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Ferrero recalls UK Kinder Surprise chocolate egg over salmonella fear

LONDON — Italian confectionary group Ferrero has recalled Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs from British shelves two weeks before Easter after a possible link was found to dozens of reported cases of salmonella.

The recall affects single and multipack Kinder Surprise eggs, a popular treat marketed at children containing small collectible toys inside a chocolate shell.

“We are voluntarily recalling selected batches of Kinder Surprise as a precautionary step, since we have become aware of a possible link to a number of reported cases of salmonella,” the recall notice said.

Ferrero said the affected chocolate was manufactured in Belgium and the recall may be extended to other countries.

It comes as confectionary brands battle for space on supermarkets shelves in the run up to Easter, marked by many in Britain by buying and eating chocolate eggs.

Britain’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) advised customers not to eat the affected products, which carry “Best Before” dates between July 11 and Oct. 7.

At least 63 cases of illness linked to the products have been identified, the majority of which are children under five years old, the UK Health Security Agency said.

“We know that these particular products are popular with young children, especially as Easter approaches, so we would urge parents and guardians of children to check if any products already in their home are affected by this recall,” Tina Potter, the FSA’s Head of Incidents. — Reuters

Jollibee opens branch in Glasgow, Scotland

JOLLIBEE Food Corp. (JFC) announced on Wednesday that it opened its first Jollibee store on Sauchiehall St. in Glasgow, Scotland, following its debut in Edinburgh a few weeks ago.

This marks the second Jollibee store to open in Scotland and the 14th across Europe.

“We are really excited to be here in Glasgow to launch our second store in Scotland and our 11th in the UK, especially as Glasgow is such a hotspot for foodies. Seeing the enthusiasm of Glaswegians queuing outside in anticipation of the store opening is amazing, and we hope to introduce more people to the delicious flavors and diverse food we have to offer,” Adam Parkinson, business head of Jollibee Europe, said in a statement.

JFC reported that over 140 people were already in queue before the store’s opening.

The branch will serve Chickenjoy, the Jollibee Chicken Sandwich, Jolly Spaghetti, and the Yumburger, among other menu items. Like the Edinburgh store, the Glasgow restaurant will also serve halal meat.

Last month, Jollibee opened on Princes St. in Edinburgh, the restaurant chain’s first venture into Scotland.

JFC said it is continuing its plans to expand across the United Kingdom and be in every major city, as part of its large-scale European expansion plan to grow to 50 stores in 5 years.

To date, Jollibee has over 1,500 stores in 17 countries.

“Jollibee’s continuous global expansion forms part of the Jollibee Group’s vision to become one of the top five restaurant companies globally,” the company said.

JFC operates in 34 countries, with over 5,900 stores globally and branches in the Philippines, United States, Canada, the People’s Republic of China, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Panama, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and India.

It has eight wholly owned brands, namely: Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, and Smashburger; six franchised brands — Burger King, Panda Express, PHO24, and Yoshinoya in the Philippines, Dunkin’ and Tim Ho Wan in some areas in China.

At the stock exchange on Wednesday, JFC shares were up by P1.80 or 0.78% to close at P231.60 apiece. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Dining In/Out (04/07/22)

Bistro Group opening 17 new stores in Ayala Malls

THE BISTRO Group continues its 25-year partnership with Ayala Malls by opening 17 of its 30 target openings this year at Ayala Malls. “We have a successful relationship, notwithstanding the challenges brought about by this pandemic. In fact, now that the economy is on a rebound, we are ready to expand in different Ayala Malls with the opening of more stores in different locations,” The Bistro Group’s President Jean Paul Manuud, said in a statement. To date, the company has 18 local and foreign restaurant brands with over 100 branches nationwide under its belt. The new Ayala Triangle will be home to The Bistro Group’s high-end concepts like Rumba (a local Mediterranean Spanish restaurant whose menu was created by chef Alfredo Rodriguez); Helm (the group’s exclusive, fine dining, degustation restaurant by chef Josh Boutwood) as well as Italianni’s. Coming soon is Olive Garden, a popular restaurant chain in the US serving Italian-inspired dishes, at Glorietta 3. The Bistro Group’s corporate executive chef, Josh Boutwood, will open his new concept restaurant, Ember, at Greenbelt 3 this month. This is Boutwood’s first foray into a mainstream, high traffic mall. Plans are also afoot for the expansion of Bistro’s existing brands, including Modern Shanghai at UP Town Center (UPTC), Greenbelt and Glorietta 3; TGIFridays at UPTC; Fish & Co. at UPTC and Glorietta 3; Watami at Glorietta 3; and El Pollo Loco at Greenbelt, Ayala Town Center, UPTC, Ayala 30th and Trinoma.

Power of No campaign against drunk driving launched

ACROSS the Asia Pacific region, an estimated 2,000 people die each day in road collisions — a third of which involve alcohol consumption as a contributing factor, with young adults at the highest risk. In the Philippines, an estimated 12,000 people die every year in road-related accidents — about 25% of which are related to the harmful consumption of alcohol. Moreover, many Filipinos remain unaware of the risks of drinking then driving — and that the effects of alcohol could kick-in once the motorist is on the road. This is the reason why the Alcoholic Beverages Alliance of the Philippines (ABAPI) and the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), with endorsement from the Philippine National Police, have come together to amplify the message regarding the harm caused by drunk driving through the “Power of No” campaign. The regional campaign will be implemented in six countries: Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. It aims to reach 10 million young adults of legal drinking age over a six-week period that includes teaser videos, commercials, and other educational content materials which will be posted on Facebook pages for each country. Across the region, the Power of No campaign is led by the Asia Pacific International Spirits and Wines Alliance (APISWA), representing global spirits and wine producers, the Automobile Association of Vietnam (AA Vietnam, a member of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile or FIA), creative agency Orès, with support from the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) and the European ASEAN Business Council (EUABC). While the first phase of the campaign is geared towards awareness-building and education through social media, ABAPI and AAP plan to work with partners and stakeholders to continue to educate young motorists and measure the campaign’s impact on behavior change. To learn more about Power of No, visit the campaign’s Facebook page or website.

Emirates’ signature Ramadan service returns

WITH the official start of the Holy Month of Ramadan, Emirates will once again be offering its signature Ramadan services onboard and on the ground for its fasting passengers, helping them travel better and catering to their special needs during this time. Onboard, customers breaking their fast across all cabin classes to select Emirates destinations can expect specially crafted, nutritionally balanced iftar meals served in bespoke boxes. The meals consist of freshly prepared grain-based cold salads and sandwiches accompanied with a variety of proteins, seedless dates, laban, water, mini Arabic bread, amongst other iftar essentials. The boxes will be served on flights to select destinations during times that coincide with iftar or sohour, on flights to and from the Gulf region as well as flights catering to Umrah groups traveling to Jeddah and Medina during the month of Ramadan. In addition, cold meals will be served in lieu of a hot one on all flights to Jeddah and Medina, including Umrah day flights. The boxes have also been designed to conveniently take away if customers wish to do so. Emirates’ iftar box will be served to complement the airline’s regular hot meal service, which will include a traditional soup option for First Class passengers on select flights to break their fast. The box contents will be refreshed on a weekly basis. To ensure accuracy for fasting Muslim passengers, Emirates uses a unique tool to calculate the correct timings for imsak (the time to commence fasting) and iftar while in-flight, based on the times of the sunrise and sunset of the location the flight is passing by using the aircraft’s longitude, latitude, and altitude. When the sun sets, passengers will be officially informed of the iftar time by the captain. For customers on the ground boarding during iftar and sohour times, trays of dates and water will be available at gates for several destinations. At the Emirates lounges in DXB, dates and coffee as well as Arabic style sweets will be offered during Ramadan. Emirates lounges are also all equipped with dedicated prayer rooms and ablution facilities for worship.

Mimi & Bros goes plant-based with new fare

MIMI & BROS continues to diversify its menu and this time around, it is launching its Plant-Based Chicken Sandwich and Plant-Based Burger. The Plant-Based Chicken Sandwich is made with a crispy plant-based chicken patty that is served in between buttery brioche buns, topped by Mimi & Bros’ secret sauce, American cheese, lettuce, and house-made pickles. The Plant-Based Chicken Sandwich is priced at P350 and is served with fries on the side. The Plant-Based Burger is made with a plant-based patty, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, white onions, and Mimi & Bros secret sauce, in between slightly toasted brioche buns and served with a side of fries. It is priced at P450. The restaurant is at Crossroads, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City and is open for al-fresco dining. Mimi & Bros also delivers — send an order via Messenger on m.me/mimiandbros, through Viber at 0945-798-5176, or find Mimi & Bros in Grab, Foodpanda, Dingdong, and Pick.A.Roo.

CBTL favorites for P100 on Mondays

MONDAYS Made Better is back at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL) — try a new flavor every Monday for P100 until May 16. Among the featured drinks are The Original Vanilla Ice Blended, a classic version made from CBTL’s coffee and French Deluxe vanilla powder and skimmed milk, blended with ice, topped with whipped cream; Mango Ice Blended, made from ripened mango juice combined with French Deluxe vanilla powder blended with ice, topped with whipped cream; The Original Mocha Ice Blended, featuring coffee and Special Dutch chocolate powder and skimmed milk, blended with ice, topped with whipped cream; and Matcha Ice Blended, made with matcha powder blended with ice and skimmed milk and topped with whipped cream. Customers also get a chance to win a Special Unlimited Pass to avail of any Ice Blended drink for P100 for three months. The full mechanics can be found on Instagram at @CBTLph or on TikTok at @thecoffeebeanph.

Mang Inasal celebrates summer with promo

TO LEVEL up the summer fun, Mang Inasal treats its customers with a summer “phygital experience” wherein they can enjoy not only physically while eating in-store but also online through exclusive promos and challenges. The #SummerSarapAtMangInasal Groufie Challenge is now open for photo entries from April 1 to May 31. To join, dine-in, take a group selfie with family and friends, and share it in the official promo post on Mang Inasal’s Facebook page for a chance to win Mang Inasal gift certificates. Mang Inasal has also partnered with Grabfood for a free delivery promo. To join, enter the code MANGINASAL via Grabfood from April 1 to 13. This offer is valid for orders worth P500 and up and is available in the national capital region (NCR), Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna only. There will also be Mang Inasal Epic Deals in partnership with foodpanda, on April 11 and 22.

Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Finish launches in PHL

LEADING Scotch whisky Ballantine’s launches Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Finish in the Philippines, a seven-year-old blended Scotch that takes on the sweetness of American bourbon. Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Finish is crafted from a selection of Scotch whiskies that are aged in oak casks for at least seven years before being finished in American bourbon barrels. This way, drinkers get the best of two whisky worlds together. The classic Ballantine’s tasting notes of honey and ripe red apple are enhanced with character and richness from the seven-year ageing process, and paired with the sweet hints of toffee, vanilla and caramel that are typical of bourbon whiskies. Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Finish will be available in Landers and at other leading stores like Landmark, Pioneer, and online sites like Boozy.ph.

McDonald’s PH launches Sonic 2 Happy Meal toys

AS THE SEQUEL to the 2020 Sonic the Hedgehog film arrives at theaters, McDonald’s is releasing Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Happy Meal. There are 10 toys to collect, including fan-favorite characters Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails, Knuckles, and a surprise toy which will be revealed on April 9. As part of the tie-up with the film, a #SonicRingRun AR filter will be available on McDonald’s Philippines’ Instagram and Facebook pages soon. The Happy Meals and collectible toys are available at McDonald’s stores to dine-in, drive-through, and take out customers, and via McDelivery.

TELUS launches cookbook of winning recipes

THE DIVERSITY of the TELUS International Asia-Pacific team comes to life in the first A Taste of Diversity cookbook, a celebration of the winning recipes from 60 team members from India, Philippines, and China. TELUS International recently held a recipe competition for team members across the TELUS International Philippines, Chengdu (China), and India delivery centers. The prize was to be featured in the cookbook. “At a time when it is so easy to feel isolated and disconnected because of the restrictions brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we wanted to create a cookbook that can be a catalyst for bonding with each other, even from a distance,” said Rajiv M. Dhand, Regional Vice-President for Asia-Pacific at TELUS International, in a statement. The recipes were chosen by a board of judges made up of Royal Indian Curry House’s chef Surat Rana, Chinese chef Sheng Tian, and Filipino chef RJ Ungco. The competition kicked off with a virtual recipe writing workshop and food photography 101 session facilitated by Mr. Ungco and DiscoverMNL founder Lucky Alabado. Over 150 team members responded to the request for original Indian, Philippine and Chinese recipes, with 60 emerging as winners across five categories: soups, salads, appetizers, main course, and desserts. TELUS International Philippines is offering a free download of this cookbook at linkedin.com/company/telus-international-philippines/. Readers can share their own take on these recipes with photos or videos, using the hashtag #TasteOfDiversity.

Enoch Valdez, LPU Pirates defuse Jose Rizal U Bombers, 82-75

LYCEUM of the Philippines University Pirates — NCAA/GMA

By Joey Villar

ENOCH Valdez was forcing plays in his first three games that hurt his Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) team more than it helped them. Then he decided to revert to his old but effective ways of allowing the ball to just come to him instead.

Using this mindset, Mr. Valdez dished out one of the best games of his life in powering LPU to an 82-75 victory over Jose Rizal University (JRU) on Wednesday for its first win in the 97th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournament at the La Salle Greenhills Gym in Mandaluyong.

The Mangatarem, Pangasinan native dropped 21 points by making nine of the 17 shots he took and spiked it with 12 rebounds and five steals that helped hand the Pirates their first triumph while ending a three-game losing skein.

“I just told him (Mr. Valdez) to return to his strengths and not force things, I’m happy he responded to the challenge,” said rookie coach Gilbert Malabanan, a former PBA player who took the reins from Jeff Perlas.

For Mr. Valdez, it was their faith to the system and to each other that helped them get over the hump.

“We just learned how to trust each other and the system,” said Mr. Valdez, who said he would go back to the gym to do a workout as soon as they returned to the practice facility.

McClaude Guadana and Yancy Remulla provided help by firing 14 and 10 points, respectively.

But it was Mr. Valdez who shone the brightest who scored five points in a key run that erased a 73-72 deficit with over two minutes to go and gave the Pirates the lead for good.

The JRU Bombers appeared in control early and led by 12 points, 24-12, after the opening quarter.

But the Kalentong-based dribblers failed to sustain it in the end as Mr. Valdez went to work to deliver the decisive blows.

JRU dropped to 0-4.

The scores:

LPU 82 – Valdez 21, Guadana 14, Remulla 10, Larupay 9, Cunanan 6, Bravo 6, Barba 6, Guinto 4, Navarro 3, Garro 3, Umali 0.

JRU 75 – Celis 24, Delos Santos 14, Dionisio 14, Agbong 11, Macatangay 5, Gonzales 3, Jungco 2, Arenal 2, Aguilar 0, Guiab 0, Bongay 0.

Quarterscores: 12-24; 38-40; 61-61; 82-75.

SM Prime sets opening of two-level mall in Roxas City

SM PRIME Holdings, Inc. is opening on Friday its newest mall in the country, SM City Roxas, in Capiz province.

The property developer said the mall has 41,000 square meters (sq.m.) of gross floor area and will offer a “new trend of shopping, dining and entertainment experiences” to Roxas City.

“It is our privilege and honor to finally welcome our fellow Capiznon to our newest mall in the Philippines, SM City Roxas. The opening of SM City Roxas offers a place to reconnect with friends and celebrate with families, while enjoying a wide variety of food, activities and services that can be found inside the mall,” SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said in a statement on Wednesday.

SM City Roxas is located along the city’s busy Arnaldo Blvd. in Brgy. Baybay. It has two levels of shopping, dining and entertainment areas, plus nearly a thousand parking slots and a transport hub for customers.

The mall also has an atrium with “a large open-air, skylighted space design incorporating distinctive modern textures and fascinating colors, which will give shoppers a fun shopping and exciting shopping and leisure experience.”

Friday’s opening comes as 81% of the mall’s leasable space was already awarded to local and international shops, including SM brands such as the SM Store, SM Supermarket, Watsons, Surplus, Miniso, SM Appliance, ACE Hardware, Sports Central and BDO.

SM City Roxas has four regular cinema houses, each with more than a hundred seating capacity, including seats for persons with disability, and a private cinema with a 20-person capacity.

“Together with our business partners and tenants, we hope to spur more economic activities and provide job opportunities in areas where we have plans to open new SM malls this year. We look forward to serving these communities with the same brand of excellence and convenience SM is known for,” Mr. Lim said.

At the stock exchange, shares in SM Prime slipped by 15 centavos or 0.39% to close at P37.85 each on Wednesday.

Chicano, Mangrobang lead PHL bets in Subic Triathlon

John Leerams Chicano — PSC

SOUTHEAST Asian Games (SEAG)-bound John Leerams Chicano and Kim Mangrobang will spearhead the country’s campaign in the Subic Bay International Triathlon (SuBIT), which will make a return after a two-year absence on May 1 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone 1 grounds.

Mr. Chicano and Ms. Mangrobang, who are eyeing to replicate their two-gold medal haul in the 2019 SEA Games, will use the 29th edition of the annual race as their tune up for the Hanoi event slated for May 12 to 23.

“Yes, all those going to Hanoi will join,” said Triathlon Association of the Philippines president Tom Carrasco, who organizes the Subic tilt in partnership with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Rolen Paulino.

Andrew Kim Remolino, a SEA Games silver medal winner, is also seeing action along with 30 foreign participants from Australia, India, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, USA, Poland, Taiwan and Slovakia.

Mr. Carrasco said this is the first triathlon event in two years in the country that will be participated in by international elite athletes.

“We will have a strong field,” said Mr. Carrasco.

Mr. Carrasco said he hopes they could also discover promising new talents from the race backed by SBMA, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Standard Insurance, Asian Center for Insulation Phil., Pocari Sweat and FINIS.

Mr. Chicano and Ms. Mangrobang themselves were products of SuBIT.

“I’m proud to say SuBIT has produced SEA Games champions, an Asian duathlon gold medalist and notable Asian Games performers,” said Mr. Carrasco.

Some of the young guns to watch out for are Ryan Faith Alcoseba, Gene Heart Quiambao, Erika Burgos and Matthew Hermosa among others. — Joey Villar

Conference, film, festivals mark National Food Month

A CONFERENCE, film showings, festivals and other events are scheduled for this year’s Filipino Food Month or Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino which carries the theme “Pagkaing Pilipino, Susi sa Pag-unlad at Pagbabago” (Filipino Food: The Key to Unity and Change).

The celebration is being led by the Departments of Agriculture and Tourism, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement.

Through Presidential Proclamation No. 469 signed in 2018, April has been designated as Filipino Food Month or Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino. The celebration is aimed at preserving and promoting Filipino culinary traditions.

“Filipino Food Month is also a reminder for us to go back to our roots. Our identity is also in food… I am hoping that once this event has grown, visitors will come to the country for our food and that Filipinos will embrace it,” Jam Melchor, chef and founder of the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement said in English and Filipino at the celebration’s launch on March 29 at the Metropolitan Theater.

“It’s not about organizing big events, it’s about awareness, educating ourselves and going back to our traditions,” he said.

One of the celebration’s main programs is the KainCon Filipino Food Conference (https://www.facebook.com/kaincon/) which aims to showcase and promote the country’s heritage cuisine, especially among the younger generations. KainCon is a series of online talks that bring together Filipino farmers, culinary historians, chefs, and experts from the local food industry to discuss how people can influence local food cultivation and establish preservation initiatives.

Meanwhile, the Cinema Culinarya Film Festival (CCFF) will showcase narratives on culinary practices and traditions. There will be public screenings of the films in competition on April 8, 15, 22, and 29. There will also be short film talkbacks on April 6, 13, 20, and 27. For more details, visit the CCFF’s official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CinemaCulinaryaFilmFest/) and the NCCA Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/NCCAOfficial).

There will be several events held around the country under the Hapag ng Pamana umbrella, focusing on culinary history. A series of events will be held in Capiz on April 22 and 23, including the Manindahan ‘Ta street market and Kaon Na (Let’s Eat) rolling karinderya showcasing the traditional food of Capiz. Palawan will host a cultural show, symposium, food fest on April 29 and 30; while Cagayan de Oro will host a food expo and cooking demonstration on April 22 and 23.

For more information and schedules on the activities of National Food Month, visit https://www.facebook.com/NCCAOfficial. — MAPS

Nearly 3 in 4 encountered at least one cyber threat via e-payments

KALHH-PIXABAY

By Brontë H. Lacsamana, Reporter

ALMOST THREE in four people in Southeast Asia (SEA) encountered at least one type of threat associated with digital payment technology, according to a recent study by internet security firm Kaspersky.

Titled “Mapping a secure path for the future of digital payments in APAC,” the 2021 study found that 72% of respondents in SEA experienced cyber threats, while nearly all (97%) were aware of at least one type of threat related to e-payment platforms.

Of those with experience, 37% encountered them in the form of social engineering scams via texts or calls, making this the top threat in the region. The next common types of scams are fake websites (27%), fake offers and deals (27%), and phishing (25%).

A total of 1,618 working professionals from 10 countries in Asia-Pacific were included as participants in the study. The respondents ranged from 18 to 65 years of age, all of whom are digital payment users.

The Philippines, which placed fourth in Kaspersky’s 2021 global ranking of countries most targeted by web threats, also saw social engineering scams via texts or calls as the top risk, with 42% of respondents having encountered them.

Sandra Lee, Kaspersky’s managing director in Asia-Pacific, said the adoption of digital payment methods appears to be a double-edged sword, with convenience representing benefits and cybersecurity risks showing their less desirable aspects.

“On the contrary, we believe that categorizing digital payments in such binary ways is premature. As with any emerging technologies, there is no inherent good or bad characteristic to them; rather, how we use them to achieve beneficial outcomes is determined by how we interact with them,” she said in a statement.

The study also found that the financial loss from a cyber-incident involving digital payments ranges from under $100 to $5,000, with a small number of respondents having reported a loss of over $5,000.

Over half (52%) said they lost money due to bank account and credit card fraud. Causes of financial loss in Southeast Asia included accounts getting hacked in a data breach (47%), fake and fraudulent apps (45%), ransomware (45%), and fake offers and deals (43%).

As for victims’ response to the threats, 67% shared they became more vigilant while 32% reported feeling anxious about recovering the lost money. Some 36% said they still trusted that banks and mobile wallet providers could resolve the issue while 18% didn’t.

TAKING ACTION
In March, the Department of Information and Communications and Technology (DICT) said the Philippines is still at level 1 in terms of awareness and communication as well as cybersecurity skills and expertise, with procedures not sophisticated enough yet.

The government’s goal is to push the Philippines forward to maturity level 5 or a “resilient enterprise” in cybersecurity terms within five years, DICT Acting Secretary Emmanuel Rey R. Caintic said in an interview with BusinessWorld.

Ms. Lee of Kaspersky added: “If we are to fully realize the benefits of digital payments, it is important that all stakeholders, including the government, digital payment providers, users, and even cybersecurity firms, work together to build a stable, secure, and future-proof payments ecosystem.”

The security firm suggested the following steps to protect against cyber threats:

• Beware of fake communications, and adopt a cautious stance when it comes to handing over sensitive information. Do not readily share private or confidential information online, especially when it comes to requests for your financial information and payment details.

• Use your own computer and Internet connection when making payments online. As like how you would make purchases only from trusted stores when shopping physically, translate the same caution to when making payments online — you’ll never know if public computers have spyware recording everything you type on the keyboard, or if your public Internet connection has been intercepted.

• Don’t share your passwords, PIN numbers or one-time passwords (OTPs) with family or friends. While it may seem convenient, or a good idea, these provide an entryway for cybercriminals to trick users into revealing personal information to collect bank credentials.

• Adopt a holistic solution of security products and practical steps. These can minimize the risk of falling victim to threats and keep your financial information safe. Utilize reliable security solutions for comprehensive protection from a wide range of threats to establish a secure connection and help check the authenticity of websites of banks, payment systems and online stores you visit.

The Kaspersky study also shared the top actions of respondents in Southeast Asia after they encountered threats:

• 64% changed passwords and other security settings on their banking and mobile wallet apps;

• 50% called the bank or related mobile wallet company;

• 45% informed their family members and friends about the incident;

• 26% installed security solutions on infected devices;

• 26% installed security solutions on both infected and uninfected devices; and

• 15% downloaded a new mobile wallet and created a new account.

TDF yields slip on oil’s drop, global bond issue

BW FILE PHOTO
THE CENTRAL BANK’S term deposits fetched lower yields on Wednesday. — BW FILE PHOTO

YIELDS on the central bank’s term deposits inched down on Wednesday as fuel prices declined and as investors continued to price in the government’s bond issuance last month.

The term deposit facility (TDF) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) fetched bids amounting to P480.045 billion on Wednesday, well above the P410-billion offering but declining from the P538.809 billion seen a week ago.

Broken down, tenders for the seven-day papers reached P189.303 billion, higher than the P170 billion auctioned off by the central bank but failing to beat the P211.867 billion in bids seen the previous week.

Banks asked for yields ranging from 1.85% to 1.99%, wider than the 1.85% to 1.96% band seen a week ago. This caused the average rate of the one-week deposits to decrease by 1.48 basis points (bps) to 1.9177% from 1.9325% previously.

Meanwhile, bids for the 14-day term deposits amounted to P290.742 billion, beyond the P240-billion offering but down from the P326.942 billion in tenders seen on March 31.

Accepted rates for the tenor were from 1.825% to 1.975%, lower than the 1.89% to 2% margin seen a week ago. With this, the average rate for the two-week deposits fell by 3.16 bps to 1.949% from 1.9806% logged in the prior auction.

The BSP bank has not auctioned 28-day term deposits for more than a year 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.

Term deposit yields went down as it tracked the downtrend in global oil prices which could partly ease inflation worries, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

Both Brent and US crude benchmarks fell by 13% on Friday from their levels a year earlier to log their biggest drop in two years as the US relayed its plans to release oil reserves to ease supply concerns amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Reuters reported.

However, oil futures were mixed during the early Wednesday session amid concerns for falling demand after Shanghai extended its lockdown and as new sanctions on Russia remains on the table.

Brent crude futures were up 11 cents or 0.1%, at $106.75 a barrel as of 0339 GMT. Meanwhile, the US West Texas Intermedia futures declined by 11 cents or 0.1% to $101.85 a barrel.

Philippine headline inflation in March accelerated to a six-month high of 4%, reflecting the impact of the surge in oil prices following Russia’s invasion in Ukraine in late February.

The BSP last month raised its inflation forecast for the year to 4.3%, already above the 2-4% target, amid the rise in oil and commodity prices.

Aside from the drop in global oil prices, Mr. Ricafort said the market continued to price in the government’s latest global bond issuance in their TDF bids.

In March, the government raised $2.25 billion from its first triple tranche dollar-denominated bond offering. — Luz Wendy T. Noble with Reuters

LRMC to suspend LRT-1 operations from April 14 to 17

BW FILE PHOTO

LIGHT RAIL Manila Corp. (LRMC), the private operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), announced on Wednesday that it will temporarily suspend operations from April 14 to 17 to give way to annual maintenance activities.

“We are doing these annual maintenance activities to allow us to improve capacity and performance across the line, enabling us to serve our LRT-1 passengers with better, more reliable transport system,” LRMC Chief Operating Officer Enrico R. Benipayo said in an e-mailed statement.

“With this, we urge the riding public to plan their trips accordingly and request for their usual understanding,” he added.

The company said LRT-1 will follow normal operating hours from April 11 to 13, having first trips to leave Baclaran and Balintawak by 4:30 in the morning.

The last trips will be at 9:15 p.m. (LRT-1 Baclaran) and 9:30 p.m. (LRT-1 Balintawak).

The maintenance activities will include rail replacement, replacement of wooden sleepers, and testing of all trains prior to the resumption of revenue operations, LRMC said.

Normal operations will resume on April 18, it added.

LRMC is the joint venture of Ayala Corp., Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp. and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) Pte. Ltd.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. is one of three Philippine subsidiaries of Hong Kong’s First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being PLDT, Inc. and Philex Mining Corp. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., maintains interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Green Archers battle Fighting Maroons for solo second

UP MAROONS’ CJ CANSINO — THE UAAP

By John Bryan Ulanday

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) and La Salle, the two teams installed as the closest challengers to unbeaten Ateneo’s reign, lock horns in a pivotal mano-a-mano for a solo second spot to maintain a hairbreadth distance from the leaderboard of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Both sporting 4-1 cards, the Fighting Maroons and the Green Archers figure in a fiery opening salvo at 10 a.m. with the winner claiming a reward to stay on the coattails of three-time defending champion Blue Eagles (5-0) approaching the tailend of the first round.

National University (NU) and Santo Tomas, which both fell short in upset bids against Ateneo and La Salle, respectively, follow suit at 1 p.m. before Ateneo shoots for 32nd straight win against winless University of the East at 4 p.m. Adamson and FEU cap off the night at 7 p.m.

UP and La Salle bolstered their squads with a slew of prized recruits in the offseason that was stretched by the pandemic for two years — all for a mission of toppling the Ateneo dynasty.

Both of them though have missed in their first attempts to clip Ateneo so far with UP falling short at 90-81 in the opener and La Salle running out of steam at 74-57 last weekend.

Now, they collide for the next biggest prize in the meantime of sneaking around the Blue Eagles’ nest for a chance to return the favor and snatch the top seed in the second round.

“We cannot go against La Salle with the same defensive intensity we had against Adamson. We need to really work on it to be ready for a team like La Salle,” said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde after his team barely beat struggling Adamson, 73-71, for their fourth straight win.

For the Green Archers following a 75-66 win against Santo Tomas, coach Derrick Pumaren is banking on a continuous balanced attack to stand a chance against UP in a critical duel that will also feature Gilas Pilipinas bigs Carl Tamayo and Justine Baltazar.

Ateneo, on a 31-game win streak, for its part tries to shrug off a serious scare in a 74-64 decision against NU as it seeks to move a step away from a first-round sweep against the winless but hungry UE.

“I think we have a good basketball team. I don’t think we’re a great basketball team so there’s a lot of work for us to do,” said coach Tab Baldwin, who tipped his hat to NU mentor Jeff Napa after a close match that was decided only at the last minute.

Celebrating Easter in the Metro

THE PEN HOLDS EASTER EGG HUNT AGAIN

AFTER sheltering at home these past two years, The Peninsula Manila is inviting guests back to celebrate Easter Sunday on April 17 with a variety of activities and experiences for the whole family that include splashing in the pool or enjoying classic holiday traditions such as Easter Egg Hunts and special meals together as a family. There is the Easter Egg Hunt at The Conservatory where children enjoy activities while filling their Easter baskets with eggs at The Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt. This year, they can choose one of two sessions for the hunt, with a morning session taking place from 10 a.m. to noon, and another in the afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. The Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt activities include: Felt Eggs decorating; Craft Lollipop decorating; Papier-mâché Bunny, Bear, and Chick painting; the Candy Jenga Corner; the Ice Cream Stacking Corner; a Playground; and the Easter Egg Hunt. Only guests availing the Easter room package or Escolta restaurant’s Easter Sunday Brunch Buffet will enjoy complimentary access to the Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt. Only one accompanying adult per one child 10 years old and below. Throughout the Easter holiday weekend, from April 14 to 16, young guests can try Easter painting kits, playtime in bubble baths and in the hotel’s outdoor swimming pool, breakfast buffets in Escolta, and a fun Easter experience in the Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt on April 17, Easter Sunday, when their parents book the It’s Hip to Hop to The Peninsula this Easter room package. Rates start at P10,000 for a Deluxe Room (exclusive of taxes) and include a breakfast buffet in Escolta for two adults and two children, one Easter painting welcome amenity kit, and one passport to the Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt. Stay dates are April 14, 15, and 16. There is also an Easter Sunday Brunch Buffet in Escolta on April 17, noon to 3 p.m. (P4,300 for adults, and P1,700 for children under 12). The buffet features a spread that includes soups and mixed salads, fresh seafood, a variety of cheeses, pasta creations, a carving station, breakfast specialties, and a dessert buffet. Children under six years old get one passport to the Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt (only one complimentary passport per one adult and one child 10 years old and below availing of Escolta restaurant’s Easter Sunday Brunch). Meanwhile, seafood lovers can gather in Escolta and choose from a varied menu featuring the ocean’s bounty on April 15 and 16, 6:30-10 p.m. (P3,500 for adults; P1,400 for children under 12). This Easter weekend, the hotel will offer afternoon tea at The Upper Lobby. Tuck into macarons and chocolate cake and French pastries, in addition to the usual suspects of smoked Scottish salmon sandwiches and hot scones. There will also be a live station featuring fresh crepes and Filipino merienda specialties such as bibingka and puto bumbong. Afternoon tea will be offered on April 14, 15, 16, and 17, 2:30-5:30 p.m. (P3,000 with one flute of Champagne, P2,400 without). Finally, visit The Peninsula Boutique at the basement arcade where Easter-themed treats will be available from April 5 to 17, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For inquiries or reservations on The Peninsula Manila’s Easter room packages and culinary experience, call 8887-2888 (ext. 6630 for Rooms Reservations or 6694 for Restaurant Reservations), or e-mail reservationpmn@peninsula.com or diningpmn@peninsula.com.

EDSA SHANGRI-LA CELEBRATES EASTER

JOY, music, and laughter are part of the Easter celebration at Edsa Shangri-La’s La Casita Madrigal. With an interactive mini-musical by Clowning Around plus activities for the family the celebration will be on April 17, 2-5 p.m., at the Isala Grand Ballroom. Registration starts at 1 p.m. with rate set at P2,500 net per person. The price is inclusive of access to all entertainment and activities, snacks, and drinks. For tickets, visit bit.ly/ESLLaCasita or e-mail events.esl@shangri-la.com. In addition, HEAT will offer an “egg-stra” special Easter Lunch buffet that feature international and Asian cuisine. Specialties include its signature 36-hour roasted Angus beef leg, Japanese and Chinese favorites, Indian fare, Mediterranean dishes, and heirloom Filipino recipes. The Easter lunch buffet is P2,950 net, and is available on April 17 from noon to 2:30 p.m. Meanwhile, an Easter Afternoon Tea set is available daily at P1,450 net from 2 to 6 p.m. for the whole month of April. The Bakeshop also offers Easter treats, like its Easter Cake (P1,450 net) and Easter Hamper (P2,800 net) which are available until April 30. Japanese restaurant Senju will have a buffet on April 17 for P2,800 net. For home celebrations, there are the Easter Take-Me-Home sets for P5,500 net (good for five persons). Order a home feast from April 11-17. For takeaway and delivery orders, a 24-hour notice is needed. For inquiries and reservations, call 8633-8888, or e-mail manilaedsa@shangri-la.com. For takeaway and delivery, visit https://bit.ly/eslshangshop.

CELEBRATING EASTER AT RWM

EASTER is being celebrated at Resorts World Manila (RWM) through hotel offers and dining deals. International hotel brands, Marriott Hotel Manila and Sheraton Manila Hotel, offer Easter Room Packages that include an overnight stay in a Deluxe Room with breakfast for two plus additional dining credits. Book the special offer until April 17. At the Holiday Inn Express Manila-Newport City, an overnight stay in a Superior Room with breakfast for two comes with a free Easter Carrot Cake for rates starting at P5,246 net until April 13. Kids can enjoy Marriott Cafe’s Easter Holiday Buffet with Egg Hunt and Dessert Table for P3,188 net on April 16-17. Hilton Manila’s Madison Lounge & Bar’s offers Easter egg kits, carrot cake, and hot cross buns in a special Easter bundle that also includes lamb chops and an 11-Spiced Spring Chicken. Order a set for the family from April 14-17. Feast with the family at Casa Buenas with the Seafood Fiesta for P1,999 net that features octopus and coconut kilawin, gambas al ajilo, wood oven roasted salmon with adlai and mixed vegetables, and garlic baked oyster. The Seafood Fiesta menu is available every Friday until April 30 at Casa Buenas, GF Newport Grand Wing. At the Garden Wing Cafe, a more conventional seafood preparation is the star. The Seafood Binalot is a combination of garlic shrimp, vinegar mussels, and grilled salmon inasal on top of aligue rice wrapped with a banana leaf that is served with atchara and salted egg ensalada. The Seafood Binalot is available for P688 net, every Friday until April 30. The Garden Wing Cafe is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the GF Newport Garden Wing. Newport Grand Wing’s Silk Road and Newport Garden Wing’s Victoria Harbour Cafe (VHC) are offering abalone dishes. VHC offers classic preparations like Abalone Fried Rice for P880 net and Double Boiled Abalone and Chicken Soup for P608 net. Silk Road offers different Asian preparations, like Thai Abalone Salad for P720 net, Biryani Chicken with Abalone for P840, and the Abalone in Curry Sauce with Rice and Egg for P740 net. All these abalone dishes are available daily until April 30. RWM will host an Easter Sunday Mass with Fr. Edsel Nagrampa and the Kammerchor Chorale on April 17, 5:30 p.m., at the 2F Newport Mall. For more information on RWM’s Easter offers, visit www.rwmanila.com and follow @rwmanila on Facebook and Twitter, and @resortsworldmanila Instagram.

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