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Taiwan defense spend to outpace GDP growth as China threat rises

REUTERS

TAIPEI — Taiwan’s defense spending will rise 7.7% next year, outpacing expected economic growth, the cabinet said on Thursday, as the island adds more fighter jets and missiles to strengthen deterrence against a rising threat from Beijing.

China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, has ramped up military and political pressure over the past five years to assert those claims, which Taipei strongly rejects.

Taiwan’s cabinet said following a regular weekly meeting that 2025 defense spending would rise 7.7% year on year to T$647 billion ($20.25 billion), accounting for 2.45% of gross domestic product (GDP) — up from 2.38% this year — and exceeding the government’s expectation for economic growth of 3.26% for the year.

The spending includes a special budget worth T$90.4 billion to buy new fighter jets and ramp up missile production. That was part of the military’s extra spending worth T$240 billion announced in 2021 over five years.

Hsieh Chi-hsien, head of the defense ministry’s comptroller bureau, told reporters defense spending reaching 3% of GDP was a goal they were hoping to reach, and that at the moment Taiwan’s defense spending is “growing steadily.”

“We will not join in an arms race with other countries. We will increase (spending) steadily according to our needs,” he said.

Future spending also depends on whether Taiwan could acquire “key and important” equipment, Mr. Hsieh added, without elaborating.

Taiwan’s government has made military modernization a key policy platform and has repeatedly pledged to spend more on its defenses given the rising threat from China, including developing made-in-Taiwan submarines.

China’s air force flies almost daily missions into the skies near Taiwan, and in May staged war games around the island shortly after President Lai Ching-te took office, a man Beijing brands a “separatist.” Mr. Lai rejects China’s sovereignty claims, saying only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.

The budget will still need to be passed by parliament, where the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost its majority in January elections.

Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang, has repeatedly expressed its support for firming up the island’s defenses, though it is currently involved in a stand off with the DPP about contested reforms to give parliament greater oversight powers the government says is unconstitutional.

China is also rapidly modernizing its armed forces, with new aircraft carriers, stealth fighter jets and missiles.

China in March announced a 7.2% rise in defense spending for this year to 1.67 trillion yuan ($234.10 billion) outpacing the economic growth target of around 5% for 2024, though accounting for only some 1.3% of GDP according to analysts.

Successive US administrations have pushed Taiwan to modernize its military and spend more. The United States is Taiwan’s most important arms provider and international backer, despite the absence of diplomatic relations.

Speaking at a security forum in Taipei on Wednesday, Nikki Haley, a United Nations ambassador under the Trump administration, praised Taiwan’s commitment to spending more on defense.

“Other free nations should learn from them, especially many U.S. allies,” she said. —  Reuters

Gay penguin Sphen dies in Sydney, leaving behind partner Magic

FACEBOOK.COM/SYDNEYAQUARIUM

SYDNEY — When Sphen, one half of the gay penguin couple whose love captivated the world, died earlier this month in Sydney his partner Magic began to sing.

Gentoo penguins Sphen and Magic became symbols for same-sex love in 2018 after aquarium staff noticed the two males building a nest together and gave them an egg to incubate.

Their relationship would inspire a float in Sydney’s world-famous Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade and feature in the Netflix series Atypical.

Sphen was nearly 12 when he passed away earlier this month, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium said in a statement on Thursday. Gentoo penguins have an average life span of 12 to 13 years.

Staff took Magic to see Sphen’s body so he could understand that he would not be coming home. When he reached Sphen, Magic immediately started singing, followed shortly afterwards by the other 45 penguins in the colony.

Gentoo penguins can make sounds ranging from honks to brays which their partners can usually identify from the voices of other penguins in the colony.

“Sphen and Magic’s love story captivated the world and it’s been an honor to welcome local and international fans,” said Rachel Dilly, general manager at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.

“The team’s focus is now on Magic, who will soon prepare for his first breeding season without Sphen.”

In tributes on the Aquarium website, people spoke about the joy and inspiration the penguin lovers had brought to their lives.

“Sphen’s gonna be having fun surfing the rainbow waves up there,” said Indah. “Penguin superstar, Sphen, thank you for being you. We will miss you.” — Reuters

China’s fresh urbanization push may thwart ‘birth-friendly society’ goal

PEOPLE wearing face masks are seen at a subway station in Shanghai, China, Jan. 18, 2021. — REUTERS

HONG KONG/BEIJING — Mary Meng is so busy and stressed working for a Chinese tech company in Shanghai that she can’t imagine having a second child.

“The work pressure is such that you don’t even have any time to spend with your child,” said the 37-year-old mother of a primary school-aged boy. “How can I think about taking care of two children? I have no idea.”

That resonates with urban residents anywhere. But given the pace of population decline and ageing in China, the impact of the fast-paced, expensive city life on birth rates should be treated with more urgency by Beijing, demographers say.

China is rapidly running out of mothers. The number of women of reproductive age, defined by the United Nations as 15-to-49, is set to drop by more than two-thirds to under 100 million by the end of the century.

At a twice-a-decade top political gathering last month, China announced plans to build a “birth-friendly society” — pledging to implement measures long-called for by population experts, such as lowering childcare and education costs.

But, to the despair of the same experts, Beijing also vowed to encourage more people into urban areas.

This policy aims to increase housing demand to prop up the crisis-hit property sector, and revive flagging economic growth through productivity gains and stronger consumption. Urban residents typically produce and buy higher value-added goods and services than their rural counterparts.

But the fresh urbanization push overlooks basic demographic theory. In the cities, people have fewer children due to high housing costs, limited space, expensive education, and because they spend most of their day at work.

Couple infertility rates in China have also risen from 2% in the 1980s to 18%, versus around 15% globally — with doctors blaming the rise on factors such as stress related to urban jobs and industrial pollution.

Fertility rates in China’s rural areas are slightly higher at 1.54 versus the national average of 1.3 in 2020, according to the latest breakdown from China’s top economic planner, while Shanghai’s fertility rate in 2023 was 0.6 versus 1.1 nationally.

Authorities are “foolishly” driving young people “to the most birth-unfriendly big cities, which will lead to a continued decline in fertility and exacerbate the ageing crisis,” said Yi Fuxian, a demographer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“The suppression of fertility rates by population density is a biological law.”

This phenomenon has been most evident in east Asia. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan urbanized and industrialized at a faster pace than most other economies post-World War II. While China’s birth rates are also very low after decades of a strict one-child policy, not all is lost.

At 65%, its urbanization rate is lower than the 80-90% rates in Japan or South Korea — and this could give it room for maneuver, demographers say.

Improving rural living standards by providing better public services or liberalizing land rights would have a more sustainable impact on economic growth than continuing urbanization as they could improve birth rates, they say.

“The population size is always a multiplier” in the economy, said Samir KC, professor at the Asian Demographic Research Institute at Shanghai University.

‘JUST SURVIVAL’
To have a stable population, countries need fertility rates of 2.1. That means that for every woman like Meng, who only raises one child, another would need to have three.

Poppy Yu, 21, who works at a film production company in Beijing six or seven days a week, wants none.

“I don’t have the money or energy,” Yu said.

China’s “birth-friendly society” vision entails bringing down costs of parenting and education, lengthening parental leave, upgrading maternity and pediatric care and boosting child subsidies and tax deductions.

Many countries offer such incentives. But those with successful birth policies — such as France or Sweden — stand out through greater gender equality, stronger labor rights and robust social welfare.

Reducing childcare costs does not work on its own “and instead promotes a certain set of family values that demand that women take domestic responsibilities,” said Yun Zhou, demographer at the University of Michigan.

Ms. Meng believes no policy would work until Chinese people start hoping again for a better life, financially.

“Now everyone thinks there is no prospect at all,” she said. “No matter how hard you work, it is just survival.” — Reuters

Why the Canadian freight rail halt will roil North American supply chains

JOHANNES PLENIO-UNSPLASH

OTTAWA – Canada’s two main freight rail companies locked out around 10,000 of their Canadian unionized workers early on Thursday, starting an unprecedented simultaneous work stoppage that will grind almost all railway freight movement in the country to a halt.

 

HOW INTEGRATED ARE THE RAIL NETWORKS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA?

Canadian National Railway Co CNR.TO and Canadian Pacific Kansas City have said their rail networks south of the border will continue to operate, but industry groups fear that a work stoppage would have far-reaching effects on the movement of goods and commodities across North America.

CN and CPKC’s coast-to-coast rail networks in Canada connect south of the border and serve as important supply chain links to trade corridors and ports across North America.

The networks intersect with those of US rail operators such as BNSF Railway, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern and CSX, facilitating the movement of billions of dollars’ worth of goods and commodities through ports and warehouses across the continent.

CN’s network stretches south to New Orleans. CPKC’s network links to the US ports of Corpus Christi, New Orleans and Gulfport, and it extends further south to the ports of Tampico and Lázaro Cárdenas on the east and west coasts of Mexico.

 

HOW WOULD A CANADIAN RAIL STOPPAGE AFFECT THE UNITED STATES?

Around a third of the traffic moved by the two Canadian rail companies crosses the border with the United States.

Many US companies and producers, especially those in the Midwest, use Canadian ports for imports and exports, as Montreal can be faster for shipments to and from Europe, while Vancouver can be faster for ocean service to and from Asia.

Union Pacific, the No. 2 US railroad operator, has warned that a simultaneous stoppage would have devastating consequences for the US and Canadian economies.

Ratings agency Moody’s said the stoppage could cost over C$341 million ($251.14 million) per day.

Dozens of groups representing miners, farmers, exporters, and fertilizer producers, among others, have warned that their sectors face crippling supply-chain delays, increased costs, cash-flow constraints and potential shutdowns in a protracted stoppage.

 

HOW WOULD THE US AND CANADIAN FARM SECTORS BE AFFECTED?

A stoppage would hit the movement of everything from wheat to ethanol, potash fertilizer and meat.

In particular, it would crimp shipments of US spring wheat from Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota to the Pacific Northwest for export. A stoppage would also hit Canadian potash and grain exports.

The US exported $28.3 billion of agricultural products to Canada in 2023, making it the third-largest destination for US agricultural exports behind China and Mexico. The US imported $40.1 billion of Canadian agricultural products last year, making Canada the second-largest source of US agricultural imports.

Ethanol, potash, corn, cereals, food grains, cooking oils, and meat are among the agricultural products traded between the two nations.

 

WILL TRADE WITH MEXICO BE AFFECTED TOO?

Mexico is Canada’s third-largest single-country merchandise trading partner behind the US and China, while Canada was Mexico’s fourth-largest merchandise trading partner in 2023.

Mexico exports trucks, cars and vehicle parts to Canada, along with mangoes and avocados. Canada exports wheat, meat, aluminum, cars and parts to Mexico.

Two-way trade between the two countries, much of which moves via the rails, was nearly C$55 billion in 2023.

 

CAN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY STEP INTO THE BREACH?

Truckers say they are facing a surge in demand and that road freight rates are rising for shippers in Canada. However, industry insiders say that while the trucking sector can handle some of the demand, it cannot replace rail distribution. In some cases, the industry does not have the equipment, nor the capacity, to handle bulk commodity cargoes such as potash, food grains, or coal. – Reuters

Germany seizes almost 250,000 euros in cash in crypto ATM sting

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Willfried Wende from Pixabay

BERLIN – German authorities have seized almost 250,000 euros ($279,000) in cash in a nationwide operation targeting cryptocurrency ATMs, the country’s financial regulator BaFin said in a statement on Tuesday.

Authorities seized 13 machines that had been operating without the necessary permits, posing a risk of money-laundering, according to the regulator.

The ATMs had been used to trade bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies and were located in 35 different locations, the statement said.

BaFin worked together with law enforcement and the German Bundesbank to conduct the operation. – Reuters

Power struggle between Indonesia’s court and parliament sparks protests

PRANANTA HAROUN-UNSPLASH

JAKARTA – Protests are planned in Indonesia on Thursday as parliament looks to annul changes to election laws made by the constitutional court, a reversal that could further strengthen the political influence of outgoing President Joko Widodo.

The parliament’s plan to unwind this week’s court rulings would block a vocal government critic in the race for the influential post of Jakarta governor, and also pave the way for Widodo’s youngest son to run in elections in Java this November.

The power struggle between the parliament and the judiciary comes amid a week of dramatic political developments in the world’s third-largest democracy, and in the final stretch of the president’s second term.

Widodo downplayed the concerns, saying on Wednesday the court ruling and parliamentary deliberations were part of the standard “checks and balances” of government.

But legal experts and political analysts have described the events as bordering on a constitutional crisis.

Elections analyst Titi Anggraini characterized the maneuver as “constitutional insubordination” that had the potential to stir unrest.

The political maneuvers have sparked a wave of criticism online, with blue posters featuring the words “Emergency Warning” above Indonesia’s symbolic national eagle shared widely on social media.

Protests are planned outside the parliament in Jakarta and also in the cities of Surabaya and Yogyakarta on Thursday, with police deploying 3,000 personnel in the capital, according to media reports.

 

‘THIS IS A POWER STRUGGLE’

On Tuesday the Constitutional Court revoked a minimum threshold requirement to nominate candidates in regional elections and kept the minimum age limit of 30 years for candidates.

That ruling effectively blocks the candidacy of the president’s 29-year-old son Kaseang Pangarep from contesting the race for deputy governor in Central Java, and would allow Anies Baswedan, the current favorite, to run in Jakarta.

But within 24 hours the parliament had tabled an emergency revision to annul the changes, which it is expected to ratify on Thursday, said legislator Luluk Hamidah.

All parties except one, the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), have agreed to the revision of the law.

“Indonesian democracy is once again at a crucial crossroads,” Mr. Anies posted on social media platform X, urging legislators to remember its fate rested in their hands.

The parliament is now dominated by a big-tent coalition aligned to the outgoing president, popularly known as Jokowi, and president-elect Prabowo Subianto.

Prabowo, who won a landslide victory in February’s elections, will be inaugurated on Oct. 20, with Jokowi’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as his vice president.

Jokowi is facing mounting criticism for the increasingly bold ways his government is consolidating power, and over the creation of his own political dynasty.

“The ruling of the constitutional court is final and binding,” said Bivitri Susanti, from the Jentera School of Law,

“It is not possible for the legislative body to violate the judiciary’s ruling. This is a power struggle.”

First elected in 2014, Jokowi was at the time hailed as a democratic hero, in large part because he was seen as untethered from the country’s entrenched oligarchy and military elite.

The president has been praised for his solid economic record but increasingly criticized for the democratic decline of the country’s institutions, such as the courts and anti-corruption body, that has occurred during his decade in office. – Reuters

Chinese EV maker BYD eyes state incentives for Mexico plant

Original image from https://www.byd.com.ph/

MEXICO CITY – Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has narrowed its list of finalists for the location of a manufacturing plant in Mexico down to three states and is reviewing a range of proposed incentives from them, the firm’s country head said on Wednesday.

Jorge Vallejo, BYD’s Mexico director general, told Reuters the company was reviewing the latest proposals by the candidate states, which have offered “many benefits” including fiscal, land, management and preferential pricing incentives.

“A plant is not only about having the space, but the logistics, all the development, urban infrastructure that is generated, water, gas, everything that is needed for an automotive plant,” he said.

“There are many elements, even logistical, that we are analyzing together with them,” he said, adding that the aim remained to identify the location by year-end.

Mexico’s federal government, under pressure from the US, is keeping Chinese automakers at arm’s length by refusing to offer incentives such as low-cost public land or tax cuts for investment in EV production, Reuters reported in April, citing Mexican officials.

Mr. Vallejo did not name the states offering incentives, though BYD Chief of Americas Stella Li said in May the plant will be centrally located in the country.

Mexico’s northern Nuevo Leon state is an automotive hub, and the location of a proposed Tesla mega-factory. It will also be home to a new Volvo plant, the state’s governor said this week.

Meanwhile, the central Puebla state has long housed production by Volkswagen, and BMW makes EVs in the nearby San Luis Potosi.

Mr. Vallejo, speaking after unveiling of BYD’s Song Pro plug-in hybrid SUV in Mexico, said that the firm had not yet identified which models would be produced at the Mexico plant.

The plant will produce 150,000 units in its first stage and a further 150,000 units in its second stage before eventually producing between 400,000 and 500,000 units in a few more years, Vallejo said.

The plant will serve the Mexican market, he reiterated. The company has previously said it was not eyeing an entry to the US market.

BYD executives were hoping to meet with the team of Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum and the economy ministry in the “coming days” to share plans for the plant, Vallejo said.

The company would “specifically present the manufacturing and marketing scheme, and also to show what BYD can develop at a national level,” Mr. Vallejo said.

Separately, French-Italian automaker Stellantis started EV production at its plant in the State of Mexico on Tuesday, according to a post on X by Mexico’s economy ministry.

Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro, who visited the plant for the event, called on global companies “to continue working together and continue strengthening supply chains,” the ministry said. – Reuters

Big Tech wants AI to be regulated. Why do they oppose a California AI bill?

REUTERS

SAN FRANCISCO – California legislators are set to vote on a bill as soon as this week that would broadly regulate how artificial intelligence is developed and deployed in California even as a number of tech giants have voiced broad opposition.

Here is background on the bill, known as SB 1047, and why it has faced backlash from Silicon Valley technologists and some lawmakers:

 

WHAT DOES THE BILL DO?

Advanced by State Senator Scott Wiener, a Democrat, the proposal would mandate safety testing for many of the most advanced AI models that cost more than $100 million to develop or those that require a defined amount of computing power. Developers of AI software operating in the state would also need to outline methods for turning off the AI models if they go awry, effectively a kill switch.

The bill would also give the state attorney general the power to sue if developers are not compliant, particularly in the event of an ongoing threat, such as the AI taking over government systems like the power grid.

As well, the bill would require developers to hire third-party auditors to assess their safety practices and provide additional protections to whistleblowers speaking out against AI abuses.

 

WHAT HAVE LAWMAKERS SAID?

SB 1047 has already passed the state Senate by a 32-1 vote. Last week it passed the state Assembly appropriations committee, setting up a vote by the full Assembly. If it passes by the end of the legislative session on Aug. 31, it would advance to Governor Gavin Newsom to sign or veto by Sept. 30.

Wiener, who represents San Francisco, home to OpenAI and many of the startups developing the powerful software, has said legislation is necessary to protect the public before advances in AI become either unwieldy or uncontrollable.

However, a group of California Congressional Democrats oppose the bill, including San Francisco’s Nancy Pelosi; Ro Khanna, whose congressional district encompasses much of Silicon Valley; and Zoe Lofgren, from San Jose.

Pelosi this week called SB 1047 ill-informed and said it may cause more harm than good. In an open letter last week, the Democrats said the bill could drive developers from the state and threaten so-called open-source AI models, which rely on code that is freely available for anyone to use or modify.

 

WHAT DO TECH LEADERS SAY?

Tech companies developing AI – which can respond to prompts with fully formed text, images or audio as well as run repetitive tasks with minimal intervention – have called for stronger guardrails for AI’s deployment. They have cited risks that the software could one day evade human intervention and cause cyberattacks, among other concerns. But they also largely balked at SB 1047.

Wiener revised the bill to appease tech companies, relying in part on input from AI startup Anthropic – backed by Amazon AMZN.O and Alphabet GOOGL.O. Among other changes, he eliminated the creation of a government AI oversight committee.

Wiener also took out criminal penalties for perjury, though civil suits may still be brought.

Alphabet’s Google and Metahave expressed concerns in letters to Wiener. Meta said the bill threatens to make the state unfavorable to AI development and deployment. The Facebook parent’s chief scientist, Yann LeCun, in a July X post called the bill potentially harmful to research efforts.

OpenAI, whose ChatGPT is credited with accelerating the frenzy over AI since its broad release in late 2022, has said AI should be regulated by the federal government and that SB 1047 creates an uncertain legal environment.

In a letter to Wiener, OpenAI said it opposes SB 1047 because it is a threat to AI’s growth and could cause entrepreneurs and engineers to leave the state.

Of particular concern is the potential for the bill to apply to open-source AI models. Many technologists believe open-source models are important for creating less risky AI applications more quickly, but Meta and others have fretted that they could be held responsible for policing open-source models if the bill passes. Wiener has said he supports open-source models and one of the recent amendments to the bill raised the standard for which open-sourced models are covered under its provisions.

The bill also has its backers in the technology sector. Geoffrey Hinton, widely credited as a “godfather of AI,” former OpenAI employee Daniel Kokotajlo and researcher Yoshua Bengio have said they support the bill. – Reuters

Forest Lake celebrates sales force in national sales convention

National Sales Awardees (from left): Rogelio Farofaldane, Gilbert Pile, Jennifer Pile, Lea Genova, Ermilando Varilla, Editha Basa, Carlomagno Guevarra, Gina Tonson, Trinidad Magtalas, Marilyn Ocampo, Ernesta Ibañez, Nellie Marveled, Lance Allen Tonson, and Emelita Bitangcol (Not in photo: Nicole Senangelo and Glenn Palencia)

Memorial park developer Forest Lake Development, Inc. commemorated its remarkable achievement of surpassing P3.2 billion in sales in 2023 with a gala at its 10th National Sales Convention, held at the Grand Ballroom of City of Dreams Manila last April.

The event not only highlighted Forest Lake’s impressive sales figures but also marked its expansion to over 37 sites nationwide, solidifying its extensive network of memorial parks. Most importantly, the convention served as a platform to honor Forest Lake’s over 5,000 active sellers, whom the company regards as indispensable to its success and sustained market leadership.

“Our sales team’s exceptional performance in achieving P3.2 billion in sales is a true testament to their dedication and hard work,” said Forest Lake President and CEO Alfred Xerez-Burgos III. “Their relentless pursuit of excellence has been the cornerstone of our success.”

The convention also announced an all-expenses-paid trip to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam for top-performing agents, sales leaders, and park managers.

In praising its sellers, Forest Lake ensures that their efforts are rewarded with substantial benefits, including commissions, bonuses, recognition programs, and significant career development opportunities.

“Being part of Forest Lake has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The incentives and support we receive motivate us to achieve our best, and seeing our efforts contribute to the company’s growth is truly fulfilling,” Forest Lake’s Top Agency Manager Editha Basa affirmed.

 

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Seafood from all regions safe to eat amid the Bataan oil spill – BFAR

Fish vendors at the Balanga Public Market in Bataan.

Fish and shellfish from all regions are now safe to eat, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said on Tuesday. 

“Based on our latest sensory evaluation, fish and shellfish from all regions – that includes Region 3, 4A, (National Capital Region) are already safe for human consumption,” the BFAR Assistant Director Angel B. Encarnacion said during the House committee hearing. 

Currently, Bataan faces three oil spills in the province – MKTR Terranova, MTKR Jason Bradley, and MV Mirola 1. 

Market-goers avoided buying fish because of the multiple oil vessel incidents, Enrique, a shrimp vendor at the Balanga Public Market, said. 

“Matumal kasi nag-aalala rin yung mga tao, [People refuse to buy because they are worried],” he added.  

The fish tasted different, and residents are struggling to identify if it’s still safe to eat, according to Jerald Lacson, a resident of Balanga, Bataan. 

Mr. Lacson added that he once experienced cooking a fish that had an off taste. 

“Nakabili po kami ng isda na nilalako, pagkaluto po may lasang langis na, [The fish that we bought from a local vendor tasted like oil],”  he said.

According to Rafael Dominico, a board member of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Mangingisda sa Lamao (PINSAMALA), fish are scarce in the area because they avoid the oil-contaminated water. 

“Yung isda ngayon talagang wala ng mahuli kaya minsan kami ay dumadayo pa para makahuli lamang nang maganda, [Fish became elusive in the area. We had to travel to other places to catch better fish],” Mr. Dominco said. 

From P200 to P180, the fish prices decreased to P80 to P50, Mr. Dominico told BusinessWorld in an interview on Thursday. 

“Despite lowering the prices to P80, we still can’t sell it sometimes,” he said in Filipino. 

Corresponding to the BFAR’s announcement, fisherfolks from Limay, Bataan, attested that their fish are edible. 

“Ligtas naman siya… Wala naman kaming ibang kakainin kung ‘di yung isdang nahuhuli namin, [It is safe to eat… We cannot afford to eat anything else aside from the fishes we caught],” PINSAMALA President Efren Dominico said. – Almira Louise S. Martinez

VORTEX: Groundbreaking event in the Visayas region set for Aug. 23-24

Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez launches NFT collection during the event

Philippine Blockchain Week (PBW), the country’s premier event promoting the widespread adoption of blockchain technology in the country, has announced the much-anticipated second leg of its PBWx series, titled VORTEX: Spiraling into the Future of Blockchain and Gaming.

This dynamic event is a collaboration between PBW and Jobancom (JBC), a top media, PR, and marketing company specializing in esports and gaming events within the Visayas Region. The event is also supported by the City Government of Bacolod and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Happening on Aug. 23-34, 2024 at Central Hall by Ayala Malls, Capitol Center in Bacolod City, VORTEX aims to propel the community into the future, embracing the convergence of art, pop-culture, gaming and technology. The event is expected to draw over 1,000 onsite attendees, including hundreds of gamers, content creators, cosplayers, art lovers, technology enthusiasts, startup founders and business leaders, creating a vibrant and eclectic atmosphere.

PBW Co-Founders (from left) Donald Lim, Janelle Barretto, Chezka Gonzales

Fresh from the successful launch of PBWx in Davao City last July 30, PBW Co-Founder Janelle Barretto expressed excitement in bringing the series to Bacolod City. “Our main thrust for PBWx 2024 is to foster community and collaboration as a means to strengthen the Philippine blockchain landscape, thus, the partnership with JBC and Bacolod City in mounting VORTEX is both synergistic and strategic to our goals,” she says.

Creators, Cosplay, Crafts, and Competitions at VORTEX

Aside from insightful talks and panel discussions from leading experts in blockchain and gaming, a host of exciting and fun activities await participants. Some of the highlights of the two-day event include a range of competitions such as esports, cosplay and even streetdance organized by World Supremacy Battlegrounds (WSB), as well as a fan meet and greet with popular cosplayers and influencers. Special guest Gelo Grayson, a long-time cosplayer and craftsperson, will also conduct a cosplay workshop on the best techniques and latest technology in creating cosplay props, while hyper localized premium NFT Marketplace Likha will also host a workshop on how to mint your digital art.

Joner Baniel, founder of Jobancom, is passionate about empowering local talent to excel in esports beyond the Visayas region. “As the gaming industry evolves, Jobancom embraces innovation with VORTEX. The event aims to educate communities, explore new digital heights, and align with gaming developments. With the support of PBW and other collaborators, VORTEX can become a gateway to new opportunities and connections across diverse communities,” he says.

LGU support instrumental to blockchain growth

Bacolod NFTs — a sampling of the specially designed NFTs showcasing Bacolod’s culture

The event is made possible with the support of the City Government of Bacolod, led by Mayor Albee Benitez, a staunch advocate of the use of technology to advance the local economy. As such, the City of Bacolod has agreed to collaborate by commissioning 500 pieces of digital art or non-fungible tokens (NFTs) representing the city’s vibrant culture, which will be available for public sale. Themes include the lively Masskara Festival, the unique local cuisine, and iconic tourist spots.

“We are happy to be part of VORTEX where we merge tradition with innovation in a unique celebration of Bacolod’s rich culture. This partnership is a testament to Bacolod’s commitment to integrating modern technology to showcase and preserve its cultural heritage, while also stimulating economic growth.

“Supporting events like PBWx perfectly blends our proud traditions with cutting-edge digital innovation providing great opportunity for Bacolod to shine on a global stage,” says Mayor Albee Benitez.

State of blockchain in the Philippines

The digital space has always been on the Philippine agenda with both private and public sectors collaborating on many initiatives to meet global standards. Web3 and blockchain gaining ground with users, like-minded individuals led by Donald Lim, President, Dito CME Ventures, created the Blockchain Council of the Philippines (BCP) in 2022 where Mr. Lim serves as its Founding President.

Says Mr. Lim, “Creating the Blockchain Council of the Philippines was to make Filipinos aware of the benefits of blockchain. Collaborations with LGUs, private business and government units, and learning and networking events like the PBWx can show how blockchain can improve many aspects of life like finance, logistics, supply chains, media, manufacturing, and private and government procurement processes. Join the BCP and attend the PBWx series to be part of this Web3 generation.”

The event is also made possible through the participation of the following sponsors and partners: Silver Sponsor – DTaka;  Exhibitors – Analytics, Pet Taptap, Alex the Parrot, Battle Rise; Event Partners – Attn Live, Blockchain Council of the Philippines, BlockchainSpace, Hybrid, Likha NFT, Matr1x Fire, McDonalds, TierOne Entertainment, W3GG; and media partner PhilStar Group of Companies.

Don’t miss out on this exceptional convergence of technology, art, and gaming. Be part of the future! Get your tickets now and be there when PBWx VORTEX comes to Bacolod City! Grab your tickets now at https://slashevent.com/e/vortex-bacolod-2024.

For more information, please email info@pbw.ph or bethany@pbw.ph.

 

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Empowering women: Babae Ako Partylist’s oath-taking ceremony inspires celebration

Ms. Shantal D., Babae Ako Partylist First Nominee

The spirit of empowerment was palpable last Saturday, Aug. 17, as Babae Ako Partylist, under the dynamic leadership of its first nominee, Ms. Shantal D., hosted a vibrant oath-taking ceremony at the Sto. Niño Covered Court in Barangay Holy Spirit. The event, a collaboration with the Federation Samahang Kababaihan Nagkakaisa Para sa Ikauunlad ng Bayan, Inc., was a beautiful blend of celebration and commitment, highlighting the power and unity of women.

Ms. Shantal D. set the tone for the day with a stirring speech that resonated deeply with the attendees. Her words were a powerful reminder of the party’s unwavering dedication to women’s empowerment, inspiring everyone present to continue the fight for equality and justice. The energy in the room was electric, especially when Ms. Shantal took the stage to perform the Babae Ako Partylist jingle. Her performance was met with enthusiastic applause, filling the space with joy and a shared sense of purpose.

Adding to the lively atmosphere, a Zumba dance group wowed the crowd with an energetic intermission number. Their moves brought smiles and even more energy to the event, reflecting the fun and inclusive spirit of the day. As the ceremony came to a close, it was clear that Babae Ako Partylist is not just a political movement but a beacon of hope and empowerment for women everywhere. With more activities and initiatives on the horizon, this party is poised to make even greater strides in championing the rights and dignity of women. Stay tuned for what’s next — they’re just getting started!

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.

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