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A broader look at today’s business

Saturday, August 8, 2026 Vol. 21 No. 298

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GROWTH AT 2.3% IN Q2, RECOVERY DIMS IN ’26

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

HE Philippine economy may be running out of room for a comeback this year after growth slowed further to 2.3 percent in the second quarter, economists said. On Friday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the second quarter growth eased from 2.8 percent in the first quarter and was significantly below the 5.4-percent expansion recorded a year earlier. The latest reading was the slowest since the first quarter of 2021, when the economy contracted by 3.8 percent. Excluding the pandemic period, it was the weakest growth recorded since the fourth quarter of 2009, when gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 1.8 percent. This brought economic growth

in the first half of 2026 to an average of 2.6 percent, significantly slower than the 5.4 percent recorded in the same period last year. Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dante B. Canlas said prospects for a strong recovery in the remaining half of the year appear dim, with both households and firms pulling back on spending. “There are no clear signs that these market agents will regain confidence. The year 2026 looks lost economically,” Canlas told the BusinessMirror. Continued on A2

Debt-to-GDP ratio climbs to 66% in Q2, a 22-yr high

HE national government’s outstanding debt relative to the size of the gross domestic product (GDP) climbed to a 22-year-high in the second quarter, after the economy grew disappointingly and the debt stock continued to climb. The debt-to-GDP ratio rose to 66 percent in the second quarter, the highest since 2004 at 71.6 percent, according to data released by the Bureau of the Treasury on Friday.

After Moody’s review, BSP chief vows continued financial stability

Domestic debt as a share of GDP stood at 44.4 percent, while the proportion of external liabilities settled at 21.6 percent. “[This] suggests that the country’s fiscal position has become more constrained, largely reflecting the combination of continued government borrowing and slowerthan-expected economic growth,” said Union Bank of the Philippines Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion to BusinessMirror. See “Debt,” A2

RAINWATER drips over a window as dark clouds gather above the Makati Central Business District. The gloomy skyline mirrors the country’s economic outlook after the Philippine economy slowed to 2.3 percent growth in the second quarter of 2026—the weakest pace outside the pandemic period since 2009—raising concerns over softer consumer spending, declining investment, and a challenging road to meeting the government’s growth target. NONIE REYES

End-July GIR plunges to $103.38B, an 18-mo low that ‘bears watching’ By Andrea E. San Juan

HE trend of the Philippines’s dollar reserves level “bears watching,” an analyst warned, after the country’s buffer against external economic shocks plunged to its lowest level in 18 months. “The level of reserves remains comfortable, but the trend bears watching,” Jonathan L. Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co. said on Friday. Ravelas said this after data

from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) plunged to $103.38 billion as of end-July 2026, the lowest level in 1 year and 6 months or since January 2025. The latest figure is 1.30 percent lower than the $104.74 billion recorded in end-June 2026. Year-on-year, foreign reserves also declined by 2.47 percent from the $106 billion in end-July 2025. For his part, Michael L. Rica-

Pag-IBIG expands perks for members via Loyalty Card By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

HE Home Development Mutual Fund, commonly known as Pag-IBIG Fund, is expanding the perks for its members by partnering with Landers Superstore to offer exclusive discounts and promotions through its Loyalty Card Plus program. Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta and Landers Deputy Chief Executive Officer Bill Cummings signed a memorandum of agreement on Friday at Landers Aseana in Parañaque City. From August 1 to October 31, 2026, Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card and Loyalty Card Plus holders may access exclusive offers and promotions at 16 participating Landers Superstore branches nationwide. Cardholders may obtain a free Landers Shopping Pass by presenting their cards. They may also receive a free one-year Landers Premium Membership by making a minimum single-receipt purchase of P3,000. In addition, members may upgrade to a Landers Executive Membership for a discounted rate of P300 and earn cash rebates of up to 2 percent on eligible purchases. “For many Filipino families, groceries are one of the biggest monthly household expenses,” Acosta said during the signing. “Every peso saved on everyday es-

FROM left: Pag-IBIG Fund Deputy Chief Executive Officer Alexander Aguilar, Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta, Bill Cummings, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Southeast Asia Retail Inc., and Landers Superstore Vice President for Marketing and Membership Kenneth Charles Ocampo lead the ceremonial signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between Pag-IBIG Fund and Landers Superstore. The partnership enables Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card holders to enjoy exclusive shopping privileges and benefits at all Landers Superstore branches nationwide. Top photos: Officials participate in an in-store walkthrough at the Landers Superstore in Aseana City, Parañaque City, following the signing ceremony. BERNARD TESTA

sentials can help pay for school, transportation, utilities, or simply add to their MP2 savings.” Aside from helping Filipino workers own homes and build financial security through savings, Acosta said they must also enjoy the benefits of the Pag-IBIG Fund through the Loyalty Card program. “This is the purpose of the Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card Plus—to give our members benefits that will help in their daily expenses through discounts and savings,” Acosta said. “More than just a membership card, it gives our members access to exclusive discounts, special offers and reward points from our growing network of partners,” Acosta added. Holders of the Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card Plus can enjoy discounts and rewards from over 500 partner establishments, covering food, retail, health, housing and transportation nationwide. This initiative has provided more than P1 billion in cumulative discounts across nearly 31 million discounted transactions since the program’s expansion in 2019. The program was launched in 2014 and was later upgraded to the Loyalty Card Plus in 2019 to add cash card functions through Asia United Bank and UnionBank of the Philippines for members to receive loan proceeds and access basic banking services through a single card.

fort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), attributed the decline in dollar reserves to “possible intervention” in the local foreign exchange market after the US dollar/ peso reached a new record low of P61.847 on July 24,2026. Ricafort said this could also be due to the local currency hovering around the 61.60 to 61.80 levels which he said “have been sustained since late April 2026.” See “GIR,” A2

Ravelas: “The key to rebuilding GIR is not intervention or borrowing, but stronger exports, higher investments, more tourism receipts, and sustained remittance growth. Ultimately, reserve strength follows economic strength.”

NGCP, PCG boost partnership; Almeda is auxiliary commodore

HE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have affirmed their commitment to safeguarding the country’s critical infrastructure as NGCP President and CEO Anthony L. Almeda was formally inducted as Commodore of the PCG Auxiliary. The donning and oath-taking ceremony on July 29, 2026, led by PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan, marks a strengthened partnership between NGCP and the PCG in securing vital national infrastructure and supporting broader national security efforts. Accepting the honorary rank, Almeda said the recognition carries with it a greater responsibility to serve. “This recognition carries a great responsibility. It is not merely a badge of honor, but a commitment to a stronger partnership between the Philippine Coast Guard and NGCP, as well as to our shared mission of protecting critical infrastruc-

ture, strengthening maritime security, and serving the Filipino people,” Almeda said. He said he accepts the honor with humility and looks forward to working closely with the PCG in advancing their shared mission. In conferring the honorary rank, the PCG recognized Almeda’s leadership and expressed confidence that his appointment would further strengthen cooperation with NGCP in promoting national resilience and protecting the country’s critical infrastructure. As the country’s power transmission operator, NGCP works closely with government agencies and key stakeholders to secure the transmission network and ensure the reliable delivery of electricity nationwide. The strengthened partnership with the PCG is expected to enhance coordination in protecting strategic energy facilities and supporting emergency response and national security initiatives.

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 60.7020 n JAPAN 0.3831 n UK 81.6806 n HK 7.7388 n CHINA 8.9906 n SINGAPORE 47.3015 n AUSTRALIA 42.6614 n EU 69.9469 n KOREA 0.0427 n SAUDI ARABIA 16.1686 Source: BSP (August 7, 2026)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Saturday, August 8, 2026

GDP… Continued from A1

RCBC’s chief economist also noted that the lower dollar reserves as of end-July of this year could be due to the renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran which resumed on July 11,2026. He said this led to higher US Treasury yields and global bond yields that “partly weighed” on the foreign investments portion of the reserves as well as some payment of foreign debts and other obligations. According to the central bank, the decrease in reserves was mainly driven by the following: net foreign exchange operations, national government’s (NG) drawdowns on its foreign currency deposits with the BSP for external debt service and NG’s net foreign currency withdrawals from its deposits with the BSP. These were partly offset, the BSP said, by the following: upward valuation adjustments in the BSP’s gold holdings due to the increase in the price of gold in the international market and the BSP’s net income from its investments abroad.

GIR breakdown

The GIR is made up of these components: eligible foreign assets, including securities, currency and deposits, reserve position in the fund, gold, special drawing rights and other reserve assets, held by the central bank. On a month on month basis, the components of foreign currency reserves saw the biggest decline compared to other sources of dollar reserves. BSP data showed currency and deposits plunged to $1.848 billion as of end-July 2026, or 19.20 percent lower than the $2.287 billion recorded as of end-June 2026. Currency and deposits include time deposits, demand deposits, and cash holdings.

Securities, which BSP said refer to highly liquid and marketable debt securities, declined by 6.63 percent to $67.263 billion, compared to the $72.036 billion as of end-June 2026. Securities exclude investments under the Asian Bond Fund (ABF) and Bank of International Settlements Investment Pool (BISIP). In contrast, other reserve assets, SDRs and gold holdings partly offset the decrease in reserves. Data from the central bank showed gold holdings climbed by 1.72 percent to $17.4895 billion as of endJuly 2026 compared to the $17.194 billion as of end-June 2026. SDRs inched up by 0.54 percent to $3.937 billion as of end-July 2026 from the $3.915 billion as of endJune 2026. Reserve position in the fund also increased by 0.08 percent to $725.2 million as of end-July 2026, compared to the $724.6 million as of endJune 2026. Other reserve assets saw a significant 41.08-percent jump to $12.11 billion as of end-July 2026 from the previous month’s $8.59 billion. Looking ahead, Ravelas emphasized: “The key to rebuilding GIR is not intervention or borrowing, but stronger exports, higher investments, more tourism receipts, and sustained remittance growth.” “Ultimately, reserve strength follows economic strength,” added the foreign exchange analyst. Despite the decline in the country’s foreign reserves, the BSP said these provide “sufficient” foreign currency to meet the country’s import needs, service its external debt obligations and serve as a buffer against external economic shocks. “The end-July GIR level can cover up to 6.7 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. It can likewise cover about 3.6 times the country’s short-term external debt based on residual maturity,” the BSP said in its statement.

LEGARDA CONFIRMS MEDICAL LEAVE AMID REPORTS OF FLIGHT SEN. Loren Legarda late Friday confirmed that she “filed a formal medical leave with the Senate covering August 3 to 5, 2026, in accordance with Senate rules,” but appealed to people not to draw unsavory conclusions about her disappearance from the public eye the last few days. The senator issued the appeal as social media feasted on her absence and news outlets reported she and her son Rep. Leandro Leviste had left the country. The mother-and-son tandem of lawmakers are being investigated by the Ombudsman for the multibillion fiasco involving the young Leviste’s solar power company, which obtained a mega franchise with a promise to build solar facilities across the country as a boost to the shift to renewable energy, but failed to deliver on over half of its commitments. His mother’s name was dragged into the fray because she had been known to have actively encouraged his ambitious foray into solar, and some quarters claim she had used her political clout to secure the questioned franchise for her son’s company. In confirming that she filed for medical leave, the senator said: “I ask the public not to draw unwarranted conclusions from my travel or link it to the recent false and baseless allegations, which undeservedly besmirch a reputation that I have built over decades of public service.”

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GROWTH AT 2.3% IN Q2, RECOVERY DIMS IN ’26 “There are no clear signs that these market agents will regain confidence. The year 2026 looks lost economically.” — Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dante B. Canlas, warning that, as GDP growth slowed to 2.3% in the second quarter, weak household spending and subdued business investment leave little room for a strong economic rebound this year.

“As a result, the assistance does not really translate into consumer spending, which also affects the business sector. Less demand means less supply and less production.” — Ma. Ella C. Oplas, arguing that government cash assistance has had only a limited impact on the economy, as households remain cautious and businesses face weakening demand.

“The task for us is to build that consumer and business confidence. Confidence that the future is good and that high prices are not likely the permanent thing moving forward.” — Chief economist Arsenio M. Balisacan, stressing that restoring consumer and business confidence is essential to reviving spending and investment.

Continued from A1

formation shrank by 2 percent in the third quarter, 9.4 percent in the fourth quarter, and 3.1 percent in the first quarter of 2026. The deterioration was more pronounced in fixed investment. Gross fixed capital formation contracted by 13.7 percent in the second quarter, worsening from a 2.5 percent decline in the first quarter. Construction was among the biggest drags, contracting by 14.8 percent year-on-year in the second quarter, much steeper than the 4.3 percent decline recorded in the previous quarter. Pantheon Macroeconomics Chief Emerging Asia Economist Miguel Chanco said the continued slump in public infrastructure indicates that it remains constrained even after the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) wrapped up its mandate earlier this year. “We’ve been arguing for some time that the end of the ICI’s mandate earlier this year would be no silver bullet in reviving public infrastructure projects,” he said in a commentary.

still going to be spent, right? And the budget for the second half is already programmed,” he said during a briefing. The country’s chief economist also expects the proposed tax relief package under the Progress bill, once enacted, to help stimulate household spending by raising workers’ take-home pay. Still, Balisacan acknowledged that weak consumption cannot be addressed by fiscal support alone, as elevated inflation and fragile consumer confidence have also prompted households to hold back on spending. “The task for us is to build that consumer and business confidence. Confidence that the future is good and that high prices are not likely the permanent thing moving forward,” he added.

De La Salle University economist Ma. Ella C. Oplas was similarly downbeat, saying the government may once again miss its recalibrated growth target this year. “What is this saying about our state of economy? That we will not hit the targets this year,” Oplas told the BusinessMirror. She noted that the latest GDP figures reflect the cumulative impact of the economic challenges faced by households and businesses this year, with uncertainty increasingly weighing on spending decisions. PSA data showed household consumption grew by just 2.8 percent in the second quarter, the slowest since the first quarter of 2021, when spending contracted by 4.8 percent. Excluding the pandemic period, household spending growth was the weakest since the third quarter of 2010, when it expanded by 2.6 percent. Oplas said some households simply do not have enough resources to spend, while others are holding back because they are unsure about future economic conditions. She added that the slowdown also points to the limited impact of government measures intended to pump-prime the economy. Cash assistance, she said, may either be insufficient or may not immediately translate into consumption as households stretch the aid to prepare for possible financial shocks. “As a result, the assistance does not really translate into consumer spending, which also affects the business sector. Less demand means less supply and less production,” Oplas added.

Investment remains a drag

INVESTMENT likewise remained a major drag on growth, with gross capital formation contracting by 9.2 percent in the second quarter. This marked another quarter of contraction after gross capital

Debt… Continued from A1

As of end-June, the debt stock was at an all-time high of P19.065 trillion, while GDP expanded by 2.3 percent in the second quarter. The latest debt-to-GDP ratio is also higher than the 65.2 percent recorded in the previous quarter and 63.1 percent in the same period in 2025. It also exceeded the 64.9 percent target for 2026 recently recalibrated by the Development Budget Coordination Committee last June. “The economy is not growing fast enough to outgrow the debt,” Jonathan A. Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co., told BusinessMirror. “Until growth accelerates meaningfully and the fiscal gap narrows, the debt-to-GDP ratio is likely to remain under pressure.” Having a high debt-to-GDP ratio could suggest the country is not producing enough to pay its debts, while a low level could mean it produces too much output to make the payments. “The economy, which serves as the denominator of the ratio, is expanding more slowly than anticipated, making it more difficult to stabilize debt metrics,”

Rebound in H2?

SOCIOECONOMIC Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan maintained on Friday that the lower end of the government’s recalibrated 3.5-to-4.5-percent growth target remains attainable, but the economy would have to expand by an average of at least 4.4 percent in the second half. Balisacan is banking partly on a rebound in public infrastructure spending, noting that the Department of Budget and Management had started releasing mobilization funds for 2026 projects toward the end of June, while the Department of Public Works and Highways began awarding contracts in June and July. He expects this to lift public construction beginning in the third quarter and gain further momentum in the succeeding months. “As you know, what was not spent in the previous quarters is Asuncion said. Despite being elevated by historical standards, Asuncion said the debt ratio remains manageable. “The key issue is whether economic growth can accelerate in the coming quarters and whether the government can maintain a credible path toward fiscal consolidation,” Asuncion said. While the country’s budget deficit will widen in peso terms through 2028, as a share of GDP, it will narrow to 5.4 percent this year and further to 5.1 percent in 2027 and 4.8 percent in 2028. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has pushed for a higher personal income-tax exemption and the removal of corporate income tax for qualified small businesses in his recent State of the Nation Address. In doing so, this would result in P326.92 billion in foregone revenues if implemented from 2027 until 2030, according to the Department of Finance (DOF). To offset the losses, the DOF proposed expanded excise taxes on e-cigarettes, novel tobacco, sugar-sweetened beverages, alcohol, as well as an automobile tax to generate a total of P518.71 billion over the four-year period. “Any tax relief measures will need to be calibrated carefully,” Asuncion said. “The challenge for policymakers is to strike a bal-

Private sector should come in

ECONOMISTS, however, said the government may need to look beyond catch-up spending and fiscal pump-priming to generate a more durable recovery. Canlas said the more promising sources of growth at this point are large-scale private investments planned under the Luzon Economic Corridor, including artificial intelligence hubs and rare-earth mining, provided these projects begin materializing within the year. Oplas similarly argued that the private sector should play a bigger role if government spending is no longer generating the desired boost to economic activity. She said this would require the government to intensify efforts to attract investments and support entrepreneurship, while providing businesses with the stability and predictability needed for long-term planning. “The government should really take our economic situation seriously and quit the political theatrics because they’re wasting our resources. People can see and feel the effects and it’s a heavy burden,” she added. ance between supporting growth and preserving fiscal sustainability.” The best way to improve the country’s debt dynamics is to achieve stronger and broaderbased economic growth through higher investments, improved productivity and sustained job creation, he added. “Investors and rating agencies tend to focus not only on the level of debt but also on the government’s ability to manage it over the medium term,” Asuncion said. While a rising debt burden could put upward pressure on government bond yields if investors demand a higher risk premium, Asuncion said market movements would also depend on inflation, monetary policy expectations, fiscal performance and liquidity conditions. It is also unlikely to prompt an immediate sovereign credit rating action given the latest debtto-GDP ratio, as rating agencies also consider economic growth prospects, fiscal trends, debt affordability, external accounts and institutional strength, Asuncion said. “However, a sustained rise in debt accompanied by below-trend growth could place greater scrutiny on the country’s fiscal outlook over time,” he warned. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

News Saturday, August 8, 2026

Power generation costs still drive bulk of electricity bills

By Lenie Lectura

ESPITE an increase in renewable energy (RE) pass-through charge collected from on-grid electricity consumers, power generation costs continue to drive the largest share of monthly electricity bills. According to an analysis by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), generation charges made up 57 percent of residential power rates in July (P7.28 per kilowatt hour). This caused overall average rates across 102 distribution utilities (DUs) and electric cooperatives (ECs) to rise by four percent to P12.88 per kWh. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) recently increased the Feed-in-Tariff Allowance (FIT-ALL)—a uniform fee3 charged to all on-grid electricity consumers—to P0.3359 per kWh from P0.2011 per kWh. This adjustment ensures timely payments to qualified renewable energy (RE) developers who are assured of a fixed rate for electricity generated by their projects over 20 years. FIT-ALL is reflected as a separate component in monthly electricity bills. See “Power,” A4

Ibpap launches an AI tool for sustainability tracking Bless Aubrey Ogerio

OMPANIES in the Philippine information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) industry will soon be able to gauge how they measure up on sustainability through a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered assessment platform launched by the industry’s umbrella organization. The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (Ibpap) on Thursday unveiled benchmark PH: IT-BPM ESG Pulse Navigator, which it described as the country’s first artificial intelligence-powered sustainability assessment platform developed specifically for the local IT-BPM sector. Developed by sustainability technology firm SusTek.ai, the platform enables Ibpap member companies to evaluate their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance through an interactive digital assessment instead of traditional survey-based reporting. Participating companies will receive customized ESG reports that benchmark their performance against anonymized peer groups with similar business profiles. The platform also includes an AI assistant that guides users through the assessment using plain-language prompts. According to Ibpap, the tool is designed to help companies at different stages of their sustainability journey, including those without dedicated sustainability teams or prior experience in ESG reporting. The platform measures company performance across 13 ESG topics identified as material to the IT-BPM industry, while allowing participants to compare their results against industry cohorts without revealing competitors’ identities. See “Ibpap,” A4

ILO seeks deeper reading of jobs data By Mary Jade Jadormio

HE International Labour Organization (ILO) said the latest employment figures should be examined beyond the headline unemployment rate after the Depar tment of Labor and Employment (DOLE) linked higher labor force participation to greater confidence among Filipino jobseekers. DOLE said more Filipinos entered the labor market and found work in June, reflecting the economy’s ability to generate employment while accommodating new jobseekers. Experts warned, however, that not enough jobs were being created for new entrants, posing a challenge that compounds the still-high underemployment rate. Latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed the number of employed Filipinos increased to 50.66 million in June from 49.63 million in May. During the same period, the labor force expanded by 1.12 million to 53.25 million, pushing the labor force participation rate to 65.1 percent from 63.8 percent. Unemployment, however, edged up to 4.9 percent from 4.8 percent as the increase in employment fell slightly below the growth in the labor force. DOLE attributed the higher unemployment rate largely to the influx of more than one million additional jobseekers during the month. See “ILO,” A4

News

Saturday, August 8, 2026

FPA files raps vs Davao firm over ₧25.7-M fertilizer deal

Bless Aubrey Ogerio

HE Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) has filed criminal complaints against Davao-based enterprise DO’s Asia Chemical Trading Corp. and its president Viflor Dosado over alleged violations of fertilizer regulations linked to a million-peso government procurement project in Caraga.

The complaints, filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Butuan City, accuse the company of violating the law regulating the manufacture, distribution, sale, and registration of fertilizers and pesticides. Conviction under the law carries fines and imprisonment. The case stems from DO’s Asia’s

participation in a Department of Agriculture (DA) procurement for inorganic fertilizers in Caraga, where the company secured a P25.67-million contract to supply fertilizers for farmers in Surigao del Norte. Per t he compl a i nt , wh ic h i s signed by FPA Executive Director Glenn Estrada, the company allegedly

conducted fertilizer dealership activities in Caraga without the required authorization, despite holding licenses to operate only in the Davao region. On the other hand, the FPA also alleged that the company used the prohibited “Spinning Palanggana” fertilizer production method. Under FPA Memorandum Circular 23, this has been banned as it cannot consistently ensure fertilizer quality and uniformity. Laboratory tests conducted by the agency on fertilizer samples identified as “Carlly Grow 14-14-14” allegedly showed nutrient levels significantly below the guaranteed analysis indicated on the product label, prompting a broader investigation. Invest igators f u r t her a l leged that DO’s Asia supplied a fertilizer product registered under another manufacturer’s name without first obtaining the required Third-Party Authorization from the FPA. For his part, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the filing of charges reflects the government’s effort to protect farmers and

safeguard public funds allocated for agricultural programs. “There is no place in Philippine agriculture for those who profit by selling questionable fertilizer products,” Tiu Laurel said. “Every violation hurts farmers, threatens food security, and erodes public trust in government programs. We will use the full force of the law against anyone who undermines the integrity of our agricultural input system,” he added. T he complaint traces the case to a 2025 DA Regional Field Off ice X III procurement involv ing more than P182 million worth of inorganic fertilizers, in which DO’s Asia was the lone bidder for one of the contract lots. Estrada said the filing underscores the agency’s enforcement of fertilizer regulations and efforts to ensure that products distributed under government programs comply with established standards. The case is now undergoing preliminary investigation before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Butuan City.

PNP chief seeks probe of caskets bearing anti-China, CPP messages By Rex Anthony Naval

HILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Friday ordered the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to conduct an investigation to identify and track down those behind the stunt that deployed five caskets, with messages against China and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), all

Ibpap. . . Continued from A3

The resulting reports are intended to help companies identify areas for improvement and address increasing sustainability requirements from clients, particularly in competitive bidding and request-for-proposal (RFP) processes.

Power. . . Continued from A3

DUs, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), and Retail Electricity Suppliers (RES) serve as collecting agents, and the proceeds go to the FIT-All Fund, which is administered by the National Transmission Corp. ICSC said the additional P0.1348/kWh FIT-ALL charge will only make up 1.82 percent to 2.35 percent of total residential electricity bills. Even in areas with the highest power prices in the country, this charge remains a very small part of what consumers pay. “This underscores that FIT-ALL remains only a small share of residential electricity rates,” it said. The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) was included in ICSC’s top 20 list of highest residential electricity rates in July 2026. At

over Metro Manila. In a statement, Nartatez said PNP units are validating each reported incident and are coordinating with the respective local government units and other appropriate agencies to determine the circumstances surrounding the recovery of the caskets. Based on the initial investigation, five caskets were intentionally abandoned in Sta Cruz Manila, Brgy. 54, Caloocan City, Brgy. South Triangle,

Quezon City, Brgy. Sta. Teresita, Quezon City, and Gil Puyat, Makati City. The caskets were left in those places byby perpetrators wearing masks on board white and gray vans at around 2 to 4 a.m. Friday. Nartatez said the caskets, along with other materials found at the scene, have been secured as part of the investigation to establish their origin, purpose, and whether any laws or local ordinances may have been violated.

“ The PNP encourages the public to rely only on verified information from official sources and to refrain from sharing unverified claims or specu lation t hat may cause unnecessar y confusion. A nyone w ith information that may assist the investigation is encouraged to report it to the nearest police station, through official PNP communication channels, or by calling Unified 911,” he added.

Ibpap Chief Operating Officer and ESG Chairperson Celeste Ilagan said sustainability has become an increasingly important consideration for global clients, regulators and investors. “For more than two decades, our sector has been a powerhouse for talent and operational excellence. Today, however, leadership is defined not only by scale and performance

but also by sustainability, responsibility, and trust,” Ilagan said. “Global clients, regulators, and investors are increasingly assessing how the companies they partner with manage their environmental, social, and governance responsibilities. benchmark PH represents our statement of intent,” she added. The local IT-BPM industry generates about

$40 billion in annual revenues and employs around 1.9 million Filipinos, making it one of the country’s largest export sectors, industry data showed. For his part, Danny Condecido, founder and chief executive officer of SusTek.ai, said industry-specific assessment tools provide more relevant sustainability insights than generic reporting frameworks.

12th place, Meralco’s July rates averaged at P14.83 per kWh, of which the FIT-ALL share was only 1.36 percent. From January to June, Meralco’s generation charge comprised the bulk of the residential electricity bill, followed by distribution, taxes, transmission, systems loss, universal charge, FIT-ALL, GEA-ALL (green energy auction), and senior citizen and lifeline rates. The top three ECs with the highest residential electricity rate in July were Biliran Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Bileco) at P18.34 per kWh, followed by Northern Samar Electric Cooperative at P16.49 per kWh, and Aurora Electric Cooperative, Inc. at P16.33 per kWh. The share of FIT-ALL in their bills are 1.10 percent, 1.22 percent, and 1.23 percent, respectively. “Electricity bills are still driven primarily by generation charges, which are influenced by fuel prices, wholesale electricity market

conditions, and power supply procurement costs. “Because many electricity providers still rely heavily on imported fossil fuels, electricity prices remain vulnerable to fluctuations in global fuel markets. These costs are automatically passed on to consumers,” ICSC said. As seen during the 2022 global energy crisis when surging coal and gas prices drove up rates while RE charges stayed stable. “Electricity bills will remain vulnerable as long as the country remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels. The data points to a structural problem that generation costs are driving electricity prices, and the most durable solution is a more diversified energy mix anchored on indigenous renewable energy,” ICSC Energy Transition Advisor Alberto Dalusung III said. The group pointed out that the Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) and Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) have accelerated RE development in the Philippines, strengthening market competition and reducing 2025 Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) settlement prices by approximately 10 percent during peak production. These programs provide

ILO. . . Continued from A3

“The rise in labor force participation signals greater confidence among Filipinos to seek employment,” Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino said. Tolentino added that the government must continue pursuing reforms that increase both the quantity and quality of available jobs

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PHL world’s 3rd largest geothermal generator By Manuel T. Cayon

AVAO CIT Y—T he Phi lippines holds the record for the world’s third largest geothermal generator, with its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire making the country standing with still a huge untapped geothermal resource. The Lopezes’ First Gen said the country’s 2,057-megawatt installed energy capacity from geothermal resource made it the third spot after the US and Indonesia. Estimates from various sources though, placed the Philippines with a double the geothermal potential reserve at 4,000 mw. A powerpoint presentation during the First Gen Renewables Media Academy on Wednesday showed that existing geothermal generated energy already accounted for 9 percent of electricity supply. The company said that its geothermal plants spread across the country were generating 1,302.78 mw, which accounts for slightly more than half, or 56 percent, of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity. It said it has 16 projects in this type of energy generation, with the more known among them being the Mount Apo Geothermal Project, which generates 112 mw. The First Gen said the huge potential reserve for geothermal energy has

made this energy resource qualified to take on the responsibility as a baseload energy supplier, citing its current generation capacity, as well as its reliability to supply round the clock. Geothermal energy has now been categorized as a baseload along with hydroelectric energy in the area of renewable energy. The country still relies on an energy mix, including coal and diesel, for the baseload requirement. First Gen said it has already discarded coal among its generation activities following the policy statement of its president and chief executive officer, Federico Lopez, during the annual stockholders’ meeting in 2016 when he said that “the First Philippine Holdings, and its subsidiaries, will not build, develop or invest in any coalfired power plants.” Outside its geothermal generation, the company was also in hydroelectric energy, with four generation plants, wind energy, with one plant, and solar energy, with ten installations. The combined total generated capacity from the four energy resource generation was 1,597.57 mw, which it said accounted for the country’s total renewable energy generation. T he company’s energ y resource generat ion i s bei ng h a nd led by t he Fi rst Gen R enewables, wh ic h i s bei ng operated by t he Energ y De ve lopment Cor p.

Workers must come first in AI shift, say experts By Mary Jade Jadormio

long-term economic value by lowering consumer costs and enhancing grid stability, demonstrating that RE investments offer benefits beyond increased generation capacity. “While these benefits may not be immediately visible as separate line items on consumers’ electricity bills, they contribute to a more competitive and resilient power system,” ICSC said, adding that the continued expansion of indigenous RE can help reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, lessen exposure to global fuel price volatility, and support more stable electricity costs over time, demonstrating that investments in clean energy can deliver benefits beyond increasing generation capacity. For the GEA-ALL, the charge of P0.0371 per kWh is imposed on all on-grid consumers starting this year . Similar to the FIT-All, the GEA-AlI supports the country’s RE targets. Once the GEA participants construct and operate their plants, the electricity they generate are automatically taken in by the market and, similar to how the FIT-All is administered, they are then paid by the GEA-All fund administrator based on their winning bids for each kWh of energy they generate and actually deliver.

OVERNMENT and businesses must invest in worker training as artificial intelligence (AI) changes tasks across millions of jobs in the Philippines, labor and industry experts said during the 2026 Future of Work Forum. Around 12.7 million Philippine jobs have some potential exposure to generative AI due largely to the country’s services-driven economy, according to International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Director Khalid Hassan. The figure represents more than onefourth of employment in the country. Hassan said the estimate should not be interpreted as the number of jobs that will disappear since occupations are composed of tasks that differ in their exposure to automation. “Exposure does not mean job loss,” he said. Routine work such as drafting, scheduling, record keeping and information processing may be completed faster through AI. Tasks involving judgment, communication, problem-solving and accountability, however, will continue to require workers. Globally, one in four workers is employed in an occupation with some exposure to generative AI, but only 3.3 percent of employment falls under the highest exposure category, according to ILO. Hassan warned that the outcome of the transition would depend on how companies deploy the technology and share productivity gains with workers. Poorly managed AI adoption could increase workplace surveillance, inequality and job insecurity instead of improving the quality of employment. Meanwhile, in the information technology and business process management sector, firms are expected to respond by shifting workers from repetitive functions to more complex services.

IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines Chief Operating Officer Celeste Ilagan said the industry has already expanded beyond voice-based contact center work into global capability centers and other higher-value operations for multinational companies. “We have gone beyond voice a long time ago,” Ilagan said. She added that continued investment in skills could allow the industry to grow despite fears that AI would replace some BPO functions. “If we reskill, move up the value chain and have more confidence in working in the Philippines, then we will not only survive, we will even be a bigger industry,” she said. Preparing workers will also require companies to reconsider how they allocate their AI investments. ZMG Ward Howell Chief Operating Officer Gene Gangan said firms often make the mistake of treating AI transformation as a purely technological project. He estimated that 50 percent to 60 percent of the transformation process involves people, including recruitment, training, leadership development and the redesign of existing roles. “The biggest investment will be in people,” Gangan said. On the government side, Department of Trade and Industry Director Jo-Dann N. Darong said companies may need incentives to allow employees to undergo training while remaining employed and compensated. Darong said training must also be d e l i ve re d i n f l ex i b l e f o r m at s, p a r ticularly for micro, small and medium enterprise owners who often manage production, sales, inventor y and other daily operations themselves. The speakers said AI could support more productive and higher-value jobs if technology investments are matched by continuous training, job redesign and stronger protection for workers.

while preparing workers for higher-value and future-ready employment. Meanwhile, ILO Country Director Khalid Hassan said the figures tell only part of the country’s labor market story and require deeper analysis. “We have to see all these figures again with a deeper understanding,” Hassan told the BusinessMirror. He said policymakers should also consider the “jobs gap,” a broader measure covering

people without employment who want to work, including those who are not counted as unemployed because they are not actively looking for a job or are not immediately available to work. “What they do is that people who apply or are looking for jobs, that data is collected. But the people who are not looking for a job, that data is removed. And that is what we call jobs gap,” Hassan said. “Yes, many people are having jobs. But

what about underemployment? What about quality employment? These things have to be seen,” Hassan added. Hassan also told this newspaper that the Philippines must invest more in manufacturing and industrial development to generate additional jobs while strengthening education and training systems for employment opportunities expected to emerge from artificial intelligence and the transition to a greener economy.

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Safer and faster: Legazpi City digitizes pension distribution for senior citizens By Connie Calipay

EGAZPI CITY—Senior citizens in this city are now receiving their quarterly social pensions via digital payouts using GCash cards, after the city government rolled out the system to make the distribution of benefits faster, safer, and more convenient. The ceremonial turnover of GCash cards on Monday, August 3, marked the initial implementation of the digital payout program for beneficiaries of the city’s local government social pension. During the ceremony, Mayor Hisham Ismail said the initiative seeks to eliminate the long queues and travel burden previously experienced by senior citizens during manual payouts. “We introduced this system to make the process easier, faster, and more efficient for our senior citizens. They should no longer endure the hardships of lining up just to receive their benefits,” he said. Ismail said the city adopted the digital payment system after learning of an incident in another locality where an elderly social pension beneficiary reportedly died while waiting in line during a payout, highlighting the need to make the distribution process safer and more accessible for senior citizens. “That is why we implemented this system to prioritize the safety and convenience of our senior citizens,” he said. Ismail added the digital payout would also help beneficiaries save on transportation and incidental expenses, particularly those traveling from the city’s northern and southern villages.

SENIOR citizens of Legazpi City show their cash card during the turnover ceremony at the City Hall on August 3, 2026. Under the new system, the elderly may use their GCash cards to access their quarterly P1,500 pension or make cashless transactions at accredited merchants. PHOTO BY ELLA MARIZ MIÑA

Under the new system, beneficiaries may use their GCash cards to access their quarterly P1,500 pension, or make cashless transactions at accredited merchants. The card will also serve as their identification card for the program. Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) head Nelia Valladolid said Legazpi City has 3,522 local government social pensioners, with 52 beneficiaries comprising the initial batch issued GCash cards. “Once they receive their cards, they can conveniently access their pension or use the funds wherever GCash is accepted,” Valladolid said. Valladolid said around 20,000 GCash cards have been prepared for other qualified beneficiaries who choose to enroll in the digital payout system as the city expands the program. She added the initiative is expected to help senior citizens meet their daily needs, particularly for

medicines, food, and other necessities, while reducing transportation costs and the inconvenience of traveling to payout sites. Among the first recipients, 65-year-old Azucena Layosa of Barangay 16, East Washington, said the quarterly pension has helped her pay for rice, maintenance medicines, and electricity expenses. “Since I no longer have work, this assistance eases my financial burden. I am grateful that the city government has made claiming the pension more convenient,” she said. Hersie Estrella, 74, of Barangay 21, Binanuahan, said the digital payout is especially beneficial for bedridden senior citizens. “It is a huge help because bedridden pensioners can simply ask a trusted family member to use their GCash card to claim their assistance. They no longer need to travel to payout centers. The pension is mostly used for medicines, food, and other daily necessities,” she said. PNA

Editor: Angel R. Calso • Saturday, August 8, 2026 A5

Iloilo City debuts free maintenance medicines for elderly and PWDs

By Perla Lena

LOILO CITY—Senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Iloilo City will soon receive free maintenance medicines under the city government’s newly launched MediSen+ Program.

Mayor Raisa Treñas on Monday launched the program with an initial allocation of P20 million, saying it addresses one of the most pressing needs of the city’s vulnerable residents. “After reviewing the needs of our senior citizens and PWDs, we found that medicines topped the list. That is why we launched MediSen+,” Treñas said in an interview Tuesday. She said the program aims to ease the financial burden on senior citizens, many of whom no longer have a steady source of income. “With this program, I want our senior citizens to feel that they’re not alone. The city government is here for you and is working for you,” she said. The city government will conduct registration and medical checkup caravans in every barangay to determine each beneficiary’s maintenance

seek consultations at their barangay health stations or health centers, where prescriptions will be validated by the City Health Office. Once enrolled, beneficiaries may claim their monthly medicines at any of the city’s nine district health centers. Treñas said the initial P20 million allocation covers the program’s implementation this year, adding that the city plans to include funding for MediSen+ in future budgets to ensure its continuity.

MAYOR Raisa Treñas leads the launch of the MediSen+ Program at the Iloilo City Hall on August 3, 2026. The program will provide free maintenance medicines for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. PHOTO FROM RAISA TREÑAS FACEBOOK

medicine requirements. Medical teams will also visit bedridden senior citizens and PWDs to ensure they are enrolled. Residents may also register and

The program will initially cover maintenance medicines for hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes. Iloilo City has more than 40,000 registered senior citizens. PNA

Sleep after 60: Causes, expert insights, and natural solutions By Jona C. Redondo

LEEP is one of the pillars of health at every age, yet for many people over 60 it becomes frustratingly elusive. Trouble falling asleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, early morning rising, or non-restorative rest are extremely common. Contrary to popular belief, older adults still need roughly the same amount of sleep as younger adults—typically 7 to 8 or 9 hours per night. What changes is the body’s ability to generate continuous, deep, high-quality sleep. The good news is that many of these difficulties are not inevitable. Experts ranging from geriatricians and sleep researchers to clinical psychologists who specialize in sleep have identified clear biological shifts, medical contributors, and—most importantly—practical, non-drug strategies that can meaningfully improve rest.

How sleep changes after age 60

AS people reach their 60s, several physiological shifts occur. The circadian rhythm—the internal 24hour clock that governs sleep and wake—tends to advance. Melatonin, the hormone that signals nighttime to the brain, is released earlier in the evening and in smaller amounts. By age 60, many people have lost 70 to 80 percent of their deep non-rapid eye movement (NREM) slow-wave sleep, the most restorative stage. Sleep becomes lighter and more fragmented; awakenings increase and returning to sleep grows harder. Sleep expert and neuroscientist Matthew Walker has explained that the continuity of sleep decreases with age and that the electrical quality of deep sleep begins declining as early as the mid-to-late 30s, accelerating later. Older adults still need that deep sleep for memory consolidation, immune function, metabolic health, and clearing metabolic waste from the brain via the glymphatic system. The problem is not reduced need but reduced capacity to generate the sleep

the brain still requires. Geriatrician Dr. Melissa Bogin of Mayo Clinic, in the Aging Forward podcast episode “Why Sleep Gets Worse With Age (And What Actually Helps),” notes that older individuals spend less time in deep sleep and somewhat less in REM (dream) sleep. She emphasizes that while some change is expected, persistent poor sleep that leaves a person exhausted, foggy, or functionally impaired is not simply “normal aging” and warrants attention. Clinical psychologist and boardcertified sleep specialist Dr. Michael Breus (widely known as the Sleep Doctor) has repeatedly observed in his videos aimed at seniors that sleep architecture changes — reduced efficiency, more awakenings, and shifts in chronotype toward earlier bed and wake times — are common, yet many of the resulting problems respond well to targeted behavioral adjustments.

Primary causes of sleep problems after 60

CAUSES fall into several overlapping categories: Biological and circadian factors dominate. Reduced melatonin production and a weakened, advanced circadian rhythm make it harder to stay asleep through the night and easier to wake early. Less daytime physical activity and reduced exposure to natural light further blunt the body’s timekeeping signals. Medical conditions frequently contribute. Sleep apnea becomes more prevalent with age and is linked to snoring, daytime sleepiness, and cardiovascular strain. Restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements of sleep increase. Chronic pain from arthritis or other musculoskeletal issues interrupts sleep. Nocturia (nighttime urination) from prostate enlargement, overactive bladder, or heart failure forces awakenings. Gastrointestinal reflux, heart or lung disease, depression, anxiety, and neurodegenerative conditions

such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s all disrupt rest. Hormonal changes around and after menopause—hot flashes and night sweats—add another layer for many women. Medications and substances play a major role. Diuretics taken late in the day increase nighttime bathroom trips. Certain antidepressants, beta-blockers, steroids, and other drugs can interfere with sleep architecture or cause daytime drowsiness that leads to compensatory napping. Caffeine is metabolized more slowly after 65 — roughly 33 percent longer according to some observations — so afternoon coffee can linger. Alcohol may help someone fall asleep initially but fragments later sleep and worsens apnea and awakenings. Lifestyle and environmental factors compound the biology. Inconsistent schedules, excessive evening light from screens or indoor lighting (which suppresses melatonin), long daytime naps, sedentary habits, loneliness, and an unsupportive bedroom environment (too warm, too bright, too noisy) all erode sleep quality. Dr. Bogin and other geriatric experts stress the importance of distinguishing primary age-related changes from secondary problems caused by treatable conditions or modifiable habits. A thorough review of medical history, medications, and sleep patterns is often the essential first step.

Natural solutions recommended by experts

THE strongest evidence and expert consensus favor non-pharmacological approaches first. Prescription sleep medications carry higher risks of falls, cognitive impairment, dependence, and residual daytime effects in older adults, so they are generally reserved for short-term or carefully supervised use. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is repeatedly cited as the gold-standard first-line treatment. Dr. Bogin highlights it in

the Mayo Clinic discussion as highly effective. Components include stimulus control (using the bed only for sleep and intimacy; leaving the bed if unable to sleep after about 20 minutes), sleep restriction (temporarily limiting time in bed to consolidate sleep), cognitive restructuring of unhelpful thoughts about sleep, and relaxation training. Dr. Breus outlines multi-component plans in videos such as “6 ADVANCED Techniques to Sleep Through the Night (For Seniors)” that incorporate sleep hygiene, stimulus control, sleep restriction, arousal reduction, pain management, and CBT principles adapted for older adults. Online programs and trained therapists make CBT-I accessible. Strategic light exposure is one of the most powerful tools for resetting the aging circadian clock. Walker recommends morning daylight to anchor the rhythm strongly. For those who wake too early, he suggests limiting intense morning light (for example, wearing sunglasses during early outdoor exercise) and seeking afternoon sunlight without sunglasses to help delay melatonin release and push bedtime later. Consistent wake times every day of the week reinforce the clock more powerfully than bedtime consistency alone. Sleep hygiene and environment optimization form the foundation. Experts including those at UCHealth, Mayo Clinic, and Breus advise: n A cool (around 60–67°F or 15–19°C), dark, and quiet bedroom. Blackout solutions, eye masks, earplugs, or white-noise machines help. n A consistent schedule—same wake time daily. n Limiting screens and bright light for at least an hour before bed; dimming household lights in the evening. n Avoiding large meals, caffeine (ideally after early afternoon or earlier), nicotine, and alcohol close to bedtime. n Short naps only if needed

(under 30 minutes, not after midafternoon). n Light movement or gentle stretching in the evening (Breus has demonstrated simple in-bed exercises such as marching in place, shoulder and neck rolls, ankle circles, and toe flexes paired with deep breathing to ease stiffness and calm the nervous system). Physical activity and daytime habits improve sleep drive. Regular moderate exercise, preferably earlier in the day, enhances sleep quality. Morning outdoor activity combines movement with light exposure. Practices such as tai chi or gentle yoga can lower evening arousal and cortisol. Targeted nutritional and supplemental supports, used thoughtfully and preferably after discussion with a physician, appear in expert recommendations. Low-dose melatonin (often 0.5–1.5 mg, timed 30–90 minutes or sometimes earlier before desired bedtime) can help older adults whose natural production has declined; higher over-the-counter doses are frequently unnecessary and less ideal. Magnesium (forms such as glycinate or citrate in the 200–400 mg range) may support muscle relaxation and melatonin production. Tart cherry juice, studied for its natural melatonin content and effects on sleep efficiency, is frequently mentioned in popular expert videos and research summaries as a helpful evening option for some seniors. Herbal teas (chamomile, or combinations with passionflower or lemon balm) and warm milk are traditional and low-risk wind-down aids. Breus has also discussed certain mushrooms (reishi for cortisol, others for inflammation or mood) as adjuncts in some of his content. Relaxation and arousal reduction techniques close the gap. Progressive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing (for example the 4-7-8 pattern), mindfulness meditation, or Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) protocols help quiet racing thoughts. Creating a consistent wind-down routine—reading, light stretching,

a warm bath 60–90 minutes before bed (the subsequent cooling helps sleep onset)—signals the brain that sleep is approaching. Addressing underlying contributors remains essential: optimizing pain management, treating apnea if present, reviewing medications with a clinician or pharmacist, managing fluid intake timing to reduce nocturia, and treating depression or anxiety.

Putting it into practice and knowing when to seek help

IMPROVEMENT rarely happens overnight. Consistency over weeks matters more than perfection on any single night. Tracking sleep in a simple diary can reveal patterns and progress. Many people notice better sleep efficiency, fewer prolonged awakenings, and improved daytime energy and mood once light exposure, schedule regularity, and CBT-I elements are in place. Seek professional evaluation if sleep problems are severe, accompanied by loud snoring or gasping, excessive daytime sleepiness that affects safety (for example driving or falls), significant mood changes, or cognitive concerns. A sleep study may be warranted for suspected apnea or other disorders. Primary care physicians, geriatricians, and sleep specialists can coordinate care. Sleep after 60 does not have to be a source of chronic frustration. The same experts who document the biological challenges—Walker on the science of aging sleep, Bogin on clinical realities in older adults, and Breus on practical daily strategies— also demonstrate that intentional, natural interventions can restore more restorative rest. Treating sleep with the same seriousness given to diet and exercise pays dividends in brain health, physical resilience, emotional balance, and overall quality of life. Small, sustainable changes, guided by evidence-based principles from these voices, offer a realistic path toward better nights and more energized days.

Saturday, August 8, 2026 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

BusinessMirror

businessmirror.lifestyle@gmail.com • www.businessmirror.com.ph

Why OPPO’s next Reno could be the ultimate back-toschool companion

THE exhibit shows Cerelac’s 160-year history

Educational caravan aims to address malnutrition in children FROM left: Aleli Magtibay, Nestlé Philippines nutritionist for Medical and Scientific Affairs; Nikki Constantino, vice president for Baby Food and Mainstream Growing Up Milks; pediatrician Dr. Katrina FlorcruzDacanay of Diliman Doctors Hospital and Medical Center; and Dr. Imelda Agdeppa, former Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FRI) director and academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology, answer questions from members of the media during the launch of “Tambalang Big Sustansya sa Barangay.” PHOTOS FROM NESTLÉ PHILIPPINES

HE internet is a source of relevant information but it can also be a repository of fake news. For example, misinformation and disinformation about children’s nutrition are widespread on the internet. Misinformation is usually shared due to a lack of knowledge or in error, while disinformation is incorrect information shared to deliberately mislead for whatever purpose. To address any misinformation and disinformation and address persistent concerns over micronutrient deficiencies among Filipino children, Nestlé Philippines is bringing its nutrition advocacy to communities via a new educational caravan aimed at helping parents make informed feeding decisions for their babies. “Parents today have access to more information than ever before. They have Google, social media, and parenting forums. They’re very thoughtful about the decisions they make for their children. But let’s be honest, it can also be a lot to keep up with. That’s why we believe parents deserve trusted guidance and support along the way because helping children receive the right nutrition is something we all care about,” said Arlene Tan-Bantoto, Nestlé Nutrition and Health Business executive officer, during the media launch for the event. The caravan comes after findings that many Filipino infants fail to receive adequate nutrition during the critical first 1,000 days of life, which is from pregnancy until a child’s second birthday. This is when the brain, immune system and body experience rapid development. Also present during the launch were Nestlé executives and nutrition experts, including Dr. Imelda Agdeppa of the National Academy of Science

and Technology; Dr. Katrina Florcruz-Dacanay, pediatrician of the Diliman Doctors Hospital and The Medical City; Nikki Constantino, vice president for Nestlé Baby Food & Mainstream Milk; and Aleli Magtibay, nutritionist, Medical and Scientific Affairs for Nestlé. Agdeppa showed findings from a local clinical study involving infants aged six months and older. The study found that children who received fortified complementary food alongside nutrition education for caregivers achieved better nutrient intake and growth outcomes than those given regular home meals alone. “Many Filipino infants do not receive nutritinally adequate diets. While most babies begin complementary feeding at six months, only a small percentage achieve the minimum dietary diversity and acceptable diet. The challenge is no longer simply introducing complementary foods on time but ensuring they are diverse and nutrient-dense,” said Agdeppa. Florcruz-Dacanay said weight has nothing to do with a child being malnourished or not. “When we hear the term nutrition gap, we usually imagine a very thin child. But that’s not always the case. Even children who appear healthy or chubby can have deficiencies if their diets consist mostly of carbohydrates like rice, noodles, bread or crackers while lacking protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals.”

The pediatrician said introducing complementary food to babies at around six months old should include timely, age-appropriate, varied and nutrient-dense offerings. Constantino said Cerelac products are specifically formulated to help fill nutrient gaps during complementary feeding. Cerelac’s infant cereals come in a variety of flavors, including Mixed Fruits & Soya, Mixed Veggies, Rice & Soya, and Wheat Banana & Milk for babies aged 6 months and above. The meals for babies 8 months and up include Rice & Chicken and Rice & Veggies options. Cerelac also offers variants with No Added Table Sugar. “I can confidently say that Cerelac is one of the most nutrient-dense complementary foods that parents can give their babies. One serving already provides about half of a baby’s daily iron requirement, along with 20 vitamins and minerals, DHA, probiotics and all-natural ingredients without preservatives,” said Constantino. The “Tambalang Big Sustansya sa Barangay” caravan will bring nutrition education sessions, practical feeding guidance and product demonstrations to selected communities beginning this month. Families can stay updated on the caravan’s schedule, venues and activities through Cerelac Philippines’ official Facebook page and other social media channels.

A NEW school year means fresh starts, new friendships, and exciting opportunities waiting around every corner. But along with the thrill of campus life comes the reality of meeting your first college barkada, balancing lectures, group projects, deadlines and extracurricular activities, and an always-on campus social life. For today’s college students, a smartphone is more than just a way to stay in touch. It’s a study buddy, planner, collaboration hub, and creative companion all in one, helping them capture lecture notes, coordinate with classmates, manage busy schedules, and seamlessly switch between schoolwork and everyday moments. That’s what makes the upcoming OPPO Reno16 Series 5G the perfect smartphone for the new school year. Powered by the latest ColorOS 16 experience, the Reno16 Series is built to help students stay productive, organized, and connected so they can ace presentations, tackle assignments, or make the most of campus life from day one and beyond. From last-minute review sessions with your barkada to preparing for an important class presentation, AI Mind Space serves as a #StudyAssistant that helps keep your notes, materials, and important information organized in one place. With less time spent switching between apps or searching for files, students can stay focused on what matters most, which is learning, collaborating, and acing every school day. Campus life often means collaborating with classmates who use different devices and operating systems. Whether it’s sending presentation slides to an iPhone user before class, sharing lecture notes after a group study session, or transferring photos from a school event, file sharing should be quick and hassle-free. That’s where O+ Connect serves as the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G’s iOS Bridge. This is designed for students who use both an OPPO smartphone and an iPhone, or frequently collaborate with friends on iOS. The feature enables seamless file sharing with a simple tap, automatically detecting compatible devices without requiring users to manually open the app. With faster connections and a sharing experience that feels familiar to iPhone users, O+ Connect makes transferring photos, documents, and other files more effortless. By removing common barriers between platforms, students can spend less time troubleshooting file transfers and more time focusing on what matters most. Paired with its premium design and intelligent software experience, the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G is built to make productivity, creativity, and entertainment feel more seamless. Students looking to take their productivity even further can also pair the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G with the OPPO Pad 5, creating a smarter ecosystem for learning and everyday tasks. From reviewing lecture slides on a larger display and multitasking between study materials to taking notes during online classes, the OPPO Pad 5 complements the Reno16 Series 5G by extending the ColorOS 16 experience across devices. Together, they provide students with a more seamless way to study, collaborate, and stay productive wherever campus life takes them. The OPPO Reno16 Series 5G is arriving soon in the Philippines. For more details about the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G, visit www.oppo.com/ph/ or the brand’s social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

Project Athena could reshape AI-powered learning in Philippine schools BY RIZAL RAOUL REYES THE leading learning ecosystem and maker of Canvas LMS, Instructure recently introduced Project Athena, currently under development as part of Instructure Foundry, Instructure’s new venture dedicated to innovation. Project Athena is an artificial intelligence (AI) study coach that integrates with Canvas to help students study more effectively. Once launched, Athena will provide personalized support that coaches students toward skill mastery and understanding, utilizing feedback from students and educators grounded in learning science. Moreover, it is being designed to use course materials, assignments and information about upcoming assessments, available through the student’s account, to generate personalized quizzes, study

guides and coaching prompts aligned with course learning objectives. If Instructure’s Project Athena is adopted by Philippine schools and universities using the Canvas learning management system, the company said it could become one of the country’s most significant AI-powered learning tools. Unlike generic AI chatbots, it said Athena is designed to work directly within Canvas, using course materials, assignments, and assessments to create personalized quizzes, study guides, and coaching prompts. It is intended to coach students toward mastery rather than simply providing answers. As institutions work to improve engagement, many struggle to provide personalized study support at scale. Educators and students increasingly turn to AI tutoring to address this need. Yet most AI tutoring tools have a critical

gap: they generate explanations without the context of what students are actually learning and require students to find, organize and upload course materials themselves. Project Athena is intended to address that context gap by connecting study support to the Canvas content students are expected to learn. Research from the Fordham Institute shows that instructionally aligned tutoring, when connected to what students are actually learning in their courses, produces measurable improvements in student outcomes. Athena will apply this learning science principle by connecting AIpowered study support to course context available through each student’s Canvas account. Athena’s quiz, study guide and coaching prompts are designed to align with the specific material students are expected to master.

“Project Athena represents what we believe responsible AI in education should look like: grounded in learning science, connected to the learning environment and built to support understanding through skill mastery,” said Shiren Vijiasingam, chief product officer at Instructure. “It will use the Canvas course context available to each student to focus personalized study support on what they are learning. Project Athena will coach toward mastery, not answers, and is being designed around student data privacy and responsible use.” Steve Daly, chief executive officer at Instructure, said the company spent more than a year developing Athena alongside their customers and will continue testing and refining it. By connecting directly to the courses students are taking, he said Athena will provide study support that reflects the material they are expected to understand.

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BusinessMirror

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • Saturday, August 8, 2026

Think big. Carry small. TechLife Pad Mini hits the sweet spot DECODING DATING FLAGS: HOW TO SPOT ONLINE DATING PROFILES THAT ARE WORTH A MATCH

THANKS to online dating platforms, we don’t have to rely entirely on our friends and expanded social network or fate to find a potential match today. Online dating has empowered us to break down the common barriers and connect with people from different circles, cities—and even countries. Certain apps have features that allow you to change your location or select a specific city around the globe to find authentic connections with locals or even fellow explorers. Viber Dating, the online dating platform of messaging app Viber, now offers Traveler Mode which allows foreign tourists and travelers to access the platform while in the Philippines. For local users, this means getting an opportunity to meet new people from different cultures. Yet, getting this level of access to a wave of profiles, personality types, and backgrounds also makes online dating feel overwhelming. Here’s the thing: the secret to ensuring a positive online dating experience is learning how to spot flags early and filter genuine profiles based on bios and conversations alone. Viber Dating shares how green flags stand out in this vast sea of online avatars and how they signal safety, emotional maturity, and authenticity despite the lack of physical cues. < THE OPEN BOOK. This might sound like a given in online dating, but a profile that is complete with the verification badge and shows a variety of photos may turn out to be something worth a match. Look further, as a true green flag’s gallery should include recent, filter-free, and crisp photos that clearly show their face and glimpses of their actual life, like a photo of them at work or enjoying a hobby. ■ THE CURIOUS. Once you match, check how they respond to you. Do they engage with you and ask you openended questions? A green flag understands that joining a dating platform requires them to initiate conversations and interactions—the effort should be two-way. ■ THE CONSIDERATE. Having a curious match is well and good, but replying to their messages pronto may not be possible every single time. You have a life outside online dating! A great match will consider your availability and respect your boundaries. Their consideration goes beyond this too. They will never force you to give personal information like your phone number or social media account. While online dating platforms, such as Viber Dating—a platform designed with a hybrid system of AI and human moderation—allow meaningful connections, it is still important to know how to spot the inevitable red flags. Viber Dating provides ways to spot and manage these possible red flags you’ll meet in your search for The One. ■ THE FRAUDSTER. No profile photos? No bio? No match. A lack of photos, and even using stock, heavily filtered, or someone else’s photos often suggest the person is hiding their true identity. In the world of online dating, this can be a warning sign of a love scam. Be wary if they go overboard with the pet names and profess love within days and bring up tragic stories like sick relatives or emergencies that may guilttrip you into sending them money as well as too-good-to-betrue investment opportunities that require you to download new apps or wire transfers. These are the usual tactics of love scammers whose goal is usually financial extortion and investment fraud. Apart from disengaging, these profiles should be reported so no other individuals fall for these fraudsters, especially when they start asking for money and personal and financial information or keep lying about their true identity. ■ THE NEGA STAR. Profiles that show hostile or negative language usually contain a list of specific demands and ultimatums, instead of preferences. They tend to use a threatening tone (“match my energy or be left on read”) or focus on indicators of wealth (“should own a car”). Their bios often include lines that sound bitter and cynical (“no to those who can’t handle me”) or they may contain expletives, which indicate potential toxic behavior and lack of control over their emotions. ■ THE BARELY BARE MINIMUM. Unlike the Nega Star, the profile of this user doesn’t say much about them as a person. They only contain a few vague photos and their bios may only include a “just ask” prompt. Not putting their best self forward already speaks volumes—maybe online dating is just a hobby and they’re not really interested in a serious relationship. Matching with this person will likely bring you conversations that rarely go beyond “wyd?”. Just say bye to Mr. Bare Minimum. No matter where you look for love, learning to identify the various flags is key for every modern dater. With features like Viber Dating’s Traveler Mode that lets you connect with new people, having a sharp eye for healthy green flags and a strong radar for toxic red flags can make the search for genuine connections and that one true love in these modern times more fun and even meaningful.

USED to sleep like a baby. The moment my back hit the bed, I’d be off to dreamland in less than five minutes. That changed when I started living alone. Some nights, falling asleep became surprisingly difficult. I’d stare at the ceiling replaying conversations with Lou, thinking about deadlines, or mentally writing tomorrow’s to-do list before tomorrow had even arrived. I tried watching television to clear my mind, but that only kept me awake longer. Even the aquarium channel eventually lost its magic. So I went back to an old habit: reading. I switched from novels to classic comic books, but instead of stacking graphic novels beside the bed, I loaded them onto my 11-inch tablet. It worked beautifully—hundreds of comics in one slim device. Until one night. Somewhere between Absolute Batman and one o’clock in the morning, I fell asleep. A split second later, something heavy landed squarely on my face. Half asleep and completely disoriented, I honestly thought someone had slapped me. Turns out it was just my tablet reminding me that gravity always wins. After checking if my nose was still pointing in the right direction, I officially retired my 11-inch tablet from bedtime reading. Falling asleep while reading was still a good idea. Waking up with a tablet-shaped imprint on my face wasn’t. A few weeks later, TechLife sent over its new Pad Mini. The first thing I noticed wasn’t the processor, the cameras, or even the battery. It was the size. For the first time in years, I was holding a tablet that felt closer to a paperback book than a traditional slate. The 8-inch display was just large enough to enjoy reading without constantly zooming in, yet compact enough to hold comfortably with one hand. Even with the TechLife Pad Handle Case attached, it slipped easily into my sling bag without forcing me to rearrange everything else I was carrying. It reminded me of something we don’t talk about enough in tech reviews. We spend a lot of time comparing processors, refresh rates, and benchmark scores, but very little time asking a much simpler question: “Will I actually bring this with me?” That’s where mini tablets start making sense again. Looking at the specs alone, I wasn’t convinced an 8-inch tablet still had a place in 2026. Smartphones have grown so large that some are only an inch or two smaller. Foldable phones are trying to blur that line even further, although their premium price still puts them out of reach for many. You could say the TechLife Pad Mini is about the size of a foldable but won’t make your savings fold. So comparing it with a smartphone or a laptop is a mistake

Because after living with it for a while, I realized I wasn’t reaching for it instead of those devices. I was reaching for it when neither one felt right. There were plenty of moments when my phone felt too small but bringing my laptop would’ve been overkill. Reviewing a presentation while waiting for a meeting, looking over spreadsheets without endless pinching, reading long PDFs, or watching WWE reels while waiting for a Grab ride— those are the situations where a compact tablet quietly earns its place. Another unexpected benefit was preserving my phone’s battery. Our phones have become our cameras, wallets, boarding passes, banking devices, and emergency lifelines. I’d much rather let a tablet handle two hours of streaming or reading than arrive somewhere with my phone sitting at 18 percent. The TechLife Pad Mini never pretends to be a flagship tablet, and I actually appreciate that honesty. Powered by the MediaTek Helio G80 processor, paired with 4GB of physical RAM and up to 4GB of Dynamic RAM Expansion, it’s designed for everyday light tasks rather than demanding workloads. The virtual memory won’t turn it into a high-end workhorse, but Chrome with several tabs open, Gmail, Messenger, Google Docs, YouTube, social media, and casual games all ran comfortably during my testing. The 8-inch HD IPS display follows the same pragmatic philosophy. Sharpness-wise, there are certainly higher-resolution displays available today, but the lower resolution is far less noticeable on a compact screen of this size. It’s HD Streaming Ready for Netflix and YouTube, and since bedtime reading started this whole journey, I was glad to see both Reading Mode and Eye Comfort Mode included to reduce glare in dim lighting. Beyond reading and entertainment, the TechLife Pad Mini covers everyday utility well. The 8MP rear camera works fine for scanning documents or whiteboard notes, while the 5MP front camera handles casual video calls. Running Android 16 with Google Gemini built-in, it doubles as a light productivity tool for quick text summaries or brainstorming ideas without bogging down the system. If you hand it off to younger family members, the included Interactive Kids Space provides a safe environment with parental controls. I also appreciated the flexibility. While the TechLife Pad Mini only comes with 64GB of built-in storage, it supports microSD cards up to 1TB, giving me plenty of room for my comic book collection, downloaded movies, presentations, and travel

documents. And if I need to transfer large files, I simply remove the card and plug it into my computer. The built-in LTE connectivity is another feature I ended up using more than expected. Instead of looking for public Wi-Fi or turning my phone into a hotspot, I just inserted a SIM card and stayed connected wherever I was. The 6,300mAh battery comfortably powered through a full day of mixed use. While the 10W USB-C charging isn’t particularly fast, it suits the tablet’s casual role, and the 5W reverse charging came in handy for topping up wireless earbuds in a pinch. Another favorite? It still has a headphone jack! At its suggested retail price of ₱9,999—and promo pricing dropping as low as ₱7,699 on TikTok Shop, ₱8,399 on Shopee, and ₱8,999 on Lazada until August 20 (including a free Pad Handle Case worth ₱999)— the value proposition becomes much stronger. Yes, there are alternatives with faster processors or higher-res screens, but they aren’t always the devices you’ll actually carry. I originally picked up the TechLife Pad Mini simply to avoid another late-night face-to-screen collision with a heavy display. I kept using it because it solved a much broader problem—filling the functional gap between a pocket-sized phone and a heavy laptop. The best gadget isn’t always the fastest or the most expensive; more often than not, it’s simply the one practical enough that you actually bring it with you.

Meta now alerts parents of teens showing distressed conversation BY PATRICK VILLANUEVA IN an attempt to help parents guide their children away from self-harm, Meta AI rolled out on Instagram a supervision tool for parents to help them become aware of distressing and sensitive conversations made by their children regarding suicide or self-harm. Announced on Meta newsroom, a new and dedicated AI system, with the help of parents and experts, was developed to identify disturbing conversations that would warrant an alert to parents. In this new AI system, if the children talked about having thoughts

of self-harm or suicide, they would be directed to crisis helplines and would be encouraged to talk to a trusted adult. Moreover, it will send an alert to parents to inform them about these conversations so they can provide guidance to the child. Meta, meanwhile, emphasized that chats flagged by the AI will be manually reviewed before the AI sends an alert. Additionally, these alerts will come with a shared resource from experts so parents would also have a guide on how to handle this problem tactfully. “While I believe that teens have a right to privacy, I also believe parents need to be informed if their teen may

be at risk of hurting themselves. That’s why I advocated for this approach and support Meta’s decision to notify parents when, after careful review, it determines that a conversation with Meta AI contains indications of possible suicide or self-harm that warrant an alert,” said Larry Magid, CEO and co-founder of ConnectSafely. “I appreciate how Meta struck the right balance; protecting teen privacy while ensuring parents have the information they need to support their teen,” he added. Experts assisted Meta by reviewing conversational prompts that Meta AI will flag. “I was struck by the rigor of Meta’s

clinical review process. It examined not only immediate responses to suicide and self-harm concerns, but also the broader conversational context, appropriate follow-up, and the varying levels of risk that can exist even within high-risk situations. This kind of expert-informed, scenariobased refinement is essential to making AI experiences safer for teens,” said USA-licensed psychologist Dr. Ji-yeon Lee. This initiative is currently live for parents who use Instagram Parental Supervision in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, with the global rollout planned by the end of the year.

Education BusinessMirror

A8 Saturday, August 8, 2026

Editor: Mike Policarpio

English readiness—not just test scores —lead to global pathways for Filipinos

Story & photo by Mike Policarpio

DUCATORS, employers and industry leaders are urging the Philippines to shift the conversation on English from test scores to “readiness”—the ability to communicate confidently and effectively in real-world situations. That was the central message of the British Council Philippines’ (BCP) “Next Chapter: Making English Work for Every Filipino” forum, which gathered representatives from the education sector, employers and accreditation bodies and discussed ways Filipinos can be better prepared for overseas employment, international education and careers in various industries, and as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes workplaces and global competition for talent intensifies. While English proficiency tests remain valuable measures of language ability, speakers said scores alone do not capture the communication skills, confidence and adaptability increasingly demanded by employers. “English is not just a skill; it is a bridge,” BCP’s Country Director Lotus Postrado said. She pointed out that the language creates pathways when people are ready to use it in classrooms, workplaces and global settings: “Readiness matters.”

Beyond test scores

BCP’s Head of Exams Mike Cabigon echoed the point, as he said that English readiness should be measured not only by assessment results but also by how confidently people communicate in everyday situations. “It shows up in the workplace, the classroom and every border Filipinos try to cross,” Cabigon said, noting that English assessment, learning and partnerships have long helped Filipinos translate language skills into opportunities abroad. The discussion comes as AI continues to automate routine tasks across sectors. However, panelists agreed that technology cannot replace human communication, particularly in professions that rely on empathy, collaboration and sound judgment. Visa Solutions Healthcare’s director of International Healthcare Frederick Sampang said AI can analyze patient records and summarize information, but it cannot replicate the compassion and empathy required in healthcare.

communicate the skills they expect from graduates. Learning institutions must design curricula and assessments that emphasize practical communication rather than examination performance alone, while policymakers should establish standards that align classroom learning with workplace demands.

Preparing for opportunities BRITISH COUNCIL PHILIPPINES’ Country Director Lotus Postrado (from left) and Senior Marketing Manager Danica Tuliao, IELTS Local Prize winner Atty. Yla Paras, Visa Solutions Healthcare Director Frederick Sampang, PACUCOA Commissioner Dr. Ferdinand Somido and BCP Head of Exams Mike Cabigon

Urban-rural divide

THE forum also highlighted the need to strengthen English education across the country. During the panel discussion, Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA) Commissioner Dr. Ferdinand Somido shared findings from a study of 69 private higher education institutions. It showed that students from colleges and universities in urban areas generally demonstrated stronger English proficiency than their rural counterparts. The findings underscore the need to provide greater support to schools outside major urban centers to ensure graduates possess comparable communication skills regardless of location. Dr. Somido also noted that while many students enter college with intermediate English proficiency, gains by graduation remain limited, raising concerns about graduates' competitiveness in an increasingly global labor market.

He said higher education institutions are shifting attention from measuring English through written examinations alone toward strengthening graduates’ ability to communicate effectively in reallife situations.

Raising standards

BEGINNING in the 2026 accreditation cycle, PACUCOA will also recognize the British Council's Aptis English test as valid proof of English proficiency under updated accreditation standards. The framework requires students to demonstrate at least a B1, or intermediate, level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or CEFR, while faculty members are expected to attain the more advanced C1 level. Participants agreed that improving English readiness will require coordinated action among schools, employers and government agencies. Employers, they said, should clearly

IELTS Local Prize winner Atty. Yla Paras said her English assessment helped her secure admission to the London School of Economics, enabling her to transition from law into international public policy and climate governance. Speakers also emphasized that such stories demonstrate the broader purpose of English learning—not simply passing an examination, but equipping Filipinos with the confidence and communication skills needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world. “Behind every test score is a person with ambition,” BCP Country Director Lotus Postrado said. She emphasized that every assessment is a person hoping to pursue higher education, build a career, support a family or create a better future. For the council, that means helping learners move beyond test preparation toward genuine readiness for the next stage of their education and careers. As global industries become more interconnected and AI transforms the nature of work, the consensus from the event was that English proficiency remains important, but the greater challenge is ensuring Filipinos can translate language skills into meaningful opportunities at home and abroad.

Filipino workers remain as top choice PHINMA & PBEd push student success beyond college access abroad despite tougher English norms By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

By John Eiron R. Francisco

ESPITE tougher English-language requirements imposed by overseas employers, Filipino workers continue to enjoy strong demand abroad, with industry experts citing their work ethic and communication skills as key advantages. British Council Philippines (BCP) Senior Marketing Manager Danica Tuliao told the BusinessMirror that global competition for foreign talent has intensified, prompting employers to raise English-language standards to secure the best candidates. Some recruitment firms, she said, have begun exploring alternative English-speaking talent pools, including South Africa, should the Philippines be unable to meet hiring demand. Even so, many employers continue to prioritize Filipino workers, according to BCP’s Head of Market, English and Exams Mike Cabigon: “Our partners still come to us because Filipinos are different in terms of how they work. They ask how we can help applicants meet the English-language requirements because they would rather recruit from the Philippines than from other countries.” While employers have become more stringent about English proficiency, Cabigon said the communication skills they expect have remained largely the same, although the required level still varies by occupation and destination country. Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, face some of the strictest language requirements in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, where effective communication is critical to patient safety and coordination with doctors and other healthcare personnel.

Meeting global standards SKILLED workers generally face lower language thresholds, with conversational English often sufficient to help them navigate daily life and communicate effectively in their host countries. Cabigon said English tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are not intended solely to assess

workplace communication. Instead, they help ensure migrant workers can understand employment contracts, seek clarification from supervisors, access healthcare services, report incidents to authorities when necessary, and ask for help in emergencies. “People may ask why welders, dairy farmers or butchers need to take an IELTS test when they don’t usually speak to machines or livestock,” Cabigon said. “It’s really about protecting them. They need enough English to understand their rights, communicate with their managers, access services, and seek assistance when needed.” Some 25,000 Filipinos take the test yearly to meet English-language requirements for overseas employment, migration, higher education and professional registration. In recent years, a significant share of these test takers has come from the healthcare and skilled sectors seeking opportunities abroad, according to Tuliao, who noted that the UK has also seen increasing numbers of Filipino workers. However, changing visa policies and evolving English-language requirements in traditional destination countries have begun reshaping where Filipinos choose to work and study overseas. While the UK, the US, Canada and Australia remain among the top destinations, Tuliao said more Filipinos are now exploring opportunities across Asia, particularly Singapore, Japan, South Korea, China and Hong Kong, especially for higher education. She added that interest has also expanded to Europe and the Middle East. Although some destination countries do not require Englishlanguage tests for immigration, applicants to English-taught academic programs are often still required to submit IELTS results. According to Tuliao, the shift reflects changing mobility patterns among Filipinos, with a growing number exploring a wider range of destinations for work and education beyond the traditional English-speaking countries.

Expanding opportunities DATA from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the number of overseas Filipino

workers (OFWs) reached an estimated 2.19 million in 2024—up 1.5 percent from 2.16 million the previous year. Overseas contract workers (OCWs), or those with existing employment contracts, accounted for 97.9 percent of OFWs. The remaining 2.1 percent consisted of those working abroad through other arrangements, including workers without work visas or permits and those using non-immigrant visas such as tourists, visitors, students and medical personnel. Asia remained the top destination for OFWs in 2024, accounting for 74.5 percent of the total, followed by Europe at 10.6 percent, North and South America at 9.2 percent, Australia at 4.4 percent, and Africa at 1.3 percent. Saudi Arabia remained the leading destination for Filipino laborers, accounting for 21.9 percent of the total OFW population, followed by the United Arab Emirates at 12.4 percent. Cabigon said demand for Filipino workers has also expanded across new sectors and destinations. He cited opportunities in Australia and New Zealand for educators and school workers, while countries such as Hungary and Slovakia have begun recruiting Filipino talent for trades including welding and butchery. Meanwhile, BCP also introduced new English assessment tools during its annual Exams Partner Gathering in Bonifacio Global City to support English teaching, learning and assessment beyond IELTS. Among the tools introduced were Aptis—a computer-delivered assessment aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or CEFR, and EnglishCore, a mobile-based test that evaluates listening and writing skills. Both are designed to help schools, government agencies and employers assess English proficiency using internationally recognized standards. The initiatives complement the BCP’s broader partnerships with educational institutions and government agencies to boost English readiness among Filipino learners and workers as demand for globally competitive talent continues to grow.

EARLY three in every 10 Filipino students who start college fail to complete their degree, limiting one of the country’s key pathways for social and economic mobility, according to PHINMA Education. Furthermore, the institution noted that barriers to college completion often begin much earlier, including poor childhood nutrition, literacy gaps, financial hardship, and academic challenges that accumulate over time. Drawing feedback from its 2023 student cohort, PHINMA Education said financial constraints remain among the leading reasons students leave school, with many reporting that tuition has become unaffordable. Academic difficulties also emerged as a major factor, highlighting the dual challenge faced by financially disadvantaged students who often enter college with weaker academic foundations while struggling to meet the costs of higher education. In a briefing, PHINMA Education said it is helping reduce financial barriers by offering scholarship programs such as the Hawak Kamay Scholarship, which lowers tuition fees in certain programs to as little as P5,500 per semester without requiring entrance examinations or maintaining grade requirements. The institution said it also recognizes that students leave college for reasons beyond finances, including competing life priorities and challenges related to confidence and belonging, prompting it to adopt a more comprehensive student support approach.

High success rates

PHINMA Education reported that this strategy has translated into strong academic outcomes. It posted a 92-percent first-time overall board examination passing rate in the Philippines, with several programs recording 100-percent passing rates. In Indonesia, first-time board examination pass rates reached 99 percent, including perfect passing rates in Nursing and Midwifery. The network also said 77 percent of

its graduates in the Philippines and 84 percent in Indonesia secure employment within a year after graduation, demonstrating the impact of sustained support on improving social mobility and professional outcomes. As part of its efforts to expand access and completion, PHINMA Education has forged partnerships with both the public and private sectors. Among these is the NAPOLCOM-PHINMA Education Kaagapay Partnership. It reserves scholarships across 12 PHINMA schools for qualified dependents of National Police Commission and Philippine National Police personnel who are incoming college students. The institution is also collaborating with industry partners to strengthen employability. Through its partnership with Reed Elsevier Philippines and PHINMA University of Iloilo, students are given internship opportunities aligned with their academic programs, with some interns eventually securing full-time employment and advancing within the company.

Access plus support

CHAIRPERSON Ramon R. del Rosario Jr. of PHINMA Education said access to higher education alone is not enough and that students need continuous support from enrollment through graduation and eventually employment. President and CEO Chito B. Salazar of Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) added that the institution remains committed to ensuring social mobility for underserved students becomes the norm rather than the exception: “Factors that prevent students from completing college are the same barriers that prevent them from accessing higher education in the first place.” Salazar and PBEd believe that “every student, regardless of [his or her] background, has the potential to succeed. That’s the philosophy we operate by.” “We’re grateful for the progress we’ve made, but we’re not there yet—if 99 students succeed and one doesn’t, we continue to suffer for the one we lost,” he said. “We continue to push ourselves because our goal is for social mobility among the underserved to become the norm.”

Tourism&Entertainment BusinessMirror

Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan

Saturday, August 8, 2026 A9

REDISCOVERING QUIAPO MUSLIM TOWN Learning everyday customs and traditional culture Story & photos by Kelly Austria

ACK when I was working in Manila’s San Miguel district, I would often pass by Quiapo Muslim Town but never stopped to explore it. Like many people, I had allowed stereotypes and stories to shape my perception of the community. One experience was enough to change that. Just before the pandemic, I joined a cultural immersion in the neighborhood, and it left such an impression that I found myself returning to Quiapo Muslim Town several times with friends, mostly to enjoy the food again. So when I was invited back, this time by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) as part of its LakBayanihan Manila Series, I happily accepted. After all, who turns down the chance to eat their way through Quiapo? The program showcases experiences that tour operators can eventually offer their clients while promoting Muslimfriendly tourism. We began at Quezon Boulevard, the dividing line between two of Quiapo’s most recognizable communities. On one side of Quezon Boulevard stands the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of rene and the site of the Traslación, one of the largest Catholic religious gatherings in the world. Around the church, a bustling mix of eateries, religious shops, herbal medicine stores, amulet vendors, market stalls, and street vendors has long welcomed pilgrims and shoppers. On the other side of Quezon Boulevard, a short walk leads to the Golden Mosque and Cultural Center, the largest mosque in Metro Manila. Surrounding it is a vibrant

MANDATORY photo at one of the murals outside Golden Mosque

INSIDE the Golden Mosque

PADIAN at Quiapo Muslim Town

community of halal eateries, spice shops, textile stores, and businesses selling traditional Islamic clothing and goods. From Quezon Boulevard, we walked to Elizondo Street, to go to Wakilah, one of the best-known halal restaurants in Quiapo Muslim Town. Over breakfast of roti banana, roti cheese, roti telur served with curry dip, Wakilah’s signature Giant Roti Tissue Tower, and hot teh tarik, organizers talked about the community’s history, culture, and traditions. It was led by researcher and broadcast journalist Nords Maguindanao together with Ann Marie Cunanan, founder of Meaningful Travels PH. It was nice seeing them again, as they were also my guides during my first visit before the pandemic. We also met Imam Mohammad Alawi, who shared insights into the local Muslim community and Islamic practices. Before leaving Wakilah, we watched one of the restaurant’s biggest attractions. Chef Gey stretched, spun, and flipped paper-thin dough with graceful, dance-

THE Golden Mosque

SAKURAB, a native wild leek

like movements. It’s easy to see why his performance has become a favorite on social media. Our next stop offered a glimpse into Muslim culture through traditional clothing and everyday customs. They showed us items commonly used by Muslim women, including oil-based perfumes, henna, miswak, a natural toothbrush, and bakhoor, a fragrant incense used to perfume clothing and homes. The highlight, however, was getting to wear a hijab. I chose a blue one to add a splash of color to my black skirt and the brown shirt provided by the Department of Tourism NCR. We also learned about the importance of modest clothing and proper etiquette when entering places of worship. Then we made our way to the Golden Mosque, officially known as Masjid AlDahab, built in 1976. It is a symbol of the country’s Muslim heritage. Although time has left its mark, its soaring golden dome still commands attention and makes it easy to imagine the landmark in its former glory.

Inside the mosque, Nords explained the Five Pillars of Islam, helping us better understand the beliefs and practices followed by Muslims around the world. We were supposed to visit a nearby madrasa, or Islamic school, but the children came to meet us instead. PHILTOA had prepared small gifts for them, and what followed was one of the most heartwarming moments of the day, filled with smiles and laughter. Our walk continued to the neighborhood padian, the traditional community market. Here, Nords showed us the sakurab, a native wild leek that gives the famous Maranao condiment palapa its distinctive flavor. We also sampled dodol, a rich, sticky delicacy made from glutinous rice and coconut milk. Then came the part I had been looking forward to the most—lunch. We headed to Arab Asian Little Resto, where we were treated to a sample of a traditional Pagana Maranao, the highest expression of Maranao hospitality. The feast featured a generous spread of Ma-

PAGANA Maranao

ranao and Tausug dishes. Joining us was former Department of Tourism Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, one of the key figures behind the country’s Muslim-friendly tourism program. Before lunch, she spoke about the importance of Muslim-friendly tourism and the country’s efforts to become a more welcoming destination for Muslim travelers. Her leadership helped the Philippines rank among the Top 5 Muslim-Friendly Destinations among non-OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) countries in the Global Muslim Travel Index. Lunch reminded me why I kept coming back to Quiapo Muslim Town after my first visit in 2020. The food was as memorable as I remembered and the warmth of the community and the stories behind every dish made the experience even more meaningful. And after a morning of walking around the neighborhood, enjoying the feast in the comfort of an air-conditioned restaurant certainly didn’t hurt.

Seekyusi Byaheng Pelikula LAS Casas QC

FPJ movie posters

QUEZON heritage house

Story & photos by George Ordoña

N a busy neighborhood in Sandakan, Borneo, I saw a group of men huddled outside a restaurant. Curious but cautious in an alien land, I walked slowly and saw no altercation but a group of men watching a movie on a small television inside a restaurant. It wasn’t just another movie but an FPJ movie! I would presume they were Filipinos, probably Muslims from Southern Mindanao, trying their luck in a foreign land. A few days before, I was in Zamboanga City, gingerly walking in a village with houses on stilts which, surprisingly, had electricity. When I peered into one of the houses, I saw people watching a movie, maybe a VHS tape. You guessed it right. It was an FPJ movie. The fascination for Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) movies is well entrenched in this part of the country. In 1971, when FPJ died at the end of the movie, Asedillo, the movie goers at a Zamboanga cinema went berserk, destroying cinema seats and equipment. After his death in 2004, his legacy continued with the adaptation of the movie, Ang Probinsiyano into a long-running television series.

FPJ Studios

CBM film services

CBM film services equipment

AT FPJ Studios along Del Monte Avenue, this former recording studio is now responsible for the digital restoration of FPJ movies, going through the process of scanning, cleaning, and color resoration. Inside the studio are rooms with movie posters and a Legacy Room which stores his awards including a National Artist for Film declaration. I particularly like a room with all the

movie props especially the sword he used in Ang Panday. The FPJ Studios was our first stop in “SeeKyusi Byaheng Pelikula” in line with the celebration of National Heritage Month and to commemorate Quezon City’s designation as UNESCO’s Creative City of Film. Quezon City used to be home of LVN and Sampaguita Studios, major networks, and production companies. This endeavor is a project of the Quezon City local government through Quezon City Screen Commission and the QCinema International Film Festival in partnership with Film Academy of the Philippines

FPJ Studios

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (Quezon City)

Quezon Heritage House

OUR second destination was Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in FPJ Avenue (former Roosevelt Ave.) in Quezon City, located beside the residence of Da King himself. This is a smaller version of Las Casas in Bagac, Bataan which has been used as location by many historical films such as Heneral Luna and Goyo : Ang Batang Heneral. Las Casas Q.C. has a restaurant, seminar rooms, chapel, and several transplanted heritage houses.

CMB Film Services

AFTER a hearty lunch, we proceeded to CMB Film Services. It is basically a technical services provider which rents cameras, lighting equipment, grip and rigging support and crew support for camera and lighting. It is one of the major equipment suppliers in the Philippines, servicing almost 80% of the network, movie outfits, and advertising companies. Tour participants were allowed to use the camera and watched how the other equipment like the technocrane were operated. They also have an operation in Myanmar.

OUR last stop was the Quezon Heritage House in Quezon Circle. This is a historic house museum dedicated to Manuel L. Quezon, the first President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. It recreates the family home from the original in New Manila. Around 60% of the structures and furnishings are from the Quezon family home. This is one of several museums inside Quezon Circle. This tour made me aware of the behind-the-scenes in a production. Let’s support Philippine Cinema and patronize QCinema International Film Festival scheduled from November 13 to 22. George “Jing” Ordoña is a travel writer, tour organizer and DOT-accredited tour guide who’s passionate about sharing Manila’s rich history and culture. He’s the operator of ManiLakad, a one-man company that conducts walking tours of historic neighborhoods in Metro Manila, including Intramuros, Binondo, and Quiapo. He can be reached on Viber 09606975930 or FB messenger, Jing Ordoña.

TheWorld

A10 Saturday, August 8, 2026

www.businessmirror.com.ph

China’s exports slow slightly in July despite robust demand for high-tech products

ANGKOK—China’s exports slowed slightly in July from the month before despite robust demand for high-tech electronics and vehicles.

Customs data released Friday showed China’s trade surplus narrowed to $112.5 billion from $125.6 billion in June. Exports rose nearly 24% in July from a year earlier, compared with a 27% increase in June. Imports climbed 27.5% year-on-year, but that was lower than June’s jump of 36%. Disruptions to port operations due to typhoons helped to slow trade, analysts said. “ The boom in Chinese trade slowed a touch in July but the big picture is that export and import values remain elevated,

helped by soar ing globa l demand for electronics and green tech products,” Julian EvansPritchard of Capital Economics said in a report. The Iran war interfered with shipments of aluminum from the Middle East, leading to an increase in Chinese exports of the metal, he noted. Trade data show China has fully transitioned from providing mostly low cost manufacturing to supplying vital machinery and components for advanced manufacturing. Exports of high-tech items

US likely added nearly 100,000 jobs in July, but market is still tough for young and unemployed A VENDOR puts price tag on the ear rings for sale at her store in Beijing, China on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. AP/ANDY WONG

surged nearly 41% in Januar yJuly from the same period the year before, while shipments of vehicles jumped 55% and overall exports of electronics and machiner y rose 26%. China’s exports to the U.S. climbed just 2.6% year-on-year

in the first seven months of this year, while imports from the U.S. grew 1.4%. Exports to the European Union were up nearly 17%, while exports to Southeast Asia, which as a bloc is now China’s biggest trading partner, surged 25%. AP

Asian shares are mixed after US stocks fall back while oil rebounds

ANGKOK—Shares were mixed in Asia on Friday after a modest retreat on Wall Street, while oil prices gained more than 1%. Selling of computer chipmakers and other stocks linked to the boom in artificial intelligence appeared to taper off a bit as Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 lost 0.3% to 65,500.10. The Kospi in South Korea dropped 0.8% to 6,242.88 and Taiwan’s Taiex fell 0.4%. The Shanghai Composite index gained 0.8% to 3,931.54 after China reported its exports grew at a slightly slower but still robust pace of about 24% in July on strong demand for electronics and other high-tech products. China›s huge trade surplus narrowed last month and imports also slowed.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged 0.2% higher, to 25,582.34. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 slipped less than 0.1%, to 9,265.20. On Thursday, stocks declined on Wall Street as oil prices rose and more company earnings reports rolled in. The S&P 500 fell 0.2% and the Dow industrials fell 0.9%. The Nasdaq composite fell 0.1%. The price of Brent crude rose nearly 4% on Thursday as progress toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, vital to securing stable oil supplies, remained unclear. Iran has said it is close to a deal with Oman for reopening the strait. U.S. President Donald Trump has also previously said a deal

is close, but the conflict has had many starts and stops over the past five months. Reopening the strait may require a compromise since the Trump administration has ruled out Iran charging fees to ships. But Iran has insisted on some measure of control, saying the strait will not go back to being an international waterway. As of early Friday, a barrel of Brent, the international standard, was up 1.6% at $83.78. U.S. benchmark crude oil advanced 1.2% to $78.22 per barrel. A fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas once passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices have surged as high as $113 due to the war and higher prices have added more heat to inflation by

raising the price of gasoline and raising costs for shipping. While markets are still weighed down by worries over the war and over a possible bubble in investments in artificial intelligence, strong overall corporate profits have helped allay concerns on Wall Street about shares being overpriced. Roughly 85% of companies in the S&P 500 have reported their results and overall earnings growth for the period is shaping up to be the strongest since 2021. Warner Bros. Discovery rose 1.7% after reporting earnings that came in ahead of what investors were expecting. Molson Coors rose 1.3% after also reporting encouraging financial results. AP

ASHINGTON—On the face of it, the U.S. job market has looked pretty stable this year. Hiring has been solid—if not exactly spectacular— after a lackluster 2025. But underneath the headline numbers, the job market is sending mixed and confusing signals. Companies in some industries can’t find enough workers and have to pay premium wages to fill vacancies. Others are making such efficient use of technology that they don’t need to hire much at all. Normally, the American labor market looks either good or bad. Lately, it’s been a bit of both.

Layoffs are rare—but times are tough for jobseekers

AMERICANS who have jobs are enjoying unusual job security. Layoffs are low by historical standards. Companies, scarred by the surprise labor shortages that followed COVID-19 lockdowns a few years ago, don’t want to risk giving up the staff they have. One week in July the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits dropped to the lowest level in more than 50 years. The jobless rate tumbled to 4.2% in June, the lowest in a year, and is expected to have stayed there last month, according to a survey of forecasters by the data firm FactSet. But Americans who have lost their jobs—or are seeking to bust into the job market for the first time—are struggling to catch a break. One sign of their trouble: In May 27.5% of the unemployed had been out of work for six months, the most in four and a half years; the share dipped slightly but remained high in June. Economists have used the term “no hire, no fire” to describe the unusual job market conditions. The Labor Department releases July employment numbers on Friday. They are expected to show that companies, government agencies and nonprofits added nearly 98,000 jobs last month, according to the FactSet survey. That would be an improvement on the disappointing 57,000 jobs employers created in June.

Rebounding from a miserable 2025

AND it would mark a continued rebound from 2025 when the economy generated fewer than 10,000 new jobs a month—the weakest hiring outside a recession since 2002. Last year, high interest rates and uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s economic policies discouraged companies from adding staff. So far in 2026, employers have added an average 92,000 jobs a month. In the past, that would have been an unimpressive level of hiring. But the United States doesn’t need as many jobs as it used to keep the unemployment rate from rising. Trump’s immigration crackdown and the ongoing retirement of baby boomers mean fewer people are competing for work. So the “break-even” rate of monthly hiring, 155,000 in 2023-2024, has dropped, perhaps to nearly zero, according to a Federal Reserve study. “There are just fewer people available to hire,” said Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets. For some, labor shortages translate into higher wages. The payroll processor ADP reported Wednesday that people who changed jobs last month pocketed a 7% raise, the biggest year-over-year gain in almost a year and a premium over a 4.4% increase for workers who stayed where they were. At the same time, companies have become more productive in recent years, using technology to do the work that humans used to do. “We are seeing companies produce more with their current staff,” Guatieri said. “So there’s less need to take on new workers.” Shortages of available workers and rising productivity, he said, “will keep the lid on the rate of hiring and monthly job growth.” Moreover, the outlook for hiring is clouded by the ongoing fighting in the Persian Gulf, which has pushed up energy prices and squeezed family budgets, and by the rise of artificial intelligence, which could either make workers more efficient and better-paid—or take their jobs.

Quirks in the jobs data

THE June jobs report contained an oddity that might have reversed in July. The Labor Department numbers showed that 720,000 people dropped out of the labor force in June—and a surprising 700,000 (97%) of them were ages 25 to 34. A smaller labor force means fewer people are competing for work and tends to push the unemployment rate lower. If the June drop was a statistical quirk—and the labor force rebounded last month and increased the number of people vying for jobs—the unemployment rate could surprise and tick back up. In a report out this week, researchers Ingrid Chen, Marianna Kudlyak and Riva Mikhlin of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco found that landing a job has gotten tougher in the past couple of years—surprisingly so. Normally, this deep into an economic expansion—it’s been more than six years since the last recession—employers would need workers so badly that they’d be taking chances on young people and on those with less education. Not this time. “Instead of being pulled in, the pipeline into employment is shrinking such that the recovery is no longer reaching workers at the margins,” Chen, Kudlyak and Mikhlin write. Moreover, the unemployed people who normally get back to work the fastest— those in their prime working years (25 to 54) and with college educations—are struggling to find new jobs. The San Francisco Fed researchers aren’t sure what’s making the job search so tough. They suspect it might have to do with the immigration crackdown, hiring slowdowns specifically at tech companies and government contractors, uncertainty over the direction of government policy or “early signals of broader labor market deterioration.” AP

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Saturday, August 8, 2026

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mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph | Editor: Jun Lomibao

Alex-Serena duo out of Toronto Alex Eala

and Venus Williams yield to Liudmila Samsonova and Miyu Kato, 6-4, 6-3, to exit the women’s doubles competition of the Canadian Open in Toronto on Friday. For the seven-time grand slam winner Williams, she’s totally out of the tournament while Eala hopes to continue her magical run dating back to the Washington DC Open when she plays Caty McNally in the third round of singles action on Saturday morning (Manila time). AP

IF he’s not scoring, June Mar Fajardo is doing something else as lethal. PBA IMAGES

JMF finds new comfort zone as role player

By Josef Ramos

UNE MAR FAJARDO feels comfort in playing other significant roles for San Miguel Beer other than providing the points for his team that’s 5-2 won-lost so far—second best to NLEX’s 6-0 card—in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. “I’m more willing to fill up gaps and be a role player,” Fajardo said. “There are many scorers around us, so what I can do is put up numbers elsewhere, not by making a lot of baskets, but do some things that we really needed like playing defense and rebounding.” Fajardo was his usual MVP self in San Miguel Beer’s 126-114 rout of Converge in their previous game with 21 rebounds, 10 assists and four blocks that more than made up for his measly five points. No worries for the 6-foot-10 big man for that game where he played 39 minutes, he, indeed, is surrounded by scorers—import George King Jr. had 46 points with 14 rebounds, six assists and three steals and former Adamson University hotshots Don Trollano and Jerrick Ahanmisi scattered 27 points and 15 points, respectively. “I will try to double the efforts through rebounding and playing defense, maybe passing as well,” Fajardo added. The Beermen play Macau on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Center in Montalban, hoping to avoid the upset ax from the Giant Pandas, who’re eyeing only their third win in eight games. They are coming off a 132-128 victory over Titan Ultra and are hoping to get the same big numbers that the prolific De’Vondre Perry poured against the Giant Risers—45 points, 14 rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Reigning champion TNT Tropang 5G, meanwhile, squares off with Titan Ultra in the first game at 5:15 p.m. The Tropang 5G are 3-3 won-lost and are hoping to bounce back from an 83-88 defeat to NLEX last Tuesday.

Mixed pair bets make podium in Tagaytay velo

HE Philippines capped its successful campaign at the close of the 10th Aero Gymnastics Asian Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission Friday with a silver in the team senior aero dance and bronze in the senior mixed pair events at the Tagaytay CT Velodrome. Performing to the lively music from a collage of Filipino ethnic dances to the famous “Budots” beat, the Filipino campaigners sprang a pleasant surprise in their international debut in scoring 16.60 points in securing the silver medal. Seasoned athletes Arcanio Cadlos and Charmaine Dolar led the squad also composed of Enrico Ostia, James Dominick Yray, Jhon Jeoffrey Cañones, siblings Dorothy Grace and Danielle Asuncion and Princess Johanna Pama behind powerhouse Vietnam (17.250). The national squad edged the Mongolian squad by .250 of a point in taking the bronze with a tally of 16.475 points in the competition backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp. Cadlos and Dolar, 33rd Thailand Southeast Asian Games silver medalists last year, returned to floor and secured their second medal in the meet with a bronze in their pet event with a tally of 18.30 points behind the 1-2 finish of the Vietnamese. In overnight results, the country bagged another bronze in the youth aero dance event with a score of 16.700 points in the tournament also backed by the Tagaytay City government led by Mayor Brent Tolentino.

CHINA OFF TO FLYER AS ALAS SCRAMBLES S By Aldrin Quinto

set out to take charge, and brushed aside any notion her breakthrough performance was wasted in defeat. “I wasn’t aiming to lead the team, we just enjoyed the game. The scoring chances simply came my way,” Celis said. “Losses are part of competition, we still have many matches to play. We’ll bounce back tomorrow,” Celis said. Rayco, the Philippines’s top scorer in the Asian U16, came up with the hustle plays and wound up as one of the steadier passers in the match, while also delivering seven points, all on attacks. Manzano also provided highlights, pulling off two solo kill blocks for half of the Philippines’s total, while scoring

AN FELIPE, Chile—Beyond China’s edge in length and ceiling, the Philippines’s shaky reception set off a domino effect—poor passes led to awkward sets and ultimately inefficient hitting. But Alas Pilipinas’ 21-18, 25-21, 25-13 loss to powerhouse China on Thursday still yielded takeaways that will be valuable for the remainder of the FIVB volleyball Girls U17 World Championship. Caera Celis proved a spark in her Alas Pilipinas debut, Khaira Manzano delivered key defensive stops, while Xyz Rayco showed she can deliver elsewhere on the floor when the hitting is missing. Smartly scoring off China’s wall of blockers and unleashing rockets from the service line that somehow sent the receivers scrambling, Celis wound up with 13 points on 12 attacks and an ace. The 16-year-old from St. John’s Institute-Bacolod City said she didn’t

on an attack and an ace. The Philippines briefly held the lead, with a Celis attack tying the score at seven and a Jhaynna Love Bulandres ace putting Alas on top, to the delight of the small crowd at Liceo Particular Mixto San Felipe that included Philippine Ambassador to Chile Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat. The Chinese, winners of the U17 two years ago but are coming off a third-place finish in the 2025 Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship, was clearly the stronger squad. Yachen Xuan, China’s 15-year-old skipper, came up with four blocks, matching the Philippines’s total and underscoring the titleholders’ size advantage. Ruihan Chen tallied 12 points on 10 attacks and two blocks, while Sichen Ren added 11 from eight attacks, two blocks and an ace. Alas Pilipinas takes on Mexico on Friday and Tunisia on Saturday before

KHAIRA MANZANO delivers key defensive stops against the taller Chinese. POC PHOTO

getting a day off on Sunday. Alas Pilipinas coach Edwin Leyva admitted the performance was far from polished, and stressed it was a valuable learning experience. “China is a very strong team, we can’t control that. We were poor on defense, that we can control. So we have to focus on that during training,” Leyva said. “Aside from that, it’s the attitude of carrying the weight of an error to the next play. We hope they learn to reset quickly, move on and focus on the positives.” Mexico edged out Venezuela, 25-21, 10-25, 15-25, 25-20, 15-7, while Peru downed Tunisia, 25-21, 26-24, 25-14, in the other Pool B matches. In Santiago, the USA romped past Egypt, 25-13, 25-23, 25-17, in Pool A, while Poland defeated Argentina, 2520, 25-22, 25-16, in Pool C. Pool D play in Los Andes saw Korea nip Puerto Rico, 25-10, 25-23, 19-25, 26-24, and Chinese Taipei rout the Dominican Republic, 25-12, 25-19, 25-19.

UAAP slaps perpetual ban on Tab Baldwin T

HE University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) announced on Friday that it has meted a perpetual ban on former Ateneo de Manila head coach Tab Baldwin and the indefinite suspension on several other Blue Eagles coaches and officials. The league, however, decided that Ateneo men’s basketball team “shall remain eligible to compete in UA AP Season 89, taking into consideration the expressed desire of these student-athletes to honor the memories of their fallen teammates through competition.” The punishments, according to the UAAP, were the result of an internal investigation of Ateneo and upon administrative review of the publicized official reports of the Philippine National

Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the National Bureau of Investigation into the tragic deaths of student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili during a team-building activity held in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8, 2026. “Thomas Anthony Baldwin is perpetually banned from all UAAP competitions and related activities, in any coaching, administrative, advisory, or official capacity, and he is also prohibited from entering any UAAP competition venue,” the UAAP statement said. “This sanction is final and shall not be appealable.” The statement furthered: Team manager Christopher John Quimpo, assistant coaches Dean Caesar Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Romero Soriano, Reynaldo Jacinto

SEASONED athletes Arcanio Cadlos and Charmaine Dolar make the podium in the senior mixed pair event. NONIE REYES

Jr., Hernan Ameer Domingo, Caesar Vincent Javellana Elumba and Grant Dearns, and physical therapist John Eric Rueca shall be suspended from participation in all UAAP competitions and related activities, in any coaching, administrative, advisory, or official capacity, until further determination by the UAAP Board. “During this period, they shall likewise not be permitted to enter UAAP competition venues in an official capacity. This sanction may be appealed to the UAAP Board in accordance with its applicable rules and procedures,” the league added. The UAAP board also said that it recognizes the Ateneo studentathletes “are themselves victims of this tragedy” but required the school to “undertake a comprehensive reassessment of the organizational

structure and management of its men’s basketball team in relation to the University’s entire athletics program in order to strengthen student-athlete protection, welfare, accountability and institutional oversight.” “The UAAP’s approach in imposing these sanctions is both protective and restorative. It is intended to ensure accountability, strengthen safeguards for the welfare and best interests of all studentathletes, address the harm caused by this incident, and reinforce the lessons learned to foster a safer and more responsible environment across the league.” TAB BALDWIN is banished from the league for life for the death of Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili. UAAP PHOTO

Olympians, elite athletes in Cebu Ironman as Ironkids unwraps

LYMPIC pedigree, a stacked international field and one of Asia’s toughest race courses promise another thrilling spectacle when the Ironman 70.3 Lapu-Lapu blasts off Sunday at Mactan Newtown Beach in Cebu. Defending champion Henri Schoeman returns determined to regain the crown against a deep cast of elite challengers. The South African star, bronze medalist at the Rio 2016 Olympics, is back after missing last year’s race and eager to build on the commanding victory he posted in his event debut in 2024. But the 34-year-old faces a far sterner challenge this time, with fellow Olympian Natalie Van Coevorden leading a stellar women’s field and an equally determined international cast targeting the professional titles. The centerpiece of Sunrise Events Inc.’s premier endurance race presented by Megaworld will again test more than 1,400 athletes over a grueling 1.9-km swim, 90-km bike

and 21-km run course, highlighted by the iconic Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX). The women’s pro race is expected to be just as compelling with Australia’s Van Coevorden taking center stage. Ranked No. 1 in Oceania and No. 24 in the World Triathlon Series, the 33-year-old Campbelltown native returns to familiar ground after winning the women’s elite title in the 2011 Subic Bay ITU Triathlon Asian Cup. But Van Coevorden will also have to contend with a quality field that

includes Sarah Thomas, Cassandra Heaslip, Paige Cranage, Charlotte McShane and Emily Donker. Local interest, meanwhile, will focus on the Filipino Elite Category, led by Jewin Ochea and Raymund Torio.

Record field vying in Ironkids

A RECORD-BREAKING 657 participants will converge at the Beachfront of Dusit Thani Mactan on Saturday for the RLC Residences Ironkids Lapu-Lapu. The historic turnout not only sets a new benchmark for the country’s

premier youth triathlon series but also underscores the rapid growth of grassroots multisport development and the increasing enthusiasm of Filipino children to embrace the sport. Among the biggest stories behind the stellar IRONKIDS field is the strong presence of Sidlak Bagani, LapuLapu City’s flagship youth triathlon development program, which will field 65 young athletes—one of the largest organized contingents in the race. The swim-run races for kids aged 6 to 8 will tackle a 150-meter swim followed by a 1-km run, while the 9-10 division will cover a 150m swim and 1.5-km run and the 11-12 category takes on a 250m swim and 1.5-km run. ELEVEN of the 17 professionals vying in the Ironman 70.3 Lapu-Lapu strike a pose during the event launch Friday at Mactan Expo Center in Cebu. They are (from left) Sarah Thomas, Sebastian Fuchs, Brett Clifford, Thomas Inigo, Henri Schoeman, Cassie Heaslip, John Samuel Fothergill, Paige Cranage, Aaron Kiss, Ben Hamilton and Christian Davey. SEI PHOTO