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Supply chain shortages weigh on PHL restaurants’ operations

CUSTOMERS eat at a restaurant in a mall in Quezon City. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

By Revin Mikhael D. Ochave, Reporter

OPERATIONS of some local restaurants are being hampered by global supply chain disruptions, which have caused shortages of some food items and driven prices higher.

Eric Teng, president of the Restaurant Owners of the Philippines (RestoPH), said that food production here and abroad has been affected by supply chain disruptions worldwide.

“For example, there may be lower output in domestic rice production due to the lack of fertilizer today. The fertilizer, a lot of it also comes from Ukraine and Russia,” he said in a mobile phone reply to BusinessWorld questions.

Mr. Teng said some restaurant operators have seen costs double due to these supply chain problems.

“It is a very difficult and challenging situation now for a restaurant operator,” he added.   

Some restaurants are also facing delays in the delivery of raw materials and produce used in their operations, Mr. Teng said, in addition to the surging fuel costs.

As a result, he said some restaurants have already increased prices, while others are still trying to absorb some of the rising costs.   

“Inevitably, we have to pass on the price increase to the consumer. But restaurants don’t want to raise their prices too much because they don’t want to scare their guests,” Mr. Teng said.   

“It depends on the restaurant operator if they still have a stockpile and they can absorb some of the rising costs. But it is unfair to assume that those restaurants can maintain their low selling price for a long time given the increased costs that they have to suffer right now,” he added.   

For example, restaurant chain Mary Grace Café admitted there may be some difficulty in purchasing their signature ensaymada due to “supply issues” on some raw materials.

“Unfortunately, we’re experiencing some global supply issues on a few raw materials beyond our control. As we are committed to using only the best, high-quality ingredients, do know that we will never compromise on what goes into all our products and we’re hoping to resolve this issue soon,” Mary Grace Café said in a post on its Facebook page.

Newly opened donut chain Randy’s last week announced it was pausing operations as it awaits shipments of flour and other raw materials from the United States.

The Agriculture department last week said there was a global shortage of potatoes that are used for French fries, affecting the supply in some fastfood chains. Some fastfood chains have stopped selling large servings of French fries, and have offered other food items instead of fries.

RECOVERY ON TRACK
However, Mr. Teng said that the local restaurant industry can still manage, saying that some operators are trying to find solutions by offering alternative items on their menus.

“In some restaurants, if the cost increases are too much, they can just opt to not have that in the menu and serve other alternative items first that are locally grown or locally available,” he said.

With inflation rising to a three-year high in April, there are also concerns that consumers may cut back on restaurant spending.

“If customers typically order five or six items, right now they might order four or five items just so that if money or budget is an issue, they can always cut back on their purchases,” Mr. Teng said.   

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said the government has been making efforts to link local producers and restaurants to encourage more local input and farm-to-table value chain models, even before the pandemic.

“We should continue to do more of these, also the consolidation of produce to link with institutional users like restaurants and direct-to-consumer apps through online platforms,” Mr. Lopez said. “Moreover, ensure that whatever local produce is insufficient, there are less non-tariff barriers and allow easier access to these commodities by users and retailers.”

Despite some challenges, Mr. Teng is hopeful the local restaurant industry’s rebound from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is on track.

“The recovery of the industry will continue. We just have to manage the challenges,” Mr. Teng said. “We are not in the worst-case situation. We just need to be able to manage the problem. We were able to survive two years of COVID-19. We can survive this.”

Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) President Calixto V. Chikiamco said supply chain issues have been aggravated by the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war.

“The war has disrupted production and distribution. It could get worse because there’s a fertilizer shortage as well. With farmers planting with less fertilizer due to high prices and lack of supply, farm production will fall by harvest season,” Mr. Chikiamco said in a mobile phone message.

The war also affected the global supply of flour as Russia and Ukraine are two of the biggest wheat exporters in the world, he added.

Millions of tons of corn and grains are stuck in ports in the Black Sea. Grains and fertilizer exports from Russia have also been affected by the West’s sanctions.

“I’m afraid the (Philippine) government will be unable to help as the problem is global. These restaurants have to shift to rice-based dishes instead,” Mr. Chikiamco said.   

SUPERMARKET SUPPLY
Meanwhile, Steven T. Cua, Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association president, said there is “relatively stable” supply of products in supermarkets.

“(The) problem is burgeoning inflation. Hope it doesn’t escalate into runaway inflation; not hyperinflation. Especially don’t let us sink into the quagmire called stagflation,” Mr. Cua said.   

“Smaller businesses may buy from a regular supplier for ingredients but may shift to other suppliers or source of supplies (other channels) when needed. In this sense, they are more flexible,” he added.   

Economic managers last week raised the assumption for this year’s inflation rate to 3.7-4.7%, “following the uptick in the price of food and energy as a result of ongoing geopolitical tensions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and disrupted supply chains.” This is above the original 2-4% target range.

NTC expects more foreign satellite internet providers after Starlink’s approval

Elon Musk talks about his company’s Starlink project at the Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, Spain, June 30, 2021. — BRISA PALOMAR / PACIFIC PRESS/SIPA USA VIA REUTERS CONNECT

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Senior Reporter

THE NATIONAL Telecommunications Commission (NTC) expects more foreign satellite broadband providers to enter the Philippines after its approval of the registration of Starlink Internet Services Philippines, Inc., subsidiary of Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX).

“It’s expected that the others will follow. First, the implementing rules for the amendments to the Public Service Act (PSA) are being prepared by the National Economic and Development Authority, so others are probably just waiting for the specific rules,” NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo V. Cabarios told BusinessWorld in a phone interview on May 27.

Republic Act (RA) No. 11659, which President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed in March, amends the 85-year-old Commonwealth Act No. 146, or the PSA Act. It eases the restrictions on full foreign ownership of businesses in key sectors such as telecommunications, shipping, airlines, railways, and subways.

Mr. Cabarios said the amended PSA led to the formation of Starlink Internet Services Philippines, which received its certificate of registration as a value-added service provider (VAS) from the NTC on May 26.

“Many foreign companies, telcos, have expressed interest to enter the Philippine market,” he said. “The Philippine market is a growing market, especially for broadband or internet access. Demand is huge. It is growing every day.”

The NTC said in a statement on Friday last week that Starlink Internet Services Philippines will offer “high-speed low latency satellite internet service with download speed between 100 Mbps to 200 Mbps” to Filipinos.

“We would like to thank the NTC for issuing Starlink’s VAS license 30 minutes after we submitted our application with complete requirements. This shows the government’s seriousness in addressing the connectivity needs of our countrymen in unserved and underserved areas. This will also prepare us in the event of natural disasters and calamities,” Bien Marquez of Quisumbing Torres, SpaceX’s counsel, was quoted as saying in the NTC statement.

Mr. Cabarios said other foreign satellite broadband operators can expect the same treatment from the NTC, as VAS is a deregulated service.

“Being a deregulated service, approvals should be fast,” he noted.

Starlink’s registration as a VAS provider allows it to directly access satellite systems, build and operate broadband facilities to offer internet services in the country. The company’s certificate of registration is valid until April 14, 2023.

“Starlink is expected to cover villages in urban and suburban areas and rural areas that remain unserved or underserved with internet access services. The service is expected to bring cost effective internet access in these areas,” the NTC said.

PHL sees investment opportunities as world turns greener

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE PHILIPPINES is counting on the world’s shift to green technology and the pandemic-induced demand for data centers to boost investments in its mining industry, a top official said.

The end of a ban on new mining permits also positions the sector to attract funds for a shift toward processing instead of simply exporting ores, said Trade Undersecretary Perry Rodolfo, who also heads the Board of Investments (BoI). The BoI separately aims to win about P1 trillion ($20 billion) in investment commitments from home and abroad this year, up by 50% from 2021.

“The Philippines is blessed when it comes to very critical minerals that are needed by everyone as we shift towards a more digitalized and greener world,” Mr. Rodolfo said in an interview on Friday, commenting on the demand for nickel, copper and cobalt. “The next key thing is to really make sure that they are processed here and we add value prior to exporting them.”

The Southeast Asian nation is the world’s second-biggest producer of nickel. The aim is to locally process ore into “precursors” for a wide array of products, including batteries used to power data centers and electric vehicles.

The plan fits well with the government’s move to promote investments in hyperscaler data centers that use big batteries. Economic managers recently ordered that the 40% foreign equity restrictions on solar, wind and tidal renewable energy projects be removed.

Companies planning to put up data centers “have to use renewable energy. Otherwise, they will just be competing with other sectors in the Philippines for power,” Mr. Rodolfo said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte, whose six-year term ends on June 30, last week signed the 2022 strategic investment priority plan which lists activities like environment and climate-change related projects eligible for tax incentives.

Mr. Rodolfo is optimistic that investors will continue coming in when the new administration of President-elect Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. takes power. “Each administration builds on the reform efforts of the past administration,” he said. — Bloomberg

Going beyond buzzwords

Soap Refilling Station

The Fine Life Market promotes the sustainable and the local

A STORE in Kapitolyo ticks off all the buzzwords for a better planet, and makes sustainable living more accessible.

Martie Datu is entering another chapter in life, starting out first as a banker (in a family of creatives), then transitioning to art about 10 years ago. This year, the visual artist has transitioned into opening a home goods store —  The Fine Life Market —  an effort spurred by the pandemic.

“I just like making things,” she said, saying that she made about 200 bottles of Castile soap during one of the lockdowns in 2020.

“I was feeling sad and depressed for the less-fortunate. I was there in my own home, with my kids, lying on a bed… and then there are kids not as fortunate.”

She sold the 200 bottles of soap and donated all of the proceeds to Caritas Manila.

People actually did like the products, and demand started for more. Soon, via an online store, she released balms, bar soaps, then went on to selling things that she would use around the house.

“All these, it’s in our home,” said Ms. Datu of the items in her store. These include woven mats and rugs from Bicol, cotton inabel towels from Ilocos, capiz charger plates, and many more goods sourced from artisans around the Philippines.

“All the things you see here were made by hardworking people from different communities in the Philippines,” she said. “Filipino people are very, very talented. The work of their hands —  how intricate!”

She says that one of the people who make her woven food covers had written her a letter thanking her for the work given during the pandemic. She also professes that they price fairly: “They ask for it (the price), we give it.”

Lastly, a portion of their proceeds goes to the International Justice Mission (IJM), a global organization which aims to help local authorities protect 400 million people from everyday violence for 20 years. In the Philippines, they are focused on working with the Philippine justice system on the online sexual exploitation of children.

As for the soaps and other things, she has since consulted with chemists and aromatherapists for them. They’re also quite affordable: the soaps go for as little as P1 for each milliliter.

This writer actually tried the liquid castile soap (plant-based by principle, as it differs from normal soap by not using animal fat in its production), and it feels great on the skin, and the smell and the fresh feeling lasts for a whole work day.

The products and the way the store is set up reminds us of David Rose’s store, the Rose Apothecary, on the Canadian TV comedy Schitt’s Creek. David, a disgraced son of a formerly wealthy family, opened a store that sources artisanal products from local vendors and unites them all under one brand name —  much like what Ms. Datu is doing. Asked if she was familiar with the show (and that similar business model), she said, “Everybody’s telling me that!”

“We always use sustainable stuff in the house,” she said, gesturing to a display of compostable brushes and dish sponges. On the same rack, there are reusable paper towels and waxed cloth food wrappers.

“I’m not a guru on the environment. Little steps, a small act… it’s better than not doing anything.”

The items are locally produced and are made from sustainable materials, thus giving a high for those who might be more inclined to live greener lives than most. Opening the physical store, with bouquets of lavender and eucalyptus greeting one at the door, was an effort to make the lifestyle more appealing. “It’s hard to go all out… I just want to show people that it’s not that hard. If you care for your home, you have to care for your environment.

“We want them to experience and see and imagine that these are being used in their houses.”

Getting all the buzzwords to save the planet might seem like a new fashion, but for Ms. Datu, the mission is personal. “I want my children to have a future —  a good future.” This isn’t about handing them over an intact inheritance, but about handing them a better planet.

“We’re experiencing typhoons and climate change. It’s so real. We feel it already. What more after 10 years? My son is only four.

“I just want to be more mindful of the things that I buy, and the actions that I take now.”

The Fine Life Market is located at 3 Brixton St. Kapitolyo, Pasig 1603, Follow on IG: @thefinelifemarket, FB: The Fine Life Market, or order via website www.thefinelifemarket.com. — Joseph L. Garcia

Skechers opens largest Metro Manila store

SKECHERS opened its largest store — 2,900 square feet — in Metro Manila on May 18, showing that their shoes fit people of any age.

We say this because of some seniors in the store —  located on the 2nd floor of the Powerplant Mall in Rockwell, Makati —  who gladly picked out their pairs. Asked about this demographic, Sue Pasustento, Country Manager for Skechers Philippines said, “No offense taken. We are a brand for every member of the family.” She also pointed out the various lines with comfort technology are designed to make walking easier at any age. “We have all this patented technology that we provide to consumers.” These include Skechers Arch Fit Technology, Skechers Max Cushioning Technology, Skechers Hyper Burst Technology, Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam, Skechers Relaxed Fit Technology, and Skechers Stretch Fit Technology.

“Footwear should be comfortable. Not just stylish,” said Ms. Pasustento.

The company is currently the third largest footwear brand in the world according to a statement by its CEO and founder Robert Greenberg, recording 4,300 Skechers stores around the world and $1.8 billion in sales in the first quarter of 2022. It shipped 200 million pairs in 2021.

“Our position as the third largest footwear brand in the world is the result of exceptional global partnerships and the strong consumer demand for our products,” said Mr. Greenberg.

There are numerous reasons for the company choosing to open a physical store in the waning days of the pandemic. “We know our numbers,” said Ms. Pasustento. “Skechers ranked number two in terms of brand share. During the pandemic, in the Philippines, it’s still in the top five.”

Their new online operations have not been launched (though they might open in online shopping platforms in time to launch the Fall Winter line). This is due to its transition from a distribution deal in the Philippines to its operations coming directly under the ownership and control of Skechers in the United States.

Expansion is aggressive for the company: later this month, it plans to open its biggest branch in the country in Cebu. It plans to open 26 more stores by the end of this year.

“The reason we came here and took over is to expand the capability to meet the demand of the consumer,” said Ms. Pasustento. —  Joseph L. Garcia

Should mobility be the ‘lease’ of your concerns?

The Toyota Corolla Cross is among the favorite vehicles for Kinto One subscribers. — PHOTO BY KAP MACEDA AGUILA

Kinto One challenges notion of vehicle ownership

WHO ELSE but the country’s leading brand has both bandwidth and temerity to, well, lead the way in other industry frontiers?

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP), through Toyota Financial Services Philippines (TFSPH), is “offering Filipino customers accessible and flexible ways to acquire cars and enjoy the freedom of mobility, auto financing, and leasing services.”

Yes, that’s quite a mouthful, so let’s back up a bit.

For two decades now, TFSPH has been helping enable Filipinos get their Toyota of choice by offering financing services. The company’s president, Rommel Ocampo, shared that the company has a hand in nearly half (45%) of Toyotas sold.

Renting cars for a day or two (or even a week) is nothing unusual in this country, of course, but the concept of vehicle leasing is still admittedly a novel idea here. Let’s face it: “Leasing” as a concept is something we’re used to when dealing with real estate property.

The crux of the matter lies in ownership and our concept of it. Admittedly, there’s a sense of satisfaction and pride in traditional ownership of any kind. “This is my car,” sounds much sexier than “I’m leasing this car.” But if you really think about it, what does ownership entail? And in this era of ride-hailing platforms, is owning a car in the traditional sense still all that it’s cracked up to be? Come to think of it, studies have even shown that fewer of the younger generation are learning to drive. However, the COVID-19 pandemic was also the monkey wrench that served to undo confidence in taking public transportation altogether.

Back to our discussion on ownership and its evolving contemporary relevance, that perhaps encapsulates the kind of thinking behind Kinto One. TFSPH had rolled the product out in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the firm now wants to more deliberately talk about it amid an improved situation. The “full-service vehicle lease package for individual customers” posits the notion of vehicle subscription or “usership” that essentially swaps out the hassle for an all-inclusive monthly payment package.

TFSPH is hoping to shed some light and sense into the ownership conversation by comparing Kinto One “usership,” with the traditional acquisition process. Versus separately paid expenses related to periodic maintenance service (PMS), replacement of wear-and-tear parts, annual comprehensive insurance, and vehicle registration, Kinto One customers only need to pay a fixed monthly rate. And whereas traditional loans entail a down payment (usually a minimum 20% of the total vehicle cost) and chattel mortgage, TFSPH only asks for a security deposit (two months rental advance). After the three or four years of lease under Kinto One, the customer only needs to return the vehicle and then subscribe for another new one — compared to an expected lengthy process of documentation and requirements to resell a traditionally acquired car.

Meanwhile, Kinto One Business is a complete mobility solution for corporate customers. TFSPH Vice-President for Marketing Operations Department for Sales and Marketing Kaye Amores said that the product also offers “easy leasing, expert maintenance, and low monthly payment,” along with a fleet management service and fleet connected service to enable functions such as location tracing, geo-fencing, unplug detection, and feedback on driver performance. The bottom line, insisted the executive, is that the service allows a company to “spend less on the fleet,” and worry less as well.

Back to Kinto One for individuals, TFSPH is making available a number of Toyota models and variants such as the Vios, Corolla Altis, Fortuner, Innova, Rush, and Corolla Cross. Recently, the Camry and Alphard have been added, and the company is looking to include some Lexus models in the mix. Interestingly, hybrid models are also being pushed and, in some cases, being sought out by customers themselves. “It’s a good way for us to introduce Toyota’s hybrid vehicles,” said Mr. Ocampo over lunch with select members of the media.

He also observed that more people are open to leasing now, compared to when TFSPH first rolled out Kinto One in 2020. It’s a practical idea for expats, for instance, to just “subscribe and drive,” and is a much cheaper, bang-for-buck alternative to a straight rental.

Part of the allure in Kinto One is that the subscriber can basically just switch to a new car once the lease is up, and the fixed monthly payment insulates him or her from price increases. Tucked into the program as well is the Kinto Concierge Service, which, among other things, reminds the lessee when, say, the vehicle is due for a checkup or parts change.

This basically ushers in an era where convenience is king, especially in light of a still-raging pandemic, and a challenged public transportation system. Speaking of convenience, TFSPH is also introducing myToyota Wallet, a mobile payment solution that “allows customers to safely and easily transact for everything Toyota.” The app is available for Android and iOS devices, and “allows card tokenization for up to three debit or credit cards,” enabling cashless transactions at any Toyota dealership nationwide. The e-wallet also works seamlessly with the myToyota App so that the user can pay digitally for parts, accessories, service, and even insurance. Soon, customers can even pay for monthly amortization.

“The future looks bright for the industry. A recent automotive market study has revealed that demand for new vehicles is rising in the region, and that vehicle subscription is on the rise in Southeast Asia, as an alternative to ownership,” underscored Mr. Ocampo.

We say “yay” for whatever can get more people from here to there — surely the vision of TMP’s “mobility for all” mantra.

Triangle of Sadness wins Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or

RUBEN OSTLUND poses with the Palm d’Or Award for Triangle of Sadness during the winner photocall during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 28 in Cannes, France. — REUTERS/DAVID BOYER/ABACAPRESS.COM

PARIS —  Triangle of Sadness, a film by Swedish director Ruben Ostlund, won the Palme d’Or for Best Picture at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday, the festival announced.

“When we started to make this film I think we had one goal —  to really, really try to make an exciting film for the audience and bring thought-provoking content,” Ostlund said.

“We wanted to entertain them, we wanted them to ask themselves questions, we wanted them to after the screening go out and have something to talk about,” he added.

Exploring notions of beauty and privilege, the film sends two models on a luxury cruise —  only to leave them stranded on a deserted island with a handful of the staff and billionaire guests. The toilet attendant – played by Filipina actress Dolly de Leon —  proves to have the best survival skills and social structures are upended.

“The thing about Ostlund is that he makes you laugh, but he also makes you think,” said Variety in its review of the film. “No matter what sphere he tackles, we’re bound to see the world differently.”

Ostlund won the Palme d’Or in 2017 for his film The Square, a satire about a prestigious art curator.

The festival awarded two films the Grand Prix: Close, a film by Belgian director Lukas Dhont about friendship and masculinity, and Stars at Noon, which is set in modern-day Nicaragua, by French auteur filmmaker Claire Denis.

The jury prize also went to two films, The Eight Mountains by Belgian directors Felix Van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch and EO, by Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski, which is told through the eyes of a donkey.

“Thank you, my donkeys,” said Skolimowski, in his acceptance speech.

South Korean star Song Kang-ho picked up the best actor award for his role in Broker while South Korean director Park Chan-wook won the best director prize for his romantic thriller Decision to Leave.

Iranian Zar Amir Ebrahimi, who won best actress for her role as a journalist tracking a serial killer in Holy Spider, was visibly moved.

“Maybe having me here tonight is just a message —  especially for women, Iranian women,” she told a press conference directly after the ceremony, when asked about an apparent outpouring of support of her on social media, which she said she hadn’t seen.

French actress Carole Bouquet announced a surprise 75th anniversary prize to mark the festival’s birthday. It went to Belgian directing brothers Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne for Tori and Lokita.

For its 75th anniversary edition, the festival resumed its traditional calendar in May following two years of pandemic disruptions and marked the return of parties and kissing —  both of which were not permitted last year due to strict COVID protocols.

THE WORST ONES WINS CERTAIN REGARD
Meanwhile, a film set in the working class suburbs of the northern French city of Boulogne-sur-Mer won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard competition at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday.

The Worst Ones, directed by Lise Akoka and Romane Gueret, explores the challenges of street casting, telling the story of a community’s reaction to the arrival of a film crew.

“I hope that this film, beyond reviews, will be read as an homage to the creation of cinema because sometimes it allows us to give a voice to those who are not often heard,” Gueret said.

Deadline described the film, with events that are “thought provoking and sometimes darkly funny,” as “a fascinating look at the filming experience.”

Joyland, a film by Saim Sadiq that seeks to break gender stereotypes in Pakistan, the country’s first entry to the Cannes Film Festival, won the jury prize.

The film’s screening at Cannes felt like “a dream has come true,” one of its stars, Sarwat Gilani, told Reuters last week, adding that she felt that “the struggles that we face as artists in Pakistan, they’ve all come to be worth it.”

Un Certain Regard is a competition focused on art-house films that runs parallel to the main competition, the Palme d’Or, which will be announced on Saturday. — Reuters

BYS releases Disney Princess makeup collection

BYS PHILIPPINES has launched its newest makeup line —  its Disney Princess Collection. But there is nothing childish about it.

The brand —  established in 2004 in Australia, with BYS Philippines set up in 2012 —  has had previous makeup collections done in collaboration with Korean actors Hwang In Youp and Park Seo Joon, Filipino actresses and singers Regine Velasquez and Nadine Lustre, as well as American fashion doll brand Barbie.

The Disney Princess collaboration was an initiative of the Philippine BYS team.

The images of Disney’s princess characters Cinderella, Belle, and Ariel are found on the BYS Disney Princess products.

“It’s not just them (Disney) putting their logo on our products. These products went to a rigorous process of development and approvals,” said John Lozano, marketing and creative director of IFace, Inc., the distributor of BYS. “We had to make sure that the ingredients are safe for the skin and are true to what they claim,” he told BusinessWorld at the collection’s launch on May 18 at Sirens Studios Manila in Makati City.

The collection’s packaging comes in black and gold.

“We don’t want it to look childish. We really wanted to make it appeal to older and younger people,” Mr. Lozano explained.

For the Disney Princess Collection marketing campaign, BYS Philippines invited photographer BJ Pascual to create Disney Princess-inspired looks. He used real beauty queens to represent the three animated princesses: Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo who was styled as Ariel from The Little Mermaid, Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Bea Gomez as Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi as Cinderella.

“I took a page from the Romantic Era when there was an artistic, literary, musical, and intellectual movement in Europe and weaved this in around the three heroines and how we define women’s roles in society now — taking the lead in adjusting to new realities and challenges. The old damsel-in-distress narrative is out and we hope to show that in the images,” Mr. Pascual said in a statement.

THE PRODUCTS
The collection is composed of hypoallergenic and paraben-free products: Longlasting Liquid Eyeliner in Black Beauty (P699); Plumping Mascara in Hero (P699), 3-in-1 Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Knight and Fairy Lights (P899); Sun Tint SPF 36 (P799); Flawless Primer (P799); Liquid Lipsticks in Dance in the Moonlight, Ever a Surprise, and Wanderin’ Free (P549 each); Lip and Cheek Tint in Pixie Dust (P599), and Serum Blush in Fantasy, Celestial, and Mermaid (P799 each).

Aside from makeup, the collection also includes skincare masks: the Clarifying Face Mask which is infused with Camellia japonica flower extract, Prunus serrulata (Japanese cherry) flower extract, and salicylic acid; the Smoothing Face Mask, formulated with Rubus coreanus (Korean blackberry) fruit extract, Euterpe oleracea (acai) fruit extract, and niacinamide; and the Hydrating Face Mask, which has Punica granatum (pomegranate) fruit extract, Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry) extract, and emulsified ester oil. All the masks cost P99 per sheet or P499 for a box of five.

“There was a time when makeup was all the rage. And then now because of the Korean invasion and the focus on skincare, the direction focused on skincare as well,” Mr. Lozano said.

“It’s always nice to add skincare in makeup. Maganda ka na, maganda pa ang skin mo (You are not only beautiful, but your skin looks good too),” Mr. Lozano said.

The vlog on the Disney Princess Collection campaign is on view at BJ Pascual’s YouTube channel. The BYS Disney Prince Collection is available at Watsons, The SM Store, and online on Amorfia, Watsons, and ShopSM. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman

Agri output boost seen as defense against inflation, supply chain chaos

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

By Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson, Reporter

THE agriculture industry must take up a bigger share of supplying the Philippine food requirement in order to contain inflation and blunt the impact of global supply chain disruptions, analysts said.

“We must move quickly to shore up our domestic agricultural sector as well as ensure a healthy stock of staples and other food. We will need actual quick and effective measures to ensure (that food is sufficient), which in turn should cap inflation pressures,”  ING Bank N.V. Manila Senior Economist Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa said in an e-mail.

“Failure to do so could result in the quicker acceleration of inflation, which if not checked could result in civil unrest, as experienced by some other nations this year,” he added.

Mr. Mapa said that supply chains were already tight even before the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

“The loss of Russian and Ukrainian wheat from global markets has heightened concerns about food security and we’ve seen sovereigns resort to export bans to safeguard domestic supply. Wheat, sugar, chicken and even palm oil are just a few of the commodities we’ve seen banned for export to date,” he added.

He said that export bans will help stabilize supply and inflation in countries that implement them; however this may limit global supply and keep supply chains under pressure.

“China’s recent shutdown is not helping either as it adds yet another challenge for already constrained supply chains,” he added.

Federation of Free Farmers National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor said that with countries implementing export bans, the risks of an import-dependent food policy have become apparent.

“Exporting countries themselves are now limiting, if not stopping, the outflow of critical food products.  So, we have no recourse but to rely on our own agriculture sector to produce as much food as we want,” he said.

“We still have time. We can produce rice and corn in three to four months, chicken in less than a month, and vegetables in a few weeks.  But we have to act fast.  And we have to give the proper signals and support to our farmers. We need to help them out with their rising costs for fertilizer, fuel and other production requirements. But we will only discourage them if we continue allowing unlimited imports,” he added.

Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. President Danilo V. Fausto said that the government must wean itself off imports and step up efforts to ramp up domestic production.

“Providing cheap food for the consumers and fighting inflation through imports is a short-term solution. Producing our own food requirements, although a much longer process, will be more sustainable for our people. We appeal for a level playing field from the government. Doing otherwise, we will be shooting ourselves not in the foot but in the head,” he said.

“The government should provide the right environment and incentives for the private sector to invest, expand their production, value chain and supply chain logistics, not kill them with competition from cheap and subsidized imported products,” he added.

Mr. Fausto said that the supply chain disruptions and food crisis have been expected for some time. “Amid the talk of a cost-of-living crisis and national elections, people have lost sight of a far more serious threat: a global and domestic food shortage.  Even before the Russian invasion, the World Food Programme had warned that 2022 would be a terrible year,” he said.

“As it happens, I understand that a brutal heatwave is scorching India, the world’s second-largest wheat producer; China, the largest, has said that, after rains delayed planting, this year’s crop may be its worst ever,” he added.

Mr. Fausto said the next administration must increase the agriculture budget and fairly distribute the funds across all sectors of agriculture.

“We appeal to the government that food production should not be sacrificed when the Department of Budget and Management performs haircuts on future budget allocations,” he said.

He said a first border inspection quarantine facility will be crucial for food safety and deterring the smuggling of farm products.

“We need to protect especially our hog and poultry industry by instituting biosecurity measures and stopping smuggling of agriculture products to (protect) our producers. While hogs are being decimated by African Swine Fever (ASF), we also have to protect and provide solutions to our poultry and fisheries sector, (which provide sources of) protein for people shifting from the consumption of pork,” he added.

His also backed the use of tariff collections to support commodity producers. 

“Just like in the Rice Tariffication Law, all revenue derived from tariffs from imported commodities must be utilized to (develop the corresponding domestic industry that is competing with the imports). Most important is support for the corn industry. On a macro level, if we want to solve our problems in hog and poultry, we have to increase the productivity and efficiency of our corn industry,” he said.

“We are now on our own. With the private sector providing 95% of the total investment vis-a-vis the total Philippine agriculture output, we need to further expand and increase our production to feed our people. But how on earth can we do this if our own government is preventing us from doing so?” he added.

Cars, coffee, company

The LFA supercar is the obvious centerpiece at the Karrera. — PHOTO BY KAP MACEDA AGUILA

Lexus PHL commences 2022 Roadshow series

By Kap Maceda Aguila

FURTHER evidence of the economy opening up amid a (hopefully) waning pandemic is that car brands have been holding physical events again. The previous weekend, Lexus Philippines headed south of Metro Manila to bring its virtues and values to the people there.

The 2022 Lexus Roadshow series kicked off at the Karrera Showroom in Filinvest Alabang, Muntinlupa City, providing a glimpse to fans and aficionados of the premium car brand some of what Lexus stands for. “It’s a string of events that we’ll have. The concept is to bring the entire Lexus experience closer to different parts of the metro and the Philippines,” said Lexus Philippines Brand Manager Jade Sison to “Velocity.”

Part of the experience involved making the Lexus lineup available for test drives — highlighted by the Lexus IS sport sedan and the Lexus RX SUV. The all-new NX has been particularly well-received since its launch here, and while the rollout of units has been hampered by production challenges, Lexus Philippines is encouraging those interested to make their reservation.

Meanwhile, displayed at the Karrera was the Lexus LFA supercar which “remains the halo model for the F performance marque.” Only 500 examples of the LFA have been made.

Aside from cars, the Lexus Roadshow featured other elements which Ms. Sison said would hopefully resonate as well with Lexus owners and fans. “We had talks on coffee appreciation and vinyl record appreciation,” she added. Records from record retailer Satchmi were available at discounted prices, and guests were treated to espresso-based drinks from Gram Coffee Roasters.

For Lexus owners, the Lexus Roadshow offered exclusive services such as a free 20-point checkup, and Bactaklenz anti-bacterial treatment, the latter said “to eliminate 99.99% of bacteria, molds, and fungi inside the vehicle.” Continued Ms. Sison, “Technically it’s a satellite facility for a checkup of your Lexus. If further services are needed, we could refer the customer to the Lexus Manila dealership.”

The Karrera stop is just the first of four roadshows that Lexus Philippines plans to hold this year. The next one will be north of the metro, revealed Ms. Sison, and added that editions in Visayas and Mindanao are being considered as well. As for forthcoming Lexus offerings this year, she said to expect a “future-focused” effort, which is aligned with the brand’s push for electrified vehicles.

“Expect more hybrid vehicles,” Ms. Sison maintained. “And this is just the first leg of the Lexus Roadshow, so do please also expect more of the ultimate luxury experience coming closer to you in the next months.”

For more information, visit the Lexus website at lexus.com.ph or its social media pages on Facebook and Instagram (@lexusmanila).

Construction industry’s recovery seen to continue 

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Senior Reporter

THE PHILIPPINES’ construction industry will continue to recover in the coming quarters as pandemic-related restrictions are eased, but rising fuel prices, which result in higher construction costs, will remain the main challenge, analysts said.

“We can expect the performance of construction companies to further recover in the next few quarters, as more economic activities are allowed. Nevertheless, the main challenge is the period of hyperinflation due to the rising fuel prices and driving construction costs higher,” Claro dG. Cordero, Jr., director and head of research at Cushman & Wakefield, told BusinessWorld in an e-mailed reply to questions on May 26.

“As construction cost further increases, it will similarly drive property prices up which may eventually disincentivize retail homebuyers (due to affordability issue) and, if left uncontrollable, may be the reason for new homeowners and developers to defer new constructions in the long-run,” he added.

As of May 24, year-to-date adjustments of oil prices are at a net increase of P25.55 per liter for gasoline and P29.10 per liter for diesel.

Listed construction companies reported mixed results in the first quarter, but are optimistic about their continued recovery. Megawide Construction Corp.’s construction segment revenue reached P3.79 billion, 11% or P371 million above from year-ago levels.

“The construction segment has maintained its momentum in delivering projects on time despite quarantine measures at the start of the year,” the company said in its first-quarter report.

Meanwhile, EEI Corp.’s revenue from its domestic construction activities decreased by 17% to P2.8 billion caused by the delays in the company’s infrastructure projects.

EEI noted that it continued to obtain new contracts and work on its existing pipeline of projects.

“The group’s unworked portion of existing contracts by the end of the first quarter of 2022 stood at P52.9 billion. This amount is at a healthy level and is expected to keep the group and its employees busy for the next three years,” the company said in its first-quarter report.

“EEI is also well-positioned to win more contracts as it continues to bid for industrial and building projects, as well as mega infrastructure projects through the government’s Build, Build, Build Program.”

Megawide said in a statement to BusinessWorld on May 27 that there has been a “steady contribution from the construction segment since the restrictions eased” in the fourth quarter of 2020.

“Barring any major resurgence of the coronavirus that will restrict mobility anew, we expect the segment to sustain the momentum,” a company representative said.

According to Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort, some of the major economic drivers for the rest of 2022 that could support the further increase in construction activities include measures to further reopen the economy towards greater normalcy though in a gradual manner, increased government spending especially on infrastructure, and the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act, or CREATE law.

“Reform measures that would ease limits on foreign ownership would help attract/encourage the entry of more foreign investment such as the amendments to the Public Services Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act, Foreign Investment Act, among others, thereby would lead to the creation of more jobs and other business/economic opportunities that would also help the economy recover from the pandemic and would lead to more construction activities,” he said in an e-mailed reply to questions.

In a separate e-mail, Joey Roi H. Bondoc, associate director for research at Colliers Philippines, said: “[We are] projecting recovery in the construction sector. The pandemic resulted in disruptions in the construction sector and we saw delays in the delivery of office and residential towers. A number of developers also delayed launching new projects as they took a wait-and-see position months before the May 9 national elections.”

“In the office market, we are projecting the completion of about 1.94 million square meters of new office space from 2022 to 2024 or about 647,400 square meters per year. In 2020, we recorded only about 428,000 square meters delivered in the market,” he added.

He said Colliers Philippines sees the same trend for the residential market. In Metro Manila condominium market, Colliers recorded the delivery of 3,370 units in 2020 and 8,730 units in 2021. “We project a huge rebound this year as we expect the completion of 10,500 units.”

In key markets outside Metro Manila, Colliers projects the completion of about 201,200 square meters of office space in Cebu from 2022 to 2024, with much of the upcoming supply coming from the Cebu Business and IT Parks.

“In Pampanga, national developers also continue to build office buildings in Clark and San Fernando and we see the delivery of 152,900 square meters of office space during the same period,” Mr. Bondoc said.

As for the horizontal market, Colliers sees a sustained take-up of house-and-lot, and lot-only units outside of Metro Manila. “We expect developers to capture demand over the next 12 months and we see ramped up completion beyond 2022,” Mr. Bondoc said.

“In our view, the construction sector’s recovery will also hinge on the implementation of pro-property reforms such as infrastructure implementation and decentralization which should result in the creation of more economic centers outside Metro Manila. We also see a sustained economic growth supporting the construction sector’s rebound.”

Something new to try

Product Review
BYS Disney Princess Collection

BYS PHILIPPINES launched a new collection makeup and skincare products in collaboration with Disney. The Disney Princess themed products are hypoallergenic and paraben-free.

This writer was given three out of the 11 products during the line’s campaign launch: Sun Tint SPF 36 (P799), Serum Blush in Celestial (P799), and Plumping Mascara in Hero (P699).

The following day, I dropped by the drugstore and bought the Lip & Cheek Tint in Pixie Dust (P599); the Longlasting Liquid Eyeliner in Black Beauty (P699); and the Flawless Primer (P799). I added three items to the products I received to test them out for fun.

In the past week when I was out of the house, I applied the Sun Tint SPF 36. It helped lessen my face’s oiliness despite the rainy but still warm weather. It is better to set it with powder after application. I’d still advise putting on a separate sunscreen before applying the sun tint since the BYS product only contains SPF 36.

The Serum Blush in Celestial has an orange shade when applied on skin. It is good for those who prefer the drunk blush effect.

On the lips, the Lip & Cheek Tint in Pixie Dust has a cooling effect and feels lightweight upon application. It has a nice nude pink “my lips but better look.” One consideration during these COVID times is that the product transfers onto one’s face mask —  but this does not necessarily wipe off the color. As a cheek tint, I prefer this shade to the orange serum blush since I prefer my blush shades to be darker.

The Longlasting Liquid Eyeliner in Black Beauty lives up to its description as long-lasting. However, it tends to dry up when building the blackness I wanted to achieve. The applicator is very fine, which is good for achieving a nice cat eye look.

The product I liked least was the Plumping Mascara in Hero. I found the formula to be quite wet upon application. The product only lengthened but did not add volume to my eyelashes, even after applying two to three coats.  On some days, I had to layer it with other mascara products I already had at home.

The collection’s black and gold packaging looks classy. It can be mistaken for a pricier brand when seen from afar.

Among the six products I tried, I would consider repurchasing the Sun Tint SPF 36, not only because it helped manage the oiliness on my face, but also the 50 ml tube can last me more than a year. The Flawless Primer was effective for eye makeup longevity and the amount of product in the tub can also last more than a year. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman

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