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Virtual wine tasting: does it work?

Virtual wine tasting — PHOTO BY SHERWIN LAO

I was out with my family one recent Saturday evening to watch the day’s last screening of Top Gun: Maverick, a rare occasion in the last few years that saw us out late at night. What we all observed were the sheer number of people outside, the high volume of cars, the heavy traffic, and the bustling commerce in bars and restaurants —  all indications showing that Metro Manila’s nightlife is back to a pre-pandemic level. Restaurants are busy again even if take-out and delivery are readily available because there are also premiums consumers put on ambiance, presentation, service, and, of course, food served hot and fresh. This could be said in fact more so with wines.

Winery.ph, Boozeshop.ph, Manila-wine.com, Flasked.ph are just some of the most popular online liquor websites that sell a lot of wine, especially during the quarantine and movement-restriction periods. Yet there is a sense that some things are really best experienced in situ. I just feel that wine consumers want to see, and even touch, their wines when they go to their favorite supermarkets or liquor shops.

THE BORDEAUX EN-PRIMEUR EXPERIMENT: POSSIBLY THE BIRTH OF VIRTUAL TASTING
The En-Primeur is the most important business event in the city of Bordeaux. It lasts between eight to 10 weeks. En-primeur, which literally means “in first,” is the practice of purchasing wines in advance of its commercial release. It is also known as “wine futures” and is the same in principle as investing in commodity futures and hedging on price movements of assets.

In this annual event, the Chateaux get advance payments for their wines (18 months minimum in advance), while the buyers, mostly traders, get their wines from this vintage at pre-release prices which are supposedly lower than when the same wines are commercially released.

Other than the wine industry, the whole city is also bustling and directly benefits from the thousands of wine professionals visiting from all over the world and spending euros on hospitality enterprises including hotels, restaurants, and transportation. So, when this COVID-19 curse came upon Bordeaux and France in general, the Bordelais had to do something to salvage this financially critical En-Primeur tradition. Virtual wine tasting, while totally unheard of before, was now a reality.

With a lockdown in place, the only way for the chateaux to get interested buyers to purchase en-primeur wines was to send samples and do what is now commonly known as virtual tastings. Even the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, a powerful group composed of over 130 top-tiered member chateaux from Bordeaux’s top appellations, had members that sent barrel samples to wine traders and critics. Instead of face-to-face barrel tasting and talking with winemakers and chateaux owners, it was replaced by real-time virtual Zoom meetings and distant tastings of samples sent.

The experiment may have worked as the 2020 and 2021 En-Primeur did its job for both the 2019 vintage (primarily because of a price reprieve from growing prices in the past few years) and 2020, another well-priced vintage. But there were also gripes and concerns about the virtual tastings experiment. Aside from suspicions that barrel samples were not the same as the blend of the final wine, which means the tastings done remotely were actually different from the finished product, there were also issues on volatility and noticeable flaws from the samples.

As of this writing, the 2022 En-Primeur for the 2021 Bordeaux vintage had returned to its successful face-to-face pre-pandemic setting and is winding down — and, as I learned from my good friend and resource person Yann Schyler, there is no official start and end to En-Primeur.

I can already sense that the return to a real En-Primeur will be beneficial to the chateaux, with a rather underwhelming 2021 vintage expected to do much better than expected. The mere revival of real and live interactions and tastings between buyers, critics, and the chateaux owners, after two “virtual tasting years” may have a huge influence on the positive reception of the wine trade to this 2021 vintage.

IS VIRTUAL WINE TASTINGS HERE TO STAY?
During the lockdown years of 2020 and 2021, virtual wine tastings were the buzzword among wine companies. In wine-producing countries, from Australia to the US, wine tastings in the cellar doors or winery stores were replaced with virtual wine tastings where customers were sent select bottles of wines in advance of the tasting schedule and were then guided through each bottle by a winery representative through Zoom or Google Meet as scheduled.

For us here in Metro Manila, in lieu of wine dinners, courageous wine companies have offered wine and food sets for scheduled virtual tastings. I believed there were not a lot of successful virtual wine dinners that happened in both 2020 and 2021. Virtual wine tastings are just temporary solutions, but their novelty may end sooner than we think. And let me explain why.

1. No Personal Touch — Virtual tastings are a bit impersonal. You are looking at a screen while you taste wine along with the person on the opposite side of the screen. Wine is and will always be a social drink. Wine needs company, and wine events need people rubbing elbows with each other to be successful. Laughter, smart comments, the sound of clinking glass, and even simple gestures can be missed on virtual platforms when these small things add to the magic of a wine event.

2. Pacing Issue — With scheduled virtual tastings, the pacing is important, and getting every participant in different households, or even from one household, on the same page or pace will always be a challenge. In real-live tastings, there are no distractions as everyone is properly seated and waiting for the host to guide them through each of the wines in the line-up. In a virtual set-up, people can be tinkering with their phones, watching TV, or doing other things since those activities are just second nature when you are in the comfort of your home.

3. Less Selection — With virtual tastings, only select wines are featured and delivered because you cannot overprice a virtual wine tasting event by sending more than three bottles. With more than three wines, the price for a wine package for virtual tasting events may become out-of-reach. Whereas in real live wine events, several wines can be featured, from cocktails prior to the formal dinner, to each wine served with the four or five courses in the meal. With a virtual tasting, it could be just one white, one red, and one sparkling or dessert-type wine.

4. Wastage or Forced Consumption — Since the majority of these virtual wine tastings will deliver full-size bottles, wastage or forced consumption (especially for households of three people or less) is the natural aftermath. In real live wine events, wines are portioned, and it is even hard to get seconds as no extra bottles are normally opened. Unlike spirits which, with their higher ABVs, can be left unconsumed for days, weeks, or months, sadly for opened wines, they need to be consumed in their entirety within the next few hours. Unless, of course, you have some wine preservation gadgets like the expensive Coravin or some inert gas canister to preserve the wine properly. Contrary to popular belief, a screwcap cannot preserve the wine once it has been opened as air would have gotten in already after the opening.

Virtual wine tastings for eager learners are indeed much better than drinking cluelessly. However, this phase should be over once the country opens up and normalcy returns. There is simply no substitute for real live wine events. I want to see up close the rosy cheeks of my fellow wine drinkers and hear the clinking sounds of wine glasses — that is how it should be.

The author is the only Filipino member of the UK-based Circle of Wine Writers (CWW). For comments, inquiries, wine event coverage, wine consultancy, and other wine-related concerns, e-mail the author at wineprotege@gmail.com, or check his wine training website https://thewinetrainingcamp.wordpress.com/services/.

Figaro on track to hit 150 store target by yearend

FIGARO COFFEE FACEBOOK PAGE

FIGARO Coffee Group, Inc. in a disclosure on Wednesday said that it will reach its target of having 150 branches open nationwide by the end of 2022.

“The gradual reopening of the economy gave us the confidence to aggressively expand our presence in more areas in the country. We at Figaro want to be able to cater to new markets that have high demand for quality food products at affordable prices,” Figaro Chairman Justin T. Liu said.

The firm said it is in the process of building 30 outlets in Bulacan, Cavite, Cebu and Laguna, and in more areas in the National Capital Region.

Figaro currently has 120 outlets across the country, which comprise of its brands Angel’s Pizza, Figaro Coffee and Tien Ma’s Taiwanese Cuisine, among others.

“There is a lot of demand in Metro Manila, but we also see a huge potential and a growing area outside the city center. The Philippines is a market that is primed up for growth and we are excited to bring value to a wider audience in our nation,” Figaro Chief Operations Officer Michael T. Barret said.

The company said it is also building more commissaries across the country to support its stores. Its Cebu commissary and main Metro Manila hub are set to be completed in the third quarter of this year.

“Aside from expanding its footprint in the country, Figaro is looking to further grow its suite of products, lining up partnerships with retail giants for 2022,” the firm said.

Figaro has an upcoming collaboration with Waltermart involving two of its brands, Figaro Coffee and Tien Ma’s Taiwanese Cuisine through a dual concept store.

Angel’s Pizza is also set to open more kiosks and branches across Metro Manila.

“People want something new, people want something fun, something affordable. Our main goal really is basically to delight our customers. We do that by ensuring that we deliver high-quality products with good customer service. We understand that by continuing this strategy we will maintain long-term viability,” Mr. Liu added.

At the stock exchange on Wednesday, Figaro shares rose by 1.92% or one centavo to close at P0.53. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

PHL Azkals miss cut in AFC Asian Cup qualifiers

THE Philippine Azkals kissed their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup aspirations goodbye after missing the cutline for the last five tickets at stake in the final round of the qualifiers in Mongolia.

Undone by their 4-0 setback to Palestine on Tuesday night, the Azkals finished with four points in Group B and hoped to still make it as one of the five best second-placers across the six groups.

However, the rest of the No. 2 teams tallied a superior six-point card apiece and nosed out the Azkals for the remaining seats to next year’s Continental showpiece.

Kyrgyz Republic (Group F), Indonesia (Group A), Malaysia (Group E), Thailand (Group C), and Hong Kong (Group D) progressed, leaving the six-ranked Philippines out of it all.

In the fringes with three points entering the last day of pool play, Indonesia and Malaysia came through with crucial victories on Tuesday night over Nepal (7-0) and Bangladesh (4-1) to zoom past the erstwhile fourth-running Azkals and ensure their respective march.

Jordan, Palestine, Uzbekistan, India, Bahrain and Tajikistan earlier clinched the six berths for the group topnotchers.

The 11 qualifiers joined 2015 champions Australia, China, three-time winner Iran, Iraq, two-time victor Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Oman, reigning holder Qatar, three-time ruler Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam in the main competition.

It’s back to the drawing boards for the Filipino booters, who missed the bus four years after making their historic debut in the Asian Cup.

INDONESIA BOOKS LAST SPOT
Indonesia humbled Nepal 7-0 and Jordan beat former champions Kuwait 3-0 to round out the field for next year’s expanded 24-team Asian Cup finals in the final night of qualifying action on Tuesday.

The final matches of the round in Kuwait City saw Jordan advance as Group A winners on the back of three second-half goals and Indonesia edges out the Philippines as the last of the five best second-placed teams.

Winger Witan Sulaeman scored twice as Indonesia clinched the final qualifying spot against Nepal, who was reduced to 10 men after little more than half an hour when Suman Aryal was sent off for a second yellow card.

Already 1-0 ahead, Indonesia doubled their lead before half time and poured on five more goals after the break to ensure their presence at the continental championships for the first time since they co-hosted in 2007.

Malaysia, who also co-hosted in 2007, had not progressed from qualifying since 1980 but a 4-1 thrashing of Bangladesh in Kuala Lumpur got them in behind Group E winner Bahrain, who sealed top spot with a 1-0 win over Turkmenistan.

The first 24-team Asian Cup will be played in a yet-to-be determined venue after China withdrew from hosting the event due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Bahrain and Malaysia joined Group B winner Palestine as well as Uzbekistan, Thailand, India, Hong Kong, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in advancing to the finals.

Reigning champion Qatar, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Syria, Australia, Iran, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, China, Oman, Vietnam and Lebanon had already booked their spots.

India took top spot in Group D with a 4-0 win over Hong Kong, who also advanced as second-place finishers.

Anwar Ali gave Igor Stimac’s India side the lead inside the first minute as he fired into the roof of the net before Sunil Chhetri scored his 84th international goal in first half added time.

Late goals from substitutes Manvir Singh and Ishan Pandita completed the rout.

Palestine secured first place in Group B earlier on Tuesday with a 4-0 thumping of the Philippines, while Uzbekistan ensured they would finish top of Group C with a 2-0 win over second-placed Thailand.

Tajikistan finished first in Group F and advanced alongside Kyrgyzstan after the pair shared a 0-0 draw in Bishkek. — Olmin Leyba with reports from Reuters

Dining In/Out (06/16/22)

Crimson Boracay celebrates Pride Month

CRIMSON Resort and Spa Boracay has a full roster of activities and promotions for Pride Month. From fruit-laced cocktails to brilliantly hued sweets and pastries, there’s bound to be a treat to tempt a guest’s palate. Azure Beach Club pours out the bubbly with its Mimosa Festival, where mixologists craft refreshing concoctions with colorful and flavorful juices and sparkling wine. Enjoy unique combos like Watermelon Orange, Mango Blue Pea Citrus, and Pineapple Orange Liqueur; guests may also enjoy these libations at 50% off during happy hour. For those with a sweet tooth, the signature rainbow dessert can be ordered a la carte from any of the resort’s on-site dining establishments, while an array of rainbow pastries add a fresh pop of color to one’s morning at the Saffron Cafe breakfast buffet. Meanwhile, Crimson is cranking up the foam machine for a splashing good time on June 25. Along with the chance to dive into the foam pool, guests can look forward to a fiercely fabulous surprise marked by color, verve, and oodles of style. An al fresco dinner buffet will be served afterwards at the resort’s beachfront to end the day. The day pass rate is P3,500 per head. The Happy to Be Free stay package features buffet breakfasts for two, complimentary transfers to and from the Caticlan airport, special Pride-themed welcome amenities, a Sip and Paint session with resident artist Eric Egualada, a 60-minute massage for two at the AUM Spa, 10% off on dining and spa services, and 50% off on selected cocktails and alcoholic beverages from 3-6 p.m. at the Azure Beach Club. The booking period is until June 30, while guests may stay between June 1 and July 15, 2022. For more information, send an e-mail to boracay.reservation@crimsonhotel.com or visit www.crimsonhotel.com/boracay.   

Father’s Day escape at The Peninsula Manila

FOR FATHER’S Day on Sunday, June 19, The Peninsula Manila thinks it’s fitting that one spoil one’s dad by splurging on an all-star weekend staycation, indulging in Escolta’s Sunday brunch buffet, and holding a one-afternoon-only, pop-up Pen Ultimate Father’s Day Dream Lounge in Salon de Ning. On Father’s Day weekend (June 17 to 19, Friday to Sunday), The Pen offers the “Dad’s the Man” Room Package. In addition to overnight accommodations, Dad can enjoy the many amenities offered, from lounging by the outdoor pool, working out in the fitness center, a buffet breakfast in Escolta, and complimentary entrance Pen Ultimate Father’s Day Dream Lounge in Salon de Ning where he can relax with complimentary cocktails and pica-pica and win prizes. Room rates start at P9,500 for a Deluxe Room (exclusive of taxes). Then there is the Escolta Father’s Day Brunch Buffet on June 19 (Sunday) from noon to 3 p.m. The Father’s Day Sunday brunch comes with a complimentary invitation to Salon de Ning’s Pen Ultimate Father’s Day Dream Lounge. The buffet costs P4,200 (adults) and P2,100 (children under 12) with all prices inclusive of a 10% service charge and prevailing government taxes. Celebrate, indulge, and spoil exceptional fathers with Salon de Ning’s Pen Ultimate Father’s Day Dream Lounge on June 19, 1-6 p.m. The pop-up event will offer complimentary male grooming services from Back Alley Barbershop; have a display of Triumph motorcycles; present For Him skincare from VMV Hypoallergenics whose expert technicians will also provide complimentary hand treatments; show the coolest designer toys from Art Toys PH, and bespoke shirts, suits, and footwear from The Signet Store; rare timepieces from Vintage Grail, collectible vinyls and DJ music; artisanal chocolates from Auro Chocolate; and beer, sparkling wines, and innovative cocktails from Philippine Wine Merchants. Guests availing of the “Dad’s the Man” room package from June 17 to 19 or dining in Escolta for Sunday brunch on Father’s Day, June 19 will enjoy complimentary entry to the Pen Ultimate Father’s Day Dream Lounge. For inquiries or reservations, call 887-2888, extensions 6630 (Room Reservations) or e-mail ReservationPMN@peninsula.com; 6691 or 6694 (Restaurant Reservations) or e-mail DiningPMN@peninsula.com.

Hilton Manila celebrates Father’s Day

HILTON Manila welcomes all Dads with hearty, gastronomic offerings in its award-winning restaurants and bar on Father’s Day on Sunday, June 19. At Kusina Sea Kitchens, an indulgent Father’s Day buffet includes highlights such as Surf and Turf, Dampa-style Paluto, Filipino and Korean BBQ, and a Premium Ceviche Bar, among others. As an added treat, Dad is treated to live musical entertainment. Available for lunch and dinner, for P3,500 per person. Fathers will also enjoy a complimentary bottle of beer on Father’s Day at the Port Bar with any order from the Aussie pub-inspired menu offerings: pizza, pasta, burgers, or other Aussie favorites. Patrons who wish to celebrate in the comfort of their homes may simply leave the cooking to Hilton Manila’s culinary team and “Bring Hilton Home.” This June, the hotel is showcasing a Signature Steak Platter highlighted by a Dry-aged ribeye steak paired with sautéed vegetables and mashed potatoes and complemented by a Father’s Day themed cake, at P5,000. Themed signature cakes are also on sale at Madison with prices starting at P1,500. For inquiries and reservations, call 0917-826-6442, send an e-mail to MNLPH_F&Binquiries@hilton.com or visit www.hiltonmanila.com.

Grand Hyatt Manila presents Merienda Cena

GRAND Hyatt Manila is launching its take on the afternoon with Merienda Cena at The Lounge on June 17. To give the English tradition a twist, pair premium types of tea, coffee, and rosé with an extensive menu showcasing a modern spin on native delicacies made in locally sourced ingredients. These include open-faced sandwiches of lechon sisig with confit egg and liver pâté, fresh prawn with calamansi mayonnaise, beef salpicao with garlic purée and potato strings, and pickled milk fish with beetroot, sour cream horseradish and atchara. There are also traditional homemade scones served with fruit preserves and clotted cream. The spread highlights its baked brie pithivier and seafood cocktails including tuna ceviche and shrimp cocktail. The collection of desserts includes the hotel’s signature cakes — mixed berry shortcake roulade, strawberry cheesecake, mocha hazelnut, almond Florentine cake, mango tart, and lime cream. Diners can also enjoy the live station which serves banana foster, a flambé with Don Papa rum and French toast homemade crème Chantilly, as well as mango sans rival espuma. Entertainment is provided by a piano and guitar duo. Merienda Cena is available every Friday to Sunday, from 2:30 to 6 p.m., for P1,500 net per person and P1,950 net for guests who opt to add free-flowing rosé. Explore the menu at https://qrco.de/bcyDOn. For inquiries and reservations, call 8838-1234 or e-mail manila.grand@hyatt.com.

Crimson Filinvest City celebrates Pride 2022

JUNE is Pride Month, and in honor of friends in the LGBTQIA+ community, Crimson Hotel Filinvest City brings the party to Manila’s southern suburbs with indulgences that bring more than a pop of welcome color to the urban dining and hospitality scene. Alibi Bar and Lounge pumps up the volume and keeps the drinks fresh and flowing throughout the month of June. As the libations keep coming, put on your dancing shoes and get ready to dance up a storm as DJ Mike Lavet pumps the beats that will make guests shanté and stay to sashay the night away on June 9, 17, and 25. Crimson also has three special cocktails for Pride: the coffee-infused Love is Love; Baker J’s La Vie en Rose which is a mix of blueberries, strawberries, and rose syrup; and Purple Paradise at Firehouse Pizza which is a refreshing blend of gin and calamansi liqueur. The hotel lobby has been transformed into a gallery featuring the work of artists Mick Barreto, Drake Pagulayan, Rebie Ramoso, and Nathaniel San Pedro. Titled Color Parade, this exhibition celebrates diversity in all its forms and hues. Get a mouthful of colorful goodness as the team at Baker J offers their latest limited-time offering: the visually stunning and tastebud-tempting Rainbow Croissant. Crimson offers its Stay With Pride staycation package. From P5,500 net a night, guests can enjoy a stay that starts off with a complimentary drink at Alibi Bar and Lounge and a meaningful welcome amenity set up in the room. Along with complimentary items from the minibar, the package also includes a buffet breakfast for two at Café Eight as well as the privilege of checking out as late as 2 p.m. Booking period is up to June 30 only, while the stay dates range from June 1 to July 15, 2022. To reserve or order the Pride Month offerings, call Baker J at 0998-595-3831 or Alibi at 0998-595-3770. Book a staycation at alabang.reservations@crimsonhotel.com or log on to https://www.crimsonhotel.com/manila.

COD’s restaurants mark Father’s Day

THE DINING and entertainment options at City of Dreams (COD) Manila fit the bill for an outstanding Father’s Day celebration. Choices for celebrating abound at the integrated resort. Surprise fathers with a banquet of premium Cantonese and regional Chinese specialties from Crystal Dragon. Located at the upper ground floor of Nüwa Manila, Crystal Dragon curated ala carte specialty dishes for Father’s Day celebrations, which are available from June 13 to 19 only. On their special day on June 19, dads get a sweet surprise at the end of the meal. Spoil him with the all-you-can-eat-and-drink brunch at Nobu which melds Japanese and Peruvian flavors. The brunch buffet price starts at P2,950 net per person for the standard package, inclusive of non-alcoholic beverages and mocktails. For a dinner date option, have dad enjoy a signature Nobu Omakase for June and enjoy a sophisticated eight-course menu. Meanwhile, Haliya highlights an innovative reinterpretation of the Filipino favorite lechon (roast pig) for the whole month of June. Lechon Kawali comes with bagoong pickled cabbage, green mango curd, chili flakes, kinchay (cilantro) and garlic oil, crispy fried kangkong (water spinach), and soy and vinegar dipping; Lechon Paksiw with grilled king mushroom, green chili, garlic confit, garlic chips and microgreens; and Lechon Nilaga with asparagus, cabbage, baby bokchoy, corn, marbled potatoes, onion leeks, pork pata consommé, and micro cress. Finally, the world’s first DreamWorks-inspired family entertainment center invites fathers to have a family day at DreamPlay on June 19. Dads with participating tickets can test their strength at Po’s Five Finger Blast Punch Machine and have a chance to win DreamPlay merchandise. The activity will be held at 3 p.m. Afterwards, make the most out of the occasion and enjoy the interactive play space’s 11 attractions spread across DreamPlay’s 5,000 square-meter space. For inquiries and reservations, call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com.

Richmonde Hotels mark Father’s Day

THE VARIOUS Richmonde Hotels mark Father’s Day with staycations, gourmet selections, and freebies. At Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, the Eastwood Café+Bar offers Sutukil selections, ribs, roast beef, whole tuna, sushi and maki, a grazing table, and kid-friendly choices at Father’s Day Lunch and Dinner Buffets. Fathers will be served two complimentary rounds of his choice of draft beer, single malt whisky, brandy, or wine, plus he will get a token. And if he’s accompanied by at least four diners on June 19, paying the full rate, his meal is free. The lunch and dinner buffets are priced at P1,500 net per person, inclusive of bottomless iced tea. Children six to 12 years old get a 50% discount while toddlers five years old and below dine for free. For the whole month of June, the hotel is offering a 40% discount on Best Available Rates. At Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, dine with dad at the Richmonde Café where he can indulge in an eat-all-you-can menu of Australian prime rib, homemade bacon, assorted sausages, seafood kebab, Cajun-spiced chicken, pork belly barbecue, and herb-coated fish fillets, at the Meats and More Father’s Day Lunch Buffet. A glass of wine or brandy will also be served just for dad. The buffet is served on June 19, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and is priced at P1,280 nett per person, with a 4+1 deal where for every four paying adults, the fifth diner eats for free. Children six to 12 get half off while kids five and below dine for free. Dads can enjoy a city getaway with the whole family for the weekend of June 17 to 19 for as low as P2,800 net (room only) and P3,400 net (room with breakfast buffet for two). He can work out at the gym, sweat it out in the sauna room, swim laps in the heated indoor pool, and have drinks and gourmet eats at the café. Over at Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, The Granary will serve a Father’s Day Dinner Buffet on June 19, from 6 to 10 p.m. There will be roast rump and lechon slab at the carving table, ox tongue in red wine and pasta Negra at the hot section, assorted dumplings at the dim sum section, fine quality meats at the grilling station, and a whole lot more. There are even unlimited brewskies to go with the meal at the beer station. The buffet is priced at P1,350 net per person. Kids six to 12 years old get 50% off while children five and below are free. For inquiries and reservations, contact Eastwood Richmonde Hotel at 8570-7777 or 0917-821-0333 (Eastwood Café+Bar) and 0917-531-6867/ stay@eastwoodrichmonde.com (Room Reservations). For inquiries and reservations, contact Richmonde Hotel Ortigas at 8638-7777 or 0917-534-4352, 0917-805-3540,  fbsup@richmondeortigas.com (Richmonde Café) and 0917-859-7914 or stay@richmondeortigas.com (Room Reservations). For inquiries and reservations, contact Richmonde Hotel Iloilo at (6333) 328-7888 or 0917-563-3558 (The Granary) and 0917-580-9058 / stay@richmondeiloilo.com (Room Reservations).

New World offers getaways and feasts for Dad

NEW World Makati Hotel highlights a set of rewarding experiences in honor of all dads this Father’s Day, from a relaxing staycation package to an all-you-can-eat lunch or dinner, as well as freshly baked sweets and decadent treats. The hotel is offering an overnight stay in a Deluxe or Residence Club Deluxe room that comes with breakfast for two adults and two kids ages 11 or below, plus a serving of chicken wings and two cans of beer. Dad can also hit the gym for a complimentary workout session to burn off the calories after. Kids can treat dad to a buffet feast at Cafe 1228 on June 19 which features prime rib steak, lechon, ham, fresh grilled seafood, and much more, as well as a selection of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages at P2,250 for lunch and P1,750 for dinner which comes with a special gift. Or, they can have an early celebration on June 18 at P1,488 for lunch and P1,750 for dinner. Prices are net. For Father’s Day, the hotel has come up with the Beer Mug Cake — a brownie base filled with pistachio and chocolate hazelnut spread and Bailey’s cream mousse, topped with light foamy cream. It is available in regular and petite sizes at P1,300 and P300 net, respectively. This can also be packaged in a celebrations box that includes the cake, red or white wine, as well as cigar-shaped dark chocolates with hazelnut cream dipped in milk chocolate for P3,500 net. For inquiries and reservations, guests can call 8811-6888, e-mail reservations.manila@newworldhotels.com, or book a room package directly via the website https://manila.newworldhotels.com/en/.

Dads get free beer and more at Belmont Hotel Manila

BELMONT Hotel Manila dedicates the entire June month to Fathers, with room and dining offers. The “Dad’s Day Out” room package starts at P6,000 and is inclusive of an overnight stay with breakfast at Café Belmont, Margherita Pizza and local craft beer at Rooftop 11, a Father’s Day token from the hotel, and a 15% discount at Café Belmont. This offer is valid for stays for the whole month of June. There are innovative Filipino dishes and more at the Cheers to Dad Sunday Brunch Buffet on June 19 at Café Belmont. Moreover, Dads will get a free glass of beer to go with their meal. The Sunday Brunch Buffet will be available at Café Belmont from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prior reservation is highly recommended. Guests can also enjoy visiting Belmont Hotel Manila’s Rooftop 11 which features a swimming pool and bar that overlooks the city. Belmont Hotel Manila is located in Newport City and right across NAIA Terminal 3. To know more about Belmont Hotel Manila, visit www.belmonthotelmanila.com. For reservations, e-mail stay@belmontmanila.com for rooms and dine@belmontmanila.com or call 5318-8888

Tea and pastries for Dad

For the dad who seemingly has it all, express gratitude and admiration by bonding over a cup of TWG Tea and pastries this Father’s Day. Start the day with a bold cup of New York Breakfast Tea. Add a dash of style and novelty to his tea table with tea accessories such as Design Gold Teapot in Black and Vogue Teacup and Saucer. Available in a myriad of bold and vibrant colors, these modern yet functional tea accessories are ideal add-ons to his fine collection of tea accessories. Accompany his morning tea time with pastries from TWG Tea: scones, chocolate muffins, croissants, canelés, financiers, and madeleines. This exclusive Pastry Kit is available for online pre-ordering from June 10 to 13 via bit.ly/TWGTea-FathersDay, and can be claimed at TWG Tea Boutiques in Greenbelt 5, Central Square, and Alabang Town Center on June 17. Limited quantities will also be available for walk-ins.

Treat Dad to Tatatito’s newest steak

TATATITO has added its newest Angus Steak to its menu just in time for Father’s Day. Their newest 480 gm USDA Prime Black Angus Steak comes with a side of vegetables and altogether is priced at P3,750. Tatatito also has an exhaustive wine list menu for guests to choose the perfect glass or bottle of wine for the occasion. Tatatito is on the ground floor of OPL Building on Dela Rosa St. corner C. Palanca in Legazpi Village, Makati. It is open every day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. To discover more about the restaurant and its offers, follow Tatatito on Instagram @tatatito.ph and on Facebook as Tatatito. The menu offering is also available online at http://menu.tatatito.ph/.

foodpanda has Father’s Day deals

CELEBRATE fathers in a hassle-free way with foodpanda’s special deals for June. Ordering food? Get 15% off (maximum discount of ₱888) for a minimum purchase of ₱399 valid from June 13 to 19 in select restaurants with varying minimum order values. Opt for pickup and save ₱50 by using the code: PU4DAD with a minimum spend of ₱499 from June 15 to 19. Only valid in select restaurants. Short on ingredients? Order groceries from pandamart and get ₱150 off for every purchase of ₱599 worth of items using the code: FORDAD from June 18 to 19. To save more, buy 2 and get an additional 5% off. Only valid with GCash.Look for gifts at Marks & Spencer, Blade, Miniso, and many other foodpanda shops and get 15% off and save up to ₱120 when using the code: LOVEUDAD, with a minimum spend of ₱599 from June 18 to 19.

Minion mischief is back in McDonald’s

THE MINIONS return with the new film Minions: The Rise of Gru, coming to Philippine cinemas on June 29. The Minions are also returning to McDonald’s stores this month with the launch of the new Minions 2 Happy Meal collection. There are 12 new Minion toys to collect in fresh new Minions-themed Happy Meal boxes. Meanwhile, McDonald’s has also come up with the new Chicken McNuggets 3-Cheese Dip, available for all four-, six- and 10-piece Chicken McNuggets orders. The Minions 2 Happy Meal is now available via dine-in, take-out, drive-through, and delivery.

Honeybon makes special Macchiato Cake for Dad

HONEYBON presents a perfect solution for those searching for the ideal cake for fathers — its Macchiato special. At a budget-friendly price of P780, Honeybon’s Macchiato cake is rich but not overpowering, with a balance of coffee-flavored chiffon and coffee-flavored buttercream icing. On June 18 and 19, Honeybon is also giving free “Happy Fathers Day” cake toppers while supplies last. To order, visit their website at honeybon.ph, call 0991-300-8000, or visit their stores at SM Megamall, Festival Mall, and select Tokyo Bubble Tea stores.

Mister Donut marks Dad’s Day with Mochalicious Donut Cake

MISTER Donut celebrates Father’s Day with the new Mochalicious Donut Cake — a premium choco donut cake with a blend of hazelnut and coffee flavors. The Mochalicious Donut Cake is prepacked with a clear clamshell container and cake liner and can be personalized as it comes with a nice sleeve with space for a dedication or a short message, plus a unique cake topper. The Mochalicious Donut Cake will be available for P85 in all Mister Donut shops from June 13 to 22.

Yields on term deposits climb as market awaits Fed decision

BW FILE PHOTO

YIELDS on the central bank’s term deposits climbed on Wednesday, with market players positioning ahead of an expected aggressive hike by the US Federal Reserve and amid growing inflation pressures at home.

Demand for the term deposit facility (TDF) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reached P364.664 billion, surpassing the P300-billion offer and the P355.58 billion in bids a week earlier.

Broken down, tenders for the seven-day term deposits amounted to P188.484 billion, higher than the P140-billion auctioned off by the BSP and the P144.719 billion in bids logged last week.

Banks asked for rates ranging from 2.1% to 2.5%, narrower than the 2% to 2.5125% band seen in the previous auction. This caused the average rate of the papers to rise by 9.14 basis points (bps) to 2.4163% from 2.3249% last week.

Meanwhile, the 14-day papers fetched bids worth P176.18 billion, higher than the P160-billion offering but lower than the P210.861 billion in tenders logged a week ago.

Accepted rates for the tenor were from 2.25% to 2.7205%, wider than the 2.245% to 2.55% margin seen last week. With this, the average rate of the two-week term deposits increased by 11.87 bps to 2.5178% from 2.3991%.

“The results of the auction continued to reflect market participants’ anticipated increase in policy rates. Nevertheless, market conditions remain normal, supported by sustained ample liquidity in the financial system,” BSP Deputy Governor Francisco G. Dakila, Jr. said in a statement.

The BSP has not offered 28-day term deposits for more than a year to give way to its weekly auctions of short-term bills with the same tenor.

The term deposit facility and the one-month securities are used by the BSP to gather excess liquidity in the financial system and to better guide market rates.

TDF yields rose ahead of an expected rate hike by the Fed, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

The Federal Open Market Committee is widely expected to fire off at least a 50-bp hike at its June 14-15 review to temper rising prices.

The US consumer price index (CPI) for the 12 months through May rose by 8.6% as gasoline prices and the cost of food soared, leading to the largest annual inflation print since 1981.

Fed policy makers had signaled half-point interest rate hikes at their meeting next week and again in July ahead of the release of the May CPI report.

TDF yields also climbed on inflation concerns following implementation of a wage hike in all regions and a P1 increase in the minimum jeepney fare, Mr. Ricafort said.

Higher wages and transport costs add to a growing list of inflation risks faced by the country.

Headline inflation jumped to 5.4% in May, faster than 4.9% in April and 4.1% a year ago, as food and fuel prices continued to climb amid the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war.

This was the first time the headline print was at the 5% level since 2018.

The National Economic and Development Authority in March said a P1.25 increase in jeepney fares would increase inflation by 0.4 percentage point. A P39 increase in the daily wage in Metro Manila would lead to a one percentage point increase in inflation, it added. — K.B. Ta-asan

Raslag earnings up on higher energy sales 

RENEWABLE energy firm Raslag Corp. reported that its unaudited first-quarter net income grew by 2% to P26.1 million, driven by higher energy sales.

Raslag Chairman and President Peter G. Nepomuceno said the company “continues to perform very well on the strength” of its operating feed-in tariff-eligible solar plants.

“[W]e expect revenues to grow significantly,” he said, citing the firm’s 18-megawatt peak (MWp) Raslag-3 solar plant, which is set for full commercial operations.

During the quarter, revenues jumped by 15% to P78.9 million. Excluding one-off and initial public offering (IPO) related expenses, recurring net income surged by 51% to P38.5 million.

The firm made its stock market debut on June 6. It listed 1.5 billion shares and raised P700 million from its IPO.

The company said it will start deploying the proceeds from its IPO to its next two solar power projects, with most of the funding allocated to the planned 35.159 MWp Raslag-4 solar plant in Magalang, Pampanga.

“We are already in talks with our bankers for cost-efficient debt financing for our next solar projects, and we will make the appropriate disclosures once the terms have been firmed up,” Raslag Chief Finance Officer Robert Gerard B. Nepomuceno said.

Founded in 2013, Raslag is involved in utility-scale solar energy development in the Philippines. It currently operates two feed-in tariff-eligible solar power plants with a combined capacity of 23.2 MWp.

A third solar power plant with a capacity of 18 MWp is expected to start commercial operations within June.

On Wednesday, Raslag shares ended higher by 1.14% or P0.02 to finish at P1.77 at the stock exchange. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Ange Kouame injured with sprain and partial ACL tear, misses Korean friendlies

GILAS Pilipinas center Angelo Kouame — THE UAAP

THE injury bug bit Gilas Pilipinas hard ahead of its coming international sorties as naturalized player Angelo Kouame sustained a meniscal sprain and a partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.

The 6-foot-10 slotman is skipping the team’s friendlies against Korea set for Friday and Saturday in Korea and is now listed as a doubtful participant in the third window of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup Qualifiers in New Zealand and Manila and the FIBA Asia Cup in July in Indonesia.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas said in the wake of this development, it is “exhausting all options, including looking for a replacement” for Mr. Kouame for Gilas’ matchup with the Tall Blacks in Auckland on June 30.

Dave Ildefonso, another Gilas young gun, is nursing an ankle injury and won’t be joining the team’s Korean trip as well.

The federation, though, is optimistic that the 6-foot Ildefonso will recover in time for the away game against New Zealand and the succeeding home matchup versus India on July 3.

With the two out of commission, Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos, William Navarro, Carl Tamayo, SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Geo Chiu, Lebron Lopez, Rhenz Abando and Kevin Quiambao will carry the fight for interim coach Nenad Vučinić’s youth-laden crew in Korea. — Olmin Leyba

Netflix plans Squid Game reality show with big cash prize, no fatal consequences

Lee Jung-jae in a scene from the film Squid Game (2021)

NETFLIX, Inc.’s most-watched series is no longer just a fictitious television show after the streaming service greenlit “its biggest reality competition ever” called Squid Game: The Challenge.

Unlike the series where the stakes are life or death, the worst possible fate in this 456-player competition will be leaving without the $4.56-million winnings, which Netflix claims is the largest lump sum prize in reality TV history.

Squid Game became Netflix’s most-watched series when it was released in September 2021 as it told the story of cash-strapped contestants who play childhood games for a chance to win life-changing sums of money.

The first season holds the record as Netflix’s most popular series of all time, with over 1.65 billion hours viewed in its first 28 days, the company said.

The 10-episode reality competition will include games inspired by the original show, as well as new additions, Netflix said.

One of YouTube’s top US creators, MrBeast, did an unofficial iteration of this idea by recreating aspects of the South Korean drama’s set and hosting games featured in the show, like “Red Light, Green Light.” The YouTuber also opted out of the killing aspect but strapped a device to all 456 players that mimicked a bullet shot when a player was ruled out.

Netflix’s reality show will be filmed in the UK and is currently only casting English speakers. The announcement comes just days after the scripted series was renewed for a second season. — Reuters

COVID-19-related insurance payouts reach P2.93 billion in the first quarter

INSURANCE CLAIMS related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) paid out by the industry reached P2.93 billion in the first quarter, based on a study conducted by the Insurance Commission (IC) to assess the impact of the pandemic on the sector.

Between January and March, the life insurance industry paid out P1.79 billion in claims that made up 61% of all COVID-19-related payments.

Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) paid P948 million, or 32% of the total, while nonlife insurers and mutual benefit associations (MBAs) paid 5% and 2% respectively, or P145 million and P49.4 million.

The IC said 30 out of 33 licensed life insurers were included in the survey, as well as 49 out of 55 licensed nonlife insurers, 29 out of 33 licensed MBAs, and 24 out of 28 licensed HMOs, for a total of participation rate of 88.59%, or 132 out of 149 registered firms.

“Despite the large payouts for COVID-19 related claims, the life and nonlife insurance, HMO and MBA industries remain resilient,” Insurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa said

“While it may be arguable that COVID-19-related claims only account for a small portion of benefits paid by our regulated entities, the impact of these benefit payments was undoubtedly felt by our fellow Filipinos especially when they needed these benefits,” he added.

Of the P2.93 billion in COVID-related payouts made in the first quarter, P1.65 billion or about 56% of the total were for death benefits, while payments made for outpatient benefits were at P594.8 million or 20.31% of the total.

Meanwhile, inpatient claim payments totaled P410.7 million, just 14% of the total.

However, in the terms of number of claims made, out of a total of 206,806 claims, outpatient benefits outpaced other categories at 171,823 claims, followed by 13,020 claims for other benefits, such as emergency care and financial assistance benefits, and 6,518 claims for medical reimbursement benefits.

COVID-19-related claims during this period also exceeded those made in the previous year by 119.95%. A majority of the claims paid by life insurers and MBAs were for death benefits, while most of the payouts by HMOs were for out-patient benefits.

The study also found that as COVID-19 cases increased, related claims also increased. In January, where cases spiked to 700,000, claims paid out for the month was recorded at about P1.2 billion, while in February, where new cases were at 100,000, about P1 billion in claims were paid out.

Meanwhile, in March, when COVID-19 cases went below 100,000, paid claims were only around P700 million.

CUMULATIVE CLAIMS
Since the pandemic started until the end of March this year, total COVID-19-related claims paid by insurance entities reached P19.64 billion.

Broken down, P3.89 billion or 20% was paid in 2020, P12.82 billion or 65% was paid in 2021, and the remaining P2.93 billion was disbursed in the first quarter of 2022.

The life insurance industry paid P10.84 billion in COVID-19-related claims or 55% of the total. This was followed by HMOs that paid out P7.39 billion or 37% of the total. Lastly, MBAs and the nonlife industry paid P882 million and P527 million respectively.

In 2020, HMOs paid the largest amount of COVID claims, totaling P1.91 billion, followed by the life insurance industry with P1.47 billion. MBAs paid P355 million, while the nonlife sector disbursed P160 million.

However, this situation was reversed in 2021, with the life insurance industry paying out P7.59 billion, followed by HMOs at P4.53 billion. MBAs and the nonlife sector paid P478 million and P222 million, respectively.

Mr. Funa noted that the P2.93 billion in claims paid in the first quarter of 2022 was only 2% of the total payments made in 2021. — T.J. Tomas

Philippines places 20th in global illegal fishing index

The Philippines ranked 20th out of 152* coastal countries in the 2021 Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Index by the Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd. and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. The index assesses a country’s vulnerability to, prevalence of, and response to IUU fishing. Compared to the 2019 edition, the Philippines’ ranking improved by seven notches. However, with an overall IUU score of 2.55 out of possible 5 (where 1 is best), the Philippines tied with Indonesia as one of the worst performing countries in the region. It was also above the Asia and world average scores of 2.51 and 2.24, respectively.

The Philippines ranked 20th out of 152* coastal countries in the 2021 Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Index by the Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd. and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

Globe says new technology boosts energy efficiency by up to 15%

REUTERS

GLOBE Telecom, Inc. announced on Wednesday a new technology it is using to facilitate fourth-generation (4G) technology acceleration and fifth-generation (5G) technology evolution while improving energy efficiency by up to 15%.

“Globe has completed the deployment of a new series of antennas that efficiently enables the acceleration of 4G and the evolution of 5G technology — a step that seeks to boost the company’s 4G and 5G network and ensure energy efficiency,” the telco said in an e-mailed statement.

“The technology also minimizes feed loss and improves energy efficiency by 10%~15%. This means that Globe can maximize energy efficiencies and lower electricity utilization through antenna development and power consumption innovation,” it added.

Joel R. Agustin, senior vice-president and head of network planning and engineering at Globe’s network technical group, said that deployment of 4G and 5G is accelerating and usage is continuously growing.

“The antenna is important for a network to have greater capacity, accelerate site deployment, have broader and deeper coverage, and achieve a low carbon footprint,” he added.

The country placed 53rd out of 100 countries in this year’s Inclusive Internet Index commissioned by Meta and developed by Economist Impact. The index evaluated national-level internet inclusion in 100 countries based on availability, affordability, relevance, and readiness.

With a score of 72.3 out of a possible 100, the country was Asia’s eighth least inclusive internet environment.

“Globe is innovating with its vendor partners on the latest technologies available to improve customer experience through efficient 4G/5G network deployment,” Mr. Agustin said.

At the same time, the company said that this latest technology is part of its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“Globe allocated P89 billion in capital expenditures this year to roll out more 5G sites and in-building solutions, upgrade cell towers to 4G LTE, add more 4G cell sites, and lay down fiber to the homes,” it noted. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Gilas youth battles Kazakhstan for qualification in KO playoffs

AFTER falling short to Japan, Gilas Pilipinas youth is determined to still make the quarterfinals through the next possible route against Kazakhstan in the qualification phase of the 2022 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) U16 Asian Championship in Doha, Qatar.

Gilas faces Kazakhstan at 8:45 p.m. (Manila time) with the winner advancing to the knockout (KO) playoffs against reigning champion Australia, which topped Pool A with an unbeaten 3-0 card.

The Filipino teens got dragged into the qualifications after settling for the second spot in Pool C following a foiled comeback attempt against eventual group leader and automatic quarterfinalist Japan, 73-67.

Caelum Harris finally broke through in that match the other night, shrugging off his two-point debut in Gilas’ 82-45 win over Kuwait with an 18-point eruption plus six rebounds and two steals.

Jared Bahay (12) and Zain Mahmood (10) also had their shares, but the Nationals could not complete their rally from a 13-point deficit as time expired.

Against Kazakhstan, the wards of coach Josh Reyes eye a resounding rebound to keep their hopes of returning to the World Cup alive.

Gilas has to make the semifinals of the Asian tilt to advance in the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in Spain next month.

The previous batch of Gilas led by Kai Sotto achieved multiple Final Four finishes in FIBA Asia to make it to two World Cups. — John Bryan Ulanday

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