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Audi Q7: Primus inter pares

The Audi Q7 is a seven-seater midsize SUV with a full complement of premium features. — PHOTO BY KAP MACEDA AGUILA

The latest iteration of Ingolstadt’s first SUV remains both relevant and compelling

WHEN INGOLSTADT, Germany-headquartered car maker Audi decided to pull the trigger on entering a then-burgeoning sport utility market in the middle of the 2000s, the first contender it trotted out was the Q7 in 2006, with the smaller Q5 coming two years after. It turned out to be a no-brainer experiment, as the format simply took off. Other premium brands followed suit with similar success.

And Filipinos are no different in our affection for the format, you see, and this is what Audi Philippines continues to count on with the Q7.

The vehicle remains the largest of Audi’s SUVs offerings. Don’t be misled by the Q8’s nomenclature. The Q7 is a seven-seater; the Q8 seats five. Having said that, they’re two completely different animals — with the Q7 hewing to a more practical line and the Q8 assuming a sportier, more dynamic tack in both performance and styling.

This is not to say that the Q7 is an all-business, stiff-upper-lip kind of ride. In fact, there’s a lot of styling savvy to go along with the updated toys compared to the previous generation.

On the outside, the current-gen Q7 doubles down on Audi’s signature Singleframe grille. Whereas the previous generation bore horizontal slats (perhaps to emphasize width) on its nose, the present iteration stands them up. There’s no mistaking though; that Singleframe is huge. Fringing it are headlamps featuring HD Matrix LED tech. Of course, we know that Audi is an LED/daytime running lights pioneer. The Q7’s eyes do not disappoint; you cannot mistake it for anything else other than an Audi.

At the back, luscious chrome accents led by a single strip that connects both taillamps imbue a luxurious feel to the smartly designed hindquarters with refresh graphics. The Q7 wears 20-inch cast aluminum wheels given 285/40 Continentals. Those who loved the overall look of the previous-gen Q7 will surely take a liking to this one in no time flat.

The appointments inside the Q7 help to assure that the vehicle hits the sweet spot not just for the executive set looking primarily for comfortable Point-A-to-Point-B transportation, but even for more fastidious tech-savvy motorists (and passengers) who expect connectivity and convenience.

Building on the virtues of the Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation that’s now also a true signature of Audi, the 2022 Q7 now banners the Virtual Cockpit Plus that proffers a tasty, high-resolution color information display, and MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch Response. The instrument cluster dangles a measure of customization and allows the driver easy visual reference for key functions and metrics. It takes but a while to get comfortable with the system, but a sundry of stuff can be accessed through the three-spoke leather-covered steering wheel with a number of control buttons. Behind the wheel are paddle shifters for more direct switching of gears.

The Q7 gets a premium Bang & Olufsen audio system, an ambient LED lighting package, and four-zone automatic air-conditioning. There’s even Audi Music Interface in the rear seat.

While the first-generation Q7 featured a display that emerged from the top of the dashboard, the current model now boasts a less distracting screen that is situated more unobtrusively in the center of the panel. When turned off, it’s as if the screen isn’t there at all.

The touchscreen (as with another one below it) also provides haptic and acoustic feedback. Maybe because Audi has been at it for a while, the system feels less gimmicky and more genuinely intuitive. The brand even throws in “power-latching, soft-closing” doors that automatically close properly if you or a passenger fail to do so.

Coming in a single diesel variant, the Q7, said Audi Philippines General Sales Manager Paolo Brambilla to “Velocity,” now shares some features with its more premium, aforementioned Q8 sibling such as wireless Apple CarPlay, a twin MMI system, and even an ionizer.

The practicality of the seven-seater is best expressed in its up to 1,925 liters of cargo space. If you have a lot of stuff to transport, all rows of seats can be slid forward and backward individually, with the seatbacks able to be folded flat. The grocery-getter’s friend, an electrically operated tailgate, also comes standard.

Under the Q7 hood is a hearty, smooth-purring 3.0-liter TDI V6 turbocharged diesel engine corralling up to 286 horses and 600Nm of torque. The driver can access this output through an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission commanding a Quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. This gives the large, 5.063-meter-long vehicle ample grunt to overtake on demand.

Added sauce is a mild hybrid system, featuring a Belt Alternator Starter (BAS) that “powers the full-size SUV’s 48-volt main electrical system.” Like similar systems, the Q7’s can recover energy during braking for storage in a small lithium-ion battery. “This cycle of recovery, conversion and storage takes place when the vehicle is traveling at speeds in between 55kph and 160kph,” reported Audi Philippines.

Where does this energy come in handy? Well, the Q7’s system shuts off the engine “during certain conditions” such as when the vehicle is coasting. This is the chance of the BAS to step in — restarting the engine when more power is demanded, or when the accelerator is depressed. Stop-and-go situations also accommodate a start-stop function from speeds as low as 22kph. This spells less fuel consumption.

The Q7 excels in safety as well — earning Five Stars (the highest rating) from the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP). It has, added Audi Philippines, full-size front air bags in front, bags at the outboard sides of the front and rear passengers, Isofix child seat mountings, Parking Aid Plus with 360 display, tire pressure monitoring, advanced traction and stability control systems, and numerous driver-assist technologies.

I’ve personally found Audi’s combination of tech and stylistic restraint its greatest asset in all its vehicles. Everything is legible and intuitive — while being sufficiently impressive to elicit a “wow” from you and your passengers.

In the Q7, this ethos arguably finds its purest expression.

Gov’t debt yields flat amid lack of leads

YIELDS on government securities (GS) moved sideways last week due to the lack of local catalysts, as expected by market analysts.

On average week on week, GS yields in the secondary market inched up by 0.71 basis point (bp), based on the PHP Bloomberg Valuation (BVAL) Service Reference Rates as of Dec. 31 published on the Philippine Dealing System’s website.

“Yields traded sideways amid seasonally subdued trading activity at the close of the year coupled with the lack of any local catalysts,” First Metro Asset Management, Inc. (FAMI) said in an e-mail interview on Friday.

“Most players opted to remain on the sidelines and have deployed excess funds largely on short-dated securities due to overall thin liquidity and looming uncertainties as we crossover 2022,” it added.

“Local yields [were] higher [last] week, with upward pressure coming from global oil prices and government borrowing,” Bank of the Philippine Islands Lead Economist Emilio S. Neri, Jr. said in a Viber message.

The news on the government’s January borrowing program influenced last week’s GS average, Mr. Neri said.

“With government expenditures still outpacing revenues due to the pandemic, the government will likely remain aggressive in borrowing funds from the debt market,” he added.

Yields across the yield curve ended mixed at the end of trading on Dec. 31. The 91- and 364-day Treasury bills (T-bill) fell by 3.03 bps and 0.41 bp to fetch 1.0945% and 1.6597%, respectively. Meanwhile, the 182-day T-bill inched up by 0.48 bp to 1.2693%.

At the belly of the curve, the yield on the two-year Treasury bonds (T-bonds) dropped by 1.52 bps to 2.6781%. Meanwhile, the rates of the three-, four-, five-, and seven-year papers went up by 0.62 bps (to 3.2512%), 2.79 bps (3.769%), 5.91 bps (4.1966%) and 5.16 bps (4.6311%), respectively.

At the high end, the rate of the 10-year paper dropped by 12.76 bps to 4.8222%. Meanwhile, yields on the 20- and 25-year T-bonds climbed by 5.15 bps (to 5.0908%) and 5.45 bps (5.084%), respectively.

For this week, all eyes will be on the December inflation print, which is scheduled to be released on Jan. 5.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said inflation last month was likely within the 3.5% to 4.3% range.

To compare, headline inflation settled at 4.2% in November and at 3.5% in December 2020.

Monthly headline inflation exceeded the BSP’s target in 2021, except in July when it stood at 4%. This was mainly attributed to food supply issues. Inflation year to date is at 4.5%, which is still above the central bank’s 4.4% forecast for the year.

A higher-than-expected figure may exert additional upward pressure on GS rates,” Mr. Neri said.

Yields might continue to consolidate this week as market will keep an eye on food price shocks brought by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) in the Visayas and Mindanao and new debt supply risk in 2022, FAMI said.

“Investors will likely wait for better entry levels for belly to long-dated bonds as upcoming supply could render a steeper curve in the coming days,” FAMI said. — Ana Olivia A. Tirona

Betty White, working actress into her 90s, dies just shy of her 100th birthday

Betty White in Archive of American Television (1997) — IMDB.COM

COMEDIC actress Betty White, who capped a career of more than 80 years by becoming America’s geriatric sweetheart after Emmy-winning roles on television sitcoms The Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, died on Friday, less than three weeks shy of her 100th birthday.

The agent, Jeff Witjas, told People magazine: “Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever.” No cause was cited.

In a youth-driven entertainment industry where an actress over 40 faces career twilight, Ms. White was an anomaly who was a star in her 60s and a pop culture phenomenon in her 80s and 90s.

Playing on her eminent likability, Ms. White was still starring in a TV sitcom, Hot in Cleveland, at age 92 until it was canceled in late 2014.

Ms. White said her longevity was a result of good health, good fortune, and loving her work.

“It’s incredible that I’m still in this business and that you are still putting up with me,” Ms. White said in an appearance at the 2018 Emmy Awards ceremony, where she was honored for her long career. “It’s incredible that you can stay in a career this long and still have people put up with you. I wish they did that at home.”

Ms. White was not afraid to mock herself and throw out a joke about her sex life or a snarky crack that one would not expect from a sweet-smiling, white-haired elderly woman. She was frequently asked if, after such a long career, there was anything she still wanted to do and the standard response was “Robert Redford.”

“She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We’ll miss you, Betty,” former costar and friend Ryan Reynolds wrote in a Twitter post.

“Old age hasn’t diminished her,” the New York Times wrote in 2013. “It has given her a second wind.”

Minutes after news emerged of her death, US President Joseph R. Biden told reporters: “That’s a shame. She was a lovely lady.” His wife Jill Biden said: “Who didn’t love Betty White? We’re so sad about her death.”

Betty Marion White was born on Jan. 17, 1922, in Oak Park, Illinois, and her family moved to Los Angeles during the Great Depression, where she attended Beverly Hills High School.

A DEBUT IN THE 1930S
Ms. White started her entertainment career in radio in the late 1930s and by 1939 had made her TV debut singing on an experimental channel in Los Angeles. After serving in the American Women’s Voluntary Service, which helped the US effort during World War Two, she was a regular on Hollywood on Television, a daily five-hour live variety show, in 1949.

A few years later she became a pioneering woman in television by co-founding a production company and serving as a co-creator, producer and star of the 1950s sitcom Life with Elizabeth.

Through the 1960s and early ’70s White was seen regularly on television, hosting coverage of the annual Tournament of Rose Parade and appearing on game shows such as Match Game and Password. She married Password host Allen Ludden, her third and final husband, in 1963.

Ms. White reached a new level of success on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, playing the host of a home-making television show, the snide, lusty Sue Ann Nivens, whose credo was “a woman who does a good job in the kitchen is sure to reap her rewards in other parts of the house.” White won best-supporting actress Emmys for the role in 1975 and 1976.

She won another Emmy in 1986 for The Golden Girls, a sitcom about four older women living together in Miami that featured an age demographic rarely highlighted on American television. White also was nominated for an Emmy six other times for her portrayal of the widowed Rose Nylund, a sweet, naïve, and ditzy Midwesterner, on the show, which ran from 1985 to 1992 and was one of the top-rated series of its time.

After a less successful sequel to The Golden Girls came a series of small movie parts, talk-show appearances and one-off television roles, including one that won her an Emmy for a guest appearance on The John Larroquette Show.

By 2009 she was becoming ubiquitous with more frequent television appearances and a role in the Sandra Bullock film The Proposal. She starred in a popular Snickers candy commercial that aired during the Super Bowl, taking a brutal hit in a mud puddle in a football game.

A young fan started a Facebook campaign to have Ms. White host Saturday Night Live and she ended up appearing in every sketch on the show and winning still another Emmy for it.

The Associated Press voted her entertainer of the year in 2010 and a 2011 Reuters/Ipsos poll found that Ms. White, then 89, was the most popular and trusted celebrity in America with an 86% favorability rating.

White’s witty and brassy demeanor came in handy as host of Betty White’s Off Their Rockers, a hidden-camera show in which elderly actors pulled pranks on younger people.

“Who would ever dream that I would not only be this healthy, but still be invited to work?” Ms. White said in a 2015 interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Ms. White, who had no children, worked for animal causes. She once turned down a role in the movie As Good as It Gets because of a scene in which a dog was thrown in a garbage chute.

She looked forward to her milestone birthday, writing on Twitter just three days before her death, “My 100th birthday … I cannot believe it is coming up.” —  Reuters

NEA sought to reconsider suspension order, says Beneco counsel

BENGUET Electric Cooperative (Beneco) decried the suspension of its directors and some officials for alleged mismanagement as ordered by National Electrification Administration (NEA), prompting the power distributor to file a motion for reconsideration, its lawyer said.

“We have filed a motion for reconsideration on the basis of the suspension and the penalty being too harsh on Dec. 29,” Delmar O. Cariño, Beneco’s legal counsel, told Businessworld through a text message on Sunday.

His comment comes after NEA, which supervises electric cooperatives (ECs), announced on Dec. 31 its decision to suspend Beneco’s board of directors and other officials for 90 days for what it claims to be transactions “averse to good management.”

It said audit findings from June 1, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2017 prompted the administrative penalties of suspension, as well as an order for the officials to “return the excess amounts they earlier received in violation of NEA policies and guidelines.”

In its media release, the administrator of the country’s rural electrification said, “The electric cooperative Board and Management’s response failed to justify some of the audit observations especially on the excessive benefits and allowances they extended to themselves. The respondents filed a joint answer, denying liability on the audit findings.”

NEA said its decision was rendered on Dec. 9, 2021, and that the notice of decision was personally service at the Beneco office on Dec. 23.

“Copies were also served via electronic mail to the Internal Auditor and the Institutional Services Manager who were among those suspended, as well as on the Administrative Officer of the EC,” it said.

NEA said Beneco officials granted benefits such as information dissemination allowance, gasoline allowance, token of appreciation to two outgoing board of directors, 13th month pay, grocery allowance, representation allowance, insurance allowance, rainwear allowance, and Christmas bonus, without NEA approval.

“For each of these, we found the respondents liable for willful violation or non-compliance of NEA issuances. They are meted the penalty of suspension for a period of 90 days. They are consequently ordered to return the computed excess funds they have granted to themselves,” NEA’s board of administrators said. — Marielle C. Lucenio

BFAR issues red tide notice for Samar, Leyte

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) issued a red tide notice in San Pedro, Samar; Cancabato Bay, Leyte and Biliran Island.

Shellfish also tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison in various provinces.

The affected areas include parts of Bataan; Milagros, Masbate; Dauis and Tagbilaran, Bohol; Carigara Bay, Leyte; Guiuan and Matarinao Bay, Eastern Samar; Dumanquillas Bay, Zamboanga del Sur; Litalit Bay, Surigao del Norte; and Lianga Bay, Surigao del Sur.

Shellfish and krill collected in those areas are not safe for human consumption, according to a bulletin issued by the BFAR.

However, fish, squid, crab and shrimp are still safe to consume provided they are washed thoroughly.

Red tide toxin is caused by algal blooms that deplete oxygen and discolor coastal waters, causing potential illness in humans and animals. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Isuzu PHL notches wins in Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards 2021

IMAGE FROM ISUZU PHILIPPINES CORP.

ISUZU PHILIPPINES CORP. (IPC) secured multiple recognitions for its all-new Isuzu D-Max and Isuzu mu-X models in the recently concluded 2021-2022 Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards (AFPCA) and Media Choice Awards (AFMCA). Isuzu took home the “2021 Automobile of the Year” plum as well as other major awards like the “2021 Pickup of the Year” and “2021 SUV of the Year” in the standard category.

The yearly AFPCA/AFMCA is organized by Sunshine Television and Marketing Services, Inc. (STV) to determine the country’s most popular automobile brands and models — establishing the cream of the crop among the vehicles in the country via public poll.

The AFPCA, which identifies the model and automobile of the year, features the voice of the public with a scoring system that comprises 80% general public votes and 20% unit sales from January to November 2021. On the other hand, the AFMCA reflects the choices of the media via votes cast by a select group of recognized motoring media professionals and practitioners. Its purpose is to further recognize the automobile industry’s efforts to provide car owners and motorists with the best on-board features, styling, performance, and overall value.

Out of 140 vehicle models in the 2021-2022 AFPCA Official Entry List for the Standard Classification — comprised of sedan, sports car, SUV/crossover, van/MPV, and pickup models — the all-new Isuzu D-Max emerged on top as Automobile of the Year. The model, along with the Isuzu mu-X, also copped the individual category titles: the 2021-2022 AFPCA Pickup of the Year and 2021-2022 AFPCA SUV of the Year, respectively.

The all-new Isuzu D-Max also earned the approval of the media as it was hailed best in three categories of the Auto Focus Media Choice Awards: Best Design, Best Engine Performance, and Best Value-for-Money.

“We at Isuzu are very grateful in receiving individual awards for both models, as well as the prestigious 2021-2022 Automobile of the Year Award for the all-new Isuzu D-Max. These awards (hold) a deeper meaning for us, as a big percentage of it came from the public — which is why we would like to extend our thanks to our loyal customers and Isuzu fans nationwide who have been very supportive of us throughout the years. We could not have done it without you,” said IPC President Hajime Koso in a release.

For more information, visit www.isuzuphil.com, or get in touch with the nearest Isuzu dealership.

Tokyo Olympian EJ Obiena sets world third best jump of the year

By Joey Villar

TOKYO Olympian pole-vaulter Ernest John  “EJ” Obiena’s best mark of 5.93 meters has been ranked as the third best performance of the year by World Athletics.

The recent mark was set by the 26-year-old Mr. Obiena in the Golden Roof Challenge in Innsbruck, Austria in September last year that not only shattered the national record he himself set but the Asian record as well.

American Sam Kendricks and Russian Timur Morgunov shared No. 3 with Mr. Obiena with an identical season best.

World record-holder and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Armand Duplantis of Sweden remains untouchable at the helm with a 6.10m while the United States’ Christopher Nilsen was at No. 2 with a 5.97m.

Mr. Obiena though slightly slipped in the world rankings from No. 5 in September in 2021 to No. 6 before the year ended.

But the recent controversy Mr. Obiena is currently embroiled in with the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) could affect the former’s future performances.

And there seems to be no end in sight as the impasse could drag slowly on as the PATAFA recently released a position paper rejecting the decision of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) executive board on Dec. 28 declaring the former’s president Philip Ella Juico as persona non grata.

“Given that the POC, acting through the ethics committee, did not and continues not to have jurisdiction over the Mr. Obiena complaint, any and all acts it performed in the case, including its declaration of Dr. Philip Ella Juico as persona non grata, are null and void from inception,” said PATAFA in a statement.

PATAFA’s bone of contention was that the POC has no jurisdiction in the Mr. Obiena case.

“In fine, the POC can validly claim jurisdiction over Mr. Obiena’s complaint only if it can establish: 1) that it acted as ‘final arbitrator’ over the case; b) the complaint may be categorized as an intra-NSA conflict or dispute; and, c) it is able to establish that the case could not be settled with PATAFA’s processes and procedures,” it said.

“Of the foregoing three requirements for the proper vesting of jurisdiction in and excise thereof by the POC, only the second is present. Accordingly, the POC acted without jurisdiction when it entertained and proceeded upon Mr. Obiena’s complaint,” it added.

POC President Abraham Tolentino stressed they’re just protecting an athlete who has a potential to deliver a medal in the 2024 Paris Games.

“We’re dealing with an Olympian and world-class athlete who has a future,” said the congressman from Tagaytay.

Foreign currency loans down as of Sept. 2021

FOREIGN currency loans disbursed by banks were lower as of September 2021, reflecting tighter credit standards and the availability of other sources for funding.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) late Friday showed outstanding loans of foreign current deposit units (FCDUs) of banks dropped 2.1% to $15.8 billion as of September 2021 from $16.2 billion at end-June.

FCDUs are BSP-approved bank units that perform transactions involving foreign currencies, such as accepting deposits and handing out loans.

More than three-fourths (78.5%) of FCDU loans as of September 2021 have a tenor of more than one year.

During the period, 65% or $11.219 billion of the total FCDU loans were extended to Philippine residents. The remaining 35% or $6.047 billion went to non-residents.

By industries, exporters (14.8%) got the biggest chunk of the credit, followed by public utilities (6.7%), and producers/manufacturers including oil companies (5.1%).

BSP data showed that local banks disbursed 87.6% or $15.132 billion of the foreign currency loans, while $2.134 billion were from foreign bank branches and subsidiaries.

Meanwhile, FCDU deposit liabilities stood at $45.952 billion as of end-September, inching up by 0.5% from the $45.644 billion as of end-June.

The overall FCDU loans-to-deposits ratio increased to 37.6% as of end-September from the 35.4% seen at the end of the previous quarter.

Last week, the central bank eased the requirements for the foreign currency deposit system, allowing covered banks to only notify the BSP of their intention to engage in expanded/FCDU operations. Prior to this, banks were required to ask for the BSP’s approval to engage in such activities.

The BSP has also allowed Islamic banks and digital lenders to engage in FCDUs.

There were 76 banks with FCDU authority as of May 2021 — L.W.T. Noble

Style (01/03/22)

New Mobile Legends official merchandise

SNK ATK Design Lab Enterprises, Inc. revealed the latest chapter of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang official merchandise collection via Facebook and Instagram. Dubbed “Volume 2,” the new collection is a mix of technical outerwear and bold graphic prints based on Mobile Legends: Bang Bang characters and the design DNA of SNK ATK, focused on urban and utilitarian apparel. “I wanted to create a collection that tackled functional apparel with our outerwear, but also showcase the vibrance and variety of Mobile Legends: Characters in our graphic pieces,” said Psalm Alfafara, Creative Director at SNK ATK. “Finding that perfect mix between accessible technical clothing and making it inclusive for all fans was a challenge — something we were always eager to take on as a design company and the team really came together to deliver quality merchandise for fans.” The outerwear for the new collection was designed with functionality and wearability in mind, with wind-and water-resistant properties, while creating unique artwork for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang characters used in the graphic prints. The collection is comprised of the “Bang Bang” flight jacket, tactical windbreaker, utility cap, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang logo hoodie, “Diggie” transforming plushie toy and neck pillow, “Hanabi” graphic T-shirt, “Ling” graphic T-shirt, “Gusion” graphic T-shirt, and the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang reversible bucket hat. The collection was recently released on the SNK ATK Lazada store for Philippine orders and the website https://snkatk.co for international orders. All apparel are designed and handcrafted in the Philippines, with unique artwork and designs used on the outerwear and T-shirts. The “Diggie” plushie also marks SNK ATK’s first foray into toys and accessories. For more news, follow SNK ATK on https://www.facebook.com/snkatk.co and https://www.instagram.com/snk.atk/ or visit the website at https://snkatk.co.

New bronzer from RMS Beauty

FOR a true-to-life sun-kissed finish, check out the award-winning Buriti bronzer from RMS Beauty. Founded by beauty expert and celebrity makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift, the company boasts of a catalogue of natural makeup and organic skin care products that contain high quality ingredients in their purest and most natural state. The Buriti Bronzer’s key ingredients are wild-crafted buriti oil, shea butter, and organic cocoa that, when blended together, delivers a unique sheer and subtle effect, with nourishing and hydrating properties. It works with a range of skin tones and doubles as a luminizer for darker skin tones. Apply sparingly with fingers over the face and cheekbones, and just in the places needed for a real sun-kissed look. It can also be applied on the eyes and lips for a translucent sensual summer glow. RMS Beauty’s Buriti Bronzer is now available in the Philippines exclusively through the Adora department store.

Keds’ new collection serves major ’90s nostalgia

KEDS taps into the carefree spirit of the ’80s and ’90s with a collection of modern retro kicks. The Demi TRX Leather (P3,995) is Keds’ take on the modern-retro sneaker, with chunky, lugged rubber outsoles. It comes in white and black colorways and feature a hidden wedge that adds lift. For something that leans into the “athleisure” trend, the Demi Mid TRX Leather (P4,495) takes its cues from basketball shoes from the ’80s. Keds takes this silhouette to present and elevates it with chic leather uppers and shiny hiker-inspired hardware. They’re equipped with a comfy Softerra footbed and lined with breathable twill lining for all-day wear. The Keds Chunky Sneakers Collection available in all concept stores nationwide and at www.keds.com.ph.

Seiko launches 2nd Philippine limited Edition Prospex Watch

INSPIRED by the country’s bright tropical rays, Seiko introduces its second Philippine Limited edition Prospex watch featuring 4R36 automatic movement with manual winding capacity and water resistance up to 200 meters. Built with approximately 41 hours of power reserve and LumiBrite on hands and indexes, this piece promises versatility and long-lasting use ideal for all kinds of adventures. The Philippine Sunrise — codenamed as SRPH38K1 — boasts of a sleek look provided by the watch’s silicone band material for guaranteed convenience, comfort, and sharpness. It features a warm yellow exterior upon the face of the watch, protected by a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface. It also boasts 24 jewels, a three-fold clasp with a secure lock, and a thickness of 13.2mm. The 2nd Philippine limited edition Prospex watch has 1,000 pieces only and is available online at the official Seiko Philippines E-Boutique. For more information, visit https://www.seikowatches.com/.

Tatler reinvents itself

TATLER ASIA (Tatler), a luxury brand with a legacy business in media, is reinventing itself for today’s values-driven consumer. Recognizing that people’s needs and behaviors are changing globally, Tatler Asia, which is traditionally known for being a luxury lifestyle media and publisher of the iconic Tatler magazines, initiated a study surveying luxury consumers, spanning Gen Z, millennials, boomers as well as high income earners to understand what people want and require from the media they consume. In response, Tatler is evolving to place greater focus on topics with purpose, such as female empowerment, sustainability, equality, LGBTQ, philanthropy and entrepreneurship. The brand will continue engaging with influential consumers, business leaders, creatives and personalities who are shaping Asia’s future, but will increase its younger audience base to reach Asia’s mass affluent, appealing to individuals from a greater cross-section of communities, industries and walks of life.  The survey, gathering insights from over 2,000 people in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines explored people’s feelings towards luxury, wellness, sustainability and Asian culture, and asked respondents what they wanted from Tatler and the impact the brand has on their purchasing decisions. The results confirmed Tatler’s approach to expanding its content pillars and audience touchpoints, as well as reaching a younger, affluent audience who are primarily digitally connected, salaried professionals or entrepreneurs. This new audience base seeks premium or exclusive products that offer value and functionality, as well as experiences to discover, network and connect with individuals and brands. The values of high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), as well as people’s perception of luxury in general, have changed. Luxury has evolved from its association with high priced consumer goods that convey status, to having more emphasis on wellbeing, value and meaning, and demonstrating personality. Additionally, and supported by over 80% of respondents, luxury consumers value sustainability and ESG, and seek to purchase from brands that commit to worthy causes. Many of these changes have been an outcome of COVID-19, with 70% of respondents stating that their luxury purchase preferences have changed since the onset of the pandemic. Based on these insights, Tatler will ensure ESG is a theme consistently explored in its content whilst aligning with real views on what luxury is. Over 75% of respondents said that they support and promote Asian culture and Asian-led businesses, and over 60% said they desire more content on entrepreneurship and social issues such as equality, diversity and inclusion. In the last five years, Tatler has expanded its coverage exploring entrepreneurship, through initiatives such as Generation T (Gen.T), a community media platform for young leaders shaping Asia’s future. Focusing on Asia’s female leaders, Front & Female, a platform for women supporting women who want to make a deep social impact, was launched in 2020. The brand is also growing audience touchpoints, adding new channels across multiple platforms with alternative business models that go beyond print and digital media. New initiatives are being rolled out in markets, with some piloted and launched, and others set to be introduced by the end of 2022. One of the most successful spin-offs, Tatler Dining, leads the way, particularly relevant since dining consistently ranks among the top hobbies across demographics, incomes and regions. Its initiatives include Tatler Dining Kitchen, a culinary hub for food lovers to experience unique off-menu dining and exclusive collaborations never before seen in the market, whilst The Tatler Bar is a curated online and offline platform designed for the drink connoisseur. Within the festival space, OffMenu is an event that mixes local and international F&B trailblazers, chefs and mixologists, with eclectic entertainment. Outside of F&B, the brand is introducing wellness events in collaboration with renowned fitness brands and experts through the sub-brand Tatler Roots. Tatler also recently introduced branded VIP venues such as Tatler House, where intimate luxury gatherings, dinners, roundtables, product activations and more, take place. Tatler House is located in Hong Kong, Beijing, Singapore and Malaysia, with more to open across the region in the coming year. Tatler also recently launched Tatler Escapes in Hong Kong, a luxuriously appointed catamaran that can play host to events and experiences at sea. Diversifying into e-commerce, Tatler The brand is also exploring rewards programs following the launch of UnitedWeDine last year to support the F&B industry in Hong Kong. Tatler Asia launched its new website — a global platform that provides each location personalized content. The multilingual website, designed to increase engagement with millennials and Gen Z audiences, features interactive and dynamic elements. Visit www.tatlerasia.com to check out a New Tatler.

Online magazine focuses on beauty

BEAUTY standards in the Philippines are quickly shifting, as more women turn their backs on stereotypes. Today’s Filipinas are actively redefining beauty standards to be more inclusive. This shift in thinking has led more women to Beautyhub.PH, an online magazine that promotes equal representation of all kinds of beauty and encourages women to be their own kind of beautiful. Beautyhub.PH is packed with practical tips not only on beauty but wellness and self-care, with women sharing stories about body image, overcoming self-doubt, and living life to the fullest. It is full of how-to guides, listicles, and simple Q&As on inclusive beauty — acknowledging real everyday concerns of women and offering simple solutions and product suggestions. The articles don’t impose a single standard or look but cover a lot of ground. The section on Skin has suggestions on skin care routines, as well as informative tips on usual concerns such as underarm care, acne-prone skin, and wrinkles. Haircare concerns are also extensively covered, ranging from haircuts, hairstyles, and the best products for different hair concerns. The Lifestyle Section touches on fitness, body care, and natural beauty. For those who need a dose of inspiration from celebrities, there are empowering articles from Pia Wurtzbach, Heart Evangelista, and Kathryn Bernardo. Because beauty is as much a concern of men as it is of women, Beautyhub.PH also has MANifesto.PH, a section that provides accessible grooming advice for men, with helpful articles on skincare, haircare, and lifestyle, and concerns such as self-motivation, keeping a positive routine, and the benefits of meditation, to name a few.

Investors buy Converge after top bond rating, international network expansion

INVESTORS snatched up fiber internet company provider Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. shares last week following a high credit rating given for its bond offering and increased international network facility.

Data from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) showed Converge ranked 11th in value turnover with a total of P485.16-million worth of 15.14 million shares traded from Dec. 27 to 31.

Converge closed at P31.90 apiece on Friday, down 3.3% from P33.00-per-share close on Dec. 24. Shares in the company have more than doubled since the start of 2021.

“Converge was among the active stocks this week after being given the highest credit rating for its bond offering and further increasing its international network capacity by 1.3 TBPS (terabits per second),” Diversified Securities, Inc. Equity Trader Aniceto K. Pangan said in a text message on Friday.

“Investors reacted positively with this disclosure through accumulation of the shares while transacted volume increased by more than 40%,” he added.

The company, which aims to cover 55% of Philippine households by 2023, said in a statement that it increased its international network capacity by 1.3 TBPS through its C2C (city-to-city) cable system.

The cable system connects the Philippines to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Korea, and China. Converge said it is part of the EAC-C2C (East Asia Crossing-city-to-city) network, which spans 17,000 kilometers.

“It is our vision to make the Philippines a digital hub in Asia and securing much-needed international bandwidth is key to realizing this vision,” said Dennis Anthony H. Uy, founder and chief executive officer of Converge.

In a separate report, Philippine Ratings Services Corp. (PhilRatings) has granted Converge with the highest credit rating of PRS Aaa with a stable outlook for its planned maiden bond issuance worth P5 billion.

On its website, PhilRatings says that a company rated PRS Aaa has a “very strong” capacity to meet its financial commitments “relative to that of other Philippine corporates.”

Mr. Pangan expects Converge’s revenue to continue growing by double digits this year.

Converge’s revenue rose 76.4% to P18.83 billion during the January to September period due to significant growth from its residential segment.

Its net income meanwhile more than doubled to P5.20 billion in the nine months ending in September from P2.19 billion in 2020.

For this week, Mr. Pangan pegged the stock’s support at P30.90 and its immediate resistance at P33.00.

“As valuation runs high at price to earnings ratio of more than 30, we may expect the price to consolidate with a possibility of further downward correction [this] week with the negative sentiment prevailing in the market due to sudden increase in infection rates,” added Mr. Pangan. — L.O. Pilar

The fight to slow the global crash in fish production has a big problem

PHOTOGRAPH © ALO LANTIN/WWF-PHILIPPINES/ WWF.ORG.PH

BIENDI MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU had a problem.

As Gabon’s minister of fisheries, agriculture and food security, he helps oversee the African country’s marine protected areas, some of the most extensive in Africa. Covering 27% of Gabon’s Exclusive Economic Zone, these waters are supervised using monitoring technology that tracks larger vessels, which are required to report their catch. But many of Gabon’s fishers run smaller operations that don’t have such systems, or even automated identification.

“Thousands of boats were going out and we didn’t know where they were going or for how long,” Magana-Moussavou said in an interview. And since whatever they caught and where they caught it wasn’t registered, scientists couldn’t tell whether fishing restrictions were being respected or whether fish stocks in protected areas were increasing — or declining.

Gabon’s problem is the world’s problem. More than 30 million fishers worldwide — around 90% of the total, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) — are considered small-scale. Together, they bring in about half of the world’s catch. With human populations rising and developing nations getting wealthier, the demand for seafood is escalating. An accurate assessment of the shrinking global fish supply is thus crucial to planetary food security. Right now though, that’s impossible.

“Millions of tons of fish from the small-scale fisheries are ‘hidden’ in the sense of being invisible and unreported,” the FAO warned in its 2020 report on the world’s fisheries.

But in an effort to plug this data hole, some low-fi technology is being leveraged. Gabon partnered with CLS Group, a subsidiary of France’s National Center for Space Studies, which uses hundreds of satellites to provide monitoring and surveillance services for governments and scientists. Together, they developed a solar-powered device the size of a loaf of bread called NEMO.

The device relays its location via cell tower or satellite, enabling small fishers to register their catch. If widely adopted, such technology could go a long way toward filling in that critical food picture beneath the waves. In doing so, it might reveal how much time humans have left to adopt more sustainable fishing practices.

CLS said it has close to 3,000 NEMO devices installed on vessels operating in the waters of 40 countries, including France, Greece, Peru, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Seychelles, Bangladesh and Australia. Gabon started using NEMO in July.

The program aims to eventually deploy as many as 2 million devices worldwide, the company said. While each costs around $200, international NGOs including New York’s Wildlife Conservation Society and local groups are stepping up to help pay for the devices, according to CLS.

“Any data at all would help address a major gap in our collective knowledge,” said Program Manager Michel Denjean. Even a sampling of data from small fishers, or just knowing where a boat spends its time and for how long, can provide valuable direction for conservation, he said.

But why would a subsistence fisher take part? Already barred from working in certain waters and under pressure from shifting migration patterns and falling oxygen levels triggered by warming seas, it’s reasonable to assume many wouldn’t be interested.

Safety, apparently, is the lure. NEMO can also activate a distress signal. When small boats lose sight of shore — either because they need to go farther out to find fish or just because the weather changes—they can get lost. Motors can fail, and not everyone carries a sail for emergencies. And if they’re more than a couple of miles offshore, mobile phones won’t pick up a signal.

“It’s not just control,” Maganga-Moussavou said. “It’s a way to protect the fishermen themselves.”

Fish consumption has been rising at almost double the rate of population growth for more than half a century, outpacing even animal proteins. Humans eat more than twice as much seafood as they did in 1960, with most of the increase occurring in the developing world. According to the FAO, less than two-thirds of fish stocks are now within biologically sustainable levels — down from 90% in 1974.

“One of the major challenges that fisheries face when assessing their ecological performance is the lack of data on, for example, stock assessment, species, and areas fished,” said Amanda Lejobowicz, head of fisheries standard, accessibility, at the Marine Stewardship Council. “That is particularly true for small-scale fishers and those in developing economies.”

Eric Terrill, director of the Coastal Observing Research and Development Center at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, agreed. “Low-cost transponding devices provide a great opportunity to track patterns of fishing pressure from a cross-section of harvesters not normally managed,” he said.

The idea for NEMO had its genesis in Senegal, where a local fishery told the company that rising ocean temperatures and competition from heavy Chinese trawlers were pushing small fishers farther out to sea. “We started to develop a satellite connection for tracking but also for assistance request,” said Hervé Galabert, CLS director of sustainable fisheries management. “They wanted something robust, solid, simple, and affordable.”

NEMO transmits to a constellation of seven nanosatellites already used for animal tracking and climate research, the company said. Starting in 2023, it will switch over to a new group of 25 satellites developed by CLS subsidiary Kinéis, with space startup RocketLab contracted for the launch.

Even with the promise of additional safety, buy-in from small fishers remains a problem. With fishers licensed to operate in Gabon’s protected area for only a few hours per day, Maganga-Moussavou concedes NEMO makes it easier to catch those who stay too long. “We can monitor their activity and see what they do and fine them if they do wrong,” he said. But he added that fishers can cite NEMO data to prove their innocence if accused of illegal fishing.

“Safety of fishers is a big concern at sea and on the larger lakes in Africa,” said Sandy Davies, technical expert with the Stop Illegal Fishing Secretariat, a southern Africa NGO. “NEMO may well garner interest as storms intensify and fishers are pushed further from shore.”

The market might provide further incentive. Fish with an eco-label like that of the MSC fetches more money. Though many small-scale fishers are connected to only local markets, interest in sustainably-caught fish is growing everywhere, particularly where there’s a strong tourist presence, such as Greece, the Maldives and Ecuador.

And while using such devices is still voluntary, it may soon become compulsory. New legislation in Gabon will soon require installation of a NEMO to procure a license for commercial fishing. — Bloomberg

Autohub Institute of Technology turns 7

From left are Autohub Institute of Technology (AIT) Head Trainer Mark Gumapon, Director Jesus R. Boces, Jr., Admin Assistant/Registrar Kristelle Nabong, and Technical Trainer Israel Santos.

AUTOHUB GROUP of Companies reinvigorates its technical training institution called Autohub Institute of Technology (AIT) as the latter marks seven years of operation. In a release, AIT said that it is “more than just about being a learning hub but significantly honing the best technical experts in the automotive industry that will make them globally competitive and rev up their careers.”

AIT said that it aspires to be the premier regional and global automotive technician training center in the country as it provides the “highest standards of competence in automotive technician training with an integral and holistic approach.”

The institute is said to deliver “world-class quality training,” which also coincidentally reflects Autohub Group President Willy Q. Tee Ten’s initials, to bring out the potentials of trainees in terms of knowledge and skill. AIT also interprets Autohub Group’s corporate social responsibility as it promotes positive work values and virtues for trainees. AIT promotes the core values of competence, character, and concern for others. And more than a typical classroom setup, AIT assures that the trainees get more adept internship through hands-on mentorship by competent and seasoned professional trainers.

At AIT, the trainees are schooled according to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Automotive Servicing Training Program and Autohub’s needs and work specifications. Theoretical and practical training systems come together at the training center and the company. The student-trainee reports to the school/training center while at the same time working and training in the company. AIT said that this approach provides trainees with well-coordinated learning experiences and opportunities. This collaboration between the school and the company ensures that the trainees are assessment-ready for the TESDA National Level Certification and fully equipped with employable skills, work knowledge, and right attitude at the end of the training.

AIT’s hallmark program are a one-year TESDA Automotive Servicing NCI- and NCII-registered courses, wherein trainees are exposed to both classroom- and industry-based training thanks to Autohub’s automotive brands which include Rolls-Royce, Lotus, Mini, Ford, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Geely, Fuso, MG, Nissan, Hyundai, Piaggio Ape, Vespa, Shelby, and Triumph.

Autohub Institute of Technology is located at Blk. 15, 6/F, Ford Global Building, 32nd St. cor. Rizal Drive, Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, 1634 Philippines. For inquiries, visit AIT’s Facebook page — Autohub Institute of Technology or call 0917-557-2100.

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