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Nacional spends P200 million for memorial services center

NACIONAL Chapels and Crematory has launched a P200-million center for memorial services in its Quezon City location.

The five-story center houses 15 chapels, nine of which have family rooms with a bedroom, dining area, and bathroom.

The center also has viewing rooms for cremation and other memorial services, along with lounges and non-denominational incense rooms.

“For these important undertakings, the new Nacional has been fitted with modern technology through a suite of new state-of-the-art equipment,” Nacional said in a press release on Tuesday.

“The Nacional redevelopment project is one of the biggest undertakings in the memorial services industry in the last ten years. It started in 2018 and took three years to complete.”

The P200-million budget covered all the renovation work done at the Araneta Avenue memorial chapels.

Formerly known as Nacional Memorial Homes, the chapels and crematory center is now managed by Rosehills Memorial Management Philippines, Inc., which also runs The Chapels at Heritage Park in Taguig City.

“Careful planning and robust investment came into achieving our goal of giving Filipino families a modern facility they can enjoy for their memorial needs without putting a strain on their financial resources,” Rosehills President Lia L. Enriquez said. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Vaccine hesitancy still a ‘major challenge,’ experts say

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

From Dengvaxia to Gising Maharlika 

By Brontë H. Lacsamana  

COMPLACENCY against the coronavirus, vaccine inequity, and doubts about whether vaccines work contribute to vaccine hesitancy — which has reduced over time in the Philippines but still should not be underestimated — said infectious disease experts at a webinar in September.  

“Over the last year or so, we’ve seen improvement in trust,” said Tikki E. Pangestu, a visiting professor at the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) School of Medicine and co-chair of the Asia Pacific Immunization Coalition.   

Dr. Lulu C. Bravo, professor emeritus of pediatric infectious and tropical diseases at the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM), noted that vaccine hesitancy decreased in the past year, citing a Social Weather Stations survey in June that found around 45% of Filipinos were willing to get vaccinated, an increase from 30% in May.  

Despite this improvement, vaccine hesitancy — defined by the World Health Organization as the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccine services — once again showed itself in Metro Manila, where anti-vax group Gising Maharlika protested against the government’s coronavirus vaccination program.   

“Holding protest actions to insist on what you believe in does not make it right. It is but plain and simple acts of defiance and irresponsibility because you are putting our personnel and other civilian population at risk of being infected,” said Philippine National Police Chief Police General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar in a statement on Sunday, referring to how the group defied quarantine protocols during the protest.  

Commenting on similar anti-vax movements, Mr. Pangestu said: “Vaccine hesitancy is the major challenge in achieving wide vaccine coverage globally, exacerbated by an abundance of misinformation, fake news, propaganda, and conspiracy theories.”  

‘MISTRUST AND FEAR’
Vaccine hesitancy has a long-term narrative in the Philippines, according to a study by Vincen Gregory Yu, Gideon Lasco, and Clarissa C. David published this July.  

The study, funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), found through focus group discussions and interviews that there was “widespread mistrust and fear in communities toward both the state and health institutions following the Dengvaxia controversy in 2017,” when side effects from Sanofi Pasteur’s anti-dengue vaccine were magnified by media coverage.  

This mistrust and fear were not exclusive to Dengue vaccines but applied to health programs in general, according to the study.  

“Though it’s not conclusive to say that the fear and hesitancy caused by the Dengvaxia debacle remained in the psyche of Filipinos, affecting the reception of coronavirus vaccines during this pandemic, there may be reason to think so,” the study said.  

Both civilian and healthcare worker participants also shared that people eventually felt the need for vaccinations again as time passed, with a measles outbreak in 2019 being a turning point.  

This was echoed by UPM’s Dr. Bravo at the September webinar, where she shared from experience that the rollout of coronavirus vaccines reduced vaccine hesitancy.  

To move forward, NUS’s Mr. Pangestu recommended continuous information and education campaigns: “Vaccine hesitancy is a spectrum. The group in the middle is hesitant. Ultimately, they will refuse, delay, or eventually accept — that’s the group we need to focus on.”  

The DoST-funded study also pointed out the need for “responsible journalism, well-calibrated crisis communications, and a people-centered health paradigm.” — with Patricia B. Mirasol 

Ateneo Art Awards goes biennial

NICE BUENAVENTURA, “Fools will copy but copies will not fool” — IMAGE COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND GALLERY

AFTER a one-year hiatus, the Ateneo Art Gallery (AAG) announced the winners for the 17th season of Ateneo Art Awards (AAA) on Sept. 15 via Facebook live.

With the cancellation of the AAA program in 2020 due to the pandemic, this year marks the start of the visual art prize adopting a biennial schedule.

Nice Buenaventura, Christina Lopez, and Jo Tanierla emerged as the winners for the 2021 Ateneo Art Awards – Fernando Zóbel Prizes for Visual Art.

The three were selected from a shortlist of 12 artists by seven jurors after the final deliberations were held online in August.

Ms. Buenaventura won for her solo exhibition titled “Fools will copy but copies will not fool.” The exhibit was held at Artinformal Makati from June 1 to 29, 2019. In the show, Ms. Buenaventura attempted to mimic print failures using charcoal and oil in the same spirit as how a printer produces unfaithful copies.

The power of artificial intelligence and the weaponization of identities are timely concepts that gained Christina Lopez her very first Ateneo Art Awards recognition. Her show, “Portraits (Proxies)” was held from March 7 to 31, 2020 at The Drawing Room in Makati. The exhibit was cut short following the temporary closure of local galleries and museums because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) lockdown. In what was her first solo exhibition, Ms. Lopez reflected about her own paranoia over surveillance by rendering portraits of people who don’t exist using a dataset that consists of over 500 profile pictures of paid trolls in the Philippines.

Jo Tanierla emerged as a winner for his show, “Pagburo at Pag-alsa: Natural Depictions and Illustrated Prophecies (Gelacio, 1910).” It was his first solo exhibition. Held from Oct. 20 to Dec. 12, 2020 at the Jorge B. Vargas Museum & Filipiniana Research Center in UP Diliman, “Pagburo at Pag-alsa” is a historical fiction set in 1910 Luzon about the journey of Gelacio and Manta-tio from Malagonlong bridge in Tayabas to Pamitinan cave in Montalban. Through illustrated prophecies and journal entries, the project was Mr. Tanierla’s response to fascism and its imperialist origins.

Meanwhile, Eugeniu Rotaru, Chargé d affaires of the Embassy of Italy in Manila, announced that Brisa Amir was the recipient of the 2021 Ateneo Art Awards – Embassy of Italy Purchase Prize. Ms. Amir was shortlisted for her exhibit, “Untitled Blankets,” held at Artinformal Makati from Oct. 19 to Nov. 16, 2019. In the show, Ms. Amir presented her poetic approach to makeshift shelters and homemaking, using paper and textile to explore the ever-changing landscape of her birthplace and community in Krus na Ligas, Quezon City.

For the 2021 Ateneo Art Awards – Purita Kalaw-Ledesma Prizes in Art Criticism (PKL), Carla T. Gamalinda and Portia Placino were declared winners from the six shortlisted writers in the English category, while Jaffy V. Fajardo was declared as winner among three shortlisted writers in the Filipino category. The final selection was made by the three PKL publication partners along with other jurors last July.

The recipient of the Purita-Kalaw Ledesma Prize – The Philippine Star is Ms. Gamalinda for her essay, Art and the inevitable crisis of the screens. Ms. Gamalinda will be contributing to The Philippine Star’s Arts & Culture section twice a month for a year. Meanwhile, Portia Placino took the Purita-Kalaw Ledesma Prize – ArtAsiaPacific for her essay, Forging on by the Mountainside. She will be writing six articles over a year for the bi-monthly publication.

This year’s competition also saw the collaboration with a new publication partner, the Katipunan Journal. The recipient of the Purita-Kalaw Ledesma Prize – Katipunan Journal was awarded to Jaffy V. Fajardo for his entry titled, “Nandiyan lang kultura at mga sining.” Mr. Fajardo will be contributing two articles to the bi-annual research publication. In addition, his winning essay will also be published in The Philippine Star.

A new incentive for the PKL Prizes was also introduced this year. The AAG and Kalaw-Ledesma Foundation Inc. (KLFI) partnered with Orange Project in Bacolod to grant a month-long writer’s residency to one of the winning writers. Ms. Placino was selected by Orange Project to be given the opportunity to immerse and interact with local art communities in the Visayas through talks, workshops, and conversational exchanges.

Due to current quarantine restrictions, the Ateneo Art Gallery has deferred the annual physical exhibition featuring the 12 shortlisted exhibits for the Fernando Zóbel Prizes for Visual Art. In place of an onsite show, the AAG will release online a series of video features about the exhibits through its social media accounts and website. Meanwhile, the nine shortlisted essays are posted on the Vital Points: Essays from the Purita Kalaw-Ledesma Prizes in Art Criticism microsite. To read the essays, visit pkl.ateneoartgallery.com.

Apollo Global acquires 49% stake in Singaporean firm

LISTED holding firm Apollo Global Capital, Inc. has acquired a 49% stake in Poet Blue Ocean Offshore Services Pte. Ltd. (PBO), a Singaporean engineering firm that owns an offshore mining vessel.

The firm said in a stock exchange disclosure on Tuesday that its board of directors approved the execution of an instrument of transfer of shares that covers Apollo Global’s acquisition of the PBO stake.

Apollo Global said PBO is a special purpose vehicle that was registered in Singapore on April 21, 2017 to own the deep-sea siphon mining vessel, MB Siphon 1, which is its only asset.

“The transaction is consistent with the use of proceeds in Apollo Global’s recently completed follow-on offering, where the company committed to use the net proceeds from the offer primarily to buy a 49% stake in PBO, the owner of MB Siphon I vessel, which will be used for the offshore mining activities of Apollo Global subsidiary, JDVC Resources Corp.,” it said.

According to Apollo Global, the transaction amounted to P711.98 million, which consisted of 490,000 shares at a price of P1,453.022 per share.

“The amount of consideration is based on the valuation of the MB Siphon I Vessel by Cuervo Appraisers, Inc. The total consideration for the purchase of 49% of the PBO constitutes 49% of the appraised value of the MB siphon vessel of P1,453,022,000,” the company said.

Apollo Global expects to have two sources of revenues after the acquisition, which comprise of 90.47% royalties from JDVC and 49% of the charter fees to be earned by PBO.

“The two sources of revenues of Apollo Global and JDVC are expected to be sufficient in satisfying the cash requirements of the group and no further fund-raising is expected in the coming year,” it said.

Based on previous disclosures, Apollo Global said PBO is a Singaporean firm that is engaged in engineering design and consultancy services supporting mining, oil, and gas extraction, and offshore exploration activities.

Apollo Global recently concluded its follow-on offering, which raised P988 million from the sale of P12.35 billion shares at eight centavos apiece.

Based on its prospectus dated Aug. 13, Apollo Global said the offshore mining project is located off the town of Gonzaga, Cagayan. It will involve the extraction of magnetite ore sand and is the Philippines’ first large-scale offshore mining project.

Apollo Global said MB Siphon I is estimated to begin operations on or before April 30, 2022 if the weather allows and after all necessary offshore mining protection gears and environmental protection equipment are procured. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Reproductive health chatbot offers teleconsultation services 

UNSPLASH

PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY Bayer Philippines expanded the features of its Facebook chatbot Ask Mara, which answers women’s questions about contraceptive options and reproductive health, to provide telemedicine help for those who need expert advice during lockdowns and also locate nearby Mercury Drug, Watsons, Southstar, and Rose Pharmacy drugstores.  

“Ask Mara can help me get in touch with a doctor, locate the nearest drugstore, and even send me reminders. She gives us options, provides reliable information, and just enables us to make an informed choice,” said Inka P. Magnaye, voice talent and host of podcast Sleeping Pill with Inka, at the online launch of Ask Mara’s new features.  

For Filipino women, this kind of easy access to the right information and support can help in making informed reproductive health choices, she added, speaking as someone with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal syndrome that used to give her cramps, mood swings, migraines, and depression. These stopped when she started taking contraceptive pills.  

Knowledgeable patients result in better health outcomes as well, according to Dr. Marie Michelle A. Dado, a fellow of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society.  

“In this pandemic where it can be difficult to get in touch with doctors and find options for contraceptive and reproductive health, these new features help take some of the worry out for women and let us focus on ourselves, on work and our family,” she said.  

MAKING INFORMED CHOICES
According to the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), family planning services decreased by over 50% in March of 2020 due to limited staff at reproductive clinics.  

To address this, the commission set up hotlines for remote medical consultations and home delivery of birth control supplies, said Undersecretary Juan Antonio A. Perez III, POPCOM executive director, in a statement.   

They also worked with the Department of Health and the United States Agency for International Development to integrate age-appropriate sex education in the K-12 curriculum and strengthen information campaigns for responsible parenthood.  

Mr. Perez highlighted the need for solutions from all sectors: “While we have since built up systems for women to gain access to health services through a variety of channels, we need innovative solutions from both private and public sectors that champion women’s reproductive health choices and empower women to make informed choices.”  

Jillian Q. Gatcheco-Cantada, reproductive rights advocate and former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan Philippines, echoed the importance of having options.  

“It’s great that Ask Mara is there as a friendly resource for Filipinas who want on-demand advice about contraception and reproductive health,” she said. “It’s accessible, expert-driven, and most importantly non-judgmental.”  

The pill reminder feature, which ensures that women don’t miss their pill for the day, is also useful.  

Those who want to explore different methods of contraception, such as condoms and intrauterine devices, can get information from the chatbot as well.  

To chat with Ask Mara, visit facebook.com/AskMaraPH/. — Brontë H. Lacsamana 

CCP launches online series on the kundiman

LARA MAIGUE and Orange and Lemons

PATRIOTISM, romance, and unrequited love are just a few themes of the kundiman — traditional Filipino love songs that have stood the test of time, even times as strange as these. While the country awaits the return of live performances after the COVID-19 lockdowns, the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Office of the President (CCP OP), through its online outreach program Sining Sigla, is focusing on the kundiman in the online musical series Kung Hindi Man, a Collection of Musical Treasures, beginning Sept. 25, 6 p.m., via Facebook.

Directed by Dennis Marasigan, each episode of Kung Hindi Man (If it Were Not So) will run for 20 minutes and feature works by Filipino composers performed by today’s classical and OPM artists.

“Tayong mga Pilipino ay hindi lamang mahilig sa musika; likas sa atin yung pagmamahal. At’yung bawat isa sa atin na nagmamahal ay siguaradong may paboritong awitin (Filipinos not only love music; love is also inherent among us. Each of us who love surely has a favorite song),” Mr. Marasigan said in an online press conference on Sept. 15.

“Marami sa awit ng pag-ibig o pagsinta, maging mga awit na may hugot gaya ng mga awit ng pangungulila, at pagpupugay sa ating Inang Bayan ay naging paksa na ng kundiman. At maging ng mga makabagong awitin ay pinag-ugatan ng kundiman (Many songs of love or courtship, whether they be dramatic songs of love lost, or giving honor to our Motherland, have been topics of the kundiman. Even contemporary songs are rooted in the kundiman),” he added.

“We will not only feature our celebrated kundiman songs but also contemporary Filipino ballads which share and display similar themes (of love, patriotism, endearment) regardless of its form of composition,” said Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) director and Kung Hindi Man music consultant Eugene delos Santos.

Among the singers and actors performing in the musical series are Arthur Espiritu, Cesar Montano, Gian Magdangal, Harry Santos, Lara Maigue, Mariel Ilusorio, Nerissa De Juan, and the OPM band Orange and Lemons (who will be sharing songs from its upcoming kundiman-inspired album), and the PPO.

The episodes will include information on the history of the song and its composers.

“It’s the right time to introduce these kundiman to the newer generations,” CCP President Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso said in a statement. “With the rise of foreign musical acts that have significantly influenced our musical industry, it’s the right time for us to bring back the spotlight to our own music. And with new arrangements of these kundiman songs, I know that they will resonate, not only to the older generations, but will also to the youth of today,” Mr. Lizaso added.

The musical performances were shot at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The first episode will feature National Artists for Music Ernani Cuenco’s “Nahan” and Felipe Padilla de Leon’s “Ako’y Filipino,” as performed by Arthur Espiritu, Mariel Ilusorio, Nerissa De Juan, and Cesar Montano.

The past programs under the CCP’s Sining Sigla program include: Jazz Stay at Home (Jazz Festival); MALA (Movies Adapted from Literary Arts); Sigla ng Pasko, Awit at Tula: Pagbabalik-tanaw sa Unang Hari ng Balagtasan; PINTIG – A Percussion Festival; and PERFECT 10: The Philbanda 10th Anniversary Concert.

Kung Hindi Man, A Collection of Musical Treasures premieres on Sept. 25, 6 p.m., on the CCP Office of the President Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ccp.officeofthepresident). The succeeding episodes will air on Saturdays until December. —  Michelle Anne P. Soliman

Suntrust and Summit Ascent unit ink deal on bond subscription

SUNTRUST Home Developers, Inc. said it inked an agreement in which a unit of a Hong Kong-listed holding firm will subscribe to the locally listed property developer’s convertible bonds.

It told the stock exchange on Tuesday that the subscription deal was entered into with Summit Ascent Investments Ltd., or SA Investments, on Sept. 20, subject to the completion of conditions under the agreement.

Suntrust Home Developers will issue the bonds, while SA Investments will conditionally subscribe to the bonds equivalent to the former’s loan indebtedness.

In February this year, Suntrust Home Developers and SA Investments entered into a loan agreement where the developer borrowed a principal amount of $120 million.

The loan indebtedness will include up to P6.4 billion due under the loan agreement, including the other debt owed by Suntrust under the loan agreement on its maturity date.

According to SA Investments’ parent company Summit Ascent Holdings Ltd., Suntrust Home Developers owes SA Investments around $122.5 million, which already includes accrued interest.

Summit Ascent and Suntrust Home Developers have common shareholders that own some 10% of both entities.

Suntrust Home Developers is awaiting regulatory approval for the transaction.

On Tuesday, its shares at the local bourse went up by 2.65% or four centavos to close at P1.55 each. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Senate clears on second reading water franchise bills

PHILSTAR

THE SENATE has approved on second reading measures seeking to grant a 25-year franchise for water concessionaires Manila Water Co., Inc. and Maynilad Water Services, Inc.

It amended House Bill No. 9422 that allows Maynilad to continue operating in the west zone of Metro Manila including Cavite province, and House Bill No. 9423 for Manila Water in the east zone including Rizal province.

The measures allow the concessionaires to establish, operate and maintain a waterworks system, and sewerage and sanitation services in their franchise areas, including the right to bill and collect fees from consumers.

Under the proposed laws, the corporate income tax can no longer be charged to consumers.

Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri asked to restore the right of eminent domain, which was accepted by Senator Mary Grace Natividad S. Poe-Llamanzares, the primary sponsor of both bills, because it would expedite certain projects while minimizing the bureaucratic process.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto made an amendment that when public interest for affordable water security so requires and upon application of the grantee, state-led Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System is authorized to approve the amendment of the concession agreement to extend its term up to the term of the franchise after the appropriate notice and hearing.

A change was accepted to reconcile a conflict in the date due to the concession agreement ending earlier than the actual franchise, said Ms. Poe-Llamanzares.

The Senate Committee on Public Services earlier looked into the possible synchronization of the expiry dates of the two water concessionaires’ revised concession agreements ending in 2037, and their proposed franchise extensions, which will end in 2046.

Amendments were also made to include timelines and a period of evaluation to ensure the concessionaires will comply with their commitments.

The bills allow the grantees to charge reasonable and just fees for their services to all types of consumers and water users within their franchise areas.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which has a majority stake in Maynilad, is one of three Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

PBSP launches zero hunger initiative to complement gov’t efforts

PHILSTAR

BUSINESS-LED non-governmental organization Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) recently launched The Hunger Project (THP), an initiative within the business sector to end hunger and malnutrition by 2030, following the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.  

“Malnutrition is our common enemy. It persists in multiple forms and, with the full impact of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic still unfolding, it’s a barrier to building resilience,” said Ellen Ruth F. Abella, nutrition officer of the National Nutrition Council (NNC).  

Studies have shown that focusing on feeding children in the first 1,000 days of their life will be most effective in improving nutritional development, she added.  

This approach is used by THP, which supports various initiatives in the National Capital Region, Samar, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga Del Norte, Basilan, and Sarangani, specifically in areas not sufficiently covered by other zero hunger programs.   

Food security data released by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute showed a rise in food insecure households in 2020, with 62.1% of families surveyed saying they experienced moderate to severe food insecurity, up 21.9% from 2019.  

“This is correlated with the level of quarantine. The stricter it is in that area, the more food insecure the households are,” said Dr. Roehlano M. Briones, board member of Brain Trust, Inc. 

NNC’s Ms. Abella lauded THP’s objective of encouraging the business sector to support NNC’s Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition, calling on more partnerships in adopting LGUs (local government units) and scaling up their programs in various locations.  

“We aim to reach graphically isolated and disadvantaged areas, indigenous peoples, and the urban poor,” she said.  

PBSP Executive Director Elvin Ivan Y. Uy cited the UN, World Health Organization, and World Bank’s Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates for 2021, which said that the world is not on track for the goal of zero hunger by 2030, with the coronavirus worsening the situation. He also mentioned the latest Social Weather Stations survey that found around 4.2 million Filipinos went hungry in 2020.  

“The end hunger fund that will be generated by THP and its growing alliance of various companies will be used to support the programs of local governments,” he said.  

Other projects with the same goal include the government’s Task Force Zero Hunger (which identified 32 priority provinces based on indicators like poverty, teenage pregnancy, and malnutrition levels) and multisectoral effort Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG), which added 17 provinces to the list. THP, according to Mr. Uy, complements both.  

“Much of 2020, we were trying to understand the directions and plans of the task force, of PKG, and of the entire ecosystem,” he said. “THP is a separate identity but we still work with them. We are, in fact, involved in all of those things.” — Brontë H. Lacsamana

Pianist Beisembayev wins Leeds competition

The Waterman Gold Medal, ALIM BEISEMBAYEV — PHOTO FROM LEEDSPIANO.COM

LONDON —  Kazakhstan-born pianist Alim Beisembayev began his musical career when he picked a miniature toy piano for his fifth birthday present. Now aged 23, he has scooped the career-making Leeds International Piano Competition, beating four other finalists.

“I’m still coming down from cloud nine… it really is a wonderful feeling,” Mr. Beisembayev told Reuters on Monday. “I’m so, so, so happy, but (it was) also unexpected. I’m looking forward to what will come next.”

Held every three years, The Leeds had to change its process this time due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It held a virtual first round in April with no live jury or audience and competitors performing in different locations in front of a camera.

The final rounds were held in Leeds, northern England, and on Friday Mr. Beisembayev performed Sergei Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 along with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in front of a live audience.

“The final was just unforgettable and will probably stay with me for the rest of my life because of just playing for an audience,” he said.

Mr. Beisembayev, who has most recently been studying for a master’s degree at the Royal College of Music in London, is the first pianist from Kazakhstan to win The Leeds.

As winner, he gets the competition’s Waterman Gold Medal, a 25,000 pounds ($34,120) cash prize as well as a package including a management deal, a recording contract and a European tour.

Mr. Beisembayev also scooped the audience prize, which is voted for by the public, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society Prize for performance of a 20th/21st century work. — Reuters

BTS sings their way through United Nations

BTS danced its way through the United Nations — SCREENSHOT FROM YOUTUBE.COM/UNITEDNATIONS

UNITED NATIONS —  Fully vaccinated South Korean band BTS danced its way through the United Nations in a Monday broadcast, promoting global goals tackling poverty, inequality, injustice and climate change ahead of the annual UN gathering of world leaders.

The seven-member group filmed a music video to its song “Permission to Dance” in the world body’s New York headquarters over the weekend, dancing through the General Assembly Hall and out into the gardens. It was broadcast during an event on the Sustainable Development Goals.

BTS — whose members declared they were all fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) — also appeared in person at the event in the General Assembly, introduced by South Korean President Moon Jae-in. They are the UN’s Special Presidential Envoys for Future Generations and Culture. — Reuters

EEI unit to provide power to Centro Mall, Limcoma

THE electricity arm of EEI Corp. has recently forged retail electricity supply (RES) deals with the Laguna-based Centro Mall and animal feed manufacturer Limcoma Multi-purpose Cooperative, the listed construction firm said in a disclosure on Tuesday.

The establishments are among the first accounts which EEI Energy Solutions Corp. was able to close within six months after the firm received its RES license from the Energy Regulatory Commission.

Both facilities are said to require over 500 kilowatts of power supply each. To date, EEI Energy’s total contracted capacity stands at around 3.5 megawatts.

“These accounts will definitely be the first of many customers we will serve with our unique offerings. While we look forward to a lasting and sustainable business relationship with our customers, we are aggressively working on providing the same, if not more, level of service to other contestable customers across the Luzon and Visayas market” EEI Energy’s Operations Manager Valia Quinajon said.

EEI Energy is a wholly owned unit of EEI Power Corp., which is fully owned by listed construction firm EEI Corp.

In the same regulatory filing, EEI Corp. said EEI Energy is scaling up its presence in “untapped market segments” such as areas in the Visayas, and North and South Luzon while leveraging the business relationship between its parent firm and its subsidiaries.

“It will just be a matter of time for EEI Energy to carve its place in the retail energy space as one of the most innovative retail electricity suppliers in the country and be able to deliver quality service to our customers,” said EEI Energy General Manager Salvador M. Salire, Jr.

In a separate disclosure on Tuesday, EEI Corp. announced that it is in the middle of conducting a follow-on offering (FOO) of its preferred shares, the registration of which is pending with the corporate regulator.

“The company will make the proper disclosure of the terms of the FOO at the proper time once the necessary approvals have been secured,” the company said.

A member of the Yuchengco Group of Companies, EEI Corp. is primarily engaged in the installation, construction and erection of power generating facilities, oil refineries, chemical production plants, and other structures.

The company previously reported a second quarter net income attributable to equity holders of P250.17 million, swinging to profit from previous year-on-year losses of P843.35 million, after generating higher revenues from its construction contracts as well as merchandise and property sales.

EEI Corp. shares at the local bourse shed 6% or 45 centavos to finish at P7.05 apiece on Tuesday. — Angelica Y. Yang

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