Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 6605

Cosco Capital settles P4-B corporate notes

LUCIO L. Co’s Cosco Capital, Inc. said that it had paid its P4-billion seven-year corporate notes to its creditors.

In a regulatory filing on Thursday, Cosco Capital said it had settled its loan with the following: Land Bank of the Philippines, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Maybank Philippines, Inc., Robinsons Bank Corp., Security Bank Corp., and United Coconut Planters Bank.

The company said the loan was used for its investment in liquefied petroleum gas distributor Liquigaz Philippines Corp. in 2014. It acquired Liquigaz from SHV Energy of the Netherlands.

Cosco Capital said it sold Liquigaz in 2019 “at over three times the acquisition cost,” without disclosing figures.

“Even after payment of the loan, Cosco Capital [continues] to remain in a healthy liquid position,” the company said.

Shares of Cosco Capital at the stock exchange improved by 0.59% on Thursday, closing at P5.10 each from P5.07. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

CSR industry says efforts to continue despite pandemic business setbacks

PHILSTAR

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) professionals said they will continue to back programs initiated by their companies despite any setbacks to business suffered during the pandemic.

BDO Foundation President Mario A. Deriquito said during the virtual launch of the 19th League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) CSR Expo and Conference Thursday that companies will sustain their CSR efforts in some way.  

“They will dig deeper into their pockets to continue helping. Some companies may rest for a while and take a break. But others will fill in the vacuum and rise to the occasion,” Mr. Deriquito said.  

Mr. Deriquito, a former LCF chairman, said companies also have to address other matters demanding their resources and attention due to the pandemic.

“But I am sure that companies, because their viability is also at stake here, will have to address the pandemic and put an end to it,” Mr. Deriquito said.

“At the onset of the pandemic, the private sector played a big role in responding to the various needs of frontliners, the families affected by the lockdowns, and in helping the government in improving its testing capacity and procuring vaccines,” he added.  

Maribeth L. Marasigan, LCF chair and Aboitiz Foundation president and chief operating officer, said the upcoming LCF expo aims to push the conversation on CSR to a higher level.

She said the expo, to be virtually conducted between July 6 and 8, will feature panel discussions and talks on optimizing CSR initiatives.

“As the world has become more and more vulnerable to the crippling effects of the global pandemic… we want to focus on how CSR is making a difference (in) helping the world get back on its feet, one advocacy at a time,” Ms. Marasigan said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

SunAsia partners with Singapore’s Blueleaf for 1.25-GW solar portfolio

LOCAL renewables firm SunAsia Energy, Inc. said on Thursday that it had teamed up with Singapore-based Blueleaf Energy to build a portfolio of solar energy projects in Luzon with a target capacity of 1.25 gigawatts (GW).

“The partnership coincides with the forecast growth of the Philippine’s solar energy market. The country is increasingly focused on renewable energy and targets the delivery of an additional 10 GW of solar energy by 2030,” SunAsia said in a press release.

“Such collaboration is poised to significantly contribute to the achievement of Philippines’ renewable energy goals,” it added.

Solar energy firm Blueleaf has developed and operated nearly 2 GW of solar capacity across the globe, including 250 MW in the Philippines. It specializes in developing, financing, delivering and managing the assets of solar photovoltaic power plants.

The venture will bring together Blueleaf’s financial capabilities and technical expertise, as well as SunAsia’s experience in local development.

“With BlueLeaf Energy as our partner, we are in a stronger position today in helping the industry attain the renewable energy targets set by the implementation of the country’s renewable portfolio standards. This cooperation raises the bar of project development work in the country,” SunAsia Chief Executive Officer Tetchi Cruz-Capellan said.

Ms. Capellan separately told BusinessWorld on Viber that the projects are still in the “co-development stage,” with construction scheduled to take place next year.

Sol Proops, Blueleaf’s interim chief executive, said his group is pleased to partner with SunAsia to “drive” the country’s green energy transition.

“This marks another milestone as we partner with reliable, strategic local developers to expand the solar industry across Asia,” he said.

Blueleaf is owned by global financial service Macquarie Group’s Green Investment Group.

The Philippines has 307 commercial and own-use solar projects with a combined installed capacity of over 1,090 MW as of end-March, latest data from the Department of Energy show. — Angelica Y. Yang

PSE, CSB tie up to offer online securities course

COURTESY OF PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.

THE Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) said it is launching its first online Certified Securities Specialist Course (CSSC) with partner institution De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (CSB) on June 26. 

The course was designed by the PSE, market practitioners, and industry experts. It will be offered through CSB›s School of Professional and Continuing Education. 

“This is our fourth year in partnership with CSB and our first time to hold an online version of the CSSC,” Ramon S. Monzon, president and chief executive officer of the PSE, said in a statement. 

The class will run every Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. until Dec. 18.

The 124-hour program will cover financial market theories, valuation techniques and analysis, investment portfolio management, ethics, regulations, and market dynamics.

“We recommend the CSSC to investors who want to develop their analysis and trading skills and those who want to build their credentials as stock market professionals,” Mr. Monzon said.  

The enrollment period for the program is open until June 23. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

FDCP celebrates Pride Month with PelikuLAYA film fest

THE FILM Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is holding the second PelikuLAYA: LGBTQIA+ Film Festival online from June 4 to 30 in celebration of Pride Month.  There will be film screenings, panel discussions, a special yoga session, and a concert and fashion show.

This year’s festival carries the theme “Sama-Sama, Lahat Rarampa!,” with the aim “to further empower the members of the LGBTQIA+ community,” according a press release.

“The Film Development Council of the Philippines is relaunching PelikuLAYA this year as an annual LGBTQIA+ film festival organized by the national government as our way to express our continued support for gender equality and inclusivity by creating platforms to bring to light the struggles, celebrate the achievements, and champion the causes of the LGBTQIA+ community,” FDCP Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza Bautista Diño-Seguerra was quoted as saying.

Beginning June 4, 23 films will be available for view for P99 at the FDCP Channel (fdcpchannel.ph).

Among the movies in the lineup are Masahista by Brillante Mendoza, I Love You. Thank You by Charliebebs Gohetia, Mga Gabing Kasing Haba ng Hair Ko by Gerardo Calagui, Miss Bulalacao by Ara Chawdhury, Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, Best. Partee. Ever. by HF Yambao, and Ned’s Project by Lem Lorca.

Meanwhile, interested viewers can get seven-day access (which expires 48 hours after the first streaming) to the 2019 Cannes Awardee for the Queer Palm Prize and Best Screenplay, Portrait of a Lady on Fire by Céline Sciamma,  for P220. The historical drama, which stars Adèle Haenel and Noémie Merlant, tells the story of an affair between an aristocrat and a painter commissioned to paint her portrait.

To be screened for free are Rhadem Morados’ documentary Budjang, and three short films from CineSpectra 2019: A Film Festival for HIV/AIDS Awareness — A by Rod Modina, Alex & Aki by Dexter Paul de Jesus, and Doon sa Isang Sulok by Yong Tapang, Jr.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS
The PelikuLAYA events will be streamed live on the FDCP Channel and on the FDCP’s Facebook pages and YouTube channel.

The festival’s PelikuLAYA opening program, “Thank God, It’s Pride Day!,” starts tonight at 7 p.m. with the screening of Joel Lamangan’s Lihis, a love story set during the Marcos regime involving two NPA (New People’s Army) comrades played by Jake Cuenca and Joem Bascon. The film also stars Lovi Poe, Isabelle Daza, and Gloria Diaz.

Aside from film screenings, a series of panel discussions called FDCP Film Talks will tackle LGBTQIA+ issues. These will be held from June 12 to 27.

The series starts with “My Coming Out Story” (June 12), moderated by actor and writer Phi Palmos, featuring directors Kim Timan and Rod Singh, actors Fifth Solomon and Zar Donato, and musician Miguel Odron. This will be followed by “In His/Her/Their Shoes” (June 13) which will focus on on-screen portrayals of LGBTQIA+ characters. Moderated by director Jade Castro, the panel is composed of actors Anthony Falcon, Angeli Bayani, Adrian Lindayag, and EJ Jallorina, and director Petersen Vargas.

“P’wedding Pwede Na Ba?” (June 26) tackles same-sex unions and the SOGIE Equality Bill. It will be moderated by actor and director John Lapus, featuring FDCP’s Ms. Diño, actor and musician Ice Seguerra, directors Andoy Ranay and Noel Escondo, and director-producer Perci Intalan.

Finally, “To Love Some Buddies” (June 27) highlights the need for support systems. It will be moderated by Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan, and the panel will be composed of Francis Dacanay of Love Yourself PH, Pat Bringas of UP Babaylan, Ronn Astillas of the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Chase Tolentino of Transman Equality and Awareness Movement, and Dr. Mikee Inton-Campbell of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines.

Two Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) Film Talks which had been conducted during that festival last year will again be available. To be streamed for free on June 19 are: “Depiction of LGBT Characters and Queer Cinema History” (4 p.m.) about how members of the audiovisual industry develop and empower LGBTQIA+ characters; and “Philippine Queer Cinema Lecture” by Nick Deocampo (6 p.m.), which explores queer stories and representation in Philippine Cinema history and how it has evolved through the years.

Meanwhile, a drag yoga session called “Yo, Gay!” will be on June 20. The best dressed participants will have the chance to win special prizes including gift cards and vouchers, and FDCP Channel hoodies and merchandise.

The PelikuLAYA closing program, Awra!: Mga Awit at Rampa para sa Ating Makulay na Komunidad, will be on June 30 at 7 p.m. It will feature a musical performance, a fashion show with members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and a free one-time screening of the restored version of T-Bird at Ako starring Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos.

To watch the PelikuLAYA films, visit and register at the FDCP Channel. For more information and inquiries, visit https://www.facebook.com/fdcpchannel or fdcpchannel.ph.

First Gen unit chooses Denmark’s Svitzer for LNG project’s towage, vessel support

A UNIT of Lopez-led First Gen Corp. has entered into 10-year contract for towage and vessel support services with Denmark-based Svitzer in line with its offshore liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal project in Batangas City.

In a press release on Thursday, First Gen said Svitzer is providing four new build 75-ton bollard pull tug vessels, which will aid the operations of FGEN LNG Corp.’s floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) and LNG carriers.

An FSRU, which usually has a storage capacity of between 125,000 and 170,000 cubic meters, has an onboard regasification plant that can turn LNG back into its gaseous state and supply it directly into a gas network.

“FGEN LNG is developing the project to accelerate its ability to introduce LNG to the Philippines as early as the third quarter of 2022, to serve the natural gas requirements of existing and future gas-fired power plants of third parties and FGEN LNG affiliates,” the company said.

The First Gen subsidiary said the planned LNG project would play a crucial role in ensuring the country’s energy security, particularly the Luzon grid, adding that the offshore Malampaya gas field is expected to be “less reliable” in providing sufficient supply to the Philippines’ gas-fired plants.

FGEN LNG’s agreement with Svitzer comes two months after the former awarded a subsidiary of Norway-based BW Gas Ltd. for its LNG project’s vessel chartering contract. The deal with BW Gas will last for five years.

On its website, Svitzer says it is a global towage and sustainable marine solutions provider, employing over 4,000 skilled personnel and operating a fleet of more than 400 vessels.

Shares in First Gen improved by 1.64% or 50 centavos to close at P31 apiece on Thursday. — Angelica Y. Yang

Weary seafarers come ashore in US for J&J one-dose shots

PORTS AROUND the US are rolling out vaccines for seafarers, extending a lifeline to thousands of mostly foreign workers who’ve spent the pandemic isolated aboard ships ensuring goods kept trading across a battered global economy.

From Boston to Houston and Los Angeles, and even in smaller trade gateways like Gulfport, Mississippi, local health officials and nonprofits are boarding container ships, tankers and other cargo carriers to administer COVID-19 shots or, when possible, shuttling crews to nearby pharmacies and clinics.

The preferred vaccine for maritime workers: the one-dose Johnson & Johnson (J&J) shot because they’re often docked for just a day or two.

In Los Angeles and nearby Long Beach, California, home of the nation’s largest port complex, a vaccination program that began in mid-May has reached about 500 visiting sailors on 11 container ships as of late last week, city spokeswoman Chelsey Magallon said.

Similar efforts are getting under way at nearly 50 US seaports, according to a list maintained by the North American Maritime Ministry Association.

Throughout the pandemic, seafarers have suffered a doubly harsh form of cabin fever. Travel restrictions prevented crew changes, forcing many to stay aboard beyond their original contracts and the 11-month limit set by maritime law. They’ve also been banned from disembarking in port for fear of spreading COVID or putting their vessel into quarantine for a week or more at the expense of millions of dollars.

“That’s a very big deal for sailors because they are essentially stranded aboard ships,” said Dick McKenna, president of the International Seafarers Center of Long Beach-Los Angeles, a hospitality club that offers logistics on land like WiFi, shopping or healthcare services. “Some of these guys have been out there for like a year — the suicide worry is high. The shots are a really big boost.”

Many of the world’s 1.6 million seafarers hail from poor countries like India and the Philippines that have struggled to inoculate citizens as quickly as the US, where vaccines remain abundant.

“It’s a huge welcome relief for these ships because all these foreign countries are having a hard time giving vaccines,” said Tom Jacobsen, who runs a pilot service at the Port of Long Beach.

About 400 miles north on the California coast, Oakland’s port is averaging vaccines for about 80 seafarers a day and offering them either on the ship or in a clinic, said John Claassen, chairman of Oakland’s International Maritime Center. Some recipients view their vaccine certificates “like a ‘get out of jail free’ card,” he said.

In the Philadelphia area, some 22 crews totaling 258 seamen had been vaccinated as of Saturday, courtesy of rides to local pharmacies, said Helene Pierson, executive director of the Seamen’s Church Institute of Philadelphia and South Jersey. “I’m averaging about 20 crew a day and about 10 ships a week,” she said.

Some sailors are stepping foot on land for the first time in nine months or longer.

“We are on a continuous rotation between six ports in the USA and six ports in Brazil and one in Argentina and Uruguay — a vaccination would help us a lot,” Ingmar Koal, the master on board the container carrier the Northern Majestic, wrote in an e-mail to Pierson on May 18 as the ship approached Philadelphia.

Complicating the local efforts to deliver the vaccines are safety rules that require at least half the crew to remain aboard the ships — so the shuttles often have to make two or three trips between the port and drugstore. Other potential snags: many workers’ visas have expired, which prevents them from leaving the ship, or face US Customs and Border Protection rules against the arrival citizens of certain countries.

Despite coordination efforts that are “still extremely challenging,” 130 seafarers were vaccinated in 10 days in Delaware, according to Christine Lassiter, executive director of the Seamen’s Center of Wilmington.

For crews who might come from Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia, there’s an economic incentive to get a vaccination card.

“That card and paperwork are going to make them very marketable,” said Stefan Mueller-Dombois, an inspector with the International Transport Workers’ Federation in Long Beach. “Their company will want them back or they can find another ship to work on really easily.”

In other parts of the world, more COVID outbreaks have stricken crew on ships and once again closed off some ports, particularly vessels carrying Indian crews or having recently traveled to India.

That’s why a global vaccination program supported by a number of governments is key to resolving the crisis at sea, said Rene Kofod-Olsen, chief executive officer of ship and crew manager V.Group Ltd. The company recently completed its first vaccinations in the US — 13 Indian seafarers aboard the Cabrera in Port Everglades, Florida, received jabs during a stop there.

“This crisis is not over yet and we all need to keep the gas up on this,” Kofod-Olsen said. — Bloomberg

Netflix’s new Korean film tackles long distance relationships

IT TURNS out that a Korean candy served as the inspiration for the name of Netflix’s latest original Korean film, the romantic comedy Sweet & Sour, which premieres on June 4.

“When we were working on the script together, we’d bring in a lot of snacks,” explained director Lee Kae-byeok at an online press conference with Asian media on June 1. And one of the snacks that the film director and his team enjoyed during pre-production was a popular fruit flavored candy called Sweet and Sour.

Speaking in Korean, which was translated into English for the press, he noted: “You know how when you first put it in your mouth, it’s sweet, then sour, and melts away instantly?” The candy’s flavors, it turns out, are similar to what they wanted to portray in their script. “That’s how I came up with the title,” he said.

The romantic comedy depicts moments of being blissfully in love as well as the unpleasant times in a relationship.

The story follows Jang Hyeok (played by Jang Ki-yong) and Jung Da-eun (Chae Soo-bin) who enter into a long-distance relationship when Jang Hyeok gets a new job. This distance becomes an issue when Jang Hyeok’s new colleague, Han Bo-yeong (Jung Soo-jung), shows an interest in him.

“The young one nowadays, I think, are much busier than we used to be when we were young. So, they must lead busy lives, and they must have some hardships when they are in a relationship,” Mr. Lee, the director, said.

He wants the audience to “love as much as you want.”

“To the audience who are in relationships, I hope you will cherish that relationship,” Mr. Lee said of the film’s message.

“And if you have just ended a romantic relationship, and you are in that bitter taste, I want to remind people that sweet and sour love is still waiting out there.”

Sweet & Sour (www.netflix.com/sweetandsour) premieres on Netflix on June 4, 3 p.m. (Philippine time). — Michelle Anne P. Soliman

Metro Pacific foundation, MVP group launch ‘Bike for Livelihood’ program

PHOTO BY MIKA BAUMEISTER ON UNSPLASH

METRO Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF), along with the MVP Group of Companies, launched its partnership with Gretchen Ho’s “Donate A Bike, Save A Job” program.

The move is aimed at celebrating First Pacific Co. Ltd.’s 40th anniversary, International Bicycle Day, and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan’s 75th birthday.

The “Bike for Livelihood” program with MPIF, First Pacific, One Meralco Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation, and Maynilad, will distribute more than 500 bicycles to beneficiaries across the country, most of whom lost their sources of income to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bicycles will be distributed to different cities within Metro Manila, including Pasig, Manila, Quezon City, Malabon, and Caloocan.

MPIF also focused its allocation to its Shore It Up! partner sites in Marinduque, Alaminos, Pangasinan, Del Carmen, Siargao, Batangas, and Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.

Since these sites are primary tourist areas, most of their work force lost their jobs due to the lockdown and the subsequent effect on tourist foot traffic. The bicycles, which will come with pocket Wi-Fis, will be used for alternative livelihood programs, intended to augment their affected income sources.

A percentage of the bicycles will also be given to government agencies.

Pandemic driving Japanese demand for suburban homes

REUTERS

THE work-from-home phenomenon during the pandemic is providing an unexpected boon for one of Japan’s biggest mortgage lenders.

Resona Holdings, Inc. is enjoying a surge in demand for credit from homebuyers seeking larger properties in the suburbs, where the bank has a strong presence, President Masahiro Minami said. Its mortgage loans climbed 6.5% to 1.3 trillion yen ($12 billion) in the year ended March, the highest in at least three years.

“I didn’t expect the housing loan business to perform this solidly when the first state of emergency was declared in April last year,” Minami said in an interview, referring to Japan’s COVID-19 measures.

Like other countries, Japan has seen a jump in remote employment during the health crisis, prompting some residents to reassess the merits of living — and working — in cramped, inner-city apartments. That’s providing a much-needed opportunity for regional lenders, which have been struggling for years with weak loan profitability.

Minami said that before the pandemic, apartments located near stations in metropolitan areas were the most popular, but now more people are seeking detached houses in the suburbs. “For instance, some people think they need more rooms for family when they have Zoom meetings at home,” he said.

“Looking at data from Google Mobility, people in Japan are at home 10% more than they were before the pandemic,” Savills Plc research analysts wrote in an April report. “Therefore, there should still be some demand for larger apartments, realistically in suburban areas, that can better accommodate this overall lifestyle change.”

While Resona is based in Tokyo, much of its branch network is in areas skirting the capital, such as Saitama prefecture, as well as regional hubs like Osaka. The bank has about 13.3 trillion yen in home loans, among the highest in the 200 trillion yen market.

The trend is also benefiting some other banks outside of Tokyo. Bank of Yokohama Ltd. said its outstanding home loans rose 4.8% last fiscal year, due partly to the growing attraction of seaside residential areas like Kamakura.

Japan’s government has been asking businesses to make 70% of employees work remotely during the pandemic. While not all companies have complied, some have embraced the trend. Hitachi Ltd., one of Japan’s biggest employers, says 85% of its staff in the Tokyo area are either working from or staying at home.

Minami expects Resona’s home loan business to keep growing this financial year. Even so, he is concerned about a potential supply bottleneck due to continued strains on the procurement of building materials during the pandemic.

Shares of Resona have jumped 32% this year, rebounding from a 25% decline in 2020. The bank forecasts profit will climb 16% to 145 billion yen in the year ending March.

It remains to be seen whether the popularity of suburban homes will persist, Minami said, adding that condominiums in the city center are still popular. “We need more time to see whether it will be a major trend,” he said. — Bloomberg

BSP to release commercial property price index

BW FILE PHOTO
THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas targets to start releasing a quarterly commercial property price index within this year. — BW FILE PHOTO

THE CENTRAL BANK will start to release a commercial property price index within the year as it broadens its watch on the sector, which an expert said could also help the industry establish better benchmarks and valuations.

“As part of expanding the surveillance on financial exposures of banks to, and price trends, in the property sector, the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will be releasing the Commercial Property Price Index (CPPI) within the year,” BSP chief Benjamin E. Diokno said at a briefing on Thursday.

The BSP currently releases quarterly reports on Residential Real Estate Price Index (RREPI), which monitors the changes in the prices of residential properties in the country.

The RREPI monitors prices of detached or attached houses, condominium units, duplexes and townhouses.

BSP Department of Economic Statistics Director Redentor Paolo M. Alegre, Jr. said at the same briefing that the Monetary Board will likely approve the publication of the report by the fourth quarter.

“The commercial property price index has yet to be approved by the Monetary Board so I cannot share any information yet with you, but the target is to release the index within the year,” Mr. Alegre told reporters.

He said the CCPI will likely be released quarterly with a lag of one three-month period, similar to the RREPI.

In the RREPI, Mr. Diokno said the central bank uses the appraised value of new housing loan applications or borrowers in plotting the index, with the growth rate of the index measuring house price inflation.

A rising index signals an uptrend in residential prices while a declining index indicates a downtrend.

“Together, these two indicators (RREPI and CPPI) may be used to monitor the developments in the Philippine property sector as a whole and their linkages with the other sectors in the economy,” Mr. Diokno added.

Joey R. Bondoc, associate director for research of Colliers International Philippines, said they expect the BSP to come up with data on prices of office spaces and mall rentals, particularly on the cost of office per square meter and lease rate of per square.

“The benefit (of the upcoming report) for the property market and in general is that we will be able to benchmark data better now because of this transparency. As of this time, we don’t have a lot of data in the market so they are opaque now,” Mr. Bondoc said.

The data could also help the sector, developers and investors get better valuations of commercial spaces, he said. Currently, analysts look at transactions and the movement of prices of office spaces sold and mall spaces being rented out to estimate the costs of these properties.

“Aside from those, there’s no other way for us to track because there’s no single government agency that regularly releases data on these prices,” Mr. Bondoc said.

Home prices in the country inched up by 0.8% in the last quarter of 2020 from the preceding three months, bouncing back from the 0.4% slump in the third quarter, the latest RREPI released in March showed.

The growth rate was lower than the 10.4% logged in October-December 2019 and was the second slowest since the 0.5% rise in the last quarter of 2018. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Stuff to Do (06/04/21)

KTX.PH

RCS benefit online concert

NATIONAL Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS)presents Musika Para sa Kinabukasan, a benefit online concert on June 5, 7 p.m., on ktx.ph for the benefit of the Dagatan and Balete Family Farm Schools which advocate for the youth to nurture agriculture. Tickets, priced at P500, are available at https://www.ktx.ph/events/28694/musika-para-sa-kinabukasan. For those abroad, the concert can be played within 24 hours upon streaming. For more information on how to donate, visit https://www.instagram.com/p/CPm2R0pBIWZ/.

EuroPinoy Concert 2021 goes online

EUROPEAN and Filipino artists will perform on June 4, 6 p.m., on the EU in the Philippines FB page: https://www.facebook.com/EUDelegationToThePhilippines/. There will be dances and music, from rock to folk, classical to jazz. Among the performers are Vera and Company (Czech Republic); Philippine ethnic artist Talaandig Republic Band, Austrian violinist Froilan Mose; from France, pianist Eric Soulard, guitarist Pierre Bachelet, and Emile Carrara on accordion; Italian violinist Tullio Vidmar and Filipino pianist John Roa Elegy; from Poland, pianist Artur Dutkiewicz; Filipino guitarist Rice Lucido; and visual artist Ligsa Kossen from Germany.

Gift of a Furever Home at Robinsons Malls

THE HAPPY Pets Club (HPC), Robinsons Malls’ community of pet owners and pet lovers, will hold an adoption drive for dogs and cats called the Gift of a Furever Home. To launch this campaign, HPC is partnering with Pawssion Project and will hold an adoption event on June 5, at The Garden of Robinsons Magnolia in Quezon City. The Pawpassion Project was born in 2018, when 50 dogs on death row needed to be rescued. Since then, founder Malou Perez has led the non-profit organization in rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-homing dogs in distress. During the adoption event, up to 15 puppies and five cats will be looking for new families. A veterinarian will be present for free consultation while the new pet owners will each receive a vaccination voucher, treats, dog food, and other gifts for their new pets. Merchandise will also be on sale for the benefit of the shelter. Each pet owner will  receive a goodie bag from Top Breed. Happy Pets Club will be partnering with more animal welfare organizations and providers. Visitors can also bring their cats and dogs anytime to Robinsons Magnolia’s Pet Park, which is an indoor dog park where dogs can enjoy the day and test their agility at the tube tunnel, dog walk ramp, and other obstacles.

Discover the Outdoors at Shangri-La Plaza

SHANGRI-LA Plaza is helping mall guests and their families prepare for outdoor adventures with Discover the Outdoors on June 3 to 6 at the mall’s Grand Atrium. The fair promotes good camping fun by introducing outdoor gear and activities to try, while showing mall guests the local destinations they can visit after months of staying put. Discover the Outdoors is organized like a campsite featuring the latest tent models, camping equipment, and outdoor wear as brands like Columbia, The North Face, Quicksilver, The Travel Club, and True Value give mall guests a taste of the luxurious outdoor experience. Designed with a trailhead as its main feature, Discover the Outdoors showcases glamping vignettes by the featured brands and includes travel booths where mall guests can inquire about the latest domestic attractions and updated travel protocols to #HaveASafeTripPinas. Fair visitors also get the chance to win American Tourister luggage by checking-in at the event using the QR code at the trail. For inquiries, call 8-370-2597/98 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial.

The 2021 Negros Trade Fair goes online

THE NEGROS Trade Fair —  the country’s longest running provincial trade fair held each year in Metro Manila —  is a signature project of the Association of Negros Producers (ANP). Because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Negros Trade Fair has gone online this year, from May 29 to June 30, at www.shopnegrostradefair.com. The e-commerce site is a platform for small to medium scale businesses to showcase a selection of products created with skilled craftsmanship and a taste of renowned Negrense cuisine. Sellers are from various sectors such as natural and organic food, garments, fashion accessories, furniture, décor, houseware, agriculture, and tourism. Simultaneous with the launch online, ANP will open an on-site selling event in Bacolod City at a new location named The HUB where The Negros Showroom will showcase quality Negrense-made products and will serve as a center for entrepreneurship for the province.

GMG Productions Workshop Series kicking off

GMG Productions’ Online Musical Theater Dance Workshops begin soon. Dance to your favorite musical theater song numbers, taught by international touring cast members from Chicago, Mamma Mia, Cats, and West Side Story this month. Classes will run from June 7 to July 2 and will be held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 3 p.m. The enrollment fee is ₱3,500 per week. The classes are: June 7-11, “Hot Honey Rag” from Chicago with Darren Greeff; June 14-18, “Mamma Mia” from Mamma Mia! with Alex O’Reilly; June 21-25, “Jellicle Ball” from CATS with Brian O’Muiri; and, June 28-July 2, “Cool” from West Side Story with Louisa Talbot. These workshops are held in partnership with the Open House Fundraiser and the Artists’ Welfare Project, Inc.  A portion of sales will go to Open House Fundraiser in support of the Philippine Performing Arts Community.

Tom and Jerry premieres on World Cheese Day

THE LOCAL premiere of the Warner Bros. movie Tom and Jerry is dropping on streaming service HBO GO on June 4, which also happens to be World Cheese Day. Cartoon Network is then inviting fans to join in the fun with a Tom and Jerry-themed no-bake cheesecake recipe as a family bonding activity. Along with other cheese-themed recipes, viewers can also download Tom and Jerry’s Cheese Day WhatsApp sticker pack at https://tomandjerry.cartoonnetworkasia.com. Cartoon Network has even prepared a cook-along video. More than 150 activities that can also be found on Cartoon Network’s Best Summer Ever microsite www.cartoonnetworkasia.com/bestsummerever.

Award-winning docu to hold one-week free screening

MULTI-AWARDED documentary Sa Palad ng Dantaong Kulang (In the Claws of a Century Wanting), which tackles the Philippines’ housing problem and urban poor situation in the setting of Tondo, Manila, will be available for streaming on Vimeo on Demand starting June 5. For those who want to learn more about the Philippines’ urban poor situation and housing crisis, the film offers references on its website, https://clawsofacenturywanting.com/. The formation of the website and the online distribution of the documentary is supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The documentary will be screening for free until midnight of June 12. It will be available through Maranan’s production company Cinema Is Incomplete, which will also host its other award-winning documentaries on Vimeo on Demand. Sa Palad ng Dantaong Kulang is also available on GuideDoc TV, a platform for award-winning documentaries that have screened in major international film festivals; and on Cinema Centenario’s MOOV, an online viewing platform for Filipino and Asian films. Sa Palad ng Dantaong Kulang was named Best Documentary at the 42nd Gawad Urian, Best Picture at the Young Critics Circle in 2019 along with the Best Cinematography Award in the same year. The film likewise won Best Documentary and Best Director at the 16th Mindanao Film Festival. It won Best Human Rights Documentary at the 6th Festival Internacional de Cine Documental de Buenos Aires and Best International Feature at the 16th Film Festival Dokumenter Yogyakarta.

2GO travel promos

2GO TRAVEL has launched the new ship, MV 2GO Maligaya, which operates on a Manila-Cebu-Cagayan de Oro route, and is expected to do round trips twice a week, leaving Manila every Wednesday and Sunday. It has cruise ship-like amenities of international standards, such as private hotel room accommodations, a grand lobby, spacious lounge areas, and restaurants. 2GO observes proper health and safety protocols to assure safe travels through regular disinfection and sanitation of all vessels and ports of call. Meanwhile, passengers are required to wear face masks and face shields, and to practice social distancing from check-in, boarding, and disembarkation at all times. The company also ensures that passengers comply with local travel requirements of their destinations. Accommodation types include the state room, business premium, tourist premium, business class, tourist class, and tatami. The rooms and common areas have wider spaces and open-air options for better ventilation. 2GO Travel is offering a ₱99 promo to any destination of choice, inclusive of a 50-kg baggage allowance. Passengers must book from May 30 to June 3 to avail of the promo, for sailing on Aug. 1 to Dec. 15. The trips covered include Batangas to Caticlan and Roxas as well as Manila to Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Coron, Dumaguete, Iligan, Iloilo, Ozamis, Puerto Princesa, and Zamboanga. To book tickets, visit 2GO Travel’s website, https://travel.2go.com.ph/, call the hotline (02) 8528-7000, e-mail travel@2GO.com.ph, or visit any 2GO outlet and SM Business Centers.

1...6,6046,6056,606...12,859Page 6,605 of 12,859
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube