PeopleAsia’s awards go online

April 20, 2021 | 12:02 am

people's-asia — YOUTUBE.COM/PEOPLEASIAMAGAZINE

A USUALLY grand event, PeopleAsia’s People of the Year awards for 2021 had to be held remotely because of the pandemic. The normally flashy affair organized by the magazine used to come complete with fashion and flair and all that jazz. This year’s award show was held via Zoom and streamed on Facebook Live on the evening of April 12. Still, the show was splashy enough with performances by Jasmine Fitzgerald and Jon Joven, and a special surprise performance by Gary Valenciano.

This year’s awardees include a doctor (neurosurgeon Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, director of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital), a vitamin magnate (I-FERN’s president and CEO Tommanny Tan), an editor (The Philippine Star editor-in-chief Ana Marie Pamintuan), executives (Pilipinas Shell president Cesar Romero, AC Energy president and CEO Eric Francia, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. chief finance officer and chief sustainability officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla), and politicians (Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla and Deputy House Speaker Rep. Mikee Romero). Special awards were given to HSBC as Bank of the Year, while Builder of the Year went to Alice Eduardo, president and CEO of Sta. Elena Construction Corp.

There were two trophies awarded for the Special Award for Public Service: one went to Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, and the other went to Vice-President Leni Robredo.

In her speech, Ms. Robredo said, “The only way that the Filipino can rise through any crisis is together.” Expressing solidarity, she said, “Hindi talaga ito para sa akin, kundi para sa lahat ng tao na nagtiwala at patuloy na nagtitiwala sa trabahong ginagawa at mga adbokasiya na isinusulong namin sa Office of the Vice President. (This really isn’t for me, but for everyone who trusted and continues to trust the work we do and the advocacies we promote at the Office of the Vice President).” The Vice-President — whose office has been working hard on everything from arranging transportation and dorms for frontline workers to collecting personal protective equipment of health care workers during the beginning of the pandemic, to today organizing traveling swab test busses for suffering communities, giving COVID care kits to patients quarantining at home, and arranging a teleconferencing site that brings together patients and volunteer doctors — went on to thank donors, volunteers and staff for giving service “above and beyond.” “Walang naglalakbay o nagtatagumpay na nag-iisa (no one travels or succeeds alone),” she said. “Malaki ang hamon ng panahon natin ngayon, pero mas malaki ang pagkakataon ng bawat isa na makatulong (The challenges at this time are great, but the opportunity for everyone to help is greater).”

The final trophy, the People’s Choice Award, went to Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto for his response to the pandemic.

He accepted the award, saying, “Mas marami pa siguro ang mga indibidwal; mga Pilipino, na maaaring mas deserving o mas mahusay po sa akin. Pero, gayunpaman, umaasa po ako na ang award na ito ay magsilbi hindi lang para ma-recognize ako, kundi ay magsilbing inspirasyon sa marami pang lider, lalo na sa mga kabataang lider ng ating bansa, para magsilbi ng matapat at mahusay (There might be more individuals, more Filipinos, who may be more deserving or excellent. However, I hope that this award would serve not only to give recognition to me, but to inspire more leaders, especially youth leaders, to serve with honesty and excellence).”

PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez said, “We at PeopleAsia believe that we aim not just to spread hope, but to spark it.”

The awards show can be seen here (4) People of The Year 2021 Awards Night-YouTube. — J.L. Garcia

Lamudi Philippines to increase its manpower

April 20, 2021 | 12:01 am

REAL ESTATE platform Lamudi is planning to double its team in the Philippines, as it is confident of recovery in the market this year.

Kenneth Stern, Lamudi Philippines’ chief executive officer, said there are fresh new opportunities for achieving unprecedented growth amid the crisis this year. He joined the group in the middle of the pandemic in September 2020.

“We set new aggressive targets that will continue to raise the bar for what is possible,” he said in a statement.

Lamudi Philippines will focus on the “right people, right leaders, and the right culture” as the company moves to double its broker sales teams within the first half. It is planning to continue adding more people in the second half of 2021.

Citi’s retail banking services to operate as usual in the meantime

April 20, 2021 | 12:01 am

CITI PHILIPPINES will continue to provide retail banking services in the meantime while the details of its parent Citigroup, Inc.’s decision to exit the business in the country are still being ironed out.

“We would like to convey to all credit card, bank account holders and our customers in investments and loans that all our existing products and services will continue normally and there will be no change in our high level of service,” Citi Philippines Consumer Business Head Manoj Varma said in a statement on Monday.

“All branches, ATMs, call centers and offices, will continue to operate as they do today,” he added.

Mr. Varma said clients can continue to make transactions and inquire about services through the bank’s online platforms.

“This will remain the case until we notify customers of any changes,” he assured.

Citi Philippines was the country’s 12th largest lender in terms of assets in 2020 with P331.32 billion, based on data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. It was ranked 18th based on its capital with P14.74 billion.

Citi’s presence in the Philippines dates back to 1902. It has over 8,000 employees in its corporate and retail banking units and service centers in the country.

The New York-based banking giant last week said it will exit its consumer banking business in 13 Asia-Pacific markets, including the Philippines, and will only retain its retail banking franchises in Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and London.

It is also set to leave consumer banking in other markets such as Australia, Bahrain, China, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. It will however keep its institutional clients group in the affected countries.

“There is no immediate change to our operations, and no immediate impact to our colleagues as a result of this announcement. We will continue to serve our clients with the same dedication and focus on service excellence as we do today,” Citi Philippines Chief Executive Officer Aftab Ahmed said in a statement. — LWTN

Entertainment News (04/20/21)

April 20, 2021 | 12:01 am

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Wonder Woman 1984 premieres on HBO GO

FILIPINOS may now catch Wonder Woman 1984 which premieres on HBO GO on April 21. Based on the DC Comics character and the ninth installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) films, this sequel to Wonder Woman (2017) again focuses on Diana Price (played by Gal Gadot) who is living among mortals as a museum curator. Donning her golden armor, she also returns as Amazonian warrior Wonder Woman, who has to save mankind from the greedy ambitions of Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal) and The Cheetah (Kristen Wiig). Reprising their roles from the original film are Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Robin Wright as Antiope, and Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta. The film premiered internationally in Dec. 2020 with limited theatrical screenings and through streaming via HBO Max in the United States. Since its global release, Wonder Woman 1984 has earned $166 million in the worldwide box office compared to its production budget of $200 million.

iQiyi International named exclusive streamer of Miss Universe in PHL

IQIYI INTERNATIONAL will be the exclusive video streaming platform in the Philippines for the 69^th Miss Universe Pageant, the company announced. The pageant airs live on May 17, 8 a.m., Philippine time. Filipinos can stream the pageant live for free on May 17 exclusively on the iQiyi International app and iQ.com. Curated pageant highlights, backstage, and offstage scenes, and glam cams will be accessible through a dedicated page on the iQiyi platform (web and app) for viewers to enjoy. The announcement comes off the back of the recent unveiling of a partnership with GHY Culture and Media to form Uni-Icon, a regional agency set up to discover Southeast Asian talents in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and give them the platform to access international viewership. Viewers can easily access iQiyi International via iQ.com or download the app for free from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.

TikTok’s new collaboration features an #AttackOnTitan Challenge

SHORT-FORM video platform, TikTok, has just launched its latest collaboration with TV animation Attack on Titan The Final Season. Kicking off the collaboration on the platform is the #AttackOnTitan Challenge, which began on April 16, commemorating the completion of the original Attack on Titan manga. Three different TikTok effects based on popular characters and scenes from the anime are now available for users to play around with as part of the challenge. To join, users must follow the official Attack on Titan TikTok account, and post a video using the original effects, with the hashtag #AttackOnTitan. The challenge period runs until May 31. Five #AttackOnTitan Challenge winners will be selected to win special gifts, including: one winner of GARRACK with Attack on Titan Collab Watch, one winner of Attack on Titan Survey Corps cloak, and three winners of Attack on Titan official tote bags. TV animation Attack on Titan The Final Season episode 76 “Judgement” will premiere on NHK General this winter.

Online fundraiser for artists affected by the pandemic

KADA Uno’s COVID-19 Project enters its second phase through “BARKada-Uno: Benildean Artists Rising #BangonArtista,” an awareness and fundraising campaign on April 30 which aims to help artists and cultural workers immensely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The event will go live on April 30, from 3 to 9 p.m. on the official Facebook page of De La Salle Philippines (https://www.facebook.com/delasalle.ph/). Proceeds will benefit the non-profit organizations Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, Inc. (MOWELFUND) and the Artists Welfare Project, Inc. (AWPI). The six-hour event will feature live and pre-recorded shows and discussions. A series of short films, musical and theater performances, and workshops-seminars from the Benilde School of Design and Arts will likewise be featured at the event, to include a special screening of Frere: Life of St. La Salle, an animated film that narrates the journey of Saint John Baptist De La Salle. Lasallian East Asia District Brother Visitor and BARKada-Uno Project Head Br. Armin Luistro, FSC and Benilde Manila and La Salle Green Hills President Br. Edmundo Fernandez will discuss the impact of the previous Kada Uno efforts at 3 p.m. In “Redefining the Filipino Artisans and Creative Industries in the New Normal,” designer Kenneth Cobonpue, together with Beatriz Accessories Creative Director Carissa Evangelista and AWPI Executive Director Jenny Lee Bonto will tackle how the pandemic shaped their advocacies, at 5 p.m. In “Media and the Performing Arts: Is there a New Normal?,” veteran actress Boots Anson-Roa of MOWELFUND, Cultural Center of the Philippines Vice-President and Artistic Director Chris Millado, directors Paolo Villaluna and Toff De Venecia will speak on the ripple effect of the ABS-CBN shutdown both on commercial and new media, the rise of streaming platforms and alternative entertainment, the realignment of popular culture benchmarks, and the business and social impact of the pandemic in the media. They will be joined by award-winning writer-director Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes and Unitel CEO Madonna Tarrayo. The exchange will begin at 7 p.m.

US firm Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Globe ink deal on tech solution

April 20, 2021 | 12:01 am

HEWLETT Packard Enterprise, a technology company headquartered in the United States, announced on Monday that it had signed a partnership deal with Globe Telecom, Inc. for a solution that enables “faster data processing and analysis.”

Under the memorandum of understanding it signed with Globe, Hewlett Packard Enterprise will “offer low latency cloud services at the edge” of Globe’s network using the technology firm’s “multi-access edge compute (MEC) solution.”

“Delivered to select users via a newly built Edge Incubation Lab, Globe is moving data-intensive workloads such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning closer to customers for faster data processing and analysis,” the company said in an e-mailed statement.

The MEC solution, the company noted, is capable of integrated management, service operation, and traffic control.

With the offering, Globe will be able “to start small and have the flexibility to scale out to meet future requirements,” Hewlett Packard Enterprise said.

“Data and networks have become key pillars for businesses to compete in the digital economy. With the introduction of MEC technology, enterprises are seeking to move business-critical applications to the edge for latency, cost, and security reasons,” it added.

According to the company, the solution will be available on a pay-as-you-go or subscription basis, “helping telcos to roll out 5G edge services without upfront capital outlays and to help manage the uncertainty of timing and sizing their 5G deployments.”

Hewlett Packard Enterprise also said it is currently in discussions with other telcos in the Asia-Pacific region for a possible collaboration.

Globe announced separately on Monday that it is now interconnected with DITO Telecommunity Corp.’s mobile services.

“Globe customers can now make domestic mobile calls and send SMS to DITO Telecommunity subscribers and vice versa following the successful interconnection of services of the two telcos,” the telco said in a statement.

The Ayala-led telco added that the interconnection of its fixed-line service with DITO is still being finalized. — Arjay L. Balinbin

How PSEi member stocks performed — April 19, 2021

April 20, 2021 | 12:00 am

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Monday, April 19, 2021.

Philippines in the top 10 among countries as potential location for offshore services

April 20, 2021 | 12:00 am

Peso rises vs dollar on expectations of vaccine deliveries

April 19, 2021 | 9:00 pm

THE PESO appreciated versus the greenback on Monday amid positive sentiment on the expected arrival of more vaccine doses within the month.

The local unit closed at P48.35 per dollar on Monday, gaining three centavos from its P48.38 finish on Friday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

The peso opened the session at P48.36 per dollar. Its weakest showing was at P48.425 while its intraday best was its close of P48.35 against the greenback.

Dollars exchanged stood at $784.3 million, declining from the $950.11 million logged on Friday.

The peso appreciated on the back of the expected arrival of more vaccine doses in the country, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said.

World Health Organization Country Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe told a Palace briefing on Monday that doses from the global vaccine initiative facility will arrive in the country within April and in May.

About 1.48 million doses have already been administered in the country since the country started its inoculation drive in March, Presidential Spokesperson Herminio “Harry” L. Roque said on Monday.

Meanwhile, lower benchmark yields in the US also caused some appreciation in the local unit, a trader said.

“The peso appreciated as US interest rates continue to decline from safe-haven demand owing to renewed geopolitical tension between the US and Russia,” the trader said in an email.

For today, Mr. Ricafort gave a forecast range of P48.30 to P48.40 per dollar while the trader expects the local unit to move within the P48.25 to P48.45 levels. — L.W.T. Noble

Stock prices fall on infection spike, lack of leads

April 19, 2021 | 9:00 pm

PSE Trading Floor — COURTESY OF PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.

PHILIPPINE shares went down on Monday as investors remained on the sidelines on the lack of positive catalysts amid the continued surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) declined by 35.05 points or 0.54% to close at 6,459.76 on Monday, while the all shares index went down by 12.49 points or 0.31% to 3,969.02.

Philstocks Financial, Inc. Senior Research Analyst Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco attributed the PSEi’s decline to a “lack of catalysts amid lingering pandemic worries.”

“The surge in our country’s COVID-19 cases remains unabated, in turn weighing on our economic outlook, while factors that could spur investor optimism are yet to be seen,” Mr. Tantiangco said in a Viber message.

COL Financial Group, Inc. Chief Technical Analyst Juanis G. Barredo said the market continues “to see pressure from selling action.”

“COVID-19 threats continue to plague market sentiment and only allow for some sporadic and isolated rallies,” Mr. Barredo said in a separate Viber message. “The PSEi was down along with India and Indonesia, but did not sync with the advances/recoveries seen in most other Asian markets.”

The Health department reported 9,628 new cases on Monday, which brought the tally to 945,745. Active cases were at 141,375.

Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan meanwhile said investors opted to put their money in the US market instead.

“Investors continued to pile up stock in the US following the country’s strong earnings from the blue chips and sound economic data, supporting economic recovery,” Mr. Limlingan said in a Viber message.

Majority of the PSE’s sectoral indices closed in the red on Monday, except for mining and oil, which gained 91.51 points or 1.02% to finish at 9,062.76; and financials, which improved by 0.21 point or 0.01% to 1,393.53.

Meanwhile, holding firms fell by 39.60 points or 0.59% to 6,577.28; industrials lost 44.83 points or 0.52% to end at 8,562.65; property went down by 16.77 points or 0.52% to 3,182.54; and services inched down by 6.20 points or 0.43% to close at 1,435.91.

Value turnover went down to P4.89 billion with 6.26 billion shares switching hands on Monday, from the P5.67 billion seen on Friday with 6.77 billion issues traded.

Philstocks Financial’s Mr. Tantiangco said trading “remained anemic” because investors remained on the sidelines due to “elevated risks.”

Decliners outnumbered advancers, 119 against 81, while 47 names closed unchanged.

Net foreign selling jumped to P704.45 million on Monday from the P522.31 million seen on Friday.

“The Philippine index remains in a corrective trend seeing next support between 6,400 and 6,200 while resistance stands between 6,600 to 6,700,” COL Financial’s Mr. Barredo said. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Gov’t won’t back down on lifting mining ban

April 19, 2021 | 8:24 pm

THE GOVERNMENT said it will not give in to pressure to reconsider Executive Order (EO) No. 130, which lifted the moratorium on new mining agreements, citing the need to generate new revenue due to the pandemic.

“Hindi natin pinagtutuunan ng pansin ang ganyan dahil marami tayong problema ngayon sa ating bansa. Kailangan natin ng pagkukuhanan ng pondo at ito ang isa sa mga paraan para tayo makaahon. (We are not paying attention to those calling for the EO to be withdrawn because the country is facing many problems. We need to find a source of funds and this is one path to recovery),” Environment Undersecretary Jonas R. Leones said in a Laging Handa briefing Monday.

According to Mr. Leones, funds generated by new mining agreements can be used for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) containment efforts and to provide financial assistance to the poor.

He added that EO 130 is one of the initiatives taken by the government to address its financial challenges during the public health emergency.

On April 14, President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed EO 130, which also authorizes the government to review active mining deals for possible renegotiation. The EO amends an order issued by former President Benigno S. C. Aquino III in 2012, which froze the grant of new mining agreements.

Opposition to the EO has centered on claims that it will negatively affect the environment and indigenous communities.

Mr. Leones said there are 100 mining projects in the pipeline with the potential to generate P21 billion in revenue for the Treasury.

“We can use the country’s resources to generate the necessary income for our economy,” Mr. Leones said.

Mr. Leones added that the upcoming mining agreements consist of Phase 1 which includes 35 mining projects ready to be implemented soon, with 65 projects in Phase 2.

In a mobile phone message, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Wilfredo G. Moncano said Phase 1 projects can be expected to start within months and are at a stage of obtaining the requirements set out before proceeding with extraction.

Mr. Moncano said Phase 2 projects are those that can mobilize by next year, with proponents having passed milestones like the Declaration of Mining Project Feasibility.

Ronald S. Recidoro, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines executive director, said in a mobile phone message that large investments have been made in three projects that are in the pipeline — the Tampakan Copper Project of Sagittarius Mines, Inc.; the King-King Copper-Gold Project of the Nationwide Development Corp. and St. Augustine Gold & Copper Ltd.; and the Silangan Copper and Gold Project of Philex Mining Corp.

“We are already looking at over $4 billion in capital expenditure, with over P40 billion in local government unit (LGU) taxes, P20 billion in social development projects, and P15 billion paid to indigenous peoples as royalties,” Mr. Recidoro said.

“Of course, this will not come immediately, or in one go, but it will be spread over the life of the mining project. But to get this significant amount of revenue spread over years, and spent in the remote areas that need it most, is definitely a plus,” he added.

Philex Mining Public and Regulatory Affairs Head Francis Joseph G. Ballesteros, Jr. said in a mobile phone message that the company is still looking for a business partner for its Silangan project in Surigao del Norte.

“We are still aggressively on the lookout for a business partner for Silangan. Perhaps, with this new EO 130, investor interest will be encouraged. We hope that we can accomplish this within the year,” Mr. Ballesteros said.

In 2020, the MGB estimated that the value of the metallic mining industry’s output rose 1.13% to P132.21 billion, of which nickel ore and its by-products accounted for 51.8% or P68.48 billion; gold 36% or P47.60 billion; copper 11.25% or P14.88 billion; and the combination of silver, chromite, and iron P1.26 billion.

Philex Mining is one of the three Philippine units of Hong Kong’s First Pacific Co. Ltd., the two others being PLDT, Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Hastings Holdings, Inc. — a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc. — maintains an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Maynilad response on revised water deal terms pending

April 19, 2021 | 8:21 pm

JUSTICE SECRETARY Menardo I. Guevarra said the government panel reviewing the water concession contracts is waiting for Maynilad Water Services, Inc. to indicate its acceptance of the contract terms signed by Manila Water Co., Inc. last month.

In a mobile message Monday, Mr. Guevarra said “a copy of the revised (concessionaire agreement) with Manila Water has been sent to Maynilad.”

“The government review panel is now awaiting Maynilad’s response as to whether the same agreement is acceptable to its principals,” he added.

Mr. Guevarra said there is no deadline for Maynilad to respond, “but we are sure that this is top priority for Maynilad.”

Maynilad Spokesperson Jennifer C. Rufo confirmed in a mobile message that Maynilad has received the copy of the revised contract signed by Manila Water.

“We appreciate and support the objectives that (the) government has expressed in amending the contract,” she said.

However, Ms. Rufo added that it is unlikely for Maynilad to have exactly the same agreement with that of Manila Water, “because Maynilad is differently situated compared to Manila Water.”

Maynilad is the water provider of 17 cities and municipalities in the West Zone of the Metropolitan Manila area, while Manila Water services 23 cities and municipalities in the East Zone.

Ms. Rufo said she has no specific details on Maynilad’s talks with the government, but confirmed that “formal communications have commenced, and we are eager to conclude the talks at the soonest possible time.”

Some of the notable changes in the revised agreement with Manila Water are that corporate income tax cannot be passed on to customers, foreign currency differential adjustments will no longer be implemented, and caps or limits will be imposed on increases in standard rates for water and wastewater.

Manila Water also agreed to a tariff freeze until Dec. 31, 2022 to assist poor customers and aid the economic recovery after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Marked fuel program raises over P218 billion in tax as of mid-April

April 19, 2021 | 8:20 pm

DUTIES AND TAXES collected from marked fuel products amounted to P218.1 billion as of April 15, counting back from the launch of the fuel marking program in 2019, the Department of Finance (DoF) said.

The volume of taxed fuel was 22.4 billion liters, over the Sept. 4, 2019 to April 15 period, the DoF said.

The fuel marking program has yielded P190.18 billion in Customs duties and P27.87 billion in tax collections since its launch.

Marked diesel products accounted for 60.7% or 13.6 billion liters of the total, followed by gasoline with a 38.7% share and kerosene at less than one percent.

Some 74% of the fuel marked by volume was in Luzon, 21% in Mindanao and the rest in the Visayas.

The program deters fuel smuggling by injecting the products with a special dye to signify tax compliance. The absence of the dye is deemed prima facie evidence that the fuel was smuggled.

The government started collecting in September 2020 a fuel marking fee of P0.06884 per liter, inclusive of value-added tax, on all manufactured, refined or imported petroleum products.

The fee was imposed after the one-year program for subsidized fees ended. Oil companies will now have to shoulder the costs over the next four years.

The DoF has estimated that revenue foregone due to oil smuggling was between P20 billion and P40 billion a year. — Beatrice M. Laforga