BusinessMirror May 14, 2022

BusinessMirror ISLAMIC FINTECH, HALAL ECONOMY

ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA JOURNALISM AWARDS

2006 National Newspaper of the Year 2011 National Newspaper of the Year 2013 Business Newspaper of the Year 2017 Business Newspaper of the Year 2019 Business Newspaper of the Year 2021 Pro Patria Award PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY 2018 Data Champion

EJAP JOURNALISM AWARDS

BUSINESS NEWS SOURCE OF THE YEAR

(2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

2018 BANTOG MEDIA AWARDS

n

Saturday, May 14, 2022 Vol. 17 No. 218

P25.00 nationwide | 16 pages | 7 DAYS A WEEK

The Philippines is emerging as an Islamic fintech hub in a region projected to be a center of innovation in the halal or Shariacompliant monetary sector.

By Roderick L. Abad

S

“There is a huge opportunity for the Philippines in the halal economy and Islamic finance,” Dr. Dalal Aassouli, assistant professor of Islamic finance at the Hamad Bin Khalifa University, said in a recent webinar.

Citing the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) forecast on the halal economy being a main growth driver post-pandemic, she emphasized that “the growing need for digitalization presents opportunities for fintech to prosper” in this growing field.

“For the Philippines to promote halal economy, it must support the development of a strong fintech sector. Developing fintech is critical,” she noted.

This is the right time considering that the nation ranks high internationally—market sharewise.

“The country is one of the fastest-growing fintech destinations as per the Global FinTech Index 2020,” Aassouli bared.

What is Islamic finance?

added Global Impact Fintech (GIFT) cofounder and Global Brand chairman Malik Kotadia.

Contributor

ETTING its sights on the global Islamic finance industry’s growth to $3.8 trillion by 2022, the Philippines—as Southeast Asia gears up to be a breeding ground for innovation in the halal or Sharia-compliant monetary sector—is positioning itself as a vital hub of financial technology (fintech) catering to the Muslim markets regionally and internationally.

UNLIKE traditional monetary institutions, Islamic finance is different in its scheme as it follows strictly the principles of Islam’s religious laws spelled out in Sharia.

One of its features is that Ha-

DR. DALAL AASSOULI: “For the Philippines to promote a halal economy, it must support the development of a strong fintech sector.

Developing fintech is critical.” FACEBOOK.COM/ DIGITALPILIPINAS2021

lal financing prohibits charging or payment of interest. However, there can be arrangements to allow parties to earn profits.

Sharia, likewise, disallows investing in haram (prohibited) substances or activities, such as alcoholic drinks and gambling, deemed harmful. Sharia-adherent funding will not lend money to tobaccorelated investments, gambling or casino bonds, and frowns on deceptive, hazardous investments.

The law, however, strongly encourages investing and giving for the good of the community, and projects that help the poor and needy are esteemed. Permissible

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 52.3860

CAHYA SUNANDAR | DREAMSTIME.COM

www.businessmirror.com.ph

A broader look at today’s business

Public, private sector cooperation

ASIA’S only Christian nation positions itself to become a crucial Islamic financial technology (fintech) center regionally and worldwide. In photo, industry experts and advocates discuss the country’s huge potential in the Sharia-compliant financial industry during the webinar, dubbed “Islamic Fintech and Philippine Halal Economy,” organized by Digital Pilipinas, in collaboration with the Global Impact Fintech and the Department of Trade and Industry through the Philippine Trade and Training Center. FACEBOOK.COM/DIGITALPILIPINAS2021

(halal) investments include tourism, particularly alcohol and porkfree sites, and Sharia-compliant food businesses.

“It is a part of their [Islam] religious obligations,” stated Dhim Radia of the DTI-Philippine Trade and Training Center when asked if Islamic finance is more customer relations-centric. “It is part of doing business, a source of forgiveness and good practices.”

Mindanao’s potential

DRIVEN by the estimated 1.9-billion Muslim population worldwide, Sharia-compliant financial services now stands at $2.4 trillion—up from a mere $200 billion in 2003, based on independent research by Thomson Reuters.

Filipino Muslims now count at 7 million, representing a little over 8 percent of the country’s population. Unfortunately, most of them are underserved. Hence, it opens a big potential for financial services.

“Back in 2017, when the crypto and blockchain industries boomed in the Philippines, I told my mentor Dr. [Justo] Ortiz, [former board chairman at Union Bank of the Philippines], that blockchain could allow for the inclusion of our

brothers and sisters in the Muslim community,” Amor Maclang, Digital Pilipinas and World Fintech Festival convenor, Fintech Philippines Association executive director and trustee, and GeiserMaclang cofounder, said of the growth prospective in Mindanao.

“Sustainability is a big focus of financial institutions. At the fundamental level, the idea of Islamic finance is fair trade. The biggest challenge in terms of halal certification is to meet the standards,”

PUBLIC-PRIVATE partnerships nationwide are consistently being done to promote the halal economy and the Islamic finance space, he noted.

Nevertheless, he hoped the development would happen in a way that is more structured and constant, saying, “There is a greater need for private and public collaboration and a consistent, collaborative approach.”

For him, keeping the initiatives to explore opportunities via education and sustainability is highly beneficial for the Islamic fintech players.

Kotadia lauded, for instance, the efforts of Digital Pilipinas aimed at raising awareness and educating a broader spectrum to allow participation of even nonMuslims in the halal economy and Islamic finance ecosystems.

Digitalization is key

NOW that the era of digitalization is a reality, solutions in this space can be a big help to achieve the growth of halal financing.

“Fintech has the potential to scale up Islamic finance by promoting innovation and impact, improving customer service by providing them fast and reliable service,” Aassouli pointed out.

Using nascent technologies, Sharia-compliant funding can enhance how processes are connected and achieve global operations.

“Our purpose is not just to raise awareness but to unlock the potential of digital technologies, address country-specific barriers, align financial flows with halal economy segments, and enhance accountability and good governance. The ultimate objective, of course, is to attract more investors, not just Muslims,” she said.

n JAPAN 0.4079 n UK 63.9057 n HK 6.6735 n CHINA 7.7183 n SINGAPORE 37.5231 n AUSTRALIA 35.9001 n EU 54.3924 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.9663

Source: BSP (May 13, 2022)

NewsSaturday A2 Saturday, May 14, 2022

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Biden’s fear of free-trade deals risks isolating friends in Asia

S

By Bloomberg News

OUTHEAST Asian nations are increasingly disappointed with the US over a lack of progress on trade issues, undermining President Joe Biden’s efforts to strengthen ties with the region’s leaders at a summit this week in Washington.

The administration has repeatedly highlighted the importance of US leadership in Asia and building relationships to counter China. But when it comes to substance, specifically free-trade deals, the US has little to show.

The main US initiative now, known as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), is supposed to deal with regional supply chains, infrastructure and other areas. But details are hazy and the administration has stressed it won’t include lower tariffs or better access to US markets.

Instead, the main US priority in Asia has been bolstering defense ties as part of a broader effort to counter China.

However, there is little desire from Southeast Asian nations for increased tensions between the two countries. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has called for a truce between the US and China and more focus on trade, while newly elected Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong”

US President Joe Biden speaks during a visit to a family farm in Kankakee, Illinois, US, on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Biden, seeking to undercut the climbing cost of food, will propose new measures to reduce costs for US farmers. BLOOMBERG

Marcos Jr. has argued that his country will not align with superpowers and will instead have its own foreign policy.

“You tend to approach the region with a single focus, which is security,” Tommy Koh, Singapore’s ambassador-at-large and former envoy to the US, told the American Club in Singapore late last month.

“But Asians live by trade.”

Bring back TPP

FOR many Asian countries—including the eight members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations represented in Washington on Thursday and Friday— the best result would be the US returning to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a wide-ranging deal that was agreed by the Obama administration and then abandoned by former President Donald Trump.

But such deals are a non-starter in Washington, where the Biden administration lacks congressional support for agreements that are seen to undermine US labor and companies, as well as Democratic priorities like climate change.

The White House has promised to pursue a “worker-centered” trade policy, and support from the AFL-CIO, the largest US labor federation and a historic opponent of free-trade deals, is important to getting out the vote for Democrats in mid-term elections in November.

That stance leaves little room for substantive new economic links between the US and Asian nations, leaving the IPEF to be the main vehicle.

“Most are happy to see the IPEF as a sign of US re-engagement with economic rule-making, but are also nervous about its implicit role in strategic competition with China,” analysts at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies wrote in a May 5 report. “The Biden administration should avoid playing into China’s narrative and keep the focus on its positive agenda for the region, emphasizing the benefits that the IPEF would bring to the parties involved rather than on how it relates to US strategy toward China.”

Some in Congress have criticized the IPEF as lacking substance, with senators from both parties blasting Biden’s trade agenda at a March hearing and grilling

‘M

ost are happy to see the IPEF as a sign of US re-engagement with economic rule-making, but are also nervous about its implicit role in strategic competition with China.”—Center for Strategic and International Studies analysts US Trade Representative Katherine Tai over a shortage of ambition to negotiate new agreements. The head of the US Chamber of Commerce, the largest American business-lobbying group, also issued a scathing criticism of Biden’s trade policy this week, saying that the administration is “consumed by caution and internal reviews.”

Asean trade expansion

AT the hearing in March, Tai defended the IPEF, arguing that it will include innovative elements that will be appreciated with time.

“New things require some time for socialization and for people to appreciate where the economic meaning is going to come,” she said.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre on Wednesday pushed back on any characterizations that the US has not done much in the region since TPP, “which never went into effect in the first place,” and said that it has strong trade and investment relationships in the Asia-Pacific.

“You can expect to see us deepen our long-standing cooperation by investing in our countries and driving inclusive prosperity in this critical region,” she told reporters, adding the administration will “keep building” on $102 million in new initiatives announced late last year to expand its engagement with Asean nations.

With US midterm elections fast approaching, global trade is a losing political issue for a Biden administration consumed with soaring inflation and an uneven labor market recovery. Members of his own party such as Senator Elizabeth Warren have warned that the IPEF must include strong and enforceable labor and climate commitments.

The summit this week follows pleas from key US trading partners across the Asia-Pacific to do more to develop the region through

trade, aid and badly needed infrastructure investments.

Biden will likely announce the launch of talks for the IPEF agreement when he visits Asia this month, Japanese Ambassador to the US Koji Tomita said earlier this week, with US allies Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand among nations set to join, the Japanese Sankei newspaper reported.

Not everyone in the region is unhappy with the engagement from US companies, with Malaysian Trade Minister Azmin Ali telling local media he expects to bring home 14.6 billion ringgit ($3.3 billion) from his mission to the US. That’s in addition to the $7.1 billion in new investment from Intel Corp. announced in December.

Both Tai and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who is coleading the IPEF work for the US, have visited the region to discuss the initiative, as well as manufacturing and “friendshoring,” or the movement of production to allied countries. Nations are looking for more engagement.

For Deborah Elms, the Singapore-based executive director of the Asian Trade Centre, an April trip to testify before the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission in Congress was a wake-up call. While she spoke about why the US should get more involved in trade deals, she said, some members of Congress were more focused on how to restrict US investment into China.

“The US has taken a very long time to get organized to start to talk about economic issues with Asia. In the meantime, Asian governments have continued to embrace trade agreements as one key approach to greater resilience and source of economic growth in the post-pandemic period,” she said in a recent interview.

“This leaves the US largely on the sidelines,” she said.

www.businessmirror.com.ph• Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

News

‘NEW HEIGHTS’ IN PHL-CHINA COOPERATION

BusinessMirror

Survey gauges Filipino workers’ ‘ideal’ work set up in new normal

T

he pandemic allowed employers to try various alternative work set-ups aside from working on-site to ensure their workers’ health and safety and to promote business continuity.

With the work-from-home (WFH) arrangement, employees were able to enjoy more time at home with their families, as they do not need to commute to and from work or to stay in their workplace during office hours.

Even with the benefits of the WFH set up, some employees still prefer reporting to work for various reasons, including their belief that WFH blurs personal and work time.

As travel restrictions and lockdown protocols are being relaxed by the government, employers are now confronted with the question of whether to revert to their pre-pandemic work arrangement or to allow the changes in work dynamics during the pandemic influence how their employees interact with their workplace in the new normal.

The PhilCare Survey of Filipino Workers 2021 asked what Filipino workers’ work set up was during the pandemic. 50 percent of the respondents were working from home.

20 percent of the respondents had a hybrid work set up, but were asked to report to their workplace more than they were allowed to WFH. 9 percent of the respondents also had the same hybrid work set up, but were given the opportunity to WFH more than they had to report to their workplace.

When asked about their preferred work set-up in the new normal, the largest percentage of respondents (35

percent) expressed that they prefer to work on site. 25.2 percent of respondents prefer a hybrid work set-up where they can work more in their workplace than at home, while 8 percent want the same hybrid work set-up, but with more time working at home instead of working on site. 15.7 percent of the respondents wish to keep the WFH set-up by having an equal number of days for reporting on-site for work and WFH. PhilCare President and CEO Jaeger Tanco opined that the WFH arrangement might not work for some industries. Some employees may also find the typical prepandemic work arrangement more suited to their work temperament. In the end, it is the management that has the discretion to determine which work arrangement is ideal for the nature of their operations.

Tanco encourages management to base their decision on data, rather than on tradition or “nakasanayan.”

“The pandemic made employers more conscious of their responsibility towards their employees, aside from their shareholders. Promoting business sustainability teaches us that businesses can promote productivity by also promoting employee welfare. It’s best when we listen to our employees when we make decisions that impact them. If there is anything salient that businesses learned during the pandemic, it is that we have to be flexible to accommodate both the current and emerging needs of our business,” added Tanco.

Sara to supporters: Extend hand of unity

By Manuel T. Cayon

D

AVAO CITY—Presumptive Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday urged her supporters to extend the hand of unity, saying her camp needed the 100 percent participation of Filipinos to achieve unity after the election.

“We have to stoop down and humble ourselves. We are only 31.5 million,” she said in a news statement her camp posted on Friday.

“Let us be the one to be humble. Let us be the first to approach our rivals who support other candidates. Let us be the one to be humble because it’s us who won, We are the Sara All,” she said in her post.

In her thanksgiving speech, Duterte vowed to remove the divisive campaign colors to achieve a “colorless” Philippines.

“During the campaign, I said we have to

forget these colors that marked our political campaigns, these colors are also the face of heated quarrel among supporters,” she added in Filipino.

“We have to be magnanimous because we are only 31.5 million. We need them so we would become 100 percent one nation,” she said. “And because the campaign and the elections have passed, we have to forget the colors that divided us. Let us stop all these politicking,” she said, She said that all those who won should ensure that all Filipinos, whether or not they are supporters, should be given adequate and proper services.

Duterte also thanked various organizations of Filipinos abroad. “First, I would like to greet all of you, for your triumph and for giving us this big win. Congratulations to all of you,” she said.

DOH confirms 12 cases of Omicron subvariant in NCR, Puerto Princesa

T

welve Omicron BA.2.12.1 subvariant cases have been detected in Puerto Princesa in Palawan and two others in the National Capital Region (NCR), an official of the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Friday.

“The first BA 2.12.1 in the country was detected in two individuals in NCR [and] they have already received their booster shots that’s why they have mild symptoms when they were infected,” Vergeire said in Filipino in an online media forum.

Vergeire added that the two cases in NCR have recovered already after completing their home isolation on April 28.

Meanwhile, 39 of their close contacts have been identified and all have shown no symptoms.

In Palawan, Vergeire said that 11 foreigners and a Filipino were infected with Omicron BA.2.12.1.

The DOH earlier said that all cases in Palawan were isolated at a facility, with 5 already tested negative and discharged, while 7 were discharged on May 6. All were fully vaccinated.

Vergeire said that BA.2.12.1 and BA.2.12 are said to be responsible for the spike in cases and hospitalization in New York City, USA in early April.

Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

A3

DTI okays SRP increase for 82 basic necessities and prime commodities T

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian paid President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. a courtesy visit, and officially handed the congratulatory note on behalf of H.E. President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China on his election as the 17th President of the Philippines. The Chinese Embassy conveyed its hope “to bring the two countries’ Relationship of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation to new heights.”

Saturday, May 14, 2022

By Andrea San Juan

he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has approved a minimum increase for 82 basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) in its latest suggested retail price (SRP) list.

These products include bread, canned fish, potable water in bottles and containers, processed milk, locally manufactured instant noodles, coffee, salt, laundry soap, detergent, candles, flour, processed and canned pork, processed and canned beef, vinegar, fish sauce (patis), soy sauce, toilet soap, and batteries.

The guide includes additional stock keeping units (SKUs) such as Bareta Bar White (360g) and Bareta Bar FabCon (360g).

The prices of major raw materi-

als like Tamban (for Canned Fish products), Mechanically Deboned Meat (for processed meat products), Buttermilk (for processed milk), and Palm Oil (for toilet paper and instant noodles) increased by 0.56 percent to 32.14 percent. In addition, fuel prices went up by 28.84 percent.

“While prices of 86 percent or 71 out of 82 SKUs adjusted their prices from 2 percent to 10 percent, the price increase is still less than the global price movement of raw materials,” DTI emphasized in a news statement issued on Friday.

“The Department carefully evaluates the requests for price adjustments from the manufacturers of BNPCs under the DTI’s jurisdiction.

It is imperative that the DTI and the industry collaborate to ensure the consumers of high-quality products

at affordable prices,” said Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.

For her part, Trade Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo noted that despite the adjustments in several basic and prime goods, the trade department assures the public that all increases in the SRPs were kept to a minimum level to provide consumers with reasonably priced goods amid the pandemic.

136 SKUs or 62 percent retained their January 27,2022 SRP Bulletin prices, while 38 percent or 82 BNPCs saw an increase in the latest SRP list.

Meanwhile, in the SRP list published last January 27, 2022, 66 percent or 143 of the 216 SKUs kept their prices, while only 34 percent or 73 out of 216 SKUs requested for price changes due to the rising cost of raw material and

packaging globally.

In the same way, the DTI in January ensured that price adjustments for the 73 SKUs were kept to a minimum to ensure that consumers continue to have access to reasonably priced goods on the market.

The DTI issues the SRP list to continuously guide consumers and retailers in their purchase and sale of basic and prime goods. The public may refer to the most recent SRP list of basic and prime goods before going to the supermarkets and grocery stores. The price guide is accessible through the DTI web site.

Consumers are urged to report retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell basic necessities above their SRPs via One-DTI (1-384) Hotline or email, ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph.

Marcos Jr. camp: Ex-MMDA chief Abalos Jr. to head DILG

F

ormer Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. is set to become the next secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, according to the camp of presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Abalos resigned from his MMDA post to become Marcos’ national campaign manager.

“I would like to announce that C h a i r m a n B en hu r A ba los h a s been nominated to lead the Department of the Interior and he has accepted the challenge,” announced Marcos’ spokesperson, law yer Vic Rodriguez, in a news briefing on Friday.

As overall chairman of the Metro Manila Council, Abalos initiated the “Vax As One” program where local government units accommo-

dated residents of other areas in their vaccination programs.

Ma rcos a l so prev iou sly a nnounced that presumptive Vice President Sara Duterte would take the helm of the Department of Education.

At the same time, Rodriguez debunked a list circulating on social media about the potential Cabinet members under the Marcos administration, saying only Duterte and

Abalos’ possible appointments are confirmed.

“There’s no truth to that apparent list. Walang listahan (There is no list),” he said.

As for the transition team, Rodriguez said it will be composed of himself, Abalos Jr., former Davao del Norte Representative Anton Lagdameo, former Manila Representative Nadia Angping, and South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. PNA

Villafuerte lauds Comelec fast count, calls for unity, support behind BBM

C

amarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte has lauded the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the speedy transmittal of voting results of the May 9 polls that has buttressed the credibility of a presidential elections that will apparently make Presidentelect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the first-ever, post-EDSA candidate who has won by a clear majority of Filipinos who had cast their votes.

“While there were isolated cases of poll-day hitches, the conduct of this year’s national and local elections was generally faster and more efficient than in past computerized polls, leading to a highly credible balloting that has settled without doubt the victory of a presidential candidate who a majority of Filipino voters want to lead our country back to its path of high and inclusive growth, following the double whammy of the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” Villafuerte said.

He added: “The generally peaceful and orderly elections plus the subsequent speedy transmittal of the voting results have helped prop up the resounding win of BBM who has won by an unprecedented 31 million-plus votes or an overwhelming lead of at least 16 million votes over his rivals for the presidency.”

“The outcome of the latest elections prove that the three key elements of success are preparation, preparation and preparation,” said Villafuerte in reference to the Comelec’s own claim that the speedy pace of the quick count was a result of the poll watchdog’s preparations, including the holding of VCM (vote counting machine) stress tests, repair of transmission ports and early procurement of data centers.

In CamSur, for instance, the relatively faster quick count has enabled the Comelec to proclaim within 24 hours of the end of voting many of the candidates, including Vil-

lafuerte, who was reelected congressman in the second district; three-term Gov. Miguel Luis “Migz” Villafuerte who was elected as House representative for the 5th district, and young entrepreneur Vincenzo Renato “Luigi” Villafuerte as governor.

Hence, Villafuerte appealed for national unity following the highly polarized May 9 balloting and called on all Filipinos to rally

behind the presumptive President-elect “who is the clear choice of a majority of our voters.

All of us have more reason to support the next Philippine leader, given that he is apparently the first contender in a post-EDSA presidential contest who has won by a clear majority of those who had actually voted. In contrast, all past post-EDSA Presidents only won by a plurality of the votes cast.”

A4

News BusinessMirror

Saturday, May 14, 2022

www.businessmirror.com.ph

COMELEC TO CRITICS: YOU DOUBT ELECTION RESULTS’ CREDIBILITY? ASK PPCRV

By Samuel P. Medenilla

T

he Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday stressed no less than the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and other election stakeholders has already vouched

for the accuracy and credibility of the May 9, 2022 elections.

At a news conference, Acting Comelec spokesperson John Rex C. Laudiangco issued the statement to put to rest doubts raised by some groups about the outcome of the recent democratic exercise.

Among the concerns, which were posted on social media platforms, were videos showing some people shading or destroying multiple ballots as well as the reported 950 defective vote counting machines (VCM) on Monday’s elections.

Likewise all TV reports quoted PPCRV

as saying that their matching rate ended up at 100 percent, even as many of these volunteers are young and presumably “kakampinks,” or active supporters of Vice President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo.

In a separate statement, Archbishop

Socrates Villegas, in an effort to console them, said that despite our grief, we shouldn’t be stopped from continuing to help people.

Manual audit, statistical assessment

Laudiangco, however, maintained such incidents did not affect the accuracy of the outcome of the elections as seen by the ongoing manual audit of election returns (ER) being conducted by PPCRV. As of Thursday, PPCRV was able to manually encode and examine 16,820 elections returns and matched these with the ERs transmitted to the Comelec transparency server.

Currently, the server already contains 106,008 or 98.35 percent of the 107,785 ERs. “This is a testament to the accuracy and credibility of our elections and we perceived no issues in their remaining ERs [which will undergo manual audit],” Laudiangco said.

Likewise, he also cited the University of the Philippines (UP) School of Statistics, which came out with a statement dismissing the so-called 68:32 transmission ratio as evidence of cheating in the polls.

“We thank the UP School of Statistics.

They said, without a clear and unequivocal context, this percentage pattern is not an

evidence of cheating in the elections,” Laudiangco said.

The poll official said this was on top of the statement issued by the United States, lauding the country for holding an election, which complied with international standards.

“Remember, the international community will not issue a statement if they have no basis for it. Some of them have been staunch critics of Comelec, but now, as early as now, on the fourth day, they already stated and accounted for the credibility of the elections,” Laudiangco pointed out.

Proper forum

Several groups gathered on Friday near the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, where Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, is conducting the official canvassing for senators and party-list groups.

T h e y d e c r i e d C o m e l e c ’s a l l e g e d mishandling of the recently concluded national and local polls.

Laudiangco encouraged the groups to bring their election protests to proper venues, including the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, Senate Electoral Tribunal, and the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.

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

TheWorld BusinessMirror

Shanghai aims to stop virus spread, ease rules by May 20

S

h angh ai sa id it plans to stamp out community spread of the virus and start opening up the city by May 20, the first time officials have set a timeline for ending one of the longest and most punishing lockdowns China’s enforced during the pandemic.

The city aims to achieve “no community spread” in the middle of May, said vice mayor Wu Qing at a Friday briefing, using a Chinese term that refers to the period between May 11 and 20.

The milestone, which officials define as three consecutive days of zero cases found outside of people already in quarantine, has so far eluded the financial center despite a lockdown that’s stretched to nearly six weeks.

S h a n g h a i w i l l i mp l e m e nt “orderly opening-up, l im ited movement, ef fec t ive cont rol a nd c l a ssi f ied m a n agement ” after achieving no community spread, Wu said. In its Covid Z ero bat t le, C h i n a se es t he stop of community spread as the point at which an outbreak can be considered contained.

Southern tech hub Shenzhen and northeastern province Jilin began rolling back curbs and restarting manufacturing after a similar milestone was achieved.

While Shanghai has sporadically reported days with zero cases

found outside of quarantine, it has yet to be able to sustain a threeday stretch. On Friday, the city reported four cases found in the community for Thursday, up from two the day before.

Total infections also rebounded to 2,096 new cases for Thursday, up from 1,449 on Wednesday, the first increase in about two weeks.

T he lockdow n imposed on Shanghai’s 25 million residents has been one of the worst and high-profile since the experience of Wuhan, where the pathogen first emerged in late 2019.

The city’s crisis has prompted other places in China to enact hardline measures at the merest sign of Covid flareups to avoid the social and economic dislocation endured by the financial hub.

Setting a public target of May 20 to start easing restrictions ref lects officials’ acknowledgment of the mounting frustration across the city, where some residents have been in lockdown for nearly 2 months. Many have h ad t rou ble a c ce s s i n g b a s ic medical care and steady food supply dur ing the lockdow n, while anger has grown over at harsh measures like homes being fenced off and whole buildings of residents being t a ken away for qu a ra nt ine over one infect ion. Bloomberg News

Oil extends gains as investors weigh Russian ban, China Covid outlook

O

il advanced for a third day, bookending another tumultuous week of trading as investors weigh the prospect of a European Union ban on Russian crude imports and uncertainty over China’s virus resurgence.

West Texas Intermediate futures rose above $107 a barrel, but are still set for the first weekly decline in three. Some EU nations said the bloc may have to consider delaying the ban on Russian oil if it can’t get Hungary to agree on the embargo.

Beijing authorities have denied rumors that the capital will go into lockdown, as virus restrictions in Shanghai drag on.

Oil is up more than 40 percent this year as economies rebound from the pandemic, although China’s virus outbreak and Russia’s war in Ukraine have contributed to choppy trading since late February. Global benchmark Brent crude remains in a bullish backwardation structure, signaling a tight market.

“R isks are increasing that Brent crude will once again test the upside of its recent range a rou nd $116 a ba r re l ,” s a id

Jeffrey Halley, a senior market analyst for Oanda Asia Pacific Pte. “ The squeeze on diesel supplies and distillates globally is another supportive factor.”

Investors are assessing the impact of shrinking American f uel stoc k pi les a head of t he summer driving season, along with the prospect for aggressive monetar y tightening after the US consumer-pr ice index for April increased more than analysts were expecting. The war in Ukraine h a s f a n ne d i n f l at ion g lob a l l y.

EU nations said a delay to the Russian oil ban would allow the bloc to proceed with the rest of a proposed sanctions package.

Governments are still aiming for a deal on the full package, including a phased-in oil ban, by Monday, when foreign ministers meet in Brussels, according to diplomats.

Russia’s oil revenues are up 50 percent this year even as many buyers shun its crude due to the invasion, with the EU the largest market in April, the International Energy Agency said in its monthly report on Thursday.

Bloomberg News

Saturday, May 14, 2022

A5

Indonesia to vaccinate cattle herds as FMD hits provinces

I

ndonesia, which eradicated the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle in the 1970s, is producing its own vaccine for cattle to halt an outbreak that has spread to six regencies in Aceh and East Java provinces.

The virus that infected thousands of cattle has been identified as stereotype O of IND2001, a strain that is common in the Southeast Asian region, Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo said in a virtual briefing on Wednesday.

The local vaccines are currently in production and should be ready

within 20 days, said Limpo. In the meantime, the government will use imported vaccines on infected livestock, he said, without giving details of the shots.

The outbreak, which hit during the religious Eid festivities, could boost Indonesia’s imports of beef that the government forecast would reach 193,223 tons this

year. Beef produced in the country with the world’s largest Muslim population can only meet about 70 percent of its annual consumption. The rest is imported from countries, including Australia, New Zealand, India and the US.

Safe to consume

The government has said there is sufficient cattle supply for the Eid al-Adha festival in July, when cows and goats are slaughtered for religious sacr ifices. T hey typically account for 10 percent to 20 percent of the country’s total cattle population.

The ministry will set a special guidance on cattle mobilization to prevent the virus from spreading further. It will also closely monitor live cattle entry at its borders, especially those coming from countries that have yet to declare

they are free from the disease, said Limpo.

Local governments were told to step up prevention efforts by isolating and imposing local lockdowns of areas within 3 to 10-kilometer radius of infected villages or districts. Drugs, vitamins and disinfecting agents have been distributed to farmers.

Veterinarians and government officials were deployed to monitor slaughterhouses to ensure correct procedures are implemented, including measures to dispose of infected organs, Limpo said.

FMD is airborne and spread via close contacts but it is not contagious to humans, he said.

“Meat from infected cattle is safe to be consumed, but not the areas around the feet and the mouth, including the tongue and their internal organs.” Bloomberg News

Parents swap, sell baby formula as US govt focuses on shortage

W

ASHINGTON—President Joe Biden stepped up his administration’s response to a nationwide baby formula shortage Thursday that has forced frenzied parents into online groups to swap and sell to each other to keep their babies fed.

The President discussed with executives from Gerber and Reckitt how they could increase production and how his administration could help, and talked with leaders from Walmart and Target about how to restock shelves and address regional disparities in access to formula, the White House said.

The administration plans to monitor possible price gouging and work with trading partners in Mexico, Chile, Ireland and the Netherlands on imports, even though 98 percent of baby formula is domestically made.

The problem is the result of supply chain disruptions and a safety recall, and has had a cascade of effects: Retailers are limiting what customers can buy, and doctors and health workers are urging parents to contact food banks or physicians’ offices, in addition to warning against watering down formula to stretch supplies or using online DIY recipes.

The shortage is weighing particularly on lower-income families after the recall by formula maker Abbott, stemming from contamination concerns.

The recall wiped out many brands covered by WIC, a federal program like food stamps that serves women, infants and children, though the program now permits brand substitutes. The Biden administration is working with states to make it easier for WIC recipients to buy different sizes of formula that their benefits might not currently cover.

About half of infant formula nationwide is purchased by participants using WIC benefits, according to the White House.

Clara Hinton, 30, of Hartford, Connecticut, is among that group. She has a 10-month-old daughter, Patiennce, who

has an allergy that requires a special formula.

Hinton, who has no car, has been taking the bus to the suburbs, going from town to town, and finally found some of the proper formula at a box store in West Hartford. But she said the store refused to take her WIC card, not the first time that has happened.

Hinton said her baby recently ran out of formula from an already opened can she got from a friend.

“She has no formula,” she said. “I just put her on regular milk. What do I do? Her pediatrician made it clear I’m not supposed to be doing that, but what do I do?”

In Utah, fellow WIC card holder Elizabeth Amador has been going store-to-store every day after she finishes work at a call center in Salt Lake City in desperate search of one particular formula her 9-month-old daughter needs. She recently was down to only one can, but had four cans on Thursday.

She said she won’t stop her cumbersome daily routine until she knows the shortage is over.

“It sucks, you know because of high gas prices,” Amador said. “We’re having to drive everywhere to find formula. It’s stressing.”

Some parents are also using social media to bridge supply gaps.

Ashley Maddox, a 31-year-old mother of two from San Diego, started a Facebook group on Wednesday after failing to find formula for her 5-month-old son, Cole, at the commissary on the Navy base.

“I connected with a gal in my group and she had seven cans of the formula I need that were just sitting in her house that her baby didn’t need anymore,” she said.

“So I drove out, it was about a 20-minute drive and picked it up and paid her. It was a miracle.”

She said there was already a stigma attached to being a non-breastfeeding mom and that the group has become supportive.

“To not be able to have that formula, it’s scary,” she said.

Jennifer Kersey, 36 of Cheshire, Connecticut, said she was down to her last can of formula for her 7-month-old son, Blake Kersey Jr., before someone saw her post on a Facebook group and came by with a few sample cans. She said she and others in the group are helping each other, finding stores that might have the formula in stock and getting it to mothers who need it.

“At first I was starting to panic,” she said. “But, I’m a believer in the Lord, so I said, ‘God, I know you’re going to provide for me’ and I just started reaching out to people, ‘Hey do you have this formula?’”

Kimberly Anderson, 34, of Hartford County, Maryland, said her 7 1/2-monthold son takes a prescription formula that has been nearly impossible to find locally.

She turned to social media and said people in Utah and Boston found the formula, which she paid to have shipped.

“They say it takes a village to raise a baby,” she said. “Little did I know my village spans the entire US as I ping friends, family for their zip codes so I can check their local Walmarts to have them ship directly to me.”

Shortages of basic goods have been a problem since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Access to medical supplies, computer chips, household appliances, cars and other goods has been hurt by closed factories and outbreaks of the virus, as well as storms and other climaterelated events.

Parents desperately searching for

infant formula on retailer websites such as Amazon and Google are being served up with products intended for toddlers, including powdered toddler goat milk and plant-based milk powders.

One banner ad across Amazon offers “organic non GMO formula for babies & toddlers,” but a closer inspection of the product’s image shows that it is only intended for children over 12 months. Other ads for toddler milk appear on Amazon’s website on pages for out-of-stock infant formula.

Toddler milk cans often closely resemble that of infant formula, but the ingredients are distinct, with toddler milks sometimes boasting more sugar, calories, said Frances Fleming-Milici, UConn’s Director of Marketing Initiatives at the Rudd Center who has study toddler milk packaging. Toddler milk also does not follow FDA standards for formula. AP “It’s not like you’re buying a pair of shoes. This is a little bit more serious,” Fleming-Milici said. “It’s serving up something that you should not be giving to your child.”

Dr. Navneet Hundal, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, said she and other pediatricians have been grappling with the formula shortage for months.

Formula companies have stopped giving out samples that she could pass on to parents, she said. She advises new parents to talk to their pediatricians to see if there are other brands of formula that they can safely give their newborns. AP

A6

Saturday, May 14, 2022

TheWorld BusinessMirror

Russian threats push Finland toward joining Nato alliance

K

YIV, Ukraine—Finland’s leaders Thursday came out in favor of applying to join Nato, and Sweden could do the same within days, in a historic realignment on the continent 2 1/2 months after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine sent a shiver of fear through Moscow’s neighbors.

The Kremlin reacted by warning it will be forced to take retaliatory “military-technical” steps.

On the ground, meanwhile, Russian forces pounded areas in central, northern and eastern Ukraine, including the last pocket of resistance in Mariupol, as part its offensive to take the industrial Donbas region, while Ukraine recaptured some towns and villages in the northeast.

The first war-crimes trial of a Russian soldier since the start of the conflict is set to open Friday in Kyiv. A 21-year-old captured member of a tank unit is accused of shooting to death a civilian on a bicycle during the opening week of the war.

Finland’s president and prime minister announced that the Nord ic countr y shou ld apply right away for membership in Nato, the military defense pact founded in part to counter the Soviet Union.

“You (Russia) caused this. Look in the mirror,” Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said this week.

While the country’s Parliament still has to weigh in, the announcement means Finland is all but certain to apply—and gain admission—though the process could take months to complete. Sweden, likewise, is considering putting itself under Nato’s protection.

That would represent a major change in Europe’s security landscape: Sweden has avoided military alliances for more than 200 years, while Finland adopted neutrality after its defeat by the Soviets in World War II. Public opinion in both nations shifted dramatically in favor of Nato membership after the invasion that stirred fears in countries along Russia’s flank they could be next.

Such an expansion of the alliance would leave Russia surrounded by Nato countries in the Baltic Sea and the Arctic and would amount to a stinging setback for Putin, who had hoped to divide and roll back Nato in Europe but is instead seeing the opposite happen.

Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said the alliance would welcome Finland and Sweden with open arms.

Ru ssi a’s Foreig n Mi n i st r y warned that Moscow “will be forced to take retaliatory steps of military-technical and other characteristics in order to counter the emerging threats to its national security.”

Nato’s funneling of weapons and other military support to Ukraine already has been critical to Kyiv’s surprising success in stymieing the invasion, and the Kremlin warned anew in chilling terms Thursday that the aid could lead to direct conflict between Nato and Russia.

“There is always a risk of such conflict turning into a full-scale nuclear war, a scenario that will be catastrophic for all,” said Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council.

While Russia’s advance in the Donbas has been slow, its forces have gained some ground and taken some villages.

Fou r c iv i l ia ns were k i l led Thursday in three communities in the Donetsk region, which is part of the Donbas, the regional governor reported.

Britain’s Defense Ministry said Russia’s focus on the Donbas has left its remaining troops around the northeastern city of Kharkiv vulnerable to counterattack from Ukrainian forces, which recaptured several towns and villages around the city.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, left, and Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto shake hands after signing a security assurance, at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Britain has signed a security assurance with Sweden and its neighbor Finland that are both pondering whether to join Nato following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, pledging to “bolster military ties” in the event of a crisis and support both countries should they come under attack. AP Photo

R u s s i a n st r i k es T hu r sd ay k i l led at lea st t wo c iv i l i a ns on the outsk ir ts of K hark iv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, local authorities said.

The attacks also damaged a building housing a humanitarian aid unit, municipal offices and hospital facilities, Vyacheslav Zadorenko, the mayor of the suburban town of Derhachi, wrote in a Telegram post.

None of the sites “had anything to do with military infrastructure,” Zadorenko said. Fighting across the east has driven many thousands of Ukrainians from their homes.

“It is terrible there now. We were leaving under missiles,” said Tatiana Kravstova, who left the town of Siversk with her 8-yearold son Artiom on a bus headed for the central city of Dnipro.

“I don’t know where they were aiming, but they were pointing at civilians.”

Ukraine also said Russian forces had fired artillery and grenade launchers at Ukrainian troops around Zaporizhzhia, which has been a refuge for civilians fleeing Mariupol, and attacked in the Chernihiv and Sumy regions to the north.

O ver n ight a i rst r i kes nea r Chernihiv, in northern Ukraine, k i l led at least t hree people, Ukraine’s military said. It said that Russian troops fired rockets at a school and student dormitory in Novhorod-Siversky and that some other buildings, including private homes, were also damaged.

In his evening add ress to

the nation, U k rainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the assaults. “Of course, the Russian state is in such a state that any education only gets in its way. But what can be achieved by destroying Ukrainian schools?

A ll Russian commanders who give such orders are simply sick and incurable.”

Noting that Thursday is International Nurses Day, Zelenskyy said the Russian military had damaged 570 medical facilities since the invasion began on Feb. 24 and fully destroyed 101 hospitals.

Twelve Russian missiles struck an oil refinery and other infrastructure in the central Ukrainian industrial hub of Kremenchuk on Thursday, the region’s acting governor, Dmytro Lunin, wrote in a Telegram post. In early April, he said, the refinery, which had been the last fully functional one in Ukraine at the time, was knocked offline by an attack.

In the southern port of Mariupol, which has largely been reduced to smoking rubble with little food, water or medicine, or what the mayor called a “medieval ghetto,” Ukrainian fighters continued to hold out at the Azovstal steel plant, the last stronghold of resistance in the city.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said negotiations were underway with Russia to win the release of 38 severely wounded Ukrainian defenders from the plant. She said Ukraine hoped to exchange them for 38 “significant” Russian prisoners of war. AP

State Dept ramps up pressure over China’s ‘horrific’ Uyghur abuses

T

he US State Department has outlined plans to boost pressure on China over what it called “horrific abuses” of Uyghur and other ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang region, an issue that is becoming one of the biggest points of tension between the world’s two biggest economies.

In a report to Congress marked “sensitive but unclassified,” the department explained how the US would raise its concerns about the treatment of the predominately Muslim Uyghurs, who face what

the administration has called a campaign of “genocide,” a charge Beijing has repeatedly denied.

This would be done in meetings with other nations, multilateral institutions such as the G7, and the private sector.

“The US government will fully leverage its authorities and resources to combat forced labor in Xinjiang,” the report said. It also sought to counter “intrusive surveillance, forced population control measures, separation of children from families, mass de-

tention, torture, coercive ethnic and religious assimilation.”

President Joe Biden has put human rights at the forefront of his China policy, highlighted by a law set to take effect next month that bans imports of goods from Xinjiang unless companies can prove they weren’t made with forced labor. It’s also weighing the unprecedented step of imposing more severe Treasury Department sanctions on Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., which makes cameras and surveillance systems used in Xinjiang.

The focus on Xinjiang is part of broader US efforts to rally allies and partners around the world to pressure China on a range of fronts, including its diplomatic support for Russia and suppression of democracy in Hong Kong.

While China and the US both still trade with each other more than any other country, in recent years they have started to wall off economic ties in strategic areas on national security grounds.

The State Department report shows a recognition that the US alone can’t exert enough economic pressure on China to force changes to its Xinjiang policies, according to Adrian Zenz, senior fellow in China Studies at the Washington-based Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, who has conducted extensive research on Xinjiang.

“The report outlines a strategy that is far ahead of what I have seen from other nations,” Zenz said. “If this is implemented, it represents a clear step up from previous efforts.”

The report says the US will seek to identify companies or other entities that may benefit from forced labor in Xinjiang, without naming any entities.

The US, according to the report, will work with companies to conduct “supply chain due diligence to prevent the importation of goods mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part with forced labor in Xinjiang into the United States.” Bloomberg News

www.businessmirror.com.ph

North Korea reveals first Covid death, ‘explosive’ fever spread

N

orth Korea on Friday revealed a widespread outbreak of an unknown fever that spread “explosively” across the country since the end of April, resulting in 350,000 cases and six deaths, including one that tested positive for Covid-19.

Kim Jong Un, who locked down the country on Thursday after confirming the country’s first Covid case, called for more stringent measures to stop the virus, according to state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). On Thursday alone, North Korea had 18,000 new cases of fever and as many as 187,800 people are being isolated and treated, it said.

“It is the most important challenge and supreme tasks facing

our party to reverse the immediate public health crisis situation at an early date, restore the stability of epidemic prevention and protect the health and wellbeing of our people,” Kim said.

Of the 350,000 cases so far, at least 162,200 were “healed completely,” the report added.

The revelation on Friday marks a sharp escalation after North Korea acknowledged its first Covid case a day earlier. While public health experts long doubted that North Korea managed to keep out the coronavirus that has swept the world since early 2020, Kim’s move this week to publicly acknowledge the outbreak suggests cases are too widespread for authorities to control. Bloomberg News

Student accused of blasphemy in socmed post is burnt to death

A

BUJA, Nigeria—A student was beaten and burnt to death Thursday by fellow students in northwestern Nigeria after she was accused of making a blasphemous social media post, witnesses and police said.

Deborah Samuel was killed in the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto state after being accused of “making a social media post that blasphemed ... Prophet Muhammad,” according to a police statement.

Two students have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Authorities also closed the school indefinitely, in a bid to calm frayed nerves in that part of Nigeria where residents have in the past violently reacted to actions or comments deemed anti-Islamic.

Samuel’s killing caused outrage and shock among many Nigerians on social media.

The incident highlights the deep religious tension in Africa’s most populous country that’s almost evenly divided between Christians in the south and Muslims in the north. An atheist was in April sentenced to 24 years in prison over a social media post a court in the northern Kano state found to be blasphemous against Islam.

Witnesses said Samuel, a secondyear college student whose age was not

made public, was immediately attacked by her fellow students after she criticized a religion-related post on the students’ WhatsApp group.

“She was angry the way Muslims were talking about Islamic affairs in that WhatsApp group, which made her to make some un-Islamic utterances against Prophet Mohammed,” said Basharu Guyawa Isa, a resident and human rights activist in Sokoto.

The school authority quickly deployed security personnel to protect Samuel but they were overpowered by angr y youths.

“Students forcefully removed the victim from the security room where she was hidden by the school authorities, killed her and burnt the building,” said Sokoto police spokesperson Sanusi Abubakar.

A video of the incident posted on social media and verified by The Associated Press showed Samuel lying on the ground as she was stoned and beaten with planks.

The young men surrounding her then dumped tires on her, and set them ablaze.

Abubakar said two students have been arrested in connection with the incident while an investigation directed by Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal is underway.

“The suspects in the viral video on Twitter were spotted and will be (identified) soon,” he said. AP

UNICEF: Ukraine war is ‘child rights crisis’ with school attacks

U

N I T E D N AT I O N S — T h e w a r i n Ukraine is a “child rights crisis” where education is under attack, nearly 100 youngsters have been killed in just the last month, and millions more have been forced to flee their homes, the UN children’s agency said Thursday.

Omar Abdi, deputy executive director of UNICEF, told the UN Security Council that children are paying “an unconscionably high price” in the war, with 239 confirmed killed and 355 wounded since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24. He said the actual numbers are much higher.

“These attacks must stop,” he said.

“Ultimately, children need an end to this war—their futures hang in the balance.”

Abdi said the school year came to a standstill after Russia invaded its smaller neighbor, and as of last week at least 15 of 89 UNICEF-supported schools in the country’s east had been damaged or destroyed in the fighting.

“Hundreds of schools across the country are reported to have been hit by heavy artillery, airstrikes and other explosive weapons in populated areas, while other schools are being used as information centers, shelters, supply hubs, or for military purposes—with long-term impact on children’s return to education,” Abdi said.

In mid-March, over 15,000 schools resumed education in Ukraine mostly through remote learning or in-person hybrid options, he said. “It is estimated that 3.7 million children in Ukraine and abroad are using online and distance learning options,” he said.

But, Abdi said, “enormous obstacles” to education remain, including school availability, resources, language barriers and movement of children and their families. Less than 5 percent of refugee pre-school children are estimated to be enrolled in public kindergartens, he said.

Abdi and many council members spoke about what he called a “horrifying attack” on a school in the eastern Ukrainian town of Bilohorivka last weekend, when a bomb hit while women and children sheltered in the building.

US deputy ambassador Richard Mills said the blast killed as many as 60 people, many of them children. “And reliable reports indicate that when first responders arrived at the school to assist victims of the bombing, Russia’s forces opened fire on them,” he added.

Ukraine’s UN ambassador, Sergiy Kyslytsya, said only 30 civilians were rescued and the school that had once been filled with joyful children “was turned by a Russian pilot into another mass grave.”

British Ambassador Barbara Woodward said there is evidence “that Russia is committing four of the Security Council’s six grave violations against children in times of war”—violations listed in a 1999 council resolution that condemned the targeting of children in conflict as well as recruiting and using children as soldiers.

Woodward cited the killing and maiming of children, the targeting of schools and nurseries, “credible allegations of sexual violence against children by Russian forces,” and continuing reports of forced deportations of over 700,000 people, including many mothers and children, from Ukraine to Russia.

“There is now a very real risk of a lost generation, and the continuation of a cycle of violence, caused by Russia’s invasion and the devastation it has created,” she said.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said his countr y’s armed forces “are making every effort to protect children during the course of the special military operation in Ukraine” and called accusations that they have sexually attacked children “absurd.” AP

OurTime BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Cardinal: Pope’s wheelchair use a good example to older adults

Editor: Angel R. Calso • Saturday, May 14, 2022

Unfazed by health limits, PWDs, senior citizens voted in elections

By Marita Moaje

M

POPE Francis arrives in a wheelchair to attend an audience with nuns and religious superiors in the Paul VI Hall at The Vatican on May 5, 2022. Pope Francis may postpone a planned visit to Lebanon next month due to health reasons, Lebanese Minister of Tourism Walid Nassar said Monday, May 9, 2022. The pope is known to be suffering acute knee pain that has greatly curtailed his mobility in recent months. AP PHOTO/ALESSANDRA TARANTINO

By Nicole Winfield

on and we do our best.”

In addition to heading the laity office, Farrell serves as the camerlengo, the papally appointed official who runs the Vatican when a pope dies or retires until a conclave elects a new pontiff.

Francis’ mobility problems have raised questions about his ability to manage upcoming trips. He is scheduled to go to Congo and South Sudan in early July and to Canada later that month.

The Lebanese government confirmed this week that a planned papal visit next month had been postponed because of Francis’ health.

Francis instituted the day honoring elderly people to drive home his belief that younger generations should value older ones as a resource and not treat them as part of modern “throwaway culture.”

In his message, the pope noted that advanced age is a time of life that isn’t understood even “by those of us who are already experiencing it.”

“Even though it eventually comes with the passage of time, no one prepares us for old age, and at times it seems to take us by surprise,” he wrote.

But Francis urged all his contemporaries to embrace their advanced ages as a gift and not to lament the diminishment of their strengths or sense of usefulness.

“Along with old age and white hairs, God continues to give us the gift of life and to keep us from being overcome by evil,” he said. “Aging is not a condemnation, but a blessing!”

The Associated Press

V

ATICAN CITY—Pope Francis’ willingness to work despite knee pain that has made walking nearly impossible shows other older adults that they have wisdom and experience to offer younger generations, a top Vatican cardinal said Tuesday.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell offered the assessment as he introduced Francis’ message for World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. In the message released Tuesday, the 85-year-old pope urged older people to consider advanced age a blessing.

Francis is struggling to cope with strained ligaments in his right knee that have greatly limited his mobility.

Last week, he was seen in public for the first time using a wheelchair. He recently said he can no longer walk and must rest his knee on doctors’ orders.

Farrell, 74, the head of the Vatican’s office for laity and a trusted papal adviser, said that Francis’ willingness to acknowledge and display his limitations while continuing to hold audiences could encourage others to continue contributing as they age.

“We should not hide the fact that with age comes a lessening of our ability to play an active part in the life of the world today,” the Irelandborn American cardinal said. “He sends a message to all of us that we all have to carry on. We may have limitations in old age, but we carry

ANILA—No matter what their age and health conditions are, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) were among the early voters at Claro M. Recto High School in Sampaloc, Manila, on Monday.

Most of them wanted to avoid overcrowding by mid-morning or near closing time, when many voters crowd the voting precints.

Accompanied by a relative, 67-year-old Generosa Lo said it is her responsibility to choose the country’s next leader who has a heart for the elderly.

“Maayos naman ang naging pagboto ko hindi ako masyadong matagal kasi inuuna nila ang mga senior. [The voting process was okay and it didn’t take me long because they prioritized senior citizens],” she told the Philippine News Agency after casting her ballot on the third floor.

Lo said she has never missed any elections and will continue doing so as long as she has the strength to go to the voting place.

“Sayang kahit isang boto lang ako.

Dapat makapili ng tamang lider, ’yung may malasakit sa mga katulad ko na matatanda [My vote is valuable even if it counts for just one vote. We should choose the right leader, a person who sincerely cares for old people like me],” she said.

Nelson Ramirez, 57, a blind voter, traveled by public transportation from Caloocan City to Manila, where he and his wife are registered.

He said they waited for 30 minutes

By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

T

RUE to its corporate social responsibility goal, Holcim Philippines Inc. donated over 3,000 doses of Moderna Covid-19 vaccines to one of the top hospitals in La Union, in support of the province’s initiatives to reach far-flung communities or individuals incapable of traveling to government vaccination centers to further contain Covid infection and mortality rates among high risk individuals like the senior citizens, children, and indigents.

These can be used as booster for 6,000 people or as two full

By Nick Tayag

MY SIXTY-ZEN’S WORTH

T

SENIOR citizens are among those at the basketball court waiting area before casting their votes at Claro M. Recto High School in Sampaloc, Manila, on Monday, May 9, 2022. The elderly and persons with disabilities have priority lanes. PNA PHOTO BY MARITZ MOAJE

and were assisted the rest of the way.

“Pinag-isipan kong mabuti ‘yung binoto ko. Pinili ko siya kasi nakakatulong [I thought hard before voting. I chose the candidate who can help],” he said, adding that they left their house at 5:30 a.m.

His wife, Miriam, 59, said they do not yet have the documents needed to transfer their registration to Caloocan City.

“Sa mga kabataan, dapat bumoto sila kasi mas para sa kanila na ito. Kami matanda na, konti na lang ang itatagal namin [To the youth, they should vote. This is for them more than for us. We are old and we do not have much time left],” Ramirez said.

Meanwhile, after logging zero Covid-19 cases in the last three days, Davao City recorded a single infection on Wednesday that is being at-

tributed to people going out to vote in the May 9 elections.

“Fortunately, we have recorded zero positive cases since May 8 but today, May 11, we recorded one,” said Dr. Michelle Schlosser, the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force spokesperson, over a radio interview.

Schlosser said they are bracing for a possible increase in Covid-19 detection under the incubation period of two weeks.

The detected infection is from the swabbed individuals who manifested Covid-19 symptoms, including those who had travel schedules, subjected to detention, and patients and visitors of hospitals.

Schlosser said the single Covid-19 infection could have been caused by the throngs of people rushing by the thousands to vote

during the Monday elections, which she described as a “superspreader event.”

Schlosser reiterated that residents should remain cautious and take health precautions, even as she cited low turnout for booster shots in the city.

“We still need to protect ourselves with proper wearing of face masks and acquiring booster shots. We have the good vaccine brands at our disposal,” she said.

In a related development, a risk assessment map on the impact of the Covid-19 issued on May 7 indicated that all the 182 barangays are now under minimal risk, the lowest in the city’s risk classification.

Last week, the village of Maa was identified as a moderate risk area while A. Angliongto Sr., Talomo Proper, and Tibungco were classified as low-risk barangays.

Schlosser said deputized officers and the Davao City Police Office are continuously enforcing the city’s face mask ordinance.

An individual apprehended for not wearing a face mask will be fined P500 for the first offense; P2,000 for a second offense; and P5,000 or one-month imprisonment for the third offense.

Failure to pay the fines three to five days after the issuance of citation tickets will result in the filing of cases in court.

Authorities have earlier processed charges against 2,000 individuals who neglected their citation tickets for violating the face mask ordinance. PNA

Holcim donates Covid-19 vaccines to La Union hospital for the elderly

Digital scalp massage, anyone?

HERE was a time when I expressed my fears about the impact of digital technology on our daily lives and relationships.

But I have also discovered the more pleasurable benefit of digital technology and I am putting it to good use to maintain my mental health and wellness.

Every morning, I click on our smart TV and sink into my favorite seat. I press on my favorite mainstreaming channels and watch the images while listening to the accompanying music or sounds, at low volume level.

The imagery could be autumn leaves or spring flowers, breathtak-

A7

ing landscapes or walk-throughs of places around the world. One of my favorites is a channel about birds and their natural sounds. All captured in high definition living color by drone cameras or handheld cameras as the case may be.

Like a sumptuous feast for the senses, this has been my daily routine since the pandemic lockdown began.

It’s what gets me ready to face the day, with a clear mind, a slower pulse and a stable blood pressure level.

At night, my routine is listening to Gregorian Chant or music by Scarlatti or Baldassari to lull me to sleep. Music to me is the most effec-

tive “sleeping pill.”

It’s the same with my wife who also never fails to become drowsy when we watch these streaming channels. To her, the constant monotonous sounds become sort of “white noise.” I used to tell her that the hypnotic or soporific effect on her could be the undetectable flicker and the light waves being beamed from TV screen.

But that’s not all. On several occasions, she is puzzled by the creeping sensation on her scalp while we’re watching the TV. I said it must be her nerves on her scalp. Or is it?

One possible explanation is a phenomenon called ASMR, which stands for “autonomous sensory meridian response”. I recently read about it and it’s intriguing stuff.

ASMR refers to that pleasurable feeling that is deeply relaxing, which is triggered by placid sights and sounds and can even cause one to fall asleep. Some say that it induces the sensation of a scalp massage. Some say the “tingles” run through the scalp and down the spine.

Coined in 2010, the term ASMR quickly caught on, as people found out that the unexplainable pleas-

doses for 1,500 individuals by the Lorma Medical Center in the town of San Fernando.

“We are thankful to the Lorma Medical Center for being our partner in providing vaccines to our neighbors in La Union,” said Cara Ramirez, vice president and head of communications and corporate social responsibility (CSR) at Holcim Philippines.

“We are hopeful that this donation will further strengthen the province’s resilience against the disease as we enter summer and tourism once again booms. While the pandemic appears to be easing, we need to remain vigilant and encourage everyone to ant feeling they had been experiencing is shared by others. Like my wife, they were simply at a loss as to what was going on or whether they were just weird. Now, suddenly they realize they’re not alone in experiencing this strange sensation.

We did not know it then but one of the pre-Internet examples of ASMR videos were the painting lectures of the late Bob Ross whose honeyed voice and dulcet tones could be considered ASMR triggers. Our family used to watch his shows and my then adolescent boisterous children would suddenly quiet down when the show was on. Recently I stumbled on the Bob Ross’s old series on Netflix and as I watched them again, I think his mellifluous voice still works as a wonderful sedative for a tired mind.

However, this “ASMR scalp massage” doesn’t seem to work for everyone. I myself don’t feel “tingles” on my scalp. Nevertheless, ASMR is now a massive and growing trend.

In fact, there is now a community that is absolutely infatuated and enthusiastic about the sensorial experience of continuous streaming sound and image.

There are a number of so-called

avail themselves of the vaccines to be more protected,” she added.

On their part, Lorma Medical Center President and Administrator Robert F. Kaiser Jr. was thankful to the building solutions provider’s benevolence. He said: “We express our gratitude to Holcim Philippines for its generous donation of Moderna vaccines.”

Last month, an initial batch of Covid-19 jabs were administered as primary and booster doses to adults and children in support of Department of Education’s move for the return of face-to-face learning in August.

“These were shared with four elementary schools in San Fernando, “ASMRtists” who create content now on streaming platforms designed to make the viewer feel good. Their videos are typically narrated in hushed voices and accompanied by soft sounds recorded on specialized microphones. A well-done ASMR video can garner several million views.

Although the term ASMR may sound very technical, we are just beginning to unravel the science behind ASMR. Why this happens, and why, is still completely unknown. They are now being put to scientific testing, and the results are being studied by neuroscientists. Let’s just say ASMR is just one of life’s known unknowns.

Some doomsayers will probably point out that with the proliferation of ASMR videos, the dystopian scenario depicted in the film “Clockwork Orange” might become a reality. The said movie portrays a totalitarian government that is bent on transforming psycho-criminals into nonviolent people by forcing them to listen to pleasant classical music all day long until they eventually become robot-humans.

That’s probably taking it too far. Wherever the future of ASMR

La Union on April 22 and a school in Naguilian, La Union on April 27,” noted the top executive.

“These will also be used as the second booster for Lorma Medical Center Health Care Workers. Senior citizens and residents of La Union above 18 and with comorbidities will also be invited at the Lorma Vaccination Center as recipients of these vaccines,” he added.

Kaiser Jr. lauded the cement manufacturer, citing that because of its donation, the health-care institution has accelerated its inoculation drive and “will continue working towards herd immunity by adding to the 80percent vaccination rate in La Union.” may lead us, there are others who choose to instead focus on its potential therapeutic benefits akin to meditation and suggest that it can be used to enhance mood and relieve pain.

Could it also help those who are suffering from depression? Why not? Content creators have gotten feedback from diverse people, including suicidal teenagers who say that watching the videos changed their attitude and mood even for just a few minutes.

ASMR videos can also serve as effective creative triggers. While writing or creating concepts, I click on one of those streaming videos with pleasant music to keep the juices flowing. They are better than the mood-enhancing “muzak” type of music. I’m sure ASMR videos can also inspire other artists such as architects who are designing a new building or those who are experiencing writer’s block.

All of this shows that in spite of our fears, digital technology can have a comforting influence on our well-being.

So if you are responsive to ASMR, why not try using it to massage the daily stress out of your mind?

Education BusinessMirror

A8 Saturday, May 14, 2022

CHED, US conclude nationwide flexible learning training program

T

HE Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the United States Embassy wrapped up the second and final cohort of a nationwide flexible learning training.

Milla. “Philippine education will thrive and excel in the new normal, with…competent and passionate participants of the TIEC training leading the way for flexible education.”

More than 2,000 faculty and school administrators benefited from the program, which covered topics such as humanizing instruction, reducing the transactional distance between teachers and students, designing online training programs, and evaluating program implementation.

“We continue to innovate and find ways to meet mutual goals, even though this pandemic has been uniquely hard for all of

us, especially for educators and their students,” said US Embassy Deputy Cultural Attaché Pauline Anderson.

“I was most impressed with the way our trainers conducted the program,” said Mariano Marcos State University Chief of Distance Learning Byron Joseph Hallar.

“They practice what they teach.

As it is my first time to undergo a training program conducted by Americans, I [admire] their kindness, professionalism and helpfulness.”

The collaboration is part of the year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of US-Philippine diplomatic relations.

A total of 177 faculty administrators and school officials recently completed their training on Flexible Learning Foundations implemented by the Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC). It is the US Embassy and CHED’s joint response

to pandemic-related challenges faced by Philippine higher education.

“We are excited that we have brought our two countries even closer than before—thanks to this project,” said CHED International Affairs Staff Director Atty. Lily

Czech envoy leads book fest, cultural visit in Bicol Region

Christian Academy of Makati turns kids into entrepreneurs

​​​ŠEDIVÁ​CZECH REPUBLIC EMBASSY

A

MBA SSA DOR Jana Šed ivá joined the Ateneo de Naga University, National Book Development Board (NBDB) and Savage Mind: Arts and Books, together with local government units of Naga, Baao, Buhi, and Pili, for the week-long celebration of the first Bikol Book Festival and Cultural Pilgrimage held from April 17 to 21.

The three-day visit saw activities that celebrated the Bicol Region's literary culture. Šedivá honored and offered flowers to the graves of poets and novelists Dr. Maria Lilia F. Realubit, Socorro Federis Tate and Luis Dato.

The festival also relaunched the “Meanwhile, Elsewhere: A Century of Czech Comics” exhibit, which was first displayed at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Gallery in Intramuros, Manila, in 2018.

This was unveiled during the inauguration of Kamarin Art Gallery in Naga City, and revealed the way comics became a vehicle for discussion on critical issues in the Czech Republic.

At the opening, guests were welcomed by a dramatic reading of the excerpt of RUR: Rossum Unibersal Robot by Czech playwright Karel Čapek. Performers were Tito Genova Valiente, Victor John Loquias, Tess Consulta and Delia Enverga Volante.

Another exhibit about Karel Čapek was opened on the second day of the festival.

Students of Pili Parochial School warmly welcomed Šedivá and enjoyed a dramatic reading of Čapek’s The Five Loaves performed by Fr. Rex Hidalgo.

Part of the cultural pilgrimage, the ambassador visited the Municipality of Buhi. She met with youth constituents who introduced woven products, wooden sculpture, and the rich culture of Buhi. A dialogue with local writers from the Bicol region, the Embassy of the Czech Republic, and the NBDB encouraged writers and creatives to pursue their dreams of publication.

The visit of the Czech diplomat was concluded through a dinner with the theme: “A Night for Peace and Freedom,” where participants discussed world peace. Meanwhile, Šedivá shared about the situation in Ukraine, and encouraged everyone to unceasingly pray for peace.

P

RIMARY students of Light of the World Christian Academy of Makati (CAM) got a headstart in managing an online business through a series of art workshops and online selling of their handcrafted artworks via Facebook.

In observance of CAM’s National Arts Month with the theme: “Sining ng Pag-asa,” the live-selling event dubbed as “BazART” served as a fund-raising drive to purchase school supplies for Typhoon Odette-affected families in Brgy.

San Jose, Surigao City and Brgy.

Kanihaan, Libjo, Dinagat Island.

Artworks were crafted by students from pre-Kinder to Grade 4 during CAM’s week-long Arts Month. Student Maria Anne Toni Serrano said: “The drill of live selling on ‘FB’ was a fantastic experience for me…[It taught me to be good at producing handcrafted products; most important, it helped me develop skills] for business.”

After five hours of online selling, C AM collected a total of P38,000 from the sale of 90 artworks of students.

“We believe that every child should understand and experience entrepreneurship at an early age,” shared Hiyasmin Nadal, CAM principal. “Not all of them will become entrepreneurs, but online selling teaches critical hard and soft life skills…essential to preparing young learners for their 21st-Century lives.”

Currently, CAM offers Introduc-

“The sooner you teach your children about money management and business, the greater their potential for financial and business success as adults.” —Warren Buffet tion to Entrepreneurship as part of the Accounting Business Management (ABM) strand in seniorhigh level—a preparatory course for college—where students are taught from the development of a business plan, feasibility study, marketing, to product testing, launching, and selling.

“By experiencing online selling, students learn lessons such as perseverance, hard work, selfconfidence, financial literacy, and problem solving,” Nadal continued. “[The activity encouraged] them to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, while instilling innovation, creative entrepreneurship, and social responsibility which we strongly advocate…in CAM.” The intentional integration of the entrepreneurial mindset

across CAM’S curriculum is critical in empowering kids to confidently meet challenges in the future. The school’s vision is to ensure that the lessons are instilled among students, especially during the pandemic—an important time to take action and make a difference to help the less fortunate ones.

“Our mission is to produce godly leaders, believing that every single student is God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for them to do, according to Ephesians 2:10,” concluded Nadal.

CAM is now open for enrolment from pre-Kinder to Grade 12. For inquiries, contact Marwyn Santos at 0917-5906745, or e-mail: cam. lightoftheworld@gmail.com.

EdVenture conducts ‘open house’ for affordable, quality K-10 tutorials

T

R ADITIONAL schools often organize annual “open house” events for parents looking for the right environment for their children’s education. These activities also allow educators to highlight their accomplishments and plans to discerning parents.

Following this practice, online learning platform EdVenture recently staged its first virtual Open House to give parents access to high-quality yet affordable education for their children.

EdVenture offered a 50-percent discount on its package subscriptions, including one-on-one, one-hour tutoring sessions for students in Kinder to Grade 10 in their subjects of choice from the following: reading, math, science, English, Filipino, and Araling Panlipunan (social studies).

The packages also provide access to free and exclusive learning materials and a student journal for progress monitoring. Parents can choose between eight and 16 sessions for P999 and P1,799 a month, respectively.

In addition, the company has a “Book All You Can” Easter Special for single sessions. Participants may schedule their sessions until May 21.

“We understand the challenges that many parents face; some students need individualized attention

TEACHER Sky of Sky Dance Academy to help them learn better and build their confidence," said 917Ventures’ Entrepreneur in Residence Francis Simisim “Through EdVenture, parents are assured that their children are properly assisted and guided by competent teachers.”

EdVenture’s Open House was held in partnership with Mommy Mundo, the leading and most active multiplatform parent resource and community in the country; model, TV host, and blogger Kelly Misa; and Teacher Sky of Sky Dance Academy.

The activity was attended by parents and key opinion leaders who wanted to learn more about EdVenture’s services and experience teaching demos from tutors of different grade levels. The 20-minute demo classes were handled by EdVenture’s top teachers via Zoom breakout ses-

sions, divided into different grade levels and subjects.

Interested parents may still watch the Open House event via EdVenture and Mommy Mundo’s Facebook pages.

EdVenture was launched in May 2021 as the newest educational-technology start-up of 917Ventures—the country’s largest venture builder under the digital-solutions platform of Globe Telecom. Since then it has been serving students across different grade levels across the Philippines.

The platform integrates technology into the teaching-learning process of students to achieve 21st-century quality education, and equips parents with elements they need to catalyze educational transformation. At the same time, it provides additional income to hundreds of Filipino teachers to help increase their quality of life.

Editor: Mike Policarpio

Global satellite provider, telco firm transmit academic content to more than 2,000 remote schools

By Roderick L. Abad

L

UXEMBOURG-BASED SES and homegrown ComClark Network and Technology Corp. are working together to empower thousands of Filipino educators with high-speed, satellite-based connectivity, bringing content to more than 2,000 offgrid schools nationwide by improving their quality of teaching and learning.

With their partnership, ComClark will access the Ku-band capacity from the SES-9 satellite through its own teleport and connectivity technologies for voice, video and data applications to connect the data center, while simultaneously casting education materials and curriculum to all participating public schools.

The Philippine government has prioritized the delivery of qua lit y education to a l l students throughout the country, as schools shifted to the new normal of remote learning since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020.

This involved the distribution of learning modules, complemented with alternative learning modalities such as online, blended, television- and radio-based instructions that need, along with other delivery modes, dependable, consistent high-speed broadband services.

Terrestrial connectivity around the Philippines, is expensive and challenging. Satellite network connectivity, on the other hand, is a cost-effective and reliable alternative to extending or complementing terrestrial communications, particularly in hard-toreach areas.

“We are delighted to work with SES on our maiden project to deliver educational content to schools in the Philippines,” said ComClark Chief Executive Officer Dennis Anthony Uy. “SES’s satellite-communications services are enabling us to connect schools even in the most remote towns and villages, [while providing] quality learning opportunities to school children anywhere in the country.”

“Reliable broadband service is vital for the educational content to reach all…school children in the Philippines, no matter where they are, so that each…can benefit from the opportunities offered by quality education,” Uy added.

For SES, its partnership with ComClark highlights the way its satellite technology can provide reliable and affordable connectivity even in far-flung areas.

“We are pleased to work with ComClark and to have played a role in ensuring quality education in the Philippines,” said Harsh Verma, vice president for Asia networks sales at SES.

Young filmmakers garner awards with climate-change awareness film

STILL from ‘Tanaw’

T

ANAW, a 10-minute short film on the many conflicting sides of the controversial quarrying businesses and their impact in the lives of farmers, workers and locals, bagged a total of four awards at the recently concluded Klima Filmfest (KFF).

Created by Playback Multimedia, a start-up production that aims to preserve and tell stories through films and photographs, Tanaw was directed and co-written by Kaila Ysavl Bergonio—a digital filmmaking (DFilm) student from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, together with Fred Autor—a multimedia arts student from Far Eastern University-Alabang.

DFilm major Allynna Santiago served as the assistant director, production manager, sound and production designer.

The young student-filmmakers met through Cine Sundays—an online film community founded by director Dan Villegas, with one goal: remind viewers of the many facets and causes of climate change, as well as the urgency to address it, through the youngsters’ creativity and skills.

Tanaw follows Aira Mendoza (Andrea Mari Bool)—a 17-year-old Humanities and Social Science senior high-school student assigned to write a research paper about the reasons for climate change. Her mother, a retired barangay captain and an environmental activist, was motivated to dig for the truth behind the quarrying businesses. In turn, she becomes educated and unbiased in her advocacy.

In her directorial debut, Bergonio delved not just on the impact of environmental issues in the world, but also on the different roles of society in addressing concern. She unraveled the many facades of the problem, and invited the audience to understand the diverse perspectives of people

involved—especially those torn between providing food for the family and saving the environment.

“We, as members of the youth and the future caretakers of the Earth, must not remain silent. We should not forget to act, especially when we have the power and access to education and information,” she added. “We should be open to healthy discourse, so that we can step forward and fully recognize our capabilities and power to stand up for something we believe in. We [must also] educate ourselves more to start a change—to be present in a crisis, be more critical, and involve ourselves.”

Bergonio shared that the film also serves as a nudge that while there is a bigger culprit behind climate change, each small individual effort is still crucial in saving the planet: “The consequences of our actions toward our surroundings have long been discussed, and we have long acknowledged to pledge and do better to save the Earth and create a better environment for future generations.

It is now up to us to make a difference, be vigilant, and be enlightened in times like these.”

The second edition of the KFF, which provided a platform and mobilized young Filipino filmmakers to highlight the importance of local climate solutions and climateadaptation stories, earned Bool the Best Performance award. Tanaw was recognized with the Best Screenplay and Gender-Responsive citations. The film was second runner-up overall in the festival.

Winners took home cash gifts as well as trophies made from recycled materials. KFF is a joint initiative of the Climate Change Commission and the Oscar M. Lopez Center—a sciencebased institution committed to building a climate-informed society.

Tourism&Entertainment BusinessMirror

Editor: Carla Mortel-Baricaua

Saturday, May 14, 2022 A9

Batangas redefined Lima Park Hotel is the perfect spot to explore the cultural spots and attractions in Lipa, Batangas.

U

The Deluxe Room in Lima Park, the first and only 4-star hotel in the province.

Have coffee with friends at The Brew Company.

Story & photos by Ardee P. de los Angeles

ndeniably, the beaches and water activities of Batangas are what people flock to at this time of the year. However, I have discovered a ton of other activities while also enjoying the hinterlands. Travelers should check it out and maybe take a dip in the ocean after.

Batangas Lakelands

Before hitting the beach, an escape to this theme park and nature enclave in the south is highly recommended. Less than a two-hour drive from Manila, this active-lifestyle park offers outdoor adventure, sports, leisure, and entertainment activities that are more than enough for the whole family to enjoy for an entire day.

Sky adventure

The main attraction of the day would be the helicopter ride for guests. Onboard a Bell 505 helicopter, this extraordinary experience brings you to Taal lake and surrounding areas. We had a safety orientation first and even received a souvenir boarding pass before the flight.

Buckled in and excited, we lo ve d t he 3 6 0 - de g re e v ie w s that are majestic and also offer a great opportunity to take aerial videos and pictures. The ride takes about 10-15 minutes and it’s easily the highlight of the day. We would do it again in a heartbeat.

Sky Adventure at Batangas Lakelands treats guests to a 10-minute helicopter ride.

A Bell 505 helicopter awaits guests for their early morning ride

Try the zipline at Sky Adventure.

More fun awaits

After the helicopter ride, guests of Batangas Lakelands can participate in even more enjoyable activities. I saw families enjoying and bringing out their competitive nature in a fun and friendly way.

Children of all ages are running around just checking out all the things that interest them.

We first tried archery which is a new experience for our group.

Beginners are very welcome and guests need not worry because there are people who will assist and offer their expertise on how to hold, release the arrow, and to hit the target. We did good and managed to hit the target, not necessarily the bull’s eye, after a few tries.

The next one in our curiosity list is airsoft shooting. We did a lot better here, thanks to the guidance of the crew from Batangas Lakelands. After a few minutes of shooting targets here, we decided to try the other interests on our list. The day is still young and there’s still more to explore.

We rode bikes, went hiking on a trail, had a quick picnic on one of

Guests practice hitting the target at archery

their daisy huts, and went up the hill for what everyone is willing to line up for, ziplining.

We started the day with a ride in the sky and we’re ending it with an adrenaline rush, zip-lining. Such a perfect fun-filled Saturday for folks looking to spend some time with family and friends.

Fortunately for us, part of the package is an overnight stay at a hotel in Lipa, Batangas. Time to hit the road for a short car ride to the establishment.

Lima Park Hotel

Lima Park Hotel is the first and only 4-star hotel in Batangas, cited as the 2018 TripAdvisor Travelers Choice and Top 25 Ho-

There’s target shooting with airsoft, too.

tels for Families in the Philippines as voted by travelers worldwide.

Indeed a great place to stay for families after a day of activities in Batangas Lakelands. The drive only took us about 15 minutes.

There is also ample parking space for guests. And it’s only a stone’s throw away from the Lipa Outlets, which offers shopping, another kind of activity that’s close to a lot of hearts.

After checking into our deluxe rooms, we found time to rest for a little bit. As day turned into night, we found ourselves on our way to the Brew Company at the hotel’s lobby. They offer artisan coffee, cakes, pastries, pasta, and sandwiches. We had a light and flavor-

The daisy hut is where guests can relax before the day’s adventure.

ful dinner before heading out to the hotel’s pool area to enjoy the rest of the night.

As I enjoy the moonlit views of Lipa, I thought that this was the first time that I went to Batangas without visiting the beach or the ocean on the first day. I do miss the beach but it is nice to know that there’s more to Batangas than just spending time in the beach resorts. There’s definitely a great new way to have family fun without wearing your board shorts or bathing suit.

However, if you’re still looking to get that ocean spray experience, Batangas Lakelands also offers lakeside activities such as boat rides, kayaking, paddleboarding,

and picnics by the water. It is unquestionably a total Batangas experience and then some.

The next morning, we enjoyed an appetizing buffet breakfast at Lima Park’s Plum restaurant.

This breakfast venue is just a few steps from our room. We feasted on arroz ala cubana, tocino, crispy boneless dilis, scrambled eggs, and fruits. Definitely a great way to start the day.

This weekend ’s activity is highly recommended for families, friends, couples, adventure seekers, and even people who are just looking to relax and do something different. Time to head to the south and partake of memorable experiences.

Celebrating 6 years of ‘Coastagious’ beach life

W

ith the long, hot summer upon us, the country’s idyllic islands are beckoning us to recapture the fun moments lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The charming boutique resort of Coast Boracay, is enticing travel bugs to create their best travel moments under its “Let The Fun Shine” campaign as part of its 6th anniversary celebration.

From April to September, the resort is offering room rates starting at P 6,000 ++ for deluxe rooms, P7,000++ for premier, P11,500++ for a one-bedroom suite, and a spacious loft suite for P12,500++.

Rates come with a gourmet buffet breakfast for two, roundtrip land, and a boat to and from the Caticlan airport for a seamless transfer. Book early to enjoy the best rates starting at P8,500++ for peak months and the Christmas Season.

An innovative hotel concept

COAST swimming pool

of Raintree Hospitality Group, the resort takes pride in its wellcrafted food and beverage, and its trademark warm service which keeps guests coming back.

With only 71 rooms, guests can enjoy a low-density environment and private moments minus the madding crowd. Built around a

cozy courtyard pool, each room is well-appointed with a comfy bed, toilet and bath, Smart TV with free Netflix access.

Situated at Station 2 beachfront, guests can bask in the area’s bohemian vibe and feast on the specialties of Cha Cha’s Beach Café which boasts of great-

tasting creations Raintree Group is known for. Regarded as among the island’s trendiest dining and hangout places by online reviews, diners can get an acoustic musical treat while sunset gazing every Thursday till weekends.

Guests can wake up to a power buffet breakfast with a wide array of international and Filipino favorites that will get them pumped up for the rest of the day. For lunch or dinner, feast on gustatory and Instagram-worthy savories which include the sought-after seafood tower.

Make #FunShine moments with adrenaline-pumping adventures such as snorkeling, parasailing, helmet div ing, scuba diving, banana boat ride, jet ski, kitesurfing, and island hopping to name a few.

Upon returning, be pampered at Ta’La Tropical Nail and Foot Spa, and relax to the magic of a Tala Signature Massage, a 90-minute therapy that uses Reiki energy

COAST Boracay

healing for only P1,500. You can also get a soothing Foot & Leg Massage, which partners perfectly with their manicure and pedicure services.

Fitness buffs won’t miss their exercise regimen with the cardio machines and weights in the activity room which also has children’s games, books, and a TV viewing lounge.

Those who prefer a laid-back setting can settle at the nearby

Blue Marina Hotel, Coast’s sister resort situated in an intimate garden. Rates start at P3,250++ which goes with a plated breakfast and access to the Coast’s amenities.

Swing by The General Store for the obligatory pasalubong and souvenirs for family and friends back home.

For more information, visit www.coastboracay.com or check out its social media pages (Coast Boracay) on Facebook and Instagram.

A10 Saturday, May 14, 2022 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Logistics company launches new solutions for online sellers VOYAGER INNOVATIONS RAISES $210 MILLION TO EXPAND FINANCIAL SERVICES ECOSYSTEM OF MOBILE WALLET, DIGITAL BANK UNITS

PHOTO BY TABITHA TURNER ON UNSPLASH

BY RODERICK L. ABAD Contributor

S

ENDING out parcels to friends and relatives was something I used to do regularly prepandemic but of course, when Covid-19 happened, going out became restricted and I had difficulty booking pick-ups from the house. We had tried that before and pick-ups would sometimes take days, even weeks.

One day, I decided to do a giveaway on my stan Twitter account and someone suggested I try GGX, which is short for GoGo Xpress.

So I booked a pick-up on their web site and the parcel was indeed picked up the following day. I was not asked to fill out the packaging with the recipient’s name and address again. I had already filled out those details on the web site, along with the sender’s (mine) information. How efficient, right?

That’s not all. The giveaway winner said she already received an SMS from GGX the moment I booked the order. Since then, I’ve been using GoGo Xpress when I sell or trade photo cards of K-pop idols.

I realized that many K-pop shops and sellers now use GGX. I am truly an admirer of how efficiently GGX works and it was a fangirl moment to be invited to their online press conference recently and meet the people behind the logistics and business solutions provider.

GoGo Xpress is one of the three brands under QuadX, an eCommerce tech and logistics service provider. QuadX services all market segments from marketplaces, cross-border commerce, and payment collection and settlement. Their two other brands are Shipping Cart and XPay. During the press conference, GoGo Xpress announced new easy-to-use digital tools that would further enhance the e-commerce experience of the buyer and the casual social seller.

The company has always invested in data and technology to make it easier for every Filipino to go into business or continuously grow their existing businesses, said QuadX Founder and CEO Dino Araneta.

GoGo Xpress has pioneered many solutions to make online selling easier. One is the cash on delivery (COD) option for buyers. I remember how, pre-pandemic, we’d send the shipping fee to sellers via bank deposit or those remittance services of pawnshops. One more thing that sets GGX apart is that the platform does not require a certain level of digital savvy and gives merchants easy access to its selling tools with a few clicks and taps.

GoGo Xpress has connected almost 1.5 million

casual social sellers to over 20 million buyers.

“We are poised to double that by the end of the year to 3 million sellers and 40 million buyers,” said Mia Bulatao, president and chief operating officer of GoGo Xpress.

As a platform, the GoGo Xpress app is reliant on technology but still user-friendly for both sellers and buyers. The payment checkout is very convenient, whether in cash, COD or GCash payment. All sellers have to do is make a booking and GGX would pick up the parcels without fail on the same day if they made the booking before the 2 pm cut-off and the following day if they booked after 2 pm. Upon booking, GGX would inform the buyer about it and make updates after parcel pick-up and on the delivery day.

The new seller tools to allow entrepreneurs are highly customizable. The Bulk Uploader allows processings of as much as 2,000 order transactions in one click, while the Promo Code Generator allows sellers to have their own promos and sales.

To make things make sense, the dashboard gives sellers insights to help them further grow their businesses.

Messenger Shop, initially available on Facebook and soon to be integrated to Instagram, eliminates the need for the merchant to set-up a separate Facebook

account for selling and everything is already automated.

At the center of all these features is GoBenta, an enhancement to GGX’s Sell-A-Product feature. It allows sellers who sell via social media to create up to 100 product links that would include descriptions and prices. Sellers can post these links on their online stores and other social-media platforms, including Facebook, FB Messenger Shop, FB Marketplace, KUMU, Carousell, Viber, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, e-mail and SMS, for faster transactions and easier tracking.

For more efficiency and accuracy, buyers themselves can input their delivery details aside from choosing COD as payment option for more efficiency and accuracy on the seller’s side as they don’t need to fill in the delivery details for their buyers.

GoBenta allows buyers to know immediately how much the shipping fee is and gives them the option to choose COD without having to pay a COD service fee.

The GoBenta storefront lets sellers customize their store names and upload their own brand logos. They can also use the product links to promote their store and products on their social-media platforms.

More information is available at www.gogoxpress. com. ■

ABS-CBN, KROMA, 917VENTURES LAUNCH PHL’S NEWEST ‘TRADIGITAL’ ENTERTAINMENT CHANNEL A NEW era will dawn in Philippine entertainment as popular content provider ABS-CBN, innovative entertainment company KROMA, and foremost corporate venture builder 917Ventures introduce “tradigital” viewing to Filipinos through PIE, the Philippines’s first real-time and multi-screen interactive channel that officially launches this month.

PIE, or Pinoy Interactive Entertainment, offers Filipinos a digital upgrade to their traditional media consumption habits by allowing them to watch TV shows, join all-day contests, build following, and even steer the storyline of a teleserye across multiple screens including TV sets, laptops, desktops, and mobile devices.

On PIE, those in the audience are not just viewers but a well-engaged community that plays an active role in storytelling,

game shows, and talk shows. “Filipinos are very social. We love hanging out with our friends, doing activities together, and simply having fun together. But this kind of connection is something we abruptly lost at the onset of the pandemic.

Filipinos long for collective fun, and PIE hopes to fill that gap,” said KROMA Entertainment CEO Ian Monsod.

PIE is bringing back the classic game show “Pera o Bayong” that takes on a new level with an interactive format and prizes given away every hour to viewers at home. It is also introducing the country’s first interactive teleserye UZI, and reality show Palong Follow, where viewers will work together to find the Philippines’s next big digital content creator.

The channel also has a roster of exciting shows that will invite viewers to take part and own: Ekstra Ordinaryo, Bida Body Part and Playlist Natin.

“Our goal as a company is to continue bringing pioneering digital solutions to Filipinos especially as the pandemic lingers. This time, with PIE, we want to bring our kababayans an entertainment experience they can share. We want Filipinos to have a new way to enjoy and celebrate everyday

wins to help uplift them despite their daily battles. We want them to feel like we are still together even while physically apart,” said Vince Yamat, managing director of 917Ventures.

ABS-CBN chief operating officer of broadcast Cory Vidanes said the company’s venture into PIE is testament to their organization’s boosted digital pivot.

“ABS-CBN is committed to bringing innovative content to as many Filipinos as possible, and in recent years, we have been engaging audiences more through a stronger digital presence and collaboration with various groups. Our partnership with PIE is a significant step in that direction and we’re looking forward to engaging with Kapamilyas in a whole new way,” said Vidanes.

Test broadcast of PIE began last month. Its revolutionary brand of entertainment will also be available 21/7 to everyone through YouTube. It will be accessible to some 11 million households with digital TV boxes in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Naga, Baguio and nearby provinces and to 85 Million digitally-connected Filipinos this May. To find PIE, viewers may rescan their digiboxes now.

FILIPINO tech firm Voyager Innovations has raised a new capitalization of $210 million, propelling its valuation to unicorn-plus status at nearly $1.4 billion.

Leading the round was SIG Venture Capital, the Asian arm of Susquehanna International Group. Other new investors included Singapore-based EDBI and investment holding company First Pacific Company Ltd. Also participating in the round were Voyager’s existing shareholders PLDT Inc., KKR, Tencent, International Finance Corp., IFC Emerging Asia Fund, and IFC Financial Institutions Growth Fund.

The company will use the fresh investment to launch Maya Bank services, such as savings and credit, which will be integrated and offered seamlessly across PayMaya’s platforms for consumers and businesses, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It will also continue to expand PayMaya’s offerings with new products like cryptocurrency, micro-investments, insurance and more as the all-in-one money app in the country.

“Our strong record of execution and innovation is a testament to our world-class team’s hard work and talent.

With this milestone, we are excited to leap forward and bring the best of PayMaya and Maya Bank to help unlock the digital economy for the underserved and unbanked Filipinos,” Voyager and PayMaya CEO and founder Orlando B. Vea said.

The Philippines is the fastest-growing market in Southeast Asia, with digital adoption of services reaching tipping points during the pandemic due to the demands of a young, digitalsavvy population. In fact, the 2021 e-Conomy Southeast Asia Report by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company showed that the country’s internet economy grew 94 percent from 2020 to 2021 and is expected to reach $40 billion by 2025, powered by flourishing e-commerce and strong adoption of e-wallet payments.

Despite this accelerated trajectory, the Philippines remain a vastly underserved market with solid growth opportunities.

About 47 percent of Filipino adults do not have savings. One in two of those with savings save via informal means, while one in three have loans, of which only 18 percent are availing from banks.

The huge digital financial services opportunity extends to MSMEs, which account for 99.5 percent of the total establishments and employ 62.8 percent of the whole labor force in the country. Access to credit and financial services remains a problem for them, with only 24 percent availing loans or having lines of credit from formal financial institutions.

PayMaya and Maya Bank seek to address the challenge of accelerating adoption in a country with limited merchant acceptance and banking presence by providing end-to-end services from an integrated ecosystem.

As of the end of March, PayMaya has over 47 million registered users across its consumer platforms—more than two-thirds of the national adult population. It recently introduced cryptocurrency through its e-wallet app. Also, it’s enabling over 630,000 online and face-to-face touchpoints, including 63,000 Smart Padala agents, to accept digital payments from e-wallets and QR to any credit, debit, and prepaid card.

Voyager entered the digital banking space with Maya Bank, which piloted last month. Together with PayMaya, they will help fast-track the country’s goals of transforming 50 percent of the total volume of retail payments to digital and expanding the financially included to 70 percent of Filipino adults by 2023.

Should you get gadget insurance?

CONTINUED FROM A11 people to continue with their education, careers, businesses, and other activities,” said Etiqa’s Bautista.

“However, getting mobile insurance usually comes as the last thing in the buyers’ minds since they have often spent so much already on their phones. We understand their concerns and want our customers to have a safety net if, in case, an unfortunate incident occurs and their gadget becomes damaged.”

If you’ve dropped your phone more than once, do yourself a favor and save your device and yourself from the stress by signing up for one of their affordable protection plans. ■

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BusinessMirror

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Saturday, May 14, 2022 A11

Should you get gadget insurance?

T

OMORROW I’ll be 46, an age I don’t particularly find exciting because it means I’m closer to 50 instead of the “younger 40s.”

I also thought it wasn’t an interesting age, until I did a quick “Bing” of people who are the same age as me.

The results made me feel both proud and old.

Let’s start with my celebrity crushes: Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Kate Winslet, Milla Jovovich and Shu Qi. Then there’s Tara Reid, Reese Witherspoon, Sushmita Sen, Sia, Marion Cotillard, Michelle Monaghan and Melissa Joan Hart.

OG (our generation’s) Spiderman Tobey Maguire, director Taika Waititi and Michael Buble are all also 46, along with golf legend Tiger Woods, NBA’s Allen Iverson and Tim Duncan, and WWE Divas Torrie Wilson and Trish Stratus. I am now also the same age as Scary Spice Mel B and Baby Spice Emma Bunton— and of course my fellow May 15 celebrant Jennylyn Mercado.

Well, I may not be as famous (or rich) as all of the aforementioned names, but I’m just as happy as (or probably even happier than) they are and for that I’d like to thank the people who fill my world with all sorts of colors. To my partner Lou and my family; the BUSINESSMIRRO� bosses and my editor Gerard Ramos who graciously gave me this space; to my mentors Inday Varona, Tessa Arriola, Chit Licauco and Bing Jaleco; colleagues in the blogging/media community; the PR companies and brands who support us; and to you my dear loyal reader, thank you. I will be forever grateful.

GADGET INSURANCE FOR AS LOW AS P21 IT was like watching a scene unfold in slow motion: I thought I was sliding my phone into my front pocket but as it turned out, I actually slipped through my wallet chain instead. I could still recall the solid “thud” sound as my phone fell on the floor. A collective “Oh shi**!” from my friends soon followed as it landed face first on the hotel floor. And just like my first breakup, I had a mini heart attack as I bent down to pick it up.

There were cracks across the screen, but thankfully, it was only the tempered glass that got damaged.

Most phone drops don’t usually end well.

Most if not all of us have accidentally dropped our phones or tablets at least once, sometimes more than we want to admit. But whatever that floor is—cement, tile, marble, granite, or any other hard surface—the resulting damage can often be...well, shattering.

Studies show that dropping your phone is the top reason for mobile phone damage, and although phone cases and tempered glass can provide adequate

protection, they still aren’t 100 percent guaranteed— unless you get those bulky, expensive ones.

You must have seen parents handing over their phones or giving their small kids a tablet to stop their tantrums, or to keep them from being rowdy. Sadly, that moment of peace comes at a great price, as small children are the second most dangerous threat to your gadget’s existence as they could lose grip, knock them off the table or even throw it away like some toy you have to fetch.

Lastly, unless you have a smartphone with a high IP rating, we all know that spilling liquid or accidentally submerging it in water can be fatal. I know you’ve seen those YouTube tutorials about putting your phone in a container of rice grains, but again the survival rate still depends on how long your phone was in the water and other factors.

What is certain is that damage to mobile devices can be stressful, inconvenient, and very expensive.

Smartphones are now considered investments, not only because they are getting more expensive but also because of the data and information you store in them.

As of 2021, the 82.3 million people in the

Philippines using their mobile phones are vulnerable to the two common causes of phone damage: dropping them on the ground, or unwittingly having them fall from their pocket. To protect users from the considerable costs from these incidents, Etiqa Philippines and Insurtech company Igloo have collaborated to launch the gadget insurance every Filipino can afford.

Drops and falls that usually crack the electronic gadget’s screen are covered specifically by Cracked Screen Protection. Meanwhile, Electronics Protection and 360-degree phone and tablet protection covers not just your screen but your entire device, against damages coming out of an accidental fall or spilling of liquid.

Catering to Filipinos who are on a tight budget, phone screen protection plans range from P21 to P209 monthly or P230 to P2,410 annually, while 360-degree full phone and tablet protection plans range from P29 to P310 monthly or P329 to P3,590 annually. Through these plans, insured clients no longer need to worry about where they can have their damaged gadgets repaired. Nor do they need to put up using mobile phones with cracked screens due to a lack of budget

for repairs.

Users with mobile phones that are brand new or up to 18 months old can avail of the Cracked Screen Protection and Electronics Protection, and/or file claims immediately and digitally through the Igloo portal. With two options available, they may opt to either have the damage assessed and repaired in over 100 Igloo-accredited repair centers in the country, or choose to have it repaired by a non-accredited repair center and file for reimbursement. They just need to pass through the easy-to-use Igloo portal before a repair is done. The portal will ask for submission and inputs of the gadget’s details, invoice, IMEI, receipt, and contact information. Only two claims can be filed during the policy period unless total loss.

Apart from being Etiqa’s most-affordable insurance product, the new plans are now available online. New products like Cracked Screen Protection and Electronics Protection Plans can now be accessed through Shopee. Once a client purchases a mobile device or accessory through Shopee, they can easily top up or purchase the insurance before check out.

The policy may then be activated via the Igloo portal.

Etiqa Philippines has been in the insurance industry for more than 40 years and takes pride in being one of the few players in the market with comprehensive insurance solutions for health, protection, investment and non-life insurance. To mark the collaboration, Etiqa Philippines and Igloo representatives initiated a MOA signing attended by Etiqa Philippines President and CEO Rico Bautista, EVP and Head of Group and General Insurance Glenn Navea, and Igloo Country Manager Mario Berta.

“The work-from-home and homeschool setup during the pandemic has allowed many to realize that gadgets are more than just status symbols. These devices have become a ‘new normal’ necessity for

FROM left: Etiqa’s VP underwriting Rino Asuncion; EVP, group and General Insurance head Glenn Navea; President and CEO Rico Bautista; IGLOO Philippines country manager Mario Berta; head of insurance partnerships Cecille Bendero, and head of commercial Philippines Marc Gorospe.

CONTINUED ON A10

Google adopts an Apple-like approach for its Pixel products SAN FRANCISCO—Google on Wednesday took a big step toward pushing its Pixel product line-up down a road already paved by Apple and its array of trendsetting devices.

The latest additions to its six-year-old Pixel brand will include Google’s first smartwatch that draws upon the features and expertise it has gained from last year’s $2.1 billion acquisition of fitness gadget maker Fitbit.

The new watch, targeted for an autumn release, marks Google’s first major attempt to make its mark in wearable technology, a market that has been growing steadily since Apple introduced its smartwatch in 2014. Until now, Google’s presence in the smartwatch market had been limited to making a version of its mobile Android operating system for watches made by other companies.

Google also used its annual I/O developers conference to tease a Pixel tablet that it is scheduled for release next year to compete against Apple’s market-leading iPad. Besides showcasing its upcoming devices, Google also previewed the next version of its Android operating system, which runs most of the world’s smartphones outside Apple’s iPhone. It also highlighted several advances in the field of artificial intelligence.

Google’s emphasis on new devices signals that a company best known for its dominant search engine and other popular Internet software is confident it now has a better handle on how to design and manufacture hardware. It released its first Pixel smartphone in 2016.

“It takes a long time to build the capabilities, and now you

are seeing very visibly that technology be expressed through many different products,” Rick Osterloh, the executive in charge of Google’s device division, told reporters earlier this week. “It was like an iceberg in that you didn’t see a lot what was happening underneath, but now you can really see all these things coming to the surface.”

Because it already brings more than $200 billion annually in digital ad sales, Google can afford to branch out into different directions and find new ways to connect with people, said Gartner analyst Tuong Nguyen.

Adding more products to the Pixel line-up “gives them another touch point to learn and experience things with people more directly,” Nguyen said. “Now, they not only be in your pocket, but now they can be on your wrist, and in your ears, too.”

Before launching its smartwatch, Google will be fleshing out its selection of Pixel phones with a new budget model called the 6a coming out in late July, along with its first set of wireless ear buds to include noise cancellation.

The Pixel 6a will include Google’s top-of-the line processor but sell for $449—a 25-percent discount from the slightly more sophisticated Pixel 6 released last fall. The Pixel Buds Pro will sell for $199. Both products are scheduled for a July 28 release.

The watch will be the first product to test a privacy pledge that Google made to gain regulatory approval for its Fitbit takeover 16 months ago. As part of the deal, Google promised not to collect the health and fitness information accumulated

through Fitbit features to sell digital ads that generate most of its revenue—a commitment that the company said it will honor with the new Pixel Watch.

Although they still aren’t anywhere as popular as phones, smartwatches continued to make significant inroads with projected worldwide shipments of 31.3 million units this year, up from 18.5 million in 2019 before the pandemic helped stoke even more demand for Internet-connected gadgets.

Even after pouring billions of dollars into a hardware division that now employs thousands of people, Google hasn’t made major inroads.

Despite occasional glowing reviews, Pixel smartphones have less than a 1 percent share of the global market for the devices, according to the research firm International Data Corp. All told, IDC estimates that fewer than 30 million Pixel smartphones have been sold since the release of the first model nearly six years ago. By contrast, Apple shipped more than 56 million iPhones during the first three months of this year alone, according to IDC. But IDC analyst Nabila Popal said there are signs that the Pixel smartphone line is starting to gain more traction. She believes the Pixel 6 would have sold even better than it already has were it not for chip shortages that have hurt a variety of products, increasing the chances that the lower priced 6a model will be “very well received.”

For its part, Google says the Pixel 6 already has outsold the Pixel 4 and Pixel 5 combined during its first six months on the market.

THE Pixel watch by Google

Sports

Malaysian denies Inso of wushu title

BusinessMirror

A12

| Saturday, May 14, 2022 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

H

By Jun Lomibao

ANOI—Carlos Edriel Yulo emphasized the meaning of world champion that’s been twice attached to his name by ruling the men’s all-around of gymnastics for the Philippines’ second gold medal after Kurash on Friday in the 31st Southeast Asian Games.

The 22-year-old Tokyo Olympian put on a world-class performance worth 85.150 points to deny any hometown advantage for the hosts, whose bets Le Thanh Tung (84.050) and Dinh Phuong Thanh (82.450) completed the podium.

Yulo’s effort helped the Philippines to the team silver medal behind the Vietnamese, who are lording over the Games they are hosting for only the second time since 2003.

Jackielou Escarpe won gold from Kurash to keep the Philippine machine running for a potent bid to battle for the overall championship that Filipinos are defending on foreign soil.

Escarpe topped the men’s 73 kgs class after beating Thailand’s Apicha Boonrangsee to add to the gold medal won by 18-year-old Mary Francine Padios in pencak silat’s women’s seni (artistic or form) tunggal single event.

“All I’m thinking is how to perform well and I think we did well,” Yulo said.

The victory also qualified Yulo to the gold medal round of the six on Sunday and Monday.

“It’s not bad first day at all,” Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion said. “But we’re expecting more, so much more actually.”

Her expectations for Yulo?

“Four golds,” she said without blinking.

Juancho Miguel Besana, John Matthew Vergara, Jann Gwynn Timbang and Justine Ace de Leon completed the Philippine men’s team which fell to Vietnam in team event.

Team Philippines scored 301.600 leading the field after the morning session but Vietnam stormed in the afternoon with an overall performance worth 321,250.

Singapore placed third.

The Philippines was reeling at sixth place on the medal tally board until Escarpe and Yulo delivered the gold medals that sent Filipinos to fourth place behind a galloping Vietnam, whose gold count stood at 20 and counting.

Malaysia ran second in the gold medal race with 11, followed by Indonesia with five.

Thailand also had three gold medals but had less silver to stay behind the Philippines at fifth place. Singapore and

S

EN. Christopher “Bong” Go hailed the Filipino athletes who have so far clinched medals for the country in the ongoing 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

In a statement, Go congratulated Mary Francine Padios for winning the Philippines’ first gold medal and commended other athletes who have clinched early silver and bronze medals.

“I wish the rest of the Team Philippines a very good luck as we defend our overall championship,” said Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Sports. “The Filipino people are all behind you!”

YULO TRIUMPHS, 2 GOLDS FOR PHL

COUNTRY

GOLD

TOTAL

SILVER

BRONZE

1

Vietnam

17

10

15

42

2

Malaysia

11

4

7

22

3

Indonesia

5

8

1

14

4

Philippines

2

6

9

17

5

Singapore

2

6

6

14

6

Thailand

2

4

10

16

7

Myanmar (Burma)

2

1

3

6

8

Laos

0

1

1

2

9

Brunei

0

1

1

2

10

Cambodia

0

0

1

1

11

Timor-Leste

0

0

0

0

Source: seagames2021.com

Myanmar had two gold medals.

The Philippines could get its engine running on Saturday with triathlon set at the Sunset Bay in Tuan Chau.

After completing a big comeback against Thailand, the Gilas Pilipinas men’s squad suddenly sputtered and got scuttled by Indonesia, 13-15, on Friday in the 3x3 basketball.

The women’s squad also found a roadblock in its title-retention bid as the Vietnamese team powered by the Truong sisters who played NCA A Division I ball at Gonzaga University reared their dominant fangs.

With Kayleigh and Kaylynne Truong draining crucial two-pointers, the host team battled back from a 6-10 deficit and pulled the rug from under the Filipinas, scoring a stunning 21-18 win to the delight of the full-house crowd.

WORLD CHAMP AT WORK

. Carlos Yulo wins the all-around individual gold medal and helps the men’s team to the silver in the gymnastics competitions of the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi on Friday evening. NONIE REYES

Filipino triathletes seek to continue winning tradition in biennial games

Jackielou Escarpe (top, second from left) wins the country’s second gold medal this time in Kurash’s men’s 73 kgs after beating Thailand’s Apicha Boonrangsee (top left) on Friday in the 31st Southeast Asian Games at the Hoai Duc Stadium in Vietnam. Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (left) awards the medal to Escarpe.

Senator Go hails athletes Go reaffirmed his unwavering support to the Philippine delegation which he said exemplified discipline and perseverance as they trained vigorously to represent the country at the regional meet.

“As chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, it is with great pride and honor that I express my sincerest gratitude and appreciation to each and every one of you, for showing your undying devotion to our country through sports, and for upholding the true spirit of patriotism,” Go said.

Recognizing the athletes’ dedication, Go reassured them that he would remain steadfast in advocating for their well-being and interest.

The senator also said that he will always be proud of the Filipino athletes regardless of the results of the competitions, adding that their perseverance and efforts are already laudable.

Go reiterated that he will continue to promote and advance long-term and grassroots sports development in the country.

Ikeda tops Malarayat field by 3 strokes C HIHIRO IKEDA got back at Chanelle Avaricio in big fashion to bag the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Mount Malarayat Ladies Challenge crown by three strokes on a brilliant eagle-spiked frontside charge for a second straight 72 at Mount Malarayat’s composite course in Lipa City on Friday.

Not even a backside slide could thwart Ikeda’s drive for a first Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) championship in three years as she built enough cushion—eight—with her explosive 33 at the turn and Avaricio ran out of holes in her frantic bid to turn things around at the back after a horrible 38.

Avaricio, winner of the last two LPGT events at Hallow Ridge and Caliraya, cut the deficit to half with a birdie on No. 13 coupled with Ikeda’s

MEDAL TABLE R

CHIHIRO IKEDA snaps spell.

double bogey on the 10th and a bogey on the 13th as play resumed after a 30-minute delay due to threat of lightning.

She pounced on another Ikeda miscue on No. 14 at resumption to pull within three but the latter birdied the 15th and went up by four again.

They matched pars in the next two holes then Avaricio birdied the last to match Ikeda’s closing even-par card as the latter clinched the victory on a 215 total in a triumph that more than made up for her one-stroke setback to Avaricio at Caliraya last month.

“It’s nice and I’m happy to win again. It’s been a long wait but the wrist injury has hampered my campaign after winning at Midlands in 2019 although I felt better in the last few tournaments,” said Ikeda after annexing the victory worth P116,250 that came after amateur Rianne Malixi

H

By Josef Ramos

ANOI—Andrew Kim Remolino takes his turn to shoot for the gold medal as Kim Mangrobang defends her women’s crown in 31st Vietnam Southeast Asian Games triathlon action set at sunrise at the Sunset Bay in Tuan Chau.

Remolino, 22, Cebu’s top triathlete, clinched silver in the Philippine 2019 SEA Games at the Subic Bay Freeport where John Leerams “Rambo” Chicano won gold for the country.

This time around, the responsibility to keep the Philippines kings of the sport—a 1.5-km swim, 40-km bike and 10-km run event—in the region lies on Remolino as well as on Filipino-Spanish Fernando Tan Caseres, 26.

“Our goal is to help each other and the priority is to retain the gold and silver medal,” said

upstaged Princess Superal in a shootout and won by one at Luisita, and Avaricio edged Superal in sudden death at Hallow Ridge.

Ikeda did contend in a number of tournaments in the succeeding LPGT events but never really had the chance to get a clear shot at another title, either stumbling with poor starts or fading with shaky finishes.

Avaricio wound up with a 218, her bid for a rare three-peat hampered by a wobbly frontside 38, while first round leader Harmie Constantino also birdied the last to save a 73 for third at 221 in this fourth leg of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and put up by ICTSI.

Remolino, a six-year national team mainstay. “It doesn’t matter if I settle for silver again as long as the Philippines keeps the gold.”

Remolino clocked 1:55:03 to Chicano’s 1:53:26 in Subic but triathlon is a fickle sport that winners are decided on how the elements at the time of the competition are reacting.

“There are a lot of newcomers here, so hopefully we can still make it,” he said. “But we’ll do our best, of course.”

Mangrobang, who won in two hours and two minutes in 2019, will be backed up by Raven Faith Alcoseba in the women’s race.

Triathlon coach George Vilog expressed confidence his wards will be up to the task.

“It’s going to be the same finish–1 and 2 or gold and silver,” Vilog said.

“Our triathletes and duathletes are in good condition so I believe we can still retain the title.”

Chicano will race this time in the duathlon on Sunday with Raymund Torio in the men’s category.

Mangrobang will do double duty by also competing in the women’s class with Alex Ganzon.

Triathlon Association of the Philippines President Tom Carrasco also expressed confidence his wards can win a minimum of two gold medals and a maximum of four.

“We can pull that off,” he said.

The race starts at 6 a.m. (Hanoi time), with the venue a three-hour drive from the Vietnamese capital.

H

ANOI—Jones Inso was near flawless in men’s taijiquan of wushu on Friday until a Malaysian performed a notch higher to steal the gold medal from the Filipino in the 31st Southeast Asian Games on Friday.

Inso’s routine wowed the crowd— including Wushu Federation of the Philippines officials led by Freddie Jalasco—at the Cau Gias Sporting Hall but Malaysian Zhi Yan Tan, the last of nine participants, yielded a performance worthier of a gold.

The judges gave Zhi 9.71 points to relegate Inso to the silver medal with 9.70 points.

Inso, however, welcomed the result which was far better than his missed opportunity for a podium finish in the 2019 Games back home.

Singapore’s Jun Kai Chan bagged the bronze medal with 9.57. Another Filipino entry, Daniel Parantac, finished seventh with 9.26.

The crowd was deeply disappointed after hometown bet Phuong Nguyen, who was doing well, twisted an ankle late in his routine. He fell to the mat and laid motionless before medical staff carried him off the venue.

“We thought the gold was ours,” said Jalasco, a former basketball official who is now the president of Wushu Federation of the Philippines.

“Jones was already near flawless.”

Thornton Quieney Lou Sayan and Johnzenth Gajo Rapada also competed for the Philippines but didn’t make the podium.

Sayan scored 9.63 in the men’s taolu nandao where local bet Quoc Khanh Pham won with 9.70.

Malaysian Wai Leong Calvin Lee settled for the silver with 9.69 while another Vietnamese, Van Huu Nong, bagged the bronze with 9.67.

Rapada bowed out in the men’s taolu changquan with 9.63.

Filipino wushu artists dominated Philippine SEA Games editions—11-4-2 in 2005 and 7-2-2 in 2019.

Eleven Pinoy wushu artists are competing here, eight of them men, with Jalasco expecting a modest harvest of at least two gold medals because of the failure of his athletes to train under a foreign coach.

“We couldn’t train the way we used to train because of the pandemic,” Jalasco said. “Then our Chinese coach did not arrive in Manila because of problems with his travel documents in China.” Josef Ramos

Rowers land three SEAG bronze medals

H

ANOI—Filipino rowers just couldn’t find their rhythm at the Hai Phong on Friday and settled for bronze medals in men’s lightweight coxless and men’s and women’s lightweight quadruple sculls in the 31st Southeast Asian Games.

Edgar Ilas, Roque Abala Jr., Zuriel Sumintac and Joachim De Jesus clocked seven minutes and 0.117 second to finish third behind gold medal winner Indonesia and Vietnam in the competitions being staged at the Thuy Nguyen Hai Phong Aquatics Center.

Indonesia won gold in 6:47.729 seconds and Vietnam silver in 6:52.879.

The quartet of Joanie Delgaco, Kharl Julianne Sha, Feiza Jane Lenton and Alyssa Hannah Go clocked 7:30.148 in women’s lightweight quadruple sculls that Vietnam topped in 7:11.326. Indonesia was second in 7:18.338.

Athens Tolentino, Van Maxilom, CJ Jasmin and Emmanuel Obaña also finished third in men’s lightweight quadruple sculls event with a clocking of 6:46.841, way behind runner-up Vietnam (6:34.444).

Indonesia claimed its second gold for the day with a time of 6:28.399 seconds.

The Philippines has so far clinched one silver and four bronze medals, counting the runner-up finish of Tokyo Olympian Cris Nievarez and CJ Jasmin in men’s lightweight double sculls and the third-place finish of Delgaco, Pagulayan, Paraon and Josephine Qua in women’s quadruple sculls last Wednesday.

The pair of Amelyn Pagulayan and Kristine Paraon also competed Friday but finished fourth in the women’s pair, with Vietnam prevailing, followed by Indonesia and Myanmar. Jun Lomibao JANINE PONTEJOS in action in women’s 3x3 of basketball on Friday that saw the Philippine teams suddenly losing their dominant touch. NONIE REYES

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

ACCENTURE, INC. 7f, Robinsons Cybergate Tower 1, Pioneer St, City Of Mandaluyong

CHITRADURGA BABA TAJUDDIN, MOHAMMED SLAHUDDIN Data Engineering Associate Manager

1.

Brief Job Description: Participate in requirement gathering and design phase to define business requirements and data flow design. Compose test script, execute unit test, and troubleshoot issues during tests. Partake in system integration test and user acceptance test script making and provide support for issue handling. Perform deployment of development objects throughout 3-tier landscape (dev, qa, production). Produce training materials and deliver them through training sessions to users.

Compose user procedure and maintenance procedure documentations.

KIKUDI, PATRICK LACORTE Sw/app/cloud Tech Support Analyst

2.

Brief Job Description: Provide telephone voice/email/chat support to resolve customer’s concerns following pre-defined support procedures and policies using support channels and tools provided by rio tinto with a primary focus on achieving customer resolution and satisfaction. Collects all information from the user and escalate it to the technical team as required by the predefined AR process. Comes to work on-time according to the define shift schedule. Ensures proper documentation for all tickets. Assumes initial ownership for the coordination, investigation and documentation of customer’s concern. Develop and maintain an understanding of customer service level agreements.

MARCELINO ZAGHI, HECTOR Sw/app/cloud Tech Support Analyst

3.

Brief Job Description: Perform initial triage for it issues raised by customers. Log, track, and update incidents.

Attempt first time fix resolution for known issues.

Identify target resolver group and route tickets.

Do remote troubleshooting. Install/uninstall applications for incidents raised by customers.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology or other relevant fields.

Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in sap business warehouse. Minimum of 2 to 3 relevant project experience, full implementation cycle, support. Extensive experience in sap bw4/ hana version 2.0 or earlier. Well versed in usage of ABAP and AMDP.

4.

Brief Job Description: Problem solvers with a people focus, software/ application/cloud technical support professionals act as the ongoing interface between the client and the system or application. Dedicated to quality, they use their exceptional communication skills to keep our world class systems running and our clients happy. Fine-tuned interpersonal skills mean they can accurately define a client issue and deep product knowledge means they can interpret and design a resolution.

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

Basic Qualification: Graduate of any 4yr course, preferably it or engineering related. Strong working knowledge of the service desk function.

Good knowledge level on multiple it technologies. -excellent communications skills both written and verbal.

Willing and able to work effectively in a diverse and multi-cultural environment. Willing and able to work on a shifting schedule.

Basic Qualification: Complexity (degree of difficulty of an assignment or the level of problemsolving assessment and resolution required, as measured by degree of problem-solving, strategic vs. routine focus, and stakeholder interactions (e.g. – executives, supervisor, etc.)): •requires analysis and solving of increasingly complex problems.

•interaction is with Peers within Accenture before updating supervisors. Likely has some interaction with clients and/or Accenture management.

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

ADVANCE BEYOND INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING, INC. Unit 511 Campos Rueda Bldg., 101 Urban Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati JIN, DAZHONG Senior Procurement Personnel

5.

Brief Job Description: Shall be evaluating suppliers before making purchasing decisions. This involves traveling to the supplier’s location and examining their products, as well as interviewing the decision makers on the supplier’s team to learn why their product is the best choice. Compare suppliers using cost-benefit analysis.

CHEN, MINGYU Hr Supervisor 8.

Brief Job Description: You shall be conducting interviews, recruiting, and vetting new Chinese staff. Arranging training sessions with all new hires and refresher workshops for existing employees. Assisting managers with staff requirements.

ZHANG, GUOZHENG Hr Supervisor 9.

Basic Qualification: His English and (native language) skills are sufficient to communicate effectively with our staff in the Philippines. He is willing to develop and learn it skills required for more complex tasks. has a strong desire to grow within Accenture and help expand our business in the Philippines.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: You shall be conducting interviews, recruiting, and vetting new Chinese staff. Arranging training sessions with all new hires and refresher workshops for existing employees. Assisting managers with staff requirements.

10.

Brief Job Description: Always in the culture of an ambitious performance oriented working approach technical and logistic planning supervise and ensure that the foreman are executing coordinate with projects site manager OBEREDER, WALTER ULRICH Construction Manager

11.

Brief Job Description: Always in the culture of an ambitious performance oriented working approach technical and logistic planning supervise and ensure that the foreman are executing coordinate with projects site manager

12.

13.

14.

15.

Brief Job Description: IT Support for mandarin speaking client

HSIAO, WAN-YUN It Support Specialist (mandarin Speaking) Brief Job Description: IT Support for mandarin speaking client

HUANG, WEI-RU It Support Specialist (mandarin Speaking) Brief Job Description: IT Support for mandarin speaking client

LAI, MING-TSAN It Support Specialist (mandarin Speaking) Brief Job Description: IT Support for mandarin speaking client

6.

Brief Job Description: Assist company’s expats during Management meetings and other related functions

7.

Brief Job Description: Provide flight training to students.

GOLDENSKY INTERNATIONAL GROUP INC. Midas Hotel, 2702 Roxas Blvd., Barangay 76, Pasay City

Basic Qualification: You shall be conducting interviews, recruiting, and vetting new Chinese staff. Arranging training sessions with all new hires and refresher workshops for existing employees. Assisting managers with staff requirements.

HETTY Call Center Agent Mandarin Speaking

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

Basic Qualification: To engage in the business of construction contracting foundation.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With knowledge in computer application Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Responsible analytical Decision Making and Project Management

DENTSU HOLDINGS PHILIPPINES, INC. 5/f United Life Bldg., 837 A. Arnaiz Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Responsible for planning and Directing all Activities related to assigned Division

OHKI, KAZUHIRO Director

Basic Qualification: Must possess at least Bachelor’s Degree in any Business Related course.

With Reporting Level in reading and typing Japanese.

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

17.

Brief Job Description: Participates at board meetings and in the approval of corporate acts. In accordance with the Corporation’s By-Laws, all business conducted, and all property of the Corporation are controlled and held by the Board of Directors. Provide consistently high standard of customer service with our established Japanese accounts. Provide planning insights & documents which reflect the client’s goals & business objectives. Ensure that financial processes are rigorously adhered to integrate across the communications partners & within the client’s organization at the appropriate level.

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

Basic Qualification: Strong communication and presentation skills (written or oral for especially for Japanese clientele. Attention to detail and numeracy.

Strong understanding of advertising, media and digital terminology & concepts. Sense of commercial acumen.

Understand the role of most tools & systems.

Attention to detail & rigor. Conversant across the whole media and digital mix. Ability to work across cultures & demonstrate tact. Solid grounding in regional media. 10 years of work experience as a leader and executive. Expat role background from Asian Countries is a must.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling inbound calls, emails, and or chat with the goal of ensuring resolution of customer issues effective communicator.

MATTIA, IOMMI Cms Officer 20.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Cantonese & Mandarin Speaking / know how to read & write Chinese.

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

Brief Job Description: Coordinate the establishment, modification and definition of competencies

Basic Qualification: Graduate of bachelor’s degree in business administration, maritime degree or other related courses Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

INSTITUTIONAL SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, INC. 15/f Solaris One Bldg., 130 Dela Rosa St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

RIO MARIO SAPTANIAR Jr. Research Analyst - Bahasa Speaker 21.

Brief Job Description: Answer internal or external issuer queries on research reports and able to discuss policy issues.

Gain understanding of investment and shareholder issues gathered through fundamental research.

Basic Qualification: Excellent reading comprehension and language skills both written and oral (Required fluency in English and Bahasa).

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

J-K NETWORK RECRUITMENT SERVICES AND CONSULTANCY, INC. U 5 Qrst Crissant Plaza Bldg., 272 Commonwealth Ave. 3, Matandang Balara, Quezon City

MINAMI, HIROAKI Japanese Language Specialist 22.

Brief Job Description: Assessment for filipino japanese speaking applicants; responsible for the language assessment for filipinos who can speak japanese.

Basic Qualification: English (advance); japanese language (written and spoken); native japanese; graduate of any 4 year course; with or without experience in esl; willing to work in an esl company.

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

J-NA ALLOUT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 3/f Lipams Bldg., #48 President Avenue, B. F. Homes, City Of Parañaque MALANGO, JULES NTAMBWE Congolaise Senior Marketing Consultant 23.

Basic Qualification: With knowledge in computer application Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: The Project Manager will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Project Manager, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

I.M.A. ASSESSMENT AND TRAINING CENTER, INC. Bm Phil Axa Life Centre, 1286 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Cor. Tindalo St., San Antonio, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: With knowledge in computer application

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

Basic Qualification: Competent, skillful and efficient for flight training

19.

Basic Qualification: With knowledge in computer application

16.

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

ZHANG, SHOUWEI Project Manager

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

Basic Qualification: Can speak, write, type in Mandarin language.

Technical skills in software as stated above.

ALL ASIA AIR CENTRAL, INC. Unit 4a & 5a Bldg. 4, Salem Complex Bldg. Domestic Rd., Barangay 191, Pasay City

MANOLKAR, RISHIKESH DEEPAK Junior Flight Instructor

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

Basic Qualification: To engage in the business of construction contracting foundation.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

FIBERHOME PHILS., INC. U-19d 19/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Create a detailed marketing plan, determine a business marketing message

MOLUA, ASHU LIOTE Ghanaian Senior Marketing Consultant 24.

BRIGHTLEISURE MANAGEMENT INC. 10/f Newport Entertainment & C Newport City, Manlunas, Barangay 183, Pasay City

YOH KIEN SENG Director For Information & Technology

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

18.

BOTA ENTERTAINMENT CONSULTANCY SERVICES INC. Chuan Hong Tower Unit 602, 434 M. De Santos St., 025, Barangay 270, San Nicolas, City Of Manila CHENG, JEN-CHIEH It Support Specialist (mandarin Speaking)

No.

Basic Qualification: You shall be conducting interviews, recruiting, and vetting new Chinese staff. Arranging training sessions with all new hires and refresher workshops for existing employees. Assisting managers with staff requirements.

BAUER FOUNDATIONS PHILIPPINES, INC. Unit A To K 12/f Cyberone Bldg., 11 Eastwood Ave., Eastwood City Cyberpark, Bagumbayan, Quezon City

AEON CREDIT SERVICE (PHILIPPINES) INC. Unit 301-304, 5th/f Hanston Square Bldg., # 17 San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

YAMASAKI, REI Japanese Translator

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

KOHLSTRUNK, RALF Construction Manager

A13

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

AVANZADO OUTSOURCING SERVICES CORP. Unit 25d, 2/f Zeta Ii Bldg., 191 Salcedo St., San Isidro, City Of Makati

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

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

MPAA, VERONIQUE KRYSTIE Sw/app/cloud Tech Support Sr Analyst

No.

Saturday, May 14, 2022

Brief Job Description: Create a detailed marketing plan, determine a business marketing message

ERNI Indonesian Customer Service Representative 25.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problems

JANG, SEONGWOOK Korean Customer Service Representative 26.

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Korean through blogs, micro blogs and forums

JUNG, SEOK YEON Korean Customer Service Representative 27.

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Korean through blogs, micro blogs and forums

Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Speaks and Write Fluently (English and Mandarin) Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Speaks and Write Fluently (English and Mandarin) Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Graduate 4 years bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Speaks and Write Fluently (Korean and English) Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Speaks and Write Fluently (Korean and English) Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

JIANGSU DIBANG CONSTRUCTION PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit 2106-a West Tower, Psec Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

SHI, WEI Administration Manager 28.

Brief Job Description: Plan, and coordinate administrative procedures and systems and devise ways to streamline processes; recruit and train personnel and allocate responsibilities and office space.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in english language both in written and verbal; with working knowledge in construction.

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

BusinessMirror

A14 A6 Saturday, May 14, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION XIAO, JUBIN Site Assistant Supervisor

29.

Brief Job Description: Reporting to the site supervisors or other senior project supervisor and managers as required; ensuring that requirements as specified by the client and senior management are met.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Fluent in english language both written and verbal; with working knowledge in construction.

30.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires AUNG HTET PAING Burmese Customer Service Representative

31.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

BO BO AUNG Burmese Customer Service Representative

32.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

CHIT OO Burmese Customer Service Representative

33.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

HNIN NANDAR Burmese Customer Service Representative

34.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires KYAW MYINT SOE Burmese Customer Service Representative

35.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

KYAW SOE HTIKE Burmese Customer Service Representative

36.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

KYAW THET Burmese Customer Service Representative

37.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires LI CHONE PHAIN Burmese Customer Service Representative

38.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires LINN HTET AUNG Burmese Customer Service Representative

39.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NYUNT YEE Burmese Customer Service Representative

40.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires PHYU HNIN WAI Burmese Customer Service Representative

41.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires PHYU PHYU WIN Burmese Customer Service Representative

42.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires SAI HAT Burmese Customer Service Representative

43.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires SAI HLAING MINE Burmese Customer Service Representative

44.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SAI KHAN HEIN Burmese Customer Service Representative

45.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

SAI KHUN KAUNG SAN Burmese Customer Service Representative 46.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

SAI THANT ZIN OO Burmese Customer Service Representative 47.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

SANDAR AUNG Burmese Customer Service Representative 48.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

49.

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58.

59.

60.

61.

62.

63.

64.

65.

66.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

CHU THI DAO Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

67.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

TOH SONG CIK Malaysian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires OON KWANG HOOI Malaysian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires GIAM YAN YEE Malaysian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries BONG TET MIN Malaysian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires VYONI Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

BONG WAI MAN Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

REN, PENG Chinese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries RAN, QIAOHE Chinese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

QIN, ZIXIA Chinese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

NIE, ZHENDONG Chinese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

MANIVONG, SOUKSAVANH Chinese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

KONGKAEW, KRONGTONG Chinese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires CHEN, BAIQIANG Chinese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires ZWE MYAN LIN Burmese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires YE NAING WIN Burmese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WAI LIN Burmese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

TIN AUNG LWIN Burmese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION SHWE YI LIN Burmese Customer Service Representative

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

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Barangay 76, Pasay City ARR LONE Burmese Customer Service Representative

No.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

DO MANH LINH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 68.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires GIU HY MENH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

69.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

No.

HOANG THI HAO Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 70.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

71.

72.

73.

74.

75.

76.

77.

78.

79.

80.

81.

82.

83.

84.

85.

86.

87.

88.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

TA VAN SON Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

89.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

PHAN XUAN TAM Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

PHAN THI NHU Y Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires PHAN MINH VUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

PHAM THAO LINH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NHU THANH TUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGUYEN VAN QUANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGUYEN THI THAO Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGUYEN QUANG SANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN MANH TUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGUYEN LE MINH TIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

NGUYEN DINH TRUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

LUU BAO ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

LUONG VAN DUC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

LONG THI THUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

LE THI THU THUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

LE THANH VAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HOANG VAN NHAY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

HOANG THI HONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries THAN THI NGUYET Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

90.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION TRAN CONG HAU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

91.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

TRAN NAM HA Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 92.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN VAN HUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

93.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

TRAN VAN HUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

94.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRINH THI CHINH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

95.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRINH VAN BEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

96.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

TRUONG THI DIEP Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

97.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

VAY CUN SAU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

98.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries VU THI NGOC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

99.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries VU THI TO UYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

100.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries VU VAN HA Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

101.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language.

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

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

102.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problems.

HARRIS SATYA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 103.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problems.

I PUTU ADITYA MAHARDIKA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 104.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problems.

NI KADEK ELSA FITRI Indonesian Customer Service Representative 105.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problems.

106.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LI, BIN Chinese Customer Service 107.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

108.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

YANG, LAN Chinese Customer Service 109.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

ZHOU, MEICHANG Chinese Customer Service 110.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

111.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

MURAYAMA, MOTOKI Deputy Construction Manager 112.

113.

114.

116.

Basic Qualification: Graduate 4 years bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills.

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

117.

Basic Qualification: Graduate 4 years bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills.

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

Basic Qualification: Graduate 4 years bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills.

118.

FRANKLYN Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

NONG THANG PHU Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SAM CHEE HON Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

XIAO, SI-HUI Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HU, HAO Service Director 119.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the development, continuous improvement and delivery of customer service

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language).

121.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language).

122.

123.

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

124.

CACCIA, VALTER Infrastructure & Production Platform Director 120.

Brief Job Description: Supervise the Execution, Engineering and procurement teams in Philippines and coordinate with French headquarter

Brief Job Description: Process and prepare financial business forms for the purpose of checking account balances.

TAN, KEJIE Bilingual Technical Support Specialist

125.

Brief Job Description: Process and prepare financial business forms for the purpose of checking account balances.

YU, ZHIGANG Bilingual Technical Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Process and prepare financial business forms for the purpose of checking account balances.

PHAM THANH DAT Vietnam-speaking Customer Service Officer

127.

Brief Job Description: Process and prepare financial business forms for the purpose of checking account balances.

128.

129.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

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

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the work of the P3 project outsourcing team. Coordinate outsourcing resources and promote project progress to achieve objectives.

ZHAO, YINWEI Product Solution Manager 130.

Brief Job Description: In charge of per-sales process of ZTE Philippines’ Fiber Equipment.

WANG, XIAOFAN Project Manager 131.

Brief Job Description: Assist the executive project manager to formulate schedule plans, quality management plans, cost management plans, delivery resource plans, communication plans.

ZHANG, YONGLI Project Manager 132.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable of Large Quantity Meal Preparation, Menu Planning and Complete State, Federal and Local Report

Basic Qualification: Must have experience on international Design & Built project of water treatment plant; Knowledge on SUEZ’s UCD Package Plant is necessary, with at least 30 years of experience in Water Industry and 10 years and above in directorship office

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Direct and manage the activities of Customs and Regulatory Compliance

LI, FACHUN Outsourcing Director

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

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

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

ZTE PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 29 Fort Legend Towers, 3rd Ave. Corner 31st St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Basic Qualification: Graduate, International Trade,

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

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

GEORGES, MATHIAS FREDERIC Technical Consultant - Customs And Regulatory Compliance Manager

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

WEBB FONTAINE ASIA INC. Units 4001-4008 & 3502, One San Miguel Avenue Condo., Shaw Blvd. Cor. San Miguel Ave., San Antonio, City Of Pasig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services

Brief Job Description: Process and prepare financial business forms for the purpose of checking account balances.

GENG, LIMIN Bilingual Technical Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: Excellent leadership skills and management

Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in English, preferably 6mos-1year customer service experience

Brief Job Description: Process and prepare financial business forms for the purpose of checking account balances.

ZHANG, JIESI Bilingual Finance Support Specialist

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

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

Brief Job Description: Process and prepare financial business forms for the purpose of checking account balances.

HU, JIE Bilingual Finance Support Specialist

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

SUEZ INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINE BRANCH Unit Lz-2 19f Tower 1 Highstreet South Corporate Plaza, 9th Ave. Cor. 26th St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language).

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

HAN, QUANWEI Bilingual Finance Support Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language).

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

VPC CORPORATE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED 11/f 100 West, Sen Gil Puyat Ave. Cor., Washington St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

SKYWORTH (PHILIPPINES) CORPORATION U-2202 & 2204 22/f Antel Corporate Centre, 121 Valero St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language).

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems, fulfilling requests and maintaining data base

LEE, KYEONGSEON Customer Service Representative 115.

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

No.

SA RIVENDELL GLOBAL SUPPORT, INC. 2/f Star Cruises Ce Bldg., Andrews Drive, Newport City St., Barangay 183, Pasay City

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

Basic Qualification: Graduate 4 years bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Brief Job Description: Manage and oversees the day-to-day management project

CAI, JINCHANG Chinese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language).

RIGHT CHOICE FINANCE CORP. 5e-1 Electra House Bldg., 115-117 Esteban Street, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

126.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handing complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

A15

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NEXCO-CENTRAL PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 501 5/f Tower One & Exchange Plaza, Ayala Avenue, Bel-air, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

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

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handing complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

WINSON CHEW ENG CHUN Malaysian Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th/f, Pearl Marina Building Pacific Drive, Don Galo, City Of Parañaque

HU, SHIYU Chinese Customer Service

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LUO, HENGJIAO Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

MPOTECH DIGITAL SYSTEM INC. 2/f 331 Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

FADRI HALIM Indonesian Customer Service Representative

No.

Saturday, May 14, 2022

Brief Job Description: Assist the executive project manager to formulate schedule plans, quality management plans, cost management plans, delivery resource plans, communication plans.

CHEN, YUJUAN Purchasing Manager 133.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the local purchase sourcing, issuing and tracking local purchase orders, local purchase supplier management

Basic Qualification: Responsible for the work of the P3 project outsourcing team.

Coordinate outsourcing resources and promote project progress to achieve objectives.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: In charge of persales process of ZTE Philippines’ Fiber Equipment.

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

Basic Qualification: Assist the executive project manager to formulate schedule plans, quality management plans, cost management plans, delivery resource plans, communication plans.

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

Basic Qualification: Assist the executive project manager to formulate schedule plans, quality management plans, cost management plans, delivery resource plans, communication plans.

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

Basic Qualification: Responsible for the local purchase sourcing, issuing and tracking local purchase orders, local purchase supplier management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: May 13, 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.

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR