Ninja Van PHL bullish on growth prospects despite challenges

September 29, 2021 | 12:03 am

COURIER and logistics company Ninja Van Philippines on Tuesday said it saw a 150% growth in its parcel volumes in the last 12 months despite the challenges caused by the pandemic crisis.

“The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) [pandemic] has been a challenging time for everyone, but I’m proud to share that the business continues to grow despite the challenges,” Ninja Van Philippines Country Head Martin Cu said at a virtual briefing.

“I am confident that numbers will continue to rise especially that we are getting closer to the holiday season,” he added.

At the same time, he said Ninja Van Philippines has attained nearly 100% nationwide coverage.

The company has more than 7,000 riders and drivers.

“This level of coverage is especially meaningful here in the Philippines given how challenging the geography is,” Mr. Cu noted.

Aside from the Philippines, Ninja Van also operates in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Ninja Van announced recently that it secured $578 million in a Series E funding round.

“The funds from this round of investment will be allocated towards infrastructure and technology systems that will support a sustainable long-term cost structure, as well as the quality and consistency of Ninja Van’s operations,” it said in a statement.

“Funds will also be invested in Ninja Van’s suite of micro-supply chain solutions to help Southeast Asian businesses optimize e-commerce opportunities,” the company added. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Never released John Lennon recording to be auctioned in Copenhagen

September 29, 2021 | 12:03 am

COPENHAGEN — A cassette tape recording of an interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, including a never released song, made while they visited Denmark in 1970 will be auctioned in Copenhagen on Tuesday.

The tape, featuring the song “Radio Peace,” was recorded on Jan. 5, 1970 by four Danish boys who had succeeded in getting an interview with the couple for a local school magazine.

The tape, which the four are selling along with photographs from the meeting, will go on sale with an estimated price of between $31,500 and $47,000, auction house Bruun Rasmussen said.

During the 33-minute recording, Mr. Lennon speaks about the couple’s peace campaign, his frustration with the Beatles image, and the length of his hair.

The recording also features the pair humming along to Christmas songs while dancing around a Christmas tree, and Lennon playing the guitar and singing “Give Peace a Chance” and “Radio Peace.”

Mr. Lennon wrote “Radio Peace” as part of the couple’s peace campaign because they wanted to open a radio station in Amsterdam under the same name.

Mr. Lennon and Yoko Ono arrived in northern Denmark in late December 1969 and stayed at an isolated farm for more than a month, according to the auction house. — Reuters

Digital banks must guard vs fraud, data privacy risks, BSP says

September 29, 2021 | 12:03 am

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects online banks to guard against risks that come with digitalization, such as data privacy issues and fraud.

“Data privacy concerns, money laundering, and electronic frauds are among the issues that can undermine the confidence in this policy initiative [of allowing digital banks to operate],” BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said at an online webinar organized by the Management Association of the Philippines.

“We therefore expect that the key stakeholders, particularly the financial institutions, to adopt adequate measures and controls to manage such risks,” he added.

The BSP has issued six digital bank licenses and has said it will likely cap this at seven until 2023. Mr. Diokno said nine more players submitted applications that met its Aug. 31 deadline, with the last successful market entrant to be announced soon.

The firms that were granted digital bank licenses were state-owned Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank); Tonik Digital Bank, Inc. (Philippines); UNObank, Aboitiz-led UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc., which will operate Union Digital Bank (UnionDigital); GOtyme, which is owned by the Gokongwei Group and Singapore fintech firm Tyme; and PayMaya Philippines, which will operate Maya Bank.

“On the part of the BSP, we are committed to establish the policy and regulatory environment that will enable innovations to flourish while ensuring that the controls and safeguards are in place,” Mr. Diokno added.

UnionDigital Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Vicente “Arvie” V. de Vera II said in the same forum that digital banks have the responsibility to ensure customers’ data are protected amid the rise in online transactions.

“The data of our customers, the threats to cybersecurity, are things we have to take care of, especially in an era of open finance. As data becomes more freely shared, how do you secure that?” Mr. de Vera said.

Data are valuable for financial players as these can help them improve their products and services, Maya Bank Director Shailesh Baidwan said, noting they have learned from the experiences of PayMaya’s user base of 40 million.

“These users, MSMEs (micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises), we get to know them better and better as they do everyday transactions with us. We get to know more of their needs and we have to constantly update our products and offerings,” Mr. Baidwan said.

Tonik Digital Bank Country Head Maria Lourdes Jocelyn “Long” S. Pineda said they likewise use alternative data, such as social media information, for their credit underwriting standards.

Ms. Pineda added that they are optimistic about the opportunities in the country’s retail lending market.

“We’re looking at something like $13 billion for consumer lending in the Philippines that is largely untapped. A lot of people want to have access to financial services, particularly loans, but because of certain pain points in dealing with traditional banks, that’s something that’s been a bit difficult particularly for the underbanked segments,” she said.

UNOBank Co-Founder and CEO Manish Bhai said they are looking to focus on consumer lending in the Philippines but noted they will also offer other products. He said they are working on a “Netflix-type” hyper-customization model to service their clients.

“For someone to make ends meet, there is no point for trying to show investment options to that person. We want to approach banking that is relevant for them,” Mr. Bhai said.

Meanwhile, GOtyme Founding President and Co-CEO Elmer “Jojo” M. Malolos said their edge lies in the retail networks of their parent unit as this will let them capture specific target markets.

“GOtyme is fortunate to have two big conglomerates that give us a head-start on who will benefit on this innovation,” Mr. Malolos said.

OFBank President and CEO Leila C. Martin said they have expanded to providing channels where their clients can perform online government transactions from mainly targeting Filipino migrants and their families back home.

“We will soon be coordinating with government agencies to onboard their services, having a suite of products and services that will allow payments and contributions to government agencies,” Ms. Martin said. — L.W.T. Noble

St. Luke’s invests in research on cancer, schizophrenia

September 29, 2021 | 12:03 am

By Patricia B. Mirasol

THE Basic Science Research Laboratory (BSRL) of St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine-William H. Quasha Memorial (SLMCCM-WHQM) is investing in equipment to support its cancer research, among other things.

The lab is conducting three student-led studies on breast cancer, an anticancer drug, and schizophrenia.

“The BSR Laboratory has the capacity to test for anti-cancer activity, as well as test for in-vitro baseline studies in cancer and other pathologies. These studies are important in understanding drug interactions, cellular responses to stimuli, and compound bioactivity, among others,” said Mark Pierre S. Dimamay, BSR department head, in an e-mail to BusinessWorld.

The lab plans to expand its cell library to accommodate cancer and non-cancer cell lines — tools to understand the mechanisms involved in cancer — and invest in an advanced multimodal microplate reader, which enables the study of biochemical reactions. No official word on the timeline was given.

“By investing in the BSR laboratory’s capabilities, we envision the laboratory to be a nationally competitive research center for studies involving cell cultures moving forward,” Mr. Dimamay said in a press statement.

SOCIETAL RELEVANCE
The aforementioned student-led studies involve proteins associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), said to have a role in the spread of breast tumor to other parts of the body; the toxicity caused by doxorubicin, an anti-cancer drug, in heart cells called cardiomyocytes; and the regulation of a schizophrenia-related protein using sequences of miRNAs, which help regulate processes at the cellular level and is importance in brain function and disease.

“In SLMCCM, students are encouraged to work on proposals and projects involving health issues that are of particular interest to them and more importantly, issues that they deem relevant to our society today,” senior research technologist Carlo A. Limbo told BusinessWorld.

Breast cancer is among the leading types of cancer worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Schizophrenia, meanwhile, is a leading diagnosis among mental health disorders in the Philippines, according to a 2021 study by Gueverra et al. WHO reported in March 2020 that of the 213,423 Filipinos diagnosed with schizophrenia, 18.5% received treatment.

“Establishing genetic links and other physical manifestations of schizophrenia can also help eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health issues and its negative impacts on all aspects of a patient’s life,” Mr. Limbo said.

The laboratory, which started hosting research undertakings in the latter half of 2019, counts an inverted light microscope, CO2 incubator, refrigerated benchtop centrifuge, and a biosafety cabinet as its core equipment.

SLMCCM-WHQM is fourth among 87 health universities ranked by the Institute of Research, Innovation, and Scholarship (IRIS). According to IRIS, a vibrant research culture is correlated with a high quality of instructions at the tertiary level.

Its base hospital, SLMC, is a member of the Metro Manila Health Research Development Consortium under the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. SLMC is also a research partner with the planned Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines.

SMC: Discussions with Palafox for PAREX ‘ongoing’

September 29, 2021 | 12:02 am

SAN Miguel Corp. (SMC) on Tuesday said it has ongoing discussions with Felino A. Palafox, Jr., Palafox Associates principal architect-urban planner and founder, for a potential consulting agreement for the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) project.

SMC issued the statement after Palafox Associates and Palafox Architecture Group, Inc. said on Sept. 26 that “they have not signed any contract to be the consultant” of the PAREX project.

“[D]iscussions are ongoing. [Mr.] Palafox signified his intention to think about the project and see how he can marry both his and RSA’s (SMC President Ramon S. Ang) vision for a sustainable, inclusive, green, hybrid infrastructure that will benefit both people and the environment,” the company said in a statement.

“We’ve come to learn from him, however, that forces critical of the project have been exerting pressure on him, his associates, and his family to drop the project. We believe this is part of an orchestrated and continuing demolition job to paint the project as the opposite of what it truly is,” Mr. Ang said.

In their previous statement, Palafox Associates and Palafox Architecture Group said that they remain “strong” with their stand that public and private sectors must work together to address the climate crisis through multicultural development.

“This means that all economic, social, health, and environmental aspects must be carefully assessed before proceeding with any project,” they added.

The PAREX project is a six-lane elevated expressway that will run from Radial Road 10 in the city of Manila to Circumferential Road 6, also known as the future South East Metro Manila Expressway, in Taguig. It will run along the banks of the Pasig River. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Britney’s lawyer says dad ‘crossed unfathomable lines’ by monitoring her calls

September 29, 2021 | 12:02 am

LOS ANGELES — An attorney for Britney Spears on Monday stepped up demands for the swift suspension of the singer’s father from his role as her guardian, saying he had “crossed unfathomable lines” by reportedly bugging her phone and bedroom.

In a court filing ahead of a hearing on Wednesday, attorney Mathew Rosengart said a TV documentary released on Friday contained “deeply disturbing allegations” that “magnify the need to suspend Mr. Spears immediately.”

The New York Times documentary Controlling Britney Spears featured a former employee of a security firm hired by Jamie Spears who said he monitored the singer’s phone calls and text messages, including some with her previous lawyer. A listening device was also placed in her bedroom, the employee said.

Lawyers for Jamie Spears did not discuss specific allegations but said last week his actions were within his authority as a conservator and “were done with knowledge and consent of Britney, her court-appointed attorney and/or the court.”

Jamie Spears has controlled his daughter’s business affairs since 2008, when he put in place a conservatorship after she suffered a mental breakdown. The conservatorship has dictated her personal, medical, performing and financial affairs.

The “Stronger” singer stepped up her efforts in June to break free of the arrangement. In a surprise move earlier in September, Jamie Spears said that he supported ending the conservatorship but said there were no grounds to suspend him. A hearing on the case is scheduled for Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

“He must be suspended on Sept. 29; followed by the prompt termination of the conservatorship,” Mr. Rosengart wrote in Monday’s filing. — Reuters

BSP looking to mandate electronic KYC processes

September 29, 2021 | 12:02 am

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) is looking to require financial institutions to comply with electronic Know-Your-Customer (KYC) processes to improve customer identification and verification.

“BSP-supervised financial institutions may use different methods to conduct customer identification and verification including e-KYC through digital ID system,” a draft circular released on Tuesday said.

Concerned stakeholders are given until Oct. 12 to submit their feedback on the draft circular, the BSP said.

The proposed issuance requires financial institutions to digitize customer records, in accordance with existing BSP and Anti-Money Laundering Council regulations, in addition to the current processes employed by banks, such as getting a photocopy or scan of identification documents, manual recording of information, and biometrics gathering.

Based on the draft circular, e-KYC implementation includes identity proofing, which involves the collection, validation, and verification of identity evidence and information provided by a client.

The e-KYC process is also expected to have authentication and identity lifecycle management. This means banks should ensure that the person who asserted his or her identity is the same person being enrolled for a service. This authentication should be done using multiple authentication factors.

Financial institutions should also conduct customer due diligence for money laundering and terrorism financing risks presented by factors such as the client, product, delivery channel, and geographical location, among others.

“BSP-supervised financial institutions implementing e-KYC must perform customer identification and verification under the same standards equivalent to those for face-to-face basis, and shall establish appropriate risk management processes,” the draft circular said.

Risk management protocols should be dependent on the business relationship of a client prior to verification, the draft said. This may include imposing limits on the number and types of transactions and the amount involved.

The proposed issuance also directs banks to allow clients to use their national ID as their sole proof of identity. This is pursuant to Republic Act 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act.

“Where the Philippine Identification (PhilID) is submitted by the customer, the PhilID shall be accepted, subject to proper authentication, as a sufficient proof of identity, and the covered person shall no longer require additional document to verify the customer’s identity,” it said. — LWTN

Philips unveils air purifiers that filter pollutants, viruses

September 29, 2021 | 12:02 am

Philips_2000i_Air_Purifiers_ — PHILIPS 2000i air purifier

PHILIPS unveiled two indoor air filters equipped to remove 99.97% of particles as small as 3 nanometers. The US National Center for Biotechnology Information estimates the size of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to be between 0.07 μm to 0.09 μm, or 70–90 nanometers.

“Aerosols can hang around in the air for hours. Portable air filters can be an important element in fighting COVID-19,” said Nicolas Lee, vice-president of Philips Domestic Appliances in Asia Pacific, in a Sept. 27 press conference. “Our new air purifiers take out pollutants, including but not limited to viruses, bacteria, allergens, dust, smoke, and pet dander.”

Infectious aerosols are suspensions of disease-causing pathogens in air particles. According to a July 2020 study published in The Lancet, particles that are 5 μm (5000 nanometers) or smaller can remain airborne indefinitely under most indoor conditions unless there is removal due to air currents or dilution ventilation.

The Philips 800 Series Air Purifier (AC0820/10) and Philips 2000i Series Air Purifier (AC2936/13) have multi-layered NanoProtect HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters that combine mechanical and electrostatic filtration to capture both large and small air particles. This, the company says, allows for increased air purification speed and lower energy consumption.

Both are intended for home use, with the former purifying the air rooms up to 49 square meters in under 16 minutes, and the latter purifying the air in rooms up to 98 square meters in less than 8 minutes.

“They’re pretty low-maintenance products,” Mr. Lee said. “It sits in the room, does its thing, and you don’t have to think about it very much.”

Larger particles such as pet dander, he added, can be vacuumed away in the filter. The device will signal when the filter needs to be replaced, usually every two or three years.

“We recommend the air purifier not to be pushed up against a wall or in a corner,” Mr. Lee said. “Give it some space to breathe.”

Air pollution caused tens of thousands of deaths in the world’s five most populous cities in 2020 despite coronavirus lockdowns, according to environmental campaign group Greenpeace Southeast Asia and air quality technology company IQAir.

“What better investment is there than breathing healthy air at home?” Mr. Lee said. “This pandemic triggered a particular interest… and created a greater awareness of how to make your home a healthier place.”

The Philips air purifiers are available on Lazada and Shopee. — Patricia B. Mirasol

LRWC unit secures nod for sports betting

September 29, 2021 | 12:01 am

LEISURE & Resorts World Corp.’s (LRWC) wholly owned unit Total Gamezone Xtreme, Inc. (TGXI) has received accreditation from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. for its sports betting system.

“GSPORTS is a top-rated sportsbook where players can place wagers on a variety of betting markets across professional, collegiate, and other sports leagues via retail or online GSPORTS sportsbook,” LRWC said in a disclosure on Tuesday.

“[It] also offers competitive and better odds in different markets which gives higher chances of bigger profit for the sports betting fan,” the company added.

The betting products and services will be audited and regulated by the gaming regulator to ensure “fairness and quality playing experience.” Its services will be open to sports enthusiasts and sports betting fans aged 21 and older.

The GSPORTS sportsbook will allow players to use their own tablets, smartphones, and laptops to place wagers or bets on any competition.

Players may place their bets live from around the world for a range of sports like football, tennis, basketball, volleyball, including popular leagues and also niche markets.

“GSPORTS provides a secure and safe betting website by using the latest encryption technologies to protect the sensitive information of its customers,” LRWC said.

Its wholly owned unit TGXI operates licensed e-Casino stations and an electronic gaming system provider via its Gamezone brand. As of end-August, TGXI has 30 branches in Luzon with 1,239 terminals.

On Tuesday, LRWC shares at the local bourse closed lower by 4.07% or seven centavos to close at P1.65 apiece. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

RCBC joins global initiative to disclose GHG emissions

September 29, 2021 | 12:01 am

RIZAL COMMERCIAL Banking Corp. (RCBC) has committed to disclose the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of projects financed by its loans and investments as part of its sustainability goals.

The Yuchengco-led lender is the first Philippine bank to become a participant of the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), RCBC said in a statement on Tuesday. Participants commit to disclose the greenhouse gas emissions of their portfolios within three years after joining.

“The disclosure of GHG emissions is a decisive step for us to understand the climate impact of the businesses that we support. The lower the greenhouse gas emissions, the better for the environment,” RCBC President and Chief Executive Officer Eugene S. Acevedo was quoted as saying.

PCAF includes 150 banks and investors globally, with 20 of these from Asia Pacific. Bank of America Corp., Barclays plc, Citibank, and Deutsche Bank AG are among the participants.

RCBC’s participation will allow the bank to get baseline data on the greenhouse gas emissions of its portfolio and monitor it over time. This can eventually be used as the basis for emission reduction targets for a proper portfolio mix that is low-carbon and climate-resilient, Mr. Acevedo said.

“This complements our goal to make a positive contribution to society by offering less financing to environmentally harmful enterprises and increasing support for cleaner businesses with less greenhouse gas emissions,” he added.

The bank’s sustainable loans were around P58 billion as of end-August 2021, making up 10% of its portfolio, it said in an e-mail.

RCBC also said they have already stopped financing new coal-fired projects after first committing to do so in December.

In March, the bank raised P17.87 billion through its offering of fixed-rate 2.5-year and 5.25-year ASEAN sustainability bonds. Part of the proceeds will be used to finance eligible projects under its sustainable finance framework.

The lender’s net profit climbed 117.83% to P1.747 billion in the second quarter from P802 million a year earlier, backed by higher net interest income and lower provision for loan losses.

This brought its net income for the first semester to increase by 7% to P3.327 billion from P3.11 billion in the same period of 2020.

RCBC’s shares closed at P18.84 apiece on Tuesday, down by 46 centavos or 2.38% from its previous finish. — L.W.T. Noble

Arts & Culture (09/29/21)

September 29, 2021 | 12:01 am

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BP presents podcast series

BALLET Philippines (BP) now has a podcast series called BP Barre Talks where the discussion features ballet and beyond, “bringing to light messages of relevance, hope, and inspiration.” The first episode, entitled “Laging May Pag-Asa,” discusses BP’s latest video creation that sheds light on mental health for suicide prevention. The podcast includes insightful advice from guests Jeannie Goulbourn, Dr. Romeo Enriquez, attorney Marie Sicangco, and Stephen Cu. The podcast is available on Spotify Premium.

Fully Booked holds Banned Books discussion

FULLY Booked will hold a talk on Banned Books via Instagram Live on Oct. 1, 5 p.m. The discussion will cover the power of stories that break borders and barriers. Interested parties who have a book community or wish to start one can download the free Banned Book Club Kit (https://fullybookedonline44865.ac-page.com/fully-booked-online) with book recommendations, tips on starting a book club, and more. Enjoy 10% off on d-coded titles from Fully Booked’s #BannedBooks collection from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.

BenCab Museum opens 2 exhibits

TWO new exhibits are opening at the Bencab Museum in Baguio on Oct. 2, 4-6 p.m. At Gallery Indigo, there will be a collaborative project called “Double Vision,” featuring National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera and Ronald Ventura. The two artists represent two different generations of artists, yet their careers share parallels in terms of prolific production, market presence, and institutional recognition. Though both have expressed distinct artistic voices, their style, techniques, themes and subjects share some common grounds. This collection of works describes a world in a state of flux, with images constantly layering and crowding — but one in which vestiges of the past persist to be entangled with the dissonance of the current times. The exhibit will run until Nov. 28. Meanwhile, at the Sepia Gallery, an exhibit called “Gentle Thoughts”, featuring works by Ric Maniquis, will run from Oct. 2 to Nov. 2. The artist started on his photo series 10 years ago, focusing on images that inspire a sense of quiet and calm. The BenCab Museum is at Km. 6 Asin Road, Tuba, Metro Baguio. It is open Tuesdays to Sundays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Seminar on wartime postcards

VESSEL: The Jung Art Collective and Carl Jung Circle Center are presenting a seminar which revolves around art and history on Oct. 2, 4 p.m., via Zoom. The seminar, Wartime Postcards: Japanese Artists View World War I in the Philippines, will feature Dr. Ricardo Trota Jose. The seminar fee is P500 (regular) and P200 (student) To register, contact 0922-887-8757 or e-mail jungphilippines@yahoo.com.

Author Myke Celis partners with Bookshelf PH

BOOKSHELF PH, a local publishing house and online bookstore that also operates an audiobook platform called Audiophile, has announced the signing of global master coach and international best-selling author Myke Celis for an upcoming book. In 2020, Mr. Celis released two books — Best Me Ever: A Self-Discovery Workbook to Heal Your Past, Accept Your Present and Find Yourself Again and Best Me Ever Powerful Questions To Know Yourself: Understand Yourself Better And Be Your Best Self — both of which became international best sellers on Amazon. As the newest addition to the Bookshelf PH family, Mr. Celis plans to release a new book that sheds light on how readers can manifest their #bestmeever in the digital world. The book will tackle different online topics and concerns such as how to do proper presentations, strike respectful conversations, avoid unpleasant situations, and more.

Fund-raising auction goes virtual

THE SANTUARIO de San Antonio Parish (SSAP) Francisfest presents SpectaculART 2: An auction of art, jewelry and homeware on Oct. 1 to 3, with both new and pre-loved pieces going under the hammer. The proceeds of the auction shall assist in the numerous Social Services and development ministries of SSAP and its sister parishes. SpectaculART 2 will feature fine jewelry, estate jewelry, artisan pieces and an assortment of diamonds, pearls and colored stones. The homeware collection will feature European, Asian, and locally sourced pieces ranging from antique, vintage, and contemporary furniture and home décor. This year, SpectaculART 2 shall showcase a selection of works created by National Artist for Visual Art Carlos “Botong” Francisco, Impy Pilapil, Romeo Tabuena, and Anita Magsaysay Ho, Gus Albor, Ramon Diaz, Jojo Guingona, Noli Principe Manalang, Isabel Campa, Ivy Lim, and Marivic Rufino. Unique prints by Salvador Dali and John Lennon will also be for sale. Works of numerous up-and-coming artists will also be available. Online viewing is ongoing at www.spectaculartph.com. Selected items can be viewed by appointment at the San Antonio Parish Center. Online bidding is from Oct. 1 to 3 at www.spectaculartph.com. For more information visit www.Instagram.com/SpectaculArt.ph or www.Facebook.com/SpectaculArt.ph or e-mail hello@spectaculartph.com.

Group show Appassionata shows passion

“APPASSIONATA” is a group show featuring the works of five women artists — Rosario Bitanga, Imelda Cajipe Endaya, Lenore RS Lim, Susan Fetalvero-Roces and Maria Victoria Rufino. In 2013, art critic-artist Cid Reyes attended a show at the AltroMondo Gallery of that same name which featured the same artists. The show fascinated Reyes. “I felt that the word ‘appassionata’ captured the essence of someone who, besides being a woman also happens to be an artist. And if there’s any activity where passion is a requisite, it is painting or art making. Actually, whether it’s singing, dancing, or acting, or anything related to self-expression, passion must predominate, the emotion that must unleash the talent and technique possessed by the person,” he wrote. The idea resurfaced with the pandemic, and he offered the group of artists the use of his daughter’s gallery, Galerya Amalia, at the Ayala Malls, Manila Bay. The opening date — Sept. 18 — was the same date when the first “Appassionata” was held. The 2021 version is being held both online and live. It runs until Oct. 18. Rosario Bitanga is “a pioneer of Philippine abstraction… whose abstract works are arrested motion of sails, birds, winds, galloping horses, the blossoming of petals, and still lifes that seem to defy stillness with the inherent tension within her compact and solid compositions,” say the gallery notes. Printmaker, painter, mixed media and installation artist Imelda Cajipe Endaya’s “distinct feminine visual language informs a range of themes: from race, gender, the diaspora, globalization, women’s empowerment and rights, and now — our nightmare pandemic times.” Filipino-Canadian-American artist Lenore RS Lim “specialized in computer art and printmaking techniques ranging from lithography, solar etching to monotype, collotype and chine collé. Ms. Lim was a recipient of the Philippines Presidential Award and the Jackson Pollock-Lee Krasner Foundation Grant.” Susan Fetalvero-Roces is described as being “adventurous and experimental in her choice of medium and material” who is “distinguished by her innovative choice of material — raffia, being the most memorable — and a radiantly emotional approach that intuits the next direction of her art.” Watercolor is Maria Victoria Rufino’s favored medium. Her “intimate relationship with her material rewards her with images of luminous landscapes, seascapes, and other facets of nature.” View the exhibit online at www.galeryaamalia.com.

Robinsons launches Christmas Card Making tilt

IN THE SPIRIT of Christmas, Robinsons Land ARTabado is inviting children to remember their happy and fun memories at Robinsons Malls through a drawing competition entitled: ChristmaSAYA sa Robinsons Malls. Through this card making contest, ARTtablado wishes to encapsulate wonderful memories and immortalize them in Christmas Cards to be drawn by children from all over the Philippines. The competition has two divisions. Division 1 is open to Filipino children aged six to eight years old while division 2 is open for Filipino children aged nine to 12 years old. Participants may submit only one entry. Artwork should be an A4 size (8.3 x 11.7 inches) paper or board, using the following media: colored or graphite pencil, ink, pastel, crayon, chalk, marker, or charcoal for drawing and acrylic, watercolor, or oil for painting. The contestant’s name must not appear on the artwork. The artwork and entry form should be submitted to the Facebook messenger of ARTablado on or before Oct. 15 for the preliminary judging. This should contain name, birthday, age, contact number, title of the artwork, and a brief description about the piece (50 words or less). Finalists will be announced in November and winning entries will be announced in December. Winners for both divisions will get P15,000 and a certificate. Second prize winners get P10,000 and a certificate. Third prize winners get P5,000 and a certificate. Up to 22 finalists will be selected for both division, each of whom will be handed P2,000. A special award will also be given. All winning entries will be part of the 2021 Robinsons Land ARTablado collection and will be exhibited at ARTablado. Winning designs will also be used for RLC’s Christmas cards and collateral materials. For the complete list of 2021 Robinsons Land ARTablado Painting Competition’s rules and regulations, visit the ARTablado Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ARTablado.

Facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease

September 29, 2021 | 12:01 am

Dementia is a syndrome in which there is progressive deterioration in memory, thinking, behavior and the ability to perform everyday activities beyond what might be expected from normal aging, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia, and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year. Although dementia mainly affects older people, it is not a normal part of aging, the WHO stresses. Young-onset dementia in which symptoms manifest before the age of 65 years accounts for up to 9% of cases.

“Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide. It has a physical, psychological, social, and economic impact, not only on people with dementia, but also on their carers, families and society at large,” the WHO said.

According to the WHO, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for an estimated 60% to 70% of cases.

In a 2020 paper published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, Dominguez et. al. said that the Philippines is one of the countries projected to experience the consequences of rising dementia cases. The authors called on the recently drafted National Dementia Plan to consider the current state of dementia in the country and the associated risk factors to enable better planning and disease management.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease in which dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. “In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer’s, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment,” the Alzheimer’s Association explains.

As Alzheimer’s progresses, symptoms become increasingly severe. These include disorientation, mood and behavior changes; deepening confusion about events, time and place; unfounded suspicions about family, friends and professional caregivers; more serious memory loss and behavior changes; and difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking.

Scientists believe that two abnormalities called plaques and tangles are responsible for damaging and killing neurons (nerve cells) in people living with Alzheimer’s disease. Plaques are deposits of a protein fragment called beta-amyloid that build up in the spaces between neurons. Tangles are twisted fibers of a protein called tau that build up inside neurons. The destruction and death of neurons cause the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, added the Alzheimer’s Association.

A 2018 study by Dominguez et al. published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found a 10.6% prevalence of dementia among almost 1,400 persons aged 60 years and older randomly selected from the Marikina City senior registry. Of those with dementia, 85.5% had Alzheimer’s disease.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) survey in 2015 showed that 7.55 million of the country’s 101 million population or 7.5% were senior citizens aged 60 years and older. Almost all (99.8%) Filipino seniors live in their own households; only a minuscule 14,500 seniors (0.2%) reside in nursing facilities.

Aside from increasing age, other risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease include family history, genetics, head injury, and conditions that damage the heart and blood vessels such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

The WHO has laid out principal goals for dementia care. These are facilitating early diagnosis in order to promote early and optimal management; optimizing physical health, cognition, activity and wellbeing; identifying and treating accompanying physical illness; detecting and treating challenging behavioral and psychological symptoms; and providing information and long-term support to carers.

Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several medications that may delay cognitive and functional decline, as well as medications that may temporarily alleviate some symptoms.

The Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) said that there were actually close to 200 medicines in development for Alzheimer’s that failed from 1998 to 2021. It said that these setbacks highlight the complexity of Alzheimer’s research including the significant gap in scientific knowledge and complexities of clinical trial designs.

“It’s important to recognize that with these so-called failures comes new information that brings us one step closer to a disease-modifying medicine,” said PhRMA. At the moment there are 83 new medicines in development for the disease and that 82% are potentially disease modifying, it added.

Alzheimer’s is indeed an area where continued research and innovation are needed to improve the quality of life of patients and their loved ones.

Sept. 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day, an international campaign that aims to raise awareness and challenge the common stigma that surrounds Alzheimer-related dementia. This year’s theme is “Together we can ensure no one faces dementia alone.”

Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), which represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are at the forefront of research and development efforts for COVID-19 and other diseases that affect Filipinos.