Hann Holdings says P13-B IPO on track, no pushback expected

August 8, 2025 | 12:09 am

HANN HOLDINGS, Inc., the operator of the Hann Casino Resort in Clark, said it does not expect any delays to its planned P13-billion initial public offering (IPO).

“We don’t see any risk that is going to push back (the IPO),” Hann Group Founder, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Dae Sik Han told reporters on Thursday.

Hann Group consists of Hann Holdings, Hann Philippines, Inc., Hann Properties Corp., Hann Property Development, Inc., Hann Foundation, Inc., and Widus International Leisure, Inc.

Hann Holdings plans to conduct a P13-billion IPO, which consists of a primary offer of up to 500 million common shares and an overallotment option of up to 50 million secondary common shares priced at up to P23.60 apiece.

The overallotment option will be offered by Hann Group Holdings W.L.L., the parent company of Hann Holdings.

Based on its latest prospectus dated July 31, the IPO offer period will run from Sept. 9 to 15, with listing on Sept. 23.

“This IPO will open another window for us to expand. IPO for fundraising is one thing, but the other one is credibility as well,” Mr. Han said.

“It’s going to be very difficult for me to somehow dream that someday I may branch out in different areas in the Philippines or even different countries. That kind of opportunity brought by the IPO, that makes me excited,” he added.

Hann Holdings expects to generate P11.43 billion in net proceeds, which will be used to fund the development and expansion plans and general corporate purposes of Hann Philippines.

Asked about the possibility of establishing new locations, Mr. Han hinted that he is open to “any opportunity” but reiterated that his current focus is on scaling up operations in Clark.

“Any business opportunity to increase the value of the company, yes, I will do it,” he said.

Hann Holdings tapped CLSA Ltd. as the sole global coordinator for the IPO. It will also serve as joint bookrunner, together with domestic underwriters Asia United Bank Corp., BDO Capital & Investment Corp., China Bank Capital Corp., and PNB Capital and Investment Corp.

It is set to become the second IPO this year, following Cebu-based fuel retailer Top Line Business Development Corp. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

CREC taps P4.4-B Security Bank loan for 125-MW solar farm

August 8, 2025 | 12:08 am

citicore-Sta.-Barbara-1-Solar-Power-Project-in-Pangasinan — CREC.COM.PH

LISTED renewable energy company Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) has secured a P4.4-billion term loan facility from Security Bank Corp. to finance its 125-megawatt (MW) solar power project in Pangasinan.

“Project finance is key to realizing the renewable energy transition, with projects like Citicore Solar (CS) Pangasinan able to move faster and mitigate risks with the support of partners like Security Bank, which understand that sustainability requires cooperation between industries,” CREC President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Oliver Y. Tan said in a statement on Thursday.

Situated in the municipality of Sta. Barbara in Pangasinan, the CS Pangasinan Solar project is one of CREC’s priority projects in its “five gigawatts (GW) in five years” goal.

The Department of Energy has certified the solar farm as an energy project of national significance, expediting the permitting and development processes to ensure its completion by yearend.

“By supporting Citicore’s Sta. Barbara solar power project, we acknowledge that achieving long-term energy security requires proactive investment and development today,” said Security Bank Capital President and CEO Virgilio O. Chua.

“We see this financing not only as a catalyst for clean energy development but also as a means to create meaningful socioeconomic benefits, including local job creation and land use optimization,” he added.

For 2025, CREC has earmarked a capital expenditure budget of more than $1 billion, with the majority of the funds allocated to its first GW of solar power projects.

CREC, directly and through its subsidiaries and joint ventures, manages a diversified portfolio of renewable energy generation projects, power project development operations, and retail electricity supply services.

At present, the company has a combined gross installed capacity of 287 megawatts from its solar facilities in the Philippines. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

LG drops latest AI-powered xboom lineup, in collaboration with will.i.am

August 8, 2025 | 12:08 am

LG LAUNCHES NEXT-GEN XBOOM -2 — THE Black Eyed Peas front man will.i.am with the LG xboom Stage 301

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SOUTH KOREAN tech brand LG has officially launched its latest audio lineup, xboom, which features artificial intelligence (AI) smart sound, with nine-time Grammy winner will.i.am steering its creative direction.

Xboom officially dropped its first beat on Tuesday. In the lineup are the LG xboom Stage 301, LG xboom Bounce, LG xboom Grab, and LG xboom Buds.

“The lineup is meticulously tuned by will.i.am, the experiential architect of LGX booth AI, to deliver richer, warmer, and an unparalleled immersive listening experience,” Mildred Bugay, LG Philippines product manager, said during the launch.

“This is a kiss of a deep blend of cutting-edge technology and vibrant pop culture, elevating the entire audio experience,” she added.

The speakers feature AI Sound, which allows them to adjust their settings based on the song’s genre and the environment where it is played.

Similarly, its AI Lighting feature can also detect the mood of the song and match it with lighting effects.

The biggest of the speakers is the LG xboom Stage 301, which features a 6.5-inch woofer and 2.5-inch midranges. The speaker is expected to deliver immersive sound, filling the room with deep bass and wide stereo clarity.

LG said it has a battery life of 12 hours of playtime, and it also has an IPX4 rating for water resistance and a dedicated LG ThinQ app for sound controls.

For a more portable design, the LG xboom Bounce offers deep bass and dynamic sound, boosted by dual passive radiators and twin dome tweeters.

Uninterrupted playtime is also expected from the speaker, with its 30-hour battery life — the longest among the bunch. It is also equipped with a military-grade IP67 rating for water and dust protection, according to LG.

For handheld speaker enthusiasts, the LG xboom Grab could be a choice. The speaker is distinct for its crisp, dynamic sound, delivered through its small yet high-performing 16mm dome tweeter. It is also protected by the military-grade IP67 rating for water and dust resistance and offers up to 20 hours of playtime.

For the true wireless earphones, the lineup has the LG xboom Buds, which are expected to deliver rich and crisp sound powered by the brand’s latest technology. Much like its big brothers, the buds are also powered by AI and feature advanced noise cancellation, even for their microphones.

The latest xboom lineup is now available on LG Philippines’ official website. — Edg Adrian A. Eva

20,000-km Bifrost Cable lands in Davao — Converge ICT

August 8, 2025 | 12:07 am

CONVERGE ICT SOLUTIONS, Inc. said the Bifrost Cable System has reached the Philippines following its landing in Davao.

“Since we’ve announced this project, we’ve seen overwhelming demand from carriers and internet service providers (ISPs) seeking to purchase capacity,” Converge Chief Executive Officer Dennis Anthony H. Uy said in a media release on Thursday.

The Bifrost Cable System is a trans-Pacific cable system that connects Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the United States.

The system also enables ultra-low latency and high-capacity bandwidth amid the growing digital economy, it said.

This development is expected to advance the country’s digital transformation and global connectivity, Converge said, noting that the company will now provide direct access to one of the most advanced international subsea cable systems.

“This milestone is more than a technological achievement — it’s a national enabler. With this critical infrastructure in place, we are not only enabling digital transformation but also creating new trade pathways and opportunities for the Philippines,” Mr. Uy said.

The expected commercial operations of the Bifrost Cable System are also seen to attract hyperscalers, data centers, and enterprise clients, and to provide secure and scalable international gateway access to North America and other regional hubs.

“This upgrade will empower businesses, financial institutions, tech companies, and the public sector to tap into a world-class infrastructure backbone that meets the demands of next-generation applications and global e-commerce,” Converge said.

Once the 20,000-kilometer (km) Bifrost Cable System is fully operational, Converge will be the exclusive Philippine partner operating the international cable landing station in Davao and will help position the country as a digital hub in Asia, Mr. Uy said.

Converge operates about 862,000 kilometers of fiber optic assets nationwide. The company also serves as a partner in international subsea cable systems such as the Bifrost and SEA-H2X, which aim to boost trans-Pacific and intra-Asia connectivity.

At the stock exchange on Thursday, shares in the company fell by 24 centavos, or 1.32%, to close at P17.96 apiece. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Filipino talent shines in Freakier Friday

August 8, 2025 | 12:07 am

Manny Jacinto attends PHL movie premiere

TWENTY-TWO years after the 2003 Disney Movie classic Freaky Friday comes an unexpected yet delightful surprise for adults who are still teens-at-heart — the sequel, titled Freakier Friday.

There’s another draw to the film for Filipinos. One of its stars is the heartthrob Filipino-Canadian actor Manny Jacinto.

Freakier Friday continues the story of a dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship that was introduced by Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in the 2003 movie. That comedy film (itself a remake of the 1976 film starring a very young Jodie Foster) became a cult classic for millennials, embedded in popular culture. Twenty-two years after Tess (Ms. Curtis) and her daughter Anna Coleman (Ms. Lohan), had their bodies swapped, Anna now has a daughter (Julia Butters) and, after striking up a romance with fellow single parent Eric Reyes (played by Mr. Jacinto), a British soon-to-be stepdaughter (Sophia Hammons). While navigating a new blended family, Tess and Anna experience an even bigger body swap spell that threatens to tear the future of the family apart.

Mr. Jacinto flew to Manila to attend the premiere of the film. He met with fans, signed their merchandise, and spoke to the press on Aug. 5 at SM Mall of Asia.

“It feels like a dream,” he said. “I was born here, so a local boy that gets to act opposite Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis is wild to me. I never would have thought. But here we are.”

The 37-year-old actor was born in Manila and moved to Canada when he was three years old when his family emigrated.

During his visit, he was excited to be able to “practice Tagalog.”

“Sana panoorin niyo ang Freakier Friday. Maraming maraming salamat po (I hope you all watch Freakier Friday. Thank you very very much),” he said. “It’s a dream to be here right now.”

For Mr. Jacinto, the role is special because it is his first time to play a father. His Hollywood career includes many acclaimed roles: he played Jason Mendoza in the NBC comedy The Good Place, the villain Qimir in Disney’s Star Wars series The Acolyte, the wellness guru Yao in Nine Perfect Strangers, and small roles in films like Top Gun: Maverick and Bad Times at the El Royale.

He said that he “drew upon the experiences and memories of his parents” for this first role as a parent.

“They’re [my] biggest fans. They’re super supportive,” he explained. On getting the news that he would be in the film, he added, “It was unbelievable. I was going to play a father for the first time. I would have an anak, a little kid of my own for the first time.”

Freakier Friday, the sequel to the beloved Disney classic, is now showing in Philippine cinemas nationwide. Directed by Nisha Ganatra, it features elements similar to the first film: a body swap among women in the family who must learn from each other, and hijinks that ensue as a result.

Aside from the four female leads, Mr. Jacinto’s other co-stars are Chad Michael Murray, Mark Harmon, and Rosalind Chao who are reprising their roles from the first movie, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Vanessa Bayer.

Mr. Jacinto hopes that he will make Filipinos proud with his performance as Filipino-British chef Eric Reyes.

“It’s nerve-wracking. I can’t wait. I hope I made you guys proud,” he said. — Brontë H. Lacsamana, with a report from Reuters

CLI signs P3-B sustainability-linked notes deal to support projects

August 8, 2025 | 12:06 am

CLI-The-Wave-Towers — THE WAVE TOWERS — CEBU LANDMASTERS, INC.

LISTED property developer Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) has signed a P3-billion sustainability-linked notes facility to fund its upcoming real estate developments, it said on Thursday.

The sustainability-linked notes will have tenors of seven and 10 years from their initial issue date and will be used to finance real estate developments and general corporate purposes, CLI said in a regulatory filing.

“These qualified buyers include, among others, BPI Asset Management and Trust Corporation (“BPI Wealth”) in its capacity as trustee or investment manager for various noteholders, Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation (“SLIMTC”) acting as Investment Manager on behalf of its clients,” it noted.

BPI Capital Corp. acted as sole arranger and bookrunner for the transaction, CLI said, while BPI Asset Management and Trust Corp. will serve as facility agent and paying agent for the sustainability-linked notes facility.

CLI earlier noted plans to allocate P12 billion for the initial phases of two projects in Luzon, namely a horizontal development and a condominium project. The first Luzon project is slated to launch next year.

The latest facility also marks CLI’s second sustainable fund-raising initiative, which is tied to environmental, social, and governance objectives.

In March, CLI raised P5 billion from its first sustainability-linked bond issuance to fund the construction of 16,000 affordable housing units in the Visayas and Mindanao by March 2029.

For 2025, CLI has allocated P15 billion for capital expenditures to support the expansion of its portfolio.

The company posted a 2% increase in its first-quarter attributable net income to P995 million, driven by sustained demand for its Visayas and Mindanao developments.

CLI has a portfolio of 130 projects across 17 cities, covering offices, residential developments, mixed-use projects, resorts, hotels, co-living and co-working spaces, and townships.

At the local bourse on Thursday, CLI shares closed flat at P2.50 apiece. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

In Freakier Friday, Lindsay Lohan gives the performance we didn’t know we needed

August 8, 2025 | 12:06 am

Jamie-Lee-Curtis-and-Lindsay-Lohan-in-a-scene-from-Freakier-Friday.- — JAMIE LEE CURTIS and Lindsay Lohan in a scene from Freakier Friday.

By Esther Zuckerman

Movie Review
Freakier Friday
Directed by Nisha Ganatra

TO DESCRIBE just how meaningful the Lindsay Lohan-Jamie Lee Curtis remake of Freaky Friday was to a 13-year-old in 2003, I’ll use an anecdote. Shortly after seeing the movie with my mom, she asked me if I wanted to get a second piercing in my ear, a gesture that meant the world to an awkward tween desperate for some edge. My mom understood that Lohan in that movie was the pinnacle of cool, and that she could in turn gain some cred, just like Curtis on screen, if she submitted to my whims. Meanwhile, I got a little closer to approximating Lohan’s perfect teen aura. In the early 2000s she was an influencer before that was even a term, the most famous girl in the world, who seemed destined for unstoppable greatness.

That was the magic of the movie, directed by Mark Waters, which updated the body-swap plot to the early ’00s with a lot of heart and a little bit of pop punk. The movie succeeded because of how equally balanced it was to the perspectives of mother and daughter — with Curtis and Lohan both turning in genius comedic performances that were funny but never felt mocking.

Still, as much as I loved Freaky Friday, it was hard to imagine that a sequel coming more than 20 years later could recapture any of the glory of its predecessor. After all, in the interim years we watched Lohan’s very public fall from glory, hounded by tabloids as a victim of that era’s cultural misogyny. For a while she seemed to exist not as an actress but as a curio — remember Lindsay Lohan’s Beach Club, anyone? — only to tiptoe her way back to respectability by way of corny Netflix Christmas movies.

And yet Freakier Friday, directed by Nisha Ganatra, has defied the odds. It’s charming and genuinely sweet, and it made me both giggle and tear up. That alone is a win.

Of course, in many ways Curtis never left us. During a light interregnum from major film work, she remained in the public eye with her warmly incessant Activia TV commercials. Then she made a blazing return to her old Halloween stomping grounds and won an Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once. And her funny, outspoken social media presence — plus an “I’ll do anything” approach to roles — has made her easy to root for.

Blessedly, Lohan seems back in her old groove again playing Anna Coleman, the once rebellious teenager who’s now a single mom. She’s relatively hip but still, you know, a mom. We learn Anna’s band Pink Slip did achieve some level of fame, but Anna herself left the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle to become a manager for pop stars. Her daughter Harper (Julia Butters) is now the rebellious one, but her form of acting out is different from what her mom’s was. Harper is a surfer girl with a “no triggering” sign on her door who sneaks out of her room early to catch some waves.

Curtis’ Tess, meanwhile, has become an overly involved grandmother who podcasts on the side. The Colemans’ rhythms are put to the test when Anna falls hard for Eric (the dreamy Manny Jacinto), a British chef. He just happens to be the widower father of Harper’s high school enemy Lily (Sophia Hammons), whose fashion-obsessed snobbery doesn’t jibe with Harper’s laid-back vibes.

About a year later, Anna and Eric are about to get married, and the girls still hate each other. That resentment grows even stronger when Harper learns Anna is planning on moving them all to London. It’s a development that also irks Tess, who doesn’t want their whole family abandoning her.

So they all have a lot of stuff to work out when the body swapping happens, which it does thanks to a psychic/reiki healer/general entrepreneur who’s hired as the entertainment at Anna’s bachelorette party, played to hilariously dotty perfection by Vanessa Bayer. Anna gets Harper’s body and vice versa, while Tess gets Lily’s and so forth. The latter swap gives Curtis the chance to exercise British slang to great effect. In fact, playing a younger person in her own skin is maybe the perfect use of Curtis’ on-screen intensity.

The adults in teen bodies relish their youthful metabolisms and their ability to stand up without their joints hurting. The teens in adult bodies scheme to break up their parents by reaching out to Anna’s ex Jake (Chad Michael Murray, with unexpectedly one of the funniest bits in the whole movie). Eventually, thanks to myriad misunderstandings, they all learn something about one another’s perspective along the way.

Occasionally, the gags are a bit cringey. Harper and Lily (now looking like Anna and Tess) befriend Anna’s emotionally vulnerable client (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) and try on hideously poofy dresses from a fashion shoot. I have a hard time believing Gen Z would think these fashions are actually cool. But the goofiness is part of the fun, and it’s offset by deeply felt performances from the cast, particularly Lohan and Butters.

Butters, who wowed audiences as the tiny girl who gives Leonardo DiCaprio the what’s what in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood…, is extraordinary in conveying the adult longings of a grown-up trapped in her daughter’s skin. As Harper-pretending-to-be-Anna, you see Lohan heartbreakingly realize just how loved her mother is by the man she wants to get rid of because of her own selfish desires. It’s an absolute pleasure to watch the actress once again turn in a performance that’s alternately as nuanced and silly as this one.

Ultimately, what makes Freakier Friday successful is that it understands what made the first one so good wasn’t just the goofy high jinks and catchy soundtrack. (Though speaking of that soundtrack: “Take Me Away” and “Ultimate,” both tracks from the original, are back and remain bangers.) Those are fun, but it was the mother-daughter connection that elevated it to modern classic. Freakier Friday adds two more generations to the mix and comes out with a touching story about how we all have to make little sacrifices for the happiness of the ones we love. — Bloomberg

Maya sees sustained profitability

August 8, 2025 | 12:06 am

MAYA-Shailesh Baidwan — MAYA GROUP PRESIDENT and Maya Bank Co-Founder Shailesh Baidwan — MAYA GROUP

MAYA GROUP expects to remain profitable this year as its digital bank continues to roll out more products to tap different market sectors.

“We became profitable in December, and we continue to be profitable month on month since then,” Maya Group President and Maya Bank Co-Founder Shailesh Baidwan told reporters on the sidelines of an event late on Wednesday.

“[It’s still] early days for our credit card business, but at this stage, we are extremely happy with the way the customers are using our products. And with the profitability profile of our products, we expect to sustain the profitability for the rest of the year,” Mr. Baidwan said.

Maya Bank on Wednesday officially launched its Maya Black credit card, which is its second card product and seeks to cater first-time credit cardholders through secured and unsecured credit lines, fast digital approval, instant virtual issuance, and full in-app control. The card also offers other perks like rewards points called Maya Miles, airport lounge access via DragonPass.

Maya Black now has over 40,000 cardholders following the card’s pilot rollout in May.

Overall, the digital bank has issued over 230,000 credit cards since August 2024, including its co-branded card with membership shopping mart Landers Superstore.

Maya Group or Maya Innovations Holdings, Pte. Ltd., formerly Voyager Innovations Holdings, Pte. Ltd., is the parent holding company of Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc.

Maya Philippines is registered with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as an electronic money issuer, remittance and transfer company, operator of payment system, and virtual asset services provider. Meanwhile, Maya Bank is one of the six BSP-licensed digital banks in the country.

PLDT Inc., Maya Innovations’ main shareholder, said in May that the group posted a net income of P127 million in the first quarter, driven by strong lending, deposit, and payments volumes, with Maya Bank being in the black starting September 2024.

PLDT expects the group to generate about P1 billion in profit this year.

As of end-June, Maya Bank reached 8.2 million customers and over P50 billion in deposits, Mr. Baidwan said.

“As you roll out more lending products, you’ve got to make sure that the margins support the right kind of provisions and losses, so that’s what we need to work on. We’re very pleased with the current set of products,” he said.

Provisioning and the digital bank’s artificial intelligence (AI)-powered credit scoring will keep nonperforming loan levels manageable as they launch more consumer products like credit cards, with many of their clients being first-time cardholders, the official added.

“Less than 15% of Filipino adults have a credit card. So, 85% are still to receive a credit card. So, there are things that we will test and learn along the way because of things like the coverage from the credit bureau is not where we would like it to be, so we are constantly testing, learning, and then tweaking our AI engines for credit scoring and underwriting,” Mr. Baidwan said.

He added that the bank’s current product profile cushions it from the potential earnings impact of lower borrowing costs.

“We are cognizant of any softening that happens in interest rates. But at this stage, we believe — given the way our products are profiled, given the stage of growth that we are in, and the growth journey that we have ahead — we are not at a mature level in terms of our loan-to-deposit ratio, so we have more headroom to grow. We believe at this stage we will be comfortable and okay with some reductions that are expected for rates in the near future.”

Mr. Baidwan also said that Maya Bank will continue to serve underserved segments, with plans to tap the micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector by providing them with capital loans.

Meanwhile, Maya Group on Wednesday also launched Maya Black Preferred, a merchant-linked rewards program that connects its credit platform to its acquiring network. Under the program, Maya Black cardholders can earn up to 10 times Maya Miles when they shop at over 600 Maya Black Preferred merchants nationwide.

Maya Group plans to further expand this program to MSMEs by using behavioral insights from its suite of business tools Maya Checkout, Maya POS (point-of-sale) and Maya Business Manager, it said.

“We’re not just launching a credit card — we’re activating the full power of Maya’s ecosystem. With innovations like the Maya Black Preferred partner program, we will not only expand access to credit but also create even greater value for consumers and businesses alike,” Mr. Baidwan said in a speech at the launch.

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. — A.M.C. Sy

Okada Manila operator TRLEI names Nobuki Sato as new president, COO

August 8, 2025 | 12:05 am

OKADA MANILA operator Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment, Inc. (TRLEI) has named Nobuki Sato as its new president and chief operating officer (COO), effective Sept. 15.

Mr. Sato will replace Byron Yip, who is set to conclude his seven-year leadership, Okada Manila said in an e-mailed statement on Thursday.

“This leadership transition reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence and long-term value creation,” Okada Manila said.

Before his appointment, Mr. Sato served as senior executive officer and chief financial officer at TRLEI’s ultimate parent company, Universal Entertainment Corp. (UEC).

Mr. Sato brings over 20 years of extensive leadership experience in hospitality, finance, and strategic operations. He has served on the TRLEI board since March 2023.

“We extend our heartfelt appreciation for Byron’s contributions and are pleased that he will continue to support the organization to ensure a seamless transition. We are confident that Nobuki Sato’s proven expertise in operational and financial management will guide Okada Manila into its next phase of strategic growth and innovation,” UEC Representative Director and President Tomohiro Okada said.

“Mr. Yip’s leadership has been instrumental in establishing Okada Manila as a leading destination in the region, exemplified by our achievement of the Forbes 5-Star rating — the largest Forbes 5-star Integrated Resort in the Philippines to receive this distinction for the sixth consecutive year — and the successful execution of key expansion initiatives,” he added.

Okada Manila operates a 30-hectare integrated resort with hospitality, gaming, and entertainment offerings. It features 1,001 rooms, more than 40 dining venues, facilities for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions, an indoor beach club, and various shopping options. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Stuff to Do (08/08/25)

August 8, 2025 | 12:05 am

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Shop at the MaArte bazaar

DAILY until Aug. 10, The Peninsula Manila is once again filled with the vibrancy and ingenuity of Filipino crafts, fashion, and art at its finest as it hosts MaArte at The Pen. Now in its 15^th year — with over 160 exhibitors, including 40 first-time participants — MaArte is the signature fundraising event of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines. A portion of proceeds from every purchase goes directly to the Museum Foundation of the Philippines’ programs for the National Museum and the museum community. This year, MaArte introduces a food and beverage category for the first time. Admission is free to the fair, which this year occupies the 5^th Floor Guest Rooms, the 2^nd Floor Meeting Rooms, The Conservatory and The Upper Lobby at the 2^nd floor, the Garcia Villa and Balagtas Function Rooms, and the Rigodon Ballroom.

Look at the stars at Gateway’s Space Week

PHILIPPINE SPACE WEEK 2025 will take place from Aug. 8 to 14, at Quantum Skyview, Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta City, Quezon City. It is organized by the Philippine Space Agency, which invites visitors to explore the world of satellites, rockets, and space data. It features interactive exhibits, games, and activities for the whole family, and other events focusing exclusively for science and space enthusiasts. Admission is free.

Visit a plant bazaar at Capitol Commons

The 2^nd edition of Bloom & Brew will be held at the Capitol Commons Park from Aug. 8 to 10. This unique garden and lifestyle fair will bring together 42 plant partners, showcasing a diverse collection of plants, gardening supplies, and eco-friendly finds for plant enthusiasts and green lifestyle advocates. The weekend’s highlights include the Kokedama Workshop — the Japanese art of creating moss ball planters for a stylish indoor green touch — on Aug. 9, 3-5 p.m., and a Permaculture Farming Demonstration and Talk with Sixto Bereber on Aug. 10, 3-5 p.m. There will also be a Tabletop Competition with the theme “Colorful Plants,” where participants showcase vibrant and creative plant arrangements. Participants can join by reaching out to HortiFilipina on Facebook or on Aug. 8 at the Capitol Commons Park. The competition runs from Aug. 8-10 with the awarding ceremony happening on Aug. 10, 8 p.m.

Attend a candlelit tribute show to Filipino music

THE candlelit tribute concert DILAAB will honor the legacy of Filipino songwriter Trina Belamide, featuring live performances of songs from her new book Trilogy: The Songs of Trina Belamide. The recently launched book, collects stories, lead sheets, photos, and memories from her 30 years of songwriting. The concert will be held on Aug. 9 and 10, at 6 and 8:30 p.m. at YSpace at the Yuchengco Museum, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Tickets are priced at P2,000, with discounted prices for seniors and PWDs at P1,600 and for students at P1,000.

Enjoy the opera at Sopranong Kalbo

A NEW theater company, Teatro Meron, presents Rolando Tinio’s translation of Eugene Ionesco’s Sopranong Kalbo (The Bald Soprano), a classic of the Theater of the Absurd. Directed by Ron Capinding, it will have performances on Aug. 8 to 10 at the Rizal Minitheater of the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. It stars Joel Macabenta, Miren Alvarez-Fabregas, Joseph dela Cruz, Pickles Leonidas, Goldie Soon, and Yam Yuzon. Tickets come in different categories, priced from P700 to P800 and are available at Ticket2Me.

Attend a performance of Portrait of the Artist

ARETÉ ATENEO is producing a Filipino translation of Nick Joaquin’s classic A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, entitled Quomodo Desolata Es? The translation was written by Jerry Respeto and Guelan Varela-Luarca who is also the director. The play is set in Intramuros just before World War II and follows two sisters as they see the world change around them. It stars Gan Pangilinan, Delphine Buencamino, Omar Uddin, Vino Mabalat, and John Sanchez. There will be performances from Aug. 8 to 17 at the Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. Tickets range in price from P999 to P1,499 and are available via Helixpay.

Shop for Tefal at SM Makati

TEFAL in SM Makati is offering a wide array of exclusive deals and discounts throughout the month of August. Shoppers can enjoy 20% off on kitchen tools, and those who purchase any item from the color collections will receive 30% off. Delibake products are available at 40% off. Customers who purchase any Tefal item will get the chance to play a Pachinko game for prizes. For a minimum spend of P3,500 on Tefal products, shoppers will receive a Delibake loaf pan.

Vote on the new music countdown program Vibe

MQUEST Ventures has launched TV5’s music countdown show, Vibe, where fans have the power to decide which OPM songs top the list. It gathers some of today’s young artists as the “Vibe” jocks: Dylan Menor, Elijah Canlas, Ana Ramsey, Queenay, Paulo Angeles, Kych Minemoto, Ryle Santiago, Joao Constancia, and Maxie Andreison. Its multi-platform voting system uses SMS, website, and Messenger. Radio request voting will also be facilitated via 105.7 TrueFM. The main show airs every Sunday at 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., showcasing the Top 10 Hottest Songs of the week voted by the fans, then brought to life by artists live on the “Vibe” stage. The show officially premieres on Aug. 9, with its pilot countdown episode airing on TV5.

Support a fundraising show

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and BOGT Philippines present fundraising performances of 13^th of September on Aug. 10, before the show is brought to Monaco to represent the Philippines at the Mondial du Théâtre. BOGT Philippines has said that the critically acclaimed production has received its third invitation to an international theater festival, this after joining the festivals in Canada (2019) and Germany (2021, 2022). The 18^th Mondial du Théâtre in Monaco will run from Aug. 20-27. The fundraising send-off performances (to help cover essential expenses for the delegation) will be on Aug. 10, 3 and 7 p.m., at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Pasay City. The tickets cost P1,000 and P800 and are available on Ticketworld.com. The 13^th of September is an adaptation by three-time Palanca awardee Eljay Castro Deldoc from Lanie Robertson’s The Insanity of Mary Girard, about a woman who is committed to an asylum by her husband after she becomes pregnant by another man. It is directed by Riki Benedicto and star Andoy Ranay as Mary Girard, together with Lao Rodriguez and Drew Espenocilla.

Go to the circus at Side Show: The Musical

ONGOING until Aug. 17 at Circuit Makati’s Power Mac Center Spotlight is the Sandbox Collective’s production of Side Show: The Musical, which revolves around the life of conjoined twins and their fellow “freaks” who live in a carnival in 1930s America. The cast features Jon Santos, Tanya Manalang, Molly Langley, and Marvin Ong. Tickets are available through Ticket2me.

Listen to Mark Feist collab with Jay R

ACCLAIMED Filipino-Australian producer Mark Feist is back in the Philippines, having produced two tracks with the Philippines’ R&B King, Jay R. Their first release, “Tunay,” which dropped end of July, delivers a refreshing New Jack Swing-inspired beat paired with an R&B hook. The second one, still under wraps and coming soon, is a duet between Jay R and rising pop newcomer Shanice.

Watch horror-thriller Weapons now in cinemas

THE horror-thriller Weapons, from writer-director Zach Cregger, is now showing in Philippine cinemas. It is set in a town where an entire class of children mysteriously vanishes on the same night at exactly the same time. It stars Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan. It is in regular and IMAX cinemas nationwide. It has an MTRCB rating of R-18.

Listen to Muri, Shigge EP

FILIPINO indie pop and soul artist Muri and Japanese electronic producer Shigge have released their first joint EP, SETSUNA, on all digital music platforms worldwide. Titled after a Japanese word with Buddhist origins that means “instant,” SETSUNA aims to symbolize the beauty of fleeting yet powerful moments. The cross-cultural collaboration mixes genres like neo-soul, house, and UKG with dance-infused rhythms and drum n’ bass.

Public offer of new RTBs now limited to individual investors amid strong demand

August 8, 2025 | 12:05 am

THE GOVERNMENT’S latest tranche of retail Treasury bonds (RTBs) will only be sold to individual investors starting Friday following strong demand from the market.

“Due to the significant volume of bids received, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) will only accept bids for individual investors starting Aug. 8 until the end of the offer period… as such, all selling agents must limit the submission of their bids for individual investors only,” the Treasury said in a notice posted on its website on Thursday.

The BTr said an individual investor is defined as “a natural person under Philippine law.”

“For this purpose, trust accounts and/or private banking arrangements representing funds of natural persons or a group of natural persons, such as but not limited to employee retirement or trust funds, provident funds, cooperatives, associations and investment management accounts, are considered individual investors…,” it added.

The Treasury will also close its exchange offer for the RTBs on Friday, it said in the same notice, a week earlier than scheduled. Holders of government bonds maturing on Sept. 9, 2025, Feb. 4, 2026, and Feb. 14, 2026 have until 4 p.m. on Friday to swap their holdings for the new retail bonds.

The government raised an initial P210 billion from via its offer of five-year retail Treasury bonds at the rate-setting auction held on Tuesday, with tenders reaching P354.175 billion.

The notes are priced at 6% per annum, payable quarterly.

The public offer period will run until Aug. 15, while settlement is on Aug. 20.

National Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza earlier said the government is aiming to raise P300 billion in fresh funding, excluding the volume generated through the bond exchange offer program.

However, they do not target to surpass the P584.86-billion record achieved in last year’s RTB issuance.

The new RTBs are available in bank branches and digital platforms including BTr’s Online Ordering Facility, the Bonds.PH app, Land Bank of the Philippines, Overseas Filipino Bank and GCash via GBonds.

The government borrows from local and foreign sources to help fund its budget deficit, which is capped at P1.56 trillion or 5.5% of gross domestic product this year. — A.M.C. Sy

Disney tops earnings forecasts with streaming gains

August 8, 2025 | 12:04 am

LOS ANGELES — Walt Disney posted better-than-expected quarterly results and raised its annual profit forecast on Wednesday, led by gains in the streaming business, which is expected to be the centerpiece of its growth strategy in coming years.

In the last 24 hours, the media and entertainment company entered two major deals with the National Football League (NFL) and WWE as it readies its $29.99-per-month ESPN streaming service that will give viewers access to sporting events, including the NFL and National Basketball Association.

The entertainment giant is betting that combining its Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN services into a single streaming app will fuel growth of its profitable streaming service and help offset declines in its traditional television business. The company estimates its direct-to-consumer business will generate operating income of $1.3 billion in the fiscal year that ends in September, up 30% from its original guidance.

“We’ll bundle that trio — Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN,” Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger told investors, calling it “an opportunity to lower churn (and) increase engagement.” That bundle will also be offered at $29.99 as a one-year promotion.

Disney said its pivotal deal with the NFL, in which it will acquire the NFL Network and other media assets from the league in exchange for a 10% equity stake in Disney’s ESPN sports network, will allow the company to offer a more compelling experience for football fans. The deal needs regulatory approval.

The company also negotiated exclusive rights to major wrestling events, including WrestleMania and Royal Rumble in the streaming service, set to launch Aug. 21.

“Expect the earlier-than-planned launch of Disney’s ‘ESPN’ streaming service to give Disney’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) business a notable lift in revenue,” said Forrester Vice-President Mike Proulx.

“Disney is racing full force to sign sports rights with the company’s NFL and WWE announcements. This is yet another signal that the latest battle in the streaming war is all about live sports programming.”

Nonetheless, Disney’s stock fell 3% in early trading, reflecting investor concern about the performance of the traditional television business, which saw a 28% decline in operating income.

“Investors are aware of the decline in linear TV but it was worse than expected,” said Ben Barringer, head of technology research at Quilter Cheviot. “It is an industry-wide trend and very little can be done to arrest it.”

Sports and experiences businesses dominated Thursday’s investor call, as the company expands its global theme parks and adds more vessels to its cruise line.

Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston said Walt Disney World posted a record third quarter. He said bookings are up 6% for the fourth quarter. — Reuters