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Ayala-led ACEN Corp. has executed a loan agreement and credit facility of P17.5 billion with state-run Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) to fund its clean energy projects.

In a stock exchange filing yesterday, ACEN said the agreements included an P8-billion loan and a P9.5-billion credit facility, which reallocated the balance of its existing P20-billion credit line with Landbank.

A loan agreement is a one-off deal between a lender and a borrower, while a credit facility may include several loan tranches.

This follows Landbank’s approval in November 2023 of a P20-billion loan to partially finance ACEN’s general corporate requirements and investments in renewable energy projects.

In another development, ACEN has forged a supply deal with Siena College to power the latter’s campuses in Quezon City and Taytay, Rizal with 100 percent renewables.

Through ACEN RES, the retail electricity supply arm of ACEN, the campuses are projected to collectively displace roughly 290 tons of carbon emissions monthly.

‘By embracing renewable energy, we are not only embodying our values but also keeping our operations more efficient,’ said Sister Rosalea Busilac, president of Siena College of Taytay.

‘This efficiency allows us to channel more resources directly into enhancing the learning experience and expanding access to education, reinforcing our mission to serve,’ she said.

Sister Maria Celia Varon, president of Siena College of Quezon City, said the supply agreement with ACEN RES affirmed the Catholic school’s sustainability commitment.

‘Beyond our ecological responsibility, this partnership also optimizes our energy costs, enabling more efficient operations so we can continue to provide high-quality education that remains within the reach of many students,’ Varon added.

In recognition of Siena College’s transition to clean power, ACEN RES awarded the campuses with a ‘Powered by Renewable Energy’ badge, a proprietary seal granted to businesses and institutions that have embraced RE.

‘We are honored that Siena College’s (campuses) have placed their trust in ACEN RES as their renewable energy partner. ACEN RES lauds Siena College for making the right choice, setting a powerful example for other academic institutions nationwide,’ said Tony Valdez, ACEN senior vice president for market transformation.

Earlier, Mapúa University tapped ACEN RES to supply clean energy to its campuses in Manila and Makati.

ACEN has also onboarded the Philippine Cultural College as its first customer under the government’s retail aggregation program, powering the Filipino-Chinese school’s five facilities across three campuses.

I caught the Baguio edition of the 16th National Food Showdown (NFS) after having missed the Cebu and Iloilo editions this year. Thanks to Baguio Country Club and the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB), we had a beautiful mountain top experience, as always, my co-judges opined. It was my first time to join this leg, as my previous judging experience for NFS was always in Batangas, it being easier to commit to and being close to Liberica or Barako coffee. Last year in Lipa, I even got to meet a Barako vendor at the Lipa Cathedral, and he then got featured in our newest book on coffee entitled ‘BREW.’ That event actually hatched the idea for us to write a coffee book with the indefatigable founder of NFS, Chef Myrna Segismundo.

Chef Myrna is some kind of magician when it comes to mounting four or five NFS events a year. But she has arrived at the formula and the secret sauce: gather like-minded chefs, cooks, foodies to spend 4-5 days from their hectic calendar. No prima donnas. No celebrity chef with attitude. Just have fun while teaching students and professionals how to improve their craft. There we were with Chefs Robby Goco, Martin Kaspar, Thomas Wenger along with Rhea Rizzo, Tina Legarda, Angelo Comsti, Ginny de Guzman, Manny Torrejon – and you may wonder what do these star foodies have in common? They take schedules to heart, they are up at 5 a.m. to catch the 7 a.m. mocktails set up. Everyone stays until the last dish or display is judged, and reports and codes are sent to central HQ to tally scores.

In other legs, famous chefs like Grand Dame Glenda Barretto joined us in Batangas last year, while Chef Beth Romualdez joined them in Bacolod last time. Sandy Daza is now in Cagayan de Oro with pastry chef Penk Ching.

In Baguio, where Myrna and HRAB head Anthony de Leon have been teammates and partners for 16 years now, things proceed like clockwork. There is nothing left to chance as judges check in. You are welcomed to the beautiful refurbished rooms of the club, meals and drinks provided at the judges’ lounge and you get schedules and directions and all the minute details you may ask about. Students from all over Cordillera region troop to BCC for their competitions with excitement and certainly with a lot of fear. Professionals from restaurants and hotels around Baguio also send their competing chefs, baristas, housekeepers and bartenders. The three-day event rocked Baguio – literally – as the first day received aftershocks from the Pugo, La Union earthquake. But the show must go on, as we were assured the Convention Hall was made of rock-hard materials and real steel.

After having seen Anthony and Chef Myrna at work, I get to understand how NFS has become an institution. The local partner must be as passionate and involved in the main mission: to discover these diamonds in the rough and hone them to be the exemplars in the industry. The youth await this opportunity and most even get coaches like it was a revalida. Whether it is preparing regional cuisine or making a fancy pineapple flambé in the live kitchen, the students cheer for their favorites as judges knotted their brows in deciding who is better at neatness, preparation and who observed the theme: Sustainability. Foraging in your backyards to discover a talisay nut or edible flowers, bamboo tisane or herbal tea, the idea of sustainability and honoring local ingredients is impressed upon the youth while they create the themed dish. Can you believe I tasted 19 pineapple flambé renditions! But I was overjoyed with the ingredients they each found, further expanding my catalog of foraged edible food.

After a quick lunch of beautiful grilled meats and seafood and the famous breads of the Baguio Country Club, it was our turn to judge tea concoctions, which was perfect as it was after a hurried but sumptuous midday break. The herbal teas ranged from rattan fruit to Bambusa Vulgaris (common bamboo) leaves to our usual lemongrass, pandan and ITSA mountain tea.

My next session was Coffee Concoctions, of course. And what a joy to see these professionals honor their local brew: preserving traditions like brewing in a claypot, foraging for edible flowers to be used to garnish their cocktails and using Cordillera coffee in every concoction.

Now, imagine chefs tasting 11 versions of kilawin (ceviche) or etag (dried smoked pork), some had to taste various versions of pinakbet while others judged wedding cakes, table settings and cocktails with flairtending. I caught the last part of this session where there were people tasked with just catching the wayward bottles of nervous jugglers or performers. Comic relief in a tense situation as it is a competition, after all.

And all these go on for three long days (for each leg) but with a very noble purpose: to discover talent where there are not many opportunities if left by themselves to find that golden chance. And for over a decade now, NFS has produced many chefs, cooks, bartenders who have become famous here and abroad. In fact, some of them now join Chef Myrna, so they can also give back. Because they know how it feels to have the interest and potential but no stage to show it on. Observers see the results but never ask who thought of putting this up some 16 years ago. Chef Myrna is one quiet founder and enabler.

That is National Food Showdown (NFS). As of this writing, I am the one convincing Chef Myrna to document the stories of success borne out of their experience in having competed and won at an NFS event many years back. The secret sauce? I keep asking Chef Myrna: why do these name chefs volunteer or raise their hands when you call? And she just smiled: because they believe in the cause. It is not profit-driven, it is purpose-driven. Well said, chef.

Let me sign up for the next one.

The daughter of TV host and personality Kim Atienza, Emmanuelle ‘Emman,’ has passed away at the age of 19.

Emman is the youngest daughter of Atienza and his wife, Felicia. Emman had two siblings, Jose and Eliana.

In a family statement issued yesterday, the Atienza family announced the passing of their daughter.

‘It’s with deep sadness that we share the unexpected passing of our daughter and sister, Emman,’ the statement said.

They described their daughter as someone who ‘brought so much joy, laughter and love into our lives and into the lives of everyone who knew her.’

‘Emman had a way of making people feel seen and heard, and she wasn’t afraid to share her own journey with mental health. Her authenticity helped so many feel less alone,’ the family said. ‘To honor Emman’s memory, we hope you carry forward the qualities she lived by: compassion, courage and a little extra kindness in your everyday life.’

The details of the wake and the cause of death have not been disclosed by the family.

Emman was born on Feb. 8, 2006. She was a social media personality, influencer and mental health advocate. Netizens called her ‘Conyo Final Boss’ due to her English accent.

She attended the Parsons Summer Academy in New York for an intensive design course for young artists.

To ensure safe and convenient travel for thousands of Filipinos heading to the provinces for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved special permits for 847 passenger buses covering 124 routes across Metro Manila and Luzon.

Of the 847, 491 buses will ply the Metro Manila-Northern Luzon routes, 189 are for Calabarzon and Mimaropa and 67 for the Bicol Region.

Eighteen buses were approved for the Metro Manila- Eastern Visayas route, 21 for Western Visayas and five for Mindanao-bound trips. Another 56 units will serve routes in other parts of Luzon.

‘These additional buses will accommodate more passengers heading to the provinces to visit their dead,’ LTFRB chief Vigor Mendoza said.

Mendoza reminded bus operators that the approval of special permits comes with the responsibility of ensuring the roadworthiness of their vehicles and the readiness of drivers and conductors.

The LTFRB expects the Undas exodus to begin this weekend, with some schools declaring ‘wellness breaks’ starting Oct. 27.

Mendoza ordered the inspection of bus terminals and transport stations to ensure passenger safety.

‘Oplan Undas’

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will activate ‘Oplan Undas’ today as commuters and motorists start visiting cemeteries, MMDA general manager Procopio Lipana said.

The MMDA held a meeting with representatives from Metro Manila’s 17 local government units, the police Highway Patrol Group, Department of Transportation, North Luzon Expressway and South Luzon Expressway to address traffic gridlocks during Undas.

Inspections and random drug testing of drivers will be implemented at bus terminals, the MMDA said.

In Manila, Mayor Isko Moreno said police officers in civilian clothes would be deployed in cemeteries.

San Beda sent Arellano U back to earth with a trouble-free 76-53 victory yesterday and stayed unflappable at the Group B helm in NCAA Season 101 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Rookie sensation Aganti Miller sizzled with a team-high 20 points while Jomel Puno chipped in 10 points but it was the bench that stepped up when it mattered and energized the starters.

Most notable of them was Zedjay Etulle, who did almost everything in finishing with eight points, a game-best 13 rebounds, three assists, the same number of steals and a block.

‘I like to commend our second group, they were very big today,’ said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta. ‘They were a huge positive in the first half that it helped challenge the first group to come into the third quarter with a lot of energy.’

The Lions also took away the Chiefs’ vaunted running game with the former’s unrelenting transition defense.

‘This is a team that we lost in the summer twice actually, they’re really very capable,’ said Escueta. ‘We took better shots and also showed effort in speeding back down especially against this team.’

AU dropped to 3-4 in Group A.

In the other game, Jose Rizal U stunned defending champion Mapua, 66-63, to improve to 4-4 in Group B.

A freak accident fall struck JRU’s top player Justin Lozano, who was unconscious when he was sent to the nearest hospital where he eventually regained consciousness hours later.

The past month has been a renaissance of billiards, a gargantuan jump reminding the world that the best players on the planet are Filipino, male or female. Chezka Centeno battled Rubilen Amit for the Predator WPA Women’s 10-Ball championship (again). Django Bustamante leads a strong Team Asia to a dominating defense of the Reyes Cup against a powerhouse Team Rest of the World. Along the way, AJ Manas upended world No. 1 Fedor Gorst. Then all the stars gathered again for the ongoing Philippine Cup.

In November, the fourth season of the Amit Cup gets underway. After some tremendous struggles along the way, now there is an over-abundance of women pool players knocking on the door to get in.

‘In the beginning, we only had 24 players,’ recalls Amit Cup co-founder and tournament director Ren de Vera. ‘Now, there are so many inquiries, they’ve exceeded the maximum number for our chat group!’

To what do we owe this accelerated evolution? Perhaps it’s because there has been a change in perception. Gone are the days when billiards was considered purely the province of small, seedy, low-class dens of wrongdoing, where everyone smoked and drank, and it was generally unsafe. With the pioneering blaze set by Efren Reyes, Amang Parica, Bustamante and their generation, the sport has become respectable, a family affair even. Venues are bigger, better run and more wholesome.

‘There’s been a shift in the culture,’ explains De Vera. ‘Before, it was considered a place of vices, and women feared for their safety. Now, whole families go to play and make it a bonding experience. There are so many women who play for fun, and a lot of them even have their own pool cues.’

Wisely, event organizers also schedule tournaments consecutively, lowering the cost of traveling to and from tournaments. Most significantly, there is a culture of sharing, of teaching, of sharing wisdom, at a much higher level than found in other sports. And this transfer of technology is even more intense among women.

‘We now have three divisions, whereas before we only had one,’ Ren added. ‘Women players recruit others, and teach them. There is a sense of community, of being part of the sport’s growth. And Rubilen is hoping to organize events in the future where even the best women players will be able to compete here. They have something to look forward to now.’

It is true that Filipinos dominate billiards so much that it will likely never become an Olympic. And that’s okay. When you think about it, the next generations are well on their way to picking up where their predecessors are leaving off, and will continue to kick the world’s collective butt. The future is already here. And whether they admit it or not, the rest of the world is quaking in their boots.

According to a report in this newspaper, Cebu 5th District Rep. Vincent Franco ‘Duke’ Frasco renewed his proposal for the construction of a secondary airport in Cebu, preferably in Sogod town, saying the recent earthquake exposed the province’s vulnerability and need for an alternative gateway aside from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

Frasco said a second airport in northern Cebu wouldn’t only serve as a crucial backup to MCIA during emergencies but also spark growth and investment in northern Cebu.

‘Hopefully, once it materializes, it will not only mitigate risks if something happens to our existing airport but also open up the economy in northern Cebu, providing new opportunities for our people in Sogod and even in the 4th District,’ he said.

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has called the idea ridiculous.

‘Naa pa gani wa nabayran diha sa airport sa Camotes, unya maghimo nasad siya sa Sogod. Ridiculous,’ she said, referring to the unresolved payment issues involving the Camotes Airport project.

We wouldn’t go as far as the governor to call the idea of a second airport ridiculous, rather we would label it as unnecessary, at least for now.

A second airport would be a good idea, but only if foot and air traffic at the MCIA has reached the point where the airport can no longer handle it.

In Metro Manila the need for more than one airport came after air traffic became congested. Planes that just landed at the airport sometimes had to wait up to 30 minutes on the tarmac or even longer before a gate could be assigned to them. The need for more airports also came after the number of passengers could no longer be handled in one airport, or because the facilities of an airport kept breaking down. We don’t see any of these happening at MCIA right now.

Building a second airport just because places like New York, London, and Tokyo have them isn’t really enough of a reason. These are world-class tourism and business hubs, after all. While Cebu can boast of being a business hub and favored tourist destination in its own right, we really aren’t up to their level just yet.

Perhaps the day might come when Cebu will need a second airport, but that day hasn’t yet come.

Serving as a judge at a film festival in Liloan was a significant experience. The festival was organized and participated in by diverse youth groups. This opportunity provided valuable insights into theircreative work. It offered a unique perspective on community engagement. The experience highlighted the importance of supporting youth arts.

This festival showcased young filmmakers who captured their authentic experiences through film. Their voices and stories demonstrated how openly they express themselves on screen. Their artistic backgrounds were put into action, translating creativity into compelling films. The event highlighted the impact of youth-led storytelling on the community. It underscored how personal experiences can drive meaningful artistic work.

There were 13 films that participated in the filmmaking competition and the youth from barangay Jubay emerged as the winner, best film, and best director for their film ‘Kinsa Siya”. Judging was done last October 14 and the awarding on October 18.

The Liloan Film Festival was launched by the SK Municipality of Liloan and received full support from Mayor Aljew Jordan Frasco, Vice Mayor Margo Frasco, the town councilors, and Liloan SK President Raymud Kit Comendador.

The youth have showcased not only their talents in acting, storytelling, and technical skills but also the beautiful, picturesque mountain barangays and communities of Liloan. This combination highlighted their creative abilities alongside the municipality’s stunning landscapes. The festival thus celebrated both artistic excellence and the unique scenery that inspires it. It offered audiences a holistic view of Liloan’s culture and environment. The experience underscored how place and people come together to drive compelling storytelling.

The youth are eager to express their emotions across various platforms, and filmmaking is one avenue they use to immortalize their artistic works. This medium allows them to capture and share their authentic voices with a wider audience. Through films, they translate feelings into visuals, narratives, and sound that resonate beyond the moment. Their commitment to storytelling reflects a broader ambition to contribute to their community and culture. Filmmaking thus stands as a powerful outlet for youth creativity and expression.

With the support of local executives, I am confident that the young people will continue honing their filmmaking talents and will soon become notable names in the film industry. Their backing provides a solid foundation for growth and experimentation. As they refine their craft, their work is poised to make a lasting impact on our community and beyond. This collaborative effort strengthens the path for youth-led storytelling. I look forward to seeing how these emerging filmmakers shape the future of cinema.

I hope more local governments will include this initiative in their annual calendars, recognizing the passion of young people for filmmaking. When youth see sustained support, more potential filmmakers can consider this powerful avenue for capturing meaningful human experiences. Integrating film projects into public agendas can also broaden community engagement and inspire others to explore their creative talents. This ongoing commitment helps cultivate a vibrant local arts scene and future industry contributors. I am optimistic about the positive impact this can have on both individuals and the community.

Mabuhi ang mga kabatan-onan sa Liloan! Padayon sa pagmugna og mga mabulukong lilas Binisaya!

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) is ready to rule on the administrative cases filed against 12 police officers tagged in the case of missing cockfight enthusiasts.

But the Napolcom is holding its decision pending the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s resolution on the case, Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Rafael Calinisan said yesterday.

Calinisan said Napolcom has completed the draft decision on the case.

‘Truth is, we’re done. The draft is already on our table. But we have not deliberated yet because we are waiting for the DOJ resolution,’ Calinisan said.

He said Napolcom wanted to ensure coordination with the DOJ to avoid conflicting outcomes between the administrative and criminal proceedings.

‘If they are acquitted, that’s fine. But what if the DOJ finds them guilty? We have to make sure justice is properly served,’ Calinisan said.

During our July 27 #Zero Hunger/Malnutrition Cebu event, our multi-sectoral partners expressed their pledge to sustain our feeding campaign, with AgriCoop particularly eager to serve 1,000 pospas for each subsequent barangay feeding outreach.

July 29, two days later, when RCE Cebu’s Atty. Golly Estenzo Ramos and I, with Ms. Niña Estenzo, met with Cebu Governor Pam, we shared this information with her and suggested mobile kitchen units as well along with her mobile health units.

Gov Pam readily, happily, positively considered this suggestion which she shared had always been close to her heart –envisioning Cebu where no Cebuano goes hungry– a dream she has long championed through their Simply Share Foundation.

By October 14, true to her word and her dream, Gov Pam rolled out Cebu’s first mobile kitchen to show, in her words that ‘by now you know how food security is so close to my heart. We meant being ready –to feed, to serve, and to care. This is the realization of a dream and a promise –to bring fresh meals, comfort, and hope to every Cebuano.’

The mobile kitchen will serve warm, nutritious meals to be served swiftly during disasters. It is also expected to support daily feeding of children in day-care centers across the province to ‘promote health, learning, and dignity through every meal.’

Five fully-equipped mobile kitchen units are expected to serve thousands of hot/nutritious meals daily during emergencies and for supporting daily feeding programs, through LGUs and local Social Welfare Development officers.

Assistant provincial administrator Aldwin Empaces shared that ‘the units will be managed by the PSWDO and operated under emergency procurement protocols.’

‘One mobile kitchen will be stationed at the Bogo Provincial Hospital to replace its damaged kitchen facilities caused by the quake. The remaining units will be deployed to tent cities in Bogo, San Remigio, and Medellin, then later, the mobile kitchens will be rotated among other LGUs depending on need and the concentration of displaced families.’

Gov Pam added, ‘Some people say, ‘don’t give them fish, teach them to fish.’ I agree. But what about the times when our people can’t fish? When the sea is rough, when homes are gone, and when they’ve lost everything? That’s when the government must step in –not to create dependency, but to give people the strength to stand again.’

During our July 29 brief meeting with Gov Pam, RCE Cebu also suggested that these mobile health-kitchen rollouts should also be accompanied by trainings for household/community gardens, other waste management options for livelihood and climate action to encourage constituents to raise their own household food for their own needs or for trading, to cook their own grown food with charcoal produced from paper waste, and to practice ecobricking, to avoid polluting their rivers and communities.

We look forward to this training suggestion to accompany the mobile health-kitchen rollouts soon.

The mobile kitchen project can also be further developed to strengthen the link of the local communities with the province. The food to be served by the mobile kitchen can be provided and sold by local producers in the areas where there are scheduled mobile kitchen rollouts.

The mobile kitchen can help support local producers by buying local produce to be used for the warm, nutritious meals for the beneficiaries. Hence, aside from providing food for the hungry in calamity areas and in day-care centers, the mobile kitchen can support the food production and food security campaign of the province, benefitting a wider network of farmers, food producers, suppliers and distributors!

If Gov Pam decides to implement the training component together with her mobile kitchen mobile programs, the training component can help promote more Sustainable Development Goals such as alleviating poverty, providing livelihood, managing agriculture/waste effectively/sustainably, and more!