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DoST evaluating hybrid abaca, community weavers for face mask production

PHILSTAR

THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology (DoST) said it has launched a project tapping hybrid abaca and other fibers as well as community weavers to produce face masks and other protective apparel.

The DoST’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) said its project is known as the Community-Level Textile Raw Material Integration towards Self-sufficient Philippine Textiles Manufacturing of Protective Re-engineered Occupational Technical Textiles against COVID-19 program.  

“(The project) targets to manufacture a water-repellent, antiviral, and re-wearable textile fabric for face masks and protective apparel in response to the new normal,” PCAARRD said in a statement over the weekend.

It said the DoST’s Philippine Textile Research Institute will partner with weavers and fiber-producing communities in Apayao, Cavite, and Surigao del Sur.

Fibers to be used in the project include an abaca hybrid called Backcross Abaca with Native and Desirable Accessions to Lift Up the Abaca Industry (BANDALA), bamboo, and pineapple leaf.

BANDALA was developed late last year by the University of the Philippines Los Baños Institute of Plant Breeding. The hybrid is resistant to the abaca bunchy top virus and tolerates drought.

“The final product is also expected to comply with Republic Act No. 9242 or the Philippine Tropical Fabric Law which requires the use of local tropical fibers for government wear,” it said.  

Abaca output in the seven months to July hit 38,460.04 metric tons (MT), up 10.2% from a year earlier, according to the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority.

Catanduanes was the top abaca producer with 10,638.81 MT. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Of soil and pineapples, sleeves and work: a look at 19th century clothing

DR. STEPHANIE Coo showing a sample of piña from Negros which was embroidered with human hair, during her talk “Ubiquity, Uniqueness, and the Theatricality of 19th-century Philippine Clothing.”

ONCE upon a time, piña – the local fabric best known for its translucence and stiffness – was as soft and flowy as lace, a product. And that was somehow related to the soil the pineapple plant is grown on.

This and other equally surprising bits of information were discussed in a talk by Dr. Stephanie Coo, called “Ubiquity, Uniqueness, and the Theatricality of 19th-century Philippine Clothing,” presented on Sept. 24 on the Facebook page of Gabii sa Kabilin, a heritage initiative by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. Ms. Coo is the author of Clothing the Colony, 19th Century Philippine Sartorial Culture, 1820-1896, which won at the IIAS-ICAS International book Prize 2021, being named Best Book in Humanities- English Edition.
“What’s unique about Filipino clothing are the materials,” she said, pointing out the ubiquitous formalwear Filipino fabric piña, made out of fibers of the crown of leaves from the Spanish Red variety of pineapple. “The material itself is quite itchy,” she said, as well as translucent. The nature of the material paved the way for such innovations related to protection: of the body itself but also from the gaze, hence, clothing worn underneath (usually of cotton), provided comfort, as well as protection from prying eyes.
She also noted the difference between the piña fabric now and the piña fabric in the 1800s. Comparing samples from then and now, she concluded, “Now it’s more stiff.” Apparently, piña then felt like lace. “It flows,” she said.

Further inquiry yielded that the soil on which piña is supposed to grow has changed. “The pH level has changed,” she said, noting that one of the more prosperous regions for piña production then was in the island of Panay. She also reported that efforts to produce piña in India were started, but, “The soil, again, was different.”
“What was different about the soil of Panay?,” she asked.

SLEEVES AND CLASS
She also made a case for the evolution of sleeves.

She presented images of earlier fashions which showed narrow sleeves, related to the fashions in Europe at that time. Gradually, they became wider for varied reasons. Of course, the hot climate in the Philippines came into play, but also, she showed illustrations of 19th-century domestic helpers in the Philippines. “Women started to do things.” Shorter and wider sleeves allowed for more comfort at work, while for the upper classes, sleeves became a space for leisurely needlework, which showed off a young woman’s skill in embroidery.
With class coming into play, Ms. Coo delved into the tapis, an early overskirt. Upper-class women sometimes did not wear it, it sometimes being a marker of a life of work: it either reminded one of aprons, or wipes where vendors wiped their hands.

Still, the tapis slipped in and out of fashion, as shown in illustrations where some women of means wore an overskirt, while many mestizas (mixed race women of European and Filipino descent) went without it, being a nod towards worldliness.

“When you cannot modify your facial features —  for example, to look more mestiza —  what people did to show status was to manipulate their external appearance through clothing,” said Ms. Coo.
“Clothing are markers of race, class, gender —  and what is interesting is in an emerging field,” she said about memory studies. “How are clothes remembered? How is clothing discussed? We remember people —  the wearers —  of memorable clothing.
“When we’re talking about clothes, we’re really talking about people.” — Joseph L. Garcia

BSP backs measure to regulate financial accounts to boost guard against scammers

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) is supporting a measure that looks to protect the public from fraudsters that target bank accounts and e-wallets.

The central bank said it backs the immediate passage of Senate Bill 2380 or the Bank Account, E-wallet, and Other Financial Accounts Regulation Act.

“Amid the rise in online transactions during the pandemic, the bill is also expected to strengthen confidence in use of electronic payments and promote the country’s financial stability,” the BSP said in a statement on Saturday.

The proposed measure prohibits the usage of bank accounts and e-wallets as money mules for suspicious activities.

It likewise identifies social engineer schemes as illicit activities. Deception in order to manipulate individuals into sharing their sensitive information could in turn be used to access their financial accounts, whether or not such schemes result in monetary loss on the part of the victim.

The measure also identifies economic sabotage as a major offense. Illicit activities carried out by a syndicate or through a large scale scheme will be classified under this offense.

“The legislative measure will strengthen the country’s legal framework for financial consumer welfare and foster greater public awareness on cybersecurity,” the central bank said.

Under the bill, persons found guilty of using accounts as money mules will be penalized with fines of P100,000 to P200,000, or face prision correccional (six months and one day to six years), or both.

Meanwhile, suspects found guilty of social engineering schemes will face penalties of P200,000 to P500,000, imprisonment of prision mayor (six years and one day to 12 years), or both. 

Finally, it slaps life imprisonment and a fine of P1 million to P5 million on persons found guilty of economic sabotage.

“By strictly penalizing money mules and social engineering schemes, this measure seeks to ensure that the hard-earned money of the public is kept safe, and that public trust and confidence in our current financial system are maintained as it continues to innovate and traverse through cyberspace,” Senator Grace S. Poe-Llamanzares said in the introductory note for the bill.

The bill was filed on Sept. 6.

House Bill 9615, which is a counterpart measure of the Senate bill, was filed on June 14. It remains pending with the Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries since July 28.

Last year, the BSP received about 20,000 financial consumer complaints, most of which were about fraud and unauthorized financial transactions. — Luz Wendy T. Noble

Be more proactive in energy security, gov’t told

By Angelica Y. Yang, Reporter

THE GOVERNMENT must play a more proactive role in ensuring energy security and take on its social responsibility of assuring sufficient power, according to energy industry stakeholders.

“The DoE (Department of Energy) is the lead agency, and in short, what I see that is lacking or missing in DoE is their sense of urgency and strong leadership,” said University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Energy Engineering Professor Nicanor S. Villaseñor III. “They should be more proactive, rather than reactive.”

He said the Energy department should have started exploration activities as early as when it found out that the offshore Malampaya gas field’s reserves were dwindling. In this case, authorities were just reacting to the situation at hand, he added.

Energy Undersecretary and Spokesperson Felix William B. Fuentebella previously said that the agency expected compliance from those in the energy sector, citing “grave” economic and political consequences if industry players continue to defy government policies on maintaining sufficient reserves and plant outage schedules.

He said the department does not have the power to penalize industry members, but complaints can be brought up to Congress in the form of franchise revocation.

Although Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Act of 2001 has fostered a deregulated environment, the government bears the social responsibility to ensure sufficient power supply, according to Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who chairs his chamber’s energy committee.

“I don’t believe that energy security should be left in the hands of the private sector. That motivation is [the] government’s motivation. To some extent, yes, it’s the private sector because energy security generates profits [for] them. But it’s a social responsibility of government to make sure that we have constant supply of fuel and electricity,” he said.

For Developers of Renewable Energy for AdvanceMent, Inc. (DREAM) President Jose M. Layug, Jr., the government should adopt a pro-clean energy stance instead of a technology-neutral one, which Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi has been pursuing.

“At the end of the day, government needs to declare that we prefer renewables…Renewables are now cheaper than coal and natural gas, and they’re faster to build. You can build a solar plant for nine months. You can build a wind plant for 18 months. You can build a biomass plant for two years, so it’s much easier to build these RE (renewable energy) plants than your conventional plants,” he said.

Data from the DoE Electric Power Industry Management Bureau show that the country’s installed capacity for RE, natural gas, oil-based and coal facilities increased by over 4,800 megawatts (MW) from 2016 to 2020.

Of the number, renewables accounted for around 750 MW while 3,525 MW came from coal plants.

“Have we been able to build more capacities as we should? Unfortunately, no. The supply of electricity unfortunately did not grow as much as demand,” Mr. Layug said, adding that developers faced several problems in setting up power facilities.

“When you build a power plant, ask me how many permits do they need to get? Minimum 200. Do we really want them to build, or we just want to create barriers to power plants? Number two, [they have to put up with] the flip-flopping policy of government. Is this government really supportive of renewables or not?”

He added that although the government is not allowed to build a power plant, its role is to make it easy for the private sector to build such facilities.

Meanwhile, local think-tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) said the government should not create plans based on the existing grid, which depends on baseload power.

“We need to develop a grid that is capable of absorbing intermittency. Once we don’t develop this, the Philippines’ potential in harnessing RE will go to waste. You have the existing policies, but there are bottlenecks around it. The government’s plans are always based on the grid we have right now,” said CEED Executive Director Gerry C. Arances.

He said that it is imperative to introduce more RE plants which can supply baseload power while developing a “smart grid” or a grid that uses digital technology to quickly respond to consumers’ electricity demands.

NEED FOR ‘FORWARD-LOOKING’ POLICIES
While Mr. Gatchalian described coal as a “sunset” technology, he said it will likely remain a significant power source for seven years or more, even as there is pressure from the financing and environment sectors to phase out the fuel source.

Citing recent data, he said that around 65% to 75% of the country’s energy mix comes from imported sources — and this is what makes the Philippines susceptible to global fluctuations.

One way to address this is to keep diversifying energy sources, and not just relying on a single source country.

“For example, Saudi Arabia is a big supplier of crude oil, we should not just get from them. We should also get from other sources [and] look for other suppliers,” he said.

The lawmaker added the country should also keep looking for oil and gas through exploration activities and keep pushing for legacy and variable RE technologies.

Meanwhile, for UP’s Mr. Villaseñor, the government should consider implementing policies which are more forward-looking.

“Our energy situation is predominantly market driven [in terms of] policies. Given the situation where we are right now, we need to do more. We have to be more forward looking…[Our] energy policies should be able to address energy infrastructure by building in and readying capacities in generation, transmission and distribution. They should be removing barriers so that you will be able to undertake this build-up and upgrading,” he said.

Although the DoE regularly comes out with the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP), it also should look at creating an energy transition roadmap which should provide a specific timeline, targets and key performance indicators relating to the shift to other power sources other than conventional ones, he added.

At present, the department has yet to come out with the latest PEP covering the years 2020 to 2040, and the updated National Renewable Energy Plan, which details the roadmap in achieving a 35% RE share in the generation mix by 2030.

Delivery app Pick-A-Roo now carries more than 1,000 brands

LIFESTYLE delivery app Pick.A.Roo now has over 1,000 brands and over 150,000 products from different stores and categories.

Pick.A.Roo is under Agile Digital Ventures, Inc., a subsidiary of Megaworld Corp.

“We have been carefully curating and selecting our merchant partners to provide only the best offerings to our customers,” Agile Digital Ventures President Kevin Andrew L. Tan said in an e-mailed statement on Friday.

The app allows customers to order groceries from supermarkets such as The Marketplace, Shopwise, S&R, Landmark, AllDay, Robinsons Supermarket, MerryMart, and UltraMega Grocery.

Customers may also order from restaurants and food groups like Foodee Global Concepts’ Tim Ho Wan and Mesa; The Moment Group’s 8Cuts Burgers and Din Tai Fung; the Max’s Group’s Max’s and Dencio’s; Italianni’s, TGIF, and Denny’s of The Bistro Group; and The UCC Group’s Mos Burger and Coco Ichibanya.

Quick service restaurants McDonald’s, S&R Pizza, and Shakey’s Pizza may also be accessed via the Pick.A.Roo app, as well as food from hotels in Manila like Shangri-la Hotel’s Shangri-la at Home, and fine dining restaurants such as The Test Kitchen by Josh Boutwood, among others.

“Latest data from the company show that 75% of Pick.A.Roo’s transactions are through the use of credit cards, and customers use the app at an average of at least once a week for groceries and up to thrice a week for food,” the company said.

Aside from food and groceries, the app also carries pharmaceutical stores such as South Star Drug, Medexpress, and MerryMartOTC. It also has homeware brands, gadget shops such as PowerMac and Digital Walker, and appliances.

Pick.A.Roo allows users to shop from different stores at the same time and check-out in one go.

Customers may also schedule the delivery of their items, although food delivery services may be completed within 25 minutes and at least an hour for the delivery of groceries and medicines.

“Part of our vision is to constantly challenge ourselves to provide the best service to our discerning customers. It is always our goal to decrease the waiting time for delivery,” Mr. Tan said. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

All mu: 2nd-generation Isuzu mu-X launched

PHOTO FROM ISUZU PHILIPPINES CORPORATION

Isuzu is raring to rumble anew in the midsize SUV segment

THE FIRST time I ever saw the Isuzu mu-X model was back in 2013 — also the first time I had attended the much-celebrated Tokyo Motor Show. I was there as part of Isuzu’s official press contingent, and I remember being quite impressed with what was then presented as the evolution of the long-running Isuzu Alterra. Needless to say, although not sold in Japan, the mu-X quickly became a hit in its Southeast Asian markets.

Fast-forward to 2021, and Isuzu has officially debuted its latest rendition of its popular seven-seater in the Philippine market. This second-generation model of the mu-X flaunts being more robust and exclusive in character and build; and describes its latest design as now more emotional and solid.

The new mu-X has a relatively smaller, leather-wrapped steering wheel (reduced to 375mm from the previous 382mm) and it comes with convenient, 20mm telescopic adjustment capability. The driver’s instruments are classier in design and the inner door trims and console armrest are made with soft-touch materials. A 10.1-inch full touchscreen display that is both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible decorates the center dash. The truck now comes with an eight-speaker system with JVC Kenwood tweeters mounted on the rear doors. Moreover, as a practical feature, more power outlets can now be found built into the center console to provide passengers in the rear with access to a dedicated 220V socket and two 2.4A USB charging ports.

The second and third rows are now wider, have larger headrests (with higher height adjustment levels) and larger seat cushions. The B-pillars have been moved slightly forward (by 25mm) in order to offer additional legroom for the second-row passengers. The folding armrest here features a clever sliding tray, while the third row is appointed with a dedicated arm rest. Delightfully, there are 12 cup holders located in and around the cabin, with the ones by the door pockets able to fit in 1.5-liter sized bottles, for no compromises.

Unfolding the seatback in the mu-X is now easier, thanks to the smart changes made to the lift strap position (and to the elimination of the lever lock). And while the truck’s luggage space remains cavernous, this latest model boasts of increased load capacity — from 60 kgs to 100 kgs. Wider side steps are also excellent for accommodating senior passengers.

The new mu-X also inherits a few features which were a hit among the D-Max pickup’s customer base. It now also carries the Passive Entry and Start System (PESS), which displays a welcome light when it senses that the driver approaches the vehicle, and then the interior light switches when within two meters. Conversely, the vehicle also has a Walk Away Lock which works when the driver walks away from the vehicle as he or she carries the smart key with him or her. It activates once the driver is at a distance of three meters.

Powering the latest Isuzu mu-X is its new 4JJ3-TCX turbo engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. This spits out 190ps of power and 450Nm of torque — enough to efficiently transport or even tow heavy loads. Furthermore, the truck’s front and back suspension have been redesigned to offer a more comfortable ride and less body roll when taking corners. It is equipped with steel underbody protection for different terrain applications, and claims a water wading depth of 800mm.

The mu-X comes with a convenient Terrain Command Select Dial which allows its driver to easily switch between 2WD High and 4WD High even while speeding at 100kph. Of course, it also gives the driver the flexibility to drive in 4WD Low when necessary, and offers its Rough Terrain Mode as a drive option at the flick of a switch.

The new Isuzu mu-X also flaunts a five-star ASEAN NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) rating, with its active and passive safety features highlighted by Isuzu’s Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS). This technology is also carried over from the latest Isuzu D-Max, which was launched in the country earlier this year.

“The all-new Isuzu mu-X is the result of years of research and paying attention to our customers’ feedback, so that ultimately, we can introduce to you the best version of your favorite SUV,” shared IPC President Hajime Koso.

The all-new Isuzu mu-X is available in both 4×4 and 4×2 variants, with pricing as follows: mu-X 3.0L 4×4 LS-E AT (P2.45 million), mu-X 3.0L 4×2 LS-E AT (P2.1 million), mu-X 3.0L 4×2 LS-A AT (P1.9 million), mu-X RZ4E 4×2 LS-A MT (P1.77 million), and mu-X RZ4E 4×2 LS AT (P1.59 million).

P24-M shrimp hatchery launched in Mindoro

THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) said it launched a P24-million shrimp hatchery in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro on Sept. 24.  

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said the shrimp hatchery and broodstock development center was funded under Republic Act No. 11494 or Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan II). 

The hatchery, a project of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR), will be involved in the medium-scale production of Pacific White Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei), with a production target of 50 million fry annually.

“Oriental Mindoro is home to the first BFAR shrimp hatchery in the country. It will not only support Mindoro Island, but also all other regions in the country will depend on the fry to be raised here in Bongabong,” Mr. Dar said during the launch.  

The first phase of the hatchery’s implementation is the fry production facility, while the second phase will involve the grow-out and broodstock development facility.  

“The facility, which includes a laboratory, natural food tank, larval rearing tank, powerhouse/pump house, water reservoir, and covered work area, will provide registered shrimp farmers and 197 BFAR-registered shrimp farms in the region a year-round supply of fry,” the DA said.

The hatchery will also promote the use of aquaculture areas, particularly brackish water, and boost employment in the fishery sector.

Oriental Mindoro has 25,865 registered fisherfolk and 3,108 hectares of brackish water fishpond area, according to the DA. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Style (09/27/21)

Support Divisoria enterprises through TutuBuy

THE HISTORIC Tutuban Center celebrates the first year of its digital flagship store known as “TutuBuy.” Designed as the first wholesale shopping site in Divisoria, TutuBuy keeps the bargain shopping spirit alive with wholesalers that offer the best products at affordable prices online. As TutuBuy celebrates its first anniversary, big discounts await shoppers until Sept. 30, TutuBuy will offer a site-wide discounted shopper’s fee of P150 from the regular rate of P250 for all customers regardless of their basket size by using the voucher code “TutubuyAnniv” upon check out. The code is applicable for one-time use within the promo period. TutuBuy lists a growing array of various goods on the site — from homeware and kitchenware, hygiene and sanitation items, packaging materials, textiles, tailoring accessories, office and school supplies, arts and crafts, party needs, toys and events supplies, and even tiles and home furnishings. Shoppers can get their wholesale bargain needs from Tutuban merchants Anding’s Toys & Flowers, Michelle’s Ribbon and Lace Center, Plaza de Amigos, Tramontina, Boston Textile Trading, Centro Texstyle, Perfect Resource Trading and Esta Galleria, Megajaz Packaging Supplies, Shirt Station Enterprises, Gravitee Sales, Sun City Multi Sales and Wellmanson Sewing Notion. In addition to the e-commerce site, TutuBuy expanded its services to offer Pabili (purchase), a hybrid shopping experience wherein the customer will be connected with a personal shopper to assist and physically purchase the client’s requested items that may or may not be listed on the TutuBuy website. The Pabili feature allows buyers to find goods in Tutuban Center and other shops within Divisoria. Deliveries are made through TutuBuy’s partner couriers. The shipping rate is computed based on the order’s overall dimensions and weight on top of the buyer’s delivery address. For patrons who prefer to physically visit Tutuban Center, pick-ups are allowed and can be arranged by the mall staff. Payment can be done via online bank transfer (BPI and BDO), GCash, and cash on delivery (COD). Visit TutuBuy at www.tutubancenter.com.

Uniqlo opens shops in Iloilo, Dumaguete, and Caloocan

JAPANESE apparel retailer, Uniqlo, is set to open more stores in the country in the last quarter of the year. Uniqlo Philippines is set to reopen its SM City Iloilo store on Oct. 29. The store is at the Upper Ground floor of the mall’s North Wing and will feature an expanded sales area from 736 sqm to 959 sqm. Then, Uniqlo SM City Grand Central will open on Nov. 26, the same day as the mall’s opening. With 830 sqm sales area, it will be its first store in Caloocan City and the whole CAMANAVA area which will be directly accessible via LRT1 (Monumento station). Also opening is a new 860 sqm Uniqlo store at Robinsons Dumaguete on Dec. 1. The three new stores will showcase the complete line-up of LifeWear including essentials and collaboration collections for women, men, kids, and babies. During their opening weeks, locals can enjoy special offerings and promotions just in time for holiday shopping.

Tod’s releases No_Code J Project sneaker

TOD’S has released the new No_Code J Project urban sneaker inspired by outdoor performance. Maintaining all the features that make the No_Code projects (a synthesis of advanced technology and high production quality) unique, the No_Code J  is now equipped with performance suitable for rough terrains. The Korean designer Yong Bae Seok took many points of inspiration for the “J” project from his trip to Silicon Valley in 2020 to produce the book, Silicon Valley, No_Code Life. In Yong’s words, “The new No_Code J (where ‘J’ stands for journey) answers the needs of people who are looking for adventure, contact with nature and the outdoors, even in a more urban context; thus making ‘J’ ‘all terrain’ where, in the words of the architect Louis H. Sullivan, ‘Form follows function’.” In the Philippines, Tod’s is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Shangri-La, and Shangri-La Plaza and online at Trunc.ph, Rustans.com, Zalora, and Lazada.

Discounts, promos on bags and shoes at Rustan’s

REFRESH your wardrobe at Rustan’s World Wide Wear promo  and shop for shoes and bags to avail of special promos and discounts until Sept. 30. Frequent Shopper Program members can earn x3 FSP Points when they shop men’s items at the following brands: Pedro del Hierro, Emporio Armani, C-Secure, Miguel Bellido, Buxton, Dopp, Hackett, Magnanni, Adidas, Nike, New Balance, Under Armour, FitBit, Prizmic & Brill, Kikkerland, and more. Likewise, x3 FSP Points are redeemable at the following stores for women’s items: Aerosoles, LeSportsac, Ricardo Preto, Hoff, Eileen Fisher, Natori, Regina Pyo, Bardot, Swarovski, Longchamp, Daze, ASTR, Sam Edelman, Yuzefi, Carolee and more. Take advantage of discounts at 15% off at Criselda Lontok, Lady Rustan, Lotus, Luna, U My Phils, and Yoya; 20% off at Verve PPE, Tali Handmade, Fluffe, TPNW Shoes, Sledgers, Allena, Big is Beautiful; and up to 70% off at Havaianas. With the new way of living, the right pair of shoes and bags can boost comfort and confidence. Sneakers are ideal for grocery shopping, visiting the bank, and going to work these days, like those at Hoff Shoes, Aerosoles, New Balance, and Magnanni. For short trips and intimate get-togethers, dress up in feminine footwear like local shoe brand, TPNW, which uses the softest Italian Napa lambskin leather and padded leather insoles, or, for a more playful vibe, go for Fluffe’s furry sandals or sport an edgy twist with Rejina Pyo. For sports shoes there is the Nike Precision 5 basketball shoe, which locks in your foot with structured materials and cushions with resilient foam, and Under Armour’s shoes which are built to fit every runner. Fit all your essentials in style with the Rejina Pyo Oliva Bag, crafted in a vintage-inspired box silhouette that can easily fit a facemask, alcohol spray, antibacterial wipes, hand wash and hand creams. Using croc-effect Italian leather, it stands out in a unique modern design. then there is Manu Atelier’s Cylinder Crossbody Bag in 100% Calf Leather which also features a spacious interior in a unique shape. Other must have statement pieces are also available at Strathberry, DeMellier, Danse Lente, Coccinelle, and Chloe. A go-to versatile bag is very important and LeSportsac features a collection of shoulder bags, hand bags, and belt bags of all kinds of sizes that are ideal for carrying items for groceries, errands, baby essentials, sports, and more.

M&S favorites at new lower prices

THE MARKS & SPENCER (M&S) Autumn collection offers M&S favorites with discounts of up to 20% The new collection offers a seasonal color palette of muted browns, khaki green, and maroon complemented with shades of antique gold and soft lilacs. Highlight hues of cobalt blue, burnt orange, and forest green layered in, offering pops of color to brighten up Autumn dressing M&S favorites in womenswear such as midi dresses, textured knits, and ribbed roll necks in pops of confident color and statement prints make for easy wardrobe updates. Across lightweight layers and jackets and wide leg trousers offer fun layering options with clean, modern, and fresh silhouettes. Straight-leg trousers start from P1,250, and leggings from P795. For menswear, Autumn offers relaxed dressing with classic styling and modernized fits. There are versatile wardrobe staples, re-worked heritage pieces, and modern fabrications, including denim and wool that guarantee everyday value, comfort and style. Graphic checks elevate utility-inspired shackets, whilst jersey crew neck tops are re-worked in fresh stripe color combinations, crafted in a responsibly sourced cotton. Get free shipping with a minimum P2,000 purchase at marksandspencer.com.ph until Sept. 30. Max of three kilos only. Additional charges of P65 per kilo for excess weight will apply for Metro Manila and provincial deliveries. Food delivery is within Metro Manila only.

Robinsons Starmills levels up mall experiences

AFTER the recent launch of the “100 Days to the Giant Lantern Festival,” which also kicked off the Christmas festivities in the province of Pampanga, Robinsons Starmills promises to make “season two” of the pandemic memorable with its lineup of activities. Aside from being the venue for the annual Giant Lantern Festival, which provides a platform for the talented lantern-makers to showcase their creation and sell their products, Robinsons Starmills ups the ante for the best shopping, dining, and recreational experience for all its customers. Starmills opens the season with a pre-holiday sale till the end of the month which offers discounts of up to 80% on local and international brands including Guess, Mango, Nike, The Rail (carrying Vans, Florsheim, Naturalizer, Toms, Circa, K-Swiss), Olympic Outlet (carrying Keds, Sperry, New Balance, Puma), Bambu (Ipanema), Folded and Hung and Bench. Simultaneously happening is Style Corner, a dedicated section of the mall that showcases the latest arrivals from Outlet brands is participating in the Pre-Holiday Sale. From Nov. 26-28, the mall will hold Black Friday, fashioned after the traditional post-Thanksgiving super sale in the US. Shoppers are entitled to one e-raffle ticket for a minimum purchase of P2,000 from any participating outlet store for a chance to win prizes, including more shopping perks at Robinsons Starmills. Starmills has also opened the Yard, Pampanga’s newest fitness and outdoor recreation facility. The Yard is a five-hectare property in the rear parking area with a dedicated one-hectare bike trail, a 500-meter jogging lane, and skating areas for both inline and skateboarding, and an RC car track. Meanwhile, Chill Nights are held every Friday and Saturday in September and October, starting at 6 p.m., featuring local street foods and more. Finally, the mall will launch its Pet Park and Happy Pets Club on Oct. 23. Perks and privileges await those who sign up for the Happy Pets Club. There will be a pet blessing, pet deworming and vaccination, plus games and prizes. Join the online pet photo contest to win invites to the launch. Finally, drive by to this year’s Giant Lantern Festival, happening on Dec. 16.

Keep up with trends with #ShopeeFinds

SHOPEE Finds is a one-stop shop for trending items. To check it out, type #ShopeeFinds using Shopee’s search bar. Aside from in-demand items at the best prices across different categories, the user can score free shipping and cashback vouchers on the page. For the TikTok-obsessed, there is the TikTok Made Me Buy It section on the page. There is also the Takeover Calendar to discover upcoming trends across different categories. From Sept. 23 to Oct. 6, the roundup of trendy finds on Tiktok Made Me Buy It include Sakura Soap (which helps remove scars and even out the complexion), the Levitating Moon Lamp (which spins freely in mid-air without any support), the soft silicone Pop It Phone Case (which doubles as a phone protector and fidget toy), and ZXJeans’ wide legged pants (denim jeans features a slightly flared, baggy fit and a flattering high-waisted silhouette). More trending TikTok and fashion items can be found at shopee.ph/m/shopee-finds. Keep an eye out for the Y2K Style Takeover this Oct. 7 to 20. For safe and convenient payments, go cashless with ShopeePay, which can be used to Buy Load, Pay Bills, and Scan to Pay at multiple merchants nationwide. Activate and top up a ShopeePay wallet on Sept. 30 to avail of these ShopeePay-exclusive offers: up to 50% bills cashback from over 60 billers, up to 50% off on mobile load, and ₱1 Deals from Puregold, Potato Corner, Seaoil, and more.

T-bill, bond rates seen to inch up amid inflation fears

BW FILE PHOTO

YIELDS on government securities may rise this week on the expected increase in interest rates following the signals from the US Federal Reserve last week, coupled with lingering inflation fears back home.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) is set to borrow P15 billion in Treasury bills (T-bills) on Monday, broken down into P5 billion each in 91-, 182- and 364-day debt papers.

The BTr will also auction off P35 billion in reissued 10-year Treasury bonds (T-bonds) with a remaining life of nine years and nine months on Tuesday.

In separate phone interviews on Friday, a bond trader said T-bill rates will only move sideways on ample demand for the short-term debt while another bond trader is expecting rates to “have an upward bias as investors might ask for higher yields.”

For the reissued 10-year bonds, the first trader expects yields to range from 4.5% to 4.65% while the second trader gave a slightly wider band of 4.5-4.7%.

Both traders cited the signals from the Fed’s meeting last week as the main driving factors for the anticipated increase in bond yields after the central bank laid out its timetable for tapering and interest rate hike.

The Fed after the Federal Open Market Committee’s two-day meeting last week said it could begin tapering its monthly bond purchases by November if jobs data will remain strong, Reuters reported.

Interest rate hikes may also begin next year once its bond-buying program ends, as nine of 18 Fed policy makers believe borrowing costs have to increase in 2022.

Back home, the traders said the market will also price in lingering fears over high inflation after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) increased its forecast for the year.

During its policy-setting meeting on Thursday, the BSP raised its inflation outlook for the year to 4.4% from 4.1% previously as supply issues continue to push food prices higher. This is beyond the 2-4% target of the central bank for 2021.

Headline inflation quickened to 4.9% in August from 4% in July, its fastest pace in more than two years, to bring the eight-month average to 4.4%, which is above the central bank’s target.

The BTr made a full award of the T-bills it offered last week as rates dipped across the board and total bids went up to P72.5 billion from P63.27 billion the week prior.

Broken down, it raised P5 billion as planned via the 91-day debt papers at an average rate of 1.07%, lower than the 1.079% seen at the auction on Sept. 13

It also borrowed the programmed P5 billion via the 182-day T-bills as the average yield went down to 1.389% from 1.402% a week before.

Lastly, the government made a full P5-billion award of the 364-day papers from P24.42 billion in tenders. The one-year securities fetched an average rate of 1.597%, dipping by 0.7 basis point from 1.604%

Meanwhile, the last time the government offered the reissued T-bonds was on Sept. 14 when it borrowed P35 billion as planned from P61.829 billion in total tenders.

The notes fetched an average rate of 4.246%, climbing from 3.914% recorded in the auction on Aug. 3.

“The China Evergrande group debt woes last week triggered a risk off sentiment in the local market, causing yields to adjust higher in the secondary market. The issue will continue to weigh on sentiment,” the first trader said.

At the secondary market on Friday, the 91-, 182- and 364-day T-bills were quoted at 1.122%, 1.372% and 1.66%, respectively, while the 10-year tenor fetched 4.3406%, according to the PHP Bloomberg Valuation Service Reference Rates published on the Philippine Dealing System’s website.

The Treasury is looking to raise P250 billion from the local market this month: P75 billion via weekly offers of T-bills and P175 billion from weekly auctions of T-bonds.

The government wants to borrow P3 trillion from domestic and external sources this year to help fund a budget deficit seen to hit 9.3% of gross domestic product. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Why renewable energy costs are going down at a slower pace

PEXELS-DANIEL RECHE

By Jenina P. Ibañez, Reporter

RENEWABLE ENERGY made cheaper by economies of scale over the past decade will be made even less expensive, except at a slower pace, industry participants said.

However, moves to reduce cost and expand renewable energy sources in the Philippines are running up against lengthy regulatory processes and pricey technology.

For the most part, renewable energy has become significantly cheaper.

In 2013, producing a megawatt of power through solar energy would take $1.6 million to $1.8 million. A bulk of spending in solar and wind energy goes into construction, after which operational costs are small, SunAsia Energy, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Tetchi C. Capellan said in an online interview.

Today, producing a megawatt of power through solar costs $700,000.

“When the roll out of solar power started to penetrate Germany, Netherlands, Spain, US, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia — when it started to penetrate in big megawatt numbers, siyempre ang cost to produce bumababa (of course, the cost to produce went down),” Ms. Capellan said. “May volume ka, may economies of scale ka (You have volume, you have economies of scale),” she said.

Based on 2019 figures, the estimated levelized cost of energy of solar is P3.85 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while biomass is at P4.56 [per kWh],” National Renewable Energy Board Director Alberto R. Dalusong III said in a phone interview.

The levelized cost of energy measures the lifetime cost of generating electricity through a plant or technology.

Wind is P5 per kWh and run-of-the-river hydro is P6.6 per kWh, according to his estimates based on available data from energy associations and projects. Coal was at P5.35 per kWh.

Given that the data is two years old, Mr. Dalusong said that wind and solar are likely cheaper at this point. The capacity of coal plants could also be lower given the outages, he said, which would mean his calculated coal costs could be an underestimate.

Ms. Capellan said the costs to produce power through renewable sources will keep going down over the next few years, but not as much as it did before.

Research and development into solar panels has been churning out technologies that produce more power efficiently by taking up less land and using lighter panel structures.

“Siyempre ’yung mga manufacturer ng panel (Of course, the solar panel manufacturers) — of which China is leading — their research and development and the materials that they’re using has cost and they also have to recover their R&D period,” she said.

Don Mario Y. Dia, vice-chairman of BioPower, said development of technology that would ultimately reduce costs through efficiency would require spending.

“When you develop new technologies, you have to spend. Like ethanol, for instance. We have to propagate so that you can be efficient, so that your costs can come down,” he said in a phone interview.

“The costs of development of new technologies is still on the high side.”

Expenses are also driven by the high cost of the hectares of land required to produce enough energy, and by the services needed to follow local regulatory processes.

“To build a solar power plant, including land conversion, you need 124 signatures,” Ms. Capellan said.

Developers of Renewable Energy for AdvanceMent, Inc. (DREAM) President Jose M. Layug, Jr. said that the manpower and repetitive research studies needed to put up the plants add up to such high expenses that cutting red tape would likely reduce costs by 10%.

For him, the expansion of renewable energy sources would ultimately reduce prices for consumers by adding more supply.

“Worst-case scenario, we will be where we are now currently trending: more coal power plants being built and more coal being imported for these power plants. Once coal becomes a problem in terms of imports, then prices will go up in the future,” he said in a virtual interview.

“If the demand for coal goes up, we are dependent on Indonesia and therefore our electricity rates will also go up. It’s a function of demand of that particular fuel. But if we have renewables, we don’t need to import. They are already here, so we will not be subject to price volatility,” he said.

He recommends that government policy prefers renewables.

“They are cheaper, indigenous. We don’t need to import coal and oil. We reduce dependence on imported fuel and therefore we’ll become self-sufficient and self-energy reliant.”

More ideal supply conditions could drive down prices for consumers, but BioPower’s Mr. Dia said the country has not prepared to build renewable energy plants or refurbished its existing coal plants to do so.

To address this, he said that the government must follow through on its renewable energy plans, making clear and consistent guidelines to attract investors.

Using solar energy — which is generated during the daytime — more expansively will also require expensive batteries for storage, he said.

“But we can already start trying out small capacities so that there’s practice, training, transfer of technology — and we learn from it. That’s how renewable energy should be developed.”

When it comes to the hectares of land needed to produce renewable energy, Mr. Layug said the Philippines can tap into other spaces: floating solar panels and offshore wind on bodies of water.

The future of renewable energy — and the cost of power — will ultimately depend on the decisions of the next administration, he said.

“It’s a function of what would be the fundamental policy of the next administration. Are you going to go technology neutral, the current policy now of this government? Or are you going to push for more renewables?” he said.

“If you push for more renewables, then we have seen already the trend. Prices have gone down, so why don’t we add more to the system?”

Cebu Pacific extends free COVID testing for HK-bound travelers

BW FILE PHOTO

BUDGET carrier Cebu Pacific on Sunday said it was extending its free “Test Before Boarding” program for Hong Kong (HK)-bound passengers until Oct. 15.

“Passengers are advised to directly proceed to the Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory (PADLAB) located at the second floor, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 pre-departure area (near Gate 6), four hours before the scheduled time of departure,” the airline said in an advisory.

Testing for passengers flying to Hong Kong is available from 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. six times weekly.

“Antigen test results will be released within 30 minutes, and only passengers with negative results may proceed to the check-in area,” the budget carrier noted.

Cebu Pacific, operated by Cebu Air, Inc., launched its Test Before Boarding program for Hong Kong-bound travelers on Sept. 17.

This comes after Hong Kong’s 14-day ban on Cebu Pacific from transporting passengers from Manila ended on Sept. 16. Separate bans were placed on both Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines after some passengers tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) upon arrival.

Passengers who are not able to take the test or those who receive a positive COVID-19 result will not be allowed to check in.

Those passengers have the option to rebook their tickets, store their money in a travel fund, or request a refund. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Mini Countryman: Maximum Mini

The latest generation of the Mini Countryman goes even further in versatility, agility, and luxury. — PHOTO BY MANNY N. DE LOS REYES

All-road fun and versatility with the UK brand’s biggest vehicle

MINI COOPER purists may decry an “upsized” Mini, but you can’t deny the wisdom of meeting global demand for vehicles that “cross over” from their iconic roots. Case in point: The Porsche Cayenne. Purists cried heresy when Stuttgart announced its first-ever SUV — which quickly rocketed the company’s monthly sales from the tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands and made it one of the most profitable car brands in the world. Today we have SUVs from Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley.

But how good is the Mini Countryman, and how does it blend traditional and much-loved “small car” Mini attributes with the new set of brand values expected of a modern crossover or SUV? The Countryman crossed over to new genres when it was first launched in 2010. It was the first Mini with four doors, a large tailgate, five seats and optional all-wheel drive. Global reception to the game-changing, segment-redefining big new Mini was such that more than half-a-million Mini Countrymans have been sold worldwide.

The latest generation of the Mini Countryman goes even further in versatility, agility, and luxury. Its delightful go-anywhere spirit is abetted by a higher ground clearance, short front and rear overhangs, and raised seating positions — further reinforced by rugged cues like functional roof rails and the de rigueur black protective moldings on the fenders. A substantial eight inches longer than its predecessor, the Mini Countryman is the biggest, roomiest, and most versatile model in the brand’s 62-year history.

It boasts cool features like a touchscreen infotainment system for the signature huge 8.8-inch circular display in the center of the dash, an electric tailgate with foot motion-operated opening and closing, beautiful customizable cabin ambient lighting, and even a cool Mini Picnic Bench — a fold-out sill cushion that doubles as a comfortable seat for two on the luggage compartment lid. The picnic bench even has a flap that keeps your clothes from getting muddied after driving through dirt trails. Tailgate parties have never been as cool and comfortable as this.

Compared to its predecessor, the latest Countryman is 30mm wider and its wheelbase has been extended by 75mm. This growth makes the Countryman a true five-seater with a significantly bigger cargo space. Particularly genius is the design of the rear seats. The seatback splits 40/20/40 while the bottom cushion, which can be moved forward and backward up to 13cm, is split 60/40. The luggage compartment volume is 450 liters and can be expanded to a total of 1,390 liters with the rear seats folded.

Numerous design elements such as the floating-effect white roof, the upright rear lights, the honeycomb radiator grille and the large, expressive headlamps have kept the Mini as fresh and characterful as ever. The signal light surrounds on the front fenders exhibit an arrow shape that adds visual dynamism when you look at the car from the side. Horizontal lines dominate at the rear, emphasized by dual exhaust pipes positioned at either end of the sports car-inspired under-bumper diffuser and the bold C-O-U-N-T-R-Y-M-A-N lettering on the tailgate, with the vertical taillights providing an appealing contrast.

The distinctive, slightly asymmetrical profile of the headlamps deviates from the circular shape that is otherwise typical of the brand. Striking LED daytime driving lights run entirely around each headlamp, which makes the Countryman that much more head-turning in the daytime.

Despite the high window line, the narrow pillars and high seating position make for terrific outward visibility. The rear doors have been enlarged compared to the predecessor for easier ingress and egress. This is truly the first Mini that is fully capable of functioning as a vehicle for one-car families. And because the joy of spirited driving is further enhanced by music, the car comes with a superb Harman Kardon audio system.

The Mini Cooper S Countryman is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (mated to an eight-speed Sport automatic) developing 192hp at 5,000 to 6,000rpm and 280Nm of torque from as low as 1,350rpm all the way to 4,600rpm. It can accelerate from zero to 100 kph in just 7.5 seconds and reach a 225kph top speed. More importantly (and despite it being bigger and heavier than all previous Minis), the Countryman lives up to the legendary Mini agility and maneuverability.

The superbly balanced suspension (responsive handling without the usual sports car stiffness or harshness) of the Countryman combines the tried-and-tested single-joint spring/strut at the front and a multilink rear design optimized for light weight and high rigidity. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels come standard, 19-inch wheels as options.

State-of-the-art Dynamic Damper Control is also available for the Countryman. Two program maps can be activated for the electronically controlled dampers via the optional Mini Driving Modes. A rotary switch at the base of the gear lever lets the driver select between Mid, Sport, and Green modes. This adjusts the car’s responsiveness to the driver’s motions on the accelerator pedal and steering wheel, the quickness of the gearshifts, the operating mode of electrically powered comfort features and even the engine sound. The difference is stunning, with the car seeming very excited to rocket forward and attack corners and apexes in Sport mode but feeling very relaxed in Green.

The standard Collision Warning with City Braking function can be extended to include the Driving Assistant system with camera-based Active Cruise Control, Pedestrian Warning with Initial Brake function, High Beam Assistant and Road Sign Detection. Park Distance Control, Rear View Camera, Parking Assistant and Head-Up Display are also optionally available.

The Mini Cooper S Countryman starts at P3.25 million for the Pure variant, goes up to P3.85 million for the Sport, and tops out at P4.75 million for the flagship Mini John Cooper Works Countryman.

All things considered, the Mini Countryman has the perfect combination of exclusivity, advanced technology, universally admired design, world-class high performance, and a versatile cabin to take on even the finest luxury European crossovers. Of course, nothing can be more convincing than an actual drive of the brilliantly capable Mini Countryman. It’s an experience every car-loving person owes him- or herself.

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