BusinessMirror October 26, 2023 by BusinessMirror

House bill seeks to simplify VAT refund scheme for firms B J M N. D C @joveemarie

HE House Committee on Ways and Means is now working on a proposal that will address challenges as well as “enhance” the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act. While CREATE has achieved “notable successes,” Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda admitted that challenges and opportunities for improvement have emerged during the implementation of the law, which aimed to tackle tax uncertainty, provide relief to businesses adversely affected by the Covid-19

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

UST TOPS OFF HENRY SY SR. HALL AT MANILA CAMPUS UST celebrated the

topping off ceremony of the Henry Sy Sr. Hall at its Manila campus on October 7, 2023. The seven-story building, a collaborative effort of the Sy family, the SM Group and UST, pays tribute to SM founder Henry Sy Sr., honoring his lifelong commitment to education. The UST Research and Endowment Foundation Inc., Anargyroi: FMS Foundation Inc. (AFI), and the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (FMS) aim to elevate medical education through this project. The Henry Sy Sr. Hall will house the Sts. Cosmas and Damian Simulation and Research Center, serving as a hub for simulation in medical education, interactive learning, multidisciplinary research, and interprofessional education. FMS Dean Dr. Ma. Lourdes Maglinao highlighted its state-of-the-art design, catering to the digital landscape of medical education. UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, OP, emphasized the importance of keeping up with medical education advances, ensuring students’ competence and preparedness. The completion of the Henry Sy Sr. Hall, designed by C.A. Ventura & Partners, is expected by June 2024. Heads of the UST and HSFI, led by Very Rev. Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. FMS Dean Dr. Ma. Lourdes Maglinao, and Debbie Sy, attended the topping-off ceremony. SM SUPERMALLS

pandemic, and streamline the country’s complex tax incentives system. Members of the Ways and Means Committee are set to meet on November 7 to discuss Salceda’s House Bill (HB) 8968, which seeks to establish a simplified VAT refund system for registered business enterprises, providing them with a more predictable and efficient process for claiming refunds. “With the passage of the law, despite headwinds and the thenongoing global health emergency, the country recorded its highest ever foreign direct investment S “VAT,” A

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business

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BUDGET GAP NARROWS TO P983.5B IN JAN-SEPT ‘Bumper www.businessmirror.com.ph

■

Thursday, October 26, 2023 Vol. 19 No. 15

P.  |     | 7 DAYS A WEEK

B J E Y. A

@jearcalas

crop will temper inflation’

HE state’s budget deficit in January to September narrowed by nearly 3 percent to P983.5 billion but it missed its programmed deficit as national government spending slowed during the period.

Manila’s budget deficit from January to September was 11.11 percent, or about P123 billion, short of its programmed amount of P1.106 trillion as expenditures fell below target. “The Year-to-Date [YTD] NG [national government] deficit figure is only 66 percent of the P1.5 trillion full-year program due to higher revenue and lower expenditure performance than programmed for the period,” the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said in its latest report. The national government’s revenues during the nine-month period rose by 6.79 percent year-onyear to P2.837 trillion from P2.657 trillion, according to the Treasury. The year-to-date earnings was nearly 3 percent higher than the P2.755 trillion programmed by the national government. Meanwhile, the state’s expenditures fell behind its nine-month target by P40.9 billion despite growing 4.12 percent year-on-year. The national government’s total expenditures from January to September went up by P151.1 billion to P3.821 trillion from P3.67 trillion a year ago. The state’s spending in the reference period was below its intended expenditure level of P3.862 trillion, Treasury data showed. Treasury data also showed that the state is falling behind both in terms of operating expenses and interest payments during the ninemonth period. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the “budget defi-

B A E. S J

A DECADE OF NASDAQ IN THE PHILIPPINES

Nelson Griggs, president of Capital Access Platforms at Nasdaq, engages in a discussion with Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) COO Roel Refran (right) during the commemoration of Nasdaq’s 10th anniversary of operations in the Philippines. The event, marked by the symbolic ringing of the bell at the PSE trading floor on October 24, 2023, showcased the collaborative spirit between Nasdaq and the Philippine financial landscape. In a subsequent news conference, Nasdaq unveiled its ambitious plan to bolster its Manila workforce, targeting approximately 400 employees by 2024. The company has set its sights on attracting top-tier talent in the Philippines, with a keen focus on finance, business, data engineering, HR, and talent recruitment. This move underlines Nasdaq’s commitment to nurturing growth and innovation in the local market. NONIE REYES

@andreasanjuan

HE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said inflation may start easing this month as it is seeing less pressure on domestic prices because of the availability of certain food items and the “timely” arrival of imports. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the decline in the prices of some commodities in the past few weeks due to the ongoing harvest season should ease inflationary pressures. “At least for the Philippines, our agriculture people are telling us that there is good production and recovery from the floods, recent floods and so we are likely to have a good harvest and harvest is now ongoing. That could reduce the pressure on domestic prices,” Balisacan told reporters on the sidelines of the 2023 Arangkada Philippines Forum held on Wednesday in Pasay City. “The inflation that we saw in September was a bit on the high side but we hope that inflation in the coming months is much more improved,” he added. Among the main drivers for inS “I,” A

MANILA KEEN ON FORGING DEFENSE PACT WITH TOKYO

OLLOWING the recent incident involving Chinese ships within the country’s maritime territory, the Philippines will push for the signing of a new bilateral defense agreement with Japan during the visit of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the country next week, according to the Department of Defense (DND). “I am optimistic on the progress of the way forward on the reciprocal access agreement between Japan and the Philippines,” DND Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro said in a television interview last Wednesday. A reciprocal access agreement is a security and defense pact, which will allow Japan to have shared military training and operations

with another signatory country. Teodoro made the remark when asked about the expected agreements to be discussed related to the West Philippine Sea during Kishida’s visit. The DND chief said he is optimistic that some accords will be signed during the event, but he did not go into detail. According to news reports from Japan, Kishida is scheduled to start his three-day visit in the Philippines and Malaysia on November 3.

Special session

THE House of Representatives is gearing up to host a special session on Saturday, November 4. As communicated in a media

advisory, the lower chamber has announced that the House of Representatives will convene a special session for an “important event.” This gathering is scheduled to commence at 9 a.m. within the House of Representatives Plenary Hall. In light of this impending special session, the House has issued guidelines for media personnel covering the event. Sources have revealed that the Japanese Prime Minister is set to visit the House of Representatives on Saturday. The 19th Congress took a break on September 30 and is scheduled S “M,” A

S “B,” A

PESO EXCHANGE RATES US 56.7520 ■ JAPAN 0.3788 ■ UK 69.0388 ■ HK 7.2544 ■ SINGAPORE 41.4824 ■ AUSTRALIA 36.0716 ■ SAUDI ARABIA 15.1290 ■ EU 60.1174 ■ KOREA 0.0423 ■ CHINA 7.7641 Source: BSP (October 25, 2023)

News BusinessMirror

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Manila...

C  A

to reopen on November 6.

Government response

TEODORO said the government is currently seeking security arrangements such as holding joint military exercises, joint patrols and multilateral cooperation of freedom of navigation with other countries like Japan to help secure the country’s maritime borders. This after two Chinese ships collided with Philippine sea vessels, which were engaged in the Rotation and Resupply (RORE) mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal over the weekend. DND said the incident is a “serious and egregious violation of international law” since it happened in the country’s 200mile exclusive economic zone. “We don’t want a war [with China]. What we are doing is protecting what is ours to stop China’s interference [in the West Philippine Sea],” Teodoro said in Filipino. The Office of the Solicitor General and the Department of Justice, Teodoro said, will study the country’s possible legal action against China on the collision incidents after Philippine Coast Guards (PCG) completes its maritime investigation on the said matter. The National Security Council earlier said the case may be filed before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Jovee De La Cruz and Samuel Medenilla

www.businessmirror.com.ph

‘PHL aims to lead world’s march Inflation... toward clean energy solutions’

C  A

B L S. M

@lorenzmarasigan

HE Philippines is positioning itself as a leader in the global shift towards clean and sustainable energy solutions, the chief of the Department of Energy (DOE) said on Wednesday.

In his speech at the DOE-United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Workshop for Offshore Wind (OSW) Development, Lotilla outlined the Philippines’s strategic plans to excel in the global shift towards clean and sustainable energy solutions. He said in the forthcoming Philippine Energy Plan (PEP), the DOE has introduced OSW as a key component of the nation’s

renewable energy (RE) portfolio. The government’s goal is to achieve 35 percent of renewable energy in the power generation mix by 2030, ultimately leading to a clean and sustainable energy future. Lotilla went on to explain that the Clean Energy Scenario envisioned in the PEP includes mitigation and adaptation initiatives, aiming for a 50 percent share of RE in the grid mix by 2050.

Budget...

ment, and other economic opportunities, all of which increase the government’s tax revenue collections, while also reducing the government’s expenditures on Covidrelated programs and other forms of financing assistance since the pandemic started,” Ricafort told the BM. Ricafort said the “relatively” faster inflation and higher interest rates and financing costs would

C  A

cit” in the nine-month period was brought about by the reopening of economy following the lifting of the state of public health emergency due to Covid-19. “Thereby fundamentally increasing sales, incomes, employ-

“We have always acknowledged that collaboration with the private sector is imperative for us to achieve our goals. As such, we have issued several enabling policies that open new opportunities for international investments. The Philippines now allows 100 percent foreign ownership for renewable energy technologies in geothermal, biomass, solar, wind, ocean, and tidal wave,” he said. Lotilla added that the government is now exploring variations of financing that offer a range of energy funding solutions, including a sovereign guarantee from the Philippine Guarantee Corp. “We also expanded our options for private sector engagement so that RE developers can compete under our green energy auction openly and transparently,” he said. With the support of the USAIDEnergy Secure Philippines, Lotilla said the government is committed to enhancing the skills of Filipino

workers to remain competitive in the global shift towards alternative energy development and technological advances. He noted that a key element of this initiative is the competency mapping of skills in offshore wind energy, along with updates to skills for mature and emerging technologies such as hydro, biomass, solar, and floating solar. Lotilla said this competency mapping is fundamental to crafting pathways that ensure a steady supply of workers with world-class technological skills, not only to support the Philippines’s growing portfolio of alternative energy sources but also to qualify for premium employment opportunities worldwide. “Through investing in the skills of our workforce, enhancing our energy security, and strengthening our resilience, we are positioning ourselves to excel in the global shift toward clean and sustainable energy solutions,” he said.

remain a “drag” on the country’s economic activities, particularly on spending, sales and tax revenue collections of the national government. “Higher prices also bloat the national government’s various expenditures, while relatively higherfor-longer interest rates in the US/ globally/locally would still lead to higher debt servicing costs of the national government, all of which would widen the budget deficit and increase the outstanding national government debt,” he said. For the month of September alone, the state’s budget deficit widened by 39.6 percent to P250.9 billion from P179.8 billion recorded in the same month of last year, according to the Treasury. “The fiscal outturn for the period was underpinned by an 8.06

percent year-over-year [YoY] acceleration in expenditures coupled with an 11.57-percent decrease in government receipts,” the Treasury said. The national government’s revenue performance in September declined by P33.4 billion to P255.4 billion from P288.8 billion, based on Treasury data. Tax revenues during the reference month declined 8.43 percent year-on-year to P233.5 billion from P255 billion as collections by both the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs fell. Non-tax revenues plunged by 35.22 percent to P21.9 billion from P33.8 billion. Meanwhile, the state’s expenditures in September reached P506.3 billion, about 8.06 percent higher than the P468.6 billion recorded in the same month of last year.

VAT...

vices by unregistered and registered domestic market enterprises to another unregistered and registered domestic market enterprise shall be subject to 12 percent VAT. ■ The sale of goods and/or services to a non-registered export enterprise shall be subject to 12 percent VAT. ■ The sale of goods and/or services by a VAT-registered seller to registered export enterprises, regardless of location, shall be subject to zero percent VAT. ■ The sale of goods and/or services by a registered export enterprise to another export enterprise shall be subject to specific rules: ■ If the seller is VAT-registered and enjoying an income tax holiday, the sale of goods and/or services to another export enterprise shall be subject to zero percent VAT. ■ If the seller is enjoying the 5-percent special corporate income tax incentive, the sale of goods and/or services shall be VAT-exempt. The proposal also provides clear guidelines for the sale, transfer, or disposal of previously VAT-exempt imported capital equipment, raw materials, spare parts, and accessories: ■ If the purchaser is a registered export enterprise, regardless of location, the transaction shall be subject to zero percent VAT. ■ If the seller is a registered domestic market enterprise, regardless of location, the transaction shall be subject to 12 percent VAT based on the net book value of the capital equipment, raw materials, spare parts, or accessories, unless the purchaser is a registered export enterprise. In such cases, the transaction shall be subject to zero percent VAT. The proposal also provides special consideration for large domestic market enterprises.

C  A

(FDI) performance of $10.5 billion. However, because of adverse global economic conditions and a steep interest rate hike regime by the US Federal Reserve, the Philippines’s FDI [foreign direct investment] performance shrank to $9.2 billion, a 23 percent year-on-year decline,” Salceda said. “While unfavorable global conditions were the key factor in declining FDI, uncertainty over the implementation of VAT and tax administration provisions of the CREATE Act has dampened investor sentiment and made doing business more difficult,” he added. Additionally, Salceda said the failure to carry out the heart of the reform, the “mix-and-match” provision of CREATE, which allows the President to customize the tax incentive regime, meant that the most potent instrument of investment promotion in the law was not utilized. One of the key challenges associated with the CREATE Act has been the implementation of VAT and tax administration provisions, he said. Salceda said his proposal also institutionalizes risk-based audits conducted by the Commission on Audit (COA) for tax refunds, enhancing transparency and fairness in the system. The latest draft of the substitute bill for House Bill 8968, obtained by BusinessMirror, provides various conditions regarding VAT for the sale of goods and services, depending on the nature of the transaction. Here are the conditions outlined under the latest draft of the proposal: ■ The sale of goods and/or ser-

flation in September 2023 was expensive rice as data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed rice inflation averaged 17.9 percent, the highest in 14 years or since March 2009 when rice inflation reached 22.9 percent. With the lifting of the price ceiling on rice a few weeks ago, he said, “I think I would be very surprised if the inflation and rice will get a rate that we saw in September because you know, as the harvest season...prices declined a bit in the past couple of weeks.” He added that this should have tempered the pressure for upward prices as retail prices have evidently adjusted “quickly” to the market conditions. “And so with current availability of supplies and the timely arrival of imports, I think that we should see less of that pressure,” the NEDA chief said. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 39 last month in response to the unusual surge in the price of rice last month despite the country’s sufficient supply of the food staple. He attributed it to the price manipulation by hoarders and smugglers. EO 39 imposed a P41 per kilogram (kg) price cap for regular milled rice (RMR) and P45 per kg for well-milled rice (WMR) nationwide. While rice prices have declined in recent weeks, Balisacan said the government is more apprehensive about “longer term trend.” “We are hoping that the effects of the El Niño are not as bad...will not be as bad as initially projected.” PSA said inflation averaged 6.1 percent in September 2023. Inflation was at 6.9 percent in September 2022 and 5.3 percent in August 2023. The inflation rate in September was the highest since May 2023 when inflation was at the same rate. Prior to this, the highest rate was in April at 6.6 percent.

Under the bill, domestic market enterprises with an investment capital of at least $500,000,000 or its equivalent in Philippine pesos, which are import-substituting or cater to non-residents, may avail of zero percent VAT on local purchases and VAT exemption on importation of capital equipment, raw materials, spare parts, or accessories. However, this must be approved by the Fiscal Incentives Review Board during the availment period. Also, during the period of availment of the income tax holiday and the enhanced deduction regime, the registered business enterprise local tax will be imposed. The tax will be collected for the local government either by the concerned investment promotion agency or by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, as assigned by the investment promotion agency. In cases where two or more local government units cover the same enterprise, the sharing of the tax revenue shall follow the formula prescribed under Section 285 of the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended. Additionally, local government units have the discretion to reduce or waive the rate of tax, or their share thereof, when multiple local government units cover the same enterprise. To ensure efficient and simplified compliance with tax rules and regulations, a separate service or unit within the Bureau of Internal Revenue has been created for registered business enterprises. The Commissioner will prescribe the manner and place of filing returns and payments of taxes by registered business enterprises through this specialized service or unit. This latest draft of the substitute bill for HB 8968 is still open to potential amendments by the committee members.

Thursday, October 26, 2023

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

PBBM reassures farmers of govt support to boost agri productivity

RESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured Wednesday the government has sufficient resources and support from the private sector to restore the optimum productivity of the agriculture sector after decades of neglect. In his speech during the 70th founding anniversary of the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) in Quezon City, he said a big step towards addressing the issue is by fast tracking the modernization of the sector to boost its productivity. He noted the Department of Agriculture (DA), which he heads, has allocated P4.73 billion for large-scale agriculture and fishery mechanization and modernization. The successful implementation of the modernization will help guarantee affordable local food supply and reduce the country’s dependence on importation. The initiative, he said, is expected to be sustained in the proposed P92.4 billion budget of DA for 2024. “You have my assurance that the government is striving to implement efficient mechanization strategies to reduce post-harvest losses and to ensure the optimal yield at an affordable cost,” Marcos told members of the FFF. He also stressed the important contribution of private stakeholders, such as the FFF in ensuring the success and sustainability of such agricultural reforms of the DA. “This is the kind of uplifting synergy that we in government anticipate from our private sector partners who ardently champion social justice and actively contribute to our nation’s socioeconomic advancement,” the President said. “So, I urge all the members of the FFF to keep the legacy of the founding members, keep it alive, stay true to the mission of uplifting all the lives of every Filipino rural worker,” he added. For his part, FFF Board Chairman Leonardo Q. Montemayor recognized the push of the Marcos administration to improve the well-being of local farmers. “The strong political will of our incumbent President and Congress ensured the passage of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act and increased budget for agriculture and fisheries,” Montemayor said. Republic Act (RA) No. 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (NAEA) provided over 600,000 Agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) with debt condonation. Samuel P. Medenilla

Call to raise joint PHL-US patrols in WPS gains support from American lawmakers By Malou Talosig-Bartolome & Rex Anthony Naval

IPARTISAN members of the influential US House Foreign Affairs Committee are supporting President Joe Biden to increase joint patrols with the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to deter China’s “provocative behavior.” South Korea and the Japan also issued separate statements supporting the Philippines on the latest maritime incident that caused two brief collisions between Chinese and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and civilian boats last Sunday.

‘Gibo’ sees wider support from allies DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” C. Teodoro, in a radio broadcast interview, meanwhile, said the Philippines would likely get more security partners and allies following the collisions where Chinese vessels hit and damaged two Filipino ships engaged in a routine resupply mission in the WPS. “I am not at liberty to disclose the operational details but…I believe it will invite more countries who have an interest in freedom of navigation to participate not only in joint sails but in other security engagements with the Philippines,” Teodoro said. He added that these engagements could include capability upgrades for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), intelligence exchanges, and other defense military-to-military and defense-to-defense cooperation agreements. In the same interview, Teodoro said that he is not in favor of calls to return the control of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to the AFP, saying the former is a civilian agency whose function is to enforce maritime safety and law enforcement, especially in internal and coastal waters.

US solons’ condemnation A FEW days before the collisions on October 16 to 18, Japanese and US navies conducted bilateral exercises in South China Sea.

US Foreign Affairs Committee statement HOUSE Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (Republican-Texas), ranking member Gregory W. Meeks (Democrat-New York), and Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific chairwoman Young Kim (Republican-California) and ranking member Ami Bera (Democrat-California) condemned Beijing’s latest maritime intimidation. “We unequivocally support the Philippines and condemn the unlawful actions by the Chinese Coast Guard in the South China Sea. The Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels intentionally hit Philippine Coast Guard ships over the weekend and continue to violate international law, endanger Filipino crew members, and obstruct Philippine vessels’ access in their own exclusive economic zone,” the US lawmakers said in a statement. The US House Indo-Pacific subcommittee held a public hearing last month on China’s use of laser beam and water cannon against Philippine vessels in the SCS. “This incident is part of a larger pattern of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, the Maritime Militia, and the Chinese Coast Guard’s aggressive and provocative behavior in the South China Sea, where it actively intrudes in other states exclusive economic zones,” they said. The US congressional members “welcome the Biden administration’s announcement to increase joint patrols with the Philippines and other partners in the South China Sea and its reaffirmation to uphold its commitment under the US-Philippines Mutual

Defense Treaty.” Four days before the collisions, Japan’s Murasame-class destroyer JS Akebono, US Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Dewey and littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords held bilateral exercises in the SCS. Akebono and Dewey also saw action in Exercise Sama-Sama 2023. The bilateral naval exercise between the Philippines and US has turned multilateral with Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Malaysia and United Kingdom joining the war drill. The South Korean Embassy in Manila likewise expressed its support for the Philippines on the latest incident. “On the recent reports of collisions between the Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, the ROK Embassy in the Philippines is concerned about unilateral actions that raise tensions in the South China Sea and threaten the safety of crew members. We reaffirm our support for peace, stability and rules-based order in the South China Sea, as an important international sea lane of communications, and for the freedom of navigation and overflight based on the principles of international law, including UNCLOS,” the Embassy said in a statement. It could be noted that in the past, Seoul was ambivalent on their position in the SCS, except to say they are concerned about the freedom of navigation and blanket appeal for all claimants to exercise self-restraint. But after the Camp David trilateral summit with US and Japan, the Korean position became clearer, calling out China’s “dangerous and aggressive behavior.” The Japanese Embassy in Manila also elaborated their Ambassador’s position, expressing “serious concern for actions, which increase regional tensions including

a dangerous action collision between Chinese and Filipino ships on October 22nd.” “Japan believes that the issue concerning the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability of the region and is a legitimate concern of the international community, including Japan, and thus Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea,” the Embassy said in a statement. It echoed the Philippines’ “long-standing” protest against China’s “unlawful maritime claims, militarization, coercive activities and threat or use of force in the South China Sea.” “Japan highly appreciates the Government of the Philippines for having consistently complied with the Arbitral Tribunal’s award,” it added. The Embassy said Japan has “consistently advocated upholding the rule of law at sea and re-emphasizes the importance of efforts toward a peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law.”

‘Alarming’ trend EARLIER, National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said China’s continuing efforts to impede and harass Filipino supply boats and their escorts on going about their lawful mandate in the WPS is increasing tensions in the area. “The provocative actions are on the part of China. It is not the Philippines that is increasing tension, it is China that is increasing tension in the WPS especially by interfering and blocking our legitimate resupply mission,” he stressed. Malaya also described the collision that damaged the PCG vessel, PCG Cabra (MRRV4409) and supply boat, Unaiza May 2 as “alarming.” See related story on A5.

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Economy

DOF pushes tweaks in CREATE law to further boost foreign investments By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

HE Department of Finance (DOF) on Wednesday said amending the CREATE Act is necessary in boosting the country’s foreign investments amid concerns raised by prospective investors regarding the landmark measure. “The proposed amendments to the CREATE Act will enhance the incentives, clarify the rules and policies on the grant and administration of incentives to qualified enterprises, and address issues affecting the country’s investment climate,” Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said in a statement. Th e D O F e x p l a i n e d t h at o n e o f

the major reforms of the proposed CREATE to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy or CREATE MORE bill is the streamlining of the state’s tax refund system for registered business enterprises (REBs). Part of this is the institutionalization of risk-based classification of claims and audit framework. “This is to improve the timeliness, efficiency, and predictability of the VAT refund process,” the DOF said. The DOF added the amendments also seek to expand the “enhanced” deduction regime “to improve the country’s presence and market share in the foreign market.” “This increases the deduction for power expenses from 150 percent to 200 percent,

and 200 percent deduction on expenses relating to approved trade fairs, exhibitions, and missions,” it said. The CREATE MORE bill would have an explicit provision that would exempt transitory RBEs under the 5 percent gross income earned (GIE) regime from all national and local taxes, including VAT and duty incentives, according to the DOF.

Applications approved

THE DOF said the Cabinet-level Fiscal Incentives Review Board approved a total of 45 “bigticket” tax incentive applications with a total investment capital of P721.29 billion. Under the CREATE Act, the FIRB is mandated to oversee the grant and administration of incentives of investment

AFP, AFPSLAI break ground for modular transient facility

N line with ongoing efforts to provide decent housing for its personnel, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Armed Forces and Police Savings and Loans Association Inc. (AFPSLAI) broke ground a modular transient facility in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and

AFPSLAI CEO and president, retired Vice Admiral Gaudencio Collado Jr. spearheaded the groundbreaking ceremony and the signing of a memorandum of agreement for the modular transient facility project. The project, consisting of one cluster of living spaces, is part of AFPSLAI’s corporate social responsibility program

and seeks to provide quality temporary accommodation to AFP personnel visiting AFP headquarters. Brawner thanked AFPSLAI for answering the need for additional quarters and overall welfare of AFP personnel. He also credited former AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino for advocating the project.

promotion agencies (IPAs). “The approved investment projects are expected to create 31,421 job opportunities, primarily in capital-intensive industries, such as information and telecommunications infrastructure, transportation, manufacturing, and real estate projects,” the DOF said. Meanwhile, the IPAs have approved about 752 projects, as of July, with an investment capital of P175.67 billion and estimated 49,170 committed jobs, the DOF added. In total, the DOF said the number of projects approved under the CREATE Act has reached 797 with a total investment capital of P896.95 billion, which is expected to generate 80,591 jobs. Last week, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda disclosed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wanted to reduce the powers of the FIRB and restore the mandate of IPAs to grant incentives as part of the amendments to the CREATE Act. (Related story: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2023/10/18/slashing-firb-powersboosting-ipas-eyed/) “I am very thankful to the leadership of AFPSLAI and recognize the effort of former CSAFP [Chief of Staff AFP] Gen. Andres Centino, who pushed for this project. He is a staunch believer in the duty of the AFP to provide quality housing for our personnel,” Brawner said. He also hailed AFPSLAI for its efforts towards continuous improvement of the living conditions of military personnel. Rex Anthony Naval

DOLE, CHR accord seeks to uphold workers’ rights

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) recently signed a memorandum of agreement that will initiate investigations into reported violations of workers’ freedom of association and right to organize. This will empower DOLE and CHR to cooperate on case referrals, investigations, and monitoring; witness protection and psychosocial support; labor education

and human rights promotion; and policy development. The par tnership is impor tant in addressing the labor issues raised during the International Labor Organization (ILO) High-Level Tripartite Mission (HLTM) visit earlier in January, said Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma. “This collaboration underscores the need for our sustained partnership, ensuring that the principles of both labor and human rights

are consistently upheld in every initiative and policy we undertake,” said Laguesma. In addition, the partnership is a way of respecting ILO’s Convention 87 and 98, the Labor chief added. ILO’s Convention 87 pertains to workers’ right to freedom of association and right to organize. Meanwhile, Convention 98 is the right for collective bargaining. “This mission emphasized the urgent need to fully implement ILO Convention 87 on

Freedom of Association to safeguard the lives and well-being of trade unionists,” said Allan Montaño, Federation of Freedom Workers (FFW) president emeritus and international secretary. “The CHR’s involvement in providing compensation to worker victims of injustices and their families, especially in cases where justice has been delayed due to a lack of witnesses, is paramount,” he added. Patrick V. Miguel

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

DENR’s ‘Handog Titulo’ grants land titles to 2K beneficiaries, including 88 in Metro

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced Wednesday it has recently granted land ownership to 88 program beneficiaries of a land transfer program in Metro Manila, as part of the 122nd Founding Anniversary celebration of the agency’s Land Management Bureau (LMB). This brings to 2,120 the total number of land ownership beneficiaries of the program being implemented by the DENR through the LMB. DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga led the awarding of land ownership conducted in coordination with the DENR-National Capital Region (NCR) office for Metro Manila. In her keynote address, Yulo-Loyzaga emphasized the intrinsic value of land and its pivotal role in enhancing the lives of Filipinos, thereby reaffirming DENR’s proactive commitment to safeguard, restore, and sustainably manage the country’s land resources for both current and future generations. “It is my honor to hand out these titles to the awardees over lots disposed of under Proclamation No. 172 located in several barangays in Taguig City, as well as other cities in NCR. This significant endeavor is a vital part of our journey toward a more equitable and sustainable future,” Yulo-Loyzaga said. The “Handog Titulo” program is a continuing program designed to expedite the processing of public land patent applications and their issuance to eligible applicants nationwide. The program aims to increase the distribution of land titles to combat poverty and stimulate growth and development. In compliance with DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2019-04, the DENR celebrates Handog Titulo Month every September, granting land titles to beneficiaries nationwide. In a news statement, the LMB said it has issued 58 deeds of sale to beneficiaries from barangays Central Signal Village, North Signal Village, South Signal Village, Upper Bicutan, Central Bicutan, Lower Bicutan, New Lower Bicutan, and Western Bicutan in Taguig City by Proclamation No. 172, series of 1987, which mandates the distribution of residential lots

to qualified residents through sale in specific Taguig City barangays. The DENR-NCR also recognized 25 recipients of residential free patents covering lands in Ibayo-Tipas, Taguig City; Caniogan, Pasig City, Pembo, Makati; North Bay Boulevard North, Navotas City; Sta. Ana in the municipality of Pateros; and five beneficiaries of Insular Government Property Sales (IGPS) in Escopa I, Quezon City. Apart from the National Capital Region, the DENR—through the LMB and the department’s Regional Offices previously awarded 1,578 beneficiaries of the Handog Titulo program last month from other parts of the country. Recipients are from the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Mimaropa, Bicol, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and the Caraga Regions. The Residential Free Patent Act, or Republic Act 10023, empowers the administrative issuance of free patents for residential lands to eligible Filipinos without land titles. IGPS, on the other hand, involves the allocation of lands in the government’s name for residential or agricultural purposes. Loyzaga pledged that the DENR will persist in working to protect the welfare of Filipinos through effective land management, aiming to strike a delicate balance among competing interests in land use, ensuring economic viability, social equity, and environmental sustainability in decision-making. “For us at the DENR, that means the management of our land actually impacts the management of our air, the atmosphere, as well as our oceans. We cannot separate these three domains,” she pointed out. LMB Director Emelyne Talabis, for her part, affirmed her agency’s commitment to modernizing and digitalizing land services, completing the digital cadastral database, formulating policies to enhance efficiency, capturing data of all land records, updating the Manual on Land Survey Regulations, and studying amendments to Commonwealth Act No. 141, also known as the Public Land Act. Jonathan L. Mayuga

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

News BusinessMirror

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Gibo: PHL open to WPS talks, but China’s stance, conduct may spoil such possibility

By Rex Anthony Naval

HILE the Philippines is open to talks to address the issues in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the lack of transparency within the Chinese government and its overextending claims that encroach into the country’s maritime territories is making the holding of such a dialogue difficult for now. And with the recent sacking of China’s defense and foreign ministers, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., in a broadcast interview Wednesday, said it is now more difficult to determine China’s internal and external agenda. Teodoro also said the removal of two key government officials made it more impossible for the Philippines to determine on what China really wants. “We are not against diplomatic talks but this should be open, transparent and not just ‘silent whispers,’”

Teodoro stressed in Filipino. And when asked if there a need for the present Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines to be replaced in response to Chinese series of aggressive actions in the WPS that now include collision incidents that damaged two Filipino ships last October 22, the defense chief said possible changes are unlikely as a new Chinese envoy will still adhere to the stance of their government. “I will have to defer to [the Department of Foreign Affairs] Secretary [Enrique] Manalo in that question because my jurisdiction is

limited to the defense aspect but whatever ambassador perhaps they [China] send here will sing the same tune if Beijing doesn’t change its mindset,” Teodoro added. A lso, China’s overreaching claims in the South China Sea (SCS) that has so far extended to the country’s territories in the WPS is against international law. “You know that is why the gover nment u nder President [Ferd inand R . Marcos Jr.] is taking this seriously because this is an affront to our territorial integrity and it’s a ridiculous assertion of international law or a revision of international law to suit their expansionist end,”

Teodoro pointed out. Also, the DND chief scored China for “planting disinformation within the country” as part its efforts to weaken the political will and unity of the country. In this regard, Teodoro said all Filipinos need to unite to counter this Chinese misinformation. And despite the Philippines’ tougher stance in the WPS, Teodoro clarified that the Philippines is not inciting any conflict with China and added it is only protecting its territories as mandated by the Philippine Constitution. Meanwhile, the DND chief said the country should see to it that the case it would be filing against China

following the October 22 collision incidents in the WPS must be well researched and strong enough to stand against all scrutiny. Teodoro made this comment in a separate broadcast interview when asked on where the government plans to file its complaint regarding the accident caused by aggressively maneuvering Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels, which hit and damaged two Filipino ships on a resupply mission for troops manning the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. In its defense, China accused the Philippines of trespassing into its waters on what it calls Nansha Islands and Renai Reef and said this prompted its Coast Guard to intercept the Filipino ships, resulting in the mishap. The DND chief added that the Philippines could no longer file a case with the International Criminal Court (ICC) as the country has already withdrawn its membership there. Teodoro added that remaining legal forums are being studied by the Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General. “If China refuses to face us there, they will be again embarrassing themselves as they are again ignoring another chance to prove their claims in front of the whole

world and in an impartial manner,” Teodoro said. Teodoro also said worldwide attention on its recent bullying in the WPS should make China think twice before making more hostile moves in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. He added many countries have already condemned China’s recent actions in the area. And while China is unlikely to do this, Teodoro stressed that it is the right of the government to defend the Philippine sovereignty and territorial jurisdiction as per the Constitution. The DND chief also reiterated his call to the public to support the Marcos administration in fulfilling its constitutional duty to defend the Philippines’ territory. Teodoro likewise thanked the local Filipino-Chinese community that approached him to express support for the Philippines against China’s illegal actions in the WPS. “ They promised to issue a statement supporting the Philippine government’s position because ‘Tsinoys’ are Filipinos and they are against what China did. The Philippines is their country. I hope Filipinos, whether Tausug, Ivatan, or any group will unite to protest China’s illegal actions,” he said.

Ombudsman EU to finance P3.6-B projects of PHL to cut emissions files raps vs Garin, others, over vax fiasco By Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

THE Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft and technical malversation charges against former Department of Health (DOH) secretary now Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin over the controversial school-based dengue vaccination program that was implemented during the Aquino administration. In response to the charges, Garin, in a statement, emphasized the inherent risks and challenges faced by medical professionals and vaccinologists when advocating for vaccine development. “ We see t h i s c a se a s a n opportunity to finally put an end to the longstanding issue that apparently continues to haunt us. As we maintain our clear conscience and readiness to face the issues that confront us, we are confident that our sound exercise of discretion, which is backed by hard science, will disprove the allegations in the complaint filed by Atty. Glenn Chiong,” she said. Garin’s co-accused include DOH supply chain management director Joyce Ducusin, former undersecretaries Gerardo Bayugo and Kenneth Hartigan-Go, as well as Philippine Children’s Medical Center Executive Director Julius Lecciones. According to a CNN Philippines report, the Ombudsman’s findings showed that these individuals were involved in the restructuring of the department’s financial allocations intended for the procurement and distribution of Dengvaxia vaccines to public school students. In 2016, t he gover nment allocated P3.5 billion for the acquisition of dengue vaccines from the prominent pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur as part of the health department’s extended immunization initiative. As they navigate through this challenging chapter, Garin said they would continue to place their trust in the principles of justice and the legal system. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

THE European Union will finance a number of environmental projects to help the Philippines achieve its ambitious target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent by 2030. Philippine Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen signed the Financing Agreement for the Green Economy Programme in Brussels on Monday. The EU financing will cost €60 million (P3.6 billion) in the form of grants.

According to the European Commission, the EU graint aims to finance Philippine projects that are “embracing the circular economy” such as reducing waste and plastic usage, ensuring water supply and wastewater treatment, promoting energy efficiency and deploying renewable energy. “To achieve this, the EU will collaborate with the national government, local government units, and the private sector to promote green investments, bonds, and skills, focusing on greener supply chains and production processes,” the EC’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships said in a statement.

Diokno thanked the EU for its “generosity and staunch support” for the Philippine climate change projects. “The financing support from the EU will help the country in fulfilling its Nationally Determined Contribution commitment to reduce and avoid greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent by 2030,” Diokno said. The Philippines and EU had earlier agreed to work together to help the Philippines transition to circular economy. During the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Manila early this year, the Team Europe Initiative on Green Economy was born.

Team Europe committed to contribute €466 million for this initiative. The recently signed financing agreement will form part of the EU’s contribution to the Team Europe Initiative. “The Team Europe Initiative on Green Economy is a testament to the power of cooperation in addressing today’s pressing challenges. With a significant contribution of €60 million through the Green Economy Programme, we are helping to build a circular economy, promoting sustainable practices, and supporting climate change mitigation,” EC Commissioner Urpilainen said.

Implementers of the Green Economy Programme will include the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Expertise France, bringing their considerable expertise to the initiative. Spain, Finland, Germany, and France have also made financial contributions to the Team Europe Initiative, further cementing the EU’s commitment to fostering a sustainable green economy in the Philippines. Other European Member States, including Austria, Netherlands, and Sweden, will contribute their expertise to ensure the success of this initiative.

Pinoy mental health expert named chief nurse of UK’s hospital trust A FILIPINO nurse has been appointed chief nurse of a leading hospital trust in the UK. Oliver Soriano is the first Filipino to be appointed as an executive nurse director in the UK’s National Health Service, the public health service of the UK. Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust announced the appointment of Soriano as their new chief nurse and quality officer Tuesday. The Foundation Trust is a major health-care ser v ices prov ider servicing over 350,000 people in Preston City and northwest England. It runs two major hospitals

and medical education for doctors and nurses. “Oliver demonstrated strong skills and knowledge and great ambition for our nursing and allied health professions portfolio for the future. His deep nursing ethos, values and caring nature shone through. We are sure he will be a huge asset to our executive team and the Trust Board,” the Trust said in its statement. A mental health advocate, Soriano is a Registered Mental Health Nurse as well as a Registered General Nurse. He has held “impressive portfolio of experience” which includes work across acute and mental health, emergency departments

and specialist divisions. He also held leadership positions in the Foundation Trust such as Director of Nursing and Quality for the Bay and the Fylde Network. “It is such an honor to have been chosen to lead our amazing nurses and allied health professionals. I am very much looking forward to my new role and to joining the Board,” Soriano said. Soriano is also the president of the Philippine Nurses AssociationUK (PNA-UK) chapter. The PNA-UK is “ecstatic” upon hearing the news. “The whole Filipino health care community in the UK is very proud

of you and thanks you for continuing to inspire, guide and pave the way for all of us! Not just Nurses from The Philippines but for all internationally educated health care workers,” the PNA said in its Facebook Reels. There are 40,000 Filipinos working in the NHS. British Ambassador to Manila Laure Beaufils said the Embassy is “super proud ” of Soriano’s appointment. “I’m delighted such an amazing leader will be Chief Nurse at the Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. Super proud kami . You completely deserve this,” Beaufils posted on Twitter. Dame Ruth May, chief nursing

officer of the NHS England, also congratulated Soriano. “I am sure Oliver will bring a wealth of experience to LSCft. I know he has a deep passion and respect for the profession worldwide and his patient facing values will be a credit to those who need his care,” May said. Soriano was one of the senior level British-Filipino nurses from National Health Service UK who met with King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla last February at a Reception in Buckingham Palace. Other nurses who were invited were May Parsons, Dennis Singson, Louie Horne, and Jen Rubino. Malou Talosig-Bartolome

DOJ to study Makabayan bloc’s call to allow ICC to investigate ex-President Duterte’s war on drugs SECRETARY Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday said the Department of Justice (DOJ) will study the call of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives for the government to support the International Criminal Court ‘s (ICC) investigation into alleged crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. At a news briefing, Remulla said the DOJ would look into the basis on call of the Makabayan bloc in coming up with House Resolution 1393, urging the government to cooperate with the ICC in light of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s alleged admission that he used intelligence funds to conduct extrajudicial killings (EJK) on his constituents in Davao City.

He added that the DOJ would review existing jurisprudence issued by the Supreme Court (SC) in connection with the ICC’s jurisdiction over the Philippines, which has withdrawn its membership from ICC in 2019. Remulla was referring to the SC’s decision issued in 2021 that dismissed for being moot and academic the petitions to declare as null and void Duterte’s unilateral decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the ICC. The decision, penned by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, held that the President, as primary architect of foreign policy, is subject to the Constitution and existing statute. Thus, the Court said that “the power of the President to withdraw unilaterally can be

limited by the conditions for concurrence by the Senate or when there is an existing law which authorizes the negotiation of a treaty or international agreement or when there is a statute that implements an existing treaty.” The Court ruling also stated that under Article 127 (2) of the Rome Statute, “withdrawing from the Rome Statute does not discharge a state party from obligations it has incurred as a member.” “We need to review the records of Congress… we need to ask for the transmittal from Congress of their deliberations and debates that led to the filing of the resolution,” said Remulla. Remulla added that existing laws should also be studied, including the Court’s 2021 decision. “We need to study our existing laws and

the Court’s latest decree or jurisprudence on the matter. If it was just an obiter dictum (something said in passing and not officially part of the ruling) or already a precedent,” Remulla said. When asked if the DOJ has changed its stance on the ICC’s jurisdiction over Duterte, Remulla said it has not abandoned its previous position but stressed the need to carefully review relevant internal laws, constitutional provisions and existing laws. On the possibility that the DOJ will change its stand against the ICC probe in the future, Remulla replied, “We cannot totally say that there is no chance because our laws are subject to amendments.”

In his previous statements, Remulla strongly opposed the ICC’s intervention in the investigation being conducted by concerned agencies on alleged EJKs committed during anti-illegal drug operations. Remulla said the ICC would not get any cooperation from Philippine authorities in serving warrants to personalities who are subject of its investigation. He also pointed out that the ICC has lost jurisdiction over the country after its withdrawal as a member in 2019. On the other hand, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra maintained his position that the ICC has lost its jurisdiction over the country. Joel R. San Juan

BusinessMirror

Thursday, October 26, 2023

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

21TH CONSTRUCTION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Ground Floor, No.28 Lot 12 Blk 94, R. Papa Ave. Cor. P. Garcia St. Phase 6, Afpovai, Western Bicutan, City Of Taguig

AUGUST 99, INC. Unit 10-b Six/neo Building, 5th Avenue Corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Basic Qualification: A minimum of 5 years of experience in project consultancy. Extensive industry knowledge. Advanced proficiency in project management software.

14.

Basic Qualification: Experience in North America and Europe as Web Designer.

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

B&M GLOBAL SERVICES MANILA, INC. (B&M SUPPORT CENTRE) 8th Floor Bgc Corporate Center, 11th Ave. Cor. 30th St. Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

WANG, CHUANG Project Consultant 1.

Brief Job Description: Project consultants contribute their operational, strategic, or technical expertise to projects, and also monitor the progress of each project stage and facilitate necessary interventions.

Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

15.

Brief Job Description: Lead project delivery, client conversation and manage stakeholders on the project both internal and external.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Japanese and English languages. At least JLPT N2 passer.

WEI, WEI Chinese Visa Consultant 16.

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

WANG, BING Mandarin Speaking IT Specialist 4.

Brief Job Description: Review diagnostics and assess the functionality and efficiency of systems.

LAI, YI-SIAN Mandarin Speaking Marketing Manager 5.

Brief Job Description: Researching and reporting on external opportunities and managing all marketing for the company and activities within the marketing department.

CHEW JIN XIAN Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist 6.

Brief Job Description: Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for all business functions.

Basic Qualification: Good verbal and written communication skills in Mandarin. At least 6 months related experience in this field.

Brief Job Description: Ensure that distribution, volume, merchandising and accounts receivable targets are met on a regular basis.

18.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. XIAO, JIAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. YU, XIANG Chinese Customer Service Representative

10.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. ZENG, WEIJIN Chinese Customer Service Representative

11.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. ZHOU, GONGZHENG Chinese Customer Service Representative

12.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. HO THI THUY HANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

13.

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

Brief Job Description: Supervises consultants who are responsible for coordinating travel needs for the foreigner clients. Provides guidance and assistance on complex and/ or large travel requests. Evaluates travel vendors and provides performance results or ratings to management.

LIANG, XING Finance Analysis Manager

19.

Brief Job Description: Support to provide quality financial and business data to effectively support budget process; prepare budget files and supporting to ensure timely loading to CRM system; prepare forecast file and ensure timely submit to SEA; actual VAR analysis: understand bookings and support in VAR analysis through collaboration with accounting team.

LIU, JINGZHOU Mandarin Marketing Specialist 20.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the proper execution of all pre-to-post sales activities necessary to render services.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 TANG, BEI Mandarin Marketing Specialist 21.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the proper execution of all pre-to-post sales activities necessary to render services.

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 and Vietnamese languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Resolves product or service BT clarifying the customer’s complaint.

LEE CHIA SHENG Bi-lingual Speaking Customer Service Officer 24.

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 6 months to 1-year work experience as Visa Consultant. Fluent in Mandarin and English languages.

Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff. languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese.

Brief Job Description: Resolves product or service BT clarifying the customer’s complaint.

TRAN QUOC CUONG Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer 25.

Brief Job Description: Resolves product or service BT clarifying the customer’s complaint.

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 6 months to 1-year work experience as Visa Consultant. Fluent in Mandarin and English languages.

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES, INC. 2nd, 3rd, And 4th Floors, Science Hub Tower 4 Bldg., Mckinley Hill Cyberpark, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 2 years work experience as a consultant in a traditional travel/ visa agency, and with a strong background in handling visa flights, hotels, packages, and tours. Proven experience in a supervisory or team lead role, managing a team of travel consultants.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor in accounting and finance; good business acumen; 5 plus years’ experience in accounting with different sub-ledgers, with GL/costing preferred and operational knowledge. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SAMUTHIRARAJ, SUMIN Associate - Projects 26.

Brief Job Description: Collaborates with project stakeholders to identify product and technical requirements; involve in analyzing business specifications, testing requirements and developing test plains, test scenarios and traceability matrix. Test impact matrix.

RAMASUBBU, SARAVANAN Product Consultant - Technical 27.

Brief Job Description: Analysis on functional requirements and develop and maintain reports by evaluating client needs and analyzing requirements developing software systems.

Basic Qualification: Must have excellent design skills. Exceptional skills in the use of Adobe Photoshop. Knowledgeable in Adobe Illustrator. Must be reliable, proactive, resourceful, and able to take initiative with good verbal communication skills, specifically English speaking.

Basic Qualification: Must have an experience in business development, marketing and sales and must be experienced in preparation of proposals and pre-qualification documents, contract negotiations, commercial budget understanding, etc. with good verbal communication skills, specifically English speaking.

KIM, JOONGIL Operations Manager 28.

Brief Job Description: Long-term planning to create initiatives that further the company’s overall goods. Assessing and analyzing departmental budgets to find to minimize expenses and optimize profits.

29.

Brief Job Description: Operates an airbus aircraft for commercial flight.

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

Brief Job Description: Develop and describe standards & working methods. Ensure all compliance with all applicable requirements & specifications imposed by regulatory bodies and the customers.

LEE, GEUN KYU Administrative Manager 30.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With previous work experience in a similar field. With proper understanding of policy, planning and strategy of the company. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: Creative within your field, accurate, disciplined, and efficient, and capable of working in a multidisciplinary team. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Prepare standard reports track workload, response time and quality of input.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in both Korean and English languages. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

DGM BUSINESS CONSULTANCY INC. Rm 210 2nd Floor Manila Times Building, 409 A. Soriano Ave., Barangay 654, Intramuros, City Of Manila CHEN, HONG-XUAN Assistant Supervisor 31.

Brief Job Description: Collaborating with management and staff to understand company needs and maintain new business opportunities.

Brief Job Description: Collaborating with management and staff to understand company needs and maintain new business opportunities. LI, HAN Operation Supervisor

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science. 17 years of work experience in client specific and business needs.

DAESANG PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit 3203a East Tower Tektite Tower, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

32. Basic Qualification: Licensed pilot.

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

CSCEC STRAIT CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD (PHILIPPINES BRANCH OFFICE) 19f Greenfield Tower, 1117 Soler St. Corner Alvarado St., Binondo, Barangay 294, Binondo, City Of Manila

HRYNCHYSHYN, VOLODYMYR Assistant Supervisor

SITHAR THAMEEMANSARI, AMEER HAMZA Airbus Pilot

Basic Qualification: Have good knowledge of Myhumana and Onhand mobile application which deals with claim payment and management, virtual consultation, and medicine tracker.

CONGRATS 2U INC. Level 6, Ayala Triangle Gardens, Tower 2 Paseo De Roxas Cor. Makati Ave, Bel-air, City Of Makati

WANG, JIANPENG Mandarin Structural Maintenance Analyst

CEBU AIR, INC. Cebu Pacific Bldg., Domestic Rd, Barangay 191, Pasay City

22.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

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

Basic Qualification: Written and spoken proficiency in the German language.

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

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

23.

BOURAU ETHNIC CULTURE MARKETING INC. 9/f V. Corporate Centre, 125 L.p Leviste St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

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

LAI HUE DUNG Bi-lingual Speaking Customer Service Officer

BIPO SERVICE PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 1002-1004, 10th Floor, The Mega Tower Edsa Corner Doña Julia Vargas Ave., Highway Hills, City Of Mandaluyong

ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f To 10/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D., Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street, Tambo, City Of Parañaque WANG, JIADONG Chinese Customer Service Representative

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Chinese-Mandarin language. Can develop strong positive relationships with executives and management contacts.

Brief Job Description: Provides written documents and verbal presentations for each Chinese/Taiwanese client to guide the creation of new sales plans and strategies for their respective visa.

LEVEN, NILS ERIK Travel Consultant Supervisor

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

AM-PRO IMPORTS MARKETING CORP. 16e Residenza Suites, 429 Shaw Boulevard, Pleasant Hills, City Of Mandaluyong

CHEN, XIAODI Key Accounts Specialist Consultant

17.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Good verbal and written communication skills in Mandarin. At least 6 months related experience in this field.

Brief Job Description: Provides written documents and verbal presentations for each Chinese/Taiwanese client to guide the creation of new sales plans and strategies for their respective visa.

ZHOU, YIWANG Chinese Visa Consultant

ACSTREAM MANAGEMENT INC. 9/f Sterling Centre, 131 Dela Rosa Cor. Ormaza Sts., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: Good verbal and written communication skills in Mandarin. At least 6 months related experience in this field.

Brief Job Description: Supervision of document support and billing/ controlling.

No.

BEAUTIFUL PHILIPPINE TRAVEL AND CONSULTANCY SERVICES, INC. Unit Ug-50 Cityland Dela Rosa Condo., Dela Rosa St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

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

PAL, SUPRAVAT Management Consultant

Brief Job Description: Creates and lays out visual aesthetics of a website.

WIEGANDT, PATRICK Supervisor, German Offshore Team

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

SAKAI, SPENCER Web Designer

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Collaborating with management and staff to understand company needs and maintain new business opportunities.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Excellent communication skills verbal or written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Excellent communication skills verbal or written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Excellent communication skills verbal or written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LI, YANCHUN Operation Supervisor

34.

Brief Job Description: Collaborating with management and staff to understand company needs and maintain new business opportunities. HE, XUEYU Resource Planning Manager

35.

Brief Job Description: Collaborating with management and staff to understand company needs and maintain new business opportunities. XU, AOLEI Resource Planning Manager

36.

Brief Job Description: Collaborating with management and staff to understand company needs and maintain new business opportunities. RAWAT, JASWANTSINGH SHERSINGH Sales Consultant

37.

Brief Job Description: Collaborating with management and staff to understand company needs and maintain new business opportunities.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Excellent communication skills verbal or written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

38.

Brief Job Description: Ensure high performance and efficiency of mobile applications.

46.

47.

48.

49.

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in written and spoken Russian language and know how to evaluate application performance and identify areas for improvement.

39.

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services, and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

50.

ASHRAM, ALMOG Hebrew Human Resource Analyst 40.

Brief Job Description: Contribute to system decision making, scoping, and arranging HR system projects in support to the overall HR strategy.

Basic Qualification: A bachelor’s degree in human resources or business administration, and a minimum of two years of experience in a similar role experience using human resource management systems (HRIS), Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

JOSIPOVITZ, AYAL Hebrew Research And Development Executive 41.

Brief Job Description: Research market trends in technology applications to improve productivity and innovation.

POTASHNIKOV, LIOR JONATAN Hebrew Research And Development Executive 42.

Brief Job Description: Research market trends in technology applications to improve productivity and innovation.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Finance, Business Administration or similar; and a Master’s degree in a relevant field will be advantageous. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Finance, Business Administration or similar; and a Master’s degree in a relevant field will be advantageous.

51.

CHEN, MOCHOU Mandarin Admin Support 43.

Brief Job Description: Mandarin Admin Support performs administrative and office support for activities for multiple supervisors. Duties may include fielding telephone calls, receiving and directing visitors, word processing, crating spreadsheets and presentations, and filling.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Taiwanese languages. Must work well under pressure and excellent sense of priorities. At least 1-year experience related to the position applying for.

Brief Job Description: To deal with all sales inquiries from initial contact to full delivery of the service and after sales customer care.

WASMUTH, PAUL MICHAEL Senior Sales Director 52.

44.

Brief Job Description: Sells products and/or services and develops new account relationships. Solicits and maintains network of prospects. Initiates contact with prospective customers to sell targeted FIS products and/or services.

LIU, YUN-TING Chinese Customer Service Representative 53.

Brief Job Description: Maintains financial accounts by processing customer adjustments. SHI, RUI Chinese Customer Service Representative

54.

Brief Job Description: Maintains financial accounts by processing customer adjustments. HO PHAN DIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

55.

XU, JINGJI Mandarin Business Consultant 45.

Brief Job Description: A consultant may specialize in a specific area, such as information technologies, human resources, or marketing, or may offer general services in all areas of business.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Taiwanese languages. Must work well.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Taiwanese languages. Must work well.

62.

63.

64.

Basic Qualification: Strong experience in Sales. Strong Software Sales experience. Experience selling Capital market solutions. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Brief Job Description: Maintains financial accounts by processing customer adjustments.

Basic Qualification: With relative work experience.

65.

66.

JIANG, XUELIAN Chinese Customer Service Representative 56.

67.

68.

57.

LI, ZHEXIONG Chinese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amount of incoming phone calls.

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

58.

Brief Job Description: Create and manage product in conjunction with marketing strategies.

69.

RICCAN PARLINDUNGAN Indonesian Account Specialist 59.

70.

60.

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

OKTA RAMADANY Indonesian Financial System Manager

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Support/coordinate user testing system solution.

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

ACHMAD FAUZI Indonesian Quality Control 61.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amount of calls, and handle customer concerns.

71.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amount of calls, and handle customer concerns. JEREMIAH JONATHAN HUTAJULU Indonesian Retention Specialist

72.

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Korea through blogs, micro blogs and forums. KARTIKA APRILIA Indonesian Retention Specialist

73.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate digital strategies into product deliverables. KIKI KURNIAWAN Indonesian Retention Specialist

74.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate digital strategies into product deliverables. LIEO HANJANI Indonesian Retention Specialist

75.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross functional teams to translate digital strategies. LIMEI Indonesian Retention Specialist

76.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross functional teams to translate digital strategies. MUHAMAD TAUFAN RAMADHAN Indonesian Retention Specialist

77.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate digital strategies into product deliverables. MUHAMMAD AKBAR SANTOSO GINTING Indonesian Retention Specialist

78.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross functional teams to translate digital strategies. RIO HADI NATA Indonesian Retention Specialist

79.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate digital strategies into product deliverables. SANDY TANORA Indonesian Retention Specialist

80.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross functional teams to translate digital strategies. DIKI SANDIAWAN Indonesian Trainer

81.

Brief Job Description: Provide necessary training, coaching and mentoring to employees. FERRY ANDY YANTO Indonesian Trainer

82.

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate digital strategies into product deliverables. JENIFEN Indonesian Retention Specialist

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

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

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate digital strategies into product deliverables. IRFAN Indonesian Retention Specialist

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross functional teams to translate digital strategies. DHIYAA IMTIYAAZ Indonesian Retention Specialist

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate digital strategies into product deliverables. BUDI SATRIA Indonesian Retention Specialist

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

Brief Job Description: Manage large amount of calls, and handle customer concerns.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate digital strategies into product deliverables. ALVI DAISAK RAMADHAN Indonesian Retention Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With related work experience.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amount of calls, and handle customer concerns. AGUNG PRASETIA Indonesian Retention Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With relative work experience.

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Korea through blogs, micro blogs and forums. ROY EDWARD TANTU Indonesian Quality Control

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Taiwanese languages. Must work well under pressure and excellent sense of priorities. At least 1-year experience related to the position applying for.

Brief Job Description: Set and force standards for health and safety during works operations. RAMADHANI Indonesian Quality Control

Brief Job Description: Manage large amount of calls, and handle customer concerns. JULIANTO Indonesian Quality Control

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION HAVINA NANDHENI Indonesian Quality Control

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

GIGA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT INC. 2/f Lipam’s Building, 40 Presidents Avenue, B. F. Homes, City Of Parañaque

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

No.

GAO SHOU TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC. 52/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

FIS SG SYSTEMS PHILIPPINES INC. 42/f Philamlife Tower, 8767 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

RAHADIAN ALI AKBAR Indonesian Account Specialist LIU, MEIHONG Mandarin Admin Support

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

FAR EAST BUSINESS CONSULTANCY INC. Unit Ug11 Upper G/f Cityland 10 Tower Ii, 154 H.v. Dela Costa St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Maintains office services by organizing office operations and procedures; preparing payroll; controlling correspondence; designing filing systems; reviewing and approving supply requisitions; assigning and monitoring clerical functions.

XU, HEMING Mandarin Sales Officer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 F COSMETICS & FASHION VENTURES INC. 10c, 10d, 10f, 10g & 10th Floor Icon Plaza, 26th Street Corner 6th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

ZHEN, WEIWEI Mandarin Office Supervisor

EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503, Nueva St., Barangay 289, Binondo, City Of Manila

SUN, SHISHI Marketing And Sales Agent

Brief Job Description: Mandarin Coordinator provides customer service support to the organization by obtaining, analyzing and verifying the accuracy of order information in timely manner

LY VI THONG Mandarin Office Supervisor

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

Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, ideas, and research to help develop marketing strategies. Can help to detail, design, and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered.

Brief Job Description: Mandarin Coordinator provides customer service support to the organization by obtaining, analyzing and verifying the accuracy of order information in timely manner. WANG, BINXIONG Mandarin Coordinator

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Excellent communication skills verbal or written.

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

Brief Job Description: A consultant may specialize in a specific area, such as information technologies, human resources, or marketing, or may offer general services in all areas of business.

TAN, XIN Mandarin Coordinator

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Excellent communication skills verbal or written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ZHANG, CONG Mandarin Business Consultant

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Excellent communication skills verbal or written.

DIGIDO FINANCE CORP. (UNAPAY, AND UNACASH) Unit 3&4 15th Floor & Unit 4&5 16/f Ibp Tower, Jade Drive, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

RUDIAKOV, VLADIMIR Product Owner Mobile Applications

No.

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Brief Job Description: Provide necessary training, coaching, and monitoring to employees. M ARLANGGA Indonesian Trainer

83.

Brief Job Description: Provide necessary training, coaching, and monitoring to employees.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

Thursday, October 26, 2023

A6 A8

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

84.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Supervises the performance of training activities.

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

Brief Job Description: Provide necessary training, coaching, and monitoring to employees. RIZKHI PANGESTU Indonesian Trainer

86.

Brief Job Description: Provide necessary training, coaching, and monitoring to employees. WILBERT KWAN Indonesian Trainer

87.

Brief Job Description: Provide necessary training, coaching, and monitoring to employees. HONG, KYUNG HEE Korean IT Support Specialist

88.

Brief Job Description: Answering employee questions regarding computer system. YUN, JONG MAN Korean IT Support Specialist

89.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

PITER Indonesian Trainer

RIDUAN BOY POSMA MARPAUNG Indonesian Trainer 85.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Brief Job Description: Answering employee questions regarding computer system.

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

90.

Brief Job Description: Manage relationships with clients/learners taking goFLUENT lessons/training. Resolve customer complaints, call clients to follow up on their training progress. Conduct demo calls. BATTULGA, TUVSHINTUGS Customer Service Support - Japanese Speaker

91.

99.

100.

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 101. Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 102.

103.

104.

105.

106.

92.

93.

94.

Brief Job Description: Gain insight into the large enterprise business in the Philippines.

XU, HAO Senior Marketing Specialist For Carrier Fixed Wireless & 5g Network Business Project Brief Job Description: To steer an overall go-to-market management of carrier network solution in Philippines.

ZHENG, YUEMING Senior Solutions Manager For Dito Network Planning Project 2023-2024 Brief Job Description: Understanding the wireless network and provide reliable solution.

107.

108.

109.

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

95.

Brief Job Description: Finance operations play a vital role in ensuring the financial stability.

96.

Brief Job Description: Provide academic support. Organize student activities and events on campus. Develop policies and guidelines around student behavior and staff.

97.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for leading the board and focusing it on strategic matters, overseeing the group’s business and setting high governance standards.

98.

Brief Job Description: Design and implement business targets, plans and procedures. Set comprehensive goals for performance and growth.

LE TRAN NGAN HA Customer Service Representative- Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Deferring to management in instances of uncertainty.

LU VAN CHUYEN HR Specialist Brief Job Description: Assist with recruiting, interviewing and hiring.

LUO CITY SPA CLUB INC. Sm Moa Complex,, By The Bay Bldg., Barangay 76, Pasay City

NGUYEN QUOC VIET HR Specialist Brief Job Description: Assist with recruiting, interviewing and hiring.

DUAN, SHIQUAN Assistant Operations Manager Basic Qualification: Strong understanding of financial principles, concepts, and practices is crucial.

111.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With knowledge in advising and counseling techniques.

112.

113.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate with excellent communication skills, can work with minimal or without supervision and at least 1 year working experience. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate. JLPT N1 passer. Fluent in Japanese and English languages. With at least 5 years of work experience leading a sales or strategy team. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

KNW TECHNOLOGY INC. 103 Equinox Plaza, Sierra Madre, Highway Hills, City Of Mandaluyong

Brief Job Description: Develop productive, profitable and achievement oriented working environment for employee. CHENG, QI Service Manager

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

Brief Job Description: Handling customer complaints or concerns quickly and maintain good customer relationships.

CUI, HONGLIANG Wellness Program Manager Brief Job Description: Providing wellness consultations.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: At least 2 years of experience as an account coordinator.

No.

118.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least 2 years of experience as an account coordinator.

119.

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

114.

115.

116.

117.

DINH MANH TUAN Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service.

HA NGOC QUANG Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service.

HOANG, THI TUYET MAI Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service.

LUONG CHAN KIEN Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION NGUYEN THI NGOC HUYEN Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. NGUYEN TUAN TRUNG Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service. TRUONG MY ANH Customer Service Representative

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese / Mandarin language fluently. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese / Mandarin language fluently. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese / Mandarin language fluently.

Basic Qualification: At least 2 years of experience as an account coordinator.

120.

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

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Barangay 76, Pasay City

Basic Qualification: Excellent in written and verbal communication skills (Vietnamese-English). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

121.

Basic Qualification: Excellent in written and verbal communication skills (Vietnamese-English). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in written and verbal communication skills (Vietnamese-English).

122.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in written and verbal communication skills (Vietnamese-English).

123.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in written and verbal communication skills (Vietnamese-English).

124.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in written and verbal communication skills (Vietnamese-English).

125.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in written and verbal communication skills (Vietnamese-English).

126.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources.

127.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources.

128.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 129. Basic Qualification: Able to speak Mandarin Chinese and English languages. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

130.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak Mandarin Chinese and English languages. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

131.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak Mandarin Chinese and English languages. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese / Mandarin language fluently.

132.

133.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese / Mandarin language fluently.

134.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese / Mandarin language fluently.

135.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese / Mandarin language fluently. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service.

NANG YANDAR SWE Burmese Customer Service Representative

MARKETROLE ASIA PACIFIC SERVICES, INC. 27/f & 28/f The Enterprise Center Tower 1, 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

KEWPIE PHILIPPINES, INC. Unit 1506 15th Floor Ibp Tower, Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

KAJIWARA, YOHEI Chief Operating Officer (COO)

VO HOANG HUY Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

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

KEPCO KPS CARABAO CORP. Unit 15a 15/f Bdo Equitable Tower, 8751 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

PARK, BYOUNGYOUN Chairman Of The Board & CEO

TRAN, VAN TINH Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

110.

INTEGRATIVE CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION INC. (FILIPINO-TURKISH TOLERANCE SCHOOL IN ZAMBOANGA CITY, FOUNTAIN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IN METRO MANILA AND ACADEMIA LANGUAGE AND REVIEW CENTER IN SAN JUAN CITY AND PASIG CITY) 15, Wilson St., Greenhills, City Of San Juan HASAN YILMAZ Student Affairs Coordinator

SU PHON CHINH Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Must have at least 5 years work experience as manager for core network & wireless network planning and implementation.

IKHWAH INTERNATIONAL TRADING INC. #106, Kitanlad St., Tatalon, Quezon City KHAN, AZMAT ALI Finance Operations

NGUYEN TRONG TAN Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Brief Job Description: Deferring to management in instances of uncertainty.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Must have minimum of 5 years work experience in marketing on a senior level specializing in mobile network marketing & 5g network pre-sales management.

NGUYEN HUU TIN Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Brief Job Description: Deferring to management in instances of uncertainty.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES PHILS. INC. 53/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Cor., V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati HU, JINPENG Business Development Specialist For Philippines Enterprise Business-consortium Key Account Dept

NGUYEN HOANG HA NHA HIEN Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Brief Job Description: Deferring to management in instances of uncertainty.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Japanese and English languages.

Basic Qualification: Preferably with work experience as product or sales executive for business development of large enterprises.

Brief Job Description: Preparing, filing, and retrieving sales-related documents.

Brief Job Description: Deferring to management in instances of uncertainty.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Chinese-Mandarin and English languages.

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

DANG KIM PHUONG Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Brief Job Description: Deferring to management in instances of uncertainty.

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

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

Brief Job Description: Preparing, filing, and retrieving sales-related documents.

Brief Job Description: Deferring to management in instances of uncertainty.

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

Brief Job Description: Preparing, filing, and retrieving sales-related documents. KHONG, LINH MAN Account Coordinator

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION BUI MAI QUYEN Account Coordinator

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

GOFLUENT PHILIPPINES, INC. 10/f Ibm Plaza Building, Eastwood City Cyberpark, Bagumbayan, Quezon City ZHANG, XUE Customer Service Support - Chinese Speaker

No.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

136.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. Identifying and assessing customer’ needs to achieve satisfaction. Handle customer complaints, provide appropriate solutions and alternatives within the time limits and make follow-ups to ensure resolution of complaints.

CHAO-NGIW, WALAIPAN Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

DAI, JIEHAO Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

DETCHAIYA, SAHARAT Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

DONG THI THOA Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

DUONG THI SANG Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

HOANG THI HON Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

LE THI KIM NHI Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

LI, HAIXIN Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

LI, MINGXIN Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

LIAO, QIUYONG Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

LIU, SHASHA Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

NGUYEN HUU TUAN Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

TRAN THI LE Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

WANG, LIANYING Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

YU, SHUAI Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

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

Basic Qualification: Finished at least a Secondary Education or College Undergraduate. Preferably with 6-months to 1-year customer or sales experience. Fluent in Burmese language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

137.

138.

139.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ZHANG, JU Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

ZHANG, QIANG Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

ZHU, DONGDONG Call Center Agent Brief Job Description: Customer service.

DOAN CONG CHU Customer Service Representative 140.

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

DUONG HOANG VU Customer Service Representative 141.

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

LE, HAO KIET Customer Service Representative 142.

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

NGUYEN THI THANH Customer Service Representative 143.

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

VU LONG PHONG Customer Service Representative 144.

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

HE, XINLONG Mandarin Customer Service Representative

145.

146.

147.

ZHU, MINGLIANG Mandarin Customer Service Representative

148.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

149.

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

ALDI RIFANDA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 150.

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

ALDIAN UTAMA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 151.

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ALDY STEVEN Indonesian Customer Service Representative

152.

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

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language.

ALING WANG Indonesian Customer Service Representative

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

153.

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English languages.

154.

155.

156.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Finished at least a Secondary Education or College Undergraduate. Preferably with 6-months to 1-year customer or sales experience. Fluent in Mandarin. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Finished at least a Secondary Education or College Undergraduate. Preferably with 6-months to 1-year customer or sales experience. Fluent in Mandarin.

157.

158.

159.

160.

161.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. DENG, XU Chinese Customer Service

164.

165.

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

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

DAI, WUYUAN Chinese Customer Service

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

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

CHEN, WU Chinese Customer Service

163.

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

CAI, HUI Chinese Customer Service

CAI, LIANG Chinese Customer Service

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

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills.

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

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

DING, CHUNLING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HU, QIUBO Chinese Customer Service 166.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handle complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts, and file documents.

HUANG, LIANG Chinese Customer Service 167.

168.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LI, LIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills.

No.

169.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills.

170.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

171.

172.

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

173.

174.

175.

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LIU, ZHIFENG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

MI, SIQI Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

MENG, SHASHA Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LIN, XIALONG Chinese Customer Service

LIU, YUANWEN Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LIN, ZHIYUAN Chinese Customer Service

176.

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION Sky Garage Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th/f Sapphire Seaview Park, Pacific Avenue, Don Galo, City Of Parañaque 1331 Pearl Plaza Bldg., 133 Quirino Ave., Tambo, City Of Parañaque

162.

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

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

YUNI KRESIA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Finished at least a Secondary Education or College Undergraduate. Preferably with 6-months to 1-year customer or sales experience. Fluent in Mandarin.

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years’ bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills.

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

STANLEY Indonesian Customer Service Representative

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

Basic Qualification: Finished at least a Secondary Education or College Undergraduate. Preferably with 6-months to 1-year customer or sales experience. Fluent in Mandarin.

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

MICHEAL Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English languages.

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

KEVIN HENRY TANNER Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English languages.

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

HARTANTO SURYA PANGESTU Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English languages.

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

HANS GIA MARANATHA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English languages.

MPOTECH DIGITAL SYSTEM INC. 2/f 331 Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

ADAM HARIS FIRMANSYAH Indonesian Customer Service Representative

No.

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

NIE, JINGJING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

QI, JIWEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

QIU, JINDANG Chinese Customer Service 177.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Preferably with 1-year experience in the same field.

REN, WEI Chinese Customer Service 178.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Preferably with 1-year experience in the same field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

TONG, GUANGJIAN Chinese Customer Service 179.

Basic Qualification: Preferably with 1-year experience in the same field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

180.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 181.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

WANG, DONGYING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

WANG, QING Chinese Customer Service 182.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handle complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts, and file documents.

WANG, CAISHENG Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Preferably with 1-year experience in the same field.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

WANG, YAN Chinese Customer Service 183.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

WANG, ZHIQIANG Chinese Customer Service 184.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A10 A6 Thursday, October 26, 2023

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION WU, CHUNHUA Chinese Customer Service

185.

186.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

WU, XING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

XIANG, YUANWEN Chinese Customer Service 187.

188.

189.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

XIAO, FANGQUAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

XIE, JIANLAI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

XU, HAO Chinese Customer Service 190.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

XU, ZHAO Chinese Customer Service 191.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

XU, ZHIWEI Chinese Customer Service 192.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

YANG, GUOQING Chinese Customer Service 193.

194.

195.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

YANG, JIAMIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

YIN, XIONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

No.

ZHU, ZHIRONG Chinese Customer Service 201.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

202.

203.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

204.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

ZOU, QILE Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

205.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

DA SILVA PEREIRA, RAFAEL Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

SILVA OYAMA, KAMILLA STEPHANY Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

DARFIN Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

206.

EFFENDY Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

207.

FEBRIN SNOWITA Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

MISAEL MALCHIRAM TIMPOLAS Indonesian Customer Service 208.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

209.

RINA Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

210.

SANTI Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: customer support and data base services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

VIVI SUMANTI Indonesian Customer Service 211.

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

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

No.

217.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

218.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

219.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

220.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Preferably 1-year experience in the same field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

221.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

222.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

223.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

224.

225.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

226.

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

227.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 228.

196.

197.

YOU, YONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

YU, JINBAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

ZENG, WEIMING Chinese Customer Service 198.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

ZHANG, WENJUN Chinese Customer Service 199.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

ZHANG, YA Chinese Customer Service 200.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

212.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

LEI AI WAN Malaysian Customer Service 213.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LEE TECK SIANG Malaysian Customer Service

214.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

PIENG TI LONG Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

TOO JUN WEI Malaysian Customer Service 215.

216.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

AIKE LENG Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

229.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

230.

231.

232.

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

KYAW HEIN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

THIN THIN NWE Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

THIN THIN YU Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

TRINH, THI NGA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

BUI TIEN HOANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

BUI, THI DIEU HOA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

BUI, THI TUYET Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

CHAN LY BINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DAM VAN ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

DINH HONG BICH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DINH, THI NHI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

DO, THI THANH TAM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

DOAN THI NGOC ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DONG, TU LINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DUONG THI HA Vietnamese Customer Service

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

DUONG THI THANH HIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DUONG, TIEN DUNG Vietnamese Customer Service 233.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Preferably 1-year experience in the same field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Preferably 1-year experience in the same field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Preferably 1-year experience in the same field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

234.

235.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION H’, LY MLO Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

HA VAN THAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

HO BACH HUE Vietnamese Customer Service 236.

237.

238.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

HO HOAN THUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HO THI HOAI PHUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HOANG THI THU HIEN Vietnamese Customer Service 239.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handle complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts, and file documents.

HOANG, MINH THAO Vietnamese Customer Service 240.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

HOANG, NGHIA Vietnamese Customer Service 241.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

HOANG, THI KIM MO Vietnamese Customer Service 242.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handle complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts, and file documents.

HUA, VAN MANH Vietnamese Customer Service 243.

244.

245.

246.

247.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

HUYNH CHINH TIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

KOI, THI KIM THO Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LANH VAN ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LE ANH TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

Basic Qualification: Preferably 1-year experience in the same field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LE THI TUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service 251.

248.

249.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LE THI DIEM PHUC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LE THI HONG Vietnamese Customer Service 250.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handle complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts, and file documents.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

Basic Qualification: Preferably 1-year experience in the same field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

252.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

253.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

254.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

255.

256.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

257.

258.

259.

260.

261.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

262.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LE, THI HOA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handle complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts, and file documents.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LE, THI TRANG Vietnamese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LE, THI THUY HIEN Vietnamese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LE VAN NGOC Vietnamese Customer Service

LE, THI LAN Vietnamese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LE, THI HOP Vietnamese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LE, THANH LUC Vietnamese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LE TIEN LAI Vietnamese Customer Service

LE TRUNG DONG Vietnamese Customer Service

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handle complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts, and file documents.

LE, VIET LUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LU XUAN QUY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LUONG, DUY QUANG Vietnamese Customer Service 263.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LUONG, VAN KHANH Vietnamese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 264.

LE MANH HUNG Vietnamese Customer Service

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

265.

LUU HO MAI HUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Thursday, October 26, 2023

A11

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

No.

267.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

268.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

269.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

270.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

271.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

272.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

273.

274.

275.

276.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

277.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

278.

279.

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

280.

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

MAI THIEN HOA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

MAI, CONG THUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

MAI, THI SUONG MAI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGO THI THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

NGUYEN DUC ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN DUY HOAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN MAU THANH Vietnamese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

MAC THI QUY HOI Vietnamese Customer Service

NGUYEN DINH VAN Vietnamese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN DANG HUNG Vietnamese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

MAC PHI HUNG Vietnamese Customer Service

NGO, THI TRANG Vietnamese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

281.

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

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

NGUYEN THI HONG HANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN THI HONG QUYNH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN THI LUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

266.

LY THI LONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

282.

NGUYEN THI THUY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A12 A6 Thursday, October 26, 2023

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION NGUYEN TUAN BAO Vietnamese Customer Service

283.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

NGUYEN VAN TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service 284.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

NGUYEN, ANH NGOC Vietnamese Customer Service 285.

286.

287.

288.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

NGUYEN, CHI CONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN, DUC TINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN, HONG PHI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN, HUY HUNG Vietnamese Customer Service 289.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

NGUYEN, HUY LONG Vietnamese Customer Service 290.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

NGUYEN, NGOC PHUC AN Vietnamese Customer Service 291.

292.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

NGUYEN, QUANG ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN, THI DUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service 293.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

NGUYEN, THI HAI ANH Vietnamese Customer Service 294.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

NGUYEN, THI THIEN Vietnamese Customer Service 295.

296.

297.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

NGUYEN, TRUONG AN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN, VAN THI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN, XUAN QUYNH Vietnamese Customer Service 298.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

No.

NONG HONG THAI Vietnamese Customer Service 299.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

300.

301.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

302.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

303.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

304.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

305.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

306.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

307.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

308.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

309.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

310.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

PHAM DUC TUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

311.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

PHAM THI THANH HOAI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHAM VAN NGHIA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHAN VAN CUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

SAM MENH PHI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

SY SAY KIT Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TANG DANG THI NGOC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

THONG CAI MY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services.

THONG CUN NHOC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TRAN NGOC ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TRAN NGOC TAM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TRAN NGOC TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

TRAN THI THUONG Vietnamese Customer Service 312.

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

313.

314.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

TRAN VAN HIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TRAN VAN HOI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

No.

TRAN, THI DUNG Vietnamese Customer Service 315.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

316.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

317.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

318.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

319.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

320.

321.

322.

323.

324.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

325.

326.

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

327.

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

328.

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

329.

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VAN HUU THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VANG VAN TOAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handle complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts, and file documents.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

VONG CO LIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VONG TAC KHIN Vietnamese Customer Service

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

TRINH TET LAN Vietnamese Customer Service

VONG CHI PHUONG Vietnamese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VI, VAN KIEN Vietnamese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

TRAN, THI THAO Vietnamese Customer Service

VI, THI THAO Vietnamese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good verbal and written communication skills.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

VI THI DON Vietnamese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

VU DUC ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VU MINH HOANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VU THI HUYEN TRANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VU VAN VUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VU, HAI AN Vietnamese Customer Service 330.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native 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 VUONG, THI HANH Vietnamese Customer Service

331.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College Graduate. Preferably 1-year work experience in the same field. Speaks and writes native language.

No.

347.

332.

Brief Job Description: Serves customers by providing product and service information and resolving product and service problems.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, at least 1-year work experience, and good communication skills.

333.

Brief Job Description: Serves customers by providing product and service information and resolving product and service problems.

LIN, YUANYUAN Customer Service Representative 334.

Brief Job Description: Serves customers by providing product and service information and resolving product and service problems.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, at least 1-year work experience, and good communication skills.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, at least 1-year work experience, and good communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

335.

336.

337.

338.

339.

340.

341.

MAO, PUHAO Mandarin Customer Service Brief Job Description: Maintains customer records by updating account info.

LI, YUANZHANG Mandarin Marketing Specialist Brief Job Description: Organize promotions and events for company clients.

HE, CHEN Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

HE, JIAN Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

HSU, SHIH-CHIEH Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

YANG, DONG Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

ZHANG, JUN Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

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

349.

350.

351.

342.

Brief Job Description: Assist in setting up the management team for the kitchen. Ensure exceptional customer service. Control the organization structure and adjustments in the kitchen.

SHIM, TAEHUN Master Chef - Chinese Speaking 343.

Brief Job Description: Assist in setting up the management team for the kitchen. Ensure exceptional customer service. Control the organization structure and adjustments in the kitchen.

344.

Brief Job Description: Ensure cabin safety under the overall authority and responsibility of the Pilot-in-command.

MOTEGI, REO Cabin Crew 345.

Brief Job Description: Ensure cabin safety under the overall authority and responsibility of the Pilot-in-command.

352.

Brief Job Description: Assist in planning of the organization’s daily operation.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

358.

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to French speaking clients and customers; addresses French customer concerns, queries, issues, complaints and/or places sales orders and product information requests; prepares reports by accessing account databases, analyzing the information contained and providing useful accurate and appropriate data.

YANICK, ANANG ZUO French Operations CSR II 359.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English, Mandarin and any language.

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

Basic Qualification: With relative work experience.

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to French speaking clients and customers.

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

Brief Job Description: International butler should successfully execute all assigned duties to deliver an exceptional service experience, with guidance, support and leadership from the head butler to our customers, especially those with foreign language requirements.

Basic Qualification: 2 to 4 years of prior fraud prevention experience is highly preferred. Minimum two years’ experience in applied behavior analysis and data analytic. Spanish language expert background is preferred.

AMPUEA RODRIGUEZ, MEIKEL RAFAEL Customer Quality Control Associate 360.

Brief Job Description: Researches and analyzes customer or client accounts for possible cases of fraud and to prevent future fraud.

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

TRUTH ADVISERS CONSULTANCY & TOURS INC. Unit 707 Loft Spaces Avida One Park Drive Corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Basic Qualification: Experience in Management, strong personal and judgment, with good verbal communication skills specifically English speaking.

RUBY TAN SIN JOY Mandarin Speaking Admin Assistant Basic Qualification: Fluently speak and write Bahasa Indonesian language to cater foreign markets.

361.

Brief Job Description: Outstanding in resolving conflict, has patience, and adaptability to assist clients. With exceptional positive attitude and Customer service skills towards Clients.

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

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

UNOBANK INC. (UNODIGITAL, UNOBANK, UNO DIGITAL BANK, UNO DIGIBANK, UNOBANKPH AND UNODIGITALBANKPH) Unit 2001 The Finance Centre 26th Street Cor. 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Basic Qualification: Proven professional experience. Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

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

TENERITY PHILIPPINES CORP. 12th Floor, W Fifth Building, 32nd St. Cor. 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English, Mandarin and any language.

Basic Qualification: Exceptional customer service, active listening, and verbal and written communication skills, and professional phone voice. Fluency in multiple languages may be desired.

SAXENA, UTKARSH Head Of Assets 362.

Brief Job Description: This role will articulate the value of “digital” and integrate into the business operating model from the perspective of sales revenue, cost savings, and customer experiences and operational efficiencies.

Basic Qualification: With relative work experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

VICCI BUSINESS CONSULTANCY CORP. 10/f Liberty Plaza, 102 H.v. Dela Costa St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ATEH, WILLIBALD CHI French Operations CSR II

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

353.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Chinese-Mandarin language. With previous work experience in a related field. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

354.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Chinese-Mandarin language. With previous work experience in a related field.

355.

Basic Qualification: Completed 2 years in college. Proficient in Korean/ Japanese and English languages.

356.

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

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to French speaking clients and customers.

MALOBA EMMANUEL, ADINO MBANDA French Operations CSR II

Basic Qualification: Completed 2 years in college. Proficient in Korean/ Japanese and English languages.

Basic Qualification: Fluently speak and write Bahasa Indonesian language.

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to French-speaking clients and customers.

KIMBI, KINI CHALEN French Operations CSR II

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

GOUFAN, BERVIN HARTTMANN French Operations CSR II

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to French speaking clients and customer.

MPUTU, SIMON NGANDU French Operations CSR II

357.

346.

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

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

PHOENIXFIELD, INC. 7/f Iacademy Plaza, 324 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave, Bel-air, City Of Makati

YOSUA SIHOTANG Indonesian Language - Support Officer

Brief Job Description: Make sure that the customer’s needs and expectations are meet.

MOO SHI CHAO Butler, VIP F&B International

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

PHILIPPINES AIRASIA INC. 2/f Mezzanine, Naia Terminal 3, Barangay 183, Pasay City

JEON, HOYEON Cabin Crew

Basic Qualification: A native speaker of Indonesian language and fluent in English language (spoken and written).

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

PA AURA FOOD VENTURES INC. Unit 602-613, Level 6, Sm Aura Premier,, 26th Street Corner Mckinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig BONG CHIEW PAU Master Chef - Chinese Speaking

Brief Job Description: Handles service support calls emails and chats related to client’s inquiry.

TJEN SUI LING Indonesian Language - Support Manager

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

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language.

Basic Qualification: With working experience with the same position and should be fluent in speaking English and Mandarin languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION TENENG, GERMERIE WONDON French Operations CSR II

SMARTMONETA INC. 6/f Iacademy Plaza, 324 Sen Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language.

Brief Job Description: Handles service support calls emails and chats related to client’s inquiry.

SUPRIYONO Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Serves as primary contact for problem resolution and information gathering regarding customer complaints and work assignment.

NGUYEN MINH GIANG Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language.

No.

SEEKTOP SERVICE MANAGEMENT INC. 25/f Alphaland Corporate Tower, 7232 Ayala Ave. Extn. Cor. Malugay St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

OCEANIC SYMPHONY SERVICES INC. 17/f Alphaland Corporate Tower, 7232 Ayala Ave. Extn., Cor Malugay St., Bel-air, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language.

Brief Job Description: Schedule meeting or telephone conferences between client and managements.

FENNY SUSANTO Indonesian-language Customer Support Staff

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

RUNNINGMAN CORPORATION 8/f Techzone Bldg., 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati

348. HUANG, JIANFENG Customer Service Representative

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

DANNY PERDANA Mandarin Speaking Client Coordinator

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

A13

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

QNECT INC. Unit 2105 The Finance Centre, 26th St. Corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

NORTH TIDE INTERNATIONAL TRADE INC. 2nd Floor Bachrach Bldg. Ii, Corner 23rd And Railroad Streets Zone 68, Barangay 653, Port Area, City Of Manila GENG, FUKUN Customer Service Representative

Thursday, October 26, 2023

HUANG, DAJUN Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation) Basic Qualification: Exceptional customer service, active listening, and verbal and written communication skills, and professional phone voice. Fluency in multiple languages may be desired. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With relative work experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With relative work experience.

363.

Brief Job Description: Handles service support calls emails and chats related to client’s inquiry.

HUANG, YI-LUN Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation) 364.

Brief Job Description: Handles service support calls emails and chats related to client’s inquiry.

ZHANG, BIN Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation) 365.

Brief Job Description: Handles service support calls emails and chats related to client’s inquiry.

ZHONG, GUITAO Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation) 366.

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

Brief Job Description: Handles service support calls emails and chats related to client’s inquiry.

NGUYEN DUY KHUONG Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation) Basic Qualification: With relative work experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

367.

Brief Job Description: Handles service support calls emails and chats related to client’s inquiry.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English, Mandarin and any language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

*Date Generated: Oct 25, 2023 In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on October 24, 2023, the position of VUN CHUN JET under the company CRONYX INC., should have been read as CHINESE SPEAKING PROGRAM DESIGNER and not as published.

Basic Qualification: Exceptional customer service, active listening, and verbal and written communication skills, and professional phone voice. Fluency in multiple languages may be desired. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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.

A14 Thursday, October 26, 2023

TheWorld BusinessMirror

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

Israeli airstrikes surge in Gaza, destroying homes and killing hundreds of Palestinians By Najib Jobain, Samy Magdy & Ravi Nessman

The Associated Press

AFAH, Gaza Strip—Israel escalated airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, crushing families in the rubble of residential buildings, as health officials said hundreds of Palestinians were killed in the past day and medical facilities were

shut down because of bomb damage and lack of power. The massive air bombardment continued through the night as Israeli jets hit sites across Gaza, the Hamasrun Interior Ministry said. The soaring death toll from the bombardment is unprecedented in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It augurs an even greater loss of life in Gaza once Israeli forces backed by tanks and artillery launch

an expected ground offensive aimed at crushing Hamas militants. Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been running out of food, water and medicine since Israel sealed off the territory following the devastating October 7 attack by Hamas on towns in southern Israel. The Gaza Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas, said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 704 people over the past day, mostly women and children.

The Associated Press could not independently verify the death tolls cited by Hamas, which says it tallies figures from hospital directors. In Washington, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that the US also could not verify that one-day death toll. “The Ministry of Health is run by Hamas, and I think that all needs to be factored into anything that they put

out publicly.” Israel said Tuesday it had launched 400 airstrikes over the past day, killing Hamas commanders, hitting militants as they prepared to fire rockets into Israel and striking command centers and a Hamas tunnel shaft. Israel reported 320 strikes the day before. Hamas is sworn to Israel’s destruction. Israel, for its part, has vowed repeatedly since the massacre to crush Hamas. On Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told the UN Security Council that the proportionate response to the Oct. 7 attack is “a total destruction to the last one” of the militants. “It is not only Israel’s right to destroy Hamas. It’s our duty,” he said. The Israeli military said it thwarted an assault by a group of Hamas underwater divers who tried to infiltrate Israel on a beach just north of Gaza. They were attacked by air, naval and ground forces. Across central and south Gaza, where Israel told civilians to take shelter, there were multiple scenes of rescuers pulling the dead and wounded out of large piles of rubble from collapsed buildings. Graphic photos and video shot by the AP showed rescuers unearthing bodies of children from multiple ruins. A father knelt on the floor of the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah next to the bodies of three dead children cocooned in bloodied sheets. Later at the nearby morgue, workers prayed over 24 dead wrapped in body bags, several of them the size of small children. Buildings that collapsed on residents killed dozens at a time in several cases, witnesses said. Two families lost a total 47 members in a leveled home in Rafah, the Health Ministry said. A strike on a four-story building in Khan Younis killed at least 32 people, including 13 members of the Saqallah family, said Ammar al-Butta, a relative who survived the airstrike. He said there were about 100 people sheltering in the building, including many who had evacuated from Gaza City. “We thought that our area would be safe,” he said. Another strike destroyed a bustling marketplace in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, witnesses said. AP photos showed the floor of a vegetable shop covered with blood. In Gaza City, at least 19 people were killed when an airstrike hit the house of the Bahloul family, according to survivors, who said dozens more people remained buried. The legs of a dead woman and another person, both still half buried, dangled out of the wreckage where workers dug through the dirt, concrete and rebar. The Health Ministry says more than 5,700 Palestinians have been killed in the war, including some 2,300 minors. The figure includes the disputed toll from an explosion at a hospital last week. The fighting has killed more than 1,400 people in Israel— mostly civilians slain during the initial Hamas attack, according to the Israeli government. As the death toll in Gaza spirals, and fuel supplies dwindle, the number of facilities able to deal with casualties is shrinking. More than half of primary health care facilities, and roughly 1 of every 3 hospitals, have stopped functioning, the World Health Organization said. Overwhelmed hospital staff struggled to triage cases as constant waves of wounded were brought in. The Health Ministry said many wounded are laid on the ground without even simple medical intervention and others wait for days for surgeries because there are so many critical cases. While Israel has allowed a small number of trucks filled with aid to enter, it has barred deliveries of fuel to Gaza to keep it out of Hamas’ hands. The UN said its operation distributing aid will halt Wednesday evening if it does not receive fuel. To make room for the dead, cemeteries have been forced to excavate and reuse old plots. Families have dug trenches to bury multiple bodies at a time. “Bodies pour in by the hundreds every day. We use every empty inch in the cemeteries,” said Abdel Rahman Mohamed, a volunteer who helps transfer bodies to Khan Younis’ main cemetery. Israel says it does not target civilians and that Hamas militants are using them as cover for their attacks. Palestinian militants have fired over 7,000 rockets at Israel since the start of the war, according to Israel, and Hamas said it fired a fresh barrage on Tuesday. On Monday, Hamas released two elderly Israeli women who were among the roughly 220 people Israel says were taken hostage during the October 7 attack and forced into Gaza. Appearing weak in a wheelchair and speaking softly, 85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz told reporters Tuesday that the militants beat her with sticks, bruising her ribs and making it hard to breathe as they kidnapped her. They drove her into Gaza, then forced her to walk several kilometers (miles) on wet ground to reach a network of tunnels that looked like a spider web, she said. Once there, she said, she was treated well, fed and given medical care. Lifshitz and 79-year-old Nurit Cooper were freed days after an American woman and her teenage daughter were released. The Israeli military dropped leaflets in Gaza asking Palestinians to reveal information on the hostages’ whereabouts. In exchange, the military promised a reward and protection for the informant’s home. Iranian-backed fighters around the region are warning of possible escalation, including the targeting of US forces deployed in the Mideast, if a ground offensive is launched. Israel and Hezbollah have traded fire almost daily across the Israel-Lebanon border. (Magdy reported from Cairo and Nessman from Jerusalem. The Associated Press writers Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Aamer Madhani in Washington, Amy Teibel in Jerusalem and Brian Melley in London, contributed to this report.

TheWorld Thursday, October 26, 2023 A15

In court faceoff, Michael Cohen testifies against Trump in fraud trial. Trump shrugs: ‘Proven liar’ By Jake Offenhartz & Jennifer Peltz The Associated Press

EW YORK—In a courtroom showdown five years in the making, Donald Trump’s fixer-turned-foe Michael Cohen testified Tuesday that he worked to boost the supposed value of the former president’s assets to “whatever number Trump told us to.” Trump’s lawyers—and outside court, Trump himself—by turn sought to portray Cohen as a serial deceiver who pleaded guilty to crimes that include tax evasion and telling falsehoods to Congress and a bank. During a fractious cross-examination, Cohen, a disbarred attorney, even floated his own lawyerly objections, responding to some queries with “asked and answered!” It was a fraught face-to-face encounter between Trump and a man who once pledged to “take a bullet” for him. Cohen eventually ended up in prison and became a prominent witness against his former boss in venues from courthouses to Congress. Now, Cohen is a key figure in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit alleging that Trump and his company duped banks, insurers and others by giving them financial statements that inflated his wealth. “I was tasked by Mr. Trump to increase the total assets, based upon a number that he arbitrarily elected,” Cohen testified, saying that he and former Trump finance chief Allen Weisselberg labored “to reverse-engineer the various different asset classes, increase those assets, in order to achieve a number that Mr. Trump had tasked us.” Asked what that number was, Cohen replied: “Whatever number Trump told us to.” Trump denies James’ allegations. Outside court, Trump dismissed Cohen’s account as the words of “a proven liar.” “The witness is totally discredited,” Trump said. “He’s a disgraced felon, and that’s the way it’s coming out.” The former president and Republican 2024 front-runner voluntarily came to court for a sixth day this month. Cohen has said he hadn’t seen Trump for five years until now. “Heck of a reunion,” Cohen said outside court. He insisted that “this is not about Donald Trump vs. Michael Cohen or Michael Cohen vs. Donald Trump. This is about accountability, plain and simple.” Cohen testified that Trump would summon him and Weisselberg and say, for example: “I’m actually not worth four and a half billion dollars. I’m really worth more like six.” Cohen said he and the finance chief would then inflate the value of Trump properties by pegging them to “comparable” real estate that was actually different—brand-new developments with higher ceilings, more sweeping views and no rent regulation, for instance. Insurance company executives were shown the exaggerated statements, where the combination of extremely high values and low liabilities could net Trump more favorable premiums, Cohen testified. Plus, he said, Trump would deliberately show up about three-quarters of the way through his deputies’ meetings with insurers and spark a conversation to the effect that he was rich enough to self-insure if he couldn’t get a good premium. As Cohen testified, Trump at times whispered to his lawyers or shook his head. At other points, the former president hunched forward in his seat, watching intently, or leaned back with crossed arms. He took a keen interest in Cohen’s cross-examination, gesturing to his attorneys and craning his neck to get a better view. Trump lawyer Alina Habba hammered at Cohen’s 2018 federal guilty pleas and his effort now to distance himself from some of them. Although he pleaded guilty to tax evasion and to making false statements to a bank on a loan application, he said Tuesday he’d lied when he made those admissions. He suggested he’d only engaged in “tax omission” and failed to correct inaccuracies on the loan paperwork. “You’re not going to lie to me, as well?” Habba asked pointedly. And when Cohen objected to certain questions and rattled off cases he said allowed him to do so, Habba snapped back that he was mistaken. “If you still had your law license, you’d understand that,” she said. Another Trump lawyer, Christopher Kise, complained that Cohen was a “serial liar” who was “out of control” and seeking to “play judge.” The actual judge, Arthur Engoron, told Cohen to answer most of the questions. Engoron already has ruled that Trump and his company committed fraud. The trial involves remaining claims of conspiracy, insurance fraud and falsifying business records. Trump says his assets were actually undervalued, and he maintains that disclaimers on his financial statements essentially told recipients to check the numbers out for themselves. He has derided the case as a “sham,” a “scam” and part of an effort by James and other Democrats to drag down his campaign. Cohen spent a decade as Trump’s fiercely loyal personal lawyer before famously breaking with him in 2018 amid a federal investigation that sent Cohen to federal prison. He is also a major prosecution witness in Trump’s separate Manhattan hush-money criminal case, scheduled for trial next spring. James has credited Cohen as the impetus for her civil investigation, which led to the fraud lawsuit and trial. She cited Cohen’s testimony to Congress in 2019 that Trump had a history of misrepresenting the value of assets to gain favorable loan terms and tax benefits. Earlier this month, Trump dropped a $500 million lawsuit that accused Cohen of “spreading falsehoods” and breaking a confidentiality agreement. A Trump spokesperson said the former president was only pausing the lawsuit, while campaigning and fighting four criminal cases. In one of those criminal cases, co-defendant Jenna Ellis, an attorney, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a felony charge over efforts to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss in Georgia. She’s the fourth defendant to take a plea deal in the case. Trump’s attorneys sought to delay the New York trial Tuesday, arguing that coronavirus cases among James’ staff put the former president’s health at risk. The attorney general’s office, in a statement, said it had taken all steps to notify the relevant parties and had followed health guidance. Trump later complained outside court that “what they did with Covid in the courtroom was a disgrace,” but he and the attorneys beside him didn’t don masks. The Associated Press writer Michael R. Sisak contributed to this report.

A16 Thursday, October 26, 2023

TheWorld BusinessMirror

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Stranded at a closed border as bombs fall, foreign nationals in Gaza await evacuation By Isabel Debre & Najib Jobain

The Associated Press

HAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP)—For more than a week, Talaat Ghabayen, a citizen of Norway who spent his whole life in Oslo, has waited days and nights at the Gaza Strip’s land crossing with Egypt as his embassy advised, hoping to flee Israel’s bombardment and looming ground invasion and reunite with his wife and sons back home. “Egypt is literally meters away, I can see it,” Ghabayen, a 54-yearold insurance agent who traveled to Gaza before the war erupted for his mother’s funeral, said Tuesday from the Rafah crossing. Under intense Western pressure, the gates at Rafah opened over the weekend for the first time since the war broke out, letting a trickle of humanitarian aid into the besieged strip and stoking hopes that hundreds of foreign nationals trapped in Gaza would be able to cross into safety. But with each passing hour, Ghabayen loses hope. And each day that Rafah remains shut, he said, is another day that he could die. “They tell us to go south, then they bomb south. They tell us to go to hospitals, then they bomb hospitals. They tell us to go to shelters, then they bomb shelters,” Ghabayen said of the Israeli army, his voice rising with emotion. “We are not Hamas, we are innocent civilians who don’t even live here.” The Israeli military says it goes

after only Hamas infrastructure in their war with the militant group. Palestinians reject that, pointing to airstrikes that have hit and damaged U.N. schools and hospitals in the densely populated strip. Since the war broke out, the United States and other countries have scrambled to arrange charter flights—and even an evacuation ship—to ferry their citizens in Israel to various destinations in Europe. But no such evacuation has materialized for foreign citizens stranded in Gaza, who are coping with the fiercest Israeli bombing campaign in the territory’s memory and dire shortages of food, water and fuel since Israel severed its flow of supplies to the strip. Ghabayen is among what Western diplomats estimate to be some 1,700 Palestinians in Gaza with European or US citizenship, caught up in Israel’s devastating air campaign that has killed thousands of Palestinians and crushed entire neighborhoods. Israel launched

FOREIGN nationals and Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing in the Gaza Strip on Monday, October 16, 2023. AP/FATIMA SHBAIR

its counteroffensive after Hamas fighters surged into Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,400 people and abducting over 200 others in an unprecedented attack. On top of that, there are hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza holding other foreign passports. Many said their governments told them to fill out forms and wait at the Rafah crossing. More than a week later, they’re still waiting. In some cases, the bombs got to them first. “We waited so long they’ll have to evacuate us by ambulance,” said Abdelaziz Shaaban, who said American authorities assured him that his whole family would be able to leave through Rafah because his son is a US citizen. An airstrike crashed outside his home in Gaza City last week, killing his 14-year-old daughter, Joud, and wounding everyone else in the house—just as they were preparing to try their luck at Rafah a third time. His 18-year-old son Youssef, born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has a broken jaw and wrist. His other daughter broke her

Qatar: Key intermediary in Israel-Hamas war as fate of hostages hangs in balance By Jon Gambrell

The Associated Press

ERUSALEM—The gas-rich nation of Qatar has become a key intermediary over the fate of more than 200 hostages held by Hamas militants after their unprecedented attack on Israel, once again putting the small Arabian Peninsula country in the spotlight. The negotiations have also thrust Qatar into a delicate international balancing act as it maintains a relationship with those viewed as militant groups by the West while trying to preserve its close security ties with the United States. Under arrangements stemming from past Hamas cease-fire understandings with Israel, the gas-rich emirate of Qatar has paid the salaries of civil servants in the Gaza Strip, provided direct cash transfers to poor families and offered other kinds of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Qatar has also hosted Hamas’ political office in its capital of Doha for over a decade. Among officials based there is Khaled Mashaal, an exiled Hamas member who survived a 1997 Israeli assassination attempt in Jordan that threatened to derail that country’s peace deal with Israel. Also there is Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ supreme leader. The US sanctioned Mashaal in 2003 for being “responsible for supervising assassination operations, bombings and the killing of

Israeli settlers.” Washington sanctioned Haniyeh in 2018, saying he had “close links with Hamas’ military wing and has been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians.” Mashaal, in an interview with Sky News this week, said hostages taken during Hamas’ attack on October 7 could be released if Israel stops its airstrikes—something incredibly unlikely as Israel prepares for a ground offensive inside the Gaza Strip. More than 200 people, including foreigners, were believed captured by Hamas during the incursion and taken into Gaza. Four of those have been released, a mother and daughter on Friday and two more on Monday. “Let them stop this aggression and you will find the mediators like Qatar and Egypt and some Arab countries and others will find a way to have them released and we’ll send them to their homes,” Mashaal said of the hostages. Hosting the Hamas leaders has brought scrutiny to Qatar, both in the past and since the attack over two weeks ago that killed more than 1,400 people in Israel. However, the Biden administration has repeatedly praised Qatar for its efforts in working to free the hostages and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Doha during his recent shuttle diplomacy trip in the region. “Qatar is a longtime partner

of ours who is responding to our request, because I think they believe that innocent civilians ought to be freed,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Monday. Meanwhile, Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, channeled the wider anger in the Arab world over Israel’s unrelenting airstrikes and siege of the Gaza Strip after the October 7 attack. The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry says the strikes have killed over 5,000 Palestinians so far. During Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup last year, Palestinian f lags were prominently displayed and Israeli journalists sometimes harassed. “It is untenable for Israel to be given an unconditional green light and free license to kill, nor it is tenable to continue ignoring the reality of occupation, siege and settlement,” Sheikh Tamim said on Tuesday in a speech to the country’s Shura Council, an advisory and legislative body. He slammed Israel’s siege, saying that it “should not be allowed in our time” to use as weapons the cutting off of water and preventing medicine and food supplies to an entire population. Qatar, a peninsula sticking out like a thumb into the Persian Gulf with a small population and military, has always looked warily at its larger neighbors Saudi Arabia and Iran. It faced a yearslong boycott by

arm. Shaaban lost so much blood that he struggles to walk. “’We are studying the case, we are studying the case,’ they tell us over and over,” Shaaban said of US officials. “What are you studying? We are wounded and can’t get painkillers. We are wounded and Shifa Hospital kicked us out because they needed room for more patients.” Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s biggest, is struggling to handle a deluge of war-wounded patients as its resources dwindle. While some trucks of humanitarian aid gradually made their way into Gaza in recent days from Egypt, Palestinians say it’s nowhere near enough to address the humanitarian disaster. Egypt has refused to open its doors to those fleeing Gaza—in part because it doesn’t want to be seen as aiding Israel’s forced displacement of Pa lestinians but also because it doesn’t want a massive refugee crisis within its borders. As the days tick by, the desperation of foreign nationals trapped in four Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, over a political dispute, which Kuwait’s ruler at the time warned could have sparked a war. It also bore withering criticism from the US and others over its pan-Arab satellite news network Al Jazeera. It aired statements from the late al-Qaida mastermind Osama bin Laden and has been providing nonstop coverage of the toll of Israel’s punishing airstrikes in this war with Hamas, including images of the dead and dying that have fueled demonstrations across the Middle East and wider world. But those concerns about larger powers have seen Qatar balance the risks through its diplomacy and hosting of the forward headquarters of the US military’s Central Command at its sprawling AlUdeid Air Base. The US considers Qatar as a major non-NATO ally and Doha has widening defense trade and security cooperation with America, including priority delivery for certain military sales. The Al-Udeid base served as a key node in America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, while Qatar also hosted the Taliban officials with whom Washington earlier negotiated to end the longest US war. But Qatar’s negotiations have led to headaches in the past. Most recently, Qatar agreed to have just under $6 billion in Iranian assets once frozen in South Korea transferred to Doha as part of a September prisoner swap between Tehran and the US. After the Hamas attack, Qatar and the US agreed not to act on any request from Tehran to access those funds for humanitarian goods as initially planned—at least for now.

Gaza is growing. Many are increasingly upset with what seems to them a double standard in Western policy. The same countries failing to respond to their plight, they say, have galvanized to evacuate their citizens from Israel and other warzones around the world. “It really makes us feel like second-class citizens,” said Mahmoud Sarhan, a 48-year-old security guard from Essen, Germany, who made his first trip to Gaza in nearly three decades before the war to tend to his ailing mother in the northern Jabaliya refugee camp. Sarhan said he is sleeping on the street in Rafah in case the crossing opens without warning. Others are staying with friends and relatives near the crossing or making the treacherous trip several times a week. After an Israeli airstrike tore into his Sarhan’s family house in the north, killing his sister, an English teacher, and her eight children, he said he had nowhere else to go. His mother came with him to Rafah and it’s not clear if she’ll be able to travel with him to Germany. “They help their own in Ukraine, in every part of the world where their citizens are in danger. But not Gaza,” he said of Western governments. For Pa lestinian A mer icans stuck in Gaza, President Joe Biden’s proclamations of staunch support for Israel during his wartime visit to the country following Hamas’ unprecedented attack has added to resentments. “Ridiculous,” was how Hamdan Abu Speitan, a 76-year-old physician from Syracuse, New York, put it. “He is so busy trying to give Israel weapons that he can’t get water in or get Americans out,” he

said, referring to Biden. The State Department said David Satterfield, recently appointed special envoy for humanitarian issues in the Mideast, was in Israel Tuesday engaged in negotiations with Israel, Egypt and the United Nations to get Rafah to open for US citizens, other dual nationals and employees of international organizations. Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesman, blamed Hamas for the hold-up in a briefing on Monday. “We do believe that Egypt is ready to process American citizens if they can make it to Egyptian authorities,” he told reporters. “Hamas just has to stop blocking their exit.” After days of subsisting on tea, bread and onions, Abu Speitan said he was feeling dehydrated and exhausted. His sister’s house in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza had no generator—just a solar phone charger so he could keep in touch with his worried family back in New York and Boston. Over the weekend an airstrike slammed into a house just 500 meters (yards) away, sending shrapnel into his room. He clutched his face—blood was gushing everywhere. He left the hospital and headed straight to Rafah crossing on Tuesday for the fourth time in the past week. There was no indication this time would be any different. But he said he had no other choice. “We are stuck waiting, without any information,” he said at the border crowded with Palestinians from America, Canada, Germany, Sweden and countless other countries, some of them wounded. “Let me know if you hear something.” DeBre reported from Jerusalem

Japan’s top court strikes down required removal of reproductive organs to officially change gender By Mari Yamaguchi The Associated Press

OKYO—Japan’s Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that a law requiring transgender people to have their reproductive organs removed in order to officially change their gender is unconstitutional. The decision by the top court’s 15-judge Grand Bench was its first on the constitutionality of Japan’s 2003 law requiring the removal of reproductive organs for a state-recognized gender change, a practice long criticized by international rights and medical groups. The decision now requires the government to revise the law, which paves the way for transgender people to have their gender changed in official documents without surgery. The case was filed by a plaintiff whose request for a gender change in her family registry—to female from her biologically assigned male— was turned down by lower courts. The decision comes at a time of heightened awareness of issues surrounding LGBTQ+ people in Japan and is a major victory for that community. Kyodo News said the judges unanimously ruled that the part of the law requiring the loss of reproductive functions for a gender change is unconstitutional. Other details of the decision were not immediately available. Under the law that was struck down, transgender people who want to have their biologically assigned gender changed on family registries and other official documents must be diagnosed as having Gender Identity Disorder and undergo an operation to remove their reproductive organs. LGBTQ+ activists in Japan have recently stepped up efforts to pass an anti-discrimination law since a former aide to Prime Minister Fumio

Kishida said in February that he wouldn’t want to live next to LGBTQ+ people and that citizens would flee Japan if same-sex marriage were allowed. But changes have come slowly and Japan remains the only Group of Seven member that does not allow same-sex marriage or legal protections, including an effective antidiscrimination law. The plaintiff, who is only identified as a resident in western Japan, originally filed the request in 2000, saying the surgery requirement forces a huge burden economically and physically and that it violates the constitution’s equal rights protections. Rights groups and the LGBTQ+ community in Japan have been hopeful for a change in the law after a local family court, in an unprecedented ruling earlier this month, accepted a transgender male’s request for a gender change without the compulsory surgery, saying the rule is unconstitutional. The special law that took effect in 2004 states that people who wish to register a gender change must have their original reproductive organs, including testes or ovaries, removed and have a body that “appears to have parts that resemble the genital organs” of the new gender they want to register with. More than 10,000 Japanese have had their genders officially changed since then, according to court documents from the October 11 ruling that accepted Gen Suzuki’s request for a gender change without the required surgery. Surgery to remove reproductive organs is not required in most of some 50 European and central Asian countries that have laws allowing people to change their gender on official documents, the Shizuoka ruling said. The practice of changing one’s gender in such a way has become mainstream in many places around the world, it noted.

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Thursday, October 26, 2023 A17

Myanmar reinstates family visits to prisoners to end a ban started during Covid-19 pandemic By Grant Peck

The Associated Press

ANGKOK—Military-ruled Myanmar on Tuesday allowed prisoners to have family visitors from outside, a right that had been suspended for 3½ years because of the coronavirus pandemic, the military’s information office and prison officials said. The rule allowing visitors carries detailed conditions, but it’s the first opportunity for many of the thousands of political detainees who have been locked up for opposing the military’s 2021 seizure of power to meet with their family members. Visitors must be able to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccinations and a household relationship to the prisoner being met. Further documentation is required from the visitors’ local administration offices and police precincts. A family member of a prisoner convicted of incitement and high treason for protesting military rule told The Associated Press that she was allowed to meet her son for about 20 minutes in a large room after waiting for about two hours with more than 100 other visitors. She visited a prison in Thayarwaddy township in Bago region, about 95 kilometers (60 miles) north of Yangon, the country’s biggest city. She said she was happy to see her son again after more than a year and to be able to bring him medicine and money, since she last saw him at his trial in August last year. Visitors had to speak to the prisoners through two wire mesh dividers about a foot (30 centimeters) apart, the woman said. She spoke on the condition of anonymity because of concern about being identified since the military prefers to be the sole source of information on sensitive subjects. The mother said she was told by the prison authorities that the inmates would be allowed to receive visitors once a month. Before the pandemic, they were allowed to meet their families at least twice a month. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a group that keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the repression of the military government, said that 25,337 people had been arrested since the 2021 takeover, and 19,616 of them, including ousted national leader Aung San Suu Kyi, were still in detention as of Tuesday. Tun Kyi, a senior member of the Former Political Prisoners Society, a mutual support group, said any easing of prison conditions should be regarded as an effort by the military government to score political points and ease international pressure. Many Western nations apply economic and diplomatic sanctions on the country’s ruling generals because of their 2021 takeover and record of human rights abuses. “There is nothing to be happy or welcome about this case, which is intended to ease international pressure,” Tun Kyi said. Family visitation rights were suspended after the coronavirus pandemic began in early 2020. Most sectors of society gradually reduced or dropped testing requirements and other virus-fighting measures since 2022, but family visits to prisoners had remained banned. Although prisons, in Myanmar as elsewhere, saw the coronavirus spread easily because of crowding and poor hygienic conditions, the continuation of the ban on visits had been widely seen as meant to demoralize political prisoners and highlight the punishment awaiting those who challenge military rule. Protests against the army’s takeover were initially nonviolent, but after they were suppressed with deadly force, an armed resistance movement arose, which now operates throughout much of the country. The total number of prisoners held in Myanmar, not only political detainees, isn’t publicly known. There are about 66 prisons and 48 labor camps in Myanmar. Prison Department officials from Yangon, Magway region and Mon state told the AP on Tuesday that the visits have already begun. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to release information. The military’s information office said in a statement sent to journalists that the in-person meetings with inmates at the prisons have been allowed to begin, but visitors must have been vaccinated twice for coronavirus and must be included in the same official household lists as the prisoners. It said other details of the visiting rules are posted on signboards in front of the prisons.

Hostilities in Syria are the worst in 4 years, with disregard for civilian lives: UN official

EIRUT—The head of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria said Tuesday that fighting in the country has reached its worst point in years, with devastating consequences for civilians. “We are witnessing the largest escalation of hostilities in Syria in four years,” Paulo Pinheiro told the UN General Assembly. “Yet again there appears to be total disregard for civilians’ lives in what are often tit-for-tat reprisals.” A drone strike earlier this month on the Homs Military Academy killed 89 people, including 31 women and five children, and wounded as many as 277. No group claimed responsibility for the attack but the Syrian military accused insurgents “backed by known international forces” of carrying it out and launched a brutal campaign of airstrikes on opposition-held areas of northwest Syria in retaliation. “In just four days of ground shelling...some 200 civilians were killed and injured, and medical facilities, schools and markets were impacted yet again,” Pinheiro said. “Tens of thousands are again displaced and on the run.” Meanwhile, in retaliation for an attack in Ankara that injured two members of Turkish security forces, Turkey pounded Kurdish-controlled areas in northeast Syria that it said were used by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK—a Kurdish separatist group that has waged a decadeslong insurgency in Turkey—as well as its allies in Syria in the People’s Defense Units, or YPG. The Turkish bombing resulted in “destroying and damaging power and water stations, affecting hundreds of thousands of civilians,” Pinheiro said. He also pointed to recent airstrikes on the Damascus and Aleppo airports in government-held Syria, reportedly by Israel that put both out of commission and “may have yet again impacted the delivery of humanitarian aid.” Syria’s uprising-turned civil war, now in its 13th year, has killed nearly half a million people, displaced half of its prewar population of 23 million and crippled infrastructure in both government and opposition-held areas. AP

A18 Thursday, October 26, 2023 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

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editorial

Is this move good for the people?

wise man said the best place to look for reliable cabinet members is among those who have already been good cabinet officials—the experienced ones. President Marcos has a good number of “repeaters” in his cabinet. However, loud whispers have been going around for almost a month now about a looming cabinet revamp, which would affect some of these officials. There are suspicions that those floating trial balloons fueling the talks about an impending reshuffle in the cabinet are the power blocs that want to protect their own interests. But this grapevine talk about a reshuffle allegedly affecting four cabinet members is not good for the economy. A cabinet reshuffle may send a wrong signal to jittery investors. It could stall much needed reforms in government. This could potentially happen when a new appointee, for example, shelves programs started by his predecessor and decides to start from scratch. Cabinet reshuffles are mostly done to respond to policy failures, scandals, poor performance or disloyalty. When powerful lobbyists manage to remove a good performing cabinet member, this will have an adverse effect on good governance, which may lead to political instability. An IMF paper said economists regard political instability as a serious malaise harmful to economic performance. It may also lead to a more frequent switch of policies, creating volatility and, thus, negatively affecting macroeconomic performance. In a British Politics and Policy blog, Sean Kippin wrote: “The Political and Constitutional Reform Committee of Britain concluded, after countless hours interviewing civil servants, former ministers, and close observers of the process, that reshuffles are damaging not just to the effectiveness of individual ministers, but also encourages what is dramatically termed a ‘kind of paralysis’ across government.” A good leader should make a virtue out of stability and resist the temptation to change too much. That’s because old cabinet members have become experts in the policy areas for which they have responsibility. Reshuffles also have their own cost. Cabinet members who have been holding the post for a reasonable period of time have developed the administrative expertise required to effectively oversee their departments and deliver lasting and meaningful changes. It’s difficult to quantify the expertise lost through cabinet changes. Reshuffles affecting many cabinet members could also create the impression among the people that the government is unstable, which can adversely affect the administration’s credibility. That’s why stable governments usually have cabinet members that stay in their posts long enough to make a difference. It takes time to see whether meaningful policy is effective or not. For government departments to function effectively, they need to have continuity in leadership. Of course, cabinet members serve at the pleasure of the President. But while reshuffles, to some degree, are unavoidable, they require a strong justification. If, indeed, there’s a forthcoming one, it would do well for the Chief Executive to explain to the people how a cabinet revamp can bring positive changes to the country. Let’s also hope that the President will only choose real public servants. Only then could we have durable economic policies that may engender higher economic growth. Majority of Filipinos support and trust President Marcos. In choosing his cabinet secretaries who will advise him on the different affairs of the state, it’s certainly challenging for him to strike the right balance between pleasing the national constituency and his own political allies. But he can’t go wrong in every decision he makes if he follows an infallible guide, the North Star for successful leaders. He only needs to ask himself: Is this move good for the people?

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he Philippines undoubtedly has a huge untapped potential insofar as tourism is concerned. We have the best beaches, a diverse and unique marine and fauna, an interesting mix of western and eastern culture, history and heritage as well as a naturally warm and caring people. Yet our tourism numbers are far from that of our Asian neighbors such as Thailand and Indonesia. One area where we definitely need an upgrade would be on our tourism infrastructure. And this does not just mean the airports but would also include the seamless end-to-end travel transport facilities to our many tourist destinations. Work is being done along these lines with the opening and upgrading of new airports, as well as new port facilities and transport terminals. A growing trend overseas that our government tourism authority should also look at is smart tourism. Together with the brick and mortar infrastructures, this will most likely become an intrinsic component to our future tourism success story. The good thing is smart tourism does not cost much as compared to airports and ports. It does need technology and telecoms investments but much of the work needed would be a deep technological dive and investment by the stakeholders that would result in a unique, wholistic and sustainable travel experience of our potential visitors. What is smart tourism? Similar to smart cities, smart tourism incorpo-

rates technology to provide efficient and sustainable service, equating to a better travel experience for the visitors and tourists. It can range from as complex as providing 3-D walk throughs as virtual tourist guides, as well as cashless payments with the hotels, restaurants, shops and transport made available to our visitors. Smart tourism can also maximize the local community engagement, allowing crowdsourcing for the local transport, bed and breakfast, lodging, guided tours done among the locales, with the revenues directly leading to the communities. You would have the local Air BnB, Booking.com etc., but smart tourism would mean more involved local tourist stakeholders and government administrators. Among the many countries heavily invested in smart tourism are sev-

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eral European countries like Spain and France as well as China, Singapore and Hong Kong in Asia. Smart tourism is very much doable in our country. First, the needed telecoms infrastructure, though lacking nationwide, is available in most of our tourist destinations. Second, we have already in most of these sites, an engaged community of stakeholders that recognize the importance of tourism to their livelihood. Third would be the presence of the needed national and local government push—we have our own government department specifically for tourism (Department of Tourism), an agency for tourism infrastructure (Philippine Tourism Authority) and mandated tourism officers on the local level. The ingredients for smart tourism are there; and with the cooperation of the other government departments such as the DOTr for transport, the DICT for telecoms and IT infrastructure, setting up smart tourism roadmap in our country should not be difficult to do. Imagine Boracay or Baguio City. A foreign visitor comes in. Wi-Fi connectivity is available. The needed local information is available online, and translated into any of the major languages. Not just English. Most if not all the local establishments accept cashless payments. Options for lodging, meals, shopping and transport are there as well online. But convenience is just one aspect. There are valuable add-ons to smart tourism. One is safety and security of the traveler. Given that

Wait out the storm; die in the flood

Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace Angel R. Calso

MEMBER OF

Thomas M. Orbos

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Smart tourism

John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

I met a traveller from an antique land, Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone. Stand in the desert.... And on the pedestal, these words appear: My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Round the decay of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare. The lone and level sands stretch far away.”

‘O

zymandias” is a sonnet written by the English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1818, telling the tale of a fallen and broken monument to Ozymandias, a Greek name for the Pharaoh Ramesses II. After three thousand years, all that is left of the 66-year reign of the greatest, most celebrated, and most powerful pharaoh of the New Kingdom, the most powerful period of ancient Egypt, is a collapsed, once 20-meter tall, colossal statue. We are programed to believe that which was in the past, is now and forever will be. Or at least that is what we want to believe. We pass truth from generation to generation expecting The Truth

will not change. We expect trends to continue. “If it was good enough for your father, it should be good enough for you.” But that is a lie. Actually, the biggest “lie” about anything is,

“What worked before is supposed to work now.” The Price/Earnings ratio is calculated by dividing the market price per share by the company’s earnings per share. A high P/E ratio can mean that a stock’s price is high and possibly overvalued. A low P/E ratio might indicate that the current stock price is low relative to earnings. We are told that the Philippine stock market is currently “cheap” because as of October 24, 2023, the composite index P/E ratio is 12.2. The local market is cheap because the 10-year P/E ratio average is 19.1. The last time the P/E was at its 19 average was in March 2022. But it was also cheap at a 15 P/E in July 2022 and at 14 in April 2023. So, what is the “cheap” P/E ratio for the Philippine stock market? Anything below 19? Or is it anything below 15? Maybe it is at the current 12 level? Maybe we will not know until the entire colossus has collapsed into the desert sands. Humans, in my opinion, are naturally optimistic about the future. I mean, you almost have to think

everything is organized online, then transactions are monitored and data stored. Hence, possibilities for fraud, abuse and petty crime, or any other tourist traps are minimized. There is also the quick reaction and response made available to the visitors by the local police, health and rescue authorities. Second, smart tourism can help minimize the effects of the industry on the environment with consideration to carbon footprints of the tourism industry on the area plus less of its impact on the local resources. Third, smart tourism is inclusive with primary focus on the elderly, children, the disabled as well as non-discriminatory, readily and easily done with the help of technology. Lastly, smart tourism is wholistic. Tourists can now avail themselves of more information online on a certain place, written by the people in the locality. Its history, the less known spots and favorite local hangouts, whom to approach, etc. Imagine being a tourist but feeling right at home in a new place, knowing everything and everyone who matters. Tourism dollars are important to us, no doubt. Especially as we are not a manufacturing country and income opportunities domestically are not as abundant as our chances overseas. Yet we have the natural resources already to make tourism big in this country. Just like in other industries, technology can be a game changer. Smart tourism is readily doable for us and should therefore be encouraged. The author may be reached at thomas_orbos@ sloan.mit.edu

that way. If you left the door open on the idea that conditions will never get any better than they are today, there is no reason to get up tomorrow morning. Yet we try to fool ourselves by talking about investing for “a longer investment time horizon.” If we wait long enough, things will always improve. Except, “Fight Club” author, American novelist Chuck Palahniuk, wrote the reality. “On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.” The problem is we will not know if it is the sensible action to take until we have lived through “the long term.” We all have heard stories of people trying to wait out the storm and not evacuating. And then dying in the flood. What we are faced with is that many of the ideas we took to be solid in the past are falling. For example: Raise interest rates and inflation will return to normal levels, the job market will cool, and an equilibrium will come back to the economy. But it is not happening. See “Mangun” A19

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Rift at top exposes EU struggle to keep pace with global powers By Alberto Nardelli, Ewa Krukowska & Jorge Valero

series of flubs is laying bare the European Union’s inner tensions and casting a shadow over its geopolitical ambitions. Last week the bloc’s two most senior figures traveled all the way to the White House to put on a show of unity with President Joe Biden and returned with little more than a souvenir photo, after squabbling between the pair diverted much of the attention. A new war in the Middle East is proving an even greater test—one EU officials initially flunked—as they issued a cascade of contradictory statements whose clearest message was of their own foreign-policy dysfunction. All this is heightened by a rift at the top, which diplomats and officials have labeled embarrassing. The froideur between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel is hampering the union’s effectiveness, these people said, leaving the bloc flailing at a time when it needs to present a credible front on a growing list of issues from conflicts in Ukraine and Israel to trade and China. That was evidenced in the US where the two leaders held separate meetings with Biden, united only in their lack of traction. And the feud has followed them home, where this week the commission president is hosting a big international summit to which, according to a spokesperson for Charles Michel, von der Leyen’s not invited her colleague. Under EU rules, it is member states that jointly set the course of the bloc’s foreign policy. At a time when China and US are becoming more forceful about defending their economic interests, that was an area where von der Leyen decided to seek more influence. Before the start of her five-year term in 2019, she said hers would be a geopolitical commission. As that term enters its final year and a potential second comes into view, few would claim she’s fallen short. Yet her assertiveness has often frustrated colleagues who feel caught out by big policy decisions. Allies of the commission president argue that her style doesn’t only put noses out of joint—it’s helped her do more than any of her predecessors to give the EU geopolitical heft. Along with French President Emmanuel Macron, she acts as the face of the bloc, said one European diplomat, noting that so high a profile for an EU official was without precedent. She was a voice of moral clarity after Russia invaded Ukraine, and pushed the bloc to embrace strong sanctions at a time where leaders themselves—particularly those of France and Germany—were more timid. But they eventually came round. And her close relationship with the US has reaped rewards even as it’s provoked resentments: she championed a China policy of derisking without decoupling that’s these days being echoed by the US. Yet her powers may have run aground in Israel, the ambassadors and officials said. When a deadly incursion hit the country on October 7, von der Leyen was characteristically quick to act. She voiced the EU’s full backing for the country and condemned the assault by Hamas, which the EU designates a terrorist outfit. The only problem was that the EU had already hashed out a joint position, coordinated by the bloc’s top diplomat Josep Borrell. Von der Leyen’s actions put her

Mangun . . .

continued from A18

How can you protect yourself from being left with nothing more than a broken monument? I’ve often discussed that the economy is cyclical. Nothing stays on the same trajectory forever. Therefore, every investment decision you make should be based on

A new war in the Middle East is proving an even greater test— one EU officials initially flunked —as they issued a cascade of contradictory statements whose clearest message was of their own foreign-policy dysfunction. at odds with her colleagues over protocol and substance: many of the member states privately accused her of failing adequately to mention the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which the council position would attend to more carefully. Behind the scenes, European diplomats were mostly united in disapproval against von der Leyen, and several officials had to mop up relations with Israel’s regional neighbors after she later made a visit to Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the people familiar with those discussions, who asked not to be named discussing sensitive matters of diplomacy. After von der Leyen’s trip, member states issued a statement to clarify their position to the Arab world and the global south, and an emergency meeting of the European Council was called. That summit was convened to repair the damage done by the initial reaction of the EU as quickly as possible after the backlash it provoked in Arab countries, according to a senior EU official. The confusion reflected genuine divisions in member states’ stances: Germany has historic reasons to back Israel and Chancellor Olaf Scholz was quick to visit, while Spain has been one of the strongest voices for the Palestinians. Von der Leyen fully subscribes to the EU position as expressed in the council statement of October 15, a spokesperson for her said, while a spokesperson for Michel said he had invested significant efforts in outreach to many partners to help avoid a regional escalation, and to strengthen the EU’s image and credibility abroad. Von der Leyen’s Global Gateway summit, taking place Wednesday and Thursday, is an initiative that falls squarely within the commission prerogatives and managed by the commission, so it is natural that the commission would chair and organize it, her spokesman added. Von der Leyen remains the favorite to secure nomination for second term as commission president after next year’s European Parliament elections, but some diplomats told Bloomberg they are beginning to wonder whether recent events will impact her chances. The Israel episode marks a shift in the tone of the criticism coming at the head of the EU’s executive branch, and of their direction. While the sniping previously came mainly from within the EU machinery, she’s now offended some member states in presuming to speak for them, several of the people said. With assistance from Gina Turner, Maria Tadeo and Kevin Whitelaw / Bloomberg

lowering exposure to risk. Be cautious by having plans in place to respond to much more severe challenges/crises than the mainstream reckons are possible. Practice “Worst-Case Scenario” investing. E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

Opinion BusinessMirror

Thursday, October 26, 2023 A19

AI backlash may bring social unrest to UK, Infosys boss says By Lucy White

he UK has about three years to come up with rules to reassure people about artificial intelligence (AI) before wrenching changes in the way work is done unleashes the potential for social unrest, an industry expert said. Martin Weis, managing partner and global co-lead for AI at Infosys Consulting, said about 30 percent of the hours people put in on the job in places like the US and Britain could be done by technology by 2030. Backoffice tasks and administration are most likely to be affected, threatening to upend millions of jobs. The remarks ahead of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s AI Summit next week underscore the stakes for policy makers facing a rapid shift in the nature of work—and what kind of skills the labor market will need. Weis warned that governments must quickly grasp the shake-up— or risk angering thousands of employees who are affected. That could involve investing in education and re-skilling, legislating to minimize the impact of AI, or even providing a basic income to help those who lose their jobs. “I would say we have two to

three years, because now people are trying it out,” Weis said in an interview, referring to generative AI such as OpenAI Inc.’s ChatGPT. Unless governments plan ahead, he added, the profits from productivity gains brought about by AI will fall into the hands of a few private sector firms—while the average worker could be left jobless and local economies poorer. His warning comes ahead of Sunak’s AI Summit, which will see the UK host a range of global leaders in the sector to discuss the opportunities and risks of the technology. For Sunak, whose father-in-law Narayana Murthy founded Infosys, it’s a chance for him to set out the UK’s stall as a forward-thinking technology-centered economy—one of the ways he plans to boost output growth. Ahead of the summit, the Institute for Public Policy Research pub-

lished a report Wednesday claiming the gathering could be a “missed opportunity” as it focuses on selfregulation. Echoing Weis, the think-tank said that “deep global cooperation” is needed and that governments “need to set out their own bold strategy for AI,” ensuring that the technology is used for public good as well as profit. “Self-regulation didn’t work for social media companies,” said Carsten Jung, senior economist at the IPPR. “It didn’t work for the finance sector, and it won’t work for AI. We shouldn’t just passively anticipate technological developments and hope for the best.” Just last week, the UK’s Institute of Directors, a business lobby group, said the government “must not delay in legislating for AI.” It criticized Sunak for adopting a “wait-and-see” approach, though added that it was broadly supportive of the ideas the government published in a White Paper earlier this year on the principles underlying AI regulation. In a survey of the IoD’s members, 51 percent of business leaders said AI represented an opportunity for them. But only 8 percent had AI

governance structures in place at board level, to examine use of AI in the business or across supply chains, and 60% either lacked knowledge at board level or have failed to consider the risks and opportunities. Companies such as major banks will soon start looking at how to use generative AI to improve productivity, Weis said. Some investment firms such as Schroders have already started using the technology to perform speedy analysis of asset classes. They will use it for everything from writing e-mails to parsing customer inquiries, he said. Those employers will then “look into how much work can be done out of a location like the UK, and compare this then to an offshore location like India or the Philippines” where the cost of employing staff is cheaper. In a boost for Sunak, Weis said the UK is ahead of the curve when looking at AI compared to some European peers. Infosys is already helping some local councils automate back-office tasks, and “the openness to look into it and to get the heads around regulation, adoption, training, upskilling, democratizing the use of AI is really there.” Bloomberg

Xi steps up economic aid with new debt issuance, PBOC visit By Bloomberg News

hinese President Xi Jinping stepped up support for the world’s second-biggest economy, issuing additional sovereign debt, raising the budget deficit ratio and even making an unprecedented visit to the central bank. The nation’s legislature approved a plan to raise the fiscal deficit ratio for 2023 to about 3.8 percent of gross domestic product, the official Xinhua News Agency said Tuesday—well above the 3 percent set in March, which the government has generally considered a limit for the nation. The plan includes issuing additional sovereign debt worth 1 trillion yuan ($137 billion) in the fourth quarter to support disaster relief and construction. China has rarely adjusted the budget mid-year, having previously done so in periods including 2008, in the aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake and in the wake of the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s. “The additional fiscal support approved today is the intervention we had been expecting and that was needed to prevent an abrupt fiscal tightening in China in the closing weeks of the year,” said Mark Williams, chief Asia economist at Capital Economics Ltd. The budget changes came during a flurry of announcements from the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the Communist Party-controlled parliament that oversees government borrowing. The legislature on Tuesday

wrapped a days-long meeting where it also ousted Li Shangfu as defense minister two months after he disappeared from public view, and stripped former foreign minister Qin Gang of his remaining role as State Councilor. Adding to the series of high-profile reshuffles, the Standing Committee named Lan Fo’an as finance minister to replace Liu Kun, a widely expected move. The budget revision underlined concerns among top leadership about the economy’s outlook into next year and the government’s increased focus on shoring up the economy and financial markets. Earlier in the day, Xi himself made his first known visit to the nation’s central bank since he became Chinese president a decade ago. Bloomberg News reported earlier this month that Chinese policymakers were considering raising this year’s budget deficit and issuing additional sovereign debt, part of a push to help the nation reach an official government growth goal of about 5 percent for 2023. Citigroup Inc. economists at the time said a move beyond the usual debt-to-GDP target “could show a greater sense of urgency of the policymakers” as they push to reach that growth goal.

Since then, stronger-than-expected data for the third quarter has led authorities to say they are “very confident” in the economy’s ability to hit that target this year. Several challenges are likely to persist into 2024 though, including problems stemming from ongoing property market turmoil and deflationary pressures. Economists expect growth to slow to 4.5 percent next year. “Relevant authorities should make preparations for the sovereign bond issuance and projects in an active and orderly manner to ensure every penny is managed and used appropriately,” said Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee. The 1 trillion yuan worth of special bond issuance to fund postdisaster reconstruction amounts to additional fiscal stimulus of about 0.8 percent of GDP, according to Duncan Wrigley, chief China economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics Ltd. He said the aim is to prop up China’s recovery going into 2024 against headwinds from falling property construction and exports. Financing infrastructure investment through sovereign bond issuance may also reflect a shift in policy thinking by putting more of the fiscal burden on the central government, rather than local authorities who are running out of room to leverage up. The central government will transfer funds from the additional borrowing to local authorities to use in projects this year and next, according to Tuesday’s announcement. Legislators also renewed through

2027 an authorization for the State Council, China’s cabinet, to frontload some of next year’s local bond quota. Zhao urged for an acceleration in the issuance of new local government notes and the use of the funds raised. Beijing has shown increasing resolve to aid local governments with fiscal problems: Last month, it kicked off a program to allow struggling regional authorities to swap highinterest off-balance-sheet borrowing for lower-interest bonds. Concerns also remain within the nation’s beleaguered private sector, leading authorities to take measures to help remove barriers for them. The State Council, China’s cabinet, is asking the public to help find cases where government agencies are imposing arbitrary fines or favoring stateowned enterprises over private ones, Caixin Global reported Tuesday. Separately, Xi reiterated support for the private sector in a letter to the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce that called for rallying private entrepreneurs around the Party more closely, according to the People’s Daily. In a report to the Standing Committee over the weekend, People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng vowed to make policy “more” targeted and forceful. Pan also underscored a longer-term view on the economy while indicating easing is still on the cards, saying that policy would make good counter-cyclical and cross-cyclical adjustments. With assistance from Evelyn Yu /Bloomberg

Women across Iceland, including the prime minister, go on strike for equal pay and no more violence By Egill Bjarnason The Associated Press

USAVIK, Iceland —Schools, shops, banks and Iceland’s famous swimming pools shut on Tuesday as women in the volcanic island nation—including the prime minister—went on strike to push for an end to unequal pay and gender-based violence. Icelanders awoke to all-male news teams announcing shutdowns across the country, with public transport delayed, hospitals understaffed and hotel rooms uncleaned. Trade unions, the strike’s main organizers, called on women and nonbinary people to refuse paid and unpaid work, including chores. About 90 percent of the country’s workers belong to a union. Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdóttir said she would stay home as part of the strike—“kvennaverkfall” in Icelandic—and expected other women

in her Cabinet would do the same. Iceland, a rugged island of around 380,000 people just below the Arctic Circle, has been ranked as the world’s most gender-equal country 14 years in a row by the World Economic Forum, which measures pay, education, health care and other factors. No country has achieved full equality, and there remains a gender pay gap in Iceland. Tuesday’s walkout, running from midnight to midnight, was billed as the biggest since Iceland’s first such event on October 24, 1975, when 90 percent of women refused to work, clean or look after children, to voice anger at discrimination in the workplace. In 1976, Iceland passed a law guaranteeing equal rights irrespective of gender. Since then there have been several partial-day strikes, most recently in 2018, with women walking off the job in the early afternoon, symbolizing the time of day when

women, on average, stop earning compared to men. Iceland’s schools and the health system, which have female-dominated workforces, said they would be heavily affected. National broadcaster RUV said it was reducing television and radio broadcasts for the day, and reported that only one bank branch in the country was open. Gatherings on Tuesday were held across Iceland, the largest in Reykjavik, where much of the capital’s center was closed to traffic and tens of thousands gathered on the grassy Arnarhóll hill for a rally. Speakers listed grim facts about economic inequality and sexual violence in Iceland, ending by asking, “You call that equality?” The crowd thundered back: “No!” “We have not yet reached our goals of full gender equality and we are still tackling the gender-based wage gap, which is unacceptable in 2023,” Jakobsdóttir told news website mbl.is.

“We are still tackling gender-based violence, which has been a priority for my government to tackle.” Jakobsdóttir’s Cabinet is evenly split between male and female ministers, and nearly half of lawmakers in Iceland’s parliament, the Althingi, are women. But while women in Iceland have pushed or broken the glass ceiling to top jobs—from bishop to leaders of the national wrestling association—the lowest-paying jobs, such as cleaning and child care, are still predominantly done by women. The work, essential to Iceland’s tourism-dominated economy, also depends heavily on immigrants, who on the whole work longer hours and take home the lowest salaries. Around 22 percent of the female workforce is foreign-born, according to Statistics Iceland. Associated Press writers Jill Lawless in London and Ciarán Giles in Madrid contributed to this report.

A20 Thursday, October 26, 2023

AUSTRIA WILL RECRUIT THOUSANDS OF PINOY SKILLED WORKERS By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

ROUND 500 skilled Filipino workers (OFW) will be deployed to Austria annually under a new pact signed by the Department of the Migrant Workers (DMW) with the European country. The new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by DMW Officer-inCharge Hans Leo J. Cacdac and Austrian Federal Ministry for Labor and Economy (BMAW) Secretary Susanne Kraus-Winkler last Wednesday. Cacdac said the MOU will not only benefit OFWs, but also Austria, which is now in need of 75,000 to 200,000 additional skilled workers in several sectors including, healthcare, construction and engineering, information technology, as well as tourism and hospitality. “Through this agreement, we aim to facilitate the deployment of Filipino professionals and skilled workers to Austria in a manner that is safe, ethical, sustainable, and mutually beneficial. Our workers, in return, will contribute to addressing labor shortage in Austria and to sharing their

expertise and commitment to the economic development of Austria,” the DMW official said in a statement. Aside from deployment, the MOU also protects of the rights and welfare of OFWs, and provides them access to skills assessment, education, and equivalence training and licensing in Austria. It also established a workbased vocational training framework and other technical capacity-building initiatives to upgrade the skills and expertise of OFWs. Kraus-Winkler made an assurance that the OFWs in Austria will be treated well. “Austria has many decades of excellent experience with qualified workers from the Philippines, and we are truly grateful for the reliable support,” the Austrian official said. Once implemented, the MOU is expected to significantly increase the number of OFWs in Austria. As of 2022, DMW said there were 5,824 OFWs in Austria. Most of them are employed in the hospitality and food service as well as healthcare sectors.

BOI: Investment approvals to hit P1T by end-October

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

HE Board of Investments (BOI) said it is optimistic of hitting its initial investment approvals target of P1 trillion by the end of October. During the 2023 A rangkada Philippines Forum held on Wednesday in Pasay City, BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo said the investment promotion agency (IPA) expects to add P300 billion to its investment approvals pie for 2023 within the next two months. “Realistically, we will probably reach an additional P300 billion for the next two months. But very important will be the composition of these investments,” Rodolfo said. The BOI official also noted that, “These, I think, are mostly in terms of renewable energy and mostly in terms of foreign investments.”

From January to September, Rodolfo said the BOI already approved P740 billion worth of investments. “For this month, I think we will reach the, by the end of tomorrow’s board meeting, we will be able to already reach P1 trillion for total approvals,” he said. The BOI had initially set an investment approvals target of P1 trillion last December 2022. The agency raised its goal after seeing a “strong influx” of investment recognitions in January and February. It adjusted the goal to P1.5 trillion or twice the actual amount of approvals recorded in 2022, which was P729 billion. “We still have two months to

reach that P1.5 trillion new target, but in terms of the old target I think we are done with that,” the BOI official noted. For his part, Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, who also chairs the BOI, is optimistic that the P1.5trillion target will be reached. “We’re still optimistic. We still have less than a quarter. But we’ve exceeded what was achieved last year,” Pascual told reporters on the sidelines of the 2023 Arangkada Philippines Forum. The Trade chief noted that renewable energy projects will account for more than 50 percent of the P1.5-trillion investment approvals target for 2023. “Karamihan renewable. Buhos ‘yung renewables eh when we announced na pwede na 100-percent foreign ownership,” adding that “Most…more than 50 percent will be RE projects.” Meanwhile, Rodolfo said at a recent briefing in Malacañang that 90 percent of the approved foreign direct investments (FDIs) in January to September are for renewable energy, while the other investments

are in telecommunications, mineral processing, among others. Last Tuesday, Rodolfo said two companies from the People’s Republic of China are expected to infuse $4 billion worth of investments into the Philippines’s wind energy industry. “They have already gone to the Philippines to look at different locations and I think they are already closing in on one particular location where they might be close to each other,” Rodolfo said. The BOI managing head said one of the Chinese firms is into manufacturing monopile towers while the other is into manufacturing turbines and blades. If the investments are approved, Rodolfo said these firms will manufacture products in the Philippines. The BOI official said the opportunity for the Philippines in RE goes beyond service projects and the development of the projects to deliver RE. “But very important also is the hub for manufacturing of equipment and components needed (for RE),” Rodolfo said.

MMDA to raise fines for bus lane violators By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

HE Metropolitan Manila Development Aut hor it y (MMDA) announced on Wednesday that it will raise the penalties slapped against vehicle owners who will disregard the rules governing the exclusive city bus lane along EDSA. Noting that private vehicles repeatedly disregard the rules, MMDA said the fine for the first offense will be increased to P5,000 from the current P1,000. In a press briefing via Zoom, MMDA Acting Chairman Romando Artes said there are many errant drivers of private vehicles, motorcycle riders, and other motor vehicles who continually use the exclusive bus lane despite repeated warnings. “To serve as a deterrent, the MMDA, through the Metro Manila Council [MMC], decided to increase the prescribed fines and impose corresponding suspension of driver’s license depending on the frequency of offense,” he said. Figures from the MMDA showed that from January to October 24, 2023, the agency recorded a total of 11,027 violations of the exclusive city bus lane/bus carousel lane. The bus carousel lane is for the exclusive use of public utility buses, ambulances, and marked government vehicle responding to emergencies. Under MMDA Regulation No. 23-002, the increased fines for the violation of exclusive city bus lane/ EDSA carousel lane regulation for both public and private vehicles are: ■ First Offense–P5,000 ■ Second Offense–P10,000 plus

one month suspension of driver’s license, and required to undergo a road safety seminar ■ Third Offense–P20,000 plus one year suspension of driver’s license ■ Fourth Offense–P30,000 plus

ARTES

recommendation to Land Transportation Office for revocation of driver’s license. Artes said the increase in penalty is not “an anti-poor or a moneymaking scheme.” “Based on our data and observation, there are those who are willing to pay the fines and violated the exclusivity of the bus lane because they can afford it… kalimitan kotse ng mayayaman,” he said. However, he said the MMDA will conduct information campaigns to raise awareness about the increase in its fines prior to full implementation. Meanwhile, Artes clarified that although approved by the MMC, the date of implementation of the no window hour coding scheme is yet to be determined. “We will assess first the situation of Metro Manila roads from November 6 to 12, after the return of vacationers from the provinces for the Undas break. We expect a 15 percent to 20 percent additional vehicle volume as the holiday nears, that’s the time we will decide whether to implement the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. number coding scheme in Metro Manila,” he said. He said the current number coding hours, which is 7 a.m to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. will still be observed.

PRE-UNDAS HUSTLE A tomb cleaner puts in extra hours, tidying up graves in preparation for the approaching October 25 deadline—the final day designated for tomb cleaning before the Undas (All Saints' and All Souls' Day) observance. As the city awaits the annual commemoration, the Manila local government emphasizes the importance of visitors to both Manila North Cemetery and Manila South Cemetery adhering to established regulations. NONIE REYES

DFA in talks with Israel, Palestine for release of Pinoy ‘hostages’ By Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

ANILA is in talks with Tel-Aviv, Ramallah and other governments for the safe release of two Filipinos who were “assumed” to be taken as hostages by the Hamas militants during the October 7 attacks in southern Israel. This development came as three Filipinos have returned to Gaza City, despite the looming threat of Israel’s ground invasion to central Gaza anytime soon. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega clarified though that the Philippine government has not verified up to now whether the two missing Filipinos from southern Israel were indeed taken as hostages. He said the Israeli government is convinced one of the two missing Filipinos is “likely a hostage.” The Filipino worker was filmed being

taken by the Hamas militants. “For the protection of the hostages, we won’t reveal exactly what we’re doing other than to confirm that we are talking to all who may be able to help us, after all it did produce results for at least four of us sages who have been released—two Americans and two Israelis,” de Vega told diplomatic reporters in an online press conference. Israel estimates there are more than 200 hostages—Israelis and foreigners alike—taken by Hamas. De Vega denied the Philippine government is negotiating with Hamas for the safe release of two missing Filipinos.

‘Not backtracking’

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also clarified that the Philippine government backtrack on its support for Israel when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. supported the calls of the Association of

Southeast Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for a ceasefire. “I would like also to clarify to (Israel) Ambassador (Ilan) Flus that the words we indicate are not to be interpreted to mean that we have turned back on the words of the President regarding our support for the Israelis and the Israeli right of self-defense. “After all, we do know that you yourselves don’t want civilian casualties. So we joined the call of the international community in that. We’re not saying that we no longer recognize or condemn the brutal attacks on your citizens. “We thank that the efforts you’re undertaking to rescue, if in fact they are hostages, our nationals, who are with Hamas,” De Vega said.

Back to Gaza City

THE Philippine Embassy in Jordan has reported to the DFA that they have monitored three Filipinos who

have returned to Gaza City. Israel had advised all residents in Gaza City and northern Gaza to evacuate as they are about to conduct ground assault on Hamas infrastructures. Two of the Filipinos are a Palestinian-Filipino father and his son who is a minor who have already evacuated from Gaza City but returned recently to visit his father-in-law who suffered shrapnel wounds and is recuperating in a hospital. Another Filipino national who returned to Gaza is a nun. “Maybe you can give me advice. I mean, how do you tell a sister? If she says this is her calling, how do we tell her, ‘get out of there.’ You know, maybe God is calling on her to stay there, only be repatriated. Hopefully she’ll accept it,” de Vega added. The DFA said it is worried about the 136 Filipinos in Gaza Strip, as the situation is turning into “a humanitarian disaster.”

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Thursday, October 26, 2023

SM Prime to open its 85th shopping mall in Batangas C

Concepcion Industrial 9-mos income up 64%

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

hopping mall operator SM Prime Holdings Inc. (PSE: SMPH) announced it will open SM City Santo Tomas in Batangas on October 27. SM City Santo Tomas will be the firm’s fourth shopping mall in the Batangas province and its 85th mall in the Philippines. The new mall has about 110,000 square meters of gross floor area, the company’s disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) read. The shares of SMPH settled at P30.20 apiece on Wednesday after opening at P30.90. SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim was quoted in a statement as expressing “delight” in the mall’s

opening. Lim added the firm is “making sure that this newest shopping, dining and entertainment hub will provide its guests with SM’s wellloved brand of service and convenience that will be beneficial to our fellows in Batangas, most especially this coming holiday season.” SM City Santo Tomas is situated along Maharlika Highway, San Bartolome, Santo Tomas City, Batangas. The mall is located at the intersection of highways traversing the provinces of Laguna, Batangas and Quezon.

SM City Santo Tomas will open with almost-100 percent of space lease-awarded sharing three levels of shops and brands led by its department store and supermarket. SMPH said the mall will have a foodcourt, a cyberzone, a cinema with three digital screens, parking zones and a transport terminal. SMPH this mall would follow the success of SM City Batangas, SM City Lipa and SM Center Lemery. Once opened, SMPH will have 61 malls in the provincial areas of the Philippines and 24 malls in Metro Manila. The mall’s opening would come nearly two weeks after SMPH opened its fourth mall in Laguna province and 84th in the country. The firm reported a 49-percent increase in consolidated net income to P10.0 billion in the second quarter of the year from P6.7 billion in the second quarter of 2022. “This is on the back of a 39 percent growth in consolidated revenues to

P31.2 billion from P22.5 billion in the same period being reviewed,” the firm said in a disclosure to the PSE last August. SMPH said its local mall business revenues posted a 30 percent growth in the second quarter of the year to P16.1 billion from P12.4 billion last year. The company said its local mall business registered P31.5 billion in revenues in the first half of the year, 53-percent higher than P20.6 billion in 2022. This accounts for 53 percent of the company’s consolidated revenues, according to SMPH. “Rent income grew by 42 percent year-on-year to P26.3 billion from P18.6 billion, as improvement in tenant sales and foot traffic continues,” SMPH said. It added that its local cinema, ticket sales, and other revenues improved to P5.2 billion in the first half of the year, 156-percent higher than P2.0 billion in 2022.

PHL telcos get nod of Opensignal By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

LOBE Telecom Inc. has emerged as the winningest Filipino operator in the “Mobile Network Experience Report” by Opensignal Inc. for the third quarter of 2023. The Ayala-led telecommuncations company clinched six of the 15 awards namely: video experience; live video experience; 5G video ex-

perience; 5G live video experience; 5G games experience; and, coverage experience. “We are deeply grateful and appreciative of the latest results from Open Signal. As we have stated long ago it is our customers’ quality of network experience that is of primary importance to us. We have continuously invested in our network to enable our customers to enjoy a digital lifestyle by providing access they can trust and services they can truly rely on,”

Globe Spokesman Yolanda Crisanto replied when sought for comment. Smart Communications Inc. trailed at second place with five awards under its belt, namely: download speed experience; 5G download speed; 5G upload speed; 5G coverage experience; and, 5G availability. Smart has yet to reply to the BusinessMirror’s request for comment as of press time. Dito Telecommunity Corp. beat the two incumbents in four catego-

ries, namely: games experience; upload speed experience; availability; and, consistent quality. “These accolades attest to the company’s continuous efforts in ramping up its 5G infrastructures. Despite being a newcomer in the telco industry, Dito’s presence is indeed highly felt and recognized globally. The company stays committed to uplifting telecommunities through its affordable, reliable, and high-speed connectivity,” Dito’s statement read.

Grab rolls Meta sued by California, states out 3 new over harmful youth marketing features

RAB PH Holdings Inc. announced last Wednesday it has rolled out three “comprehensive enhancements” in its platform in view of current market changes and improve the well-being and job satisfaction of its drivers. Grab PH Managing Director for Operations Ronald G. Roda said the firm has rolled out the enhancements in platform experience, earnings fairness and sustainability, and social safety nets. “In the face of evolving consumer behaviors and significant macroeconomic shifts, our delivery service’s remarkable resilience is a reflection of our philosophy that our success is intertwined with the success of our partners. As we continue to navigate the post-pandemic era, we are firm in our commitment to showcasing our adaptability and unwavering support to our delivery-partners,” Roda said. On enhancing platform experience, Roda said Grab is implementing “substantial upgrades” to the partner-platform interaction, deploying advanced digital tools for better order forecasting and preparation time accuracy, alongside merchant education programs. By doing so, Roda said Grab aspires to significantly diminish unnecessary delays, letting partners fulfill more orders in less time, and thereby, increasing their potential earnings. Lorenz S. Marasigan

ETA Platforms Inc. was sued by California and a group of more than 30 states over claims that its socialmedia platforms Instagram and Facebook exploit youths for profit and feed them harmful content. The suit, filed Tuesday in federal court in Oakland, California, adds to growing scrutiny of social media giants over how they serve their youngest users. “Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens,” lawyers for the states said in the lawsuit. “Its motive is profit, and in seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its social media platforms.” Meta said it’s committed to keeping teens safe online and has introduced more than 30 tools to support youths and their families. “We’re disappointed that instead of working productively with companies across the industry to create clear, age-appropriate standards for the many apps teens use, the attorneys general have chosen this path,” the company said in a statement. The idea that social media companies shoulder responsibility for the potential damage their products cause to young people came to the fore late in 2021 when former Meta employee Frances Haugen emerged as a whistleblower with documents

about internal operations. Among Haugen’s allegations was a claim that the company was knowingly preying on vulnerable young people to boost profits. Haugen revealed an internal study at Instagram which found evidence that many adolescent girls using the photo-sharing app were suffering from depression and anxiety around body-image issues. Haugen’s testimony to Congress is cited in Tuesday’s complaint. Meta, along with Snap, TikTok, and Google, now face hundreds of lawsuits claiming they’re to blame for adolescents and young adults suffering anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and sleeplessness as a result of their addiction to social media. The companies also have been hit with scores of complaints by school districts on behalf of students alleging that the platforms have created a public nuisance. The platforms have said they are offering more resources to support young users online and argued that the lawsuits improperly seek to regulate content. The suit by the states contends that Meta continues to downplay the harmful effects of its social media platforms on young users, despite allegedly having conducted internal studies that revealed serious harm associated with prolonged use of the web pages by children and teenagers. Facebook and Instagram require users under 13 to submit parental consent to create an account, but

the states claim that Meta collects personal information about users under the age limit who haven’t provided the required permission. The company is accused of using marketing schemes to target those younger users, including publishing advertising campaigns featuring actors that appear to be children using its social media platforms. The lawsuit also points to accounts hosted on both Facebook and Instagram that are child-oriented, including those for toys like Hot Wheels and Lego and television programs like PAW Patrol and Bluey. The states are seeking a court order directing Meta to cease the practices at issue and imposing civil fines for each alleged violation of state and federal law. The case is assigned to US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who is also presiding over the hundreds of personal injury and school district lawsuits from across the country that have been grouped together in Oakland. T he attor neys genera l announced at a virtual press conference Tuesday that in addition to the federal suit, eight states are pursuing cases in state court to enforce consumer protection laws. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said the states are continuing to investigate other social media platforms, but decided to proceed with legal action against Meta as one of the biggest players in the industry. Bloomberg

ONCEPCION Industrial Corp., known for its refrigerators and air-condition appliances, said its income for the nine months of the year through September rose 64 percent to P489.34 million from the previous year’s P297.72 million, as sales exceeded pre-pandemic levels. Revenues hit P10.85 billion for the period, a 12 percent increase from the previous P9.69 billion. For the third quarter alone, its net income quadrupled to P139.04 million from the previous year’s P34 million. The company said it had P3.62 billion in net sales, a 22 percent growth from the previous year’s P2.97 billion The growth was mainly driven by its air conditioning and elevator and escalator categories. Including its associate Concepcion Midea, the group posted P4.5 billion in net sales with a growth rate of 24 percent. “We have delivered promising third quarter results despite the macroeconomic challenges. This undoubtedly demonstrates the strength of our core business, our brands, and our ability to drive growth through our expanded portfolio, end-to-end customized solutions, and long-term relationships with our customers,” company Chairman and CEO Raul Joseph A. Concepcion said. “Our unwavering optimism

in the face of these challenges has not only fueled our growth but also solidified our market leadership. We are committed to navigating the ever-changing economic landscape to provide the best consumer lifestyle and commercial solutions to our customers,” he added. Consumer business generated P2.3 billion in net sales for the quarter, an increase of 6 percent from last year, the company said. Air conditioning product sales, which represent 46 percent of the consumer business, grew 19 percent versus last year. Refrigeration sales were down 8 percent due to lower demand for direct cool refrigerators, no frost refrigerators sales increased by 25 percent driven by the introduction of new models as the company positions to play in this faster growing segment. Other appliances continued their growth momentum posting a growth of 27 percent primarily from laundry product sales. Commercial business delivered a solid performance with sales at P1.3 billion, posting 63 percent growth versus last year. The air conditioning business, which represents 72 percent of the commercial sales, grew 61 percent while sales in the elevator and escalator business increased by 66 percent due to higher project deliveries during the quarter. VG Cabuag

PCCI-JCCI PARTNERSHIP Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry

(PCCI) President George T. Barcelon (2nd from left) and Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) Chairman Ken Kobayashi (2nd from left) led the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the PCCI-JCCI at the “PCCI-JCCI Economic Dialogue” held at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Manila Peninsula in Makati City on October 24, 2023. Witnessing the signing are Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko (right) and PCCI Chairman for International Affairs Jude G. Aguilar (left). The partnership is aimed to provide business opportunities and strengthen economic cooperation for Philippine and Japanese businesses. Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)

Companies BusinessMirror

Thursday, October 26, 2023

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Jollibee to open Common Man Coffee in Ayala

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

OLLIBEE Foods Corp. (JFC) announced last Wednesday it signed a contract with Ayala Land Inc.’s shopping mall division to locate the fast-food firm’s “Common Man Coffee Roasters” (CMCR) store at the Ayala Triangle Gardens.

The Singapore-based Food Collective Pte. Ltd. (FCPL) operates all-day CMCR dining restaurants

in Singapore and Malaysia, with an aim to be a champion for specialty coffee and all-day brunch

concept in Asia. The brand also does coffee roasting and sale of coffee products. The CMCR also runs a Coffee Barista Academy. The Jollibee Group announced in August its joint venture with the FCPL to own and operate CMCR in the Philippines. The Jollibee Group owns 60 percent of the business. “Location is key in establishing Common Man’s foothold in the country,” William Tan Untiong, Jollibee’s chief real estate and design officer, said. “The Ayala Triangle Gardens is at the heart of Makati’s central business district and a hub for many great concepts in the city.

For this reason, it is only fitting that we set up shop in this prime location that will enable us to fully bring the signature ‘Common Man Coffee Roasters’ concept to life,” he said.

We are excited to launch Common Man Coffee Roasters in Manila at this very special location in Ayala Triangle. As with all our cafes, the café design is very creative and not the run of the mill. We are also excited to have a roastery on site so we can showcase the roasting process to our customers, offering a dining and sensory experience, Michael Bovell, general manager of Spa Esprit Food Group, which operates CMCR in Singapore, said. “We are so thrilled to welcome Common Man Coffee Roasters in one of the most unique retail spaces in the country—a place where lasting memories are made,

friendships flourish, and the spirit of community thrives,” Mariana Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Land senior vice president, said. “On a personal note, Common Man holds a special place in my heart, as it was my favorite cafe when I lived in Singapore a few years ago,” she said. Joining Tan Untiong and Bovell during the contract signing were Jollibee’s Joseph C. Tanbuntiong, chief business officer, and ALI Vice-president Christopher B, Maglanoc. The occasion concluded with an unveiling of the first look of the Common Man Coffee Roasters at Ayala Triangle.

www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com

Banking&Finance

Unionbank relaunches credit card business of Citi By VG Cabuag

@villygc

HE Aboitiz-led Union Bank of the Philippines Inc. (Unionbank) has relaunched the Citi credit card and unveiled four new products now under the Unionbank brand to cater to the different needs and lifestyles of the customers. “We are happy to unveil the re-launch of your Citi credit cards under the Unionbank brand. We are keeping true to the promise we made to our clients that they will continue to enjoy their current product benefits, but I am delighted to share that we are not stopping there. Our customers can expect even bigger and better things with their re-branded Unionbank cards,” Manoj Varma, Union Bank’s consumer banking head, said. “We are excited to bring these new Unionbank Credit Cards to the market because our customers will have more options when they look for a card that best suits their lifestyle. Plus, with these cards, they will get to enjoy unbelievable rewards, promos, and experiences,” Ma. Carissa A. Sindiong, the bank’s cards products head said. For those who love to shop and dine out, the Unionbank Rewards Card, has three times the points on shopping and dining, every experience is made more rewarding. Points earned through the card won’t expire. For the value-minded customers who want to save on essentials, there’s the Unionbank Cash Back Card. Cardholders can get up to 6 percent rebate on supermarket purchases, with savings

of up to P15,000 per year. Cardholders can also earn 2 percent rebate on Meralco bills. Those who are always exploring the world can look to the Unionbank Miles+ Card as the perfect travel companion. With it, cardholders can earn 1 mile for every P30 spend, which they can use for flights and more. All miles earned through the card have no expiration, for a lifetime of adventures. Cardholders can also have free airport lounge access via DragonPass. For those select few who enjoy the finer things in life, Unionbank also introduced the new Unionbank Reserve Card. This card entitles cardholders to a complimentary fourth night stay at any hotel booked through the concierge. On top of that, the card gives five times the points on shopping and dining all over the world, access to a VIP global oncierge and airport lounge access via priority pass. Unionbank completed the acquisition of US-based Citi group’s retail banking operations in the country in August last year. The deal, first announced in December 2021, covers Citi’s credit card, unsecured lending, and investment operations in the Philippines and is valued at P45.3 billion. Unionbank said earlier the deal strengthens its position across consumer businesses including credit cards, salary, personal loans and mortgage loans. The acquisition will make Unionbank a top three credit card issuer in terms of usage and spending, the bank said.

BusinessMirror

HE Social Security System (SSS) announced last Wednesday that bereaved families of deceased members may now receive as much as P60,000 as it hiked its funeral benefit package to cover more death-related expenses. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando L. Macasaet was quoted in a statement as saying that the new guidelines provided under SSS Circular 2023-009 aim to incentivize active membership “and streamline the provision of funeral benefits to claimants, especially for surviving legal spouses.” Under the approved guidelines, the state-run pension fund said claimants of deceased members with 36 or more monthly contributions may now receive between P20,000 and P60,000 in funeral benefits, depending on the member’s number of paid contributions and average monthly salary credit. Bereaved families of members who paid at least one but less than 36 monthly

contributions up to the month of their death will be eligible to get a fixed amount of P12,000, according to SSS. The state-run pension fund said it improved its funeral benefit to cover embalming services, burial transfer services and permits, funeral services (including church fees or its equivalent in other religions), cremation or interment services, purchase or rent of coffin, purchase, or rent of niche/cemetery/memorial lot/columbarium, and memorial/ funeral insurance plan. “The funeral expenses as indicated in the proof of payment, shall be reimbursed, but not to exceed the computed funeral benefit due,” the SSS said. “The surviving legal spouse of a member will be given priority over other claimants,” it added. The SSS explained that the funeral benefit applications must be filed within 10 years from the month of death of the member or pensioner. Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE national government plans to borrow as much as P225 billion next month from the tender of various government securities, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).

The borrowing plan set by the Treasury for Treasury bills (T-bills) and Treasury bonds (T-bonds) is P75billion higher than the P150-billion programmed amount for October. In November, the national government aims to raise P75 billion from five auctions of T-bills with a volume of offering of P15 billion per tender. The Treasury is also scheduled to hold next month five auctions of

T-bonds with varying tenors with a total value of P150 billion. Each Tbonds auction would have a volume of offering of P30 billion. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort attributed the higher borrowing plan next month to the national government’s move to “frontload” some of its borrowing requirements ahead of the “seasonal lull” in borrowings during the holiday season.

“Furthermore, the relatively higher interest rates/bond yields since July 2023 would also justify hedging/frontloading some of the national government’s borrowing requirements amid geopolitical risks recently related to the IsraelHamas war since October 7 that could potentially widen/escalate, though world leaders have been working to prevent this risk from happening,” Ricafort told the BusinessMirror. The national government has been struggling to borrow its full target amount from the domestic market as investors have been asking for higher than acceptable yields, particularly for T-bills, amid volatile market conditions. The Treasury was only able to raise P141.641 billion or about 94.42 percent of its target amount from the sale of debt papers this month. Treasury data showed that it only awarded 86 percent or about P51.641 billion out of its target amount of P60

billion this month. The Treasury did not record a full award across the four tenders of Tbills this month, settling for either mixed or partial awards. The highest amount raised by the Treasury in a single T-bills auction was P14.26 billion, recorded last October 23. The rates for the T-bills were influenced by local and global political and economic factors including the escalating war between Israel and Hamas. The possibility of a looming local policy interest rate hike and sudden acceleration in domestic inflation print were factored in by investors in their asking yields. Meanwhile, the Treasury raised the full P90 billion target from three auctions of T-bonds with a value of P30 billion each this month. For the whole year, the national government plans to borrow P2.207 trillion with a 75:25 mix in favor of domestic sources.

‘High taxes, customs fees bar investments in agri’ By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

IGH taxes, custom duties, and tariff rates and difficulty in procuring licenses and raw materials are among the stumbling blocks to private sector investment in the agriculture sector, according to a former official of the Department of Agriculture (DA). In a speech at a forum organized by the Philippine Stratbase Consultancy Inc., former Agriculture Undersecretary Fermin D. Adriano said that “the limited private sector investment in Philippine agriculture, which is evident in the small percentage of establishments—only 1 percent engaged in the sector— contributes to consistently low farm productivity.” “Without heavy private sector investment, our agriculture sector will not develop because the resources in the hands of the government are limited. The bulk of resources in this country is in the hands of the private sector. If they are not going to actively participate, I don’t see a future in the agriculture industry,” Adriano added.

The last time US yields rose, it sank the economy twice

HERE’S a good reason why investors are amazed that something hasn’t broken in the economy yet: The last time US government bond yields climbed so far, so fast, the nation plunged into back-to-back recessions. The 10-year Treasury yield—a key baseline for the cost of money across the financial system—has jumped more than four full percentage points over the past three years, briefly pushing it this week over 5 percent for the first time since 2007. It’s the biggest increase since the run up in the early 1980s, when Paul Volcker’s efforts to slay inflation pushed the 10year yield to nearly 16 percent. In one sense, the similarities are no surprise, since Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s interest-rate hikes have been the most aggressive since then. In another, it underscores just how much times have changed. In the 1980s, the monetary policy onslaught set off two recessions. Now, the economy has continued to defy pessimistic forecasts, with the Atlanta Fed’s estimate showing that in the third quarter it likely even gained steam. Of course, policy was more restrictive during the Volcker era. Adjusted for consumer-price increases, the “real” 10-year Treasury yield— or what it paid after inflation—was around 4 percent by the time the second downturn of the period started in mid-1981, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. It’s around 1 percent now. But the surprising economic strength has nevertheless injected large amounts of uncertainty into markets, where bond yields have

Nov borrowing target seen as NG’s ‘frontloading’ tack

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SSS streamlines provision for members’ funeral aid

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Thursday, October 26, 2023

pushed up sharply over the past several months amid increasing conviction that the Fed will keep interest rates high. Whether such resilience can be sustained remains to be seen. Billionaire investor Bill Ackman closed his bearish bets against longterm bonds Monday, saying the economy is slowing fast. Yet the year began with similar calls, accompanied by expectations that the bond market would rally as the Fed changed course. Instead, bond prices have kept tumbling. The Bloomberg US Treasury Total Index is down about 2.6 percent this year, extending its losses since the peak in August 2020 to 18 percent. In comparison, the worst peak-to-trough drawdown previously was a decline of about 7 percent in 1980, when the Fed’s key benchmark hit 20 percent. This selloff has been more painful because rates had been low, depressing the income payments that help to offset the hit. Another factor has been the sharp increase in the federal deficit, which is flooding the market with new Treasuries at a time when traditional big buyers, including the Fed and other major central banks, have pulled back on bond buying. That’s seen as one reason why yields have marched higher in recent weeks even as the futures market shows traders think the Fed’s rate hikes are likely done. “A hard landing is sort of our base case scenario—but I can’t point to any data and say, ‘This is a clear leading indicator of a recession and look right here,’”said Priya Misra, a portfolio manager at JPMorgan Asset Management. Bloomberg

He explained that those needing imported materials as raw materials complain about the high tariff rates of certain commodities. “For example, you’re involved in animal feed milling, the tariff rate is about 35-percent lowest and it can go as high as 40 percent or above compared to Vietnam, which is only about 2 percent,” Adriano said. He added that the high tariffs for raw materials such as corn for feed result to higher cost of livestock in the Philippines. Adriano noted that the prices of livestock in the country are “exorbitantly high,” 73-percent higher than Vietnam and “probably double that of Thailand.” “The main reason for that is the cost of raw materials here are very expensive. They produce corn in Thailand. Vietnam imports corn but at 2 percent,” the former DA official added. “The solution is to increase their income or lower the prices by lowering their tariffs so that imported items will come in, raw materials, and then end product will be lower. That is our point of view.” Furthermore, Adriano also

identified difficulty in developing commercial farms, climate change, and the perceived inadequate government support in reducing or mitigating risks particularly in the spread of animal and plant diseases, as among the other main constraints to private sector investments. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier stressed the need to industrialize the agriculture sector amid the rising demand in agriculture products due to population density and the current geopolitical situation in the country. “Investments in infrastructure and in the capacity of our people— whether in agriculture, education, health, or transportation—are crucial in driving our nation and our economy forward,” Marcos has said. ”We must put a high premium on investments in agriculture, as it is the key to combating hunger and poverty, and achieving our goal of food sufficiency and security across the country.”   Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano said resolving regulatory matters for veterinary feeds, drugs and bio-

logicals like vaccines, is necessary to encourage more investments in the agriculture sector. “The government wants to have coherent policies and definite answers to the stakeholders in agriculture. By having these, we hope to make them invest more. The regulatory matters have to be aligned to get the private sector to produce more food and ensure food security for the nation,” Savellano said during the same forum. To ensure stability in the food supply chain in the country, Stratbase Group Chief Operating Officer Rupert Paul C. Manhit said he supports lowering the tariff of raw materials in the meantime while continuously providing assistance to local farmers. Manhit said there is a need to have proper forecasting to create a balance between the importation and local production of agriculture products. “The local industry stakeholders said they are capable of producing the demand of the Philippine market, as long as there is proper forecasting and enough data research,” he added.

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng • www.businessmirror.com.ph

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Czech Republic keen on agri deal with PHL By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

he Czech Republic will deploy trade missions next year to explore possible partnerships on agriculture and defense with the Philippines. Czech Republic Ambassador to the Philippines Karel Hejč made the announcement during the presentation of his credentials to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. last Tuesday in Malacañang. “The opportunities are here. We just need to grab them and I’m pleased to mention that just in the next year, we will start here with the visit of the foreign committee of our parliament on so much important defense and security issues of the regional geopolitics,”

Hejč said. In preparation for the said missions, he said the Czech Minister of Agriculture will visit the country accompanied with a business delegate within the year. The Czech diplomat also invited the President to visit their country to attend their trade fair on September next year. “If you will have some time during your visit in the Czech Republic, it will be also a pleasure to show you some of the industries that are

Project of IFAD, Grow Asia aims to help PHL farmers go digital

he International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Grow Asia launched the Smallholder Economic Empowerment through Digital Solutions (SEEDS) project which seeks to accelerate the economic development for small-scale farming families and poor rural people in the Philippines through digital solutions. IFAD and Grow Asia also launched the project in Vietnam and Cambodia last October 23. The initiative has received financial support from the Republic of Korea’s Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA). Southeast Asia is home to 660 million people across 10 countries, and has seen incredible change in recent decades, driven by the rapidly increasing availability and adoption of technology. While digital technology has brought unprecedented opportunities and sources of income, a persistent digital gap means that small-scale farmers and rural people have been unable to tap into these new opportunities. IFAD said SEEDS aims to leverage strong partnerships to bring localized solutions that bridge this gap and ensure truly inclusive growth in the region by helping them to access services to modernize their farms and agrienterprises. It will directly benefit 48,000 people, as well as 30 start-ups and 150 government officials across the three countries at the national or subnational level. “Around 150 million adults in Southeast Asia still lack access to digital technologies, and rural people are especially left behind. Collaboration is essential to ensure that everyone has access to, and can benefit from, the wide opportunities the new digital economy opens up,” said Reehana Raza, regional director, Asia and the Pacific, IFAD. “SEEDS is an initiative that attempts to bring all partners together to enhance digital inclusion, so that technology can be a real force for good.” While the interest in leveraging digital technologies to improve service delivery for small-scale farmers is growing rapidly among the governments of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and response from the private sector is picking up, there are policy and regulatory barriers that limit the uptake of innovations in service provision. Some of these barriers are low digital literacy; a gap in coverage because of poor or limited mobile internet connectivity; and inadequate data privacy policies and regulations. SEEDS will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the policy and regulatory landscape influencing the uptake of digital innovations in smallholder agriculture, with a focus on policies that promote connectivity in rural and remote regions. The goal is to collaborate with government and private sector partners to enhance the supportive policy and regulatory framework for smallholder digital technologies. In addition, SEEDS will engage governments, agribusinesses, technology, and support organizations in Cambodia, the Philippines, and Vietnam to identify specific digital initiatives that can be supported. It will also link to existing IFAD country programs and interventions, aligning with already existing digital components and initiatives. It will identify promising digital solutions that have already been developed and piloted through IFAD-funded projects in the three countries to be strengthened and scaled up. Importantly, the grassroots farmer organizations that work with IFAD-funded projects can allay concerns of smallscale farmers, especially those related to data privacy, and act as the last mile provider of services and training to members. “To that end, SEEDS will assist these organizations in acquiring digital literacy and mastering the use of relevant digital technologies. This will allow small-scale farmers to be integrated into the evolving digital technology landscape, and to achieve higher farm productivity and incomes.”

Photo shows one of the 520 tractors delivered by the Czech Ministry of Food and Agriculture to Ghana. www.mzv.cz

interested in working with your Armed Forces, with your Coast Guard,” Hejč said. The Czech Republic is known for manufacturing agricultural machinery like small tractors

and war material such as fighter jets, airplanes, ships and other equipment. The President said he welcomes the initiatives since it will help his administration achieve its goal of

enhancing the country’s agriculture and defense sector. “Your country has already been of assistance to us in proposing some vessels that we could use for the securing of our maritime wa-

ters, our maritime territory. And as you must know that this is becoming a very thorny problem that we are facing,” Marcos told Hejč. Last April, Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala visited the country to discuss defense cooperation, trade and investment, and university-to-university linkages. Czech Republic is ranked as the country’s 39th trading partner with total bilateral trade amounting to $303.21 million. With farms covering 44 percent of the country area, the agriculture industry is one of the most important sectors of the Czech economy, according to EIT Food, Europe’s leading food innovation initiative. T he countr y’s ag r icu ltura l production is diversified. Top export products are milk, livestock, grains, sugar and malt. Approximately 13.7 percent of farmland of Czech Republic are used for organic farming.

Regulatory ‘confusion’ puts livestock sector at risk–Villar By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

he “confusion” over which agenc y shou ld reg u late veterinary products, such as African swine fever (ASF) vaccines, must be ironed out to prevent undue harm to the livestock sector caused by the sale of unregulated items. Sen. Cynthia A. Villar made this remark dur ing a Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food hearing on Wednesday that looked into the alleged sale of ASF vaccines in the local black market. In her opening remarks, Villar said the regulatory “confusion” between the Bureau of Animal Industr y (BA I) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on which agency would regulate veterinary products should be blamed for the supposed entry

and sale of the ASF vaccines. Citing the Department of Justice, Villar said the BAI does not have any regulatory jurisdiction over veterinary products and establishments. Villar added that this mandate falls under the purview of the FDA. However, she noted that in the case of the ASF vaccines, it was the BAI that facilitated the trials and even the endorsement for the importation of doses for emergency use. “Due to the confusion of who is in charge, over the BAI and the FDA over veterinary products, many incoming shipments which are not necessarily ASF or Avian Influenza related drugs ended up seized by the Bureau of Customs, unable to be released until now,” she said. “This bureaucratic issue has disrupted the flow and supply of basic veterinary drugs to the swine, poultry and livestock in-

dustry putting it to unnecessary risk,” she added. Villar said the BAI endorsed to the FDA the authorized importation for emergency use of the ASF vaccines from AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Co. through KPP Powers Commodities Inc. She said the ASF vaccines, at the time of their entry in the country, were not yet registered with the FDA, making them “illegal.” “Before a company’s products are allowed entry into the Philippine market, each of these products must undergo an individual product registration process by the FDA, to secure a Certificate of Product Registration,” she said. “What happens if I have no Certificate of Product Registration for my products? According to Philippine laws, failure to secure CPR for your products is illegal,” Villar said.

Villar claimed that a “small number” of the imported vaccines went to the hands of backyard hog raisers contrary to the rules of the trial that they should be used by commercial farms. “Buyers of the vaccine were asked to sign a waiver of secrecy on the monitored effect of the vaccine on their animals,” she said. The Philippines continues to experience outbreaks of ASF. Early this month, two Oriental Mindoro towns were placed under state of calamity following the confirmation of an ASF outbreak. Villar noted that except for the National Capital Region, no region is left unaffected by the ASF. “Since 2019 when it was first discovered in a pig farm in Rizal, the lack of vaccine or effective treatment has made the control of the disease very challenging.”

Biofuel boom to push US soy meal exports to record high

hipments of US soybean meal to other countries are expected to climb to a record high next year as more of America’s top oilseed crop is crushed for vegetable oil sought after to make green diesel. America’s soy meal, which is created along with oil during crushing of whole soybeans, is forecast to reach exports of 13.9 million tons in the 2023-24 season, the United States Department of Agriculture said Monday. That would exceed the record 13.2 million tons valued at almost $7 billion that was hit in the season ended in September. Higher global demand for US meal comes as drought in Argentina, typically the world’s biggest soy meal exporter, has slashed the South American country’s supplies available for shipment. More soybeans are being processed as energy and agriculture companies look to profit from incentives to make cleaner burning fuel made from renewable sources such as farm crops. The production frenzy has led to a rush on soy oil, a key ingredient in green diesel. That in turn is leading to more soy meal, a commodity used to feed livestock. The trend is expected to continue. For the first time earlier this year, more US soy oil was used for biofuel production than food and other domestic uses. “US exports of soybean meal should continue to expand as

An employee looks at soybean meal in a grain flat storage terminal. Bloomberg

new soybean processing facilities come online over the next several years,” said Scott Gerlt, chief economist for the American Soybean Association.

Nigeria’s raw minerals

Meanwhile, Nigeria plans to tighten rules to reduce the export of raw minerals and encourage the shipment of processed products, a move aimed at creating jobs and boosting the value of its exports. “You can’t take our minerals away without adding value locally,” Dele Alake, the minister for solid minerals, said in an interview. “Which means you must start a factory to produce something that is associated with the

mineral that you are taking out.” Africa’s largest crude producer is banking on its mineral reserves to provide an alternative source of income as oil output dwindles. The country has lithium, gold, bitumen and iron ore deposits and is intent on emulating nations such as Indonesia in climbing up the commodities value chain and boosting employment. Indonesia’s nickel exports surged tenfold in five years after it forced buyers to set up refineries in the country. Prev ious Niger ian gover nments have unsuccessfully tried to revive the mining and quarrying industry. A decade ago, thenPresident Goodluck Jonathan’s administration set a target of

boosting mining’s contribution to gross domestic product to 3 percent by 2015. The sector accounted for just 0.2 percent of output last year, according to PwC. Encouraging foreign companies to refine minerals in-country remains challenging—investors have to contend with an unreliable electricity supply and weak domestic demand, while most minerals are extracted by illegal miners. Northern Nigeria has also long been plagued by insecurity, with armed gangs carrying out mass abductions and killings. The gangs have also displaced local communities, making way for illegal mining, Alake said. Last month, President Bola Tinubu’s administration said it was introducing new regulations aimed at cracking down on smuggling and providing better oversight of the industry. It also intends to revoke licenses that aren’t used within 18 months. The government signed an agreement with Australian authorities last month to train locals on the technicalities of the mining industry. That should ensure better regulation and more efficient exploration of the country’s solid minerals, Alake said. The solid-minerals ministry has received “tremendous interest from foreign direct investors,” Finance Minister Wale Edun said at a conference in Abuja on Monday. “We expect some of that to come to fruition.” Bloomberg News

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Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • Thursday, October 26, 2023

Self-care for our mind and body L

AST week I shared about why self-care is important amid our everyday grinds. This week, I wanted to share my discoveries on why and how our physical health is important in our total self-care. Personally, I have always put my physical health last on my priority list. Going back to Melissa Bernstein’s book Practice Makes Purpose, she shares how we tend to think of our physical and mental well-being as two different parts, but she points out that they are inextricably linked together. The same biochemical processes that influence one type of well-being also influence the other. According to the book, “Our physical well-being is the foundation. When we prioritize sleep, nourishment, joyful movement, and habits that support our longevity, we cultivate the energy we need to connect with ourselves and others authentically and find joy and meaning.” How many of us wake up feeling already tired? Do you feel enough energy to go through your day with joy and purpose? I like how the book explains our vitality like that of a tree’s. For a tree, it means it is being nurtured with enough water, sunlight and air which it needs to grow a strong trunk and a healthy head of leaves. “As humans, vitality is all

about ensuring that we have the adequate rest, joyful movement, nourishment, and self-care necessary to blossom each day...Our vitality is the foundation of well-being. If we deny ourselves the gratification of filling our basic physiological needs, our energy will then be expended on satiating those needs with no capacity to focus elsewhere. Once those needs are met, we can direct our attention to nurturing our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.” Adequate rest seems like a simple task but many of us find hard to achieve. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “Sleep is important to a number of brain functions, including how nerve cells [neurons] communicate with each other.” I learned from this site that sleep affects almost every type of tissue and system in the body—from the brain, heart and lungs to metabolism, immune function, mood, and disease resistance. Research shows that a chronic lack of sleep, or getting poor quality sleep, increases the risk of disorders including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression and obesity. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the adequate amount of sleep for adults is between 7 and 9 hours a night. But, according to Practice Makes Purpose, sleep is not just about quantity. It further advises that to feel fully vitalized, you also need to focus on the quality of your sleep, and you can improve that quality by making small changes throughout the day. The book gives three concrete suggestions: 1. Investing in the quality of sleep throughout your day: What you eat and drink, how you move, and your experiences each day matter. It suggests introducing joyful movement in the first part of your day; trying to have your last meal at least two hours before bedtime; and cutting off caffeine after 2 pm. 2. Creating your sleep ecosystem: Your environment impacts the quality of your sleep. It

suggests setting the room temperature between 65-69°F; using blackout shades to darken the room or try an eye mask to bar light; and using a white noise machine to dampen distractions. 3. Defining your bedtime routine: It suggests setting a bedtime and sticking to it consistently; turning off screens 3 to 60 minutes before getting into bed; and creating a way to let your body know it’s almost time for sleep, such as taking a bath, listening to relaxing music, or using a calming essential oil. For me, it always helps to “empty” my day by imagining all the day’s concerns to be going down through roots that end up at the earth’s core, where they all melt away. I always end my day with a prayer of gratitude for all that has happened today and thank God in advance for all that will come my way tomorrow. The book points us to taking breaks, as rest, so we can recharge like taking a walk around the block, brief meditation, a chat with a friend, having a cup of tea or snack or a brief stretch break. All of these can improve focus, mood and creativity. Nourishment is another important component of self-care. It is interesting to learn from this book that the human gut contains 500 million neurons, which are the types of cells that are also found in the brain. Studies have shown that people who eat many nutrient-dense foods report greater levels of happiness and mental well-being. Other studies show that eating a diet largely composed of fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, and whole grains is associated with a reduction in risk of depression. It suggests eating foods in every color of the rainbow; replacing added sugars with natural sugars; replacing salt with flavorful herbs and spices; eating until you are 80 percent full to leave each meal feeling satiated but not stuffed; and sitting down when eating to slow down and savor each bite. ■

ELLEN CARBON, a retired school administrator, revealed a great lesson she’s gaining: “What I am learning now is I need to be a good receiver.”

BREAST cancer survivor and former caterer Gina Ledesma was happy with her experience at the camp and said, “I can feel a special kind of healing happening here.”

LIFESCIENCE expert Adrian Tan led a Pain Reprocessing Therapy (RPT) workshop, with mindfulness exercises that “rewire” neural pathways in the brain so that pain becomes less threatening.

THE cancer warriors at the two-day Coachella for Healing camp.

Cancer patients, survivors benefit from 2-day respite at Coachella for Healing TWENTY cancer patients and survivors, many of them underprivileged, recently completed the first Coachella for Healing—a two-day holistic wellness camp that provided mindful sessions and, more importantly, an opportunity to step away from the rigors of treatments and to relax in the company of people who understand what each other is going through. Made possible by a collaboration between the Cancer Resource and Wellness Community (Carewell), functional medicine provider and advocate LifeScience Center, and renowned photographer Jun de Leon who spearheaded the program, the first Coachella for Healing was set amid the lush, open spaces of Casa San Pablo in Laguna. ■ CREATIVE WELLNESS RETREAT. The cancer warriors in attendance were offered three clusters of activities during the camp including therapeutic mindfulness activities, creative expression sessions, and nature explorations. All were designed to rally and support these warriors as they faced the toughest battle of their lives. LifeScience expert Adrian Tan took the cancer warriors through a workshop of Pain Reprocessing Therapy (RPT), an approach to treating chronic pain through mindfulness exercises that “rewire” neural pathways in the brain so that pain becomes less threatening. “Through RPT, we learn to experience pain just as it is,” explains Adrian. “We learn to free ourselves from the emotional state behind the pain.” Aromatherapist Gina Torres Evangelista prepared the participants for a peaceful night’s sleep by guiding them through an aromatherapy

meditation. The following day, Viel Tiu, also from LifeScience, led a Sunrise Somatic Movement session. Somatic exercise uses gentle mind-body movements and awareness to release pent-up tension in the body and our emotions. A most welcome treat was an osteopathic massage, a holistic full body massage focused on soft tissues using very light touch and gentle short strokes. Viel explains, “Osteopathy helps the body heal itself.” Carewell’s Toots Magsino, a mixed-media collage artist and a cancer survivor, kicked off the creative activities by teaching the cancer warriors how to make glass tealight holders decorated with translucent paper. “It was fascinating to feel the energy in the room gently convert into soothing safety,” An observed. “I could feel inner healing happening as everyone was immersed in their creative work.” Casa San Pablo’s creative wellbeing facilitators rolled out other activities for the participants including artisan pizza-making, handcrafted jewelry-making, macrame, and hand-painting jute bags and hats. ■ LIFE-CHANGING. Gina Ledesma, a breast cancer survivor and former caterer, didn’t hold back her tears during her walks in the gardens. “I can feel a special kind of healing happening here. The free flow of tears is the signal that healing is happening,” she said. “This is like coming full circle. We’re all survivors in a way, right? Coming together this way puts a period or an exclamation point to what we have been through. I needed this.”

An, the innkeeper and a caregiver, expressed: “I think as caregivers we don’t allow ourselves to feel. We can’t be vulnerable when we must be strong for our sick loved one. But doing this creative activity here, knowing that I am surrounded by others going through the same thing, gave me permission to feel again.” For Ellen Carbon, a retired school administrator diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, the time together allowed her a chance to reflect on her life journey. “I am single and independent. I don’t want to bother people to take care of me,” she explained. “But what I am learning now is I need to be a good receiver. I was so dedicated to my work, I probably completely forgot myself.” Abbygale Arenas de Leon, former beauty queen, motivational speaker, and herself a cancer warrior summed it up best in her inspirational talk at the last stretch of the retreat: “I learned to be mindful and present in the moment. Now, I make time to sit down and watch the clouds. Now, I don’t want to miss out on experiencing life as it happens. “There is life after cancer,” Jun de Leon points out. “As dedicated caregivers, this is what we are working hard to show the cancer warriors we can support through the Coachella for Healing. Life should never be half-lived. Everyone deserves more, and I hope that this program benefits more underprivileged cancer patients and survivors with the help of many others. To learn more about the Coachella for Healing program and the ways to sponsor and support cancer patients and survivors on their healing journeys, e-mail studiojundeleon@gmail.com.

HALLOWEEN Cookie-Do

No tricks, just treats: Halloween toothsome sweets

CAT Choco Smash

JUST in time for Halloween, Chef Lovely Jiao of Sugarplum Pastries returns with “No tricks, just treats!”, a spooky series from the dessert innovator’s amusing offers that gather people together. “Our Halloween collection started during the pandemic when most kids were indoors,” Chef Lovely shared. “Now that everyone is outdoors, we decided to have a selection for kids to share as tokens and giveaways.” “Let us commemorate the face-to-face interactions, which we lost for a few years.” The crowd-favorite season-inspired Cookie-Dos are back. The DIY pack includes naked sugar biscuits, which could take the shape of skulls, ghosts and monsters. It comes with three piping bags in the colors of purple, orange and green, as well as a variety of sprinkles and chocolate balls. “The cookie-dos inspire creativity,” Chef Lovely beamed. “We keep the outline very minimal so the children can design it any way they want. They can go wild with their interpretations.” Choco Smash—a surprise filled with an assortment of sweets—is another Sugarplum Pastries staple. This year, it makes a comeback in the form of a carved pumpkin, a black cat, and a friendly vampire. It features a wooden mallet for added interactivity. The lineup likewise includes Cakesicles—a delectable confection coated with mouthwatering fudge. These decadent pops are adorned with eerie chocolate eyeballs, skulls, bones and ghosts. Completing the set is a range of four-inch Bento Cakes. These darling minis feature mouthwatering layers of moist chocolate sponge frosted with doodles, more pumpkins, spider webs, and other quirky creatures. Each piece comes in a take-out box. Chef Lovely is armed with a culinary degree from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLSCSB) School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM) and has honed her skills at the Makati Shangri-La and F1 Hotel Taguig. She established Sugarplum Pastries in 2011. Through the years, she has stayed true to her philosophy “no to boring desserts!” and promises to only create the most enticing pastries to celebrate family time. More information is available at www.facebook.com/ sugarplumpastriesph.

PUMPKIN bento cake CAKESICLE

Thursday, October 26 , 2023

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FILIPINO JET SKI CHAMPION TAKES HOME WORLD TITLE IN IMPRESSIVE LAST HURRAH

REMARKABLE final race. Paul Del Rosario’s recent and final race was held at Lake Havasu City in Arizona, USA, in early October, entering his last World championshipsa, the 2023 SBT (Short Block Technologies) IJSBA Jetski World Finals. He was able to secure one first place finish for the Philippines, under the amateur ski modlites class, and a runner up finish in another category the, veterans (ages 35 to 45yrs) ski gp class. Both categories are from the ski class/stand up category, a jetski type with no built in seats, requiring the rider to stand up, which is the most difficult form of jetski racing to date. Del Rosario came close to winning two world titles. Unfortunately, with stiff competition, and exhaustion from being made to do a total of six races in one day instead of dividing the two categories in separate days, ended up finishing a little short in the Vet Ski GP category, with a tie breaker rule involved (the vet class is for racers in the 35 to 45 years old bracket), where he took home a silver medal. This was still a big improvement from the fifth place finish he had the previous year. Fresh from ending his last 2023 JSAP Philippine national race season held last September, Del Rosario also won two Philippine titles—the Open Ski class (Open, which means almost no limits to modifications to the hull and motor; and Ski, meaning standup type Jet Ski, which is the hardest form of jet skiing); and the expert Stock Ski Class (Stock, which means leaving the motor and hull untampered and leaving them in their original form). Del Rosario was also the first hall of famer recipient from JSAP this 2023, for his notable international achievements as his contributions to the organization and to our country. “[Being recognized as a Hall of Famer] is truly an honor,” he said. And while every win is important. His dedication and passion

for the sport led him to numerous victories and prestigious titles, cementing his status as one of the most prominent Filipino athletes in competitive Jet Ski racing. “It’s a fitting ending for a long jetski racing career. I can now retire in peace and focus on work, family, and assisting JSAP to develop more talent to represent the Philippines internationally,” Del Rosario said. Del Rosario’s remarkable achievements include clinching the Philippine Rider of the Year award from the Jetski Association of the Philippines (JSAP) an impressive nine times. His crowning glory came in 2010 when he finally won his first World title in the expert runabout World Finals after years of trying. For years, he came close to bringing home the gold but never entirely, with mechanical issues always plaguing his final races. In 2022, Del Rosario at 43 years old remarkably secured his second gold medal, for himself and for our country, this time on a stand-up class jetski, a class difficult for his age, at the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) World Finals in the Ski Modlites category, held in Arizona, USA. IJSBA is the governing body of the sport, similar to how the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) oversees soccer in the world. Bagging the top prize in the World Finals is a big deal. In the world of Jet Ski racing, this league is like its Olympics, with respective national champions from other countries sent to compete. This victory not only brought pride to the Philippines but also elevated him to the coveted rank of #1 in the world rankings for his category. Among the many accolades he has won over the years are being three times World Champion (2010 Expert Open Runabout/ sit down type), 2022 Am Ski Modlites Champion, 2023 Vet Ski GP; 2007 Thailand Pro Am Runabout Super Stock; and

2011 Thai World Cup champion (Pro-Am Runabout Open). Del Rosario is also the only Filipino rider to win internationally on all three major types of Jet skiing—sport, ski, and runabout. Reflecting on his illustrious career, Del Rosario said, “Jet Ski racing makes me feel much more alive. When I’m riding one, it feels like I’m in a different world.” However, every athlete knows that retirement is inevitable. In 2023, Del Rosario made the difficult decision to retire from competitive sports, acknowledging that his fruitful career had prepared him for this moment. “I can now retire in peace and focus on work, family, and assisting JSAP to develop more talent to represent the Philippines internationally,” he said. Del Rosario’s achievements are not just personal victories; they are proof of the resilience and dedication of Filipino athletes. Jet Ski racing presents its challenges, including the high cost of entry and the physical risks involved, Del Rosario’s story showcases the unwavering spirit of athletes who overcome these obstacles for the love of their sport. His seven-year hiatus—partly due to injuries such as herniated lumbar discs, advanced tendinitis of both kneecaps, and an impinged shoulder—and subsequent comeback highlight the mental and physical fortitude required to compete at the highest level. As he bids farewell to competitive racing, Del Rosario is full of gratitude. “My gratitude goes out to all the brands and people that have supported me over the years, the likes of Davies paints, Lordfel marketing, Mesco inc, Motul, BG products, Ryusei Int’l, Manila Cordage, Dynamic castings, k2 top engineering, Jetpilot Philippines, Networx jetsports and fastpowersports.

Toasting Six Years of Excellence with Whisky Live Manila’s return to Makati Shangri-La

HE most anticipated event in the whisky aficionado’s calendar, Whisky Live Manila, is set to mark its return this year with an unforgettable celebration on October 27 to 28, 2023 at the newly reopened Makati Shangri-La. Promising an elevated experience that transcends expectations, this annual international whisky tasting event is poised to captivate discerning and affluent circles, young professionals, and aspiring whisky enthusiasts alike. Since its inaugural year in 2016, Whisky Live Manila has been an unparalleled showcase of the world’s finest whisky brands, united under one roof. Over the years, it has carved a reputation as the premier destination for connoisseurs and novices alike to sample an unparalleled selection of top-notch whiskies, curated with precision and passion. Whisky Live’s illustrious journey began as a local tribute to the whisky industry. Today, it stands as a global phenomenon, with representation in 20 countries and shows in 40 different cities, thanks to its visionary owner, Paragraph Publishing in London. With its extensive reach, Whisky Live has emerged as the largest sponsor of whisky festivals worldwide. This year’s milestone celebration promises

an experience like never before, as Whisky Live Manila takes center stage boasting an array of tantalizing offerings, including an exclusive VIP section, cutting-edge masterclasses, and workshops that delve deep into the world of whisky. Attendees can expect to be enthralled by a selection of top-notch whiskies from esteemed producers, with a spectrum of flavors and aromas that cater to every palate. Distilleries are poised to bring their crème de la crème, including Brand Ambassadors, master blenders, master distillers, and distillery managers, adding an extra layer of prestige to an already

distinguished affair. For those seeking a truly immersive experience, VIP tickets afford early entry and coveted access to rare and exclusive whiskies, creating an intimate setting for discerning collectors and enthusiasts to connect with the luminaries of the whisky world. Whisky Live Manila’s commitment to education and exploration is manifest through an array of masterclasses and guided tastings that promise to deepen the understanding and appreciation of this time-honored spirit. It’s an opportunity for both seasoned connoisseurs and budding enthusiasts to expand their whisky knowledge and refine their palates. As the worldwide whisky renaissance continues to flourish, so too does the allure of whisky-related tourism and festivals. For those who have yet to embark on this remarkable journey, Whisky Live Manila beckons you to join the ranks of the enlightened. For our loyal patrons, rest assured, there will be an abundance of new and exquisite whiskies awaiting your discerning taste. Don’t miss this milestone event. Secure your tickets at www.whiskylive.ph and prepare for an unparalleled celebration of whisky excellence at Whisky Live Manila’s 6th Anniversary.

The Taste We’ve Always Loved : A Trip Down Memory Lane With Royal Crown Cola

OW that we’re back to living the fast-paced l ife, we’re a l most always caught in the middle of the hustle and bustle of it all. With our to-do lists seemingly never - end i ng , h av i ng to attend to one endeavor after the other—it’s easier than ever to forget the simple joys of life. Sometimes, all you need is a quick stroll outside, a quick catch up with friends or enjoying a well-deserved meal with an ice-cold Royal Crown Cola. Reminiscent of sunny and carefree days, all it takes is one taste of its timeless taste to brighten up your day. Est abl ished in 1905 b y M r. C l a u d e A d k i n s Hatcher, a d isting uished American pharmacist and entrepreneur. His eagerness to create a unique range of soft drinks has led him to create ginger ale, a series of fruit flavored sodas and ultimately, Royal Crown Cola that we’ve all come to love, making him an icon in the soft drink industry. Apart from its classic and premium taste, the all-new Royal Crown Cola’s packaging pays homage to Mr. Claude Adkins-Hatcher. It’s more than just another soft drink, it’s a celebration of innovation and courage

to challenge established industry norms. Royal Crown Cola’s legacy and unwavering commitment to quality is exactly what makes it a popular beverage choice throughout the world. Whether you’re celebrating big or small wins in life, ready to take a risk or just in need of some inspiration ,enjoy every moment with Royal Crown Cola.

I LOVE EARTH AND THE EUROPEAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE PHILIPPINES

NEWPORT World Resorts’ commitment to sustainability, I LOVE Earth (ILE), received acclaim for its Waste Management efforts from the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) during the 2023 Europa Awards. The ECCP promotes and recognizes companies with exceptional performance and contributions in promoting sustainability aligned with global standards and the Philippine Development Plan through the annual Europa Awards. Newport World Resorts’ ILE weaves together the various sustainability efforts of its international hotel brands, entertainment, retail, dining and leisure facilities into one which serves as a model for collaboration in the industry. The program’s “Reform, Reduce, Recycle, Repurpose” pillar, in particular, have made significant progress in the reduction of plastic usage and overall waste sent to landfills by the property through combined efforts of repurposing discarded linens; converting to bulk hotel amenities, glass water bottles, biodegradable packaging; reducing food waste, and recycling hazardous wastes such as used oils, used batteries, and e-waste. Speaking during the awarding ceremony, ILE Council Chairman, Marriott International Multi-Property Vice President for the Philippines and Marriott Hotel Manila General Manager Bruce Winton underscored the importance of working together to create collective impact, “The continuity of our sustainability initiatives is underpinned by one thing, which is the most important aspect of Newport World Resorts’ program, and that is LOVE. All of us here— the private sector, government, non-government organizations, media–are all part of this effort. We hope the others will join us in saying, “I Love Earth,” and putting that commitment into action.”

Join the Fa-BOO-lous Halloween celebration at The Westin Manila

OO cute to spook? Dress up your kids and pet dogs in fun and colorful costumes and take them to The Westin Manila for a Halloween lunch celebration and a Fa-BOO-lous Costume Parade on October 29, 2023. The themed Sunday lunch buffet at Seasonal Tastes features a wickedly wonderful spread alongside premium meats such as Australian Beef Rump, Turkey, BBQ Pork Ribs, Roasted Chicken, and a variety of sausages, plus an assortment of sweets, treats, and much more. Lunch is served from 12 pm to 2:30 pm. Every two adults who dine at the Halloween lunch buffet are entitled to two complimentary tickets for their children to join the Kiddie Costume Soirée in the afternoon, from 2 pm to 4 pm. Held in the ballroom foyer on the second level, the afternoon activity is offered to kids two to 12 years old. The program includes games, cookie decorating, costume parade, giveaways, and a five-minute self-portrait shoot per child at the A Studios booth. Event-only tickets are also sold at P599 per child, for those who are only joining the Kiddie Costume Soirée. Pet dogs are invited to the Doggie Costume Paw-ty at the Lobby Lounge veranda from 4 pm to 6 pm. Tickets are sold at P1,500 nett each, good for one dog and one pet owner, and the rate is consumable on food and drinks from the A La Bark and Lobby Lounge menus. The

event will include a paw-lor game and costume parade, giveaways, and a 5-minute photo session for each dog at the A Studios booth. Limited slots are available. Book your table and register through westinmanila@westin.com or +632.8256.2020. To explore more about The Westin Manila, please visit www.westinmanilahotel.com . Follow @ westinmanilahotel on Facebook and Instagram for updates and announcements.

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PHL-EU mutual ties mark 60 years with fitting logo

that “it is a thoughtfully designed symbol of the EU-Philippine partnership: Elegant yet simple; intricately crafted but aesthetically pleasing. It serves as a solid representation of how our relationship will continue to progress unabated—and I am confident that my fellow jury members share the same sentiments.” Sibala is a graphic designer at the University of Immaculate Conception in Davao, where he also studied Bachelor of Arts in Communication and graduated as a magna cum laude. According to him, he drew inspiration from the “unwavering support of the EU for the Philippines, regardless of the numerous issues and crises our nation has endured.” “The EU continues to stand by us, assisting in peace talks, addressing climate concerns, tackling poverty, fostering youth development, and more,” the designer said. “This unwavering commitment is represented by the main symbol in my logo,

Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations Charles C. Jose, joined Mička for the honorary toast. Jose extended his heartfelt congratulations to the people of the Czech Republic on the occasion of their nation’s 105th founding anniversary. He also expressed his optimism that in the next 50 years, both the Czech Republic and the Philippines “will continue to work together toward mutual development.” Among senior government officials who graced the occasion were Sen. Mark Villar, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista. Guests were treated to the finest beer from the European country, which is renowned for its rich brewing heritage. This beverage enhanced the evening with the authentic flavors of Czech culture. Annually observed every 28th of October, the Czech National Day marks a pivotal moment in the country’s history, which symbolizes “the dawn of a new era marked by selfdetermination and freedom,” according to the embassy.

Canada, Japan join ‘Sama-Sama’ with PHL, US, UK naval forces

Ever-flourishing which is the ‘infinite’ sign.” The EU ambassador hosted a luncheon in honor of Sibala and Opeña in his residence. Tanamor was unable to attend as he is currently based in Australia.

Remarkable relationship

THE cooperation between the EU and the Republic of the Philippines is a longstanding one, which has broadened and deepened remarkably in recent years. In his speech during the awarding ceremonies, Véron explained the reason in celebrating 60 years of the Philippine-EU bilateral relationship: “Commemorating the long list of our joint achievements, we are celebrating how the Philippines is hosting the first ‘Copernicus’ mirror site in Asia, and how Filipino students constitute among the most numerous [recipients] worldwide in terms of ‘Erasmus Mundus’ scholarships...”

THE Philippines and the former “European Communities” established diplomatic ties in 1964. These have flourished through the years, and people-to-people links have never been stronger through high-level visits, parliamentary interactions, diplomatic engagements, visitors’ programs, academic and cultural exchanges, trade, development cooperation, migration, tourism and seafaring, as well as humanitarian aid, said the delegation. Meanwhile, the “Partnership and Cooperation Agreement” between the EU and the Philippines entered into force on March 1, 2018, which provides a legal framework for the strengthening of the bilateral relationship; in particular, on political, social and economic matters, as well as human rights. It likewise reflects the longstanding partnership the bloc has with the people of the Philippines, and its commitment to investing in a strong and beneficial relationship with Filipinos.

50 yrs of Czech-Philippine relations: All about ‘friends, přátelé, kaibigan’

N celebration of both its National Day and the 50-year milestone of two-way ties with the Philippines, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Manila hosted a grand reception on October 16. The evening’s program paid homage to the enduring friendship between both countries, then honored the shared values and goals that have characterized their flourishing relationship over the past halfcentury. The event was attended by more than 300 distinguished guests—including government officials, partners of the embassy from the business and development sectors, as well as members of the diplomatic community. Much to the delight of the guests, Chargé d’affaires a.i. Dalibor Mička began his remarks in Filipino as the embassy official welcomed the guests to the grand reception. He also highlighted accomplishments of the Czech Republic and the Philippines’s mutual relations that further emphasized their special bond. Chargé d’affaires a.i. Rev. Msgr. Alessio Deriu of the Apostolic Nunciature, as well as Foreign Affairs

He continued: “We [also celebrate the historic visit of EU Commission’s president] Ursula von der Leyen, and her announcement on the prospective resumption of free-trade agreement negotiations. The list extends across six decades—and therefore a symbolic logo is necessary.”

LOGO commemorating six decades of relations between the Philippines and the European Union (EU) in 2024 was unveiled on October 18. Ambassador Luc Véron of the EU Delegation and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Ma. Elena Algabre jointly announced that the work of Julie Ar Sibala from Davao emerged as winner in a contest to create a fitting artistic symbol of the mutual cooperation between the bloc and the Philippines. The artwork was selected through a competition launched among Filipino youth and evaluated on the basis of relevance to the theme, originality, visual impact and usability. Those of Czar Julenen Tanamor and Erick Michael Opeña were adjudged as first runner-up and third placer, respectively. Véron commended the works of the young Filipinos who joined the tilt for their innovation and creativity, plus the ability to reflect the growing partnership between the EU and the Philippines. The envoy shared that they had a hard time deliberating on the best execution. Of the winning logo, he said

Thursday, October 26, 2023

COMMANDING officers of the exercise’s participating navies.

WO of the Philippines’s closest allies saw participation in the “Sama-Sama” multilateral exercise, which was hosted by the United States Navy and the Philippine Navy to bolster cooperation and realize a “free and open Indo-Pacific” with like-minded countries. Held in the vicinity of the cities of Manila and Legazpi, the naval exercise was divided into two: the “Harbor Phase” and the “Sea Phase.” In the first held from October 2 to 7, participants engaged in subject-matter expertise exchanges spanning several topics such as maritime-domain awareness, international law, and medical practices. The latter, conducted between October 8 and 13, involved practical aspects of the exercise such as search-and-rescue exercises and replenishment at sea, among many others. Canada, with His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver, its embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel participated for the first time in the exercise from October 2 to 12. During the Sea Phase, Vancouver took part in activities focused on building partnerships, enhancing maritimedomain awareness, interdiction, searchand-rescue, including humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief operations. It also included patrols, cross-deck landing of embarked helicopters, plus searchand-rescue drills to synchronize efforts with other participating navies. The Royal Canadian Navy’s participation in Sama-Sama illustrates Canada’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, according to the latter’s embassy. The CAF engagement supports Canada’s aim, articulated in its “Indo-Pacific Strategy,” to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, as well as enhance maritime interoperability. Ambassador David Hartman said his country is delivering on its commitments in the Indo-Pacific: “Canada

and the Philippines share a common commitment to the rules-based international order, international law, and democracy. Military exercises such as this one build upon and [boost the already robust ties of] our two countries.” The Canadian Department of National Defence and CAF continue to explore opportunities for enhanced defense cooperation with the Philippines through the “Military Training and Cooperation Program” and capacity-building initiatives. “Canada is determined to grow its defense relationship with the Philippines and address shared security challenges to maintain a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific,” Cmdr. Meghan Coates, commanding officer of HMCS Vancouver, confirmed. “This first-time participation in Sama-Sama reflects the CAFs’ commitment to play a meaningful and active role in the region, and [strengthens] our relationship with our partners in the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he emphasized. For the Embassy of Canada, consistent cooperation and collaborative training benefit all participating partners by fostering close navy-to-navy relationships based on mutual security priorities, while contributing to a peaceful and secure maritime domain. Currently, HMCS Vancouver is continuing its planned operations in the wider Indo-Pacific. For its part, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) deployed JS Akebono from October 2 to 13 to join its counterpart units from the navies of the Philippines, US, Canada, and the United Kingdom. According to the Embassy of Japan, the latest edition of Sama-Sama was the fourth time the JMSDF participated in the multilateral exercise. With it, the latter seeks to improve its tactical capabilities, as well as “enhance mutual understanding and strengthen the relationship of trust with participating navies.”

Polish data-services firm’s Phil. arm poised for more growth in near future

SECRETARY of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo and Chargé d’affaires a.i. Dalibor Mička

Meanwhile, the five decades of diplomatic relations between “Czechia” and the Philippines under-

score the enduring friendship and collaboration formally established on October 5, 1973.

24TH ASEAN-OSHNET COORDINATING BOARD MEET As keynote speaker of the event held in Quezon City, Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma (back row, center) em-

phasized the importance of continuing engagement and cooperation in the various activities and programs to collectively strengthen risk-management capabilities and explore more areas for collaboration in ensuring safer, stronger, and more secured workplaces in the region. Hosted by the Philippines and joined by representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam with the delegation from Timor Leste logged online as an observer state, the board meeting was the first in-person gathering of the network after the pandemic. MARIA GLAIZA S. FEBRE, DOLE-IPS

ARSAW, POLAND-BASED Lingaro Group—an end-toend data-services partner working with global brands and enterprises including several Fortune 500 companies—is bullish that its Manila office will have a key role in the firm’s global operations growth. It leads clients through their data journey: from strategy up to development, to operations and adoption, helping them realize the full value of their data. “The Philippines has a large talent pool that can help…grow [our] business,” Lingaro CEO Sam Mantle told reporters in a recent press briefing. Coinciding with the Lingaro’s 10th anniversary, Mantle visited the Philippines on October 12 to outline the firm’s future plans. He said Filipinos will also be positioned in the forefront of the company’s decisionmaking processes by developing their potential, making it more meaningful for clients. The CEO discussed how Lingaro has thrived despite recent hurdles: “2021 and 2022 were pivotal…We expanded globally and acquired over 20 new clients.” He emphasized that Lingaro’s guarantee to understand its clients’ sectors was key to its achievements: “We have always been driven by a strong sense of purpose: to deliver innovative and

award-winning solutions to our global partners.” Looking ahead, Mantle is bullish about Lingaro’s global prospects: “We have several new initiatives and projects [as we maintain our focus on sustainability aligned] with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,” he revealed. Meanwhile, Country Head Eric Magdato of Lingaro Phils. outlined the firm’s achievements over the past decade. “Proper client servicing begins internally,” he said. “We prioritize the well-being of our employees, making it easier for us to embrace challenges and adapt to change.” Cited as an outstanding organization by clients and employees, Lingaro Phils. has been certified by the “Great Place to Work” initiative for two consecutive years. Since 2008, Lingaro has been recognized by clients and global research and advisory firms for innovation, technology excellence, and the consistent delivery of highest-quality data services. Its Philippine office is committed to maintaining high standards of client service and employee care. With new developments on the horizon and an unwavering commitment to excellence, the local arm is poised for continuous growth, according to a company statement. Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Health&Fitness BusinessMirror

Thursday, October 26, 2023 C1

DOH notes rise in influenza-like illness, pneumonia cases IN PHL he Department of Health (DOH) has noted an increase in the number of influenzalike illnesses (ILI) and pneumonia cases over the past few months. The agency is anticipating an increase in ILI because of the onset of the cooler weather.

number of cases in 2023 compared to the previous year is observed in most diseases under surveillance which could be attributed to the efforts in strengthening the surveillance for the other diseases as we shift our focus from Covid-19. PEXELS.COM | POLINA TANCELAVITH

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

been reported nationally.

Rise noted To differentiate between the two ailments, ILI can weaken the immune system and trigger an inflammatory response in your body. This makes you more susceptible to getting other infections. Pneumonia, on the other hand, may be a complication of the flu. Flu tends to come on suddenly while pneumonia develops more slowly.

ILI symptoms Influenza-like illness (ILI) is defined as fever or its abrupt on-

set. It is used for flu surveillance worldwide. A person with ILI may experience one or more of these symptoms: chills, headache, malaise, myalgia, cough, pharyngitis, other respiratory complaints. The DOH said that it will implement strict monitoring of influenza-like cases, anticipating the rise in cases in the coming months. As of October 13, 2023, the DOH reported that a total of 151,375 cases of ILI cases have

The number is 45 percent higher compared to 104,613 ILI cases reported during the same period in 2022. Also, in the recent three to four weeks (September 3-16, 2023), ILI cases have increased by 26 percent compared to the reported cases two weeks prior. “Looking at historical data since 2009, case increases coincide with the onset of rainy and colder months,” the DOH said. The DOH added that higher

Avoid the spread Persons with ILI should be advised of the importance of covering coughs and sneezes with their shoulder, elbow, or a tissue. Used tissues should be disposed of immediately in a disposable container (e.g., plastic bag) or a washable trash can. If soap and water are not available, they can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated every year. Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine every season, especially people at higher risk.

Lung infection Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. According to the DOH, it oc-

curs when the air sacs or alveoli become inflamed and filled with fluid or pus. Many bacteria, viruses, and fungi can cause pneumonia. It can be acquired in the community, in the hospital or healthcare facility, or through ventilators. Moreover, certain populations, infants and very young children, the elderly, people with immunocompromising or chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, heart disease, and HIV, are more prone to developing severe pneumonia that may require hospitalization.

Rise in pneumonia cases The DOH said that from January to June 2023, a total of 82,122 pneumonia cases have been reported to rural health units in the country. This is 26.93 percent higher than the cases reported in the same period in 2022. Similarly, pneumonia cases in children under-five years are 11.13 percent higher this year than in 2022 (34,160 versus 30,739). “This data came from the Field

Health Services Information System which only includes data in public health facilities. Moreover, data available as of writing is only up to June 2023 as submission of data is set on a quarterly basis,” the DOH said.

Prevention and control The DOH said that a healthy immune system is important in combating pneumonia. Thus, it is vital to maintain a nutritious diet, regular exercise, adequate rest, and an overall healthy lifestyle. Smoking damages the lungs and airways; thus, it is important to stop smoking. Some vaccines, recommended for certain populations such as young children, people older than 65, and those with immunocompromising or chronic conditions, can prevent certain types of pneumonia. It is also important to exercise proper hygiene at all times and maintain a clean and properly ventilated environment at home and in community settings, especially indoors.

Asian Hospital and Medical Center boosts community programs, partnerships, employee engagement

Dr. Beaver Tamesis, Asian Hospital President and CEO, and Dr. Maria Estrella P. Diokno, Medi Linx President and CEO, sign an agreement where Medi Linx will directly manage the clinical laboratory operations of Asian Hospital through its unique brand of care founded on established international standards.

Asian Hospital signed a memorandum of agreement with Parkway Hospitals Singapore to collaborate in providing medical education and training to specialists and nurses as well as hospital administrators under the Medial Affiliate Program.

The Department of Labor and Employment recognized Asian Hospital and Medical Center – T.A.P.A.T Labor Management Council (AHMC-TAPAT-LMC) as the 2023 Regional Outstanding Labor Management Council for Industrial Peace for the National Capital Region.

he month of October 2023 has seen Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) engaging in various activities to not only to strengthen its ties with the community but also with its employees and other institutions.

Senior Wellness Club Launch Asian Hospital recently launched the Senior Wellness Club to give senior citizens a venue to gather socially and at the same time learn more about how to stay healthy. The highlight of the launch were the presentations made by the different hospital departments of the services that senior citizens can avail of. The participants also had a great time mingling and getting to know each other. The services and activities that are going to be pursued by the Senior Wellness Club include family support, home safety, medication needs, cognitive health, mobility, personal hygiene, meal preparation and social interaction. Future activities will include different education lectures that will tackle the common health issues that senior citizens encounter like fall prevention, skin and memory problems, among others. The Senior Wellness Club will also serve as a venue to feature senior citizens who have made an

Asian Hospital’s Senior Wellness Club gives senior citizens a venue to gather socially and at the same time learn more about how to stay healthy.

impact on society in order to encourage other seniors to aim for healthy ageing.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Celebration This year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month coincided with the 10th anniversary celebration of Asian Cancer Institute’s Breast Center with the theme “A Decade of Empowering Women.” In his opening remarks, Dr. Beaver Tamesis, Asian Hospital’s President and CEO, called on everyone present to move forward and ensure that every woman out there is aware of how she can accurately detect, if not prevent breast cancer. This was echoed by Dr. Aldine Basa, Breast Center Head, who said

“the month-long campaign aims to raise public awareness about the disease, encourage regular screening, and support those affected by breast cancer.”

Momentous partnerships Asian Hospital has entered into a partnership with Medi Linx Laboratory for optimized laboratory operations during a contract signing and key turnover ceremony. Under the agreement, Medi Linx will directly manage the clinical laboratory operations of Asian Hospital through its unique brand of care founded on established international standards. The event was led by Dr. Tamesis and Dr. Maria Estrella P. Diokno, Medi Linx President and CEO. Additionally, the hospital also

This year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month coincided with the 10th anniversary celebration of Asian Cancer Institute’s Breast Center with the theme “A Decade of Empowering Women.

signed a memorandum of agreement with Parkway Hospitals Singapore to collaborate in providing medical education and training to specialists and nurses as well as hospital administrators under the Medial Affiliate Program. Scientific exchange and innovation programs include clinical knowledge sharing, patient access to advanced expertise and technologies and quality improvement in healthcare delivery. Present during the MOA signing were Dr. Tamesis; Dr. Jose Acuin, AHMC Chief Medical Officer; and Jeffrey Law, IHH Healthcare Singapore Chief Commercial Officer.

Best practices for Employee Engagement, Relations One of the month’s highlights

was the Department of Labor and Employment’s recognition of Asian Hospital and Medical Center–T.A.P.A.T Labor Management Council (AHMC-TAPAT-LMC) as the 2023 Regional Outstanding Labor Management Council for Industrial Peace for the National Capital Region. D OL E re co g n i z e d A H MCTAPAT-LMC’s outstanding performance in the maintenance of industrial peace at the enterprise level, better communication and effective labor management relations. TAPAT’s role in the hospital is to serve as a channel of communication between the management and employees; serve as a mechanism or voice of the employees and support to manage-

ment where employee pulse, concerns and recommendations are heard and raised, ensuring that all items related to or may affect the employees are discussed and understood; serve as a support system to manage major changes in the hospital that may affect the workforce; and support the management to achieve organizational success and growth. “Despite all the challenges and the dynamics of the workforce in the healthcare industry, this award is a testament to TAPAT’s accomplishments since 2017. This serves as proof that TAPAT has continuously grown and flourished”, said Jemah Cristobal-Aguiloso, Human Resources Manager for Employee Engagement and Labor Relations.

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C2 Thursday, October 26, 2023

WHO releases 2 publications to raise, educate teens on ill-effects of tobacco, nicotine products

he World Health Organization (WHO) said that the tobacco industry has been relentlessly targeting young people with tobacco and nicotine products resulting in the increase in e-cigarette use and nine out of 10 smokers starting before the age of 18. It was also noted that products have also been made more affordable for young people through the sale of single-use cigarettes and e-cigarettes, which typically lack health warnings. To help protect children’s hea lth just in time for back-to-school season in many countries, the WHO released two new publications: “Freedom from tobacco and nicotine: Guide for Schools,” and “Nicotine- and tobacco-free school toolkit.” In the Philippines, the Parents Against

Vaping (PAV) has expressed support to the call of the WHO as they underscored the importance to prevent harm to youth from smoking and vaping. “As parents, as teachers, local government and government officials, we have a responsibility to protect the health of our young people now!” PAV said. “The schools and LGUs should ensure that no person should smoke whether inside or outside of the school, at any time of day,” PAV said. The PAV stressed that the harm that to-

bacco can do to the youth, especially its effect on their growing brain. “There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke,” PAV said, stressing that commercial tobacco smoke contains hundreds of harmful chemicals.

Stop selling illegal e-cigarettes Regulators in the US last month warned companies to stop selling illegal e-cigarettes that appeal to youth by resembling school supplies, cartoon characters, and even teddy bears. “W hether sitting in class, playing

games outside or waiting at the school bus stop, we must protect young people from deadly second-hand smoke and toxic e-cigarette emissions as well as ads promoting these products,” said Dr. Ruediger Krech, Director of Health Promotion, WHO. The new guide and toolkit are step-bystep manuals for schools to create nicotine- and tobacco-free campuses, but it takes a “whole of school” approach, which includes teachers, staff, students, parents, among others. The guide and toolkit include topics on how to support students to quit, education campaigns, implementing policies and how to enforce them. The guide highlights four ways to foster a nicotine- and tobacco-free environment for young people: n banning nicotine and tobacco products on school campuses; n prohibiting the sale of nicotine and tobacco products near schools; n banning direct and indirect ads and promotion of nicotine and tobacco prod-

ucts near schools; and n refusing sponsorship or engagement with tobacco and nicotine industries. Countries worldwide that were highlighted in the publication as having successfully implemented policies that support tobacco and nicotine free campuses include India, Indonesia, Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Qatar, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine. The new WHO guide can help create nicotine- and tobacco-free schools that help keep kids healthy and safe. Nicotine- and tobacco-free policies help to prevent young people from starting to smoke; create a healthier, more productive student body; protect youth from toxic chemicals in second-hand smoke; reduce cigarette litter; and cut cleaning costs. To protect people’s health, WHO encourages all countries to make all indoor public places completely smoke-free in line with Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Luxurious spa opens in QC Communities can’t recycle or trash disposable to offer R&R the healthy way e-cigarettes. So what happens to them? By Roderick L. Abad | Contributor

OR a “healthy” way of rest and recreation (R&R), a spa is the go-to place for people who want to relieve their stress from today’s hurried pace of life. Adding to these places dotting the metropolis to provide patrons with renewal of mind, body and spirit is the Massage Luxx Spa. The fouryear-old establishment that offers overall wellbeing recently opened its third branch in Libis Quezon City. “This is an upscale version of our first two outlets,” JV Cruz, one of the spa owners, told reporters in a recent media briefing and tour of the facility. “For this flagship branch, we are coed, bringing together male and female [clients under one roof].” Located at the second storey of Suncrest Building along E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, this is the biggest and most luxurious outlet, spanning at 1,000-square meter space area complete with top-notch amenities and facilities one could look for in a wellness haven. Upon entering the place, one could already feel its opulence, thanks to its Greek-inspired architectural design with a twist of modern industrial look lent by the unfinished-like Stucco or render of the interior walls, floors and ceilings. It predominantly comes in modern black and gold hues, accentuated with rattan furniture and creative artworks for sale from commissioned artist-friends of the owners. The Massage Luxx Spa-Libis Flagship branch boasts of 35 parking space, 32 beds, two private couple’s rooms with its own bathtub and showers, dry sauna, steam bath and a lap pool for male and female customers. A posh bar is also a favorite spot here to either unwind by lonesome or hangout with old or newfound friends over some delectable bites, quenching cocktails and drinks, and free-flowing wines.

Pampering services INDULGING in therapeutic services are a glut at this flagship outlet that promote physical and mental health among patrons. Spa goers may choose to avail of traditional hilot, Thai, sport, pre- and post-natal massages. A cupping therapy is also an option. Clients who may want to have them outside of the spa can avail the home or hotel service. Generally speaking, massage is referred to systematically and strategically pressing, rubbing and manipulating the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissues of the human body. From light to hard pressure, this is considered a part of integrative medicine that relaxes and alleviates pain, discomfort, anxiety and fatigue. “Our main edge is our quality massage,” Cruz said, while attributing this to their 80 certified and well-trained male and female therapists across all branches.

Vibrant business

TRUE to its name “Luxx” that is a Latin word for “Gift from God,” the owners consider it as a blessing in disguise that came their way at the onset of the Covid-19 crisis in 2019. According to former gig worker Cruz, when his hosting stint was affected by the pandemic, he threw his hat into entrepreneurship with the help and guidance of one of his business partners. During the time, the latter saw an opportunity when a spa at the Valencia Hills Condominium in Quezon City was up for sale at a low price. While most businesses, including spas, were temporarily shut down due to the spread of the fatal virus, they grabbed the opportunity to acquire it. He recalled that they even operated it even during lockdowns that led to closure by the authorities. But it didn’t deter them to push through with the business when the situation eased up and economic activities resumed. Started with only 10 therapists and 11 beds, the Massage Luxx Spa now has grown and continued to create a buzz for its quality service and clean amenities that the clients adored and loved. Today, the Massage Luxx Spa I has 50 therapists and 28 rooms. This main branch is complete with facilities and amenities caters to male clients only with a luxurious lobby bar that serves bar bites, mixed drinks and wines free of charge. The newly renovated wet area comes with a varsity shower where clients can take showers with a steam bath, jacuzzi and dry sauna. It did not take long for the expansion with the opening of Massage Luxx II last year. The extension outlet is merely a few steps away from the pioneer branch. But this is dedicated for female clients and couples with a very cozy private area that has a warm jacuzzi and dry sauna. The ultimate couples’ promo here is among of the bestsellers due to its free exclusive wet area access, 30 minutes body scrub and an hour-and-30 minutes of combined Swedish, Shiatsu and Thai massages. Then came the opening of the flagship branch last September 15, and has since received a favorable reception from the market. Cruz said: “In our grand opening, we reached 150 clients. On the second, we got 80. On the average, we serve 80 to 90 customers daily. Our goal is to have 120 guests everyday.” Starting the business a few years back, the owners and the whole team have strived hard to fulfill the company’s goals. Moving forward, the firm plans to expand the third branch for membership with its hotel-like amenities such as accommodations, gym, barber shop, etc. Also, more outlet openings are in the pipeline—either company-owned or franchised—in Muntinlupa by December 2023, and provincial areas like Baguio and Pampanga in 2024. “All the hurdles and sacrifices during the pandemic, Massage Luxx Spa managed to survive. Today, we thrive for success, and there is no turning back.” Cruz said.

By Matthew Perrone The Associated Press

ASHINGTON—With the growing popularity of disposable e-cigarettes, communities across the US are confronting a new vaping problem: how to safely get rid of millions of small, battery-powered devices that are considered hazardous waste. For years, the debate surrounding vaping largely centered on its risks for high school and middle school students enticed by flavors like gummy bear, lemonade and watermelon. But the recent shift toward e-cigarettes that can’t be refilled has created a new environmental dilemma. The devices, which contain nicotine, lithium and other metals, cannot be reused or recycled. Under federal environmental law, they also aren’t supposed to go in the trash. US teens and adults are buying roughly 12 million disposable vapes per month. With little federal guidance, local officials are finding their own ways to dispose of e-cigarettes collected from schools, colleges, vape shops and other sites. “We are in a really weird regulatory place where there is no legal place to put these and yet we know, every year, tens of millions of disposables are thrown in the trash,” said Yogi Hale Hendlin, a health and environmental researcher at the University of California, San Francisco. In late August, sanitation workers in Monroe County, New York, packed more than 5,500 brightly colored e-cigarettes into 55-gallon steel drums for transport. Their destination? A giant, industrial waste incinerator in northern Arkansas, where they would be melted down. Sending 350 pounds of vapes across the country to be burned into ash may not sound environmentally friendly. But local officials say it’s the only way to keep the nicotine-filled devices out of sewers, waterways and landfills, where their lithium batteries can catch fire. “These are very insidious devices,” said Michael Garland, who directs the county’s environmental services. “They’re a fire risk and they’re certainly an environmental contaminant if not managed properly.” Elsewhere, the disposal process has become both costly and complicated. In New York City, for example, officials are seizing hundreds of thousands of banned vapes from local stores and spending more than $1 each for disposal. Vaping critics say the industry has skirted responsibility for the environmental impact of its products, while federal regulators have failed to force changes that could make vaping components easier to recycle or less wasteful.

Hazardous waste Among the possible changes: standards requiring that e-cigarettes be reusable or forcing manufacturers to fund collection and recycling programs. New York, California and several other

states have so-called extended product responsibility laws for computers and other electronics. But those laws don’t cover vaping products and there are no comparable federal requirements for any industry. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules for hazardous waste don’t apply to households, meaning it’s legal for Americans to throw ecigarettes in the garbage at home. But most businesses, schools and government facilities are subject to EPA standards in how they handle harmful chemicals like nicotine, which the EPA considers an “acute hazardous waste,” because it can be poisonous at high levels. In the U.S., the push to manage disposable ecigarettes has chiefly come from schools, which can face stricter regulation if they generate more than a few pounds of hazardous waste per month. Monroe County schools pay $60 to dispose of each one-gallon container of vapes. More than two thirds of the e-cigarettes collected by the county come from schools. “Our schools were very relieved because they had confiscated so much of this material,” Garland said. “If you think of all the high schools across the country, they are in a very difficult place right now.” The lithium in e-cigarette batteries is the same highly sought metal used to power electric vehicles and cellphones. But the quantities used in vaping devices are too small to warrant salvage. And nearly all disposable e-cigarette batteries are soldered into the device, making it impractical to separate them for recycling. Disposable e-cigarettes currently account for about 53 percent of the multi-billion U.S. vaping market, according to U.S. government figures, more than doubling since 2020. Their rise is a study in unintended consequences. In early 2020, the Food and Drug Administration banned nearly all flavors from reusable e-cigarettes like Juul, the cartridge-based device blamed for sparking a nationwide surge in underage vaping. But the policy didn’t apply to disposables, opening the door to thousands of new varieties of fruit- and candy-flavored vapes, almost all manufactured in China. In recent months the FDA has begun trying to block imports of several leading disposable brands, including Elf Bar and Esco Bar. Regulators consider them illegal, but they have been unable to stop their entry to the U.S. and the devices are now ubiquitous in convenience stores, gas stations and other shops. FDA’s tobacco chief, Brian King, said in a statement that his agency “will continue to carefully consider the potential environmental impacts” of vaping products.

Cost of confiscating e-cigarettes In 2020, New York City outlawed the vast majority of e-cigarette types, banning flavors that can

appeal to youngsters. City employees conduct thousands of inspections annually, and last year issued more than 2,400 citations to corner stores and bodegas selling illegal flavored products. Adding to the challenge are THC vapes sold at hundreds of unlicensed marijuana shops, a separate but related problem that has mushroomed since New York’s legalization of recreational pot. Since last November, officials have seized more than 449,000 vape units, according to city figures. New York City is spending about $1,400 to destroy each container of 1,200 confiscated vapes, but many more remain in city storage lockers. “I don’t think anyone ever considered the volume of these in our community,” said New York Sheriff Anthony Miranda, who leads a task force on the issue. “There’s a tremendous amount of resources going into this effort.” A recent lawsuit against four large vaping distributors aims to recoup some of the city’s costs. For now, New Yorkers who vape can bring their used e-cigarettes to city-sponsored wastecollection events. Ultimately those vapes meet a familiar fate: They are shipped to Gum Springs, Arkansas, to be incinerated by Veolia, an international waste management firm. The company has incinerated more than 1.6 million pounds of vaping waste in recent years, mostly unsold inventory or discontinued products. Veolia executives say burning e-cigarettes’ lithium batteries can damage their incinerators. “Ideally we don’t want to incinerate them because it has to be done very, very slowly. But if have to, we will,” said Bob Cappadona, who leads the company’s environmental services division. Veolia also handles e-cigarettes from Boulder County, Colorado, one of the only U.S. jurisdictions that actively tries to recycle e-cigarette batteries and components. Historically, Boulder has had one of the highest teen vaping rates in the country, peaking at nearly 33 percent in 2017. “It was like someone flicked the switch. Suddenly e-cigarettes were everywhere,” said Daniel Ryan, principal of Centaurus High School. Beginning in 2019, county officials began distributing bins to schools for confiscated or discarded e-cigarettes. Last year, they collected 3,500. County staffers sort the devices by type, separating those with removable batteries for recycling. Disposables are packed and shipped to Veolia’s incinerator. Shelly Fuller, who directs the program, says managing vape waste has gotten more costly and labor intensive with the shift to disposables. “I kind of miss the days when we had Juuls and I could take each battery out and recycle them very easily,” Fuller said. “No one has time to dismantle a thousand Esco Bars.”

&Fitness

sMirror

Thursday, October 26, 2023 C3

Thailand is the emerging hub for food, nutraceutical, beverage ingredients

By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

ANGKOK, Thailand—This country has the potential to become the hub for the global exports of nutraceutical, food and beverage ingredients.

This was the assessment made by Rungphech Chitanuwat, Regional Portfolio Director – ASEAN, Informa Markets as some 1,000 nutraceutical, food and beverage ingredient companies from 45 countries recently gathered at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) last month to participate in two events: Fi Asia 2023 or Food Ingredients Asia 2023 and Vitafoods Asia 2023. According to Chitanuwat, Informa Market wants to be the driver to advance the food industry, especially future food, and turn Thailand into a food and nutrition bank as well as a meeting place for future food experts to ensure effortless accessibility for both operators and consumers. She also pointed out that dietary supplements is another industry that has witnessed a significant growth over the past few years as global consumers shift their focus more to health and well-being. Apart from nutritious foods, consumers are also looking for dietary supplements of quality to nourish their physical needs, boost immunity and prevent certain diseases, among others.

Growing market The growth of the dietary supplements market in Asia Pacific is pegged at US$187 billion and is expected to grow to US$229 billion in 2025 at a growth rate of 6 percent. The key markets are mainly China, Japan and India while markets of high growth potential are Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The dietary supplements market in Thailand, on the other

hand, boasts a constant growth from US$190 billion in 2021 to US$239 billion in 2025 with a growth rate of nine percent. “The two shows mainly concentrate on ingredients for food, beverages and nutraceuticals. We have the producers bring their materials to the show and we have buyers looking out for raw ingredients. If you don’t have a business but have agricultural products, you can come to the show to see what is happening to your commodity,” Chitanuwat said. Informa Markets invited a delegation from the Philippines to witness the opening and to visit the trade shows. The delegation was led by Trade and Industry Undersecretary for the Regional Operations Group Blesila A. Lantayona. According to Lantayona, the organizers had invited the Philippines to participate in the trade show. “Since we did not know what this trade show was all about, we took the opportunity to come over. We are actually looking and seeing how this will benefit the food industry either as a supplier or a buyer of certain raw materials or expanding the network of suppliers who are in the same industry,” Lantayona said.

Advanced technology She added that while Thailand and the Philippines had similar raw materials, Thailand had the technology to convert these raw materials into value added products. “Thailand is really advanced in converting raw materials, adding value to

Ranking Thai government officials were on hand to formally open Fi Asia 2023 and Vita Asia 2023 held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thaland. Also in the photo is Trade and Industry Undersecretary for Regional Operations Blesila A. Lantanoya (fourth from left0 and Rungphech Chitanuwat, Regional Portfolio Director – ASEAN, Informa Markets (right)

Visitors at the Vita Asia 2023 trade show. these materials. We will be initiating talks with them and see how they can help the MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) at home,” she said. Benson Sian, founder and CEO of Natural Quality Corporation, was part of the Philippine delegation, said he was invited to attend the trade shows to find out the various trends, to benchmark the country and see how Philippine branded products can be positioned. “We can compete. It is just a matter of positioning our brands and highlighting ourselves and selling our assets. Our assets are the over 10 million Filipinos overseas. They are not just OFWs. They are decision makers, influencers and evangelizers of Filipino products and brands. This

This is just three of the products that were featured in Fi Asia 2023. is something we can be proud of,” Sian, whose company produces Ampalaya Plus, among others, said.

Filipino support Sian added that he wanted to see Filipinos duplicate what South Korea has done with their products. “South Korea has less people outside of the country but they are able to brand themselves and have the whole world fascinated by their products. We can do that as well for our products,” he added. He related that he was impressed with the two trade shows: the organization, the logistics and the convenience that allows everyone to coverge in Bangkok. “I’d like to know where we are in

relation to all our products, and this gathering provides us with that opportunity to learn. I have been attending similar shows in North America but this is the first time I am attending this in an Asian country. Because of Covid, people do not want to travel that far so this is really a good idea,” Sion added.

Hub of dietary supplements Chitanuwat said Vitafoods Asia 2023 will propel Thailand to become a hub for dietary supplements and extract innovations, unlocking limitations in dietary extract quality, be a credible manufacturer and solution provider and broaden opportunities for networking. “This event is an opportunity to

engage with buyers and manufacturers, as well as expand international business networks which can result in product optimization, enhanced quality and production performance and ensure the good health of Thai and Asian consumers,” she said. She added that Fi Asia 2023 heightens the reputation of Asia’s top event that unlocks opportunities for entrepreneurs to share and update global food trends. “This years Fi Asia is revamped to give a more modern sense, solidifying our position as the taste maker, being a hub that gathers raw materials from every corner of the world. Thus, it proves Thailand’s potential to become a platform for raw material experts in the future,” Chitanuwat said.

Co Fitness brings collaborative workout environment to metropolis with opening of first branch in Makati By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

N wellness, there’s no “one size fits all”. This is what Co Fitness, a new high-end gym that recently opened at the heart of Metro Manila promises. Short for “Collaboration fitness,” Co Fitness believes in the spirit of community of like-minded people who are always cognizant of their health and well-being. Here, everyone is welcome, regardless of body size, weight and age. With its collaborative setup, every member is assured of getting utmost support not only from the trainers and staff, but also from their co-members. It’s really a harmonious surrounding of gym goers who are out there to flex and grind so as to reach their own fitness goals. “This is now the start of helping people change their lifestyle,” club manager RJ Queza quoted Co Fitness owner Tim Tng as saying in convincing him to come aboard.

Pioneering efforts REVOLUTIONIZING the fitness landscape of the Metro, Co Fitness provides premium experiences with the luxury and comfort this workout environment brings. “It’s the first gym club in the Philip-

pines. You will enjoy the top-of-the-line technology, the efficient digital system, and our quality of service—the differentiating factors that set us apart from a lot of gyms set up here in the Philippines,” he told reporters during the opening of the first Co Fitness branch at the One Central in Makati City last October 20.

Curated training programs APART from helping its members achieve their desired shape and form, Co Fitness also understands and honors their body’s unique needs. Hence, it offers a one-on-one personal training with a holistic approach that goes beyond surface-level goals. Upon membership at P5,500 to P6,000 a month, the affiliate will be entitled to the Jumpstart Program that gives at least two complimentary sessions. The first day is more on the assessment or a series of tests on cardio, posture and flexibility; as well as the program design based on the member’s personal fitness goals. The coach’s recommendation for a specific program suited to a member comes next on the second session, together with the teaching of the proper use of the gym equipment and machines. For groups, the club offers a broad array of Les Mills classes which, regardless of exercise style or intensity, have this common

goal: gathering members together to harness the power of group fitness and collective determination. “No need to pay for extra because it’s already part of the package,” Queza pointed out, adding other programs for the improvement of the body physique and a yoga, plus some other freebies. “These all are full packages as a full member. So that way, I think it’s fair enough to cover everything.” Co Fitness certified coaches or trainers are more than just instructors. They are mentors who are very committed to help every member accomplish his or her fitness targets.

Cutting-edge equipment UPPING the ante in the fitness industry, this membership gym has tied up with leading workout technology providers. These include the Technogym, a global leader in total wellness, whose state-ofthe-art equipment combines cutting-edge technology with ergonomic principles for precise and efficient training experiences. Likewise, Co Fitness has partnered with top-of-the-line endurance training machines to push the envelope and unlock the full potentials of members. They are thoroughly designed to mirror real-life movements to make workouts more dynamic and functional.

For an exact and scientific progress tracking, the gym club also has teamed up with the premier line of award-winning BIA Body Composition Analyzers. Generated data will be used by accredited trainers to create programs that perfectly fit the body’s unique requirements. “We have high-end technologies for a fitness center in Metro Manila. Since we are not a franchise, we can do what we want. As an owner, I will listen to all the feedbacks of our members and do a different kind of service,” Tng said.

Innovations REDEFINING the way fitness should be in today’s digital era, members use of the gym come with modernity. They come here with a virtual wellness companion in tow—the proprietary smart fitness app developed by Co Fitness. This is linked to workout equipment that enables them to track their fitness data 24/7 anywhere. With this app, it’s also effortless to book group classes, whether it’s cardio, boxing, yoga or other styles. Moreover, it offers access to thousands of professional fitness videos that are helpful to try different workouts. Traditional access cards and keys are a thing of the past at Co Fitness. A convenient

TOP-OF-THE-LINE equipment and training machines await members of Co Fitness to help achieve their desired personal fitness goals.

wearable access band is available here to provide seamless entry to the gym and secure access to the locker.

Perks and privileges BECAUSE it comes with a price, becoming a member has its manifold benefits. Those who have already enlisted as founding members, exclusive perks await them. The first 100 individuals who signed up now have access to limited classes and get special freebies like the exclusive Co Fitness merchandise. What’s in store for Very Important Persons (VIPs)? They are entitled to a variety of privileges, including priority access to GX Classes, assistance with reservations at spas and restaurants, exclusive welcome kits, special perks every visit, and even free parking

with a personal trainer. Being a Co Fitness member let’s everyone enjoy special presents from different lifestyle brands. These include spa discounts to clinics, gym apparel, supplements, and banking, among others. “We want premium. Because the size of our facility is too small at just around 420 square meters, we want to control the quality of our service. That is why we are different from other fitness centers out there,” the owner said. Co Fitness is like a fitness sanctuary that opens from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. As soon as they enter the club and cool down after workout, members indeed feel at home with its warmth and collaborative community vibe.

Health&Fitness BusinessMirror

C4 Thursday, October 26, 2023

St. Luke’s Medical Center launches its Stroke Service as a Center of Excellence

www.businessmirror.com.ph Present during the official contract signing were, from left, MDH President Arlene P. Ledesma; IDCP President Atty. Abdul Rahman R.T. Linzag; MDH Hospital Director Dr. Hian Ho N. Kua

Manila Doctors Hospital is first hospital to receive first halal kitchen certification St. Luke’s Stroke Team–Quezon City

By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

hile women tend to live longer, their chances of getting a stroke are much higher than men. The main risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure or hypertension. Reports indicate that two in five women have high blood pressure or are taking medicine to control their blood pressure. Only one in four of women have been able to control their blood pressure. While stroke risk increases with age, women also have unique risk factors for stroke, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said these unique risk factors include having high blood pressure during pregnancy; using certain types of birth control medicines especially if they also smoke and have higher rates of depression. “In addition to sex, the other factors that you have no control over when it comes to stroke is your family history, age and race. Studies show that Asian are prone to have more hemorrhages,” said Dr. Ma. Carissa PinedaFranks, Head of the Stroke Service of St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Younger patients Dr. Franks pointed out that in the past, people thought that only old people suffered from strokes. However, there are more younger people, as early as 20 years old, who have been rushed to the hospital because of a stroke.

St. Luke’s Stroke Team–Global City

“This does not mean that there are more younger people who have been suffering from stroke. This only means that they are more aware about their health, they can identify their symptoms and know when they should go to the hospital,” she added. In addition to identifying stroke symptoms, it is also important to know which hospital is capable of dealing with stroke. One such hospital is St. Luke’s Medical Center which officially launched its Stroke Service as the institution’s Center of Excellence last October 19, 2023. St. Luke’s Stroke Service is the only hospital in the Philippines that is certified by the Joint Commission International (JCI) for the gold standard of care in stroke.

Acute Stroke Unit The hospital has a rich history of pioneering advancements in stroke care. St, Luke’s made a significant breakthrough by establishing the country’s first dedicated Acute Stroke Unit in 1999, a specialized unit that plays a pivotal role in closely monitoring acute stroke cases, enabling prompt and live-saving vascular neurologists and stroke-trained nurses to ensure continuous care. In the following year, St. Luke’s introduced the Brain Attack Team (BAT) and established the Brain Attack Code. The BAT is made up of an interdisciplinary roster of experts, including vascular neurologists, neurosurgeons, Emergency Care Services physicians, radiologists, clinical pathologists, clinical pharmacists, nutritionists,

nurses and rehabilitation specialists. Together, they work to ensure that stroke patients receive the best medical care possible. The Brain Attack Code was strategically created to guarantee that strokes are treated promptly and accurately, minimizing permanent damage and reducing disability. The responds within five minutes upon activation of the brain attack code.

Highly trained specialists St. Luke’s Stroke Center boasts a highly trained multidisciplinary team of specialists, including renowned neurologists and neurosurgeons who bring their expertise to the forefront of stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, ensuring a comprehensive approach to patient care. Moreover, the center is staffed with stroke-trained nurses, further enhancing the quality of care provided to stroke patients and ensuring they receive the personalized attention they deserve. St. Luke’s Stroke Service is enhanced by cutting-edge medical technology aimed at rapid assessment and treatment. One of our key assets is the utilization of Rapid AI stroke brain imaging analysis, enabling swift and precise evaluation of critical information. Additionally, the facility boasts an always-open MRI available and a stateof-the-art 1152-slice CT Scan, both designed for quick, safe, and highly accurate diagnostics. This medical equipment complements the institution’s comprehensive range of strokerelated surgical procedures, ensuring

they can provide timely interventions when needed. To further expedite diagnosis, they employ point-of-care testing, enabling their medical professionals to make swift and accurate assessments.

Available data St. Luke’s commitment to stroke care is underpinned by its readily available clinical data source, which reflects remarkable outcomes. The institution is proud to report a 0% treatment complication rate among stroke patients administered clot-busting medication, effectively mitigating the risk of hemorrhage. Moreover, the majority of their patients show significant improvements in stroke-related disabilities. Within three months, many of them display minimal to no signs of stroke, allowing them to resume their daily lives. The launch of St. Luke’s Stroke Service as a Center of Excellence reaffirms the hospital’s commitment to combating stroke, a global health crisis that affects millions worldwide. By combining cutting-edge technology, a dedicated team of experts, and a rich history of pioneering stroke care, St. Luke’s is poised to make a lasting impact on preventing and treating this devastating condition. “If you notice someone has difficulty eating or speaking, one side of his face is drooping or is off balance when walking, they should be brought to the hospital at once. It’s important that a stroke is attended to in three to four and a half hours so that the chances of recovery will be greater,” Dr. Franks said.

Art can help boost healing for women with breast cancer By Rory Visco | Contributor

ne of the things that Filipinas fear is breast cancer, the third most fatal type affecting women, next only to lung and liver cancer. The ignominy that the country has the highest rate of breast cancer affliction in Asia and ninth highest in the world, based on 2019 data, does not bode well for Filipino women. Unfortunate also is the fact that indigent Filipino women, about 70 percent of them, are the most affected, often citing financial difficulties and social stigma as among the common reasons why their cancer situation is often detected at the later or advanced stages and would make treatment difficult. There are about 86,484 total cancer cases in the country every year, 27,163 of which are breast cancer cases, and has already claimed 9,926 lives. Medical experts have time and again reiterated that early detection, including affordable care and early screening education, can help fight off breast cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) is very much aware of these statistics about breast cancer that continue to hound the world. That is why it launched the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) that is meant to reduce global breast cancer mortality by 2.5 percent every year, which would mean averting 2.5 million breast cancer deaths globally between 2020 and 2040. The global health agency said that by reducing global breast cancer mortality by 2.5 percent annually, this would avoid at least 25 percent of breast cancer deaths by the year 2030 and up to 40 percent by 2040 among women 70 years old and below. To achieve

this objective, the WHO initiative is anchored on three pillars, which are health promotion for early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive breast cancer management.

Art therapy

IN an article posted at www.henryford.com by Henry Ford Health, one of the top five National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded institutions in Michigan, USA, and one of the leading academic medical centers in the USA, it noted that art, specifically art therapy, can help people deal with the multifaceted and complicated emotions whenever one is diagnosed with cancer. Art therapy is seen as a “constructive way to express yourself, channel your frustration and anger, and calm your mind,” the article noted. According to Mallory Montgomery, a certified Registered Art Therapist with Board Certification (ATR-BC) by the Art Therapy Credentials Board based in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA, an organization that seeks to promote the competent and ethical practice of art therapy through the credentialing of art therapy professionals, the use of different art processes such as drawing, painting and ceramics can help patients better understand and dive more deeply into their thoughts and feelings. “While we do talk in art therapy, sometimes words are limiting, so this is another way to express yourself. We use colors, lines and symbols to express internal states,” Montgomery stated. She pointed out that with each art therapy session, patients may tackle a different issue, such as contemplating how they are feeling about becoming someone who is being taken care of instead of caring for others, grieving for a former life, a former self, or a former body.

Montgomery further explained that art therapy can also help decrease stress and at the same time increase mood. “When you create art, it lowers your cortisol [or stress] level and can actually change the chemicals in your brain. Most people find it has a strong, calming effect. There are many studies that prove the power of art.” Art therapy, according to her, also helps patients learn new skills, build confidence and explore self-esteem. “Patients who use art therapy can see an increase in mood, along with a decrease in sadness and anxiety. They may feel more in control of their life and diagnosis,” Montgomery averred. She reiterated, however, that the patient need not be an artist to benefit from art therapy. They can start, she said, with something small, like a coloring sheet. Art therapy can also help reduce physical pain from exhausting cancer treatments by drawing representations of one’s pain, whether it is sharp or dull, hot or cold, through the use of colors. “This is a technique called body mapping, externalizing your pain. After that, you destroy and transform your pain by drawing, on top of the original, what it will feel like when your cancer treatment is over. The psychological effect of externalizing how you feel, followed by an opportunity to take the pain and turn it into something pleasant, has a strong psychological effect on pain,” Montgomery pointed out.

Philippine scenario SINCE October of every year is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the private sector is also doing its part to raise awareness about the disease, including advocating for the importance of early screening.

Araneta City collaborated with the nonprofit, volunteer-based organization Kasuso Foundation to help shed light on the harsh realities about the disease and hopefully encourage and inspire action within the community. The popular retail, entertainment, residential, hospitality and office hub that’s located right at the heart of the city that is Cubao in Quezon City, will let people experience the healing power of art as it hosts and art exhibit called “SUSUportahan Kita” in order to help bridge the gap in breast cancer care in the Philippines. This benefit art exhibit that features art pieces from artists who are breast cancer patients or survivors, and artists who were inspired by stories of loved ones affected by the disease. Proceeds will go to Kapuso Foundation’s early detection and patient support programs. The exhibit was held at the Gateway Mall from October 1 to 9, and will move next to Ali Mall from October 23 to 27. There will also be a photo exhibit that celebrates resilience and strength, the “Kasuso Against All Odds” on October 25 at Ali Mall. This exhibit celebrates the triumph of the human spirit against the odds of breast cancer through a powerful collection of photographs that will tell stories of hope, courage, and unwavering determination, serving as a source of inspiration for all who attend. “By spreading awareness, offering support, and engaging in meaningful activities, we will create a vibrant tapestry of hope and solidarity in the fight against breast cancer. Through art, education, and a deep sense of compassion, we are embodying the spirit of unity and determination to conquer this dreaded disease,” Marjorie Go, AVP for Marketing of Araneta City, told BusinessMirror.

anila Doctors Hospital (MDH) made history by becoming the first hospital in the Philippines to receive the first halal kitchen certification from the Islamic Da’wah Council of the Philippines (IDCP), a recognized halal accreditation and certifying body. An official contract signing held on October 4, 2023 solidified the hospital’s commitment to follow the standards and requirements set by the World Halal Council (WHC). MDH has established a dedicated Halal Dietary Services complete with a separate halal kitchen which produces and serves quality, safe, and nutritious halal meals to Muslim patients, doctors, and employees. As the first hospital to have a Halal-certified kitchen in the Philippines, every aspect of food preparation from the procurement of Halal certified ingredients to food production, meal service, cleaning, and sanitation has been and will always be carefully looked at to ensure that it is strictly segregated from the regular kitchen of the hospital. MDH President A rlene P.

Ledesma recognizes this pioneering certification as a milestone which marks a new chapter for the hospital. “Our Muslim patients, doctors, nurses, technicians, and other employees stand to benefit from knowing that they can be served authentic halal food. It is a small step towards becoming a more inclusive workplace that celebrates and honors their religion and heritage,” she added. Ledesma also reiterated the hospital’s full commitment to cater to the different needs and food preferences of its diverse patient population, having been serving both local and international patients. MDH is also a Department of Health accredited hospital for medical tourism. IDCP is a registered federation of 98 Muslim organizations throughout the country. It is an Accredited Islamic Religious Non-Government Organization by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and an active member of the World Halal Council and the Regional Islamic Da’wah Council of Southeast Asia & The Pacific (RISEAP).

Health-care workers urged to create digital CV for more job opportunities abroad By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes Contributor

areer online hub TrueProfile.io recently stressed to the local health-care workers the importance of creating a digital CV and saving their credentials and licenses within a Digital Wallet. Sunil Mudgal, Head of TrueProfile, said this will allow candidates to manage and have full control of their information through blockchain technology, making it easier to share with potential employers “ TrueProfile.io ser ves as a unique online career hub, dedicated to supporting the professional growth of health-care specialists. We remain committed to empowering them by providing access to a wide range of growth opportunities. Our platform functions as a marketplace offering personalized services, including the creation of Digital CVs, Digital Wallets, verification, and concierge services,” said Mudgal in a press statement. Mudgal further explained the significance of the Digital CV, a streamlined resume designed to enable nurses, doctors, medical technicians, and other specialists to showcase and preserve their verified credentials and skills within a Digital Wallet. This feature significantly boosts applicants’ appeal to employers. They can also be visible to international employers, increasing their chances of being headhunted by recruiters and healthcare partners on the platform.

Access to jobs Mudgal said TrueProfile.io offers access to over 3,500 international jobs, allowing members to shortlist posts matching their experience and preferred employ-

er, role, and location, and apply directly. Aside from job listings, he said TrueProfile.io offers a range of career development services and resources. These include credential verification, licensing services, access to English language preparation, concierge services, and expert career guidance to choose destinations aligned with their career aspirations. Additionally, he said healthcare workers gain exclusive access to a dedicated virtual local community on Facebook, specifically tailored to the Filipino healthcare network.

Credential verification He said TrueProfile.io’s credential verification service confirms the authenticity of educational and professiona l credentia ls, including college degrees, professional licenses, employment records, and good standing certifications. As far as seeking greener pastures are concerned, Mudgal said TrueProfile.io has opened the doors of opportunity wider for Filipino health-care workers. Since the platform is free and accessible to all, more professionals in varying stages of their careers have a chance to discover and chart their career paths. “Our global presence, particularly with health-care leaders in the UK, Ireland, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, offers limitless employment opportunities,” said Michelle Ibarra, Director of DataFlow Group, the principal of TrueProfile.io. TrueProfile.io offers a clear path to a brighter international future in the health-care sector. Professionals can unlock their full potential by signing up at TrueProfile.io for a clear path to a brighter future abroad.

Sports

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center) leads the celebration at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

BusinessMirror

B8 | T

hursday, October 26, 2023 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

PBBM: PROUD TO BE PINOY! By Josef Ramos

HEN it’s the President of the country descending from Malacañang to honor Filipinos who made the country proud on foreign soil, that’s riveting.

“I’m proud to be Pinoy!” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. told at the top of his voice athletes and coaches—many of them medalists in the recent 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou—in the “Gabi ng Parangal at Pasasalamat Para sa Bayaning Atletang Pilipino” at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

In ‘hindsight,’ Abueva no longer regrets missing Asiad

ALVIN ABUEVA could miss up to six games— including the Season 48 opener between the Magnolia Timplados and TNT Tropang Giga on November 5—in the Philippine Basketball Association’s Commissioner’s Cup. Abueva, called “The Beast” because of his beast-like brand of basketball and relentless effort on the court, underwent hemorrhoidectomy about a month ago. “I’m still recovering, I’m at 70 percent now,” said the 6-foot2 Abueva, adding he started feeling pain down there when he got a call to attend training camp for Gilas Pilipinas for the 19th Asian Games. He wept when he and three others called by Gilas coach Tim Cone were ineligible to play in Hangzhou. But now, in hindsight—yes, hindsight—Abueva no longer regrets missing that gold medalrun in Hangzhou.

“If I joined them in the Asian Games, maybe, it was a disaster on my end,” he said. Abueva said he still couldn’t go full gear in practice. “I can’t jump and do weights,” Abueva told reporters during the PBA’s Media Day at One Esplanade in Pasay City Thursday. “I’m just waiting for my wound to heal, then one or two weeks from now, I will start practicing.”

Josef Ramos

Bulldogs foil struggling Red Warriors

ATIONAL University fended off struggling University of the East (UE), 64-61, to extend its winning streak to five games in University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 men’s basketball action on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The Bulldogs found themselves reeling as the Red Warriors, desperate for a win to stay in contention, took control in the fourth quarter.

It wasn’t actually a night of pride and festivity, the ceremony started at mid-afternoon and ended just by sundown. But it was a joyful celebration all the way. “We are very thankful to our Filipino athletes who showed the entire nation and the whole world how good you are especially when you’re united,” said President Marcos in a jovial mood despite revealing some sweat on his face as he spoke under the glare of spotlights at the historic coliseum. “Let’s thank also their coaches, trainers and nutritionists for helping and motivating them all the time, and of course, the parents,” he added. Celebrities performed to entertain the athletes, coaches and sports officials in the now airconditioned coliseum. There was Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann and Philippine Olympic Committee

president Abraham Tolentino sitting in the same occasion despite exchanging post-Games jabs. Manuel V. Pangilinan, the indefatigable sports patron, was there, too, alongside Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas brass Al Panlilio and Ricky Vargas. Gilas Pilipinas? All but two who’re abroad—Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame—answered the call of the President with team manager Alfrancis Chua and his deputy Willie Marcial enjoying the moment—they’re no ordinary team managers, Chua’s San Miguel Corp.’s sports director and Ginebra governor and Marcial’s Philippine Basketball Association commissioner. Live and on livestreaming, big man June Mar Fajardo was seen smiling all the way, sitting with his teammates who won for the country the Asian Games gold medal after 61 years. Jiu-jitsu champions Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez just couldn’t miss the glorious moment, but Ernest

John “EJ” Obiena just couldn’t fly back home after he started serious training for the Paris 2024 Olympics only last Monday in Formia, Italy. “We never expected to celebrate like this as we never expected these number of medals that they will bring to us, and we never expected this kind of story that they will tell us,” Marcos said. “Their victories have boosted the people’s morale and continue to inspire the entire country.” A remarkable occasion it was with President Marcos handing to the medalists giant replicas of their checks representing their incentives from both the mandated Athletes and Coaches Incentives Act and the additional bonus from the President himself. Team Philippines bagged four gold, 12 silver and 12 bronze medals in Hangzhou and the individual gold medalists got a total of P4 million each—P2 million as mandated by law and P2 million from Malacanang. The basketball players got a combined P1 million.

Gawilan’s 1st gold to boost PHL drive Asian Para Games–Barredo CALVIN ABUEVA says it still hurts down under.

But Kean Baclaan scored on a layup and nailed a three-pointer as the Bulldogs turned a 57-61 deficit to a 62-61 lead with under three minutes remaining and the Red Warriors never scored after that. “We needed to go through this challenge from UE for us to be strong against any obstacle in the second round,” NU head coach Jeff Napa said. “It’s a hard-fought win, at least good comeback.” The Bulldogs took the provisional lead at 7-1 won-lost, half a game

A whole new ball game SECOND round Round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UA AP). It’s a whole new ball game. The stakes are higher, the game results are iffier. As they say in Filipino, nagkasukatan na. The eight teams have gauged one another, empirically. Ar med with mental notes and experience from the first

Licup crowned ‘Sprint Queen’ of ROTC Games

HILIPPINE Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo believes swimmer Ernie Gawilan’s first gold in the 4th Hangzhou Asian Para Games last Tuesday night will inspire the other athletes to vie for honors. “I knew that Ernie was going to win the first gold for us and, normally, this starts the ball rolling and the other athletes get inspired to do the same thing,” said Barredo, who witnessed Gawilan retains the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 event at the Hangzhou Olympic Center Aquatic Arena. “That the beauty and importance of the first gold. And with a few days more to go in the Asian Para Games, I am confident we may win more as Gawilan’s triumph boosts everyone to follow his lead,” he added. ahead of University of the Philippines which played Adamson University later on Thursday. Baclaan, second-year guard, had 18 points and five rebounds while Jake Figueroa made 12 points, including two from the stripe that sealed the final tally with five seconds remaining. “A win is a win,” said Baclaan, who joined Rein Jumamoy, Steve Nash Enriquez and Jolo Manansala who sustained injuries in the game and had to sit early.

phase of the battle, they can now cover every square inch of the battlefield, armed with familiarity with the terrain and analytics. Ground covered in the first round is definitely not meaningless, but also not a guarantee that achievements in the second will go the same way. The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers have finally scored their first win and may be waking up at just the right time. Expect more growling and roaring to come from España this time around. The Adamson University Soaring Falcons are no longer a team just solely dependent on Jerom Lastimosa for their fortunes. They have matured into an intelligent, efficient and balanced team. New heroes like Cedric Manzano, Vince Magbuhos, Joem Sabandal and Matthew Montebon are making names for themselves as Coach Nash Racela is shepherding them to newfound territory. Look. The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws have snapped out of their early doldrums and are locking horns with the best of them. Their wins over Ateneo and Adamson University are proof positive of a strong life force in this part of the animal kingdom. As for the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, they remain always a threat because of their hustle and

Barredo cited chess and athletics as possible sources of golds, especially after wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan copped silver in the men’s 100-meter T52 last Tuesday and is one of the favorites in the men’s 400-meter event on Friday. Gawilan looked at a second gold in the men’s 100-meter backstroke on Thursday in the trip supported by the Philippine Sports Commission. Barredo was confident that the PH para campaigners were still on track in matching or eclipsing the tally of 10 gold, eight silver and 11 bronze medals that the country won during the 2018 edition of the APG held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

ERNIE GAWILAN poses with his gold medal with Philippine Sports Commissioner Walter Torres.

Perpetual Altas add to Knights’ woes

NIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta poured it all in the fourth quarter to repeat over Letran, 73-61, and breathe life to its Final Four bid in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 99 seniors basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Arena on Thursday. Trailing in the first three quarters, the Altas stepped on the

ENT FRANCIS JARDIN bagged his third gold medal—the most by any student-athlete so far—to share the spotlight with Jesylmae Licup, a replacement athlete who emerged as the Reserved Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) Games National Finals fastest woman on Wednesday. Jardin led John Mark Martin, John Eril Martir, and John Yuri Jumaday to victory for Adamson University-Philippine Navy in the men’s 4x100-meter relay in three minutes and 32.21 seconds to be the most decorated athlete so far following his sprint double earlier in the week. Yet it was Licup who made University of Baguio proud. In her effort to retain her scholarship and make the national team, the 19-yearold from an impoverished family ruled the women’s century dash of the National Finals on the same PhilSports Complex oval in Pasig City which Jardin called his domain. Licup clocked 13.01 seconds, beating her 13.02 in winning the Luzon leg last month. Licup, a Criminology freshman under the Philippine Army, defeated more-experienced rivals—Christine Guerio and Hope Charity Labunayan, medalists in the Manila leg and teammates at Adamson University. The 18-year-old Guerio finished second in 13.17 seconds and Labunayan took bronze in 13.18. “I wanted to win for my family,” said Licup, who’s fourth in a family of 11 siblings. “Thank you Lord for this gift.” Liccup was subbed for her school’s top bet for the nationals who begged off in the last minute. Licup’s determination as an athlete is sourced from her love for her family. “My parents work had for a living, and my brothers and sisters are still too young,” she said. “The scholarship and my chance of making the national team will help my family a lot.” In the men’s 100m duel, Arturo Ocana of Rizal Technological University struck gold in 11.21 to beat James Borja of Quezon State University (11.36) and Peter Molina of Western Visayas State University (11.43) in the men’s 100 meters. Adamson University’s women’s team of Christine Guerio, Hope Charity Labunayan, Samantha Nicole and Lea Mae Pareva also topped the 4x400 in 4:53.12. Over at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Mikee Tungcul of Luzon claimed the first gold in arnis in te men’s single “sayaw,” a nontraditional event, garnering 28.3 points. Henry John Soriano of RTU (28) and Walter Sam from Mindanao (27.17) completed the podium. Maria Ballester also of RTU got gold with 23.3 points, Mary Fe Bagawisan (27.9) bagged silver and Kyla Dela Torre (26.70) clinched bronze in the women’s contest.

gas and with a defensive blanket outscored the Knights, 24-6, on their way to their fourth win in 10 games. The Las Piñas-based dribblers also completed a stunning season sweep of the three-time defending champions after a 74-59 triumph in the first round last October 15. “In my three seasons in the NCAA, this is my first time to beat

ready firepower. Although they have ended up with the shorter end of the stick five times out of seven, the end game does not define the character or capability of this UE team. It would be gross negligence for any team to take UE for granted. Precious Momowei and Rey Remogat are two reasons why the Red Warriors are fierce and still in the thick of battle. De La Salle University is also still in the thick of the fight. They may have given up the ghost against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons and the FEU Tamaraws, but beware the Archers and their arrows. Their tips are poisoned and when their aim is straight and true, the will carry the Green and White to the Final Four and beyond. As for the Blue Eagles, never ever doubt the Blue Eagles. Who cares that it’s not the Season 85 champion team anymore. Who cares that Ange Kouame, Dave Ildefonso, BJ Andrade and Forthsky Padrigao are no longer around. When this team comes together as one unit under the baton of Coach Tab Baldwin, their performance is symphonic. That was visible in their game against archrival La Salle and against the UP Fighting Maroons, whom they dealt their first loss this season. The National University Bulldogs have been dark

them in both rounds,” Perpetual Help coach Myk Saguiguit said. Angelo Gelsano came off the bench to team up with skipper Jelo Razon in that telling salvo that sent Letran falling to its ninth defeat against a win. The Knights are languishing at the bottom of the standings. “I focused on defense and my points were a bonus,” said Gelsano, a product of the school’s high school program who patiently toiled his way to the regular rotation.

horses for several seasons now. This is one season when they can transform themselves into white steeds who can make it all the way. Their mastery of the x’s and o’s and their fierce drive to overcome any obstacle in their path translated to victory six times out of seven in the first round. The Bulldogs will be out to prove they can be vicious in the second round. Lastly, there are the Fighting Maroons. Perceived to be unbeatable and capable of sweeping Round 1 by basketball pundits, the Maroons just found their feet of clay exposed by the Blue Eagles last Sunday. But the Maroons have always responded well to wake up calls. And if there’s one team that can will itself to right the ship just in time before it sinks, it’s the Fighting Maroons and their cardiac finishes. Now finally free of the pressure to stay perfect, the Maroons like it better when they fight as mortals. As Coach Goldwin Monteverde says, they’re constantly learning, constantly improving, constantly fine-tuning. So how will the chips fall for each of the eight teams in the second round? Preparation, good scouting and right mind set are goals to strive for. Chemistry will be the X factor. Hunger and drive will ultimately decide the outcomes. And good luck will be a gift from the basketball gods.