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Fil-Am Alohi Robins-Hardy can’t choose a team — Palou

ALOHI ROBINS-HARDY — ONE SPORTS/RM CHUA

THE Premier Volleyball League (PVL) warned Alohi Robins-Hardy of the possibility of being slapped with sanctions should she make do her earlier pronouncement that she will not play should she be picked by other teams outside Farm Fresh in the Rookie Draft on Sunday at the Novotel Hotel.

“We will not allow that, she can’t choose a team,” said PVL President Ricky Palou during yesterday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Complex referring to the 29-year-old Fil-Am setter.

“We still have to discuss sanctions but once you go to the draft, you have to play for the team that drafted you. It’s either you play or don’t play at all,” he added.

Mr. Palou, of course, was referring to Ms. Robins-Hardy, who signed a five-year contract with Farm Fresh last year but was required to go through the draft like any other newcomers since she hadn’t played in the PVL before it decided to hold its first draft ceremony last year.

Unless it tabs another player, Farm Fresh should exercise its high No. 3 pick on Ms. Robin-Hardy and render the issue moot.

Capital1 is picking first and is expected to claim consensus No. 1 pick Mhicaela “Bella” Belen while Galeries Tower drew No. 2 and should use it on a spiker since it had already snared a talented and young setter in Julia Coronel a season ago.

Meanwhile, PVL Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo said has barred trading rookies or draft rights.

“Rookies must play for at least one year for them to be eligible for a trade,” said Mr. Malonzo.

PVL Notes: Akari named Tina Salak as its new head coach, succeeding Japanese Taka Minowa. The announcement came just as a day after Capital1 tapped Alas Pilipinas mentor Jorge Souza de Brito as its new bench tactician, succeeding Roger Gorayeb. — Joey Villar

SWP sees fight between Pinoys against Chinese in Los Angeles Olympics

ALBERT IAN DELOS SANTOS — IWF.SPORT

THE Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) is relying on its young talents with hopes of producing potential Olympians and champions like its best product — Tokyo Games gold winner Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo.

“We and China were the talk of the International Federation after we won as many gold medals as China,” said SWP Chief Monico Puentevella during Tuesday’s PSA Forum referring to the World Youth and Junior Championships in Lima, Peru last month.

“They are now predicting that it will be a fight between China and us in the LA (Olympics),” he added.

Mr. Puentevella’s optimism came from the Philippine team that looked eye to eye with powerhouse Chinese and captured 10 mints courtesy of Johdi Peralta, Alexandra Diaz, Albert Ian delos Santos and Jay-R Colonia.

Mr. Delos Santos appeared the most impressive as he beat a Chinese in his division.

“We’re hoping to have four or five qualifiers in LA (Los Angeles) and, barring injuries, Ian Delos Santos might be one of them,” said Mr. Puentevella, who was accompanied by national team coach Patrick Lee. — Joey Villar

Eala gets early door in Lexus Birmingham Open doubles

ALEX EALA — JIMMIE48/WTA

ALEX EALA’s transition to the grass season got off to a flat start after a quick elimination in the 2025 Lexus Birmingham Open doubles on Tuesday in the United Kingdom.

Ms. Eala and her Swiss partner Rebeka Masarova fell to the second-seeded tandem of Ellen Perez and Storm Hunter from Australia, 6-4, 6-4, in Round 1.

She will now focus her attention on the singles play at press time with a first-round duel against Czech Republic’s Linda Fruhvirtová at 8:20 p.m. (Manila time).

Ms. Eala is seeded third in the tourney and boasts a ranking of No. 73 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) compared to Ms. Fruhvirtová, 20, at WTA No. 152.

The Filipina sensation, also 20, is coming off a similar early exit in the clay courts of France for her foiled Grand Slam main draw debut in Roland Garros.

Ms. Eala and Mexican partner Renata Zarazua folded to Olga Danilovic of Serbia and Anastasia Potapova of Russia, 6-1, 6-3, to bow out of contention in Round 2 of the French Open doubles.

She also absorbed a quick 0-6, 6-2, 3-6 loss against WTA No. 88 Emiliana Arango of Colombia in the first round of the singles play.

In UK, she and Ms. Masarova actually got to a fine 2-1 start but the Australian pair stamped their experience down the stretch of the opening set that just snowballed to a 4-0 start in the second for the win one hour and 11 minutes.

Ms. Eala’s Birmingham stint is part of her preparations for an anticipated main draw debut in the 2025 Wimbledon on June 30 to July 11 in London.

A graduate of the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain, Ms. Eala is now eligible for a direct invite in Grand Slam main draws like the French Open and Wimbledon after entering the Top 100 rankings of the WTA.

She made it possible, even reaching as high as No. 69, by scoring a historic semifinal finish in the Miami Open to rise all the way from No. 140. — John Bryan Ulanday

Utah Jazz hire away longtime Celtics executive Austin Ainge

THE Utah Jazz hired longtime Boston Celtics executive Austin Ainge as their new president of basketball operations on Monday.

Ainge, 43, worked in the Boston front office for 17 years, most recently as an assistant general manager, and is the son of Jazz  chief executive officer and alternate governor Danny Ainge.

Justin Zanik will remain in his role as Utah’s general manager and will work together with Austin Ainge and head coach Will Hardy moving forward. — Reuters

Dominant Thunder

When Game One of the National Basketball Association Finals tips off in two days, the Thunder will be overwhelming favorites, and for a reason. En route, they forged a dominant campaign that compares with the best in pro hoops annals. It isn’t simply that they’re back on the big stage for the first time in 13 years; they have stormed the gates of greatness with authority, and how. They are no fluke. Theirs is no Cinderella run, but, rather, a culmination of vision, patience, and elite player development that now puts them on the cusp of a championship.

Needless to say, newly minted Most Valuable Player awardee Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been at the forefront of the Thunder’s run. He’s the engine, the fulcrum, the closer of a juggernaut that runs on efficiency and precision. His ability to control the pace, get to his spots, and make the right reads under pressure — and on both ends of the court — make him the most reliable crunch-time player in the Finals, with all due respect to transcendent point guard Tyrese Haliburton and All-Star Pascal Siakam of the Pacers.

To be sure, the Thunder underscore their superior standing by relying on a bevy of reserves to contribute significantly to the cause. If nothing else, they counterbalance one of the biggest weapons of the Pacers, who hitherto managed to run roughshod over the Bucks, Cavaliers, and Knicks in the playoffs by going 11 deep. They’re young and hungry, and because they compete with relentless energy, they possess the capacity to play to the opposition’s strengths and ultimately emerge victorious.

Not that the Pacers are any less deserving of the Larry O’Brien Trophy. At this point, the worst casual observers can do is discount the chances of the blue and gold to be the last men standing when all is said and done. All the same, there can be no sidestepping the Thunder’s ascendancy; not for nothing did they go 68-14 in the regular season, in the process never once losing to competition from the Eastern Conference at the Paycom Center. Which is to say homecourt advantage serves only to underscore their prime position. In other words, the Finals is shaping up to be a coronation.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

CloudCFO uses AI to simplify accounting for small firms

“CLOUDCFO, Inc., a Manila-based outsourcing firm, integrates artificial intelligence to its accounting products to help small and medium enterprises gain insights into their financial performance.

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Video editing by Jayson Mariñas

mWell launches corporate wellness programs

Source: mWell

mWell, the digital healthcare arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), launched on May 23 Wellness@Work, a suite of customizable programs created to promote a healthier and more productive workforce. 

The suite provides human resources (HR) stakeholders with a dashboard to manage all aspects of employee wellness in one place. 

“A company is only as strong as the people behind it,” said mWell chairman and MPIC chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.  

“That’s why we’re doubling down on employee wellness with mWell—bringing together technology, data, and real expertise to help build a workforce that’s not just productive, but healthy and thriving,” he said in a May 23 statement. 

Wellness@Work’s Corporate Scoreboard is a monitoring system that gives HR teams real-time insight into employee participation, health trends, and wellness outcomes. It includes monitoring of the artificial intelligence-powered mWellness Score, which tracks physical activity, as well as the Mind Health Score, which helps measure emotional well-being and stress levels. 

Employees, meanwhile, gain access to a personalized wellness experience, which includes 24/7 doctor consultations, curated fitness and nutrition programs, and interactive team challenges.  

Unhealthy employees are twice as likely to disengage, leading to lower productivity and increased turnover. Hospitalized employees in the Philippines, on average, can incur medical costs of about ₱15,000 per month, based on private hospital estimates. Productivity losses from absenteeism, presenteeism, and decreased engagement cost employers an average of $1,685 per employee per annum, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Health is the company’s biggest investment, said mWell president and CEO and MPIC chief finance, risk, and sustainability officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla. 

“For companies, big or small, investing in employees’ health is important to enable our people to live healthier, happier, and longer,” she said in the same statement. “We are here to help companies increase overall employee happiness and morale, lessen absenteeism, improve productivity, and enhance talent management.” 

“Having a healthy workforce will deliver savings on corporate wellness expenses,” she added. 

In the offing too are lifestyle programs, in collaboration with Lifestyle Medical Group Manila, with customized nutrition plans and chronic disease management. 

“LifestyleMedMNL’s vision is to provide prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases at both individual and community levels, and we have found the right partner for this,” its president Dr. Nicole Anne “Aika” Buenavista said. – Patricia B. Mirasol

mWell is the digital health arm of Metro Pacific Health, a unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., one of three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc. 

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. 

SM Supermalls named Philippines’ Strongest Brand

SM Supermalls has been named the Philippines’ Strongest Brand for 2025 by Brand Finance — the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy. With a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 95.0 out of 100, the highest among Philippine brands, this recognition reinforces SM Supermalls’ unwavering pursuit of excellence, innovation, and meaningful impact.

While ranking 10th in overall brand valuation, with BDO retaining the top spot for the second year, SM Supermalls clinched the #1 position in brand strength, underscoring its unmatched role in marketing, customer experience, and stakeholder trust. For businesses and investors, this signals a brand that delivers measurable growth and transformative opportunities.

“SM Supermalls’ achievement as the strongest Filipino brand this year symbolizes success that is built around scale, innovation, and customer experience. Its growing physical presence, paired with its role in both commerce and community, reflects a brand deeply embedded in the nation’s social and cultural fabric,” said Alex Haigh, Managing Director of Brand Finance Asia-Pacific.

Brand Finance Managing Director for Asia-Pacific Alex Haigh announces the Philippines’ Top 50 Most Valuable and Strongest Brands at the Philippines Brand Forum 2025.

These global recognitions are not merely awards — they are a testament to SM Supermalls’ relentless pursuit of excellence, innovation, and meaningful impact. From setting new standards in retail experiences and digital transformation to uplifting communities through purpose-driven campaigns, SM Supermalls continues to elevate the customer journey while fostering inclusive growth.

“These awards are shared victories for our shoppers, partners, and the communities we proudly serve,” said Steven T. Tan, President of SM Supermalls. “Being named the Philippines’ strongest brand affirms the passion and dedication of our SM family. But beyond the recognition, our greatest satisfaction comes from knowing we make people’s lives brighter every day — that’s what truly matters.”

SM Supermalls Executive Vice-President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin represents SM at the Philippines Brand Forum fireside chat alongside fellow executives from PH Most Valuable and Strongest Brands, BDO and Jollibee.

Brand Finance evaluates over 5,000 of the world’s largest brands annually, setting the global standards for ISO 10668 (Brand Valuation) and ISO 20671 (Brand Evaluation). Its methodology — officially endorsed by the Marketing Accountability Standards Board — ensures that each ranking is globally credible and valuable for businesses seeking strategic partnerships and growth.

For corporate partners, tenants, and investors, this recognition underscores SM Supermalls as a dynamic environment for collaboration and growth — where businesses thrive and communities are empowered. It is a brand that commands trust and inspires confidence, delivering both operational excellence and sustainable impact.

As a retail leader with a heart for service and a vision that transcends borders, SM Supermalls proves that the power of a brand lies in how it serves, uplifts, and inspires its communities. These awards are not just milestones; they are a testament to SM Supermalls’ unwavering commitment to shaping the future of retail in the Philippines and beyond.

SM Supermalls also congratulates BDO, which maintained its position as the Philippines’ most valuable brand for the second consecutive year.

 

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

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DILG urges LGU to brace for Habagat

PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

Local government units (LGUs) should prepare ahead for the possible impacts of the Southwest Monsoon(Habagat), following the state weather bureau’s recent declaration of its onset, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Tuesday. 

The DILG said that under the memorandum circular, LGUs should take proactive measures against potential hydrometeorological hazards, such as flooding and landslides.  

It added that these efforts should be anchored on the DILG’s Operation L!sto program, the agency’s flagship disaster preparedness initiative.  

“LGUs are instructed to ensure the functionality of Emergency Operations Centers with adequate personnel and equipment, and to activate Local Incident Management Teams trained in the Incident Command System,” the DILG said.  

The DILG also instructed LGUs to identify and prepare structurally sound evacuation centers equipped with essential facilities such as sanitation, medical aid, and designated areas for vulnerable groups. 

Revisions of contingency plans are also advised based on recent local hazard assessments, along with conducting drills to test evacuation procedures. 

The interior department also reiterated the strict implementation of no-build zones in high-risk areas and emphasized the continuity of emergency services during severe weather conditions.  

Last week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced the onset of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat.  

This was followed by a separate statement on Monday announcing the start of the rainy season, after five days of scattered to widespread rain brought by the Southwest Monsoon. 

Areas along the western section of the country are likely to be affected by the onset of the rainy season, Ana Liza S. Solis, PAGASA’s Assistant Weather Services Chief and Chief of the Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section, told BusinessWorld. 

She added that precautionary measures should be taken by the public and local governments to prepare for the potential impacts of the rainy season, the Southwest Monsoon, and other weather events. – Edg Adrian A. Eva

PHL still lacks around 65,000 teachers, says group

PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

The current teacher shortage nationwide is approximately 65,000, far from the Department of Education’s (DepEd) record of around 30,000, a nonprofit organization claimed on Friday. 

“We think that we need more than 100,000 teachers in 2024,” Teachers Dignity Coalition National Chairman Benjo Basas told BusinessWorld in an interview. “If we decrease the 36,000 (teaching positions), the current shortage would be around 65,000.” 

In 2024, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported a shortage of approximately 60,000 teachers. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in May of the same year approved the creation of 22,000 new teaching positions.

By May 2025, the DBM authorized the establishment of 16,000 additional posts, part of a broader plan to introduce 20,000 new teaching positions for the year.

“We think it’s conservative,” said Mr. Basas. “It’s not aligned with what’s happening on the ground.”  

He also noted that although the government hires new teachers every year, it must also take into account the number of educators leaving the profession.  

“People also retire every year, some resign for greener pastures, and some take early retirement because they can no longer handle the pressure or for other valid reasons.” 

 

Demand for teachers 

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara said the classroom shortage of over 165,000, especially in urban areas such as Region IV-A and the National Capital Region (NCR), is caused by the growing population.  

Due to the increasing number of young population or school-age children and the unequal distribution of students in urban and rural areas, the demand for teachers increases as well, according to Mr. Basas. 

“(Schools in) rural areas are not crowded, it’s not congested, unlike in urban areas, where the student population is bigger,” he said. “Kinder to Grade 3 has the highest attendance which means, more teachers are needed, especially in key stage 1 (KS1).”  

“I’m assuming that the DepEd based the numbers on a 1:40 teacher-to-student ratio, which should not be the case if you look at it per grade level,” he added. 

KS1 learners typically range from five to eight years old. Data from the local statistics agency showed that out of 42 million, around 11 million people aged five to nine had attended school in 2020.  

Classes for the upcoming school year will commence on June 16 and end on March 31, 2026. – Almira Louise S. Martinez

SEC Commissioner Rogelio Quevedo put emphasis on innovation with practicality

The Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) in the Philippines is bound to transform the financial ecosystem. With the new leadership of SEC Commissioner Rogelio Quevedo, the SEC is focusing on deeper innovation and digitization.

The commissioner has a long history working in both corporate law and telecommunication services, marking him as a renowned figure both in the public and the private sector. He worked as a Government Counsel in the Philippines, served in the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC), PLDT-Smart, as well as a commercial and civil law professor at the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law.

At a press conference on May 15, SEC Commissioner Quevedo hopes to bring necessary changes, including innovation with practicality. He saw that innovation is not a buzzword or a new concept to begin with. The commission introduced innovation and has continued to this path since 2021.

“It is always innovation rooted on practicality. It will always be service rooted in compassion. You have to make sure that your innovation is what your clients need,” the SEC commissioner said.

These changes are necessary, especially when it comes to improving regulation and the financial landscape. One technological innovation that he emphasized is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) at SEC. Currently, AI is advancing at an incredible pace, further boosting efficiency and financial inclusion in the sector.

“AI, as I said, is not really a technology. AI is a tool; it is a process. AI can only be as effective as the data it relies on, and the competence of the people feeding the data, and who are running the process itself,” he said.

AI is many things for SEC. It is responsible for automating repetitive process, retrieval of information in real-time, SEC registration, and monitoring borrowers to ensure unfair collection practices are prevented.

However, while digitization advances, it still poses risks. Among these include human biases that can be derived from the use of AI or cybersecurity threats like stoppage of services and identity thefts. To address this, the SEC Commissioner advised approaching AI with caution, as well as leveraging the most recent cybersecurity measures from other established companies. Commissioner Quevedo cites his training as intelligence officer in countering cybersecurity threats to national security as one of his main assets in performing his functions at the SEC.

With AI and cybersecurity in play, players should be able to maximize this to their advantage. The SEC has acknowledged it and has put this into their favor. Commissioner Quevedo believes in the importance of technological innovation in improving regulation and customer experience.

“I believe AI is the answer to the future, but do not maintain that AI is the future. The future is in the human inputs. As Steve Jobs said, jobs will not be taken over by AI but your job will be taken over by another person who knows how to use AI. That’s why it’s important that we embrace AI,” he said in mixed Filipino and English.

The SEC Commissioner also highlighted the need for financial literacy in the Philippines. While financial activities continue to drive the economy, there is a need for better knowledge and education among Filipinos, especially in financial management, spending, saving, and budgeting. This way, it will help them make sound financial decisions in everyday life.

For the SEC, it stressed the need of financial literacy in high school levels in efforts to boost financial literacy in the country. The commissioner said financial literacy can also be included in computer literacy, which can be done in one- or two-day orientations or seminars.

The SEC Philippines is now on track as a forefront player in innovation and digitization. “The SEC today has already grown by leaps and bounds from where it first innovated on digitization.” The commission is kicking off with technological innovation like never been before — more advanced, efficient, and one that champions the ease of doing business.

For more information about the Securities Exchange Commission, visit their website: www.sec.gov.ph.

 

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

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

Australia raises minimum wages by 3.5% as inflation eases

REUTERS

SYDNEY – Australia’s independent wage-setting body on Tuesday raised the national minimum wage by 3.5% effective July 1, a real wage increase for about 2.6 million workers on the lowest pay as inflationary pressures ease in the economy.

The minimum rate will rise to A$24.94 ($16.19) per hour, resulting in an extra A$1,670 in a year for full-time employees, according to the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) annual review.

Headline consumer price inflation held at 2.4% in the first quarter, comfortably within the Reserve Bank of Australia’s target band of 2% to 3% and having come down from the 7.8% peak in late 2022.

FWC President Adam Hatcher said the decision could help many workers to recoup the loss of their real income over the last few years due to high living costs.

“If this opportunity is not taken in this annual wage review, a loss in the real value of wages which has occurred will become permanently embedded … and a reduction of living standards for the lowest paid in the community will thereby be entrenched,” Hatcher said.

Last year, the FWC increased minimum wages by 3.75% but that was largely in line with inflation.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) described the wage increase as “a great outcome” for employees on minimum wages, who it said suffered the most when inflation soared after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our lowest-paid workers are getting ahead again,” ACTU Secretary Sally McManus told reporters.

The Reserve Bank of Australia cut interest rates to a two-year low last month as cooling inflation at home offered scope to counter rising global trade risks, and left the door open to further easing in the months ahead.

At the same time, the labor market has remained surprisingly resilient, with the jobless rate hovering at 4.1% for over a year now. Employment gains have been driven by a surge in public sector jobs, with still tepid wage growth suggesting few risks of a damaging wage-price spiral. – Reuters

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