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Viva’s new boy group sings in regional languages

LOCAL entertainment agency Viva has launched its newest boy group, ALAMAT, which is aimed to merge “modern pop music and Pinoy cultural heritage,” according to a press release.

The nine-member group — composed of Taneo, Mo, Jao, Kin, Tomas, R-Ji, Valfer, Gami, and Alas — has released its debut single, “kbye.” The song is sung in seven Philippine languages: Tagalog, Ilocano, Kapampangan, Bicolano, Waray-Waray, Hiligaynon, and Bisaya. The members had a hand in writing the song’s lyrics.

“The idea is, if we seek to genuinely embody the Philippines, ALAMAT should reflect the country’s cultural and linguistic diversity,” Ninuno Media, which serves as the creative director of the group, said in the statement.

Each member of the group comes from different parts of the Philippines: Taneo is from Kalinga, Mo from Zambales, Jao from Pampanga, Kin from Quezon City, R-Ji from Eastern Samar, Valfer from Negros Occidental, Gami from Bohol, Tomas from Albay, and Alas from Davao City.

“A unique prerequisite in the application process, aside from potential in singing and dancing, is the individual’s proficiency in his native language. From the very beginning, ALAMAT was envisioned to be a multilingual boy group that would aim to normalize the use of regional languages in mainstream music,” Viva said in the release.

ALAMAT (whose name is the Filipino term for “legend”) was also formed with the “counter-K-pop” concept, in that while it uses the K-pop formula of “intensive training, audiovisual music, commercial appeal, etc.,” it is meant to promote Filipino culture.

“As the boundaries of P-pop continue to expand, ALAMAT sets itself apart by using the tropes of Western pop music and K-pop to create a distinct audiovisual brand of music that is heavily influenced by the sights and sounds of the Philippines, both modern and ancient,” the company said.

ALAMAT members were chosen after months of auditions held all over the country. The final members underwent nine months of training in singing and dancing, physical fitness, and personality development under vocal coach Zebedee Zuniga and dance coach Jim Amen. The training is bound to continue for years after their debut, according to the company.

ALAMAT is the second boy group to debut this year following the K-pop concept after Star Magic’s BGYO which debuted in January.

“Kbye” is now available in all digital music stores. Watch the music video here: ALAMAT-‘kbye’ (official M/V)-YouTube. — ZBC

DMCI launches 2nd tower of Pasig City condo

DMCI PROJECT Developers, Inc. (DMCI Homes) recently launched the second tower of its Allegra Garden Place condominium in Pasig City as it anticipates growing demand.

The property arm of DMCI Holdings, Inc. launched the Soraya tower last month, with units ranging from 30 to 83 square meters (sq.m.).

DMCI Homes Vice-President for Project Development Dennis Yap said the property will likely benefit from an increase in business activities as the Bonifacio Global City-Ortigas bridge connecting travel between Pasig, Mandaluyong, Taguig, and Makati is targeted to be finished this year.

“We are gearing towards recovery from the pandemic by taking advantage of the potential opportunities presented by these big-ticket infrastructure projects,” he said in a press release on Saturday.

He added that stations of the planned Metro Manila subway project would also be close to the property. Partial operations of the underground railway will start by yearend, the Transportation department said.

Units have a pre-selling price of P4.31 million and higher, with an expected turnover in July 2024 for the first building and July 2025 for the second.

DMCI said that it is reaching out to investors looking for properties with big rental and capital appreciation potential in the 1.2 hectare two-tower condominium project launched in 2019.

Allegra Garden Place has studio units, 1-3 bedroom units, and amenities including a roof garden, pools, game area, gym, and multi-purpose court. — Jenina P. Ibañez

SM Prime reports 53% income fall to P18B

SM PRIME Holdings, Inc. recorded a 52.8% decline in net income to P18 billion in 2020, with its mall business segment posting a double-digit fall in revenues, a press release from the Sy-led firm showed.

Consolidated revenues added up to P81.9 billion, down 30.8% from P118.3 billion in the previous year.

SM Prime’s mall business took the biggest hit — slowing by 59.2% to P23.6 billion in revenues from P57.8 billion in 2019.

Revenues of the holding firm’s residential business went up by 6.4%, while commercial properties recorded a 4.3% increase.

In a disclosure to the exchange on Monday, SM Prime said its local malls earned P21.8 billion last year, a 55% decrease from the P48.4 billion recorded the previous year.

Regions in the Philippines went under several lockdowns last year in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Malls were either closed or were operating at a limited capacity as the government restricted the public’s movement.

Restrictions were eased in the second half of the year, in an attempt to gradually reopen the economy.

“We encourage our fellow Filipino to keep supporting our local businesses while practicing safety protocols at all times,” SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said in a statement.

The company’s residential business revenues reached P46.5 billion last year despite the health crisis, a 6.4% increase from the P43.7 billion recorded in the previous year.

Operating income grew by 15.9% to P19.7 billion from P17 billion. Reservation sales amounted to P99 billion last year, up by 10% after previously recording P90 billion.

Commercial properties saw its business operating income grow to P3.9 billion from P3.8 billion. Revenues from hotels and convention centers slowed by 68.6% to P1.6 billion from P5.1 billion.

SM Prime expanded its mall services in Mindanao by opening SM City Butuan and SM City Mindoro in the last quarter of 2020. The company also opened to the public its Olongapo City Convention Center in Zambales.

The company is collaborating with the Philippine Red Cross by offering spaces for the agency’s COVID-19 saliva transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing. SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia host testing sites to help the government in its campaign to ease the health crisis.

The SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City acts as a swabbing facility for frontliners and travelers arriving in Metro Manila.

“SM Prime remains committed in its effort to support the national government and other organizations to contain and combat the spread of COVID-19 in the country,” Mr. Lim said.

“As our core businesses slowly recover from the contraction brought about by community quarantines, our Company will continue providing avenues that will further enhance and facilitate these collective efforts with various [organizations], while sustaining our assistance to our employees, business partners and the communities we serve,” he added.

On Monday, SM Prime shares at the stock exchange declined by 1.21% to close at P36.75 apiece. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

When a crime, a seedy hotel, and social media mix

By Zarlene B. Chua, Senior Reporter

TELEVISION REVIEW
Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel
Netflix

AS a true-crime documentary, Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel, makes most of both the legend and infamy of the Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles and the social media furor that erupted after the death of 21-year-old Elisa Lam surfaced. But if one is holding out for a grand revelation about the eight-year-old mystery of the death of Ms. Lam, there’s none here — instead, it gives one a view of how her death cemented the “evil” inside the Cecil Hotel.

The four-episode series dropped on Feb. 10 on Netflix, eight years after Canadian Elisa Lam disappeared on Feb. 1 and was found dead in the hotel’s water tank on Feb. 19.

It was a grisly mystery, and the release of the infamous elevator video in 2013 which the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) hoped would help them find her ignited a social media hunt by several internet sleuths who wanted to get to the bottom of the story.

The documentary — through episodes two and three — lays out all the conspiracy theories that ran rampant at the time: that this was part of a government cover-up of a new tuberculosis strain (the tuberculosis test is called LAM-ELISA), that a death metal singer killed her, and that it was a copycat murder inspired by the 2002 film Dark Water, among others.

Unlike Don’t Fuck with Cats, a 2019 true-crime documentary that detailed the roles of internet sleuths in the capture of murderer Luka Magnotta, the internet sleuths on the Elisa Lam case were of no help at all — and in fact helped in inciting people to harass the death metal singer despite the fact that he was not in California when Elisa Lam disappeared and was recording an album in Mexico.

As a true-crime fan who heard of the case when it exploded in 2013, it is easy to see how the case fascinated people: you had a girl acting erratically in an elevator, and then the next time she was seen, she’s dead and floating in a water tank with a hatch that was supposedly closed. People cried foul play because how could a person inside a water tank close the hatch after them?

Here’s a very quick rundown of the case: 21-year-old Elisa Lam was vacationing in California and stayed at the Cecil Hotel. She had promised to call her family every day to assure them she was safe. On Jan. 31, she didn’t call and her parents reported her missing. A few days after her disappearance, the police released an elevator video showing Ms. Lam acting erratically and it seemed like she felt someone was after her. Nineteen days after her reported disappearance, she was found floating inside one of the hotel’s water tanks after hotel guests complained of dirty water and low pressure. The police eventually claimed it was an accidental drowning because Ms. Lam, who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, was having an episode. Still, people clung to the statement that the hatch was closed when she was found and thus concluded that there must have been foul play.

The series creators (the same team behind the 2019 documentary Conversations with a Serial Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes; the documentary is produced and directed by Joe Berlinger) did well in outlining the case and leaving out the major revelations to the latter part of the third and fourth episodes. The first two episodes focus on rehashing the case and painting one’s mental imagery of downtown Los Angeles, the Hotel Cecil and its seedy environment, Skid Row. It implies that, yes, Elisa Lam may have met with foul play.

The Cecil Hotel is a 700-room budget hotel that opened in 1924. Through the years, the hotel gained a reputation for being seedy and was the site for several suicides, homicides, etc. The general manager during Ms. Lam’s disappearance noted that she had seen about “80 deaths” during her 10-year tenure and that 911 calls had been made “thousands of times.”

Why would a 21-year-old check-in at the hotel? Well, it’s because the hotel managed to carve out two hotels in one building: the Cecil and the Stay On Main, which is a travelers’ hotel targeted towards younger people with bunk beds and more vibrant colors. It occupies several floors of the Cecil Hotel and one of those floors was where Ms. Lam was booked.

I confess that none of the information in the first half of the documentary was news to me as I had followed the case sporadically through the years — and how could I possibly miss it when so many true-crime YouTubers covered the story, promising new developments every year?

That was the hook — a very well done hook — and the line and sinker came in the second half that I won’t spoil for those who haven’t seen the documentary but know that everything will be tied neatly at the end.

The ending does not have the sort of bombshell revelation as 2018’s Evil Genius, but it feels like the story has ended and finally, people can move on. It is cathartic and I think the quote below by one of the historians interviewed makes a very good point about the “evil” of the Cecil Hotel and about accountability in social media.

“It’d be easier if we could just tell you the Cecil is haunted and it’s got some sort of uncanny force, but nobody knows that. But there is something haunted about a lot of pain and struggle and people having their lives fall apart in there — not what we normally think of as a ghost, but it does feel different in places where people have suffered,” said Kim Cooper.

Should you watch Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel? Yes, if (like me) you want to get closure for a ghost story which has bothered you for almost a decade.

The documentary is streaming on Netflix.

Federal Land seeing higher demand for townships

FEDERAL LAND, Inc. said it continues to see increased demand for its township developments such as Metro Park in Pasay City and Grand Central Park in Bonifacio Global City amid the pandemic.

“After a year of extraordinary circumstances, Filipinos are now looking for more than just a good place to sleep in when it comes to finding their home,” Federal Land Executive Vice-President Catherine C. Ko said in a statement.

“The comfort they feel inside their homes needs to extend to the areas outside their doors, into what we now call the ‘outside world’ for Filipinos to feel safe and secure in their environment. This is how communities offer value for our residents — living in our communities has allowed our residents to continue with their lives with minimal disruption, in a mixed-use community where almost everything that they need is within reach.”

Lockdown restrictions have also emphasized the importance of having a home with adequate spaces for work and recreation.

Luxury residential development Grand Central Park offers spacious unit layouts and extra rooms that can be used as an office or classroom. Metro Park’s resort-inspired condominium residences offer alternative spaces to work-from-home and landscaped gardens for relaxation.

Ms. Ko said the developer implemented safety regulations in its malls and existing properties and upgraded its sanitation facilities in accordance with government guidelines.

Megawide bags ‘multiple contracts’ worth P26B for Suntrust project

MEGAWIDE Construction Corp. on Monday said it bagged “multiple” contracts amounting to P26.3 billion from Suntrust Home Developers, Inc. for its Westside City Resorts World project.

“The initial letters of award from Suntrust — totaling P6.3 billion — included initial works such as pile cap, excavation, and lateral support direct contract, worth P2.3 billion, and Site B main contract, including basement substructure, superstructure, and architectural builders works and finishes, amounting to P4 billion,” the listed engineering and construction company said in an e-mailed statement.

The company added that it was awarded a supplemental agreement amounting to P20 billion on Dec. 18 last year.

The agreement covers the management of nominated subcontractors for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection (MEPF); interior design; and allied services of the Main Hotel Casino, including “additional architectural, structural and civil works.”

The project will be located at the Entertainment City Manila, a gaming and entertainment complex along Manila Bay.

“The project is expected to be completed within 30 months from start date,” Megawide said.

Suntrust is the Philippine unit of Hong Kong-listed Suncity Group Holdings Ltd.

“The requirements of Suncity, in terms of engineering excellence, quality workmanship, and speed to market, perfectly match Megawide’s expertise,” Megawide Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Edgar B. Saavedra said.

“Large-scale investments such as these are critical for our national economic recovery from the crisis caused by COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019),” he noted.

The company recently reported total revenues of P9.03 billion for the first nine months of 2020, down by 34% from the previous year’s P13.69 billion.

Its contract revenue went down by 30% to P7.41 billion. Revenue from airport operations decreased by 63% to P998.17 million, while the airport merchandising business also saw its revenue drop by 72% to P69.51 million.

The company’s nine-month revenue from terminal operations grew by 167% to P551.91 million.

Megawide shares closed 0.27% lower at P7.33 apiece on Monday. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Converge exploring new satellite technologies

LISTED internet service provider Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. on Monday said it is currently exploring latest satellite technologies to improve its services.

“The latest satellite technologies, including that of Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), are among those new technologies being explored by Converge to bring high-speed broadband to far-flung areas in the country,” Converge said in a statement.

The company issued the statement to clarify news reports that it was in talks with SpaceX for a partnership on broadband satellite services.

“Converge wishes to clarify that the company is always looking for new technologies to bring high-speed internet services to the broadest number of Filipinos,” it said.

“However, it is still very premature to talk about a possible partnership between Converge and SpaceX at this stage as suggested in the… news reports,” it added.

Converge is targeting to reach over 15 million or 55% of Philippine households by 2025.

The company recorded 6.1 million homes passed, as of December 2020, accounting for 25% of total households in the Philippines.

It recently reported an attributable net income of P2.19 billion for the first nine months of 2020, up 57.63% from P1.39 billion it earned in the same period in 2019.

Converge ICT shares closed 4.40% higher at P18.52 apiece on Monday. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Gov’t upsizes T-bill award as rates decline further

THE GOVERNMENT Hiked its award of Treasury bills on Monday as rates continued to drop on the back of strong demand from investors looking for higher yields. — BW FILE PHOTO

THE GOVERNMENT upsized the volume of Treasury bills (T-bills) it awarded for the seventh straight week on Monday as demand remained high despite faster inflation and as rates continued to drop.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) raised P24 billion from its offer of T-bills on Monday, higher than the P20-billion program, after it accepted more non-competitive bids for the three-month and six-month papers. It also opened its tap facility to offer another P5 billion in one-year securities.

The BTr has made above-program awards of its weekly T-bill offers since the start of the year

Total bids for the T-bills hit P88.61 billion on Monday, making the offer more than four times oversubscribed. However, this was lower than the P95.35 billion in tenders seen for last week’s offering.

Broken down, the BTr awarded P7 billion in 91-day debt papers, higher than its plan to raise P5 billion, as tenders reached P17.45 billion. The three-month T-bills fetched an average rate of 0.845%, down by 0.1 basis point (bp) from the 0.846% quoted last week.

The Treasury also borrowed P7 billion from the 182-day T-bills against the P5-billion program after bids hit P30.05 billion. The average rate of the six-month papers went down by 4.8 bps to 1.046% from the previous week’s rate of 1.094%.

Lastly, for the 364-day securities, the government made a full P10-billion award as it received tenders worth P41.11 billion. The average rate of the one-year papers stood at 1.416%, 3 bps lower than the 1.446% seen last week.

National Treasurer Rosalia V. de Leon said the oversubscription seen for Monday’s offering showed the market is still flush with cash and that investors remain interested in putting their money in government debt despite the uptick in inflation.

“Liquidity continues to overflow. Market sees a spike in prices as temporary, with supply constraints and inflation dialing back to the middle of the target next year,” Ms. De Leon said.

Headline inflation quickened to 4.2% in January from the 3.5% logged in December, hitting a two-year high as food and transport prices continued to increase.

Despite this, the central bank on Thursday kept benchmark interest rates at record lows to support the Philippine economy’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. In its first policy setting for the year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Monetary Board maintained the overnight reverse repurchase rate at a record low of 2%. The rates on its lending and deposit facilities were likewise kept at 2.5% and 1.5%, respectively.

However, the BSP raised its average inflation forecast for the year to 4%, the upper end of its 2-4% target for 2021, from 3.2% previously. Meanwhile, it lowered its inflation forecast for next year to 2.7% from 2.9% previously.

Meanwhile, a bond trader said the bids seen for Monday’s T-bill offering were largely driven by end-user demand as investors search for yields higher than time deposit rates.

“Mostly invested in T-bills are funds intended for savings/time deposit which is at 0.5% per annum,” the trader said via Viber.

The government is also offering three-year retail Treasury bonds (RTBs) until March 4, unless closed earlier. The bonds carry a rate of 2.375% and are being sold for a minimum investment of P5,000.  During the rate-setting auction last week, the BTr sold an initial P221.218 billion in RTBs.

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

Are you feeling lucky?

After the disaster that was 2020, one feng shui consultant takes a risk to predict which signs will be lucky — or not — in the Year of the Metal Ox.

WE’RE ALL still reeling a bit from 2020 (there is still a pandemic, after all), so it’s best to know what’s in store for all of us for 2021.

Resorts World Manila got the help of Feng Shui consultant Jean Yu Chua to predict what’s up for 2021, the Year of the Metal Ox. “The character is very mild, and also, you can see the character of the Ox is very hardworking. Very determined, focused on work and responsibility that goes to them,” said Ms. Chua during a webinar on the eve of the Lunar New Year, which started on Feb. 3 but was officially celebrated on Feb. 12.

“In terms of relationships and stability, we can trust the Metal Ox.”

“It’s a big transformation for all of us; to get new ideas,” she said in a mix of Filipino and English. “We’ll be very innovative this year: anything about digital marketing or online business.” She does warn that one can’t rush into things, and to have patience to seek and wait for better opportunities.

“This year is more about searching.”

Ms. Chua then gave a rundown of the luck prospects of each sign, placing them in groups based on their luck this year.

NOT-SO-LUCKY
Ox — 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997

It may come as a surprise to some that the people born under the sign matching the current year will face problems. “When it’s your year, you have challenging stars where all eyes are on you,” said Ms. Chua. All the ideas and decisions are on your shoulders; and all their attention will be on you. “You can feel the pressure and stress on that part,” she said. When it comes to the Ox’s love life, they should avoid quarrels and negative thinking, and be more open to communication; avoiding secrecy. For the Ox’s career, while there are opportunities present, they must be seized with proper timing and preparation.

Sheep — 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991

Due to its status as one of the more unlucky signs this year, Ms. Chua advises against aggressive decision-making by those born in a Sheep year. The Sheep and Ox are in conflict, and in ideas and communication Sheep have may not be in favor of everyone. She advises avoiding quarrels and misunderstandings, and to practice openness and to prevent hypersensitivity. She advises they focus on goals and work towards them, but not to expect too much in return. There might be unexpected changes in finances, so a Sheep should take care when investing.

Dog — 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994

The Dog can expect conflicts when it comes to health problems and lowered energy and vitality. She cites the stomach, the digestive system, the head, and the immune system to be problem areas. Therefore, the Dog should plan ahead for quality time, and take lots of breaks.

Horse — 1930, 1942, 1954,1966, 1978, 1990

Bad luck from 2020 might carry over to 2021; though there are some lucky stars present for this sign. A conflict star hurts decision-making skills, which might bring on indecision due to a lack of focus. She advises level-headedness in investments and decisions, though there are good chances for better relationships this year.

Dragon — 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

Inauspicious stars affect the Dragon’s finances, so Ms. Chua advises against aggressive expansion and investments. A Dragon must budget for essentials, and not to be so trusting with their personal information.

LEADER GROUP
These signs can expect more luck due to their association with the Ox.

Rabbit — 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

The Rabbit will experience a moderately good year due to a good star. That star allows for a Rabbit’s learning skills to shine, allowing one to exert influence over others to work together through logic and communication. This might be a good year for networking and establishing communications. The Romance Star is with the Rabbit this year, but she advises against being over-confident and too trustful. This should warn the Rabbit against third parties in relationships and other external conflicts. Otherwise, Rabbits may enjoy good relationships with families and others, as long as they set healthy boundaries.

Pig — 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995

Those born in a Pig year should make use of their ideas, suggestions, and influence, due to an opportunity for a leadership role. There are good opportunities to excel in previously missed or new opportunities. A Traveling Star presents new opportunities for creative ideas and business — think franchising and outsourcing. Also, it literally means a likelihood of travel; an opportunity to meet new people.

Rat — 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996

The Rat should try to overcome their fears from 2020, as well as not bring those conflicts to the new year. The Ox and Rat are friends, signifying good luck in partnerships. She advises against negative thinking, due to the stress it might bring the Rat.

WEALTH EXPLORER GROUP
These signs are the luckiest this year, with many opportunities; though some signs are blessed with luck this year to prepare for the bad next year.

Monkey — 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992

Due to the presence of a Happiness Star, the Monkey can look for the opportunity to find the best business or path for them this year. Her suggestions include: strategy, online businesses, systems, technology, and design. This is also a good year for upgrades. As always, she advises against rushing into things, especially since next year would be a year of conflict for them.

Rooster — 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993

The Rooster is one of the luckiest signs this year due to its affinity with the Ox. Mentors can help with suggestions, influence, and ideas. There are opportunities for savings, acquisition of assets, and leadership roles. This is a year for reviewing and improving upon old projects, but the Rooster should take heed of bad intentions and untrustworthy people.

Tiger — 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998

The Tiger and Ox are friends in business, so there’s luck in that field, especially in its social aspect (think networking). A Tiger should pounce on opportunities for money and investments, for they become seeds for future benefits — they will be needed for next year. This is a year to show off and develop talents.

Snake — 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989

Also a friend of the Ox, the Snake faces small successes and achievements. Outstanding performance in the workplace will lead to appreciation and recognition, and might allow for a little influence. The Snake should avoid overspending. — JL Garcia

Tagaytay Highlands introduces virtual turnover process

TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS is adapting to the new normal by turning over units virtually through video communications applications.

“The virtual turnover procedure is a contactless process in which Tagaytay Highlands officially hands over the property to the buyer in real-time via Google Meet or Zoom. A Customer Service Officer guides the client step-by-step — from property inspection until signing of acceptance documents,” the developer said in a statement.

Clients are briefed about turnover documents, house construction and move-in guidelines during the turnover orientation. Turnover forms are also signed digitally by clients.

Tagaytay Highlands said they coordinate with the client on the turnover schedule.

“When the official turnover is done, the developer endorses the client to the Homeowners Association to further familiarize the client not only with the property, but also with the Tagaytay Highlands community of their purchased property,” the company said.

Tagaytay Highlands is a leisure development of the SM Group of Companies.

Iñigo Pascual releases his version of Air Supply’s ‘All Out of Love’

INTERNATIONAL rock duo Air Supply, composed of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock, hailed Iñigo Pascual and Moophs’ remake of their classic hit “All Out Of Love” for its “great production and sound.”

Mr. Russell joked during a press conference on Feb. 11 (via Zoom) that Mr. Pascual is bound to “sing the song for the rest of his career.”

The song is the latest collaboration between Mr. Pascual and Moophs, who were also behind the dancehall-pop tune “Always,” which became part of Apple Music’s “The 100 Best Songs of 2020.” The two artists also led the island pop track “Catching Feelings,” which has already garnered over 10 million streams on Spotify and over 100K dance challenge entries across various social media platforms.

“All Out Of Love” is just the first in Tarsier Records’ series of Air Supply remakes whose release will be spread out this 2021.

“You can expect a few more remakes by different artists and then we’ll compile them into an album at the end of the year,” Moophs shared. — ZBC

Alorica sets 10-15% revenue growth target

OUTSOURCING firm Alorica Philippines is expecting its revenues to grow 10-15% this year as demand from the retail and logistics industries requiring more customer service assistance swells.

This target outpaces the overall industry target of a 3.2-5.5% revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) up to 2022, as reported by industry group Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).

“There’s a lot of growth that we experience in other industries. To give an example, retail, logistics, health care — from customer service to tech support to online ordering,” Alorica Senior Vice-President Jojo Uligan said at an interview with ANC on Monday.

“The spike of people ordering online and having it delivered — we experience a lot of those as well. The growth will be coming from there.”

Mr. Uligan has not yet responded to requests for comparative growth rates from previous years.

Around 70-80% of Alorica employees work from home, Mr. Uligan said, noting that the measures set during the lockdown improved productivity.

The company will likely permanently retain a percentage of its workforce under WFH, depending on their client-requirements, he added.

IBPAP cut its revenue growth rate to reach $27.88-$29.09 billion in 2022 from the 3.5-7.5% CAGR forecast set in 2019.

Employment CAGR was cut to 2.7-5% from the previous 3-7% goal, which would mean 1.37-1.43 million full-time employees, or that the industry plans to add 130,000 jobs between 2021-2022.

Outsourcing companies that expected contraction last year represented four percent of the total employee headcount of IBPAP’s polled companies, which means that smaller firms with fewer contracts were hit harder by the effects of the pandemic on the economy.

Alorica Philippines employs 43,000 people. — Jenina P. Ibañez

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