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Hendrick’s ‘twisted’ celebration of cucumbers

WORLD Cucumber Day falls on Friday, June 14 — and a gin brand is having a “twisted” way of celebrating it.

From June 13 to June 15, Hendrick’s Gin will treat bar goers with a spectrum of peculiar activities. The gin brand by William Grant & Sons is famed for its notes of cucumber and roses. To celebrate its cucumber notes, it brings back the Cucumber Currency Exchange: On June 14, over 50 bars across Metro Manila will allow guests to exchange a cucumber for a Hendrick’s & Tonic. This promo runs from 7 to 11 p.m., with redemptions limited to one per person. Tag a friend, bring a cucumber, and enjoy this refreshing encounter.

Ally Martin, Global Brand Ambassador for Hendrick’s Gin told BusinessWorld during a May 30 event, “The idea was to bring to life the quintessential flavor of Britain, which is cucumber sandwiches and rose gardens, and bring that into a bottle of gin.”

Between June 13 and June 15, Hendrick’s Gin will also feature in 11 outlets across the metro with activities including the Hendrick’s Cucumber Spa: a five-minute hand massage with cold towel service, on-the-spot haiku creation, and tarot card readings. Available between 7 and 11 p.m., guests can purchase two Hendrick’s cocktails to receive a token that they can use to redeem these peculiar experiences. The participating outlets are: Lampara, Secreto, Dr. Wine (BGC), Dr. Wine (Poblacion), Apothecary, Guilt PH, Mijo, Papillon, Refuge, Spritz, and The Way Out.

Mr. Martin, meanwhile, suggests having Hendrick’s in a gin and tonic, with a slice of cucumber. “That’s absolutely the perfect way to drink it.”

Some of the participating bars for the Cucumber Currency Exchange are Bhouse, Lampara, Secreto, Dr. Wine (Poblacion), Apothecary, Guilt PH, Mijo Comfort Food and Roof Bar, Papillon, Fauna MNL, OTO, Run Rabbit Run, The Curator, and The Grasshopper Bar (that’s just half of the participating Makati bars). Over in Taguig, there’s St. Louis, Dr. Wine (BGC), Draft Restaurant & Brewery (Uptown), Bolero, Burnt Bean (BGC), and Salt and Ice (BGC). For a complete list of participating bars and outlets, visit https://since1887ph.myshopify.com/pages/refreshing-encounters. — JLG

MPIC expects to finalize Indonesian toll road deal by July

METRO PACIFIC Investments Corp. (MPIC) said it expects to finalize a deal with the Indonesian government for its toll road bid by July.

“Hopefully by July, it will be closed, we will sign the definitive agreement, and then it will be part of the merger (with San Miguel Corp. [SMC]), and then the planned merger will move forward,”  MPIC Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan told reporters on Tuesday.

“The last major piece is the closing of the Trans-Java toll road, this is big. After this closing, our deal with San Miguel will move forward,” he added.

In May, Mr. Pangilinan said the Indonesian assets of its toll road arm Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) will be included in the planned joint venture (JV) with the Ang-led SMC.

The Trans-Java toll road in Indonesia is being bid on by Jasamarga Transjawa Tol, a state-owned enterprise and the largest toll road operator in Indonesia.

Jasamarga manages the 676-kilometer section of the Trans-Java toll, serving between 700,000 and 800,000 vehicles daily.

In 2023, MPTC said that it expected to invest about $600 million to secure its bid for a portion of the Trans-Java toll road. The company, along with Singapore’s GIC, jointly bid for the toll project.

“It is a big, big tollway. So, from the valuation standpoint. It is important for us because it is valuable because the deal with San Miguel is 50-50,” Mr. Pangilinan said.

SMC and MPIC intend to establish a JV company for their tollway units.  The planned JV is said to have a starting EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) of around P50 billion.

MPIC is one of the three key 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 a majority share in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

The Best Restaurant in the US is Langbaan in Oregon

LANGBAANPORTLAND.COM

LANGBAAN, a Thai restaurant in Portland, Oregon, has won the title of the best restaurant in the US at the 2024 James Beard Foundation awards in Chicago on Monday night.

“We started Langbaan 10 years ago just to show that Thai food has much, much more than what America has seen,” said Earl Ninsom, executive chef and owner.

The other big winners included the Id Est group in Boulder, Colorado, which clinched the outstanding restaurateur recognition and focuses on minimizing its environmental impact. Dakar NOLA, a modern Senegalese outfit in New Orleans, is the country’s best new restaurant. Chicago’s Lula Cafe took the prize for outstanding hospitality.

Monday’s awards celebrated a wide range of cuisines and cities, from Filipino restaurant Kuya Lord in Los Angeles to European concept Bas Rouge in Easton, Maryland. For the best pastries, you’ll have to head to Portland, Maine, where ZU won the outstanding bakery award. The best pastry chef or baker was Atsuko Fujimoto of Norimoto Bakery, also based in the coastal city.

“I came to Portland from Tokyo 23 years ago, and I was already 30 years old. I had no kitchen experience,” Ms. Fujimoto said while receiving the award. “I want to thank all the food people in Portland, Maine. Thank you for making me a baker.”

The winners were announced at an event at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.

The latest awards come after years of turmoil. In 2020, they were canceled, and it was later reported that was due at least in part to allegations of bullying and the lack of Black winners on the list. The judging process was subsequently updated to be more diverse and a code of ethics was established. Last year, a finalist for Best Chef in the South, Timothy Hontzas, was disqualified because he allegedly broke that code; a Beard restaurant committee judge resigned over the Foundation’s alleged lack of transparency.

This year’s awards showcased the varied backgrounds of the chefs that lead America’s restaurants. Rene Andrade, whose Sonoran restaurant Bacanora won best restaurant in the Southwest, gave part of his speech in Spanish, as did Ana Liz Pulido, winner of the best restaurant in Texas. Gregory Gourdet, the chef at Haitian concept kann who won the best in the Northwest award, urged attendees to continue building diverse and women-led teams. He also called attention to food insecurity.

“Access to food is a basic human right,” Mr. Gourdet said after receiving the award. “It should never be used as a tool of war against innocent people.”

In an interview, he added that he was referring to the wars in Gaza and Sudan, as well as the hunger crisis in Haiti.

Masako Morishita of Perry’s in Washington, DC was named Emerging Chef.

“Everybody knows sushi. Everybody knows ramen.” Ms. Morishita said after receiving the award. “Nobody knows about Japanese comfort food. But this is the cuisine the Japanese moms have been cooking with love for centuries for their family. That’s what I do.”

The Foundation has been giving out regional and national awards since 1991. The chef and restaurant awards have taken place in Chicago since 2015 and are contracted to stay there until 2027. Last year’s best restaurant was the appealingly named tasting menu spot, Friday Saturday Sunday, in Philadelphia. — Bloomberg

 

Following is a full list of the winners.

Outstanding Restaurateur — Erika Whitaker and Kelly Whitaker, Id Est (The Wolf’s Tailor, BRUTØ, Basta, and others), Boulder, Colorado

Outstanding Chef — Michael Rafidi, Albi, Washington, DC

Outstanding Restaurant — Langbaan, Portland, Oregon

Emerging Chef — Masako Morishita, Perry’s, Washington, DC

Best New Restaurant — Dakar NOLA, New Orleans, Louisiana

Outstanding Bakery — ZU Bakery, Portland, Maine

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker — Atsuko Fujimoto, Norimoto Bakery, Portland, Maine

Outstanding Hospitality — Lula Cafe, Chicago, Illinois

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program — Lula Drake Wine Parlour, Columbia, South Carolina

Outstanding Bar — Jewel of the South, New Orleans, Louisiana

BEST CHEFS

Best Chef: California — Lord Maynard Llera, Kuya Lord, Los Angeles

Best Chef: Great Lakes — Hajime Sato, Sozai, Clawson, Michigan

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic — Harley Peet, Bas Rouge, Easton, Maryland

Best Chef: Midwest — Christina Nguyen, Hai Hai, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Best Chef: Mountain — Matt Vawter, Rootstalk, Breckenridge, Colorado

Best Chef: New York State — Charlie Mitchell, Clover Hill, Brooklyn

Best Chef: Northeast — David Standridge, The Shipwright’s Daughter, Mystic, Connecticut

Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific — Gregory Gourdet, kann, Portland, Oregon

Best Chef: Southeast — Paul Smith, 1010 Bridge, Charleston, West Virginia

Best Chef: South — Valerie Chang, Maty’s, Miami, Florida

Best Chef: Southwest — Rene Andrade, Bacanora, Phoenix, Arizona

Best Chef: Texas — Ana Liz Pulido, Ana Liz Taqueria, Mission, Texas

Pure Energy plans to build AI-powered indoor farms

PURE Energy Holdings Corp., the parent company of listed Repower Energy Development Corp. (REDC), said it plans to venture into artificial intelligence (AI)-powered agricultural technology.

The company will begin with the construction of a pilot model for a climate-controlled indoor farm by the third quarter of 2024, Pure Energy said in a media release on Wednesday.

The company said it will source power from its subsidiaries, NexGen Energy Corp. and REDC, to provide 24/7 power for its planned indoor farms.

Pure Energy said that this will enable the company to run its equipment to produce “designer fruits and vegetables.”

According to the company, indoor farms can grow sustainable food 24/7 due to climate-controlled temperature indoors.

“The agricultural sector in the Philippines is one of the major components of the Philippine economy, but it continues to experience adverse impacts from various factors such as climate change,” Pure Energy President Eric Y. Roxas said.

The company aims to produce designer fruits and vegetables, including strawberries and dou miao, as it believes they have a niche market and strong potential for revenue growth.

“However, we will not pursue lower-margin vegetables such as lettuces or local tomatoes given there are a dime a dozen greenhouse-grown bitter or sour produce of these everywhere,” Mr. Roxas said.

Currently, Pure Energy is operating “normal” farms in Tagaytay and Quezon which produce designer fruits such as sweet red-orange jackfruit, aromatic pandan coconuts, yuzu, amalfi lemons, and macadamia nuts.

“These fruits and nuts are produced in microclimate conditions specific to each plant,” the company said.

Established in 2013, Pure Energy is an investment holding company that engages primarily in renewable energy generation and water system management and distribution.

Its subsidiaries, NexGen and REDC, operate solar, hydropower, and wind power facilities in Bulacan, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Camarines Sur. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Bank assets rise to P25.48 trillion at end-April

The main office of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in Manila. — BW FILE PHOTO

THE PHILIPPINE BANKING sector’s total assets climbed by 12% year on year at end-April, driven by an increase in loans, according to preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Central bank data showed that banks’ combined assets rose to P25.48 trillion as of April from P22.76 trillion in the same period a year ago.

Month on month, however, assets slipped by 0.7% from P25.65 trillion in March.

Banks’ assets are mainly supported by loans, deposits and investments. These include cash and due from banks as well as interbank loans receivable (IBL) and reverse repurchase (RRP), net of allowances for credit losses.

Broken down, the banking system’s total loan portfolio inclusive of IBL and RRP jumped by 11.2% to P13.47 trillion as of April from P12.12 trillion the year prior.

Net investments — or financial assets and equity investments in subsidiaries — rose by 11.7% to P7.38 trillion at end-April from P6.61 trillion in the same period in 2023.

On the other hand, cash and due from banks declined by 7.5% to P2.54 trillion from P2.75 trillion year on year.

Net real and other properties acquired went up by 5.3% to P106.41 billion from P101.09 billion.

Other assets stood at P1.99 trillion, surging by 68% from the P1.18 trillion in the previous year.

Meanwhile, the total liabilities of the banking industry increased by 12.4% to P22.41 trillion as of April from P19.94 trillion a year prior.

Bulk of these were deposit liabilities, which stood at P19 trillion in the period, up by 8.57% year on year from P17.5 trillion.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the growth of the banking sector’s assets reflects the resilience of the banking industry.

“The Philippine banking industry is one of the most profitable and most resilient industries in the country despite challenges in recent years, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, always outperforming gross domestic product (GDP) growth,” he said in a Viber message.

Latest data from the BSP showed that bank lending grew by 9.6% to P11.91 trillion as of end-April from P10.87 trillion a year ago, the fastest increase in 12 months.

Mr. Ricafort added that banks’ asset growth was driven by the double-digit increase in lenders’ earnings.

Separate BSP data showed that the banking industry’s net income rose by 2.95% to P92.107 billion at end-March from P89.47 billion in the same period a year ago.

“The month-on-month decline could be attributed to tax payments by banks and some of their clients or depositors since April is the tax filing and payment season in a typical year, based on consistent patterns seen for many years,” he added.

Taxpayers were required to file their annual income tax returns and first-quarter value-added tax payments in April. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

A smorgasbord of Father’s Day events

THE PENINSULA Ultimate Father's Day Dream Lounge

FOR FATHER’S DAY on June 16, we’ve got a positive smorgasbord of a list of things to do with Dad in the city. These include hotel stays, mall hangouts, and dinners for delivery.

HOTELS AND RESORTS

The Peninsula Manila
The Peninsula Manila presents several ways to honor and celebrate important father figures in life. The hotel has put together special Father’s Day offerings, including brunches, staycations, and a man cave in Salon de Ning’s Pen Ultimate Father’s Day Dream Lounge.

On Father’s Day weekend, many amenities are offered, from the Peninsula Kid’s Afternoon Tea at The Lobby, flexible check-in and check-out with “Peninsula Time,” and buffet breakfast in Escolta with the Family Sleepover Slumbercation offer or the Gallery Club Experience that he can enjoy with benefits like access to The Gallery Club Lounge and a raft of other benefits, including complimentary access to the exclusive five-hours-only, pop-up Pen Ultimate Father’s Day Dream Lounge in Salon de Ning on June 16 from 1 to 6 p.m. where he can relax with complimentary cocktails and pica-pica and win prizes. Room rates start at P16,700 for a Deluxe Room (exclusive of taxes).

Styled to capture the sophisticated feel of a private gentleman’s club, Salon de Ning’s five-hours-only pop-up Pen Ultimate Father’s Day Dream Lounge will offer complimentary male grooming services from Back Alley Barbershop, one-of-a-kind biker rings and jewelry from 13 Lucky Monkeys, men’s grooming from Maverick, eyewear from A.kin and R.E.M, live DJ music from Fatima Sound Practice, menswear from Johnny’s Wear-Alls, skin care from VMV Hypoallergenics, and rare timepieces from Vintage Grail. Innovative cocktails will be served by ARC Botanical Gin. Guests availing of the Father’s Day room packages on June 15 to 16, dining in Escolta for Sunday brunch on Father’s Day, or feasting in Old Manila, Spices, or The Lobby with a minimum spend of P4,400 will enjoy complimentary access to Salon de Ning’s Pen Ultimate Father’s Day Dream Lounge and the chance to win prizes.

At the Escolta Father’s Day Brunch Buffet on June 16, noon to 2:30 p.m., enjoy a selection of dishes made with fresh seasonal ingredients, available at P4,490 per adult, and P2,290 per child (inclusive of taxes). At Spices from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., treat dad to the Tandoori Platter Extravaganza, available at P2,800 (Price is subject to 10% service charge.) At Old Manila and the Lobby, the Salon de Ning promo is available from 11:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m.

For inquiries or information on The Peninsula Manila’s Father’s Day offers, call The Peninsula Manila at 8887-2888, ext. 6630 (Rooms Reservations) or 6694 (Restaurant Reservations) or e-mail diningPMN@peninsula.com for Restaurant Reservations, or visit peninsula.com.

City of Dreams
A celebrity-inspired weekend brunch or dinner awaits dads at the Manila outpost of Nobu at the City of Dreams. At the dedicated Father’s Day brunch on June 16, fathers can enjoy unlimited helpings of Nobu signature items from an all-you-can-eat a la carte menu. The brunch spread also extends to the restaurant’s cabanas, where grilled pork ribs and kushiyaki or skewered and grilled items are prepared on a robata grill, in an al fresco setting.

Nobu Manila’s Father’s Day brunch on June 16 costs P4,388 net per person and includes unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. For celebrations a day earlier, the regular Nobu brunch for P3,499 net per person is an option. Brunch service is from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For dinner celebrations, Nobu Manila offers a seven-course dinner tasting menu (P8,871.43 net per person). The seasonal tasting menu is offered until the end of June. Nobu’s dinner service is from 5 to 10 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Meanwhile, Crystal Dragon offers a Father’s Day a la carte menu for lunch and dinner from June 10 to 16. Fathers dining on June 16 will receive a special treat. Crystal Dragon is open daily from noon to 11 p.m.

The Hyatt Regency Manila’s show-kitchen restaurant, The Café, has buffet spreads for the whole family for the occasion. The buffet, which is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, highlights new stations starting June 10: made-to-order tacos at the Mexican corner, action stations that freshly prepare Caesar salad and roast beef sliders for lunch. Inclusive of free-flowing juices, local draft beer, red and white house wines at lunch (noon to 3 p.m.) and dinner (5:30 to 11 p.m.), the buffet is priced at P1,950 net and P3,150 net, respectively, per person. A breakfast buffet (6:30 to 11 a.m.) is available for P1,400 net per person, which comes with free-flowing coffee and tea.

Spoil dad with a well-deserved staycation at City of Dreams Manila’s Forbes Travel Guide-rated hotels (Nüwa Manila, Nobu Hotel Manila, and Hyatt Regency Manila), which offer special rates for the occasion starting at P9,698 net for either a King Bed or two Twin-Bed room at Hyatt Regency Manila; P10,700 net for a Nobu deluxe room with city view; and P18,200 net for a Nüwa deluxe room. The overnight stay package is for two adults and two children (12 years old and below), which comes with a complimentary breakfast, fully stocked and replenishable free Maxibar, and a bottle of wine as a welcome amenity. The promotion’s booking period is until June 15, with stay period until June 16. City of Dreams Manila is gifting select fathers who are Melco Club members with P3,000 spa and salon vouchers for June 16. Eligible patrons will be notified through SMS to claim their gift, which they can redeem at Nobu Spa, Posh Nails, and Dear Sundays from June 15 to 16. For inquiries, call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.

Conrad Manila
Conrad Manila pays tribute to dads with a special array of culinary offers and experiences.

Bru Coffee Bar’s “A Tribute to Fatherhood” spread features Father’s Day-themed grab-and-go confections. Pastries start at P200 net and whole cakes start at P1,900 net, available until June 16.

The family can enjoy lunch or dinner buffet at Brasserie on 3 which will have a photo booth and live band performances for the occasion. Lunch or dinner buffet for dad is on the house when dining with four full paying guests — this is an exclusive offer running from June 15 to 16. Lunch buffet (11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.) is priced at P2,750 net per person, while the dinner buffet (6 to 10 p.m.) is at P3,888 net per person.

China Blue by Jereme Leung elevates Father’s Day celebration with its Feast Fit for a King offering. Available for lunch and dinner from June 15 to 16, the Lauriat menu can be enjoyed at P4,998 net per person. A minimum of five people is required for every reservation.

At the C Lounge, check out the beer flight, paired with the outlet’s signature croissant bun cheeseburger. This is available from 5 to 9 p.m. from June 10 to 30, for P1,288 ++.

For inquiries, call 8833-9999, e-mail conradmanila@conradhotels.com or visit https://eatdrinkhilton.com/brasserie-on-3-conrad-manila/.

Richmonde Hotel Ortigas
Richmonde Hotel Ortigas celebrates fathers with a month-long value-packed promotion. These include special room rates at P3,999 net (room only) and P4,999 net (with breakfast buffet for two). Welcome amenities include a choice of either an oversized Father’s Day chocolate chip cookie or two bottles of beer with peanuts. He also gets a Richmonde neck pillow, 20% off on food & beverage orders at Richmonde Café, The Exchange, and from Room Service, 20% off on massage services, and use of the Health Club’s gym and heated indoor pool. If staying on June 15 or 16, the family also gets 20% off on the Father’s Day Lunch Buffet at the Richmonde Café. This package is available until June 30.

Meanwhile, the Richmonde Café throws a Flavor Fest for Dad buffet on June 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at P1,595 net per person. Big families get more savings with the 4+1 Deal where for every four persons paying the regular buffet rate, another person gets to eat for free. Children five years old and below also dine for free while those six to 12 years old get 50% off.

Richmonde Hotel Ortigas is located at 21 San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. For inquiries, call 0917-859-7914 or email stay@richmondeortigas.com.

Eastwood Richmonde Hotel
The Eastwood Richmonde Hotel also celebrates fathers with a month-long promotion. Special room rates start at P5,800 net and include an in-room massage service for dad, breakfast buffet for two, welcome drinks for two (a choice of coffee, tea, or iced tea), a 20% discount on food and beverage orders during their stay, and use of the hotel’s gym and pool. With the hotel’s recent renovation, all rooms are now equipped with smart TVs and there are now pet-friendly suites. This promotion is available for stays from June 14 to 17.

At the Eastwood Café+Bar, the Father’s Day Lunch Buffet runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., an eat-all-you-can affair for P1,799 net, inclusive of citrus mango iced tea and coffee or tea. Dads get a glass of red or white wine, a special token, and a chance to eat for free with the 4+1 Deal, where if four persons at the table pay full price, his buffet is on the house. Children six to 12 years old get 50% off while those five and below dine free of charge. The Eastwood Café+Bar is also serving a Father’s Day Set Dinner from 6 to 10 p.m. The three-course meal comes in three sets: the US Rib Eye Set, priced at P1,950 net; the Sea Bass Set at P1,650 net; and the Salmon Wellington Set at P1,650 net. Each set comes with roasted pumpkin garlic cream soup, sansrival cheesecake and red velvet, and choice of citrus mango iced tea, glass of red or white wine, or bottle of Smirnoff Mule, plus a giveaway for dad.

The Eastwood Richmonde Hotel is located at 17 Orchard Road, Eastwood City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City. To reserve or inquire, call 8570-7777 or 0917-521-6867 or email stay@eastwoodrichmonde.com.

Newport World Resorts
This June, Newport World Resorts salutes all dads, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, and father figures. Casa Buenas at the Newport Garden Wing prepares the Rey De La Casa Father’s Day Special which is best shared by the family or up to five persons. It is available for P6,000 net until June 30. For reservations, call 7908-8988 and 0917-878 8312, or e-mail casa.buenas@newportworldresorts.com.

Meanwhile, The Best Steak special menu from the Garden Wing Cafe at Newport Garden Wing is available for a salad and steak experience until June 30 starting at P550 net. To avail of this offer, contact 7908-8889 or customerservice@newportworldresorts.com.

Yamazato, the signature fine dining restaurant of Hotel Okura Manila, is offering a Father’s Day Obento Kaiseki which will be available for lunch and dinner on June 15 and 16 for P3,900++ per person.

The Hilton Manila offers a buffet at Kusina Sea Kitchens on June 15 and 16 which includes free-flow Crazy Carabao beer. The Feast for Fathers buffet at Kusina is priced at P2,800++ per person for lunch and P3,000++ per person for dinner.

Dad’s Big Sunday Lunch at the Marriott Cafe serves a grazing portal complemented by rum-based and flavored wine cocktails for P3,800 net per person on Father’s Day.

Sheraton Manila Hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, S Kitchen, has a variety of meaty dishes for P3,888 net per person on June 16.

Holiday Inn Express Manila – Newport City is offering a Dad’s Day Out package for P4,900 net. An overnight staycation package includes two P500 Cinema cards with free popcorn. It is available until June 29 only.

For more information, visit www.newportworldresorts.com and follow @newportworldresorts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
The hotel’s Cantonese restaurant, Lung Hin, has put together its best dishes for Father’s Day. From June 6 to 16, the entire family can enjoy a 10-course meal. Meanwhile, at Cucina, father’s get a complimentary meal when accompanied by four full-paying adults. The children under seven may dine free of charge.

Café Pronto designed a balanced treat with bittersweet notes of Gianduja Chocolate, paired with a cappuccino crème brulee in one six-inch cake, available from June 6 to 16, for P1,850 net.

Connect Lounge’s burgers are all dad’s at 20% off. Dine from June 6 to 16 as a group of three with him, and enjoy a burger at a discounted price, for a maximum of two burgers per receipt.

Nightly until June 16, Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge offers a Whiskey and Chocolate Truffle pairing to toast Dad. Pairing starts at P490++. For inquiries, call 7720-7777.

MALLS

Robinsons Malls
This Father’s Day, check out PlayLab, the country’s first digital playground, at Robinsons Galleria Ortigas, Robinsons Galleria South, and Robinsons Galleria Cebu. At the cinemas, buy two tickets from Robinsons Movieworldand get one free ticket plus free popcorn and drinks. If your dad loves cars, take him to Robinsons Magnolia from June 10 to 16 for the outdoor camping-themed car exhibit by Black Rhino and Concept One, in collaboration with True Value.

There will be performances at Robinsons Malls’ RMusic Fest, with a lineup including Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar at Robinsons Gapan on June 15, Zack Tabudlo at Robinsons Las Piñas on June 30, and The Juans at Robinsons Tuguegarao on June 22 and Robinsons Gen Tri on June 29.

Other attractions to visit include Winter Magic at Robinsons Galleria and Dinosaur Alive at Robinsons Butuan until July 7.

Robinsons Malls will also have Dad’s Corner and Treats for Dad, spaces and booths where surprises and prizes await. Fathers will also receive a special blessing during Holy Mass on June 15 and 16 at Robinsons Malls chapels.

Select Robinsons Malls also have something planned for food delivery riders. Dad riders will get to enjoy free snacks and refreshments on Father’s Day Weekend in select malls.

SM Malls
Father’s Day at SM gets greener over at ACE Express. One can find a variety of sustainable gifts through SM Green Finds: Firefly Solar Lights, ACE LED Bulbs, Watergate Shower Sets which save water, Ramgo Potting Mix, Asahi DC Fans (which use less power but still provide strong airflow), making them great for those hot and humid days. Visit ACE Express at the SM Store.

Glorietta
Over at Glorietta, from June 15 to 16, customers who present a minimum purchase receipt of P4,000 can claim their Brick & Beef Pack, a steak build kit. On June 16, present a minimum purchase receipt of P1,000 to join a photo frame-building activity. For all new Zing members, head to the concierge booth on June 16 and flash your membership card to claim exclusive rewards. These include customizable caps for dads and kids. Upload a pic with your Dad with Glorietta as the background and tag @iloveglorietta for a chance to be one of 10 lucky winners who will receive prizes from Glorietta’s partner merchants.

RESTAURANTS/BAKERIES

Goldilocks
Make Father’s Day more special with the new Goldilocks Coffee Layered Crunch. The cake has five layers: a base made of a dense chocolate brownie, a whipped cream layer on top of the brownie, a middle layer of classic mocha chiffon, then coffee mousse, and topped off by a layer of sweet and chewy cashew praline crunch. The new cake is available at P699 in stores or via GrabFood, FoodPanda or www.goldilocksdelivery.ph.

Mang Inasal
Enjoy the Feast for Daddy promo at Mang Inasal. For families of two to three, enjoy the Buddy Fiesta Combo at Mang Inasal for ₱499. This deal includes two pieces of Chicken Inasal Paa or Pecho, two sticks of Pork BBQ with Java Rice, two Extra Creamy Halo-Halo or Crema de Leche Halo-Halo 8 oz add-ons, and three small-sized drinks.

For larger families of four to six, the Family Fiesta Combo is perfect at ₱949. It features three pieces of Chicken Inasal Paa or Pecho, six sticks of Pork BBQ with Java Rice, four Extra Creamy Halo-Halo or Crema de Leche Halo-Halo 8 oz add-ons, and six small drinks.

The Feast for Daddy promo is available nationwide for dine-in, takeout, and delivery until June 30. For an even bigger feast, order other Mang Inasal Fiesta Favorites via delivery, including the Buddy Fiesta, Family Fiesta, and Palabok Party Size. Visit www.manginasal.ph for the latest news, and https://manginasaldelivery.com.ph for delivery deals.

Pizza Hut
For a hassle-free celebration on June 16, Pizza Hut is now taking orders for Father’s Day in advance. Place your order anytime until June 15 for pick-up and delivery orders worth P1,100 and up (excluding delivery charge), and Pizza Hut will deliver the order on June 16, not later than 5 p.m. Order ahead of time for Father’s Day and get six pieces of WingStreet Buffalo wings for free with a minimum order of P1,100 (excluding delivery charge). This applies to orders placed until June 15 for delivery on Father’s Day. Pizza Hut’s Father’s Day Advanced Order promo is available exclusively via the Pizza Hut website at www.pizzahut.com.ph, the Pizza Hut Mobile App, available for Android and iOS, and the 8911-1111 hotline.

Pizza Hut has also come out with the Hut Picks for Dad combos, available until June 24. The Hut Meal for Four set is priced at P1,499 and comes with one Large Philly Cheesesteak Pizza, one Large Spaghetti Bolognese, eight pieces of WingStreet Garlic Parmesan wings, and either one Pepsi Pitcher for dine-in orders or one Pepsi 1.5L for delivery. There’s the Hut Meal for 6-8, priced P2,299 which comes with one Large Philly Cheesesteak Pizza, one Large Pepperoni and Mushroom Panalo Pan Pizza, one Large Spaghetti Bolognese, six WingStreet Garlic Parmesan wings and six WingStreet Honey BBQ wings, and either one Pepsi Pitcher for dine-in orders or one Pepsi 1.5L for delivery. Finally, there’s the Triple Hut Treat set. It comes with one Pan Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza, one Mega Crunch Philly Cheesesteak Pizza, and one Stuffed Crust Hawaiian Supreme Pizza, all for P999 for Regular and P1,499 for Large.

Pizza Hut’s Hut Picks for Dad combos are available for dine-in and takeout orders in all Pizza Hut stores nationwide; and for delivery via the 8911-1111 hotline, www.pizzahut.com.ph, and the Pizza Hut mobile app, available for Android and iOS devices.

Dell rolls out new commercial laptops, workstations in PHL

DELL TECHNOLOGIES has launched its latest artificial intelligence (AI)-supported commercial laptops, workstations, and wireless headset in the Philippines, with the products targeted to boost employee productivity amid the rise of hybrid work.

“I think we all know how AI has changed the way we work, the way we even play games, the way our lives are going through day after day. And we think it’s just starting. That’s the reason why we’re very bullish. We’re making huge investments in the AI space,” Dell Technologies Philippines, Inc. (Dell Philippines) Country General Manager Ronnie Latinazo said at a briefing on Tuesday.

“We know that the hybrid workforce is going to just increase more and more. Companies are trying to figure out how they want to manage and set up their workforce. We’re here to help companies prepare for the future of the modern workplace. So, we’re making a big bet on AI,” he added.

Dell Philippines launched the Latitude 7350 Detachable, a laptop which features an 8-megapixel HDR camera. It is now available at a starting price of P165,000.

The new Latitude portfolio also include updates across the 5000, 7000, and 9000 series devices, including the Latitude 7350/7450 Ultralights. The Latitude 7450 is has a starting price of P92,500.

Also launched were the new mobile and fixed Precision workstations.

In particular, the Precision 5490 features the combined AI-engine central processing unit (CPU), integrated Intel Arc graphics graphics processing unit (GPU), and a low-power AI engine neural processing unit (NPU) with Intel AI Boost and Intel vPro options. The laptop has a 16:10 display with up to QHD+, 100% standard RGB (red, green, blue) colorspace, 500 nits brightness, and PremierColor.

Precision 5490 mobile workstations are available starting at P245,000.

The new PCs are equipped with NPUs equipped with an AI acceleration engine that can take on more dedicated AI tasks, taking the load off of the CPU and the GPU.

The NPU offloads capabilities like auto framing, background blur and eye-tracking through the Intel Core Ultra processors, providing up to 38% more battery life.

Users can also create generative AI (GenAI) images over five times faster with Stable Diffusion, a text-to-image model.

Dell is also working with CrowdStrike and Intel to off-load security functions onto the device via the NPU, improving threat detection.

Meanwhile, the PCs also feature improved uptime via the the ProSupport Suite, as Dell’s SupportAssist technology can use telemetry and AI to fix PC issues without human intervention.

“This lets IT activate Dell-authored scripts to autonomously correct blue screen errors, thermal issues, and more across their entire fleet of PCs,” the company said.

Dell Philippines has also made ProSupport Suite for PCs with self-healing capabilities and Digital Employee Experience Services for GenAI available in the Philippines.

The company is also looking to make AI-supported PCs available for the consumer segment, it said.

“Consumer devices are also extremely personal devices. But at the end of the day, they are all productivity devices. And this is a technology that helps you make your device more productive,” Dell Technologies South Asia and Emerging Markets Client Solutions Group Senior Director and General Manager Rakesh Mandal told reporters at the event.

He added that the company is also looking at integrating GenAI into its future products.

Meanwhile, Dell Philippines also launched five new headsets equipped with AI-driven noise canceling technology.

“The Dell Premier Wireless ANC Headset (WL7024) features AI-based noise-canceling microphones that distinguishes human speech signals from background noises from both the user and their audience and adjusts the level of noise cancelation based on the user’s environment,” it said.

The sensor can perform tasks like mute or unmute, and pause or play, as long as either earcup is lifted. The headset also has touch controls. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

MFT Group eyeing to appeal court decision extending freeze order on accounts

THE Maria Francesca Tan (MFT) Group of Companies, Inc. said it plans to pursue an appeal against a court decision that extended the freeze order on its bank, investment, and insurance accounts.

“It’s unfortunate that the CA (Court of Appeals) extended the freeze order without considering at all the arguments put forth by us,” MFT Group said in an e-mailed statement on Tuesday.

“This is certainly not what the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) entails, and we are hopeful that this baseless freeze order will be reversed on appeal,” it added.

The MFT Group said the CA “simply adopted the same ‘shotgun’ approach of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).”

“It basically froze all the accounts under the names of respondents and their family members, regardless of source of funds. Worse, as a result of the unbridled freeze order, the accounts of some of our creditors — whom the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the AMLC are claiming to protect — had also been frozen by the banks just because their accounts received payments from borrowers,” it said. 

On May 30, the CA promulgated a resolution allowing the extension of the freeze order over the MFT Group’s accounts until Nov. 9. The extension was allowed to give the government “the necessary time” to file charges without worrying about the possible dissipation of involved assets.

The freeze order, previously covering a 20-day period, was initially issued on May 13. It covers 138 bank accounts, four securities accounts, and four insurance accounts.

The freeze order was issued after the MFT Group was found to be soliciting investments from the public without the necessary licenses from the SEC.

SEC investigations revealed that the MFT Group promised guaranteed returns ranging from 12% to 18% of the amount invested, which was considered as interest income. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Pru Life UK targets steady customer growth this year

PRU Life Insurance Corporation of UK (Pru Life UK) targets to post double-digit growth in its customer base this year as the company looks to penetrate underserved sectors, its top official said.

“Generally speaking, we have been able to grow our customer base by 20-25% on average every year. So, we should be able to hold that trend,” Pru Life UK President and Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Chakrabarty told BusinessWorld on the sidelines of an event on May 29.

Mr. Chakrabarty said the company had about 1.75 million customers as of end-2023.

“We will be playing a role in underserved segments. We will increase our penetration. We would like to be in the lives of many more customers than we currently serve,” he said.

To boost customer growth, the company is looking to partner with entities that have large customer bases, such as banks, payments companies, and retail companies, among others, he said.

Pru Life UK will also introduce products that take into account evolving operating conditions in the Philippines, Mr. Chakrabarty added, as the market’s current performance has not been “very inspiring.”

“The market hasn’t given the kind of growth that people or the customers expect to see. And hence, we are looking at guaranteed return products,” he said.

Pru Life UK will also continue to focus on the affluent and mass affluent segments, he added.

“It’s a very simple foundation on which we have built our business, and it has served us very well, so there’s no need to make any drastic changes,” Mr. Chakrabarty said.

“The important thing is we don’t build our business strategy based on what may or may not happen to the markets… We are here to serve long term,” he added.

Benchmark interest rate cuts expected to be implemented in the second half of the year could also boost the life insurance market as a “big chunk of the industry sales products happens in variable unit space,” Mr. Chakrabarty said, adding that the industry could see more people buying insurance products.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. earlier said they could cut benchmark borrowing costs once or twice within the second semester.

The BSP has kept its policy rate at a 17-year high of 6.5% since October 2023 following cumulative increases worth 450 basis points to help bring down elevated inflation.

Pru Life UK will likewise be offering takaful insurance once the Insurance Commission (IC) clears its proposed offering as part of its push to tap underserved segments, Mr. Chakrabarty said.

The company is one of two insurers, along with Etiqa Life & General Assurance Philippines, Inc., that already have Shari’ah law-compliant products prepared to offer, IC Commissioner Reynaldo A. Regalado earlier said.

Pru Life UK’s premium income stood at P46.19 billion last year, latest IC data showed. Its net income was at P4.36 billion in the same period.

Meanwhile, the life insurance sector’s combined premium income rose by 12.04% year on year to P87.66 billion in the first quarter, based on IC data. — A.M.C. Sy

Champion hot dog eater excluded from Coney Island contest over veggie franks

FACEBOOK.COM/DEADENDBBQ

JOEY CHESTNUT, defending champion of the annual July Fourth hot dog eating competition on New York City’s Coney Island, is excluded from this year’s event because he is sponsoring an all-veggie frankfurter of another brand, organizers said on Tuesday.

In a statement posted to its X social media account, Major League Eating (MLE), which oversees Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, said it was “devastated” by Mr. Chestnut’s decision to switch commercial fealty to a rival frank.

The statement did not specify the rival brand in question except to say that it “sells plant-based hot dogs.”

The New York Post, which broke the story, reported that Mr. Chestnut, 40, had reached a deal to represent Impossible Foods, which recently introduced beef-substitute hot dogs made from soy protein and other plant-based products.

Calling Mr. Chestnut “an American hero,” the Nathan’s contest organizers said they had already gone to “great lengths” to accommodate him by agreeing to an appearance fee and allowing Mr. Chestnut to compete in another “unbranded” hot dog eating contest on Labor Day.

“However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different hot dog brand over our long-time relationship,” the statement said. “We hope that he returns when he is not representing a rival brand.”

Mr. Chestnut, a construction engineer by trade and native of Indiana, said in his own statement on X that he was “gutted” to learn that he was being “banned” from the Nathan’s Famous contest after 19 years.

“To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathans and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with,” he wrote.

Scarfing down 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes last year, Mr. Chestnut clinched his 16th career triumph in the annual gorge-fest, but fell short of his 76-frank world record, achieved in 2021.

The traditional 10-minute Nathan’s contest, a carnival-like spectacle broadcast on ESPN, began in 1980 when the winning hot dog eaters tied with just nine franks each. Mr. Chestnut, by comparison, can typically gobble nine dogs in less than a minute.

“To my fans, I love you and appreciate you,” he wrote on X on Tuesday. “Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!” — Reuters

​Aboitiz Data Innovation eyes to expand offerings of AI solutions

Artificial Intelligence words are seen in this illustration taken March 31, 2023. — REUTERS/DADO RUVIC/ILLUSTRATION/FILE PHOTO

ABOITIZ Data Innovation (ADI) targets to increase its offerings of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solutions across Asia, its top official said last week.

The Singapore-based startup company has a presence in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, and Azerbaijan, together with its collaboration with the Aboitiz Group in the Philippines.

“Our effective focus and growth are in Asia, establishing the Philippines as our base of operations in creating formulation of how to make it work and bringing that… to markets that we operate in — commercial service, industrial, and the public sector as well,” ADI Chief Executive Officer David R. Hardoon told BusinessWorld at the sidelines of a briefing.

ADI wants to become the “go-to partner” for AI solutions in the Philippines in 10 years, Mr. Hardoon said, and “truly believes” local firms are ready to adopt new technologies.

According to the Work Trend Index 2024 of Microsoft Corp. and LinkedIn Corp., 86% of knowledge workers in the Philippines use generative AI at work, also higher than the 83% regional and 75% global average.

“It’s the willingness. Maybe they’re not sure in terms of what’s the value and the return of investment. Sometimes, it’s a lack of will because it just seems very challenging and they’re not sure how do we begin,” Mr. Hardoon said.

ADI aims to achieve its 10-year goal through identifying companies’ business challenges and using data science and AI solutions, he said.

“The solution is a combination of technology, business know-how, and operational process deployment,” he said.

He cited one of the use cases implemented in its partnership with Republic Cement & Building Materials, Inc., which aims to reduces wastage in cement creation.

ADI Head of Public Sector Carlos Streegan said they also helped develop the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) AI-powered inflation forecasting, which helps policy makers decide whether to give subsidies to certain sectors.

DBM now uses a data management system as well, he added.

Meanwhile, ADI also collaborated with UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. on AI solutions for credit scoring and risk management, Mr. Streegan said. — A.R.A. Inosante

Malaysia is looking to AI to get its mojo back

ISHAN SEEFROMTHESKY-UNSPLASH

FIVE DECADES after electronics gained a toehold in Malaysia and helped drive years of stellar growth, leaders are again putting their faith in chips. Artificial intelligence (AI), and the competition to present itself as the friendliest destination for investment, stands to give the place a much-needed lift. Once seen as a template for developing economies, the country now contends with a slower expansion and fractious politics. The trick will be sorting the AI hype from the substance — and whether Malaysia can avoid some own goals.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently made his pitch. The government promised 25 billion ringgit ($5.3 billion) to support the semiconductor industry. Anwar nodded to a long-standing challenge, which is the need to graduate from a center for assembly and testing to more lucrative areas like design. The premier is also betting that Malaysia, one of the biggest chip exporters to the US but with a history of cordial ties to China, can be a player in an era when supply chains are increasingly sorted along national security lines. “I offer our nation as the most neutral and non-aligned location,” he said.

The mania for most things AI, and a couple of pledges from technology icons, is generating good press. An educated workforce, relatively low costs, and proximity to Singapore has companies singing Malaysia’s praises in the way they did during the glory days of Mahathir Mohamad, the former prime minister who ruled with a strong hand but recognized the need to make life easy for big multinationals. Satya Nadella, chairman of Microsoft Corp., last month vowed $2.2 billion to build digital infrastructure. YTL Power International Bhd became a market darling after it announced a venture with Nvidia Corp. for a $4.3-billion data center in the southern state of Johor.

The enthusiasm for Malaysia led me to recall the history of Penang, an island in the north. On visits there, I was always struck by the reverence for Intel Corp. and early leaders Gordon Moore and Andrew Grove. They came to the place when it had a port, fantastic seafood, and not a whole lot more. Though it did have a state administration eager to promote development. Intel opened its first assembly and testing business outside the US there in 1972, and the place is still a major hub for the company. Chips are now almost everything to Penang, which residents have come to call Silicon Island. Large-scale dredging and land reclamation are underway to add space for more industrial parks. 

So, is AI and a new wave of technology investment going to give Malaysia its mojo back? Gross domestic product rose at an average of about 4% in the past decade, markedly slower than the heady days of 1990s and early 2000s. The federation also offered stability; one party dominated from independence through 2018. That was followed by rickety coalitions and a succession of leaders until Anwar forged a government of national unity in late 2022.  It’s anybody’s guess whether this team can last a full five-year term.

The investment that flocked to Penang became a template for development and urbanization, as factory workers moved from rural villages to urban centers. The trend was repeated throughout emerging markets. To keep the money coming, nations had to invest heavily in education, and infrastructure, and develop regulatory regimes that supported this. Growth was there to be had; societies were radically transformed. Malaysia is today on the cusp of becoming a high-income nation but is crawling across the finish line.   

Another challenge: Southeast Asia’s semiconductor scene is concentrated around assembly, testing, and packaging (ATP). “Although the rise of AI offers vast business opportunities and growth potential for the semiconductor industry, the benefits are not evenly distributed along the chain,” Sunny Liu, an economist at Oxford Economics, wrote in report. “As long as ASEAN countries remain focused on ATP, the benefits they derive will be limited compared to economies engaged in design and fabrication.”

The idea of neutrality, as framed by Anwar, is also a stretch. The clamor for a slice of the AI pie might bind countries more tightly to the US, or at least America’s West Coast. Diplomats may mouth bromides about not wanting to pick sides, but decision-by-decision officials will probably align with one camp more than the other. Straddling Washington and Beijing, something at which Malaysia has excelled, gets harder.

The country is right to woo AI. It can’t let growth slow too far, nor afford to let neighbors steal a march. And let’s have some realism. Mistakes have been made and will again. Malaysia can talk a big game and not always come through.

Bad luck can also play a role. In 1996, Mahathir began to develop plans for the Multimedia Super Corridor, a tech zone that stretched from Kuala Lumpur through the new administrative capital and down to the airport. Then the nation endured a massive electricity failure. The premier was humiliated.

Anwar will be hoping a different historical analogy prevails. In 1975, a few years into Intel’s presence in Penang, fire destroyed a huge part of the facility. Employees were determined to press on and fill orders. They were given T-shirts emblazoned with the words “Intel Still Delivers.” If Malaysia is in the market for a rally cry, it could do worse than emulate that sentiment.

BLOOMBERG OPINION

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