WandaVision rules at MTV Movie and TV Awards

May 18, 2021 | 12:04 am

MARVEL comics spinoff WandaVision dominated the MTV Movie and TV Awards on Sunday, while Scarlett Johansson and Sacha Baron Cohen got special awards for their contributions to the film industry.

Chadwick Boseman received a posthumous award, for best performance in a movie, for his final film, the jazz period drama Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. The Black Panther actor, 43, died in Aug. 2020 of colon cancer. ‘’

“His impact is everlasting and we are eternally grateful for the way his presence and his art has changed the world. We love you and miss you,” said Black-ish actress Yara Shahidi, accepting the award on Mr. Boseman’s behalf.

WandaVision, the Disney+ series that gives starring roles to supporting superhero characters Wanda Maximoff and Vision, was chosen best TV show in the fan-voted awards, while Elizabeth Olson won for best performance for her portrayal of the lead character Wanda.

Kathryn Hahn took home the golden popcorn statuette for best villain for her role as nosy neighbor Agatha in WandaVision, which also won the popular best fight trophy for a battle between Agatha and Wanda.

Black Widow star Ms. Johansson was honored with MTV’s Generation Award in recognition of her Hollywood career.

In a video message, Ms. Johansson thanked her fans for their support. “I realize what an absolute gift it is to be able to have the opportunity to do what I love,” she said.

Mr. Baron Cohen appeared as his outrageous characters Borat, Bruno, the Dictator and Ali G., as well as himself, to accept the Comedic Genius award presented by Hollywood producer, Seth Rogen, who called the British actor and writer “the most fearless performer I have ever known.”

Leslie Jones hosted the show in Los Angeles before a small, COVID-tested and mostly unmasked live audience and a larger audience on huge video screens.

Elsewhere, Asian-American young adult romance To All the Boys: Always and Forever, was chosen best movie, while British actor Rege-Jean Page won for his breakthrough performance in the hit TV romantic series Bridgerton.

MTV’s awards for reality shows will be handed out in a separate ceremony to be broadcast on Monday night. — Reuters

49 QC subdivision lots up for public e-bidding

May 18, 2021 | 12:04 am

FORTY-NINE subdivision lots in the Tivoli Royale Subdivision in Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City will be offered through an electronic public bidding (e-bidding) on May 28, the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) said.

The PDIC will accept online bids from direct buyers who register at the e-bidding portal https://assetsforsale.pdic.gov.ph.

Online bids may be placed from 9 a.m. on May 27 to 1 p.m. on May 28. The e-bidding portal may also be accessed on the PDIC website by clicking on the “assets for sale” icon.

Up for auction are 10 vacant lots, sizes ranging from 300 to 1,000 square meters (sq.m.), with a minimum disposal price starting at P21.0 million.

Ten lots with improvements range from 259 to 424 sq.m. are also being auctioned off, with minimum disposal price starting at P18.0 million.

The PDIC said the aggregate minimum disposal price for the properties is at P1.3 billion.

“Five of these properties have issues on shape and size of the lots which have been affected by re-blocking or encroachment, with portions of some lots becoming part of common areas or road lot,” the PDIC said, emphasizing that the bidders should conduct due diligence on the properties.

Cebu Landmasters reports 25% profit increase to nearly P714M

May 18, 2021 | 12:04 am

PROPERTY developer Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) said it delivered “robust growth” in the January-to-March period with P713.8 million generated in net income attributable to parent, 25% higher than the P572.23 million recorded in the same period last year.

In a statement on Monday, the company said its consolidated net income rose by 12% to P725.19 million from P648.52 million year on year.

Meanwhile, CLI’s topline for the quarter totaled P2.35 billion, 11% more than the P2.11 billion from a year ago.

“Our revenues were driven by construction progress and robust sales. Demand continues to be underserved here in the Vis-Min (Visayas-Mindanao), we cannot stress this enough,” Beauregard Grant L. Cheng, chief finance officer of CLI, said during the company’s briefing with analysts and investors on Monday.

For the period, the company launched three projects worth P4.9 billion.

Reservation sales for the period grew by 17% year on year to P3.3 billion, 66% of which was from the company’s Garden Series and 33% was from its economic housing brand Casa Mira.

The company said it usually sells out 90% of its projects within 12 to 18 months from launch.

“We are pleased that our teams in each of the cities we serve have stepped up to fill the pressing need for residential units that deliver quality, safety and security,” CLI Chief Operating Officer Jose Franco B. Soberano said.

CLI said it plans to launch P14-billion worth of projects this year.

Capital expenditure spending for the period amounted to P1.65 billion out of its budgeted P12 billion for 2021.

CLI said around 86.7% of this was spent on project development, while 12.7% was spent on land acquisition.

The company expects its growth momentum to “speed up” in the second half this year after its joint venture projects mature for revenue recognition.

On Monday, CLI shares at the stock market improved by 3.57% to P5.80 apiece from P5.60. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Gov’t fully awards Treasury bills as yields drop on inflation bets

May 18, 2021 | 12:04 am

THE GOVERNMENT fully awarded the Treasury bills (T-bills) it offered on Monday as rates dipped amid lower inflation expectations.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) raised P25 billion as planned via the T-bills on Monday, with total tenders reaching P83.705 billion, making the offer over three times oversubscribed. However, demand declined from the P97 billion in bids seen last week.

Broken down, the Treasury awarded the programmed P5 billion in 91-day T-bills as total bids reached P16.965 billion. The three-month papers fetched an average rate of 1.27%, a tad lower than the 1.278% logged in last week’s auction.

The BTr also borrowed P8 billion as planned via the 182-day debt papers after the tenor attracted P25.11 billion in tenders. The average rate of the six-month debt dipped to 1.54% from 1.549% previously.

Lastly, the government made a full P12-billion award of the 364-day instruments as demand reached P41.63 billion. The one-year T-bills were quoted at 1.81%, down by 1.9 basis points (bps) from last week’s rate of 1.829%.

The Treasury opened its tap facility to offer another P5 billion in 364-day papers to take advantage of the strong appetite for the tenor that caused its yield to drop.

At the secondary market, before Monday’s auction, the 91-, 182- and 364-day T-bills were quoted at 1.304%, 1.5447%, and 1.8504% respectively, based on the PHL Bloomberg Valuation Reference Rates published on the Philippine Dealing System’s website.

“[The auction saw] strong participation as rates marginally declined,” National Treasurer Rosalia V. de Leon told reporters in a Viber message after Monday’s auction.

Ms. De Leon attributed the decline in T-bill yields to investors’ preference for safe haven assets like government securities and central bank’s lower inflation forecast for 2021.

Meanwhile, a bond trader said by phone that the auction’s outcome was expected following the worse-than-expected drop in first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) decision to keep its accommodative stance to support the economy.

The BSP held its key interest rate at a record low for a fourth straight meeting on Wednesday as it continues to support the economy’s recovery from the pandemic.

The Monetary Board maintained the overnight reverse repurchase rate at its record low of low of 2%. Both the lending and deposit rates were also kept at 2.5% and 1.5%, respectively.

The central bank’s decision to keep rates steady came a day after release of disappointing first-quarter GDP data. For the first three months of 2021, economic output shrank by an annual 4.2%, keeping the economy in recession for a fifth consecutive quarter.

Meanwhile, at the same meeting, the BSP lowered its inflation outlook for this year to 3.9% from its previous estimate of 4.2%. This will put inflation back within the central bank’s 2-4% annual target. On the other hand, the 2022 forecast was raised to 3% from 2.8% previously.

On Tuesday, the BTr will auction off P35 billion in reissued seven-year Treasury bonds (T-bonds) with a remaining life of six years and 11 months.

The Treasury wants to raise P170 billion from the local bond market this month: P100 billion via weekly offerings of T-bills and P70 billion from T-bonds to be auctioned off fortnightly.

The government is looking to borrow P3 trillion this year from domestic and external sources to help fund its budget deficit seen to hit 8.9% of gross domestic product. — B.M. Laforga

And the winner is…

May 18, 2021 | 12:03 am

1318384716 — *PHOTO FROM MTV MOVIE AND TV AWARDS/GETTY IMAGES*

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THE 2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards aired live from the Palladium in Los Angeles on May 17. Comedienne and actress Leslie Jones hosted the show, which kicked off MTV’s two-night event celebrating film and television.

Below is the complete list of winners:

BEST MOVIE: To All the Boys: Always and Forever

BEST SHOW: WandaVision

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A MOVIE: Chadwick Boseman — Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SHOW: Elizabeth Olsen — WandaVision

BEST HERO: Anthony Mackie — The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

BEST KISS: Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline — Outer Banks

BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE: Leslie Jones — Coming 2 America

BEST VILLAIN: Kathryn Hahn — WandaVision

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE: Regé-Jean Page — Bridgerton

BEST FIGHT: WandaVision — Wanda vs. Agatha

MOST FRIGHTENED PERFORMANCE: Victoria Pedretti — The Haunting of Bly Manor

BEST DUO: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier — Falcon (Anthony Mackie) & Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan

BEST MUSICAL MOMENT (SOCIAL CATEGORY)
“Edge of Great” — Julie and the Phantoms

The two-night event will continue tomorrow when the inaugural MTV Movie & TV Awards: UNSCRIPTED, a first-of-its-kind celebration of all things reality television airs from the Palladium in Los Angeles. Hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, the show will celebrate the best jaw-dropping, no-rules, drama-filled moments from our favorite reality shows.

Astra condominium brand launched in Laguna, Cavite

May 18, 2021 | 12:03 am

BRIA HOMES recently launched its mid-rise condominium developments in Calamba, Laguna and General Trias, Cavite.

In a statement, Bria Homes President Rizalito J. Rosales said the company sees an expanding market for its condominium brand Astra Vertical Villages in the two areas.

“Our vertical villages in Calamba and General Trias will fulfill the growing need for safe, secure communities that offer all the comforts of modern, urban living without breaking the bank,” he said.

Astra Vertical Villages are described as contemporary mid-rise condominium developments that offer affordability and accessibility for young professionals and small families.

The developments in Calamba and General Trias will offer 880 units in 11 buildings, with options for 237 parking lots.

A typical 24-square meter unit will have a bedroom, dining and kitchen area, living room, and toilet and bath.

Astra will have a communal clubhouse with a swimming pool and gym and function halls. It will also have green spaces and playgrounds. There will also be provisions for a school, a wet and dry market, and a food park within the Astra premises.

GMA Network net income jumps three times to P2 billion

May 18, 2021 | 12:03 am

LISTED media company GMA Network, Inc. saw its attributable net income jump more than three times to P2 billion in the first quarter of the year from P583.41 million in the same period a year ago.

The company’s total revenues surged 54.7% to P5.46 billion from P3.53 billion previously, GMA Network said in a disclosure to the stock exchange on Monday.

Advertising revenue increased 56.6% to P5.09 billion in the first quarter from P3.25 billion in the same period in 2020.

The company’s total operating expenses increased 5.6% to P2.84 billion in the first three months from P2.69 billion previously.

“Sale of goods also contributed to the healthy topline of the company, owing to the successful launch of GMA Affordabox in the middle of last year and GMA Now towards yearend,” GMA Network noted.

“Meanwhile, sale of services which included subscriptions income, subsidiaries’ operations and others, wrapped up the first quarter this year at P214 million, behind by P63 million versus Q1 2020’s P277 million,” it added.

GMA Network shares closed 1.04% higher at P8.73 apiece on Monday. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Cebuana Lhuillier, FWD ink partnership to offer sachet insurance products

May 18, 2021 | 12:03 am

CEBUANA Lhuillier and FWD Life Insurance Corp. have teamed up to offer sachet insurance products. — CEBUANALHUILLIER.COM

CEBUANA LHUILLIER and FWD Life Insurance Corp. (FWD Insurance) have teamed up to offer sachet insurance products for Filipino households.

Through the partnership, the insurance products will be sold through Cebuana’s branches to be offered to its about 30 million customers nationwide.

“The plan will be implemented through pawnassurance, digital channels and solutions, fully digitized team of advisors, and a brand new sachet insurance concept that will cater to specific needs of more Filipino households,” they said in a joint statement.

The offerings will include health, life, and investment-linked insurance products. Customers can buy through digital platforms or through face-to-face transactions.

“We’re always searching for innovative channels so we can reach more untapped customer segments. Cebuana Lhuillier can help us provide the right protection that fits the specific needs and budget of more Filipinos and empowers them to celebrate living,” FWD Insurance President and Chief Executive Officer Li Hao Zhuang was quoted as saying.

“In our venture to bring our business to digital space, building a strategic partnership with one of the fastest-growing insurers in the Philippines supports our commitment to make every Filipino financially included anytime, anywhere. The strength of both our organizations allows us to seamlessly deliver quality products and services to our markets,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of PJ Lhuillier, Inc., the parent firm of Cebuana Lhuillier.

The deal between the two firms was signed in April. Through the partnership, the firms will train their employees and salespersons to equip them with additional knowledge and skills in financial planning and team collaboration.

FWD Insurance’s net premiums reached P13.64 billion last year, placing eighth among life insurers, based on data from the Insurance Commission. — LWTN

Entertainment News (05/18/21)

May 18, 2021 | 12:02 am

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Austrian Film Fest offers free videos

IN LINE with the 75^th celebration of Austria and Philippines bilateral relations this year, the Austrian Embassy Manila kicked off the Austrian Film Month 2021 yesterday. The festival features nine free online videos, available for viewing until June 12, on the relevant socio-political themes of diversity, mental health, democracy and environment. The festival will also have dialogues with a number of Austrian directors. For the direct links to the films, visit https://www.facebook.com/AustrianEmbassyManila.

ALPAS online concert on kumu

PINOY performers Ebe Dancel, Johnoy Danao, Bullet Dumas, Barbie Almalbis, Aia de Leon, and Kitchie Nadal are coming together for a virtual concert, ALPAS, on June 5. The virtual concert is produced by kumu (https://www.kumu.live/), an online community platform for live streamers, and GNN Entertainment, a Manila-based music events and PR agency. ALPAS marks the first time that the six performers will be equally headlining a show after having performed as solo acts or part of a band.

I Heart Movies on GMA Affordabox

VIEWERS can now watch movies all day for free on GMA Network’s digital channel I Heart Movies through the GMA Affordabox. To further highlight the addition of I Heart Movies to the growing roster of GMA channels, the network recently unveiled its newest GMA Affordabox ambassador, actor Richard Yap. I Heart Movies offers a wide variety of free-to-air Pinoy and foreign titles through its four movie blocks — Timeless Telesine, Takilya Throwback, Block Screening, and Pinoy Movie Date. GMA Affordabox is currently available in Metro Manila, Benguet, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Misamis Oriental (including Cagayan de Oro), Camiguin, Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Bacolod City, Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, and Davao del Norte. Catch I Heart Movies on Channel 5 on the GMA Affordabox. Viewers can also continue to access GMA channels on the digital TV receiver including GMA, GTV, Heart of Asia, Hallypop, and DepEd TV as well as other free-to-air channels in digital broadcast available per area. The GMA Affordabox may be purchased for a one-time price of P888 with no monthly fees, in appliance stores and malls, or online via the official GMA Store on Shopee and Lazada. For more details, visit www.GMAaffordabox.com and its official social media accounts via the handle @GMAaffordabox.

Ben&Ben drops new single, ‘Magpahinga’

BEN&BEN offer words of compassion and encouragement with latest single “Magpahinga.” The nine-piece band wrote a piano ballad from the point of view of someone who is in dire need of guidance. “It’s a song that reminds us to check up on ourselves and address our own inner struggles,” lead vocalist and guitarist Paolo Benjamin points out in a statement. “But also, it is a song that aims to accompany the listener, and remind them that in those moments of hardship, they are not alone.” The song was written by Miguel and Paolo Benjamin, and produced by JP Verona. The song is out now on all digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music.

U2’s Bono, The Edge, and Martin Garrix drop ‘We are the People’

MARTIN Garrix teams up with U2’s Bono and The Edge for the release of the official UEFA EURO 2020 song, “We are the People.” After more than a year of having to keep this a secret, the track is now available to stream and download via all digital service providers. “We are the People” is meant to reflect the positivity, hope, and determination required for any team to succeed, as well as offer a sense of togetherness which fits the theme of UEFA EURO 2020: Unity. For the first time in EURO history, the tournament is being played across the continent, which will display the overriding theme of unity throughout. UEFA EURO 2020 is being held across the continent for the first time in the competition’s history, with 11 host cities in all. The first match will kick off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on June 11 with Turkey facing Italy. The final will take place at Wembley Stadium, London on July 11. “We are the People” is out now on all digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music Netherlands.

Lupin Part 2 on Netflix

NETFLIX’S French heist drama Lupin returns for a second season on June 11. Assane’s quest for revenge against Hubert Pelligrini has torn his family to pieces. With his back to the wall, he now has to think of a new plan, even if it means putting himself in danger. The show stars Omar Sy, Hervé Pierre, Nicole Garcia, Clotilde Hesme, Ludivine Sagnier, Antoine Gouy, Shirine Boutella, Soufiane Guerrab. The second season will be composed of five episodes.

Don Bosco campus to open in ALI’s Tarlac estate

May 18, 2021 | 12:02 am

DON BOSCO TARLAC is planning to open a new campus within Ayala Land, Inc.’s (ALI) Cresendo Estate in Tarlac City.

“Although Don Bosco Tarlac is the pioneer Don Bosco institution in the Philippines — it is also the remaining presence without a TVET (Technical-Vocational Education and Training) center,” Fr. Ian Rosal, economer of Don Bosco Tarlac, was quoted as saying in a statement.

Don Bosco Tarlac aims to develop a new curriculum to cater to the needs of local industries in the region.

ALI is developing Cresendo, a 290-hectare contemporary mixed-use development that will feature a 32-hectare industrial park and a 47-hectare commercial district.

Don Bosco Cresendo will offer senior high school education starting 2023. In 2025, it hopes to start offering TVET “which aims to provide manpower to in-demand industries through technical and vocational courses such as computer education, electrical installation, machining, refrigeration and air conditioning, and mechatronics.”

“With this present health crisis situation, there’s a strong need for young people to really be engaged with the challenges of the world, so we will be strengthening the research work, as well as societal problems, while maintaining the traditional, academic, cultural, sports, and technical excellence the institution is known for,” said Fr. Jerry Santos, rector of Don Bosco Tarlac.

Cosco Capital reports P2.44-billion net income

May 18, 2021 | 12:02 am

COSCO Capital, Inc. generated P2.44 billion in consolidated net income for the January-to-March period, up by six percent from P2.3 billion year on year despite the decline in consolidated revenues.

In a regulatory filing on Monday, the listed holding firm of Lucio L. Co said, without disclosing figures, that the company’s consolidated revenues went down “brought by the continuing impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic experienced by all the business segments of the group.”

The company’s grocery retailing business composed of Puregold Price Club, Inc. and S&R Membership Shopping Club contributed 70% to its total core net income.

Cosco Capital’s grocery retail business reported a 14.61% net income growth to P2.02 billion on cost-cutting initiatives and efforts to improve front margins, while consolidated revenues declined by 7.9% to P37.7 billion due to slow customer traffic.

“The grocery retail group continued to implement its organic expansion strategy despite the prevailing environment and opened a total of 10 new Puregold stores in the first quarter of 2021,” Cosco Capital said.

Its liquor distribution division contributed 15% in total core net income. The segment’s net income declined by two percent to P228 million, while revenues went down by 4.4% to P1.77 billion.

Cosco Capital’s real estate segment made up for 14% of its total core net income. The division’s net income fell by 32.2% to P200 million due to lockdown restrictions and rental waivers/discounts, while its revenues shaved off 20% to P428 million.

Meanwhile, specialty retailing business Office Warehouse, Inc, accounted for one percent of Cosco Capital’s net profit. Office Warehouse saw its net income decline by 8.3% to P18 million, while its revenues dropped by 20.9% to P424 million due to store closures during lockdown restrictions.

Shares of Cosco Capital at the stock exchange went up by 2.92% or P0.14 on Monday, closing at P4.94 apiece. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Brain gain: New boutiques, surge in deals lure expat bankers back to Australia

May 18, 2021 | 12:02 am

AUSTRALIAN expatriate investment bankers are returning home amid new boutique advisory firms and a surge in deals, with the country also able to manage the coronavirus pandemic. — PRESSFOTO /FREEPIK

HONG KONG — Australian expatriate investment bankers are returning home in large numbers, lured by the launch of new boutique advisory firms, a sharp pick up in deal-making and the safety of a country relatively unscathed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Signs of a strong economic rebound from a brief pandemic-induced recession are underscoring a trend that is starting to reverse a long tradition of Australian bankers heading overseas to more tax-friendly global financial centres.

“There is a brain gain happening in Australia, we are acquiring additional knowledge and experience,” said Nick Hughes, Australia co-head at UBS.

Corporate Australia has set a scorching start to 2021, with $6.21-billion worth of M&A deals already underway, more than seven times higher than the same period last year, according to Refinitiv data. That puts Australia second in the Asia-Pacific in terms of deal value, behind only China, compared with its seventh place ranking over the same period in 2020.

The trend is expected to continue in the near-term, with big-ticket deals such as the possible sale of casino operator Crown Resorts, and the divestment of some financial businesses in the pipeline.

The entry of two boutique firms, Barrenjoey Capital and Jarden, into the fray has fueled a talent war in the country and pushed up wages by at least 20%, making it a rare bright spot for rainmakers.

Jarden, the Australian offshoot of the New Zealand investment bank, has hired eight Australian expatriate bankers traders and analysts as part of its campaign to build out its local franchise, according to a spokeswoman.

Goldman Sachs has had eight Australian staff return from offshore to work in Australia, and Swiss bank UBS has had four returnees in the recent months, according to the banks’ spokeswomen.

Bank of America has hired two senior expatriate bankers, the bank’s country head Joseph Fayyad said.

“With new entrants establishing a presence and the incumbents defending their positions, there are more available seats for senior bankers,” Sydney-based Fayyad told Reuters.

Most of the returnees are landing in Sydney from London and New York. Their experience ranges from mid-career to senior bankers and legal and compliance staff.

They are among a lucky few currently allowed to enter Australia, which closed its international border to almost all travelers but returning nationals and permanent residents months ago as a pandemic shield. The dramatic step has appeared to pay off with Australia recording under 30,000 COVID-19 cases and 910 deaths, far fewer than many other developed countries.

“I think Australia’s outperformance during COVID has put a real spotlight on the benefits of working and living down under, so the combination of more available seats and a greater desire from Australians to come home has really fuelled the trend,” said Fayyad.

‘A BIT OF HUSTLE’
The return of the expatriates counters a long-established trend of Australian finance professionals moving offshore, partly to gain experience and partly to escape Australia’s relatively high personal income tax rates.

Local banking executives said increased onshore deals activity means banks are able to offer fatter paychecks for returnees used to New York and London salaries.

Jarden Australia head of investment banking Aidan Allen said the “brain gain” had helped the emerging bank build its team to almost 100 since its launch a year ago.

“A lot of our talent has come from offshore, people wanting to return home has been a massive opportunity for us,” Mr. Allen said. “We think it’s a point of difference, it’s given us the opportunity to have a more diverse and experienced bench.”

Rival Barrenjoey launched in September with 50 staff and now has about 220 people, a spokeswoman said.

The influx of the expatriates should also be a warning for incumbents, BofA’s Mr. Fayyad said: “Bankers that have been here for some time need to acknowledge there is a new crop of talent who have a bit of hustle, a spring in their step, who want to make their mark.” — Reuters