PEPE Diokno’s historical drama GomBurZa got the most nods — 12 — as the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino released the list of nominations for the 47th Gawad Urian on May 10.
The film was nominated in almost all the categories: Best Picture and Best Director, Best Actor (Cedrick Juan), Supporting Actors (Dante Rivero, Piolo Pascual, Enchong Dee), Screenplay, Cinematography, Production Design, Editing, Music, and Sound.
Also nominated for Best Picture are the psychological thriller About Us But Not About Us by Jun Robles Lana, social drama Ang Duyan ng Magiting by Dustin Celestino, children’s adventure Firefly by Zig Dulay, animated film Iti Mapukpukaw by Carl Joseph Papa, and realist love story Third World Romance by Dwein Baltazar.
Jun Robles Lana, Zig Dulay, Pepe Diokno, Carl Joseph Papa, and Dwein Baltazar also received nominations for Best Director. The sixth nominee is Sheron Dayoc for his dark coming-of-age film The Gospel of the Beast.
The 47th Gawad Urian awarding ceremony will be held on June 8, its venue yet to be announced.
The annual Gawad Urian Awards are presented by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, an organization of film critics, writers, and scholars. — Brontë H. Lacsamana
The full list of nominees for the 47th Gawad Urian Awards are:
BEST PICTURE:About Us But Not About Us, Ang Duyan ng Magiting, Firefly, GomBurZa, Iti Mapukpukaw, Third World Romance
BEST DIRECTOR: Jun Robles Lana, About Us But Not About Us; Zig Madamba Dulay, Firefly; Jose Lorenzo Diokno, GomBurZa; Carl Joseph E. Papa, Iti Mapukpukaw; Sheron Dayoc, The Gospel of the Beast; Dwein Ruedas Baltazar, Third World Romance
BEST ACTOR: Romnick Sarmenta, About Us But Not About Us; Paolo O’Hara, Ang Duyan ng Magiting; Euwenn Mikaell, Firefly; Cedrick Juan, GomBurZa; Jansen Magpusao, The Gospel of the Beast; Carlo Aquino, Third World Romance
BEST ACTRESS: Kathryn Bernardo, A Very Good Girl; Gabby Padilla, Gitling; Max Eigenmann, Raging Grace; Charlie Dizon, Third World Romance
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Epy Quizon, Firefly; Dante Rivero, GomBurZa; Piolo Pascual, GomBurZa; Enchong Dee, GomBurZa; Ronnie Lazaro, The Gospel of the Beast
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Agot Isidro, Ang Duyan ng Magiting; Dolly de Leon, Ang Duyan ng Magiting; Frances Makil-Ignacio, Ang Duyan ng Magiting; Alessandra de Rossi, Firefly; Jorrybell Agoto, When This is All Over
BEST SCREENPLAY: Jun Robles Lana, About Us But Not About Us; Angeli G. Atienza, Firefly; Rodolfo C. Vera and Jose Lorenzo Diokno, GomBurZa; Carl Joseph E. Papa, Iti Mapukpukaw; Dwein Ruedas Baltazar and Jeko Aguado; Third World Romance
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Neil Daza, Firefly; Mycko David, Gitling; Carlo Canlas Mendoza, GomBurZa; Theo Lozada, Huling Palabas; Rommel Andreo Sales, The Gospel of the Beast
BEST EDITING: Lawrence S. Ang, About Us But Not About Us; Benjo Ferrer, Firefly; Benjamin Tolentino, GomBurZa; Benjamin Tolentino, Iti Mapukpukaw; Lawrence S. Ang, The Gospel of the Beast; Maria Estela Paiso, When This is All Over
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN: Josiah Hiponia, Ang Duyan ng Magiting; Kenneth Kevin Villanueva, Firefly; Ericson Navarro, GomBurZa; David Esguerra, Huling Palabas; Benjamin Padero and Carlo Tabije, In My Mother’s Skin; Eero Yves Francisco, Third World Romance
BEST MUSIC:Firefly, GomBurZa, Iti Mapukpukaw, Third World Romance, When This is All Over
BEST SOUND: Armand de Guzman, About Us But Not About Us; Andrea Teresa T. Idioma and Nicole Rosacay, Ang Duyan ng Magiting; Albert Michael M. Idioma, Jannina Mikaela Minglanilla, and Emilio Bien Sparks, GomBurZa; Lamberto Casas, Jr. and Alex Tomboc, Iti Mapukpukaw; Jon Clarke, Michael Haines, and Chad Orororo, Raging Grace
BEST DOCUMENTARY: Baon sa Biyahe, directed by James Magnaye; Ghosts of Kalantiaw, directed by Chuck Escasa; Maria, directed by Sheryl Rose Andes; Nitrate: To the Ghosts of the 75 Lost Philippine Silent Films (1912-1933), directed by Khavn
THE NEON SIGN of 5969 makes it hard to miss on Fermina street. — BRONTË H. LACSAMANA
SHELVES LINED with trinkets and walls adorned with colorful art at 11:11 Tattoos and Curiosities. — BRONTË H. LACSAMANA
IF you find yourself in the mood to get a tattoo, ask a tarot card reader a question, have a drink, learn how to DJ or play an instrument, and go to bed surrounded by art, there’s now one building you can go to that conveniently houses all of that within its limited space.
Standing tall on Poblacion’s Fermina Street (near the corner with Kalayaan Ave.) is 5969. On its first floor is 11:11 Tattoos and Curiosities, a tattoo studio, accessories shop, and art gallery all rolled in one, which also hosts a tarot reading table. There are shelves lined with trinkets, and walls adorned with colorful art which invite visitors to look around as tattoo artists and the tarot reader offer their services.
The fun thing about Poblacion in Makati is that there is something for everyone, be it party animals, restless creatives, or simply curious passersby. A few people have randomly wandered in and decided to get a tattoo (a minimalist one costs P1,111, in keeping with the studio’s name, while a regular-sized one starts at P2,500).
The owner of 5969, Mark “Mendy” Mendoza, said that while the neighborhood is already vibrant and teeming with nightlife, he just had to grab the opportunity to put up the creative hub of his dreams. This itch to start his passion project took off when he found the building on Fermina with reasonably priced rent.
“I thought that there’s no need to wait for the right time to make things happen when we can easily do it now,” said Mr. Mendoza at 5969’s official launch on May 11.
After browsing through the contents of 11:11 on the first floor, BusinessWorld was ushered up the stairs to the second floor, where a visitor is faced with two doors. The one on the left opens to Modular Studios, a space that hosts various artistic disciplines, from podcasts and video productions to workshops and photo shoots.
The room is exactly as its name suggests — economical, professional, modular. At the launch it had an easygoing, chill vibe, with DJ Bryan Halo filling the space with soft tunes and steady beats while visitors perused the artworks and video projection on the walls. But Modular Studios is versatile enough to be transformed into however the user want the room to be used.
“What we want to do with Modular is cultivate music appreciation and education. We offer lessons in DJ-ing and instruments like guitars, drums, keyboards, taught by really cool instructors,” Mr. Mendoza said.
The DJ 101 workshop is a four-hour intensive session priced at P3,800. But those who want to get serious can opt for four sessions costing P9,000.
Across Modular Studios is 5969’s casual speakeasy, Dim Dim. Upon entering, the visitor is greeted by a dimly lit yet lively bar where partygoers chat over dumplings and cocktails. As with other components of the building, artworks spruce up the interiors, lending a sophisticated character to the space.
Dim Dim is Fookien for “drink, drink,” an invitation to consume alcohol in a joyous social context. The menu echoes this Chinese inspiration, with pork and shrimp dumplings being a comforting order along with their drinks. The Chunli Spritz is their specialty, a mix of gin, lychee, jasmine, and coconut.
Mr. Mendoza explained that the goal is for the lounge to have the “discreet charm” that speakeasies are known for, though on the weekends the Poblacion crowd makes it livelier than usual. During the launch, it played host to various activities, from a trivia night to DJs and live music sets with Pope Fiction, Margachi, and Ezzrei & Joseph performing.
Finally, at the top floor is The Kin House, a handful of rooms that make up a boutique hotel. It’s the calmest and coziest of 5969’s tenants, yet it espouses the same love for creativity — each room has a mural painted by an emerging Filipino artist.
The opening saw The Kin House transform into a series of viewing rooms, since each room also has its own projector. Critically acclaimed shorts like Stephen Lopez’s Hito, Bea Mariano’s Dominion, and Che Tagyamon’s Lola Loleng were screened during the launch for the curious guests of 5969.
The newest kid on the block, The Kin House will be welcoming its first overnight guests this May, usually those who want a place to come home to after immersing themselves in the Poblacion nightlife.
“These places have been operational since last year, but it took eight months to put all of this together for us to finally launch 5969 for real,” Mr. Mendoza said.
“We just want people to come here to have fun and let loose!”
5969 is located on Fermina Street in Poblacion, Makati. — Brontë H. Lacsamana
INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is set to build a container terminal in Bauan, Batangas, valued at $800 million, the Razon-led port operator announced on Monday.
“The new terminal represents a significant leap forward for Southern Luzon. We are building a world-class facility that will unlock a wave of economic benefits for the region and the country,” ICTSI Executive Vice-President Christian R. Gonzales said in a statement.
The construction of the new international container terminal will begin by the first quarter of 2025 and will be the second largest container facility next to the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), ICTSI said.
“With the first berth scheduled for completion by the end of 2027, the terminal will become a catalyst for economic growth across Southern Luzon, creating jobs and accelerating regional development,” ICTSI said.
Once completed, the terminal is expected to draw economic growth across Southern Luzon by creating additional jobs and helping accelerate regional development, the company said.
The terminal will have a capacity of more than two million twenty-foot equivalent units capacity, featuring up to 900 meters of quay and about eight ship-to-shore gantry cranes.
Located about a hundred and 20 kilometers south of the Philippines’ capital, the Bauan facility will become the premier international gateway for shippers based in the Calabarzon or the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon region.
ICTSI said the terminal will also help advance the country’s renewable energy goal by being able to provide marine handling needs required for renewables such as offshore wind projects.
“The facility will likewise allow ICTSI to efficiently balance capacity needs across both the Metro Manila consumption center and Calabarzon through the new Bauan terminal and the MICT,” ICTSI said.
For the first quarter, ICTSI saw its attributable net income jump by 35.7% to $209.88 million for the first quarter, boosted by its international portfolio.
For the January-to-March period, the company’s attributable net income went up to $209.88 million, marking a 35.7% increase from $164.61 million in the same period last year.
The company’s combined revenues surged to $637.65 million, up by 11.4% from $572.25 million a year earlier, its financial report showed.
Broken down, its US operations accounted for the majority, or about 41.1% of its revenues at $262.27 million; Asia at $259.37 million or 40.7%, and EMEA or Europe, the Middle East, and Africa’s operations at $116.01 million, accounting for 18.2%.
This year, ICTSI has allocated $450 million for its capital expenditures earmarked for its recently acquired terminal in Iloilo, the Visayas Container Terminal, formerly known as the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex; expansion in Brazil; the development of the East Java Multipurpose Terminal in Indonesia; and its ongoing expansions in Mexico and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
At the stock exchange on Monday, shares in the company gained P15.40 or 4.46% to and at P361 apiece. — Ashley Erika O. Jose
THE Energy Development Corp. (EDC) said it has obtained approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue green bonds worth P10 billion.
In a statement on Monday, the company announced that the offering is the second tranche of EDC’s fixed-rate ASEAN green bonds, part of a shelf registration totaling P15 billion in aggregate principal amount.
The second tranche consists of P6 billion in total principal amount, with an oversubscription option of up to P4 billion.
EDC plans to offer the sale of green bonds from May 13 to May 17.
BDO Capital & Investment Corp. and BPI Capital Corp. have been appointed as joint issue managers.
Additionally, BDO Capital, BPI Capital, Chinabank Capital Corp., and SB Capital Investment Corp. have been named as joint lead underwriters and joint bookrunners.
RCBC Trust Corp. will serve as the trustee, while RCBC Capital Corp. will act as the selling agent for the transaction.
“This second tranche ASEAN green bonds will support the growth and resiliency of our renewable energy portfolio as we serve the growing economy’s increasing energy needs while pursuing the country’s decarbonization and net zero journey,” EDC President and Chief Operating Officer Jerome H. Cainglet said.
Mr. Cainglet said that the green bonds will be part of the company’s P60-billion capital investment program for its drilling operations program over the next three years and its renewable energy growth initiatives.
The green bonds will partially fund the company’s geothermal and battery expansion projects, as well as resiliency and maintenance capital expenditure projects.
EDC said that its green bonds are priced at the lowest end of the range of 6.7478%, 6.8873%, and 7.0626% for the three-year, five-year, and seven-year series, respectively, and have been rated “PRS Aaa,” with a stable outlook by the Philippine Rating Services Corp.
The company listed the first tranche of P5 billion with the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. in 2021.
EDC is a subsidiary of Lopez-led First Gen Corp. that is primarily engaged in the exploration, development, operation, and optimization of geothermal steamfields, and in power generation. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera
WASHINGTON — Low-budget cinema maestro Roger Corman, who cranked out hundreds of outrageous films over six decades and helped launch the careers of acclaimed directors Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, James Cameron and Ron Howard, died on Thursday at age 98, family members said.
Mr. Corman, a producer and director hailed as the “king of B movies,” died at his home in Santa Monica, California, his wife and daughters said in an post on his Instagram account late on Saturday without giving the cause of death.
“It is with profound sadness, and boundless gratitude for his extraordinary life, that we remember our beloved husband and father, Roger Corman,” his wife Julie and daughters Catherine and Mary, said in the post.
“His films were revolutionary and iconoclastic, and captured the spirit of an age,” they wrote.
Mr. Corman was given an honorary lifetime Academy Award in November 2009 for his “rich engendering of films and filmmakers.”
“Roger, for everything you have done for cinema, the academy thanks you, Hollywood thanks you, independent filmmaking thanks you,” Academy Award-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino told Mr. Corman at his Oscar ceremony. “But, most importantly, for all the weird, cool, crazy moments you’ve put on screen, the movie lovers of planet Earth thank you.”
Mr. Corman’s work — he produced more than 300 films and directed about 50 — was filled with those weird, cool, and crazy moments. The movies were shot swiftly on the cheap and only a handful lost money.
They covered genres including sci-fi, horror, biker films, rebellious teen fare, Edgar Allan Poe tales, and more. Their titles were not exactly subtle — Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957), The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent (1957), The Brain Eaters (1958), Teenage Cave Man (1958), A Bucket of Blood (1959), Creature from the Haunted Sea (1961), Bloody Mama (1970), Gas-s-s-s (1970), Galaxy of Terror (1981), and Piranhaconda (2012).
Past age 90, he was still prolific, producing films with titles such as Cobragator and Death Race 2050.
“I believe to be successful over the long run, unless you’re a Federico Fellini or an Ingmar Bergman or a true genius in filmmaking, you have to understand that you’re working in both an art and a business,” Mr. Corman told a pop culture website in 2010.
He gave early career breaks to future stars including Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Sandra Bullock, Talia Shire, William Shatner, Peter Fonda, and Dennis Hopper.
But he was best known for nurturing directors. As a frugal producer, Mr. Corman hired promising young filmmakers who could work on a shoestring budget, launching their careers.
Before Raging Bull, Mr. Scorsese directed Mr. Corman’s Boxcar Bertha (1972). Before The Godfather, Coppola directed Dementia 13 (1963) for Corman. Jonathan Demme of The Silence of the Lambs fame directed Corman’s Fighting Mad (1976). Howard directed Grand Theft Auto (1977) for Corman before A Beautiful Mind. All four men went on to best director Oscars.
Also, Peter Bogdanovich directed Corman’s Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women (1968) before making The Last Picture Show, and Cameron was art director for Corman’s Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) before Titanic.
Sometimes his proteges thanked Mr. Corman by giving him cameo roles, such as the FBI director in The Silence of the Lambs and a congressman in Apollo 13.
‘I PROMISE YOU’ At Mr. Corman’s 2009 Oscar ceremony, Howard fondly recalled getting a shot to make his directorial debut with Grand Theft Auto at a time when he was viewed as a lightweight TV sitcom actor. Howard said he complained to Corman about not getting sufficient resources.
Corman did not cough up more money, Howard said, but told him: “I promise you this: If you continue to do a good job for me on this picture, you’ll never have to work for me again.”
No one would argue that the movies Corman produced were subtle or nuanced. Many were complete schlock, filled with crazy effects, bizarre plots, bare breasts, ridiculous monsters or women behind bars. But some had artistic merit.
He directed The Little Shop of Horrors (1960), filming it in just two days and one night. It featured a young Nicholson, who had impressed Corman in an acting class, and an icky plot about a lonely flower shop worker who creates a carnivorous plant that craves human flesh.
He also made several horror films in the 1960s starring Vincent Price inspired by Edgar Allan Poe stories, including House of Usher (1960), The Pit and the Pendulum (1961), and The Masque of the Red Death (1964).
Corman stopped directing in 1971 and focused on producing. He directed just one more film, 1990’s Frankenstein Unbound.
In contrast to his trademark low-budget stuff, Corman also dabbled in international arthouse cinema, serving as the US distributor of films by fabled directors Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, Akira Kurosawa, François Truffaut, and more.
Corman was born on April 5, 1926, in Detroit. He graduated from Stanford University in 1947 with an engineering degree, but quit his first job as an engineer after three days and got work at the 20th Century Fox film studio as a messenger.
After a detour studying modern English literature at the University of Oxford, he returned to the United States intent upon making his mark in the film industry. The name of Corman’s 1990 autobiography revealed his guiding philosophy: How I Made a Hundred Movies in Hollywood and Never Lost a Dime. — Reuters
OVER 17 million internet-connected Filipinos, or 19.8% of the internet-connected population aged 16 to 64, listen to podcasts weekly, according to a new study titled “Beyond the Headphones: The Portrait of a Podcast Listener as Filipino.” This marks an increase of 2.6% from 2023. The report, a collaboration among the country’s three largest podcast networks — The Pod Network, Anima Podcast, PumaPodcast — and socio-cultural research firm The Fourth Wall, highlights the growing popularity of podcasts in the country. While the Internet (81.9%) and social media (80.8%) remained the preferred information platforms, in 2023, podcasts (50.5%) surpassed other media platforms such as online video streaming sites (40.4%), online news portals (22.1%), and television (19.9%) as the preferred information source. It also indicates that the majority of the country’s podcast listeners are Millennials or Generation Y, those aged 25 to 34, who live in urban areas such as the Greater Manila area.
SB19 drops new single today
THE LATEST club anthem by P-pop boy group SB19 has arrived, called “Moonlight.” The group got in touch with US-based producer-DJ Ian Asher and Chinese electronic producer Terry Zhong, who helped refine their dance-pop track. Released today under Liquid State and Sony Music Philippines, the new single channels romantic desires. Along with the two aforementioned producers, Lenno Linjama and Serge Courtois were also involved in the mixing. “Moonlight” comes with a minimalist music video conceptualized and directed by SB19’s Justin De Dios, featuring eclectic choreography with the group. The track is out now on all streaming platforms.
Amy Winehouse biopic at Ayala Malls Cinemas
THIS month, Amy Winehouse fans can get a glimpse into the singer’s life and music through the music biopic Back to Black. It celebrates the legacy of the talented Ms. Winehouse, whose untimely passing at the age of 27 broke the hearts of millions of fans around the world. It also attempts to understand her personal demons, with the challenging part played by Marisa Abela. Back to Black is showing at Ayala Malls Cinemas.
Ryan Reynolds brings humor to IF
WITH his signature high-energy comedic humor, Ryan Reynolds is taking on the character of Cal in IF. The animated family-adventure comedy is set in a world where IFs, or imaginary friends, are real. Along with Bea (voied by Cailey Fleming), the only other person who can see these beings, Cal is on a mission to give purpose to forgotten IFs by matching them with a new kid to protect and play with. IF, rated G, is in Philippine cinemas.
Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band at Midas Hotel
TO relive the music of the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire, fans can go catch the tribute band Chicago Funk at the Midas Hotel and Casino this May. The band has won awards abroad and is set to transport audiences to September in the middle of summer by performing Earth, Wind & Fire’s greatest hits. Their concert is on May 17 at The Tent of the Midas Hotel and Casino, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City. Tickets are available via TicketWorld.
Le Ciné Club to show award-winning films
THE LATTER half of May will be filled with acclaimed cinema at Le Ciné Club, the resident film enthusiasts club of Alliance Française de Manille. Every Wednesday, the group hosts screenings of various French films. However, the Finnish embassy is co-hosting for May 22, 6 p.m., bringing an award-winning 2023 romcom from Finland as the film for that day. Fallen Leaves by Aki Kaurismäki is set in modern-day Helsinki and it follows two lonely souls who meet in a karaoke bar and try to build a relationship amid obstacles like lost phone numbers, mistaken addresses, alcoholism, and a charming stray dog. The following week, on May 29, 7:30 p.m., Le Ciné Club is bringing back a 1967 musical comedy classic, The Young Girls of Rochefort by Jacques Demy. It tells the story of twin sisters seeking out romance in their small seaside town in France, leading them to sing in the carnival. To attend the screenings, register via Alliance Française de Manille’s website.
Thai and Pinoy duos collaborate on song
TWO duos have collaborated on the song “Sunny When I’m With You.” These are Thai duo Purplecat and Filipino siblings Ysanygo. The new R&B track celebrates the magic of being in love, with lighthearted arrangements and lo-fi beats. It serves as Purplecat’s first international collaboration and marks the duo’s plan to expand their reach on a global scale, particularly in Southeast Asia where there’s demand for their music. The R&B duo is composed of Mon Napasin Chaisri on vocals and Palm Pholrutt Sirirutt who raps and plays the synthesizer. Meanwhile, Ysanygo is a genre-fluid alt-pop sibling duo from the Philippines, composed of Ysabel and Yñigo Ferraz. “Sunny When I’m With You” is out now on all digital music platforms.
Chris Pratt lends his voice to Garfield for new movie
ACTOR Chris Pratt is bringing the popular indoor orange cat to life in The Garfield Movie, voicing the titular cat on a wild outdoor adventure. It also stars scruffy street cat Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) and canine friend Odie (voiced by Harvey Guillén). Also featured are the voices of Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong, and Snoop Dogg. The Garfield Movie, from Columbia Pictures, opens in Philippine cinemas May 29.
Jinky Vidal to perform at CenterPlay in City of Dreams
CENTERPLAY, City of Dreams Manila’s contemporary bar on the gaming floor known for presenting OPM artists every last Thursday of the month, is set to turn the spotlight on Jinky Vidal on May 30. The former female lead vocalist of the iconic 1990s band Freestyle will have a live concert at 9 p.m. One of the founding members of the Davao-formed pop band, Ms. Vidal’s soulful voice are highlighted in the band’s hit songs “So Slow,” “This Time,” and “Before I Let You Go.” The upcoming concert will also showcase the Soulmates band and DJs who are set to perform alternately from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Guests can reserve a seat or a table starting at P2,500 (consumable). VIP couch seats for a party of eight (P20,000) and VIP Small Tables for a group of four (P10,000) are also available, inclusive of consumables. For reservations, e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com, or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.
Sheraton Manila Bay’s live acoustic nights
EVERY Friday and Saturday night, the lobby of the Sheraton Manila Bay fills with soulful melodies as live acoustic performances are held from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission is free. For inquiries, contact 5318-9788. Sheraton Manila Bay is located at M. Adriatico corner Gen. Malvar Streets, Malate, Manila.
Edwin Hurry, Jr. drops new R&B track
THE latest single of OPM artist Edwin Hurry Jr. is “Dito Ka Lang,” released under Universal Records Philippines. Now ninth on Spotify’s “Fresh Finds Philippines,” it follows the release of Mr. Hurry’s own version of “Sana Ngayong Pasko” in December. The new, upbeat song features introspective lyrics about the complexities of relationships. “The song is about a person who begs for someone to stay despite the struggles and problems that they’re facing in their relationship,” the singer said. “Dito Ka Lang” is out now on all digital streaming platforms.
Barbie Almalbis guests in Kitchie Nadal concert
FOR the 20th anniversary concert of OPM musician Kitchie Nadal, the stage will welcome her peers in the music scene like Barbie Almalbis, Aia de Leon, Lougee Basabas, Hannah Romawac, Acel Bisa, and Monty Macalino of Mayonnaise. SAME GROUND: Kitchie Nadal’s 20th Anniversary Concert will be held on June 2 at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, Quezon City. “We’ve prepared a showstopping collaboration with musicians who also happen to be good friends of mine. I look up to these artists whose work resonates with me on an intimate level,” Ms. Nadal said in a statement. She will be announcing another set of guest acts for the concert soon.
PANGILINAN-LED PXP Energy Corp. is gearing up to boost its ownership in Forum Energy Ltd.
The move comes after its board of directors greenlit a share swap with Hong Kong’s Tidemark Holdings Ltd.
PXP’s board approved the issuance of 430,243,903 common shares in exchange for 24,125,383 shares held by Tidemark in Forum Energy, the company said in a regulatory filing on Monday.
Subject to confirmation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, PXP said it intends to issue its shares to Tidemark at an aggregate value of P1,557,482,928.86, at an issue price of P3.62 per share.
Tidemark’s shares are valued at P1,557,482,928.86, or approximately P64.5579 per share.
The shares will be exchanged at a share-swap ratio of approximately 17.8337 PXP shares to one Tidemark share.
“PXP shall submit the required comprehensive corporate disclosure on the transaction within the period set under the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Listing Rules. PXP shall apply for the listing of the PXP shares with the PSE and shall obtain the shareholder approval of the transaction for this purpose,” the company said.
After the share swap, the company’s effective interest in Forum Energy will increase to 97.88% from 77.88% previously. Its effective interest in Service Contract No. 72 will also rise to 68.5% from 54.5%.
Trademark will then own 18% of the resulting total issued and outstanding capital stock of PXP.
“The share-swap ratio is supported by a valuation report, and the fairness of the share-swap ratio was confirmed by the fairness opinion, issued by PwC Philippines – Isla Lipana & Co., an independent expert qualified to issue the report under applicable accrediting guidelines of the PSE,” the company said.
PXP’s board also approved the amendment of the Articles of Incorporation (AoI) to increase the number of seats in the company’s board of directors to 15 members.
“The proposed Share Swap and the AoI amendment shall be submitted for shareholder approval during the meeting on 26 June 2024. The transaction will be indicated in PXP’s Definitive Information Statement,” the company said.
Tidemark is a wholly owned subsidiary of publicly listed Atok Big Wedge Co., Inc. PXP and Tidemark are shareholders of Forum Energy, a corporation organized under the laws of the United Kingdom.
Forum Energy, through its wholly owned subsidiary Forum (GSEC 101) Limited, is the designated operator of Service Contract No. 72 with a 70% participating interest.
The service contract covers the Recto Bank located in the West Philippine Sea. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera
ZURICH — Swiss advocates for non-binary rights hailed local star Nemo’s victory in Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest, urging the country’s authorities to enable official recognition of people who identify as neither male or female.
In a politically charged night in the Swedish city of Malmo, Nemo, a 24-year-old Swiss musician who uses they/them pronouns, claimed the top spot after dominating the jury section of the vote to beat out the audience favorite, Croatia’s Baby Lasagna.
The Eurovision’s traditionally carefree tone was clouded by booing and demonstrations from protesters who wanted Israel excluded from the contest because of its government’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.
Israel’s contestant, Eden Golan, placed second in the popular vote and wound up fifth overall.
Nemo’s victory came a year-and-a-half after the Swiss government rejected proposals to create a third gender or non-specific option for official records, arguing that a binary gender model was still “strongly anchored” in Swiss society.
Sibel Arslan, a Swiss Green Party lawmaker who launched a legislative proposal in 2017 to overhaul rules to enable non-binary designations, hailed Nemo’s victory.
“A non-binary person who officially doesn’t exist in Switzerland has won Eurovision 2024 for us all with #BreakTheCode,” Arslan wrote on X, referencing Nemo’s winning song “The Code” at the musical extravaganza.
Her proposal, she said, is now “more relevant than ever.”
An Ipsos LGBT Pride online poll in 2023 stated that 6% of respondents in Switzerland identified as either transgender, non-binary, gender-fluid, or differently from male or female, the highest proportion among the 30 countries surveyed.
“The Code,” Nemo’s drum-and-bass, opera, rap and rock song, describes their journey of self-discovery as a non-binary person, which the artist brought to a crescendo in Malmo while balancing precariously on a large, tilting revolving disc.
The youth wing of the Green Liberal Party said Nemo’s success was a triumph for Switzerland and non-binary people.
“It’s time that Switzerland broke with its binary gender designation,” the group said on X.
Still, a nationwide survey last year by polling firm LeeWas for media 20 Minuten and Tamedia showed 62% of the Swiss public were broadly opposed to the introduction of a “third gender” designation on official documents, with only 35% in favor. — Reuters
After a career focused on banking and finance across the Asia-Pacific region, Filipino Mike Samson recently landed back in home territory, as country leader for Standard Chartered Bank
After a career that has granted him a ringside view of the Asia-Pacific growth story, Mike Samson recently returned to Manila to take up the high-profile role of CEO Philippines for Standard Chartered. Thanks to work experience across corporate finance and leveraged finance roles in some of this region’s powerhouse banking markets, Samson says his return to a key leadership country role has been thrilling.
“Coming home to the Philippines after a 27-year banking career overseas is its own reward,” he enthuses. “I feel privileged to take over one of the Bank’s oldest and most established branches within the Standard Chartered network.” As he notes, Standard Chartered has been a proud witness to the rich history of the Philippines — it was the nation’s first international bank, established in 1872.
Described as a perfect example of ‘Glo-cal’ talent (a globalized local), Samson spent a decade working across exciting roles and business challenges for Standard Chartered Singapore from 2011, then almost three years in Sydney as CEO and Head of Commercial, Corporate and Institutional Business for Standard Chartered Australia. Yet when home came calling, he knew he had to say yes.
His extensive banking experience, deep knowledge of ASEAN markets and strong client relationships further deepens the bank’s corporate and investment business across the nation. “The Philippines is a strategic part of the bank’s ASEAN network with immense opportunities. My key focus is to drive our strategic agenda and leverage our strong ASEAN presence — to deliver sustainable growth and value for our stakeholders.”
New growth opportunities
Mike Samson
The new role provides Samson and his team the chance to play an important part in several transformative moments for the nation’s economy. “It is an exciting time in the Philippines, with generational changes happening in digital payments, infrastructure and climate transition. Because of these generational changes, the Philippines is on the cusp of significant growth, which we in Standard Chartered are keen to be part of,” he notes.
Over the next five years, he says Standard Chartered plans to expand its focus from industries such as oil and gas, power and utilities, and banking, into future-facing industries such as clean-tech and renewables, battery metals, digital infrastructure and digital payments.
“We will also be expanding our traditional strength within the banking sector to align with the liberalization of the financial environment,” he notes. In 2022, amendments to the Foreign Investment Act allowed for first-time foreign investors to fully own domestic enterprises in the Philippines. The Retail Trade Liberalization Act reduces the minimum paid-up capital requirements for foreign retail enterprises; while the Public Services Act allows foreign investors to own 100% of public services projects in the country.
Samson believes such measures are producing positive ripples for new business activity, encouraging a diversity of new players into the market, including non-bank lenders, asset managers, electronic payment platforms, private equity and institutional investors.
According to McKinsey, the Philippines ended 2023 on a high note, as the fastest-growing economy across Southeast Asia with a growth rate of 5.6%. This was driven by commercial activities, public infrastructure spending, and growth in digital financial services.
“We will be aligning to the infrastructure drive of the Philippine government, expressed through the newly established Maharlika sovereign wealth fund,” Samson notes, referring to the Philippines’ newly created US$2.3-billion fund, investing in projects that help build the country’s economic pillars such as agriculture, energy, tourism and infrastructure.
“The Bank supports the government’s efforts in airports, ports, gas terminals, toll roads, rail, digital infrastructure (such as data centers), and electricity transmission,” he explains.
A stronger ASEAN
Samson returns to Southeast Asia at an important time for ASEAN. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) projects the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) to expand by 4.7% this year, up from 4.3% in 2023. Despite a challenging market environment, foreign direct investment (FDI) in ASEAN reached a record high of $224 billion in 2022, up 5.5% from the previous year.
Samson believes ASEAN will continue to be an economic bloc of growing importance: a unified voice on matters of standards such as Climate Taxonomy, and Just Transition Principles. “ASEAN is also becoming important in the reconfiguration of the global manufacturing and supply chain, especially as manufacturing shifts from ‘Just In Time’ to ‘Just In Case’. As companies create a second manufacturing hub outside of China, countries like Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia will benefit,” he notes.
He also sees the electric vehicle (EV) revolution transforming ASEAN into a critical region for upstream metals (especially Nickel) and downstream, through the manufacture of EVs and Batteries. According to estimates, Indonesia and the Philippines currently account for nearly 60% of global nickel supply.
“The region is also home to some of the fastest-growing economies with the largest populations, and we are rapidly aligning to the global digital revolution, with fintechs, blockchain supply, and digital payment platforms creating a number of unicorns.”
Finding broader solutions
Likewise, Samson believes ASEAN plays a key role in helping to stabilize the region’s financial platforms, a key requirement for stimulating growth and breaking poverty cycles. “The banking system, being a key component of the various economies in ASEAN will require political stability, liberalization of laws to spur investment, tax reform — and where possible, to create the right climate for banks to support innovation.”
Having recently sat on the other side of the region, Samson believes countries like Australia could play a key role in helping ASEAN pursue its strategic goals.
“The areas of synergy between ASEAN and Australia will be in three key areas. The first is in technological transfer and co-innovation of clean technologies. Second is cross-border investments within areas such as greenification of manufacturing, and processing of nickel for batteries. And third is shared agreement around key standards across platforms — for example in batteries, climate taxonomy, recognition of carbon credits, and joint papers on climate positions.”
Breakthrough deal
Samson’s new role is also expected to be an exciting one in terms of new financial arrangements. One recent highlight for Standard Chartered in the Philippines deal space was the AU$277-million (US$180 million) Syndicated Green Term Loan Facility for renewables company ACEN Australia.
Standard Chartered, alongside Bank of China and CTBC, acted as Joint Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners for the Facility, to finance ACEN’s renewable energy portfolio in Australia. The funds will help finance the development and construction of ACEN’s project pipeline in Australia, encompassing solar, wind, battery storage, pumped hydro power and energy storage. The financing will contribute to ACEN’s strategic aspiration to grow its renewables capacity to 20 GW by 2030.
The transaction marks Standard Chartered’s maiden green loan transaction with the Ayala Group and is in line with the bank’s commitment to mobilize US$300 billion in green and transition finance by 2030.
“We are very proud to support ACEN in its expansion into Australia: a key pillar of its strategy to focus on markets such as the Philippines, Vietnam and Australia which are all expanding rapidly in renewable technologies,” notes Samson. “It was also of particular focus for Standard Chartered to be part of ACEN’s growth out of the Philippines — since our strategy is to help our clients not just in their home market but across their whole business,” he explains.
“In many markets, especially in Asia and Australasia, our long history and sizeable domestic franchises make us uniquely placed to offer a complete suite of services to our clients.”
Home focus
For Samson, coming home to head up operations for one of the world’s leading banks, is not something he takes lightly. “As a longstanding pillar of the Philippine banking system, we are very focused on our ability to help in nation-building and uplifting the lives of Filipinos at home and throughout our 52-country network,” he notes.
Speaking of life at home, Samson and his wife see the return to Asia as a perfect opportunity to explore their other passions. “My wife and I are collectors of contemporary Southeast Asian art,” he shares. “We started over two and a half decades ago, from a small core of Philippine art to almost all the countries of ASEAN — including Laos and Cambodia. It has been our privilege to form a relationship with many artists across a diverse set of artistic disciplines such as painting, sculpture, video, installation, and even performance.”
As he explains, Southeast Asian artists today are successfully shaking off legacy issues of the past, and confronting contemporary challenges around rapid urbanization, generational transformation and climate change. “In short, the story of Southeast Asian art is the story of ASEAN itself.”
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TAN-LED Megaworld Corp. said it has allocated P55 billion for its capital expenditure (capex) budget this year to support its expansion plans.
“This year, Megaworld has budgeted P55 billion for capex, which is an important part of our overall P350-billion five-year capex program that began in 2023,” Megaworld Executive Vice- President Kevin Andrew L. Tan said during the company’s annual stockholders meeting on Monday.
“The budget will be used to develop our existing and upcoming townships, residential projects, investment properties, as well as land acquisition,” he added.
Megaworld aims to have three million square meters (sq.m.) of gross leasable area (GLA) under its leasing portfolio by 2030 for both Megaworld Premier Offices and Megaworld Lifestyle Malls.
By 2030, Megaworld said its office space GLA will reach two million sq.m., while mall GLA will reach one million sq.m. The figure is 52% higher than the company’s total leasing portfolio as of end-2023.
Megaworld will finish around 180,000 sq.m. of offices and about 100,000 sq.m. of mall and commercial retail spaces this year.
The new office supply will come from Megaworld townships in Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Bacolod, and Metro Manila, while the new retail spaces will be sourced from new mall properties in Cavite, Rizal, Pampanga, Bulacan, Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, Boracay, and Palawan.
“Growing our malls and office segments within the next six years is a big part of our continuing expansion,” Mr. Tan said.
In 2023, the company increased its office portfolio under Megaworld Premier Offices by 69,000 sq.m. of GLA to 1.5 million sq.m. following the turnover of the International Finance Center in Uptown Bonifacio.
Megaworld Lifestyle Malls increased its GLA by 33,000 sq.m. to 517,000 sq.m. with the opening of four new retail locations in various Megaworld townships.
Megaworld is the property unit of the Tan family’s holding company Alliance Global Group, Inc.
On Monday, Megaworld shares rose by 1.14% or two centavos to P1.78 per share. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
We are privileged to exist in an unparalleled era. Our concern for improving health conditions led to many remarkable strides in science and technology that significantly enhanced life expectancy. They contributed to a unique phenomenon where five generations (reference: Pew Research Center Generational Categories) are living and working side by side, coexisting in this world, each bringing their own set of experiences, insights, and perspectives.
The conversations had always been about the growing challenge for organizations to manage a multi-generational workforce but while this is a critical issue given the growing complexity of workforce issues, the business implications go beyond that. The markets/customer bases are now multi-generational, the priorities in terms of reforms and legislations are multi-generational, the political climates, governance, and a host of other interests are influenced by multi-generational concerns.
The stable, financially prudent and cautious “Silent” Generation (1928-1945) whose struggles made them risk-averse, value stability expressed in conformity and adherence to tradition.
The confident and self-assured Baby Boomers (1946-1964) are great believers in hard work and in relationship-building as the paths to achieving life goals.
The resilient and independent Generation X (1965-1980) experienced a period of economic uncertainty, and this made them prepared to adapt to changes.
The creative, progressive, tech-savvy and mission-driven Generation Y or Millennials (1981-1996) value purpose and a strong social development agenda in what they do.
The collaborative Generation Z (1997-2012) are digital natives that embrace diversity and find their own unique identities.
And now comes the digitally empowered Generation Alpha (those born after 2012, our 12-year-olds and younger) who are making their presence felt. They are the first generation to experience remote classrooms, streaming services, and portable digital devices from early childhood. They are the ones most affected by the decisions the five preceding generations made and will make today, because these will affect their future.
The five generations carry significant implications in a company and with its external stakeholders, which include customers, shareholders, suppliers, and the broader community. They require businesses to adopt flexible and inclusive approaches, tailoring strategies, products, and services to meet the diverse needs and preferences of each generation while embracing technological advancements and social trends that are now the keys to success across industries moving forward.
Strategic implications to consider:
• Business is no longer usual. The preferences and needs of different generations vary and are increasingly experiential. Companies may need to adapt their products and services to cater across different generation-specific touchpoints, offering more features, customization options, or service delivery methods to appeal to diverse and more discriminating customer segments.
• Expanded marketing channels. While segmenting markets and selecting appropriate marketing channels still work, non-traditional cross-sections will need to be considered — generational preferences, and the use of targeted messaging, imagery, and content. Where before there were just tri-media to consider, the rise of social media platforms now influences how products and services are perceived. Companies must tailor their marketing strategies to effectively reach and engage consumers across different generations, in the shape and form that resonate with them.
• To tech or not to tech. There are varying levels of comfort and proficiency with technology across generations. The use of products and services requires communication styles and user-friendly interfaces that customers can understand and apply.
• Plugging the needs and gaps. Generational diversity can open opportunities for innovations in products and services development, business strategies, and marketing directions. The unique needs of each generation can help in identifying gaps that companies can leverage to differentiate themselves from competitors and capture bigger market share.
Within the organizations, a multi-generational workforce can be a management challenge, but they can also bring advantages to the table.
• The diverse perspectives of multiple generations can lead to better understanding of the markets, more innovative ideas and solutions, and creative marketing directions.
• Companies can create opportunities for cross-generational mentorship that can fuse wisdom, energy, and passion among the workforces. It may even help address mental health issues when guidance and counseling can be provided by the more senior members of the organization.
•Positive perception of the company can be enhanced because it demonstrates inclusivity and responsiveness to the diverse needs of different generations of the workforce.
Workplace policies and practices need to be adaptive when managing a multi-generational workforce, however. These may include flexible work arrangements, training and development programs tailored to different learning styles, and recognition and incentives that resonate with the preferences of each generation. Leadership training programs should be geared towards developing leaders that can work amidst generational differences in values, work styles, and communication preferences to foster collaboration and harmony within the organization.
Each of the generational segments are movements by themselves — the stability and resilience of the Silent Generation, the social responsibility for the Baby Boomers, the efficiency and productivity issues of the Gen X, the mission-oriented Millennials, the tech-driven Gen Zs, and the Gen Alpha born natives of a digital world. Nevertheless, we must be mindful to avoid stereotyping because while those born within those periods exhibit similarities in attitudes and predispositions, people change as they age, mature, and undergo life’s transitions.
The idea is to highlight how each can complement one another’s strengths and weaknesses, instead of focusing on the differences. The imperative is to create a symphony of strategies in five movements so that we can hear and see a beautiful composition that merges all the diverse images each element weaves into this masterpiece we call life.
By understanding multi-generational attributes, companies can craft strategies to navigate the complexities of an evolving marketplace, seize opportunities for growth, and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly interconnected, collaborative and fast-paced business landscape.
Join the 22nd International CEO Conference of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) which will tackle the challenges and opportunities in a multi-generational world with its theme “Business in Five Movements: Wisdom, Passion and Inspiration Across Multiple Generations” on Sept. 10, Tuesday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Manila in BGC, Taguig City. Register now to avail of early bird rates. For particulars, contact the MAP Secretariat via <map@map.org.ph>.
Alma Rita R. Jimenez is the vice-chair of the MAP CEO Conference Committee, the chair of the MAP Trade, Investments and Tourism Committee, the president and CEO of Health Solutions Corp., and is a former undersecretary of the Department of Tourism.
LOS ANGELES — A fresh installment in the Lord of the Rings movie series, one of the biggest film franchises of all time, is scheduled to debut in theaters in 2026.
It is one of two new Lord of the Rings films announced by Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav on Thursday.
Andy Serkis will reprise his role as Gollum and will direct the first of the two films, which has a working title of Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.
Peter Jackson, who directed the Lord of the Rings trilogy two decades ago followed by three Hobbit movies, will serve as a producer of the new films.
The movies are based on books written by J.R.R. Tolkien and set in the fictional land of Middle-earth inhabited by humans, elves, dwarves, and hobbits.
The prior movies in the franchise have earned nearly $6 billion combined at global box offices. The 2003 movie, Return of the King, won 11 Oscars including best picture.
A previously announced animated Lord of the Rings film, called The War of the Rohirrim, is set for release in theaters this December. — Reuters
