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Study: In time of Covid-19, ecological distress takes foothold among many Filipino, global youths

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By Jonathan L. Mayuga

NEW study has revealed that more and more people across the world, including the Philippines, are getting worried about the threat of climate change, triggering what the study termed as “climate anxiety.”

According to the Climate Reality Project Philippines, the global study showed eight out of 10 children and young people are affected, while 45 percent reported that their feelings on the prevailing climate crisis are having negative impacts on daily functioning, including eating, concentrating, work, school, sleeping, spending time in nature, playing, having fun and dealing with relationships.

In the Philippines, the figure is up to 75 percent, with the report recognizing that young people in the Global South are experiencing more severe climate anxiety—which is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as “a chronic fear of environmental doom.”

The figures were shared by

Caroline Hickman, a psychotherapist and teaching fellow at the University of Bath in the UK, during the 18th episode of the Climate Reality Project Philippines “Klimatotohanan” webcast entitled “Feeling Anxious and Hopeful About Our Collective Futures: How the Climate Crisis is Affecting Our Mental Health.”

Hickman is the co-lead author of the study “Young People’s Voices on Climate Anxiety Government Betrayal and Moral Injury: A Global Phenomenon,” released on a pre-publication basis by the scientific journal Lancet Planetary Health while it is undergoing peer review process.

The said study is the first large-scale investigation of climate

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 50.6090

anxiety in children and young people globally and its relationship to government response. It surveyed 10,000 children and young people, aged 16 to 25, from Australia, Brazil, Finland, France, India, Nigeria, the Philippines, Portugal, the UK and the US. The results of the survey among the Filipino youth revealed that 71 percent of respondents, compared to 55 percent worldwide, think that they won’t have access to the same opportunities their parents had enjoyed.

On the other hand, 77 percent of the respondents, compared to 52 percent worldwide, think that their family’s economic, social and physical security will be threatened.

Meanwhile, 47 percent of the respondents, compared to 39 percent worldwide, are hesitant to have children because of climate change.

“Climate anxiety is not a mental illness. But if we put together the realities of climate change with climate anxiety and global inadequate action, then what we are looking at are chronic, inescapable stressors that will inevitably impact the mental health of children and young people,” Hickman explained.

Hickman, also board member

of the Climate Psychological Alliance, a nonprofit group that aims to address the psychological dimensions of the climate and ecological crisis, added that climate anxiety is inextricably linked to the failure of those in power to act decisively and sufficiently to address the prevailing climate crisis.

To understand the correlation between climate anxiety and actions or inactions of governments around the world, Hickman said, they asked respondents what they think of the response of the governments (globally, not just their own governments) to the prevailing climate crisis.

Here are the results in the Philippines: 68 percent think that governments are failing young people.

69 percent think that governments are lying about the impact of their actions. 56 percent think that governments are betraying them and future generations.

“We need to acknowledge the concurrent mental health distress that this [climate crisis] is causing.

We need to be clear that unless we take global action, we are leaving young people in the most vulnerable countries in the world feeling distressed and feeling abandoned and betrayed,” she added.

Individual vs collective climate actions JON BONIFACIO, Education Coordinator of the Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines, noted that while individual actions matter, there is a need to collectively

clamor for systemic solutions to the climate problem. “The primary solution [to the climate crisis] really is to find ways to address it to change current conditions. And the best way to do that is to do it Continued on A2

n JAPAN 0.4453 n UK 69.2179 n HK 6.5057 n CHINA 7.8581 n SINGAPORE 37.5326 n AUSTRALIA 37.5266 n EU 58.7115 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.4932

Source: BSP (October 15, 2021)

SKYPIXEL | DREAMSTIME.COM

IN THE GRIP OF CLIMATE ANXIETY

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A2 Saturday, October 16, 2021

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Biden confronts supply-chain crisis stretching past his grip

By Jennifer Epstein & Josh Wingrove

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Bloomberg News

RESIDENT Joe Biden wants to break a logjam at US ports and stave off a holiday season of shortages and delays—bottlenecks that officials and stakeholders say extend far beyond the reach of the White House.

Flotillas of cargo ships anchored off major ports and stacks of shipping containers piling up on wharfs have ratcheted up concern that American shoppers may be greeted by empty shelves when the holiday season kicks off next month.

That’s led the Biden administration to accelerate efforts, and highlight previous ones, to smooth the flow of goods through the economy. His options are scant and amount to serving as a deal broker.

On Wednesday, Biden announced that the Port of Los Angeles would begin operating 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, and that retailers had pledged to step up efforts to move goods.

Yet precedent suggests that extending port hours won’t solve the problem alone, as delays are also tied to backlogged demand from the pandemic, a diminished workforce and snags at each step of a shipping route, not just ports. Biden himself made Wednesday as much a call to arms as a celebration of a fix.

“This is a big first step and it’s feeding at the movement of mate-

rials and goods through our supply chain. But now we need the rest of the private sector chain to step up as well,” Biden said at the White House Wednesday. “And if the private sector doesn’t step up, we’re going to call them out.”

The Port of Los Angeles announcement came after discussions with the administration and labor unions, a step the White House called overdue. Six companies, including FedEx Corp and United Parcel Service Inc., also committed to expanding their delivery schedules.

Looming political nightmare?

THE prospect of bare store shelves during the holiday season is a political nightmare for the president, who’s already fending off accusations from Republicans that his policies have contributed to a surge in inflation.

But the supply chain troubles are in part a consequence of the robust US recovery from the pandemic. US imports, measured by shipping container volume, are running at a record level so far in

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on October 13, 2021. The Biden administration is trying to relieve supply-chain bottlenecks ahead of the US Christmas shopping season, but officials acknowledge their options are limited as soaring consumer demand tests transportation and delivery networks. BLOOMBERG

2021, according to data collected

by Panjiva, the supply chain research unit of S&P Global Market Intelligence.

“We’ve really been seeing a peak season all year. What we are kind of talking about is logistics networks operating at maximum capacity,” said Eric Oak, a researcher who authored the S&P report.

US imports by volume last month were 5 percent higher than in 2020, and fourth-quarter imports are on pace to beat the record-setting levels of 2020, Panjiva found.

Easing one part of the system, like port backlogs, will help move containers, Oak said. But “increasing one part of the equation might not necessarily help the entirety of the global supply chain,” he added.

The White House has been tracking kinks in the supply chain since Biden took office, officials say. In February, he signed an executive order to review supplies of critical goods, including microchips and pharmaceuticals.

In June, the White House created a task force to coordinate policies to address supply chain transportation issues across agencies and to work with logistics-related companies, including ports, railroads, trucking companies, warehouses and fulfillment centers.

But the US supply chain is largely in the hands of businesses, limiting the administration’s options to directly influence it.

“This is a set of private-sector systems, a global one at that. But we have a role to play as an honest broker, bringing together different players who, sometimes surprisingly, don’t always coordinate with one another,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Wednesday on MSNBC.

Underlying issues

EVEN after the announcement, the underlying issues ensnaring shipments were in plain view.

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka, who visited the White House on Wednesday, said the takeaway was a “commitment from industry leaders responsible for moving goods on

behalf of American consumers and businesses to open up the capacity needed to deliver.”

Meanwhile, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa, who participated in one of the White House events Wednesday, said working conditions for port truck drivers remain poor and constrain any recovery.

“They are not paid a living wage and are largely treated as indentured servants,” and should be allowed to unionize, he said in a statement. “Nothing will change until that happens.”

Companies including FedEx, WalMart Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Home Depot Inc. and Target Corp. “are using more off peak and nighttime hours to increase throughput,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

“These improvements will move more goods faster, including toys, just in case you were wondering—my kids are—and furniture, that Americans purchased online or at their local small businesses.”

Target assured customers— and investors—in a blog post on Wednesday that it’s prepared for the holiday season.

“Even as unprecedented supply-chain challenges continue to impact retailers and industries across the globe, including the situation at our nation’s ports, we’re ready to deliver the easy, inspirational holiday shopping experience our guests love” the company said, noting that it’s operated 24/7 supply operations “for years, including at the ports.”

While the expansion of hours at Port of Los Angeles should help

ease container handling, it’s just one piece of the puzzle, said Michael Tran, managing director for digital intelligence strategy at RBC Capital Markets.

“If you go further downstream, beyond just what’s happening at the shipping port, there are labor shortages that resonate throughout the rest of the supply chain, like trucking, warehousing,” Tran said. “From that angle, today’s headline goes to try to rectify the first step, the first step of many in a convoluted supply chain.”

A recent report by Tran’s team found that Port of Los Angeles/ Long Beach ranks last among 22 of the world’s largest and most prominent ports in the time it takes to discharge a ship.

Some of the nation’s other large ports are expanding hours, but the challenge is getting trucking companies and warehouses open at the same time, one transportation sector official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Ports need more space to store containers, including refrigerated ones that require electricity, and land is at a premium, the official said. Ports want the White House to coordinate action with other areas of the industry.

A pilot program that began last month, offering 24-hour container operations at the Port of Long Beach, saw zero uptake in the newly open period between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. during its first two weeks.

The impact of Wednesday’s announcements is relatively small. An additional 3,500 containers per week will move at night through the end of the year, the White House said.

The port moved more than 950,000 containers in August.

Much of the administration’s early attention was on boosting the supply of critical goods, including supplies needed for making Covid-19 vaccines, semiconductor chips riling automakers and tech companies, and fuel following a ransomware attack that cut off supplies on the East Coast. Its efforts extended to food, with the White House saying that consolidation in the meat processing sector has left it too vulnerable to hiccups and price hikes that are passed on to consumers.

The Biden administration’s options to address the bottlenecks are only on the margin, said Phil Levy, chief economist at Flexport, a freight forwarding company.

“I don’t think they’re going to be able to resolve this crisis,” he said.

Current demand for goods doesn’t lend itself to quick fixes in a system with little excess capacity, he said.

“This all just got swamped with an extraordinary level of demand.”

In the grip of climate anxiety Continued from A1

together and collectively,” he said.

Hickman agreed, warning young climate advocates not falling into “the binary of either naïve optimism or apocalyptic thinking.”

We have to take care of ourselves in whatever form of activism we’re engaging in. Any internal activism needs to be balanced with external activism. Otherwise, it’s a really high risk that we’ll just burn out,” she added.

Hickman also advised authorities against dismissing climate anxiety. “We’re causing moral injury if we disregard these figures,” she said, adding that young people must be listened to, understood, and taken seriously. “If we can do that seriously and properly, then young people can be reassured, protected, valued, and hopeful,” she added.

‘Accountability’

IN Davao City, environmental activists are pressing Malacañang to compel accountability among corporations on climate change following the release of the same

Lancet study which showed a very high percentage of Filipino youths expressing climate anxiety and dismay over perceived government inaction in addressing climate issues.

The public posturing of environmentalists came in the same week that President Duterte aired before the United Nations General Assembly the Philippine position on corporate accountability for the changing climate patterns and the hoarding of Covid-19 vaccines by affluent nations.

Greenpeace Philippines said, “Young Filipino activists echoed how lack of urgency and accountability among governments and big polluting corporations heightened climate anxiety,” which it said, however, was also a global phenomenon among young individuals.

“Young Filipino climate activists demanded the government to hold corporations accountable for the worsening climate conditions, to secure a safer future for the youth and vulnerable communities,” Greenpeace Philippines said.

The Filipino youth’s reaction

followed the release of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s latest Synthesis Report on the Nationally Determined Contributions of 113 countries, “which shows that the current contributions would warm the planet by 2.7 degrees Celsius—significantly higher than the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold under the Paris Agreement.”

Greenpeace Philippines said it was “in solidarity with these young Filipinos in demanding the government to uphold climate justice by holding big polluters accountable for driving the climate crisis.”

“The government must also ensure a transition to resilient and efficient food, energy and transport systems, and uphold active citizen participation. It must put people at the core of local and national policymaking,” the group added.

“When the youth calls for actions, those in power must listen.

Our call for accountability is a call for the protection of entire generations. We refuse to inherit a dying planet where anxiety is looming over hope,” Greenpeace Campaigner Kisha Muana said. With Manuel T. Cayon

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West, Asian nations look at Asean for production

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

T

he outlook for the Asean market appears bright despite the pandemic as Western countries and its Asian neighbors are turning to the economic bloc for their production.

Benjamin Hung, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Asia chief executive officer, said at a briefing on Friday that Asean is an attractive destination for foreign investors seeking to establish additional supply chains.

“US is also very keen to develop Asean as an alternative into diversification of supply chain, likewise European markets also seeing Asean for that matter,” he said.

“We are also seeing within Asia a significant interest from Japan, from Korea, from China, all very interested in investing in Asean. And within Asean, of course, you have intra-Asean trade as well which is also providing very promising prospects,” Hung added.

He noted that the regional bloc has been the manufacturing hub for the consumption of the West, particularly European and US markets. As a result, Hung said, he sees “a significant rise” in the intra-Asean trade as well.

“Going forward, I think increasingly we will see Asia manufacturing all the consumption by the East and in particular, by the rising, growing population and consumption pattern,” he explained.

The digitalization is also aiding the consumption of the Asean community as it eases the transactions, he said.

Kingshuk Ghoshal, SCB’s head of global subsidiaries in Singapore and Asean, said that the growing middle class in the region—about 700 million residents—are also driving the consumption in the e-commerce and digital economy.

He said this is supported by the establishment of digital infrastructure that serves as the “connecting glue” for the online transactions.

Amid the positive prospects, however, Hung warned about the present concerns over the supply chains as these are currently clogged due to mobility restrictions, port closures and labor shortage, among others.

The global community has been reeling from the impact of container imbalance in pandemic, resulting into shipment delays for both exporters and importers. The delays have resulted in revenue losses, increased freight costs and even slowdown in production.

Saturday, October 16, 2021 A3 A3

With host economies recovering, OFW remittances up anew in Aug

By Bianca Cuaresma

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ASH sent home by Filipino migrant workers sustained its growth in August this year as developed economies continued to recover during the period.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Friday that cash remittances sent by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) back home hit $2.609 billion in August, up 5.1 percent from its level in the same month last year.

Broken down, the growth in cash remittances was due to the increase

in remittances from land-based workers, which rose by 4.1 percent to $2.032 billion from $1.952 billion; and sea-based workers, which rose by 8.6 percent to $577 million from $531 million.

T he Aug ust remittance va lue to the countr y pushed the eightmonth total to $20.38 billion, 5.7 percent higher than the $19.285 billion seen in the same Januar yto-August period in 2020.

According to the BSP, the growth in cash remittances from the United States (US), Malaysia, and South

Korea contributed largely to the increase in remittances in January to August 2021.

In terms of country sources, the US registered the highest share of overall remittances at 40.7 percent in the first eight months of 2021, followed by Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, South Korea, Qatar, and Taiwan.

T he combined remittances f rom t hese top 10 cou nt r ies accou nted for 78. 8 percent of tot a l c a sh rem it t a nces.

Ex-VP Binay adopted in rival Senate slates as parties reveal more bets

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IVAL administration and opposition parties vying in the upcoming national elections on Friday announced more names on their senatorial slates, with former Vice President Jejomar Binay emerging as a “common candidate” in at least three contending camps.

In a news statement issued on Friday, Binay acknowledged Vice President Leni Robredo and Senators Panfilo Lacson and Emmanuel Pacquiao for his inclusion in their senatorial lineups.

“I would like to thank Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Manny Pacquiao, and Senator Ping Lacson for including me as a guest candidate in their respective senatorial slates,” Binay, who filed his certificate of candidacy under his United Nationalist

Alliance (UNA) party, added.

He affirmed that “our task is to rebuild our country and restore the dignity of every Filipino,” reminding everyone “the pandemic has made responding to this challenge even more urgent, and unity more compelling.”

In seeking election to the Senate, ex-VP and former Makati Mayor Binay reminded the need “to build the broadest unity possible for the sake of our children, grandchildren, and future generations.”

Stressing there are many ways to bounce back from the pandemic, Binay said: “There are many ways to arise from the pandemic. To help the economy recover, and improve the lives of every Filipino. But we cannot attain this if we are disunited. We need to close ranks. No matter our political

colors, we have a common goal,” he said, mostly in Filipino.

At the same time, a separate Liberal Party senatorial slate led by VP Robredo and Sen. Francis Pangilinan reported the additions to their LP senatorial ticket of lawyer Chel Diokno, former congressman Teddy Baguilat and detained Sen. Leila de Lima, along with former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

The Robredo-led ticket also listed as “guest candidates,” besides Binay, the following: Sen. Richard Gordon and Joel Villanueva, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, former Sen. Francis Escudero and author and poet Alex Lacson.

For its part, the tandem of Senator Pacquiao and Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza adopted as senatorial candidates

BBM dominates ‘real time, real man’ street survey SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Ronnie Yambao, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, Subic Customs Collector Marites Martin, and Agriculture Assistant Secretary Federico Laciste Jr. show some of the fresh vegetables confiscated by authorities in Subic.

₧15 million worth of fresh veggies shipment from China seized in Subic

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By Henry Empeño

UBIC BAY FREEPORT—Some P15 million worth of fresh vegetables shipped from China were confiscated here on Thursday for violation of import regulations on fresh produce.

T h e s h i p m e nt w a s i n i t i a l l y f lagged on October 13 by authorities here for non-compliance with the approved sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPS-IC) on temperature requirement and for ingress of non-importable fresh vegetables.

The illegal imports were inspected on Thursday afternoon by officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Bureau of Customs-Port of Subic (BOC-Subic), and the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI).

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the fresh vegetables were found inside five 40-footer container vans that were declared to contain frozen assorted vegetables and consigned to Saturnus Corp., an importer based in Metro Manila.

“We found out that the shipment contained chilled fresh vegetables that are considered illegal for importation into the country. These included various fresh produce such as water bamboo, mushrooms, broccoli, and other vegetables,” Eisma said.

The shipment was also found to contain undeclared agricultural products like sweet oats, she added.

BOC District Collector Marites Martin said her office already issued warrants of seizure and detention for the shipment, as the consignee was only given a permit to import frozen vegetables.

She pointed out that the tempera-

ture of frozen commodities should be at -18 degrees Celsius, but that the refrigerated containers in the Saturnus shipment were at -1 degrees Celsius.

“Thus, the issued SPS Importation clearance is not applicable in the instant importation,” Martin added.

She said the Port of Subic remains fully committed in securing the country’s borders from the entry of prohibited, smuggled goods, and all other illicit trades.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Economic Intelligence Federico Laciste Jr., who is also the co-chair of the Economic Intelligence Sub-Task Group on Food Security, said the seizure of the illegal shipment was the “result of concerted efforts between government agencies such as the SBMA, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, Bureau of Customs [BOC], trade department, and other offices through the Economic Intelligence Sub-Task Group on Food Security.”

He explained that the shipment violated the agency’s Administrative Order 18, Series of 2000, and Section 19 of DA Department Circular 4, Series of 2016, in relation to Section 1113 (f) of Republic Act 10863 otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations Ronnie Yambao said that the inter-agency team made a thorough search of the shipment, including a probe for any illegal drugs or substance in the shipment, after initially finding violations on Wednesday.

T he concer ned agenc ies a l so conducted a 10 percent physical examination of the shipment in the presence of the broker’s representative, and personnel of the BOC and SBM A, he added.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) economist Michael Ricafort projects that remittances will sustain the increase in the coming months as developed economies continue to enable OFWs to work again, while jobs lost by some adversely affected OFWs will be restored.

“Going forward, any further recovery in OFW remittances in the coming months would also largely be a function of the further recovery of the economies of the major host countries around the world from Covid-19 lockdowns,” Ricafort said.

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artido Federal ng Pilipinas standard-bearer Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. would be a runaway winner in the presidential derby next year, based on the series of “Kalye Survey” conducted by different vloggers.

The Kalye Surveys, conducted from October 1 to 11, showed that Marcos is the preferred choice, over six other candidates, to be the country’s 17th president, with more than 60 percent of respondents saying that they will vote for him.

Aside from Marcos, their list of presidential aspirants included Leni Robredo, Manny Pacquiao, Panfilo

Lacson, Isko Moreno, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Sara Duterte.

Of the total 2,137 respondents, 1,307 expressed their preference for Marcos. Moreno came a far second, with 345; while Robredo placed third with 231. The results for the four others were: Pacquiao, 125; Lacson, 89; Bato, 23; and Sara, 17.

For the Kalye surveys, conducted in various areas in Metro Manila and Region 4A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), people on the streets, buyers in small sari-sari stores or mini-groceries, and vendors in public markets, among others, were randomly asked who they will vote for

president in the May 9, 2022 national and local elections.

The vloggers pointed out that while the said surveys veered away from the usual methods used in conducting surveys as the respondents were completely picked in random and may not serve as a real yardstick to predict the outcome of next year’s polls, they manifested the sentiment of the common people.

“Wala po tayong kinikilingan dito, wala kaming ini-endorso rito. Patas lang ito. Meron nga naiiyak na dahil gusto nila ‘yung manok nila ang lumamang. Pero neutral po tayo. Kung sino ang sabihin ng tao, ‘yun ang lalabas,” a vlogger assured.

Philippines begins vaccination of minors with comorbidities

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

A

total of 1,031 minors were inoculated with Covid-19 vaccine following the kick off of the pediatric vaccination of children with comorbidities aged between 12 and 17 in select hospitals in Metro Manila, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Friday.

The DOH said that as of 4:00 p.m., the National Vaccine Operations Center (NVOC) reported that majority of the children received the vaccine at the Philippine Heart Center, Makati Medical Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City, and Pasig City Children’s Hospital.

Other participating hospitals are: Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Fe Del Mundo Medical Center, and National Children’s Hospital (NCH).

There are around 1.2 million children with comorbidities aged 12 to 17 in the country, according to DOH. Children with following comorbidities are eligible for vaccination: 1) medical complexity (i.e., those with long-term dependence on technical

support); 2) genetic conditions; 3) neurologic conditions; 4) metabolic/ endocrine diseases; 5) cardiovascular diseases; 6) obesity; 7) HIV infection; 8) tuberculosis; 9) chronic respiratory diseases; 10) renal disorders; 11) hepatobiliary diseases; and 12) immunocompromised due to disease or treatment.

The pediatric vaccination rollout was launched at the NCH, which was attended by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and National Task Force for Covid- 19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. The DOH said as part of the wider coverage of the Covid-19 vaccination rollout in the country, children in this age group with comorbidities are scheduled to receive the vaccine with the Food and Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authorization, namely, Pfizer and Moderna.

The initial run of the vaccination will also be conducted in hospitals where children will be screened and monitored by doctors, and facilitating referrals will be easier in case of serious adverse events following immunization. It will also be conducted in a phased approach,

wherein part of the expansion plan is implementing it in regions where there is more than 50 percent coverage for Priority Group A2.

“By giving protection to these children, we also protect their loved ones,” Duque said.

While the pilot implementation of pediatric vaccination has started, DOH said it continuously encourages the adult population, especially senior citizens, to get vaccinated as soon as the vaccines are available in their respective areas.

Likewise, the DOH urged everyone, even the fully-vaccinated, to continue practicing minimum public health standards to protect from getting infected and infecting others with Covid-19.

“The DOH and the Covid-19 NVOC have likewise conducted several town hall meetings with concerned stakeholders like hospital chiefs and directors, vaccination teams, and even parents to cascade the operational guidelines and other pertinent preparations that the DOH and implementing sites are undertaking for the pilot rollout,” the DOH said.

Binay, Gordon, Zubiri, Villanueva, former senators Chiz Escudero and Loren Legarda; labor leader Elmer Labog and former Rep. Neri Colmenares.

In a separate statement, Senate Majority Leader Zubiri said: “As an independent candidate, I am thankful to be included in Vice President Robredo’s senatorial slate for the 2022 elections.”

“I also thank Sen. Ping Lacson and Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who believe in me and my ideals and have adopted me in their Senate slates as well. I still remain an independent candidate—at the end of the day, my loyalty is to the people, not to any single party. But as a team player, I am willing and able to work alongside anyone who shares in our goal of serving the Filipino people first. Again, thank you so much for the trust,” Zubiri added. Butch Fernandez

Halt to Udenna arm’s Clark project a ‘red flag’on Malampaya deal–Win

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By Butch Fernandez

EN. Sherwin Gatchalian raised a red flag Friday to caution the Duterte administration on Udenna Corporation’s acquisition of the stake of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. in the Malampaya gas field in Palawan, noting the former’s tight financial bind.

In a statement, Gatchalian noted that the financial capacity of Udenna in acquiring SPEX is put into question over recent developments, referring to Udenna’s subsidiary PH Resorts Group Holdings Inc. which suspended its casino project in Clark due to debt and cash problems. “This is a red flag.

Paano natin mapagkakatiwalaan ang kumpanyang lubog sa utang [How can we trust a company mired in debt]?

First, the acquisition of Udenna Corp. unit of Chevron’s 45-percent stake in Malampaya was largely financed by loans. Now, Udenna wants to have the operating interests by acquiring Shell’s stake,” Gatchalian said.

The senator cited reports that PH Resort Group’s capital is P1.2 billion in deficit and its net liabilities have increased to over P7.2 billion as of June and that its biggest creditor, China Banking, gave Uy until September 14 to agree on a bailout of its P5.9-billion loans after three extensions.

The energy committee chief added: “Malampaya is no ordinary asset. We have to make sure that any transaction should go through a thorough review and due diligence by the government to assure the Filipino people that whoever is going to step in is highly qualified, competent, and can deliver electricity.”

He noted that Malampaya supplies close to about 26 percent of the power needs in Luzon or about 3.7 million households.

In a Senate hearing in July, Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC) President and CEO Rozzano Briguez reported that $375 million of the $565-million sale of Chevron to UC Malampaya Philippines Pte. Ltd., a unit of Udenna Corp., was done through loans from three major banks and the rest, $157 million, was sourced through the gas field’s “net entitlements,” while $33 million came from the buyer’s stock issuance.

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State vaccination certificates now recognized for entry into PHL B

Oil reaches $85 per barrel as global energy costs soar

rent oil futures topped $85 a barrel for the first time since October 2018, the latest milestone in a global energ y cr unch that has seen prices soar.

Crude futures have jumped in recent weeks as natural gas prices hit records. On Thursday, the International Energ y Agency (IEA) said the crisis is spilling into oil markets and could add 500,000 barrels a day to demand in the coming months. That is deepening inventor y draws as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

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Special to the BusinessMirror

ALIKBAYANS from the United States and Canada will have an easier time coming home this holiday season as government eased the documentary requirements for their entry into the Philippines.

Tourism Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Atty. Edwin R. Enrile told the BusinessMirror that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved the presentation of “state digital or physical vaccination certificates” for foreign nationals vaccinated abroad, “which will allow New York and California residents to come in with their Healthvana and Excelsior [records],” as in the case of US residents.

Healthvana is an online medical data resource based in California, which digitizes vaccination records, while Excelsior is New York’s vaccination portal. Both the US and Canada are on the Philippines’s Yellow List of countries, which has moderate risk for Covid-19.

There are an estimated 1.4 million Americans of Filipino descent, while there are 851,410 who identify as Filipino-Canadians.

For his part, Jose C. Clemente III, president of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, welcomed the “further easing of requirements

of the proof of vaccination for our returning balikbayans. We would like to express our gratitude to the IATF and the DOT (Department of Tourism) as this development will contribute greatly to the industry as we continue to move forward. Our balikbayans can now look forward to coming home for the Christmas holidays.”

Those arriving from Yellow List countries, however, still have to quarantine at a hotel “until the release of their negative RT-PCR testing taken on the fifth day. After which, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until their 10th day, with the day of arrival being the first day,” as per IATF Resolution No. 144-A dated October 14, 2021.

Clemente, who is also president of Rajah Tours Philippines, said, “They [balikbayans] don’t mind the five-day facility quarantine.

They’re happy it’s been shortened to that.”

How to prove vaxx status

In a memorandum by Health

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temic risk to our economy and to the lives and livelihoods of everyday Americans, and we must act now,” Gina McCarthy, the White House national climate adviser, told reporters.

A February storm in Texas led to widespread power outages, 210 deaths and severe property damage. Wildfires raged in Western states. The heat dome in the Pacific Northwest caused record temperatures in Seattle and Portland, Oregon. Hurricane Ida struck Louisiana in August and caused deadly flooding in the Northeast.

The actions being recommended by the Biden administration reflect a significant shift in the broader discussion about climate change, suggesting that the nation must prepare for the costs that families, investors and governments will bear.

The report is also an effort to showcase to the world how serious the US government is about tackling climate change ahead

Bloomberg News

Container-ship traffic jam in SEA worst since April Screenshot of a Filipino-American’s Covid vaccination card in New York, bearing the stamp of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contributed photo

Undersecretar y Atty. Charade B. Mercado-Grande to Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ ) Director Dr. Ferdinand S. Salcedo dated October 15, 2021, a copy of which was obtained by the BusinessMirror, she said: “Please be guided that the IATF has agreed that OFWs and their spouse, parent/s, and/or children traveling with them vaccinated abroad, and non- OFWs vaccinated abroad may present any of the following: 1. Their national/state digital certificate of the foreign government where they were vaccinated without the need of a reciprocity agreement; 2. Vaccination certificates issued by any of the states of the United States of America, whether digital or physical; 3.

Vaccination certificates issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, whether digital or physical; or 4. Vaccination certificates issued by any of the provinces or territories of Canada, whether digital or physical.”

A similar letter confirming said provisions was also sent to Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade.

Clemente earlier raised the issue of the added cost to balikbayans to secure an ICVP and having it signed by medical professionals, when the BoQ may have no way of even authenticating the document. (See, “Balikbayans raise concerns on new PHL entry requirements,” in the BusinessMirror, October 13, 2021.)

White House plans to address economic risk of climate change A S H I N G T O N —T h e Biden administration is taking steps to address the economic risks from climate change, issuing a 40page report Friday on government-wide plans to protect the financial, insurance and housing markets and the savings of American families.

Under the report, the mortgage process, stock market disclosures, retirement plans, federal procurement and government budgeting are all being reconsidered so the country could price in the risks being created by climate change. The report is a followup to a May executive order by President Joe Biden that essentially calls on the government to analyze how extreme heat, flooding, storms, wildfires and broader adjustments to address climate change could affect the world’s largest economy.

“If this year has shown us anything, it’s that climate change poses an ongoing urgent and sys-

its allies only gently ease output restraints.

Spiraling prices of everything from oil and gas to coal are boosting global inflation and posing a challenge to policy-makers.

While it helps raise revenue of producing countr ies, it r isks slowing down economies that are emerging from a pandemic-driven slump. Bank of America Corp. has even talked up the prospect of crude hitting $100 a barrel.

Brent futures rose as much as 1.3 percent to $85.07 a barrel by 8:53 a.m. London time.

of the United Nations Climate Change Conference running from October 31 to November 12 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Among the steps outlined is the government’s Financial Stability Oversight Council developing the tools to identify and lessen climate-related risks to the economy.

T he Trea su r y Depa r t ment plans to address the risks to the insurance sector and availability of coverage. The Securities and Exchange Commission is looking at mandatory disclosure rules about the opportunities and risks generated by climate change.

T he Labor Depar tment on Wednesday proposed a rule for investment managers to factor env ironmental decisions into the choices made for pensions and retirement savings. The Office of Management and Budget announced the government will begin the process of asking federal agencies to consider greenhouse gas emissions from the

companies providing supplies.

Biden’s budget proposal for fiscal 2023 will feature an assessment of climate risks.

Federal agencies involved in lending and mortgages for homes are looking for the impact on the housing market, with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and its partners developing disclosures for homebuyers and flood and climaterelated risks.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will also look at climate risks for its home lending program.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is updating the standards for its National Flood Insurance Program, potentially revising guidelines that go back to 1976.

“We now do recognize that climate change is a systemic risk,” McCarthy said. “We have to look fundamentally at the way the federal government does its job and how we look at the finance system and its stability.” AP

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yphoon Kompasu (Severe Tropical Storm Maring) has resulted in the worst container shipping traffic jam in months, one that now stretches throughout Southeast Asia (SEA) and may take weeks to unravel.

Although port operations are largely back to normal in Shenzhen and Hong Kong after the tropical storm’s passing, the total container ship count off the two vital hubs had ballooned to 271 as of early Friday, the highest count recorded since Bloomberg News started tracking the data in April.

At least 109 ships were meanwhile reported as anchored and waiting to enter the ports, up from 67 on Thursday. “ T he supply cha in is ver y stretched, with no buffer, so any little event will cause another big problem,” James Teo, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, said.

“There are too many choke points.”

Teo expects port congestion will likely continue until at least the Lunar New Year holiday, which next falls on February 1.

The storm, which is now bearing down on Vietnam, has also scattered ships out of Haiphong, that country’s third-argest container port. Further down the coastline,

waiting container ships off Singapore reached their highest since July 21, when Typhoon In-fa battered Shanghai and similarly snarled the region’s supply chain.

PSA Corp., which operates Singapore’s container terminals, said it’s working with shipping line customers to help them catch up on their delayed schedules and meet cargo connections.

“The global supply chain disruption is likely to continue for the foreseeable future and PSA will continue to ensure the adequate deployment of resources,” the terminal operator said in an e-mailed statement.

The impact of typhoons in Asia has rippled through the global supply chain, similar to the effect of hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico that have caused logjams in the world’s largest economies.

US President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that the Port of Los Angeles will now operate 24 hours a day to help smooth out kinks.

Congestion off America’s largest container port remains elevated, Bloomberg-compiled data show, but has eased to be 2.9 percent above the median observed by from April to October.

Bloomberg News

Australia stays closed amid govt confusion in quarantine

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ustralia’s protracted border ban looks set to remain in place for overseas tourists, international students and working visa holders, despite the leader of its most-populous state announcing travel restrictions would be lifted for vaccinated travelers from next month.

New South Wales (NSW) Premier Dominic Perrottet on Friday announced a major policy shift, saying that borders would open to fullyinoculated visitors on November 1, with no requirement for quarantine if they tested negative for Covid-19 before boarding their flight.

But hours later, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said restrictions would only be eased on November 1 for returning residents and their families. No decision has been made on when the country will open to tourists and other visa holders, he said at a news conference.

“We are not opening up to everyone coming back to Australia at the moment. I want to be clear about that,” Morrison said. “It is for the Commonwealth and federal government to decide when the border opens at an international level.”

Morrison did say that skilled migrants and students would be welcomed back before any international tourists, without elaborating.

Australia has been subject to

one of the world’s strictest controls on overseas travel since the pandemic hit in March 2020, with caps placed on arrivals and returning travelers subject to hotel quarantine at their own cost.

Still, in a win for the tens of thousands of Australians waiting to overseas to repatriate, Qantas announced it will bring forward the restart of its international flights by two weeks to November 1, following the easing of restrictions.

The airline will operate as many as five return flights a week from Sydney to London and up to four return flights a week from Sydney to Los Angeles with its Boeing 787 Dreamliners. These flights are limited to Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families, in line with government rules.

Under the new rules, arrivals of unvaccinated people into NSW will be capped at 210 per week. Those who have not received an approved vaccine will still have to undergo 14 days of hotel quarantine.

NSW’s vaccination rate for people aged 16 and over is set to reach 80 percent this weekend. Morrison said the changes to border restrictions were a demonstration of how high vaccination rates would allow “Australians to start reclaiming so many of the things that have been taken from them throughout this pandemic.” Bloomberg News

TheWorld BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Envoy cancels Myanmar visit, straining Asean ties

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ANGKOK—Myanmar’s military-installed government said Thursday that a special envoy appointed by the Asean abruptly canceled his visit this week after it told him he would not be able to meet with ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others he had proposed.

The visit’s cancellation is likely to have fueled sentiment among some members of the 10-nation regional body to punish Myanmar for hindering the envoy’s work.

Malaysia had already proposed that Myanmar’s leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, not be allowed to attend an Asean summit later this month.

A hastily scheduled virtual meeting of Asean foreign ministers will consider the issue on Friday night, said two Southeast Asian diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to release such information.

Myanmar had agreed to allow this week ’s visit by the special envoy, Brunei Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof, but he canceled after being informed by his hosts that he would not be able to meet all those he wanted to, said a statement issued by Myanmar’s foreign ministry.

The statement did not mention whom Erywan sought to meet, but he said last month that it included Aung San Suu Kyi. Her elected government was ousted by the military in February, precipitating widespread and volatile popular opposition.

Myanmar military spokesman Maj.-Gen. Zaw Min Tun had previously explained that Erywan could not meet with Suu Kyi because of the criminal charges against her.

“As Myanmar has been prioritizing peace and tranquility in the country, some requests which go

beyond the permission of existing laws will be difficult to be accommodated,” the foreign ministry statement said.

It said it “has already accommodated its best to the proposals of special envoy to enable his visit to Myanmar.”

Asean foreign ministers in August appointed Erywan as their envoy to help mediate an end to Myanmar’s crisis. Even before his scheduled trip, some Asean members had become frustrated at the perceived lack of cooperation from Myanmar’s government.

Suu Kyi has been in detention since the army takeover, and is currently being tried on several charges that her supporters and independent analysts say are contrived and an attempt to legitimize the military’s seizure of power.

Asean is hamstrung by its bedrock policy of noninterference in the domestic affairs of membernations and by its consensus decision making, meaning just one member state can shoot down any proposal. But some members feel action is justified because major unrest in Myanmar could trigger regional instability.

A sean leaders at a specia l meeting in April issued a statement expressing a “ five-point consensus” on Myanmar’s crisis. It called for the immediate cessation of violence, a dialogue among all concerned parties, mediation by an Asean special envoy, provision of humanitarian aid through Asean channels, and a visit to Myanmar by the special envoy to meet all concerned parties.

Myanmar, an Asean member, is widely seen as doing very little to honor its commitments, though it claims to have helped facilitate humanitarian assistance. AP

Saturday, October 16, 2021

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Lebanon pauses amid tense calm after deadly gun battles

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EIRUT—Schools, banks and government offices across Lebanon shut down Friday after hours of gun battles between heavily armed militias killed six people and terrorized the residents of Beirut.

The government called for a day of mourning following the armed clashes, in which gunmen used automatic weapons and rocketpropelled grenades on the streets of the capital, echoing the nation’s darkest era of the 1975-90 civil war. The gun battles raised the specter of a return to sectarian violence in a country already struggling through one of the world’s worst economic crises of the past 150 years.

The violence broke out Thursday at a protest organized by the two main Shiite parties—Hezbollah and the Amal Movement— calling for the removal of the lead judge investigating last year’s massive explosion at Beirut port.

Many of the protesters had been armed. It was not clear who fired the first shot, but the confrontation quickly devolved into heavy exchanges of gunfire along a former civil war frontline separating predominantly Muslim and Christian areas of Beirut.

Gunf ire echoed for hours, and ambulances rushed to pick up casualties. Snipers shot from buildings. Bullets penetrated

apartment windows in the area.

Sc hool s were e v ac u ated a nd residents hid in shelters.

The two Shiite groups said t hei r protesters c a me u nder fire from snipers deployed over rooftops, accusing the Christian right-wing Lebanese Forces militia of starting the shooting.

Among the dead—all Shiites— were two Hezbollah fighters.

On Friday, residents in the Tayouneh area of Beirut were most of the fighting played out, swept glass from the streets in front of shops and apartment buildings. Soldiers guarded the entrance to the battered neighborhood, and barbed wire was erected at street entrances. Many cars were damaged.

Tayouneh has a huge roundabout that separates Christian a nd Mu s l i m ne i g hb orhoo d s.

Newly pockmarked buildings sat next to ones scarred from the days of the civil war.

Hezbollah and Amal were holding funerals for their dead later Friday.

Tensions over the port blast have contributed to Lebanon’s

Supporters of a Shiite group allied with Hezbollah help an injured comrade during armed clashes that erupted during a protest in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, Lebanon, on, October 14. It was not immediately clear what triggered the gunfire, but tensions were high along a former civil war front-line between Muslim Shiite and Christian areas. AP

many troubles, including a currency collapse, hyperinf lation, soaring poverty and an energy crisis leading to extended electricity blackouts.

The probe centers on hund red s of tons of a mmoniu m nitrate that were improperly stored at a port warehouse that detonated on August 4, 2020.

The blast killed at least 215 people, injured thousands and destroyed parts of nearby neighborhoods. It was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history and further devastated the country already beset with political divisions and financial woes.

Ju d ge Ta re k B it a r h a s c ha rged a nd issued a n a r rest w a r r a nt f o r L e b a n o n’s f o r mer f ina nce m inister, who is

a senior member of t he A ma l Mo v e m e nt a n d a c l o s e a l l y of Hezbol l a h. Bit a r a lso has charged three other for mer senior gover nment officials w ith i ntent ion a l k i l l i ng a nd negl igence t hat led to t he bl ast.

Off icia ls from both Shiite parties, Amal and Hezbollah, including Hezbollah leader Hassa n Na sra l l a h, h ad at t ac ked Bitar for days, accusing him of politicizing the investigation by charging and summoning some officials and not others.

None of Hezbollah’s officials have so far been charged in the 14-month investigation.

Bitar is the second judge to lead the complicated investigation. His predecessor was removed following legal challenges. AP

India reopens for foreign tourists as Covid cases ebb British queen appears to show

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have been vaccinated.

India has administered more than 970 million vaccine doses.

Nearly 70 percent of the eligible adult population has had at least one dose.

T he easing of restr ictions on foreign tourists visiting the cou nt r y, howe ve r, coi nc ides with India’s domestic tourist and festive season.

Already, it has prompted concerns by health officials who have

warned against complacency.

Earlier this month, the Indian Council of Medical Research, India’s premier medical body, cautioned that “revenge tourism” could lead to a surge in Covid-19 infections if tourists don’t strictly adhere to safety protocols.

According to official data, less than 3 million foreign tourists visited India in 2020, which was a dip of more than 75 percent as compared to 2019. AP

EW DELHI—Ind ia reopened to fully vaccinated foreign tourists traveling on chartered f lights on Friday in the latest easing of its coronavirus restrictions as infection numbers decline.

Foreign tourists on regular flights will be able to enter India starting November 15.

It is the first time India has allowed foreign tourists to enter the country since March 2020 when it

imposed its first nationwide coronavirus lockdown.

It is unclear whether arriving tourists will have to quarantine but they must be fully vaccinated and test negative for the virus within 72 hours of their flight.

The decision, announced earlier this month by India’s home ministry, comes as the country’s daily infections have dropped below 20,000 from a peak of 400,000 in May and more people

Custody hearing for Norway bow and arrow suspect

SoKor seeks Interpol notice for two cyber gang leaders

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ONGSBERG, Nor way— The suspect in a bowand-ar row attack that killed five people and wounded three in a quiet Norwegian town this week is facing a custody hearing Friday. He won’t appear in court because he has confessed to the killings and has agreed to being held in custody.

Espen Andersen Braathen, a 37-year-old Danish citizen was arrested Wednesday night, 30 minutes after he began his deadly rampage targeting random people. Police have described the attack as an act of terror.

On a centra l square in Kongsberg , a tow n of 26,0 0 0 people su r rou nded by mou nt a ins a nd wood s some 66 k ilometers sout hwest of Oslo, people were lay ing f lowers and l ight ing ca nd les Fr id ay.

“This is a small communit y so a l most ever ybody k nows eac h other, so it s a ver y strange and ver y sad e x per ience for us,” sa id teac her Ingeborg Spa ngelo, who brought her students to the impromptu memor ial. AP

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EOUL, South Korea—South Korea said Friday it’s asked Interpol for help to arrest two foreigners it alleges played a leading role in cyber attacks and large-scale extortion that targeted South Korean and US companies.

The Korean Police Agency said it has received domestic arrest warrants and requested Interpol to issue a “red notice” for the two suspects in an effort to bring them to South Korea.

South Korean authorities did not publicly release the name or further information on the two suspects for whom they requested the Interpol notice—except that one is a Ukrainian national.

The suspect who is a Ukrainian national was among six people detained by Ukrainian police in June, when South Korean and US authorities joined in raids on the homes of suspects affiliated with the Clop ransomware syndicate in Kyiv and elsewhere.

The police operations targeted alleged associates of a Russianspea k ing ransomware gang blamed for a half billion dollars in damages in cyber attacks that scramble data and can only be stopped with a software key obtained by paying the criminals.

The most potent ransomware gangs operate with Kremlin tol-

erance, based out of reach of Western law enforcement. Russian authorities neither prosecute nor extradite them.

A South Korea police statement said the suspects detained in Ukraine in June allegedly collaborated with a hacking organization and laundered the virtual currency they obtained through the ransomware and converted them for cash.

Ea rl ier t his mont h, Sout h Korea n pol ice dec ided to t a ke steps to have t hree of t hose

earlier detained in Ukraine, and another person whose nationality they refuse to disclose, charged with violating South Korea’s laws on communication networks and information protection, extortion and concealing criminal proceeds.

South Korea is now looking to extradite what it says are the two suspects of that group who played a leading role in the cyber attacks, said Choi Jongsang, chief of cybercrime investigation division at the Korea police agency. AP

irritation at climate inaction

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ONDON—Queen Elizabeth II has appeared to criticize the global lack of action on climate change in comments caught on microphone.

The 95-year-old British monarch was filmed on a phone as she visited Cardiff to open the Welsh parliament on Thursday.

At one point, speaking to her daughter-in-law Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and parliament presid ing of f icer Elin Jones, she said “I’ve been hearing all about COP…I still don’t know who’s coming.”

On the recording, parts of which are inaudible, the queen also appears to say it is “irritating” when “they talk, but they don’t do.”

The queen is due to welcome leaders from around the world to COP26, a United Nations climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, at the end of the month. Several heads of state or government, including China’s Xi Jinping, have not said whether they will attend.

A government minister, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, said the queen’s comments had not

been intended for broadcast.

“I think comments made in private should stay private, but we all share the desire to see progress made and we know there will be hundreds of leaders coming to Glasgow for COP,” he told Sky News.

In Br ita in’s constitutiona l monarchy the queen is meant to be above politics, and she rarely expresses opinions in public.

Her son and heir, Prince Charles, though, has long been outspoken on environmental issues. And Charles’s son Prince William has also taken up the cause, backing the Earthshot Prize for environmental innovation that will be awarded on Sunday.

In an interview with the BBC broadcast T hursd ay, Wi l liam criticized space tourism, saying the world’s greatest minds should focus on fixing the Earth instead.

His comments were aired a day after the 90-year-old “Star Trek” actor William Shatner became the oldest person to fly to space, in a rocket funded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. AP

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Saturday, October 16, 2021

TheWorld BusinessMirror

China’s economy shows strain from property to energy crises

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hina’s economy is being hit from all sides—a property slump, energy crisis, weak consumer sentiment and soaring raw material costs—and government data Monday will show just how bad things are looking.

Economists sur veyed by Bloomberg predict a slowdown in gross domestic product growth to 5 percent in the third quarter from 7.9 percent in the previous three months, and a weakening in monthly industrial production and investment figures in September. Retail sales may show a pickup after a major virus outbreak was contained.

The outlook for the world’s second-largest economy has darkened in recent months following a worsening in the property market and a shock electricity shortage that forced factories to curb output or shut down completely. Economists have been steadily downgrading their growth forecasts for the year—some like Nomura Holdings Ltd. predict it could drop to as low as 7.7 percent—with ripple effects for the rest of the world.

“It’s not an optimistic picture for the third quarter’s growth, especially as the low-base effect is fading,” said Liu Peiqian, C hina economist at Nat west Markets Plc in Singapore. “In the third quarter, authorities prioritized longer-term reform goals and were less focused on the short-term growth target.”

Here are some of the key things to watch from the data, which is

due for release at 10 a.m. local time on Monday:

Property slowdown

Beijing has steadily tightened restr ict ions on t he proper t y market in a bid to curb financial risks, causing a slump in construction and exacerbating a liquidity crisis at developer China Evergrande Group, resulting in a broader spillover in the industry.

The combined sales of China’s top 100 developers plummeted 36 percent year-on-year in September, which is traditionally a peak season for home sales. That will have a knock-on effect on the broader economy, since Goldman Sachs Group Inc. estimates the property sector and related downstream industries make up almost a quarter of GDP. With strained cash flow, developers are unlikely to splash out on new investment. Growth in realestate investment likely slowed to 9.5 percent in the nine months through September from a year earlier, down from 10.9 percent in August, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg.

What Bloomberg economics says...

China’s GDP data are likely to

confirm a sharp deceleration in growth in the third quarter, as a conf luence of shocks—delta variant outbreaks, an acute energ y shortage and regulator y tightening—batter the economy.

September activity data will probably show industrial production growth slumping further but consumption growth regaining stability, though at a low level.

—Chang Shu and David Qu

Power crunch

Factories were forced to halt production because of electricity shortages during the second half of September, causing the purchasing managers index to slump below 50 for the first time since the pandemic started last year, a sign of contraction in manufacturing.

However, strong export data and rising electricity consumption last month suggest the impact of the power crisis on industrial production may be more mixed.

Electricity consumption in the secondary industry increased 6 percent year-on-year, implying strong industrial activity despite power outages, Goldman Sachs analysts led by Maggie Wei said in a note. Power usage data can be volatile though, they said, and could deviate from industrial production trends, based on past results. Economists sur veyed

by Bloomberg predict industrial production growth slowed to 3.9 percent in September from a year ago, which would match the pace in April 2020. The dataset will also contain monthly output of electricity and other energy products.

Consumer caution

China has had to deal with its widest Covid-19 outbreak since the

virus first emerged in late 2019 after cases of the delta variant began spreading from mid-July.

Authorities managed to bring the resurgence under control by the end of September but the country’s stringent zero-tolerance strategy has left a scar on consumption.

Local governments started to relax virus controls since late August, which may have helped retail sales in September. Services sector activity also reported a stronger-than-expected recovery in the month, according to the official purchasing managers’ surveys. Retail sales growth likely accelerated to 3.5 percent in September from 2.5 percent in the previous month, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg.

Booming exports

Unexpectedly robust export growth in September was one of the few highlights in the economy in a sea of bad news. Appetite for Chinese goods in advanced economies remained strong, partly because overseas buyers have diverted orders from other emerging economies like Vietnam, which have struggled to get the Delta virus outbreaks under control. Many buyers are also trying to front-load their Christmas shopping orders to cope with global supply chain problems.

The surging trade surplus is one reason why the yuan has continued to strengthen this year even as the growth outlook worsened. Those gains may be starting to worry policy makers now, with the People’s Bank of China setting the yuan fixing at a weaker-than-expected rate on Thursday, prompting the currency to drop from a four-month high. Bloomberg News

More repression, fewer jobs: Jordanians face bleak outlook

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MM A N, Jord a n— A s a poorly paid public-school teacher, Khaled Jaber always needed a side hustle, working as a private tutor and using his car as a taxi to help pay the bills. For unexpected needs, such as medical expenses, he has had to borrow money from relatives.

Somehow, the 44-year-old muddled through life, sustained by his love of teaching high school Arabic and the respect his job earned him in the community.

But his fragile equilibrium has been upended by the government’s harsh treatment of tens of thousands of teachers over the past two years. Their union, leveraging mass protests and a one-month strike, obtained a 35-percent salary increase, only to then be dissolved by the government. Thirteen union leaders were dragged to court and each faces a one-year prison term pending appeal.

The increased authoritarianism—noted in the downgrade of Jordan from “partly free” to “not free” this year by the US advocacy group Freedom House—stands in contrast to monarchy’s image of having embraced liberal Western values and being a reliable ally in a turbulent region.

In Jaber’s case, the heavy-handed silencing of protests leaves him feeling disrespected, while the salary increase has barely made a dent because of exploding prices.

Even the right to complain has been taken away, he said.

“Allow the space for me to speak, to go out to the street and scream, as long as the stance is peaceful,” he said, speaking in his small apartment on the edge of Amman, as if appealing to the authorities. “Allow the space for

me to express my distress.”

The crackdown on expression has contributed to a growing malaise in the kingdom.

A years-long economic downturn, accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic, means more than half of young Jordanians are now unemployed and the country is sinking deeper into debt.

Recent revelations that King Abdullah II secretly amassed more than $106 million in luxury properties abroad have further undermined public trust. News of the offshore acquisitions came just months after the king’s halfbrother, Prince Hamzah, alleged corruption at the very top, engulfing the typically discreet royal family in a rare scandal.

Anger at this trifecta of increased repression, a worsening economy and perceived corruption is bubbling just under the surface, several activists said. Only fear of being jailed or inadvertently igniting self-destructive chaos, akin to events in Syria, is keeping a lid on mass protests, they said.

“There is no doubt that this generates pressure,” Maisara Malas, 59, an engineer and union activist, said of the widening gap between a detached, high-living elite and the vast majority of Jordanians. “The people are getting poorer, and the ruling regime is getting richer.”

Any hint of instability should worry Jordan’s Western allies, foremost the United States, who value the kingdom for its help in the fight against Islamic extremists, its security ties with Israel and its willingness to host refugees.

But the focus of the Biden administration has shifted to the Indo-Pacific, with Middle East policy in maintenance mode and

the approach to Jordan seemingly on autopilot, said Seth Binder of the Project on Middle East Democracy, a Washington-based advocacy group.

In comparison to troubled Syria or Yemen, US officials apply to Jordan “this tired trope of an Arab regime that is a moderate regime,” he said. “That misses what is really happening and raises some real concerns.”

Jordan is the second-largest recipient of bilateral US aid in the region, after Israel. In a 2018 memorandum, the US assured Jordan that it would receive at least $1.3 billion a year for five years.

Congress, where Jordan enjoys bipartisan support, has gone beyond that. In 2021, it appropriated $1.7 billion, including $845 million in direct budget support. For the upcoming fiscal year, the Biden administration proposes $1.3 billion, including $490 million in budget support, or money not earmarked for specific programs.

In a report circulated among Washington decision-makers in September, Binder’s group called for more stringent conditions to be attached to direct cash transfers, and to eventually phase them out. Aid should be leveraged in a push for economic and political reforms, it said.

“A cash transfer to the government is a privilege that should be reserved for US partners committed to democracy and human rights and not known for rampant corruption,” the report said.

The State Department said in a response that aid to Jordan is in the direct national security interest of the US, describing the kingdom as an “invaluable ally.” It said the US carefully monitors its aid

programs to Jordan and that the US routinely engages the Jordanian government on a wide range of issues, including human rights.

Jordanian officials pushed back against corruption allegations.

“Every [aid] dollar that is provided is accounted for,” Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told The Associated Press last week. Direct cash transfers are “accounted for in the budget the government executes, and it’s subject to audit.”

Safadi also defended the king’s purchase of luxury homes, revealed earlier this month in a massive leak of documents dubbed the Pandora Papers. Safadi said the monarch used private funds and cited security and privacy needs as a reason for keeping the transactions secret.

Former Information Minister Mohammed Momani said he regretted Jordan’s downgrade to “not free,” but argued that the kingdom still did better than most countries in the region.

“We know that Jordan is not Sweden, but we also know that we are among the very few best countries when it comes to freedom of expression in the Middle East,” he said. “So the situation is not as we hoped we would have, but it is not as dark as some people would paint it.”

All power in Jordan rests with the king, who appoints and dismisses governments. Parliament is compliant because of a single-vote electoral system that discourages the formation of strong political parties.

Abdu l la h has repeated ly promised to open the political system, but then pulled back amid concerns of losing control to an Islamist surge. AP

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Asia’s coal mining rebirth doesn’t mean energy crisis is over

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crunch on coal production from key hubs in China and India is beginning to ease, but that won’t be enough to halt Asia’s energy crisis.

Major industries in the region, including steelmakers to chemical producers, are expected to continue to face power disruptions through the winter, as fuel supply remains tight and as governments prioritize heating demand from households.

Coal India Ltd., the world’s top miner of the commodity, has temporarily stopped deliveries to all consumers in the country other than power stations, even as it boosts deliveries from mines.

“Markets may barely get by t h is w i nter on supply,” sa id Natalie Biggs, head of thermal coal research for Wood Mackenzie Ltd. “If we experience colder than normal temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere, like we did last year, we could see some severe shortages in some areas.”

China, the largest producer and consumer of the fuel, could boost mine output by an extra 100 million tons in the fourth quarter. Reserves are slowly rising in India after more than three weeks of daily declines, while Indonesia—the top exporter—is finally recovering from a rainsoaked slowdown in production.

T he three nations are the w or l d ’s t o p co a l pro du c e r s , while China and India are by far the largest consumers, burning nearly two-thirds of the world’s supply combined. Even as mining activity ramps up, global coal production will remain below levels in 2019 and at a time when demand is increasing, according to Biggs.

Safety issues in China, heavy rains in Indonesia and Australia and logistics issues in Russia and South Africa have hampered coal supply all year. Combined with a post-pandemic recovery in industrial activity, that’s created a global shortage which is pushing prices to record levels and has caused blackouts and electricity curtailments.

Miners are finally starting to catch up. Indonesia, which had an unusually long and heav y rainy season, has now accelerated output and expects to meet an annual target of 625 million tons, accord ing to Su nindyo

Sur yo Herdadi, director of mineral and coal program fostering, at the Energ y and Mineral Resources Ministr y.

In China, monthly output is already about 18 million tons higher than last year and authorities are clearing bureaucratic hurdles to help producers add significantly more volumes, Sun Qingguo, senior safety supervisor with the National Mine Safety Administration, said at a briefing Wednesday. In total, that could add an extra 100 million tons of supply this quarter.

While that should help China heat homes and keep the economy running smoothly, energy-hungry industries will face power curtailments. Output from sectors like steel and cement could decline 30 percent through year’s end, according to UBS Group AG. “Energy shortage remains a distinct risk over the winter in China and power rationing will be one of the policy measures to address the issue,” said Lara Dong, head of greater China power and renewables research at IHS Markit. Heating demand is expected to rise with temperatures forecast to drop from this weekend in regions including Inner Mongolia.

During a visit to a facility run by a home-appliance producer in Guangdong province Thursday, Premier Li Keqiang pledged to ensure power supplies for factories. The government has given coal miners permission to surpass annual quotas, will allow electricity prices to rise and has moved to limit exports of other fuels and lifted diesel imports.

In India, coal stocks at power plants are rising, though inventories still remain almost 80 percent lower than a year earlier. Several states are witnessing long outages and spot power prices jumped this week to a 12-year high. State-r un Coal India is also continuing to divert supply away from industrial consumers, prompting complaints from sectors including aluminum producers.

“The government will do anything to prevent a widespread blackout, even if it means curtailing supplies to some other consumers,” said Somesh Kumar, leader for power and utilities at EY India. Bloomberg News

Sow pigs look out from a pen in Driffield UK, on July 31, 2020. The UK’s farming industry sends about two-thirds of its exports to the EU, which would be subject to steep tariffs under a nodeal Brexit. Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

UK seeks 800 foreign butchers to avert pig cull in labor shortage

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he UK is looking for as many as 800 foreign pork butchers to help ease a severe backlog of pigs awaiting slaughter.

The move is aimed at supporting an industry contending with a glut of hogs and a worker shortage driven by the pandemic and Brexit. As of the start of this month, 120,000 pigs had nowhere to go, raising the risk of massive “welfare” culls, or animals that are used as pet food instead of pork.

Brexit has left Britain with a shortage of workers in industries from farming and banking to retail and transportation. The food

sector has been particularly impacted, with a lack of truckers to transport goods, while Covid-19 protocols make processes slower.

The foreign pork butchers will be eligible to apply for seasonal visas through the year’s end that allow them to travel and work in the UK for six months, the Department for Transport said in a news statement, which also unveiled the relaxation of trucker rules in an effort to curb supply chain disruptions.

The government also plans to fund storage allowing meat processors to store slaughtered pigs for three-to-six months.

Bloomberg News

OurTime BusinessMirror

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Editor: Angel R. Calso • Saturday, October 16, 2021 A7

131 centenarians from W. Visayas receive cash gift

By Perla Lena

I

LOILO CITY—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released cash gifts to 131 centenarians from Western Visayas from February to September this year.

Doyien C. Layson, DSWD-6 (Western Visayas) focal person for centenarians, said in an interview that 24 of the beneficiaries unfortunately died before receiving their cash gifts of P100,000 each.

The money was instead released to their nearest relative.

A total of 41 recipients were from Iloilo; 26 from Capiz; 15 each from Aklan and Antique; 13 from Negros Occidental; 10 from Bacolod City; six from Guimaras; and five from Iloilo City.

Layson said they were hoping that the national government would be able to provide funds for 37 others whose complete documents only came in this year.

“They turned centenarians in previous years but they were not able to immediately comply with the required documents. It is only now that they were able to comply, so we requested for additional funds,” she said.

Layson explained it would be better for recipients to submit their documents while they are 99 years old to allow more time to check their documents to establish their being centenarians.

“In our guideline, the OSCA [Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs], the ID is the primary document.

But the more documents, the bet-

ROSALIA D. BANTILAN of Cauayan, Negros Occidental, who turned 100 years old on September 4, 2021, receives her cash gift of P100,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in this undated photo. Doyien C. Layson, DSWD-6 (Western Visayas) focal person for centenarians, said on Friday, October 8, 2021, that this year they have already released cash gifts to 131 centenarians.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DOYIEN C. LAYSON/DSWD-6

ter. The older the documents, the better,” she said.

The incentive is given in cash and the recipient or their relatives may

use it to purchase whatever the centenarian needs, such as milk, diapers, and supplements.

The relatives are also advised

to deposit the money in a bank so they have something to use in times of emergency.

For centenarians who are bedridden, it is recommended that they secure a life plan.

For this year, the oldest recipient was a 103-year-old from Dumalag, Capiz.

Since Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarians Act took effect in 2016, the DSWD-6 has extended the cash gift to 360 centenarians in the region in 2017, a total of 129 in 2019, and 131 last year.

DSWD-6 Director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre said in a statement that the observance of the Elderly Filipino Week (EFW) from October 1 to 7 is a reminder for the public “to heed the call to ensure the protection of the elderly.”

“Most of the abuses to elderly [citizens] are not reported because the perpetrators are the family members themselves. Let us always view things from the lens of the elderly so we are able to understand them,” she said.

The EFW celebration is provided under Proclamation 470 to highlight their significant role in nation building and in advocating for the promotion of their rights and welfare.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme “Mahalaga sina Lolo at Lola Ngayong Pandemya.”

Caraga seniors get cash aid

MEANWHILE, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Caraga (DSWD-13) said 155,328 indigent senior citizens in the region have benefited from the

Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens program during the first half of 2021.

Marko Davey Reyes, information officer of DSWD-13, told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday that the validation of the list of indigent beneficiaries will continue for the succeeding payout.

A total of P465,984,000 pension was already released to the elderly who are entitled to P500 monthly in social pension aid.

“The distribution of the pension for the second semester is still ongoing. We have an allocation of P268,503,000 for the remaining beneficiaries of the program,” Reyes said.

DSWD-13 has a total of 171,028 beneficiaries: From Dinagat Islands, 11,494; Surigao del Norte, 33,799; Surigao del Sur, 42,329; Agusan del Norte, 39,194; and Agusan del Sur, 44,212.

Among the beneficiaries was 79-year-old Florentino Aldaya from the hinterland of Barangay Sua, Barobo in Surigao del Sur. Aldaya said the P3,000 cash aid will help him purchase his medicines and other needs.

“Mapasalamaton ko sa balaod sa gobyerno nga tabangan ang mga seniors. Gitabangan ko nila nga mutaas pa akong kinabuhi. Natuman gyud akong pag-ampo nga matabangan ko [I am thankful to the government’s extension of aid, especially in helping the senior citizens. It helped me live a longer life. The program is an answer to my prayers],” Florentino said in the vernacular, as quoted by a DSWD-13 staff that handed him the money last month.

Prevent Senior: Doctors claim Brazil hospitals gave dodgy Covid-19 care

By Débora Alvares

her doses of hydroxychloroquine. She also took ivermectin and a battery of anti-inflammatories and vitamins in the so-called “Covid kit” that her health-care company, Prevent Senior, mailed to her home.

Still, her condition had deteriorated.

At the hospital, physicians consulted Castilho’s daughters about giving her flutamide—a drug typically used for prostate cancer—but they declined, worried about possible side effects for their mother, who re-

The Associated Press

B

RASILIA, Brazil—Irene Castilho, 71, didn’t even have a day to grieve after her husband died of Covid-19. She was sick, too, coughing and struggling to breathe; he was barely gone when she started using his oxygen mask. The same day, on March 22, she was admitted to a hospital in Sao Paulo.

She had followed doctors’ instructions to the letter—dutifully taking

cently had liver cancer.

They later saw a nurse administering flutamide; she told them it had been prescribed despite their objection.

Castilho died in late April, 33 days after her husband.

Castilho’s case is one of a series of examples that have led to explosive accusations against Prevent Senior, which operates 10 hospitals in Sao Paulo, that have scandalized Brazil.

Whistle-blowing doctors, through their lawyer, testified at the Senate last week that Prevent Senior tested drugs

The banality of screen gore and violence

By Nick Tayag

MY SIXTY-ZEN’S WORTH

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HE word banal is often used to describe something that is obvious, ordinary, or as the dictionary puts it: “so lacking in originality.”

But this ordinary word acquired some significance when Hannah Arendt, a political theorist, coined the phrase “banality of evil” as she composed her thoughts after watching the 1961 trial of Nazi SS officer Adolf Eichmann. For Eichmann, mass-murdering prisoners was just an ordinary normal act because he was just following orders.

The word “banal” came up to me because I was searching for the most appropriate term to use in relation to the scenes of gore and violence that people are now accustomed to see in action/thriller movies and series on the streaming platforms that are being watched together at home.

Let me cite just three of the highly popular titles seen by millions around the world: Squid Game, Alice in Borderland and the first 3 chapters of the John Wick saga. Our family watched them all. Except for my wife, no one in

our home would flinch at the violent and gory scenes, which were continuously and copiously served in every episode or sequence.

Truth to tell, in the case of the two mentioned series, we eagerly clicked the button on to the next episode for more, consuming at least 4 to 5 episodes per night till our strained eyes could take no more.

Our family is a microcosm of today’s world of viewers who get a thrill and pleasure from this carnage, the non-stop choreographed set pieces of slam-bang bloody action. Some of us in the family are sometimes so carried away as to spew expletives, urging on the protagonist to keep pummeling the villain to a bloody pulp or pump more bullets as the case may be. My wife, the resident KJ, would then yell at us, to restrain ourselves and tone it down. I stay detached, preferring to spot the flaws of the movie.

There was a time when extremely violent scenes were rated X, in the same way movies with graphic sexual scenes were banned. Remember

the time when the Exorcist was shown and moviegoers were said to have fainted or went out of the theaters because they couldn’t stand scenes that were said to be excessively gruesome?

In the wake of rapid advances in the craft of prosthetics and CGI technology, scenes of violence and grisliness are now being rendered so ultra realistically in high definition. Yet people no longer turn away when a face is being battered again and again or a knife is shown being stuck to the head, eye, groin, ear of screen characters. The shot stays on for God knows how long and yet people keep watching.

I call it full frontal violence.

Nothing succeeds like excess. Every director is trying to push the envelope of violence and gore, exploring ways to show off, as if daring the viewer and his peers “to top that.”

We at home quietly applaud the violent mayhem. And haven’t you noticed? More and more lead characters are now women with attitude, carrying killer weapons, with no hesitation or compunction in maiming, shooting or twisting the knife against all antagonists who get in their way.

Astig women with angas (strong women who bite back.)

Even movie language has be-

without proper consent and forced doctors to prescribe unproven drugs touted by President Jair Bolsonaro.

Some senators have said it appears Prevent Senior falsified death certificates to omit Covid-19 as cause of death. Authorities are also investigating complaints the company conducted research without proper authorization.

Two weeks ago, Pedro Batista Júnior, Prevent Senior’s executive director, testified to senators that doctors were free to make their own

come deliberately offensive. The more smart assed the dialogue, the more people love it. So much hate language, so much violent tirades so much obscenities spewing out like bullets aimed at putting holes into the enemy. It is as if the language of violence is now the appropriate lingua franca of our dealings with our fellow human beings. Are we still surprised that four-letter words are now allowed to pollute or foul up our airtime?

Our society is being influenced, or worse, corrupted by making excessive violence routine. It explains our tolerance and support for EJK and our way of justifying police violence.

Thanks to the trend that the movie Dirty Harry started, any one who has a gun, licensed or not, won’t think twice in using it when provoked. He will use it because he can, just like the way he sees it in the action violent movies he watches. The violent way is the standard or default quick fix solution: kill the bastard and the problem is solved.

Lawyers, gays, social activists, and even women are being gunned down in broad daylight nowadays.

It’s run of the mill, ordinary, nothing unusual anymore. People just shrug their shoulders when they catch the info bite in passing on the running news bulletin. That’s how banal violence has become in real life.

No compunction, no remorse

prescriptions for treatment of Covid-19 and said patients had freely agreed to take their Covid kits.

In response to questions from the AP, Prevent Senior denied all wrongdoing, irregularities at its facilities or having conducted unapproved trials. It said all patients or family members consented before receiving treatment.

Care at Brazil’s public health-care system is often subpar. Many middleclass Brazilians have private plans, but costs for the elderly are high. from perpetrators who happen to be law enforcers or connected to those in power, with total impunity, no accountability. Just like in the movies when our anti-hero kills every which way and casually leaves the carnage behind. It’s reality imitating the movies. Has it ever crossed moviemakers that real life killers and criminals can pick quite lot of tips on how to kill and get away with it just by watching movies?

“Gratuitous” is a word I have learned to abhor in movies or even in any form of art. Its synonyms are unwarranted, needless, superfluous, and unnecessary. In my college days, my professor used to bemoan the showing of gratuitous violence and sex in the films during our time. He made us hate the word by continuously pounding it into our heads by asking: Does it have to be shown? Can’t it be left better to the imagination? Can’t sound effects better deliver the impact of the scene? Seeing today’s gratuitous violence and gore on screen would probably make him throw up.

I guess even the Church has given up on bringing it up. As it is, the man of peace, the advocate of gunless society, the nonviolent man is now out of place, an anachronism in contemporary society.

Am I a lone voice imagining this worrisome development? My word of caution would probably be unheeded, now that Squid Game has become the most popular series

Sen. de Lima honors elderly, vows to continue promoting their rights

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N celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week, opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima honored the contributions of elderly Filipinos in shaping today’s youth and molding them to be responsible members of the society.

Through Proclamation 470 by President Fidel Ramos on September 26, 1994, the first week of October has been declared as Elderly Filipino Week. The observance aims to recognize the contributions of the elderly in nation building and increase public awareness about the different issues concerning senior citizens.

De Lima, chairman of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, vowed that she will continue promoting and protecting the rights of the senior citizens to ensure that their voices and concerns are properly heard and addressed.

“Bilang mambabatas, na isa na ring senior citizen, tuloy-tuloy ang pagsisikap nating tukuyin at tugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga kasama natin sa sektor na ito,” the senator said.

“Nariyan ang pagsasabatas natin, bilang principal sponsor and co-author, ng Republic Act [RA] 11350 o pagtatatag ng National Commission of Senior Citizens na titiyak sa pangangalaga ng karapatan at kapakanan ng ating mga senior citizens,” she added.

“Isinusulong din natin ang Senate Bill [SB] 1973, o ang ‘Abot-Kayang Gamot, Bitamina at Gatas para sa Malusog na Senior Citizens Act’ na nagpapalawak sa saklaw ng 20 percent na discount at exemption sa valueadded tax [VAT] ng senior citizens para sa mga gamot, supplements, vitamins, formulated milk at herbal products na inirekomenda ng mga doctor,” she said.

The lady senator from Bicol said the Filipino people should work together to ensure an inclusive and just society for senior citizens that will allow them to thrive.

“Mahalaga sa atin ang pagtataguyod ng makatao at makatarungang pagtrato sa mga nakatatanda, sa paglaban sa diskriminasyon batay sa edad, sa tahanan man o sa trabahong kanilang pinapasukan,” she said.

“Sama-sama, nagkakaisa nating tahakin ang isang patas na bukas para sa lahat, na may tunay na malasakit at pagpapahalaga sa buhay at dignidad ng ating mga kababayan,” she added. streaming around the world.

But consider just for a moment what new research has found out, as published online in the Journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience: watching violent films, TV shows or video games desensitizes teenagers, blunts their emotional responses to aggression and potentially promotes aggressive attitudes and behavior.

The paper’s conclusion: “The important new finding is that exposure to the most violent videos inhibits emotional reactions to similar aggressive videos over time and implies that normal adolescents will feel fewer emotions over time as they are exposed to similar videos…continued exposure to violent videos will make an adolescent less sensitive to violence, more accepting of violence, and more likely to commit aggressive acts...”

That’s certainly a red flag for us. But who cares? We scoff and go on being complicit in normalizing screen violence as it insidiously infects our sense of humanity.

I can imagine a scenario in which somewhere, someone is gunned down on a pavement, and people would initially swarm to take a look and shrug their shoulders then leave, habituated to such happenings because it has become a normal part of daily life. They then casually go on with their lives, have coffee, chat, exchange jokes.

Like in the movies, so in real life.

Education BusinessMirror

A8 Saturday, October 16, 2021

Fil-Am educator is Oregon’s 2022 Teacher Of The Year

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HE Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, California lauded Filipino-American high-school teacher Ethelyn Tumalad as she was named “Teacher of the Year” by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).

“It is with great pride and joy that [we congratulate] Tumalad— a Language Arts and Advancement Via Individual Determination [AVID] teacher at Clackamas High School—for being awarded as Oregon’s 2022 Teacher of the Year,” Philippine Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer said during World Teachers’ Day on October 5. “She now joins a distinguished group of 62 other Oregonian educators who have received the award since it was first introduced in 1955.”

Ferrer added: “Ms. Tumalad’s award is yet another recognition of the invaluable contribution of

[Fil-Am] teachers in shaping future generations of Americans.

Her innate ability to empathically connect with her students is unmistakably Filipino: pakikipagkapwa-tao [interpersonal skills, and I am glad…she] remains deeply rooted to her Filipino heritage.”

Governor Katherine Brown of the State of Oregon praised Tumalad in a video message played during the awarding: “Inside and outside...the classroom, Ethelyn is a strong advocate, a wonderful listener, [as well as] an empathetic colleague, teacher and friend. Educators like [her are the shining stars needed by] our students.”

TEACHER Ethelyn Tumalad SFPCG/DFA

According to the ODE, Tumalad is a first-generation Filipino-American who migrated to the United States with her family when she was only five years old.

As a Language Arts and AVID educator, she leans into her Filipino identity to support her students in finding their own voices, “recognizing the beauty of their diversity and being unapologetically themselves.”

Guided by her own experience as a migrant educator, Tumalad serves as advisor for the Asian Pacific Islander Student Union at Clackamas High School, and

co-leads her school’s Black, Indigenous, People of Color staff affinity group.

“I’ve seen the importance of having positive role models of color; therefore, it is [key] that students...see their advisors work together to build bridges among each other’s marginalized identities,” Tumalad said. “As an educator who always wants to ensure that students become change agents in the classroom, I lead [them] with empathy, and truly believe that modeling is the best form of education.”

As Oregon’s “Teacher of the Year,” Tumalad received a $10,000 cash reward from the Oregon Lottery and Clackamas High School, and a year-long professional development and networking with other outstanding educators across the US under the Chief Council of State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year program.

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco has consular jurisdiction over the State of Oregon.

‘Journ’ students, faculty receive crash course on biz reporting

BUSINESS Reporting 101: Established “journos” and media practitioners hold court in a recent online blitz-learning session

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VER 400 students and faculty members from at least 35 universities and colleges nationwide attended a two-day business-journalism webinar recently conducted by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP), University of Santo Tomas (UST) Journalism program, and the Aboitiz Group.

The webinar covered topics on the importance of business journalism today; macroeconomic reporting; covering capital markets, agriculture and commodities; writing business stories for broadcast; as well as the use of data and statistics.

UST Journalism Program Coordinator Felipe F. Salvosa II delved on economic implications of pandemic-related mobility restrictions and measures. He emphasized that business and economic news coverage is just as important as the coverage of the pandemic itself, and the government’s response to such.

“We need good business journalists to report on how the government, for instance, is trying or even failing to balance the need to protect the health of citizens, and the need to keep the economy up and running,” Salvosa said in his

welcome remarks. “This is why we continue this partnership with the EJAP, for what will hopefully be a regular seminar on economic journalism.”

EJAP president Gerard de la Peña, who is a senior correspondent for TV5, said conducting the webinar is a way to highlight the importance of industry’s partnership with the academe. By sharing their knowledge with the country’s budding and future journalists, the association is practicing its stewardship role in the practice of journalism in the country.

According to de la Peña, “We want to institutionalize this partnership with the academe and private sector, and make this a yearly event, so that we learn together and grow together as responsible and skilled journalists, especially during challenging times like these, when we deal with issues of fake news, rising prices of consumer goods, elections, and the weakening economy.”

Resource speakers for the twoday event held on September 17 and 18 were veteran and multi-awarded business journalists—including Lourdes M. Fernandez, who is the editor in chief of the Business-

Mirror. She also happens to be the country’s first female editorial head of a local English broadsheet.

Fernandez tackled the value of business journalism in society, particularly how key stories of the pandemic are best told through the lens of economic writing.

Other speakers for the first day were Ben Arnold O. De Vera of the Philippine Daily Inquirer who discussed macroeconomy reporting, and Neil Jerome Morales of the Reuters News Agency who talked about covering capital markets.

The second day of the webinar featured a lecture by BusinessMirror reporter Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas on agriculture and commodities. This was followed by a talk by Marwell Dalangin, head of Aboitiz Data Innovation, on the importance of data science and data innovation in journalism, especially during the time of the health crisis and disinformation.

The webinar was capped by a presentation of de la Peña on reporting business stories for TV as a platform.

“We are happy to partner with EJAP and UST for such insightful and rich discussions,” said Maricar

Bautista, assistant vice president for media relations at the Aboitiz group. “We are all fortunate to hear and learn first-hand from talented and experienced media personalities, [as well as] respected business reporters.”

Bautista added: “They have imparted valuable learnings, which you can apply if you are to pursue a career in journalism covering the business beat, or simply understanding what these numbers truly mean, and how they can affect our lives.”

Students and faculty members who attended the two-day webinar were from UST, Bulacan State University, Cavite State University, University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of Rizal System, Lyceum of the Philippines University and West Visayas State University.

The event also saw the participation of West Mindanao State University, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Manila, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Tarlac State University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Negros Oriental State University, Centro Escolar University and Palawan State University, among others.

Security Bank Foundation repairs Tacloban classrooms

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ECURITY Bank Foundation Inc. (SBFI) returned to Tacloban City six years after turning over two school buildings in San Jose Central School (SJCS) to repair donated classrooms heavily damaged by the 2019 earthquakes and Typhoon Ursula.

Said school structures, which host 14 classrooms, were donated by SBFI as part of rehabilitation efforts after Supertyphoon Yolanda’s devastation in 2015.

Remaining committed to the Department of Education’s “Adopt-aSchool” program, SBFI recognized the need to go beyond a one-time dona-

tion and assist SJCS in times of need.

This time, the assistance came in the form of a major post-disaster schoolbuilding repair so the structures remain conducive for learning to benefit more students, especially when face-to-face classes gradually resume.

“Commitment in ensuring [they] remain safe and beautiful to behold despite the pandemic...while there are no face-to-face classes, the school buildings serve as working spaces for teachers [who are] doing their best for children to continue [their education] through distance-learning delivery,” said SJCS’ Principal Dr. Greg Galos, who expressed his ap-

preciation to SBFI. The repairs involved replacement and re-sealing of damaged roofing sheets and ceilings, masonry works for post-earthquake cracks, as well as repainting and restoration of the rusted steel, termite-infested wooden joineries, and troubleshooting for wiring and plumbing systems.

As a standard, SBFI evaluates its donated school buildings every five years to assess structural integrity and conduciveness for learning.

Those that were heavily damaged by disaster, such as earthquakes and typhoons, are prioritized for repair to ensure continuity of classes and

the safety of students.

Launched in 2011, SBFI’s “Build a School, Build a Nation” helps provide Filipinos with opportunities to develop through education. By year’s end, SBFI would have donated 701 classrooms in 124 schools located in 69 cities and municipalities nationwide.

The foundation remains committed to constructing new classrooms for public schools, especially in communities where Security Bank operates. For more information on SBFI and ways to help, visit www.securitybank.com/sustainability or www. facebook.com/SecurityBank.

Editor: Mike Policarpio

Converge, PSHS Foundation to support ‘Pisay’ students

DR. REYNALDO VEA of the Philippine Science High School Foundation (from top row, left to right), Converge’s Dennis Anthony Uy and Maria Grace Uy, PSHS System Executive Director Lilia Habacon and Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña.

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EA DING fiber broadband operator Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has started to provide connectivity and digital support to students of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) at four provincial learning hubs to help enable blended learning in the country’s top science high school amid the pandemic.

In a recent v ir tua l sig ning ceremony, Converge’s CEO Dennis Anthony Uy and President Maria Grace Uy signed a memorandum of agreement with PSHS Foundation Inc.’s Chairman Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea to deliver free Internet access for PSHS schola rs. PSHS System’s E xec ut ive Director Lilia Habacon as well as Department of Science and Technolog y chief Fortunato T. de la Peña attended the signing ceremony. PSHS is an attached institution of the DOST. “Through this partnership, we want to help PSHS in [its] goal to create globally competitive science and technology leaders,” said Converge’s CEO. “We want to see these gifted students to eventually come up with sciencebased solutions to the country’s development challenges.” “ This partnership is aligned with Converge’s sustained commitment to help boost the delivery of education through digital means,” said Converge’s president. “We’re glad to take part in this project to enhance STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] education during this time of blended learning by providing the best broadband technolog y to ensure fast and seamless connection.”

The four PSHS Learning Hubs being supported by Converge are the DOST offices in Sevilla, San Fernando City in La Union, San Carlos City in Pangasinan, Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya and Tuguegarao City in Cagayan.

According to Dr. Vea, 180 million people globally are enrolled

in Massive Open Online Courses: “So it’s important that our students at PSHS get facilities for online learning. We’ve been able to include databases of e-learning resources for students...which we can also integrate into the curriculum to address curriculum gaps.

This points to the importance of the donation [by Converge].”

Converge addresses the connectivity issues of students who otherwise will not be able to attend classes, or even access the learning modules because they cannot afford their own Internet connectivity, or [if ] connectivity is weak in their residences, or they have no access to stable mobile signal,” de la Peña pointed out.

PSHS was forced to shift to distance learning at the onset of the pandemic. Students access PSHS K nowledge Hubs online while study ing both asy nchronously and synchronously. The learning hubs contain the guides and modules required for the learners’ completion of academic requirements.

Converge’s connectivity and digital support will allow students to connect to the Knowledge Hubs, enabling them to participate in classes, access learning modules, and take quizzes and examinations.

Creating positive community impact among the pillars of its sustainability commitment, Converge aims to use its fiberbroadband technology to provide world-class Internet connectivity in the service of the country’s development.

Partnerships such as the one between DOST-PSHS and Converge are aligned with the United Nations’ susta inable develop ment goal of fostering partnerships. “This is proof…the government and private sector can work toward improving aspects of society to make it more inclusive and equitable,” Habacon pointed out.

Memory hacks for students

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EREADING, outlining, and highlighting. These are considered the most popular study methods. However, they may not guarantee effectiveness if they are not utilized efficiently.

Award-winning and admired science correspondent David Robson, who is a senior journalist for BBC Future, former features editor for New Scientist and specializes in the extremes of the human brain, body and behavior; together with the Benilde Well-Being Center of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, shares several important points to consider in study sessions.

Published in The Guardian, The Atlantic, Aeon and Men’s Health, Robson listed down these trieda nd-tested memor y h ac k s for students:

1. Rereading. It helps with the basic grasp of concepts. Instead of reviewing continuously, return to the material at regular intervals.

Revisit the text after an hour, a day, or a week. Question your understanding. This will increase mental engagement as it focuses attention to the parts you do and do not know.

2. Outlining. Take a bird ’s eyeview of the course. A structured overview of the key points allows for easier recognition of the con-

nections. Start your session with a skeletal outline. Fill in the notes as you progress. Focus on the structure of the argument. Immerse yourself in that deeper learning.

3. Underlining and highlighting. The methods enable the ab-

sorption of details. They guide in identifying the most important parts. Remember to pause and think, instead of aimlessly marking up everything. After reading the paragraph, select and highlight relevant sections on the second pass. Carefully deliberate each point and its relative significance to the topic. Active processing is key to develop stronger memories.

4. Note-taking. The inclination to include everything can easily become a vice. Always be concise. Recall is easier with shorter sentences. Summarizing and paraphrasing cement them in your memory. Use a pen and paper instead of a laptop.

It takes more time, and forces you to be more brief in what you write.

5. Flash cards. Self-testing or retrieval practice is proven to be one of the most reliable learning strateg ies. But overconf idence may be a problem. Remembering keywords in a snap does not mean they may no longer slip your mind.

Continue to test yourself long after you recall the correct answer.

Tourism&Entertainment BusinessMirror

Editor: Carla Mortel-Baricaua

Saturday, October 16, 2021 A9

Landco aims for LEED certification of its LTEs

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By Benjamin Locsin Layug

andco Pacific Corp., a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (a Philippine-based, publicly listed investment and management company focused on infrastructure), forges ahead to pursue its vision of attaining the highly coveted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and sustainability initiatives of the sprawling 15-hectare Calatagan South Beach (CaSoBē) and 24-hectare Club Laiya (San Juan), its two eco-friendly, masterplanned Leisure Tourism Estates (LTE) beach properties inspired by Batangas’s coastal surroundings.

The LEED rating system, developed by the US Green Building Council, is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.

According to Mr. Erickson Y. Manzano, Landco president and CEO, “The LEED registration of our LTE in Batangas is part of our long-term and holistic commitment to economic, social and environmental sustainability program.

Landco initiates this program, not to simply achieve recognition, but because it’s the right thing to do.

Our focus is to leave a lasting and sustainable legacy for the next generation.”

M a n z a no e x p ou nde d t h at “Landco delivers the physical and institutional infrastructure of the Beach Towns of CaSoBē and Club Laiya to preserve the seaside communities and the localities’ unique facets as tourist and leisure destinations. Our team works closely with our property architects, designers, investors, lot owners and Batangas community at large to foster green and sustainable undertakings.”

Both approximately a two to

three-hour drive from Metro Manila, they feature designs focused on sustainability and prov ide guests with unconventional experiences and the warmth of heartfelt Filipino hospitality.

Practical strategies and solutions focused on sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, waste segregation, marketing campaign on sustainability and ethical consumption, local communities’ livelihood program on recycling materials, and opportunities for socioeconomic growth are underscored in CaSoBē and Club Laiya.

These LTE’s feature walkable beachside communities along the pristine white sands, with less dependence on the automobile. Robust Wi-Fi connections for Work from the Beach (WFB) set-up are in both developments. The ecofriendly properties are designed with aesthetics that remind residents and visitors on the importance of conserving marine life and working in harmony with the natural landscape of the beachside properties.

CaSoBē, which offers a relaxed and intimate beachside destination features, as an ode to the sea, modern art installations of lamp

CaSoBe or Calatagan South Beach is a residential-commercial estate and the latest Leisure Tourism Estate (LTE) development of Landco.

CLUB Laiya is a 24-hectare master-planned BeachTown development located in Laiya, San Juan Batangas.

Cocoons are unconventional accommodations made of eco-friendly materials.

Laiya Beach Club with accents of natural motif as a reminder to the importance of conserving marine life.

posts that resemble a whale’s skeleton or ships’ frame; roads that are essentially blue to the core; and manholes which are painted with images of sea creatures. Club Laiya is a vibrant hot spot for those who like to have an active beachside lifestyle; and socialize with friends and groups who share their interests. Both properties highlight resource-efficient designs which include LED lighting fixtures and water-efficient showers and faucets. The rooms are air-conditioned, have access to a strong Wi-Fi connection and provisions for modern comforts.

Natural sunlight and air f low are also maximized for efficient use of lighting and air-conditioning.

Millennial Resorts, which is operated by sister company Landco, provides the leisure and hotel operations in these properties. They

own and operate Cocoons and Crusoe Cabins, both experiential resort accommodations which offer unique and unconventional hospitality amenities.

Cr usoe Cabins, situated in CaSoBē and Millennial Resorts’ flagship brand, offer contemporary rooms constructed from upcycled container vans and refreshed with rustic and beachy exteriors that blend in with the relaxing coastline of Calatagan. Cocoons, located at CaSoBē and Club Laiya, are refurbished giant concrete pipes built as pod-like rooms for an intimate and cozy overnight stay. It is iconic for its vibrantly painted murals on its exterior celebrating the diverse marine life of Calatagan and Laiya.

By converting and utilizing repurposed large drainage pipes and trailers, they became Instagramworthy accommodations complete

with modern conveniences.

Patrick C. Gregorio, Landco senior consultant for Hospitality, explained that “It’s our commitment to environmental and social responsibility that drives us to think out of the box, make use of repurposed and sustainable materials and operate in ways that appeal to those who seek a unique resort experience at the same time appreciate our conservation and good corporate citizenship efforts.”

As part of a broader community, adventure seekers and visitors at Cocoons and Crusoe Cabins can take part in the resorts’ initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint by utilizing the development’s pedestrian friendly, tree-lined walkways and scenic bike lanes around the beachside properties.

Millennial Resorts guests are also provided with the option to go

paperless. Check-in and check-out, requests for housekeeping services and room service maybe be done through the hotel’s proprietary Milli App. With Millennial Resorts’ resource efficient design, water reduction measures are also undertaken at Aquaria, a water park with a giant 3-story pool slide at CaSoBē and Laiya Beach Club near Club Laiya. Exciting new facilities will soon open such as Captain Barbozza restaurant and bar, Canopy and The Isle, all venues for events; and Colony, a beachside coworking space.

Landco also brings new socioeconomic vitality through thriving local small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) such as restaurants, shops and water sports operators in and adjacent to the properties and new sources of employment at Millennial Resorts and these SMEs.

HKTB extends ‘Hong Kong Neighbourhoods’ and launches ‘West Kowloon’

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he Hong K ong Tou r i sm B o a r d ( H K T B) r e c e nt l y launched a West Kowloon neighbourhood promotion, after featur ing popu lar promotions “Old Town Central” and “Sham Shui Po—Every Bit Local” in the “Hong Kong Neighbourhoods” campaign.

The “West Kowloon” neighborhood program highlighting the district’s rich heritage and vibrant street life in Yau Ma Tei and Jordan along with its two new world-class museums—M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD)— will open in the end of the year and become landmarks in art and cultural tourism. As art is insepa-

rable from our life, the West Kowloon neighborhood promotion builds a bridge between the local life of the bustling communities of Yau Ma Tei and Jordan; homes to many historical architectures, time-tested stores and traditional craftsmanship, and the artistic lure of the WKCD. The HKTB expects the campaign to draw people from across the city to rediscover it from new perspectives to drive in-depth local tourism and stimulate economic activities in the neighborhood.

HKTB Executive Director Mr. Dane Cheng said: “ T he HK TB has chosen to launch this largescale promotion before borders reopen because we want residents

to savor the experience first and discover hidden gems in their community, rekindling their enthusiasm and appreciation and creating a harmonious art-life aura in the West Kowloon neighborhood. We hope Hong Kong people will then share their experiences with friends and relatives outside Hong Kong. Besides, visitors around the world are eager to travel as soon as travel restrictions are eased, and we will be able to capitalise on the opportunities if we are well prepared in advance. We are also encouraging tour operators to create in-depth tours for Hong Kong residents to help them plan ahead for the return of international visitors.”

Five walking routes to uncover a rich heritage

Starting from the beautiful shoreline at the West Kowloon Cultural District, the “West Kowloon” neighborhood program extends to Yau Ma Tei and Pitt Street, and spans along Nathan Road to reach streets and paths around Austin Road, Jordan.

To ref lect the unique character istics of each area, the HK TB has dev ised f ive thematic wa l king tours focused on Her itage & Craftmanship, Cu ltura l A r ts and Cu linar y A r ts. T he routes cover many l itt le-k now n corners of the cit y that are often overlooked by residents and visitors a like, such as a bookstore

hidden in the Tin Hau Temple, a seafood restaurant transformed into an ar t hotel, and a condiment store promoting wester n d ishes f used w it h trad it iona l fer mented tof u.

Photo spot with spectacular large-scale art installations

Art is a central theme of the West Kowloon neighborhood promotion. As well as the M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the HKTB has teamed up with “FriendsWithYou,” a pop-art duo featuring Samuel Borkson from Florida, US, and Arturo Sandoval III from Cuba, to bring their g iga nt ic a r t i n st a l l at ion a nd signature pop-art characters to

Hong Kong and share the positive vibes to the neighborhood.

The installations will be in the Art Park in the West Kowloon Cultural District until October 14 with free admission, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy international art exhibits and create photo memories.

A variety of areas will be decorated as part of the promotion.

The footbridge and subway between the WKCD and Jordan will be transformed into an “Arts Corridor.” Thematic buntings with a program webpage QR code will meanwhile be displayed around the Yau Ma Tei and Jordan MTR stations and on lampposts along Museum Drive.

A10 Saturday, October 16, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

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‘Meeting’ K-pop icon Rain and other things that can only happen in a pandemic K-POP icon Rain

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EING at KCON:TACT HI 5 was not the first time I had attended KCon, an online event where different K-pop artists would perform with fans from different parts of the world as the virtual audience. There would also be meet-and-greet and get-to-know-you sessions with the idols.

As someone who’s used to attending live concerts, I have to admit online concerts and events were a bit unsettling for me at first but since March 2020, I have attended my fair share of online shows, concerts and fan meetings. It’s not the same, really, but it’s all we have now.

Anyway, back to the story at hand: This was my first time to be part of the live audience. At KCON:TACT HI 5, I was one of those people on the monitors you could see in the background. I was there for K-pop superstar Rain but we shared a meeting room with fans of fourth-generation group ONF. The experience was different than watching the concert as a member of the audience. For one, we had to be online an hour and a half before show time.

We did not watch the show on Smart’s GigaPlay App but we were on Zoom. Our faces were shown.

“It’s my first time here at KCon, the world’s biggest K-culture festival. Good to see you all here. The energy here charges me,” said Rain.

“It was great to be able to share this moment with you all. It’s awesome to share this moment with you. I want to be together with you next time.”

In the Philippines, the event was livestreamed exclusively on Smart’s new GigaPlay App, giving subscribers free access to watch the live performances and meet-and-greet events from September 18 to 26.

GigaPlay is a mobile app where Smart subscribers can watch exclusive live sports and entertainment events. A streaming channel exclusive for Smart mobile users to stream videos anytime, anywhere

across the Philippines, GigaPlay is a source of free, exclusive live concerts and sports events live and on-demand.

On its final day last September 26, fans from all over the world, including the Philippines, were treated to amazing performances by ITZY, ONF, THE BOYZ, and Rain. I’ll be honest, I had hoped to get in for THE BOYZ but Rain is a legend. I have no complaints at all.

ONF performed their hits “Popping,” “Dry Ice” and “Light ON” on a stage inspired by Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which they said “is a city girls want to visit with their boyfriends.” They then took the opportunity to be their fans’ boyfriends for the night, recording sweet messages for them as well as doing a live video call with two lucky fans. Later, ONF returned for a special K-pop Reborn stage, where they performed a cover of BTS’ “Black Swan.” This performance was great. I loved ONF’s vocals.

THE BOYZ performed their hit tracks “Thrill Ride,” “Stealer,” “Reveal” and a relay dance version of “No Air.” After their performance, the group’s 11 members expressed how amazing it felt to perform their 2018 track after a while.

Meanwhile, ITZY sang fan favorites “LOCO,” “SoooLucky,” Tennis” and “In The Morning,” and had an amazing time interacting with their fans, MIDZYs. During their performance, they also met Daisy, a fan from the Philippines who owns an amazing collection of ITZY posters and merch. Yeji, who happens to be Daisy’s favorite member, accepted a special request to sing a few lines from the song “When The Rain Stops”

by Korean singer Wendy.

Apart from the concert performances, KCon also held fun and interactive meet-and-greet events.

Hosted by Lee Gi-kwang, THE BOYZand ONF played some parlor games and exchanged messages with their fans through the KCon chatroom.

Meanwhile, ITZY, which received a basket of flowers with hidden messages from their fans, expressed their gratitude for the love and support they’ve been receiving.

Finally, K-Pop legend Rain proved his stage power with performances of “Why Don’t We,” “Love Story,” “It’s Raining” and “Hip Song.”

Other performances courtesy of T1419 and J-pop band INI also added flair to the event, which also served as an awareness and fund-raising campaign for KCON:TACT HI 5, CJ Entertainment and Unesco’s campaign for Girls’ Education. The

NEW ‘POKÉMON LEGENDS: ARCEUS’ TRAILER RELEASED

campaign aims to send underprivileged girls all over the world to schools and receive education for a brighter future.

The top moments from KCON:TACT HI 5 can be viewed on the Smart GigaPlay App, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. ■

THE Pokémon Company has released the newest trailer of Nintendo Switch software “Pokémon Legends: Arceus,” which fans can check out at youtu.be/aDS03i_Yr0Q. Moreover, Pokémon Legends: Arceus just got more exciting with the introduction of face-down frenzied Pokémon nobles.

Among the different types of special Pokémons in Hisui, Pokémons that hold power far beyond what regular Pokémons possess are known as lords and ladies. These Pokémon nobles are revered by the people of the region. But some strange phenomenon is now causing them to suddenly fly into a frenzy.

However, the cause of these incidents is still shrouded in mystery. Once frenzied, these Pokémons are incredibly difficult to rein in, which forces the people of Hisui to turn to the Galaxy Expedition Team for help. As part of the Survey Corps, players will be called upon to quell the frenzies of the nobles.

Simply defeating them in a Pokémon battle will not calm them. To quell the frenzied Pokémon, players must use their skills and hit them with balms made from these noble Pokémons’ favorite foods.

Players must stay alert because the nobles will relentlessly unleash powerful attacks. As players wait for an opening for a counter attack, they must learn how the nobles move, gauge the timings of their attacks, and dodge them effectively. The moment an opportunity arises, players must hit them with as many balms as they can. Just like with throwing a Poké Ball, the balms will fly truer if aimed carefully before they are thrown at the nobles.

The moment the nobles are vulnerable, players must take advantage by initiating a Pokémon battle.

Throwing a Poké Ball containing one Pokémon will initiate a battle. While nobles are formidable opponents, defeating them in a battle will cause them to be temporarily dazed, making it easier for players to hit them with more balms and gain the upper hand.

During the Pokémon battles, the players’ reflexes as well as their skills will surely be tested when engaging these lord and lady Pokémons. RENI SALVADOR

Globe continues to improve mobile data consistency score TELECOM powerhouse Globe maintained its upward streak as it continued to improve its mobile consistency score for three straight quarters this year amid its relentless campaign to deliver first-world connectivity to Filipinos.

Based on the third quarter analysis by Ookla of Speedtest Intelligence data in the Philippines, Globe (www.globe.com.ph) received a nationwide consistency score of 76.64 compared to 75.98 in the second

quarter and 70.43 in the first three months of 2021. Even in the fourth quarter of last year, Globe’s score increased to 60.82 from 56.83 in the previous quarter.

Mobile consistency score is determined by the number of tests taken that are above a certain speed threshold. The higher the figures, the more likely for consumers to enjoy acceptable Internet performance and quality.

“Our network improvements and use of

higher technologies like 5G will continue so we can deliver a better service experience for our customers. More than this, we are spearheading several initiatives to uplift the lives of our fellow Filipinos through digital technologies,” said Ernest Cu, Globe president and CEO. This year, Globe hiked its capital expenditures to an unprecedented P76 billion to deliver a #1stWorldNetwork. The bulk of the budget is allocated for data

network expansion nationwide, particularly of its 5G network.

It has raised its 5G outdoor coverage in the National Capital Region to 95 percent and is already present in over 1,800 locations in the country.

The company has also installed 1 million fiber-to-the-home lines as of end-September, constructed 641 new cell towers, and upgraded 8,175 sites to 4G LTE as of end-June.

Facebook unveils new controls for kids using its platforms

BY ANNE D’INNOCENZIO | The Associated Press NEW YORK—Facebook, in the aftermath of damning testimony that its platforms harm children, will be introducing several features including prompting teens to take a break using its photo sharing app Instagram, and “nudging” teens if they are repeatedly looking at the same content that’s not conducive to their well-being.

The Menlo Park, California-based Facebook is also planning to introduce new controls for adults of teens on an optional basis so that parents or guardians can supervise what their teens are doing online. These initiatives come after Facebook announced late last month that it was pausing work on its Instagram for Kids project. But critics say the plan lacks details and they are skeptical that the new features would be effective.

The new controls were outlined on Sunday by Nick Clegg, Facebook’s vice president for global affairs, who made the rounds on various Sunday news shows including CNN’s State of the Union and ABC’s This

Week with George Stephanopoulos where he was grilled about Facebook’s use of algorithms as well as its role in spreading harmful misinformation ahead of the January 6 Capitol riots.

“We are constantly iterating in order to improve our products,” Clegg told Dana Bash on State of the Union. “We cannot, with a wave of the wand, make everyone’s life perfect. What we can do is improve our products, so that our products are as safe and as enjoyable to use.”

Clegg said that Facebook has invested $13 billion over the past few years in making sure to keep the platform safe and that the company has 40,000 people working on these issues. And while Clegg said that Facebook has done its best to keep harmful content out of its platforms, he says he was open for more regulation and oversight.

“We need greater transparency,” he told CNN’s Bash. He noted that the systems that Facebook has in place should be held to account, if necessary, by regulation so that “people can match what our systems say they’re supposed to do from what

actually happens.” The flurry of interviews came after whistleblower Frances Haugen, a former data scientist with Facebook, went before Congress last week to accuse the social media platform of failing to make changes to Instagram after internal research showed apparent harm to some teens and of being dishonest in its public fight against hate and misinformation.

Haugen’s accusations were supported by tens of thousands of pages of internal research documents she secretly copied before leaving her job in the company’s civic integrity unit.

Josh Golin, executive director of Fairplay, a watchdog for the children and media marketing industry, said that he doesn’t think introducing controls to help parents supervise teens would be effective since many teens set up secret accounts any way. He was also dubious about how effective nudging teens to take a break or move away from harmful content would be. He noted Facebook needs to show exactly how they would implement it and offer research that shows these tools are effective.

“There is tremendous reason to be skeptical,” he

said. He added that regulators need to restrict what Facebook does with its algorithms.

He said he also believes that Facebook should cancel its Instagram project for kids.

When Clegg was grilled by both Bash and Stephanopoulos in separate interviews about the use of algorithms in amplifying misinformation ahead of January 6 riots, he responded that if Facebook removed the algorithms people would see more, not less hate speech, and more, not less, misinformation.

Clegg told both hosts that the algorithms serve as “giant spam filters.”

Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who chairs the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights, told Bash in a separate interview Sunday that it’s time to update children’s privacy laws and offer more transparency in the use of algorithms.

“I appreciate that he is willing to talk about things, but I believe the time for conversation is done,” said Klobuchar, referring to Clegg’s plan. “The time for action is now.”

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

KIDS AND THEIR COMPUTERS: SEVERAL HOURS A DAY OF SCREEN TIME IS OK, STUDY SUGGESTS

THE CONVERSATION

TELCO FIRM NOW ISO-CERTIFIED

BY RODERICK L. ABAD Contributor AS proof of its commitment to elevate further the products and services it serves to enable the digital shift of its customers, PT&T Corp. earned its first ISO 9001:2015 certification following the successful establishment of its Quality Management System (QMS) amid the pandemic.

This was issued by BQSR, a globally recognized ISO-certification body with a specialized pool of auditors and technical experts conducting audits of different industries, including telecommunications.

The diversified telco firm underwent an extensive and rigorous company-wide audit, substantiating how its QMS meets pertinent statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements, as well as clearance to nonconformances.

“I am proud to say we’re now ISO-certified. This achievement demonstrates our commitment to the customer as we always seek the highest levels of quality in our bid to better serve their needs,” said James Velasquez, president and chief executive officer of PT&T Corp.

According to him, their decision to strive for the accreditation shows their priority to offer world-class solutions stack, measured against a global benchmark of industry excellence.

“This is essential as we help our clients adopt new technologies and achieve operational excellence along with their digital transformation journey. We are now looking forward to receiving another certification for Information Security Management System, ISO 27001:2013 by the end of the year,” he said.

• Saturday, October 16, 2021 A11

From modules to tablets front camera that supports 1080p promises clearer video conference calls.

As an entertainment device, the Xiaomi Pad 5 features an 11-inch WQHD+ 120hz display that brings content to life with elaborate images with more soft and natural colors, and this is complemented by Dolby Atmos immersive acoustics that offer a louder and crisper sound.

BY KATIE PAULICH University of Colorado Boulder EVEN when kids spend five hours a day on screen—whether computers, television or text—it doesn’t appear to be harmful. That’s what my colleagues and I at the University of Colorado Boulder discovered after analyzing data taken from nearly 12,000 participants in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study—the largest long-term study of its kind ever in the US. The participants included children between the ages of 9 to 10, from diverse backgrounds, income levels and ethnicities. We investigated how screen time was linked to some of the most critical aspects of their lives: sleep, mental health, behavior and friendships.

Our results, recently published in the journal PLOS One, found no association between screens and a child’s depression or anxiety. Greater amounts of screen time were associated with stronger peer relationships for both boys and girls—both have more male and female friends. Social screen use may drive that association; video gaming, for instance, is a social activity that seems to foster more friendships. So does social media and texting.

Our study also found negative correlations: More screen time predicted higher levels of attention problems, worse sleep, poorer academic performance and an increase in aggression and misbehavior.

Taken at face value, these contrasting positive and negative correlations are confusing. Is screen time good or bad?

Perhaps neither one: When looking at the strength of the correlations, we see only very modest associations. That is, any association between screen time and the various outcomes, whether good or bad, is so small it’s unlikely to be important at a clinical level.

Some kids scored lower than others on these outcomes, some scored higher; screen time only explained 2 percent of the difference in the scores. This suggests the differences are explained by many variables, not just screen time. It’s a very small piece of a much larger picture.

Currently, there is no established threshold for an “acceptable” amount of screen time. While guidelines do exist for younger kids, nothing official has been set for adolescents.

Additionally, our study did not include academic screen use, only recreational. So it was impossible to compare academic versus recreational screen use outcomes.

The ABCD Study will follow these children until they are 20 years old. Future research may examine how screen time might affect children over the course of their entire adolescence, when it’s possible more symptoms of mental health concerns will show. For the moment, however, only one thing is certain: Screens are here to stay.

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

WHERE’S THE PARTY? SONY XP500 REVIEW

I

F there was one device that got a renewed lease on life because of the pandemic it’s the almost forgotten Android tablet. Offering a larger screen than a smartphone’s and a relatively cheaper price tag than a PC or laptop, tablets became the perfect device for students studying from home.

As distance learning continues, tablets have also remained the device of choice among Local Government Units (LGUs) due to it being more affordable than laptops or desktops, and because it can easily run most educational platforms, apps and productivity tools.

According to the International Data Corp.’s (IDC) Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, the Philippine tablet market almost doubled in 2021 Q2 compared to last year, growing by 97.9 percent yearon-year and 15.7 percent in the second quarter of 2021.

Some LGUs with access to Internet connections have switched from self-learning modules (SLMs) or printed learning modality to an online/blended learning approach, as it is more cost-effective in comparison to the printout of modules. It also reduces the burden on both parents and teachers who would otherwise need to personally deliver and/or pick-up the modules.

“Tablet shipments continued to be driven by the education sector due to large tenders from several LGUs to provide tablets for public school students in preparation for the school year. Face-to-face schooling remained suspended, compelling some schools to shift to online learning,” notes Angela Jenny Medez, client devices market analyst at IDC Philippines.

“The tablet market’s performance for the rest of the year will still be driven mainly by the education segment due to procurements from other LGUs, as face-to-face classes have remained suspended until further notice due to the resurgence of Covid-19 cases. However, we do not expect the same momentum compared to the previous year, as some local government units prioritize the roll-out of vaccinations. New procurements will be from other cities outside of Metro Manila,” Medez added.

This continued surge in demand has encouraged more brands to release more tablets locally, with brands like Samsung, Huawei, Lenovo, and even Xiaomi launching several new models recently.

Besides students, the brands are also targeting professionals presenting their tablets both as a productivity tool and entertainment device.

The Xiaomi Pad 5, for example, is being pushed as portable workstation with its productivity suite.

The inclusion of the Xiaomi Smart Pen, on the other hand, allows users to jot down notes on their tablets or express their creativity through their art. The 8MP

LIKE many teens who grew up in the 1990s, I was into OPM rock music as the Eraserheads, Rivermaya, AfterImage, Yano, Rizal Underground and many other local bands dominated the radio waves. My very first “boombox” was a Sony cassette player. It had a single tape deck with a recorder, an equalizer and detachable speakers, and I would play all my favorite songs on max volume. It still works the last time I checked, though I’m sure it would just “eat” up my overplayed cassettes.

I never had another boombox after that, but we did have a mini component that had a CD player soon after. Looking back, it was that Sony boombox that made me such a music fan—and why I probably hoard all sorts of speakers. I think I have around 30 of them stashed all over the house, but most of them are just small personal speakers. So, I was really curious when SONY sent me their SRS-XP500 Party Speaker.

The Sony SRS-XP500 is part of the new X-Series range together with the bigger SRS-XP700 and the smaller SRS-XG500. This trio of speakers can be used indoors and outdoors, and lets you enjoy that loud sound whether you’re relaxing in your living room or partying in your garden.

The concept of party speakers certainly isn’t new, but Sony’s timing with these speakers, launching it in the era of the pandemic, may seem ill-advised given the various lockdowns and quarantines all over the world.

Still, with the holidays fast approaching, and as more people get vaccinated, it looks like we are finally going to have some small face-to-face parties after all, and the Sony XP500 would be the perfect speaker for those reunions.

The Sony XP500 is pretty big, and it’s very solidly built and there’s nothing flimsy or cheap-feeling about this speaker.

The XP500 has a height of about 2 feet, and weighs around 11 kg (as heavy as a tank of LPG). The actual size and weight aren’t really a negative as they are important for the performance of the speakers. These specs are something to take note of in case storage space is a consideration. There are some rubber nubs on one side of the speaker and you can orient these speakers both vertically and horizontally.

It has a mostly plastic body with a metal grill on the front. If you do plan on taking this speaker around on a regular basis, just be sure to wrap it or be extra careful as the exteriors can be a scratch magnet. There are a couple of handles on the top and the bottom, which makes it easier to pick up the speaker and move it around the house, or take it along with you on a trip.

Placed on a soft silicon strip on top of the speakers are the controls. There are buttons for On/Off, Bluetooth, Play/Pause, Volume, and Mega Bass. The controls are responsive, but the buttons are kind of

soft and mushy, and some tactile feedback would have been nice.

Download the Sony Music Center app to access more features and get more complete control of the speaker and set sound effects like Mega Bass, Live Sound, customize your equalizer or control the lights via Fiestable.

So does it sound as good as it looks? The quick answer is yes. But....

The XP500 has a pair of front-firing woofers and a pair of center-mounted tweeters and has an extremely one-directional sound, which means its best to position it in front for the best effect.

Sound quality is great, which is something you can expect from Sony. The sound signature is a bit on the warmer side but you can always make adjustments to the equalizer to suit your preference. Instrument separation is quite noticeable and whatever genre you are into, you’ll enjoy listening to any song on the XP500.

The volume loudness is also what you’d expect from a speaker of this size—and here comes the BUT: it has to be plugged in.

Like other speakers that charge via an AC port, the XP500 gives you the best performance when its plugged-in. However, when its running on internal batteries—which has an advertised battery life of 20 hours—there’s a drastic drop of about 20 percent in max volume. It’s not totally a deal breaker as the maximum volume of the XP500 is still pretty loud, but the difference is quite noticeable and it does leave you expecting more from its size.

What I did like is that even on lower volumes, the sound quality remains excellent. If you want to do some quiet listening in the night before you go to sleep, there is still enough dynamic range to make it sound good.

With all that being said, I would recommend the Sony XP500 to those who are looking for a party speaker they could bring on their trips or reunions. It has IPX4 dust- and water-resistance, a fairly longlasting battery life, and the grab handle makes it very portable. The X500 also sounds fantastic, the MegaBass delivers punchy bass, the light feature is fun and all those ports adds to its versatility—just make sure to listen to the volume difference when its plugged-in and when it just is on batteries so you won’t be surprised. ■

Sports BusinessMirror

Joy returns for Neymar in World Cup qualifying

S

ÃO PAULO—Neymar started the week facing criticism after a poor performance in a World Cup qualifying match and his suggestion that the next tournament in Qatar might be his last.

But the striker helped erase many of those thoughts by providing key elements in all of the Brazil goals in Thursday’s 4-1 win against Uruguay.

The 29-year-old Neymar, who had a disappointing performance in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Colombia in the previous round, arrived in the northwest Brazilian city of Manaus on Monday with dozens of fans in front of the team’s hotel. That would be the usual, were it not for a wave of criticism he has faced at home for months.

Neymar scored the opening goal against Uruguay after dribbling past goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

He then took the shot that allowed Raphinha to add the second. And then he provided two assists—one in a through pass to Raphinha and a cross that landed on the head of Gabriel Barbosa.

Midfielder Fred, who assisted Neymar on his goal, said Brazil players felt the difference in atmosphere since they arrived in Manaus. And that includes the team’s star.

“These fans gave us support every day in the stadium, in the hotel. They bought all the tickets and it was an extra strength for us,” he said, referring to the attendance of 12,500, the maximum allowed

by Covid-19 protocols in Brazil. “We want them to be here supporting us, giving this great energy again in the next matches,” he added.

Raphinha praised Neymar’s performance on Thursday.

“Playing with Ney was very easy.

I am a big fan of his, I take a lot of inspiration from him, in the way he plays and dribbles the opposition,” Raphinha said. “I watch a lot of his videos. To have played alongside is a dream coming true.”

Neymar also showed his reinvigorated happiness on social media.

On Instagram, he posted pictures celebrating his goal with teammate Lucas Paquetá, a montage to mark his 70th goal for Brazil and also a video of himself hugging his friend and Uruguay striker Luis Suárez.

“A giant by nature,” Neymar said in the caption of a picture of himself celebrating.

The Brazil star, who has been overshadowed by Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi’s arrival at his club Paris Saint-Germain, once again dribbled past defenders with a smile on his face.

Before Neymar’s showing against Uruguay, local fans were still accusing him of being in poor shape, failing in delivering the latest Copa America, focusing too much on his events off the pitch and, finally, of remaining mostly silent about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil. AP NEYMAR celebrates at the end of a qualifying match for the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 against Uruguay at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil, on Thursday. AP

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| Saturday, October 16, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

SAN MIGUEL BEER FORCES GAME 7

By Josef Ramos

S

AN MIGUEL Beer got back at TNT Tropang Giga with a 103-90 rout on Friday to forge a winner-take-all Game Seven in their bestof-seven semifinals series in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Moala Tautuaa put his broad shoulders to work and so did Marcio Lassiter his sharp shooting hands as the Beermen bounced back from a 90-110 loss in Game Five to level the series at 3-3.

Tautuaa, who only had 10 points in Game Five, tallied 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting and hauled down five rebounds on Friday.

Lassiter was on target and finished with 19 points to negate his forgettable performance on Wednesday when had a horrible 2-of-8 shooting that netted him only five points. He was 3-of-3 in threepointers in the first quarter of Game Six and his fourth triple pushedto the Beermen a 46-30 lead with 3:10 to go in the second period.

“Game Five wasn’t my night. But when I came into the next game, it’s a brand new game,” Lassiter said.

“I don’t think about the last game, I am just preparing to knock down those shots.”

Lassiter was 7-of-14 from the field he highlighted with five triples and he also had five rebounds, four steals and three assists.

“I just rolled that hot hand today,” he said.

San Miguel Beer Head Coach Leo Austria praised his players, especially Lassiter for playing well to tie the series.

“That’s what we’re waiting for to happen with our guards and forwards like Marcio [Lassiter]. He is a big impact to our team as a twoway player, he is always a threat or a marked man of any opposing team,” Austria said. “But because of the dominance of our big men, he got open most of the time.”

CJ Perez, who had eight points and 12 rebounds, scored on a fast break dunk to give San Miguel Beer an insurmountable 84-58 advantage in the third quarter.

The Beermen didn’t face any serious threat in the entire fourth period.

Terrence Romeo added 16 points and six assists, while veteran Arwind Santos contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds and Alex Cabagnot nine points for the Beermen.

SAN MIGUEL Beer’s Mo Tautuaa and TNT’s Dave Marcelo jostle for position.

Big man June Mar Fajardo filled the stats sheet with 11 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks for the Beermen, who out-rebounded the Tropang Giga, 59-45.

The Beermen also outscored the Tropang Giga in the paint, 4826, and made more second chance points, 24-14.

Guards Jayson Castro and Ryan Reyes had 16 points each in leading Tropang Giga.

The do-or-die Game Seven is set on Sunday.

“It’s going to be a difficult one because everything is at stake, so we need a lot of energy and a good start to win and advance to the finals,” Austria said.

POC chief Tolentino convincing Diaz to go for gold in Paris 2024

TOKYO Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz (center) and now Head Coach Julius Naranjo (second from left) are treated to a sumptuous despedida and good luck dinner by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (right) and Tagaytay City Mayor Dr. Agnes Tolentino (fourth from left) on Thursday at the Grandmaster Hotel in Tagaytay City. Also in photo is POC Deputy Secretary-General for Administration Carl Sambrano.

P

ARIS is a good two years and 10 months away but convincing Hidilyn Diaz to go for an Olympic repeat has started the moment she put an end to all non-sports endeavors to focus on her next goal—gold in the International Weightlifting Federation World Championships in Tashkent in December.

To jumpstart efforts to convince Diaz, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino even wore a red Paris hoodie when he

and wife Tagaytay City Mayor Dr. Agnes Tolentino treated Diaz and now head coach Julius Naranjo to a sumptuous dinner cum despedida at the Grandmaster Hotel in Tagaytay City.

“I wanted to tease her [Diaz],” Tolentino said. “I am encouraging her to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics, but she hasn’t decided yet.”

Before dinner, the Tolentinos toured Diaz and Naranjo at the soon-to-be-completed training center in Tagaytay City, the same city where the POC head gifted

Diaz and boxing silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio and bronze medalist Eumir Felix Marcial house and lot units each.

“I believe she will still be formidable at that time [2024],” Tolentino said. “And there will be other weightlifters like Rose Jean Ramos, who could qualify for the Olympics.”

Diaz and Naranjo are flying on Saturday to Malacca to return to the very same private and isolated home and facility where she polished her weightlifting skills

that netter the country its first Olympic gold medal.

“There are no distractions there, it’s a perfect environment,” Diaz said.

Diaz and Naranjo were treated to various fish, meat and noodles menu and the world-famous bulalo during the dinner where appreciations, gratitude and pleasantries were exchanged, according to Tolentino.

“It’s all about expressing her gratitude to everyone before she goes to Malaysia to resume her training for the world championships,” Tolentino, also the PhilCycling president, said. “She thanked everyone and we talked about many things.”

The worlds—the only missing jewel in the Tokyo Olympics champ’s cache—at the Uzbekistan capital are set December 7 to 17. Tolentino said the 30-year-old Diaz will return home after the tournament to spend the holidays with her family.

Diaz has earlier expressed her desire to defend her gold medals at the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi in May and the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou in September next year.

POC Deputy SecretaryGeneral for Administration Carl Sambrano, also the skateboarding president, joined the group in Tagaytay City.

Saludar defends ‘minimum’ crown in enemy territory

W

ORLD Boxing Association (WBA) regular minimumweight champion Victorio “Vicious” Saludar will defend his belt against Dominican Republic’s Eric Rosa Pacheco on December 9 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Saludar, who will turn 31 on November 3, said he would do whatever it takes to keep his crown for him to set up another world title showdown with unbeaten WBA super minimumweight champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong (210 win-loss record with seven knockouts) of Thailand.

“It’s not a problem fighting in enemy territory, I’m in a good condition,” said Saludar, of Polomolok, South Cotabato, on Friday.

Saludar beat countryman Robert Paradero via split decision last February 20 in Biñan, Laguna, to claim the vacant WBA regular championship.

Known for his tactical approach, Saludar won the World Boxing Organization belt in Kobe, Japan, over Ryuya Yamanaka via unanimous decision on July 13, 2018, retained the belt against another Japanese Masataka Taniguchi on February 26, 2019, also via unanimous decision in Tokyo.

But his reign didn’t last long as he bowed to Wilfredo Mendez last August 24, 2019, via unanimous at the Puerto Rican’s turf in in San Juan.

Saludar (21-4 record with 11 knockouts) said he would rely on his experience to defend the belt.

“If knockout comes, I’ll go for it. But what matters is I win every round. My advantage is my experience,” said Saludar, who trains under Wilfredo Mendez last August 24, 2019 via unanimous decision in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“I am not bothered anymore by fighting overseas.”

If Saludar wins, the WBA will enforce a mandatory bout between him and Niyomtrong to determine the world champion.

Saludar has been in intense training in General Santos City with Palacios and assistant trainer Randy Villamor. Josef Ramos

VICTORIO “VICIOUS” SALUDAR takes on a challenger from the Dominican Republic.

NCC ATHLETICS STADIUM NOMINATED FOR ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL AWARD

T

HE Athletics Stadium at New Clark City has secured another nomination from the World Architecture Festival (WAF), proving once again that Filipino architects and engineers are capable of constructing buildings that can stand out on the global stage.

New Clark City’s internationally accredited sports stadium is vying for the Engineering Prize of the prestigious festival that is set to take place at the FIL Exhibition Center in Lisbon, Portugal, from December 1 to 3.

WAF already included the stadium located in Capas, Tarlac, in the shortlist of Sport Completed Buildings last July. More than 270

entries were nominated across all Completed Buildings subcategories by the WAF, the largest international architecture event in the world.

BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vince Dizon lauded MTD Philippines, BCDA’s development partner in New Clark City, and architectural consultant Budji+Royal Architecture+Design for delivering the world-class sports facility.

“We are pleased to add another feather on our cap with the World Architecture Festival’s Engineering Prize nomination on top of Sport Completed Buildings shortlisting,” Dizon said. “For the New Clark City Athletics Stadium to be recognized at such a high level not only for its architectural brilliance, but also for its structural quality is a nod towards the thousands of engineers, designers

and workers who completed this facility within a short period of time.”

MTD Chairman Isaac David also welcomed the recognition from the award-giving body.

“We were really ecstatic about the news that the Athletics Stadium we built at the National Government Administrative Center (NGAC) in New Clark City was included in the shortlist of entries for the WAF Engineering Prize,” David said.

“We are truly grateful for the opportunity and privileged to have partnered with the BCDA for the development of the NGAC, including sports and non-sports facilities,” he said. “We’re also glad to have chosen Budji+Royal Architecture+Design as design consultants.”

The New Clark City Athletics Stadium is the first major sports hub

constructed by the government since the completion of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in 1934.

With a 20,000-seating capacity, a nine-lane 400-meter track and field, and another four-lane warm-up track, the stadium served as a venue for the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.

It was previously nominated as one of the top 10 best stadiums in the world at the annual Stadium of the Year Awards.

Its design celebrates Filipino resilience, taking inspiration from the “caldera” or crater of Mount Pinatubo and the contours of the Sierra Madre ranges, and the festive details of the parols (Christmas lanterns) of Pampanga.

David said MTD Philippines focused on executing the architectural concept of the stadium,

in compliance with international design codes and standards within a short period of 18 months.

The facility passed the scrutiny of World Athletics.

Royal Pineda, principal architect and CEO of Budji+Royal, described the Athletics Stadium as a product of modern bayanihan and expressed pride in sharing the honor with his fellow Filipino architects, as well as Filipino engineers.

“We’re currently working with MTD to prepare for the presentation as I need to get their stories on how the vision challenged them all,” Pineda said. “This is what’s great about having a common vision: we’re committed to work together to overcome all challenges just to make it happen. To recall the journey is both inspiring and rewarding.”

BusinessMirror

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

24/7 BUSINESS PROCESSING INC. 9/f Capella Bldg., L-3&4 B2, Filinvest, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa SHI, YOUYING Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 1.

Brief Job Description: Responding promptly to the inquiries to ensure customer satisfaction

PEREZ BUENO, ALFREDO Sr. Finance Ops Specialist Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

16.

2.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

SHA, HONGKANG Mandarin Customer Service Representative 3.

Brief Job Description: Interact with customer to provide information, support and problem resolution to inquiries and order status ZHANG, TINGTING Mandarin Customer Service Representative

4.

Brief Job Description: Interact with customer to provide information, support and problem resolution to inquiries and order status DING, WENPENG Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking

5.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all Marketing activity and result.

FAN, JIA Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 6.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all Marketing activity and result.

LI, ZHIJIE Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 7.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all Marketing activity and result.

ZHENG, PAN Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 8.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all Marketing activity and result.

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting custome information and analyzing customer needs.

9.

Brief Job Description: Provide technical support to clients

17.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

18.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the Marketing plans and projects, recommend to Senior Management.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the Marketing plans and projects, recommend to Senior Management.

19.

20.

21.

22.

10.

Brief Job Description: Provide s exceptional service to customers.

23.

MOTAPON, STEPHANE Accounting Assistant Ii 11.

Brief Job Description: Point of contact for suppliers for all their Finance queries

24.

TRAN THI MINH HOA Investigation Specialist I 12.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for a wide range of duties related to the investigation and elimination of online ecommerce risk.

XIE, FANG Investigation Specialist I

13.

Brief Job Description: Communicate with buyers, merchants and internal customers and take appropriate action to identify and help minimize the risk posed by fraud patterns and trends.

ZENG, BIN Investigation Specialist I

14.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for a wide range of duties related to the investigation and elimination of online ecommerce risk.

PHAN LAM BAO LINH Seller Support Associate 15.

Brief Job Description: Resolve seller queries and provide efficient service to Amazon sellers and merchants

25.

26.

27.

28.

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered FANNY SIANIPAR Customer Service Officer-Indonesian Speaking

29.

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered INDRA Customer Service Officer-Indonesian Speaking

30.

Basic Qualification: Fluency in Vietnamese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered

DEA PAMELLA TANUMIHARDJA Customer Service Officer-Indonesian Speaking

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Delegate different customer service duties to team members to ensure a faster and smoother flow of operation through division of labor

CLAUDIA VIRGINIA PAULUS Customer Service Officer-Indonesian Speaking

Basic Qualification: Fluency in both English and Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Delegate different customer service duties to team members to ensure a faster and smoother flow of operation through division of labor

ANDREW LOTHAR MATTHEWS Customer Service Officer-Indonesian Speaking

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in Vietnamese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Responsible for inbound and outbound calls

NGUYEN THI MY HUONG Customer Service Officer- Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in French language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZHENG, DANNA Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

KANG, JIHYUN Customer Service Officer - Korean Speaking

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

AMAZON OPERATION SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. B21 Three E-com Moa Complex, Harbour Drive Cor. Bay Shore, Brgy. 076, Pasay City

Brief Job Description: Responsible for inbound and outbound calls

CHOI, HA NA Customer Service Officer - Korean Speaking

Basic Qualification: Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and French

Basic Qualification: At least 6 months of call center experience.

HUANG, LUXIN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

OH, PYEONGHWA Customer Service Assistant Team Leader - Korean Speaking

ALTA RESOURCES (PHILIPPINES) CORPORATION 34th Floor, Wynsum Corporate Plaza, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, San Antonio, City Of Pasig TCHELE, HARISON EMMANUEL Bilingual Customer Care Representative - French

Brief Job Description: Manage and leads software development lifecycle projects

CHOI, SUNHYE Customer Service Assistant Team Leader - Korean Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in Spanish language

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered KRISNA DEWI PRAMESTI Customer Service Officer-Indonesian Speaking

31.

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered

No.

Basic Qualification: Bachelors degree graduate with 14 yrs experience in project management & has knowledge in several key domains Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelors degree graduate with 10 years experience in software engineering role and 5 years experience in leading engineers through project cycle

32.

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Brief Job Description: Pro-active selling of products to both existing and new customers in order to achieve and exceed weekly, monthly and annual sales revenue targets and others performance targets

Brief Job Description: Pro-active selling of products to both existing and new customers in order to achieve and exceed weekly, monthly and annual sales revenue targets and other performance targets

Brief Job Description: Pro-active selling of products to both existing and new customers in order to achieve and exceed weekly, monthly and annual sales revenue targets and other performance targets PUEKNGARM, KANYARAT Telesales Marketing Team Leader - Thai Speaking

46.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Create good relationship with team members and motivate them to put in their best to work in order to achieve maximum result TRAN THI NGOC THANH Telesales Marketing Team Leader- Vietnamese Speaking

47.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Pro-active selling of products to both existing and new customers in order to achieve and exceed weekly, monthly and annual sales revenue targets and others performance targets

LAI THIEN HAO Telesales Marketing Officer - Vietnamese Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

Brief Job Description: Pro-active selling of products to both existing and new customers in order to achieve and exceed weekly, monthly and annual sales revenue targets and others performance targets

SUWANNAKOT, RATTANAKORN Telesales Marketing Officer - Thai Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

Brief Job Description: Studying product and or service specifications

HUYNH LE THANH Senior Telesales Marketing Officer- Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

GLENNY BYANCA YULIANI Senior QA Officer-Indonesian Speaking

TRAN BUI KHANH LAM Senior Telesales Marketing Officer - Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered

DANG QUOC DUONG Senior Telesales Marketing Officer - Vietnamese Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered NI LUH AYU ARINI Senior Customer Service Officer-Indonesian Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered LE NGOC HUYEN ANH Senior Customer Service Officer- Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills

Brief Job Description: Monitoring, analyzing and managing a monthly advertising campaign via Google ad words LE HUYNH NGOC ANH Senior Customer Service Officer- Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and leadership skills

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Monitoring, analyzing and managing a monthly advertising via Google Ad words NONG NHAT LAM Marketing Officer- Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and leadership skills

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Delegate different customer service duties to team members to ensure a faster and smoother flow operation through division of labor LEE MUN KIT Marketing Officer - Malaysian Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered TRUONG HUE GIA Customer Service Team Leader- Vietnamese Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin

Brief Job Description: Handling phone calls involving selling, pacify and good service rendered SUSANDI OH Customer Service Officer-Indonesian Speaking

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION MARSEILLE OCTAVIA Customer Service Officer-Indonesian Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

APRICUS TECHNOLOGY INC. 8/f Aguirre Building, 107 Aguirre St. Legaspi Village, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the Marketing plans and projects, recommend to Senior Management.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

AMOS AND MARK INTERNATIONAL SERVICES INC. 4/f Unit 2c One Ecom Bldg., Ocean Drive St. Mall Of Asia Complex Subd., Zone 10, Barangay 076, District 1, Pasay City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the Marketing plans and projects, recommend to Senior Management.

Brief Job Description: Responsible and accountable for coordinated management for multiple related projects

PATIL, BIPIN VIJAY Software Development Manager

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ACQUIRE ASIA PACIFIC PHILIPPINES INC. Lg-c Worldwide Corporate Center, Edsa Cor., Shaw Blvd., City Of Mandaluyong KOUADIO, KOUASSI YVES ANSELME Technical Support Representative

RAJESH CHANDRAN Customer Operations Program Manager

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Brief Job Description: Point of contact for suppliers for all their Finance queries

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

AMDOCS PHILIPPINES INC. 23rd, 25th, And 26th Floors Eco Tower, 32nd St. Cor. 9th Ave. Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5-10/f Tower 1, Pitx Kennedy Road, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

ZHANG, NING Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Saturday, October 16, 2021

Brief Job Description: Create good relationship with team members and motivate them to put in their best to work in order to achieve maximum result TRAN TRONG MY Telesales Marketing Team Leader- Vietnamese Speaking

48.

Brief Job Description: Create good relationship with team members and motivate them to put in their best to work in order to achieve maximum result

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Thorough understanding of social media and web analytics Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent data collection and analysis skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Strong supervisory and leadership skills with a proven ability to motivate and manage a team Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Strong supervisory and leadership skills with a proven ability to motivate and manage a team Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent communication and presentation skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

A13

BusinessMirror

A14 Saturday, October 16, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM BUSINESS SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. L-2-3, Blk. 45, Alabang Zapote Road, Cor. North Bridgeway, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa YUNGMANI, SUBIN Senior Specialist Po Processing 49.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the efficient, effective and accurate check of requisitions and creation of purchase order forms, efficient management and prioritization of procurement tasks.

Basic Qualification: Experience all relevant procurement systems; Italian or French or Spanish Speaker.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

BOSKALIS PHILIPPINES INC. R-5008-b12/f A-place Bldg., Cbp Coral Way Drive, Brgy. 076, Pasay City BOLATTI GUZZO, LUCA Interface & Planning Manager 50.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for drafting specifications and fine-tuning procedures for the realization of the project and designs within the set framework of costumer and contractual requirements.

Basic Qualification: University or higher professional education, related to the comprehensive understanding of the quality process associated.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

CENTURY PEAK CEMENT MANUFACTURING CORP. U-1403/140 14f Equitable Bank Tower, 8751 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

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CHEN, NINGNING Chinese Administrative Technician Brief Job Description: Performs variety of paraprofessional duties.

LI, SHAOYIN Chinese Administrative Technician Brief Job Description: Performs variety of paraprofessional duties.

LI, YANGYANG Chinese Administrative Technician Brief Job Description: Performs variety of paraprofessional duties.

LIU, SHIZHAO Chinese Administrative Technician Brief Job Description: Performs variety of paraprofessional duties.

WANG, LEI Chinese Administrative Technician Brief Job Description: Performs variety of paraprofessional duties.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Speaking

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Speaking

ZHANG, LEIFENG Chinese Administrative Technician

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking.

ZHANG, XIANXIN Chinese Administrative Technician Brief Job Description: Performs variety of complex paraprofessional duties.

JIA, ZHANHUAI Chinese Production Planner Technician Brief Job Description: Monitoring inventories.

LI, JIAN Chinese Production Planner Technician Brief Job Description: Monitoring inventories.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: FLUENT IN MANDARIN SPEAKING

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

YAO, HAITAO Chinese Production Planner Technician

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking

Brief Job Description: Monitoring inventories.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

GUO, JUNLI Chinese Production Planner Technicians

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Speaking

Brief Job Description: Monitoring inventories

GUO, MENGHE Chinese Production Planner Technicians Brief Job Description: Monitoring inventories

JIA, RIXIAO Chinese Production Planner Technicians Brief Job Description: Monitoring inventories

LI, YANHONG Chinese Production Planner Technicians Brief Job Description: Monitoring inventories

Brief Job Description: Respond to basic and routine inquiries of a technical nature, including hardware/software and other designated client products. This position assist internal users of the client’s technical problems or services by answering questions and solving problems involved in their use.

CEN, GUOLIN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 72.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

CHEN, QIAN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 73.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

HE, CHUAN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 74.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

HUANG, HUAN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 75.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

SU SAY MENH Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 76.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

KANG, LEI Chinese Speaking Program Designer 77.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

RUIZ OIZ, JOSE MARIA Viaduct Project Coordinator 78.

Brief Job Description: Coordination & monitoring of bridge infrastructure and documenting/reporting of project.

HONG, WANKEE Warranty Manager 79.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

YANG, TAO Marketing And Sales Agent 84.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

85.

HO VAN SU Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer service representative

Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written

86.

Brief Job Description: Manage administrative, logistical, human resources, and accounting services to support company operations.

MA, SHUANG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 80.

Brief Job Description: Delivering excellent customer service and managing the needs of customer through phone calls and emails

ZHANG, YAOZHI Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 81.

Brief Job Description: Delivering excellent customer service and managing the needs of customer through phone calls and emails

82.

Brief Job Description: Expert in Technology Strategy and Transformation (TS&T) across core banking, finance and operational architecture big data transformation and strategy, and responsible for creation, sale and delivery of TS&T solutions.

EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503, Nueva St, , Binondo, City Of Manila

Brief Job Description: Customer service representative

87.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written

88.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Technical expertise; fluency in English, Spanish & Portuguese.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Brief Job Description: Customer service representative

ZHANG, QIPING Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer service representative

Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese curriculum. Can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin. Can operate computer mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

GLOBALLGA BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING Ground Level, Level 2-5 Floor, Silver City 4, Ortigas East, Ugong, City Of Pasig

ZHANG, HUAN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 89.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

WANG, QINGSONG Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese curriculum. Can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin. Can operate computer mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese curriculum. Can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin. Can operate computer mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

GLVICTORY TECHNOLOGY INC. Unit 1, 14/f 6789 Tower, Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati LIU, CHUN Mandarin Customer Service Staff 90.

Brief Job Description: Customer service assist customer through chat or e-mail FANG, WENZE Mandarin Customer Service Staff

91.

Brief Job Description: Customer service - assist customer through chat or email

Basic Qualification: Mandarin speaking, skilled using MS office with 1 year work experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Mandarin speaking , skilled using MS office with 1 year of work experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

HITEX CENTRE CORPORATION 16/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati CAO, CHENG Mandarin Technical Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of experience as a warranty manager

92.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BANK OF CHINA LIMITED - MANILA BRANCH G/f, 24/f, The Curve Building, 32nd St. Cor. 3rd Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer hardware operating system and applications

TAN, HUALI Deputy Head Of Marketing Department

Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in Mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in Mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: 18+years of Management/ Technology Consulting experience, Advanced degree and/or MBA

Brief Job Description: Assisting the Head of Marketing Department and managing the staffs DAI, LIANG Head Of Marketing Department

94.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in overall operations of marketing department

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Well-versed in negotiation, marketing, and can speak Chinese Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Well-versed in marketing, sales, management and can speak Chinese Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

INQUICK SERVICES INC. Unit 606 6/f Itc Bldg., 337 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati SOPHIA LAU YUN FEI Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 95.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE CONSULTING GROUP/ICS PTE LTD 6/f Padilla Bld. F. Ortigas Jr. Rd., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig DAMANWALA, RAHIM RAHIMTULLAH Executive Director In The Philippines

LIN, YING Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written

Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese curriculum. Can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin. Can operate computer mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers needs to achieve satisfaction TEY LIAN CHIEH Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

96.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers needs to achieve satisfaction

TOO KIAN HENG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 97.

CGI (PHILIPPINES) INC. 2/f One World Square, Mckinley Hill, Pinagsama, City Of Taguig

Brief Job Description: Research and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas

Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, ideas, and research to help develop marketing strategies; Can help to detail, design, and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered.

FAREAST OUTSOURCE PROCESSING INC. 7th, 8th, 9th Flr. Nu Tower, Moa Coral Way, Brgy. 076, Pasay City

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English and/or Polish Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, ideas, and research to help develop marketing strategies; Can help to detail, design, and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

93.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Speaking

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

DAXIFA CORPORATION Mpire Center 93 West Avenue, Project 7, Bungad 1, Quezon City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Speaking

83.

DAELIM PHILIPPINES INC. Paragon Plaza, Edsa Cor. Reliance, Barangka Ilaya, City Of Mandaluyong

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Speaking

MENG, XIANGFEI Marketing And Sales Agent

CVN PHILS. CONSTRUCTION INC. 8/f Rci Bldg., 105 Rada St., Legaspi Village, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Monitoring inventories.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

CRONYX INC. No. 4th-10th Flr. Yinhope Bldg., Dela Rama Cor. Zoili Hilario St., Seascape Village, Ccp Complex Subd. Zone 10, Barangay 076, District 1, Pasay City

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking

GUO, JUNTANG Chinese Production Planner Technicians

71.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking.

YAO, HAIMIN Chinese Production Planner Technician

Brief Job Description: Monitoring inventories

WISNIEWSKI, MATEUSZ PIOTR Technical Support Associate I

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking.

Brief Job Description: Managing IT infrastructure, banking system and branch operation

Basic Qualification: Over 20 year experience in banking industry. Fluent in Mandarin and English, both verbal and written

CONCENTRIX CVG PHILIPPINES, INC. 25/f Ayala North Exchange, Tower 2, 6796, Ayala Ave. Cor. Salcedo & Amorsolo Streets, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Performs variety of complex paraprofessional duties.

70.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Speaking

Brief Job Description: Performs variety of complex paraprofessional duties.

ZHANG, XIANDONG Chinese Administrative Technician

WANG, NAI-YIN Information Technology Manager

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Speaking

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking

Basic Qualification: Proficient in written and verbal communication in English language and excellent knowledge of Norwegian. Proficient computer and technical skills

No.

CHANG HWA COMMERCIAL BANK., LTD., MANILA BRANCH 43/f Philamlife Tower, 8767 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Provides technical support in Norwegian language

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZHANG, HONGTAO Chinese Administrative Technician

Brief Job Description: Performs variety of complex paraprofessional duties.

69.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

CASPERSEN, KEVIN LENNART Multilingual Service Desk Member

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers needs to achieve satisfaction

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION FIDELIS BONG TECK CHEN Mandarin Speaking Marketing Officer

98.

Brief Job Description: Optimize CRM campaigns & newsletter based on performance and engagement data TEOH PENG LIM Mandarin Speaking Marketing Officer

99.

Brief Job Description: Optimize CRM campaigns & newsletter based on performance and engagement data

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking reading and writing in mandarin

100.

Brief Job Description: Supervises and responsible for civil work with knowledge and experience of Ultra-Super Critical Coal Fired Power Plant

NAKAHARA, KAZUHIRO Civil Supervisor 101.

Brief Job Description: Supervises and responsible for civil work with knowledge and experience of Ultra-Super Critical Coal Fired Power Plant

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking reading and writing in mandarin

Basic Qualification: Experience of the management work for more than 10 years; experience of the construction of thermal power plant for more than 10 tears; fluent in Japanese Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Experience of the management work for more than 10 years; experience of the construction of thermal power plant for more than 10 tears; fluent in Japanese

102.

Brief Job Description: Ensure efficient delivery of services to all stakeholders (entities, regions, employees) in line with the agreed Service Level targets. Provide quality and timely end to end service addressing employee needs across all P&C areas in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

103.

Brief Job Description: Major and main responsibility is to oversee operations of Finance and Accounting, Legal, general Administration and Human Resources Group.

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104.

Brief Job Description: Skills required to be a COO include strong analytical, managerial, communication, and leadership skills.

Basic Qualification: Extensive Experience Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

119.

CHOE, MINJAE Customer Service Representative 105.

Brief Job Description: Customer service representative to manage customer queries and complaints.

KIM, SEUNGHYEON Technical Support Specialist

120.

106.

Brief Job Description: Technical support specialist provide technical support, advice and assistance to consumers and businesses.

KWON, SANG HYEOK Technical Support Specialist 107.

Brief Job Description: Technical support specialist provide technical support, advice and assistance to consumers and businesses.

YANG, SUNGSUN Web Developer 108.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the coding, innovative design and layout of our website.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in the related position, fluent in English and Korean Hangul.

121.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LIZARDBEAR TASKING INC. 17th To 20th Floors, Twenty Four Seven Mckinley Building, 24th Street And Seventh Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig HANDA, KAVITA Recruitment Director 109.

Brief Job Description: With at least 10+ yrs of experience designing, Building and leading quality talent acquisition functions in a high-volume recruiting environment

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Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

CHEN, AN Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider Brief Job Description: Open and maintain customer accounts by recording account information

CUI, WEILING Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

124.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

QIN, JIAN Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

REN, YUE Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

SHI, YANFANG Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

WAN, WENCHEN Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

WANG, LEI Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

WANG, XIAO Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

125.

YE, JICONG Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

HU, CAN Mandarin Operations Specialist 126.

Brief Job Description: Committed to improving customer experience and operational efficiency

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin.

No.

133.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin

134.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin

135.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

136.

137.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

138.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin

139.

140.

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132.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires CHEN, ZIYOU Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires HOO CHUN KEAT Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires HUANG, HUAILI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

HUANG, QIUYI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

LI, HULING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LI, MENGMENG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires WANG, JUAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WANG, ZHENG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WU, YINGUANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires XIANG, HONGSHENG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YANG, LIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires YANG, YIYAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHANG, CHENG Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin

ZHANG, QINGHUA Chinese Customer Service

141.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin

142.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin

143.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

144.

145.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin

146.

147.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 149.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language 150.

ZHAO, ZHANGUANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHOU, LEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries XU, RUI Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

PEI, XIAOFEI Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 151.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming calls and customer service inquiries

PEI, JIRONG Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

ZHAO, XIN Chinese Customer Service

OU, JIAN Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming calls and customer service inquiries

MA, ZIJIE Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZHAO, CAIXIANG Chinese Customer Service

LIU, YAJUN Chinese Customer Service

148.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming calls and customer service inquiries

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th/f, Pearl Marina Building Pacific Drive, Don Galo, City Of Parañaque

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Brgy. 076, Pasay City CHEN, XIONGZHUANG Chinese Customer Service

A15

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

MINDSCAPE CREATIVES INC. Unit 19-o, Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

MA, CONGQIN Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

MEGA-WEB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 6,7,8,9,10,11/f Met Live Bldg., Edsa Cor. Macapagal Blvd., Brgy. 076, Pasay City

KIM, YUSIN Korean Speaking Customer Service Representative

LI, SHAO Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

Basic Qualification: College graduate of any relevant field Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Brief Job Description: Open and maintain customer accounts by recording account information

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in the related position, fluent in English and Korean Hangul.

LEI, YU-JU Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in the related position, fluent in English and Korean Hangul.

HUANG, YAN Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

LERIB SERVICES CORPORATION U-3d Rose Industries Bldg., Choice Market Ortigas, Kapitolyo, City Of Pasig Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in the related position, fluent in English and Korean Hangul.

Brief Job Description: Open and maintain customer accounts by recording account information

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

LEISURE & RESORTS WORLD CORPORATION 26/f West Tower, Pse Ctr., Exchange Rd., Ortigas Ctr., San Antonio, City Of Pasig WANG, BIN Chief Operating Officer

HUANG, TZU-HSIU Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

Basic Qualification: Confidential Employee appointed by principal employer in Japan Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

HE, XINJIA Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

LAWSON PHILIPPINES, INC. 11f Times Plaza Bldg., Un Ave. Cor. Taft Ave., 072 Bgy. 666, Ermita, City Of Manila GOTO, TAKUYA Treasurer

114.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate of any degree/Fluent in English and Bahasa/Preferably with knowledge of HR Administration and organizational management processes.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

JTI GBS PHILIPPINES, INC. 14th And 17th Floor - Office A, Ten West Campus Building, Mckinley West, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig FARADILLA MUTIA DHIEN Employee Life Cycle Specialist (Bahasa)

113.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

INTEGRATED SYNERGY CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION 21 Floor Tower 1, Insular Life Corporate Centre, Insular Life Drive, Fcc, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

MINEMATSU, TORU Civil Supervisor

No.

Saturday, October 16, 2021

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

SUN, WEN Chinese Customer Service 152.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate. Preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate. Preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate. Preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate. Preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate. Preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A16 Saturday, October 16, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION WANG, XU Chinese Customer Service

153.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

WANG, YAN Chinese Customer Service 154.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

WEI, HECAI Chinese Customer Service 155.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

XIONG, YANCHUN Chinese Customer Service 156.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

ZHANG, JINQIANG Chinese Customer Service 157.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

ZHANG, ZHENGSONG Chinese Customer Service 158.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College graduate. Preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language & English)

No.

159.

Brief Job Description: Meet personal/team sales target and call handling quotas.

SHI, CHENG Mandarin Customer Service Representative

160.

Brief Job Description: Meet personal/team sales target and call handling quotas.

167.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

161.

162.

Brief Job Description: Manage and provide products, sales , technical and mechanical finances

FAN, WEIWEI Procurement Manager Brief Job Description: Provide and monitor the products and sales

163.

Brief Job Description: Managing Company’s Operations in the Philippines; Developing and implementing business strategies for growth; Liaison with regulators and other government agencies and keeping abreast of government policies

164.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

165.

Brief Job Description: Lead generation of potential new clients

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language & English)

NIU, FUZHU Software Quality Assurance Analyst

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

KHETARPAL, SAMEER Executive Director

169.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English)

Brief Job Description: Maintaining relationships with profitable customers

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the overall strategy of the newly created Population Health/Clinical Operations team.

Prepare business plans for new clinical products.

Overall development of business operations, broadening the company’s healthcare BPO business.

Develop and maintain strong, positive client relationships with clients by building a bridge to the client and evaluating the opportunities for growth.

Ensure all organization activities and operations are carried out in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English)

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: At least 2 years experience in the job mentioned, college graduate, fluent in English and Mandarin languages

HENGKY FRANS Bahasa Indonesian Operations CSR II

170.

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to Bahasa speaking clients and customer s, Addresses Indonesian customer concerns, queries, complaints and/ or places sales orders and product information request, Prepares reports by accessing account database analyzing the information contained and providing useful accurate and appropriate data.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Post Graduate with International Business Development experience, and a minimum three (3) years of experience as Country Manager Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

DAVID TAN HUI YAU Key Account Director 171.

Basic Qualification: Can communicate in Chinese language; with written and verbal communication skills, problem solving skills, negotiation skills, management experience, and fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

179.

DANNY Bahasa Language Customer Service Representative 180.

Brief Job Description: To lead & manage sales management, typically for a strategic cross border account or within a geographic area and assigned commercial team.

TRIVES TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Tower 4 Bayport West, Naia Garden Residence, Naia Road, Tambo, City Of Parañaque ZHOU, MINGJIN Mandarin Customer Support Representative 172.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

181.

182.

173.

Brief Job Description: Support the development and implementation of hr initiatives and systems

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing Mandarin

SHI, XIAODAN Bilingual Finance Support Specialist 174.

Brief Job Description: Process and prepare financial business forms for the purpose of checking account balances, facilitating purchases.

183.

LIU, MINGYANG Bilingual Technical Support Specialist 175.

Brief Job Description: Works w/ customer/employees to identify computer problems WANG, XIUMEI Bilingual Technical Support Specialist

176.

Brief Job Description: Evaluates expansions or enhancements by studying work load capacity of computer system CHONG YE TING Malay - Speaking Customer Service Officer

177.

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information

Basic Qualification: Excellent in writing, reading and speaking in bilingual laguages Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in writing, reading and speaking in Malay Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

XUSHENG TECHNOLOGY CORP. Flr. No. 1-5 Bldg., No. 0050 F.b. Harrison St. Cor. Williams And Roberts St., Zone 4, Barangay 013, District 1, Pasay City CHENG TENG HOONG Mandarin Speaking Technical Support 178.

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported

Brief Job Description: Oversee daily operations of the business unit or organizations; Ensure the creation and implementation of a strategy designed to grow the business.

MUHAMMAD ANDIKA Bahasa Customer Service Representative 184.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amounts of incoming phone calls, generate sales leads NURUL GUSTINI Bahasa Customer Service Representative

185.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amounts of incoming phone calls, generate sales leads HARIANTO INTAN Bahasa/Indonesian Customer Service Representative

186.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amounts of incoming phone calls, generate sales leads SHINTYA SISILLIA NGANGI Bahasa/Indonesian Customer Service Representative

187.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amounts of incoming phone calls, generate sales leads DAVID SINTONG SIHOTANG Indonesian Customer Service Representative

188.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customer’s needs to achieve satisfaction.

EFFENDI Indonesian Customer Service Representative

189.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customer’s needs to achieve satisfaction.

FRASLEY Indonesian Customer Service Representative

190.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customer’s needs to achieve satisfaction.

HANDOKO Indonesian Customer Service Representative

191.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customer’s needs to achieve satisfaction.

JOEFRY IRAWAN Indonesian Customer Service Representative

192.

Basic Qualification: Excellent in speaking, reading and writing in bilingual languages Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficient in writing, reading and speaking in both English and Korean/ Bahasa/Chinese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in writing, reading and speaking in both English and Korean/ Bahasa/Chinese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in writing, reading and speaking in both English and Korean/ Bahasa/Chinese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Must have 10 years experience as General Manager with in the same industry; Good strategic planning skills.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

ZONAC AND SHIBATA SERVICES INC. 4/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Excellent in writing, reading and speaking in bilingual languages Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming request from customers and ensure that issues are resolve both promptly and thoroughly

IVANOV, NIKOLA General Manager

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

VPC CORPORATE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED 11/f 100 West, Sen Gil Puyat Ave. Cor., Washington St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Indonesian speaking and written

ZIRCONIA, INC. 116, Jupiter St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

VASTLINE BUSINESS SUPPORT INC. U-504p Five E-com Ctr. Bldg., Pacific Drive, Brgy. 076, Pasay City LOW SOON HOCK HR Officer-Mandarin

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming request from customers and ensure that issues are resolve both promptly and thoroughly HARTANTO SURYA PANGESTU Bahasa Language Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming request from customers and ensure that issues are resolve both promptly and thoroughly EDI YANTO Bahasa Language Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: minimum of 20 years experience in account management in food industry *knowledgeable in food processing industry *able to provide value add solutions to customer *strategic planning to deliver results

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on a daily operations of call center activities performing customer-oriented telephone activities and various background operation duties

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

ZIMI TECH, INC. 29th/f Burgundy Corporate Tower, Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Minimum of 5 years experience, B2B marketing experience with AUS and USA markets, vendor management, strategy development & online campaign conceptualization, degree qualified from a reputable college or university

Basic Qualification: Candidate must possess at least a Vocational Diploma in any field , Must be fluent in both written and verbal Bahasa and English language, At least 1 year of working experience as a BPO Professional. preferably with experience supporting a Bilingual Queue

TETRA PAK (PHILIPPINES) INC. 19th Floor Twenty-five Seven Mckinley 25th St. Cor. 7th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least 2 years experience in the job mentioned, college graduate, fluent in English and Mandarin languages

Basic Qualification: At a minimum, 7+ years managerial experience in an offshore BPO work environment managing healthcare clinical clients.

Related outsourcing operations experience in a global set up preferred; Knowledge of Population Health/Wellness, Utilization management and care management; Awareness of US health Insurance market with exposure to payers, providers and PBMs; Good understanding of managing account financials and ability to do projections, manage costs and profitability directly.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION IRMAWAN Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

TELUS INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES, INC. Units 23/f, 31st/f - 37th/f Discovery Centre, Adb Avenue, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in reading, writing and speaking in Mandarin.

No.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Excellent in reading, writing and speaking in Mandarin.

Basic Qualification: At least three years of working experience as a software quality assurance analyst ;Fluent in Mandarin / Basic English

TELETECH CUSTOMER CARE MANAGEMENT PHILIPPINES, INC. Five E-com, 10th Floor, Harbor Drive Corner Palm Coast Avenue, Mall Of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language & English)

SITC LOGISTICS PHILS., INC. Unit 256 E 2/f Velco Myers Bldg R S Oca Cor. A C Delgado Sts., Port Area, O68, Bgy. 650, Port Area, City Of Manila

166.

Brief Job Description: Oversee program performance for efficient and problem free operations

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

CUI, LIN Deputy Manager

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

168.

SATELLITE OFFICE SOLUTIONS PTY. LTD. - PHILIPPINE BRANCH 19f Uptown Place Tower, 11th Ave. Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

CORSINI, RICCARDO Head Of Marketing

Brief Job Description: Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SA RIVENDELL GLOBAL SUPPORT, INC. 2741, P. Zamora St., Brgy. 097, Pasay City

LIU, ZHIFENG Chinese Customer Service

QIN, XIUZHI Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

SUPREME CHENGHAO MANAGEMENT OPC Level 26-a Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

RAPTAKOS, BRETT & CO. LTD. U-511 5/f Cityland 10 Tower 1, 156 H.v. Dela Costa St., Bel-air, City Of Makati GUPTA, AMIT KUMAR Country Business Head

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language & English)

PHILIPPINES CHENYIN COMMUNICATION NETWORK HOLDING INC. 16/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

LIANG, GANG Finance And Marketing Manager

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

SPEED QUALITY TECH INC. 3/f Eco Plaza Bldg., 2305 Chino Roces Ave. Extn., Magallanes, City Of Makati

ONE BORDERLINE CREATIVES INC. Unit 11-ij3, 11/f Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati HAU PHONG MINH Mandarin Customer Service Representative

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customer’s needs to achieve satisfaction.

SUPANDI Indonesian Customer Service Representative

193.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customer’s needs to achieve satisfaction.

Basic Qualification: Great communications skills and must be fluent in English language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Great communications skills and must be fluent in English language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Great communications skills and must be fluent in English language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Great communications skills and must be fluent in English language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Great communications skills and must be fluent in English language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Great communications skills and must be fluent in English language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Great communications skills and must be fluent in English language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Great communications skills and must be fluent in English language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Great communications skills and must be fluent in English language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Great communications skills and must be fluent in English language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Oct 15, 2021

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on October 12, 2021, the position of YUEN, SHUNG HEI BILLY under STACKTREK ENTERPRISE INC., should have been read as PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER and not as published.

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE National Capital Region located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication.

Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZAPPORT SERVICES, INC. 36/f Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR