AI can be a tool to empower creatives without resources – AI Film Award finalists
Two Filipino creators of Portrait No. 72, a short film created with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence (AI), said AI is not a threat to human creativity but merely a tool to assist in production for those without the means. Portrait No. 72 recently made it to the top five in Google’s international AI Film Award out of 3,500 entries. Co-presented with 1 Billion Followers Summit content creators expo, the top prize for the AI-assisted filmmaking competition is $1M.
The two Filipino finalists, Rodson Verr Suarez and Darryll Rapacon, created the nine-minute digital film with over 1,500 video generations using the AI platforms prescribed by the awarding body, but made sure to keep the storytelling and post-processing human-made.
“It is now easier, it makes the storytelling accessible to everyone since we are given these tools. They are now able to make their own stories. To us, this is just a product of lack of resources, lack of time,” Mr. Suarez said during Google’s intimate film viewing of Portrait No. 72at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig last Friday.
Mr. Suarez and Mr. Rapacon, who both have full-time jobs, saw AI as a new tool to speed up the production of storytelling.
“Aside from upskilling, like during the launch of Photoshop, a lot of people were against it because the process was sped up and everything but to us, this [AI] is just a new tool of storytelling. So just be open,” Mr. Suarez added.
Fresh from their entry as one of the top 5 finalists at the AI Film Award in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the filmmakers acknowledged people’s mixed opinions on the integration of artificial intelligence in movies, which they have experienced during the two-month process of their filmmaking.
“When we created this, we really hoped that it will open people’s minds about how to use AI in telling stories. That creating films like this is not just one prompt, that AI is not just a heartless video,” Mr. Rapacon said.
Mr. Suarez and Mr. Rapacon, as video editors themselves, expounded on the application of a human’s touch in AI-generated works through keeping the story entirely human-made and drawn from personal experiences.
The photorealistic Portrait No. 72 explores the life of a death photographer, set in Varanasi, India. The two creators opted to explore grief, having lost their loved ones in 2025.
“I want to emphasize how the enemy here is not AI. The real enemy are the people who think that AI can replace humans because that’s not the case. At the end of the day, it’s our heart and our mind, both me and Rodson, that really made this film powerful,” Mr. Rapacon said.
The film can be viewed at the 1 Billion Followers Summit website. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel
Megaworld eyes to build more convention centers in tourism hubs
LISTED property developer Megaworld Corp. is considering building additional convention centers in strategic tourism hubs across the country over the next decade, following its recent entry into the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector, a company official said on Thursday.
Last Tuesday, the developer unveiled the Mactan Expo, a P1.5-billion standalone convention center, marking its initial foray into the MICE sector. The facility is located within the 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown township in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
The Mactan Expo will serve as the inaugural venue of the ASEAN Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) from Jan. 28 to 30, one of the key events under the Philippines’ chairmanship of the ASEAN Summit.
“We’re even looking at expanding our MICE business in the next five to 10 years. We are studying opportunities for convention centers in major tourism areas around the country, particularly in locations where we already have townships,” Harold Brian C. Geronimo, First Vice President at Megaworld Corp., told reporters during the media preview of the Mactan Expo.
“Palawan could be one of the destinations that we are looking into, but these are still internal discussions,” Mr. Geronimo said, noting that the province is a top tourist destination.
“But let’s see how this convention center business will perform and whether opportunities will open up in destinations such as Palawan and Ilocos,” he added.
Megaworld currently has 37 townships nationwide, with its largest being the 1,200-hectare Twin Lakes estate located near Tagaytay City.
Mr. Geronimo said building new convention centers annually may not be feasible, citing factors such as demand, available space, and the size requirements of specific areas.
However, he noted that each township is being evaluated for the potential development of convention centers.
Meanwhile, Louella Caridad, Megaworld’s Head of Events and Conventions and the recently appointed lead for the Mactan Expo, said the outlook for developing additional convention centers is positive and that projects must be built in areas where they are needed.
There is no allocated capital expenditure (CAPEX) yet for the initiative as plans are still being finalized, Mr. Geronimo said.
However, he noted that Megaworld is likely to maintain its P50-billion capital expenditure budget for 2026 to support future projects and developments.
The real estate budget forms part of the P63-billion capital expenditure (CAPEX) of parent company Alliance Global Group, Inc., led by tycoon Andrew L. Tan, according to the company’s 2025 CAPEX report. — Edg Adrian A. Eva
India seeks to boost manufacturing, hit $1.3T in exports through deregulation, sources say
DELHI — India will seek to triple the nation’s exports by 2035 by boosting manufacturing through structural changes rather than with hefty spending, according to two government officials.
In Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third such attempt, the South Asian nation is prioritizing manufacturing in 15 sectors, including high-end semiconductors, metals and the labor-intensive leather industry, aiming to lift India’s growth and boost annual goods exports to $1.3 trillion, they said.
Mr. Modi’s government has twice failed to double the share of manufacturing to 25% of gross domestic product – with a “Make in India” campaign in 2014 and a $23 billion package of incentives in 2020.
“In past years, several government initiatives to boost manufacturing growth have led to modest, incremental progress at best. What is needed is a bold, focused and cohesive strategy to drive transformative change,” according to a government official involved in drafting the policy.
MODEST FUNDING TO BE DECIDED BY GOVERNMENT PANEL
The government will spend about 100 billion rupees ($1 billion) to build infrastructure for about 30 manufacturing hubs across the targeted sectors while providing grants of $218 million for advanced areas such as chips and energy storage, said the officials, who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak to media.
The Finance Ministry and government think tank NITI Aayog, which is tasked with preparing the policy, did not respond to requests for comment.
Funding this time is modest as the plan focuses on easing regulatory and compliance burdens, the biggest impediment to Indian manufacturing, rather than doling out subsidies, the officials said.
Financial support to industries will be decided case by case with recommendations from a new government panel to administrative departments, replacing the pre-budget fiscal packages of earlier schemes, they said.
The new structure, called the National Manufacturing Mission, was announced in the budget last year but details were not disclosed. Details could be announced in the budget on February 1, but that will be decided closer to the date, the officials said.
FOCUS ON CUTTING RED TAPE
The panel’s focus will be to ensure faster regulatory clearance, approvals for land and cheaper financing for large projects, the officials said. It will be chaired by a minister and composed of bureaucrats, including the cabinet secretary, they said.
It will oversee the building of manufacturing hubs for the 15 sectors, and work with state governments to assure steady and cheap electricity supplies for such units, the sources said.
Manufacturing hubs have been identified based on existing infrastructure, geographic advantages and proximity to ports, the officials said.
Divergent policies by India’s federal and state governments have weighed on investment and hampered manufacturing. States have followed different regulations for labor and business compliance, increasing costs for companies operating in multiple states.
The proposed panel would coordinate with states to ease regulations such as those requiring multiple permits for power, land, and water.
It would also recommend cutting red tape by reducing overlaps between quality and standards checks, and suggest aligning tariffs to industry requirements and “national priorities”, the sources said.— Reuters
Skin Republic: Where great skin became simple
Grace had always been that friend — the one whose vanity cabinet looked like a miniature skincare lab. Toners from Japan, serums from Korea, creams from the US — each promising radiant, youthful skin. But one day, standing in front of her mirror, she realized that despite all her knowledge and devotion, something had gone missing — clarity.
Between countless “miracle” facials that promised similar results and the steep price tags attached to good skin, things stopped making sense. Treatments were too painful, too time-consuming, and too expensive to feel sustainable. Grace wasn’t alone. Her friends, fellow skincare lovers juggling work, family, and everything in between, were feeling it too.
So, she started asking one simple question — what if good skin didn’t have to be complicated?
The Birth of a Republic
With that question, Skin Republic was born — not as a place, but as a belief. Great Skin made simple — accessible to everyone through bright, firm, hydrated skin. A place where great skin could be simple, smart, and accessible. Grace and her team envisioned a world where everyone could have skin that’s bright, firm, and hydrated — the three building blocks of truly great skin.
After endless testing, curating, and perfecting, they built three signature treatments that embodied these qualities:
- Brightening Laser Facial for clarity and glow
- V-Lift Firming Facial for lift and youthful bounce
- Hydrating Aqua Facial for supple, glass-skin smoothness
Each treatment used the most effective technology and techniques — gentle yet powerful, precise yet indulgent — because skincare shouldn’t hurt or break the bank to work.
In November 2024, Skin Republic opened its first home at Three Central Mall in Makati. Within months, a second came to life in Ortigas Center. The dream was growing — proof that simplicity, when done right, resonates deeply.
Great Skin for All
From the start, Skin Republic’s mission was clear: Great Skin for All.
That meant rethinking everything that made skincare feel exclusive. Great Skin for All because Great Skin made simple means treatments had to be:
- Accessible for your pocket — premium care without the luxury markup
- Accessible for your time — quick, with zero downtime
- Accessible for your comfort — painless yet effective
Because self-care shouldn’t feel like a chore. It should fit effortlessly into real life.
The Next Evolution in Care
As clients discovered and loved their results, one new sentiment began to surface. They wanted more — not just in results, but in rituals. People craved something soothing, sustainable, and natural — treatments they could enjoy regularly, not only to enhance their skin, but also to unwind, reset, and rebalance from the stress of daily life.
That inspiration led to the creation of the Advance Naturals Series — a new chapter in Skin Republic’s story, blending nature’s best actives with modern skincare technology. From tea tree for defense, lavender for calm, charcoal for detox, and rose for radiance, to caviar for renewal — each treatment offers a moment to pause, refresh, and reconnect.
True to its roots, Skin Republic also honors its Korean heritage through the Luxe Korean Series, featuring the Sulwhasoo Holistic Facial rooted in ancient ginseng rituals and the Rejuran Regenerative Facial powered by PDRN for deep renewal.
And because the vision of great skin goes beyond the face, the Slim & Tight Body Treatment was developed — a comfortable, time-efficient way to melt fat, tighten skin, and smooth the body, extending the same Skin Republic promise from head to toe.
Skin Republic Today
Today, Skin Republic stands for more than skincare. It stands for confidence, accessibility, and genuine well-being — a belief that good skin should be simple, affordable, and restorative.
Because great skin isn’t just about appearance. It’s about feeling good, inside and out. And when that happens — beauty becomes effortless.
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Indonesia finds bodies of 10 passengers on crashed surveillance plane
JAKARTA — Indonesian rescuers on Friday had found the bodies of 10 passengers on a fishery surveillance plane that went missing in Indonesia’s South Sulawesi province at the weekend, the country’s search and rescue agency said.
The ATR 42-500 turboprop owned by aviation group Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) lost contact with air traffic control on Saturday at about 1:30 p.m. local time (0530 GMT) around the Maros region in South Sulawesi.
There were seven crew members and three passengers on board the plane, which was chartered by Indonesia’s Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry to conduct air surveillance on its fisheries. The passengers were ministry staff members.
Andi Sultan, an official at South Sulawesi’s rescue agency, said through tears during a video statement that authorities found the ninth and tenth bodies early on Friday, adding that the evacuation process was still ongoing.
The agency said separately on its Instagram account that 10 victims have been found.
Local rescuers previously discovered the wreckage of the plane in different locations around Mount Bulusaraung in the Maros region, about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) northeast of the sprawling island nation’s capital, Jakarta.
Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), which probes transport accidents, is currently investigating the contents of the recently-found black box, its chief told local media this week.
It was Indonesia’s first deadly crash involving the ATR 42, manufactured by Franco-Italian planemaker ATR, in more than a decade. In 2015, a Trigana Air Service ATR 42-300 crashed into a mountainside in Indonesia’s Papua region, killing all 54 people on board.
A Boeing 737-500 jet operated by airline Sriwijaya Co crashed into the Java sea in 2021, killing 62 people.— Reuters
PHL women’s healthcare five years behind other SEA countries – expert
An expert said on Thursday that women’s healthcare in the Philippines lags five years behind other Southeast Asian countries, raising concerns about accessibility and awareness.
“The healthcare industry here, particularly women’s health, has so much potential to be filled and to be so much opportunity for growth and also for development,” Carol Joanna Violago-Olivarez, founder and chief executive officer of Eluvo Health, told BusinessWorld in an interview.
“We’re already five years behind our Southeast Asian neighbors and global institutions. It’s just a matter of bringing in what’s there already and putting it here,” she added.
Data from the Hologic Global Women’s Health Index Year 4 Global Report revealed that the Philippines ranked 109th out of 141 countries, scoring 45 points. This is a 3-point decline on the year-over-year score index.
In the East and Southeast Asian region, Taiwan ranked the highest globally with 68 points, followed by Singapore with 64 points. Japan and Vietnam trailed behind with 62 points.
The global index aims to measure women’s health through five categories, including preventive care, emotional health, opinions of health and safety, basic needs, and individual health.
The Philippines scored 16 points in preventive care, 57 points in emotional health, 75 points in opinions of health and safety, 30 points in basic needs, and 71 points in individual health.
“I would say that our experience in training, when it comes to our exposure in public hospitals and private hospitals… I feel that the level of our expertise is very much at par with international,” Ms. Olivarez said.
“There’s so much potential for us because we have the best compassionate healthcare providers in the world,” she added.
The awareness and accessibility in women’s health are linked to the country’s culture as a conservative nation, with over 80% of the population identifying as Catholic.
“It goes back to the idea that women came from that perception that you only need to get checked when you’re pregnant. In fact, it shouldn’t be even reactive,” she said. “We should be getting ourselves checked because that’s how we empower ourselves.”
“I have to say, this is even something that we don’t fully touch up on during our training. The community awareness, training, and also culture,” she added.
Eluvo Health
Eluvo Health clinic, launched on Thursday, aims to address the gaps in women’s health and how Filipinas receive their wellness needs.
“Eluvo is for the modern women who want to be the best that they can be and who takes control of their health,” Ms. Olivarez said.
“Even from the design…we want it to be something that women are proud to go to. Like, you’re not embarrassed to go,” she added. “It’s like, I’m going here because I’m this level of wealth, this is me taking control of my health.”
The clinic offers services including fertility, maternal health, family planning, sexual health, and hormone health, among others, ranging from P3,000 to P90,000.
In Q2 of 2026, Eluvo will open its second branch in Quezon City and a third branch in Makati by Q3 to Q4.— Almira Louise S. Martinez
To Lam wins second term to rule Vietnam through 2030
HANOI — Vietnam’s top leader To Lam was appointed on Friday as head of the ruling Communist Party for the next five years, state media reported, as he pledged to turbocharge growth in the export-reliant nation.
In the one-party state, Mr. Lam was re-elected “unanimously” to the country’s most powerful job by 180 party officials from a newly-formed committee at the end of the five-yearly party congress, according to the Vietnam News Agency citing a press release from the party.
At a press conference being prepared to conclude the party congress, Mr. Lam’s name appeared under the title general secretary, and an official confirmed the party leader would be speaking.
SWEEPING REFORMS
During his brief prior stint as party chief since mid-2024, Mr. Lam presided over fast growth underpinned by sweeping reforms that won him strong support but also criticism, as tens of thousands of civil servants lost their jobs while he promoted faster decision-making and less red tape.
Aware of the discontent stirred by those reforms, Mr. Lam moved early to secure support from rival factions within the party, including the powerful military, according to officials familiar with the process.
As concerns mounted about his plans to bolster private conglomerates at the expense of state-owned firms, Mr. Lam issued a directive ahead of the party congress underscoring the “leading role” of state enterprises, which include army-controlled telecom and defense giant Viettel.
“He normally meticulously prepares for his moves,” said Le Hong Hiep, senior fellow at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, noting that Mr. Lam, as state security minister, maneuvered deftly to reach the apex of Vietnam’s political system in 2024 when his late predecessor Nguyen Phu Trong was facing prolonged health issues.
Mr. Lam’s re-election as party chief sends a reassuring message to foreign investors who regularly cite political stability as a key factor in Vietnam’s appeal.
Mr. Lam, 68, is also seeking to become president, with a decision expected to be announced later.
But Mr. Hiep cautioned that Mr. Lam’s bid to combine the two top roles — a system resembling the model under Xi Jinping in neighboring China — “could pose risks to Vietnam’s political system,” which has traditionally depended on collective leadership and internal checks.
TARGETS 10% GROWTH
Earlier this week, addressing congress delegates seating in red-upholstered seats in a red-carpeted conference hall under a towering statue of party’s founder Ho Chi Minh, Mr. Lam promised annual growth above 10% through the decade – an ambitious target which differs from World Bank’s forecasts of an average 6.5% yearly expansion this year and next.
Mr. Lam wants to achieve that by changing the country’s growth model, which has hinged for decades on cheap labor and exports, turning the Southeast Asian nation into a high-middle income economy by 2030 thanks to a boost in innovation and efficiency.
In his first months as party chief, he launched the most comprehensive overhaul of the country’s public administration and government in decades, and has promised to continue with his reform drive, despite concerns over financial risks, controversial infrastructure, and favoritism.— Reuters
Big North European investors reassess US exposure as geopolitical risk mounts
LONDON — Big Northern European investors are increasingly wary of the risks of holding US assets in the face of geopolitical tensions, pensions chiefs told Reuters, a sign of a broadening shift away from the world’s biggest financial market.
A top investment adviser, three pension funds and a leading industry body said the risk premium attached to holding US assets had also gone up in part because of worries about the nation’s finances.
Pension industry leaders and investment chiefs from Finland, Sweden and Denmark told Reuters they viewed US foreign policy uncertainty and White House debt levels as a threat to the dollar, US Treasuries and stocks.
The Nordic region is home to some of Europe’s biggest pension funds by assets.
This week two Nordic pension funds, Sweden’s Alecta and Denmark’s AkademikerPension, said they had sold or were in the process of selling their US Treasuries.
While they said the decisions were unrelated to recent events, US President Donald Trump’s ambitions for Greenland have revived speculation about Europe responding with financial protectionism to his administration’s policies.
“We’re having a lot of discussions (with clients) around (whether) it is time to tilt away from US assets,” said Van Luu, global head of solutions strategy, fixed income and foreign exchange at Russell Investments, which advises retirement schemes.
“About 50% of them are considering whether they should do something about it,” especially Northern European clients, including in Scandinavia and the Netherlands, he said.
Seattle-based Russell advises clients with $1.6 trillion of assets and manages $636 billion directly.
RARE PUBLIC DEBATE
Shifts in long-term asset allocation take time to show up and the United States with its strong economy and deep markets remains a draw. US stocks are trading near record highs. US policy uncertainty, however, has pressured the dollar, which fell 10% against major currencies last year amid tariff hikes and other policies, and 30-year US Treasury yields are trading at around 4.9%, near levels reached during the global financial crisis.
The Nordic funds have been more vocal about their appetite for US assets than others.
Alecta said it had sold most of its US bond holdings because risk associated with US Treasuries and the dollar had increased, while AkademikerPension said it would divest its holdings by the end of the month, blaming weak US government finances.
AkademikerPension said the move was not intended as a political statement linked to the rift between Denmark and the United States over Greenland.
The public nature of the debate over US assets is unusual for investors, who typically steer away from commenting on any changes that may be linked to current affairs.
Their long-term investment decisions tend to look past momentary events.
“All of this turmoil is raising some questions about how exposed you should be to the US… that is what our members are professionally assessing,” said Tom Vile Jensen, deputy director of trade body Insurance and Pensions Denmark.
While US policy uncertainty is a risk factor for asset valuations, the funds said they wouldn’t withdraw capital for political reasons.
“There is certainly no weaponization of capital. It is not the job of our sector to do that,” said Vile Jensen.
VERY MUCH INVESTABLE
The US remains an investable market but its risk premium has “continued to rise”, said Annika Ekman, EVP, Investments at Finland’s Ilmarinen, which manages just over 65 billion euros ($76.1 billion).
Finnish pension provider Veritas, meanwhile, is adhering to its investing mandates but US policy uncertainty is a risk for the dollar, CIO Laura Wickstrom said.
“The higher the unpredictability (goes), then that is a more difficult environment,” she said.
US policy uncertainty has also contributed to the draw of assets such as gold.
Folksam, one of Sweden’s largest insurers, told Reuters it sold its US Treasuries in 2024 partly to reduce risks ahead of the US election.
“There is a lot of talk right now, but for the time being I believe one should keep a cool head,” said Jonas Thulin, CIO at Sweden’s AP3, which manages roughly $61 billion of pension assets. ($1 = 0.8546 euros) — Reuters
Review: REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G
XIAOMI Corp. last week launched in the Philippines its latest mid-range smartphones, the REDMI Note 15 Series, consisting of five devices with Pro and base models and both 4G and 5G versions, offering a variety of choices to fit different budgets and needs.
The brand lent BusinessWorld a unit of one of the three Pro models of the series, the REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G (8GB+256GB), for this review. The device’s suggested retail price starts at P19,999. Discounts and freebies for customers are available until Feb. 8.
Besides the phone and the usual documentation, included in the box are a 45-watt (W) two-round-pin charging adapter, a USB-A to USB-C cable, and a protective case for the device.
Using the provided charger and cable, it took a little over an hour to get the REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G’s 6,580mAh silicon-carbon battery 100% from 20%.
The battery is one of the standout features of this phone for me. For a three-day media trip with Xiaomi to Cebu for the launch of the REDMI Note 15 Series, I only needed to recharge the phone once — and that was with heavy use of its cameras during a city tour and also for typical social media browsing. With typical use, I’d say you can get one to two days out of a full charge.
A bonus: the REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G also supports up to 22.5W wired reverse charging via USB-C. Xiaomi also says this battery is designed with technology that can make its life last up to six years.
Another feature that shines is the screen. The REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G has a 6.83-inch 1.5K CrystalRes AMOLED display that has a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, which supports a peak brightness of up to 3,200 nits. This made the phone very easy to use during the daytime, especially under direct sunlight — no need to shield the screen just to see what’s on it. Visuals are also clear and crisp, and color reproduction is vivid. The screen is also very responsive, and its flat design is a plus for me.
When watching videos or listening to music, the REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G’s dual speakers, which have Dolby Atmos support, have great audio quality, making for an immersive experience. Even when using 400% volume boost, there is only minimal distortion.
The phone’s overall design and form factor also makes for a good user experience. The flat side edges with rounded corners make it easy to grip for prolonged periods of time, even for a relatively large phone, as the device is thin and light. It also looks and feels premium.
Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7400-Ultra chipset, the phone delivers a smooth performance for typical use cases like social media browsing, watching videos, and even light gaming, making it a great mid-range daily driver.
Software-wise, the phone runs on HyperOS 2.0 and has a simple and clean interface, and it also offers several AI features, including image editing tools. It does come with some preloaded apps and bloatware, but all of these are easy to uninstall if you find them unnecessary.
The REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G features a dual-camera setup at the rear with a new 200-megapixel (MP) ultimate-clarity main sensor with optical image stabilization and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. Even without a telephoto lens, the phone captures sharp images with great details and colors. It performs very well when used outdoors in the daytime. During the night or indoor conditions with challenging lighting, as well as when using Ultra HD mode, image processing can get a tad slower than usual.
There are also several shooting modes that can cater to both casual and more advanced users. I especially liked tinkering with Pro Mode (which allows you to use or save parameter presets), especially for night shots.
Now for another of the REDMI Note 15 Series’ main selling points — its Titan Durability — the phone has IP66/IP68/IP69/IP69K dust and water resistance ratings, as well as drop resistance certification. Its display is also made with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
I subjected the REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G to simple drop and water tests, and unsurprisingly, the review unit survived these. One drop test on floors made of hard tiles did result in small dents in the phone’s rear camera panel but did not affect its performance.
Of course, only time will tell just how much (intentional and accidental) beating this phone can take, but its “Titan Tough” build can give users peace of mind — especially at a time when smartphones are set to become more expensive due to the surge in memory chip costs fueled by growing AI demand. Customers also get a four-year battery replacement warranty, two-year liquid damage coverage and front and back cover replacement, and a comprehensive two-year overall warranty.
With its durability and long battery life, the REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G is a very capable daily driver for those who want a smartphone that can deliver great performance at a competitive price. — Bettina V. Roc
Pit Señor! Toyota Motor Philippines celebrates Sinulog with Coco Martin
Toyota Tamaraw Ambassador pays homage to Sinulog
Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) brought extra excitement to this year’s Sinulog celebration by welcoming Coco Martin to Cebu City during the festival weekend. Through this, TMP highlighted its support for local traditions and its commitment to engaging communities across the Philippines.
Festival-goers were treated to a memorable experience, seeing Coco Martin up close as he joined the festivities, bringing energy and star power to the vibrant celebration.
For Coco Martin, the Sinulog is not only a fiesta but also an occasion for people to unite in prayer and set aside differences.
“Ramdam mo dito yung tibay ng loob at pananampalataya ng mga Cebuano (You feel the Cebuanos’ inner strength and faith),” he said during his visit to Cebu City on Sinulog weekend.
TMP’s initiative not only amplified the spirit of Sinulog but also created meaningful connections with the people of Cebu.
TMP and Coco Martin timed his Next Generation Toyota Tamaraw Roadshow with the Sinulog celebration, held every third weekend of January in Cebu, to be one with the Cebuano devotees. He proudly carries his badge as the Tamaraw Next Generation ambassador, enthusiastically going from one city to another to engage with the Tamaraw customers and his fans.
Cebu City was his fourth stop after Cagayan de Oro City, Tacloban City, and Marilao, Batangas. He has more cities to visit in the months ahead.
He likens the strong and persevering faith of the people of Cebu to the durability and reliability of the Tamaraw Next Generation. A devout Catholic, the actor/filmmaker who is behind the TV hit series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, has a strong devotion to the Black Nazarene.
Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) brought Coco Martin closer to Cebuano fans during the Sinulog weekend, starting with a meet-and-greet at the Toyota Mabolo showroom with Toyota Tamaraw customers. He then entertained mallgoers with lively performances, trivia games, and photo opportunities, even trying the steps of the traditional Sinulog dance. The weekend culminated with Coco joining the Grand Parade aboard a “Next Generation Toyota Tamaraw” float organized by Toyota Team Cebu, braving intermittent weather to experience the Sinulog beat and delight the street crowd.
The Next Generation Toyota Tamaraw utility van, launched in 2024, has quickly become a popular choice among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, and those familiar with the early Tamaraw FX. With its design customizability, fuel efficiency, and affordability, the Tamaraw is now increasingly seen on roads nationwide, supporting nation-building by enabling better mobility and empowering MSMEs to grow their businesses.
Tamaraw Ambassador Coco Martin (in brown jacket) at the Toyota Mabolo showroom on Sinulog weekend.
Cebu businessman Eric Ong has just bought his second Tamaraw, the 2.4 GL Utility Van DSL AT. He already has the Dropside DSL A/T variant that he uses for his construction business, Worldwide Builders.
He said he had waited for the 2.4 GL Utility Van DSL AT automatic transmission because it is more efficient to drive than a vehicle with manual transmission. Also, when he needs to load purchases of auto parts needed for his EGO Taxi fleet, the FX provides security for his cargo. And, he added, human passengers can safely ride in the Tamaraw FX.
Marc and Christine Lin just bought a Tamaraw FX DSL A/T, intending it for their restaurant business especially for delivery. They said they find the Tamaraw “sturdy and reliable.”
The Ongs and the Lins received the ceremonial keys to their Tamaraw FX from Coco Martin at the Toyota Mabolo showroom on Jan. 17.
The FX is the first and only utility van with automatic transmission across all brands in the Philippine market today, according to Toyota Mabolo.
Lester Alferez, who is in the coffee industry, found the Tamaraw “a reliable vehicle that can handle daily work in the shop.”
“It’s strong, practical, and perfect for our coffee business needs,” he said.
Toyota has rolled out new colors for the Tamaraw utility van: greyish blue metallic and super red for the Tamaraw FX DSL MT and super red for the Tamaraw Dropside DSL AT.
To learn more about Next Generation Tamaraw, visit https://www.toyota.com.ph/tamaraw or inquire at your nearest Toyota dealership.
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China says it rescued Philippine crew from cargo ship near Scarborough Shoal
BEIJING — China and the Philippines said on Friday they launched rescue operations after receiving reports of a distressed cargo ship near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea which was carrying 21 Philippine crew members.
The Chinese military said 17 crew members were rescued and two of them later died, after a report around 1:30 a.m. on Friday (1730 GMT on Thursday) that a foreign cargo vessel had capsized in waters near the shoal. It dispatched aircraft to conduct searches and the Chinese Coast Guard sent two vessels for rescue efforts.
One person was receiving emergency medical treatment, it said, adding that China’s maritime authorities were organizing additional rescue forces to head to the area.
The Philippine Coast Guard said it deployed two vessels and two aircraft to rescue the Philippine crew from a Singaporean-flagged cargo vessel loaded with iron ore that was en route to southern Chinese city of Yangjiang.
“The PCG Command Center acquired information from the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre that 10 of the 21 Filipino crew members were rescued by a passing China Coast Guard vessel,” it said.
Scarborough Shoal is one of Asia’s most contested maritime features and a frequent flashpoint in disputes over sovereignty and fishing rights.
On Tuesday, the Chinese military said it organized naval and air force units to drive away a Philippine government aircraft that it accused of “illegally intruding” into airspace over the atoll.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, overlapping the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.— Reuters
Poor student literacy rates seen weighing on PHL economic growth
By Almira Louise S. Martinez, Reporter
The Philippines may experience an economic slowdown fueled by the low proficiency levels of students, as literacy rates in both local and international assessments decline.
“A decline in literacy weakens human capital, lowers workers’ ability to adapt to technology, and limits movement into higher-value jobs,” John Paolo R. Rivera, senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), told BusinessWorld in a Viber message.
“If this trend is not reversed, the Philippines risks slower long-term growth, weaker competitiveness, and deeper inequality, as more Filipinos remain trapped in low-skill, low-pay work while other countries move up the value chain,” he added.
The foundational learning crisis has been a long-term problem for the country for at least 30 years, according to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2).
“If you see our curriculum for the past three decades, it’s very ambitious, it’s very aspirational. You go from so many types of literary texts, you study poems, short stories, extended essays,” EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark R. Yee told BusinessWorld in an interview.
“But (it) turns out our challenge was illiteracy and the lack of ability to comprehend complex texts,” he added. “We need a curriculum that adapts to the learner, and we need to strategize and prioritize because we can’t expect them to learn everything.”
Functionally illiterate Filipinos on the rise
Data from the agency showed that about 24.8 million Filipinos were functionally illiterate in 2025, nearly doubling from the 14.5 million in 1993.
The same concern was evident in the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), which showed 18.9 million Filipinos aged 10 to 64 were considered functionally illiterate.
Functional illiteracy, as defined by the local statistics agency, is the ability to read, write, and compute, but lacks comprehension skills.
One of the most alarming markers flagged by Mr. Yee is the poor performance of elementary students, specifically in grades 1 to 3, where 85% are struggling to read, and only 15% can read according to their grade level.
“We need to focus on the foundation,” he said. “We really need literacy until grade 3 because without that, you cannot keep moving them up to further grade levels to learn the other complex tasks.”
The SEA-PLM 2024 report
In the 2024 Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM), Filipino grade 5 students were lagging in reading and mathematics within the region.
The study revealed that only 13% of learners were considered to have reached the minimum reading proficiency, while 14% have reached the minimum proficiency in mathematics.
“If you look at the global data, it is really declining, which is why we’re not the only ones saying there’s a crisis – almost all are facing their own crisis,” Mr. Yee said.
“Except that for us, because this is perhaps the first time that we are confronting this… It is clear to us that we are not alone. There’s a lot of us, and many have already succeeded,” he added.
Economic effects of the learning crisis
The decades-long learning crisis will have lasting implications for the country’s future workforce, Federation of Free Workers President Jose Sonny G. Matula said. “If literacy rates keep falling, the long-term risk is that the economy becomes locked into low value-added work.”
“That means slower productivity growth, weaker ability to absorb technology, reduced competitiveness in higher-skill manufacturing and services, and greater inequality because fewer workers can move up the skills ladder,” he added in a Viber message.
Mr. Matula noted that the industries that could be affected by workers lacking foundational literacy skills include manufacturing and production lines, construction, and OSH-sensitive work, logistics and inventory systems, customer handling and documentation services, and gig work where workers must navigate apps, terms, ratings, and digital pay systems.
“At the macro level, declining literacy undermines human capital – so GDP growth becomes harder to sustain, more fragile, and less inclusive because productivity improvements stall,” he said.
“A major gap is the tendency to treat literacy as a ‘school issue only’ when it is also a labor, economic, and social protection issue,” he added.
Leonardo A. Lanzona, an economics professor at Ateneo De Manila University, said that roughly one year of schooling can lead to a 7% increase in wages. “We can perhaps infer that illiteracy is close to losing 7% of wages per year.”
Analysts underscored that persistent low learning outcomes could lead to significant economic losses.
“Global studies suggest learning losses can cost countries several percentage points of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) over the long run through lower lifetime earnings, weaker productivity, and reduced tax revenues,” Mr. Rivera said.
“For the Philippines, persistent poor literacy could mean billions of pesos in foregone income annually, especially as the economy becomes more digital and skills intensive.”
Citing the data from the World Literacy Foundation in 2023, Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development Director Ser Percival K. Peña-Reyes echoed similar worries, stating that lost earnings, reduced productivity, and limited employability caused by illiteracy could cost $4.72 billion or P277 billion annually.
He added that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also warned of a potential $17 trillion in lost lifetime earnings for the current generation globally without intervention.
“These numbers highlight the severe learning crisis in the Philippines, especially post-pandemic,” he told BusinessWorld in a Viber message.
By 2028, Mr. Yee said EDCOM 2 is seeking around 30% improvement in the reading proficiency of grade 3 students, raising the grade-level readers from 43% to 75% within three years.
Reforms underway
“Our proposal is that by 2028, we hope that 75% of all of our grade 3 students are reading at their grade level,” he said. “That will be a very good start because it means that we have seriously undertaken the reforms needed.”
The Department of Education (DepEd) aims to address learning gaps through different education reforms and initiatives, such as the ARAL (Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning) program.
The ARAL program, launched on Sept. 13, is mandated under Republic Act No. 12028 and aims to provide tutorial support for kindergarten to grade 10 learners in reading, mathematics, and science.
In the 2026 budget for education, P8.93 billion will be allocated to the ARAL program to ensure learning gaps are addressed by “adequately trained and fairly compensated” tutors.