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Vanquished Djokovic heaps praise on Russia’s Medvedev

CINCINNATI — Novak Djokovic acknowledged he had rarely faced the sort of barrage a resilient Daniil Medvedev used so effectively to shock the world number one 3-6 6-3 6-3 in the Cincinnati Masters semifinals on Saturday.

After losing the first set, Medvedev changed his approach midway through the second set, the Russian going for broke with pretty much every shot, particularly on second serve.

The complexion of the match changed in a heartbeat as Medvedev overpowered the previously dominant Djokovic.

“I did not experience this too many times in my career that someone goes so big on second serves and just serves two first serves basically for an extended period of time,” the vanquished Serbian told reporters.

“When someone serves a 128 miles-per-hour second serve and doesn’t make too many doubles faults and goes for every shot, you just have to put your hat down and congratulate him.”

Medvedev explained why he had switched tactics.

“I was so tired in the first set and playing Novak, I thought I’m not going to be able to keep the intensity,” the world number eight said in a courtside interview with ESPN.

“Then there was one momentum change in the second and I just started playing unbelievable.”

Medvedev added that it was par for the course to go for broke on his second serve when trailing in a match.

“I do it all the time when my second serve doesn’t work. Novak, he was destroying me on the second serve so at one moment, at three-all, love-30, I’m like ‘okay, what’s the matter.’”

He reeled off four successive points, including an ace on second serve, to hold and then broke Djokovic in the next game by ripping a winner down the line to seize the initiative.

Medvedev, who also beat Djokovic in April at Monte Carlo, will play Belgian David Goffin in the final on Sunday.

It will be the third successive final for 23-year-old Medvedev, who lost to Nick Kyrgios in Washington and Rafa Nadal in Montreal.

Djokovic, meanwhile, will regroup for the US Open starting on Monday week, and he did not sound particularly concerned by his latest defeat, preferring instead to heap praise on his opponent. — Reuters

Santé Fitness Lab to level up training for professional athletes, fitness buffs alike

SANTÉ Fitness Lab, a premier one-stop fitness center that offers holistic training programs, as well as innovative recovery and sports rehabilitation, is set to open facilities dedicated for training needs of Obstacle Course Race (OCR) athletes in Vermosa in Imus, Cavite this year.

Aiming to put a spotlight on the kick-ass world of OCR, a sport in which a competitor, traveling on foot, overcomes various physical challenges in the form of obstacles, the facility will include strength and conditioning, as well as skill and technique development programs to prepare participants to conquer basic obstacle courses.

“OCR entails a lot of hanging, running, and lifting. It might seem intimidating at first but, with the right training programs, coupled with a winning mindset, I am confident that anyone can finish any obstacle course,” said Clarize Lucindo, Santé Fitness Lab General Manager.

As part of the Santé Fitness Lab, the up and coming OCR facility will rise south of Manila to allow sports and fitness enthusiasts to enjoy and experience the thrill of this emerging worldwide sport.

This initiative is also in line with Santé Fitness Lab’s effort to encourage Filipinos to embrace a healthy and fit lifestyle by engaging in sports while experiencing how it is to train like professional athletes.

Santé Chief Executive Officer Joey Marcelo could not agree more. He said that “the purpose of organizing the obstacle course race is so that we can invite people, regardless of their fitness level and sports background, to enjoy going into sports, as well as live a healthy and active lifestyle.”

“Since Santé is all about promoting health and wellness, we want everyone to be fit so that they can have the energy, stamina, and discipline to continue improving their lives and the lives of their loved ones,” the chief executive officer added.

To date, Santé Fitness Lab serves as a premier fitness hub, located at the heart of Vermosa in Imus Cavite that offers sports development programs, such as swimming, triathlon, and mixed martial arts (MMA) classes.

The hub also features a Recovery and Sports Rehab center that caters to sports injuries; and Performance Testing services, which are geared toward measuring and analyzing specific performance factors to accurately determine the right training programs for the individual.

Santé Fitness Lab stays true to its tag line, “New Home of Champions” as it has served as the Official Recovery Services Provider for the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP).

Technology and sports mix on ABS-CBN’s Hado Pilipinas

ABS-CBN adds to its list of family-oriented and engaging offering with the launch of the new show Hado Pilipinas.

Hosted by Vince Velasco and Denice Dinsay, Hado Pilipinas spotlights the journey in the country of the hip Japanese technosport Hado, which is a new take on the traditional sport of dodgeball, making use of technology.

Through its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Themed Experiences, Inc., the network giant hopes to have more people appreciate the sport of Hado in the country and get into it by way of the new show.

“This technosport combines physical and digital play in a game that various teams, groups of friends, even families can play and enjoy,” said ABS-CBN Themed Experiences head Cookie Bartolome of Hado during the press launch of Hado Pilipinas on Aug. 15.

Hado, developed by Japanese company Meleap, is a brand of Augmented Reality (AR).

In it Hado Player versus Player (or Hado PvP) employs the use of a lightweight head-mounted display as the AR interface, and arm-worn devices that enable players to throw energy balls and put up their shields. Unlike most virtual reality (VR) and multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games where the interactivity is between player avatars on a digital interface, players in Hado are completely immersed in the game as they make use of actual throwing and dodging motions to play the game properly.

Up to six players can play Hado PvP per game, with three players per team. The teams have 80 seconds to battle it out inside the Hado PvP Arena, with the winning team decided by who knocks-out more opponents by the end of regulation.

Spectators, on the other hand, also get the same exhilarating experience by watching the AR composite on giant monitors. These allow them to see the computer-generated imagery (CGI) energy balls, shields, and overlays for player stats.

To have Hado reach more people in the country, ABS-CBN Themed Experiences Inc. partnered with the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Ongoing right now is the Hado Pilipinas NCAA Collegiate Cup 2019 where the champion wins an all-expense paid trip to Tokyo, Japan, to represent the Philippines in the Hado World Cup 2019 in December, and have a chance to win ¥2 million.

Ms. Bartolome, who was joined by Meleap officials during the launch, said interested players can experience the game at the soon-to-open Hado Pilipinas Camp, a training ground opening inside the ABS-CBN Compound in the last quarter of this year.

Hado Pilipinas airs on ABS-CBN S+A, S+A HD, LIGA, and LIGA HD every Sunday, 11:30 a.m. starting Aug. 25. The program can also be viewed on ABS-CBN’s streaming platform iWant. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Fox quits Team USA

What made De’Aaron Fox change his mind and decide to withdraw from the United States team to the FIBA Basketball World Cup? Based on the news Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Haynes broke via Twitter, he seemed to have an epiphany and moved to “focus on upcoming season with goal of making playoffs” just hours before it was scheduled to fly to Australia for a series of tuneup matches. Considering how much he hitherto appeared to relish the prospect of suiting up for the red, white, and blue, the timing was, at the very least, suspect.

Certainly, Fox did all he could to make the cut. Originally part of the Select Team that served to act as a foil for the primary squad, he played well enough during scrimmages to be promoted and considered for the final roster. Teammates especially raved about his speed with the ball in his hand. “He makes fast people look not fast,” fellow hopeful Marcus Smart noted. And, indeed, it was on full display during the Blue vs. White set-to early this month; he finished the contest with 11, three, three, three, and two in only 15 minutes of exposure.

For some reason, though, Fox seemed far less enthused after Team USA met Spain last Friday. He wound up burning rubber for a mere six minutes and 11 seconds, the shortest time spent on the court by any player other than the injured Smart. Even supposed third-string backup Derrick White saw more action. Adding to the intrigue was the latter’s status as a Spur seen to be far more familiar with head coach Gregg Popovich’s system. In any case, he opted to stay behind while the rest headed Down Under.

Popovich couldn’t care less, to be sure. In fact, it has made his work easier. Before the unexpected turn of events, he spoke about the unenviable task of having to give bad news to those on the bubble. “When you cut people from your regular NBA team, it’s difficult,” he said, his words seemingly referring to White. Meanwhile, Fox unintentionally made Harrison Barnes look bad. If he was so keen on helping the Sac-town franchise go deep in the postseason as to set aside the opportunity to toil for flag and country, why can’t his Kings teammate as well?

There’s more to Fox’s exit than meets the eye, but, really, the US is a powerhouse with or without him. It remains heavily favored to win gold at the World Cup. And, moving forward, the “player equity” USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo keeps underscoring may yet give the one-and-done Wildcat a handicap that keeping him from ever being a member of Team USA. Too bad.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

AirAsia PHL eyes flights to US

PHILIPPINES AirAsia, Inc. is eyeing flights to the United States, as it filed an air traffic access application with the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

The local unit of the Malaysia-based budget carrier has filed a petition with the aviation regulator to be designated as an official Philippine carrier to the United States, in place of Air Philippines, now known as PAL Express.

“(Philippines AirAsia) has filed with the (CAB) a petition for designation and allocation of entitlements to the United States of America under the Philippines-United States of America Air Transport Agreement and the revocation of the designation of Air Philippines (PAL Express),” a Notice of Hearing uploaded on the CAB website read.

A hearing on the application will be held on Sept. 10.

BusinessWorld sought further comment from Philippines AirAsia, but did not receive a reply as of press time.

In 2017, AirAsia Group’s long-haul unit AirAsia X Bhd launched the group’s maiden flight to US with the Kuala Lumpur-Hawaii route via Osaka, Japan.

Last year, a report cited AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer Anthony Francis “Tony” Fernandes about the company’s plans for AirAsia X to connect Japan to Los Angeles and San Francisco by 2020.

In the Philippines, AirAsia is focused on expanding its fleet from 23 planes to about 30 planes in the next two years.

The upscaling of its carrying capacity, which added 18% in the second quarter, has so far resulted to a 22% increase in the volume of passengers it carried in the three-month period to 2.23 million. The growth was driven mainly by the added frequencies from Philippines AirAsia’s domestic routes.

The budget carrier also mounted new flights from the Philippines to Beijing, Osaka and Kaohsiung this year.

Philippines AirAsia posted a 12% rise in profit during the first quarter at P424.5 million, driven by its strong revenues which ended at P6.68 billion, up 27% from last year. Second-quarter results were not available.

The company is aiming to return to profit by the end of the year after recording a loss of P2.11 billion at end-2018.

In June, businessman Michael L. Romero’s F&S Holdings, Inc. increased its stake in the operator of Philippines AirAsia to become the single largest shareholder in the low-cost carrier ahead of its planned initial public offering later this year. — Denise A. Valdez

Davao cacao industry exploring new non-chocolate products

DAVAO CITY — The Cacao City Marketing Cooperative, a group of farmers and processors, said is developing products apart from chocolates to boost Davao City’s standing as the country’s cacao capital.

“I think there is so much potential with cacao beyond chocolate… Everyone associates the bean as chocolate, but we have so many things that we can create,” Lizabel G. Holganza, one of the cooperative’s founding members, told Businessworld at the Mindanao Trade Expo (MTE).

Ms. Holganza said aside from snacks like cacao granola and tablea for making chocolate drink, some of their members have been using cacao husks to make tea, and the leaves for notebooks, paper and lamps.

The cooperative is currently working with the Department of Science and Technology to produce wallpaper, chair covers, and furniture, which involves mixing plastic with cacao leaves.

Ms. Holganza said while the industry works towards expanding the area planted to cacao, there should also be a parallel initiative to grow the value-adding side.

“It’s the challenge, kailangan palaguin pa talaga (we do still need to expand) and continue promoting the propagation and the farming side of it. But in the meantime, value adding is slowly catching up,” she said.

During the MTE, Cacao City partnered with the Institute of International Culinary and Hospitality Entrepreneurship (ICHEF) for a cacao dessert baking competition.

Ms. Holganza said such activities aim to increase awareness, particularly among domestic consumers, to patronize Davao-produced cacao and chocolates.

“Ang ganda-ganda ng quality ng products natin, gamitin natin (We really have good quality products, let’s use them). Lets not buy fake chocolate, lets not buy products that came from across the globe because we know the environmental impact and the carbon footprint of all these products,” she said. — Maya M. Padillo

In the Defense of the New

TO BE YOUNG in any field is to be given the task to explore the new. In youth we find eyes unclouded by whatever it is that makes us jaded, and see through eyes that are wide open.

The graduation show of the School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA) Design Institute for 2019, held earlier this month in the Bench Tower in BGC, showed not just clothes but an earnest effort by the students to push boundaries of beauty and really try to redefine what fashion is, and what it does for us.

Take for example, one of this reporter’s favorites: a collection called “Homo Automata” by student Aaron Paatan. It is mildly grotesque and shoves an uncomfortable mirror in our faces: it featured human heads as handbags, tails, spines; half-human nightmares made of both fabric and electronics; multiple arms and extremities, and finally, a woman on the runway with IV drips attached to her thin body; with all the models made bald and homogenous through prosthetics. “Condemned to be free; we are human and we are machine,” said the student’s notes.

Those who came after “Homo Automata”’s slot were unfortunate, for most every outfit that came after became forgettable in the face of what came before.

Still, we found other favorites: there’s a collection called “Sanctuarium,” for example, by Al Rey Rosano, inspired by churches. The tones adopted in the collection seemed to be light filtered through stained-glass church windows, and the clothes were richly feminine and had a baroque approach to sculptural draping and construction.

A collection called “Sinta” by Aurea Vinluan seemed to be bridal in that it was executed in white; but the bride in question seems to be far too clever for what she’s about to do. Silhouettes in this collection vary from tight romantic bodices to trapezoid shapes that conceal the woman’s body, but, taken all together, it probably shows love in all its shapes. “I now know that at the right time, the right place, and with the right person, I will also win love in the end,” said her notes.

A little girl carrying a parasol of petals also caught our eye, in a line made up of beiges and deep rose-reds, creating a line that is almost visceral and yet romantic by student Belle Villanueva. The collection is aptly named “My Truth is Only as Real as My Belief.”

We also liked a cage dress by student Cheyenne Sarol, one of the earlier pieces, and then a collection by Eloiza Changat called “Epitome of an Igorota Warrior”: it was avant-garde, and yet found a space for indigenous fabrics.

A collection called “Perspective: Breaking Through to Breakthrough” proved to be a meditation on what “broken” means: literally taking pieces of a clear, hard material (plastic standing in for glass), which designer Denesse Ramirez incorporated into a sheer, fluid line, showing trains and sleeves made of the material. What was once broken can be beautiful, and can be seen — and heard (judging from the racket it made as it flitted down the runway).

Most of the clothes that went down the runway told some sort of story, taken from the depths of the designer’s mind. This is no coincidence, according to Amina Aranaz Alunan, designer and President of the SoFA Design Institute. “It’s really our methodology. We have a super-intense commitment to creativity. We believe that to be a creative leader, a design leader, you really need to foster that courage to be creative,” she said. “It really requires you to not look at what’s out there. Try to just look inwards. It’s really only by looking inwards that you can really find what your unique story is.”

Meanwhile, judging from the clothes we saw, SoFA — or fashion itself — apparently isn’t just about making clothes. “Fashion for me is really about communication. It’s also about culture building,” said Ms. Alunan.

“What they put on the runway is a reflection of their past their present, and where they see their future,” she said.

In teaching the students about telling stories through the construction of clothing, it seems that Ms. Alunan has come upon what fashion and clothing do for the world. “We always say that clothes; fashion, is just the medium. But what we really are pushing is for them to push their own values, to push their own ideas. It’s really going beyond what you see. That’s what design is all about. Design is pushing what you stand for, and, hopefully, attracting an audience that can resonate with the values that you stand for. They can eventually promote is and also create judgments on their own.”

SoFA Style: two outfits from Aaron Paatan’s “Homo Automata” collection); a dress using indigenous weave from Eloiza Changat’s collection “Epitome of an Igorota Warrior”; a trapezoidal dress by Al Rey Rosano; a cage dress by Cheyenne Sarol; petal-filled parasol from Belle Villanueva’s collection “My Truth is Only as Real as My Belief”; and jangling plastic in Denesse Ramirez’s collection “Perspective: Breaking Through to Breakthrough”

An outfit from Aurea Vinluan’s collection called “Sinta”

Ayala unit advancing plans to build new energy capacity

AYALA-LED AC Energy, Inc. has advanced by a year its plan to build new energy capacity in the Philippines as it expects energy supply and demand in the country to reach equilibrium by 2021, or earlier than its previous forecast of 2022.

“There will be equilibrium in 2021, one year earlier than what we originally expected,” Eric T. Francia, AC Energy president and chief executive officer, told reporters last week when asked to give an update on the company’s projects, including those outside the country.

“[It] doesn’t mean we want to build 1,000 megawatts (MW) [immediately]. We’ve always said a couple of 100 MW every year. You need to pace these things,” he added.

The change in the company’s energy supply projection comes after it sold some of its thermal assets and bought a company with subsidiaries involved in a range of energy projects using diverse energy sources.

“Today after the partial divestment of AA Thermal, [Inc.] and after the acquisition of Phinma Energy [Corp.], AC Energy group now has approximately 1,600 MW of attributable capacity. It decreased slightly from 1,700 MW same time last year,” Mr. Francia said.

The tally includes the company’s projects in the Southeast Asian region, but excludes deals that has yet to reach a financial close.

Including projects under construction, AC Energy’s energy capacity is 55% coal-fired power plants, 11% diesel-fired facilities and 34% renewable energy. Of the existing capacity, 74% are based in the Philippines and 26% in regional sites.

Up to 69% of the attributable capacity come from power plants that are operating, and 31% ongoing projects.

“Our renewables now is about 600 [MW] out of the 1,600 [MW],” Mr. Francia said. “We do expect to reach the 1,000 MW in the next 12 months.”

AC Energy previously set a goal of developing 1,000 MW of renewables by 2020, a target that he said would be reached or even exceeded by Ayala Corp.’s energy investment arm.

“We have significant projects in Australia, hopefully Vietnam and then Philippines, as well. Indonesia is still a question whether we can get significant renewable megawatts there in the near term,” Mr. Francia said.

“We also do have new markets that we’ll be opening up, so in due course we will be announcing where and what,” he added.

AC Energy has more than $1 billion of invested and committed equity in renewable and thermal energy in the Philippines and around the region. It aims to exceed 5 gigawatts of attributable capacity and generate at least 50% of energy from renewables by 2025.

With its acquisition of Phinma Energy, the company has also diversified into oil and gas exploration through Phinma Petroleum and Geothermal, Inc. (PPG).

PPG subsidiary Palawan55 Exploration & Production Corp. holds a 37.5% participating interest in the consortium and is the operator of Service Contract 55, a deep-water block in the southwest Palawan Basin.

“First, we would like the upstream [venture] to be developed. Having studied the oil and gas exploration potential in the Philippines, we think that sector is under-invested,” Mr. Francia said.

“We may be bringing in partners in the future,” he said, referring to PPG, which AC Energy has renamed ACE Enexor, Inc.

“I think the idea is over time, we will bring in a strategic partner, at least one strategic partner,” he said. “In all likelihood, it’s going to be foreign, who’s got experience, a big balance sheet, and expertise in oil and gas exploration.” — Victor V. Saulon

Bermaz rolls out all-new Mazda3

By Manny N. de los Reyes

BERMAZ AUTO PHILIPPINES (BAP), the official distributor of Mazda vehicles in the country, unveiled last week five variants of the much-anticipated all-new Mazda3.

The Elite range of the 4-door Sedan and 5-door Sportback variants of the Mazda3 will come with the highly fuel-efficient 1.5-liter Skyactiv-G engine while the Premium models will feature the more powerful 2.0-liter engine along with additional safety and comfort features. Both engines are mated to highly efficient Skyactiv-Drive 6-speed automatic transmissions. The all-new Mazda3 pioneers the new era of Mazda Premium by elevating the brand’s renowned driving experience with even higher levels of design, craftsmanship, engineering and safety.

To this end, Mazda applied its human-centric philosophy for dramatic improvements in design, driving performance, NVH, environmental performance, and quality feel.

“We are proud to finally introduce the all-new Mazda3 to the Philippine market,” shares BAP President and CEO Steven Tan. “Mazda has raised the standards of quality, craftsmanship and safety to never-before experienced levels in this class. Through exquisite design, superior finish, refined quietness and engaging vehicle dynamics, owners of the all-new Mazda3 will surely experience class-above driving pleasure.”

Tan adds, “This is a bold new step for Mazda as we deliver on our promise to give our loyal customers the true premium driving experience they deserve.” More than 19,000 Mazda3 units have been sold in the Philippines since its 2004 introduction into the country. This makes the Mazda3 the most successful Mazda model in the country. Worldwide, the model has sold more than 6 million units since its 2003 launch.

EVOLVED KODO DESIGN LANGUAGE
The Mazda3 is the first model from the Hiroshima-based company to feature the more mature “Evolved KODO design language” first introduced in the RX-Vision concept car at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. The theme of development for the all-new Mazda3 was to make it “An object of universal desire” — a feat they have spectacularly achieved, judging from the universally positive response to the new car.

For the new Mazda3, a new definition of beauty showcases the “less is more” Japanese minimalist aesthetic. Without the usual character lines that defined traditional car designs, a cleaner more sophisticated presence was achieved.

To achieve a look that best embodies minimalism, Mazda designers took an unprecedented approach to design that eliminates all character lines to achieve a form that is determined by the interplay of light, shadow and reflections of the surrounding environment. With its beautifully curved body panels, the all-new Mazda3 Sportback is a realization of the “Beauty in Subtraction” in design.

For the sedan, the traditional three-box proportions were further heightened to produce a sleek, elegant, and graceful form. With its lower hood line and increased overall length versus the previous generation model, the Mazda3 Sedan was made to appeal even more to those who respect tradition, conventional wisdom and rules while radiating beauty.

OF TAKUMI AND KARAKURI
Consistent with the exterior design direction, the goal for the interiors of the Mazda3 was simplicity throughout based on the aesthetics of “less is more.” By removing visual noise, a cleaner cabin was realized without the loss of functionality.

For a sophisticated design feel, master craftsmen or Takumi, were tasked to achieve a new level of Mazda premium feel in the Mazda3. Quality can be felt through sensory inputs when looking at, touching and operating the various cabin appointments in this highly refined interior.

Ergonomic changes were adopted to make driving as natural and effortless as possible. Cupholders have been moved forward of the drive selection lever while a large center armrest with a “Karakuri” console lid mechanism has been adopted to make opening and closing the compartment lid more in tune with the natural movements of one’s arms.

Soft-touch surfaces abound with Mazda’s own grain designed to express the richness and warmth of genuine leather. And exclusive in the 2.0-liter Sportback is the elegant, new vivid Burgundy interior color.

THE UNITY THAT’S JINBA ITTAI
Employing lessons learned over the years in realizing Jinba Ittai — the state of oneness between car and driver — Mazda engineers sought to further understand how humans achieved balance in their everyday activities. Achieving the ideal driving position is a key design and engineering consideration in every Mazda vehicle. From the correct pedal placement and design that aligns where one’s right foot naturally falls, to a steering wheel that allows up to 70mm of telescopic adjustment, to an adjustable seat that supports the pelvis and promotes a natural S-shaped curve with the driver’s spine, the Mazda3 achieves a relaxed posture that takes the effort out of driving and allows one to focus on the road.

A 7-inch TFT LCD multimeter display has been adopted in the Mazda3 to show a simplified layout of vehicle status information. Similar to the display found in the Mazda6 and Mazda CX-9, the new layout can be toggled to reveal essential information such as coolant temperature, fuel level and efficiency, as well as trip and odometer readings. The use of a common font in all displays and labels inside the cockpit likewise eases readability and lessens confusion when looking at different sources of information.

Even the Mazda Connect infotainment system has been redesigned from the ground up. A wider 8.8-inch display has been adopted with a simplified graphic user interface layout and refined operability. It is positioned higher and further away from the driver so comfort and convenience information such as media, maps and warning and alert details are a mere glance away. By also consolidating the operation of the system into the more ergonomic and intuitive Command and Controller knob and switch layout, eliminating the distracting touchscreen interface, and improving the hardware speed and performance of the system, Mazda is able to help the driver focus on the most important task of driving — resulting in a safe and stress-free driving experience.

SKYACTIV-CHASSIS
MacPherson struts in the front are now complemented by a new rear torsion beam layout which not only saves weight and opens additional space in the rear but also transmits force to the body smoothly. This setup results in a significant increase in ride comfort compared to the multi-link configuration found in the previous Mazda3.

To reduce the amount of wind and road noise as well as improve sound insulation inside the all-new Mazda3, 49 new key design and engineering improvements were put in place. Ranging from the addition of engine insulation material, to the use of new seals around the door, the introduction of acoustic glass for the front windshield, and the redesign of key suspension and chassis components, the effort to reduce NVH in the all-new Mazda3 has been extensive and all-encompassing.

PREMIUM AUDIO WITH (AND EVEN WITHOUT) BOSE
With cabin noise greatly reduced, Mazda also invested in enhancing the quality of music inside the cabin. The standard 8-speaker Mazda Harmonic Acoustics sound system concentrates on elevating the sound-listening experience at whatever volume the driver and passengers prefer.

Improvements in speaker placement were implemented as the low frequency woofers were relocated from the front door to the cowl underneath the dashboard. This not only reduced the amount of vibrations coming from the door but also provided a fuller more powerful bass sound. Mid- and high-frequency speaker locations have also been optimized to direct sound to the listeners instead of bouncing them off interior surfaces.

A 12-speaker Bose Audio Premium Sound System available in Premium variants further enhances listening pleasure with the addition of a center speaker, sub-woofer and satellite speakers. It also features custom tuning to provide more powerful bass and higher audio quality.

MAZDA PROACTIVE SAFETY
Seven air bags (on all variants), advanced i-Activsense technologies in the Premium line, as well as a full suite of Driver Assist Technologies (DAT), make the Mazda3 one of the safest cars in its class. DATs include Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), Driver Monitoring System (monitors driver fatigue), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Cruising and Traffic Support (CTS), Front and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Smart Brake Support (SBS) Rear, which applies the brakes when the driver is reversing and fails to see an object behind.

The all-new Mazda3 will come in five distinct trims and prices, starting with the 1.5-liter Elite Sedan at P1,295,000, the 1.5-liter Elite Sportback at P1,320,000, the 2.0-liter Premium Sedan at P1,495,000, the 2.0-liter Premium Sportback at P1,510,000, and the 2.0-liter Mazda3Speed Sportback at P1,590,000.

Delbros investing P90 million to expand sugar harvesting equipment line

DELGADO BROTHERS (Delbros) Group said it hopes to double its fleet of Cane Express (CaneX) line of farming machinery through a P90-million investment for the next two years.

“For the next two years, the company is looking to doubling its current fleet of 15 harvesters and seven loaders by committing over P90 million in equipment and personnel investment,” Delbros Group Managing Director Jose Paolo L. Delgado told BusinessWorld in an email interview.

He said that the company is also looking to serve 1,500 hectares of land this season to help address two of the main challenges in the sugar industry, which are high production costs and inadequate financial capacity.

Delbros, a logistics and agriculture company working with sugar planters, associations and mills, is helping modernize production. It established CaneX in 2014, its sugarcane farm solutions unit.

Designed for Philippine climate and field conditions, CaneX trucks can haul three to four times a day against traditional equipment, which can manage two trips per day. Mechanized harvesters can cut 1.2 hectares per day, reducing the manpower commitment requiring 10 people per hectare over three to four days using traditional methods. The Delbros equipment also cuts loading time to 50 minutes, as against three to four hours for manual loading.

The company promises a 90% faster harvest and is currently developing equipment that can be used by small, block farmers with up to five hectares.

Investment in such equipment starts at about P1.5 million a unit.

“Farmers can focus on growing crops as best as they can, and for sugar mills to get the freshest sugarcane. This new technology can help lower production and labor costs as well as help farmers properly assess competitive prices for their products,” he said.

There are currently 30 farmers across Negros, Bukidnon, Cavite, and Batangas using CaneX equipment, which is either sold or leased.

“Overall, Delbros Group is committed to modernizing agriculture and helping farmers produce more with their limited resources through the use of innovative CaneX farming technology,” Mr. Delgado said.

“As one of the country’s pioneers in agriculture and logistics, Delbros has over 4,000 trucks, trailers, harvesters, loaders and containers deployed nationwide, mowing cargo, produce, and fresh food,” he added. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

Cult-favorite Japan skincare brand now available in PHL

CULT-FAVORITE Japanese skincare brand Hada Labo has finally launched in the Philippines, a feat which took years to do, according to a brand representative.

“Actually, the Philippines is the last Asian country to launch [Hada Labo because] Mentholatum Asia Pacific, the manufacturers [of the brand], couldn’t find the right distributor and they felt the Philippines wasn’t ready yet… it took us three years [to convince them]” Jenny O. Arcellana, marketing head of Hada Labo in the Philippines, told reporters during the launch on Aug. 8 at the Blue Leaf events place in Taguig City.

It was only when the manufacturers saw how their other brands such as Lip Ice lip balms and Sunplay sunscreens did well in the country that they thought of bringing the brand to the country. The products are distributed in the country by Cambert Pilipinas.

“When they saw we did well in distributing their brands, they thought that we were the right partner,” she explained.

Hada Labo, which means “skin laboratory” in Japanese, was launched in 2004 in Japan and is known for its line of skin care products which uses differently sized molecules of hyaluronic acid to attract and retain hydration to the skin.

Their core Goku-jyun line includes the Hydrating Lotion (P685/170 ml and P195/30 ml), Hydrating Face Wash (P385/100 ml), Hydrating Light Cream (P850/100 ml), Hydra and Whitening Face Wash (P295/100 ml), Deep Clean and Pore Refining Face Wash (P295/100 ml), and the Hydrating Water Gel (P850/100 ml).

Those who are new to the brand can purchase a trial kit for P465 which contains 30 ml of both the Hydrating Face Wash and the Hydrating Lotion and 14g of the Hydrating Light Cream.

Aside from the core line, the brand also has a premium line, a line specifically for brightening, another for anti-ageing, and for clarifying, but Ms. Arcellana said that they will first observe the public’s reception before launching the other lines.

The products are currently available in Watsons stores nationwide and online via watsons.com.ph. — Zsarlene B. Chua

Property firms report higher Q2 earnings

PROPERTY developers generated mostly higher earnings in the second quarter of 2019 due to strong sales and leasing revenues, as well as lower project costs.

Sta. Lucia Land, Inc. (SLI) saw its net income jump 225% to P545.27 million in the second quarter, following a 105% increase in revenues to P2.23 billion.

This brought SLI’s net income 104% higher to P883.74 million in the first half, while revenues grew 70% to P3.35 billion. Real estate sales alone surged by 98%.

“Remarkable sales take up of projects launched during the year, boosted efforts in increasing the real estate sales and extensive expansion had increased the recognized sales during the period,” the company said.

Rental income, meanwhile, slipped 7% as SLI re-evaluated its lease rates in order to be more competitive with neighboring malls.

SLI develops mostly horizontal projects in provinces across the country, including a 97-hectare masterplanned community in Davao City called Las Colinas Verdes.

Meanwhile, Rockwell Land Corp. booked a 15% increase in its attributable profit to P563 million for the April to June period, even as revenues slipped 27% to P3.44 billion, according to a regulatory filing.

On a six-month basis, the listed firm’s net income attributable to the parent rose 26% to P1.28 billion, while revenues dropped 14% to P6.93 billion.

The Lopez-led company said the dip in revenues was mainly due to the lower construction accomplishment of luxury residential condominiums Proscenium in Makati and The Vantage in Pasig. It also recognized lower sales in The Grove in Pasig, resulting to a 23% decline in the sale of condominium units.

Rockwell’s leasing portfolio helped offset the weakness of its residential segment, as higher occupancy rates in Power Plant Mall Expansion, RBC Sheridan, and Santolan Town Plaza led to a 27% increase in commercial development revenues to P1.18 billion.

Luxury condominium developer Anchor Land Holdings, Inc. (ALHI) posted a 43% increase in net income attributable to the parent to P182.32 million. Revenues were also up 10% to P1.42 billion.

For the first half, ALHI’s attributable profit went up 34% to P310.45 million, after a 20% uptick in revenues to P3.04 billion.

Real estate sales rose 13% as the company saw more sales and higher construction rates for its projects such as Admiral Baysuites, Admiral Grandsuites, Anchor Grandsuites, Anchor Skysuites, and Copeton Baysuites, among others. Most of the company’s projects are located in the Bay Area and Binondo in Manila.

ALHI also benefited from the expansion of its rental operations through commercial units and warehousing facilities. Rental income then climbed 27%.

Most listed property firms delivered higher results in the second quarter, driven by continued demand from both end-users and investors.

For instance, Ayala Land, Inc.’s attributable profit was up 10.4% to P7.8 billion for the quarter; SM Prime Holdings, Inc.’s attributable net income grew 16% to P10.5 billion; while Robinsons Land Corp. posted a 22% increase to P2.17 billion. — Arra B. Francia

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