House panel may discuss ABS-CBN franchise next week

January 31, 2025 | 12:06 am

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

A HOUSE of Representatives committee may start discussing proposals seeking to provide media company ABS-CBN Corp. with a fresh 25-year franchise by next week, a congressman said on Thursday.

Parañaque Rep. Gus S. Tambunting, who heads the House legislative franchises panel, said they will “scrutinize” the measures seeking to give ABS-CBN a new franchise to operate, four years after lawmakers denied its initial franchise renewal application.

“I’m trying to set a meeting next week,” Mr. Tambunting told BusinessWorld. “I’m still waiting for the documents, but I already asked the committee secretary for them.”

The prospects of providing ABS-CBN a new franchise gained attention in early January after Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda filed the latest measure to allow the media giant to operate radio and television broadcasting stations.

Five bills seeking to provide ABS-CBN with a new franchise have been filed since 2022.

The House legislative franchises panel would likely discuss the measures next week, said Mr. Tambunting. “There’s no approval, we’ll only discuss it.”

He said lawmakers would look at the “feasibility” of providing ABS-CBN a new franchise. He did not elaborate.

“We have to look at the feasibility of the whole thing, that’s what we need to do.”

ABS-CBN was forced to halt its broadcast operations in May 2022 after ex-president Rodrigo R. Duterte’s allies in Congress denied its franchise renewal application owing to alleged tax issues and violations of its original franchise terms.

“The stock price may experience volatility, with sharp increases and potential pullbacks, as traders react to news updates from the hearings,” Globalinks Securities and Stocks, Inc. Head of Sales Trading Toby Allan C. Arce said in a Viber message.

He said trading activity will likely surge as short-term traders aim to make a profit on the potential outcomes of the hearing.

“Any indications of opposition or delays in the legislative process could temper investor enthusiasm and lead to short-term selloffs,” he said. “Speculative trading might dominate next week, with spikes in both buying and selling activity.”

April Lynn Lee-Tan, chief equity strategist at COL Financial Group, Inc., said via Viber: “It might have a positive impact like before.”

ABS-CBN shares retreated by 2.22% or P0.11 to P4.84 apiece on Thursday.

The folly of measuring pain

January 31, 2025 | 12:06 am

A-Real-Pain_Kieran-Culkin,-Jesse-Eisenberg — A STILL FROM A Real Pain

By Brontë H. Lacsamana, Reporter

Movie Review
A Real Pain
Directed by Jesse Eisenberg

AN UNDERRATED gem from the many great films 2024 had to offer is Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain, a frenetic but sincere look at a mismatched friendship between cousins. It’s a film that questions our ability to measure something as universal yet subjective as pain.

For many, pain is a necessary burden that we must deal with to function better in our day-to-day lives, to be regulated and hidden away unacknowledged. For others, it is an overwhelming proof of existence that is too real to be suppressed, so much so that the act of softening and sugarcoating it seems disingenuous.

A Real Pain presents these two extremes in the form of two cousins, David (played by Eisenberg) and Benji (played by Kieran Culkin), who each truly love one another but at times just do not fully understand or know how to ease each other’s pain. The film shows them reuniting for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother who was a Holocaust survivor, in a narrative that is part-travelogue, part-quirky adventure comedy.

When the two encounter bumps in their friendship, their family and personal histories come to light, with Culkin (known for his scene-stealing role as Roman in Succession) garnering acclaim as the similarly unhinged Benji.

As third-generation Jewish-Americans who are confronted with the suffering of their ancestors in a Holocaust tour of Poland, the context of what pain is for each person is transposed to a larger scale.

Eisenberg’s David tempers his obsessive-compulsive tendencies in silence while Culkin’s Benji wears his rollercoaster-like discontent with the world on his sleeve. While the trope of the ignorant American being a tourist in a more sophisticated European land is a tried and tested one, the valuable lessons these two characters learn here are navigated very well. The two cousins learn of the Jewish practice of leaving a stone on a grave to remember a lost loved one by, and use it to honor their own grandmother on the doorstep of her old house — to the chagrin of actual Polish natives who see it as a safety hazard, albeit an endearing gesture.

On the surface, it may seem like this production was a smart choice for the Polish Film Council, with the elegantly shot scenery of the city of Warsaw and of the Polish countryside showcased to promote their tourism. All the while, the music of Chopin plays, as if with heartfelt empathy for the suffering of its characters. Cutting through the seemingly leisurely pace that allows one to yearn for a vacation there is the familiar nervous energy that Eisenberg brings, channeled into his beautifully written and directed film, as well as his acting in it. His triple role in this production is admirable on its own.

Then of course, there’s Culkin. His chaotic blur masking human vulnerability at its most potent takes centerstage, in a performance that I find similar, but of a different flavor of unstable as his Succession character — deserving of recognition in this awards season. But awards are not really needed to appreciate this film that is equal parts sharp and gentle; perhaps what is better is taking a moment to pause and leave little stones to mark the bouts of pain that serve as our proof of existence. It doesn’t matter that the practice is an odd derivative of an old tradition (as is the entire American identity, after all). Sometimes a meaningful gesture is all people need.

A Real Pain is now showing in Ayala Malls Cinemas.

Security Bank says revenue growth, lower costs to boost return on equity

January 31, 2025 | 12:05 am

SECURITY BANK Corp. expects its return on equity (RoE) to improve to around 10% this year, supported by continued revenue growth, reduced expenses, and lower credit costs.

“We expect continued growth in terms of our revenues above our peer group. That’s one. Second, we are slowing down the growth in terms of expenses — that’s expected to translate to a better cost-to-income ratio. We also expect a reduction in terms of our credit costs in 2025 versus 2024. Those three factors, hopefully, will support our ambition to improve RoE,” Security Bank Chief Financial Officer Eduardo M. Olbes said at a media briefing on Thursday.

As of the third quarter of 2024, Security Bank’s RoE stood at 8.07%, up from 7.81% in the same period a year prior.

Mr. Olbes said the bank’s revenue growth will be driven by a resilient consumer segment, which will drive its home and auto loan portfolios and its credit cards business.

“The Filipino consumer looks still quite strong in the fourth quarter, and therefore, for us as a bank, our pillar is to continue to support their journey in terms of bridging their aspirations with their resources in 2025 as well,” he said.

Growth in its business banking segment (BBS), which caters to micro, small and medium enterprises, is expected to continue this year, Mr. Olbes added. As of the third quarter of 2024, BBS loans went up by 60% year on year.

On the other hand, the outlook for corporate loans will depend on the Philippine economy’s trajectory, he said, adding that their wholesale loans grew in the mid-teens as of the third quarter.

“Whether or not that continues in 2025, I would say we will see. It’s a little bit related to GDP (gross domestic product). So, where GDP goes this year will dictate the pacing of the amount of loans that will be required by the large companies,” Mr. Olbes said.

Meanwhile, the bank expects to spend less on technology this year, with capital expenditures for tech seen at 17% of its total revenues.

“The bank began to deploy a substantial increase in terms of our tech spending starting in 2023. That carried forward into 2024. What we would expect in 2025 is still nominal growth versus 2024, but at a slower rate than what you saw in 2024,” the official said.

Meanwhile, asked if they plan to issue bonds this year, Security Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Sanjiv Vohra said the lender will be “opportunistic.”

“The bank plans to grow. We will need to fund that growth. We have two main tools to fund it: either growth in our deposit base or accessing the markets for funding. We will always be opportunistic on both. I think initially we will probably fund that through the growth in our deposits,” he said.

“But as the interest rate situation clears up, meaning more clarity in terms of forward rates, we would definitely look towards issuing term funding, which would be through the bond market,” Mr. Vohra added.

The bank expects the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to cut rates by another 75 basis points (bps) this year, he said.

“Given the structure of our economy and where our currency is, we do have a little bit more room to cut even more than the US,” Mr. Vohra said.

Last year, the BSP cut benchmark borrowing costs by a cumulative 75 bps after it kicked off its easing cycle in August, bringing its policy rate to 5.75%.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. has said the Monetary Board still has room to continue cutting rates this year as current benchmark borrowing costs remain “restrictive.”

It will hold its first policy meeting for this year on Feb. 13.

Mr. Vohra added that the peso may end at P58 versus the dollar this year.

“The expectation is that the dollar’s strength will erode later in 2025 as the inflation outlook changes in the US and the relative differential of interest rates between the US and the rest of the world, whether it’s Europe or Japan, changes as well,” he said.

The seasonal increase in remittances in the fourth quarter will also support the peso, he added.

Security Bank’s net income rose by 13.58% year on year to P3.01 billion in the third quarter of 2024 amid higher revenues.

This brought its nine-month net profit to P8.45 billion, up by 11.62% from a year ago.

Security Bank’s shares dropped by 90 centavos or 1.22% to close at P73.10 apiece on Thursday. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

Ayala Land to launch 78,000 sq.m. of retail space this year

January 31, 2025 | 12:05 am

AYALA LAND, Inc. (ALI) said it is opening new malls this year with about 78,000 square meters (sq.m.) of retail space as the property developer banks on surging foot traffic.

“We’re opening new malls this year. We are opening about 78,000 sq.m. of retail space,” ALI Head of Leasing and Hospitality Mariana Zobel de Ayala said during a media event in Makati City on Thursday.

“We’re going to be opening the first phase of our mall in Imus City, Cavite. We have Park Triangle in Bonifacio Global City. We also have the first phases of Solenad 4 and Arca South, which are going to be quite a different concept from a mall perspective,” she added.

Ms. Zobel said ALI has about 700,000 square meters (sq.m.) of mall space under planning or construction.

“Including the renovations, we have about 700,000 sq.m. of mall space that’s currently either under planning or construction,” she said.

“We have a lot of conviction in the market. We have a lot of conviction in the Filipino consumer,” she added.

Ms. Zobel said Ayala Malls saw a 10% growth in foot traffic last year, without disclosing specific figures.

“We were very excited by the growth we saw in foot traffic last year. We saw 10% growth year on year. That was quite promising,” she said.

“Our newer malls like One Ayala showed about five times increase in sales, and for Manila Bay, we showed almost doubling in sales,” she added.

Meanwhile, Ms. Zobel said that ALI has identified about 30,000 sq.m. of retail space that will be “refreshed in terms of concept.”

She added that the ongoing renovations of its Glorietta, Ayala Center Cebu, Trinoma, and Greenbelt are on track.

“As of this month, most of those renovations are between 40% and 60% complete. The renovations are on track, and it’s creating a lot of excitement with our tenants,” she said.

On the hospitality segment, Ms. Zobel said that ALI has about 2,000 rooms in the pipeline “between construction and under planning.”

She added that the renovations of Holiday Inn (Makati), Seda BGC, Seda Abreeza in Davao, and Seda Centrio in Cagayan de Oro will be completed by the third quarter, while the revamp of Lagen Island resort in Palawan is ongoing.

The 280-room Mandarin Oriental in Makati is also expected to open next year, Ms. Zobel said.

“We see a lot of potential in both domestic tourism and also bringing in more regional tourists,” she said.

Ms. Zobel added that ALI’s office segment has performed above industry averages.

“The market vacancies that we’re seeing are about 20%, and in our case, our lease out is 92%,” she said.

Meanwhile, ALI Chief Finance Officer Augusto D. Bengzon said the company is in negotiations to buy the Makati property where the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) business school is located.

“We’re negotiating for it. We’re buying it from the AIM foundation. They need a bigger campus,” he said.

AIM is located on a one-hectare land provided by ALI’s parent company Ayala Corp.

ALI shares declined by 0.61% or 15 centavos to P24.5 apiece on Thursday. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Stuff to Do (01/31/25)

January 31, 2025 | 12:05 am

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Watch a movie at Fisher Mall

ON Jan. 29, Fisher Mall’s cinema arm, Fisher Box Office opened its brand-new Lounge for moviegoers. With decor that brings consumers back to the glitz and glamour of the Roaring Twenties while also being given a modern touch, visitors can instantly feel like a VIP within the halls of The Lounge. It also introduces an expanded list of snacks and drinks to choose from, including printed latte art, mocktails, and seasonal meals. In addition to the Lounge’s opening, Fisher Mall’s 11^th anniversary celebration will reach its peak with a special live music performance by Over October at Fisher Mall Quezon Avenue branch on Jan. 31, and at Fisher Mall Malabon on Feb. 2. Fisher Mall also extended a wide series of consumer offers, such as enabling shoppers to enjoy discounts of up to 70% off on selected items across Fisher Supermarket, Fisher Department Store, and other participating stores until Feb. 2.

Go to The Little Prince festival at Teacher’s Village

EIGHTY-two years after Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince was first published, its story and its lessons on innocence, childhood, friendship, and love continue to resonate with new generations of readers. Arts & Letters, a micro enterprise offering art- and literature-inspired merchandise, is one of many groups celebrating the timeless story in the Philippines. At the two-day The Little Prince Street Kohi Festival at 24 Mayaman St., Diliman, Quezon City, on Feb. 1 and 2, Arts & Letters will showcase a growing The Little Prince collection comprised of mugs, scarves, notebooks, umbrellas, masks, and candles. It is part of a curated marketplace featuring local artisans and creators with Little Prince-themed installations and performances, live music, storytelling sessions, and cultural showcases. The festival has an admission fee of P300.

Visit the CCP’s Pasinaya Open House Festival

ON Feb. 1 and 2, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex, the multi-arts festival Pasinaya will see over 200 performances, workshops, and events spanning music, theater, dance, visual arts, film, and literature. The CCP is offering an exclusive Pasinaya Bundle for P300, which includes a Pasinaya T-shirt and a wristband that serves as an all-day festival pass.

Witness the Miss Universe PH-QC 2025 coronation

ON Feb. 2, the Miss Universe Philippines-Quezon City 2025 candidates will be culminating their local pageant journey at the grand finale and coronation. Starting at 6 p.m., the event will take place at the SM North EDSA Skydome. Special guests include Miss Universe-Asia Chelsea Manalo, Miss Universe PHL-QC 2020 Michele Gumabao, and Manhunt International winner Kevin Dasom, among others.

See the premiere of Filipino film Balota on Netflix

BALOTA, a film from GMA Pictures and the GMA Entertainment Group, will stream globally on Netflix beginning Jan. 31. Written and directed by Kip Oebanda, it stars Marian Rivera, whose outstanding performance in the film garnered the Best Actress Award at the 2024 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. In it, she plays the fierce and intelligent Emmy, one of the teachers tasked to guard a ballot box during local elections.

Watch opera on film

REOPENING the curtains of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ The Met: LIVE in HD program is Jacques Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann. The opera follows the poet Hoffmann (played by Benjamin Bernheim) who is unhappily in love with Stella, an opera singer. Set to be screened on Feb. 4, at 5:30 p.m. at Cinema 1 of Glorietta 4 in Makati, the opera maps the spiritual journey of love from infatuation to passing fancies. It is the first of a lineup of eight operas to be screened this season: Jeanine Tesori’s Grounded, Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca, Aida by Giuseppe Verdi, Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Fidelio, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Salome of Richard Strauss, and Gioachino Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia.

Attend a Chinese animal signs workshop

THOSE who want to unlock the energies of the Chinese New Year can discover how cosmic forces and animal signs can shape 2025. The workshop “Unlocking 2025 with Cosmic Energies & Chinese Animal Signs” is slated for Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m., at the Y Space at Yuchengco Museum, RCBC Plaza, Ayala corner Gil Puyat Aves., Makati City. Feng Shui geomancer Melvin D. Sua and “Soul Destiny” reader Jeannie E. Javelosa will lead the workshop, which has a regular registration free of P1,000. Tickets are available via bit.ly/U2CE.

Watch spy action flick The 355

POWERHOUSE actresses have teamed up for an action-packed spy movie titled The 355. Starring Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong’o, Penelope Cruz, and Diane Kruger, the film follows a CIA agent, a rival German agent, a computer specialist, and a Colombian psychologist who come together to save the world from a group of mercenaries with a top-secret weapon. The 355 is now available to stream on Lionsgate Play.

Listen to new music by Tate McRae, Shye, Peaceful Gemini

CANADIAN singer Tate McRae has dropped the song “Sports Car,” off her upcoming new album, So Close To What, alongside the official music video. Written and produced with hitmakers Ryan Tedder, Grant Boutin, and Julia Michaels, the song glimpses Ms. McRae’s feelings of love, freedom, and desire, backed by a sultry soundscape. “Sports Car” is out now on all digital music streaming platforms. Meanwhile, the indie sensation from Singapore, singer-songwriter and producer Shye, is starting the year with a new single titled “Cecilia.” The track is an exploration of identity and the longing to find one’s place in the world. “Cecilia” is out now on all digital music streaming platforms. Then there is Filipino rapper and songwriter Peaceful Gemini’s “Piece of Gem,” a new song out now via Sony Music Entertainment. Known for her authentic approach to storytelling, Peaceful Gemini reflects on her evolution as both an artist and an individual in her latest song, which she wrote herself. Produced by Mesklun, the track combines the energy of boombap with contemporary hip-hop elements. “Piece of Gem” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide.

Filipinos concerned about retirement plans — InLife study

January 31, 2025 | 12:04 am

Luneta Park-crowd — PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

By Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson, Reporter

FILIPINOS are concerned about their plans for retirement and are unable to actively prepare financially, a recent study conducted by The Insular Life Assurance Co., Ltd. (InLife) showed.

“The study showed that 53% of respondents were worried about having sufficient funds to sustain their retirement, considering inflation, foreseeing expenses,” InLife Chief Product and Innovation Officer Jose Eduardo O. Ang said on Thursday.

“They figured that they would all need about P25,000 to P50,000 (monthly income) to retire comfortably so that they can sustain their post-retirement lifestyle. And even at that amount, there is a lot of fear of this 53% of being unable to reach that.”

The survey covered 505 respondents nationwide across different age groups.

“Our research revealed that Filipinos have high aspirations for retirement. They want to live a retirement that is debt-free,” Mr. Ang said.

The senior citizen population or those aged 60 and above, is expected to grow by 7% by 2032. In 2020, the elderly population stood at 9.2 million.

“In 2023 alone, households bore P633.3 billion or 44.4% of the P1.44 trillion in healthcare spending,” the life insurer said.

InLife found that Filipinos “prioritize immediate needs such as housing, healthcare and other short-term financial needs over long term health and financial security planning.”

Only half of those surveyed said they actively save for their retirement, it added.

“Those who do not say procrastination, mistrust in financial institutions, over-reliance on current financial situation, and other cultural factors such as strong familial ties and intergenerational support keep them from actively saving for retirement,” Mr. Ang added.

The study showed that only 30% of respondents are confident about their financial preparedness for their retirement.

“Interestingly, younger generations aspire to retire earlier and break free from the traditional practice of relying on their children for financial support,” Mr. Ang said.

“They wanted to retire in their 40s, 50s — a lot earlier than what most would see as an age 60 or age 70 thing,” he added.

The study showed 33% of respondents are aiming to retire between the ages of 56 and 60.

“Gen Zs exhibit a stronger preference for early retirement, with 22% aiming to retire between the ages of 46 and 50 compared to only 14% of the general population.”

Meanwhile, 52% aim to have a steady retirement plan and achieve financial independence to avoid depending on their own children.

“They desire to break free from the generational cycle of dependence and instead, want to be financially independent in their old age. In the Philippines, there is cultural reliance on family, with many relying heavily on familial support to see them through retirement.”

For its part, InLife offers a retirement insurance product that provides guaranteed monthly cash payouts.

InLife Retire Assure gives policyholders guaranteed monthly income starting at age 60 up to 100.

The product has a simplified structure that sets aside premiums so they accumulate over time, InLife said.

The policy also offers flexible premium payments and payouts that can be paid in five or 10 years, or up to age 59 or 64.

“There is also a hassle-free application with its guaranteed issue offer. This means anyone who applies for an InLife Retire Assure plan does not need to undergo medical evaluation regardless of one’s health condition to be eligible for coverage,” it added.

Pacific Online acquiring 37.5% stake in HHR Philippines

January 31, 2025 | 12:04 am

PACIFIC ONLINE Systems Corp. is acquiring a 37.5% stake in electronic gaming platform software and service provider HHR Philippines, Inc. (HHRPI) for P150 million to grow its online gaming presence.

The two groups signed an investment agreement on Jan. 29, Pacific Online said in a regulatory filing on Thursday.

Under the deal, Pacific Online subscribed to 81,000 HHRPI common shares, equivalent to a 37.5% stake, worth P150 million, which will be paid in three tranches.

“Through this investment in HHRPI, the corporation will be expanding its presence in the online gaming business through a company licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR),” Pacific Online said.

“The new capital to be infused by the corporation into HHRPI, on the other hand, will be utilized by the latter to fund its expansion activities,” it added.

HHRPI is a PAGCOR-licensed software and professional service provider of electronic gaming platforms for land-based and online gaming operators.

It is also a holder of a PAGCOR gaming license for online gaming under the brand “Buenas.”

Pacific Online has business interests in the provision and management of online lottery systems, terminals, and software for the Philippine lottery gaming industry.

The company is a gaming unit of Belle Corp., which is engaged in resort development and gaming.

For the first nine months, Pacific Online saw a 98% decline in net income to P3.76 million from P228.24 million a year ago. Revenue declined by 17% to P388.4 million.

Pacific Online shares were last traded on Jan. 28 at P4 apiece. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Netflix expands toy business with Stranger Things licensing deal

January 31, 2025 | 12:04 am

NETFLIX is expanding its presence in the toy business, striking its first master licensing deal with the company behind the popular Squishmallows plush toys to develop a product line inspired by its hit science-fiction series Stranger Things.

The streaming giant granted toymaker Jazwares the right to develop a Stranger Things collection — including figures, play sets, toy vehicles, costumes and stuffed toys — based on the series, which returns for its fifth and final season later this year. The licensing deal builds on Netflix’s relationship with the toymaker, which last year introduced its first Stranger Things-themed Squishmallows.

“The Duffer Brothers have created such an incredibly rich world that’s packed with ’80s nostalgia and pop culture references and great characters,” said Josh Simon, Netflix vice-president of consumer products, referring to Matt and Ross Duffer who created the series. “From a merchandise standpoint, and a product-creation standpoint, we really want to deliver that same level of storytelling and attention to detail to the fans.”

Netflix, which ignited the streaming video revolution that upended Hollywood, has adopted a time-honored entertainment industry strategy of selling consumer products and experiences based on its most popular series. Its first franchise hit, Stranger Things, served as the model.

Stranger Things is set in the Midwestern town of Hawkins, Indiana, where a supernatural mystery lurks below the surface. Its nostalgic references to 1980s food, music, and fashion launched it into the cultural zeitgeist, making it one of Netflix’s most popular series. That led to a range of consumer products deals, such as Scoops Ahoy ice cream, Surfer Boy frozen pizza, and retro footwear from Clarks.

The series also has inspired spinoffs including a series of books, an Olivier Award-winning stage play, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which opens on Broadway in March, and an animated series in the works.

Netflix has applied its Stranger Things merchandising strategy to other entertainment franchises, including Squid Game and Bridgerton. At the Nuremberg Toy Fair on Jan. 23, it announced a partnership with the LEGO Group to develop new play sets based on One Piece, Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s manga series.

The company does not disclose how much money it makes from merchandise sales or the live experiences it creates based on its popular characters and stories, such as Stranger Things: The Experience, which brought the story’s “upside-down” world to New York City and Los Angeles.

“It really kind of strengthens the brands and strengthens the excitement about the things people are watching on Netflix and falling in love with,” Netflix Co-Chief Executive Officer Ted Sarandos told investors in October 2023.

At Walt Disney, the entertainment company whose namesake founder made merchandising an integral part of its corporate strategy, consumer product sales accounted for 14% of the company’s operating income in its fiscal fourth quarter.

The popularity of Stranger Things is what attracted Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway-owned company that makes products inspired by other popular entertainment brands, including Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Star Wars.

“We’re well aware of how big Stranger Things is,’ said Gerhard Runken, executive vice-resident of brand and marketing at Jazwares. “Obviously, we’re all in it to make sure we can mirror the success they’ve had in the show, through consumer products.” — Reuters

BDO’s first ASEAN sustainability bond issuance finances green, social projects

January 31, 2025 | 12:03 am

PROCEEDS from BDO Unibank, Inc.’s first ASEAN sustainability bond (ASB) issuance in 2022 financed projects that aim to mitigate the impact of climate change on the country and generate employment in underserved communities, it said on Thursday.

The allocation of the P52.7 billion raised by the bank via two-year sustainability bonds issued in January 2022 was part of its second ASEAN Sustainability Bond Impact Report released recently, the listed bank said.

“BDO’s second ASEAN Sustainability Bond Impact Report underscores our dedication to financing projects that create measurable, meaningful, and long-term outcomes for both the environment and society. This bond reflects our commitment to fostering sustainable growth and inclusive development across various key industries for the nation,” BDO Senior Vice-President and Chief Compliance Officer Federico P. Tancongco said in a statement on Thursday.

The bank said that P38.4 billion of the total amount raised from the issue financed environmental projects “aimed at mitigating climate change and promoting renewable energy.”

“These investments supported solar and wind energy installations, which have significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and contributed to the Philippines’ transition to cleaner energy sources,” BDO said.

“The funds also financed energy-efficient infrastructure, such as green buildings, resulting in measurable reductions in energy consumption and promoting sustainable urban development.”

Meanwhile, the remaining P14.4 billion of the total went to social projects for underserved communities, BDO said.

Broken down, P8.802 billion went to microfinance services and P5.621 billion went to the agriculture, fisheries, and food security sectors.

“The projects funded under BDO’s first ASB issuance align with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By focusing on these global priorities, BDO continues to play a vital role in mobilizing capital for sustainable development in the country,” BDO said.

“Looking ahead, BDO is committed to expanding its sustainable finance initiatives to address a broader range of environmental and social challenges. By leveraging partnerships with governments, nongovernment organizations, and private sector entities, the bank aims to further accelerate the transition to a sustainable low carbon economy.”

BDO’s net income grew by 13.26% to P21.18 billion in the third quarter of 2024. For the first nine months, its net profit went up by 12.47% to P60.62 billion.

Its shares declined by 50 centavos or 0.35% to end at P141.50 each on Thursday. — AMCS

Trump’s Colombia warning is China’s window of opportunity

January 31, 2025 | 12:03 am

Vaswani-image1-013025 — ANTONELLA VILARDO/LEANDRO LOUREIRO/UNSPLASH/FREEPIK

COLOMBIA’s run-in with Donald Trump is a warning to other countries trying to decipher the US president’s haphazard decision-making process. As Asian nations realize that Trump’s second term could be even more erratic than his first, China is ready to take advantage of the chaos.

Trump’s latest move to impose 25% tariffs on an ally for not complying with his deportation demands should serve as a wake-up call. Even though the levies were quickly reversed, he achieved what he presumably set out to do: Show the world who’s boss.

“This reminds governments that this is a president that behaves on a whim,” Deborah Elms, head of trade policy at the Hinrich Foundation in Singapore, told me. “You never would have imagined before that the US would impose immediate harsh penalties on a really important ally, in a really important region. If you can do it to Colombia, you can do that to anyone.”

China will take every opportunity to step in. Beijing was already cozying up to Bogotá before the spat with Washington, but has been accused of exploiting the situation further. Zhu Jingyang, China’s ambassador to Colombia, told the local newspaper El Tiempo that relations between the Asian and Latin American countries were “at the best moment” since establishing diplomatic ties 45 years ago, adding they “are global cultural powers.” He went even further, saying that their differences, “far from creating obstacles, bring us closer and enrich us.”

Losing a key US ally to China’s influence is a reckless move at best, foolish at worst. Historical ties to Washington have meant that Colombia has in the past approached Beijing with a greater degree of caution than many of its neighbors. South American, North American, and European companies have typically won contracts and gained market access over Chinese ones, with some exceptions.

So when Colombian President Gustavo Petro visited Beijing in 2023, elevating ties to a strategic partnership, observers saw it as a notable win for China, and part of the nation’s greater economic engagement with the region. China’s trade with Latin America — including imports of raw materials and food supplies, and exports of manufactured goods — grew to over $450 billion in 2022 from around $18 billion in 2002. The closer ties with Beijing coincided with a perceived rift between Bogotá and Washington over issues critical to the relationship, such as counter-narcotics, peace, and security.

For Asian nations, Colombia’s experience is a chilling reminder that they better get their Trump 2.0 plans in order. It’s hard to predict which countries are most at risk, but one good gauge might be to look at who has a trade imbalance with the US.

China is the most high-profile country at risk. Trump began his targeting of Beijing for unfair-trade-related issues in his first term, and slapped tariffs on the world’s second-largest economy. The stance is a central plank of his engagement with trade partners, and he announced that he’s mulling a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, potentially set to take effect Feb. 1. Recently though the US president talked about using them as a last resort, a move that suggests yet again, anything can be traded to make a bargain.

Still, a 10% tariff carries heavy consequences for Beijing. Bloomberg Economics estimates that it could knock out 40% of China’s goods exports to the US, putting 0.9% of gross domestic product at risk. Beijing would likely retaliate with duties of its own, ensuring that the world’s two superpowers end up in a protracted trade battle.

Outside of China, tariff risks are highest for Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea. Priyanka Kishore notes in her Asia Decoded Substack that each reported more than a $40-billion trade surplus with the US in 2023. The entire region could be in the firing line, except perhaps tiny Singapore, which has an overall trade deficit with the US. Even so, certain sectors could be at risk — the city-state recorded a close to $9-billion trade surplus with the US in pharmaceutical products in 2023, Kishore writes.

Southeast Asian nations, in particular, have long resisted the narrative of having to choose between the US and China, as the former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told me in an interview in 2021. “I hope the time does not come,” he said.

Governments in the region should think about what they can offer Trump if they end up attracting his attention. Capitulating the way that Colombia did may not be an option. But Washington should also be wary that in the strategic competition between China and the US, the superpower that isn’t pointing a gun at a partner’s head may be more appealing as an ally in the future.

The US’ allure over China is that it has always been able to offer a stable, reliable business and policymaking environment, one that could be depended on to follow the rule of law. Under Trump, that’s not so certain anymore.

BLOOMBERG OPINION

E-gaming drives PAGCOR income to P16.76 billion

January 31, 2025 | 12:03 am

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) said it more than doubled its net income for 2024 to P16.76 billion from P6.81 billion in 2023, driven by growth in the e-gaming sector.

“The continuous growth of the e-games sector is the key driver of PAGCOR’s record-breaking performance,” PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Alejandro H. Tengco said in a statement.

“It reflects the increasing popularity of digital gaming platforms and the transformative impact of technology on the industry.”

PAGCOR data showed gaming operations and license fees stood at P97.52 billion.

The e-games and e-bingo sectors accounted for 50.03% of gaming revenues, equivalent to P48.79 billion.

Meanwhile, PAGCOR revenues jumped by 41% to a record-high P112 billion in 2024 from P79 billion a year ago.

“Although the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) ceased in December 2024 on orders of the President, the sector still contributed P2.99 billion, or 3.07%, to gaming revenues.”

During his State of the Nation Address in July, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. ordered that all POGOs be shuttered by end-2024.

“Our 2024 revenues allowed us to support more government programs and other nation-building initiatives,” Mr. Tengco said.

PAGCOR’s contribution to nation-building also rose by 37.61% to P68.2 billion from P49.56 billion in 2023.

It also remitted P46.32 billion to the Bureau of the Treasury, which was 33.39% higher than its remittance in 2023. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Renée Zellweger celebrates ‘old friend’ Bridget Jones

January 31, 2025 | 12:03 am

LONDON — Renée Zellweger said her character Bridget Jones “feels like an old friend” as she and the cast of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy attended the film’s world premiere in London on Wednesday.

Over two decades after Bridget Jones’s Diary came out, the fourth movie in the series finds Bridget now a single mother of two after the death of her husband Mark Darcy.

Bridget’s friend and former lover Daniel Cleaver, played by Hugh Grant, also makes an appearance in the romantic comedy.

As Bridget juggles a career, parenting, seeing friends, and starting to date again, Ms. Zellweger says it is the character’s vulnerability that connects with audiences.

“I think a lot of people relate to the challenges that she finds her way through, her vulnerability,” Ms. Zellweger said on the red carpet.

She praised writer Helen Fielding for creating a character that many people find endearing, as well as “moments that seem universally and cross-generationally relatable.”

Bridget Jones and her romantic adventures first made their mark on pop culture in Ms. Fielding’s London-set 1996 hit novel Bridget Jones’s Diary.

The character’s entries listing her weight, her alcohol and cigarette consumption, and details of her love life, struck a chord with audiences. Three more books followed, and a series of movie adaptations — Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004), and Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016).

In the latest big screen adaptation, the now 51-year-old Bridget decides to try dating again and ends up meeting 29-year-old Roxster, played by Leo Woodall.

“I felt a lot of pressure going into it. But then I met her (Zellweger) and she is just joyous and generous and kind and… a wonderful actor. I knew… it was going to be relatively easy-going forward,” Mr. Woodall said.

The movie also features Chiwetel Ejiofor, who plays one of Bridget’s children’s teachers. Known for films including 12 Years a Slave and Children of Men, Mr. Ejiofor said joining the franchise was the “easiest yes.”

Renée has done an amazing job of creating this character. There are very few things that have lasted for 25, 30 years,” he said.

Film director Michael Morris did not rule out further movie adventures for Bridget, but said that was ultimately up to Ms. Fielding.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, released by Universal Pictures, will open in the Philippines on Feb. 12. — Reuters