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Mars Wrigley invests in biomass boiler

CONFECTIONERY manufacturer Mars Wrigley has invested $925,000 in a biomass boiler in a bid to shift the power source of its Antipolo factory to 100% thermal renewable energy.

In an interview on Thursday, Fernando del Castillo, Mars Wrigley’s Antipolo factory director, said that the biomass boiler will replace the diesel-powered boiler currently used in production.

The boiler is expected to be completed and start its operation by October 2023, which would allow the factory to be fully powered by thermal renewable energy. The biomass boiler will use rice husks or coconut shells.

“We have a project approved for next year where will move away from using diesel completely and we will move to biomass,” said Mr. del Castillo, who gave the interview at the factory in Antipolo City.

He said the factory currently produces 30 metric tons of various gum products daily, which consist of brands such as Doublemint, Cool Air, and Juicy Fruit.

Aside from local sales, the products from the Antipolo factory are exported to countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, and Sri Lanka, he said.

Mr. del Castillo said 95% of what the company produces is exported, with the remaining output distributed in the Philippines

Separately, Mars Wrigley said in a statement that it is committed to creating a work environment for its employees, also called associates, which promotes inclusion and diversity.

“During the pandemic, the less fortunate have been impacted the most. Improving inclusion and diversity in workplaces is not only the right thing to do but is critical to supporting the communities we operate in,” Mr. del Castillo said.

The manufacturer introduced its experiential learning program which provides jobs to the less privileged, a dedicated breastfeeding room for return-to-work mothers, and a prayer room for various religions as part of achieving inclusivity.

Mars Wrigley is also aiming to reach a 50-50 ratio for male and female workers at its Antipolo factory in a bid to form a diverse workforce. The company currently has over a hundred associates.

“We have a lot of hardworking and talented associates in the Philippines and they excel when they are in a healthy environment. We truly believe that when everyone has a voice and a platform, they will feel empowered to reach their full potential. That’s why we continue to provide equal opportunities to all of them regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, or religion,” Mr. del Castillo said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Note: This article has been updated to reflect some changes requested by the company.

Entertainment News (10/21/22)

Cinemalaya 18 cancels online screenings

THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. announced that the online screenings of the 2022 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival will not push through. Initially, the 18th edition of the country’s largest film festival would have screened the festival films this month. The decision came upon consultation with the filmmakers who have been preparing to compete in various international film festivals, said the CCP in its announcement.  According to the Cinemalaya organizing committee, filmmakers will lose their chance to compete in international festivals if their films are shown online outside of the Cinemalaya festival proper. The 18th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival ran in Manila from Aug. 5 to 14, and in Dapitan, Zamboanga Del Norte from Sept. 9 to 13.

Disney+ arriving in PHL in November

THE WALT Disney Company (Southeast Asia) Ltd. announced yesterday that it is expanding access to its streaming service, Disney+, to the Philippines starting Nov. 17. Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and TV shows from Disney’s iconic brands including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic and Star. With Disney+, Filipino consumers will be able to enjoy an ever-growing library of global, regional and Asian language content such as blockbuster films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to award-winning Pixar animation, to Korean content featuring BTS and other top Asian stars, under the Star brand. Star also features thousands of hours of general entertainment content produced by Disney Television Studios (ABC Signature and 20th Television), FX Productions, 20th Century Studios, Searchlight Pictures and more. Star carries movies and shows such as Emmy-award winning Grey’s Anatomy, Only Murders in The Building, Dopesick, The Bear, The Simpsons and The Kardashians. In addition, Star will offer exclusive originals produced in collaboration with producers and directors in the Asia Pacific region. Starting next month, consumers in the Philippines can join the Disney+ streaming service with the introduction of a new range of subscription plans that will offer viewers flexibility with different subscription options to suit their needs including a Mobile Plan for ₱159 monthly or ₱1,150 annually and a Premium Plan for ₱369 monthly or ₱2,950 annually. The streaming service will be accessible on a wide selection of mobile and televisions subject to users’ chosen subscription plans, including smartphones and tablets (Android or iOS), smart TVs, and connected TV devices including Google TV and other Android TV OS, Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, and Chromecast. Based on their chosen subscription plans, consumers will be able to access the service, with up to four concurrent streams available only with the premium plan, personalized recommendations, and the ability to create up to seven different user profiles per account. For more information, visit www.DisneyPlus.com.

SOS raises funds for Toko Beyond Festival

THE PHILIPPINE-based indie band SOS (formerly She’s Only Sixteen) is hitting the outdoor stage to raise funds for its upcoming stint at the debut edition of the Tokyo Beyond Festival in Japan next month. Also touted as a send-off show, SOS DESU KA, SOS DESU NE is slated to take place at 123 Block, Mandaluyong City on Nov. 4, 7 p.m. SOS will be headlining the show, and is set to perform crowd favorites and new releases. “This year, we will be traveling to Japan for our first show there ever. If you didn’t know, showcase festivals are investments for a band in hopes to branch out on a global/regional scale so we pay for everything ourselves. If our friends/fans/listeners would be so kind, we are asking for a little help to take us there. We’ve never really done anything like this before and I’m just thankful to everyone helping us out. We hope to make you guys proud,” vocalist Roberto Seña said in a statement. Sharing the stage with SOS are guest acts Cheats, Ang Bandang Shirley, Ena Mori, and The Itchyworms. The Tokyo Beyond Festival will be held on Nov. 26 and 27 in Shibuya, Tokyo. Tickets to SOS DESU KA, SOS DESU NE are available via tinyurl.com/sosfundraising. Limited early bird tickets are priced at P700.

Angeline Quinto celebrates 10th year in showbiz

AFTER a decade in showbiz, singer Angeline Quinto celebrates the milestone with a concert. Entitled 10Q, the concert will be held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on Nov. 12, 8 p.m. The R&B trio BuDaKhel — composed of Bugoy Drilon, Daryl Ong, and Michael Pangilinan — will join her in the show. Ms. Quinto rose to fame with her renditions of theme songs from Philippine dramas including “Kunin Mo Na Ang Lahat Sa Akin,” “Pangarap na Bituin,” and “Hanggang Kailan Kita Mamahalin.” Tickets for 10Q are now available at all TicketWorld and SM Tickets outlets with ticket prices ranging from P1,800 to P7,800. For inquiries call Ticketworld 8891-9999 or SM Tickets 8470-2222.

Backstreet Boys releases 1st Christmas album

THE BACKSTREET Boys has released their very first Christmas album, A Very Backstreet Christmas, via BMG. It features numerous timeless holiday classics including “White Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “Last Christmas.” On Nov. 1, the band will release the official video for “Last Christmas.” The album also features three original holiday songs: “Christmas In New York,” “Together,” and “Happy Days.” The album was executive produced by Tommy Brown, who has also worked with Ariana Grande, Blackpink, Justin Bieber. A Very Backstreet Christmas is available on all digital streaming platforms and https://backstreetboys.lnk.to/ChristmasAlbum.   

Disney joins Destination Imagination for skills dev’t

THE WALT Disney Company is collaborating with global, non-profit organization Destination Imagination to expand opportunities in the Asia Pacific region for underrepresented students, including young women and girls, to explore future careers as storytellers and innovators in Asia’s creative industries. In a first for the region, Destination Imagination will be rolling out the “Heroic Innovators Challenge,” giving students across the Asia Pacific region access to online resources in which they can gain foundational skills in science, technology and storytelling. After completing an online program on Destination Imagination’s STEM Learning Academy, students between the ages of 16 and 24 will be invited to form teams to address a real-world challenge and present their solution using their new-found STEM skills and Creative Storytelling. The Heroic Innovators Challenge is open to students in high schools and universities across the Asia Pacific region including the Philippines. Disney will work with Destination Imagination to help students gain skills that may aid future careers in media and entertainment. In addition, Disney guest speakers will introduce students to the breadth of careers open to them in Asia’s creative industry.

K-drama Curtain Call on Prime Video PHL

PRIME Video Philippines will launch the K-drama Curtain Call on Oct. 31. The series revolves around people involved in a scam of a man given the special mission of making a terminally ill grandmother’s wish come true and the man’s struggles to maintain his cover. Directed by Yoon Sang-ho, it stars Kang Ha-neul, Ha Ji-won, Go Doo-shim, Sung Dong-il, Jung Jis-o, Noh Sang-hyun, and Kwon Sang-woo. Curtain Call will be available exclusively on Prime Video in Philippines with two episodes released weekly every Monday and Tuesday.  Watch Amazon Originals at P149 per month. For more information, visit https://www.primevideo.com/.

YouTube Fanfest returns live

THE YOUTUBE Fanfest (YTFF) is set to return to the live stage this year at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. The show will be livestreamed globally on Nov. 11 on the YouTube Fanfest channel at 5:30 p.m. (Philippine time). YTFF has been showcasing the diversity of the creator community, with regional and in-country events across the Asia Pacific region since its inaugural show in Singapore in 2013. This year, they will celebrate the growth and success of YTFF, and showcase its new wave of creator and artist talents that are taking them into the next 10 years. Filipino talents AC Bonifacio, Ranz, Niana and Natalia will be performing live onstage together with other regional talents like Carry Minati, Noor Chahal, Be You Nick, Nihongo Mantappu, StarBe, Ricis Official, and Atta Halilintar, Billlie, Travis Japan, Real Akiba Boyz, and Akanekikaku. The show will feature hosts like Prajakta Koli aka MostlySane and Annette Lee. Creators across multiple verticals, including Gaming, Beauty, Food and Comedy, will be sharing their content at Fanfest 10 with a series of cross market collaborations from all over the region. Fans who want to attend the live event in Singapore can sign up for General Admission tickets on PouchNation. The tickets are available for free but there will be limited seating available. There will also be virtual Meet & Greet in the week following the live show from Nov. 17 to 21. Participating creators and artists will be posting instructions on their social handles on how to apply for Superfan tickets and virtual Meet & Greet. Fanfest 10 is a fully vaccinated event. All registered fans may be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination before entering the event space. 

Ovialand launches P2.3-B project in Laguna

OVIALAND, Inc. will start selling units from its horizontal development in San Pablo, Laguna from which it expects P2.3 billion in sales.

In a press release on Thursday, the company said the project, named Santevi, will have 707 housing units in which it invested P850 million.

Santevi is under a joint venture with Japan-based developer Kyushu Yaesu Co. Ltd. and will have single-attached, duplex and townhouse units.

It will be Ovialand’s third housing development in San Pablo after its Sannera and Savana projects, which will bring the company’s total inventory in the area to more than 2,100 units.

The design of the Santevi units is inspired by modern American houses with kitchens covered with subway tiles.

“We chose a clean and classic design, blended with function and space. Our kitchen is delivered with subway tiles that most young Filipinos imagine having in their dream home,” Ovialand President and Chief Executive Officer Marie Leonore Fatima Olivares-Vital said.

Ms. Olivares-Vital said that sales from the units in Santevi will help in the company’s long-term expansion plans.

“Despite the current macroeconomic situation, we believe Ovialand is on the path to achieve a stronger financial position due to continued consumer demand from the properties it provides,” she added.

In the first half, Ovialand generated P672 million in revenues after the turnover of 308 units across Batangas, Laguna, and Quezon.

The company is set to complete at least 580 house-and-lot units this year and projects to hit year-end revenues of P1.2 billion.

Meanwhile, the company said that it will be using its selling proposition called, “Instant Homes, Instance Financing,” wherein its clients can move into their houses within three to six months.

“We are committed to continue to provide young Filipino families the opportunity to own premium affordable homes,” Ms. Olivares-Vital said. “We strive to ensure that families attain a better quality of life through real estate at an accessible price point.” — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Stuff to do (10/21/22)

Make it Makati celebration

MAKATI city has long been a lifestyle destination, with its dining options, entertainment, art, and parks and open spaces. Experience the best of the city and catch more surprises as Makati closes down Paseo de Roxas on Oct. 22 for an event featuring everything that makes this city draw people in. Festival goers can begin uncovering secret spots and sampling an array of flavors and activities beginning at 4 p.m. Musical performances, headlined by Juan Miguel Salvador and The Authority Band, will follow. For more information, visit @MakeItMakati on Facebook and Instagram.

Cine Europa screenings at the CCP

THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines (CCP) hosts the 25th Cine Europa Film Festival, seven days of films from the European Union (EU), from Oct. 21 to 28. The films will be shown at the CCP Front Lawn and the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde. For this year’s line-up of films, the EU Delegation, the EU Member States Embassies together with Cultúr Éireann, the Irish Film Institute, the Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, and the Philippine-Italian Association, have curated a set of award-winning films showcasing different genres, with a particular emphasis this year on youth in celebration of the European Year of Youth 2022.In addition to this, a special film from Ukraine will be the opening film for the festival in solidarity with Ukraine and its people who were victims of the invasion and war by Russia. All film screenings are free to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, still with observance to the New Normal Health Protocols.  For film screening schedules, visit www.facebook.com/cineeuropaph. 

ManilArt 2022 opens at SM Aura

THE LONGEST-running visual arts fair in the Philippines, ManilART (established in 2009 as an annual flagship project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts), will be held onsite at the SMX Aura Convention Center, Taguig City from Oct. 19 to 23. It shall be open to the public via online ticketing. The event is open to vaccinated guests from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Failure to present a valid vaccine card shall mean the valid ticket may be used for other General Admission slots subject to availability and time slot capacity. Safety protocols are viewable online through their portal www.manilartfair.com. For tickets, visit Ticketbooth.ph – ManilART 2022 – VIP Access. For more information contact 0977-807-3369, or e-mail manilartsecretariat@gmail.com.

SM group to open seven new SM Markets across Luzon

BW FILE PHOTO

SY-LED SM Investments Corp.’s SM Markets is set to open seven more stores across Luzon before the year ends as it aims to provide better food shopping in developing communities.

“We are targeting to fill the need for better food shopping in developing communities. The rising incomes outside the National Capital Region is definitely a welcome factor in terms of growth in the provinces,” SM Supermarket President Jojo R. Tagbo said in a press release.

The seven stores will be added in Air Residences Makati; Deca Homes Marilao in Bulacan; Tanza, Cavite; EB Town Center in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan; Sorsogon City; Tuguegarao City; and Taytay, Rizal.

“We continue to expand and maintain our optimism on growth. Regardless of economic circumstances, our approach has always been to have a breadth of offerings that fits all wallet sizes,” Mr. Tagbo said.

Meanwhile, the company said it expects a boost in consumer spending amid ongoing face-to-face classes and the upcoming holiday season.

Year to date, SM Markets saw an improvement in sales of fresh products, snacks, beverages, and other school-related commodities.

“We are optimistic about the consistency of consumer spending. The return of face-to-face classes and the holiday season will push the business in the coming months,” Mr.  Tagbo said.

The company added that it continues to enhance its assortment to serve the evolving preferences of its customers amid its continued expansion. Its stores now offer imported brands such as Coles from Australia and El Corte Ingles from Spain.

SM Markets is the food retailing arm of the SM group. It serves as the umbrella brand of SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore. To date, it operates 330 stores all over the Philippines. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

BPI posts P10.1-B net profit in Q3 as revenues, customer base grow

BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) posted net income of P10.1 billion in the third quarter amid higher revenues, it reported on Thursday.

The Ayala-led lender said in a disclosure to the local bourse that its net profit for the July-August came on the back of a 26.8% year-on-year growth in revenues to P29.8 billion amid double-digit expansion in its net interest and non-interest incomes and as its customer base exceeded 9 million.

This brought the bank’s bottom line for the first nine months to P30.5 billion, backed by higher revenues and lower provisions for loan losses.

This translated to a return on equity (RoE) and return on assets (RoA) of 13.73% and 1.66%, respectively.

“Excluding the impact of the one-off gain from sale of property in the second quarter and adjustments due to the CREATE (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises) Law, net income would have been P26.8 billion for an RoE of 12.05% and RoA of 1.46%,” the bank said.

Other third-quarter figures were not immediately available.

The bank’s total revenues for the first nine months grew by 22.1% to P87.5 billion, driven by the 20.5% year-on-year jump in net interest income to P61.6 billion. This came on the back of sustained loan growth and a 23-basis-point (bp) expansion in its average net interest margin to 3.53%.

Meanwhile, BPI’s non-interest earnings rose by 26.2% year on year to P25.8 billion at end-September, driven by a one-off gain from an asset sale, foreign exchange transaction gains, and fees from its credit cards business.

Total operating expenses also increased by 9.9% to P40.1 billion in the first nine months, driven by the bank’s investments for technology and on higher regulations.

Cost-to-income ratio was at 45.8%. Excluding the impact of the asset sale, the ratio was at 48.6%.

BPI’s total loans hit P1.6 trillion at end-September, up 15.4% year on year, as its credit card loans, corporate loans, and auto portfolios rose by 29.1%, 16.4%, and 12.1%, respectively.

Despite the increase in credit, its nonperforming loan (NPL) ratio stood at 1.94%, while NPL coverage ratio was at 176.9% as of end-September.

According to the lender, its loan loss provisions as of September declined by 26.8% to P7.5 billion.

On the funding side, deposits with the bank likewise increased 13.2% to P2 trillion as of September.

Its low-cost current account, savings account (CASA) deposits grew 7.5%, bringing its CASA ratio to 76.1%.

BPI’s loan-to-deposit ratio was at 78.7% as of September.

The bank’s assets increased 11.8% year on year to P2.5 trillion in the January to September period, while total equity stood at P313.4 billion.

Its common equity Tier 1 ratio was at 15.9% at end-September, while its capital adequacy ratio was at 16.8%. Both are above the regulatory minimum.

BPI last month announced its planned merger with Robinsons Bank Corp. (RBC), which is expected to be finished by end-2023. BPI will be the surviving entity.

According to BPI, the deal “will unlock various synergies across several products and service platforms and expand the customer and deposit base of both banks through the merged entity.”

Upon its closing, RBC’s shareholders will hold approximately 6% of the resulting outstanding capital stock of BPI.

BPI’s shares closed at P93.40 apiece on Thursday, up by P1.40 or 1.52%. — K.B. Ta-asan

What To See This Week (10/21/22)

Black Adam

Black Adam

AFTER getting released from 5,000 years of imprisonment, Black Adam uses the powers of the ancient gods which he has to uphold his unique form of justice in the modern world. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, the film stars Dwayne Johnson, Noah Centineo, Aldis Hodge, Sarah Shahi, Quintessa Swindell, and Pierce Brosnan. We Live Entertainment’s Scott Menzel wrote on Twitter: “Black Adam is everything that I hoped it would be and more. A Snyder-esque antihero spectacle that delivers big action and impressive set pieces. Dwayne Johnson transforms into Black Adam, a role that he was born to play. Centineo and Swindell are so damn fun to watch.”

MTRCB Rating: PG

Life is Beautiful 

THIS KOREAN jukebox musical film follows a couple on a strange quest. Learning that she is terminally ill, Oh Se Yeon asks her husband to help her find her first love from high school, and he reluctantly agrees. Directed by Choi Kook-hee, the film stars Yum Jung-ah, Ryu Seung-ryong,  Ong Seong-wu, Yang Hee-kyung, Park Yeong-gyu,  Shim Dal-gi.

MTRCB Rating: PG

Ties with tech companies sought for legal sector

PHILIPPINE law firms should collaborate and consult with more information technology (IT) firms to keep up with the changing times, a corporate law firm said on Thursday.

“The future of the law practice will be now focused on more IT-aided business today and even established firms seeking to upgrade their capacities,” Carlos Alfonso T. Ocampo, founding partner of the Ocampo Manalo law firm, told reporters at a media roundtable discussion celebrating its 25th anniversary.

He added that local law firms should also provide legal solutions through the new online platforms firms have adopted into their way of doing business, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is like we are part of the construction crew of a house being built and we are serving this purpose to firms that want to enhance their services,” the lawyer said. “The world is changing very fast and we need to evolve with the times.”

When it was established in 1997, the firm started out representing clients from the aviation industry and provided legal consultation for the construction of several airports such as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

Managing Partner Manolito A. Manalo told the same event that the aviation industry was the firm’s gateway to growing its clientele.

Some of the firm’s notable clients include Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Philippines AirAsia.

“We were able to get more and more clients in different industries, which proved that the kind of legal consultancy we provide is what helped us expand and still be in the business,” he said.

The law firm also offers legal services to companies engaged in infrastructure, transportation, energy, mining, labor and employment, and international trade, it said in a statement sent to reporters on Thursday.

“We are following the path of the nation’s development and I would like to see us breaking new ground in these new industries,” said. Mr. Manalo. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

IC delays implementation of new catastrophe cover pricing to 2023

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Insurance Commission (IC) has moved the implementation of a new rating structure and revised rates for nonlife insurers’ catastrophe risk policies to next year.

The IC said in a circular that the changes will now be implemented by Jan. 1, 2023 from the initial schedule of Nov. 1.

“Nonlife insurers were given time to advise their clients of the implementation of the revised schedule of minimum rates for earthquake and typhoon and flood risk covers,” the regulator said in IC Circular Letter 2022-48 dated Oct. 14.

The commission said it received a letter from the Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association, Inc. raising concerns about the original schedule.

“This commission was apprised of and consequently recognized the need to adjust the notification systems and procedures of nonlife insurers, as well as the annual budget limits of their respective clients,” it added.

In 2021, the IC formed a technical working group with stakeholders to determine risk-appropriate and sustainable catastrophe insurance rates and rating structure.

In July this year, the commission approved a revised rating structure for all catastrophe policies.

According to the revised pricing system, all insurance policies will use the flat catastrophe minimum rate of 0.1% for earthquake risks and 0.05% for typhoon and flood risks.

All nonlife insurance companies were instructed to adopt and implement the new rates and apply these to all insurance policies which provide cover for catastrophe risks. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

K-pop star BTS member Jin to release first solo single next week ahead of military duty

IBIGHIT.COM/BTS

SEOUL — K-pop singer Jin, a member of the hit boy band BTS, will release his first official solo single next week, the seven-member band’s agency said on Wednesday, following this week’s announcement that he will soon start military duty.

The song, titled “The Astronaut,” will be released on Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. (0400 GMT), with pre-orders to begin later on Wednesday.

“Since it’s a song made with so much love toward the fans, we hope ‘The Astronaut’ can be a gift to all of you,” according to the Bighit Music statement posted on global fandom platform Weverse.

The announcement came after band’s management group HYBE, which owns Bighit, on Monday said Jin will cancel a request to further delay his enlistment in late October. The other younger band members also plan to serve their compulsory service.

In June, BTS announced a break from group musical activities to pursue solo projects, but reunited last Saturday to perform a free concert in the city of Busan in support of South Korea’s bid to host the World Expo 2030 in the port city. — Reuters

La Salle wins CA dismissal case against teachers

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Court of Appeals (CA) has upheld the dismissal of former teachers at De La Salle University’s Center for Language and Lifelong Learning, after they failed to meet the employment requirement of having master’s degrees.

In a 13-page decision issued on Oct. 17, the CA Tenth Division said the National Labor and Relations Commission (NLRC) did not abuse its discretion when it ruled that teachers Luz Dela Cruz Raymundo and Meredith Ruth C. Lagarde were not illegally dismissed.

“If the NLRC’s ruling has basis in the evidence and the applicable law and jurisprudence, then no grave abuse of discretion exists and this Court should so declare and, accordingly, dismiss the petition,” Associate Justice Jamie Fortunato A. Caringal said in the ruling.

He added that teachers’ right to due process was not violated since the twin notice rule is only applicable to regular employees.

Under the Labor department’s rules, employers are required to issue two written notices that show the grounds for terminating employment, and must consider all circumstances before ordering dismissal.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the teachers after the school chose not to renew their contracts.

In 2018, an officer of the language school told Ms. Raymundo that her contract would not be renewed as master’s degrees were now required to work at the school.

The school official said the teachers were only hired for a fixed period of one month since they taught short certificate courses. The contracts of the teachers had been renewed every month for 17 years as they continued working at the school.

The NLRC in 2019 ruled that the teachers were illegally dismissed and classified them as regular employees of the school, a position it reversed in 2021. In the second ruling, Ms. Raymundo was deemed to have been employed on a part-time basis.

“The practice of hiring teachers per semester or school year, or in this case per month, by educational institutions, is generally governed by the rules on fixed-term employment unless the circumstances provide for either a probationary or a regular employment status,” the appellate court ruled. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Shakey’s Peri-Peri opens 60th store

COMPANY HANDOUT

LISTED food service group Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc. said on Thursday that its Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar opened new outlets in September.

In a media release, Shakey’s President and Chief Executive Officer Vicente L. Gregorio said that to date, Peri-Peri has 60 outlets in the Philippines.

“Over the last two years, we have witnessed significant growth from Peri-Peri, despite the headwinds brought about by the pandemic. We see opportunities to further its market penetration. For us, strategic expansion is key — having the right stores in the ideal locations with apt formats,” Mr. Gregorio said.

Shakey’s said Peri-Peri opened its newest store at the Clark International Airport, the first airport outlet of Peri-Peri. Last month, Peri-Peri opened its 60th store in Malate.

The casual dining restaurant chain was acquired in 2019 with just 29 stores. Peri-Peri is the second largest chain of Shakey’s, which has the Gokongwei group as a strategic investor.

For the fourth quarter, Mr. Gregorio said Shakey’s is preparing for the holiday season, which it expects to be a “robust period” as pandemic mobility restrictions have eased.

“This year, we are expecting to see even more revenge spending in the coming months because of reunions and gatherings. It will be celebratory. We’re already preparing our stores for functions and expanding our footprint to seize this opportunity,” Mr. Gregorio said.

At the stock exchange on Thursday, Shakey’s shares closed unchanged at P7.50 apiece. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

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