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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

Forging the path to Philippine energy security

MARC OLIVIER-UNSPLASH

In a breakfast meeting packed with ambition and determination, Energy Secretary Raphael “Popo” Lotilla and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson Monalisa “Mona” Dimalanta showcased their unwavering dedication to transforming the Philippine energy sector. With just one year in office, the dynamic duo has achieved remarkable milestones and set ambitious goals.

One of the key achievements highlighted in the meeting was Mr. Lotilla’s swift action to increase the renewable portfolio standards from a meager 1% to an impressive 2.52%. This bold move positions the power system to effectively increase the share of renewable energy (RE) in the supply mix to 35% by 2030 and an astounding 50% by 2040.

He also knew that to significantly increase the power supply in our system, we needed to open up the RE sector to foreign investment. Within four months of assuming office, Mr. Lotilla, armed with a legal opinion from the Department of Justice, unlocked for 100% foreign investment the use of solar energy, wind and hydropower energy for power generation.

Ms. Lotilla’s collaboration with Chairperson Dimalanta and the ERC has resulted in the development of policies and regulations that prioritize transparency in the energy sector. This fruitful partnership has given rise to initiatives such as market monitoring indices and a revamped ERC website, making it easier for consumers to file complaints and ensuring the affordability of electricity.

Ms. Dimalanta, leading the ERC, unveiled their ambitious goals for 2024, which include increasing sector transparency, pursuing affordable power prices and reinforcing accountability. Through innovative regulatory programs focused on offshore grids, electric vehicles (EVs) and micro-grids, the Department of Energy and ERC aim to satisfy stakeholders’ needs in terms of price affordability.

During the breakfast dialogue hosted by BDB Law and Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) on Aug. 14 at the Shangri-La The Fort, Secretary Lotilla emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency and security in the field of renewable energy. To achieve the goal of 50% RE capacity by 2040, the DoE recognizes the role of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as transition fuel. The country’s offshore wind potential will also be nurtured not only for energy security but also to increase private sector involvement in providing job opportunities to local workers and for skilled, technical Filipino workers abroad to return home.

The equally important aspect or pillar of DoE’s energy program is the effective implementation of energy efficiency and conservation measures to bring down overall energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce intensity in the production of goods and services. This is not just simply a gut-feel reaction to high fuel prices, but the direction that the energy end-use market must take as a society. Sustainable development goals require a change in lifestyle, and it requires a change in consumption patterns.

These are the things that we need to undertake in order for our energy programs to succeed. Secretary Lotilla emphasized that DoE will have to work closely with designated establishments to reduce specific energy consumption across various commercial, industrial and transport end-users. The Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee will also have to aggressively stretch the energy saving impacts of the Government Energy Management Program.

Under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act or EVIDA, which promotes the development and use of alternative fuels and technologies, the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry sets a minimum 10% EV share in the vehicle fleet by 2040. DoE’s more ambitious target is to refleet 50% of all vehicle fleets by 2040 under a clean energy scenario. We look forward to 2028 when we expect all registered EV charging stations to get and use a percentage of their consumption from renewable energy sources. So shifting to electric vehicles does not by itself make sense if we cannot get the power for electric vehicles from renewables.

The ERC, in its efforts to boost flexibility in power supply contracting for off-grid areas, is actively transitioning from fossil fuels to renewables through hybrid programs. It is also addressing voltage challenges and improving backbone facilities in electric cooperatives.

Acknowledging the need to enhance competitiveness, the DoE understands that power costs in the Philippines cannot be subsidized to the same extent as neighboring countries. However, through renewable energy shifts and access to additional resources and technology, Mr. Lotilla and Ms. Dimalanta remain optimistic about achieving their ambitious RE targets.

Collaboration with MAP was mentioned for energy efficiency solutions, tax matter coordination and involvement in crafting the Philippine Energy Plan. The industry was encouraged to be open to different fuel sources like nuclear energy and offshore wind.

With their shared vision of a sustainable and efficient energy sector, Mr. Lotilla and Ms. Dimalanta prove to be a formidable force in driving change. Through their tireless efforts, they are reshaping the Philippine energy landscape, setting a promising path toward a greener and more prosperous future for all. What an exciting time it is for the energy sector!

 

Ruth Yu Owen is the chairperson of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) Energy Committee. She is the president of Upgrade Energy Philippines, Inc.

map@map.org.ph

ruth@ugep-energy.com

Lebanon drag show derailed by crowd of angry conservative men

DRAG ARTIST known as Emma Gration hides on the terrace of a bar after they were attacked by a group of conservative Christians who identify as ‘the Soldiers of God,’ in Beirut, Lebanon Aug. 23. -REUTERS

BEIRUT — A drag show in the Lebanese capital Beirut was cut short late on Wednesday by an angry crowd of conservative Christians screaming homophobic chants, according to a Reuters witness and attendees.

The show, hosted by two Lebanese drag artists known as Latiza Bombe and Emma Gration, was hosted at a bar in Beirut known to be a safe space for LGBT individuals.

But shortly after it started, the two hosts, wearing black leotards and in full makeup and wigs, ended the show early after being alerted that angry men were approaching the venue.

“We are here, we exist, and no one will silence us. However, sometimes to keep doing what we’re doing we have to do it smartly. Unfortunately we have to cut the show short,” Emma Gration said from the stage.

The pair and a group of attendees ran to the changing area as a group of men could be heard gathering outside the venue, loudly spitting and shouting that they were “disgusted” at the event, according to a Reuters witness with them.

The group hid for about 40 minutes, during which the two performers removed makeup and fake eyelashes to blend in with the audience in case the conservative group broke in.

Attendees departed safely after security forces eventually arrived and dispersed the crowd.

Footage posted online from outside the same venue on Wednesday showed men identifying themselves as “the Soldiers of God,” an anti-LGBT Christian movement in Lebanon.

It was the latest episode showing rising hate speech against Lebanon’s LGBT community, including from conservatives with various religious backgrounds.

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, head of powerful Shi’ite armed group Hezbollah, has said homosexuality posed an “imminent danger” to Lebanon and should be “confronted.”

Lebanon was the first Arab country to hold a gay pride week in 2017 and has generally been seen as a safe haven for the LGBT community in the broadly conservative Middle East, a role activists say is now under threat.

Amnesty International voiced concern at the incident, saying it “underscores the worsening state of LGBTI rights in Lebanon,” and urged the Lebanese government to ensure protection for all, irrespective of gender identity or sexual orientation. — Reuters

Jollibee Foods in no rush for Highlands Coffee IPO

HIGHLANDS COFFEE PHILIPPINES FACEBOOK PAGE

JOLLIBEE FOODS Corp. (JFC) believes its Vietnamese coffee chain Highlands Coffee can be separately listed on the market, but it still has a few steps to go, said the finance chief of the listed quick service restaurant operator.

“We’re not in a rush. But at the right time, we believe that this brand can be spun off as a separate listed company,” JFC Chief Financial Officer Richard Chong Woo Shin said in a virtual media briefing last week when asked about a possible initial public offering (IPO) for the coffee brand.

“That remains as part of our strategy, but again, only at the right valuation that maximizes for our shareholders and at the right time as well,” he added.

Mr. Shin said the group had not expanded the brand into many countries, thus “there’s a few steps ahead of IPO.”

He added that there is room for growth for Highlands Coffee, which has a presence in Vietnam and in the Philippines.

“We have just under around 700 stores of Highland Coffee. The majority is in Vietnam, its home base,” he said, adding that in the Philippines it has around 40 stores that are run by a franchisee.

JFC has a controlling interest in Highlands Coffee as it has a 60% stake in the SuperFoods Group, which owns the coffee brand.   

Recently, JFC announced that it would bring Tiong Bahru Bakery and Common Man Coffee Roasters to the Philippines under a joint venture with Food Collective Pte. Ltd. to bolster its existing brands. JFC also owns The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL).

Mr. Shin said during the briefing that the newly announced brands would not eat into the market of existing coffee brands since these cater to a different segment.

“Common Man will be a different expression of coffee in that it’s closer to what I would call the more premium barista coffee. That is what it is famous for. Therefore, we will not be cannibalizing or competing, if you will, with Highlands Coffee or CBTL. In fact, it’s a new segment,” Mr. Shin said.   

For the first half, JFC’s attributable net income fell 13.9% to P4.39 billion versus P5.1 billion a year ago.

JFC’s store network surged by 5.1% as of June. The group has 6,617 stores worldwide, with 3,287 stores in the Philippines and 3,330 international stores across various brands.

As of Aug. 25, JFC shares were at P239.80 apiece, down P3.20 or 1.32% from its previous close of P243 the day prior. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Reinforcing tailwinds: Cashing in on PHL hotel sector’s recovery

By Joey Roi Bondoc and Alfonso Martin Aguila

REVENGE spending, dining, and travel continue to lift the country’s tourism sector. The segment is a key job-generating sector and post-pandemic gains should help restore the sector’s contribution to the country’s national economic output.

Undeniably, more needs to be done to improve the sector’s competitiveness and ensure that the Philippines will stand out globally not just with its beaches but also with its quality infrastructure backbone. After all, we won’t be able to attract millions of tourists if we do not have airports capable of welcoming foreign visitors and an efficient road network that will allow local tourists to go around the country.

The return to normalcy has been a positive for the Philippine leisure sector. More face-to-face events across the country should boost the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) segment. Developers are lining up major projects across the archipelago and these include foreign and homegrown brands, as they anticipate demand from business and leisure travelers. The recalibration of the Department of Tourism’s (DoT) strategy, including its branding, should entice more international travelers to visit the Philippines and raise tourism’s contribution to the economy.

Colliers projects the completion of a record-high 5,300 new hotel rooms in 2023. This is a positive development for the Philippine tourism sector, especially now that the sector is rebounding. With the continued rise in international and domestic tourists as well as return of more in-person events, hotel developers are now lining up  expansion plans for the near to medium term. Colliers sees more foreign brands opening while Filipino homegrown brands are also expanding.   

Among the new hotels that will be completed include: Lansons Place Manila, Grand Westside Hotel, Red Planet Hotel The Fort, Hotel 101 The Fort and Ibis Styles Hotel. We project that more than a third (35%) of the new hotels that will open for the remainder of the year will be foreign brands. From 2023 to 2025, we estimate the completion of 3,000 new hotel rooms every year.

BREACHING THE DOT’S TARGET
The reinvigorated hotel sector remains one of the most vibrant property segments in the country. Foreign arrivals are likely to breach the Tourism department’s target for 2023 while the domestic market continues to lift occupancies and daily rates.

The return of business travelers and in-person corporate events have also been propping up the demand for MICE facilities.

MORE MICE FACILITIES
People are now more willing to attend face-to-face meetings.

Corporations, business groups, and even families have been holding in-person events, especially after the government relaxed restrictions on face-to-face meetings and dropped mask mandates.

In our view, these should be complemented by global sporting events that the Philippines will be hosting.

Colliers believes that hotel developers and operators should assess the future demand for MICE facilities given the segment’s potential for a strong rebound. This should also be aligned with the government’s thrust of modernizing existing and building new airports across the country.

The Tourism department is also priming the Philippines as a major MICE destination, and this should enable the country to corner major global MICE events and further boost tourist arrivals and spending across the archipelago. 

HOMEGROWN, FOREIGN BRANDS
Colliers believes that developers need to strategically plan their expansion, especially now that the sector is gradually recovering. In fulfilling expansion plans, developers should carefully assess whether to launch or expand their own homegrown brands or partner with foreign hotel operators.

Colliers data show that about 42% of new hotels that will open in Metro Manila this year through 2024 are foreign brands. While we see more Metro Manila openings in the pipeline, Colliers believes that there are also opportunities to build more accommodation facilities in key destinations including Pampanga, Cebu, Bohol, Davao, Palawan and Bacolod.

Aside from the traditional growth areas, developers should also build hotels near major convention centers and newly modernized and expanded airports. 

HOTEL OCCUPANCY TO REACH 65%
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the share of the tourism industry to the country’s economy reached 6.2% in 2022, up from 5.2% in 2021. However, this is lower than the record-high 12.8% share in 2019.

Domestic tourism expenditure grew by 92.3% in 2022 to P1.5 trillion ($26.7 billion) from only P782.6 billion ($14 billion) in 2021. Meanwhile, employment in tourism-related industries rose by 9.3% in 2022 to 5.35 million jobs from 4.9 million in 2021.

In the first half of 2023, average hotel occupancies in Metro Manila reached 61%, higher than the 55% recorded in the second half of 2022. Colliers attributes the increase in occupancy to the continued rise in foreign tourists, return of in-person events and sustained demand from the local staycation market.

By the end of 2023, Colliers projects average occupancy in the capital region to reach 65%, partly driven by holiday spending as well as year-end MICE activities. Metro Manila occupancy is now near pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) level. In 2019, average occupancy peaked at 70%, before plummeting to 20% in 2020 due to COVID-19 disruptions arising from mobility restrictions. Note that the occupancy in 2019 was achieved on the back of record-high foreign visitors, which reached 8.26 million.

MORE REASONS TO LOVE PHL
There’s no doubt that the Philippines has a lot to offer to domestic and foreign travelers. Our beaches are recognized globally and Filipinos are known for their warm and genuine brand of hospitality. But these shouldn’t be trumped by dilapidated airports and unpaved roads.

Our global travel and tourism competitiveness needs to improve if we want to bag a greater slice of the global tourism pie and attract more long-haul and high-spending tourists.

The country is finally recovering from the pandemic, and we see tourism stakeholders — from hotel developers/operators to retailers of souvenir items — benefiting from this rebound.

  

Joey Roi Bondoc is the research director for Colliers Philippines, while Alfonso Martin Aguila is the senior research analyst for Colliers Philippines.

Having the ‘material’ to compete in FIBA World Cup

PHILIPPINE STAR/JUN MENDOZA

Before leaving for China to participate in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas Head Coach Yeng Guiao said of Italy, the first team Gilas Pilipinas would play against: “They are big, but we will try to beat them with our speed and three-point shooting.”

Guiao must have assumed that the tall and hefty Italians must be slow like the Biblical character Goliath. Gilas Pilipinas had in its roster three-point shooters Paul Lee, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Mark Barroca, Keifer Ravena, CJ Perez and Robert Bolick. As for speed, except for Andrey Blatche and Jun Mar Fajardo, the Guilas Pilipinas boys are also good run-and-gun players.     

But unlike the shepherd boy David, Goliath’s challenger in the historic battle at Ephes-dammim in the Judean foothills, Guiao went to battle not knowing the adversary well enough. The Italians proved to be superior to Gilas Pilipinas not only in size but in skills as well. As Guiao lamented, “There’s no way we could beat them inside the paint, they’re just too big and too good. Even their bigs were shooting the outside shot really well.”

Not only did Italy have superior “gilas” than Gilas Pilipinas, but their defense was also as solid as Goliath’s metal armor. Guiao had counted on outside shooting and fast breaks to beat Italy. But Italy’s defense disabled Gilas Pilipinas’ weapons. The national team shot only 13% from beyond the arc and turned the ball over 23 times leading to 34 points off turnovers for the Italians. Italy beat Gilas Pilipinas by 46 points.

Gilas Pilipinas next played against the Serbians, who were as big as the Italians but more skillful. Four members of the team play in the US professional National Basketball Association. Nikola Jokic was a contender for the Most Valuable Player award in NBA’s 2018-2019 season. Gilas Pilipinas lost to them by 59 points, leading Serbia’s Coach Sasha Djordjevic to ask if the Philippines had the materials to compete in the World Cup.

The Philippine team failed to win a single game in the 2019 World Cup. Guiao suggested that for the Philippine team to be worthy of competing in international tournaments, the national team must be formed way ahead of the next World Cup. That way, team members would have chemistry among themselves. But chemistry is not all there is to it. There has to be the basic material, as the Serbian coach pointed out. Members of our national team should have not only the same skills as the Europeans, but they also have to be as big as them to be worthy of competing in the World Cup.

And so, in preparation for this year’s World Cup, which opened on Aug. 25 in the cavernous Philippine Arena before a FIBA World Cup record-breaking attendance of 38,115, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) began its buildup of Gilas Pilipinas by forming in June a 21-man pool from which the members of the national team would be selected. A panel of multiple PBA championship coaches was formed to choose the 12 players who would make up Gilas Pilipinas 2023.

Named to the pool were Japeth Aguilar, June Mar Fajardo, Kiefer Ravena, CJ Perez, Roger Pogoy, Poy Erram, Dwight Ramos, Bobby Ray Parks, Scottie Thompson, Jordan Heading, Kai Sotto, Chris Newsome, Jamie Malonzo, Thirdy Ravena, Carl Tamayo, Calvin Oftana, Rhenz Abando and AJ Edu. Naturalized Filipinos Jordan Clarkson, Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame were included in the pool, but only one of them could be included in the final roster, in accordance with FIBA rules.

The panel of coaches was composed of head coach Chot Reyes, and assistant coaches Tim Cone and Jong Uichico. This is Reyes’ second World Cup stint as head coach. He was head coach of Gilas Pilipinas that got to the second round of the 2014 World Cup. He is a nine-time PBA champion coach and six-time Coach of the Year. Cone is the winningest coach in the PBA with 25 championships including two Grand Slams. He is a four-time Coach of the Year. He coached the national team that won the bronze medal in the 1998 Asian Games and the gold medal in the 2019 SEA Games in Manila. Uichico, who is also on his second World Cup assignment, is a nine-time PBA champion coach and two-time Coach of the Year. He steered the national team to the SEA Games gold in 2013 and 2017.

Selected for Gilas Pilipinas were:

• Japeth Aguilar, the 6’9” center/forward who has been part of the program since Gilas 1 was formed in 2009. This is his third World Cup stint. He was designated captain of the team. He is an eight-time PBA champion and one-time Finals MVP;

• June Mar Fajardo, a 6’10” center who is also on his third World Cup campaign, is a six-time PBA MVP, nine-time PBA champion, four-time Finals MVP;

• Kiefer Ravena, point guard, a member of Gilas Pilipinas that went to the 2019 World Cup;

• Roger Pogoy, shooting guard, also a member of 2019 World Cup Gilas Pilipinas;

• CJ Perez, point guard/shooting guard, another member of 2019 Gilas Pilipinas;

• Jordan Clarkson, point guard/small forward, plays in the NBA for the Utah Jazz. He is the team’s naturalized player;

• Scottie Thompson, point guard/shooting guard, 2021 PBA MVP and seven PBA championships including two Finals MVP;

• Dwight Ramos, a small forward, plays in Japan’s B-League;

• Kai Sotto, 7’3” center who played for two seasons for the Adelaide 36ers in Australia’s National Basketball League and the Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League. He represented the country in the under 19 division of the 2019 World Cup;

• AJ Edu, 6’10” center who played for University of Toledo. He also represented the country in the under 19 division of the 2019 World Cup;

• Jamie Malonzo, 6’7” forward, a Barangay Ginebra star;

• Rhenz Abando, shooting guard, plays in the Korean Basketball League

With an average height of about 6’5”, this is the tallest Philippine team ever assembled. No player is below six feet. Sotto is the tallest Filipino basketball player ever to represent the country. However, Fajardo at 268 pounds is the only member of the team that can compare with the size of most of the players that compete in international tournaments.

Head coach Reyes told the players that they must strive to achieve their utmost potential to stand a chance against their co-Group A competitors Angola, Dominican Republic and Italy in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. While optimal performance doesn’t guarantee victory, Reyes emphasized that one thing Gilas can’t afford is to fall short of their best when up against the world’s premier basketball teams.

“That’s how we approach this game. We have to be the best that we can be and play our best game and even if we play our best, it doesn’t really guarantee a win because that’s how strong the other team is. The only sure thing is if we do not play our best, then we have no chance,” said Reyes.

In a post in SBP’s Facebook page, Reyes explained to his players that they have little margin for error playing against world-class squads. “(Our) margin for error is very small, so when you get in there, every second you play on the floor counts. That’s the way it is, we really have to be on point every single moment.”

The Gilas Pilipinas boys fell short of their best when they went up against the Dominican Republic on Friday, losing by six points, 81-87. They turned the ball over 19 times, got outrebounded, giving up 17 offensive rebounds, and committed 28 fouls that resulted in 23 points for the opponents.

Dominican Republic star player Karl-Anthony Towns, first overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves and Rookie of the Year that season, said: “Everyone on their team (Gilas Pilipinas) is hardworking. They played with a lot of love.” I take it as his polite way of saying “Filipinos do not play with a lot of skills.”

It was a different story last Sunday. They played their best, but Gilas Pilipinas’ best was not good enough to beat the taller, heftier and faster visitors. “We got hammered on the boards. We gave up 20 offensive rebounds to the other team. And in the end that was the story,” said Coach Reyes. Gilas Pilipinas lost by 10 points.

Tonight, Gilas Pilipinas will face the Italians, who will be led by Simone Fontecchio, Jordan Clarkson’s Utah Jazz teammate. Italy beat Angola by 14 points. Will Sasha Djordjevic, who is in town as the coach of the Chinese team competing in the World Cup, be still asking if the Philippines has the materials to compete?

 

Oscar P. Lagman, Jr. is a retired corporate executive, business consultant, management professor and an avid sports fan.

Divided US embraces Trump mug shot merchandise

U.S. President Donald Trump — REUTERS/LEAH MILLIS/FILE PHOTO

FORMER US President Donald Trump’s historic mug shot, posted by a Georgia courthouse on Thursday evening, is being turned into T-shirts, shot glasses, mugs, posters and even bobblehead dolls by friends and foes alike.

The shot of Mr. Trump with a red tie, glistening hair, and an icy scowl was taken as the Republican presidential front-runner was arrested on more than a dozen felony charges, part of a criminal case stemming from his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

Supporters and campaign managers have embraced the image of his arrest, as they rally around Mr. Trump’s claims that the charges against him are politically motivated.

To critics, the photo is a symbol that his long list of legal woes has finally caught up to him. Mr. Trump’s Save America fundraising committee is selling “NEVER SURRENDER!” mug shot t-shirts ($34.00), beverage holders ($15.00 for two) and coffee mugs ($25.00).

His son Don Jr. is marketing “FREE TRUMP” mug shot t-shirts ($29.99) and posters ($19.99).

On the other side of the political divide, the Lincoln Project, a prominent anti-Trump group founded by Republicans, is selling shot glasses ($55.00 for six) with the mug shot and “FAFO,” an acronym for “Fuck Around and Find Out,” a rallying cry among Trump critics.

Etsy, the crafts website, has dozens of mocking products, including a Taylor Swift concert t-shirt parody ($26.00).

In Los Angeles, a t-shirt store unaffiliated with any campaign had already started selling tops emblazoned with the image on Friday afternoon.

“I think it’s very classic consumerism for this country,” said shopper CJ Butler from Atlanta, Georgia. “Hey, it’s Trump. He sells everything so why not have a T-shirt?”
The image could be a huge fundraiser for the Republican candidate, some political strategists predict.

“His superfans are going to see this and it will be a fist-pumping exercise for them to send in that $25 and get that shirt or that mug,” said David Kochel, a veteran Republican presidential campaign operative in Iowa. “It’s kind of sad at the end of the day that the campaign is going to celebrate his indictment over 13 criminal charges — but that’s where our politics is.”

Mr. Trump has for months sought to leverage the criminal probes against him to rally support from his base, starting with his first indictment in New York. His fundraising groups, including his past and current presidential campaigns, have reported investing more than $98 million in merchandise operations since 2015, buying items like bumper stickers, hoodies and coffee mugs to sell.

Speaking to Reuters after the Republican debate on Wednesday, co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita said his team had been focused on turning the four indictments into a positive, “making sure that we were making lemonade at every opportunity, which I think we did.”

Veterans of other political operations say campaigns can make a 50% profit or more on their merchandise sales and LaCivita on Thursday warned off those trying to make money from the image without the campaign’s permission.

LEGAL RIGHTS?
What legal rights, if any, Mr. Trump’s campaign may have over the mug shot’s reproduction are unclear, however. The photo was distributed by the Fulton County court to media outlets, including Reuters.

Mug shots taken by US federal courts are generally in the public domain, although Georgia’s state policy may be different.

Many US states have “right of publicity” laws that prevent the use of a person’s image in commerce without their permission. Federal trademark law also bars false advertising and endorsements, and Mr. Trump would also likely be able to sue under other state laws.

But political parody goods may receive some protection from intellectual-property claims under the US Constitution, and attorneys say that whether Mr. Trump would actually sue is more of a strategic question than a legal one.

“In all likelihood, given how polarizing Trump has been, and everything that is already in the marketplace around his likeness, it would not likely be a legal priority,” trademark attorney Josh Gerben said.

Mr. Trump’s pose, glaring into the camera with his face tilted down, echoes his trademark pose in The Apprentice, the reality television show he starred in for several years.

The former president told Fox News Digital in an interview Thursday night that he only did the mug shot because Georgia officials insisted. “It is not a comfortable feeling — especially when you’ve done nothing wrong,” he said.

Rick Wilson, a co-founder of the Lincoln Project flogging mug shot wares online, dared Mr. Trump’s campaign to sue him in a Friday post on X.

“Trump’s people are certainly viewing it as a powerful image, and his opponents are also viewing it as a powerful image,” he said. — Reuters

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