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Alex Eala gets back in action in W25 Milovice

ALEX EALA

ALEX M. Eala makes her anticipated return next week in the W25 Milovice in Czech Republic after a long hiatus due to a foot injury.

As a junior exempt entry, the 16-year-old Filipina sensation is already seeded into the main draw of the $25,000-joust featuring a bevy of top-300 players in the women’s pro circuit.

The W25 Milovice is slated Nov. 22-28.

This will mark Ms. Eala’s comeback on the tennis court after two months since her US Open stint in New York last September.

Ms. Eala reached the quarterfinals and the semifinals of the US Open girls’ singles and doubles play, respectively, before being sidelined by her injury.

She will be eyeing her second pro singles title in Czech Republic after capturing her breakthrough crown earlier this year in the W15 Manacor in Spain.

Ms. Eala is currently ranked No. 4 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior rankings and No. 529 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) list. — John Bryan Ulanday

FAA in talks with telecom industry over 5G dispute

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Tuesday it is in direct talks with the telecom industry about its aviation safety concerns involving the planned use of spectrum for fifth-generation (5G) wireless communications.

“We are having very productive discussions and we will figure this out,” FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said at an event in Washington. “It remains to be seen what mitigations — whether it’s adjustments to deployment or actions that we need to take within the aviation sector — what those will look like.”

Earlier this month, AT&T and Verizon Communications agreed to delay the commercial launch of C-band wireless service from Dec. 5 until early January.

The FAA issued a Nov. 2 bulletin alerting manufacturers, operators and pilots that action may be needed to address potential interference caused by the 5G deployment with sensitive aircraft electronics like radio altimeters.

The FAA bulletin said operators “should be prepared for the possibility that interference from 5G transmitters and other technology could cause certain safety equipment to malfunction.”

Wireless trade group CTIA said in a letter to the White House that in nearly 40 other countries, “C-Band 5G spectrum is deployed and planes land safely every day without any evidence of harmful interference.”

CTIA asked the Biden administration to “reject further calls to delay C-Band 5G services. Aviation safety is critically important. It is also not at risk due to C-Band 5G operations.”

The FAA is considering issuing an airworthiness directive. Mr. Dickson said airlines need at least 30 days’ notice.

“The industry needs some time to make adjustments to whatever requirements we’re going to levy on them,” he said.

“If they have to change their flight planning systems or how they are getting information to pilots… Whatever it is, we’ve got to give time to put all those things in place.”

Boeing Co., Airbus SE, US airlines, pilots and others have urged the administration “to help aviation and telecommunication industries reach acceptable mitigations.”

They added that it “will take significant time… to ensure they meet the FAA’s robust safety requirements.” — Reuters

AUB books lower income in Q3

BW FILE PHOTO

ASIA UNITED Bank Corp. (AUB) registered a lower net profit in the third quarter due to a decline in its interest earnings and trading gains.

The lender’s net earnings dropped by 31% year on year to P998 million in the three months to September from P1.456 billion, based on its financial report released on Wednesday.

This brought its nine-month bottomline to P2.945 billion, down by 21.5% from the P3.752 billion seen in the same period of 2020.

With this, return on assets slipped to 1.3% at end-September from 1.8% a year earlier. Return on equity likewise dropped to 10.8% from 14.6%.

Net interest income in the third quarter inched up by 3.5% year on year to P2.83 billion from P2.733 billion. As of end-September, net interest margin was at 3.8%.

Interest income dipped by 3.5% to P3.268 billion from P3.387 billion. Meanwhile, interest expense declined by 33% to P439 million from P654 million.

On the other hand, AUB’s non-interest earnings dropped by 75% year on year to P428 million in the third quarter from P1.734 billion. This was mainly caused by the decline in its trading gains, which slumped by 97% to P38 million from P1.295 billion a year earlier.

This drop was partially offset by its fee income, which went up by 20% to P228 million year on year in the third quarter. Foreign exchange gains also rose by 48% to P86 million, while trust income improved by 26% to P29 million.

For the third quarter, the bank’s total operating income decreased by 27% to P3.257 billion from P4.467 billion a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the lender’s total operating expenses dropped by 37% to P1.878 billion in the quarter from P3 billion a year earlier.

AUB’s provisions for impairment losses declined by 65% year on year to P507 million from P1.447 billion. As of end-September, it has set aside P1.404 billion, down by 52.5% from the P2.957 billion logged a year earlier.

The bank’s loans and receivables stood at P165.364 billion as of end-September, slightly down from the P165.446 billion seen in the same period of 2020. Its nonperforming loan ratio improved to 1.92% from 2.2% a year earlier.

Its assets rose by 9% to P317.293 billion as of end-September from P290.841 billion last year.

On the funding side, deposit liabilities increased by 13% to P262.35 billion in the same period from P232 billion.

AUB’s capital adequacy ratio decreased to 16.59% as of end-September from 18.54% a year earlier. Meanwhile, its common equity Tier 1 ratio inched up to 15.95% from 15.17%.

The bank had 265 branches as of end-September.

AUB shares closed unchanged at P45 apiece on Wednesday. — L.W.T. Noble

Dining In/Out (11/18/21)

The Peninsula Hamper

The Peninsula Boutique Christmas Feast hampers

NO Christmas is complete without feasting on savory delights and sweet indulgences. This year, the Peninsula Boutique’s Christmas festive hampers are the ultimate holiday hampers and filled with luxurious seasonal treats — from wines and champagne to cookies, chocolates, pâtés, hams, gingerbread chalets, preserves, and jams. Perfect for stocking fillers, gifting to loved ones and of course, oneself this Christmas. There are three hampers to choose from, all filled with nibbles, tipples and surprises — The Santa Hamper (P7,500), The Sweet Indulgence Hamper (P11,500), and The Peninsula Gourmet Hamper (P19,500). Prices are inclusive of taxes. Complimentary delivery service will be extended to single address and minimum single purchase hamper orders of P15,000 to Makati, Mandaluyong, Bonifacio Global City, and Pasig. Purchases of less than P15,000 are subject to delivery fees depending on location. For inquiries, orders, and reservations, call The Peninsula Boutique at 8887-2888 (ext. 7410 for the Christmas Store), mobile 0917-557-8014, or e-mail diningpmn@peninsula.com.

Sheraton opens pop-up kiosk at Robinsons Manila

SHERATON Manila Bay opened its first Pop-Up Sheraton Kiosk at Level 1 of the Padre Faura Wing, Robinsons Place Manila. The Sheraton Kiosk offers a roster of savory sandwiches, healthy salads, bespoke cakes, and freshly baked pastries and breads for takeaway, pick-up, and delivery. The kiosk also offers artisanal coffee blends, fresh juices and cold brew mixes to pair with any of its savories and sweets. Items from the hotel’s Culinary Courier menu as well as Holiday Hampers, Christmas goodies, and Gourmet Bundles for pre-order are also available at The Sheraton Kiosk. Marriott Bonvoy members and Club Marriott members also enjoy a 20% discount on all F&B purchase for a minimum spend of P1,500. For advance orders and more information, call 5318-0788, 0917-583-7294, 0917-583-7326 or e-mail sh.mnlsb.fnb@sheraton.com. For the full menu and E-brochure, visit http://bit.ly/ccmnlsb.

Hilton Manila celebrates a retro Christmas

HILTON Manila at Resorts World Manila welcomes the coming Festive season with “Back to a Better Future: A Retro Christmas,” highlighted by the ceremonial lighting of its Christmas tree streamed online through the hotel’s official social media pages, and an ensemble of gourmet dining and luxury staycation experiences. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony marked the start of the hotel’s dining and room package offerings, available from Nov. 10 onwards. At Kusina Sea Kitchens this December, enjoy a Surf & Turf premium buffet showcasing Boston lobsters and prime rib of beef among other Christmas favorites. The Dec. 24 buffet dinner is priced at P3,200 per person, on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, lunch and dinner is priced at P2,900 each. To welcome the New Year, Dec. 31, the buffet dinner is priced at P3,200. The Hua Yuan Brasserie Chinoise welcomes patrons with an authentic Shanghainese Deluxe or Premium Set Menu. Menu highlights include Shanghai xiao long bao, Emperor’s Flamed Chicken and Shanghai-style Sweet and sour yellow croaker fish with pine nuts and broccoli, among others. The Deluxe Set Menu is priced at P8,000 for a group of four, with the Premium Set at P20,800. Private dining arrangements are available. Then spread Yuletide cheer with Hilton Manila’s ’90s Edition Crafted Hampers, inspired by ’90s Filipino sweets paired with traditional Christmas favorites such as Haw Haw Dipped Crinkles, Chocnut Banana Bread, and Ube Stollen Bread, among others. The holiday goodies are presented in handcrafted Filipino hampers made by local artisans from upcycled materials. The ’90s Edition Crafted Hampers are available in four options: Waterlily Basket at P3,500, Novelty Kit at P3,900, Abaca Basket at P4,900, and Straw Chest Box at P5,900. Hilton Manila also presents a colorful selection of traditional Holiday confectionaries at the Madison Lounge & Bar. Look out for early bird and Hilton Honors discounts. Meanwhile, the Vubble Dining Experience beside the Vega Pool, will offer a Premium Christmas Menu. Dine under the stars in a private air-conditioned dome, with the services of a private butler and chef. The deluxe menu price starts at P12,500 for two persons. For inquiries or reservations, call 7239-7788 or 0917-826-6442, or message on Facebook through m.me/hiltonmanila.

Tiffin now delivers authentic North Indian food   

TIFFIN Indian Lunchbox specializes in Indian comfort food, inspired by the centuries-old tradition of meals being reliably delivered to busy professionals in the city, day in and day out. Tiffin delivers to one’s home or office (or home office) authentic, time-honored recipes crafted by Indian chefs whose expertise lies in North Indian cuisine. Delivered are dishes like hearty Biryani, Butter Chicken marinated in spiced yogurt, and Prawn Curry. These are just a few of the stars in Tiffin’s short but considered menu. There are options for vegetarians, seafood fans, and meat lovers alike. Order a spot of tiffin, any time of day, through the restaurant’s delivery partners, Food Panda and Grab Food. Visit www.tiffin.com.ph to learn more.

Mimi & Bros offers party trays

MIMI & BROS brings its Party Trays back again this season. The Porchetta Party Tray is created for meat lovers, with a price of P990 and good for four to five people, while Mimi’s Fried Chicken Party Tray able to serve 12 to 15 people for P1,600. The Truffle Honey Butter Wings Party Tray is good for six to eight people and costs P1,100, and the Filipino classic, Lechon Belly, is P990 and already good for four to five people. Lola’s Ragu, the iconic Italian pasta dish with beef chunks, sweet tomato sauce, topped with parmesan cheese, serves six to eight persons for P1,350. For a lighter option there is the Corn Dog Party Tray which costs P990 for six to eight persons. This year, Mimi & Bros is jazzing up its Party Tray lineup with Rice Party trays that come in two serving sizes: Tray, which feeds seven to 10 hungry people; and Solo, which good for two to three people. The Rice Party Tray options are Chicken and Chorizo Paella with Crispy Lechon Belly Party Tray (P2,900, and a solo paella option for P1,000); Truffle Mushroom Paella with Porchetta Party Tray (P3,200 while the solo paella option is P1,200; and Bagoong Rice with Crispy Bagnet Party Tray (P2,500 while the bagoong rice solo is priced at P950). Order the Party Trays two days in advance. Call 0945-798-5176 or reach Mimi & Bros through Facebook Messenger (m.me/mimiandbros) or via Instagram (@mimiandbros). A 50% downpayment is required to confirm the order.

Nespresso, Johanna Ortiz collaborate on limited edition

THIS holiday season, Nespresso collaborates with Colombian fashion designer Johanna Ortiz on its annual Festive collection, inspired this year by the forest. The collection features a range of limited-edition coffees, along with festive accessories, making for inspiring gifts for family and friends. Coffee lovers can also gift this holiday season knowing Nespresso is giving back to the forest, as the brand goes beyond its agroforestry commitments by helping to protect 10 million trees in the Amazon. This year’s Festive coffee range includes two flavored coffees and one black coffee. Forest Black is a blend of shade-grown coffees from Colombia and beyond. A spicy espresso, it has exotic woody notes. The Forest Fruit Flavor has juicy berry aromas running through the espresso, made with South American Arabicas which take on a festive sweet pastry note. Finally, Forest Almond Flavor has sweet, nutty flavor tucked into this espresso’s South American Arabicas. The collection comes with recipes for Nespresso infused cocktails. The Gift of the Forest with Nespresso’s limited-edition accessories will be available by end November. These include the Nespresso x Johanna Ortiz advent calendar; the Nespresso x Johanna Ortiz Nomad travel mug which comes in a Deep Cherry shade; and a reversible organic-cotton tote bag and a notebook made from sustainable materials, both decorated with the signature Nespresso x Johanna Ortiz pattern. For a limited time only, Nespresso is also revamping its iconic Touch travel mug which will be available in a golden color. Nespresso is partnering with Conservation International to protect 10 million trees in the Amazon Forest in La Pedrera, Colombia. The limited-edition Gifts of the Forest collection will be available on Nespresso boutiques, pop-up stores, and online at www.nespresso.ph.

Holiday gift sets from Marks & Spencer

SIMPLIFY holiday shopping with Marks & Spencer’s (M&S) festive, ready-to-gift holiday gift sets. For foodies, there are food and wine like the Sunrise Bliss with a hearty selection of goodies like Dutch Shortcake, Traditional British Porridge Oats, Breakfast Blend Tea Bags, and more. For the tea-lover, there are Teatime Treats, complete with afternoon snacks and tea bags in different flavors. The Sweet Nostalgia set for someone who loves a good snack, with treats like Custard Creams, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Bar, and more. For the sweet tooth there is a bundle of chocolate goods with Chocolate Indulgence which includes Triple Chocolate Crunch and Swiss Dark Chocolate Mountain Bar. Then there is the Coffee Lover’s Surprise which has Italian Ground Coffee, Rich Roast Instant Coffee, Instant Latte, Pure Honey, Dutch Shortcake, Rich Tea Finger Biscuits, and Custard Creams. These are just some of the many gift sets which are available. There are also wine sets from the award-winning in-house winemakers of Marks & Spencer. Check out the gift sets catalog at bit.ly/MandSChristmasGiftSets. Order now in M&S stores or through the M&S Philippines Viber Community at bit.ly/MSPH-VC. Get a free P250 Gift Voucher for every P5,000 purchase of food and wine gift sets until Nov. 30. The deadline for orders is on Dec. 18.

McDonald’s limited edition Coca-Cola cups, new desserts

MCDONALD’S Philippines adds announced the return of its Coca-Cola collectibles, this time aluminum cups in six festive colors — red, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink. They are available at McDonald’s stores for a limited time only. To get one of the six cups, add P49 to any of the participating McDonald’s meals. These collectibles will be available in McDonald’s stores nationwide via dine in, take out, drive-through, and McDelivery. Meanwhile, McDonald’s has come out with new Filipino-inspired holiday desserts: Ube Pastillas Sundae and Ube Pastillas Frappe, and, inspired by Brazo de Mercedes, there are the Brazo Sundae, Brazo Frappe, or Brazo Iced Coffee. For the classic sweetness and warmth of the season, there is McDonald’s Hot Chocolate. The new McDonald’s Ube Pastillas and Brazo desserts are available for a limited time only.

Samsung Philippines launches bespoke refrigerator

SAMSUNG Digital Appliances is applying this concept of made-to-measure to its latest innovation: the Bespoke Refrigerator, customizable home appliances that gives homeowners the freedom to choose their own configurations, material, and color. Samsung’s Bespoke Refrigerator comes in a modular design with a one-Door Flex Convertible Freezer and Fridge and a Bottom Mount Freezer. These can be mixed, matched, and combined to the consumers’ needs and wants. The Bespoke Refrigerator comes in Cotta White and Cotta Charcoal colors in store, and can be customized with glass panels that are sold separately. The available colors are in Glam Glass Pink, White, Navy and Satin Glass Sky Blue. Installation services for the panels are free and can be booked through the Samsung Customer service hotline for installation assistance. For more information, visit samsung.com/ph/refrigerators/bespoke-refrigerator/.

Facebook page promoting Japanese food launched

TO BRING the Japanese experience to the Philippines, JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) Manila has launched a Facebook page to promote and expand the sales of Japanese foods and restaurants in the Philippines. Through the page, high quality Japanese food products will be made available for people to buy online. The Japanese apples and pears that will be offered through this project will have a logo sticker to identify them as genuinely produced in Japan.

Flying Titans acquire middle blocker Cherry Nunag

CHOCO MUCHO FLYING TITANS FB PAGE

CHOCO Mucho has tapped Cherry Nunag to fill the need of a middle blocker in the absence of Maddie Madayag in time for the Premier Volleyball League’s (PVL) second pro season in February next year.

Apart from plugging the holes left by Ms. Madayag, who tore her left ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), Ms. Nunag, who last played for the Perlas Spikers in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte last August, should provide championship experience being a member of the Petro Gazz that won a 2019 PVL crown.

Ms. Nunag is also a recipient of the 2019 PVL second best middle blocker.

The Flying Titans have also secured the commitment of a talented outside hitter who also won a PVL title to help fill the Ms. Madayag vacuum.

Choco Mucho has also recently recruited former three-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) best setter awardee Jem Ferrer to strengthen its already stacked roster that included Deanna Wong, Bea de Leon, Kat Tolentino, Denden Lazaro-Revilla and Ponggay Gaston.

Choco Mucho coach Oliver Almadro is happy with his new players.

“Choco Mucho is happy with their additions. The added veterans in the team will really help us to be more mature in future games especially in tight situations,” said coach Mr. Almadro.

Mr. Almadro cited the recruitment of Ms. Ferrer would be good for his fast-rising setter in Ms. Wong.

“Jem Ferrer being a multi-awarded setter and an older sister to most of my players can help us in terms of leadership. Malaking bagay din na tandem sila ni Deanna (It was also a big thing that she will tandem with Deanna), and I’m sure Deanna will learn a lot from Jem,” he said. — Joey Villar

Google says it’s the rightful owner of technology at heart of Sonos suit

ALPHABET, INC.’s Google said it’s the rightful owner of patents on ways to keep music playlists in the cloud that form a key component of a lawsuit Sonos, Inc. filed over the Google Play Music system. Sonos called that contention “nonsense.”

Sonos, an early proponent of connected home speakers, has claimed that Google gained knowledge of the technology through a partnership to integrate Google Play into the Sonos platform, and then decided to sell its own product line and undercut Sonos on price.

In a court filing on Tuesday, the Alphabet unit said “Google, not Sonos, conceived of the cloud queue idea” and thus should be listed as owner and inventor of two of the Sonos patents. It also contends a 2013 Content Integration Agreement which prohibits Sonos from claiming ownership of any technology developed during the partnership.

“Sonos has grossly mischaracterized our partnership,” said José Castañeda, a Google spokesman. “We met with them frequently to integrate our technology with theirs, and to develop additional technology, which they are now claiming that they invented and we infringe.”

Google’s allegations came in response to a lawsuit Sonos filed in January 2020. The breach-of-contract accusation over the software adds a new wrinkle to what’s already become an ugly legal battle between the two former allies, which includes dueling lawsuits in five countries and caught the attention of regulators and Congress.

“Sonos invented the technologies at issue several years before the companies began working together in 2013,” Sonos said in a statement. “Google’s allegations are nonsense and we look forward to proving so in court.”

Sonos is seeking to block imports of Google hardware, including its phones and laptops, in a dispute pending before the US International Trade Commission in Washington. The commission is scheduled to announce the next steps in the case on Friday. It’s likely to review all or part of a judge’s findings that older Google products infringed Sonos patents, but that Google had redesigned around them. Both sides have asked the commission to review the judge’s findings.

Google also had filed its own suit accusing Sonos of infringing Google patents for things like digital rights management and relaying communications. That case also is pending in federal court in San Francisco.

The case is Sonos, Inc. v. Google, Inc., 21-7559, US District Court for the Northern District of California (San Francisco). — Bloomberg

AboitizPower remits P714M to communities under DoE program

ABOITIZ Power Corp. has remitted a total of P714 million from January to October this year to the company’s host communities through the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Energy Regulations (ER) 1-94 program.

Under the said program, communities hosting power generating facilities are paid back one centavo per kilowatt hour from the electricity sales of power generation plants in their respective areas.

“We are glad that we get to support our host communities during these times. We know that every centavo counts and hope to be able to keep giving back,” AboitizPower President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio said in a news release on Wednesday.

The company said about 119 of the communities covered by the project have used the remittances to build more isolation facilities for those infected with the coronavirus and to buy relief goods and medical supplies.

Other communities have also used the funds to acquire coronavirus testing kits, ambulances, multipurpose vehicles, and to build coronavirus testing labs.

“Through Inawayan’s share of the ER 1-94 funds, we were able to put up the first barangay isolation unit in Sta. Cruz,” Inawayan Barangay Chief Danilo Baquial said.

Barangay Inawayan in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur is the host community of AboitizPower’s thermal power plant operated by Therma South, Inc.

Barangay NBBN in Navotas City, where some of AboitizPower’s power barges are located, have also recently inaugurated its new isolation center using the remittances from the project, while Barangay Ermita in Cebu City, where one of the company’s oil-fired power plants operates, was able to buy a new garbage truck and a multi-purpose vehicle.

Funds from the project were supposedly for the electrification of areas or households without access to electricity, establishment of development and livelihood programs, reforestation, watershed management, and other health and environmental enhancement initiatives.

However, the DoE issued a circular in March 2020 allowing the said funds to be used for the mitigation of the coronavirus disease in accordance with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

“We will continue to work with the DoE and local government units through this program as we look forward to a better normal,” Mr. Rubio added.

AboitizPower’s stocks at the local bourse went up by 0.96% or 30 centavos to close at P31.70 apiece on Wednesday. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

LANDBANK’s transaction cards do not have gov’t aid

LAND BANK of the Philippines (LANDBANK) said the transaction cards given for free to unbanked national identification registrants are not pre-loaded with government assistance.

LANDBANK clarified this in a statement on Wednesday after crowds expecting financial assistance turned up at registration centers due to false information circulated online.

To provide transaction accounts to unbanked Filipinos, LANBANK is working with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) as it rolls out the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).

Unbanked registrants are being encouraged to open LANBANK transaction accounts at booths set up in PSA registration centers.

“The LANDBANK card can be used to conveniently manage funds and make financial transactions such as withdraw and send money, shop and pay bills online, among others,” the state-run bank said.

As of end-October, 6.14 million unbanked Filipinos registered for transaction accounts at over a thousand registration sites.

The government aims to expand financial inclusion through a national ID system that removes burdensome ID requirements usually needed to open bank accounts.

The state-run bank’s net income grew by 21.2% in the first nine months of the year to P16.72 billion from P13.8 billion in the same period last year on the back of the lower cost of funds.

This puts the bank on track to meet its P19.68-billion profit target by yearend. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Travel/Hotel News (11/18/21)

Shangri-La Mactan

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu holds online sale

SHANGRI-LA MACTAN, Cebu is running an online sale this month, with the Tropical Escape Online Sale that runs until Nov. 21, with stays from Nov. 15, 2021 to Dec. 20, 2022. Guests can enjoy savings with all-in room rates starting at P8,888 net per night, including perks like: daily breakfast for two adults and one child below five years old; complimentary use of snorkel set and unlimited access to treasure island activities; P1,000 net dining credits per room per night; rebooking up to three times until Dec. 20, 2022; and Golden Circle members get to enjoy additional P500 net dining credits per night. To book a beach getaway, log on to bit.ly/TropicalEscape22.

Hilton Manila holds room promo

FAMILIES looking to celebrate the holidays can take advantage of special room offers at Hilton Manila at Resort World Manila such as “Sweeten Your Stay,” with 25% discount on food and beverage purchases and “Staycation 2.0 Premium Package” that includes a host of activities and dining adventures for the whole family. The room package rates start from P8,640 per night, with rooms subject to availability upon reservation until Dec. 31. Terms and conditions apply. For inquiries or reservations, call 7239-7788 or 0917-826-6442, or message on Facebook through m.me/hiltonmanila.

Hotel Okura Manila to soft open Dec. 28

HOTEL OKURA Manila will have a soft opening on Dec. 28. Located within Resorts World Manila, Hotel Okura Manila is highly accessible from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and is close to both Makati and Bonifacio Global City, key business and financial districts in Metro Manila. Hotel Okura Manila will have an 18-meter-high atrium lobby at the 5th floor which will showcase a row of modern Japanese-inspired structures, surrounded by natural elements of wood and stone; as well as a minimalist garden and a mountainous landscape that envelope the whole atrium. The 190-room hotel offers a wide array of accommodations, including the Hinoki-yu Room which features Hinoki (Japanese cypress) wooden bathtubs. All guest rooms are furnished with luxurious beds, separate areas for bathtub and rainfall shower, and state-of-the-art amenities such as a flatscreen TV, high-speed internet connectivity, multimedia room controls, a Nespresso machine, and a Japanese bidet. At the topmost floor, the hotel offers leisure and recreation facilities including a fully equipped fitness center, a 20-meter pool overlooking the Manila skyline, and jet baths. The hotel’s F&B options include Yamazato, a Japanese fine dining restaurant with private dining rooms; and Yawaragi, an all-day dining restaurant that offers Japanese-oriented food with Western and Asian specialties, as well as high tea and cocktails. It also features a robatayaki table, a bar lounge, and a private chef’s table. Hotel Okura Manila is part of One Harmony, the Okura Nikko Hotel Management’s loyalty membership for Okura Hotels & Resorts, Nikko Hotels International, and Hotel JAL City. Members can earn points and enjoy special services, benefits and awards with no membership or annual fees. One Harmony members have special bonuses if they reserve until Dec. 31. Room reservations are now being accepted.

Tribe Hotels come to Southeast Asia

ENNISMORE announces the arrival of Tribe hotels in Southeast Asia, focused on key countries including Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines. Tribe’s growth in Southeast Asia forms part of Ennismore’s global growth of its lifestyle brands. Launched in 2019, Tribe is an alternative lifestyle brand caters to the needs of the modern traveller, without compromising on sophistication, style or functionality. Tribe hotels are designed to focus on common areas to create multifunctional spaces that encourage connection between guests. François Leclerc, Deputy Brand COO at Ennismore said: “We know that Tribe hotels will really excite modern travellers who are looking for simplicity, affordability, and connectivity in a high-end interior environment.” From the music selections to the choice of local coffee roasters, each Tribe element is meticulously curated. The smart rooms feature high quality linens, intuitive connectivity, rain showers, signature robes, and Nespresso coffee machines. Ennismore has already signed 50 Tribe hotels and is aiming for rapid expansion with up to 150 to open globally within the next five years, including in Phnom Penh, Bali, Singapore, Phuket, and Manila by 2025.

New Shangri-La campaign celebrates 50 years

IN 1971, the first Shangri-La Hotel opened its doors in Singapore. As the brand marks its 50th anniversary, it celebrates its ties to the region with a new #WithHeart campaign that brings to life the significance of “wholeheartedness” in all endeavors. A short film series, premiering on Nov. 19 will tell the stories of young and passionate Asian culture makers. The campaign will also include a quest to discover stories #WithHeart through social media and will extend into 2022 with collaborations and experiences. The six episode From Asia with Heart short film series is being released through Jan. 2022. The teaser trailer is available now at www.shangri-la.com/50years. At this site, visitors will also find inspiring stories, perspectives and foresight into different industry trends from more Asian innovators, entrepreneurs and visionaries. Full versions of the short films will be released in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, beginning on Nov. 22 on Instagram, the brand is inviting people to share what they do “with heart” for a chance to win exclusive Shangri-La prizes. To enter the contest, people should follow @shangrilahotels and post their stories, tagging Shangri-La and using the signoff “From _____ #withheart,” filling in the blank with their name or handle. For more information about the #WithHeart campaign, to view the short film series and to hear from other passionate culture makers, visit www.shangri-la.com/50years. On social media, follow the brand on @shangrilahotels (Instagram) and @shangrila (Facebook).

Sheraton Manila Bay bags culinary awards

SHERATON Manila Bay’s Sous Chef Daryl Vance Yulo Sy won Silver and Bronze at Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC), a prestigious culinary competition in the country held recently at the SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall. The PCC is the only culinary competition endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies in the Philippines. Competing against participants from different hotels, restaurants, and culinary schools, Sheraton Manila Bay’s Hotel Sous Chef Daryl Vance Yulo Sy took the Silver award in “US Lamb” category and Bronze award in “US Beef” category. Sample his menu at Sheraton Manila Bay’s Pre-dinner cocktails every Friday and Saturday evening or take home his new gourmet fusion “Croll Burger,” available at the Sheraton Kiosk located at Robinsons Place Manila, Level 1, Padre Faura Entrance.

MPBL plans full-swing return with home-and-away format

THE Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is determined to go back to its staple home-and-away format next year when it tries to stage a full season anew after the slated Chooks-to-Go-MPBL Invitational Tournament this year.

Given a better situation and more relaxed restrictions in 2022, the regional league that is set to turn professional soon said a full-swing comeback in June that has been its traditional season opener looms as a huge possibility.

The MPBL is also looking to hold a preseason tournament in Metro Manila in February that will run for up to three months to prepare the teams for a long trek in their return to a full season journey.

The league last held a complete tournament for the delayed 2019-2020 Lakan Season that was only finished in March this year under a full-bubble setting in Subic due to the pandemic.

For now, the league is finalizing details for the Invitational Tournament set on Dec. 11-21 featuring 22 teams led by Lakan Season champion Davao Occidental.

The Invitationals will follow a FIBA-type format for 10 days as MPBL’s test run before going pro under the monitoring of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Games and Amusements Board (GAB). — John Bryan Ulanday

PLDT, Smart boost online security through Vesta

MACROVECTOR/ FREEPIK

PLDT, Inc. and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. said their adoption of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled fraud detection and approval enhancement capabilities has made transactions on their online platforms more secure.

“The combination of PLDT’s customer-centric digital solutions, PayMaya’s industry-leading payment acceptance solutions, and Vesta’s AI-enabled fraud detection and approval enhancement capabilities allow us to deliver superior customer-centric services and provide our customers with the best payment experience possible,” PLDT and Smart Vice-President for Customer Experience Dianne M. Blanco said in a statement e-mailed to reporters on Tuesday.

PayMaya Philippines, Inc. powers the payment acceptance for PLDT and Smart’s digital channels.

“We will continue to push the frontier of financial technology as we rapidly shift to a landscape where more Filipinos are digitally-empowered,” Ms. Blanco added.

PLDT and Smart said the solutions from Vesta, a US-based fraud prevention services provider, help enhance the protection of transactions made by their customers across their digital channels.

For its part, Vesta said its real-time decisioning platform provides the analytics and authentication technology necessary to increase approvals of legitimate transactions while rejecting fraudulent ones.

“Our mission is simple: help companies scale their digital payment touchpoints with greater confidence by leveraging our end-to-end transaction guarantee platform for domestic and international transactions,” said Shabab Muhaddes, Vesta general manager in the Asia-Pacific.

In March, Philippine business groups warned that the impact of cybercrime could hit $6 trillion this year and up to $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, as the use of online platforms for financial transactions continues to rise.

The shift to online platforms “gave rise to heightened activity by cybercriminals,” the business groups, including the Bankers Association of the Philippines, American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, and the Chamber of Thrift Banks, said in a joint statement.

Citing data from the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, the groups said there were 869 online scams recorded from March to September last year, 37% higher than the 633 incidents recorded in the same period in 2019.

“Phishing, smishing, vishing and other online fraud schemes target bank clients, credit card holders, e-wallet accounts, online shopping and other users of online financial services,” they said.

In October, the Securities and Exchange Commission signed an agreement with the Department of Information and Communications Technology for cybercrime prevention initiatives.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Vista Land profit up 6% to P2 billion

VISTA Land and Lifescapes, Inc. posted a P2.05 billion net income attributable to the parent equity holder for the third quarter of 2021, higher by 6% from P1.93 billion in the same quarter last year.

This brought the company’s attributable net income for the January-September period to P5.7 billion, higher by 7% from P5.32 billion a year ago.

In a news release on Wednesday, Vista Land Chairman Manuel B. Villar, Jr. said the company is optimistic that the industry will grow further, especially with the continuous rise of cash remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Monday released data showing that OFWs’ cash remittances rose for the eighth straight month in September by 5.2% year on year to $2.74 billion from $2.60 billion in the same month a year ago.

Remittances also grew by 4.9% month on month from the recorded $2.61 billion in August.

“The expansion in cash remittances was due to the increase in receipts from land-based and sea-based workers, which rose by 6.2% (to $2.16 billion from $2.03 billion) and by 1.9% (to $581 million from $570 million), respectively,” the BSP said.

Aside from this, Mr. Villar added that, “With the holiday season coming up and the relaxation of the mobility restrictions across the country, we are excited to welcome more customers to our commercial centers.”

In the third quarter, Vista Land’s revenues decreased by 9% to P6.27 billion from P6.92 billion in the same quarter last year.

This brought the nine-month revenues of the company to P23.69 billion from P25.67 billion in the same period in 2020.

Of its revenues, real estate was hit the hardest with a 20% revenue to P14.45 billion “due to the slower construction activities in the provincial areas where various level(s) of lockdown were implemented during the period.”

Vista Land’s rental income, on the other hand, increased by 25% to P6.18 billion from P4.94 billion in the same period last year.

“The company’s newly opened commercial centers, where the majority of the tenants are essential (i.e., home store and supermarket), contributed to the topline growth,” Vista Land said.

Mr. Villar said the company is “continually working on more initiatives as well as developing sustainable programs all aimed at providing better service to our clients and also expanding our reach.”

As of September 2021, Vista Land has 2,937 hectares of land and has launched eight new projects amounting to a total of P7.2 billion. Of the projects, one is a high-end project, five are affordable projects, and two are mid-rise buildings.

The company added that it had stopped acquiring land as it is looking to maximize its existing land bank.

Vista Land’s shares at the stock exchange were unchanged on Wednesday at P3.76 each. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

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