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PAL rebrands some seats to ‘comfort class’

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines, Inc. (PAL) has rebranded its domestic premium economy service to comfort class effective Sept. 15.

“We will continue to look for ways to enhance the overall travel experience of our passengers, on the ground and in the air, as the Philippines’ full-service network airline,” said PAL Vice-President for Marketing Ria Carrion-Domingo in a media release.

PAL said that the renamed comfort class will retain all privileges and amenities that were previously offered under the former premium economy domestic product. These include premium inflight services and amenities, and an exclusive set of privileges, according to PAL’s website.

“The renamed Comfort Class will now be offered on all domestic flights operated by the airline’s Airbus A330 Bi-class, Airbus A321ceo, Airbus A320 and De Havilland DHC-8-400 Next Generation aircraft,” PAL said.

“We are glad to offer customers a choice of cabin service options,” Ms. Carrion-Domingo added.

Meanwhile, the airline said that it will continue to offer a full premium economy service for its international flights. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Maya Bank hits P5B in deposits, over 650,000 customers in three months

DIGITAL LENDER Maya Bank, Inc. recorded over 650,000 customers and P5 billion in deposit balances as of end-July, just three months after its launch.

“Our strong growth validates the market preference for an all-in-one money experience. Through disruptive offerings, bold marketing, and our extensive ecosystem, we are bringing progressive financial services closer to consumers, enterprises, and communities,” PayMaya Group CEO and Founder and Maya Bank Co-Founder Orlando B. Vea said in a statement on Wednesday.

“We are executing and growing at the speed of digital, and we are grateful for the overwhelmingly positive response from the market. This feat reflects our strong commitment towards our country’s financial inclusion goals,” Maya Bank President Angelo Madrid said.

Maya Bank was launched on April 29, about six months after it was granted a digital banking license by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The PayMaya Philippines platform was rebranded to Maya to include online banking services alongside e-wallet, cryptocurrency trading and micro-investments.

Mr. Madrid had said at the launch that they hope one million of PayMaya’s more than 47 million users as of March would become Maya Bank clients.

Maya Bank said it has attracted young consumers to open deposit accounts via its app as it offers high interest rates. By registering a Maya wallet account and providing a valid government ID, clients can save money without maintaining a minimum balance.

Its app also features a variety of services to allow users to manage their transactions and funds more seamlessly.

Through the Maya money app, Maya Bank also offers instant credit of up to P15,000 for eligible customers and working capital loans for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), starting with Maya Center agents.

“This makes Maya the only digital bank to offer credit to both consumers and MSMEs within the quarter of its public launch,” the lender said.

“Filipinos deserve reliable and seamless digital banking experiences, and we are delivering this with urgency and speed with Maya. We are very excited to introduce more game-changing digital banking innovations through our all-in-one money platform,” PayMaya Group President and Maya Bank Co-Founder Shailesh Baidwan said.

Maya Bank is one of the six entities that were granted digital banking licenses by the BSP. The central bank has imposed a moratorium on the grant of online banking permits as it wants to ensure healthy competition among the new players and monitor their development.

Digital banks, which offer their services via online platforms and are not required to set up physical branches, are expected to help the BSP achieve its twin goals to have 50% of retail payments done digitally and 70% of adult Filipinos become part of the formal financial system by 2023.

PayMaya and Maya Bank are owned by Voyager Innovations, Inc. PLDT, Inc. is Voyager’s main shareholder. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — KBT

Canva launches new suite of workplace products, features

By Brontë H. Lacsamana, Reporter

VISUAL communications company Canva released on Wednesday a suite of new workplace products and features that can be accessed on any device as it aims to streamline design work systems for organizations of all sizes.

The new Visual Worksuite has Docs, Whiteboards, Websites, Video, and Data Visualization, all available on the platform for workplaces of various industries.

Canva Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Melanie Perkins said in a statement that visual communication has become an increasingly critical skill for teams of every size across almost every industry.

“With the launch of our new Visual Worksuite, we’re bringing simple design products to the workplace to empower every employee, at every organization and on every device,” Ms. Perkins said.

The new suite marks a milestone for Canva as it has reached 85 million global users who produce more than 180 designs every second.

Its main products include:

1. Canva Docs

Built with the modern workplace in mind, Canva Docs aims to make traditional text documents more visually captivating and allows multiple people to comment and collaborate in real-time. Users can also access Canva’s library of over 100 million design assets and embed them into their documents.

If the document needs to be presented, it can be converted into a full-fledged Canva Presentation with one click.

2. Canva Websites

Professionals can build simple to highly interactive websites using this new product. Catering even to those without technical skills, Canva Websites offers hundreds of templates, customizable domains, and adjustable page heights that one can use.

It also comes with Canva’s new Design Insights analytics feature, which provides information on site visits and a quick look at audiences and interests that can be used to drive engagement.

3. Canva Whiteboards

Made for teams who want to explore ideas together, Canva Whiteboards is an infinite canvas for brainstorming. It can contain sticky notes, images, diagrams, and even a synced timer to keep meetings on track. Canva’s team shared at the launch that this was created to bolster productivity in a world of hybrid work.

4. Video Background Remover

The Canva Video Suite now has a feature that allows users to remove the background from any video. The Video Background Remover is for those who want to create professional-looking content without needing a big budget or complex software.

5. Data Visualization

To level up data storytelling, the Flourish function makes it possible to turn dense data and statistics into simple, clear, and easy to understand interactive visuals. There are many templates to choose from to make complex data accessible, such as animated bar races or drill-down sunbursts.

6. Remote Control for Presentations

Canva has also added remote presentation control to its Presentation product. This enables multiple presenters to control the flow of a presentation from any device using a new virtual clicker.

Dining In/Out (09/15/22)

Biggest Shake Shack opening at SM Mall of Asia

AFTER its first venture into the South, Shake Shack is opening its 5th Shack in the country at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA). Located in the largest mall in the country, Shack MOA is also the biggest with over 250 sqm dining space. At its newest location, Shake Shack has partnered with Filipino artist Lee Caces to recreate a tropical paradise on its construction façade. Showcasing Manila Bay and its famed sunset, the design highlights the synergy between the land and sea that MOA is set against. The design is punctuated by iridescent patterns and lighted LED Shake Shack icons with 3D die-cuts jutting out from the hoarding. Until Oct. 2, the public has a chance to win prizes from Shake Shack by snapping and posting a reel of themselves by the hoarding showing how excited they are for the opening of Shack MOA (tag @shakeshackph on Instagram and make the accounts public to qualify). Ten winners will be selected to get exclusive Shack MOA swags, gift cards worth P500, and tickets for two to the Shack Community Day, where winners get first dibs on the Shack before it opens to the public. Follow @shakeshackph on Facebook or Instagram for more details. Specialty Food Retailers, Inc. (SFRI) is the exclusive franchise holder of Shake Shack in the Philippines. SFRI is a member of the SSI Group.

SaladStop! goes Greek for seasonal salad

THIS season, SaladStop! — known for its salads, wraps, and warm protein bowls — introduces its newest Greek-inspired seasonal salad, Yasou (P365), a mix of romaine and rocket lettuce, sundried tomatoes, candied walnuts, grapes, feta cheese, and shaved parmesan, tossed in a special Greek vinaigrette. Add more candied walnuts or sundried tomatoes for P80 per serving. The Yasou salad or wrap is available in all SaladStop! stores until Oct. 31. SaladStop! Also has a Bring-Your-Own initiative to help reduce their output of single-use container waste. Customers can bring their own reusable container, preferably one liter in size, to any SaladStop! store and get P10 off the price of their salad or warm proteins order. Customers can also avail of fuss-free daily deliveries of their favorite SaladStop! signatures and exclusive bowls and wraps, by subscribing to Daily Bowls by SaladStop! Visit saladstop.pickup.ph for a three-day or five-day plan.

Turks pita wrap opens 1st drive through store

STARTING as a small food kiosk in SM Sta. Mesa, Turks pita wraps has opened its first drive through store in White Plains, Quezon City, just in time for its 15th anniversary. The White Plains store features a contemporary design with high ceiling and a giant industrial fan as its main feature. Seating capacity is limited to 10 seats. A dedicated bicycle rack is also available. The plan to open a drive-through had been in the pipeline even before the pandemic broke out, and the global health emergency only validated Turks owner and CEO Gem Zenarosa’s plan to venture in the drive-through segment, gearing towards increased customers’ convenience, comfort, and safety. Right now, Turks has more than 600 stores nationwide and will open an additional 12 branches, with international expansion coming next. “Globalization is the next target for Turks. We’re hoping to start our international operations this year. We were supposed to open in the US and HK last 2020 but was sidetracked by the pandemic. With the easing of travel restrictions and reopening of the borders, we hope to finally push through with this plan,” said Mr. Zeñarosa in a press release.

McDonald’s releases Teen Titans Go! Happy Meal kits

MCDONALD’S latest Happy Meal comes with Teen Titans Go! coloring kits. Each of the eight Teen Titans Go! Happy Meals includes a poster, stickers and colored pencils. In connection with this, McDonald’s will make an announcement to celebrate National Coloring Day. For more information about this offer, follow McDonald’s Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.

Baon treats from Honeybon

WITH more workers going back to the office and children heading back to school with the return of face-to-face classes, the baon (packed lunch) dilemma is back: How do you give your kids a delicious snack without spending hours in the kitchen? Honeybon, the commercial baking arm of Tokyo Bubble Tea, suggests trying its sweet and savory items that are perfect for packed snacks for the school or the office. Each variant — comes in boxes of six or 12, making it ideal to stock in the fridge, ready for any snack emergency. As long as it’s stored properly, it should last the entire week. For sweet treats there are Brownies, O Fudge Bars (an oatmeal cookie dough crust with a chocolate swirl), Lemon Squares, Crinkles cookies, and Sylvanas (chewy meringue wafers with buttercream in between, coated with vanilla crumbs). The savory items (which come in packs of six) are Chicken Empanada (a pastry filled with shredded chicken breast in a creamy sauce with carrots and potatoes), Beef Tomato Empanada (beef tenderloin braised in tomato sauce with peas, raisins, carrots), and Spicy Tuna Empanada. Honeybon’s sweet and savory items are available for delivery via www.honeybon.ph and at their stores in SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City and Festival Mall in Alabang.

Cebu Pacific to transfer Singapore flights to Changi’s T4

CEBUPACIFICAIR.COM

BUDGET carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) announced on Wednesday that flights to and from Singapore will be transferred to Terminal 4 of Changi Airport starting Sept. 20.

Currently, CEB uses Changi Airport’s Terminal 1.

With the changes, CEB said that all succeeding flights arriving and departing Singapore will be accommodated at Terminal 4. Flights 5J 803 (Manila to Singapore), and 5J 547 (Cebu to Singapore) on Sept. 19 will arrive at Terminal 4.

While passengers of CEB flights 5J 804 and 5J 814 (Singapore to Manila) and 5J 548 (Singapore to Cebu) on Sept. 20, should check in at Changi Airport’s Terminal 4.

In addition, the carrier advised its passengers to be at the Changi Airport at least three hours ahead of their scheduled time of departure.

Meanwhile, it reminded its passengers to register for “one health pass” or the online platform for people visiting the Philippines.

“Save the unique transaction number once registration is complete. Use this number to fill up the electronic Health Declaration Certificate (e-HDC) on the same link and save a printed/digital copy of the QR code at the end of the form,” CEB said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

How PSEi member stocks performed — September 14, 2022

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Wednesday, September 14, 2022.

Philippines falls in ‘digital quality of life’ index

THE Philippines’ ranking in index measuring digital wellbeing went down seven places amid lower scores in Internet connection affordability, quality, and stability, as well as cybersecurity. Read the full story.

Philippines falls in ‘digital quality of life’ index

Peso weakens on Fed fears following faster-than-expected US inflation

THE PESO weakened versus the dollar on Wednesday following faster-than-expected US consumer inflation in August, which raised bets that the US Federal Reserve will remain aggressive in its meeting next week.

The local unit closed at P57.11 against the greenback on Wednesday, losing 34 centavos from its P56.77 finish on Tuesday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed. This is just seven centavos stronger than the peso’s record low of P57.18 set on Sept. 8.

Year to date, the peso has weakened by 11.98% or P6.11 from its P51-per-dollar close on Dec. 31, 2021.

The local unit opened Wednesday’s session at P57.10 versus the dollar. Its weakest showing was at P57.27, while its intraday best was at P57 against the greenback.

Dollars exchanged went up to $989.9 million on Wednesday from $934.45 million on Tuesday.

“The peso depreciated after US consumer inflation reports came out stronger than market expectations,” the first trader said in an e-mail.

“[The peso was] above P57 due to better-than-expected US CPI last night,” a second trader said in a Viber message.

US CPI unexpectedly rose in August amid rising rent and healthcare costs, strengthening the case for another aggressive Fed rate hike.

Consumer inflation edged up by 0.1% to 8.3% last month after being unchanged in July. In the 12 months through August, the CPI increased to 8.3%.

The dollar climbed close to a 24-year peak against the yen on Wednesday as the data boosted bets for another hawkish move by the Fed at its Sept. 20-21 meeting.

Another jumbo Fed hike could prompt more aggressive increases from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to maintain a comfortable interest rate differential, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said.

The BSP has raised benchmark rates by 175 basis points (bps) so far since May as it seeks to rein in rising prices. The Fed, for its part, has hiked by 225 bps since March.

For Thursday, the first trader said the peso may weaken further due to the US producer inflation report that was scheduled to be released overnight.

The first trader and Mr. Ricafort expect the local unit to move within P57 to P57.20 against the dollar. — K.B. Ta-asan

PHL stocks fall as CPI data fan hawkish Fed bets

REUTERS

SHARES slumped on Wednesday, tracking Wall Street’s decline, following faster-than-expected US consumer inflation in August.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went down by 118.95 points or 1.77% to close at 6,582.86 on Wednesday, while the broader all shares index dropped by 45.62 points or 1.28% to 3,497.21.

“Along with Asian markets, the local bourse plummeted by 118.95 points or 1.77% to 6,582.86 following the negative cues from the US markets overnight as the US’ August inflation data came in worse than the expectations,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Analyst Claire T. Alviar said in a Viber message.

Ms. Alviar said the faster-than-expected inflation report may result in a hawkish move from the Fed at its Sept. 20-21 meeting, which may cause the dollar to strengthen and could prompt other central banks, including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, to also act aggressively to stem their currencies’ decline.

“Philippine stocks nosedived on Wednesday as investors’ sentiment was dragged by the steep decline in Wall Street,” Papa Securities, Inc. Equities Strategist Manny P. Cruz said in a Viber message.

The US consumer price index (CPI) unexpectedly rose in August amid rising rent and healthcare costs, strengthening the case for another aggressive Fed rate hike.

Consumer inflation edged up by 0.1% to 8.3% last month after being unchanged in July. In the 12 months through August, the CPI increased to 8.3%.

Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell last week said the central bank was “strongly committed” to fighting inflation. The Fed has raised rates by 225 basis points (bps) since March, including two 75-bp hikes in June and July.

All three major US stock indexes ended sharply lower following the inflation report. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 1,276.37 points or 3.94% to 31,104.97; the S&P 500 lost 177.72 points or 4.32%, to 3,932.69; and the Nasdaq Composite dropped by 632.84 points or 5.16% to close at 11,633.57.

Back home, all sectoral indices closed in the red on Wednesday. Holding firms lost 150.49 points or 2.31% to end at 6,347.80; financials declined by 36.90 points or 2.24% to 1,603.48; industrials dropped by 137.05 or 1.39% to 9,660.12; mining and oil lost 125.96 points or 1.08% to close at 11,455.45; services went down by 16.57 points or 0.97% to 1,687.47; and property decreased by 22.96 points or 0.77% to close at 2,938.80.

Decliners outnumbered advancers, 137 against 41, while 46 names closed unchanged.

Value turnover went down to P5.29 billion on Wednesday with 821.23 million shares changing hands from the P5.52 billion with 706.04 million issues seen the previous trading day.

Net foreign selling was at P23.71 million on Wednesday versus the P437.66 million in net purchases recorded on Tuesday.

Papa Securities’ Mr. Cruz placed the PSEi’s near-term support at the 6,500 to 6,500 area and noted that it may face difficulty in breaking through the 6,700-6,800 resistance level on expectations of another jumbo Fed hike next week. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

UN: Philippine drug war probe lacks transparency

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE PHILIPPINE government’s investigation of human rights violations in connection with its deadly war on drugs lacks transparency, according to the United Nations (UN) Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights.

In a 16-page report dated Sept. 6 and uploaded to the UN Human Rights Council’s website on Sept. 13, the commissioner said the Philippines should conduct prompt and transparent probes and provide remedies to victims’ families.

“Transparency and public scrutiny in investigative processes and outcomes remain a challenge,” it said. The UN also cited the continued red-tagging and arbitrary detention of human rights workers that could erode trust between the government and civil society members.

Still, it recognized the efforts of the government’s inter-agency task force that formed 15 teams last year to probe extralegal killings.

“The government took some initiatives to advance accountability for human rights violations and abuses,” the UN office said. “However, access to justice for victims of human rights violations and abuses remained very limited.”

The UN council is holding its 51st regular session on Sept. 12 to Oct. 7 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The presidential palace had not received a copy of the UN report, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said in reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Monday called on member states of the UN council to pass a resolution that will expand human rights monitoring in the Philippines.

The global watchdog said human rights violations from the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign continue under President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

Citing a joint study by the University of the Philippines and Belgium’s Ghent University, Human Rights Watch said there have been 221 drug-related killings from January to August this year.

The Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) last month said it would submit a report on human rights issues in the country to the UN rights council. CHR Executive Director Jacqueline Ann C. de Guia told a news briefing on Aug. 11 that they were consulting civic and grassroots groups on the UN’s mechanism to assess the human rights situation in the country.

Last week, Philippine Solicitor General Menardo I. Guevarra asked the International Criminal Court to dismiss the ICC Office of the Prosecutor’s plea to continue its drug war probe, saying it does not have the authority to do so.

He said the alleged murders of drug suspects in police raids were not crimes against humanity because these were not “attacks against the civilian population.”

“We have our own accountability mechanisms in place and these are all functioning as they should,” Mr. Guevarra, who was Mr. Duterte’s Justice secretary, said in a Viber message.

The Hague-based tribunal gave the Philippines until Sept. 8 to comment on the request to resume its probe of the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign.

In June, ICC Prosecutor Karim Ahmad A. Khan asked the ICC’s pre-trial chamber to reopen the probe since the Philippines had allegedly failed to show it had investigated crimes related to the campaign. 

He said the chamber should issue an order on an “expedited basis.” It should “receive any further observations it considers appropriate from victims and the government of the Philippines,” he added.

The ICC, which tries people charged with genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression, suspended its probe of Mr. Duterte’s deadly war on drugs last year upon the Philippine government’s request.

Only 21% or 62,000 of 291,000 drug cases filed have led to convictions, Interior Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos said in July, citing police data from 2016 to 2022.

The Department of Justice has brought five of the 52 cases involving 150 police officers to court since it started its own probe last year.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla earlier said many of the cases involving erring cops did not progress due to a lack of witnesses.

Philippine police have said they have killed about 6,000 people in illegal drug raids, many of them resisting arrest. Human rights advocates have placed the death toll at more than 27,000.

The CHR said the Duterte government had encouraged a culture of impunity by hindering independent inquires and by failing to prosecute erring cops involved in the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

House swiftly OK’s threefold hike in VP’s 2023 budget

VICE PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO FACEBOOK PAGE

By Kyanna Angela Bulan

CONGRESSMEN on Wednesday swiftly approved the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) P2.31 billion budget for 2023, which is more than three times higher than this year, without asking questions.

Lawmakers approved the funding as a parliamentary courtesy to a co-equal government branch.

Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, a lawyer and political analyst, said the only possible reason for the budget increase is the established precedent of the previous vice-president.

“Any budget allocation to the OVP should merely be for administrative purposes,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “The practice of allocating funds beyond this mandate must stop, unless a law is passed giving the OVP specific functions and duties.”

Under the budget, P154.31 million was allotted for personnel services, P42.5 million for capital outlays, and the biggest chunk for maintenance and other operating expenses at P2.09 billion.

The latter includes the vice-president’s expenses for travel, utility, communication, representation, rent as well as for supplies and materials, professional services, financial assistance and confidential funds.

Mr. Yusingco said the confidential funds raise red flags.

“First, such a huge amount contradicts the austerity theme pushed by the administration,” he said. “Second, the acceptance that public funds can be exempted from audit because of national security. Third, there is absolutely no legal basis for the OVP to get confidential funds.”

Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio justified the budget increase by citing the need for more funds for socioeconomic services.

The budget also supports the vice-president’s programs on medical and burial assistance, disaster operations, food boxes, food trucks, livelihood programs and free rides.

Ms. Carpio’s programs are similar to those of her predecessor, Dennis F. Quilala, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines, said in an e-mail.

But he questioned some of these including free rides to commuters, saying this should go to the Transportation department.

The Transportation department in a statement said the free ride program is unsustainable, but noted that it would like to help Ms. Carpio enforce the project.

“We fully support the proposed P2.31-billion budget of the Office of the Vice President for 2023, the bulk of which will go towards good governance, projects and the needed social services,” Party-list Rep. Elizaldy S. Co told the hearing. 

Party-list Reps. Raoul Danniel A. Manuel, France L. Castro and Arlene D. Brosas were prevented from asking questions at the hearing and were told to ask the questions in plenary.

3 of 4 Pinoys feel worse off

Families do their chores in front of their shanties along a road in Tondo, Manila, Aug. 21, 2022. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL ANTONIO DE GUZMAN

THREE of four Filipinos felt worse off in the second quarter from a year earlier, according to the latest poll of the Social Weather Stations (SWS). 

SWS said 31% of adult Filipinos said their quality of life was worse than 12 months ago, 29% said it got better and 39% said it was the same. 

This resulted in a net gainer score of -2 (gainers minus losers), which the pollster classified as fair. 

The June net gainer score was similar to April and 20 points below the pre-pandemic level of a very high 18 in December 2019, it added. 

SWS has been conducting the poll since April 1983. 

“The net gainer score was generally negative until 2015 when it rose to positive numbers until the drastic deterioration beginning with the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns,” it said in a statement. “It has since trended back upwards but still has not reached the positive range.” 

Net gainers stayed high in Metro Manila, up by 2 points to 6 in April. It also stayed high in Balance Luzon, up by 4 points to 5. 

It stayed fair in Mindanao, although it fell by 3 points to -7. It stayed mediocre in the Visayas, though down by 5 points to -17, SWS said. — Norman P. Aquino

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