Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube
Home Blog Page 1290

Arts & Culture (07/16/25)

Intramuros Evenings begins with Ganito Na Kami Noon, Paano Na Ngayon?

THIS July, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Intramuros Administration are opening the Intramuros Evenings performance series with Ganito Na Kami Noon, Paano Na Ngayon? on July 19, 6:30 p.m., at Centro de Turismo, Intramuros, Manila. Written by Jose Victor Torres and directed by CCP Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan, this theater piece draws inspiration from the works of three National Artists: Alejandro Roces, F. Sionil Jose, and Eddie Romero. The 1950s-set story about an aging farmer stars members of the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company, and brings up questions of identity, memory, and change. It is free and open to the public, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eric Zamuco, Chati Coronel to exhibit at Silverlens

FROM July 19 to Aug. 16, artists Eric Zamuco and Chati Coronel will be mounting exhibitions at Silverlens Manila. Mr. Zamuco’s show, Sa Ilang, will feature new assemblages that continue the artist’s experiments using acrylic panels as syntax, drawing inspiration from the constructed notion of “the wilderness.” Meanwhile, Ms. Coronel’s show, Notes for Exaltation, will showcase her multi-layered paintings that depict a search for intrinsic knowledge and power through figures from Tarot and ancient Gnostic verses. Both exhibits will run until Aug. 16 at the Silverlens Gallery at 2263 Chino Roces Ext., Makati City.

VLF XX: Hinog extends its run for one night only

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has announced the return of VLF XX: Hinog with an extended run of three plays: Minating ni Mariah ang Manto ng Mommy ni Mama Mary by Eljay Castro Deldoc, Presidential Suite #2 by Siege Malvar, and Don’t Meow For Me, Catriona by Ryan Machado. It will take place for one night only, on July 24, 8 p.m., at the CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Blackbox Theater), CCP Complex, Pasay City. Tickets, priced at P800 (regular) and P1,000 (premium), are available at Ticketworld, Ticket2Me, and the CCP Box Office.

Norjan Abbas to exhibit at Gateway Gallery

THE exhibit Maria: A Kaleidoscope by artist Norjan Ismail Abbas is opening on July 26 at the Gateway Gallery. It is an exploration in presenting the traditional image of the Filipina in alternative Filipiniana attire, drawing from different images and roles of the Filipina at the turn of the 20th century and post-American period. Maria: A Kaleidoscope opens on July 26 at the Gateway Gallery Studio, Araneta City, Quezon City. It will run until Aug. 1.

Harold Pinter’s Betrayal translated into Filipino

THE play Kaliwaan, which is an adaptation of Betrayal by Harold Pinter, freely translated into Filipino by Guelan Varela-Luarca, will be coming to the stage in August. Presented by Stages Production Specialists, Inc. and co-presented by MusicArtes, Inc., it is directed by Loy Arcenas and stars Missy Maramara, Nor Domingo, and Ron Capinding. The limited, two-weekend run will be from Aug. 22 to 31. For the full schedule and to buy tickets, visit https://bit.ly/KaliwaanMNL2025. Tickets range in price from P800 to P1,250. It will be staged at The Mirror Studio Theater, SJG Bldg., 8463 Kalayaan Ave., Makati City.

SinagLarawan launches 2025 national photo contest

THE SinagLarawan Photo Contest is back to recognize the caliber and creativity of homegrown photographers from all over the country. Entries are being accepted until Sept. 25. SinagLarawan 2025’s theme, “Isa sa Isla,” is focused on showcasing water as central to bringing Filipinos together, whether through work or livelihood; cultural activities like festivals or rituals; simple, everyday community interactions; or during difficult times like natural disasters. The SinagLarawan Photo Contest is a Community Investment initiative of JTI Philippines.

Repertory Theater to stage Alice in Wonderland

THE fantastical world of Alice in Wonderland is coming to life in a staging by the Repertory Theater for Young Audiences (RTYA). It is based on the book by Lewis Carroll, with music, and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman and will be directed by Joy Virata and Cara Barredo. Tickets, ranging in price from P1,000 to P1,500, are available via bit.ly/RTYAAlice2025Waitlist. It will run from Aug. 23 to Dec. 14 at the REP Eastwood Theater, 4th Floor Eastwood Citywalk 2, Eastwood City, Quezon City.

A global frontline for peace: The West Philippine Sea and the Indo-Pacific

PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

At first glance, the issue of the Philippines’ victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) is a legal win for Filipinos alone. It was in 2016 when the arbitral court affirmed our maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), invalidating China’s claim and providing us basis to reject China’s bullying acts.

Nine years later, we are still fighting despite the arbitral victory. Refusing to acknowledge the jurisdiction of the PCA, China insists that areas in the WPS — clearly part of our Exclusive Economic Zone — belong to it, and that the Philippines is illegally entering its territory.

As a result, there have been countless incidents of aggressive behavior and intimidation at sea, with our vessels, soldiers, and fisherfolk on the receiving end of China’s provocative attacks.

But today I do not wish to dwell on the present, nor belabor the point that the six years between 2016 and 2022 were practically lost in terms of asserting our victory, standing up to the Chinese, and protecting our sovereignty.

Today I would like to talk about the future amid these threats and incursions. When I said the PCA ruling was a win not only for the Philippines, I truly meant that it is a victory, albeit fragile, for every country that respects the rule of law. Moreover, it is a reminder that peace and stability are not easily attained, and that the work of safeguarding the future is difficult and enduring.

Because all this is happening in our legally established territorial backyard, it is the Philippines, amid growing challenges in the WPS, that is weaving a stronger fabric of defense built on alliances, joint efforts, and the steady modernization of our forces. What keeps us going is the real-world cooperation among us and our like-minded partners on the regional and global stage.

This is not only policy but public sentiment. A June 26-30 survey by Pulse Asia shows that 73% of Filipinos support the government’s continued assertion of maritime rights in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Arbitral Award. Moreover, 77% believe the Philippines must strengthen its alliances through joint defense efforts and military collaboration.

When asked which countries the Philippines should continue to cooperate with in asserting maritime rights, 73% identified the United States, followed by strong support for partnerships with Japan, Canada, and Australia.

At our Stratbase forum marking the ninth year of the arbitral award, members of the diplomatic community representing 26 countries reaffirmed their support for the Philippines.

Australian Ambassador HK Yu underscored that “Australia has shown steadfast support to the Philippines and other Southeast Asian partners in upholding international law, particularly UNCLOS, and we will continue to do so. Australia stands for rules and for a resilient region that can exercise agency, our own agency.”

Ambassador Yu further outlined, “Today, I wish to highlight the depth and breadth of our partnership to the Philippines through three key tangible ways we are helping the Philippines uphold the rules-based order. One, our long-standing defense ties and cooperation. Two, our civil maritime cooperation. And finally, cyber cooperation.”

US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said that the US-Philippines alliance “serves as a powerful deterrent force for stability, peace, and the rule of law.” Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya said Japan and the Philippines are no longer just partners in principle — “we are partners in action, united by a shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and the rule of law.”

The representatives of New Zealand, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the European Union, India, and Vietnam also expressed support for the Philippines and reiterated their commitment to peace and stability.

In the same forum, our own defense officials talked about beefing up our capabilities, reflecting survey results that show 65% of Filipinos supporting the continued modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Meanwhile, 51% favor reinforcing alliances through joint patrols and exercises.

Ambassador Yu emphasized that Australia is committed to strengthening regional maritime security, saying, “We are, for example, working together with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian states to enhance their maritime security capabilities. Doing this is critically important for Australia. Indeed, one of the first things Prime Minister Albanese said after the recent election was strengthening our relationships in our region.”

In a similar vein, US Admiral Steve Koehler, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, noted that “While China has ignored the Arbitral ruling, the rest of the world has not. The ruling’s rejection of China’s claim and its endorsement of the Philippines’ EEZ has become the widely accepted view.”

He cited the recent Balikatan exercises as evidence of deepening cooperation: “One of the clearest signs of allies and partners’ solidarity is the robust series of maritime joint combined exercises across the region. Those include Balikatan right here in the Philippines. With credit to our Philippine hosts, Balikatan 2025 was the largest ever, with forces from the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan for the first time, and 16 other nations observing.”

Finally, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said: “The Philippines will not waver in firmly rejecting attempts to undermine the award and international law.”

The threats and challenges we face in the West Philippine Sea are daunting, but the support and commitment of our like-minded partners — who share our vision of a stable, secure, and rules-based regional order — emboldens us. We will continue working toward and believing in peace and stability not only in our country but in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

Victor Andres “Dindo” C. Manhit is the president of the Stratbase ADR Institute.

PHL startups told to focus on sustainable growth

A vendor waits for customers at a stall inside Commonwealth Market, Quezon City, Nov. 22, 2024. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

PHILIPPINE STARTUPS should focus on sustainable growth to attract investors amid tighter regional funding conditions, according to industry leaders.

“Venture capitalists (VC) aren’t necessarily looking at more mature startups, but rather, the criteria of what a good startup looks like has changed,” Bit Santos, a partner for portfolio operations at Kickstart Ventures, said in a video interview.

“Whereas in a cash-rich environment, where capital is very cheap and easy, the priority was who can grow the fastest; now, it’s more about who can grow most sustainably,” he added.

Venture funding in Southeast Asia dropped 46% year on year in the first quarter of 2024 to $555 million, according to Deal Street Asia.

David Lu, co-founder and chief executive officer at environmental tech startup Clarity Movement Co., said investor expectations have shifted significantly.

“The era of cheap capital is gone,” he said. “Especially for Series A and beyond, VCs are now looking for companies that bring good cash flows and can pretty much grow sustainably themselves. We’re really back to the fundamentals of investment.”

Mr. Santos noted that investors are less concerned about a startup’s maturity and are more focused on business fundamentals. “It’s less about who’s investing in more mature startups, but rather investing in more sustainable startups.”

He also warned of the continuing “tech fog” in the region — a period of uncertainty marked by slower investment cycles and funding gaps.

“Given that we’re anticipating that we’re still all going to be in a prolonged tech fog, things will continue being challenging,” he said. “From the VC side, we’ve been focusing on the value-added and being more supportive, beyond just the money and the investment.”

In response, venture capital firms are adapting their role. “From the VC side, we’ve been focusing on the value-added and being more supportive, beyond just the money and the investment,” Mr. Santos said.

Mr. Lu said the venture capital role is evolving from solely being financial backers to operational partners. “Inevitably, the function of the VC is also shifting… now 80% is for providing capital, while 20% is for providing operational support.”

Patrick Gentry, co-founder and CEO at human relations technology firm Sprout Solutions, said trust between startups and investors is important.

“Just like anything, when you’re going through crazy stuff, you want people with you that are aligned with your values and your character,” he said.

The Philippines captured 19% of total VC funding in Southeast Asia in 2024, according to the Philippine Venture Capital Report by Boston Consulting Group and Foxmont Capital Partners. The ecosystem is moving beyond early-stage bets to bigger, growth-stage deals beyond $20 million, they said. — B.M.D. Cruz

Cebu Pacific says passenger volume up 21% in first half

CEBUPACIFICAIR

CEBU PACIFIC saw its passenger volume climb by 20.8% to 13.9 million in the first semester, driven by strong domestic travel demand, the budget carrier said on Tuesday.

“Despite the earlier onset of the academic calendar — moving the start of classes from late July last year to mid-June this year — passenger traffic and seat load factors remained resilient. Domestic demand remained strong,” Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer Alexander G. Lao said in a media release.

For the January-to-June period, the budget airline said it had recorded higher passenger numbers compared with the 11.5 million in the same period last year.

Broken down, Cebu Pacific said its domestic passenger volume reached 10.35 million, while international passenger numbers totaled 3.53 million.

For the month of June alone, Cebu Pacific carried a total of 2.2 million passengers, marking a 7.9% increase from 2.06 million in the same month last year.

“For the first half of 2025, our load factors have increased despite seat growth of more than 20%. This reflects the continued strength of air travel demand within our network,” Mr. Lao said.

The budget carrier logged a total seat load factor of 85.4% for the first half, up from last year’s 85.3%, data from Cebu Pacific showed. A seat load factor is a metric used by airlines to represent the percentage of seating capacity that is filled with passengers.

“Capacity for the second half of June was reduced due to the commencement of the leaner season. This also aligns with ongoing proactive management of engine and supply chain issues and as such we would expect capacity growth levels to stay at similar levels through the third quarter before rising again in the fourth quarter,” Mr. Lao said.

At present, Cebu Pacific operates on 37 domestic routes and 26 international destinations with a fleet of 99 aircraft. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

BDO ends bond offer early on strong demand

BW FILE PHOTO

BDO UNIBANK, Inc. ended its offering of its peso-denominated sustainability bonds on Monday, a week earlier than planned, amid robust investor demand.

“Originally set to run from July 9 to 22, the bank decided to close the offer period early, on July 14, following strong demand from both retail and institutional investors,” the Sy-led bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange on Tuesday.

The 1.5-year fixed-rate bonds will be issued, settled, and listed on the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. on July 29 as scheduled.

“The net proceeds of the proposed issuance will be used to finance and/or refinance eligible assets as defined in the bank’s Sustainable Finance Framework, support the bank’s lending activities, and diversify the bank’s funding sources,” BDO said.

BDO wanted to raise at least P5 billion from the issuance, it said last week. It has not announced the final issue size.

The bonds have a coupon rate of 5.875% per annum and were sold at a minimum investment amount of P500,000 and in additional increments of multiples of P100,000 thereafter.

ING Bank N.V. Manila Branch was the sole arranger and sustainability coordinator for the issuance. It also acted as a selling agent along with BDO.

Meanwhile, BDO Capital & Investment Corp. was the financial advisor for the transaction.

The bonds mark BDO’s fourth issuance of peso-denominated ASEAN Sustainability Bonds following a P55.7-billion issue in July 2024, P63.3-billion issue in January 2024, and a P52.7-billion issue in January 2022.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued confirmation that the issue complies with requirements under the ASEAN Sustainability Bond Standards and the SEC’s ASEAN Sustainability Bond Circular.

BDO’s net income rose by 6.49% to P19.7 billion in the first quarter amid the sustained performance of its core businesses.

Its shares dropped by 60 centavos or 0.39% to end at P151.40 each on Tuesday. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

AI as a national imperative: Building a smarter, stronger Philippines

STOCK PHOTO | Image from Freepik

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic abstraction — it is here, shaping economies, automating industries, enhancing governance, and revolutionizing how societies function. For the Philippines, the question is no longer whether we adopt AI, but how fast and how boldly we do it.

Last week, as Congress and the Senate opened their new sessions, one clear trend emerged: lawmakers from both chambers have filed bills pushing for Artificial Intelligence as a national priority. From AI roadmaps to institutional research centers, legislative momentum is finally catching up to the global urgency. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. himself declared AI as a national imperative, recognizing that our survival in the Fourth Industrial Revolution hinges on how we embrace this powerful technology.

The Department of Science and Technology (DoST), under the leadership of Secretary Renato Solidum, is already laying the groundwork. In a recent presentation with the Institute of Corporate Directors, Mr. Solidum outlined the DoST’s initiatives to integrate AI into research, education, disaster resilience, and economic development. From smart farming to predictive modeling for typhoons and flooding, from health diagnostics to language processing in Filipino and local dialects, the applications are vast and transformative. The government’s role is becoming clear: set direction, establish standards, and provide catalytic support.

But the real work will require collective action — especially from the private sector. If the Philippines is to become a true AI-enabled nation, industry must not wait for government mandates. It must lead innovation, provide resources, and collaborate on scalable solutions. Only through a whole-of-nation approach can we ensure that the Philippines is not just a consumer of AI technology, but a creator and leader in the space.

AI is not just a tool; it is a multiplier of national capacity. In healthcare, AI can bridge the shortage of doctors by enabling remote diagnostics, patient triaging, and disease prediction. In education, intelligent tutoring systems can help personalize learning for students, especially those in rural and underserved areas. In agriculture, AI can optimize planting schedules, detect crop diseases, and improve food security. In finance, AI enables better fraud detection, faster credit scoring, and broader financial inclusion for the unbanked.

And in governance, AI can improve service delivery, reduce bureaucratic red tape, and strengthen disaster response through predictive analytics and real-time data. Imagine a Philippines where floods are predicted days in advance with pinpoint accuracy, where city traffic is managed through intelligent systems, and where social protection programs are targeted with data-driven precision. These are not dreams — they are already being done elsewhere. The Philippines must catch up and, ideally, leap ahead.

But we cannot leap alone. The private sector must recognize that AI is not just a tech department concern — it is a boardroom issue. Executives, founders, and entrepreneurs must now view AI as core to their survival and competitiveness. It’s not just about automating customer service with chatbots or adding AI to marketing analytics. It’s about reimagining products, services, and value chains. It’s about understanding the data they already have — and the insights they are not using.

This is especially crucial for the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, which employs over a million Filipinos and contributes nearly a tenth of our GDP. AI is disrupting voice-based and routine service jobs at an alarming pace. While some see this as a threat, it can also be a moment of reinvention. The Philippines must move from a BPO model to a KPO (Knowledge Process Outsourcing) and AIO (AI-enabled Outsourcing) model. To do this, we must invest in large-scale education and upskilling, so that Filipino workers can transition into higher-value roles in data analytics, AI operations, machine learning QA, and cybersecurity.

This is where education becomes the backbone of AI transformation. AI won’t just affect our workforce — it will redefine the very skills needed to participate in the economy. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) deserves recognition for taking early leadership through its Enterprise-Based Virtual Education and Training (EVET) program, a platform designed to bring digital skills to workers right where they are — within industries, companies, and communities. TESDA’s approach to enterprise-based training models should now be scaled across sectors, integrating AI-focused modules into its curriculum alongside technical, soft, and adaptive skills.

Likewise, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and our leading universities must embed AI and data science fundamentals across disciplines — not just in engineering or IT. In today’s world, even marketing professionals, human resource managers, and supply chain specialists need a basic understanding of AI tools and data-driven thinking. Every profession will intersect with AI in some form, and education must reflect that.

Industries such as logistics, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing must begin their AI transitions now. This means investing in talent, retraining workforces, and adopting tools that can make operations smarter. Filipino talent has always been globally competitive — and with the right education infrastructure, we can climb up the value chain in global AI services and innovation.

It’s also time for Filipino businesses to collaborate, not compete, in AI development. We need shared data repositories, open models, and consortiums to develop industry-specific solutions. Small- and medium-sized enterprises must not be left behind. If only big corporations can afford AI, we risk widening the innovation gap. Government can play a convening role here — setting standards, providing infrastructure, and offering incentives for AI adoption.

Internationally, we must form partnerships to leapfrog. Countries like Singapore, India, and Japan have already built AI innovation hubs. The Philippines must join this network, not as a junior partner, but as a country with a unique perspective and rich potential. Global investors are looking for the next AI frontier. With over 100 million citizens, a young and tech-savvy population, and a government now aligned with the AI agenda, we offer a compelling case. But we must act fast.

This is why AI hackathons, sandboxes, testbeds, and innovation grants must proliferate. We need to energize not just the tech community but also students, creatives, scientists, and civil servants. Let AI be the spark for cross-sector collaboration. Let it be the glue that connects our startups with our schools, our bureaucrats with our engineers, our small towns with our global ambitions.

The stakes are too high for complacency. If we do not lead in AI, we will be disrupted by it. If we do not innovate, we will import. If we do not train, we will be replaced. But if we act, and act together, we can create jobs, improve lives, and transform the Philippines into an AI-powered economy with Filipino values at its heart.

Let us not wait for the future to arrive. Let us build it — intelligently, inclusively, and fearlessly.

AI is a national imperative. But more than that, it is our national opportunity.

 

Dr. Donald Lim is the founding president of the Global AI Council Philippines and the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, and the founding chair of the Cybersecurity Council, whose mission is to advocate the right use of emerging technologies to propel business organizations forward. He is currently the president and COO of DITO CME Holdings Corp.

New Superman muscles to $217 million at global box office

David Corenswet in Superman (2025) — IMDB

LOS ANGELES — A new Superman movie from Warner Bros. hauled in an estimated $122 million to lead weekend box office charts in the United States and Canada, a strong domestic debut that kicked off a new era for DC comic book heroes on the big screen.

The movie that introduces David Corenswet as the Man of Steel added $95 million in international markets for global ticket sales expected to reach $217 million through Sunday, Warner Bros. said.

Superman is a reboot of the movie franchise based on the hero who debuted in comic books in 1938. The film’s performance is critical to the future of Warner Bros. and its DC Studios division.

Despite a stable of iconic characters including Batman and Wonder Woman, DC has not been able to match the box office power of Walt Disney’s Marvel superhero films.

The new Superman was written and directed by James Gunn, the filmmaker known for three offbeat Guardians of the Galaxy movies for Marvel. Mr. Gunn was tapped as co-chief executive officer of DC Studios in 2022, alongside producer Peter Safran, and billed as the hero who could bring consistent success to its film and TV projects.

Superman is meant to set the stage for coming DC films including a Supergirl movie next summer and future Batman and Wonder Woman films.

“The DC vision is clear, the momentum is real, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead,” Warner Bros. Discovery Chief Executive David Zaslav said in a statement.

Superman is one of only three films to debut with more than $100 million in domestic ticket sales in 2025 as moviegoing lingers below pre-pandemic levels.

“The domestic number is great. You can’t beat a top three opening of the year,” Jeff Bock, senior box office analyst at Exhibitor Relations Co., said of the Superman results.

He called the international ticket sales “troubling” for a big-budget action movie. The film cost $225 million to make, according to a source with knowledge of the budget.

Jeff Goldstein, president of global distribution at Warner Bros., said the studio was thrilled with the domestic response and that the movie about an American icon performed as expected overseas.

“We always knew that this would be bigger in the US than international,” Mr. Goldstein said. “Superman has always been very American-centric.”

Mr. Gunn’s take on the character earned positive reviews from critics. Eighty-two percent of reviews collected on the Rotten Tomatoes website gave the film a thumbs up.

Mr. Corenswet stars opposite The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel actor Rachel Brosnahan as journalist Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as villain Lex Luthor.

After box office misfires last year including Furiosa and Joker: Folie à Deux, Warner Bros. has notched six No. 1 openings in 2025. The studio boasts this year’s highest domestic opening with A Minecraft Movie, which pulled in $162.8 million over its first three days in April.

The studio also has delivered hits with Sinners, Final Destination Bloodlines, and F1.

Some conservative commentators objected to Superman when Mr. Gunn said the movie about a refugee from another planet was an immigrant story. US President Donald J. Trump posted a meme that showed his face in place of Mr. Corenswet’s on a Superman poster.

The director and stars said the film was a tale about kindness and no political message was intended.

“It’s just a movie guys,” actor Nathan Fillion, who plays Green Lantern, told Variety at the film’s Los Angeles premiere.

Year-to-date ticket sales for all movies in the US and Canada hovered 15% above 2024 but 24% below the pre-COVID times of 2019. — Reuters

Purposeful branding to help small businesses stand out

Stalls selling school uniforms are seen at Quiapo Market in Manila. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

MICRO, SMALL, AND MEDIUM enterprises (MSME) in the Philippines should take branding seriously to succeed in a saturated and competitive market, according to a marketing executive.

“A lot of businesses have a brand, whether they were intentionally making one or not,” Cherry S. Kho, founder and chief executive officer at brand experience design firm Bluethumb, told BusinessWorld during its 23rd anniversary event. “But a lot of businesses think of a brand as just having a logo.”

She said many MSMEs fail to consider the deeper narrative behind their brand, making it difficult to stand out.

“They don’t put much thought into the story of the brand,” she said. “If there’s no story or brand to back it up… then it’s hard for customers to differentiate you from other people who are selling something similar to you.”

Ms. Kho cited the milk tea industry as a key example of oversaturation, noting that more than 6,000 milk tea shops operate nationwide. “If I were to come up with a milk tea shop, I’d base what I do on my values — it would be a healthy one,” she said.

She said MSMEs could benefit from branding that resonates with their personal values and addresses community needs. “People are not really digging deeper into what is needed in the community and what aligns with their beliefs and values. Because if you can do something like that, then you become unstoppable,” she added.

MSMEs with strong branding and attention to intellectual property were more resilient during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to 2021 report by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.

Still, financial constraints remain a significant hurdle for many MSMEs looking to invest in branding.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies has identified cost as a major pain point that prevents many enterprises from developing a strong brand identity.

To address this gap, Bluethumb launched a book titled Vision to Action Toolkit written during the pandemic. “It’s a collection of questions and case studies from some of the brands we’ve worked with, as well as brands from abroad that we believe were able to make an impact with their brand,” Ms. Kho said.

The book is available on e-commerce platform Lazada for P2,000. — Adrian Edg A. Eva

Digital beauty entrepreneurs to be trained

FREEPIK

ABOUT 600 Filipino entrepreneurs are set to benefit from an expanded beauty and digital skill training program under a partnership among the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), L’Oréal Philippines and SPARK! Philippines.

The initiative will scale up L’Oréal’s Beauty for A Better Life E-Beauty Advisor (E-BA) program nationwide. The program, launched in 2023, has trained 2,346 people in Quezon City and Makati City, with some graduates securing digital-enabled jobs such as content creation, affiliate marketing and live streaming.

“A target of 600 beneficiaries will get access to training in beauty basics such as skincare, haircare and make-up; digital content creation; TikTok Shop and affiliate platforms; small business literacy; and other mentorship training and skills to thrive in the digital economy,” L’Oréal said in a statement on Tuesday.

L’Oréal Philippines Country Managing Director Yassine Bakkari reaffirmed the company’s broader goals through the partnership. “We are reaffirming our commitment to empowering 10,000 Filipinos by 2030 through beauty education with this new partnership with the DTI,” he said.

“This partnership will propel us to scale Beauty for A Better Life nationwide and upskill Filipinos with beauty education and provide access to livelihood opportunities,” he added.

The partnership aims to support digital entrepreneurship and enhance the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) under the DTI’s programs.

“We at the DTI are dedicated to creating inclusive, competitive and resilient MSMEs. But we cannot do this alone. That is why we are proud to work with SPARK! Philippines and L’Oréal,” Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said in the statement.

“This program is a testament to the transformative power of digital skills in today’s modern economy,” she added.

SPARK! Philippines Executive Director Mikaela Luisa Carmen R. Teves cited the program’s potential to uplift communities by empowering women entrepreneurs.

“When women earn, the entire community rises. Expanding the Beauty for A Better Life E-BA Program gives them the tools and confidence to thrive in the digital marketplace,” she said.

“By combining public-sector reach, NGO (nongovernment organization) community ties and L’Oréal’s global beauty-tech expertise, the Beauty for A Better Life E-BA Program is a powerful model for inclusive, sustainable livelihood building through beauty and social commerce,” she added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Philippine CEOs boost AI use, but returns lag — IBM study

FLICKR/RICHMOND CHI

WHILE MORE Philippine chief executive officers (CEOs) are recognizing the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, some have yet to see the expected returns on their AI investments, according to a study from the IBM Institute for Business Value.

The latest IBM study, which surveyed 2,000 CEOs globally — including 210 leaders from the Philippines and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries — said over half (55%) of Philippine leaders are actively adopting AI agents and are preparing to implement them at scale.

It also noted that 63% of surveyed leaders prioritize AI use cases based on their return-on-investment (RoI).

However, the study found that only 23% said their AI initiatives have delivered expected returns so far, suggesting a mismatch between companies’ investment priorities and results.

“Business leaders in ASEAN are under pressure to demonstrate RoI from AI while needing to invest in long-term capabilities to stay competitive,” said Abraham Thomas, managing partner at IBM Consulting, ASEAN.

“This balancing act is made even more complex by the region’s fragmented digital landscape, with varying national regulations and inconsistent standards for cross-border data flow,” he said.

More than half (73%) of Philippine CEOs surveyed cited the importance of integrated enterprise-wide data architecture for cross-functional collaboration, while 63% of the country’s executives view their organization’s proprietary data as crucial to unlocking the value of generative AI.

About 60% of executives said they are now hiring for roles related to AI that did not exist a year ago.

“As Philippine organizations accelerate AI adoption in order to stay ahead in a dynamic market, their success to unlock real business value from their investments will hinge on overcoming challenges in data integration and workforce readiness,” Mr. Thomas said.

About 78% of CEOs surveyed said the success of their organizations is linked to maintaining a broad group of leaders with a deep understanding of strategy, while keeping authority to make critical decisions.

However, 58% of Philippine CEOs admit that their organization is struggling to balance funding for operations with investment in innovation, especially during unexpected changes.

According to the report, the top priorities of CEOs include the ability to forecast accurately while ensuring productivity or profitability, as well as product and service innovation.

“As AI rewrites the rules, CEOs who can accurately forecast market shifts, customer behavior, and operational outcomes will be the ones calling the shots,” it noted.

However, the top concerns among CEOs include supply chain performance, talent recruitment and retention, and business model innovation, it added.

The study also noted that 65% of CEOs said they need to be flexible with their budgets to capitalize on digital opportunities that promise long-term growth and innovation.

Looking ahead, 31% of the Philippine workforce will require retraining and/or reskilling over the next three years as more organizations leverage AI, it said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

GoTyme Bank deposits hit over P30 billion as of June as it expands presence, services

GOTYME.COM.PH

GOTYME BANK’S customer deposits reached over P30 billion as of June as it continues to expand its services and presence nationwide.

Deposit growth was driven by efforts to enhance its authentication and fraud controls, it said, as well as the increase in the online bank’s users to over 6.5 million, it said in its second-quarter update.

“In under three years, 6.5 million Filipinos have chosen to upgrade their banking experience with GoTyme Bank,” GoTyme Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel D. Clarke said.

“GoTyme users spent over P10.5 billion on the GoTyme Bank card in the last three months and in the past year has been used in over 100 countries, meaning GoTyme customers are not just using the card here, they are taking us with them as they explore the world.”

The bank added that it is now among the top four banks in the country in terms of monthly active app users and part of the top five in terms of InstaPay transactions.

GoTyme Bank looks to sustain its strong performance by expanding its presence and offering new services, it said.

“By the third quarter of 2025, every single SM Store across the country will proudly host a GoTyme Bank kiosk. That’s more than 70 new locations where anyone can walk up, open an account in under five minutes, receive a free Visa debit card, and instantly step into the world of beautiful, seamless banking,” GoTyme Bank Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Commercial Officer Albert Raymund O. Tinio said.

“We are putting the power of banking directly where people live, shop, and thrive. This is more than convenience. This is a revolution in access and empowerment,” he said.

The digital bank is also looking to roll out a local stock investing feature within this quarter.

It will also introduce other services such as cryptocurrency trading via its app, cash deposit and withdrawal machines with self-service and off-us functionality, as well as a new reward points earning scheme through Go Rewards.

Under the new scheme, users can get one point per P100 spent at partner stores and a point per P500 spent elsewhere, which they can use to book flights or pay for their purchases.

GoTyme Bank recently launched a buy now, pay later product. It also announced partnerships to extend credit to small businesses in the country.

The bank expects to hit nine million users by end-2025 and remains on track to be profitable by 2026, Mr. Tinio earlier said.

Based on its latest available balance sheet, GoTyme Bank had assets worth P35.3 billion as of March. Its gross loan portfolio stood at P5.46 billion, while deposit liabilities were at P28.91 billion in the same period.

The bank booked a net loss of P2.47 billion in 2023, widening from the P909.67-million loss in 2022, due to higher expenses, its latest annual report showed.

GoTyme Bank began commercial operations in October 2022 and is one of the six digital banks licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. It is a partnership between the Gokongwei group and Singapore-based Tyme Group. — AMCS

Peso sinks to 3-week low before US CPI

BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO sank to a three-week low against the dollar on Tuesday before the release of US June consumer inflation data and as markets await developments in countries’ trade talks with the Trump administration.

The local unit closed at P56.73 versus the greenback, weakening by 10 centavos from its P56.63 finish on Monday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed. This was the peso’s weakest finish in three weeks or since it closed at P57.16 on June 24.

The peso opened Tuesday’s session weaker at P56.70 against the dollar. Its worst showing was at P56.81, while its intraday best was at P56.675 versus the greenback.

Dollars exchanged rose to $1.28 billion on Tuesday from $1.16 billion on Monday.

“The dollar-peso closed higher as risk-off sentiment caused by the escalating tariff war boosted demand for safe-haven dollar,” a trader said in a phone interview.

Expectations of a faster US consumer price index (CPI) reading for June also supported the greenback, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a ​Viber message.

For Wednesday, the trader expects the peso to move between P56.50 and P57 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort sees it ranging from P56.65 to P56.85.

The dollar hovered just below a three-week high against a basket of currencies on Tuesday, ahead of the release of US inflation data that could give traders a steer on the near-term outlook for interest rates, Reuters reported.

The dollar was little changed at 147.71 yen after earlier rising to the highest since June 23 at 147.89 yen.

The dollar index, which tracks the currency against the yen, euro and four others, eased slightly to 98.003, not far below the overnight peak of 98.136, the highest since June 25.

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell has said he expects inflation to increase this summer as a result of tariffs, which is seen keeping the US central bank on hold until later in the year.

Economists polled by Reuters expect headline inflation to increase to 2.7% on an annual basis, up from 2.4% the prior month. Core inflation is expected to rise to 3% from 2.8%. — Aaron Michael C. Sy with Reuters

1...1,2891,2901,291...14,238Page 1,290 of 14,238
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube