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ERC allows limited use of LNG for gas-fired power plants

REUTERS

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said it is allowing the subsidiaries of First Gen Corp. to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) for their gas-fired power plants that supply power to Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

In a statement on Wednesday, the regulator said it has approved the use of LNG as an alternative fuel supply source to power the Sta. Rita and San Lorenzo gas plants operated by First Gas Power Corp. (FGPC) and FGP Corp., respectively.

But this only applies if there is a shortage or unavailability of natural gas supply in the Malampaya field, it added.

To recall, Meralco sought confirmation from the ERC to pass on to consumers the recovery and payment of LNG-related costs.

Meralco’s application covers the LNG costs during test and commissioning and commercial operations, as well as the Malampaya natural gas costs under First Gen’s new gas sale and purchase agreement (GSPA).

According to the regulator, the power distributor claimed that FGPC and FGP are allowed to use other sources of gas besides the Malampaya field, “provided that the same is under competitive price and supply terms.”

The ERC said that the shortage of the Malampaya gas — which is the primary fuel being used to generate power for the said plants — falls under the terms in the power purchase agreements as a “fuel supply force majeure event.”

While the pass-through to customers and Meralco’s payment to First Gen subsidiaries for the LNG costs during commercial operations is allowed, the ERC said that the “recovery shall be based only on the landed cost,” which is subject to verification by the ERC.

Meanwhile, the ERC found that the terms of the new GSPA is “inconsistent” with the power purchase deal requirement of Malampaya, thus requiring an amendment subject to ERC’s approval.

“The commission will continue to impress upon distribution utilities their obligation to diligently comply with their least cost obligation, particularly in passing on fuel costs to consumers,” ERC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Monalisa C. Dimalanta said.

“We have consistently ruled that if recovery of certain costs has no basis…, these cannot be passed on to end users,” she added.

Meralco welcomed the ERC’s decision, saying the company strictly abides by the rules and regulations.

“This directive will help Meralco ensure affordable, reliable, and continuous electricity supply within our franchise area, especially during the dry season when demand surges,” Joe R. Zaldarriaga, Meralco’s vice president and head of corporate communications, said in a statement.

RESERVE MARKET
The ERC has temporarily suspended the billing and settlement of amounts in the reserve market due to issues arising from the implementation of the system.

In an order dated March 26, the ERC directed the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. and the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, Inc. to suspend the implementation for the co-optimized and reserve market.

The suspension covers the March billing period and will be lifted until the ERC finalizes its evaluation of the price determination methodology used by the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, which is likely in May, the commission said.

The reserve market allows the optimization of the market operator and system operator interfaces and automated real-time dispatch of committed ancillary services.

Ancillary services are deployed by grid operators to support the transmission of power from generators to consumers to maintain reliable operations.

The full commercial operations of the reserve market commenced in January.

The ERC said there has been a significant price increase in reserve costs for March compared to February, which will impact the total price of electricity charged to consumers.

The Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines also observed the “high volumes of ancillary services” purchased from the market by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, as a system operator, despite its “contracted reserve volumes.”

“The commission raised concerns on the reasonableness of such cost increases as well as on the mechanics of co-optimization in light of existing policies and regulations,” the ERC said.

The ERC has directed the two entities to submit audit results of the software not later than April 15 “to identify and address” the issues and immediately resume normal operations of the market. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

PHL discount grocery chain DALI secures $25M in fresh funding

DALI EVERYDAY GROCERY FACEBOOK PAGE

Singapore-based growth equity firm Venturi Partners on Tuesday said it has invested $25 million for the expansion of discount grocery chain DALI.

This marked the company’s second investment in the Philippines, following its investment in the grab-and-go coffee chain Pickup Coffee the previous year, Venturi said in a statement.

Dali is a discount grocery chain that currently has over 200 branches in the Philippines. It offers affordable prices in local neighborhoods.

It is the latest addition to Livspace, Country Delight, Believe, and Pickup Coffee under Venturi Partners’ portfolio of consumer-focused investments in Asia.

Venturi Founding Partner Nicholas Cator described DALI as “a company that is democratizing access to high-quality groceries in the Philippines.”

“DALI’s commitment to maximising value for its customers aligns seamlessly with our consumer-first investment philosophy, and we see tremendous potential for the company to expand its reach and improve the lives of even more households across the Philippines,” he added. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Toyo Eatery among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants

THEWORLDS50BEST.COM

Toyo Eatery is the best restaurant in the country, going by its No. 24 placement at this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants List.  The awards were held on March 26 in a ceremony in Seoul, South Korea.

The restaurant, founded in 2016 by chef Jordy Navarra and his wife May, debuted on the list in 2018 as recipients of the Miele One to Watch Award. It officially entered the list in 2019 at No. 43, and last year, it stayed on the list as No. 42. Its No. 24 placement this year is the restaurant’s highest ranking to date.

“Toyo, the Filipino word for soy sauce, presents local ingredients in modern ways, playing with fermentation and preservation techniques to create a bold palate of flavors. The restaurant serves both a Kamayan and tasting menu. With the unique Kamayan menu, guests are encouraged to ditch the cutlery and use their hands to enjoy a feast set out on banana leaves,” the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant rating reads. “The restaurant removed beef from its menus in 2022, and half of its dishes are now vegetarian or vegan,” it said, praising its Sustainable Restaurant Award 2023 (also from the same award-giving body).

Metiz, a new entry at No. 48 last year, stays in the Top 100 list at No. 84, meaning the Philippines has two entries in the list this year.

The top restaurant for this year in all of Asia is Tokyo’s Sézanne. Its climb was quick: it debuted on the list in 2022 at No. 17 and climbed up to second place the year after.

For a complete list of winners, check out https://www.theworlds50best.com/asia/en/list/1-50. — Joseph L. Garcia

Making plant-based meat delicious and accessible

Green Rebel's Indonesian rendang quesadilla (Official photo)

NutriAsia brings in Indonesian startup Green Rebel

HOW can Filipinos be encouraged to stick to plant-based or healthy diets? Two things: make plant-based options delicious and accessible.

If we’re going by Indonesian brand Green Rebel’s cooking demonstration, those requirements are being fulfilled in the Philippines. Instead of flavorless alternatives typically made for Western palates, Southeast Asian delights like rendang, Korean barbecue, and Thai green curry are now on the market.

And rightfully so, given that the global vegan food market was valued at $26.16 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow to $61.35 billion by 2028, according to Fortune Business Insights.

“It may have started in the Western countries, but here there are vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians. It’s also a vast-growing market among young ones,” said Mario B. Mendoza, Jr., NutriAsia’s business development head.

During an event on March 20 at Apartment 1B in Bonifacio Global City, the condiments manufacturer and distributor officially launched their partnership with plant-based food startup Green Rebel.

INCORPORATING MORE FLAVORS
Max Mandias, a co-founder of Green Rebel, kicked off their expansion in the Philippines by demonstrating how to prepare two of their latest ready-to-cook offerings: the Indonesian rendang curry, and the Korean-style barbecue.

The fibrous texture of the soy-and-mushroom mix, imitating the chewy and juicy quality of meat, impressed the media that attended the launch. In the rendang, it was able to capture the flavors of the iconic dish, whereas the barbecue slices were soft and tender yet filling.

Mr. Mandias explained that Green Rebel’s cooking technology, borne from Indonesia-based manufacturing and product development, aims for food “that can blend well with any sauce, a crucial element in many Asian cuisines.”

In terms of the partnership, he said: “NutriAsia is more the expert on Filipino flavors and sauces while we have the expertise to create the plant-based alternatives.” A Filipino dish, perhaps adobo or kare-kare or sisig, will eventually be added to the ready-to-cook options.

Green Rebel products have 50% less saturated fat, 30% fewer calories, and zero cholesterol compared to traditional meat products. As demonstrated, those with a busy lifestyle can prepare a delicious meal in under 10 minutes.

The frozen products were also tested by the chefs of Apartment 1B, who brought out plant-based burgers for the media to try. The burgers were tasty and much like the real thing.

“We’ve built an innovation pipeline or roadmap with NutriAsia to launch gradually in the market,” Mr. Mandias said during the meal. “They’re the ones who selected the seven to eight products that will work in the Philippines.”

He added that the beef slices, for example, were chosen because they could be used in local tapa dishes. “It’s not all just burgers and chicken.”

TO THE CENTER OF THE PLATE
Mr. Mendoza told BusinessWorld after the launch that distributing (and investing in) Green Rebel is part of NutriAsia’s bid to expand their portfolio.

“This is part of our ongoing thrust to move from the side of the plate to the center of the plate, and what better way to do it than with this?” he said. “Offering plant-based meats is environment-friendly and sustainable.”

While the company is thankful for the stability their condiments brought during the pandemic, Mr. Mendoza said that it is now time to grow. “Consumption of our existing products has been high, but of course we want a bigger part. This is the first step in our center-of-the-plate offerings, vegan and non-vegan.”

Green Rebel’s shelf-stable products — Indonesian Rendang Curry, Blackpepper Steak Bites, Korean-style BBQ Slices, and Thai Green Curry — will be available in select Robinsons, Landmark, and The Marketplace branches. Meanwhile, frozen products — Steak, Beefless Bites, Crispy Fried Chick’n and Rybs — will be available through NutriAsia foodservice accounts.

Soon, they will all be available across the country and through e-commerce platforms Shopee and Lazada.

Mr. Mandias told BusinessWorld that they are sure they can make a mark in the Philippines. “Our products are optimized to be used in any cooking, from sauces to satays to soups. We’re trusted by multinational brands like Ikea, Starbucks, Dominoes, and Air Asia, to provide sustainable meals.

“We will bring the same kind of energy to the Philippines,” he said. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

Filipino Food Month kicks off in Pampanga

Next week marks the beginning of April, and that means the start of Filipino Food Month (FFM).  It is set to officially open in Pampanga, regarded as the country’s “Culinary Capital.”

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Departments of Agriculture (DA) and Tourism (DoT), and the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM) are all joining forces for a set of programs and events for FFM 2024, or Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino. This year’s theme is “Kalutong Filipino, Lakas ng Kabataang Makabago (Filipino cuisine, strength of the new youth).”

By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 469 signed in 2018, April of every year is declared as Filipino Food Month or Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino. The NCCA and DA are mandated to lead the yearly celebration, whereas the PCHM and DoT coordinate and work closely with the mentioned agencies in the implementation of programs and events. The FFM 2024 observance aims to ensure the appreciation, preservation, and transmission of Filipino culinary traditions as an established art form to future generations while celebrating and uniting regional diversity as a collective Filipino identity, and supporting the industries, farmers, and agriculture communities.

The lead agencies will officially open the FFM on April 5 at the Clark Parade Grounds in Mabalacat, Pampanga. The program — done in partnership with the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), the Provincial Government of Pampanga, the City Government of Mabalacat, DoT Region 3, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 3 – will see many local artists performing at the opening including BINI, Tanghalang Bagong Sibol, the Male Ensemble Philippines, Tanglaw Filipiniana, Sinukwan Kapampangan, among others.

A couple of days before the official opening, on April 3, the Philippine Eatsperience, a year-long food fair, will officially open at Intramuros and Rizal Park in Manila.

From April 15 to 17, a food conference KainCon will be hosted at the Far Eastern University, Manila (FEU). Open to all students, academics, and industry professionals, KainCon will feature talks on Philippine gastronomy, food agritourism, culinary heritage, Philippine regional cuisine, and food security and sustainability in line with the theme “All Things Filipino Food: Community, Culture, and Economy.” Speakers include Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, the pioneer researcher and historian of Philippine’s colonial food history, along with Erwan Heussaff, a James Beard Awardee and celebrity chef.

Local community engagement will be highlighted in the Hapag ng Pamana Philippine Food Festival which will promote regional culinary heritage, local producers, and stakeholders. The NCCA, in partnership with the provincial governments of Albay, Antique, and Tawi-Tawi, will launch the Hapag ng Pamana Philippine Food Festival in those regions. The activities will include food expositions, trade fairs, cooking demonstrations, food symposiums, conferences, workshops, cultural shows, food competitions, and other activities that highlight the festivity of Filipino food.

The festivals are set to roll out from April 13 to 15 in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; April 22 to 23 in Legazpi, Albay; and April 28 to 30 in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.

Iloilo, hailed a UNESCO City of Gastronomy at the latest UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) 2023, will also have its own celebration. This year’s festivities will explore food and culture exhibitions in universities throughout the city from April 22 to 30. Reading sessions with children about food, table manners, and waste disposal will be held in the city’s public libraries.

Meanwhile, The Iloilo International Food and Culture Conference will offer a culinary journey for locals and visitors.

A three-day celebration in Roxas City, Capiz from April 18 to 20, will feature food expositions and trade fairs. Interactive activities such as cooking demonstrations, food symposiums, conferences, workshops, cultural shows, and food competitions will be held during the celebration.

Regional cuisines from around the country will be honored by meals from Filipina chefs Waya Araos-Wijangco, Rhea Castro Sycip, and Jacqueline Laudico at a six-hands dinner called “Higara: A Night of Filipino Food Culture” at the Sheraton Manila Hotel.

Another activity highlighting regional cuisine is the Ang Sarap: Philippine Food Festival 2024. The festival is a three-day promotional and retail food selling exhibit, helping small farmers, producers, and processors market their products and facilitate trade with buyers. The exhibition will run from April 26 to 28 at the SM Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

Filipino Food Month ends with a culminating activity in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique on April 30.

Tasty Lenten recipes

Just because Catholics have to abstain from meat on Holy Week doesn’t mean it has to be endless cans of tuna. The chef-instructors at Center for Culinary Arts – Manila (CCA) gave us recipes to fast fabulously this Holy Week.

Binagoongang Salmon at Langka

CCA Manila Program Manager Kerwin Funtanilla said, “Binagoongan is always a treat in our household. In the observance of Lent, we use fish and vegetables in lieu of pork. This dish is always a staple during our celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection on Easter.”

Salmon fillet, cubed, 500 gm
Vegetable oil, 200 gm
Jackfruit (langka), unripe, sliced and boiled until tender, 150 gm
Coconut cream, 120 ml
Garlic, minced, 35 gm
White onion, diced, 50 gm
Shrimp paste, 75 gm
Tomatoes, sliced, 60 gm
Ginger, minced, 10 gm
Green chili pepper, deseeded, 6 pieces
Ground black pepper to taste
Eggplant, fried (optional)
Salmon skin, fried until crisp (optional)

  1. Heat vegetable oil in a pan. Fry the salmon in hot oil. Remove and set aside.
  2. In the same pan, sauté ginger, onions, garlic, and shrimp paste until fragrant.
  3. Add tomatoes and green chilis. Cook until slightly soft and wilted.
  4. Add coconut cream and cook for 5-10 minutes to develop flavors.
  5. Add boiled langka and fried salmon. Serve hot with fried eggplant, crispy salmon skin, and steamed rice.

Tofu and Banana Asado

Meanwhile, chef-instructor Miguel Lorino gave us this recipe for Tofu and Banana Asado.

Vegetable oil, 60 ml
Garlic, minced, 60 gm
Water, 480 ml
Soy sauce, 180 ml
Star anise, 10 gm
Tausi bean,s 50 gm
Banana blossom, hydrated, 10 gm
Brown sugar, 150 gm
Silken tofu, cut into 1 inch thickness, 600 gm
Saba bananas, sliced and fried, 200 gm
Black pepper, ground as needed
Salt as needed

  1. In a large pot, heat oil and saute garlic.
  2. Pour in water and soy sauce then add the star anise, tausi beans, banana blossoms, and brown sugar. Simmer for 20 minutes.
  3. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Gently add silken tofu and fried bananas.
  5. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
  6. Serve.

— JLG

Easter Dining In/Out (03/27/24)

THE RELATIVELY free days of the Holy Week break culminate on Easter Sunday, and we’ve got a list of fun, family-friendly activities to do that week.

City of Dreams’ Easter Eggstravaganza

Over at the City of Dream’s DreamPlay (the world’s first DreamWorks inspired family entertainment center), kids can run free at the annual Ultimate Easter Eggstravaganza on March 31, Easter Sunday, with registration starting at 10 a.m. The Ultimate Easter Pass (P2,999) brings children to experience unlimited fun in the world of DreamWorks animations. The package is comprised of an all-day participating pass to the venue’s 12 attractions, and the day’s activities which start at 1 p.m with an Easter Egg Hunt, followed by magic shows at 2 and 2:45 p.m at the mezzanine area. An Easter parade with DreamWorks characters at The Shops at the Boulevard keeps the kids’ energy up as participating outlets provide treats and sweets. An exclusive meet-and-greet with Gingy awaits participants at the DreamTales Library from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Passholders will also be given an Easter bag, Dragon’s special ice cream, and an Easter Egg cookie to decorate when cooking with Gingy. The Easter event at DreamPlay is open to only 160 participants and ideally for ages five years old and above. Kids below five years old availing of this package must be accompanied by an adult holding a separate Easter pass to participate in the DreamPlay Easter Egg Hunt. Easter Eggstravaganza passholders can access DreamPlay from 11 a.m to 8 p.m on March 31. The family center is also open to the public during Holy Week from March 27. Advanced ticket purchase for the Ultimate Easter Eggstravaganza is ongoing until March 29 at the DreamShop counter, Wednesday to Sunday. Tickets can also be prepaid at any BDO branch or via BDO online, with the deposit slip to be e-mailed before or by March 27 to Dreamplay@cod-manila.com. DreamPlay’s confirmation e-mail is to be presented upon registration on Easter Sunday, along with a government ID (Terms and conditions apply).

For something a little more adult, Nobu is having an Easter brunch spread. There will be a whole fresh tuna, US Prime Rib with a choice of mushroom wasabi, pepper, or creamy wasabi sauce, and Pork Ribs sweet soy anticucho. The Nobu Easter brunch is available from 11:30 a.m to 3 p.m and price starts at P4,388 net per adult for the Regular package, inclusive of non-alcoholic beverages and mocktails. Other packages include alcoholic and premium beverages. The meal is at half price for children between six and 12 years old, while those five years and below dine for free when accompanied by an adult availing of the Nobu brunch.

Over at Café Society, they’re offering Easter chocolates in a variety of shapes: chocolate beehive eggs, bear and bunny chocolate eggs, chocolate ducks with a cookies and cream bar, colorful white and milk chocolate bunnies, and assorted small ruby, white, milk and dark chocolate bunnies. Completing the Easter confectionery are cakes: Chocolate Bird’s Nest and Easter White Chocolate Rabbit. Other goodies include an Easter apple cinnamon loaf, dark cherry loaf, rabbit sugar cookies, egg sugar cookies, and meringue carrots and eggs. Pastry selections consist of Easter pecan swirl bread, raisin bread, hot cross buns, and ube rabbit rolls. The Easter treats at Café Society are available from 10 a.m to 9 p.m on Wednesday to Monday and from 8 a.m. next Tuesday until March 31.

Easter Feast at Conrad Manila

At the heart of Conrad Manila’s Easter celebration is Brasserie on 3’s Easter Feast and Fun, on March 30 and 31. Enjoy a lunch or dinner buffet with dishes like Omaha beef leg, deep-fried emperor fish with homemade sweet chili sauce, baked oysters, and many desserts. The lunch service runs from noon to 2:30 p.m., while dinner is served from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Guests can enjoy this offer for P3,888 net per person and take advantage of a special ticket rate of P800 net per person for exclusive access to Conrad Manila’s Under the Sea Easter Sunday event at the Forbes Ballroom on March 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. With its underwater theme and décor set-up, guests can dive into an ocean of fun-filled activities that include face painting, egg hunting, kiddie games, magic and bubble shows, and a dessert buffet. Tickets for this event are priced at P2,000 net per person and available for in-house guests and Brasserie on 3 diners only. Additionally, guests can experience an Enchanting Easter at C Lounge from March 30 to 31, with Easter-inspired sips and bites from an afternoon tea buffet priced at P2,588++ per person. Paired with free-flowing coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, guests can celebrate the occasion while enjoying a view of Manila Bay. For those looking to take home some Easter-themed treats, Bru Coffee Bar, at the Welcome Lobby, offers Easter Delights until March 31. Guests can choose from a variety of grab-and-go treats, including pistachio mango cake, chocolate rocky road cake, strawberry red velvet cake, Easter egg baskets, candy-filled Easter eggs, coconut cross buns, and more. Conrad Manila offers an Easter Stay package available until March 31. The package includes overnight accommodation, buffet breakfast, lunch or dinner buffet at Brasserie on 3, and tickets to the hotel’s Easter Sunday event. To learn more, call Conrad Manila at 8833-9999 or e-mail conradmanila@conradhotels.com.

Newport World Resorts’ Blockbuster Easter

Take a gander at the Newport Mall’s Blockbuster Easter at the Newport Cinemas where various family-friendly activities will be held including live performances, mascot appearances, and more surprises. Note the Newport Mall’s adjusted operating schedule in observance of Holy Week: March 27 and 28, it will be open from 11 a.m.-11 p.m., it will be closed March 29, and will be open on March 30 to April 1 from 11 a.m to 11 p.m.

Over at the Sheraton Manila Hotel in the Newport complex, celebrate Easter as Gunther the Rabbit holds an egg hunt adventure and a city getaway. Book a deluxe room for two adults, inclusive of breakfast buffet at S Kitchen, between March 25 and April 1, and receive complimentary passes to the Easter Funfair at the COLLAB on March 31 from 3 to 5 p.m., featuring a magic show, party games, and surprises. Invite additional guests to join for an additional P5,000++ on top of the room rate, which includes a lunch buffet for two adults and two children under 12 years old. Explore more add-on options by visiting https://www.marriott.com/offers/let-s-gather-this-easter-off-108236.

Meanwhile, an Easter Safari Carnival awaits at the Hilton Manila on March 31. There will be an Easter Lunch Buffet at Kusina Sea Kitchens featuring an array of treats such as chocolate eggs, carrot cakes, a chocolate fountain, hot cross buns, and more. The hotel is also staging a safari carnival experience at the ballroom, complete with magic shows, animal performances, inflatable playgrounds, activity booths, an Easter egg hunt, and other surprises. The Easter Buffet is priced at P2,800++ per adult and P1,400 per child (11 and under), while tickets for the Easter Safari Carnival are P1,500++ for adults and P1,000++ for children. Families opting for both buffet and carnival tickets will enjoy a 25% discount off the total price.

At Hotel Okura Manila, the week of Easter warrants a flavorful journey. From March 26 to 29, Yawaragi’s Lunch Set features Blue Marlin, Soft Shell Crab, and more. The menu is only available during lunch for P1,500++ per person. On March 31, there will be a Yawaragi Kisetsu Buffet featuring a spread of Nigiri and Gunkan Sushi, Herb and Lemon Salt-Baked Whole Sustainable Salmon, Roast Leg of Lamb, and more for P4,100++ per person.

Take part in the Eggspress Adventure at The Great Room, Holiday Inn Express Manila-Newport City. A wide selection of snacks and refreshments will line the hall along with activity booths with prizes for the whole family. There will also be an egg hunt, magic show, and mascot appearances on March 31. For P3,999++, book an overnight stay with breakfast for two, inclusive of access for one adult and one child to the Eggspress Adventure. Access passes are also available for P1,499 net for one adult and one child and P799 net for an extra one adult or one child. For more information on Easter offers from Newport World Resorts, visit www.newportworldresorts.com and follow @newportworldresorts on Facebook and Instagram.

Easter Break Escape at Richmonde Hotels

At the Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, room rates start at P3,800 net for a comfy, no-frills stay and P4,700 net for accommodation inclusive of a breakfast buffet for two persons. Booking two or more nights will see room rates (inclusive of breakfast buffet for two) drop to P4,400 net. All takers of this promotion also get 15% discount on food and beverage orders at Richmonde Café and from Room Service, complimentary use of the Health Club’s gym and heated indoor pool with extended operating hours until 11 p.m on March 28, 29, and 30. A welcome token will also be given to those checking in from March 28 to 31. The Easter Break Escape promo rates are valid for stays from March 25 to 31.

As a treat on March 31, the breakfast spread at Richmonde Café will be upgraded to a brunch buffet with more dishes, added action stations, and more for P1,180 net per person. Children ages six to 12 years dine for 50% off and those five years old and below eat for free. The Easter Sunday Brunch Buffet will be served from 6 to 11:30 a.m., and guests availing of the breakfast room packages on March 30 get to join the brunch. For inquiries and room reservations, call 8638-7777 or 0917-859-7914, e-mail stay@richmondeortigas.com, or log on to www.richmondehotelortigas.com.ph. For table reservations at Richmonde Café, call or send a message to mobile/Viber number 0917-534-4352.

From March 25 to 31, at the Richmonde Hotel in Eastwood, room-only rates go for P4,000 net, while a room with breakfast buffet for two and a welcome token starts at P5,300 net. For P600 more, the room comes with a merienda buffet and breakfast buffet for two plus a welcome amenity. This is available only from March 28 to 30. A package inclusive of breakfast buffet for two, a welcome amenity, and two tickets to the hotel’s Easter Sunday kiddie party starts at P7,300 net and is valid for bookings from March 30 to 31 or March 31 to April 1. All rates include complimentary use of the pool and gym and parking for one vehicle.

It will be an action-packed Sunday at Eastwood Richmonde’s Easter Eggvengers superhero-themed party on March 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ballroom and Amberley-Belmont Rooms. There will be a kiddie lunch buffet and food carts, an Easter egg hunt, kiddie entertainment and a costume contest, plus a photo booth, loot bags, games and prizes. Tickets are P1,350 net per child or adult. Children two years old and below enter free if accompanied by a paying adult.

The Eastwood Café+Bar will remain open during the holidays, serving a variety of Pinoy items at live stations from 2 to 5 p.m., on March 28, 29, and 30. There will be sweet and savory mid-afternoon treats with a glass of citrus iced tea at the Lenten Merienda Buffet for P400 net. On Easter Sunday, the restaurant will add a kids’ corner offering pastas and pizzas cooked a la minute, corn dogs, and ice cream. The Sunday Lunch Buffet is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is priced at P1,499 net per person. Buffet rate for children six to 12 years old is at P750 net while children ages five years old and below eat for free. For inquiries, call 6570-7777, 0917-531-6867 and stay@eastwoodrichmonde.com, or log on to www.eastwoodrichmondehotel.com.ph.

Finally, over at Richmonde Iloilo, rates start at P4,300 net for the room only, and P4,800 net for the room with breakfast buffet for two persons from March 25 to 31. Extended stays get an extra 10% off on the second night and a 15% discount for each additional night thereafter. The hotel’s organized tour packages — sunset cruises, river tours with island hopping, heritage and culinary excursions — will be 15% off. For inquiries, call 6333-328 7888 or 0917-580-9642, e-mail stay@richmondeiloilo.com, or log on to www.richmondehoteliloilo.com.ph.

Visit Candyland at Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites

Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila invites guests to Candyland on March 31, Easter Sunday. Kids’ activities include chocolate egg crafting, an Easter egg hunt, balloon twisting, and a Candyland-themed dessert buffet. There will be an Easter brunch buffet at The Nostalgia Lounge & Bar, showcasing such items as egg shakshuka, Lebanese lamb shawarma, slow-roasted beef chuck, salmon coulibiac, pork vindaloo, rabbit paella with chicken, and much more. Dessert includes chocolate gateaux with chocolate-covered strawberries and bunny decorations. The brunch buffet is P1,888 net per adult from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids dine for free when accompanied by two paying adults. Room rates start at P8,510 net for a Studio Executive inclusive of buffet breakfast. For inquiries, call 5318-7888 or e-mail HB2D6-RE1@accor.com.

Easter at Araneta City

The New Gateway Mall 2 and Ali Mall at Quezon City’s Araneta City are dressed up for the season until Easter Sunday. Take a picture or film a dance challenge with the mall’s Easter-themed decor. On Easter Sunday, the two malls will have an Easter Egg Hunt and a kiddie costume contest. Loot bags filled with treats await participants. At Gateway Mall 1 and Farmers Plaza, bouncy castles await youngsters on Easter Sunday. Other activities throughout the malls include face painting sessions and crown-making.

M&S’ Easter-themed sweets

Celebrate Easter 2024 with treats from Marks & Spencer. There are chocolate characters such as Coco the Kitten and Dougal the Puppy (hollow chocolate heroes) or opt for a classic chocolate egg such as the Caramel Crunch Egg and Chicky Choccy Egg. The Hoppy Easter Egg Hunt Tin is already filled with individually wrapped Easter egg chocolates. The Percy Pig Snuffle Hunt and the Colin the Caterpillar Wiggle Hunt (with snacks) can keep all the prizes from all the Easter games. There are treats for sharing like the Eggstra Gooey Caramel Eggs (four gooey milk and blond chocolate eggs filled with a vanilla and caramel center). Marks & Spencer Philippines’ Easter food collection is available in Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 5, Central Square, Mall of Asia, Alabang Town Center, Rockwell, Shangri-La Plaza Mall and SM Aura. Shop in-store through the M&S Philippines Viber Community at bit.ly/MSPH-VC. Shop selected lines online on www.marksandspencer.com.ph

Mang Inasal branches remain open for the holidays

Mang Inasal is ready to serve its customers nationwide this Lent. For a list of operating hours, visit https://www.manginasal.ph/locations. Customers can contact the branches as the website does not just share the full addresses but also their mobile numbers. Takeout and delivery is also available, especially for those going on trips. Family Fiesta, Buddy Fiesta, Palabok Party Size, and Extra Creamy Halo-Halo are among the items available. During Holy Week, customers can enjoy the free delivery offer with a minimum purchase of ₱600 for orders placed via the Mang Inasal Delivery App or https://manginasaldelivery.com.ph. The promo is valid until March 31 only.

Easter treats at Sugarplum Pastries

Lovely Jiao offers Easter treats through facebook.com/sugarplumpastriesph. For Some-bunny’s Bundle, the collection is headlined by the signature Sugarplum chocolate smashers: Easter eggs, together with a wooden mallet. The D.I.Y. Egg-Citing Kit comes with four sugar cookies in the shapes of a bunny, heart, and eggs, as well as piping bags in red, blue, and pink. It is complete with four chocolate egg smashers. The latest addition to this dessert series is Hatch Me By D’ Dozen, a selection of intricately adorned sweets, from macarons and sugar cookies and egg smashers. Finally, the Lovely Cake is a vanilla chiffon with a burst of tangy lemon, fluffy meringue and marshmallow icing. For more information, visit sugarplumpastries.com.

Easter Sunday dining at Solaire

Solaire Resort Entertainment City starts off its Easter Sunday celebration on March 31 with a Sunday mass at 11 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom.

At Finestra, celebrate with unlimited flutes of champagne and a diverse selection of Italian dishes. Savor its seafood tower featuring an array of poached or garlic prawns, oysters, crab, lobster, curacha, clams, and mussels. Try its Easter offers like the double crusted Torta Pasqualina, a ribbon-like pappardelle pasta with amberjack fish and artichokes, and roast lamb leg. There will be an unlimited selection of smoked meats, grilled seafood, and brunch classics at Water-side. Dine on its signature paella and the whole roast lamb and lechon available at the carving station. Kids can also unleash their creativity at the interactive milkshake bar, where they can customize their own milkshakes. Then there is Yakumi’s brunch special, featuring eight live buffet stations. Guests can also feast with their families at Red Lantern’s eat-all-you-can buffet of authentic Chinese cuisine. At Fresh, savor Filipino dishes like grilled pork belly skewers and lechon kawali, or indulge in Chinese roast delicacies, and end the meal at the dessert station, featuring a whimsical rabbit-shaped coconut cake. Activities during the day include a live portrait drawn by a caricaturist, cotton candy and balloon art, and a walking photo booth. A wide array of tea sandwiches and pastries and sweets can be had for an Easter-inspired afternoon tea at Oasis Garden Café. For inquiries, call 8888-8888 or e-mail reservations@solaireresort.com.

Asian economies have ‘robust’ crisis shields, BOJ official says

BLOOMBERG

Asian countries are much better positioned to weather economic storms than they were in the past, thanks to strong foreign reserves and sound financial-market development, a top Japanese central banker said.

“The current Asian economy is so robust,” Bank of Japan Assistant Governor Tokiko Shimizu told a panel session on Tuesday at the Boao Forum in southern China. “Even though the US and European countries have faced high inflation, high interest rates, Asian countries almost all are in good shape.”

Many Asian central banks have boosted their foreign reserves over recent decades in a bid to ensure there’s no repeat of the crisis that began in 1997, when a run on several currencies spread more broadly across other financial markets and triggered deep recessions.

Emerging economies in the region more than tripled their combined reserves between 2000 and 2008, even after adjusting for inflation, the Asian Development Bank estimated.

There’s been a steep increase in advanced-economy interest rates over the past two years. In the past, that kind of move would often push Asian countries into deep crisis, but there’s much greater resilience now, Shimizu said.

One reason for the change is that “thirty years ago there were almost no local currency-denominated bond markets,” she said. “Nowadays, many Asian countries have developed those,” helping to reduce maturity or currency mismatches that are “always the source of crisis.”

What’s more, the swelling of the region’s foreign-exchange reserves since the Asian financial crisis “means we defend ourselves based on those very strong FX positions,” Shimizu said. — Bloomberg

Forging the future of AI: Women can take the lead

More than giving us answers and ideas in seconds after typing in our prompts, generative artificial intelligence (genAI) is increasingly appreciated as a tool that can positively impact businesses.

According to the latest study by the IBM Institute for Business Value entitled, “Forging the future of AI: Women can take the lead (https://zurl.co/Qook),” genAI, alongside disrupting workflows, gives women “a once-in-a-career opportunity to gain equal footing.”

In this special edition of BusinessWorld B-Side, in partnership with IBM Philippines, Commercial Territory Sales Leader Christine Llanto-Ravelo explores the unique opportunities genAI opens to women in workplaces and boardrooms.

Listen to the episode now on https://zurl.co/LXq7.

Chinese TikTok sellers complain of under-fire platform tightening US rule enforcement

STOCK PHOTO | Image by amrothman from Pixabay

SHENZHEN, China – Chinese e-commerce vendors that want to sell products on TikTok Shop in the US as an alternative to Amazon are upset by moves they say the short video app has made to tighten enforcement of its rules for overseas sellers opening shops on the platform.

Chinese-owned TikTok, which faces the threat of having to divest its US operations or be banned, has in recent weeks taken a harder stance toward enforcing its internal rules, according to five Chinese vendors on the site and an industry association that represents 3,000 Chinese stores selling products online.

TikTok is requiring that US entities registered by sellers be 51% US owned and chaired by an US passport holder, said the vendors and Winnie Wang, executive chairman of the Shenzhen Cross Border E-Commerce Association, China’s largest sellers group based in the manufacturing hub.

Many Chinese sellers had used US entities to be recognized as US merchants on the platform but the rules mean they will need to be re-registered as overseas sellers, which they say receive less prominence and support, putting them at a disadvantage compared to US TikTok sellers.

TikTok, used by about 170 million Americans, has been seeking to strike the right balance between pursuing rapid growth and managing regulatory risks.

It has been ramping up its rhetoric that a US move to ban the platform would take billions of dollars out of the pockets of creators and small businesses, while simultaneously seeking to catch up to bigger rivals such as Shein and PDD Holdings-owned Temu by signing up more merchants.

A TikTok spokesperson said the company has clear policies and requirements for all sellers on its shop, including for international sellers, and these have not changed since TikTok Shop was introduced in the US in September 2023.

“TikTok maintains robust policies to protect customers and promote a trustworthy shopping environment, and we continually strengthen how we enforce our rules,” the spokesperson said, without commenting specifically on whether international sellers get less prominence.

The Chinese vendors said they feel targeted by TikTok’s rules and some are thinking about reducing the resources they put into pushing sales on the platform or finding US partners.

“We’re rethinking how much of our time and resources we put into this,” said Shenzhen-based e-commerce seller Jackie Bai.

He and another seller said that in comparison, Amazon does not differentiate between US and other sellers on its platform, with all having access to its “seller central” and competing equally.

Amazon did not respond to a request for comment.

Mr. Bai and two other China-based sellers said they heard from TikTok Shop representatives that the tightening of the rules was in response to the political sensitivities TikTok faces in the U.S. in an election year. TikTok declined to comment.

US officials have criticized the app’s security and privacy, suggesting user data might be shared with Beijing, but TikTok has said the firm has never shared, or received a request to share, US user data with the Chinese government.

 

AMAZON ALTERNATIVE

Chinese vendors selling products from beauty to clothing to housewares have rapidly grown their presence on ByteDance-owned TikTok’s shopping platform in the months since its US launch.

“Almost every single consumer tech company I know based in China, and every Chinese consumer tech client we serve, is selling on TikTok, and those who are not selling are considering how and when to begin selling on TikTok,” said Chris Pereira, CEO of business consulting group Impact.

TikTok’s US shop posted a gross merchandise value of $1.67 billion from its opening in September 2023 to the year’s end, according to an estimate from data provider YipitData.

TikTok said it does not disclose sales and did not reply to queries about the accuracy of YipitData’s estimates.

Sellers said they had sought an alternative channel to the dominant e-commerce giant Amazon and were also drawn by subsidies on delivery costs.

Some 50% of sellers on the Amazon marketplace are Chinese, with most concentrated in Shenzhen, said Wang.

These vendors, typically small businesses, submit applications to create “digital storefronts” and pay fees to the platforms for servicing their accounts and for advertising and delivering their products.

Mr. Bai opened a US TikTok shop largely selling undergarments in October and the platform was already generating 20% of his revenues by the end of February, he said.

He did not want to name his business or products citing fear of retaliation from the platform, but said his TikTok store had thrived after he hired US actors to promote his products.

Mr. Bai said that a TikTok sales representative told him this month he would have to close his US-based entity and re-register as an overseas seller because he is a Chinese citizen.

Mr. Bai is now reconsidering his strategy and is looking for local partners as he believes this would disadvantage him against rival sellers.

“TikTok’s shop is so new, the internal rules are changing every week, and these are particularly strict,” he said.

WTO says Australian duties on Chinese steel products were flawed

A logo is pictured outside the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland, Sept. 28, 2021. — REUTERS/DENIS BALIBOUSE

BERLIN/SYDNEY – A World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has found that duties imposed by Australia in a steel products dispute with China were flawed – a ruling that Canberra said it accepted.

China launched the complaint in June 2021 – during a period of intense bilateral political and trade tensions – over anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on railway wheels, wind towers and stainless steel sinks.

In all three categories, the WTO said Australia’s investigating authority, the Anti-Dumping Commission (ADC), had acted inconsistently with some articles of its rules.

Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said in a statement that the panel had found some technical issues with how the duties were calculated.

“Australia will engage with China and take steps to implement the panel’s findings,” Farrell said.

“The report does not diminish the integrity of Australia’s trade remedies system. Our system is evidence-based and non-discriminatory and will continue to respond effectively to unfair trade practices.”

China called WTO’s ruling objective, fair and unambiguous, and urged Australia to rectify what it called “violations” by removing the disputed tariffs.

Canberra had imposed duties totaling 10.9% on Chinese wind towers, 17.4% on railway wheels and up to 60.2% on stainless steel sinks.

Australia and China, its largest trading partner, are rebuilding ties after a period of strained relations which hit a low in 2020 after Canberra called for an independent investigation into the origin of COVID-19.

Other trade spats including one over high Chinese tariffs on Australian barley have been resolved.

China will complete a review into tariffs on Australian wine by the end of March and it is also reviewing curbs on lobster imports, Farrell said this month. – Reuters

Social media influencers are India’s new election campaigners

Social media logos are seen in this illustration taken on May 25, 2021. — REUTERS/DADO RUVIC/ILLUSTRATION

BENGALURU, India (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Indian social media influencer Chandni Bhagat has been creating devotional videos on Instagram for three years – now she’s mixing politics with her daily dose of religion.

Bhagat is one of thousands of social media influencers mobilized by political parties in the runup to elections with the aim of wooing a young and ever-online India.

Last year, 18-year-old Bhagat – who has more than 200,000 Instagram followers – was among 100+ content creators in the central Indian city of Indore invited to meet workers from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Since then, her Instagram grid – dominated by the Hindu Lord Shiva – was punctuated with at least five posts promoting the BJP, one backing its regional women’s health scheme, another showing a smiling selfie with a former minister from the party.

“I attempt to talk about things that will benefit my audience,” said Bhagat.

India has more than 800 million internet users and the world’s largest take-up of Instagram and YouTube, so courting top influencers to wave party political flags makes sense.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP has since last year reached out to several hundred social media influencers, all of whom have clout on either Instagram or YouTube.

Some boast millions of followers, others mere thousands.

They are offered ministerial interviews – bypassing the more critical mainstream media – along with photo ops and themed posts spreading Mr. Modi’s message.

The campaign culminates in general elections this April and May, with travel, food, religious and tech content creators among the myriad of influencers tapped for their reach.

“Last year we had influencer meets across segments where we told them about the party’s policies, the implementation, the achievements by the government in nine years and requested them to recreate and reshare their own experiences,” Devang Dave, part of the BJP’s election team, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

“It gives a lot more credibility if it comes as a third- party voice.”

 

ALL PARTIES PARTAKE

Nor is the BJP alone in this strategy.

Vaibhav Walia, who runs social media communications for the main opposition Indian National Congress party, told Context his party actively courts influencers to leverage their popularity.

“We try to reach out to like-minded people and many of them have been posting for us,” said Walia.

“(Even) if (the content) is not directly Congress (related), they are voicing opinions which are aligned to our political ideology and stand.”

Late last year, the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab tried to enlist influencers to promote their initiatives.

At the same time, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi in the southern Indian state of Telangana hired some 250 influencers to promote their cause in state elections.

Yet the strategy raises concerns, too, given India’s growing problem of online misinformation and all the risk that fake news poses to the world’s biggest democracy

Transparency is also a worry, say researchers.

“We don’t know if there’s a monetary exchange or the expectation of a quid pro quo of some kind — which blurs the lines and bring in the fuzziness,” said Prateek Waghre, an executive director at the Internet Freedom Foundation.

 

THE EVOLUTION OF INFLUENCE

The idea of Indian influencer-based campaigning dates back three or four years to farm protests in New Delhi, when online posts amplified the demos, according to political consultants.

“Influencers and local YouTube news channels had a huge role to play in helping propagate the message,” said Ankit Lal, founder of a political consultancy called Politique Advisors.

“That is something that caught the BJP’s eye. They needed to reach out to a newer and younger audience and utilize the already-established influencers.”

India has more than 20 million voters aged 18-29, and millions more go online to watch influencers promote and interview politicians of all parties.

These posts “serve to humanize the politicians” even though they “may well be direct propaganda”, said Joyojeet Pal, a professor at the University of Michigan.

 

HYPER-LOCAL

Samyak Jain posts travel content to some 110,000 followers on Instagram and has been to four BJP influencer meetings.

“It’s a general interaction where we are told what all to do,” said Jain, 22. “They tell us what work the party has been doing, the work they plan to do – their journey.”

Jain is among several hundred regional influencers tapped by the BJP for their hyper-local reach.

If, say, a new road were to be built near an influencer’s home, the party asks them to talk about how the change has made their life better, BJP’s Dave said.

“It’s not about the party giving them something to post,” he said. “It’s about going to the public and talking about …why the Modi government should come back if they want the development trend to continue.”

Social media consultants believe local is key, since influencers can build one-on-one trust with their audience.

“Elections in India are won at a grassroot level and these influencers are known very well (in those regions),” said Kumar Saurav, founder of Savin Communication, a PR agency.

Posting on behalf of a politician can make money, too, according to one content creator who said they were asked by several opposition parties to create anti-BJP content ahead of regional elections in Madhya Pradesh last year.

“Many politicians are active on social media but they don’t have followers,” said the creator, who was tasked with making posts critical of ruling party policies.

“They asked to not mention it’s a paid or sponsored post.”

The creator, who did not wish to be named, said they had made five such posts, earning about $180 for each.

With campaigning now set to ramp up, the parties say they are ready to launch into online action.

“Once the candidates are declared, we will reach out (to influencers) at the micro level across all constituencies so that they also understand how this particular candidate will be good for their constituency,” said the BJP’s Dave.

“It’s about showing how Modi ji has been leading all these changes across all states and the entire country.” – Reuters

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