FILRT earns P1.3B on rentals

March 23, 2023 | 12:08 am

FILINVEST REIT Corp. (FILRT) reported a net income of P1.31 billion in 2022, driven by the company’s rentals and other revenues, it said on Wednesday.

In a disclosure to the stock market, the company reported its revenues at P3.25 billion. The company did not give comparable numbers.

FILRT, a real estate investment trust (REIT) backed by Filinvest Land, Inc., was listed on the stock exchange on Aug. 12, 2021.

“The office leasing segment had its fair share of new challenges last year brought about by the globally changing workplace environment,” said Filinvest REIT President and Chief Executive Officer Maricel Brion-Lirion.

“Despite this headwind, FILRT demonstrated resiliency and forged ahead in growing the portfolio,” Ms. Brion-Lirio added.

The company reported that its average occupancy rate was at 89%, which included its newly acquired property in Boracay, Aklan with a gross leasable area of 29,086 square meters (sq.m.).

In 2022, new leases signed by the company totaled 5,087 sq.m. It also renewed 22,891 sq.m. or 96% of expiring leases for the year.

This year, the company intends to lease about 9,000 sq.m. of office spaces to traditional and business process outsourcing companies.

The company said that it has already renewed 32% of its expiring leases in 2023, which total about 13,300 sq.m.

“Moving forward, FILRT will continue to focus on diversifying its portfolio to improve the revenues of its existing prime office assets and to ultimately boost dividends for its shareholders,” the company said.

On Wednesday, FILRT shares fell by 2.19% or 12 centavos to end at P5.36 apiece. — Adrian H. Halili

Grab says more drivers applied to join, seeks 20,000 more slots

March 23, 2023 | 12:07 am

GRAB Philippines said the number of drivers applying to join the ride-hailing service tripled after the removal of the certificate of conformity (COC) in securing a vehicular franchise.

“We really are very grateful to the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) for removing that requirement,” Grab Philippines Country Manager Grace Vera-Cruz said on the sidelines of Kapihan sa Manila Bay.

A COC is required for a car bought through loans from a bank or financial institution to prove that the lender allows the driver to use the car for transport network vehicle service (TNVS).

“Ngayon na nawala na ang COC, talagang nagdagsaan ang number of applicants, siguro mga three times (Now that the COC is no longer required, the number of applicants jumped I think by three times),” Ms. Vera-Cruz said.

She said Grab has been requesting the modification of another TNVS requirement: financial capability via a proof of bank deposit amounting to P20,000 per unit.

“Our argument is that there are many kinds of deposits that can show that our drivers are financially capable,” she said. “The fact that you can own the car under your name is good proof of financial capability.”

Ms. Vera-Cruz said that digital banks should also be looked into as proof of a driver’s financial capability.

“I think we need to bring more forward in terms of technological innovations of financial services,” she said.

Meanwhile, Grab hopes for the rollout of 20,000 more TNVS slots from LTFRB in Metro Manila.

“I think [we have already filled the] initial slots — the 4,000 that were issued in January. So we are waiting for the next batch of slots from the LTFRB. We are hoping for at least 20,000 in Metro Manila,” Ms. Vera-Cruz said.

Grab previously said that it has plans of venturing outside Metro Manila to meet the increasing demand in key cities.

“In Cebu, we are looking forward to having more TNVS drivers. We are hopefully going to work with the governor to increase the TNVS drivers there,” she said.

On Friday, Grab will launch GrabCar services in Iloilo with an initial fleet of 100.

“We need more slots in Iloilo and we hope that the additional slots will be included in the first tranche of the slots LTFRB will open,” Ms. Vera-Cruz said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Lazada Philippines CEO expects decline in cash-on-delivery payments

March 23, 2023 | 12:06 am

E-COMMERCE platform Lazada Philippines has seen a decline in cash-on-delivery payments as more customers use digital wallets as the payment method for transactions.

“Cash on delivery has been going down. I would say it is probably contributing to about slightly more than 50% [of transactions] but it’s been going down from a historical benchmark. Before, it was 70% to 80%. Now, it is constantly losing every single year, it is constantly losing importance,” Lazada Philippines Chief Executive Officer Carlos Otermin Barrera told reporters during a media briefing in Taguig City on Tuesday.

Mr. Barrera attributed the decline to the higher adoption of digital wallets during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

He said Lazada’s services such as LazPay and LazPayLater have helped in the transition of customers from the cash-on-delivery method.

“Lazada is all about convenience and trust. We are very ambitious about our LazPay and our LazPayLater service. We have our own set of wallets,” Mr. Barrera said, adding that these allow more people to access different products and have “very payable financing terms.”

“There are a lot more people who are familiar with wallets and the trend for wallets has really accelerated during the pandemic. People have already developed their habit and they continue to use their wallets,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Barrera said Lazada has been providing incentives such as free shopping coupons, vouchers, and higher discounts to entice more customers to use digital wallets instead of cash on delivery.

“At Lazada, we spend quite a lot on providing the best possible promotions to those non-cash consumers,” Mr. Barrera said.

“Together with our partners like GCash and PayMaya, we always offer the best vouchers to those who are utilizing wallets, whether it is in the form of free shipping coupons or higher percentage discount,” he added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Avon says lack of confidence hinders Filipinas’ business foray

March 23, 2023 | 12:05 am

MORE than half of Filipinas have cited the lack of confidence as an obstacle that prevents them from starting a business, according to a report by global beauty brand Avon.

In a statement on Wednesday, Avon said its Global Progress for Women report showed that 52% of Filipina respondents pointed to the lack of confidence as a barrier to starting a business, while 79% blamed insufficient financial resources for hampering their entrepreneurial goal.

The Avon report, which was conducted by global research company Censuswide, involved more than 7,000 women from the United Kingdom, Italy, Romania, Poland, Philippines, Turkey, and South Africa. The research was done from Jan. 18 to 23 this year.

According to Avon, the research showed that 90% of Filipinas want a higher income but have been hindered by social and cultural norms.

“These statistics are alarming, as a deeper dive into the report reveals that 90% of Filipina women want to earn more money. However, the barriers that keep them from greater economic opportunities spotlight larger Philippine social and cultural issues that need to be addressed,” Avon said.

Citing a 2021 study by the World Bank, Avon said that gender norms in the Philippines have dominated the economic and domestic roles for men and women, adding that men have been typically deemed as breadwinners while women have been seen as homemakers.

“These beliefs are still quite widespread across the country — leaving Filipina women to deal with the social expectation to prioritize their home and family lives over the chance to pursue productive work,” Avon said.

“Although Filipina women have access to more opportunities than before, they are still surrounded by stereotypes and the society’s traditional expectations that challenge them career-wise and financially,” it added.

Among the surveyed countries, the typical challenges faced by women when starting a business include finances (61%), fear of failure (44%), not knowing where to start (36%), lack of knowledge of the market (34%), and lack of confidence (33%).

Meanwhile, the report also revealed that 77% of women in the seven countries surveyed wish to earn more via another income stream or in their current job, while 35% said that men are favored in having access to starting their own business.

In terms of inequalities faced by women at work and from reaching their full financial potential, the Avon report showed that the top obstacle is the lack of flexible working opportunities (48%), followed by earned income (46%), and the ability to start their own business (29%).

Avon Chief Executive Officer Angela Cretu said cultural stereotypes and the lack of flexible working are hampering the opportunities and work choices of women.

Amid the celebration of International Women’s Month this March, Ms. Cretu urged to open the conversation on the barriers preventing women from equal access to work.

“Driving positive change for women has been hard-wired into Avon’s business since the beginning: every time you buy a lipstick you are helping to support a female entrepreneur. Removing the barriers to economic participation that women face is crucial to helping drive progress for women,” Ms. Cretu said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Dining around the world with the world’s smallest chef

March 23, 2023 | 12:04 am

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By Giselle P. Kasilag

THE WORLD’S smallest chef is back with an invitation to a dining adventure like no other. Le Petit Chef returns to The Peak at the Grand Hyatt Manila with a sequel to last year’s successful French menu. Dubbed as “Le Petit Chef in the footsteps of Marco Polo,” the excitable six-centimeter-tall culinary wonder will embark on a journey spanning five countries in three continents. And as the title suggests, he will be retracing the legendary Venetian traveler’s trip through the Silk Road.

Le Petit Chef takes the dinner-and-theater concept to the next level with an enchanting digital upgrade. The meal and the show are served right at the table using 3D projection technology developed by the Belgian-based company, Skullmapping. A host introduces each course then the lights are dimmed, and the tiny chef emerges through a projection on the table, creating an immersive dining experience.

For this installment, guests will be following Le Petit Chef swimming through spices in India and riding birds in China while trying his best not to be squished by foot traffic or eaten by critters.

The trip begins at his home country, France, with Chaudière de Poisson — a seafood soup with clams, mussels, salmon, and haddock. The creamy soup sets the stage for the richness of the next course exploring the Levant. A version of the mezze, the Arabian dish for the second course consists of chargrilled lamb kofta, smoked eggplant mousse, hummus, tabbouleh, and pide bread.

Le Petit Chef moves to India for the third course with a dish prepared with Grand Hyatt Manila’s chef Arum Kumar. It features butter chicken, tomato gravy, saffron rice, samosa chaat, tamarind and mint chutney and papadum. The strong spices are cleansed by the next course — a sorbet with lemon, lime, and mint from Nepal. This appropriately prepares the palate for the delicate dish from China which highlights the braised sea bass in ginger, garlic, and black bean sauce.

And for dessert, Le Petit Chef returns to his home country with a trio of crème brulee featuring flavors he encountered throughout his trip: Arabian coffee, cardamom, and ginger.

The meal fulfills its promise to bring diners to a journey through the Silk Road with Marco Polo. The amusing storyline with the beautifully illustrated animation, however, brings a child-like wonder to the experience, making fine-dining less intimidating and more relaxed without compromising on the quality of the meal. Having a host welcome the guests and introduce each dish adds to the charm and makes the immersive dining more comfortable.

According to F&B marketing manager Glenda Vibar, this enchanting dining experience is exclusive to the Grand Hyatt Manila within the National Capital Region.

Unlike the traditional menu-planning for a food outlet, this requires more research than usual since the video comes first and the menu has to be planned around it.

“We need to watch the entire video, study it, and align it. The food needs to be aligned with the story. From Le Petit Chef 1, it’s more on the French dish and everything is about cooking. Now, Le Petit Chef 2 is about traveling and experiencing the different cultures and places,” Ms. Vibar explains.

While other properties around the world may be offering the same video with the same story, the courses in each are unique. She adds that there is a focus on the discovery of ingredients as well as cooking techniques which are highlighted with the variety of dishes being offered.

“It really depends on the chef’s inspiration. Like for the Middle Eastern dish, Chef Mark (Hagen, executive chef of Grand Hyatt Manila) drew from his experience when he was in Dubai for several years.”

“Le Petit Chef in the footsteps of Marco Polo” opens its doors to diners beginning April 1. Set at the Veranda Room of The Peak, only two shows are held each night — the first at 6 to 8 p.m. and another from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. The room holds only 16 diners per show with the price starting at P6,600 net per person.

To reserve seats, visit https://lepetitchef.com/grand-hyatt-manila, and for inquiries call 8838-1234 or e-mail manila.grand@hyatt.com.

CTA affirms denial of travel tech firm’s refund claim worth P16.8M

March 23, 2023 | 12:04 am

THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has upheld its denial of Amadeus Marketing Philippines, Inc.’s refund claim worth P16.82 million allegedly representing its excess value-added tax (VAT) traced to zero-rated sales for 2016.

In a 17-page decision made public on March 20, the tribunal said the firm’s sales did not qualify for 0% output VAT.

“In other words, instead of Amadeus IT Group S.A. (AGSA) itself granting licenses to Subscribers, as the owner of the said Product, it is being done by the petitioner (Amadeus Marketing) on behalf of the former in the Philippines,” according to the ruling penned by Associate Justice Lanee S. Cui-David.

The tax court said the firm failed to prove that AGSA was doing business outside the Philippines.

Under the country’s revenue code, transactions with foreign corporations doing business outside the country are entitled to zero-rated sales that do not translate to output tax.

Sales and services must be other than processing, manufacturing or repacking of goods and are paid in acceptable foreign currency to qualify for 0% VAT.

The firm distributes computer software that allows its clients to book airline seats, travel tours, and hotel services, among others.

The court cited the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s finding that AGSA was doing business in the Philippines since it was in a domestic distribution agreement with Amadeus Marketing.

“It is imperative for petitioner to illustrate before this court not only that is entitled to a refund, but also that the commissioner of internal revenue should not have denied it in the first place,” the CTA said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Tokyo coffee shop made famous on Tiktok draws returning tourists hungry for pudding

March 23, 2023 | 12:03 am

TOKYO — With a rapid, right-hand swoop, Shizuo Mori served the last of about 50 puddings on Wednesday, a treat that’s made his tiny Tokyo coffee shop a destination for tourists flocking to Japan after the end of COVID restrictions.

Mr. Mori’s trademark fling of the arm helps dislodge the eggy custard from its tin, and the circular motion is easier on his 80-year-old wrist than a snapping motion would be.

But the technique, developed over the half century he’s run the Heckeln coffee shop, has also earned him a worldwide audience via videos spread on TikTok, Facebook, and other social media sites.

The lines out the door of Heckeln, midway up a narrow street in Tokyo’s Toranomon district, are largely comprised of foreigners willing to wait for the Jumbo Purin topped with caramel.

Visitors to Japan maintained a “robust recovery” in February, the national tourism agency said on Wednesday. Arrivals totaled 1.47 million, surpassing 1 million for a third-straight month after COVID curbs were eased late last year, though still down 43% from pre-pandemic levels.

Haitham, on a business trip from Abu Dhabi, was enticed by TikTok videos he’d seen of Mr. Mori, but arrived with his friend just a bit too late, finding a sign on the door that the puddings had sold out.

“I’m a big creme caramel fan, so I dragged my friend here to come and see him,” said the 38-year-old, who asked not to give his family name. “And I was very disappointed, because it’s finished, and it’s not even 2 p.m.”

Sariel Wong, a tourist from Hong Kong who’d seen Mr. Mori’s on Facebook, was luckier, getting his 400 yen ($2.96) pudding after an hour-long wait.

“In Hong Kong there is a lot of pudding but not like this one,” said Mr. Wong, 38. “It’s a little bit smooth and not too sweet.”

Mr. Mori thinks it’s a little strange that his coffee shop has a queue out the door most days. He hears from his customers that he’s famous on the internet, but he doesn’t use social media and doesn’t have a cell phone.

Like many restaurants, Mr. Mori and his 24-seat shop struggled through the pandemic, which kept away many of his traditional customers of students and office workers. And a surge in supply costs has been a double whammy, but Mr. Mori said he’s held firm on his own prices.

It was a dark time, but probably the same all over the world, he said. But now the masks are coming off and he’s happy to welcome his new fans from abroad.

“I’m happy, but there’s one thing I regret,” Mr. Mori said at the end of a lunch rush. “When people can’t get in, and they have to return home without getting any pudding, it kind of pains me in my heart.” — Reuters

Epson Philippines expands its business inkjet printer offerings

March 23, 2023 | 12:03 am

EPSON Philippines on Monday announced a new range of business inkjet printers as it continues to expand its corporate product offerings in the country.

The company said in a statement on Monday that it launched the new WorkForce Enterprise AM series, comprised by its AM-C4000, C5000, and C6000 A3 Color Multifunction Printers, which offer “an equally efficient and affordable alternative to laser printers.”

Epson Philippines said the new printers are now for sale.

“The new printers have fewer replacement parts to maintain, and this results in reduced intervention required throughout the lifespan of the product. With less consumables required to function, the printers generate less overall waste…” Epson Philippines said.

Eduardo Bonoan, Epson Philippines marketing division head, said the new offerings aim to help in local companies’ move towards sustainability.

“We are confident that our new WorkForce Enterprise AM series will be a strong and affordable alternative to laser copiers. Incorporating innovative solutions with a strong focus on eco-friendliness, Epson WorkForce Enterprise AM series printers are designed to be a staple of the sustainable office of the future,” Mr. Bonoan said.

Epson Philippines said the new WorkForce Enterprise AM series seeks to address the market gap in the 30 to 60 pages per minute range and provides an alternative to laser printing options.

“The availability of newer speed ranges is especially beneficial for corporate offices, as they typically require mid-speed printers for the printing of general office documents,” it said.

Replacing the WF-C20600 LIJ printer, the AM-C6000 features a faster A4 two-sided scan speed at 120 images per minute (ipm) from 110 ipm. The AM-C6000 also weighs less than its predecessor at 99.4 kilograms from 177.1 kilograms.

Its panel is an upgraded capacitive 10.1-inch touch panel, while the typical electricity consumption value will be decreased to 0.25 kilowatt-hour (kWh) from 0.41 kWh.

The other features of the WorkForce Enterprise AM series include a built-in optical character recognition that allows users to search for words in documents, the erase-red-color function that removes red-colored marking or notes in black and white documents, and Epson Print admin that boosts security and prevents leakage of confidential data.

The new printers also feature an enhanced design and are powered by Epson’s heat-free technology for less power consumption compared to laser printers.

Epson previously announced that it would stop the sale and distribution of laser printer hardware in the Southeast Asia market by year-end as part of its sustainability efforts.

“Epson’s sustainable inkjet technology has long been at the forefront of our printing and innovation solutions. Consuming less energy and consisting of fewer consumable parts, inkjet printers provide a more sustainable answer to printing solutions as compared to laser printers,” Mr. Bonoan said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Yields on BSP’s term deposit facility rise

March 23, 2023 | 12:03 am

YIELDS on the term deposit facility (TDF) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) continued to rise on Wednesday ahead of the Monetary Board’s and the US Federal Reserve’s policy-setting meetings this week.

Total bids for the central bank’s term deposits reached P282.8 billion, slightly above the P280-billion offer for this week. This is lower than the P344.195 billion in tenders seen last week for a P340-billion offer.

Broken down, the seven-day papers fetched bids amounting to P168.448 billion, below the P180 billion auctioned off by the BSP and the P210.861 billion in tenders logged in the previous auction, where the central bank offered P220 billion.

Banks asked for yields ranging from 6.49% to 6.77%, a higher margin compared to the 5.5% to 6.7% band seen a week ago. This caused the average rate of the one-week papers to rise by 6.15 basis points (bps) to 6.6152% from 6.5537% a week prior.

Meanwhile, demand for the 14-day term deposits amounted to P114.352 billion, higher than the P100-billion offering. However, this was lower than the P133.334 billion in tenders recorded a week ago for a P120-billion offer.

Accepted rates for the papers were from 6% to 6.6994%, a narrower margin compared with the 5.6% to 6.7% range seen on March 15. With this, the average rate of the two-week deposits inched up by 3.33 bps to 6.639% from the 6.6057% fetched in the previous week’s auction.

The central bank has not auctioned off 28-day term deposits for more than two years to give way to its weekly offerings of securities with the same tenor.

The term deposits and the 28-day bills are used by the BSP to mop up excess liquidity in the financial system and to better guide market rates.

Yields on the term deposits were higher ahead of widely expected rate hikes from both the Fed and the BSP this week, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

“BSP TDF auction yields were again mostly slightly higher week on week… amid higher market expectations of another 25-bp Fed rate hike on March 22, 2023 that would be matched locally on the following day to maintain comfortable interest rate differentials to help stabilize the peso and overall inflation,” Mr. Ricafort said.

The Fed will hold its second policy meeting for the year on March 21-22. Markets are pricing in an increase of 25 bps following the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.

The US central bank hiked its target interest rate by 25 bps at its Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 meeting to a range between 4.5% and 4.75%.

Since March 2022, the Fed has raised rates by a total of 450 bps.

Meanwhile, the BSP’s policy-setting Monetary Board will meet on March 23.

A BusinessWorld poll held last week showed 12 out of 14 analysts see the Monetary Board hiking rates by 25 bps on Thursday amid concerns over elevated inflation and the fallout from bank failures in the United States.

The BSP last month raised benchmark interest rates by 50 bps for a second straight meeting, bringing its policy rate to 6%.

It has increased borrowing costs by 400 bps since May 2022 as it seeks to bring down elevated inflation.

Headline inflation eased to 8.6% in February from 8.7% in January, latest data showed. It was the 11^th consecutive month that inflation exceeded the BSP’s 2-4% target for the year.

For the first two months of the year, headline inflation averaged 8.6%, above the central bank’s 6.1% forecast for the year. — Keisha B. Ta-asan

Crown Asia profit grows 2% to P229M

March 23, 2023 | 12:03 am

Crown Asia Chemicals Corp. reported a 2.1% growth in net income to P228.9 million for 2022 as the listed plastic pipes maker generated higher revenues while operating costs increased.

In a disclosure on Wednesday, the company said revenues rose by 1.2% to P1.76 billion from P1.74 billion in the previous year.

“Both earnings and revenues edged higher,” it said, adding that these were “partly affected by more robust credit evaluation, partly affected by the higher operating costs.”

Crown Asia has four main business segments, which are compounds, pipes, polypropylene random (PPR)/high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and roofing.

In 2021, its management decided to further break down the pipes segment into pipes and PPR/HDPE, creating a new business segment.

Pipes contributed the bulk of the company’s revenues at about 52% or P915.34 million while compounds accounted for 35.3% or P621.55 million. The rest came from PPR/HDPE at 10.9% or P191.15 million, and roofing at 1.9% or P31.78 million.

Meanwhile, the company plans to acquire new properties and machinery as it aims to increase storage and production capacity.

Crown Asia is the supplier of piping for the Metro Manila Subway project, North-South Commuter Railway, Skyway 3 extension, Cavite-Batangas expressways, Wawa dam, and other infrastructure projects.

The company said it “looks forward to a better 2023 with the recovery of construction activities and infrastructure expenditures, both public and private.” It cited the current administration’s support for public-private partnerships and the previous one’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

On the stock market on Wednesday, Crown Asia shares remained unchanged at P1.59 apiece. — Adrian H. Halili

Dining In/Out (03/23/23)

March 23, 2023 | 12:02 am

Happy 8-thumb — HAPPY 8’s irresistible Wok Fried King Prawn in Chinese BBQ Sauce

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Italian Wine Dinner at Old Manila

“Assaggio” in Italian means “taste” in English, and on March 28 an Assaggio Italiano Wine Dinner will be held at the Peninsula Manila’s Old Manila Restaurant. The five-course degustation menu was prepared by Old Manila’s Chef de Cuisine Domenico Nicolino. The Calabrian-born chef will take dinner guests on a journey through five unique Italian wineries whose wines he will be pairing with the menu that will highlight the varieties of flavors and textures that Italian cuisine is famous for. First course is Tartare di Tonno ai Capperi e Olive as the amuse bouche, paired with Ruggeri “Giall’Oro” Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry, Veneto NV. This is followed by Vitello Tonnato, which is Italian-style milk-fed and slow-cooked veal with “tonnato sauce” and cured egg yolk, which will be paired with Bastianich “Refosco,” Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2012; and Tortelli di Ossobuco allo Zafferano, slow-braised ossobuco tortelli with Parmesan fondue and saffron, which is paired with Giacomo Fenocchio Freisa, Langhe, Piemonte 2014. The main course is Filetto di Sgombro con Fregola e Frutti di Mare – a pan-seared mackerel with Sardinian fregola, and lobster bisque shellfish – paired with Alois Lageder Gewürztraminer, Südtirol – Alto Adige, Trentino-Alto Adige. 2014. The meal’s sweet ending is Tiramisu’ Ricostruito, a deconstructed tiramisu, which comes with Pelissero Moscato D’asti, Piemonte NV. The Assaggio Italiano Wine Dinner menu degustation is P8,000 per person (inclusive of taxes). For more information and table reservations, call The Peninsula Manila at 8887-2888 (ext. 6691 or 6694 for Restaurant Reservations) or e-mail diningpmn@peninsula.com.

New World Makati holds Easter Carnival Fun Fair

NEW World Makati Hotel will hold an Easter Carnival Fun Fair on April 9, from 9 a.m. to noon. This promises to be a highlight of the Easter weekend, featuring a range of activities and attractions for both children and adults. To be held at the hotel’s grand ballroom, attendees can look forward to a variety of rides, games, and attractions. Blossom, the Easter Bunny, will make a special appearance to greet guests, pose for photos, and spread some Easter cheer. She will also hand out eggs filled with surprises to everyone in attendance. There will be carnival rides including a mini carousel, coin operated rides, and an inflatable castle. Guests can also test their skills at carnival games such as ring toss, balloon darts, and basketball shooting. There will be a bubble show, balloon twisting, a magic show, and face painting. A range of food vendors will be on-site, offering a variety of treats, including mini hot dogs, cheesy French fries, and caramel popcorn, along with Easter-themed sweets like cupcakes and chocolate mousse on chocolate eggshells. Those who wish to attend the fair may avail themselves of the hotel’s Stay and Play Package, available for stays from April 1 to 9. The package, with rates starting at P8,500++, comes with a buffet breakfast for two adults and two kids aged 11 years and below, as well as two tickets to the Easter Carnival Fun Fair. Meanwhile, guests dining at Jasmine restaurant on Easter Sunday will get to try a special iteration of Jasmine’s Yum Cha, replete with classic dim sum such as har gao and xiao long bao, signature Jasmine favorites like the seafood taro puff and the chicken and cheese spring roll, together with specially crafted Easter items like a milk cream filled bun shaped like a rabbit. Meanwhile, enjoy an upgraded selection of dishes from Café 1228 when having lunch. Children aged 11 years and below who are dining in both of these restaurants will also get access to select game booths and rides at the fair. The Shop has colorful sweet treats for Easter, offering chocolate eggs and bunnies in a variety of sizes, and an Easter cake: an Oreo, brownie and cream cheese confection. For room inquiries and reservations, guests can call 8811-6888, e-mail reservations.manila@newworldhotels.com, or book a room package directly via https://bit.ly/NWMEaster2023_p.

Fresh seafood at Newport World Resorts

THIS March, Newport World Resorts shines a light on some of the freshest catch expertly prepared by some of the best chefs in the Metro, with exclusive offers available until March 31. The seafood fest begins at the Newport Grand Wing’s Silk Road at the ground floor gaming area. Sail through different flavors with the Emperor’s Seafood Claypot. Made with scallops, black mussels, suahe, fish filet, with lobster and fish balls in a special sauce, this dish is served in a show-stopping claypot that will keep the dish warm throughout the meal. Try the Emperor’s Seafood Claypot for P788 net. At the Newport Garden Wing, the Garden Wing Cafe serves up the freshest catch with no frills. The flavors of the sea are highlighted with their special of the month, Seafood on Ice, for P2,200 net. At Happy 8, Wok Fried King Prawn in Chinese BBQ Sauce is a hit at P2,066 net. Over at Ginzadon, the Unagi Ura Maki — California Maki taken up a notch with an Eel Teriyaki topping — is available for P1,180 net a roll. For more information on the Newport World Resorts’ March offers, visit www.newportworldresorts.com and follow @newportworldresorts on Facebook and Instagram, and @nwresorts on Twitter.

World-class chefs join Marco Polo Ortigas restaurants

TWO new chefs have joined Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s culinary team. Italian chef Luca Angioletti takes on the role of Executive Chef of Cucina, the hotel’s the all-day dining restaurant at the 24^th floor which features live cooking stations and Asian and Continental buffet spreads. With more than 20 years of industry experience in award-winning restaurants across Doha, Dubai, Italy, Germany, USA, and the Philippines, Mr. Angioletti’s philosophy of cooking balances tradition and innovation, respecting the territory and ingredients while applying modern cooking techniques to add value to each dish. Meanwhile, on the 44^th floor, authentic Cantonese restaurant Lung Hin welcomes its new Chinese Executive Chef, Raymond Yeung. He brings to the table over 26 years of culinary experience from five-star international hotels and established Chinese restaurants across the Asian region. Cucina serves breakfast daily from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m., while the lunch buffet is open from Thursday to Sunday from noon to 2:30 p.m., and the dinner buffet is open from Thursday to Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. Lung Hin is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch, and 5:30 to 10 p.m. for dinner. For more information and updates, visit marcopolohotels.com, like Marco Polo Ortigas Manila on Facebook, and follow @marcopolomanila on Instagram. For reservations, call 7720-7777.

Mercato Centrale comes to Intramuros

MERCATO Centrale, in partnership with the Department of Tourism and Intramuros Administration, opened a new food lifestyle market at Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila. Open to the public from 2 to 10 p.m., the market has easy access for both commuters and cars, as it is located just a stone’s throw away from the Manila Cathedral. Vendors like J&J, For Heaven’s Shake, Tuna Town, Bagnet Patong, Maria Crispy, Moyumie Shawarma, Uncle Kim’s are just some of the merchants picked by the vendor recruitment team. The Mercato Centrale Fort Santiago also offers a weekly lineup of buskers to serenade diners as they indulge in an ice-cold beer or favorite drink with isaw, corndogs, or roast beef.

Chef Jessie launches Hapag Movement Menu

RENOWNED Filipino chef Jessie Sincioco is helping feed the hungry in a whole new way. She has launched the Hapag Movement Menu, which includes four set meals that patrons may enjoy while also helping address involuntary hunger. The special menu is part of Sincioco’s commitment to the Hapag Movement, a Globe-led community program that aims to alleviate involuntary hunger through supplemental feeding and sustainable livelihood opportunities. The meal sets, which include a salad, soup, main course, dessert and hot drink, are available for lunch at P1,200 and dinner at P1,500 at Sincioco’s restaurant, Chef Jessie Rockwell Club in Makati. For every meal served, half of the proceeds will be donated to the Hapag Movement. The Hapag Movement Menu features a healthy selection of salads for starters and a variety of Filipino and fusion main dishes, from the familiar yet elevated beef morcon and caldereta to fish fillet florentine and baked parmesan-crusted chicken. Ms. Sincioco supports the Hapag Movement through her company’s membership at the Rotary Club of Makati Business District (RCMBD), which recently signed a four-year partnership with Globe to raise funds for the Hapag Movement. Her Mana Cuisine Corp. is among the earliest corporate members of Rotary to support the undertaking. RCMBD earlier pledged to raise P10 million in funds for the Hapag Movement through various initiatives involving individual members and corporations. By making this commitment, the Rotary chapter has become one of Hapag Movement’s most dedicated fundraising partners.

Jollibee Kids Party returns

AFTER having to pause because of the pandemic, the in-store Jollibee Kids Party is back at select Jollibee stores nationwide. “Filipinos of all ages know that Jollibee is a place where special moments happen, and we’re excited that kids can again experience that same joy that many have had in the past with the return of the Jollibee Kids Party,” said Charisse Sumulong, Marketing Director for Delivery and Kids of Jollibee Philippines. Parents can give their kids a fun-filled day with a variety of themes: Jollitown Theme Park, Fairytale Land, or JolliRace. Each theme has programs for children and families to enjoy, complete with giveaways and party favors for the guests — loot bags, party hats, game prizes, and a special gift for the birthday celebrant. Of course, no Jollibee party is complete without the special appearance of Jollibee. Customers can choose among different meal bundles or create their own depending on their party needs. These include classic Jollibee staples like Jolly Spaghetti, Yumburger, Chickenjoy, Jolly Crispy Fries, and Chocolate Sundae.

Saladstop!’s Sunny Duo makes a comeback

WITH the arrival of summer SaladStop! brings back the Sunny Duo, featuring the Summer Fling salad and Sunny Slush smoothie. Available in a bowl or as a wrap, the Summer Fling (P375) combines chicken ham with romaine, kale, quinoa, carrots, sweet corn, grapes, and pomelo, all tossed in a tangy Sesame Lime dressing. Summer Fling is now also offered as a Party Tray (P1,200 for salad tray / P2,300 for wrap tray). It is also available for ordering as part of the Daily Bowls three-day or five-day subscription via saladstop.pickup.ph. Pair the Summer Fling salad with the Sunny Slush (P160), a sweet and zesty blend of mango, lemon juice, honey, and chia seeds. The Sunny Duo (which can be ordered individually) is available until May 8 in all SaladStop! stores.

Eat Now, Pay Later with Atome and Bistro Group

SATISFY food cravings and enjoy 0% interest on installments in The Bistro Group restaurants and 200 other dining establishments in the metro. Atome, a Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) platform, recently partnered with The Bistro Group to offer its BNPL services in select F&B outlets in Metro Manila. Diners can now use Atome to pay at branch locations of Hard Rock Cafe, TGI Fridays, Denny’s, Randy’s Donuts, Watami, Modern Shanghai, Bulgogi Brothers and Italianni’s restaurants within Metro Manila. In total, the partnership will cover 65 F&B outlets under the Bistro Group. “Beyond the Bistro Group, Atome is also available as a payment option across 200+ restaurants and counting,” said Zine Nedil, General Manager at Atome Philippines, in a press statement. “You might ask why split a dining bill into zero interest installments but you’d be surprised once foodies discover how convenient and frictionless the process is. On top of that, they also receive Atome+ rewards points, which they can redeem across our network of 1,500 online and offline retailers all over the country,” he added. To sign up with Atome, one must download the app from the App Store or on Google Play and complete the account opening requirements.

Calumpit to hold longest longganisa boodle fight

AMID new cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) hitting various parts of the country, the local government of Calumpit municipality in the province of Bulacan will continue its plan to organize its first-ever Longganisa Festival on March 24-25. The event will coincide with the municipality’s 451^st Foundation Day. “We are not taking back our plans to hold our Calumpit Longganisa Festival this weekend despite ASF scare as our meat products remains ASF-free,” said Calumpit Mayor Glorime “Lem” Faustino. The festival, which has the theme, Isang Panlasa. Isang Pag-Asa Calumpitenyo aims to highlight and promote the Calumpit longganisa. The mayor said the festival aims to break the current record of the longest longganisa boodle fight, which is currently held by Guinobatan, Albay. Calumpit will make an attempt to organize a 500-meter longganisa boodle fight on March 24 to formally start the festival. Currently, Guineaman’s record stands with 400 and 300 meters in 2017 and 2019, respectively. The festival also includes a culinary exhibition of various Calumpit longganisa recipes that will highlight their local chefs; the coronation night of the 1^st Calumpit Longganisa Festival King and Queen 2023 on March 24; and a thanksgiving mass, street dance parade and competition; and Gabi ng Pasasalamat concert and fireworks display to end the festival on March 25.

Adobe, Nvidia AI image systems aim to resolve copyright questions

March 23, 2023 | 12:02 am

TWO Silicon Valley companies on Tuesday announced new tools that use artificial intelligence to generate images while tackling some of the thorniest legal issues surrounding the technology: copyrights and payments.

Adobe Inc. added artificial intelligence (AI) to some of its most popular software, including Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, to speed up the process of generating images and text effects, noting that creators whose work was used by the tools will be able to get paid.

Nvidia Corp. unveiled its own service, known as “Picasso,” that uses AI to generate images, videos and 3D applications from text descriptions. Nvidia trained the technology on images licensed from Getty Images, Shutterstock, Inc., and Adobe, and plans to pay royalties.

This marks a milestone in the ongoing tension between the rights of copyright holders and emerging technology. Image-generation technology is “trained” on billions of images, but whether that use is legally permitted is not always clear.

Getty Images earlier this year sued Stability AI, creators of the open-source art generation program Stable Diffusion, claiming it had copied more than 12 million images from its database without permission.

“This collaboration (with Nvidia) is testament to the feasibility of a path of responsible AI development and the unique nature of Getty Images content and data,” Getty Images Chief Executive Officer Craig Peters told Reuters in an e-mail.

“It is in-line with our belief that generative AI is an exciting tool that should be based on permissioned data, visuals, and individual privacy.”

Adobe’s new AI-enhanced feature, called “Firefly,” allows users to use words to describe the images, illustrations, or videos that its software will create. Because the AI has been trained on Adobe Stock images, openly licensed content and older content where copyright has expired, the resulting creations are safe for commercial use, it said.

The company also is advocating for a universal “do not train” tag that would allow photographers to request that their content not be used to train models.

“We’re very interested in making this creator friendly,” Ely Greenfield, chief technology officer for digital media at Adobe, told Reuters.

If Adobe users ask the system for an image in the style of a particular artist, “it won’t generate an image that is aping that person’s style,” Mr. Greenfield said. “You as an artist can merchandise this. If someone wants to use your style, you can actually sell a customer the right to use your style.”

Nvidia’s Picasso AI-image generator is part of a collection of AI-powered cloud products unveiled at its GTC Developer Conference.

“This is the basis of having something that will be interesting to the marketplace,” said Greg Estes, Nvidia’s vice-president of developer programs, of working with partners like Getty.

“Because other software providers or enterprises of any kind, they don’t want to be involved (with image-generating AI) not knowing what the provenance is” of the underlying training images, he said.

Jun-Yan Zhu, assistant professor in the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon, said it is not unusual for open-source AI models to train on billions of images. A number of factors, including whether a photographer is famous or whether the training dataset is publicly available, determine whether photographers know their works have been sampled, he added.

Mr. Zhu said he hopes photographers and artists may ultimately benefit by using the technology to license their artistic style.

“The livelihoods of content creators depend on respect for intellectual property rights and the value of their creative endeavors,” said Getty’s Mr. Peters.

“We believe that innovation and creativity thrive in an environment where artists, photographers, videographers, and creatives everywhere can be fairly compensated for their work, especially when it is used for commercial purposes.” — Reuters