Manila Standard - 2023 September 23 - Saturday

By Joel E. Zurbano, Rio N. Araja, Maricel V. Cruz, Macon RamosAraneta and Vince Lopez

LOCAL government units in Metro Manila suspended classes at all levels yesterday due to

heavy smog, which most mistook for volcanic smog or vog from Taal Volcano.

By the afternoon of Friday, classes in all 16 cities and the lone municipality of Pateros had been suspended. Marikina City suspended classes from noon Friday until Saturday.

“As part of the precautionary measure, we

are advising the people, especially those with asthma, lung and heart disease, senior citizens, pregnant women, and even children, to wear face masks and limit outdoor activities,” Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Romando Artes said.

Taguig City Mayor Laarni Cayetano said she

ordered the suspension of classes at all levels (from preschool to college) due to the potential health hazards from the smog.

Still, city officials said the air quality in Taguig remains safe as particulate matter and sulfur dioxide are at minimal levels. But they,

Food makers resist gov’t plea

Just 6 of 29 manufacturers OK DTI call to defer price hikes for holidays

By Othel V. Campos

FOOD manufacturers are resisting government’s request to defer increasing the prices of their goods entering the holiday season, amid soaring prices of fuel, rice, and other raw materials.

Only six of the 29 manufacturers and industry groups who attended a meeting called by the Department of Trade and Industry Thursday night agreed to hold off any price increase, Manila Standard learned. Trade Secretary Fred Pascual met behind closed doors with manufacturers of bottled water, canned sardines, coffee, processed milk, bread, salt, detergent,

Marcos cutting validation time for imported rice to 7 days

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said the government no longer wants to wait 15 days for rice importers to prove that grain in their warehouses was legally imported, and wants the

validation process cut to seven days. Speaking during the distribution of smuggled rice that had been seized by the government, Mr. Marcos said rice importers should not be wary of the changes if they are following the legal procedures.

The government has been under pressure to charge rice smugglers and hoarders, following a series of raids on warehouses.

Mr. Marcos said this delay was the result of waiting for the 15 days that the law says an importer has to prove his

import shipment is legal.

“We are currently trying to reduce the 15 days to seven days. Because if you are a legal importer, you have all the documents. If asked, you can give them immediately. So why wait 15 days?” the President said in Filipino.

By Rey E. Requejo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Vince Lopez

CHINA on Friday denied it was involved in the destruction of coral reefs in parts

of the West Philippine Sea, saying the accusations have no factual basis.

"We urge relevant parties of the Philippines to stop creating a political drama from fiction," China’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

Instead, China urged the Philippines

to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal “if it is really concerned about the environment.”

"If the Philippines truly cares about the ecological environment of the South China Sea, it should tow away

Sigh of relief: Fuel prices rolled back next week

candles, condiments, bottled water, canned meat, toilet soap, and batteries. The canned sardines group did not consent to the proposal, according to a TV report by ABS-CBN.

“There were six (manufacturers) that did agree but they (DTI) included us all (in agreeing)… the sardines (makers), we did not, we requested the DTI to

By Joyce Panares, Julito Rada and Othel Campos

THE rising prices of basic goods and inflation as well as the country's economic performance are the top important issues for Filipinos that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must address, a third quarter survey by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. showed.

Prices/inflation and economy were tied at the top spot with 18 percent each, followed by corruption (13 percent), poverty (9 percent), jobs(8 percent), education (7 percent) and agriculture (6 percent).

PUBLiCUS said the economic concerns were closely related to the fundamental fears of households heading into the last quarter of 2023.

"These fears include the inability to afford basic necessities andcommodities, difficulties in finding employment, concerns about being underpaid, and the looming possibility of unemployment. These economic and livelihood concerns are at the forefront of Filipino citizens’ minds," it said.

Economic managers downplayed the outcome of the survey, which showed that economic headwinds

HAZY IN MANILA. This photo from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority shows the low visibility in the big city’s skyline due to dense smog, which was initially attributed to the volcanic smog or vog from Taal Volcano in Batangas. Classes were suspended across the region and residents were advised to wear face masks to avoid the ill effects of smog. MMDA photo

TIES. Vice President Sara Duterte is shown on a video wall speaking in Mandarin as she greets the Chinese government on their country’s 74th founding anniversary. The Chinese Embassy led by Ambassador Huang Xilian (left photo, third from right) celebrated

Solon: Ban POGOs via legislation

By Maricel V. Cruz

ALBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda on Friday said that banning Philippine offshore gaming operators or POGOs has to be done through legislation.

"It can only be done by law. Until then, it won’t happen," Salceda, chair of the House committee on ways and means and the chamber's resident economist, said. Salceda issued the statement after

Food...

From A1 study our costs and how they can control it,” said Francisco Buencamino, Executive Director of the Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines.

While deciding to absorb the bulk of rising costs, the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI), the members of which make canned and “Noche Buena” meats, said in a statement: “In light of the DTI’s call to defer price hikes until after Dec. 31 of this year, PAMPI must reserve its stance.”

“We believe that a collective consultation with our members and a thorough evaluation of the tangible impacts of the solutions proposed by the DTI are essential,” the group added.

“We are working diligently to manage rising costs. Production costs have risen by an estimated 10 to 15 percent; most of these products will only see a modest price increase of zero to four percent,” PAMPI said.

During the dialog, manufacturers expressed their concerns about various issues, including the imposition of passthrough fees, the lack of local supply of raw materials, the compliance requirements of other government agencies, and other regulatory concerns.

“I appreciate your support, and I am happy to hear that many are willing to hold off price increases,” Pascual said.

“We have a growing middle class who can spend on premium products, but we are also mindful of the need to help consumers who survive on a dayto day ba-

NCR...

From A1 too, advised people to reduce outdoor activities, close windows, and wear masks.

Despite the widespread belief that the smog came from Taal, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the haze in Metro Manila did not come from the volcano but was most likely from heavy vehicular emissions.

The volcanic smog, the agency said, was only over the western side of the volcano and was not headed toward Metro Manila.

Rhea Torres, a state weather forecaster, said thermal inversion—where the air is hotter than the surface temperature— kept pollutants from vehicular emissions from being dissipated.

She added, however, that smog from Taal could reach Metro Manila by Thursday night.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said: “For as long as Taal Volcano is spewing out sulfur dioxide, this will be a recurring threat.”

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines sent an advisory to flight operators to avoid flying close to Taal

Sigh...

From A1

On Sept. 18, local oil companies implemented an increase of P2 per liter for gasoline and kerosene, while diesel prices rose by P2.50 per liter. These adjustments resulted in a yearto-date net increase of P17.50per liter for gasoline, P13.60 per liter for diesel, and P9.94 per liter for kerosene.

Meanwhile, fuel subsidies under the national budget will help the most affected sectors in coping with the price increases, said Senator Sonny Angara. He sees the fuel subsidies being provided to the transport sector as a key intervention of the government to help the operators and drivers cope with the rising fuel costs.

A total of P3 billion is available this

China...

From A1

the illegally “grounded” warship at Ren’ai Jiao as soon as possible, stop it from discharging polluted water into the ocean, and not let the rusting warship bring irrevocable harm to the ocean," the statement said.

However, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he and lawyers

ten of the 18 members of the Senate ways and means committee signed the panel’s report recommending the ban on POGOs.

Salceda said all issues raised about POGOs concern issues of law

sis," he added.

Pascual assured food processors that that he would consider their plight, particularly the need to sustain their businesses and their ability to provide jobs.

“At this point in time, consumer needs are paramount,” he said.

Manufacturers, however, raised their eroding capacities and profitability concerns, as prices of major inputs for food processing have increased since 2022.

Stakeholders in the food sector have considered the government’s concern being consumers themselves, but they are worried they may not be able to hold on for long since the price increases they seek are still the same adjustments they were seeking since 2022.

While other manufacturers were given the opportunity to adjust their prices during the February update of the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) bulletin, some manufacturers were “not as lucky” as the rest, they said.

Some of the product makers that have already adjusted their SRPs during the February round are seeking another round of price increase as inflation has picked up.

The DTI monitors about 217 stock keeping units of BNPC (basic necessity and prime commodity) products listed under the SRP bulletin.

As of September 19, 14 manufacturers of 46 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) covering ten categories of BNPCs requested SRP adjustments due to thehigh cost of major raw materials, packaging materials, fuel costs, wages, and other costs that affect the production of these essentials goods.

Volcano following its recent activity.

“The volcano is on Alert Level 1. Flight operations are advised to avoid flying close to the volcano's summit as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions may pose hazards to aircraft. Vertical limits are from the surface up to 10,000 feet,” the agency stated in its Notice to Airmen.

Philippine Airlines said its commercial flights to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport remain unaffected by Taal’s volcano emissions.

“As a precautionary measure, we are avoiding flight paths near the vicinity of Taal volcano,” said PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna.

Meanwhile, the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said there was zero visibility in the towns of Tuy, Balayan, Lian, and Nasugbu.

Speaker Martin G. Romualdez on Friday urged the Department of Health (DOH) and LGUs to help people affected by the Taal’s volcanic smog.

“We have to assist residents of areas around Taal Volcano like Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, and even Metro Manila to cope with this temporary problem,” he said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

year under the General Appropriations Act for transport fuel subsidies, which will go to some 1.36 million beneficiaries.

Also, Terry Ridon, convenor of the Infrawatch PH think tank and former House energy committee member, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. can order the suspension of value-added taxes (VAT) and excise tax on petroleum products to ease the burden of the transport sector.

Ridon said that if both VAT and excise taxes on fuel products are suspended, current fuel prices will revert to petroleum prices experienced in March to April 2023, with generic gasoline prices as low as P54 per liter (March 23), and generic diesel prices as low as P51.95 per liter (April 23).

Alena Mae S. Flores and Macon Ramos-Araneta (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

from the Department of Justice will meet with the Office of the Solicitor General to discuss the strategy and legal options the government can take against China for the destruction of coral reefs in the waterway Remulla said he is also seeking the help of one of the foremost environmental law experts in Asia, lawyer Antonio Oposa Jr., “to help us with the task of forming a complaint when it comes to this destruction of the environment.”

The DOJ views the filing of the case

enforcement. Therefore, "the solution to law enforcement issues is frankly, to enforce the law."

"Enough safeguards exist in our laws to punish supposed crimes committed against POGOs, and enough mechanisms to exist to shut down any erring business," Salceda explained.

"Banning an entire business on the basis of issues that the law enforcement alone can address is like burning the whole house down to snuff out the rats,"

Marcos...

From A1

Recently, President Mr. Marcos has certified as urgent a bill defining and penalizing agricultural economic sabotage. He also ordered various government agencies to strengthen their efforts to locate and halt illegal importation and hoarding of rice.

The Bureau of Customs previously seized 42,180 sacks of rice worth P42 million in Zamboanga, which was distributed to families across the country.

In General Trias, Cavite, Mr. Marcos pledged that his administrationwould continue the strict monitoring of illegal importation of agricultural products.

He was in Cavite to distribute about 1,200 sacks of seized rice to the identified beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Speaking before the 4Ps beneficiaries, Mr. Marcos vowed to exhaust all efforts to stabilize the prices of agricultural commodities, including rice.

The 1,200 sacks of rice was part of the Zamboanga City haul.

The forfeited sacks of rice were donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for distribution to the beneficiaries of its conditional cash transfer program.

Inflation...

From A1 hurt the ratings of the Marcos Jr. administration and the Cabinet, saying the economy is facing “a rosy outlook” going forward.

In a joint statement signed by Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and BudgetSecretary Amenah Pangandaman, the economic team said they are confident in the President, who continues to have “one of the highest trust and approval ratings in the world.”

“As surveys are primarily based on perceptions, not facts, let it be clear that on GDP growth, the Philippines’ real GDP growth of 5.3 percent in the first semester of 2023 in fact proved to be highest among emerging markets in the ASEAN-6, beating Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand,” they said.

“It was also the third fastest growing economy among Asian countries with available GDP data, following only India, which was first with a real GDP growth of 6.9 percent for the first half of the year, and China at 5.5 percent,” the secretaries said.

The country’s businessmen are also not bothered by the 7-percent drop in the President’s approval and trust ratings,

as “a responsibility to the world to take a hand in matters wherein environmental destruction is being done,” the secretary said.

The Philippines has “a moral responsibility to pursue the destruction of the environment as a task for the good of humanity,” Remulla added.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has suspected China of harvesting corals in Rozul Reef, before dumping the "processed" coral reefs in some parts of

he added. "And let’s be clear. In other countries where offshore gaming isn’t a Chinesedominated sector, the industry is a leading employer and source of value added. That’s the case in Gibraltar and Cyprus.

Nothing in our law says the industry has to be Chinese.”

"In times like these where finding sources of growth is a challenge, we should be more imaginative," Salceda stated.

House, Senate, MMDA mourn Bayani Fernando

FORMER Marikina lawmaker and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chief Bayani Fernando passed away on Friday. He was 77.

Fernando's passing was confirmed by his wife, Maria Lourdes.

The leadership of the House of Representatives expressed their condolences to the bereaved family of the former mayor and lawmaker.

"It is with a heavy heart that we offer our condolences on the passingof former Marikina City Mayor and Representative Bayani Fernando, a dedicated public servant who left an indelible mark on the city of Marikina and our nation," Speaker Martin Romualdez said in a statement.

Romualdez said Fernando's service in representing Marikina's first congressional district from 2016 to 2022 and being mayor of Marikinafrom 1992 to 2001, where he transformed the city into a model for others to follow, exemplified his commitment to progress and development.

"Bayani Fernando was a visionary, who dreamt of big ideas and then boldly implemented them," added Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

In making our cities livable, Zubiri said Ferdinando “translated his concepts into concrete achievements to show us by example that what is initially deemed impossible can indeed be done." Joel Zurbano, Maricel Cruz, and Macon Ramos-Araneta (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

IN BRIEF

On Tuesday, Mr. Marcos also distributed 1,500 sacks of rice to 4Ps recipients in Zamboanga City and Zamboanga Sibugay.

He said the rice distribution will continue to make sure recipients have enough supply, as well as to address the adverse impact of smuggling and hoarding.

Also the head of the Department of Agriculture, Mr. Marcos vowed to address the problems besetting the industry by improving the production level and cost of agriculture products. He also said that he was forced to set price ceilings on regular and well-milled rice to counter smugglers and hoarders who were manipulating the price of rice.

“I was really alarmed. If it were up to me, I don't want to interferewith the market but the market is not running right because it isbeing manipulated by hoarders and then by smugglers. That's why we put a price cap,” he said in Filipino.

Mr. Marcos also vowed to continue pushing for a better agricultural sector.

“We should not stop improving the agricultural sector, improving our harvest, cost of production, and production levels,” he said.

“We need to do all of that, including helping cooperatives and farmers associations with processing so that they can process and sell rice instead of selling palay, and earn more,” he said.

which they say are not reflective of Mr. Marcos’ efforts to govern and protect the country.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president George Barcelon said the survey must have mirrored the general sentiments of the people, particularly since several challenges continue to affect the economy.

“We still have challenges on the agriculture sector. Prices of produce are still high, which is a big issue for them,” he said.

Filipinos are still waiting for the President the make good on his promise to keep prices of food at competitive levels, Barcelon added.

PUBLiCUS said there has been a notable decrease in the overall positive perception of the Philippines’ current state, its future direction, and its financial prospects, marking the "first significant decline" since the first quarter of 2022.

"This shift across various regions and demographic groups, especially in terms of a more pessimistic outlook on the national economy moving into the fourth quarter of 2023.

Economic difficulties, such as the 4.3 percent slower economic growth and rising oil and commodity prices, have likewise adversely affected national leaders’ approval and trust ratings, notably President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

the West Philippine Sea.

Last month, China demanded the Philippines remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal, claiming that it had obtained a promise that it would be towed away. However, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. denied that the Philippines made such a promise to China and said if there were such an agreement he would rescind it immediately. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Mobile phones key to ‘sabungeros’ case

JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said the Philippine National Police will examine the contents of mobile phones seized from six arrested persons who have been charged in connection with the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts or “sabungeros.”

“It is a big development that their mobile phones were seized,” Remulla said. “There is an application for cyber warrants on the cellular phones of the suspects arrested in case number one.”

“it will shed light on many things aside from case number one,” Remulla added.

The case he referred to is the kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges pending before Manila Regional Trial (RTC) Branch 40, which issued arrest warrants against the suspects who were caught last Sept. 15.

The six accused are Julie A. Patidongan, Gleer Codilla, Mark Carlo E. Zabala, Virgilio P. Bayog, Johnry R. Consolacion, and Roberto G. Matillano Jr. Rey E. Requejo

Transparency vowed in buying poll devices

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday vowed transparency and inclusivity in the procurement of machines needed for the 2025 midterm elections.

The poll body issued the statement after a report came out about the filing of money laundering charges by the United States Homeland Security Investigations against former Comelec chief Juan Andres Bautista on Sept. 19.

“As to our procurement of new machines for the 2025 elections, the right thing to do is to make it transparent, inclusive and fair. Thatis, that everybody is afforded a level-playing field thereby ensuring equal chance and opportunity to all," Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said in a Viber message.

He said the poll body would disclose everything for public scrutiny.

The complaint against the former Comelec chair stemmed from his estranged wife, Patricia Paz, who claimed that Bautista's “unexplained wealth” has something to do with his alleged questionable dealing with a poll technology firm. Garcia described the situation as an "eye-opener" that entails a continuous progress observation.

"But at this point, the presumption of innocence stands. We would closely monitor this development most especially the nature and weight of evidence to be presented in court," he said.

Earlier in the day, Bautista expressed his surprise through X (formerly Twitter), denying the allegation that purportedly involved Smartmatic. He said he is ready to face charges in the appropriate venue. Vito Barcelo

FACTORY INAUGURATION. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. walks through machinery as he leads the inauguration of Unilever’s new beauty, well-being, and personal care factory in General Trias, Cavite on Friday (story on A4). Rey Baniquet

IN BRIEF

Palace says no gov’t work on Family Week

MALACAÑANG has suspended work in government offices under the executive branch from 3 p.m. onward on Monday, in line with the observance of the 31st National Family Week.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Thursday signed Memorandum Circular (MC) 32, which takes effect immediately, under Proclamation 60 signed in 1992, which declares the last week of September of every year as Family Week.

MC 32 was issued to give government workers and their families time to celebrate in their respective homes the Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day, which is held every fourth Monday of September, in conjunction with the annual celebration of the National Family Week.

“This Office also encourages all government workers in the Executive branch to fully support the programs and activities relative to the observance of Family Week, as organized by the National Committee on the Filipino Family,” it read.

Syndicate eyed in NAIA theft

AIRPORT authorities are looking at the possibility that a syndicate is behind incidents of theft at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Office for Transportation Security

(OTS) administrator Ma. O Aplasca in an interview said: “That is the direction of our investigation.”

The official added that “there are still pending cases that the OTS is investigating.”

Aplasca said that the OTS had identified several of the supposed syndicate’s masterminds, but he said authorities

were still gathering evidence to formally charge these individuals.

Since 2022, 70 personnel have been involved in theft incidents, according to Aplasca. The OTS also said it has dismissed 19 screening officers from the service due to criminal and administrative offenses at NAIA.

OTS records from July 2022 to September 2023 showed that 16 employees

have also been suspended, 13 were reprimanded, and 12 other cases were submitted for review.

The latest incident involved an airport personnel caught on camera swallowing three $100 bills allegedly stolen from a Chinese passenger departing Manila. The female staff is now facing administrative and criminal charges, the OTS said. Both the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) expressed dismay, saying the latest incident of theft at the airport put the country again in a bad light.

Tourism Congress of the Philippines president Bob Zozobrado also criticized the selection of security checks employees at the country’s airport, citing the incident as a negative impact on the tourism industry, and urged the DOTr to crack down on theft.

Aplasca said the OTS has completed the initial investigation on their personnel, who are currently under preventive suspension, pending a more comprehensive investigation.

Aplasca explained the incident happened on Sept. 8, but they were only able to get the CCTV footage from MIAA management on Sept. 14. Joel E. Zurbano

Clark

investments hit P5.57b as of June

THE Clark Development Corp. (CDC) has P5.57 billion in investments as of June, its president and chief executive officer Agnes Devanadera on Friday said.

“We have the P5.57 billion in investments as of the end of June. This is our contribution to the country and there is the support to the call of the President to take good care of the investors,” she cited at a media briefing organized by the Philippine Information Agency.

“We have remitted P1.2 billion in May to the national government as our dividend. That represents 50 percent of our net income. That is how big our contribution is,” Devanadera said.

“We do the land use plan. We maintain the environment and the most important here now, is to be able to maintain and support our locators for investments,” she added.

Rio N. Araja

House mourns Bulacan’s Pancho

THE House of Representatives has adopted a resolution expressing the chamber’s profound condolences to the family of the late former Bulacan Rep. Pedro Pancho.

House Resolution (HR) 1323 was adopted during a plenary session on Friday. It was taken up during a short break in the discussion of the P5.768-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) or the proposed national budget of 2024. The bereavement resolution was authored by Speaker Ferdinand Martin

G. Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker

Aurelio Gonzales, Jr., Majority Leader

Manuel Jose Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, Commitee on Accounts

Chairperson Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre. Maricel V. Cruz

‘China infra projects could lead to substantial debts’

A GEOPOLITICAL and geoeconomics expert warned that investments in infrastructure projects funded by Chinese Official Development Assistance (ODA) could lead to substantial debt.

Stratbase ADR Institute president Dindo Manhit also said there is a need to institute safeguard mechanisms

IMEE AND THE GENERALS.

Senator Imee R. Marcos and military generals attended a forum and shared their experiences during Martial Law. Among the military generals present in the said event were Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., Gen. Thompson Lantion, Gen. Jaime Delos Santos, Gen. Melchor Rosales, Gen. Everlino Nartatez and Col. Arthur Balmaceda.

against corrosive capital, which is private financing with underlying political motives.

“Lacking transparency and accountability, these have the potential to incite debt dependencies,” Manhit, speaking at a forum titled, “Revitalizing the Philippines’ Infrastructure Development through Public-Pri-

vate Partnerships,” said.

He noted that early this month, the Department of Transportation announced the possibility of terminating the loan contracts of three major railway projects funded through Chinese ODA by the end of this year due to their failure to comply with requirements.

CitizenWatch warns serious repercussions for selling SIM cards

CONSUMER Advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines called on all mobile phone users to join the fight against text scammers and warned of serious repercussions for selling their registered SIM cards.

In a statement, former legislator

Christopher “Kit” Belmonte, co-con-

LANTERNS FOR CHRISTMAS.

A store owner inspects lanterns made of bamboo and covered with colored plastic at the Mega Q-mart in Quezon City on Friday. The country has officially started the celebration of the Christmas season which typically begins in September and lasts until January Manny Palmero

venor of CitizenWatch Philippines said:

“Despite the implementation of the SIM (subscriber identity module) Card Registration Law and the expiration of the extended deadline to register all SIM card users, text scammers continue to target millions of mobile phone users, employing increasingly creative and

deceptive tactics in their fraudulent schemes.”

“These scammers have mastered the art of deception and have even applied Filipino social nuances to convincingly impersonate banks or e-payment platforms to propagate their fraudulent financial schemes. This alarming reve -

By Rey E. Requejo

RICE FOR 4Ps. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday led the distribution of around 1,200 sacks of confiscated smuggled rice to identified beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the City of General Trias, Cavite. Joey Razon

lation underscores the audacity and sophistication of these illicit operations,” Belmonte said.

Telcos have pointed out that online scammers are now using over-the-top (OTT) messaging and SIM cards issued by international telecom providers as a way to circumvent the law.

THROUGHOUT the nine decades of her life, Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid has worn multiple hats as writer, educator, constitutionalist, painter, pioneer and expert in the field of communication and media, and social activist for peace, development, and nation-building.

She chronicles her extraordinary journey in an autobiography, “Tagpo: Right Place, Right Time,” launched on September 18, a day after her 92nd birthday.

A co-founder and President Emeritus of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and one of the framers of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Braid started writing “Tagpo” in October 2022, sharing her diverse experiences and pioneering initiatives in harnessing the power of communication to spark social change.

At the book launch, held at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, over 80 guests from the academe, civil society, media, and the government gathered to celebrate Braid’s milestone and birthday.

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has created a panel of prosecutors to conduct the preliminary investigation on the complaints against 13 alleged leaders and members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (Bayanihan), reportedly a cult in Surigao del Norte.

“We have a panel of prosecutors who will weigh the statements in the conduct of the criminal investigation,” DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said, during a press briefing on Friday. Remulla assured that witnesses will be placed under the government’s Witness Protection Program when the DOJ conducts its preliminary investigation. Remulla had ordered the transfer to the DOJ from the Prosecutor’s Office in Surigao del Norte the formal probe on the complaints filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last June.

“The prosecutors there decided to desist in handling the preliminary investigation because of threats,” he said.

Remulla noted that the NBI initially filed the complaints before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Surigao del Norte, but the provincial prosecutors there inhibited from handling the case. Then, the complaints were filed before the Prosecutor’s Office in Surigao City which also desisted from handling the preliminary investigation.

The respondents in the complaints included the alleged cult’s leader Jey Rence B. Quilario who is also known as “Senior Agila.”

University of the Philippines Church of the Risen

Lord Senior Pastor and Chaplain, Rev. Callum Tabada, led the opening prayer.

AIJC and the NOW Group Chairman Mel Velarde gave the welcome remarks.

“Flor’s chronicles are not just her story but a beacon of perseverance, empathy, and steadfast commitment to change… She reminds us that we, as individuals and as a nation, are works in progress—to continue growing, learning, reshaping, and redefining our world,” Velarde said.

Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Adolfo Azcuna, former Dean of the University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Development Communication, Dr. Maria Celeste Cadiz, and Lyceum-Northwestern University College of Law Dean, Atty. Farah Marie Decano, delivered their reflections on the book. The message of Temple University Professor Emeritus and co-editor of the autobiography, Dr. John Lent, was read.

After turning 92, Braid unveils new book ‘Tagpo’

Prosecutors set to conduct probe on alleged cult

New Unilever plant to create 5k jobs

MORE than 5,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities await Filipinos following the inauguration of Unilever Philippines’ new Beauty & Well-being and Personal Care (BWPC) factory in General Trias City, Cavite.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. thanked Unilever for establishing its manufacturing plant in the country, which is one of the company’s largest personal care facilities in the world.

“To see this project come to fruition after just several months is not only encouraging, it also inspires me and the rest of the government to work even harder for the Filipino people.

So, I congratulate and thank Unilever Philippines for the establishment of this very high-technology and sustainability-driven manufacturing facility for personal care products,”

Mr. Marcos said.

He said Unilever’s continued trust in the Philippines and the Filipinos’ talent reflects the vote of confidence not just of the multinational consumer goods firm but also of other investors who would like to operate in the country.

Mr. Marcos assured the company of

his administration’s unwavering support for its expansion and sustainability plans in the Philippines.

“This manufacturing plant is projected to produce nearly 90,000 tons of various personal care products annually and this is to meet the growing domestic and export demand for Unilever products,” he said.

“Such an important facility such as this has been put up still here in the Philippines. I’m sure it will help to encourage other groups to come in and do the same.”

Charles Dantes

CHR may file charges vs. village chief in Vergara case

THE Commission on Human Rights said it is eyeing possible charges against a barangay captain in Occidental Mindoro over the case of abused helper Silvera “Elvie” Vergara.

“As part of the CHR investigation, we have issued a subpoena to the employers and we are also looking into recommending the filing of charges against the barangay chairman,” the agency said.

“CHR will continue to stand for the rights of the weak, vulnerable, and marginalized sectors,” it added.

During an earlier Senate hearing, Vergara recounted how she was able to escape from her alleged abusive employers in 2021.

Vergara said she sought help from the barangay but one of the local officials allegedly informed her employer of her location.

Barangay captain Jimmy Patal denied the testimony of Vergara.

“This case reveals the vulnerability of domestic workers even in our own country. This is unfortunate considering that the Philippines is among the first countries to affirm the Domestic Workers Convention under the International Labor Organization Convention No. 189, which declares that domestic workers have the right to a safe and healthy working environment,” CHR said.

‘Rody top senatorial pick; Ong, Tulfo tied at 2nd place’

FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte was the top choice of majority Filipinos if the senatorial elections were held today and he was a candidate, a PUBLiCUS Asia survey released yesterday showed. Duterte ranked first among possible senatorial candidates with 47 percent

voter support, based on the “Pahayag 2023 Third Quarter Survey.”

The survey was conducted from September 7 to September 12 among 1,500 respondents. This was just a slight drop from his 51 percent voter preference in the survey conducted in the previous quarter.

Tied at second place were Dr. Willie Ong and ACT-CIS party-List Rep. Erwin Tulfo with a support base of 43 percent each.

At the third and four spots were incumbent senators Christopher Go and Imee Marcos, who garnered 38 percent and 36 percent voter support, respectively.

By Maricel V. Cruz

DEPUTY Majority Leader Janette Garin

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines on Friday said it is seeking to recruit two million more reservists annually once the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) becomes mandatory again.

“Every year, if ROTC becomes mandatory, we expect an additional two million students from all of the universities,” said Army Maj. Gen. Joel Alejandro Nacnac, Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservists and Retiree Affairs of the AFP.

Nacnac said the ROTC recruits will be classified as standby reservists, which is mobilized only in times of national emergency or war.

Standby reservists are different from the “ready reservists” who can be called at any time to add up to the regular forces of the AFP.

According to Philippine Naval Reserve Command head Maj. Gen. Joseph Ferrous Cuison, there are more volunteers who are willing to join the reserve force not only in the Philippine Navy but also in the Philippine Air Force, Marines and Army.

The AFP reserve forces is composed of over 71,000 “ready reservists,” more than 15,000 affiliated units from other organizations and institutions, and 1.1 million standby reservists.

“Many volunteers sign up, without us telling them the benefits of being a reservist, just for the sake maybe of patriotism why they volunteer to join,”

Cuison said. Vince Lopez

SOLAR- POWERED IRRIGATION PUMP.

Speaker Martin Romualdez (fourth from left) together with Committee on Appropriations chairman Rep. Zaldy Co, Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo and National Irrigation Administration Region 3 Administrator Eduardo Guillen inspect the Kapatiran IA Solar Pump Irrigation System at Brgy. Sampaloc in San Rafael, Bulacan on Friday, September 22, 2023. Ver Noveno

on Friday urged the government to adopt a whole-of-nation approach to combat the rising cases of child exploitation online. Garin made the call after the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center revealed that the Philippines ranked second in the world when it comes to online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).

“This is alarming. Children should be sent to school and not being forced into situations like this. We need to look into why the Philippines seem to be an easy target,” she said.

The lawmaker said the government must act upon the situation and emphasized that it “should not be reduced to mere data and statistics.”

“This is a calling for a whole of nation approach. Awareness is very important to prevent the prevalence of child exploitation and illegal acts,” Garin said.

Indigent families in Caloocan receive fish packs from Tingog party-list

By Maricel V. Cruz

district was done through the

office of Speaker Martin Romualdez and Caloocan Rep. Vince Hernandez. Dubbed “Tingog ISDA best,” the program aims to provide immediate food assistance to needy families in Metro Manila.

Tingog Reps. Yedda K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre embarked on the

Agency backs proposal to hire senior citizens

THE National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) on Thursday welcomed the filing of a bill mandating the public and private sectors to hire senior citizens.

NCSC chairperson Franklin Quijano said the filing of the proposed measure at the House of Representatives is a “good move” and a “very welcome development.”

“We see other things that our government should do. First of all, I hope that those who can work are covered by insurance, and sometimes those civil service laws, GSIS [Government Service Insurance System] and SSS [Social Security System] laws tend to limit the coverage of the insurance. We might look into it,” Quijano said.

“But in the meantime, with the senior citizens working, they are really happy with that. There are already a few establishments that actually hire or employ senior citizens. I hope there will be more

establishments that hire senior citizens,” he added.

ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, along with other lawmakers, filed House Bill (HB) 8972 which promotes the employment of senior citizens in the country.

Under the bill, at least 1 percent of all positions in government agencies, offices, or corporations shall be reserved for qualified senior citizens.

HB 8972 also mandates private corporations with over 100 employees to reserve at least 1 percent of their positions for qualified ones.

Private corporations with less than 100 employees are encouraged to hire the elderly.

“We’re actually trying to encourage senior citizens to be more productive by encouraging enterprises to support them and enterprises to be created. Of course, employment is part of it and we are happy because many senior citizens are looking for a job and want to spend their time working. They possess the skill and the stability in the focused work,” he said.

program to give emergency food relief to underprivileged communities, allowing them to meet their basic needs for the day as well as promoting health consciousness.

Also present during the program was comedy star Giselle Sanchez who led the Zumba dance session before

the fish distribution.

The recipients thanked the nominees of Tingog for their initiative.

“Maraming salamat Tingog party-list (group), malaking tulong na po ito sa amin. Sana’y patuloy lang po kayo sa mga programa ninyo para sa amin,” one of the residents said.

FOR RESUPPLY IN WPS. Western Command head Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos (left) receive donations from Lt. Col. Juden Noche (Res.) and Cpt. Mel Hallar (Res.) for the regular resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. Lino Santos

AFP to recruit 2m reservists once ROTC made mandatory again

Lawmaker seeks whole-of-nation approach against online child abuse

The Rosary as a Family Prayer?

IN THE Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, the Holy Father John Paul II once more urged Christian families to pray in their home by reciting the Rosary: “We need to return to the practice of family prayer and prayer for families, continuing to use the Rosary.”

The Secret of the Rosary is a book about the Holy Rosary written by Louis de Montfort, a French priest and Catholic saint who died in 1716. A young man, the nephew of Stephen the cardinal of [Fossa Nuova monastery], fell with his horse into a ditch and was killed.

Being lifted out, he was laid at the feet of Saint Dominic, who prayed over him and restored him to life.

Is there a biblical basis for the Rosary?

Theologians say the bible does “not” tell us to pray the Rosary because this form of prayer originated only during the middle ages.

There are those who claim that Mary giving the rosary to St. Dominic is a pious legend without historical basis

The Fifteen Promises is a tradition held by the Order of Preachers (also known as Dominicans) that the Blessed Virgin Mary made 15 specific promises through Dominic de Guzmán and Alan de Rupe, to those who faithfully pray the Rosary

The 15 promises fall under the category of “private revelation,” and as such are a pious tradition, which a person is free to believe or not believe.

Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces.

I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.

It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the heart of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.

Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries, shall never be conquered and never overwhelmed by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death (unprepared for heaven). The sinner shall convert. The just shall grow in grace and become worthy of eternal life.

Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.

Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have, during their life and at their death, the light of God and the plenitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.

I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.

The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.

You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.

All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.

I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.

All who recite the Rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only son Jesus Christ.

Devotion of my Rosary is a great sign of predestination. The Blessed Virgin Mary promised St. Dominic and all who followed that “Whatever you ask in the Rosary will be granted.”

She also revealed to him 15 specific promises to those who faithfully pray the Rosary: Whosoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.

Beneath Thy Protection (Ancient Greek: Ὑπὸ τὴν σὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν; Latin: Sub Tuum Præsidium) is an ancient Christian hymn and prayer. It is one of the oldest known Marian prayers and among the most ancient preserved hymns to the Blessed Virgin Mary that is still in use.

Where did Mary give the Rosary to Saint Dominic?

Theological documents suggest the apparition occurred in southern France, in a small, outof-the-way spot known as Prouilhe in the Languedoc region.

When St. Dominic was laboring without success to convert souls back to the one true faith, the Virgin Mother gave him a powerful weapon, the Angelic Salutation [i.e. the Angel Gabriel’s greeting to the Virgin Mary at the Incarnation], and the pattern in which it should be prayed to combat the Albigensian heresy (the heresy of the Cathars).

This is a re-emergent form of the ancient Manichean heresy which denied the divinity of Christ and the goodness of the created material world.

And she also gave the rosary “mysteries” which reflected on the Incarnation, Passion, and death of her Son.

The words of the Angelic Salutation combined with meditations on the divine mysteries was to be used as a prayer and catechism tool to teach the people the true Christian faith.

If St. Dominic would preach her rosary and its meditations on the life of Christ, many souls would be converted from their error and saved through her intercession.

Religious documents say the Blessed Virgin said to him: “Wonder not that you have obtained so little fruit by your labors, you have spent them on barren soil, not yet watered with the dew of Divine grace.

“When God willed to renew the face of the earth, He began by sending down on it the fertilizing rain of the Angelic Salutation.

“Therefore preach my Psalter composed of 150 Angelic Salutations and 15 Our Fathers, and you will obtain an abundant harvest.”

There are those who claim that Mary giving the rosary to St. Dominic is a pious legend without historical basis.

But, theologians say, this “legend” is so well supported in the Catholic Church history, and the tradition documented by at least a dozen popes, that its authenticity as a gift from Our Lady to the Church, through the hands of St. Dominic, cannot be reasonably doubted.

One papal encyclical says: “Our merciful God, as you know, raised up against these most direful enemies a most holy man, the illustrious parent and founder of the Dominican Order.

“Great in the integrity of his doctrine, in his example of virtue, and by his apostolic labors, he proceeded undauntedly to attack the enemies of the Catholic Church, not by force of arms; but trusting wholly to that devotion which he was the first to institute under the name of the Holy Rosary, which was disseminated through the length and breadth of the earth by him and his pupils.

“Guided, in fact, by divine inspiration and grace, he foresaw that this devotion, like a most powerful warlike weapon, would be the means of putting the enemy to flight, and of confounding their audacity and mad impiety. Such was indeed its result.

“Thanks to this new method of prayer – when adopted and properly carried out as instituted by the Holy Father St. Dominic – piety, faith, and union began to return, and the projects and devices of the heretics to fall to pieces.

“Many wanderers also returned to the way of salvation, and the wrath of the impious was restrained by the arms of those Catholics who had determined to repel their violence.”

(Supremi Apostolatus Officio, Encyclical of Ppope Leo XIII on Devotion of (sic) the Rosary).

The Dominicans, the Church’s first religious order devoted to itinerant preaching, were given the special task by Our Lady to preach her Holy Rosary across Europe, and the order in which the universal Church prays the rosary today is taken from the original Dominican form.

THE ball is now in the halls of the Senate.

This, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certified as urgent the bill redefining and imposing stiffer penalties against crimes of agricultural sabotage.

In a statement, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil confirmed Mr. Marcos certified as urgent, in a letter to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, the approval of Senate Bill 2432, a measure that defines the crimes of agricultural economic sabotage.

The President underlined the need for the immediate enactment of SB 2432 “to promote the productivity of the agriculture sector, protect farmers and fisherfolk from unscrupulous traders and importers, and ensure reasonable and affordable prices of agricultural and fishery products for consumers.”

The Chief Executive had lamented the country is now beset by rising prices and shortages in agricultural products, “partly due to the nefarious acts of smuggling. hoarding, profiteering, and cartel.”

The bill, now pending in the Senate during interpellation period, is among the expanded Common Legislative Agenda discussed during the third Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting at Malacañang earlier this week.

The measure also creates an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council to ensure the proper and effective implementation of the proposed law

A Technical Working Group is finalizing the version of the House of Representatives.

Malacanang has said the bill, which would repeal the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, aims to impose severe sanctions on the nefarious acts of smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel of agricultural and fishery products.

The sanctions include a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine thrice the value of the agricultural and fishery products subject of the crime as economic sabotage.

But what are the acts punished by the bill?

Under the bill, the acts of agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering and cartel as economic sabotage are committed when the value of each agricultural and

fishery product subject of the crime is at least P1 million, using the Daily Price Index, under Section 19 of the proposed law, computed at the time the crime was committed.

The measure also creates an AntiAgricultural Economic Sabotage Council headed by the President or his designated permanent representative to ensure the proper and effective implementation of the proposed law.

The council will have the power to direct speedy investigation and prosecution of all violators, as well as freeze the violators’ funds, properties, bank deposits, placements, trust accounts, assets and records.

Malacanang noted any government officer or employee found to be an accomplice in the commission of the crime will “suffer the additional penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, exercising the right to vote, from participating in any public election, and forfeiture of employment monetary and financial benefits.”

“When the offender is a juridical person, criminal liability shall be attached to all officers who participated in the decision that led to the commission of the crime, with a penalty of perpetual absolute disqualification to engage in any business involving importation, transportation, storage and warehousing, and domestic trade of agricultural and fishery products,” according to Garafil.

Decline in value of US currency

THE trickiest strategy adopted by central banks is to unilaterally measure the value of the currency based on what the monetarists call as international reserve currency.

The denomination of the US dollar as international reserve currency came about not as accident but the result of a celebrated design.

First, the US was the only industrialized state that came out from the ravages of the Second World War.

Second, its manufacturing industries were able to escape the destruction of World War II and in fact tremendously grew in number.

Third, the post-World War II era saw the formation of huge financial capital such as the creation of the World Bank and the International Monetary Bank.

The two banks through the Bretton Woods Agreement gave the US the authority to fix the value of the US dollar at $32 per ounce of gold.

Fourth, since the US was given unlimited use of the currency to carry on its enormous international trade and banking transactions, the US dollar became the accepted international monetary system of exchange.

Consequently, the US, through the US Monetary Fund, eventually and automatically fixed the value of its US dollar as against any other currencies.

This gives the US a chance to measure its economy based on its gross domestic product (GDP) instead of the country’s gross national product (GNP). Many opted to this measurement much that nobody could question the authenticity of the US economy, it being the biggest industrial and leading manufacturing economy in the world.

The US, being the financier of the World Bank and the IMF, stood to back up its own economy, no different from China’s position as the broker of the global project known as Belt and Road Initiative, and to the gargantuan New International Bank.

It was this economic opportunity that unilaterally gave itself the right to peg the value of the dollar against other currencies.

Nobody dared question the power of the US to adjust the value of the dollar to a price

that other currencies are willing to pay in the market. Other countries have no much choice.

The power of the US dollar over the currencies of other countries allowed it to dictate the value of export of other countries.

This resulted in the gradual reduction of exporting countries to the US; narrowed their export and value of their products; and most detrimental, this drastically hampered their own economic development.

The mere change in currency valuation is more than enough for the US to earn

It denied them the right to develop and expand the variety of their exports particularly against the US that often have their own natural market monopoly to limit exports of other countries.

As this uneven cycle of trade persists, the US, through the World Bank and the IMF, is able to dictate the price of the export commodities.

As a result, exporting countries end up having a limited export products that are awfully pegged at a low price.

Thus, exporting countries are forced to unilaterally adjust the value of their currencies to increase their exports.

This is also the consequence of having low value exports.

As their last remedy, they are forced to devalue their currency, which decision generally affects the entire economy of the country. This way, lending countries are often not directly blamed for the economic catastrophe.

The US and other imperialist countries have found this method as their very tool to manipulate their economy to their own advantage.

This explains why countries unable to pay their loans often end up in the saying of

having chained themselves in a debt trap.

The US has once decoupled the gold to the US dollar.

This happened in 1973 when the US experienced a huge trade deficit because of the Vietnam War.

The sale or exchange for gold in dollars was prohibited. Practically, the US monopolized the sale and exchange of gold.

The US virtually violated the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1946 where it pegged the value of gold at $32 dollar per ounce. Only the US was allowed to do purchase the gold in the market and at the same time allowed it to print the US dollar by way of “quantitative easing.”

Nobody questioned that unilateral decision of the US despite the fact that the US simply measured its economy based on its GDP which in the 70s sharply declined because of the rising economies of Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

This explains why the new members of BRICS are calling for the introduction of a new reserve currency. As stated, the unilateral decision of the US to arbitrarily increase the value of their currency resulted in the detriment of the borrowing and developing countries, and they make profit without adding value to their products.

The mere change in currency valuation is more than enough for the US to earn. It is in the value of the currency of some countries that they either earn or incur loss. Continuous change in the rate of exchange results in such astronomical profit for both the exporting and importing countries. Developing countries are always at the mercy of the US.

Email: (rpkapunan@gmail.com)

Fragile ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh after ‘constructive’ peace talks

YEVLAKH, Azerbaijan — A fragile ceasefire was held before the weekend in Nagorno-Karabakh, after Armenian separatists this week capitulated to Azerbaijan’s lightning offensive.

Azerbaijan and the separatists from the disputed territory of NagornoKarabakh held their first direct peace talks Thursday, after Baku claimed to have regained control over the breakaway region.

The separatists agreed to lay down their arms on Wednesday as part of a Russianbrokered ceasefire plan that halted Azerbaijan’s 24-hour offensive to retake land at the center of decades of conflict.

Azerbaijan’s presidency said the two-hour meeting had been “held in a constructive and peaceful atmosphere” in the presence of Russian peacekeepers. Both sides expressed readiness to hold more talks.

Baku’s negotiators presented plans for the “reintegration” of Karabakh’s Armenian population into Azerbaijan and pledged to provide urgently needed fuel, humanitarian supplies, and medical care to residents. While the meeting was happening, gunfire rang out in the separatist stronghold of Stepanakert, despite the truce deal.

The breakaway authorities accused Azerbaijan of violating the ceasefire, but Baku denied the allegation.

Russia’s defense ministry also said it observed “five ceasefire violations” in the areas of Shusha and Mardakert.

‘Crime against humanity’

Hours later, Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers clashed during a UN Security Council emergency meeting on the crisis that, according to the separatists, has claimed 200 lives.

“There are no more sides of the conflict, but perpetrators and victims. There is no more conflict, but the real danger of atrocity,” said Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

“The intensity and cruelty of the offensive makes it clear that the intention is to finalize ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population.”

His Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov accused Armenia of disinformation.

“Armenia’s attempt to exploit the UN Security Council in its campaign to mislead the international community is deplorable,” Bayramov said.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over the small mountainous region.

Now, there are concerns of a fresh refugee crisis as Karabakh’s Armenian population fears being forced out.

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the ceasefire was holding overall and he did not see a “direct threat”

Demonstrators blamed Russia, the ally whose help did not arrive, and the EU, which has relied on Azerbaijan for gas supplies since the war in Ukraine

to the civilian population.

The collapse of the separatist resistance represents a major victory for Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, who said his country had restored its sovereignty over the region. A separatist official said more than 10,000 people had been evacuated from Armenian communities in Nagorno-Karabakh. Putin talks to Aliyev Russia — the traditional regional powerbroker — sent peacekeepers to Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 as part of a deal to end a six-week war in which Azerbaijan regained partial control of the region.

Under this week’s truce, the separatists said they had agreed to fully dismantle their army.

After the Soviet Union fell apart, Armenian separatists seized the region — internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan — in the early 1990s.

That sparked a war that left 30,000 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands.

The latest violence comes with Russia bogged down in its war against Ukraine, and after the United States and the EU stepped up attempts to find a lasting peace.

Pashinyan on Thursday condemned “failures” by the Russian peacekeeping mission to avert Azerbaijan’s assault.

Six Russian peacekeepers were among those killed, the Azerbaijan prosecutor’s office said, five when its forces “mistakenly” identified them as Armenian separatists, and another who died after coming under fire from separatist troops.

The Kremlin said Aliyev had apologized over the deaths.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the question of which country NagornoKarabakh belongs to had been “decided” and conditions were in place for an enduring solution.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed “wholehearted support” for its ally, Azerbaijan.

‘Path is not easy’

The apparent capitulation of the separatists has sparked jubilation among Azerbaijanis.

But in Armenia, it ratcheted up pressure on Pashinyan, who has faced stinging criticism for making concessions to Azerbaijan.

Thousands of angry citizens rallied outside his offices in Yerevan on Thursday, waving Karabakh flags and holding placards that said: “We must save Karabakh’s children from genocide.”

“Today is the day of our shame. Nikol stole our homeland,” pharmacist Arkady Balayan, 32, told AFP.

Demonstrators blamed Russia, the ally whose help did not arrive, and the EU, which has relied on Azerbaijan for gas supplies since the war in Ukraine.

“Nobody wants to save us, we don’t have a strong enough army... We’re on our own, everyone has let us down,” said lawyer Angela Adamian.

“We’re afraid that this means the end of our nation, because we know Azerbaijan won’t want to stop here.”

Still, Pashinyan said on Thursday that peace with Armenia’s arch-rival must be sought.

“This path is not easy,” he said. “It goes through internal and external shocks, and we must pursue it.” AFP

Zelensky wins Biden support but faces skeptics

WASHINGTON, DC—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Washington Thursday (Friday in Manila) to appeal for help fighting Russia, winning warm words of support and weapons from Joe Biden but confronting skeptical Republicans who want to cut off aid.

“We’re with you and we’re staying with you,” Biden told the Ukrainian leader after their top teams met at White House to thrash out Zelensky’s demands for more arms to push back the Russian invasion.

Wearing his trademark olive green military-style shirt, Zelensky said Ukraine “has exactly what our soldiers need” after Biden announced a new package of US military aid, including sophisticated air defense weapons.

But behind the visuals -- firm handshakes across a grand cabinet table and shows of solidarity in the Oval Office -lay the fact that Zelensky’s second wartime trip to Washington was far tougher than the first.

Where Zelensky received a hero’s welcome when he visited in December, this time he spent his closed-door meetings in the US Congress desperately trying to overcome growing war fatigue from Republicans.

Hardline Republicans are threatening to block Democrat Biden’s request for a fresh $24 billion aid package for Ukraine, and it has now become caught up in a bitter spending battle that could spark a US government shutdown.

Biden said alongside Zelensky that there was “no alternative” to backing the Ukraine funding, adding that he was “counting on the good judgment of the United States Congress.”

Speaking later at the National Archives, Zelensky said, “I assured President Biden that we in Ukraine will not give up and he assured me that America will be with us, as long as it takes.”

The US president said the first US M1 Abrams tanks will arrive in Ukraine

“next week,” boosting Kyiv’s forces as they battle Russian troops in a slowmoving counteroffensive.

The latest US package would also strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capability, crucial at a time when the country faces repeated Russian missile and drone attacks.

Zelensky arrived Thursday night in Ottawa, Canada for an unannounced visit. He was to meet Friday with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of Canada’s large Ukrainian community, and give a speech to parliament.

In Washington the Ukrainian leader arrived right after another wave of Russian missile strikes, hitting cities across the country and killing at least three people in Kherson and wounding many in other areas.

Zelensky thanked Biden for the “vital assistance provided by the United States to combat Russian terror, really terror.”

As part of his bid to win over Washington, Zelensky went to the Pentagon where he laid a wreath at a memorial for victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

But in a blow to Zelensky, Biden rejected for now a request for longerrange ATACMS missiles that can strike up to 300 kilometers (190 miles) away, the White House said.

The key part of Zelensky’s visit was arguably to a deeply divided Congress.

The hard-right faction dominating the Republican Party is increasingly adamant that the aid spigot should be turned off, with Congress having already approved $100 billion in aid to date, including $43 billion in weaponry. AFP

Abbas to UN: No Mideast peace sans Palestinians’ rights

UNITED NATIONS, New York—Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas said Thursday (Friday in Manila) there could be no peace in the Middle East without a twostate solution, sending a warning as Saudi Arabia considers recognizing Israel.

“Those who think that peace can prevail in the Middle East without the Palestinian people enjoying their full, legitimate national rights would be mistaken,” Abbas told the UN General Assembly.

The veteran 87-year-old leader made a new appeal for negotiations and for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to call an international conference on creating a Palestinian state.

The United States, historically the peace broker between the two sides, has all but given up on serious negotiations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-right government, which has pushed forward settlements in the occupied West Bank considered illegal internationally. A UN conference “may be the last opportunity to salvage the two-state solution and to prevent the situation from deteriorating more seriously and threatening the security and stability of our region and the entire world,” Abbas said. His address came a day after Netan-

Pope Francis flies into migrant squabble with trip to Marseille

VATICAN CITY, Holy See—Pope

Francis headed to Marseille Friday for a two-day visit focused on the Mediterranean and migration, and bringing a message of tolerance amid bitter debate over how Europe manages asylum seekers.

The desperate conditions that cause many people to leave their homes for a new life, and the risks they take to do so, have been a key theme in the 86-yearold’s decade as head of the worldwide Catholic Church.

But his visit to the French port city, to take part in a meeting of Mediterranean-area Catholic bishops and young people, puts him at the center of a political storm.

A surge in migrant boats arriving from North Africa on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa last week triggered outrage both in Italy and beyond.

The European Union promised more help for Rome while France, amid wrangling over a draft law governing migrant arrivals there, said it would not accept anyone from Lampedusa. Migration “represents a challenge

that is not easy, as we also see from the news in recent days, but which must be faced together”, Francis said at the Vatican on Sunday.

“It is essential for the future of all, which will be prosperous only if it is built on fraternity, putting human dignity and real people, especially those most in need, in first place.”

The pope, who prefers to visit small Catholic communities around the world, has made clear that his trip is not to France but specifically Marseille.

He becomes the first pope in 500 years to visit the city, a historic gateway for immigrants and also home to some of the poorest neighbourhoods in Europe, many of which are plagued by drug trafficking.

Ahead of what will be his 44th overseas trip, and in increasingly fragile health, Francis admitted this month that papal voyages were not as easy as they used to be.

He underwent hernia surgery in June, less than two years after having colon surgery, and routinely uses a wheelchair due to a troublesome knee. AFP

CLIMATE FOCUS. (from left) Britain’s Queen Camilla, Britain’s King Charles III, French President Emmanuel Macron and French President’s wife Brigitte Macron pose on the steps of the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, on Thursday, departing for Bordeaux, where the 74-year-old British head of state—a lifelong environmentalist— wraps up three days of diplomacy aimed at forging closer cross-Channel links after Brexit. AFP

yahu discussed Saudi normalization in a meeting with US President Joe Biden.

Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said that the process was getting “closer.” Israel and the United States believe that the Jewish state’s normalization with Saudi Arabia—guardian of Islam’s two holiest sites—would be a gamechanger for the Middle East.

An Israeli diplomat walked out of the General Assembly as Abbas denounced the international “impunity” for Israel over its “apartheid” policies, a characterization that infuriates the Jewish state. AFP

China VP warns at UN of ‘strong will’ on Taiwan

UNITED NATIONS, New York— China warned Thursday (Friday) at the United Nations not to underestimate its “strong will” on Taiwan, while saying Beijing preferred peaceful means to take the self-governing democracy.

Addressing the General Assembly, Vice President Han Zheng repeated Beijing’s stance that Taiwan -- around which the communist mainland has staged repeated military exercises -constitutes an “inalienable part” of China.

“No one should ever underestimate the firm resolve, strong will and the power of the Chinese people to safeguard their sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.

“Realizing China’s complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation,” he said.

“We will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and the utmost effort.”

Nearly all countries recognize Beijing rather than Taipei but the United States has a strong unofficial relationship with Taiwan, to which it provides weapons to ensure its self-defense.

Some US officials have voiced concern that China is stepping up preparations to seize the island by force, especially if Taiwan makes moves to declare its independence formally.

Experts say that China has been reviewing lessons from Ukraine, which Russia has failed to seize a year and a half after invading.

China is allied with Russia but has stopped short of providing large amounts of military support to Moscow. AFP

King Charles’s France trip closing with climate focus

BORDEAUX, France—King Charles III on Friday puts the environment at the heart of the final day of his state visit to France, learning about climate-induced wildfires and visiting a sustainable vineyard in the heart of wine country.

The 74-year-old British head of state—a lifelong environmentalist—wraps up three days of diplomacy aimed at forging closer cross-Channel links after Brexit with a trip to the southwestern city of Bordeaux. Charles, accompanied by his wife Queen Ca-

milla, 76, had been due to visit in March but civil unrest over unpopular pension reforms forced the trip to be postponed at the last minute. His rescheduled tour, including a ceremonial welcome at the Arc de Triomphe, a glittering state dinner at the Palace of Versailles, and a landmark address at the Senate, has been largely well-received.

Even in staunchly republican France, there have been cries of “vive le roi!” (long live the king!) and his speech to the Senate that mixed

English and French was given a standing ovation by lawmakers.

The warmth of his relationship with President Emmanuel Macron has been clear, with Charles setting a slightly more informal atmosphere than would have been the case under his late mother Queen Elizabeth II.

Bordeaux is well-placed to illustrate the point hammered home throughout the visit about Britain and France’s shared personal, political and cultural history. AFP

TOUGH TRIP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (right) applauds as he listens to wife Olena Zelenska speak at the National Archives in Washington, DC. Behind the visuals -- firm handshakes across a grand cabinet table and shows of solidarity in the Oval Office -- lay the fact that Zelensky’s second wartime trip to Washington was far tougher than the first. AFP

INTO MIGRANTS ROW. An unaccompanied child (juvenile) migrant sits on a bench at a camp in downtown Marseille, southern France, on Thursday. Pope Francis, expected in Marseille on Friday, has chosen migration as a key theme of his visit. AFP

TOP GAINERS

PH stocks climb on bargain-hunting

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE stocks ended the week in the green on bargainhunting, bucking Wall Street’s sharp decline.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index climbed 48.08 points, or 0.79 percent, to close at 6,142.79 Friday, while the broader all-shares index went up by 22.88 points, or 0.69 percent, to settle at 3,316.95.

Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said investors saw

TOP LOSERS

MOST ACTIVE

bargain-hunting opportunities after the US Federal Reserve and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas kept benchmark rates steady.

“Philippine shares bounced back again as investors expectations aligned with that of the Fed to maintain the status quo for now, while others are speculating how long interest rates will be kept elevated,” he said.

Value traded was thin at P3.82 billion. Meanwhile, most stock markets rose Friday, reversing early losses and a selloff on Wall Street, as traders contemplate further interest rate hikes by central banks struggling to tame inflation.

With officials from the United States to Switzerland warning that more tightening will be needed, the Bank of Japan

stood firm on its ultra-loose monetary policy, refusing to give in to calls for a shift to normalization.

Equities have had a rough ride this week, with the Fed’s closely watched “dot plot” guide on rates indicating it could announce another increase before the end of the year, while cutting less than initially hoped next year.

Those expectations were solidified Thursday with data showing US applications for US unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level since January last week, pointing to a still strong labor market.

Ian Lyngen at BMO Capital Markets said the reading “marginally increases the chances the Fed hikes in November

China to control half of world hydrogen electrolyzer capacity

PARIS, France—By the end of 2023, China will control half the world’s installed capacity of electrolyzers for producing low-carbon hydrogen amid a slowdown in new projects due to inflation, according to an International Energy Agency report released Friday.

“After a slow start, China has taken the lead on electrolyzer deployment,” the IEA report on hydrogen said.

China’s installed electrolyzer capacity has jumped significantly in recent years, and is expected to reach 1.2 gigawatts—50 percent of the global capacity—after having accounted for just 10 percent of the global capacity in 2020.

Electrolyzers are devices used for the

industrial separation of hydrogen and oxygen within water molecules, using electricity obtained through renewable energy sources such as solar, wind or nuclear.

With the green energy transition underway, electrolyzers are becoming essential to replace traditional methods of producing industrial hydrogen.

These have relied on polluting methane gas in a process linked to the petrochemical industry which is inexpensive but results in greenhouse gas emissions.

The production of low-carbon hydrogen could reach 38 million tons by 2030 as long as all projects that have been announced are implemented, the IEA said.

But the IEA is concerned about rising equipment costs due to inflation which are “putting projects at risk and reducing the impact of government support for deployment”.

“Several projects have revised their initial cost estimates upwards by up to 50 percent,” it said.

The agency is also concerned about the slow replacement of traditionally produced grey hydrogen for green hydrogen worldwide.

Low emission hydrogen accounted for less than one percent of the world’s demand in 2022, the agency said, meaning hydrogen use accounted for 900 million tons of equivalent carbon dioxide emissions. AFP

EU seeks to put brakes on Chinese electric cars without hurting ties

BRUSSELS, Belgium—When the EU launched an investigation into Chinese electric car subsidies, Brussels wanted the world to know that it will protect the automotive sector that is the jewel in Europe’s industrial crown, even if it upsets Beijing.

European Commission President

Ursula von der Leyen was resolute when she announced the probe on September 13, denouncing unfair practices that undercut European competitors, but sparked an angry retort from China.

Beijing warned the investigation would harm trade ties and accused the EU of “naked protectionism”, triggering fears of a trade war.

Those tensions will no doubt be there when EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis heads to China for a four-day visit starting Saturday to Shanghai, Suzhou and Beijing.

Dombrovskis has sought to mollify Beijing, insisting that Europe wants to “keep dialogue open” with China.

The EU faces an almost impossible balancing act in its relations with China, which the bloc variously describes as a partner on global issues, an economic competitor and a systemic rival.

On one hand, Brussels wants to maintain ties with Beijing to help resolve issues it believes can only be solved on a global level, such as climate change.

On the other, the EU is seeking to reduce its dependence on China, heeding lessons from its past over-reliance on Russia for fossil fuels.

Experts say this latest move demonstrates that the EU is willing to take action in line with its oft-repeated claim that it will “de-risk” but not “decouple” from China.

“This is sufficiently aggressive for it to have been carefully thought through,” Elvire Fabry, a researcher at Jacques Delors Institute, told AFP.

Without presuming the probe’s out-

come, Fabry said she did not believe the commission would have “taken such a step without already having a solid basis”, pointing to China’s massive subsidies in many parts of its economy.

Changing gears

The driving force behind von der Leyen’s announcement was the EU’s bitter experience with China over solar panels.

During her speech last week, she pointed to firms pushed out by cheaper Chinese solar panels that flooded the European market in the late 2000s, while others were forced to file for bankruptcy.

The car industry is significant for Europe, providing direct and indirect jobs to around 14 million Europeans, some 6.1 percent of all EU employment.

China’s carmakers are a growing threat, and this year it became the world’s largest exporter of cars, overtaking Japan for the first time.

The share of Chinese electric car brands in Europe is surging, reaching 6.1 percent between January and July this year, according to automotive data company Jato Dynamics, rising from a low base of 0.5 percent in 2019.

China’s success is in large part due to its early investment in batteries and its domination of critical raw materials used in much clean tech.

The EU is also rushing to pass a law to move away from relying on China for key materials such as lithium as part of a broader approach to bring more production to Europe and diversify its trading partners.

‘Unfounded’ claims

Not everyone is convinced that China is guilty of unfair practices.

Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, an expert at the Center Automotive Research in Germany, accused von der Leyen of making “unfounded” claims, stressing that

and certainly reinforces the Fed’s messaging regarding avoiding cuts as long as possible in 2024”.

Bets on further tightening also pushed 10-year Treasury yields to a 16-year high.

In a sign that the specter of inflation will linger for some time, central banks in Sweden, Norway and Switzerland all warned they would likely have to hike again at some point owing to sticky inflation.

While Fed decision-makers contemplate their next move, former St. Louis Fed boss James Bullard said they might have to keep raising to avoid a reaccelleration of inflation, which is still well above the bank’s two percent target. With AFP

Japan to stick to ‘ultra-loose’ monetary policy

TOKYO, Japan—The Bank of Japan stuck to its ultra-loose monetary policy Friday, though officials face increasing pressure to turn more hawkish as the yen weakens and after fresh data showed inflation remained stubbornly high.

While most other major central banks have pressed ahead with a campaign of interest rate hikes in a bid to tame prices, the BoJ has refused to shift from its long-term program, of sub-zero borrowing costs in order to kickstart the world’s number three economy.

Policymakers have for several months hinted that they are willing to adopt a more normalized policy, such as minor tweaks to its yield curve control scheme, which sees the bank control the band within which government bonds are allowed to move.

But there are growing calls for it to move quicker, and they will not have been tempered by data Friday showing the consumer price index excluding food and energy, prices jumped 4.3 percent on-year in August -- a three-decade high.

The CPI reading of 3.1 percent excluding just fresh food came in slightly above the three percent forecast in a survey by Bloomberg. In a post-meeting statement it stuck to its guns, as expected, but said it “will not hesitate to take additional easing measures if necessary”.

“With extremely high uncertainties surrounding economies and financial markets at home and abroad, the Bank will patiently continue with monetary easing while nimbly responding to development in economic activity and prices as well as financial conditions,” it said. AFP

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen poses on the red carpet at the BILD100 event of the Axel Springer publishing group at its headquarters building in Berlin, Germany, on September 14, 2023. AFP

Thai PM meets Musk, tech firms on investments

BANGKOK, Thailand—Thailand’s new prime minister has met Tesla boss Elon Musk and executives from other US tech and investment firms including Google and Microsoft as he seeks to boost the country’s flagging economy.

Srettha Thavisin, a former property mogul who took office last month, has pledged to pep up the kingdom’s financial fortunes, which were hit hard by the halt to tourism during the pandemic.

He met Musk on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, where he stressed Thailand’s commitment to sustainable development goals.

China’s success was due to “long-term” thinking and a “very strong” focus on developing electric cars.

France pushed for a probe because “the French car industry is almost invisible in China”, Dudenhoeffer said, accusing Paris of seeking to protect its manufacturers at the expense of Germany’s carmakers, since 40 percent of their sales are in China.

The EU will decide over the next 13 months whether to slap tariffs on Chinese electric cars above the standard 10 percent EU rate if it concludes there are unfair practices.

“If everything becomes very confrontational and tariffs, etc are applied immediately, that would be something to which China could react and therefore trade links between Europe and China could be put at stake,” said Simone Tagliapietra, a senior fellow at the Bruegel think tank. AFP

“We had a good conversation on @Tesla , @spaceX , and @starlink technology,” Srettha posted on X, formerly Twitter, early Friday.

“We look forward to further discussions.”

Thailand is one of Southeast Asia’s leading car producers, and is looking to transition production to electric vehicles.

Traditionally much of the output has been dominated by Japanese manufacturers, but Chinese EV makers are moving in.

Srettha also posted photos from meetings with Google and Microsoft executives, and the CEO of investment house BlackRock, Larry Fink.

“The meeting aimed at possible investment in Thailand, in particular in support of clean energy-related enterprises’ investment expansion and production in Thailand,” Srettha wrote of his encounter with Fink. AFP

CROP DRYING. Farmers dry crops during the harvest season in Linyi, in China’s eastern Shandong province on September 22, 2023. AFP

B4 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2023

BUSINESS

By Julito G. Rada

BUSINESSMEN turned less bullish in the third quarter on lower sales and higher prices of raw materials, results of a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas survey show.

The Business Expectations Survey said the overall confidence index declined to 35.8 percent in the third quarter from 40.8 percent in the second quarter.

“The firms’ less optimistic sentiment in the current quarter was attributed to decline in sales and demand for goods and services mainly due to weather-

Customs reports accomplishments

STRONG revenue collections, strengthened anti-smuggling campaign and successful fuel marking efforts are three of the achievements presented by the Bureau of Customs to Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno in a meeting Thursday.

These meetings are part of the DOF’s weekly engagements with the BOC and the Bureau of Internal Revenue to ensure efficient coordination.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the agency’s revenue collection performance from Sept. 1 to 19, 2023 hit P47.2 billion.

Rubio also cited the collaborative efforts between the BOC and the Royal Malaysian Customs to curb the illicit flow of cigarettes between the Philippines and Malaysia.

“Both customs administrations agreed to develop concept papers for a joint operation under the ASEAN Customs Enforcement and Compliance Working Group (CECWG). This initiative aims to bolster cooperation in monitoring and combating the illicit cigarette trade,” Rubio said in his report. Upcoming discussions on this matter are scheduled for the next ASEAN CECWG meeting in October 2023. Julito G. Rada

ERC sets run-of-river FIT at P6.11 per kWh

THE Energy Regulatory Commission

(ERC) said Friday it issued a resolution setting the feed-in tariff (FIT) for run-ofriver (ROR) hydro for the third FIT round (FIT3) at P6.1110 per kilowatt-hour.

This is contained in ERC Resolution No. 14, series of 2023, dated Aug. 15, 2023 where the approved rate for ROR FIT3 covers Jan. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2021 and carries an annual degression of 0.5 percent until full subscription of the 250-megawatt installation target.

The Renewable Energy Law mandated the establishment of a FIT system for electricity produced from wind, solar, ocean, run-of-river, hydropower and biomass. The FIT system guarantees all eligible renewable energy plants an entitlement for the applicable FITs for the a period of 20 years.

It is a policy mechanism to accelerate investments and hasten the deployment of renewable energy as a key strategy toward achieving energy security and selfreliance.

The third round of FIT for ROR hydropower covers the balance in the installation target which is 103.999 MW for those eligible plants coming in from January 2020 until its full subscription.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Cebu Pacific opens another seat sale

CEBU Pacific said it launched another seat sale that gives passengers the chance to fly to any domestic destination as soon as they want for as low as P199 one-way base fare.

The sale will run until Sept. 30 and will give Cebu Pacific travelers the chance to immediately fly to any domestic destination until Dec. 31, 2023.

It said that with low fares now made more affordable, every passenger would have more chances to go on a sandboarding adventure in Laoag, taste the authentic delicacies of Cebu and Iloilo and experience the unique cultural heritage of Kalibo and Zamboanga.

Passengers with existing travel funds may use these to pay for flights and other add-ons. Other payment options such as payment centers, credit or debit cards, and e-wallets may also be used, it said.

CEB flies to 35 domestic and 24 international destinations, spanning across Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

related disruptions and other seasonal factors; higher prices of raw materials and production costs; elevated inflation and interest rates, and peso depreciation,” the BSP said Friday.

The business sentiment for the fourth quarter of 2023 and the next 12 months was more upbeat as the overall index

increased from the previous quarter’s survey results, it said.

The Consumer Expectations Survey showed that consumer sentiment for the third quarter improved marginally as the overall confidence index turned slightly less negative at -9.6 percent from -10.5 percent in the second quarter.

“Consumers attributed their less pessimistic sentiment for Q3 2023 to more available jobs and permanent employment; higher income from wages/salaries, remittances, and other sources; and additional working family members,” the BSP said.

It said for the fourth quarter of 2023,

the consumer sentiment also improved, the index rising to 7.8 percent from 4.6 percent a quarter ago.

The consumer confidence index for the next 12 months declined to 18.9 percent from 20.5 percent in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said Friday an interest rate hike is possible in November 2023 and it may not be the last one in its tightening cycle, given the persistent elevated inflation.

“We are not convinced it will be the last one in the cycle… We are still on a hawkish stance,” Remolona said in an interview on Bloomberg TV.

Business confidence weakened in Q3 IN BRIEF

He said the Monetary Board opted for a fourth pause on Thursday although the latest inflation figure came in higher than the previous one. Inflation in August 2023 rose to 5.3 percent from 4.7 percent in July.

“It was not enough to hike this time ,but upside risks were higher than usual… [There is a] good chance [to hike] next time…We will watch the numbers,” Remolona said.

He said the two biggest factors that could stoke inflation further are the transport fare hikes and the higher electricity rates. “These two things could add to the inflation forecast for 2024,” he said.

Monde Nissin, Concepcion tap new executives

By Jenniffer B. Austria

APPLIANCE maker Concepcion Industrial Corp. (CIC) and food manufacturer Monde Nissin Corp. on Friday announced new appointments to beef up their operations.

CIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it named Isaias Ariel Fermin as new president and chief executive effective Jan.1, 2024.

CIC chairman Raul Joseph Concepcion said the appointment of Fermin is aligned with the company’s commitment to strengthening its corporate governance framework.

Executives of Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. and Solar Tanauan Corp., along with government officials celebrate the progress of solar power plants in Tanauan, Batangas. Attending the event are (from left) Department of Energy Renewable Energy Management Bureau director Marissa Cerezo, Solar Tanauan president and CEO Cheryll Len Mendoza, Prime Infra president and CEO Guillaume Lucci, Batangas Rep. Ma. Theresa Collantes, Tanauan Mayor Sonny Collantes, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla, Solar Tanauan director Donato Almeda, Prime Infra chief project officer for solar and wind Projects Daniel Blanco, chief financial officer Sandy Alipio and chief regulatory officer Vince Dizon.

Solar Tanauan’s 140-MW project employs advanced tools

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SOLAR Tanauan Corp.’s 140-megawatt solar power plants in Batangas and Cavite are employing advanced project design and execution tools and strategies that led to significant progress in the implementation of the project.

Solar Tanauan is a subsidiary of Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc., a leading and fast-growing developer and operator of critical infrastructure with assets in the water, sustainable energy and waste management sectors.

Executives of Prime Infra and Solar Tanauan, together with key government stakeholders and project suppliers, consultants and contractors, celebrated the

progress of the project through a site visit.

The project is targeted for completion less than a year after it broke ground in April 2023.

“We are proud to have the most advanced execution technology and strategy for a solar power project here in the Philippines. This celebration is a testament of Prime Infra’s approach in deploying renewable energy projects and reaffirms our commitment to pioneer innovative solutions towards a clean energy future,” said Prime Infra president and chief executive Guillaume Lucci.

Solar Tanauan utilizes digital twin technology, drone verification of progress, optimized string sizing and 24/7

quality assurance/quality control monitoring both at factory and at site.

It also conducted a front end engineering design (FEED) to streamline the procurement and construction phases, packaged contracting and owner supplied materials allowing each party to focus on their specialties, optimized risk allocation and uses software to simplify complex earthwork assessment for terrain-following layouts.

“The reason we’ve reached this point is also because we work extremely collaboratively with government and with the communities; and that’s not simply us as a developer but applies to all our partners and suppliers. I think that has been really the key to the exceptional pace of our project,” said Lucci.

PSE INDEX CLOSING

Friday, September 22, 2023 48.08 PTS.

6,142.79

F oreign e xchange r ate

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

Currency UnitUS DollarPeso

United States Dollar 1.00000056.9080

Japan Yen 0.0067770.3857

UKPound1.22950069.9684

“We believe in separating the roles of CEO and chairman to ensure the highest standards of leadership within our organization. Ariel Fermin is deal fit for this role, and we are excited to welcome him to the CIC family,” Concepcion said.

Fermin held senior positions in big multinational companies such as Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, Unilever and Nike.

“I am honored to lead CIC and leading us into this new chapter. I look forward to building happy spaces with CIC and leading a significant impact in nurturing the family’s legacy and steering CIC to a very bright future,” Fermin said.

Meanwhile, Monde Nissin said its board elected former PLDT chief finance officer Anabelle Chua as an independent director. Chua will serve the unexpired term of Romeo Bernardo, who resigned upon his appointment to the Monetary Board.

6 groups buy bid papers for NAIA project

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Friday it expects to attract more potential bidders for the modernization and privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) despite the incident of baggage theft at Terminal 1 of the country’s main gateway.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said during the pre-bid conference six groups bought bid documents for the P170.6-billion deal to rehabilitate, optimize and maintain NAIA as of Sept. 22.

BAMBOO MONTH. The Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) opens a new office in Marikina City on Sept. 18, 2023 coinciding with the celebration of the Philippine Bamboo Month and World Bamboo Day. Attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony are (front row, from left) Trade Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry honorary chair Sergio Ortiz Luis Jr., Senator Cynthia Villar, Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor Savellano and Department of Trade and Industry regional director Leah Pulido Ocampo.

PAL resumes accepting non-immigrant passengers to US under visa waiver program

By Darwin G. Amojelar

PHILIPPINE Airlines said Friday it resumed accepting non-immigrant passengers to fly to the United States who qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

“We have received confirmation from U.S. Customs and Border Protection that we may resume accepting non-immigrant visitors to the United States who are traveling under the US Visa Waiver Program,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said.

“Passengers with valid visa waiver authorizations under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization

[ESTA] may resume flying to the United States with Philippine Airlines effective immediately,” she said.

The VWP enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The Philippines, however, is not in the list of 40 countries eligible for the program, and Filipino nationals are required to obtain business/tourist visa to enter the US.

Villaluna said eligible passengers under the VWP may immediately resume booking travel to the United States.

“Passengers previously transferred to other airlines due to our proactive measures have the option to keep their current itinerary.

If they prefer to switch back to a PAL flight, they can reach out to us for rebooking via the PAL customer support channels in the provided link,” Villaluna said.

“We apologize for the inconvenience caused, and we thank you for your understanding and cooperation,” she said.

PAL offers direct flights to the United States, including San Francisco, New York, Guam Los Angeles and Honolulu.

Bautista identified the potential bidders as San Miguel Corp., India’s GMR Group, Manila International Airport Consortium, Spark 888 Management Inc., Asian Airport Consortium and Cengiz Insaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.

“We’re very happy with the turnout. We are hoping that there will be some interested parties who will join the bidding process,” he said. Bautista, when asked if the theft incident would affect the bidding process, said “it’s very sad and it’s disappointing considering that we are in this process of attracting investors, although I hope that this is an isolated case.”

He said the rehabilitation and operation of NAIA through a PPP arrangement represent a landmark opportunity for the country.

“It promises economic growth, improved infrastructure and a worldclass travel experience. With the right private sector partner, we can unlock NAIA’s full potential, making it an example of progress and innovation,” he said.

“We are now at the bidding stage and we look forward to awarding this project soon,” Bautista said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Roderick T. dela Cruz, Editor Alena Mae S. Flores, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna

Lady Blazers roll to finals; FEU belles stay alive

COLLEGE of Saint Benilde marched to the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge finals, dispatching University of the East in straight-set fashion for the second straight time, 25-21, 25-13, 25-10, in their semifinal duel at the Paco Arena in Manila on Friday.

Skipper Clo Mondoñedo put up a brilliant all-around performance, finishing with 15 excellent sets that led to 49 attack points for the NCAA back-to-back champions and a huge 20-point difference over the Lady Warriors’ output.

“Naging relaxed sila this time, probably because lagi nilang nakakasama ‘yung UE,” said CSB head coach Jerry Yee, who coincidentally is also with UE squad.

The Lady Blazers, who toppled the Lady Warriors, 25-22, 25-13, 25-12, in the opener of their best-of-three series last Wednesday, thus surpassed their bronze-medal finish last season although they will still have to wait a little longer for their rivals for the crown.

This after Far Eastern U got back at University of Perpetual Help System

DALTA, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-13, to force a sudden death for the other championship slot in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and sponsored by Bola.TV, Beyond Active Wear, Asics and Mikasa.

“Good thing is we have an extra day off. ‘Yun ‘yung advantage namin sa (makakalaban namin sa finals),” added Yee.

Gayle Pascual came away with 13 points, including 12 on attacks while Zam Nolasco dominated the net and slammed in 12 kills.

Caseiy Dongallo scored 17 points for the Lady Warriors, whose bid suffered a big blow with the sidelining of Tin Ecalla, who sustained an ankle injury in the third set.

Earlier, The Lady Tamaraws never flinched despite dropping Game One and the first set, coming out on top of a tight second set battle then blasting the Lady Altas in the next two to carve out a key four-set victory.

The Lady Tamaraws fought back from a tough first set loss with a gutsy stand in the next then went to Chenie Tagaod in the clutch to finish off the Lady Altas and send their series to a deciding game on Sunday.

POC chief hopes PH can surpass 4-gold Asiad haul

HANGZHOU—Philippine

Olympic Committee

president Abraham “Bambol”

Tolentino is sticking to his forecast that Filipino athletes in the 19th Asian Games here can surpass their showing five years ago in Indonesia.

“Ganoon pa din. Our target remains the same,” said Tolentino, referring to the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asiad 4-gold haul of the Philippines that the current Hangzhou delegation hopes to surpass.

Five years ago, the Philippines fielded 272 athletes in 31 sports, and brought home four gold medals, two each in golf and one apiece in skateboarding and weightlifting, along with two silver and 15 bronze medals.

This time, the Philippines will bring in a total of 395 athletes to this capital of Zhejiang province and will vie in 40 sports.

Overall, an Asian Games record number of 12,417

athletes from 45 countries will dispute a total of 481 gold medals in 40 sports all the way until Oct. 8.

“Mininum of four golds. Okay na ‘yun,” said Tolentino as members of Team Philippines who are already here prepared for the opening ceremony at the Hangzhou Olympic Centre Stadium on Saturday evening.

Skateboarder Margielyn Didal, a gold medalist in the 2018 Asian Games, and pole vaulter EJ Obiena, the Asian record-holder and now ranked No. 2 in the world, will carry the flag for the Philippines in the opening rites.

In 2018, all four golds for the Philippines were delivered by female athletes, including those in individual and team golf, led by Fil-Japanese Yuka Saso, and weightlifting courtesy of 2021 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

Tolentino said the male athletes are expected to deliver this time.

“Baka bumawi ang mga lalaki natin. We have EJ Obiena, Eumir Marcial in boxing, sa golf meron tayong magaling (Clyde Mondilla) and those in Esports,” said the Philippine cycling chief and mayor of Tagaytay City.

Lifter Sarno unfazed by higher weight category, elbow injury

By Peter Atencio

RISING weightlifting star Vanessa Sarno hopes to be fully recovered from her elbow injury when she plunges into action in a higher weight category in the women’s competitions of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

The 19-year-old Sarno will have enough time to bounce back after she hurt her left elbow while seeing action in the IWF World Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last week.

“Okay naman. Nagre-recover naman ako. Babalik ulit ako sa training,” said Sarno before heading for China to compete in the Asiad.

Sarno, an Asian and world junior champion from Tagbilaran, Bohol, won’t be seeing action in the women’s 71-kg

class this time, because the event won’t be featured when action starts on Sept. 30.

Instead, Sarno will go up to 76 kgs.

“Hindi mahirap mag-adjust sa weight class dahil hindi naman siya catchweight,” she added.

Sarno failed to complete her clean and jerk attempts in the Saudi meet after injuring her elbow as a result of a mistake in her lift during one of her preparations in the clean and jerk of the women’s 71kg division.

Before competing in Saudi Arabia, Sarno swept all three gold medals in the World Juniors Championships in New Delhi, India.

Sarno also won the women’s 71-kg. gold in record fashion in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games weightlifting competitions in Cambodia.

Vanessa Sarno

PETRONAS LTdL gets underway; 7-11-Cliqq eyes Asian podium

By Randy Caluag

KUALA TERENGGANU, Malaysia—Asia’s biggest cycling spectacle in terms of international participation blasts off on Saturday with 131 riders from 22 world-class teams answering the starting gun of the PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi 2023. The list includies the 7-11-Cliqq-Air 21 continental team from the Philippines seeking a podium finish in the Asian classification of the international bikefest.

The 7-11-Cliqq-Air21 squad was represented in last year’s edition by the Philippine national team that finished 8th overall and 6th among Asian teams, placing even better than the national squads from Southeast Asia—Thailand and Malaysia.

Nichol Pareja provided the bright spot for the Filipino squad when he ranked 13th in Stage 7 to emerge as the best Asian finisher in the lap. Pareja returns to Malaysia with teammates Ismael Gorospe, Junreck Carcueva, Rench Michael Bondoc, Joshua Pascual, team captain Ryan Tugawin, and reserve Marco Lumanog. They are accompanied by team director Ric Rodriguez, assistant team director Roland Zamora, and staff members Oliver Nebres and Dan Sembrano, Jr. Team owner Bong Sual, said the team’s goal is to crowd Asian continental teams from China, Japan, Iran, and South Korea in the fight for top honors and go for a podium finish. “Goal natin lumaban sa Asian classification. Malalakas talaga ka-

Bisera shoots for 2nd win in ICTSI golf tilt

FROM home turf to an unfamiliar terrain, Florence Bisera remains resolute in pursuit of another golfing honor, going for a sweep of the last two legs of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour in the ICTSI Mimosa Plus Championship reeling off Tuesday (Sept. 26) at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

Due for a big finish after a string of Top 4 efforts in nine events of this year’s LPGT, including a runner-up feat at Forest Hills, the rising star from the golfing clan in Davao scored a wire-to-wire triumph in South Pacific, beating Mikha Fortuna by three and joining the elite circle of winners in the circuit put up by ICTSI.

laban pero lalaban na rin lang tayo, taasan na natin goals natin,” said Sual, who is in Manila, in message to Manila Standard Sports.

Rodriguez confirmed Sual’s goal, saying: “Our modest target is in the Asian category both in the individual and team. Anything that comes after that is already a bonus for us.”

The 7-11-Cliqq-Air 21 squad also has to contend with seasoned teams from Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

The team recently joined two races in China, the Tour of Po Yang Lake, which is a UCI 2.2 race, and the Poyang Lake International in September. “We are coming off two high-level competitions and this is by far the most prepared team we have for Langkawi,” added Rodriguez.

But she’s far from being finished.

“I plan to play in Taiwan in November so I hope to win again and build more confidence,” said Bisera.

But the P1 million Mimosa Plus Championship will be doubly challenging for the 21-year-old Bisera, who drew strength from her father-caddie Reynaldo to essay her South Pacific romp, the latter being the club’s caddie master.

But the third year Civil Engineering student at Mapua U stays as upbeat as ever, confident that her sheer power and innate skills will carry her past practically the same field she had bested at home.

But Fortuna and the rest of the 20-player cast are also ready and keen on stopping Bisera while giving their respective title bids a shot in the arm in the 54-hole championship serving as the final leg of this year’s 10-stage LPGT organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by PGTI official apparel Kampfortis Golf.

The St. Benilde Lady Blazers celebrate their win over the University of the East Lady Warriors in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge.

Florence Bisera

POC president Abraham Tolentino

Joel D. Lacsamana Editor

Twin projects offer Mooncake Fest promo treats

THE Philippines has a strong Chinese-Filipino community, and with this year’s celebrations slated on September 29, boutique developer C-5 Mansions Development Corp. and its Ridgewood Towers Premier project are one with the Chinoy community in celebrating the Mooncake Festival.

“Despite the many challenges of the past three years, Ridgewood Towers Premier, which is strategically located along the main C-5 Road near Bonifacio Global City (BGC), is nearing completion,” said C-5 Mansions Chief Operating Officer Alfonso Keh Jr. “Thus, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our beloved investors and homebuyers and share blessings with our hardworking brokers and agents through our exciting Mooncake Fest promo. “

“We are gearing up for the soft opening of Ridgewood Premier Hotel by the first quarter of 2024,” declared Marc Ngo, Chief Operating Officer of Ridgewood Premier Hotel. “We are confident that our valued foreign and local guests will enjoy our plush accommodations and facilities, and of course our remarkably affordable rates.”

Mooncake Fest promos

Ridgewood Premier Hotel investors still have a chance to snap up the last few remaining condotel units. Investors will get P20,000 worth of Gift Certificates upon the hotel’s opening, and Gift Certificates for a lunch buffet for 2 pax at NIU by Vikings restaurant (at nearby SM Aura Premier).

As for homebuyers and investors who snap up the last 50 units of Ridgewood Towers Premier, they get a Smart TV set upon turnover and Gift Certificates for a lunch buffet for 2 pax at NIU by Vikings

restaurant (at nearby SM Aura Premier).

Meanwhile, buyers who make at least a 10% spot down payment will enjoy a better viewing experience via a bigger TV set upon turnover.

With an Open House slated for September 30, the day after the actual Mooncake Fest, the first 10 investors who make reservations (either for a Ridgewood Towers Premier condo unit or a Ridgewood Premier Hotel condotel unit) get a lavish Mooncake Set as well.

Meanwhile, the first 10 investors for the October 21 Open House are slated to receive a Chinese Deli or Pastries set.

Regular income from condotel operations

Ridgewood Premier Hotel offers investors a guaranteed 6% return p.a. and a bonus of up to another 6% p.a. depending on the hotel’s occupancy rates.

Ridgewood Premier Hotel offers 108 rooms ranging from a standard suite (24.8 square meters at P3.54 million including hotel-grade furnishing), to a two-bedroom suite (55.7 sqm at P6.92 million also including hotel furnishing).

Competitive advantage

With over 85% of the condotel project already sold, there are only a few remaining units left for investors to take advantage of their competitive earnings scheme, noted Ngo. “We’re confident that these last few units will be snapped up before yearend,” he predicted.

“Our innovative investment package makes profitability a certainty especially during high inflationary period,” said Ngo. “Buyers of Ridgewood Premier Hotel units can look forward to recovering their investment in about eight to 10 years, plus capital appreciation.”

Ngo has a strong track record as a hotelier, as he is also the Managing Director of Ramada Manila Central Hotel in the Chinatown district of Manila. Thus, he brings a wealth of experience in running the day-to-day operations of Ridgewood Premier Hotel.

Focusing on safety at ‘Little Boracay’

ALSONS Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev), in partnership with the Municipal Government of Alabel, recently broke ground for the Alabel Public Safety and Security Complex, the first integrated emergency response center in SOCCSKSARGEN. The facility, located within Avia Estate, a master-planned, mixed-use township developed by Alsons Dev in Alabel, Sarangani (known locally as “Little Boracay” due to its closeness to a supremely picturesque beach and its azure waters), combines a police station, a fire substation, and a satellite emergency operations center.

The 1,800-sqm complex will be constructed by Alsons Dev and donated to

ACE Hardware bags wins at Retail Asia Awards

HARDWARE store company

ACE Hardware Philippines recently clinched two category wins at the recently held Retail Asia Awards for the success of its “We Can Help” campaign, and its sustainability initiatives under the said campaign. The “We Can Help” campaign is a collection of initiatives that positively impact customers, communities, employees, and the environment.

ACE Hardware launched the campaign in December 2021 by setting up pop-up displays in selected branches to showcase over 100 sustainable products ranging from organic plant mediums to energy and water- saving devices.

The company also transitioned to biodegradable bags and encouraged customers to use the newly redesigned reusable bags. ACE Hardware’s sustainability initiatives were recognized as the winner of the ESG Initiative of the Year - Philippines in the mentioned awards program. ACE Hardware also brought home the Hardware Retailer of the Year - Philippines during the Retail Asia Awards in recognition of its commitment to staying true to its mission of being helpful.

the Alabel LGU, who will then turn over the operations of the police and fire stations to the Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection, respectively.

The satellite emergency operations center will be operated by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, overseen by the Alabel LGU. Miguel A. Dominguez, representing Alsons Dev and the Alcantara Group (shown in photo with Alabel Mayor Vic Paul Salarda Sarangani Congressman Steve Solon and Governor Ruel Pacquiao, among others), led the groundbreaking. The ceremony coincided with Alabel’s 52nd Foundation Anniversary, and the 22nd Kasadyaan Festival of the municipality of Alabel.

PHILGBC launches Green Building Month

THE Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC), led by its CEO Christopher C. de la Cruz, recently announced the commencement of the Philippines’ Green Building Month.

The Green Building Month festivities, seeks to inspire and empower stakeholders to embrace sustainable building solutions and drive positive change within the sector.

Among the featured events are the WorldGBC Asia-Pacific Network Meeting from September 25-27, and the BERDE Green Building

Professional Certification Course on September 26-27.

The BERDE Green Building

Professional Certification Course, scheduled for September 26-27, will provide participants with valuable insights and knowledge on green building practices enabling them to contribute effectively to the industry’s sustainable growth.

The Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC) is a nonstock, non-profit organization that promotes the transformation of the built environment through sustainable practices.

SEDA BY

THE BAY. Seda Hotels recently celebrated the opening of their 12th property in the Philippines, Seda Manila Bay. Located in Paranaque’s Entertainment City, it offers 350 thoughtfully designed rooms from Deluxe Rooms to Suites, ideal for both business and family travel. The hotel’s design incorporates various leisure amenities, a sprawling water playground with pool fountains and other fun features in the kids’ area, a wellness retreat with private massage rooms, and a gym with cutting-edge fitness equipment, among others. General Manager Jeffrey Enriquez adds that Seda Manila Bay features a ballroom for up to 350 attendees and smaller meeting rooms capable of offering flexible and creative solutions to suit different event needs in the city. For bookings or inquiries, visit  manilabay.sedahotels.com.

From bean to bar Transforming heirloom cacao into award-winning chocolate

By Patricia Taculao

AS THE King City of the South, Davao is home to numerous natural resources that reward the province with high distinctions from the public, the government, and other private institutions. Although Davao is widely known for its sweet-tasting pomelo and top-quality durian, Davao is also home to an award-winning chocolate brand, Malagos Chocolate.

Malagos Chocolate gets its name from the local neighborhood, which comes from the Filipino term “malakas na agos,” or strong water flow. It’s part of the Malagos Agri-Ventures Corporation, a familyowned business committed to working with nature. One of its goals is to revitalize the Philippine cacao industry while preserving heirloom cacao varieties.

Yet, as all things outstanding, the Malagos Chocolate brand also began with a passion for nature, rooted in a deep love and respect for the land.

It began when the founders, Robert and Charita Puentespina, bought their first farm in Davao, in 1963. The matriarch cultivated the land by planting many fruit trees, including coconut, coffee, and bananas, and operating a small piggery. Eventually, the pioneer couple expanded their operations and invested in additional farmland.

By 2003, Charita grew passionate about cacao after leasing a farm in Malagos, Davao. The farm already had existing cacao trees since Davao is home to many heirloom cacao that grow abundantly in the province’s rich soil. Charita dreamed of revitalizing the industry after it crashed in the 1980s, eyeing to create premium Philippine chocolates to boost the local economy and its products.

Since then, Puentespina Farms improved their cacao growing and post-harvesting processes. They eventually built their factory in 2009 to further refine

Gov’t strengthens bamboo production

DEPARTMENT

of Agriculture

(DA) Undersecretary Deogracias

Victor Savellano underscored the importance of bamboo in the agriculture sector and its contribution to the national economy during World Bamboo Day and Philippine Bamboo Month. “Ang kawayan ay kailangan natin sa araw araw na kabuhayan natin, lalo na ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Kapag pinagusapan ang kawayan, ang number one problem natin ay ‘yung raw materials. Iyan ang challenge sa atin, magtanim tayo ng kawayan.

Even our president, noong pinagusapan ang kawayan, excited siya

We are now preparing to present the bamboo economics kasi gusto natin, during the time of President Bongbong Marcos, ang industriya ng kawayan ay lumago na,” he said.

Under Executive Order (EO) No. 879, the DA must identify

idle and marginalized agricultural areas suitable for bamboo plantations. The agency will also assist in establishing bamboo nurseries and their propagation focused on bamboo shoot production.

In her message, Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture, highlighted the economic and longterm sustainable benefits of propagating bamboo.

“According to the Sustainable Development Goals, bamboo has the potential of supporting sustainability in economic growth as it grows very fast and can be grown easily in different climate conditions and altitudes and thus, reduces the pressure on trees producing timber for products for wood,” she explained.

The event was highlighted by a bamboo planting activity at the Bambusetum in Marikina on September 18, 2023, led by the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC).

The PBIDC was created to help strengthen the bamboo industry in the Philippines. Its members include several national government agencies, with the Department of Trade

their chocolate-making to become the renowned brand it is today.

Through rigorous efforts in perfecting their processes from growing cacao to harvesting to processing, Puentespina Farm launched the Philippine-made Malagos Chocolate, a single-origin, fine-flavor chocolate that embodies the brand’s bean-to-bar process.

In 2015, the Malagos Chocolate brand earned its first international award, training the spotlight on Philippine cacao and the industry’s continued potential. It was the first of many.

Puentespina Farm, located in Malagos, now cultivates around 20,000 cacao trees. It is an optimal spot for growing cacao because of its position along the equator. Other countries along the Cacao Belt, including those in South America and Africa, make for the top cacao-producing countries in the world.

With such a lofty dream of promoting local cacao and chocolate, Puentespina Farms sought to preserve the heirloom cacao variety abundant in the region.

Fortunately, in 2019, Puentespina Farms officially received the Heirloom Cacao designation from the US-based Heirloom Cacao Preservation (HCP) Fund, making them the 16th to receive the distinction across the globe.

According to the HCP, heirloom cacao is a foundation of great chocolate because the trees and

beans of heirloom varieties have an outstanding flavor profile and value and speak volumes about its historical, cultural, botanical, and geographical elements.

Malagos Chocolate offers a selection of products made with their heirloom cacao variety, following a bean-to-bar approach. Besides experimenting with new, modern flavors, their award-winning chocolate drew recognition for its rich flavor.

Expanded DA Young Farmers Challenge 2023 to launch soon

ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2023, the Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) in collaboration with the office of Senator Imee R. Marcos and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), will launch the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Program. Senator Imee R. Marcos will grace the event as the principal sponsor of the program.

The DA’s YFC Program, now in its third year, has provided P149.25 million in start-up capital funds for 2,955 young farmers to implement agribusiness ventures.

Aside from the capital grants, the DA-AMAS also provides various Business Development Services to ensure that the young ones will continue and upscale their respective operations. It will be made possible through coaching and mentoring, local and international product expositions, and assistance with business registrations, among other approaches.

and Industry (DTI) as the chair. It is composed of the DA, with the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Education, Science and Technology, Labor and Employment, along with the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, two non-government organizations representatives, and one representative, each from two private industry associations.

DA-BPI successfully conducted the 2023 National Research and Development Review

THE Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), led by Assistant Director Herminigilda A. Gabertan, Ph.D., conducted the 2023 National Research and Development Review at La Granja National Crop Research, Development, and Production Support Center (NCRDPSC) from September 12 to 13, 2023.

The review was participated by the three technical divisions, Agricultural Engineering Division (AED), Crop Pest Management Division (CPMD), and Crop Research and Production Support Division (CRPSD); and five NCRDPSCs from Baguio, Davao, Guimaras, La Granja, and Los Baños.

A total of 18 completed research papers, which focused on varietal evaluation, crop protection, technology demonstration, value-adding and utilization of crops, and engineering, were presented.

Every year, the DA-BPI conducts this major Research and Development activity to showcase advancements and breakthroughs in crop research that will ultimately help increase the productivity of the plant industry. The event served as a venue for researchers to share their findings, collaborate, and discuss innovative solutions to address pressing challenges in the agricultural sector through enhancing crop yields, minimizing environmental impact, and

improving farmers’ livelihoods.

The project proponents were able to present the fruit of their hard work and directly heard comments and suggestions from four experts with different fields of expertise as evaluators. The critiques aim to improve the conduct of studies if there is a possibility of expansion and re-implementation, as well as a reference for future studies. The four evaluators who shared their valuable time and knowledge were Luis Rey Velasco, Ph.D. from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Elmer Enicola from UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding, Ramer Bautista, Ph.D. from UP Visayas, and Lilia A. Portales, Ph.D. from DA-BPI Assistant Director’s Office for Research, Development,

and Production Support Services.

The event concluded on September 13, 2023, with a closing ceremony that celebrated the accomplishments of the researchers. The three best papers were awarded for their significance and conduct.

The first Best Paper went to the “S&S Plaza Goes SciCAT Phase II: Promotion of Ecologically Viable Farming Practices and Generated Technologies Through Blended eAgri-Tourism Under the New Normal” from Los Baños NCRDPSC, the Second Best Paper was given to the “Integration of Small Fruit Culture in Traditional Home Gardens in Kabayan, Benguet,” and the Third Best Paper was awarded to the “Intensified Mass production of banana Quality Planting materials through Tissue Culture Technology in Benguet and La Union” both from Baguio NCRDPSC.

The success of the National Research and Development Review was achieved with the researchers’ dedication to addressing the challenges of modern farming and the support of management and all assisting staff. With continuous efforts from the research community, there will surely be a brighter and more sustainable future for agriculture in the country.

For this year, the YFC program has two new components: the YFC Upscale and the YFC Intercollegiate Competition. It is open to all previous YFC awardees aspiring to scale up their current agribusiness operations by investing in new technologies, including product development, improving marketing platforms, and generating employment, among other innovations.

The YFC Upscale is a head-to-head business pitch competition with a financial grant of P300,000 for each regional winner and P500,000 for each national winner.

This year, the DA will also engage students taking agriculture and related courses in the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to participate in the YFC Intercollegiate Competition component, which will be a Business Model Canvas-based Competition.

The program will help students transform their ideas into profitable agribusiness ventures by training them to improve their skills and knowledge as agripreneurs and professional farmer business owners.

The YFC Regional Intercollegiate Competition targets SUCs accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) members. It is open to all sophomore students who have business ideas with viability potential. Each winning SUC enterprise per region will be awarded a financial grant of P150,000 as start-up capital.

For 2023, the DA YFC Program-Start Up targets a total of 546 new breeds of young farmers to take part in ensuring the country’s food security.

To ensure the efficient and effective program implementation, the DA also partnered with different government agencies, including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), among others.

For more information on how to join this year’s YFC, please call the DA-AMAS through telephone numbers (632) 8920.2216, 8920.407273, 8920.4077, and 8926.8203, email at yfc.amas@ gmail.com, or visit agribusiness. da.gov.ph and www. facebook.com/Agri. AMAS.

Roberto (left) and Charita Puentespina

Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Deogracias Victor Savellano (second from right) with Senator Cynthia Villar (third from left)

One of the winners of the best research paper

YouTube announces new generative AI products

MADE On YouTube, the platform unveiled a suite of AI-powered capabilities that will help both new and established creators and artists create, edit, and share content in bold new ways. These AI-powered tools will help unlock powerful new forms of creative expression, take the friction out of the creative process, and allow YouTube creators to reach more viewers.

Showcasing the limitless potential AI can bring to creators, artists and the creative industry, today’s key announcements include:

• The introduction of Dream Screen, a new generative AI feature to unlock creative expression on Shorts: Later this year, YouTube will introduce Dream Screen, a new experimental feature that allows creators to add AI-generated video or image backgrounds to their Shorts simply by typing an idea into a prompt. With Dream Screen, creators will be able to generate new, fantastic settings for their Shorts that are only limited by bounds of their imagination.

• Since launching Shorts in 2020, Shorts has now climbed to over 70B daily views from over 2B logged-in users every month.

• The launch of YouTube Create to help take the work out of video production: To help anyone to create and share videos right to YouTube, today the platform has launched a new mobile app called YouTube Create, which was designed to empower creators to get started with a suite of production tools to edit their Shorts, longer videos, or both.

• The app offers video editing tools including precision editing and trimming, automatic captioning, voiceover capabilities and access to a library of filters, effects, transitions and royaltyfree music with beat matching technology so that creators can produce their next YouTube video without relying on complex editing software.

• YouTube has consulted with more than 3k creators in the process of building YouTube Create.

• Currently in beta on Android in select markets including the United States, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Indonesia, India, Korea, and Singapore, YouTube Create is free of charge. Here are more ways that YouTube is helping take the heavy lifting off creators and giving them more efficient tools to help them come up with new ideas and reach new audiences.

• YouTube is bringing Aloud, an AIpowered dubbing tool, into YouTube so creators easily reach audiences well beyond their primary language.

• Available to select creators, the feature is currently being tested in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

• Next year, assistive search in Creator Music will make it easier for creators to find a soundtrack for their video. Creators can simply type in a search query and AI will suggest the right music at the right place.

• Creator Music is currently available in the US, and we look forward to expanding as quickly as possible.

• Next year, YouTube Studio will tap generative AI to spark video ideas and draft outlines to help creators brainstorm. These insights are personalized for each channel and based on what audiences are already watching and interested in.

A closer perspective of the world with realme

By Patricia Taculao

FRESH from announcing its new 11 series last August, realme encourages users to utilize its features, especially its camera. This time, they brought us to the vibrant and bustling King City of the South–Davao.

One of the famous tourist spots in Davao City is Malagos Garden Resort, home of the award-winning Malagos Chocolate. Yet there’s much more to this place than its chocolates. It’s also a hub, where guests can revel in nature’s tranquility. Ultimately, Malagos Garden Resort was the ideal spot to test the realme 11 Pro+ 5G, a smartphone equipped with a 200MP main camera.

The realme 11 Pro+ 5G, a premium mid-range smartphone, has other features, including a Street Photography Mode that adds more texture and new filters to outdoor shots. It also has an AI-assist option that allows users to capture snapshots with a more stable and sharp output.

Speaking of the main camera, it uses a Samsung ISOCELL HP3 SuoerZoom sensor that produces images in high resolution and stunning detail no matter how

Besides its main camera, the realme 11 Pro+ 5G has a 32MP selfie camera and a triple rear camera setup equipped with an 8MP ultrawide lens and a 2MP macro lens.

While walking around the sprawling 12-hectare garden resort, I found out that the newest offering from realme is the ideal tool for capturing

its vibrant surroundings, made even more alive by the birds and butterflies thriving in their respective domes.

True to its promise of letting users see the world up close, I captured photos of the elements from a distance, but the results seemed as if I placed the camera near the subject. Whether I applied filters or not, the images still showed vibrant colors and crisp detail.

As realme celebrates its fifth anniversary, fans and mallgoers in SM Lanang Premier were treated to the realme Fan Fest 2023, where they participated in fun games, listened to some industry experts, and brought home their own realme 11 series units at a discounted price.

Yet the event’s main highlight was performances from local bands Tatot and The Juans.

It was during this time that we got to test out realme 11 Pro+ 5G’s additional features. Concerts or live performances are often lively and at a distance. Besides the powerful camera and its zoom features, the premium mid-range smartphone also has image stabilization (OIS) to reduce blur and shake. It can also record 4K videos at 30fps.

So even though The Juans and Tatot were vibing on the stage, the realme 11 Pro+ 5G captured the moments when they were deeply passionate about the music and sharing it with their supportive audience.

Other realme 11 Pro+ 5G features include a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor with 8GB of RAM, and a 5000mAh battery with 100W fast charging.

With the realme 11 Pro+ 5G, you can see the world from a different, more up close perspective through its lens. It brings a renewed appreciation for the world around us, making every detail more profound.

Smart transforms ‘GigaLife App’ to ‘Smart App’ with more value-packed o ers, rewards for subscribers

MOBILE services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has rebranded the ‘GigaLife’ App with the ‘Smart App’ to give subscribers more value-packed offers and rewarding experiences with every tap.

The Smart App builds on the many conveniences of

the former GigaLife App as the go-to app of all Smart Prepaid, Smart Signature, Smart Infinity, Smart Bro, TNT, and PLDT Prepaid Home WiFi subscribers to effortlessly manage their account, keep track of their usage, register to promos, rack up exclusive rewards, join exciting promos, and more. Get the Smart App now by updating the GigaLife App installed on your phone, or by downloading it on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Power in your hands

The Smart App puts power in your hands and makes you feel special along the way. From the getgo, you can enjoy hassle-free and secure login on the app with either the biometrics or MPIN option.

Upon successful login, the Smart App displays all your crucial account information on the Home Tab ——your load balance, your existing promo subscription and its expiration, and your points – so you can check and manage your digital life effortlessly at one glance.

If you are a postpaid subscriber, the Home Tab lets you see your Plan details, including your due date, plan balance, booster subscriptions and their expiration, and your points so you’re always updated with your usage and keep track of your monthly bill payments. By swiping right, you can easily link and manage

all your other accounts so you never have to switch from one app to another.

More than an app

Aside from showing your account information and usage, the Smart App also lets you receive important advisories notifications as well as conveniently link your Maya account, and credit or debit card for easy online payments within the app with just a few taps.

It also lets you easily buy load and access Smart Prepaid’s complete list of value-packed offers to cover all your online activities, including Power All offers with huge data, call, and text allocation; Magic Data offers for data that does not expire; and All Data for data you may share with loved ones and friends.

The Smart App also has a Pasa Tab, which lets you link your family and friends to conveniently pass on and share load, promos, rewards, or data with them.

The Smart App is powered by no less than the Philippines’ Fastest and Best Mobile Network as recognized by Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence. Smart is the first and only Philippine mobile operator to earn this prestigious and rare citation for three consecutive reporting periods by Ookla —Q1-Q2 2022, Q3Q4 2022, and Q1-Q2 2023.

DingTalk streamlines organization, communication for Asian Games

ALIBABA’S intelligent collaboration workplace and application development platform DingTalk unveils its solution for Hangzhou Asian Games (DingTalk for Asian Games), an enhanced edition of DingTalk designed to improve operational efficiency of the Games. The proven solution is at the heart of the mega sports event’s organization and communications, to be held in Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8.

DingTalk for Asian Games is a cloudnative digital solution deployed and managed on the cloud, offering a reliable, scalable and secure user experience. It serves as a one-stop collaboration tool connecting stakeholders across all stages of the sports event lifecycle – from organizers and suppliers to volunteers and venue operators.

Ge Zhang, Deputy Director of Radio, Television and Information Technology Department of the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, said, “Through the full cooperation between the Asian Games Organizing Committee and DingTalk, DingTalk for Asian Games

has achieved the mega collaboration of ‘organization online, communication online and business online’ for participants across levels, departments and regions.

DingTalk for Asian Games is not only the crystallization of Hangzhou’s digital economy, but also a valuable asset and experience Hangzhou would like to dedicate to future international large-scale sports events.”

DingTalk for Asian Games is playing diversified roles across different application scenarios, enabling the event to be more efficient, productive, convenient and intelligent.

“We’re excited to be delivering a solution to optimize the organization and operation of the Hangzhou Asian Games. DingTalk’s role in the Games is a critical one and an important opportunity to demonstrate how technology can make hosting events of this scale more streamlined and efficient,” said

Alex Li, Vice President of DingTalk.

“DingTalk for Asian Games, not only connects people and enables collaboration, but also offers a platform for unify-

ing users around a common cause and interest. We believe for future mega sports events hosting, it’s an inevitable trend that such an intelligent collaboration platform will be needed for to enhance the operational efficiency and communication management of organizations.”

A versatile coordinator. To simplify an otherwise complex event organization, DingTalk for Asian Games offers a flat organizational structure where tens of thousands of staff and volunteers can easily identify and communicate with each other and external partners as well as share information and set up meetings.

Leveraging Alibaba Cloud Machine Translation services based on its leading deep learning and Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies, DingTalk for Asian Games offers intelligent real-time translation in 14 languages including Chinese, English, Japanese and Thai, improving communications between staff and participants from abroad.

Optimized for smartphone usage, DingTalk for Asian Games delivers in-

Sample realme 11 Pro+ 5G photos

A low-code application developed for training venues booking on DingTalk for Asian Games.

AI: A double-edged sword for our future

By Peter Paul Duran

ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) stands as a transformative force in our contemporary world. Its potential is boundless, offering solutions to major global challenges like climate change, poverty, and diseases. However, in the wrong hands, it could also fuel detrimental developments such as advanced weaponry and widespread job automation.

The pivotal question then arises: Is AI our savior, or does it herald our demise?

In truth, the answer lies in our hands, in how we choose to wield this technology.

AI holds immense promise in aiding the pursuit of sustainability. It can catalyze progress by propelling the development of renewable energy technologies, enhancing energy efficiency, and minimizing waste. Moreover, AI can revolutionize agriculture, enabling environmentally

conscious and sustainable practices.

However, it’s essential to remember that AI is not a magical fix-all solution.

Rather, it’s a tool with the potential for both good and harm. Responsibility lies with us to ensure its ethical and prudent application.

Consider the ongoing AI-driven sustainable initiatives:

• AI-powered robots are making strides in waste management, sorting and recycling waste with unprecedented

precision, significantly reducing landfill waste.

• Farmers are employing AI-driven sensors and drones to monitor and safeguard their crops, detect pests and diseases early, consequently reducing pesticide use while enhancing crop yields.

• Energy management systems driven by AI are empowering businesses and homeowners to curtail energy consumption, thereby lessening their carbon footprint.

These examples merely scratch the surface of how AI can be harnessed for a sustainable future. As AI continues evolving, we can anticipate even more innovative applications that protect our planet.

However, in our enthusiasm, we mustn’t overlook the risks. The same AI that has potential for immense good could be twisted for destructive ends—like the development of new weaponry or widespread job displacement through automation. It’s imperative that we steer the development and application of AI toward a path that benefits all of humanity.

So, ultimately, is AI our savior, or does it ring our demise? The answer hinges on the choices we make. The responsibility rests squarely upon us.

AI holds immense promise in aiding the pursuit of sustainability. It can catalyze progress by propelling the development of renewable energy technologies, enhancing energy efficiency, and minimizing waste. Moreover, AI can revolutionize agriculture, enabling environmentally conscious and sustainable practices.

Sustainable Technology in the Era of AI

Embracing sustainable tech at home

By Patricia Taculao

Redefining Your Space with the LG CordZero

IN THE modern household, where elegance meets functionality, every appliance holds the potential to be both a statement piece and a testament to innovation. Enter the LG CordZero All-in-One Tower Vacuum (https://www.lg.com/ph/vacuumcleaners/lg-a9t-ultra) : not just a tool, but an emblem of cleanliness and design sophistication. As homes evolve, so do our standards for the appliances within them. With LG’s state-of-the-art vacuum cleaner, homes aren’t just cleaned; they’re transformed. Discover how this powerhouse gadget is redefining spaces, proving that a clean home is not only about absence of dirt but the presence of elegance and efficiency.

vacuum delivers continuous performance with a runtime of up to 120 minutes. LG’s Power Drive Mop saves time by allowing you to vacuum and mop surfaces at the same time. The Power Drive Mop has a dual motor that spins to collect dust and dirt on hard surfaces, an automatic water supply system that maintains appropriate moisture levels on the mop pads.

Controlling the CordZero is also intuitive and simple, with major functions done with just the use of your thumb at the moment of pressing the + button, suction and mop cleaning are possible at the same time. You can also adjust the mop’s water supply as needed with a 3-level water control, minimizing waste and spills.

Powering the LG CordZero is a Smart Inverter Motor and the Axial Turbo Cyclone technology, which creates strong suctioning performance. It also incorporates a 5-Step Filtration System to filter out an average 99.999% of 0.5㎛ ~ 4.2㎛ particles to ensure cleanliness. Maintenance is also made easy with removable filters. Easily remove and clean the filter and cyclone system to keep your vacuum running at its best.

Cleaning has never been more convenient. With LG’s innovative docking station, say goodbye to scattered dust. Simply connect your wireless vacuum cleaner, and watch as the bin empties itself automatically. Not only does this save valuable time, but it also eliminates the messy aftermath that often accompanies this chore. It’s hassle-free cleaning, redefined. To ensure cleanliness, a 3 Step Filtration System is in place, capturing fine dust and locking it away, keeping the system running clean. LG’s famed UVnano technology also makes an appearance in the CordZero. The UVC LED activates on the top layer of dust inside the bag to inhibit bacterial growth-leaving your home cleaner. When you’re cleaning, you won’t have to worry about running out of battery power thanks to the CordZero’s dual battery packs. You can clean and charge at the same time. Once unplugged, the

By seamlessly integrating advanced technology with sleek design, LG invites us to reimagine the boundaries of home maintenance. With the CordZero, it’s not just about cleaning your home— it’s about elevating every moment within it.

Life’s about more than having the latest technology, rather, it’s about the experiences technology creates that impact our lives. LG Electronics Philippines delivers consumer electronics through top-of-the-line home entertainment, home appliances, and air solution products that prepare Filipinos for their greatest moments. LG promises to bring “Innovation for a Better Life” nationwide - from Luzon, to Visayas, and Mindanao. For more details, follow @LGPhilippines on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Tiktok. LG products are available in all authorized dealers nationwide both in-store and online. Visit lg.com/ ph for a complete list of our retail partners. You can also visit LG’s Official Flagship Stores in Lazada and Shopee

Without this crucial understanding of environmental preservation, humanity wouldn’t have the natural resources that paved the way for technological innovations. As such, many public and private institutions across the globe are promoting the use of sustainable technology to mitigate the harmful effects of excessive energy use brought about by electronics, appliances, gadgets, and other tech advancements.

There’s still a long way to go before the world can become fully sustainable, and it’ll take everyone’s help to achieve such a feat. Luckily, their contributions can start as close to their comfort zone as possible while significantly impacting society–at home.

Nowadays, tech companies across various industries offer efficient solutions that still provide quality services without compromising the environment, also known as green technology.

Green technology is an umbrella term for all technologies and science that produce eco-friendly products and services. It encourages consumers to use clean, renewable energy instead of fossil fuel, recycling, and other similar innovations to reduce the impact of climate change on the environment. Its primary goal is protecting the environment and reversing previous damage caused by excessive human activities. Fortunately, consumers have much to choose from in the market, depending on the items they need in their homes, thus making the switch to green technology easier.

Examples of green technology in households

One ideal example of green technology implemented in homes across the globe is the installation of solar panels. Since its inception, companies have continuously developed new designs to meet aesthetic preferences and increase the panels’ efficiency.

Solar panels are easy to integrate into any household, provided they’re located in an area with enough sunlight. While some solar panels are easy to install, advanced units may require someone else to do the job. Nonetheless, the panels allow households to harness the sun’s energy to power appliances, electronics, and gadgets. Moreover, solar panels can help save money on their electrical bills because they’ll rely on natural energy rather than commercial distribution.

In the meantime, homeowners can shift to sustainable fixtures to help their environmental bid and save more from the bills. One example is LED lights, which are efficient, long-lasting, and low-maintenance, making them the ideal sustainable lighting. Their long service life lowers the replacement rate and disposal rates.

While still on the topic of

energy, it’s no secret that people nowadays have to charge or plug in many devices they use daily, like mobile phones, to enjoy their full functions. However, leaving them plugged into the socket, especially when not in use, consumes energy even when these items are not in use. Having a smart power strip or wall socket can solve this issue smoothly.

Power strips, or extension cords to some, often come with a button that controls electrical flow. But it’s not always enough. Newer power strips now come with a controlling device that stops energy vampires, with some units’ controllers available on smartphones and connected to WiFi to allow better management. It turns the devices off completely to save the environment and money.

Besides regulating electricity, another sustainable approach homeowners can take is opting for similar gadgets and appliances that help lower a home’s carbon footprint. For instance, refrigerators have long become a staple in every household because they keep perishable items fresh longer. However, there has been some concern recently about fridges that use hazardous substances like CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) or HCFCs (hydrofluorocarbons).

Fortunately, modern refrigerators are more energy efficient. It has many features built into these newer models that reduce energy usage, reducing the amount of power required to keep it running. Some eco-friendly refrigerators have a power-saving mode that powers off the display and its other components. Other refrigeration units also have sensors when the doors are improperly closed to warn users and lessen the energy the appliance uses.

In the meantime, inverter air conditioners also provide sustainable options for a household. One of its primary functions is cooling a room faster and more efficiently, and its eco-mode regulates the unit’s use to keep circulating cool air and only turns on the compressor when there’s a temperature change.

Although saving energy using clean and renewable alternatives is a central goal in sustainable living, electricity isn’t the only natural resource green technology aims to conserve. Water is also a necessity that communities hope to preserve because some don’t always have a constant or infinite water supply.

Washing machines have also become a staple in many households because they finish the task faster without much labor from the users. Some units use 30 percent less energy and have a built-in filtration system that stops microplastics from washing synthetic fabrics from entering waterways and oceans.

How to choose green technology

The market is abundant in green technology products that consumers can choose from, giving them many options depending on their needs. But before one can minimize their carbon footprint at home, there are some things they still need to consider when deciding the ideal product for their homes.

Users must conduct research before making their final purchase to ensure that their items meet global standards and their preferences to create a secure, sustainable home. Some considerations for product selection include energy efficiency, which users can learn from available product ratings online.

Other relevant product information includes its life cycle, environmental rating, and other unique, sustainable functions that make it a key player in the industry.

Saving the environment doesn’t necessarily mean returning to primitive measures. Thanks to innovative minds and a compassion for the environment, consumers can now enjoy modern products that embody the purpose of green technology.

Everyday household items, like washing machines, air conditioners, and even electrical sockets, can be the gateway for users to shift toward sustainable or green technology. However, users still need to properly discern the items they’re purchasing.

While promoting sustainability worldwide may be daunting, everyday efforts from individuals, starting in their homes, can boost environmental preservation.

A

CCESSIBILITY and convenience are the primary benefits humans receive from technology. But as the world progresses into modernity, the environment should not be left behind or forgotten.

Solar panels

LED lights

Sustainable Technology in the Era of AI

Google’s AI chatbot goes personal, tapping into Gmail

SAN FRANCISCO—Google

on Tuesday said it had integrated Gmail, YouTube and other tools into its Bard chatbot as the tech giants seek to persuade users that generative AI is useful and not dangerous or just a fad.

The search engine juggernaut has for years discreetly developed AI powers, but was caught off guard when OpenAI late last year released ChatGPT and teamed up with Microsoft to make its capabilities available to users worldwide.

Google then raced out its own Bard chatbot earlier this year, making it available in more than 40 languages and overcoming data privacy concerns from regulators in Europe.

The company said its beefed up chatbot would allow users to carry out new tasks such as summarize a confusing string of emails into its main points or tap into Google Maps to find the best way to a holiday destination.

These so-called Bard Extensions would also be available to retrieve key points from content across Google Docs and Google Drive, including PDFs, the company said.

The new powers would also help expose incorrect answers with a new button that would compare Bard output with the results of a Google search

query on the same topic, flagging discrepancies. This would hopefully give comfort to those put off by the so-called “hallucinations” or bad responses that are a constant danger when using Bard, ChatGPT or Microsoft’s Bing.

Bard’s new capabilities closely match offerings from Microsoft that infuse its Office 365 apps with AI powers, though those come at an extra cost to customers and are not available through the Bing chatbot.

To assuage privacy concerns, a pop-up on the Bard webpage said the new powers would only access personal data “with your permission.”

Any scraping of personal content from Google’s workplace tools -- such as Docs, Drive or Gmail —would not be used to target ads, train Bard, or be seen by human reviewers, it said.

Dangers, consequences of digital piracy

IMAGINE a world without authors, writers, content creators, editors, and artists today. One might ask, “Why do I have to imagine this”? Well, it is a thought, and it could happen if people keep disrespecting others’ works and if copyright infringement and intellectual property (IP) violations persist.

If this happens, the written word will be at a standstill. There would be no new content, no new books on the bestsellers’ list, no more bookshops, and no more publishing industry. The world would be in a much-reduced state of artistic expression and shared knowledge. Self-expression would be restricted. Societal progress would suffer deprivation.

Undeniably, the Internet and digitalization have given rise to many opportunities and advancements. Learning resources are more accessible than ever, and information is readily available and widely disseminated across various channels. People only need to make one click

to find the information they want and access reading materials whenever and wherever they choose. However, while digital information provides convenience and flexibility, its underlying issues already harm many, including students, content providers, and the academe.

The problem is that, in an age when instant access to knowledge is crucial, some people quickly forget to respect writers’ and publishers’ intellectual property. Most information or content can be freely distributed online without limitations, making them prone to being replicated without authorization. A significant concern in the academe is that excellent materials are in danger of being violated in terms of copyright or intellectual property, and if this persists, authors and publishers, among others, would be at the losing end, inevitably affecting the publishing space.

Sadly, some violations are happening in broad daylight and have become a norm. Are you one of the

‘guilty innocents’?

Photocopy shops, sometimes in schools or near them, make unauthorized copies of books

Sharing and distributing copyrighted materials, such as articles, photographs, and movies, through online platforms without permission or licensing Plagiarizing or copying substantial portions of copyrighted content without proper attribution or citations in assignments, papers, or presentations

These are only some examples that society tolerates. While there may be valid reasons, these are disrespectful, unethical, and possibly illegal, with reference to RA 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. The problem with IP rights also extends beyond a lack of respect and ethics; content piracy negatively impacts content creators, businesses, and even academic institutions. It limits content sales through legal methods, which hurts the revenue of

“You’re always in control of your privacy settings when deciding how you want to use these extensions, and you can turn them off at any time,” the company said in a blog post.

The new product comes as the staying power of generative AI chatbots is yet to be confirmed, with usage of ChatGPT trending lower over the past several months, according to industry data. Moreover, the integration of the Bing chatbot into Microsoft’s search engine earlier this year failed to make an impact on Google’s overwhelming dominance of search.

Governments and tech companies however insist that generative AI is technology’s next big chapter and have ramped up spending on new products, research and infrastructure. AFP

content creators. Not only does it affect their income source, but it also reduces their motivation and willingness to invest in high-quality content. This could have a significantly adverse effect on the publishing industry and related sectors.

Every year, industries suffer significant revenue losses because of

digital piracy. According to the report of Media Partners Asia, the Philippines lost $781 million in revenue in 2022 due to online video piracy alone. If this is not controlled, experts project that the illicit industry will have 31 million users by 2027 and leak $1 billion annually. This poses a major Turn to D4

Study: AI both a risk, opportunity for journalism

LONDON—AI is both a threat and an opportunity for journalism, with more than half of those surveyed for a new report saying they had concerns about its ethical implications on their work.

While 85 percent of respondents had experimented with generative AI such as ChatGPT or Google Bard for tasks including writing summaries and generating headlines, 60 percent said they also had reservations.

The study, carried out by the London School of Economic’s JournalismAI initiative, surveyed over 100 news organisations from 46 countries about their use of AI and associated technologies between April and July.

“More than 60 per cent of respondents noted their concern about the ethical implications of AI on journalistic values including accuracy, fairness and transparency and other aspects of journalism,” the researchers said in a statement. “Journalism around the world is going through another period of exciting and scary technological change,” added report co-author and project director Charlie Beckett.

He said the study showed that the new generative AI tools were both a “potential threat to the integrity of information and the news media” but also an “incredible

risk to the country’s economy due to billions of dollars in revenue losses for legitimate content producers, and many individuals may lose their jobs if their companies suffer from it.

On the academic side, there is the never-dying problem of textbook piracy. This topic is usually

opportunity to make journalism more efficient, effective and trustworthy”.

Journalists recognized the timesaving benefits of AI with tasks such as interview transcription.

But they also noted the need for AI generated content to be checked by a human “to mitigate potential harms like bias and inaccuracy”, the authors said.

Challenges surrounding AI integration were “more pronounced for newsrooms in the global south” they added.

“AI technologies developed have been predominantly available in English, but not in many Asian languages. We have to catch up doubly to create AI systems, and AI systems that work with our local languages,” the report quoted one respondent in the Philippines as saying.

Co-author Mira Yaseen said the economic and social benefits of AI were concentrated in the global north and its harms disproportionately were affecting the global south.

She said this was “exacerbating global inequality”, adding that a “power-conscious framing of global AI development and adoption was needed.

controversial, with student budgets cited as justifications. However, it is becoming more prevalent as many people illegally reproduce and distribute copyrighted content.

If this persists, many publishers fear that creating high-quality content in the educational sector will become more difficult due to unsustainable losses from piracy. Authors may also

lose motivation because the fruit of their hard work is not adequately compensated and, worse, not protected.

Curbing content piracy may be a hard and long battle, but fighting to keep the publishing industry and related entities flourishing and thriving is worthwhile. However, this can only be done with the collective

effort of both consumers and content creators. Some consumers may think that accessing free content through illegal websites and apps is harmless, but in reality, it substantially impacts all related companies and individuals. Aside from financial losses, their morals and motivation are undermined by a lack of respect and appreciation for the value of their work. Therefore,

it is also our obligation as consumers to ensure that we consume content in the most honest way possible. And it is for this reason that Rex Education, in collaboration with key industries, is making great efforts to educate, communicate, and teach a genuine appreciation of one’s work among colleagues, families, and young people.

foodpanda, TabSquare to offer AI-driven tech to restaurants

ONLINE food and grocery platform foodpanda and software company TabSquare are joining hands to empower restaurants with artificial intelligence (AI)-powered in-restaurant solutions.

The collaboration is part of a region-wide partnership including other Asian markets like Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan to help restaurant partners digitize their ordering, payment, and customer engagement-related processes.

In the Philippines, the announcement was made during foodpanda’s recent partner vendors summit, entitled “CRAVE: Creating Relationships and Advancing Vendor Experiences”. At the event, partner vendor attendees were provided a firsthand end-to-end experience using TabSquare, showcasing its convenience, seamless operations, and efficiency.

With TabSquare’s Smart QR solution, foodpanda’s vendor partners can automate tasks, including order processing and payments, while ensuring enhanced profitability. It also contributes to labor savings by minimizing order errors and reducing staff workload.

According to foodpanda Philippines Commercial Director Luis Antonio Yanga, “By offering digital menus through QR codes, we enable customers to place orders and make payments via TabSquare’s platform effortlessly. This enhances the dining experience by seamlessly bridging the offline-to-online gap and provides efficient solutions for our thousands of partner vendors and merchants.”

Delivering convenience to diners and restos alike

With foodpanda and TabSquare’s combined data and predictive technologies, restaurant partners can enhance customer

engagement and retention.

Restaurant owners can review the transactions via TabSquare’s analytics, which provides valuable insights to support partners in improving menu items, pricing, and promotions,

among other things. “This enables restaurant owners to identify trends, and personalize subsequent experiences based on customers’ purchasing history,” Yanga said. Moreover, digital menus offer nu-

merous advantages, including reduced reliance on wait staff, minimized employee turnover, decreased losses on food and finances due to human error, and more efficient menu changes without costly reprints.

According to foodpanda and TabSquare’s data, restaurants using this digital solution can see up to 10% higher bill sizes, up to 50% reduction in staff costs, and better customer satisfaction. At the same time, restaurants on foodpanda see an average of at least a 10% uplift in business performance since joining the platform.

In the dining service, there has been a massive shift in digitally-led solutions and services which TabSquare believes will further enhance the appeal of their services.

“With foodpanda, we will be bringing many new innovative features to the industry. For example, restaurants working with TabSquare can now promote themselves to foodpanda’s large customer base and attract new customers,” told Anshul Gupta, co-founder of TabSquare.

Growing demand for QR codes in dine-in Dine-in is offered through foodpanda’s pandapro subscription program with exclusive discounts and deals for app users.

Yanga shared that to further boost this segment and cater to the growing demand for QR Code payments, foodpanda introduced TabSquare’s enhanced QR Code scanning process for dine-in orders. This strategic move comes as a response to the rising demand for QR Code payments, evident by the country’s QR Code transactions totaling P 32.7 billion in Q1 2023.

Recently, dine-in has also become available to all foodpanda app users in Cebu with new features like in-app payment. With “Redeem & Pay,” the process becomes effortless as users can pay directly through the app, saving time and enhancing the overall dining experience.

Sustainable Technology in the Era of AI

Tech it Easy: AI-powered gadgets you need today

By Paola Navarette

IF the past few years taught us anything, it is that technology is constantly evolving and changing.

Be honest: Did you pay for an app called Snow to make you some Korean portraits? Or spend a few minutes talking to ChatGPT? If so, well, you had a lot of company.

Sure enough, VR headsets have caught your attention, too, as they promise to transport you to the virtual universe in the blink of an eye.

As the limelight continues to shine on technology trends such as metaverse, Cloud, and blockchain, it can’t be denied that artificial intelligence (AI) has reached its full potential and is continuously transforming the way we live and interact with each other.

We’re living in what’s become the year of AI, and, of course, some very cool gadgets. From a sizable smart speaker to sleek smartwatches that can be carried on you at all times, all manner of once unthinkable tech is now available to the masses.

To make your life easier, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Here are our picks for the best, quirky gadgets with AI you can get in 2023.

Wearable for wellness: Apple Watch Series 8

Offering advanced health and fitness features and car-crash detection, the new Apple Watch Series 8 is definitely a cool gadget.

It takes all of the good bits of previous designs, and piles as much as possible on top. It possesses notable features―such as fast-charging, always-on display, blood-oxygen measurement, ECG functionality―and

tracks how well you sleep either at night or in day time.

Immersing music experience: Sonos Era 300

You’ve heard of wireless Bluetooth speakers, but how about an all-in-one surround sound system in one? The Sonos Era 300 speaker, released just this year, has Dolby Atmos capability with six class-D digital amplifiers and promises a rich sound with four tweeters and two woofers all in one speaker.

Working over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and auxiliary inputs with the Sonos Line-In Adapter to connect traditional devices such as vinyl turntables, CD players, Sonos Era 300

and TVs, the Era 300 speaker is a great bit of tech for those who love streaming music and watching films in a simple to understand way without missing out on quality. It has both Sonos Voice Control and built-in Alexa support for hands free control, too.

Smart surveillance expansion: Reolink Argus 3 Pro

Perhaps one of the coolest things about this AI security camera is that it’s available with a solar panel, which means you’ll never have to worry about charging it.

Designed to offer top-notch quality at a lower price, Argus 3 Pro delivers crisp, 2K video with an expansive 122-degree view and a clear two-way audio as it keeps tabs on welcome (and unwelcome) visitors and package deliveries. It also includes features such as color night vision, x16 digital zoom, and a 230-lumen spotlight that will light up when motion is detected.

Unparalleled technology for navigating the city: GoCycle G4

The futuristic Gocycle G4 is the rare folding bike that rides like its full-sized relatives. With sure handling, plenty of power, and a quality build, it’s a great recreational ride that’s easy to take onto public transport or even to pack away in a car for vacations or longer journeys.

Equipped with a suite of AI-assisted features, this bike is designed to provide a smooth, intuitive riding experience. The G4 isn’t cheap, but it has the performance and portability necessary for Turn

Score Big Savings with HP’s Back to School Rush 2.0!

AS THE school season kicks into high gear, students and parents are actively gearing up for academic success, and HP is here to make the journey even more exciting with the HP Printer Back to School Rush 2.0. Available now and running until October 31, 2023, this promo is your gateway to massive savings of up to P2,500 on an impressive lineup of HP printers.

Enjoy Huge Savings with HP Smart Tank Printers

Say goodbye to your printing woes and hello to huge savings with HP Smart Tank printers. These printers are your ultimate time and money-saving companions, boasting refillable ink tank systems that can churn out up to 8,000 color pages or 6,000 black pages, all with vivid hues and razor-sharp text. But that’s not all —immerse yourself in the world of convenience with HP’s best-inclass—HP Smart App. This game-changer empowers

you to print from anywhere, scan multiple documents simultaneously, and shield your printer from cyber threats. Explore our diverse selection of models that fit your needs, including the Smart Tank 500, Smart Tank 515, and Smart Tank 519, complete with dual-band self-healing Wi-Fi for seamless connectivity.

Grab the HP Back to School Rush 2.0 Deal

The HP Printer Back to School Rush 2.0 is available at a wide range of stores across the Philippines, making it convenient for students and parents to grab this fantastic opportunity.

Please note that this promo does not apply to volume purchases (single-receipt purchase of eleven or more participating products) and cannot be combined with other promotions.

So, gear up for success this schoolyear with HP’s Back to School Rush 2.0. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to save big on essential printing solutions. Get ready to unleash your potential with HP!

For more information on the HP Back to School Rush promo, please visit HP Philippines Facebook page for more information.

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB172455 Series of 2023.

Exploring the latest tech trends, gadgets with AI that have shaped 2023 so far —and have made our lives easier

Apple Watch Series 8

Reolink Argus 3 Pro

GoCycle G4

ZTE Nubia Pad 3D

Technology in the Era of AI

AI models struggle to identify nonsense, says study

PARIS—The AI models that power chatbots and other applications still have difficulty distinguishing between nonsense and natural language, according to a study released on Thursday.

The researchers at Columbia University in the United States said their work revealed the limitations of current AI models and suggested it was too early to let them loose in legal or medical settings.

They put nine AI models through their paces, firing hundreds of pairs of sentences at them and asking which were likely to be heard in everyday speech.

They asked 100 people to make the same judgement on pairs of sentences like: “A buyer can own a genuine product also / One versed in circumference of highschool I rambled.”

The research, published in the Nature Machine Intelligence journal, then weighed the AI answers against the human answers and found dramatic differences.

Sophisticated models like GPT-2, an earlier version of the model that powers viral chatbot ChatGPT, generally matched the human answers.

Other simpler models did less well.

But the researchers highlighted that all the models made mistakes.

“Every model exhibited blind spots, labelling some sentences as meaningful that human participants thought were gibberish,” said psychology professor Christopher Baldassano, an author of the report.

“That should give us pause about the extent to which we want AI systems making important decisions, at least for

now.”

Tal Golan, another of the paper’s authors, told AFP that the models were “an exciting technology that can complement human productivity

dramatically”. However, he argued that “letting these models replace human decision-making in domains such as law, medicine, or student evaluation may be premature”.

Among tHe pitfalls, he said, was the possibility that people might intentionally exploit the blind spots to manipulate the models.

AI models burst into public

consciousness with the release of ChatGPT last year, which has since been credited with passing various exams and has been touted as a possible aide to doctors, lawyers and other professionals.

AI ‘no substitute’ for fashion designers’ creativity

LONDON—AI is transforming the fashion world but the fast growing technology will never be a replacement for designers’ “original creativity”, according to the head of a pioneering project.

Fashion innovator Calvin Wong has developed the Interactive Design Assistant for Fashion (AiDA)—the world’s first designer-led AI system.

It uses image-recognition technology to speed up the time it takes for a design to go from a first sketch to the catwalk.

“Designers have their fabric prints, patterns, colour tones, initial sketches and they upload the images,” Wong told AFP.

“Then our AI system can recognise those design elements and come up with more proposals for designers to refine and modify their original design.”

Wong said AiDA’s particular strength was its ability to present “all the possible combinations” for a designer to consider, something he said was impossible in the current design process.

An exhibition at Hong Kong’s M+ Museum in December featured collections by 14 designers developed using the tool.

But Wong stressed it was about “facilitating designers inspiration” not “using AI to take over a designers job, to take over their creativity.”

“We must treasure the designer’s original creativity,” he added.

Wong heads up the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AidLab), a collaboration between Britain’s Royal College of Art (RCA) and Hong Kong Polytechnic University where he is a professor in fashion.

‘Transformational’

RCA vice chancellor Naren Barfield predicted the impact of AI on the fashion industry would be “transformational”.

“The impact is going to be huge from the ideation and conception stage through to prototyping, right the way through to manufacture, distribution and then ultimately recycling,” he said.

So-called personalisation is already being used to improve customer experience with better product recommendations and more effective searches, helping shoppers find

what they want quickly and easily.

But as the technology evolves so too is the range of highly specialised tools being developed.

AiDA was just one of the AidLab projects being showcased in the British capital ahead of London Fashion Week, which started on Friday.

Others included the Neo Couture project which aims to use advanced technologies to digitally preserve the specialised skills and techniques used by couturiers.

With the UK fashion industry facing a skills shortage, it is creating an AI-assisted training system to help teach couture skills.

Another project aims to increase sustainability to reduce the estimated 92 million tonnes of clothing that ends up in landfill each year.

One potential use of the AI Loupe project is to help designers overcome the problems of using so-called dead stock fabric.

Designers can photograph leftover fabric and then use the tool to get the missing details to assess its suitability for their designs.

“It uses the camera as your index, the material is the QR code that brings the information,” said project researcher Chipp Jansen. Retain control

The future of AI in fashion design, however, is not clear cut.

New York brand Collina Strada’s founder Hillary Taymour this week admitted that she and her team used AI image generator Midjourney to create the collection they showed at New York Fashion Week.

Although Taymour only used images of the brand’s own past looks to help generate its Spring/Summer 2024 collection, looming legal issues could keep AI-generated clothes off the catwalks for now.

“In terms of fashion designed by AI, I would expect to hear from designers that there are questions of intellectual property rights,” said Rebecca Lewin, a senior curator at London’s Design Museum.

“Because whatever comes back will have been scraped from published images and to get that regulated will need a lot of work.”

The RCA’s Barfield said the area would be tricky but he expected it to be resolved through test cases and legislation. AFP

Robot Charlie is pictured at the Robotics Innovation Center of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) in Bremen, Germany. German Minister of Economics and Climate Protection Robert Habeck visits the Robotics Innovation Center of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence and the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM). AFP

realme leaps forward with cleaner, more sustainable operations

Among the smartphone brand’s global goals is to cut 50% carbon emissions in five years

it to become your main mode of transport (especially if you live in an urban area).

device:

3D

Glasses-free

ZTE Nubia Pad 3D

Remember the good old days of 3D movies, witnessing the occasional breach of dimensions through a pair of glasses? Turns out, you don’t need that anymore as the ZTE Nubia Pad 3D tablet brings the 3D experience to a whole new level―and does exactly the same, and with pretty impressive results!

Its AI-driven face tracking technology “steers” 3D photos and videos to the eyes so they’re always in sharp focus regardless of viewing angle. It can present 2D standard content to surprisingly realistic 3D images by accurately guessing their depth. 3D is back―but this time it’s easy.

Exceptional gaming, premier content creation: Lenovo Legion Slim 5i

The laptop’s AI Engine+, powered by the Lenovo LA AI chip, uses a software-machine learning algorithm to optimally tune the laptop’s performance.

The chip uses software machine learning, deployed through the Lenovo Vantage, to help monitor in-game FPS and dynamically adjust for the highest performance output.

In a nutshell, when you play a game or edit a video, the AI in the Legion Slim 5i learns what your games and work or school deliverables need from the laptop’s system. As it learns your playing, working, creating, and streaming habits, it will intelligently control the laptop’s thermal performance, allocate wattage dynamically between CPU and GPU, and ultimately, provide you an overall better experience.

THE world’s fastest-growing smartphone brand, realme, ensures that its corporate social responsibilities do not fall by the wayside amid the rapid growth as the company reiterates its commitment to sustainability. The five-year-old company is moving steadily towards becoming an eco-friendly and sustainable tech player, with the Philippines as one of its key markets. At MWC 2022 in February last year, realme unveiled its “Sustainability Vision” initiative, which sees the company cut 50% of its carbon emissions from its GT series in five years. The process entails minimizing the full-cycle carbon footprint from material selection to design, manufacturing, packaging, usage, and recycling.

realme is taking bold steps to benefit both consumers and the planet through its groundbreaking “Double Zero” initiative. By committing to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in its corporate operations and ensuring zero waste is sent to landfills by 2025, realme is not only leading the way in eco-conscious practices but also creating tangible advantages for its customers. This initiative is designed to bring about significant changes in realme’s day-to-day operations, all with the primary goal of preserving the environment and enhancing the consumer experience. They are actively reducing its carbon footprint and minimizing waste generation, all while increasing the use of renewable energy sources and improving resource recycling rates.

When you choose realme products, you’re not only getting leap-forward technology but also supporting a brand that is actively contributing to the fight against climate change. realme’s dedication to reducing global warming trends directly benefits the planet and the well-being of future generations.

For championing sustainability, realme has been recently named in Fortune China’s “2023 Impact 65 List of Startups in China.” The list recognizes young companies that are already making people’s lives better and creating measurable progress in addressing social and environmental issues as part of their core business strategy.

Since its launch in 2018, realme has always adhered to green development. Powered by its “Dare to Leap” spirit that empowers the youth, realme achieved breakthroughs and won the confidence of young consumers around the world for pursuing cleaner and more sustainable operations.

For instance, realme practices the “3R+1D” design concept, which promotes the reduction, recycling, reuse, and degradability of its products and packaging. Meanwhile, realme’s premium flagship, realme GT2 Pro, is the world’s first smartphone to feature a biopolymer for its entire rear panel. The design choice reduces carbon emissions from its manufacturing by 35.5%, while the material also creates 2kg fewer carbon emissions for every kilogram made as compared to its purely petroleum-based counterpart. The percentage of plastic used in the phone’s packaging has also been reduced from 21.7% to a miniscule 0.3%. At the same time, realme has established a complete product recycling system to minimize damage to the environment.

Last August, realme celebrated its fifth anniversary and unveiled the “Leap-Forward Climbing Plan.” The goal is for the company to reach new heights through sustainable development and by providing leap-forward products to young people around the world.

For more information about realme Philippines, check out realme’s official website or Facebook.

Shopping Smarter with Shopee Live: A Win-Win for Sellers, Influencers, and Buyers

IN the digital age, the way we buy and sell products has undergone a transformation, thanks to leading e-commerce platforms like Shopee and its innovative features that take the online shopping experience to the next level. One great example would be Shopee Live - it’s not just a livestreaming platform; it’s a gamechanger that empowers sellers, influencers, and buyers to make more informed choices, interact in real time, and ultimately shop smarter.

Enabling Sellers and Influencers to Deepen

Connections with Customers

Showcasing Products: Instead of relying solely on product descriptions and images, sellers and influencers can use Shopee

Live to demonstrate their products in action, which can help boost sales. For instance, mobile phone brand Infinix made over 11 million pesos in sales during its 9.9 Super Shopping Day stream on Shopee Live. Whether it’s a fashion show, a cooking demonstration, or a tech gadget review, the live format enables sellers to highlight key features and benefits effectively, which can lead to a massive sales uplift.

Real-Time Engagement: Shopee

Live allows sellers and influencers to create exciting shopping experiences for their audiences via features like live polling and hammer games. This engagement goes beyond static product listings and images, creating a more personal and interactive selling experience. Sellers can showcase their products, answer questions, and build trust with their audience. Through these features, local sellers like Chemiscents were able to break sales records last 9.9, having sold over 29,000 items via Shopee Live.

Building Customer Communities: Filipinos are known to be highly social, so it’s no surprise that sellers and influencers have taken to Shopee Live as an avenue to form bonds with their audiences with its interactive features. Shopee Live gives sellers a platform to engage with their buyers consistently and banter with their viewers, creating relationships that go beyond transactions. This was the case for mompreneur Cecille Guinto, who has amassed over 290,000 shop followers since she started streaming on Shopee Live.

Giving Buyers a More Entertaining and Rewarding Shopping Experience

Entertaining & Rewarding Shopping

Experience: On top of being able to browse and buy anytime and anywhere, Shopee Live turns shopping into an interactive and immersive experience.

Buyers can ask questions and seek clarifications in real-time. This level of engagement helps them make more informed decisions before every

purchase. Additionally, Shopee Live provides an exciting lineup of programs featuring celebrities and influencers such as comedy queen Kiray Celis and influencer Vrix Galliano– a dynamic duo whose infectious energy kept viewers entertained for hours and broke sales records during Shopee’s 9.9 Super Shopping Salubong.

Exclusive Deals: Shopee Live also offers exclusive deals and vouchers on an assortment of products to meet every need. For instance, Shopee Live viewers get to enjoy daily 70% off vouchers when they shop their livestream-exclusive deals. For every stream viewed, Shopee Coins are also rewarded and shoppers can use the coins to offset their transaction amount further.

Seeing is Believing: Watching a live stream of a product in action gives buyers a better idea of what they are purchasing. They can see how a piece of clothing fits, how a gadget functions, or how a skincare product is applied, enabling a more reliable

and worry-free online shopping experience.

Ultimately, Shopee Live revolutionizes the online shopping experience by providing a platform for real-time engagement, and interactive shopping, and helps brands unlock new growth through effective shopper engagement. For sellers, it’s an opportunity to showcase products, build trust, and boost sales. For buyers, it’s a chance to make more informed decisions, see products in action, and access exclusive deals. It’s a testament to how technology continually enhances the e-commerce landscape, making it easier for everyone to shop smarter and more efficiently in the digital age.

So, whether you’re a seller looking to expand your reach or a buyer seeking a more engaging shopping experience, Shopee Live has something to offer everyone. Keen to find out more about Shopee Live? Download the Shopee app from leading app stores and visit this link for more information.

Technology in the Era of AI

AI revolution in video games has industry players treading warily

COLOGNE, Germany—From generating story lines to coding entire games to turning ideas into animation, artificial intelligence is front and center at Gamescom, one of the video game industry’s biggest fairs.

But even the ultra-connected industry is eyeing the innovation warily, with fears growing that jobs could be made redundant and artistic creations usurped.

“AI is really a turning point,” according to Julien Millet, an AI engineer and founder of United Bits Game studio, who attended the industry fair this week.

Responsive non-playable characters or the automatic generation of images, code and game scenarios are among the possible uses for developers using AI.

AI is also capable of instantly producing illustrations from text, allowing producers to better “transmit their vision”, according to Millet.

But the images dreamed up by AI could threaten the work of concept artists, who visualise the video game world before it is created digitally.

“I am worried for those jobs,” Millet said. ‘Dream world’

Attracting tens of thousands of video game lovers every year, Gamescom is an opportunity for studios to showcase their latest creations.

Many gamers turn up in cosplay costumes, as they throng the stands

to try out the potential new hits —this year including some that prominently feature AI.

Club Koala from the Singaporean studio Play for Fun offers players the chance to “create their own dream world, a personalised paradise island with unique characters” generated using AI.

“AI has become an integral part of everyday life” and has a “huge potential to take the gaming industry to the next level”, Play for Fun CEO Fang Han said in a statement.

Berlin-based Ivy Juice Games also said it now uses AI through its game creation process.

“We use it to generate lines of text... to get some more storytelling into the game,” Linus Gaertig from Ivy Juice Games told AFP at Gamescom.

It is also using AI “to generate code”, Gaertig said, offering a new way for developers to build the games themselves.

“(AI) makes the game more unpredictable and so the game feels more real,” said Sarah Brin of Kythera AI, which uses the technology to generate character movements.

A case in point was demonstrated by US chipmaker Nvidia when

it introduced the world to ACE, a software aimed at developers to create “intelligent in-game characters” using AI. In its promotional video for ACE, a player speaking through a microphone is depicted having a conversation with a virtual ramen noodle chef in a sci-fi bar. How is the chef? “Not so good,” comes the answer—crime

is on the rise locally and the chef is worried.

But using AI to create sprawling virtual worlds could clash with claims to the intellectual property rights on the original images used to produce them.

“If you are a major publisher and then you use generative AI, turns out what you’ve used infringed on some copyright, then you’re open to some

vulnerability there,” said Brin from Kythera AI.

Unlike many of its competitors, Brin’s company has decided not to train its AI on open databases. After all, in the US, artists have already jointly launched a suit against Midjourney, Stable diffusion and DreamUp, three AI models created using images harvested from the internet. AFP

Visitors play the Tekken 8 game at the Bandai Namco Entertainment booth at the Gamescom video game fair in Cologne, western Germany. According to the organizers, around 1,100 exhibitors from 53 countries presented their products during the fair. AFP

Adopting green technology habits in the workplace

By P.Y. Deligero

IN the modern world, nearly every industry and establishment relies on technology for efficiency and functionality. But aside from adapting to new trends brought about by the continuous demands of markets and consumers, numerous businesses have begun considering their carbon footprint and environmental impact in their daily tasks.

The growing demand to implement sustainable or green technology in the workplace led to a movement that shifted the usual “business as always” mindsets to become more environment-conscious.

For instance, many offices, companies, and other establishments found an alternative energy source to supply their energy needs. The most common source of clean and renewable energy is the sun, with many institutions installing solar panels on their premises to soak up the sun’s rays and convert them into energy.

It powers business appliances, gadgets, and other electronics required to function at a fraction of the cost. Without commercial electricity, companies can cut costs from their regular expenses.

Meanwhile, those in the transport industry who rely heavily on vehicles to maintain operations also switched to green technology by utilizing electric vehicles. Although there’s some debate on how these vehicles can reduce their carbon footprint, seeing as how they use commercial electricity to run rather than fossil fuels, it helps reduce human ac-

tivities to search for fossil fuel and air pollutants from burning fossil fuels. While still on the topic of vehicles, it’s relevant to note that some fuel companies in the Philippines and across the globe have begun offering more environment-friendly fuel options to consumers. Others have also started research and development efforts to dis-

cover other natural and renewable resources they can use for biogas.

Everyday efforts to be sustainable

Other than usual efforts from companies and their executives, everyday employees can also find a way to adopt green technology and be sustainable workers. One prime example is going paperless.

Modern technology offers users a similar experience to everyday tasks, like filing, writing letters, and more, using new gadgets and devices. They can access software with similar and useful functions through computers, tablets, and phones without the paper trail, thus minimizing a company’s carbon footprint.

Using the Cloud is also an ideal way for employees to deal with office-related disasters because it keeps relevant files within arms reach. Alibaba photo

Sustainable Technology in the Era of AI

Google AI tool predicts danger of genetic mutations

WASHINGTON -- Researchers at Google DeepMind, the tech giant’s artificial intelligence arm, on Tuesday introduced a tool that predicts whether genetic mutations are likely to cause harm, a breakthrough that could help research into rare diseases.

The findings are “another step in recognizing the impact that AI is having in the natural sciences,” said Pushmeet Kohli, vice president for research at Google DeepMind.

The tool focuses on so-called “missense” mutations, where a single letter of the genetic code is affected.

A typical human has 9,000 such mutations throughout their genome; they can be harmless or cause diseases such as cystic fibrosis or cancer, or damage brain development.

To date, four million of these mutations have been observed in humans, but only two percent of them have been classified, either as disease-causing or benign.

In all, there are 71 million such possible mutations. The Google DeepMind tool, called AlphaMissense, reviewed these mutations and was able to predict 89 percent of them, with 90 percent accuracy.

A score was assigned to each mutation, indicating the risk of it causing disease (otherwise referred to as pathogenic).

The result: 57 percent were classified as probably benign, and 32 percent as probably pathogenic—the remainder being uncertain.

The database was made public and available to scientists, and an accompanying study was published on Tuesday in the journal Science.

AlphaMissense demonstrates “superior performance” than previously available tools, wrote experts Joseph

Marsh and Sarah Teichmann in an article also published in Science.

“We should emphasize that the predictions were never really trained or never really intended to be used for clinical diagnosis alone,” said Jun Cheng of Google DeepMind.

“However, we do think that our predictions can potentially be helpful to increase the diagnosed rate of rare disease, and also potentially to help us find new disease-causing genes,” Cheng added.

The OPPO A98 5G–a powerful, all-rounder smartphone–is now available nationwide

OPPO, leading global smart device brand, is thrilled to announce the newest addition to its powerful A Series smartphone lineup that delivers value-for-money in terms of performance, display, and camera capabilities--the OPPO A98 5G.

The OPPO A98 5G boasts 67W SUPERVOOC fast charging, a large, longlasting 5,000mAh battery, and OPPO’s Battery Health Engine. It is also equipped with an incredible 120Hz Silky Smooth Large Screen, RAM Expansion technology, and the latest ColorOS 13.1, ensuring a speedy and smooth experience despite heavy usage.

Accomplish more daily with long-lasting battery and industry-leading battery health

The OPPO A98 5G’s powerful configurations in flash charging and battery allow it to last all day without needing to be recharged, making it a cut above the rest among mid-range smartphones. The device boasts upgrades in flash charging and battery performance.

of-the-art imaging hardware, allowing budding photographers to fully explore their artistic potential with the help of its camera features including a 64MP AI Camera, 32MP Selfie Camera, 2MP Depth Camera, and 40x Microlens.

Indirectly, this could lead to the development of new treatments, the researchers said.

The tool was trained on the DNA of humans and closely-related primates, enabling it to recognize which genetic mutations are widespread.

Cheng said the training allowed the tool to input “millions of protein sequences and learns what a regular protein sequence looks like.”

It then could identify a mutation and its potential for harm.

Cheng compared the process to learning a language.

“If we substitute a word from an English sentence, a person that is familiar with English can immediately see whether this word substitution will change the meaning of the sentence or not.” AFP

ATFX Revolutionizes Online Trading with Cutting-Edge Technology

IN the fast-paced world of online trading, ATFX stands as a beacon of innovation, leveraging the latest technology to redefine the trading experience. With a slew of accolades under its belt, including the prestigious “2023 Most Innovative Fintech Award,” ATFX continues to lead the industry with groundbreaking tools like the recently launched ATFX mobile app, designed to simplify, enhance trading experience and equips you with resources needed to navigate the complex world of trading.

ATFX’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements is evident in its adoption of cutting-edge tools and practices. The introduction of facial recognition for account opening and Adobe Sign for electronic signatures has streamlined processes for traders, ensuring a seamless journey from start to finish. Furthermore, ATFX has embraced emerging technologies such as big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and blockchain to boost trading, network security, and software upgrades for a smooth and seamless trading experience. This infusion of financial technology innovation has paved the way for upgraded trading scenarios, benefitting both novice and experienced traders.

Access to these cutting-edge technologies is pivotal for ATFX’s clients on their trading journeys. The company’s success is intricately tied to the success of its traders, which is why ATFX goes beyond being just a trading platform. “We’re not just a place to trade,” asserts Martin Lam, ATFX’s Chief Analyst in the Asia Pacific. “We’re a group that believes in supporting our clients by educating them and equipping them with the tools they need to become better traders. We believe that we grow as our communities grow. Because of this, we treat our traders as partners. Their success is our success, too.”

The Philippines holds a special place in

ATFX’s heart, recognizing the potential of Filipino traders. To empower them, ATFX has partnered with SmarTrade, to provide world class financial education to the Filipino community. Joyce Ann Mayo, President and CEO of SmarTrade, shares this vision: “Here at SmarTrade, we believe in the vision of ATFX to create positive contributions globally through trading. We see a lot of opportunities here in our country, and we play an integral role in providing the financial education we feel every Pinoy needs to be successful when they start their trading journey.”

ATFX, a leading online trading broker offering forex, CFDs, and stocks, is committed to transparent and ethical trading, holding multiple global regulatory licenses including the FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FSA and JSC and with a string presence in 15 locations across 5 continents and supports over 15 languages. To date ATFX has consistently ranked among the top ten globally for 12 consecutive quarters and has expanded its reach by acquiring Rakuten Securities Australia, enhancing its business landscape globally.

Its cutting-edge technology, unwavering support for traders, and strong partnership with SmarTrade make it a trusted choice for traders worldwide. Discover more about ATFX by visiting www.atfx.com.

Complementing ATFX’s efforts, its local education partner, SmarTrade, serves as a financial educational hub dedicated to equipping Filipinos with knowledge about financial instruments and products. They offer free learning sessions and personalized one-on-one financial coaching, having already empowered over 20,000 Filipinos with financial literacy in the past five years.

To delve deeper into SmarTrade’s free learning sessions, visit www.smartradeph.com.

Charging for just five minutes can give you enough power for up to 6 hours of phone calls or 2.5 hours of video playback. If you frequently use your phone but have little time to charge it, you only need 44 minutes to fully charge your OPPO A98 5G, which you can even enjoy up to 17.5 days of standby with the Always on Display feature.

Additionally, the A98 5G features OPPO’s Battery Health Engine, which helps the battery retain 80% of its original capacity after as many as 1,600 charging and discharging cycles, allowing the battery to continue functioning at near-peak levels for up to four years of use.

Enjoy smoother performance with Its upgraded core functions

The OPPO A98 5G’s upgraded design and performance not only show on the outside but are also rooted from the inside.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset makes the smartphone highly efficient and extremely powerful, delivering reliable 5G connectivity and powerful performance.

Enjoy ColorOS 13.1’s Enhanced Productivity while you stay safe and secure. Improved functionality and user-friendliness result from a focus on the needs of every user. The 6.7-inch screen of the OPPO A98 5G delivers a 120Hz Ultra High Refresh Rate. The fast refresh rate of the screen makes app browsing considerably more fluid and responsive.

OPPO A98 5G has 8GB RAM, 256GB ROM, and 1TB SD card compatibility. OPPO’s RAM Expansion technology can double RAM by converting up to 8GB of unused ROM storage into temporary RAM. Aside from its exceptional performance, the newest A series smartphone also passed the 48-Month Fluency Protection tests conducted in the OPPO research center.

Capture everyday moments with a dependable camera system

The OPPO A98 5G is packed with state-

Stunning, high-quality images can be captured in various lighting conditions with the phone’s other amazing capabilities, like Portrait Mode, AI Portrait Retouching, Selfie HDR, AI Color Portrait, and more.

In order to offer additional color to your exploration of the microscopic world, the OPPO A98 5G’s Microlens has been updated with brand new filters and video capabilities. The phone’s Microlens, with its 40x magnification, is ideal for analyzing subjects at a greater depth than what’s possible with the human eye.

Stay in style with the eye-catching, durable OPPO Glow finish OPPO A98 5G includes several improvements, but its striking appearance truly stands out. The phone’s back cover displays the signature OPPO Glow, uniquelycrafted to produce a gorgeous shimmering crystal effect and fingerprint-resistant finish in both the Dreamy Blue and Cool Black colorways.

The OPPO A98 5G is built to last in both form and function, having passed six significant tests measuring its resilience to physical drops, water, radiation, climatic damage, repeated tiny drops, and signal stability.

Score your own OPPO A98 5G today!

Time to get yourself a device built to meet your everyday needs. The new OPPO A98 will retail for Php 18,999 at OPPO stores nationwide. You can also avail the OPPO A98 5G at 6 or 12 months 0% interest installment for all credit cards or via Home Credit for as low as PHP 762 with 0% interest up to 18 months.

You may also get your OPPO A98 5G through the official OPPO online stores. It will be available on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

To know more about OPPO’s A Series, check out https://www.oppo.com/ph/ or OPPO Philippines’ official social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

This photograph taken in Toulouse, southwestern France, shows a screen displaying the logo of Bard AI, a conversational artificial intelligence software application developed by Google, and ChatGPT. AFP

Sustainable Technology in the Era of AI

Another tool equipped into these gadgets or devices is the cloud, a global network of servers, each with a unique function. It stores and manages data, runs applications, and delivers content and services like streaming videos, webmail, and office productivity software over the Internet, allowing users to access files, provided they have permission from their owners.

Besides the software they use for work, employees and administrators must consider other office appliances to ensure they’re eco-friendly. Kettles, fridges, printers, microwaves, and such must not have a substandard energy efficiency rating because it means they use more energy than necessary. Purchasing new, capable appliances with high energy efficiency ratings can save energy and cost.

Workspaces are also an ideal area to implement green technology. While most offices transitioned their architecture to accommodate natural light or LED lights, another viable option is to use sensor-operated fixtures to help regulate the energy used in a space. With motion sensor lights, faucets, and other installations, companies can save more money from electricity people don’t use.

Turning down the air conditioning during colder days can also help reduce energy, even if some people only see it as a small step. Other steps include using rechargeable batteries to avoid too much waste from entering landfills. Benefits of green technology

Since green technology can reduce the amount of waste and a company’s carbon footprint, it also has the advantage of helping businesses cut costs for their operations. Yet that’s not the only edge when switching to green technology.

As more consumers see the benefits of green technology, businesses that implement a similar lifestyle can attract a broader market that shares similar ideals. For instance, hotels and product manufacturers cater to different customers long-term because their sustainable efforts catch their eyes.

Employees have also gained much from green technology. Aside from increasing their productivity, sustainable alternatives provide them with a healthier environment by eradicating exposure to harmful chemicals that could affect employee morale.

In the meantime, using the Cloud is also an ideal way for employees to deal with officerelated disasters because it keeps relevant files within arms reach.

There are more benefits to green technology that have yet to be tapped by the market or global industries. As the trend continues, they can continue to maximize the potential of sustainable developments to create an eco-friendly yet highly productive environment.

Looking forward to sustainable trends in 2024

Even though sustainable trends have been in the spotlight for some years, consumers can still expect more from respective industries in the coming years as they continue to meet netzero commitments according to global treaties. Individuals will also increasingly leverage technology to minimize their environmental impact.

Some concepts economies across the globe will focus on include durability, recyclability, and reusability built directly into products at the design stage. Possible innovations include the tech industry embracing new ideas, like green cloud computing, where infrastructure and services prioritize energy and carbon emission reduction, along with sustainable software applications designed to help institutions and communities live in a more eco-friendly manner.

Transport companies, like airlines and vehicles, will also be intensifying their efforts to provide cleaner transportation options to consumers. Some have already begun investing in the ideal technology to streamline the process and produce products or services to improve their environment preservation efforts across the globe. Several airline companies are offering cleaner and more sustainable means of transportation.

Technology in the Era of AI

Can AI outsmart humans? Is ChatGPT the beginning of our Doomsday?

ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool in the field of cybersecurity and beyond. The arrival of ChatGPT in November 2022 triggered debates and conversations on AI, as it showed the tangible effects of this neural network technology and revealed AI’s potential to disrupt industries globally.

To deep dive into the overlap between AI and the future of cybersecurity, Kaspersky today holds its annual Cyber Security Weekend with select media from Asia Pacific (APAC). The conference, titled “Deus Ex Machina: Setting Secure Directives for Smart Machines”, aims to chart a secure map as the world embraces the power of AI.

The global cybersecurity company has since revolutionised things by finding a way to develop IT systems with “innate” protection – Cyber Immunity.

Among the conversations surrounding ChatGPT is how cybercriminals can exploit it to increase their phishing and

malware attacks. Kaspersky’s Cyber Immunity concept implies that the overwhelming majority of cyberattack types are ineffective and cannot affect a system’s critical functions in the usage scenarios specified at the design stage.

“Kaspersky Cyber Immunity is an approach we recently trademarked in both the United States and the European Union. It embodies a secure-by-design system that makes it possible to create solutions that are virtually impossible to compromise and that minimize the number of potential vulnerabilities. In an age where technology can be used by good guys and bad guys alike, traditional cybersecurity is no longer enough. We need to revolutionise our defenses to ensure we create a more secure digital world,” says Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of Kaspersky.

The APAC region is at the forefront of the AI revolution. A fresh study by IDC revealed AI spending here will double in three years – from $9.8 billion in 2023 to $18.6 billion by 2026.

To boost efficiencies and reduce dependency on technical skills, the majority of local enterprises in APAC are also set to embed AI across business technologies categories in three years’ time. (Story continues below)

After the success of HONOR 90 5G comes

HONOR Philippines just confirmed the arrival of HONOR 90 Lite 5G with its X Series affordable reinforcements HONOR X6a, X5 Plus, and Pad X9 on September 26!

JUST when you thought they’re done, HONOR Philippines shocked fans and tech enthusiasts alike after the announcement of not just one but four devices on September 26! The arrival of HONOR 90 Lite 5G together with HONOR’s X Series newest budget reinforcements HONOR X6a, HONOR X5 Plus, and HONOR Pad X9 will surely mark yet another feat for the leading smart devices provider! You may catch the live on Facebook: http://bit.ly/ HONOR90Lite5G to win prizes including a brandnew HONOR smartphone!

“We are still overwhelmed with the huge success of our recently-launched HONOR 90 5G in the country and we are not stopping there! With that, we are introducing HONOR 90 Lite 5G, HONOR X6a, HONOR X5 Plus, and HONOR Pad X9 in the country – all in a very affordable pricepoint,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.

HONOR 90 Lite 5G

Bringing a smoother user experience, the HONOR 90 Lite 5G features an impressive 8GB RAM and 256GB super storage with 4500mAh battery to keep users online and connected throughout the day. In addition, the device runs the Android 13-based HONOR MagicOS 7.1 to offer smart features such as HONOR Share for

Kaspersky Cyber Immunity is an approach we recently trademarked in both the United States and the European Union. It embodies a secure-by-design system that makes it possible to create solutions that are virtually impossible to compromise and that minimize the number of potential vulnerabilities. In an age where technology can be used by good guys and bad guys alike, traditional cybersecurity is no longer enough. We need to revolutionise our defenses to ensure we create a more secure digital world.

HAPPY

7th Anniversary

speedy file transfers across devices, helping users to boost productivity, and Scan Document to automatically recognize and convert text content in photos.

HONOR X6a and HONOR X5 Plus

Both HONOR X6a and HONOR X5 Plus sports ultralarge 5,200mAh battery that can support up to 17.8 hours of video playing, 13.5 hours of TikTok browsing or 15.5 hours of music streaming on a single charge. When the day comes to an end, the HONOR 22.5W SuperCharge enables the smartphone to be quickly charged to 31% with just 20 minutes of charging.

HONOR X6a and X5 Plus sports 50MP Main Camera—rarely seen in smartphones within the same price range—allowing users to capture their life moments in vivid detail, day and night. On the front, the 5MP Front Camera produces high-quality images that can be instantly shared with friends and family.

HONOR Pad X9

HONOR empowers users with HONOR Pad X9 that prides a revolutionary 11.5” 120Hz 2K Fullview Display, a Surround 6 Speakers, and a 4G RAM + 128GB ROM Large Storage Capacity. With these, you can now see more and enjoy more while enjoying an impressive refresh rate, definition, and performance!

Catch the unveiling of these exciting devices live on Facebook this September 26 here: http:// bit.ly/HONOR90Lite5G and stay tuned for more announcements via www.hihonor.com/ph or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/ HONORPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/ honorph) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines).

To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

Tech and Gadget Team!

Congratulations on another successful year and cheers to future achievements

Currently, the APAC AI market size stands at $22.1 billion and is expected to grow almost four-fold by 2028, at $87.6 billion.

“Companies are aware of ways to leverage the power of AI to boost their asset efficiency, improve their product quality, and even to streamline their supply chains for better profits. IDC’s report highlighted that China, Australia, and India are the three major leaders in AI spending across the region and I believe more countries will follow suit. This makes it ripe for us to chart a secure roadmap now when it comes to AI implementation and adoption in APAC to ensure that we harvest its advantages w ithout compromising on cybersecurity,” adds Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky.

equally powerful HONOR 90 Lite 5G

Participants of the Cyber Security Weekend in Bali, Indonesia. Riera U. Mallari

Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of Kaspersky