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Insurance, policies vital to bolstering cybersecurity in the Philippines — experts

PIXABAY

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Senior Reporter

INSURANCE, workforce education, enactment of more cybersecurity laws, and addressing obstacles to implementing the government’s existing policies are crucial for strengthening the Philippines’ defenses against cyberattacks, experts said.

“I would advocate for more local market support for cybersecurity insurance,” Ana Margarita “Miren” Sanchez, Philpacific Insurance Brokers & Managers, Inc. (Philinsure) vice-president for strategy and engagement, said at the BusinessWorld Insights virtual forum on Wednesday.

She noted that the trend of moving data to the cloud from the web is seen to accelerate over the next 12 years.

“We should expect whatever data we have online to be 12 times that in the next 12 years,” Ms. Sanchez said.

This means more exposure to cybercrime, cyberthreats, or cyber risks, she noted.

According to a recent study by online marketing firm Reboot Digital PR Services, the Philippines is the ninth “least cyber secure” in Asia, mainly due to a huge number of phishing and malware-hosting sites.

The average cost of losing our data globally is “$200,000 (or more than P11 million) per cyberattack regardless of company size,” Ms. Sanchez said, adding that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the most vulnerable entities.

Despite the need for insurance in response to cyberattacks, she said it has been challenging to secure such a product, noting there is no local market support for it.

Melchor T. Plabasan, director and head of the Technology Risk and Innovation Supervision Department of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, said the Philippines is still “evolving” in terms of cybersecurity.

“There are some pending legislation or measures right now, which can help address the known gaps in addressing cyberthreats,” he noted.

Francisco “Cocoy” Claravall, vice-president for Partner Ecosystem for Globe Business – Enterprise Group, said there is a need to “increase awareness and education about threat problems and how to protect ourselves.”

This also means that Philippine organizations, both private and public, need to train more cybersecurity professionals to keep up with the growing number of threats.

“In the Philippines, we’ve seen an average of 2,115 weekly attacks against companies and organizations, higher than the standard in Southeast Asia,” Mr. Claravall said.

He stressed that all stakeholders should prioritize countermeasures and identify where resources are needed to defend against sophisticated attacks.

Organizations also need to “deploy technology to continuously validate the legitimacy of digital interactions and establish rapid response capabilities to quickly address the early signs of a breach,” he added.

Allan S. Cabanlong, founder and chief executive officer of CyberGuardians, Inc., said the government already has cybersecurity awareness programs and a cybersecurity plan in place, but implementation is difficult.

“The main challenge now with the government is the implementation. All the plans and guidelines have already been laid out,” he said.

“The laws are there already, although there are some proposed measures that we also need. The question now is how these [policies] are implemented.”

He stressed that the approach to implementation should be “whole of society.”

“The government is expected to be able to change the mindset that cybersecurity should not be operated under the radar, but with strong participation of stakeholders.”

DTI: Australia’s Sacgasco keen on PHL offshore oil

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AUSTRALIAN energy firm Sacgasco Ltd. is targeting more offshore oil developments in the Philippines, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The DTI said that Sacgasco, which is locally operating as Nido Petroleum Philippines Pty. Ltd., is aiming to get a drilling rig in early 2023 to perform an extended well test on the revitalization of the Cadlao oilfield, which is covered by Service Contract (SC) 6B in the Palawan basin.

“This project will be followed with a plan to drill the exciting Nandino Prospect, through SC 54A, also offshore Palawan and to conduct an extended well test as the basis for more to fully developing a discovery at Nandino,” the DTI said in a statement on Wednesday.

Further, the DTI said that Sacgasco’s initial investments for the oil projects in SC 6B and SC 54A are $15 million each for the drilling and testing of oil production with a follow-up investment ranging from $10 to $50 million for each project.

It added that Sacgasco is also involved in SC 14C2, which covers the potential redevelopment of the West Linapacan oilfield.

Gary Jeffery, Sacgasco managing director, said that the company sees “massive opportunities” to develop oil and gas in the territory of the Philippines.

“Our highest desire is to explore frontier areas with large potential near the Malampaya Gas Field that supplies natural gas to Manila and surrounding areas. The size of the prospects in this area (SC 58) are such that successful drilling would dramatically change the Philippines’ energy picture for the better,” the DTI quoted Mr. Jeffery as saying.

“We can help the Philippines address its energy challenge and in the most successful scenario, the country can even become a net exporter of energy,” he added.

According to the DTI, Sacgasco representatives were initially part of the Pacific Business Mission to the Philippines held in August, but delayed their plans due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“The government prioritizes the equilibrium price for energy and assures continued support for foreign investments as the Board of Investments, with endorsement from the Department of Energy (DoE), guarantees enhanced incentives focused on energy-related projects to achieve efficiency, cost reduction, ensure continuous supply of petroleum products, and enhance environmental protection,” the DTI said.

“As stated on the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998; such incentives include additional deduction for labor expenses, minimum tax and duty of three percent (3%) and value-added tax on imported capital equipment, unrestricted use of consigned equipment, exemption from taxes and duties on imported spare parts, among others,” it added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

ERC to decide on SMC rate increase petition by Oct. 4

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THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) assured that it would issue a fair decision on or before Oct. 4 on the temporary relief sought by San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

“We are mindful of the timeline in SMC’s letter to Meralco,” Floresinda Baldo G. Digal, a commissioner at the ERC, told BusinessWorld via Viber on Wednesday.

SMC, through its energy arm SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., and Meralco jointly filed a petition with the ERC for a temporary rate increase.

ERC said it started the deliberations on the petition, which covers the companies’ two power supply agreements (PSAs).

Ms. Digal said that the ERC would come up with its decision on or before Oct. 4, or the date SMC warned it would terminate its PSAs.

In SMC’s letter to Meralco, it said that South Premiere Power Corp. and San Miguel Energy Corp., the administrators of the coal power plant in Sual, Pangasinan, and natural gas-fired power plant in Ilijan, Batangas had issued notices of termination of their PSAs, effective on Oct. 4, if the regulatory body denied its appeal for relief.

Last month, SMC said its Ilijan and Sual plants suffered combined losses of P15 billion, prompting the company to seek a rate increase to continue supplying power to Meralco.

If the ERC approved the petition for temporary relief, electricity prices in Luzon would go up by 30 centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh) over a period of six months.

However, in SMC’s previous statement it said that if ERC failed to act on its petition, electricity prices in Luzon and adjacent provinces will go up as much as 30% starting October.

Meanwhile, Meralco previously said that it had already secured emergency power supply deals with several generators in case the termination of the PSAs will push through.

In a virtual briefing on Sept. 8, Lawrence S. Fernandez, Meralco’s vice-president and head of utility economics, said that preserving the existing PSAs with SMC is the least cost option for consumers.

Mr. Fernandez said that Meralco had contracted “four to five” generators for the emergency purchase of power, including from one power plant of Aboitiz Power Corp.

“The weighted average offers from the different suppliers were between P7 and P8 per kilowatt-hour for one year supply starting October,” he said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Upson delays IPO to 2023

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TECH retailer Upson International Corp. will defer its initial public offering (IPO) to the first quarter of 2023.

In a media release, the company said that its plan to adjust its IPO timetable is aligned with the views of its underwriters First Metro Investment Corp. and RCBC Capital Corp.

It said operational updates covering nine months, including the third quarter financial results, “would enable investors to better estimate a full-year performance.”

Upson’s initial target listing date was on Oct. 14, with the public offer set from Oct. 3 to 7.

The company will offer 888,157,800 common shares at P5.50 apiece. This includes 789,473,600 allotted for the primary offering, and up to 98,684,200 for the secondary offering, with 98,684,200 as an over-allotment option.

Upson intends to raise up to P4.34 billion from its initial offering. It said net proceeds from the IPO will be used to expand its store network and improve its supply chain and logistics.

“The ‘return to normal’ or the rest of the year gives us confidence that the pre-pandemic sales growths will continue to define the opportunities at hand,” Upson Chief Executive Officer and President Arlene T.  Sy said in a statement.

Upson offers its retail products through its stores Octagon Computer Superstore, Micro Valley, and Gadget King.

The company said its updated prospectus after the adjusted IPO timetable will highlight its market performance for the third quarter of 2022.

Upson said it also intends to open 250 stores from 2022 to 2026. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Turning water to spirit

Glenmorangie’s flavor is based on the waters of Tarlogie Springs

WHISKY comes from a Gaelic word for water: uisge. Glenmorangie, a distillery that is almost 200 years old (founded in 1843) takes its cues from its water source, the Tarlogie Springs, thereby bringing the word’s meaning back to the spirit.

We learned this during a Whisky Nights tasting at the Conrad Manila’s C Lounge on Sept. 7, where Glenmorangie ambassador Kevin Charuel was a special guest. Glenmorangie, while owned by the Macdonald family for several years, would be later acquired in 2004 by luxury conglomerate LVMH (LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton). It’s just one of the many spirits brands owned by the company — the Hennessy cognac brand is right there in their name.

Mr. Charuel introduced us to the Glenmorangie 10 Years, the Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Years, and the Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Years. The Glenmorangie 10 was described by Mr. Charuel as akin to working in an Italian garden, thanks to a scent of fruit and flowers. This also had a scent of blond woods, and fruit, vanilla, and honey notes in the taste.

The Lasanta 12 was a bit more special. “The inspiration behind the creation of this whisky was the sunset,” he said. It had a scent of shaved dark chocolate, some musk; but one that was heavy with spice and dark fruit. Finished in sherry casks, it had a gentle smolder, like a candle just before it’s put out.

Finally, the Quinta Ruban 14 Years had a woody and herbal scent, like a walk through a forest; or perhaps firewood right before it’s lit. It’s quite heavy and designed for slow, meditative drinking — perhaps by a fire. It had a hot and peppery note tempered by a note of caramel that tapered out into a low, lingering heat.

The brand can trace its taste to several factors. Mr. Charuel points out that they own the tallest copper pot stills in all of Scotland (he says that they’re about as tall as giraffes). “We can have more space to develop more flavors through the copper,” he said.

On the note of water, he said about the centuries-old Tarlogie Springs: “It brings a specific minerality that will translate into fruitiness,” he said, crediting this to the rocks that sit on the springs. “When we use this water to produce our whiskies, then we can express and translate all the fruity character.”

Its ownership by a French conglomerate can also explain its qualities, even if it is a single-malt Scotch (the conglomerate also owns whisky brand Ardbeg). The French connection is there in Scotland: one remembers the Auld Alliance they entered with France in 1295 to fight against England, not to mention the various princesses traded in marriage between the two kingdoms (Mary, Queen of Scots was made Queen of Scotland about a week after her birth; in turn she married into the ruling House of Valois in France).

“It brings its expertise and know-how to create and to distribute amazing products,” he said of LVMH. “Luxury is not about price,” he said. A quick look at Glenmorangie 10’s price places it at P2,500, give or take. “It’s luxury for different reasons. The main reason is know-how.”

“Only a few people know how to do it, and we cannot do it everywhere in the world.”

Prices for Whisky Nights at the C Lounge (usually held on Wednesdays) start at P800++. — Joseph L. Garcia

IKEA says holidays to boost foot traffic, sales

SWEDISH furniture retailer IKEA is expecting more foot traffic and sales in its Philippine store as the holiday season approaches, its local manager said, as the popular brand marks nearly a year of doing business in the country.

“We are well prepared, stocked up for a very good Christmas business. We’re looking forward to it,” said Georg Platzer, IKEA Philippines store manager, in an interview on the sidelines of a seminar organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) in Pasay City on Wednesday.

IKEA opened its Philippine store in Pasay City on Nov. 25 last year.

“We are now better prepared than ever for a good business. Supply chain issues are much more under control now. We really had challenges in the beginning after opening. The months of February, March, and April were not really looking good because of so many factors that were not under our control. It’s going to be much better now,” Mr. Platzer said.

He said the retail industry is waiting the whole year for the holiday season, and that IKEA is “ready to go.”

“We have beautiful new products, a lot of fantastic gift ideas for [the] lowest possible price. We will also have a Christmas line for decorating your home. We are good to go and we are expecting good business,” he added.

Further, Mr. Platzer expects stronger foot traffic after recent heavy rains dampened mobility.

“[Foot traffic] in August was really good… The rainy season always has an impact on the mobility of people. We feel that now. But it is nothing to be worried about… I am positive that as soon as the rain is over, people will come back shopping,” Mr. Platzer said.

“Foot traffic during the weekdays is moderate,” he said. “Weekends are a bit more crowded but still under control. It is crowded because this is the time when families go out, including the kids. We are really satisfied with the foot traffic.”

Mr. Platzer said that the company is projecting 7 million visitors for its financial year, which is from September 2022 until August 2023.

According to him, the store recorded 3.8 million visitors from Nov. 25 last year until Aug. 31 this year.

“We had to control the crowd in the beginning,” Mr. Platzer said. “We are quite positive that for the next full year, we are reaching 7 million visitors.”

“Seven million is a very challenging goal but there are not many restrictions anymore and people are going out and shopping,” he added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Craft beers the focus at October Fiesta

AN Oktoberfest, Filipino-style, is brewing over at Newport World Resorts. The three-day October Fiesta will feature craft beers and music from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.

Participating microbreweries include Boondocks Brewing Co, Katipunan Craft Ales, Greshbrew, Beer Bunny, Weekend Craft Ales, Crows Beverage Ventures, NTL Craft Beer, Sagada Cellar Door, Drink It Now Pare, Elias Wicked Ales & Spirits, El Deposito Brewery, Nipa Brewery, and Engkanto Brewery. Some of their offerings were presented to be sampled during a tasting on Sept. 15 at El Calle Food & Music Hall, which will provide beer-matched munches like sizzling sisig, grilled sausages, and tinapa (smoked local fish) nachos.

Cherry Genato, Festival Director for the Manila Beer Fest, which is organizing the event under the Philippine Craft Beer Community, walked us through the beers.

Craft beers are made by microbreweries, in contrast to the industrial breweries we’re familiar with. According to her, there’s a production volume cap after which a microbrewery is designated as an industrial brewery. The people she works with work with volumes of 100 to 1,000 liters.

While microbreweries have a rather free hand on what kind of beer they want to produce, apparently, the ones here go back to a familiar flavor. “Pale,” said Ms. Genato, as in Pale Pilsen or Pilsner, which most of us grew old with. She credits this to the domination of San Miguel’s Pale Pilsen in the market. “When they taste beer as Pale, that’s what they associate it with,” she said, adding that it’s used as a reference, though with more intense flavors. This explains why the Boondocks Wheat Ale, the Katipunan Indio Pale Ale, and the Santa Maria Brewery Makiling varieties had similarities in flavor, but also a juicy pineapple note across. “Craft beer is like a work of art. Each brewer, they’re free to make whatever they want. Like a chef in a restaurant.”

While she says that entering the microbrewing industry might take about a million pesos, minimum, considering the equipment used, some hobbyists make do with stovetop operations. “Para ka lang nagpapakulo ng sabaw (it’s like boiling soup),” she said.

Issues in the industry she would note are the importation of the raw materials (like wheat, barley, and yeast), and the equipment used. This is why, she says, that the Philippine Craft Beer Community is partnering with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for a shared microbrewing facility.

At least they all keep each other afloat. “This is the only industry I’ve seen where people are helping each other. It’s not like a competition,” she said. “In order for the entire industry to have a fair share of success, it cannot be just one person doing everything.”

Tickets for the beer festival are now available from P250 for one craft beer sample, and P1,200 for one local craft beer each from Boondocks Brewing Co. and Katipunan Craft Ales, an El Calle Food and Music Hall Bar Chow Sampler, and a raffle entry for special prizes during the event. Musical acts during the festival include Donna Moreno, Dom Rodriguez, Musica, Rox Puno, Cass, Alex Arias, Junno, and Tiara Shaye, with performances beginning at 5 p.m. — Joseph L. Garcia

Tech firm StoreHub aims to strengthen PHL presence with new funds

STOREHUB.COM/PH

SOUTHEAST Asian technology firm StoreHub, which helps restaurants and retailers automate, has raised $13.5 million in new funding, a company official announced on Wednesday.

The amount will be used to improve StoreHub’s operations in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries, it said in an e-mailed statement.

Venture capital firm 500 Global led the pre-Series B funding round, with participation from existing investors Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India, OSK, and others.

“In the post-Covid rush to reopen, businesses have had to make new changes to adapt to the new normal. In line with this, the Philippines and the region have had to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies to meet the demands of the time,” StoreHub Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Wai Hong Fong said.

“With ‘revenge travel’ and ‘revenge dining,’ retail and F&B business owners are looking for ways to improve operational efficiency and maximize their revenue per customer.”

StoreHub started as a cloud-based point-of-sale system in Southeast Asia in 2013.

In the Philippines, StoreHub is one of the point-of-sale system providers accredited by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

“Today, the platform powers over 15,000 paying retail and restaurant outlets in Southeast Asia and has expanded its offering to include QR-based table ordering, loyalty, automated customer engagement, and more,” the company said.

StoreHub noted that it processed over 128 million transactions worth over $1.6 billion in the past 12 months, a 40% rise from the prior year.

“The latest funding round will be used to continue fueling healthy growth and technology innovation to deepen the value of each customer,” the company said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Luxurious glamping in Laiya

LAIYA, a popular beach destination in the municipality of San Juan, Batangas, continues to attract tourists, thanks to the natural charm of its picturesque white sands, unimpeded ocean views, and sunny atmosphere.

About two hours from Manila via the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Club Laiya provides a unique glamping (glamorous camping) experience for those who don’t want just the usual overnight stay. Thirty-three cylindrical sleeping pods called Cocoons offer access to not only Laiya beach, but also a swimming pool and a beachfront restaurant and bar.

The Cocoons are basically giant concrete pipes which were refurbished into intimate rooms good for two people, their exteriors featuring murals of the vibrant marine life of Batangas. Each one is fully air-conditioned, with a queen-size bed, a flat screen TV, a minibar, a safety deposit box, and complimentary wi-fi.

As the name suggests, sleeping in one of these pods feels like being in a cocoon due to the limited space inside, but it’s also quite cozy. At night, you can flip a switch and cause the ceiling to light up into a twinkling starry sky that can lull you to sleep.

Though the rooms don’t have private bathrooms (as you’ll find in any camping situation), the glam is turned up because of the luxurious, well-kept communal bathroom that can easily accommodate multiple groups of guests.

The glamping site is just one of many leisure and hospitality facilities drawing tourists, entrepreneurs, and property owners and investors to the area, according to Gerard “Gibby” F. Peñaflor, vice-president for marketing at Landco Pacific Corporation.

Millennial Resorts, the hospitality arm of Landco, operates and manages Landco BeachTowns, one of which is the 24-hectare Club Laiya.

“One thing we like about Laiya is, by itself, it’s a destination. It was already known back in the ’90s, but to get here, the entire stretch leading to the resorts was all rough roads, over an hour travel time. Now, everything has changed. Laiya is a priority area for tourist development and the roads are now developed,” Mr. Peñaflor told BusinessWorld.

A stay in one of the Cocoons can cost between P4,500 and P6,000 a night. They easily get fully booked on weekends, Mr. Peñaflor said, adding that the resort’s accessibility makes it appealing for guests seeking a weekend getaway.

Aside from the pods, soon-to-be-constructed amenities will provide more experiences, such as Camperisti, a site of “glamper vans” right next to the beach, and The Isle, a multi-purpose events center for wedding receptions and social and corporate events.

“This place has so much potential. You really can’t beat the beauty of a beachfront,” said Mr. Peñaflor.

RESORT LIVING AT CLUB LAIYA
Strategically located with under-30-minute access to hospitals, schools, shopping outlets, and recreational sites like Laiya Adventure Park and Mount Dagulgol, the BeachTowns development in Laiya is still far from complete.

Master-planned by Landco, the property should soon feature a mix of residential commercial lots, condotel, and tourist hubs:

Plaza Laiya, a community plaza, will serve as a gathering point for local events, surrounded by retail and dining outlets and spaces filled with trees and greenery.

The Spinnaker, shaped like the special boat sail for which it is named, will be a medium-rise beachfront condominium with terraced levels with an unmatched view of the beach.

The Seaside District, a combination of 106 residential-commercial lots closest to Laiya beach, will be a beach community of homes and businesses.

The Upper West Side District will be an inland gated community of 190 lots with full access to Laiya’s mountain views. It will also have a nearly half-kilometer swimming pool and urbanized forest trail around its entire perimeter.

Mr. Peñaflor explained that investors and property owners will have free rein to transform their residential-commercial properties, whether it’s a bed and breakfast, a restaurant, or a resort wear boutique.

“To help stimulate tourist traffic, leisure facilities like the Cocoons help prime the property and develop our storyline — the residential-commercial pitch of resort living. Their role is to bring in the tourist traffic,” he said.

“When you invest, you won’t have to wait for tourists. We’re already seeing the traffic. It’s a matter of you saying that you want to put up a beach house with a coffee shop.” — Bronte H. Lacsamana

Villar’s ALLTV tries to expand reach via cable operators

VILLAR-LED Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS) channel ALLTV has signed a partnership deal with a cable operators group to expand its reach, a company official announced on Wednesday.

ALLTV recently “inked a partnership with the Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association, Inc. (PCTA) for the network’s airing expansion to more cable operators across the country,” AMBS said in an e-mailed statement.

The partnership will allow ALLTV to be streamed to nearly 300 more cable operators.

“Currently, viewers can watch ALLTV on Channel 2 on Free TV and Planet Cable, Channel 35 on Sky or CignalTV, Channel 32 on GSAT, Channel 23 on Cablelink, and Channel 2 on other cable TV providers,” AMBS said.

AMBS President Maribeth C. Tolentino said ALLTV targets to reach homes in remote areas.

“This collaboration between AMBS and PCTA is very timely and I’d like to say that cable TV still plays an important role as far as distributing content or programs like this as we are the last mile in delivering content to the most far-flung areas across the country,” PCTA President Venancio Lo said.

ALLTV is under Prime Assets Ventures, Inc. led by businessman Manuel Paolo A. Villar.

The media company has also signed a content license partnership deal with CNN Philippines, a commercial, broadcast, cable, and satellite TV network owned and operated by Nine Media Corp., together with RPN, under a license from Warner Bros. Discovery. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Dining In/Out (09/22/22)

LATTE Negroni

Negroni specials at Sheraton Manila Bay

SHERATON Manila Bay’s Unspoken Bar celebrates a decade of Negroni Week with a signature Negroni Cocktail, combo specials, taste teasers and more. Negroni Week started in 2013 as a celebration of one of the world’s great cocktails and an effort to raise money for charitable causes around the world. Since then, Negroni Week has grown from about 120 participating venues to thousands of venues around the world. To date, the initiative has raised over $3 million for charitable organizations. This year, Unspoken Bar joins by offering its Drink of the Month, the Latte Negroni that fuses the classic Negroni with hints of coffee (P390++ per order). The bar’s bespoke Negroni cocktails Paper Cut and Sbagliata will be available for complimentary samplers and mixes on Taste Teasers every Wednesday of September. For reservations call 5318-0788 or e-mail reservations.manilabay@sheraton.com.

Starbucks collaborates with FARM Rio on collection

STARBUCKS is teaming up with Brazilian fashion and lifestyle brand, FARM Rio to bring customers an exclusive collection of drinkware and lifestyle products celebrating the joy nature inspires. The bold and vibrant collection includes a tote bag, travel pouch, mug, water bottle, and tumbler, featuring five iconic patterns that represent the colors and shapes of nature in Rio. This limited-edition collaboration is available at select Starbucks stores in Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Singapore, while supplies last.

Happy 8 offers new crab dish

FRESH seafood can’t get any fresher than when it’s caught live and set straight to the wok as it now is at the Newport Garden Wing’s signature Chinese restaurant, Happy 8. The sweet-savory Wok-Fried Live Crab in Vietnamese sauce is available for the whole month of September for P550 net per 100 grams. For more information on Newport World Resorts offers, visit www.newportworldresorts.com.

Guevarra’s offers sweet treats

GUEVARRA’S by Chef Laudico can brighten a day with its sweet treats. There is the best-selling Brigaderos Cake (P1,080), a dark chocolate cake, frosted and filled with truffle ganache and creamy dulce de leche; the Ube Macapuno Cake (P1,199), a light and fluffy macapuno-filled chiffon cake with ube buttercream frosting; the Mango Sansrival (P1,080), made with layers of cashew meringue and buttercream topped off with fresh mangoes; and Brazo de Calamansi (P880), with its layers of cake, calamansi curd, and torched meringue frosting. For bite-sized treats, there are Kalabasa Pastillas Balls (P99 for six pieces), milk and squash candies rolled in sugar; and Butterscotch Bars (P179/12 pieces). Order these desserts and a whole lot more at www.guevarras.com. Guevarra’s by Chef Laudico is at 387 P. Guevarra corner Argonne Streets, Addition Hills, San Juan. For inquiries and reservations, call 8705-1811, 8705-1874, 0998-881-3200 or visit @guevarrasph on Facebook and Instagram.

Annual storytelling contest accepting entries

MGA Kuwentong Pagkain (MKP), an annual storytelling contest, has extended its deadline for submission of entries to Dec. 31. Launched in 2012 by the Mama Sita Foundation to celebrate Philippine culinary traditions and foodways, MKP has built a repository of gastronomic narratives from all over the country. On its 10th year, MKP is inviting even non-Filipinos to join the conversation on Filipino food. Anyone from anywhere in the world who has a Filipino food story to tell can now participate in the contest. To make room for more creativity and style in sharing food stories, separate categories have been set up for essay, photo, and video entries. Participants can win up to ₱20,000 in prizes. To join and learn more details about the contest, visit https://tinyurl.com/MKP2022Form or e-mail community@mgakuwentongpagkain.com.

Mang Inasal extends group deals this month

MANG Inasal has extended its “Ihaw-Sarap Group Deals” promo until Sept. 30. The promo includes the Chicken Inasal Family Size and Palabok Family Size combo for P585, and the Chicken Inasal Buddy Size and Pork BBQ Buddy Size with Peanut Sauce combo for P329. The “Ihaw-Sarap Group Deals” are available for takeout or delivery through http://manginasaldelivery.com.ph/, GrabFood, and foodpanda.

Bicol Express-inspired cocktail bags prize

MONIN, one of the world’s leading producers of gourmet sauces, flavored syrups, fruit smoothie and cocktail mixes, hailed the Bicol Speedster, a drink inspired by the popular Filipino dish Bicol Express, as the champion of the Monin Cup 2022. Filipino bartender Mark Defensor conceptualized and whipped up Bicol Speedster, a fusion of Tanduay Asian Gold Rum, coconut milk, Pork Fat-washed Habanero Lime Liqueur and Monin Ginger Syrup. The brew included a dash of siling labuyo (chili pepper) and black pepper. “The Bicol Speedster allows you to experience a regional Filipino dish in the form of a cocktail,” Mr. Defensor noted. “The rum compliments the coconut. And by fat washing the Habanero Lime Liqueur, you get a nice savory note to the drink while adding a kick of heat to it.” Mr. Defensor, who majored in Hospitality Management at the School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, was raised in the Middle East. He recalled he did not have access to pork until he tried Bicol Express when he visited the Philippines with his parents. For the Monin Cup, Mr. Defensor represented The Spirits Library, a Makati bar known for its collection of rare bottles, cocktail books, and bar paraphernalia. He was mentored by Ralph Allen Santos, the Dean of The Spirits Library. Mr. Defensor, together with Mr. Santos, will represent the Philippines in the Monin Tour in Rawang, Selangor, Malaysia. He will have a guest shift at one of the best cocktail bars in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tatatito launches baked goods line

SINCE Tatatito Filipino Home Kitchen opened in Legazpi Village in February 2022 as the lockdowns ended and restrictions eased, diners discovered its signature dishes like Bamboo rice chicken tinola, Sarsaparilla BBQ liempo, Himalayan salt lechon kawali, 10-hour beef kansi, as well as Tuna belly inasal, Crispy binusog na pusit, and Pares-style US short ribs. Now Tatatito has launched its own line of baked goods inspired by classic Filipino breads and Western pastries. It includes several versions of the pan de sal: Classic Pan de Sal, Raisin Pan de Sal, and Malunggay Pan de Sal. It also has several doughnuts — Sugar-raised donuts, Ube-glazed donut, and Pandan-glazed donut — plus their interpretation of street-side bakery staples as croissants — Pan de pula croissant, Pan de coco croissant, and Spanish croissant. Tatatito Filipino Home Kitchen is at the ground floor of OPL Building, 100 Don Carlos Palanca St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. It is open daily (Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m). For online orders, call 0917-711-3005 or order through GrabFood and FoodPanda (available in select locations).

Conti’s to open more stores this year

CONTI’s Bakeshop & Restaurant will open 12 more branches and more drive-through concept stores in Luzon this year. Opening this month is a new branch in Molino Bacoor, followed by branches in Lipa, Batangas; UN Ave., Manila; Dagupan, Pangasinan; Lucena, Quezon; and Tagaytay. To be offered are signature dishes such as the Mango Bravo cake, Baked Salmon, and savory pies. Conti’s is also available via www.contis.ph, FB messenger, hotline 8580-8888, Grabfood, and through Conti’s Delight Shoppers (bit.ly/DelightShoppers).

Wendy’s opens new branches

WENDY’s Philippines has opened new branches in Caltex EDSA Caloocan, Fisher Mall Malabon, Sierra Valley Cainta, FTI Taguig, Phoenix Tandang Sora, and Pioneer Shaw. With over 55 franchises and corporate stores across the nation, Wendy’s also has selected 24/7 stores. For delivery, Wendy’s dishes are available via www.wendys.com.ph, FB messenger, hotline 8533-3333 and major food aggregators, Grabfood, foodpanda, PickARoo and Toktok food.

Lenovo sees strong market for PHL data solutions

REUTERS

LENOVO Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) is hoping to offer its analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and other solutions in the Philippines as businesses digitize, generating more demand for data centers.

Citing the growing need for businesses and public services to be customer-centric, Lenovo believes in the strength of demand for “smarter solutions through technologies like cloud computing, analytics and AI, edge computing, and infrastructure-as-a-service,” Lenovo ISG’s Asia-Pacific President Sumir Bhatia said at a recent media briefing. 

The company said its solutions are being used in the Philippines by corporations, banks, and small and medium businesses (SMBs).

One of these is TruScale, a data center solution that modernizes applications to address data storage issues.

Mr. Bhatia said: “The Philippines was one of the first countries to adopt TruScale, with our example being a local premier financial institution that upgraded their data environment.”

Lenovo Asia-Pacific said there is great interest in the service, and it plans to use it as a springboard for expanding its smart infrastructure offerings.

“We are talking to more banks and conglomerates, and the government as of now is almost on board,” said Clark Popple, Lenovo Infrastructure Solutions Group country manager.

“In fact, eight out of 10 of our customers ask about TruScale.” 

The company also sees the Philippines as an attractive market post-pandemic, especially with private and public spending on the rise.

“We’ve seen infrastructure being invested in… from tourism to the medical industry. The market is growing and that makes it very attractive. We want to make sure that we are also helping, using smarter technology to solve humanity’s greatest challenges,” Mr. Bhatia said.

Lenovo’s growth strategy includes investing more in research and development (R&D). Of the 75,000 Lenovo employees globally, one in five are R&D specialists.

Its partnerships with emergent technology companies in the region also help it get to more customers, who are now more aware of the importance of digital transformation.

Kumar Mitra, Lenovo Central & Asia-Pacific regional general manager, said: “The Philippines is such a huge opportunity market for us from a growth perspective as we think the greatest sector that will grow here will be data center reorganization. The Philippines is investing in data center modernization and edge-based computing use cases.”

On selling to Filipino businesses of all sizes, Mr. Popple added: “We approach customers directly with our partners and talk about these solutions that laymen don’t hear of.”

“There is competition but we are bullish in the market, so we’re trying to capture as many customers as we can bring into the market,” he said. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

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