The Tokyo Olympics are over, after a year’s delay. The Olympic flame has been extinguished. Athletes, officials, and other people whose participation in any Olympic-type event is essential have also packed their bags and have left. Volunteers, medical and security personnel have also vacated their posts and have moved on to more low-profile and conventional surroundings.

OUR CIVIC DUTY, aside from obeying traffic rules, celebrating Olympic victories, and paying taxes, is to vote wisely. Advocacy groups for getting the vote out through the registration of new or lapsed voters may also set up forums to evaluate the qualifications of candidates.

As we have seen, the Philippine economy is simultaneously undergoing the four industrial revolutions.

In a statement released recently by the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) and the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU), private schools nationwide urged legislators to immediately pass into law pending bills that would permanently resolve the tax controversy that increased the sector’s income tax rate by 150%.

It was reported in the news recently, that CNN in New York, USA fired three employees who violated company policy by reporting for work unvaccinated against the COVID-19 virus1. Jeff Zucker, CNN chief, was reported to have said that CNN has a zero-tolerance policy on the matter — referring to the policy requiring employees reporting onsite to get vaccinated. In another piece of news, United Airlines will require all its more than 67,000 US employees to get vaccinated by no later than Oct. 25 this year or risk termination2.

Renewed interest and hopes for a final Code of Conduct for the South China Sea surfaced during the 37th ASEAN Summit.

Is it so difficult to make a company green? Let us take a look.

This is Part 2 of this column’s piece five months ago, “10 trends in mortality and spending economics” (March 23, https://www.bworldonline.com/10-trends-in-mortality-and-spending-economics/).

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the everyday lives of children. Being on lockdown and having to stay home while attending synchronous and asynchronous schooling will have distressing long-term effects, including the emergence of violence against children.

I talked to a leader of a fairly large pig raisers association. He confirmed that pork prices had remained high despite the lowering of pork tariffs this year. I heard that Secretary William Dar conducted a meeting of his officials to inquire into what has happened. If the purpose of lowering tariffs was to reduce pork prices to pre-African Swine Fever (ASF) levels, why has it not accomplished its objective?

Just as Hidilyn Diaz and Nesthy Petecio brought pride to the nation as champion Olympians, another Filipina, Bettina Arguelles, brought the country distinction by being named the first female Southeast Asian Executive Chef of the Sofitel Hotel Group. As many of us know, Sofitel is part of the Paris based Accor Group, one of the largest hospitality conglomerates in the world with 5,100 hotels in 110 countries. Sofitel is among Accor’s luxury brands and a purveyor of French art, culture, and cuisine.

THE REPUBLIC of Singapore turns 56 on Aug. 9. The last 56 years may have been rife with challenges, but our small city state in Southeast Asia has continued to not only survive, but also thrive. Even as the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the daily lives of Singaporeans and our linkages with the world, we have continued to engage our partners in the region and beyond.