Davao City call center partners with consumer service clients

December 28, 2023 | 12:03 am

BPO-call center — SIXELEVEN GLOBAL SERVICES

DAVAO CITY — SixEleven Global Services, the first locally owned call center in Davao City and the entire Mindanao, has boosted its operation by partnering with consumer service clients, a company official said.

“We have major labels from the Philippines who have joined us,” said William Wijangco, chief operating officer of SixEleven, in an interview.

He did not disclose the identity of the clients due to a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) but said these are major labels and brands in the country.

Mr. Wijangco’s update is in time for SixEleven’s ceremonial lighting of its Gratitude Advent Tree on Thursday. The event signified the company’s gratefulness for the year 2023.

He said the event was held “because of the gratitude that we have, the devoted employees that we have, with the devoted partners and clients that have been with us for years already, and the efforts of the staff that comprises SixEleven Services.”

Mr. Wijangco added that the company is also grateful for its achievements in 2023.

SixEleven was named the Top Call Center in B2B company by the Clutch Award. Clutch recognizes the highest-performing B2B companies by certification, service focus, and other factors with a Leader award.

The company has been ISO certified this year and has renewed its Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) certification for 2024.

“We attribute the achievements to the very good pool of talents. We are very grateful that we have creative, talented, and skilled Mindanao people in our company,” Mr. Wijangco said.

Currently, SixEleven has 3,500 employees in its Davao City and General Santos City sites.

Launched in 2006, SixEleven started as a small 16-seater call center and has since developed into a full-blown corporation, employing approximately 2,500 employees.

Starting with just single-account outbound telemarketing in 2006, the call center is now providing voice and non-voice, 24-hour inbound and outbound online customer support and back-office services.

Meanwhile, the company is aiming to increase its current agent count to 5,000 by 2025 through its expansion in Cagayan de Oro City.

Mr. Wijangco said construction for the new site is ongoing and is targeted to be completed by June 2024. — Maya M. Padillo

Major PHL sustainability trends in 2024

December 28, 2023 | 12:03 am

Sustainability is no longer a mere buzzword but an indispensable guiding principle steering global practices toward a more ecologically conscious future.

From innovative technologies to community-driven initiatives, the world is witnessing a remarkable surge in sustainable trends that echo a collective commitment to addressing climate change and environmental degradation.

Globally, there is a growing acceptance of the so-called climate fintech that blends technology with the principles of sustainability — paving the way for a steadier stream of funds to help enterprises transition to a greener value chain. For instance, we are seeing these climate fintech firms introduce eco-friendly investment opportunities such as green bonds, responsible investment funds, and financial backing for projects that cut down carbon emissions.

Another major development in global sustainability practices is the acceleration of disclosure preparation regarding the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in the EU and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the US. The CSRD has expanded the range of companies that are required to disclose what sustainability measures they have adopted and implemented. It is said that thousands of additional companies in Europe are now being obliged to disclose detailed information on how their operations affect the environment, social matters, and how they manage related risks and opportunities, thus influencing them to rethink their sustainable strategies. On the other hand, the US SEC had advanced proposals on rules on climate-related disclosures that are expected to increase accountability and encourage more sustainable business practices. These regulations signal a paradigm shift where sustainability reporting moves from being a voluntary, often inconsistent effort, to a standardized and enforceable requirement.

Another global trend is the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for sustainability, which sustainability specialists project will be further amplified in 2024. Because of AI’s potential to optimize resource use, and improve energy efficiency, the call for its use in sustainability practices has expanded with the belief that it can contribute to significant reductions in environmental impact. For one, AI’s predictive capabilities are now being utilized in biodiversity conservation, where machine learning models help in predicting poaching threats and management of protected areas. It is also believed that AI can help analyze big data for environmental science, thereby enhancing our understanding of ecological systems and the impacts of climate change.

As it stands, AI will be most useful in significantly simplifying the processes involved in ESG data management, especially in the light of mandatory sustainability disclosures.

As business faces the daunting task of managing, collecting, and analyzing huge volumes of ESG data, AI-powered ESG data management software can support efforts to streamline the mapping process which can in turn ensure accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.

In the Philippines, there are also observable trends that we expect for 2024 and the years ahead. As a fitting year ender, I am focusing on select major sustainability trends that are expected to confront Philippine companies next year and in the future.

1. Circular Economy: Redefining Progress. At the forefront of sustainability trends in 2024 is the ascent of the circular economy, a departure from the linear “take-make-dispose” model. This revolutionary shift emphasizes resource efficiency and waste reduction, urging businesses and industries to adopt closed-loop systems. These systems are designed to facilitate easy disassembly, repair, and recycling, fostering not only environmental stewardship but also innovation in product design and manufacturing processes.

In the Philippines, a growing momentum toward circular economy principles is evident, especially in industries like textiles, electronics, and packaging. Collaborative initiatives involving government bodies, businesses, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are propelling the adoption of circular practices, aligning with the nation’s commitment to sustainable development and responsible resource management.

2. Renewable Energy: Powering Sustainable Progress. The global transition away from fossil fuels will be a defining theme in 2024, with the adoption of renewable energy sources taking center stage. Solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy are increasingly becoming mainstream, providing cleaner alternatives to conventional power generation methods. Endowed with abundant natural resources, the Philippines is strategically positioned to harness these energies for sustainable development.

Across the archipelagic expanse of the Philippines, solar farms, wind turbines, and geothermal power plants are becoming ubiquitous, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and fostering energy independence. The government’s active promotion of clean energy aligns with the country’s commitment to mitigating climate change impacts.

3. Tech-Driven Sustainability Solutions: Nurturing Innovation. In 2024, technology will emerge as a linchpin in driving sustainability initiatives. AI, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) will be instrumental in optimizing resource use, enhancing energy efficiency, and monitoring environmental impacts. Smart cities and sustainable urban planning are emerging as innovative solutions to address the challenges posed by rapid urbanization.

Cities like Makati, Taguig, Manila, Pasig, Cebu, and Davao are at the forefront of adopting smart technologies to improve public services, reduce energy consumption, and enhance overall quality of life. From intelligent transportation systems to waste management solutions, technology is playing a pivotal role in transforming Filipino communities into sustainable and resilient hubs.

4. Regenerative Agriculture Practices: Cultivating Sustainability. Acknowledging agriculture’s significant role in environmental degradation, regenerative agriculture practices will be gaining prominence in 2024. Farmers and agricultural businesses are embracing techniques like agroforestry, cover cropping, and rotational grazing to restore soil health, sequester carbon, and promote biodiversity.

In the Philippines, where agriculture is a cornerstone of the economy, a growing interest in regenerative practices is observable. Both small-scale farmers and large agribusinesses are exploring methods that prioritize soil health and environmental conservation. This shift ensures not only long-term food security but also contributes to the country’s overall ecological equilibrium.

5. Green Building and Sustainable Infrastructure: Constructing Tomorrow. The construction industry will undergo a paradigm shift toward sustainability in 2024. Green building practices, incorporating eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient design, and waste reduction, are becoming the norm in new construction projects. Sustainable infrastructure development aims to minimize the environmental impact of buildings, roads, and other structures.

In the Philippines, sustainable building practices are gaining prominence, particularly in urban areas undergoing rapid development. Green architecture, adherence to energy-efficient building codes, and integration of renewable energy sources into construction projects are becoming increasingly prevalent. This trend not only addresses the immediate environmental impact of construction but also ensures the long-term resilience of infrastructure in the face of climate change.

6. Plastic Alternatives and Zero-Waste Initiatives: Breaking Free from Plastic. The global plastic pollution crisis has intensified the search for alternatives to single-use plastics and will spur the promotion of zero-waste initiatives in 2024. Individuals, businesses, and governments are actively seeking sustainable alternatives and innovative solutions to curtail plastic consumption and waste.

In the Philippines, a country grappling with the challenges of plastic pollution, a movement towards zero-waste living and the adoption of plastic alternatives is gaining momentum. Local businesses are exploring packaging options that are biodegradable or easily recyclable, and community-driven initiatives are raising awareness about the environmental impact of plastic. Government policies regulating single-use plastics and promoting responsible waste management practices further contribute to this sustainable shift.

7. Biodiversity Conservation and Ecotourism: Preserving Nature’s Beauty. Preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable tourism are crucial components of the sustainability agenda in 2024. Ecosystems globally face threats from climate change, deforestation, and pollution, prompting efforts to protect and restore natural habitats. Simultaneously, the tourism industry is evolving to prioritize responsible and eco-friendly practices.

In the Philippines, renowned for its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes, there is a growing focus on biodiversity conservation and ecotourism. The establishment of protected areas, marine reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries aims to safeguard the country’s unique flora and fauna. Sustainable tourism initiatives seek to strike a balance between economic development and environmental preservation, ensuring that future generations can revel in the beauty of the archipelago.

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and resource depletion, the adoption of sustainable practices emerges not only as an option but a necessity in 2024. The trends highlighted in this article demonstrate a collective global commitment to creating a more environmentally conscious and resilient future.

In the Philippines, these trends intersect with the nation’s unique socio-economic and environmental context, weaving a narrative of progress that balances economic growth with environmental responsibility.

By embracing circular economy principles, transitioning to renewable energy sources, leveraging technology for environmental solutions, promoting regenerative agriculture, adopting green building practices, reducing plastic usage, and prioritizing biodiversity conservation, the global community, including the Philippines, is laying the foundation for a sustainable and harmonious future. This collective effort, rooted in innovation and responsibility, paints a hopeful picture of a world where sustainability is not just a trend but an integral part of our shared legacy.

Ron F. Jabal, DBA, APR, is the chairman and CEO of the PAGEONE Group (www.pageonegroup.ph) and founder of Advocacy Partners Asia (www.advocacy.ph).

ron.jabal@pageone.ph

rfjabal@gmail.com

Transactions via PESONet, InstaPay reach P11.6 trillion

December 28, 2023 | 12:03 am

TRANSACTIONS made through PESONet and InstaPay continued to climb as of end-November, with the combined value breaching P11 trillion, amid the fast adoption of electronic fund transfers, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

The combined value of transactions done via automated clearing houses PESONet and InstaPay increased by 30.3% to P11.6 trillion at end-November from P8.9 trillion in the same period in 2022.

In terms of volume, transactions via the two payment systems climbed by 44.8% to 824.856 million in the same period from 569.665 million transactions a year prior.

“The consistent expansion of InstaPay and PESONet transactions may be attributed to several factors, including convenience, accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and security,” Security Bank Corp. Chief Economist Robert Dan J. Roces said in a Viber message.

Broken down, the value of transactions done via PESONet rose by 23.1% to P7.08 trillion in the January-to-November period from P5.75 trillion a year ago.

The volume of transactions coursed through the gateway stood at 83.3 million in the period, rising by 8% from 77.1 million the prior year.

Meanwhile, the value of transactions done through InstaPay grew by 41.9% year on year to P4.47 trillion in the first 11 months of 2023 from P3.15 trillion in the same period last year.

The volume of InstaPay transactions also surged by 50.6% year on year to 741.6 million from 492.5 million previously.

PESONet and InstaPay are automated clearing houses under the central bank’s National Retail Payment System, which was launched in December 2015 to promote a safe, efficient, affordable, inclusive and reliable retail payments system.

PESONet caters to high-value transactions and is considered as an electronic alternative to paper-based checks.

On the other hand, InstaPay is a real-time electronic fund transfer facility for low-value transactions of up to P50,000.

“With the holiday season, increased gift-giving, early shopping, and bill payments, online fund transfers are poised to experience further growth,” Mr. Roces said.

“InstaPay and PESONet’s role in making money transfers more convenient and accessible is helping foster financial inclusion and boosting economic activity,” he added.

The BSP has encouraged the public to consider using digital means in sending cash gifts during the holiday season as this is “a safer and more convenient way of gift-giving for both the givers and the recipients.”

“There are 324 million e-money accounts in the Philippines as of end-September 2023. These accounts may be conveniently used for paying digitally for goods and services as well as for monetary gifts,” the central bank earlier said.

The increase in PESONet and InstaPay transactions is expected to help the BSP achieve its twin goals to have 50% of retail payments done digitally and 70% of adult Filipinos as part of the formal financial system by the end of this year. — Keisha B. Ta-asan

Metro Manila Film Festival 2023: An ambitious mythology-based horror

December 28, 2023 | 12:03 am

Movie Review
Mallari
Directed by Derick Cabrido
MTRCB Rating: R-13

By Brontë H. Lacsamana, Reporter

LOVE is a curse. This is what this overly complicated horror film boils down to after its promising concept, centered on the Philippines’ first documented serial killer who is a priest, is injected with steroids of multiple ideas.

Mallari refers not just to the surname of 19th-century priest Severino Mallari, but also to his family’s lineage of time travelers: 1940s documentarist Johnrey Mallari and the present-day main character Jonathan Mallari de Dios. The two go back in time to uncover the secrets of the mythical family curse.

Surprised by that summary? You should be, seeing as it is way too much plot to wade through. But it at least utilizes the acting prowess of Piolo Pascual, who plays all three Mallaris. Blood-soaked, long-haired priest? Headstrong wartime documentarist? Lovelorn doctor? He did it all.

Director Derick Cabrido and screenwriter Enrico C. Santos really ran with it, inspired by true events, but even more inspired by tropes of all sorts. The movie spans thriller, sci-fi, folklore, historical, romance, even family drama genres. Many interesting threads woven together, sure, but the design of this script could have been less busy so we could appreciate each one.

(Warning: spoilers ahead.)
For example, there could have been more of a story behind the dark magic stuff so that it would be less of a twist in the final act and more of a creepy world long hidden in the shadows. Also, since Fr. Mallari is a priest, a peek into the social climate of a church-centered 1800s provincial town would have been interesting (though there is already Gomburza in the MMFF lineup to scratch that itch).

It just feels wasted that Pampanga during the Spanish occupation felt like just another setting. Meanwhile, modern-day Pampanga was filled with cringey unnecessary details like a quippy anti-woke priest and a trans prankster TikTok influencer-slash-sex worker (yes, their scenes are as bad as you think).

This is a horror movie with decent visuals, so you’d think the scares should at least be good too. But no, they’re all cheap jump scares carried by a loud, screeching score or sound that don’t have any bearing on the plot except to torment the lead characters and the audience. Being in a packed theater contributes to the viewing experience in this regard, especially if people are really into it and screaming at the right parts, like this writer experienced.

None of it sticks, though. Nothing particularly creeps you out thinking back on the film. Its impact is thanks in large part to the solid cast led by Pascual, and a minor role played by JC Santos.

Tying three generations of Mallaris is not a bad idea per se. Time-traveling shown in vignettes for viewers to piece together along with the characters must be unbelievably hard, so it deserves creative points for that. It is just that cooking up an origin story for the first documented Filipino serial killer, who happens to be a small-town priest, presents an embarrassment of riches when it comes to narrative possibilities.

Turning to time travel shenanigans was a bold choice, leading to lore in various time periods all barely fleshed out. We barely learn anything new about the historical serial killer. An abusive haciendero is killed and nothing else is heard about that particular social struggle. The mini documentary rejected by the Americans in light of the Hukbalahaps’ crusade was nothing but candy sprinkles. There is no distinguishable reason for why one is cursed to be a manananggal versus any other aswang. The moon is always red. Why? Who knows.

Aside from a particularly bad CGI scene, this could have been a decent technical feat for the Philippine horror genre. It presents itself as an exploration of various genres and worlds, but barely dips its toes in any of them. If only it were more focused.

BDO completes deal to fully own SM Keppel Land

December 28, 2023 | 12:02 am

KEPPEL Philippines Properties, Inc. said BDO Unibank, Inc. completed the acquisition of all its shares in SM Keppel Land, Inc.

The company said on Wednesday that all of its own and Opon-KE Properties, Inc.’s (OKEP) redeemable preferred shares and common shares, respectively comprising 40% and 10% of in SM Keppel Land, had been acquired by BDO as of Dec. 22.

BDO paid about P6.54 billion to Keppel and about P1.63 billion to Opon-KE Properties for the divestment of their shares, it added.

“This follows the announcement last March 27, 2023 of the Keppel Group’s decision to divest its stake in SM Keppel and BDO’s agreement, as the Keppel Group’s joint venture partner, to buy out the Keppel Group’s 50% direct equity ownership,” BDO said in a separate stock exchange disclosure on Wednesday.

With the completed acquisition, BDO will now fully own Podium Complex, which consists of BDO’s Corporate Center Ortigas, the West Tower, and Podium Mall.

The sale of shares will increase Keppel Properties’ net asset value by P10.90 per share, the company said, as its current net asset value stood at P9.97 per share as of September.

SM Keppel is a company engaged in developing, operating, and managing the Podium Complex. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Shared data centers seen to help individuals, companies compute ‘true’ cost of power

December 28, 2023 | 12:02 am

DATA CENTERS shared by energy firms can leverage high-level computing to break down the price of electricity and improve consumer awareness of its true cost, an industry player said.

Energies PH, Inc. (EPHI) is looking to launch the Energy Community Digital Platform next year, which consists of Tier 3 colocation data centers for energy firms and use blockchain algorithms to accurately measure electricity consumption, cost, and efficiency, said Antonio A. Ver, EPHI chief executive officer.

“It’s a community of players in the industry that is striving to go digital and compute the real price of electricity,” Mr. Ver said about EPHI in an interview with BusinessWorld.

Their digital platform will help improve power price discovery, he said, as it will also allow people to verify their own meter readings via a website.

“For the benefit of everyone in the marketplace, nobody will be overpriced and you can know the correct amount of your electricity use,” he said.

“Consumers will be given access to the data produced by the data center,” Mr. Ver added.

He said he expects EPHI’s initiative to empower the ecosystem against the rising prices of electricity in the country, fostering awareness about how much one should actually pay for energy.

“Sellers and buyers will be very careful,” he said. “People will also be more comfortable buying renewable energy because they will pay right amount.”

Firms and small electric cooperative resellers can also have a reliable source of prices through shared data centers, he added.

EPHI’s platform includes initial sites in Baras, Rizal and Jaro, Iloilo, with plans to build three more in the second half of next year, including a data center complex in the Mambulao Special Economic Zone, Camarines Norte to cater South Luzon, Mr. Ver said.

He added that the company has already signed an agreement with a telco provider for the data centers’ broadband and fiber networks powered by dense wavelength-division multiplexing.

Peering agreements are in place with tech giants such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, which Mr. Ver said will allow them to strategically expand operations in the country.

He cited as an example of a scheme akin to EPHI’s Energy Community Digital Platform a partnership between Emirates Water and Electric Co. and Energy Exemplar, an optimization-based market simulation software provider for the energy sector, which was announced last week.

The collaboration aims to improve energy modeling capacity and integrated system planning through techno-economic cloud solutions, Mr. Ver noted. — Miguel Hanz L. Antivola

BSP OK’s BPI capital stock hike

December 28, 2023 | 12:02 am

THE CENTRAL BANK has approved Bank of the Philippine Islands’ (BPI) plan to raise its authorized capital stock by P4 billion in preparation for its merger with Robinsons Bank Corp. (RBC) effective next month.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Dec. 21 granted BPI the green light to increase its authorized capital stock to P54.6 billion from P50.6 billion previously, the listed Ayala-led lender said in a disclosure to the local bourse on Wednesday.

“The amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to increase its authorized capital is related to the proposed merger between Robinsons Bank Corp. and the Bank of the Philippine Islands, with BPI as the surviving bank,” BPI said.

The bank has also submitted its capital stock hike proposal to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The central bank on Dec. 14, approved the merger between BPI and RBC, which is expected to take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. The transaction is still subject to the approval of the SEC.

The merger was approved by BPI’s board of directors in September 2022 and by its shareholders in January 2023.

Upon the transaction’s closing, RBC’s shareholders will hold approximately 6% of the resulting outstanding capital stock of BPI.

BPI will also be taking over RBC’s 20% stake in digital lender GoTyme Bank, one of the six entities granted an online banking license by the BSP.

BPI saw its attributable net income grow by 33.33% year on year in the third quarter to P13.47 billion amid higher revenues.

Shares in the Ayala-led bank went down by 60 centavos or 0.58% to close at P103.50 each on Wednesday. — K.B. Ta-asan

Metro Manila Film Festival 2023: A fascinating modern take on a classic Pinoy superhero

December 28, 2023 | 12:02 am

Movie Review
Penduko
Written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana
MTRCB Rating: G

By Zsarlene B. Chua

AS ONE of the most beloved Philippine superhero franchises, the challenge in remaking Pedro Penduko is how to make it a fresh experience for today’s audience while staying true to its roots as National Artist for Literature Francisco V. Coching’s 1956 creation. This year’s Penduko, an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival, has adequately checked those boxes.

Written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, the film stars Matteo Guidicelli as the titular Pedro Penduko, the son of a local mananambal or a traditional folk healer, Apo Tisot (played by John Arcilla). Pedro, seeing his father heal the people in their village without accepting money for his services all while living in a shack, develops a disdain for his father and his lifestyle so he runs away to seek a better life in the city.

In the city, he lives in squalor, surrounded by disorganized occult materials while using his own powers to scam money at a local perya (fair) to fund his hallucinogenic habit (provided by a group of elves). He is eventually found by Wendy (Phoebe Walker), a recruiter for an organization called Hatinggabi (Midnight) that seeks gifted people to help those who are affected by sorcery — if they can afford to pay for the help.

With this, Pedro thinks he’s found his purpose in life — where he can make money off of his powers — and prove his father wrong. Or will he?

In this Penduko, Mr. Laxamana was able to weave the qualities of the classic Pedro Penduko character with an amazing world-building that’s extremely expansive and full of potential for a multi-film expansion, a Penduko Cinematic Universe, if you will.

Unlike previous Penduko iterations where the setting is in a fantastical world (think Janno Gibbs’ Ang Pagbabalik ni Pedro Penduko in 1994 or Pedro Penduko: The Return of the Comeback in 2000), this film is rooted in Philippine mythology, culture, and practices, not unlike Budjette Tan’s Trese where fantasy is anchored on reality. For example, Hatinggabi is an underground organization operating inside an abandoned building and which works like a call center for people who are under the mercy of a manggagaway or a sorcerer — in other words, Hatinggabi is a telehealth service with home visits for cursed people.

The gifted are divided into healers — mananambal — or sorcerers — manggagaway. But the sorcerers here aren’t portrayed as simply evil as the film makes clear that even sorcerers have roles to fulfill and that there are rules that need to be followed: the most important of which is to never kill a human being or you will fall under a very bad curse that will turn you into no more than a beast.

In a lot of ways, this kind of world-building and storytelling is reminiscent of animé series like Jujutsu Kaisen (2020) or YuYu Hakusho (1992) — where you have a world with strict rules for people with powers and yet is a world where it lets you define what you do with the powers you’re gifted with. It’s easy to see why Mr. Laxamana approached the film this way, as in previous interviews he mentioned that he was a fan of 1990s action animé series, many of which focus on the topics of self-determination and identity, Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995), for one.

(I’m not the only to make the connection as a group of teens walking out from the same screening pointed out how the film is like Jujutsu Kaisen, a series about Japanese sorcerers.)

The story also forays into social commentary, including how capitalism is now intrinsic in every facet of human life and even makes a case for the importance of protecting indigenous groups against the encroachment of capitalism to protect invaluable cultural practices. The commentary was neatly folded into the narrative of the entire film.

The ending, too, was satisfying in that there were no compromises and showed how Pedro, until the end, remains a very, very flawed character.

Is this a good movie? Yes.

The film may fall prey to overly dramatic acting from Mr. Guidicelli as he tried to prove that he also has comedic timing. However, his acting does shine through when it counts.

The movie is also good for how Filipino culture is portrayed as something that has so many layers, so many stories — this writer learned so much about folk healing in two hours (and is now eager to learn more!).

The costume design was also a very high point of the film as modern Filipiniana, especially for the women, was front and center. Candy Pangilinan’s terno was a dream with its high-low full skirt, and so was Phoebe Walker’s terno coat with a design reminiscent of a good ‘ol Good Morning towel.

Overall, watch Penduko if you want a film where you can bring your children to (please do guide them during the scenes where Pedro is partaking in hallucinogens) and if you’re interested in learning more about a less-talked-about facet of Philippine culture.

Manila Water unit fined

December 28, 2023 | 12:01 am

MANILA Water Co., Inc. told the local bourse on Wednesday that its subsidiary Clark Water Corp. (CWC) paid a P1.06 million fine for violation of the Republic Act No. 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 and its implementing rules and regulations on effluent standards.

The east zone concessionaire said the Pollution Adjudication Board-Department of Environment and Natural Resources (PAB-DENR) found 106 days of violation of effluent standards from July 7, 2020 to Feb. 23, 2022.

PAB-DENR imposed the minimum penalty of P10,000 per day.

The Philippine Water Act aims to protect the country’s water bodies from pollution from land-based sources.

“CWC has implemented necessary measures and has been compliant with the General Effluent Standards on the Oil and Grease Parameters since 2022,” Manila Water said.

At the local bourse on Wednesday, shares of Manila Water went down by P0.24 or 1.3% or P18.16 apiece.

The water concessionaire serves Metro Manila’s east zone network, which comprises Marikina, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Pateros, Mandaluyong, San Juan, portions of Quezon City and Manila, and several towns of nearby Rizal province. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Proxy statement

December 28, 2023 | 12:01 am

STOCKHOLDERS’ meetings for corporations as well as village associations and civic clubs allow voting for the incoming directors of the board to be assigned to a designated person “by proxy.” This allows members to vote even when absent from the meeting.

The use of an alter ego too has become a social necessity for busy and in-demand personalities. The supply of high-profile subjects is not only limited and changes with the political tide. Rumors of replacements can become reality once a once-distant event takes place. Why does the highly desired celebrity (or “has been”) need to show up if someone else can take his place to read his message?

Action movies employ doubles or stunt men to fall off moving trains or jump off tall buildings and get set on fire as a substitute for the main star. The use of stand-ins is intended to protect the lead actor who has the less physical job of looking suave and delivering lines to seduce leading ladies.

The proxy (from the Latin word, procurare — to attend to) makes an appearance on behalf of someone more important, usually a boss he cannot turn down. Organizers of events are too polite to show overt displeasure at the absence of their original guest. (Has he been abducted by Martians?)

A substitute, however inadequate, must still approximate the level expected by the host. If the important man cannot attend, he just doesn’t send his driver in a suit to take his place. His substitute must still be of high enough standing, preferably considered important in his own right in another area (say, art critic), and properly attired.

The proxy is introduced as a “worthy representative,” even when he is unknown. He is even seated at the head table, with nobody talking to him, except the waiter. (Sir, cold or hot water?) When delivering his assigned speech, the proxy prefaces with an excuse for the intended speaker’s absence. The proxy assures the audience of the invited guest’s ardent desire to be present at this convention. He fell into a severe depression when the doctors informed him that he could not attend. (So, here I am, whether you like it or not.)

The flimsy excuses can detract from the message of the speech if anybody still cares to listen. Anyway, the representative proceeds bravely on with the speech, speaking confidently in the first person as if he were himself the absent one. He inserts his own warm-up jokes at the start. (I see you expected to see someone more recognizable addressing you. Anyway, I wrote this speech.) The quicker the stand-in gets off the podium, the better — are there any questions?

A proxy feels uneasy with his assigned role. The reception line expecting a VIP to arrive is surprised by a grinning substitute. (Sir, please register at the front.) When the organizers release a photo of the event to media, the stand-in is identified generically as a representative of the one “not in photo.”

A spokesman is a different kind of alter ego. He speaks for his principal. The opinions he expresses and the responses to questions from the floor reflect those of the person or company he represents. This process is meticulously rehearsed beforehand to come up with an agreed narrative. What a spokesperson publicly espouses may be at odds with the opinions he privately holds. He may even be asked to comment on an issue he has not discussed with his principal. (Until all the facts are in, we cannot comment on this issue.)

Substitutes of any kind are viewed with some discomfort. Should you ask them what happened to the original designated speaker?

Sending a substitute only calls attention to an obvious absence. It sends the message that this event is not worth the original invitee’s time. Even the proxy is uncomfortable ending up as a consolation prize, a gate crasher who must dine behind somebody else’s place card, a living disappointment to the host who does not bother to hide his displeasure. (When did you join the company?)

Maybe the alter ego can himself send a regrets message and simply not show up. Of course, this will displease his boss… but probably not the ones who invited him in the first place.

Tony Samson is chairman and CEO of TOUCH xda

ar.samson@yahoo.com

Researchers have a magic tool to understand AI: Harry Potter

December 28, 2023 | 12:01 am

MORE THAN two decades after J.K. Rowling introduced the world to a universe of magical creatures, forbidden forests, and a teenage wizard, Harry Potter is finding renewed relevance in a very different body of literature: AI research.

A growing number of researchers are using the best-selling Harry Potter books to experiment with generative artificial intelligence (AI), technology, citing the series’ enduring influence in popular culture and the wide range of language data and complex wordplay within its pages. Reviewing a list of studies and academic papers referencing Harry Potter offers a snapshot into cutting-edge AI research — and some of the thorniest questions facing the technology.

In perhaps the most notable recent example, Harry, Hermione, and Ron star in a paper titled “Who’s Harry Potter?” that sheds light on a new technique helping large language models to selectively forget information. It’s a high-stakes task for the industry: Large language models, which power AI chatbots, are built on vast amounts of online data, including copyrighted material and other problematic content. That has led to lawsuits and public scrutiny for some AI companies.

The paper’s authors, Microsoft researchers Mark Russinovich and Ronen Eldan, said they’ve demonstrated that AI models can be altered or edited to remove any knowledge of the existence of the Harry Potter books, including characters and plots, without sacrificing the AI system’s overall decision-making and analytical abilities.

The duo said they chose the books because of their universal familiarity. “We believed that it would be easier for people in the research community to evaluate the model resulting from our technique and confirm for themselves that the content has indeed been ‘unlearned,’” said Mr. Russinovich, chief technology officer of Microsoft Azure. “Almost anyone can come up with prompts for the model that would probe whether or not it ‘knows’ the books. Even people who haven’t read the books would be aware of plot elements and characters.”

In another study, researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle, University of California at Berkeley, and the Allen Institute for AI developed a new language model called Silo that can remove data to reduce legal risks. However, the model’s performance significantly dropped if trained only on low-risk text such as out-of-copyright books or government documents, they said in a paper published earlier this year.

To go deeper, the researchers used Harry Potter books to see if individual pieces of text influence an AI system’s performance. They created two datastores, or collections of websites and documents. The first included all published books except the first Harry Potter book; another included all books in the series but the second, and so on. “When the Harry Potter books are removed from the datastore, the perplexity gets worse,” the researchers said, referring to the measure of accuracy of AI models.

AI studies have cited Harry Potter for at least a decade, but it’s become more common as academics and technologists have focused on AI tools that can process and respond to natural language with relevant answers. With Harry Potter, “the abundance of scenes, dialogs, emotional moments make it very relevant to the specific area of natural language processing,” said Leila Wehbe, a Carnegie Mellon researcher who ran a set of experiments in 2014 collecting brain MRI data from people reading Harry Potter stories to better understand language mechanisms.

On arXiv, an open-access repository of scientific research, recent papers include, “Machine learning for potion development at Hogwarts,” “Large Language Models Meet Harry Potter” and “Detecting Spells in Fantasy Literature with a Transformer Based Artificial Intelligence.”

Even when it’s not central to the research, Harry Potter is also a favorite literary reference for researchers. One study, for example, used Rowling’s works to test the intelligence of AI systems such as those that spawned the chatbot ChatGPT, a topic that has generated much heat in recent debates. Terrence Sejnowski, who directs the computational neurobiology laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, argued in the paper that chatbots merely reflect the intelligence and biases of their users, like the Mirror of Erised in the first Harry Potter book, which reflects a person’s desires back to them

“Harry Potter is popular with younger researchers,” said Ms. Wehbe. “They would have read them as children or adolescents, thus thinking of them when choosing a written or spoken text corpus.” — Bloomberg

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Researchers have a magic tool to understand AI: Harry Potter