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Premium pipeline seen to recast Davao’s office landscape by 2027

Davao’s office market is running hot. Across Davao City, demand is vastly outpacing supply, an uncommon state for office markets in the Philippines which are mostly still in the recovery stage. A visible cue to this is how mixed-use assets are evolving, with several developments leaning into offices as demand deepens.

Damosa IT Park is realigning its development strategy to address strong office demand, building on the full occupancy of its Topaz and Diamond Towers. At Felcris Centrale, an overflow of requirements has pushed office users into areas first intended for retail. Additional office space is also slated for SM Lanang’s renovation and expansion. These shifts set up the discussion that follows why Davao holds one of the most promising office markets in the nation.

COMPETITIVE COSTS, GENEROUS INCENTIVES, AND ENGLISH-PROFICIENT TALENT POSITION DAVAO AS ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE PROVINCIAL OFFICE MARKETS
Davao City stacks up well for office locators on cost, talent, and government incentives. A large regional labor pool feeds the city from nearby cities such as Panabo and Tagum in Davao del Norte, Digos in Davao del Sur, and General Santos in South Cotabato. The Davao region’s English skills are also second only to the Cordillera Administrative Region outside of Metro Manila according to Education First’s English Proficiency Index.

Entry rates for customer service representatives in Davao are also competitive. As reported by Indeed, the average monthly wage for the role is around PHP 18.2k per month, below other key office hubs such as Metro Manila, Cebu City, Iloilo City, and Clark. Expanding or new locators also benefit from LGU incentives. The Davao City Investment Promotion center grants up to 3 years’ business tax exemption, 2 years of real property tax exemption, and Mayor’s Permit, fees and licenses exemptions under its Investment Incentive Code.

DAVAO’S TIGHT 95% VACANCY SIGNALS READINESS FOR NEW OFFICE DEVELOPMENTS
Given these solid fundamentals, statistically, Davao is positioned as a promising emerging office market with comparatively limited stock, yet it posts the highest overall occupancy (95.6%) among key Philippine office hubs. Furthermore, for Grade A buildings specifically, the vacancy level narrows to around 2-3%. Despite this state, Davao City’s average lease rates are still among the lowest, positioning Davao as an attractive market for tenants and leaving headroom for rental growth as additional supply comes online.

BPOS REMAIN THE PRIMARY OFFICE DEMAND DRIVER IN DAVAO, ACCOUNTING FOR ABOUT 91% OF H1 2025 REQUIREMENTS
Cumulatively, this has made Davao City an attractive market specifically for Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) companies. According to the Davao City Investment Promotion Center, IT-BPM companies serve as one of the largest employers for the city, employing 75,000 individuals in 2023 and injecting around PHP 15-20 billion annually in the city’s economy. Given an annual growth rate of 8-10%, these companies which contribute to 70.4% of GDP derived from the services sector in Davao have become a cornerstone of the local economy.

Under IT-BPM, prominent Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies already maintain a substantial, multi-site presence in Davao. Alorica occupies multiple floors in Matina IT Park; VXI takes up nearly all of Felcris Centrale’s 1 building and operates additional sites in Robinsons Cybergate and SM City Davao; Concentrix anchors much of Abreeza Corporate Center and is also present in Damosa IT Park. IBEX Global’s remarkable expansion to a second site at Felcris Centrale in 2024 also stood out as one of the city’s major office movements of the year, setting the tone for continued growth into 2025, with PRIME Philippines guiding the expansion. With BPOs accounting for over 91% of first-half office requirements in 2025, these types of firms are expected to sustain the city’s leasing momentum and absorb a significant share of both new and existing spaces.

THE INFLUX OF BPO REQUIREMENTS HAS PUSHED DEVELOPERS TO CONSTRUCT GRADE A PEZA-ACCREDITED OFFICE BUILDINGS
Nonetheless, these companies have specific preferences. BPOs in Davao look for frictionless, 24/7 operations so they prioritize PEZA-accredited, Grade A buildings with large floor plates, reliable backup power, and telecom redundancy at fiber-optic levels. Their requirements or wants also go as deep as variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air-conditions, numerous high-speed elevators, secure turnstiles/CCTV, and more. Additionally, within Davao City, space is limited in the metro. Particularly, commercial hotspots such as JP Laurel Avenue, which traverses Bajada and Lanang, are very much in demand for tenants.

This trend is not being neglected by developers, with another wave of Grade A office supply lined up for 2027. Robinsons Land is kicking off the 9.6-hectare Victoria Plaza redevelopment with a nine-storey office tower on J.P. Laurel targeted for 1H 2027. Megaworld is doubling down in Lanang, signaling additional towers in and around Davao Park District. including an office tower behind SM Lanang by 2027, and another Grade A, PEZA-accredited building within the township. In parallel, SM is preparing an office expansion within SM Lanang Premier precinct.

FLIGHT-TO-QUALITY IS LIKELY TO TRIGGER UPON THE COMPLETION OF NEWER DEVELOPMENTS POSITIONED IN MIXED-USE ESTATES
All in all, premium additions from major developers are likely to grace the market blessed by high leasing velocity. Furthermore, combined with the continuous demand from BPO’s and other outsourcing firms, a surge in average rent is expected. However, these new additions will further accentuate the segmentation of lease rates between Grade A to Grade B and C buildings, tempering the lease rates for the latter. As a result, existing office inventory from Grade B and C developments will be encouraged to enhance their offerings and/or provide leasing flexibility to align with newer projects. Overall, tenants are expected to increasingly favor flexible, plug-and-play leasing options, and locations integrated in townships aside from typical Grade A office specifications.

 

Jet Yu is the founder and chief executive officer of PRIME Philippines, a commercial real estate advisory firm.

RLC opens second GBF tower in Bridgetowne

ROBINSONSLAND.COM

GOKONGWEI-LED Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) has inaugurated its second GBF tower in Bridgetowne, Quezon City, adding about 2,800 square meters of flexible office space per floor two years after the opening of GBF Center 1.

The tower features touchless technology, including facial recognition-enabled turnstiles and advanced air filtration systems, the company said in a statement on Monday.

Each floor is designed to be customizable, allowing tenants to adapt spaces to their operational needs, it said.

“Every square meter of GBF Center 2 is designed to generate jobs, attract investment, and support the growth of dynamic businesses. From construction to tenancy, this building is a catalyst for economic activity, aligned with our mission to create opportunities for Filipinos,” RLC said.

GBF Center 2 is situated near major roads such as C5, Ortigas Avenue, and Amang Rodriguez Avenue, offering convenient access and visibility.

“This location reinforces Robinsons Offices’ pillar of accessibility, ensuring that businesses are connected to talent, transport, and opportunity,” the company said.

GBF Center 2 follows the first GBF tower, which opened in 2023, as part of the company’s multi-phase plan to expand office capacity in the Bridgetowne area and attract businesses looking for modern, flexible workspaces in Quezon City. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno

From animé to activism: How the One Piece pirate flag became the global emblem of Gen Z resistance

THE One Piece flag, which was seen in anti-corruption protests in Nepal and Indonesia, also flew in Luneta Park, Manila on Sept. 21. — PHILIPPINE STAR/JEAN MANGALUZ

FROM Paris and Rome to Jakarta, Indonesia, and New York, a curious banner has appeared in protest squares. With hollow cheeks, a broad grin and a straw hat with a red band, the figure is instantly recognizable and has been hoisted by young demonstrators calling for change. In Kathmandu, Nepal, where anger at the government boiled over in September, the flag became the defining image as flames spread through the gates of Singha Durbar, Nepal’s ornate palace complex and seat of power.

The image, usually adorning a flag with a black background, comes from One Piece, a much-beloved Japanese manga.

And what began as a fictional pirate crew’s emblem almost three decades ago has become a powerful symbol of youth-led resistance, appearing in demonstrations from Indonesia and Nepal to the Philippines and France.

As a scholar of media and democracy, I see the spread of the Jolly Roger of the Straw Hat Pirates — which has gone from manga pages to protest squares — as an example of how Gen Z is reshaping the cultural vocabulary of dissent.

POP CULTURE AS POLITICAL EXPRESSION
One Piece arrived at the birth of Gen Z, created in 1997 by Japanese manga artist Eiichiro Oda.

Since then, it has sold more than 500 million copies and has a Guinness World Record for its publishing success.

It has spawned a long-running TV series, live-action films and a more-than-$20-billion industry, with merchandise licensing alone generating about $720 million each year from Bandai Namco, the company best known for creating Pac-Man and Tekken.

At its core, One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they challenge a corrupt world government while seeking freedom and adventure.

For fans, the One Piece flag is not a casual decoration but an emblem of defiance and perseverance. Luffy’s ability to stretch beyond physical limits after consuming a magical fruit has become a powerful metaphor for resilience, while his unwavering quest for freedom against impossible odds resonates with young people navigating political environments marked by corruption, inequality and authoritarian excess.

When protesters adopt this flag, they are not simply importing an aesthetic from popular culture, but are drawing on a narrative already legible to millions.

The flag began cropping up in protests over the past few years. It was being waved at a “Free Palestine” protest in 2023 in Indonesia and in the same year in New York during a pro-Palestinian demonstration.

But it was in Indonesia in August this year that the flag’s political life truly took hold. There, protesters embraced it to voice frustration with government policies and mounting discontent over corruption and inequality. The timing coincided with government calls for patriotic displays during independence celebrations, sharpening the contrast between official nationalism and grassroots dissent.

The movement gained momentum when authorities responded with strong criticism of the flag’s use, inadvertently drawing more attention to the symbol. Government officials characterized the displays as threats to national unity, while protesters viewed them as legitimate expressions of political frustration.

WHY THE FLAG TRAVELS
The speed with which the One Piece Jolly Roger flag spread across borders reflects the digital upbringing of Gen Z. This is the first cohort to grow up fully online, immersed in memes, animé and global entertainment franchises. Their political communication relies on what scholars call “networked publics” — communities that form and act through digital platforms rather than formal organizations.

Solidarity in this setting does not require party membership or ideology. Instead, it depends on shared cultural references. A meme, gesture, or flag can instantly carry meaning across divides of language, religion, or geography. This form of connection is built on recognizable cultural codes that allow young people to identify with each other even when their political systems differ.

Social media gives this solidarity reach and speed. Videos of Indonesians waving the flag were clipped and reshared on TikTok and Instagram, reaching audiences far beyond their original context. By the time the symbol appeared in Kathmandu, the Nepalese capital, in September, it already carried the aura of youthful defiance.

Crucially, this was not simple imitation. In Nepal, the flag was tied to anger at youth unemployment and at the ostentatious wealth of political dynasties displayed online. In Indonesia, it reflected disillusionment with patriotic rituals that felt hollow against a backdrop of corruption. In both cases, the Jolly Roger flag worked like open-source code — adaptable locally but instantly legible elsewhere.

Part of the flag’s effectiveness comes from its ambiguity. Unlike a party logo, the One Piece Jolly Roger flag originates in popular culture, which makes it difficult for governments to suppress without appearing authoritarian. During the latest protests in Indonesia, authorities confiscated banners and labeled them treasonous. But such crackdowns only amplified public frustration.

FICTION AS REALITY
The One Piece flag is not alone in being reimagined as a symbol of resistance.

Across movements worldwide, pop culture and digital culture have become potent resources for activists. In Chile and Beirut, demonstrators wore Joker masks as a visual shorthand for anger at corruption and inequality. In Thailand, demonstrators turned to Hamtaro, a children’s animé about a hamster, parodying its theme song, and waving plush toys to lampoon political leaders.

This blending of politics, entertainment, and personal identity reflects a hybrid media environment in which symbols drawn from fandom gain power. They are easy to recognize, adapt and defend against state repression.

Yet cultural resonance alone does not explain the appeal. The One Piece flag caught on because it captured real-life grievances. In Nepal, where youth unemployment exceeds 20% and migration for work is common, protesters paired the emblem with slogans such as “Gen Z won’t be silent” and “Our future is not for sale.”

In Indonesia, some protesters argued that the national flag was “too sacred” to be flown in a corrupt system, using the pirate banner as a statement of disillusionment.

The spread of the flag also reflects a broader shift in how protest ideas move across borders. In the past, what tended to travel were tactics such as sit-ins, marches, or hunger strikes. Today, what circulates fastest are symbols, visual references from global culture that can be adapted to local struggles while remaining instantly recognizable elsewhere.

THE FLAG GOES GLOBAL
The flag’s journey from Asian streets to protests in France and Slovakia demonstrates how the grammar of dissent has gone global.

For today’s young activists, culture and politics are inseparable. Digital nativity has produced a generation that communicates grievances through memes, symbols, and cultural references that cross borders with ease.

When protesters in Jakarta, Kathmandu or Manila wave the One Piece Jolly Roger flag, they are not indulging in play-acting but transforming a cultural icon into a living emblem of defiance.

 

Nuurrianti Jalli is an assistant professor of Professional Practice, School of Media and Strategic Communications, at the Oklahoma State University. She is affiliated with the Institute for Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) Yusof Ishak Institute Singapore as a Non Residential Visiting Fellow for Media, Technology and Society Program.

Peso slides to fresh two-month low on Fed easing bets

BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO sank to a fresh two-month low against the dollar on Monday as markets continued to reprice their bets on the US Federal Reserve’s policy path following the fresh batch of economic data released last week.

The local unit closed at P58.145 versus the greenback, dropping by 4.5 centavos from its P58.10 finish on Friday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

This was the peso’s weakest close in two months or since its P58.32-a-dollar finish on July 31.

The peso opened Monday’s session stronger at P58 versus the dollar. Its intraday high was at P57.945, while its worst showing was at P58.165 against the greenback.

Dollars exchanged rose to $1.47 billion on Monday from $1.38 billion on Friday.

The peso opened stronger against the dollar “because of the fewer dovish Fed expectations after US PCE (personal consumption expenditures) data came in as expected,” a trader said by phone.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message that the PCE data and other reports released last week, as well as comments from Fed officials, have led markets to rethink their rate-cut expectations.

Market sentiment continued to be affected by the ongoing probe into alleged corruption in state flood-control and infrastructure projects at home involving several lawmakers and government officials, he added.

For Tuesday, the trader expects the peso to move between P57.90 and P58.40 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort said it could range from P58 to P58.25.

US consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of economic activity, rose 0.6% in August, slightly higher than the 0.5% estimated by economists polled by Reuters.

The PCE price index, which is the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, rose 0.3% last month, in line with expectations, US Commerce department data showed.

The dollar dropped on Monday amid concerns over a potential government shutdown, with the yen outperforming the euro ahead of a batch of US economic releases that could offer further clues on the Federal Reserve’s policy path.

The greenback rose last week following economic data that prompted a pullback in expectations for Fed interest rate cuts.

Traders are currently pricing in 40 basis points (bps) of Fed easing by December and a total of 110 bps by the end of 2026, about 25 bps less than levels seen in mid-September.

The dollar index — a measure of its value relative to a basket of foreign currencies — was down 0.22% on Monday to 97.90, having risen 0.5% last week. — A.M.C. Sy with Reuters

On coal, industrialization, and GDP expansion

Three important energy events happened last Thursday, Sept. 25, that I want to comment on.

The first was the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) “Enercon 2025” conference at Vivere Hotel in Muntinlupa City. The second was the signing of the PhilAtom law and the release of the Department of Energy (DoE) statement on nuclear energy. The third was the release of a statement from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on attacks by the renewable energy (RE) lobby, coupled with some frantic articles by climate activists against coal.

At the UPLB College of Economics’ roundtable discussion, the speaker was former National Power Corp. (NPC) president, Guido Delgado, and his presentation was about the “financialization” of the electricity sector. He blamed economists for the finance sophistication in the formula and attacked the ERC’s performance-based regulations (PBR). Weird.

I spoke briefly and pointed out, among others, that the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for intermittent solar and wind is not complete, it should consider the cost of ancillary services (AS) like batteries, or back-up diesel gensets, or hydro-pumped storage for use when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining. So LCOE plus AS equals the levelized full cost of electricity (LFCOE) — and this is not cheaper than coal or gas.

Then the DoE released a statement: “DoE hails signing of PhilATOM law.” In it Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said that, “The passage of RA 12305 strengthens the regulatory framework that will enable the safe and secure peaceful use of nuclear energy in the country.”

Days before that, on Sept. 19, the Philippines was elected to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the 2025-2027 term during the annual IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria. That is good news and I give my congratulations to Secretary Garin.

Then, during the weekly Open Meeting of the ERC, Chairperson Nino Juan took issue with the statement made by the Power for People Coalition (P4P) the other week. P4P Convenor Gerry Arances said in a Sept. 19 statement: “We are disappointed Chair Saturnino Juan’s first order of business as new ERC chief is to cede ground to power players, enabling them to raise prices as they please at the expense of ordinary Filipinos… Protecting consumer interests is not an optional duty for the ERC. It is its primary mandate — and part of that responsibility is scrutinizing these contracts to prevent abuses and ensure least-cost electricity.”

Mr. Juan aptly and correctly said that “the greatest shield against high prices is not the discretionary power of a regulator to cut a single contract, but the relentless, ongoing pressure of a competitive market where suppliers must constantly offer their best price to win a supply contract.”

I agree with him 100%. The most expensive electricity is no electricity, in other words, a blackout.

When power producers are constantly harassed by price controls, by the price dictatorship spurred by “People for Poverty” (my term for P4P) we will get what they want — electricity which is cheap but not available.

Several articles also came out again attacking coal as “dirty energy” and lambasting the local energy companies and conglomerates that have coal plants, calling themselves “investigative journalism.”

As I have pointed out many times in this column, the real “dirty energy” are candles and diesel gensets for lighting, and animal manure for cooking. When power is absent because the sun is covered by clouds and it rains, or when the wind does not blow for days, the poor are forced into using candles which can cause fires while the rich turn on their diesel gensets which are costly, polluting, and even noisy.

Papers that consistently attack coal as “dirty” are not investigative journalism, they are more “ideological journalism” pushing for global ecological central planning. See the global data in the table.

Many Asian countries that expand their coal use see their overall power generation increase, and their GDP size, valued in purchasing power parity (PPP), expanding significantly, creating more jobs, more industrialization, and more prosperity for their people.

In contrast, many European nations that deliberately cut their coal use have experienced an overall decline in power generation, like Germany, the UK, Spain, and Italy.

The anti-coal activists should aim their anger at China, the US, India, Australia, Japan, Russia, Indonesia, Turkey, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam whose coal power generation are much larger than the Philippines’.

Two coal power projects that should proceed in order to reduce the persistent yellow alerts in Luzon and Visayas are the Atimonan 1 Energy (A1E), a 1,200-MW super-critical high efficiency low emission (HELE) project in Atimonan, Quezon, and the Therma Visayas, Inc. (TVI) expansion in Toledo, Cebu. Visayas has the thinnest power reserves among the three grids in the country — almost all the business organizations in Cebu support the coal expansion there.

I was one of the panel speakers in the opening session yesterday of the 12th Monitoring and Evaluation Network Forum, organized by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) and held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria. There was a big crowd, with participants mostly from different government agencies. My co-speakers in the panel — “To retain, redesign, or retrench?” — were DEPDev Undersecretary Joseph “Dockoy” Capuno, Department of Budget and Management Director Mary Joy de Leon, and Asian Development Bank Principal Economist Ashish Narain. The moderator was UP School of Economics professor Karl Jandoc.

Among the things I discussed was the institutional gap in promoting the rule of law — the law applies equally to unequal people and sectors. Like environmental protection. Before the motto was “Plant trees to save the planet,” now it is “Kill trees, build more solar-wind farms to save the planet” and it is ugly.

Later this week, on Oct. 2-3, the “Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum 2025,” organized by the DoE, will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel at BGC in Taguig City. I will attend and write about it here.

 

Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr. is the president of Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr. Research Consultancy Services, and Minimal Government Thinkers. He is an international fellow of the Tholos Foundation.

minimalgovernment@gmail.com

Proptech gains ground as developers streamline operations

CLOVERLY.TECH

DEVELOPERS are increasingly adopting digital tools to streamline inventory management and buyer transactions, according to property technology (proptech) firm Cloverly.tech.

“[Property developers] view technology not just as a competitive edge but as a necessity to move faster and operate more efficiently, so there’s an increasing pressure to shorten sales cycles, improve coordination, and equip both agents and decision makers with better tools,” Cloverly.tech Co-Founder Nico Espinosa said in a video interview.

Launched early this year, Cloverly is a mobile application that aims to bridge the digitalization gap among property developers, brokers, and buyers.

“There was a clear digitalization gap, especially in how sales and buyer onboarding are handled. So, we saw that the industry could grow and compete more effectively by using technology,” Mr. Espinosa said.

Cloverly streamlines the sales and reservation process for properties — from inventory management and unit reservations to buyer onboarding and document collection. Buyers may also receive updates and announcements via e-mail.

The company is seeking to onboard residential and horizontal developments nationwide into its platform.

“Imagine [Cloverly as] a control center for the property development team, and a portal for brokers, agents, and buyers,” Mr. Espinosa said. It also seeks to eliminate the hassle of siloed and paper-based requirements for property transactions.

Mr. Espinosa noted that the oversupply of condominium units in some parts of Metro Manila is pushing Cloverly to onboard properties outside the Philippine capital.

“Instead of just focusing on the market here in Manila, we also want to branch out and look for clients in Cebu, Davao, and all those places,” he added.

Data from property consultancy firm Colliers Philippines showed that about 30,500 ready-for-occupancy units remained unsold as of the second quarter. Of the total, 32% were in the lower middle-income segment. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Japan-based fertility clinic opens at Filinvest One in Muntinlupa

Filinvest One — FILINVEST.COM

Fertility clinic Conceive IVF Manila has opened a new facility at Filinvest One in Muntinlupa City, expanding Filinvest REIT Corp.’s (FILRT) tenant mix into the healthcare sector.

“The presence of Kato Fertility Center at Filinvest One offers convenient access to high-quality reproductive health services, contributing to the growing healthcare landscape in the region,” FILRT told the stock exchange on Monday.

Filinvest One is one of FILRT’s 16 Grade A buildings in Northgate Cyberzone, Muntinlupa. Located along Alabang-Zapote Road, it has direct connectivity to major routes such as the Skyway and South Luzon Expressway.

The building is also EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) Zero Carbon-certified for its sustainability features.

“This marks a significant step in further expanding and diversifying our tenant portfolio to include the sphere of health and wellness,” FILRT President and Chief Executive Officer Maricel Brion-Lirio said.

“This collaboration also reflects our dedication to offering spaces that cater to the evolving needs of various industries.”

The entry of Conceive IVF also strengthens the Northgate Cyberzone area as a hub for diverse industries, FILRT added.

Conceive IVF Manila, known for its assisted reproductive technology (ART), is a member of Kato Medical Group Philippines.

The company, along with Kato Repro Biotech Center in Makati, aims to deliver fertility solutions to different patients through evidence-based protocols and advanced technologies.

“This new facility reinforces the global reputation of Japan’s Kato Ladies Clinic (KLC), a key entity within the TOWAKO Group, which boasts over 30 years of pioneering expertise in ART,” the Filinvest REIT unit said.

Conceive IVF Manila Managing Director Kenki Okumura said the center is expected to improve fertility care for individuals and families in the southern part of Metro Manila.

FILRT posted an 8.3% increase in first-half net income to P651 million, with revenue rising by 13% to P1.57 billion.

At the local bourse on Monday, FILRT shares inched up by 0.29% or one centavo to close at P3.41 apiece. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Filipinos trapped in nightmare by online loan sharks

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

MANILA — Melissa thought her financial troubles would disappear with just a few clicks in a Philippines online lending app that promised “fast cash.”

Without access to loans from traditional banks to pay her bills, the working student tried an app last month and received money in a number of loans that were instantly approved.

“Because the repayment period was only seven days and the interest was very high, I wasn’t able to pay everything on time,” said the 25-year-old who lives in Pampanga province, northwest of the capital Manila.

Melissa, who like others interviewed for this article asked for her real name to be withheld, said she fell into a cycle of debt with eight other online lending apps.

“Out of fear, I started doing what they call ‘tapal-tapal’ — borrowing from one app to another to cover my debts,” she said.

Debt collectors bombarded her with aggressive texts filled with insults, warnings that they would “shoot to kill,” or threatening to post her picture and contact details online.

She said one online lender edited her picture into obscene images and sent it to the contacts in her phone.

“They also texted my contacts saying false and disgusting things about me, like that I was offering sex to pay my debts,” Melissa said.

“It was humiliating and traumatizing because they were not only attacking me, but also destroying my dignity and reputation,” said Melissa, who now owes more than P80,000 ($1,400), four times the Philippines’ average monthly earnings.

The companies she used are not on the list of registered online lending platforms in the Philippines.

In a country where around half the adult population does not have a bank account, a growing number are falling prey to unscrupulous or illegal online lenders and facing spiralling debt.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, a government body that investigates criminal syndicates, said that as of July, it was handling around 15,000 cases filed against online lending apps. It said many cases centered on allegations of harassment, threats and excessive interest rates.

A senator has also asked lawmakers to investigate unauthorized online lenders and their “unfair and abusive” debt collection practices, often targeting low-income Filipinos needing emergency cash to pay for essentials.

FROM ‘FAST CASH’ TO HARASSMENT
Melissa is now part of a user-created community on Reddit dedicated to victims of harassment by online lending apps.

The community of 40,000 members does not indicate whether it was created for users in the Philippines, but has been populated with posts by Filipinos since February last year.

Other members of the Reddit community said the short repayment periods and high interest had meant their debts had also snowballed.

Jane, 33, from southwest of Manila, said threats would arrive even before her bills were overdue.

One creditor e-mailed a picture of her, taken from the verification scan when she downloaded the app, edited into an obituary and threatened to send it to her friends and relatives.

Twenty-five-year-old Michelle works in a pharmaceutical company and first learned about online lending apps through a YouTube advertisement. She said some creditors inundated her with text messages and automated calls, and sent her fake summonses demanding she appear before officials or the courts.

“They have the right to ask us to pay our dues. But I think the way they reached out to us is very excessive and unreasonable,” Michelle said.

All three women said they had received threats of doxing or posting their personal details, photos, addresses and phone numbers online if they did not pay their bills.

They e-mailed complaints to the government’s Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), which said these threats may constitute a crime under Philippine laws.

No complaint, however, has so far progressed into a legal case, as formal charges need to be filed against the companies, said CICC acting executive director Renato Paraiso.

The sad thing was, said Mr. Paraiso, that many victims would lodge grievances, but would stop short of filing formal complaints “because of the tedious legal process. They just want the harassment to stop.”

LOW FINANCIAL INCLUSION
Around 37 million, or roughly half of Filipino adults, were unbanked in 2024, among the highest proportion globally, according to the United Nations.

Paraiso said that while online lending apps could help financial inclusion, illegal lenders and harassment had damaged the industry.

As of August, the government has listed 108 registered online lending apps and ordered the closure of seven unregistered online lending platforms.

Instead of government restriction, he said he advocates for self-regulation of the industry.

“But they should make no mistake about it. Whether legal or illegal, excessive collection methods and shaming of consumers violate certain laws, such as the Data Privacy Act. Those are cybercrimes that had nothing to do with collections,” the official said.

Melissa said it was important for consumers to keep screenshots and records of abusive messages and report such cases to authorities to help build legal cases.

“I know that I still have debts to settle, but I will not let these abusive companies destroy my mental health,” she said. “By reporting, I also feel that I am standing up not just for myself but also for other victims who might be too afraid to speak up.” — Thomson Reuters Foundation

AI hologram of Spider-Man creator Stan Lee debuts at LA Comic Con

DAVID NUSSBAUM, founder of Proto Hologram, with a holographic AI avatar of Stan Lee, at LA Comic Con 2025. — INSTAGRAM.COM/THENUZZY

LOS ANGELES — Wearing a green sweater and tan pants against a bright blue screen, Marvel comic book superhero creator Stan Lee returned to the Los Angeles (LA) Comic Con in holographic form to meet fans of his characters including Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man and Thor.

Fans could interact with a hologram of Mr. Lee, who died in 2018 at the age of 95, in an enclosed booth at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

“It was obviously sad for many of us when Stan passed,” said Chris DeMoulin, chief executive of Comikaze Entertainment, which operates Los Angeles Comic Con. “For the last couple of years, we’ve been talking about things we might be able to do to help extend Stan’s legacy.”

About six months ago, Mr. DeMoulin said he came up with the idea of creating an avatar of Mr. Lee to serve as an “entry point for fans, old and new, into the Marvel universe.”

The project was a collaboration of Proto Hologram, a company whose holographic technology has been used in malls to promote films such as The Conjuring and A Minecraft Movie, and Hyperreal, an artificial intelligence (AI) firm that creates realistic-looking digital humans.

The hologram was trained on Stan Lee’s myriad appearances on red carpets and at fan conventions. Fans who never met Mr. Lee in person might recognize him from his cameo appearances in every live-action Marvel movie made during his lifetime.

“This avatar will never say something that Stan didn’t say,” said Mr. DeMoulin. “It will never have a point of view about Marvel or the stories or Stan’s role in them that hasn’t come directly from something Stan has said.”

Mammoth Vision’s George Johnson said that they used technological guardrails to prevent Mr. Lee from saying something out of character.

“We take Stan Lee’s words and import them into the model and then we put rails on the side of it,” said Mr. Johnson, “So he doesn’t go off and talk about things that Stan wouldn’t have said.”

In a demonstration on Friday, holographic Mr. Lee talked about his love of fan conventions.

“My favorite thing about being at a comic convention is getting to meet all the amazing fans and hearing their stories about how Marvel has impacted their lives,” the Mr. Lee holograph said in the late comic creator’s voice.

Not everyone welcomed Mr. Lee’s posthumous appearance at the convention.

Some commenters on Reddit criticized the Stan Lee Experience.

“Even in death, they won’t let the guy rest,” wrote one commenter, posting under the name RGCBlade. “It’s all pretty dystopian.” — Reuters

Shaping the living wage agenda: Asia-Pacific’s call to action

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Jcomp from Freepik

By Kaori Nakamura-Osaka

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC is home to the world’s largest workforce. In recent years, the region has demonstrated remarkable resilience, with real wages (inflation-adjusted pay) continuing to rise even as they declined in many other parts of the world.

But this only tells part of the story. Different countries have very different wage dynamics, and within the region there are still 1.3 billion vulnerable workers — including women, migrants, workers with disabilities and those in informal jobs — struggling with low pay, poor working conditions and rising costs of living. An increase in average wages does not automatically translate into higher purchasing power for these workers and, even when it does, it may still fall short of ensuring a decent standard of living.

Minimum wages, which are legally binding wage floors, are designed to protect workers against unduly low pay. They are adjusted from time to time but often do not automatically guarantee a minimum standard of living or provide remuneration sufficient to meet the needs of workers and their families. This is where the concept of a living wage becomes transformative, shifting the focus to whether workers earn enough to afford a decent standard of living for themselves and their families. It is rooted in the International Labour Organization (ILO) Constitution and is consistent with the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A living wage can be achieved through inclusive wage-setting processes based on social dialogue between government, employers, and workers, and collective bargaining, while also addressing the root causes of low pay.

In recent years, living wage initiatives have gained visibility and momentum. While these initiatives have helped raise awareness and encouraged progress in some areas, they often operate in a fragmented manner and do not always align with national wage-setting mechanisms, and adequately consider local economic realities, or ensure full and effective participation of workers’ and employers’ representatives.

The latest Global Wage Report, 2024-25 highlights persistent challenges in wage growth and wage inequality. Since the turn of the century, wage inequality has narrowed in the majority of countries, but this is not universal, and inequality remains unacceptably high. Over 90% of low-wage workers in the region are in informal employment. Women and migrants continue to be heavily concentrated among the low-paid.

Recognizing these challenges, the ILO took a historic step in March 2024, when its Governing Body endorsed an agreement on living wages. One month later, the ILO launched its first-ever global program on living wages, focusing on two major goals: supporting the production of reliable living wage estimates and a “wage data hub” as well as operationalizing living wages by strengthening wage-setting systems so that living wages can become a reality.

Now, it is the Asia-Pacific region’s turn to lead. On Sept. 23, the ILO and Government of Sri Lanka hosted the first Regional Living Wage Dialogue under the Global Coalition for Social Justice. Governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, the private sector, and international partners gathered in Colombo to exchange ideas and shape solutions.

A major highlight was the launch of the Asia-Pacific Digital Repository for Minimum Wages — a pioneering online platform that consolidates official minimum wage data and related indicators to support transparent, consistent, and informed approaches of evidence-based social dialogue for setting adequate and balanced wages.

To make real progress, the region must focus on five priorities: first, strengthen wage-setting institutions to ensure genuine tripartite dialogue between government, employers and workers, and collective bargaining; second, striking a balance between fairness and sustainability, by ensuring wages meet the needs of workers and their families while reflecting economic realities; third, leverage data to guide informed and effective decisions; fourth, align living wage initiatives so that private and civil society efforts connect with ILO principles and national frameworks; and, fifth, tackle inequality and the root causes of low pay by reducing informality, promoting decent jobs, and boosting productivity growth, while ensuring that all workers receive a fair share of the fruits of economic progress.

Asia and the Pacific stand at a turning point. With its vast workforce and role as a global economic engine, the region has the opportunity to demonstrate that living wages are not just aspirational, but achievable through a systematic approach grounded in social dialogue.

If it succeeds, the impact will extend far beyond the region. It will set a global example, showing that living wages are the foundation of sustainable growth, decent work, poverty and inequality reduction and upholding social justice and dignity for every worker.

 

Kaori Nakamura-Osaka is the ILO assistant director-general and regional director for Asia and the Pacific.

MREIT targets 1 million sq.m. retail portfolio by 2027

MREIT.COM.PH

LISTED MREIT, Inc., the real estate investment trust of Megaworld Corp., is aiming to grow its portfolio to one million square meters (sq.m.) of gross leasable area (GLA) by 2027, betting on rising consumer activity.

In a stock exchange disclosure on Monday, the company said its long-term strategy includes the infusion of mall and retail assets to diversify its portfolio and capture growing consumer demand.

This, it added, complements MREIT’s high-occupancy office assets.

“While the country is experiencing an impressive growth in consumer activities, we want to tap into these opportunities. This will enable us to deliver both growth and diversification, keeping our portfolio resilient and relevant for the years ahead,” MREIT Chairman Kevin L. Tan said.

MREIT’s sponsor, Megaworld, holds one million sq.m. of office GLA and 500,000 sq.m. of retail GLA, which may be infused into MREIT over time.

Last month, MREIT said it was raising its authorized capital stock to P8 billion from P5 billion to prepare for a possible asset infusion from its sponsor.

The company also noted that foot traffic and sales across Megaworld Lifestyle Malls have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, driving strong leasing activity from both global and homegrown brands.

As of end-June, mall occupancy reached a record 93%.

“This favorable environment underpins MREIT’s strategy to bring in more retail assets in the future, ensuring that its portfolio captures both the growth of business process outsourcing and the resurgence of Philippine consumer spending,” MREIT said.

“The company remains focused on expanding its portfolio through accretive acquisitions while maintaining strong dividend payouts to investors,” it added.

Megaworld recently said it is allocating the P2.21 billion raised from its latest block sale of MREIT shares for projects in its Cebu, Palawan, and Bacolod townships.

MREIT reported a 26% increase in its first-half distributable income to P1.86 billion, led by a 28% rise in revenue to P2.7 billion.

At present, MREIT’s portfolio includes 24 prime office properties strategically located in five Megaworld townships: Eastwood City, McKinley Hill, McKinley West, Iloilo Business Park, and Davao Park District.

MREIT shares closed flat at P13.52 apiece on Monday. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Entertainment News (09/30/25)

Avatar: The Way of Water returns to cinemas

THE wonders of Pandora return as Avatar: The Way of Water will screen for one week only, starting Oct. 1, exclusively in select 3D, IMAX, and 4DX theaters nationwide. The Academy Award-winning, third highest-grossing film of all time from director James Cameron stars Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña as warrior parents fighting to protect their family amidst escalating conflict in the seascapes of Pandora.

Mimaropa trade fair opens this week

THE Obra Mimaropa Trade Fair 2025 will be held on Oct. 2-5 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. A project of the Department of Trade and Industry, it will feature food, art, culture, tourism, and agricultural products from the region that includes the provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan. Entrance is free.

Song of the Fireflies to screen at Ayala Museum

AS PART of the “Pamanang Pilipino” program, Ayala Museum is holding a film screening of Song of the Fireflies, with select shows set to have talkback sessions afterwards. The film tells the origin story of the world-renowned Loboc Children’s Choir, founded by teacher Alma Taldo in the 1980s. It stars Morissette, Rachel Alejandro, Noel Comia, Jr., and Krystal Brimner. The film also features original music by Krina Cayabyab, Louie Ocampo, Raimund Marasigan, Jazz Nicolas, and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab. The screenings take place on Oct. 11, 12, 17, and 18, at 2 and 5 p.m. Tickets range in price from P150 to P300 depending on student, senior, or PWD discounts.

It All Started In May covers Hotdog’s ‘Manila’

THE band It All Started In May has officially released their cover of the classic Filipino hit “Manila” by Hotdog. The version that took TikTok by storm and made the band an internet sensation is now available on all major music streaming platforms. Fans have been awaiting the official release of the song, since it has become a highly requested track during the band’s live performances.

Nemesis in Red Bull’s global dance finals

STREET DANCER Nemesis is set to represent the Philippines at the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals in Los Angeles on Oct. 7. After coming close as a finalist last year, Nemesis clinched the National Champion title at the Cebu National Finals. She is set to battle top dancers from around the world next week.

Doja Cat releases 5th studio album

GRAMMY award-winning singer Doja Cat has released her 5th studio album, Vie, out now via Kemosabe Records/RCA Records. Doja Cat also unveiled the music video for the latest track on the album, “Gorgeous.” The video was directed and shot in New York City by Bardia Zeinali. Vie can now be streamed on all digital music streaming platforms.

Chowking holds 40th anniversary fun run

CHOWKING is celebrating its 40th anniversary with the Chow Fun Run, set to take place on Oct. 11 at the SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. Celebrities Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino, Darren Espanto, and BGYO are expected to race alongside participants. Kai Montinola will also be performing live at the event. The fee is P950. There will be three categories: 3k, 5k, and 10k runs.

The Bloomfields drops psychedelic single

FILIPINO band The Bloomfields’ latest track, “Pink Skies,” is out now, accompanied by a video helmed by the band’s bassist Louie Poco, who also edited the project. The video takes the form of a surreal animated collage, unfolding in a kaleidoscope of psychedelic imagery, band performances, and pop-art influences. It draws inspiration from Filipino collage artists Andrea Cervantes and Charlie Salazar, while the music brims with Britpop and indie rock sensibilities. It is available on all digital music streaming platforms.

Gloc-9 releases single with Abaddon, Hero

THE latest track by Filipino rap icon Gloc-9 is “Kakampi,” featuring fellow artists Abaddon and Hero. The word “kakampi” means “ally,” and the song pays tribute to the ride-or-die partner who sticks with you through thick and thin. “Kakampi” is out now on all major streaming platforms.

Lee Jong Suk holds fan meeting in November

WILBROS Live has announced that a fan meeting of Korean actor Lee Jong Suk will be held on Nov. 30 at the Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City. Tickets go on sale on Oct. 4, 12 p.m., via TicketNet’s website and physical outlets.

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