Federal Land to launch 3 new projects

April 12, 2022 | 12:03 am

Artist’s-perspective-of-Quantum-Residences-façade — AN ARTIST’S PERSPECTIVE of Federal Land, Inc.’s Quantum Residences along Taft Avenue, Pasay City — BW FILE PHOTO

FEDERAL LAND, Inc. said it is on track to hit this year’s targets as it launches new projects in Marikina, Manila, and the Manila Bay Area.

“We are optimistic that the sector will see a significant rebound this year. This is the reason we remain aggressive in introducing new properties in key areas in the metro. As more people resume their previous routines, we shall provide them with living options that will fit their needs and respond to their demand for a holistic, sustainable lifestyle,” Federal Land Sales Group Head Margarita Saenz-Resurreccion said in a statement.

Federal Land is planning to launch new residential towers in Marikina with Siena Towers, Manila with Quantum Residences, and in the Manila Bay Area with Mi Casa.

“All these developments are strategically located in areas with various commercial and lifestyle choices, with nearby schools, hospitals, and major thoroughfares. They feature a wide range of amenities and access to the outdoor space that allow residents to lead an active, well-balanced life,” Ms. Resurreccion said.

Siena Towers, located along Sumulong Highway in Marikina City, takes inspiration from the rural charm of Siena, Italy.

“It is an ideal option for those looking for an upgraded suburban living and access to modern conveniences at a reasonable price,” Federal Land said.

Federal Land said Quantum Residences, its three-tower mixed use condominium in Taft Avenue, Manila, is seeing robust demand from buyers.

It is also developing Mi Casa, a vertical residence located within the Central Business Park island in the Manila Bay Area in Pasay City.

“Overall, these properties are good investment options for those looking for a place to live, rent out, sell, or unwind,” Ms. Resurreccion said.

Cabaret, Life of Pi triumph at London’s Olivier Awards for theater

April 12, 2022 | 12:02 am

Cabaret_13-2-800x450 — Cabaret won seven awards at the Olivier Awards in London. — PHOTO FROM KITKAT.CLUB/CABARET-LONDON/

LONDON — A critically acclaimed revival of musical Cabaret and a stage adaptation of hit novel Life of Pi were the big winners at the Olivier Awards on Sunday, scooping the top prizes in Britain’s biggest night for theater.

After a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the London theater community reunited for a glitzy ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall.

Cabaret had led nominations with 11 nods. It won seven awards, including best musical revival and prizes for actors Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley.

“This is the dream… This was the part that I played when I was a kid at school, it was the thing that got my passion for theater really fueled,” Mr. Redmayne said.

“And getting to do it every night with that extraordinary group of people was dumbfounding.”

Cabaret also won best supporting acting awards for Elliot Levey and Liza Sadovy and best director for Rebecca Frecknall.

Originally produced on Broadway in 1966, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, Cabaret follows the lives of characters linked to a seedy Berlin nightclub during the rise of the Nazis.

Oscar winner Redmayne played the Kit Kat Klub’s master of ceremonies and Buckley portrayed Sally Bowles, an English singer with more ambition than talent.

Ms. Frecknall said the musical was poignant “now with everything that is happening internationally.”

Life of Pi, based on Yann Martel’s book about a boy stranded on a life boat with a tiger, won five awards, including best new play, best actor for Hiran Abeysekera, and best supporting actor for the seven performers portraying the show’s puppet tiger.

“The fact that we’ve been nominated for a puppet character… is phenomenal and a landmark moment for puppetry,” actor Fred Davis. “Hopefully it opens the door for more puppets in central roles in theater in the future.”

Back To The Future – The Musical, based on the hit 1985 sci-fi film, won best new musical while play Constellations, about a relationship between a quantum physicist and a beekeeper, took best revival and best actress for Sheila Atim.

Liz Carr won best supporting actress for The Normal Heart, a new production of Larry Kramer’s play about the 1980s AIDS crisis in New York.

Like other industries, London’s West End was badly hit by the pandemic when its theaters were forced to close their doors in March 2020.

They began welcoming back audiences last spring, albeit not all and those that did, returned with smaller productions and at 50% capacity. Bigger productions resumed shows in the summer.

Established in 1976 and named after actor Laurence Olivier, the awards are Britain’s most prestigious theatrical honors. — Reuters

And the winner is…

LONDON — The Olivier Awards for theater were handed out in London on Sunday, with musical Cabaret and play Life of Pi the productions scooping the most prizes. Below is a list of winners in the key categories.

Best New Play: Life of Pi

Best New Musical: Back to the Future – The Musical

Best Musical Revival: Cabaret

Best Revival: Constellations

Best Entertainment or Comedy Play: Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort Of)

Best Actress: Sheila Atim, Constellations

Best Actor: Hiran Abeysekera, Life of Pi

Best Actor in a Musical: Eddie Redmayne, Cabaret

Best Actress in a Musical: Jessie Buckley, Cabaret

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Seven actors who play The Tiger, Life of Pi

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Liz Carr, The Normal Heart

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical: Liza Sadovy, Cabaret

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical: Elliot Levey, Cabaret

Best Original Score or New Orchestrations: Orchestrator Simon Hale, Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical

Best Director: Rebecca Frecknall, Cabaret — Reuters

Gov’t makes full award of T-bills on strong demand amid tightening bets

April 12, 2022 | 12:02 am

THE GOVERNMENT made a full award of the Treasury bills (T-bills) it offered on Monday as rates declined on strong demand for short-term securities amid expectations of monetary policy tightening and as oil prices eased.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) raised P19 billion from T-bills it auctioned off on Monday, higher than its P15 billion program as it accepted more non-competitive bids for the 91- and 182-day tenors.

Total tenders reached P71.25 billion, almost five times as much as the initial offer and higher than the P54.59 billion in bids seen at last week’s auction.

Broken down, the BTr raised P7 billion from the 91-day debt papers, higher than the planned P5 billion, as it accepted P4 billion in non-competitive bids versus the P2-billion program. Total tenders reached P32.734 billion and the average rate of the three-month debt dropped by 13 basis points (bps) to 1.25% from the 1.38% fetched at last week’s auction.

The government also raised P7 billion via the 182-day securities, higher than the P5-billion program, as it accepted P4 billion in non-competitive tenders or double the P2-billion plan. Bids for the tenor reached P27.5 billion and its average yield declined by 22.6 bps to 1.555% from the 1.781% fetched at the previous auction.

Lastly, the BTr made a full P5-billion award of the 364-day T-bills as tenders reached P11.02 billion. The average rate of the one-year papers went down by 2.6 bps to 1.857% from 1.883% a week earlier.

At the secondary market prior to the auction, the 91-, 182, and 364-day bills fetched rates of 1.3352%, 1.5165%, and 1.7904% respectively, based on the PHP Bloomberg Valuation Reference Rates published on the Philippine Dealing System’s website.

National Treasurer Rosalia V. de Leon in a Viber message to reporters said the BTr accepted more non-competitive bids for 91- and 182-day T-bills amid strong demand and as investors asked for rates “lower than previous auctions.”

“Markets flocked to short-term [debt] as oil prices ease with release of reserves from stockpile. Maturities also added support for reinvestment,” Ms. De Leon said.

Oil prices remained under pressure after world consumers announced plans to release crude from strategic stocks and as Chinese lockdowns continued, Reuters reported.

Early Monday, Brent was down $2.05 at $100.73, while US crude lost $2.10 to $96.16.

The International Energy Agency, which is made up of 31 member nations, will release 60 million barrels over the next six months, with the United States matching that amount as part of its 180-million-barrel release announced in March.

“Yields were lower than initially expected as driven by very strong demand for short dates. Investors are seen parking their excess liquidity at the short-end on expectations yields will rise further due to monetary policy normalization by central banks globally,” the first trader said.

A second trader in a Viber message said the auction result was expected as investors asked for lower yields.

“Interestingly, the bids for one-year bills are not that low compared to shorter ones,” the second trader said. “This indicates that market players are wary of rate path considering [a] one-year horizon or past 2022.”

Central banks around the world have been tightening their monetary policies to temper inflation despite lingering risks to economic growth.

The Fed hiked its policy rates for the first time since 2018 by 25 bps last month to combat its surging inflation that reached a 40-year high in February. It signaled more aggressive hikes in the coming meetings.

At home, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno last week said they are ready to take preemptive action if inflation expectations become at risk or disanchored. He said March consumer price index data suggest inflation will likely be elevated in the coming months.

Headline inflation in March was at 4%, matching the upper end of the central bank’s 2-4% target. It was quicker than the 3% in February, showing the impact of the surge in oil prices caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.

The BSP kept its benchmark rates untouched for the 11^th straight meeting last month. Mr. Diokno earlier said the policy rate could reach up to 2.75% by next year from the current 2%, which is a record low.

The BTr wants to raise P200 billion from the domestic market in April, or P60 billion through T-bills and P140 billion via Treasury bonds.

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

Philippines will compete in two SEA Games this year

April 12, 2022 | 12:02 am

IN A SPAN of a year, the Philippines will participate in two Southeast Asian (SEA) Games — the first one in Hanoi, Vietnam set on May 12 to 23 and the other one in Phnom Penh, Cambodia slated for May 5 to 16.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham Tolentino made the announcement after Cambodia gave its nod in staging the event that will feature 40 sports including centerpiece athletics and medal — rich aquatics in their SEA Games Federation meeting in Seam Reap over the weekend.

“Cambodia is ready to host and they promised an excellent edition of the Games,” said Mr. Tolentino, who was accompanied by several officials among them triathlon’s Tom Carrasco and volleyball chief and POC broadcast committee chair Ramon Suzara.

The Cambodia edition will see the return of arnis and dance sports, which delivered 14 and 10 gold medals, respectively, when the country hosted and topped the 2019 edition of the biennial event.

The two disciplines, however, were scratched out from the Hanoi calendar.

Badminton, basketball (5×5 and 3×3), boxing, billiards, cycling, canoe and rowing (including traditional boat race), chess (Ok Chatrong, ASEAN and Xiangxi), dance sports, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics, hockey, judo, karate, Muay, petanque, sailing, sepak takraw, soft tennis, tennis, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon (including aquathlon and duathlon), volleyball, wrestling, weightlifting, wushu, body building, esports, floorball, jiu-jitsu, jetski, kickboxing, kun bokator, vovinam, and Korean martial arts were the other sports that got the host’s nod.

It marks the first time Cambodia is hosting the meet.

Of the 11 member nations, only Timor-Leste has yet to host the SEA Games. — Joey Villar

URC to power factories with renewable energy

April 12, 2022 | 12:02 am

UNIVERSAL Robina Corp. (URC) inked an agreement with power producers to supply renewable energy (RE) for at least 18 of its branded consumer foods group’s facilities located in Luzon, and two in Visayas.

In February, URC signed an agreement with several generation companies for power sourced from geothermal, solar and hydro energy.

The new RE capacity will provide electricity to the company’s factories based in Pasig, Laguna, Cavite, Pampanga, Antipolo, Bulacan, and facilities located in Cebu and Negros Occidental.

Currently, the company’s agro-industrial group (AIG) and sugar and renewables group (SURE) have been utilizing biogas to generate energy sourced from manure, agricultural and food waste, and other organic materials.

Over 600 megawatts (MW) of power are produced using biogas under AIG’s poultry farm in Naic, Cavite, and pig farm in San Miguel, Bulacan since 2015.

In support of the Philippines’ pledge to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the company aims to balance the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) it emits with the amount it removes.

“These efforts are part of URC’s overall push towards reaching its ‘net zero’ goal by 2050, by sourcing its energy needs from power producers that use renewable sources,” said URC President and Chief Executive Officer Irwin C. Lee.

He added that URC aims to power its plants with 100% renewable energy within the decade.

“We’re working with energy providers, and within our own facilities, to achieve this as soon as possible,” he said.

On a daily basis, AIG farms collect and store animal waste in covered anaerobic tanks where microbes feed on organic matter to produce biogas, while solids are exhumed and utilized as fertilizers.

Meanwhile, all SURE sugar mills are already powered by bagasse, a fibrous material leftover extracted from sugarcane, while biogas makes up 40% of its solid fuel needs for its La Carlota Distillery. — Ram Christian S. Agustin

Montessori school to open in Townscapes Malvar

April 12, 2022 | 12:02 am

A TOP Montessori school is set to open within Pueblo de Oro Development Corp.’s mixed-use development in Malvar, Batangas.

In a statement, Pueblo de Oro said it tapped The Abba’s Orchard as its educational partner in the Pueblo de Oro Townscapes Malvar.

The Abba’s Orchard signed a 50-year lease agreement with Pueblo de Oro, and plans to build a one-hectare learning center in Townscapes. It will initially offer its Casa and Level One Program for children between 3-6 and 6-9 years old.

The Malvar campus is scheduled to begin operations in August 2023.

The Abba’s Ochard plans to expand its Townscapes campus to include Level Two for 9-12 years old and the Erdkinder farm environment for the adolescents, 12-18 years old.

Pueblo de Oro Townscapes Malvar is an eco-friendly, mixed-use community designed by internationally acclaimed planners, Pomeroy Studio.

Entertainment News (04/12/22)

April 12, 2022 | 12:01 am

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GMA launches ‘Love Together this Summer’ campaign

GMA Network’s latest summer campaign, called “Love Together this Summer,” features shows and specials over April and May. Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay star in Raya Sirena, about Raya’s journey of self-discovery both as a human and mermaid, which will air every Sunday beginning April 24. Premiering on Afternoon Prime on April 25 is Raising Mamay, a drama on the reversal of roles between a mother and her child, starring Shayne Sava and Aiai Delas Alas. The romance-comedy series False Positive, starring Xian Lim and Glaiza de Castro, starts airing on May 2 on GMA Telebabad. Also kicking off on May 2 is the drama seires Apoy sa Langit, an unusual story of betrayal and family affairs. It is headlined by Maricel Laxa. GMA’s election coverage, Eleksyon 2022: The GMA News and Public Affairs’ Election Coverage, on May 9 and 10, will be led by GMA News’ Mel Tiangco, Mike Enriquez, Vicky Morales, Arnold Clavio, Howie Severino, and Jessica Soho. Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera-Dantes make a TV comeback on May 14 in the weekly sitcom Jose and Maria’s Bonggang Villa. Kylie Padilla makes her TV comeback with the original series Bolera on May 30. She stars as a billiards prodigy who aims to prove herself worthy of the male-dominated sport.

GMA earns accolades from UPLB, DLSU

GMA NETWORK personalities and programs won several honors at the University of the Philippines Los Baños’ Gandingan Awards and De La Salle University’s Lasallian Scholarum Awards. GMA Network shone at the 2022 Lasallian Scholarum Awards, held virtually on March 9. Winning the Outstanding Video Feature on Youth and Education was Atom Araullo’s “Munting Bisig” for The Atom Araullo Specials. DLSU’s awarding body also gave a Special Commendation for Kara David’s “Pandemic Teachers” documentary for I-Witness. The Lasallian Scholarum Awards recognizes outstanding coverage of youth and education stories. Meanwhile, UP Community Broadcasters’ Society’s Gandingan Awards promotes the value of development communication and the contribution of both national and local or community-based media organizations to the betterment of the lives of Filipinos. Earning three Core Awards during the Gandingan Awards, held virtually on April 2, was GMA Public Affairs program I-Witness. Sandra Aguinaldo’s Di Paiiwan won as the Most Development-oriented Educational Program while Kara David’s Nueve, Trese, Katorse docu won the Most Development-oriented Youth Program. Howie Severino’s Mask Land completed the list, winning the Most Development-oriented Environmental Program. Kara David was hailed as the Best TV Program Host for Brigada, while the show’s “Millennial Vote” episode won the Most Development-oriented Magazine Program award. Raffy Tima was named as this year’s Best News Anchor for Balitanghali. The newscast was recognized for its “Bantay Kalikasan: Used Face Masks in Batangas Coral Reefs” episode as the Most Development-oriented Feature Story. Reporter’s Notebook took home the Most Development-oriented Investigative Story award for its “Lilibeth, Sonya, Frank at Fabel” episode. At the same time, The Atom Araullo Specials was awarded as the Most Development-oriented Documentary Program for its “Habol Hininga” documentary. Meanwhile, Drew Arellano was conferred a Special Citation for AHA! in Gandingan ng Edukasyon, and Susan Enriquez also earned a Special Citation for Pera Paraan in Gandingan ng Kabuhayan. The Gandingan Awards again recognized GMA Network’s regional arm GMA Regional TV (RTV), conferring it with the Most Development-oriented TV plug award for Nakikita Kita (Pagpupugay Plug of GMA RTV). GMA’s Entertainment Group earned various awards as well. Winning the Most Development-oriented Drama Program was the primetime series First Yaya, while weekend variety program All-Out Sundays won Most Development-oriented Musical Segment/Program for its “Tuloy pa rin: The COVID Special” episode. In the radio category, Super Radyo DZBB’s Arnold Clavio and Connie Sison won as Best AM Radio Program Hosts for their show One on One Walang Personalan while Mark Makalalad was recognized as Best Field Reporter. Barangay LS 97.1’s Barangay Love Stories host Papa Dudut earned the Best FM Radio Program Host while the “Bagong Bayani” episode of Barangay Love Stories was hailed as the Most Development-oriented Radio Drama.

OPM band NOBITA releases new single, “Totoo”

WITH writing hugot anthems inspired by the universality of long-term commitment and romantic desire, the five-piece act continues to make pop-rock tunes with their new single, “Totoo”. Written by lead guitarist Sam Aquino, produced by Isagani Palabyab of Monostery Studio, with arrangement and additional lyrics from the band, “Totoo” articulates the uncertainty of being lost and helplessly in love. Its songwriting comes from a place of earnestness, capturing the messiness of being at the bitter end of a relationship. “Since may hit single kami about being certain for love, we decided to take turns by making a ‘counter song’ for a love song per se,” NOBITA said in a joint statement. “Our fans, Nobibis requested for us to make a song about ‘single’ and ‘unfortunate in love’ people. We decided to take the challenge to heart.” The release of “Totoo” comes with a music video that stars veteran actor Mon Confiado and popular content creator Eya Borja. “Totoo” is available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines.

P-pop group KAIA releases debut song

THE ALL-GIRL group KAIA — whose members are Sophia, Angela, Charice, Charlotte, and Alexa — has released its debut single “BLAH BLAH,” about the members’ experiences in dealing with romantic love and infatuation. The song is accompanied by a music video, directed by Angelo Balanon, that provides a stark contrast between the dream world and reality. “BLAH BLAH” is available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music. The song is part of Sony Music Entertainment’s Angat, P-Pop! initiative for April which aims to put a spotlight on Pinoy Pop hits by up-and-coming groups from the label’s roster and beyond.

Camila Cabello releases third album

THREE-TIME GRAMMY award nominated singer/songwriter Camila Cabello has released her third full-length album, Familia. To celebrate the record’s arrival, the music video for Ms. Cabello’s song, “PsychoFreak,” featuring Willow, made its global broadcast premiere on MTV Live, MTVU, and across MTV’s global network of channels, as well as on the Paramount Times Square billboards. Ms. Cabelo also released the single “Bam Bam” featuring Ed Sheeran. It has already amassed over 100 million total streams and 33.4 million YouTube views on the music video. Arriving in tandem with the album, “Bam Bam” and “PsychoFreak” are custom playable songs in the new mobile music game Beatstar. Familia is available to stream on all digital music platforms.

PNB aims to list property unit this year

April 12, 2022 | 12:01 am

BILLIONAIRE Lucio C. Tan’s Philippine National Bank (PNB) brought forward its plan to list its property unit, now aiming to float the asset by the end of this year to boost capital.

That puts the listing of PNB Holdings Corp. ahead of the original 2023 schedule and will generate about P10 billion ($194 million) of additional capital, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso said in an interview.

“As we continue to aspire for growth, we are going to need capital,” Mr. Veloso, 56, said. The lender had plans that didn’t push through because it was held back by its nonperforming loans, and “we need to resolve our NPL (nonperforming loan) issue first before we can proceed.”

The rejigged plans at the firm that was once the country’s biggest bank comes as Mr. Tan’s business portfolio grapples with the aftermath of the pandemic shock that also sent its airline into bankruptcy.

Mr. Veloso, who was CEO of HSBC Holdings Plc’s Philippine unit before joining PNB, said he also hopes to increasingly wind back almost P30 billion of remaining provisions that the Tan-owned lender set aside during the COVID-19 crisis. Listing the PNB Holdings unit will help unlock the value of key properties, paving the way for a resumption of the bank’s search for a strategic investor to help grow retail lending, he said.

PNB’s share price has lagged the Philippine Stock Exchange index’s more than 50% rebound from its pandemic nadir in March 2020.

Other insights:

– Excluding acquired assets, provisions and one-off items, PNB can sustain a return on equity of at least 7% in the next three years and could reach 10% this year.

– In three years, Mr. Veloso seeks to cut the share of large corporates to 25% from 66% currently and raise retail, which provides fatter margins, from 9% to 25%.

– A key to boosting profitability is to raise its net interest income margin by increasing low-cost funds through PNB’s cash management services.

Still, foreign investors have continued to ask him about Mr. Tan’s successor ever since the death of the tycoon’s expected heir Lucio Tan, Jr. in November 2019, Mr. Veloso said.

“I have insulated the bank as much as possible,” he said, adding “that’s a question I can’t answer” and a matter that only Mr. Tan and his family can decide. — Bloomberg

Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub extends its state-of-the-art sports facilities to Filipino athletes for training purposes

April 12, 2022 | 12:01 am

A NEW DAY is always a perfect opportunity to take up new hobbies and start a new goal. With sports and healthy living emphasized now more than ever, it is paramount to have an environment that nourishes wellness. In line with this, Ayala Land reopened its sports facility located in Vermosa, the company’s estate in the South. Athletes and wellness enthusiasts seeking to enrich their health are welcome to experience the training needed to lead an active and well-rounded life.

Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub (AVSH) provides access to state-of-the-art technology and equipment for national athletes and people leaning towards achieving a healthier lifestyle. It is also a premier training ground for athletes, including the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) athletes who are gearing to bag medals at the 2022 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games to be held at Hanoi, Vietnam in May and Triathletes.

TRAINING AT THE AVSH
AVSH is located within Ayala Land’s sprawling 750-hectare estate in Imus, Cavite that brings together residential, retail, and office spaces — the Vermosa Estate. AVSH highlights an active lifestyle by offering athletes a number of sports facilities and wellness amenities including the nine-lane 400-meter track and field oval, football field, Olympic-size lap pool, sports science laboratory, and green open spaces.

With its state-of-the-art features, AVSH was chosen as the home of PATAFA athletes as they prepare for international competitions, including the upcoming 2022 SEA Games.

Triathlete Gene Heart Quiambao recognizes the vital need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to improve her skills and abilities as an athlete. “Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub makes this possible by providing us with the best and [most] well-maintained facilities, not to mention the preparedness and safety procedures they hold on to ensure the safety of the community during this time of [the] pandemic,” she shares.

Vermosa is the first in the country to have a nine-lane track oval. It is very helpful. The training area is extensive and has minimal distractions, unlike our previous training areas. It is such a great help to us, especially when we are undergoing hard workouts. The track oval is being used exclusively by PATAFA.

Maynilad moves to fix leaks as dry season nears

April 12, 2022 | 12:01 am

MAYNILAD Water Services Inc. said on Monday it is enhancing its leak repair and pipe replacement activities as part of its water conservation initiative for the upcoming dry season.

The water concessionaire said it repaired around 9,000 pipe leaks since the start of the year until March.

The repair will recover approximately 36 million liters per day (MLD) of water for the use of its customers, which is enough to meet the needs of some 36,000 households.

“The repair of leaks and replacement of old pipelines are an important part of our supply augmentation measures for summer. We ask our customers to immediately report pipe leaks that they see on the streets, as this will help us to recover more water for distribution,” Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Randolph T. Estrellado said in a statement.

Maynilad said that most of the pipe leaks repaired this year were found in Quezon City, Muntinlupa, Manila, and Caloocan.

The company is currently rehabilitating old pipes along Maria Clara, Algeciras, Legarda and T. Mapua streets in Manila, and in various locations in Quezon City, Caloocan, Muntinlupa, and Parañaque.

“The company is also managing pressure in the pipelines so the water supply can be maximized and more water will be made available for customers’ use, particularly during hours of peak demand. It is also reactivating several deep wells and constructing four modular treatment plants that will draw water from nearby rivers and convert it to drinking water,” Maynilad said.

Maynilad is the water supplier for Metro Manila’s west zone, including Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, Malabon, Cavite, and certain portions of Manila, Quezon City, and Makati.

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 an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Robinsons Malls adds more DFA TOPS sites

April 12, 2022 | 12:01 am

ROBINSONS MALLS and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) opened five more Temporary Off-site Passport Services (TOPS) sites in the former’s malls in Central Luzon, Negros and Panay.

In a statement, Robinsons Malls said the new TOPS sites will address the high demand in daily slots for passport appointments.

The new sites are located in Robinsons Place Malolos, Robinsons Angeles, Robinsons Starmills in San Fernando, Pampanga, Robinsons Place Bacolod, and Robinsons Place Iloilo. Each site aims to accept 500 slots a day.

To date, there are a total of ten DFA TOPS sites. Existing sites can be found in Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Novaliches, Robinsons Galleria South, Robinsons Place Lipa and Robinsons Place Las Piñas.

To schedule a slot, applicants must first make an appointment through the DFA Online Appointment System at www.passport.gov.ph. Only those with fully accomplished printed appointments shall be accepted at the passport processing site.

Manila plunges in annual luxury residential market list

April 12, 2022 | 12:00 am

Manila has the second-lowest contraction in luxury residential prices in Asia-Paciﬁc in 2021, according to the latest Prime International Residential Index (PIRI) by London-based real estate Knight Frank. Prices of luxury residential properties in the Philippine capital declined by an annual 1.5%, next only to the 3.6% drop in Bangkok, Thailand. Manila placed 97th out of 100 key cities in the annual list, plunging 96 places from being the hottest prime residential market in 2020. This was its steepest decline since being included in the annual list in 2017.