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Youth science club society gears up for upcoming STEM expo

The Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs (PSYSC) invites the general public to attend its second Science, Technology,Engineering, and Mathematics Expo on May 26 and 27 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura, Taguig City. STEM EXPO 2019 will showcase the knowledge and skills of senior high school and undergraduate students in the different fields of science, technology, and innovation.

With this year’s theme: Embracing our Ingenuity, Engineering the Filipino Society, PSYSC hopes to push even further the frontiers of science and technology in the Philippines, highlighting Filipino ingenuity.

In addition to its flagship competition iGen: Ideas to Innovation PSYSC is introducing this year Teknolohiya, Agham, Kalikasan, Diwa, at Ako (TAKDA), an open conference for students and professionals interested in science research and technology innovation.

The event also includes:

  • PSYSC Science and Mathematics Investigatory Projects Fair, showcasing the outstanding research projects of its participants;
  • PSYSC Robotics Olympiad, boasting new technological advancements;
  • as well as PSYSC Science Journalism Contest and PSYSC Science Film Festival for the science communicators.

The event aims to expose students and the public to current institutions and sectors that contribute to the advancement of STEM in the country.

The major and minor subevents of the STEM EXPO 2019 are open to senior high schools students of PSYSC-affiliated science clubs in the Philippines. Visit these links to buy tickets, learn more about the event, and download your application forms.

A broad and deep relationship

The Philippines is one of Australia’s longest-standing bilateral partners, according to the Web site of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines. With these ties maintained and strengthened for more than seven decades, both countries continue to enjoy its fruitful partnership in the areas of defense, security, law enforcement, trade, business, education, development assistance, and disaster preparedness.

The formal relations between Philippines and Australia began in May 1946, when the first Consulate General of Australia was established in Manila. In 1957, an Australian Ambassador to the Philippines was appointed. Then, in 1962, the Philippines opened an embassy in Canberra, Australia’s capital.

From these initial moves, the friendship between the two gradually grew through time. The cooperation between the two countries was evident in some significant events in their shared history.

In a post by the Australian Embassy on the commemoration of 70 years of Philippines-Australia friendship back in 2016, it was recalled that over 4,000 Australian service personnel fought beside Filipino and allied forces in World War II; and Australian medical mission teams worked with other Filipino and international humanitarian communities in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

Moreover, Australia’s cooperation was more recently seen in 2017 during the Marawi City siege when “the Australian Government stepped up its military and intelligence cooperation with the Philippines to help combat the regional terrorist threat.”

“The Australian Defence Force provided surveillance support and counter-terrorism specific training to the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) wrote on its Web site.

Another remarkable highlight of these ties is the signing of the Joint Declaration on Philippines-Australia Comprehensive Partnership on Nov. 18, 2015, in an effort to further deepen their bilateral links.

“This Comprehensive Partnership Joint Declaration highlights the enduring nature of the Australia-Philippines relationship and demonstrates our commitment to strengthen and expand our relationship in a manner that is mutually beneficial,” the declaration states.

In addition, the joint declaration outlines the commitment of the two countries to build up its political and economic relations, as well as to further cooperate in defense, law and justice, education, and development.

In keeping these ties, the two countries hold regular meetings. According to DFAT, these include: the Foreign and Trade Ministers’ meeting (the Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting or PAMM) and associated PAMM business dialogue and senior officials’ meeting; counter-terrorism consultations; annual joint defense cooperation consultations; agriculture forum; strategic dialogue; and high level consultations on development cooperation.

The two countries also “share common perspectives on many regional, economic and security issues”. Philippines and Australia participate in several fora such as the East Asia Summit (EAS), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum.

Philippines-Australia ties are also marked with Australia’s willingness to help its neighbor and friend through its Official Development Assistance, or ODA, to the country. DFAT’s Web site shows that the total ODA Estimate Outcome in 2018-2019 amounted to $82.8 million, while its total ODA in 2019-2020 will be an estimated $79.7 million. At present, this financial aid is “designed to meet the key objectives of inclusive economic growth, effective governance, and peace and stability”.

The ODA supported the implementation of the Sustainable Livelihood Program that “helped 1.3 million families between 2011 and 2016 to find employment or start an enterprise”.

The ODA also funded the Basic Education Assistance for Muslim Mindanao Program that “contributed to the improvement of education quality in the [formerly] Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao”.

The steady relations between these two countries are not only maintained through diplomatic activities but also through ‘people-to-people links’. In areas of trade, investment, cultural exchange, education, tourism, and migration, links have been forged between the Filipinos and Australians.

The DFAT adds that “[s]ignificant numbers of Filipinos have immigrated to Australia since the 1960s, and Filipinos remain one of the fastest growing immigrant communities in Australia.” In a speech by Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven James Robinson last January, he noted that “over 250,000 Filipinos now live in Australia, the fifth highest of any grouping, many of them dual nationals.”

In terms of education, the links between the two countries are growing, with Australia being “the top destination for tertiary students from the Philippines who choose to study abroad.” The DFAT wrote that “[t]here were 8,506 Filipino students studying in Australia in 2017.”

As the Philippines-Australia ties mark its 75th year in 2021, Mr. Robinson commits to strengthening and enhancing the relations between the two countries.

He recognized that “Australia and the Philippines share a relationship which is both broad and deep.

“Over my term here, I hope to continue to strengthen this relationship, including with senior ministerial visits over the coming year,” he said. — Adrian Paul B. Conoza

Regulator calls Maynilad to account

By Victor V. Saulon
Sub-Editor

THE METROPOLITAN WATERWORKS and Sewerage System’s Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) has issued a notice of service obligation failure to Maynilad Water Services, Inc. for not meeting requirements under its concession agreement, the chief regulator said on Tuesday.

In a press conference, MWSS-RO Chief Regulator Patrick Lester N. Ty said the notice was sent to Metro Manila’s west zone concessionaire on Monday afternoon, and Maynilad said it had received the letter.

Saying that Maynilad has “until Monday to explain why they should not be penalized,” Mr. Ty explained that “[b]ased on our computation, based on our monitoring, nag-reach na sila ng (they failed to meet service obligations for) 15 days.”

Mr. Ty said his office invoked Article 10.4 of the concession agreement — which provides that failure to meet any service obligation for more than 60 days, or 15 days “in cases where the failure could adversely affect public health or welfare”, will subject concessionaires to penalties — as more than 15 days had lapsed since MWSS-RO alerted Maynilad of the complaints.

“Last April 30, 2019, we issued a letter to [Maynilad] to call their attention to the large number of complaints we received regarding water service interruptions and low water pressure in large portions of the west zone concession area, specifically in the consumers living in the south,” Mr. Ty said.

He said water service interruptions and low water pressure continued to affect the company’s concession area even after its attention was called.

“It is for this reason that we have given [Maynilad] five days upon receipt of the said notice to… explain why they should not be penalized under Article 10.4 of the [concession agreement],” Mr. Ty said.

“If found liable, we will recommend to the MWSS Board of Trustees that fines and penalties should be imposed.”

Sought for comment, Randolf T. Estrellado, Maynilad’s chief operating officer, said the company has received the notice which, he argued, lacked basis.

“We received the notice of service obligation failure yesterday [Monday] in relation to the service interruption due to the algal bloom in Laguna Lake and given five days to respond. We believe there is no basis for the imposition of the penalty, as the service interruption did not last for 15 days and only affected 12% of Maynilad’s customer base,” he said.

“To mitigate the impact of this emergency service interruption, we implemented rotational supply interruptions and also deployed mobile water tankers and stationary water tanks, even as we intensified treatment interventions to address the challenging raw water quality.”

Mr. Ty said he did not want to pre-judge Maynilad and declined to comment on the company’s explanation. “I want to listen to their official explanation first on the notice that I sent to them before I will comment because I want to double check everything first,” he said.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which has majority stake in Maynilad, is one of three Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Company Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.

MANILA WATER REBATE
In the same press conference, Mr. Ty said his office will implement the bill rebates for customers of east zone concessionaire Manila Water Co., Inc. starting June 2019, which reflects consumption in May.

“This is a result of the penalty that the MWSS Board of Trustees imposed to Manila Water under Section 10.4 of the concession agreement, for their inability to meet its service obligation of providing 24/7 water supply to all their consumers,” he said.

The penalty, amounting to a total of P1.13 billion, consists of P534 million as rebate to customers and P600 million for development by Manila Water of a new water source. All active accounts as of March 31, 2019 of Manila Water will get a rebate.

“Of all these accounts, we further identified those that were severely affected and they will enjoy a P2,197.94 rebate each,” Mr. Ty said, adding that the rebate is on top of the 10 cubic meter (cu.m.) consumption that will be received by all customers.

He said more than 140,000 accounts would receive the rebate based on the list of 45 barangays identified by Manila Water when it offered its own one-time bill waiver program in April.

Mr. Ty said Manila Water had accepted the penalties imposed by the regulatory office. “The P534 million plus the P600 million, they are not contesting that anymore. They already wrote a letter that they are accepting it,” he said.

He said another assessment, to take place by August or September, will decide whether more penalties would be warranted should Manila Water continue to fail to meet its service obligation.

Sought for comment, Manila Water said it would comply with the bill rebates for its customers.

“We will coordinate with the Regulatory Office and will implement as prescribed this June,” Nestor Jeric T. Sevilla Jr., Manila Water head of corporate strategic affairs, said in a mobile phone message.

Mr. Ty said that, in all, the penalty imposed on Manila Water — including the cost of its voluntary bill waiver and minimum charge waiver — would amount to P1.6 billion. He said the amount excludes lost business because of the water shortage.

The east zone concessionaire has been experiencing a water supply deficit since March 6, although it has now brought down the shortfall. The deficiency came about as water demand reached 1,750 million liters per day (MLD) while supply remained at 1,600 MLD. A planned new water treatment plant failed to meet its target launch in late 2018 because of technical issues.

Privacy watchdog probes erring online lending apps

THE NATIONAL PRIVACY COMMISSION (NPC) has begun looking into 48 online lending applications that have been subject to almost 500 harassment complaints.

In a media briefing at the NPC office in Pasay City Tuesday, Privacy Commissioner Raymund E. Liboro said there are 485 complaints with the commission at the moment, of which 235 cases have been formally pursued, accusing operators of online lending applications that allegedly misused borrowers’ information for public shaming.

“Over the past few months, we received almost identical complaints that pile up by the day from individuals accusing online lending apps of rude practices. Complainants say the harassment and shaming started when they failed to pay their balances on time,” he said. “The people behind the lending app called or texted their contact list about their inability to return the money, causing them embarrassment and emotional stress.”

The mobile lending applications supposedly required access to a user’s contact information, photos, files and documents before completing a lending transaction.

When the borrower was unable to pay his/her balance, the lenders sent out mobile phone messages and made calls revealing the user’s name and debt.

The NPC chief said operators of the erring lending applications may face penalties ranging from temporary suspension to being haled to court for possible criminal charges.

“Maaari nilang kahinatnan [What could result from this investigation] immediately is temporary ban… It could lead to a permanent ban for processing information. Also, it could lead to the National Privacy Commission elevating this to the (Department of Justice) for criminal prosecution,” Mr. Liboro said.

“Possible violations (are) unauthorized processing, unauthorized purpose, or even malicious disclosure (of personal information). So this could be a series or combination of acts under the Data Privacy Act of 2012.”

But Mr. Liboro said the commission cannot just suspend the accused lenders, as such an action could affect their other borrowers.

“The NPC has started conducting hearings on the cases and it is vital that we also hear the respondent’s side of the story and we would highly appreciate it if they cooperate,” he said.

The names of the mobile applications were withheld by the NPC, but Mr. Liboro said none of them were big ones, nor were they affiliated with any bank. — Denise A. Valdez

PEZA chief addresses talk she is at risk of losing post for opposition to tax perk revamp

By Janina C. Lim
Reporter

THERE IS TALK in the foreign business community that the head of the government’s economic zone promotion agency is at risk of losing her job due to a drop in committed investments and her opposition to the Finance department’s push to remove tax incentives deemed redundant.

Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director-General Charito B. Plaza said on Tuesday that she has heard such “rumors,” adding that she has not received any notice from Malacañang itself.

“The issue is di daw ako marunong; bakit daw bumaba ang investments (they say that I am not fit; why have investments dropped),” Ms. Plaza said in a telephone interview.

“I’m happy at least hindi corruption ang (is not the) issue sa akin (against me).”

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has been known to fire Executive officials for even just a “whiff of corruption” without asking them to give their sides, the latest being former Food and Drug Administration director-general Nela Charade G. Puno, who has protested her innocence and said she was not informed of any complaint.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) contributed 38.2% to the total foreign investment pledges last year at P68.32 billion, down 12.7% from the P78.28 billion in 2017 according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.Among the seven investment promotion agencies, PEZA had the second-biggest value of committed investments approved in full-year 2018 behind the Board of Investments’ P103.97 billion. In 2017, PEZA contributed 74.1% of the total foreign investment pledges even as the amount was 35.42% less than 2016’s P121.22 billion.

Ms. Plaza — who replaced former PEZA chief Lilia B. De Lima in late September 2016 — contested allegations that she cannot do the job, saying that investors began staying on the sidelines only as the Finance department pushed for an overhaul of fiscal incentives by removing those deemed redundant.

While declining to name her detractors, Ms. Plaza said: “Ang dating ko sa kanila, (they perceive that) I’m not behaving as a government official [when I oppose the plan to change the tax incentives package of investors]” and that “I’m siding daw with the investors.”

“Di naman ako nagsa-side (I am not taking the side of) with investors. I’m just protecting our image because we entered our contract with them. Our investors can sue us,” she added.

“We still insist we should not change the rule of the contract we have entered with existing investors kasi magiging ’yung impression sa atin ng investors, very unstable (because investors will have the impression that business regulations are very unstable). Pag nag-change ang (When there is a change in) administration, may (there will be) change in politics and law,” she explained.

Asked on talks of her impending replacement that are now circulating among foreign business groups, Ms. Plaza replied: “They heard about it and asked me.”

“I said it’s up to them to express if they’re happy or not with my leadership in PEZA.”

An official of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) said he has heard of such talk, and expressed support for PEZA and its existing fiscal incentive program.

“Many hundreds of American firms have worked closely with PEZA and its excellent leadership for many years. PEZA provides competitive incentives to reduce the higher costs of doing business in the country. Therefore, we have often expressed our strong support for PEZA and its leadership and the ambitious plans of the current director general as well as her predecessor, who served under four presidents,” Ebb Hinchliffe, AmCham’s executive director, said in a mobile phone message.

European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. President Nabil Francis said he has not heard the rumor but nevertheless expressed support for PEZA.

“More than 300 European firms or firms with European equity have been successfully assisted or have worked closely with PEZA and its leadership in establishing their operations in the Philippines over the past few administrations,” Mr. Francis said in an e-mailed reply to questions.

“The ECCP has and continues to support PEZA and its leadership throughout the years in our common goal of easing doing business in the Philippines, incentivizing more foreign investments to flow into the country and its support of the private sector in its drive to contribute to nation building.”

For his part, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said he has not heard such rumors.

Asked how the Finance department will approach PEZA’s continued opposition to the plan to overhaul investors’ fiscal incentives, Mr. Dominguez said in a mobile phone message that it will “continue its education program” to convince PEZA, investors and other affected parties on the need for this tax reform.

The Finance department had packaged the streamlining of fiscal incentives with a gradual reduction in corporate income tax (CIT) to 20% by 2029 from 30% currently in order to ensure this reform package will have a revenue-neutral effect, with projected foregone revenues from the CIT cut plugged by added collections from cancelled fiscal incentives.

While Congress has favored the planned CIT cut, many of its leaders have had reservations towards the removal of tax incentives.

MPTC inks deal with Japanese tollway firms

METRO PACIFIC Tollways Corp. (MPTC) said it recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on technical cooperation with three tollway operators from Japan.

In a statement, MPTC said it inked the MoU with Japan Expressway International Co. Ltd. (JEXWAY), Central Nippon Expressway Co. Ltd. (NEXCO Central) and Metropolitan Expressway Co. Ltd. (MEX) with the goal of further improving its toll road operating capabilities.

“We are very happy to sign this technical cooperation agreement with JEXWAY, NEXCO Central and MEX, as this will allow us to tap into the wealth of Japanese road engineering experience and technology,” MPTC President Rodrigo E. Franco said in the statement.

Under the MoU, the companies are allowed to share knowledge on “asset management and repair of at-grade and elevated road and bridge sections, tunnel design and construction and the use of best practices to monitor the structural performance of expressway assets and facilities…”

JEXWAY was formed by five Japanese expressway companies to develop projects around the world. NEXCO Central is a Nagoya-based toll road operator with presence in Hanoi, Vietnam, while MEX operates the Shuto Expressway in Tokyo, Japan.

Mr. Franco noted aside from sharing know-how, the new partners will help MPTC learn from Japan’s example how to adapt to environmental challenges.

“This expertise comes in handy as we prepare ourselves to manage our roadways effectively in cases of emergencies like earthquakes and other natural calamities,” he said.

MPTC is a major toll road operator in the Philippines with presence in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. It currently operates the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) and Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx).

MPTC is under Metro Pacific Investments Corp., one of three key Philippine units of First Pacific, the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc. 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. — Denise A. Valdez

NCCA and CCP pay tribute to the 2018 National Artists

FOR 2003 National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, the role a National Artist is a challenging task.

“…Kapag tinanggap mo ang karangalang Pambansang Alagad ng Sining ay kailangang umasta kang isang Pambansang Alagad ng Sining. Isang haligi, isang bahagi ng pambansang sining, at isang huwarang mukha ng sektor na ating kinakatawan (When you accept the National Artist Award, you have to embody being National Artist. A pillar for national arts and role model to the sector we are part of),” Mr. Almario said, citing his experience at being tasked to make a speech at events (while wearing the heavy gold medallion), having his name announced on plane rides, and media or teachers asking questions or looking for his opinion on current issues.

“Dapat mong isipin na hindi mo dadanasin ’yun kung hindi ka National Artist. Bahagi iyong pagdangal sa iyo ng bayan... (You should think that you would not have such encounters were it not for your recognition as a National Artist. It is part of the nation’s praise for you),” he added.

Mr. Almario was speaking at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) where on May 16, seven individuals who were named National Artists in 2018 were given a tribute.

The newest National Artists are cartoonist Larry Alcala (who was represented at the event by his wife Guadalupe Alcala), architect Francisco Mañosa (represented by wife Denise Mañosa), Hiligaynon writer and historian Ramon L. Muzones (represented by son Rex Muzones), writer and historian Resil Mojares, filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik, theater advocate Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio, and composer Ryan Cayabyab.

CCP Chairperson Maria Margarita Moran-Floirendo described the 2018 National Artists as individuals who have “promoted creative expression” and “helped develop our national cultural identity.

“Through their distinguished body of works that consistently displayed artistic excellence, they have forged new paths in directions for the future generations of artist while at the same time, preserved and enhanced our rich heritage. They have embodied the country’s highest ideals in the humanities and aesthetic expressions,” Ms. Moran-Floirendo said in her speech.

“Thank you for reminding everyone that are endless possibilities and opportunities in the field of arts. And for telling the people that there is more to arts than meets the eye, that art is more than just a hobby. It is a passion. It is a way of life,” she added.

During the tribute, the artists were honored through performances of their own works, such as Ms. Lapeña Bonifacio’s puppet play Sita & Rama: Papet Ramayana by Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas; Mr. Cayabyab’s song “Paraiso” as sung by Esang de Torres and the Ateneo Chamber Singers; a dance performance of the “Cordillera Suite” by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group; and a staged reading of a scene from Ramon Muzones’ Margosatubig by Audie Gemorra, Bong Cabrera, and Shiela Valderrama-Martinez.

In 1972, the Order of National Artist or Orden ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining was established “to give appropriate recognition and prestige to Filipinos who have distinguished themselves and made outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and letters.” The nominated artists shall meet criteria which included “Artists who through the content and form of their works have contributed in building a Filipino sense of nationhood.”

In his speech, Mr. Almario noted that the recognition as a National Artist comes with great responsibilities.

“Mapanubok ang ating kasalukuyang lipunan at panahon… Hinintay tayong magpatunay sa ating kakayahang para umambag sa pagkakaisa at kaunlaran ng lipunang Filipino (Our current society and period pose challenges… They await our contributions for the unity and development of the Philippine society,” he said. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman

San Miguel to submit proposal for P35-B water source project

By Victor V. Saulon, Sub-Editor

SAN MIGUEL Corp. (SMC) is planning to submit an unsolicited proposal to build a new water source that will deliver up to 3,800 million liters per day (MLD) at a much cheaper cost for consumers than the company’s bulk water project in Bulacan, its top official said.

“I will submit an unsolicited proposal within two weeks — a new water source of 3,800 MLD,” SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang said in a briefing on Tuesday after the annual stockholders’ meeting of the listed conglomerate’s Petron Corp.

He said SMC could build the project using private funding of about P35 billion and could be completed within five years.

He declined to say where the new water source will be built and which area it will serve. But Metro Manila’s east zone has been experiencing a water shortage since March 6, prompting SMC to offer some of its excess supply from Bulacan to the area.

Mr. Ang said the proposed project will not use Angat Dam’s water, which is the main source of potable water for the Philippine capital. He said the project would deliver raw water.

“Mabebenta namin ang tubig na ’yan, unsolicited offer, to sell the water at P5 per cubic meter lang. Kaya sobrang mura pati (We can sell the water from the unsolicited offer at only P5 per cubic meter. It’s also so cheap),” he said.

Should the project push through, it will be SMC’s most significant project after it won in December 2015 the P24.4-billion bulk water project that will supply water to Bulacan consumers under a 30-year contract.

The proposal of SMC and its Korean partner to supply bulk water at a cost of P8.50 per cubic meter beat the second best offer at P9.75 per cubic meter, making it the first bulk water project under the government’s public-private partnership scheme.

With the planned unsolicited proposal, Mr. Ang said SMC will be doing the project solo and without any local and foreign partner.

The Bulacan bulk water project started its commercial operations early this year. The launch marked the first stage of the project, which will initially bring potable water to four municipalities of Bulacan. The project is undertaken by Luzon Clean Water Development Corp., a unit of SMC, and Korean company K-Water Resources Corp.

PETRON CAPEX
During the same press briefing, Mr. Ang said Petron would continue with its investments as well as refinery, port and terminal expansion this year at a capital expenditure of at least $1 billion.

“We are still going to spend over a $1 billion,” he said. He did not disclose the comparable capital spending in 2018.

He said Petron will be building a steam producer boiler in its 180,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Limay, Bataan at a cost of $600 million. He said the investment is meant “to bring down the cost of the refinery and to optimize the refinery.”

Mr. Ang said the remaining $400 million will be used for fuel station network expansion, power line and pipeline upgrading.

On Tuesday, shares in SMC slipped by 0.37% to close at P186 each, while those of Petron rose by 5.36% to P5.70 each.

How Christo gets rich collectors to underwrite art for the masses

THE ARTIST Christo and his late wife/collaborator Jeanne-Claude have used fabric to spectacular effect. They wrapped Germany’s Reichstag in polypropylene, “hung” a curtain across a Colorado Valley, and, in 2016, built a floating, three-kilometer-long walkway across a lake in northern Italy for a work called The Floating Piers.

The installation lasted just 16 days, and was intended to have a maximum daily capacity of 45,000 people.

By the second day though, nearly 20,000 people an hour had poured onto the pier. Even after organizers instituted aggressive crowd control by closing down the nearby train station and restricting bus access, the final visitor tally, when the 16 days were over, was more than 1.2 million people. For context, that’s about a fifth of the annual attendance of the Vatican Museums.

In the new documentary Walking on Water, directed by Andrey Paounov, viewers are treated to a behind-the-scenes look at how the project unfolded — and how Christo has gamed the art market to serve his own ends.

As a record of the floating piers themselves, the documentary is invaluable. From planning meetings with local bureaucrats to the construction of the piers themselves (they were made up of 220,000 high-density plastic cubes that fit together like puzzle pieces, which in turn were wrapped with 100,000 square meters of dazzling, orange-gold nylon), the project evolves from an abstraction into a cultural phenomenon.

As the crowds literally sprint towards the piers on the opening day, the power and draw of participatory artworks is brought home with astonishing force. “We [are on track to have] 200,000 people in one day,” one of the organizers says, panicking. “If it was half that amount — 100,000 people would be too much. It’s madness.”

Later, the same man is less sanguine: “Who f*cked up and told us the maximum we’ll ever have is 45,000 people?” he asks, wild eyed as crowds surge their way through the town.

By the time the project was realized, Jeanne-Claude had been dead for seven years, and Christo, then in his mid 80s, was in charge of organizing it on his own. But even though he’s at the center of it all, the documentary doesn’t provide insight into why he wanted to build a floating walkway in the first place.

The closet viewers get is at a kick-off talk to the builders in charge of assembling the project. “It’s a project Jeanne-Claude and myself tried to do — where you can walk on water,” he says. “All of the money from the project comes from me, the works of art I do by my own hand. We have no assistant. I sell the works, and it pays the bills.” (The only real glimpse of Christo’s “process,” if you could call it that, is a series of excruciating clips where he bickers with subordinates.)

In one of the more fascinating scenes in the whole documentary, a collector in a suit and tie gets out of a gorgeous wooden motor boat and is led by a team — presumably all representatives of Christo — into a building on the shore of the lake, where he’s shown a series of Christo’s artworks that depict the Floating Piers.

It becomes apparent that the collector was promised one price for a large work — $250,000 — but that in the interim, the price has changed. “Christo produced 40 original works,” a representative explains with a half-hearted stab at contrition. “Very few are available, they are gone each day, [and each day the prices] go up.”

The same representative gestures to a large drawing on the wall. “A week ago, this was 1.6, today it’s 2.2,” he says, shrugging, meaning $2.2 million. “I mean, what can we do?”

Finally, the collector settles on a mid-sized work, which costs $500,000. “I have a CEO, which is my wife,” he says. “And luckily she has good taste for contemporary art.”

It’s rare that you can see the sausage getting made so explicitly, but in the film, Christo is unapologetic about using his collectable art to fund his transient installations. It’s also clear which version of his practice he actually cares about.

At a fancy cocktail party to celebrate the Piers opening, women in shimmering dresses and men in summer suits take turns getting lightly insulted as Christo makes his way through the crowd. “Do you remember me?” asks a woman brightly, her face falling into a frozen half-smile when Christo says he doesn’t. “In Rome I gave a dinner for you” she tells him. “Yes, yes, now I remember,” he says vaguely and moves on.

A man drops the names of his parents in law. “Galen Weston?” he says, naming one of the richest men in Canada. Christo nods: “Yes of course, big collectors of ours,” he replies, as if that’s a compliment in itself.

And in a way, it is. Christo might be a diva on occasion, but he’s managed to convince a few very wealthy people to effectively underwrite large-scale projects that cater to millions. Moreover, his continued ability to capture the imagination of all strata of society is a testament to the potency and potential of contemporary art.

After all, the Piers, he reminds people, aren’t just an attraction — they’re an artistic experience. “I’m flattered that so many people have come,” he says in a press conference announcing new crowd-control measures. “But if you’re in a hurry, don’t come.” — Bloomberg

MIAA remits P3.4B to national government

THE Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said it remitted P3.42 billion in dividends to the national government in 2018, fueled by the higher number of flights, passengers and additional concessions it had last year.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) operator’s remittance was 52% higher than the P2.25 billion remitted to the government in 2017.

Aside from the increase in volume of passengers and flights, MIAA Assistant General Manager Arlene Britanico attributed the higher remittance to stricter implementation of the point-of-sale system, rolling out variable parking rates and opening new parking spaces.

“The gain on sale of MIAA property to DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) for C5 extension largely contributed to the increase in MIAA’s net income for the year 2018,” she added.

The DPWH and private concessionaire Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. are currently constructing the C5 South Link Project, a portion of which involves acquiring right of way on structures owned by MIAA.

As a government-owned and -controlled corporation, the MIAA is required to remit 50% of its annual net income to the national government in exchange of its fiscal autonomy. — Denise A. Valdez

MPIC, Maynilad commit to help in Manila Bay rehabilitation

METRO PACIFIC Investments Corp. (MPIC) and Maynilad Water Services, Inc. have committed to help the government clean up Manila Bay through the Adopt-an-Estero program.

In a statement on Tuesday, MPIC and Maynilad said they signed the memorandum of understanding with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the Adopt-an-Estero program, which is part of the government’s efforts to rehabilitate Manila Bay. The partnership will span five years.

“MPIC has always been committed to protecting and preserving the natural environment, as well as promoting the health and safety of the general public. Upon acknowledging the objective of the DENR to promote stewardship among the private sector, MPIC through Maynilad is set on assisting government agencies in improving water quality parameters of the country’s water bodies,” MPIC President and Chief Executive Officer Jose Maria K. Lim was quoted as saying.

Under the MoU, MPIC will adopt and restore the following creeks (esteros): Estero de Vitas, Estero de San Lazaro, Estero de Kabulusan, Estero de Magdalena, Estero de Binondo, Estero dela Reina, Estero de Sampaloc, Estero de San Sebastian, Estero de San Miguel, Estero de Valencia, Estero de Quiapo, Estero de Uli-Uli, Estero de Paco, Estero de Pandacan, Estero de Tanque, Estero de Balete, Estero de Provisor, Estero de Concordia, Estero de Sunog Apog, and Estero de San Antonio Abad.

MPIC said it will closely coordinate with DENR, local government units, other government agencies, and stakeholders in the clean-up efforts. The company will also provide logistical support and mobilize schools and communities to take part in the program.

For its part, Maynilad will hasten the implementation of its wastewater plans and programs, such as the rehabilitation of sewer lines, connect customers to the existing sewage network, install collector pipes at easements cleared by the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, accelerate sewerage coverage, and conduct information and education campaigns on wastewater treatment and disposal.

”MPIC, Maynilad, and the DENR recognize that the concerted efforts of both the public and private sectors to clean Manila Bay’s riverine tributaries will have beneficial effects on the health and well-being of the public, promote environmental sustainability, and allow for flexibility in a climate of global warming,” the companies said.

Other MPIC companies such as Manila Electric Company (Meralco), Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Inc. (MPHHI), and Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) will also adopt esteros.

MPIC is one of three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc.

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.

Robinsons Bank posts lower income in 1st quarter

ROBINSONS BANK Corp. reported lower net income in the first quarter, dragged by higher operating costs amid its expansion.

In a report posted on the Philippine Dealing System website, the Gokongwei-led bank said it booked a P40.07-million net profit in the first three months of the year, plunging 56.2% from the P121.57 million recorded in the same quarter last year.

The bank attributed the slump in its bottom line to higher operating expenses, which stood at P952.57 million, 19.9% higher from the P795.14 million recorded in the comparable year-ago period.

“The significant increases in compensation and fringe benefits; taxes and licenses expense; and occupancy and equipment-related costs…are mainly attributable to business expansion activities,” the bank said.

Apart from this, the bank’s interest expense surged 85.2% to P838.35 million last quarter from the P452.71 million seen in the first three months of 2018.

Meanwhile, the slump in Robinsons Bank’s net income was tempered by its net interest earnings, which came in at P889.96 million in the January-March period, up 6% from P839.27 million a year ago.

This was bolstered by the 40.3% growth in interest earnings on loan and receivables at P1.4 billion from P997.65 million in the same quarter in 2018.

Total loans stood at P70.47 billion at end-March from P68.41 billion at end-2018.

Non-performing loans (NPL) ratio stood at 1.1% as of March, with the bank’s NPL cover at 32.54%.

On the funding side, the lender’s total deposit liabilities slid 2% to P93.12 billion in the quarter from P95.01 billion in the same period last year.

Net interest margin was at 3.14%.

Meanwhile, Robinsons Bank’s income from service fees and commissions stood at P92.75 million last quarter, more than double the P35.67 million booked in the same period in 2018.

Overall, the lender’s total assets were at P121.48 billion at end-March from P121.35 billion as of end-2018.

Robinsons Bank wants to double its net income this year to reach P756 million from the actual P317.11 million booked in 2018.

Robinsons Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Elfren Antonio S. Sarte said the expansion in the lender’s full-year earnings will be driven by growth in its interest and fee incomes. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

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