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SEC clears MREIT’s P16.2-billion asset infusion ahead of schedule

MREIT.COM.PH

MREIT, INC. (MREIT), the real estate investment trust of Megaworld Corp., has secured approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its P16.2-billion “Wave 4” asset infusion.

The approval allows the company to proceed with the acquisition of nine Grade A office buildings, MREIT said in a statement on Thursday.

“The approval comes ahead of the company’s expected timeline, allowing MREIT to move forward with the next phase of its portfolio expansion strategy, with the assets set to contribute to income retroactively from Jan. 1 of the year, enabling investors to immediately benefit from the acquisition,” it said.

The transaction involves the infusion of office buildings in McKinley Hill, Taguig, with a combined gross leasable area (GLA) of about 165,500 square meters (sq.m.).

This will increase MREIT’s total GLA by about 34% to around 647,000 sq.m.

The deal was structured as a property-for-share swap valued at P16.03 billion, with the remaining balance of P187.5 million to be settled in cash.

The share swap was executed at a 15% premium to MREIT’s 30-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP), the company said.

“This structure minimizes dilution to existing shareholders and provides additional room for MREIT to grow its dividends per share.”

“This approval marks another important milestone in MREIT’s growth journey,” said Kevin L. Tan, chairman of MREIT.

“Wave 4 represents a key step in scaling the platform while maintaining our focus on disciplined and accretive expansion,” he added.

As of end-2025, the assets had an occupancy rate of 97%, with more than 80% leased to global capability center (GCC) tenants, according to the company.

Following the completion of Wave 4, MREIT said it is preparing for its next round of asset infusions, “Wave 5,” which is expected to include retail properties.

“Wave 5 is expected to begin the company’s diversification into retail properties, starting with several mall assets targeted for the second half of the year,” it said.

The company said the next phase could increase its portfolio to about 750,000 sq.m., as it targets one million sq.m. of GLA by 2027.

MREIT said its expansion pipeline is supported by Megaworld’s portfolio of income-generating properties and the broader assets of Alliance Global Group.

MREIT shares fell 1.03% to P13.50 per share on Thursday. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno

Pushing creative boundaries

BW FILE PHOTO

Ely Buendia’s indie label releases songs by 2 new artists

POST-PUNK synth-wave musician Sexy Jay and baroque-pop multidisciplinary artist Halina are two of the latest additions to the roster of Offshore Music, a homegrown independent label headed by Filipino rock legend Ely Buendia.

Presented as cutting-edge solo musicians, their newest singles reflect the creative integrity that attracted them to the label in the first place.

SEXY JAY
For Sexy Jay (real name: Jay Villarosa), who is a barber by trade, the playful track “Daga” is but a taste of his first album, which is coming out later this year. It will be his first time making his own music completely from scratch.

As he explained to BusinessWorld at the March 18 launch at Sari Sari Bar in Makati City, “2018 ako nagsimula gumawa ng music. Last year lang ako nagsimula mag-gig sa small bars. Wala pang isang taon, so medyo late ako. (I started making music in 2018. I only started doing gigs in small bars last year. Not even a year yet, so I’m a bit of a late bloomer).”

It was the joy of collaborating and meeting different artists that set him on the path of a musician. The upcoming album is mastered by music producer and electronic rock group Pedicab’s singer Diego Mapa.

“Naramdaman ko na masaya kaya tuloy-tuloy ko na ginawa (I felt it was fun, so I continued doing it),” Mr. Villarosa said. He added that Mr. Mapa was the one who encouraged him to sign with Offshore, a move that was finalized in January.

His new single, “Daga,” which came out last week, is a continuation of his signature short, DIY, punchy synth-punk style of making music. It’s inspired by his childhood in the province, where he once found a mother-and-child pair of rats in the cabinet.

Meanwhile, the sound is inspired by “’80s music, like analog synthesizers and drums.” With these, the track illustrates the jumpy character of the rats running across the roof or the road. The playful music video, animated by visual artist Apol Sta. Maria, was developed to match the song’s energy.

As for how he sees success, Mr. Villarosa told BusinessWorld that having the likes of Ely Buendia getting a haircut at his barbershop as well as meeting a lot of great musicians — both mainstream and underground — through his career is one step.

“Gusto ko ’yong dumadami ang tropa (I like that I’m making more friends),” he said.

“Daga” is the first of nine tracks that will be part of his first album, slated around June.

HALINA
Another relatively new addition to the Offshore Music label is Halina (real name: Divino Dayacap), who signed on back in October and promptly released a baroque OPM pop song titled “Tukso.”

“I wrote this love song back in 2016 and developed it over the years. It’s about two people with a certain chemistry — nag-aaway, nag-uusap (fighting, talking),” he told BusinessWorld in an interview, citing influences like Ryan Cayabyab, Basil Valdez, and Sylvia La Torre.

“What I like about them is that kahit walang kumakanta, may ginagawa ’yong banda, mga bandurria at strings. ’Yong areglo ng buong music kumakanta (even if no one is singing, the band, with the bandurrias and strings, are still doing something. The arrangement of the whole music sings),” Mr. Dayacap explained.

His songs, rich with textures reminiscent of the ’70s Manila Sound, reflect how his father’s old records influenced him more than the MTV and Myx songs that were cool among his peers.

Halina’s music also has a cinematic quality, owing to Mr. Dayacap’s day job as a film scorer.

“I try to tell stories, not just with the words and the music, but with the environment, by creating moods and feelings and narratives. It’s like sound design in conjunction with the development of the music and lyrics. I use all the tools in my arsenal,” he said.

“Tukso” was initially not orchestral, which changed when Halina performed at Backyard Live in August last year. The intimate music gathering, where a 20-piece ensemble performed the track alongside the artist, opened up new possibilities for the arrangement.

“I became very collaborative,” Mr. Dayacap said. “I let go of my perfectionism because music is a very communal thing.”

As an artist, Halina is also unapologetic about being multidisciplinary, which he believes is the future of artistic expression. “I don’t separate the musical aspect, which is just sound waves, from the visuals, which is just light waves. When I write songs, I already imagine the visuals,” said the aspiring filmmaker.

In December, “Tukso” got its own music video, directed by Mr. Dayacap himself, in line with his multidisciplinary practice. “Music is not the only way. There’s a lot of ways to express what you feel as a human being,” he said.

Both “Daga” by Sexy Jay and “Tukso” by Halina are available on all digital music streaming platforms under the label Offshore Music. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

FDC profit hits P15 billion, up 24% on segment gains

FILINVESTGROUP.COM

FILINVEST Development Corp. (FDC) said its 2025 attributable net income reached P15.01 billion, a 23.7% increase from the P12.13 billion recorded in 2024.

In a disclosure on Thursday, the company attributed this performance to broad-based growth across its key business segments, specifically citing that “banking, real estate and power subsidiaries boosting FDC’s 2025 results.”

The Gotianun-led conglomerate said that the 2025 result “was the highest profit recorded by the Filinvest Group in its history.”

Consolidated net income for the period rose by 20.2% to P18.88 billion from P15.70 billion in 2024. Total revenues and other income (gross revenue) grew 6.3% to P120.57 billion from P113.45 billion in the preceding year.

The banking and financial services segment remained the primary contributor, providing P7 billion or 40% of the group’s bottom line.

Standing alone, EastWest Bank (EW) achieved a record net income of P9.2 billion, which was “driven by steady growth in consumer loans and strong deposit generation.”

The bank’s “consumer lending portfolio, which yields high returns, increased by 15% and contributed 84% of the total loan base,” while net interest income rose 21% to P40.6 billion.

The power subsidiary, FDC Utilities, Inc., contributed P4.9 billion to the group’s net income, a 14% increase year on year.

The company noted that while segment revenues declined by 27% to P17.9 billion “due to reduced spot market activity and lower coal cost pass-through rates, this impact was mitigated by a reduction in operational expenses.”

The real estate business, including Filinvest Land, Inc. and Filinvest REIT Corp., generated P4.6 billion, up 21% from the P3.8 billion earned in 2024.

The residential segment saw a 15% revenue increase to P20.2 billion “due to higher project completion of mid-rise condominiums and housing developments, along with a larger number of accounts now recognized as revenue.”

Hotel operations under Filinvest Hospitality Corp. contributed P264 million in net income, supported by P3.8 billion in revenues.

The company noted that “stable domestic tourism strengthened occupancy rates and drove increases in average room rates across its seven properties.”

FDC’s portfolio currently encompasses approximately 1,800 rooms under the Crimson, Quest, and Timberland Highlands brands.

FDC President and Chief Executive Officer Rhoda A. Huang said: “FDC delivered another year of strong results. As we commemorated our 70th anniversary in 2025, this record performance underscores our capacity to adapt to changing environments and capitalize on opportunities as they arise.”

The group’s total costs and expenses for 2025 reached P96.33 billion, a 3.7% increase from P92.89 billion in 2024.

A significant cost reduction was seen in power operations, which fell 42.2% to P9.65 billion from P16.69 billion.

Conversely, banking and financial services expenses rose 20.9% to P39.71 billion.

As of Dec. 31, 2025, FDC’s total assets grew by 7.2% to P872.09 billion. 

The company maintained a “healthy balance sheet” with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59:1 and a net debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36:1.

FDC shares went down by 0.71% to P4.20 per share on Thursday. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno

Val Kilmer to appear posthumously through AI in film As Deep as the Grave

As Deep As the Grave
As Deep As the Grave

LOS ANGELES — Actor Val Kilmer will posthumously appear in what First Line Films calls a first-ever performance enabled by generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the upcoming film As Deep as the Grave, the production company announced on Wednesday.

Mr. Kilmer, best known for roles in Top Gun, The Doors, and Batman Forever, had originally been cast as Father Fintan — a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist — but was unable to work on set due to complications stemming from throat cancer. He was 65 when he died in April last year.

Working closely with Mr. Kilmer’s estate and his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, the filmmakers say the decision to use AI technology was made with the intention of honoring the actor’s deep personal connection to the role.

“At the time that he was cast, Kilmer expressed that the character of Fintan spoke to him both culturally and spiritually,” First Line Films said in a press release, citing his Native American heritage and longtime love of the American Southwest.

Written and directed by Coerte Voorhees, As Deep as the Grave follows southwestern archaeologists Ann Morris, played by Tin Star actor Abigail Lawrie, and Earl Morris, portrayed by Harry Potter star Tom Felton. The film centers on their excavations in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, while also exploring the history and lived experiences of the Navajo people.

First Line Films, which is based in New Mexico, said it will employ state-of-the-art generative AI technology to recreate Mr. Kilmer’s performance for the film, allowing him to embody what the company described as a “historically significant” character.

A California-born, Juilliard-trained actor, Mr. Kilmer built a career marked by intense performances and an often-mythologized reputation as a Hollywood bad boy.

His filmography includes Tombstone, in which he delivered a memorable turn as Doc Holliday, as well as blockbuster and biographical roles that cemented his status as one of the most distinctive actors of his generation. — Reuters

San Miguel eyes coal blocks offered in DoE auction

REUTERS

By Sheldeen Joy Talavera, Reporter

ANG-LED San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is looking at coal areas offered by the government, including a mining site currently operated by Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC).

A source familiar with the process told BusinessWorld that representatives from the energy group were present at the pre-submission conference held by the Department of Energy (DoE) on Thursday.

Representatives from San Miguel Global Power Corp., SMC’s power generation arm, and its subsidiary Sual Power, Inc. (SPI) attended the conference.

SPI operates the 1,200-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Pangasinan, which supplies power to the Luzon grid. The facility has been operating since 1999.

SMC is among the country’s largest power producers and has a diversified portfolio that includes the 600-MW Mariveles plant in Bataan and the more than 1,000-MW Masinloc plant in Zambales.

The DoE held the conference to address bidders’ inquiries and clarify requirements ahead of the submission of proposals.

Under the bidding round, the DoE is offering three pre-determined areas (PDAs) covering 18 coal blocks across about 18,000 hectares. These include 10 blocks in Semirara Island in Caluya, Antique; five blocks in the municipalities of Benito Soliven, Naguilian, and Cauayan in Isabela; and three blocks in Amulung and Iguig in Cagayan.

The deadline for submission of application documents is April 28, when the opening of bids will also take place.

The auction includes blocks covered by a coal operating contract currently held by SMPC, the country’s largest coal producer.

SMPC also attended the conference and is seeking to continue its mining operations on Semirara Island.

Meralco PowerGen Corp., the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co., has earlier expressed interest in partnering with SMPC if it participates in the auction.

During the launch, Energy Undersecretary Alessandro O. Sales reminded prospective bidders to “demonstrate sound technical capability, strong financial capacity, and a credible plan that puts safety, environmental protection, community development, and progressive rehabilitation at the center of operations.”

“This is how we uphold responsible resource development while we continue to strengthen energy security and accelerate the long-term transition of the power sector,” he said.

Pop Mart and Sony team up for Labubu film to expand viral toy’s reach

POPMART.COM

BEIJING — Labubu’s toothy grin will be coming to the big screen after toy maker Pop Mart and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced plans to develop a feature film based on the ugly-cute monster.

The film, announced in a Pop Mart statement on Thursday, marks a major step in Chinese firm Pop Mart’s long-anticipated expansion of its best-known characters beyond collectible toys and into other entertainment and cultural products.

The move highlights Pop Mart’s determination to turn Labubu from a viral sensation into an entertainment franchise with broad international reach. The company underscored that ambition earlier this year when it said London would become its European headquarters.

Paul King, the BAFTA-nominated filmmaker behind Paddington, Paddington 2, and Wonka, is attached to produce and direct the film. He will also co-write the screenplay with Steven Levenson, the award-winning writer best known for Dear Evan Hansen.

The film is in early development and is planned as a live-action and CGI hybrid, according to the companies.

Pop Mart has said it is drawing on Disney’s playbook to turn Labubu’s popularity into lasting success. Executives have said there is significant scope to expand Pop Mart characters, such as Labubu, into content, entertainment, theme parks, and additional merchandise, much as Disney has done with its best-known intellectual property.

Morningstar analyst Jeff Zhang said the partnership with Sony Pictures was a milestone in Pop Mart’s efforts to diversify its revenue streams.

“Given Labubu’s global popularity, the movie will likely add to Pop Mart’s future licensing income,” Mr. Zhang said. “However… we do not expect the news to materially impact Pop Mart’s stock valuation.”

Labubu’s global popularity has helped drive the Hong Kong-listed company’s shares up 64% over the past year, lifting Pop Mart’s market value above the combined worth of Hasbro, Mattel, and Sanrio.

Kasing Lung, the Hong Kong-born artist and writer who was raised in the Netherlands, created Labubu and The Monsters in a series of picture books known as The Monsters Trilogy in 2015. Mr. Lung will serve as executive producer on the film.

Pop Mart is currently showcasing The Monsters as part of a global tour to mark the characters’ 10th anniversary, with the latest stop in Paris. — Reuters

Business groups back SEC’s cumulative 10-year term limit for broker directors

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Rawpixel.Com from Freepik

PHILIPPINE business groups have expressed support for the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposed 10-year cumulative term limit for broker directors, saying it would help strengthen independence and investor confidence.

“The introduction of reasonable tenure limits for broker directors would represent a constructive step toward reinforcing independence, reducing potential conflicts of interest, and enhancing the credibility of our securities exchange system,” the groups said in a joint statement on Thursday.

The statement was signed by the Institute of Corporate Directors, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Management Association of the Philippines, Capital Markets Development Foundation, Inc., and the Investment House Association of the Philippines.

In a draft memorandum circular, the SEC said it plans to limit broker directors, or individuals representing trading participants on an exchange board, to a maximum cumulative service period of 10 years.

The proposal aims to ensure “fair and effective representation” and allow more qualified brokers to bring “new perspectives” to exchange boards.

The groups said term limits would help prevent the concentration of influence among long-serving directors, reduce the risk of regulatory capture, enhance investor confidence, and allow more brokers to serve.

Citing the Securities Regulation Code (SRC), the groups noted that securities exchanges function as self-regulatory organizations (SROs), with responsibilities that include monitoring trading, supervising brokers, enforcing rules, and preventing market manipulation.

“Because exchanges regulate market participants, their governance structures directly affect fairness and credibility. Oversight of exchange governance is therefore a matter of public interest,” the statement said.

The groups said term limits would not diminish shareholder choice but reinforce it.

“They ensure that the right to vote is exercised on a continuing basis, with stockholders periodically selecting from among other qualified brokers to bring fresh perspectives and renewed accountability to the board,” they said.

They also noted that while the Revised Corporation Code sets general corporate governance rules, it does not prevent regulators from imposing stricter standards on entities with public responsibilities.

Securities exchanges, given their regulatory role, must follow safeguards that promote independence and accountability, the groups said, adding that financial institutions and listed companies already comply with enhanced governance requirements.

They also cited global practices, noting that financial markets in other jurisdictions have adopted tenure limits and independence requirements for exchange boards.

“These measures safeguard against entrenched interests and reinforce the integrity of exchanges as both market operators and regulators,” they said.

The groups said governance arrangements that affect the independence and effectiveness of exchange oversight fall within the SEC’s regulatory authority.

They added that the proposal to introduce term limits is consistent with the SEC’s supervisory mandate under the SRC and balances fair representation of exchange members with the broader public interest.

“Reasonable tenure limits preserve broker participation while preventing indefinite dominance by a small group of market participants,” they said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Netflix plans KPop Demon Hunters global concert tour, source says

KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

LOS ANGELES — Netflix is planning a KPop Demon Hunters world tour, as it looks to capitalize on its most popular movie, a source familiar with the talks said on Wednesday.

KPop Demon Hunters won the Oscar for best animated feature Sunday, capping a record-breaking run after becoming Netflix’s most-watched film ever on its 2025 debut. The movie’s song, “Golden,” took the Academy Award for best original song.

Netflix is negotiating with concert promoters to stage a live show featuring performances of the songs from the film, the source said.

Bloomberg News first reported the talks earlier on Wednesday.

The parties have discussed a tour that would visit dozens of major cities, featuring shows in arenas with a capacity of 10,000 to 20,000, according to the Bloomberg report. The aim is to perform around the globe next year ahead of the sequel.

Netflix has yet to choose a promoter but has already been offered tens of millions of dollars in upfront guarantees, the report said. A Netflix spokeswoman declined to comment.

Animated by Sony Pictures Animation, the original musical film follows K-pop girl trio Huntrix — Rumi, Mira and Zoey — as they balance their superstardom with secret lives as demon hunters. Lead vocalists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami propelled the movie’s breakout anthem “Golden” to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. — Reuters

PT&T to file revised rehabilitation plan

PT&T CORP. said its board of directors has approved amendments to its rehabilitation plan to address the company’s remaining obligations.

In a regulatory filing on Thursday, the company said the board authorized management to prepare and finalize the proposed changes and file them for approval with the rehabilitation court.

According to a 2024 regulatory filing, the company’s rehabilitation plan, which was approved in 2011, includes debt-to-equity conversion, measures to address capital deficiency, and debtor-in-possession financing.

Last month, PT&T said its board approved the appointment of Jeffrey E. Julian as acting president, replacing Angel S. Mercado, who stepped down on Feb. 15 for personal reasons. Mr. Mercado had served as acting president, chief revenue officer, and senior vice-president.

The company said it is working to complete requirements for its return to trading at the Philippine Stock Exchange.

PT&T, which was incorporated in 1962, provides services to corporate, small and medium enterprises, and residential customers.

The company was listed in 1990 but requested a voluntary trading suspension in December 2004 after failing to meet the local bourse’s reportorial requirements and facing financial challenges.

In 2024, PT&T said it was pursuing its return to trading after reporting improved performance in 2023.

The Securities and Exchange Commission in November 2023 approved an increase in PT&T’s authorized capital stock to P12.6 billion from P3.8 billion, allowing it to facilitate a debt-to-equity conversion of P8.9 billion, according to the company’s website. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Avida Land opens Serin Info Center, Ushering in Smart Townhome Living in Tagaytay

Avida Land officially inaugurated its newly refreshed Serin Info Center on March 17, 2026. The milestone event signals a bold new chapter for the company in one of the country’s most coveted destinations, transitioning Tagaytay from a weekend getaway into a vacation-like residential home.

The opening ceremony featured a formal blessing attended by Avida Land’s Management Committee, including Caren Rebenito-Rosales, Head of Project and Strategic Management; Jeremy Acosta, Head of Integrated Design; Bing Gumboc, National Sales Head for the Core Residential Business Group; and Anne Baylon-Jara, Head of Core Marketing. They were joined by the project’s core team and sales directors.

Situated at the Serin West Retail Arcade along the Tagaytay–Nasugbu Highway, the revamped Info Center offers an immersive experience for prospective homeowners. Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., it provides a welcoming space to explore and envision a life of tranquility and comfort.

Introducing Serin Terraces Tagaytay: Smart Townhome Living

Avida Land’s first-ever townhome development in the area, Serin Terraces Tagaytay represents a bold step forward, blending the rustic charm of countryside tranquility with the smart convenience of modern urban living.

Designed as a second home or a landing spot for those seeking a retreat from the hustle of city life, this development is perfect for those seeking a weekend recharge or an extended remote-work stay. Serin Terraces offers versatile living spaces tailored to different family sizes: Inner Units (Floor Area: 80 sqm | Min. Lot Area: 78 sqm) and End Units (Floor Area: 80 sqm | Min. Lot Area: 111 sqm).

Serin Terraces Tagaytay features integrated smart home technology in every unit. From smart door locks for secure remote access, a central hub that controls all devices, automated smart sockets and switches, smoke detectors that provide real-time safety alerts, to CCTV at carports for added security. This suite of practical features ensures residents have complete control over their homes, whether they are in their own home or monitoring from afar.

Future residents will enjoy access to a curated selection of amenities designed for leisure and wellness, including a Clubhouse, Adult and Kiddie Pools, a Playground, an Active Court, and Landscaped Areas. A dedicated Pet Park further ensures that every member of the family feels at home.

Sustainability at the Core: The ClimAdapt Program

As climate change continues to reshape how we build, Avida Land introduces ClimAdapt at Serin Terraces Tagaytay. Derived from the words “climate” and “adapt,” this program is a holistic design philosophy aimed at creating homes that are resilient, efficient, and supportive of resident well-being.

Breeze Blocks: These architectural elements provide natural ventilation and promote air circulation throughout the development while maintaining homeowner privacy.

Light-Colored Roofing: By reflecting sunlight rather than absorbing it, these roofs keep interiors cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning and lowering the community’s overall urban heat footprint.

Solar-Powered Street Lights: Utilizing Tagaytay’s open skies to reduce reliance on the electrical grid and lower association dues.

Flood-Resilient Design: Developments are strategically elevated and equipped with state-of-the-art drainage systems to mitigate risks during the rainy season.

Efficient Open-Plan Layouts: Featuring larger windows to maximize natural light and the cool Tagaytay breeze.

Experience Elevated Living

By combining the nostalgic allure of Tagaytay with the preferences of the modern homeowner – smart systems, sustainability, and community, Avida is proving that a vacation doesn’t have to end on a Sunday afternoon.

Future homeowners, investors, and visitors are invited to visit the Serin Info Center to experience the townhome living firsthand. Avida’s dedicated property specialists are ready to provide personalized tours and insights into how Serin Terraces Tagaytay can become your next home.

About Avida Land

For 35 years, Avida Land has been shaping inspired living spaces in master-planned communities, enhancing the lifestyles of upper middle-income individuals and families. By integrating sustainable practices into high-quality developments, Avida Land delivers homes that are future-ready and attuned to the evolving needs of homeowners.

For more information and updates on Avida Land’s projects, visit avidaland.com, and follow @AvidaLandPH on Facebook and Instagram, and @avidaofficial on YouTube.

 

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Stuff to Do (03/20/26)

Get Exploding Galaxies’ new imprint, anthology

INDEPENDENT press Exploding Galaxies is launching a new imprint, e.g., and their first anthology, this month. The anthology is a collection of works from e.g.’s maiden year, featuring contributions from some of the most talented contemporary Filipino writers and artists. The collection includes the personal writings of the late Vicente L. Rafael, an eminent postcolonial historian whose academic works shaped Philippine and Southeast Asian historiography. The launch on March 20, 6 p.m., will be held in part in his memory, with drinks, small bites, and live readings by writers Alvin Yapan and Christian Jil Benitez. Interested guests can RSVP via tinyurl.com/egAnthology. The event will be held at WHYNoT, 4th Floor Karrivin Studios, Makati.

Visit Netflix’s activations for K-pop group BTS’ comeback

NETFLIX has curated a three-day fan activation in various Metro Manila locations, in celebration of BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG, a live airing of the group’s comeback special taking place on March 21, 7 p.m. The zones — located at the ground level of Glorietta, Makati; level three of SM Mall of Asia, Pasay; and level four of TriNoma, Quezon City — will be open from March 20 to 22, and they will include Netflix x BTS photobooth pop-ups.

Check out the POP QC bazaar at Gateway Mall

IN CELEBRATION of Women’s Month, Araneta City has partnered with the local government of Quezon City to promote women entrepreneurs through a bazaar. The Proudly Original Products of Quezon City (POP QC) bazaar will be held from March 20 to 22, at the activity area at the upper ground floor of the Gateway Mall. The three-day event will feature women entrepreneurs with interesting products like bags, accessories, and home decor.

Learn from a printmaker’s perspective

THE M is hosting a printmaking talk centered on the work of multi-awarded Filipino artist, printmaker, and board member of the Philippine Association of Printmakers, Ambie Abaño. Her prints were exhibited at Art Fair PH 2026 in an exhibit titled Beyond Body. The artist will share her insights on exploring the evolution of the human form, namely the transformations our bodies undergo through life. It will also delve into her journey as a printmaker and her advocacy for the practice, taking place within Femme Homage, The M’s newest exhibition featuring works by women artists from their permanent collection. The workshop will take place on March 21, 2 to 3:30 p.m., at the 3rd floor South Gallery in Metropolitan Museum of Manila in BGC, Taguig. It is meant for those aged 13 years old and up. Register for P550 via the link https://metmuseum.helixpay.ph/products/m-conversations-beyond-body-a-printmakers-perspective?group=programs.

Join Best Buddies Philippines’ 1st Friendship Walk

BEST BUDDIES Philippines Foundation, Inc. will host its first-ever Friendship Walk in Metro Manila on March 22, 6 a.m. to noon, at the Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater, BGC, Taguig City. The event marks a milestone for the organization as it brings the world’s largest walk for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to the heart of the nation’s capital. The event will include a warm-up with Best Buddies participants and Special Olympics Pilipinas, a Friendship Walk through BGC with marching band accompaniment, the Best Buddies Friendship Concert featuring musicians and dance troupes of Best Buddies School Chapters, the Inclusive Friendship Village showcasing products, talents, and services by and for the PWD community, the Community Building Corner with booths for partner organizations, and Interactive Activity Zones including a photobooth, craft corner, and jungle gym area. While the event is free, registration is required at bestbuddiesph.org/friendship-walk-2026. Participants are encouraged to fundraise through a tiered donation system starting at P1,500, with incentive packages including Best Buddies merchandise, grocery vouchers, gift certificates from sponsors, and memberships to LIFELINE 16-911 emergency services. Building on the success of the Cebu Friendship Walk held on March 29, 2025, which drew at least 1,200 inclusivity experts, student leaders, and community heads, the 2026 Metro Manila event aims to welcome 1,500 participants for a day of celebration, awareness, and fundraising. The Friendship Walk is the premier flagship event celebrated by Best Buddies chapters across the globe with nearly 100 events/walks held each year around the globe, raising millions of dollars to support friendship, leadership, and employment programs for individuals with IDD. Since its establishment in 2020, Best Buddies Philippines has impacted 63,309 lives through 21 active chapters, including 19 schools and two citizen groups. The organization was appointed in June 2025 as a member of the Advisory Committee for Learners with Disabilities with the Department of Education, positioning it as a strategic partner in implementing the Inclusive Education Act (Republic Act No. 11650).

Shop and run to celebrate Lazada’s birthday

LAZADA Philippines is celebrating its 14th birthday sale, offering LazFlash Deals of up to 90% off as well as vouchers worth up to P2,000. There are also exclusive offers from LazMall and global brands across beauty, electronics, fashion, home, and everyday essentials. Shoppers will also have access to 5,000 new arrivals from global brands such as d’Alba, RedChef, Giordano, Momcozy, and more. To bring the celebration beyond the app, Lazada will also host the Lazada Run Wellness Fest on March 22, a community run and wellness street festival expected to gather over 1,000 participants including run clubs, media, content creators, and brand partners, featuring wellness activities, brand experiences, and giveaways. Download the Lazada App to see more details.

Watch sci-fi blockbuster Project Hail Mary

THE film Project Hail Mary is now showing in Philippine cinemas. It takes viewers on a journey light years away from our own galaxy, in a film adaptation of Andy Weir’s hit sci-fi novel of the same name. Longtime collaborators Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are at the captain’s seat as producers and directors of the film. It follows science teacher Ryland Grace (played by Ryan Gosling), who wakes up in a spacecraft far away from the solar system. He is meant to save humanity from a mysterious lifeform that seems to be draining the sun of its energy, and encounters an unlikely ally in the middle of his research. The film also stars Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, and Milana Vayntrub.

Watch a Taiwanese supernatural horror film

MUDBORN, a supernatural horror blockbuster in Taiwan, is now in Philippine cinemas through Encore Films Philippines. The mystery-thriller tells the story of a (virtual reality game developer (played by Yo Yang), who accidentally brings home a broken clay baby doll from a haunted house. His pregnant wife (Cecilia Choi) is an artifact conservator who becomes obsessed with the doll and continues restoring it, even as strange and terrifying events unfold in their family.

Watch ONE PIECE: Into the Grand Line on Netflix

ONE PIECE: Into the Grand Line, Netflix’s high-seas pirate adventure, is back for Season 2. It follows Luffy and the Straw Hats who set sail for the Grand Line, a legendary stretch of sea where danger and wonder await. The episodes follow their encounters of bizarre islands and formidable new enemies. ONE PIECE is a live action pirate adventure created in partnership with Shueisha and produced by Tomorrow Studios (an ITV Studios partner) and Netflix.

Volatility boosts protection plans

PRULIFEUK.COM.PH

PRU LIFE Insurance Corp. of UK Philippines expects growing consumer interest in traditional life insurance products as market volatility worsens as a result of war in the Middle East.

“The markets have obviously been volatile, and that would also mean customer interest and appetites would also have changed to products that offer health and protection that are not tied to market [swings],” Pru Life UK Senior Vice-President and Chief Actuary Glolibeth L. Villahermosa told a news briefing on Thursday.

Traditional policies, which offer guaranteed protection without investment risk, are expected to gain traction as investors and policyholders reassess risk amid surging oil prices and expectations of faster inflation.

“The more we face these types of risks or vulnerabilities, the more [people] understand what protection really means,” Pru Life UK Chief Investment Officer Princess Charm Baun Balingit said, adding that the impact on overall demand should remain manageable.

“That’s where we come in. But hopefully, it will not really greatly impact us,” she added.

The pivot reflects a broader trend in the Philippine insurance market, as investors and policyholders respond to heightened uncertainty from global energy and financial shocks.

Traditional life insurance offers a hedge against market swings, appealing to consumers looking for stability in times of volatility.

The company has begun rebalancing its product portfolio. In 2025, only 15% of new business came from traditional products, a share set to expand with planned launches of guaranteed protection policies this year.

“For our customers, we are seeing that [traditional products] should grow in the coming year,” Ms. Villahermosa said.

Pru Life UK leads the Philippine life insurance market in terms of new business annual premium equivalent, recording P10.05 billion in 2025 and capturing a 13% market share. Total premium income last year reached P52.8 billion.

Ms. Villahermosa said the insurer would continue launching more traditional products this year to meet market demand.

“For the longest time, we have mainly been an investment-linked product company, so that product portfolio is still strong,” she said. “But we do see the value of offering more traditional products and more guarantees.” — Aaron Michael C. Sy

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