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Converge entices businesses with cloud connectivity solutions

CONVERGE ICT Solutions, Inc. introduced its “cloud connectivity solutions” on Wednesday, capitalizing on the growing demand for high-speed and private data connectivity among businesses.

“These solutions are proven valuable in optimizing operations and promoting work efficiencies to help businesses and enterprises thrive in their respective industries,” Gilbert T. Virtucio, head of product management and network solutions at Converge, said at a virtual media event.

The company’s cloud connectivity solutions for businesses offer three products: Cloud Upload Booth, Cloud Direct Connect, and Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) Upload.

Converge’s Cloud Upload Booth is an on-premise service that offers access to premium LAN (local area network)-based 10 Gbps (gigabits per second) internet connectivity. This service allows businesses to upload large files to cloud platforms, the company said.

“The working space is in an exclusive and secure upload booth located in Reliance IT Center, Pasig City,” it noted.

The Cloud Direct Connect is for businesses that want to connect their local information technology infrastructure to their public cloud resources “but want lower latency and consistent, predictable performance.”

As for the DIA Upload, Converge said this service offers “asymmetric upload and download, with the upload speed being two times higher than the download speed, unique in the industry.”

“The higher upload speed makes DIA upload suitable for applications that are heavy on outbound traffic,” Converge noted. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Datu Puti gets plastic neutral certification

CONDIMENTS manufacturer and distributor NutriAsia partnered with Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX) in its efforts to promote sustainability, and now its Datu Puti brand has been given a plastic neutrality certification from PCX.

The move to make the entire Datu Puti product line plastic neutral is not just meant to reduce the impact plastic has on the environment, but to inspire Filipinos to make more sustainable lifestyle choices through the products they support.

“Datu Puti has been a part of many Filipinos’ lives for decades, which is why it was best to start with it as a pioneer brand in sustainability. This puts Datu Puti in a prime position of being a catalyst and a leader of positive change toward a more sustainable world, helping fellow Filipinos adopt a more environment-friendly lifestyle through the products we offer,” said Mario Mendoza, NutriAsia’s Broad Culinary Marketing Group head, in a statement.

Achieving plastic neutrality entails calculating the plastic usage in Datu Puti’s bottles, bottle caps, cap seals, and stand-up pouches, then, through PCX, diverting an equivalent amount of post-consumer plastic from nature. The collected plastic is transformed into an alternative source of energy for creating cement and other products. This provides a more sustainable way of managing plastic waste.

“The problem of plastic waste is a concern that we simply cannot take on alone. We congratulate NutriAsia on their important decision and milestone of achieving plastic neutrality with Datu Puti, and we at PCX are happy that the company has chosen to partner with us and take up this noble advocacy,” said Nanette Medved-Po, founder of PCX.

Since 2014, NutriAsia has been active in sustainability projects like Datu Puti’s Jumbohalang Tambalan, Refill Revolution in partnership with the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources, BYOB (Bring Your Own Bote), the  NutriAsia EcoStation, and Select & Collect. — MAPS

JFC: 34% of $600-M securities validly tendered

JOLLIBEE Foods Corp. (JFC) said nearly 34% of the $600-million guaranteed senior perpetual capital securities of its wholly owned unit, Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL), have been “validly tendered and not validly withdrawn.”

“As of 4 p.m., London time, on Oct. 18, 2021, a total of US$203,134,000 in aggregate principal amount of the securities were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn, representing 33.86% of the outstanding principal amount,” the company told the exchange on Wednesday.

On Oct. 5, the company disclosed its plans to buy back up to $250 million of its $600-million guaranteed senior perpetual securities listed at the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Ltd. as it aims to strengthen its balance sheet.

The tender offer will expire on Nov. 3 at 4:00 p.m., London time, unless otherwise extended or terminated earlier by JWPL.

The company said the offer “provided a source of liquidity at a time of increased volatility in the broader credit markets, demonstrating JFC’s willingness to provide support to its noteholders.”

JFC’s tender offer will be funded by its issuance of 12 million Series A and Series B preferred shares, which form part of its 20 million preferred shares shelf-listed at the Philippine Stock Exchange. The company raised P12 billion from the follow-on offering of the shares last week.

“With the completion of both transactions, along with other actions related to financing and financial management, by December 2021, JFC expects to have fewer debt obligations, more distributed financial maturities over the next few years, lower foreign exchange risks and better leverage and debt servicing ratios,” the company said.

JFC said this will support its profitable growth as well as its plans to further expand its stores across the globe in the next years.

On Wednesday, JFC shares at the local bourse rose 0.62% or P1.40 to close at P228.60 apiece. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Dining In/Out (10/21/21)

A new patisserie opens

DYLAN PATISSERIE, a European-style pastry shop, opened its first outlet in Jupiter, Makati in September, with ambitious plans to open further stores in Quezon City and Pasig City. Dylan Patisserie has a wide range of cakes across different price points, starting with their Gourmet Cakes, Signature Cakes, and finally their Lux range. There are homemade Carrot Cake, Chocolate Mud Cake, Red Velvet, and Tiramisu, Lotus Biscoff Cake, Ube Dulce de Leche, Lychee Pandan Cake, and Peanut Butter Banana Cake. For something fancier, there are their De Hazelnut Praline, Triple Chocolate Blossom, and Nutty Nutella. The cakes can be customized. Each custom/3D cake is hand-crafted by a team of artists catering to any creative requests. Dylan Patisserie also has a selection of gifts and hampers. Choose from the Celebrate Hamper, the Deluxe Hamper, or the Prestige Hamper. Aside from cakes, Dylan Patisserie also offers a wide range of chocolates, cookies, macarons, and freshly baked bakery items. Take advantage of their free delivery promo within Metro Manila running until Nov. 30. Valid for orders through Viber, WhatsApp, and online at dylanpatisserie.com, purchases are delivered for free within five kilometers of the boutique with a minimum purchase of P720, and beyond five kilometers for a minimum purchase of P1,000. For more information visit http://dylanpatisserie.com/ or visit the store at 116 Jupiter St., Barangay Bel-Air, Makati City. It is open Sundays to Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Orders can also be placed via Viber or WhatsApp (0917-877-2999) and Grab.

Shake Shack opens at ATC

SHAKE Shack opens in Alabang Town Center (ATC) on Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. To mark the occasion, there are a number of treats in store. The first person in line on opening day gets a year’s supply of Shake Shack’s signature Concretes (a frozen dessert) free for every month’s visit. The first 100 guests who purchase in Shack for dine in or takeaway on Oct. 21 will get exclusive Shack streetwear for a minimum spend of P2,000; a limited-edition Shack flask with a P1,000 purchase. Created exclusively for Shake Shack ATC is the Ala-Big Bang!, a concrete is made with vanilla frozen custard blended with Bungalow Café’s Auro glazed donut, salted coffee caramel sauce, and Auro chocolate chunks. The Bungalow Café is a neighborhood café bakery-style restaurant that serves quality and fresh food, made with locally-sourced ingredients, all crafted by hand and from scratch, that is gaining a loyal following from Alabang and the surrounding communities.

Kenny Rogers Roasters opens in Antipolo

KENNY Rogers Roasters has opened its first drive-thru restaurant in Antipolo City at L. Sumulong Memorial Circle. With drive-thru, guests can satisfy their cravings in the comfort of their cars. In addition, store was built with two container vans giving its unique finishes and modern touches. It is made from 40-foot and 20-foot container vans for its two floors. Its architecture and design maximize semi-open spaces. A Corner Pizza kiosk is also available in the branch. Dine-in is available in the store’s second floor. For orders and delivery go to the website www.kennyrogersroasters.com.ph or contact the hotline: 8-555-9000.

Crowne Plaza’s DIY Halloween cupcakes

HAVE a Fun and Spooky Trick or Treat with Crown Plaza Manila Galleria’s DIY Halloween Cupcakes. Order in advance on Oct. 15 – 17 through crowneplazamanila.com and get a P150 discount. Claim the D.I.Y Halloween Cupcake Kit from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1. For more details contact 8790-3100 or e-mail mnlcp.7corners@ihg.com.

Grand Hyatt Manila celebrates Halloween

GRAND Hyatt Manila is releasing its line-up of special Halloween creations from Florentine. Guests can sink their fangs into the eight-inch Burnt Honey Cake made of sponge with layers of Dulce de Leche, burnt honey, and cream cheese filling at P1,850 net. There is also traditional Pumpkin Pie (P900 net) and a Pumpkin Cupcake, a vanilla muffin with dark chocolate ganache (P250 net). These will be available daily from Oct. 25 to 31 at Florentine or through Dine at Home. For inquiries or advance orders, call 8838-1234. Guests may order online through bit.ly/DineAtHomeGHM.

Savoy Hotel Manila celebrates Halloween

SAVOY Hotel Manila is all set to celebrate Halloween by inviting children three to 10 years old to the “Blox Halloween Bash,” a virtual Halloween party, on Oct. 31, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tickets are priced at P1,000 nett per child. Participants will be treated to exclusive access to the online party that includes a host of interactive games and activities. A special loot bag will be sent to the participants which contains Halloween pastries, an activity kit, assorted snacks, a discount voucher, Sparky the plushie and other freebies. A Best in Halloween Costume award will also be presented to two winners and hotel gift certificates will be raffled off. To register to the event, visit Facebook page @savoyhotelmanila. Savoy Hotel Manila’s all day dining restaurant, Savoy Café, is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for fully vaccinated diners. If customers prefer dining in the comfort of their home, Savoy Café also delivers. Check them out at Pick A Roo, Food Panda or call 5317-2817. Bulk orders for large gatherings are available as well. Savoy Hotel Manila is located in Newport City and was recently certified by the Department of Tourism and Bureau of Quarantine as a Multi-Use Hotel. For more information and for inquiries, visit www.savoyhotelmanila.com or call 5317-2869.

McDonald’s Monsters and Mysteries Halloween celebration

MCDONALD’S celebrates Halloween, all month long. Ongoing until Oct. 28, get a free surprise treat with every purchase of a McDonald’s Happy Meal via dine-in, drive-thru, take-out, or delivery. Then there is trick-or-treating through the Monsters and Mysteries Ride-Thru — drive-thru at McDonald’s from Oct. 29-31 to get a Halloween item from the Mystery Monster Box for a minimum purchase of P250. Feel free to capture and immortalize the special family moment by taking a picture with the Monsters and Mysteries Photo Frame. Enjoy the Halloween decorations in select branches that will be “dressing-up” their drive-thru lanes. For more information and updates on this offering, visit McDonald’s Philippines Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages.

Max’s marks anniversary with deals, freebies

MAX’S Restaurant is celebrating its 76th anniversary this month with deals, freebies, new products, pop culture collaborations, and partnerships. Max’s has collaborated with photojournalist Hannah Reyes Morales for a special 2022 documentary calendar. Customers can get the anniversary calendar for free when they buy any regular-priced Max’s products for a minimum of P2,000 at select stores. This will be available for dine-in, take-out, and delivery. Max’s is likewise joining forces with Pinoy comics artists to create webcomics on the love affair between Filipino families and Max’s Restaurant. On board for the first capsule are Manix Abrera (Kikomachine Komix), Mervin Malonzo (Tabi Po), and Julienne Dadivas (UGH). Max’s will also be dropping limited edition T-shirts made in collaboration with Linya-Linya, combining the signature wit of the Linya-Linya brand with items from the Max’s menu. Customers can get these for free when they buy any Max’s Set Meal good for 10, for dine-in, take-out, and delivery. The shirts will be available in select stores only starting Oct. 29. There are also new limited menu items including Sweet & Spicy Chicken (available now, P389 for dine-in); Pocket Pie versions of Buko Pandan and Caramel Bars (P389 for a box of five, P79 per piece); Birthday Caramel Bars (P135 for a box of 10); new Pancit Canton varieties (Seafood Pancit Canton, Bam-I, and Chami) which are also included in a new Pancit Combilao with all these varieties in one order (a Pancit Combilao is P1,099, while ala carte orders start at P299 for dine-in). Throughout the month, freebies await customers: free delivery on GrabFood by using CHICKENFAVES as promo code (until Oct. 24); free delivery on Foodpanda (minimum purchase of P500, valid on Oct. 30 only); free Small Pancit Canton and 850 mL Pepsi Kaya All for every order made directly to Max’s stores or delivery website (minimum purchase of P500, valid on Oct. 23 only). For more information, visit the official Facebook page at @MaxsRestaurant.

Jollibee Crisscut Fries are back

JOLLIBEE Crisscut Fries are back and come with new Spicy Thousand Island and Sour Cream dips. The Jollibee Crisscut Fries are available for P65 for a solo order. There’s also a bucket option that’s available for sharing at P249 that comes with one free dip of choice. Dip add-ons can also be availed at P10 each. It is already available in Luzon, and will be available starting Nov. 8 in Visayas and Mindanao.

Short film on Filipino cuisine airs on FB

CULINARY and performing arts experts-practitioners have collaborated to showcase the rich tradition and heritage of Filipino cuisine and its role in the Filipino cultural identity in an original 30-minute film entitled Estamos Llenos, slated to be aired from Oct. 25 to 30, 6 p.m., on the official Facebook page of Benilde Arts and Culture Cluster (https://www.facebook.com/benildearts/) and Chefs in Progress (https://www.facebook.com/chefsinprogress/) A chronicle of the evolution of local gastronomy, the short is inspired by the pre-colonial discoveries of Italian scholar and explorer Antonio Pigafetta, as told through Pigafetta’s Philippine Picnic: Culinary Encounters During the First Circumnavigation, 1519-1522 (2021), the newly published book by food historian Felice Prudente Sta. Maria. Estamos Llenos was written by playwright Layeta Bucoy and directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio. The story follows the lessons learned by sisters Metida and Destraza, who amid the pandemic, venture into the booming home-cooked food business after closing down several family-owned bars. The movie demonstrates how to concoct some of the most delectable Filipino delicacies such as pancit habhab, lumpiang Shanghai, ginataang bilo-bilo, sugba na isda with Filipino sawsawan and arroz Valenciana.

TDF yields climb on higher oil prices, government debt rates

BW FILE PHOTO
RATES of the central bank’s term deposits inched higher on Wednesday. — BW FILE PHOTO

YIELDS on the central bank’s term deposits went up on Wednesday as oil prices continued to surge and following the uptick in rates of government securities.

Total bids for the term deposit facility (TDF) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) amounted to P585.627 billion on Wednesday, surpassing the P460-billion offering as well as the P521.718 billion in tenders logged in the previous auction.

Broken down, the seven-day papers fetched bids worth P239.493 billion, higher than the P150 billion on the auction block as well as the P175.644 billion in tenders seen a week earlier.

Banks asked for yields ranging from 1.7% to 1.78%, a thinner band than the 1.7% to 1.83% logged last week. With this, average rate of the one-week term deposits increased 0.37 basis point (bp) to 1.7355% from 1.7318% previously.

Meanwhile, demand for the 14-day deposits amounted to P346.134 billion, higher than the P310-billion offer and the P346.074 billion in tenders seen on Oct. 13.

Accepted rates for the tenor ranged from 1.7195% to 1.82%, barely moving from the 1.72% to 1.825% band seen a week ago. This caused the average rate of the two-week deposits to inch up by 0.43 bp to 1.7745% from the 1.7702% recorded in the previous auction.

The central bank has not auctioned 28-day term deposits for more than a year to give way to its weekly offerings of bills with the same tenor.

The BSP uses the term deposits and the 28-day bills to gather excess liquidity in the financial system and guide market rates.

The higher term deposit yields fetched on Wednesday was due to cautious sentiment in the market amid a continued surge in oil prices, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

Energy prices have been trending upwards to reach their multi-year highs recently due to low supply as demand picked up in economies that are gradually easing restrictions.

Reuters reported that Brent crude futures topped $86 a barrel on Monday, the highest since October 2018. Meanwhile, the US West Texas Intermediate futures reached $83.73, reaching its highest since October 2014.

Mr. Ricafort said the TDF yields also reflected the upward trend seen in the rates of Treasury bills and bonds.

The Bureau of the Treasury sold P15 billion in Treasury bills as planned on Monday. Tenders amounted to P36.088 billion, more than double the initial offer but lower than the P46.594 billion in bids seen in the prior week.

The average yields on the three-month and one-year papers increased by 1.8 bps and 1.7 bps to 1.113% and 1.604%, respectively. On the other hand, the average rate of the six-month papers slipped by 0.1 bp to 1.39%.

Meanwhile, the government rejected all bids for its offer of reissued 10-year Treasury bonds on Tuesday as investors asked for higher returns due to inflation concerns.

Had the Treasury made a full award of the bonds, which have a remaining life of five years and six months, the average yield would have jumped by 169.8 bps to 4.883%. — L.W.T. Noble with Reuters

Cyber threats hit more than half of small firms in the Philippines

MORE small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that went digital because of the coronavirus pandemic are experiencing cyberattacks affecting their operations, a study by Cisco Systems, Inc. found.

The study titled “Cybersecurity for SMBs: Asia-Pacific (APAC) Businesses Prepare for Digital Defense” found 57% of SMBs in the country experienced a cyberattack in the past 12 months. Among them, 73% lost customer information to culprits.

This was higher than the 56% of SMBs that were attacked in the whole region.

Over 3,700 businesses from 14 APAC markets were included as participants in the study, with 158 from the Philippines.

Juan Huat Koo, Cisco director for cybersecurity in ASEAN, said cyberattackers are targeting SMBs that have gone digital amid the pandemic.

“As companies become more digital, attackers have more opportunities because there are more ways in which they can target SMBs. Secondly, as companies go more digital, they generate more data as well,” he said in an online briefing last week.

The study found that 77% of SMBs in the country have completed scenario planning and simulations for potential cybersecurity incidents in the past 12 months. Among these respondents, 95% found their systems have weak points in their online defenses.

Half of the respondents from the Philippines view phishing as the biggest cyber threat to their businesses. For others, the primary concerns are malicious actors (20%) and the unsecured personal devices of employees (17%).

With more threats emerging, SMBs have become more conscious of cybersecurity, Mr. Koo said.

“We see that SMBs, about 82% in the Philippines, they are more concerned about cybersecurity today compared to 12 months ago,” he said.

For his part, Robin Llamas, Cisco Philippines managing director officer-in-charge, said SMBs have to step up and stop these cyberattacks within a short period of time to avoid bigger losses.

“The longer the attacker stays in your system, the more data they are able to steal,” he said.

Meanwhile, the study also found that six in 10 local SMBs have already deployed more than 50% of their digitization plans. Mr. Koo said this is a positive development at a time when consumers prefer instant transactions.

“Technology has been essential in business survival… Majority of them are in the advanced stage of implementing their digitization plans,” he said.

For SMBs to improve their defense against cyberattacks, the Cisco study recommended that they hold frequent discussions related to the issue, take a simplified, integrated approach to cybersecurity, conduct real-world simulations, and facilitate training for employees.

Micro, small, and medium-sized firms account for 98% of all registered businesses in the country, based on data from the Department of Trade and Industry. — Luz Wendy T. Noble

CCC-Nestlé innovation lab to help solve climate change

THE Climate Change Commission (CCC) and Nestlé Philippines, Inc. have forged a deal to launch “Klimathon,” an innovation lab which allows the youth to come up with solutions in tackling the climate crisis.

CCC Vice-Chairperson and Executive Director Emmanuel M. de Guzman, and Nestlé Philippines Senior Vice-President and Head of Public Affairs Arlene Tan-Bantoto signed the memorandum of agreement in a virtual ceremony on Wednesday.

Klimathon aims to look for the next generation of young minds who are passionate about solving the climate crisis.

The initiative encourages teams of Filipino students and young professionals to submit project proposals tackling plastic waste management, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and food security.

Ten finalists will undergo a mentorship program with industry experts, with the top three winning teams receiving cash prices totaling P100,000.

The first placer will receive P50,000, while the second and third placers will get P30,000 and P20,000, respectively.

Participants must be 16 to 24 years of age.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, who is the chairperson-designate of CCC, told participants that their proposals will help their experts craft and implement “achievable, coherent, concerted and compelling climate action programs on the ground.”

For Nestlé Philippines Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kais Marzouki, the food and beverage manufacturer is committed to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

“With climate change as a priority [concern], we have in place a whole of business approach to source responsibly, transform our operations and shape a waste-free future. As a company with 110 years of presence in the country, we want to leave our children and the next generation a legacy of effectively caring for the planet,” he said.

The Philippines has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% over 10 years, according to its nationally determined contribution (NDC) which it submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change earlier this year.

NDCs, which are at the heart of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, detail the efforts of countries in reducing emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. — Angelica Y. Yang

Travel/Hotel News (10/21/21)

The Pen Manila marks 45th years with rooms offer

FROM Oct. 16 to Nov. 30, The Peninsula Manila is marking its 45th anniversary with a staycation room package that reflects the spirit of the anniversary and the hotel’s birthday: the Wish You Were Here room package at P4,545, inclusive of taxes. Book a weekday escape at The Peninsula Manila with the Wish You Were Here room package for a relaxing overnight stay that includes five-star accommodations in a Superior Room. Start the day with laps at the sunny and breezy outdoor pool followed by a supervised workout at the immaculately clean Peninsula Fitness Center, capped off by sitting at The Lobby and enjoying Martin Avila tinkling at the piano keys. Because the hotel understands that one’s time is precious, guests will also enjoy Peninsula Time, a unique check-in/check-out experience where guests may check in and out at any hour of the day or night for no additional fee — as early as 6 a.m. on Day 1 and check out as late as 10 p.m. on Day 2. To cap off the anniversary experience, upon check-in at the Front Desk, guests will be asked spin a roulette for a chance to win a complimentary upgrade to a Deluxe Room or pastries from The Peninsula Boutique. The Wish You Were Here rate start at P4,545 for a Superior Room, inclusive of taxes. Guest night stays are from Sunday to Thursday, exclusive of breakfast. For inquiries and details on the room package, call 8887-2888 (trunk line), extension 6630 (Room Reservations), e-mail reservationpmn@peninsula.com, visit the website peninsula.com, or through PenChat, the hotel’s 24-hour e-concierge by using this link: https://bit.ly/PenChatFacebook.

PHL is Asia’s top beach, dive destination

THE PHILIPPINES is, once again, Asia’s leading beach destination and Asia’s leading dive destination at the 28th World Travel Awards (WTA), the Department of Tourism (DoT) announced. This is the Philippines’ fifth time to win Asia’s Leading Beach Destination and the third time in a row since 2019 to win the Asia’s Leading Dive Destination award. The Philippines is still in the running for the following World categories of the 28th World Travel Awards: World’s Leading Beach Destination 2021 (Philippines); World’s Leading Dive Destination 2021 (Philippines); World’s Leading Island Destination 2021 (Siargao, Philippines); World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2021 (Intramuros, Philippines); World’s Leading Tourist Board 2021 (Philippines, Department of Tourism). Voting runs until midnight of Oct. 25 via https://www.worldtravelawards.com/.

El Nido Resorts named as among Asia’s best

EL NIDO Resorts, one of the country’s leading eco-luxury chain located in northern Palawan, was recently voted as among the top resort destinations in Asia for 2021 at the annual Readers’ Choice Awards of the Condé Nast Traveler media group. Consisting of Apulit, Lagen, Miniloc, and Pangulasian Island Resorts, El Nido Resorts is the only Philippine property that landed in the Top 10 list. Pangulasian Island Resort, known for its eco-luxe villas inspired by contemporary Filipino architecture and unspoiled marine sanctuary, is a six-time Reader’s Choice Awardee, and a Gold List favorite in 2018. Last year, Lagen and Pangulasian, and Apulit Island Resort in Taytay town also bagged the 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Resorts in Asia. More than 800,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers voted and rated their travel experiences across the globe, citing places they can’t wait to visit again. The 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler’s website at www.cntraveler.com and celebrated in the November issue of its US and UK magazine editions.

Emirates offer for families visiting Dubai Expo 2020

EMIRATES is making a vacation in Dubai during Expo 2020 a family affair. The airline has rolled out a special offer on children’s tickets to Dubai, in addition to a host of other added-value incentives. In the promotion running until Nov. 6, families booking tickets to Dubai will pay only 25% of the adult fare for children ages two to 11 years old, valid for the duration of Expo 2020. The special offer is applicable on all Business and Economy Class tickets to Dubai, for travel dates up until March 31, 2022. Visit the offer page for more information. Special offers on children’s flight tickets are not all — customers get a complimentary Expo Day Pass for every Emirates ticket to Dubai during the event. Members of the airline’s award-winning loyalty program, Emirates Skywards, will earn Skywards Miles for flight tickets purchased. Emirates has also launched a special Expo offer where customers will earn 1 Skywards Mile for every minute spent in Dubai until March 31, 2022. Existing and new Emirates Skywards members who sign up for the program before March 31, 2022, can avail the offer on Emirates.com, and will earn up to 5,000 Miles. With the additional Miles earned during Expo, family members will be able to redeem to enjoy reward flight tickets and other rewarding benefits. My Emirates Pass is back, enabling customers to enjoy exclusive deals at over 500 retail, dining, and recreational attractions across Dubai and the UAE by presenting their board pass. Details of the offers can be found on www.emirates.com/myemiratespass.

BSP backs tax perks for cooperative lenders

BW FILE PHOTO

THE CENTRAL BANK is supporting a bill that will grant tax exemptions to cooperative lenders to spur the growth of the industry.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said they are backing House Bill 9541, which is currently pending at second reading, as well as its counterpart Senate Bill 2392, which is pending at the committee level.

“To encourage the formation of cooperative banks, the bill grants incentives and privileges to said entities,” Mr. Diokno said at an online briefing on Wednesday.

Under the proposals, cooperative banks will be granted tax exemption from national and local taxes, fees and charges, as provided under the Cooperative Code and related laws, subject to certain conditions.

They will not be required to submit publication requirements on foreclosed lands. Cooperative banks will not need to comply with maximum landholding limits under existing agrarian laws relative to its foreclosed assets, based on the bills.

There will also be an advantage for cooperative banks that are considered as rural financial institutions (RFIs) under Republic Act 10000 or the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act of 2009, as they will be given unrestricted rights to open agriculture-oriented branches in unbanked municipalities.

They will also be automatically eligible for agricultural credit guarantee from the Philippine Guarantee Corp., Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., and for other risk mitigation services provided by other government offices.

The measure likewise grants these RFIs priority status to be a conduit for the government’s agricultural projects. They will also be entitled to join capability-building activities related to lending, agriculture, and technology transfer conducted by regional bodies and international organizations.

It will also widen membership in cooperative banks as it will allow individual members and foreign cooperatives to be regular members, while external individuals can be associate members.

The assets of the cooperative banking industry stood at P23.9 billion as of end-June 2019, accounting for just 0.12% of the P19.8 trillion worth of assets of the country’s banking system.

There are 24 cooperative banks in the country with a network of 145 branches as of end-September.

Mr. Diokno said cooperative banks are the main entities that provide financial services to Filipinos in the countryside.

“Among their clients are hundreds of primary cooperatives and their individual members who usually have limited, or no access to banking services, other than those provided by cooperative banks,” he said. — L.W.T. Noble

Huawei unveils two platforms for building ‘green’ 5G networks

HUAWEI Technologies Co., Ltd. has introduced two new platforms that would help operators build green, low-carbon fifth-generation (5G) networks.

Aaron Jiang, president of Huawei’s single radio access network product line, launched the company’s GreenSite and PowerStar2.0 solutions at the 2021 Global Mobile Broadband Forum (MBBF) last week.

“The GreenSite solution integrates innovative architecture, site construction, and algorithms with leading-edge software and hardware, improving energy efficiency by 20 times,” Huawei said in a statement.

“The PowerStar2.0 solution introduces new intelligent energy-saving features to base stations and networks to reduce energy consumption by over 25% through multi-dimensional coordination under typical configurations,” it added.

The rising demand from businesses and consumers results in an “explosive” increase in data traffic, according to Mr. Jiang.

For him, the demand highlights the significance of improving energy efficiency in building green low-carbon networks.

“Huawei will continue to develop innovative solutions and bring intelligence to base stations to help operators build green, low-carbon 5G networks and achieve the carbon peak and neutrality goals,” he also said at the forum. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Smart inks deal with South Korean telco for 5G innovation

SMART Communications, Inc., the wireless arm of PLDT, Inc., on Wednesday said it signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s largest telecommunications company KT Corp. to develop fifth-generation (5G) use cases for consumers in the Philippines.

“In order to build a truly world-class 5G ecosystem with life-changing experiences, we will need to collaborate, learn, and partner with formidable industry leaders, such as KT,” Katrina Luna-Abelarde, PLDT and Smart head of the strategic partnerships, said in an e-mailed statement.

KT Head of Global Business Unit Justin Moon said: “Timing is crucial in digital transformation in business.”

“We hope that the two companies can grow to always share information… and promote new business,” he added.

Analytics firm Ookla’s recent data showed that Smart is the Philippines’ fastest 5G network.

Smart said it operates the “widest” 5G network in the country with more than 4,400 sites.

The company recently fired up its commercial 5G standalone sites in Makati City.

The technology paves the way for a variety of new industry applications that use 5G’s full features, Smart said.

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. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Post-pandemic food trends addressed in MAFBEX Wired

BENILDE Culinary Arts alumna Chef Austin Cale Labago

CHEFS and industry experts will be discussing the recovery of the food and beverage field in a post-pandemic world in the 2021 Manila Foods and Beverages Expo (MAFBEX) Wired, the month-long gathering of the local food trade.

Key players tackle next year’s food trends forecast, as well as strategies for both established restaurateurs and home-cooked food business owners on how to thrive amid the lockdown and beyond on Oct. 22.

Slimmer’s World International Nutritionist-Dietitian and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) educator Marivic Lucasan will list down nutritious food options and plant-based alternatives to foster healthy consumption. Meanwhile, Greenpak Philippines Business Development Manager IA Lising will discuss the importance and long-term benefits of eco-friendly food packaging made of 100% biodegradable and compostable paper.

China Plant-Based Foods Association chef ambassador Francois Guissani will discuss international cuisine, while chef and Center for Culinary Arts Manila instructor chef Gelo Guison will discuss the various facets of local and homegrown dishes.

MAFBEX features a series of workshops on kitchen and plating techniques. The lineup spotlights Benilde Culinary Arts alumna chef Austin Cale Labago, a Silver Toque Awardee at the 2020 Young Chef Olympiad held in Kolkata, India. She will give tips on pasta-making on Oct. 26.

Master bartenders and chef-educators will giver demonstrations, and Benilde Culinary Arts Chairperson chef Margarita Marty will share her personal Latin Chicken Rice recipe, on Oct. 27.

Organized by the Worldbex Services International in partnership with the School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, the lectures, workshops and seminars are all free and open to the public. Interested participants may register through https://bit.ly/2YHZcrR. For the full calendar of events, visit https://mafbex.com/.

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