BusinessMirror September 28, 2025

PHL SEEKS BEST SPOT AMID GLOBAL SHIFTS

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

KUALA

LUMPUR, Malaysia—

Global supply chains are undergoing a major reconfiguration as multinationals diversify away from China, and the Philippines has a window to capture more of this shift if it can build deeper industrial ecosystems and strengthen its services base.

Roland Berger Southeast Asia Managing Partner John Low said the country’s advantages—its English-speaking workforce, foothold in electronics, and mineral reserves—provide a platform for growth.

He cautioned, however, that cheap labor and tax perks will not be enough to keep investors in place, especially as neighbors sharpen their offers.

“The Philippines needs to step up to capture bigger opportunities .… You have some of these rare resources, use that as a negotiating tool with these companies,” Low told the BusinessMirror

The firm’s Asia Supply Chain Reconfiguration report released on Friday showed the Philippines already plays an important role in the global value chain.

The country hosts the world’s second-largest outsourcing workforce, which contributes around 9 percent of GDP, and remains a significant player in nickel produc-

tion, supplying key inputs for the electric vehicle (EV) industry.

These strengths give Manila a foothold in both services and manufacturing, but Low said they are not enough to guarantee competitiveness in the years ahead.

The shifting regional landscape LOW noted that global firms have been rethinking supply chain strategies in the wake of rising costs in China and its continuing trade frictions with the United States.

This has given rise to the socalled “China+1” strategy, where companies expand into Southeast Asia to reduce dependence on a single hub.

“People are coming in now especially even more after the decoupling of the US and China. We are definitely benefiting,” Low said, adding that Vietnam and Indonesia have gained the most so far.

Indonesia recorded $55.3 billion in new FDI pledges in 2024, driven by mining and metal refin-

As global firms rethink supply chain strategies in the wake of rising costs in China and its continuing trade frictions with the US, a new report says PHL must deepen ecosystem, move up value chain to seize the supply chain shift

ing, and in 2023 emerged as the largest recipient of intra-Asean FDI at $6.4 billion.

Vietnam, meanwhile, secured $38 billion in realized inflows in 2024.

The Roland Berger report noted that other countries are also consolidating their positions, with Malaysia strengthening its semiconductor clusters and Thailand expanding its automotive industry, particularly electric vehicles.

The Philippines attracted $8.93 billion in net FDI inflows in 2024, higher than the previous year but still well below its neighbors.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also showed that while total approved investments through promotion agencies reached P1.95 trillion, only P543.62 billion of this came from foreign investors.

Investor sentiment reflects the challenge. The 2025 EU-Asean Business Sentiment Survey found that only 40 percent of European companies plan to expand operations in the Philippines, compared with

66 percent in Vietnam, 60 percent in Indonesia, and 57 percent each in Thailand and Malaysia.

An additional 48 percent of respondents said they were unsure about expanding in the Philippines, while 12 percent said they would contract their operations.

Low said this competitive landscape leaves the Philippines little choice but to build long-term resilience.

Services at a crossroads

THE consultancy firm also pointed to outsourcing as the Philippines’ most reliable growth engine.

In its report, it projected that the Philippine workforce in outsourcing is expected to double over the next five to ten years, allowing the country to expand its share of global demand.

The sector already handles 10 to 15 percent of outsourcing worldwide, supported by labor costs that are about 70 percent lower than Malaysia’s.

JOHN LOW, global management consulting firm Roland Berger’s Southeast Asia Managing Partner, is seen in an interview with the BusinessMirror in Kuala Lumpur. JUSTINE XYRAH GARCIA

MINING FOOTPRINT IN MINDANAO An aerial view of a large-scale mining site in Mindanao, a region that hosts some of the Philippines’ richest mineral reserves, including nickel—an essential input for the electric vehicle industry. MARY GRACE VARELA | DREAMSTIME.COM

The uphill battle: Four different leaders, four different

By Seth Borenstein & Melina Walling The Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS—Four men. Four corners of the globe. Four vastly different visions and experiences on climate change.

At the United Nations this week, a quartet of leaders with distinct personal styles and decidedly different national agendas demonstrated why saving the planet isn’t simple, fast or something they can even agree on.

US President Donald Trump, a real estate tycoon and television personality, kicked off the issue a day early when he played skunk at a garden party. He told fellow leaders at the United Nations not to worry about climate change because it’s a scam and insisted that renewable energy, such as wind and solar, would wreck their economy. He was basically alone on that. Then, on Wednesday, when more than 100 leaders gathered specifically to work on climate, it was the engineer-turned-president, Xi Jinping of China, who seized the moment, attention and headlines in a controlled video. He announced that for the first time, the world’s top carbon polluter would cut emissions. Though experts called it timid, he positioned his country to amass ever more economic might by cornering the market of the very renewables that Trump denigrated.

Feleti Penitala Teo, the softspoken prime minister of the small island nation of Tuvalu, talked of watching the beaches of his child-

hood get swallowed up by climate change’s rising seas. His role, he said in a Thursday interview, is to be the conscience of his colleagues. And finally, playing host even though he lives a continent away was Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a former trade negotiator who represents a country that acts as a common middle ground for issues between North and South, rich and poor. He will host climate negotiations in Belem, Brazil, in November. Their differences on the issue tell an important and intricate story.

United States: Donald Trump kicks it off THIS week included a special climate summit for more than 100 world leaders on Wednesday. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Lula put this together with the idea of getting countries to submit strong national carbon pollution plans before the November Brazil climate negotiations. The US didn’t really participate.

But the day before, when world leaders could talk about whatever they wanted, Donald Trump included a large section about climate change. He made pronouncements that ran afoul of what scientists,

temperature records and other world leaders said.

“This climate change, it’s the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world, in my opinion,” Trump said, reiterating a long-repeated belief. “All of these predictions made by the United Nations and many others, often for bad reasons, were wrong. They were made by stupid people that have cost their countries fortunes and given those same countries no chance for success. If you don’t get away from this green scam, your country is going to fail. And I’m really good at predicting things.”

Trump, who has frequently complained about the aesthetics of wind turbines, which he erroneously calls windmills, said renewable energy is “falsely named...a joke.”

“They don’t work,” he said. “They’re too expensive. They’re not strong enough.”

takes on global warming

used its Belt and Road Initiative to help bring the technology to developing countries — at a price. He promised even more green investments for both domestic and international markets.

When compared to Trump, who is older, Xi came off as “the sober elder above the fray,” said David Waskow, the World Resources Institute’s International Climate Initiative director.

Tuvalu: Living the climate experience

China: Grabbing attention and market share

WHILE Trump talked doubt, Xi, like many who would follow, talked about how big a problem climate change is and how the countries of globe have to work together.

While one country may be acting against this, “the international community should stay focused in the right direction,” Xi said. He urged the world to “remain unwavering in confidence, unremitting in actions and unrelenting in intensity.”

Xi was trained as an engineer. Climate analyst Alden Meyer of the European think tank E3G said Chinese leadership is “very, very technically based, so they respect and understand the science. China of course is suffering from climate impacts, from heat, from flooding, storms. And they know the threat this poses.”

“Green and low carbon transition is the trend of our time,” Xi said.

While Trump has dismissed renewables, China during Xi’s rule has become the top global player in renewable energy technology and

TEO is the only one of the four leaders who lives near the ocean and is watching those rising waters, feeling their impact and talking to scientists about the issues that have made climate change the overwhelming issue that could literally wipe out his nation.

“We’re totally behind the science. And this is not our science. It’s international science,” Teo said. “So as a small island, country, I couldn’t envisage how such a publicly renowned science is being disputed by a major country like the US.”

“We can actually physically see the difference in terms of the level of the sea,” Teo said in an interview. “Climate change is a lived experience for us right now. It is no longer a speculative scenario.”

This week, like China, Tuvalu submitted its climate-fighting plan with the key being producing now carbon emissions within the decade.

“The major irony for us and the frustration that goes with it is that we don’t contribute to climate change, but we are at the very front line,” Teo said. “We have to do what is right. It is my hope that [Trump, Xi and Lula] will likewise do what is morally right.”

Ralph Regenvanu, climate minister of the island nation of Vanuatu, which is encountering

climate change as an existential threat, has come to expect speeches like Tuesday’s from Trump. But he added that “in many ways it has galvanized the countries of high ambition to double down on the fact that we need to have strong multilateral action and ambitious goals.”

Brazil: Feeling the ‘chemistry’ LULA said climate change is real, and the upcoming climate conference in Brazil must be a decisive moment to avoid the risk of “a vicious cycle of mistrust and paralysis.”

“Walls at borders will not stop droughts or storms,” Lula said. “Nature does not bow down to bombs or warships. No country stands above another.”

“All of us may lose because denialism may actually win,” he warned.

But a transition to renewable energy, he said, “opens the door to a productive and technological transformation comparable to the Industrial Revolution.” Despite cheering such a transition, at home, Lula, who fashions himself as an environmentalist and pragmatist, supports increased oil drilling, including in the Amazon.

“Lula has a lot of relationships,” E3G’s Meyer said. “He has a lot of credibility that he has built up over the years. And the sense I’m getting is he realizes that he’s going to need to put that into play.”

After Xi’s announcement and a chance encounter with Trump, Lula said that he and Trump shook hands and embraced. He said he had a good feeling about the “chemistry” between them, despite long-standing political differences.

Lightheartedly pointing out that he’s a few months older than Trump, but that they’re both turning 80 soon, Lula suggested that there was no need to play games: They’re both too old for that.

PHL seeks best spot amid global shifts

Continued from A1

Industry data back this up. The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) reported that the sector closed 2024 with 1.82 million jobs and $38 billion in revenue.

Despite this growth, Low cautioned that artificial intelligence (AI) poses significant risks, particularly to routine roles.

“There is still, of course, risk because of AI … but it’s also an opportunity for the Philippines to move up the valuation with the BPO outsourcing business,” Low said, estimating that only 25 to 30 percent of the workforce may be affected.

He emphasized that the country should not remain confined to routine tasks.

“There will be components where you need the human empathy, you need the human decisionmaking.… The machine may not be familiar with some of the nuances. There could be escalation also, because there are certain nuances with the customer,” he explained.

Low said the Philippines must expand outsourcing while upgrading into more complex services, positioning itself as a key player in the global hub-and-spoke model.

In this setup, regional hubs handle high-value functions while the Philippines can strengthen its role in the distributed “spokes,” providing scale and resilience for global clients.

Global studies highlight the urgency of this transition. An International Monetary Fund (IMF) report estimated that 40 percent of jobs worldwide face some exposure to AI, including high-skilled positions, while the World Economic Forum (WEF) projected that automation could displace 85 million jobs globally by 2030.

For the Philippines, with nearly 2 million workers employed in outsourcing, the adjustment is both an economic and social imperative.

Moving beyond assembly WHILE services have carried growth, manufacturing remains

critical for the Philippines to capture more of the supply chain shift.

The Berger report stated that semiconductors, hard disk drives, and consumer electronics account for over half of Philippine export value, confirming the central role of electronics.

Nickel, meanwhile, positions the country as the world’s secondlargest producer, with output projected to exceed 370 kilotons in 2024—a critical input for the electric vehicle battery chain.

But the report also flagged a bottleneck: the country has limited wafer fabrication capacity, keeping it dependent on low-margin assembly and test operations.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) made a similar point in its 2024 review, warning that without deeper integration into design and fabrication, the Philippines risks being locked into lower-value segments even as demand for semiconductors grows.

At the same time, the consultancy firm also ranked the Philippines as having the second-highest electricity prices in Asia, making mineral processing uncompetitive.

Logistics inefficiencies also persist, with the World Bank’s 2023 Logistics Performance Index placing the country 43rd, still behind Malaysia and Thailand.

Low said addressing these challenges is crucial if the Philippines is to move up the value chain.

For electronics, he stressed that the government must push investors to embed more design and research and development (R&D) work in the country, rather than keeping operations confined to assembly and testing.

Building stronger links between multinationals, local suppliers, and universities would make it harder for firms to relocate and would help Filipinos climb into higher-paying engineering and design roles.

“If they are so rooted in the ecosystem, they need to depend on a local Filipino supplier because

they have been supplying the raw material to them. If they have been so engaged in the R&D with the Filipino universities.... [It will be] very difficult for them to leave because it takes a lot more effort to build that in the new country,” he explained.

On the resource side, Low argued that the country should no longer treat nickel and other minerals as mere export commodities.

“That’s leveraging the resources or, you know, if you want to negotiate. The other thing is also strengthening the ecosystem of the industries where the Philippines is strong. Because if you are just purely an assembly hub, the companies can come in and go easily,” he added.

From incentives to strategy FOR Low, the challenge for the Philippines is not just to bring investors in but to keep them through clear and consistent policy. He said the country must “start doing the right things” so that long-term commitments take root.

Policy efforts are already under way. The Asia Supply Chain Reconfiguration report noted that Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 could help in prioritizing logistics upgrades and technology adoption, while the country’s Renewable Energy Act could provide incentives to expand clean power and ease energy costs over time.

It also noted that although new US tariffs could weigh on electronics and machinery exports, Philippine rates remain lower than those in Vietnam or Malaysia, giving the country some room to compete if reforms are sustained.

Low said the Philippines already has the building blocks—a young workforce, mineral reserves, and a globally competitive outsourcing sector.

The challenge, he added, is aligning these into a coherent industrial strategy that can withstand competition in the region.

CHINESE President Xi Jinping virtually addresses a climate summit, Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at UN headquarters. AP/YUKI IWAMURA

Editor: Angel R. Calso

September 28, 2025 A3

Trump’s tariffs fail: China’s $1.2 trillion trade surplus sparks global pushback

By Bloomberg News

PRESIDENT Xi Jinping’s export engine has proved unstoppable during five months of sky-high US tariffs, sending China toward a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus.

With access to the US curtailed, Chinese manufacturers have shown they aren’t backing down: Indian purchases hit an alltime high in August, shipments to Africa are on track for an annual record and sales to Southeast Asia have exceeded their pandemicera peak.

That across-the-board surge is causing alarm abroad, as governments weigh the potential damage to their domestic industries against the risk of antagonizing Beijing—the top trading partner for over half the planet.

While so far only Mexico has hit back publicly this year – floating tariffs as high as 50% on Chinese products including cars, auto parts and steel—other countries are coming under increasing pressure to act. Indian authorities have received 50 applications in recent weeks for investigations into goods dumping from nations including China and Vietnam, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified as the information isn’t public. Indonesia’s trade minister pledged to monitor a deluge of goods, after viral videos of Chinese vendors touting plans to export jeans and shirts for as little as 80 US cents to major cities caused an outcry.

For all the pain, the chances of more meaningful action are limited. Countries already embroiled in tariff negotiations with the Trump administration appear reluctant to take on a separate trade war with the world’s second-largest economy. That’s giving Beijing breathing room from US levies at heights economists previously predicted would halve the nation’s annual growth rate.

“The subdued response is probably informed by ongoing US trade negotiations,” said Christopher Beddor, deputy China research director at Gavekal Dragonomics. “Some countries may not want to be seen as contributing to a breakdown in the global trading

system. Some may also be holding back on tariffs against China in order to offer them as concessions to the US during their own trade negotiations.” Officials shielding their economies from Beijing are treading carefully. South Africa’s trade minister has advised against punitive tariffs on Chinese car exports—which nearly doubled this year — and is instead seeking more investment. Chile and Ecuador are quietly imposing targeted fees on low-cost imports, after Chinese e-commerce giant Temu’s monthly active users in Latin America soared 143% since January. While Brazil has threatened more aggressive retaliation, this summer it gave China’s biggest electric car maker, BYD Co Ltd, a tariff-free window to ramp up local production.  Beijing is using both diplomatic charm and economic threats to prevent countries taking outright retaliation. Earlier this month, China’s president rallied BRICS nations to forge a united voice against protectionism during a leaders’ call of the bloc, while Commerce Ministry officials have warned Mexico to “think twice” before acting, making clear such steps will have recriminations. Adding to the risks, Trump is pressuring NATO nations to impose tariffs up to 100% on China over its support for Russia. Chinese officials say their trade with the world is within reasonable bounds and that Beijing isn’t out to dominate global markets. “When there’s demand from abroad, China exports accordingly,” Vice Finance Minister Liao Min said in July. The state-run People’s Daily newspaper on its social media account last month hit back against Western criticisms of “dumping,” arguing that China’s exporters don’t sell below cost. If Trump does corrals other countries to gang up on China, it’ll make dealing with internal challenges such as a prolonged property crash

and an aging population harder, according to Chang Shu and David Qu of Bloomberg Economics. “Beijing will likely hit back with reciprocal tariffs immediately, but that risks alienating partners at a time when it critically needs allies,” they said. “Over time, it may also encourage firms to localize production in partner countries.”

While Chinese exporters are defying the odds, surging trade isn’t making them richer—or helping the nation’s domestic issues. Profits at industrial firms fell 1.7% in the first seven months, as manufacturers trying to reduce overcapacity at home under Xi’s “anti-involution” drive slashed prices to sell more overseas. That’s only worsening China’s sticky deflation, on track for its longest spell since the country began opening up in the late 1970s.

The export explosion could also undermine Beijing’s efforts to rebalance its economy toward stimulating consumption—defying foreign officials such as US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has urged Beijing to make boosting the Chinese consumer a pillar of its blueprint for the next half-decade. China’s policy document outlining those plans will be in focus in the coming weeks at a key Communist Party meeting.

For Xi, the risks might just be worthwhile. Showing the world China doesn’t need the US consumer strengthens his hand going into a high-stakes meeting with Trump at a summit in South Korea. The world’s biggest economies are still hashing out a possible trade deal, with a 90-day pause on tariffs as high as 145% currently keeping the peace.

China shock 2.0

EVEN before Trump stunned the world with America’s steepest tariffs since World War II in April, emerging markets at risk of shedding millions of manufacturing jobs were worried about a glut of Chinese goods. Indonesia’s previous president threatened a 200% tariff to protect local industry, while Brazil has hiked duties on Chinese steel. Even Vietnam took temporary action against Chinese online retail giants that undercut local sellers. Ultimately, it’s been hard for foreign leaders to protect their economies from China’s vast fleet of factories.

“Protectionism from the US and other countries has turned into a paper tiger because Chinese exporters are extremely competitive,” said Arthur Kroeber, head of research at Gavekal Dragonomics. They “can absorb some of the tariff hit and also have plenty of workarounds through transshipment and relocating late-stage production to lower-tariff countries.”

Cambodia’s central bank governor Chea Serey was candid about the balancing act smaller economies reliant on Beijing are having to perform. “We do import a lot from China,” she told Bloomberg Television earlier this month, when asked about Chinese dumping. “We also rely a lot in terms of foreign direct investment from China.”

While a rise in shipments to Vietnam suggests some goods destined for US shores and other places are being re-routed to bypass Trump’s wall of tariffs,

that’s only part of the picture. Demand for China’s world-beating, high-tech innovations helped drive much of the recent traffic.

Rising sales to wealthy markets in Europe and Australia also indicate Beijing simply found new buyers for many products.

India shows how Trump’s redrawing of the global trade map is benefiting Beijing in new ways. Exports to China’s neighbor hit a record $12.5 billion last month, driven largely by Apple Inc.’s suppliers rapidly shifting output of iPhones to India from its Asian neighbor. Those companies, however, still depend on parts and tooling made mostly in China.

In July, Chinese firms shipped almost $1 billion worth of computer chips to India and billions of dollars more worth of phones and parts, according to data released by Beijing. That puts exports on track to exceed last year’s record,

with the value of shipments so far this year almost as large as the whole of 2021.

“China has performed better than expected in the first half,” JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s chief India economist Sajjid Chinoy told Bloomberg Television. “Some of this is the fact that China has very cleverly found other export markets, including Europe, which has been a key hedge to slowing exports to the US.”

A weaker currency gave China another edge. The yuan has depreciated along with the dollar against currencies such as the euro. Macquarie Bank previously estimated the yuan’s real effective exchange rate—which accounts for inflation differentials between a nation and its main trading partners—was at the weakest level since December 2011. And the Federal Reserve’s rate cut this month could drag the dollar and possibly the yuan down further, boosting both global demand and also the competitiveness of Chinese exports.    For all the consternation around the world, the glut of goods cascading from China won’t be easy to stop. Chinese electric car exports have continued to power ahead despite steps by the US and Canada to curb them with punitive tariffs and bans.

In the first seven months of this year, carmakers such as Nio, BYD and Xpeng Inc. exported more than $19 billion worth of electricpowered vehicles, about the same as in the same period last year, with Europe being the largest market even after the EU imposed tariffs last October.

China’s in a better position than many other countries to find alternative markets to the US, according to Adam Wolfe of Absolute Strategy Research. Its analysis shows there’s almost a 50% overlap between what China sold to the US and what it exports to BRICS nations, suggesting much of what America no longer buys can be shipped to other markets.

“China’s shown this ability to move into other markets and get market share abroad and that probably continues,” said Wolfe. “I don’t know that China is going to see a contraction in exports over the rest of the year.” With assistance from Shruti Srivastava, Philip Heijmans, Claire Jiao, Haslinda Amin,

US-China thaw gains momentum with TikTok deal, diplomatic push

By Jacob Gu

THE US and China took further steps to stabilize ties on Thursday, with Premier Li Qiang appealing for partnership in New York and President Donald Trump advancing a deal in Washington to resolve the TikTok dispute.

Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Li told a group of top US executives the world’s two largest economies “can and should become friends and partners.” The remarks were followed hours later by Trump’s approval for American investors to buy TikTok’s US operations from its Chinese owner ByteDance Ltd., a deal that would keep the service alive in the US and remove

an irritant in relations.

The developments add to positive momentum in the relationship ahead of a potential meeting between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the coming weeks. Such a sit-down would be the first since Trump returned to the White House and give the two sides a chance to negotiate a more lasting resolution to their conflict over trade and technology.

Trump, after speaking with Xi last Friday, said the two would meet on the sidelines of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea next month. The Republican described progress on issues including trade, fentanyl and the war in Ukraine and said Xi had approved the TikTok deal, although the Chinese government hasn’t

publicly confirmed details of any agreements.

Li’s conciliatory message followed his announcement earlier this week that Beijing will stop seeking new special benefits in World Trade Organization negotiations, addressing a long-standing point of contention with Washington.

China will “work with the US side to promote the steady recovery of China-US economic and trade ties on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit,” Li told the group of business leaders on Thursday, citing Xi who said that the Pacific Ocean is large enough for both nations.

Thomas Donilon, chairman of the BlackRock Investment Institute, Peng Zhao, chief executive of Citadel Securities,

Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer Inc. and Robert Goldstein, chairman of Las Vegas Sands Corp. were among those in attendance at the gathering with Li, according to the National Committee on USChina Relations.

Visa Inc. chief executive Ryan McInerney, FedEx Corp. CEO Rajesh Subramaniam, Amphenol Corp.’s President Richard Adam Norwitt and Estée Lauder Cos. chief Stephane de La Faverie were also present.

Li, China’s No. 2 leader, pledged to maintain stable and healthy growth, creating more opportunities for foreign businesses from the US and other countries. “Regardless of changes in the external environment, China will make every possible effort to ensure greater certainty for the growth of foreign

companies,” Li said.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, Ambassador to the US Xie Feng and other officials joined Li in the meeting, according to the organization hosting the gathering.

Earlier this week, Wang told representatives from 10 Chinese firms doing business in the US to avoid extending their price wars there — a sign that Beijing is eager to maintain a fragile trade truce reached with Washington. The Trump administration has long complained about the imbalance in the flow of goods between the economies, accusing China of hollowing out the American industrial base with a flood of cheap products.

The recent spate of diplomacy suggests a mutual effort to deescalate tensions, although

many challenges remain. The TikTok agreement itself still faces scrutiny from US lawmakers who are skeptical that the deal taking shape meets the terms of a 2024 law requiring ByteDance to divest control or face a ban.

Adding to the list of potential hurdles to a reset of ties, a US lawmaker who met with Chinese officials in Beijing this week said the dispute over China’s control of rare earth supplies has yet to be resolved. The American delegation, led by Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat from Washington state, also called for greater efforts to restrict the flow of fentanyl and reduce non-tariff barriers to US exports to China. With assistance from Colum Murphy, Kean Zhang and Derek Wallbank/Bloomberg

Linda Lew, Ntando Thukwana, Andy Lin and Alex Vasquez/Bloomberg

Putin and poverty divide voters as Moldova plots path to Europe

By Irina Vilcu & Maxim Edwards

ABILLBOARD along the road between the Moldovan town of Calarasi and the capital Chisinau contains no slogan or imperative, just a simple statement of fact: “Part of your electricity bill is paid by the government with the help of the European Union,” it declares.

The message also reveals the dilemma facing Moldova’s pro-EU ruling party ahead of this weekend’s parliamentary election: How to sell closer ties with the West while a cost of living crisis bites in one of Europe’s poorest countries. Wedged between Romania and Ukraine, the tiny nation of 2.4 million people has outsized geopolitical importance.

Moldova is a bellwether for Russia’s interference and hybrid attacks in Europe, the focus of a tug-of-war as Moscow tries to bring the former Soviet state back into its sphere of influence while Europe counters that by promising EU membership. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week called on the world leaders to support Moldova in the face of Russia’s alleged attempts to influence the election.

President Maia Sandu and her allies in the Party of Action and Solidarity, or PAS, are trying to show Moldovans that European integration isn’t just another story of a brighter future tomorrow, but a transformational change that’s already brought benefits here and now.

A referendum last October on whether to enshrine the goal of joining the EU in the constitution passed narrowly. Opinion polls show PAS is expected to lose its parliamentary majority with a pro-Russian group placing second. Crucially, though, about 30% of

voters were undecided ahead of the Sept. 28 vote.

Outside an agricultural store in Calarasi, some 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Chisinau, Ivan Curmei encapsulates the mood despite billions of euros spent by Brussels to help Moldova weather economic crises and build schools, roads and upgrade energy infrastructure.

With inflation above 7%, among the highest in Europe, Curmei says the main thing on his mind are “these prices.” He jerks a thumb toward sacks of flour from neighboring Ukraine. The 68-year-old doesn’t care for politicians, but he will reluctantly vote for PAS.

With a large Russian-speaking minority, Moldova is divided linguistically and culturally between the rhetoric of pro-Kremlin and pro-Brussels worldviews.

Vladimir Putin’s presidential executive devised a plan to intervene in the vote, according to documents reviewed by Bloomberg. Tactics included recruitment of Moldovans abroad, protests and a disinformation campaign. This week, the authorities detained dozens of people to foil what they said was a Russian plot to destabilize the election.

“It’s very clear that Russia wants to create conditions at least to push Moldova into political chaos,” said Iulian Groza, executive director of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms,

a Moldovan think tank. “If not, then propelling a loyal majority into parliament that is at least ambivalent towards our European accession process.”

While a majority of Moldovans support joining the EU, they hold their politicians in less esteem. In 2014, more than 10% of the country’s GDP was siphoned off from three state-owned banks in a brazen scheme involving public officials.

Eager for a success story on its turbulent eastern flank, the EU has allocated a record €1.8 billion ($2.1 billion) for the coming years to support Moldova’s integration efforts.

The EU has also sought to bolster Sandu’s image ahead of the ballot, with the leaders of Poland, France and Germany sharing a stage with her at a pro-European rally on Moldova’s Independence Day in August. Igor Dodon, the former president defeated by Sandu who leads the pro-Russian Socialist Party, said Western powers were interfering in the election campaign.

Constantin, who ekes out a living selling fruit and vegetables from his garden in Calarasi’s central market, is tired of what he sees as empty promises from parties of all stripes. He vowed not to vote for the ruling party, which he blames for the loss of his former job during the coronavirus pandemic.

“These politicians come every four years and hand out a leaflet,” the 59-year-old former accountant said. “What would I need a leaflet for?”

Constantin’s frustration swelled after a group of PAS members and activists strolled through the stalls, touting Moldova’s bid to kick off the EU accession process.

Among them was Nicu Popescu, one of the party’s top candidates for a seat in parliament and a former foreign minister. He acknowledged that creating the foundations of a prosperous state is a work in progress.

“Most people understand that you don’t build a skyscraper over -

night, or quadruple your GDP per capita,” Popescu said. But whatever the setbacks, he said, Moldovans can see what war and dictatorship have brought and “don’t want that to be replicated in Moldova.”

The PAS party’s four years in power have been rocky. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine sent hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing through Moldova and forced the fragile economy to pivot even more westward. At the same time, Moldova weaned itself off Russian energy supplies and secured the start of lengthy EU accession negotiations last June.

About 65% of Moldova’s exports now go to the EU. And in a sign of the new reality, even Transnistria, a breakaway region that hosts Russian troops, sends 77% of its exports to the bloc.

The trouble politically is that PAS “monopolizes” the EU integration narrative while failing to fulfil promises, according to Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban, whose Alternativa bloc is polling third. For Mark Tkachuk, a historian who leads the smaller Civic Congress party within Alternativa, PAS views the EU as a civilizational “cargo cult” when it should focus on reducing poverty in Moldova.

Alternativa says it’s in favor

of joining the EU and would consider entering a coalition government with any other parties that share its principles, including PAS, according to Ceban. As for relations with Russia, the group is pragmatic, especially when it comes to energy imports, said Tkachuk.

“Sandu declares that Russian gas smells of death, but we buy Russian gas through eight intermediaries,” Tkachuk said in an interview in a library in downtown Chisinau. “Today, okay it smells like death, but probably of the death of Moldovan citizens whose gas prices have increased three or four times.”

Moldova’s Ministry of Energy disputes that characterization of why gas prices are higher. It blames Russia for weaponizing energy, “trying to blackmail European countries.”

Looking abroad LIKE many depopulating countries in eastern Europe, Moldova exports its youth as well. Flyers offering work in Europe are ubiquitous on the leafy streets of Chisinau, where young waiters at the wine bars and street cafés are keen to be tipped in Romanian currency.

At the market in Calarasi, several vendors said their sons and

daughters have lived in the EU for years. That part of the millionstrong diaspora was instrumental in Sandu’s narrow re-election as president last year and the success of the EU referendum.

Emigration has not always proven easy. One vegetable seller, frustrated with his meager income, pointed to the struggles of his four siblings in Western Europe and insisted that under the Russians, at least, everybody had bread to eat. Overhearing the remark, an elderly customer scoffed and snapped that Moscow had only brought oppression.

PAS’s opponents have sought to put the cost of living crisis before geopolitics. Politicians from Dodon’s Socialists, who once regularly travelled to Moscow, have toned down their heavy pro-Russian messaging. They say they’re critical supporters of European integration, though not at the expense of ties with Moscow.

“People are tired of being divided into pro-European, pro-Russian and so on,” said Olga Cebotari, a Socialist leader. “They want to be pro-Moldova.”

Ecaterina Gavrilita, a 68-yearold pensioner from Calarasi, is still waiting for local authorities to get her a new hearing aid and medication she badly needs. But she’s still willing to give Sandu’s PAS allies a chance, describing the president as a “simple woman who does what she says.” Gavrilita pointed to a newly renovated roof of the local school. And whatever the wider dissatisfaction, Russia no longer has a coherent project to offer Moldova, said Vladimir Solovyov, an analyst writing on Moldovan politics.

“I don’t think the opposition can overturn European integration,” he said. “Because it means money, grants, credit and a load of projects. Nobody from the opposition leaders can bring themselves to end that story, because then they won’t be in power for long.” With assistance from Andra Timu and Alberto Nardelli/Bloomberg

A mother stranded in Gaza City says she and her daughters are ‘waiting to die’

By Julia Frankel & Sally Abou Aljoud

EThe Associated Press

XPLOSIONS shake the walls of the dim basement in Gaza City where Noor Abu Hassira and her three daughters are sheltering. They can’t see much through a small, raised window. But if the sounds of buzzing drones and booming airstrikes are any indication, Israeli forces are getting closer.

Abu Hassira is staying behind despite Israeli warnings to evacuate. She has debilitating leg injuries from an airstrike that destroyed her home at the start of the war and, like many in the devastated territory, she cannot come up with the $2,000 she says it would cost to move to southern Gaza and pitch a tent in a displacement camp. While most Palestinians in Gaza City have fled south at some point in the 23-month long war, Abu Hassira has been largely bedridden—except for the 11 times she’s had to relocate within her city to keep safe from Israeli assaults. Her husband is in an Israeli prison, and she and her young girls—Jouri, Maria and Maha— are among the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians still in Gaza City, which before the war had a million residents.

“It feels like we’re just waiting to die, I don’t really care that much anymore,” Abu Hassira wrote over text.

Israel says its offensive is aimed at destroying Hamas and freeing hostages taken during the attack that started the war. It says it is taking steps to mitigate harm to civilians.

If the Abu Hassira family could somehow make it to the south, their troubles would not be over.

“I’m afraid to live in a tent with my daughters. I’m afraid we will drown in the winter. I’m afraid of insects. How will we get water?” she said.

An airstrike destroyed their home

EIGHT months before the war, Abu Hassira and her family moved into an apartment in Gaza City. She worked as a medical lab technician. Her husband, Raed, was a journalist for a media outlet suspected of links to Hamas. Abu Hassira said her husband was not a member of the militant group. Jouri, their oldest, was in elementary school. Maria was about to start kindergarten. Maha was just a baby.

“We worked and saved for 10 years to have a comfortable, nice home—our dream house. Now it’s gone,” she said.

After Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 and abducting 251 people, Israel responded with heavy airstrikes across Gaza and a ground invasion. That December, the Abu Hassiras’ apartment building was struck. The blast collapsed a concrete

pillar that pinned Abu Hassira under the rubble, shattering her shoulders, back and legs and knocking her into a coma. Her daughters were also buried in the rubble, though all survived.

Israeli troops raided the hospital

ABU HASSIRA awoke at Shifa Hospital. Her daughter, Maria, lay beside her with a fractured skull.

Israeli forces had raided the hospital weeks earlier, accusing Hamas of sheltering there. Supplies were running low. It was packed with displaced families and doctors were preoccupied with a steady flow of casualties coming through the gates.

Her husband sent the other two girls to stay with an uncle so he could care for the mother and daughter at the hospital.

“He would change my diapers, my clothes,” Abu Hassira said. “I lay on my back for three months, and he took care of me, combed my hair, and bathed me.”

In March 2024, Israeli troops raided the hospital again, arresting scores of men, including Abu Hassira’s husband. He is now one of hundreds of Palestinian men Israel has rounded up during the war whose whereabouts and legal status remain unknown.

She hasn’t heard from him, but Addameer, a Palestinian legal aid group, said an attorney visited him in an Israeli prison last November. Israel’s prison service, Shin Bet intelligence agency and military

declined to say why he was arrested or where he was being held.

“Maha was just over a year old when they took her father away,” Abu Hassira said. “She’s never once said the word ‘daddy.’”

She feared her daughters would die

ISRAEL’S military said it killed some 200 militants over two weeks of fighting inside the sprawling Shifa hospital. The World Health Organization said 21 patients died during the siege. Israel denied harming civilians.

Abu Hassira, who said soldiers told her to leave, fled the incursion with a single bag, leaving her wheelchair and most of her clothes and food behind. The family spent

the rest of the year moving from one place to another as Israel carried out raids in and around Gaza City.

“The hardest part is living at other people’s homes...especially with small children, and everything is expensive. I had no clothes or belongings, so I had to use theirs,” she said.

In the fall of 2024, Israel largely sealed off northern Gaza, including Gaza City, launching major ground operations and heavily restricting humanitarian aid. Clean water was hard to find. They ate little more than bread. Jouri, her oldest, grew malnourished and sick.

“I felt weak, lonely, helpless,” Abu Hassira said. “I was terrified my daughters would die and I couldn’t do anything for them.”

A neighbor volunteered to take Jouri to a malnutrition program where the girl began to recover.

In January, a long-awaited ceasefire took hold, raising hopes that the war would wind down.

Hundreds of thousands of people returned to Gaza City, Abu Hassira’s extended family was reunited, and Israel allowed humanitarian aid to flow in.

The war resumes BUT Israel shattered the ceasefire in March, launching more airstrikes after halting imports of food, medicine and other goods—a complete blockade that would only be eased 2 ½ months later.

In Gaza City, families like the

Abu Hassiras are often without food, which costs 10 times what it did before the war: a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of sugar around $180, a kilogram of flour around $60. Over 65,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, but U.N. agencies and many independent experts view its figures as the most reliable estimate of casualties.

In August, international experts determined Gaza City was experiencing famine. Weeks later, Israel launched an offensive to occupy the city, saying it was needed to pressure Hamas into releasing 48 remaining hostages, around 20 of them believed by Israel to be alive. Abu Hassira has seen the evacuation leaflets dropped by Israeli aircraft. Many of her neighbors have packed up and left. But she can barely walk, and a truck ride south would cost around $900. A tent would cost around $1,100, she says, and who knows where they would put it. The Israeli-designated humanitarian zone largely consists of crowded camps and demolished buildings. Families who have moved to new grounds for the displaced have found them sparse and lawless, with armed gangs patrolling the area to demand rent.

Frankel reported from Jerusalem. Abou AlJoud reported from Beirut.

A BILLBOARD tells Moldovans that some of their electricity bills are financed by the EU. MAXIM EDWARDS/BLOOMBERG

IN this undated photo taken during the Israel-Hamas war, Noor Abu Hassira’s three daughters, Jouri, Maria and Maha, smile and pose in Gaza City, Gaza Strip. NOOR ABU HASSIRA VIA AP

PRESIDENT FERDINAND

MARCOS JR.

SIGNS LAW CREATING NUCLEAR REGULATORY BODY

PhilAtom: PHL’s new nuclear regulator seen to spur safety, investor confidence

By John Eiron R. Francisco

THE creation of the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilAtom) under a new law signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to unlock long-delayed investments in nuclear power and medicine by providing the independent safety oversight sought by both local and foreign players, according to a government official.

“Foreign investors, even local operators, demand an independent regulatory body,” said Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI)

Director Carlo Arcilla in a phone interview with BusinessMirror following the public disclosure of the signing of Republic Act (RA) 12305, or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, on September 25. He explained that without such an authority, regulatory decisions could be vulnerable to outside influence.

Arcilla cited major players— such as Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s biggest power distributor, and its subsidiary Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen)—which have expressed plans to venture into nuclear power but require an independent regulator before proceeding.

“This is one of the requirements they want to secure before going full blast into nuclear [power],” Arcilla said.

According to Arcilla, PhilAtom

will serve as an independent regulator covering nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, ensuring that facilities and materials are protected for public safety.

He emphasized that the agency will not be involved in setting electricity prices or managing nuclear power operations—“its focus is purely on safety.”

Beyond the energy sector, PhilAtom’s mandate will extend to hospitals planning to install cyclotrons for nuclear medicine, firms importing anti-cancer drugs, and other entities handling radioactive materials.

Currently, more than 20 hospitals in Metro Manila and about 58 centers nationwide offer nuclear medicine for diagnostics and treatment, according to the Philippine Society for Nuclear Medicine.

“The bottom line is safety,” Arcilla explained, adding that PhilAtom will also be tasked with ensuring that nuclear substances are not diverted for illicit use, such as “dirty bombs,” and upholding safeguards to prevent

their weaponization, as part of its non-proliferation role.

PhilAtom’s regulatory framework follows guidelines set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), designed to align with international standards on nuclear safety and security, similar to independent regulators in South Korea and Japan.

South Korea, one of the world’s leading nuclear energy producers, relies heavily on nuclear power while also exporting its technology.

Japan, meanwhile, is targeting nuclear energy to provide 20 to 22 percent of its electricity supply by 2030, despite setbacks after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, according to the World Nuclear Association.

Arcilla cautioned, however, that while the law brings the Philippines closer to global best practices, actual nuclear projects may

Ilocos to showcase tech, fashion in NSTW 2025

By Bless Aubrey Ogerio

SCIENCE and technology will take center stage in Ilocos Norte as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) brings the 2025 National Science, Technology and Innovation Week (NSTW) to Laoag and Batac from November 18 to 21.

The annual celebration, carrying the theme “Siyensya, Teknolohiya at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Kinabukasan” with subtheme

“Building Smart and Sustainable Communities,”

It will highlight exhibits, demonstrations and activities across multiple venues in the province.

“This is the third time we are bringing the NSTW outside Manila,” DOST Undersecretary Maridon Sahagun, for Scientific and Technical Services, said during the recent media kickoff in Quezon City.

“It is also the first time that our exhibit areas will be separated, and that is the challenge for us. We don’t have large spaces like those in Manila and the other big cities, so please bear with us. Visitors will have to go from

one area to another.” She added that Ilocos Norte was chosen because “our leaders are really looking at smart technologies and agriculture in Region 1.”

The opening program will be held at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena on November 18, where DOST officials said they will invite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Things to look forward

A VARIETY of activities are lined up, including science and technology exhibits, technology demonstrations, career talks, fora, recognition ceremonies, and competitions such as e-games development and a robotics cup.

Main venues will include the Centennial Arena, SM Laoag City, the Laoag City Hall Auditorium, Northwestern University, Robinsons Place Laoag, Northern Christian College, Mariano Marcos State University in both Laoag and Batac, Dap-Ayan, Plaza del Norte, Fort Ilocandia, JLP in Paoay, Vintar, and the Java Hotel.

Among the highlights are the Kathabi Fashion Show on November 18 and the Philippine Handloom Weaving Festival at Robinsons Place

Laoag from November 18 to 21.

On November 19, the Centennial Arena will host the launch of a water compendium alongside Project SARAi Centro exhibits and awarding ceremonies.

The Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center will be inaugurated on November 20, followed by robotics showcases and challenges at SM Laoag on November 20 and 21.

Visitors will also see demonstrations of technologies developed by DOST and partner institutions, including Aquavac, a low-cost negative wound therapy device.

There is also the i-Pond, a Lorawan-based pond control and monitoring system for shrimp farms; the Accelerated Earthquake Multi-Hazards Mapping and Risk Assessment Program; and Talino.AI, an AI-powered platform designed to connect Filipinos to homegrown technologies and fast-track access to DOST’s science and technology services.

To guide attendees across the multiple venues, DOST will release an NSTW mobile application where schedules, program details, and event locations can be accessed.

take time to roll out.

“We can already accept applications, but the problem is that we [the Philippines] are both promoting and regulating at the same time, which is not good,” Arcilla said. “Countries in the past have separated these functions. We’re just catching up.”

The Philippines currently relies heavily on coal and natural gas for electricity, with renewables making up about 30 percent of the energy mix.

Nuclear power could help diversify this, potentially supplying up to 15 percent of the country’s electricity in the next two decades, according to the Department of Energy’s 2025 Energy Outlook.

PhilAtom in transition

UNDER the law, the President will appoint the Director General and four Deputy Director Generals of PhilAtom, who will

serve as the agency’s decisionmaking council.

The Director General, who will hold a Salary Grade 31 position, will serve a five-year term and may be reappointed for another five years. Each Deputy Director General, with Salary Grade 30, will also be appointed by the President. Their initial terms will be staggered at five, four, three, and two years, respectively, with the possibility of reappointment for another five years.

According to Arcilla, PhilAtom’s regulatory staff will be drawn from existing agencies, including the PNRI and the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Device Regulation, Radiation Health, and Research (CDRRHR).

“So, you will have to set up a new office and building for them. But in the meantime, the licensing of pharmaceuticals in

hospitals must continue,” he said, emphasizing the importance of uninterrupted operations.

Arcilla explained that transitory provisions are in place to ensure that ongoing processes, particularly those involving lifesaving medicines, such as cancer treatments, will not be disrupted.

“It cannot be that just because PhilAtom is not yet fully organized, the licensing of drugs for hospitals will stop. That is not acceptable,” he pointed out. Arcilla noted that while the new authority is still in transition, PNRI and the FDA will continue to carry out their functions until PhilAtom becomes fully operational.

After two decades ASKED why it took nearly 20 years for the law to pass, Arcilla said one of the biggest challenges has been the negative perception of nuclear energy, with many people immediately associating it with bombs.

However, he noted that around 80 percent of Filipinos are actually open to nuclear energy, partly because many have relatives abroad—roughly 10 percent of the population—who live in countries that rely on nuclear power.

Worldwide, there are 441 nuclear reactors supplying about 10 percent of global electricity. In the United States, nuclear provides 20 percent of power, demonstrating that it can be safe, affordable, and reliable.

Arcilla pointed out the contrast for Filipinos: relatives abroad enjoy stable electricity, while returning home often means brownouts and high energy costs.

“But nuclear is not just about electricity,” he emphasized. “It has many applications that harness the power of the atom.”

Balik Scientist Program to aid AI, smart agri, fisheries techs to boost W. Visayas

THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently held the Fostering Innovation and Regional Excellence (FIRE): “Igniting Collaboration in Science and Technology” Balik Scientist Forum in Western Visayas.

The event was highlighted by the participation of nine Balik Scientists, who presented highimpact R&D projects designed to address the pressing needs of the region.

“The DOST Balik Scientist Program fosters collaboration between returning Filipino experts and local institutions,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. “We look forward to their support in advancing smart agriculture, marine research, fisheries technologies, and local startups in Western Visayas.”

Solidum, in his keynote address, said that from 1975 to August 2025, DOST supported a total of 693 Balik Scientists with 928 engagements, helping more than 164 host institutions across 16 regions.

The event focused the value of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation in addressing contemporary challenges.

Through the presentation of Balik Scientists, DOST aims to bridge global expertise with local needs, empowering regions to build capacities that are responsive, sustainable, and inclusive.

Highlighted in the event is the presentation of Dr. Felipe P. Vista IV, a long-term Balik Scientist, and is working as a director of the Northern Iloilo State University Research and Dev’t Services.

Aiming to build smart and sustainable communities (SSC) through AI, Vista contributes his expertise in AI through projects related to: 1. Intelligent Transportation Systems; 2. Smart Governance; 3. Energy Management; 4. Waste Management; 5. Pollution Monitoring and Control; and other applications like Disaster Management, Urban Planning, and Education and Awareness. Through AI for SSC, Vista can provide avenues to streamline operations in Western Visayas, through automating routine tasks, supporting asset management through smart infrastructure, and optimizing the allocation of resources.

Other Balik Scientists who presented were: 1. Dr. Romulo de Castro, on Atipan Project: A Community-based Digital Health Strategy; 2. Dr. Andrea Roxanne Anas, on chemistry and drug discovery projects in Western Visayas; 3. Dr. -Ing. Syrus Borja Gomari, on SEERMO innovation, a Local Government Unit-Tailored AI for Urban and Transport Planning; 4. Dr. Jebie Balagosa, on sustainability in geotechnics; 5. Dr. Bernice Mae Yu JecoEspaldon, on Advancing Regional

Progress through Nanomaterials Science, Purposeful Mentorship, and Community Collaboration; 6. Dr. Eric Zeus Rizo, on sustainable development by recognizing and valuing the country’s natural assets in his initiative on the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System framework and its application in Panay; 7. Dr. Joemel Sumbing, on Modeling Framework for Sustainable Cage AQUAculture and Coastal Pollution Control; and 8. Dr. Sanny David Lumayno, on fisheries innovations, particularly on tilapia.

“I personally believe both in the capabilities of the Balik Scientist Program to bring transformation and its vast potential to improve the lives of many people, communities, and small businesses in the country. They are vital to ensure a genuine Agham na Ramdam, a science felt by the people,” shared DOST Undersecretary Sancho A. Mabborang in his message of support.

“The Balik Scientist Program strengthens partnerships that drive national development,” said DOST Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia, for R&D and Balik Scientist Program leader. “Through referrals, Balik Scientists expand the program’s reach and create lasting collaborations across borders and disciplines,” Buendia added.

THE DOST-PNRI compound in Quezon City showing the Philippine Research Reactor, popularly known as “egg” owing to its shape. DOST-STII PHOTO

Faith Sunday

A6 Sunday, September 28, 2025

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

Bicol churches open as shelters ahead of ‘Opong’

CATHOLIC parishes across the Bicol region are opening their doors to families seeking shelter as Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi) nears, dioceses said on Thursday.

In Albay, the Diocese of Legazpi said Bishop Joel Baylon has directed parishes to welcome evacuees in churches, chapels, parish halls and other safe facilities.

He also instructed communities to activate Parish Disaster Response Committees in coordination with the Diocesan Commission on Social Concerns and the Social Action Center.

“Our churches are ready to welcome evacuees during Tropical Storm Opong, where facilities are safe,” the statement read.

The diocese urged parishes to ensure that disaster response efforts are organized and that coordination with church and social action offices is maintained.

The diocese also asked the faithful to pray for safety as Bicol braces for the storm’s impact.

The Diocese of Sorsogon likewise urged parishes to act swiftly, calling for the immediate mobilization of parish units under the leadership of its Commission on Service and Caritas.

Bishop Jose Alan Dialogo said

facilities—such as halls, chapels and schools—should be opened as shelters in coordination with local government units.

“The urgency of the present situation calls us to act decisively with the means already at hand,” Dialogo said, stressing that the

Pope Leo to Catholics: Pray daily Rosary for Peace in October

VATICAN—Catholics across the globe will unite to pray the rosary for peace in war-torn lands, especially during the month of October, which the Church dedicates to the Holy Rosary.

Pope Leo XIV made the announcement at the Wednesday General Audience.

Church must serve as both “a sanctuary and a service center in this time of trial.”

In Camarines Norte, Bishop Herman Abcede of Daet also appealed for preparedness and solidarity.

He instructed parishes to open their facilities as temporary refuge if there are families in need of shelter and where no other safe evacuation centers are available.

“Let us transform this difficult moment into an opportunity for solidarity and faith,” Abcede said.

Meanwhile, the Diocese of Virac in Catanduanes also called on the faithful to unite in prayer as the storm threatens the island province.

Bishop Luisito Occiano, together with the clergy, asked all parishes, religious groups and lay organizations to recite the Oratio Imperata against natural disasters.

“Prayer is our most powerful

weapon,” the diocese said. “In these uncertain times, it is crucial that we turn to God and implore His mercy and protection.”

Heavy rains are expected as the storm approaches Eastern Visayas and Bicol.

Opong, the Philippines’ 15th typhoon for 2025, made its first landfall in Eastern Samar as a typhoon late Thursday evening. On its second landfall in Masbate, it has weakened into a severe tropical storm before dawn on Friday. As of 1 p.m. Thursday, Opong’s center was estimated 300 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 135 kph. It was moving west at 15 kph. However, as of early morning on Friday, Opong has weakened into and is still being monitored inside the Philippines, the Office of Civil Defense said in it Facebook post. CBCP News

“I invite everyone, each day of the coming month, to pray the rosary for peace—personally, in the family, and in community,” he said.

The pope also invited Vatican employees to pray the rosary daily in St. Peter’s Basilica at 7 p.m. throughout October.

He said the faithful in Rome will gather in St. Peter’s Square on October 11 at 6 p.m.

In his greetings to Portuguese pilgrims, Pope Leo lamented the “ruins wrought by murderous hatred.”

He invited Christians to share with others “the love of Jesus that illumines and lifts up humanity.”

The Rosary for Peace will be held during the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality, which takes place on

October 11 and 12. The two days also mark the 63rd anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, which Pope St. John XXIII opened on October 11, 1962.

The original image of Our Lady of Fatima will be in St. Peter’s Square for the rosary prayer and the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality. Devin Watkins/Vatican News via CBCP News

Muslims portrayed as ‘terrorists’ or ‘fanatics’ on shows, but recent storytelling is changing that narrative

FOR over a century, Hollywood has tended to portray Muslim men through a remarkably narrow lens: as terrorists, villains or dangerous outsiders. Shows such as “24” and “Homeland” to procedural dramas such as “Law and Order,” this portrayal has seldom allowed for complexity or relatability.

Such depictions reinforce Orientalist stereotypes—a colonial worldview that treats cultures in the East as exotic, irrational or even dangerous.

However, recent years have seen a noticeable increase in Muslim-led storytelling across platforms in the US and UK. While still a minority, these stories depart from decades of misrepresentation.

As a scholar of Islam and gender who has conducted research on masculinity, sexuality and national belonging in Muslim entertainment media, I analyze a new wave of critically acclaimed shows where Muslim characters are at the center of the narrative.

Historical stereotypes SCHOLAR of media and race

Jack Shaheen has documented the systematic vilification of Arabs and Muslims in Western media.

In his 2001 book “Reel Bad Arabs,” he analyzed over a thousand films and found that the vast majority depicted Arab and Muslim men almost exclusively as fanatics, oil-rich villains and misogynists.

More recently, a 2021 study from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative looked at 200 popular movies and found that Muslim characters were either completely missing or shown as violent.

Despite the consistency of negative representations

of Muslims on television following the rise in Islamophobia, the post-9/11 climate actually saw the introduction of more diverse Muslim characters. Such portrayals promoted the idea of the US as a tolerant, liberal society.

Scholar of popular culture Evelyn Alsultany writes that Hollywood introduced Muslim characters who were often lawabiding citizens or patriotic allies.

She explains that despite these positive attempts, these characters were still depicted in simplistic ways, as either “good Muslims” or “bad Muslims.”

The “good Muslim/bad Muslim” framework was coined by scholar of post-colonialism Mahmood Mamdani to describe how Muslims are understood across this binary. The “good Muslims” distance themselves from their faith and align themselves with Western liberal values to gain acceptance.

Expanding on this theme, Islamic studies scholar Samah Choudhury explains how the mainstream success of South Asian Muslim male comedians—such as Hasan Minhaj, Kumail Nanjiani and Aziz Ansari—are shaped by their adoption of secular ideals. Even so-called positive characters, such as Muslim FBI agents or loyal informants in shows like “NCIS” or “Homeland,” ultimately served to normalize state surveillance and justify the global war on terrorism, a global campaign initiated by the US following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

These brown and sometimes Black Muslim characters are portrayed as “good” only when aligned with US state power.

Effort in contemporary television

HULU’S comedy drama series “Ramy” is a milestone in Muslim storytelling. Created by actorcomedian Ramy Youssef, the series, which debuted in 2019, follows a young EgyptianAmerican Muslim navigating family, faith and relationships in New Jersey.

Ramy is devoid of storylines about national security. Instead, the show foregrounds its main character’s grappling with religiosity, dating and identity.

Moreover, as I have argued elsewhere, the protagonist’s religious devotion is never a punchline but a part of his everyday experience.

For instance, Ramy prays five times a day—at the mosque and at home, fasts during Ramadan, and abstains from alcohol as a matter of Islamic observance.

At the same time, he also partakes in hookup culture and wrestles with guilt for falling short of Islamic ideals.

By showcasing this duality, the show illuminates internal debates within American Muslim communities, including on gendered norms around marriage and sexual ethics.

Across the Atlantic, the

BBC comedy series “Man Like Mobeen,” created by comedianactor Guz Khan, offers a layered portrayal of Muslim life in inner-city Birmingham, England.

The show follows Mobeen, a reformed British Pakistani gangster, striving and often failing to leave his criminal past behind and live as a devout Muslim while raising his teenage sister.

The show explores the struggles of the working class.

It situates Muslim communities within broader class and racial dynamics whereby workingclass Black and brown men are vulnerable to racial profiling by law enforcement and gang violence.

With incisive and dark humor, it challenges British racism against Muslims and offers social and political commentary on UK society. This includes critiques of British far-right movements and their racism, as well as the failures of the National Health Service.

Muslim women on screen

THE flip side of stereotypical portrayals of Muslim men as violent and misogynist is the equally reductive portrayal of Muslim women as passive or

oppressed.

When Muslim women appear on screen, they are often presented as submissive or “liberated” only by a white nonMuslim male romantic interest. This process of liberation usually involves removing their hijab or distancing themselves from Islam.

A refreshing departure from such storytelling norms can be found in the British Channel 4 comedy “We Are Lady Parts,” created by filmmaker and writer Nida Manzoor, which debuted in 2021.

The show follows an allfemale Muslim punk band in London. The bandmates are funny, creative and rebellious. While they defy Western views of Muslim women, they do not appear to be written solely to shatter stereotypes.

They reflect the contradictions that many Muslims live with, juggling faith, identity and politics in their music.

The band’s songs include feminist themes but are diverse, subverting Islamophobic stereotypes against women with humor with songs like “Voldemort Under My Headscarf,” or lusting after a love interest in “Bashir with the good beard.”

The band members are also often seen engaged in ritual prayer together, a unified display of worship among women who otherwise have very different personalities, fashion sensibilities and goals in life.

The show also addresses queerness, Islamophobia and intergenerational conflict with nuance and humor.

I explore all of these themes in further detail in my forthcoming book, in which I examine how this new wave of Muslim media offers insights about the lived religious

experiences of American and British Muslims.

Narrative authority

WHAT unites these series is their rejection of reductive and stereotypical narratives. Muslim characters in these shows are not defined by violence, trauma or assimilation. Nor do they serve as spokespeople for all Muslims; they are written as flawed and evolving individuals.

This wave of nuanced portrayals of Muslim life includes other recent productions, such as Netflix’s 2022 series “Mo” and Hulu’s 2025 reality series “Muslim Matchmaker,” which centers real people whose lives and romantic journeys showcase American Muslim life in authentic ways.

Muslims in the show are depicted as having various professions, levels of faith and life experiences. These series and their creators signal that real progress comes when Muslim voices are telling their own stories, not simply reacting to the gaze of outsiders or the pressures of political headlines. By foregrounding daily ritual, spiritual aspiration and even awkwardness and desire, “Ramy,” “Man Like Mobeen” and “We Are Lady Parts” all refuse the burden of “representation.”

By moving away from the binary of “threatening other” versus “assimilated citizen,” this new wave of media challenges the legacy of Orientalism. Instead, they offer characters who reflect the complex realities of Muslim lives that are messy, joyful and evolving. Tazeen M. Ali, Washington

PEOPLE take shelter inside the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Salvation in Joroan, Albay, on September 25. Parish churches across the Bicol region were opened to evacuees ahead of Severe Tropical Storm Opong’s expected landfall. PHOTO FROM JOROAN CHURCH/FACEBOOK

Asean Champions of Biodiversity Media Category 2014

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

Biodiversity Sunday

ACB celebrates remarkable 2 decades of safeguarding the region’s natural wealth

By Jonathan L. Mayuga

THE Asean Centre for Biodiversity marked its 20th founding anniversary with the theme

“ACB@20: Nature, Nations, Next Generations.”

Cumulating its three-day celebration at a hotel in Muntinlupa City on Thursday, ACB highlighted its partnerships and cooperation among the Asean member states, the Asean Secretariat, dialogue and development partners, media and various sectors in promoting the conservation and sustainable management of the region’s biological diversity resources over the past 20 years.

The event was graced by officials and representatives of Asean member states, and the ACB’s partner agencies in the Philippines, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

DENR officials present were Undersecretary for Legal and Administration Ernesto Adobo; Undersecretary Jonas R. Leones, for Policy, Planning, and International Affairs and an ACB Governing Board member; and Anson Tagtag, chief of the Wildlife Resources Division of the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau.

Former ACB executive director Roberto Olivia, currently the president of the Society of Filipino Foresters, also graced the event.

ACB bestowed certificates of appreciation to former DENR secretary Ramon J. P. Paje, and former DFA secretary Delia Albert, who became a director general of Asean, when the seeds of creating the ACB are still being planted.

Asean Secretary General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn congratulated the ACB through a video message.

Communicating biodiversity

AS part of the celebration, ACB’s media partners, including the BusinessMirror, were awarded with certificates of appreciation in recognition of their role in communicating the importance of safeguarding the region’s biological resources to a wide range of audiences.

The only newspaper with a dedicated biodiversity page, the BusinessMirror, was recognized for providing news and information about the importance of protecting and conserving the country’s rich biodiversity.

The BusinessMirror was awarded in November 2014 the ACB Asean Champion of Biodiversity Media Category for publishing biodiversity articles as part of the paper’s strong commitment to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

Asean coordinating body

ESTABLISHED in 2005, the ACB is Asean’s response to the challenge of biodiversity

loss. Over the years, it has developed into a center of excellence, while continuously facilitating cooperation and coordination among its 10 Asean member states: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The ACB promotes the sustainable use of biological diversity, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of natural wealth and treasures. and implement various programs and activities that promote biodiversity conservation in the Asean.

Hosted by the Philippines, the ACB maintains its headquarters at the foot of Mt. Makiling, within the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve in Los Banos, Laguna, one of ACB’s Asean Heritage Parks (AHP), an ACB flagship program that recognizes the “best of the best” protected areas in Southeast Asia.

The AHP network is composed of diverse terrestrial, marine, and wetland protected areas chosen for their outstanding biological and conservation significance.

From its original 11 to a total of 69 today in the region’s 10 member states, the AHP network symbolises the strength and unity of “One Asean’’ cooperation and its commitment to protect and restore its shared natural heritage.

The following is the list of the current AHPs: Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park, Ao Phang-Nga-Mu Ko Surin-Mu Ko Similan National Park, Ba Be National Park, Bach Ma National Park, Bai Tu Long National Park, Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park, Bidoup Nui-Ba National Park, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve; Chu Mom Ray National Park, Con Dao Marine Protected Area, Endau-Rompin Johor National Park, Gunung Leuser National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park Hat Chao Mai National Park and Mu Ko Libong Non-hunting Area, Hkakaborazi National Park, Hoang Lien Sa Pa National Park, Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, Inlay Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaeng Krachan

Forest Complex, Kepulauan Seribu National Park, Kerinci-Seblat National Park, Khao Sok National Park,, Khao Yai National Park, Kinabalu National Park, Kon Ka Kinh National Park. Lampi Marine National Park, Lo Go-Xa Mat National Park, Lorentz National Park, Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary.

Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, Mt. Apo Natural Park, Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Mt. Inayawan Range Natural Park, Mt. Kitanglad Range NaturaI Park, Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park, Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park, Mts. Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument, Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park, Nam Ha National Protected Area, Nat Ma Taung National Park.

Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, Pasonanca Natural Park, Preah Monivong (Bokor) National Parkl Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Taman Negara National Park. Tarutao National Park, Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, U Minh Thuong National Park, Virachey National Park, Vu Quang National Park, Wakatobi National Park, and Way Kambas National Park.

Searca bats for inclusive blue economy to combat coastal poverty

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—A Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) seminar underscored the pressing need for coastal communities in Southeast Asia to be integrated into national and local development strategies through the blue economy.

The Agriculture and Development Seminar Series on August 20 that featured Dr. Ma. Carmen AblanLagman from De La Salle University presented insights on rethinking coastal poverty amid emerging economic opportunities.

Ablan-Lagman emphasized that Southeast Asia’s oceans possess immense potential for sustainable growth that is both inclusive and equitable.

Titled “From Margins to Mainstream: Rethinking Coastal Poverty in the Age of the Blue Economy,” her presentation underscored the necessity for interdisciplinary collaboration in developing innovative solutions for the communities.

“Critical thinking is very hard to develop in a room full of people from the same discipline,” noted Ablan-Lagman, challenging attendees—students, researchers, and government officials alike—to embrace diverse viewpoints.

She highlighted that while the ocean economy in the Philippines has been expanding at nearly double the national growth rate of 9.9 percent, its contribution to the country’s GDP remains alarmingly low at only 3.6 percent to 3.9 percent.

Ablan-Lagman pointed out that many coastal residents in the region continue to face persistent poverty, vulnerable to low incomes and unpredictable climate impacts.

“Despite being situated next to rich marine resources, small-scale fishers and aquaculture workers remain largely excluded from the development process,” she said, citing structural and multi-generational aspects of poverty driven by economic marginalization and policy neglect.

To address these systemic challenges, she proposed actionable strategies for fostering a transformative blue economy.

Her recommendations included enhancing value chain processes, implementing certifications to improve product quality and market access, and leveraging digital platforms to connect fishers directly with consumers, thereby reducing reliance on exploitative intermediaries.

Celebrating milestones

AS part of its celebrations, the ACB opened its grounds for local merchants through a biodiversity marketplace, showcasing various food and non-food products.

The men and women of the ACB held a fun run together with members of the Los Baños community.

Its first eco-couture fashion show showcased unique masterpieces of promising and creative youth designers and models.

Harmony

for biodiversity

IN his message at the event, ACB Executive Director Jerome L. Montemayor said the ACB, which began as a regional project in the Philippines, has grown to become a regional technical and scientific cooperation and support center for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the global blueprint for living in harmony with nature by 2050.

“I am honored to serve as the executive director of the ACB during this time. With all of its expertise and resources

dedicated to the mission of putting a halt to biodiversity loss right in the middle of the implementation of global biodiversity goals and targets and in safeguarding the region’s natural wealth, which serves as the backbone of the livelihood of local communities in the Asean Region,” Montemayor said.

He underscored the need for closer collaboration with the various partners of ACB to achieve the aspirations toward a greener, more prosperous, and happier Asean region, with a more developed economy and thriving biodiversity.

“The past two decades of the ACB have been remarkable, but the years that lie ahead,” he said, “are more exciting chapters,” saying that the ACB’s 20th anniversary is “not simply just a milestone anniversary, but a testament to the strength of our partnership.”

Protecting way of life

IN a media interview during the event, Montemayor said that for the past 20 years, the ACB has worked to protect and conserve biodiversity. “But it’s not only biodiversity, it’s also for the Filipinos, in general, to boost their livelihood and way of life,” he said in Filipino.

The ACB chief said biodiversity is like a web, wherein a single strand is easy to break. But together, he said, biodiversity helps regulate climate. Not only the plants and animals, but also their important ecosystem functions, like the capacity to absorb carbon.

“If biodiversity is destroyed, wildlife will also be lost. That’s why we must nurture our trees. The best time to plant trees was tomorrow. The next best time to plant trees is today. But not only forests, but our wetlands, too,” he said.

Whole of society

ACCORDING to Montemayor, protecting and conserving biodiversity requires a whole society approach, and it requires the collaboration of all stakeholders, highlighting the importance of multistakeholder partnership for it to work.

“This celebration is about recognizing our partnership with various stakeholders,” he said.

Montemayor said in protecting and conserving biodiversity, every contribution—whether big or small—will go a long way.

“It doesn’t matter if you contributed a big amount or a small amount. What is important is that you contributed. If not money, you can contribute your talent, say through art, or music,” he explained.

Shared mission

REPRESENTING Environment Secretary

Raphael P.M. Lotilla, Undersecretary for Legal and Administration Ernesto Adobo congratulated the ACB for two decades of outstanding work in advancing biodiversity conservation across the region.

“The theme ‘Harmony for Biodiversity’ resonates deeply with our shared mission,” Adobo said.

Living with harmony, he said, is not merely a poetic ideal, but an urgent necessity.

“The challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, and unsustainable resource use demand that we reimagine our relationship with the natural world and act collectively to safeguard it,” he said.

Unifying platform

ADOBO said for the past 20 years, the ACB has stood as a unifying platform for Asean member states, policymakers, scientists, communities, and development partners.

“You have nurtured partnerships that remind us that the conservation of biodiversity is not the work of governments alone but as a shared responsibility across sectors—among youth, women, indigenous people, local communities, the business sector, and the media,” he said.

Adobo said that as the host country of the ACB, the Philippines takes great pride in being part of the continuing journey, and affirmed the DENR’s commitment to work closely with ACB.

Eton Properties helps restore Mt. Makiling forest with ACB

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—Over 50 employee volunteers from Eton Properties left their desks and laced up their boots to join the Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) in a tree-planting and biodiversityrestoration activity on Mt. Makiling.

The initiative is part of “Beyond Green,” Eton’s sustainability strategy that began as a campaign and evolved into the company’s framework for environmental, social, and governance integration.

Beyond Green reflects how Eton Properties, the real estate arm of the Lucio Tan Group, is embedding sustainability into every part of its business—from building communities to engaging with its employees, clients, and partners.

The movement has grown into a structured sustainability strategy that tackles environmental stewardship,

responsible business practices, and social impact.

Mt. Makiling was a fitting site to bring this commitment to life. At the Makiling Botanic Gardens inside the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Eton volunteers planted native and endangered tree species, including the ‘kalingag,” or Philippine cinnamon that is endemic to the Philippines.

Beyond symbolic, the activity directly contributed to biodiversity restoration in one of the country’s most important watersheds.

Besides planting, volunteers embarked on a guided trail through the foothills of Mt. Makiling, led by ACB Executive Director Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor, who shared insights on native trees, medicinal plants, and local wildlife. ACB, likewise, conducted a learning

session on how biodiversity conservation supports watershed health, climate resilience, and community well-being.

“This effort goes beyond planting trees. It’s about protecting ecosystems and inspiring our volunteers to preserve the natural world for generations to come,” said Ar. Adrian Chua, COO of Eton Properties.

Mt. Makiling is recognized as an Asean Heritage Park, part of a regional network of areas of exceptional biodiversity value. Other Philippine sites with this distinction include Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park in Negros Oriental, Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary in Tawi-Tawi, and Apo Reef Natural Park in Occidental Mindoro.

“Mt. Makiling is a vital watershed and biodiversity haven. Through our partnership with ACB, Eton Properties is honored to help protect this

irreplaceable natural treasure and safeguard its benefits for generations to come,” said Che C. Mutuc, chief finance officer and chief risk officer of Eton Properties.

For Donna Kristine B. Salgado, AVPhead of Marketing, PR and Corporate Communications, and Sustainability and ESG officer of Eton Properties, Beyond Green is the company’s bridge between purpose and progress.

“‘We are Eton. We Go Beyond.’ is more than a tagline. It is our pledge to build responsibly and sustainably. Beyond Green began as a campaign but has now become our full sustainability strategy, guiding how we create spaces, engage with communities, and protect the environment. True progress means ensuring that what we build today safeguards the natural heritage and future of the communities we serve,” Salgado said.

THE BusinessMirror receives a certificate of appreciation during ACB’s 20th anniversary as one of the center’s media partners. The certificate is handed by ACB Executive Director Jerome L. Montemayor (second from left) and ACB Director for Communications Pamela Rebloda (left) to Biodiversity Editor Lyn B. Resurreccion and reporter Jonathan L. Mayuga. The BusinessMirror was awarded in November 2014 the ACB Asean Champion of Biodiversity Media Category.

ROY DOMINGO

IN the days after Alas Pilipinas played its thrilling fiveset heart-stopper in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, coach Angiolino Frigoni could be seen roaming the halls of the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Italian mentor chats with former players and fellow coaches, obliges selfie seekers, and watches the matches with laser-sharp focus.

Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara was visibly pleased to see the 71-year-old coach so immersed in the action, saying it was a testament to true coaching spirit.

“Look at Angiolino, why is he watching, because he said ‘Maybe my technique is old. These are new young coaches, maybe there’s something new,’” Suzara said. “You see, Frigoni is a three-time Olympic coach, that’s how coaches should be.”

Suzara renewed calls for collegiate and professional coaches alike to not just witness the spectacle but to engage with the top foreign tacticians in the global volleyball spectacle.

“I hope coaches in the PVL [Premier Volleyball League], in the UAAP [University Athletic Association of the Philippines] would watch and see the new level of men’s volleyball or volleyball in general.

“This is the opportunity for them to be part of the team, you can talk to Karch Kiraly, all the coaches,” Suzara said.

“I hope they realize, having the world championship, they should be involved not just watching.”

Iran showcases resilience IRAN showcased its resilience for the second straight game, carving out another five-set victory— this time against higher-ranked Serbia—to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

The Iranians became the last Asian nation standing in the tournament after outlasting hosts Philippines in their final poolphase game in another nail-biter last Thursday, 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 22-20, to advance to the Round of 16.

While being dragged to the limit might worry some teams, Iran head coach Roberto Piazza saw it as an opportunity for his squad to demonstrate its character.

“Worried? No. I remember one player telling me during the game against the Philippines, ‘Coach, don’t be worried.’ I’ve never been worried in my life. We prepared the team—and all the coaches— to reach this level, to be able to play three games in a row. This is the mindset we are using in the tournament,” Piazza said after their 23-25, 25-19, 24-26, 25-22, 15-9 win over Serbia at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“These five-setters are the experiences we need to learn on the court. We have 11 completely new players, and until now, they are still not fully able to understand my volleyball language. That’s why I’m a little disappointed in them,” he added.

Piazza’s disappointment stemmed from his belief that the World No. 16 Iranians are capable of performing much better than they have shown so far in the 32-nation tournament.

Aldrin Quinto

Frigoni and Co. serve up global playbook

Remarkably, 10 of the 32 teams at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in the Philippines are led by Italian coaches.

By Aldrin Quinto

FROM Milan to Manila, brilliant tacticians are shaping the future of volleyball.

With a deep-rooted volleyball culture, Italy has become a hotbed for coaching talent, exporting its expertise across continents. The influence is undeniable, with a strong domestic league featuring multiple tiers—from the elite SuperLega, regarded as the world’s top professional league, to regional and provincial competitions.

ZANINI and Gianlorenzo Blengini embody the Italian coaching legacy. WWW.PHILIPPINESWCH2025.COM

Remarkably, 10 of the 32 teams at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in the Philippines are led by Italian coaches. Even in the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Thailand just weeks ago, eight Italian coaches battled it out on the sidelines. At the Mall of Asia Arena and the Smart Araneta Coliseum, these brilliant volleyball minds showcased the best of men’s volleyball.

Ferdinando De Giorgi and Italy are eyeing a championship repeat, while Gianlorenzo Blengini has put Bulgaria

in the title hunt.

Andrea Giani leads France, Camilo Placi calls the shots for Tunisia, Marco Bonitta is at the helm for Egypt, Roberto Piazza directs Iran, Fabio Soli steers Slovenia, Emanuele Zanini oversees Belgium, while Paolo Montagnani takes charge of Colombia.

Alas Pilipinas, of course, has stamped its mark on the world stage with the veteran Angiolino Frigoni calling the shots.

The Business Mirror spoke with elite coaches about their leadership styles, philosophies and the methodologies that have helped propel their teams to success.

contenders, emphasized the importance of adapting to each team’s unique form.

“It is not the ‘Italian style,’ it’s not that,” Frigoni, former assistant coach of the Italian men’s national team and former head coach of the Italian women’s team, said.

“I coach different from Roberto Piazza, and other coaches have their own way,” he added.

The 71-year-old coach, a veteran of countless top-tier competitions including the Olympics and World League, said the key “for any coach” is to recognize strengths and limitations to chart a path forward.

Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said the Italian coaching influence has been transformatiave.

“The advancement of these coaches has helped a lot of national teams,” Suzara, who is also the president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation and executive vice president of volleyball’s world governing body FIVB.

“The coaches are very good with talent identification.”

“My experience in FIVB, the Italian coaches are really very good. Of course there are the top Brazilian and Serbian coaches, other nationalities as well, but I find the Italian coaches, they’re expensive but they’re really very good.”

Starting as the team with the second-lowest world ranking in the 32-team field—written off as mere participants with a slim chance of earning one set—Alas Pilipinas proved its worth by delivering performances worthy of global respect, getting within a whisker of the Round of 16.

FIVB head on Alas Pilipinas: They rock!

ALAS PILIPINAS drew the admiration of FIVB President Fabio Azevedo after the

delivered a few surprises in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship during the preliminary phase. Ranked the lowest at No. 89 among the 32 teams at the start of the tournament, Alas stunned Egypt with a four-set victory in their Pool A match before narrowly falling short of a five-set win against Iran that would have secured them a ticket to the Round of 16. Shortly after Alas Pilipinas exited, Azevedo spoke highly of their performance.

“Hey, those guys, they rock. I would say that those guys, they were brilliant. It was the most amazing surprise we got here during the world championship,” he said.

“Those boys, they are legends in the country. They are heroes. And they must be celebrated,” he added, noting that the squad’s victory over Egypt boosted the Philippines to No. 77 in the world rankings.

WHILE the rest of Team Chile had already returned home following their 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship campaign, Noe Aravena and his family decided to stay a little longer to explore and experience the Philippines. Aravena, Chile’s second-leading scorer in the global tournament, traveled to El Nido, Palawan, with his mother and brother before returning to Manila just in time for the quarterfinals. He plans to watch the remainder of the competition up to the championship match on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Defending champion Italy will face World No. 1 Poland in the semifinals, while Czechia takes on Bulgaria in the other bracket on Friday. For Aravena, watching the world’s best is an opportunity to accelerate his growth as a player. “It’s highly important—I can learn a lot of things from these guys. They’ve been playing for a long time and they’re really good players. For an athlete like me, just watching the sport I play is valuable because I can learn and study,” said the Chilean indoor and beach volleyball national team member. www.philippineswch2025.com CHILE’S second-leading scorer Noe Aravena is a fan favorite. WWW. PHILIPPINESWCH2025.COM

“My brother and my mother came here to watch me, so we already planned a little vacation. We went to El Nido, Palawan, and we just came back to Manila today,” said Aravena on Thursday during the USA-Bulgaria quarterfinal match. “El Nido was good—a bit rainy, but still good. Still amazing, still a very beautiful place, and I recommend it for people to go,” added the 6-foot-2 outside spiker. With his vacation over, the 23-year-old Aravena now looks to maximize his time in Manila by learning from the teams still battling in the World Championship.

Volleyball Academy

EMANUELE ZANINI, whose coaching resume spans five national federations having served four before taking on his current role with Belgium, says the league structure in Italy has become an academy of sort where coaches develop a comprehensive approach to the sport.

“The ‘Italian school’ for sure, we have a lot of coaches in the world,” Zanini, who had previously worked with the national volleyball federations of Italy, Slovakia, Turkiye and Croatia, said.

“Because we have the background, a solid foundation…our league is very high, so the preparation of the coach should be very efficient, detailed.”

Gianlorenzo Blengini, who has steered Bulgaria to the Final Four in the 2025 World Championship, agreed that the system breeds excellence.

“I think that everyone is speaking about Italian coaches around the world, not only in national teams but also important clubs, because we in Italia we have a very big league and the coaches are able to manage pressure at high level,” Blengini said.

Italian methodology

ANGIOLINO FRIGONI, who has helped steer Alas Pilipinas from dreamers to

After a jittery start that resulted in a loss to Tunisia, Alas Pilipinas came up with a resounding four-set victory over African champion Egypt. They wound up a point away from the knockout rounds, battling to the last rally before getting edged out by Iran in a five-set thriller.

Global Italian playbook

WHILE Gianlorenzo Blengini

acknowledges that Italy’s rich volleyball heritage—the golden era had its roots in the late ’80s—has influenced coaching philosophies, he says it is very much a world game now.

“I think that volleyball now is much more global,” Blengini said.

“Italia is a country with a very big tradition not only for the coaches but in particular for the players, and it’s normal that like in other sports in other countries, we are so requested.”

“But there are so many good coaches outside Italy and around the world.”

Coaching background is a factor, Blengini said, but any teacher must earn their impact.

“Most important is the time to develop these national teams.”

Frigoni concluded that the ultimate driver of success is still the athlete.

“It’s still the player, who decides his fate. A player will never improve if he doesn’t want to.”

Despite the heartbreak of their close loss to Iran, the FIVB president stressed that the Philippines must continue working to further develop the program.

More than just celebrating the current players, Azevedo believes their dream run will inspire the next generation of Filipino athletes.

“Keep going. Keep playing. Keep engaging. [To the] new generation, play our sport. Whatever kind of volleyball, whatever kind of action of keeping a ball in the air is considered our sport,” he said.

“So to the young generation, be inspired by your national team. Be assured that very soon you can be playing those big events everywhere in the world. Sport has the power of bringing people together. And togetherness and collaboration are everything we need for the future. So keep going.”

Azevedo earlier declared the Philippines’ first-time and solo hosting of the world championship a perfect 10.

“It is 10 out of 10,” he said of the Local Organizing Committee. “The way they worked from the beginning, preparing every single detail of the world championships and being absolutely focused and concerned about the quality and persistence up to the service towards our athletes,” Azevedo said. “So, our athletes, they are 100 percent satisfied.” www.philippineswch2025.com

ANGIOLINO FRIGONI did the improbable for Alas Pilipinas in the world championship.

EMANUELE

IMPOSTOR SYNDROME:

The cost of being ‘superwoman’ at work and beyond

2

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 | soundstrip.businessmirror@gmail.com

GROWING UP TOGETHER

Lola Amour reflects on

sacrifices, inspiration, and pursuit of a dream career

Story by Justine Xyrah Garcia

For almost a decade, Lola Amour has grown up together—first as friends in college, then as musicians figuring out how to turn a hobby into a livelihood, and now as a band navigating the weight of mainstream success.

And even if some members have already left along the way, the journey has always been about persistence, adaptation, and learning to become adults alongside their music.

Hours before their recent Love on Loop album concert at One Ayala, the group looked back on that road and the lessons it taught them.

For frontman Pio Dumayas, the contrast could not be more stark.

“I guess most chomping block of when things changed was when Raining in Manila and Fallen started to get big. Before that, pre-pandemic, we were just college kids doing gig on weekends… lugi pa…The transportation was more expensive than the [talent fee],” Pio told BusinessMirror’s SoundStrip and other media organizations.

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“It was just a hobby at that time. And then when the band got bigger and our songs started to reach more people, I think we had to learn how to… not just be adults individually but become a band that behaves like an adult. I think that was the biggest change.”

That leap—turning from friends into professionals almost overnight—wasn’t seamless.

The band’s trumpet play Angelo Mesina described it as a matter of commitment.

“We’re just doing this on the side, playing music every weekend only, and we have to dedicate more of our time to schedule our lives around the band, not around their lives. It’s really giving most of ourselves to the band since it’s demanding more and more from us.”

Even with bigger crowds and wider reach, the grind hasn’t gone away.

The band carried its own equipment during school tours so as not to burden students, and performed for audiences as small as a few hundred.

“We wanted to promote our album to the people who didn’t know about it. We also wanted to reach yung mga estudyante naming mga audiences kasi we understand that it’s also hard for students to be able to watch our shows kasi gabi kami at minsan sa mga bar or private shows,” Pio shared.

Persistence, not scale, was what kept them moving forward.

The next step

For lead guitarist Zoe Gonzales, the source of energy to keep going came from watching how their songs evolved.

“There’s always a next step, and the pursuit of that next step is just what keeps us going all the time,” he said.

“For me, feeling that our songs have changed in the last years—that’s what keeps us going.”

Pio agreed, framing it as a matter of both career and personal fulfillment.

“I think it’s just seeing how far we can go because for most people who want to pursue music, this is a dream job. And to make the most of what we can with this career, I think that’s what inspires me to be able to reach audiences and be able to be part of their lives,” he added.

Moments with fans also remind them of that purpose.

The music itself has become part of those cycles of connection.

The band shared how strangers sometimes approach them just to say that a song of theirs changed the way they see life.

Those moments, where personal stories loop back to the band, affirmed the decision to write songs that were more personal and vulnerable than ever before.

Writing on Loop

That sense of evolution is central to Love on Loop, which pushed the band to open up more than ever.

Pio described the writing process as unusually personal: “We sat down and talked about ano ba yung pinagdaanan or napagdaanan ng isang band. And we really focused on understanding each other. Yung problema muna bago isulat yung kanta.”

The album yielded favorites that varied across the group.

Bassist Manu Dumayas and Zoe chose “Love on Loop,” a stylistic departure that captures love as a cycle.

“Something that we’ve never done before, and that’s such an exciting thing for me,” Manu said.

Pio, meanwhile, emphasized how each track deepens in meaning within the album’s linear storytelling.

Still, their reflections weren’t just about songs but about lessons learned the hard way.

They had advice for younger bands hoping to follow in their footsteps.

“If you’re already there at the bar gig and you’re not ready, it will actually reduce the chances of you getting another show,” Pio warned.

He recalled their break coming from joining the Wanderland’s battle of the bands in 2017, which gave them a platform to grow.

“A lot of it is just making new friends, knowing people, and then really chasing after… you do it only because you want to perform not just because they are looking for you.”

The press conference ended with Warner Music Philippines presenting Lola Amour with a Diamond Record Award for their singles Fallen and Raining in Manila.

The label hailed both songs as “cultural touchstones” that had resonated with listeners across the Philippines and around the world.

The band’s newest album Love on Loop is now available for streaming on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music. On physical format, the record is also available on CDs and cassettes from Backspacer Records.

Lola Amour photo by Justine Xyrah Garcia

BARING HIS SOUL

Gab Cabangon on debut single, ‘Pieces’

by Vincent Peter Rivera

Despite growing up immersed in the music industry—as the son of a renowned artist and a key figure in discovering new Filipino talents—Gab Cabangon is yet to show his full potential. Now, with his own debut, he’s ready to show the world who he really is.

On September 19, Filipino singer-songwriter Gab Cabangon officially released his debut solo single, “Pieces.”

In an exclusive interview with BusinessMirror, Cabangon shared that the song was originally written during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as an anniversary gift for his thengirlfriend, now wife.

“I remember when I sent a voice memo recording of that song sa kanya, tinawagan niya ‘ko para lang sabihing pinaiyak ko siya,” he recalled.

That touching personal experience was just the beginning. During the pandemic, Cabangon began livestreaming his performances, which included “Pieces,” and was surprised by the audience’s overwhelming response. People told him they related to the song, and this resonated deeply with him as a songwriter.

He saw it as a compliment, realizing that his music had taken on a greater purpose and value, not just for himself but for others as well. This positive reception eventually pushed him to make the song his official first single.

Hoping the song will be a reminder and a source of consolation, Cabangon emphasized a core message: “It’s okay not to be okay. Be kind enough to yourself, let yourself heal, and know that you’re not alone.” Ultimately, he aims to impart

with a concept and with him writing the chorus first. “The chorus was my central idea, and everything else followed,” he said.

While his creative process can vary, with melody sometimes coming first, he noted that for this specific track, it was a case where the concept and lyrics came first.

That clear vision extended to the song production. Gab collaborated with his long-time friend and music director David Lina where they both envisioned that the arrangement of song would best fit as a “movie soundtrack feel.”

The two were inspired by the sounds of artists like John Mayer, especially his “lo-fi” era.

Throughout this process, Cabangon described their partnership as collaborative and disciplined. “We also kind of figured out when to add things and when not. When to let the space speak for the song,” he explained.

For the mixing and mastering, Gab seeks the help of Shadiel “Shad” Chan and Jan Fuertez, whom he considered to be among the producers who have defined the sound of 2020s OPM, a genre that includes artists like Cup of Joe and Dilaw.

He wanted the sophistication of their mixing and mastering to be applied to his song. “Malaking bagay rin talaga when you’re working with people who are very talented enough to pick up ‘yung

so myopic in my approach na parang hindi ako open to others. Like, it was taking everybody’s suggestions.”

He shared that his friends both admired his clear vision and playfully teased him, saying his meticulous process was like “advertising.” This was because everything for the project was so well-planned, from the content plan and visual pegs to the key visuals and mood board.

Staying true to his advocacy

For Gab, releasing his debut single was a significant milestone, a product of which he described as “overcoming a lot of mental humps to get to this point.” As a recording artist and songwriter, he believed his debut is an important step in practicing what he preaches.

He explained: “For the longest time, I worked with PhilPop MusicFest Foundation and Organisasyon ng Pilipino Mang-Aawit (OPM) and I always encouraged originality in Filipino music. Pero it would seem very hypocritical na hindi ako gumawa ng sarili kong music.”

With the necessary resources and experiences he has gathered over the years, Cabangon felt he had “no excuse” not to release music. He took to heart the advice of fellow musician Jim Paredes, who said that when facing creative blocks, “you just have to show up.”

Ultimately, Cabangon hopes to be remembered as someone who is proud of and will always advocate for Filipino music.

“I think Filipino music has given so much for me on so many levels,” he said with gratitude. “I am passionate about my songwriting and my music. It’s a bonus na lang sa akin if people are able to relate to the songs that I write.”

Braving his own path

The release of Cabangon’s solo debut single marked

a crucial moment to his artistry. While many in the indie scene know him as a member of the band, KE, and a music advocate, he felt that this is his chance to officially introduce himself as a singer-songwriter.

“This entire process that I’m going through is really the first time na talagang maririnig ako as a recording artist,” he said. “So this is really me baring my soul.”

With his family’s legacy, Gab admitted he’d be lying if he said he didn’t feel any pressure. “I’ll be the first to admit na there is definitely that pressure because, siyempre, ‘yung tatay ko is regarded by many as a legend in our industry.”

However, the heaviest pressure, he explained, comes from his own personal desire to be a good artist. “I also want to be able to earn people’s respect through my music and not just because I ended up having the last name of another singersongwriter.”

With the release of Pieces, Gab Cabangon has truly braved his own path and bared his soul for all to hear. This debut is more than just a single; it is a profound declaration that his journey as a recording artist has officially begun and an assurance to his listeners that this is just the beginning of his new artistic chapter as a singer-songwriter.

Gab Cabangon

The cost of being ‘superwoman’ at work and beyond Through the looking glass of post-grad life

By Zuzanna Staniszewska & Géraldine ESCP Business School

NOWADAYS,

media often celebrate the “girlboss,” the entrepreneur who works 80-hour weeks to build her brand and success while maintaining flawless family lives.

These cultural ideals create the illusion that women in leadership are more empowered than ever. However, our research shows that some of them feel exhausted, constrained by expectations, and pressured to embody an ideal that leaves little space for vulnerability. This tension is linked to a relatively new form of feminism that may not be as empowering as it purports to be.

‘Neoliberal feminism’

THE term was first introduced by media and cultural studies scholar Catherine Rottenberg in 2013. She used it to describe the growing fusion between a form of feminism focused on individual empowerment and the logic of neoliberal rationality, which holds, according to political theorist Wendy Brown, that “all aspects of life should be understood in economic terms.”

This strand of feminism acknowledges the persistence of gender inequalities, particularly in the masculine-dominated world of leadership, but places the responsibility for overcoming them on individual women, urging them to self-optimize and constantly assert their value. But beneath this responsibility lies a new kind of pressure–to not only assert their value to men, but to other women. It fuels what we, combining terms from popular and academic literature, call “superwoman impostor phenomenon”–a sense of not being enough that is caused by conflicting and unrealistic expectations.

To explore this phenomenon, we conducted 20 in-depth interviews between 2022 and 2023 with women in executive roles in France’s luxury sector, a setting that embodies the core expectations of neoliberal femininity: that women should lead, inspire, and look perfect–all within a maledominated leadership context. We asked our subjects about how they build their personal brands, their daily leadership rou-

tines, the kinds of pressures they face, and how they balance professional and personal expectations.

In the preliminary findings of our study, which is currently under peer review, some respondents describe feelings of pride and achievement. Others point instead to fatigue, a sense of isolation, and the pressure to live up to an impossible ideal.

A new version of impostor phenomenon

IMPOSTOR phenomenon refers to a persistent feeling of self-doubt: the belief that you don’t really deserve your success. You might attribute your achievements to luck, good timing or the help of others, rather than your own competence.

The term was coined in the late 1970s by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, based on their work with highachieving women. Since then, impostor phenomenon has been widely recognized (and often called “impostor syndrome.”)

Especially common among women, it typically comes with three parts: feeling like a fraud, fearing discovery, and struggling to believe in personal success, even while working hard to maintain it.

But something has changed. Today, the struggles and fears of women in leadership roles are no longer just about deserving their place, but about being everything at once: a visionary leader, a perfect mother, a supportive partner, an inspiring mentor, a health-conscious marathon runner, a team player who still stands out. What’s striking is that the pressure doesn’t always come from men. More often, women told us, they feared judgement from other women.

Manifestations of superwoman impostor phenomenon

WHAT makes neoliberal feminism, along

with superwoman impostor phenomenon, particularly insidious is that it disguises itself as empowerment.

On the surface, “having it all” appears aspirational. But underneath lies chronic exhaustion. Several women we spoke with told us they work late into the night not because it’s expected, but because they feel they have to just to prove themselves.

The women we spoke with described feeling unsupported by female colleagues, witnessing competition instead of solidarity, and struggling with the weight of doing it all without ever showing vulnerability.

As one woman put it: “Women don’t support other women because they are scared… they might lose their position to someone younger or smarter.”

A call for new narratives

WE can’t fix superwoman impostor phenomenon by teaching women to be more confident, because the issue isn’t a lack of confidence–it’s the impossible standard of always being competent and continually proving one’s value. What needs rethinking is the culture that makes women feel like impostors in the first place. That means recognizing we don’t need perfect role models. We need authentic ones.

The conversation needs to shift from “how can women be more confident?” to “why is confidence required in the first place–and who gets to decide what it looks like?” We need workplaces where women can be vulnerable, authentic and visible all at once. As one executive told us, “there is a need for some kind of mask. But what if I want to take it off?”

It’s time we let her. The Conversation

TBy Persephone Castillejos

HERE was nothing more I could ever dream of than walking down the aisle of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in a black graduation robe and mortarboard.

I remember the first time I stepped into the premises of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) as a 19-year-old college freshman, with nothing in my pocket but aspirations. As someone who was excruciatingly terrified of being isolated, PUP has kept me safe. The College of Communication (COC) building, in particular, made me feel at home for four years.

There, everyone knew everyone. It reminded me that I was never alone—as though there was some kind of communal love shared by everyone. If only the four walls of each COC classroom could talk, they would probably tell about how they have borne witness to the silent whispers of our dreams—of wanting to become writers, researchers, news anchors, advertising professionals, and journalists.

When my time came to march down the halls of PICC, I held my head up high, ready to take on the world. I looked around and saw my parents, classmates, friends, and professors. My heart felt so full that it wanted to explode of pure happiness and gratitude. That day, September 26 2023, was as dreamy as I’ve always thought it would be. It was a cinematic moment where a chapter finds its closure among congratulatory greetings, warm hugs, and the symbolic handing of a diploma that finally sealed the end of an era.

The Existential Spiral

WE are often told that finishing college equates to entering the proverbial “real world.” I tread the murky waters and find myself oscillating between feeling that I am not doing enough and realizing that I have to keep striding despite being afraid of uncertainty.

My inquisitiveness led me to question the life that I am leading, trying to make sense of it all while wanting to be a lot of things. Soon enough, I became a spectator of my own life, from the outside looking in.

Perhaps this is one of the inevitable afflictions of being in an existential spiral: Sometimes, we lose ourselves in the Odyssey of finding ourselves.

Finding Clarity in Ambiguity

TWO years have passed since my college graduation. It’s been two years now of making decisions on my own. One crucial choice that I’ve made is to follow Rainer Maria Rilke’s advice to not seek the answers of the unsolved but to live the questions now. Only then, he said, would we notice that as we live our lives, the puzzle pieces gradually come together to make up the bigger picture, which answers all our questions.

Indeed, a lot can truly happen in a year, or maybe two. Some of the things I used to only daydream about in my college classroom are the life that I am living now. I’ve come to realize that in life, we become too fixated on seeing where we are headed and magnifying the lengths of how far we still have to go. Nonetheless, we should also learn to look back because sometimes we don’t realize how far we have come.

There are lessons hidden in hindsight, only waiting to be unraveled.

As we traverse the path of self-discovery, we may inevitably lose ourselves in the process. However, the point of losing is also the point of gaining. Because, in the end, I know I never wanted to become a stranger to myself. Even in the vastness of life, we will always keep coming back to ourselves, one way or another.

n

n The author is a “twenty-something dreamer” who writes about “lessons that are embedded in the fractals of the thing we call life.”

Cover photo by by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

“ WHAT makes neoliberal feminism, along with superwoman impostor phenomenon, particularly insidious is that it disguises itself as empowerment.” PHOTO BY MART PRODUCTION ON PEXELS.COM

Wine Dine&

A legacy of flavor: Cabalen Group marks 39 years of shared meals and memories

By Candy P. Dalizon Contributor

IN the vibrant culinary landscape of the Philippines, Cabalen revolutionized the way people enjoy Kapampangan cuisine. The brand pioneered the all-you-can-eat buffet concept for Filipino food, presenting an exciting array of freshly cooked, beautifully arranged dishes.

What started as a humble family restaurant has since grown into a powerhouse in the local dining scene. Today, Cabalen operates 45 branches strategically located across Metro Manila, North and South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, bringing the rich, comforting flavors of Pampanga to countless Filipinos nationwide.

For Cabalen’s recent 39th anniversary, renowned restaurateur Maritel Nievera, President and CEO of The Cabalen Group (TCG), praised their dedicated cooks and kitchen staff as the true heroes of the restaurant’s long-standing success.

The celebration was held at Cabalen Eastwood branch on August 27, 2025. Present during the event were Nievera, and other TCG executives led by Ian Tiongson, Vice President for Core Business Unit; Dianne Tiongson, Vice President for Other Business Unit; operations managers, cooks and kitchen staff, and other guests.

Staff acknowledgement NIEVERA acknowledged her staff for their talent, hard work, and dedication, stating that their efforts are the reason customers keep returning and supporting the restaurant.

“Mahalin ninyo ang Cabalen. Angkinin

ninyo ang Cabalen. Have a sense of ownership. Gusto kong malaman ninyo ganun kayo kahalaga sa akin,” said Nievera.

The celebration began with a thanksgiving mass, led by Father Bong Tupino, parish priest of Saint John Paul II Parish in Eastwood City. This was followed by messages from the TCG executives and a quick buffet tour by Cabalen’s Executive Chef, Dustin Casimir Dela Cruz, before lunch.

The buffet table for the anniversary celebration featured Cabalen’s signature dishes and regional specialties, with each dish telling a story that has shaped its legacy. Cabelen’s signature dishes include the all-time favorite Kare Kare, a traditional Filipino stew complimented with a thick savory peanut sauce, and Beef Morcon.

“Our Beef Morcon is festive and indulgent, just perfect for Cabalen’s anniversary celebration. It’s made of beef slices rolled and stuffed with eggs, carrots, and sausage, simmered until the flavors blend together. Every slice reveals a colorful spiral of filling, making it as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat. It’s a holiday dish made available at our unlimited buffet in select Cabalen branches,” said Dela Cruz.

Dela Cruz also highlighted several regional favorites that bring the diverse flavors of the Philippines to customers. From Luzon, he featured Cabalen’s signature Sisig and the carefully crafted Rellenong Bangus. The Visayas were represented by Adobong Nukos, a tangy and savory squid dish, while Mindanao’s rich culinary tradition was showcased with Piaparan a Manok, a flavorful chicken dish made with turmeric and coconut milk.

For a more festive and special celebration, the menu also included Pritchon Batok and Lechon Baka (available at Cabalen’s unlimited buffet as it celebrates its anniversary in select Cabalen branches).

Guests were also treated to two Filipino dessert favorites: a build-your-own Halo-Halo bar and the special Kapampangan delicacy, Tibok-Tibok. Made with fresh carabao’s milk, Tibok-Tibok is a rich, creamy pudding topped with latik (toasted coconut curds). Its name, which means “heartbeat” in Filipino, refers to the gentle trembling of the perfectly cooked pudding. The Dessert Station also offered kakanin or native rice delicacies.

A variety of other counters were also available, including a Salad and Fruits Station, a

MBy Nicole Paler Contributor

ALLS have become our modern town plazas. They are where families stroll on weekends, friends meet after work, milestones are celebrated over food, laughter, and shared memories, and communities come alive. And at the heart of these experiences, just a few steps from the main atrium from a mall at the north of Metro Manila, sits a familiar red-and-white sign: Max’s Restaurant. This year, Max’s and SM celebrate 40 years of partnership, a collaboration that has gone beyond business to become part of Filipino culture. Together, they’ve created not just dining spaces, but stages for family life, shaping rituals that have lasted across generations. My own memories of Max’s go back to my childhood. Sundays often meant going with my mom and dad to novena mass at Baclaran Church, followed by dinner at Max’s. I remember how warm and accommodating the people were. No matter how busy, they always found us seats, and every meal felt like home. The chicken was always on point and always paired with a side of Kamote fries. And if we were feeling indulgent, we would also order some Kare Kare to seal the dinner.

Ube Decadence

of

bite.

Drinks Station, a Soup Station, and an Appetizer Station featuring Crispy Kangkong.

Sarap ng Salu-Salo

BUILDING on the success of its 39th Anniversary celebration in August with the CSR campaign “Piso Para Sa Kabataan,” TCG continued the festivities in September under the unifying theme “Sarap ng Salu-Salo.” This theme was a tribute to the joy of gathering, the timeless bonds built over the years, and the deep-rooted Filipino belief that the best memories are made over shared meals.

“Sarap ng Salu-Salo” brought all Cabalen brands together under one umbrella. While each brand offered its own unique flavors, they shared a single mission which is to make every table a place for stories, laughter, and lasting memories.

For the month of September, TCG had these amazing deals: GROUP Deal 4+1 Free Unlimited Buffet plus a limited-edition Cabalen Book filled with the brand’s storied history and beloved recipes. Mangan Restaurant’s Barkada Boodle Pan, overflowing with Kapampangan favorites made

for sharing for just P1,258.

Soi Thai’s Fiery Thai Steak — tender, juicy cuts marinated in bold umami flavors, served with a zesty-spicy dipping sauce. Tsurumaru Udon X Tempura’s Anniversary Deal — a heartwarming bowl of Japan’s original Wakame udon noodles for P99 only.

A Celebration with a Cause

THE celebration also embraced a deeper purpose with the ongoing Piso Para sa Kabataan CSR campaign, running until the end of the month. Every diner’s visit contributes to this cause, turning each meal into an act of giving and making the initiative a shared community effort.

“Our 39th year is more than just a celebration — it’s about the relationships we’ve built, the milestones we’ve shared and the communities we’ve been part of,” said Nievera,

“Through Sarap ng Salu-Salo, we unite all our brands under one vision — bringing people together — and through Piso Para sa Kabataan, we extend that togetherness to touch lives beyond our tables,” she added.

The Cabalen Group’s portfolio includes Cabalen, Mangan Restaurant, Tsurumaru Udon X Tempura, Soi Thai, Suki-Ya Unlimited Shabu-

About The Cabalen Group FOR decades, The Cabalen Group has been uniting families and friends through the joy of good food and meaningful salu-salo. Its F&B lifestyle brands — Cabalen, Mangan Restaurant, Tsurumaru Udon x Tempura, Soi Thai, Suki-Ya Unlimited Shabu-Shabu, BKK Express and Cerveseria — offer authentic Filipino feasts and flavorful Asian specialties, while its catering and events brands — Cusina Estela and Casa Cabalen Premium Buffet and Events Place — create unforgettable celebrations. Completing its portfolio is P. To Go, with ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat Filipino favorites. Guided by its values, the Group believes that the heart of every gathering is the connections and kindness shared. Through its CSR arm, Cabalen Para Sa Kabataan Foundation, Inc., it extends this spirit by uplifting children and families in need, proving every meal can spark hope. To learn more, visit www.cabalen.com.ph

That first spoonful made me fall in love with Max’s beyond its signature fried chicken.

Now, decades later, I’m the parent bringing my kids to Max’s, celebrating their school awards with my parents, their grandparents by their side. We flip through the menu with the same excitement once had, but our order now has new added favorites like their flavorful Tofu Sisig. Three generations at one table, proof that traditions don’t just stay alive, they grow.

It all began in 1985, when Henry Sy Sr. offered the last available commercial space in the soon-to-open SM City North EDSA to Plaridel Fuentebella, son-in-law of Max’s cofounder Ruby Trota. SM North EDSA thrived, and Max’s gained a powerful new way to reach Filipino families.

“When they grow, we grow,” Fuentebella says. “It’s always been a natural partnership — SM brings communities together, and Max’s provides a place for families to gather over Filipino comfort food.” Four decades later, Max’s has become a familiar presence in SM malls nationwide, offering families the ease of dining where they shop and spend time together.

“From one shared space, the Max’s–SM story has grown into a nationwide footprint,” says Max’s president, Robert F. Trota. “It is a testament to how enduring partnerships can shape industries, enrich communities, and create memories that last a lifetime.”

Mindful innovation

PART of that endurance lies in mindful innovation. Max’s has refreshed its stores with brighter, open designs; experimented with al fresco dining; and introduced collaborations like Yardstick Coffee at SM Southmall. SM has provided not just the locations but the stage for these reinventions, ensuring Max’s stays part of the modern Filipino lifestyle.

But behind every success are the people who make it possible.

There’s Chef Noni Para, who joined Max’s 23 years ago. When he was looking for work, he made himself a promise: “The company that hires me first will also be the one where I retire.” Max’s gave him that chance, and to this day, he keeps his word, cooking the dishes and them being served hot and fresh to the table that have defined Filipino dining traditions.

Primo Lagramada, who has been with

Max’s from the 1980’s is one of the previous supervisors who was able to witness how Max’s grew and the community grew with them. He says Max’s resonates across generations because “I think it’s because Max’s is a family oriented restaurant. The chicken has remained a classic, and our service has never really wavered, treating guests as if they are family as well.” Longevity and loyalty THESE stories show that Max’s longevity isn’t only in its recipes, but also in the loyalty of the people who pour their hearts into every plate. As Max’s and SM mark four decades together,

first domestic benchtop oven capable of reaching 400°C, the temperature required for true Neapolitan-style pizza. Compact yet powerful, it replicates the three types of heat (conductive, radiant, and convective) used by traditional brick ovens in Italy, ensuring

every pizza has the chewiness, char, smoky aroma, and flavors usually found only in pizzerias. Its Element IQ® system, powered by smart algorithms, automatically directs heat where and when it’s needed, guaranteeing consistent results. Whether baking New York, Pan, Thin & Crispy, or even frozen pizza, the Pizzaiolo’s presets and intelligent heat control take the guesswork out of pizza-making.

Thoughtful Features for Perfect Results

THE oven’s conductive heat ensures the base gets that signature char without burning, while its radiant heating elements, assisted by Breville’s patented reflectors, brown the

toppings and cheese evenly without needing to rotate the pizza. Meanwhile, its convective system protects delicate toppings, reflecting just the right amount of heat to the crust for the sought-after leopard spotting loved by pizza enthusiasts. Safety is also prioritized: a double-pane heat-resistant window and multi-material insulation keep the extreme temperatures inside while keeping the exterior safe to touch. Loading and unloading pizzas is easy too, thanks to the oven’s integrated deck-to-door design.

Pizza Nights, Elevated FOR many who joined the masterclass, the event was proof that creating restau -

rant-quality pizza at home is no longer a dream. Breville’s Smart Oven™ Pizzaiolo delivers authentic results in record time, making it perfect not just for family pizza nights but also for entertaining guests with unique, customized pies.

“I think the best thing about the Pizzaiolo is its versatility because it can also be used to prepare other dishes, like grilled veggies. It gives you the confidence to host a pizza party with friends or simply have a nice dinner with your family,” said Masterclass participant Sherriebelle de Leon, whose Four Cheese Pizza

from Chef

a chewy Neapolitan, a deep-dish indulgence, or a thin and crispy

Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Shabu, BKK Express, Cerveseria, Cusina Estela, Casa Cabalen Premium Buffet and Events Place, and P. To Go.

Wine Dine& BusinessMirror

Sunday, September 28, 2025

From Packer to Manufacturer, Tobi Celebrates 60th Anniversary

By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

IN 1965, Andres Go, founder of TMI Food Processing Development Inc. (TMIFPDI), the company behind the Tobi brand of peanuts and other snacks, saw the need to start his own business because his father was not earning enough to support their family. At that time, many in their community made a living by repacking pantry items like sugar and pepper.

After speaking with his father, Andres joined the growing community of tingi-tingi vendors. He would go to Divisoria to buy peanuts, champoy, and other snack items. After dinner, Andres repacked everything by hand, using only a spoon to measure his products, stamping labels, and stapling them onto plastic pouches.

“Thankfully, with the help of Dad’s friend and brother, he was able to start the business with P4,800—P3,800 of which was used to purchase a second-hand jeepney and P1,000 for supplies,” recalled Henderson “Hens” Go, one of Andres’ four children, and President and CEO of TMIFPDI.

Purity Repacking HENS shared that one day, the elder Go visited a supermarket along Mabini Street in Manila and noticed that they did not carry snacks in smaller packs. That gave Andres the idea to offer larger packaging.

“That gave birth to Purity Repacking, and Dad started to partner with Acme Supermarket. Later on, Purity Repacking supplied different supermarkets in Luzon. He kept the tingi-tingi packs for sari-sari stores, while for supermarkets he offered bigger sizes to compete with branded products,” Hens added.

Not long after, Andres met a man from Palawan who offered him

Every plate should tell a story

By Rory Visco Contributor

BEHIND every tempting photo of roasted chicken, glossy pasta, or a perfectly arranged salad lies more than just pretty plating; it’s a story carefully told. Food styling doesn’t just make dishes photogenic; it sets the stage for flavor, memory, and the promise of satisfaction even before taking the first bite.

For Chef Joel Tan Navarro, a chef, food stylist and content creator of the YouTube channel

“When Chef Joel Creates” who has spent years both cooking in kitchens and styling dishes for brands, food styling is as much about honesty as it is about artistry.

“For me, it all boils down to taste,” he says. “No matter how beautiful the styling, if the flavor disappoints, people won’t come back. But styling is powerful, too—it’s the hook, the love at first sight. Taste keeps the relationship going.”

More than meets the eye PEOPLE tend to think of food styling as all about looks, but Joel insists it’s more than decoration. The moment people see a dish, their minds already imagine how it will taste. A photo of bright vegetables or glistening meat can instantly signal freshness, juiciness, and quality.

“Styling is storytelling,” he explains. “It’s like a sensory preview, an invitation that makes people say, ‘Hmm, I want to try that.’” His fascination with presentation began in culinary school, where he would sketch each dish before cooking. Planning how colors, textures, and cuts would come together taught him discipline and vision. Later, while styling more than a hundred bread recipes for a brand, he learned speed mattered, too. “Bread dries out fast,” he recalls. “Every move had to be quick but deliberate.”

That’s why he likens food stylists to fashion designers. “You don’t just drape fabric; you study how it moves and reacts to light,” he narrates. In the same way, stylists must know how food behaves, how long vegetables stay vibrant, how sauces hold up under heat, or how meats glisten or wilt under the camera. “The best food stylists combine artistry, technical skill, and a love of food. We paint with flavors and textures but unlike a canvas, the art is eaten.”

As to whether chefs can be good food stylists, the young chef sees the connection but also the distinction. “Being a chef gives you instincts; you know how food moves, how long

it stays fresh. That’s an advantage,” he says, but reiterates that “styling has its own rules: angles, props, lighting, textures. It’s ideal to master both. As a chef, you perfect taste. As a stylist, you bring the dish to life visually.”

The Instagram effect TODAY, food styling has moved from beyond the realm of cookbooks and billboards but to computer and phone screens as well. Before a dish ever reaches the table, it must first look irresistible online, which means updating the stylist’s toolkit. Lighting is key and natural light should be used whenever possible, to bring out true colors. Angles matter; some dishes demand a flat lay, others come alive in close-up. Movement also plays a starring role—think of a slow pour of sauce, or the snap of crispy skin caught on video. These little moments can stop scrolling thumbs in their tracks. But beyond the tricks, Joel insists there must be heart. “Most importantly, there has to be a story,” he says. Even with humble canned tuna or sardines, he carefully selects the best cuts, plates them thoughtfully, and frames them to highlight why they’re special. “Food isn’t just about how it looks—it’s about showing why it matters. That’s what resonates with people.”

Keeping everything real OF course, Joel said that advertising often calls for perfection: the burger that never slouches, the pasta that never clumps. He admits this can be tricky. “Yes, we want food to look its best, but it has to stay honest. People will eat it, and I don’t want them to feel misled,” he says. His rule: enhance without lying. Crispy chicken must really be crispy. Creamy pasta should truly look creamy. This balance of beauty and truth is, to him, the real responsibility of a food stylist who is also a chef. “I want people to see an ad, order the dish, and say, ‘Yes, this is exactly what I saw.’” And that is why Joel lives by his mantra: Every plate tells a story. In his hands, styling is never just about pretty pictures but about creating an honest first impression that sparks curiosity, builds trust, and, most importantly, keeps people hungry for more.

cashew nuts. He started buying just five kilos at a time, then 10 kilos, and eventually more. Around this time, he developed his own roasted cashews and flavored peanuts, with adobo peanuts being his very first product.

“Throughout Dad’s journey, networking with people was also crucial to his ventures. One foreign company offered him flavorings. In another instance, a Japanese man showed up at our home and offered to make stand-up pouches for his products. A breakthrough came

when Dad introduced the Mexicanstyle peanuts. That product really changed everything for him. From that point on, the business really took off,” Hens said.

Thriving manufacturer SINCE its establishment in 1965, TMIFPDI has successfully transitioned from a small tingi-tingi repacking operation in Sta. Ana, Manila, to a thriving food manufacturing business. Tobi’s manufacturing operations began in Malate in 1970 and later moved to Para-

ñaque in 1980. Over the years, the company carved its niche, offering nuts as ingredients for other food-related products. Today, Tobi has an impressive client base that includes industrial companies, supermarkets, popular fast food chains, five-star hotels, and airline commissaries.

“As Tobi marks its 60th founding anniversary, this is also a momentous occasion to reflect on our rich history built on hard work, persistence, and partnership. Looking back, it is incredible to see how

Pickup Coffee rolls out new app-based loyalty program

By John Eiron R. Francisco

PHILIPPINE

coffee chain

Pickup Coffee has launched Pickup Club, its newest loyalty and rewards program unveiled last September 19, 2025, designed to reward and recognize its growing base of loyal customers.

Matteo Gancayo, head of digital channels, data, and media at Pickup Coffee, told BusinessMirror that the brand remains thankful for its loyal patrons through the years, noting that the newly launched program marks just the beginning of future customer-focused efforts.

L“Hopefully, as we continue with the Pickup Club, we continue to get more members in and bring the best of Pickup to them,” Gancayo said.

The rewards program, available exclusively through the Pickup Coffee app, offers tiered membership

levels—Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Emerald—with benefits that grow the more customers engage. Perks include birthday treats, exclusive merchandise, VIP access, and other special privileges designed to celebrate frequent customers.

Gancayo explained that the design of the program drew inspiration not only from the food and beverage sector but also from loyalty models in other industries, with the goal of making the benefits more relevant to their market.

Pickup Coffee currently operates more than 430 branches nationwide.

Café K: Where mindful choices meet delicious flavors

OCATED on the ground floor of M1 Tower in Salcedo Village, Makati, Café K is the latest venture from the group behind the popular Kinetix gym brands— Kinetix Lab, Kinetix+, and Kinetix Kids , a group that values strength training, recovery, and nutrition equally. This newly opened restaurant focuses on providing a conscious and informed dining experience.

The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Carlos Lanzona, Kitchen Manager and Registered Dietitian Dan Pambid, and Registered Dietitian Meg Arzadon. The concept began as a pop-up at Kinetix+, where the team tested whether gym members would embrace their food and beverage offerings until it resulted in pre-ordered kcal counted meals delivered to Kinetix Lab clients and now a stand-alone establishment.

For Dan, it’s important that people have an idea on how much they should eat. “We want to be part of the movement of conscious dining. We’re more than willing to explain to people what goes into their food and which ingredients or components would affect them hitting or not getting their macros in for the day,” he explains.

Chef Carlos is proud to share that they use locally sourced in-

gredients and fresh produce for the meals prepared in Café K. “We want to bring it back to basics and not focus too much on building a menu around fancy and expensive ingredients. We want to be part of the community and give back to it at the same time.”

To view the macros they consume at Café K, guests are invited to select from an array of proteins. Following that, they can choose their preferred base, whether it's a rice and quinoa blend, cajun beans and rice, adlai, or mixed greens. Next, they can pick a minimum of two options from the menu's selection of sides, and finally,

they will choose their sauce. Orders will be entered into an app that calculates the total calories, along with a detailed breakdown of fat, protein, and carbohydrates that’s in the guest's meal. Guests seeking to reduce the calories in their order can easily consult with the dietitians available in the café. There are also meals ready for guests to order if they don’t want to create their own bowl and every dish has their macros also listed down. Café K is on their soft opening and for more information and updates, follow Café K on Instagram and Facebook.

it all began—from a small repacking venture to support Dad’s family into a full-scale manufacturing facility. This was far beyond our imagination!” Hens said.

Celebratory event

TMIFPDI celebrated its 60th anniversary with an event at the Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom, attended by Agriculture Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Natividad Caballero and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, among others. In her speech, Caballero noted that what made TMIFPDI’s journey more inspiring was how the company “refined its mission with time, to not only build an industry but to build the resilience and future of an entire community.”

“Your commitment to quality standards, innovation through automation, and environmental stewardship ensures that the peanut industry today is more competitive, sustainable, and internationally recognized,” she said.

“As we look ahead, let us leverage the strong collaboration and powerful partnership with the Department of Agriculture by strengthening research and development. Let us prioritize producing quality peanut varieties that are climate-resilient, high-yielding, and resistant to pests and diseases,” she added.

Market access

CABALLERO also pushed for expanding market access and valueadded opportunities through joint initiatives to empower peanut farmers and help them achieve better profitability.

“Together, we can create better infrastructure support and market linkages to improve the connectivity of producers to processing and export, unlocking new markets locally and globally,” she said.

Overall, TMIFPDI’s six decades of growth have been fueled by a singular purpose—anchored in a strong, focused vision and efficient operations. This focus has guided the organization in meeting market demand, developing products, streamlining manufacturing processes, and adapting to technological advancements.

“Purpose has become our North Star, always driving us with a deep sense of meaning and a commitment to make a positive impact, not just thinking about financial success,” Hens said.

As TMIFPDI looks to the future, it remains committed to building a sustainable path forward by enhancing the livelihood of residents in Parañaque, advancing environmental performance, and fostering stronger partnerships with suppliers and stakeholders.

“With our unwavering purpose and continuous improvement in the manufacturing business, we hope to continue uplifting communities in our nation,” Hens said.

Photos by Mina Cruz and Madel Dela Cruz

In the photo are, from left, TMI Food Processing Development, Inc. (TMIFPDI) CEO Henderson Go, Tobi Founder Andres Go, and Tobie International, Inc. CEO Peterson Go  at the Diamond Jubilee Celebration at the Grand Marriott Hotel, Pasay City.

Tobi Mexican-style peanuts, the product that changed it all for TMIFPDI.

Gambas Platter

Pickup Coffee’s flagship store at Ayala Vertis North

Wine Dine& BusinessMirror

SM CDO malls capture the irresistible flavors of Kagay-anon cuisine

THE recent celebration of the Higalaay Festival in Cagayan

From the freshest catch to proudly home grown creations, SM CDO Downtown is the ultimate destination that makes every celebration, whether it be the Higalaay Festival, a birthday party or a graduation, even more unforgettable.

Curated Cuisine at SM CDO malls

Bugsay Seafood Restaurant

– Built on a family passion and collection of heirloom seafood recipes, Bugsay offers a true taste of the sea. It has grown from humble beginnings into one of Cagayan de Oro’s most loved spots. Their signature dishes like Kinilaw, Letty’s Crab, and the Cajun style Bugsay Bilao make very meal unforgettable.

Barkadahan Grill – This is the place where every meal feels like a celebration, where good food and good times always come together. Enjoy hearty Barkadahan Feasts that are perfect for sharing with family and friends and the choices range from the classic

Chicken Barbecue or a bountiful seafood spread.

Bigby’s Café – A CDO original since 1998, Bigby’s Café introduced a unique dining concept that combines the sophistication of fine dining with the relaxed vibe of fast casual restaurants. Favorites at Bigby’s include Belly Buster, Fisherman’s Sampler and indulgent Cheesecake Trio.

Boy Zugba – This restaurant has become a household name in Cagayan de Oro for its bold, playful, and proudly local take on Filipino comfort food. Known as the “Kagay-anon Kusina,” the restaurant celebrates homegrown flavors while reimagining them with creative twists that make every dish exciting and uniquely Mindanaoan. Don’t miss the iconic Sinuglaw de Cagayan, playful Sospa cassava nachos and the refreshing Buko Halo. Roadhouse Restaurant –Craving comfort food with a flavorful twist? Roadhouse offers generous portions and bold flavors in a warm, inviting setting perfect for family and friends. Savor specialties like the crispy and flavorful Pork Kare-Kare, juicy Sizzling Pork Steak, and the unique Sinigang na Baka sa Pakwan that blends savory and refreshing notes.

Raki Yata – It brings the true taste of Japan closer to Cagayan de Oro with its flavorful dishes and carefully crafted ramen bowls. Known for its dedication to authenticity, Raki Yata takes pride in using premium ingredients and time-honored cooking techniques to create an unforgettable dining experience. Other crowd favorites include the Cheesy Gyoza, Aburi Cheese Salmon, and the rich

Tonkotsu Miso Yata King.

Backyard Burger CDO – When it comes to indulgent comfort food, Backyard Burger is famous for its loaded burgers and crowd-pleasing snacks. This local favorite is the goto spot for barkadas and families who love to feast together. Enjoy juicy Texan and Double Original burgers, spicy Buffalo wings, crispy chicken fingers, and fresh salads

with a twist — like the poppers or burger salad. Try the smashed burger or jalapeño poppers tacos for a spicy surprise. Round it out with loaded Hickory Popper Fries and a variety of seasoned French fries.

Oh Waffles and Crepes –Craving something sweet and satisfying? Oh Waffles, is the perfect stop for a quick treat or a fun bonding snack with family and friends.

Known for its freshly made waffles that are golden, fluffy, and delightfully crisp, Oh Waffles offers a variety of flavors and fillings to suit every craving—from classic chocolate and strawberry to creamy, indulgent combinations. Make SM CDO your ultimate dining destination when you visit Cagayan De Oro. For more updates, visit the official social media plages of SM CDO.

Cajun style Bugsay Bilao from Bugsay Seafood Restaurant

Chicken Barbecue from Barkadahan Grill

Raki Yata’s Tonkotsu Miso Yata-King

Roadhouse Restaurant’s Sinigang na Baka sa Pakwan

Zugba’s Buko Halo

Wine Dine&

THE CHEF’S JOURNEY AT BELMONT CAFÉ BORACAY

By Mary Ann “Mags” Santos

EXECUTIVE Sous Chef Paul Dane Aligasan , who joined Belmont Hotel Boracay in 2022, brings a fresh and passionate approach to modernizing traditional Filipino cuisine. With a culinary journey inspired by his mother, an incredible home cook, the chef has carved his specialty in Modernized Filipino dishes.

By Vincent Peter Rivera

“Mang Inasal is

of

dedication, and the

of us Filipinos for good food that we share with families and friends,” mentioned Lelette Minerales, Mang Inasal Regional Business Unit Head for Visayas and Mindanao. During the event, longtime brand ambassador Coco Martin joined the restaurant blessing and exclusive relaunch of the first store along with the team of Mang Inasal and its executives, Iloilo government officials, Robinsons leaders, and franchisers ahead of its official reopening on September 1, 2025.

“Masarap sa pakiramdam, personally, na nakapunta ako sa historical place na ito dahil dito nagsimula ang Mang-Inasal 22 years ago,” Coco told BusinessMirror. “And then ngayon, sinisimulan pa ng Mang Inasal na lalong pagandahin ‘yung quality ng service, ng pagkain, ng store at para mas lalo pa nating ipakita ‘yung galing ng mga Pilipino na sinisimulan natin dito sa Mang Inasal.”

[“It feels good, personally, to have been able to visit this historical place, because this is where Mang Inasal started 22 years ago,” Coco told BusinessMirror. “And now, Mang Inasal is starting to further improve the quality of its service, its food, and its stores, so we can better showcase the excellence of Filipinos that we are pioneering here at Mang Inasal.”]

A series of firsts and innovation

WITH its new 5G store design, Mang Inasal has unveiled several “future-ready” upgrades to enhance every aspect of the customer experience, from order-

ing at the counter to the overall dining experience.

As Castro explained, “This store will be better, faster, and ‘unli-er.’ We’re using digital technology and state-of-the-art cooking, along with seamless service tools and, of course, the warm service of our store team.”

This innovation includes a newly improved and more efficient kitchen layout; an upgraded interior design that features both solo and communal tables to better accommodate all types of customers, from individuals to families; and a more comprehensive menu layout for easier navigation and display of food choices.

It also features a Takeout Express, which has separate ordering and claiming lanes. Customers can get their orders in an estimated seven minutes, ensuring a speedy and convenient pickup.

The main highlight of the 5G store is the “Cashless Express Kiosk.” As the brand’s first selfordering kiosk, it’s designed to streamline the ordering and payment process. The kiosk’s interface was specifically built to mimic the friendly counter service, even guiding customers by asking if they want “one rice” or “unli-rice.”

Another key upgrade is the new Mang Inasal Heritage Wall, a display that encapsulates the restaurant’s “Ihaw-Sarap Journey” since its inception.

Purposeful new beginning BEYOND the relaunch, the event also featured

By RORY VISCO Contributor

THE heat has officially been turned on, and it’s not just in everyone’s kitchen. September marked the sizzling start of the Hot Sauce Festival. if its exclusive launch at Café Ysabel in San Juan City was any indication,

to

Belmont Café’s Signature Flavors AT

Must-try

“Every dish is made not just to satisfy but to let you slow down, connect, and truly savor the moment.” A Challenge with Sampaguita ONE challenging project was creating dishes infused with sampaguita, the national flower of the Philippines.

“It required numerous trials, errors, and collaboration... before we successfully developed our ‘Sampaguita Menu’,” featuring food and drinks capturing sampaguita’s essence.

Exciting Innovations Ahead THE chef is excited about the upcoming Degustation/Tasting Menu launch in November. “It’ll be an eight-course journey celebrating local produce with innovative culinary techniques.”

Through his dishes, Chef Paul invites guests to experience the warmth and innovation of Belmont Café Boracay’s modernized Filipino and international flavors. Belmont Café is an all-day dining restaurant located within Hotel Belmont Boracay. The hotel offers stunning views of the Newcoast Beach and is known for its Filipino hospitality. To know more about Belmont Hotel, visit www.belmonthotelboracay.com.

compote, Hades Vegetarian Dinamitas glazed in patootsie plum, and the hilariously wicked Tuhog Pwet Sticks with Hannibal’s Lechter mangoes. Every dish came laced with inventive hot sauces specially crafted by the Philippine Hot Sauce Club, each bite designed to demonstrate just how transformative spice can be. “We believe hot sauce is a powerful culinary tool, capable of elevating and transforming a dish far beyond just adding heat,” said Eric del Rosario, co-founder of the club. Café Ysabel’s own Chef Gene Gonzalez added, “This festival is a testament to the passion and creativity of our local hot sauce community.”

A rage of hotness in October BUT that was just the beginning. From September through October, the Hot Sauce Festival is rolling out a string of tastings, collaborations, and workshops across the metro to warm up everyone’s

palates for the grand inferno coming next week on October 4, 2025: Fire Fest 2025 in Marikina. Slated for October 4 to 5 at the Renaissance Convention Center in Marikina City, Fire Fest promises an immersive weekend that blends heat,

Laing Pasta

Grilled Beef Estofado

Cashew Kare-Kare

Sampaguita Lychee, a Welcome Drink

Paul Dane Aligaen

Queso Seco Buns

Coco Martin, Mang Inasal executives, City of Iloilo government officials, and the store’s service crew team gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Mang Inasal Robinsons Place Iloilo.

Edited by Jose F. Lacaba

‘Damaged souls’ find audience in 2025 NJLA

SHORT stories in English that won in the 2025 Nick Joaquin Literary Awards share one interesting theme: Damaged souls change, while others remain the same.

“Hear out [talkative] clients; talk to silent clients with whispers, moans, and inviting tones; call them ‘baby,’ or say their name is sexy. The more sexual the call, the better [as] you get paid by the minute.” Agents are called “lovers.”

One rock star lover-agent is Ruben Rivera, with 20 years of experience, a seductive voice, and sex appeal. Married and with a young daughter, he sells physical sex on weekends.

Mervyn hears Rivera’s powerful sex-call: “The caller opened up. One of those calls that goes all the way, that ended with em -

phatic exhalations through the receiver. At the customer’s end, …there appeared to be the sound of grunts and a wet hunk of meat being slapped in quick succession. Ruben was helping the old man build toward a satisfactory finish with his deep groans and words of encouragement.” Its effect? “Some sort of fire seemed to have been lit within me, and when I touched my face, my fingers felt the heat,” attests Mervyn. Rivera reveals that a United States-based Filipino, with a Russian wife, has been obsessed with him. “He even told me that he would fly back to the country, meet me and my family when the Russian wife finally died… He’d drag me to the US to marry me. That day… I went ‘AWOL.’” But Ruben is pursued online, up to Phone Love—his fourth account. Alarmed, Mervyn asks the “love managers” to ban the deranged client. They refuse, but allow agents to transfer clients to another. Too late, though: the lovesick client flies to the Philippines, tracks down Ruben in a dating app for male prostitutes, and kills him in a motel. Continued on page 2

WINNERS

By Barbara Mae Naredo Dacanay

Sunday, September 28, 2025

Tony&Nick

NJLA English Proficiency through Literature Advocacy reaches Year 2

DURING the recently-held 2025 Nick Joaquin Literary Awards (NJLA) at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, principals, teachers, and school officials in Laguna and Batangas joined members of the country’s literary community to celebrate a night of Philippine literature at its best.

NJLA OUTREACH

CABANGON said that since last year, the NJLA has become so much more than a literary event. It has morphed into an outreach project through its NJLA-Local Government Unit (LGU) Advocacy for English Proficiency through Literature. With Batangas and Laguna provinces as pilot areas, the NJLA partnered with identified local government officials and paved the way for the curated works of the writers and poets in the Graphic Reader to be read by Grades 9 and 10 public high school students. In the City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas alone, over 3,000 high school learners now have access to the Graphic Reader’s short stories and poetry as part of their academic and literary enrichment.

It was an evening for winners (story on page 1)— the top three winners in the short story category, Poet of the Year, and for some 76 Graphic Salute Awardees. All their works were featured in the Philippines Graphic Reader, the companion literary magazine of the Philippines Graphic, as edited by multi-awarded, tri-lingual poet Mara PL. Lanot. Philippines Graphic ’s publisher T. Anthony C. Cabangon underscored the continuing relevance of fictionists and poets through the many challenges faced by Filipinos today. “These are the moments and the times when the poet and the fiction writer are needed the most. The poet, for the powerful images that distill the truth with the fewest of words; bearing witness to the unspeakable to awaken the soul. The fiction writer, for weaving stories that immortalize lives, moments, and possibilities; writing stories to reclaim lost histories, expose hidden truths or capture the innocent mirth of a once-child.”

LGU CHAMPIONS

AT NJL A 2025, three local chief executives (LCEs) were accorded the “LGU Champion for 2025” Award, namely: Mayor Arth Jhun Aguilar Marasigan of the City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas; Biñan City Mayor Angelo “Gel” Alonte; and Mayor Art Joseph Francis Mercado of San Pedro City, who, because of a prior engagement, received the award in a separate ceremony, held at San Pedro last September 8. City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas Mayor AJAM Marasigan thanked those who supported him in this initiative: “It was made possible by the seamless collaboration between our city government, the Department of Education, and our dedicated partner institutions.”

Marasigan shared his LGU Champion Award with Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurige-Perez, along with the Sangguniang Panlungsod members under her leadership, and Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Neil G. Angeles. “This award will

serve as a stepping stone to carry out this project.”

For his part, Biñan City Mayor Alonte recognized that the “[NJLA] is more than a celebration of words—it is a recognition of our nation’s stories, our people’s imagination, and our unbreakable ties to culture and history. Literature preserves memory, shapes identity, and gives voice to generations.”

Alonte added that the success of the outreach project in Biñan City was achieved with the support of Biñan City Vice Mayor Jonalina “Dada” Reyes, as well as the Sangguniang Panglungsod ng Biñan and other Biñan public officials.

CERTIFICATES

OF PARTICIPATION

CERTIFICATES of Participation were accorded to the school representatives involved in the project: Superintendent Niel G. Angeles (CESO VI, Schools Division); Principal Edward Casabuena (San Jose National High

‘Damaged souls’ find audience in 2025 NJLA

Continued on page 2

“People are attracted to one another in a bizarre way,” said author Deoso, as he depicted a love-hate relationship between trainer Mervyn and Rivera: the destructive love of a bizarre client dumped by a “love” agent.

“[Rivera] is exploited, stripped, and meets a violent end. All of these are in keeping with the noir tradition—a story set in a dark, dark world—to raise questions that are important to ask ourselves: How does our passivity feed the machine [the company] that exploits us? How is our complicity tied to the suffering of the people we work with or are supposed to defend?” Deoso rhetorically asked.

After seeing Rivera as a person and as a victim, Mervyn resigns from the “machine.” Said the author: “He no longer wants to be part of a company that strips workers of safety and dignity that Ruben deserves. He finds out that he is [also] trapped in the same exploitative system.”

Homage to Nick Joaquin

MENCHU AQUINO SARMIENTO’S second prize story Angel of Light is about beautiful Eden Blanco who is a wellness doctor married to a lawyer who belongs to a political family. She gets her family’s old house from two hapless younger sisters whom she castigated as sickly, ugly, uneducated, and weak. It depicts a dark world in a bourgeois setting.

One of the judges, Ian Casocot, said that Sarmiento’s depiction of evil in her story is “unforgettable.” For others, it is a celebration of accumulation, consumerism, social climbing, wickedness, and lack of appreciation of values such as accountability and honesty that Dr. Blanco’s parents ironically extol.

“The ‘evil’ in my story is quite do -

mestic, [involving immediate family and banal matters such as property disputes] most families are familiar with,” explained Sarmiento. “I have been struck with how ‘evil’ goes on within families and is tacitly condoned.”

She added that “my story is actually a homage to Nick Joaquin’s Portrait of the Artist as Filipino.”

(Joaquin’s story actually centers on Candida and Paula Marasigan who had no money, but had to keep their big house in Intramuros, and take care of their father Don Lorenzo who is a famous painter. They resisted their older siblings Pepang and Manolo who wanted to cut costs in keeping the ancestral home, and sell their father’s painting.)

The old Marasigan’s “Retrato del Artista Como Filipino” depicted Aeneas carrying Anchises, with the painter’s young and old faces. He made the artwork after Candida and Paula revealed their frustrations in life. He jumped off the balcony after he gave the painting to his two daughters, but survived. The sisters vowed to take care of him, the artwork, and the house. They then rented out a room to Tony Javier who seduced Candida, so he could sell the painting. The siblings stopped this, and said the painting was destroyed.

When asked if her story unwittingly celebrates unmitigated cruelty and wickedness, Sarmiento remarked: “Was I expected to write a story about extolling ‘values’? I don’t think literature works that way.”

Analyzing Love

THE story of Dr. Paulino Lim Jr., The X-Ray Tech’s Love Story, starts as a conversation between Filipino X-ray technician Andy and Pinoy English instructor Arturo (Arthur), who become friends in a hospital in Long Beach, California. Andy is married

to his Filipina sweetheart Salud who is a nurse. They have two sons. Arturo is husband to Sophia who is an Italian-American and a former Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines. They have one daughter.

In one lunch date, Andy confesses about loving Minda who is a Spanish mestiza he met earlier in Manila and now a dialysis nurse in the US.

Arturo suspects that Andy is having an affair with Minda. He resolves the issue vicariously by asking his students in a writing class to analyze Andy’s story. The latter eventually says he has ended the affair, but the story does not include his explanation or analysis.

“His [opening to his students about the “querida” issue] elicits reactions that resonate with readers of the story itself,” explained author Lim.

Asked if the story’s end is intentionally ambiguous, he explained that “Andy throwing the bouquet of roses symbolizes his heartache and his resolve not to see Minda again.”

Verses for Van Gogh

JOEL TOLEDO’S ekphrastic poem, or a verbal description of visual art, entitled Saint Paul de Mausole: Sonnet centers on Vincent Van Gogh’s artworks, madness, and healing.

“[In my sonnet, I juxtaposed] the words ‘stasis’ and ‘calligraphy’ that connote non-movement and movement; or the inability to create and the willingness to let go, for art to get fulfilled,” said Toledo.

He added that the poem “wants to offer a different take on Van Gogh’s creative process. In [his The Starry Night, the art is let loose, as if the images dislodge upon the finished masterpiece. It’s art fulfilled by letting go.]”

The poet furthered: “I’d like to

think [that Van Gogh’s healing comes with the realization of his paintings in the asylum. Both its conducive space] and his commitment to his art healed him. His art is his redemption.”

(Van Gogh was 36 when he died and was buried by his brother Theo in France’s Saint Paul de Mausole on May 8, 1889. His paintings were created as he watched a garden from his barred window.

When a collaboration with Paul Gauguin failed, Van Gogh cut his ear, wrapped it and gave it to a prostitute. Diagnosed as “cured” and released on May 16, 1890, he shot himself and passed away on July 29, 1890.)

Country’s Soul

DESCRIBING the quality of shortstory writers in English today, NJLA 2025 judge Susan Lara said “they are still character- and plot-driven. They don’t normally follow traditional narrative structures. If [the authors feel they want to break rules], they do it. They know how to deviate. They feel freer.”

Asked to compare Philippine literature in English and Filipino, national artist and poet Gemino Abad quipped that “there should be no comparisons; they both reveal the country’s soul.”

For national artist and scriptwriter Ricky Lee, who writes in Filipino: “One can always express Filipinoness in English or Ilocano. Any language is a medium. What is important is the soul [of the written text].”

However, he regrets that “many Filipino writers do not feel or explore the beauty and musicality of the Filipino language.”

The Philippines Graphic, which publishes short stories and poems in English, aims to turn Lee’s observations into reality with its wide distribution in local government schools.

School); Principal Eric Lubrino (Sta. Clara Integrated High School); Principal Gigi Corpuz (Sta Anastacia San Rafael National High School); Principal Reymundo Hermo (San Pedro National High School); Administrative Officer V Catalina M. Calinawan; Admin Assistant-Local School Board (LSB) Biencie Joy M. Burgos; Teacher II Medylyn C. Gonzaga (San Pedro National High School); Teacher III Rosel Bernadette A. Bautista; and Teacher II Lydia V. Valenzuela (San Jose National High School).

Mayor Alonte was accompanied by Biñan City school representatives: Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Arlene S. Ricasata; ASDS Christian Mesper A. Hernandez; Chief Education Supervisor Mary Ann L. Tatlongmaria; Chief Education Supervisor Bayani V. Enriquez; Administrative Officer V Ariel M. Cabantog; Education Program Supervisor Ronaldo P. Bago; Public School District Supervisor Rowena K. Ramos; Principal Jericho Balmes (Biñan City Science and Technology High School); Principal Marlon Flores; OIC-Assistant Principal Donna Jane M. Alfonso (Saint Francis National High School); and teachers Arturo Morris (Dela Paz National High School); Christopher Ian Detera (Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial National High School); Jerosel Engreso (Southville 5A Integrated National High School); Patrick James Pelicano (Biñan Secondary Schools of Applied Academics); Hazelyn Santos (Biñan City Science and Technology High School); Ansherina Q. Banzon (Biñan Integrated National High School); and Mark Revin Miranda (Mamplasan National High School.)

CORPORATE SUPPORT

WITH the guests settled in their seats, hosts Braggy Braganza and Kris Lacaba proceeded to introduce the NJLA 2025 Corporate Awardees. Sharon Deanne Guerrera received the “Suite of Literature 2025” award for Luxent Hotel, which served as the event’s venue, to which she said: “This award celebrates the dedication of our entire team whose passion and creativity continue to inspire excellence.”

The “Game Changer” of the Year was awarded to AB Leisure Exponent Inc., whose official representative Dina Malabanan was present to accept the recognition.

Vice President of PH Global Jet Express Inc., Zoe Chi, received the “Hermes of Literature”—named after the messenger of Greek gods—for the company, and expressed that the company “[believes in the] collaboration in nurturing Filipino talent and celebrating the words that define our nation’s heritage.”

PMFTC was awarded the “Light of Literature” and Director Communications Atty. John Peter Ferdi-

nand Echiverri said in his acceptance speech: “Literature does not just tell stories; it enlightens… shapes more compassionate and informed communities.”

The hosts also thanked the following ALC Group of Companies for supporting the NJLA—Eternal Plans Inc., Clayton Learning Center, Brown Madonna, Eternal Gardens, Citystate Savings Bank, Inc., Manila Grand Hotel, Citystate Tower Hotel, Asian Security, Red Falcon, Fortune Life, Sandari, BusinessMirror, Aliw23, and Pilipino Mirror, MORE GUESTS

NJLA 2025 was jam-packed with well-known figures in the academe and literary world. Among them were National Artists for Literature Ricky Lee and Gemino Abad, Gawad CCP Awardee and Tony&Nick editor Pete Lacaba, who also led the ribboncutting alongside Graphic’s publisher T. Anthony C. Cabangon and literary editor Marra PL. Lanot. In the almost 300 names long list, well-known figures such as Ramon Sunico, Francesca Kit Kwe, Sol Juvida, Susan Claire Agbayani, Rochit Tañedo, Lito Ocampo, Carol Araullo, Satur Ocampo, Bobby Malay, and other notable names from institutions were also present, such as Dr. Rolando Tolentino (VP for External Affairs for the University of the Philippines), Dr. Jose Wendell Capili (writer and administrator from UP), Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo (Director of the University of Santo Tomas Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies), and Neni Sta. Romana Cruz (National Book Development Board).

Embassy representatives Nikita Kolesnichenko and Anastasiia Shapovalova from Russia, and Director Gray Weis and Liu Chen from China, were also in attendance. The night would not be complete without Charo Joaquin Villegas, the niece of the event’s namesake, late national artist for Literature Nick Joaquin.

DIGITAL REPORT

VON ZYRON ALIMORONG, writer and social media point person of Philippines Graphic, delivered in his Graphic Digital Report that the magazine is adopting a fresh new look, taking cues from its earlier issues, particularly from the 1929 issue. Its new visual direction will be one that moves with the times and acknowledges the importance of visuals in the digital era. The Graphic laid down its visual refresh as the first step in greeting the coming years with a stronger approach in helping to uplift Philippine literature, as the Graphic gears up for its 100-year milestone in 2027. —

LGU Champion-City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas Mayor Arth Jhun Aguilar Marasigan (center) pose with teachers, principals, and school superintendents of the city as they received their Certificates of Participation in the NJLA-LGU

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LGU Champion Biñan City Mayor Angelo Alonte pose with awarded school officials of Biñan City; (Bottom photo) BusinessMirror Publisher T. Anthony C. Cabangon presents The NJLA 2025 LGU Champion Award of Recognition to San Pedro Mayor Art Joseph Francis Mercado in the presence of Vice-Mayor Sheriliz Niña B. Almoro, Administrator Atty. Henry Salazar and the Sangguniang Bayan and city hall employees.