Stuff to do (03/04/22)

March 4, 2022 | 12:03 am

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Gigi De Lana kicks off concert tour

SINGER/actress Gigi De Lana and her band The Gigi Vibes kick off their Domination tour — ABS-CBN Events’ first on-ground concert in two years — at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila on March 5, 8 p.m. The Manila leg will be followed by the group’s Middle East leg. They are scheduled to perform at the Jubilee stage at the Expo 2020 in Dubai on March 12, the National Theater of Abu Dhabi on March 18, and Crowne Plaza Bahrain on March 25. Domination will also be streamed on KTX.ph on April 23 featuring the Manila concert and snippets of the Middle East tour. Joining Gigi and The Gigi Vibes is Jed Madela. Tickets for the Newport Performing Arts Theater are available via Ticketworld at P8,000 (platinum), P7,000 (SVIP), P6,000 (VIP), P5,000 (gold), P3,500 (silver), and P1,500 (bronze). Meanwhile, online viewers can purchase tickets on KTX.ph at P695 (SVIP), P495 (VIP), and P195 (regular) for the April 23 special streaming.

RWM’s Bar 360 holds concert series

NOW that Metro Manila, along with 38 other areas, has been placed under Alert Level 1, Resorts World Manila (RWM) has lined up a concert series at Bar 360 with performances every Saturday of March at 10:45 p.m. Female-fronted band Gracenote is kickstarting the Bar 360 Concert Series on March 5. Gracenote is an electro-pop-rock band led by Eunice Jorge (vocalist, songwriter, pianist, and violinist), along with Jazz Jorge (bass), EJ Pichay (drums), and Tatsi Jamnague (guitars). Pinoy music icon Gino Padilla — known for the songs “Let The Love Begin,” “I Believe In You,” and “Closer You and I” — performs on March 12. Taking the stage on March 19 is Imago. The OPM rock band — known for hits like “Sundo,” “Akap,” and “Taralets” — is composed of Myrene Academia (bass), Tim Cacho and Zach Lucero (guitars), and Mervin Panganiban (drums). Closing out the concert series is Pinoy alternative band Sandwich on March 26. The award-winning OPM band known for hits like “Two Trick Pony,” “Sugod,” and “Betamax,” is composed of Raymund Marasigan (lead vocals, keyboards, additional guitar, percussion), Diego Castillo (rhythm and lead guitar), Myrene Academia (bass guitar, aerophones), Mong Alcaraz (lead guitar, keyboards), and Mike Dizon (drums). Bar 360 is located at RWM’s Garden Wing. The shows are open to patrons 21 years old and above for a minimum cover charge of P1,000 consumable on food and drinks.

Exhibit mixes cardiovascular health and art

THE J. AMADO Araneta Foundation and Araneta City’s Gateway Gallery partner with public interest law organization ImagineLaw in hosting an art exhibit to celebrate the culmination of Philippine Heart Month. Titled “Heart to Art,” the exhibit features crowdsourced art by local artists that depict personal stories and experiences with heart disease and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is open for public viewing for free at the Gateway Gallery from March 1 to 15. In the Philippines, coronary heart disease is responsible for taking over 120,800 lives annually making it the No. 1 cause of death in the country. About half of Filipinos who died from COVID-19 also suffered from comorbidities, the majority of which was found to be coronary heart disease. Gateway Gallery is Araneta City’s museum devoted to the promotion of Philippine arts and culture. It is a free-admission museum, open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 5F Gateway Tower, Araneta City, Quezon City.

MTV celebrates Women’s Day with coffee, music

MTV will be flipping its logo and more in celebration of women everywhere for International Women’s Day (IWD). The campaign in the Philippines kicks off on March 8, with a special coffee bundle for charity, free cold brew giveaways, and on-air specials featuring some of the most inspiring women in music and television. Together with Filipina-owned café and coffee roaster Commune, MTV has produced a coffee bundle composed of a limited-edition tote bag and a 250-gm bag of an exclusive coffee roast, with 100% of the proceeds from the sales going towards supporting Filipina coffee farmers via the International Women’s Coffee Alliance. Snag a bundle online and in-store from March 8, at P880. On March 8, the first 50 customers to walk into Commune’s physical store in Makati and strike this year’s IWD #BreakTheBias pose can redeem up to two bottled cold brews each — one for themselves, and another for a special woman in their life. From March 8, MTV will be airing music specials and videos featuring some of the most powerful and inspiring women in music and TV. From Olivia Rodrigo to Madonna and Kacey Musgraves to Rita Ora, these women have blazed trails and literally rocked our world. Tune in on Tuesdays at 9:40 p.m.

NCCA’s Saan Ka Lulugar webinar series

IN CELEBRATION of National Arts Month, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), through the National Committee on Architecture and the Allied Arts (NCAAA), is holding a series of conversations that will highlight how creativity in planning, designing, and constructing of built environment can hasten recovery from the impacts of the pandemic. With the theme “Creativity as a Catalyst for Recovery,” the four-part webinar series, “Saan Ka Lulugar” is open to the public. The fourth session, on March 4, 2 p.m., will focus on creative innovations. Register at http://bit.ly/SaanKaLulugar2022. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/NCAAAexecon.

Free webinar looks at WWII in the Philippines

THE AYALA Foundation, Inc. — Filipinas Heritage Library, and US Embassy in the Philippines present “Popcorn At The Barracks” with Nick Deocampo. The free webinar is part of “Liberation: War & Hope,” a series of events in commemoration of the 75^th anniversary of the end of WWII. The webinar will be on March 5, 10 a.m. to noon, on line via Zoom and Facebook Live. In the latest installment of “Liberation Talks,” webinars by Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL), independent filmmaker and UP professor Nick Deocampo will discuss the legacies left behind by World War II on Philippine cinema. The webinar will also cover topics related to the treatment of American films during the three-year occupation of the Philippines by the Japanese military as well as the triumphant return of Hollywood on local screens. To learn more, visit filipinaslibrary.org.ph and ayalamuseum.org.

Geneology webinar focuses on links to Fujian

THE MUSEUM Foundation of the Philippines will be holding a webinar, “Relative Finder: Reconnecting Family Histories From Filipinas to Fujian,” led by Eduardo Dela Cruz, on March 5, 10 a.m. Mr. De la Cruz is an IT professional from Northern Samar. Since 2012, his advocacy work Relative Finder, has helped reconnect the roots of over 60 families from the Philippines and China. He is a contributor to Tulay Chinese-Filipino Digest where he writes about his experiences bridging lost family histories. His work has been presented in international conferences and media outfits. To join the webinar, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ocT44vesSsCOwnBbfJHS5g .

Asian Cultural Council holds fundraiser

THE ASIAN Cultural Council (ACC) Auction 2022 will be held on March 5 at 2 p.m. at the Leon Gallery. A portion of the proceeds from this annual auction will help fund various ACC grants for Filipino and other Asian artists and arts-based practitioners. To view the catalogue, visit https://leon-gallery.com/…/The-Asian-Cultural-Council…. Register to bid online at https://www.leonexchange.com/en/auctions. Auction items are currently on view at Leon Gallery, Eurovilla I, Legazpi St. corner V.A. Rufino St., Legazpi Village, Makati.

Drex Zamboanga eyes former ONE world lightweight champion Christian Lee

March 4, 2022 | 12:03 am

FILIPINO Drex Zamboanga wants a shot at Christian Lee’s ONE world lightweight crown.

“If possible, I would like to face Christian Lee. I’ve been watching his fights from way back, and I feel like we’d have an interesting match skill-wise,” said Mr. Zamboanga.

Mr. Zamboanga’s dare came more than a week after his impressive first-round win over Rahul Raju in “ONE: Full Circle” in a match where the former had to jump three weight classes from flyweight to lightweight.

“At first, I struggled adjusting to lightweight. It’s not easy because I jumped three weight classes, but I had to maintain my speed,” said the 28-year-old Marrok Force mainstay. “I focused on enhancing my speed and power during my training and loaded up on conditioning to match [Raju’s] strength.”

The Bangkok, Thailand-based Mr. Zamboanga overcame his struggles in disposed of Mr. Raju in just 65 seconds.

“I was able to maintain my training and executed my game plan against Mr. Raju very well. I’m very happy because it’s been two years since I last fought due to injury,” said the fighter who remains undefeated in ONE Championship.

After his fight against Mr. Raju, Mr. Zamboanga sees himself staying at lightweight rather than flyweight because he believes he’s better off competing in that division. — Joey Villar

Entertainment News (03/04/22)

March 4, 2022 | 12:02 am

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GMA releases voters’ education series

GMA NEWS and Public Affairs Digital Media has rolled out its voters’ education campaign, #eLeksyonSerye. With more than 172 million followers across popular social media platforms, GMA News and Public Affairs is utilizing a multimedia approach to equip voters with the right information for the upcoming 2022 elections. “This digital effort continues our commitment to the ‘Dapat Totoo’ campaign for Eleksyon 2022, in line with our goal of empowering Filipino voters to choose the right leaders that will chart the future of our country at this critical juncture in history,” Marissa L. Flores, Senior Vice-President for GMA News and Public Affairs, said in a statement. The campaign kicks off with the #eLeksyon2022 Quiz via Facebook (https://bit.ly/eLeksyon2022QuizFB) and Instagram (https://bit.ly/eLeksyon2022QuizIG) filters powered by GMA New Media, and duets on TikTok. The #eLeksyon2022 Quiz challenges viewers on their actual knowledge of elections. GMA News reporters, public affairs hosts, radio personalities, and celebrities are joining the challenge as well. The #eLeksyon2022 Quiz is also available on GMA News Online via https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/publicaffairs/content/821816/e-leksyon-2022-quiz/story/.

More than 30 Batman titles now on HBO GO

TO COINCIDE with the release of The Batman in cinemas on March 2, the streaming service HBO GO will stream 33 Batman movies and series. The movies — which include Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021), Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition (2016), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), The Dark Knight (2008), and Batman Begins (2005) — will be available until March 13. One can subscribe to HBO GO online at http://www.hbogoasia.ph or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store for as low as ₱99.70/month. HBO GO can also be accessed via Cignal, Globe and Skycable.

Jollibee Studios releases online series

JOLLIBEE has released a drama trilogy, My Crush is A Cactus Killer. Produced by Jollibee Studios, follows two people who find a joyful connection: a love for plants. But that is not the only thing they have in common: both have faced setbacks in their professional and personal lives due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As they try to put the pieces of their lives back together, will a shared love of plants make them discover that love can make change easier? Directed by Sigrid Bernardo, it features Gigi de Lana and Raphael Balaccua. The mini-series is exclusively available on the Jollibee Studios YouTube channel.

Avril Lavigne releases new album

SINGER, songwriter, designer, and philanthropist Avril Lavigne has released a new album, Love Sux, via DTA Records. It is Ms. Lavigne’s 7^th studio album and marks the first new music she has released since 2019. Love Sux showcases Ms. Lavigne’s signature pop-punk sound. The 12-track album featuring previously released singles “Bite Me” and “Love It When You Hate Me” feat. blackbear. The singer kicks off her Bite Me 2022 Canada Tour in May and will also be headlining iHeartRadio’s Daytime Stage on Sept. 24 in Las Vegas. She will be attending the music festival circuit this fall, with performances at the When We Were Young Festival, Firefly Festival, and Boston Calling Music Festival. For more information on her upcoming tour dates, visit avrillavigne.com. Love Sux is available on all digital streaming platforms.

Netflix’s The Adam Project releases trailer

THE FILM The Adam Project follows a time-traveling pilot who teams up with his younger self and his late father to come to terms with his past while saving the future. Directed by Shawn Levy, it stars Ryan Reynolds, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, Walker Scobell, Catherine Keener, and Zoe Saldaña. The Adam Project premieres on March 11. To watch the trailer, visit https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=266729928922487.

Pokémon introduces new games

THE POKÉMON Company is introducing two new games: the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet on Nintendo Switch in late 2022. The premier trailer for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet has been released on the official Pokémon YouTube channel (Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet | Announcement Trailer). After their release, Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet will be able to link with Pokémon HOME, a cloud service for Nintendo Switch and mobile devices (iOS/Android), designed as a place where all Pokémon can gather. By linking Pokémon HOME with other services and software titles, the user will be able to bring together Pokémon from other games — such as the main Pokémon series games and Pokémon GO — to deposit them in Pokémon Boxes and trade with people all over the world. For more details about other titles already connected with Pokémon HOME, check: https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/pokemonhome/about/ . Meanwhile, Daybreak, a free content update (Ver. 1.1.0) for Pokémon Legends: Arceus, was released on Feb. 28. In celebration of Pokémon Day, gamers can receive items that will help their play on Pokémon Legends: Arceus. This gift includes 30 Ultra Balls, 30 Gigaton Balls, and 30 Jet Balls. To get them, use the password (ARCEUSADVENTURE) in the Mystery Gifts menu before 23:59 JST on March 31. For more details on how to receive gifts via the Mystery Gifts feature, go to: https://www.pokemon.co.jp/support-sp/uketori_legends_arceus.html

Pubg Mobile partners with the Greek Tourism

MOBILE GAME Pubg Mobile has partnered with the Greek National Tourism Organization to release a new arena map for players based on the Greek island, Santorini. Shaped by ancient volcanic eruptions, Santorini is known as the crowning jewel of the Aegean Sea and remains the most popular Greek destination for travelers worldwide. The new partnership brings elements of the island town to Pubg Mobile’s new “Santorini Arena Map,” with a new 8v8 Clan battle experience as players go toe to toe traversing the island’s hills. In 8v8 Team Deathmatch, players have infinite respawns and earn a point for each enemy they eliminate. The first team to achieve the elimination target within the time limit wins. Players can access the new Santorini 8v8 map by selecting Unranked and Arena on the Mode Selection screen. Pubg Mobile is available to download for free on the App Store and Google Play Store.

Basic Energy to install solar power on 30 gas stations

March 4, 2022 | 12:02 am

BASIC Energy Corp. will solarize 30 oil retail outlets under what it calls “ambitious” Green Energy E-Transport Project, the listed company said on Thursday.

“With this project, [we] aim to target the solarization of an initial 30 out of 1,500 planned retail station sites coupled with complementary operation of around 60 out of the 3,000 Basic E-buses,” the company said in a press release posted by the exchange on Thursday.

Among the identified retail stations are those belonging to Total Philippines Corp., ECO Oil Co. Ltd., and Filpride Energy Corp.’s USA 88.

“The Green Energy E-Transport Project is [Basic Energy’s] ambitious endeavor in pursuit of its vision to become a major instrument in the country’s drive for energy self-sufficiency by providing clean, efficient, and reliable energy sources,” the company said.

Earlier. Basic Energy announced that its board of directors approved the proposed P40-million budget for the project’s capital and operating expenses this year. The budget will be disbursed on a quarterly basis.

The firm’s board also approved a P31-million initial budget for the assessment of a 50-megawatt wind power project under its subsidiary Mabini Energy Corp.

Basic Energy shares at the local bourse inched up by one centavo or 2% to close at 51 centavos apiece on Thursday. — Marielle C. Lucenio

Malaysia holds rate at record low, warns of Ukraine risks

March 4, 2022 | 12:02 am

MALAYSIA kept its benchmark interest rate at a record low to support its nascent recovery, though warned the war in Ukraine has emerged as a “key” risk to global growth and trade.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) maintained the overnight policy rate at 1.75% on Thursday, a decision expected by all 22 economists in a Bloomberg survey. Borrowing costs have remained steady since July 2020, with analysts expecting monetary policy normalization to start in the second half of the year.

Despite the ongoing economic recovery at home and abroad, the central bank warned that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine poses a possible threat.

“The unfolding developments surrounding the military conflict in Ukraine, however, have emerged as a key risk to global growth and trade prospects, commodity prices and financial market conditions,” it said in a statement.

It also said that the current stance of policy monetary is “appropriate and accommodative,” and would continue to be determined by new data and their implications on the outlook for inflation and growth. BNM is set announce updated economic forecasts at the end of the month.

“The overall language of the MPC statement sounded neutral, and shows no sign of BNM intending to start the rate normalization process anytime soon,” said Winson Phoon, head of fixed-income research at Maybank Securities Pte in Singapore.

Malaysia’s high vaccination rate has allowed the country to roll back virus curbs, which helped the economy rebound at the end of 2021 and lift optimism for the manufacturing sector. For this year, the government forecasts gross domestic product to grow within a range of 5.5% to 6.5%, from 3.1% in 2021, as it aims to reopen its borders as soon as next month.

The central bank sees headline inflation moderating on waning base effects, and gains in the core measure — which strips offs volatile food and fuel costs — to be modest, given the slack in the economy and the labor market.

The recovery still faces risks, including COVID-19 flareups, protracted supply bottlenecks and the Russia-Ukraine war. China’s slowing economy and the Federal Reserve’s policy tightening will further weigh on the economy, Finance Minister Zafrul Aziz said Wednesday. — Bloomberg

Hybrid work seen as instrumental during reopening of economy

March 4, 2022 | 12:02 am

HYBRID WORK arrangements will give employees the flexibility to adjust to changing office expectations as quarantine settings ease to Alert Level 1 this month, JobStreet Philippines said.

JobStreet Philippines Country Manager Philip A. Gioca said in a virtual briefing this week that his company, a site for job postings, supports flexible work arrangements.

“We advocate hybrid work. Hybrid work is the best way forward because it gives us the flexibility to be at home when needed and to be in the office when there is a need,” Mr. Gioca said.

“The other thing about hybrid work is that in the Philippines, it’s not just the pandemic, when it comes to rainy season, during a volcanic eruption or any disaster, that’s already your business continuity plan. That’s why hybrid work is really something that we advocate,” he added.

On March 1, the National Capital Region and 38 other areas were placed under Alert Level 1 for 15 days. Under Alert Level 1, business establishments and public transport are allowed to operate at 100% capacity. The Trade department has been encouraging workers and companies to expand onsite work to aid the economic recovery.

Mr. Gioca added that it is important for jobseekers in this market to upgrade their skills, which will allow them to adapt as digitalization gains momentum.

“Majority of the jobs that will be relevant in the future, and when I say future, this is five to 10 years from now, will all be about digital. It is important for us to upskill to be digital-savvy,” Mr. Gioca said.

Mr. Gioca also mentioned the Filipino experience of social media and videoconferencing can be an avenue for improving digital skills.

“It doesn’t mean that we need to learn programming or information technology (IT)… What we need to do is upskill to a level where we are not afraid to experiment on using various platforms… (and) to be able to communicate using face-to-face and virtually,” he added.

Mr. Gioca said he expects over 80,000 jobs in Southeast Asia will be offered by more than 200 companies at the company’s “Hire the Future” virtual career fair scheduled for March 9-11.

The career fair will be a partnership between JobStreet and technology news website Tech in Asia. It will involve 900 hirers from Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

According to JobStreet, the virtual career fair will have a mobile-first interface allowing employers and candidates to participate virtually, with on-the-spot recruitment opportunities available via chat and online interviews.

“Filipino jobseekers can access more than 80,000 opportunities within the platform — with over 2,000 tech jobs. These jobs are being offered by more than 200 various notable local companies such as Globe, ePLDT, BDO Unibank, Cognizant, ING Bank, and more,” JobStreet said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

PSC’s Rise Up! Shape Up! goes back to back for Women’s Month

March 4, 2022 | 12:02 am

THE Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) Rise Up! Shape Up! web series tackles the vital role of women in sports and society as it joins the celebration of Women’s Month in its episodes this coming Saturday and Sunday.

On March 5, the spotlight will be on the hardworking people behind successful sports programs, projects, and activities, particularly its Gintong Gawad 2021 “Babaeng Lider ng Isport sa Komunidad” awardee, Ma. Janelyn T. Fundal.

Ms. Fundal is a veteran in sports education and management. Through hard work and dedication, she became an Education Supervisor for Physical Education and School Sports in La Paz, Iloilo City. She also served as the Provincial Government Department Head for Iloilo Sports Development and Management Office in 2017.

“With women sports administrators comprising only a minority, their representation is all the more impactful. Their presence is a statement that women can break gender bias as sports is a male-dominated area, and women often have to deal with the glass ceiling,” PSC Women in Sports Oversight Commissioner Celia H. Kiram said.

What to See this Week (03/04/22)

March 4, 2022 | 12:01 am

The Batman

MORE than a year of stalking the streets as the Batman has led Bruce Wayne deep into the shadows of Gotham City. With only a few trusted allies — his butler Alfred, and Lt. James Gordon — while surrounded by the city’s corrupt network of officials and high-profile figures. When a killer targets Gotham’s elite, Batman encounters such characters as Selina Kyle, The Penguin, Carmine Falcone, and The Riddler, and he must forge new relationships and bring justice. Directed by Matt Reeves, the film stars Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, and Colin Farrell. Variety’s Peter Debruge writes, “As the Batman or Vengeance or whatever he’s called, Pattinson is the most sullen of the actors to have played the character, which reads as a kind of daredevil nihilism whenever he’s in costume: He doesn’t seem fearless so much as ambivalent about whether he lives or dies. Once the cowl comes off, however, Pattinson’s interpretation gets more intriguing: Brooding and withdrawn, he’s a damaged loner with unresolved daddy issues, saddled with all kinds of complicated emotional trauma.” Review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer gives the film a score of 87%.

MTRCB Rating: R-13

Globe 5G roaming now in Netherlands, Bahrain, New Zealand

March 4, 2022 | 12:01 am

GLOBE Telecom, Inc. on Thursday said its fifth-generation (5G) roaming service is now available in the Netherlands, Bahrain, and New Zealand.

Globe is looking to partner with more telcos in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific, the listed company said in an e-mailed statement.

“As more smart cities emerge worldwide, we want our customers to experience new ways to connect and engage as they travel,” it noted.

Globe has partnered with Zain in Bahrain, Vodafone in New Zealand, and KPN in the Netherlands.

The company said it spent P92.8 billion in capital expenditures last year to prepare its network for the post-pandemic era.

“Aside from building 1,407 new cell sites and installing over 1.4 million fiber-to-the-home lines, Globe also fired up over 2,000 5G outdoor sites and in-building solutions,” it noted.

Globe’s consolidated service revenues for 2021 grew by 4% to P151.5 billion from the P146.4 billion reported in 2020.

The company attributed its growth to the “sustained outstanding performance of home broadband as well as corporate data.”

Broken down, mobile revenue for the year slightly increased to P104.4 billion from P103.7 billion in 2020, while home broadband revenue grew by 10% to P29.4 billion from P26.8 billion previously.

Corporate data revenue increased by 12% to P14.2 billion in 2021 from P12.6 billion in 2020, while revenue from fixed-line voice fell by 13% to P2.3 billion from P2.6 billion a year earlier.

Globe Telecom shares closed 0.62% lower at P2,560 apiece on Thursday. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Hitting the road

March 4, 2022 | 12:01 am

“THE world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” — St. Augustine

I enjoy traveling and planned a series of trips after my early retirement in 2020. Most of these went away because of the travel restrictions forced upon us by the pandemic. This week, however, I finally found the courage to travel if only to greet my mother in celebrating her 86^th and have a short reunion with my siblings. As always, there were many takeaways from the eyes of a curious development observer.

The US is famous for its national system of interstate highways. California is well known for its freeways which are considered as cultural touchtone. Built in the 1940s and early 1950s, California’s vast highway system shows how the car is indeed king. The State spends millions on improvements yearly, like carpool lanes and shoring up the infrastructure to withstand earthquakes.

But what catches the Filipino’s eyes as much as the vast network of roads is how driving discipline is imposed. My brother lived in Los Angeles for more than 20 years and I witness how comfortable he drives through the system, following the lane rules and in fact moving fast but in accordance with the speed limits.

In contrast, when in the Philippines, he abhors driving not just because of the traffic but mostly because nobody sticks to the lane. In fact, some lanes in Manila, when followed strictly can lead to road mishap. Why? Because the lanes are not well defined and when a new construction or road repair is at hand, authorities don’t even bother to correct the lane designation. And he’s amazed at the big increase of motorcycle drivers who weave in and out of the lanes. In Manila, driving is notoriously impaired by absence of road discipline and poor enforcement. Parking spaces in malls and public places are also generous in the US, with enough space in between cars. Comparatively, mall parking areas in the Philippines are just enough to fit vehicles as mall owners try to maximize space use.

Somehow, management of our road system and the driving discipline is symptomatic of the way the country is run. “My way or the highway” is an expression that speaks of a leadership style that is autocratic or, at worst, dictatorial. It is managing with the illusion of infallibility. If the leadership is not willing to listen, the arrogance will eventually backfire. Discipline is imagined because of fear, but this narrow-minded style will not engender the respect that will bring out the best of the governed.

On another front, the Los Angeles County no longer requires people to wear masks at indoor public places if they can show proof of vaccination. Masks are still required in public transit and transportation hubs, such as trains, airplanes, rideshares, airports and bus terminals. Americans are learning to live with the pandemic and are eager to return to normalcy. Most of the onerous pandemic restrictions like shutdowns or remote schooling for children have largely come to an end.

These developments in the US are happening despite covid deaths of around 10,000 per week. The Biden administration has faced a few setbacks in its pandemic program. According to a New York Times article, “the administration has gotten much right, but its response has been hampered by confusing messaging, a lack of focus on testing, fear of political blowback and the coronavirus unpredictability”. Nonetheless, Pres. Biden continues to project a sense of optimism, even as he calls the development towards a “new normal,” a job not yet finished. The biggest accomplishment of the administration is getting at least one dose of vaccine into nearly 85% of Americans 12 years and older. Pres. Biden has however rejected lockdowns, school closes and other extreme measures.

America is indeed nearing the next normal. Just watch NBA games on TV and you’ll see coliseums packed with people, with or without masks. The Philippines is too far off. We should aim to hit our vaccination target and get back to normal soonest. On a personal note and as a part time university faculty, I am concerned about the continued exclusive reliance on the virtual mode of teaching. If it is an issue at the collegiate level, it is more of a potential catastrophe for grade school students. The country’s average age is supposed to be our sweet spot in terms of development and progress. But if we are not able to educate our youth well early on, especially during their formative years, we will pay a big price for this mistake with the quality of our future talent pool.

It is unfortunate that the pandemic has restricted our ability to travel and read the world “book”. When things improve, those with the opportunity should expand their mind by observing what goes on elsewhere as there is so much to learn that can benefit the way we do things. There is no need to reinvent development models. Most of the innovations and best practices that deserve emulation have probably been done elsewhere. We just need to open our eyes.

Benel Dela Paz Lagua was previously executive vice-president and Chief Development Officer at the Development Bank of the Philippines. He is an active FINEX member and an advocate of risk-based lending for SMEs. The views expressed herein are his own and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of his office as well as FINEX.

Types of employee commendation that matter to all

March 4, 2022 | 12:01 am

I’m the human resources (HR) manager of a medium-sized bank. I find that writing letters or memoranda commending employees is a lost art. Sometimes, when incompetent managers must write letters of praise, they miss out on important details that make the process insincere, if not worthless to the recipient. Could you help me come up with a better approach? — White Lily.

A man tells his wife that her mother was throwing pebbles at him from the second floor. Asked how he could be sure, he replied, “I would recognize her laugh anywhere.”

Harboring a sense of suspicion is normal. However, we can make things easier by focusing on the issues, rather than concluding that some managers are “incompetent” — the equivalent of suspecting them as pebble-throwers. Of course, there are managers who may have risen to their level of incompetence. It is possible that they don’t understand how to motivate people; many of the theories for doing so are confusing or complicated.

The trouble with applying theory to writing commendation letters is that real life is complex. So here are a few more straightforward approaches for commending and motivating workers effectively.

SIX APPROACHES
Workers whose best efforts go unnoticed and remain unappreciated could entertain negative thoughts at some point. This may cause them to become demotivated, leading to a feeling of career stagnation. Bosses may also be reluctant to convey their appreciation to workers out of an unwillingness to be “corny,” or out of fear their words will be misinterpreted.

Without hearing appreciative words from the boss, and in the absence of opportunities to shine, employees are bound to lose self-confidence and develop a negative self-image. Here are some steps you can take to prevent this from happening:

One, be clear about your performance expectations. A job description may not define all your expectations because they’re written in broad, general terms. Even if they carry a shotgun provision like “all things necessary to perform the above-stated job functions,” workers may still be confused about your expectations. This is one good reason why managers should ensure that all work standards are crystal clear.

Two, catch people doing something right. You can discover many good things about your workers. Start by focusing on their small wins. Assign them low-hanging fruit to build their confidence. If they do well, write encouraging e-mails or reply to their e-mails with positive feedback. Their personal growth will start showing in due time.

Three, build on their strengths. Don’t highlight any weakness or mistakes, and not in front of other people. If a person is good at data collection, give them additional responsibilities related to analyzing the results. Challenge them with something new or valuable insights from the reports they collected.

Four, be specific about worker achievements. Don’t just say: “Congratulations! You did a good job on Project X.” Instead, cite pertinent details on how a worker satisfied your expectations. Here is an example: “With your dedication in completing the project two weeks before deadline, we avoided a potential $5,000 penalty for delay and maintain our goodwill with an important client.”

Five, maintain a consistent management style. Don’t confuse employees with an erratic style. They’re often suspicious of managers who are stingy in complimenting people who suddenly start showering them with flowery words. Consistency is key. If you don’t have it in your record, the people will know it right away and dismiss your new approach.

Last, figure out the employees’ aspirations. Find out from the individual and not from the boss or elsewhere in the company. Intrinsic rewards generate positive feelings regardless of the absence of extrinsic factors. Be sure to ask the following questions: “What are your career ambitions? What is making you stay in this company? What are you trying to achieve?”

ALL FOR ONE
Writing effective commendation letters is key to motivating workers. You shouldn’t avoid them and deliver verbal praise instead. The important thing is to understand the dynamics of rewarding a single person and how others might react.

Singling out a person of one group for compliments while ignoring colleagues can be awkward. It is often best to commend an entire team rather than one person, unless it emerges from the team itself that they credit one person for a successful outcome.

Without a cohesive and well-oiled team, praise of one person can lead those left out to undermine their colleague and keep them from helping one another. If you don’t know how to handle such a situation, no reward and recognition will retrieve the situation.

Have a chat with Rey Elbo via Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter or send your workplace questions to elbonomics@gmail.com or via https://reyelbo.consulting

Alex Eala advances to Round of 16 of W25 Joue les Tours

March 4, 2022 | 12:01 am

alex-eala-_fb — ALEX EALA — ALEX EALA FB PAGE

STREAKING Alex M. Eala zoomed to the Round of 16 of W25 Joue les Tours in France after running away with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over home bet Jenny Lim on Thursday.

Ms. Eala, who bullied her way into the main draw, sustained her fine strokes with a near-sweep of the first frame that set the tone in her another straight-set victory.

The 16-year-old Filipina is yet to surrender a set in the prestigious $25,000 tilt after making short work of Germany’s Fabienne Gettwart, 6-2, 6-0, and Latvia’s Anna Ozerova, 6-0, 6-1, in the qualifying round.

In the next round scheduled at 1 a.m. today, Ms. Eala faces a tall order against former partner Oksana Selekhmeteva of Russia for a seat in the quarterfinals.

Ms. Selekhmeteva took a 6-2, 2-1 victory over Italy’s Cristiana Ferrando in the first round by virtue of the latter’s retirement.

Mses. Eala and Selekhmeteva teamed up in the conquest of the 2021 French Open girls’ doubles title last June after a runner-up finish in the W25 Platja D’Aro in Spain.

In France anew, the good pals will be on different sides for only the second time in their career with the 19-year-old Ms. Selekhmeteva getting the better of Ms. Eala, 6-2, 6-3, in the W15 Manacor last year.

Ms. Selekhmeteva is the WTA No. 207 compared to Ms. Eala, who is at No. 580 only in her second season in the women’s professional circuit. — John Bryan Ulanday