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Homecourt advantage

Considering the outstanding play of four-time All-Star Damian Lillard, fans can be forgiven for forgetting that the Blazers are no one-man team. True, he was the single biggest reason the Blazers upended the Thunder in the first round; he thoroughly outplayed former league Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook throughout the five-game series. That said, the capacity of the conference third seeds to go deep in the postseason depends as much on the rest of their roster as on its acknowledged leader. In their current set-to against the Nuggets, for instance, the conscious effort to send multiple defenders his way compels the rest of the black and red to step up.

Against this backdrop, the Blazers wound up showing their worth yesterday. By all accounts, Lillard had a subpar outing; after scoring a whopping 39 points off 21 shots in Game One of their semifinal-round series, he found himself limited to 14 off 17. No matter, though, because he walked off with a win, anyway. And, for this, credit goes to teammates who coolly compensated for his off-night; for all his travails, he joined members of the starting lineup that all finished on the right side of plus-minus logs. Longtime backcourt partner C.J. McCollum got 20 off timely baskets. Late-season pickup Enes Kanter put up 15 and gave Nuggets stalwart Nikola Jokic fits on defense. Al-Farouq Aminu stayed constantly active on switch-all coverages. Even up-and-down Rodney Hood was an x-factor off the bench, getting 15 markers in 27 solid minutes of exposure.

That six Blazers ultimately claimed double figures in a winning score of 97 speaks volumes of their value in the grand scheme of things. Admittedly, they will go only so far as Lillard can take them; that’s simply the nature of competition in the superstar-driven National Basketball Association. Still, Game Two underscored that they have the requisite skill sets to execute head coach Terry Stotts’ plans and keep plodding on when things aren’t hunky dory. Yesterday, they could have easily folded in the fourth quarter, when the Nuggets came up with offensive rebound after offensive rebound — and 14 all told — to negate seemingly well-defended sequences. Instead, they hung tough and protected enough of their double-digit lead to ultimately prevail.

The Blazers now have homecourt advantage against the Nuggets, and they’ll be aiming to consolidate their road win with another at the Moda Center this weekend. They’re confident of doing so; not for nothing did they have the third-best regular-season home record in the league. They may not match the opposition in talent, but they have Lillard, and, perhaps more importantly, they have resolve. And, as the playoffs have so far highlighted, they’re good enough to ride on one or the other to prevail.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

Gov’t tightens foreign worker controls

THE GOVERNMENT on Wednesday tightened rules on permits for foreigners to work in the country, amid reports of thousands of such nationals illegally hired in the gaming industry and even in construction who could be depriving the state of more than P30 billion in income tax each year.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) signed the joint “Guidelines on the Issuance of Work and Employment Permits to Foreign Nationals” at an event in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The guidelines were issued to “to clarify and harmonize existing regulations on the issuance of appropriate permits to all foreign nationals who intend to work, perform specific activities, and/or render services in the Philippines, whether in the context of an employment arrangement or otherwise.”

Two foreign business leaders said they were generally open to the new rules, provided they will not make it harder to do business.

Among others, foreigners seeking work permits will now have to indicate their Taxpayer Identification Number in their application. “Ang bago diyan ay… kailangan mag-submit ng foreigner ng tax identification number. ‘Yan ay isang paraan para matiyak natin na pag nagtatrabaho ang foreigner natin ay nagbabayad ng buwis (In that way, we can make sure that foreign workers will pay tax),” Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III told reporters in a briefing after signing ceremonies.

The new requirements cover those applying for alien employment permits (AEPs), special working permits (SWPs) and provisional working permits (PWPs), but not those seeking special temporary permits (STPs).

DoLE issues AEPs to foreigners under contract with a Philippine-based business after it is determined that the job cannot be done by a Filipino, while the BI issues PWPs to foreigners waiting for issuance of AEPs and SWPs for foreigners to engage in work outside of an employment contract.

STPs are issued by the Professional Regulation Commission to foreign professionals to practice in the Philippines for a limited period, subject to limitations and conditions under law.

The same guidelines also listed occupations covered by SWPs, namely: professional athletes, coaches, trainers and assistants; international performers with exceptional abilities; artists, performers and their staff who perform before an audience for a fee; service suppliers coming primarily to perform temporary services and who do not receive salary or other remuneration from a Philippine source other than expenses connected to their temporary stay; treasure hunters authorized by relevant government offices to search for hidden treasure; movie and television crews authorized by relevant government offices to film in the country; foreign journalists practicing their profession or covering a specific event in the country; trainees assigned in government institutions, government-owned and -controlled corporations, and private entities; lecturers, researchers, trainers and others pursuing academic work who are assigned in schools, universities, educational and research institutions, government agencies and other entities (with or without compensation); religious missionaries and preachers; commercial models and talents; culinary specialists and chefs; professionals; as well as consultants or specialists.

“Initially kasi wala tayong (we did not have) restrictions on type of employment, ng work na pwedeng ibigay sa (that can be given to) foreign nationals para sa (under) special work permit, so any type could be given a special work permit,” BI spokesperson Dana Krizia M. Sandoval explained in a mobile phone message.

“But because we saw that there is a need to tighten our procedure following the increase of the number of foreign nationals in the Philippines, we coordinated with DoLE; so we discussed this in several meetings and we came up with these 14 professions na pwede nating bigyan ng (for which we can issue) special working permit.”

John D. Forbes, senior adviser of American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc., said by phone: “I think there is an expectation that… whatever the guidelines are, [they] will result in faster processing of applications by regulatory agencies.”

British Chamber of Commerce Philippines Chairperson Chris Nelson said, also by phone: “I’ve read the announcements myself and what they (government) said was they want to… make the guidelines easier and support ease of doing business. So, if that’s the case… we support any measures that would support the ease of doing business.” — Gillian M. Cortez and Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Hiring, labor turnover eases

By Marissa Mae M. Ramos
Researcher

LABOR turnover at the country’s large firms eased in the fourth quarter as hiring slowed, according to a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Preliminary results from the PSA’s Labor Turnover Survey showed that the labor turnover rate — the difference between the rates of accession and separation within firms — settled at 0.6% during the three months to December, slower than the downward-revised 0.8% in the third quarter of 2018.

This means that for every 1,000 persons employed, large firms were hiring six additional workers on a net basis in the fourth quarter.

The rate of accession — which represents hiring by employers to either replace former employees or expand their work force — stood at 8% in the fourth quarter, down from 9.5% in the preceding quarter.

The rate of separation — covering termination and resignation — stood at 7.5%, also down from 8.7% in the previous survey period.

Breaking down the accession rate, more people were hired in the fourth quarter due to business expansion at 4.2% compared to those who were employed as replacement for former employees at 3.8%.

For the separation rate, employee-initiated separation or resignations stood at 4.3% while the rate of employer-initiated separation or layoffs was 3.1%.

In an e-mail, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) economist Michael L. Ricafort said that sustained net job creation despite higher inflation last year “fundamentally reflects” the relatively fast expansion of the Philippine economy in 2018 at 6.2% that — despite a slowdown from 2017’s 6.7% — still made it among the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia.

“[T]he country’s improved economic and credit fundamentals in recent years… as well as the country’s improved demographics, make the country an attractive market or destination for foreign investments that create more local employment,” Mr. Ricafort said.

The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector’s accession rate of 6.8% outpaced its separation rate of 4.2%, resulting in a labor turnover rate of 2.5%.

Mr. Ricafort saw the sector’s net positive job creation as an improvement in the fourth quarter following damage caused by Typhoon Ompong on Sept. 15, 2018.

Services also saw a net job creation rate of 1.2% with an 8.5% accession rate and 7.2% separation rate. With the exception of professional, scientific, and technical activities (-2.3%); real estate activities (-0.3%); and “other service activities” (-0.1%), all other service subsectors recorded positive turnover rates.

On the other hand, industry posted a negative job creation rate (-1.7%) with a 6.8% accession rate versus a 8.5% separation rate.

Pulling down the sector were negative turnover rates in construction (-3.4%); manufacturing (-1.6%); and mining and quarrying (-1.4%).

“The negative turnover in the industry sector may reflect some slowdown in manufacturing and other industries especially [for] some exporters and importers that were adversely affected by slower global economic growth and global trade largely due to the US-China trade war as well as by Brexit uncertainties,” Mr. Ricafort said.

For this year, Mr. Ricafort expects recovery from key sectors due to higher infrastructure spending from the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

“Sustained growth in OFW (overseas Filipino workers) remittances, BPO (business process outsourcing) revenues, foreign tourism, and net foreign direct investments… would all sustain the relatively faster economic growth of the Philippines compared to most of the other Asian countries and fundamentally entail the creation of more local jobs/employment and business opportunities as well,” he added.

Jury out on best wage framework

By Charmaine A. Tadalan
Reporter

SETTING the country’s minimum wage per region each year has always left neither party — employers or workers — satisfied, and the jury is out on a better option that would yield results acceptable to both sectors.

One economist suggested the replacement of the region-based daily minimum wage system with one based on industry.

“The best practice talaga (really), I would hope for one, industry wage-setting. ‘Yung iba (others call for) national minimum wage, ‘yung iba regional wage, pero i-relate naman natin sa industry kasi iba-iba ang requirements (might vary according to industry),” Rene E. Ofreneo, professor emeritus of the University of the Philippines School of Labor and Industrial Relations, said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

“Maganda ‘yung wage-setting, budgeting related to productivity and technology upgrading (would be preferable). Dapat connect-connect ‘yan (Those elements should be connected).”

While both the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) and Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECoP) agreed that such a practice would be ideal, they expressed reservations.

“It’s also a possibility, it’s also worth exploring; but ang problema d’yan ay (The problem is) disparity — baka mamaya lahat ng mga graduates natin dito na pupunta dahil malaki ang sweldo (all our graduates may just go where the pay is bigger). But it’s worth exploring kung ano ba ang (what is) acceptable and applicable dito sa atin (to us),” ALU-TUCP Spokesperson Alan A. Tanjusay said in an interview at a media forum in Malate, Manila on Wednesday.

Also sought for comment, ECoP President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr. said in a separate phone interview, “it’s easier said than done, but I think to implement that would be very very difficult; hindi madaling (not easy to do) mag-industry setting.”

Mr. Ortiz-Luis also explained the current regional setting is in place to encourage investments in areas outside Metro Manila. “Ang main reason is the national policy to disperse from urban area ‘yung mga enterprises. Kung pare-pareho ang sweldo (If pay is uniform) nationwide, what would encourage people to invest in Samar, rather than in Manila?”

ALU-TUCP had also proposed to abolish the current system and instead institutionalize a living wage system.

“I think it has to be abolished because it’s a race to the bottom,” Mr. Tanjusay said. “Instead we should institutionalize living wage.”

He defined living wage as one that meets the needs of a family for a decent life, instead of just basic nutrition.

“Ito ang aming susubukan i-work out (This is something we hope to work out) with the government and businesses,” he said, noting the ALU-TUCP will likely push for its legislation.

But ECoP insisted that the existing regional wage-setting scheme would still better than leaving the decision to lawmakers.

“The reality is hindi naman tama na nagse-set ng minimum wage eh. Dapat talaga collective bargaining, but pakonti nang pakonti ang unionized company natin for some reason (The reality is minimum wage-setting is not ideal. There should be collective bargaining, but the number of our unionized companies has been decreasing for some reason),” Mr. Ortiz-Luis said.

“It’s not the ideal one but it’s better than the alternative of legislature doing it because it can be very political and it can be very emotional if it is legislated by our Congress.”

MerryMart set to open 10 stores this year as it eyes rapid growth

By Arra B. Francia, Senior Reporter

MERRYMART Grocery Centers, Inc. of businessman Edgar J. Sia II plans to open 10 stores this year before accelerating its expansion in the next decade.

“MerryMart is set to open its first 10 branches this year and we expect the rapid expansion to begin next year,” Mr. Sia said in an e-mailed reply to questions Wednesday.

The company opened its first MerryMart store earlier this week, located at the ground floor of DoubleDragon Plaza, DD Meridian Park in Pasay City.

“MerryMart emphasizes on providing the consumer a wide assortment of merchandise, maintaining competitive pricing and achieving excellent customer experience all the time,” MerryMart General Manager Ditas Taleon said in a statement.

Mr. Sia has set a “12-12-12 Vision 2030” target for MerryMart. This entails the rollout of 1,200 MerryMart branches nationwide in the next 12 years, with systemwide sales seen to reach P120 billion by the end of 2030.

The grocery retailer will have three formats depending on size, namely MerryMart Grocery, MerryMart Market, and MerryMart Store. The company expects to franchise the smaller formats to facilitate its expansion.

“We would like to take advantage of our group’s experience in franchising, and our familiarity of the Philippine market terrain, just like in the rollout of Mang Inasal, CityMall, Hotel101 and CentralHub network,” Mr. Sia said, referring to his businesses under listed firm DoubleDragon Properties Corp.

The opening of MerryMart marks Mr. Sia’s expansion of his family’s grocery retail business that started in Capiz.

“This is going back to our basics. My grandfather started his grocery store in the 1950’s in our hometown. My parents as well opened their own grocery business way back in 1989 and have been operating successfully for 30 years and counting. This background gives our family extensive experience in the retail business,” Mr. Sia said in a statement.

The company will also be setting up MerryMart warehouses and distribution centers to support the MerryMart retail shops. Mr. Sia said the intention is to locate them inside CentralHub warehouse complexes. DoubleDragon targets to have eight CentralHub locations by the end of next year.

“There are undeniable synergies between the real estate and retail businesses, and in our case, gladly the grocery retail have always been in our blood,” Mr. Sia said.

MerryMart is part of Injap Investments, Inc., also the parent of DoubleDragon. The company also owns People’s Hotel, a hotel targeted toward businessmen in Iloilo City; Hotel of Asia, Inc., which develops hotels under the Hotel 101 and JinJiang Inn; Deco’s Lapaz Batchoy, Inc., a restaurant with 10 stores in the Visayas region; as well as Mang Inasal Philippines, Inc.

AC Energy targeting to launch Phinma tender offer within Q2

By Victor V. Saulon, Sub-Editor

AC ENERGY, Inc. targets to launch in the next two months the mandatory tender offer to the minority shareholders of Phinma Energy Corp. to complete its acquisition of the company, its top official said.

“Siguro (Maybe) we’ll target second quarter, ’yung (the) tender offer,” Eric T. Francia, AC Energy president and chief executive officer, told reporters, adding that the next step would be to talk to the minority shareholders.

“We’re finalizing the pricing. We don’t know yet [if it’s going to be lower than the previously agreed price] because there’s a pricing adjustment formula we’ll need to apply based on the facts. So we’re still waiting for the pertinent data before we can finalize,” he added.

On Jan. 9, AC Energy announced that it had signed a “mutually strategic agreement” with Phinma Energy that gives the Ayala-led company a 51.48% stake in the listed firm for P3.42 billion. The price was based on the agreed valuation date of Dec. 31, 2018 and subject to adjustments.

On April 15, AC Energy said it had received approval from the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) for its acquisition of Phinma, Inc.’s and Phinma Corp.’s combined 51.48% stake in Phinma Energy.

As part of the sale, AC Energy will subscribe to around P2.632 billion worth of primary shares of Phinma Energy at par value, which will result in a total stake for the Ayala group of around 68%, subject to the conduct of a tender offer for the shares of Phinma Energy’s minority shareholders.

“We haven’t launched it yet, but we’ll probably launch it soon. So that’s one of the next steps — to launch the tender,” Mr. Francia said. “The minority shareholders can sell to us at the same price.”

He said AC Energy would prefer to keep Phinma Energy listed at the stock exchange.

“That’s our intent [to keep Phinma Energy as a listed entity]. But if everyone tenders then we’ll be forced to keep it private or unlisted. So it really depends,” he said.

The choice to keep Phinma Energy listed is to give it flexibility, he added.

“That’s our preference — the flexibility. If we need the growth capital because of course we want to enhance, improve the performance. It’s been reported that it incurred negative income in 2018 so there’s work to be done,” Mr. Francia said.

“We want to keep the option flexible by having it listed. It’s easier to raise capital if you needed to. And of course, over time we’d like to grow that platform,” he said.

AirAsia Philippines swings to net operating loss in 2018

AIRASIA Philippines was hit by a rise in jet fuel prices and a weakening peso. — LEAN S. DAVAL, JR.

THE PHILIPPINE UNIT of the AirAsia Group Berhad, Philippines AirAsia, Inc., swung to a net operating loss of P2.11 billion in 2018 from a profit of P710 million in 2017 as it was hit by the rise in price of jet fuel and the weakening of the Philippine peso against the US dollar last year.

In the first quarter of 2019, AirAsia Philippines increased the number of passengers it carried by 23% to 1.97 million, as its capacity was bumped up 17% to 2.16 million.

“Despite the much higher fuel cost in FY2018 (fiscal year 2018), we still managed to add significant capacity in order to set the Group up for a dominant position in 2019. For this year, we are confident that Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines will make up for fuel cost hike in FY2018…,” AirAsia Group Berhad Deputy Group CEO Bo Lingam was quoted as saying in a statement.

AirAsia Philippines grew its revenue 31% in 2018 to P20.91 billion, but its expenses outpaced this increase, as its aircraft fuel expenses alone rose 74% to P8.93 billion. The depreciation of property, plant and equipment also cost the company P359.61 million, or an increase of 53% from in 2017. Maintenance and overhaul costs likewise expanded 41% to P4.18 billion.

“The Group expect to turn around Philippines by focusing on North Asia- Philippines leisure market with target load factor at 90%,” AirAsia Group Berhad said in a regulatory filing.

AirAsia Philippines recorded a load factor of 85% in end-2018. It has so far increased this to 91% in the first quarter, up 4 percentage points from 87% in the same period last year.

The group also noted that despite the challenges in 2018, AirAsia Philippines increased its domestic market share by four percentage points to 19.7% by end-2018.

“In 2019, digital innovation at airports and the delivery of excellent service will be priorities. The Philippines is in a good position to become the next tourism powerhouse in Asean with new airports, hotels and resorts integral to the government’s plan to bring in the numbers,” AirAsia Group Berhad said.

“For its part, our associate seeks to throw open the doors to the many splendours of the Philippines to others from the region and beyond…[W]ith the tenacity that it has demonstrated over the last seven years, we have no doubt that AirAsia Philippines will secure a more prominent place for its beloved country on the regional and international maps,” it added. — Denise A. Valdez

Samsung launches lineup of 8K QLED TVs in the Philippines

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS Co., Ltd. has launched in the Philippines its QLED 8K television line that features larger screens in response to consumer demand.

Samsung Electronics Philippines Corp. officially launched in the country last April 25 its QLED 8K TVs, which feature a new Quantum Processor 8K that produces images in greater detail and depth in 7,680 x 4,320 resolution.

The company’s entire QLED 8K TV lineup features 98-inch, 85-inch, 82-inch, 75-inch and 65-inch models. The 98-inch model is its largest TV.

According to Samsung Philippines’ statement, the models that will be released locally are the 98-inch, 82-inch, and 75-inch screens. They will be available by the first week of May and will be priced at about P4.9 million (around $96,000) for the 98-inch model; P999,999 (around $19,180) for the 82-inch screen; and P599,999 (around $11,500) for the 75-inch model.

“This year is the 50th anniversary of the moment that mankind took his first step on the moon and changed history forever. This year is also Samsung Electronics’ 50th anniversary of meaningful innovations. These milestones provide important context as we introduce a product that we believe will forever change the future of TVs,” Samsung Philippines President James Jung said in his opening speech at the launch event.

“Over the past years, what we watch, when we watch, and how we watch has fundamentally changed,” Lauro Guevara, Samsung Philippines’ head of product marketing for TV and audio, said. “Today, more consumers are looking to enjoy their favorite content on larger and smarter screens, with minimal image noise, for a viewing experience that is almost true-to-life.”

Samsung’s 8K TV’s feature an artificial intelligence (AI) upscaling function, which allows it to calibrate lower-resolution sources and make all content 8K-quality — a plus as true 8K content is currently limited.

“Enabled by the Quantum Processor 8K, AI Upscaling analyzes the quality and resolution of any image — whether it is in 4K, Full HD, HD, or even SD, or watched through a streaming service, HDMI, USB, or even mobile mirroring — and upscales the content to appear in 8K quality,” the company said.

“Aside from optimizing noise reduction, the AI Upscaling function restores the integrity of the smallest of details in a scene to provide greater texture, and sharpens edges of objects and texts for greater clarity. This feature, along with the highest levels of contrast with the Direct Full Array Technology, and dramatically-enhanced, deeper blacks and brighter whites, make the QLED 8K Samsung’s best TV, to date,” it added.

Aside from improved image quality, the QLED 8K TVs also feature support for Bixby, Samsung’s its intelligence platform. This allows users to find films or shows via voice commands and helps search for content based on previous viewing preferences.

Aside from its 8K televisions, Samsung also launched at the event its full TV lineup for 2019, which include new QLED 4K TVs with the same AI upscaling capabilities. The event also featured a wider selection of 2019 Soundbars, including new models Samsung developed with Harman Kardon.

RHG’s LSI holds first AFMCP conference in Southeast Asia in PHL

LIFE SCIENCE Institute (LSI), a subsidiary of the ROMLAS Health Group (RHG), in partnership with the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) in the US, is hosting its first Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP) Conference in Southeast Asia in Pasay City at the Marriott Grand Ballroom D from April 29 to May 4.

According to data released in 2018 by the World Health Organization (WHO) on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), “one out of three Filipinos before the age of 70 dies from NCDs.” The four categories of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, cancers, and diabetes.

The five-day conference focuses on extensive training program advancements in Functional Medicine (FM), a patient-centered approach to the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, allergies, and autoimmune diseases.

“It’s not just a download of new research information or a download of new technology. This is more about revisiting the medical practice and trying to look into it from a different lens [which focuses on] why diseases happen,” RHG CEO Michael Genato told BusinessWorld during the conference welcome dinner on April 29.

“It’s very important that we get to articulate to the practitioners wanting to practice [Functional Medicine] about how they navigate around the biology of an individual, and the various functions of the body.” he added.

Founded in the Philippines in 2010, the Life Science Center for Health and Wellness customizes services and programs to each patient’s needs. Patients are guided by doctors, health managers, nutritionist-dietitians and physical therapists in adjusting to a healthy lifestyle and a proper diet as medicine.

“What we want to be able to do is to provide [patients] support in understanding the underlying causes [on] why a person has a specific condition,” Mr. Genato said of the Functional Medicine method.

Life Science Center for Health and Wellness will set to open its second branch in Shaw Boulevard by the end of May this year, following its first branch in BGC in Taguig.

For information and inquiries, visit http://lifescience.ph or contact 828 5433. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman

Good food, good company, and good times

WHEN catching up with family and friends, most prefer to go out and dine to reminisce about past experiences and talk about how things are going. Nothing beats heart-to-heart talks paired with delightful meals.

In 2015, The Menu Group opened Sobremesa’s first branch at the Sapphire Block in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. The restaurant then served South American cuisine. With the opening of its third branch at the Edsa Shangri-la Plaza, Sobremesa — which means “conversations over meals” in Spanish — rebranded and now offers mainly Spanish and European dishes.

“We used to offer South American dishes. We shifted with a Spanish menu. At the same time, we centered [our concept for] the titos and titas (of the ’90s),” The Menu Group President Harvard Uy de Baron told BusinessWorld prior to the launch on April 24, referring to “uncles” and “aunts” as those born from 1975 to 1990. “These are the people who embraced the ’90s,” he said.

Mr. Uy de Baron added that their team ran a survey targeted at that demographic, asking what dishes they preferred when dining out and catching up with friends. He said that most preferred Spanish dishes.

The team decided to reestablish the restaurant as a place where people can enjoy each other’s company while reminiscing over equally loved dishes and timeless favorites. So the new branch, with its brick walls, hanging yellow lights, and posters of TV shows, boy bands, and old gadgets, exudes a cozy 1990s vibe. It seats 80 customers.

DIG IN
During the press launch, the signature dishes were served — some of which were named after the restaurant’s founders.

We had Sobremesa sangria bread and prosciutto and melon salad to start. It was followed by main courses: the arroz negra (black rice) which had a pinch of pleasant sourness (the downside is that the squid ink stains your teeth black); Tito Harvard’s osso buco, the Sobremesa chicken and steak combo, and Tito Lance’s crusted salmon. For dessert, Tito Augusto’s mango coconut and almond cheesecake and salted caramel and banana cheesecake were served.

To complete the meal, we had a glass of sangria (available in alcoholic and virgin variety). At 5 p.m. onwards daily, the restaurant offers unlimited sangria for free with complimentary homemade bread.

“Here at Sobremesa, we embrace the value of preparing a warm atmosphere that leads you to hang out with ease over classic, heart-warming, and well-cooked Spanish and European dishes,” chef Benjo Tuason was quoted as saying in a press release.

The restaurant also offers a variety of promos. Happy Hour, Every Hour begins daily at 5 p.m. onwards, except on Wednesdays which is Titos and Titas Day, with a 16% discount given to customers who were born between 1975 and 1990. The Shangri-la branch also offers Unlimited Tapas every Saturday for P450.

“Our food is Spanish with Filipino favors. We’re not claiming to be [an] authentic Spanish [restaurant], but it’s aligned to the Filipino palate,” Mr. Uy de Baron said.

Sobremesa is located at Level 4, East Atrium at Edsa Shangri-la Plaza (958-6452, 0917-125-3169) and at the ground floor, Sapphire Bloc, at Sapphire Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City (534-5821, 0917-624-5470). For more information, visit www.themenugroup.com/sobremesa. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman

Bubble tea fuels Grab’s food delivery business

THE craving for bubble tea is fueling Grab’s food delivery business as it said the number of orders for the sugary drink in the Philippines grew 3,500% from June to December last year.

GrabFood said in a statement the demand for bubble tea is not unique to the Philippines, as the trend is observed in the rest of its operations in Southeast Asia, namely in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia.

“On average, Southeast Asians drink four cups of bubble tea per person per month on GrabFood. Thai consumers top the regional average by two cups, consuming about six cups of bubble tea per person per month. This is closely followed by Filipino consumers who drink an average of five cups per person per month,” it said.

It noted the food delivery service already has almost 4,000 bubble tea outlets linked to its platform, which includes more than 1,5000 brands in Southeast Asia. Among its top merchants, it said, are Chatime, Coco Fresh Tea & Juice, Macao Imperial Tea, Cafe Amazon, Gong Cha and Serenitea.

The data also found that most of the orders for bubble tea on GrabFood were made during lunch time, or at around 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The second most popular time of day for a bubble tea fix is in the afternoon, or between 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“Across Southeast Asia, GrabFood’s data reveals that most people order bubble tea to accompany their meals at lunch, or as a perfect midday energizer,” it said.

In terms of flavors, Filipinos mostly order cheese-flavored bubble tea, followed by milk tea with pearl, winter-melon, pandan and chocolate. These drinks are usually paired with pearls, which landed the top spot in the list of most popular bubble tea toppings across GrabFood’s Southeast Asia operations, except in Vietnam.

GrabFood started its operations in the Philippines in June last year. — Denise A. Valdez

PAGCOR income up in Q1

THE PHILIPPINE Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) booked a higher net income in the first quarter as earnings from gaming operations increased despite higher expenses, its income statement showed.

PAGCOR’s net income rose 9.51% to P1.55 billion in the first three months from P1.42 billion in the same quarter of the previous year and well above its P1.25-billion goal.

Total income from gaming operations went up 15.62% year on year to P18.27 billion in the period from P15.8 billion the previous year. This is also 10.11% higher than the P16.29-billion target for the quarter.

Net of gaming taxes and contributions which rose 15.62% year on year to P9.59 billion, PAGCOR’s total gaming income for the quarter was at P8.68 billion, higher than the previous year’s P7.88 billion.

Meanwhile, total income net of gaming taxes and contributions, which includes earnings from other sources and related services, reached P9.69 billion during the first three months of the year, higher by 14.71% from the P8.45 billion booked in the comparable period in 2018.

The increase in PAGCOR’s net income in the first quarter came despite higher expenses. Total expenses for the period amounted to P8.14 billion, climbing 15.76% from the P7.03 billion booked in the same quarter last year, its income statement showed. — RJNI

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