In pain? Try eating more plants

November 2, 2022 | 12:03 am

RHEUMATIC DISEASES refer to over 200 conditions that cause pain in the tendons, ligaments, bones, muscles, and internal organs like the kidneys. Many of these diseases are autoimmune while others are caused by genetics, infection, and gender (women are more prone to them than men).

The four symptoms common among these diseases are pain in the hands, fingers, shoulders, or knees; stiffness, swelling, and tenderness in joints and muscles; redness and warmth in muscles; and lack of mobility in specific joints and muscles.

“If over-the-counter drugs and rest doesn’t relieve your pain… maybe there’s an underlying cause. That pain could be the tip of the iceberg,” said Dr. Jonathan Paul C. Consignado, an internist and rheumatologist, in the vernacular at an Oct. 25 webinar organized by the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP). “Consider consulting an internist or rheumatologist.”

Soft tissue rheumatism, gouty arthritis (gout), osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis can be treated on an outpatient basis.

Rest, the application of a hot or cold compress, maintenance of a healthy weight, and prescribed medications are among the remedies.

“Avoid precipitating factors,” Dr. Consignado said. Gout flare-ups, for instance, are triggered by alcohol consumption, dehydration, and food rich in purines (such as organ meat and seafood).

Uric acid is formed when purines are broken down in the digestive system; the accumulation of this acid in the joints gives rise to gout.

While seafood and red meat can still be consumed in moderation, Dr. Consignado advised Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and Mediterranean diets.

The DASH diet includes foods that are rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and limits foods that are high in sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars. The foundation of the Mediterranean diet, meanwhile, is on plant-based foods such as whole grains, vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, herbs, and spices. Olive oil is the main source of added fat.

“Drink lots of water too,” he said, since hydrating flushes out waste products and prevents them from accumulating in the blood.

As there are only around 200 rheumatologists in the Philippines, Dr. Consignado said that more doctors need to specialize in rheumatic diseases in order to treat those who live in remote areas. — Patricia B. Mirasol

Sidebar | Hot or cold compress?

Should you use a hot or cold compress when you’re suffering from joint and muscle pain? It depends on your objective, said Dr. Jonathan Paul C. Consignado, an internist and rheumatologist.

To relieve swelling, use a cold compress: “This has an anti-inflammatory effect and anesthetizes the pain a bit.”

For pain relief, a warm compress is ideal because it expands the blood vessels, leading to better blood flow.

If both pain and swelling is present, use a hot compress first, followed after a few minutes by a cold compress. This, Dr. Consignado said, has a massaging effect and can help reduce the need to take medication.

Costly sustainable methods remain a hurdle for private firms

November 2, 2022 | 12:03 am

OPERATIONAL costs in complying with sustainability standards are the main challenge for organizations in the Philippines, a US-listed service provider said.

In its study, Kyndryl said that 62% of local organizations see these costs as a challenge while 53% of them cited data availability.

Dedicated resources, ambiguous reporting metrics, the cost of getting sustainable certifications, and the absence of clear incentives were identified by 50%, 48%, 47%, and 20%, respectively.

“The key challenges cited here show that organizations’ sustainability initiatives in the Philippines are still at the preliminary stages. It is a journey and it takes time but it can be done,” Kyndryl Philippines Managing Director Wilson Go said in an e-mail interview.

He added that according to Kyndryl’s ASEAN Digital Transformation Study, eight out of 10 companies in the Philippines are aiming to become sustainable enterprises.

“However, despite the greater focus on sustainability, many organizations pursue sustainability goals without a strategy backing them up,” Mr. Go said.

“Only 22% of organizations in the Philippines have a corporate sustainability strategy which hinders them from achieving a sustainable business,” he added.

According to Kyndryl, organizations need to understand that success is measured in terms of financial, social, and managing climate risks.

“In fact, we have seen customers preferring to purchase goods and services that are sustainable and investors requesting enterprises to reduce their carbon footprints and report on their results using frameworks like the Task Force for Nonfinancial Disclosure,” Kyndryl Global Chief Sustainability Officer Faith Taylor said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Taylor said that there have to be synergies between the government and companies to reduce the global environmental footprint.

“This partnership has to result in everyone working together to set reduction targets and goals that use consistent metrics. The data needs to be harmonized and collected across industries and governments so that we can track and quantify our progress and impact,” Ms. Taylor said.

She added that the government can set out incentives, loans, and policies that can be a form of benefit to key stakeholders and in turn help in meeting their net-zero targets or their goal of eliminating carbon emissions.

Ms. Taylor also said that companies must continue to secure sustainability certifications as it goes “beyond a seal or certificate of proof”.

“The process of obtaining the certifications helps to systematize the environmental processes and help them integrate the sustainability practice into an organization,” she said.

“It can also guide organizations to create a green corporate culture and a more sustainable, socially responsible business,” she added. “It is also a way of demonstrating the company’s sustainability commitment to their stakeholders as well as to the community.” — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Arts & Culture (11/02/22)

November 2, 2022 | 12:03 am

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Book reading, signing, Q&A with Jessica Zafra

JESSICA Zafra will host a reading, signing, and question-and-answer (Q&A) for her first novel The Age of Umbrage at Fully Booked in Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig on Nov. 5, 4 p.m. “I spent three decades figuring out how to write a novel, did the actual writing in three months, then published it in 2020 at the height of lockdown. We couldn’t do an in-person book launch then, so we’re doing it now,” Ms. Zafra wrote in a Facebook post. Register at bit.ly/JZ-EventReg. The first 20 buyers get a free limited edition Twisted25 notebook.

Ang Dakilang Teatro ng Daigdig back on-stage

ANG DAKILANG Teatro ng Daigdig, the Filipino adaptation of the 1634 play El gran teatro del mundo (The Great Theater of the World) by the Spanish Golden Age poet and playwright Pedro Calderon de la Barca, will be brought back on stage beginning Nov. 4 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Directed by Nonon Padilla, the full-length production is the Filipino translation of George de Jesus III, which seamlessly incorporates the 1967 one-act play Hoy, Boyet by Filipino playwright, lyricist, psychic, journalist, and portraitist Tony Perez. First performed in 2019 by students from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Ang Dakilang Teatro Ng Daigdig is an allegorical depiction that follows the Catholic Church doctrine that unravels the essence of man’s existence and impermanence. The restaging features performances by Frank Rivera, Sherry Lara, Jannah Baniasia, Kyle Confesor, Sarah Garcia, Karl Caminade, Karel Coldenhoff, Stacy Abarca, Dani Idea, John Anthony Peñaranda, and Elijah Mendoza. There will be performances from Nov. 4 to 13. Tickets are available for P500 at the CCP Box Office (8832-3704, 8832-1125 local 1409) and TicketWorld (8891-9999, 0917-550-6997, 0999-954-5922) or visit https://bit.ly/Ticketworld-CCPxCSBDakilangTeatroNgDaigdig. Students, senior citizens, and Persons with Disabilities are entitled to a 20% discount.

Alsons holds Mindanao Art Festival

DAVAO City-based property developer Alsons Development and Investment Corp. (Alsons Dev) is hosting Mindanao Art 2022 at The Club at Northtown in Cabantian, Davao City until Nov. 5. Now in its fourth year, this year’s event — spearheaded by Lawig-Diwa, Inc., in partnership with Alsons Dev and supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the National Committee on Art Galleries — features over a thousand works by almost 500 artists from 32 galleries in the Davao Region, Sarangani, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, and Iligan. With the theme “Aligned and Interconnected,” Mindanao Art 2022 aims to showcase Mindanao’s culture through art and help broaden the public’s access to the works of some of the island’s brightest talents. Tickets to Mindanao Art 2022 are available at several outlets, including Poblacion Market Central, priced at P100 for adults and P75 for students. For more information, visit mindanaoart.org/.

Fil-Canadian artist holds exhibit at ArtistSpace

ARTISTSPACE presents “MARAVILLA: Visions of a Filipino-Canadian Artist,” a solo exhibition of works by Filipino-Canadian Chito Maravilla. It will be on view from Nov. 8 to 22 at the ArtistSpace, located at the Ground Level, Ayala Museum Annex, Makati Ave. corner De La Rosa St., Greenbelt Park, Makati City. Mr. Maravilla’s paintings and illustrations are a documentation of his perceptions, his perspectives, of his life, whether rendered in a surreal whimsical manner, or as simple, tangible impressions of wonder.

CCP holds children’s multi-arts festival

THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines (CCP) presents the Children’s Biennale 2022: BALANGÁW, A Colorful Multi-Arts Festival For Kids which runs until Nov. 20. During the festival, various artists and groups will offer free/pay-what-you-can onsite and online festivities for children under the themes Kultura (Culture), Kalikasan (Nature) and Kalinga (Nurture). The activities are Biyaheng Balangaw, the world premiere launch of Himig Himbing: Mga Heleng Atin, and a mix of performances, workshops, and conversations featuring singer Bayang Barrios and Naliyagan Band, Anima Tierra, the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, Sanghiyas Pangkat Mananayaw, Mang Lalakbay, Ony Carcamo, Candy Pangilinan, and Xian Lim, and screenings of Prinsipe Bahaghari, MALA-Ibong Adarna, PETA’s Rated PG and Kun Maupay Man It Panahon on Nov. 11 to 13. The virtual Balangaw will stream at the CCP Facebook page on Nov. 6 to 20.

CCP MET Opera Live presents Verdi’s La Traviata

THE CCP Met Opera in HD continues its season with the special screening of Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata on Nov. 15, 5:30 p.m., at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas in Makati City. An opera in three acts with libretto in Italian by Francesco Maria Piave, La Traviata tells the story of the star-crossed lovers, courtesan Violetta and gentleman Alfredo Germont. Set in 1850 Paris, their love plays out amid the hypocrisy of upper-class fashionable society. Featuring a dazzling 18^th-century setting that changes with the seasons, in this production soprano Diana Damrau plays the tragic heroine Violetta, and tenor Juan Diego Flórez sings Alfredo. Baritone Quinn Kelsey plays Alfredo’s father who destroys their love. Tickets to the screening are at P450.

Walls Gallery’s ‘COLLABORARE’

FOR NEARLY 20 years, Walls Gallery has been discovering and supporting emerging Filipino artists. To help artists who are unable to exhibit their work in mainstream galleries, Walls Gallery opened its exhibit venue at The Triumph Square in 2018, and in 2019 held a series of six exhibits featuring different artists at Shangri-la Makati. The exhibits were so successful that arrangements were made to debut the “COLLABORARE” collection in 2020. But it had to be postponed due to the pandemic. This year, the gallery will unveil the collection on Nov. 18. “COLLABORARE” is a unique collection of mixed media artworks made in collaboration between emerging Filipino artists and the Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC) Foundation, Inc.’s Artisans of Hope. The NVC Artisans of Hope have developed ingenious ways to upcycle materials like tiles and eggshells as design elements in their distinct mosaic products. A few years ago, they began to upcycle Nespresso capsules into their crafts as well. The exhibit opens Nov. 18, 6 p.m., at The Triumph Square Roofdeck, 1618 Quezon Ave, Quezon City. To reserve a slot, contact 0917-863-5778 or 0917-819-6483. Proceeds of the exhibit will support emerging Filipino artists, the Artisans of Hope Livelihood Workshop, and the Mingo Meals Nutrition Program of NVC Foundation. Learn more about NVC Foundation at www.nvcfoundation-ph.org/.

‘External Entrails’ at Silverlens New York

SILVERLENS New York presents “External Entrails,” an intergenerational group exhibition featuring all new works by Southeast Asian artists Nicole Coson, Corinne de San Jose, Bernardo Pacquing, and Arin Sunaryo. The exhibition will open on Nov. 16 and is the second show at Silverlens New York, following a successful inaugural opening in September. The exhibition links four intergenerational and mixed-gender artists who use abstraction to confront the precarious and uncertain state one experiences when bracing for impact. The exhibit will run until Jan. 7, 2023. Silverlens New York is located at 505 W 24^th Street Chelsea, New York, USA. For information, visit infoNY@silverlensgalleries.com. The gallery is open Tuesdays to Saturdays (10 a.m. to 6.pm.).

Mula sa Buwan returns in December

AFTER ITS successful first run, the hit musical Mula sa Buwan returns for a two-weekend run on Dec. 2 to 11 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati. Based on Cyrano de Bergerac, the tale has been reimagined to feature young dreamers, fools, and misfits in 1940s Manila, thrust into a war that forces them to “grow up.” At the center of it all: the heartbreaking love story between Cyrano, Roxane, and Christian.

‘Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin: HIV, My Love’ exhibit

THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines (CCP) presents the venue grant exhibition “Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin: HIV, My Love” by artist Isola, which runs until Dec. 11 at the CCP Bulwagang Carlos V. Francisco (Little Theater Lobby). The exhibition is not only a reflection of the callousness of fate and the universe and how people judge them harshly, but also a celebration of life, an intimate and lifetime love affair with HIV. Isola, who is currently based in California for her MFA in Environmental Art and Social Practice, will be giving an online artist talk on Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m., for World AIDS Day. The exhibit is on view Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on evenings with shows at the CCP Main Theater.

Domestic claims of other financial firms climb to P7.21 trillion in Q2

November 2, 2022 | 12:03 am

DOMESTIC CLAIMS of nonbank financial firms rose in the second quarter of 2022, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Preliminary data from the BSP’s Other Financial Corporations Survey (OFCS) showed domestic claims of nonbank financial firms rose by 1.7% year on year to P7.206 trillion in the second quarter from the P7.08 trillion seen in the comparable year-ago period.

The OFCS is an analytical survey of the assets and liabilities of the OFC sector. It uses standardized report forms as required by the International Monetary Fund.

These include individual financial statements from insurance firms, holding companies, government financial institutions, investment companies, and other financial intermediaries, as well as consolidated financial statements from trust institutions.

“In Q2 2022, the OFCs’ claims on the private sector expanded due primarily to the increase in loans extended to households as well as higher investments in equity securities issued by private nonfinancial corporations,” the BSP said in a statement on Monday.

“In addition, the growth in the domestic claims can be attributed to OFCs’ higher claims on the National Government due to the sector’s increased holdings of government securities,” it added.

OFCs’ net claims on the central government grew by 10.2% year-on-year to P1.746 trillion in the second quarter of 2022 and rose by 5.4% from the prior three-month period.

“On the other hand, the OFCs’ claims on depository corporations declined in Q2 2022 compared with the same period last year, owing to the decline in the sector’s bank deposits and holdings of bank-issued debt securities,” the BSP said.

Claims on depository corporations decreased by 17.1% year on year to P1.507 trillion and dropped by 3.6% compared with the first-quarter level.

“Meanwhile, OFCs’ net foreign assets rose significantly in Q2 2022, largely on account of higher investments in debt and equity securities issued by nonresident entities,” the central bank said.

BSP data also showed net foreign assets (NFA) held by other financial corporations jumped 25% to P232.50 billion year on year but declined by 7.7% versus the prior quarter.

“The increase in OFCs’ assets was funded mainly by the sector’s issuances of shares and other equity,” the central bank added.

Claims of OFCs on non-residents rose by 24.3% year on year to P420.06 billion, slower than the 40.8% growth seen in Q1 2022.

Liabilities to non-residents grew by 23.4% year on year to P187.57 billion and by 9.7% from Q1 2022. — K.B. Ta-asan

Opening up can ease mental burden, say trauma survivors

November 2, 2022 | 12:02 am

SHARING experiences and stepping out of one’s comfort zone can help with healing, according to trauma survivors and mental health advocates who shared their coping strategies at a recent mental health summit.

“One way to protect your mental health is by challenging yourself and doing something out of your comfort zone,” said Issa Colmenares, an information technology sales professional who raised funds for mental health therapy sessions through a charity boxing match. “When you do that, you build resilience and confidence.”

“That’s the thing with trauma … even if you put it in a box, if it’s unresolved, it stays unresolved,” said Ms. Colmenares at the National Mental Health Summit organized by mental health services provider Mind You and the Department of Health.

Empower Philippines founder and Chief Executive Officer Katherine Anne Alano guested on a podcast nine years after she was raped, when she realized that talking about her experience could help others.

“I was so scared and crying,” said Ms. Alano. “I said, ‘I don’t want to do it’ … until a friend of mine from primary school called and said, ‘I’m so glad you’re doing it. I was raped in college and had no one to talk to.’”

In the Philippines, only 34% of women who experienced physical or sexual violence sought help through formal systems, according to a 2020 report by UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office.

Survivors may choose not to come forward to report the crime until much later — or in some cases, not at all — out of fear, embarrassment, and/or shame.

The rates of depression, anxiety disorders, and unplanned pregnancies are higher in women who have experienced violence compared to women who have not, according to UN Women (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women).

“One day, I decided to be happy,” said Ms. Alano. “I didn’t know what that looked like. I just started to take a step at a time because I wanted to be better and healthy.”

Meanwhile, vlogger Marissa “Small” E. Laude prayed and consulted a therapist when she couldn’t pinpoint the reason behind her sadness. A friend eventually introduced her to the world of vlogging, which she said has since given her a sense of purpose.

“It’s not nice to be idle because you entertain negative thoughts,” said Ms. Laude. “When I found my purpose, my negative thoughts disappeared.”

Victor B. Consunji, chief executive officer of real estate developer Victor Consunji Development Corp., spoke about the stress of perceived privilege.

Contrary to popular belief, Mr. Consunji said his family didn’t give him “a massive trust fund to play with and squander.”

“Having this kind of life, you also have a lot of pressure,” said the third-generation scion of the family that owns D.M. Consunji, Inc. (DMCI), one of the Philippines’ largest construction companies. “The more exposure you have, the more expectation there is for people to impose what they feel you should be.”

“I will admit my last name, the education I got, helps … but the truth of the matter is, it’s sink-or-swim in my family. We put in blood, sweat, and tears in our ventures,” he continued, noting the importance of the entire organization. “The road is never smooth. You need everybody’s support.” — Patricia B. Mirasol

MGen expects 200-MW renewables capacity in Q1

November 2, 2022 | 12:02 am

MERALCO PowerGen Corp. (MGen) expects to reach 200 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy by the first quarter of 2023.

“On the road to 1,500 MW with the ongoing construction of our projects, we will be at around 200 MW by [the] first quarter of 2023,” MGEN President and Chief Executive Officer Jaime T. Azurin said in a virtual briefing last week.

MGEN, the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), is targeting to build 1,500 MW of renewable energy in the next seven years.

In September, MGen subsidiary PH Renewables, Inc. secured a P2.65-billion loan for the construction of its 75-MW-alternating current (MWac) solar project in Baras, Rizal.

“For the Baras project, we expect to complete it by January 2023,” Mr. Azurin said.

The solar farm is scheduled to start operations by the first quarter of 2023. It will supply renewable energy to MPower, the local retail electricity arm of Meralco.

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. — A.E.O. Jose

US judge says Penguin Random House book merger cannot go forward

November 2, 2022 | 12:02 am

WASHINGTON — A planned $2.2-billion merger of Penguin Random House, the world’s largest book publisher, and rival Simon & Schuster cannot go forward, a US judge ruled on Monday.

Judge Florence Pan of the US District Court for the District of Columbia, said in a brief order that she found the Justice Department had shown the deal may substantially lessen competition “in the market for the US publishing rights to anticipated top-selling books.”

Unlike most merger fights, which are focused on what consumers pay, this one focused on authors’ earnings. The government argued the deal should be stopped because it would lead to less competition for blockbuster books and lower advances for authors who earn $250,000 or more.

Penguin Random House said the decision was “unfortunate,” and said it would “immediately request an expedited appeal.” It said it considered the deal pro-competitive.

Penguin writers include cookbook author Ina Garten and novelists Zadie Smith and Danielle Steele, while Simon & Schuster publishes Stephen King, Jennifer Weiner, and Hillary Rodham Clinton, among others.

Penguin is owned by German media group Bertelsmann SE & Co. while Paramount Global owns Simon & Schuster.

“The proposed merger would have reduced competition, decreased author compensation, diminished the breadth, depth, and diversity of our stories and ideas, and ultimately impoverished our democracy,” US Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter said in a statement.

The US Justice Department had filed a lawsuit aimed at stopping the deal in November 2021.

In hearings held in August, the government argued that the largest five publishers control 90% of the market, and a combined Penguin and Simon & Schuster would control nearly half of the market for publishing rights to blockbuster books while its nearest competitors would be less than half its size.

Penguin Random House lawyer Daniel Petrocelli, who defeated the government in a previous merger challenge, argued during the trial that the deal would have “enormous benefits” for readers and authors alike because the imprints, or brands, owned by the two giants would continue to compete against each other.

Best-selling author Stephen King, who testified during the three-week trial, took issue with this pledge. “You might as well say you’re going to have a husband and wife bidding against each other for the same house. It’s kind of ridiculous,” Mr. King told the court.

The top five publishers are Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette, with Walt Disney Co. and Amazon.com, Inc. also in the market. HarperCollins is owned by News Corp.

Pan was nominated to the US District Court for the District of Columbia by President Joseph R. Biden, who then nominated her to the appeals court in Washington. She was confirmed in September. — Reuters

More Filipino millennials, Gen Zs investing to meet financial needs

November 2, 2022 | 12:02 am

THE NUMBER of young Filipino investors has been growing since the coronavirus pandemic as they now recognize the importance of ensuring they can meet their future financial needs, Manulife Investment Management and Trust Corp. (Manulife IM Philippines) said.

“Because of the pandemic, the number of our young investors, the millennials and Gen Zs, actually nearly doubled since March 2020,” Manulife IM Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Aira Gaspar said in an interview on Oct. 14.

Ms. Gaspar said 48% of their agency channel’s client base are younger generations as of September. Inclusive of direct and broker clients, millennials accounted for 50% of their customers.

The firm’s assets under management (AUM) also grew by 325% over that period on the back of its expanding client base, outpacing its agency channel’s AUM growth rate of 300%.

“This experience of ours actually dovetails with the study that was done by Manulife on understanding the behavior of Gen Ys and Zs. In that study, we actually found out that the pandemic has somehow accelerated the financial adulting of the young Filipinos included in that survey,” Ms. Gaspar said.

“Some of them lost their jobs or experienced reduction in the total family income because of the pandemic-induced economic disruption. So, the pandemic has caused a shift in their behavior that puts savings, investing, and necessities, in their priorities,” she added.

Ms. Gaspar said it is never too early to start investing since a lot of professionally managed funds can be accessed at affordable amounts.

“Our goal is to make investment solutions very affordable to young investors,” she said, adding that their money market fund can be accessed for as low as P1,000 and their offshore funds can be tapped for as low as P5,000 or $100.

She added that Manulife IM Philippines has also been holding webinars and virtual learning sessions to help investors rebalance and diversify their portfolios.

“Financial education is really important as it empowers individuals to make informed financial choices that can help them meet their current needs, as well as their long-term financial goals,” Ms. Gaspar said. — Keisha B. Ta-asan

Health News (11/02/22)

November 2, 2022 | 12:01 am

MakatiMed accredited by DoH as cancer specialty center

The cancer center of Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) has been accredited by the Department of Health (DoH) based on its use of a multidisciplinary approach to treating and managing the disease, its board-certified staff, and its access to the latest cancer care technologies and modalities. The center has existing partnerships with the University of California-Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and Stanford Medical Center, which include on-site clinical rotation in various oncology subspecialties, the development of an international Cancer Care Network, a cancer registry in MakatiMed, a second opinion program, and participation in various training programs for cancer care. For more information, contact MakatiMed On-Call at 8888-8999, e-mail mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.

Philips pushes air purifiers with return to face-to-face classes, onsite work

Air-conditioned rooms without access to outside air can be cleaned with air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems. HEPA filters work by forcing air through a fine mesh that traps pollutants such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and tobacco smoke. Portable air purifiers that use HEPA filters as the primary mechanism of air cleaning are both easy to install and can be placed in different areas of a classroom and other indoor spaces. The Philips 800 Series Air Purifier can help indoor spaces clean by filtering viruses, allergens, or pollutants in areas up to 48 square meters. It uses multilayer filtration technology to catch dust and air, while the NanoProtect HEPA filter is designed to capture over 99% of particles as small as 0.003 microns, which is smaller than the smallest known virus. Philips Air Purifiers are available on Lazada.

MediCard offers coverage for elderly

MediCard, a health and maintenance organization (HMO), offers several packages for senior citizens. MediCard Select members only pay for the services they use; remaining funds can be refunded. The plan covers hospitalization, outpatient treatment, and preventive healthcare. Members who are 30 years old and above are entitled to an annual physical exam (APE) that includes eight blood chemistries: fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, uric acid, creatinine, BUN, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. The refundable revolving fund starts at P58,000 for those over 60 years old. MediCard VIP, meanwhile, allows patients to pick their doctors while covering treatments in five-star hospitals, executive checkups, and pre-existing conditions. A partnership with Assist America provides referrals to doctors and medical monitoring in case of an emergency, on top of transportation with an escort to return home. Other privileges include access to the MediCard Lifestyle Center, which includes fitness and conference rooms, weight loss programs, dietary counseling, diamond peel at its Skin and Body clinic, and yoga classes at Surya Fitness. Annual premium starts at P32,993 for those who are 61 to 65 years old. For more information, visit www.medicardphils.com.

Trina Solar aims to supply more local groups

November 2, 2022 | 12:01 am

CHINESE company Trina Solar Co., Ltd. targets to partner with more Philippine companies for its solar modules, a company official said.

“We have a lot of partners in the Philippines to supply solar modules to local companies,” Todd Li, president of Trina Solar Asia-Pacific, said in a Viber message on Oct. 26.

Mr. Todd said that Trina Solar will be supplying solar modules to at least nine outlets of KFC Philippines, under Ramcar Food Group. In September, the company said it supplied solar modules to local companies under Ramcar.

The solar manufacturer also supplies modules for the 94-megawatt-peak solar project of Aboitiz Power Corp. in Pangasinan which is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2022.

In a media release, Trina Solar said that KFC Philippines continues to ramp up its efforts toward more sustainable and environment-friendly operations with the installation of solar power systems.

Earlier, Trina Solar said that it sees the solar market thriving in the Philippines, as installing rooftop solar allows companies to meet rising electricity needs.

The Department of Energy is targeting to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s power generation mix to 35% by 2030 and to 50% by 2040. — A.E.O. Jose

Climate activists glue themselves to dinosaur exhibit at Berlin museum

November 2, 2022 | 12:01 am

BERLIN — Two women glued themselves to the handrails around a dinosaur exhibit at Berlin’s Natural History museum on Sunday in the latest protest by climate activists, calling on the German government to scale up measures to fight climate change.

The two activists glued themselves to the handrails around the skeleton of a dinosaur that lived millions of years ago, holding a banner that read: “What if the government doesn’t have it under control?”

“The dinosaurs became extinct because they couldn’t withstand the massive climate changes. The same threatens us,” said Caris Connell, one of the women, aged 34.

The Last Generation group, which was behind the protest, said Germany must cut emissions immediately to stop mass extinction of species and called on Berlin to impose a speed limit on motorways.

The Germany government has set CO₂ reduction targets to become carbon neutral by 2045 but has not set a speed limit on the country’s motorway network.

The protest continued for 20 minutes until police arrived. Releasing the women from the handrails took another 40 minutes.

The Natural History Museum said it had filed a criminal complaint for trespassing and property damage. — Reuters

Dovish FOMC to cause traders to scramble

November 2, 2022 | 12:01 am

FOR MONTHS, investors have been eagerly awaiting a US Federal Reserve policy pivot. But now, at least for some, it might come too soon.

The latest MLIV Pulse survey suggests that if the Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell gives any dovish signals during this week’s press conference, he might send investors scrambling.

Almost half of 250 respondents polled last week said they were buying the dollar ahead of the Nov. 1-2 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, and about 78% expected two-year Treasury yields to go up. These bets, which worked out well through the Fed’s aggressive tightening, could go sour if Mr. Powell suggests a step down toward a 50-basis-point (bp) rate increase in December, or quarter-point moves to finish off the Fed’s hiking cycle in early 2023.

The Fed is projected to raise rates by 75 bps on Nov. 2 as it wages its battle against relentless inflation. The aggressive tightening campaign, threatening to push the US into recession, has left Treasuries on pace for their worst annual decline on record and stocks for the biggest losses since 2008. To be sure, rising hopes of a dovish signal allowed for recovery of some of the losses last week.

As for the survey respondents, many are neither buying the short nor the longer end of the Treasury yield curve in advance of the Fed meeting. More than 60% of survey participants see the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index higher a month from now.

That suggests potential for a major reaction in the currency and fixed-income markets on any strong signal of deceleration in rate hikes.

“The data does warrant a Fed pause,” Alec Young, chief investment strategist at MAPsignals, said in an interview. “Markets are hoping for that, and would rally if we actually get that — because there’s still a lot of skeptics.”

Recent moves by Fed peers suggest a dovish surprise isn’t impossible. The Bank of Canada and Reserve Bank of Australia each raised their benchmark rates by less than economists and traders had expected at their most recent policy meetings. The European Central Bank was also perceived by investors to have been less aggressive.

Some traders have seen enough to attempt front-running a softening in the Fed’s hawkish tone. The dollar is on pace for its first monthly decline since May and stocks have risen from their lows of earlier this month, despite disappointing earnings from a number of technology giants.

“If the Fed gives us a 50-basis-point rate hike in December, there is going to be a relief rally in the market,” Nicole Webb, SVP and financial advisor at Wealth Enhancement Group, said in an interview.

Mr. Powell will likely seek to keep his options open for December, according to Morgan Stanley economists led by Ellen Zentner. While some data point to further weakness in the economy, inflation remains historically elevated. Haunted by the lessons of the past and faulted for being too late on tackling price pressures, Mr. Powell has been reluctant to pin hopes on forecasts for inflation to ease and therefore warrant taking the foot off the pedal.

As borrowing costs rise and the ensuing economic downturn eats into profits, distress and a pickup in default rates in credit markets are emerging as a top concern for investors, according to 54% of respondents. Stress in corporate debt supersedes worries about liquidity strains in Treasuries, which have approached 2020 crisis levels after a year of steep losses for bonds, raising concerns about market functioning.

Shelved leveraged-buyout financings, plunging issuance and surging yields have recently raised fears of dysfunction in corporate bonds. Asia has suddenly come back in focus as more cracks opened up. The outlook for defaults looks grim. Growing concerns about credit — long seen as a canary in the coalmine for recession — would only add to expectations for a Fed pivot. — Bloomberg