Addressing climate change will require reimagining urban planning and design, speakers at the Reuters Impact conference said, discussing ways that buildings and cities could evolve.
“It’s about reminding ourselves that we all have a shared responsibility to ensure that we use less resources,” said architect and chair of the Quality of Life Foundation, Sadie Morgan. “We just have to be open to new ways of living.”
When designing new structures, for instance, architects should think about how the buildings can be deconstructed and recycled at the end of their life cycle, or transformed for other purposes, said Morgan. City planners can create more places for people to gather and socialize without needing cars.
But drastic shifts in how cities operate – such as transforming the use of cars – cannot come from architects alone and would need the work of politicians, she said.
About 56% of people worldwide live in cities, yet urban areas are responsible for an estimated three-quarters of global CO2 emissions. Buildings and transport are among the largest sources of urban emissions – including emissions from cars, building construction, heating and cooling systems and lights.
The importance of cities in efforts to slow climate change continues to grow, with just over two-thirds of people expected to live in urban areas by 2050, according to U.N. estimates.
Density was necessary for the future sustainability of cities, said architect and urban planner Stefano Boeri, but density without variety was a “nightmare”. As cities expand, planners needed to find ways to encourage richness of function as well as culture, he said.
Boeri also emphasized incorporating nature into city design. “Living nature is not something that is outside our body, outside our house, outside our cities,” he said. “We have to redefine our relation, a new balance between the human sphere and the living nature sphere.” — Reuters
Get the vivo Y72 5G with no cash out with Globe’s GPLAN 1499
Leading global tech brand vivo continues to reach out to more consumers as it partners with mobile services provider Globe, to give people a convenient option to own a vivo Y72 5G smartphone.
Through this partnership, existing Globe clients and future applicants can get their hands on the vivo Y72 5G when they sign up for the postpaid GPLAN 1499. This 24-month contract gives subscribers a wonderful postpaid experience with 10GB of mobile data, unli text and call to all networks, and unli call to DUO (Globe landline) and landline numbers.
Users can also maximize their use of the vivo Y72 5G with the exciting freebies that come with the GPLAN 1499. They can visit their favorite sites with a free 3GB of GoWiFi. They can also watch their favorite Asian shows on iQIYI and WeTV via the GlobeOne app, as they enjoy 3 months of standard VIP access to both streaming sites. Subscribers can also get 6 months’ access to HBO GO for only P599 via the GlobeOne app.
Aside from the entertainment freebies, owners of the vivo Y72 5G through the GPLAN 1499 can get a free KonsultaMD membership and have 24/7 access to licensed medical professionals for the entirety of their contract period. They can also reap the benefits of the GInsure voucher, which provides months’ worth of income loss coverage from Singlife.
All these can be experienced by choosing the vivo Y72 5G with the GPLAN 1499. The Y72 5G smartphone from vivo features a slim sophistication with a 2.75mm narrow frame, that gives the look and feel of a true flagship masterpiece. It also comes in soft, delicate hues with Dream Glow in kaleidoscope gradient and Graphite Black in night sky splendor.
vivo Y72 5G in Dream Glow. Experience style and power in one sophisticated smartphone.
Users can also watch their best-loved shows with the ‘Big-screen Experience’ as the vivo Y72 5G delivers clear, vivid pictures in Full HD resolution. They can also take top-quality photos with its Multi-Scenario Camera System — which combines a 64MP main rear camera, 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera, super macro lens, a 16MP super night selfie camera, and an EIS ultra-stable video feature.
The vivo Y72 5G also comes with a 5000mAh Battery with an 18W Fast Charge feature. Consumers can also enjoy the vivo Y72’s powerful performance with its 5G capability and 8GB internal memory + 128GB ROM, guaranteeing a smoother, faster internet experience and multiple app downloads.
Get the vivo Y72 5G for only 1499 per month through Globe’s postpaid GPLAN. For more information, visit vivo Philippines on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and their global website at https://www.vivoglobal.ph/phone/vivo-Y72/.
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“Taiwan Excellence,” the international promotional campaign run by the Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), hosted a webinar last Oct. 1 showcasing together how Taiwan’s AI technology can improve the world we live in.
AI solutions have gradually been applied in various fields such as smart medical care, smart traffic tolling, and smart manufacturing. Taiwan’s AI industry is seizing upon market trends and the opportunities they provide to develop more integrated, expandable, and customized products, which will implement smarter life through comprehensive smart information management. During the webinar, top Taiwanese brands — Acer Medical, AI3, AVer, FETCi, imedtac and WiAdvance demonstrated their latest products and shared the trend of AI solutions.
Acer Medical applies AI technology to its VeriSee DR solution, which could analyze retinal fundus images for signs of diabetic retinopathy (DR), to assist doctors in diagnosing patients in early stages. The performance of VeriSee DR is similar to that of ophthalmologists with a referral accuracy rate of 93%. After implementing VeriSee DR, Taichung Veterans General Hospital found that the speed and the accuracy of diagnosis was greatly improved, and the referral specificity of DR increased from 50% to 84%.
The research team of AI3 developed new-generation service robots with deep learning and AI technology, and was recognized for winning the “Civil Affairs ChatBot Competition,” held by the Taipei City Government in 2017. The team has conducted research in the CRM field for many years and applied the core technology of AI to the QbiAI Omni-channel smart customer service platform consisting of three products: the QbiBot, QbiCRM and QbiAI. This platform provides consumers with precise interactive services and has been widely adopted in the e-commerce, financial and logistics industries.
AVer DL30 distance learning tracking cameras with the built-in human detection AI technology can automatically focus, move and track teachers without the need to wear a sensor. Three tracking modes can be set according to the situations, including Presenter Mode, Zone Mode and Hybrid Mode. With DL30, teachers can concentrate on their teaching, and the students will not miss the course content.
The RFID All Electronic Toll Collection System of FETCi in Taiwan was the world’s first successfully shift from toll collection with manual fix-point toll gates to a Multi-Lane Free-Flow electronic toll collection system. By applying AI technology, even when vehicles might change lanes at high speeds, tolling accuracy rate still exceeds 99.99%, which showcases Taiwan excellent technology.
Imedtac utilizes Time-of-Flight (ToF) technology in their Care Recipient Monitor solution to oversee care recipients while protecting their privacy. ToF technology calculates the distance between the sensor and the object using infrared rays. Applying their proprietary AI algorithm to the ToF sensor data, imedtac’s solution can determine the care recipient’s positions around the bed and issue warnings to caregivers for any emergencies. The Care Recipient Monitor solution not only ensures care recipients’ safety, but also improves caregivers’ work efficiency.
Focus on clouds, data, and AI, WiAdvance is an expert hybrid cloud providing customers with services of cloud migration consulting, implementation and next-generation managed services. It has a wealth of extensive experience in manufacturing field, making the company strong in systems integration (SI), Industry 4.0, and cloud services. Combining the advantages of the Wistron Group and Chunghwa Telecom, WiAdvance has successfully demonstrated how 5G enterprise private networks boost smart manufacturing.
Taiwan Excellence will keep encouraging Taiwanese companies to apply AI technology with innovative energy to continue and ensure progress.
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“Smashable” brands like Walt Disney, Lego, and Louis Vuitton are consistent, with specific details that are true to the whole, said Martin Lindstrom, founder of branding firm Lindstrom Company.
The term “smashable” comes from Coca-Cola’s iconic bottle.
“Many years ago, Coca-Cola issued a briefing for the redevelopment of its bottle, so that if it smashes to pieces, you can pick out one piece and still recognize the brand,” said Mr. Lindstrom at a recent webinar. “It’s important to develop ‘smashables.’”
A product or service that is “smashable,” he added, can cut through an individual’s subconscious thought patterns when making a purchasing decision.
Some of the ways to smash a brand are through color, service, shape, language, traditions, and rituals.
Brands can also differentiate in this pandemic world by going back to the core of who they are to connect with customers.
In a Sept. 28 webinar organized by computer software company Adobe, Nike (another “smashable” brand) was cited for being able to find a point of difference and amplifying it. The athletic apparel manufacturer, Mr. Lindstrom said, is able to drive across the message “If you have a body, you are an athlete.”
A restaurant in Sydney, Australia, called Catalina, meanwhile, was also cited as being successful at creating luxury dining experiences within the comforts of home. Each of the seafood boxes and celebration packs it delivers comes with a handwritten note from the restaurant owners, the McMahon family.
“The boxes… are not cheap but they’re always sold out,” said Maryel B. Price, Adobe’s manager for digital customer experience and commercial marketing in the Asia Pacific. Even pre-pandemic, she said, “the experience they created was excellent.”
Mr. Lindstrom advised getting inspired by observing how people behave.
“Over the past 15 years, I spent time in 3,000 consumer homes across 80 countries,” he said. “That’s my source of inspiration. If you’re an entrepreneur, that’s super important.” — Patricia B. Mirasol
New Wi-Fi 6 access points bring high performance, IoT connectivity to dense environments; new SmartZoneOS features enhance usability, add Google Orion Wifi interoperability
CommScope announced the latest additions to its Wi-Fi 6 access point (AP) portfolio—the indoor RUCKUS H550 and outdoor RUCKUS T350—and new enterprise and service-provider features in RUCKUS SmartZoneOS.
The modern device environment includes countless Wi-Fi-enabled end-user computing devices and a dizzying array of IoT endpoints enabled by multiple wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Zigbee. The H550 and T350 incorporate all three protocols, enabling organizations to deploy a single, converged network infrastructure that supports both end-user needs and operational needs, including building and energy management, asset tracking, physical security and telemetry. Organizations can manage these new APs using any RUCKUS management option, including SmartZoneOS-based network controllers, RUCKUS Cloud and RUCKUS Unleashed.
RUCKUS H550 Indoor Access Point
The H550 AP powers the hyper-connected room, enabling hotel, apartment, dormitory and other multi-dwelling unit (MDU) owners and operators to deliver multiple 4K video streams, IPTV, virtual reality, VoIP and ultra-fast downloads alongside support for IoT endpoints and associated applications such as connected entry and staff alerts, which are easily enabled using the RUCKUS IoT Suite. With a slim, compact form factor and integrated switch ports, the H550 can be hidden discretely behind or next to cabinets, desks or televisions, providing PoE pass-through for VoIP phones and TVoIP.
The T350 AP delivers high-performance outdoor connectivity in a compact form factor, enabling it to meet the aesthetic requirements of smart spaces, community Wi-Fi installations, airports and other large public venues. In addition to built-in IoT capabilities the T350 includes a USB port to support additional wireless protocols. The T350 is built to handle the harshest outdoor conditions, including extreme temperatures, humidity, wind, salt and fog.
The new APs, like all other RUCKUS APs and switches, serve as data sources for the artificial intelligence (AI)- and machine learning (ML)-powered network analytics capabilities available in RUCKUS Analytics, for use in networks managed by RUCKUS Cloud and SmartZoneOS-based network controllers.
SmartZoneOS powers a family of high-scale physical and virtual network controllers for use by service providers and large enterprises to manage wired and wireless networks. New enhancements to SmartZoneOS include:
Interoperability with Google’s Orion Wifi, which enables network operators to participate in the global cellular offload market;
Native integration of Hotspot 2.0 (including Release 3) and RadSec, which simplifies OpenRoaming operations for service providers, enhances subscriber, guest and visitor convenience and opens new opportunities for roaming-driven revenue;
A re-architected user interface that improves administrator experience through easy navigability, new search and “favorites” functionality, and faster response time; and
Social login functionality, which makes it easier than ever for operators to facilitate a positive guest experience, and an enhanced captive portal that simplifies operations for administrators.
What Customers are Saying
“We are excited to pair this new H550 Wi-Fi 6 wall access point (AP) with our current SmartZone management system. The RUCKUS solutions always come through with exceptional performance and with the new Wi-Fi 6 features, we expect this AP to become our ‘go-to’ AP for all our MDU (multi-dwelling unit) deployments. The dual IoT radios will simplify our installations and allow us to work simultaneously with multiple IoT vendors—key to our MDU strategy.” Denton Meier, chief technology officer, Firefly Technologies.
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AboitizPower subsidiary Hedcor’s Ampohaw Hydro, located in Banengbeng, Sablan, Benguet, harnesses the power of the Balili river to generate clean and renewable electricity. (AboitizPower photo)
AboitizPower’s renewable energy (RE) aspirations are taking a huge leap forward following Japanese firm JERA’s recent acquisition of a 27% stake in the Aboitiz-led power company for $1.46 billion.
The sale was announced on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, and was characterized as a “transaction [that] unlocks significant capital that will be used toward fueling the [Aboitiz Equity Ventures] Group’s growth initiatives.”
“This transaction will deepen our bonds and represents a leap forward in our shared mission to support economic development in the Philippines and beyond while supporting the energy transition towards a decarbonized future,” AboitizPower President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio said.
JERA is one of the world’s largest power producers and the largest single liquefied natural gas (LNG) buyer in the world. Rubio said that as the energy sector undergoes a transition, this presents a great opportunity for AboitizPower.
With a presence in more than 10 countries across the globe, JERA’s international footprint provides AboitizPower with further opportunities for collaboration and new market entry.
Rubio shared that this partnership with JERA will result in a more future-ready organization with access to new perspectives, capabilities, and a global network.
“Through this partnership, we hope to build on our 10-year plan, where we aim to reduce the carbon intensity of our business. We intend to explore new pathways toward decarbonization that will complement our renewable energy growth plan and our nature-based carbon sequestration program,” said Rubio.
AboitizPower earlier announced its 10-year growth ambition, where it aims to exponentially increase its Cleanergy capacity to 4,600 MW to achieve a 50:50 balance between its renewable and thermal portfolios. The company’s top executive pointed out that its “partnership with JERA will be a key enabler in this journey.”
Both parties have already identified potential areas for collaboration across multiple fronts including joint development of LNG-to-power projects, LNG fuel sourcing and management, potential participation in aspects of plant operations and maintenance, as well as the exploration of the use of new generation technologies.
Rubio assured that there will be no management changes resulting from the partnership, but rather a “greater diversity of perspective at the board and enhanced governance.”
“We are optimistic that our partnership will bring about positive change not only for our organizations but, ultimately, for the customers and communities we serve,” Rubio said.
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Inflation eased in September, as the increase in prices of food and transport slowed. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS
PHILIPPINE INFLATION eased in September from a near three-year high in the month prior, as the rise in the prices of food and transport slowed, the statistics agency said on Tuesday.
Preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the consumer price index at 4.8% in September, slowing from the 32-month high of 4.9% in August. Still, this was above the 2.3% print recorded in September 2020.
Last month’s inflation is below the 5% median in a BusinessWorld poll conducted late last week, and is at the low end of the 4.8%-5.6% estimate given by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for September.
Year-to-date inflation settled at 4.5%, still above the BSP’s 2-4% target this year and above the forecast of 4.4% for the entire year.
Core inflation, which discounted volatile prices of food and fuel, stood at 3.3% in August — steady from the previous month but slightly faster than last year’s 3.2%. It averaged 3.3% so far this year.
The slower annual increase in the transport index at 5.2%, from 7.2% in the previous month helped pull down inflation, the PSA said. It was also the slowest year-on-year rise in transport prices since the 2.4% in June 2020.
The PSA also noted slower annual rates in the following indices: food and non-alcoholic beverages (6.2% from 6.5% in August); furnishing, household equipment, and routine maintenance of the house (2.4% from 2.5%); communication (0.2% from 0.3%); and education (0.9% from 1.1%).
Similarly, the September inflation rate for the bottom 30% of income households also eased to 5% from 5.3% in August. Still, this was faster than the previous year’s 2.8%. From January to September, the bottom 30% inflation averaged 4.9%.
In a note, Nomura Chief ASEAN Economist Euben Paracuelles and analyst Rangga Cipta cited the slowdown in food prices as a factor why September inflation settled below their forecast.
“We expected food prices to rise more significantly, partly on tighter agricultural supply given recent weather disturbances. Rice and vegetable prices picked up only modestly while meat and fish prices eased marginally,” they said.
In addition, transport inflation eased to 5.2% year on year from 7.2%, marking its lowest level in a year despite the uptick in crude oil prices. Household utilities inflation, however, rose to 3.8% from 3.1%, consistent with higher electricity generation rates.
The food-alone index likewise eased to 6.5% in September from 6.9% in August. However, this was still faster than the annual 1.5% print recorded in September 2020.
In a statement, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the decline in September inflation was aided by the government’s policies aimed at bringing down food prices.
NEDA noted zero growth in rice inflation following the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 135 which lowered the tariff on rice imports to 35% from 40% for a year.
“Meanwhile, meat inflation decreased to 15.6% from 16.4%, as pork inflation declined to 36.4% from 39%. Moreover, month-on-month meat inflation continued to decline at 1.6%, suggesting some price stabilization following the implementation of EOs No. 133 and 134,” NEDA said.
The government adopted EOs 133 and 134 in earlier in May to help increase the supply of pork in the country amid its shortage due to the African Swine Fever (ASF). These interventions increased the minimum access volume (MAV) for imported pork, and imposed a temporary reduction of pork tariffs, respectively.
‘REMAIN ELEVATED’ Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno in a statement said inflation may “remain elevated in the near term” before returning to within the 2-4% target range by end of the year.
“[T]he recent inflation upticks is expected to be driven largely by supply side factors related to weather disruptions, global oil prospects, and continued impact of the [ASF]. These supply-side shocks are best addressed by timely non-monetary policy interventions that could ease domestic supply constraints,” Mr. Diokno said, adding the return of inflation to the target band is “highly contingent” on the successful implementation of supply-side measures.
Inflation is projected to be close to the midpoint of the target range in 2022 and 2023 with expectations “remaining firmly anchored” to the target, he added.
Meanwhile, Nomura’s Messrs. Paracuelles and Cipta see upside risks to their annual inflation forecast of 4.3% despite the decline in September.
“As we have discussed in previous reports, soaring energy prices should have a significant impact on headline inflation amid limited fiscal subsidies. We estimate that, if crude oil, LNG (liquefied natural gas) and coal prices stay at current levels for the rest of the year, headline inflation would rise to 5.2% in [the fourth quarter], 1.4 percentage points above our current forecasts,” they explained.
In a separate note, ANZ Research economists Sanjay Mathur and Debalika Sarkar said that while latest result marks a “welcome break” from the trend, it is “unlikely to have any bearing on current monetary settings.”
“We… are of the view that reviving growth needs to remain the main policy imperative over the next several quarters,” they said.
In an e-mail, Asian Institute of Management economist John Paolo R. Rivera said the economy may see the combined effects of both “cost-push” and “demand-pull” inflation in the coming months as the holiday season approaches.
In a separate e-mail, Security Bank Corp. Chief Economist Robert Dan J. Roces expects the BSP to “remain accommodative.”
“[I]ts preference in the meantime to support recovery means it has limited scope to move on policy in the near-term,” Mr. Roces said.
“Fourth-quarter inflation may remain above-target… in October and November and likely easing into the BSP target range in December,” he added.
The central bank has maintained its key interest rate at a record low for the last seven consecutive policy meetings.
“The BSP stands ready to maintain its accommodative monetary policy stance for as long as necessary to support the economy’s sustained recovery to the extent that the inflation outlook would allow,” Mr. Diokno said. — Abigail Marie P. Yraola with inputs from Beatrice M. Laforga and Luz Wendy T. Noble
The Delta wave is already subsiding in most of Southeast Asia, bringing a much-needed reprieve ahead of the holiday season. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS
By Luz Wendy T. Noble, Reporter
MOODY’S ANALYTICS said the Philippines is likely be the last country in Asia to regain its pre-pandemic economic growth level, which may be seen by the fourth quarter of 2022.
In a note released on Tuesday, Moody’s Analytics slashed its forecast for Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) to 6.4% in 2022, from 8.8% previously as it expects the number of coronavirus infections to remain high. This is below the government’s 7-9% GDP growth target range.
“The revision is due to the still elevated number of deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that may still add stress to the public health system and thus require at least limited neighborhood/community quarantines,” Moody’s Analytics Chief Asia-Pacific Economist Steven Cochrane said in an e-mail.
The Philippines may only regain its pre-pandemic GDP level by the fourth quarter of 2022, he added.
“The Philippines could be the last country in Asia to achieve this benchmark,” Mr. Cochrane said.
The Health department reported 9,055 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the active caseload to 103,077.
Mr. Cochrane also noted the government has not given any additional fiscal policy support since November 2020.
The proposed Bayanihan to Arise as One Act (Bayanihan III), which allots up to P400 billion for stimulus measures to revive the economy, is still pending at the Senate. It was approved by the House of Representatives in June, but economic managers remain cool to the proposal.
With business and consumer confidence still in the doldrums, fiscal support will help boost recovery, Security Bank Corp. Chief Economist Robert Dan J. Roces said.
“Fiscal stimulus is deemed crucial especially in pandemic recovery mode, as it complements and sustains the existing monetary policy levers right when the economy is beginning to turn the corner,” Mr. Roces said in a Viber message.
Also, Mr. Cochrane said the government needs to put in place an integrated approach to handle the pandemic, which involves prioritizing vaccination, boosting hospital capacity, and improving COVID-19 testing and contact tracing.
“An integrated approach will allow the reopening of the domestic economy that will generate greater consumption and investment spending. And with a freer flow of goods around the country, inflation should ease,” he said.
Based on available data from the Johns Hopkins University, only 22.73% or 24.579 million of the Philippine population are fully vaccinated. This is among the lowest rates in Southeast Asia and is only better than Indonesia (19.46%) and Vietnam (10.87%).
“Another crucial factor is the acceleration of infrastructure spending that was started prior to the pandemic. And finally, while it may take some time, the opening of the Philippines to a greater volume of international business and leisure travel will support the hospitality and tourism industries,” Mr. Cochrane said.
Meanwhile, Moody’s Analytics has kept its Philippine GDP growth forecast for 2021 at 4%, which is the low end of the government’s 4-5% full-year target.
The country exited recession in the second quarter as GDP rose 11.8% year on year, but it declined 1.3% quarter on quarter.
The Delta wave is already subsiding in most of Southeast Asia, bringing a reprieve for the last quarter of the year, Moody’s Analytics said.
“The remaining months will depend upon rising domestic consumer demand and continued improvement in exports. Consumer demand should rise as quarantine restrictions are eased and become more targeted,” Mr. Cochrane said.
CHINA’S MOVE to stop building new coal plants abroad will likely speed up the Philippines’ energy transition away from coal and other inflexible baseload power generation projects, according to nongovernment organization Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC).
Chinese President Xi Jinping last month announced that the country “will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad” while ramping up support for emerging nations to develop green and low-carbon projects.
“We certainly expect Xi’s announcement to further accelerate the energy transition in the Philippines. Xi’s announcement provides ballast to (Energy Secretary Alfonso) Cusi’s bold position to leave behind coal and inflexible baseload generation technologies,” ICSC Executive Director Renato Redentor Constantino told BusinessWorld over e-mail last week.
“The faster the transformation, the better it will be for the economy given the criminal intermittency of all coal power plants in the Philippines, which has resulted in outages, spiking power prices, and windfall profits of coal generators while working Filipinos suffer from pandemic-induced difficulties,” he added.
According to Mr. Constantino, Chinese companies are involved in five Philippine coal facilities under development. These include 700-megawatt (MW) plant in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte; 1,320-MW plant in Mariveles, Bataan; 1,200-MW plant in Atimonan, Quezon; 270-MW plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental; and 105-MW plant in Zamboanga City.
However, he clarified that it still remains unclear which of these power projects will be affected by Mr. Xi’s pledge and the Energy department’s ongoing moratorium on endorsing greenfield coal projects.
“If the campaign against coal were an epic novel, President’s Xi’s announcement represents the first sentence of the epilogue,” he said.
The Philippines is likely to see a decline in coal financing support and in the entry of Chinese renewable energy (RE) players, according to Greenpeace Campaigner Khevin Yu.
“China is now putting the final nail in the coffin for coal investments. This also shows the need for financing institutions and investors to revisit their investments and analyze the profitability and reliability of coal,” he told BusinessWorld via e-mail over the weekend.
Mr. Yu added that China’s previous commitment to ramp up renewable energy investments may help scale up the Philippines’ renewable energy systems.
However, Mr. Yu pointed out that China’s promise to stop building new coal-run plants in other countries does not cover other fossil fuel sources such as gas.
The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) believes that the Chinese President’s decision to end its involvement in overseas coal financing is a significant development for the global energy industry since Chinese capital, along with Japan and Korean investments, has underwritten almost all new coal projects built globally since 2017.
“China’s decision will likely accelerate current global energy trends, in which investors are increasingly understanding the financial risks associated with coal investments and shifting capital to cleaner, cheaper energy sources,” IEEFA Energy Finance Analyst Sam Reynolds told BusinessWorld over e-mail last week.
He observed that the Philippines is part of the shift to cleaner power, as seen from recent announcements from Ayala Corp. and San Miguel Corp. which have decided to no longer back new coal projects, and domestic banks including Bank of the Philippine Islands and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. which have pledged to reduce their exposure to coal assets.
“Ultimately, China’s announcement and recent developments in the Philippines demonstrate that the days of coal-fired power are numbered,” Mr. Reynolds said.
THE IDEA of creating an online arts and wellness platform started in 2013 when Marika Manglapus-Ledesma, Bianca Yuzon-Henares, and Carina Alejandrino-Arenas were at university pursing a degree in arts management. Aside from showcasing creativity in the platform, the founders aimed for it to establish connection and a community among creatives.
In 2018, Mses. Yuzon-Henares, and Alejandrino-Arenas founded Grounded, which they fondly refer to as a “holistic arts studio” that provides an avenue for artists through showcasing visual arts, publishing journals, and producing podcasts.
“The three of us grew up involved in the arts and culture and all have creative backgrounds in dance, music, theater and visual arts combined. We come from an arts school and have an arts management background and we realized that together we have an incredible network of creatives,” Ms. Manglapus-Ledesma told BusinessWorld in an e-mail. “We continue to build friendships and establish professional relationships through the network.”
“We’ve always chosen topics that are related to holistic living — be it mindfulness, movement medicine, mental health, arts and spirituality. Grounded is not the glossy side of wellness but the stories that connect us to each other and help us become better people along the way,” Ms. Yulo-Henares said.
One component of Grounded is the Grounded Artist Network (GAN), a network of artistic individuals which currently has about 40 members.
Through GAN, Grounded mounted its first online exhibition this year, “States of Cadence,” featuring artworks by 19 artists from different creative backgrounds.
The first online exhibit of this two-part series opened at www.groundedph.com on Sept. 23 and will run until Nov. 15.
“Artists and their works go through a screening process between the three founders of Grounded. There are no specific requirements other than presenting one’s portfolio,” Ms. Yuzon-Henares said. “We are always actively looking for creatives to be a part of our network.”
For “States of Cadence: Exhibit 1,” the artists were asked “to create a series that reflects the way they see the collective energy of today’s world.” The online exhibit features mixed media works, paintings, prints and photographs on holistic lifestyle and community, and Grounded’s advocacy for ocean environmental awareness.
“Our intention is always to merge some form of wellness and to have a holistic approach to arts and cultural projects. Usually that means tying it up with our advocacy that are geared towards the youth and the environment,” Ms. Manglapus-Ledesma said.
One of the featured artist for this exhibit is photographer Archie Geotina who presents “PEARLS,” a series of black and white photographs of Filipina surfers dressed in Filipiniana gowns.
Meanwhile, ocean photographer Michael Eijansantos shows a series of surfing photographs; film photographer Natalia Larrauri’s photos tackle the diversity of women’s bodies; and artist and designer Mikee Silva presents comical paintings that look into everyday existence.
Abstract and resin artist Alecca Adarna and painter and interior designer Corina Borromeo showcase glow-in-the-dark works. Nikki Ocean and Swedish artist Camila Öster Yu showcase their watercolor paintings of marine life. Teacher and painter Ana Abigail’s oil paintings explore the homeschool journey. Artist and florist Melissa Lara presents collages of nostalgia. Lucia Fischer offers framed 3D artworks that acknowledge the struggles of women while also celebrating female power. Silkscreen prints by La Union-based video producer, cameraman, and surf enthusiast JP Sarmiento are also on view. Creative entrepreneur Jof Sering created mixed-media paintings of the ocean.
Artists based in the Visayas, such as abstract artist Luis Antonio Pastoriza and Bacolod artist and illustrator Gringo Benedicto, also have works on the show.
“We plan to create more unique projects in collaborations with GAN artists. Through Grounded, we are determined to set an example for the youth by acting with compassion and kindness in everything we do, even in business. We hope Grounded can be successful enough to prove that compassion, kindness and giving back can be a good business model. We are still learning a lot about running a business, but we are fully committed to our mission and established in our values, and we are interested to see where it will take Grounded,” the co-founders said.
Alongside the artworks that will be available for purchase, States of Cadence will also present short films from the @globestudios’Independent Film Festival. There will also be a virtual wellness space to accompany this exhibit as part of Grounded’s mission to bring a more holistic approach to arts and culture.
All artworks in “States of Cadence: Exhibit 1” are priced between P5,000 and P25,000. Grounded is dedicating a portion of sales to the projects of Oceanus Conservation, a Philippine non-profit organization that conserves and restores blue carbon habitats such as coral reefs and mangroves.
The second part of the series will be launched in December and will run until March 2021, with plans for a physical show during the first quarter of next year.
Submissions for the second edition of “States of Cadence” are being accepted until Oct. 20. Interested parties may contact Grounded at contact@groundedph.com. —Michelle Anne P. Soliman
ROPE access technicians work on the removal of the fully wrapped Arc de Triomphe monument, after it was wrapped for an art installation entitled L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, conceived by the late artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, France, Oct. 4. — REUTERS/BENOIT TESSIER
PARIS —After a month wrapped in silvery-blue plastic as part of an art installation, Paris landmark the Arc de Triomphe was returning to its familiar form on Monday as work to dismantle the wrapping got underway.
The plan to encase the 19th century arch was originally conceived by the late Bulgarian-born artist Christo and carried out posthumously by a team that included his nephew at a cost of about 14 million euros ($16.3 million).
The installation was scheduled to run until Sunday, and on Monday morning, workers began the operation to take it down, rappelling from the top of the 50-meter (164-foot) tall monument.
By the end of the day, much of the plastic wrapping was gone, revealing the ornate stonework underneath.
Construction cranes were standing by, ready to continue the dismantling work on Tuesday. Visitors gathered at the foot of the arch to take pictures.
“It’s a bit sad,” said Paris resident Sarah Palleul, as she watched workers peel away the recyclable wrapping. “I think the installation was gone too soon.”
But she added: “We will be happy to see the Arc de Triomphe the way it was before.” The installation was generally well-received, although some tourists expressed frustration that they had come all the way to Paris to see the monument in its classic form, only to find it was obscured behind a plastic shroud. — Reuters
SEVERAL groups, including environmental organizations, have asked investors to withdraw funding and support for two proposed gas facilities based in Batangas.
The facilities are SMC Global Power Corp.’s subsidiary Excellent Energy Resources, Inc.’s 1,700-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant and Atlantic Gulf & Pacific Co.’s (AG&P) liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility based in Ilijan.
According to letters shared by local think tank Center for Energy, Ecology and Development (CEED) on Tuesday, the groups said that residents already bear the health, environmental, social, and economic impacts of existing fossil fuel-powered projects in Batangas.
“There are tens of thousands of us who rely on small-scale fishing and many more on eco-tourism, which bring in several millions of pesos of revenue for the province,” the groups said, adding that the presence of any gas-fired facility built in the area will pose hazards to fisherfolk, marine life, and the ecology.
On Tuesday, the letters were sent to officials of China Banking Corp., China Bank Capital, Osaka Gas, Development Bank of the Philippines, Linseed Field Power Corp., Credit Suisse (Hong Kong) Ltd., Standard Chartered Bank and SMC Global Power, among others.
The groups claim that the area can do without the proposed gas facilities since Batangas as part of the marine corridor of the Verde Island Passage, a strait within the Coral Triangle or an area deemed as the center of global shore-fish biodiversity.
The strait houses 60% of the world’s shore fish species, several of which are endemic or threatened.
The groups added that the addition of these two projects will contribute to the “massive expansion of fossil gas projects in the Asian region which threaten to aggravate the climate crisis.”
“As we begin to abandon coal as a source of energy, many have posited fossil gas as an alternative fuel source and a transition vehicle towards renewable energy,” the groups said.
“However, the fossil gas industry releases large amounts of methane — a greenhouse gas whose influence, if viewed in over 10 to 20-year time scales, is at least as large as that of carbon dioxide, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s latest Sixth Assessment Report,” they added.
Sought for comment, AG&P, through its official communications partner, told BusinessWorld that it has received an environmental compliance certificate for its planned LNG import hub on June 3.
The certificate, which must be secured for “environmentally critical projects,” was issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“We remain in constant dialogue with our community partners as we look to implement environmentally-compliant and economically-viable solutions for the country’s growing energy requirements,” AG&P said.
BusinessWorld has reached out to San Miguel Corp. (SMC), the parent firm of SMC Global Power, for its comments on the matter, but it has not yet replied as of press time.
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