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Yields on BSP securities inch up even as offer goes oversubscribed

BW FILE PHOTO

YIELDS on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) short-term securities inched higher on Monday, with both tenors being oversubscribed.

The BSP securities auctioned off on Monday fetched bids amounting to P124.432 billion, higher than the P120-billion offer but below the P153.009 billion in tenders for the P130-billion offering at the previous auction. The central bank made a full award of the bills.

Tenders for the 28-day BSP bills reached P40.817 billion, slightly above the P40-billion offer but lower than the P41.684 billion in bids for the P50 billion placed on the auction block on April 11. The central bank made a full P40-billion award of the tenor.

Banks asked for yields ranging from 5.65% to 5.849%, narrower than the 5.645% to 5.85% band previously. This caused the average rate of the one-month securities to edge up by 0.08 basis point (bp) to 5.779% from 5.7782%.

Meanwhile, bids for the 56-day bills amounted to P83.615 billion, higher than the P80-billion offering but below the P111.325 billion in tenders for same volume offered at the previous auction. The BSP likewise made a full P80-billion award of the two-month securities.

Accepted rates for the two-month tenor were from 5.65% to 5.8%, narrower than the 5.6125% to 5.816% margin seen in the prior auction. With this, the average rate of the securities rose by 1.18 bps to 5.7548% from 5.743%.

The auction date for the BSP bills was adjusted due to the Holy Week holidays last week.

The central bank decreased the total volume offering for BSP bills from the previous week, it said in a statement.

“Total tenders received amounted to P124.432 billion, lower than P153.009 billion in the previous week. The resulting bid-to-cover ratios were 1.02 times for the 28-day tenor and 1.05 times for the 56-day tenor,” it said.

The central bank uses the BSP securities and its term deposit facility to mop up excess liquidity in the financial system and to better guide short-term market rates towards its policy rate.

The BSP bills also contribute to improved price discovery for debt instruments while supporting monetary policy transmission, the central bank said.

The central bank securities were calibrated to not overlap with the Treasury bill and term deposit tenors also being offered weekly.

Data from the central bank showed that around 50% of its market operations are done through the short-term BSP bills.

The BSP bills are considered high-quality liquid assets for the computation of banks’ liquidity coverage ratio, net stable funding ratio, and minimum liquidity ratio.

They can also be traded on the secondary market. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Philippines improves in international intellectual property list

The Philippines rose one rank to 36th out of 55 economies with an overall index score of 40.17% in the 13th edition of the International Intellectual Property (IP) Index by US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center. However, the country’s overall score fell below the Asia average score of 54.67%. The index evaluates the IP systems of the economies and reveals trends in global IP protection.

Philippines improves in international intellectual property list

Filipino coworking office provider GreatWork eyes int’l market

GREATWORKGLOBAL.COM

GREATWORK Global Workspaces, a Filipino coworking and serviced office provider, said it plans to expand nationwide and open its first international branch within two years.

“GreatWork is eyeing to make its first international expansion, being the first Filipino-owned to go global,” GreatWork Director Jettson P. Yu told BusinessWorld last week.

“We’re expanding GreatWork over the next 24 months in strategic locations across key cities and provinces nationwide,” he said.

GreatWork provides build-to-suit private offices, coworking spaces, meeting rooms, and virtual office addresses. It currently has three branches: two in Quezon City and one in Mega Tower, Mandaluyong City.

“We focus on where there is organic demand. So, we’re currently in talks with building owners who have one or two floors that are unproductive and want to make them productive,” Mr. Yu said.

Launched in 2018, the company has outgrown its pre-pandemic sales, posting a 736% absolute growth rate, according to German online data platform Statista.

The company also handles its own construction, sourcing materials and furniture directly, which helps reduce its costs by up to 30%, Mr. Yu said.

“In Metro Manila, the average cost for a Grade B standard office is around P30,000 to P32,000 per square meter. GreatWork can give it to you for P19,000 to P24,000,” he added.

Its tech-powered, modern workspaces feature ergonomic furniture, natural lighting, Wi-Fi connectivity, power sockets, and coffee sourced from local farmers.

GreatWork’s clients range from government tenants to freelancers and multinational firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Concentrix, and IBM.

At present, its three branches have an average occupancy rate of 92%, Mr. Yu said, and the company is targeting full occupancy this year. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Secrets of the Penguins to be premiered on eve of Earth Day

LONDON — Years of filming, often in extreme conditions, has provided new insights into the extraordinary challenges endured by penguins for a documentary series to be premiered on Monday, the eve of Earth Day.

Secrets of the Penguins is voiced by US actor Blake Lively and hosted by National Geographic explorer Bertie Gregory, who hopes to engage the widest possible audience with the natural world.

He says filming that included 274 days on the Ekström Ice Shelf in Antarctica, home to around 20,000 emperor penguins, as well as in locations from Cape Town in South Africa to the Galapagos Islands, led to discovering “new penguin secrets.”

“I have filmed penguins a lot before,” he said. “I thought I knew penguins. I was so wrong.”

The three-part series, to be screened on Disney+ on Monday, and on Nat Geo Wild on Tuesday, in all took more than two years to film.

The highlights include penguin chicks jumping off a 50-foot (15-meter) ice cliff in order to dive into the sea for the first time in their young lives.

“As soon as the first one went… they all started to jump. It was an amazing moment to witness,” Mr. Gregory said, adding the exploit has never been broadcast before.

“They’re the only animal in the world to raise their young during the Antarctic winter. It is the coldest, darkest, windiest place on Earth,” he said further.

Mr. Gregory says the significance goes beyond any one species.

“We should want to look after penguins, not just because it makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside, but because we need healthy, wild places for so many things,” he said.

The 31-year-old explorer has two Daytime Emmy Awards for the series Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory and a BAFTA Television Craft Award for shooting British naturalist David Attenborough’s Seven Worlds, One Planet.

He does not see himself taking on the mantle of the 98-year-old Attenborough, who is still at work. “He’s one of a kind,” Mr. Gregory said. “There is no replacement.” — Reuters

DFNN widens net loss to P631M

DFNN.COM

DFNN, INC. saw a wider attributable net loss of P631.04 million for 2024 compared to P125.81 million in 2023, primarily due to “heightened competition,” the listed gaming technology provider said on Monday.

Revenue dropped by 40.5% to P584.23 million from P981.29 million in 2023, DFNN said in a regulatory filing.

Gross income fell by 48.2% to P256.09 million while loss before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization stood at P404.8 million.

“As the number of remote gaming platform providers grew five-fold from the previous year, revenue was affected amid heightened competition,” DFNN said.

“As DFNN laid the groundwork for long-term recovery and innovation through strategic launches and partnerships, 2024 proved to be another challenging year as broader industry headwinds continue to heighten competitive pressure, further adding to operational costs as competition to gain and retain market share escalates,” it added.

For this year, DFNN is confident that its resources and initiatives would lead to a growth trajectory even though the company’s revenue base has yet to fully rebound.

The company is also increasing the footprint of its land-based gaming sites, online gaming platforms, as well as game offerings with more localized content to attract and retain customers.

“DFNN’s decision to avoid debt exposure, continued investments in artificial intelligence technology platforms and solutions as well as community-based platforms has placed it in a position of readiness as the gaming and fintech landscapes continue to evolve,” it said.

“This strategic pivot paired with its legacy strength in regulated gaming systems, signals a more resilient and diversified path forward,” it added.

DFNN recently partnered with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to launch the LottoMatik system, a portable point-of-sale device that simplifies the process of buying lotto tickets.

The company is targeting to deploy 120,000 terminals of its new LottoMatik platform.

On Monday, DFNN shares rose by 10.62% or 24 centavos to P2.50 per share. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Nuclear energy for sustained growth

This week I am attending two important energy fora. First is the “Power 101: Energy Security in times of La Niña and El Niño” seminar for media on April 21 and 22 at the Seda Hotel BGC, Taguig, which is sponsored by Aboitiz Power (AP) and the Department of Energy (DoE). The second is the “Giga Summit 2025: The Fusion of Power and Intelligence,” on April 24 and 25 at The Fifth at Rockwell Center, Makati, and sponsored by the Meralco Power Academy. It will feature over 30 local and international experts on nuclear power and AI.

On Day 1 of Power 101, Suiee Suarez, AP Vice-President for Corporate Affairs gave a welcome message with a realistic point of view, noting that “our energy supply is subject to stresses due to variability of weather, seasons and climate cycles; demand also varies but it is growing with our modern lifestyles and desire for more prosperous lives, so we need an energy system that can meet this rising demand despite the variability.”

In the DoE presentation, Mark Christian Marollano, Supervising Science Research Specialist at the Electric Power Industry Management Bureau (EPIMB), highlighted that energy security and stability should be secured during both El Niño and La Niña cycles. Continuous coordination and facilitation among the DoE, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), and other government agencies to bring more power plants, both thermal and weather-based like hydro.

The “Giga Summit” looks very interesting to me. On Day 1, four key messages are to be given by DoE Secretary Raphael PM Lotilla, PhilAtom sponsor Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, ERC Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta, and Meralco Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.

Topics on Day 1 are mostly about nuclear energy, like “France’s Flamanville 3, the biggest nuclear reactor in the world” by Alice Radjagobal of Electricite de France (EDF). Then there will be a panel on “Policy and regulatory blueprints to enable a nuclear-powered future” with Brian Fehrenbach of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) and Dr. Kirsten Cutler of the US State Department. Moderators are Dr. Carlo Arcilla of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and Dr. Ike Dimayuga of the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories.

There will be another panel, “Nuclear power: the Operator’s perspective” with Brian Fehrenbach of OCNI, Yuzuru Yoshioka of the Japan Electric Power Information Center, Brian Meadors of Excel Services Corp., Victor Barrado Campos of EDF, and Jehyun Yoon of the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Corp. The moderators are also Dr. Arcilla and Dr. Dimayuga.

The last panel for Day 1 is “Strengthening nuclear partnerships for energy security in ASEAN countries” by James Voss, ASEAN Director of Excel Services Corp.

I reviewed some numbers on nuclear generation, derived the kWh per capita production, and there are some interesting results.

One, the US and Canada have rising overall nuclear generation but their nuclear per capita production is falling.

Two, most European nations are slowly moving away from nuclear power, both in total and per capita generation. These include France, Germany, the UK, Belgium, Spain, Sweden. Joining then in this trend are Japan and Taiwan.

Three, a few European nations are increasing their nuclear use like Russia and the Czech Republic. In Asia, China and South Korea are following this trend (see Table 1), as are India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates.

Comparing the nuclear generation kWh per capita with GDP per capita at Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) values, the results are also interesting.

One, countries that have slightly declining nuclear per capita generation over two decades (lower than -25%) also have modest increases in GDP per capita, like the US and Canada.

Two, countries with a steep decline in nuclear per capita generation (more than -25%) also have a modest increase in GDP per capita, like Germany, the UK, Belgium, and Japan. An exception is Taiwan, which has a high expansion in GDP per capita because its overall power generation increased big time. It saw a reduction in nuclear power but increased its use of coal and gas.

Three, countries with rising nuclear power per capita have had a huge expansion in GDP per capita, namely Russia, the Czech Republic, China, and South Korea. China’s increases are phenomenal, outlier high (see Table 2).

There are many factors for countries’ fast or slow growth and their level of power generation is only one of them, but it is an important factor, including nuclear power.

I hope that the new partnership in LNG development by three big power companies — AP, Meralco Power Gen, and San Miguel Global Power — will be extended into developing big conventional nuclear plants. So far Meralco is far ahead in its nuclear power preparations, thanks to the leadership of Mr. Pangilinan.

Sustaining growth, continued increase in our per capita income yearly, the endless pursuit of human prosperity and modernity — these are fair goals and we must provide ample and abundant energy supplies to support these goals.

 

Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr. is the president of Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr. Research Consultancy Services, and Minimal Government Thinkers. He is an international fellow of the Tholos Foundation.

minimalgovernment@gmail.com

Former RCBC, DBP president Gil Buenaventura passes away

Former Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. President Gil A. Buenaventura — RIZAL COMMERCIAL BANKING CORP.

FORMER Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) and Development Bank of the Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gil A. Buenaventura has died.

“It is with deep sorrow that the bank announces the passing of Mr. Gil A. Buenaventura, our director, today, April 21, 2025. Mr. Buenaventura was a valuable part of the organization being a director of the bank since 2016,” RCBC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange on Monday.

Mr. Buenaventura served as the listed bank’s president and CEO from 2016 to 2019 and stayed as a member of its board of directors after his retirement.

Prior to his stint at RCBC, he was state-run bank DBP’s president and CEO from 2012 to 2016.

He also held various leadership posts at other banks, including Bank of the Philippine Islands and Citibank NA.

Mr. Buenaventura graduated with an economics degree from the University of San Francisco in 1973 and received his Master of Business Administration in Finance degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1975. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

One Timog Center slated for Q4 2025 completion

PROPERTY developer Seven Generations Realty Corp. expects to complete its new office development in Quezon City, One Timog Center, by the fourth quarter.

The 14-storey building is located along Timog Avenue, Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City. It has a gross floor area of 14,593.78 square meters (sq.m.) and a floor-to-ceiling clearance of 2.70 meters.

“As a premier commercial landmark, it is set to elevate Quezon City’s real estate landscape, offering businesses a prestigious location with top-tier amenities,” PRIME Philippines, which has been appointed as the exclusive leasing agent for One Timog Center, said in an e-mail to BusinessWorld.

The office development features three elevators, 132 parking slots, and full back-up power. Ground-floor units are available in 72 sq.m., 175 sq.m., and 342 sq.m. configurations, while each floor from the sixth to the tenth offers 1,000 sq.m. of leasable space.

Other key features include a column-free layout, driver’s quarters, meeting and function rooms, an ensuite room, and 24-hour security.

One Timog Center offers flexible, spacious layouts designed to promote a balanced lifestyle, supporting operational efficiency and social interaction, according to the company.

“With its forward-thinking design, One Timog Center is more than just a workplace — it’s a destination for professionals looking for a location that fosters creativity and collaboration,” PRIME Philippines said.

Timog Avenue, a prominent entertainment and business district in Quezon City, makes the building ideal for tenants such as corporate offices, creative agencies, technology startups, IT-BPO firms, and government institutions, according to the real estate consultant.

“This ambitious project signals a new era in Quezon City’s commercial real estate landscape, offering a place where modern businesses can thrive in a dynamic, interconnected environment,” PRIME Philippines said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Philippines: Balance of Payments (BoP) Position

THE country’s balance of payments (BoP) position swung to a $2-billion deficit in March, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Monday. Read the full story.

Philippines: Balance of Payments (BoP) Position

Balai ni Fruitas profit up 16% on expansion, higher revenue

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

LISTED counter-service bakery operator Balai ni Fruitas, Inc. said its net income rose by 16% to P68 million last year from P59 million in 2023, driven by expansion efforts and higher revenue.

Revenue grew by 25% to P668 million from P535 million in 2023, supported by better same-store sales and retail expansion initiatives, Balai ni Fruitas said in a stock exchange disclosure on Monday.

The company ended 2024 with 132 stores nationwide across its four brands: 63 Balai Pandesal, 39 Buko ni Fruitas, 28 House of Desserts, and two Sugarhouse stores.

Gross profit increased by 26% to P345 million, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) rose by 24% to P134 million.

“2024 was a defining year for Balai ni Fruitas, marked by sustained growth, strategic milestones, and strengthened brand equity. We continued to deliver solid performance across our core brands — Balai Pandesal, Buko ni Fruitas, and House of Desserts — while successfully integrating the Sugarhouse brand into our portfolio, allowing us to enter the premium cake segment and expand our production capabilities,” Balai ni Fruitas President and Chief Executive Officer Lester C. Yu said.

“Our exclusive distributorship of Polland Hopia in Cebu and Zamboanga opened new doors for regional growth and synergies within our community-based stores,” he added.

Balai ni Fruitas completed its acquisition of the Sugarhouse brand and its operational assets in April last year, signaling the company’s foray into the premium cake category.

In the second half of last year, Balai ni Fruitas also secured the sole rights to distribute the Polland Hopia brand in Cebu and Zamboanga under an exclusive distributorship agreement with brand owner D’ Famous Red Box Corp. Under the deal, Polland Hopia products will be featured in Balai Pandesal stores.

Balai ni Fruitas is a 75%-owned subsidiary of listed food and beverage kiosk operator Fruitas Holdings Inc.

On Monday, Balai ni Fruitas shares were unchanged at P0.36 per share. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Rate cuts anyone? Anyone? Ferris Bueller’s tariff lesson

IN THE FILM Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Ben Stein plays an economics teacher telling his languid students that the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Act, which erected a protectionist wall around the US, was a deeply flawed piece of legislation. He struggles to get a reaction from them. Anyone? Anyone, the instructor asks in an effort to get attention.

IT’S DISCOMFORTING to see the men and women who have saved the global economy numerous times be so flummoxed by the trade war. Even if they were less than fully convinced about what would ultimately be required, they tend to act decisively. Officials are feeling their way through the tariff drama, just like the rest of us.

This type of caution does, though, come with term limits.

The Bank of Korea (BoK) reached the defensible conclusion on Thursday that it’s better to hold fire while talks over the huge levies Donald Trump imposed on trading partners play out. As a major exporter, and firm US ally, South Korea had reason to hedge when it kept interest rates unchanged. It’s impossible to know what the White House will accept — or even if it will stand by any accords reached during the 90-day period when the most punitive duties are suspended. “Highly unpredictable,” was how the Bank of Canada chief put it charitably a few hours earlier. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, often in Trump’s bad books, sees potential risks to both price stability and employment. At some point, he may have to lean more toward one of those two mandates. Powell made light of the troubling times on Wednesday by referring to a line from the 1986 movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: Life moves pretty fast. (A day later, Trump mused about firing Powell.)

The collective sense of “we don’t know” will give way to either hiking or easing. In Asia, the bias appears to favor the latter. Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda demurs on a direct answer when questioned whether the rate increases the BoJ has embarked on can continue. But there is a distinctly dovish tone to his hesitancy. Of course, the bank is ready to lift rates again — from a very low level — if the reasonably positive outlook stays intact. “We will make an appropriate decision depending on the changing situation,” he told the Sankei newspaper.

If the tariffs do go into effect, Japanese growth is expected to take a decent hit; exports were already slowing in March. The more likely scenario is one similar to that flagged by Nomura Holdings, Inc., which pushed back forecasts for the next BoJ increase from July to early next year. The firm now sees just one move through March 2027, down from two.

There’s little doubt which way the BoK will jump. The bank’s statement showed an undeniable preference for resuming the rate reductions it began last year. All six members of the policy committee indicated they were open to a cut in the coming three months; one opted for a slice today. There’s a chance gross domestic product shrank in the first quarter, according to Governor Rhee Chang-yong. Inflation is under control. One local wrinkle: Confidence among businesses and consumers took a hit from the short-lived imposition of martial law in December, a mistake for which the-then president was impeached and removed from office. Rhee, for all intents and purposes, pre-announced a cut in May.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is lying low ahead of a May 3 election. When the RBA cut rates in February, Governor Michele Bullock went out of her way to discourage speculation there would be more. Trump has both changed the calculus and amplified the risks around going it slow, and more economists predict a reduction in May, perhaps even as much as half a percentage point. (The European Central Bank is projected to relax borrowing costs multiple times before yearend.)

Yes, “Liberation Day” was a shock to the global economy. Outside the US, bets are that it will harm growth and might constrain inflation. All those Chinese goods that may be prevented from finding buyers in America will have to go somewhere else.

Perhaps the scene most relevant today in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the John Hughes film whose hero — played by Matthew Broderick — is a truant, comes in economics class. The teacher tells the languid students that the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Act, which erected a protectionist wall around the US, was a deeply flawed piece of legislation. He struggles to get a reaction from them. Anyone? Anyone, the instructor asks in an effort to get attention. The Trump administration could learn something from watching this.

(The teacher is played by Ben Stein, whose father was a member of Richard Nixon’s Council of Economic Advisers when the former president quit the Bretton Woods system of fixed exchange rates, a ruction for the ages.)

We’ll be counting the cost of Trump’s salvo against the trading system for some time. Monetary policy in Asia seems headed in one direction, sooner rather than later.

BLOOMBERG OPINION

Arts events (04/22/25)

Robinsons Galleria celebrates Eid Mubarak

ROBINSONS GALLERIA is set to host “Mubarak, Hari Raya: A Celebration of Islamic Heritage in the Philippines and Beyond,” a special event that invites the public to experience Islamic traditions. The event kicks off with an opening ceremony today at 2 p.m., and runs until April 25. Located at Level 3, EDSA Wing, the event will feature a halal food bazaar offering a unique selection of traditional dishes, artisanal crafts, and exhibits from the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Iran, and Malaysia. This initiative is organized in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and made possible through the participation of various foreign diplomatic missions in Manila.

VIVA signs e-commerce MoU vs piracy

VIVA HOLDINGS, Inc., has signed an e-commerce memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen protection of its content and retail products across digital platforms. The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines facilitated the making of the MoU, which aims to encourage more creatives to protect their intellectual property rights. Vicente “Vic” del Rosario, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Viva Communications, said the move will help protect the company’s content assets against piracy which he estimates is threatening 80% of its potential revenue.

FDCP launches Behind the Reel series

THE Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), supported by CineGang, Inc., has launched a YouTube series that gives an inside look at the film industry through roundtable discussions. The first episode was a discussion among “next generation” actors Elijah Canlas, Gabby Padilla, Paul Cedrick Juan, and Kakki Teodoro. The recently launched second episode showcased a conversation among five award-winning filmmakers: Antoinette Jadaone, Dwein Baltazar, Petersen Vargas, and Pepe Diokno. A new episode will be out on April 25.

Gary Valenciano, RJ Dela Fuente team up for a cover

POP BALLADEER RJ Dela Fuente has joined forces with Gary Valenciano on a heartfelt cover of Laura Story’s song “Blessings.” The duet offers a fresh take on the Christian ballad, which is a reminder of hope, healing, and unwavering faith in God amid life’s trials. The track was produced and arranged by Mon Faustino, Mr. Valenciano’s musical director for more than 35 years, in collaboration with recording consultant Mike Jamir. Considered by both as one of their favorite Christian songs, “Blessings” is a personal anthem for both singers. It is out now on all digital music streaming platforms.

Women docu filmmakers headline free screening

THE Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) will be offering a free public screening of a collection of socio-political documentaries which highlight the crucial role of women filmmakers. The selection was curated by feminist scholar Eloisa May Hernandez, PhD of the Department of Art Studies of the University of the Philippines College of Arts and Letters. The films to be screened are Walang Rape sa Bontok (2014) written by Carla Pulido Ocampo and directed by Lester Valle; Aswang (2019) by Alyx Ayn Arumpac; and Maria (2023) by She Andes, each screening on April 23, 24, and 25, respectively. The screenings are free and open to the public and will be held at noon on the scheduled dates at the M320 Case Room of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Taft Campus in Malate, Manila.

PLDT Home Fiber offers Squid Game experience

THOSE who apply for any PLDT Home Fiber Netflix plan can get the opportunity to enjoy an immersive playground inspired by the hit Netflix series Squid Game in Seoul, South Korea. Visitors will be able to test their skills in games — minus the real danger. PLDT Home, in collaboration with Netflix, will take five winners and their plus ones, all chosen via electronic raffle, to “Squid Game: The Experience.” It includes free round-trip airfare for two, three-day/two-night hotel accommodation in Seoul, and travel allowance. The promo runs until May 15, and is open to all new subscribers of PLDT Home Fiber Netflix plans 1599, 2499, and 3199. The travel period is from June 23 to 25.

Korean series Good Boy to stream on Prime Video

STARRING Park Bo-gum, Kim So-hyun, and Lee Sang-yi, the upcoming Korean series Good Boy is set to premiere on Prime Video in the Philippines on May 31. It blends comedy, action, crime investigation, and romance in a story of former medal-winning athletes who become police officers and fight in a world full of criminals. The team is played by Park Bo-gum, Kim So-hyun, Kim Jong-hyeon, Ko Man-sik, and Shin Jae-hong.

HBO Original Harry Potter series reveals cast

REGULAR MEMBERS of the cast of the upcoming Harry Potter TV series have been announced. These are John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. Guest or recurring cast members include Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch. The series aims to be a faithful adaptation of the popular Harry Potter book series by author and executive producer J.K. Rowling. It will stream exclusively on Max globally, executive produced by Francesca Gardiner and with episodes directed by Mark Mylod.

Hong Kong Disneyland to celebrate 20th anniversary

STARTING June 28, Hong Kong Disneyland is marking its 20th anniversary with a year-long celebration across the resort titled “The Most Magical Party of All.” One of the showcases will be the Disney Friends live show with the theme “Party at the Castle!” and the newest “Friendtastic!” Parade. There will also be a special anniversary version of the Momentous nighttime light projection and fireworks show.

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