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Leisure & Resorts World aims to boost online products

LEISURE & Resorts World Corp. (LRWC) said it would push its online products to the market for the remainder of the year as part of its retail expansion plans.

“We will remain steadfast in pushing our online products which are seen to be the ‘blue ocean.’ We will be aggressive in the pursuit of player registrations, deposits, and gaming transactions,” the company said in a disclosure.

It described a blue ocean as a new market with little completion or barriers standing in the way of innovators.

“As the online products can also be played in our branches, we shall continue upgrading our network connectivity and hardware,” the firm added.

LRWC said that it would also push for more variety and availability of its games.

“With these efforts, we see steep revenue growth in our newly launched and yet to be launched online products. These are our new engines of growth and our vehicle to address changing consumer trends driven by the pandemic,” the company said.

“Thus with these innovations, we expect this year to be a recovery year alongside projected increase in household incomes and foot traffic and decrease in COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) cases and quarantines,” it added.

For its casino business, LRWC will be working on improving its products, marketing and promotion, club enhancements, and safety protocols.

In its unaudited financial statement, LRWC reported that its first quarter net loss after tax grew to P223.07 million from a loss of P110.04 million in 2021.

Revenues likewise declined to P929.01 million from P942.35 million.

On Tuesday, LRWC shares gained by 4.51% or six centavos to close at P1.39 at the stock exchange. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Despite availability of contraception, nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended — UNFPA

FREEPIK

WOMEN in the Philippines want simpler forms of family planning, according to Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III, executive director of the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM). 

“Women want simpler methods [such as] pills and injectables,” he said at the June 8 launch of the 2022 State of World Population (SWOP) report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). 

As of 2022, 59% of Filipinas in their reproductive age (15–49 years) have their family planning needs satisfied with modern methods. Almost half (44%) rely on pills and condoms for family planning.  

Adolescent pregnancies in the 15–19-year-old age group declined by 13% to 150,000 in 2020 from 180,000 in 2019; the decline for the same period was 10% among those 10 to 14 years old. 

“The reduction of unintended pregnancies is around 300,000,” Dr. Perez said, “but the task remains.”   

According to the UNFPA report, nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended. 

“This is a reminder of how many people, especially women and girls, are limited in exercising their basic rights,” the report said. “So many unplanned and unwanted pregnancies raise questions about how much the rights and potential of more than half of humanity are prioritized and valued.” 

At the launch, panelists said that reproductive health education can help prevent unintended pregnancies and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. 

EDUCATION
The focal points of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, which provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor with the aim of breaking the cycle of poverty, are education and health, said Luzviminda C. Ilagan, undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).   

“We have family development sessions required of every beneficiary family to attend, with modules that have been developed to… teach the young about [health concerns] as well as issues on family planning,” said Ms. Ilagan. “We are also able to provide information through our social welfare workers about family health, the importance of reproductive health, and how to go about the risks of unintended pregnancies.”  

UNFPA also conducts reproductive health medical missions in partnership with local nongovernment organizations. 

These missions provide information on sexual and reproductive health services and “how [the youth can] protect themselves and say ‘no’ when it’s needed,” said UNFPA Philippine country representative Dr. Leila Saiji Joudane.  

The 2022 SWOP report, titled “Seeing the Unseen: The case for action in the neglected crisis of unintended pregnancy,” focuses on the circumstances that exist before an unintended pregnancy — when one’s agency to decide is critically undermined — and on its impact on future generations.  

Unintended or unplanned pregnancy, as defined by the report, is a pregnancy that occurs to a woman who was not planning to have any(more) children, or that was mistimed, in that it occurred earlier than desired.  

Unwanted pregnancy, on the other hand, is a pregnancy that a woman does not want to have.   

A woman might decide she wants the pregnancy after it occurs, even if she was not planning to have any(more) children.  

FAMILY PLANNING
According to POPCOM’s Dr. Perez, births in the country were dipping even before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.  

“This was because of the family planning program,” he said, noting there were 1.3 million births in 2021 as compared to 1.5 million in 2020. “Women wanted family planning services.”  

The DSWD and POPCOM will address the needs of the 160,000 adolescent mothers (60,000 of whom are below 18) a social protection program for adolescent mothers and their children, among others. 

Rolled out in Ormoc City, Leyte, in November 2021, the program will be launched nationwide by 2023.  

ROOT CAUSES
President Rodrigo R. Duterte, in June 2021, called on government offices to implement measures to address the root causes of the rising number of teenage pregnancies. 

Executive Order No. 141 also sought interventions related to the prevention of adolescent pregnancies, such as education and employment opportunities.  

“It’s been a long campaign to make this a national priority… it’s crucial we maintain a strong family planning program going into the next administration,” said Dr. Perez, adding that food security and economic development will also have to be addressed. 

“In the middle of COVID-19, 70% of households were food insecure. Another issue that must be attended to is the fact that the different regions in the country have fallen very far behind Manila and Calabarzon [Region IV-A] … in terms of family income,” Dr. Perez said.  

The focus should be on living wages and not minimum wages, he added, so that Filipino families “can have their education aspirations and housing needs met.” — Patricia B. Mirasol

 

The data used in this report “overwhelmingly come from” surveys and studies that identify participants as women or girls, per the UNFPA.  

Arts & Culture (06/15/22)

Virgin Labfest 2022 premieres this weekend

AFTER two years of online performances, the 17th Virgin Labfest (VLF) — the theater festival of untried, untested, and unstaged plays — returns to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Tanghalang Huseng Batute from June 16 to 26. It will be followed by an online screening of the plays from June 30 to July 10 at ticket2me.net. The 12 featured plays are divided into four sets with performances scheduled at 2 and 7 p.m. The plays under Set A: Life is Full of Surprises (June 16 and 25) are: Walang Bago sa Dulang Ito by Eljay Castro Deldoc, Mga Balo by Maki dela Rosa, and Bituing Marikit by Bibeth Orteza. Under Set B: Life is Strange Fiction (June 17 and 26), the plays are: Absurdo Events Day by BJ Crisostomo, Liberation by Jerry O’Hara, and Nay May Dala Akong Pansit by Juan Ekis. Set C: School of Life (June 18 and 23) features Unica Hijas by Mikaela Regis, Punks Not Dead by Andrew Clete, and Student’s Handbook by Anthony Kim Vergara. Set D: Life Choices (June 19 and 24) features Fermata by Dustin Celestino, Huling Haraya Nina Ischia at Emeteria by Ryan Machado, and Bienvenuta al lido De Venecia by George Vail Kabristante. The Playwright’s Fair with VLF artistic director Rody Vera, and the CCP Intertextual Division will be held on June 17, 18, 24, and 25, 5 p.m. at the Tanghalang Manuel Conde, with online streaming at the CCP and VLF Facebook pages. The Writing Fellowship Program showcase, under the mentorship of playwright Glenn Mas and directed by Dennis Marasigan, is scheduled for June 26, 5 p.m., at the CCP Promenade. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/thevirginlabfest.

Tela Pilipinas Exhibit at Gateway Mall

IN LINE with the Independence Day celebration, Araneta City and the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) opened the 2022 Tela Pilipinas Exhibit at the Gateway Mall Activity Area to showcase the developments in natural textile fiber-based yarns and products. On are Pinoy-made outfits made using DOST-PTRI’s yarns, fabrics, and technologies as output of the institute’s research and development programs. This exhibit demonstrates the applicability and of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics as material to dress the Filipinos. The 2022 Tela Pilipinas Exhibit is open for public viewing at the Gateway Mall until June 17.

Independence Day exhibit at the Shang

THE ART Circle Gallery, Galerie Raphael, and Artologist have joined an ongoing Independence Day exhibit at the Shangri-La Plaza’s Grand Atrium, which runs until June 18. Art Circle Gallery presents the exhibit “Tangkilikin Ang Sariling Atin” featuring Otep Bañez, Jef Albea, Ramon Cajipe,  and Glenn Cagandahan. Galerie Raphael’s exhibit is Kalayaan: Isang Parangal to Sinag, which brings together works by 25 artists to showcase the various aspects of freedom in the Philippines. They include National Artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Juvenal Sanso, Gary Custodio, Raul Isidro, Mikel Parial, and Camille Ver. Artologist presents Obra with 13 participating artists including Mark Albea, Dennis Francisco, Ram Mallari, and Sam Penaso.

Valerie Teng holds 1st solo show at ARTablado

VALERIE Teng, who quit her day job to focus on her passion for painting, is having her first solo show at Robinsons Land’s ARTablado at Robinsons Galleria. Her exhibit, “Secret Garden: An Inspirational Walk-Through,” runs from June 16 to 30. ARTablado, which is a portmanteau of “art” and “entablado” is part of Robinsons Land’s efforts to showcase Philippine art and bring Filipino artists to the center stage. A graduate of Fine Arts with a major in Advertising from The College of the Holy Spirit, Teng grew up in a household of talented family members who encouraged her creativity. Her exhibit focuses on the peace and tranquility of nature, depicted through simple and clean lines matched with soft and soothing palettes in her canvases. ARTablado is at Level 3, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center, Quezon City.

Father and daughter exhibit at ArtistSpace

BOTH self-taught artists, Ed Uygongco and Jo Uygongco are presenting a father-and-daughter exhibition entitled “Equilibrium”. It will be on view from June 16 to 29 at the Ayala Museum’s  ArtistSpace. As the term implies, Equilibrium is a balancing of forces, a struggle between the two modes of visual expression – representation and abstraction — the yin-and-yang, as it were, of artmaking. The Uygongcos both favor the water-based mediums of aquarelle and acrylic.

MO_Space opens two shows

MO_Space is opening two exhibits on June 18 — at the Main Gallery will be Mark Salvatus’ “Active Shadows” while at Gallery 2, it will be “Welcome to the Dog Show” featuring works by Francis Commeyne. Both shows will run until July 17. The title “Active Shadows” quotes a passage from George Steiner’s (2009) reflection on the books he did not write, referring to them as intimate companions of his published works. He surmised that they are more than a gap or a void but “active shadows.” Salvatus’ artistic practice is shaped by an intimate reworking and transformation of objects and forms, a process akin to the resonance intimated by the phrase active shadows. His materials, whether from his family archive, his collection of Mount Banahaw paraphernalia, found objects, or those bought from flea shops, meander across time and occupy various sites. For his 4th solo show, “Welcome to the Dog Show,” Commeyne produces a series of sculptures and mixed media assemblages of carved wood and found objects depicting the commonplace sausage as comically emblematic of expressing one’s concerns of survival. The gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the 3rd level, MOs Design, B2 Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

National Museum screens Esoterika: Maynila 

THE NATIONAL Museum of the Philippines will screen Esoterika: Maynila, a film by Elwood Perez, from June 13 to 17 at the National Museum of Fine Arts Auditorium. Viewers will have the chance to meet director Elwood Perez at the final screening session on June 17. Register for free at https://bit.ly/NMPfilmshowing. 

Filipinas Heritage Library holds a writing workshop

THE AYALA Museum and the Filipinas Heritage Library present WRITING HEARTBREAK: A Workshop With Jhoanna Lynn Cruz on June 25 and July 2, 2-5 p.m., online via Zoom. There are limited slots. The focus of the workshop is how heartbreak can also be an opening, a chance to right the pain, heal, and revisit the terms of self-making. The workshop will be run by an award-winning writer who, after her marriage fell apart, told her story in a book-length memoir. The workshop is P3,500 (and comes with a free book, Abi Nako, or So I Thought). A discounted rate of P3,150 will be given to students, seniors, PWDs, ARC, AGC, and Ayala Museum Virtual Members. The workshop is open to intermediate writers aged 16 and above. Participants from ages 16-17 may be admitted after signing a waiver regarding potentially sensitive content. Participants must prepare a paper, pen/pencil, laptop/tablet and technical requirements are Zoom, and internet connection, a laptop/tablet/smartphone, and a prop or set-up of camera overhead to see the work. A recommended text (in PDF) will be provided for the attendees to read after registration.

Manila Symphony Orchestra holds online concert

THE AYALA Museum and the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will hold a special online concert, MusiKayumanggi: A Century of Filipino Music, on July 2, 6:30 p.m., via Zoom. The MSO will perform Filipino classics expressed in various orchestral and chamber arrangements, including “Lahing Kayumanggi” by Lucio San Pedro, “Kalesa” by Hernani Cuenco, and “Hahanapin Ko” by Jose Mari Chan. Tickets are at P1,200 for regular passes, and P960 for Ayala Museum Members. To purchase tickets, visit ayalamuseum.org/events/rhc-musikayumanggi. For event inquiries, e-mail events@ayalamuseum.org.

Trumpets brings back musical Joseph, the Dreamer

TRUMPETS, INC.’s popular musical Joseph the Dreamer returns onstage on July 15 to 31, at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC, Taguig City. The production tells the Biblical story of Joseph, who brought the Israelites out of Egypt. Written by Freddie Santos, it is based on Cam Floria’s cantata entitled Dreamer: What Really Happened to Joseph. This production is a re-imagined version directed by Paolo Valenciano, featuring updated musical arrangements by Myke Salomon as well as an updated script. For tickets, visit https://bit.ly/JTD2022. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/trumpetsinc

Barefoot Theater stages Mula Sa Buwan

THE BAREFOOT Theatre Collaborative presents Mula sa Buwan, a musical reimagining of Cyrano de Bergerac, on Aug. 26 to Sept. 11 at the new Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati. Directed by Pat Valera, with music and lyrics by William Elvin Manzano, the musical stars Myke Salomon as Cyrano, Gab Pangilinan as Roxane, and Markki Stroem as Christian. Book tickets at ticketworld.com.ph or mulasabuwan.com/tickets. For more information, visit mulasabuwan.com.

Nayong Pilipino pushes for safe space for LGBTQIA+

THE NAYONG Pilipino Foundation (NPF) partnered with the National Library of the Philippines (NLP) and LGBTQIA+ community to gather insights on creating a safer physical and cultural space inclusive for everyone. A roundtable discussion dubbed “Umpukan sa Nayon” on June 10, held at the National Library of the Philippines, became an avenue for the foundation to gather insights on gender sensitivity while also raising awareness of the complex history with the LGBTQIA+ community. The ideas gathered during the discussion will serve as a guide in creating the Nayong Pilipino Cultural and Creative Hub in the Entertainment City in Parañaque. Among the speakers during the discussion were Dondy Ramos, assistant professor of History from the University of the Philippines, Alvin Cloyd Dakis, a trainer for gender sensitivity, Amber Quiban, a transgender woman from Cordilleras, and a UP Diliman student, and Daniele Guevarra of Philippine Normal University Katalonan. Assistant Professor Ramos talked about the roles of the LGBTQIA+ community during the pre-Hispanic period. The full live stream can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/nayongpilipinoofficial/videos/586759242769590

Gawad Yamang Isip awards given

THE GAWAD Yamang Isip (GYI) Awards 2022 were held by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) on June 6, and highlighted the importance of raising intellectual property (IP) awareness. The winners were National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, writer Jose “Butch” Y. Dalisay, Jr., and National Artist for Dance Alice G. Reyes, all GYI awardees under the Performing Arts and Literature category; Dr. Cecilia Nelia C. Maramba-Lazarte, dubbed the “Mother of Philippine Herbal Medicine,” in the Science and Technology category; and multi-awarded wrap fashion artist Dita Sandico in the Industrial Design category. The annual GYI is the country’s most prestigious IP awards. It is conferred to Filipino individuals and institutions that have helped improve Filipinos’ quality of life through innovation and creativity while promoting the importance of IP. The awarding was held as part of IPOPHL’s celebration of its 25th anniversary. Aside from the six individual GYI awardees, IPOPHL also awarded Gandang Kalikasan, Inc., the company behind the pro-environment brand Human Nature, for the Business category, and the Samar State University-Technology Business Incubator Local Alliance of Marine-based Businesses and Food Technology for the new and special IP Management Award. IPOPHL also honored more than 100 partners in the academe, government and private sector, as well as the most prolific IP users, through special citations.

KWF is now accepting entries for essay contest

THE KOMISYON sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) is now accepting entries for the Sanaysay ng Taon 2022, a yearly contest of original work. The competition is open to everyone except KWF officials and their relatives. The theme for this year is “Filipino and Indigenous Languages: Research and Discovery Tools.” The essays must be written in Filipino, original, unpublished and not translated from another language. They also must be at least 15 pages but not more than 30 pages long. In addition to research, the way it is written must adhere to the KWF Manwal sa Masinop na Pagsulat. For details on the requirements, text or call 0928-844-1349 or e-mail timpalak.gawad@kwf.gov.ph. Entries will be accepted until 5 p.m. on June 20. Entries must be sent to Lupon sa Sanaysay ng Taon Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, 2nd floor of the Watson Bldg., 1610 J.P. Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila.

Exhibition proposals sought

THE NATIONAL Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is accepting exhibition proposals for the 2023 NCCA Gallery and Exhibition Program from June 15 to Aug. 15. Every year, the NCCA opens its Call for Exhibition Proposals to the public to give opportunity for Filipino artists from different backgrounds, different affiliations, and different regions to showcase their work to a wider audience without compromising their creative vision. Proposals may be accomplished in Filipino and English by any Filipino citizen or any group or institution based in the Philippines. Proposals from foreign institutions or groups should be coursed through the NCCA International Affairs Office. All exhibition proposals shall be submitted through the Google Forms link (https://bit.ly/2023NCCAGalleryProposal) and will be accepted only when the proper supporting documents are submitted. Applicants will be notified of the result of the screening through an official communication that will be released around October.

Anthology of translated work of fiction released

PENGUIN Random House SEA has released an anthology of translated work of fiction, Born and Bred in Myanmar. By Moe Moe Inya, the book is about the life and struggles of rural-dwelling youths in Myanmar who, at an early age, had to work to supplement the household income or work alongside their parents to support their family. Moe Moe Inya wrote her first novel, Pyauk-thaw-lann-hmar san-ta-war in 1972 and received the National Literature Award for it in 1974. She also received short novel awards in 1980, 1982 and 1986 for the novel and short novel collections. Her books have been translated into English, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese.

‘We have to be alert of the changes’ — Ramirez

ADAPT to the times.

This was the advice given by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chair William Ramirez to his successor for the country to replicate its golden years in sports that was highlighted by weightlifter Hidilyn F. Diaz delivering the Filipinos’ first Olympic gold medal in the Tokyo Games a year ago.

“Adaptability. We have to be alert and aware of the changes in budget, coaching, medical, everything,” said Mr. Ramirez during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the PSC administration building in Malate, Manila.

Mr. Ramirez helped steer the country’s spectacular performances in international fronts like Ms. Diaz’s breakthrough Olympic exploits coupled by the Filipinos dominating performance in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and several emergence of world and Asian champions.

Under Mr. Ramirez’s reins and care, gymnast Carlos “Caloy” Yulo rose to being a world champion twice and pole-vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena broke the Asian record and zoomed to No. 5 in the planet.

But Mr. Ramirez was quick to share the tribute to the collected effort of the government, officials, coaches, athletes, private sector, and Filipinos in general.

“It was not a lucky break, there was a collaborative effort. The golden year was due mainly to the hardwork put up by the athletes and coaches,” said Mr. Ramirez.

Mr. Ramirez also mentioned giving equal importance to grassroots development so the country can sustain the momentum of success. — Joey Villar

Reissued 7-year bonds partially awarded on rate hike concerns

BW FILE PHOTO

THE GOVERNMENT partially awarded the reissued Treasury bonds (T-bonds) it offered on Tuesday as investors continued to asked for higher yields as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the US Federal Reserve said they intend to raise rates anew to tame rising inflation.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) raised just P19.551 billion via the reissued seven-year debt papers it auctioned off on Tuesday, less than the programmed P35 billion, even as the offering attracted P62.69 billion in bids.

The T-bonds, which have a remaining life of six years and 11 months, were awarded at an average rate of 6.74%, higher by 24 basis points (bps) versus the 6.5% coupon fetched for the papers when they were offered for the first time on May 17. At that auction, the average rate for the issuance was logged at 6.428%.

The average yield fetched for the debt papers on Tuesday was also higher than the 6.4935% quoted for the seven-year tenor, the benchmark closest to the remaining life of the bonds, at the secondary market prior to the auction, based on the PHP Bloomberg Valuation Service Reference Rates published on the Philippine Dealing System’s website.

Had the Treasury fully awarded its offer, the reissued bonds would have fetched an average rate of 6.428%.

National Treasurer Rosalia V. de Leon said in a Viber message to reporters that the BTr made a partial award as investors wanted higher yields due to recent signals from the BSP and Fed that they want to continue hiking benchmark rates in the coming months to help stem high inflation.

She added that the auction committee wanted to align the issue’s yield with prevailing market rates.

Likewise, a trader in a Viber message said the market is expecting a 75-bp hike from the Fed this week after US inflation hit a 40-year high in May.

“Consequently, dealers and investors continued to submit high bids to price in the latest developments,” the trader added. “With the US Fed’s forecasted hikes, the peso will remain under depreciation pressure and that will exacerbate inflation fears, and it’s not a bond-friendly catalyst.”

The US consumer price index increased by a faster-than-expected 8.6% last month, the largest year-on-year increase since December 1981, according to US Labor department data released on Friday, showing inflation has yet to peak.

This caused renewed bets of aggressive action from the Fed at its June 14-15 meeting that could dampen growth prospects for the world’s largest economy.

The US central bank kicked off its tightening cycle with a 25-bp increase in March followed by a 50-bp hike last month as inflation continued to reach multi-year highs.

Meanwhile, at home, Monetary Board member and incoming BSP chief Felipe M. Medalla said in a Bloomberg interview last week that they are “almost” sure to hike at their June 23 meeting and there is also a “90% chance” of another increase at their subsequent review on Aug. 18.

Increases worth 25 bps in the Monetary Board’s June and August meetings would bring the benchmark rate to 2.75% from 2.25% currently. The BSP began unwinding its pandemic-driven easy policy with a 25-bp hike at its May 19 review.

Headline inflation in May surged by 5.4% year on year from 4.9% in April and 4.1% a year ago. This is the fastest print since the 6.1% seen in November 2018.

Year to date, inflation has averaged 4.1%. This is lower than the central bank’s 4.6% forecast but above its 2-4% target for the year.

The peso on Monday closed at P53.50 against the dollar, its weakest finish in over three years, as high US inflation in May caused fears of a more aggressive move from the Fed.

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

The government borrows from local and external sources to help fund a budget deficit seen to hit 7.7% of gross domestic product this year. — T.J. Tomas

PAL gradually reopens flights to key ASEAN destinations

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced on Tuesday that it will resume flights between Manila and Bali starting July 1, as part of its international expansion amid the reopening of international travel.

“From July 1st, PAL will fly thrice weekly services between Manila and Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport,” the airline said in an e-mailed statement.

PAL said it is keen on gradually reopening flights to key destinations in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as many countries in the region are now reopening their borders to visitors.

It will offer two additional weekly flights from Aug. 1,  increasing frequencies to five times weekly, before ramping up to daily flights by Oct. 4.

At the same time, PAL announced that it would offer higher kilograms (kg) of free baggage allowance on domestic turboprop flights starting June 15.

PAL will “offer up to 20kg free baggage allowance (FBA) on domestic flights operated with the De Havilland Dash-8 turboprop aircraft — doubling the previous maximum FBA of 10kg for turboprop flights,” it said in a separate statement.

The airline hopes to provide more flexibility and convenience to its domestic customers.

“Passengers with old and new tickets issued for travel on or after June 15 will be allowed to check-in up to 20kg on applicable booking classes for all routes, with the exception of Basco (Batanes),” it said.

“The current FBA of 10kg will be retained for flights to and from Basco because of unique operational conditions that limit the baggage capacity on these flights,” it added. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Banks must develop new products to meet growing demand for credit

BANKS should develop more affordable products as unserved and underserved Filipinos expect their need for credit to increase in the coming years, which, a study conducted by information solutions firm TransUnion Philippines showed.

TransUnion’s study titled “Empowering Credit Inclusion: A Deeper Perspective on Credit Underserved and Unserved Consumers” surveyed 1,008 unserved and 964 underserved consumers in the Philippines.

Unserved consumers are defined as any adult person who has never had an open traditional credit product, while underserved refers to those have minimal credit participation, limited to a single type of credit product and no more than two open accounts of that type, and have been active in the credit market for at least two years.

The online global survey included responses from 11,128 adults and was conducted from Aug. 3, 2021 to Jan. 5, 2022 in partnership with Qualtrics Research Services.

“These credit-disadvantaged consumers are often unable to access financial products and services because they have no or little credit history. This study served to better understand how many people are truly under- or unserved from a credit perspective, while also determining paths for them to gain more credit opportunities,” TransUnion Philippines Regional President and Chief Executive Officer Pia L. Arellano said at a briefing on Tuesday.

Ms. Arellano said personalized, affordable and relevant products will allow financial institutions to capitalize on this growing demand for credit from the unbanked and underbanked.

“There’s a sizable market potential. A lot of our vendors are now in recovery mode and they do want to grow. But again, we have to increase the size of the pie. And how do you increase the size of the pie? It’s by tapping the unserved and underserved market,” she said.

The survey results showed that despite a lack of credit experience, the unbanked and underbanked understand the benefits and risks of taking on credit.

Half of unserved (51%) and underserved (52%) Filipino consumers expect their need for credit to increase in the next three to five years.

However, they said they are not satisfied with products in the market and other reasons for not wanting to take out loans, Ms. Arellano said. 

According to the study, not wanting to incur debt was cited by 53% of unserved and 52% of underserved consumers as the reason they don’t take on more or any credit. Some 40% of underserved consumers also cited their concern over losing control of their finances.

“This implies that a majority of consumers are looking to gain more access to credit and leverage credit for their financial needs,” TransUnion said in a press release.

Survey findings also showed 32% of underserved consumers in the Philippines would take on more credit if they can make lower weekly or monthly payments.

High interest rates were the most mentioned reason by both unserved (22%) and underserved (36%) consumers for rejecting credit offers.

Customer experience also causes consumers to reject a credit offer. The lengthy approval process was cited by 17% of unserved and 8% of underserved customers in the Philippines. — K.B. Ta-asan

EU agency sees risk of COVID deaths rising as Omicron subvariants spread

FRANKFURT — Two new subvariants of Omicron, BA.4 and BA.5, are spreading more quickly than other coronavirus variants in Europe, which could lead to more hospitalizations and deaths as they become dominant, the European Union’s (EU) disease prevention agency said on Monday.  

Most EU countries have so far detected low rates of the two subgroups. But in countries where the proportion has risen — such as Portugal, where BA.5 accounted for 87% of cases by May 30 — there have been surges in overall cases, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said on Monday.  

The two sublineages were added to the World Health Organization’s monitoring list in March and have also been designated as variants of concern by the ECDC.  

BA.4 and BA.5 do not appear to carry a higher risk of severe disease than other forms of Omicron. But an increase in case numbers from higher transmission rates risks leading to an increase in hospitalizations and deaths, the ECDC said.  

“The growth advantage reported for BA.4 and BA.5 suggest that these variants will become dominant,” it said in a statement on its website.  

In the United States, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last week BA.4 and BA.5 were estimated to make up nearly 5% and 8%, respectively, of coronavirus cases as of June 4. — Reuters 

Disney/Pixar’s Lightyear, with same-sex couple, will not play in 14 countries; China in question

LOS ANGELES —  Walt Disney Co. has been unable to obtain permission to show its new Pixar movie Lightyear in 14 Middle Eastern and Asian countries, a source said on Monday, and the animated film appeared unlikely to open in China, the world’s largest movie market.

A Lightyear producer told Reuters that authorities in China had asked for cuts to the movie, which Disney declined to make, and she assumed the movie would not open there either. The animated film depicts a same-sex couple who share a brief kiss, which prompted the United Arab Emirates to ban the film.

The United Arab Emirates said the couple’s relationship violated the country’s media content standards. Homosexuality is considered criminal in many Middle Eastern countries.

Representatives of other countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and Lebanon, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on why they would not allow the film to be exhibited.

Lightyear is a prequel to Pixar’s acclaimed Toy Story franchise. Chris Evans voices the lead character, Buzz Lightyear, a legendary space ranger.

In the film, Buzz’s close friend is a female space ranger who marries another woman. A scene showing milestones in the couple’s relationship includes a brief kiss.

Disney has not received an answer from Chinese authorities on whether they would allow the film in cinemas, Lightyear producer Galyn Susman said. But she said filmmakers would not make changes to the movie. China has rejected other on-screen depictions of homosexuality in the past.

“We’re not going to cut out anything, especially something as important as the loving and inspirational relationship that shows Buzz what he’s missing by the choices that he’s making, so that’s not getting cut,” Susman told Reuters at the movie’s red-carpet premiere in London.

China is not a “make or break” market for Pixar, one theater industry source said. It contributed a mere 3% to the global box office for Toy Story 4, which grossed more than $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales in 2019, according to Comscore.

Any objections to Lightyear over LGBTQ issues were “frustrating,” Evans said.

“It’s great that we are a part of something that’s making steps forward in the social inclusion capacity, but it’s frustrating that there are still places that aren’t where they should be,” Evans said.

Lightyear is set to debut in theaters in the United States and Canada on Friday.

In May, Disney refused requests to cut same-sex references in Marvel movie Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. Saudi Arabia and a handful of other Middle Eastern countries did not show the film. — Reuters

Azkals suffer a crushing 4-0 loss to Palestine

THE Philippine Azkals suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat to Palestine on Tuesday in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to find themselves in serious danger of missing out on a trip to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup (AC).

The Filipinos failed to stop the Palestinian barrage and conceded two goals in each half, allowing their superior opponents to win the top honors in Group B with nine points and a coveted seat to next year’s Continental meet.

The beaten Azkals ended the qualifiers with four points on a 1-1-1 win-draw-loss card, their chances of qualifying slim and dependent heavily on favorable results from the other games.

For the Filipinos to make it, they hope to still finish the group at No. 2 and rank among the best five group runners-up across the six brackets.

At press time, the Philippines ranks fourth followed by Malaysia and Indonesia, which both have three points but could surge ahead with victories in their respective final group assignments.

“It’s not in our hands anymore,” said coach Thomas Dooley after the setback, which brought back memories of their previous 2014 battle for the AFC Challenge Cup title and Asian Cup berth that Palestine won, 1-0.

“We had it in our hands to win this game, but we didn’t against a great team Palestine and that’s what the reality is.”

Palestine put the pressure on the Azkals when it drew first blood via Saleh Chihadeh header off a cross by Musab Battat at the 31st minute. Eleven minutes later, it was the turn of Tamer Seyam to head the ball past the Philippine defense and double the advantage.

Mohammed Yamin (54’) delivered a third header before Mahmoud Abuwarda (72’) wrapped things up for the Palestinians, who clinched their third consecutive AC appearance. — Olmin Leyba

RLC malls join gov’t program on power deloading 

ROBINSONS Land Corp. (RLC) has enrolled 10 of its malls in the government’s interruptible load program (ILP) to ease power demand from the electricity grid when supply is deficient.

In a media release on Tuesday, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said the power distributor and RLC teamed up to boost available standby supply under a deal forged on June 14.

RLC Executive Vice-President Faraday D. Go said the company “has always been a steadfast partner of the government and fully supports the ILP program to help address power and energy contingency requirements, should the need arise.”

The 10 Robinsons Malls enrolled in the program have committed a total capacity of 31 megawatts (MW) for ILP, which is a demand-side management scheme led by the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission.

During supply deficiency and imminent power interruptions, the malls will be asked to temporarily deload from the grid and use their generator sets.

The 10 malls are Robinsons Place Malolos, Robinsons Town Mall Malabon, Robinsons Place Manila-Main, Robinsons Place Manila-Midtown, Robinsons Place Las Pinas, Robinsons Place Antipolo, Robinsons Magnolia-Extension, Robinsons General Trias, Robinsons Galleria South, and Robinsons Tagaytay Summit.

When they deload, they can potentially spare around 124,000 households and small businesses from the disruptions of unscheduled power interruptions.

RLC is the latest addition to the 121 companies within Meralco’s franchise area to join the program. The ILP-enrolled entities have a combined de-loading capacity of about 552 MW.

“We continue to enjoin our large load customers to participate in ILP so that, in the eventuality of a crisis, we have the contingencies in place to prevent brownouts. Fortunately, the projections on the dips in power supply did not affect much of our customers, as we always find ways and means to anticipate our customers’ needs,” Meralco Chief Commercial Officer Ferdinand O. Geluz said.

RLC and Meralco have encouraged other businesses to join the program to ease power demand at times when the system operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines places the grid on red alert.

Meralco, the country’s largest electric power distributor, said that while there are no immediate threats of supply deficiency, it has put in place “contingency measures that include the ILP to ensure delivery of continuous, stable, and reliable electricity service to the customers within its franchise area all year round.”

Knowing prostate cancer

The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland located below the bladder in males. — UNSPLASH

Prostate cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the country, with 8,242 new cases and 3,164 deaths reported in 2020. It is the third leading cause of cancer deaths among Filipino men. 

June is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. 

The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland located below the bladder in males. It produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Early-stage prostate cancer may cause no signs or symptoms.  

According to the UK National Health Service, symptoms of prostate cancer include needing to urinate more frequently, often at night; difficulty in starting to urinate; weak flow; feeling that the bladder has not emptied fully; and blood in urine or semen. 

These symptoms, however, do not always mean prostate cancer. The NHS explained that many men’s prostates get larger as they get older due to benign prostate enlargement which is non-cancerous. 

While the cause of prostate cancer is not clear, certain factors can increase your risk of developing the disease. These include older age, with about 6 in 10 cases diagnosed in Filipino men aged 65 or older, said the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS).  

Family history or having an immediate relative who developed prostate cancer before the age of 60 also increases one’s risk. Obesity and a diet high in calcium have also been identified as risk factors. 

Knowing the right information is the most important weapon against prostate cancer, the Department of Health (DoH) stressed. Early recognition of symptoms and proper screening with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or digital rectal exam (DRE) can help in the early diagnosis, and increase the likelihood of successful treatment. 

The PSA test is a blood test used primarily to screen for prostate cancer. It measures the amount of PSA, a protein produced by both cancerous and noncancerous tissue in the prostate, in the blood.  

Meanwhile, DRE is a procedure in which your doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum and feels the back wall of the prostate gland for enlargement, tenderness, lumps or hard spots. If prostate cancer is found as a result of PSA or DRE screening and confirmed by ultrasound and biopsy, it will probably be at an earlier, more treatable stage. 

A healthy lifestyle can lower the risk for prostate cancer. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains are preferred, coupled with exercise most days of the week to maintain a healthy weight. It is also important not to smoke and to avoid secondhand smoke. 

Remarkable advances in cancer medicines are ushering in a new era for patients. Today, thanks to research and development of new treatment options, the outlook for cancer patients is brighter than it has ever been. 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said treatments, upon discussion with a doctor, may include expectant management where the cancer will not be treated right away but will be actively monitored.  

Prostatectomy, or the surgical removal of the prostate, is also an option. Another treatment pathway is radiation therapy which uses high energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. 

The CDC added that therapies also under investigation are cryotherapy where a special probe is placed inside or near the prostate cancer to freeze and destroy the cancer cells.  

Chemotherapy, on the other hand, is the use of special drugs to shrink or kill the cancer cells. Another therapy under this category is called biological therapy which works with the immune system. 

The CDC also included other therapies under investigation namely high-intensity focused ultrasound which directs high-energy sound waves at the cancer cell to destroy cancer cells while hormone therapy blocks cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow. 

While we have come far in the fight against cancer, for many of the difficult-to-treat and very rare forms we are still in need of new and better options to deliver hope to patients and allow them to live longer, healthier lives. Our work continues. 

 

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. 

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