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Sunday, December 21, 2025 Vol. 21 No. 74

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SECTOR THAT DELIVERS

Thus, the recovery of real TDGVA underscores the tourism sector’s resilience, adaptive capacity, and enduring importance to the Philippine economy. The inflation-adjusted rebound affirms that tourism is not merely experiencing a nominal or price-driven resurgence but is once again contributing meaningful, measurable economic value. By 2024, the sector has reestablished itself as a major pillar of national productive activity, supporting livelihoods, stimulating local economies, and reinforcing tourism’s central role in the country’s broader economic transformation.

PUSHING TOURISM FORWARD A local boatman strains to push a sailboat ashore in Boracay, one of the Philippines’ top tourist destinations. Domestic travel and private investments sustain the sector, yet PIDS notes that outdated laws, fragmented governance, and limited international competitiveness remain hurdles to long-term growth. JIAN HUANG | DREAMSTIME.COM Tourism Direct Gross Valuevalue Added (At(atConstant Prices,2000-2024) 2000-2024) Figure 9b. Tourism direct gross added constant prices,

PIDS PHILIPPINE TOURISM SECTORAL REVIEW (2000 TO 2025)

HILIPPINE tourism, long hailed as a pillar of national development, is struggling to regain its footing in the post-pandemic era. Despite robust domestic travel and renewed investor confidence, the sector remains constrained by outdated laws, symbolic “place-branding” bills, and fragmented governance.

Employment in Tourism Industries (2000-2024)

Figure 10. Employment in tourism industries (2000-2024)

Source: Authors’ computation based on PSA’s PTSA as of June 2025 release.

As seen Yet in Figure 9b, TDGVA legal (at constant provides a clear aview of the real itself.” the Philippine ar- 2018 calprices) increase conceals qualitative economic output generated directly by tourism industries over time. The constant-price series chitecture remains “thin, uneven, decline. shows steady and broad-based growth throughout the 2010s, with the strongest contributions and outdated.” Most measures are “site-specoming from tourism-characteristic products, particularly shopping and retail, accommodation Thefood coreandframework, RA 9593 cific transport. or declaratory,” proclaiming services, beverage operations, and passenger TDGVA reached its highest or the Tourism 2009, continwaterfalls, caves, or towns ecopre-pandemic levelAct in of 2019 at PHP 2.45 trillion, underscoring tourism’s role as in driving ues to serve as the sector’s primary nationwide tourism parks or heritage villages. domestic economic activity and supporting employment prior to the pandemic.

enabling law more than fifteen

These acts rarely include funding

The significant decline TDGVA during to 2021 reflectsimplementing the direct impact ofagenborder years later. While it in established the 2020 provisions, closures, restrictions, andEnterthe temporary shutdown of accommodation,clauses, transport, Tourismmobility Infrastructure and cies, or sustainability recreation, and food service establishments. However, the recovery trajectory from 2022 to prise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and leaving sites dependent on limited 2024, with real TDGVA rising to PHP 1.87 trillion, signals a robust reactivation of tourism strengthened the Department budgets or competitive DOT industries. Importantly, this rebound is of not solelyLGU the result of inflation. A comparison with Tourism’s mandate, absence of to recover grants.faster due to elevated costs of goods, TDGVA in current prices,the which may appear a comprehensive update highlights Theirofchief utility, report services, fuel, and operations, highlights the importance examining realthe figures. The inflation-adjusted datacall confirm that the rebound represents true, substantive increasespubin real what the authors “policy stagconcludes, lies in short-term output, driven by rising visitor arrivals, revivedlicity. domestic mobility,has and become the restoration nation.” “Congress a fac-of operational across tourismas enterprises. Latercapacity measures—such the tory of place-branding acts, not a

A LOCAL guide waits as tourists dive to encounter a large whale shark beneath a small boat during a feeding session in Oslob, Cebu, April 1, 2014. Despite robust domestic travel and private investments, Philippine tourism still faces hurdles from outdated laws and fragmented governance, PIDS notes. WHITCOMBERD | DREAMSTIME.COM

This is the sobering conclusion of the government think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) in its landmark review, “Philippine Tourism Sectoral Review (2000 to 2025): From Promise to Power—Accelerating the Philippines’ Tourism Transformation toward Sustainability, Competitiveness, and Inclusion,” authored by John Paolo R. Rivera, Marga Clarence P. Bolalin, and John Joseph S. Ocbina.

The report paints a picture of a sector caught between promise and paralysis: a resilient domestic market and strong private-sector investments on one hand, but outdated legal frameworks, fragmented governance, and weak international competitiveness on the other.

Outdated legal framework

TOURISM legislation “defines the rules of the game for how the sector grows, competes, and sustains

2019 amendment (RA 11262)

source of transformative tourism

major industries, tourism has not benefited from a second-generation policy framework,” the report notes.

from local realities. Local Tourism Development Plans are often drafted merely as compliance documents, with little26 alignment to the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP). National strategies are “largely topdown, with limited consultation of regional realities.” Tourism management is frequently personality-driven, with

The real growth in TDGVA through 2024 demonstrates that tourism industries have regained and the 2024 VAT-refund law (RA much of their pre-pandemic strength, supported reform.” by improved air and sea connectivity, the 12079)—were butmarkets, “largely gradual reopening useful of global and sustained domestic travel demand. The strong fiscal and transactional.” Fragmented governance performance of tourism-characteristic products, especially retail and accommodation, indicates that visitors once again these engagingstatin discretionary, experience-oriented a key “Takenaretogether, BEYOND legislation, spending, governance marker of sectoral health. The upward trend also highlights how tourism’s value chain has reutes lack a comprehensive modgaps persist. National tourism expanded, benefiting microenterprises, suppliers,plans transport operators, cultural ernization agenda… Unlike other often operate in communities, isolation and local governments.

The rise of “place-branding” laws

LEGISLATIVE activity has surged, with tourism-related bills in the House of Representatives quadrupling from 65 in the 15th Congress to 420 in the 19th. Yet this numeri-

PIDS PHILIPPINE TOURISM SECTORAL REVIEW (2000 TO 2025)

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

Source: PSA’s PTSA as of June 2025 release.

Source: PSA’s PTSA as of June 2025 release. Figure 10 presents trends in employment in tourism industries in the Philippines from 2000 to officers temporary contributions 2024. Over on this period, the sharecontracts of tourism-relatedSectoral employment to total employment generally replaced peaking after inelections, erasing THE Statistics increased, 2019 at 16.8%. That is, roughly 17 Philippine out of every 100 employedAuthorFilipinos worked in the tourism sector, industry’s a national institutional memory andunderscoring halting theity (PSA) significant reports role thatastourism’s employment (Espiritu and Lawas 2019; PHP2.35-trillion Caynila et al. 2022; Cervantes 2024). This long-term generator projects. Overlapping contribution to share declined sharply to 11.7% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, recovery mandates among DOT, DILG, and the economy in 2024 was powered began in subsequent years, with tourism employment rising to 13.8% by 2024, signaling a DENRrebound furtherasresult in inconsistent by six subsectors: steady travel restrictions eased and demand returned.

enforcement and accreditation.

• Shopping — the single larg-

Stakeholders stressed: est contributor, drivenfor by mall Among all tourism-related sectors, “Tourpassenger transport consistently accounted the largest share of employment, averaging 30%.from This reflectstourism, the centrality of land, air, and sea mobility ism products must graduate duty-free purchases, and in the Philippine tourism context. Miscellaneoussouvenirs. services ranked second at an average of PowerPoint to product.” 25.1%, while accommodation and food and beverage services followed closely services at 23%. Other • Accommodation — sectors such as retail trade in tourism goods (14.7%) and recreation, entertainment, and cultural Economic recovery: hotels, resorts, and homestays, services (6.2%) also contributed meaningfully. In contrast, travel agencies, tour operators, and Nominal real the smallest share at 1.1%, boosted by long-stay balikbayans. tour guides vs. represented likely due to digital disruption and the DESPITE governance flaws, tour• Food & Beverage growing preference for self-managed travel arrangements (TGM Research 2023).— restauism remains a major economic

rants, culinary tourism, and farm-

by inflation, and “real” recovery, adjusted for constant prices. Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA)—the official measure of tourism’s direct contribution to GDP—peaked at 12.9 percent in 2019, but stands at 8.9 percent in 2024, underscoring that real recovery remains gradual. Employment covers 13.8 percent of the workforce, projected to reach 14.1 million jobs in the next decade. Investments hit PHP 590.4 billion in 2024, showing strong private-sector confidence despite external shocks.

flights, ferries, land transfers, and ride-hailing. 27 • Entertainment & Recreation — theme parks, nightlife, cultural shows, and festivals. • Travel Agencies & Tour Operators — packaged tours, circuit planning, and inbound logistics. Domestic tourists spend heavily on shopping, food, and land transport, while international visitors allocate more to accommodation, air travel, and packaged tours. Balikbayans remain unique, spreading their spending across all categories due to longer stays.

From 2021 to report 2024, employment in miscellaneous services surpassed that in passenger driver. The distinguishes beto-table(27.5%) circuits. transport (25.5%). This shift maybuoyed reflect changing post-pandemic travel preferences, with tween “nominal” recovery, • Transportation — domestic

Continued on A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 58.6050 n JAPAN 0.3768 n UK 78.4428 n HK 7.5321 n CHINA 8.3231 n SINGAPORE 45.4584 n AUSTRALIA 38.7438 n EU 68.7026 n KOREA 0.0397 n SAUDI ARABIA 15.6255 Source: BSP (December 19, 2025)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Sunday, December 21, 2025

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India’s push for battery recycling promises jobs, clean energy and mineral security By Sibi Arasu

The Associated Press

ENGALURU, India — Across India, battery recycling faces a mixture of challenges and opportunity as it plays an important role in the country’s shift to clean power.

A fledgling system has taken off in the past decade for recovering materials from the batteries used in electric vehicles, smartphones and other consumer electronics. The valuable minerals these companies recover — such as lithium, cobalt and nickel — are then reused in India’s growing fleet of electric vehicles and solar power installations. Recycling and repurposing batteries is a key to reducing dependence on imports for hard-to-obtain metals. “More than 40% of the country’s copper and aluminum needs are met by recycling scrap and we want to aspire for the same when it comes to lithium, cobalt and nickel,” said Rajat Verma, founder and CEO of Lohum Cleantech, a 7-yearold battery manufacturing and recycling company based in Noida near India’s capital New Delhi. A formalized system can potentially create 100,000 green jobs and meet nearly 40% of the country’s demand for key minerals, according to a November study by the renewable energy think tank RMI. The report found that an industry around recycling and reusing batteries could be worth $9 billion as India’s battery demand skyrockets, mostly due to EVs.

“What’s exciting about these materials is it’s not like plastics. You can recycle them for perpetuity and they can still have material strength and the quality you need once you refine them,” said Marie McNamara, a manager with RMI’s India program who was one of the authors of the report. But the system faces challenges. India currently has 60,000 tons of battery recycling capacity, but not all of it is used because supply chains are still being developed to supply the recovered materials to factories. One reason for this is that most of India’s waste recycling is done by informal workers — estimated to be as many as four million, who deal with a variety of scrap materials beyond batteries and work without any formal contracts.

Gaps between policy and implementation

INDIA is among the highest emitters of planet-heating gases as the world’s most populous nation provides power for billions of people. At the same time, its clean energy sector has grown rapidly, led by adoption of solar power and electric vehicles. India’s government passed

A BATTERY production engineer at Nunam assembles a refurbished battery pack, made from used electric vehicle batteries, at their facility in Bengaluru, India, October 8, 2024. AP/AIJAZ RAHI

battery waste management rules in 2022 that mandate environmentally safe disposal and management of battery waste. But given the largely informal nature of scrap recycling in India, experts and recycling companies said the rule has been poorly implemented so far. Recycling in an environmentally friendly way is another challenge. The rules mandate producers meet specific collection and recycling targets for various battery types. The rules include heavy fines for violators. However, there are no specific outlets for discarded batteries and each company has to set up their own systems for recycling. Experts said a lack of a well-structured recycling industry makes it difficult for companies to implement the rule. Jaideep Saraswat, an energy expert with New Delhi-based Vasudha Foundation, said India has

moved “surprisingly fast from a policy perspective,” but the right battery recycling supply chain is still missing.

How battery recycling works

A TYPICAL electric car battery is about 1.5 meters (5 feet) long, weighs up to 400 kilograms (882 pounds) and is usually designed to last for at least 160,000 kilometers (99,400 miles) which is usually reached after 8 to 12 years of use. Up to 90% of an EV battery’s contents can be extracted after use if recycled properly. Recycling processes vary, but two common means are "shredding" battery modules into fine powder using machines or smelting them in industrial furnaces.

The products of these processes are often then processed using acids or other chemicals to recover specific metals. Alternatively, discarded batteries can be repurposed to store excess solar and wind energy for homes and small shops. Repurposing involves testing the battery for defects and cleaning its components before it is sold for reuse. Toxic contaminants are at times dumped illegally by recyclers, which can cause environmental pollution, said Nishchay Chadha, CEO of US-based ACE Green recycling, which has operations in India. If not done properly, recycling lithium batteries can emit carbon monoxide and other hazardous gases. The recycling process also usually produces wastewater containing heavy metals that can contaminate soil and water if improperly disposed. “We’ve not expanded much in India because we don’t see much appreciation for clean operations, whether it’s lead or lithium,” he said. RMI’s McNamara urged India to set up training programs to help scrap workers transition to more formal jobs. She said the government at the federal and state level should also provide support to the businesses who can hire these workers. “Formalization will really help drive safety and accountability, especially considering that batteries are both defined by their toxicity as

well as their potential,” she said.

Reducing dependence on imported minerals

GLOBALLY, critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt are essential for products ranging from smartphones to electric cars. However, China controls much of the critical mineral supply chain through mining, refining and processing, according to the International Energy Agency. India doesn’t yet have any operational mines for lithium and some other key minerals, and like most of the world is dependent on its Asian neighbor. Energy experts said that effectively recovering minerals from used products can meet an important need. However, India should take baby steps first, said Chadha of ACE Green Recycling. Chadha said China takes recycling seriously because it’s an important part of the supply chain, even though it’s often unprofitable by itself. “They also actually lose money on recycling, but they look at it as part of the whole puzzle where recycling is a critical part and they’re looking at making money across the whole value chain,” he said. Others in the battery sector are optimistic. “If the momentum that is there in India today continues, in my opinion, we can probably create five multibillion-dollar giants in this industry,” said Verma of Lohum Cleantech.

From PowerPoint to product… Continued from A1

Yet PIDS warns of tourism leakages: imported goods dominate souvenir markets, foreignowned resorts capture profits, and weak local supply chains limit multiplier effects. Without stronger linkages, much of this spending fails to benefit local communities.

Regional innovation, local resilience

DESPITE slow national recovery, regional focus group discussions (FGDs) revealed a sector actively innovating from the ground up. Luzon stakeholders are strengthening ecoadventure and heritage corridors; Visayas stakeholders are developing wellness, experiential, and education tourism clusters; while Mindanao stakeholders are advancing agrocultural, faith-based, and indigenous wellness products. These initiatives align with the NTDP 2023–2028 agenda for multi-regional, high-value, and inclusive tourism. They demonstrate that while national-level data may show tempered growth, local diversification is accelerating.

MSMEs and accreditation challenges

Accreditation emerged as a critical issue. MSMEs, which comprise 99 percent of the industry, often struggle with compliance burdens and see little value in accreditation. Uptake remains low. PIDS recommends tiered and incentive-based accreditation models, digitalized compliance systems, and expanded capacitybuilding programs to support

MSMEs in transitioning toward a digitally enabled, AI-ready tourism ecosystem.

Roadmap to 2028 and beyond

THE report outlines a phased roadmap: • Short-run (2024–2026): Fix the basics — seamless travel, lastmile access, interoperable booking, standardized LGU reporting, and data governance. • Medium-run (2026–2028): Scale competitive and inclusive products — fast-track visitor experience enhancements, commercialize validated circuits, and strengthen continuity of branding. • Long-run (2028 onwards): Future-proof transformation — smart destination systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, AI-enabled tourism services, and globally recognized excellence.

Domestic strength, international lag

THE Philippines leads Asean in domestic tourism, accounting for 32.9 percent of receipts (USD 52.1 billion in 2023). “This underscores the robustness and scale of domestic travel in the Philippines, signifying its critical role in driving national economic activity.” Yet internationally, the country lags. Thailand generated USD 34.1 billion in international receipts in 2023, while the Philippines managed only USD 11.3 billion, ranking fifth in ASEAN. Returning Filipinos (balikbayans) remain a resilient segment, staying nearly twice as long as foreign visitors.

Tourism slogans: Promise and fragmentation

TOURISM branding has shifted with each administration: • WOW Philippines (2002): Celebrated diversity and vibrancy. • It’s More Fun in the Philippines (2012): Centered on Filipino warmth and humor; achieved strong global recall. • Love the Philippines (2023): Emphasized stewardship, sustainability, and national pride. While each campaign had merits, frequent changes have fragmented the country’s global image. Unlike Thailand’s “Amazing Thailand” or Malaysia’s “Truly Asia,” the Philippines has yet to sustain a coherent brand that transcends political cycles.

Call for reform

RIVERA, Bolalin, and Ocbina urge Congress to move from symbolic acts to substantive laws. Among their proposals: • Tourism Competitiveness and Innovation Act — institutionalizing digital transformation and green standards. • Tourism Resilience and Climate Adaptation Act — mandating disaster risk management and insurance. • Tourism Human Capital Act — aligning skills training with ASEAN benchmarks. • Tourism Circuit Development Act — incentivizing multiLGU clusters and infrastructure corridors. • TIEZA Charter revisions — expanding PPP models and local investment portfolios. As one stakeholder affirmed: “Our people are already worldclass, the system just needs to catch up.”

Recovery to reinvention

THE PIDS report affirms that the Philippines is well-positioned to move from recovery to reinvention. Regions are pioneering innovations aligned with the NTDP 2023–2028 agenda, MSMEs are seeking digital onboarding, and stakeholders are calling for convergence across government, private sector, and academia. Yet without structural reforms—modernizing RA 9593, embedding value-chain integration, and institutionalizing smartdestination systems—the sector risks falling.

The World

Editor: Angel R. Calso

‘City was gone’: Survivors recount flood chaos during rare cyclone in Indonesia By Chandra Asmara

Y the time the floodwaters swallowed the ground floor of Muda Sedia hospital in Karang Baru, the building had become an island in a torrent of brown water and the power was failing. When the electricity finally cut out, a baby on oxygen support upstairs died. As a rare cyclone-driven storm tore across northern Sumatra late last month, hospital director Andika Putra had moved patients to the second floor in this town at the edge of Indonesia’s northernmost province. Fast-moving currents isolated the compound, trapping patients, staff and neighbors for days. Nine others perished. “This scale of flooding has never happened before in the hospital’s history,” he said, standing outside the building in a light rain. Behind him, the waters had left broken medical equipment and a thick layer of mud spread across the waiting room floor. More than a million people were displaced by some of the worst flooding in Indonesia’s modern history. Over 1,000 are dead. Houses, more than a hundred bridges and in some cases, entire communities, were washed away in landslides across an area half the size of California. Come nightfall, much of northern Sumatra remains in darkness, with scores of villages still cut off. The cyclone was the deadliest in Indonesia since one that hit Flores in 1973, said Abdul Muhari, a spokesman for the country’s disaster management agency. This stretch of the island’s northern coast is emblematic of a disaster whose economic and environmental footprint now spans three provinces on the world’s fifth-most populous island. Cars sit abandoned along roads. Trash lines the streets. People with damaged fingernails queue at gas stations holding jerry cans. Roadside eateries are destroyed. Everywhere are the darkened faces of people who haven’t had access to clean water for weeks. But through the cloying mud that permeates the landscape are thick rafts of timber—emerging evidence of how decades of industrial land clearing may have turned an unusual storm into a catastrophe. The disaster has become a test of Indonesia’s climate resilience and development model, exposing how logging has reshaped floodplains that are home to tens of millions of people. Sumatra is a major hub for palm oil, mining, timber and oil and gas, industries that generate tens of billions of dollars in exports a year and depend on now damaged roads, bridges and ports. Weak planning ahead of Cyclone Senyar, which also wreaked havoc in Malaysia and Thailand, played a role in the destruction, as did the ferocity of the storm, which dumped as much as four meters of rain in some areas in a single day. Yet across this stretch of small towns, one feature of the deluge stands out in survivor accounts: the extraordinary volume of timber racing through the flood zone. Harrison, a 39-year-old resident of Langsa, woke on the second night of the storm to find himself floating on his mattress on the first floor of his home, already one of the highest in the neighborhood. He and his neighbors crammed into his attic, sharing rice and instant noodles, filtering brown water for baby formula and trying to sleep on the roof. They held on to whatever they could, “because falling meant being swept away.” And from that tenuous perch, they sat and watched rivers of logs surge past. Several kilometers away, logs would dam up around a large mosque, creating an impenetrable nest of timber larger than a football field. “All we could see were large trees—logs carried by the current—and rooftops,” Harrison said. “The city was gone.” Approaching the district of Aceh Tamiang by road, the destruction stretches for miles. Green cornfields have turned brown and emergency tents dot the highway. Residents dry mattresses and furniture in front of damaged or collapsed houses, while cars and trucks sit half-buried in mud. Villagers rush toward passing vehicles asking hopefully, “Are you bringing aid?”

Old wounds

INDONESIA, a country of 280 million people that sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” seismic zone, has seen its share of outsized disasters, from the epic eruption of Krakatoa in the late 1800s to the Indian Ocean tsunami on Boxing Day 2004, which killed around 230,000 people, some 170,000 of them in Aceh province on Sumatra’s northern tip. But while monsoon floods and landslides are common, none in recent memory have produced the havoc unleashed by Cyclone Senyar. “People are most afraid of December because of the tsunami trauma,” 26-year-old Bintang Agam said. His parents died 21 years ago, victims of the Aceh tsunami. “For Acehnese people, even a three-meter wave is enough to bring back old wounds.” Officials and environmental watchdogs say the devastation was amplified by land clearing. Sumatra, home to some of Southeast Asia’s largest remaining tropical rainforests, has experienced massive vegetation removal over the past two decades as logging concessions, mining licenses and palm oil plantations proliferated. Indonesia had the fourth most primary tree cover loss globally from 2023 to 2024 after Brazil, Bolivia and Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to an analysis from the World Resources Institute. “There is a known link between tree cover and flooding,” said Sarah Carter, research associate at WRI’s Global Forest Watch. “Trees absorb water, acting like a sponge to prevent floods and landslides. Their roots help to prevent landslides by holding the soil together.” Dewi Ratna Sari, a nature-based solutions manager at WRI in Indonesia, said the floods show how urgently officials need to factor landslide risks into development planning. “People need to understand why we should protect this flood plain area,” she said. “We need to adapt because this is already at a crisis stage.”

Came from the mountains

INNO, 60, was among dozens of people taking shelter under the bridge that connects Medan, a provincial capital, and Aceh Tamiang regency after his neighborhood of about 400 homes was swept away. Many houses were destroyed after being hit by logs. “They came from the mountains; everything is being cut down,” he said. “We don’t know who is responsible, but everyone knows it’s happening.” “Nothing is left,” he added, while eating a cup of instant noodles. “I’ve lived here for almost 50 years, and I have never seen a flood this devastating.” Indonesian officials last week began questioning multiple companies over their land practices in Sumatra, saying early findings from aerial surveys may provide evidence that paves the way for criminal proceedings. Officials have temporarily suspended operations in the area of PT Agincourt Resources, which runs the Martabe gold mine, along with state-owned plantation company PT Perkebunan Nusantara III, North Sumatra Hydro Energy, and a unit of palm oil producer PT Sago Nauli. The country’s environmental ministry said it has also sealed several mining sites in western Sumatra, without elaborating. See “Indonesia,” A4

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Myanmar’s scam hub demolition: A turning point or just a façade? By Erika Kinetz

The Associated Press

T looked like a turning point in the global fight against scams. Myanmar’s military leadership, under growing international pressure, vowed to wipe out the industrial-scale cyberscam centers that have taken root in the country. They started by raiding and then bombing KK Park—a notorious compound that has become a symbol of impunity in the battle against one of the most lucrative criminal industries in the world. It’s too early to say whether KK Park will be abandoned, repurposed or rebuilt over time. But even if KK Park were to close, it’s just one of around 30 scam compounds along Myanmar’s border with Thailand—one indication that the crackdown may not turn out to be as deep or long-lasting as Myanmar’s military rulers would like it to appear. The Associated Press found that at least two scam compounds in the area continued to use Starlink to get online even after SpaceX announced it had cut off service. And there are other signs the scam industry is adapting fast: The physical damage to KK Park sent thousands of workers scattering to other scam companies in Myanmar and abroad, interviews with current and former scam center workers show. Telegram is popping with job ads for newly displaced workers. And work has continued uninterrupted at other scam centers in Myanmar, where people trafficked from around the world still wait to be rescued. “Even if you destroy buildings, if you haven’t arrested the heads of the transnational syndicates behind this, seized their wealth and put them in jail, it’s not a real crackdown yet,” said Jay Kritiya, the coordinator of the Civil Society Network for Human Trafficking Victim Assistance.

A turning point?

M YA N M A R st ate me d i a a nnounced the raid on KK Park on Oct. 20, which was followed by a weekslong demolition campaign. In November, Myanmar’s military rulers pledged to “eradicate

scam activities from their roots.” State media broadcast images of wreckage and soldiers standing with dozens of seized Starlink terminals. They then went after Shwe Kokko, another notorious compound that’s been in the crosshairs of US authorities. SpaceX announced it cut off access to more than 2,500 Starlink units in Myanmar, where they have been widely used by scammers to get online. And Meta said this month it had taken down 2,000 Facebook accounts used by scammers in Myanmar. It looked as if growing American pressure on foreign scam centers through sanctions, prosecutions and a new, high-level Scam Center Strike Force, was having swift impact as Myanmar prepares for national elections, which have been widely criticized as a sham effort to legitimize the army’s 2021 seizure of power. Myanmar has said the demolition at KK Park—and raids at additional scam sites—are meant to ensure that criminal activity never returns. This month the government created a high-level task force to enact what it calls a “zero tolerance” policy against scams. The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar on Dec. 15 devoted five full pages to coverage of a press conference showcasing what it described as the government’s aggressive efforts to stop fraud, and characterized cyberscams as the work of foreign criminal networks that have taken root in lawless borderlands controlled by insurgents. Gover nment of f ic i a ls sa id that by Dec. 13, 413 buildings

in KK Park had been “ demolished ” and the remaining 222 would be cleared as well. Detailed visual analysis of the first wave of demolition, which the government says is complete, shows that 31 structures were f lattened. At least 78 more were partially damaged, according to the Center for Information Resilience (CIR), a London-based nonprofit focused on exposing human rights violations. More than half the buildings were damaged by heavy machinery, which often left roofs, ceilings and layers between floors intact, said Guy Fusfus, an investigator at Myanmar Witness, a CIR project. “There may be an intention to reconstruct and reuse these buildings,” he said in an e-mail. New satellite imagery shows that most buildings in KK Park appeared wholly or partially intact on Dec. 4, even as demolition had spread to other sections of the compound. Once home to thousands of workers, many victims of human trafficking, the streets of KK Park appeared empty. Where all those people went—and what that portends for the future of a criminal industry the FBI says cost Americans more than $16 billion last year—remain open questions. “This isn’t just breaking windows and moving on. You can’t come in and restart operations here at the same scale as before,” said Eric Heintz, a global analyst at the International Justice Mission, a Washington, D.C.-based NGO, who reviewed satellite images of the damage. “But we don’t know if that activity is just going to be displaced to other locations.” Myanmar’s track record of lasting enforcement is poor. Raids in response to Chinese pressure earlier this year failed to contain the growth of scam compounds, according to C4ADS, a US-based nonprofit that takes a data-driven approach to conflict analysis. Over 7,000 scam center workers were released as part of that purge, according to the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, but the scams kept on running. C4 A DS e x a m ined satel l ite imagery of 21 known scam compounds in Myawaddy Township and found that 14 of them—including KK Park—had shown construction or expansion since January. Some solar panels also appeared—a step toward energy independence that could blunt the impact of crackdowns from neighboring Thailand, which has occasionally cut off power.

“ This continued growth of scam compounds is emblematic of the junta’s inability to rein in the industry within Myanmar,” said Michael Di Girolamo, a C4ADS analyst focused on cybercrime. Analysts say that some of the same people who led the raid on KK Park have profited from scams over the years. KK Park, like most scam compounds along the Thai border, operates under the protection of the Karen Border Guard Force— also known as the Karen National Army—an armed militia made up of ethnic Karen people who live in eastern Myanmar that is affiliated with the Myanmar military, according to US and European government sanctions notices. Jason Tower, a senior expert at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, said the action at KK Park was a way for Myanmar’s military leadership to relieve pressure, primarily from the US and China, and continue to host highly lucrative criminal activity. “There’s no real political will to crack down,” he said. A month after KK Park was raided, another scam center fell, far from the glare of government propaganda. On Nov. 21, forces of the Karen National Union, a rebel group opposed to Myanmar’s military leadership, stormed a scam compound called Shunda Park in an area controlled by a pro-government militia. “This looks much more like a real crackdown on crime,” Tower said. While Myanmar state television broadcast images of a steamroller crushing rows of scammers’ computers, the Karen National Union gathered 604 mobile phones, bank cards, computers and other evidence from Shunda and handed them over to Thai authorities for investigation. “The Myanmar military just destroys everything,” KNU spokesperson Padoh Saw Taw Nee told AP. “It’s clear they don’t want people to know who is controlling it.” Requests for comment to a Myanmar military government spokesman went unanswered. But the Global New Light of Myanmar called claims that evidence was being destroyed “astonishing.” All evidence was properly collected, the paper said, and would be “released as appropriate in future public statements.”

Where did all the people go?

SINCE the raid on KK Park, the Thai military said around 1,500 people who worked there have made it out through official channels in Thailand—a fraction of the total workforce, estimated to be in the tens of thousands. The whereabouts of the rest are unknown. Some followed company bosses to other locations, four workers who fled KK Park told AP. They spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for their safety. One Filipino worker said he and 20 others who jumped the fence at KK Park were picked up by government-allied forces and made it to Thailand. But five Ethiopians on his team stayed behind. “They wanted to go to another company,” he explained. He said he overheard his boss, who was Chinese, talk about relocating the operation to Cambodia. Another Filipina worker said her company relocated dozens of staff, computers and Wi-Fi equipment to a nearby compound called Huanya, to get the business targeting older American men with See “Myanmar,” A4

Sunday, December 21, 2025

The World

www.businessmirror.com.ph

AI browsers struggle to drown legacy giants; not yet smart enough to take over Internet

By Natalie Lung

ries,” said Laura Chambers, chief executive officer of Mozilla Corp., which develops Firefox. Legacy developers like Google, Microsoft Corp. and Mozilla have taken a different approach, keeping search as a default in their browsers, while adding AI assistant features over the past year. “People are still using Google search for things like shopping and travel, areas where you really want to research, look at a bunch of different things and make purchasing decisions,” Chambers added. A Mozilla user research survey conducted last year found that 60% of participants were only comfortable using generative AI for low-stakes matters or things they know enough about that they can readily verify the quality of output and spot mistakes. The results, which haven’t been previously reported, were based on a survey of 1,000 people in the US and 400 Firefox users in May 2024. Chambers said generative AI is more helpful with informational searches because it can synthesize information and provide assorted links that users can refer back to. The same survey found that saving time can encourage users to replace search with generative AI, but a need for accuracy drives them to combine the two methods. In user research interviews, browser developers have hailed productivity wins by their AIassisted products and observed a desire from consumers for web browsers that can do more. A popular use for these AI browsers has been summarizing long YouTube videos and asking

the assistant about a topic mentioned in the video, according to representatives from OpenAI and Chrome. Comet users are also asking “six to 18 times more questions” than they did with the regular Perplexity chatbot, said Jesse Dwyer, the company’s head of communications. And consumers are wanting more. Adam Fry, a product lead working on OpenAI’s Atlas browser, said OpenAI has been getting a lot of requests from power users for the ability to schedule tasks so that the browser can repeat them on a regular basis. For example, a finance professional might employ such a feature to generate a report or dashboard from an online tool every month. Ted Choc, a director of engineering for Chrome, said users want the browser to fill out government forms on their behalf and do their taxes. Some of these capabilities were technically possible even before the era of large language models, though those tools weren’t as easily accessible. Legacy browsers have been able to auto-fill forms if you have pre-saved your address, credit card information or other personal details. YouTube and third-party tools can transcribe videos. Programmers can write computer scripts to carry out scheduled tasks in bulk. But there hasn’t been an urgent reason for desktop browsers to evolve, especially since mobile took over desktop as the main source of web traffic. According to Similarweb, more than 67% of it today comes from smartphones and tablets, where mobile operating systems and app stores serve as a gateway to standalone apps. Now, AI chatbots that take instructions in natural language are letting users ask more of their devices to get things done. Ben Goodger, Atlas’s head of engineering and a Google veteran who helped create Chrome, said on a company podcast last month that AI browsers are helping “people think less about the particulars about the tools they are using, more just expressing what they want to the system.” But the way websites are built today represents a significant

annihilation is still becoming evident. N o r t h o f A c e h Ta m i a n g, i n t h e coastal city of Lhokseumawe, a onetime boomtown that drew the likes of Mobil Oil to its Arun gas field, aid workers are tr ying to reinforce government relief effor ts, as far as access allows. An airpor t par tly run by state oil company PT Per tamina has reopened, allowing flights to ferr y gas canisters and other goods to the interior. Outside of town, thousands of hectares of rice fields that were weeks away from harvest are now buried under mud. Further inland, electricity is out and roads are treacherous. Household items such as dining tables, refrigerators and electric fans are scattered along the way. And north, along the coastal highway, a bridge over the Krueng Tingkeum River

sits torn in half, cutting off the main access to Banda Aceh. It was broken, residents said, when a torrent of logs slammed into it. One military doctor stationed near a shelter in an inland village of Bener Meriah regency, one of the hardest hit after a landslide destroyed the main road, said for survivors, their main problem now is hunger because aid has been too slow to arrive. Army medics were instructed to redeploy immediately to Aceh Tamiang and Pidie Jaya. Prabowo, returning directly from trips to Pakistan and Russia, visited an evacuation shelter in Aceh Tamiang on Friday, apologizing in front of dozens of children gathered there. “God willing, we will fix this. The government will step in and help ever yone,” he said.

HEN OpenAI unveiled an artificial intelligencebased browser in October, Alphabet Inc. investors expressed concern about what it would mean for Google Chrome, the ubiquitous gateway to the Internet used by billions globally. And yet, current versions of AI browsers are far from making legacy products like Chrome obsolete: New offerings from companies such as OpenAI and Perplexity AI Inc. present occasional bugs and trip over some seemingly straightforward requests, Bloomberg News found after testing them for a month. The new browsers, including OpenAI’s Atlas and Comet from Perplexity, put artificial intelligence assistants front and center, replacing search engines as the preset option when users enter requests. Many also offer a feature called agentic browsing, enabling them to carry out multi-step tasks on behalf of users, like completing shopping orders and extracting a list of to-dos from unread emails. The goal, as AI developers see it, is for consumers to use their chatbots not just from their own apps or websites, but within browsers and mobile operating systems, potentially opening more avenues for ad targeting and revenue streams. The most advanced features are currently only available on a paid tier, given that AI agent features can be more expensive to run. For now, the two categories of browsers are encouraging different kinds of user behavior, forcing app developers, web services and publishers to rethink whether they’re designing their tools for humans or robots crawling the web—and whether they can be served by the same products. “We are seeing folks change the way that they’re interacting with the web and how they’re finding information in different catego-

Indonesia. . . Continued from A3

United Tractors, the parent company of Agincourt Resources, said in an exchange filing that its unit has temporarily suspended operations to focus on relief efforts. The other three firms didn’t reply to requests for comment. Indonesia has said recovery efforts will cost more than $3 billion, a bill that will stretch government finances as the nation’s economy contends with lackluster growth, market volatility and weak consumer confidence under President Prabowo Subianto’s still early tenure.

The long wait

TWO weeks after the rain, the scale of

THE Google Chrome and Safari apps on a laptop on Aug. 13, 2025. ANDREY RUDAKOV/BLOOMBERG

obstacle. Artificial intelligence players like Anthropic PBC and O pen A I have developed new protocols so that digital service providers and AI agents share a common language. How well AI assistants provide answers and complete tasks will depend on how websites are structured. Websites that are heavy on visual elements or are narrative-oriented are not necessarily useful, said Linda Tong, CEO of Webflow, a web development and analytics tool. “Agents want very structured, well-defined indexable data and insight that is pretty specific,” Tong said. “I do believe that there is going to be a world where you need two versions of your site, and we’re already starting to make that shift. You’re going to actually want to share very different information on a human version of a site.” A “robot” version of websites would improve browsers’ ability to act as AI agents, the key feature separating AI browsers from regular ones. It essentially enables the browser to execute mouse clicks, cursor placements and keyboard input based on a user’s instructions to the chatbot. The idea is that the chatbot can more easily execute tasks if the website is structured behind the scenes in a way that it can easily understand, rather than having fancy buttons or cards that appeal to humans.

A mixed bag

MOST of the web today is still built for humans, causing some of the AI browsers’ more advanced feaHe urged local authorities to strengthen environmental protections. “We must protect our environment and our nature. We cannot cut down trees carelessly.” As the President finished speaking, people in the crowd implored him for more help. “Send heavy equipment,” one yelled. “Our houses are flooded, please help us,” another cried out. “What is unique about this disaster is the vast size of the affected areas,” said Ade Soekadis, the executive director of Mercy Corps Indonesia. “A million internally displaced people are spread over thousands of villages across three provinces, and the government doesn’t have the resources to build emergency shelters” everywhere they’re needed, he said. Harrison, the Langsa resident, said no support of any kind arrived for 10 days. He also saw no police or other officials in his neighborhood during that time. With looting rife, money became useless. At night, no one went outside, but at dawn, desperate people made their way through the mud and floodwaters, searching for anything to sur vive. It wasn’t uncommon to find bodies inside vehicles and the smell of decay filled the air. “Everyone wandered aimlessly, confused, because they were all searching f o r f o o d a n d wate r,” h e s a i d. With assistance from Aaron Clark, Yasufumi Saito and Eko Listiyorini/Bloomberg

tures to stumble. Some of these symptoms are also a result of what OpenAI’s Fry described as Atlas browser being “too smart for its own good ”—meaning, it overthinks some simpler tasks like clicking and editing documents. When a Bloomberg reporter asked the Atlas browser to scroll through the reactions to a LinkedIn post and make a list of those working in a particular industry, it took a minute or two to decide how it would do so. After that long pause, it opted to take a screenshot of each section while it scrolled, performing image recognition so it could interpret the text on screen. In another instance, it became stuck in a loop, unable to complete the instructions. Perplexity’s browser, meanwhile, almost always defaults to screenshotting when it encounters more complex visual components like pop-ups. In Bloomberg’s tests on a Windows laptop, the machine heated up and the fan got louder when some of these advanced agent features were in use. While the problem of browsers hogging computing resources is nothing new, legacy browser developers have had a head start in trying to address these problems. The AI browsers fare better with simpler tasks, like summarizing contents on a screen, or searching for information online and entering what it found into online text editors and spreadsheets. The landscape has shifted even since Atlas debuted in October, or at least the optics have. Google’s latest Gemini 3 model outper-

Myanmar . . . Continued from A3

a gold investment scam back up and running as quickly as possible. Telegram is awash with recruitment offers for displaced workers. One company seeking staff to target US “clients” appeared to offer the option of working remotely from the town of Myawaddy. “No daily attendance or registration required,” the notice read. A company seeking staff for “finding and chatting” with cryptocurrency clients said it would arrange direct flights from Yangon in Myanmar to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, for those with passports and “safe transportation by car” for those without. “Come quickly,” the announcement urged.

Still trapped, still using Starlink

MORE than 200 African workers from KK Park went to the nearby Apollo scam compound, according to a foreign woman trapped there. Another 100 or so moved to a compound known as Hengsheng Park 4, according to an employee who says his bosses won’t let him leave even if he pays a ransom. He

forms OpenAI’s best AI systems on many benchmarks, which prompted CEO Sam Altman to declare a “code red” to improve its flagship chatbot. The browser playing field is meanwhile set to level as Chrome and Microsoft bring AI agent tools out of the testing phase for broader release within their legacy browsers. What’s more, getting online providers to develop AI-specific versions of their services has been a largely thankless endeavor. Just ask OpenAI: The company released a framework this fall for app developers to integrate their services into its chatbot, and isn’t always getting the buy-in it wants. While services like Zillow, Instacart and Booking.com have piloted versions of their apps within ChatGPT, their capabilities are limited enough that users would be better served using native websites or apps. Some developers, such as Airbnb, say they’re not rushing to get on board. Other firms operating hightraffic, including Reddit Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and the New York Times Co., have filed lawsuits objecting to how their content is being leveraged by AI companies. In its suit against Perplexity, the New York Times specifically called out Comet’s ability to provide summaries on articles that should only be available to the paper’s paying subscribers. Perplexity has vowed to push back against what it sees as bullying tactics from legacy providers that are threatened by AI upstarts. For users, the AI browsers’ under-baked nature could pose a barrier to wider adoption. “AI is not yet trustworthy, and if we want to get to a point where you’re depending on an agent to spend money on your behalf, we’re going to have to really, really increase that trustworthiness,” said Mozilla’s Chambers. “If I’m booking a flight, how do I know that that agent is really giving me the best deal for me rather than getting a kickback for booking me on airline number X?” she said. “One of the big risks with AI is that it’s going to be deeply integrated into the experiences. And so people are very worried about that.” Bloomberg News

said KK workers stayed for a week and then moved on. “I heard that most of them went to Cambodia, Mauritius and Africa,” he said. He said his company still uses Starlink to get online—three units stopped working after SpaceX announced the ban, but a fourth still functions. Starlink is also still up and running at the Deko Park compound, 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of KK Park, according to a worker trapped there. The Associated Press is withholding the names of all three for safety reasons. AP asked SpaceX for comment and provided the locations of both compounds, but the company did not reply. The Myanmar government’s pledges to wipe out scams haven’t helped the man at Deko Park, whose legs bloomed with bruises from a beating, photos show. He sends pleas almost daily: “Is there any latest news?” he wrote in a recent text message to a woman who is trying to help him escape. “I really want to go.” T he A s soc iated P res s re por ter Huizhong Wu contr ibuted f rom Bangkok , T hailand.

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

Sunday, December 21, 2025 A5

Seven experts receive Filipino Faces of Biotech Award By Lyn Resurreccion

EVEN scientists and researchers involved in biotechnology were recognized with the distinguished Filipino Faces of Biotechnology Award, which celebrated its 10th year, at a hotel in Manila on December 18. The Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Program (DA BP) gave the recognition for the recipients’ significant contributions to biotechnology in their respective fields. The award had a total of 74 recipients during its 10 years of existence. Dr. Paul C. Limson, director of DA BP, led the awarding to the following recipients: n Dr. Ma. Jodecel Danting was recognized for her outstanding leadership and achievement in the field of freshwater fisheries. Her scientific journey has been closely tied to tilapia genetics, a species she has worked with since her undergraduate research and through her graduate and doctoral studies. “Tilapia is not just a species to study. It represents a lifelong contribution to building a stronger and more sustainable aquaculture industry,” she said. n Dr. Danila Hufana Duran helped in revolutionizing livestock productivity in the Philippines through innovative scientific solutions that empower farmers and strengthen local agriculture. At the Philippine Carabao Research and Development Center, she helped in artificial insemination programs and organizing farmers as active partners in livestock improvement initiatives.

One of her landmark achievements is the birth of the first test-tube buffalo in the Philippines, a milestone that demonstrated that genetic improvement is achievable in the country. It reduced dependence on imported livestock, instilled confidence in Filipino scientists, and opened opportunities for scaling reproductive biotechnologies nationwide. n Dr. Reynante Ordonio, a Senior Science Research Specialist and Career Scientist 1 at the Crop Biotechnology Center, Philippine Rice Research Institute, is at the forefront of rice biotechnology in the Philippines, developing innovative solutions to improve nutrition and enhance crop resilience. From 2015 to 2023, he played a key role in the Golden Rice Project, a groundbreaking initiative addressing vitamin A deficiency in the Philippines. Despite encountering opposition from anti-genetically modified organism groups during public hearings, he remained committed to transparency and evidence-based advocacy. “What motivated me was the desire to improve society and help address pressing issues like malnutrition,” he explained. n Dr. Reniel Pamplona, an Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), is championing the advancement of agricultural biotechnology in the Philippines, through both education and research to support sustainable food systems. He pursued Agricultural Biotechnology in 2010 as part of the first batch of BSA/ BT students, shifted from a

SEVEN biotechnology experts are recognized with the Filipino Faces of Biotechnology Award at a hotel in Manila on December 18. The Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Program confer the award to (from left) Dr. Reniel Pamplona, Dr. Danila Hufana Duran, Dr. Reynante Ordonio, Dr. Maria Corazon De Ungria, Dr. Ma. Jodecel Danting, Dr. Ceasar B. Quicoy and Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos. PHOTO FROM DA BPO

traditional BSA program out of curiosity and a desire to explore genetic engineering. Under the guidance of esteemed mentors, including Dr. Evelyn Mae Mendoza and Dr. Antonio Lorena, he gained expertise in both traditional and modern biotechnology, particularly molecular approaches. Considering education as “the most meaningful part” of his work in biotechnology, seeing “students grow in their respective fields,” Pamplona is also deeply involved in research and public service. He spearheaded the Project Layag, which introduced a novel locus plant tissue culture protocol during the pandemic n Dr. Ceasar B. Quicoy, a retired professor from the

Filipino ‘spirit in a bottle’: Scent via DOST project

OSCAR MEJIA III, a finalist at the Asian Perfume Federation’s Niche Perfumer Award 2025, is working with DOST-FPRDI researchers to merge olfactory art with advanced forestry science. DOST-FPRDI PHOTO

HE Philippines will have its own scent that will be launched in 2026 through a collaborative research of Filipino experts. The Forest Products Research and Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-FPRDI) has partnered with artisan perfumer Oscar Mejia III to translate the discipline, passion, and brilliance of Filipino scientists into a world-class fragrance collection made from local forest resources. While science is often associated with numbers, formulas, and technical data, DOST-FPRDI’s “Art of Olfaction” recent workshop revealed another perspective—science

experienced through the senses. “Science often feels distant to the public, but scent is immediate—emotional, familiar, and deeply human. By capturing the Filipino spirit in a bottle, we hope to make science more personal and relatable. This initiative honors the grit and passion of the men and women driving our country’s innovation,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. “Through science, we can harness our local aromatic plants and show how research fuels new industries, creates jobs, and strengthens the market for homegrown raw materials,” Solidum added. Through the guided storytelling workshop, the participants created fragrance

concepts that connected symbols of discovery, perseverance, and nationbuilding with local scents. Each fragrance concept reflected a narrative of scientific curiosity, of service to the Filipino people, and of pushing boundaries to solve real-world challenges. According to Project Leader Dr. Edmark Kamantigue, the developed fragrance profiles will be used to create a perfume collection dedicated to the men and women of science. He announced that the collection, which will use local aromatic plants, is set to be launched in 2026. “This work shows how science can become lifechanging and industryshaping,” shared DOST-FPRDI Director Rico J. Cabangon. “If research can lead to products that are culturally meaningful, market-ready, and globally competitive, then we are helping build a future where innovation directly improves lives and communities,” Cabangon pointed out. The DOST-FPRDI is a research and development arm of the DOST and is part of the government’s efforts to build a strong science and technology ecosystem in the country. The Institute continues to promote responsible forest use and biodiversity conservation through sciencebased innovation. Dr. Edmark C. Kamantigue and Maria Greatchin S. Brucal/S&T News Services

Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics, College of Economics and Management at the UPLB, he emphasized the critical role of biotechnology in enhancing food productivity and advancing health-related solutions in the Philippines. Having been involved on a study evaluating the impact of Bt corn, he said: “I was amazed by the results of our study, especially the farmers’ responses—they truly benefited from it. That was the turning point that led me to pursue biotechnology as a field of study,” he recalled. He noted that the research encouraged further development in agricultural biotechnology, demonstrating its tangible benefits to communities. n Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos is

making significant contributions to fisheries research and biotechnology through his work at the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI). At NFRDI, he has been instrumental in advancing genetic fingerprinting and DNA barcoding techniques to support fisheries management and conservation. The institute’s Genetic Fingerprinting Laboratory is globally recognized for identifying fish species, monitoring biodiversity, and helping law enforcers address illegal wildlife trade. “Through DNA technology, we assist the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in filing appropriate cases against illegal activities involving endangered species. Without this scientific

identification, enforcement would be nearly impossible,” Santos explained. n Dr. Maria Corazon De Ungria, head of the DNA Analysis Laboratory at the Natural Sciences Research Institute, UP Diliman, is advancing forensic molecular biology in the country, helping ensure justice through science. A forensic molecular biologist, de Ungria specializes in DNA profiling for paternity testing, identification of human remains, and assisting criminal investigations. Under her leadership, the DNA Analysis Laboratory is currently developing a sexual assault investigation kit to aid medical professionals in the collection of samples from victims, improving the accuracy and efficiency of investigations. “The value of DNA evidence becomes clear when you see the impact it has on police officers, lawyers, and judges,” de Ungria explained. Her dedication contributed to the Supreme Court’s promulgation of rules recognizing DNA evidence—a landmark achievement for Philippine forensic science. De Ungria’s research program emphasizes genetics and genomics in health research, population genetics, and other scientific fields. Her proudest accomplishment, she says, is remaining in the Philippines, prioritizing the needs of the Filipino people despite challenges, such as limited funding and resources. “Being here at the University of the Philippines is challenging, but it is worthwhile because our work directly serves Philippine society.”

Newly discovered PHL pitcher plant in danger from climate change, poaching

HILIPPINE scientists and an Australian expert have just confirmed a the presence of new species of pitcher plant found only on Palawan Island. However, they that it is already at risk of extinction due to frequent severe weather conditions and human encroachment. A carnivorous vine that uses cup-shaped pitchers to trap insects, Nepenthes megastoma— from Greek for “large mouth”— is found in only three locations in the steep and rocky karst terrain of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, according to Danika Geronimo of Ateneo de Manila University Research Communications. “It’s amazing that these plants have evolved to survive in such difficult and inaccessible conditions. And yet, despite their hardiness, their existence is threatened by human activity—directly by way of encroachment and poaching, and indirectly through the effects of anthropogenic [environmental change caused or influenced by people] climate change,” said researcher John Charles Altomonte.

Philippine species. N. megastoma is well adapted to surviving on steep cliff sides, with upward-pointing female flowers that facilitate vertical pollination and a fuzzy coating that helps collect rainwater. The shape of the plant’s pitchers also seems to vary based on the seasons, transitioning between a wider, flared form and a slimmer, elongated form—an adaptation that may help with water retention, according to the researchers.

Precarious survival, dwindling numbers YET despite these remarkable adaptations, the researchers estimate that there are only some 19 mature clumps with about 12 nonflowering plants, making the species’ survival highly precarious. They warn that this already extremely limited population is highly vulnerable to threats like typhoons, drought, poaching, and deforestation in surrounding areas due to human activities and settlements. With fewer than 50 individual mature specimens known, the

plant is classified as Critically Endangered per International Union for Conservation of Nature guidelines. This number is likely to decline even further, owing to “increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, particularly droughts and typhoons, as well as poaching,” the scientists warn in their paper. Illegally harvested specimens are already being sold in Metro Manila. The imminent danger to N. megastoma’s survival despite its ability to adapt to a harsh cliffside environment underscores anew both the richness and fragility of Philippine biodiversity. Altomonte, John Paul R. Collantes, Vernaluz Mangussad, Rene Alfred Anton Bustamante, and Alastair S. Robinson published their study, “Nepenthes megastoma (Nepenthaceae), a micro-endemic pitcher plant from Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan, Philippines,” in November 2025 in the international journal, Phytotaxa. The study is also published on https://archium.ateneo.edu/esfaculty-pubs/132/

Well adapted to steep cliffs

THE few areas where N. megastoma grows are so difficult to reach that the plant could only be properly documented using drones and long-range cameras. Ecologists first spotted them in 2013, but initially thought they were an already known species, N. campanulata, from nearby Borneo. Only after detailed fieldwork, drone surveys, and close study were the researchers able to confirm the plant to be a previously unknown

PHOTOS of Nepenthes megastoma, a newly described critically endangered species endemic to Palawan, Philippines, show its lower pitcher (Photo a) and two distinct variant forms of its upper pitcher (Photos b and c). SOURCE: ALTOMONTE ET AL., 2025.

Faith

Sunday

A6 Sunday, December 21, 2025

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion • www.businessmirror.com.ph

Pope Leo XIV, new NY Archbishop Hicks, Filipino Catholics and Church challenges By Troi Santos

EW YORK CIT Y—Pope Leo XIV on December 18 appointed Bishop Ronald A. Hicks of Joliet, Illinois, as the next Archbishop of New York, succeeding Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, who submitted his resignation upon turning 75 on February 6, according to the Archdiocese of New York. Hicks, 58, will become the 14th bishop and 11th archbishop of the See of New York. Cardinal Dolan will serve as apostolic administrator until Hicks’ installation by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on February 6, 2026. Founded in 1808, the Archdiocese of New York has long been the Catholic Church’s most visible presence in the United States. Its archbishops historically carried national stature, often shaping public debates beyond ecclesiastical matters. Hicks arrives with a different profile, shaped less by public prominence than by internal governance, formation, and pastoral administration. The archdiocese itself is a product of immigration. In the 19th century, Irish Catholics fleeing famine transformed a marginal Catholic presence into a mass urban institution, often in the face of nativist hostility. Archbishop John Hughes defended Catholic schools and asserted the Church’s civic standing, establishing a tradition of assertive leadership. Subsequent waves of Italian, German, Polish, Puerto Rican, and Dominican Catholics expanded the Church’s reach, embedding parishes deeply into neighborhood life. By the mid-20th century, New

York had become synonymous with Catholic power in America. Cardinal Francis Spellman forged close ties with presidents and military leaders during the Cold War. His successors, including Cardinals Terence Cooke and John O’Connor maintained that prominence. Dolan, archbishop since 2009, continued the tradition as one of the most recognizable Catholic figures in the country, frequently operating at the intersection of religion, politics, and media. That era has narrowed considerably. Clerical sexual abuse scandals and the exposure of systemic failures eroded trust and imposed lasting legal and financial consequences. In New York, the reckoning led to parish consolidations, declining Mass attendance, and a substantial compensation fund for survivors. Authority once assumed by Church leaders became contested, reshaping expectations for episcopal leadership. It is into this environment that Hicks steps in. Born in Harvey, Illinois, in 1967 and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Hicks was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1994 after theological studies at Mundelein Seminary. His early ministry combined parish assignments with semin a r y for m at ion. From 20 0 5 to 2010, he served in Central America as regional director for Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, a Catholic orphan care network operating across several countries, an experience that emphasized institutional care and long-term stewardship. After returning to Chicago, Hicks served as vicar general under Cardinal Blase Cupich. He was appointed an auxiliary bishop in

ST. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. TROY SANTOS

2018 and named Bishop of Joliet in 2020. There, he led a multi-county diocese with a focus on clergy formation, parish support, and administrative stability. Unlike several recent New York archbishops, Hicks is not known as a national spokesman. His reputation rests on internal leadership rather than public visibility. That profile aligns with the early governing approach of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope. Since his election, Leo has emphasized pastoral engagement, internal credibility, and institutional competence over public confrontation. The appointment of Hicks reflects that preference. For much of the late 20th century, New York functioned as Rome’s primary American platform. That role has grown more complicated as polarization within the US Church intensified and as some bishops emerged as independent public actors. By selecting Hicks, the Vatican appears to be redefining New York’s role, shifting it from a national pulpit to a testing ground for quieter governance during a period of contraction. The signal to the wider American

episcopate is clear. Prominence and political alignment no longer define influence in Rome. Administrative credibility, pastoral steadiness, and the ability to manage complex dioceses now carry greater weight. The appointment also reflects demographic reality. Catholic life in New York is increasingly sustained by immigrants from Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. Within the archdiocese’s roughly 2.5 million Catholics, Filipino parishioners are widely regarded as among the most active and consistently practicing immigrant communities. Their presence is most visible at the parish level. Filipino Catholics are prominent at early morning Masses, weekday liturgies, and devotional gatherings. “Simbang Gabi,” the nine-day Advent novena before Christmas Day, is now observed across many New York parishes, often drawing congregations beyond the Filipino community. Devotions to the Santo Niño and Marian feasts serve as organizing centers of parish life. Filipino Catholics also form a substantial share of parish volunteers. They are heavily represented

among choir members, catechists, Eucharistic ministers, and lay workers who sustain daily parish operations. Many work in health care, caregiving, and service industries, occupations that complicate Sunday attendance but reinforce weekday participation. Despite this level of involvement, Filipino Catholics have remained underrepresented in diocesan leadership. Parish councils, chancery offices, and decisionmaking bodies have not consistently reflected their presence in the pews. While priests of Filipino descent serve in the archdiocese, pathways from immigrant parish life to institutional influence remain uneven. The issue is less linguistic than cultura l. Filipino devotional practices are often treated as accommodations rather than as core expressions of New York Catholicism. How those practices are supported signals whose faith is understood as central to the Church’s future. Generational dynamics add another layer. First-generation Filipino Catholics sustain parish life through devotion and service. Younger Filipino Americans balance faith with professional mobility, secular education, and digital culture. Retaining them requires pastoral approaches that extend beyond inherited parish models, an area where Hicks’ background in formation may prove relevant. Hicks will be installed as archbishop in February at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He inherits a diocese of immense symbolic weight and persistent challenges. His initial priorities are expected to include clergy morale, parish viability, transparency, and continued accountability

for abuse. New York presents challenges unmatched elsewhere. R ising real estate costs strain parishes, schools, and rectories. Parish mergers and closures carry deep cultural consequences. Relations with city and state government require constant negotiation over education, health care, immigration services, and homelessness, all under intense public scrutiny. The abuse crisis remains unresolved in public memory. Although structures for accountability are in place, trust has not fully returned. Any misstep can escalate quickly in a city with limited patience for institutional failure. Internal diversity further complicates leadership, as progressive urban parishes coexist with more traditional communities, each with different expectations. For Hicks, the central challenge will not be visibility but durability. The histor y of the Archdiocese of New York is one of continual adaptation shaped by immigration, conf lict, authority, and reckoning. Hicks does not arrive as a figure of rupture or celebrity. His appointment suggests a Church focused less on commanding attention and more on sustaining credibility. In New York, where Catholicism has always mirrored the city’s complexity, that shift may prove consequential. Its success will be measured not in headlines, but in parish life, where the Church’s future now resides.

The author is a practicing Roman Catholic, a Don Bosco Mandaluyong product, who has lived in New York for 35 years, and has served with devotion to San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, the Filipino Apostolate of New York, alongside his family.

A modern saint for a digital generation: Why Filipino youth see themselves in Carlo Acutis By Justine Xyrah Garcia

Carlo’s path to sainthood, said the te e n a g e r ’s o rd i n a r y l i f e m a ke s t h e devotion credible. “I’ve prayed to many saints, but when I encountered Carlo, the sense of wonder was different,” he said. “He was so young, yet he left such a mark.” Jaymark recalled discovering the saint’s years earlier. “I read up on him. I even joked to myself, ‘Oh, he’s good with computers.’ I didn’t expect his faith to be that deep,” he said. For him, Acutis’ accessibility explains the interest: “He isn’t intimidating… He’s an ordinary boy who chose a direction.”

A I N T Carlo Acutis’ relic arrived in Manila last month as part of an 18- day pilgrimage, drawing young Filipinos who knew him less from catechism texts and more from online videos and school reports. Many said they came out of curiosity but left with a sense of recognition—an unexpected familiarity with a 15-yearold Italian teenager who died nearly two decades ago. Acutis, canonized by Pope Leo XIV just a couple of months ago, in September, grew up in an environment that today’s youth still inhabit—early social media, school pressures, computer games and the steady noise of adolescence. Unlike saints whose lives are set in distant centuries, Acutis lived in conditions Filipino GenZs understand without translation. At the National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on December 7, Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo emphasized that point. “Carlo was young, born 1991, so a kid of our times,” he said. “Carlo was healthy...He played football, he went swimming, he loved hiking…He was especially talented with the internet. He was a genius with social media.” Figueiredo said the saint’s spiritual life started with one decision he made at age seven: to live with intention. The boy put it bluntly—“I have a plan for my life. I have a program for my life. Always to be united to Jesus”—and from there, he built habits that gave structure to an otherwise ordinary childhood. He treated the Eucharist as the center of his day, once explaining that “the more

What remains A DEVOTEE takes a selfie with the statue and relic of Saint Carlo Acutis encased in a reliquary at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, known popularly as Baclaran Church, in Parañaque City on December 7. PHOTOS BY JUSTINE XYRAH GARCIA

I receive Jesus in the Eucharist, the more I become like him, so already I can taste heaven on earth.” Prayer, the monsignor added, was not complicated for him; Carlo simply believed “the only one I don’t need an appointment with in life is Jesus.” That clarity shaped how he viewed right and wrong. As Figueiredo put it, Carlo saw sin, not violence or corruption, as the real threat to a person’s life because it distorts everything else. Acutis also often reminded others that success and reputation fade, saying: “Everything in this world will pass away. The only thing that makes us beautiful in God’s eyes is the way that we have loved God and loved the person God puts next to us.”

Figueiredo said these ideas formed into what Carlo called his “five appointments”— Mass, prayer before the tabernacle, confession, devotion to Mary and the saints, and concrete acts of charity. They were simple prac tices, the monsignor noted, but they protected the teenager’s faith the way the pericardium— the relic on tour—protects the heart.

A saint they can recognize

FOR Mika, 18, Acutis first surfaced in a school assignment. “In our religious [education] class, our teacher assigned a report on modern saints,” she said. “A lot of us just searched on TikTok, and almost all the results were about Saint Carlo. There were even edits that looked

MSGR. Anthony Figueiredo delivers the homily about Saint Carlo Acutis during a Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

like fan videos.” When she heard the relic would be displayed at a parish near her home, she went almost immediately. She said she wasn’t expecting anything unusual, but the encounter felt “more solemn” than she imagined—a reminder that the boy she had only seen on TikTok was not just a story. “He didn’t look so holy. He had hobbies, he had school, he had struggles too. His example suggested something practical: we can have a more intentional relationship with God even if you’re busy or online half the time,” she said. For Jared, 16, a youth ministry volunteer, the appeal came from Carlo’s consistency. “Simple family, normal school, but his devotion was consistent. Not showy,” he said.

Seeing the relic in Manila reinforced that impression. “I’m used to church events, but seeing Saint Carlo’s relic felt different. It wasn’t overwhelming—more like quiet respect. And I thought, he was doing all that at almost my age,” he said. To him, the saint’s influence lies in the absence of pretense. “He didn’t run away from being a normal teenager. He didn’t pretend to be super holy. He never said, ‘Be like me’; he just did his best,” he said What the youth take from that, Jared added, is simple: “You don’t need to be extraordinary to be faithful. It’s really consistency.” Older devotees echo the same observation. Jaymark, 37, who followed

For Figueiredo, the interest in Acutis— especially among the youth—comes from a spirituality that does not require stepping outside ordinary life. Carlo’s five appointments, he said, show how holiness can grow within routine rather than apart from it. In closing, he repeated the teenager’s own understanding of what endures beyond achievement or recognition: “Heaven awaits us forever, Carlo says, to love what awaits us. Give the best of yourselves today in these five practices,” Figueiredo added. The first- class relic—par t of a saint’s body—is Acutis’ pericardium, the membrane surrounding and protecting the heart. It arrived in the Philippines in November and had a pilgrimage in several minor basilicas, cathedrals, parish churches, and shrines in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon. It returned to Assisi, Italy, on December 15.

Biodiversity Sunday BusinessMirror

Asean Champions of Biodiversity Media Category 2014

Sunday, December 21, 2025 A7

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

MIMICKING a natural reef, proponents of the Masbate Gold Project deployed artificial reefs made from concrete to bring back marine life in the Colorada Point Marine Protected Area. MGP PHOTO

PROPONENTS of the Masbate Gold Project actively engage and involve the community in capacity-building projects, such as mangrove reforestation. MGP PHOTOS

Mining and biodiversity blend well in Masbate town By Jonathan L. Mayuga

N the town of Aroroy in Masbate province, mining and biodiversity conservation blend well. The Colorada Point Marine Protected Area (CPMPA), a 129-hectare marine sanctuary in Aroroy, stands as proof that responsible mining, environmental protection, and conservation can co-exist. Aroroy is a coastal town on the island province of Masbate. It is rich in terrestrial, coastal, and marine biodiversity, despite its long history of mining. Artisanal and small-scale mining in the area dates back to pre-colonial times. Today, Aroroy hosts the largest operating gold mining project in the Philippines—the Masbate Gold Project (MGP), operated by Filminera Resources Corp. (FRC) and Philippine Gold Processing and Refining Corp. (PGPRC), both members of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP). The MGP began development in 2007 and commenced commercial operations two years later, bringing with it a range of socioeconomic and environmental benefits.

Socio-economic and environmental benefits

THE benefits of mining has played a significant

role in the town’s reclassification from a fourth-class to a first-class municipality. Tax revenues from mining enabled the local government to expand public services and infrastructure, while MGP’s Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) funded projects in health, education, infrastructure, and livelihood. The project also became a major employer, providing thousands of direct and indirect jobs. Livelihood opportunities opened for local fishermen—some of whom had previously engaged in illegal or destructive fishing—who were later employed as community “bantay dagat [sea patrol].”

Saving a dying marine ecosystem

BETWEEN the 1980s and 1990s, Aroroy’s coral reefs were severely damaged by dynamite fishing. In response, FRC and PGPRC partnered with the local government to establish the Colorada Point Marine Protected Area through a municipal order issued in 2017. The companies engaged coastal communities as marine wardens, deployed artificial reef balls to mimic natural reefs, carried out coral transplantation, and

implemented a mangrove reforestation program across significant areas. Today, the sanctuary is teeming with fish, lobsters, and several species of giant clams, including natural recruits—clear indicators of a recovering ecosystem. Marine turtles have also been sighted in what has become a haven for marine life.

Biodiversity conservation management

MGP gained distinction under COMP’s Towards S ustainable Mining ( TSM) initiative, particularly under the Biodiversity Conservation Management Protocol. In 2025, MGP earned a Level AAA rating in biodiversity management and ranked highest among COMP member companies that underwent external verification, reflecting strong performance in corporate biodiversity commitment, accountability, and communications., COMP Chairman Michael Toledo told the BusinessMirror that the Chamber adopted the Protocol “because mining doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens in real landscapes that suppor t real communities.” “When we commit to understanding and protecting the ecosystems around us, we’re

not just meeting standards; we’re making smarter, more responsible decisions that reduce risk and strengthen the long-term viability of our operations. This Protocol matters because it reflects our duty of care,” he said via Messenger on December 15. “Protecting biodiversity helps ensure clean water, stable environments, and resilient communities—all essential for sustainable development. By embedding this discipline into the way we work, we’re showing that responsible mining and environmental stewardship can, and must, go hand in hand,” Toledo added.

Mining and biodiversity

MINING is governed by the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (Republic Act 7942), with biodiversity conservation further supported by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order (DENR AO) 2022-04. These require mining contractors to integrate biodiversity considerations into planning doc uments, such as t h e E nv i ro n m e nt a l Wo r k Pro g ra m , Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program, and Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan. Beyond regulator y requirements,

COMP’s TSM initiative calls on membercompanies to develop site -specific biodiversity management plans covering the full lifecycle of mining operations.

Strong commitment, reforestation targets

FRC and PGPRC have submitted a Biodiversity Management Plan identifying priority flora and fauna for protection and conservation. The plan lists 16 flora and 10 fauna species and emphasizes the use of native species in reforestation to enhance habitat viability. PGPRC continues to prioritize indigenous and threatened species in reforestation efforts and has set aside conservation areas, buffer zones, and biodiversity corridors, according to Castro Espinosa, biodiversity officer of PGPRC. PGPRC has planted 840,822 seedlings, mostly mangroves. Over the years, FRC has planted 3.4 million trees, including 1.3 million mangroves, said Rose Ann Martinez, FRC senior environment officer.

Community engagement, involvement

COMMUNITY engagement remains central to the project’s environmental programs. Capacity-building seminars and biodiversity

training focus on local species conservation. The companies also work with Deputized Wildlife Enforcement Officers of the DENR, who conduct patrols, monitoring, and information campaigns in local communities. Residents par ticipate direc tly in reforestation and rehabilitation activities, with 53 locals currently employed, rising to as many as 80 during planting seasons. MGP also partners with the Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology to reforest a 100-hectare watershed area outside the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement. As of 2025, 60 hectares have been restored with 53,879 indigenous trees and bamboo.

Mangrove rehabilitation

AN ongoing partnership with the Aroroy Fishermen Cooperative explores the development of a mangrove plantation and sanctuary with ecotourism potential. While plans were delayed due to changes in local administration, the initiative remains under consideration, alongside a proposed pawikan conservation project. The Aroroy Fishermen Cooperative has been a mangrove reforestation partner since 2013.

Guarding the last mile: PHLPost joins fight to protect wildlife from traffickers

HE Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) has taken a proactive stance in safeguarding the last mile of delivery from illegal wildlife trafficking by joining forces with the Departments of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),

and the Bureau of Customs (BOC). During a workshop facilitated by Traffic Southeast Asia, PHLPost, along with the three agencies and 14 Private Express and/ or Messengerial Delivery Service (Pemedes) operators, engaged in collaborative discussions to develop the country’s first-

ever policy designed to regulate the transport of wildlife across last-mile delivery services. Lorie Ann Hinacay, acting chief of the Inspection and Investigation Division, presented how PHLPost can further enhance its detection and prevention efforts against illegal wildlife trade.

Before megalodon, a monstrous shark ruled ancient Australian seas

ELLINGTON, New Zealand—In the age of dinosaurs—before whales, great whites or the bus-sized megalodon—a monstrous shark prowled the waters off what’s now northern Australia, among the sea monsters of the Cretaceous period (145 to 66 million years ago). Researchers studying huge vertebrae discovered on a beach near the city of Darwin say the creature is now the earliest known mega-predator of the modern shark lineage, living 15 million years earlier than enormous sharks found before. And it was huge. The ancestor of today’s 6-meter great white shark was thought to be about 8 meters long, said the authors of a paper published in the journal Communications Biology. “Cardabiodontids were ancient, megapredatory sharks that are very, very common from the later part of the Cretaceous, after 100 million years ago,” said Benjamin Kear, the senior curator in paleobiology at the Swedish Museum of Natural History and one of the study’s authors. “But this has pushed the time envelope back of when we’re going to find absolutely enormous cardabiodontids.”

Rediscovered fossils pointed to a huge shark

SHARKS have a 400-million-year history but lamniforms, the ancestors of today’s great white sharks, appear in the fossil record from 135 million years ago. At that time they were small—probably only a meter in length—which made the

discovery that lamniforms had already become gigantic by 115 million years ago an unexpected one for researchers. The vertebrae were found on coastline near Darwin in Australia’s far north, once mud from the floor of an ancient ocean that stretched from Gondwana—now Australia—to Laurasia, which is now Europe. It’s a region rich in fossil evidence of prehistoric marine life, with long-necked plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs among the creatures discovered so far. The five vertebrae that launched the quest to estimate the size of their megashark owners were not a recent discovery, but an older one that had been somewhat overlooked, Kear said. Unearthed in the late 1980s and 1990s, the fossils measured 12 centimeters across and had been stored in a museum for years. When studying ancient sharks, vertebrae are prizes for paleontologists. Shark skeletons are made of cartilage, not bone, and their fossil record is mostly made up of teeth, which sharks shed throughout their lives. “The importance of vertebrae is they give us hints about size,” Kear said. “If you’re trying to scale it from teeth, it’s difficult. Are the teeth big and the bodies small? Are they big teeth with big bodies?”

Ancient shark size still holds mystery

SCIENTISTS have used mathematical formulas to estimate the size of extinct sharks like megalodon, a massive predator that came

later and may have reached 17 meters in length, Kear said. But the rarity of vertebrae mean questions of ancient shark size are difficult to answer, he added. The international research team spent years testing different ways to estimate the size of the Darwin cardabiodontids, using fisheries data, CT scans and mathematical models, Kear said. Eventually, they arrived at a likely portrait of the predator’s size and shape. “It would’ve looked for all the world like a modern, gigantic shark, because this is the beauty of it,” Kear said. “This is a body model that has worked for 115 million years, like an evolutionary success story.”

A predator’s past could hint at the future

THE study of the Darwin sharks suggested that modern sharks rose early in their adaptive evolution to the top of prehistoric food chains, the researchers said. Now, scientists could scour similar environments worldwide for others, Kear said. “They must have been around before,” he said. “This thing had ancestors.” Studying ancient ecosystems like this one could help researchers understand how today’s species might respond to environmental change, Kear added. “This is where our modern world begins,” he said. “By looking at what happened during past shifts in climate and biodiversity, we can get a better sense of what might come next.” Charlotte Graham-Mclay/Associated Press

Hinacay highlighted the importance of enforcing safeguards, such as mandatory screening, content verification, and documentation checks. She also emphasized the value of interagency coordination and proposed the establishment of a real-time communication

channel among PHLPost, BOC, DENR, and law enforcement agencies to ensure swift information exchange and response. “Putting a stop to wildlife trafficking is a tall order. It takes all of us working together to ensure the protection of wildlife,” Hinacay said.

As the nation’s primary last-mile delivery service provider, PHLPost reaffirms its commitment not only to operating a reliable nationwide postal system but also to upholding safety, accountability, and responsible handling of mails, parcels, and other deliverables across the country.

Japan will have no panda after 50 years when twins leave Tokyo zoo

OKYO—Popular twin pandas at a Tokyo zoo are set to return to their homeland in China in late January, officials said, leaving Japan without a panda for the first time in about half a century. Prospects for their replacement are not favorable either as ties between the two countries have deteriorated. The twins, Xiao Xiao and his sister Lei Lei, were born at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens in 2021, and raised, but they remain on loan from China and have to be returned by February. Their parents Shin Shin and Ri Ri returned home last year after China loaned them for breeding research in 2011. The last day of public viewing for the 4-year-old twins will be January 25, according to the Tokyo metropolitan government. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said pandas have long been loved by Japanese people and he hoped friendship through panda diplomacy between the two countries will continue. “Exchanges through pandas have contributed to improve the public sentiment between Japan and China, and we hope the relationship will continue,” Kihara said. He noted that a number of local municipalities and zoos have expressed hope that new pandas will to be loaned soon. China sent the first pair of pandas to Japan in 1972 to mark the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Since then, Japan has never been left

XIAO XIAO (front) and his sister Lei Lei, twins of giant pandas, sit on the ground at the Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on March 10, 2023. NAOHIKO HATTA/KYODO NEWS VIA AP

without a panda. Giant pandas are native to southwestern China and serve as an unofficial national mascot. Beijing lends them to other countries as a sign of goodwill but maintains ownership over them and any cubs they produce. Relations between Japan and China have worsened since Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in early November that its military could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing claims

as its own. China has since restricted tourism to Japan, and cultural events and exchanges between local governments have been canceled. The row escalated this month when Chinese drills involving an aircraft carrier near southern Japan prompted Tokyo to scramble fighter jets. It also protested that Japanese aircraft were targeted by repeated radar-locking—a move considered as possible preparation for missile firing. Mari Yamaguchi/Associated Press

Sports BusinessMirror

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Filipinas gear up for Asian tilt after SEA Games win

Unforgiving reality after Olympic glory

HE triumphant Filipinas are looking to use their amazing run in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Choburi as a momentum-builder and confidence-booster heading into the next big battles. The Pinay booters, who ended the duopoly of Vietnam and Thailand in women’s football and made history for the Philippines, will wage battle in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup set for March next year in Australia. The Continental meet will serve as a pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. “We’ll enjoy this one, we have to enjoy this one because it’s been a long time coming for this country to win the SEA Games,” said coach Mark Torcaso, after the squad sealed its SEA Games coronation with a 6-5 victory on penalties over Vietnam after a scoreless stalemate after 120 minutes. “We’ll rest a little bit and then we have to get ready for the Asian Cup.” Torcaso feels more big things are coming for his gritty crew of vets and young guns. “We saw how disciplined our girls can be against good teams and I truly believe that we can do that against Australia or South Korea and Iran and I truly believe that we can do something special there as well and go to another World Cup,” he said. The Filipinas need to finish in the Top 2 against the host Boomers, the Koreans and the Iranians in Group A to get to the quarterfinals, where the four winners will get a direct entry to the world meet and the four losers will contest two other spots in the play-in matches. “The most pleasing thing for me this competition [SEAG] was we showed that we’ve got a group of players here, both experienced and young players that are ready to fight for our country right from the start of the game to the end of the game, even penalty shootouts,” said Torcaso.

ROM Olympic gold to a non-medal finish in the Southeast Asian Games, Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo’s journey has changed dramatically in four years, showing the unforgiving nature of high-level sport. Diaz lifted 88 kgs and 90 kgs in the

HIDILYN DIAZ-NARANJO the SEA Games rekindled her competitive spirit. POC MEDIA POOL

snatch and managed 110 kgs in the clean and jerk for a 200-kg total—a distant fourth place as Vietnam’s Thi Tam Quang came up with lifts of 96-119-215 for the bronze. Thailand’s Suratwadee Yodsarn dominated with 224 kgs (96 kgs snatch and 128 kgs clean and jerk), while Indonesia’s Natasya Beteyob bagged the silver medal with a 98-120-218. Still, Diaz-Naranjo remains the Philippines’ most celebrated weightlifter and one of the country’s greatest athletes despite the disappointment at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. “Sorry,” Diaz-Naranjo, who is trying to fight off a lingering right knee injury, said. “But I did my best.” “And this is my best for now because I have an injury and I’m having a hard time dropping weight because I gained weight. But it’s not an excuse. At the end of the day, I didn’t give up. I prepared and I’m happy to represent our country,” Diaz said. After a disheartening 2024, DiazNaranjo says she is motivated to return to competition and the missed podium in

Thailand only fuels her drive. “After not qualifying for the Paris Olympics, I kind

sports icon is determined to seek another shot at glory. “It keeps changing. Third time na ito ngayon. So tingnan natin, 61 kilos naman,” Diaz-Naranjo said. “Hoping next year I’ll be qualifying for LA.” She will be 37 in LA28, on her fourth Olympic cycle. Beyond that, retirement looms on the horizon. “There are plans, because we are nearing retirement.” “But the SEA Games reignited the competitive fire in me.”

of lost motivation and this is my first international competition after 2024. I’m happy to be back again,” said Diaz-Naranjo. The toughest hurdle was returning to her top mental form, the Olympic champion said. “It’s not the physical training, it’s the mental training. That’s where I struggled. And I didn’t compete for almost two years. “I’m happy to be back,” she added.

Tokyo Lift

Eyeing LA 2028

DESPITE the struggles with the changes in weight classes—Diaz-Naranjo won the Olympic gold at 55kg, a division that was scrapped, which forced her to move up to 59 for the Paris Olympic qualification and now back to 58 in the Southeast Asian Games—the Filipina

HIDILYN DIAZ-NARANJO reached the peak of her career in July 2021. At the Tokyo International Forum, DiazNaranjo had a total lift of 224 kilograms to secure victory, ending the Philippines’ long search for an Olympic gold medal. Diaz-Naranjo posted lifts of 97kg and 127kg for a 224kg total, edging her rival by a single kilogram. Then the international weightlifting scene had major changes, with revised weight categories and stricter Olympic qualification rules ahead of the Paris 2024 Games. Diaz-Naranjo, battling injuries and seeing action in limited events, fell short. The SEA Games was expected to be a big comeback, but the 34-year-old Diaz-Naranjo was outside striking distance of a podium. Still, officials note that the SEA Games debacle did not diminish her star power.

Eala takes her place in 2025

SARA EGGESVIK and the Filipinas stamp their mark in the SEAG. POC MEDIA POOL

Petecio eyes redemption at Nagoya Asiad

OR a boxer who dazzled on the Olympic stage with a silver medal in Tokyo 2021 and a bronze in Paris 2024, Nesthy Petecio’s Southeast Asian Games result was a tough reminder of the unpredictability of the regional competition. Among the favorites in the women’s 63-kg light welterweight category, Petecio suffered a stunning setback at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center in Bangkok, ending up with a bronze medal. The 33-year-old Petecio once again could not make it past the semifinals, bowing to Indonesia’s Hasanah Huswatun, 2-3. “It’s disappointing, and I’ve been thinking about it a lot,” Petecio told BusinessMirror while watching the Alas Pilipinas women’s basketball team in action. Petecio added that the result was difficult to accept after her strong showing in the ring. The talented southpaw felt she had done enough to win on points. “But I respect the judges’ decision, and it’s time to turn my focus to next year’s Asian Games.” Despite her aggressive performance across three rounds, Petecio fell short in a split decision that left her questioning the outcome. “Even now, I still can’t believe what happened.

Gifts for Golfers WITH a week to go before Christmas, we all should be close to wrapping up our gift lists. While a bottle of wine or a box of pastries may be appreciated by everyone, golfers in the family or the golfing buddy or boss would surely appreciate some golf-related presents. This may not be a daunting task for those who play the game, but for non-golfers, I am sure they have no clue on what to give. Let me give a quick guide for those who are still in search for gifts for the golfers in their lives.

Under P 1,000

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

IN case you drew a golfer for the exchange gift at a Christmas party, or you want to show some love to a golfing uncle, don’t worry. There’s no need to spend a fortune to get a gift that will surely be appreciated. While golf can be expensive, there are still a few items that are necessities for golfers that are within budget. n Tees—A few packs of wooden or plastic tees will always be useful. n Sunblock—A good sunblock should cost in the P 600-P 1,000 range. n Gloves—This might be trickier because of the sizing but any golfer would appreciate new gloves. n Golf Sleeves—These arm protectors are very popular with golfers. Any additional protection from the sun is a welcome addition. n Ball Markers—A nice marker and divot tool set is an affordable gift that golfers can remember you by.

But that’s the reality of sports,” she said. The 33-year-old 2019 world champion is no stranger to bouncing back from setbacks. After her silver medal in Tokyo, she struggled at the 2022 Hanoi SEA Games but returned a year later to capture gold in Cambodia. Following that, she continued her remarkable run despite balancing the demands of being a Coast Guard petty officer, ultimately securing bronze in Paris alongside fellow boxer Aira Villegas. Josef Ramos

NESTHY PETECIO is determined to get back on top of the podium. POC MEDIA POOL

By Troi Santos

LEX EALA entered 2025 with clear priorities. Rankings mattered. The daily work mattered more. By the end of the year, both had aligned. She began in Canberra, a stop that rarely generates attention but often reveals who has prepared well. Eala reached the semifinals, an early signal that her off-season work had carried through to competition. The shift from promise to presence came in Miami. Playing on a wild card, she defeated Madison Keys, the tournament’s fifth seed, in straight sets, then followed it with a composed victory over Iga Świątek, the second seed. The wins did not rely on timing or conditions. She controlled exchanges, absorbed pace and closed points without hesitation when it mattered. Her run ended in the semifinals against Jessica Pegula, but the result had already reset expectations. Miami did not introduce Eala to the tour. It clarified her position within it. That clarity extended beyond results. Sponsors adjusted accordingly. Nike incorporated Filipino symbolism into her on-court presentation. Globe, which had supported her since childhood, now had a player competing deep into major tournaments. The framing shifted from long-term development to current competitiveness. In Rome, Eala added doubles matches alongside Coco Gauff, using the opportunity to sharpen decisionmaking at net and improve point

recognition under pressure. It was development work, not exposure, the kind players take on when they know what they still need. On grass, she reached her first WTA final in Eastbourne. She held championship points before falling in a deciding-set tiebreak. The loss did not linger. It clarified margins. A midseason shoulder issue required time away from competition. Eala returned to Mallorca and the Rafa Nadal Academy, where she rebuilt timing and adjusted mechanics. The pause was quiet and functional. No public reset. Just recalibration, done away from view. The payoff came in New York. At the US Open, Eala earned her first main-draw victory at a Grand Slam, becoming the first player representing the Philippines to do so in the Open Era. She defeated Clara Tauson in three sets, rallying from a deficit in the final set and closing a prolonged tiebreak with measured shot selection. It was not symbolic. It was structural, the kind of win that steadies a season and doesn’t disappear. Guadalajara followed with her first professional title, a WTA 125 event. After dropping the opening set to Panna Udvardy, Eala adjusted her serve patterns, shortened rallies and closed the match in three sets. It was her first trophy at that level and another national first. By autumn, she had entered the top 50. The ranking altered the architecture of her schedule, direct entry into tournaments, improved draws and fewer early-round compromises. She closed the year at the Southeast

Gifts in the P 5,000 – 15,000 range

NOW we get into gifts that are pretty substantial in value. It could be for an important boss or client, a dad/mom, brother/ sister, or husband/wife. At this price range, it sends the message that you’ve thought things through and are willing to spend to show appreciation. n Golf Shirt/s—Golfers would surely love a nice golf shirt or shirts. Prices may vary, as do styles, but at around P 5,000 and up, you’re pretty safe. Standard brands like Nike, Under Armour and Adidas are nice, but to show that you went through the trouble of choosing something nice, try golf-specific brands like Footjoy, J. Lindberg, G/Fore, or luxury golf apparel from RLX, Lacoste or Hugo Boss. If you want to give more than one shirt, Penguin has nice shirts that are reasonably priced. n Golf Shoes—If you know their shoe size, it must mean you’re pretty close. Golf shoes are always a welcome addition for any golfer. Good shoes can start at around P 8,000 all the way to P 15,000. There are a number of nice models from Nike, Adidas, Puma, G/Fore, Ecco, and Footjoy. Personally, I prefer Adidas and Footjoy from a comfort and durability perspective. n Golf Balls—These would probably be an appreciated gift since we golfers use up our fair share of balls. A box of 12 can cost over 4,000, but there are cheaper ones. Unless you know the skill level of the golfer you intend to gift balls to, I suggest to give the premium models from Titleist, Callaway, Taylormade, Srixon or Bridgestone. For complete beginners, any model would do. A box would be nice, but two boxes would be awesome. n Waterproof Apparel—This is an often-overlooked area for golfers. Some of us still have waterproof jackets from two decades ago in our bags. Keep your cherished golfers dry when it rains and get them a nice waterproof jacket this Christmas.

ALEX EALA ends the Philippines’ gold medal drought in women’s tennis at the SEA Games. AP

Asian Games in Thailand, winning the women’s singles gold medal with a straight-sets victory over Mananchaya Sawangkaew. The result ended a 26year drought for the Philippines in the event. The match itself was uneven, interrupted by officiating delays and extended pauses. Eala managed the disruptions, requested corrections when necessary and finished decisively. She also contributed medals in team and mixed events. Afterward, she described the season not as a breakthrough but as an outcome. “It has been an amazing year for me and my team,” Eala said. “Our goal was to end this year in the top 100 and we exceeded it, landing at 50. The year 2025 has been even more special with me ending it by winning the gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games. Playing alongside all the other Philippine athletes is always a treasured experience, and I am grateful and humbled that I get to play for this important regional sports event for the country.” The goals were clear. The results followed.

have a functioning rangefinder. If you have access to their golf bags and don’t find any, then chances are, you can give one as a gift. Get one from Bushnell or Golf Buddy. I’d stick to either of those brands. n Golf Green Fee Vouchers, Golf Holidays—Nothing shows love more than saying “Go play more golf!”.

For the truly blessed Golfer

I am partial to Footjoy for waterproofs, but you should find some other brands out there.

Over P 15,000

NOW we get into the price range that may bring golfers to shed a few tears. While we aren’t promoting materialism, getting really nice gifts always tugs at our heartstrings. n Golf Clubs—A new driver, a new putter, or a new set of irons or wedges are a great gift. You would need to do some research though, so it might ruin any surprises planned. Golfers’ needs and wants are quite specific when it comes to clubs. A new putter might work if you want it to be a surprise. Get something from Scotty Cameron or Odyssey to be safe. But really, the best option would be a gift certificate so they can choose what they want. Just for guidance, allot around P 35,000 for drivers and for higher end putters. Irons would be in the P 60,000 and up range. n Golf Rangefinder—This is another nice and useful gift, but make sure the recipient doesn’t already have one. He/she would have no use for another one if they already

IF money is no issue, then a full set of clubs would be perfect. Still want to spend more? Get your golfing loved one a golf cart! That should set you back P 400,000 and up for a nice one from Club Car, EZGO, or Yamaha. There are other brands out there but these three are the gold standard. Now, if you really want to splurge and have the pockets for it, get a golf share for your treasured golfer. That should elicit a long hug with some tears.

What NOT to give golfers

NOW that we’ve tackled gift ideas that golfers would like, let me share what we golfers DON’T want to get as gifts: Don’t give golf-themed office accessories. We can only have so many golf-themed paperweights, pen holders, picture frames, etc. Don’t give us gag gifts. Keep those potty putting mats, exploding golf balls, crazy socks, and any other “funny” golf gifts. They aren’t fun or funny, and are a waste of money. Don’t give accessories like ball holders, club cleaners, bag organizers, or any other useless, cheesy golf nonsense.

Don’t sweat it

I HOPE this guide helps you find the perfect gift. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but with some thought and effort, you can sprinkle some holiday cheer for you beloved golfer. Merry Christmas!

BusinessMirror

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BEHIND THE SCENES OF SOME OF THE MOST UPLIFTING STORIES OF 2025

December 21, 2025

BusinessMirror DECEMBER 21, 2025 | soundstrip.businessmirror@gmail.com

SITTING WITH FEELING

YOUR MUSI

James Alyn’s “Don’t Worry” finds meaning in uncertainty

“D

Story by Justine Xyrah Garcia

on’t worry” is one of those phrases people say automatically. It comes up in passing— when conversations get uncomfortable, when there’s no real solution to offer, when reassurance feels easier than listening.

But for Thai singer-songwriter James Alyn, “Don’t Worry” means slowing that phrase down and asking it to actually mean something. His new single, released in November, does not try to fix problems or gloss over them. Instead, it stays with the feeling—acknowledging that pain, doubt, and uncertainty are part of moving forward. “I wrote this song to be a friend to whoever listens to it,” James said in a media roundtable with BusinessMirror’s SoundStrip and other media organizations. “It talks about not worrying too much and embracing the pain and struggles that come your way.” The message, he added, is not about pretending e erything is fine, but about trusting

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that hardship does not last forever. “Eventually all of the pain and struggle, your hard times, it will make you stronger and that everything’s going to be okay. I want to get through to my fans and whoever listens to the song. Hoping that it would cheer them up, make them feel better and that they’re not alone in this journey.” Since the song’s release, James said listeners have been reaching out to him privately, sharing how clos ly the track reflects what they are going through. For him, that response matters more than numbers. “That is all I can ask for, really,” he said James first gained wider attention as part of HYBS, the Thai indie-pop duo whose mellow, melodic sound found listeners across Southeast Asia and beyond. Going solo has not meant a sharp break from that sensibility, but it has made his songwriting feel more exposed, direct and ultimately, less buffered. That exposure surfaces in “Don’t Worry” through its reference to “faking it,” a feeling James said is familiar to him as a performer. “Sometimes you just have an obligation to carry through,” he said. “Like even if you’re having a bad day, sometimes you gotta put on a show or put on a face that makes people feel good.” He is careful, however, not to frame emotional endu ance as something to aspire to. The song, he said, is not about hiding

discomfort be ter. “You don’t have to always put on that. Sometimes we’re just human. If sometimes you don’t feel like smiling, that’s fine. Just be who you are and be authentic,” James said. “Don’t Worry” is also a collaboration with English indie-pop band PREP, artists James has admired for years. The partnership did not begin as a planned writing session. About a year ago, after James opened for PREP in Taipei, the musicians ended up jamming casually at Taiwanese synth-pop band Sunset Rollercoaster’s studio. James recorded the moment on his phone and moved on, with no intention of turning it into a song. A year later, while scrolling through old voice memos, he rediscovered the recording. “I thought, ‘Oh, this is pretty cool,’” he recalled. From that fragment, James built the song and later reached out to PREP to collaborate on the idea theyhad unknowingly started together. The band agreed, turning an informal jam into a fi ished release. Writing with more purpose James’s creative process has long been driven by instinct. “I have like 5,000 voice memos that I don’t even look through all of them,” he said, describing how he records ideas whenever inspiration strikes— whether with a guitar, a piano, or simply his voice. For years, melody usually came first, with meaning following later. Recently, he has been trying to shift that balance. “Lately I’ve been trying to be more with purpose with my writing,” he said. Starting with a clear concept or message, he explained, helps prevent creative blocks and opens up new directions. The shift mirrors his transition from working in a duo to navigating independence. His time with HYBS shaped his openness to collaboration, something he continues to carry into his solo work. Now, as an independent artist, James has been experimenting more—working with different producers, exploring new genres, and allowing his sound to move more freely. “I think there’s like more boundaries pushed, like, as in, I try different genres more. I try to work with more people. So I learned from them more and, and I get introduced, get exposed to more types of music,” he explained. That freedom, however, comes with challenges. Enjoying many styles at once can make it difficult to shape a cohesive body of work. James acknowledged that defining an album’s overall sound is often the role of a producer. Without that fixed framework, his solo work has become more experimental, sometimes at the expense of uniformity. “I would say that the difference is I’m more exper mental, I guess, but also like in the sense of packa ing it into a sound or an album, maybe I’m more like all over the place,” he shared.

Making people happy

Despite changes in process and sound, James said his reason for making music has remained the same.

“I’ve always done music to make people happy...My priority is to connect with people to make music...that helps people,” he said. For him, that happiness comes from connection—helping listeners feel understood during difficult moments, rather than distracting them from it. Larger stages and wider recognition, he added, are welcome but not essential. “All of that is cool, but to me, that is all a bonus.” Being able to write, perform, and connect with liste ers who relate to his songs already feels like a privilege. Looking ahead, James said he remains open to future collaborations, mentioning artists he admires such as Sunset Rollercoaster and Filipino singer-songwriter Zack Tabudlo. But for now, his focus remains on making music that feels honest—songs that do not rush listeners toward answers, but allow them to sit where they are. “I think that I don’t have a lot of control if my song is going to hit or if I’m going to get to play on the biggest stages... I really appreciate being where I am and b ing able to do what I do and have the fans that I have. It’s really a dream for me already,” he said.

James Alyn

soundstrip.businessmirror@gmail.com | DECEMBER 21, 2025

BUSINESS

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN 1ST.ONE announces big plans for 2026

Story and photos by Vincent Peter Rivera

he year is not yet over but the six-member P-Pop boy group 1ST.ONE is already setting its sights on goals for 2026, which include upcoming activities and promotions designed to introduce and solidify their unique identity and sound. The group was originally scheduled to take the big stage at the SM City North EDSA SKYDOME on November 23, 2025. However, during an official press conference, 1ST.ONE announced the rescheduling of their “ALL 1N Concert” after one of their members, Joker, was diagnosed with pneumonia. “Beloved ForOne and supporters, it is with a heavy heart that we announce the rescheduling of our concert, ALL 1N Concert, from November 23, 2025, to January 18, 2026, at the SM Sky Dome,” 1ST.ONE leader Ace began. “One of our treasured members, Joker, is currently recuperating and recovering after catching pneumonia due to his low immune system.” While many were looking forward to the big event, the remaining members remained firm in their decision to perform only as a whole group, prioritizing Joker’s health above all else. According to member Alpha, the show must wait until everyone is ready. “Siyempre, we will not be 1ST.ONE if wala si Joker,” he pointed out, stressing the group’s unity. “Priority talaga namin ‘yung health.” Echoing this sentiment, Jayson added that Joker is an integral part of the group and the overall concert experience, which made the decision to postpone difficult, but necessary. “Ang dami naming surprise sana for the fans, tapos if wala siya, parang hindi kumpleto talaga,” Jayson said. Despite this unforeseen event, the show must go on for the group, in another way. While awaiting Joker’s full recuperation, 1ST.ONE continued to drop one surprise after another.

ALL 1N Concert

To start off their big announcements, 1ST.ONE dropped a few hints about the central idea behind their upcoming concert to provide a glimpse of what they can expect from the rescheduled event. Ace delved into the deep meaning of the concert’s unique title, “ALL 1N Concert,” emphasizing their five-year journey and resilience in the P-Pop industry. “Bakit ‘ALL 1N’ tapos ‘1’ ‘yung ‘I’? … We’re all in this game or in this industry for five years,” Ace explained. “We remained one in spite of all the trials na pinagdaanan namin. Everyone knows that the P-Pop industry is not an easy industry. Five years, we started in this five years ago, and we’re still here surviving and fighting. So that goes for that, number one.” He then expanded on the “all in” part of the concept, hinting that the group is pushing their own boundaries. Ace added: “There comes a point you think you gave it your all, but then suddenly you have a new limit that you want to break. So this time, it’s that kind of thing. So the concept is ‘all in’ because there’s a new limit that we want to break. All in, all out.” Aside from depicting the meaning behind their concert title, Alpha also spoke on the intense, real-life collaboration process the members went through to prepare for their biggest show yet. “Sobrang focus namin sa paggawa ng production numbers namin. Tsaka ‘yung arrangements no’ng song, talagang very different talaga sa usual na ginagawa namin sa mga sets namin kapag nagpe-perform,” he added, detailing

1ST.ONE the rigor of their preparation. Given these rigorous preparations, the group sought the expertise of Filipino producer and musician Ken Ponce to ensure they could deliver a concert experience like no other.

‘This album is our sound’

Before the press conference, 1ST.ONE dropped their latest single, “Gusto Mo Ba,” featuring OPM artist jikamarie. She is noted for “carving her own spot in the R&B-dream pop space” and is also the sister of Ken Ponce. jikamarie shared her unique, candid inspiration behind writing the collaboration track. “Parang gusto ko magpapogi sa kanta,” she admitted, explaining that this idea made collaborating with the boy group the perfect way to bring the concept to life. More than releasing the new single, this move is crucial for 1ST.ONE as it finally answers the long-standing question of what defines 1ST. ONE’s musical identity While they are a product of K-Pop training system, Ace expressed the group’s desire to establish their own sound. “Though nanggaling ‘yung roots namin sa training from a K-Pop company, hindi ‘yun ‘yung sound namin. This album is our sound. So kung nagustuhan nyo ‘yung, Gusto Mo Ba, … abangan nyo ‘yung mga susunod,” he emphasized. Jayson also elaborated that the single is merely a glimpse of their new artistic direction, confirming that the group is actively experimenting with new elements for the full record. “Since sinasabi po namin na we’re entering a new era … we’re trying new sounds, different sounds, and experimenting new sounds po for this album. So, teaser lang po talaga ‘yun, there is a lot more po sa album na to,” Jayson stated. Further, the process of creating the album itself was a deep, reflective journey. Max highlighted that their upcoming album is a documentation of their personal and professional lives. Max elaborated: “Itong album na to … hindi lang siya song making. Habang gumagawa kami ng kanta, naguusap-usap kami, may mga kwentuhan in between, about life, about sa paggawa ng album, about songs, about sa careers namin. So, parang reflection din ng 1ST.ONE, ‘yung darating na album.”

This new sound is directly tied to the group’s long-standing mission to champion Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

The 2026 Asia Tour

To reinforce their evolving music and mission for the P-Pop industry, 1ST.ONE officially announced the details of their highly anticipated 2026 Asia Country Tour, which will be produced by DLM Eventive. The tour is scheduled to kick off next year in Singapore, followed by stops in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, before concluding in the Philippines. The organizers noted that while the initial five countries are set, they are still determining the sixth country, with Japan and Korea as possibilities. They confirmed, however, that Cambodia will also be included in the Asia Tour.

Launching their s elf-managed company

Ultimately, before the press conference ended, 1ST.ONE officially announced a landmark move in their career: the establishment of their very own self-managed company, BE:1NE ENTERTAINMENT. This signifies the group taking full creative and operational control of their future. Ace confirmed the new corporate structure and its key personnel, stating, “We proudly announce the establishment of our very own, self-managed home company, BE:1NE ENTERTAINMENT to which I will represent as the CEO and the other members are our shareholders and board.” He proudly noted the official transition, marking the group’s new chapter. The new company remains affiliated with their original mother company, Black Star Entertainment (BSE) Group led by CEO Jon Pinto, which provided crucial assistance during their previous transition. Ace ended the announcement by outlining the ambitious mission of BE:1NE ENTERTAINMENT, which aligns with the group’s desire to elevate Filipino artists globally. “We’ll do our best, not only as shareholders, not only as CEO, but as Filipinos to raise our flags with BE:1NE ENTERTAINMENT’s goal which is to revolutionize our local talent into a global standpoint because, truly, Filipino talent is global at heart,” Ace concluded.

Good news:

BEHIND THE SCENES OF SOME OF THE MOST UPLIFTING STORIES OF 2025 sure I captured every moment…just like a wedding photographer.

By Michael Melia

The Associated Press

A youth theater production rises from wildfire ashes

T was one of the year’s biggest stories—the selection of the first American pope. An Associated Press journalist was interviewing the pope’s brother at his home in suburban Chicago. Suddenly, they heard a ringing coming from the basement. “That might be the pope,” the new pontiff’s brother said. Indeed, the man who had emerged hours earlier on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as Pope Leo XIV was calling to catch up with his older brother. Obed Lamy, a video journalist, listened and recorded as the conversation played out on speaker. “I was shaking because I didn’t know what the pope would say,” he said. “Am I supposed to say something or not say anything?” In a year marked by political strife, natural disasters and other calamities around the world, 2025 also had its share of uplifting moments. AP journalists were in the middle of many of them. Here are their stories.

The pope was on the line

OBED LAMY, a video journalist, was among many reporters who went to the home of John Prevost in New Lenox, Illinois, after his brother became the pope. I had arrived at Prevost’s home in the early evening after driving three hours

NEWLYWEDS Jade Rick Verdillo (right) and Jamaica kiss during their wedding inside a flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Philippines, July 22, 2025. AP

from Indianapolis, where I am based. After walking by other media outside, I knocked on the door. Prevost let me in. As we talked, a ringing came from the basement. Prevost hurried to a tablet downstairs and I followed, my camera on. He found he had a few missed calls from his brother. He called the pope back, using a speaker to play the audio out loud. The pope picked up. I got the shot—the new pontiff’s voice speaking to his older brother, asking him why he hadn’t been answering his calls. “Well, first you need to know you’re on the air right now,” the older brother responded. “This is the first time I’m hearing that this thing rang.” The conversation went on for just a few minutes. They talked like any other pair of siblings. He told the pope, “Oh, we’re coming to Rome.” And the pope said, “Oh, where are you going to sleep?” It was interesting the pope himself did not know what the accommodations for his family would look like.

Capturing a wedding that went on despite typhoon flooding PHOTOGRAPHER Aaron Favila has covered floods for years in the Philippines, which sees at least 20 typhoons a year. He raced to cover a wedding at a flooded church just north of Manila after getting a tip from a photographer colleague. I had an hour window to make it to the venue and had to drive out of town and cross several flooded roads during a heavy downpour. The flooding in the area was too deep for our vehicle, so we had to stop. Luckily, a rescue truck passed by, and I rode that. I got there right before they opened the door for the bride. The groom, Jade Rick Verdillo, told me they were eager to go ahead with the ceremony despite the floodwaters. “We’ve been through a lot. This is just one of the struggles that we’ve overcome,” he said. If I was shooting for a deadline story, I would have run out after the first kiss. But for this one, I stuck till the end to make

REPORTER Jocelyn Gecker covered opening night of a Southern California youth theater group after the Palisades wildfire destroyed their theater and many cast members’ homes. Rehearsals for the group’s upcoming musical, Crazy for You, had started on January 6. The next day, the Palisades Fire ripped through their community. But the show would go on, said director Lara Ganz, whose family also lost their home. It was about restoring togetherness, hope and routine and showing the kids who had lost so much that life was not over. Witnessing opening night was a gift. It was an evening of such intense emotions jumbled together: joy and pain, heartbreak and happiness, grief and pride. It was a light in the darkness, as one father told me. One teen said when he sang and danced to the music of George and Ira Gershwin, the weight of his loss lifted. He only felt happiness. After the article was published, Ganz relayed that members of the Gershwin family trust had read the story and attended a later performance. They delivered a letter to the cast and crew. “On behalf of the families of George and Ira Gershwin, we applaud your resilience,” the letter said. It praised their “amazing dedication” in the face of hardship and said they hoped the cast was immensely proud of their production. “We know that George and Ira would be too.” n Cover photo by Alexander Dummer on Pexels.com

For the holidays, a gift for Cebu’s children By Pauline Joy M. Gutierrez

USTAR Resort and Casino opened the holiday season this year against a more sober backdrop. Just months after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake affected parts of Cebu and nearby provinces, the resort’s annual Christmas tree lighting became an opportunity to talk about recovery and the role of institutions in supporting communities, particularly young people, during periods of disruption. Held at The Atrium, the ceremony marked Nustar’s fourth year of its Installation of the Stars, a tradition that brings together partners, employees, and members of the community. This year, the star bearers were children from the Children of Cebu Foundation Inc. (CCFI), placing the focus squarely on the resort’s efforts to support child welfare and its partnership with one of Cebu’s longest-running organizations serving at-risk youth. A large-scale integrated resort development at the South Road Properties, Nustar has positioned itself as a major employer in the city, with a workforce largely made up of local residents.

According to Chief Operating Officer Sean Knights, this workplace profile shapes how the company understands its role in Cebu, particularly in times of crisis. “An important part for Nustar, and one that’s very close to my heart, is the part that we play in the community,” Knights said. He noted that the resort’s development has helped generate employment, training, and upskilling opportunities, contributing to income stability for workers and their families at a time when many are still recovering from recent disasters. “We don’t operate in isolation. We are part of a bigger ecosystem,” Knights said, adding that Nustar’s response to social and environmental issues is anchored in partnerships with national and local government units, private organizations, and the Gokongwei Group, the parent conglomerate behind the resort’s development and operations. These relationships, he explained, allow the resort to extend its advocacy and resources beyond its immediate location and into other parts of the country. Much of this work is coordinated through the Universal Cultural Foundation Inc. (UCFI),

4 BusinessMirror

Nustar’s philanthropic arm. Established three years ago, UCFI has supported nationwide development initiatives, including donations to public schools and health clinics in General Santos City, the turnover of a medical laboratory in La Paz, Tarlac under First Lady Liza Marcos’ Lab for All program, and partnerships with cultural and heritage groups such as the Cebu Arts Council and the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAFI). This year, UCFI directed its support to the CCFI, established in 1988 and known for operating shelters and drop-in centers for children who have experienced neglect, abuse, or displacement. For more than three decades, CCFI has provided shelter, education, and psychosocial support to thousands of children, many of whom come from high-risk or crisis situations. Through UCFI, Nustar’s support will fund facility improvements, repairs, and essential equipment at CCFI’s center, helping create a safer and more functional environment for over 30 resident and transient children. Nustar officials said the aim is not short-term relief but continuity of care. DECEMBER 21, 2025

Nustar’s Marketing Communications Director Cherry Velarde said the partnership reflects a deliberate focus on children and youth as part of the resort’s long-term corporate social responsibility strategy. “70 percent of our team members here at Nustar are Cebuanos, and who is the future of Cebu but the kids,” she said. The initial half-million-peso donation, she added, is intended as the beginning of a longer-term collaboration rather than a one-off contribution, with plans to work with provincial and local governments to extend support beyond Cebu City. Alongside direct donations, Nustar is also developing longer-term projects tied to sustainability and disaster resilience. These plans include recycling and upcycling programs with local communities to reduce waste from largescale operations, agricultural partnerships in Cebu’s highland areas, and environmental initiatives such as river clean-up and bio-fencing projects. These efforts aim to link social development, environmental protection, and livelihood creation—areas that have become increasingly critical in the wake of recent calamities.

Wine&Dine

BusinessMirror

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz | Sunday, December 21, 2025 C1

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Traveling, Eating Mindfully at Chancellor Hotel Boracay

time to enjoy mindful activities on our own. It was a time to truly slow down, escape from the real world, and take stock of our present and future endeavors. We were also given the opportunity to enjoy dinner in our rooms—yes, dinner in our rooms. But before we officially began our mindful stay, we were treated to a sumptuous welcome lunch upon our arrival at Chancellor. For starters, we were served Laswa, an Ilonggo broiled vegetable soup accompanied by traditional condiments of dried shrimp flakes and dried squid, which made the soup even more flavorful. This was followed by Spicy Papaya Ensalada.

Crowd favorites Adlai Arroz Caldo with Fish Floss, an eight-minute boiled egg, fried garlic rice, youtiao pumpkin (Chinese cruller), a tropical granola bar, fresh fruit

Chancellor Hotel Boracay welcomes mindful travelers with immersive and wellness-led experiences.

In the photo are, seated from left, Arturo Boncato Jr., Group General Manager of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, Samantha Manuel, Group Director of Digital Marketing and Reputation Management, Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director, Maia Israel, Area General Manager for Boracay Newcoast, Socrates Alvaro, Cluster General Manager – Boracay, joined the media in a roundtable discussion about mindful travel and hospitality.

Boneless Chicken Inasal

Gourmet Cold-Smoked Bangus Loin, served with warm moringa pandesal knots with sampaguita butter, house-made pickles, garlic, heirloom rice, and a poached egg. On the top left corner is mini suman bits drizzled with coco jam and fresh mango.

By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

AST November 2025, I had the privilege of being invited to be among the first to experience the facilities, services, and— of course—the food of Chancellor Hotel Boracay, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts’ (MHR) newest 554-room property located within the tourism estate of Boracay Newcoast. Positioned between Belmont Hotel Boracay’s business-andmeetings escape and Savoy Hotel Boracay’s vibrant energy, Chancellor Hotel Boracay offers immersive, wellness-led experiences that en-

Line Caught Fish Piña-Paksiw

courage guests to slow down, reconnect, and savor the very best of the island. In addition to trying out Chancellor for the first time, I also had the opportunity to experience MHR’s MEGreen Mindful Stays, a unified sustainability stay program designed for today’s growing breed of conscious travelers who seek meaning and positive impact in every journey. “At Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, we want to do more for the growing movement of mindful travelers and become instrumental in this important shift. The recent

Spicy Papaya Ensalada

Pork Humba Belly

disasters we have witnessed across the Philippines remind us that sustainability is no longer optional—it is the only way we should move forward. Through MEGreen Mindful Stays, we hope to inspire guests to travel with deeper intention,” said Cleofe Albiso, MHR Managing Director. “Mindful travel goes beyond choosing greener options; it calls for a complete shift in mindset. It is about understanding the impact of every decision we make while traveling—from how we consume to how we connect with local communities. By embracing this

mindset, we can collectively create more meaningful journeys for our guests,” she added.

Environmental responsibility

MEGREEN Mindful Stays is rooted in MHR’s long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility and community empowerment. The program reflects the group’s belief that hotel stays can be greener while making a greater difference. Guests are encouraged to make thoughtful choices throughout their visit, becoming active partners in shaping a more sustainable tourism landscape in

the Philippines. Designed to celebrate sustainability, community, and purposeful travel, MEGreen Mindful Stays invites guests to slow down and savor experiences rooted in intention. A minimum two-night stay comes with well-balanced and locally sourced dishes, carefully curated turndown touches, and keepsakes that inspire mindful living long after the trip. Travelers may opt for the MEGreen Mindful Stays program at any MHR property across the country. This was an altogether different experience, as my media colleagues and I were given ample free

ONE WORLD, ONE STOP

Café, market and community space in one levels up with new QC branch home and yes, they were equally flavorful. I think I’ll go to One World Deli for my steak fix from now on. Aside from steaks, One World Deli’s café also offers including All-Day Brunch like Angus Beef Tapa Grain Bowl and Truffled Adobo Garlic Fried Rice, soups and salads (I got their New England Seafood Chowder and Caesar Salad), starter or appetizers (I got my eye on their Black Angus Beef Salpicao for my next visit), savory burgers and sandwiches, artisanal pizza, pasta, clean-tasting seafood (I got the Baked Shrimp, highly recommended) and a whole lot more.

Solo, for sharing

ONSISTENT with its mission to make “fresh, healthy, and happy eating accessible to more communities,” One World Deli recently opened its latest branch in Timog, Quezon City. Although One World Deli has been around since 2022 and now with several locations in Jupiter in Makati, San Juan, Mall of Asia and Alabang, I never got the chance to visit and dine here until I got invited to its Quezon City branch. With its barn-like structure and predominantly wooden interiors, a farm-like atmosphere greets customers once they enter the doors of One World Deli, a café, market, and community space in one. True to its name, you are treated to a deli-like experience where you can pick from a wide variety of grocery items from meat products, poultry, seafood, cheese, pasta and related fresh ingredients that you can

either personally cook at home or have them cooked, “paluto” style based on suggested menu preparations (mostly gourmet-style) if you prefer to dine-in.

The dishes you can enjoy at One World Deli

Imported, exclusive brands

MANY of the products you can find at One World Deli are from imported brands exclusive to their store such as Braveheart (US), Jack’s Creek (Australia) and Fukunaga (Japan) from the mouthwatering steak fare alone. Because they work with farmers, growers, and producers who prioritize quality and sustainability, only “fresh, honest, and flavorful ingredients” are available on their shelves. One World Deli’s “clean commitment” includes using antibiotic-free, low cholesterol eggs and sustainably sourced meats and poultry raised without hormones or antibiotics. It’s

Bakery finds

no surprise that they sell pork products branded as, well, “Clean Pork” while their poultry is of the free range variety. Being a steak lover, I just had to try what One World Deli has to offer. For my “paluto”

Christmas crate giveaways

meal, I opted for the 200g Braveheart Black Angus Tenderloin steak. Cooked medium rare, it was deliciously filling even without a sauce. Not totally satisfied, I also decided to buy Jack’s Creek raw ribeye and striploin meat to cook at

MOST of the dishes are available in solo and sharing servings so whether you bring a friend or the whole barangay, you’ll all likely leave with a full tummy and will look forward to come back for more. Jessa Mae Arellano, One World Deli’s Brand Marketing Manager pointed out that One World Deli has developed a loyal clientele not just because of the “chef-crafted meals” but also because it has something for everyone, whether they’re always-on-the-go types looking for ready-to-eat food or have the patience and pleasure for worth the wait slow-cooked fare. Their huge retail section which also include responsibly-sourced ingredients certainly helps, too. All told, I enjoyed my very first One World Deli experience. It’s not every day when one can eat good food that you can later shop and take home, too.

FOR the mains, crowd favorites included Pork Humba Belly, Boneless Chicken Inasal, Herb-Grilled Fish in Banana Leaf Wrap, and Vegan Gising-Gising. There is always room for dessert, and what a treat it was—Sapin-Sapin Cheesecake, featuring layers of ube, coconut, and jackfruit woven into a rich, creamy cheesecake. After lunch and prior to checking into our rooms, we were briefed on what to expect during our stay. We would attend a learning session followed by yoga—something I had yet to experience. More importantly, we were informed that dinner would be served in our rooms and that we would personally choose our meals. The same applied to the two breakfasts we would have during our stay. “We want to offer balance and give guests the power of choice. When you look at the menu, those options are available. We are introducing this now through sourcing local produce,” said Socrates Alvaro, Cluster General Manager – Boracay. For dinner, we had to choose between a seafood option—LineCaught Fish Piña Paksiw—and a plant-based option—Grilled Marinated Tofu. I opted for the LineCaught Fish Piña Paksiw, a fresh, responsibly sourced fish gently poached in ginger and pineapple vinegar. It was served with grilled eggplant, tomato, and okra; Kiyuning ginger-lemongrass-turmeric rice; coconut-mango tapioca pudding; and an Island Calamansi Fizz.

Seafood option

For breakfast on the following two mornings, I again chose the seafood options. On the first morning, I had Gourmet Cold-Smoked Bangus Loin, served with warm moringa pandesal knots with sampaguita butter, house-made pickles, garlic, heirloom rice, and a poached egg. This came with mini suman bits drizzled with coco jam and fresh mango, a watermelon-mint cold beverage shooter, and black coffee. On my last day at Chancellor, I enjoyed Adlai Arroz Caldo with Fish Floss, an eight-minute boiled egg, fried garlic rice, youtiao pumpkin (Chinese cruller), a tropical granola bar, fresh fruit, dalandanpineapple-ginger detox juice, and a Mindful Mocha Tablea. During our stay, we also took part in the MEGreen Mindful Stay Challenge, where we earned points for completing “simple mindful actions.” These included reusing towels and linens, switching off lights, unplugging chargers, joining wellness activities, and enjoying quality sleep. “We want, in our own ways, to contribute to mindful spaces and mindful travel. We are anchored on the values of love, honor, dignity, and healing—and these values mean nothing if we do not put systems in place,” Albiso said. Ultimately, MEGreen Mindful Stays is not just about where you go, but how you choose to be while you are there. My time at Chancellor Hotel Boracay was a gentle reminder that travel can nourish more than the senses—it can nurture awareness, gratitude, and responsibility. In slowing down, eating with intention, and being more present, I left not only rested, but more mindful of the role each of us plays in preserving the places we love. And perhaps that is the most meaningful souvenir of all.

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CONRAD MANILA PRESENTS MANILA’S LONGEST BRUNCH AT BRASSERIE ON 3 T

HIS holiday season, Conrad Manila sets the stage for an extraordinary celebration with the launch of Manila’s longest brunch at Brasserie on 3. Part of the hotel’s “Bright Holidays, Brilliant Memories” collection of experiences, this festive dining highlight will take place exclusively on December 25 and 31, 2025, offering an extended, indulgent brunch from 12 pm to 3:30 pm. Guests can expect an opulent spread of holiday classics and festive specialties, including herbcrusted roast beef with red wine jus, honey-glazed ham with pineapple chutney, lemon-rosemary roast lamb with tzatziki, roasted turkey with sage and chestnut stuffing, tomahawk ribeye roast, lechon, and Omaha beef leg, among other culinary masterpieces. This holiday spread is priced at P4,888 nett per person, with an optional beverage upgrade at P1,000 nett per person for select alcoholic beverages to elevate the celebration. “In a city where the holiday season shines brightest, we’re

proud to introduce what we believe is Manila’s longest and most indulgent brunch, crafted not only with festive abundance in mind, but with intention behind every detail, from extended dining hours to a thoughtfully curated spread. It’s a celebration that invites guests to linger longer, connect deeper, and create lasting holiday memories with their loved ones by the bay,” shares Rupert Hallam, Conrad Manila’s general manager. Brasserie on 3, an award-winning all-day dining destination situated on the third level of Conrad Manila, boasts sweeping views of Manila Bay. Executive Chef Nicolas de Visch, with an impressive background in Michelin-starred restaurants, helms its kitchen and ensures every culinary experience is a symphony of flavor and artistry, designed to ignite festive cheer and indulgence. Blazing Festive Buffet November 11 to December 30, 2025 Lunch—P3,188 nett per person; 12 pm to 2:30 pm Dinner—P3,588 nett per person;

6 pm to 10 pm Sparkling Buffet Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025 Lunch—P3,188 nett per person; 12 pm to 2:30 pm Dinner—P4,888 nett per person; 6 pm to 10 pm

Radiant New Year Feast New Year'sEve Dinner Buffet, December 31, 2025 Standard Table—P4,799 nett Bay View—P4,899 nett Another anticipated highlight this holiday season is the festive afternoon tea buffet at C Lounge featuring sweet indulgences such as Santa chocolate dome belt, gift box mango coconut, strawberry macaron, mini Christmas yule log, and Christmas tree red wine jelly panna cotta while savory delights include peppered roasted beef, cucumber & cream, smoked apple cheddar,

MAKE HOLIDAYS EXTRA SPECIAL WITH CRAVINGS

Bibingka Cake

Orange Mocha Rhum Cake

Brasserie on 3 Festive Buffet

Christmas Day December 25, 2025 Dinner—P4,888 nett per person; 6 pm to 10 pm

Puto Bumbong Cake

honey-glazed ham slider, parmesan & polenta bite, avocado tuna tartare on savory tart, turkey sage & onion stuffing ball, and more delectable treats. Guests may also savor a crepe made based on their preference at the live station. Served with freshly brewed coffee or a pot of tea, they can enjoy warm, vivid moments by the iconic Manila Bay for P3,288 ++ per person, until from December 26, 2025 between 2 pm to 5 pm. To discover Conrad Manila’s complete roster of holiday offers and festive experiences, visit www. conradmanila.com, call +63 2 8833 9999, or view our digital brochure at bit.ly/BrightHolidaysBrilliantMemoriesatConradManila

C Lounge Festive Afternoon Tea Buffet

HERE is something magical that happens when the holidays draw near, like the longing to gather around good food that brings people closer. For over three decades, Cravings has been part of these intimate celebrations, shaping Filipino holidays with comforting flavors, luscious cakes, and heartwarming dishes made with love. This year, Cravings ushers in the season with its most heartfelt and generous lineup yet, highlighted with a cake collection created to make every gathering sweeter, brighter, and more memorable. Leading this year’s offerings are the limited-edition holiday cakes, available only for the season. These include Cravings’ festive Christmas-themed cakes, the crowd-favorite Puto Bumbong Cake, the indulgent Orange Mocha Rhum Cake, and the soft, comforting Bibingka Soufflé Cake. Each one captures the flavors of Christmas and is ideal for sharing or gifting. As a brand known for its cakes, pick from its popular staples such as Chocolate Caramel Cake, Devil’s Food Cake, Cherry Walnut Cheesecake, and Carrot Walnut Cake. For something

special, Cravings’ Cake Specials feature the Polvoron Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, Dayap Cake, and the well-loved Mango Cashew Torte. These selections give families and friends plenty of options for gatherings, potlucks, and gifting. Sweeter and Easier Holidays ASIDE from cakes, Cravings welcomes the holiday season with party trays, bundles, and catering services designed to make Christmas celebrations more delicious and stress-free, whether you are at home, in the office, or as gifts to loved ones. For those planning celebrations at home or in the workplace, Cravings offers customized catering services, allowing customers to bring the genuine Cravings experience to any event. Whether it’s a family reunion, corporate gathering, or an intimate dinner, Cravings can tailor menus to suit the occasion. And to ease the pressure on home cooks, Cravings introduces its Noche Buena Set, available with a choice of Roast Beef or Lengua con Champignon. For those who prefer not to commit to a full set, there is also a wide range of party trays. Favorites include Callos a la Madrile-

ña, American Baked Spareribs, Three Cheese Baked Salmon, Chicken Relleno, Classic Lasagna, and more, all prepared to serve and enjoy. Cravings further expands its holiday selections with Christmas Bundles, offered in two curated options, making them convenient choices for families and companies looking for ready-made spreads. Customers may also choose from Cravings’ holiday hampers or opt for DIY Christmas Gifts, allowing them to assemble personalized sets for friends, colleagues, and clients. For smaller treats, Cravings offers a wide variety of s’mores, cookies, bars, and pastries in different sizes and packaging, perfect stocking stuffers, tokens, or office giveaways. For inquiries and catering arrangements, contact wecater@cravingsgroup.com. Follow Cravings on FB/IG: cravings.philippines for holiday announcements and product updates. Browse the full menu at cravingsgroup. com and cravingskitchenph.com. Visit Cravings branches in QC (28 Maginhawa), Alabang (Insular Corporate Centre, Filinvest City), and San Juan (312 Santolan, Little Baguio).

Holiday feasts at City of Dreams Manila’s signature restaurants C ITY of Dreams Manila’s signature restaurants Crystal Dragon, Haliya, Nobu Manila, and The Café are bringing the holiday cheer through special menus that evoke the season’s festive flavors.

Crystal Dragon

THE integrated resort’s signature restaurant for Cantonese and regional Chinese specialties blends refinement, tradition, and seasonal signatures in its Festive Season Family Set Menu. Curated to celebrate togetherness, the seven-course menu, good for four to six persons consists of: a combination platter of Wokfried Green Lobster with XO sauce and Stuffed Tiger Prawn with spinach and crabmeat egg white sauce; Double-boiled Abalone, Fish Maw, Dry Scallop and Stuffed Morel Mushrooms with chrysanthemum tofu in consommé; Steamed Live Sea Grouper in sour broth with fresh enoki mushroom; Shanghainesestyle Braised Duck in caramelized five spice soy sauce; Sea Scallops Tossed with Celery Heart in pepper truffle sauce; Wok-fried Fragrant Rice with wild mushrooms and smoked honey-glazed pork belly; and Steamed Taroshaped Lava Custard Bun. Available for lunch and dinner until January 1, 2026, the family set menu is available for P36,000++. Crystal Dragon is open from 12 noon to 11 pm daily.

Haliya

HALIYA, City of Dreams Manila’s go-to restaurant for reimagined Filipino cuisine, presents ala carte seasonal favorites that evoke the Filipino noche buena feast. Whet the appetite with the Tuna Pistachio Ensalada (P1,200++), a medley of foie gras mousse, mesclun, prosciutto, caviar, beetroot puree, red radish, chicken skin, and kiat—kiat dressing. For a heartwarming treat, choose the Potato Kastanyas Krema (P500++), a soulful combination of cauliflower and potato and leek soup with chickpea salsa, water chestnut, toasted cashew, and malunggay truffle oil. The Morcon Embotido (P1,550++) is notto-be missed as the savory Filipino-style meatloaf wrapped pork loin with potato puree, pickled mustard seeds, chestnut, green apple, and morel pork jus is an indulgent Christmas treat. End the meal on a sweet note with the Peras and Kastanyas (P400++), an ensemble of star anise-poached pear, chestnut sorbet, caramel sauce and pinipig crumble. Haliya’s Christmas menu is available on December 24, 2025 from 5 pm to 11 pm, and on Christmas Day, from 12 noon to 11 pm.

Nobu Manila

CHRISTMAS arrives early at the Manila outpost of the globally renowned restaurant of celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa as it offers a lavish yuletide

Crystal Dragon’s Wok-fried Fragrant Rice with wild mushrooms and smoked honey-glazed pork belly is a delight in every bite.

brunch spread on December 21. Available for P4,388 net per person, the festive brunch highlights the best of Nobu’s newstyle Japanese cuisine including Black Cod Butter Lettuce, a sashimi trio of Yellowtail Jalapeño, Salmon Karashi Su Miso, and Sashimi Salad, Crispy Rice Tuna, and mini Chirashi complemented with local favorites prepared the Nobu way such as Nobu-style Kinilaw and Sisig Cup Sushi. Other tempting choices are the featured carvings of Roasted Lamb Leg and Crispy Pork Belly; an array of oysters, blue crabs, shrimp, and green mussels at the Chilled Seafood Bar; different choices of kushiyaki (skewers) prepared a la

Haliya’s Tuna Pistachio Ensalada harmonizes different layers of seasonal flavors.

minute; salads, soups; and a dessert station that spotlights signature Nobu desserts. For one-of-a-kind Christmas dinners, Nobu Manila highlights a special Christmas Omakase menu available on December 24 and 25. Available for P6,653.57 net per person, the special five-course tasting menu commences with a chef’s choice of zensai followed by the first course of Salmon Yuzu Truffle with whipped wasabi and dry miso crumble. The next course of chef’s choice of assorted Nobu-style Nigiri (hand-pressed sushi) and Harusame Clear Soup with Inaniwa noodles, leeks, and wakame (seaweed) build up the pal-

ate before the mains consisting of Chilean Sea Bass in Kaeshi Dashi with yuzu kosho, asparagus, and chives, and Wagyu Short Ribs with aka (red) miso sauce, croquettes, micro greens, and red onion. A delectable Chocolate Miso Choux a combination of miso crémeux, chocolate mousse, and vanilla cream provides a sweet conclusion to the meal.

The Café

HYATT Regency Manila’s interactive show kitchen curates a festive buffet spread for celebratory lunch (12 noon to 3 pm) and dinner (5:30 to 11 pm) on December 24 and 25. Diners can look

forward to a variety of premium meats at the churrasco counter, live teppanyaki station, and the carving station, which features an Herbcrusted Striploin for lunch and Slow-roasted Angus Prime for dinner. Seafood choices are in abundance, starting with Whole Tuna for lunch and Whole Salmon for dinner, served alongside an assortment of sushi and sashimi, and other seafood selection including prawns, Chilean mussels, blue swimmer crabs, slipper lobsters, and curacha. Other buffet highlights are well-loved dishes of various cuisines: Italian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, and Filipino, among others. An array of Christmas-themed cakes and confections, an indulgent chocolate fountain, and local dessert favorites complete the enticing buffet spread. Lunch is at P3,150, while the dinners are at P4,288 on December 24 and P3,250 on December 25, which already includes free flowing house red and white wines, draft beer, soda, iced tea, juices, coffee, and tea. For inquiries and reservations, call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com. For more information, visit https:// www.cityofdreamsmanila.com/en/whats-on. Explore more of City of Dreams Manila’s promotional offers, rewards, or instantly check Melco Club points with the new Melco Club App, available for free download on iOS and Android.

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Sunday, December 21, 2025 C3

REDISCOVER THE JOY OF COOKING THIS HOLIDAY The Cabalen Group Serves Up Festive SEASON WITH UFC, JUDY ANN SANTOS-AGONCILLO Feasts for Every Celebration, Budget By Candy P. Dalizon Contributor

difference,” said Judy Ann. She noted that this small addition provides a pleasant new depth, combining sweetness and saltiness for an enhanced savory taste.

brand, it has evolved into a diverse culinary portfolio featuring over 120 products across 15 segments, including condiments, sauces, soups, meal mixes, and canned goods. This growth highlights UFC’s continuous drive to innovate and its commitment to making highquality, world-class cooking accessible to every household. As tastes evolve, UFC provides versatile solutions that simplify modern cooking without ever compromising quality. This campaign also marks the meeting of two icons who share the same values of excellence and authenticity. Judy Ann brings her culinary expertise and passion for food to the partnership, complementing UFC’s reputation for quality and innovation. “Food is my passion, and I believe in bringing the same level of care and quality to every meal. Partnering with UFC allows us to show that Filipino flavors deserve global recognition,” said Judy Ann.

World-class Quality Cooking

Commitment to excellence

WARD-WINNING actress and accomplished chef Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo is elevating the holiday tradition with a nostalgic spread featuring her signature take on Filipino-style spaghetti, the sweet chill of bucolychee salad, and perfectly crispy lumpiang shanghai. Judy Ann said her festive spaghetti owes its delicious Filipino flavor to UFC Tamis Anghang Banana Ketchup. Her refreshing buco-lychee salad is prepared using UFC Fruit Selections Lychees in Light Syrup, and she promises her lumpiang shanghai reaches peak perfection when dipped in UFC Banana Ketchup. During the launch of the collaboration between UFC and the actress, a partnership set to elevate everyday cooking to world-class standards, Judy Ann highlighted the ketchup’s versatility, stating: “Masarap mag explore with banana ketchup for the simple reason that it can be paired with a lot of food.” Judy Ann uses banana ketchup instead of vinegar as the perfect tangy companion for Okoy. She also suggests banana ketchup as the ideal dip for tortang talong, breaded pork chops, and streetstyle fried chicken. “You can also try maybe a teaspoon of banana ketchup in a bowl of soup or sopas. It makes a lot of

Actress and Chef Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo

TWO icons of Filipino culture have joined forces to elevate everyday cooking to world-class standards. Judy Ann and UFC, the country’s leading condiments brand, are partnering in a landmark legacy campaign that celebrates Filipino culinary pride and proves that excellence starts at home. For over five decades, UFC has been a staple in Filipino kitchens. Starting as a beloved ketchup

UFC’s commitment to excellence is backed by rigorous international standards. The brand is among the few in the Philippines manufactured in facilities certified under the Food Safety System Certification (FSSC), a globally recognized benchmark for food safety and quality. This certification ensures that every product meets world-class standards, whether enjoyed in Ma-

nila or by Filipinos abroad. “Our FSSC certification proves that our local flavors meet worldclass standards, showing that Filipino products can compete—and excel—on the global stage,” said Camille Santos, Consumer Connection Manager and UFC Brand Manager. UFC also takes pride in its Fresh Selections, where fruits and vegetables are picked and canned on the same day, ensuring peak freshness and flavor.

Natural ingredients, processes

Many UFC products use natural ingredients and processes, such as UFC Sweet Chili Sauce made with real chilis, and ready-to-cook recipes crafted from sun-ripened tomatoes for all-in-one menudo or caldereta meal mixes. Through UFC’s new Legacy Campaign, now airing nationwide and on digital platforms, audiences are being invited to join a shared vision of culinary excellence in the Filipino kitchen. The campaign promises exciting activities, including engaging online content showcasing UFC’s diverse product range, a special vlog series featuring Judy Ann, and continued innovation to meet evolving Filipino household needs. Ultimately, this collaboration is a call for Filipinos to rediscover the joy of cooking with UFC products that seamlessly unite heritage, innovation, and uncompromising world-class quality

HIS holiday season, The Cabalen Group brings comfort, convenience, and celebration to Filipino families with festive offerings across its restaurant brands—Cabalen, Mangan, Tsurumaru Udon X Tempura, and Soi Thai. Whether dining out or celebrating at home, guests can enjoy thoughtful holiday promos and ready-to-share feasts crafted to make every gathering easier and more meaningful. Cabalen elevates holiday dining with its exclusive BDO Installment Promo—Celebrate Now, Pay Next Year, giving families and groups a more festive and flexible way to enjoy the season. With generous group offers and stackable discounts across all branches, Cabalen makes every salu-salo more rewarding and budget-friendly. Mangan brings nostalgia to the season with its bestselling P99 Puto Bumbong, freshly steamed and served with butter, muscovado and grated coconut. Paired with heirloom Kapampangan dishes, it creates warm and meaningful holiday moments. For at-home feasts, Mangan Salu-Salo Trays offer shareable heirloom favorites perfect for reunions, potlucks, and Noche Buena. Tsurumaru Udon X Tempura adds Japanese comfort to holiday gatherings with its Oishi Platter, featuring Ebi Tempura, Chicken Karaage, Kimchi Yakiudon, and Beef Yakiniku—crafted for sharing and ideal for barkada and family celebrations. Soi Thai infuses festivities with

Enjoy a nostalgic Filipino holiday favorite Puto Bumbong for only P99 at Mangan.

Cabalen proudly marks a milestone as BDO’s First Buffet Restaurant partner in the installment program.

vibrant Thai soul food through its Premium Platters, showcasing Pad Thai, Beef Massaman, Chicken Pandan, Satay and Sticky Rice with Mango. Perfect for sharing, they add color, warmth and bold flavors to any celebration. This year, The Cabalen Group makes holiday planning easier for Filipino families—offering festive, convenient and budget-friendly dining solutions for every kind of celebration. Visit www.cabalengroup.ph to know more about The Cabalen Group.

Celebrating a Green Noche Buena: A More Meaningful Way to Feast This Christmas

“Kalaw” Casa Juan dinner plates featuring a hand-drawn Philippine hornbill

By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

HRISTMAS has always been a season of warmth, of stories shared over familiar dishes, of families gathering after months of busyness, of laughter that fills the home long after dinner is done. The Noche Buena tradition holds a special place in every Filipino heart. But this year, there is a beautiful opportunity to give it even deeper meaning by celebrating a green Noche Buena—one that honors the season while also caring for the world we share. More families are embracing mindful celebrations, choosing décor and tableware that are kinder to the environment yet rich in Filipino artistry. At the center of this movement is Kultura, whose Green Finds offer eco-friendly, locally crafted pieces that transform the Christmas table into a purposeful, stunning display.

Setting the Table with Purpose

A GREEN Noche Buena begins the moment you set the table. Instead of relying on disposable or mass-produced items, imagine your dining space styled with meaningful pieces that tell stories of artisans’ hands, of local pride, of the earth’s natural materials.

Hand-crafted, hand painted Pinoy Santa ornament

Foldable paper trees

Start with the Capiz plate chargers, their soft sheen catching the glow of warm lights and instantly adding Filipino elegance to the tablescape. Layer them with the exquisite “Kalaw” Casa Juan dinner plates, each one featuring a hand-drawn Philippine hornbill. These plates do more than hold food; they celebrate biodiversity and the Filipino artist’s eye for detail. To introduce warmth and texture, mix in acacia wood plates, beautifully grained and sustainably sourced. These pieces ground the table in nature’s beauty, creating a harmonious balance between festive and earth-friendly. Paired with handcrafted acacia wood candle-holders, the table becomes softly illuminated, inviting guests to slow down, savor, and enjoy. Kultura’s foldable paper trees, light and playful, add a touch of whimsy without waste. They create dimension and charm while remaining fully reusable, proof that sustainable décor can be both stylish and smart. And to finish the tablescape, a hand-crafted, hand-painted Pinoy Santa ornament perched near the centerpiece adds a delightful, distinctly local touch that sparks conversation and nostalgia. Every piece comes together to create not just a setting, but a story, one that honors

Malagos dark chocolates as giveaways on each place setting

craftsmanship, sustainability, and Filipino heritage. A green Noche Buena also invites us to rethink the small gestures that make the evening special. Instead of plastic trinkets or mass-produced giveaways, imagine offering a piece of local goodness: Malagos dark chocolates, placed delicately on each setting. Award-winning and proudly Filipino, it becomes both a sweet treat and a celebration of local farmers. It is a small yet meaningful token that guests will remember long after the night ends.

A Tradition Rooted in Meaning

Acacia wood plates

Handmade acacia wood candle-holders

CHOOSING a green Noche Buena is not about giving up traditions; it is about enriching them. Kultura’s Green Finds bridge the past and the future, showing us that Filipino celebrations can remain joyful, vibrant, and meaningful without compromising the planet. In fact, sustainability elevates the beauty of Christmas. It reminds us that love, generosity, and gratitude extend beyond the walls of our homes. Every handcrafted plate, every reusable décor piece, every locally made ornament becomes a symbol of care for family, for community, and for the earth. As families gather this Christmas, may the table reflect not just festive colors and delicious dishes, but also values that matter—mindfulness, responsibility, and Filipino pride. With green tablescapes, sustainable décor, and beautifully crafted items from Kultura, your Noche Buena becomes more than a feast. It becomes a celebration of everything we cherish—the people we love, the traditions we hold dear, and the world we want to protect for generations to come.

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A DISTINCT TASTE FROM THE NORTH | Experience Japan through Kaiseki at Hotel Okura’s Yawaragi

The Hotate and Ikura

The starter dish, Hirame

The Hokkigai Sunomono and Nasu Goma-Ae

The Sashimi Santen Mori

treats like Ginzan Onsen, a hot spring town that feels frozen in time with its traditional wooden ryokans and gas-lit lanterns reflecting off the snow. On the other hand, the presentation revealed Hokkaido as a vibrant “summer playground. ”As the snow melts, the region becomes a postcard of clear skies and cool temperatures, headlined by the rolling purple fields of Farm Tomita in Nakafurano. Travelers can enjoy the slow-paced Furano Biei Norokko sightseeing train to view the lavender blossoms.

The distinct taste of the North

In the photo are, from left, Kae Perez, Assistant Vice President, JCB; Anna Liza Reyes, Regional Sales Manager, Japan Airlines; Belden Yñiguez, Manager, JNTO; Sheila Nonnata Parungao, Assistant Manager, Passenger Sales, Japan Airlines; Diara Pahilanga, Assistant Manager, JNTO; Katrina Gaspay, Deputy Manager, JNTO; Hakuryo Rin, Executive Director, JNTO; Yosuke Togezaki, Consultant, JNTO; Hisashi Kawamura, Director, JNTO; Jane Santos, Sales Manager, All Nippon Airways; and Takeru “Matthew” Okamoto, General Manager, All Nippon Airways, gather during the Journey Across Seasons at Hotel Okura.

By Vincent Peter Rivera

HILE Japan remains a highly soughtafter destination, drawing over 21 million international visitors in the first half of 2025 alone, according to nippon. com, uncovering the country’s true culinary depths remains a quest for many. Beyond the deeply comforting ramen bowls of Tokyo and the quintessential takoyaki of Osaka waits a familiar yet distinct taste of Japan in the country’s northern frontiers: Tohoku and Hokkaido. To bring these flavors and landscapes closer to Filipino travelers, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Manila Office hosted an exclusive gathering titled “Journey Across Seasons” on November 27, 2025.

Held at the elegant Hotel Okura Manila, the event served as a sensory invitation to witness the charm of Japan’s northernmost regions, from their hidden gems to their flavorful finds. In his opening remarks, JNTO Executive Director Hakuryo Rin highlighted the pivotal role of airline partners, Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA), in bridging Filipino travelers to Japan’s diverse prefectures. “Nature, tradition, and culture all converge in these regions,” Director Rin shared. “We hope that through today’s experience, guests will be inspired to discover their own story in Japan.” He also expressed his hope that more Filipinos would explore the distinct beauty that the North has to offer through its different seasons,

In the photo are, from left, Belden Yñiguez, JNTO Manager; Diara Pahilanga, JNTO Assistant Manager; Kate Gaspay, JNTO Deputy Manager; Hakuryo Rin, JNTO Executive Director; and Hisashi Kawamura, JNTO Director, during the Journey Across Seasons at Hotel Okura.

“whether in the serenity of snow-covered landscapes and traditional winter festivals, or the vibrant beauty of flower fields and scenic drives in summer.” Echoing this mission, representatives from Japan’s premier carriers, JAL and ANA, alongside the country’s international payment network Japan Credit Bureau (JCB), personally attended the exclusive event to collectively show their commitment to providing seamless, comfortable travel experiences for those eager to explore the regions beyond the typical tourist trail. Their presence and partnership are the key reasons behind the growing ease of access and connectivity between the Philippines and Japan’s lesser-known northern prefectures, making the dream of a Hokkaido or Tohoku

getaway more attainable than ever.

Imagining the Northern journey

THE event’s theme, “Journey Across Seasons,” invited guests to look beyond the typical travel brochure and imagine themselves against the shifting landscapes of the North—from Hokkaido’s lavender-draped summers to Tohoku’s ethereal frozen waterfalls. Katrina “Kate” Gaspay, Deputy Manager of JNTO Manila Office, led the immersive journey, highlighting why these regions are perfect for Filipinos seeking something beyond the bustling metropolises. “Tohoku and Hokkaido offer a side of Japan that is calmer, more scenic, and perfect for travelers who want something beyond the big

cities,” Gaspay shared. “We want to highlight Hokkaido in summer and Tohoku in winter because even though these are not the seasons they are usually known for, there is so much to see and do.” Throughout the presentation, Gaspay provided some must-see destinations for both northern regions. For those seeking a peaceful, rural charm, Gaspay pointed to Tohoku’s winter magic. Accessible from Tokyo via the Shinkansen (highspeed bullet train system), the region is home to the iconic “Snow Monsters” (Juhyo) of Zao Onsen in Yamagata, massive trees encased in ice that transform into giant, eerie white figures between December and March. Beyond the slopes, the region offers “meaningful traditions” and photogenic re-

A maturity in buffet dining, from the traditional to experience-driven concept, at Seven Corners

Seafood station

Japanese station

By Rory Visco Contributor

HERE was a time when the best buffet in Manila was measured by abundance alone, like how many dishes lined the counters, how wide the choices are stretched. However, the majority of today’s generation of Filipino diners are looking for something more deliberate: food that feels carefully made, thoughtfully presented, and worth returning to. At Seven Corners in Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria along Ortigas Avenue corner Asian Development Bank Avenue in Quezon City, that evolution is unfolding quietly, guided by an Italian chef who believes maturity in dining often comes through restraint. Seven Corners has long been a familiar name in the city’s hotel dining scene, and its staying power is no accident. According to Executive Chef Luca Angioletti, the restaurant’s own journey mirrors the way Manila’s tastes have changed over time. “Seven Corners at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria has evolved alongside Manila’s dining scene,

transitioning from a traditional buffet to a more refined, experience-driven concept,” Angioletti explains in an email interview with Business Mirror.

No drastic reinvention

WHEN Angioletti took on the role of executive chef, he did not see the need for a drastic reinvention. Instead, what stood out was the relationship between the restaurant and its guests, a notion that somehow felt instinctively familiar to him. “When I joined, what immediately stood out was the strong loyalty of our guests. Coming from Italy, where food is deeply connected

Salad Station

to family and tradition, I truly valued that connection,” he explained further. That sense of continuity has shaped his approach. Rather than chase novelty, Angioletti focused on tightening execution, simplifying flavors, and strengthening the core of what Seven Corners already represented. As Filipino diners have grown more adventurous and informed, the buffet has responded with subtle but meaningful shifts. He said that he observed more of today’s Filipino diners are more informed and adventurous, and that they value quality, freshness, and authenticity, not just quantity.

Lighter preparations

THIS change is visible in how the buffet now operates. Live cooking stations, lighter preparations, and more balanced options coexist with comfort-driven favorites. The idea, Angioletti explains, is not to overwhelm, but to offer choices that feels intentional, almost like moving through several restaurants in one space. At the heart of the kitchen’s philosophy is an Italian sensibility that prizes balance and clarity. “We take a very Italian ap-

proach, focusing on quality ingredients and balance,” he noted. “Our goal is to offer freshness, choice, and flavor without overcomplicating the food.” In a market crowded with ever-expanding buffet concepts, Seven Corners has chosen a different path. Consistency, rather than constant reinvention, is treated as a competitive strength.

ning a hotel buffet means maintaining quality across volume and time, a challenge Angioletti approaches with methodical care. Inclusivity also plays a role: Seven Corners operates within a Halal-certified hotel, ensuring Muslim guests are considered as part of its everyday dining landscape, alongside broader sustainability efforts aligned with IHG’s global commitments.

Thoughtful changes

Abundance

HE emphasized that they don’t chase every trend and instead, they perfect the classics and introduce changes thoughtfully, further adding that guests return because they trust the food, and that reliability is what truly sets Seven Corners apart in the dining scene. That trust, he narrated further, is reinforced by a cooking philosophy grounded in comfort and familiarity, the values that resonate strongly with Filipino diners. “It always begins with flavor and comfort,” he enthused. “Dishes should be approachable, comforting, and instantly enjoyable whether it’s a classic favorite or a new flavor.” Behind the scenes, discipline is just as important as creativity. Run-

AS the holiday season approaches, Seven Corners leans into abundance, but all with good intention. The Christmas spread is designed to feel festive without excess, anchored on premium roasts, enhanced seafood selections, comfort-driven pasta dishes, and desserts meant for sharing. “As an Italian chef, Christmas is about generosity, warmth, and quality,” Angioletti pointed out. At Seven Corners, that generosity is not expressed through spectacle alone, but through consistency, care, and an understanding of how Manila’s diners have grown. In a city that still loves a good feast, the buffet’s quiet evolution suggests that growing up, at the table, can be just as satisfying.

THE heart of the experience lay in a meticulously crafted kaiseki lunch at Yawaragi, Hotel Okura Manila’s acclaimed Japanese restaurant. Under the expert direction of Head Chef Jerrymie Tamayo, the menu served as a culinary map of Northern Japan, translating the region’s rugged geography into a refined sequence of flavors that mirrored the “Journey Across Seasons” theme. The exploration began with a delicate pan-seared Hirame (olive flounder), brightened by a miso yuzu beurre blanc, watercress oil, and the salty pop of Ikura (salted salmon roe), serving as the starter dish of the whole course menu. Then, it was followed by the Sashimi Santen Mori, a trio of seafood that showcased Chef Tamayo’s precise technique. The platter featured Rice Straw Smoked Sustainable Bonito (Skipjack), Usuzukiri-style Tai (Sea Bream), and a Kanpachi (Greater Amberjack) Tiradito. “There are three fish [in the sashimi platter],” Chef Tamayo explained. “On top of the skipjack, which is seen in Hokkaido, is a combination of myoga (Japanese young ginger), garlic, and spring onion. To eat it, you mix it with the condiments and dip it in the soy sauce.” He contrasted this with the Kanpachi Tiradito—a Japanese-Peruvian fusion already dressed in sauce—and the delicate Tai, which is served with a Ponzu dipping sauce. Transitioning into the heart of a northern winter, Chef Tamayo served Ishikari Jiru, a traditional salmon miso soup from Hokkaido. This “heartwarming bowl” brought together miso, salmon, and seasonal vegetables, offering a richness that, as the menu noted, “mirrors the depth of winter’s embrace.” The meal’s centerpiece was Hotate (scallops) and Ikura, a miso-glazed grilled Hokkaido scallop served with salmon roe and sautéed spinach. To ensure the ingredient’s integrity, Chef Tamayo opted for a light sear. “The scallop is grilled, but we did not cook it fully because it is sashimi-grade. It is still raw in the middle so that you can experience the sweetness of the scallop, with a sweet and salty sauce to counter that sweetness.” Similar to the starter dish, Ikura was also used in this dish, demonstrating how the same ingredient can offer a completely different flavor profile when paired with warm, grilled elements versus a cold starter. This course was elevated by a pairing with Sharaku Junmai Ginjo sake from Fukushima, a prefecture in Tohoku, allowing the savorysweet notes of the scallop to shine. The menu then pivoted back toward the freshness of summer with a cold dish called Hokkigai Sunomono and Nasu Goma-Ae, a Hokkigai (surf clam), cucumber, and a seaweed miso mustard salad. The addition of chilled Nasu (eggplant) with sesame dressing provided a sophisticated contrast in both flavor and temperature. This was followed by a seasonal staple: Tenzaru Soba (cold buckwheat noodles) served with assorted tempura. Often enjoyed during Hokkaido’s vibrant flower season, the dish is designed to cool the body during the warmer months. Both courses were paired with Kubota Senjyu Ginjo from Niigata, a sake that properly complemented the clean, earthy notes of the buckwheat and seafood. The experience culminated with the dessert, Japanese Melon. It is a locally sourced sorbet with coconut cream espuma, melon jelly, and a textural matcha crumble that oozes sweetness to top all of the heavy dishes previously served. After the distinct Northern taste course menu, JNTO’s Director, Hisashi Kawamura concluded the event by encouraging Filipinos to explore Japan beyond what it is commonly known for. “We hope today’s experience becomes a memorable window into how Japan’s seasons are deeply reflected in its cuisine, traditions, and way of life,” Kawamura noted. Indeed, there is always more to uncover in Japan. Its rich heritage, hidden locales, and sumptuous cuisine extend far beyond the familiar, stretching into the northern frontiers of Tohoku and Hokkaido. Here, the flavors offer a beautiful contradiction: a taste of Japan that feels warmly reminiscent yet remains excitingly distinct.