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Shipping industry struggles to reach pre-pandemic cargo volume

REUTERS
Cargo and other vehicles are pictured on board the interisland roll-on, roll-off ferry in Dalahican port in Lucena, Quezon, March 10, 2016. — REUTERS

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Senior Reporter

THE FUEL CRISIS is making it more difficult for the domestic shipping industry to reach pre-pandemic cargo volumes this year, the Philippine Liner Shipping Association (PLSA) said.

“It’s still up and down. It’s still below 2019. The 2021 numbers did not meet the 2019 numbers. It’s very tough,” PLSA President Mark Matthew F. Parco told BusinessWorld in a recent phone interview.

Data from Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) showed that domestic cargo throughput in 2021 reached 96.86 million metric tons (MT), down by 7.2% from 104.43 million MT in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic crisis.

Last year’s domestic cargo volume, however, was 3.5% higher than the 93.59 million MT recorded in 2020.

“We were [initially] hopeful that 2022 would get us there (pre-pandemic level),” Mr. Parco said.

“But with the spike in fuel prices and the overhang of the Ukraine war, it’s going to be a problem because if the fuel prices spike up more, people will have less money to spend, and then we still have to pay our fuel bills. So that is the problem,” he added.

Since the start of the year, local prices of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene posted a net increase of P16, P26, and P24.10 per liter, respectively. Oil firms are set to implement a price rollback on Tuesday.

Some shipping companies in the country have started increasing their freight fees due to the continued rise in oil prices.

The average increase in freight fees is 25%, according to Mr. Parco. Domestic ship operators are authorized to set their own shipping rates under Republic Act No. 9295.

For his part, Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Chryss Alfonsus V. Damuy said cargo “volume should be better this year.”

“The challenge now is the cost to operate, not limited to fuel. For the passenger [business], it may take a while still,” he said in a phone message to BusinessWorld.

In a statement last week, Chelsea Logistics said its freight business “continued to recover with a 30% year-on-year increase in revenues to P2.727 billion — already surpassing the P2.688 billion in revenues in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and the first lockdown in March 2020.”

“We are hopeful of a further recovery this year while we need to carefully monitor world oil prices as they will certainly have a negative impact on our margins,” Mr. Damuy said.

In a phone interview, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr. said the volumes will go up, “but definitely slower than what we hope for.”

According to data from the PPA, export cargo volume reached 70.54 million MT last year, up by 17.1% from 60.25 million MT in 2020 and 14.3% higher than the 61.69 million MT in 2019.

However, Mr. Ortiz-Luis said that delays, shipping costs, and shortage in vessel space are “worsening” due to pandemic-induced disruptions and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Some nonprofit hospitals, schools may have to pay 25% income tax, BIR says

PRIVATE SCHOOLS and nonprofit hospitals may have to pay the 25% regular corporate income tax if their gross income from unrelated business activities exceeds 50% of the total income, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said.

BIR Revenue Regulation No. 3-2022 sets the implementing rules and regulations for Republic Act No. 11635 which amended the National Internal Revenue Code to clarify the income tax rate for private schools and nonprofit hospitals. The regulation was signed on April 7 and published in a newspaper on Monday.

Under the BIR rules, nonprofit hospitals and private schools will be imposed a 10% preferential corporate income tax rate after June 30, 2023.

Also covered by the rules are nonstock, nonprofit educational institutions whose net income or assets benefit a member or specific person.

These institutions are currently imposed a 1% corporate income tax rate from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023 due to the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act.

However, the BIR rules stated that the 25% corporate income tax will be imposed on the entire taxable income of private schools and nonprofit hospitals if their gross income from unrelated trade, business, or other activity exceeds 50% of the total gross income from all sources.

The BIR said unrelated trade and business means any activity that is “not substantially related to the exercise or performance by such educational institutions or hospitals of its primary purpose or function.”

For other nonstock and nonprofit educational institutions, a 25% regular corporate income tax will be imposed on its revenues or assets that are not used exclusively for educational purposes.

The BIR rules said “nonprofit” means all net income or assets of the institution and all its activities are conducted not to generate profits.

However, it clarified that nonprofit institutions will not be prohibited from granting transportation allowance for attending meetings and other compensation to the Board of Trustees, officers, employees of the institutions.

“(This) shall not necessarily be considered a private inurement that would negate the status of institutions as nonprofit,” the BIR said, adding that these will be subject to proper reimbursement or liquidation.

The BIR said it will review such expenses on a case-to-case basis.

Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations, which represents over 2,500 private educational institutions with over 300,000 school personnel, previously said the new law would help “save” the education sector from “excessive taxes and collapse” as the pandemic continues.

As of Sept. 2021, enrollment in private schools was 1.4 million, down by 57% from a year earlier, and just 66% of the 4.3 million seen in 2019, according to the Department of Education’s Learning Enrollment Survey Quick Count data. — Tobias Jared Tomas

PXP Energy suspends exploration on DoE directive

PXP Energy Corp. and its subsidiary Forum (GSEC 101) Ltd. have put on hold activities for two petroleum exploration service contracts as directed by the Energy department until the issuance of the “necessary clearance to proceed.”

In a disclosure on Monday, PXP said “this was the first time” that the company, along with Forum, learned of the requirement for clearance from the Security, Justice and Peace Coordinating Cluster (SJPCC) before undertaking the work obligations that the Department of Energy (DoE) has required.

PXP is the operator under Service Contract (SC) 75 and Forum is the operator under SC 72.

SJPCC is composed of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of National Defense, Department of Justice, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process with the National Security Council as secretariat.

SC 75 was awarded by the DoE on Dec. 27, 2013 and covers an area of 6,160 square kilometers in the offshore northwest Palawan basin.

On Sept. 9, 2015, the department granted force majeure to SC 75’s work commitments effective December of that year until the DoE notifies PXP to resume its petroleum exploration-related activities.

SC 72 within Recto Bank is a concession acquired by Forum, which became its operator in April 2005. It is located in the West Philippine Sea, west of Palawan Island and southwest of the Malampaya gas field. Forum plans to drill two wells over the Sampaguita field once the force majeure is lifted.

The force majeure was lifted by the DoE on Oct. 14, 2020.

In the disclosure, PXP said the directive from the DoE to put on hold exploration activities was received on April 6.

“PXP and Forum, however, understood the suspension to be temporary,” it said, considering that the DoE has been keen for exploration activities to be conducted since the lifting of the force majeure.

It added that both operators had been closely coordinating with the DoE regarding the planned exploration activities, which are part of their respective work obligations under SC 75 and SC 72.

PXP said the company and Forum, through their letters dated April 8, expressed their willingness to resume activities immediately and no later than April 11. But if they have not received written confirmation from the DoE by April 10 that they can resume their activities on April 11 at the latest, they will consider the suspension of work issued by the DoE “to be indefinite.”

It said a force majeure event “will entitle them to be excused from the performance of their respective obligations and to the extension of the exploration period under SC 75 and SC 72.”

It said PXP and Forum have not received advice from the DoE that they can resume their exploration activities, prompting them to terminate all the supply and services agreements to carry out their work obligations.

PXP added that the decision was meant “to mitigate losses arising from what now appears could be an indefinite suspension of exploration activities.”

PXP holds a 50% interest in SC 75. Forum Energy Ltd., in which PXP holds a direct and indirect interest of 79.13%, has a 70% participating interest in SC 72 through its wholly owned subsidiary Forum. PXP has a total economic interest of 54.36% in SC 72.

On Monday, PXP shares at the local bourse slid by five centavos or 0.92% to close at P5.40 apiece. — Ram Christian S. Agustin

Power rates up in April as generation charge rises

CUSTOMERS of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will see more than a 50-centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh) increase in their electricity bill in April or around P107 for a typical household consuming 200 kWh.

In a virtual briefing on Monday, Meralco officials announced that the overall rate for residential users inched up by P0.5363 per kWh to P10.1830 per kWh from P9.6467 per kWh in March.

“This summer season, in terms of upward rate adjustments, consumption patterns are also expected to increase. We try to find ways wherein we can somehow mitigate the impact of these factors that are in play,” said Meralco Vice-President and Head of Corporate Communications Agapito D. Zaldarriaga.

Consumers using 300 kWh, 400 kWh, and 500 kWh can expect a monthly increase of P160.89, P214.52, and P268.15, respectively.

Meralco said higher charges from independent power producers (IPPs) and the electricity spot market prompted an increase in the generation charge.

As a component of the month’s price increase, the generation charge accounted for P0.3987. The other charges are transmission at P0.0071, taxes at P0.0915, and other charges such as subsidies and system loss at P0.0390.

The generation charge in April rose to P5.8724 per kWh from P5.4737 per kWh the previous month. Meralco’s distribution charge stayed unchanged since July 2015.

The increase in IPP charges to P1.4885 per kWh is influenced by the scheduled maintenance of the power plant of Quezon Power (Philippines) Ltd. Co., the Malampaya facility’s insufficient supply of natural gas that resulted in First Gas Power Corp.’s Santa Rita plant acquiring pricier liquid fuel to ensure continuous supply, and further depreciation of the peso versus the greenback.

“There is a consistent depreciation over the past months in terms of the impact of the peso and dollar exchange rate. March is at P51.74, a depreciation from 51.27 in February,” Mr. Zaldarriaga added.

Meanwhile, prices at the wholesale electricity spot market (WESM) remained elevated in March caused by the thinning of reserves in the Luzon grid, which recorded peak demand that exceeded annual figures from 2019 to 2021 to 11,617 megawatts.

Jose Ronald V. Valles, head of Meralco’s regulatory management office, said the company coordinated with the Energy Regulatory Commission and some of the company’s suppliers for the deferral of generation costs, leading to lower charges from power supply agreements (PSAs) by as much as P0.1068 per kWh.

“On top of the deferred generation charges, the impact of the quarterly repricing of the Malampaya natural gas for the April supply will be reflected in the generation charge in May,” he added. 

The increase in electricity rate was also offset by the continuation Meralco’s P13.9-billion distribution rate true-up refund to P0.4684 per kWh, which has been implemented since March 2021.

IPPs, WESM, and PSAs account for 31.0%, 17.4%, and 51.6% of Meralco’s energy requirement, respectively.

Meanwhile, Meralco expressed its preparedness to deliver uninterrupted electricity service for the national and local elections on May 9, zeroing in on the critical sites identified by the Commission on Elections.

To ensure fully working electrical facilities in time for the elections, Meralco has conducted inspections and maintenance activities for its distribution assets along with election sites in its franchise area.

As a member of the energy task force election under the Energy department, Meralco will be actively communicating with other energy stakeholders in ensuring continuous power supply, and will form a dedicated emergency response team.

Meralco’s First Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer Ferdinand O. Geluz said the company had completed 100% inspection of 2,905 sites, including 2,773 polling centers, 119 canvassing centers, and 13 other vital election sites.

Mr. Geluz also said Meralco had identified polling and canvassing centers that would need improvements and corrections, and would also continue “intensified inspection and maintenance” for its major facilities.

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Ram Christian S. Agustin

Global-Estate posts P1.3-B profit on strong demand, sales growth

MEGAWORLD Corp. subsidiary Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI) announced on Monday that its income attributable to parent company shareholders grew by 21% P1.3 billion in 2021 due to strong demand and real estate sales.

“For 2021, we continued to capitalize on the strong demand for properties in the provinces. Aside from the intrinsic attractiveness of owning a place that allows you to commune more closely with nature, the past couple of years also highlighted the potential of owning real estate as an investment,” GERI President Monica T. Salomon said in a statement.

“In fact, the underlying land values for our offerings continued to appreciate at a brisk pace in spite of the pandemic,” she added.

Net income rose by 15% to P1.5 billion while consolidated revenues reached P5 billion, with no comparative figure given.

Real estate sales were the biggest contributor to revenues with a 3% increase to P3.7 billion in 2021, in line with the expansion in construction activity.

In the fourth quarter, real estate sales were up 49% to P1 billion.

The company said that demand also came from leisure developments, with reservation sales growing by 25% year on year to P17.2 billion.

Its Boracay Newcoast development led the company’s property sales with P4.1 billion last year, followed by Eastland Heights and Alabang West at P3.6 billion and P3.4 billion, respectively.

Meanwhile, leasing revenues declined by 34% to P409 million as “consumer confidence remained subdued for the majority of 2021.”

Revenue from hotel operations also dropped by 27% to P146 million from P201 million in the previous year as a result of travel restrictions.

However, hotel revenues in the fourth quarter increased by 231% to P78 million due to a resurgence in bookings from the easing of lockdown restrictions.

“The increased economic activity in the last couple of months of the year has really been a boon for us. Furthermore, the relaxation of travel requirements will help sustain the ramp up in operations of our hotels which rely a lot on leisure and tourism-related activities,” Ms. Salomon added.

GERI has eight integrated tourism developments across the country covering more than 3,300 hectares of land in Batangas, Cavite, Aklan, Iloilo, and Rizal, among other locations.

At the stock exchange on Monday, GERI shares remained unchanged at P0.88 apiece. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Preserving the memories of a film

FOR author, playwright, screenwriter, and film scholar Clodualdo “Doy” Del Mundo, Jr., evoking sadness in the reader of his books is never the goal. But writing which requires recollection sometimes inevitably involves sadness, especially if what is remembered is something that is lost.

Such is the case with his latest book, Ang Daigdig ng mga Api: Remembering a Lost Film. Directed by National Artist for Film Gerardo De Leon, Ang Daigdig ng mga Api (The World of the Oppressed) is now lost because effective and efficient archiving facilities were not available at the time it was made.

Ang Daigdig ng Mga Api premiered at the first Manila Film Festival in 1966 where it garnered eight awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Starring Robert Arevalo and Barbara Perez, the film tells the story of Filipinos living in penury and follows the stories of the suffering of agricultural workers under the hands of their overseer and landlord.

“Wala na ang pelikulang Ang Daigidig ng mga Api, nasa alalala na lamang ng mga nakapanood nito (Ang Daigdig ng mga Api no longer exists, it only remains in the memory of those who had seen it),” Mr. Del Mundo said in a speech at the book launch on April 6 at the Cinematheque Centre Manila.

People’s memories are fallible, said Mr. Del Mundo making archiving challenging when one relies on oral history.

“Films are different. Hindi pwedeng memory lang or i-kwento lang (You can’t rely on memory or oral stories). It’s audiovisual,” Mr. Del Mundo told BusinessWorld shortly after the launch.

It is important to know that there was a film that captured audiences’ emotions and opened their eyes to the situation of farmers in those times,” Mr. Del Mundo said in Filipino.

To “re-create” elements of the film for the book, Mr. Del Mundo collected existing materials such as photographs, archived articles on the director, and a copy of the sequence treatment by the film’s screenwriter Pierre Salas. He also conducted interviews via phone and e-mails with the film’s lead actors.

The resulting book was co-published by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the De La Salle University (DLSU) Press.

MORE BOOKS ON FILM
FDCP Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza Diño-Seguerra said that the organization is looking forward to engaging in more partnerships regarding preservation of Filipino films. With the goal of increasing the amount of literature on Philippine cinema, Ms. Diño-Seguerra told BusinessWorld that the FDCP is currently partnering with authors to write books about Philippine films.

Among the recently released titles are PH Movie Confidential by professor and entertainment journalist Nestor Cuartero, and a series of books on the history of Philippine cinema by film director and historian Nick Deocampo.

“We want to enrich our literature in film. I hope that through this program of the FDCP, we can reach out to more authors who want to write about significant topics on cinema,” Ms. Diño-Seguerra said.

Ang Daigdig ng mga Api: Remembering a Lost Film is the latest addition to the Philippine Film Archive (PFA) library.

In Nov. 2020, the PFA, a division of the FDCP, became an associate member of the Federation of International Film Archives, an institution founded in France which focuses on the preservation of and access to the world’s film heritage.

Ang Daigdig ng mga Api: Remembering a Lost Film is priced at P800 (softbound) and P1,000 (hardbound). For inquiries about the book and orders, contact De La Salle University Publishing House at 524-4611 loc. 271 or e-mail dlsupublishinghouse@dlsu.edu.ph. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman

PT&T targets to connect 7M homes, businesses in next two years

LISTED diversified telecommunications company Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (PT&T) announced on Monday that it plans to further expand its coverage in the adjacent regions of the National Capital Region (NCR) through its partnership with a US investment firm.

The company said it is working with US-based Continental Advisory Services (CAS), LLC and Urban Logistic Advisory Services (ULAS), Inc., to “upgrade its network infrastructure and expand coverage in its high growth yet still underserved service areas” in the neighboring regions of the NCR.

“This important step will expand PT&T’s footprint 10x over in the next 2 years, translating to 7 million homes and businesses passed,” it said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

Under the partnership, the company’s US-based partner, CAS/ULAS, will share technical expertise in the areas of integrated engineering and outsourced logistics services.

PT&T is hoping to “rebound” as a “major” telecommunications and information and communications technology player in the country.

James G. Velasquez, the company’s president and chief executive officer, said: “Partnering with CAS/ULAS comes at a crucial time as PT&T seeks to sustain its growth momentum, having experienced a streak of nonstop growth quarter by quarter from 2017 and through the pandemic.”

“We are confident this development will place PT&T on a stronger track towards our goal of becoming the partner of choice for broadband connectivity and cutting-edge digital transformation solutions in the markets we serve,” he added.

PT&T’s net loss after tax widened to P40.53 million in the first nine months of 2021 from a loss of P30.43 million in the same period in 2020.

It recently partnered with Kacific Broadband Satellites Ltd., a Singapore-based next-generation broadband satellite operator, to “offer high-speed satellite internet at a more economical cost.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

Why Ed Sheeran’s court victory sounds good for the music industry

ED SHEERAN

THERE’s a good chance you’ve heard a song by Ed Sheeran called “Shape of You.” It’s been streamed over 3 billion times on Spotify and viewed over 5 billion times on YouTube.

The song “Oh Why” by Sam Chokri is less well known. But Chokri claimed that Sheeran had copied it when composing his hugely successful track.

That long-running claim has now been dismissed after a judge decided that, while the two songs are similar, Sheeran had “neither deliberately nor subconsciously copied” Chokri’s composition. The verdict was no doubt a relief for Sheeran, and should be celebrated by anyone who values creativity.

It was also a good chance for the music industry, which has changed so much in recent years, to get a clear sense of what is (and what isn’t) protected by a law that is often misunderstood.

Put simply then, the test for copyright infringement has two parts. The first (in a music case) is about whether the alleged infringer has heard the piece of music they are accused of copying. After all, you can’t copy something you haven’t heard. But it is very hard to present actual evidence that someone has heard a song before, so the legal standard is set quite low.

In fact, this test has been overcome in other situations, such as a case in the US where 3.8 million views on YouTube was considered enough to assume that the singer Katy Perry had heard a song.

In the Sheeran case, Chokri’s side argued in court that Sheeran habitually and deliberately copied and concealed the work of other songwriters. Chokri’s lawyer said: “Mr. Sheeran is undoubtedly very talented, he is a genius. But he is also a magpie. He borrows ideas and throws them into his songs, sometimes he will acknowledge it but sometimes he won’t.”

They claimed Sheeran could have heard their song via social media, through music industry contacts, or simply through his own interest in the UK music scene.

Sheeran said that to the best of his knowledge he had never heard Chokri’s song before, but when questioned in court, he couldn’t completely rule out the possibility. “That is why we are here,” he said.

This highlights a problem with this part of the legal test, since music is so easily and widely disseminated thanks to streaming technology and social media. It is hard for anyone to deny the possibility that they have heard any song before.

But the judge decided that despite Chokri’s “undoubted” talents, and efforts by his management team to create some hype around the 2015 release of “Oh Why,” the song had enjoyed “limited success.” As a result, the likelihood that Sheeran had heard it was not that great.

The second part of the copyright infringement test is about how similar the songs are — and this is where things get complicated, because copyright law is not supposed to protect ideas, it only protects original expressions of ideas.

Essentially this means that common musical elements are freely available for everyone to use and draw upon, allowing the creative process to flow. But this has to be carefully balanced against giving copyright protection to artists for their original creations so that they can protect, control and be paid for their work.

In the Sheeran case, both sides presented expert evidence from musicologists about how similar — or dissimilar — the songs were. Chokri’s side highlighted the tune, vocal phrasing, harmonies and the fact that the lyrics “Oh I” (Sheeran) and “Oh why” (Chokri) were used as part of a “call and response” in both songs.

Sheeran’s side pointed out differences such as the mood, differences in the harmonies and the response, both melodically and rhythmically. They also argued that the parts which are similar are so common in music that it was merely a coincidence.

The judge agreed with Sheeran, noting the similarities but also significant differences. The similarities, he said crucially, were “commonplace.” Commonplace elements are not — and should not — be protected by copyright, so cannot be infringed.

The 11-day trial which led to the judgment in Sheeran’s favor would have been an expensive and stressful experience. But on the plus side, as such a high-profile case, it has helped to update the role of UK copyright law in the modern music industry.

The first part of the copyright test was considered in the context of music streaming, which makes it harder to prove you’ve never heard a song before. And the second part of the test, about the similarities between songs, clarified what parts of musical expression are protected, and what is available for everyone to use.

The law must strike the right balance between protecting and encouraging creativity. In recent years there has been a growing trend of accusations over copying, which has become a major concern for songwriters. Sheeran has even said he now records all his songwriting just in case a claim is made later so that he can prove how he came up with his own song.

Copyright is supposed to encourage artistic endeavor, not stifle it. Thankfully, the outcome of this case puts the balance back where it belongs, only protecting original expressions of creativity. It should come as a relief to songwriters — and the music fans who enjoy their work.

 

Hayleigh Bosher is a Senior Lecturer in International Property Law at the Brunei University London.

Duterte extends franchise of Smart Broadband, five others

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte’s office on Monday released approved laws extending the franchise of Smart Broadband, Inc. and five other telecommunication firms.

Mr. Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11678, which extends for another 25 years the franchise given to Smart Broadband, Inc., a subsidiary of Smart Communications, Inc., which is chaired by Manuel V. Pangilinan.

Smart Communications is the wireless subsidiary of PLDT, Inc, one of the country’s major telecommunication providers.

Mr. Duterte also renewed for another 25 years the franchise granted to Odiongan Telephone Corp., Mati Telephone Corp., Bicol Telephone and Telegraph, Inc., Marbel Telephone System, Inc., and Yulo Telephone System, Inc.

Mr. Duterte also signed laws approving the franchise bids of Capricom Broadcasting Network, Sulu-Tawi-Tawi Broadcasting Foundation, and Southern Luzon State University.

In July 2020, his allies in Congress rejected the franchise application of ABS-CBN Corp., the largest television network in the Philippines.

Last year, the media giant announced a partnership with rival TV5 Network, Inc, which is owned by Mr. Pangilinan’s MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., to allow more of its content to air on free television across the country.

In 2021, Mr. Duterte said he would bar ABS-CBN from using free TV and radio frequencies even if it gets a fresh franchise from Congress. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

HolyWeek/EasterNews (04/12/22)

Richmonde Ortigas Easter Break Escape

Chapel holds novena masses starting Easter Sunday

OUR Lady of the Rosary Chapel in Barrio San Miguel, Manila — the home of Nuestra Señora del Rosario — will commemorate Our Lady of the Rosary’s feast day on April 16 with a series of Novena prayers. Being a Black Saturday, however, the Novena will have to be prayed in private. But Novena Masses will be held the next day, April 17, Easter Sunday, at 9 a.m. On succeeding days from April 18 to 23, the Novena Masses start at 5:30 p.m. until the following Sunday, April 24, at 10 a.m. The capillita is open to whoever wishes to join the Novena Masses. To reach the white chapel, traveling north on Ayala Bridge, turn left at its foot on Carlos Palanca Street (formerly Echague). The white capillita is 200 meters away on the right-hand side at 505 Carlos Palanca St. in Manila.

Some Robinsons Malls open this Holy Week

FIVE Robinsons Malls will remain open during Holy Week (April 14, Maundy Thursday and April 15, Good Friday). These are: Robinsons Tagaytay which will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Robinsons Luisita, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Robinsons Place Antipolo, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Robinsons Place La Union, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on April 14 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 15; and Robinsons Starmills in San Fernando, Pampanga from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on April 14, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on April 15. Some Robinsons Malls will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Maundy Thursday, but will be closed on Good Friday. These are: Robinsons Galleria South, Robinsons Place Ilocos, Robinsons Place Lipa, Robinsons Place Naga, Robinsons Place Palawan, Robinsons Place Pangasinan, Robinsons Place Santiago, Robinsons Place Tuguegarao, Robinsons Angeles, Robinsons Place Dasma, Robinsons Place Gen Trias, and Robinsons Place Malolos. The following malls will be closed on both days: Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Place Manila, Forum Robinsons, Robinsons Place Las Pinas, Robinsons Novaliches, Robinsons Otis, Robinsons Sta. Rosa, Robinsons Cainta, Robinsons Place Imus, Robinsons Town Mall Los Banos, Robinsons Town Mall Malabon and Robinsons Metro East. They will reopen on April 16 (Black Saturday).-

Alabang Town Center holds Easter Academy

FOR the month of April, the Alabang Town Center will hold The Easter Academy, a month-long calendar of fun, educational, and physical activities for children. The Easter Academy kicks off on April 16 and 17 with The Easter Cup, a challenging obstacle course that teams (groups of five) can compete on. There will be two divisions: Peewee for ages four to seven, and Junior for ages eight to 12.  On April 17 there will be an Easter Egg Hunt. Search for the Golden Egg for a chance to win a gift certificate from TimeZone worth P1,000. There will be five hunting schedules and three divisions: Toddlers, Peewee, and Junior. Individual activities are available, too. On April 23, the Alabang Town Center will celebrate World Book Day with an entire afternoon of activities for kids and the kids-at-heart. Donate a book to join the storytelling and art workshops by Southville International School, plus a chance to meet TAYO, the friendly bus. For more details and the mechanics for joining the activities, visit  https://facebook.com/AlabangTownCenter/photos/pcb.10159784283665813/10159784280830813

Summit Hotels offer Easter treats

ROBINSONS Hotels and Resorts’ Summit Hotels chain is offering a number of deals for this holiday. In Tagaytay, the Summit Ridge Hotel has special room packages for as low as P5,000++ which come with two tickets to Easter activities such as a magic show, egg hunting, and loot bags for kids while a Special Easter Lunch Buffet will be offered at Café Summit. Over at Summit Greenhills, families will be able to avail of an Easter Holiday package at P3,288 net for its deluxe rooms inclusive of breakfast for two plus two tickets to Easter Wonderland where kids aged six to 12 will be able to enjoy egg hunting, egg painting, and bunny hat making. Themed lunch and snack buffets await tourists and locals at Summit Hotel Naga, Summit Galleria Cebu, and Grand Summit Hotel General Santos. Summit Hotel Naga offers a deal of P888 net per person and P388 net for children with activities such as egg hunting and an egg painting contest, plus sweet treats and giveaways for kids. At Summit Galleria Cebu, deals at P850 net per person and P388 net for children are up for grabs. Kids get to bring home free donuts, plus a chance to join in egg hunting, face painting, and Egg Wizard activities. At Grand Summit Hotel General Santos, the Easter Lunch Buffet rate is P880 net per person and P440 net for children. For more deals and information visit www.summithotels.ph

Lenten, Easter Activities at Sheraton Manila Bay

IT’S going to be a restful Holy Week capped by an activity-laden Easter Sunday at Sheraton Manila Bay. Avail of the Easter Room Package for a staycation at a Deluxe Room for two adults and two kids below 12 years old, inclusive of breakfast buffet, lunch or dinner at Pacific Lounge, P500 worth of food and beverage credit at the Pool Bar, special turndown amenity, and late check out up to 2 p.m. Stay period from April 9 to 17, On Easter Sunday, April 17, the Pacific Lounge will hold a Spacestastic Easter Party which includes an Easter brunch buffet for P1,200++ per adult and P600++ per child aged six to 11 years, arts and crafts activities, parlor games, loot bags, and access to the Easter egg hunt where kids can get a chance to win prizes and giveaways from sponsors.  Meanwhile, for those who wish to celebrate at home, there is the Easter Surprise Basket for P750. To order, visit the Sheraton Kiosk located at Robinsons Place Manila, Padre Faura Wing, Mall Entrance or call the Culinary Courier for delivery at 0917-583-7294, 0917-583-7326 or e-mail sh.mnlsb.fnb@sheraton.com. The Pacific Lounge is at the 21st floor, Sheraton Manila Bay, M. Adriatico cor. Gen Malvar Sts. Malate, Manila. For reservations call +632 5318-0788 or e-mail reservations.manilabay@sheraton.com.

Galleria hotels offer Easter packages

THE HOTELS at the Robinsons Galleria area are offering Easter Festival in Galleria packages. Offers start at P5,500 net for an overnight stay in a Deluxe Room at Crowne Plaza or P4,500 net at Holiday Inn with tickets to the Easter Festival. Enjoy the Easter Festival’s different activities: arts and crafts, singing, dancing and Easter egg hunting. Complete the Easter Festival with a special lunch buffet for four persons at Seven Corners Restaurant. For inquiries and reservations contact: Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria at 8790-3100 or e-mail cpgm.reservations@ihg.com, and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria at 8790-9400 or e-mail higm.reservations@ihg.com

Century Park Hotel’s Easter party returns

CENTURY Park Hotel will hold a live Easter Sunday celebration on April 17, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Grand Ballroom. A yearly tradition (which was on old for the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic), children and parents alike can look forward to Easter Sunday’s games, raffle, egg hunting and other activities. This year’s Easter Carnival 2022 is open to children under 12. There will be giant inflatables, face painting, a photo booth, raffle and games, a magic show, and an egg hunt. The event includes a set meal plus an array of food cart treats (popcorn, ice cream, French fries, and hotdog on a stick) that can be availed for a nominal fee. Kids get to take home a special loot bag courtesy of Century Park Hotel’s Easter partners. Tickets are available for P1,500 net which includes a loot bag and set meals for one adult and one kid.  Extra tickets can be purchased for P1,000 for one person (kid or adult) which comes with a set meal and a loot bag. To purchase tickets, call or send a message via SMS at 0917-633-2545 or e-mail sales9@centurypark.com.ph. The hotel also has an Easter Staycation Package available from April 11-18. The Easter Carnival Room Bundle comes with a complimentary Easter Carnival 2022 ticket good for one adult and one kid. The packages (Deluxe Room, P5,500 net/night; Park Tower Suite, P6,500 net/night; Premier Suite, P7,500 net/night) each come with breakfast for two, access to the pools and jacuzzi plus a 50% discount on the Churrasco-style Buffet at Café in the Park upon presentation of the Easter ticket (one ticket/person and one-time use only). There is also the Easter Week Getaway packages (P5,000 net/night for a Deluxe Room, P6,000 net/night for Park Tower and P7,000 net/night for a Premiere Suite) which come with set breakfast for two, and use of the pools and jacuzzi. For reservations, contact 0956-523-2880 or e-mail reservations@centurypark.com.ph.

Easter packages, parties at Richmonde Hotels

THIS Holy Week, the Richmonde Hotels have a number of Easter offers. Richmonde Hotel Ortigas has the Easter Break Escape promo until April 17. The room rate can be as low as P3,000 net per night for a two-night stay inclusive of daily breakfast at the Richmonde Café for two adults and two children aged five years old and below, and use of the Health Club’s gym and heated indoor pool. In addition, all in-house guests on April 14, 15, and 16 will enjoy complimentary Afternoon Snacks at the café from 2 to 4 p.m., and Ice Crushers at the poolside at 10 and 11 a.m., and 1 and 5 p.m. For guests who wish to stay for just one night, rates start at P3,200 net with breakfast buffet for two, and P2,600 net without breakfast. Eastwood Richmonde Hotel has special room packages for as low as P4,500 net for two adults and two children 5 years old and below, including a breakfast buffet at Eastwood Café+Bar. Those checked in on April 14, 15, and 16 can enjoy a free afternoon snack buffet. Walk in guests can enjoy the merienda for P500 net per person. At rates starting at P5,900 net, the Easter Celebration Package on April 16 or 17 includes room accommodations, breakfast buffet for two, late check-out at 5 p.m., and two tickets to the hotel’s Easter Fun Fair Party on April 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom. There will be an Easter egg hunt for children two to six years old and seven to 12 years old, live music and dance entertainment, a magic show, various game booths, a kiddie lunch buffet, food carts, a photo booth, glitter tattoos, loot bags, and raffle prizes. All attendees are encouraged to wear their most creative Easter Hat or Fun Fair costume for a chance to win gift certificates for hotel accommodation. The Best in Costume awards will be given to one child and one adult. Tickets are priced at P950 net per head (adult or child). Children under the age of two can participate for free if accompanied by a paying adult. Richmonde Hotel Iloilo has its Easter Eggsclusives promo packages available until April 17, with discounted rates as low as P3,780 net (Sunday to Thursday) and P4,050 net (Friday and Saturday), when staying for two nights or more. All rates come with a breakfast buffet for two adults and two children ages five and under at The Granary, and use of the Fitness Center’s gym and outdoor pool. To reserve or inquire, call Richmonde Hotel Ortigas at (632) 8638-7777 or 0917-859 7914 or e-mail stay@richmondeortigas.com; Eastwood Richmonde Hotel at (632) 8570-7777 or 0917-521 6867 or e-mail stay@eastwoodrichmonde.com; or Richmonde Hotel Iloilo at (6333) 328-7888 or 0917-563-3558 or e-mail stay@richmondeiloilo.com.

Farm-tastic Easter Weekend at Crimson Hotel

CRIMSON Hotel Filinvest City Manila offers itself as a Easter weekend destination with its “egg-citing” activities, staycation packages, and dining offers. The hotel’s Easter Staycation packages from April 16-17 have rates starting at P7,700 net for a Deluxe Room which includes access to the hotel’s exclusive amenities, breakfast buffet at Café Eight, two tickets to the Farm Easterville event, and complimentary late check-out. Farm Easterville, a farm-themed Easter Sunday event, will be held at the Crimson Grand Ballroom. In addition to an egg-hunt and afternoon snacks, participants can join the live entertainment, interactive games, and an egg-decorating contest. Each participant can take home Easter chocolate and other giveaways too. The rate per person is P1,100 net. Café Eight is hosting a lavish buffet brunch with international and local dishes on April 17 for P1,900 net per person. Meanwhile, Baker J’s has an Easter Gourmet Box filled with uniquely-shaped chocolates from gigantic eggs to farm animals and Easter bunnies, a roll of beef and lamb sausage, a loaf of artisan bread, and a bottle of wine. Available from April 11-17 for P2,500 per box. Baker J also has an array of chocolate candies that come in different shapes such as eggs, chicken, bunnies, and mini fish. To get tickets to the Farm Easterville event, visit https://bit.ly/farmeastervilletickets. For more information or room reservation, visit www.crimsonhotel.com/manila.

Easter treats, activities at City of Dreams Manila

CITY of Dreams Manila highlights activities at DreamPlay, and a collection of artisanal chocolates and confections at Café Society for Easter. There is DreamPlay’s Ultimate Easter Eggstravaganza on Easter Sunday, where a VIP Pass (P2,399 net per person) gives pass holders all-day access to all the play space’s attractions, a make-your-own Easter egg activity, Easter egg cookie baking, an egg hunt at 3 p.m. with special freebies and chocolates to be awarded to winners, and an Easter parade at 5 p.m. The participants walk through City of Dreams Manila’s The Shops at The Boulevard retail strip as they fill their loot bags with Easter goodies from restaurants along the strip and from participating retail shops such as Boss and Furla. VIP Pass ticket holders are also entitled to the following freebies: an Easter tote bag, one scoop of bubble gum ice cream at Chez Gingy, and special DreamShop items from DreamWorks’ How To Train Your Dragon movie. DreamPlay’s regular tickets with access to all the play space’s attractions are also available on the day at P1,500, while non-participating tickets can be purchased for P250. Guests can hop over to Café Society which is brimming with chocolate indulgences until April 17: Easter bunny and duck chocolates, colorful eggs with eight egg pralines, small bunny chocolates in white, dark, milk or ruby variants, Easter chocolate chicks, chocolate eggs in a meringue nest, Easter cookies and cream tiles, Easter cherry gianduja bars, among others. Other Easter-themed confections include bunny face cookies, egg chocolate sugar cookies, bunny green tea and white chocolate mousse cake,  among others. For inquiries, call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.

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 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.

Top 4 contenders UP Fighting Maroons battle NU Bulldogs

UP MAROONS’ ZAVIER LUCERO — THE UAAP FB

By John Bryan Ulanday

UNSCATHED leader Ateneo is determined to maintain perfection against rival La Salle while University of the Philippines (UP) and National University (NU) tussle in a bid to stay inside the top four as teams begin to jockey for playoff positions in the pivotal UAAP Season 84 second round at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Enjoying a lone view at the summit with a pristine 7-0 card and a 33-game win streak since 2018, the reigning champion Blue Eagles collide with the third-running Green Archers (5-2) at 7 p.m. with hopes of mirroring their 74-57 win in the first round to sustain their drive for a fourth straight University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) diadem.

The Fighting Maroons (6-1), for their part, seek to stay within striking distance from pacer Ateneo against the No. 4 Bulldogs (4-3) in the curtain raiser at 10 a.m. of the four-game bill that also features crucial duels between struggling squads.

Lurking behind the Final Four with a 3-4 slate, Far Eastern University (FEU) locks horn with Adamson (1-6) at 12:30 p.m. followed by the 4:30 p.m. clash of Santo Tomas (2-5) and winless University of the East (UE) (0-7).

But all eyes will be on Ateneo, which clipped its first-round challengers by an average winning margin of 15.6 points — making its target on the back way bigger this time around.

“Every game in the second round is really going to be a dog fight. We’re not looking at our record or how many wins we have,” said deputy Sandy Arespacochaga as Ateneo gets another crack at La Salle with fans in attendance this time after playing behind closed doors in the first round.

The same goes for UP and La Salle, which have been tagged as the strongest threats to Ateneo’s reign, as they eye revenge after bowing in the first round to stay on the coattails of their rival.

“We have to get as many wins as we can. So far, we have five. We want to stay on the path as we’re trying to catch up with Ateneo and UP,” said La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren.

“It doesn’t matter where we are in the standings right now. What’s important is staying prepared and ready to battle. The desire for us is to unleash our best every game,” noted UP tactician Goldwin Monteverde.

The UAAP will take a break after Tuesday’s lone playdate for the Holy Week before plunging back to action next Tuesday.

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