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A Minute With: Mickey 17 director and cast on blending film genres

LONDON — South Korean director Bong Joon Ho, whose film Parasite made history at the 2020 Oscars with four wins, says blending genres is the only way he knows how to make movies and he was once even described as being a genre unto himself.

In his latest film Mickey 17, his first since Parasite, he weaves science fiction with comedy to tell the story of Mickey Barnes, a former pastry chef who finds himself in the unusual predicament of having to die for a living.

Based on the novel by Edward Ashton, it stars Robert Pattinson as a so-called “expendable” on a mission to colonize a planet for which he is required to die and come back to life, each time as a new version of himself.

Reuters spoke to Mr. Bong as well as cast members Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, and Steven Yeun about the movie.

Below are excerpts edited for length and clarity. Mr. Bong spoke via translator.

Q: Why do you choose to mix genres within films?

Bong: Throughout my career, from the very beginning, I never thought I was blending different genres… I haven’t known any other way to make movies. Actually, in 2019, at the Cannes Film Festival when Parasite was first shown there, one journalist… said: “We don’t need to define the genre of Parasite. This is just Bong Joon Ho’s genre.” I was very happy when I heard that.

Q: What do you think blending genres brings to Mickey 17?

Collette: It’s just like life, life is not one genre, life is everything, so why aren’t our stories everything?

Ackie: It grounds the sci-fi. You know there’s a thing, if I’m watching a horror then I’m like, okay here come the scaries, or if it’s a romance I’m like, when are they going to kiss? This mixes it up in a way where it adds onto that thing of not knowing what’s coming next.

Q: What makes this story pertinent today?

Bong: I think Mickey’s character will resonate with a lot of young people. Everyone wants to feel they’re important, irreplaceable, and find their own identity and presence, but real society doesn’t treat them that way… If you quit your job, you can easily be replaced by someone else. If you die, you can also be replaced by another worker, which makes you feel quite terrified and sad and depressed, and through the extreme job Mickey has, I think we get to explore that.

Q: What do you enjoy most about the film?

Yeun: What I really love about the film is that it falls forward in a way that isn’t premeditated. It feels like it’s just spilling forward in this way that keeps driving you.

Mickey 17 opens in Philippine cinemas on March 5. — Reuters

How PSEi member stocks performed — February 27, 2025

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Thursday, February 27, 2025.

Makilala sustainability plans key to winning Maharlika loan

Rafael D. Consing, Jr. — COURTESY OF THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

MAHARLIKA Investment Corp. (MIC) President and Chief Executive Officer Rafael D. Consing, Jr. said Makilala Mining Co.’s sustainability plan was instrumental in winning approval for its $76.4-million loan from the sovereign wealth fund.

“Makilala’s plans are much more sustainable than how other mining companies have operated historically,” Mr. Consing said in the Money Talks with Cathy Yang program on One News on Thursday.

“It aims to operate only on a very small footprint, implement stable mining practices, such as no tailing dam, and strong social license support of Balatoc indigenous community,” he added.

MIC announced it has agreed to provide a $76.4-million bridge loan to Makilala to fund the early-stage development of the Maalinao-Caigutan-Biyog (MCB) Copper-Gold Project in Kalinga province.

Mr. Consing said the MIC is committed to responsible mining practices that prioritize environmental and social sustainability.

“The MCB Project includes provisions for community skills training and collaboration with the Balatoc Indigenous Cultural Community, ensuring inclusive growth,” he said.

Jose Enrique A.Africa, executive director at think tank IBON Foundation said in a statement that this project sends a signal that the MIC is “out to get financial returns even from helping foreign firms exploit domestic resources and at the expense of indigenous communities and the environment.”

Aliansa Dagiti Pesante iti Kordiliera (APIT TAKO) in a statement on Feb. 25, said Kalinga has become a “punching bag” for mining and energy projects.

“It is despicable how the government of (President Ferdinand R.) Marcos Jr. tries to further punch Kalinga in the gut by investing an enormous amount of people’s money in a mining company whose projects in the uplands of Kalinga will likely pollute the rivers that irrigate the fields of lowland Kalinga, a major supplier of the Isabela and Bulacan rice markets,” it said.

The group also said the government and private companies are eyeing Kalinga for two wind farms, a geothermal plant, and 19 hydro projects on the Pasil, Chico, Tanudan, and Saltan river systems.

Danilo Ramos, chairman of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and a Makabayan Senate candidate, called the investment “destructive.”

“The Maharlika Fund is being used to bankroll destructive mining instead of uplifting farmers and indigenous communities. Marcos Jr. is repeating his father’s legacy — prioritizing foreign corporations over Filipinos while unleashing militarization to silence resistance,” he said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Flagship transport projects to be overseen by new DoTr office

JICA

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said it created a dedicated office to oversee and ensure the implementation of big-ticket transportation projects.

In a statement on Thursday, Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon said he issued a department order creating a Flagship Project Management Office (FPMO) to supervise the implementation of key transportation projects.

Under the Department Order 2025-002, the FPMO will set policy and monitor the status of infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs).

The priority IFPs of the government include the Metro Manila Subway project, the North-South Commuter Railway, the EDSA Busway project, the EDSA Greenways project, the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit andthe Davao Public Transport Modernization.

Mr. Dizon will chair the FPMO, the DoTr said.

“Sec. Dizon will likewise identify other projects as priority IFPs as may be deemed necessary in the future. Further, he will closely monitor developments of each identified IFP, where timelines of partial operability and completion will be imposed,” the DoTr said.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) has issued a legal opinion that compensation rules set by development partners for persons displaced by foreign-funded projects apply only if the loan agreement was signed prior to the effectivity of the Right-of-Way Act (Republic Act No. 10752).

The opinion was issued to clarify the compensation rules governing projects entered into by the Department of Transportation (DoTr) and entities like the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Separately on Thursday, the DoTr announced the appointment of new Transportation officials.

Mr. Dizon, who assumed the role of Transportation Secretary on Feb. 21 from former Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, issued a memorandum on Feb. 24 ordering all undersecretaries to submit their unqualified courtesy resignations.

On Thursday, DoTr announced the appointment of Giovanni Z. Lopez as Undersecretary for Administration, Finance, and Procurement; Mark Steven C. Pastor as Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure; Jim C. Sydiongco as Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports; Ramon G. Reyes as Undersecretary for Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure; and Dioscoro T. Reyes as Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

PAGCOR warns BSP regulation could hold back e-gaming growth

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) draft rules to prohibit association of digital marketplaces with online casinos could dampen the growth of the booming electronic gaming sector, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) said.

“I was surprised by the proposed draft. PAGCOR was not consulted, and the BSP did not seek our opinion,” PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said at a briefing on Feb. 26.

“If you’re asking me, will online gaming be affected? Yes, it will be affected,” he added.

PAGCOR reported in January that the e-games and e-bingo segments accounted for 50.03% of gaming revenue, equivalent to P48.79 billion.

The BSP released proposed guidelines prohibiting digital marketplaces from offering and presenting any products and services associated with gambling.

“Products and services that are associated with gambling activities (e.g., online casinos, online betting, electronic gaming, or other forms of gambling/gaming), or any activities that could undermine the reputation of the marketplace participants and the financial system, are prohibited to be offered or presented in the marketplace,” the BSP said.

Some of the digital marketplaces do not host online casinos or betting programs but link games that will open outside the applications.

In response to this, Mr. Tengco said: “I am going to ask the legal department to look into the matter so that without us getting any letter from the BSP, we can maybe react and give our side.” — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

BoI awards green lane certificates to Vena for P75-B solar, wind projects

THE Board of Investments (BoI) said it has endorsed for expedited permit processing Vena Energy’s P75-billion wind and solar projects.

“With a combined investment of approximately P75 billion, these projects will be developed across Luzon and the Visayas, creating up to 8,000 direct job opportunities during their construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance,” the BoI said in a statement on Thursday.

The green-lane certificates were awarded to Vena Energy’s special purpose vehicles: Opus Solar Energy Corp., Gemini Wind Energy Corp., and Ixus Solar Energy Corp.

The endorsement covers the 416.025-megawatt peak (MWp) Opus Solar Power Project, the 200-MWp Gemini Wind Power Project, the 301.392-MWp Aguilar Solar Power Project, and the 473.616-MWp Ixus Bugallon Solar Power Project.

“As a leading renewable energy provider in the Asia-Pacific, Vena Energy is committed to accelerating the transition to sustainable and affordable green energy while delivering long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits to host communities and stakeholders,” the BoI said.

Singapore-headquartered Vena Energy’s portfolio includes 43 gigawatts (GW) of onshore wind, solar, and offshore wind projects. It has over 1,000 employees across 87 corporate and site offices globally.

It also has a green infrastructure pipeline consisting of 24 GWh (GW hour) of battery energy storage systems, 620 MW of data centers, and 840 million tons per annum of green hydrogen and ammonia production.

The projects are among the 184 strategic investments endorsed by the One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSACSI) for green-lane treatment worth P4.61 trillion as of Feb. 19.

Renewable energy projects accounted for 149 of these, valued at P4.21 trillion.

Investments in RE projects increased after the government allowed full foreign ownership in the industry, which had previously been capped at 40%.

In February, the OSACSI endorsed the 187.2-MW Tayabas South Wind Energy Project and the 144-MW Tayabas North Wind Energy Project of Cleantech Global Renewables, Inc. in Quezon Province.

Established through Executive Order No. 18 in Feb. 2023, green lanes aim to streamline the permitting and licensing process for strategic investments. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Alsons Group applies to register GenSan ecozone

@LGU-GENSAN

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said it is evaluating an application to register a General Santos City economic zone filed by Alsons Group.

In a Facebook post, PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said the economic zone is a 100-hectare site next to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)-managed General Santos International Airport.

Meanwhile, he said via Viber that PEZA is also trying to obtain additional land from CAAP-GenSan International Airport for an aerotropolis ecozone.

“Our target for CAAP GenSan International Airport is 200 hectares,” Mr. Panga said.

PEZA and CAAP signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2022 for the establishment of aerotropolis or aerotropolis-linked ecozones.

Under the MoU, PEZA and CAAP committed to jointly promote the establishment of the ecozones and attract investment in aviation-related manufacturing industries, logistics services and maintenance, repair and operations, renewable energy, and food terminal hubs.

“There is already a prospective Japanese investor wanting to locate there for food processing,” Mr. Panga said.

“But in that aerotropolis park, we also want to host aviation-related activities such as maintenance, repair, and operations; processing of special aviation fuel; and flight simulation training facilities, among others,” he said.

Mr. Panga added that China’s Panhua Integrated Steel, Inc. is applying for an expansion project at its Kamanga Agro-Industrial Economic Zone site in Sarangani.

Separately, PEZA formalized the registration of Daikyo International Philippine, Inc. as a new domestic market enterprise on Feb. 20.

“Daikyo, a Japanese manufacturing company, is set to specialize in the production and processing of adhesive sheets and sticky traps at Carmelray Industrial Park I-Special Economic Zone (CIP I-SEZ) in Laguna,” it said, noting that the Laguna investment is still in the pre-operating stage.

“Its innovative products will help farmers reduce pesticide use, increase profitability, and contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the agribusiness sector,” it added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

KEPCO reaffirms plan to invest in PHL RE, nuclear, smart grid projects   

KOREA ELECTRIC Power Corp. (KEPCO) remains interested in participating in Philippine renewable energy (RE), smart grid, and nuclear energy projects, the Department of Energy (DoE) said.

In a statement on Thursday, the DoE said KEPCO President Kim Dong-Cheol reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the Philippines in a meeting with Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla. KEPCO announced in 2023 plans to sell its coal-fired assets in the Philippines as it transitions to clean energy.

KEPCO aims to accelerate its investments in renewable energy to achieve its carbon neutrality goals and coal phaseout deadline of 2025.

In the Philippines, KEPCO operates the 200-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Naga City, Cebu, a joint venture of KEPCO Philippines Holdings, Inc. and Cebu’s SPC Power. The company also has a 38% share of Solar Philippines subsidiary Solar Philippines Calatagan Corp., which runs a 63.3-MW solar farm in Calatagan, Batangas.

Mr. Kim noted the stability of South Korea’s power grid, highlighting its low transmission and distribution losses, as well as the significant reduction in power outages, according to the DoE.

He attributed this to the Intelligent Digital Power management system, which leverages artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency, optimize grid operations, and rapidly detect and respond to potential issues.

“As the Philippines pursues a just and inclusive energy transition, partnerships with experienced and forward-looking companies like KEPCO will be instrumental in strengthening our energy security and sustainability,” Mr. Lotilla said.

“We recognize KEPCO’s expertise in intelligent digital power management and appreciate its efforts to share the best practices that can enhance the efficiency and reliability of our own power grid,” he added. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Four more power users switching to retail electricity aggregators

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

AT LEAST FOUR more major electricity users are switching providers within the first half under the expanded Retail Aggregation Program (RAP), the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said.

ERC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Monalisa C. Dimalanta said that the next customers to join RAP are expected to be schools and malls.

“IEMOP (Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines) said two are joining PrimeRES and two more signing up with another supplier,” she said on the sidelines of a RAP Switching Ceremony on Thursday.

“There are schools and malls (that will participate) including some outside Metro Manila,” she added.

The expanded RAP allows loads from multiple end-users consuming less than the threshold, located within the same franchise area… to be aggregated to contract with their preferred supplier at an agreed purchase price.

Ms. Dimalanta said that such customers are expected to switch to their preferred supplier “in the next few weeks.”

Last week, the ERC announced that east zone concessionaire Manila Water Co., Inc. was the first ever customer under expanded RAP, enrolling 10 facilities consuming a combined 500 kilowatts with PrimeRES Energy Corp., the retail electricity arm of Prime Infrastructure Capital, Inc.

Manila Water consolidated the power demand of Heroes Hill Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), FTI South STP, Kalayaan STP, San Mateo North STP, East Avenue Lift Station, Road 5 Project 6, Mahabang Parang Lift Station, UP Diliman STP, Diego Silang STP and Olandes Marikina STP.

“We are committed to providing our customers and partners with access to affordable and reliable power tailored to their specific needs… We are grateful to Manila Water for their trust, especially as we share the same goal of providing consumers with high-quality service at reduced costs,” PrimeRES President Roel Z. Castro said.

Jose Victor Emmanuel A. de Dios, president and chief executive officer of Manila Water, said that the program allows the company to transform savings to be generated from the switching to better services for its customers.

“This initiative strengthens our ability to power water and wastewater treatment facilities efficiently while ensuring that cost savings translate into improved services for our customers. At the same time, this step forward contributes to a more competitive and sustainable energy market that benefits the nation,” Mr. De Dios said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

More PHL HNWIs seeking overseas residency

REUTERS

FOREIGN RESIDENCY is becoming more attractive to High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) in the Philippines in the face of economic and geopolitical uncertainty, according to Henley & Partners, a residence and citizenship advisory firm.

Henley & Partners’ Investment Migration Guide for Filipinos found that HNWIs are considering migration to access better opportunities, future-proof their wealth and ensure their families’ long-term security.

“As global uncertainties rise, having an alternative residence or citizenship provides a strategic advantage, offering stability, mobility, and enhanced lifestyle benefits,” it added.

Henley & Partners said global mobility offers HNWIs access to superior services, healthcare, and education for their children citizenship programs.

Relocating to safer jurisdictions provides stability, while investment opportunities in global markets help diversify assets and mitigate financial risk.

Benjamin B. Velasco, University of the Philippines School of Labor and Industrial Relations Assistant Professor, warned that investing overseas represents “capital flight” and “a drain of financial resources that could have been used to develop the economy.”

“Residence and citizenship by investment can certainly entice skilled professionals (lawyers, doctors for example) and entrepreneurs (small to medium) since the capitalization is a low of P6.5 million (Nauru) to a high of P40 million (US). Likewise, some of these destinations are tax havens, and so that is another come on,” he told BusinessWorld via Messenger chat.

He noted that mobility of capital is a feature of globalization.

“Volatile financial flows have made economies more vulnerable, like what happened in the Asian financial crisis,” he added.

“Thus, there are proposals to regulate footloose financial capital and end tax havens. These are mechanisms to evade the social responsibility to pay taxes and re-invest in areas where profit was generated,” he added.

Nauru’s investor program, known as the Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program, sets a minimum investment of $130,000.

Meanwhile, the Australia National Innovation Visa Program has no minimum investment in financial contribution, and promises “a streamlined pathway to permanent residence for highly skilled and talented academics, global researchers, innovative investors and entrepreneurs, as well as world-renowned athletes, artists, and entertainers.”

New Zealand is also a popular destination because of its Active Investor Plus Visa Program.

It accepts applicants to “live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely by making a substantial investment in the country,” with the minimum investment set at $5 million New Zealand dollars.

The United Arab Emirates also offers Residence by Investment to investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals, granting them the right to live in any of the seven emirates by making a significant real estate investment of at least $550,000.

Greece offers a Golden Visa Program for a minimum real estate investment of 250,000 euros, with the main draw being visa-free access to the Schengen Area.

Portugal offers a 250,000-euro Golden Residence Permit, which Schengen access as well as the right to live, work, and study in Portugal, with a citizenship pathway after five years without requiring renunciation of other citizenship.

Malta offers citizenship by naturalization for exceptional services by direct investment for 600,000 euros.

Filipino investors frequently inquire about dual citizenship, residency requirements, and the ability to include family members in their applications.

Henley & Partners said that many programs allow dual citizenship and family inclusion, with varying stay requirements. Some offer citizenship by descent. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Congress think tank bats for statistics, data enhancements to better track investment

BW FILE PHOTO

THE GOVERNMENT needs to enhance its statistics-gathering capabilities to better track investments and address data shortcomings that limit its ability to assess how investment approvals are yielding foreign direct investment (FDI), according to a House of Representatives think tank.

The Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) said it has found that higher investment approvals have boosted FDI in the short term, though it is less confident in drawing conclusions for the long term due to data limitations.

“The data… indicate that most firms commence commercial operations in the year of registration. However, it must be emphasized that the full realization of investment pledges often extends beyond the first year of operations and may occur incrementally over a longer period,” CPBRD study author Mark Carmelo R. Manguera said.

“Limitations in the current data underscore the need for more robust statistical systems to provide a definitive answer, including the operationalization of the Integrated Investment Statistical Framework,” he added.

The Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) reported that of 949 firms, 51.7% exceeded their investment pledges, 22.7% met their commitments, and 26.3% have started operations but have yet to fulfill their pledges, the think-tank found in its review of investment promises.

“The analysis of the FIRB data, while constrained due to certain limitations… (showed that) the majority of firms are able to fulfill their investment commitments, with some even exceeding their pledged amounts,” the CPBRD said.

The think tank’s analysis of investment and FDI flows also indicated that “increases in one often influence the other.”

“Nonetheless, these findings must be interpreted cautiously due to limitations in the data,” it said.

The inability to accurately assess whether increased investment pledges have led to a boost in FDI inflows should prompt the government to strive to better understand the data, according to the CPBRD.

“One cannot address, improve, or intervene in areas that are not properly measured. Reliable data collection and analysis are essential for identifying issues, tracking progress, and formulating effective policies,” it said.

Having accurate data on the investment pipeline would enable the government to enhance its framework to better convert investment pledges into actual investments and help identify specific countries or sectors to target for further investment promotion.

The data could also serve as a basis for amendments of the investment laws to make them more receptive to market conditions, the think tank said.

“The availability of data for proper monitoring and evaluation of laws will provide crucial inputs to enhancing policies, such as adjustments to the minimum paid-up capital requirement under the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, employment requirements under the Foreign Investments Act, and equity and sector restrictions under the Public Service Act,” it said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

E-commerce fulfillment center launched in Bohol

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

GENPACT LTD. said it launched a new delivery operations center in Bohol to support e-commerce clients.

“This expansion is expected to create hundreds of jobs for Boholanos, offering them the opportunity to work for a global company and gain invaluable experience in high-demand, tech-driven industries,” Genpact said in a statement on Thursday.

The center has hired several dozen professionals, with further plans to expand throughout 2025.

“Initially, the center will provide customer service support for an e-commerce client, with plans to expand into additional business lines, including collections, insurance claims processing, and sales,” the company said.

“This diversification will open up multiple career paths for Boholanos, fostering professional growth within the company,” it added.

Asked how was invested in the Bohol facility, the company said only that “Genpact continues to invest strategically in the Philippines as part of our commitment to driving innovation, developing local talent, and expanding our presence in key locations.”

“While we are not disclosing specific investment figures, our launch in Bohol underscores our long-term vision to create a thriving hub that contributes to the region’s economic growth and artificial intelligence-led innovation,” it added.

Genpact started operations in the Philippines in 2006 and now has nine sites in Bataan, Muntinlupa City, Bonifacio Global City, Quezon City, Cebu City, as well as Bohol Province.

Its operations in the Philippines serve 12 countries and over 60 global clients. It has 10,000 employees, with staffing growing 30% year on year. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

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