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Four tropical cyclone-type vortices may emerge in the coming weeks

The PAGASA Astronomical Observatory within the University of the Philippines campus in Quezon City. — PAGASA.DOST.GOV.PH
Source: PAGASA

The development of four tropical cyclone-like vortices (TCLV) are possible to happen in the next two weeks, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday.  

In its tropical cyclone threat potential forecast bulletin, which evaluates the likelihood of tropical cyclone formation within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), PAGASA said that the first two TCLVs are likely to develop between August 15 to 21.  

TCLV 1 will likely form near Eastern Luzon and is predicted to move into eastern Taiwan, while TCLV 2 may develop over the West Philippine Sea, and is expected to track toward the Hainan-Vietnam area.  

The second two TLCVs are predicted to form between August 22 to 28, where TCLV 3 will likely emerge over the eastern boundaries of the PAR and Tropical Cyclone Advisory Domain (TCAD).  

TCV4 is forecasted to form over the northwestern boundary of PAR and will likely head towards the Hainan-Vietnam area.  

Due to the forecasts, PAGASA has raised the tropical cyclone threat potential starting Friday until next Thursday. – Edg Adrian A. Eva

Researchers, inventors urged to seek DOST aid for funding, IP protection

A multi-purpose cheese shredder and grater invented by Johnny B. Bañez | Photo by Edg Adrian A. Eva, BusinessWorld

Local researchers and inventors who are seeking funding and protection for their intellectual property can get assistance from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), an official said.   

Caezar Angelito E. Arceo, chief science research specialist of the DOST-Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI), told BusinessWorld that the agency has various programs to help Filipino inventors and researchers in their journey from research and development to commercialization. 

“Even if they have no intention yet to market or commercialize, as long as they already have a working prototype or a concept that is novel and patentable, we will support them,” Mr. Arceo said in both mixed English and Tagalog during a field site visit in Albay on Thursday.  

For researchers and inventors seeking to improve their concepts, DOST has various research councils that can help them, Mr. Arceo said. Some of these include the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).  

They can also go to innovation hubs (i-hubs) located across the country, which serve as dedicated spaces for innovation and startups. In the Bicol Region, i-hubs can be found in all six provinces. 

On concerns over funding and intellectual property protection, Mr. Arceo said that TAPII is a dedicated arm of the DOST for these natters. The institute also ensures that researchers and innovators can bridge their work to the market.  

“We provide financial assistance — we directly give the money to the grantee. We also offer technical assistance; if there are gaps, we accommodate their concerns and also help link them to the right persons,” Mr. Arceo said.  

30-year old inventor, Johnny B. Bañez, demonstrates how his multi-purpose cheese shredder and grater works. | Photo by Edg Adrian A. Eva, BusinessWorld

Johnny B. Bañez, a 30-year old inventor of the motorized multi-purpose machine for grating and shredding, has received support from DOST-TAPII through funding and by securing a utility model patent. 

“Napaka-importante ng tulong ng DOST dahil may funds sila at may tao sila na handang tumulong sa mga ideas na pwedeng gawin [The help of DOST is very important because they have funds and people who are willing to support ideas that can be developed],” Mr. Bañez told BusinessWorld.  

Mr. Arceo said researchers and innovators should not hesitate to approach the DOST if they have novel discoveries, as the agency can help develop and protect their works and eventually bridge them for the benefit of the public. – Edg Adrian A. Eva

China accuses Philippine vessels of ‘dangerous manoeuvres’ after its own ships collided

While trailing the Philippine Coast Guard, a China Coast Guard vessel collides with a Chinese Naval vessel | Screenshot from the video posted by Jay Tarriela, PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea

BEIJING – China’s defense ministry accused Philippine Coast Guard vessels on Friday of “dangerous manoeuvres” in response to reports of a collision earlier this week between two Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea.

The Philippine vessels’ actions “seriously endangered the safety of Chinese vessels and personnel,” ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin.

Mr. Jiang neither confirmed nor denied that there had been a collision involving two Chinese vessels on Monday.

“We demand that the Philippine side immediately stop its infringing and provocative rhetoric and actions,” Mr. Jiang said. “China reserves the right to take necessary countermeasures.”

The Scarborough Shoal has been a major source of tension in what is a strategic conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce.

Footage from the Philippine Coast Guard showed a Chinese coastguard ship trailing the PCG vessel before a Chinese navy ship suddenly cut across the path of the other Chinese ship, colliding with it and damaging the forecastle of the coastguard vessel.

It was the first known crash between Chinese vessels in the area.

The Philippines on Friday said it bore no responsibility for the collision.

“It was an unfortunate outcome, but not one caused by our actions,” Manila’s foreign minister Theresa Lazaro said in a statement.

The Philippine Coast Guard deployed three vessels on Monday to deliver supplies for Filipino fishermen in the Scarborough Shoal before the collision took place, Manila said on Tuesday.

The confrontation was the latest in a series of incidents amid a period of heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

A 2016 ruling of an international arbitral tribunal voided Beijing’s sweeping claims in the region, saying they had no basis under international law, a decision China rejects. – Reuters

June remittances rise 3.7% to six-month high

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

MONEY SENT home by Filipinos abroad grew faster in June to hit a six-month high, driven by remittances from land-based workers, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

Cash remittances coursed through banks jumped by 3.7% year on year to $2.99 billion in June from $2.88 billion, the BSP said on Friday.

This was the highest value of monthly remittances seen in six months or since the $3.38 billion logged in December last year.

Overseas Filipinos’ Cash RemittancesThe year-on-year increase also picked up from the 2.9% logged in May, when remittances reached $2.66 billion.

“Cash remittances to the Philippines continued to grow in June of this year, with remittances from land-based overseas Filipinos (OFs) increasing faster than funds from sea-based OFs,” the central bank said.

Money sent home by land-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) climbed by 3.7% year on year to $2.43 billion in June, making up bulk of the total.

Remittances from sea-based OFWs also rose by 3.5% to $555 million that month.

“The increase in cash remittances drove an increase in personal remittances as well,” the BSP said.

Personal remittances, which include both cash coursed through banks and informal channels and in-kind remittances, climbed by 3.7% to $3.33 billion in June from $3.21 billion a year prior.

Workers with contracts of one year and above logged personal remittances worth $2.63 billion, up 3.6% year on year, while those with contracts of less thn one year sent home $610 million worth of cash and items, jumping by 3.9% from the previous year.

FIRST HALF
For the first semester, cash remittances from migrant Filipinos went up by 3.1% to $16.75 billion from the $16.25 billion recorded in the comparable year-ago period.

Money sent home by land-based workers rose by 3.3% year on year to $13.38 billion in the six months through June, while sea-based OFWs’ remittances increased by 2.2% to $3.38 billion.

The United States remained as the top source of cash remittances in the first half, accounting for 40.1% of the total.

This was followed by Singapore (7.1%), Saudi Arabia (6.2%), Japan (5%), the United Kingdom (4.9%), the United Arab Emirates (4.3%), Canada (3.3%), Qatar (2.9%), Korea (2.8%) and Taiwan (2.7%).

Meanwhile, personal remittances in the January-to-June period reached $18.67 billion, up by 3.1% from $18.1 billion a year prior.

Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion, chief economist at Union Bank of the Philippines, Inc., said the increase in cash remittances was “driven by sustained demand for Filipino workers abroad and improved remittance channels.”

“The growth was led by land-based workers, particularly in the Middle East and North America, where labor markets remain robust,” Mr. Asuncion said.

“It reflects continued resilience in global labor markets, especially in the US and Middle East, as well as seasonal boosts tied to school enrollment and mid-year expenses,” John Paolo R. Rivera, a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, likewise said.

He added that stronger exchange rates in destination countries may have encouraged overseas Filipinos to send more money back home.

The peso traded at the P55 to P57 levels against the US dollar in June, depreciating sharply mid-month as Israel and Iran exchanged attacks, with the US also joining the conflict later on before a temporary ceasefire was reached. However, the greenback’s strength that month was capped by dovish US Federal Reserve bets.

The BSP expects cash remittances to grow by 2.8% this year. — Katherine K. Chan

Trump and Putin to spar Ukraine peace and arms control at Alaska summit

FREEPIK

MOSCOW – Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin hold talks in Alaska on Friday, with the U.S. president’s hopes of sealing a ceasefire agreement on Ukraine uncertain but with a last gasp offer from Putin of a possible nuclear deal that could help both men save face.

The meeting of the Russian and U.S. leaders at a Cold War-era air force base in Alaska, their first face-to-face talks since Mr. Trump returned to the White House, comes amid Ukrainian and European fears that Mr. Trump might sell Kyiv out.

Mr. Trump, who once said he would end Russia’s war in Ukraine within 24 hours, said on Thursday the three-and-a-half-year conflict had proven a tougher nut to crack than he had thought.

He said if his talks with Mr. Putin went well, setting up a subsequent three-way summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy – who was not invited to Friday’s meeting – would be even more important than his encounter with Mr. Putin.

Mr. Trump is pressing for a truce to bolster his credentials as a global peacemaker worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize, something he has made clear is important to him.

Ukraine and its European allies were heartened by their conference call on Wednesday in which, they said, Mr. Trump agreed Ukraine must be involved in any talks about ceding land. Mr. Zelenskiy said Mr. Trump had also supported the idea of security guarantees in a post-war settlement, although the U.S. president has made no public mention of them.

Wednesday’s call eased their fears of a Trump-Putin deal that would leave Ukraine under pressure to make territorial and other concessions.

Mr. Putin, whose war economy is showing signs of strain, needs Mr. Trump to help Russia break out of its straitjacket of ever-tightening Western sanctions, or at the very least not to hit Moscow with more sanctions, something Mr. Trump has threatened.

The day before the summit, the Kremlin leader held out the prospect of something else he knows Trump wants – a new nuclear arms control agreement to replace the last surviving one, which is due to expire in February next year.

 

TRUMP SAYS PUTIN WILL DO A DEAL ON UKRAINE

Mr. Trump said on the eve of the summit that he thought Putin would do a deal on Ukraine, but he has blown hot and cold on the chances of a breakthrough. Putin, meanwhile, praised what he called “sincere efforts” by the U.S. to end the war.

A source close to the Kremlin told Reuters it looked as if the two sides had been able to find some unspecified common ground beforehand.

“Apparently, some terms will be agreed upon tomorrow (Friday) because Trump cannot be refused, and we are not in a position to refuse (due to sanctions pressure),” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the matter’s sensitivity.

Mr. Putin has set stringent conditions for a full ceasefire, but one compromise could be a phased truce in the air war, although both sides have accused the other of flouting a previous accord.

Analysts say Mr. Putin could try to look like he’s giving Mr. Trump what he wants while remaining free to escalate in Ukraine if he wants to.

“If they (the Russians) are able to put a deal on the table that creates some kind of a ceasefire but that leaves Russia in control of those escalatory dynamics, does not create any kind of genuine deterrence on the ground or in the skies over Ukraine… that would be a wonderful outcome from Putin’s perspective,” said Sam Greene, director of Democratic Resilience at the Center for European Policy Analysis.

 

TRUMP SUGGESTS LAND TRANSFERS WILL BE NEEDED

Mr. Zelenskiy has accused Mr. Putin of bluffing and playing for time to avoid U.S. secondary sanctions and has ruled out handing Moscow any territory.

Mr. Trump has said land transfers between Russia and Ukraine could be a possible way of breaking the logjam.

Mr. Putin, whose forces control nearly one fifth of Ukraine, wants Mr. Trump to start reviving the two countries’ shrunken economic, political and business ties and, ideally, not to make that process contingent on progress on Ukraine.

But it is unclear whether Mr. Putin is willing to compromise on Ukraine. In power for a quarter of a century, the Kremlin chief has staked his legacy on coming out of the war with something he can sell to his people as a victory.

Chief among his war aims is complete Russian control over the Donbas industrial region in eastern Ukraine, which comprises the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Despite steady advances, around 25% of Donetsk remains beyond Russian control.

Mr. Putin also wants full control of Ukraine’s Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions; NATO membership to be taken off the table for Kyiv; and limits on the size of Ukraine’s armed forces.

Ukraine has said these terms are unacceptable and tantamount to asking it to capitulate. – Reuters

New Zealand’s population exodus hits 13-year high as economy worsens

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Nadine from Pixabay

SYDNEY – New Zealand citizens leaving the country have hit the highest levels in 13 years, with more than a third of those emigrating aged under 30 years as unemployment rises and economic growth remains soft.

Data released by Statistics New Zealand on Friday showed 71,800 New Zealand citizens departed New Zealand in the year ended June 2025, up from 67,500 in the previous 12-month period and below the record 72,400 in the year ended February 2012.

New Zealand’s net migration, which is the number of those arriving minus those leaving, also fell with foreign nationals moving to the country of 5.3 million nearly halving from 2024.

The rush to leave comes amid one of the worst economic downturns since 1991, which analysts blame on low productivity and various policy missteps.

Unemployment ticked up to a near five-year high of 5.2% in the second quarter, data showed last week, while the labour force participation rate – which includes workers either employed or actively looking for work – fell to its lowest since the first quarter of 2021.

Since August 2024, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand has cut its cash rate by 225 basis points to support an economy which sank into recession last year. The economy showed signs of improvement with gross domestic product increasing 0.8% in the first quarter.

New Zealanders aged 18 to 30 years made up 38% of the departures, compared with a peak of 60% in 1979.

Economists and analysts have said New Zealanders, stung by fewer job opportunities and the cost of living, are looking to move to neighbouring Australia, Britain and elsewhere.

Australia has been offering relocation packages in sectors where they have skill shortages to lure New Zealanders, who do not need visas to work there. – Reuters

India PM Modi vows October cuts to goods and services tax

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the media on the first day of the monsoon session at Parliament house in New Delhi, India, July 21, 2025. — REUTERS/ADNAN ABIDI

NEW DELHI – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday the goods and services tax (GST) would be reformed and taxes lowered by Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, set to be celebrated in October this year.

“This Diwali, I am going to make it a double Diwali for you. Over the past eight years, we have undertaken a major reform in goods and services tax. We are bringing next-generation GST reforms that will reduce the tax burden across the country,” he said during a speech to mark the country’s anniversary of independence.

Mr. Modi’s announcement comes as India moves to simplify its GST structure, with a group of ministers preparing a report that will consider merging tax slabs and lowering rates on some products.

The government has previously said that it wants to change GST rates and reduce the number of brackets, referring to tax rates for different categories, under a tax regime introduced in 2017.

The country currently levies GST at 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% on most goods and services, excluding gold and silver, and applies an additional levy on so-called demerit items such as cigarettes and high-end cars.

Citi estimated that about 20% of items – including packaged food and beverages, apparel and hotel accommodation – fall under the 12% GST slab, accounting for 5-10% of consumption and 5-6% of GST revenue.

If most of these are moved to the 5% slab and some to the 18% slab, it could lead to a revenue loss of around 500 billion rupees, or 0.15% of GDP, potentially taking the total policy stimulus for households in the current 2025-26 financial year to 0.6%-0.7% of GDP, the brokerage said. – Reuters

Aggression only leads to defeat, Taiwan president says on world war anniversary

TAIWAN President-elect Lai Ching-te, of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), holds a press conference, following his victory in the presidential elections, in Taipei, Taiwan, Jan. 13, 2023. — REUTERS

TAIPEI – Aggression only leads to defeat and as authoritarianism once again gathers strength, it is important that freedom and democracy prevail, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Friday marking the end of World War Two, in a pointed message to Beijing.

Taiwan has this year sought to cast the war as a lesson to China, which views the democratic island as its own territory, to show how aggression will end in failure, and to remind the world it was not the government now in Beijing that won the war.

The Chinese government at the time was the Republic of China, part of the U.S., British and Russian-led alliance, and its forces did much of the fighting against Japan, putting on pause a bitter civil war with Mao Zedong’s Communists whose military also fought the Japanese.

The republican government then fled to Taiwan in 1949 after finally being defeated by Mao, and Republic of China remains the democratic island’s official name.

Late on Thursday, Taiwan said it had banned government officials from attending next month’s military parade planned by Beijing to mark the end of World War Two, along with former senior defence, intelligence and diplomatic officials, though that does not include ordinary members of the public.

If former officials insist on going, penalties would include the revocation of pensions, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Office said.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a post on his Facebook account that did not directly mention China, Mr. Lai said the war served as a stark reminder to the world that peace is priceless and war has no winners.

“World War Two was a catastrophe in history, triggered by the personal ambitions of a few dictators, extreme ideologies and military expansionism,” he wrote.

Today, people in Taiwan take freedom, democracy, peace and prosperity for granted, but lessons from history must be learned, Mr. Lai added.

“The most valuable lesson of World War Two is that unity leads to victory, while aggression leads to defeat.”

China labels Lai a “separatist”, and has ramped up military activities around the island, including holding large-scale war games. Mr. Lai rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.

California Coastal Commission opposes SpaceX launch expansion on West Coast, again

Starlink mission. SpaceX/Flickr

LOS ANGELES – The California Coastal Commission voted on Thursday against a plan by Elon Musk’s SpaceX to nearly double the number of Falcon 9 rocket launches the company is permitted to conduct each year from Vandenberg Space Force Base, from 50 to 95.

But as was the case when the commission voted last October to oppose a previous SpaceX launch expansion from 36 to 50 at the installation, the U.S. government can merely override the objections of California regulators and approve the latest plan.

The U.S. Department of the Air Force, parent agency of the Space Force, has taken the position that the proposed launch expansion at Vandenberg, about 60 miles (97 km) northwest of Santa Barbara on the central California coast, is a federal activity exempt from further state oversight.

A commission staff report countered that of 51 rockets launched last year from Vandenberg, SpaceX Falcon 9s accounted for 46 of them.

While SpaceX flies some missions for the Defense Department and NASA, the enlarged launch operations SpaceX envisions are primarily for carrying payloads for the company’s own Starlink satellite network, the report said.

SpaceX also has sought to expand its launch facilities at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Air Force officials did not attend Thursday’s commission meeting in Calabasas, north of Los Angeles, where the panel voted 11-0 against SpaceX.

Neither representatives for SpaceX nor the Air Force could immediately be reached for comment. SpaceX has sued the California Coastal Commission over its previous objections, accusing the agency of singling out Musk’s company for greater regulation in retaliation for his political views.

In addition to allowing as many as 95 launches a year by the company’s workhorse Falcon 9, the new plan would permit up to five Falcon Heavy rocket launches annually, and up to 24 landings by the company’s reusable rocket boosters, twice as many as previously approved. Two new landing zones at the base would also be built. At-sea landings would also be increased.

In recommending disapproval, commission staff cited what it called insufficient information about the plan and concerns over noise pollution and wildlife disturbance from more frequent, louder sonic booms as SpaceX launch activity escalates.

The staff report also cited the need for more frequent closures of public beaches and campgrounds that lie within the launch hazard zones around the base. – Reuters

PHL financial system resources hit P35.17 trillion as of June

BW FILE PHOTO

THE RESOURCES of the Philippine financial system climbed to P35.17 trillion as of end-June, preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

The combined resources of banks and nonbank financial institutions grew by 7.45% year on year from the P32.73 trillion logged as of June 2024.

These resources include funds and assets such as deposits, capital, and bonds or debt securities.

Preliminary central bank data showed that banks’ resources stood at P29.18 trillion as of June, increasing by 7.95% from P27.03 trillion a year prior.

Total resources of universal and commercial banks rose by 7.15% year on year to P27.13 trillion at end-June from P25.32 trillion.

Thrift banks’ resources reached P1.37 trillion, increasing by 22.32% from P1.12 trillion in the same period in 2024.

Resources held by digital banks also jumped by 28.48% to P142.1 billion as of June from P110.6 billion a year prior.

Lastly, rural and cooperative banks’ resources amounted to P543.2 billion as of March, 13.43% higher than the P478.9 billion recorded at end-June 2024.

Meanwhile, nonbank financial institutions’ resources went up by 5.01% to P5.99 trillion as of end-March from P5.704 trillion as of June 2024.

Nonbanks include BSP-supervised investment houses, finance companies, security dealers, pawnshops and lending companies. Nonstock savings and loan associations, credit card companies, private insurance firms, the Social Security System and the Government Service Insurance System are also nonbank financial institutions.

Strong loan growth, particularly in the consumer sector, drove the continued expansion of the Philippine financial system’s resources, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

The BSP’s ongoing easing cycled helped drive increased demand for credit, he added, with cuts to banks’ reserve ratios also boosting their loanable funds.

“Continued profitability of banks, among the most profitable industries in the country for many years, added to banks’ capitalization and total resources. Continued growth in banks’ deposits, similar to gross domestic product growth, also fundamentally supported faster loan growth and also contributed to greater earnings, interest income, and net interest margins,” Mr. Ricafort said.

“For the coming months, relatively faster loan growth could be bolstered further by possible Federal reserve and BSP rate cuts for the coming months or years, [which] could support further growth in banks’ earnings, capital, and assets or resources.”

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. has said that they could deliver two more rate cuts before yearend, with the next reduction likely to happen as early as the Monetary Board’s Aug. 28 meeting.

After this month’s review, the Monetary Board’s remaining meetings for this year are scheduled for Oct. 9 and Dec. 11.

The BSP has lowered benchmark borrowing costs by a total of 50 basis points (bp) this year via two consecutive 25-bp cuts in April and June, with the policy rate now at 5.25%. This brought cumulative reductions since August 2024 to 125 bps.

Meanwhile, the Fed has kept its target rate at the 4.25%-4.5% range since December last year, with officials citing the need to assess the inflationary and economic impact of the Trump administration’s tariff policies. However, Fed policy makers said in their July meeting that they continue to see two rate cuts this year.

Recent data have bolstered bets of a September easing move by the US central bank. — Katherine K. Chan

Taiwan Expo 2025 in the Philippines: Special press event previews September’s showcase of Taiwan’s soft & hard power

Organized by the Taiwan International Trade Administration (TITA) and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the highly anticipated Taiwan Expo 2025 in the Philippines will make its grand return from Sept. 17 to 19 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila after a six-year hiatus. On Aug. 13, a special Press Conference was held to provide the Philippine mainstream media and industry associations leaders with an exclusive preview of the innovative products and integrated solutions that will be showcased at the Expo, generating excitement ahead of the Taiwan Expo.

Woody Wang, deputy executive eirector of TAITRA, emphasized that this year’s Taiwan Expo 2025 in the Philippines marks a major milestone for Taiwan’s post-pandemic reengagement with the Philippine market. In line with the Philippine government’s policies, evolving market demands, and emerging consumer trends, the exhibition has been thoughtfully designed around five key themes: Green & Sustainability, Agritech & Aquatech, Health & Wellness, Smart Technologies, and Intelligent Lifestyle. Featuring five themed pavilions and industry zones, the Expo will showcase over 140 leading Taiwanese companies, vividly illustrating Taiwan’s wide-ranging industrial competitiveness and innovative prowess.

Dustin Teng-Shi Yang, minister of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines (TECO), highlighted that Taiwan’s advanced technology and well-established manufacturing capabilities perfectly complement the Philippines’ rapidly expanding market and youthful demographic dividend, unlocking vast potential for collaboration.

Atty. Evangeline Q. de Leon, corporate secretary of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), emphasized that the Taiwan Expo serves as a crucial platform for bilateral business exchanges and market expansion by introducing innovative solutions to the Philippine market.

Bryan Ang, vice-president for Trade of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), remarked that Taiwan’s strong reputation for technological innovation and business agility will further enhance bilateral industrial competitiveness and foster long-lasting cooperation.

The product highlights at the Press Conference covered all five key themes. Under Agritech & Aquatech, MIC Meter Industrial Co., Ltd. showcased its Bluetooth Soil nutrition 9 in one meter and AIoT Pig Counter Board, emphasizing real-time monitoring and precision livestock management. Meanwhile, JNC Technology Co., Ltd. presented its Multi-channel Gas Detector and Water Sensor, offering efficient solutions tailored for smart agriculture and aquaculture.

In Smart Technologies, AIRA Corp. introduced its airaTrack-Intelligent Person Tracking Solution, which integrates seamlessly with existing surveillance infrastructures. Zyxel Networks demonstrated its cloud technology embedded with advanced cybersecurity features, addressing the Philippines’ pressing need for secure, non-red supply chain products.

In Health & Wellness, ASUS led the way with ICT-based smart medical applications, while V5med, Inc. showcased its AI-assisted software, V5med Lung AI, setting new standards in precision medicine.

Under Green & Sustainability, hiPower Hydrogen Technology Co., Ltd. demonstrated cutting-edge renewable hydrogen energy solutions, and Super Battery Co., Ltd. featured innovative lithium battery applications — both responding proactively to the global energy transition.

Within Intelligent Lifestyle, SHAAN HONQ INT’L COSMETICS CORP. introduced a premium hair care line that masterfully blends technology with aesthetics, while Morita Biotech Co., Ltd. highlighted popular Taiwanese skincare products, underscoring the strength and appeal of Taiwan’s beauty industry.

These innovations not only exemplify technological advancement but also address the diverse needs of the Philippine market, including energy stability, food safety, accessible healthcare, cybersecurity, and lifestyle enhancements.

The Press Conference drew participation from numerous industry associations, major chambers of commerce, and Taiwanese community organizations, showcasing strong interest and support from the Taiwan-Philippines business community. Stakeholders across various sectors eagerly anticipate the Taiwan Expo in the Philippines this September, which is expected to serve as a robust platform for bilateral business exchanges, foster greater commercial opportunities, and deepen cooperation in technology innovation, sustainable development, and the health industry — paving the way for a new era of Taiwan-Philippines economic collaboration.

 

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SM MOA Arena to host 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship

SM Mall of Asia Arena marks a historic achievement as the home of this year’s FIVB Men’s Volleyball Championship.

The Philippines’ premier indoor arena, renowned for hosting world-class events, gears up to welcome the globe’s best volleyball teams for an unforgettable championship showdown.

The energy was electric at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall as volleyball fans, athletes, and special guests gathered for the highly anticipated 30-day countdown to the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship. This is a first in Philippine sports history and a milestone for SM Supermalls as a proud major sponsor. 

The grand launch brought the excitement closer to home with the unveiling of the event’s official soundtrack, the introduction of its lovable mascot, and a rare sneak peek of the championship’s elusive trophy, which will be making a nationwide tour across select SM Supermalls in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. 

With the world watching, the SM Mall of Asia Arena will take center stage as it welcomes the tournament’s pool and finals phase. The Arena is one of the largest indoor venues in Asia, with a seating capacity of up to 20,000, and is designed to meet international standards for major sporting and entertainment events. Its cutting-edge acoustics, advanced lighting systems, spacious concourses, and premium seating areas make it a world-class venue that has hosted some of the most prestigious global events.

This historic tournament follows the phenomenal success of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, further solidifying the Philippines’ reputation as a premier destination for international sports.

“We are honored to host the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship for the first time. This is not just a game, it is history in the making,” said Arnel C. Gonzales, Vice-President and General Manager of the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

On opening day, fans are in for an explosive treat as K-pop sensation BOYNEXTDOOR takes the stage before the highly anticipated first match between Alas Pilipinas and Tunisia.

K-Pop group BOYNEXTDOOR is set to open the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Championship. Photo Source: FIVB / fivb.com

As the countdown begins, SM Supermalls invites everyone to be part of this monumental event. With its convenient locations, ample parking, diverse dining and retail options, staycation choices, and direct access to public transport, SM ensures every match day is as exciting and comfortable as it is unforgettable.

For the first time ever, the FIVB Men’s Volleyball Championship takes center stage at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Tickets are selling fast. Secure your seats now and witness volleyball history at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Get your tickets now at https://smtickets.com/events/view/14244.

 

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