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To stop hoaxes on WhatsApp, Line and Telegram, fact-checking must go beyond social media

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SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

This article is part of our #FightHoax2024 series.

Ahead of Indonesia’s 2024 general election, fact checks in Indonesia are expected to save the public from misinformation.

Media organizations and activists in Indonesia still heavily focus on social media for fact–checking activities to eradicate misinformation.

This is understandable, given social media is still the platform used the most by the public to access fact-check contents and to clarify any news they see. Not to mention that most mobile phone users (68%) in Indonesia turn to social media to access information.

Yet we seem to almost forget that our personal conversations can also contribute to the spread of false information.

A report by the Indonesian Anti-Slander Society (MAFINDO) on the spread of misinformation in Indonesia has placed WhatsApp – currently the most popular communication app in the country – as a platform for spreading misinformation.

My latest research, which I conducted with my research team from the Digital Journalism Department at the Multimedia Nusantara University (UMN) in Indonesia, shows people rarely refer to messaging apps as their main source for finding facts.

Maybe it is the time for Indonesian press and fact-check communities to intensify their fact–checking dissemination strategy by targeting instant messaging apps, like Whatsapp, Line and Telegram.

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism’s Digital News Report 2021 shows that the people of Global South, including Indonesia, considers WhatsApp a medium for spreading misinformation.

This means our instant messaging activities are not really safe from hoaxes.

However, from total of 1,596 respondents from our research, only 379 of them use messaging apps – WhatsApp, Telegram, Line – to seek fact-check contents.

The majority of respondents (1,335) still prefer to access fact-check content via social media. Other platforms they prefer to use are news websites (769), search engines (731) and television (388).

We argue that personalized fact–checking –- through WhatsApp or other messaging apps –- is important to complement existing fact–checking strategies targeting social media.

To begin with, journalists can integrate the fact-check contents they publish on social media or news websites with messaging services, especially WhatsApp.

Integration with messaging apps will increase engagement with audiences and, at the same time, expand the distribution of fact checks to combat misinformation.

Press institutions and fact-checkers can also use chat features to engage audiences. MAFINDO and Indonesia media organization Tempo have done this. Both organizations collaborate with Whatsapp to integrate fact-checks using a chatbot technology.

The chatbots will work or respond only after receiving messages from the users. Through this feature, all users can choose to read fact-check articles or report suspicious information.

Tempo and MAFINDO’s chatbots are a good first step.

However, both are a passive technology, because they only receive fact–checking messages from readers and then respond accordingly by sending the same fact-check articles for all users. In addition, only users who have the numbers of the two chatbots can access this technology.

Based on the evidence I’ve seen , I believe we need to strengthen this approach with two strategies: push notifications and personalization.

Push notifications use technology to automatically deliver notifications and digital content to audiences. Personalization is an effort to map audience preferences or characteristics that can then be used as a basis to send relevant content or notifications.

News media companies and fact-check communities could start by mapping their audience database, based on gender, occupation or location, as well as people’s reading time online.

Fact-check consumption patterns are closely related to audience characteristics. So, media companies could create databases to map different audiences’ interests in fact–checking different topics.

After mapping their audience, the press company could send notifications on fact-check content using the personalization and push notification strategies.

It means newsrooms would send notifications via WhatsApp to the relevant audiences. “Relevant” means that the notification contains a number of fact–checking content on topics liked by that audience.

However, we should note that push notification strategy could make errors at times. For instance, media organizations could distribute content that is irrelevant to that audience’s interests, and at the wrong time. These unguided push notifications could be very annoying to some audiences.

Therefore, personalization and push notifications need to be present simultaneously. I call it “personalization-based push notifications”. This would ensure users only receive content relevant to their interests.

But before starting any audience mapping work, media organizations should first secure consent from their users by asking them to opt in or out of having their data included.

Media companies must also guarantee that any personalized fact–checking databases or notifications would protect their audience’s personal data.

To avoid privacy breaches, news organizations and fact checkers need to invest in creating subscription systems using reliable technology.

This strategy would require investments in human resources and technology. If we could successfully implement it, our digital fortress against misinformation and misinformation will be strengthened.

It would be better if users could easily interact via chat with different newsrooms to ask for fact-checks about any issues they are interested in.

With this, more Indonesians could go from potentially spreading false information to their family and friends through personal chats, to helping share more factual, better quality information ahead of future elections. – Reuters

[B-SIDE Podcast] What PHL education should look like in the AI era

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A significant portion of what has traditionally been taught in tertiary education has lost its relevance in the present, according to Hyper Island Institute of Higher Education, a digital creative business school.

In this episode of B-Side, Peachy Pacquing, managing director at Hyper Island Singapore, speaks with BusinessWorld reporter Ashley Erika O. Jose about the need for transformative education, characterized by meta-learning, or learning how to learn.

This approach arises as a response to the changing times, in which technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are now able to perform tasks that were previously taught in traditional educational settings, she said.

“As an example, if we spend so much money educating our children in multimedia, teaching them how to create websites and code, I am not against these hard skills, but how does that play out in a world where AI can create all of these things? Have we prepared them sufficiently for a time when the tools and frameworks that we taught them in the past no longer hold the value they used to deliver?”

“That’s why meta-learning is incredibly important to us because meta-learning is transcendent, meaning it’s not just relevant today, but it will equip you with the skills and mindset that will help you see the world as it evolves and enable you to contribute value regardless of how it evolves,” she added.

Established in Sweden two decades ago, Hyper Island has continued to expand its presence across the globe with operations in London, Manchester, Singapore, New York, São Paulo, Stockholm, and Karlskrona.

“It was born because the Swedish government realized that the way they were doing education was no longer sufficient, or relevant and therefore there was a challenge to reimagine education more than 20 years back,” Ms. Pacquing said.

Follow us on Spotify BusinessWorld B-Side

China has 243 GW of new coal power approved or under construction – research

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SINGAPORE – China currently has 243 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired power either approved or under construction, enough to power the whole of Germany, with local governments still worried about power supply security, new research showed on Tuesday.

China began building coal-fired plants with a total capacity of 37 GW in the first half of this year, and approved 52 GW of new projects, said a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and Global Energy Monitor (GEM).

As well as the 243 GW now officially in the pipeline, another 149 GW has been announced but not formally permitted. Total coal power capacity could increase by between 23% and 33% above 2022 levels if all the projects go ahead.

China has promised to cut coal consumption starting from 2026 as part of its efforts to bring greenhouse gas emissions to a peak before 2030, but mounting energy security concerns are driving the new approvals.

“The coal power spree is a last-minute push by China’s coal industry to lock in capacity and emissions before China’s CO2 emissions are due to peak late this decade,” said Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at CREA.

China’s new coal-fired plants are supposed to provide back-up for the vast amount of new renewable energy sources being connected to the grid, but CREA-GEM said most of them are in places that “already have more than enough coal power” to support renewable projects.

China has bristled at suggestions it is backsliding on clean energy commitments, with officials arguing it has been managing the green transition far more effectively than any other country at a similar stage of development.

In an article that was later deleted, chief energy official Zhang Jianhua this month accused “foreign hostile forces” of using the challenges of decarbonization to “distort and slander” China’s energy policies.

“Energy policy has been one of the areas where public discussion and debate has still been possible, helping inform policymaking,” said Myllyvirta. “The NEA’s desire to tighten the control of the media and the narrative is of course concerning.” – Reuters

3M Philippines joins public schools for Brigada Eskwela S.Y. 2023 – 2024

Teachers, students, and parents alike were invited to join in the Brigada Eskwela festivities.

Renowned consumer product and diversified science company 3M Philippines recently partnered with public schools to prepare for the opening of School Year 2023 – 2024. With a new period of on-site classes on the horizon, there was no better time for 3M Philippines to launch their back-to-school campaign Malinis, Maaliwalas, at Masiglang Pagbabalik Eskwela, which was conducted as part of the Department of Education’s annual Brigada Eskwela program.

For this school year, 3M Philippines aspired to create a welcoming environment for incoming students of Cubao Elementary School in Quezon City and Cayetano Arellano High School in the City of Manila.

Vivian Faustino, Country Sales Leader for 3M Philippines Consumer Business Group, shared some spirited words with those in attendance.

Vivian Faustino, Country Sales Leader for 3M Philippines Consumer Business Group, spoke about the company’s goals for this latest initiative. According to Faustino, “3M supports Brigada Eskwela and the bayanihan spirit of all the education stakeholders in preparing and providing a clean learning environment for students and teachers in public schools.”

Indeed, the uniquely Filipino bayanihan spirit prevailed as volunteers from 3M Philippines and Global Service Center spent their time cleaning and decorating the schools together with teachers, students, and their parents. Some of the household brands of 3M that sponsored the event are Scotch-Brite™, Post-it®, and Scotch™. With the help of Scotch-Brite™ Scouring, Bathroom, and Floor Care products, the school facilities were made neat and tidy for both teachers and students alike. To beautify the classrooms, 3M Philippines also provided stationery and school supplies from its brands Scotch™ and Post-it®.

John Butch P. Locara, Principal of Cayetano Arellano High School, expressed his appreciation for the superior quality of 3M’s products. “Dito sa aming paaralan, subok na namin ang mahusay na kalidad ng Scotch tapes. Ginagamit ko ‘yan sa aking trabaho sa opisina,” he said. “Kami ay naniniwala na sa pagbabayanihan ng bawat isa ay maihahanda natin ang paaralan na malinis at maayos para sa ating mga mag-aaral.”

Eloisa C. Tamon, Principal of Cubao Elementary School, was likewise grateful for 3M’s partnership. “Salamat 3M Philippines sa pagpili sa amin bilang benepisyaryo para sa Brigada Eskwela,” she said. “Nakasisiguro kami na gamit ang mga produkto ng 3M ay malilinis natin ng mahusay at mapapaganda ang bawat classroom at paligid ng paaralan.”

3M volunteers came to two public schools to help clean and decorate the premises for students and teachers alike.

3M Philippines and Global Service Center employees also had fun decorating the classrooms using Scotch™ Scissors as well as an array of adhesive products like Tapes and Glue Sticks. In addition, colorful Post-it® Notes were used to label and design teaching materials and parts of the classroom. These handy and beautiful decorations helped create an environment that is more conducive to learning.

3M Philippines envisions their products as essential parts of the learning process once the school year begins. Aside from Brigada Eskwela, 3M Philippines’ product engineer Ms. Mary Ann Demition gave tips and advice on how to use trusted brand Scotch-Brite™ in household cleaning. She also shared how Scotch™ and Post-it® products benefit from 3M technology, stimulating the curiosity and creativity of all those in attendance.

Faustino emphasized 3M’s important role in educating the youth. “3M has always been a part of students’ formative years as we provide relevant 3M product tools in every stage of their learning and development,” she said. “Scotch™ and Post-it Notes® products help students fulfill their desire for self-expression and individuality.”

After the challenges of the last few years, the return to on-site learning is an exciting time for all. And 3M Philippines is—and will always be—around to ensure a safe, clean, and healthy environment for children to learn and develop.

For more information about the campaign and the company, please visit: https://www.3mphilippines.com.ph/.

 

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Debt payments surge to P908 billion

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THE NATIONAL Government’s (NG) debt payments nearly doubled to P907.93 billion during the first half of the year, mainly due to the increase in principal amortization.

Preliminary data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed the government’s debt payments surged by 98% in the January-June period from P458.355 billion in the same period last year.

In the first six months, more than two-thirds or 68.89% of the debt service bill went to amortization.

Principal payments as of end-June more than tripled to P625.47 billion from P201.14 billion last year.

Broken down, amortization on domestic debt soared to P561.42 billion as of end-June from P153.38 billion a year ago.

Principal payments on foreign debt jumped by 34.1% to P64.05 billion in the first half from P47.76 billion in the same period a year ago.

Meanwhile, interest payments rose by 9.81% to P282.458 billion in the six-month period from P257.215 billion a year ago.

Interest on local debt slipped by 6.2% to P192.884 billion as of end-June from P205.687 billion last year.

Broken down, interest payments on domestic debt consisted of P108.366 billion for fixed-rate Treasury bonds, P74.731 billion for retail Treasury bonds, and P6.709 billion for Treasury bills.

Meanwhile, interest paid on foreign debt jumped by 73.8% to P89.574 billion in the first semester from P51.528 billion a year ago.

JUNE DEBT SERVICE BILL
In June alone, the debt service bill doubled to P88.4 billion from P44.29 billion in the same month in 2022.

Month on month, debt payments surged by 80.2% from P49.05 billion in May.

More than half (59.8%) of the total debt servicing during the month went to interest payments.

Interest payments in June rose by 43.9% to P52.88 billion from P36.75 billion in the same month in 2022.

Interest paid to domestic creditors rose by 20.9% to P40.28 billion. This consisted of P25.62 billion in retail Treasury bonds, P11.412 billion in fixed-rate Treasury bonds, and P1.55 billion in Treasury bills.

Interest paid to external creditors surged by an annual 268.2% to P12.604 billion in June.

Meanwhile, amortization payments skyrocketed (371.4%) to P35.517 billion in June from P7.534 billion in the same month in 2022.

Domestic debt payments ballooned to P27.981 billion in June, while amortization on foreign obligations inched up by 5% to P7.536 billion.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort in a Viber message said that the higher debt service bill was partly due to elevated inflation, which drove up government expenditures.

Headline inflation eased to 5.4% in June from 6.1% in May, still well above the central bank’s 2-4% target range.

For the first half, inflation averaged 7.2%.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects inflation to average 5.6% this year.

Mr. Ricafort also noted there was an increase in borrowing costs due to rising interest rates.

The BSP has raised interest rates by 425 basis points (bps) from May 2022 to March 2023, bringing the key rate to 6.25%, a near 16-year high.

“Higher debt servicing is also a function of more maturities of government securities earlier this year,” Mr. Ricafort added.

“The government’s debt service program this year is set at P1.552 trillion. This is composed of P941.353 billion in amortization payments and P610.665 billion in interest payments.”

Next year, the government set its debt servicing program at P1.91 trillion. Broken down, this consists of P670.471 billion for interest payments and P1.24 trillion for principal amortization. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Use of cryptocurrency in money laundering a rising concern

The use of cryptocurrency in money laundering is “worrying,” according to an expert. — REUTERS

THE PHILIPPINE central bank remains vigilant against money laundering and terrorism financing risks posed by the rise in transactions using virtual assets such as cryptocurrency.

“As virtual assets continue to surge both in users and transactions, the BSP anticipates that different types of risks, including anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), may contribute to higher risk exposure,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Chuchi G. Fonacier told BusinessWorld via Viber message.

She noted the BSP “remains supportive and proactive amidst these developments, while at the same time recognizes that commensurate regulatory mechanisms must be put in place,”

The Philippine central bank regulates virtual asset service providers (VASPs).

While the initial framework only covered providers facilitating the exchange of fiat and virtual assets, the BSP introduced amendments in January 2021 to cover more types of VASPs and to address its risks amid increased use of virtual assets.

Ms. Fonacier said the amendments combined global risk management standards such as the guidance established by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on money laundering. This was to align BSP regulation with its international peers.

“This will also help ensure that VASP activities are executed within an unbroken chain of regulated entities. In addition, additional risk management guidelines and reportorial requirements to enhance AML/CFT regulations, risk management, and consumer protection measures aim to ensure the safety and soundness of the financial industry,” she said.

The Philippines is already under increased monitoring by the FATF over deficiencies in its fight against money laundering. The Philippines has been included in the FATF’s “gray list” since 2021.

With the recent collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, Ms. Fonacier said the BSP is also focused on key risk areas such as corporate governance, accounting process, and consumer protection.

“The BSP tightened its licensing mechanism and imposed a three-year moratorium on new VASP license applications starting Sept. 1, 2022. Correspondingly, the BSP likewise strengthened its supervisory activities on existing BSP-registered VASPs to consider their overall performance, risk management systems, and their impact to financial services and the financial system as a whole,” she said.

VASPs refer to entities that offer services or engage in activities that provide facility for the transfer or exchange of virtual assets — any type of digital unit that can be digitally traded or transferred and can be used for payment or investment purposes.

The BSP classifies cryptocurrencies as a type of virtual asset.

CRYPTO ADOPTION
Swarup Gupta, industry manager of the Economist Intelligence Unit, said the adoption of cryptocurrency has been led by emerging markets with usage picking up in the Philippines, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Brazil and Thailand.

“Unfortunately, the use of cryptocurrency for illegal activities has also increased over the last two years,” he said in an e-mail.

“Total cryptocurrency received by illicit addresses (in value terms) was estimated at around $20 billion in 2022. The majority of this, around 40%, was used to circumvent (primarily US) sanctions with stolen funds and scams also accounting for a substantial amount of illegal activity.”

Mr. Gupta said this has prompted some countries to tighten AML/CFT regulations, particularly New Zealand and Singapore.

In the US Congress, a bill was recently refiled to strengthen AML/CFT regulations for the digital asset industry, which includes the implementation of customer verification.

Mr. Gupta said governments should ensure that regulations applicable to conventional financial entities are also applicable to issuers of digital assets such as cryptocurrencies.

“This can only be ensured by a clear and unambiguous set of guidelines for crypto assets, which have been held back by the authorities as of now,” he said.

Mr. Gupta said the increased use of cryptocurrency for illegal activities is “worrying” in the absence of globally applicable regulations and sanctions.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said they periodically review and revisit the implementing rules of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) to ensure adherence to international standards.

“The acceleration of digital transformation as well as the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic led to the increase in digital vulnerabilities and physical movement restrictions that translated to the proliferation of cybercrimes globally, which does not exempt the Philippines,” the AMLC said.

“Authorities need to be vigilant given the lack of effective market surveillance in the absence of a clear governance framework,” he said. — K.B.Ta-asan

DBM urged to reconsider ‘no TRO’ proposal for procurement deals

WESLEY TINGEY-UNSPLASH

By Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson, Reporter

A PROPOSAL to amend the procurement law to prevent courts, except for the Supreme Court, from issuing temporary restraining orders (TROs) against the government over procurement contracts should be reconsidered, according to analysts.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is currently finalizing amendments to the Government Procurement Reform Act of 2007, which will then be submitted to Congress.

It suggested the inclusion of a provision prohibiting the issuance of a TRO or Preliminary Mandatory Injunction, except by the Supreme Court, against the government in procurement contracts for goods and services, “to tackle the possible delays in the procurement process because of suits filed by losing bidders.”

“The ‘no TRO’ policy must be studied and screened. This is like amending the rules of court which should be within the exclusive power of the Judiciary. Deviation from the tested procedure should not be sacrificed for expediency,” Antonio A. Ligon, a law and business professor at De La Salle University, said in a Viber message.

“As long as it will not support and/or encourage impropriety of tried and tested government procurement procedures, improvement on procedures can be considered,” he added.

Terry L. Ridon, a public investment analyst and convenor of think tank InfraWatch PH, said it may be better to amend the government procurement law to allow an “amount-based tiering” as to which court can issue TROs and injunction orders.

“This is critical because only the highest value contracts should be subjected to Supreme Court injunction orders, while at the same time affording interested parties some relief from the lower courts for lower value contracts,” Mr. Ridon said in an e-mail.

Mr. Ridon said the right of a bidder to file a TRO or seek an injunction from the courts should be respected.

“This right should remain available to all procurement contracts except for the least valuable contracts, as government or other parties should be able to step in to immediately stop anomalous transactions during the course of bidding processes,” he added.

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman earlier said the department is targeting to come up with the specific amendments to the government procurement law in the next two weeks. These include innovative procurement methods, efficiency in the procurement process, procurement planning and budgeting, digitalization and innovation, as well as sustainable and green procurement.

The DBM also proposed the creation of an e-marketplace platform, where procuring entities can directly make purchases. The e-marketplace will initially focus on motor vehicle purchases.

“Digitalization, through an e-marketplace, is most certainly a step towards transparency and accountability, particularly if the entire procurement process will be conducted through an online portal in which there is minimal personal interaction with government bidding committees,” Mr. Ridon said.

However, he noted that the government should ensure that it creates a centralized online portal.

“Users and even government staff might get lost in the volume of available projects by various national agencies, regional offices and local government units,” he said.

Mr. Ridon, however, emphasized that digitalization is not a foolproof measure to end corruption and other illicit activities in the procurement of goods and services.

“Government and the public should remain vigilant in monitoring simulated bids and other illicit activities which can still take place through online and offline means,” he added.

The DBM also proposed to apply a no-bid acquisition process for goods and services worth around P250,000 or even lower.

Mr. Ligon said that the no-bid process may pose a “serious concern” and warned of possible cases of corruption.

“An original price of goods which require bidding might be presented to fit or (be) compliant with no bidding. Corruption can thrive even in small amounts and when multiplied it becomes unconscionable,” he added.

The DBM also presented other proposed amendments, including using the applicability of its Most Economically Advantageous Tender system as an alternative to the lowest calculated and responsive bid; simplifying eligibility documents; and adding a section on monitoring and surveying of prices of goods and services to avoid overpricing, among others.

Ms. Pangandaman earlier said reforms to the government procurement process would help government agencies utilize their budgets more efficiently.

“Procurement affects us every day, not just us in the government but the Filipino people. Procurement issues have an adverse impact on public service delivery. Of our total National Government budget, up to 25% is done through procurement. These are the reasons that this reform has become necessary albeit tedious,” she added.

In his second State of the Nation Address before Congress in July, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. pushed for reforming the government procurement law “to make government procurement more attuned to these changing times.”

Asian Persuasion and the bridging of two Filipino worlds

DEPICTING divorce in a comedic light, putting an empowered Filipino woman at the forefront, and representing Asian Americans onscreen are all achievements of the film Asian Persuasion.

The film follows a down-on-his-luck chef Mickey (played by Filipino-American film, TV, and voice actor Dante Basco; you may have seen or heard him as Hook’s Rufio, Avatar’s Prince Zuko, or in The Fabulous Filipino Brothers’ Duke) who signs divorce papers without a lawyer present, and the unfortunate events and schemes that followed. The woman at the center of the film, newly divorced fashion executive Avery, is played by actress KC Concepcion (actress and singer Sharon Cuneta’s firstborn). Director Jhett Tolentino said in a Bonifacio Global City press conference on Aug. 23 that her role is one that exudes women empowerment, and that the character will be far from the typical clueless lady.

Mickey tries to avoid paying alimony by getting suitable bachelor Lee (Paolo Montalban) from a dating site to marry his ex-wife. The film boasts of an Asian American cast that includes Paolo Montalban, Kevin Kreider, Geneva Carr, Celia Au, Scarlett Sherr, and Jax Bacani.

Inspired by his own divorce, it was scriptwriter and California native Mike Ang’s natural tendency to use comedy to laugh things away, so he wrote the script as a form of catharsis. Unmistakably a Filipino-American story, the cast and crew said at various points during a press conference that the 4.6 million Filipinos (or Americans of Filipino descent) living in North America are the film’s main audience.

However, Mr. Ang says that the film can be watched by anyone, as its narrative isn’t overtly Asian or Filipino. “As an Asian American growing up in the States, I know there’s a lot of people who want to connect with their identity and see a representation of themselves onscreen. We did that with this film even though it’s not about being Asian or Asian stuff,” said.

For Jhett Tolentino, who has been producing Broadway shows and indie films in the US since 2012, this was undoubtedly a great project to direct. He took on the task of bringing Mr. Ang’s script to life, drawn to how it “showcases our culture in a different light, in the Western lens.”

“It shows that we can have similar experiences that anybody else can have in the world,” he told BusinessWorld at the press launch.

CELEBRATING ASIAN TALENT
As we’ve mentioned above, the cast makes a prominent case for Asian American representation, but so does the crew — combined, the production has representation from no less than 21 Asian countries.

“I really wanted to create opportunities for Asian talent, from top to bottom,” said Mr. Tolentino.

For Mr. Montalban, who plays Avery’s potential suitor Lee, the project was perfect since he really found himself resonating with the awkward yet charming role.

“The last name of my character is Prince, and I’m mostly known for playing Prince Charming in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” he said. Mr. Montalban played that role in a 1997 Disney television film adaptation of the musical, starring next to singers Brandy and Whitney Houston in a similarly diverse production. “They also wrote that he’s 47 years old and, at the time I was reading the script, I was 47 years old,” he said.

Most importantly, it was the chance to work with his longtime friend, Mr. Basco. Though the two were friends in Los Angeles and came up together in the world of acting, they knew they’d probably never work together because American productions “can only hire one Asian.”

“We thought we’d never get the opportunity. But here it is,” Mr. Montalban said.

KC’S COMEBACK
The film marks Ms. Concepcion’s comeback after a seven-year hiatus from showbiz,. Her most recent TV role was in ABS-CBN teleserye Ikaw Lamang in 2014, while her last film role was in 2013 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Boy Golden. However, she considers her hosting of the 2016 Binibining Pilipinas pageant to be the last job she took before her long hiatus.

She said that Asian Persuasion was her chosen project for a comeback because her being kikay (fashionable) and successful with her own jewelry brand was a great fit for her role as fashion professional Avery. “There are a lot of things [my character] goes through as a married woman, as a young mom, and as a career-driven professional, so a divorce is very hard for her,” said Ms. Concepcion at the press conference. Later, she realized the film was also relevant for allowing Filipinos and Asians around the world to transcend borders. “It’s in English from beginning to end. It’s an American movie. But it’s still a story of a Filipino family, just brought up in the States,” she said. “Filipino-Americans are also part of us homegrown Filipinos, because they are still our people even though they’re in America. It’s a nice way to bring the two worlds together.”

On Ms. Concepcion’s part, having the chance to work opposite Filipino-Americans with years of experience in either Broadway or Hollywood was daunting at first, but eventually very rewarding. Aside from encouraging homegrown Filipinos to try their luck internationally, she hopes that the film will also be part of a long celebration of both Filipino American and Asian American talent.

“To anyone who’s thinking of making this jump like me, to be honest, if you can make it here [in the Philippines], you can make it there too,” she said.

Asian Persuasion will make its world premiere at the SOHO International Film Festival in New York City on Sept. 16, and will open in Philippine theaters on Nov. 29. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

Filinvest Land expects higher earnings this year

LISTED property developer Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI) is bullish about its prospects for the rest of the year and expects profit growth for 2023 as the economy improves.

“The Philippines is growing, and we are optimistic that we will grow more unless there is anything happening outside of the Philippines. Here within the country, our fundamentals seem to be good,” said FLI Director Michael Edward T. Gotianun on the sidelines of the company’s launch event last week.

Asked about the prospects for the rest of the year, he said net income is expected to be better this year compared with a year ago despite economic headwinds. 

FLI is the property development company of the Gotianun’s Filinvest group of companies.   

In 2022, FLI recorded a 24% decline in net income to P2.8 billion from P3.8 billion the prior year. 

Mr. Gotianun said this year’s growth drivers for FLI include the improving economic situation and surging investor interest.

“The economy is improving, and there seems to be a lot of interest,” he said. “Everybody is positive about the economy. However, our concern will be the outside, like China, with all their problems going on now. You don’t know if there might be a spillover. We cannot control that. So, we just hope it does not spill over to us.”

In the first half, FLI booked a 15% surge in its attributable net income to P1.39 billion. Its total consolidated revenues and other income also rose by 8% to P9.92 billion on the back of growth from its residential and rental business segments. 

“Business is good. So let’s hope that it stays good,” he added.

FLI President and Chief Executive Officer Tristaneil D. Las Marias previously said that the developer continued to achieve growth in its residential and rental business segments during the first six months of the year.

“We are pleased that our efforts led to satisfactory results as we continued to sustain our sales and marketing activities,” he said.

“We remain focused on meeting our customers’ needs as we target to further grow our business this year, with further residential launches planned in the second half,” he added. 

As of Aug. 25, FLI shares were at 66 centavos apiece, down one centavo or 1.49% from its previous close of 67 centavos the day prior. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Basic Energy Corp. to hold 2023 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on Sept. 20

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Miley Cyrus: Used to Be Young

MULTI-platinum selling recording artist and songwriter Miley Cyrus has released the single “Used To Be Young,” her first new music offering since the Endless Summer Vacation studio album from earlier this year.

The track finds the pop star reflecting on her past and using it to fuel her optimism for the future. It also comes with an emotional video that gets up close and personal with her while singing the ballad with tears in her eyes.

“This song is about honoring who we’ve been, loving who we are, and celebrating who we will become,” she said in a statement. She also wears a Mickey Mouse shirt in the video, a subtle shoutout to her origins as a Disney star.

Ms. Cyrus rose to fame in the Disney Channel TV show Hannah Montana, where she played regular teenager Miley Stewart living a double life as a famous pop singer, with her secret identity only known to close family and friends.

Since then, she has pursued a successful music career spanning multiple platinum-selling singles and albums.

In celebration of the release of “Used To Be Young,” Ms. Cyrus shared stories and insights from the many chapters of her life within the TV special event Endless Summer Vacation: Continued (Backyard Sessions). Reimagined from the version which originally aired on Disney+, the special features a brand-new interview as well as music from her latest album Endless Summer Vacation.

The TV program aired on ABC just hours before the release of her new single. The special’s reimagined version is now streaming on Hulu.

It also marks the 10th anniversary of Miley Cyrus’ three-time platinum album Bangerz, which came out in September 2013. The album contained beloved original hits like “Wrecking Ball” and “We Can’t Stop.”

In celebration of the anniversary, there will be a limited-edition vinyl with updated packaging featuring never-before-seen photos and the bonus track “23” with Mike WiLL Made-It.

Fans can pre-order Ms. Cyrus’ releases on shop.mileycyrus.com. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

Globe to launch eSIM for prepaid users in Q3

BW FILE PHOTO

GLOBE TELECOM, Inc. targets to launch a prepaid eSIM by the third quarter, the company announced on Monday.

“By the end of this quarter, we will launch our leveled-up version of the eSIM because we recognize the opportunity and we can also monetize the convenience that eSIM can give our customers,” Darius Delgado, head of Globe’s consumer mobile business, said in a media release.

eSIM technology was first introduced to postpaid consumers in 2018, Globe said.

An eSIM is a digital subscriber identity module (SIM) that allows a user to activate a cellular plan without the physical SIM. Globe described it as an integrated SIM chip that is embedded in a mobile device.

“It is also going to restructure the way we operate because there’s less cost, it’s fully do-it-yourself. It’s really convenient for the customer,” Mr. Delgado said.

Globe said the technology would allow prepaid users to create several profiles using different mobile numbers on a single device.

The company also said its launch is in line with its sustainability agenda as the initiative minimizes the reliance on physical SIM cards which are made of plastic.

“This, in turn, eliminates the need for new plastic materials and reduces waste generation and logistics. By opting for the eSIM, users are taking a step towards more responsible consumption behaviors, understanding that even small changes, when embraced collectively, can lead to significant positive impact on the environment,” Globe said.

Earlier this year, Globe committed to continue implementing climate action strategies such as working on innovative technology solutions to help combat climate change. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

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