Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 489

NLEX, Magnolia eye win-once edge against ROS, TNT

MAGNOLIA HOTSHOTS — FACEBOOK.COM/PBAOFFICIAL

Games on Wednesday
(PhilSports Arena)
5 p.m. – NLEX vs Rain or Shine
7:30 p.m. – Magnolia vs TNT
*NLEX and Magnolia with twice-to-beat advantage

THEY’VE worked hard for their twice-to-beat advantage-holding positions in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup playoffs. And naturally, second-seeded NLEX and No. 3 Magnolia are in no mood to give their respective quarterfinal opponents the opening to strike and potentially lay it all to waste in the end.

The Road Warriors are hunting for only their third semifinal appearance overall and first since the Season 46 Governors’ Cup and they can achieve this if they cash in on their win-once edge against No. 7 Rain or Shine  (ROS) today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Title-less since the 2018, the Hotshots continue their quest and look to take the fast lane to the Final Four with a quick, grand slam-ending disposal of No. 6 TNT.

Both NLEX and Magnolia prefer to treat the quarters opener as a do-or-die, knowing how capable and experienced their respective rivals are.

“They may be No. 6 but they’re capable of winning the title,” Hotshots coach Chito Victolero said of the Tropang 5G.

Magnolia engages with TNT barely five days after their faceoff in the eliminations closeout, which the Hotshots won, 88-83, en route to the playoffs incentive.

The Tropang 5G are expected to go all out with their grand slam bid at risk.

For NLEX mentor Jong Uichico, his charges’ relative greenness versus ROS’ post-season experience is a bit of a concern.

“We are new to this situation. We’ve always been either looking up at the standings or not even given the chance to look at the standings,” he said.

“But it is a good situation. We’ll just try to do the best we can with this opportunity that was given to us. Hopefully, we’ll get over the hump. We’ll just try to play the way we have been playing and just hope, work for the best.” — Olmin Leyba

AJ Edu inks contract with Gunma Crane Thunders in B.League

AJ EDU — FIBA

GILAS Pilipinas big man AJ Edu will have a new team in the Japan B.League this year.

Mr. Edu has signed a contract with the Gunma Crane Thunders for the 2025-2026 B.League season after spending a year with the Nagasaki Velca.

It will be the third team in three seasons for the 25-year-old Mr. Edu since turning pro overseas in 2023. His first team was the Toyama Grouses.

Hobbled by multiple injuries since then, Mr. Edu came back in style last season and averaged 5.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks for Nagasaki, which finished with a 26-34 slate at 16th place.

This time, he is expected to help big time in Gunma’s another playoff bid after finishing at No. 6 last season with a 39-21 record and made it to the quarterfinals.

With the B.League still in the offseason, Mr. Edu is expected to rejoin the Gilas camp for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup set on Aug. 5 to 17 in Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Ray Parks Jr. is staying with the Osaka Evessa after the team missed the playoffs at 13th place last season with a 29-31 slate.

Mr. Parks, who just got married this month with Filipina celebrity Zeinab Harake, normed 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in his first year with Osaka after three seasons with the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins.

All other Filipino imports under the Asian Quota program in Gilas guard Dwight Ramos (Levanga Hokkaido), Kiefer Ravena (Yokohama B-Corsairs) and Thirdy Ravena (Kawasaki Brave Thunders) are staying with their respective teams. — John Bryan Ulanday

OKC wins Game 5

Skeptics could be forgiven for believing, even for a moment, that the Pacers were again laying the groundwork for a monumental comeback in hostile territory. Following Pascal Siakam’s trey that upped his tally to 12 points in the first three and a half minutes of the final quarter, the deficit that once stood at 18 points was down to two. The stage was set for an upset, never mind the alarmingly passive showing from point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Such notables as T.J. McConnell, Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner, and Obi Toppin were gamely making up for the lost production, to the chagrin of the 18,203-strong crowd at the Paycom Center.

As things turned out, the Thunder had more than enough in their bag to overcome the challenge. With the usual suspects leading the charge, the hosts made sure there would be no repeat of their monumental Game One collapse; they buckled down and leaned on the very identity that marked their remarkable 2024-25 campaign. They swarmed the ball, collapsed on screens, and contested every shot — all trademarks of their historically stout defense. At one point, they forced four straight turnovers from the typically cautious Pacers; the outstanding coverage enabled them to double their advantage to 16 with five minutes and change left in the payoff period.

As had been the case in Game Four, the Thunder’s cause was spearheaded by offensive stalwarts Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. For all the scheming and swarming of the Pacers, they managed to put up a whopping 71 markers between themselves. The Most Valuable Player awardee became just the fourth player ever to score 30 or more points 15 times in a single postseason. Meanwhile, the All-NBA selection wound up being the fifth youngest player to put up 40 in a Finals outing. They were simply too good, too relentless, to be slowed — let alone thwarted — yesterday. Evidently, they were bent on leaving with a triumph on their homecourt.

Now, the onus is on the Pacers to return the favor at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Their imperative for Game Six cannot be clearer and the task may well be Sisyphean — especially since taking care of business just means they get to force a do-or-die affair on the road. Then again, they’re no strangers to adversity. In fact, they thrive in it. Whether or not Haliburton is bothered by right calf tightness anew should be beside the point. It’s win or go home for them. The Thunder may be waiting, but destiny does as well.

 

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

Trump urges Tehran evacuation as Iran-Israel conflict enters 5th day

EMERGENCY personnel worked at an impact site after missiles were launched from Iran to Tel Aviv, Israel on June 16, 2025. — REUTERS/RONEN ZVULUN

TEL AVIV/DUBAI — Israel and Iran attacked each other for a fifth straight day on Tuesday, and US President Donald J. Trump urged Iranians to evacuate Tehran, citing what he said was the country’s rejection of a deal to curb nuclear weapons development.

World leaders meeting at the Group of Seven summit in Canada called for a de-escalation of the worst-ever conflict between the regional foes, saying Iran must never have a nuclear weapon while affirming Israel’s right to defend itself.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Mr. Trump, who was leaving the summit a day early due to the Middle East situation, had proposed a ceasefire for Iran and Israel.

“There is an offer that has been made, especially to have a ceasefire and to initiate broader discussions. And I think this is a very good thing,” Mr. Macron told reporters. “So now we need to see what the stakeholders will do.”

Mr. Trump has repeatedly urged Iran to give up its nuclear weapons ambitions.

“Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” Mr. Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform on Monday.

Axios reported the White House is discussing with Iran the possibility of a meeting this week between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Reuters couldn’t immediately verify details of the Axios report.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Fox News that Mr. Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran, while adding the US would defend its assets in the region.

Iranian media reported explosions and heavy air defence fire in Tehran early on Tuesday, with smoke rising in the city’s east after an explosion of suspected Israeli projectiles. Air defenses were activated also in Natanz, home to key nuclear installations 320 kilometers (200 miles) away, the Asriran news website reported.

Late on Monday, Israel said it hit Iran’s broadcasting authority, and footage showed a newsreader hurrying from her seat as a blast struck. Iranian state television said the strike killed two people.

In Israel, air raid sirens wailed in Tel Aviv after midnight but there were no reports of missile strikes.

Iranian officials have reported 224 deaths, mostly civilians, in five days, while Israel said 24 civilians had been killed. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said nearly 3,000 Israelis had been evacuated due to damage from Iranian strikes.

Sources told Reuters that Tehran had asked Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to urge Mr. Trump to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to an immediate ceasefire. In return, Iran would show flexibility in nuclear negotiations, according to two Iranian and three regional sources.

“If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential,” Mr. Araghchi said on X. “Israel must halt its aggression, and absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue.”

Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and has pointed to its right to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, as a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, is the only country in the Middle East widely believed to have nuclear weapons. Israel does not deny or confirm that.

Oil prices rallied more than 2% early in Asia on Tuesday after Mr. Trump’s evacuation warning, reversing losses on Monday amid reports that Iran was seeking an end to hostilities.

CHINESE URGED TO LEAVE ISRAEL
With security concerns growing and Israeli airspace closed because of the war, the Chinese embassy in Israel urged its citizens to leave the country via land border crossings as soon as possible.

The Iran-Israel air war — the biggest battle ever between the two longtime enemies — escalated on Monday with Israel targeting Iran’s state broadcaster and uranium enrichment facilities.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the BBC that the Natanz plant sustained extensive damage, likely destroying 15,000 centrifuges, while Iran’s Fordow plant remained largely intact.

Talks between the United States and Iran, hosted by Oman, had been scheduled for June 15 but were scrapped, with Tehran saying it could not negotiate while under attack.

Israel launched its air war with a surprise attack that has killed nearly the entire top echelon of Iran’s military commanders and its leading nuclear scientists. It says it now has control of Iranian airspace and intends to escalate the campaign in the coming days.

Mr. Trump has consistently said the Israeli assault could end quickly if Iran agreed to US demands that it accept strict curbs on its nuclear program. — Reuters

In China, you need a booking agent to file for divorce

STOCK PHOTO | Image from Freepik

SINGAPORE — Chinese medical office worker Qin Meng has found a lucrative side-hustle: she wakes up before midnight, fills in her clients’ divorce certificate applications on a government website, then hits the confirm button exactly at the top of the hour.

Miss it by seconds and the daily slots are “gone in the blink of an eye,” says the 30-year-old, who charges 400 yuan ($56) for her service, bringing relief to couples who have sometimes spent six months trying for a slot.

Demographers say the emergence of impromptu agents like Ms. Qin, who advertise on Chinese social media, is another sign of how the slowing economy is piling financial stress on married couples and contributing to the breakdown of relationships.

The 2024 divorce rate has yet to be announced by the National Bureau of Statistics, but Yi Fuxian, a Chinese demographer and senior scientist at University of Wisconsin-Madison, expects it to hit 2.6 per 1,000 people, against a low of 2.0 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This compares with the most recent rates of 1.5 in Japan and 1.8 in South Korea.

“Poverty destroys marriage,” said Mr. Yi, warning divorce numbers were inversely correlated with birth rates and could worsen the country’s demographic crisis.

“China’s economic downturn in recent years and the rising youth unemployment rate have reduced the economic capacity of families, exacerbated family conflicts, and thereby increased the divorce rate.”

While the economy is expanding at about 5% a year, Chinese households have been saving more because of concerns about job security and the impact of a prolonged property crisis.

Much of the economic growth has relied on export competitiveness, but Chinese firms, hit by US tariffs, have cut jobs or lowered pay to reduce costs, while millions of fresh university graduates are struggling to find work.

The rising financial pressure was thrust into the spotlight last year after a driver rammed his car into a crowd killing 35 people in what was the country’s deadliest attack in recent history.

The court found that at the time of his offense, the driver was angry with his divorce settlement. He was sentenced to death.

Soon after, the bi-monthly Communist Party magazine Qiushi re-published a 2016 speech by President Xi Jinping that argued “harmonious families lead to a stable society.”

FINANCIAL STRAIN
In a further sign that the rebound in divorces is driven by financial strain, demographers point at data showing lower divorce rates in affluent coastal areas and higher ones in poorer inner and northern regions.

Zhou Minghui booked her divorce appointment herself on the fifth attempt, after weeks of worry that her ex-husband might change his mind about their separation.

Ms. Zhou said her motivation for divorce was what she described as her ex’s “reckless financial investments.” He had lost nearly 4 million yuan in the stock market in the space of three years, forcing the couple to sell their home, she said. Even then they were only able to repay just over half of the debt he had taken to buy the shares.

“When the economy is in a downturn, people shouldn’t be so eager to invest or consume,” said 38-year-old Zhou, who works in the education industry in the southern city of Shenzhen.

The COVID-era drop in divorce appears increasingly like an anomaly. Demographers say it was the result not only of the shutdown of non-essential public services, but also by the 2021 introduction of a 30-day mandatory cool-off period for couples seeking amicable divorce outside the courts.

Couples need to get on the Civil Affairs department’s website twice — before and after that month-long breather — to book appointments to register their divorce. But the demand now far exceeds the available daily slots.

The agents, people like Ms. Qin, have figured this out and advertise their services for anything from 50 yuan to 999 yuan.

Ms. Qin has earned 5,000 yuan, nearly half her monthly salary from her day job, since she started the side gig “for fun” in March. She receives multiple daily enquiries and expects to earn much more.

“The economy is not great, so there’s more pressure at work and more conflicts in marriage,” Ms. Qin said. “Divorce rates will keep rising.” — Reuters

London’s Oxford Street to go traffic-free in shopping area makeover, says mayor

Pedestrians walk along Oxford Street in London, Britain, Sept. 17, 2024. — REUTERS

LONDON — London’s Oxford Street, one of Britain’s busiest and most famous shopping districts, will be pedestrianized, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said on Tuesday, in a move designed to smarten up the area and create a new public space to help drive growth.

The plan to rid Oxford Street of cars and buses, which has been over twenty years in the making, looks set to become a reality after consultations on proposals published in September showed a majority of Londoners and businesses back the idea.

Supporters of pedestrianizing the mile-long stretch in central London say similar traffic-free schemes for Times Square in New York and La Rambla in Barcelona have breathed new life into tired areas.

“We want to rejuvenate Oxford Street; establish it as a global leader for shopping, leisure and outdoor events with a world-class, accessible, pedestrianized avenue,” Mr. Khan said in a statement announcing the results of the public consultation.

Oxford Street attracts around half a million visitors every day, according to the mayor’s office, but many flagship stores including House of Fraser and Topshop have shut in recent years, and Khan said the area had been neglected.

He will now work with the government on legislation to go traffic-free, which would happen “as quickly as possible.” That will require finding new routes for the dozens of buses which travel down it each hour.

The government has said Mr. Khan’s plan for a new “beautiful public space” which will attract more tourists, drive new investment in the area and create jobs. — Reuters

US news consumers are turning to podcaster Joe Rogan and away from traditional sources, global report shows

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Pongsawat Pasom from Unsplash

PROMINENT podcasters like Joe Rogan are playing a bigger role in news dissemination in the United States, as are artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, contributing to the further erosion of traditional media, according to a report released on Tuesday.

In the week following the January 2025 US presidential inauguration, more Americans said they got their news from social and video networks than from TV and news websites and apps — the first time that shift has occurred, the report said.

Traditional US news media increasingly risks being eclipsed by online personalities and creators, the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism said in its annual Digital News Report, which is based on an online survey of almost 100,000 people in 48 markets, including the United States.

The trend is particularly acute among young Americans. Over half of people under age 35 in the US are relying on social media and video networks as their main source for news, the report found. Across the countries that the report surveyed, 44% of people aged 18 to 24 said these networks are their main source of news.

One-fifth of a sampled group of Americans came across news or commentary from podcaster Rogan in the week following the presidential inauguration, the report found, while 14% of respondents said they had come across former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson discussing or commenting on news during that period. Mr. Carlson now generates content across multiple social media and video networks.

Top creators during that period also included Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro on the political right, and Brian Tyler Cohen and David Pakman on the left. The vast majority of the most followed commentators who discuss politics are men, the report found.

“These are not just big numbers in themselves,” wrote Nic Newman, Senior Research Associate at the Oxford, UK-based Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. “These creators are also attracting audiences that traditional media struggle to reach. Some of the most popular personalities over-index with young men, with right-leaning audiences, and with those that have low levels of trust in mainstream media outlets, seeing them as biased or part of a liberal elite.”

Despite their popularity, online influencers and personalities are seen as the biggest sources of false or misleading information worldwide, along with politicians, the report found. In the United States, politicians are considered the biggest sources of false or misleading information.

Over 70% of Americans say they remain concerned about their ability to tell what is true from what is false when it comes to news online, a similar proportion to last year. That compared to 58% across all of the surveyed markets.

AI is another emerging theme in news consumption, particularly for young people. Of respondents under age 25, 15% rely on AI chatbots and interfaces for news each week, compared to 7% of respondents overall, the report found.

ChatGPT was the most mentioned AI service for news, followed by Google’s Gemini and Meta AI.

The trend is raising concerns about a potential loss of search referral traffic to publisher websites and apps, the report found, as chatbots eliminate the need for users to click on a story link.

Text remains the most preferred way for people worldwide to consume news, although around a third say they prefer to watch the news online and 15% say they prefer to listen.

Younger people are much more likely to prefer watching or listening to the news.

Social media platform X, formerly Twitter, is also becoming a more popular source of news in the United States, particularly among right-leaning users and young men, with 23% of sampled Americans consuming news there — up 8 percentage points from last year. Rival networks like Threads, Bluesky and Mastodon are struggling to gain traction globally, with reach of 2% or less for news.

Levels of trust in news across markets are currently stable at 40%, and unchanged for the last three years, the report found.

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism is funded by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Thomson Reuters. — Reuters

Addressing overcharging in airport taxis

“The government’s move to address the issue of overcharging taxi drivers is a welcome step, said Primo Morillo, convenor of The Passenger Forum. He says the Department of Transportation can go a step further by conducting an audit of taxis, especially those operating at airports.

Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Video auditing by Jayson Mariñas

Whoscall Content Checker: Dads’ trusted ally in protecting their families against online scams

As online scams continue to spread through messaging apps and social media, dads — often seen as the protectors of the household — are stepping up to defend their families where it matters most.

“Scams today are more deceptive than ever. They can show up as job offers, fake delivery messages, or even screenshots shared in group chats,” said Mel Migriño, country head and general manager of Gogolook Philippines. “With Whoscall Content Checker, we’re giving fathers a fast and reliable way to check if a message is real or potentially harmful.”

Whoscall Content Checker is a feature within the Check core function within the Whoscall app — a global anti-scam application — designed to help users detect suspicious messages and misinformation.

It allows users to paste suspicious text or Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and upload a suspicious screenshot, then instantly scans it for red flags.

Powered by advanced AI and a trusted scam database, the tool can identify phishing attempts, fake promos, and misleading news links that often circulate in family or community chats.

“For many fathers, digital protection is now part of everyday parenting. It’s no longer just about locking doors or setting house rules. It’s also about staying vigilant online and guiding the family through content that may not be what it seems,” Ms. Migriño said.

“Whoscall Content Checker gives Filipino dads the confidence to step in, ask the right questions, and make smarter choices for their families. As scams continue to evolve, tools like this provide an extra layer of protection that’s both timely and essential,” Ms. Migriño added.

June is a celebration attributed to our fathers, Gogolook highlights the evolving role of dads — not just as providers and protectors in the traditional sense, but as frontliners in the digital age.

With simple, accessible tools like Whoscall Content Checker, every dad has the power to help build a safer online world for those they love most.

 

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

Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.

Need for cybersecurity experts grows as PH goes more digital, says DICT

WANGXINA-FREEPIK

As major infrastructure projects continue to digitally connect the country’s islands, there is a growing need for more cybersecurity professionals amid rising external threats, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology.  

“Cybersecurity is not just an internal matter now. More importantly, yung hinaharap natin na mga gusot sa labas ng Pilipinas [the challenges we’re facing from outside the Philippines] — we need a lot of cybersecurity professionals that can defend the cybersecurity borders of the Philippines,” DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda said during the inaugural membership meeting of the Cybersecurity Council of the Philippines (CSCP) on Friday. 

Since taking office in March, Mr. Aguda said about 60% of the agency’s focus has been on cybersecurity, particularly in the wake of the recent May midterm polls. 

“Cyberwarfare is the new beachhead. We cannot underestimate the impact of hacking on our critical systems,” he said.  

In April, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) said during a Senate hearing that it had uncovered 234 data breaches in “high-level” government agencies so far in 2025. 

Cyber-related crimes in the country surged threefold in 2024, with reported complaints rising to 10,004 from 3,317 in the previous year. The escalating trend has resulted in total financial losses amounting to P198 million, highlighting growing concerns over cybersecurity threats.

In line with DICT’s push for digital resilience, several industry leaders, government offices, and advocates came together to formalize the CSCP.  

Dr. Donald Patrick Lim, Chairman and President of the CSCP, said the newly formed organization stands out from other tech-driven cybersecurity groups by bringing together business leaders who can drive significant change. 

“Our vision is a resilient and cyber-secure Philippines, where businesses, government, and individuals are safeguarded against cyber threats—fostering trust in the digital economy and ensuring a safer cyberspace for all,” Mr. Lim said during the event.  

He added that CSCP’s objective is also to promote cybersecurity awareness and foster public-private collaboration for digital resilience.

 

Expanding Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity

The DICT, in collaboration with telecommunications companies and key industry stakeholders, has set a goal to triple the number of cell sites nationwide, increasing the current count of 30,000, according to Mr. Aguda.

Alongside this infrastructure expansion, cybersecurity initiatives are being prioritized to strengthen the country’s digital defenses.

Efforts are also underway to enhance the accessibility and affordability of U.S.-based satellite internet provider Starlink, which could position the Philippines as its second-largest market. – Edg Adrian A. Eva

MRSP: PHL mechatronics industry trails behind Industry 4.0

STOCK VECTOR | Image by freepik

The Mechatronics and Robotics Society of the Philippines (MRSP) said that some manufacturing plants remain static despite government efforts to push for the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). 

“We’re still not there yet,” MRSP Vice President for Mechatronics, James Bernard C. Itao, told BusinessWorld in an interview on Wednesday.  

“Actually, there are still manufacturing plants, food manufacturing plants that are still in the second or third industrial revolution,” he added.  

I4.0 or 4IR is the emergence of digital technologies and smart use of information and communications technology (ICT).  

“Businesses and supply chains already use some of these advanced technologies,” software group Systems Applications and Products (SAP) said on its website. “But the full potential of Industry 4.0 comes to life when they’re used together.” 

According to SAP, big data and artificial intelligence (AI) analytics, horizontal and vertical integration, cloud computing, augmented reality (AR), the industrial internet of things (IIOT), additive manufacturing or 3D printing, autonomous robots, simulation, and cybersecurity are the main technological pillars of the revolution.  

A 2021 report by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DoST-PCIEERD) said that $3.7 trillion is the estimated value that will be created by Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies and processes for manufacturers and suppliers in 2025, only 30% of companies nationwide are using I4.0 solutions. 

The DoST noted that the lack of knowledge about new technologies, economic and financial concerns, the lack of skilled workers, and other socio-cultural and organizational issues are some roadblocks that hinder the technological advancement of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). 

Brain drain and job mismatch in the mechatronics industry are also contributing to the slow progress of the industrial revolution.

“Brain drain is really true. If they go abroad, they will get paid much higher,” Mr. Itao said.

“We have to train the right people and equip them with the right skills.” 

Mr. Itao added that Filipino engineers and technicians are highly in demand abroad because of their good character, skills, and knowledge.  

Preliminary data from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) revealed 1,439 new technicians and associate professionals, and 2,113 new plant and machine operators and assemblers were deployed overseas in January 2025. 

“Many of us who are abroad, who are practitioners, can keep up with other (foreign) engineers,” Mr. Itao said. “Actually it’s one of the most sought-after nationalities abroad. They look forward to working with Filipinos.” – Almira Louise S. Martinez

Stepping Into Style with Wilcon Tiles

There’s more to tiles than function. Today’s new homeowners, who crave personality in their living spaces, are utilizing tiles as visual anchors. Tiles can turn bare walls and floors into design statements. Whatever areas you are planning to redesign, the right tile can shift the tone of a space instantly.

If you’re planning a home refresh, skip the plain and go for personality. These five Wilcon tile picks bring quiet luxury, subtle drama, and a chance to express your taste in everyday spaces.

Lift the mood in quiet corners

Think leafy greens, textured surfaces, and just the right amount of play. Tropical wall tiles bring a touch of nature indoors without overdoing it. Perfect for accent walls or powder room backdrops, these tiles work best where you want visual interest but still crave calm.

Layer them with wood finishes or light neutrals, and let the patterns breathe. They’re great in small spaces like entryways, bathroom walls or any place you want a soft pop that doesn’t compete with the rest of your home.

Savor spa vibes in your bathroom or kitchen

Tiles in natural tones never go out of style, but STN Balnea Natural Wall Tile offers more than the usual beige. Its earthy texture and light-washed look add a warm, lived-in feel that doesn’t look overly designed. Ideal for bathroom floors or kitchen walls, Balnea pairs well with warm metals, matte black fixtures, or wooden cabinetry. Use it when you want a spa-like feel without making the space feel too cold or bare. Balnea invites softness into functional areas.

Bright, clean, and beyond beige

This tile thrives in spaces that need a visual reset. Rocersa Maui White Floor Tile is calming. With its soft, white base and subtle finish, it catches natural light in all the right ways. It’s ideal for modern bathrooms, laundry rooms, or areas that allow you to build from a clean foundation. 

Layer it with soft gray or sand tones, or break it up with dark grout for a more graphic look. MAUI WHITE gives you freedom to play around..

Add texture

When you want something elevated but not loud, Grespania Bierzon Pearl Floor Tile is a solid pick. This tile plays with subtle texture and soft pearl tones to create quiet depth. It works best in living rooms, hallways, or open-plan spaces where the floor needs to do more than just hold furniture.

Pair it with soft rugs, low-profile furniture, or brushed metal lighting and you’ve got a winning space. It brings polish without flash, and adds enough interest to anchor the room while giving you space to build a style that’s yours.

Get glossy and timeless

Saigres Viena Series Polished Wall Tiles are a sleek option for those who want their interiors to feel bright, modern, and uncluttered. Their glossy finish reflects light, making even the smallest spaces feel more open and airy. It can be used as a full wall treatment or a minimalist accent. These tiles offer a clean backdrop that highlights furniture and décor without stealing the spotlight.

Tiles can set the tone of any room, but getting the look right takes more than picking a pattern. At Wilcon, choosing tiles comes with added support, the tiles-related services that fine-tune the fit. These offerings make each step easier, smarter, and more tailored to your space.

Customize the clean cuts for your space

Wilcon offers tile cutting to help shoppers get precise dimensions for their space. Instead of adjusting your layout to fit standard sizes, this service lets you shape tiles to meet your exact design. It’s practical for creating clean edges, borders, or unique layouts that require custom cuts, especially for bathrooms, kitchens, or accent walls where symmetry matters.

 

Tile Studio

The Tile Studio brings your design ideas into focus. It’s a dedicated space in depot stores where customers can explore tile combinations, visualize layouts, and get guidance from in-house design consultants. The studio simplifies the decision-making process and allows you to see how colors and styles can come together in a real space.

Tile Calculator

The Tile Calculator gives you a smart way to estimate how many tiles you need. Instead of second-guessing or overbuying, you can input your room dimensions and instantly get an accurate tile count. It’s a quick, reliable tool accessible in Wilcon online store that helps you plan your budget and avoid waste. You can also ask for assistance from their attentive sales personnel.

Statement tiles build the story into the home you live in. For young homeowners who want their space to feel fresh, intentional, and a little bit personal, these five tiles are a smart starting point.

If you are a certified lean minimalist or love contrast, choosing quality European tiles gives you more than surface appeal. They hold up. They stay relevant. And most importantly, they make the quiet parts of your home; the walls, the floors, the corners, worth looking at twice.

For more information about Wilcon, visit www.wilcon.com.ph or follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, or subscribe and connect with them on Viber Community, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Or you may contact Wilcon Depot Hotline at 88-WILCON (88-945266) for inquiries.

 

 

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

Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.

1...488489490...13,302Page 489 of 13,302
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube