water from the canal, which flows from the Dnieper River to Crimea and previously supplied 85 percent of the peninsula’s needs. Volodymyr Fesenko, a political analyst at the Penta Center think tank in Kyiv, says the Russian military’s softer behavior in Kherson is because units from Crimea and separatists from Donetsk and Luhansk, who are either ethnic Ukrainians or have close connections to the region, are deployed there. “Therefore, there have been no atrocities,” he said. The situation in the surrounding Kherson region, however, tells a very different story—with daily reports of kidnappings, torture, killings or rape. Thousands of

people have been deprived of electricity, water and gas. “The situation in the Kherson region is much worse and much more tragic,” said Oleh Baturin, a local journalist. “Kherson is a big city and there aren’t that many soldiers. It is easier for them to take control of the villages; they are defenseless.” On April 19, Russian forces opened fire on the villages of Velyka Oleksandrivka and Rybalche, killing civilians and damaging homes, the Kherson Region Prosecutor’s Office reported. A week earlier, Russian troops shot dead seven people in a residential building in the village of Pravdyne. “After that, intending to cover up the crime, the occupier blew up the house with the bodies of the executed people” inside, the report said. Russian soldiers have also kidnapped local activists, journalists and war veterans, according to Kolykhaiev, the Kherson mayor, who said more than 200 people have been abducted.

A12 Friday, April 29, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

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Protect yourself, a new Omicron variant is here

or two years now, health experts have been reminding us not to let our guard down against Covid-19, with some of them saying the coronavirus is here to stay and we should have learned by now to make Covid health protocols a part of our lives. As the virus continues mutating faster than before, with the new variants getting more contagious, the battle seems to be getting tougher. In a recent report, experts said the highly virulent Omicron variant that devastated many countries—including the Philippines—early this year, has mutated again to form another strain called BA.2.12.1. Virologists said this new variant appears to be more contagious than the original Omicron and therefore needs to be watched carefully. From the Associated Press: “What do we know about the new Omicron mutant? It’s a descendant of the earlier super-contagious “stealth Omicron” and has quickly gained ground in the United States. The BA.2.12.1 variant was responsible for 29 percent of new Covid-19 infections nationally last week, according to data reported Tuesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And it caused 58 percent of reported infections in the New York region. The variant has been detected in at least 13 other countries, but the US has the highest levels of it so far. Scientists say it spreads even faster than stealth Omicron.” The Department of Health (DOH) has detected on Wednesday the first case of Omicron-BA.2.12 in Baguio City. Through its Center for Health Development in the Cordillera Administrative Region, the DOH surveillance systems detected BA.2.12 in a 52-year-old Finnish female who arrived from Finland on April 2, 2022. She was not required to undergo routine isolation at a quarantine facility since she was fully vaccinated and arrived asymptomatic. (Read, “Omicron subvariant in PHL, DOH confirms,” in the BusinessMirror, April 28, 2022). Nine asymptomatic close contacts of the Finnish lady were identified, and two of them tested negative for Covid-19. “Subsequently, the patient has finished her seven-day isolation and has recovered and discharged. The patient returned to her home country on April 21, 2022,” the DOH said, as it assured the public that the country’s surveillance systems are able to detect new cases and characterize their lineage. Omicron-BA.2.12 is a sub-lineage of the currently circulating Omicron variant in the US that was recently flagged by the US Center for Disease Control following a spike in Covid-19 cases in the US. The World Health Organization, based on global reports and data, declares whether a new mutation is a variant of interest (VOI) or variant of concern (VOC). The CDC said a variant is classified as a VOI if it shows “specific genetic markers that have been associated with changes to receptor binding, reduced neutralization by antibodies generated against previous infection or vaccination, reduced efficacy of treatments, potential diagnostic impact, or predicted increase in transmissibility or disease severity.” A VOC is one in which “there is evidence of an increase in transmissibility, more severe disease (e.g., increased hospitalizations or deaths), significant reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures,” according to the CDC. Scientists are still studying these Omicron sub-lineages in terms of transmissibility, and if they can cause more severe disease. Preliminary data have shown that their mutations are associated with higher transmissibility. However, there is currently no evidence that these variants can cause more severe disease. Currently, the Omicron-BA.2.12 is neither classified a variant of interest nor variant of concern by the World Health Organization. But we should remember that this is a new variant that scientists are still studying. With the May 9 elections fast approaching, if we are not careful, there’s a chance that we may see another surge in Covid infections in the country, much like what is currently happening in China. Although our nationwide vaccination coverage is increasing, there is still a need to continue adhering to the public minimum health standards. It pays to remind ourselves that we are not out of the woods yet with regard to this virus.

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Power and the road to climate justice Ma. Angelica B. America

EAGLE WATCH

S explained in Todaro and Smith (2015), traditional economics is concerned primarily with the efficient, least-cost allocation of scarce productive resources and with the optimal growth of these resources over time so as to produce an ever-expanding range of goods and services. Traditional neoclassical economics deals with an advanced capitalist world of perfect markets; consumer sovereignty; automatic price adjustments; decisions made on the basis of marginal, private-profit, and utility calculations; and equilibrium outcomes in all product and resource markets. It assumes economic “rationality” and a purely materialistic, individualistic, self-interested orientation toward economic decision making. Todaro and Smith proceed to explain that political economy goes beyond traditional economics to study, among other things, the social and institutional processes through which certain groups of economic and political elites influence the allocation of scarce productive resources now and in the future, either for their own benefit exclusively or for that of the larger population as well. Political economy is, therefore, concerned with the relationship between politics and economics, with a special emphasis on the role of power in economic decision making. Development economics, to a greater extent than traditional economics and political economy, must be concerned with the economic, cultural, and political requirements

for effecting rapid structural and institutional transformations of entire societies in a manner that will most efficiently bring the fruits of economic progress to the broadest segments of their populations. Now, as the common adage goes, “Knowledge is power.” Oftentimes, however, as seen in the real world, knowledge may not be enough to make a difference, especially if one is not in power. And, who holds the power, you might ask? Not just the ones who hold political power (which makes the upcoming national and local elections very crucial), but the stakeholders responsible for exponentially using resources for profit, and utilizing the money earned to make a difference (for better or for worse). The political ecology model

addresses the elephant in the room, which previous human ecology models failed to consider, or to which such previous models had limited exposure: the role of power dynamics in the allocation of scarce resources. While one might think that this is predominantly an economic question, economics relies primarily on the premise that resources are scarce, particularly those that come from the earth. Thus, sustainable utilization of resources has increasingly been the utmost priority of concerned organizations, at the helm of which is the United Nations, as it rolled out the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. According to Christiana Figueres, one of the key architects of the 2015 Paris Agreement, 2030 is “the cutoff date by which time we basically will be already choosing between a world of constant and increasing destruction and human misery or a world that is actually much much better than what we have now.” (Clifford, 2021) Moreover, according to Clark (2012), calls for social justice and equity are increasingly including not just a social dimension but also an ecological one, seeing that we are nearing the deadline for irreversible damage to be sustained by the planet and consequently by its inhabitants for centuries to come. Of course, it will not yet be the end of the world, but the interaction between social systems and ecosystems will be increasingly strained, until the reality of scarcity becomes all the more damning for all parties. The political ecology model high-

lights the importance of including the distribution of power in the discourse on resource allocation, which, once analyzed, can be evaluated in order to improve the efficiency and the equity of the allocation through better coordination and policy-making (Malayang, 1999). On the other hand, the social ecological system framework underscores the reality that “the development of successful institutional arrangements for governance was, in part, dependent on understanding complex and interdependent linkages between these social and ecological variables” (Partelow, 2018). I guess the main point I am trying to drive at is that for sustainability efforts to succeed, holders of power must be aware of the gravity of our global environmental crisis, and, therefore, not be a slave to greed, and participate in global and national efforts to seek solutions towards climate justice through inclusive dialogue and policy-making. This goes for both political and corporate holders of power, with the former having the mandate to enact laws that support the fulfillment of the SDGs, and the latter having more opportunities to reduce their carbon footprint. As individual stakeholders, our voices might be small, but, together, we can lobby for a better earth not just for ourselves, but for future generations. The clock is ticking for us. Hopefully, it is not too late to make a stand. Ms. Ma. Angelica B. America is a faculty member of the Department of Economics at Ateneo de Manila University.

Wall Street investor Hwang, once worth billions, arrested By Larry Neumeister | The Associated Press

EW YORK—The owner of a New York-based hedge fund that collapsed when it defaulted on margin calls was arrested Wednesday on charges alleging he defrauded leading global investment banks and brokerages of billions of dollars. The charges unsealed in an indictment in Manhattan federal court named Bill Hwang, the founder of Archegos Capital Management, and his former chief financial officer, Patrick Halligan. Prosecutors allege Hwang told the banks and brokerages lies so his private investment firm could grow its portfolio from $10 billion to $160 billion. Both men entered not guilty pleas to racketeering conspiracy and fraud charges through their lawyers at an arraignment. Hwang was freed on $100 million bail while Halligan was freed on $1 million bail. US Attorney Damian Williams said at a news conference that the scheme “nearly jeopardized our financial system.” “But last year, the music stopped. The bubble burst. The prices dropped. And when they did, billions of dollars of capital evaporated nearly over-

night,” he said. Williams said Archegos head trader Scott Becker, 38, of Goshen, New York, and William Tomita, 38, of Greenwich, Connecticut, the firm’s chief risk officer, pleaded guilty last week in connection with their participation in the conspiracy and are cooperating with the government. The prosecutor said the defendants lied to banks to get billions of dollars that they used to inflate the stock price of publicly traded companies. “The lies fed the inflation and the inflation led to more lies,” he said. “Round and round it went.” Williams said that at one point, Hwang and his firm secretly controlled over 50 percent of the shares of ViacomCBS. Hwang, 58, of Tenafly, New Jersey, carried out the fraud from March 2020 to March 2021 by originally in-

vesting his personal fortune, which grew from $1.5 billion to over $35 billion, and later the investments he borrowed from major banks and brokerages, which grew from about $10 billion to over $160 billion, the indictment said. He hid the extent of his market prowess from investors by using derivative securities that had no public disclosure requirement, it said. “As a result, despite the size of Archegos’s positions, the investing public did not know that Archegos had come to dominate the trading and stock ownership of multiple companies,” the indictment said. The risky maneuvers made the firm’s portfolio highly vulnerable to price fluctuations in a handful of stocks, causing a flurry of margin calls in late March 2021 that had a destructive domino effect. Over $100 billion in market value disappeared in days for nearly a dozen companies and banks and prime brokers duped by Archegos lost billions, the indictment said. It said the schemes also caused millions of dollars in losses for innocent Archegos employees who had been required to allocate to the firm

a substantial amount of their pay as deferred compensation. Separate civil charges against Hwang and Halligan, 45, of Syosset, were brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission. In a release, SEC Chair Gary Gensler said: “The collapse of Archegos last spring demonstrated how activities by one firm can have farreaching implications for investors and market participants.” “We allege that Hwang and Archegos propped up a $36 billion house of cards by engaging in a constant cycle of manipulative trading, lying to banks to obtain additional capacity, and then using that capacity to engage in still more manipulative trading,” said Gurbir S. Grewal, director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. “But the house of cards could only be sustained if that cycle of deceptive trading, lies and buying power continued uninterrupted, and once Archegos’s buying power was exhausted and stock prices fell, the entire structure collapsed, allegedly leaving Archegos’s counterparties billions in trading losses,” Grewal said. See “Wall Street,” A13

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Is Armageddon coming? Going blind for the birds Manny F. Dooc

Tito Genova Valiente

TELLTALES

WENTY nineteen to 2022 may be the most momentous years during the past 80 years in world history. In 2019, the world was hit by a pandemic, which has devastated the entire planet. It has caused untold human tragedy causing dramatic loss of human lives. It has triggered the most serious economic crisis the world has known since World War II, with undetermined number of businesses shuttered and hundreds of millions of jobs lost. And before the pandemic could be contained, Russia invaded its neighbor and former fellow member of the Soviet Union, Ukraine. Despite the appeasement efforts of some countries, Russia was undeterred in its ambition to recover its lost territories, and global prestige, as a world power following the end of the Cold War. The war has further disrupted the world’s economy and threatened to wipe out an entire nation from the face of the earth. Russia, in prosecuting this unjustified war, has unleashed its dreaded arsenal of weapons, including guided missiles and highly destructive armament displaying before our unbelieving eyes the horrors of war. It’s an armed conflict that has revived the conflict between Russia and its allies and the Western World led by the US and Nato countries reminiscent of the Cold War, which polarized the world after World War II. Nato countries and their allies have rallied behind the beleaguered nation, Ukraine, and supported its war efforts by sending Ukraine much needed military aids, including helicopters, high-tech attack drones, tanks, anti-aircraft missiles and powerful weapons to fend off massive attacks by Russia. Arguably, Ukraine could defeat the Russian army with more firepower as it had amply demonstrated when it successfully repelled a barrage of assaults by the invaders to occupy Kyiv and Kharkiv. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims that his country can change the tide of war if heavy weapons are delivered on time by their allies. But most friendly countries are deeply concerned that giving in fully to Ukraine’s demands would eventually draw their countries into the war against the nuclear-armed Russia. Earlier, Nato countries and the US had declined Zelenskyy’s request to provide Ukraine with jet fighters and declare a “no fly zone” over the country. Russia had earlier warned Nato and the US that accommodating Ukraine’s plea would amount to entering the war and such may result in “unpredictable results.” Since the Russian forces were foiled in their attempt to occupy Kyiv and other main cities, Russia has shifted its attacks on the eastern part of Ukraine, inflicting tremendous losses in Mariupol, Kherson and other parts of Donetsk and Luhansk. Nato leaders, including Boris Johnson of the UK and other Prime Ministers of member countries, had personally visited Kyiv to express their support. Only this week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin conferred with Zelenskyy personally in Ukraine’s capital to assure him of their unwavering support. After leaving Ukraine, Austin met with representatives of more than 40 allied countries to discuss how they can organize better military and humanitarian support for Ukraine. Speaking at an airbase in Germany where the meeting was held, Austin declared that “the group will be a vehicle for nations of goodwill to intensify our efforts, coordinate our assistance and focus on winning today’s fight and the struggles to come.” This definitely angered Russia who quickly retorted through its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that US and its allies’ pursuit of a proxy war could lead to a nuclear war. Lavrov warned that “the risks are quite considerable.” While he did not want them to be blown out of proportion, he said that “the danger is serious, real—it must not be underestimated.” For the first time we heard what was supposed to be unmentionable—a nuclear conflict that will inevitably lead to World War III. It will be a global conflagration that will end all wars. On record, nine countries in the world possess nuclear weapons. US,

Russia, China, United Kingdom, France, Israel, India, Pakistan and North Korea are nuclear-powered. The US and Russia have the biggest nuclear arsenal in the world, with over 5,500 weapons each, more than enough to send our planet to smithereens. At least three countries —US, UK and France—are openly aligned with Ukraine. They may keep their nuclear arsenal to deter war; but other rogue countries may use them to threaten and coerce. Unfortunately, Russia appears to be one of them, judging from its conduct of its war against Ukraine. Russia, the oppressor in this conflict, has been thoroughly ruthless and has violated every rule in the book to bring down Ukraine to its knees. It has bombed non-military targets, committed atrocities against the civilian population and deployed prohibited weapons banned under international laws. Recently, several mass graves have been discovered where an undetermined number of dead civilians in areas occupied by the invading Russian soldiers were buried. Opposition to Vladimir Putin has been trying to read his mind. Foremost in their concern is whether the Russian leader has a rational mind to conduct the war with due regard to the rules of war and international law. Does he foresee the consequences of his actions and their resulting accountability? When will Russia stop dangling its nuclear warheads and start deploying them? God forbid, but the next global world war may result in a cataclysmic conflict that may cause the demise of the world civilization. Its death toll would be immense and the destruction would be catastrophic. Nuclear bombs will not respect any people or state. Guided missiles like what we are seeing in Ukraine have pulverized their targets. How much more if Russia deploys nuclear weapons? The scale of devastation would be unimaginable. Severely damaging radioactive fallout would destroy lives born and unborn. The modern nuclear weapons are thermonuclear and much more powerful than the bombs detonated in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. According to NukeMap, such a new weapon if dropped in a populous city like New York would cause more than half a million deaths. And many of them are stored in the Russian arsenal. A nuclear explosion would disrupt the global climate and cause irreparable damage to our environment. It will destroy our ecosystem, which sustains life on our planet. Food production will suffer causing worldwide starvation and famine. We will freeze in nuclear winter. The world has seen how the carnage and destruction in Ukraine have caused a massive refugee crisis. More than 1/10 of the country’s population has crossed to the neighboring countries to seek shelter, causing a severe strain on the resources of the host countries. A nuclear war will displace the entire non-combatant population of the warring countries to seek safe havens elsewhere. The world cannot afford a nuclear war. This madness should end. As the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, a coalition of nongovernment organization in several countries aiming to ban nuclear weapons, has been telling us, “nuclear weapons are the most inhumane and indiscriminate weapons ever created. That’s why it is time to end them, before they end us.” Aptly, a firecracker manufacturer in Bulacan has called its most explosive product: “Goodbye, Philippines.” If Russia will deploy its nuclear warheads, we can only pray and mumble, “Goodbye, world.”

annotations

T happened in December, when the wind was cold and strong, but I remember it now, in April. The day was crisp and I was up early to feed the birds. Not the ones in cages, but those flying about. Ordinary birds, regular flying beings, darting in and out of the window, buzzing close to the screen doors of our home.

I was the first to develop this habit. It came when I began to listen to the cries of the birds. Or were they songs? I am not an ornithologist but my instinct was to feel the hunger of these creatures. The decision: I would intervene with nature. Would I feed them with grains of milled rice, fresh and raw from the container in the kitchen? Or, would they want the cooked varieties? My good grades in six units of Readings in Physical Anthropology back in graduate school urged me to go for natural selection. Their beaks being small could only prepare them for soft seeds or softer rice. From the leftover cooked rice I gathered a spoonful and placed them on a plastic cover of a discarded container. On top of the head of the small posts that served as foundation for the fence I placed them. It took a while for the small birds to notice them. But soon, they were droning above the food, pecking tiny morsels and flying away with them. As I was doing this, I did not notice that my sister-in-law, Ate Naomi, was looking down amused at this act of mercy on my part. It was the height of the pandemic. We were all locked down. She understood the insanity of our conditions. It was only when I would wake up late and the birds were anxiously (or so I assumed) anticipating their feeds that Ate Naomi reminded me to place first thing in the morning, the food for the birds. She, too, had been lured into this business of feeding birds—

the brown maya and sometimes the bigger, rowdier Pied Fantail. It was in that month, deep in the habit of breaking the cosmic flow of the surroundings, that I almost went blind. I am, of course, exaggerating the way I had embellished my role as the custodian of nature by designating myself to be the feeder of free, untamed birds. It was late afternoon. There were more birds than usual filling the spaces above our house. They could be hungry, I told myself. There was also anxiety: have I induced an imbalance in their world, where, far from rice fields and forests, I have provided them with a surplus of food, much greater than what the avian universe afforded them to have. When no man was there to attribute them the qualities of want, and provide an anthropomorphism of poverty. But I needed to feed them. It was no more what these birds wanted (at this point I had not yet tried to read the minds from those infinitely tiny heads) than turning my humanity into a performative act. The scene was quick, as unpredictably swift as any accidents. Like the freak ones. A thin branch swung and I felt a sting on my right eye. I squinted. The instinct to protect was there but it was milliseconds late. A

Friday, April 29, 2022 A13

smarting pain was driving across my conjunctiva (I still have the time to be pseudo-medical), deep into my nose. Even my forehead sensed the dangerous hurt. I thought of the lens implanted on my eye. I returned to that magnificent operation where, after the drilling of the cataract on the right eye was finished, the very same right eye I though by now had been damaged, I saw the light above and the rush of clouds on the bluest of skies through the window. Would I go blind? Would my vision return to blur? But a good doctor was around to save my eye, the eye that received a huge amount of medical redemption some three years back. When the swelling had subsided after a week and the redness had vanished, I was back to feeding the helpless (again my human bias at work) beings. During the days that

my eyes were healing, however, Ate Naomi took over the task. She was more generous, leaving mounds of rice on top of the fences and fattening a population of birds. She was, like me, getting to know more about the birds. In those moments, we were, in our humble assessment, better humans; otherwise, why would we appropriate for ourselves this chore of helping out those in flight? Maybe we were marking out

our territories against these birds by feeding them, and bringing them into our world. Perhaps, that was not kindness. Perhaps, that was our own loneliness. In her moving book, Living as a Bird, Vinciane Despret, the Belgian philosopher of science, constantly revisits the notion of territories for birds: “If there are territories which are bound by song, or more precisely, territories which are bound by the power of a simulacrum of presence, territories which become bodies and bodies which expand to become living spaces…there are undoubtedly many other ways of being, many other ways of inhabiting a territory, all of which may give rise to many different worlds.” Back to the porch of the home I shared with Ate Naomi, came the thought that by feeding these birds that did not need feeding, we were freeing ourselves from the fears of the global infections. We were learning about ourselves from the birds not by being inspired by them or being pushed to joys by their songs (for they were not even songs but whimpers) but because we were learning another dimension in the universe. “Our task should be to multiply worlds rather than to reduce them to our own,” Despret speaks. In the house I am staying now, for the moment, I have no chance of feeding the birds. There are three huge trees in front of my gate. Up there, the birds have their own world. Dear Ate Naomi is not with us anymore. Death is the simplest explanation to her being gone. But I have learned from birds and their use of space, which is also Time. I think of her as being somewhere. In the multiple realities of this world, she could be in territories unseen, feeding more birds, or softly blowing the wind away from their wings for fear that she could go blind to the beauty of their songs and dreams. E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

Russia releases US Marine vet in surprise prisoner exchange By Eric Tucker & Matthew Lee The Associated Press

ASHINGTON—Russia and the United States have carried out an unexpected prisoner exchange in a time of high tensions, trading on Wednesday a Marine veteran jailed by Moscow for a convicted Russian drug trafficker serving a long prison sentence in America. The deal involving Trevor Reed, an American imprisoned for nearly three years, would have been a notable diplomatic maneuver even in times of peace but it was all the more surprising because it was done as Russia’s war with Ukraine has driven relations with the US to their lowest point in decades. On the other end of the swap was Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot who’d been serving a 20-year federal sentence for conspiring to smuggle cocaine into the US. Even as the Biden administration trumpeted the swap, it made clear the resolution did not herald a broader breakthrough between the countries. Russian forces remain determined in their assault on Ukraine, the US and Western allies continue to impose punishing sanctions and other Americans, including WNBA star Brittney Griner and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, still remain jailed in Russia. The swap, the culmination of longstanding requests by both countries as well as private diplomatic wrangling, took place in Turkey when “the two planes pulled up side by side, essentially, and then they got out,” said Reed’s

Wall Street. . . continued from A12

Hwang’s attorney, Lawrence Lustberg, said lawyers were “extremely disappointed” with a prosecution that they believe has “absolutely no factual or legal basis.” “A prosecution of this type, for

father, Joey. “I think it’s going to really hit home for him and for us when we finally get to see him and touch him,” he said in an interview with The Associated Press. Reed, a 30-year-old former Marine from Texas, was arrested in the summer of 2019 after Russian authorities said he assaulted an officer while being driven by police to a police station following a night of heavy drinking. He was later sentenced to nine years in prison, though the US government has described him as unjustly detained and pressed for his release while his family has asserted his innocence and expressed concerns about his deteriorating health—which included coughing up blood and a hunger strike. Even on Wednesday, his parents’ joy was mitigated by the concern they said they felt about his physical appearance. They were struck by his unsteady gait and how thin he looked as TV footage captured him walking, flanked by guards, from a van to the jet. “He just didn’t sound like himself,” said Reed’s mother, Paula, recounting their brief phone conversation while he was on the plane. “We just asked him how he was doing and he said, ‘I’m fine.’ But he always says that even when he isn’t. And he just didn’t sound like his normal self.” Reed was en route back to the US, traveling with Roger Cartsens, the US government’s special presidential envoy for hostage affairs. President Joe Biden, who met in Washington with Reed’s parents last month, hailed Reed’s release and noted without elaboration that “the negotiations that allowed us to bring Trevor home

required difficult decisions that I do not take lightly.” The Russian government also confirmed the deal, with the foreign ministry describing the exchange as the “result of a long negotiation process.” A senior Biden administration official cautioned that the negotiations centered on a “discrete set of prisoner issues” and did not represent a change to the US government’s condemnation of Russia’s violence against Ukraine. “Where we can have discussions on issues of mutual interest we will try to talk to the Russians and have a constructive conversation without any way changing our approach to the appalling violence in Ukraine,” the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the administration. Yaroshenko, for his part, was arrested in Liberia in 2010 and extradited to the US on drug trafficking charges. The Justice Department has described him as “an experienced international drug trafficker” who conspired to distribute thousands of kilograms of cocaine around the world. A lawyer for Yaroshenko, who in 2020 unsuccessfully sought to have his client freed on compassionate release because of the coronavirus pandemic, did not return an e-mail seeking comment Wednesday. Russia had sought Yaroshenko’s return for years while also rejecting entreaties by high-level US officials to release Reed, who was approaching his 1,000th day in custody after being convicted on what one US official, Ambassador John Sullivan, decried as “laughable” evidence.

The prisoner swap was the most prominent release during the Biden administration of an American deemed wrongly detained abroad and came even as families of detainees who have met over the last year with administration officials had described the officials as cool to the idea of an exchange. The US government does not typically embrace such exchanges. It fears doing so might encourage foreign governments to take additional Americans as prisoners as a way to extract concessions. And it is concerned about a potential false equivalency between an unjustly detained American—which US officials believe Reed was—and a properly convicted criminal. In this case, though, the US decided the deal made sense in part because Yaroshenko had already served a long portion of his prison sentence, which has now been commuted, a senior official told the AP on condition of anonymity. In a statement, the Reed family thanked Biden, “for making the decision to bring Trevor home,” other administration officials, and Bill Richardson, former US ambassador to the United Nations. The family said Richardson traveled to Moscow in the hours before the Ukraine war began in hopes of securing Reed’s release. Reed’s release had no immediate impact on the cases of other Americans held by Russia. Griner, for one, was detained in February after Russian authorities said a search of her bag revealed vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis. Whelan is being held on espionage-related charges his family says are bogus.

open-market transactions, is unprecedented and threatens all investors,” he said in a written statement. “As you will see when the facts unfold, Bill Hwang is entirely innocent of any wrongdoing; there is no evidence whatsoever that he committed any kind of crime, let alone the overblown allegations that pervade this indictment.”

Lustberg said it was also disappointing that Hwang was arrested without notice even though he “has made himself available and fully cooperated with the Government’s investigation.” “We vehemently dispute the charges as a matter of law and fact and are confident that we will prevail in Court, but in no event was

an arrest necessary in this case, in the midst of an investigation that has gone on for more than a year and apparently remains ongoing,” he wrote. Attorney Mary Mulligan, representing Halligan, said: “Pat Halligan is innocent and will be exonerated.” Associated Press Writer Karen Matthews contributed to this report.

A14 Friday, April 29, 2022

Kerwin Espinosa recants drug-tie claim vs de Lima A By Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

LLEGED drug lord Kerwin Espinosa has recanted his sworn statements implicating Senator Leila de Lima in Illegal drug trade activities inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) during her term as secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Espinosa made the retraction following the filing of drug trafficking charges against him by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) before the Department of Justice-National Prosecution Office (DOJ-NPS) in March 2021 after he was removed from the Witness Protection Program (WPP) for several infractions. His recantation was contained in the four-page counteraffidavit he filed before the DOJ-NPS. He claimed that the complaint was anchored on the extrajudicial confession he executed on December 14, 2016 and the statements he gave during hearings conducted by the

Senate Joint Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and the Committee on Justice and Human Rights inquiry and investigation on the killing of his father, Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. The respondent claimed that the NBI filed the case to pressure him to cooperate and affirm in various courts his testimony given during the Senate hearings. However, he said, he has no intention of doing so since he was only “coerced, pressured and intimidated, and seriously threatened by the police.” “He has no other option but to invent stories for fear of his life and

of his family since his father, then [Albuera, Leyte) Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., was killed on November 15, 2016 or just 18 days prior to the Senate hearing. Respondent was told to cooperate or else he and some members of his family will suffer the same fate as his father,” his counteraffidavit read. With regard to De Lima, Espinosa has denied any dealings with her and claimed that he was only coerced to implicate her in the illegal drug trade activities inside the NBP. “Finally, any and all his statements given during the Senate hearings, or in the form of sworn written affidavits, against Senator Leila de Lima are not true. He has no dealings with Sen. De Lima and has not given her any money at any given time. Any statement he made against the senator are false and was the result only of pressure, coercion, intimidation, and serious threats to his life and family members from the police who instructed him to implicate the senator into the illegal drug trade,” Espinosa said. “For this, [the] undersigned

apologizes to Senator De Lima,” he added. The DOJ, however, belittled Espinosa’s recantation, saying that it would not have any bearing on De Lima’s prosecution for alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade, since he was not used as witness by the prosecution. Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said the NPS will release a briefer on Espinosa’s case soon. Based on the complaint filed by the NBI, Espinosa together with several other respondents transacted several kilos of shabu through cellphone with several convicted drug lords running the illegal drug operations inside the NBI from 2011 to 2016. Espinosa earlier claimed that De Lima, staunch critic of President Duterte’s anti-illegal drug war campaign, received protection money from operators of illegal drug trade inside the NBP, but the latter denied the charges against her and accused the administration of political persecution.

DTI SEEKS TO MOVE FUND FOR ‘CARS’ TO E-VEHICLE MAKING By Andrea San Juan

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is crafting an executive order that will allow the rechanneling of funds for the third participant of the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program to electrical vehicle manufacturing. Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez also said the government is targeting to release an executive order (EO) that will lower tariffs on imported electric vehicles (EVs) before the end of President Duterte’s term “There are supposed to be three participants [but there's no third one]. The remaining budget for that, hopefully, we can convert [or] channel it to the development for the manufacturing of e-vehicles as well. It’s still a draft EO that I like to present to the president and hopefully it can be passed by the President in his administration,” Lopez said. “We’re just undergoing the process now. The usual hearings in the tariff commission so that we can formalize the adoption of that reduction from 30 percent to 0 percent

and then it will be passed to this committee on tariff and trade-related matters,” he added. As for the EO lowering tariffs on imported EVs, Lopez said the Tariff Commission is already conducting hearings on the measure. The DTI chief hopes that the EO will be signed before the end of President Duterte’s term on June 30. The CARS program is an initiative to boost local automotive production. However, since there is no third participant, the Trade chief has proposed to transfer the budget to the manufacturing of e-vehicles instead. Under the program, the participants were originally given six years to manufacture at least 200,000 units and to produce body shells and large plastic parts. In return, each enrolled model will be provided fiscal support of P9 billion. The program, signed in 2015, has a total allocation of P27 billion Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. enrolled Mirage and Vios, respectively, in the incentives program. Initial investments of both participants amounted to P8 billion.

Continued on A4

From digitalization laggard, PHL tops fintech market Roderick L. Abad @rodrik_28

REVIOUSLY trailing behind its neighbors when it comes to digitalization, the Philippines has become the top market of digital financial technology (fintech) in Asia, according to a top executive of Alibaba Group’s affiliate company. Liqi Peng, head of North America Business & Global Strategic Partnership at Ant Group, said this at a webinar on Thursday given the case of the country’s leading mobile wallet provider, GCash. “We are one of the largest investors of GCash,” she told reporters during John Clements’ webinar dubbed, “Dance and Thrive in the New Fintech Business Landscape” on Thursday. “GCash is the wallet that makes Ant Group the proudest, and why is this so? We can see their consumer data, with a pent up on their monthly active users. We can see the adaption of [it also by] business users in terms of digital payments. We have to say that the Philippines is one of the top countries in whole Asia [in the fintech space at present].” Agreeing with her, Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Michelle Rubio said that a lot of fintech enterprises have sprouted nationwide due to the rise of the contactless economy since the Covid-19 crisis hit the country in the last couple of years. “We used to like cash so much, and suddenly because of the pandemic, we needed an alternative that could actually allow us to transact or even do commerce in a seamless passion. So I think we have a lot of players who are actually experimenting and looking at pain points of consumers and trying to create what’s the next super app,” she noted. What used to be a very compartmentalized banking system has somehow been cracked by the fintech system via the open banking and application programming interfaces (APIs). “Nowadays, I’m proud that the Philippine banks have been the most aggressive in terms of opening up their networks via open banking and APIs,” according to Ayannah Founder and Chief Executive Of-

ficer (CEO) Miguel Perez. He said that in the past 18 or 24 months, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has issued at least six digital banking license for what he called the “greenfields” or brand-new digital banks, which are opening up in the next two quarters. “So from a country that is sort of a laggard in terms of digital transformation, we’re suddenly at the forefront of digital transformation, and that is actually being led by financial technology,” he said. For more Filipinos to really embrace fintech, Perez advised more enterprises, particularly e-commerce players, to adopt solutions in accepting payments. He said that it’s very important for payment providers like GCash and others to get onboard the small merchants, comprising 60 percent of domestic retailers that do general trade like the mom-and-pop shops and roadside stores. “That is the challenge. But once that problem is solved, or at least cracked, then at least the adoption rate will accelerate further,” he reiterated. To enable Filipino consumers to overcome their “love for cash” and embrace fintech, Peng suggested businesses to strive for technology and product innovations. Interconnectivity through improved telco infrastructure is also important to heighten the fintech adoption in the country, Rubio recommended. “[What’s more], to create products or services that the public could trust,” she added. “As producers and service providers, we must ensure that we are actually ensuring safe transactions.” On the regulatory side, Perez pointed out that red tape, like in terms of licensing, must be addressed so that more fintech players to join the fray. “We’re getting there but, I think, bureaucracy or ease of doing business has to be improved,” he said, while citing the need for more partnerships with the private sector like the banks and payment solutions firms. “It’s an exciting time, particularly for financial services providers like the Unionbank, BPI [Bank of the Philippine Islands], BDO [Banco de Oro], and others, that they should really ride this way.”

Online dispute resolution will go live soon–DTI

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the online dispute resolution system will soon go live to improve the handling of consumer complaints. The trade department has begun the pilot testing of the Philippine Online Dispute Resolution System (PODRS) in 2021 with the help of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and University of the Philippines Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation Inc. (UPPAF). On April 25, the first day of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) eCommerce week, DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said that they already have the web, and “it’s going to be up and running soon.” Castelo emphasized that they have been planning for this since 2019, the moment it was brought up in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCP). However, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the process. She laid out some of the features and functionalities of the webbased consumer complaint portal, namely: the self-service logging of complaints, its own dashboard, the user log-in, search facility (tracking/monitoring of complaints without the need to login), problem management, appointment scheduling and videoconferencing, and integration with online platforms (Shopee, Lazada). Phase 1 is the PODRS assessment while Phase 2 is the functional specifications and workshop. Castelo also emphasized that after functional specifications, they are already on the third phase to discuss data privacy, security, and risk management. On top of the progress they’ve made, Castelo cited the development challenges that they experienced. “Of course the DTI and the national government have internal policies and procedures that we needed for the development of the system. Continued on A4

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Friday, April 29, 2022

PXP Energy to pursue other Buyers of PLDT telco towers tap oil, gas exploration projects By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

isted upstream oil and gas firm PXP Energy Corp. and its subsidiary, Forum Ltd., will pursue other exploration projects in the country after the Department of Energy (DOE) ordered an indefinite suspension of exploration activities in two service contracts (SC) in the West Philippine Sea. “Each of PXP and Forum will continue to coordinate with the government on the resumption of activities in both SC 75 and SC 72. Meanwhile, the group shall continue to pursue exploration work with respect to its other projects in the Philippines, including SC 40 and SC 74,” PXP said Thursday in

a disclosure to the stock exchange. PXP is the operator of SC 75 while Forum is the operator of SC 72. Last April 6, the DOE put on hold all exploration activities for SC 75 and SC 72 until such time that the Security, Justice and Peace Coordinating Cluster (SJPCC) issues the necessary clearance to proceed.

PXP and Forum advised the DOE last April 8 that they have suspended all activities in the West Philippine Sea. They are expected to incur “substantial stand-by and other costs.” They also told the DOE that they were prepared to resume operations immediately provided they receive written confirmation from the agency. Since they did not receive advice from the DOE if they can resume their exploration activities, they have “stopped all their exploration activities, were constrained to terminate their agreements with suppliers and incurred substantial liabilities for termination costs and penalties, and affirmed their declaration of Force Majeure under SC 72 and SC 75 effective April 6, 2022 arising from what appeared as an indefinite suspension by the DOE of the exploration activities under SC 72 and SC 75.” PXP Energy said this was the first time it learned of this requirement

for clearance from the cluster before fulfilling the work obligations that the DOE has required. SJPCC is composed of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of National Defense, Department of Justice, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process with the National Security Council as secretariat. PXP also reported to the stock exchange that its core net loss was reduced to P1.4 million at end-March this year from P5.6 million in the same period a year ago. Consolidated net loss attributable to equity holders of the parent company stood at P2.7 million in the first quarter from P4.3 million in the first quarter of last year. PXP said this was mainly brought about by higher profit from Galoc operations and reduction in overhead. SC 72 is within Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea while SC 75 is in northwest Palawan.

SMIC purchase of PGPC gets nod By VG Cabuag @villygc

hareholders of SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), the holding firm of the Sy family, has approved the company’s acquisition of Philippine Geothermal Production Co. (PGPC) During its annual stockholders’ meeting, shareholders also approved the merger of SMIC with Allfirst Equity Holdings, the holding company for Philippine Geothermal. SMIC will be the surviving entity. The consideration to be paid for the geothermal firm has been

deemed fair by the independent appraiser, the company said. Philippine Geothermal operates the Tiwi and Mak-Ban steam fields. Tiwi is the first commercial-scale geothermal steam field development in Southeast Asia, followed by Mak-Ban, both in operation since 1979. Together they generate geothermal steam sufficient to produce approximately 300 megawatts of electricity. In addition to its two producing steam fields, the company also has several other greenfield concession areas for geothermal steam production which it will develop.

“Our acquisition into PGPC reflects our commitment to sustainability, our strong support to promote clean energy and is aligned with our goals of environmental stewardship as a responsible company. This acquisition will further enhance our sustainability portfolio,” Frederic C. DyBuncio, SMIC president and CEO said. “This investment fits our portfolio investment criteria. Renewable energy is a growing sector in which PGPC has potential to be a leading player, has good synergies with the SM group, operates on high standards of good governance

and has a track record of responsible management.” SMIC said it is optimistic about the outlook for business this year due to the revival in economic activity. “We’ve always invested to expand even in challenging years, knowing the long term opportunities that the Philippines holds. We also know that we can fulfill the growing needs of millions to underserved Filipinos with a modern retail, integrated property development, financial access, or other emerging services,” DyBuncio said during the company’s stockholders’ meeting.

‘Smart is NGCP donates medical facility operator T to beat’

mart Communications Inc. is the operator to beat in the Philippines, according to Opensignal’s latest report on the Philippine mobile telecommunications industry, winning in 11 out of 16 mobile experience categories. In its April Mobile Network Experience Report, Opensignal said “Smart remains the operator to beat” for the first quarter of 2022, after garnering the most “award wins” in mobile experience. Against Globe Telecom Inc. and Dito Telecommunity Corp., Smart was declared the winner in the following categories: Video Experience, Games Experience, Voice App Experience, Download Speed, 5G Games Experience, 5G Voice App Experience, 5G Download Speed Experience, 5G Upload Speed, 5G Availability, 5G Reach, and 4G Coverage Experience. “Smart is the outright winner of both the Download Speed Experience and 5G Download Speed awards, with scores of 19.7 Mbps and 149.9 Mbps, respectively. In both categories, Smart wins by large margins. It commanded a lead of 4.9 Mbps (32.8 percent) over DITO for Download Speed Experience and wins 5G Download Speed with a lead of 38.8 Mbps (35 percent) over Globe,” the report read. Lorenz S. Marasigan

HE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has turned over a P2-million medical facility to the East Avenue Medical Center and National Kidney and Transplant Institute. T he prefabr icated faci l it y, which was constructed from four container vans, is equipped with sanitation facilities and changing rooms where healthcare workers can safely put on and take off personal protective equipment (PPE) before and after their shifts. Besides these hospitals, NGCP is also set to turn over two other donning and doffing chambers to Rizal Medical Center and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital. Isolation rooms were also completed and will be turned over to Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center. “Healthcare workers have been at the frontline since the beginning of our fight against Covid-19. NGCP saw the challenges and sacrifices of medical frontliners, at great risk to themselves. We were inspired by this spirit and wanted to ensure their health and safety as they cared for all of us. The donning and doffing rooms will help mitigate the risk of infection among our health workers,” said NGCP in a statement. In 2020, NGCP donated ambulances, mechanical ventilators, RT-PCR machines, and other medical equipment to key hospitals around the country, as well as medical supplies to more than 300 hospitals and city health units.

Doctors from the East Avenue Medical Center inspect the donning and doffing facility constructed from 4 container vans, equipped with sanitation facilities and changing rooms. Contributed photo

“We welcome the easing of restrictions and our transition from a pandemic response to an endemic one. These facilities will contribute greatly towards that effort. Our health workers will be ensured of safe and secure facilities from which they can continue their good work in battling sporadic infection surges of Covid-19, and other infectious diseases that may come. NGCP is honored to be part of this,” the company said. These donations are part of NGCP’s P1-billion donation in response to the government’s call for assistance from the private sector to help respond to the public’s needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The amount also includes a P500-million donation of grocery packs to 1,028 LGUs around the country, testing kits and testing booths to several LGUs, a P10million donation to Project Ark, P10-million donation to Kaya Natin, and a P5-million donation to Project Ugnayan. NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority shareholders and Vice Chairman of the Board Henry Sy, Jr. and Co-Vice Chairman Robert Coyiuto, Jr. It is the sole operating asset of Synergy Grid and Development Philippines Inc. Lenie Lectura

loans from BPI

BusinessMirror's file photo shows a branch of the Bank of the Philippine Islands in Makati City. Nonie Reyes By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

he Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) announced that it recently signed two term loan facility agreements to finance the landmark sale of PLDT Inc.’s (PLDT’s) telecom towers to two leading international tower operators. ComWorks Infratech Corp. (CIC) and ISOC edotco Towers, Inc. (ISOC edotco), were the winning bidders in the sale by PLDT through its subsidiaries, Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) and Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc. (Digitel), of a total 5,907 telecom towers for an aggregate amount of P77 billion. For both loan facilities, BPI Capital Corp. acted as the Mandated Lead Arranger, while BPI Asset Management and Trust Corp. acted as Facility Agent and Security Agent. Broken down, CIC—a subsidiary of EdgePoint Holdco Pte. Ltd. (EdgePoint)—was awarded a portfolio of 2,934 tower assets located in Luzon; while ISOC edotco, a subsidiary of edotco Investments (Labuan) Ltd. (edotco Investments) owned by edotco Group Sdn Bhd (edotco Group), was awarded a portfolio of 2,973 towers assets in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. EdgePoint and edotco Group are international groups with experience in telecom tower operations in Asia. “We are pleased to enable this pioneering deal that will help accel-

erate the growth of the telecommunications industry. More than ever, connectivity plays a crucial role and BPI is committed to support these types of innovative and strategic acquisitions that will significantly contribute to a better Philippines,” BPI President and CEO Jose Teodoro K. Limcaoco said. Under the terms of the credit agreements, BPI will extend financing to the two tower companies involved in the P 77-billion landmark sale and leaseback towers deal. The deal represents the largest cross-border acquisition in the technology, media and telecommunications space in the Philippines and the largest acquisition of assets in the country by international investors. Adlan Tajudin, CEO of edotco Group, said, “The Philippines is a highly valued market for edotco Group, and we appreciate the partnership with BPI in securing structured bespoke financing that allows us to future-proof the nation’s digital economy infrastructure with a cutting-edge communications network for the benefit of all Filipinos.” Suresh Sidhu, CEO of EdgePoint, said, “In our commitment to building a world-class operation to expand next-generation connectivity solutions and bridge the digital divide in the Philippines, we are delighted to be able to partner with BPI, which has a 170-year history in delivering excellent and trusted financial services in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.”

Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, April 29, 2022

PSE income hits new record as more local firms go public

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

he Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) said it posted a record P919.48 million in net income last year, 40 percent higher than the previous year’s P656.81 million, as more companies went public and tapped the equities market for funding.

The PSE said last year’s income even surpassed its previous high of P867.55 million set in 2014. The company also registered a 25 percent year-on-year growth in its operating revenues to P1.65 billion. “Our good financial position allowed us to pay a total of P11 per share in regular and special cash dividends early this month. This year’s total cash dividend distributed is the highest amount ever paid to PSE stockholders,” PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon said. PSE’s operating revenue sources all posted double-digit gains last year. Listing-related fees rose by 28 percent boosted by the largest initial public offering (IPO) in PSE’s history as well as seven other IPOs, 11 follow-on offerings, four stock rights offerings, and seven private placements, among others. The PSE said its trading-related fees went up by 15 percent while service fees grew by 26 percent. “2021 proved to be a record year for capital raising, in terms of the number of offerings and amount raised. There have been five IPOs, four private placements so far this year, so we hope to see the same number of public offerings. We may not be able to match the record

amount raised last year though, since Monde Nissin’s IPO alone raised a record P55.89 billion in capital,” Monzon said. Daily average value turnover in the first quarter of the year was at P8.13 billion, down by 9 percent year to date, due to uncertainties caused by inflation and geopolitical concerns. He said the PSE is hoping that these concerns will be resolved soon so that funds can flow back into the equities market. “Aside from an active listing assistance program that aims to see more companies do an IPO, especially on the Small, Medium and Emerging Board, we will continue to pursue the launch of more products and services, including platforms that will help equip and guide investors make sound investment decisions,” Monzon said. The PSE launched the MidCap Index and Dividend Yield Index in March and organized an Investment Expo in January. Next month, the PSE will host an event aimed at growing the investor base and analysts’ coverage of listed companies. The PSE is also set to launch its data analytics platform as well as revamped versions of PSE EASy and PSE Academy in the coming months.

mutual funds

April 28, 2022

NAV

One Year Three Year

Five Year

per share Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

219.89

7.36%

-5.79%

-3.94%

-5.66%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.4866

18.62%

-2.29%

-0.21%

-10.67%

8.66%

-9.59%

-6.4%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.0478

-5.87%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7356 2.47%

-7.47% n.a.

-2.76%

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.6825 1.43%

-7.78% n.a.

-11.47%

First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a

4.9521

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

10%

-3.4%

-1.48%

-4.45%

0.7382

14.4%

-5.56%

-4.91%

-12.77% n.a.

-10.59%

84.43

-11.27%

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

45.2173

7.98%

-4.6%

-2.47%

-6.05%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

472

7.15%

-4.61%

-2.61%

-5.73%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.3353

23.67%

0.58%

0.78%

-1.55%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

-3.44%

34.8141

10.45%

-1.15%

-4.87%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.8939

9.75%

-4.92% n.a.

-5.05%

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.6855

9.21%

-3.87%

-1.79%

-5.55%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

779.34

8.62%

-3.98%

-1.88%

-5.93%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.7034

8.12%

-9.04%

-4.68%

-6.54%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.5193 Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a United Fund, Inc. -a

3.2629

8.11%

-6.69%

-3.17%

-6.79%

0.8876

8.31%

-4.28%

-2.13%

7.72%

-4.45%

-0.85%

-5.07%

-5.76%

-6.02%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a

1.1392

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

950.75 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

12.56% n.a. n.a.

-2.02%

Exchange Traded Fund (shares) First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c

105.1652

9.23%

-3.7%

-1.44%

-5.66%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

$0.9313

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.5831

-27.12%

-3.36%

-0.27%

-17.33%

-10.92%

6.83%

7.13%

-14.26%

Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a

1.5791

-2.72%

-2.86%

-2.17%

-6.67%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.1826

2.36%

-2.01%

-1.36%

-4.33%

5.41%

-0.37%

0.32%

-3.07%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.6084

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.2027

8.92% n.a. n.a.

NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a

1.9512

3.83%

0.57%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.5962

2.49%

-0.73%

-0.56%

-4.49%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.111

2.41%

-0.98%

-0.64%

-4.36%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.05

0.69%

4.13%

-1.45%

-0.75%

-3.37%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.4708 4.16%

-3.43%

-1.4%

-4.83%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

-2.55%

-0.91%

-4.76%

0.9088

10.83%

-3.01%

-3.25%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a

0.9341

-1.76%

-2.19% n.a.

-5.63%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a

0.8805

3.25%

-4.02% n.a.

-6.78%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a

0.8702

4.18%

-4.35% n.a.

-6.82%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03403 -10.66%

-1.92%

-0.84%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

-1.29%

0.26%

-10.1%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.2163 -10.47%

4.17%

4.83%

-12.2%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,2 $1.0705 -10.25%

0.59%

1.52%

-10.69%

$0.9593

-16.5%

-10.31%

Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

373.32

0.71%

2.38%

2.41%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.8867

-1.26%

0.04%

0.08%

0.11%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2412

0.61%

2.39%

3.56%

-0.09%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.2012

-2.47%

0.64%

1.03%

-2.23%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4158 -0.63%

2.33%

1.76%

-0.26%

4.2665

-4.38%

1.92%

1.06%

-2.94%

1.3162

-0.19%

3.22%

2.78%

-0.22%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9158

-1.08%

2.76%

2.42%

-1.26%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0119

-1.39%

3.27%

1.83%

-1.59%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1582

-0.78%

3.05%

2.97%

-0.92%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

-1.37%

2.3%

2.29%

-1.04%

1.7126

ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$482.52

-0.2%

2.03%

1.99%

Є214.29

-2.53%

-0.29%

0.36%

-2.6%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.0816

-8.01%

-2.51%

-0.66%

-10.16%

-0.8%

-0.24%

-5.38%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0246 -5.02%

-1.44%

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

$0.9174

-13.04%

-4.78%

-3%

-10.31%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.2641

-8.8%

0.07%

0.53%

-9.64%

$0.0610044

-2.65%

1.59%

1.37%

-2.07%

-1.91%

-1.05%

-12.12%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $2.8087 -10.47%

Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) 131.66

1.31%

2.42%

2.53%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

1.0615

1.04%

1.71% n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.3222

ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

1.53%

2.29%

2.5%

0.36% 0.36%

0.5%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0626

0.63%

1.24% n.a.

0.19%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

44.6235 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a 1.2479

0.46% n.a. n.a.

-9.76%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

$0.883

-11.7% n.a. n.a.

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago.

c - Listed in the PSE.

-8.97%

d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU).

1 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last July 8, 2021 (formerly, Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc.). 2 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last November 25, 2021.

"While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa.com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

April 28, 2022

Net Foreign Stocks Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Buy (Sell) FINANCIALs

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK COMMERCE BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH

100,810 480,693,357 18,162,150 216,490,989 849,495 2,069,852 126,739,192.50 232,210 262,876 13,179 55,040 23,025,247 2,782,548.50 117,530 367,110 33,580 10,240 14,560

56,810 115,006,635 14,144,562.00 -61,134,877 2,700 -1,702,758 -74,019,760.50 21,120 1,719 -9,856,457 747,415 -25,900 19,330 4,160

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 8 8.06 8.02 8.11 7.92 8 8,174,100 65,535,649 32.5 32.6 32.95 33.15 32.35 32.6 1,830,300 59,757,585 ABOITIZ POWER BASIC ENERGY 0.385 0.39 0.395 0.395 0.385 0.385 3,500,000 1,351,600 23.9 24 24.1 24.1 23.9 23.9 208,300 4,985,980 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG 70 70.15 70 70.15 70 70.15 11,140 780,084 4.3 5.26 JOLLIVILLE HLDG MERALCO 352 357.8 351 359 347.2 357.8 303,470 108,000,926 19 19.2 19 19.6 18.94 19.2 1,683,000 32,288,254 MANILA WATER PETRON 3.25 3.26 3.21 3.27 3.21 3.25 561,000 1,822,970 4.89 5 4.89 4.89 4.89 4.89 12,000 58,680 PETROENERGY PHX PETROLEUM 9.93 10.2 10.2 10.2 10.2 10.2 2,000 20,400 12.5 12.52 12.5 12.6 12.44 12.52 437,900 5,478,490 SYNERGY GRID 17 17.16 17.6 17.6 17 17.16 464,900 7,986,918 PILIPINAS SHELL SPC POWER 14.04 14.1 14.1 14.12 14.08 14.1 112,000 1,579,092 1.61 1.62 1.56 1.64 1.55 1.62 79,006,000 126,806,280 SOLAR PH VIVANT 14.22 16.68 14.22 14.22 14.22 14.22 1,000 14,220 4.49 4.57 4.6 4.6 4.48 4.57 8,000 36,300 AGRINURTURE AXELUM 2.5 2.55 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 929,000 2,322,500 22 22.05 22.1 22.45 21.8 22 214,100 4,706,015 CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE 14.22 14.26 14.22 14.22 14.22 14.22 5,800 82,476 7.07 7.08 7.08 7.12 7.05 7.07 748,900 5,291,988 DNL INDUS EMPERADOR 19.48 19.52 19.18 19.52 19.08 19.52 3,160,900 61,530,266 61.8 62 62.05 62.05 61.8 62 14,400 892,677 SMC FOODANDBEV FIGARO COFFEE 0.52 0.53 0.54 0.54 0.52 0.53 4,081,000 2,156,100 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.57 0.58 0.57 0.57 0.57 0.57 128,000 72,960 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.1 1.08 1.08 391,000 424,150 FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA 104 105.2 105 105 103.6 104 38,220 3,975,483 220 220.8 218 221.8 216.6 220.8 355,330 78,120,278 JOLLIBEE KEEPERS HLDG 1.22 1.23 1.21 1.24 1.21 1.23 771,000 946,210 20.95 22 21.95 22 21.95 22 500 10,980 LIBERTY FLOUR MAXS GROUP 6 6.1 6.18 6.18 6 6 353,600 2,137,932 0.125 0.135 0.13 0.135 0.125 0.135 330,000 41,670 MG HLDG MONDE NISSIN 13.2 13.28 13.2 13.44 12.94 13.28 7,627,300 101,382,956 7.85 7.9 8 8.02 7.85 7.85 775,000 6,148,819 SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO 0.55 0.56 0.56 0.57 0.55 0.56 1,097,000 617,640 0.101 0.106 0.101 0.101 0.101 0.101 60,000 6,060 SWIFT FOODS 105.7 106.3 105 106.9 103.1 105.7 2,228,680 234,758,464 UNIV ROBINA VITARICH 0.6 0.62 0.61 0.62 0.58 0.62 1,111,000 668,520 2.86 2.87 2.86 2.86 2.86 2.86 107,000 306,020 VICTORIAS CEMEX HLDG 0.8 0.81 0.82 0.82 0.8 0.8 2,786,000 2,234,730 12.74 12.78 12.98 12.98 12.72 12.72 13,200 168,814 EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP 4.34 4.35 4.4 4.45 4.33 4.35 1,741,000 7,650,700 5.5 5.59 5.64 5.64 5.5 5.5 14,200 78,428 HOLCIM MEGAWIDE 5.06 5.1 5.12 5.12 5.04 5.1 65,700 331,606 19.8 19.9 19.86 19.9 19.86 19.9 21,800 433,286 PHINMA TKC METALS 0.75 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.76 11,000 8,360 0.93 0.94 0.93 0.95 0.93 0.94 835,000 778,890 VULCAN INDL CROWN ASIA 1.81 1.82 1.82 1.82 1.82 1.82 10,000 18,200 1.01 1.14 1.14 1.14 1 1 102,000 108,510 EUROMED 4.3 4.41 4.41 4.41 4.41 4.41 3,000 13,230 MABUHAY VINYL PRYCE CORP 5.63 5.64 5.64 5.64 5.63 5.63 37,300 210,350 19.12 19.2 19.4 19.4 19.22 19.3 13,500 259,662 CONCEPCION GREENERGY 1.53 1.55 1.5 1.56 1.5 1.55 18,736,000 28,960,770 7.3 7.33 7.34 7.35 7.25 7.3 56,500 413,151 INTEGRATED MICR PANASONIC 6.11 6.32 6.2 6.32 6.2 6.32 1,300 8,096 1.06 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12 1,000 1,120 SFA SEMICON CIRTEK HLDG 2.98 3 2.97 3.05 2.97 3 205,000 611,930

-9,814,271 4,295,105 26,950 -4,076,865 -6,981,144 157,906 1,441,300 730,174 -50,390 220,160 -12,688,620 -9,160 -2,250,000 257,865 -872,215 1,413,866 -33,970.50 4,770 2,300,200 -17,421,190 192,540 43,353,906 821,146 90,720 -105,127,602 -599,460 -47,140 22,000 -9,400 -226,916 -2,884,710 -122,069 -

HOLDING & FRIMS

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

ABACORE CAPITAL AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS

-0.42%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

www.businessmirror.com.ph

43.75 132.3 12.2 96.2 26.85 8.11 52.75 8.3 19.06 56 20.5 104.7 76.85 1.92 3.71 900 0.62 206.6

1.16 732 53.35 11.96 0.51 0.51 4.81 8.27 7 0.206 508.5 3.32 56.6 0.51 2.93 8.63 3.85 1.23 2.9 0.88 858.5 106 2.42 114 0.28

44.95 132.6 12.22 96.95 26.95 8.12 52.95 8.5 19.08 57.3 20.65 105 76.95 2.09 3.75 1,019 0.64 212

1.17 734 54.45 12.12 0.52 0.52 4.9 8.34 7.1 0.27 513 3.77 57.4 0.54 2.97 8.77 3.86 1.25 3.25 0.89 860 107.2 2.74 117 0.3

43.7 128.5 12.14 95.7 27 8.19 53 8.3 19 57.3 20 105.7 77 2.01 3.7 998 0.64 208

1.15 745 54 12.1 0.52 0.52 4.84 8.2 7.12 0.206 515 3.6 56.45 0.51 2.93 8.6 3.81 1.24 3 0.88 851 107.2 2.5 114 0.28

44 132.8 12.2 97 27 8.2 53.2 8.8 19.08 57.3 20.65 105.7 77.5 2.01 3.79 998 0.64 208

1.18 748 54.45 12.12 0.53 0.52 4.9 8.38 7.12 0.206 515.5 3.6 57.4 0.54 2.93 8.84 3.85 1.24 3 0.89 860 107.2 2.5 117 0.28

43.7 126.9 12.08 92 26.8 8.07 52.45 8.3 19 57.3 20 104.5 76.8 1.91 3.7 900 0.64 208

1.15 732 53.3 11.94 0.51 0.51 4.81 8.18 7.09 0.206 508 3.6 56.3 0.51 2.92 8.59 3.79 1.23 3 0.88 848.5 106 2.5 114 0.28

44 132.6 12.2 96.95 26.8 8.12 52.75 8.5 19.08 57.3 20.65 105 76.95 1.92 3.75 900 0.64 208

1.16 732 54.45 12.12 0.52 0.51 4.9 8.34 7.1 0.206 508.5 3.6 57.4 0.54 2.93 8.77 3.85 1.23 3 0.89 860 107.2 2.5 117 0.28

2,300 3,656,770 1,494,500 2,247,300 31,600 255,200 2,399,590 27,800 13,800 230 2,700 219,450 36,160 61,000 99,000 35 16,000 70

21,109,000 180,060 1,036,610 1,437,100 2,861,000 446,000 2,984,000 2,273,900 7,300 30,000 70,400 26,000 1,824,790 118,000 200,000 1,512,100 17,036,000 253,000 20,000 30,000 403,970 170,010 50,000 170 400,000

24,608,070 132,911,045 56,193,673 17,271,414 1,479,670 231,720 14,454,000 18,909,021 51,866 6,180 35,946,865 93,600 104,191,170.50 60,210 585,140 13,099,318 65,212,410 311,200 60,000 26,450 345,659,060 18,214,194 125,000 19,680 112,000

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.55 0.57 0.58 0.58 0.56 0.58 30,000 16,860 33.6 33.75 34.1 34.45 33.6 33.6 11,536,400 390,219,500 AYALA LAND AYALA LAND LOG 4.54 4.55 4.54 4.55 4.5 4.54 354,000 1,606,130 1.04 1.08 1.03 1.03 1.03 1.03 1,000 1,030 ARANETA PROP AREIT RT 40.3 40.4 40.05 40.75 39.9 40.3 1,736,900 70,063,160 0.82 0.83 0.83 0.83 0.83 0.83 243,000 201,690 A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT 0.71 0.72 0.71 0.72 0.71 0.72 227,000 162,890 0.093 0.098 0.095 0.098 0.095 0.098 50,000 4,800 CROWN EQUITIES CEB LANDMASTERS 2.75 2.77 2.78 2.78 2.75 2.77 263,000 726,860 0.4 0.415 0.4 0.415 0.4 0.415 230,000 94,450 CENTURY PROP CITICORE RT 2.59 2.6 2.58 2.6 2.57 2.59 2,609,000 6,758,990 8.51 8.52 8.54 8.6 8.5 8.51 72,600 618,243 DOUBLEDRAGON 1.49 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.47 1.5 2,604,000 3,886,170 DDMP RT DM WENCESLAO 6.88 6.9 6.92 6.92 6.9 6.9 27,000 186,400 0.22 0.23 0.223 0.223 0.22 0.22 1,180,000 261,000 EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO 0.243 0.249 0.243 0.249 0.243 0.249 1,040,000 252,800 7.38 7.4 7.36 7.4 7.34 7.4 2,124,100 15,621,284 FILINVEST RT FILINVEST LAND 1.06 1.07 1.06 1.08 1.05 1.06 5,710,000 6,096,150 0.88 0.9 0.88 0.88 0.88 0.88 91,000 80,080 GLOBAL ESTATE 8990 HLDG 13.54 13.86 13.76 13.86 13.54 13.86 178,900 2,460,978 0.89 0.9 0.93 0.93 0.9 0.9 57,000 51,360 PHIL INFRADEV CITY AND LAND 0.83 0.9 0.82 0.91 0.82 0.91 171,000 149,940 2.85 2.86 2.9 2.9 2.85 2.85 9,670,000 27,688,180 MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED 0.218 0.222 0.215 0.222 0.214 0.222 4,780,000 1,051,080 17.46 17.48 17.6 17.6 17.46 17.48 1,357,200 23,759,962 MREIT RT 0.34 0.39 0.34 0.34 0.34 0.34 10,000 3,400 OMICO CORP PHIL ESTATES 0.4 0.415 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 170,000 68,000 2.61 2.62 2.63 2.63 2.56 2.62 1,456,000 3,790,280 PRIMEX CORP RL COMM RT 7.31 7.32 7.31 7.4 7.3 7.31 3,107,200 22,783,162 19.62 19.78 19.6 19.82 19.58 19.78 398,500 7,853,716 ROBINSONS LAND PHIL REALTY 0.211 0.222 0.222 0.222 0.222 0.222 20,000 4,440 1.36 1.43 1.43 1.43 1.43 1.43 1,000 1,430 ROCKWELL SHANG PROP 2.55 2.61 2.55 2.55 2.55 2.55 1,000 2,550 36 36.35 35.8 36.35 35.75 36.35 6,026,200 218,029,525 SM PRIME HLDG SOC RESOURCES 0.56 0.6 0.57 0.57 0.56 0.56 50,000 28,140 3.21 3.29 3.33 3.33 3.33 3.33 1,000 3,330 VISTAMALLS 2.6 2.61 2.58 2.61 2.55 2.61 732,000 1,891,490 VISTA LAND SERVICES ABS CBN 12.62 12.9 12.54 12.8 12.54 12.62 19,500 247,564 13.24 13.26 13.24 13.36 13.24 13.24 532,700 7,074,256 GMA NETWORK GLOBE TELECOM 2,370 2,420 2,362 2,420 2,348 2,420 38,135 91,181,960 1,948 1,949 1,910 1,948 1,899 1,948 203,940 395,109,795 PLDT APOLLO GLOBAL 0.043 0.044 0.044 0.045 0.043 0.043 153,000,000 6,698,700 28.55 28.8 29.5 29.5 28.55 28.55 9,905,500 286,020,340 CONVERGE DFNN INC 2.78 2.8 2.86 2.86 2.78 2.8 50,000 141,790 4.9 4.91 4.91 4.91 4.88 4.9 2,112,000 10,326,760 DITO CME HLDG NOW CORP 1.38 1.4 1.48 1.53 1.37 1.38 11,869,000 17,101,070 0.3 0.305 0.305 0.305 0.305 0.305 2,510,000 765,550 TRANSPACIFIC BR 2GO GROUP 7.3 7.57 7.51 7.57 7.5 7.57 7,200 54,163 13.6 13.66 13.64 13.66 13.64 13.66 19,100 260,552 ASIAN TERMINALS 1.46 1.48 1.47 1.48 1.46 1.48 61,000 89,310 CHELSEA CEBU AIR 45.75 46.2 45.55 46 45.1 46 88,100 4,026,925 220 220.2 218.6 222.8 214 220 1,433,680 314,839,812 INTL CONTAINER MACROASIA 5.22 5.25 5.2 5.25 5.15 5.25 242,200 1,262,967 6.12 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.2 4,500 27,900 PAL HLDG HARBOR STAR 0.65 0.69 0.68 0.69 0.68 0.68 131,000 89,370 1.52 1.73 1.55 1.55 1.55 1.55 10,000 15,500 ACESITE HOTEL DISCOVERY WORLD 1.75 1.88 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 5,000 8,750 11.22 15 15.96 15.96 13.5 13.5 400 5,884 GRAND PLAZA WATERFRONT 0.43 0.45 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 90,000 38,700 530 540 530 530 530 530 160 84,800 FAR EASTERN U STI HLDG 0.345 0.36 0.345 0.345 0.345 0.345 90,000 31,050 1.26 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 18,000 23,400 BELLE CORP 6.1 6.12 6.09 6.17 6.09 6.12 1,406,900 8,598,976 BLOOMBERRY PACIFIC ONLINE 1.37 1.4 1.42 1.42 1.4 1.4 150,000 210,810 1.25 1.27 1.24 1.27 1.24 1.27 1,052,000 1,325,030 LEISURE AND RES PH RESORTS GRP 0.94 0.98 0.96 0.98 0.95 0.98 617,000 587,530 0.44 0.445 0.455 0.455 0.445 0.445 3,990,000 1,795,900 PREMIUM LEISURE PHIL RACING 5.01 5.32 5.1 5.1 5 5 50,000 250,020 2.25 2.26 2.3 2.3 2.26 2.26 427,000 966,180 PHILWEB ALLDAY 0.44 0.445 0.435 0.445 0.435 0.44 6,240,000 2,745,150 7.76 7.87 7.72 7.91 7.72 7.76 168,600 1,307,752 ALLHOME METRO RETAIL 1.42 1.44 1.46 1.46 1.44 1.44 2,040,000 2,937,770 33.5 33.55 34 34.4 33.3 33.55 1,453,600 48,821,140 PUREGOLD 54.6 54.7 54.5 55.2 54.3 54.7 563,340 30,793,380 ROBINSONS RTL PHIL SEVEN CORP 62.8 63 63 63 63 63 4,100 258,300 1.14 1.17 1.16 1.16 1.14 1.16 1,815,000 2,101,860 SSI GROUP WILCON DEPOT 27.9 28.8 27.9 28.8 27.8 28.8 1,163,900 32,843,630 0.222 0.239 0.228 0.239 0.228 0.228 120,000 27,470 APC GROUP EASYCALL 4.01 4.39 4.44 4.44 4.4 4.4 6,000 26,520 0.76 0.77 0.76 0.78 0.75 0.77 333,000 253,060 MEDILINES PRMIERE HORIZON 0.51 0.52 0.5 0.52 0.5 0.52 926,000 472,400 MINING & OIL

ATOK 5.5 5.64 5.5 5.64 5.5 5.64 13,400 74,470 APEX MINING 1.51 1.52 1.53 1.54 1.5 1.51 1,821,000 2,752,890 6.21 6.25 6.26 6.33 6.21 6.21 857,800 5,355,280 ATLAS MINING BENGUET A 6.94 7 6.72 7.2 6.72 7 87,200 589,260 6.94 7 6.86 7 6.86 6.87 4,000 27,488 BENGUET B COAL ASIA HLDG 0.242 0.249 0.241 0.241 0.241 0.241 60,000 14,460 2.65 2.69 2.69 2.69 2.69 2.69 1,000 2,690 CENTURY PEAK DIZON MINES 5.3 5.34 5.67 5.67 5.3 5.3 2,700 14,976 2.63 2.64 2.6 2.65 2.59 2.64 1,866,000 4,891,370 FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE 0.178 0.194 0.176 0.176 0.176 0.176 40,000 7,040 0.139 0.143 0.138 0.139 0.138 0.139 340,000 47,170 LEPANTO A 0.0098 0.01 0.0097 0.01 0.0097 0.01 11,000,000 109,300 MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING B 0.0097 0.01 0.0093 0.01 0.0093 0.01 300,000 2,860 1.58 1.6 1.54 1.62 1.54 1.6 1,268,000 2,009,890 MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA 7.87 7.89 7.75 8 7.7 7.89 5,504,400 43,245,992 0.88 0.9 0.92 0.95 0.9 0.9 1,426,000 1,296,470 ORNTL PENINSULA PX MINING 5.04 5.1 5.1 5.18 4.98 5.1 10,611,000 53,132,241 26.95 27 27.4 28.2 26.85 27 4,739,100 129,160,375 SEMIRARA MINING ACE ENEXOR 16.7 17 17 17.2 16.58 17 170,500 2,870,732 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 900,000 10,000 ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 300,000 3,300 0.0091 0.0093 0.0091 0.0091 0.0091 0.0091 1,000,000 9,100 PHILODRILL PXP ENERGY 4.68 4.74 4.74 4.75 4.66 4.74 35,000 164,390 PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 98.1 100 100 100 100 100 1,050 105,000 100.6 101 101 101 101 101 80 8,080 HOUSE PREF A AC PREF B2R 501 509 500.5 500.5 500.5 500.5 100 50,050 104.5 105.8 104.5 105 104.5 105 15,500 1,622,500 BRN PREF A CEB PREF 45.55 46 45.3 45.55 45.3 45.55 900 40,920 101.5 102.5 101.5 102.4 101.5 102.4 980 99,515 CPG PREF A DD PREF 99.6 99.8 99.7 99.8 99.7 99.8 5,180 516,963 106 108 106.5 108.8 106 108.8 44,750 4,748,660 EEI PREF B GTCAP PREF A 1,010 1,012 1,010 1,010 1,010 1,010 250 252,500 1,010 1,030 1,010 1,010 1,010 1,010 4,000 4,040,000 GTCAP PREF B MWIDE PREF 2A 96.05 100 100 100 100 100 50 5,000 977 989 987 989 987 989 1,070 1,057,720 PNX PREF 4 1,056 1,070 1,056 1,056 1,056 1,056 50 52,800 PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B 1,085 1,119 1,085 1,086 1,085 1,085 75 81,395 76.5 77.9 77.9 77.9 77.9 77.9 220 17,138 SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2I 76.65 77.95 77.5 77.5 77.5 77.5 266,700 20,669,250 74.5 76.1 76.2 76.2 74.5 76.1 5,130 388,589 SMC PREF 2J SMC PREF 2K 75.2 75.7 75.2 75.2 75.2 75.2 50 3,760 52.75 52.95 52.75 52.75 52.75 52.75 1,000 52,750 TECH PREF B2C TECH PREF B2D 54.5 55 54.8 54.8 54.5 54.5 32,710 1,790,330 PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 12.1 12.6 12.62 12.62 12.1 12.1 160,000 1,989,220 12.7 12.76 12.74 12.74 12.7 12.7 45,200 575,844 GMA HLDG PDR WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 0.62 0.64 0.62 0.64 0.62 0.64 97,000 60,380

3,953,480 -26,560,315 -18,907,777.50 -6,312,464 -1,620 -2,958,180 7,371,387.00 51,157 -4,006,135 -32,761,798.50 -585,140 -618,190 3,743,680 -32,299,460 267,476 7,980 -176,960,940 -253,480 -44,733,780.00 355,490 -43,637 -13,410 -186,400 -784,990 -3,915,190 -8,064 1,830 -13,259,650 7,223,036.00 -3,193,120 7,471,578 -2,686,394 1,430 -30,934,775.00 -802,480 -6,697,510 213,537,520 19,692,340 1,364,430 240,770 -29,400 1,175,380 -20,034,624 70,192 23,400 -118,171 -117,600 4,750 -27,300 -684,810.00 1,914,000 -117,508 18,720 -14,478,095 -14,064,301.50 -258,300 1,896,170 -20,162,300 14,250 -32,640 61,000 18,734 -1,400 1,104,540 20,390 16,366,096 -51,217,717 -34,641,475 -123,384 -9,100 426,000 19,780 () 677,102 -

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

CTS GLOBAL HAUS TALK ITALPINAS MERRYMART XURPAS

1.06 1.11 0.91 1.7 0.315

1.07 1.14 0.92 1.72 0.325

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

106

106.5

0.99 1.13 0.9 1.75 0.32

1.06 1.14 0.92 1.75 0.325

0.99 1.13 0.9 1.7 0.31

1.06 1.14 0.91 1.71 0.32

37,001,000 10,000 176,000 2,338,000 550,000

38,139,230 11,310 159,780 3,989,670 177,400

-145,040 -365,570 -

105.4 106 105.1 106 14,240 1,504,028 910,461

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance

Restoration shops, firms in vintage vehicles biz may access tax perks By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

OLLOWING the passage into law of the Vintage Vehicle Regulation Act, a deputy speaker for trade and industry said restoration shops and companies in the business of importation and exportation of vintage vehicles for restoration are now eligible to apply for fiscal and tax incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law. Deputy Speaker for Trade and Industry and Valenzuela’s 1st District Rep. Wes Gatchalian said the recent passage into law of the Vintage Vehicle Regulation Act or Republic Act 11698 is a recognition and acknowledgment that motor vehicles are imbedded as an integral part of Philippine culture, its history and chronicles of government, transportation, industry, social life, and popular culture, and therefore, its preservation is in accord with the policy of the State to preserve. Under the law, restoration shops and companies which import vintage vehicles for restoration in the Philippines and for export shall be eligible to avail themselves of fiscal and tax incentives provided in Republic Act 11534 or CREATE law. It said the restoration shops and companies shall comply will all the requirements provided for by law in the availment of fiscal and tax incentives. The law covers all aspects of regulation of vintage vehicles, their protection, preservation, enhancement and promotion as nation’s heritage, as well as the establishment and strengthening of policies that encourage the same. It seeks to widen economic opportunities from conditions favorable to small and medium industries that may join international markets for the restoration and repair of vintage vehicles, as well as in the manufacture of spare and replacement parts. The law seeks to encourage tourism by promoting automobile tours, establishing vintage vehicle or car museums, exhibits, vintage motorsports, and similar events. Vehicles that may register and

benefit from the law should be 40 years old from the date of manufacture and their chassis, engine, steering, and suspension are either original or authentic and whose body has not been altered in general appearance. Other incentives include exemption from the Clean Air Act, anti-pollution tests, safety and road-use, and other standards that were not in force at the time of the manufacture of these vintage cars. However, vintage vehicles manufactured after December 31, 1967 must be fitted with safety belts as mandated by RA 8750 or the Seat Belts Use Act of 1999. By way of showing their distinct class, vintage vehicles are afforded to exhibit special license plates bearing the words Vintage Vehicle and the model and year of manufacture, in addition to the usual letters and numerals appearing in license plates. The law now extends a special amnesty registration for vintage vehicles with lost registration documents upon submission of a personal affidavit and police clearance. To avoid burdening government with additional vehicles on the road, these vintage cars shall only be used for personal purposes and/or leisure driving. Additionally, vintage vehicle shall in no event be used as a public utility vehicle or for the commercial transport of persons or goods. “I believe we are just custodians for the next generation that’s why we need to promote, protect and preserve these vintage vehicles,” said Gatchalian, an avid vintage car restorer. “They have not only passed the test of time but also serve as testimonial to the ingenuity, artistry and skills of their mechanics and builders as well as of dedication and passion of their owners,” he added. Gatchalian claims that various car groups and enthusiasts, such as the Manila Sportscar Club, the Land Transportation Office, and the PNP’s Highway Patrol Group have expressed their support for the passage of the measure during the hearings conducted in the Lower House.

RCBC, Sun Life Grepa boards renew bancassurance tie-up

IZAL Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and Sun Life Grepa Financial Inc. (Sun Life Grepa) have renewed their partnership for another 10 years of bancassurance. Sun Life Grepa was formed as a joint venture between the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) and Sun LifePhilippines. Today, Sun Life Grepa is a major life insurance company in the country. Through the renewed bancassurance partnership, more Filipinos can access financial protection products through the strength of the RCBC network nationwide. Many milestones were achieved in the first 10 years of the joint venture. This included a 10-percent compounded annual growth rate achieved even with business challenges encountered at the height of the pandemic. In addition, Sun Life Grepa’s product portfolio since the start of the joint ventures has grown to more than 50 traditional and investment-linked offerings for individual and corporate clients. As part of the Sun Life Group, Sun Life Grepa also launched the country’s first Remote Online Medical

Exam (ROME) service. It also started to offer insurance packaged with specific bank products, as well as a 24/7 contact center and a Telemedicine service with its division Grepa Medical and Diagnostic Clinic for non-face-to-face servicing of clients’ medical inquiries. Sun Life Grepa and RCBC also worked on the FAST Break program, an innovation which enabled selected bank clients to access life insurance protection under a simplified process through the use of analytics. Since the start of the joint venture, 2.97 million Filipino lives have been insured. The current partnership, set to expire in 2023, received an early approval for renewal up to 2033. The next 10 years will further digital transformation and more innovative life protection offers to help future-proof lives of RCBC depositors and the general public. The transformation has started, as evidenced by the continuous collaboration focusing on both companies’ payment systems, digital platforms, general client communication, and ease of doing business campaigns on client applications.

BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Friday, April 29, 2022

Govt targets borrowing ₧200B from local market in May–BTr

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE government is targeting to borrow P200 billion in May through its sale of debt papers to the domestic market. This was the same amount that the Bureau of the Treasury programmed to raise this month. Based on the schedule of offerings released by the Treasury on Thurs-

day, it will be auctioning off P140 billion in Treasury bonds (T-bonds) and another P60 billion in Treasury bill. (T-bills). For T-bills, a combined P15 bil-

lion worth of 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day tenors per day will be auctioned off on all Mondays of the month. Meanwhile, P35 billion worth of T-bonds per auction day is slated to be offered on May 4 (Wednesday) and on the second to fourth Tuesday of the month. Reissued 3-year T-bonds will be auctioned off on May 4 while 5-year debt papers will be offered on May 10. Apart from these, 7-year and 10year T-bonds will be up for auction on May 17 and 24, respectively. As of press time, President

best customer experience to those we serve. We continue to build our thought leadership and are honored to be named Best Bank for Investment Research especially during this time.” PNB’s Research Division is headed by vice president and bank economist Alvin Arogo. “We are humbled by this recognition from Asiamoney.

Duterte has yet to issue a proclamation declaring May 3 (Tuesday) as a holiday in observance of Eid’l Fitr or Feast of Ramadan. For this year, the government is expected to borrow a total of P2.2 trillion, around 75 percent of which is expected to come from domestic sources. As of end-February this year, the national government’s outstanding debt rose to another recordhigh level of P12.09 trillion due to currency fluctuations and net financing from both domestic and foreign sources.

BSP bars 2 foreign exchange firms for premature trade By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced on Thursday that it has disqualified two entities from registering their operations because they engaged in money service business without prior approval

from the Central Bank. The Monetary Board is barring Vility Foreign Exchange Services and H&F Foreign Exchange Services from registering with the BSP. Any sole proprietorship owned or controlled by their respective owners and operators from registering with, or obtaining a license from the BSP

are also barred. Vility Foreign Exchange Services is controlled by Lilian N. Almazan, and is based in 111 Evangelista Street corner P. Zamora Street, Poblacion 016, Batangas City. H&F Foreign Exchange Services, meanwhile, is controlled by Harlika D. Padilla and is based in ROS-CO

JEH Bldg., Burgos St.,Poblacion Oeste, Dagupan City, Pangasinan. The BSP said the disqualification is pursuant to Section 901-N of the BSP’s Manual of Regulations for Non-Bank Financial Institutions, and is part of its efforts to address the proliferation of illegally operating MSBs.

Digital transformation of UnionBank’s BBM nixes new taxes, says SCF solutions platform is completed

NIONBANK of the Philippines announced that it has digitally transformed its Supply Chain Finance (SCF) solution platform to simplify operations and financial management across their supply chain ecosystems. Mon Duarte, EVP and Head of Transaction Banking and Platform Development for UnionBank, said the platform positions UnionBank with an effective wholesale lending strategy packaged with a retail account and online app banking enrollment. “This platform contributes effectively to sales for cash management, deposits, SME loans, and business banking enrollment,” Duarte said. The bank said the platform allows it to lend to MSMEs and to the agriculture industry, which is required by the Philippine government among local banks. “In fact, two of [our] business partners, Pilmico and New Hope,

were a testament to the efficiency of Supply Chain Finance,” the bank said. Pilmico, a company engaged in the farms business and animal feeds segment, and New Hope, part of the Animal Food Manufacturing Industry, said the SCF platform has proved useful in the midst of the pandemic and more so that the economy is slowly opening up again. Since the platform has made collection directly to their SCF line, it eliminates the need for Pilmico to verify customer direct deposits and request for payment invoice application details. “We are very satisfied with UnionBank’s SCF and its impact on our business,” said Lilibeth Sisican, AVP for Credit Management, Pilmico. “We aim to convert all our accounts via SCF purchasing power.” New Hope, meanwhile, has experienced many challenges before partnering with UnionBank. Among

them were fear of change, as their clients were hesitant toward digital transformation. “We experienced many benefits with UnionBank’s SCF as our platform,” said New Hope’s Linjun Xiao, General Manager in the Philippines. “There was a faster transition from ordering of goods to payments, and quick expansion of business and better cash flow for both anchors and sellers. There was also the digitizing of the Agri-segment and catering to their needs.” Duarte added that with this digital revolution that Pilmico and New Hope are experiencing, they can now process invoices in minutes compared to manual processes that take up to months. He said, “Now that the economy is opening up again, they need to quickly meet their operational needs while ensuring that their digital pivot remains fully optimized.” Bianca Cuaresma

IC issues new license to AIA Philippines

HE Insurance Commission (IC) issued a new license to life insurer AIA Philippines Life and General Insurance Company Inc. (AIA Philippines) following its merger with Philam Equitable Life Assurance Company Inc. (Pelac). In a statement on Thursday, the regulator said it recently issued License No. 2022/04-R-A to AIA Philippines authorizing the surviving company to transact in the insurance business. This comes after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the merger in March this year. Constituent companies to a merger are required to surrender their respective licenses and apply for a new license with the IC after the SEC’s approval of the merger,

according to Sections 11 and 12 of Circular Letter No. 2021-52 on the “Omnibus Guidelines on the Consolidation and Merger of Insurance Companies.” PELAC, a 100-percent subsidiary of the Philippine American Life and General Insurance Co. (“PhilamLife”), and a member of the AIA Group, was previously an inactive company as of 2020 although it was licensed with the IC and compliant with the statutory net worth requirements for the said year. “It will likewise be noted that PELAC was previously a bancassurance venture between Equitable Bank and PhilamLife. However, following Equitable Bank’s merger with Banco de Oro [BDO], which bank was already under a bancassurance partnership with Generali In-

surance, PELAC became redundant. In consequence, the bancassurance agreement between PELAC and BDO as successor of Equitable Bank, was terminated in 2009; and that the insurance business in BDO was subsequently agreed to be shared between Generali and PhilamLife,” Funa said. Last year, AIA Philippines ranked first in terms of net worth and net income among life insurance companies. Based on their submitted unaudited quarterly reports on selected financial statistics, AIA Philippines recorded a P71.18 billion net worth and P12.99-billion net income in 2021. It also had P276.31 billion worth of assets, making it second among the life insurers. Bernadette D. Nicolas

PNB named PHL’s Best Bank for Investment Research for 2nd year

HILIPPINE National Bank (PSE: PNB) has been recognized by Asiamoney as the Best Bank for Investment Research in the Philippines for the second consecutive year during its Private Banking Awards last April 25. PNB President and CEO Wick Veloso said, “This award underscores PNB’s commitment to provide the

This further motivates us to deliver relevant, up-to-date, and useful economic and market insights to our investors, clients, and the general banking public,” he said. The PNB Research team likewise provided predeal research work for the various deal executions of PNB’s investment banking subsidiary last year, namely, DoubleDragon Meridien Park REIT,

Monde Nissin, RL Commercial REIT, Inc., AllDay, Synergy Grid, Keepers, and Medilines. In its 2022 Asia Private Banking Awards, Asiamoney said that as the pandemic stretched from 2020 to 2021, the immediate challenge was figuring out the state of the Philippines gross domestic product, inflation, central bank policy rates, and

foreign exchange gyrations to provide macro investing guidance to clients. In 2021, the PNB Research team published 212 reports covering economic and equity research, providing up-to-date investment ideas. The report said, “As a result, PNB’s private wealth clients were better able than most to react to fast-moving government mobility restrictions.”

people should be spared

AYING it’s not timely and could only pose additional burdens to people especially since the country is still recovering from the still lingering pandemic, presidential frontrunner former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has declared himself squarely against imposing new taxes. “Depends on what sectors and in what area but if it’s going to be, if the brunt of it is going to be felt by the consumer [general public], I would not be very partial to that for the simple reason na hirap na hirap na ang mga tao, wag mo nang dagdagan ang bigat...hirap na hirap na ang mga tao [people are suffering terribly, let’s not add to their burden],” said Marcos. Marcos made the statement during one-on-one interview with veteran broadcast journalist Ruth Cabal that aired over CNN Philippines on Tuesday night. Marcos explained that while tax is an important source of government funding, it must not be resorted to unless extremely necessary, especially if such will directly affect ordinary and poor citizens. In the same interview, BBM noted that the country has many pandemic-induced problems that need to be addressed. “Everywhere you look...there are problems, our educational system, we really have to fix it very, very [quickly]...We have to support the teachers more and when I talk about support not just the [pay], not just the benefits, it’s also the training because, you know, the technologies, the new systems are moving so quickly,” Marcos said. “The teachers should have the benefit of knowing all of that [so that they can impart it to the young, so that when they graduate they are truly well-trained],” he added. Marcos likewise suggested that it’s about time that the government embark on agency-specific scholarship programs. “The agencies should have scholarship programs, like the DA will have scholarship programs for agronomists and agriculturists and hydrologists—the experts they will need. If we need engineers for energy side, then the DOE will have to sponsor scholars for that requirement. [If] we need good lawyers for the DOJ, then the DOJ will support scholars for that,” he said. “We have to improve the bureaucracy, we have to improve the quality of public service,” Marcos stressed.

Friday, April 29, 2022 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

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Musk on my mind

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Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Andre Agassi, 52; Uma Thurman, 52; Michelle Pfeiffer, 64; Jerry Seinfeld, 68. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Slice your plans any way you see fit, but don’t count on others to help you pull things together. You’ll get plenty of input based on what you already know, but not a lot of hands-on help or information that will help you gain ground. Own what you say and do, stick to a logical path, and you will reap the rewards. Your numbers are 9, 14, 20, 28, 35, 39, 48.

PHOTO BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Keep promises to a minimum. If you take on too much, it will cause emotional angst, stress and criticism. Have a strategy in place and a backup on hand. An assumption you make will put you in an awkward position. HHH

“I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means.”—Elon Musk

O sooner than Elon Musk said this, he blocked Public Citizen, a nongovernment organization (NGO) standing up to corporate power and greed, on Twitter, the popular social-media platform he had just bought for $44 billion. “So much for being ‘committed’ to free speech,” retorted the NGO, a Twitter-verified account with 492,000 followers. Okay, so the group did tweet earlier not to trust Musk and his tech CEO-billionaire colleagues like Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta/Facebook/ Instagram), Tim Cook (Apple), Sundar Pichai (Google) and Satya Nadella (Microsoft). “Regulate them. Break up Big Tech. Hold them accountable,” the NGO added—although to be fair, they didn’t tag Musk and his bazillionaire buddies in that tweet. Still, the richest man in the world probably didn’t take too kindly to being lumped in the same category as the other tech CEOs, and Public Citizen’s unwelcome pronouncements opposing his takeover of Twitter. Even before his purchase of Twitter, Musk has been on my mind. I had been watching with keen interest the latest Netflix documentaries on SpaceX’s activities. The company was set up by Musk to push the boundaries of space exploration and make interplanetary travel possible. Return to Space chronicles SpaceX’s development of a recyclable rocket and its partnership with NASA to get the US back into the space race. Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space, meanwhile, is a series about SpaceX’s first civilian orbital flight around the Earth, documenting the recruitment of four civilian astronauts coming from different walks

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Use your imagination, and put an intelligent plan in place. Make a positive change by going through the proper channels and tidying up paperwork that can be problematic. Leave nothing to chance, and you’ll avoid being in a vulnerable position. HHH

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Leadership builds strength. Don’t let someone steal your thunder with empty promises. Show compassion and understanding, offer incentives, and do your part to make a difference. A positive attitude and friendly nudge will gain you support and respect. HHHH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Let experience guide you to bigger and better opportunities. Refuse to let someone’s emotional restraint stop you from embracing the changes that offer the type of lifestyle you want to live. Trust your instincts. HHH

of life, their training and flight, and their eventual return to terra firma. No doubt, Musk is a visionary, and his goal of sending earthlings to the moon, Mars, and beyond is backed by huge sums he is willing to part with. Considering the seeming dire prospects on Earth, which is slowly being engulfed in pollution and already severely impacted by climate change, who can blame him? He probably has already forecast a considerable return on his investment if this project is a success. After all, without profit, why bother? For that, I begrudgingly respect him. Not many businessmen will make that kind of a bet. Personally, if I had the same financial wherewithal as Musk, I’d use the $44 billion to wipe out the debt of the world’s poorest nations, and make sure no one goes hungry

anymore. His purchase of Twitter with an eye to returning it to private ownership and management, however, raises serious questions on its future. Musk’s views swing from the extreme right or left. He hangs out with radio hosts who spew racial epithets, and as the example at the beginning of my piece shows, he seems to believe that his critics are free to live on Twitter... as long as he doesn’t have to hear or read their digs against him. Musk now clarifies in a tweet, “By ‘free speech’, I simply mean that which matches the law. I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law. If people want less free speech, they will ask government to

Continued on B5

UNICEF GOODWILL AMBASSADOR LIAM NEESON HEADLINES WEEK-LONG COMMEMORATION OF GLOBAL VACCINATION EFFORTS NEW YORK—Unicef Goodwill Ambassador Liam Neeson is leading Unicef’s global immunization initiative with a global message thanking the scientists, parents, health workers and others who have been so critical in helping to immunize children over the last two decades. In a video released ahead of World Immunization Week,

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Liam Neeson

Neeson talks about how the efforts of scientists such as Jonas Salk, who developed the first vaccine against polio, and dedicated workers who fill vials at factories or deliver vaccine injections, have made it possible to save two to three million child lives each year. “Vaccines are a remarkable human success story. Over last the 75 years, billions of children have been vaccinated— thanks to scientists, to health workers, to volunteers. If you’ve ever been vaccinated, or vaccinated your children, then you are part of the arm-to-arm chain that keeps all humanity safe,” said Neeson. “We live our lives free of worry about catching smallpox. Once a terrifying diagnosis, polio is no longer a threat in most of the world. The conversation about vaccines in recent years has lost sight of how much good they have done for each of us. We need to celebrate this. It is perhaps one of the biggest collective achievements in human history.” Every like, share, or comment on posts mentioning a Unicef social-media account and using the hashtag #longlifeforall from now until May 10 will unlock $1 to Unicef, from the United Nations Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—up to a total of $10 million—to help ensure all children get the life-saving vaccines they need. Despite the successes, an alarming 23 million children

missed out on vaccinations in 2020. This number can only be reduced through greater commitment to and investment in immunization services. Unicef is the world’s leading provider of vaccines to children in over 100 countries. With Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and partners, Unicef supplies vaccines to reach 45 percent of the world’s children under five. Unicef also works with governments in over 130 countries to strengthen national health and immunization programs. “The last two years have taught us that a health-care system that leaves some children exposed, is a health-care system that leaves all children exposed,” said Unicef executive director Catherine Russell. “The best way for the world to recover from this pandemic—and to prepare for future health emergencies—is to invest in stronger health systems, and immunization and essential health services for every child.” “We are in a race against time to restore the immunization services disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and accelerate progress against all vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Gargee Ghosh, president of Global Policy and Advocacy at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “That is why we are thrilled to work with Unicef and other partners around the world to ensure children—especially those in the world’s poorest countries—have access to the vaccines they need to live a long, healthy life.”

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You may not like how others respond, but regardless, your decisions and actions should reflect what’s in your heart. Don’t let anger lead to regret; follow through with your commitments instead of allowing someone to coerce you into a debate. HHHHH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Gather information, and unite with people who share your concerns and can help bring about change, and you will accomplish what you set out to do. A family gathering or outing with someone you love will lift your spirits. Romance is featured. HHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Tally up your assets and liabilities. Knowing where you stand financially will help you make decisions regarding expenditures and lifestyle. Discipline and moderation will help you rearrange your routine to fit your means. Emotional spending will lead to trouble. HHH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take care of unfinished business before engaging in social pastimes. Put more emphasis on how you look and how you present yourself to others. Discuss your intentions with someone you have a meaningful relationship with, then develop plans. HHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A stable front will help alleviate interference. Someone will play with your emotions, and guilt will set in if you are too accommodating. Trying to buy someone’s love or taking responsibility for their happiness won’t work. Look out for yourself. HHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): When dealing with friends and relatives, patience is required. You can offer suggestions, but don’t get involved in other people’s decisions. Look at your situation and the possibilities that exist, and make changes that make you happy. Personal improvements are favored. HH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Put together a strategy that will benefit you financially and make room for something you want to pursue. Worry less about what others think or do, and focus on what’s important to you. It’s your life to live; do things your way. HHHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Keep an open mind, and you’ll discover new ways to make the most of your skills, experience and knowledge. A change of plans will work in your favor and give you a chance to discuss your intentions with someone you love. HHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are persevering, distinctive and passionate. You are secretive and protective.

‘vertical lines’ BY KAREN LURIE The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Doubtful 5 Clear, as a windshield 10 Gentle touches 14 Alone 15 West Side Story dubbing legend Nixon 16 Jazz’s home 17 In ___ of (replacing) 18 Cook over boiling water 19 Otherwise 20 Vote in 22 Encourage, like growth 24 Intend 26 Whistle blower 27 Full collection 28 Inner ear parts? 33 Youngest woman to serve in Congress, briefly 35 Fired 36 SAT prep list 38 Spoken 42 ___ 911! (comedy series named for a Nevada city) 43 Typo, for one 44 Speck of dust

45 Prefix for “freeze” 46 Ridiculous 47 Send forth 48 Preschooler 50 Jackets originally worn by sailors 52 Core components? 55 Reduced-___ milk 57 Relatives 58 Beachy footwear 62 Show flexibility 66 Uber or Lyft alternative 67 Animal also called a forest giraffe 69 Twisted treat, perhaps 70 Paradise in Genesis 71 Buddha’s birth country 72 Bird feature 73 Take five 74 Twisted tree part 75 Perseverance’s org. DOWN 1 Man, for one 2 Prevent, as a plan 3 Beat it 4 “Keep trying!” 5 You can slide into them on Twitter 6 Has a snack, say

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 21 23 25 28 29 30 31 32 34 37 39 40 41 49 51 52

Guitar ridge Broadcasting “Oh, puh-lease!” “Hamilton” faceoff Map book Moisten while roasting Word following “cookie” or “ice” Nervous twitch Sci-fi ride “Nothing to see here!” Oscar and Grammy winner Irene Yoked pair Monthly expense Brought into the world Abandon, as a plan The Price Is Right catchphrase, or a hint to the meaning and direction of each starred clue’s answer Top-notch Capital of Italia Toiling away “Shall we?” reply Not quite right Operative Carrie Mathison’s org. in Homeland Later on

53 54 56 59 60 61 63 64 65 68

Grass unit Boxcars, in dice Old-school subway fare Pub serving size Bear whose porridge was too hot Trade jabs Soprano’s showstopper They’re used to sign checks Garment worn in the Forum Unwell

Solution to today’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

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Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Friday, April 29, 2022

FROM left: Anne Baxter as Eve, Bette Davis as Margo, Marilyn Monroe as Miss Caswell and George Sanders as DeWitt in the American cinematic masterpiece All About Eve.

IT GIRL

DURING a recent political event, many people were surprised at how this influencer looked. She has always been attractive but now, she’s really gorgeous. The influencer has gone through a number of enhancements on her face and body. Such improvements are no longer a big deal. In fact, the influencer is quite vocal about what she’s had done. She doesn’t declare it on her social-media platforms but when she’s asked, she replies truthfully. The influencer wants to do her part to remove the stigma of having surgical enhancements to improve one’s appearance.

AN ACCIDENT

OVER the weekend, there was so much talk about an accident abroad involving a beautiful socialite. It all started with a blind item and a story on Instagram and a comment on the socialite’s post. All these have been deleted at press time. It’s not clear whether the accident was fatal or not. Everything is hush-hush for now. The socialite is known for her beauty and fashion sense. More than that, she is acknowledged for being an astute businesswoman. If she is indeed dead, we hope her husband, who is much older than her, will find comfort in their children.

Writing movies

INSTAGRAM OFFICIAL?

IS it true that the actress and the actor, who have been thrown into each other’s company because of work, are officially a couple? Recent social-media posts of the two seem to indicate that they are indeed a couple. Nothing wrong with that, really. The actress is single after ending a long-term relationship without labels, while the guy and the model he has been seeing are no longer an item. The actress recently figured in a mild controversy involving her ex and the celebrity he is now reportedly seeing but that’s all quiet now.

TARDY, AS ALWAYS

SO the manager of the actress was, to put it mildly, very annoyed that the press complained about being made to wait during a recent event where the actress was late. The members of the press, if we may say so, were being kind when all they did was complain. The actress was indeed very late and it wasn’t as if she was caught in traffic. She was already somewhere in the venue. She was simply just late. The actress has always had an issue with being punctual. This is nothing new. If anything, she has changed a bit because, at least, she was not in a bad mood when she arrived.

Musk on my mind Continued from B4 pass laws to that effect. Therefore, going beyond the law is contrary to the will of the people.” It still doesn’t answer important queries if, for instance, former US President Donald Trump, who continues to spread conspiracies about his loss in the last US presidential elections, will be able to get back his Twitter account. In the Philippines, will Twitter now allow netizens to spread fake news unfettered and not regulate tweets that, for instance, rehabilitate the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s reputation from plunderer to hero? All in the name of free speech? The way Twitter operates right now, netizens are able to report accounts which spread lies and abusive behavior. Once in a while, Twitter does its duty and takes down the accounts of these radical twits and paid trolls. The question of how absolute should free speech be, can’t easily be resolved. Twitter and other social-media platforms give netizens the cloak of invincibility and anonymity, such that we all feel entitled to think out loud, criticize and debase others even if we are not wont do so in person. I admit that I too sometimes fall into the trap of bardagulan tweeting, especially when I know a politician is lying or misbehaving. I will call him out and send truth bombs his way. Of course, there are laws on slander and libel that individuals can resort to when they feel attacked. But should we even reach that point? Can’t we just voluntarily practice common courtesy and politeness on social media? What prevents us from conducting ourselves in a respectable manner and allow the free exchange of thoughts and opinions without recrimination? We shouldn’t rely on Twitter’s policies and Musk for the answer. Returning the social-media platform to civility will have to start with us. We can practice free speech and respect each other at the same time. If we want to. n

N the preface to the book, Best American Movie Writing 2001, edited by John Landis, Jason Shinder writes: “The next best thing to watching movies is perhaps to read about them.” But how do we write about movies? If movie magazines are the gauge, movie writing is basically about movie or film stars. They grace or gild the cover. When a director or writer is ever placed on a cover, there could be a major reason for such a spotlight. Somehow, to write about movies is to focus on glamor, female pulchritude or modes of masculinity. It is thus refreshing to stumble upon this collection of essays done at the turn of the millennium, which Landis, the director behind such works as The Blues Brothers and Animal House, has divided into sections devoted to Actors, Censorship, Writers, Directors, Technology and Genre. I opted to take out from this list sections on “Nazis” and “Shangri-La” for the very reason that they are categories of essays one would never think of in terms of movie journalism. We will deal with them later. For a film journalist to be assigned to talk about the most conspicuous elements of cinema, the performers, is to confound the person giving the task. Who shall I write about? What are my guides in the selection of the subject matter? It seems in this book, that quandary has been solved. Tom Weaver, the author, looks into the Hollywood’s Greatest Ape. Weaver grew up fascinated with jungle films, with Tarzan part of this universe. Unlike other admirers of “ordinary actors,” Weaver

made it his business to “find out who Hollywood’s ‘gorilla men were.” He sought out makeup guys. He noticed that every time he asked, he would be told of one name, Charlie Gemora. Weaver did not stop here with the knowledge. He offered to be one of the faces that makeup apprentices would practice their skills on. It was among these artists that he would find the opportunity to meet Gemora, who turned out to be Filipino. Gemora was so famous in his role as a gorilla that whenever the greatest gorillas of them all, King Kong, would be mentioned, people immediately thought of Gemora as the actor behind the ape suit. Even as he denied to being the King Ape, that honor stuck to his name all throughout his career, and long after his demise. On censorship, Sam Staggs contributes excerpt from All About Eve: The Complete Behind the Scenes Story of the Bitchiest Film Ever Made. While the article sizzles with how the men and women behind the film ran away with all the caustic epigrams and witticisms that substituted for daily rants and conversations, the essay is about how the censorship in those years contributed to the trimming and editing of the dialogues of the film—from the “temporary script’ of 223 pages down to a temporary script with 180 pages. The book has this to say, however: Mankiewicz (the writer and director) and Zannuck (the producer), “while in basic agreement on The All About Eve screenplay, were not the final arbiters on all points. There was the imprimatur to be released by the chief administration of the Production Code. The word “sex” could never be mentioned in the 1950s, not even with the sophisticated air wafting through the scenarios branded by Bette Davis herself. The Production Code found an offensive word in one scene where Margo Channing, played by Davis, delivers the line: “Ah don’ understand about all these plays about sex-stahved Suth’in women—sex is one thing we were nevah stahved for in the South.” In the end, “love” was substituted for “sex.” Under movie writers, there is John Irving, with his own ruminations: “There is no language in a screenplay (For me, dialogue doesn’t count as language). What passes for language in a screenplay

is rudimentary, like the directions for assembling a complicated children’s toy...A screenplay, as a piece, of writing, is merely the scaffolding for a building someone else is going to build.” Irving, known for his book The World According to Garp, later made into a film with the same title, closes his statement with: “The director is the builder.” John Bailey talks about technologies in cinema in his essay, “Film or Digital? Don’t Fight. Coexist.” He recalls while serving on the foreign film committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, how films varied greatly in terms of those using elaborate digital techniques and those relying on film cameras. Along the way, he discusses a film exemplifying a sort of a hybrid—“a movie made by traditional filmmakers using tools and techniques of the new medium.” Now, on to the two sections left out: Shangri-La and Nazism. Ian Buruma—intellectual, historian, and author of books like Behind the Mask: Sexual Demons, Sacred Mothers, Transvestites, and Other Japanese Cultural Heroes—revisits for us the illusion of geographies foisted upon us by cinema, the artifice and exoticism created by moving images. He asks a disarming research question: “What it [is] about Tibet that has made so many intelligent people go wobbly?” He proceeds from the phenomenon of Dalai Lama, the focus of what he terms as “Tibetophiles,” and says: “The problem for the Dalai Lama and his canny government in exile is that he needs the support of such Hollywood Buddhists, but cannot risk having his aura contaminated by too much contact with them.” Buruma then talks of Orville Schell, who wrote Virtual Tibet, on the set of the movie Seven Years in Tibet, where a replica of Lhasa had been built high up the Andes Mountains. Landis introduces the section on Nazis with these: “Fascists have always understood the power of films. Mussolini built Cinecitta studio in Rome and Franco encouraged movie production in Spain. The Shah of Iran threw a fabulous film festival in Teheran, as did Marcos in the Philippines.” So, you see movie articles are not all about screen idols. Or cheap gossip and cheaper starlets. n

GMA brings home medal harvest at 2022 New York Festivals MEDIA giant GMA Network scored four World Medals at the 2022 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards, with The Atom Araullo Specials winning a Gold Medal. The network was the sole Philippine awardee in this year’s competition. The Atom Araullo Specials’ “Munting Bisig [Young Arms],” the winning entry from the GMA Public Affairs program, bested entries from other countries in the Documentary: Social Issues category. The episode looked into the plight of children working amid the global pandemic. Host Atom Araullo followed the lives of children who put their lives at stake to help their families survive even if they are exposed to the Covid-19 virus. In his acceptance speech, Atom said, “Our team is absolutely thrilled to receive this award from the New York Festivals. The situation of children especially from underprivileged backgrounds continues to be a cause for concern, even as the world gradually recovers from the pandemic. Through this story, we hope to bring awareness to the plight of these vulnerable communities.” Winning a Silver Medal in the Entertainment Special: Variety Special category was Limitless: A Musical Trilogy. Produced by GMA Synergy, Limitless was a three-part online musical headlined by multihyphenate Julie Anne San Jose, who kicked off her musical journey with Breathe, where she traveled to Mindanao; followed by Heal, which was shot in

the Visayas. On April 9, Julie showed the world that everyone can all Rise and embrace one’s “new self” during the third and final leg of the musical trilogy. Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS), the country’s

most-watched public affairs program, and the most-followed Philippine TV program on Facebook, adds another entry to its growing list of awards after earning a Bronze Medal for “Bestida ni Ranelyn [Ranelyn’s Dress].” The winning segment triumphed in the Documentary: Health/Medical Information category and featured six-year-old girl Ranelyn, who longed to wear her favorite dress after being reduced to skin and bones due to poverty and severe malnourishment. The show is hosted by leading GMA News and Public Affairs anchor Jessica Soho. Long-running public affairs program I-Witness was a big winner this year with two of its episodes making it to the short-listed entries. Atom Araullo’s documentary “Koronang Tinik [Crown of Thorns]” won a Bronze Medal in the Documentary: Climate Change & Sustainability category. In his report, Atom investigated the sudden increase in dap-ag or crown of thorns in the waters of Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte. Another I-Witness documentary, “Virus Hunters” by Sandra Aguinaldo, took home a Finalist Certificate under the Documentary: Science & Technology category. Sandra’s documentary featured a group of experts’ ongoing study of bats and the diseases that humans can get from them. The New York Festivals TV & Film Awards honors content in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries.

THE Atom Araullo Specials’ “Munting Bisig” documentary won the gold medal at the 2022 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards.

B6 Friday, April 29, 2022

Summit Natural Drinking Water fuels Filipino athletes’ #thirstforgold in the 31st SEA Games

CLFI makes education accessible for all, launches 100th ALS Center

OIC of Schools Division Superintendent, Anna Zenaida UnteAlonto, receives the learning tools donated by Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc.

EBUANA Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. (CLFI), the social responsibility arm of Cebuana Lhuillier, the largest micro financial service provider in the country, celebrated the launching of its 100th Alternative Learning System-Community Learning Center (ALS-CLC) at Amai Pakpak Elementary School in Marawi City. The 2017-armed conflict caused massive destruction that displaced a great majority of Marawi city’s population. As the local community leaders work towards rebuilding the lives of affected individuals and families, CLFI extended assistance to Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Office of Marawi to foster recovery and learning continuity amid present conditions. CLFI donated ICT equipment and supplies for the ALS teachers in Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School. “As part of its inclusion advocacy, CLFI is always committed to provide accessible quality education for all, especially for the

Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation supports the rehabilitation of Marawi by providing learning tools and devices in Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School (APCES) for its alternative learning sessions. At turnover rites, from left: Fatime Mognie, Chief of the Curriculum Implementation Division; Anna Zenaida Unte-Alonto, OIC of Schools Division Superintendent; Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School teachers and ALS educators.

underserved Filipinos. To significantly help the rehabilitation efforts of Marawi, we focused our efforts on education—ensuring that children and adult learners have access to basic education,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. To fully equip the newly established ALSCLC in Marawi City, CLFI donated learning tools and devices, including laptops, printers, LED TV, Wi-Fi routers, and load cards -- which will further enable ALS teachers to facilitate online and modular learning sessions for 400 registered ALS learners. “The entirety of the city schools division of Marawi would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our great partner, Cebuana Lhuillier. All these will help our educators and learners to adapt to the new system

of education under the new normal,” OIC Schools Division Superintendent, Anna Zenaida Unte-Alonto said. Driven by its advocacy to make education accessible, CLFI has always been a staunch supporter of DepEd’s ALS program. Since 2013, CLFI has been supporting ALS community learning centers to give out-ofschool youth and adult learners a second chance at education. “The 100th ALS-CLC sponsored by the Foundation is a testament to our firm belief that all Filipinos should have access to quality education. We are elated to see how the company’s advocacy for education can uplift both young and adult learners and help improve their lives,” First Vice President and Group Head for CLFI, Jonathan Batangan said.

Golden Haven holds nationwide pet walkathon for furry friends

The Walkathon was hosted at multiple Golden Haven branches like in Las Piñas, Bauan, and Sariaya in Luzon; Cebu and Iloilo in Visayas, and Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, and General Santos City in Mindanao.

T was a delightfully bright and sunny day when doggies of all shapes and sizes headed out to select branches of Golden Haven Memorial Parks to join its Nationwide Pet Walkathon—with their excited humans in tow, of course. Between the adorable pups and their fami-

lies, it was hard to tell who had a greater time as they bonded, played, and strolled at the lush and beautifully landscaped environs of Golden Haven Memorial Parks in Las Piñas, Bauan, and Sariaya in Luzon; Cebu and Iloilo in Visayas, and Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, and General Santos City in Mindanao.

Golden Haven’s Nationwide Pet Walkathon featured activity stations for the furry babies; energy-burning obstacle courses; and even pet shop booths for a lively day outdoors. Freed from restrictions and set loose in the soothing green spaces of the memorial parks, pets and pet owners alike savored breathable fresh air, sunny blue skies, calming views, and natural vitamin D. Heartwarming scenes showed the frisky pups making friends with each other. As they did so, their fur moms and dads followed suit. After all, Golden Haven’s Nationwide Pet Walkathon was for creating lovely new memories, too. To cap the unforgettable day, each furry participant received a certificate of completion, as well as a commemorative photo, for joining the walkathon. Join the Golden Haven community. Visit goldenhaven.com.ph or follow “Golden Haven” on our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Spotify, Tiktok, and Viber. For sales-related inquiries, contact (02) 8873-2922 to 23.

FILARTS launches ‘Philippine Art and Beyond’ featuring artists from around the world on April 30

HE Filipinas Institute for the Advancement of Arts and Culture, Inc. (FILARTS) is launching its new book entitled “Philippine Art and Beyond”, published by topnotch artist Roy Espinosa and edited by art critic Ben-Oliver Matias. The book launch is set on April 30, 3 pm which also kicks off a special exhibit of the works featured at 2L Unimart Capitol Commons, Pasig City. The book features visual artists from around the world, represented by their works and commentaries on them. These artists come from different countries of unique cultures, namely (in alphabetical order) Azerbaijan, Belgium, Canada, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Egypt, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Suriname, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Venezuela, and Vietnam. The book establishes the significant development in the art world as it reflects the

artists’ notions of “personal and national identity, social commentary, cultural traditions, political stance, globalization, body politics, the mundane, and commonality.” Contributing writers are Tess Rayos del Sol, Ruth Espinosa, Timberly S. Fuentes, Arnaldo Bernabe Mirasol, Ma. Socorro Margallo-Tan Gana, and Vanessa Tan Gana. The book cover was designed by Frank Cana, while the layout crafted by John Renoir. Last year Espinosa released the coffee table book “Contemporary Art by Asian Artists” which explores the culturally diverse posits of 60 Asian visual artists as they “respond to personal and conglomerate notions of inner visions and exoteric realities projected in their art and artmaking.” Organized by ArtisteSpace, Inc., in cooperation with Unimart Capitol Commons, the exhibit will run until May 30. Special discounts will be given to purchases by corporations, associations, and other organizations. For details, contact filartsincorporated@ gmail.com.

UMMIT Natura l Drinking Water showcases its unwavering commitment to supporting Filipino athletes thrive, this time in their bid to bring honor to the country in the 31st Hanoi Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this May 12 to 23, 2022. As the official bottled water partner of the Philippine Olympic Committee, Summit is one with our athletes in their journey to aspire, perspire, and inspire fellow Filipinos. The Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, Asian pole vault record-holder EJ Obiena, and now, Filipinas, the Philippine National Women’s Football Team are all set to have their hydration levels covered by Summit with the right minerals, allowing them to remain focused on their goals and deliver at peak performance. JOURNEY TO SUMMIT In 2008, Diaz was selected as a wildcard entry for the Beijing Games, becoming the first-ever Filipina to compete in weightlifting. In 2016, she ended the country’s 20-year Olympic medal drought by winning silver at the women’s 53-kg category in weightlifting. Summit is honored to have witnessed that win at the Rio Olympics and made Diaz one of its brand ambassadors in 2018. In 2019, Diaz won her first SEA Games Gold medal after topping the 55-kg division. With a committed sponsor by her side, Hidilyn powered through challenges en route to her historic win in the Tokyo Games that ended the country’s 93-year hunt for an Olympic gold medal. To commemorate Hidilyn’s success story, Summit Natural Drinking Water has launched Summit Labels featuring Hidilyn Diaz in 350ml, 500ml and 1L formats and Sports Bottles in 500ml format. EJ Obiena joined Team Summit after rising in the pole-vaulting scene here and abroad. He most memorably competed in the Tokyo Olympics against the best, proving that one of the sport’s brightest stars is a Filipino.

The “Golden Boy” has been jumping since he was six years old. Since then, he has always remained active, joining the track teams throughout his years in school, from elementary to college, before competing internationally, starting at the 2019 SEA Games where he bagged the gold medal after clearing 5.45 meters on the bar. A year later he stands as the first Filipino athlete to qualify for Tokyo 2020, capping off as the fifth overall in his group during the qualifiers and 11th overall as he made the cut. Currently, EJ is a world record holder with 5.93m as his best performance and recently he has been winning gold in competitions across the globe. EJ is set to be carrying the Philippine flag in the opening ceremony of the upcoming SEA Games, making his participation even more remarkable. The Philippine Women’s National Football Team, also known as the “Filipinas”, continues to break barriers as they continue to prove their #ThirstForGold. The Filipinas made a historic feat in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in India earlier this year by reaching the semifinals and qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time ever. This year, Summit also partners with Liv3ly in promoting an active lifestyle and supporting Filipinos as they #ThirstForMore. Liv3ly is a social fitness app with the goal of motivating users to move through engaging, experiences, gamification, and rewards. With the app, users can take on running challenges, track records, and compete with other users. Download the Liv3ly app now to win exciting prizes from Summit.

Let Subway Subsavers save your day

T is always a busy day at work with numerous deadlines to meet while everything must be completed with urgency and promptness. With the daily challenges at the workplace, one of the things that help us get by is making the better choice of fresh, delightful, and, great food to save the day. The SubSavers™ menu is perfectly better and worth for you. It includes Subway® Snacks

that starts at Php35, Subway Six-Inch®, Subs at Php109, and Subway Footlong® Subs + Drink at Php255. These snacks shall be available all year round until December 31, 2022! For the Subway Snacks, choose from a 1-pc. Cookie for Php35 or 3pcs Cookies for Php85; Toasties for Php89 (choose either Pepperoni & Cheese, Egg & Cheese, or Ham & Cheese); and Quesadilla for Php99 (choose either Cheesy Pork, Ultimate Cheese, or Classic Beef & Cheese). The Subway Six-Inch Sub has 2 choices with either Pepperoni Delight or Bacon & Sliced Chicken flavors for only Php109. If you’re craving for bigger snack, get the Subway Footlong Sub + a 16oz Drink and choose between Pepperoni Delight or Bacon & Sliced Chicken for only Php255. Visit a Subway restaurant near you and get all these SubSavers™ offerings through dine-in and take-out transactions. Prices vary via Grab or FoodPanda delivery.

Get the spring-leaning treat that you deserve

S we welcome the colorful and bright season of summer, many of us are already preparing to do some spring cleaning at home to keep everything organized, safe and pleasant to the eyes. For us, Filipinos, our spring cleaning usually starts in our bedroom. From clearing our closets to changing our furniture, wall paint, or wallpaper, down to the bed linens and accessories. Sleep Foundation suggests that under normal conditions, mattresses should be replaced every 6 to 8 years. The Foundation also listed these six reasons to consider why changing mattresses is vital in our well-being: (1) it’s negatively affecting your sleep, (2) it’s noticeably saggy or damaged in certain areas, (3) it’s making more noise than usual (noisy springs are common in old innerspring mattresses), (4) you find that you sleep better at hotels, friends’ houses, etc., (5) you notice an increase in allergies and/or asthma, and (6) you regularly wake up with muscle or joint stiffness. While the local market carries various brands that fit our style and budget, there’s one brand in the world that truly provides innovation and comfort like no other—SERTA, the world’s most trusted brand of comfort for more than 90 years. Topped with its brand of comfort and style, Serta takes pride on its pocket spring innovation, extensive and rich latex layers, and soothing cool technology that provides superior quality of sleep.

Pocket Spring plays a vital role not only on the durability of a mattress but also to our health as we relax and sleep. Some of the notable and science –based benefits of pocket spring mattress include better sleep quality due to no motion transfer, providing pressure relief and ease of movement. Serta’s extensive collection of mattresses offer durable and stable pocket spring innovation that caters to the actual need of our body. When it comes to bed mattress, Filipinos are more inc lined on hav ing the most comfortable option. That’s why Serta made sure that every product they’ll offer is packed with extensive and rich latex layers that provide a high level of support and comfort topped with hypoallergenic features, dust mite resistant and naturally antimicrobial. This is made to complement the brand’s wondrous pocket spring technology to add extra support and pressure-relieving factors further enhancing one’s sleeping experience. Since the Philippines is a tropical country, Serta’s cool technology is made suitable to our weather condition providing utmost comfort regardless of rainy or summer season. This innovation was further improved through Serta’s CoolMax technology and the all new Adaptive Dynamic Cooling System. To know more, visit https://serta.com.ph/ or follow Serta Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for latest news, updates, and promos.

Sports BusinessMirror

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph | Editor: Jun Lomibao

Friday, April 29, 2022 B7

KAI ENTERS NBA DRAFT

Filipino golfers open bid in Asian Junior Masters tilt in Phuket

13-STRONG Philippine contingent led by members of the 31st Southeast Asian Games-bound athletes open their campaign Friday in the Asian Junior Masters Championships at the Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket, Thailand. Newly-crowned national stroke play champion Kristoffer Arevalo and Jet Hernandez will team up with Shinichi Suzuki and Patrick Tambalque in the main Junior Masters competition featuring two players each from the 15-23 years bracket and another two from the 13-14 years age-group. Mafy Singson leads the Philippine bid in the girls’ Junior Masters team play also following the boys division age format, hoping to keep the momentum of her backto-back victories at the national stroke play and Philippine Junior Amateur this month. Joining her are SEA Games teammate Lois Kaye Go, Reese Ng and Gabie Rosca. They will also compete in the individual events where the five other members of the PHL squad—Laurea Duque, Miguel Ilas, Leandro Bagtas, Marc Lu and Andres Lorenzo—are entered in the tourney that will be played over 54 holes. Arevalo, Hernandez, Lu, Ilas, Bagtas, Lorenzo, Go and Singson are all entered in the 15 to 23 years old age bracket while Ng, Rosca, Suzuki and Tambalque are challenging in the 13 to 14 years class. “It’s a very important outing for the us as it is our final exposure for the SEA Games. We just hope to gain some confidence booster here,” said national coach Boyet Zaragosa, who KAI SOTTO could be the first full-blooded is getting an extra hand here from Filipino to play in the National Basketball Nikki Ng, mom of Reese who is also Association. the president of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines. The Asian Junior Masters is actually the first major international event participated in by a contingent sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Philippines since the pandemic started two years ago. The young bets also got their trips facilitated by Philippine Airlines with their bookings, excess weight and even a check-in counter dedicated for them. The NGAP, meanwhile, is also set to host a major international event, the Nomura Cup or the Asian Amateur Team Championship, this coming June. STALWARTS of the 13-STRONG Philippine contingent strike a pose.

By Josef Ramos

ACHARY “KAI” SOTTO announced on social media on Thursday his intention to enter the National Basketball Association (NBA) 2022 Rookie Draft—the first Filipino to do so. “I have declared for the

2022 NBA draft,” Sotto, who’ll turn 20 on May 11, said in his Instagram account. “Please pray and support me during my quest to fulfill my ultimate dream.” Sotto, who is arguably the most agile 7-foot-2 basketball player so far, has been playing for the Adelaide 36ers of Australia’s National Basketball League where he’s been averaging 7.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 23 games. Sotto is the son of former PBA player Ervin Sotto, who’s also tall at 6-foot-7. The young Sotto was named NBL Fans MVP before deciding to join the NBA draft. The NBA draft is set on June 23 at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York. No other Filipino basketball player has gone close to making the NBA like Sotto. The others before him— Bobby Ray Parks, Kiefer Ravena and Japeth Aguilar—started their NBA

dream by joining the draft or playing in the D-League and G-League only to return to the PBA or opted to play in the lucrative Japan B.League. Jordan Clarkson, who’s half Filipino, has been making his mark. He’s currently with the Utah Jazz. Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Willie Marcial said Sotto’s NBA dream is coming close to realization. “It’s good news to Philippine basketball and I’m praying he’ll be drafted by an NBA team,” Marcial said. “It’s huge for Philippine basketball.” Marcial added that it won’t matter which round Sotto will be picked on he draft night. “What matters is he’ll make it,” he said Sotto thanked the 36ers management, his teammates and coaching staff as well as his agent, Joel Bell, for honing his skills and

Son of ex-PBA player Briones commits to UP By Rick Olivares

HICCO BRIONES, 19, brings his act from Carroll College in Montana to the Uni-

versity of the Philippines. The 6-foot-6 Briones, son of former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player Lowell Briones, played one year for Carroll College. He will serve his residency next year and will

be eligible to play for UP in Season 86. The elder Briones played for Mobiline, Sta. Lucia, Red Bull and Coca Cola in the PBA from 1997 to 2022. “This is four years in the making,” UP Basketball Program Head Bo Perasol said. Chicco was able to join UP during their training in Las Vegas several years ago. Despite many Philippine college teams vying for his services, Briones chose UP. “Why not?” said Chicco about joining Goldwin Monteverde’s squad. “I am privileged to play for the best team in the UAAP [University Athletic Association of the Philippines].” “UP has a great program in basketball and academics. To be called a scholar ng bayan and be in a great environment is important,” he said. “I am excited to play for the Fighting Maroons.” Chicco was born in Cebu and went to Ateneo de Cebu until seventh grade after which the family migrated to the United States. The shooting guard played for Sierra Vista High School in California where he averaged 18 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player. Briones averaged 2.0 points in 11 matches played

for the Carroll College Saints in US NAIA competition. Monteverde is excited about the prospect of seeing Briones team up with 6-foot-7 Carl Tamayo. “He can play the guard position and create mismatches for us,” Monteverde said. “He is a very good shooter plus he started his basketball in the Philippines and he will not be surprised by the pace and physicality we play here.” “He will be a great addition in terms of height [to our team],” he added. CHICCO BRIONES joining the Fighting Maroons takes four years to complete.

Letran goes for win, pride vs San Beda

Gabuat, Padilla regain winning act in net circuit

HOMAS GABUAT and Ma. Judyann Padilla got back into the groove and fashioned out convincing victories to boost their rankings in the Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala (PPSPEPP) national age group tournament in Zamboanga del Norte on Tuesday. Gabuat mastered Pete Bandala twice, posting a 6-3, 6-2 triumph in the boys’ 16-under finals then claimed the 18-under crown with a 6-2, 6-3 romp while Padilla took the girls’ 16-under title with a 6-4, 6-4 decision over Christine Gulagula. The Ozamiz City find then survived archrival AJ Acabo, 5-7, 6-4, 10-3, to rule the 18-under division of the Labason leg of the grueling Mindanao swing of the nationwide junior circuit. Zamboanga Sibugay’s Gabuat and Padilla also dominated the PPS Dipolog leg with two wins apiece two weeks ago but were foiled by Vince Serna (18-under) and Acabo (16-under) in last week’s Sindangan stop of the country’s longestrunning age-grouper put up by Palawan Pawnshop president and

CEO Bobby Castro. Marlyn Mesiona also kept the girls’ 14-under crown with a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Nicole Gom-Os while Bandala made up for his twin losses in the upper division by topping the boys’ 14-under class with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Kevin Gallinero. Also posting wins in the Group 2 tournament at the Labason tennis courts were Vienna Cagas of Oroquieta City, who trounced Marian Sarsaba, 6-0, 6-0; and 10-yearold Sherwin Gom-os, who blasted Brielle Gamus, 6-1, 6-2, to clinch the 12-under top honors. Action in the circuit presented by Dunlop and held under the auspices of the Unified Tennis Philippines and Universal Tennis Rating resumed on Thursday for the Liloy leg also in Zamboanga del Norte. Lanao del Norte will host the next stop from May 1 to 3 for the Maranding leg while Oroquieta City in Misamis Oriental will host the next stop from May 4 to 6. For details and registration, contact event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

making him “a better professional player” in only a year’s time. “You all took me under your wing[s] and challenged and mentored me to live up to expectations,” Sotto added. The other NBL players who entered the draft are Luke Travers (Perth Wildcats), Hugo Besson and Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand Breakers) and Tom Digbeu (Brisbane Bullets). Six-foot-11 Chinese Zeng Fanbo, who plays for Ignite in the G-League, is the only other Asian who applied for this year’s NBA draft. Only China, Japan, Taiwan, Israel, Iran and South Korea have had players in the NBA. They are Chinese Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian, Wang Zhizhi and Mengke Bateer; Israeli Omri Casspi Israel; Iranian Hamed Haddadi; Japanese Yuta Tabuse, Rui Hachimura, Yuta Watanabe and Yasutaka Okayama, South Korean Ha Seung-Jin and Taiwanese Jeremy Lin.

OT even a guaranteed berth in the Final Four will stop reigning champion Letran from going for a win over archrival San Beda University on Friday in National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball action. What more with the fans of both sides already allowed entry to the 5,000-seat at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. “It’s really nice to watch a game like this one so we’re all excited,” San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez said. “The players are excited so hopefully we’ll play good against Letran.” The Knights of coach Bonnie Tan are gunning for a nine-game sweep of the eliminations against

XACTLY two weeks to the day when 656 athletes will start campaigning in the Vietnam 31st Southeast Asian Games and Team Philippines gets a morale boost from outside the sporting arena. Frontliners Ang Bida Partylist expressed its support to the Hanoibound team with its first nominee Jayke Joson backing Senate Committee Chairman Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on his effort to see another successful SEA Games campaign. “We, the Frontliners Ang Bida

the Red Lions at 3 p.m. While the Knights are fighting for pride over the team they beat in the 2019 Finals, the Red Lions are entering the game needing a win to prevent complications with the Mapua Cardinals for the remaining outright Final Four slot. A win by the Red Lions, who at 7-1 are a half-a-game lead over the Cardinals (7-2), will solidify their No. 2 ranking in the Final Four

with a twice-to-beat incentive. A loss will relegate San Beda to a play-in match-up with No. 4 College of Saint Benilde on Sunday, while handing Mapua gets the other automatic Final Four berth. University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and Emilio Aguinaldo College clash for the remaining play-in berth at noon, with the winner facing Arellano University in the eliminator on Sunday.

Support for athletes to SEA Games grows Partylist, salute Sen. Bong Go for supporting all the Filipino athletes particularly those who will compete in SEA Games next month,” Joson said. “We believe that our national athletes are also frontliners who never stop training and competing to continuously bring honor and pride to our country despite these trying times.” “We are inspired by Senator Go’s all-out support to the Filipino

athletes,” Joson added. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who won the country’s first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo last August, leads the Philippine campaign in 38 of the 40 sports on the Vietnam SEA Games program. Also on Team Philippines are Asian men’s pole vault record holder EJ Obiena and Tokyo Olympics boxing silver medalist Nesthy Petecio and bronze medalist Eumir Felix

Winston, DLSU beat Adamson U, make Final Four

ESCHON WINSTON played an all-around game as De La Salle beat Adamson University, 6451, on Thursday to claim the third Final Four berth in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 84 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Winston scored 19 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out two steals in helping the Green Archers to their eighth win in 13 games, while dealing the Soaring Falcons their eighth setback also in 13 games. “Finally, we made it official to be in the Final Four,” De La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren said. “It’s a good win for us and we know that it wouldn’t be easy.” “It was a total team effort for the whole team,” Pumaren added. Evan Nelle and former national player Justine Baltazar also figured in the win. The duo broke a 43-all deadlock at the start of the fourth quarter with a blazing 16-4 blast that gave the Green Archers a 59-47 cushion with three minutes left in the game. Nelle scored nine of his 11 points in the fourth quarter while Kurt Lojera had 10 points also for the Green Archers. Jerom Lastimosa was limited by De La Salle’s pesky defense to just 3-of-13 shooting from the field for 11 points. Adamson University needs to beat University of the East (UE) on the last day of the elimination round on Sunday for a shot at the Final Four. National University dealt UE its 13th straight loss, 100-81, to improve to 6-7 won-lost also on Thursday. Enzo Joson piled up 15 points, while Shaun Ildefonso and Germy Mahinay added 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Bulldogs. NU will end its elimination campaign on Sunday against De La Salle. Josef Ramos Marcial. The country’s delegation was formed by the Philippine Olympic Committee and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission. Frontliners vowed to create a bill on double hazard pay, tax-free allowances, free insurance policies for all frontliners and abolish the no work, no pay policy for sick frontliners. The SEA Games open on May 12 and close on May 23.

Motoring BusinessMirror

Henry Ford Awards Best Motoring Section 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 2011 Hall of Fame

Friday, April 29, 2022

Editor: Tet Andolong • www.businessmirror.com.ph

The sensitized Civic I

Story & photos by Randy S. Peregrino

N today’s SUV-dominated market, the preferential factor for sedans may have diminished, but Honda is still optimistic for their celebrated Civic model with the introduction of the 11th generation. The Civic is certainly deeprooted with an established identity, and it is here to stay for enthusiasts around the world to relish.

After its successful local debut, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) hosted a well-planned and thorough test drive event totaling over a 300-kilometer distance, tackling various road situations and conditions. We get to test the interesting entry-level variant S Turbo CVT with Honda Sensing.

We dig the new look

When the previous generation came out, we thought that Honda went back to the drawing board to create the exhilarating design. This time, it seemed that they did it again. Noticeably, the successor is now looking more mature, inside and out. The latest model is now longer by

29mm, thus, with a longer wheelbase of 37mm. The streamlined and more prominent-looking front end exudes newly shaped headlamps with integrated standard Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) and LED fog lights. The flanks flaunt sleek lines compliments the long bonnet and sloping roofline. Gone are the C-shaped taillights in favor of fresh pair of rather slender LED taillights. The variant we tested rolls on 16-inch rims wrapped in higher series tires. Meanwhile, the interior’s layout is a complete departure from the previous. It denotes minimalism with a monochromatic theme, albeit with fewer plush materials. One of the no-

translate to performance, and we certainly felt it, for the most part. That substantial torque available between lower to mid-range engine rpm provided a wider powerband for that effortless acceleration whenever needed. Never mind the absence of the manual mode because the sport mode was more than enough to keep the rpm within optimum ranges, whether accelerating or engine braking. Nevertheless, we already expected that. Include in the equation how the vehicle behaved on the road. It is no longer a surprise how nimble the vehicle was on bends, particularly tight ones. Cruising highway bends has never been this fun, along with the responsive steering. Suffice to say, the lighter and smaller rim with higher tire series both contributed to better acceleration with less bounce, respectively.

The entire convoy cruising along the remote highway in Batangas. Honda Philippines

It all made sense

The entry-level yet loaded 11th generation Civic S CVT.

ticeable changes was the front pillar’s realignment providing a better vantage point. Of course, the seven-inch touchscreen display audio is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capable.

Spirited yet in control

As if the standard1.5-liter four-Cylinder DOHC VTEC Turbo engine is not already exciting enough, Honda still improved output at 176 hp and 240 N-m of maximum torque while retaining the same Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). As such, this all-new Civic is highly engaging to drive. Those figures easily

In 2019, we had our first dibs of the manufacturer’s suite of advanced safety and driver-assist features Honda Sensing. While we were impressed during the demonstration, we could not help but think—how will it be fair on Philippine roads? This time, Honda further improved the system by using a single monocular camera with a wider field of view. More so, with improved software for a better vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, and road marking recognition. Before our convoy took off, all systems were up for demonstration. W hile traversing the ex pressways, we enabled the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF) and set the speed within limits. Here, the system was actively keeping the pace based on the vehicle upfront, picking up and slowing down by applying brakes to keep a safe distance. The system also works with the Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN). Impressively, there were instances when we tested

the system’s ability to slow down up to a complete halt completely and resumes automatically by simply pressing the “+” button. T he L a ne K e e pi n g A s s i s t (LKAS) was by far the big surprise for us. At long bends with visible lanes, the system actively operates the steering after sensing the absence of a response from the driver. As for the Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), applied slight resistance and movement during lane changes without using the turn signals. It was almost like a constant reminder to never miss it or, in a worse situation of losing focus, even for a bit. Of course, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) was always active in flashing warnings on screen for collision alerts. At some point, we even felt it was ahead of us on applying brakes despite the safe distance. Had we driven during nighttime, we would have tested the Auto HighBeam (AHB) feature too. The system is an excellent safety backup for a seasoned driver for unforeseen situations. It can also be fun to challenge the system by getting ahead of it to test driving skills. Honda Sensing is there to assist and provide as much prevention as possible, but not to the extent of solely relying on it.

Loaded entry-level

Honda has changed how we look at entry-level variants, at least for the all-new Civic. The S CVT retails at P1.290 million and about P200,000 price increments for the V and RS variants, respectively. In this case, the preference boils down to aesthetics and trims, as all versions have premium performance elements and high-tech safety features. Entry-level variant or not, trust us when we say that the entire drive episode was nothing short of engaging, revealing, and spirited. We ended up wanting more.

HILUX HIDDEN WONDER; VELOZ IS HERE

hidden wonder from the slew of Toyota models old and new is the latest Hilux—the GRS 4x4. It is such a find that blew my mind. Two members of the family were also mesmerized, amazed by its performance as it stood out from even among its closest rivals in the market. Here is Mayo Mendoza, a UP-Diliman scholar, on his take on the GRS: “From the muddy trails of Tanay, Rizal, to the smooth roads of NLEX, the Toyota Hilux GRS did not disappoint. It was, indeed, the imposing workhorse that the Hilux is known for, and it drove and moved as easy and as stable as any likable Toyota ride, including a regular Toyota SUV. “Sitting behind the wheel and driving the GRS 4x4 to its limits gave me the confidence that I could drive it everywhere and through any kind of road, including the toughest off-road terrain that I had crisscrossed in the hills and mountain bowels of Rizal’s Antipolo, Baras and Tanay. “It was an experience like no other.” From Dayong Mendoza, an assistant coach of San Miguel Beer in the Philippine Basketball Association: “The striking red Toyota Hilux GR Sport is a winner! “Engaging the 4x4 in a muddy uphill

terrain proved to be a breeze for this modern, extra-powerful and superbly designed pickup. “I love its race-inspired sleek steering wheel, whose looks is perfectly designed to maneuver the zigzags I had traversed and the bumpiest of trail rides up the hills and valleys of Rizal. “Even Leo Austria, my head coach who had joined me in one trek to Tanay, had heaped praise on its performance—even as he was seated at the back! “The GRS 4x4 is now my dream Hilux— after having bought one in 1997 that I had sold, grudgingly, after it had seen better days.”

Toyota Veloz

SPEAKING of Toyota, the world No. 1 automaker is again unveiling today, April 29, a new model named Toyota Veloz, a state-of-the-art sub-compact SUV to cater to the “ever growing need of Filipinos to move together.” When it comes to vehicle production, pandemic or no pandemic, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has no equal, indeed. “The upcoming introduction of the All-New Veloz marks another milestone for Toyota in the Philippines,” said Sherwin

Chualim, TMP’s First Vice President for Vehicle Sales Operations. “Previously known as the top grade variant of the Avanza compact MPV range, the Veloz has evolved to become a new standalone brand ready to claim its position as a sub-compact SUV of choice for customers seeking new adventures.” Price for the All-New Veloz starts at P1,185,000. Dealers have started accepting reservations on April 23. Customers all over the country can witness the unveiling of the vehicle and see the full details of the new sub-compact SUV through a livestream of the All-New Veloz’ simultaneous nationwide launch on April 29, 11am, via the Toyota Motor Philippines Facebook and YouTube accounts. For a closer look of the All-New Veloz, customers may also join activities in the grand mall display at the BGC Amphitheater from April 29 to May 1, or check out the displays at their nearest Toyota dealership, also starting on April 29.

PEE STOP The All-New Honda HR-V S CVT

Honda Sensing comes at P1,250,000 apiece and the V Turbo CVT at P1,598,000. Already, the 1.5L HR-V has sold 3.5 million or so units globally as of December 2021—a testament to the model’s endurance, dependability and reliability. It has sold 7,000 units locally since its inception in 2015…Welcome home to Danny “Sir John” Isla, who is finally visiting from his Auckland, New Zealand, base in the company of his beauteous wife, Joy, after nearly three years of absence. “Indeed, there’s no place like home,” says Sir John, the founding president of Lexus Manila in January 2009. Enjoy your pandemic-delayed vacation, lovebirds!