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Megawide says court affirms dismissal of anti-dummy case

MEGAWIDE Construction Corp. announced on Thursday that it received a court order denying the Lapu-Lapu City prosecutor’s motion for reconsideration in the anti-dummy law violation case filed against the company’s officials.

The order, dated Sept. 27, was issued by the Regional Trial Court of Lapu-Lapu City, Branch 53, Megawide said in a statement. The order also “confirms the dismissal of the case,” the company added.

The case was filed against some officials of Megawide in their capacity as directors of GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC), operator of Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

Megawide officials involved in the case are Edgar B. Saavedra, chairman of the board of directors, chief executive officer, and president; Manuel Louie B. Ferrer, vice-chairman of the board and executive director for infrastructure development; Oliver Y. Tan, director; and Jez G. Dela Cruz, vice-president for corporate finance and planning.

According to the company, the order affirmed that Republic Act (RA) No. 11659, which amends the Public Service Act, excludes airports from the list of what is classified as a public utility; “thereby, removing the applicability of the nationality requirement to GMCAC in operating the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.”

“The order also stated that applying RA No. 11659 retroactively has removed any criminal liability that was wrongfully attached to the Megawide respondents. Given that RA No. 11659 is beneficial to the accused, the order emphasized that its retroactive application is warranted,” it added.

At the same time, the company announced that it also received a certificate of finality from the court “certifying that the order was issued and declaring that the order has become final and executory on  Oct. 14, 2022.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

Stuff to do (11/18/22)

The International Bazaar returns

AFTER being postponed for the past two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Bazaar returns on Sunday, Nov. 20, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Hall A of the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The bazaar will include national booths offering each participating country’s specialties, and local companies selling clothes, gift items, and food.

Comic Mitch Valdes holds show

ACTRESS, singer, and comedian Mitch Valdes will show off her stuff in Mitch You Like Crazy on Nov. 19 at Teatrino in Greenhills, San Juan City. With special participation of the AMP band, the show is directed by Floy Quintos, with musical direction by Mel Villena. Tickets available at TicketWorld (https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/show.aspx?sh=MITCHYLC22).

Celebrities hold car boot sale

A CAR Boot Sale: Celebrity Edition will be held at the Mayflower Parking Lot of the Greenfield District in Mandaluyong on Nov. 18-20, from 4 p.m. to midnight. This special event is in celebration of the Food Truck Fest’s 1st anniversary and will feature celebrities selling second-hand items, baked goods, frozen food, knick-knacks, and more right from the trunks of their cars. The Food Truck Fest is open from Monday to Thursday from noon until 10 p.m., and Friday to Sunday from noon until midnight. Meanwhile, at the Greenfield District Central Park, the Greenfield Weekend Market is open every Saturday and the Sunset Fair is open every Sunday from 3 p.m. to midnight. Aside from shopping, visitors can take photos inside a bazaar filled with colorful Christmas decorations.

Take a breather at the Palmolive Naturals Positivity Hub

TAKE a much-needed break at The Palmolive Naturals Positivity Hub on Nov. 18-20 at the Market! Market! Activity Center in Taguig City. Visitors can learn about the Palmolive Naturals hair and skin care products that suit them at the Nature Display, then try and experience the products first-hand at the Refresh Studio. Visitors can take selfies at the Buhay na Buhay Reel Area, and write about their troubles and hopes at the Voice Your Positivity area where they can leave those bad vibes in the Negativity drop box. They can also take selfies with Palmolive endorsers — Zephanie Dimaranan and Cassy Legaspi on Day 1, Angelina Cruz and Julia Montes on Day 2, and Jayda Avanzado on Day 3. At the Palmolive Seeds Hope Corner, guests can give a contribution to the coconut tree planting project by Palmolive, in collaboration with HOPE which benefit farmers in General Santos City, Mindanao. Visitors have a chance to take home a Palmolive Naturals Gift Pack.

The 10th QCinema launches this weekend

THE QCINEMA International Film Festival is being held from Nov. 17 to 26. Screenings in theaters will be held at Gateway, Trinoma, Powerplant, Cinema 76, and SM North EDSA. Meanwhile, online screenings will be held in partnership with VivaMax and will run from Nov. 22 to 26. Ticket prices for theatrical screenings are P300 while online tickets are P299. Details about in10City, QCinema’s 10th anniversary presentation, backgrounds on the participating movies, and screening schedules are available at qcinema.ph and updates are posted at its social media accounts — www.facebook.com/QCinemaPH, twitter.com/QCinemaPH, and www.instagram.com/qcinemaph. To register for a festival pass, visit https://qcinema.ph/festival-pass/?fbclid=IwAR3EDPU8RvPczDAapfWp9OBf38eJv59rqYIxba34akSBAS7m0XZ1N3MmrkM. 

The Hybrid National Trade Fair (HNTF)

THE DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (DTI-BDTP), in close coordination with the DTI- Regional Operations Group, will once again mount the Hybrid National Trade Fair (HNTF) to be held on Nov. 16 to 20 at Megatrade Halls 1-3, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. The HNTF is part of a series of national fairs conducted annually by the BDTP. It will showcase the best products of more than 250 MSMEs in a traditional fair and 200 digital participants on the Lazada’s e-commerce platform. The five-day order-taking, business matching and retail event will focus on green, sustainable and eco-friendly products, MSMEs with new products or new packaging, sustainable or green packaging, vegan and plant-based food products. The fair will also put the spotlight on the Sustainability Pavilion featuring Bamboo, National Arts and Crafts Fair Special Showcase, KAPEtirya (Philippine Coffee Pavilion), RAPID Growth Project Special Setting, Coconut Pavilion by the Philippine Coconut Authority, Green Holiday Special Setting by the Philippine Homestyle and Holiday Décor Association, The Green Station, Hygiene and Sanitation Stations and FlexPHridays. Come and discover new products as well as revive business relationships with old suppliers. Fair hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/2022HNTFRegistrationForm. For more information on the 2022 Hybrid National Trade Fair and other programs of the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion, please follow their social media accounts on Facebook (DTI.BDTP), Instagram (dti.bdtp), and Twitter (@DTI_BDTP), or email BDTP at bdtp@dti.gov.ph.

Hybrid National Trade Fair kicks off holiday shopping season

THE 2022 Hybrid National Trade Fair kicks off the festive holiday shopping season on November 16-20 at the Megatrade Halls 1-3, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. The five-day event is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion in partnership with the DTI Regional Operations Group, the Design Center of the Philippines, and the National Bamboo Industry Cluster. Themed “Go Green! Go Local!,” the trade fair features green, sustainable, and eco-friendly products as well as artisanal and heritage crafts. Exhibitors from the country’s 16 regions, and serves as a showcase of indigenous products and raw materials, handcrafted and handwoven products, furniture and home decor made from sustainable materials, unique and eco-friendly packaging materials, as well as health and wellness products. There will also be a selection of fresh produce, processed food and beverages, and native delicacies. The 2022 Hybrid National Trade Fair will be the first physical edition in over two years. There will be a parallel digital National Trade Fair Mall on Lazada at the same time as the physical event. For fair-goers who wish to enjoy the face-to-face shopping experience, the trade fair will have hygiene stations with hand sanitizers at strategic locations. Everyone is still expected to wear a mask at all times and to maintain social distancing.

North Luzon Travel Fair at Megamall

IN A bid to boost tourism, the Department of Tourism (DoT) is staging the first North Luzon Travel Fair from Nov. 18 to 20 at the SMX Convention Center in Clark, Pampanga. With the theme “Weaving Our Way to Recovery,” the North Luzon Travel Fair is a one-stop-shop for industry collaboration, showcasing domestic tourism destinations, products, services, delicacies, gifts and pasalubong items, as well as cultural presentations from the northern side of the Philippines. The three-day event will gather some 100 exhibitors and 30 sellers. Participants range from airlines, health and wellness facilities, hotel and leisure facilities, theme parks and amusement centers, to travel and tour operators and providers, tourism boards, and Kapampangan food concessionaires, among others.

Dulaang UP’s The Reconciliation Dinner

THE STAGE is set for Dulaang UP’s 45th Theatre Season opener, The Reconciliation Dinner, a new one-act play by Floy Quintos and directed by Dexter M. Santos. The play is a dark comedy about friends trying to heal unspoken hurts, suspicions, disbelief about the choices of those they thought they knew well. In light of the 2022 elections, how well do we really know those we hold dear? And how far are we willing to go to overlook the choices they make? The cast is led by Stella Cañete-Mendoza and Frances Makil-Ignacio. They are joined by Randy Medel Villarama, Jojo Cayabyab, Nelsito Gomez, Hariette Mozelle, and Phi Palmos. This is Messrs. Quintos and Santos’ sixth theater collaboration, having worked together on The Kundiman Party, Angry Christ, Ang Huling Lagda ni Apolinario Mabini, Ang Nawalang Kapatid, and Collection. The Reconciliation Dinner runs from Nov. 18 to 20 at the UP Theater Main Hall Stage, UP Diliman, Quezon City. Tickets are available via Ticket2Me (https://ticket2me.net/e/36022). The production will also have a limited video-on-demand release via Ticket2Me. For ticket inquiries e-mail dulaangup.upd@up.edu.ph or message the Facebook page Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (DUP Official Page).

The Future of Libraries discussed in seminar

INSTITUTO Cervantes de Manila will hold a seminar titled “The Future of Libraries” on Nov. 19 at its center in Intramuros (Calle Real, Plaza San Luis, Intramuros, Manila). It will be composed of a lecture and a round table discussion. The lecture will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and the round table discussion will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Libraries have always had a respected role in society, being repositories of knowledge that have helped civilizations advance, and where people could enrich their minds and keep themselves entertained without the expectation of shelling out money for everything. Nowadays, however, libraries are faced with many challenges brought about the digitalization of information, the increasing number of diversions for the public, and the difficulties brought about by the pandemic. The seminar speaker is Carme Fenoll, Director of the Culture and Community Area of the library of the Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya. The round table discussion will have representatives from the National Library, the Miguel de Benavidez library of UST, the Ortigas Foundation, and the Aurelio Montinola Jr. library of Alliance Française. This event is open to all and is free of charge. Confirm attendance by sending an e-mail to cenmni@cervantes.es.

Joseph the Dreamer returns for a limited run

TRUMPET’S musical Joseph the Dreamer returns, with performances until Nov. 27 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC Arts Center, Taguig. The musical tells the Biblical story of Joseph, who brought the Jews into Egypt. Written by Freddie Santos, the musical is based on Cam Floria’s cantata entitled Dreamer: What Really Happened to Joseph. This production is a re-imagined version directed by Paolo Valenciano, featuring updated musical arrangements by Myke Salomon as well as an updated script. For tickets visit, https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/show.aspx?sh=JOSEPH22&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=posts&utm_campaign=JTD.

Festival of Lights returns to Ayala Triangle

AFTER running virtual editions of the Festival of Lights to continue the tradition while ensuring safety during the pandemic, the family Christmas tradition is back live and on-site at the Ayala Triangle Gardens (ATG), Makati Ave. corner Ayala Ave.  in Makati. The Light Show’s intro video — following the idea of “The Christmas Lights Factory” — suggests that Santa and the elves are working hard to bring the Light Show back. Projected on the canopy façade, the video shows the elves as they prepare the Christmas lights machine to work. The elves pick these up and transport each element from the screen to the trees surrounding ATG. It ends with Santa switching everything on, ready for the Light Show. Director Ohm David and Lighting Designer Sueyen Austero conceptualized this year’s presentation. As Christmas tunes play, visuals will be projected on the trees around ATG, which include indigenous patterns to tell the story of creation, stars, halos, parols, and much more. Accompanying the light show are three holiday medleys: an orchestral rendition headed by the Manila Symphony Orchestra, an upbeat TikTok rendition arranged by Jazz Nicolas and Mikey Amistoso in collaboration with Tris Suguitan, and a soothing chorale rendition by Jazz Nicolas and Mikey Amistoso. The Festival of Lights at Ayala Triangle Gardens runs nightly until Jan. 8. The show plays every hour, from 6 to 10 p.m.

Anytime Fitness offers 20% discount

ANYTIME Fitness offers help getting ready for the upcoming holiday season and beyond with its 11.11 Membership sale. Get a new Anytime Fitness membership at 20% off until Nov. 25. As an added bonus, new members get a fully charged key fob for P2,500 to get quick access to the branch of their choice. The discounted membership is good for one year and the member will have the option to pay for it for one year or monthly. The 11.11 Membership sale can also be availed online via anytimefitness247.ph.

What to see This Week (11/18/22)

Mahal Kita, Beksman

MAKEUP artist and fashion designer Dali deals with his family’s frustration when they find out that he – whom they all assumed was gay — is courting a woman. Directed by Percival M. Intalan, the film stars Christian Bables, Keempee de Leon, Iana Bernardez, and Katya Santos.

MTRCB Rating: PG

The Menu

A COUPLE travels to a coastal island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises. Directed by Mark Mylod, the film stars Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Nicholas Hoult. Empire’s Siddhant Adlakha writes, “The film’s metamorphosis from measured mystery to horror-comedy comes courtesy of violent accelerations, which arrive suddenly, and often hilariously. The presentation is pristine, akin to a straightforward prestige drama, which yields an amusing disconnect with the mounting absurdities.” Film review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer gives it a score of 89%.

MTRCB Rating: R-13

Prey for the Devil 

IN RESPONSE to a global rise in demonic possessions, the Catholic Church reopens exorcism schools to train priests in the Rite of Exorcism. On this spiritual battlefield, an unlikely warrior rises — a young nun, Sister Ann. Thrust onto the spiritual frontline with fellow student Father Dante, Sister Ann finds herself in a battle for the soul of a young girl and soon realizes the Devil has her right where he wants her. Directed by Daniel Stamm, the film stars Christian Navarro, Jacqueline Byers, and Colin Salmon. Variety’s Dennis Harvey writes, “Demonic possession is no longer a mind-blowing aberration, but an accepted path to familiar jump scares and fantasy FX. There’s no whiff of originality here, nor any sincerity that runs deeper than instructing the actors not to kid the material.” Film review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes gives it a Tomatometer score of 17% and an audience score of 68%.

MTRCB Rating: R-13

Solar Philippines secures over 2,000 hectares for its solar farm projects

ZBYNEK BURIVAL—UNSPLASH

SOLAR PHILIPPINES Power Project Holdings, Inc. has secured more than 2,000 hectares for its planned 3.5-gigawatts (GW) of solar farms in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan.

In a media release, Solar Philippines unit SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC) said proceeds from its stocks rights offering (SRO) would be used to acquire land for the solar farms.

“Since our SRO, we have prioritized the execution of the project that we see has the highest value. After we perfect the documentation for these hundreds of parcels and then conversion, this land would be ready for a solar project. Our focus now is to realize the value from this, and we will provide further updates at the appropriate time,” said Leandro L. Leviste, founder and chief executive officer of Solar Philippines.

Solar Philippines said that with more than 2,000 hectares of secured properties, it would exceed the capacity of the largest solar farm in India, which it placed at 2.2 GW.

It added that it could “exceed the capacity of the total grid-connected solar operating in the Philippines according to the Department of Energy’s latest figures as of August 2022.”

The group’s projects include a joint venture between Solar Philippines and Manila Electric Co. (Meralco); a partnership with Terra Solar Philippines, Inc. that will supply 850 megawatts of Meralco’s mid-merit requirement; a 3.5-GW solar farm, and a 4.5-GW-hour battery storage project in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan.

On Thursday, shares in SPNEC closed 4.8% higher to end at P1.31 apiece. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

PHL seen to add 543,300 sq.m. of office space yearly

JOSE LOSADA-UNSPLASH

THE Philippines can expect the completion of an average of 543,300 square meters (sq.m.) of office space in the next four years, a study on the property shows.

Real estate consulting firm Colliers in its report “Asia Pacific Market Snapshot” said that it sees office completion to return to the time before the entry of Philippine offshore gaming operators.

This year, Colliers projects the completion of 808,900 sq.m. of office spaces, which it anticipates to increase office vacancy to 18.2% by yearend.

In the third quarter, Colliers said that vacancy was steady at 17.7% due to the contribution of business process outsourcing and traditional firms.

It also recorded the delivery of 102,700 sq.m. of new office space in the third quarter, which was lower than the 146,700 sq.m. recorded in the second quarter and 156,600 sq.m. in the same period a year ago.

“Office space absorption for the remainder of 2022 should be supported by traditional and outsourcing firms,” Colliers said.

Meanwhile, it expects office rents to recover next year after forecasting these to bottom out by the end of 2022.

In the third quarter, Colliers saw a 0.4% increase in rental rates. It then projected an annual rent increase of 1.9% from 2022 to 2024.

On the residential side, Colliers said that improving consumer sentiment and sustained remittances from overseas Filipino workers would support the demand for residential units.

However, it also expects rising interest rates, compressing yields, and increasing prices of construction materials to hamper launches in the remaining months of the year.

Historical launches and take-up in the third quarter rose to 30,000 and 15,000, respectively, which already surpassed the 2021 full-year launches of 28,000 and take-up of 13,000.

According to Colliers, property investors are seeking value across all types of assets and for long-term use.

“We expect the recent growth trend in market inquiries to be sustained until yearend,” Colliers said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Entertainment News (11/18/22)

HARRY Styles

Harry Styles coming to the Philippines

SINGER and former One Direction member Harry Styles is coming to the Philippines in 2023 with the Harry Styles: Love on Tour, promoter Live Nation PH announced on Tuesday. The one-night show will be on March 14, 2023 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. Tickets will be available on Nov. 23 at noon. Since taking on a solo music career, Mr. Styles has released three albums: Harry Styles, Fine Line, and Harry’s House. Some of his popular singles include “Sign of the Times,” “Watermelon Sugar,” and “Music for a Sushi Restauarant.” For more information, visit https://www.livenation.ph.

Netflix’s Slumberland premieres this weekend

THE NETFLIX film Slumberland premieres on Nov. 18. Slumberland unfolds in a magical new place, a dreamworld where Nemo (Marlow Barkley) and her eccentric companion Flip (Jason Momoa) embark on an adventure. After her father Peter (Kyle Chandler) is lost at sea, young Nemo’s idyllic Pacific Northwest existence is upended when she is sent to the city to live with her well-meaning but deeply awkward uncle Phillip (Chris O’Dowd). Her new school and new routine are challenging by day but at night, a secret map to the fantastical world of Slumberland connects Nemo to Flip, a lovable outlaw who becomes her partner and guide. Slumberland is directed by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire & Mockingjay), written by David Guion and Michael Handelman (Night at the Museum; Secret of the Tomb).    

Openair Cinema One returns

AFTER being suspended for three years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, OpenAir Cinema One is back this holiday season with featured films Four Sisters Before the Wedding and Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs, on Dec. 3 (Saturday) at the Water Garden, Festival Mall, Alabang. Cinema One has partnered with Festival Mall to stage the outdoor screening event, “OpenAir Cinema One: A Merry Movie Night,” that is an all-day music and movie event. Four Sisters Before the Wedding, starringA lexa Ilacad, Belle Mariano, Charlie Dizon, and Gillian Vicencio, is a prequel to the 2013 hit movie Four Sisters and a Wedding. Meanwhile, the animated fantasy film Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs offers an interesting take on the story of Snow White. It features the voices of Chloe Grace Moretz, Sam Claflin, Gina Gershon, and Patrick Warburton. TV personality KaladKaren will host the event while Tarsier Records’ artists Jon Guelas, Maki, and Zion Aguirre will serenade the moviegoers. Gates open at 4 p.m.

Cinema ‘76 Film Society reopens in QC

IT’S a double celebration this November as Cinema ’76 Film Society finally reopens its new branch in Tomas Morato, Quezon City with a lineup of movies from the 10th QCinema International Film Festival. The popular micro-cinema will have its soft launch opening from Nov. 23-25, screening some of the festival’s titles under the Asian Next Wave Competition, QC Shorts, Asian Shorts, and Rainbow Section. Among the Asian Next Wave films to be screened in Cinema ’76 are Autobiography by first-time Indonesian director Makbul Mubarak; Sorayos Prapapan’s feature debut Arnold is a Model Student; the Cannes award-winning dystopian drama Plan 75 by Chie Hayakawa. One of Plan 75’s cast members, Filipina actress Stefanie Arianne, will be at the screening for a Q&A with the audience. Other films programmed are the French LGBT drama Stranger By The Lake and QCinema 2018 film Billie and Emma. Tickets are priced at P240. This is a special discounted price for the QCinema International Film Festival movies that would be screened between Nov. 23-25 only. For a complete list of films and screening schedule, follow Cinema ’76 Film Society on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Cinema ‘76 will resume regular operations on Nov. 30.

YouTube FanFest’s 10th anniversary performances online

ALL the performances from the 10th year of YouTube FanFest can now be viewed on YouTube FanFest’s YouTube channel. The YouTube FanFest returned on-ground for its 10th anniversary, featuring performances from the Asia Pacific region’s biggest content creators, with more than 50 creators and artists representing 11 countries. There are performances from Punjabi singer and actress Noor Chahal and Atta Halilintar; Philippine trio of Ranz, Niana, and Natalia, AC Bonifacio and P-pop group SB19; Travis Japan from Japan, Billie from Korea, and StarBe from Indonesia, among many others.

GMA News is now GMA Integrated News

GMA Network’s news programs — GMA News Manila, GMA Regional TV, and GMA News Online — have merged into GMA Integrated News. “Through GMA Integrated News, we are evolving into a dynamic multi-media global newsroom — integrating the newsrooms of GMA News, GMA Regional TV News, and GMA News Online — while staying true to the journalistic principles and confronting the challenges faced by media organizations in this Digital age,” GMA Integrated News Acting Head Oliver Victor B. Amoroso said in a statement. The news program is available in Mega Manila, 69 provinces, and 16 highly urbanized cities. Online, netizens are updated via www.gmanetwork.com/news and www.gmaregionaltv.com as well as via GMA News and GMA Regional TV’s YouTube channels and accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Viber, and TikTok.

Figaro Group’s profit up 36% to P83 million as store sales climb

FIGARO COFFEE FACEBOOK PAGE

FIGARO Coffee Group, Inc. posted a 36.5% increase in attributable net income to P83.42 million in the first quarter from P61.11 million a year ago, after booking higher revenues.

The listed company starts its fiscal year in July and ends in June of the succeeding year. Through its subsidiary Figaro Coffee Systems, Inc., it operates and franchises retail restaurants.

In the three months ending September, the company’s top line reached P1.02 billion, up by 56.9% from the P649.16 million it booked in the same period last year.

Its top revenue contributor during the quarter is the Angel’s Pizza brand, which accounted for P681.43 million. Its other brands — Figaro Coffee and Tien Ma’s Taiwanese Cuisine — contributed P312.27 million and P24.99 million, respectively.

During the quarter, the company saw a 51.4% increase in systemwide sales to P988.41 million from P653.04 million last year.

“This was brought about by the opening of stores which brought the total number of stores to 138 by end of September,” the company said in its quarterly regulatory filing.

The company’s direct costs during the period climbed to P674.25 million, up by 58.9% from P424.33 million a year ago. Its operating expenses reached P240.77 million, 72.8% higher than P139.33 million in the previous year.

According to the report, the increase in expenses resulted from massive store opening activities and increasing overhead costs. Figaro Coffee operates commercial franchises in the food industry.

On the stock market on Thursday, shares in Figaro Coffee climbed by two centavos or 3.28% to P0.63 apiece. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Actor Kevin Spacey faces more sexual assault charges in Britain

KEVIN SPACEY on a scene from House of Cards.

LONDON — Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorized seven additional charges against Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey for a number of sexual assaults against one man between 2001 and 2004, it said on Wednesday.

The new CPS charges include one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and others of indecent and sexual assault. The new charges follow a review of evidence gathered by British police.

Mr. Spacey, 63, was previously accused of five offenses in Britain — four counts of sexual assault by touching, and a more serious charge of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. His lawyer had said in June Spacey had “strenuously” denied those allegations of sex offences.

Mr. Spacey’s defense lawyer in Britain, Patrick Gibbs, did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment on the latest charges. In the United States, Mr. Spacey last month defeated a sexual abuse case against him after jurors in a Manhattan civil trial found his accuser did not prove his claim that Mr. Spacey made an unwanted sexual advance on him when he was 14. — Reuters

Suntrust, Megawide extend hotel-casino opening to 2024

SUNTRUST Resort Holdings, Inc. and Megawide Construction Corp. agreed to extend the opening of a hotel-casino project to 2024 to provide flexibility to both parties.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday, Suntrust said that both parties agreed to revise their agreement signed in 2020. Megawide is constructing Suntrust’s five-star hotel and casino, Westside City Resorts World project.

In a past revision on Nov. 24, 2021, the companies agreed to extend the completion date of the project’s first package, which includes a pile cap and an excavation, to Oct. 31, 2021.

They also extended the completion date for the second package, which includes the construction of the basement substructure, superstructure, and architectural builders’ works and finishes, to March 31, 2024.

The third supplemental agreement on Thursday added an item that will provide incentives ex gratia to Megawide for achieving interim milestones as detailed in the agreement. Incentives ex gratia are voluntary bonuses or extra payments given by a contracting party and are therefore not required.

The updated supplemental agreement also stated that Suntrust will award all the remaining mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection main and sub-packages to Megawide.

On Nov. 13, Suntrust gave the letters of award to Megawide for the construction of the Westside City Resorts World project. The initial award totaled P6.3 billion, with the first package amounting to P2.3 billion and the second package amounting to P4 billion.

The project’s Main Hotel Casino is a gaming and entertainment complex facing Manila Bay called Entertainment City Manila.

Suntrust is into tourism-related businesses. Its subsidiaries include SWC Project Management Ltd., WC Project Management Ltd., and Suncity WC Hotel, Inc.

On the stock market on Thursday, shares in Suntrust slipped by four centavos or 4% to P0.96 apiece, while shares in Megawide added five centavos or 1.49% to P3.40 each. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

CA upholds dismissal of worker by Ilocos electric cooperative

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Court of Appeals (CA) has found that the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) acted within its authority in holding Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (INEC) not liable for the dismissal of a maintenance worker.

In a decision dated Nov. 11 and made public on Nov. 14, the CA Fifth Division said the NLRC did not abuse its discretion in finding that the power firm’s dismissal was valid.

“We see no indication or any submission in the petition that the court may examine to determine how the NLRC acted capriciously and whimsically or in total disregard of evidence material to the controversy,” said the appellate court.

The commission earlier held that INEC did not act in bad faith when it ruled the employee was no longer qualified to perform his maintenance duties.

The electric cooperative first hired the employee as a driver in 2009 and terminated his employment in 2013, which led to an illegal dismissal complaint filed the following year.

The NLRC had ruled in favor of the former employee and ordered his reinstatement as driver, with back pay.

INEC then reassigned him to its mini hydroelectric power plant in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte as a maintenance helper in the pole farm department.

The electricity distributor noted that the reassignment did not affect his salary.

It also argued that a leg injury sustained by the employee rendered him incapable of performing the duties of a driver.

The maintenance position was later made redundant when the power plant was automated.

The NLRC found that the reassignment was not a demotion since benefits and pay remained the same.

The appellate court said the cooperative duly notified its employees about the redundancy plan when it automated the power plant.

“It cannot be said that INEC’s redundancy program was unfair or unreasonable,” the CA said. “It was within the ambit of its management prerogative.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Lab-grown meat cleared for human consumption by US regulator

WASHINGTON — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the first time cleared a meat product grown from animal cells for human consumption, the agency announced on Wednesday.

UPSIDE Foods, a company that makes cell-cultured chicken by harvesting cells from live animals and using the cells to grow meat in stainless-steel tanks, will be able to bring its products to market once it has been inspected by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), said a release from the FDA.

“The world is experiencing a food revolution and the (FDA) is committed to supporting innovation in the food supply,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf and Susan Mayne, director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in a statement.

The FDA said in documents released on Wednesday that it had reviewed data from the company and had no further questions about the company’s conclusion that its product is safe for humans to eat.

“We are thrilled at FDA’s announcement,” said David Kay, UPSIDE’s director of communications, in an e-mail. “This historic step paves the way for our path to market.”

The review is not technically an approval and applies only to UPSIDE products, though the agency is ready to work with other firms developing cultured animal cell food, the FDA said in a release.

USDA and FDA together regulate cell-cultured meat under a 2019 agreement between the two agencies. USDA will oversee the processing and labeling of cell-cultured meat products.

Demand for alternatives to farmed meat has grown alongside awareness of the high greenhouse gas emissions of raising livestock. Cultivated chicken was served to attendees at this year’s COP27 climate conference in Egypt. — Reuters

Lazada sees strong sales for beauty items, electronics in recent “11.11” sale

E-COMMERCE platform Lazada recorded higher sales for beauty items, electronics, and activewear during its recent “11.11” sale ahead of the holiday season.

In a statement on Thursday, it said beauty products sold during the sale event increased, with makeup orders up seven times, while fragrance purchases increased six times compared to normal days.

According to Lazada, some of the top beauty products bought by Filipinos during the sale were Vitamin C serum, retinol, and tinted sunscreen. The top lipstick shades sold in the first hour of the sale were red, nude, and pink shades.

The company added that 11.4 million baby wipes were sold in the first hour of the sale, while activewear sales increased 19 times.

Lazada also disclosed that electronics sales surged 230 times compared to normal days. The top devices were virtual reality accessories, smart switches, and watches, adding that orders doubled year over year.

“11.11 has become more than just a shopping tradition, it has become a part of consumers’ lifestyles as we all seek for the best deals and trendiest assortment. Just as importantly, it is also an avenue for brands and sellers to thrive and reach more customers,” Lazada Philippines Chief Executive Officer Carlos Barrera said.

Lazada is targeting to serve 300 million shoppers by 2030 and to achieve a $100-billion annual gross merchandise value. The e-commerce platform has a presence in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In a separate statement, logistics engine Locad said that it posted six times more items sold, 2.5 times bigger average basket size, and four times higher spending per order in this year’s 11.11 sale versus last year.

“Despite the surge in orders, Locad reports 99% on-time fulfillment and 93% next day shipped on 11.11 orders across Lazada, Shopee, Zalora, TikTok Shop, and more,” it said.

“This increase could be driven by consumers purchasing more items in each order to maximize available discounts and promos offered by online merchants, brands, and market places,” it added.

Locad is a logistics engine that supports e-commerce brands to automatically store, pack, ship, and track orders across the Asia-Pacific region.

Its platform harmonizes inventory across online channels and arranges end-to-end order fulfillment through its warehouse network and shipping partners in Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Australia. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

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