RevAds platform boosts SME visibility with motorcycle ads

May 21, 2025 | 12:03 am

By Edg Adrian A. Eva, Reporter

REVADS, the Philippines’ first app-based motorcycle ad platform, is helping startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) gain visibility in high-traffic areas.

The Pasig-based company, founded in October 2024, aims to level the playing field for smaller businesses by offering out-of-home advertising through motorcycles that travel through high-foot-traffic areas, particularly along the busiest roads of the Philippine capital.

“If you look around for burger brands, for example on the road, I bet you’ll just find McDonald’s, Jollibee — the bigger ones, right?” Lance Arthur S. Martinez, RevAds founder and chief executive officer, said in an interview.

“Now, we’re opening it up for smaller businesses to compete in an area where there are real impressions. Smaller businesses normally have no access,” he added.

By mounting advertising panels on the back of motorcycles, businesses can promote their brands while providing drivers with additional passive income as they go about their usual work with other app-based motorcycle services.

RevAds’ main product is its rolling billboards, which start at P4,000 a month with no long-term commitment — a more accessible alternative compared with standard billboards along EDSA, which cost P200,000 to P400,000 a month.

Mr. Martinez said the platform’s affordability and accessibility stem from its app-based model, which allows brands and riders to connect directly.

Through this service, a brand’s ad stays on the rider’s ad panel uninterrupted for an entire month.

“Your brand can reach homes, hospitals and business districts where only the bigger brands usually compete,” he said.

The motorcycle ad company also offers other services such as motorcades for larger ad campaigns.

The out-of-home advertising market in the Philippines is projected to reach $316.47 million this year, with traditional formats such as transit ads and billboards accounting for the biggest share at $198.29 million, according to German data platform Statista.

But for smaller companies with limited resources, advertising is a bigger gamble. To ensure its effectiveness, Mr. Martinez said the RevAds platform strategically selects riders who often travel within the brand’s target area.

“We save the riders’ location preferences for targeting purposes,” he said. “Secondly, we consider the amount of exposure they’re generating. Their equipment, as mentioned earlier, includes tracking capabilities.”

Brands, companies, and campaigns can also add personalized QR (quick response) codes to make their ads more interactive, allowing viewers to be directly routed to their links.

Mr. Martinez said the company has helped about 600 motorcycle drivers on the RevAds fleet by giving them additional income.

He added that half of the monthly fees paid by businesses, or about P2,000 monthly, is the typical amount a rider earns, provided they reach at least 1,500 kilometers a month.

Mr. Martinez said there has been strong interest, with 10,000 motorcycle riders on their waiting list. They expect to expand their team to 2,500 riders by the end of the year.

“Our goal really is to make it available across all metropolitan cities in the Philippines because the more we help brands get their message out on the road, the more value we are able to add for our hard-working riders on the streets,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

ALI says it sold 43% of Southmont Central on launch day

May 21, 2025 | 12:03 am

LISTED property developer Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) said it sold 43% of its inventory during the launch day of Southmont Central, citing robust investor confidence in Cavite.

Southmont Central, a 36-hectare development within Ayala Land’s 800-hectare Southmont Estate in Cavite, is positioned to become the estate’s civic and commercial hub.

The project was launched in March. It is being developed by Ayala Land and Cathay Land, Inc.

The first phase covers 5.8 hectares and offers 37 commercial lots averaging 925 square meters each. ALI said it expects to deliver the commercial lots by the third quarter of 2028.

Designed with green open spaces, the lots aim to attract local businesses, retail concepts, and services catering to nearby residential communities.

The retail and institutional components are set to complement adjacent residential developments, the company said.

Amenities within the estate include a six-hectare sports club, as well as church and civic spaces intended to enhance community life.

Southmont Central benefits from proximity to key infrastructure such as the Cavite–Laguna Expressway (CALAX), Sta. Rosa–Tagaytay Road, Pook Road, and Carmen Road. Future infrastructure projects, including the Cavite–Tagaytay–Batangas Expressway (CTBEX) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 Cavite Extension, are expected to further improve connectivity.

Ayala Land said it also saw steady sales in surrounding residential projects.

Hillside Ridge in Silang, Cavite, is 97% sold with 543 lots turned over since early 2023. Landwood Hills by Ayala Land Premier is 90% sold, with turnover starting late last year. Verdea, Alveo Land’s second residential development within Southmont Estate, has sold 52% of its 372 lots, with turnover expected by early 2026.

Southmont is among four major estates developed by Ayala Land in Southern Luzon, alongside Nuvali in Laguna, Broadfield in Biñan, and Aéra in Cavite.

“These masterplanned developments reflect the company’s long-term strategy of integrating residential, commercial, and institutional uses to support the region’s sustained urban growth,” the company said.

On Tuesday, ALI shares closed up 0.44%, or one centavo, at P23. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

LNG: Bridging the country’s energy gaps, balancing current needs with sustainability

May 21, 2025 | 12:03 am

Our ultimate goal is to shift away from traditional coal-based sources of energy, and embrace renewable, clean energy. Such will ensure that progress does not come at the cost of aggravating the already-critical levels of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. We have to transition into a low-carbon energy future.

But shifting to renewable energy does not happen overnight.

Using renewable energy to power economic activity is ideal, but not immediately realistic for countries like the Philippines. The technology and the know-how to be acquired remain daunting, and the infrastructure required to support such a shift takes time to build.

Meanwhile, economic growth and development are heavily dependent on having the energy with which to power all economic activity. Companies and industries need power. Critical infrastructure in numerous sectors need energy. The government, in order to govern well and provide the people’s social service needs, must be powered adequately. Lastly, communities, households, and individuals need stable energy so that they could perform their daily routines.

Power interruptions and outages are out of the question, because aside from the disruptions they will cause and the potential output and income that people would lose, these will also send a message to investors that the Philippines is not a good place in which to put their capital.

The Department of Energy has set energy mix targets in the next few years. According to the plan, renewable energy should comprise 35% of the power energy mix by 2030, 50% by 2040, and more than 50% by 2050.

As we move toward these laudable energy goals, the country is compelled to look at the incorporation of natural gas as a transition fuel.

The discovery of the Malampaya gas field illustrates how important natural gas is in meeting the country’s energy demands. Malampaya is the only major producing gas field in the Philippines, and contributes 1.2 gigawatts (GW) to 1.3 GW, thus powering the economy of Luzon.

To further extend the productivity of Malampaya, three wells are expected to be drilled in Bagong Pag-asa, Camago, and Malampaya East this year.

Department of Energy (DoE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla held a press conference last week, where Energy Undersecretary Alessandro Sales confirmed that the vessels for the Malampaya Phase 4 upstream project are currently docked in Labuan, Malaysia. The drillship is expected to arrive by May 30 in Northwest Palawan. These will be used to drill three new wells — two for production and one for exploration. It is expected to take around 150 days, ending in October.

The connection of the two wells — Camago and Malampaya East — to existing production facilities will commence by the last quarter of this year. Mr. Sales was optimistic that the exploration well Bagong Pag-asa will yield good results and provide additional volumes.

If successful, the output from the new wells will extend Malampaya’s life to 2034, beyond its current production limit of 2029.

Meanwhile, the DoE is also encouraging new gas exploration in Malampaya’s adjacent areas. These areas include Eastern Palawan where two service contracts are already active. The DoE added that they are preparing to award three service contracts this year — one in East Palawan and two in the southern portion of the Sulu Sea. Previous studies indicate that there could be 18 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas in the Sulu Sea. The advantage of these areas is that these are inland waters.

Further areas are also currently being explored including the Cotabato, Agusan, Davao, Cagayan, and Visayas basins.

Prospects look good for the growth of the natural gas industry. The Implementing Rules and Regulations for Republic Act 12120, or the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act, were released last month. In order to sustain this, however, there is a need for more infrastructure investment — LNG terminals, floating storage and regasification units, and pipelines to enable economic development.

Securing investments specific to building LNG infrastructure and ensuring that these investments pan out are thus crucial during this time of transition from traditional to renewable energy. Increased investments also open opportunities to expand natural gas utilization from its current use in power generation to industrial, commercial, and transport, among others. The country will then be able to pursue low-carbon economic growth.

A reliable energy supply reduces risks with energy-related disruptions that can affect economic activities. Natural gas, as a transition fuel, can reduce the country’s vulnerability by providing a cleaner solution compared to coal.

The government is on the right track in setting an ambitious but also realistic energy mix target. Setting targets, however, is different from actually achieving them. The succeeding years will thus be critical to our efforts to respond to the needs of a growing economy and to enable Filipinos to experience a higher quality of life, while at the same time working toward decreasing our greenhouse gas emissions and preventing the catastrophic effects of climate change.

Victor Andres “Dindo” C. Manhit is the president of the Stratbase ADR Institute.

Abenoja takes oath as BSP deputy governor

May 21, 2025 | 12:03 am

By Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson, Senior Reporter

BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) Assistant Governor Zeno Ronald R. Abenoja has been appointed as deputy governor for the regulator’s Monetary and Economics Sector (MES).

According to a social media post by BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. on Tuesday, Mr. Abenoja, who was assistant governor of the central bank’s Monetary Policy Sub-sector, has taken his oath of office for his new post.

He will take over the position of former BSP Deputy Governor Francisco G. Dakila, Jr., who retired this year.

“The BSP is fortunate to have someone like (Mr. Abenoja), with his breadth of experience in economic policy and his depth of understanding in monetary economics,” Mr. Remolona said.

The MES is responsible for the BSP’s operations and activities related to monetary policy formulation, implementation, and assessment.

Monetary Board Member Benjamin E. Diokno said Mr. Abenoja “appreciates the close link between monetary and fiscal policies.”

“I’m confident that with (Mr. Abenoja) as their chief, MES and BSP are in good hands,” he added.

Mr. Abenoja returned to the central bank last year after serving as chief economist at the Department of Finance (DoF) under Mr. Diokno, who was Finance chief from 2022 to 2024. Prior to his DoF stint, he was the managing director of the BSP’s Department of Economic Research

“His outstanding track record in public service speaks volumes about his readiness to assume greater responsibility at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” Monetary Board Member Rosalia V. de Leon added.

“For the next generation of public servants, he stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved through quiet dedication and mastery of one’s craft,” she said.

Market observers also welcomed Mr. Abenoja’s appointment.

Juan Paolo E. Colet, managing director of China Bank Capital Corp., said he is a perfect fit for the MES deputy governor post.

“He’s a respected economist, has a firm grasp of monetary policy, and knows the administrative workings of the BSP,” he said in a Viber message.

Globalinks Securities and Stocks, Inc. Head of Sales Trading Toby Allan C. Arce noted Mr. Abenoja’s experience, expertise and leadership capability.

“As assistant governor, (he) already managed the monetary sub-sector and likely possesses extensive institutional knowledge. This continuity ensures a smooth transition and stability within the BSP’s monetary and economic sector,” Mr. Arce said.

“His prior experience suggests that he is well-equipped to handle the deputy governor role. This promotes confidence in his ability to lead, especially during times of economic uncertainty,” he added. “This decision likely strengthens market confidence in the central bank’s strategic and monetary leadership.”

BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi G. Fonacier, who heads the Financial Supervision sector, is also set to retire within this year.

Kanye West concert in South Korea canceled over ‘controversies’

May 21, 2025 | 12:02 am

SEOUL — South Korean e-commerce company Coupang has cancelled a Kanye West concert scheduled for late May “due to recent controversies involving the artist,” the company and a ticket vendor said on Monday.

Coupang and the Interpark ticket outlet did not elaborate on the controversies involving West, who is now known as Ye.

The US rapper’s latest controversy involves a song released this month entitled “Heil Hitler,” which praises the Nazi leader and architect of the Holocaust.

The sportswear company Adidas ended their shoe collaboration with West in October 2022 over a series of antisemitic rants and sold the last pair of his Yeezy branded shoes in March.

Coupang and Interpark said all the tickets that had been sold for the single show in Incheon on May 31 would be fully refunded. Coupang, whose streaming service, Coupang Play, was organising the concert, also suspended the sale of merchandise by Mr. West’s Yeezy fashion line on Monday, it said. — Reuters

Metro Dumaguete Water recognized for energy-saving innovation

May 21, 2025 | 12:02 am

Pumping-station-Dumaguete — A pumping station operator conducts monitoring of the Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) and other components of the pump to ensure sustainable water supply in Dumaguete.

METRO DUMAGUETE WATER (MDW), a joint venture between Dumaguete City Water District and Metro Pacific Water, said it received a Silver Stevie® Award for Sustainability at the 12^th Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards held in Seoul, South Korea, on May 13.

The recognition, under the Saving Energy subcategory, was awarded for MDW’s energy-saving innovation that increases water production efficiency by installing devices to adjust motor speeds in real time based on actual water demand.

This initiative enhances power usage and operational efficiency.

“This award reflects our dual commitment: to deliver safe and reliable water to Dumagueteños while advancing sustainability initiatives that protect our resources for future generations,” said MDW Chief Operating Officer Robert R. Cabiles.

Metro Pacific Water is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., one of three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., alongside Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., holds a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Building the Philippines’ blockchain economy: Policy, talent, and use cases for growth

May 21, 2025 | 12:02 am

blockchain-technology-cartoon-illustration — FREEPIK

In the early 2000s, the Philippines witnessed the explosive growth of its business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, transforming the country into a global hub for customer service, back-office support, and IT-related work. That same drive for innovation and economic opportunity must now be channeled into the next technological revolution: blockchain.

Much of the public conversation around blockchain has been limited to cryptocurrency and speculative investing. But the real promise of blockchain extends far beyond trading digital coins.

At its core, blockchain is a decentralized, tamper-proof ledger that records transactions securely and transparently. It offers the foundation for a new era of trust, one in which intermediaries can be bypassed, processes can be verified instantly, and data integrity is preserved without compromise.

In a country where corruption, red tape, inefficiency, and lack of transparency often hinder progress, blockchain offers an opportunity to leapfrog old systems. From land titling and government procurement, to voting systems, identity verification, and logistics management, blockchain holds the potential to transform governance and business alike. It could bring about what we’ve long aspired for: a fairer, more accountable, and more efficient Philippines.

For instance, blockchain can help streamline government transactions by creating permanent, transparent audit trails. Land registration, a process long plagued by delays and disputes, can be secured through blockchain-powered digital registries. In healthcare, patient records can be stored securely yet remain accessible across systems and institutions. The use of blockchain in public procurement can prevent rigged bidding processes by ensuring immutability of records. Even in agriculture, blockchain can be used to trace food from farm to table, ensuring safety, sustainability, and authenticity.

But for this promise to materialize, the country must take deliberate steps to create the infrastructure needed to support a robust blockchain economy. It begins with policy. While the Philippines has made some headway — with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas issuing licenses to virtual asset service providers, and the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority establishing crypto-friendly zones — the country still lacks a comprehensive national blockchain strategy.

What is needed is a policy framework that provides regulatory clarity for blockchain-based enterprises while also ensuring consumer protection. A clear legal environment is critical for attracting both local and international investment. It should extend beyond crypto and cover a wide range of blockchain use cases, from identity management and smart contracts to decentralized finance and supply chain monitoring. Policies should harmonize with international regulations to ensure interoperability, while creating space for innovation through sandbox environments.

Equally critical is the development of local talent. The blockchain industry, globally, is facing a shortage of skilled professionals. In the Philippines, while many Filipinos have entered the crypto space in roles such as community managers or customer support agents, there remains a dearth of blockchain developers, architects, auditors, and legal experts. This is a missed opportunity. Blockchain is a high-value skill that can lift young Filipinos into the new digital economy — but only if we invest in education and upskilling.

Government agencies, universities, tech schools, and even companies must collaborate to launch training programs, bootcamps, and certifications focused on blockchain development, smart contracts, decentralized applications, and token economics. These programs can be integrated into existing computer science or business curricula or offered as standalone courses via the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, better known as TESDA, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), or private providers. Just as the BPO boom was supported by English training and voice skills development, the blockchain wave must be underpinned by technical training and startup incubation.

At the same time, we need to move from theoretical support to actual deployment. Real-world blockchain use cases must be implemented at scale. The DICT and local government units can take the lead by digitizing government services through blockchain — starting with business permits, clearances, or property records. Universities can issue blockchain-based diplomas that can’t be faked. Hospitals can pilot interoperable medical record systems. The judiciary can experiment with tamper-proof evidence handling. These flagship initiatives will serve as proof points for blockchain’s effectiveness, creating trust and momentum for adoption.

Private enterprises also have a key role to play. Conglomerates in industries such as retail, logistics, banking, and insurance stand to benefit significantly from blockchain. For example, logistics companies can use blockchain to track cargo with full transparency. Retailers can ensure the authenticity of premium goods. Banks can leverage smart contracts for faster settlement and fraud prevention. Small and medium enterprises can use blockchain to prove supply chain compliance or gain access to financing via decentralized platforms.

Other countries have already taken the lead. Estonia, one of the most digitally advanced nations in the world, has implemented blockchain across over a thousand government services, including healthcare, business registration, and even e-voting. In Africa, countries like Kenya and Ghana are experimenting with blockchain to secure land titles and reduce fraud. In Asia, South Korea uses blockchain for educational credentialing, and Singapore has invested heavily in blockchain for interbank payments and digital identity.

These countries succeeded not just because of the technology, but because they built ecosystems — where governments, businesses, developers, and educators worked together under clear policies with strategic vision. The Philippines must do the same.

To build this ecosystem, collaboration is essential. Agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry, DICT, Bangko Sentral, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the National Economic and Development Authority (now the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development) should convene with blockchain developers, enterprises, and academic institutions to create a unified roadmap. This should include R&D funding, tax incentives for blockchain startups, data protection alignment, pilot programs, and investor outreach. Organizations like the Blockchain Council of the Philippines can act as facilitators, bridging the gap between builders and bureaucrats, and ensuring that the ecosystem is both inclusive and competitive.

The opportunity is massive. Blockchain is still in its early stages, and countries that embrace it now will define its future. For the Philippines, this is not merely a technological challenge — it is a chance to reclaim leadership in the digital economy. If we move decisively, we can replicate our BPO success and even surpass it by building a high-value, innovation-driven blockchain economy.

We missed the manufacturing wave. We caught the outsourcing wave. Now, we have another chance. The world is watching. It’s time to build.

Dr. Donald Lim is the founding president of the Global AI Council Philippines and the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, and the founding chair of the Cybersecurity Council, whose mission is to advocate the right use of emerging technologies to propel business organizations forward. He is currently the president and COO of DITO CME Holdings Corp.

Yufin empowers nano firms with digital tools

May 21, 2025 | 12:02 am

YUFIN Philippines, a financial technology platform, is looking to double Philippine households’ monthly income by leveraging nano and micro enterprises’ financing options.

“Yufin is on a mission to double the monthly income of more than ten million households by empowering the smallest businesses,” Shubhrendu Khoche, co-founder and chief executive officer at Yufin Philippines, said in a statement.

“We want to make sure that sari-sari (mom-and-pop) store owners, ‘solopreneurs’ and housewives can grow their businesses with confidence because when they succeed, their communities succeed too,” he added.

Nano and micro businesses, run mainly by mom-and-pop store owners, solo entrepreneurs and housewives, face limited access to digital tools, affordable capital and reliable financial services.

Micro enterprises account for 90.43% of Philippine businesses at 1.13 million, while small enterprises account for 8.82% or 109,912, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.

About 8.1 million nano enterprises were operating in the Philippines as of 2022, according to the Social Enterprise Development Partnerships, Inc.

Founded in 2022, Yufin provides digital tools, financial services and income opportunities to empower small firms, and entrepreneurs in tier 2 and 3 cities.

Its key services include digital payments, embedded financing and reselling of in-demand products and services.

Through its distribution as a service (DaaS) model, Yufin turns community-based merchants into digital distribution hubs.

Store owners can use their phones as a point of sale to get insights on their shoppers and supplies, as well as access working capital.

This also lets them resell services such as insurance, over-the-top content like Netflix and Amazon Prime and transport prepaid cards.

Yufin has also integrated intelligent cloud-based solutions to optimize operations, forecast demand and tailor support to its merchant base.

Its wAIs cart — powered by Microsoft tools Azure and Power B — builds a complete, tailored basket for smaller firms for their weekly budget in one click. This helps Yufin analyze real-time trends, streamline supply chains and scale its infrastructure.

“As Yufin prepares for its seed round and pushes forward with its ‘10x in 6 months’ growth plan, its partnership with Microsoft ensures that the platform can keep up with growing demand while staying grounded in its purpose — creating real economic opportunity for those too often left behind,” the company said.

To date, Yufin has more than 30,000 registered merchants, with a monthly gross transaction volume and revenue growing by more than 25%. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

HSBC bullish on expanding PHL wealth, premier banking business

May 21, 2025 | 12:02 am

HSBC-Singapore — HSBC’s office at the Marina Bay Financial Center in Singapore — BETTINA V. ROC

HSBC Philippines is optimistic about growing its wealth and premier banking business’ market share amid the country’s growing middle class and strong macroeconomic fundamentals.

“I think from HSBC Philippines, we believe in the overall potential within the Philippines as a market and especially for wealth and premium banking,” HSBC Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking (IWPB) for the Philippines Pramoth Rajendran said at a briefing on Tuesday.

“The number of adults who are probably holding assets and wealth greater than $250,000 is expected to double by 2030,” he said.

Mr. Rajendran said they want to ramp up their client base for their IWPB business.

“We are looking to grow in market share. I think what we can say is that we target a very specific market. It’s not the mass market, it’s the affluent market.”

Their current portfolio has a “healthy mix” of individual and family joint premier customers, he added.

The bank’s bullish outlook is supported by expectations that the Philippines is well-positioned to become an upper middle-income economy, Mr. Rajendran said.

“As a result of the growing middle class, you see the affluent and wealth growth across the spectrum,” he said.

HSBC also expects the Philippines to remain as one of the faster-growing economies in Asia, the official said. “What makes the Philippines also an added advantage is it’s one of those countries where the economy is largely a consumption-driven economy.”

“In terms of lending, we see this is one of the markets where we see demand outstrips supply,” he added.

“From a demand perspective, I continue to see the same demand as what we’ve seen. From a consumer trends perspective, and given your consumption-driven economy, the expectation is the consumer demand for credit will continue. In the medium-term to short-term, I haven’t seen any indicators that perhaps indicate otherwise.”

Mr. Rajendran added that the bank seeks to serve both the onshore and offshore needs of their premium customers. Customers can be served through their wealth brokerage for onshore needs. For offshore, the bank also has wealth hubs in Singapore and Hong Kong.

“The HSBC Premier proposition is tailored for working professionals, families, Filipino investors, and people with international needs, and also in terms of wealth aspirations,” he said.

The bank has also rolled out around 20 different investment products for its Premier customers over the last year.

“As part of Premier, we have a unique Premier credit card, which is an add-on, fee-free card which allows you to enjoy the facilities such as dining, travel, entertainment, and so on,” Mr. Rajendran said.

HSBC also has special offers this year for new HSBC Premier customers that would allow them to obtain up to one million Mabuhay Miles from Philippine Airlines, among other features. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Kering names Pierpaolo Piccioli new creative director of Balenciaga

May 21, 2025 | 12:01 am

FRENCH luxury group Kering said on Monday that Pierpaolo Piccioli has been appointed creative director at Balenciaga, replacing Demna who is taking up the chief design job at the group’s top label Gucci.

Mr. Piccioli, 57, joins Balenciaga after a 25-year tenure at Valentino, working as the label’s sole creative director for nearly a decade.

At Valentino, the designer was known for his vibrant color palettes, including a bright pink that became his signature, as well as wide, floaty dresses that expanded the house’s appeal to younger generations.

The appointment takes effect on July 10.

Mr. Piccioli’s first collection for Balenciaga will be unveiled in October 2025, the group said. — Reuters

Ayala group recognized for innovation and impact

May 21, 2025 | 12:01 am

THE AYALA GROUP received six Gold Stevie Awards at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards in Seoul, South Korea, on May 13, recognizing the conglomerate’s affiliates and business units for their innovation and impact on customers and stakeholders.

The winners were cited for products that enhance capital access and programs that provide life-enabling services.

“We are grateful to the Stevie Awards for recognizing what we do. Every encounter with our customers is an opportunity to make a positive impact on their lives. These awards drive us to carry on with our mission of helping Filipinos thrive,” Ayala Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Cezar P. Consing said in an e-mail statement on Tuesday.

The Ayala group won a Gold Stevie for achievement in finance with Ayala Land, Inc. and Makati Development Corp. for the KaAgaPay Vendor Financing Program, a fully automated program that provides capital for small and medium enterprises with zero collateral, reduced charges, and lower risks.

The conglomerate won another Gold Stevie for innovation in non-profit publications with Ayala Foundation, Inc. for THRIVE: Stories from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a collaboration between Ayala Foundation and the Department of Social Welfare and Development that documents the impact of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

The Ayala group also secured a Gold Stevie for excellence in innovation in financial industries – 100 or more employees category for the Bank of the Philippine Islands’ (BPI) “May BPI Dito!” campaign, which makes banking services more accessible.

Under the program, BPI expanded its presence to more digital and physical channels, including partner community-based stores, an e-commerce platform, and barangays. BPI signed up 200,000 new accounts in the campaign’s first year.

The conglomerate likewise bagged a Gold Stevie for innovation in community relations or public service communications with Ayala Corporation for the Saludo sa Serbisyo program.

It provides a menu of Ayala group products and services for the country’s uniformed personnel, giving them access to affordable housing, car ownership, financing, livelihood training, and health and wellness services. The program also offers employment opportunities to retired officers and their dependents.

The Ayala group also won a Gold Stevie for innovation in sustainability with STT GDC Philippines: Leading the Future of Sustainable Digital Infrastructure.

STT GDC Philippines’ development of sustainable data centers helps improve market competitiveness and contributes to the uplift of the Philippines’ data center industry.

Its sustainability drive includes a shift to 100% renewable energy in its operational data centers, use of electric vehicles and energy-efficient technologies, and adoption of eco-friendly designs, materials, and systems in its facilities.

The conglomerate also won a Gold Stevie for innovative human resources executive of the year with BPI Chief Human Resources Officer Maria Virginia O. Eala, recognizing her leadership in enhancing employee engagement and corporate wellness, resulting in better customer service and improved financial performance. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Sound Rights: The Supreme Court on music and copyright

May 21, 2025 | 12:01 am

FREEPIK

“Music is intangible, but its benefits are real.”

— Justice Zalameda,
FILSCAP v. Anrey, Inc. (2022)

In recent years, the Supreme Court decided two landmark decisions — FILSCAP v. Anrey, Inc. and COSAC v. FILSCAP — which now lay the foundation for interpreting rights involving communication to the public and public performance of copyrighted musical works.

At the constitutional level, the State is mandated to protect the rights of creators, including artists. Article XIV, Section 13 of the 1987 Constitution provides: “The State shall protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, artists, and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations, particularly when beneficial to the people, for such period as may be provided by law.”

Republic Act No. 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (IP Code), implements this mandate through the recognition of copyright, which grants owners a bundle of rights over their literary and artistic works.

Although the law does not expressly define the term “copyright,” its meaning has been explored through jurisprudence. Copyright has been described as “an intangible, incorporeal right granted by statute to the author or originator of certain literary or artistic productions, whereby [the author] is invested, for a specific period, with the sole and exclusive privilege of multiplying copies of the same and publishing and selling them.” (Juan v. Juan [2017], Kensonic v. Uni-Line Multi-Resources [2018], FILSCAP v. Anrey, Inc. [2022]). The copyright owners thus have the exclusive rights to communicate to the public or perform in public their copyrighted music. The owners can also opt to allow others to carry out such communication or public performance, normally for a fee, which arrangement is called a licensing agreement.

Rights emanating from a copyrighted work are classified into two categories: 1.) economic rights, which jurisprudence defines as “the right of the owner to derive some sort of financial benefit from the use of [their] work”; and 2.) moral rights, which “refer to the non-economic interests of the owner of copyright” or protection of the owner’s reputation and attribution to the work. Entering into a license agreement is a typical exercise of economic rights.

Going into the landmark decisions of the Supreme Court, in FILSCAP v. Anrey, Inc. (G.R. No. 202026, June 15, 2022), the Court addressed two core questions:

First, whether an establishment’s act of playing radio broadcasts containing copyrighted music constitutes a “public performance,” and;

Second, whether establishments can freely play radio broadcasts in their premises for the pleasure of their customers, since the radio station already has a license to play music, i.e., the radio station is allowed by the copyright owner to play the music on air.

The Court answered the first question in the affirmative. Citing Section 171.6 of the IP Code and international instruments such as the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) Guide to the Berne Convention, the Court stated that “public performance” includes making recorded sounds audible to persons beyond one’s private sphere. Here, the Court introduced the concept of a “new public,” referring to listeners or audiences not originally contemplated by the author when consent was given, or those outside a person’s normal circle of family and closest social acquaintances.

On the second issue, the Court adopted the “doctrine of multiple performances,” ruling that a commercial establishment’s retransmission of a licensed radio broadcast (i.e., playing the radio in their premises for their customers) constitutes a separate public performance which requires its own license separate from that of the radio station. Thus, with this decision, an establishment cannot freely play a radio broadcast on its premises for the pleasure of its customers when copyrighted music is involved, unless it obtains its own license.

In COSAC v. FILSCAP (G.R. No. 222537, Feb. 28, 2023), the Supreme Court addressed a related issue: whether playing copyrighted background music and hiring performers to play copyrighted songs without a license amounts to infringement.

In resolving the case, the Court applied the “doctrine of vicarious infringement.” It held that establishments playing sound recordings as background music without a license are liable for direct infringement. In addition, establishments that permit live performances of copyrighted music by hired bands or artists without securing the appropriate licenses are likewise liable as secondary infringers.

In both cases, the Court emphasized that the use of copyrighted music does not fall under “fair use,” as these establishments derived profit and commercial benefit from the performance of music — whether as background music, radio broadcasts, or live performances.

These cases align with the constitutional and statutory framework designed to protect artists, creators and copyright owners. These decisions underscore a clear policy direction: the protection of copyrighted musical works is not merely aspirational but enforceable.

Music may be intangible, but the benefits from music are clearly tangible, even for copyright owners.

This article is only for general informational and educational purposes and is not offered as and does not constitute legal advice or opinion.

Micah Cheyenne M. Ecarma-Vargas is an associate of the Intellectual Property department of the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW).

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