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Battling cancer from the inside out

Principal Counsellor from Parkway Cancer Centre (Singapore) stresses the importance of psychological counselling for cancer patients

Addressing cancer does not only involve the medical and physical aspects of a patient. Attending to the emotional and mental health of the patient as well as those of his or her family members and friends are equally important. This is what Tan Hui Ping, Principal Counsellor at Parkway Cancer Centre (PCC) in Singapore, believes and anchors her work on.

Tan Hui Ping

Ms. Tan provides psychosocial and emotional counselling for cancer patients as they cope with their diagnosis, treatment process, and care plans. She also runs support groups with other counsellors in PCC.

She shared that PCC provides counselling services right from the start for patients who require such support — either through referrals from doctors or walk-in by patients themselves. “We at Parkway Cancer Centre work as a team. We have our oncologists, nurses, guest relations officers, counsellors, dieticians, and palliative nurses,” Ms. Tan told BusinessWorld in an interview. “We are a team of practitioners coming together to support our patients in their respective areas of needs.”

For her, counselling plays a significant role in supporting and helping the patient battle against cancer. “There is no one aspect that is more important than the other,” Ms. Tan emphasized. “All aspects — physical, mental, emotional are important as they form the holistic well-being of a patient.”

While Ms. Tan has been able to empower patients through counselling, these patients also inspire her, like in a case of a patient in his early 30s. At the prime of his career in the aviation industry, the patient was found to have a tumor in his eye, affecting his vision and robbing him away from a profession that he so much loved.

“When I first saw him, I remembered he was totally devastated, and I can imagine why it is so terribly hard for him,” Ms. Tan narrated.

With counselling support, Ms. Tan continued, he started to shift his perspectives and gradually became very strong mentally and very positive emotionally. He was empowered to cope with his cancer a lot more.

“Once he accepted this fate that he couldn’t change, he changed his mindset, attitude and perspectives accordingly and things started to improve for him.”

Soon, this patient’s journey inspired many others, including Ms. Tan herself. “When I saw how resilient he became, how he did the seemingly impossible in the most amazing and extraordinary ways, how he turned predicament into achievement, that really inspired me and impacted me greatly,” she said. “I learnt a lot from my patients and draw energy, drive, and power from them.”

Being diagnosed with cancer challenges both patients and their loved ones. Family members and friends might be clueless about how to respond and how they could help. For Ms. Tan, by being present with the patient is good enough.

“Many times, our patients are tired of repeating their stories. So, if you could just stay with them, sit with them by their side, hold their hands, and simply listen to whatever they wanted to say — that’s good enough,” Ms. Tan advised.

Aside from being present, one could also help by doing simple tasks for their beloved, like helping them run day-to-day errands, babysitting their children for a few days, or driving them to the clinic to see the doctor. “Supporting someone with cancer need not mean doing tall order stuff, keep it practical and simple, and that’s all it matters.” Ms. Tan said.

For more information about cancer, please subscribe to https://ph.parkwaycancercentre.com/articles/.

HealthNews is a monthly publication by Parkway Cancer Centre Singapore.

In the Philippines, Parkway Cancer Centre Singapore are represented by CanHOPE Manila. They act as a link with direct access to the Singapore team providing integrated care throughout a patient’s journey.

For information on the centre and their services, please email canhopemla@gmail.com and visit CanHOPE Manila on Facebook.

To make an enquiry or appointment, contact our Parkway Patient Assistance Centre:

Parkway Patient Assistance Centre (Taguig) 2/F Ore Central, 31st Street corner 9th Avenue Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, 1634 Philippines

Tel: +63 2 812-1264 ext. 227

Email: cmi-bgc.ph@parkwaypantai.com

Parkway Patient Assistance Centre (Pasig) Unit 3106 East Tektite Tower Exchange Road, Ortigas Center Pasig City 1605, Philippines

Tel: +63 917-560-6498

Email: manila.ph@parkwaypantai.com

Pernia: Q4 could see 6.5-7% GDP growth

By Beatrice M. Laforga

THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY stands a fair chance of hitting the lower end of the government’s 6-7% gross domestic product (GDP) growth target for this year, if it were to hit the middle of Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia’s projection for this quarter.

Citing faster household consumption — which has lately been contributing nearly 70% of GDP — as Christmas approaches and the boost from easing inflation, Mr. Pernia gave a 6.5-7% projection when reporters pressed him on Thursday for a fourth-quarter economic growth estimate.

That would compare to the 5.6%, 5.5% and 6.2% growth rates recorded in the first to the third quarters of this year and the 6.3% logged in last year’s final three months.

The lower end of Mr. Pernia’s fourth-quarter growth estimate would match the rate recorded in last year’s first quarter and would be the fastest since the 6.6% recorded in 2017’s final three months.

With the nine months to September seeing 5.8% average GDP growth, Mr. Pernia had said that the economy needs to expand by at least 6.7% this quarter to hit the floor of the government’s 2019 growth target.

ANCHORS
National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa told reporters separately that this can be attained as the holiday season will further boost household consumption.

Household final consumption growth picked up to 5.9% from 5.5% in the preceding quarter and 5.3% the past year. The fourth quarter last year saw this growth expenditure segment sustain a 5.3% clip.

With the outbreak of the African Swine Fever (ASF), Mr. Mapa said hog production may decelerate this quarter.

Hog output growth, which accounted for 15.74% of total farm production last quarter, edged up 1.96% in July-September and by 2.54% year-to-date.

“Hogs [output] is relatively slower compared to the second quarter,” Mr. Mapa noted.

“But in the fourth quarter baka mag-negative (production might be negative), while the other livestock [will] compensate like chicken, increasing to near double-digit,” he explained.

Production of pork substitute chicken, which accounted for 14.72% of total farm output, increased by 8.48% last quarter and 5.25% year-to-date. Mr. Mapa said the increase in prices of this commodity could still pick up as even more consumers shun pork for substitutes during feasts in the upcoming holidays.

While saying that he needed more data to give a GDP growth estimate for 2019’s final three months, Finance Undersecretary Gil S. Beltran, who is the department’s chief economist, said that if currently available numbers were to be the sole basis, the “fourth quarter would be the best quarter of all.”

Michael L. Ricafort, economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) said 6.7% GDP growth in the fourth quarter would be “possible to achieve” if the surge in state spending in September, especially on infrastructure, was sustained.

Government spending, which contributes nearly a 10th of GDP, recovered to grow 9.6% from 7.4% and 7.3% in the first and second quarters, respectively, though still slower than the 14.3% reported in 2018’s third quarter. Growth of this expenditure segment slowed to 12.6% in 2019’s final three months.

In September alone, state spending surged 39.01% to P415.1 billion from the P298.6 billion a year earlier, bringing the year-to-date expenditures to P2.627 trillion.

Robust consumer spending will likely be sustained as inflation could settle below the central bank’s 2-4% target range for this year, according to Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa, a senior economist at ING Bank N.V. Manila Branch.

However, ING’s Mr. Mapa warned that capital formation will be the “missing link” for the overall economic growth.

“Had capital formation remained in positive territory, overall PHL GDP may have easily cleared the six percent handle. But with the sector posting twin contractions [of -8.5% and -2.1% in the second and third quarters, respectively], growth has been held back,” he said in a note to journalists on Friday.

“Another major growth driver includes any pickup in investments or capital formation, especially if loan growth picks up from among the slowest levels in nearly nine years as local interest rates may have already bottomed out in August 2019 that could encourage borrowers to be more aggressive in their borrowings or financing requirements,” RCBC’s Mr. Ricafort said in a mobile phone message on Sunday.

Economists, companies eye opportunities from RCEP

By Jenina P. Ibañez and Denise A. Valdez
Reporter

THE EMERGING 15-country Asia-Pacific mega-trade deal can be expected to boost Philippine trade and investment prospects amid global trade tensions, economists and business leaders said last week.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is an emerging trade pact covering the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations members as well as Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. The 15 countries on Nov. 4 agreed to sign the trade deal in 2020.

Prospective signatory India has for now opted out due to concerns about the deal’s potential repercussions on vulnerable sectors like farmers and small businesses. But the door remains open until participating countries resolve such issues in a “mutually satisfactory way.”

The prospective free trade area has more than 3.5 billion people, or almost half the world’s population, and a third of global trade. Without India, the population represented is reduced to an estimated 2 billion people. Talks on the partnership began in 2012.

SHOT IN THE ARM
The extent of any gains and risks for the Philippines will depend on the final details and products included in the trade deal, University of Asia and the Pacific economist George N. Manzano, a former tariff commissioner, said in a telephone interview on Tuesday.

With the US-China trade war weighing on global trade, Mr. Manzano said that RCEP could turn out to be a shot in the arm. “This [partnership] could jump-start trade in this corner of the world,” he said, adding that the new arrangement can be expected to add impetus to further open up the Philippine economy.

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said in a telephone interview on Thursday that ASEAN’s deals with each major trading partner currently benefit around 80% of products in the Philippines’ tariff and customs code. RCEP would open markets for 92% of the country’s products.

Philippine companies that have moved to expand beyond the country’s borders are generally optimistic about RCEP.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. Chief Finance Officer Manuel R. Lozano said in an interview on Wednesday that the emerging new trade agreement will give the region “a little more power or leverage when we deal with other countries.”

He said aside from tax advantages, having RCEP in place will also pool the strengths of component economies.

“By having presence across (the region) and being able to cross-pollinate ideas and opportunities, I think it helps grow and diversify business for sure,” Mr. Lozano said, citing AEV’s plans for Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar.

Mr. Lopez said that the new trade pact will integrate Philippine businesses in the regional supply chain, enticing potential investors to consider investing in Philippine-based production.

Ayala Land, Inc. Chief Finance Officer Augusto Cesar D. Bengzon said on Wednesday that RCEP will help the company’s plan to tap opportunities in neighboring markets.

“As a company, we’ve decided that, in terms of our international strategy, we will be focusing on the ASEAN region. So clearly, free trade zone benefits as well as integration have played into that decision of ours to focus on the ASEAN region,” he said in an interview.

Ayala Land forayed offshore when it bought into Malaysian firm MCT Bhd in 2015, growing its stake to 72.31% today.

Mr. Bengzon said the company continues to look for opportunities to expand within Southeast Asia and that RCEP will hone that focus.

For Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, RCEP will be a good opportunity to kick-start strengthening the Philippines’ position in regional trade.

“That agreement is a start, with the integration that will happen. It will take time, but we need to start. So I think it’s good,” Mr. Pangilinan told reporters on Wednesday.

“I think, economically, we should respond to the economic partnership… Sabi nila [They said the prospective new free trade region will have] 48% [of the world’s] population, so much of the trade, so much of the GDP (gross domestic product) of the world. So it is a major economic bloc if we can make it work.”

Metro Pacific is one of three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc. It also has presence in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam through its toll road unit, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.

WINNERS AND LOSERS
At the same time, Philippine businesses that are not globally competitive could find it difficult to thrive under RCEP, Epictetus E. Patalinghug, an economics and finance professor at the University of the Philippines-Virata School of Business and former tariff commissioner, said in an e-mailed response to questions.

“Domestic high-cost industries that are protected by tariffs and safeguards like the domestic cement, steel and construction industries will not survive against RCEP competition,” Mr. Patalinghug said.

He said advantages and risks to Philippine industry will depend on which sectors are finally included in the trade agreement, but surmises that inclusion of more service sectors would be an advantage.

“If trade in services will not be restricted, PH[ilippine] will benefit like in labor-intensive BPO (business process outsourcing), while China will benefit in high-tech industries,” Mr. Patalinghug explained.

“On the other hand, PH[ilippine] service workers like seafarers, teachers, ICT (information and communication technology) programmers and engineers can benefit [due to] the demand from labor-scarce Japan, Korea and, soon, China.”

Philippine telecommunications services, he added, would improve if businesses elsewhere in RCEP were allowed to compete with local players.

Agriculture could also benefit from RCEP.

Rolando T. Dy, executive director of Center for Food and Agri-Business of University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), said the trade pact may reduce barriers abroad for Philippine agricultural products, even if the country will also have to open its doors to foreign produce.

He specifically mentioned how RCEP may help the government in its efforts to reduce Japan’s tariffs on Philippine bananas. Lower tariffs will also help Philippine fruits tap other markets like Indonesia and South Korea, he added.

To offset risks to Philippine businesses, Mr. Lopez said that the Trade department is helping them be more competitive.

“For us, we’re improving competitiveness. That’s why there are many programs on many aspects of product development, financing and marketing being done,” he said.

The Philippines also excludes certain products — its “sensitive list” — from the trade deal to protect vulnerable sectors. For instance, Mr. Lopez said, the country will not be reducing tariffs on rice and sugar.

The withdrawal of India from RCEP, said Mr. Patalinghug, is an advantage for the Philippines.

“We do not have much trade (exports or imports) with India, and India is our major competitor within RCEP in terms of BPO… as well as OFW (overseas Filipino worker) services and… labor-intensive manufacturing,” he explained.

Mr. Manzano, however, said that India’s exit “takes the shine off” the mega trade deal as it was an enticing market for RCEP countries that did not have direct access to the Indian market.

For Mr. Lopez, however, the emerging trade deal would be a net positive for the Philippines.

“Think of it the other way around — if we don’t participate, we will be left behind.”

Business tycoon John L. Gokongwei, Jr., 93

By Denise A. Valdez
Reporter

BUSINESS TYCOON John L. Gokongwei, Jr., founder and chairman emeritus of listed conglomerate JG Summit Holdings, Inc. and two of its listed units, passed away on Saturday. He was 93.

The conglomerate confirmed his death in a statement on Sunday, saying his wake will be held on Nov. 11-14 at Heritage Park in Taguig City.

A funeral mass is scheduled at 8 p.m. on Nov. 15.

“We, the 75,000-strong employees of JG Summit Holdings and Robinsons Retail Holdings, join the nation in paying tribute to the founder of the first Philippine multinational conglomerate, a philanthropist with a passion for education,” the statement read.

Mr. Gokongwei is survived by his wife Elizabeth and children Robina, Lance, Lisa, Faith, Hope and Marcia.

Mr. Gokongwei has been ranked by Forbes as the third richest man in the Philippines in 2019 with wealth estimated at $5.3 billion. He trailed real estate businessman Manuel B. Villar, Jr. with $6.6 billion and the Sy siblings of patriarch Henry Sy, Sr. with combined wealth of $17.2 billion.

Aside from sitting as chairman emeritus of JG Summit at the time of his death, Mr. Gokongwei also held the same position in Universal Robina Corp. and Robinsons Land Corp. He was also the chairman of the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, Inc. and director of Cebu Air, Inc., Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. and Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corp. when he passed away.

Mr. Gokongwei was born in Fujian, China and grew up in Cebu after his family moved to the Philippines. His father died when he was 13, which forced him to focus on work to support his mother and siblings.

He earned his masters degree in Business Administration from the De La Salle Universityy and attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Mr. Gokongwei eventually built his business empire which now has interests in food, property, air transportation, retail, hospitality, telecommunications, power, petrochemicals and banking.

Before his death, Mr. Gokongwei had turned over the reins of his holding company to his son, Lance, who has been serving as president and chief executive officer of JG Summit since May last year. Mr. Gokongwei’s brother, James L. Go, is the conglomerate’s chairman.

Malacañang mourned Mr. Gokongwei’s death, calling him an “exceptional and ideal Filipino” in a statement Sunday. It said he leaves a legacy that is “worth emulating” for the Filipino nation.

The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, the country’s biggest labor group, paid him tribute, saying in a statement that it recognizes his efforts to ensure the well-being of workers in his companies.

Philippine STAR forum to discuss challenges facing female innovators

WOMEN OF TODAY hold numerous roles: mother, citizen, entrepreneur, professional, creator, muse, among others.

They also hold a lot of power and potential within themselves that, when unleashed, become the source of strength that keeps society together into the future.

The Philippine STAR, in partnership with Globe Telecom and Women Influence Community Forum, brings the Women Influence Forum to Manila with the theme: “Women Today: Innovators and Agents of the Future.”

The forum will gather the country’s most influential women and decode how they effectively carry out their roles in society.

The forum will raise issues that hinders women empowerment, contributing to the push for gender equality.

Main keynote speaker of the forum is Anna Belova, chairman of the board for JSC Russian Venture Co. and dean of the National University of Higher School of Economy.

Session keynote speakers include Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo; Senator Grace Poe; Leyte Fourth District Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez; Nina D. Aguas, Insular Life executive chairman; Chef Margarita Forés; and Jeannie E. Javelosa, co-founder of Great Women Org Philippines.

Forum panelists include some of the biggest names in business, politics, journalism and the arts, such as Quezon City Mayor Ma. Josefina G. Belmonte-Alimurung, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso, Ormoc City Mayor Richard I. Gomez, 1973 Miss Universe Margarita Moran-Floirendo, The Philippine STAR Lifestyle editor Millet M. Mananquil, broadcast journalist Karen Davila, Dr. Victoria “Vicki” Belo-Kho, Ballet Manila’s Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, Cignal TV president and Chief Executive Officer Jane J. Basas and Honorary Consul to Russia Armi Lopez Garcia to name a few.

The forum will be held at the Manila Ballroom of the Manila Marriot Hotel in Pasay City on Nov. 12.

For more information of the forum, visit womentoday.philstarlife.com.

The Philippines improves in shipping connectivity scorecard, among biggest in tonnage

The Philippines improves in shipping connectivity scorecard, among biggest in tonnage

Kia gets in subcompact SUV ring via Seltos

Text and photos by Kap Maceda Aguila

FOLLOWING its world premiere in July, Korean global car maker Kia lost no time in making the subcompact crossover Seltos available to customers in the Philippines — who also have the honor of getting it first in the ASEAN region. And the vehicle comes in with rightfully much optimism from executives.

“We received huge attention from media, customers and even competitors globally,” said Kia Motors Asia Pacific President Ted Lee in a speech at the launch last Wednesday in Taguig City. “In the Korean market, the Seltos has been a top-selling model in B-SUV segment with sales volumes much higher than the next model in the segment. In India, where Kia was not present until last July, the Seltos has received, despite the market’s slowdown, more than expected inquiries and customer bookings.”

Meanwhile, Kia Philippines President Manny Aligada reminded how the Seltos represents a fulfillment of the promise made late last year during a press conference to announce the operational takeover of the Ayala Group.

“On January 30, we launched the partnership between Ayala and Kia motors, and (opened) the first of the three boxes, which (held) the Soluto. Now, (it) is the biggest-selling model in the Kia lineup,” he said. Kia followed suit with the debut of the Stinger sports sedan at summer’s Manila International Auto Show. Now the brand closes the year strong with the Seltos.

“We said we would bring back the glory of the brand that is so known worldwide, and we committed to two things. First, we said we would enhance the current lineup, which we did. The second is that we would bring in three new models,” averred Mr. Aligada.

The Seltos, named after the son of Hercules in Greek mythology (with the “C” supplanted with an “S” to represent sportiness), effectively becomes Kia’s entry-level SUV crossover. It measures 4,370 x 1,800 x 1,615 millimeters, with a wheelbase that stretches 2,630mm. Mr. Aligada asserted that it is larger compared to segment competition, and approaches the dimensions of more upmarket SUVs. Even the cabin, he continued, boasts generous headroom and rear legroom.

Under the hood is a 2.0-liter inline-four DOHC D-CVVT Atkinson Cycle engine mated to an all-new Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) developed by Kia to produce “power, response, smoothness, and fuel economy. The IVT features continuous gear shifts for improved drivability,” according to a release.

Proprietary Advanced High Strength Steel promises “enhanced body rigidity and maximum occupant security.” A Drive Mode Select system lets drivers choose from Normal, Eco, or Sport for more customized response expectations. A rear-view camera with rear-view driving function affords heightened confidence and safety.

In an exclusive interview with Velocity, Mr. Aligada revealed that the Seltos sold around 6,000 units in one month in India, where it was unveiled even before it’s hometown Korea. He attributes the popularity of the SUV there with the fact that the market “had a strong say in the design of this” — particularly in the areas of size, setup, and engine. That and “detailed attention in the design made it stand out.”

This, predicted the executive, augurs well for the Seltos reception here. “Similarly in the Philippines, which is an SUV country, this is what will (help) the Seltos become one of the leading models. (It’s a) small, tall, compact SUV. There’s the two-liter petrol engine that’s powerful and efficient, and the IVT, plus the look. Filipinos will surely appreciate this.”

Kia Philippines sources the Seltos directly from Korea, and offers buyers a standard five-year, 160,000-kilometer warranty. Until November 30, the company also extends a P50,000 discount on all three variants of the Seltos. Inclusive of the discount, the prices are: LX (P1.048 million), the EX (P1.148 million), and the SX (P1.448 million).

“The direction we’re taking now is that we get models that will play in good positioning — perfect for branding because that’s what we need now. We have the Sorento, the GT line for Sportage and Forte, and then the Stinger. We also have players in the volume segments — the K2500, the Soluto. We’re working on the other models. This one is also a sweet spot, a huge segment with 12 to 15 percent of the total industry. So, we’re bringing in models that should have a good play both in volume and in branding,” concluded Mr. Aligada.

Peugeot 5008 gets upgrades, keeps old price

Text and photos by Kap Maceda Aguila

DESPITE getting a slew of upgrades, the 2020 version of the Peugeot 5008 seven-seater SUV will still be priced at P2.19 million.

Peugeot Philippines recently unveiled the vehicle at its Pasig City dealership. Though not a new model, the lone Allure variant of the 5008 showcases a number of upgrades and improvements. In a speech, Peugeot Philippines Business Development Director Dong Magsajo said these changes should “(take) the ownership experience to the next level.” He added, “Already boasting of advanced features that put many an SUV to shame, we are proud to announce that we’ve listened to our customers and packed our seven-seater with even more features.”

In response to customer feedback, the French car maker brings back the 5008’s panoramic sunroof. “We first made this available all the way back in 2013. The glass roof enhances the interior ambience as it gives the 5008 owners the option for more lighting inside the vehicle,” shared Mr. Magsajo. Speaking of which, the cabin is bestowed with ambient LED lighting, as well as Claudia leather-wrapped seats. The 5008 is now also equipped with an automatic tailgate with foot sensor for hands-free operation.

Peugeot’s Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) also makes its debut on the 5008 Allure. “While the 5008 has always had a five-star Euro NCAP crash rating, ADAS will give the (present-model) owner several safety systems not normally found in other vehicles,” the executive explained.

The suite of safety measures includes Active Blind Spot Detection, advanced driver attention alerts, Lane Keeping Assist, and a speed limiter and cruise control feature with intelligent speed adaptation.

The 5008 still has Advanced Grip Control which, added Mr. Magsajo, “ensures 4×4 capability without the added weight.” The vehicle’s infotainment system also features Apple CarPlay connectivity for easy smartphone integration.

New 18-inch Detroit alloy wheels complete the new package. “At this price point, the 2020 Peugeot 5008 SUV has the best combination of premium features and impressive technologies in a vehicle available in the market today,” said Peugeot Philippines Sales Director Dodie Gañac.

The vehicle is still powered by a 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbo petrol engine delivering 165hp (at 6,000rpm) and 240Nm (at 1,400rpm).

The 2020 Peugeot 5008 Allure is now available in select Peugeot dealerships nationwide. The current price is actually a full P1 million less than the France-sourced 5008. The price reduction is made possible by the fact that Peugeot Philippines now imports its CBU units from a Peugeot production facility in Penang, Malaysia, so the company also is able to leverage AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Area) relief. Mr. Magsajo revealed that the Penang factory is owned by Peugeot.

For particulars, e-mail info@peugeot.ph or visit www.peugeot.ph. The company’s official Facebook page is PeugeotPhilippines.

Toyota strengthens Vios midrange with new XLE

By Manny N. de los Reyes

THE PRODUCT planning staff of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) must be incredibly busy. Not only does the market leader purvey a staggering 18 models in its local lineup, its best-selling model, the locally made Vios, has no less than 10 variants.

And now, Toyota has seen fit to make it 11.

Say hello to the new Vios XLE. Price-wise, it slots just above the Vios Base, Vios J, and Vios XE and just below the Vios E, Vios G, and Vios G Prime — putting the XLE right smack in the middle of the expansive Vios family.

Like most of its variant siblings (except the Vios G models, which have 1.5-liter engines), the Vios XLE comes with a 1.3-liter engine mated to either a 5-speed manual (P791,000) or a CVT (P841,000).

Toyota is offering the new Vios XLE with bundle offers worth as much as P100,000, as well as more vehicle customization and payment options.

Retail sales began over last weekend, Nov. 8-9, at the Vios XLEnt Weekend Launch in all 70 Toyota dealerships nationwide. Interested customers may reserve through the official web site link: bit.ly/ViosXLE.

The Vios XLE is designed as a value-for-money variant that offers the best possible Vios specs at an affordable price point. It comes with driver, passenger, and knee air bags, 4-beam halogen headlamps, 15-inch alloy wheels, and a 7-inch touchscreen display audio with WebLink for iOS/Android. The Vios XLE is also equipped with power door locks, power side view mirrors, and the standard Vehicle Stability Control plus Hill Start Assist.

“Toyota is introducing the Vios XLE to give our customers the freedom of choice on how they want to purchase and modify their car,” said TMP First Vice-President Cristina Arevalo. “This new variant combines affordability and style without sacrificing the everyday practicality that the Vios has always been known for. We call this the XLE Advantage.”

The XLE Advantage offers prospective car buyers two attractive bundles: Option A is an outright cash discount of P35,000 plus accessory options worth P40,000; while Option B is the sought-after Zero Downpayment financing scheme. Both options come with the 5-year Extended Warranty and free Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) up to 20,000kms to further make the Toyota car ownership experience more affordable.

For the P40,000 worth of accessory options, customers can choose to modify their Vios units with an array of exciting interior and exterior add-ons. They can mix and match Vios accessory packages, including but not limited to, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), LED fog lamps, reversing camera, aero kits, and select TRD pieces with 17-inch alloy wheels.

The current Vios lineup and pricing is as follows:

TOYOTA VIOS

1.5 G Prime CVT P1,098,000

1.5 G CVT P1,043,000

1.5 G M/T P984,000

1.3 E Prime CVT P936,000

1.3 E CVT P881,000

1.3 E M/T P831,000

1.3 XLE CVT P841,000

1.3 XLE M/T P791,000

1.3 XE CVT P738,000

1.3 J M/T P688,000

1.3 Base MT P662,000

Head to any of Toyota’s 70 dealerships nationwide to know more about the new Vios XLE and avail special deals on other Vios variants. For the latest Toyota news and information, visit TMP’s official web site at www.toyota.com.ph and follow the official Facebook page at www.fb.com/ToyotaMotorPhilippines.

AboitizPower finalizing sale of biomass plant

ABOITIZ Power Corp. expects to finalize this month the sale of the 8.8-megawatt (MW) biomass power plant in Lian, Batangas under subsidiary Aseagas Corp., which the listed company wrote off for P3.7 billion early last year.

“May mga plant visits na (There had been plant visits). They received a number of letters of intent,” Emmanuel V. Rubio, AboitizPower chief operating officer, told reporters when asked about the status of the sale.

“I think there’s a deadline. I think late November for people to make offers on those assets,” he added, referring to the advice of an independent entity handling the sale of the plant. “We’re not the one doing the process.”

Asked whether Aseagas has finally attracted interested buyers, he said: “Of course.”

Last year, Mr. Rubio said he was in talks with two interested parties — one local and one foreign. He also said that the foreign entity might partner with a local company. He had expected the transaction to be completed by end-2018.

In December 2017, AboitizPower said the plant had temporarily ceased operations because of the unavailability of organic effluent wastewater from its supplier Absolut Distillers, Inc. for conversion into clean and renewable energy.

In January 2018, the company announced that it would be permanently stopping the operations of the biomass power plant because of the lack of organic materials to produce electricity. It said its top consideration was to balance the interests of stakeholders, including those of Aseagas’ employees.

At that time, the total value affected as a result of the plant’s closure included Aseagas’ invested equity of P3.45 billion and the company’s estimated remaining obligations of around P250 million.

AboitizPower acquired the biomass plant in July 2016, building up its renewable energy footprint, which covers large hydro, run-of-river hydro, geothermal and solar.

The deal was through Aboitiz Renewables, Inc., the listed company’s holding firm that houses its investments in renewable energy. AboitizPower acquired the Aseagas facility from parent firm Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.

The acquisition, which marked AboitizPower’s entry into biomass technology, followed the company’s foray into solar power with the inauguration in April 2016 of San Carlos Sun Power, Inc.’s 59-MWpeak solar power plant in Negros Occidental.

The biomass plant had been expected to start operating and delivering power to the Luzon grid before October 2016. It was supposed to power about 22,000 households while producing 33 tons per day of liquid carbon dioxide for the industrial and beverage industries. — Victor V. Saulon

The seduction of Natori

MULTICULTURALISM and luxury, as well as a two new lines for an experienced master were the focus of Josie Natori’s launch last week in Rustan’s.

Ms. Natori was born as Josephina Almeda Cruz in the Philippines, but moved to New York as a teen to study economics at Manhattanville College. In New York, Ms. Natori went up the ranks and became the first female Vice-President of investment banking by the 1970s — not an easy feat. Either way, she left it all in the space of nine years. She told BusinessWorld during her launch in Rustan’s Makati, “I was bored in Wall Street.”

“I wanted something and not realizing that I was missing the creative part,” she said, pointing to her past as a pianist. “I look at it as a business, but fortunately, it has allowed me also to express.”

For this season’s collection, did Ms. Natori express. Rich embroidery and expressive prints evoking images of Morocco and Japan were on display on the racks, which expensively dressed women riffled through.

Just this month, she said, she launched her Natori line, a more casual, everyday collection (think of it as her diffusion line) in simpler monochrome.

In another area, Ms. Natori has also licensed her name to a line of fine jewelry, proudly showing off a pair of earrings made up of a blackened silver dragon wrapped around a single enormous white topaz. That line is still in New York, and are yet to make an appearance in Manila.

Talking about her longevity and sustained energy in the industry (she counts 42 years in the business), she said, “We work very hard. We have a wonderful team. It’s not an easy business, but you have to keep giving something different.”

“You have to seduce them every season.”

Speaking of seduction, one of Ms. Natori’s specialties, and in fact, what made her name famous in the first place, was her lingerie line. “At the time, lingerie was either lewd or frumpy,” she said in her website. What she did was make lingerie elegant but expressive, using clean, flowing lines but in bold colors and prints. Think about it: how many people will see you in your state of undress anyway? But that’s what makes it a true luxury: a woman wears Natori lingerie not because she has something to say, but because she has already said it, and is taking a break.

“That’s the ultimate luxury,” she told BusinessWorld. “Feeling good, feeling comfortable, and feeling beautiful. Right?” — Joseph L. Garcia

Iloilo mountain coffee growers among province’s top producers

By Emme Rose S. Santiagudo
Correspondent

ILOILO CITY — In the forests of the remote mountain village of Nagpana in Iloilo province, coffee shrubs have long been growing wild in abundance.

But the Ati indigenous community that lived there was not aware that it was a high-value crop.

“Our farmers did not know what type of plants grew in our forest lands until it was discovered that it was coffee,” according to Grace E. Eno, a member of the community and treasurer of the Nagpana Minority Association (NAMIAS), which produces the Kape Miro brand.

“We believe that it was the Asian Palm Civet that brought coffee to our farms, that is why we named it Kape Miro,” she said, referring to the civet’s name in the local dialect.

The traditional form of civet coffee involves farmed civets who are fed coffee cherries, which they partially digest, producing beans, which are then processed like regular coffee. Within the industry, partially-digested coffee beans are considered a novelty while the farming of civets has raised ethical concerns.

Before NAMIAS was formed, Ms. Eno said her father and others of his generation started coffee farming, but had no steady market.

“We used to sell it in the streets and in the markets,” Ms. Eno said.

The farmers eventually received assistance from the non-government organization Taytay Sa Kauswagan, Inc. (TSKI), and the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and Tearfund New Zealand.

By 2013, the Ati community had its own coffee processing facility.

In November of that year, however, super typhoon Yolanda struck the Visayas, damaging their coffee plantation, the facility, and their homes.

But the Atis quickly got back on their feet, and in 2015 they opened a new processing facility, again with support from TSKI, DoST and Tearfund NZ, plus the municipal government of Barotac Viejo, and more government agencies.

“TSKI, DoST, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other agencies (like the Department of Labor and Employment) came in to help us with the production facility. They really helped us by providing us machines and they were the ones who identified our potential buyers,” Ms. Eno said.

The production process again received support in 2017 through DoST’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program.

Now, Ms. Eno said, they have all the machines for the entire production process, including a dehuller, roasting machine, and sealer.

“We have a complete coffee production so we are the ones who pack the products and deliver it to our buyers,” she said.

One of their main buyers and distribution channels is Tinukib Cafe and Souvenirs in Iloilo City, a cultural venue managed by TSKI’s Tinukib Foundation, Inc. It is located inside the Casa Gamboa heritage house.

Almost everyone in the Ati community is involved in the coffee enterprise, but Ms. Eno said some of the women have maintained the weaving tradition or ventured into making jewelry, purses and other souvenir items.

The success of NAMIAS and Kape Miro received recognition last month during DoST Regional Science Week, where they were awarded the Regional Best Community and Best CEST Project for 2019.

Ms. Eno, who received the award in behalf of NAMIAS, said the association is proud to have become one of the biggest coffee producers in Iloilo and hopes that other indigenous communities will be inspired by their work.

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