Red-hot DLSU faces listless UE; UST battles tough Adamson

October 28, 2025 | 7:02 pm

Games on Wednesday
(SM Mall of Asia Arena)
8 a.m. – FEU vs Ateneo (Women)
10 a.m. – NU vs UP (Women)
noon – UST vs ADU (Women)
2 p.m. – UST vs ADU (Men)
4:30 p.m. – UE vs DLSU (Men)
7 p.m. – UE vs DLSU (Women)

UNDERMANNED but red-hot De La Salle University (DLSU) faces a familiar foe in the listless University of the East (UE) to shore up its ascent to the top in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Game time is at 4:30 p.m. with the blazing DLSU Green Archers looking for their fourth straight win against the same team that started their streak in a bid to catch titleholder University of the Philippines (UP) at second place. University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Adamson University (4-4) clash at 2 p.m.

At 5-3, La Salle sits at joint third with Santo Tomas with a win propelling it to a piece of the coveted No. 2 seed for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

The Green Archers in the first round had their backs against the wall outside the Top 4 with a 2-3 slate only to score a much-needed 111-110 overtime win over UE.

That win came with a dear cost though as Kean Baclaan went down with a season-ending MCL injury to follow suit to Mason Amos with the similar injury against National University the game prior.

The same game resulted in a three-game suspension of UE guard Wello Lingolingo after his unsportsmanlike foul upon diving on Mr. Baclaan’s knee and the four-game ban of UE mentor Chris Gavina due to his post-game rants marred by expletives on the officiating.

And while the Green Archers could have bowed their heads, melted down and sank from there, the development only fueled their hearts to keep pushing to now stabilize a title retention bid with an incomplete crew.

“We’ve been losing players and that has been one of our drives, and it’s just so fortunate or blessed to have players always being ready to contribute,” said the embattled coach Topex Robinson.”

“We always talk about ‘we, us and ours.’ It’s always about what you could bring into the bigger piece of the pie sa team. You lose some players, you gain some players.”

Sans Messrs. Baclaan and Amos, the hoopers from Taft indeed found new heroes in Vhoris Marasigan, JC Macalalag and Earl Abadam who have complemented Jacob Cortez and Mike Phillips in their streak — the longest now in the UAAP — that included a huge 72-69 on UP to end the first round.

“It’s just everybody finding their way to contribute to this team. You didn’t come into this program by accident. You came here because we saw something in you. It’s about just being called and being ready. It’s just fun to watch those guys respond to the challenge,” added Mr. Robinson.

UE marches into battle with two warriors down as well as Mr. Lingolingo and Mr. Gavina serve their second suspension in a must-win battle to keep what’s left of any of its semis hopes alive at 0-8.

Mathematically with only NU and UP sporting six wins, the Red Warriors could still catch a playoff bus but only if they sweep all their remaining games. — John Bryan Ulanday

Dončić-less Mavs

October 28, 2025 | 7:01 pm

Cooper Flagg arrived in Dallas bearing the weight of expectations borne of tragedy in the eyes of fans: top pick, new era, fresh start in the wake of the departure of erstwhile cornerstone Luka Dončić. The other day, the Mavericks’ first glimpse of the new dispensation took shape. In a 139-129 win over the Raptors, the first overall selection of the 2025 draft scored 22 points, had four rebounds and four assists, and helped spark a third-quarter surge that broke the game open.

To be sure, the Mavericks’ first victory of the young season was less about a rookie making a splash than of their new reality in a post-Dončić era. They entered the contest reeling from an 0-2 start and searching for identity. Flagg’s dunk over Sandro Mamukelashvili — off a look-ahead feed from D’Angelo Russell in transition — gave otherwise-frustrated followers of the blue and white hope for the future.

The Mavericks ripped off a 26-9 run in the pivotal quarter on the strength of Flagg’s contributions; his seven markers and three dimes during the burst were reflective of their effort to push the pace. Hitherto ranked last in offensive efficiency, they attacked with speed and had the Raptors reeling from their output: 25 fast break points, 70 in the paint, 29-of-39 from the free throw line.

All the same, head coach Jason Kidd is right to preach caution. Flagg at 18 years and 309 days became the fifth-youngest player in NBA history — after Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Tracy McGrady and Jermaine O’Neal — to score at least 20 in an outing. His credentials are impressive, true, but the road to stardom remains long. Talent opens doors; consistency builds legacies.

In any case, the Mavericks cannot but deem Flagg’s performance a step in the right direction. With public sentiment on the divorce from Dončić continuing to lean to the negative, they need evidence that their rebuild likewise brings renewal. And, if nothing else, the other day provided validation of the roster’s potential to be greater than the sum of its parts: Anthony Davis chipped in 25 and 10, Russell added 24 and six, and seven players all told hit double figures.

Even in the glow, however, questions linger. Can Flagg sustain this kind of production? Will the Mavericks maintain their newfound offensive verve when the schedule tightens? Does Davis have the motivation to provide much-needed leadership? Having just begun, this chapter demands patience. The win is already fading from memory, but the habits must stick.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Trump praises Japan’s ‘great’ female leader in talks on trade, critical minerals

October 28, 2025 | 6:00 pm

Trump-Takaichi — US PRESIDENT Donald J. Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hold signed documents regarding securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earths, at a bilateral meeting at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Oct. 28. — REUTERS/EVELYN HOCKSTEIN

TOKYO — US President Donald J. Trump lavished praise on Japan’s first female leader Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Tuesday, welcoming her pledge to accelerate a military buildup and signing deals on trade and rare earths.

Ms. Takaichi, a protegee of Mr. Trump’s late friend and golfing buddy Japanese leader Shinzo Abe, applauded the President’s push to resolve global conflicts and said she would nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize, according to Mr. Trump’s spokesperson.

Japan is also expected to offer a package of US investments under a $550-billion deal agreed this year, including shipbuilding, and pledge purchases of US soybeans, gas and pickup trucks, sources familiar with the talks said.

Those gestures may temper any Mr. Trump demands for Tokyo to spend more towards its security in the face of an increasingly assertive China, which Ms. Takaichi sought to head off by promising to fast-track plans to increase defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product.

“Everything I know from Shinzo and others, you will be one of the great prime ministers. I’d also like to congratulate you on being the first woman prime minister. It’s a big deal,” Mr. Trump told Ms. Takaichi as the pair sat down for discussions with their delegations at Tokyo’s Akasaka Palace.

TAKAICHI INVOKES ABE LEGACY
Ms. Takaichi repeatedly referenced Mr. Abe’s affection for Mr. Trump and gifted him his putter enclosed in a glass case, a golf bag signed by Japanese major winner Hideki Matsuyama and a gold-leaf golf ball, according to photos posted on X by Mr. Trump’s assistant Margo Martin.

Mr. Abe, who was assassinated in 2022, was the first foreign leader to meet Mr. Trump after his 2016 election victory and the pair went on to forge a close bond over several rounds of golf in the United States and Japan.

Over a lunch of US rice and beef, and vegetables from Ms. Takaichi’s hometown of Nara, the Japanese leader presented Mr. Trump with a map of major investments Japanese firms have made in the United States since his last visit in 2009.

At least 10 Japanese companies are eyeing more than $400 billion of US investments in areas such as energy and artificial intelligence, which the two governments are set to announce later on Tuesday, public broadcaster NHK reported.

DEAL ON CRITICAL MINERALS SIGNED
Mr. Trump also praised Japan’s efforts to purchase more US defense equipment, while Ms. Takaichi said Mr. Trump’s role in securing ceasefires between Cambodia and Thailand, and Israel and Palestinian militants, were “unprecedented” achievements.

The leaders then signed an agreement to support the supply of critical minerals and rare earths, as the countries seek to wean reliance off China’s chokehold on the materials crucial for a wide range of products from smartphones to fighter jets.

The deal aims to jointly identify projects of interest in areas such as magnets and batteries over the next six months and work together to develop stockpiles of key minerals among other measures.

After lunch, Mr. Trump met with relatives of people abducted by North Korea in the 1960s and 1970s to train its spies and their relatives. While some were later repatriated, Japan continues to press Pyongyang for a full accounting of all the abductees and the return of any who remain alive, a cause championed by Mr. Abe.

“The United States is with them all the way,” Mr. Trump, who has repeatedly said he is open to meeting North Korea’s reclusive leader Kim Jong Un during his Asia visit, told reporters after greeting the families.

The US leader began his five-day visit to Asia in Malaysia on Sunday before traveling to Japan late on Monday and heading straight to the Imperial Palace for a meeting with Japanese Emperor Naruhito.

He hopes to cap off his trip, his longest overseas journey since returning to the White House in January, by agreeing a trade war truce with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday.

VISIT US NAVAL BASE
Ms. Takaichi’s efforts to invoke Mr. Abe’s legacy to forge a bond with Mr. Trump could help bolster her weak political position at home and help her navigate Mr. Trump’s at times erratic decision-making, analysts said.

Though she has seen a surge in public support since becoming prime minister, her coalition government is two votes shy of a majority in parliament’s lower house.

Mr. Trump and Ms. Takaichi will later visit the US naval base in Yokosuka near Tokyo, which is home to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, part of the US military’s powerful presence in the region.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is due to hold talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi on Wednesday.

Mr. Trump will meet business leaders in Tokyo later on Tuesday, before traveling on Wednesday to South Korea where he will meet President Lee Jae Myung ahead of his Thursday summit with Mr. Xi. — Reuters

Taiwan says ties with US ‘very stable’ ahead of Trump-Xi meet

October 28, 2025 | 5:59 pm

TAIPEI — Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said on Tuesday that he was not worried that US President Donald J. Trump would “abandon” the island at his upcoming meeting this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

Since taking office earlier this year, Mr. Trump has vacillated on his position towards China-claimed Taiwan as he seeks to strike a trade deal with Beijing. Mr. Trump says Mr. Xi has told him he will not invade while the Republican leader is in office but is also yet to approve any new US arms sales to Taipei.

The fear in Taipei, which has long enjoyed strong unofficial support from Washington, is that the Trump-Xi meeting this week in South Korea on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit could see some sort of “selling out” of Taiwan’s interests by Mr. Trump to Mr. Xi.

Asked whether he was worried Mr. Trump would “abandon” Taiwan at the Xi talks, Mr. Lin told reporters in Taipei: “No, because our Taiwan-US relations are very stable.”

“No matter whether on security, trade and business and other areas, there is close cooperation,” he added.

The United States, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with China, but is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself, and the issue is a frequent irritant in Sino-US relations.

APEC FORUM
The APEC forum is one of the few international groupings that Taiwan takes part in, though it does not send its president to avoid political problems with China.

Speaking at the airport before leaving for South Korea, Taiwan’s APEC representative, former economy minister Lin Hsin-i, said the summit was a good opportunity for “equal interactions” with other members attending.

China has offered a “one country, two systems” model of autonomy to Taiwan, which all major parties in Taiwan have rejected. In the past five years, Beijing has ramped up military and diplomatic pressure against Taiwan, including regularly sending warplanes and warships into the skies and waters near the island.

In a Tuesday commentary, China’s official Xinhua news agency lambasted “separatists” but said the “situation will only become increasingly favorable for the just cause of supporting reunification.”

Both sides can sit down and negotiate a “reasonable ‘one country, two systems’ solution” for Taiwan, which will respect Taiwan’s existing social system, it added.

Taiwan’s government says Beijing has no right to claim or speak for the island internationally, and that only the Taiwanese people can decide their own future.

Also on Tuesday, police in the Chinese city of Chongqing said they had opened a probe into Taiwanese lawmaker Puma Shen, from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, for engaging in “separatist” activity, though China’s legal system has no jurisdiction in Taiwan.

Mr. Shen said he believed this was the fifth or sixth time China had sanctioned him, but this time it was raising the possibility of making “arrests extraterritorially in the future.”

“This intimidation tactic and lawfare approach represents China’s current overt strategy against Taiwan. This is not targeting me personally — it’s meant as a warning to others,” he said in a statement. — Reuters

Putin says ‘everything going to plan’ with North Korea

October 28, 2025 | 5:58 pm

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin asked North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui during talks in the Kremlin on Monday to tell her country’s leader Kim Jong Un that everything was “going to plan” in bilateral relations.

Mr. Putin and Mr. Kim sealed a strategic partnership treaty last year, which included a mutual defense pact, and North Korea has sent soldiers, artillery ammunition and missiles to Russia to support Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine.

“We talked in detail in Beijing about our relations and prospects for development,” Mr. Putin told Ms. Choe, referring to talks the Russian leader held with Mr. Kim during celebrations in the Chinese capital last month to mark the 80^th anniversary of the end of World War II in Asia.

“Everything is going according to plan. Please convey my best wishes to him (Kim),” Mr. Putin said.

Ukraine and South Korea estimate that North Korea deployed more than 10,000 troops to the war in Ukraine in return for economic and military technology assistance from Russia. South Korea’s intelligence agency estimated in September that about 2,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed in the fighting.

Ms. Choe also held discussions in Moscow on Monday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on bilateral relations and regional dynamics in Asia.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, both ministers agreed that rising tensions on the Korean peninsula and in Northeast Asia stem from the “aggressive actions of the United States and its allies.” — Reuters

Billionaire Bill Gates calls for climate strategy pivot ahead of COP30

October 28, 2025 | 5:56 pm

LONDON — Billionaire investor and philanthropist Bill Gates called on world leaders on Tuesday to adapt to extreme weather and focus on improving health outcomes rather than temperature reduction targets ahead of the Conference of the Parties (COP30) climate talks in Brazil.

COP30 will be held Nov. 10-21 in the port city of Belem in Brazil’s lower Amazon region. Countries are due to present updated national climate commitments and assess progress on renewable energy targets agreed at previous summits.

The world has spent the last decade working towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, aiming to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average by mid-century — something that remains well off-track.

While climate change was serious, it was “not civilization-ending,” Mr. Gates posted on his personal blog. He wrote that rather than focusing on temperature as the best measure of progress, climate resilience would be better built by strengthening health and prosperity.

He called for a shift in focus toward improving human welfare, particularly in vulnerable regions, through investments in energy access, healthcare, and agricultural resilience.

These areas, he argued, offered more equitable benefits than temperature goals and should be central to climate strategies discussed at COP30.

Mr. Gates, who has invested billions to accelerate clean technology innovation through his climate-focused venture network, Breakthrough Energy, also challenged policymakers and donors to scrutinize whether climate aid was being spent effectively.

He urged them to use data to maximize impact and called on investors to back companies developing high-impact clean technologies so they could more quickly lower costs.

He said direct deaths from natural disasters have fallen 90% over the last century to between 40,000 and 50,000 annually, largely due to better warning systems and more resilient infrastructure.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) last week urged countries to implement disaster warning systems to protect people against extreme weather.

The WMO said that in the past five decades, weather, water and climate-related hazards have killed more than 2 million people, with 90% of those deaths occurring in developing countries. — Reuters

Moringa: Your natural ally to long-term wellness

October 28, 2025 | 5:45 pm

att2-OL — L-R: Marklene Fabricate Corp. Plant Manager Helen Nebril and health expert Isabel Nieto

“Health is not just a blessing — it’s the foundation of everything else.”

This quote sounds true and relevant in today’s modern living. It’s a good reminder that we should invest in our health with healthy foods and essential supplements to boost immunity.

Speaking of healthy foods, Moringa, or locally known as Malunggay, is rich in essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium, potassium, and iron. It also contains beta-carotene, protein, antioxidants, and natural anti-inflammatory compounds that help the body stay strong against illness. It is also known around the world as the “Miracle Tree” for its unmatched nutritional value.

Fortunately, there is Moringa VITA — a food supplement that provides concentrated nutrition in a simple and convenient form. There are no fillers, no shortcuts — only pure Malunggay, carefully prepared to preserve its potency.

Marklene Fabricate Corp. Plant Manager Helen Grace Nebril and health expert Isabel Nieto discussed the health benefits of Moringa during the product presentation, which was attended by select media and mom influencers, held at a cafe in Quezon City, recently. Rhodesian Sales Corp. executives Don Jansen Dy and Chester Dy graced the event.

Rhodesian Sales Corp. Executive Chester Dy

“We have food supplement certification to prove our claims,” Ms. Nebril said. She further explained the process of turning Malunggay leaves into a safe, essential supplement to boost immunity making it the best available health insurance for Filipinos. Moringa VITA was created with one clear goal: to make malunggay easier to take every day.

According to Ms. Nebril, it was the first time they held a presscon for the brand. But the food supplement has been in the market since 2016. They have been active doing product presentations in schools and hospitals in the past.

Aside from the food supplement, there is Moringa VITA Coffee Mix for those who prefer to drink their wellness. The coffee mix infuses robusta coffee with Malunggay, combining energy and nourishment in every cup. It’s a way to enjoy a familiar daily habit, but with added benefits for health and immunity.

“You have to choose coffee that is healthy,” quipped Ms. Nieto, explaining that coffee is a triggering factor for acid reflux. That’s why she vouched for Moringa VITA Coffee Mix because it has a low sugar level with its natural sweetener Stevia.

L-R: Eric King, Don Jansen Dy, Isabel Nieto and Phoebe Villa

Based on research, Malunggay can support lactating mothers as a natural galactagogue, aiding in breastmilk production. It has properties that may help reduce inflammation, support recovery, and even shows potential in cancer prevention. With this wide range of benefits, malunggay is not just a vegetable on the dining table — it is a natural ally for long-term wellness.

Proudly made in the Philippines, it is designed for the everyday needs of Filipinos — for the busy professional rushing to work, the lactating mother caring for her baby, or anyone who simply wants to stay healthy and energized. At its heart is the belief that immunity is the best insurance one can have. In a world where medical costs are rising and wellness is priceless, protecting health today means ensuring strength for tomorrow.

Distributed by Rhodesian Sales Corp., Moringa VITA is more than just a supplement or coffee mix. It is a reminder that powerful solutions don’t always have to come from far away. Sometimes, they are rooted in our own soil, grown in our own backyards, and carried forward by a brand that believes in health made simple, natural, and accessible.

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

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Countries’ new climate plans to start cutting global emissions, UN says

October 28, 2025 | 5:38 pm

United Nations-UN Flag — SANJITBAKSHI-FLICKR

BRUSSELS — The latest climate pledges by governments will cause global greenhouse gas emissions to start to fall in the next 10 years, but not nearly fast enough to prevent worsening climate change and extreme weather, the UN said on Tuesday.

The analysis by the United Nations’ climate change secretariat (UNFCCC) suggested that, if countries’ plans for tackling climate change are carried out, the yearly amount of planet-warming gases added to the atmosphere would decrease 10% by 2035, from 2019 levels.

The calculation marked the first time the UNFCCC has forecast a steady decline in global emissions, which have consistently increased since 1990.

The projected 10% cut is far short of the 60% emissions drop needed by 2035 to limit global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures – the threshold beyond which scientists say it would unleash far more severe impacts.

That shortfall adds pressure ahead of next month’s COP30 climate summit in Brazil for countries to step up their efforts – even as the United States rolls back climate policies under President.

“Humanity is now clearly bending the emissions curve downwards for the first time, although still not nearly fast enough,” UNFCCC head Simon Stiell said.

“It’s now for COP30 and for the world to respond and show how we are going to speed up,” Stiell said in a statement.

Many countries have been slow to submit more ambitious climate targets, amid economic and geopolitical challenges. The UNFCCC also published a detailed report of the 64 countries who met a September deadline to submit final climate plans, but those accounted for just 30% of global emissions.

To offer a more complete assessment, the UNFCCC said it had produced the global analysis, including targets countries have announced but not yet formally submitted, such as from China and the EU.

That assessment still includes uncertainties. For example, it included the 2024 US emissions-cutting pledge that Trump is expected to scrap, leaving the future US emissions trajectory unclear.

China, which now produces about 29% of annual global emissions, pledged last month to cut emissions by 7% to 10% from their peak by 2035, but did not say when that peak would happen. Some analysts suggested Beijing could deliver far more.

“China tends to under-commit,” said Norah Zhang, climate policy analyst at the research group NewClimate Institute, noting that the country met its 2030 target to expand wind and solar energy six years early. — Reuters

Filinvest Land breaks ground for Sydney Oasis’ Building Aqua in Bacoor, Cavite

October 28, 2025 | 5:30 pm

Sydney-Oasis_Photo-1-OL — **Executives from Filinvest Land, Inc. together with construction partners from Superior BT, Inc. officially break ground for Sydney Oasis Building Aqua.** From L to R: Alexis Ojeda, FLI FVP and Regional Sales Head; Jose Ramil Gatmaitan, Promax SAVP and Regional Sales Head; Niko Gallego, Superior BT, Inc. Marketing Head; Sajed F. Abuhijleh, Superior BT, Inc. President and CEO; Mary Averose Valderrama, FLI SAVP and Regional Business Unit Head; Saul William Doliente, FLI AVP and Cluster Head; Nelson Talagtag, Sharepro, Inc., South Luzon and Visayas Area Head; and Cherishly Badiola, FLI Project Development Manager for Sydney Oasis

Full-range and trusted property developer Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI) marks another milestone with the groundbreaking of Building Aqua, the first building to rise within Sydney Oasis, its newest mid-rise condominium community in Bacoor. This event signals the start of construction and opens more opportunities for aspiring homeowners in the city.

Sydney Oasis is Filinvest Land’s first mid-rise condo development in Bacoor, thoughtfully designed to create an urban oasis in a secure, gated 1.59-hectare enclave. The community combines modern conveniences, resort-inspired amenities, and an accessible location, making it an ideal choice for both end-users and investors.

A New Chapter Opens

Building Aqua, the first of four mid-rise buildings in Sydney Oasis, will rise 12 storeys high with one basement level, ground floor parking, and 11 residential floors. At the rooftop, a Sky Lounge will offer residents a unique leisure spot with expansive views of the horizon.

The building will feature studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, smartly planned with Filinvest Land’s new-generation innovations. These include enhanced security through keycard access doors, bigger kitchen areas for optimized space, smart facial mirrors, and glass bathroom enclosures — ensuring both function and comfort for modern condo living.

FLI Senior Vice-President and Residential Business Unit Head Averose Valderrama shares, “As part of the new-generation projects of Filinvest Land, Sydney Oasis brings a fresh take on resort-style living with its modern, tech-ready units and thoughtfully designed amenities. It also marks a milestone for the community as the first Oasis development to feature a Sky Lounge — an elevated upgrade from the sky gardens previously included in earlier Oasis projects.”

Resort-Inspired Living

Each building is master-planned to complement Sydney Oasis’ Australian coastline-inspired environment. At the heart of the development is Club Oasis, the community’s vibrant centerpiece that offers various venues for relaxation, recreation, and wellness.

Residents will enjoy resort-style amenities such as a beach-edged swimming pool, basketball court, outdoor gym, kids’ play area, and pet-friendly zones. A built-in retail strip located at the main entrance will also provide convenient shopping and services for residents and visitors alike.

Prime Location Advantage

Situated along E. Aguinaldo Highway and only a few meters away from CAVITEX, Sydney Oasis ensures everyday accessibility with nearby transport hubs, shopping centers, hospitals, schools, and churches. Its strategic location allows residents to enjoy a vacation-like lifestyle while staying connected to life’s essentials.

A Dream Lifestyle Made Possible

With its unique features, prime location, and resort-inspired environment, Sydney Oasis is set to redefine mid-rise condo living in Bacoor. Building Aqua is now open for pre-selling and is targeted for completion by 2Q 2029.

For over five decades, Filinvest Land has been building Filipino dreams by creating quality communities nationwide. With Building Aqua on the rise, more home seekers in Bacoor can look forward to a refreshing lifestyle they truly deserve.

To know more about Sydney Oasis, interested parties can call 0917-545-7788 or visit sydneyoasis.com.ph for more information.

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

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Philippines unlikely to add new LNG terminal near-term on excess capacity

October 28, 2025 | 5:21 pm

SINGAPORE — The Philippines is unlikely to add new liquefied natural gas regasification terminals this decade as its existing facilities are significantly underutilized, its energy secretary told Reuters.

“There’s enough for now,” Sharon Garin said, adding that one new terminal proposal is in the pre-development stage and that the country is currently using only about 60% of its existing regasification capacity.

The government is not prioritising additional facilities in Luzon, where both existing terminals are located, but is instead exploring options to expand LNG infrastructure to other regions.

“Eventually we may put a regasification facility somewhere in Visayas or Mindanao,” Ms. Garin told Reuters, referring to the country’s central and southern island groups. “That would be more interesting for us than adding more in Luzon.”

PHILIPPINES INCREASES USE OF GAS FOR POWER
The Philippines’ geography makes pipeline connections between islands challenging, creating interest in alternative solutions such as small-scale LNG power plants with different logistics arrangements.

Ms. Garin said LNG terminal development was unregulated in the Philippines, meaning private companies can proceed with projects if market conditions justify investment.

The country imported an estimated 0.6 million tonnes of LNG in 2023, its first year as an LNG importer, and it has since progressively increased imports and dependence on gas for power generation, government and analytics firm Kpler data showed.

So far this year, it has imported 1.58 million tonnes of LNG via its two existing import terminals, according to Kpler. One of the country’s LNG buyers said purchases of the fuel should be approached on a national basis, as its current import volumes are small.

SEEKING LONG-TERM DEALS
“We need to aggregate our LNG requirements as a country … At least generate attention so suppliers can say this is a credible requirement. Especially if it is the government consolidating all of our requirements as a country,” said Jay Joel L. Soriano, vice president and head of strategy and planning at power producer First Gen Corp.

First Gen has only imported LNG on a spot basis so far, but would be seeking long-term deals if the company is able to renew its power purchase agreements, added Soriano.

LNGPH, an entity that integrates the power facilities of South Premiere Power Corporation and Excellent Energy Resources, Inc, is the only LNG player in the Philippines with a long-term deal, sourcing supply from global energy trading house Vitol. — Reuters

Using sodium-ion tech to replace lead-acid car batteries

October 28, 2025 | 5:11 pm

Nascent Technologies Corp. is developing a sodium-ion-based starter battery that is lighter, longer-lasting, and more environmentally friendly than traditional lead-acid car batteries.

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Video editing by Jayson Mariñas

Philippines-EU FTA negotiations ‘on track’ — official

October 28, 2025 | 3:04 pm

European Union Flag-EU — A EUROPEAN UNION’S flag flutters outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 15, 2020. — REUTERS

By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter

THE Philippines and the European Union (EU) made “remarkable progress” in the text-based negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) during the fourth round of talks, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

“We just finished our fourth round of Philippines-EU FTA negotiations, and I can say it was a productive one. We made remarkable progress in the text-based negotiations,” DTI Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty said in a Viber message.

“On track tayo [sa target timeline], and I would say we are making very good progress sa text-based negotiations,” he added.

In the negotiations held in Cebu City from Oct. 20-24, the parties covered mutual administrative assistance on customs matters, trade and sustainable development, trade in goods, services and investment, digital trade, intellectual property, competition, and rules of origin.

Also discussed were government procurement, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, state-owned enterprises, trade remedies, energy and raw materials, dispute settlement, exceptions, initial provisions, and institutional provisions.

The Philippines and the EU are aiming to conclude FTA negotiations as early as next year, ahead of the expiration of the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) in 2027.

The trading scheme provides duty-free access to over 6,000 Philippine products in the EU market. In 2024, it allowed €2.2 billion worth of Philippine exports to enter the EU duty-free.

“We hope to stabilize the text within the year. We also started market access negotiations for goods, services, and investments, including discussions on modalities for government procurement,” said Mr. Gepty.

“Our objective remains clear, that is, to promote not only trade and investments but also inclusivity, sustainability, good governance, and resilience as we advance our Philippines-EU economic relations,” he added.

According to the trade official, the Philippines and the EU are expected to hold the next round of negotiations by January or February next year.

Bianca Pearl R. Sykimte, director of the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau, said that the early conclusion of the FTA is vital for Filipino exporters, especially amid the scheduled expiration of the current EU GSP+.

“We trust that our Philippine negotiators and EU counterparts are working hard to conclude an agreement at the earliest possible time. Exporters need stability in the trading environment, and the FTA will deliver that,” she said in a Viber message.

Ms. Sykimte said that the EU accounts for approximately 11% of total Philippine exports, such as agriculture and food products, garments, electronics, and industrial goods.

“[The EU GSP] expiry, before the Philippines-EU FTA takes effect, threatens to raise tariffs and reduce competitiveness for Philippine exporters,” she said.

“An FTA will secure long-term, predictable access to the EU, protect existing gains, and unlock new opportunities for high-value sectors,” she added.

John Paolo R. Rivera, a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, said that the early conclusion of the FTA is crucial, as the country is already seeing higher US tariffs and anticipating the expiry of GSP+ benefits.

“Concluding the FTA by mid-2026 would not only provide continuity in preferential market access but also diversify our trade base amid rising protectionism,” he said in a Viber message.

“For an import-dependent economy like the Philippines, securing stable and rules-based trade frameworks is vital to boost investor confidence, improve competitiveness, and safeguard long-term growth amid global uncertainty,” he added.

Meanwhile, German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. President Marie Antoniette E. Mariano expressed support for the ongoing negotiations.

“As reflected in the AHK World Business Outlook Spring 2025, German companies in the Philippines continue to view the FTA as a key framework to expand trade and investment opportunities,” she said in a Viber message.

“We remain optimistic that the ongoing dialogues will bring both economies closer toward a more dynamic and sustainable partnership,” she added.

However, Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines President Robert M. Young said that the government should conduct proper consultation with industry representatives and make sure that the FTA rules and regulations are fair to both parties.

He said that some exporters, particularly those involved in the export of garments, cannot enjoy the benefits of the EU GSP+ due to restrictions.

“The garments need to be of Philippine origin. So, the fabrics that we will use need to be Philippine-made. But we do not have a fabric factory. We are just importing them,” he said in a phone interview.

“The government should make sure that the exporters will really benefit from the FTA… the FTA should address the rules of origin, the environmental concerns and regulations, and the nontariff barriers,” he added.

Former DTI Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba said that the timely conclusion of the FTA is important given the risks from US reciprocal tariffs and the looming expiry of the EU GSP+.

“The progress in the Philippines-EU FTA negotiations is significant. It presents a potential structural opportunity for the Philippines to deepen market access, anchor investment and upgrade exports,” she said in a Viber message.

“Given the risks from US reciprocal tariffs and the looming expiry or change in preferential regimes, timing matters. Hence, concluding the FTA sooner will enhance our strategic trade resilience and development trajectory,” she added.