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Eala outlasts Yashina and moves to W50 Indore quarterfinals

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ALEX EALA zoomed to another playoff run, carving out a 7-6(1), 6(4)-7, 6-0 win against Russian Ekaterina Yashina to move on to the W50 Indore quarterfinals in India.

Ms. Eala, now the WTA No. 184 for her new career-best ranking, needed everything she could handle in the first two sets before flashing her brilliance in the perfect third-set performance for the gritty win in two hours and 39 minutes.

The 18-year-old Filipina tennis sensation flipped a 5-6 deficit in the first set and emerged victorious in the tiebreaker before absorbing the same fate in the second after wasting a 5-4 cushion.

But there was no stopping Ms. Eala, seeded No. 3, in the clincher by unloading crisp serves behind five aces and breaking Ekaterina’s own attempts for the win.

It’s the second straight quarterfinal stint for Ms. Eala in as many singles outings in India after also a Top-8 finish in W50 Pune last week.

In the same tournament, Ms. Eala captured her first doubles championship in the women’s professional circuit with partner Darja Semenistaja from Latvia.

Ms. Semenistaja, the No. 1 seed, however exited early in W50 Indore with a stunning 6-3, 6-4 defeat against Japan’s Saki Imamura in the second round.

Up next for Ms. Eala is the winner between No. 6 seed Anca Alexia Todoni and Japan’s Rina Saigo for a seat in the Final Four of the elite $50,000 tourney. — John Bryan Ulanday

IM Quizon seen to top ‘Bolok’ Memorial Open chess tourney

DANIEL QUIZON — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

OLYMPIAD-bound teenage International Master (IM) Daniel Quizon eyes a third title this year as he wades into battle in the Antonio “Bolok” Santos Memorial Open chess tournament set Feb. 10 in Brgy. Dela Peña, Marikina City.

The 19-year-old Mr. Quizon would come in riding the crest of his sterling triumph in the Philippine National Championships also in Marikina City last month that earned him a spot to the team seeing action in this September’s FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary.

He followed it up with triumph in the Predator a week later in Pasig City that put him as the early favorite to win the seven-round event that is staking P10,000 to the eventual winner.

Other notable titled players joining are Grandmaster (GM) Darwin Laylo, IMs Chito Garma, Barlo Nadera, Ronald Dableo, Rolando Nolte, Ronald Bancod, Hamed Nouri, Angelo Young, Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Cris Ramayrat and Ricky de Guzman, FIDE Masters Roel Abelgas, Christian Gian Karlo Arca, Noel dela Cruz, Alekhine Nouri, Adrian Pacis and Ed Garma, and WGM candidate Kylen Joy Mordido.

The event is part of Mr. Quizon’s preparation for the Olympiad as well as in his search for the GM title. — Joey Villar

Capital1 Solar Energy assembles young and veteran players for PVL

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

CAPITAL1 Solar Energy will parade a mix of young and veteran players out to prove themselves worthy of a place in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference unfolding Feb. 20 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Heather Guino-o, Jannine Navarro, Vira Mae Guillema, Jorelle Singh, Aiko Urdas, Arianne Layug, Lourdes Clemente and Janeca Lana were among the first to make it to make it to the team and should bring in their vast experience.

Also making the cut were Rovee Instrella, Renesa Melgar, Sydney Niegos, Shyra Umandal, Cathrina Dizon, Kath Villegas, May Macatuno, Jel Quizon, Rica Rivera, and Bingle Landicho.

Romero siblings Milka and Mandy — coming from a sports oriented family — are convinced their players will go out and play their best each game after being given their second chance.

“This will be a good opportunity for them to shine and be recognized so we are giving our all-out support to the team,” said Mandy, who heads the family-owned solar energy company. “My sister and I are hoping we can grow together in support of PHL sports, especially volleyball.”

“We are not in a hurry, we take it one step at time until we build a winning culture. That’s our goal,” Milka, for her part, said. — Joey Villar

Angelos family agrees to sell Baltimore Orioles for $1.725B

THE Angelos family on Monday formally announced their intent to sell the Baltimore Orioles to a group of private equity billionaires led by David Rubenstein and others, including Hall of Famer and lifelong Oriole Cal Ripken, Jr., for $1.725 billion.

Mr. Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chairman of the Carlyle Group, will become the controlling owner of the Orioles upon the close of the transaction. The Angelos family will continue to hold a sizable investment in the Baltimore Orioles, and John Angelos will serve as senior advisor to the organization.

Major League Baseball still must approve the sale. The owners are scheduled to meet next week in Orlando, Florida.

“When I took on the role of Chair and CEO of the Orioles, we had the objective of restoring the franchise to elite status in major league sports, keeping the team in Baltimore for years to come, and revitalizing our partnership group,” Mr. Angelos said in a statement. “This relationship with David Rubenstein and his partners validates that we have not only met but exceeded our goals.”

Puck News reported earlier in the week that the group will start off owning roughly 40 percent of the club. When John Angelos’ 94-year-old father Peter Angelos dies, Mr. Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti will buy up the remaining 60 percent.

Mr. Rubenstein is joined in the investment by Mr. Arougheti, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ares Management; Mitchell Goldstein and Michael Smith, co-heads of the Ares Credit Group; Kurt Schmoke, former Baltimore mayor; Grant Hill, NBA Hall of Famer; and Mike Bloomberg, entrepreneur and philanthropist, among others. — Reuters

NBA expands 2024 draft to two nights, June 26-27

THE NATIONAL Basketball Association (NBA) is expanding the 2024 draft to a two-night format June 26-27, the league announced Wednesday.

The first round will be at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The second round will take place the following night at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York City. “Based on feedback about the NBA Draft format from basketball executives around the league and my own experience in draft rooms, we believe that teams will benefit from being able to regroup between rounds and having additional time to make decisions during the second round,” said Joe Dumars, the NBA’s executive vice president and head of basketball operations.

Coverage on both nights begins at 8 p.m. ET. ABC, ESPN and the ESPN app will air the first round, with ESPN and the ESPN app broadcasting the second round. — Reuters

Missing Embiid

JOEL EMBIID was obviously far from his normal self against the Warriors the other day. He did get to burn rubber for 30 minutes before exiting with four minutes and change left on the clock, but he was obviously limited in his movements. In his time on the court, he exhibited little of the mobility and speed that hitherto enabled him to pace the National Basketball Association in scoring while likewise anchoring the Sixers’ defense. His stat line supported the eye test; he put up a relatively anemic 14 (on five of 18 shooting from the field), seven, two, and two for a game-worst negative-21 net rating.

Considering Embiid’s importance to the Sixers’ cause, the outcome was hardly a surprise. Notwithstanding the Warriors’ supposed lack of competitiveness, they all but dominated the second half of the encounter to the delight of the 18,064-strong crowd at the Chase Center. Significantly, the reigning league Most Valuable Player’s immediate future is in question. The freak collision with Jonathan Kuminga that hyperextended his left knee figures to keep him sidelined for a while, pending results of a magnetic resonance imaging test and his ensuing convalescence.

Interestingly, Embiid and the Sixers became the subject of a league investigation after he was a late scratch in a road set-to against the Nuggets. Speculation ran rife that he ducked a crucial meeting with fellow superstar Nikola Jokic at the mile-high Ball Arena. Never mind that he didn’t quite look right near the end of his previous start against the Pacers, and that he subsequently failed to suit up versus the Blazers. In any case, the Sixers are now embarrassed owners of a four-match losing streak, with the number likely to rise in the absence of their undisputed leader.

Also in peril is Embiid’s eligibility for end-of-season awards. Prior to his latest injury, he had clearly been even better than when he earned the Michael Jordan Trophy last year. As things stand, he is allowed to miss just five more outings before running afoul of qualification rules. As he himself noted, though, most important is his fitness to steer the Sixers to a deep playoff run. And so it may well be prudent for him to watch his health in the interim. Up in the air, of course, is whether the red, white, and blue can still retain their standing in the highly competitive East while he paces himself. Only time will tell.

 

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

OPPO launches Reno11 Series 5G smartphones

COURTESY OPPO WEBSITE

OPPO Philippines launched on Thursday its Reno11 Series 5G smartphones which puts portrait photography front and center.

Among the Reno11 5G’s main features include a 50-megapixel main camera with a closed-loop focus motor and supporting optical image tabilization.

It also has an eight-megapixel wide camera and a 32-megapixel telephoto.

It is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor with 12GB RAM and 256GB ROM in a 6.7-inch FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display.

Additionally, it sports a 5000mAh battery that supports 67W fast charging.

Oppo’s newest offering is inspired by coastlines, and its colors reflect the sea — available in Wave Green and Rock Grey at a retail price of P24,999.

Meanwhile, the Reno11 Pro 5G features a 50-megapixel main camera, an eight-megapixel ultra-wide, and a 32-megapixel telephoto.

It is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chip with 12GB RAM and 512GB ROM in a 6.7-inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED display.

Additionally, it sports a 4600mAh battery that supports 80W fast charging.

It is available in Pearl White and Rock Grey with three-dimensional etches in its glass body, retailing for P31,999.

Both devices improve on accurate portrait recognition with added capabilities such as pixel level segmentation.

“Our commitment to inspire and innovate resulted in OPPO serving over 600 million active users monthly,” Joanarc Sales, head of public relations and customer relationship management at OPPO Philippines, said during the launch event on Thursday.

The company noted over 72 million global users of its Reno series.

The company celebrates its 10-year anniversary of operations in the Philippines this year. — Miguel Hanz L. Antivola

Accountability and action are keys to brand growth this year — report

By Miguel Hanz L. Antivola, Reporter

Filipino prosumers are expecting brands to develop deeper and more diverse community connections through eco-social accountability and action, according to a report.

Advertising agency Havas Ortega released on Thursday its 2024 trends report for prosumers which they said represent 15-20% of the local population at the edge of new beliefs, attitudes, technologies, and brands.

“Brands must adapt by focusing on meaningfulness, social responsibility, and sustainability,” the report said.

Prosumers is a term which refers to individuals who are both consumers and producers.

The report added brand should also consider engaging with digital communities as well as back causes such as mental health and environmental sustainability.

“Transparency, authenticity, and real action in addressing social and environmental issues will also be key for brands in maintaining consumer trust, patronage, and loyalty,” it added.

The report identified five themes expecting to influence brand strategies this year: a search for meaning, social activism, community engagement, mental health awareness, and environmental responsibility.

The search for meaning is driven by a spirit of reflection and reprioritization due to the pandemic and recent economic challenges, Phil Tiongson, data science director at Havas Ortega Group Philippines, said during a briefing.

“Brands should transform themselves as conduits of meaningfulness and catalysts of self-reflection through the stories that they put out in the media,” the also report noted.

Findings from the report showed 60% of respondents claim to boycott brands that have neglected climate change issues.

It added that 82% believed that large companies are more equipped to make necessary climate-responsive changes, with 83% saying those should be “the first ones to pay the price.”

Moreover, 41% believed companies are the “primary culprits” of environmental crises.

“Aware of the power they hold to make informed choices and effect change, more Filipinos will be seen supporting brands that align with their deeply held values,” it said.

Brands are also called on to “find their stand” on soicial issues, among them diversity and gender equality, and continuously include “climate change and sustainability issues into their core marketing, operating, and business strategies.”

The Havas Orega report says as consumers grow increasingly aware of these issues, brand indifference or neutrality becomes unacceptable.

Additionally, the call to uplift marginalized voices (57%) and diverse communities (93%) among advertising efforts is expected to grow louder.

“Filipino consumers demand brands to not just be purely about business anymore, but a driver of meaningful social connections and interactions,” the report said.

“They call for a better use of powerful platforms through a combination of listening, understanding, and positive engagement with people of various backgrounds,” it added.

AboitizPower wins Anvil Award for CSR docuseries

Receiving the award is AboitizPower Corporate Brand Communications & Sustainability SAVP Meg Racho (2nd from right) and members of the brand and sustainability team.

A short video docuseries that shows the lives of people and communities that benefit from various social programs of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) won a Silver Award in the 59th Anvil Awards under the Public Relations – Corporate Social Responsibility/Good Governance category.

The project, entitled “Kwentong AboitizPower,” tells stories of positive impact in the energy firm’s host communities through its subsidiaries Therma Visayas Inc., Therma Power-Visayas Inc., Visayan Electric Company, Hedcor Inc., and Davao Light and Power Company.

Programs showcased in the docuseries include digital skills training and employment for stay-at-home mothers, the construction of learning facilities for the youth, and the giving of livelihood opportunities to persons with disabilities. The prestigious Anvil Award is presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines to recognize outstanding public relations programs, campaigns, and tools. Receiving the award is AboitizPower Corporate Brand Communications & Sustainability SAVP Meg Racho (2nd from right) and members of the brand and sustainability team.

 


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A new era of Philippine Fashion: Filipino designers are about to take over New York with ‘Filipinxt’

Led by Filipinos for Filipinos and the world, the grand fashion presentation brings Manila to Manhattan as it celebrates Pinoy style and culture

Being one of the major fashion capitals in the world, New York has been a dream destination for many Filipino designers. Creativity thrives everywhere in the Big Apple, where the industry’s biggest brands and personalities make their mark. That’s why for many, showcasing their works in New York guarantees to put their name on the map.

It’s a belief that empowers New York-based fashion designer Bessie Besana and restaurateur Rob Mallari-D’Auria. The two are on a mission to open doors of opportunity in New York for Filipino designers with “Filipinxt,” a fashion event putting Filipino style and heritage at the forefront.

“Our goal is to bring the ingenuity of Filipino talent and, hopefully, get them recognized by the mainstream market,” Bessie says. “We want to bring this to the New York Fashion Week scene.”

“‘Filipinxt’ is a vehicle to give Filipino artists of all sorts a platform for a global career,” Rob adds.

The show will take place at the historic 4W43 Building on May 5. Designed by Clarence S. Luce for David H. King, Jr. between 1890 and 1891, the landmark is a place known by New Yorkers. It offers the perfect venue to spotlight the best of Filipino fashion with its Renaissance Revival architecture and innovative event spaces. With its location being a stone’s throw away from Times Square in midtown Manhattan, “Filipinxt” already made waves with the launch of its digital billboard at the iconic spot, giving everyone a first glimpse of how bold and revolutionary the show will be for Filipino fashion.

For its maiden show, “Filipinxt” will present the collections of four Filipino designers, whose creations have captured the essence of local creativity that the world deserves to see. Leading the pack is Bessie, who made his mark by creating dreamy silhouettes that celebrate the beauty of the human form. Also set to grace the runway of “Filipinxt” are the minimalist and contemporary works of Manila-born Los Angeles-based designer Veejay Floresca. Davao’s Wilson Limon of NiñoFranco will dazzle New York with his modern play on local tapestries. Completing the list is Michael Leyva, the designer behind the classic and opulent pieces that have been seen all over the globe.

“Filipinxt” — a play of words combining the gender-neutral -x suffix with “Filipino” and “next” — is all about representing Filipino creativity on all fronts. Apart from Bessie and Rob, also on board is Yancy Trinidad, an experienced producer and creative director. He will be directing “Filipinxt,” which will feature a grand twin runway to best present the collections. Meanwhile, Filipino documentarian Kenneth Anderson will chronicle what goes on and behind the runway to give everyone an all-access view of “Filipnxt,” from its creation down to its final moments.

“We are not only showcasing the designers because the director of our show is also a Filipino,” Bessie muses. “We are also tapping other Filipino talents in the community. We are not only limiting ourselves to the Filipino designers. We want the Filipino talents in different areas to be showcased in this show.”

“This is the time for Filipino designers and brands to step up, to be on par with New York Fashion Week,” Rob says. “We have the talent; we have what it takes to conquer the global stage. We just have to do it right. With the people we have now in ‘Filipinxt,’ we can make it happen.”

For more information, follow @filipinxt.show on Instagram and Facebook. Contact +1 917-724-6061 and info@manilatomanhattan.com for more details.

 


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Musk seeks Tesla shareholder vote on moving incorporation to Texas

MILAN CSIZMADIA-UNSPLASH

Tesla will hold a shareholder vote to transfer its state of incorporation to Texas from Delaware, CEO Elon Musk said on Thursday, days after a judge invalidated his $56 billion pay package at the electric vehicle (EV) maker.

On Tuesday, Delaware judge Kathaleen McCormick called the 2018 share-based pay package, the largest in corporate America, “an unfathomable sum” that was unfair to shareholders and found it was negotiated by directors who appeared beholden to Musk.

“Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware,” Mr. Musk posted on social media X shortly after the ruling and also started a poll asking if Tesla should now incorporate in Texas. More than 87% of the over 1.1 million votes cast were in favor of the shift.

“The public vote is unequivocally in favor of Texas! Tesla will move immediately to hold a shareholder vote to transfer state of incorporation to Texas,” Mr. Musk said in his latest post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Mr. Musk has more than a small interest in Texas.

He shifted Tesla’s corporate headquarters from Palo Alto, California to Austin, Texas in 2021 after criticizing California’s regulations and taxes, and also clashing with health officials at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic over reopening a factory in Fremont.

One of the EV maker’s gigafactories is in Texas, where it is also planning an over $750 million expansion. It is also building a lithium refinery in the state, aiming to produce enough for about 1 million EVs by 2025.

Mr. Musk’s other companies, like SpaceX and The Boring Company, also have operations in Texas.

DELAWARE DEALINGS

More than 65% of Fortune 500 companies and over half of all US publicly traded companies are incorporated in Delaware, lured by the state’s business-friendly legal framework and tax policies, according to Harvard Business Services, a firm offering Delaware business formation services.

The pay ruling is not the first time that Mr. Musk has suffered a setback in the state.

Ms. McCormick was the same judge who oversaw Twitter’s July 2022 lawsuit against Mr. Musk after he tried to back out of his contract to buy the social media platform for $44 billion. The judge rejected his delaying tactics and Musk finally went through with the deal to buy the company that is now known as X.

“I recommend incorporating in Nevada or Texas if you prefer shareholders to decide matters,” he said in another post on X after Ms. McCormick’s ruling on his pay package.

Mr. Musk has also recently said he would be uncomfortable growing the automaker to be a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics without having at least 25% voting control of the company, nearly double his current stake. — Reuters

India’s finance minister unveils budget with focus on poor, women, youth, and farmers

SHRESHTH GUPTA-UNSPLASH

NEW DELHI — India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday the economy was going through a profound transformation, as she rose to present the government’s last budget to parliament before a national election due by May.

The government is focused on improving conditions for the poor, women, youth, and farmers, Ms. Sitharaman said, setting the tone for welfare schemes to be announced in these areas.

Weak growth in wages and high inflation has hurt lower income earners, particularly in rural areas, impacting their ability to spend on even items of daily use.

Ms. Sitharaman will be looking to step up cash schemes for the poor, experts say.

The interim budget for 2024/25 is being seen as an economic manifesto for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party and will give clues to the market on its plans for fiscal consolidation, borrowings and future taxation policy.

“The economy has undergone a profound transformation,” Ms. Sitharaman said to the thumping of desks.

Mr. Modi is leading the election race by a distance because of his personal popularity and the government is under little pressure to announce populist schemes, analysts say.

There are weak spots in the economic picture, though. While the economy is seen growing at a record beating 7.3% for the financial year ending March 31, 2024, consumption — which accounts for close to 60% of GDP — has remained weak growing at just over 4%. — Reuters