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THE EcoWaste Coalition, in collaboration with the Manila North Cemetery Administration, the Department of Public Services (DPS) Manila, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), launched its annual campaign on Wednesday, calling for a garbage-free observance of All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day.

As millions of Filipinos visit their dead in various cemeteries in commemoration of All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day this year, EcoWaste Coalition, a waste and pollution watchdog, reminded ‘pilgrims’ of their responsibilities to keep cemeteries clean.

MMDA said that historically, some 50 tons of garbage-equivalent to 12 truckloads-were collected from more than 20 cemeteries across Metro Manila before, during, and after the yearly observance of All Saints and All Souls Days.

This year’s Undas campaign, launched during a simple ceremony at the Manila North Cemetery, carries the theme ‘Bawas Basura at Polusyon sa Undas.’

Manila North Cemetery is one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in Metro Manila. It sits adjacent to La Loma, a public cemetery, each having a total area of 54 hectares.

Both cemeteries draw millions of Filipinos to visit their departed relatives. Annual visits begin as early as October 30 and end on November 2, with many considering it an opportunity for a family reunion.

The campaign’s launch brought together environmental advocates, youth groups, and beauty queens in a shared call for a cleaner and less wasteful observance of Undas. Participating groups included Miss Earth Foundation, Buklod Tao, and Buklod ng Kabataan, who joined the Coalition in urging families to celebrate with simplicity, mindfulness, and respect for both the departed and the environment.

Manila North Cemetery Director Daniel Tan welcomed the participants, while Manila City Mayor Francisco Domagoso delivered a brief message highlighting the city’s commitment to a greener and cleaner Undas.

Miss Earth representatives shared practical tips for a zero-waste Undas, encouraging visitors to bring reusable containers and tumblers, avoid single-use plastics, and take their waste home for proper segregation and recycling.

An interpretative dance presentation by Buklod ng Kabataan of ‘Lupang Hinirang’ and ‘Nag-iisang Mundo’ by Bayang Barrios also showcased the youth’s creative role in environmental advocacy.

MMDA delivered a call to action for cleaner public spaces beyond Undas, while the EcoWaste Coalition closed the program with an appeal for individual and collective environmental responsibility.

‘While we may not achieve a trash-free Undas overnight, we can all do our part to reduce waste and pollution,’ said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition. ‘Through small mindful actions, we can turn this annual observance into a more meaningful and environmentally responsible tradition.’

Ochie Tolentino, Zero Waste Campaigner of the EcoWaste Coalition, underscored the need for public discipline and preparation. ‘Let’s make this year’s Undas truly meaningful by being mindful of what we bring and what we leave behind,’ Tolentino said. ‘Pack wisely, refuse disposables, and clean up before leaving the cemetery. These small acts reflect our care for both people and the planet.’

Common waste generated during Undas include single-use food and drink containers, plastic bags, sachets, water bottles, plastic flowers, and used candles, all of which can be prevented through simple, eco-friendly practices.

To guide the public, the Coalition reiterated its ‘Cemetiquette’ or cemetery etiquette for a cleaner and less wasteful Undas:

Clean responsibly: Clean up the tombs of your departed ones without burning or dumping trash by the sidewalk or on other people’s graves.

Use lead-safe paints: When repainting tombs, use lead-safe paints and avoid dry sanding or scraping surfaces that might be covered in lead paint.

Pack wisely: Bring your own food and drinks in reusable containers. Bring only what you need to avoid wastage, and don’t leave leftovers behind.

Reduce plastic waste: Avoid single-use items such as disposable plastic bags, water bottles, food containers, and cutlery.

Keep it clean: Don’t litter and put your discards into the proper bins. If bins are unavailable, bring your discards home for sorting, recycling, and composting.

Offer natural flowers: Offer locally grown flowers without plastic wrapping.

Use clean-burning candles: Choose clean-burning candles and avoid letting plastic receptacles burn.

Be respectful: Refrain from urinating in public places or on graves. Use proper comfort rooms.

Smoke not: Don’t smoke or vape in the cemetery. Show consideration for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and others nearby.

EcoWaste Coalition also appealed to local governments, cemetery administrators, and vendors to implement waste prevention measures, such as providing clearly labeled bins for segregated waste and discouraging the use of single-use plastics.

‘Together, we can reduce waste and pollution not only in cemeteries, but everywhere,’ EcoWaste Coalition emphasized. ‘Let us make this year’s Undas truly meaningful by showing care for the dead, the living, and the planet we all share.’

While pushing for economic cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Beijing, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also called on China to exercise ‘restraint’ in settling maritime disputes.

The chief executive carefully treaded between the lines of backing ASEAN’s position of more partnerships with China and defending the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, which is being encroached on by Chinese ships.

Marcos backed the signing of the ASEAN-China Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-2030), which he said will help ‘modernize trade practices and effectively respond to emerging economic challenges.’

He also expressed optimism that other ASEAN-China joint initiatives like the 22rd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ASEAN and China on Cooperation to Combat Transnational Crime, and the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges (ACYPPE) will bear good results for all.

‘I look forward to further strengthening mutually beneficial sociocultural cooperation and promoting closer people-to-people ties in various areas, including culture, education, tourism, sports, and technical and vocational education and training,’ Marcos said at the 28th ASEAN-China Summit in Malaysia, which concluded on Tuesday.

The President, however, remained firm and consistent with his protest against the unilateral declaration of China to turn the Bajo de Masinloc as a ‘nature reserve,’ as well as the harassment by Chinese ships of Philippine sea vessels and air craft which pass through the West Philippine Sea.

Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal is a coral atoll within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, which is stipulated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The 2016 arbitral ruling, however, stated that Bajo de Masinloc is a traditional fishing area, which can be used by other fisherfolk from other countries.

‘It is regrettable that incidents in the South China Sea persist. Philippine vessels and aircraft continue to face dangerous actions and harassment,’ Marcos said.

‘This is made even more complicated by unilateral declarations of marine protection zones, such as the ‘nature reserve’ in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, which is an integral and longstanding part of Philippine territory,’ he added.

He urged China not to use force, which can spark unrest in the South China Sea, an important waterway.

‘Otherwise, the failure to restrain provocative and dangerous actions further threatens the peace and stability that we have collectively built and cultivated over the years,’ Marcos said.

He reiterated that the completion of the Declaration on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) will help prevent the escalation of maritime disputes.

This was proven, he said, by the bilateral Provisional Understanding with China regarding rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal.

The agreement, he said, helped in the peaceful completion of 10 RORE missions.

‘Of course, if we truly want a pathway for the South China Sea to remain a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity for all, we should not lose sight of the importance of self-restraint on everyone’s part,’ Marcos said.

Likening the chairmanship of the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit to captaining a ship in turbulent waters, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed to steer the regional bloc to peace through pragmatism and dialogue.

On Tuesday, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim formally handed the gavel, which symbolized the ASEAN chairmanship, to Marcos after the closing ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, and the turnover ceremony for ASEAN chairmanship at the Traders Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Philippines last chaired the ASEAN Summit in 2017.

Marcos lauded Anwar for successfully chairing the recently concluded three-day 47th ASEAN Summit and vowed to build on its gains.

‘We are committed to carrying forward your momentum and to implement on its first year the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 with purpose and resolve,’ Marcos said.

‘We likewise remain dedicated to facilitating the further integration of Timor-Leste into the ASEAN family,’ he added.

Timor-Leste became the 11th member of the ASEAN.

For next year, the chief executive announced the theme for the ASEAN Summit in 2026 will be ‘Navigating Our Future, Together.’

In explaining the reason for such theme, he said ASEAN is like a ship, which needs to be sailed by its members.

Under the Philippines leadership, he said he will use the ASEAN Summit as a forum to continue to fortify the regional bloc’s ‘peace and security anchors, strengthen prosperity corridors, and advance people empowerment.’

The President said the country chairmanship of ASEAN comes at a time when the regional bloc is faced with promising and complex moments.

Mynamar still has an ongoing civil war, while the global community is eagerly watching the recent peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand.

Vietnam and the Philippines are also cautiously trying to fend off Chinese vessels from their maritime territories as Beijing continues to claim almost the entire South China Sea even after it was invalidated by the 2016 Arbitral ruling.

With the Philippines at helm of ASEAN, Marcos has vowed that ASEAN-led mechanisms and processes remain central; he vowed as well to build on the gains of previous ASEAN Summits.

The chair of the ASEAN Summit will have the power to determine the priority agendas in the said international forum.

Marcos earlier said he intends to make significant gains next year in the pending Declaration on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which he said will help in the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes.

‘For though the tides of change may be unpredictable, our compass must remain constant, anchored in cooperation. It must be oriented toward maintaining a stable and secure region, built upon a shared vision of an open, inclusive, transparent, and rules-based ASEAN regional architecture,’ Marcos said.

‘Our goal is not to diverge from past chairships, but to build upon the collective work of our predecessors,’ he added.

Cybersecurity firm Tenable Inc. has refuted claims circulating online that 183 million Gmail passwords were stolen in a massive breach, calling the reports ‘grossly misrepresentative’ of the real situation.

Satnam Narang, Senior Staff Research Engineer at Tenable, clarified that Google itself was not affected by any breach. Instead, he explained that the dataset being discussed was an aggregation of previously leaked credentials sourced from various unrelated incidents and malware activity.

‘These claims grossly misrepresent the reality of the situation. Google itself has not been impacted by a breach,’ Narang said. ‘Researchers aggregated threat data from a variety of sources, which included 183 million unique credentials tied to various websites, including Gmail.’

According to Narang, much of the information came from infostealers, which are malicious software designed to collect data from infected computers. These programs capture login credentials and other personal details whenever users sign into their email, social media, or financial accounts, which are then compiled into what cybersecurity researchers call ‘stealer logs.’

The aggregated dataset was shared with Troy Hunt, founder of Have I Been Pwned, a website that allows users to check if their personal information has appeared in a known breach.

Hunt’s analysis found that 91 percent of the credentials had already been exposed in previous incidents, while around 16.4 million addresses appeared for the first time.

Narang noted, however, that not all of these entries may be valid, suggesting the actual number of new exposures could be smaller.

He emphasized that the greater issue lies in the widespread reuse of passwords across different online services. When users recycle passwords, he said, they become vulnerable to credential-stuffing attacks, where hackers test email and password combinations across multiple platforms in hopes of gaining unauthorized access.

Narang said that users can protect themselves by avoiding password reuse, relying on password managers available on their devices or through trusted third-party apps, and enabling multi-factor authentication, which requires a secondary verification method before granting account access. This can come in the form of a one-time passcode, an authenticator app, or a hardware security key.

Tenable’s clarification comes amid a wave of reports about data leaks that have been proven to be fake. Closer to home, a supposed dark web listing alleging the sale of new GCash user data was later proven to be fake following investigations by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.

Jhodie Peralta stood on the podium all smiles, silver and bronze medals gleaming under the bright lights of the Asian Youth Games at Exhibition World Bahrain.

No regrets. No tears.

The 16-year-old lass from Zamboanga City proudly displayed the medals she believes she earned, unashamed of missing out on gold despite the razor-thin margin.

‘One kilo. That was it,’ Peralta said of the difference between gold and silver, laughing softly.

Peralta, a 10th grader from Talon-Talon National High School in Zamboanga City, was a triple gold medalist at the 2025 IWF Youth and Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru last May.

At the AYG, Peralta placed second in the women’s 49 kg snatch and third in the clean and jerk. ‘That’s okay, whatever the Lord gives me, I will accept,’ she said.

She lifted 87 kgs in the snatch, after successful attempts at 82 and 85 on Tuesday. North Korea’s Pak Hae Yon set a new world youth record with 88 after lifts of 84 and 86, while Vietnam’s Y Lien settled for bronze with 82.

In the clean and jerk, Peralta managed 100 kgs in her first attempt, enough to secure the bronze. The next two attempts-at 105 and 107-were no-lifts, but she didn’t dwell on it.

‘It wasn’t easy,’ she admitted. ‘I wasn’t even 100 percent sure I’d make those lifts.’

Pak was on another level, lifting a new world youth record of 107 after missed tries at 105 and 107. Lien lifted 106 for the silver.

Peralta candidly admitted that Pak’s record-breaking lifts were beyond her current reach.

‘I have tried those weights last year,’ she said. ‘But not anymore recently. Sometimes I get dizzy trying to lift them.’ ‘Maybe next time.’

A product of the Hidilyn Diaz Training Center, Peralta looks ahead with optimism as she gears up for her stint in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December.

Peralta, who was inspired to become an athlete at a very young age-as early as when Hidilyn Diaz bagged silver in the 2016 Rio Olympics-hopes to follow in her idol’s footsteps and bring pride to the country one day.

No embarrassment, no guilt

LEO MHAR LOBRIDO also feels no embarrassment or guilt after falling short of the gold medal match in boxing.

The 16-year-old fighter, a flag bearer for the Philippine delegation during the opening ceremony, could not overcome Abdugani Yorkinjonov’s edge in length, bowing out at the semifinal stage of the light flyweight division by unanimous decision.

‘I lost, which only means my preparation was not enough,’ Lobrido said with a smile.

Lobrido was left chasing a finishing blow in the final round-he couldn’t land the punch he needed-after a less than ideal start.

It was a close opening round that looked to have been won by the Filipino, but the fighter from Uzbekistan stepped it up in the second for a 5-0 edge.

One of the most promising pugs in the country-he won at the Greater Bay Area Youth Boxing Challenge in Shenzhen, China just before the AYG-Lobrido has proven he belongs among the region’s elite.

Lobrido was still all smiles stepping off the ring and walking back to the dugout, unapologetic as he waved to the crowd, head held high.

‘I need to learn from this, and apply those things in the future,’ Lobrido said.

‘Maybe in the future, it’s going to be gold.’

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to fortifying ties with the United Kingdom (UK) and the Kingdom of Belgium as he welcomed their new ambassadors.

In separate ceremonies at Malacañan Palace, Marcos Jr. received the credentials of British envoy Sarah Hulton QBE and Belgian ambassador Vladislava Iordanova.

According to Presidential Communications Office’s (PCO) news release, the President told Hulton that the Philippines considers the UK as its ‘steadfast partner.’

‘Relations between the UK and the Philippines have certainly stood the test of time, and have just grown stronger and deeper as years go on,’ he said, as quoted by the PCO.

For her part, Hulton said she looks forward to working with the current administration in advancing growth, climate, and security priorities.

She also expressed condolences for the victims of recent natural disasters in the Philippines and reaffirmed the UK’s support for humanitarian efforts.

‘It is a great honor that I return to the Philippines after nearly 20 years, with a deep appreciation for our enduring friendship between our countries,’ Hulton stated.

The Philippines and the UK established diplomatic relations on July 4, 1946.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive expressed confidence that bilateral relations between the Philippines and Belgium would deepen under Iordanova’s watch.

‘Our two countries have enjoyed a long time of warm and cordial relations, which I hope will continue and strengthen at every level: [from people-to-people, all the way to government-to-government],’ he told Belgium’s head of mission, as reported by the PCO. ‘I look forward to the work we will do to bring our countries closer together.’

Iordanova assured Marcos of her commitment to enhancing the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

She reaffirmed the strong and historic ties between Belgium and the Philippines-‘two like-minded partners committed to multilateralism, peace, sustainability and inclusive growth,’ according to the Belgian Embassy.

As Belgium and the Philippines prepare to celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, both countries look forward to deepening cooperation on shared priorities.

FILIPINO pride Miguel Tabuena won the inaugural International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus, flagship brand of leading digital entertainment company DigiPlus.

The successful staging of the international golf tournament has positioned the country as a premier world-class golf destination.

DigiPlus Interactive Corp.-the country’s premier digital entertainment provider behind BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone-recently marked a new milestone after successfully bringing in the first-ever world-renowned golf tournament, International Series Philippines, placing the country as a premier world-class golf destination.

Presented by DigiPlus’ flagship brand, BingoPlus, the International Series Philippines held from October 23 to 26 at Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club, marked the first time the country hosted the global tournament and included golf stars Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel and Dustin Johnson.

‘DigiPlus is honored to have championed the inaugural International Series Philippines. The event proved that the Philippines is ready to shine as a premier global sporting destination, showcasing both our world-class talent and our renowned Filipino hospitality,’ said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio H. Tanco. ‘The International Series Philippines marked a major milestone-not only in global and local golf history but also for the entire Philippine sports community.’

Tanco added that the company’s goal was to help position the Philippines on the world stage as a hub for world-class sporting events while inspiring the next generation of Filipino athletes. ‘By hosting an event of this caliber, we have shown that the Philippines can proudly stand alongside other global sporting destinations, sharing our nation’s warmth, talent, and spirit with the world,’ he said.

The International Series Philippines was a week-long celebration that blended elite sports with high-energy entertainment from October 21 to October 26.

Highlights included pre-event mall tours, press conferences, a gala night, and the culminating music festival, ‘Swing for the Filipino Sports Dream.’

Held at the Aseana City Concert Grounds, the music festival was top-billed by Norwegian DJ and EDM superstar Alan Walker and Black Eyed Peas’ Apl.de.Ap, alongside Filipino icons Bamboo, Parokya ni Edgar, Sandwich, LILY, Urbandub, Kiara and dance groups A-Team and UPeepz.

The ISP presented by BingoPlus Music Festival will be shown via delayed telecast on GTV, BingoPlus social media pages and partnered media Facebook pages on October 31 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and GMA7 will also broadcast the concert on November 2 starting at 10 a.m.

The successful staging of the International Series Philippines reflected DigiPlus’ broader vision to merge sports, entertainment, and cultural engagement. More than just a tournament, it became a platform that successfully bridged local enthusiasm with international attention and signaled the country’s growing capability to host global-scale events.

AMBASSADOR Kazuya Endo and Madame Akiko Endo recently led notable events that further strengthened cultural linkages between Japan and the Philippines.

On October 21, the couple received a courtesy call from the Philippines’ representative to the 2025 Miss International Myrna Esguerra at the Ambassador’s residence in Makati City.

In preparation for Esguerra’s exciting journey to Japan to prepare for the Miss International Beauty Pageant, Ambassador and Madame Endo shared insightful knowledge on Japan’s rich culture and treasured traditions. The candidate also learned about the enduring and ever-flourishing friendship between Japan and the Philippines, as both countries will celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Friendship next year.

Fully immersing herself in the beauty and wonders of Japan, Esguerra had the rare opportunity to join Madame Endo in a captivating traditional tea ceremony, where the former gained firsthand experience of the practice’s intricate preparation and deep cultural heritage.

The Embassy of Japan congratulated the Philippines’ candidate on ‘this wonderful milestone. We look forward to seeing her shine as she showcases Filipino beauty and excellence on the world stage in Tokyo, Japan this November.’

Crowned as Binibining Pilipinas International 2024, Esguerra is set to fly to Japan next month for the 63rd Miss International Beauty Pageant at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Shibuya, Tokyo to be held on November 27.

Supporting fashion

MEANWHILE, Ambassador and Madame Endo attended the final awarding ceremony of The Grant by Fashion Aid Philippines’at the Centro Turismo de Intramuros in Manila on October 2.

The Grant is Fashion Aid Philippines’ flagship initiative aimed at providing broader opportunities for emerging Filipino talents in the fields of fashion and design. Apart from supporting new generations of Filipino creatives, Fashion Aid also aims to promote the cultural, social, and economic consciousness of the Filipino public on the Philippine fashion and creative arts industries.

This year, three of The Grant’s recipients will be participating in the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths Programme or JENESYS. Focusing on Japanese Language and Culture, the participants will be part of the Philippines’ official delegation traveling to Tokyo, Japan for a unique cultural immersion experience.

A Top-5 awardee of The Grant is Monica Castillo who is a former MEXT or Japanese government scholar who completed her master’s degree at the Faculty of Fine Arts-Global Art Practice at Tokyo University of the Arts.

THE LongTan Philharmonic Orchestra (LTPO) from Taoyuan, Taiwan and the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus (UPCC) came together through music to celebrate the enduring friendship between two republics in East Asia.

The ‘Taiwanihan: An Encore’ cultural concert was held at the UP Diliman Music Hall on October 10. Supported by honorary representatives of the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) of Taiwan in the Philippines, the event featured a captivating blend of Taiwanese and Filipino compositions: from the Filipino classic Anak, to Teresa Teng’s timeless songs and Hakka Variations. The UP Concert Chorus enriched the program with Filipino folk medleys while the finale, The Moon Represents My Heart, united both groups and the 250-member audience in a heartfelt sing-along.

Representative Wallace M. G. Chow of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines praised the collaboration as ‘a meaningful expression of harmony and shared values.’ He noted that the concert coincided with R.O.C. (Taiwan)’s National Day, symbolizing a celebration of friendship and cultural connection.

The orchestra, led by Ambassador Vanessa Yea-Ping Shih as advisor and Conductor Hung-Yu Chang, performed alongside the UPCC under the guidance of Professor Janet Sabas-Aracama and Dean Ma. Patricia Brillantes-Silvestre, with strong support from visiting professor Eing Ming-Wu and the local Taiwanese community.

The evening concluded with an exchange of tokens of appreciation between UP and the organizers, reaffirming a shared commitment to strengthening cultural and educational ties between Taiwan and the Philippines.

Areit Inc. on Wednesday said it will conduct its sixth property-for-share swap with its sponsor, Ayala Land Inc., involving the acquisition of two shopping malls in Metro Manila and Cebu.

The company said its board approved a property-for-share swap transaction with Ayala Land and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Summerhill Commercial Ventures Corp.

Ayala Land and Summerhill will subscribe to 441.13 million primary common shares of Areit in exchange for Ayala Center Cebu, a flagship mall located in Cebu Business Park in Cebu City; and Ayala Malls Feliz along Amang Rodriguez Avenue in Pasig.

The aggregate value of the two properties stands at P19.5 billion and will be exchanged for Areit shares priced at P44.15 per share, as validated by a third-party fairness opinion.

Areit shares closed on Wednesday at P43 apiece and Ayala Land at P20.25 apiece.

The planned infusions will bring Areit’s assets under management to P158 billion.

These assets have a combined building gross leasable area (GLA) of 375,000 square meters, and will bring Areit’s’s total GLA to 4.7 million square meters, composed of 1.8 million square meter building GLA and 2.9 million square meter of industrial land GLA.

Post-transaction, across the 1.8 million square meter of building GLA, offices will account for 40 percent, retail will increase to 54 percent and hotels will comprise 6 percent.

This improved mix enhances Areit’s retail exposure and broadens its footprint across Metro Manila and Cebu, the company said.

The transaction shall be subject to the approval of Areit shareholders during a special meeting set on December 11.

The companies target to complete the transaction by the second half next year. When approved, total infusions for the year will reach P40.5 billion, marking Areit’s largest annual addition to date.

Consistent with prior transactions, this latest infusion is expected to support dividend growth and be yield-accretive, the company said.

‘This latest infusion strengthens Areit’s portfolio with two dynamic retail destinations, enhancing both our geographic reach and asset mix. As we continue to build scale with quality, our shareholders will benefit from a larger and more diversified portfolio,’ Areit President and CEO Alberto M. de Larrazabal said.