‘Will try to qualify in four events in Paris Games,’ says Caloy Yulo

June 22, 2022 | 12:04 am

By Joey Villar

GYMNASTICS dynamo Carlos “Caloy” Yulo has won almost everything.

But he knew in his heart that for him to become truly great, he must ensnare the one that eluded him most — an Olympic gold medal.

And the pocket-sized wunderkind from Leveriza, Manila vowed to vanquish his Tokyo Games demon as he sees to qualify not just in one event, but four, in the 2024 Paris Games where he hopes to finally deliver his first Olympic mint.

“We will try our best to qualify in four events in the Olympics,” said Mr. Yulo during Tuesday’s presser at The Heritage Hotel Manila in Pasay referring to the floor exercise, vault and parallel bars apparatuses and individual all-around.

“And if I’m going to rate myself on where I am now in terms of my Olympic preparation, I’m eight out of 10,” he added.

Mr. Yulo quietly flew in to the country on Sunday fresh from his scintillating performance in the Asian Gymnastics Championships in Doha, Qatar where he harvested gold medals in floor exercise, vault and parallel bars and silver in individual all-around.

It was in Doha where Mr. Yulo, through his dazzling performance, announced to the world with clarity his true intention of striking gold in Paris.

“When we were in Doha, I asked if Caloy (Yulo) will qualify and win gold in floor exercise, and he answered me ‘no, we will qualify not just in floor, but in floor, vault, parallel bars and individual all-around,’” said Gymnastics Association of the Philippines President Cynthia Carrion.

Mr. Yulo said his team has made tweaks in his routines in preparation for Paris.

“We will try some new elements in vault and parallel bars. The level of difficulty will increase. We’re doing that for the Olympics,” said Mr. Yulo, who was conferred President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s Order of Lapu-Lapu medal from Philippine Sports Commission board member Celia Kiram.

While Mr. Yulo is scheduled to compete in three more competitions this year — two in Japan in September and December, and the World Championships in Liverpool, England in October — the road for the Paris starts next year.

“The Paris Olympics qualifying process starts in 2023 and Caloy will join those events in Baku, Doha, Germany and Cairo,” said Ms. Carrion.

An Olympic gold is the piece of sporting hardware that Mr. Yulo has lacked after emerging as world champion twice, snaring multiple medals in the Southeast Asian Games, and recently, completing a golden-treble in the Asian Championships.

And for the young Filipino gymnast, that gold in Mt. Olympus is ripe for the taking.

Some Omicron sub-variants escaping antibodies from Sinopharm shot — Chinese study

June 22, 2022 | 12:04 am

BEIJING — A small Chinese study detailed in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal showed neutralizing antibodies against some Omicron sub-variants were largely undetectable after two doses of a Sinopharm coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, with a booster shot only partly restoring them.

The study comes as China, which has approved only locally developed COVID shots including the Sinopharm vaccine, strives to improve vaccination rates, maintaining a “dynamic zero COVID” policy aimed at eradicating all outbreaks while many countries have adopted an approach of learning to live with the virus.

The vaccine, BBIBP-CorV, is one of the two Sinopharm COVID shots approved for use in China, and is also the main shot that the state-owned firm has exported.

Among 25 individuals who received two doses of BBIBP-CorV vaccine, the neutralizing activity against sub-variants such as BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5 “was not or only minimally detectable,” researchers said in correspondence published on Monday.

Neutralizing activity against those sub-variants was observed in just 24–48% of subjects who received a BBIBP-CorV booster shot after the two-dose product, researchers said, citing results from a group of 25 participants.

The rate improved slightly, to 30–53%, for those who received a third shot made by a unit of Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products, another vaccine approved for use in China, according to data from another group of 30 subjects.

The study did not discuss the boosters’ efficacy, a rate that reflects how well they could lower the risk of COVID disease or death, which is usually observed in large clinical trials. — Reuters

CCP’s 50-year-old Main Building gets an overhaul

June 22, 2022 | 12:04 am

CCP-Facade-(Photo-by-Rodel-Valiente) — CCP Facade — PHOTO BY RODEL VALIENTE

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DESIGNED by National Artist Leandro Locsin, the Main Building of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) turns 53, and it is time for a long-overdue overhaul. It will take three years to rehabilitate, starting this year until 2025.

The issues that needed to be addressed — which includes termite infestations, electrical and drainage system repairs, and updating equipment and areas that have not been touched since the building was first opened — emanated from a building audit done from 2018 to 2019.

“The building audit diagnosed the extent of the repair needed,” said CCP chairperson Margie Moran-Floirendo in a statement. “The evaluation of the data gathering indicated that there are problems with multiple-site damages such as leaks, corrosion and structural weaknesses brought by water seepage, earthquakes and fatigue. Further, we have to update the Center’s fire protection, environmental protection and other building codes.”

The entire project will cost around P950 million, with P440 million earmarked for the first phase, and P515 million for the second phase which will include the renovation of the hydraulic pit, the freight elevators, and the light and sound systems for the theaters.

Spearheaded by Ms. Moran-Floirendo, a fund-raising project was kicked off during Bulawan: The CCP 50^th Anniversary Gala, with BDO Unibank, Inc. underwriting the gala concert and donating the first P1 million.

“We’re hoping for additional fundings from the government so we can include other important elements. We envision that when fully renovated, the CCP Main Building would last for another 50 years,” CCP administrative manager Teresa Rances was quoted as saying in a CCP release.

The rehabilitation of the Main Building will begin at the fourth floor, roof deck, and the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater). Over the next two years, the plan targets the other floors. All the renovation work will run until 2025, and include the upper and lower basements.

“The priority right now is the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater). When we installed the new escalators, from the ground to the top floor, we realized that the flooring of the Main Theater lobby escalators is directly connected to the ceiling of the LT backstage. We need to repair the ceiling,” said Ms. Rances.

Based on the plan, the Main Theater will be the last to be rehabilitated, probably starting in 2024. This includes the renovation of the hydraulic orchestra pit, which has not been changed since it was installed in 1969, and the freight elevator, which is often used to bring massive sets, heavy equipment, and musical instruments straight to the theater stage. Both the Main Theater and the Little Theater have flooring problems and termite infestations in the walls.

“When CCP was built in 1969, they used good construction materials,” said Ms. Rances. “Even 50 years later, the building has no major structural problems even with major earthquakes and other natural phenomena we have experienced…. There are cracks on walls, but the foundation is still stable.”

The audit report also showed that there was a need to overhaul the electrical lines and the drainage system. A new outdoor cistern tank will be constructed at the South Parking area to supply water to the Main Building and the nearby Production Design Center, and to supply water to the fire sprinklers. A foam-type fire system has been installed in areas where artworks are located to protect CCP’s valuable assets.

“Some of these renovations have been done at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have started upgrading our mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire system. We will also start the structural retrofitting. We start with what we can with the budget that we have,” said Ms. Rances.

So far they have upgraded the centralized air-conditioning system, replaced glass window panels, carpets and marble trims, and refurbished the fountain. The chandeliers have undergone rehabilitation too.

“We were lucky to be able to tap the same companies that designed and built the fountain and chandeliers in 1969. When we bid out the fountain renovation, the daughter of the original designer sent their proposal. It was the same with the chandeliers,” said Ms. Rances.

With the expected sea level rise from climate change, the two major power banks as well as the generator have been transferred from the lower basement to the new Power Center in the South Parking area.

While the rehabilitation is underway, the CCP plans to document the process and share it with the community, particularly the architecture students, through various platforms. This can be used as a reference on rehabilitation of architectural heritage buildings and other cultural sites in the country. It can help in the studies on how architectural designs are affected by topography and climate change. There will be interesting things for architects, construction companies and students.

“In the end, we aim to be at par with theaters worldwide, in terms of technology, space and content. A country’s theater is a landmark. The CCP is the home of the Filipino artists, and it should be a tourist destination. For the artists and cultural workers, the wish list is long. Work and rehearsal spaces are needed. But with the rehabilitated building, we can be at least assured that the structural health of the building will last 50 more years,” said Ms. Moran-Floirendo.

DMCI Homes to build condos with full water reuse capability

June 22, 2022 | 12:04 am

REAL ESTATE developer DMCI Homes is planning to build residential projects equipped with full water recycling and treatment capabilities as part of its sustainability efforts.

In a statement on Tuesday, DMCI Homes said it will be building its first recycling and treatment facility in The Erin Heights, a single-tower development currently constructed along Commonwealth Avenue in Tandang Sora, Quezon City. The tower is set to open its doors to the public by October 2027.

“The facility is capable of collecting and treating wastewater to make it fit for general use, landscape irrigation, and maintenance of amenities, among other beneficial purposes,” DMCI Homes Vice-President for Project Development Dennis O. Yap said.

“For this project, we will be tapping our in-house experts and work with professional wastewater management contractors to ensure a quality and efficient treatment process. Our goal is to produce Class A-certified treated water in accordance with the standards set by the Environmental Management Bureau,” he added.

DMCI Homes claimed that The Erin Heights can potentially save up to 314 million liters of water annually with the treatment facility.

The developer added that home owners will be able to have savings on their water bills and store backup water supply for the community in preparation for a water shortage.

According to DMCI Homes, it plans to establish full water recycling and treatment facilities in other future projects.

“DMCI Homes puts strong emphasis on making its properties and future developments environmentally sound and sustainable. The Erin Heights will only be the first in the company’s roster of future projects to apply the full water recycling capability,” the real estate developer said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

NLEX faces Gin Kings for solo second in Philippine Cup

June 22, 2022 | 12:03 am

NLEX-Pba-images — NLEX ROAD WARRIORS — PBA IMAGES

NLEX relishes its chance at payback as it faces Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday in an explosive dispute for solo second in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the MOA Arena.

The Road Warriors (2-1) primed up for the 6 p.m. grudge match with their Governors’ Cup semifinal conquerors with a morale-boosting 90-89 win over defending champion TnT last Thursday.

The Gin Kings (2-1), on the other hand, look to pick themselves up after yielding to Magnolia last Sunday, 89-84.

Meanwhile, Converge (1-3) and Terrafirma (0-3) clash at 3 p.m., both intent on giving their sagging fortunes a boost.

“We always look forward to games against Ginebra because they’re the crowd favorites and at the same time, tinalo nila kami nung semifinals,” said NLEX ace Kevin Alas, their 3-1 defeat in the Governors’ Cup Final Four series.

Ginebra won’t be lacking in motivation, either, especially after its disappointing outing in the most recent “Manila Clasico” match.

“We didn’t play with much energy, we were slow in our rotation and our defense inside the paint was pretty terrible,” rued coach Tim Cone.

“We weren’t ready to play a tough, physical-type game. Hopefully, we learned some lessons from it and we’ll come out better. We’re going to play another highly-physical team in NLEX (today) then play San Miguel back to back on Friday. It’s a tough schedule, we’ll see how we respond.”

A major source of concern for the Gin Kings is the status of Stanley Pringle, who is dealing with hamstring issues. The Fil-Am guard limped out in the third quarter of Sunday’s game and may not be readily available for quick return to action.

Before the Ginebra-NLEX setito, two teams lurking in the bottom clash at 3 p.m. with the FiberXers bidding to snap a two-game slide and the injury-hit Dyip gunning for that breakthrough win. — Olmin Leyba

Rehab facility aims to give drug dependents new start

June 22, 2022 | 12:03 am

TO CURB illicit drug use in the Philippines and reintegrate former drug dependents into society, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Department of Health (DoH) inaugurated a five-hectare treatment and rehabilitation facility on June 14 in Barangay Osorio, Trece Martires City, Cavite.

The Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC) is part of a JPY1.85-billion grant project of JICA with DoH’s “Program for Consolidated Rehabilitation of Illegal Drug Users” (CARE).

Once operational, the facility will cater to illegal drug users mainly from South and Central Luzon, with its dormitories able to accommodate 400 male and 80 female drug dependents.

JICA has thus far provided budget support to the Philippine government amounting to JPY130 billion, which has been utilized to finance various programs, including those in the health sector.

“The DATRC is symbolic of our trusted partnership in order to reincorporate former drug dependents and give them a chance to start a productive life with their families and loved ones,” said JICA Chief Representative Sakamoto Takema, in a press statement.

New protocols developed by JICA and the DoH aim to improve the delivery of facility-based treatment and rehabilitation services as well as establish relapse prevention models that can be used by other centers.

Meanwhile, under a 2017–2024 project called “Introducing Evidence-Based Relapse Prevention Program to Drug Dependence Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers” (IntERlaPP), a team of DoH doctors and Japanese experts are developing their skills and knowledge on advanced treatment models for former drug dependents.

The Philippines has included ensuring security, public order, and safety as among its priorities under the Philippine Development Plan, which advocates a holistic approach in treating substance abuse.

There were 55,169 Persons Who Use Drugs and drug offenders from drug-cleared barangays who were rehabilitated and reintegrated in 2021, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

JICA is the executing agency of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA), which handles technical cooperation, ODA loans and investment, and grant aid, as well as cooperation volunteers and disaster relief programs. — P. B. Mirasol

Arts & Culture (06/22/22)

June 22, 2022 | 12:03 am

WHAT DID THE TREE LEARN FROM THE EARTH TO BE ABLE TO TALK WITH THE SKY by Elaine Navas — “What Did The Tree Learn From The Earth To Be Able To Talk With The Sky” by Elaine Navas

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Silverlens opens 2 exhibits

SILVERLENS will open two exhibits simultaneously on June 20, with both running until July 30. The first is “What Did The Tree Learn From The Earth To Be Able To Talk With The Sky” by Elaine Navas. This upcoming exhibition marks the artist’s fourth individual presentation with the gallery, her previous ones being “Painting Palettes/Palette Paintings II” in 2018; “Salt Water” in 2016; “Wet Paintings” in 2010. The painter, who has concentrated on life more than anything since the pandemic started, offers introspection on the things that matter: to paint what one wants to see — in thinking that every chance might come as the last. The second exhibit is Yvonne Quisumbing’s “Cartomancer,” a new solo exhibition and the artist’s third individual presentation with the gallery, previous shows being “Apothecary: Prelude in 2020” and “Who Are You Wearing?” in 2015. “Cartomancer” follows a storyline from the innocent Fool towards the wisdom of the World. The narrative is told in 10 oil on sculptural substrates, each representing 10 out of the several archetypes in the Tarot deck. Silverlens is at 2263 Don Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Makati City.

Phyllis Zaballero holds solo exhibition

ALTRO MONDO Arte Contemporanea presents “Home Alone,” a solo exhibition featuring the work of Phyllis Zaballero. Ms. Zaballero has had an illustrious career spanning several decades and was recognized as one of the CCP Thirteen Artists Awardees. She has mounted nearly 40 solo shows in various galleries, government and private museums, and cultural venues in the Philippines, Asia, Europe, and the United States. In 2013, two books about her career and work were released, Phyllis Zaballero by Alfredo Roces, and How and Why I Make Art by Ms. Zaballero. “Home Alone” is on view at the Altro Mondo Creative Space, 1159 Chino Roces Ave., San Antonio Village, Makati City, until June 25. The gallery is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Clint Rey Policarpio solo show at CCP

THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines (CCP) presents “Daloy,” the first solo exhibition of artist Clint Rey Policarpio. The venue grant exhibition, which was originally scheduled in 2020 but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will run from June 23 to July 24 at the CCP’s Bulwagang Carlos V. Francisco (Little Theater Lobby). “Daloy” is a collection of Policarpio’s works from 2012 to the present, which depicts an understanding of a lively Filipino community, — rich in history, nature, customary beliefs, and personality. Mr. Policarpio is a visual artist and muralist based in Valenzuela City. Exhibition hours are from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and extended until 9 p.m. on evenings with shows at the CCP Main Theater. For more information on Daloy, visit bit.ly/CCPdaloy. Admission is free and open to the public, only requiring the presentation of a valid vaccination card.

Photographer holds first show

FRENCH photographer Camille Roubiou Du Pont will be holding her first solo photo exhibition, entitled “MAYARI,” at the Alliance Française de Manille Gallery at 209 Nicanor Garcia St. (formerly Reposo), Bel-Air II, Makati. The exhibit is open to the public until July 15, and fine art prints will be available for purchase. The catalogue can be viewed online at https://bit.ly/MayariAFM.

Pelikulaya LGBTQIA+ Film Fest is ongoing

THIS is the final week of the Pelikulaya: International LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, which runs until June 26. There are online screenings at FDCP Channel (register at www.fdcpchannel.ph to start watching), and onsite screening at the Cinematheque Centre Manila (https://bit.ly/PelikulayaFilmsPreRegistration), the Cinematheque Centre Iloilo (https://forms.gle/V2Yrw3QbXCknDBNf7), the Cinematheque Centre Davao (https://bit.ly/CCDPreRegister), and at Cinema ‘76 Anonas (https://bit.ly/PelikulayaC76).

Ayala Museum holds history quiz

TEST your knowledge with Ayala Museum’s new quiz series, entitled the Kasaysayan Challenge. The challenge will premier on June 22, on the Ayala Musem YouTube channel.

Virgin Labfest accessible online

THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines (CCP) presents The Virgin Labfest 17: Hinga, this year’s iteration of a laboratory festival of new plays by emerging and established Filipino playwrights and held annually by the CCP. Aside from onsite performances at the CCP’s Tanghalang Huseng Batute which are ongoing until June 26, the 12 plays, divided into four sets, will be shown online from June 30 to July 10 via Ticket2Me. Passes and tickets for the online streaming are now available on https://ticket2me.net/o/200. Set A: Life is Full of Surprises will premiere online on June 30, 10 a.m.; Set B: Life is a Strange Fiction, premieres online on July 1, 10 a.m.; Set C: School of Life, premieres online on July 2, 10 a.m.; and Set D: Life Choices, premieres online on July 3, at 10 a.m. The online streaming links for individual sets will only be active for 24 hours, from 10 a.m. to 10 a.m. the following day on the chosen date, and for 48 hours for festival passes. For assistance, contact Ticket2Me at 0918-842-7346.

UST opens Virtual Tour for online campus visits

THE OLDEST university in Asia, University of Santo Tomas keeps up with the times, opening to the public a virtual tour of the Manila campus. The tour can be accessed via this link — https://bit.ly/UST_VirtualTour — from any internet-capable device. Among the areas on campus that can now be visited virtually is the National Historical Treasures exhibit, which, aside from being presented through a 360-degree view, also includes text and audio introductions. The Office of Public Affairs spearheaded the virtual tour to engage the Thomasian community and its external stakeholders, who have been unable to visit the campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the help of Digiscript, a company that specializes in 3D visualization and animation for property developments, the virtual tour is powered by a 3D digital reality program and includes an accompanying audio guide.

Online photography course opens for registration

A SHORT online course, The Disciplines and Practices of a Professional Photographer, is offered by the School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPaCE) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. The sessions will be held for four Saturdays — June 25 and July 2, 9, and 16 — and conducted online with combined four hours of synchronous classes and two hours of asynchronous sessions. It will be facilitated by professional commercial photographer Ken Go, who has worked for some of the leading brands and companies in the country. He is also Nikon School Philippines Instructor, Asus Zenfone Key Opinion Leader, and has taught over 80 photography seminars to date. Participants will be provided with custom-tailored training to match their respective skill levels as well as their planned career paths. The learners will likewise be equipped with the knowledge and skills that would allow them to utilize their DSLR cameras as a video camera and for event coverages. They will learn how to build their own portfolio and embody the proper attitude, discipline, and values that make for a successful professional photographer. The module fee is P11,895. Interested participants may register through https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScATEi5pXvgigsirrFQtUXUCfIAI3wx7x_qogCf6zJoMXDInQ/viewform .

NCCA Composition Prize calls for scores

THERE are only two weeks before the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Composition Prize Call for Scores ends. The NCCA Composition Prize is a biennial award given to deserving composers for each category. Initiated in 2016, it is a competition on concert hall music, which calls for extended works that go beyond popular or traditional music-writing or improvisation and thus can be better judged or evaluated if codified with an acceptable standard notation that may be published and recreated later through a performance. The award is open to all Filipino composers of legal age, except officers and members of the NCCA Secretariat and the incumbent Executive Council Members of the NCCA Committee on Music. Compositions must be unpublished and unperformed until the award is given. Likewise, these compositions should not have been awarded a prize from any award-giving body. The categories and prizes for this year are as follows: Solo Piano, P100,000; Standard Chamber Orchestra, P150,000; Standard Full Orchestra, P250,000; and Symphonic Band, P250,000. Deadline of submission is on or before June 30. For more information, complete guidelines, and entry form go to https://ncca.gov.ph/…/2022compositionprizecallforscores/.

Longchamp upcyles fashion into art

THE EXHIBIT “Sublimer les Imperfections” opened on June 9 at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris. The event, spearheaded by the Association Les Métamorfoses and the Maison Longchamp, highlights the use of artistic upcycling of fashion. Twelve internationally renowned artists took up the challenge by proposing creations made from unused scraps of material made available to them by some 20 French manufacturers. Art craftsmen, jewelry artists, painters, interior architects and designers took part in the project: recovering, manipulating and transforming to create an object from material scraps provided by the French maisons. Fabrics, leathers, glasses or even waste such as plastic that are no longer considered useful were given a new life through an artistic work that revolves around two main messages: the protection of the environment and the valorization of imperfection. The Métamorfoses have chosen to donate all profits made in 2022 to Les Amis d’Arthur, an association working for the quality of care and life of autistic adults. Part of the endeavor is the Longchamp Metamorfoses Prize which was awarded to the duo of designer Constance Guisset and Paul Macheret, head of the Macheret Art Foundry, for the sculpture named Alba, which was made from alabaster scraps and leftover brass tubes. This artwork is a perfect example of the collaboration between the artist and the craftsman, the former’s creation being based on the latter’s know-how. For more information on Les Métamorfoses, visit https://lesmetamorfoses.com/.

Alex Eala jumps to WTA no. 340 after runner-up finish in Madrid

June 22, 2022 | 12:02 am

ALEX M. Eala reached a new career-best ranking in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), barging inside the Top 350 for the first time following a stellar campaign in Spain over the weekend.

Ms. Eala fell short in winning her third professional title with a runner-up finish behind home bet Marina Bassols Ribera in the W60 Madrid, but it was more than enough to push her to No. 340 in the latest WTA list this week.

The 17-year-old Filipina ace bested her previous career-high at No. 394 back in May after she ruled the W25 Chiang Rai in Thailand for her second championship in her budding pro career.

Ms. Eala’s solid performance in Madrid that catapulted her WTA rise included wins over an array of Top-300 players led by then WTA No. 182 and now No. 153 Jaimee Fourlis of Australia.

A scholar of the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain, Ms. Eala has now jumped 186 spots after starting the year at No. 526.

Ms. Eala even came all the way from No. 1180 back in 2020 when she started participating in the women’s pro circuit.

In the International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior rankings, Ms. Eala is steady at No. 18 highlighted by two juniors doubles Grand Slams despite little to no participation so far this year in a bid to focus more in the women’s play.

Prior to her fine Madrid showing, Ms. Eala won three bronze medals in her 31^st Southeast Asian Games debut in Hanoi, Vietnam last month. — John Bryan Ulanday

MoU allows nurses to leave despite deployment cap

June 22, 2022 | 12:02 am

Nurses-Rally — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

A LABOR agreement between the Philippines and Germany will allow Filipino nurses to leave despite the deployment cap instituted by the Duterte administration.

Signed on June 3 by Karl Lauterbach, Germany’s federal minister of health, and Silvestre H. Bello III, the Philippines’ Department of Labor and Employment secretary, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) aims to improve the recruitment procedures for Filipino nurses under the private recruitment track, and ensure the fair treatment and protection of Filipino healthcare workers who apply through the German Agency for Health and Care Professionals, a nongovernment institution.

“The aim in coming up with this MoU was to provide an avenue for deployment through private agencies despite the deployment cap,” said German ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel in a June 17 virtual roundtable organized by the GPCCI (German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry).

The MoU will provide a common legal framework for the two countries involved, added Delmer R. Cruz, labor attaché from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, in the same event. It will also direct the recruitment and placement of healthcare workers (HCWs), he said.

GLOBAL DEMAND
Meanwhile, 3,714 Filipino nursing graduates indicated their desire to practice their profession in the US by taking the said country’s licensure examination for the first time in the first quarter of 2022, according to Cebu Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas in a June 19 press release.

The number is 147% more than the 1,501 Filipino nursing graduates who took the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) for the first time in the same quarter in 2021.

There were 6,616 examinees who passed the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination in May 2022. Only 50–60% of Filipino nursing graduates become professional nurses eligible to practice their profession in the country. Less than half (46%) of Filipinos registered as nurses in the Philippines are able to pass the NCLEX on their first take.

Passing the NCLEX is the final step in the US’s nurse licensure process, and an indicator of how many Filipino nurses plan to enter its labor market.

“Our universities should invest more aggressively in training entry-level nurses if we want to supply the global demand for new practitioners while also fulfilling the local requirement,” said Mr. Gullas, also a member of the House committee on higher and technical education.

“Our single biggest advantage in foreign labor markets is that we are teaching our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in English, the world’s bridging language,” he added in the same press release.

The flight of HCWs hampered the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response in the Philippines and has forced health institutions to downsize their operations, according to a paper published this May in the Journal of Global Health.

A shortfall of 18 million HCWs is projected in low- to middle-income countries by 2030, according to the World Health Organization. — Patricia B. Mirasol

BTr partially awards offer of fresh 10-year bonds

June 22, 2022 | 12:02 am

THE GOVERNMENT partially awarded the fresh Treasury bonds (T-bonds) it offered on Tuesday as players continued to ask for higher returns on expectations of more rate hikes from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the US Federal Reserve.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) raised P34.892 billion via the fresh 10-year T-bonds it auctioned off on Tuesday, just below the programmed P35 billion, even as the offer attracted P67.294 billion in bids.

The debt papers were awarded at a coupon rate of 7.25%, 30.59 basis points (bps) higher than the 6.9441% quoted for the 10-year tenor at the secondary market before the auction, based on the PHP Bloomberg Valuation Reference Rates published on the Philippine Dealing System’s website. Rates bid by participants ranged from 6.95% to 7.37% for an average of 7.145%.

National Treasurer Rosalia V. de Leon said in a Viber message to reporters that the BTr nearly made a full award as the offer attracted strong demand even with the tenor being long.

“Market provided cushion against back-to-back rate increases to be delivered by both the Fed and BSP in the next policy meetings to slay the ugly head of inflation,” Ms. De Leon said.

The first trader said in a Viber message that demand for the 10-year bonds was strong due to a lack of supply of long tenors in the primary and secondary markets.

“Bids submitted by the market were very much in line with expectations… It offers a relatively attractive yield compared to other bonds in the local GS (government securities) curve. We haven’t seen these levels for quite a while now so there may be some form of value investing already,” the first trader said.

The second trader said the auction was successful as the Treasury almost made a full award with the rate range “well within expected levels.”

The BSP’s Monetary Board will meet to review policy settings on Thursday, June 23.

Outgoing BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno and his successor Monetary Board member Felipe M. Medalla last week said a 25-bp hike at the Thursday meeting is almost a “sure thing.” Both made their comments before the Fed’s decision to raise rates by 75 bps last week.

Mr. Medalla said the BSP could raise rates again in its Aug. 18 meeting and several more times this year, but tightening will be gradual as he ruled out hikes bigger than 25 bps. He said in a roundtable discussion with BusinessWorld editors last week that the BSP still has the “luxury of time and large reserves.”

On Monday, Mr. Diokno and Mr. Medalla affirmed their intent to raise rates gradually, both signaling a 25-bp hike this week despite market expectations of a 50-bp increase.

The BSP began its tightening cycle with a 25-bp hike on May 19 to help stem rising prices as headline inflation already reached 5.4% in May, higher than its 4.6% forecast and 2-4% target for the year. Year to date, inflation has averaged 4.1%.

Increases worth 25 bps at the Monetary Board’s June and August meetings would bring the benchmark rate to 2.75% from the current 2.25%.

Meanwhile, several US central bankers are set to give speeches this week, led by a likely hawkish testimony from Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell to the House on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Fed last week vowed its commitment to containing inflation was “unconditional,” while Fed Governor Christopher Waller on Saturday said he would support another hike of 75 bps in July.

US inflation rose by 8.6% year on year in May, the highest in 40 years.

The BTr wants to raise P250 billion from the domestic market in June, or P75 billion via Treasury bills and P175 billion via T-bonds.

The government borrows from local and external sources to help fund a budget deficit capped at P1.65 trillion this year, equivalent to 7.6% of gross domestic product. — T.J. Tomas

Dutch beer brand to boost Philippine presence

June 22, 2022 | 12:02 am

HEINEKEN, the international premium beer brand, is taking on a new corporate identity and aims to boost its presence in the Philippines, which the Dutch brewer considers one of its major growth drivers in the region.

At the helm of the corporate refresh is Michael Vainio, the country manager. He will oversee the beer brand’s expansion through Heineken Philippines, Inc.

In a statement on Tuesday, Heineken Philippines said Mr. Vainio has years of experience with CPG (consumer packaged goods) categories under his belt.

Before joining the local company, he served for 12 years at Kimberly-Clark as general manager for Singapore and the Philippines. He was head of customer development before joining Heineken Philippines.

Heineken entered the Philippine market in 2016 through AB Heineken Philippines, a 50-50 joint venture partnership between Heineken and Filipino-owned diversified beverage company Asia Brewery, Inc.

Now under a “reformed partnership structure,” Heineken Philippines has put up its own sales and marketing office based in Manila. Asia Brewery is still the local manufacturing partner and distributor of the international brand’s premium beer products in the Philippines.

Heineken describes itself as “one of the most iconic beer brands in the world for over 150 years.”

“It’s known for its green bottle and red star, and its unforgettable rich and crisp flavors with subtle fruity notes: the perfect medley of 100% pure natural ingredients of barley, hops and water — together with its own special A-Yeast that gives each brew the characteristic balanced taste.”

Heineken considers Southeast Asia as a top region in beer consumption. It cited a report by Marketresearch.com that the Philippines’ beer market was at $2 billion in 2015, with a growth of about 6.38% from 2015 to 2019.

It said the lockdowns during the pandemic badly hit industries across the board but with the easing of restrictions and reopening of businesses, the country’s beer market is predicted to hit $3.41 billion in retail prices or a compound annual growth rate of 4.7% per annum from 2020 to 2025.

Philippines: Balance of payments position

June 22, 2022 | 12:02 am

THE PHILIPPINES posted its largest monthly balance of payments (BoP) deficit in 15 months in May, mainly due to the National Government’s foreign debt payments, the central bank said on Tuesday. Read the full story.