Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 2903

Style (09/04/23)

1st HLA Store in the PHL opens in Robinsons Manila

ROBINSONS Manila has opened the first concept store of HLA, which specializes in men’s fast fashion, in the Philippines. The branch joins the over 6,000 HLA stores spanning the globe. HLA offers high-quality and well-designed men’s apparel and accessories at reasonable prices. HLA’s product suite goes from timeless staples for daily wear to suave corporate ensembles and from sharp formal attire to a wide selection of socks and shoes. The new HLA store can be found at Level 1 Midtown, Robinsons Manila.

Puma collaborates with Ripndip and Lord Nermal

PUMA has linked up with Lord Nermal and his pals at Ripndip in a new collaboration that offers a range of apparel and footwear featuring custom graphics across some of Puma’s core silhouettes. Ripndip is a brand known for its mascot Lord Nermal the cat and its playful and provocative approach to both streetwear and skateboarding. It is one of the hypebeast streetwear labels, with flagship stores in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. This partnership’s apparel offerings are centered around cut-and-sew garments like the matching twill shirt and twill pants, adorned with a playful allover pattern featuring Ripndip tags, Lord Nermal, and flash designs throughout. There are also hoodie and sweatpants, plus three unique graphic T-shirts featuring custom designs created by Puma and Ripndip. Select pieces show Lord Nermal as he pounces into action, evolving into Puma’s cat logo. The footwear side includes two playful versions of the Suede and two additional takes on the Slipstream, all with mischievous depictions of Nermal. The collaboration includes Puma’s own take on a basecamp slipper, the Tuff Plus. Lastly, the collaboration’s accessories are a backpack, cap, and a beanie featuring Nermal peeking over the brim. PUMA x RIPNDIP is now available at the Puma stores at Glorietta 3, Main Wing Shangri-La, Eastwood Mall, and at the newly opened shop at the Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKinley Hill. The collection can also be purchased online at PUMA.com and RIPNDIP.com.

Luminisce unveils Syndeo HydraFacial skin care system

LUMINISCE Holistic Skin Innovations is introducing the Syndeo HydraFacial, an advanced non-invasive facial treatment that cleanses, extracts, and hydrates the skin in one procedure. It uses patented hydradermabrasion and vortex technology alongside unique serums. Customizable according to skin types, Syndeo HydraFacial covers three procedures: it deeply cleanses and exfoliates with a gentle peel to uncover a new layer of skin; it removes impurities from pores with painless gentle suction; and it saturates the skin’s surface with intense moisturizers and nourishing, personalized ingredients. At Luminisce, a trained HydraFacial expert operates the device and ensures a safe, soothing, and effective experience for clients throughout the 30- to 60-minute procedure. The sleek new system also has a digital focus. Through a smart interface, therapists can personalize treatments according to a client’s skin needs and preferences and access protocol guidance on screen. This is all done through touchless gesture control features, ensuring the highest standards of hygiene with less hand-to-surface contact. Syndeo HydraFacial’s cloud-based software allows therapists to keep track of a client’s treatment history and skin concerns. To book a consultation with a Luminisce dermatologist, call 0977-804-4601 or e-mail patientsupport@luminisce.com. For details visit Luminisce’s website at www.luminisce.com.

M&S’s Angel Bra for a girl’s first bra

AN ADOLESCENT’S first bra is a key moment of their life. It should fit just right, have no wire support as her body is still growing, and it must be made from soft, comfortable and breathable fabrics. Marks & Spencer (M&S) now carries Angel bras, meant for girls and teens, in its Glorietta 4, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, and Mall of Asia branches. Angel bras are made from sustainably sourced cotton and super-soft fabrics with smooth seams for maximum comfort. Marks & Spencer stores offer the BraFit service wherein trained staff will assist the youngster in getting the perfect bra by measuring the band and cup size. The service is completely free, not just for teens but for adults as well. The consultation is free. It’s a good idea to be measured every six months or so as the young person’s body shape will keep changing.

Youngji Lee is Coach’s new global ambassador

COACH has announced that artist and rapper Youngji Lee is its new global ambassador — the first ever hailing from Korea. To launch the partnership, Youngji Lee will be featured in Coach’s Fall 2023 campaign. Youngji rose to cultural prominence after becoming the youngest and first female winner of reality TV series High School Rapper, and three years later was the first female rapper in 11 seasons to win hit rap competition Show Me the Money. “Youngji Lee captures Coach’s Courage to Be Real message of embracing all aspects of who you are with confidence so you can inspire others to do the same,” said Coach in a press release. “I’m thrilled to be an ambassador for Coach, a brand that I enjoy wearing and that inspires me,” said Youngji Lee in the same press release. “I can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on together and excited to continue to share my story as part of our collaborations.”

COS’ Autumn Winter collection honors design roots

TO promote COS’ Autumn Winter 2023 collection, it is launching a seasonal campaign that “pays homage to the brand’s design roots, introducing a fresh approach to timeless style, led by an uncompromised dedication to craftsmanship, fine detail, and modern tailoring,” said a company press release. Singer-songwriter and producer Kelela, musician, singer-songwriter, and actor Curtis Harding, and actors Will Poulter and Havana Rose Liu, have been enlisted alongside models América González, Vika Evseeva, Dara Gueye, Taemin Park, and Selena Forrest for the campaign which has been photographed by Daniel Jackson. This season’s collection features strong shoulders, tailored fits, kick flares, and slouched menswear trousers. Further reinventing classic tailoring, methods of deconstruction and reconstruction form unexpected silhouettes; low-waisted trousers with turn-over waistbands meet cropped, raw-edged jackets, while traditionally formal pinstripes drape asymmetrically, creating modern proportions. Nature inspires the season’s palette; soothing neutrals in natural oatmeal complement tones of camel and brown alongside bespoke floral designs. Exploring contrasts, smooth finishes meet textured shearling, while intricate embroidery and quilting techniques enhance unique leather accessories.

Avon promises better skin in 7 days

AVON is introducing its new Anew Renewal Power Eye Cream, which is a “breakthrough product” that “instantly blurs and brightens the total eye area while lines and wrinkles are smoothened and reduced over time,” the company said in a press release. It explains that the new Anew Renewal Power Eye Cream “harnesses light diffusion technology which instantly blurs and brightens the whole eye area. This also helps reduce puffiness and helps the skin around the eyes look fresh and well-rested.” It says that continued use of the eye cream, whose main ingredient is Protinol, “stimulates the production of better-quality collagen to restore years of collagen loss in just seven days,” according to a couple of in-clinic trials. The Anew Renewal Power Eye Cream is meant to be paired with the Anew Renewal Power Serum, which also contains Protinol, along with Niacinamide which helps renew skin at the surface. The eye cream is available for P699 while the serum costs P1,099. Both are available through Avon Representatives or online at www.avonshop.ph, Lazada, and Shopee.

Tommy Hilfiger’s new campaign focuses on family, friends

TOMMY Hilfiger, which is owned by PVH Corp., brings the brand back to its roots for Fall 2023 with a marketing campaign reinterpreting its inclusive perspective on family; red, white and blue DNA; and optimistic take on modern Americana. The multi-generational cast features the families and friends of Quincy Jones, SZA, Paloma Elsesser, Amber Valletta, and Devon and Steve Aoki who wear the new Tommy Hilfiger Fall 2023 collection — characterized by timeless prep styles and Classic American Cool. “This campaign is an all-out celebration of our brand values of belonging and inclusivity with a focus on family,” says Tommy Hilfiger. “We’ve brought together a cast of uniquely talented friends and family whose deep bonds and unwavering support of one another reminds me of the powerful relationships I have with my loved ones.” Outerwear is at the heart of the collection with the New York puffer offering a modern perspective to the original puffers of the 1990s. Taking a contemporary look at heritage styles and archival silhouettes, established brand signatures are given a playful remix across the collection, including the original Tommy Tartan, red, white and blue, global stripe, and TH Monogram. The Fall 2023 collection will be available on tommy.com, in Tommy Hilfiger stores worldwide, and through select wholesale partners throughout the season.

Green living starts here: A look at practical steps to sustainability at home

Running a household is a fulfilling yet challenging task for many, especially when making bold decisions to embrace a more sustainable way of life. Homemakers now understand the significance of living sustainably, not only for the environment but also for the health and well-being of their families.

Living green involves making choices that promote the long-term health and well-being of the planet while also ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy the same quality of life. This includes using eco-friendly products that are less harmful to the environment and in the process, reducing carbon footprints by consuming less energy, water, and other natural resources.

Fortunately, SM Store has made it easier for homemakers to make eco-friendly choices with its SM Green Finds program. The program offers a wide range of sustainable products that are both eco-friendly and convenient for consumers.

As part of SM Green Finds, ACE Express offers a wide array of biodegradable cleaning solutions and products for environmentally conscious homemakers. One of the standout products that carry the Green Finds badge are these organic cleaners formulated with eco-friendly surfactants which make them safe for families and the environment.

“A sustainable household uses less energy, conserves earth’s resources and uses products that are less harmful to the environment.  Ace Express is committed to making sustainable products more available in as many categories as possible,” said Bernard Ong, SVP and ACE Hardware Business Head.

For those who love gardening, ACE Express has Ramgo, Vertigo, and Konice, which are natural-growing media that use by-products found in local farms and mountainsides of the Philippines. These eco-friendly alternatives to conventional growing media are perfect for those who want to start planting sustainably.

Also from ACE Express, are biodegradable alternatives for planting such as pots made from wood powder and rice or corn husks with resin which are sustainable options for eco-conscious plantitos and plantitas.

Under SM Home, consumers can choose from a wide variety of linens, such as bedsheets and towels made of Bamboo – a raw material that is eco-friendly and sustainably sourced. In SM Store- shoppers will have access to handcrafted home accents by artisans and social enterprises made from locally sourced materials like rattan, bamboo and abaca. “SM Home collaborates with our suppliers to offer first to market sustainable products. We always aim not only to make our customers feel good about the choices they make but also make their home green,” said Janice Yang, SM Home Business Head. One shining example is Bright Ideas – a social enterprise that manufactures home scents and candles which are available at SM Home.

Shifting to a green lifestyle is not just about buying eco-friendly products, it’s about making sustainable choices that benefit the planet and future generations. By choosing sustainable products, parents can teach their kids the importance of being eco-conscious and the many ways they can live a greener lifestyle.

By using these products, Filipino families can make small changes that will allow them to shift to a greener lifestyle and promote sustainability at home. “The SM Store serves as the marketplace to showcase their products and offerings as well as an avenue for these MSMEs to hone their entrepreneurial skills and grow their businesses, and a catalyst that inspires more businesses to embrace sustainability, one step at a time” said Dhinno Tiu, EVP SM Store.

SM Green Finds makes green living easy for its customers by promoting products that are eco-friendly, made from natural and local ingredients and supports local communities. To find out more about our sustainability programs, search for The SM Green Movement.

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by enabling them to publish their stories directly on the BusinessWorld website. 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.

Angel’s Pizza plans more branches after new openings

LOCAL pizza brand Angel’s Pizza is eyeing to open more branches across the country after nine new branch openings across Luzon and the Visayas in recent months to expand its footprint, according to its parent firm. 

In a statement, listed food and beverage company Figaro Coffee Group, Inc. said it opened Angel’s Pizza branches in Trece Martires, Cavite; Nueva Ecija; Tuguegarao; Rosario, Cavite; Lucena; Laoag; Baguio Palace Hotel; La Union; and Dumaguete in July and August.

“For the rest of the year, we will definitely be opening more branches in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao provinces,” Figaro Coffee Group Brand and Partnership Director Ace Azarraga said.

Angel’s Pizza currently has around 100 outlets across the country.

According to Mr. Azarraga, the Figaro Coffee Group is aggressive in launching more Angel’s Pizza branches nationwide due to its surging popularity.

“Throughout the last year, we have seen a rise in the popularity of Angel’s Pizza, with many people choosing it as their pasalubong and merienda, as well as sharing their Angel’s Pizza moments on social media,” Mr. Azarraga said.   

Mr. Azarraga added that the pizza brand is widely accepted by consumers, even in far-flung provinces.

“Every time we open a new branch, we always feel the immense love of the local community for Angel’s Pizza. We receive so many remarks from our customers about their anticipation for our store openings in their cities and towns,” Mr. Azarraga said, adding that this inspires the firm “to reach even more Filipinos.”

Established in 2009, Angel’s Pizza is part of the Figaro Coffee Group which is composed of various restaurants and food brands such as Figaro Coffee, Tien Ma’s, The Figaro Group Online, and Cafe Portofino.

Shares of Figaro Coffee were last traded on Sept. 1, when it closed at 61 centavos apiece. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Above and beyond

PHOTO FROM HONDA CARS PHILIPPINES, INC.

An out-of-town excursion proves that the updated Honda Brio and City are more than just urban runabouts

By Dylan Afuang

TO BE HONEST, if you were given the opportunity to hustle around a race track like the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC), the Honda Brio and City probably won’t be the first cars you’d take — owing to these subcompact cars’ efficient engines and overtly more utilitarian inclinations.

However, a road test staged by Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) showed that the Brio and City are just as economical and exciting in the urban setting as they are on highways and even the track — thanks to the updates that complement their existing qualities.

For the Brio’s revamp, the most notable changes are found on its exterior. Features include an RS front grille in piano black, LED headlights for the RS, updated fog lights and a fog light garnish for the RS, and all-LED daytime running lights for the RS and V.

Inside, all models have a seven-inch capacitive touchscreen audio display as standard equipment, with the Brio RS Black Top, RS, and V models now receiving Android smartphone mirroring. Now standard across all Brio versions are rear parking sensors, too.

For the City’s part, aside from sharper styling here and there, the inclusion of Honda Sensing in all of its variations headlines the update. This is Honda’s suite of cutting-edge safety and convenience features for drivers, designed to help the company achieve its stated objective of “realizing zero traffic collision fatalities by 2050.”

In addition to other standard safety features, Honda Sensing includes the following capabilities: Lead Car Departure Notification System, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation System with Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Auto-High Beam (AHB).

Now, back to the road test proper.

The Brio’s 1.2-liter, four-cylinder i-VTEC engine (outputting 90ps and 119Nm) shines on the highway. Compared to its contemporaries whose mills use one less cylinder, the Brio’s larger four-pot helps it reach triple-digit speed with slightly more ease and less revs. It’s still no powerhouse, but the Brio can maintain a brisk-enough pace — even with three occupants and heavy bags on board.

Speaking of the interior, the Brio offers an adequate amount of passenger and cargo room. Meanwhile, some outside noise still competes with the audio output, but the added orange accents on the seats and dashboard, and the good sightlines more than compensate.

All of these and the Brio’s handling all came together at BRC. Tackling its sweeping bends and a tight gymkhana course set up right there, the hatchback exhibited light yet responsive steering, controlled body lean, and good brakes. And if you coax the CVT to upshift ASAP, the car can return kpl (kilometers per liter) figures between the high teens and low 20s.

Similar impressions can be said for the City. In this sedan, a bigger 1.5-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC unit (121ps and 145Nm) is present, and this pays dividends in performance and fuel economy. Packing a larger mill over its sibling, the City gets up to speed quicker and maintains its speed easier. When driven smoothly even with a bit of pace, the returning figures will hardly go below 20kpl.

Lest we forget though, safety is the real deal of the City. The sedan’s Honda Sensing will keep the car within a safe distance from other vehicles and, in certain scenarios, grab the brakes when collision is imminent. Not only that; the City’s traction control systems can also keep the car in check during high-speed swerving maneuvers or when braking on slippery surfaces.

Elsewhere around the car, we may bemoan the exterior size increase of what’s otherwise a subcompact vehicle, but we can’t deny the allure of cabin and trunk space brought about by that growth spurt. On the highways and backroads back to the city the, well, City catered to the luggage and passengers with plenty of room to stretch complemented by a stable ride quality.

Didn’t we mention that the Brio and City can ably venture out of town on occasion?

Agriculture damage from ‘Goring’ hits P898.4 million

EARTH.NULLSCHOOL.NET/PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

AGRICULTURAL damage caused by Typhoon Goring (international name: Saola) has been estimated at P898.4 million, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said over the weekend.

In a bulletin, the DA said 24,457 farmers reported damage to their crops, with lost volume at 39,011 metric tons (MT) of crops across 34,979 hectares of farmland.

The weekend bulletin contained updated reports from the Cagayan Valley and the Western Visayas, raising the tally from P504.4 million as of Sept. 1.

Damage to the rice crop was valued at P751.5 million, volume losses were 29,337 MT across 29,255 hectares. Rice losses accounted for 83.6% of the damage caused by the typhoon.

Corn damage was estimated at P139.2 million from volume losses of 9,466 MT spanning 5,693 hectares.

High-value crop losses were estimated at P5.5 million on volume of 207 MT; livestock and poultry P2.3 million, including 916 animals and birds.

The DA said that P100 million worth of rice, corn, and assorted vegetable seed was ready to be disbursed to farmers, in addition to medicine for livestock and poultry.

Meanwhile, the department said that it will also provide up to P25,000 in zero-interest loans payable over three years in affected areas. — Adrian H. Halili

AboitizPower unit says collaborations to help reach net zero target

THE renewable arm of Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower) said achieving the full net zero target would require more collaborations across the sector and other industries.

“To answer [if] net zero is possible, [it is] easy to say yes. [The] question really is when or how fast and I think it’s important we understand all the moving parts of that equation,” James Arnold D. Villaroman, president and chief executive officer of Aboitiz Renewables, Inc., said during an energy forum last week.

“There’s a lot of collaboration needed. There’s a lot of cooperation and problem solving together to solve the immediate issues on infrastructure… so that we make a progressive step forward — sooner, faster, better, ultimately cheaper,” he said.

Net zero refers to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases to as close to zero as possible while offsetting any remaining greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Mr. Villaroman reiterated the company’s goal of hitting a 50:50 balance between its renewable and thermal portfolios by 2030 in support of the global movement for clean energy.

The company has set an aggressive target to increase power generation capacity to 9.2 gigawatts (GW) from 4.6 GW previously.

“Our goal in Aboitiz Renewables is to drive this growth during this period, eyeing to invest around P190 billion to grow our clean energy assets,” he said.

The company has pipeline renewable energy (RE) projects with a combined capacity of about 1,000 megawatts (MW) using wind, solar, and geothermal resources.

The projects include the 94-MW Cayanga and 159-MW Laoag solar power projects in the north, and the 17-MW geothermal binary plant in Albay, which are targeted to be energized by the first quarter of 2024.

Mr. Villaroman said government and cross-sector collaborations might accelerate the country’s RE transition.

“For example, policies that provide tax incentives or streamline approval processes can accelerate the development of renewable projects,” he said.

He also said that National Grid Corp. of the Philippines could partner with power companies to boost grid infrastructure for renewable energy.

“Basically, the grid operation could expand transmission lines and build more substations near renewable facilities,” he said, also citing energy storage solutions such as batteries.

AboitizPower, through its subsidiary Therma Marine, Inc., started the commercial operations of its 49-MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in Maco, Davao de Oro in November last year.

A BESS is a type of energy storage that uses a set of batteries to store electrical energy when there is a supply in the grid and release it when needed.

The government targets to increase the share of RE — currently accounting for about 22% of the country’s total energy mix — to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

‘Barbie Botox’ goes viral but doctors inject caution

ACTRESS Margot Robbie in a scene from the 2023 blockbuster, Barbie.

THE VIRAL trend of “Barbie Botox” that has women as young as in their 20s rush for toxin-based procedures to mimic the looks of the movie’s lead actress Margot Robbie may lead to resistance among them and hinder medical use in future, doctors cautioned.

The procedure, also known as “Trap Tox,” has been widely used by doctors to inject a class of drugs known as botulinum toxins, such as Botox, into the trapezius muscles of the upper back to treat migraines and shoulder pain.

But since the Barbie movie was released in July, there has been an uptick in demand for use as a cosmetic procedure. The hashtag BarbieBotox had 11.2 million views on TikTok.

The procedure “supposedly slims the neck and somehow that got attributed to the actress that’s playing Barbie,” Revance Therapeutics President Dustin Sjuts told Reuters in an interview.

“They’re not treating wrinkles or lax skin. They want less girth to their neck, a slimmer, more contoured neck,” said Scot Glasberg, president-elect of the Plastic Surgery Foundation, who practices in New York.

The approval of such injections for cosmetic purposes is limited to procedures involving the face, making the use of the injection in the trapezius “off-label.”

The US Food and Drug Administration places the responsibility of “off-label” use on health professionals to judge such procedures as “medically appropriate.”

Meanwhile, Revance and Evolus, Inc., which make similar toxins under the Daxxify and Jeuveau brands, respectively, told Reuters that though “Barbie Botox” has picked up in recent months, they do not see the trend significantly boosting sales.

Botox maker AbbVie, Inc. declined to comment.

Historically, people above 40 years would opt for toxin-based injections — a market estimated to be worth over $3 billion in annual sales in the US.

However, the doctors said they were concerned about a rise in use among younger women — and six doctors warned that procedures by underqualified staff at some medispas raised the risk of complications.

RESISTANCE RISK
The jump in use among younger women with typically stronger immune systems also raises the risk that the products could become less effective for them over time, said Shilpi Kheterpal, a dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic.

“If they’re doing high amounts of Botox very frequently… they may lose its effect over time, not just with Botox, but with the other products in the market too, because they all have some similar molecule,” Ms. Kheterpal said.

Doctors also stressed the risk from administration by people who may not be properly qualified, especially at medispas where there is little oversight.

“There are no regulations on the type of doctor that can run a medispa,” said Melissa Levoska, assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.

“So, a family medicine physician or OB-GYN (obstetrician-gynecologist) physician can technically open up a medispa, and now increasingly there are also physician assistants and nurse practitioners who are doing injections.”

The toxins are generally safe, but a potential risk, if not injected properly, could be the impact on neighboring muscles which might weaken them for months.

“The science isn’t quite there yet, in order to support the clinical profile of it,” said Evolus CEO David Moatazedi.

“However, we do know neurotoxins have been used at doses significantly higher for therapeutic purposes than the level of being used for aesthetic purposes and we know the products are safe.” — Reuters

LGUs: Dealing with the education crisis

PHILIPPIINE STAR/ VICTOR MARTIN

“The local government units (LGUs) are the saving grace of the on-going fight against COVID-19.” This is according to Dr. Kristoffer Berse, an Associate Professor at the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance, after hearing the best practices of the three LGUs during the webinar, “Local governments in the frontline; local practices and challenges in the fight against COVID-19.”

Indeed, the local governments were at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19. They implemented activities such as mandating the closure of schools and businesses, imposing lockdowns, providing diagnostic SARS-CoV-2 testing, providing quarantine services, contact tracing, improving surging care, conducting vaccination campaigns, and most importantly, providing ayuda (financial and/or material assistance) to the most vulnerable of their citizens.

As with the response to the challenge of COVID-19, so now the local government units are again at the forefront in dealing with our current education crisis.

The basis for our assertion is our personal and professional involvement with two local government officials who are successfully dealing with the educational crisis: Mayor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares III, M.D. of Antipolo City and Mayor Victor Ma. Regis “Vico” Sotto of Pasig City.

At about this time last year, Mayor Jun Ynares noted that the public schools in Antipolo City were overcrowded as evidence by the large class sizes and the two shifts being implemented. At the same time, enrollment in private schools had gone down, so much so that several private schools had closed. The mayor concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic had so adversely affected the income of so many parents that they were forced to transfer their children from the private schools to the public schools.

Mr. Ynares then directed Rowena Zapanta, City Planning and Development Coordinator, to undertake a study on this. After consulting with Dr. Milwida M. Guevara, President of the Synergeia Foundation, Ms. Zapanta invited the Cristina Research Foundation, a public policy advisory group which recently issued a study on school vouchers (full disclosure: this writer is the chairman of Cristina Research Foundation) to discuss possible solutions to this problem.

On the basis of our discussions, Mr. Ynares, on Oct. 24, 2022, issued an invitation to Dr. Christopher Diaz, Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Superintendent of Antipolo City, Dr. Reynaldo Faustino, President of the City of Antipolo Private School Administrators Association, Inc. and us to meet him on Nov. 16, 2022.

In that meeting, the mayor was able to confirm that the public schools were crowded (two shifts) and that the private schools were empty. He was also informed that there are plenty of school vouchers unused as the amount did not fully cover the tuition fees.

Right there and then, Mr. Ynares decided that those students who transferred from the private schools to the public school will be offered full scholarships to return to the private schools. The full scholarship would be funded roughly by one third from the school vouchers, one third in scholarship grants from the City of Antipolo, and one third in scholarship grants from the private school.

At about the same time last year, now Pamantasan ng Pasig President, Dr. Glicerio Maningas, informed Mayor Vico Sotto, in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Regents of the Pamantasan ng Pasig, that for School Year 2022-23, 2,330 applicants qualified for acceptance, but the school could only accommodate 1,288 of them. (Full disclosure: this writer is a Regent of the Pamantasan ng Pasig). Dr. Maningas noted that since all school expenses are free at the Pamantasan, those who are not accepted will most likely not be able to go to the private schools as they do not have the financial means to pay the school fees.

Faced with a similar situation, the DepEd would have binged on putting up new school buildings that would take five years to complete, cost twice as much as the private school buildings, and take in students whose learning levels would be far lower than those from the private schools.

Mayor Sotto took a different approach. He announced that Vice-Mayor Robert “Dodot” Jaworski, Jr. had raised the alternative of granting school vouchers (scholarships) to those qualified applicants who could not be accommodated to study at the private schools in Pasig City. These private schools have more than ample capacity to absorb these students. This approach, which can be implemented for the next school year, involves no capital expenditures, provides better choices and learning outcomes for the students, and assists the financially distressed private schools, is far superior to the current approach of the DepEd.

Last May, Pamantasan ng Pasig President Maningas reported to the Board of Regent that for Academic Year 2023-2024, 5,123 applicants qualified for admission but only 1,300 applicants could be admitted so 3,283 must be turned away.

Mayor Sotto then announced that Vice-Mayor Jaworski has already reached an agreement with two Pasig private schools, Arellano University–Pasig and Pasig Catholic College, to absorb these applicants and that the budget for the school vouchers (scholarships) will be submitted for approval by the Pasig City Council.

By this action, Mayor Sotto is achieving one of the goals of the City of Pasig, namely that any qualified resident of Pasig can have access to a college education no matter his financial condition.

The outstanding performance of our local government units in tackling the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the education crisis has vindicated the vision of the late Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr. who is known as the Founder of the Local Government Code of 1991.

Under this decentralization law, government functions on the national level were devolved to the local government units. In 1992, the National Government started devolving the government hospitals to the local government units.

At present, there are 1,800 hospitals in the Philippines, of which 721 are public hospitals and the Department of Health operates only 70 of them. In contrast, the Department of Education operates all public elementary and secondary education institutions including alternative learning systems. Of the 43,765 elementary schools and 10,590 high schools in the Philippines, DepEd runs all the 37,496 public elementary schools and the 8,228 public high schools.

We would argue that 32 years after the passing of the Local Government Code, the National Government should finally devolve the public elementary and high schools to the local government units.

 

Dr. Victor S. Limlingan is a retired professor of AIM and a fellow of the Foundation for Economic Freedom. He is presently chairman of Cristina Research Foundation, a public policy adviser and Regina Capital Development Corp., a member of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

A publication’s development through innovation

BWorldX is BusinessWorld’s subscription-based e-commerce website that houses all the media company’s various products, from the regular print and e-paper issues to access to events.

By Chelsey Keith P. Ignacio, Special Features and Content Senior Writer

INNOVATING is a critical venture for businesses to take to develop along with the transforming market driven by the fast-paced emergence of digital developments. For BusinessWorld, innovating involves leveraging the digital space to give the business community more convenient access to economic and industry happenings from an award-winning source of credible business intelligence.

Growing from a newspaper publisher to a multimedia brand, BusinessWorld continues to advance with the development of its digital innovations, which include the BWorldX, BusinessWorld In-Depth, and the soon-to-launch Top 1000 Premium to further the reach of its content to a wider audience, especially those in the online space.

“As the media landscape continues to evolve and most companies embark on digital transformation journeys, BusinessWorld also needs to adapt to be able to remain relevant and sustainable. While we value print as our core business, we believe that we also need to create a new community of readers in the digital space through these new digital platforms like BWorldX and Top 1000 Premium,” BusinessWorld Sales and Marketing Director Jay R. Sarmiento said.

“With just a click of a button, more and more people can now have access to our multiplatform content offering, [and this] will provide a chance for brands and organizations to tap into our highly discerning audience,” she added.

Having an array of avenues to convey news, stories, and other information about different sectors and the economy, BusinessWorld innovated to come up with a one-stop shop for its entire multimedia products, from print to digital content as well as access to conferences.

Last year, the company ventured into the e-commerce space with the launch of its subscription-based digital platform BWorldX.

“The multimedia company has been able to expand its offerings because it fully understands that BusinessWorld’s audience needs a constant stream of timely, truthful, and substantial information that will further grow and nurture their learning. And they need to get these easily wherever they choose to,” BusinessWorld Executive Vice-President Lucien C. Dy Tioco said on the launch of BWorldX during the BusinessWorld Economic Forum last May.

Being collated on the BWorldX are the multimedia brand’s products including the print and e-paper versions of BusinessWorld; print and digital copies of the Top 1000 Corporations in the Philippines; the BusinessWorld In-Depth digital magazine; BusinessWorld Insights webinars; live access and videos from BusinessWorld One-on-One interviews and BusinessWorld Economic Forum; episodes of the BusinessWorld B-Side podcast; and access to BusinessWorld’s Viber community through The Lounge.

“As we bring all these together, and add much more, into a single accessible space, BWorldX is more than your typical subscription-based website. We intend it to be the place you turn to whenever you need the business intelligence that BusinessWorld excellently provides,” Mr. Dy Tioco said.

Whether one wants full access to BusinessWorld’s multimedia content or a mere selection of products, BWorldX offers three plan options to subscribe to: Standard, Professional, and Premium.

Subscribers of the Premium plan get to have access to all of BusinessWorld’s content product offerings, while Professional subscribers can also consume these products except for having live access and recordings from the Economic Forum and video of One-on-One interviews. Standard subscriptions provide BusinessWorld in physical and digital copies as well as a printed copy of the Top 1000. Watching live the One-on-One interviews and Insights online fora, as well as accessing BusinessWorld B-Side and The Lounge, are available for free.

BusinessWorld hopes for BWorldX to have more content and initiatives soon by working together with consulting and research firms as well as brands and companies.

Just like BWorldX, BusinessWorld is also developing another digital platform that is focused on the country’s top 1,000 corporations.

BusinessWorld publishes the Top 1000 Corporations in the Philippines every year to present the best-performing corporations in the Philippines based on the latest financial information. With the upcoming Top 1000 Premium, subscribers will have an interactive and immersive digital platform comprising the Top 1000 data and information about the country’s leading corporations.

Apart from the information on the Top 1000 as well as print and online versions of stories from the publication, BusinessWorld created another digital space for special reports and more features. In 2020, the multimedia company launched this on-demand digital magazine, BusinessWorld In-Depth.

So far, BusinessWorld has released 28 issues of In-Depth, among which are Quarterly Banking Reports prepared by BusinessWorld’s Research Department. The magazine also released a special edition in November 2020, which featured the Top 200 Consolidated Corporations in the Philippines. In 2021, two In-Depth issues have gathered insights from the two BusinessWorld Virtual Economic Forum held that year, which dealt with the digital economy and a recovery roadmap for the Philippines.

In-Depth has also provided an avenue for BusinessWorld’s online readers to further delve into issues and developments in certain sectors. The digital magazine has covered stories on startups and MSMEs; the e-commerce industry; sustainability; and Web 3.0, among others.

For the current year, In-Depth is rolling out a series of issues that would revolve around emerging cities in the country, kicking off with an issue centered on Cebu that was published back in late July.

And aside from being a way to tell more stories, In-Depth now also becomes a platform that puts the spotlight on other organizations, particularly to utilize the publication to highlight their milestones or anniversaries. This year, BusinessWorld has released two In-Depth issues for the Bankers Institute of the Philippines, Inc. (BAIPHIL) on their 32nd National Convention and the recent induction of its new officers.

With the creation of the In-Depth digital magazine and the launch of digital platforms BWorldX, BusinessWorld has shown how the publication innovates to keep pace with the accelerated rise of digital transformation.

“Reaching greater business heights has always been made possible by the strength of BusinessWorld’s digital platforms, aside from print being its backbone,” said Adonis M. Toreno, former marketing and product development supervisor of BusinessWorld, who has been hands-on in the initial months of BWorldX.

Such insights, trends, and information accessible on BusinessWorld’s digital platforms, for Mr. Toreno, are “essential in empowering the brand’s readers and, in general, the business community to develop and prosper.”

BusinessWorld will continue to develop these innovative platforms moving forward.

“Looking to the future of BusinessWorld, we recognize that long-term survival is likely to involve stronger and deeper connection with online audiences, which is why we need to continue developing these digital platforms,” Ms. Sarmiento said. “At the same time, we are keen on preserving the power of BusinessWorld print as it continues to provide high-quality and credible business journalism.”

Shell Advance ‘Ride ng Buhay Mo’ celebrates riders’ journeys

THE SHELL ADVANCE brand of motorcycle lubricants has launched the “Ride ng Buhay Mo” campaign which looks at the “transformative power of long rides, the challenges faced by everyday city riders, and the pursuit of thrilling adventures.” The program is designed to show how “Shell Advance has played a pivotal role in these riders’ journeys, helping them conquer challenges and pursue their love for the open road.” The company hopes to inspire other people to share their stories as well.

Nica Vasquez, known for her long-ride adventures, shares how these have transformed her perspective on life. To ensure her bike’s peak performance, Nica relies on Shell Advance Long Ride, while seeking valuable guidance from experienced riders. Shell Advance Long Ride is said to provide 17% more stability for longer oil life and reduced oil consumption with an extended 6,000-kilometer (km) drain interval. Breaking gender stereotypes, Nica finds inspiration in fearless lady riders who embrace long rides and foster unity in the diverse riding community.

Despite the heavy traffic in the metro, “Red Sweet Potato,” an intrepid everyday city rider, turns to motorcycles as the ultimate solution for beating the gridlock. He delights in discovering hidden gems and unique spots within the city, with Intramuros being a personal favorite.

He emphasizes the importance of proper motorcycle maintenance for an enjoyable and long-lasting ride and chooses Shell Advance AX7 for its affordability and proven performance in his 15 years of riding experience. For him, choosing quality engine oil brands is crucial as neglecting maintenance can shorten a motorcycle’s lifespan. Shell Advance AX7 is said to make rides smoother and faster, offering 36% better engine protection, keeping bike engines 33% cleaner and more powerful, and boosts fuel efficiency with an extra three kilometers per liter of fuel.

Red Sweet Potato advises riders to prioritize safety, invest in quality safety gear, and keep their loved ones in mind when on the road.

From extreme riding conditions to thrilling encounters with fellow riders, Reed’s vlogging journey has allowed him to capture every heart-pounding moment, from his humble small motorcycle to his dream big bike, the Kawasaki Z1000. With a background in extreme sports and athletics, the motorcycle became an extension of his personality, perfectly aligned with his thirst for adrenaline.

He participated in the Boss Ironman Challenge 2023, a grueling 1,200-km ride in 24 hours. He said Shell Advance Ultra helped him experience ultimate engine performance, giving maximum power up to 20,000-km mileage, 1.5 times quicker engine start, and three times better heat protection which enabled him to complete the endurance challenge with ease. Reed encourages riders to push their limits, constantly striving for new heights while advocating safety at the forefront.

Shell Advance encourages riders to share their Shell Advance difference firsthand, using the hashtag #ShellAdvanceRideNgBuhayMo, for a chance to win giveaways and prizes from Shell Advance. Visit www.shell.com.ph/motorists/oils-lubricants/advance-for-motorcycles for more information.

Palay farmgate price rises 9.4% in June

THE average farmgate price of palay, or unmilled rice, rose 9.4% year on year to P19.23 per kilogram in June, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

“All regions, except Eastern Visayas, continued to record positive year-on-year growth rates in the average farmgate prices of palay in June 2023,” the PSA said in a report.

The highest farmgate price of palay was recorded in Central Luzon at P20.98 per kilo, up 18.8% from a year earlier.

Western Visayas followed with an average of P20.69, up 7.9% from a year earlier.

The Ilocos Region average was P20.23, up 5.9% year on year.

The highest year-on-year rise took place in Caraga, where the average price rose 19.6% to P18.37 per kilo.

The lowest farmgate price was in Eastern Visayas, where palay fetched P17.62 per kilo at farmgate, down 3.2% from a year earlier.

On a month-on-month basis, the PSA said that the average farmgate price rose 0.9% from May.

“Ten regions recorded increases in the average farmgate prices of palay, while six regions posted decreases during the month,” it said, referring to month-on-month comparisons.

The PSA said Caraga recorded the highest month-on-month increase of 5%, while Northern Mindanao saw a 5.1% drop to P20.17. — Adrian H. Halili

Dutch designer shows adjustable fashion for all

INSTAGRAM.COM/RUBENJURRIEN/

AMSTERDAM — Dutch fashion designer Ruben Jurrien showed his take on size diversity on the catwalk at Amsterdam Fashion Week on Friday with not only different sized models but adjustable garments that fit all body types.

Going beyond the trend of showing models who are more than a size zero Mr. Jurrien made his entire collection either one size fits all or adjustable. The same pair of pants can fit between four sizes, either XXS to M or M to XXL, with adjustable straps.

Mr. Jurrien, 23, said he created his inclusive “Super Femboyant” collection because as a bigger man he could not find fashion in his size.

“I missed that, so I designed it,” he said.

Getting people to feel included is his biggest goal.

“Your body should not be a barrier to participating in the world of fashion,” Mr. Jurrien told Reuters.

He stressed that his “gender free clothes” adjust to all body types, not only plus sizes but also people who fall outside other fashion norms, like the very thin or the very tall.

“My collection is all about being able to be yourself and find your inner child because life is already serious enough,” Mr. Jurrien said. — Reuters

1...2,9022,9032,904...12,762Page 2,903 of 12,762
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube