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Uncooperative folks in anti-virus drive warned by DILG

CITIZENS and foreigners showing symptoms of the novel coronavirus and who refuse to be examined by a doctor will be taken from their homes and brought to a public hospital by police, the Interior and Local Government department said on Monday.

Interior Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said citizens should cooperate with local government officials to ensure the virus is contained.

“They can be bodily lifted because this is a public welfare issue,” Mr. Densing said.

The agency has ordered village officials to form health emergency teams to help the government mitigate the impact of the novel coronavirus.

Mr. Densing said citizens can help by reporting to village officials their neighbors, especially those who came from other countries, who are showing symptoms of the virus.

Among these symptoms are fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing.

Village officials will then call their municipal or city health officers, who will then conduct an initial assessment. — Emmanuel Tupas, Philippine Star

Manufacturing purchasing managers’ index of select ASEAN economies, January (2020)

THE Philippines’ manufacturing sector is off to a good start this year as factory activity in January improved at its strongest rate in a year, in contrast to the generally subdued performance across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Read the full story.

Manufacturing purchasing managers’ index of select ASEAN economies, January (2020)

Factory activity picks up in January

By Beatrice M. Laforga
Reporter

THE Philippines’ manufacturing sector is off to a good start this year as factory activity in January improved at its strongest rate in a year, in contrast to the generally subdued performance across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

In a statement on Monday, IHS Markit reported its Philippines Manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) had a 52.1 reading in January, improving from the 51.7 in December and signalling “a moderate improvement in operating conditions at goods-producing firms.”

IHS Markit noted the Philippine factories benefited from faster growth in output and new orders, even as suppliers were affected by the Taal Volcano eruption and worsening traffic conditions.

Last month’s reading matched that of October last year and was the strongest improvement since January 2019’s 52.3 print.

The headline PMI measures manufacturing conditions through the weighted average of five indices: new orders (30%), output (25%), employment (20%), suppliers’ delivery times (15%) and stocks of purchases (10%). A reading above 50 denotes improvement in operating conditions compared to the preceding month, while a reading below 50 signals deterioration.

Out of the seven countries monitored in the ASEAN, Myanmar continued to top the list with a PMI of 52.7 to register a “solid improvement” after a slight loss of momentum the previous month, just above the Philippines and Vietnam, which booked a “marginal growth” at 50.6.

Despite the uptick seen in the top three countries’ PMI readings, ASEAN factory activity continued to see a slight deterioration even as the PMI inched up to 49.8 from 49.7 in December last year. This, however, is its softest decline since the downturn started in June 2019.

“Overall, the ASEAN manufacturing sector remained in a subdued state at the start of 2020. Despite some positive signs, further momentum is required for the sector to return to growth,” IHS Markit said.

IHS Markit said Philippine production levels increased at a “notably stronger pace” in January from the previous month, buoyed by faster growth in new orders and the start of new contracts.

Filipino manufacturers said output was limited after the Taal Volcano erupted on Jan. 12, “though this only partly dented overall growth,” according to the report.

Some factories in the Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon (Calabarzon) area earlier reported disruption in their operations due to ashfall from the volcanic eruption.

New orders also rose solidly on the back of stronger demand from customers here and abroad. It said the growth in export sales, which increased for the third time in four months, indicated an “improvement in the trade climate for goods exporters.”

IHS Markit economist David Owen said in the report that if the trade climate from improved US-China relations is sustained, export sales “could strengthen further this year.”

Meanwhile, greater output growth, “the fastest since last August,” was due to stronger purchasing activity in January, with firms commenting on “higher input requirements since December.”

“As a result, stocks of purchases grew solidly. By comparison, stocks of finished goods expanded only marginally.”

Manufacturers, however, noted a “sharp deterioration” in the performance of suppliers, as traffic problems for vendors worsened due to the eruption mid-way through the month.

“As a result, lead times lengthened at the fastest rate for over two years, extending the current run of deterioration in vendor performance that began last August,” it said.

Mr. Owen said it is important to note that the manufacturing sector was able to maintain its growth despite the eruption of Taal Volcano last month, which “notably affected” some businesses.

“However, one clear issue heightened by the eruption was road traffic, which has disrupted delivery times in each of the past six months,” he said.

“The government is seeking to address this with their ‘Build, Build, Build’ project to place greater investment in road infrastructure. This is clearly an important project for manufacturers, with several pinning confidence around future output onto improved traffic conditions,” Mr. Owen said.

On the other hand, hiring activity “remained subdued” last month despite improved output and new orders, with job numbers declining for the first time in seven months after showing a slight uptick at the end of last year.

The additional workers hired by some firms in January was offset by some companies that did not replace workers that had resigned. Volumes of outstanding work still declined.

Meanwhile, selling charges also rose at a quicker pace last month as manufacturers raised their charges amid higher prices of raw materials, including oil and foodstuff.

Moving forward, the survey showed firms’ outlook for output in the coming 12 months improved in January to its “second-strongest in eight months…, as firms mentioned that their schedules of new projects should support greater activity.”

Sought for comment, Security Bank Corp. Chief Economist Robert Dan J. Roces said the survey “may not have fully reflected Taal’s effects given the study range” which noted a minimal effect, but the greater impact of eruption can be expected on February’s reading.

“Yet, in spite of the sector’s resilience from the eruption, it’s clear that manufacturing activity will be facing some other major near-term headwinds, chief of which will be fallout from the nCov (novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV) that could affect demand and trade activities,” Mr. Roces said in an e-mail.

For ING Bank Manila NV Senior Economist Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa, “The bulk of manufacturing remains in relation to the agriculture sector and we do expect a possible slowdown in PMI going forward as new orders pull back given the Taal eruption and now the current malaise from 2019-nCoV.”

“We hope authorities can get a quick and firm hold on the virus to help ensure the health of the Filipinos and for economic activity to get back to normal at the soonest,” he added.

Manufacturing purchasing managers’ index of select ASEAN economies, January (2020)

Billionaire Razon buys 25% stake in Manila Water

PHILIPPINE billionaire Enrique K. Razon, Jr. will buy a 25% stake in Ayala Corp. unit Manila Water Co., Inc. amid a government review of allegedly onerous water contracts.

The water utility had agreed to sell 820 million common shares at P13 each to Mr. Razon’s infrastructure company Prime Metroline Holdings, Inc., Manila Water said in a stock exchange filing on Monday.

This raises P10.7 billion in additional equity capital that Manila Water would use to “pursue its long-term strategic initiatives,” it said.

Manila Water shares jumped to as high as P14.60 each before closing 4.93% or 60 centavos higher at P12.76.

“Our partnership with the Razon group will result in clear synergies to achieve Manila Water’s long-term goal of providing sustainable water and wastewater services,” Manila Water Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala said in the statement.

“Looking beyond our domestic businesses, the extensive global experience of Mr. Razon through his port operations opens more opportunities for Manila Water to serve new markets.”

The deal comes after President Rodrigo R. Duterte ordered government lawyers to review what he called were onerous contracts with the capital’s two major water providers.

Before yesterday’s announcement, Manila Water shares had fallen to a 30-day low of P5.01 each.

Under the subscription agreement, Ayala Corp. will remain the biggest shareholder of the water utility with a 38.6% stake.

Mr. Razon will set up a new company — Trident Water — for the transaction, Ayala Corp. said in a separate statement.

“The partnership with Trident Water, which demonstrates Ayala’s ability to attract sizable and long-term investments into the business group, adds enormous value to Manila Water as it executes on its long-term strategic direction,” it said.

“We are excited to enter into this partnership,” Mr. Razon said in the statement. “We will dedicate our efforts to further develop this unique business both here in the Philippines and abroad.”

The entry of Mr. Razon, who is seen as a Duterte ally, is a “good move” because it could ease government attacks on the water company, Diversified Securities, Inc. stock trader Aniceto K. Pangan said in a mobile phone message.

“This is a good move by Ayala Corp. as Razon is allied with the government,” he said in a text message.

Mr. Pangan said the government’s crackdown on big business is dissuading investors because it “undermines the stability of the contract.”

Mr. Duterte’s attacks have political, economic and social implications and stretches far beyond business, said Marlon M. Villarin, a political science professor at the University of Santo Tomas.

“The President really wants to make a clear statement that his administration does not owe these traditional oligarchs anything,” he said by telephone.

“He wants to sell this narrative that his administration is always for the interest of the people,” Mr. Villarin said. “That’s why he keeps on saying he doesn’t care whoever gets hit.”

While Mr. Duterte’s attacks may affect direct investors, the international community may see these positively, he said.

“Foreign direct investors may see that the government really means business when it comes to responsible corporate investment,” he said. — Denise A. Valdez

Tourism industry starts counting cost of China virus outbreak

By Jenina P. Ibañez

THE TOURISM INDUSTRY expects P20 billion in revenue losses as tourist arrivals from China plunge after the new coronavirus outbreak, Tourism Congress of the Philippines President Jose C. Clemente III said on Monday.

“The arrivals for January and February are being affected at the moment — possible until March,” he said in a phone interview.

He said the estimated revenue losses are based on the drop in Chinese tourist arrivals from January up to March as it affects hotels, tour operators, restaurants, among others.

In the first half of 2019, the local tourism industry earned P245 billion in revenues, or 17.57% more than the first half of 2018.

The Philippine government on Sunday expanded its temporary travel ban to the entirety of China and its territories Hong Kong and Macau as deaths from the coronavirus continue to rise. The ban includes foreigners from those areas, and those who have visited the areas within 14 days.

Tourists from China made up more than 20% of arrivals in the Philippines last year, as the country’s second-biggest tourist market after South Korea.

Out of a total of 7.48 million tourists in the Philippines in the first 11 months of 2019, 1.63 million visitors were from China, according to the Department of Tourism. There were 1.79 million tourists from South Korea.

The industry is also experiencing cancellations from South Korean and Japanese tourists, but Mr. Clemente said the industry has been able to retain bookings from those coming from the United States and Europe.

“Wala pang substantial number of cancellations. There have been very few, but we have been able to retain them after assurances that we are imposing health guidelines,” he said.

To make up for the losses, Mr. Clemente said they are working with industry partners such as hotels and airlines to offer lower rates for the domestic market.

“Once the situation is controlled we might be able to recover some of what we’ve lost at least in the first few weeks of 2020,” he said.

China declared more than 17,000 coronavirus infections, and more than 350 deaths — exceeding the number of deaths from the SARS outbreak in 2002 and 2003.

2% agri output growth achievable despite ASF

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) hopes to achieve a two percent growth in agricultural production this year despite failing to meet the target in 2019 as the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak is seen to continue weighing on the livestock sector.

“[M]akakamtan ang two percent growth [for agriculture] this year (Two percent growth for agriculture is achievable this year),” Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said during a press briefing in Quezon City on Monday.

In a separate statement, Mr. Dar acknowledged the “modest growth” of the sector in 2019.

“While the challenges are formidable, ushered in by the eruption of Taal Volcano, the DA will remain firm and focused to fuel the revitalization of the country’s agricultural sector, which is counted as one of the three major economic growth drivers in 2020,” he added.

As reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Jan. 22, agriculture output, which contributes less than a tenth to gross domestic product (GDP) and around a fourth of the country’s jobs, expanded by 0.7% in 2019. This was slightly higher than the 0.6% in 2018 but fell below the 2.5-3.5% target range for farm output growth under the 2017-2022 Philippine Development Plan, as well as the Agriculture department’s two-percent growth target last year.

Of the 5.9% GDP growth in 2019, agriculture chipped in 0.12 percentage point (ppt), more than the 0.08 ppt in 2018’s 6.2% expansion.

Livestock, which accounted for 17.3% of total output — contracted by one percent in 2019, a turnaround from the 1.9% posted in 2018. Hog production likewise shrank by one percent last year versus the 2.4% growth previously.

Meanwhile, Mr. Dar downplayed the possible impact of detected cases of ASF in Davao Occidental over the weekend, saying the 1,000 hogs culled from a total of 13,000 in the coastal town of Don Marcelino in Davao Occidental is not big enough to affect the current supply in the province.

“It’s not such a significant number if you look at the total agriculture inventory in the country of about 12 million hogs to those of Davao Occidental at a hundred thousand,” he said.

Mr. Dar, however, mentioned that total losses from ASF incidence in the country may already amount to as high as P7 billion based on the previous DA estimate of a monthly “opportunity loss” of P1 billion. With six months of continuous cases since July last year, the losses accumulated to P6 billion plus the P1 billion allotted for the indemnification fund of hog raisers.

The Agriculture chief assured that the local government units in Davao Occidental remained in close cooperation with the DA in conducting the inventory of swine population and monitoring animal movement in line with the 1-7-10 protocol implemented in ASF affected areas.

The department follows a 1-7-10 quarantine procedure in case of a suspected outbreak, with hogs within a one-kilometer radius to be immediately culled and buried while the area is disinfected. The next layer is a seven-kilometer radius, defined as the surveillance area for testing and sampling. Within 10 kilometers, the entry and exit of animals is strictly monitored.

The DA Regional Field Office XI listed fifteen barangays affected by the ASF in the municipalities of Don Marcelino (Linadasan, North Lamidian, South Lamidian, Calian, Mabuhay, Lawa, Nueva Villa, and Baluntaya) and nearby Malita (Bito, Kidalapong, Tubalan, Felis, Mana, Talogoy, and New Argao), respectively.

Blood samples collected from pigs in Don Marcelino tested positive of ASF at the Bureau of Animal Industry’s (BAI) laboratory in Quezon City, according to DA-BAI National Director Ronnie D. Domingo.

Both Don Marcelino and Malita are in a total lockdown where transport and sale of hogs, pork, processed pork, and by-products are prohibited.

DA’s Mr. Dar also noted his meeting with Davao Occidental Governor Claude P. Bautista last Sunday wherein the provincial government will buy the unaffected pigs from within Don Marcelino, following the protocols outlined in the proper handling and selling of pigs. — Marissa Mae M. Ramos

8990 Holdings forecasts year’s revenues to hit P20 billion

By Denise A. Valdez, Reporter

8990 Holdings, Inc. is expecting to record revenues of about P20 billion for 2020, driven by the partial opening of its Urban Deca Homes Ortigas project by year’s end.

In a topping-off ceremony at the project’s site in Ortigas yesterday, 8990 Holdings Chairman Mariano D. Martinez, Jr. told reporters the company is expecting four of the 22 buildings that comprise the project to be completed within the year.

“This year, they’re going to turn over to us four buildings beginning August until December. Those four buildings will be more or less 3,800 units,” he said, noting the average price per unit is P2.5 million.

Including 8990 Holdings’ other projects, the company’s expected revenue by end-2020 is P20 billion, of which 40% or about P8 billion will be the net income.

Urban Deca Homes Ortigas is 8990 Holdings’ largest project to-date: a 13-hectare development along Ortigas Avenue Extension with 19,000 units across 22 buildings, a mall and a one-hectare open space. Once completed, the whole project is expected to generate close to P40 billion in sales.

Mr. Martinez said around six to eight more buildings are expected to be turned over next year, and the rest over the next three to four years.

8990 Holdings has set its capital expenditures for 2020 at P12 billion, where P8 billion will be allocated for construction, P2 billion for replenishment of land and P2 billion for advanced land development.

This will be supported through the company’s receivables, which stand at about P22 billion, plus an additional P16 billion to be raised from the Urban Deca Homes Ortigas project. In line with previous disclosures, Mr. Martinez said the receivables will be sold and securitized for financing.

Asked about other fundraising plans, Mr. Martinez said the company may issue bonds this year as the bulk of its P9-billion debt issuance in 2015 is set to mature.

“Since we’re approaching our fifth year, there’s an intention to raise again in order to pay off the maturing portion of that bond,” he said. “[W]e don’t really see a need to do a big fund-raise. This pretty much covered already the operational and cash requirements for the…big major projects,” he added, referring to sales from the Urban Deca Homes Ortigas project.

Moving forward, Mr. Martinez said 8990 Holdings may venture into new businesses such as commercial malls to diversify its portfolio. “It’s always been observed that 8990 does not have a strong value chain insofar as rentals are concerned… So that would be of interest to me if somebody wanted to sell their malls or anything like that. That would take up another leg,” he said.

But he noted the company is not actively looking into malls yet, as its focus is still on horizontal developments and building halfway houses. “We don’t want to veer too far away from that because that’s what we all need. We all need to sleep somewhere, and the nearer it is, the more we want,” Mr. Martinez said.

Earnings of 8990 Holdings in the first three quarters of 2019 increased 23% to P4.21 billion, driven by a 21% jump in revenues to P10.51 billion. Its shares at the stock exchange slipped four centavos or 0.27% to P14.70 each on Monday.

Yolanda short documentary wins Slamdance film fest prize

CEBUANA filmmaker Joanna Vasquez Arong’s short documentary film on the harrowing effects of the 2013 Supertyphoon Haiyan/Yolanda on the residents of Tacloban City in Leyte and Guian, Samar won the Grand Jury Prize for documentary short at the recently concluded Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

The Slamdance Film Festival is a 25-year-old festival focused on emerging artists and low-budget independent films. Its feature competition is limited to films made by first-time directors with budgets under $1 million and without US distribution. It is held at the same time as the Sundance Film Festival in Park City.

Titled Ang Papakalma sa Unos (To Calm the Pig Inside), the festival described the documetnary as a “contemplative film that ponders the effects a typhoon leaves on a small town where myths are woven to help cope with the devastation and trauma.”

According to other media reports, the award qualifies Ms. Arong’s film for consideration in the Academy Awards’ best documentary (short subject) category next year.

The 19-minute film was created by Ms. Arong as a “reflective essay pondering on trauma that’s passed on from both family schisms as well as from calamities. How does one heal from personal trauma and how does a community cope and likewise heal from collective trauma,” according to an interview she gave with Slamdance.

“After spending weeks line producing on a film production on the devastation super typhoon Haiyan wreaked around the Philippines in 2013-2014, I felt there was another layer to the stories which hadn’t been shared yet. Locals recounted to me their reflections, disappointments, dreams and even the jokes they shared with each other in order to cope with the trauma. And through time, they continued to express their growing frustration towards the government response to their plight,” she explained, before adding that since she’s from a neighboring island, she felt “it was not my story to tell” and thus approached the documentary as a personal film essay.

The film festival, which ran from Jan. 24 to 30, gave its top award, the Narrative Feature Grand Jury Prize, to Murmur by Canadian filmmaker Heather Young. The film is about an older woman who compulsively adopts her loneliness. The had previously won the Fipresci Discovery Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Ms. Arong has directed four other shorts/documentaries, starting with Neo-Lounge in 2007, which IMDB describes as “a look at an eclectic international group of people who gather at a hip Beijing nightclub.” The film won Best Documentary at the 2007 Brussels International Independent Film Festival. She also won a Gawad Urian award for Best Documentary for 2010’s Sunday School. — ZBC

Fruitas buys soybean products store and rice-meal operator

FRUITAS Holdings, Inc. is acquiring a soybean product company and the store assets of a Filipino food stall firm as part of expanding its business, it told the stock exchange on Monday.

In a statement and in corresponding disclosures, the listed food and beverage kiosk operator said it had acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of SoyKingdom, Inc., and through its subsidiary Negril Trading, Inc., bought two owned-stores of Kuxina.

SoyKingdom is the operator of The Tofu Store, a 14-year-old company that sells soy milk, taho, tofu and other soybean-related products. It currently has storefronts in Little Baguio, San Juan and Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City.

Fruitas is buying 1.2 million shares or 100% of SoyKingdom in cash, which will be an additional subsidiary of the company.

“Fruitas believes that demand for freshly made and conveniently available soymilk, taho, tofu, and other soybean-related products will further increase in the Philippines as more Filipinos discover its versatility as a standalone beverage or snack and key ingredient in everyday meals,” it said.

Kuxina, on the other hand, is the operator of the Kuxina Filipino Fusion and Kuxina Ihaw Na! stores located in Fruitas’ Le Village food park in Quezon City. Negril Trading, which handles De Original Jamaican Pattie Shop and Juice Bar for Fruitas, will enter the transaction with Kuxina.

“Kuxina will complement Sabroso Lechon, Heat Stroke Grill, [Fruitas’] other recent acquisition and rice meals concepts,” the company said of the deal. It noted the transaction covers the acquisition of two stores in Quezon City, equipment, recipes, leasehold improvements and marketing collateral and continuing arrangement with eight franchised stores.

Fruitas ended 2019 with 1,068 stores in its network through more than 20 brands such as Fruitas Fresh from Babot’s Farm, Buko Loco, De Original Jamaican Pattie, Johnn Lemon, Shou La Mien Hand Pulled Noodles, Sabroso Lechon and more.

As the company celebrates its 18th year this year, Fruitas President and Chief Executive Officer Lester C. Yu said the company will continue finding innovative and suitable additions to its portfolio.

“We will further strengthen our existing brands and seamlessly integrate our latest acquisitions, broadening our offerings to include both traditional and contemporary Filipino food and drinks,” Mr. Yu was quoted as saying.

Shares in Fruitas at the stock exchange inched up two centavos or 1.22% to close at P1.66 each on Monday. — Denise A. Valdez

You oughta know Alanis is coming

GRAMMY-WINNING singer Alanis Morissette is set to make a stop in the Philippines as part of her ongoing 2020 World Tour celebrating the 25 years of her breakthrough album, Jagged Little Pill.

The tour starts on April 2 in Tokyo and will have stops in Australia and the US. The Philippine concert will be on April 6 at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Born in 1974, Ms. Morissette released her eponymous debut album in 1991. While that album did go platinum in her native Canada, it wasn’t until her third album, Jagged Little Pill, that the world finally tuned in to the singer with an emotive mezzo-soprano voice.

Her first single off the album, “You Oughta Know,” signaled her departure from dance music to alternative rock, the genre she is now best known for. With its explicit and vengeful lyrics directed at an unnamed ex-boyfriend, the song became such as hit that the following year, it was named the Best Rock Song at the Grammy Awards while Morissette won the Best Female Rock Vocal Performance award. The song was also nominated for Song of the Year but lost to Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose.”

Jagged Little Pill went on to spawn more hits including “All I Really Want,” “Hands in My Pocket,” and her biggest hit yet, “Ironic.”

Despite criticism about its misuse of the word “ironic,” the song — which listed unfortunate situations like “rain on a wedding day” and a “free ride when you’ve already paid” — topped Canadian charts for six weeks and reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 list in the US. It’s still her highest-charting single on the chart.

The song won the Juno Award for Single of the Year and received two Grammy Award nominations in 1997 for Record of the Year and Best Short Form Music Video.

The album, Jagged Little Pill, sold more than 16 million copies in the US and 33 million worldwide.

Her success is credited with having opened doors for fellow female singers like Pink, Michelle Branch, and Avril Lavigne.

Ms. Morissette currently has nine albums in her discography, with the most recent one, Such Pretty Forks in the Road, scheduled for release in May this year.

In 2016, she launched Conversation with Alanis Morissette, a monthly podcast that features conversations with a variety of authors, doctors, educators, and therapists, covering a wide range of psychosocial topics extending from spirituality to developmentalism to art.

On Dec. 5, 2019, Jagged Little Pill, The Musical, made its Broadway debut at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City.

In total, she has won seven Grammy Awards and has sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Rolling Stone magazine has called her the Queen of Alt-Rock Angst.

Alanis Morissette World Tour 2020 in Manila will be held on April 6, 8 p.m., at the SM MOA Arena in Pasay City. Tickets go on sale starting Feb. 6 on smtickets.com. Tickets are priced from P2,700 to P12,700. — ZBC

Cebu Landmasters posts 31% reservation sales rise

CEBU Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) reported its reservation sales in 2019 jumped 31% to P12.67 billion, driven by higher demand in its key projects across the country.

In a statement yesterday, the listed property developer said the turnout did not only surpass its P9.6-billion reservation sales in 2018, it also exceeded its target of reaching P12.5 billion in 2019.

“Reservation sales is an indication of future revenue and with the robust sales performance of our projects, we are again anticipating outstanding financial results from CLI,” Jose R. Soberano III, chairman and chief executive officer of CLI, said in the statement.

The high demand last year was traced mostly to CLI’s projects in Cebu City, which contributed 58% of total booked sales. Projects in Davao City comprised 15%; in Cagayan de Oro, 13%; in Bacolod, 12%; and in Dumaguete, 2%.

The company said notable projects such as Mivela Garden Residences propelled the sales turnout last year, as the mid-market residential condominium in Cebu City sold 80% of its available inventory in less than a month.

Other outstanding performers are CLI’s mid-market Garden Series brand in Bacolod and Cagayan De Oro, which comprised 37% of total sales; and the high-end Premier Masters residential brand, which accounted for 30% of total sales.

CLI’s economic housing brand Casa Mira took 29% of last year’s total sales. The rest were from office condominiums and socialized housing.

After completing P18-billion worth of projects last year, the company now wants to focus on developing projects in new locations such as Iloilo, Bohol and Ormoc. CLI currently has a landbank of 1,245,485 square meters.

Mr. Soberano said CLI is also eyeing to buy land in Tacloban, General Santos, Roxas City, Boracay and Palawan as part of the expansion.

“CLI will continue to grow and fortify its presence in VisMin, deliver a diversified range of products aimed towards filling the needs in other major growth centers of the region, and keep our excellent financial performance,” he was quoted as saying.

In 2019, CLI was able to launch new projects in Davao City, Bacolod City, Cagayan de Oro and Mindoro. Its earnings in the first nine months surged 77% to P1.65 billion, backed by a 61% rise in revenues to P5.95 billion.

The company’s shares at the stock exchange saw a four-centavo or 0.90% uptick to end at P4.50 apiece yesterday. — Denise A. Valdez

After more than 40 years, The Jacksons return to the PHL

AMERICAN pop group The Jacksons is coming back to Manila after more than four decades. The concert is part of their 60th-anniversary celebrations and will be held on March 6 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Indiana-based group — originally known as the Jackson 5 — is currently composed of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon Jackson. The group, which was formed in 1965, served as the launchpad for Michael Jackson who performed with the group until 1982 when he went solo, released Thriller, and became a global superstar.

Considered one of the most successful musical groups in history, The Jacksons has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. In 1980, the brothers were given their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The 1970s was when the group was at its height, a time that music historians call “The Jacksonmania.” The group’s first four singles reached the top of the Hot 100 — “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” and “I’ll Be There” — in 1970. That was also the year they released three albums in one year: ABC, The Third Album, and Jackson 5 Christmas Album. Thanks to the releases, they replace the Supremes as Motown Record’s best-selling group.

The following year, they released the singles “Mama’s Pearl,” “Never Can Say Goodbye,” and “Sugar Daddy,” giving them a total of seven Top 10 singles within a two-year period.

In 1976, The Jacksons came to Manila to conclude the Jackson 5 Final Tour at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The group continued to perform after youngest brother Michael went solo. Then in 1989, the group released its last album before going on an extended hiatus: 2300 Jackson Street. The group reunited 17 years later, in 2001, to celebrate Michael Jackson’s 30th anniversary as a solo artist. In 2009, after Michael’s death, the group provided backing vocals for a previously unreleased Michael Jackson song “This Is It” (the main theme for the documentary film of the same name).

The group went on to do a Unity Tour in 2013, with performances in Canada and the US.

The group influenced succeeding boy bands including Menudo, Backstreet Boys, and New Kids on the Block, to name a few.

The Jacksons in Manila will be held on March 6, 8 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Tickets are now available at Ticketnet, with ticket ranging from P1,590 to P15,900. For more information and inquiries, visit Ticketnet Online (www.ticketnet.com.ph), https://www.smartaranetacoliseum.com/, or call (+632) 8911-5555. — ZBC

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