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Solving Philippine insurance’s current dilemma

Photo from Freepik

As much as the whole of the insurance industry has been changed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains to be seen how significant its long-term impact will be.

Many reports have been made about the pandemic’s effects on the perspective of Filipino consumers in the Philippines and about the importance of insurance. Yet, insurance penetration remained at a remarkably low 1.68% at end-September 2023 according to data from the Insurance Commission (IC). This is even lower than the 1.81% recorded in the same period the previous year. Coupled with rising costs from claims and elevated inflation rates, the overall picture for the insurance industry in the Philippines remains cloudy.

“Elevated interest rates may not have that big an impact. However, heightened inflation will have a negative effect as it drives claims costs higher,” Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association, Inc. (PIRA) Executive Director and Fortune General Insurance Company President & Chief Operating Officer Michael F. Rellosa was quoted as saying in a recent BusinessWorld report. “High inflation affects our claims costs negatively. We have to watch our claims costs and keep them manageable.”

“A heightened sense of vulnerability would hopefully spur more people to insure themselves. However, if the economy is bad, then there would be less disposable income and insurance becomes less of a priority,” he added.

Low insurance penetration could also be a symptom of generally low financial literacy among Filipinos. “There’s a lot of financial literacy that we still need to work on,” Sun Life Philippines Chief Distribution Officer Al D. Quitangon said in another report. “We need to continue to educate more Filipinos on the importance of financial security.”

Mr. Quitangon said that a bigger focus should be put on the Filipino youth, as they account for a majority of the working population.

“Insurance must be communicated to the youth, so they have appreciation and understanding,” he said. “If we’re able to relate and communicate well what we do or what our services and products can do, then we can improve literacy.”

Technology could play a role in improving the situation. Some of these include e-wallet apps which can offer functionalities to access financial protection for different needs; artificial intelligence (AI) for automating the customization of policies; and blockchain for boosting security.

“AI enables us to tailor-make and customize the features of a policy for an individual. You can only do that cost effectively through technology. Blockchain also allows us to manage our policy and administration in a very cost-effective and safe way,” Singlife Philippines, Inc. Co-Founder and Executive Director Sherie Ng was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Philippine Life Insurance Association, Inc. (PLIA) President and Etiqa Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Rico T. Bautista said raising the country’s insurance penetration rate will depend on the country’s economic growth.

“I am positive that the insurance industry as a whole, and specifically the life insurance industry penetration rate, will continue to maintain its current rate for [this] year as we are hoping to see improved GDP (gross domestic product) growth in the country,” Mr. Bautista said.

In addition, Islamic insurance products show potential in raising insurance penetration rate in the country, especially as it is a market which remains largely untapped.

“There is still a great opportunity to increase the insurance penetration in the country per se since this is still relatively lower compared to other Asian countries amid improved financial literacy and still huge potential for increased financial inclusion, especially in the countryside, including in Mindanao,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said.

“There is potential to tap the Islamic markets with compliant products in terms of different products locally and in the international market, including Sukuk and other financial or insurance products,” Mr. Ricafort added.

Microinsurance could boost financial inclusion in the country, and the IC is considering giving incentives to new microinsurance players to help prop up the sector.

“In the Philippines, microinsurance sells itself. The only thing we have to do is to expose them to everyone. In terms of policies to boost this, we’re looking at incentives and we’re looking at the way we have been checking them. There will be less regulations for some of them if that’s possible; and just to make sure, we can help them post audited [financial statements],” Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo A. Regalado said at an industry forum.

Microinsurance MBA Association of the Philippines Chairman Emeritus Jaime Aristotle B. Alip said at the same event that lowering taxes or a tax credit scheme could encourage more insurers to go into microinsurance.

Latest data from the IC showed the microinsurance industry’s premium income rose by 19.6% to P10.16 billion as of end-September 2023, up from P8.49 billion in the same period in 2022. The number of lives insured under microinsurance policies also went up by 2.34% year on year to 56.29 million from 55 million.

While the microinsurance industry has been steadily growing in the past years, the sector still lacks major players as there are only 49 companies selling microinsurance, Mr. Regalado noted.

This could primarily be attributed to the sector being exposed to a lot of risks, which result in higher loss ratios, Mr. Rellosa of PIRA said at the same event.

According to IC data, the insurance sector saw its overall net income grow by 9.38% to P38.28 billion at end-September 2023, up from P35 billion in the same period in 2022. Life and nonlife insurance sectors saw higher premiums during this period, while mutual benefit associations (MBAs) posted increased contributions in the period.

The premium income of life insurance companies grew by 13.93% to P229.89 billion in the first nine months of 2023, with P46.57 billion coming from new business. The sector posted a net income of P28.79 billion in the period, up by 10.32% from P26.10 billion a year prior.

Meanwhile, the nonlife insurance sector’s total net premiums written rose by 15.56% to P48.21 billion at end-September. The segment’s net profit increased by 14.99% to P5.48 billion from P4.76 billion a year prior.

MBAs saw contributions rise by 7.43% to P11.494.4 billion in the first nine months of 2023. However, net earnings of MBAs declined by 3.05% to P4.01 billion from P4.14 billion a year prior due to a 32.72% rise in total underwriting expenses amounting to P9.64 billion. — Bjorn Biel M. Beltran

Commissioner Regalado: Enabling quality service to the insurance market

Insurance Commissioner Atty. Reynaldo A. Regalado — FACEBOOK.COM/DOFPH

Prior to his appointment as the new commissioner of the Insurance Commission (IC), Atty. Reynaldo A. Regalado was expected to inherit and regulate an insurance, pre-need, and health maintenance industry that has been calloused by uncertainties brought about by the pandemic and subsequent ballooning of inflation rates.

Before taking over for Former Insurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa in April last year, Mr. Regalado accrued administrative and diplomatic experience in the country and abroad leading to his appointment. He served as the administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration from 1998 to 2001. Mr. Regalado was also a Philippine Labor Attache in Japan (1993-2004) and South Korea (2005-2006). The commissioner served as an assistant secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment as well.

Ever since Mr. Regalado was appointed as the country’s Insurance chief, the IC has not only met expectations but also provided Filipinos with quality regulatory services.

In the commissioner’s first year of service in 2023, the IC collected P518 million in registration and supervision fees, a 3.83% increase from the P499.54 million in fees generated in 2022, according to data from the agency.

Broken down, while the collection of processing (-7.19%) and certificate of authority fees (3.39%) decreased, increases were tallied in registration fees for product approval (10.04%), accreditation fees (22.53%), certification fees (2.01%), examination fees (14.12%), filing fees (0.81%), supervision fees (3.02%), other fees (8.77%), and miscellaneous income (26.59%).

Turnover from Former Insurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa (right) to present Commissioner Reynaldo A. Regalado (left) last March 2023 — insurance.gov.ph

Another accomplishment during the commissioner’s tenure so far is the number of complaints resolved throughout 2023 based on data from the IC. 5,417 complaints from the insuring public were resolved last year compared to 5,025 the year prior.

This is pursuant to the commission’s mandate to regulate and supervise the insurance, pre-need, and HMO industries in accordance with the provisions of the existing Insurance Code as well as Pre-Need Code of the Philippines.

IC data also show that total premiums collected under microinsurance policies as of the third quarter of 2023 increased by 19.6% compared to the same period in 2022. The commission gathered P10.16 million in premiums compared to P8.49 million as of Q3 the year prior.

More recently, a memorandum of agreement between the IC and the Department of Migrant Workers that will provide overseas Filipino workers with a dedicated hotline for the resolution of their complaints against IC-regulated entities was signed this Jan. 24.

An agreement to conduct the country’s first industry-wide morbidity study based on the claims experience of health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and insurance companies was also signed between the IC and the Actuarial Society of the Philippines (ASP). The study aims to evaluate the reasonableness of premium rates, reserve valuations, and capitalization requirements of HMOs and insurance companies.

Due to these achievements, Department of Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto heaved praise on the commission for evident sustained growth in the industry’s assets, earned premiums, and investments.

“All these numbers underscore the formidable strength of the insurance industry. In addition, this outstanding performance is a testament to the efficiency of the regulatory and supervisory measures implemented by the Insurance Commission,” Mr. Recto was quoted as saying in a message delivered by Officer-in-Charge National Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza during the IC’s 75th Milestone Anniversary Celebration last month. — Jomarc Angelo M. Corpuz

Significant strides in sustainable development

Photo from Freepik

Sustainable development is an approach that takes into account the well-being of both current and future generations, ensuring that the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Given the challenges faced today, such as climate change, depletion of natural resources and social inequality, sustainable development has emerged as a crucial framework for building a more resilient and equitable future.

The United Nations (UN) adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, addressing critical areas of importance by 2030: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership. These goals inform projects and policies across various organizations, including guidelines on housing, urban development, transportation systems, and healthcare delivery.

In the Philippines, sustainable development has been a major concern, given the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters and its rapidly growing population. Over the years, the Philippines has been grappling with issues related to poverty, environmental degradation and social inequality, among other things. Fortunately, the government and other stakeholders have been working to ensure that the development is not at the expense of the environment and that economic growth is inclusive and will benefit all Filipinos.

According to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the country is committed to achieving the SDGs by 2030 and has been working on localizing the goals, setting subnational targets, and recalibrating 2030 targets on key SDG indicators. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is also monitoring the country’s efforts to generate data for the 230 unique indicators and 169 targets of the 17 SDGs.

In 2022, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo has underscored the country’s commitment, presenting the third Voluntary National Review (VNR) of the Philippines on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the High Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development (HLPF).

Furthermore, the UN and the Philippine government have also recently signed a new partnership framework, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, which spans from 2024 to 2028. This framework aims to mobilize global knowledge, capacities, and resources to support the Philippines in addressing its major national priorities, including human capital development, sustainable and inclusive economic development, and climate action for environmental sustainability and disaster resilience.

While the government plays a crucial role in implementing policies and regulations that promote sustainability, other players such as the private sector also has a significant contribution to make.

One of the ways in which the private sector is promoting sustainable development is by incorporating environmentally friendly practices in their operations. This includes reducing their carbon footprint by using renewable energy sources, implementing waste management systems, and adopting sustainable supply chain practices. By doing so, they reduce their impact on the environment, conserve natural resources, and contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet.

Moreover, the private sector can also have a significant impact on local communities by creating job opportunities, promoting economic growth, and investing in social development programs. This not only helps to improve the quality of life for people but also contributes to the overall sustainable development of society.

Environmental stewardship

As the world population continues to grow, the demand for resources increases, putting a strain on the planet’s ecosystems. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of sustainable development and the need to protect the environment for future generations. Governments, businesses, and communities in the Philippines are taking action to reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainable practices.

Leading corporations in the Philippines are increasingly embracing corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a key component of their business strategy. Many companies are allocating resources towards sustainable development projects that contribute to environmental conservation. These initiatives include reforestation programs, waste reduction projects, and renewable energy investments.

Another significant effort towards environmental conservation is the use of renewable energy sources. Solar, wind, and hydropower are emerging as sustainable alternatives to conventional fossil fuels, presenting a compelling solution to mitigate the impacts of climate change. In fact, the Department of Energy has existing renewable energy policies to encourage private domestic and foreign investment to drive growth in the industry and reduce dependence on expensive energy imports.

For instance, the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) outlines the policy framework enshrined in Republic Act 9513, which sets the strategic building blocks that will help the country achieve the goals set forth in the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

Meanwhile, efficient waste management is also fundamental to environmental sustainability, as the improper disposal of waste poses severe threats to ecosystems, human health, and the overall well-being of the planet.

According to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, the country generates approximately 61,000 million metric tons of waste daily, with 24% of it being plastic waste. As a result, the government has been enacting pro-environment programs and initiatives, such as the 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) approach, renewable energy promotion, and biodiversity conservation, to address these challenges.

Waste reduction initiatives include reducing packaging waste, promoting reusable products, and encouraging composting. Sustainable waste disposal practices include landfill gas capture, waste-to-energy technologies, and hazardous waste disposal.

Social inclusivity

The country strongly supports the idea of attaining a just, equitable, and inclusive society for all, emphasizing the importance of people-centered sustainable development with the active engagement of all stakeholders.

The government has taken a comprehensive approach to implementing the SDGs, with actions grounded in laws that ensure coordination across sectors through institutional mechanisms.

Several specific initiatives have been undertaken to promote social inclusivity, such as institutionalizing the Alternative Learning System for quality education, incentivizing green jobs, and promoting inclusive business models for decent work. Additionally, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) provides cash transfers to low-income families, promoting financial inclusion and poverty reduction.

Meanwhile, access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, and the Philippines has been working towards ensuring healthcare inclusivity. A notable example is the Universal Health Care Law, which aims to provide affordable and accessible healthcare services to all Filipinos, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

The private sector has also implemented various programs to promote inclusive economic growth. For instance, microfinance initiatives, entrepreneurship programs, and livelihood projects have targeted marginalized groups, empowering them to become active contributors to the economy. — Mhicole A. Moral

Aboitiz group keen on developing more airports

STOCK PHOTO

By Ashley Erika O. Jose, Reporter

ABOITIZ InfraCapital, Inc. is eyeing to develop more airports in the country after securing the original proponent status (OPS) for the development, management, and expansion of two regional airports, the company’s president said.

“Yes, we are definitely interested in developing some of our airports, other than the ones for which we have secured OPS for,” Cosette V. Canilao, president and chief executive officer of Aboitiz InfraCapital, said in an interview last week.

The infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz group has submitted unsolicited proposals for the operations, maintenance, and development of New Bohol-Panglao International Airport, Bicol International Airport, Laguindingan International Airport, and Iloilo International Airport.

The Transportation Department has said that companies willing to match the proposal of Aboitiz InfraCapital for Laguindingan International Airport and New Bohol-Panglao International Airport will have their chance within the first quarter of the year.

The company is awaiting the terms to begin the Swiss challenge for Laguindingan International Airport as soon as possible, Ms. Canilao said.

“The government has already approved the Laguindingan Airport, so it is now just the transmittal of the terms,” she said.

Rafael M. Aboitiz, vice-president and head of Airport Business at Aboitiz InfraCapital, said the company is “very bullish” on the aviation sector.

“We feel that domestic tourism is very strong, and there’s a long runway ahead for international tourism as well. The world should get to know the Philippines a little bit better,” he said.

He said that future airport developments are still under study as the company focuses on projects in the pipeline.

“Since we have a lot of projects in the pipeline, we want to focus on securing the projects for the three airports we’re looking at. We’re also waiting to see how the government wants to pursue PPP programs, whether it’s through solicited or unsolicited programs as well,” he said.

Nigel Paul C. Villarete, senior adviser on public-private partnership (PPP) at the technical advisory group Libra Konsult, Inc., said Aboitiz InfraCapital is deemed capable of operating regional airports as it already operates the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

“Having many different operators, for as long as they are competent, would always be preferable, but not necessary. Aboitiz InfraCapital is very much capable, if they can do Mactan, they can do all the others,” Mr. Villarete said in a Viber message to BusinessWorld on Thursday.

In 2022, Aboitiz InfraCapital finalized a deal with Megawide Construction Corp. and GMR Airports International, B.V., allowing it to acquire shares in GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp., the company behind the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

“Unlike most other countries in the world, except for NAIA and MCIA, CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) manages and regulates all other airports causing a situation where one regulates what one manages,” he said.

Mr. Villarete said Aboitiz InfraCapital’s proposals to operate and rehabilitate airports will likely address the need to separate civil regulation and airport operations.

“This upcoming proposal might somewhat cure that but it would still be really necessary to create an airport authority, separate from CAAP similar to what is existing in other countries,” he said.

Terry L. Ridon, a public investment analyst and convenor of think tank InfraWatch PH, said Aboitiz InfraCapital’s recent acquisition of Mactan-Cebu International Airport is a starting point of expanding its capability towards upgrading smaller airports in the country.

“While the public has yet to see whether Aboitiz InfraCapital has gained significant technical expertise in airport operations as a result of its recent acquisition of the Mactan Cebu International Airport, it should still be able to compete for the development of smaller regional airports around the country,” he said in a Viber message.

“It can be presumed that Aboitiz can raise the money to upgrade regional airports. In the long run, it is better to have other parties but the government can’t prevent Aboitiz from proposing in the hope that another would enter,” said Rene S. Santiago, former president of the Transportation Science Society of the Philippines.

Aboitiz InfraCapital is also involved in the MIAC consortium, which is among the qualified groups bidding to operate, maintain, and upgrade the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The MIAC consortium submitted the lowest bid among the bidders, offering a 25.9% revenue share to the government.

The Department of Transportation is expected to announce the winning bidder for the NAIA project on Feb. 16, pending the approval of the bidding report by the Manila International Airport Authority.

Jennifer Lopez launches This Is Me… Now with muse Affleck by her side

LOS ANGELES — Jennifer Lopez explores her experiences of love and relationships in her new movie This Is Me… Now: A Love Story that premiered in Hollywood on Tuesday, where she walked the carpet with her husband, actor-director Ben Affleck.

The musical film, which coincides with the release of Ms. Lopez’s new album entitled This is Me… Now, delves into her love life and the nature of relationships, including with herself, through the characters in her self-penned drama.

“It’s become more important to me to grow as a person and as an artist to be more vulnerable and to be more honest about things,” she told Reuters in an interview.

“So this is something that felt very organic for me to do at this point in my life, with the things that I’ve gone through and the things that I’ve learned.”

The actress-singer, 54, who has been married four times, was first engaged to Mr. Affleck in 2002, sparking her hit record This is Me… Then, but the wedding was called off in 2003 and the pair split a few months later.

Fast forward to 2021 and the couple reunited, marrying in July 2022.

“I don’t know how comfortable he is being the muse for me,” said Ms. Lopez, reflecting on how her 51-year-old husband feels about her sharing details of their relationship.

“He couldn’t be more supportive and loving and kind of encouraging to me to express myself exactly the way that I want to, which I find really beautiful and generous of him.”

The 65-minute film, directed by Dave Meyers, showcases some of the 13 tracks on Ms. Lopez’s ninth studio album of the same name, including “Mad In Love” and “Dear Ben pt. II.”

Alongside Ms. Lopez, who plays the character called “artist” in the movie, other parts are taken by actors Sofia Vergara and Keke Palmer, rapper Post Malone — and Mr. Affleck.

“(Affleck) didn’t really even understand what I was doing half the time” during filming, Ms. Lopez said.

“That’s the blind kind of love and faith that a person in your life should have for you … He makes me be braver than I would normally be on my own… And I’m pretty brave.”

This Is Me… Now: A Love Story debuts on streaming platform Prime Video starting Friday. The new album comes out the same day. — Reuters

Ayala Malls allots P13B for renovation of 4 malls

AYALAMALLS.COM

MALL operator Ayala Malls is allocating P13 billion for the planned redevelopment of four of its malls: Glorietta, Greenbelt 2, TriNoma, and Ayala Center Cebu.

“We’re happy to share that for those four malls, excluding Greenbelt 1, we’re investing P13 billion,” Ayala Malls President Mariana Beatriz Zobel de Ayala said during a briefing on Thursday.

“This is the first time in our history that we will embark on renovating at least four of our major flagship malls at once,” she added.

The planned renovation for Glorietta, Greenbelt 2, TriNoma, and Ayala Center Cebu will begin in the first quarter, while the redevelopment of Greenbelt 1 will start in the second quarter.

TriNoma’s renovation is scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter of 2025, while Glorietta’s is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026. Greenbelt 2 and Ayala Center Cebu’s renovations are expected to conclude by 2026.

Greenbelt 1 will close in April this year and reopen by 2028.

“In the past several years, much has changed for all of us — both during and before the pandemic. We’ve seen habits changes, preferences evolve, and priorities reset. With this, we feel it is an opportunity to usher in a new era for Ayala Malls — and a new experience for our customers,” Ms. Zobel said.

Ayala Malls has tapped Australia’s Buchan as the architect and designer for the Glorietta and Ayala Center Cebu projects. The company also sought Hong Kong’s CAN Design Ltd. and US-based Gensler for the redevelopment of Trinoma and Greenbelt, respectively.

Expected changes include exterior and interior design improvements, lush greeneries and open space, as well as enhanced areas for convergence and retail spaces.

“With this, Ayala Center Cebu will transform to the Queen City of the South’s premier lifestyle destination — for milestones and unparalleled retail in the region. Trinoma will become the retail powerhouse of the North,” Ms. Zobel said.

“Greenbelt will evolve from the Philippines lifestyle capital – to the next regional fashion and luxury destination, and Glorietta will take its place as the vibrant powerhouse of the metro, and the home of beloved brands,” she added.

Ayala Malls is the retail unit of listed real estate developer Ayala Land, Inc. On Thursday, Ayala Land shares fell by 0.57% or 20 centavos to P34.70 apiece. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Bringing Mean Girls nostalgia to the Gen Z era

By Brontë H. Lacsamana, Reporter

Movie Review
Mean Girls
Directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez, Jr.
MTRCB Rating: PG

MANY movies these days are adaptations, sequels, homages, and everything in between, more so than the past decades. Nostalgia is in, callbacks to previous works of fiction are in, and while it is something everyone says they’re sick of, it still manages to pull at the right strings.

However, this piece is not an ode to originality, but instead a quick look at how rehashes of often very good ideas can be told in new ways.

The 2024 film Mean Girls is unfairly weighed down by the inevitably high expectations that most moviegoers have coming from the iconic 2004 original. Famous comedic writer Tina Fey sprinkles her own hyper-present sense of humor, and while it may seem basic to admit, her take on Mean Girls succeeds in bringing the franchise to a new generation.

Here is where a major clarification must come in: this new film is based on a 2018 Broadway musical adapting the original film. Which means comparisons shouldn’t be drawn to the pioneering work, but to the musical rendition that came in between.

(While this writer admits she is unfamiliar with the musical, a few deep dives online have revealed that it’s not a perfect movie adaptation either. It leaves out a few amazing songs, many fans claim.)

However, the story remains untouched and is known to most — Cady Heron (played by Angourie Rice) is a new student who finds herself eating lunch with “The Plastics,” an elite group of popular girls who are at the top of the social food chain. While Ms. Rice has a certain charm to her, she doesn’t completely pull off the character, providing serviceable sweet and alternatively mean moments but lacking the star power to hold audience’s attention.

Conniving queen bee Regina George (played by Renee Rapp) is another story. Ms. Rapp is electrifying to behold, giving the beloved mean character a sultry, evil pop star spin. She is, hands down, the best part of the entire movie.

Her minions Gretchen and Karen take on a life of their own in musical form as well, most notably Avantika as Karen Shetty. She is a revelation — though still very much Regina’s stupid underling, she exudes a sort of adorable spunk in every scene she’s in.

Cady’s best friends get a glow up too, with Auli’i Cravalho and Jaquel Spivey as Damian and Janis appropriately given much more to work with than in the original movie. Here, their role as truth-saying narrators is beefed up, equipped with their own zingers both spoken and sung.

While the 2024 Mean Girls is often funny, cute, and more attuned to the times, its biggest downfall is having all the iconic phrases and oddly familiar scenes from the original. It only highlights to everyone the fact that this is a film straddling the line between nostalgia-driven cash cow and unique, contemporary Gen Z-era musical. The truth of the matter is that those that loved the original movie will definitely choose to just watch the original movie no matter how this new one pans out.

It’s one thing, then suddenly it’s another, and perhaps the well-choreographed dance numbers and excellently shot music video-like scenes deserve more than this back-and-forth identity crisis.

Maynilad invests P2.7B to curb water losses in Manila

MAYNILADWATER.COM

MAYNILAD Water Services, Inc. is allocating P2.7 billion to address water losses in Manila caused by aging pipelines and illegal connections, the company announced on Thursday.

About P2.4 billion has been allotted for pipe replacement projects, while P151 million will be used for leak repairs, the company said in a statement.

The remaining P190 million will go towards network diagnostics and leak detection, among other activities.

“It is in Manila City where the oldest section of the pipe network that we inherited from the government is located. To reduce water losses in this area, we have already replaced 701 kilometers of old pipes since 2007,” Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Randolph T. Estrellado said.

He said that the local government has assisted with the issuance of permits and the management of traffic for the pipe replacement and leak repairs project.

According to Maynilad, the P2.7-billion allocation for the city is part of the P16.5-billion NRW (non-revenue water) Management Program of Maynilad for 2023 to 2027, which aims to further reduce water losses in the west zone that it serves.

NRW refers to water that is not billed and is lost through leaks or illegal connections.

Earlier this year, Maynilad announced plans to construct reservoirs worth P2.8 billion, adding 211 million liters of water to its storage capacity by 2026.

The four reservoirs will be constructed in Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Muntinlupa.

Maynilad serves Manila, except portions of San Andres and Sta. Ana. It also operates in Quezon City, Makati, Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, and Malabon.

Additionally, it supplies water to the cities of Cavite, Bacoor, and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario, all located in Cavite province.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which has a majority stake in Maynilad, is one of three Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Modern Grandeur: Trends shaping luxury living in 2024

Photo by tohamina on Freepik

When people think of luxury, they often think of five-star hotels, red carpet galas, royal weddings, and the myriad of mansions that catch the public eye. This is hardly illustrative of modern luxury living today, however.

For every high-end celebrity crib, there are hundreds if not thousands of luxury homes that are content with being hidden away from the grandeur and the spotlight, but offering no less of the refinement that modern living can offer.

This is because luxury comes in many forms. Stunning architecture, clever engineering, state-of-the-art and technology-enabled amenities, among other factors, constantly push the leading luxury properties in the world forward, in service of the ever-changing desires and expectations of the discerning buyers who can afford them.

The Philippines is no stranger to this constant development. According to real estate experts Santos Knight Frank, Manila was the fastest growing market for luxury residential real estate with a price spike of 21.2% for 2023.

“Strong investor confidence in the Philippines during the current Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. administration has buoyed the real estate market despite rising interest rates,” Rick Santos, chairman and CEO of Santos Knight Frank, said.

“The luxury residential space is one of several sectors where we’re seeing encouraging market activity. Pent-up demand for prime properties, the return of the residential leasing market, and the tight supply of developments have contributed to significant price appreciation especially in central business districts.”

But how exactly is Philippine  changing?

Worldwide, the trend of culturally enhanced experiences has been making its way into the luxury real estate market, mirroring that of the luxury hospitality industry. Globally-inspired designs are becoming increasingly popular in residential homes as it combines local traditions with global design inspirations to create one-of-a-kind, location-specific luxury experiences.

As a result, and perhaps also bolstered by the Filipino trait of being global citizens, a new “cultural fusion” style is emerging in the Philippines as well.

Some examples of Philippine real estate developments are those with a Mediterranean style like Crown Asia’s Valenza in Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Robinsons Homes’ Brighton Baliuag in Bulacan; Filinvest Land’s Prominence II in Biñan, Laguna; Primary Homes’ Solare in Mactan, Cebu; and Pro-Friends’ Montefaro Village in Imus, Cavite.

Filinvest, in particular, has adopted Asian-inspired styles in a number of its residential properties, like Amarilyo Crest in Taytay, Rizal; Claremont in Mabalacat, Pampanga; Villa Mercedita in Davao City; and the Nusa Dua in Tanza, Cavite.

Similarly, trends in sustainability, which have been gaining traction across all industries, are also starting to show in Philippine real estate. Green roofs, energy efficiency, and smart home systems are some of the characteristics that attract eco-conscious buyers.

The rise of “Eco-Luxe” properties is one of the most striking examples of this transformation in the luxury housing market. This entails eco-friendly living with smoothly integrated high-end design, creating houses that are at one with nature.

High-end real estate is also being built with eco-friendly materials and being planned to incorporate private nature preserves and new, environmentally conscious features like water transportation systems that do not pollute and services that produce no greenhouse gas emissions.

For instance, Botanika Nature Residences in Filinvest City, Alabang is the first township in the Philippines with green certifications from LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the US Green Building Council, and the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC).

The trend is not only for townships either as Alphaland Corp.’s 55-storey Makati Place is a luxurious residential tower designed with efficiency and sustainability in mind, certified Gold by LEED under the administration of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) rating system.

Finally, the importance of privacy and security is growing among luxury homeowners. There is a growing trend in ultra-luxury real estate of developing exclusive communities that provide residents with increased security and privacy.

Modern luxury real estate not only needs to satisfy the physical needs of their buyers, but their mental needs as well. Increasingly, people are looking for a place to hide from the world and seek the seclusion and peace that these communities provide.

This is evident in the adoption of technological innovations, like state-of-the-art smart home systems and automated security. From controlling lighting and temperature to managing security systems, residents can easily navigate their home with a touch of a button or a voice command today.

Not that this is an entirely new development. Privacy and security have always been paramount in luxury real estate. Gated communities with round-the-clock security personnel ensure that residents can enjoy their home without any worries. Advanced security systems, including surveillance cameras and biometric access control, provide an added layer of protection.

Additionally, luxury properties often feature private entrances, secure parking, and secure storage areas. These measures not only protect the property but also safeguard the privacy and personal belongings of the residents. Whether it’s a high-profile celebrity or a business tycoon, luxury real estate offers the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is safe and secure.

To create self-contained communities, more and more, high-end developments are also including private clubs, fitness centers, and entertainment venues within their grounds. In addition to increasing the value of these communities, members’ ability for self-sufficiency maximizes their privacy by minimizing the need to wander into more public locations.

The adoption of technology feeds into the development of other trends. Imagine waking up to a house that automatically adjusts the lighting and opens the blinds to let in the natural sunlight. Or being able to control the music and temperature in every room from your smartphone.

Smart home technology not only enhances convenience but also improves energy efficiency, allowing residents to monitor and optimize their energy consumption. Technology like these offer buyers the opportunity to customize and personalize their living spaces according to their unique preferences and tastes.

Owning a luxury property is not just about owning a beautiful home; it’s about living and seeking refinement in life. Of course, there is always the benefit of waking up to panoramic views, indulging in world-class amenities, and enjoying the utmost privacy and security. But modern luxury real estate seeks to offer much more. — Bjorn Biel M. Beltran

Labor mediators post 43% settlement rate

THE NATIONAL Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) has settled 43% of its disputes between workers and employers, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE).

In a statement citing an NCMB report, DoLE said the preventive mediation program had benefitted 514 workers and generated monetary settlements of more than P41 million in January.

“The various programs of the NCMB that espouse conciliation and mediation not only contribute to the overall maintenance of industrial peace but have been beneficial to both employers and workers,” it said.

During the month, the NCMB’s voluntary arbitration program attracted more than P246 million in monetary claims from 81 workers.

A separate Single Entry Approach program, which seeks to quickly resolve labor disputes before they reach litigation, had a disposition rate of 81% across 664 cases, settling 62% of them.

NCMB Executive Director Teresita Lacsamana-Cancio said the board has not had to deal with any strikes or work stoppages in 2024. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Keeping a film’s identity as a musical secret is key for box office success — here’s why

FANTASIA BARRINO in a scene from The Color Purple. — IMDB

THIS winter saw the back-to-back releases of three movie musicals: Wonka, The Color Purple, and Mean Girls. However, many cinemagoers would have been surprised to find these were musicals at all, considering the lack of any such suggestion in their marketing.

All three films are based on existing stories. Their slogans read “discover how Willy became Wonka,” “a bold new take on a beloved classic” and “not your mother’s Mean Girls.” Each indicates originality and change without specifying that the change in question is musical. But why have film studios chosen this strategy?

Writing for Forbes, critic Jeetendr Sehdev called the “covert operation” “counterintuitive,” because it runs the risk of alienating a consumer culture that values transparency.

YouTube’s community of musical-themed content creators were also widely disapproving, questioning the implied antipathy towards musicals. If such antipathy exists, they ask, then why are film studios making musicals in the first place? Well, because the technique seems to work.

According to Paramount’s president of marketing and distribution, Marc Weinstock, the word “musical” has “the potential to turn off audiences” — a sentiment supported by statistics.

YouTube documentary channel Wait in the Wings has highlighted the stark contrast in box office figures between musical films that market themselves as “musicals” and those that don’t.

While In the Heights (2021) and Dear Evan Hansen (2021) — films that proudly shared their musical chops in their trailers — lost money, La La Land (2016) and Rocket Man (2019) — films that didn’t — make huge returns. The popularity of “secret musicals” suggests audiences do enjoy musicals, but perhaps reluctantly.

Demographics are one factor. While musical theater has long been stereotyped as predominately enjoyed by women and gay men, Hollywood remains largely male dominated. In 2022, women accounted for just 18% of directors working on the top 250 films of the year.

Saltburn director Emerald Fennell has highlighted a stigma around “the stuff that girls traditionally like,” challenging why they aren’t “taken seriously.” Musicals, which reside in this category, persistently challenge what it means to be “serious” by conveying dark themes and important social topics through the conventionally light methods of song and dance — Show Boat (1927), Cabaret (1966), and Spring Awakening (2006) come to mind.

If done well, the music does not dull the gravity of the themes, but transcribes them into (perhaps unexpected) words, tone and movement, creating a powerful and subversive spectacle.

No matter how much public and critical acclaim they might receive, “girl’s things” cannot seem to escape their terminal reputation of unseriousness.

Such prejudices play a part in the musical’s taboo status, as well as the bad taste left by notable failures (sorry Cats). However, I believe another reason lies in the “musical” label and its tendency to overpower and absorb a work’s identity.

For example, few would describe Sweeney Todd (1979) as a “horror” and leave it at that — arguably, the word “musical” is the first to come to mind. Perhaps this has the potential to cause lethargy for audiences, and undesirable limitations for directors who might want their work to encompass other genres.

Mean Girls (2004) and Mean Girls the Broadway musical (2017) are two distinctly different works. As the new musical Mean Girls film (2024) feels more like an exciting reimagining of the original film, with Tina Fey and Tim Meadows reprising their roles, than an adaptation of the stage play, it is left with little capacity to also embrace being a musical. Indeed, Weinstock calls the film a “broad comedy with music” that “could be considered a musical,” effectively hedging the film’s bets and attempting to shoo away the term “musical” as its defining identity.

What about Wonka? Perhaps we must think back to The Greatest Showman (2017) and its disappointing opening weekend. It was the film’s soundtrack that saved it from being a box office flop. The songs were a hit, providing great slow-burn advertising for the film, which grew in popularity with time. Maybe it was the success of this slow-burn tactic that inspired Wonka — a similarly spectacular story of an eccentric entrepreneur — to keep its music a secret.

Some critics have struggled to reconcile The Color Purple’s story with the musical format, feeling the music undermines its heavy themes or diminishes its impact.

Similar criticisms surrounded Les Misérables when the stage show opened in London in 1985. Perhaps The Color Purple (2023) chose to downplay its musical identity in anticipation of such criticism.

However, among mixed reviews, its champions have applauded what the music brings. For them, the musical format allows audiences to witness Celie’s hope and imagination in vivid detail — to give her joy as much attention as her suffering. The musical number constitutes new realms of storytelling and deepened facets of character. It insists not everything has to be bleak to be taken seriously.

It’s been a strange time for musicals, with theaters still recovering from the pandemic and several prominent movies underperforming. The “secret musical” seems to further highlight the genre’s supposed unpopularity — however, it ultimately suggests its reputation can be teased away once viewers have been persuaded into cinemas.

Maybe as an audience, we don’t really know how we feel about musicals. Or maybe we’re overthinking it. Maybe Wonka simply wanted us to float into the unexpected and lose ourselves. Perhaps the “secret musical” is not a dig at the genre, but a helping hand — a provocative and necessary “bold new take.”

(Mean Girls is currently showing in Metro Manila theaters. The Color Purple will open in the Philippines on Feb. 28.)

 

Jodie Passey is a PhD candidate in the History of Musicals at Lancaster University.

Cebu Landmasters, NTTUDA JV gets PCC nod

THE planned joint venture (JV) between listed property developer Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) and Singapore-based developer NTT UD Asia Pte. Ltd. (NTTUDA) has secured the approval of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).

CLI said in a regulatory filing on Thursday that the competition watchdog issued the clearance on Feb. 6 for the proposed joint venture for the establishment and management of an upscale residential high-rise condominium project at the Cebu IT Park in Cebu City.

The JV will be called CLI NUD Ventures, Inc., in which CLI will have 60% share while NTTUDA will have 40%.

“The PCC clearance is one of the regulatory requirements for the incorporation and establishment of CLI NUD Ventures, Inc., the joint venture company between CLI and NTT,” the property developer said.

CLI announced its planned joint venture with NTT in September last year as part of bolstering its portfolio.

“By combining the partners’ expertise and resources — CLI with its mastery of the local real estate industry and NTTUDA with its experience developing mixed-use properties abroad — both partners expect this joint venture to do well and open opportunities for other collaborations,” CLI previously said.

CLI’s portfolio includes residences, offices, hotels and resorts, mixed-use developments, and townships. Some of its residential brands include Premier Masters, Garden Series, Casa Mira, and Villa Casita.

NTTUDA is an international developer of commercial properties which include office buildings, residences, and other mixed-use developments in Southeast Asia.

For the first nine months of 2023, CLI logged a 9% jump in its attributable net income to P2.4 billion from P2.2 billion, led by higher revenues across business segments.

CLI shares closed unchanged at P2.62 apiece on Thursday. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

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