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China sanctions former Philippines senator, foreign ministry says

FRANCISTOLENTINO.PH

BEIJING/MANILA – China sanctioned former Philippine senator Francis Tolentino on Tuesday and barred him entry, citing “egregious conduct” on matters such as the disputed South China Sea a day after the end of his six-year term.

Tolentino, who lost his bid for a second term in midterm elections, had canvassed on his efforts to bring in laws last year defining the country’s sea lanes and maritime zones, which China opposed.

A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry accused some Filipino politicians of making “malicious remarks and moves” that hurt ties between the two nations.

“The Chinese government is firmly resolved to defend national sovereignty, security and development interests,” the spokesperson added in a statement.

The sanctions prohibit Tolentino from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, the ministry said.

“No foreign power can silence me or weaken my resolve to uphold our sovereignty,” Tolentino said in a statement, calling the sanctions a “badge of honour” and vowing to pursue his fight for “what rightfully belongs” to the Philippines.

China’s claims in the South China Sea, a conduit for $3 trillion in annual ship-borne commerce, overlap with the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

A 2016 ruling of an international arbitral tribunal voided Beijing’s sweeping claims as having no basis in international law, a decision China rejects. — Reuters

NCR workers get P50 daily wage hike

A WORKER carries vegetables on his back at a public market in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, Feb. 9, 2023. — REUTERS/ELOISA LOPEZ

MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS in Metro Manila are getting a P50 daily wage increase — the highest pay hike ever granted by the National Wages and Productivity Commission — starting July 18, the Labor department said on Monday.

The raise would benefit about 1.2 million workers in the Philippine capital and nearby cities and provinces, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said in a statement.

The new daily minimum wage in the National Capital Region (NCR) is expected to increase to P695 from P645 for the non-agriculture sector.

For workers in the agriculture sector, and service and retail establishments employing 15 or less workers, daily wages will be raised to P658 from P608.

Laborers working in manufacturing establishments employing less than 10 workers will also receive a daily wage of P658.

The daily pay hike is equivalent to a P1,100 per month increase for a five-day work week or a P1,300 increase for those working six days a week, DoLE said.

It will take effect on July 18, a year after the last daily wage hike was implemented on July 17, 2024.

The DoLE added that the NCR wage board had considered the country’s latest gross domestic product (GDP), inflation rate, and unemployment rate in approving the wage increase.

In the first quarter, GDP grew by a weaker-than-expected 5.4%, sharply slowing from the 5.9% expansion in the same quarter last year but faster than 5.3% in the fourth quarter.

Inflation averaged 1.9% in the January-to-May period, slightly below the central bank’s 2-4% target range.

The unemployment rate averaged 4% in the January-to-April period, unchanged from the same period in 2024.

The DoLE said about 1.7 million full-time wage and salary workers that earn above minimum wage “may also indirectly benefit as a result of upward adjustments at the enterprise level arising from the correction of wage distortion.”

It added that retail and service establishments with not more than 10 workers and enterprises affected by natural calamities or disasters can apply for exemption from the wage increase.

On the other hand, barangay micro business enterprises in NCR are not covered by the latest wage order.

“The issuance of the new wage order is in line with the standing directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for the timely and regular review of regional minimum wage rates to reduce uncertainty, enhance fairness for all stakeholders, and foster a stronger link between productivity and wages,” Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma said.

Mr. Laguesma said that the DoLE will conduct an information campaign to ensure public awareness and closely monitor compliance by enterprises.

The NCR wage board was the first to issue a wage order this year. Public consultations on a new wage order for Regions I, II, III, IV-A and VII will be conducted between July and August.

Sought for comment, Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECoP) President Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr. said that micro and small businesses in the capital region may struggle to implement the pay increase.

“Most of the employees (in the NCR) come from microbusinesses. Micro establishments will have a hard time with this. At the present rate, they are having trouble paying their employees, especially during Christmas when there is 13th month pay,” Mr. Ortiz-Luis said in a phone call.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Chairman George T. Barcelon said that the wage hike is expected to raise operating expenses for businesses and may be passed on to consumers.

“The costs of doing business will be higher and it will be passed on to consumers. For (businesses affected by) weak markets, their profit will be lower, and for companies already facing difficulties, they will incur more losses,” Mr. Barcelon said in a Viber message.

For her part, PCCI President Enunina V. Mangio said local businesses will comply but will have to find ways to lessen the impact of the approved minimum wage hike.

Leonardo A. Lanzona, Jr., economics professor at Ateneo de Manila University, said that the mandated wage increase may affect smaller firms and stoke inflation.

“The issue, however, is that this can cause inflation as aggregate demand is raised without increasing aggregate supply. Inflation may now be low, but any upward pressure can cause a spiraling effect on wages and prices,” Mr. Lanzona said via Messenger chat.

He said that any increase in wages should be an incentive for workers to be more productive.

“The government should mandate firms to create mechanisms that share their gains or savings with the workers in the form of bonuses, merit increases, and productivity payments. Wages, in effect, can be allowed to increase only if the workers are contributing to productivity,” Mr. Lanzona said.

Benjamin B. Velasco, assistant professor at the UP Diliman School of Labor and Industrial Relations, said the wage hike order will be a “welcome relief” for workers.

“It will nudge employers paying below the minimum to add something to the wages they pay. Workers receiving above the minimum can file for wage distortion,” he said via Facebook chat.

Federation of Free Workers President Jose Sonny G. Matula said in Filipino that the P50 wage hike is “not enough,” adding that workers would prefer a legislated wage hike.

Congress adjourned last month without approving the bill seeking to hike the minimum daily wage by P100-P200. Economic managers had warned that the proposed legislated wage hike may have “dangerous repercussions” on the Philippine economy.

“Estimates show that the across-the-board wage hike will exert substantial downward pressure on GDP by 1.6 ppts (percentage points) for a P200 hike and 0.5 ppt for a hike of P100. Both scenarios are predicted to result in the economy missing the lower end of the GDP growth target range,” the economic managers said last month. — Adrian H. Halili

BSP: June inflation could range 1.1%-1.9%

A vendor waits for customers at a fruit stall in Parañaque, Metro Manila. — REUTERS

By Aubrey Rose A. Inosante, Reporter

HEADLINE INFLATION likely settled below the 2-4% target band in June, as rising prices of fuel and some food items may have been tempered by lower cost of rice and electricity, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Monday.

In a statement, the central bank said inflation may have settled within the 1.1%-1.9% range in June.

If realized, the BSP’s forecast would be much slower than the 3.7% inflation print in June 2024.

At the upper end of the BSP forecast, inflation likely picked up from 1.3% in May.

On the other hand, the low end of the forecast showed June inflation may have been the slowest in 57 months or since the 0.6% seen in October 2019.

A BusinessWorld poll of 17 analysts conducted last week yielded a median estimate of 1.5% for the June consumer price index (CPI).

June inflation data will be released on Friday (July 4).

“Upward price pressures for (June) are likely to be driven by higher meat and vegetable prices, elevated oil prices, and the depreciation of the peso,” the BSP said in a statement.

In June, pump price adjustments stood at a net increase of P6.30 a liter for gasoline, P8.25 a liter for diesel and P6.50 a liter for kerosene.

The peso closed at P56.33 per dollar at the end of June, depreciating by 58.5 centavos from the P55.745 finish at end-May.

“These pressures, however, could be partially offset by lower prices of rice, fish, and fruits, as well as lower electricity rates,” the central bank said.

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) cut the overall rate by P0.1076 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to P12.1552 per kWh in June from P12.2628 per kWh in May.

The BSP noted the drop in rice prices in June, which marked the fourth straight month of decline this year.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said prices of rice declined further with regular milled rice averaging P42.77 per kilo in June from the P43.32 per kilo in mid-May.

“Going forward, the BSP remains committed to safeguarding price stability by ensuring that monetary policy settings are conducive to sustainable economic growth and employment,” it said.

At its June 19 meeting, the central bank delivered a second straight 25-basis-point (bp) cut, bringing its policy rate to 5.25% amid a benign inflation outlook and slowing economic growth.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. also signaled they could deliver one more 25-bp cut this year.

Meanwhile, analysts said non-rice food commodities likely contributed to slightly faster June inflation.

“I forecast inflation to be at 1.5% this June. Driven by higher oil prices as well as some food items such as livestock, fish, and some vegetable items. However, this was partly offset by lower electricity prices,”Oikonomia Advisory and Research, Inc. economist Reinielle Matt M. Erece said.

Meanwhile, Security Bank Corp. Vice-President and Research Division Head Angelo B. Taningco said prices of meat, fish, fruits, housing rentals, and electricity costs are some of the factors that drove up consumer prices in June.

The PSA reported that retail price of dressed chicken further rose to P214.49 per kilogram in the first half of June from P212.52 in the second half of May.

“[This] was somewhat offset by deflationary pressures from rice,” Mr. Taningco said.

The BSP last month lowered its baseline forecast for inflation to 1.6% for this year from 2.4%. It also expects inflation to settle at 3.4% for 2026 and 3.3% for 2027.

Central bank revises BoP forecasts for 2025, 2026

A general cargo vessel unloads containers while docking at the port in Manila. — REUTERS

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) revised its balance of payments (BoP) forecasts for this year and 2026 amid heightened global uncertainty.

In a statement, the BSP said the overall BoP position is projected to end 2025 at a $6.3-billion deficit or -1.3% of gross domestic product (GDP), wider than the previous forecast of a $4-billion deficit or -0.8% of GDP.

For 2026, the central bank expects the BoP deficit to shrink to $2.8 billion or -0.5% of GDP from the previous projection of $4.3 billion or -0.8% of GDP.

“This outlook reflects a continued current account shortfall and moderating financial flows. While the domestic economy benefits from steady growth, low inflation, and ongoing structural reforms, these are offset by global trade uncertainty, heightened geopolitical risks, and weakened investor confidence,” the BSP said.

Latest BSP data showed the country’s BoP stood at a $5.8-billion deficit in the January-to-May period, a reversal from a $1.6-billion surplus in January to May 2024.

Meanwhile, the BSP also adjusted the forecasts for the country’s current account for this year and 2026.

This year’s current account deficit is now expected to narrow to $16.3 billion or -3.3% of GDP, a downgrade from the previous projection of a $19.8-billion deficit or -3.9% of GDP.

For 2026, the current account deficit is projected to further shrink to $13.6 billion or -2.5% of GDP, smaller than the previously projected $21.2 billion or -3.9% of GDP.

“The current account is expected to remain in deficit at around 3% of GDP, indicating a gap in savings over investment amid global uncertainties. As a result, external financing remains necessary to support the country’s infrastructure-led, investment-driven growth strategy,” the BSP said.

The BSP now expects goods exports to contract by 1% this year from the previous forecast of 1% growth. Goods exports are projected to grow by 2% in 2026.

“Goods exports continue to face headwinds from global trade uncertainty, lagging competitiveness, and constraints in the semiconductor industry,” the central bank said.

The BSP also trimmed the goods imports forecast to 1% this year from 4% previously. For 2026, goods imports are projected to grow by 2% from 4% previously.

“Meanwhile, stable domestic demand and infrastructure spending support the growth in imports, but import value is tempered by declining global commodity prices, particularly, for oil,” it said.

Services trade “remains broadly resilient” but the central bank warned that downside risks persist.

The BSP trimmed the growth forecast for services exports to 6% this year from 8% previously. It retained the 8% services exports growth projection for 2026.

The 5% growth forecast for business process outsourcing (BPO) receipts was retained for this year and for 2026.

“Outsourcing revenues are supported by stable demand for contact center services, yet they confront uncertainties due to US job reshoring initiatives and local talent shortages,” the BSP said.

Tourism receipts are projected to grow by 10% this year from 11% previously. For 2026, tourism receipts are expected to expand by 11% from 12% previously.

On the other hand, the BSP also trimmed its services imports growth forecast to 6% this year from 14% previously. It also lowered the growth projection for next year to 7% from 12% previously.

The central bank kept its cash remittance growth projection to 2.8% this year and 3% for 2026.

“Steady remittance flows continue to provide a buffer against trade deficit, supported by strong labor demand for Filipino workers in key sectors as well as by the aging populations in host countries,” the BSP said.

However, emerging protectionist policies in some host countries present emerging risks, it added.

Meanwhile, the BSP said foreign investment inflows are expected to “remain positive but subdued as policy uncertainty and the global slowdown weigh on investor sentiment.”

Financial account outflows could reach $13 billion this year, lower than the earlier forecast of $16.2 billion. For 2026, the outflows are seen to reach $13.2 billion, smaller than the previous projection of $17.8 billion.

The BSP now expects foreign direct investments (FDI) to end the year at a net inflow of $7.5 billion, smaller than the $9-billion projection in March. For 2026, FDI net inflows are expected to hit $8 billion, lower than the previous projection of $9 billion.

Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investments (FPI) are expected to end at a $6.8-billion net inflow this year, higher than the $3.9-billion earlier forecast.

For 2026, net inflows of foreign portfolio investments are expected to reach $5 billion, lower than the $4.1-billion previous projection.

“The moderation in trade and investment flows limits the country’s scope to build up foreign exchange reserves. Nonetheless, reserves are expected to remain ample, providing sufficient liquidity to cushion the economy against external headwinds,” the BSP said.

The central bank also lowered its 2025 gross international reserves (GIR) forecast to $104 billion from $105 billion previously. It kept the GIR forecast at $105 billion for 2026.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the weaker BoP outlook can be attributed to a global economic slowdown due to the US tariff policy and geopolitical risks.

“These external risk factors could also slow down the growth in the country’s structural US dollar inflows such as OFW (overseas Filipino worker) remittances, BPO revenues, foreign tourism receipts,” he said in a Viber message.

Mr. Ricafort said these external challenges may result in slower global investments, exports, employment, increased volatility in global crude oil and other global commodity prices. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

World economy faces ‘pivotal moment’ — BIS

Shipping containers in the port of Barcelona are seen behind a cross in Barcelona, Spain, April 3, 2025. — REUTERS/NACHO DOCE

LONDON — Trade tensions and fractious geopolitics risk exposing deep fault lines in the global financial system, central bank umbrella body the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), said in its latest assessment of the state of the world economy.

Outgoing head of the BIS, often dubbed the central bankers’ central bank, Agustin Carstens, said the US-driven trade war and other policy shifts were fraying the long-established economic order.

He said the global economy was at a “pivotal moment,” entering a “new era of heightened uncertainty and unpredictability,” which was testing public trust in institutions, including central banks.

The bank’s report is published just over a week before US President Donald J. Trump’s trade tariff deadline of July 9 and comes after six months of intense geopolitical upheaval.

When asked about Mr. Trump’s criticisms of US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell, which have included Mr. Trump labeling Mr. Powell as “stupid,” he was not overly critical.

“It is to be expected at certain points in time that there will be friction,” former Mexican central bank governor Mr. Carstens told reporters, referring to the relationship between governments and central banks. “It is almost by design.”

The BIS’ annual report, published on Sunday, is viewed as an important gauge of central bankers’ thinking given the Switzerland-based forum’s regular meetings of top policymakers.

Rising protectionism and trade fragmentation were “particular concerning” as they were exacerbating the already decades-long decline in economic and productivity growth, Mr. Carstens said.

There is also evidence that the world economy is becoming less resilient to shocks, with population aging, climate change, geopolitics and supply chain issues all contributing to a more volatile environment.

The post-COVID spike in inflation seems to have had a lasting impact on the public’s perception about price moves too, a study in the report showed.

High and rising public debt levels are increasing the financial system’s vulnerability to interest rates and reducing governments’ ability to spend their way out of crises.

“This trend cannot continue,” Mr. Carstens said referring to the rising debt levels and he said that higher military spending could push the debt up further.

Hyun Song Shin, the BIS’ main economic adviser, also flagged the sharp fall in the dollar. It has been down 10% since the start of the year and on track to have its biggest first-half drop since the free-floating exchange rate era began in the early 1970s. 

He said there was no evidence that this was the start of a “great rotation” away from US assets as some economists have suggested but acknowledged that it was still too early to know given sovereign funds and central banks move slowly.

Shorter-term analysis, though, showed “hedging” by non-US investors holding Treasuries and other US assets appears to have made an “important contribution” to the dollar’s slide over the last few months.

“We haven’t seen anything (yet) that would give us any cause for alarm,” Mr. Shin added.

The BIS had already published one part of its report last week that gave a stark warning about the rapid rise of so-called stablecoins.

In terms of the BIS’ own finances, it said it made a net profit of 843.7 million IMF SDR ($1.2 billion), while its total comprehensive income reached a record high of SDR 3.4 billion ($5.3 billion) and currency deposits at the bank also reached a new high.

“It is important that the BIS has the highest creditworthiness out there,” Mr. Carstens said. — Reuters

CREC eyes P9.6-B investment in Pangasinan wind project

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Dayanara Peenee from Unsplash

CITICORE Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) said its unit plans to invest P9.6 billion in a wind power project in Pangasinan, which is expected to generate 80 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

Citicore Wind Energy Corp. (CWEC), through its subsidiary Citicore Wind Pangasinan 2, Inc., is targeting to complete the wind project by the first quarter of 2028, CREC said in a disclosure on Monday.

The company said the project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with power generation and maximize the economic potential of the mountainous areas of Sual and Labrador.

“The project is anticipated to provide clean electricity and local employment opportunities during its pre-construction, construction, and operational stages. Additionally, it seeks to reduce the Philippines’ dependence on fossil fuel energies and mitigate the impacts on climate change,” CWEC said.

“Furthermore, it seeks to lower electricity costs and increase the demand for electricity to enhance the stability of Luzon’s energy supply,” it added.

The project is among the winning bids under the second round of the Green Energy Auction Program (GEA-2) conducted in 2023, securing an offtake contract with the Philippine government.

CREC, directly and through its subsidiaries and joint ventures, manages a diversified portfolio of renewable energy assets, including solar, hydro, and wind platforms.

For 2024, CREC earmarked over $1 billion in capital expenditures, with the majority allocated to its first gigawatt (GW) of solar power projects.

To date, the company has a combined gross installed capacity of 285 MW from its solar facilities in the Philippines.

CREC aims to add 1 GW of capacity annually to the country’s energy mix through ready-to-build and under-construction projects, targeting approximately 5 GW by 2028. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Pop culture hub lands in the Philippines

BRONTË H. LACSAMANA

Funko opens first store in Southeast Asia

THE VIBRANT passion of Filipino fandom and pop culture geekdom has led to Funko opening its first Southeast Asia store in the Philippines — at SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. The company behind collectibles for Disney, Marvel, DC, anime, and almost a thousand other licensed brands aims to take advantage of the passionate Philippine market through the brand-new store.

Andy Clempson, Funko Asia-Pacific’s vice-president for sales, said that the Philippines is their number one market in Asia. Evidence of this is the Funko Fanatics group on Facebook.

“The Funko fan in the Philippines is fantastically passionate, fantastically knowledgeable. Add to that, the environment in the Philippines is very keen in terms of pop culture,” Mr. Clempson told the press at the store’s media preview on June 26.

“The Funko Fanatics Facebook group has about 56,000 members,” he added.

Mr. Clempson said that geeks aren’t the only market for Funko Pop collectibles. Casual fans who don’t collect the Funko items but purchase a certain character or get them to give to others as gifts, make up a huge chunk of the market.

“You can be a real passionate collector who wants to collect everything we do, or you can be more casual and only, for example, love Harry Potter or Disney. But there’s a whole other third of our consumers that are actually just casual gifters,” he said.

Funko is known for its iconic Funko Pop! line, but it also has a miniature version called the Bitty Pop!, as well as games, plushies, apparel, and action figures.

In partnership with collectibles distributor Funtastik Enterprises Corp., the launch marks a milestone in Funko’s global expansion. According to Mr. Clempson, the traditional toy industry in 2024 saw relatively flat growth, whereas collectibles became the fastest-growing subcategory.

“Actually, when you look at Funko Pop versus something like Lego, Hasbro, Mattel, it’s actually pretty good here versus some of these traditionally very big, big toy companies,” he added.

The Philippine market in particular will be served by localized products.

“In this store, you will see over a period of time developing products,” Mr. Clemspon said. “We have a great example in the past where we ran a Jollibee Pop, a standard four-inch Pop, which was very successful.”

Funko’s 1,300-square-foot immersive flagship destination also hopes to “celebrate Filipino fandom,” with exclusive Philippine-themed collectibles and interactive zones dedicated to popular franchises.

Over 1,000 products will be available at the store, Mr. Clempson said, but something to look forward to are community gatherings that appeal to the “kidult,” which is about “remembering when you were a child, what you used to play with.”

“We’ll have regularly scheduled gatherings and fan meet-ups to foster a sense of community among collectors,” he explained.

Funko will officially open the doors of its first store in Southeast Asia on July 12. It is located on the second floor of the Entertainment Mall wing of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

Prime Infra consolidates Wawa water project under Manila Water

PRIMEINFRA.PH

MANILA WATER Co., Inc. has acquired full ownership of WawaJVCo, Inc., consolidating the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project under its operations in a P37.8-billion transaction with parent firm Prime Infrastructure Capital, Inc. (Prime Infra).

In a regulatory filing on Monday, Manila Water said it acquired full ownership of WawaJVCo through common and non-voting preferred shares worth P37.8 billion.

Trident Water Company Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Prime Infra, holds control of Manila Water.

WawaJVCo, a joint venture between Prime Infra and San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders & Developers Group, was established to develop, operate, and maintain the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project, which is intended to augment Metro Manila’s raw water supply.

The company’s portfolio includes the Tayabasan Weir in Antipolo, which has been operational since October 2022 with a capacity of 80 million liters per day (MLD), and the Upper Wawa Dam in Rodriguez, Rizal, with a capacity of up to 710 MLD.

In 2019, WawaJVCo signed a 30-year bulk water supply agreement with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and Manila Water for the supply of 518 MLD of water until 2050.

“The acquisition is financially accretive to [Manila Water] and is strategically aligned with its long-term operational and water security objectives,” the water concessionaire said.

“In anticipation of the full operation of the Upper Wawa Dam, it has been determined that [Manila Water] is best placed to directly manage, operate, and optimize the Upper Wawa Dam to ensure technical compatibility, system efficiency, and operational synergies,” it said.

WawaJVCo recently announced the completion of the Upper Wawa Dam, which is set to begin commercial operations in December and is expected to benefit over 700,000 households.

Manila Water said the acquisition will allow for “greater focus and flexibility in water resource allocation, while allowing for more efficient operations and overall cost management of the facility.”

The acquisition is expected to be finalized on Aug. 29.

“This transaction underscores Prime Infra’s strategic commitment to the water sector. By consolidating our assets under Manila Water as our core water infrastructure platform, we are enhancing system integration, operational efficiency, and service delivery,” Prime Infra President and Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Lucci was quoted as saying in a statement.

“This consolidation allows us to unlock greater value from our portfolio and strengthens our position as a leader across the entire water value chain.”

Manila Water serves the East Zone of Metro Manila, covering parts of Marikina, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Pateros, Mandaluyong, San Juan, portions of Quezon City and Manila, and several towns in Rizal province. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Jaws and the two musical notes that changed Hollywood forever

A SCENE from the 1975 film Jaws.

“DA, DUH.”

Two simple notes — E and F — have become synonymous with tension, fear and, sharks, representing the primal dread of being stalked by a predator.

And they largely have Jaws to thank.

Fifty years ago, Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster film — along with its spooky score composed by John Williams — convinced generations of swimmers to think twice before going in the water.

As a scholar of media history and popular culture, I decided to take a deeper dive into the staying power of these two notes and learned about how they’re influenced by 19th century classical music, Mickey Mouse, and Alfred Hitchcock.

THE FIRST SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER
In 1964, fisherman Frank Mundus killed a 4,500-pound great white shark off Long Island.

After hearing the story, freelance journalist Peter Benchley began pitching a novel based on three men’s attempt to capture a man-eating shark, basing the character of Quint off of Mundus. Doubleday commissioned Benchley to write the novel, and in 1973, Universal Studios producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown purchased the film rights to the novel before it was published. The 26-year-old Spielberg was signed on to be the director.

Tapping into both mythical and real fears regarding great white sharks — including an infamous set of shark attacks along the Jersey Shore in 1916 — Benchley’s 1974 novel became a bestseller. The book was a key part of Universal’s marketing campaign, which began several months before the film’s release.

Starting in the fall of 1974, Zanuck, Brown, and Benchley appeared on a number of radio and television programs to simultaneously promote the release of the paperback edition of the novel and the upcoming film. The marketing also included a national television advertising campaign that featured emerging composer Williams’ two-note theme. The plan was for a summer release, which, at the time, was reserved for films with less than stellar reviews.

Films at the time typically were released market by market, preceded by local reviews. However, Universal’s decision to release the film in hundreds of theaters across the country on June 20, 1975, led to huge up-front profits, sparking a 14-week run as the No. 1 film in the US.

Many consider Jaws the first true summer blockbuster. It catapulted Spielberg to fame and kicked off the director’s long collaboration with Williams, who would go on to earn the second-highest number of Academy Award nominations in history — 54 — behind only Walt Disney’s 59.

THE FILM’S BEATING HEART
Though it’s now considered one of the greatest scores in film history, when Williams proposed the two-note theme, Spielberg initially thought it was a joke.

But Williams had been inspired by 19th and 20th century composers, including Claude Debussy, Igor Stravinsky, and especially Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.” In the Jaws theme, you can hear echoes of the end of Dvorak’s symphony, as well as the sounds of another character-driven musical piece, Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf.

Peter and the Wolf and the score from Jaws are both prime examples of leitmotifs, or a musical piece that represents a place or character.

The varying pace of the ostinato — a musical motif that repeats itself — elicits intensifying degrees of emotion and fear. This became more integral as Spielberg and the technical team struggled with the malfunctioning pneumatic sharks that they’d nicknamed “Bruce,” after Spielberg’s lawyer.

As a result, the shark does not appear until the 81-minute mark of the 124-minute film. But its presence is felt through Williams’ theme, which some music scholars have theorized evoke the shark’s heartbeat.

SOUNDS TO MANIPULATE EMOTIONS
Williams also has Disney to thank for revolutionizing character-driven music in film.

The two don’t just share a brimming trophy case. They also understood how music can heighten emotion and magnify action for audiences.

Although his career started in the silent film era, Disney became a titan of film, and later media, by leveraging sound to establish one of the greatest stars in media history, Mickey Mouse.

When Disney saw The Jazz Singer in 1927, he knew that sound would be the future of film.

On Nov. 18, 1928, Steamboat Willie premiered at Universal’s Colony Theater in New York City as Disney’s first animated film to incorporate synchronized sound.

Unlike previous attempts to bring sound to film by having record players concurrently play or deploying live musicians to perform in the theater, Disney used technology that recorded sound directly on the film reel.

It wasn’t the first animated film with synchronized sound, but it was a technical improvement to previous attempts at it, and Steamboat Willie became an international hit, launching Mickey’s — and Disney’s — career.

The use of music or sound to match the rhythm of the characters on screen became known as “Mickey Mousing.”

King Kong in 1933 would deftly deploy Mickey Mousing in a live action film, with music mimicking the giant gorilla’s movements. For example, in one scene, Kong carries away Ann Darrow, who’s played by actress Fay Wray. Composer Max Steiner uses lighter tones to convey Kong’s curiosity as he holds Ann, followed by ominous, faster, tones as Ann escapes and Kong chases after her. In doing so, Steiner encourages viewers to both fear and connect with the beast throughout the film, helping them suspend disbelief and enter a world of fantasy.

Mickey Mousing declined in popularity after World War II. Many filmmakers saw it as juvenile and too simplistic for the evolving and advancing film industry.

WHEN LESS IS MORE
In spite of this criticism, the technique was still used to score some iconic scenes, like the playing of violins in the shower as Marion Crane is stabbed in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho.

Spielberg idolized Hitchcock. A young Spielberg was even kicked off the Universal lot after sneaking on to watch the production of Hitchcock’s 1966 film Torn Curtain.

Although Hitchcock and Spielberg never met, Jaws clearly exhibits the influence of Hitchcock, the “Master of Suspense.”

And maybe that’s why Spielberg initially overcame his doubts about using something so simple to represent tension in the thriller.

The use of the two-note motif helped overcome the production issues Spielberg faced directing the first feature length movie to be filmed on the ocean. The malfunctioning animatronic shark forced Spielberg to leverage Williams’ minimalist theme to represent the shark’s ominous presence in spite of the limited appearances by the eponymous predatory star.

As Williams continued his legendary career, he would deploy a similar sonic motif for certain Star Wars characters. Each time Darth Vader appeared, the “Imperial March” was played to set the tone for the leader of the dark side.

As movie budgets creep closer to a half-billion dollars, the Jaws theme — and the way those two notes manipulate tension — is a reminder that in film, sometimes less can be more.

 

Jared Bahir Browsh is an assistant teaching professor of critical sports studies at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Entertainment News (07/01/25)

WARNER BROS. PICTURES

Tickets now on sale for Superman

TICKETS are now available for the new Superman movie, which opens July 9 only in cinemas and IMAX nationwide. Superman is directed by James Gunn and stars David Corenswet as the new Superman/Clark Kent, together with Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane) and Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor). To check schedules and book tickets, visit https://www.superman.com.ph/. Superman, DC Studios’ first feature film to hit the big screen, is set to soar into theaters worldwide, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. DC Studios heads Peter Safran and Mr. Gunn are producing the film, which Mr. Gunn directs from his own screenplay, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

Itaewon Class creator to hold masterclass

AS part of the Korean Cultural Center’s “Meet the Mentor” series, the creator of the webtoon Itaewon Class, Cho Kwangjin, will visit Manila from July 4 to 6. The three-day event features exclusive talks, an interactive booth exhibit, and a masterclass highlighting South Korea’s webtoon and creative industries. Itaewon Class was adapted into a hit K-drama series in 2020.

Sinners streams exclusively on Max

WARNER BROS. PICTURES’ horror movie Sinners will make its global streaming debut exclusively on Max on Friday, July 4. The film stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twin brothers who, in an attempt to leave their troubled lives behind, return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back. The movie, written and directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ryan Coogler, also stars Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, and Delroy Lindo. To subscribe to Max, go to  www.max.com or the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and subscribe for P149/month or P1,040 for 12 months. Max is also available via Cignal, Cignal Super, Smart and PLDT Home. Max will soon be renamed HBO Max.

SM Mall of Asia opens Ultimate LEGO Playground

THIS July, the LEGO Group will be going to the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City to put up the LEGO Playground, a sensory, hands-on space where traditional larong Pinoy — Filipino games — are reimagined with LEGO bricks. The week-long event, scheduled for July 6 to 13, is free and open to all, with fun zones, build challenges, and a showcase of The LEGO Group’s latest 2025 sets.

Jurassic World Rebirth in cinemas

THE latest Jurassic Park movie, Jurassic World Rebirth, is now showing in Philippine cinemas through Universal Pictures. The film stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, and Rupert Friend and is directed by Gareth Edwards. Set five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, it shows how the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs, who remain in isolated equatorial environments, and how their DNA holds the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind.

Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil goes to the Philippines

THE Philippines’ rich culinary scene and cultural heritage have been featured in Episode 7 of the latest season of Netflix travel and food series, Somebody Feed Phil. As part of the show’s 8th season, it follows host Phil Rosenthal’s journey through the food culture of Manila and Cavite. “If you really want the best of the best, I think you have to come. Because then you get to experience the richness of a culture that embraces its diverse influences and creates the sublime,” Mr. Rosenthal said on his website. One effect of the show on the local food scene was that the Diliman classic restaurant, Trellis, which was featured in the episode, announced that it had run out of its signature sisig for the first time in 45 years after the episode aired. The show is currently streaming on Netflix.

Jeniffer Maravilla releases new single

SINGER Jeniffer Maravilla dove into her vulnerable side and personal experience of yearning through her newest single, “Sana Nandito Ka.” “ I sang through memories, tears, and truths that I don’t often share. I also made more conscious choices in phrasing and dynamics to mirror my actual experiences, so what you hear is not just a performance, it’s a piece of me,” she said. The single is out now on music streaming platforms.

Rich Brian drops new single

THE new single by musician Rich Brian is “Oh Well,” the latest offering from his forthcoming album WHERE IS MY HEAD? due Aug. 15. Paired with a Jared Hogan-directed video, the single follows his first live performance in years at the 2025 Head In The Clouds Festival in Los Angeles in front of 40,000 fans. “Oh Well” offers an alternative R&B slow-burn side to the rapper and singer. It is out now on all music streaming platforms.

Ayala Land acquires New World Makati Hotel

Left to right: George Aquino, president and chief executive officer of AyalaLand Hospitality; Kwok Yan Chi of New World International Development Philippines; and Jose Eduardo Quimpo II, vice-president & head of corporate finance, Ayala Land, Inc.

AYALA LAND, Inc. has acquired New World Makati Hotel, expanding the portfolio of its hotel and resort development arm.

The acquisition is part of Ayala Land Hospitality’s (ALH) strategy to strengthen its presence in high-growth urban centers, particularly in Makati, ALH said in an e-mail statement on Monday.

New World Makati Hotel has more than 500 guest rooms and suites. It is located across Greenbelt and is within walking distance of major commercial offices and luxury retail establishments.

“This move reflects our continued focus on offering a cohesive and high-quality guest experience across key locations,” ALH President and Chief Executive Officer George I. Aquino said.

“The addition of New World Makati Hotel complements our existing portfolio and reinforces our commitment to serving evolving customer needs in one of the country’s most dynamic cities,” he added.

ALH said hotel operations will remain uninterrupted, with the current management team retained, and all existing bookings honored.

“ALH assures guests and partners of a smooth transition, maintaining the high standards of service the brand is known for. Business continuity will be maintained across all touchpoints,” it said.

ALH has over 4,000 rooms under its homegrown brands, including Seda Hotels, El Nido Resorts, and Huni Lio, as well as international luxury brands such as Raffles Makati, Fairmont Makati, and the upcoming Mandarin Oriental Makati. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Squid Game stocks sink as blockbuster ends with mixed reviews

ACTOR Lee Jung-jae in a scene from Squid Game. — IMDB

SHARES in South Korean companies tied to Netflix Inc.’s blockbuster series Squid Game slumped on Monday following the release of the hit show’s final season, which debuted to a lukewarm audience reception despite topping global streaming charts.

Artist Co., an entertainment agency in which Squid Game’s main actor Lee Jung-jae is the largest shareholder, tanked as much as 21%. Artist Studio, Inc., a unit of Artist Co., also declined 24%. Dexter Studios Co., South Korea-based visual effects production firm and one of the partners of Squid Game production, fell 8.5%.

“Much of the criticism stems from how the show ended — viewers whose interpretation of the show’s worldview doesn’t align with theirs,” said Kim Hern-sik, a pop culture critic in Seoul. “It’s hard to top Season 1 — it was a global sensation.”

The third season of Netflix’s anti-capitalist parable, which premiered on June 27, topped the global TV show rankings on Netflix in all countries, according to FlixPatrol, which tracks viewing on streaming services. The Season 3 earned 83% approval rating among professional critics while 51% approval rating from audience, according to Rotten Tomatoes.

First released in 2021, Squid Game became a cultural phenomenon, igniting global conversations with its brutal social allegory and captivating visuals. It remains Netflix’s most-watched show of all time, drawing about 600 million views to date across the first two seasons. The Korean dystopian survival thriller has also won six Emmy Awards. — Bloomberg

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