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Your guide to achieving your dream minimalist home

Your dream minimalist home can be achieved with minimal but more functional items. Therefore, “less is more” should always be your top priority in decorating. Wilcon Depot offers Heim interior products with a minimalistic design that is ideal and beneficial for your living room, dining room, kitchen, and bedroom. Heim interior items will make your home captivating.

Makeover your living room

Make your living room look more inviting by adding details such as wall art canvas decoration to hang on your wall and a three-seater sofa in earth tone color. You can mix and match these two products to make excellent results. If your living room looks inadequate, you can add a side table. Choosing between pine woods and glass will depend on your living room theme. Since your living room will be the first place your future visitors will notice, these essentials will add style and opulence to the space.

 

Invest in chic dining essentials

After decorating your living room, jump to the area where the family mostly gathered to eat—the dining room. The presence of placemats on your table, whether it be rectangular, round, or octagon, and a chic dining chair in various colors will add elegance to a casual dining setting. Both of these items are practical and serve a purpose in your minimalist home designs.

Make your kitchen organized

To achieve your minimalist home, you must declutter the unnecessary things in your household. For instance, the kitchen is prone to messy stuff because this is your home’s busiest space. Eliminating the plastics or packaging of the products you bought is a big help, and for condiments or powdered beverages, organize it using a glass jar with a wood and metal lid. Then add labels on each jar and categorize it for efficiency and to save time. Aside from that, organizing your kitchen is a therapeutic activity, especially if you have designated storage. That is why a floating Shelf is a must-have. It comes in various colors, and the material is durable for storing food and setting decorations.

Neutral colors are perfect for a minimalist home

Minimalism is not just about decorating; choosing the right color has a big part in achieving your minimalist home. Neutral colors are the best choice, and textured wallpaper adds texture to your room because it has different patterns that are perfect for a cozy and calm ambiance, particularly in your bedroom. If you want to complement the textured wallpaper, add an end table on the side of your bed, which comes in various designs but with the same tempered glass and metal quality. These are functional and suitable for your bedroom space. To make it more classy, add a round mirror, which comes in black and gold tones. These colors match the end table. The overall look creates a minimalist yet opulent-looking bedroom design that gives you serenity and comfort

The products of Heim, such as sofa, wall art canvas, side/end table, dining chair, placemats, glass jar, floating shelf, textured wallpaper, and round mirror, are aesthetically pleasing and economical and durable products, benefiting you and your home in achieving your dream minimalist design.

Explore the limitless product selections that Wilcon offers, ranging from Tiles, Sanitarywares, Plumbing, Furniture, Home Interior, Building Materials, Hardware, Electrical, Appliances, and other DIY items.

For more information about Wilcon, you can log on to www.wilcon.com.ph or follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok and subscribe and connect with them on Viber Community, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

 

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Inflation likely quickened in July

A baker carries trays of pandesal in Mendiola, Manila, July 11. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

By Keisha B. Ta-asan 

INFLATION likely accelerated in July due to higher food prices and transport fares, but a cut in electricity rates and rollback in pump prices may have tempered the price pressures, according to analysts.

A BusinessWorld poll of 14 analysts yielded a median estimate of 6.2% for July inflation, well within the 5.6-6.4% forecast of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

This would also be faster than the 6.1% print seen in June and the 3.7% in July 2021, as well as exceed the BSP’s 2-4% target band for the fourth straight month.

Analysts’ July 2022 inflation rate estimates

If realized, the July print would be the highest in 45 months or nearly 4 years since 6.9% in October 2018.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will release the July consumer price index (CPI) data on Friday. 

“Inflation for the month was driven by the continued increase in food prices, further transport fare hikes, and peso depreciation,” the BSP said in a press release on Friday evening.   

Prices of food have gone up in recent weeks, reflecting the impact of higher oil prices and the weaker peso against the US dollar.

“Meanwhile, lower oil prices, reduction in electricity rates in Meralco-serviced areas, and lower pork prices are likely to temper in part said price pressures,” the BSP said.

Customers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) saw lower electricity bills in July after the overall rate went down by P0.7067 to P9.7545 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

“We estimated that inflation in July slowed down to 5.8% as the decline in the prices of oil, electricity in Meralco-serviced areas, and some food such as meat and fish,” Domini S. Velasquez, chief economist at China Banking Corp., said in an e-mail. 

Sun Life Financial economist Patrick M. Ella said the slowdown in global oil prices and successive pump price cuts may have slowed the monthly gain in the CPI.

Fuel retailers cut pump prices in July as global oil prices have eased below $100 per barrel in recent weeks.

In July alone, oil companies cut pump prices for gasoline by P11.1 per liter, diesel by P12.95 per liter, and kerosene by P11.7 per liter.

“The higher jeepney fares could offset lower gasoline and diesel pump prices,” Philippine National Bank economist Alvin Joseph A. Arogo said.   

Starting July, traditional public jeepneys nationwide raised the minimum fare to P11 from P9 and P10, depending on the region. Modern public jeepneys nationwide also increased fares to P13, from P12 currently for the first four kilometers.

“Transportation cost primarily is a concern for all production inputs which is a basic input to all production processes,” Colegio de San Juan de Letran Graduate School Associate Professor Emmanuel J. Lopez said in an e-mail.

Inflation is expected to remain elevated in the second semester, due to second-round effects from the hike in minimum daily wage.

“We expect high inflation to persist in the second half of 2022. Food and oil prices will likely remain elevated but will moderate moving forward,” Ms. Velasquez said. 

“Moreover, we believe that the second-round effects will likely be more pronounced during the rest of the year due to the recent increase in the country’s minimum wage,” Mr. Arogo added.

REVISIONS?
At its June meeting, the Monetary Board raised its average inflation forecast for 2022 to 5%, from 4.6% previously. It also hiked its average inflation forecast for 2023 to 4.2%, from 3.9% previously. For 2024, BSP expects inflation to average 3.3%. 

BSP Governor Felipe M. Medalla told reporters on Friday evening that they are considering revisions to the inflation forecast for next year.

“In all likelihood, we will revise the inflation number down… For this year, we won’t change it too much. Exactly how much? We still don’t know,” he said.

In a bid to arrest soaring inflation, the BSP raised its benchmark rates by 75 basis points (bps) in an off-cycle move on July 14. The Monetary Board has raised policy rates by a total of 125 bps this year.

“The recent off-cycle hike by the central bank will help relieve the inflationary pressure locally although upside risks coming from global factors remain significant,” Robert Dan J. Roces, chief economist at Security Bank Corp., said in an e-mail.   

Mr. Medalla already signaled the BSP is likely to deliver another rate increase ranging between 25 bps and 50 bps on Aug. 18 depending on the inflation outturn for July as well as the gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the second quarter of the year.   

The aggressive rate hikes helped stabilize the peso as the local unit closed at P55.13 per dollar on Friday, gaining 69 centavos from its P55.82 finish on Thursday, based on Bankers Association of the Philippines data.

“Looking ahead, the BSP will continue to monitor closely emerging price developments to enable timely intervention to arrest emergence of further second-round effects, consistent with BSP’s mandate of price and financial stability,” the central bank said on Friday.

Medalla says economy may have expanded by as much as 9% in Q2

An MRT-3 train crosses Pasig River, July 31. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE Philippine economy likely grew by as much as 9% in the second quarter, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe M. Medalla.

However, Mr. Medalla told reporters on Friday that he expects gross domestic product (GDP) growth to be “slower” in the second half of 2022.

Asked if GDP may have expanded by double digits in the April to June period, he said: “I don’t think so, maybe around 9%, 8%.”

Mr. Medalla said his personal GDP growth projection this year is 7%, the midpoint of the government’s 6.5% to 7.5% target.

Economic activity picked up in the second quarter, as most parts of the country were under the most lenient alert level.

Mr. Medalla said consumption growth and capital formation have been expanding rapidly this year.

In the first quarter, household consumption grew by 10.1% year on year, higher than the 7.5% in the previous quarter and a reversal of the 4.8% decline in the first three months of 2021. This accounted for about three-fourths of the country’s economic output and added 7.5 percentage points to the 8.3% GDP growth in the first quarter.

Capital formation, the investment component of the economy, jumped by 20% in the first three months of 2022, reversing the 13.9% decline last year.

However, the Philippine outlook for 2023 may be clouded by the expected slowdown in the global economy.

“Ang mahirap (It’s difficult to see) what happens next year because if markets are all growing more slowly saan manggagaling ’yung growth (where will growth come from),” Mr. Medalla said.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) last week slashed global growth forecasts for 2022 and 2023, noting the risks from elevated inflation and the Russia-Ukraine war may push the world economy to a recession. Global GDP is expected to grow by 3.2% this year, and 2.9% in 2023.

The IMF raised its GDP growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.7% this year, from 6.5% previously, but lowered the 2023 GDP projection to 5%, from 6.3% previously.

During an online business forum hosted by The Manila Times on Friday, Mr. Medalla said the government’s GDP targets are achievable, thanks to strong foreign direct investments (FDIs), and consumer and business sentiment.

“So I’m actually quite bullish on the economy under the current president…I would say 80% of the economy is now way above pre-pandemic levels,” he said.

Latest data from the BSP showed that FDI net inflows climbed by 48.3% to $989 million in April from $667 million in the same month in 2021. This was the highest monthly FDI inflow recorded since the $1.06 billion in December last year.

Mr. Medalla also said the economy could accommodate the BSP’s aggressive monetary policy to tame inflation. — K.B.Ta-asan

BSP may still cut banks’ reserve requirement ratio before yearend

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THE Philippine central bank may still lower the banks’ reserve requirement ratio (RRR) before the end of the year.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe M. Medalla on Friday said they are still deciding if the RRR will be cut right before the rule that allowed bank lending to small businesses to be considered as compliance to the requirement expires in December.

“We are still deciding if right before or simultaneous. We don’t necessarily want to tighten. On the other hand, one solution is to extend the reserve eligibility and do nothing,” he told reporters.

The BSP earlier committed to bringing down the RRR of big banks to single digits by 2023.

During the pandemic, the BSP allowed lenders to count their lending to micro, small, and medium enterpises and pandemic-hit large enterprises as part of banks’ alternative compliance with the RR against deposit liabilities and deposit substitutes until the end of 2022.

The BSP also reduced the RRR for banks in March 2020 to cushion the impact of the pandemic on the economy.

The RRR for big banks is currently at 12%, one of the highest in the region. Reserve requirements for thrift and rural lenders are at 3% and 2%, respectively

“We will have a cut of RR that offsets the (cessation) of the reserve eligibility. So people should not read the RR cut as a monetary policy, it’s just a compensation for getting rid of a relief,” Mr. Medalla said.

A cut in RRR is a move intended to be an operational adjustment to facilitate the BSP’s shift to market-based instruments for managing liquidity in the financial system, particularly the term deposit facility and the BSP securities.

“The adjustments in the reserve requirements are meant to be not indicative of any change in the monetary policy stance but it will be an operational adjustment,” BSP Deputy Governor Francisco G. Dakila, Jr. earlier said at a press conference on July 14.

Dennis D. Lapid, director of the BSP’s Department of Economic Research, has also said if the BSP decides to reduce the RRR and release additional liquidity into the financial system, the central bank will have the ready facilities to mop up excess money supply. 

Mr. Lapid had noted that with the ongoing exit from monetary accommodation, BSP’s liquidity-mopping operations are now being geared towards increased liquidity absorption.

The BSP raised its benchmark rates by 75 basis points (bps) in an off-cycle move on July 14. The Monetary Board has raised policy rates by a total of 125 bps this year. — KBT

OTA updates for Porsche Taycan announced

The updates will effectively make all Taycan units, regardless of model and age, 2023 MY vehicles. — PHOTO FROM PORSCHE

A slew of upgrades will improve performance, range, and experience

By Kap Maceda Aguila

PORSCHE has obviously made yet another breakthrough with its first pure-electric model, the Taycan. Since it was introduced late in 2019, the model has globally sold some 75,000 units. You could say that the Taycan has proven the iconic sports car maker to be a (profitable) mover in the electric vehicle (EV) space — the same way that the Cayenne and Macan confirmed its entry into the SUV segment as a lucrative decision.

Now, Porsche is giving the Taycan a comprehensive, and convenient, update. In a recent online press conference, the company announced the availability of a “comprehensive (software) update” — one that would in essence bring all the variants currently on the road “up to the status of a 2023 model year.” This will be achieved via an over-the-air (OTA) software update, depending on where the vehicle has been sold.

What do the new updates promise for Taycan owners? A slew of benefits include an increase in powertrain efficiency, plus “new functions and improvements in the Porsche Communication Management (PCM), Porsche Connect and assistance systems.” Included, too, is the ability to have individual functions equipment unlocked after purchase (function on demand, FoD) — further freeing up its over-the-air (OTA) update capability. Perhaps the best part is that this update can be done for free. However, customers are requested to bring their units to an authorized service workshop first because there will be work that needs to be done on site.

Said Taycan Model Line Vice-President Kevin Giek, “This campaign will allow our customers to benefit from the continuous further development of the Taycan. We have extensively optimized the model series in almost every respect since 2019… New functions have been added and others have been revised or tweaked to further enhance the customer experience. Following this update, anyone driving a Taycan from early in the car’s production run will be pleasantly surprised by how much has developed on the vehicle side since then. Internally, Porsche refers to this as the ‘uPdate,’ because the 2023 model year, which started in July 2022, bears the letter P.”

For all-wheel drive models, the update will enable greater range — through a partial decoupling of the front wheels in certain situations. In “Normal” and “Range” driving modes, “the front electric motor is almost completely disconnected and de-energized.” Both axles will be free of drive torque when the Taycan is coasting or at rest. The move can drastically cut frictional drag losses. The driver can monitor this on the vehicle’s central display as an energy-flow indicator. The vehicle’s ability to recuperate energy has also been “optimized,” said Porsche, even if the driver changes the driving program.

Another area that benefits is thermal management, through “better conditioning of the battery, especially at low outside temperatures.” The result? The Taycan can be rapidly charged more frequently overall and over a wider range of battery charge levels (SoC). “The waste heat from the electrical components, for example, is used even more than before to temper the battery. For 2020 and 2021 model-year Taycan models, this enables greater range and shorter charging times,” reported Porsche.

Porsche Communication Management (PCM) and Porsche Connect get new functionalities and features as well — highlighted by a colorful tile design on the start screen and greater ease of use. On select models, the update enhances voice control and offers Spotify and Android Auto in wireless iterations. In relevant markets, charging stations can be filtered and selected in the navigation system based on charging capacity. The 2021 MY Taycan also sports a refreshed head-up display with an improved view of the navigation map.

Some assistance systems have been upgraded as well. ParkAssist function now work with a greater range, and the Taycan’s ability to find available parking spaces has been improved — with smaller spaces now offered as an option.

Meanwhile, the 22kW onboard charger is now available for a retrofit as well, but at the owner’s expense. The retrofit will charge the battery significant faster.

We reached out to Porsche Philippines about this development. “OTA updates are still not applicable at the moment because the country’s telecom capability is not yet compatible with the system Porsche uses. What Porsche Philippines does is to proactively inform our customers of any software update issued by the factory, and we can do that for their vehicles on site. Porsche Philippines has been doing this for the Taycan (and all nameplates) since the model arrived in the country. This is just one of the numerous advantages of buying a Porsche from the authorized distributor. Gray market operators do not have access to official update notifications from the factory.”

Local Taycan owners are thus encouraged to bring their units directly to a Porsche Philippines facility to have the updates made.

Property firms seen among winners under new gov’t

A VIEW of buildings in Makati City. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

COMPANIES in the property and industrial sectors are likely to benefit from the government’s push for more infrastructure development, analysts said.

Citing President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), and his Cabinet officials’ pronouncement in a post-SONA briefing, analysts also expect sub-sectors such as telecommunications, energy, water, construction, infrastructure, and allied services to benefit.

Globalinks Securities and Stocks, Inc. Head of Sales Trading Toby Allan C. Arce said that the government’s plan to continue the previous administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program could result in gains for the industrial sector.

“This could add to economic activity, encourage foreign investments in various PPP (public-private partnership) projects, and provide the momentum for the country’s rebound,” Mr. Arce added.

In his SONA, Mr. Marcos said: “The planned expansion of infrastructure projects, I believe, would be possible if we continue to encourage the participation of the private sector in the development of our programs.”

Mr. Arce also said that property firms could benefit from the administration’s no-lockdown policy.

“Property firms like ALI (Ayala Land, Inc.) and SMPH (SM Prime Holdings, Inc.) can also be looked out for, as operating profits may rise year over year on higher revenue, mainly driven by its mall and property development divisions, on the back of an easing mobility restrictions and economic recovery,” Mr. Arce said.

Mr. Marcos said that despite the threats of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with the discovery of new variants, the administration will not impose another lockdown.

Other companies that are worth watching out for include some from the telecommunications sector such as PLDT, Inc., Globe Telecom, Inc., and Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions, Inc., Mr. Arce said.

He said these companies had given their support to the president’s call for universal connectivity and digitalization to ensure the availability and affordability of telco services across the country.

“The president also mentioned his support for renewable energy and plans for nuclear power, which will help the country lower its energy costs and attract more global manufacturing companies,” Timson Securities, Inc. Head of Online Trading Marc Kebinson L. Lood said.

Mr. Arce said renewable energy firms that could benefit include ACEN Corp., Solar Philippines Nueva Ecija Corp., Raslag Corp., First Gen Corp., Aboitiz Power Corp. and Manila Electric Co.

In the post-SONA briefing, Department of Energy Director Mario C. Marasigan said that in support of reliable and clean sources, the administration will seek to address global investors’ concerns on foreign ownership issues.

“[We] will ensure that the renewable energy market provides a conducive environment that [will] strengthen [the] power distribution sector and ensure their timely and appropriate conduct of competitive selection process,” Mr. Marasigan added.

Mr. Arce identified infrastructure and construction firms such as Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Megawide Construction Corp. and Ayala Corp. to benefit from the administration’s push for public-private partnerships.

“The government just has to be careful in determining which projects, funding sources, and development partners are viable,” Mr. Arce added.

“We think listed conglomerates are ones to watch when it comes to PPP projects. Construction companies may also benefit down the line, but it is important to qualify that the current sentiment is still heavily weighed down by nearer-term concerns on inflation,” China Bank Securities Corp. Research Director Rastine Mackie D. Mercado said in an e-mail.

In the post-SONA economic briefing, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan said: “As the president said, the infrastructure program will be very vital to support the national government’s effort to push the revival of the economy which was slumped due to COVID-19 pandemic. This is the foundation that we would build upon as the president pronounced, we must keep the momentum and aspire for Build Better More.”

Mr. Lood said the highlight on infrastructure pleased many investors because it would support the country’s long-term economic growth.

Furthermore, Mr. Mercado said that the government’s infrastructure push would help in easing logistical bottlenecks on food supply, and transport of goods while reducing travel time for commuters.

Mr. Arce said that the SONA laid down the president’s economic goals, which market participants are eager to see if he can deliver.

“Marcos’ SONA was lauded as very detailed, covering a lot of ground from power to agriculture to reducing the budget deficit, national debt, and national poverty alongside increasing government revenues and the rightsizing of the government, among others. The challenge, however, remains execution,” Mr. Arce added.

Mr. Arce also said that in the long term, the policy direction would provide a clear and positive path for Philippine equities in the next six years and might deliver an attractive return for those buying stocks amid the current downturn.

Mr. Mercado added that clear-cut policies and government initiatives would positively affect markets as these provide investors with better indications of what to expect, especially in relation to their investment decision making.

“For example, the president mentioned that there would be no more lockdowns, which we think helps remove some overhang,” Mr. Mercado said.

Similarly, Mr. Lood said that in the long term, the goals outlined in the SONA will stimulate more economic activity.

“His plans to boost agricultural productivity will ensure the country’s food security. Plans to improve healthcare in the Philippines by building facilities and encouraging the production of generic medicines will prepare the country for future emergencies, while digitization of government services will make business processes easier and faster, improving our ranking in the global list of ease of doing business. Returning to face-to-face classes would increase consumption while digitizing education would help our students become more globally competitive,” Mr. Lood added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Nissan Philippines previews Kicks e-Power ahead of August launch

Posing with the Kicks e-Power are Nissan executives (from left) Alliance Powertrain Engineering Director for e-Power Akihiro Shibuya, Chief Powertrain Engineer Naoki Nakada, and NPI President Juan Manuel Hoyos. — PHOTO FROM NISSAN PHILIPPINES

NISSAN PHILIPPINES, INC. (NPI) recently gave motoring media and content creators an exclusive hands-on experience of the all-new Kicks e-Power, set for formal launch in the country next month.

The model is seen by NPI as “accelerating the local electrification strategy with another state-of-the-art innovation adding excitement to the daily driving of Filipino motorists.” The model was featured at a two-day event in Clark, Pampanga.

A walkthrough, e-Power explanation, and track activity were led by Nissan Chief Powertrain Engineer Naoki Nakada, Alliance Powertrain Engineering Director for e-Power Akihiro Shibuya, and NPI President Juan Manuel Hoyos. Participants experienced driving the Kicks e-Power on the 4.2-km-long Clark International Speedway, where they reported feeling the instant acceleration that comes with the fully electric motor-driven system that e-Power offers.

NPI said in a release that, unlike conventional hybrids, e-Power “takes Nissan’s existing EV technology and adds a petrol engine whose only role is to charge the battery. This results in a ride that is both fuel-efficient and powerful, while also being quieter than a traditional petrol-powered car.”

Mr. Hoyos added, “The momentum toward electric mobility is steadily growing. There are more Filipinos looking to shift to more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly options, and that includes vehicles… Staying true to our goal of providing innovation for excitement, the all-new Kicks e-Power is a gateway for customers to adopt electrified vehicles, while still enabling a satisfying and fun ride. Nissan is giving customers a vehicle option with high-level performance that eliminates concerns surrounding driving range and lack of charging infrastructure.”

The Kicks e-Power also features the e-Pedal Step, which allows both acceleration and deceleration. “This makes everyday driving very smooth. It also helps city driving become easier and less stressful, especially with many Filipino motorists having to brave heavy traffic on a daily basis,” explained Mr. Nakada.

NPI said that the introduction of the Kicks e-Power to the Philippines puts Nissan on track for its goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The brand is endeavoring to introduce electrified vehicles exclusively from “early 2030s.”

For more information, visit
nissan.ph or follow Nissan Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

MaArte Fair returns to the Pen

SHOES by Cariñosa

Exhibit of Nat’l Artist Slim Higgins a highlight of the high-end bazaar of locally made items

AFTER a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, the MaArte Fair is back at the Peninsula Manila.

“I’m thrilled to be able to say that: MaArte at the Pen,” said Yael Buencamino, President of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI), which organizes the fair as a fundraiser for the foundation. During the online press conference on July 27, Ms. Buencamino said that the funds generated by MaArte (and other fundraising activities such as Art Fair Philippines, of which the foundation is a beneficiary) have gone on to fund activities such as docent training, as well as sending a conservator for postgraduate studies abroad.

Speaking of Art Fair Philippines, management of this year’s MaArte is now in the hands of Art Fair’s organizers, Philippine Art Events, Inc. (PAEI), the group that owns and operates Art Fair Philippines and Art in the Park. The three ladies of PAEI, Dindin Araneta, Trickie Lopa, and Lisa Periquet, introduced this year’s highlights, such as an exhibit on National Artist for Fashion Design Salvacion Lim “Slim” Higgins, curated by her son, Mark Lewis Higgins, artist and the director of his mother’s fashion school, Slim’s Fashion and Art School.

“We had no clue that she would be named National Artist. So imagine our pleasure and surprise when this happened, right as we were in the midst of planning this special exhibit for all of you,” said Ms. Lopa.

She said that the event will follow COVID-19 safety guidelines, set by both the hotel and the government. Temperature checks will be required at the door, masks must be worn at all times, and only about 100 people will be admitted per floor.

Through a collaboration with fashion group PHx, fashion schools will also present the lines of some of their students at the bazaar. These are:  CLIO DL by Clio de Leon (De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde), Kill Joy Studios by Eugene Malabad  (iAcademy), and Le Ngok by Jiale Zhang  (SoFa Design Institute). PHx will also show the works of Alexie, BAGASÁO, Basic Movement x Polo Redux, Café City Club, ec / Eustacia, Feanne, HA.MÜ, J Makitalo, Jill Lao, Jude Macasinag, Kelvin Morales, Land of Nod, Lilianna Manahan, Mich Dulce, Neil Felipp, nicolò, RANDOLF, Tropik Beatnik, and Viña Romero.

The fair will have 94 participants this year. It will run from Aug. 19 to 21, and span three floors of the Peninsula Manila.

Participants range from apparel (Maison Métisse, Mich Araullo, PNay, Filip + Inna; among others), accessories (Aranaz Ken Samudio, Siklo Pilipinas), traditional textiles (Balay ni Atong, Ifugao Nation, La Herminia, WVN Living), furniture (Ito Kish, Osmundo Furniture Gallery, Azcor Lighting Systems), art and heirlooms (Gallery Deus, León Gallery, and Unang Panahon Arts and Antiques; among others), home accessories (Gifts and Graces Fair Trade Foundation, Silahis Center, and Iraya Mangyan Art; among others), jewelry (Maria Angelica Rare Finda, Tim Tam Ong, Whisenhunt Fine Jewelry; and others), pottery (Joey De Castro Pottery, ORYOQI Ceramics, and Siegrid Bangyay Pottery), and finally, food (Auro Chocolate, The Pantry/Domicillo Selections, and Tsaa Laya).

Ms. Araneta said, “We stick to a theme of celebrating the Filipino creative soul.”

Meanwhile, Ms. Buencamino said, “Remember, you’re not only supporting the designers and craftspeople who created them. Your purchase also contributes to the development of Philippine museum workers and the preservation of cultural heritage.”

MaArte at the Pen will run from Aug. 19 to 21 at the Peninsula Manila. Admission is free. — JL Garcia

Hitting the bricks with the Lego Lamborghini Sián

This 1:1 scale Lego Technic creation is a tribute to the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37. — PHOTO FROM LEGO

LEGO IS BACK for more Lambo. Following the launch of the 1:8 scale Lego Technic Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 in 2020, Lego renders the limited-edition Italian sports car model in life size.

More than 154 different types of Lego pieces were used to “ensure that the model embodies the futuristic sophistication and reproduces the unmistakable outline of the Lamborghini Sián, right down to the very smallest details.” The full-size model will be on display until Oct. 6 at the Museo Automobili Lamborghini in Sant’Agata Bolognese.

Said Lego Group Senior Vice-President of Products and Marketing Lena Dixen, “Our designers love challenges, so you can imagine how delighted they were when we asked them to work on this model and look at things in a slightly bigger way than usual. They leaped at the chance to work with the incredible designers and engineers from our production workshop at the Kladno factory in the Czech Republic, who build these stunning full-scale models, and really pushed back the boundaries of what can be done with Lego Technic. Thanks to the scope for creativity provided by the system, they’ve truly done justice to the exceptional design of the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 Lego Technic.”

The chassis is comprised of made-to-measurement hexagonal Lego Technic pieces, which themselves pay tribute to the six-sided shape that plays a key role in Lamborghini’s approach. Stated Automobili Lamborghini Chief Marketing and Sales Officer Federico Foschini, “(The Museo Automobili Lamborghini) is the natural place to display the Lamborghini super sports cars that have always given dreams and feelings concrete forms thanks to innovation and technology. This 1:1 scale model of the Sián shows that Lamborghini — just like the Lego Group — sees challenges as its lifeblood, technology as a means of creation, and design as a linchpin that can and must take people’s breath away.”

Inside, the model, which weighs 2,200 kg, features a Lego brick steering wheel decorated with the Lamborghini badge and the Italian flag, an instrument panel and racing seats. This Lamborghini is also the first large-scale model by Lego to have “paint-effect UV color coating,” which will help to make the model longer lasting. The development and construction process took a total of 8,660 hours to complete.

Davao durian shortage ahead of festival blamed on climate change

BW FILE PHOTO

DAVAO CITY’s agriculture office is sourcing durian from neighboring provinces to augment supply for the expected influx of tourists in August as the Kadayawan returns as a face-to-face festival.

This year’s harvest of the city’s iconic fruit has so far been just about a fifth of the average 15,000 metric tons (MT) in the past three years.

Edgardo A. Haspe, head of the city agriculturist’s office, attributed the supply deficit to unusual weather patterns with the changing global climate, which affect the fruit-bearing cycle of trees.

“Right now, our climate is not cooperating. In previous years like in 2020, we had abundant harvest during Kadayawan but we did not have face-to-face celebrations due to the pandemic, but now we have a face-to-face celebration but sad to say we don’t have enough harvest,” Mr. Haspe said during the I-Speak media forum last week.

The Kadayawan — which used to be known as the Apo Duwaling Festival, for Mt. Apo, durian, and the waling-waling orchid (Vanda sanderiana) — is a celebration of the city’s natural bounty and timed for the traditional peak of the harvest season.

“We still have banana, mango but usually durian is brought to tourists in Davao City,” Mr. Haspe said.

Davao City Councilor Al Ryan S. Alejandre, spokesperson for the Kadayawan executive committee, said the committee has recommended setting up a dedicated space in one of the parks where fruit producers and vendors can directly sell fresh goods.

“It’s one of the things we boast about every Kadayawan. Good harvest and cheap fruit,” Mr. Alejandre said.

Durian consolidators from other localities in the Davao Region and parts of nearby Cotabato province are already preparing to bring in supply to Davao City.

Mr. Haspe said that the average annual harvest of durian in the city had been 12,000 MT. In the past three years, production was higher at 15,485 MT in 2019, over 17,000 MT in 2020, and 12,930 MT in 2021.

In the first half of this year, the harvest was only 3,000 MT.

There is still some fruit waiting to be picked in upland areas, but these are insufficient for the projected demand during the festival.

Durian farms occupied 3,389 hectares last year from 3,222 hectares in 2019, according to Mr. Haspe.

At the same time, processing activities have also expanded.

“Our durian processors here in the city are increasing… and they come to our office to ask where they can find supply,” he said. — Maya M. Padillo

Jed Yabut: From architecture to furniture design

Jed Yabut Kapa Ceiling Lamp

AN architect turned to furniture design during the pandemic, and selected rattan as his medium.

BusinessWorld talked with architect and furniture designer Jed Yabut, one of the merchants on furniture e-commerce platform ITOOH, late last month. One of his pieces, a full-length mirror called Ulap (Cloud), with shelves that mimic the curvature of clouds, is still memorable after its debut on ITOOH’s website.

“I think I’m really good with design and all that, but I never had a chance to really design furniture before,” said Mr. Yabut, who graduated with a degree in Architecture from UP Diliman, but practiced in Singapore and Tokyo. The COVID-19 pandemic forced him to return to the Philippines.  It was during the pandemic that he joined a workshop in Nueva Ecija where he learned furniture making, and decided on focusing on rattan.

The material has an interesting history. A species of climbing palm, it had been one of the most valuable products of colonial trade. These products — made of Southeast Asian plants and by Southeast Asian artisans — could be found then in the best rooms in Europe. Christian Dior used antique chairs of woven rattan (called cane in some circles) at his atelier in Paris, and the elaborate pattern of the weave could be found interpreted in their designs, such as the cannage (meaning cane craftwork in French) pattern on the famous Lady Dior line of bags.

“It was a deliberate choice,” said Mr. Yabut of rattan. “When you look at it (rattan), it’s very Filipino. We don’t necessarily carry rattan (exclusively), but to me, it spells very Filipino. The houses of our lolos and lolas (grandfathers and grandmothers) would have at least one rattan [piece] there… for us, it brings back nostalgia. At the same time, I could circumvent that to become something of a more modern look. That’s the intent.”

He also mentioned that despite the large number of furniture designers, few of them work with rattan. A large number of rattan furniture-makers however, consist of mom-and-pop operations in the provinces. “What I wanted to do was to create a brand that is more of a signature brand; a name brand.”

Asked how a Jed Yabut piece differs from one from these small manufacturers, he said, “It comes with good design, really. It comes with making sure that your design is not on Pinterest. I strive hard to make sure that when I design something, people can see that this is a Jed Yabut design.” In fact, he scrapped his own first line instead of putting it on the market, because it looked too similar to ones he had already seen. “There’s deliberate design conceptualization behind every piece.”

When he said that he planned to use rattan for his furniture, his friends in design said he was crazy. “It’s actually difficult to work with,” he said.

Direct sunlight can damage it, and so will too much water. “If it’s too cold, the rattan material becomes brittle,” he said. He added, “That’s why it thrives in humid climates like the Philippines.”

However, he loves to work with it anyway, despite its difficult nature. “It’s easy to mold. It’s very flexible. But because it’s so soft, the movements are always there,” he enthused. “Throughout the years, it probably could move, you know?”

Rattan under his hands then becomes a living thing, capable of mutability. “I’m the kind of designer who hates perfection. I think perfection is ugly. I love the rawness, the naturalness of the materials I work with. I want to highlight the imperfections of the materials I use,” he said.

“It’s constantly moving. It could never have the same shape forever,” he said. Rattan then becomes a symbol of temporality —  and it sits as a reminder in your living room. “Everything can perish; everything can be replaceable.”

Mr. Yabut’s designs can be found on his website, https://jedyabut.com/, and on shopitooh.com/. — Joseph L. Garcia

PHL lags in ASEAN in first-half vehicle production 

THE Philippines trails neighboring countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region in terms of car production during the first six months of the year, according to the ASEAN Automotive Federation (AAF).

Latest AAF data uploaded on its website showed that the country’s motor vehicle production for the January-June period dropped 2.9% to 40,334 units from 41,527 units logged in the same period last year.

In contrast, other ASEAN countries posted production growth for the first half of the year such as Myanmar (187.1%), Malaysia, (31.8%), Vietnam (28.3%), Indonesia (28%), and Thailand (7.9%).

In June alone, the Philippines recorded a higher vehicle production volume — up by 6.2% year on year to 8,506 units.

In terms of sales, AAF data showed that Philippine car sales from January to June rose 16.7% to 154,874 from 132,767 units sold in the same period last year.

ASEAN countries that posted increased vehicle sales in the first half of 2022 include Vietnam (34.1%), Malaysia (33%), Thailand (22.6%), and Indonesia (20.8%).

Countries that had lower sales were Singapore (-34.2%) and Myanmar (-8.3%).

For the month of June, AAF data showed that Philippine vehicle sales rose 26.8% to 28,601 units from 22,550 units sold in the same month last year.

“The automotive industry recovery is progressing as new motor vehicles sales reached an upward growth trajectory in June driven by the pent-up demand from consumers amid the less-than-ideal economic conditions recorded in the same period,” Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) President Rommel R. Gutierrez said in a previous statement.

“The industry is optimistic of sustaining motor vehicle sales in its current pre-pandemic trendline in the coming months, albeit challenging amid the ongoing headwinds to the economic recovery, which continue to affect consumer confidence and overall employment,” he added.

Meanwhile, AAF data showed that Philippine motorcycle and scooter production in the first half of 2022 dropped 4.2% year on year to 431,524 units from 450,524 units last year.

Thailand also had lower motorcycle and scooter output, down 7%, while Malaysia posted a 21.2% increase.

In terms of sales, AAF data revealed that the Philippine motorcycles and scooters sales in the first six months of 2022 rose 6.1% to 763,117 units, from 719,234 units sold in the same period last year.

Other ASEAN countries also sold more motorcycles and scooters during the January-to-June period. Malaysia posted 19.7% growth, Singapore had a 4.6% increase, and Thailand recorded a 3.9% improvement.

In March, CAMPI announced that it is targeting to reach 336,000 units sold in 2022, which is a 17% improvement from the 268,488 units sold in 2021. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

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