Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube
Home Blog Page 2595

Metro Pacific Health now has six hospitals in Mindanao

SFDOCTORSHOSPITAL.COM

METRO PACIFIC Health Corp. (MPH) has completed the acquisition of a majority shareholding in San Francisco Doctors Hospital (SFDH) in Agusan del Sur, bringing its hospital portfolio to 25.

SFDH was acquired by MPH and its subsidiary Santos Clinic, Inc. (SCI), the private hospital group said in an e-mailed statement on Thursday.

The new acquisition also marks MPH’s sixth hospital in Mindanao.

“Expanding our network through strategic investments like the one in SFDH allows us to bring accessible and dependable healthcare to more communities. We remain committed to delivering top-quality healthcare services and improving the overall health infrastructure across our archipelago,” MPH President Augusto P. Palisoc, Jr. said.

SFDH is a 100-bed facility that started operations in 2013 and is located 80 kilometers (about 49.71 miles) from SCI-operated Manuel J. Santos Hospital in Butuan.

MPH plans to invest in the development and management of SFDH, aiming to improve the hospital’s capacity to address the healthcare needs of the province.

“Our focus has always been on creating a robust healthcare network that can deliver superior patient care across the country and in the localities that we serve. By integrating SFDH into our network, we are expanding our reach and ensuring that the people of Agusan del Sur and nearby areas have access to the best healthcare services,” SCI President Celso Bernard G. Lopez said.

MPH is the healthcare arm of Pangilinan-led conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC). Some of its hospitals include Makati Medical Center, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Davao Doctors Hospital, and Riverside Medical Center. It also has 33 outpatient care centers, two allied health colleges, and a centralized laboratory.

MPIC is one of three key Philippine units of First Pacific, the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc.

Hastings Holdings Inc., a unit of the PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

SSS tallies record 2.4 million new members in H1

SSS FACEBOOK PAGE

THE SOCIAL SECURITY System (SSS) said it admitted a record 2.4 million new members in the first half (H1), up 165% from a year earlier.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando S. Macasaet said in a statement Thursday: “In the first six months, we hit our year’s target of two million new members, a positive result of our massive membership and coverage drives throughout the country.”

He noted that the pension fund for private sector workers usually averages around one million new members annually.

“It means more Filipinos will have access to a comprehensive set of social security benefits from SSS. The social security protection offered by SSS can help safeguard the financial well-being of Filipino families, particularly during times of uncertainty,” Mr. Macasaet said.

Mr. Macasaet said the new target is now five million new members by the end of the year.

“SSS will sustain this growth trajectory in the coming months as we aim for a historic peak in new member registrations,” he said.

“SSS won’t stop there. We remain steadfast in our mission to further broaden our membership base and cover all Filipinos in the workforce,” he added.

SSS Executive Vice-President for Branch Operations Voltaire P. Agas said that the largest segment of new members consisted of prior registrants, totaling 1.2 million.

These are individuals who have SSS numbers but have not yet been reported as covered employees or self-employed members.

Luzon had the largest number of new members, with more than 882,000, followed by the National Capital Region at over 693,000.

Mindanao and the Visayas followed with 436,000 and 417,000, respectively. Meanwhile, over 10,000 new members came from overseas. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

#JournalismMatters: Journalism is society’s safety net

FREEPIK

A RECORD NUMBER of newsrooms have signed up for World News Day 2024, recognizing the positive influence of journalism the world over.

More than 600 newsrooms and media associations across all continents join to bring awareness to the purpose of journalism, a trade that is under constant attack.

It’s a day to pause, and reflect on the importance of independent and often brave journalists who make a difference in their communities and countries, by providing the proof that leads to the truth.

Too often, he or she who shouts loudest on social media seems to be the newsmaker of the day, overshadowing the professional reporters and editors trained and determined to stand behind everything they publish.

Responsible journalism is a tough business when done properly. It necessarily confronts the easy, repetitive, and instant swirl of polemicists and propagandists determined to derail life to fit agendas that are often based on uncertainty and exclusion.

Photographing events that happen, reporting out the facts; beginning with incomplete information and building a more complete file over time and ultimately ensuring, in the final edit, that the facts are pried out and placed squarely into the public discourse, is the business of mainstream media. It is inefficient yet is a timeless tradition without parallel.

Professionals fight back against the hackneyed idea that belonging to the mainstream is somehow inferior to being extreme.

World News Day is a day of awareness, to better explain journalism to the public at large.

It is also a moment to provide room for our audiences and highlight how their meeting a journalist improved their life. How, perhaps, finally, they were listened to.

Or to reflect on the contributions of a local newspaper to the body politic, or the cost of liberty for a reporter detained for no reason — other than that she could be — by those with armies at their disposal.

Amid the growing coarseness of public debate, the pride of independent journalism stands as a source of optimism and belief.

Often at significant personal cost, whistleblowers entrust journalists with secrets. Businesses, politicians, and others in power increasingly refuse to meet reporters or explain themselves — but that doesn’t mean they are unaccountable. The rot is still exposed by individuals.

This past year I met a source determined to get the truth out, but the conversations took place in a hot tub to prove I was not wearing a listening wire, and, on another occasion, in my underwear for the final interview. The story was worth it all, but I couldn’t have known it would be when I started out on the four-month odyssey.

That’s the romance of the business that recruits and repays the indefatigable.

Interest groups laden with bias threaten economic punishment: “I’ll cancel my subscription” or “we’ll pull our advertising.”  Perhaps next year we will list those people who act that way.

So far, news organizations take the hit, and don’t make it public. But it is all an attempt to interfere with editorial independence, and it is wrong.

Attacks on journalists — including murder — run at record highs. Journalism was not created for the messenger to be shot. But, while you can kill the journalist, you can’t kill the story. Others will take it on. Look at journalists in Mexico or Iran if you haven’t received your daily dose of inspiration. The rate of impunity, killing journalists and not being arrested, creeps toward 100% in some countries, but still the stories mount up.

A great miracle exists in the business of journalism: facts are not suppressible.

Those in need understand it. And it is those least in need who fight us most: the powerful, terrified their world can’t be entirely controlled.

That’s the magic of World News Day.

As you talk to friends, and consider your community, village, town, or the wider world, think about what you have learned today. There is a fair bet journalism was involved. The story tellers, who come from your community, tell the facts, no matter how uncomfortable that can be.

That is why, unarmed and living in your community, they are targeted, hassled, belittled, threatened. And it is why they respond with more facts, more answers, more independence of thought — and maintain the link between you and the wider world.

Journalists are a bridge as we build the future, supported by the capstone of our audience, who are as loyal and determined as the reporter and the editor.

Together, on World News Day, if it feels at times that the vestiges of hope are falling away, remember the safety net of journalism is there.

 

David Walmsley is the editor-in-chief of The Globe and Mail, Canada and is creator of  World News Day.

US video game actors call strike on maker of popular game League of Legends

LEAGUE OF LEGENDS OFFICIAL YOUTUBE CHANNEL

LOS ANGELES — Union video game actors filed an unfair labor practice charge and declared a strike on Tuesday against the company Formosa Interactive, which provides voiceover services for the popular online game League of Legends, the actors’ union said.

SAG-AFTRA union members have stopped providing covered performance services to League of Legends, and the massive multiplayer online battle arena game, developed by Riot Games in 2009, is now listed by the union as a struck game.

“The complaint comes after Formosa tried to ‘cancel’ one of its struck video games shortly after the start of SAG-AFTRA’s video game strike,” the union said in a statement.

“When they were told that was not possible, they secretly transferred the game to a shell company and sent out casting notices for ‘NON-UNION’ talent only.”

The union said the transfer violated performers’ rights to strike under labor laws.

Formosa said it rejects SAG-AFTRA’s allegations and has not undermined union rights in any way.

“We believe the strike of League of Legends, a game unrelated to the union’s claims, is not appropriate,” it said in a statement.

Formosa “stands with developers, publishers, platform holders, and talent” and promotes ethical game development, it added.

Riot Games said in a statement on Tuesday that League of Legends had nothing to do with the union’s claims and had “never once suggested” Formosa should engage with non-union performers.

The American video game developer also said it had not asked Formosa to cancel a previously registered game.

Known for its free-to-play structure and team collaboration, League of Legends is one of the most popular games in the world with one of the largest Esports competitions.

The League of Legends World Championship gives teams from around the globe the opportunity to compete for millions of dollars that are distributed among members.

This strike follows the union’s recent gains with legal protections against artificial intelligence (AI) for Hollywood performers signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom in September as well as a deal reached with major record labels such as Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment in April. — Reuters

Globe says satellite-to-SMS trial advancing

GLOBE Telecom, Inc. is progressing in its satellite-to-SMS trial in remote areas, the Ayala-led telecommunications company said on Thursday.

In a statement, Globe said that it successfully sent text messages using standard phones via its partner Lynk Global, Inc.’s low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite, describing this as “a major breakthrough in providing reliable and inclusive connectivity.”

“This is a significant step in our mission to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that every Filipino, regardless of location, stays connected to the world,” Globe Director & Head of Network Strategy and Technology Enablement Gerhard Tan said.

In June, Globe announced its partnership with Lynk to assess the potential of satellite-direct-to-phone communication services in remote areas in the country.

Lynk is an international company that develops satellite-to-mobile-phone constellation technology to enhance mobile phone service coverage.

“The test, which used a range of mobile devices, showed that direct-to-phone satellite communication is possible without any modifications to existing devices, allowing for widespread access and affordability,” Globe said.

The partnership aims to improve connectivity in the country, particularly in remote and underserved areas. The collaboration is set to last for one year, ending in June 2025.

The company said that the pilot areas for the program are Zambales, Pangasinan, Siargao, and Leyte.

Globe also said that program will use the LEO satellite constellation to provide short-message service, IP-messaging apps, and emergency alerts in regions without traditional network coverage. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Samsung defends Indian wages as strike at plant enters week 3

REUTERS

CHENNAI — Samsung Electronics workers at a factory in India’s Tamil Nadu state are paid almost twice as much as employees in nearby companies, the South Korean group said Tuesday, as a strike at the plant enters its third week.

More than 1,000 workers have disrupted operations and protested in a makeshift tent close to Samsung’s home appliances factory near the city of Chennai since Sept. 9.

They are demanding higher wages and union recognition at the plant, which contributes roughly a third of Samsung’s annual revenue in India of $12 billion.

Commenting on wages for the first time, Samsung said in a statement: “The average monthly salary of our full-time manufacturing workers at the Chennai plant is 1.8 times the average salary of similar workers employed at other companies in the region.”

The Samsung factory is next to units of global giants such as Foxconn and Dell in an area popular for automobile and electronics manufacturing.

“Our workers are also eligible for overtime pay and other allowances and we provide a workplace environment that assures the highest standards of health, safety, and welfare,” Samsung said, adding it was ready to engage with workers to address their grievances so they can return to work as soon as possible.

The Samsung protests cast a shadow over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s drive for more foreign investors to “Make in India” and to triple electronics production to $500 billion in six years.

It is the biggest such strike in India in recent years.

Veera Raghava Rao, Tamil Nadu’s labor secretary, said Tuesday that efforts were ongoing to resolve the dispute.

According to labor group CITU, which is leading the strike, Samsung workers earn 25,000 rupees ($300) on average per month, and are demanding a further 36,000 rupees per month over three years.

Samsung last week warned its striking workers they would not receive wages if they continued protesting, Reuters reported. — Reuters

Board chair of the future

At the Global Governance Summit held Sept. 19 at the Marriott Hotel, Kirsten Patterson, chair of the Global Network of Directors, made a comprehensive and insightful presentation about the evolving role of the board chair of the future. The role of “the first amongst equals,” she said, is now more complex and demanding amid the rapid global landscape changes, digital transformation, cybersecurity risks, climate issues, and geopolitical uncertainties.

She also presented some current top issues for directors in New Zealand, which are similar challenges faced in the Philippines, such as climate change. It is a reality as we can now feel the extreme heat and heavy flooding, with the Philippines being a disaster-prone country. Another issue is future-ready succession and leadership transition, as every company should be ready for this. Harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) was also cited as a top challenge, as there is a need to understand AI risks and opportunities and to ensure an AI governance framework is in place and one’s board is AI literate. Lastly, enabling productivity is also a challenge for directors. They must focus on strategies that improve operational efficiency and workforce productivity.

So, what is the chair’s role? Ms. Kirsten said he or she must be a:

1. Strategic leader – The chair must push the board to think long term, and not just reactionary or transactional. He or she must anticipate and plan and balance short-term pressures with the need for sustainable growth.

2. Culture builder – The chair should encourage diverse perspectives and create challenging conversations that are constructive and respectful. Ms. Kirsten presented gender diversity as a critical driver for better decision-making, improved governance and performance, and gave a 30-50% target ratio to accelerate progress.

I agree with Ms. Kirsten, as there are various studies showing the benefits of gender diversity and having women directors in boards. How is gender diversity in the Philippines? The good news is that from having just 17% women directors in publicly listed companies (PLC) pre-pandemic, this has grown to 21% in 2022, based on the latest survey by the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment and the Philippine Women’s Economic Network. While still far from Ms. Kirsten’s target, we are moving in the right direction. This didn’t happen by chance — it is thanks to the advocacy and support by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), as well as other organizations with a gender lens. These include the NextGen Organization of Women Corporate Directors formed in 2021, which targets to increase competent women representation in company boards to 23% by 2025; the Filipina CEO Circle formed in 2015 by lady CEOs with the mission to help other women reach the top and have more capable women available to be board directors; and the Women’s Business Council Philippines, Inc., which is composed mostly of women entrepreneurs and a good source of women directors.

Philippine firms also currently have the unique situation of having a mix of four to five generations in the workforce today. Let’s look at this generational diversity as something that has great potential.

3. Performance monitor – The chair must oversee the performance of directors and ensure continuous development and training.

4. Change agent – The chair must lead boards through periods of changes and ensure change is managed in a way that mitigates risk and preserves long-term viability.

It was a privilege to be a panelist at Ms. Kirsten’s session along with former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governors, namely Ambassador Joey Cuisia, who reacted on cybersecurity, and First Independent Director Chairman of the Board of SM Investments Corp. Amando “Say” M. Tetangco, who talked about the economic environment and other issues. Senen Matoto acted as moderator.

The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FINEX.

The board chairs of the future face growing demands, and they should be strong physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The board chair should also be firmly grounded in terms of values, principles, and ethics. He or she must be someone who will try to do the right things right all the time. This should also be the same for the chairs of today.

The Philippines has gone a long way since the ICD’s formation 25 years ago. During the Asian financial crisis, Dr. Jesus “Jess” Estanislao saw to it that corporate governance reforms were implemented. There was a gap between Asian cultural values and universal ethical principles, and he wanted the Philippines to be part of the global financial system to prosper and corporate governance is key to be connected.

A testament to the Philippines’ success is the more than 100 PLCs and 25 insurance companies that were recognized as Golden Arrow awardees during the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) Awards night. ICD Chairman Emeritus Jess said: “it is now time to go beyond the ACGS and start to be maka-Diyos (love of God), makatao (love of fellowmen), makakalikasan, (love of environment), and makabayan (love of country).”

Thank you, Dr. Jess, for initiating and leading the way to building boards with good governance so that the Philippines will not be left behind! More power to you!

 

Flor G. Tarriela is PNB board advisor, Independent Director of LTG and Nickel Asia. The first Filipina vice-president of Citibank N.A, she was former undersecretary of Finance. An environmentalist, she founded Flor’s Garden in Antipolo, an events destination.

The business sector must join our national security architecture

PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

Several years ago, the Philippines was enmeshed in heavy negotiations at the World Trade Organization. The Philippine panel was usually headed by the Department of Trade and Industry Secretary and the idea was brought up to create a Philippine Trade Representative Office (PTRO) that could focus solely in developing and negotiating our country’s trade position at the multilateral, regional, and bilateral levels.

Included in this proposal was the heavy participation of the business sector, both as resource and auditor, for which the planned PTRO was supposed to be enabled to weave their inputs and have the means to translate the same into a cohesive trade policy and negotiating position.

Fast forward to today, when the overwhelming need is the ability to respond to emerging security issues that must be simultaneously responded to tactically and strategically. In that regard, numerous forums and studies have been made involving international relations and security experts, from the academe, the military, and think tanks to shore up our defensive position and planning.

However, one glaring absence in all these gatherings and research is palpable and that is of the business sector. Admittedly, private business organizations and associations are indeed usually referred to when discussing national security but usually as the end-product beneficiary and not a player in the process: hence, the mantra of “national security is economic security.” Yet the truth of the matter is that the private sector, our local corporations and small business owners, can have a significant role to play in the formulation of our national security stratagem and execution.

This was noted by the Journal of International Affairs (“Intelligence Redefined: The Interplay of Private Companies and National Security,” March 2024) in describing how to respond to the “complex interplay between private interests and national security interests.” Thus, “private companies play an increasingly important role in enhancing intelligence collection, analysis, and dissemination, as most recently evidenced by their contributions to the war in Ukraine.”

“Private companies can contribute significantly to the collection and processing phases of the intelligence cycle. While they might not always provide entirely new or previously inaccessible information, their value lies in allowing ICs to focus their resources on higher-priority issues. Private companies also increase the speed of information collection, processing, and dissemination, subsequently informing up-to-date intelligence.”

US practice in this regard is instructive as to how the business sector can participate in national security discussions: “There is a deep history in the US of examples when the government turned to the private sector for help in protecting the country from national security threats. In World War II, the primary operations of certain factories not controlled by the government were converted to support the war effort. For example, some factories shifted from manufacturing automobiles or household items to planes and tanks. Also, during World War II, the US government turned to large American banks for help with financing the war effort.

“The nature of these collaborations has evolved over time, reflecting the changing security landscape and technological advancements. Recently, the US government has increasingly relied on the private sector to develop intelligence on and protect against cyber threats to critical infrastructure.” (“The Evolving Role of the Private Sector in Protecting Our National Security,” FTI Consulting)

Canada is another example of a government calling on the private sector to develop and implement a national security strategy. This is in recognition of the fact that “Canada’s economic security is too important an undertaking to be left to either the public or private sectors working alone. Both must work together seamlessly to detect, deter, and disrupt a broad range of emerging and evolving threats” (“Economic Security is National Security: The Case for an Integrated Canadian Strategy”; Business Council of Canada, September 2023).

Recognizing that today’s national security threats “have the potential to wreak large-scale havoc on Canadians’ daily lives,” the participation of business groups has become a necessity. Accordingly, it has been proposed that Canada’s economic security structure be strengthened and this can be done by “creating a legal framework allowing the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to proactively share timely and actionable threat intelligence with companies targeted by attacks.”

Another measure is to bolster “Canada’s economic and innovative capabilities, including by incentivizing high-risk, high-reward research in disruptive and emerging fields which are foundational to spurring economic growth and are strategic from a national security perspective.”

It is definitely not too late to galvanize the business sector into joining our national security efforts, creating a vision they can buy into and unquestionably support. For far too long, China’s propagandizing — which included huge investments, infrastructure loans, and trade promises – have been allowed to cause a divide between sovereignty and business interests, resulting in the weakening of Philippine resolve on defense. Recruiting Philippine business into the national security architecture not only informs more key players as to the actual stakes involved but also greatly enhances the resources (material and intellectual) needed to defend the country.

 

Jemy Gatdula is the dean of UA&P Law, as well as a Philippine Judicial Academy law lecturer for constitutional philosophy and jurisprudence.

https://www.facebook.com/jigatdula/

Twitter  @jemygatdula

EastWest Ageas launches customizable life insurance plan

EAST WEST Ageas Life Insurance Corp. (EastWest Ageas) has launched a customizable life insurance product, it said on Wednesday.

Life Advantage provides coverage equal to 200% of the sum insured and guaranteed annual income payouts of 5% of the sum insured, EastWest Ageas said in a statement. It is customizable with protection boosters and add-ons to cover financial assistance for hospitalization, critical illnesses, and accidental disablement or death benefits, among others.

“Planning your journey in life can be challenging, and we want to help more Filipinos take that step with a plan that gives back to them while they can still enjoy it. With Life Advantage, you get the best of a policy with guaranteed payouts and an insurance plan that covers you from life’s unexpected situations. These features can address a common worry of many Filipinos which is securing their financial stability,” EastWest Ageas President and Chief Executive Officer Sjoerd Smeets said.

Mr. Smeets said Life Advantage’s features can help Filipinos ensure financial security while giving them coverage for unexpected situations.

EastWest Ageas cited its commissioned study showing that eight out of 10 Filipinos consider financial security to be a major concern. Filipinos also cited risks like unemployment, business closure, and loss of income, as well as unexpected health emergencies or the death of a loved one.

“EastWest Ageas’ Life Advantage plan addresses this concern with its lifetime guaranteed payout feature, which one can enjoy starting from the end of their sixth year of the policy until age 100,” the company said.

The life insurer booked a premium income of P5.21 billion in 2023 but posted a net loss of P304.96 million. — AMCS

Lenovo Legion 7i: Power, performance, and portability in a single package

Lenovo Legion 7i

Power, performance, and portability form the trifecta that defines the ideal gaming laptop. For a long time, many devices could only offer two of these three qualities, often sacrificing power for speed and a lightweight design or prioritizing muscle at the expense of portability. The Lenovo Legion 7i, however, manages to deliver on all three fronts — albeit with some caveats.

Equipped with the latest Intel Core i9-14900HX processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, the Lenovo Legion 7i markets itself as a high-performance gaming and productivity laptop, boasting powerful specs that appeal to gamers, professionals, and content creators alike. However, even with top-tier performance, a stunning display, and a versatile design, the laptop comes with notable drawbacks that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Design and Build Quality

First thing you will notice when unboxing the Legion 7i is how uncannily lightweight it is. At only around 2.24 kg, it is only slightly heavier than the MacBook Air M3, which weighs at a comparative 1.49kg.

The second thing is the elegant, notebook design. The anodized Glacier White finish, alongside the compact dimensions of 357.7 by 262.5 by 17.6-19.8 mm, the laptop exudes a vibe that is more ‘professional’ than ‘gamer’. It feels solid, sleek, and, if not for the default RGB keyboard backlighting, it would not look out of place in even the most corporate of conference halls.

The per-key RGB backlight of the keyboard may not appeal to everyone, but it’s there for those that want that specific aesthetic. It is easily customizable through Lenovo’s in-built Vantage software, offering flashy effects ranging from rippling, audio bounce, to none at all. The keys themselves, meanwhile, are surprisingly weighty, giving just enough tactile feedback to make long hours of use comfortable and effortless. The narrow numeric keypad takes some getting used to though, as well as the separated the arrow keys. The track pad similarly is more than adequate, with enough room and responsiveness to pose no obstacle to productivity.

Perhaps the laptop’s strongest asset, however, is its glorious 16-inch 3200×2000 IPS display, with a refresh rate of 165Hz supported by Dolby Vision and NVidia’s G-SYNC. The screen feels expansive, the colors are rich and vibrant, contrasts are crisp and smooth. There is very little more you can ask for. The display perfectly showcases the power of 8GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, offering an impressive visual experience that can handle the latest games with ease.

Performance

Equipped with the latest Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, the Legion 7i showcases impressive performance across various tasks, from gaming to productivity. The 14th Gen Intel mobile processor offers up to 5.8 GHz max clock speed and features 24 cores, making it ideal for demanding workloads like video editing, coding, and high-end gaming. The processor’s hybrid architecture, designed for gaming, streaming, and content creation, works seamlessly with Lenovo’s AI Engine+, which optimizes performance by dynamically adjusting settings based on the task at hand, resulting in up to a 13.7% FPS boost in games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

During testing, the Legion 7i effortlessly ran demanding titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and the newly released Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2 on the highest graphical presets at a steady 60 fps with DLSS enabled. However, this level of performance comes with a few caveats — it needs to be plugged in to maintain peak performance, and the fans can get quite loud as they work hard to manage the heat generated by the powerful components.

Your mileage may vary, of course, especially if you are a power gamer who likes to tinker with advanced graphical settings. For most gamers, however, the Legion 7i is more than capable of delivering a smooth experience even in the most graphically intense of Unreal Engine 5 games, making it an excellent choice for those looking to play the latest titles on a laptop.

While the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU certainly enhances the visual experience, it’s the powerful Intel processor that ensures the laptop can handle any task thrown at it with ease. Whether you’re compiling code, editing videos, or playing the latest AAA games, the Legion 7i keeps up without breaking a sweat, making it a versatile option for both work and play.

Thermal Performance and Fan Noise

Power, however, comes at a cost. As mentioned before, the fans on the back will output a significant amount of noise while the laptop is running at full power, and the ambient temperature is definitely noticeable during intense sessions, which could raise concerns about the Legion’s long-term durability under constant heavy loads.

That said, the Legion 7i’s ColdFront Hyper thermal design does a great job managing the heat, as the inward-spinning fans eliminating the discomfort of constant hot air blowing onto your hand. Generally, the laptop maintains reasonable surface temperatures, although prolonged gaming sessions may lead to warm spots on the palm rest area, which could prompt some users to use an external keyboard or controller for added comfort.

Battery Life

As with most high-performance gaming laptops, the battery life of the Legion 7i leaves something to be desired. During regular light use such as web browsing or document editing, if set to the default Balanced performance profile, you can expect only a few hours of battery life, three to four at most. This drops significantly when gaming or performing anything demanding. The charging port located at the back of the laptop is also quite cumbersome to work with on the go, as if to suggest that Lenovo expects users to keep the laptop plugged in while doing more intense workloads.

The limited battery life makes switching between its different performance profiles on the Lenovo Vantage app an imperative. If you’re plugged in, turn on Performance mode to access the Legion’s unrestricted power. If you’re not, stick with the relatively weaker, but more battery-efficient Quiet mode. Fortunately, doing so is as easy as pressing the Fn+Q hotkey.

Audio

Another aspect of the Legion 7i which could disappoint users is its lackluster audio. It is fine, for the most part. The bottom-firing Harman speakers produce sound that is clear enough, but lacks the texture and depth that you would expect from a premium product. Even with adjustments via the Nahimic audio software, I would recommend using quality headphones if you want to use the Legion for media consumption.

Software

A quick final note: In addition to Lenovo Vantage, the Legion 7i comes pre-loaded with a fair amount of bloatware that can clutter the initial user experience. Users may find themselves spending extra time decluttering and tweaking settings to optimize performance and usability​.

Conclusion

The Lenovo Legion 7i ambitiously aims to push the boundaries of gaming laptops to deliver power, performance, and portability in a single package. In many ways, it succeeds. With a stunning display, formidable specs, and a sleek design, it’s a strong choice for gamers, professionals, and content creators looking for a versatile machine that can transition seamlessly between work and play. However, this power comes at a cost — literally and figuratively.

While the Legion 7i excels in what it aims to do, there are some notable tradeoffs such as the battery life making it more suited for those who don’t mind keeping it plugged in during demanding tasks. The audio quality and bloatware are minor but noticeable blemishes on an otherwise impressive offering. Finally, the premium performance exacts a premium price.

Overall, the Legion 7i excels in its class, providing a well-rounded experience for those who demand the best from their laptop, a capable and compelling contender for the top spot in the gaming laptop market.

Discover more about the Lenovo Legion 7i by visiting the official product landing page at www.lenovo.com/ph/en/legion/.

For more content showcasing the Legion 7i’s groundbreaking performance, follow along with #BeyondPerformance, #IntelCore, and #14thGen on social media.

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.

Stuff to Do (09/27/24)

German films to screen at Shangri-La

KINOFEST, the German film festival, is back for its third edition with the theme “Global Ties, Personal Journeys.” Running from Sept. 26 to 29 at the Shangri-La Plaza mall’s Red Carpet Theater in Mandaluyong, the festival will feature seven German films released from 2021 to 2024. Its opening film, Jonathan Glazer’s 2023 drama The Zone of Interest, won Best International Feature Film at the most recent Oscars. Other German films that will be screened are The Amazing Maurice by Toby Genkel, Franky Five Star by Birgit Möller, Life is Not a Competition… But I’m Winning by Julia Fuhr Mann, No Hard Feelings by Faraz Shariat, The Teacher’s Lounge by Ilker Çatak, and The Theory of Everything by Tim Kroger. For the KinoFest Special program on Sept. 28, Filipino filmmakers Cris Bringas, Moira Lang, and Alex Poblete will discuss films that honor Germany and the Philippines’ cinematic collaborations: City of Flowers by Xeph Suarez, Filipiñana by Rafael Mendoza, Hito by Stephen Lopez, I don’t want to be just a memory by Sarnt Utamachote, and Huling Palabas by Ryan Espinosa Machado. These five films will be screened after the talk. All films for the entirety of the festival are free and open to the public.

Gateway Art Fair at Quantum Skyview

GATEWAY GALLERY is set to bring together artists and art aficionados to the upcoming Gateway Art Fair 2024. With this year’s theme “Live Your Art,” the event will have 30 exhibitors, offering over a thousand art pieces. The artists participating in this year’s Gateway Art Fair include Ryan Cayabyab, Luis “Junyee” Yee, Noel Bueza, and Julius Legaspi. It will run from Sept. 27 to 29 at the Quantum Skyview, Upper Ground B, of Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Quezon City, during mall hours. For the full schedule, visit Gateway’s social media pages.

CCP celebrates Sining Kambayoka’s 50th year

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is leading the celebrations for the 50th founding anniversary of the Sining Kambayoka Ensemble (SKE). On Sept. 27 and 28 in Silang, Cavite, and in Pila, Laguna, outreach programs will make the ensemble’s performances accessible to the public. A Gawad CCP and CCP Kaisa sa Sining Gador Awardee, the Mindanao State University Marawi City’s resident theater company will present three landmark plays: Pilandok, Sulambi, and Si Nonoy at Si Inday. The featured productions will be performed by SKE, as well as the Sumidaw Performing Arts of Pagadian City and the Sining Sarangan Ensemble of General Santos City — two regional theater groups under former SKE artists-directors. The outreach shows are on Sept. 27, 5 p.m., at the Philippine National Police Academy in Silang, Cavite, and on Sept. 28, 4 p.m., at the Colegio Monterei de Pila Child Development, Inc. in Pila, Laguna.

Korean Film Fest presents stories of friendship

IN CELEBRATION of the 75th Anniversary of Friendship between Korea and the Philippines, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines presents the 2024 Korean Film Festival titled “Chingu Kita!,” which translates to “You are my friend.” The festival showcases five films exploring the many facets of friendship, screening from Sept. 27 to 29 at SM Mall of Asia, SM City Baguio, SM Seaside City Cebu, and SM City Davao. The films are the action-packed Smugglers, the comedy Love Reset, the childhood short Picnic, the family film Our Season, and a film about two brothers titled Inseparable Bros. A pocket event, “Meet the Chingus!” will give attendees the chance to engage with prominent figures in Korean cinema: Lee Yun Kyung of the Korea Culture & Tourism Institute, and Son Seung-Hyun, CEO of West World which produced the K-dramas Queen of Tears and Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Details about the event and sign-up information can be found at https://bit.ly/KFFMeetTheChingus.

Red Bull Dance Your Style to open nat’l finals

A-LIST CELEBRITIES and top dancers will be coming together on Sept. 28 for a large display of dance diversity and freestyle creativity at Red Bull Dance Your Style 2024. After a series of regional competitions held in Davao, Cebu, and Manila, the grand finale stage is set for dancers from around the country to compete for a spot at the world finals in Mumbai, India, in November. The national finals will take place on Sept. 28 at Kilometer Zero, Rizal Park, Manila, from 4:30 p.m. onwards.

Toy jeep exhibit at Farmers Plaza

ON SEPT. 28, the top 40 toy jeepney makers from the National Capital Region, Bulacan, and Rizal will be showcasing their crafting skills in making toy jeeps. At Level 3, Farmers Plaza Bazaar Extension, Farmers Plaza, Araneta City, Quezon City, their works will be displayed for mallgoers to view. The craftsmen will also be there to show visitors their work. The exhibit will be up for the entire day during mall hours.

Carpenters Reborn at The Theatre at Solaire

FANS of The Carpenters can step back in time with the concert Carpenters Reborn, starring Chloe Foston performing the duo’s hits such as “Close To You,” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Yesterday Once More,” and many more. The show will be at The Theatre at Solaire on Sept. 28. Tickets, priced from P2,800 to P7,800, are available via TicketWorld.

Phum Viphurit’s alter-ego on new single

BANGKOK-BORN singer-songwriter Phum Viphurit is back with a funky, cosmic pop track that marks a transition in sound and character. His new single “The Other Side” was teased with Mr. Viphurit’s alter-ego, Paul Vibhavadi, an anthropomorphic sloth from the cover artwork of his second album. “He’s basically a hybrid of sloth and human who tries his best to fit into city life and the pacing of it. But he’s a sloth, he’s not meant to be in the city,” said the singer-songwriter. The accompanying music video has him turn into the creature. “The Other Side” is now streaming on all digital music platforms.

Ayala Corp. eyes P15 billion from follow-on offering

LISTED conglomerate Ayala Corp. aims to raise P15 billion through a planned follow-on offering (FOO) after generating P2.21 billion from a treasury share sale.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) has approved Ayala Corp.’s application for the re-issuance from treasury of up to 7.5 million Class B preferred shares to cover the planned FOO, the market operator said in a notice on its website on Thursday.

The FOO consists of a base offer of up to five million shares or P10 billion, with an oversubscription option for 2.5 million shares or P5 billion, both priced at P2,000 per share, based on the Ayala Corp.’s prospectus dated Sept. 25.

The offer’s initial dividend rate is at 6.0538% per annum.

The conglomerate expects to have P14.89 billion in net proceeds if the oversubscription is fully exercised, which will be used for the redemption of the P15-billion Class B preferred shares callable on Nov. 29.

The offer period will be from Oct. 1 to Oct. 7, while the issue date and listing on the PSE is Oct. 15.

Ayala Corp. tapped BPI Capital Corp. as the sole issue manager. BPI Capital is also among the joint lead underwriters and bookrunners, alongside BDO Capital & Investment Corp., Chinabank Capital Corp., PNB Capital and Investment Corp., RCBC Capital Corp., and SB Capital Investment Corp.

In a separate disclosure, Ayala Corp. said it generated P2.21 billion from a block sale that comprised of 3.07 million treasury common shares priced at P720 apiece.

“The proceeds from the sale will be used for general corporate purposes,” the conglomerate said.

For the first half, Ayala Corp. saw a 21% increase in net income to P22.3 billion as revenue surged by 10% to P179.94 billion.

The conglomerate’s core net income, which excludes significant one-off items, rose by 18% to P24.3 billion, driven by higher contributions from the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Ayala Land, Inc., Globe Telecom, Inc., and ACEN Corp.

On Thursday, Ayala Corp. shares rose by 1.52% or P10.50 to end at P703 per share. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

1...2,5942,5952,596...14,215Page 2,595 of 14,215
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube