Category: Business Mirror

CREAMLINE enters Monday’s opening of the six-team Premiere Volleyball League Invitational as the team to beat-but hardly as a sure bet.

The Cool Smashers are coming off an impressive two-game run in the PVL On Tour Showdown, have retained an almost intact roster and, most significantly, have added the experience and imposing presence of Sachi Minowa, formerly Jaja Santiago.

The 6-foot-5 middle blocker made her much-awaited return to the local volleyball scene last weekend, scoring six points in Creamline’s three-set romp over Galeries Tower in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

‘We’re ready, especially now that Jaja is with us. If we can play well, I think it will make things easier for us,’ Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses said. ‘Of course, everyone will be watching us, so as a team, we have to be ready. With Japan and Creamline, people will definitely be keeping an eye on us.’

It was Minowa’s first game on local soil since she helped Chery Tiggo capture its first and only PVL championship in the 2021 Open Conference inside the Ilocos Norte bubble.

And if her first outing is any indication, Minowa looks more than ready to make the most of her limited stint with the Cool Smashers.

She will leave for the US after the Invitational to join the San Francisco Signal in League One Volleyball, making this short window an even bigger opportunity for Creamline to maximize her presence at the net.

But Minowa is only one of the problems the Cool Smashers can pose.

Meneses has a truckload of proven stars capable of taking over a match and a deep bench ready to answer whenever called upon-Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, Michelle Gumabao, Pangs Panaga and Bea de Leon.

Newcomer Ishie Lalongisip adds another weapon to an already formidable lineup and then there is Alyssa Valdez, the team’s heart and soul, who continues to show flashes of the vintage form that made her one of the league’s biggest stars.

The PVL, meanwhile, is turning the page on a landmark decade with a new identity and an even bigger mission: To build on 10 years of growth and help take Philippine volleyball to greater heights.

The PVL unveiled its new logo Wednesday, marking the start of its 10th-season celebration ahead of the landmark campaign that kicks off on October 10, 2026.

More than a change in visual identity, the new logo represents a league that has evolved from its beginnings into the country’s premier professional volleyball competition and, in the process, helped fuel the sport’s remarkable rise in popularity.

The new design is built around three defining ideas-strength, depth and stability.

The silver element symbolizes the strength and stability the PVL has developed throughout its decade-long journey, while also reflecting the depth of talent that has elevated the league and Philippine volleyball to a higher level.

Blue, meanwhile, reinforces the PVL’s identity and unity while exp ressing its continuing drive to move Philippine volleyball forward.

Those themes mirror the league’s own transformation.

Over the past 10 years, the PVL has provided a professional stage for many of the country’s finest players while opening the door for a new generation of stars.

Its sustained competition, growing fan base and increasingly high level of play have helped give Philippine volleyball a visibility and following that would have been difficult to imagine a decade ago.

RENEWABLE energy (RE) projects under the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) program reduced electricity bills by P0.3916 per kilowatt hour (kWh) from 2024 to 2025, nearly doubling the current FIT – Allowance (FIT-ALL) rate of P0.2073 per kWh.

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) said on Wednesday that FIT-supported RE projects generated P99.2 billion in wholesale electricity market savings over the 2024-2025 period. This two-year savings total equals nearly half of the P220.5 billion cumulative FIT-All fees paid by consumers since 2015.

‘The sharp decline in renewable energy costs over the past decade shows that sustained policy support, when paired with competition, can turn emerging technologies into affordable and competitive sources of electricity,’ said Atty. Pedro Maniego, ICSC’s Senior Policy Advisor.

‘The priority now is to build on these gains by expanding renewable energy, so more consumers can benefit from lower-cost electricity and reduced exposure to fuel-price volatility,’ he added.

The growing competitiveness of RE has helped drive these savings. Solar projects supported under the FIT program were priced at around P9.68 per kWh in 2014. Today, new solar projects are being contracted at roughly P3 to P4 per kWh.

Solar energy costs under the FIT program dropped from P9.68 per kWh in 2014 to between P3 and P4 per kWh today.

Moreover, the Green Energy Auction-Allowance (GEA-ALL) has reinforced this trend through competitive renewable energy auctions, helping keep solar prices within the P3.68 to P4.48 per kWh range.

The ICSC also said that RE can reduce electricity prices beyond the projects directly supported by FIT-ALL and GEA-ALL. Because solar and wind are often generated during periods of high electricity demand, they can displace more expensive power plants and lower prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

Newer technologies could follow a similar path. Offshore wind has an auction ceiling of around P11 per kwh as the country begins developing the sector. Greater competition, technological improvements, and economies of scale could help bring down costs as the market matures as we’ve seen in solar technology.

‘As RE becomes more competitive, the focus should be on how these investments can reduce costs and risks across the power system. Consumers and policymakers need a fuller assessment of FIT-ALL and GEA-ALL-one that looks beyond their direct costs to the savings renewable energy can generate and the risks it can help reduce, including exposure to imported fuel prices and higher wholesale electricity prices during periods of tight supply,’ the group said.

Moreover, the ICSC pointed out that sustaining competition in RE procurement and keeping grid development aligned with new capacity will be critical to capturing these benefits as the market matures. ‘Ultimately, FIT-All and GEA-All should be assessed based on their net value to consumers: whether they contribute to a more affordable and reliable electricity system over time,’ it said.

FIT-ALL and GEA-ALL are uniform charges billed to all on-grid electricity consumers. This ensures timely payments to qualified RE developers who are assured of a fixed rate for electricity generated by their projects over 20 years. Both are reflected as a separate component in monthly electricity bills.

Tuy, Batangas-Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) wants to scale up its agrosolar initiative, touted as the first of its kind in the Philippines, to optimize the use of land occupied by solar panels for agricultural purposes.

Citicore Foundation head Czarina Brodit-Valeros said the firm’s initiative integrates agricultural crop production alongside solar power generation to maximize land productivity.

‘Through this initiative, we grow crops along the aisles of our solar panels, benefiting from shade, improved soil moisture, and higher yields,’ Valeros told reporters in an interview here.

Partial shading from the panels also cools the soil, which ensures that plants access sufficient water during warmer periods.

‘We also made use of this initiative to empower local farmers in the area…and help them with their livelihoods.’

From a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project, she said the company saw its potential as a revenue-generating initiative, which now operates in three sites: Barangay Luntal and Barangay Lumbangan in Tuy, Batangas as well as in Arayat, Pampanga.

From 2022 to 2025, Citicore Foundation’s agrosolar initiative yielded 16 metric tons (MT) of high-value crops, such as eggplant, red and green chillis, and okra, among others.

At present, however, she said harvested crops across the operational sites are marketed through community-based selling, ‘since we don’t have institutional offtakers yet’ given the limited yield to sustain a commercialized operation.

Despite this, Valeros said they plan to increase the agrosolar initiative to a total of six sites by yearend through partnerships with local government units (LGUs) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Citicore Foundation is in talks with the LGU and the DA to develop the agrosolar project in Binalonan, Pangasinan and the Dalayap, Tarlac, respectively. The LGU of Silay, Negros Occidental also showed interest in the initiative.

‘The vision is (for) it to become a full-blown enterprise that can serve or at least compete at the commercial level and to utilize more land,’ Valeros said.

‘This is to show that energy and food security don’t have to be compromised. Whether there’s development or industrialization, we can still keep the agricultural intent of our lands.’

ONE of the privileges of hosting the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE) podcast ‘Association Matters’ is the opportunity to learn from association leaders who have spent decades helping organizations become more effective. Sometimes, what begins as a simple interview turns into a masterclass.

This was exactly my experience with John Peacock AM, CEO of Associations Forum in Australia, who guested on the first episode of the ‘Australia-New Zealand Insights’ series titled, Beyond Compliance: Governance Excellence in Australian Associations. While our discussion focused on Australian associations, I found myself thinking, ‘These lessons are just as relevant to associations in the Philippines and across Asia.’

One message stood out from the very beginning: good governance is far more than compliance.

Many organizations understandably equate governance with following laws, filing reports, and ensuring that constitutions or bylaws are up to date. These responsibilities are important, but as John explained, they represent only the foundation. Governance excellence begins when a board is vigilant, strategic, and prepared to respond confidently when unexpected challenges arise.

One insight I particularly appreciated was his emphasis on governance as a professional discipline. Rather than relying solely on well-meaning volunteer officers, leading associations increasingly recognize the value of having someone with governance expertise, whether called a Chief Governance Officer, Company Secretary, or another title, to guide the organization in governance matters. Strong governance does not happen by accident; it requires competence, continuity, and deliberate stewardship.

John also highlighted something that many long-established associations may overlook: governance practices should be reviewed regularly. Too often, organizations continue doing things simply because ‘that’s how we’ve always done it.’ Constitutions, bylaws, and governance structures are amended piecemeal over decades until they become difficult to navigate. Conducting an independent governance ‘health check’ can reveal outdated provisions, clarify roles, and ensure that governance documents remain fit for today’s realities rather than yesterday’s circumstances.

Another valuable takeaway was the central role of strategic planning. Governance is not about board members managing day-to-day operations. Instead, their responsibility is to define direction, oversee progress, and safeguard the organization’s future. A strategic plan should never belong exclusively to either the board or the chief executive. Rather, it should be developed collaboratively, refined together, and ultimately owned by everyone responsible for leading the association forward.

Equally important is maintaining clear boundaries between governance and management. John cautioned against boards drifting into micromanagement, a challenge familiar to many associations regardless of country. Effective boards focus on oversight, policy, and long-term direction, while empowering the chief executive and staff to implement agreed strategies. When each group understands its respective role, organizations become more agile, accountable, and effective.

One seemingly simple lesson deserves special mention: board minutes matter. They are far more than administrative records. They document decisions, establish accountability, and may one day serve as critical legal evidence. Good governance often reveals itself not in grand policies but in consistent attention to these essential details.

As our conversation concluded, I was struck by how universal these governance principles truly are. Whether in Australia, the Philippines, or elsewhere in Asia, associations succeed when boards remain strategic rather than operational, when governance documents are treated as living guides instead of forgotten archives, and when leadership is anchored on purpose rather than procedure.

Compliance will always be necessary. But as John reminded us, governance excellence begins where compliance ends. It is about creating organizations that are resilient, future-focused, and capable of delivering lasting value to the members and communities they serve. For Philippine associations seeking to strengthen their governance, that may be the most important lesson of all.

Octavio Peralta is founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), the ‘association of associations.’ The PCAAE will hold its 14th Annual Associations Summit (AS14) on November 24, 2026 at the Asian Institute of Management. The views he expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror.

THE government will keep strict safeguards on infrastructure projects, even as spending on hard assets tumbled by 40 percent in the first half of the year, still due to strict audits and validations of projects.

Budget Secretary Kim Robert C. De Leon said the government will not suggest any relaxation of existing safeguards in order to ramp up the government’s spending for infrastructure.

‘In fact, we want more safeguards. What we’re looking at to recover is quick implementation and procurement,’ De Leon told the BusinessMirror after stepping out the briefing room in the Senate last Thursday.

BusinessMirror’s query came after the chief of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) revealed that infrastructure expenditures and other capital outlays fell to P367.4 billion in the first six months. The amount was nearly half of the P620.2 billion the government spent for infrastructure in the same period a year ago.

Last year’s tightening was due to tighter review, audit and validation of public works and implementation of documentary safeguards to protect public funds. These defenses were brought up after the flood control corruption scandal leaked last year, with the government scrutinizing contractor payments and cash releases.

Nonetheless, first-quarter infrastructure spending remained higher than the spending target for the period, exceeding the program of P351.8 billion by 4.4 percent or P15.6 billion, data from the DBM showed.

Still, De Leon noted that the first-half decline was due to the decision by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to not award some infrastructure projects.

He said the DBM is currently closely coordinating with DPWH to proceed with the awarding and procurement to start the projects in the pipeline.

‘It’s not about the safeguards, actually. We have to start implementing the projects. We have to start recovery,’ De Leon said, adding that allotments have already been made available to DPWH.

‘We hope they will be able to start implementing the projects this August and September so that we can see better figures by the third quarter,’ he added.

The DBM further showed that total infrastructure disbursements, which include infrastructure components of subsidy and equity to state-run corporations and transfers to local government units, declined by 28.1 percent to P518.1 billion in the first half from P720.3 billion in the same period last year.

This was also below the P531.6-billion program spending for the six-month period by 2.5 percent or P13.5 billion.

For the month of June alone, disbursements for infrastructure and other capital outlays fell by 34.1 percent year-on-year to P98 billion from P148.8 billion.

According to the DBM, infrastructure proposals must be supported by necessary technical and implementation requirements, including appropriate project documentation, procurement and implementation schedules and clearly defined milestones.

For programs and projects to be implemented in the regions, the budget preparation process also requires the endorsement of the concerned Regional Development Councils to ensure that proposed investments are responsive to regional priorities and have undergone coordination among national government agencies, local government units and other regional stakeholders.

Government’s budget allocation for infrastructure spending next year is pegged at P1.340 trillion, which is 5.35-percent higher than this year’s program of P1.272 trillion. The amount is equivalent to 4 percent of gross domestic product.

Of the amount, P643.95 billion is proposed for DPWH, higher by 21.29 percent than its P530.90-billion budget this year, to bankroll ongoing locally funded and foreign-assisted Infrastructure flagship projects.

Among the major Infrastructure flagship projects supported under next year’s proposed allocation are the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project, Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project, Davao City Bypass Construction Project, Package I, Cebu-Mactan Bridge and Coastal Road Construction Project, and Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project, Phase IV.

The Monetary Board raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points for the third time in a row, this time as a ‘preemptive move’ against the threat of El Niño which could worsen in the fourth quarter and drive up food prices.

Aside from the El Niño event, the Monetary Board, the highest policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), said it also took into account the risk of further wage increases in its policy action.

The policy move of the MB on Thursday brought the BSP’s Target Reverse Repurchase (RRP) Rate to 5 percent. The interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were adjusted to 4.5 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively.

During the monetary policy meeting, BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr., who also serves as the chairman of the Monetary Board, said: ‘It’s true headline inflation has eased. However, core inflation remains above the tolerance range reflecting second-round effects.’

‘At the same time, oil prices remain volatile. Posing further risks to inflation is the possible impact of a severe El Niño event and potential minimum wage adjustments,’ added Remolona.

These underlying pressures, the central bank chief emphasized, require ‘preemptive monetary action.’

Remolona explained that while volatile oil prices remain a risk to inflation, ‘The other risks are bigger.’

‘We’re even looking beyond just the oil prices, which have been going up and down. We’re looking at other factors as well. They’ve become more prominent than before,’ added the BSP governor.

Revised inflation forecasts

While the Monetary Board opted for a preemptive policy move during its August 27 rate-setting meeting, it revised downwards its inflation forecast for 2026 to 6.1 percent from its 6.4 percent forecast during its June 18 policy meeting.

However, it raised its inflation forecast to 5.4 percent for 2027, compared to its 4.5 percent forecast last June 18.

BSP Assistant Governor for Monetary Policy Sub-Sector Rogelio V. Mercado Jr. said: ‘The 6.1 percent inflation is of course driven by lower-than-expected inflation in June and July, as well as declining oil prices. This would be partly offset by the impact of El Niño on rice prices in the fourth quarter.’

‘For 2027, our inflation forecast is now at 5.4 percent. This is up from 4.5 percent, and it will be driven by the impact of severe El Niño on rice prices, as well as the impact of higher minimum wage increase.’

For 2028, Mercado said the latest central forecast is that inflation will return to around 3.3 percent, which is close to the central bank’s target and within the tolerance band.

Severity of El Niño

With a lower inflation forecast for 2026, however, Mercado said the central bank is still looking into a ‘possible large risk that can come in towards the end of the year.’

‘In particular, of course, we have El Niño, which is projected to be quite severe. And the peak of the severity of El Niño will happen towards, in fact, the fourth quarter of the year,’ added Mercado.

On the El Niño assumption, BSP Department of Economic Research Director Lara Ganapin said in the central scenario, the BSP is looking at a strong El Niño episode.

‘So, we look at two channels in terms of the impact on rice output. If rice output would go down, then there would be some pressure on domestic rice prices,’ Ganapin said.

The other channel, she explained, is in terms of higher import prices because other countries are also affected by El Niño.

‘So, if there’s pressure on global rice prices, then that could also have some impact on the domestic prices,’ added Ganapin.

Wage increase

Another inflation risk flagged by the central bank is the potential wage adjustment which also warrants ‘close monitoring,’ including their implications for broader price setting and second-round effects.

Remolona said the BSP was ‘somewhat surprised’ at the 12-percent increase in the daily minimum wage in the National Capital Region (NCR).

‘In situations like this, we do scenarios. One scenario is everybody will follow NCR. So everybody will do 12 percent, all the different regions. And then we look at the possibility that maybe it will be mainly Metro Manila and not the others,’ said Remolona.

The BSP governor noted that while the central bank weighs these possibilities, nonetheless, for most scenarios, ‘We think it will be a significant inflationary factor.’

The BSP’s annual minimum wage increase assumption for 2026 was way below the actual minimum wage hike or the P85 approved by the NCR wage board for this year.

‘The assumed annual minimum wage increase is 6.7 percent for 2026, in line with the previous year’s wage adjustment in the National Capital Region,’ BSP said in its Monetary Policy Report.

The P85 approved by the NCR wage board is equivalent to a 12.23-percent increase.

Looking ahead, Remolona said: ‘We’re hoping that we won’t need another rate hike.’

Still, the BSP governor said: ‘We will tighten as much as we need to, to bring the inflation rate down to its target.’

‘The Monetary Board is prepared to take monetary policy action as warranted to ensure that inflation returns to the 3-percent target, in keeping with its price stability mandate,’ the BSP said in a statement on Thursday.

The central bank said the measured increases in the policy rate will continue to anchor inflation expectations and mitigate the risk of further second-round effects.

‘Despite the slow growth in the first half of 2026, the fundamentals for growth appear to be intact over the medium term. With the support of fiscal measures, growth is expected to strengthen in the second half of the year,’ it added.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to require all companies raising funds from the equities and debt markets to use its system called Online Application for Registration Statements (OARS).

The said system, according to the SEC’s Memorandum Circular (MC) 24, will be for direct public offering, first tranche of the shelf registration, follow-on offering and initial public offering.

OARS is a web-based platform that enables companies to electronically submit registration statements and other required filings

The said circular will take effect after publication in two newspapers in the country.

‘The provisions of this circular establishing the use of OARS shall be mandatory for newly initiated applications for registration statements. To ease the transition to and adoption of the use thereof, the existing and pending applications for registration statements shall continue to be processed in accordance with SEC MC No. 9, series of 2025,’ the SEC said.

Applications submitted through OARS should be processed by the SEC within 40 days upon payment of the initial assessment fee.

It will also accept applications under specialized registration programs of the SEC, such as Securing and Expanding Capital for Real Estate Non-Traditional Securities (SEC RENT) and Securing and Expanding Capital for PowerGen Operators and Wholesale of Electricity and Retail Services (SEC POWERS).

The OARS also facilitates the generation of International Securities Identification Numbers (ISINs), Classification of Financial Instruments and Financial Instrument Short Names (FISNs) in compliance with the standards of the Association of National Numbering Agencies (ANNA).

The use of OARS will not entail any additional charge for applications for registration statements, but the agency has the right to impose reasonable fees, through an

appropriate issuance, to defray costs associated with the system network infrastructure and application

Except for scheduled system maintenance, the system is available and accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, subject to temporary service impairments. Access to the system may be temporarily impaired due to downtime, maintenance, network disruptions, or the user’s internet service conditions, the agency said.

Property developer Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) on Thursday said it is beefing up its residential pipeline across three developments in South and Central Luzon as end-user demand outside of the National Capital Region (NCR) supports new supply in the company’s master planned estates.

The launch pipeline includes new phases of developments in its Nuvali Estate in Laguna and in Lipa, Batangas and a new residential development in Cresendo Estate in Tarlac.

Together, the projects reflect Ayala Land’s focus in markets supported by infrastructure investment, expanding employment centers, and growing economic activity.

‘The sustained demand, coupled with more stable operating conditions, gives us confidence to offer new product in these markets’ Anna Ma. Margarita B. Dy, the company’s president and CEO, said.

‘We are starting with a focused pipeline of horizontal developments where our integrated estates continue to create lasting value.’

The move comes as Ayala Land’s residential inventory has been brought down to the pre-pandemic level of 15 months of supply.

Mike Jugo, chief commercial officer of Ayala Land, said end-users continue to underpin demand. ‘The market today is driven by end-users making long-term decisions about where they want to live. We continue to see healthy demand particularly among families seeking larger living spaces, integrated amenities, and strong connectivity.’ The projects are located in growth markets benefiting from continued infrastructure investment, including Cavite-Laguna Expressway and the North-South Commuter Railway, alongside expanding economic activity and employment centers, the company said.

Ayala Land said its income fell 19 percent to P11.5 billion in the first half from the previous year’s P14.17 billion mainly on jittery market conditions caused by the war in the Middle East.

Revenues for the period fell almost 10 percent to P75 billion from the previous P83.06 billion.

Dy said the company had a challenging first quarter and Ayala Land had to stabilize its business in the second quarter by bringing down its inventory to 15 months for the quarter, reducing additional costs and halting projects so as not to clog the market with unsold units.

She said the company is still on track on delivering its projects, as Ayala Land will launch mostly horizontal residential projects.

Sales for the second quarter fell to P26 billion from the P27 billion in the first quarter. This was done without any launches, which would have given the company a bump in its revenues, Dy said.

Ayala Land’s property development business had P41 billion in revenues for the first half, buoyed by second-quarter revenues of P20.6 billion, flat compared to the first quarter of the year.

Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026 has unveiled the official posters of its seven full-length films, giving audiences a foretaste of the distinct worlds, characters, and stories set to hit the big screen. As the much-awaited festival draws near, the reveal provides a preview of what festival goers may expect from its latest selection: from magical journeys and supernatural encounters to coming-of-age stories, and from quiet reflections on grief and loss to a romance that straddles the realms of the living and the dead.

Indeed the seven posters reflect the diversity of narratives represented across the full-length slate. Each carries its own visual identity, giving a sense of the tone and imagination behind the films while building anticipation for what is to come.

‘The posters give a first glimpse at the vision and creativity of this year’s filmmakers,’ Festival Chair and Puregold Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad affirmed. ‘From one entry to the next, audiences will see different perspectives, different worlds, and different ways of telling stories. That range is part of what makes watching Filipino films such a rich experience, and we are proud to invite everyone to discover what makes each of these panalo in its own way.’

Puregold CinePanalo awarded each of the seven filmmakers a ?5 million production grant to develop their projects for the big screen, resulting in a selection that spans different genres, perspectives, and storytelling styles.

Lawrence Fajardo’s ‘Beast’ sets off on an unusual journey, following an old farmer and his loyal carabao as they make their way to Manila. Adding another personal touch to its visual identity, writer Jim Flores created the poster, which hints at the magic, adventure, and emotional journey at the heart of the story.

The supernatural takes on a more colorful and playful form in Carl Joseph E. Papa and Ian Pangilinan’s ‘Patay Gutom.’ Filipino illustrator and film poster artist Denver Balbaboco brings that energy to the official poster, offering a vibrant introduction to the film’s quirky blend of romance, humor, family, and the netherworld.

Balbaboco recently created the new cover art for The Criterion Collection’s release of Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein,’ while his own body of work spans posters and key art for local and international projects.

A very different kind of chaos unfolds in Mikko Baldoza’s ‘Stuck On You.’ With its bold and dynamic aesthetic, Liam Casimiro’s poster hints at the unlikely collusion of romance, danger, and comedy at the heart of the story.

Meanwhile, Thop Nazareno’s ‘Apol of My Ai’ opens the door to the mercurial world of a young boy navigating the post-adolescent complications of growing up. The poster was designed by Jermaine Tulbo, whose work includes the official poster for the award-winning Puregold CinePanalo 2025 entry ‘Olsen’s Day.’ Tulbo’s latest work brings together the people, relationships, and music that define Apol’s journey.

Joseph Abello’s ‘Wantawsan’ takes an ordinary errand in an unexpected direction. He also takes on the poster’s design, projecting his vision into a visual that matches its unpredictable, offbeat energy and hints at the comical adventure that lies ahead.

The 2026 festival lineup also makes room for more introspective stories. In BC Amparado’s ‘Mono No Aware,’ a promise between a Filipino kodokushi cleaner and an elderly widower leads to pensive musings on grief, family, and the transient quality of life.

The evocative image was created by Davao-based graphic designer and filmmaker Wowa Medroso, whose debut feature ‘Kantil’ premiered at Cinemalaya. The image carries the same restrained and contemplative atmosphere as the story itself.

Completing the lineup is ‘Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo),’ written and directed by Rodina Singh. Behind its visually stunning poster is multidisciplinary visual creative EA Rosana, whose work spans posters, cover art, photography, and production design, including projects connected with girl group BINI.

Rosana previously collaborated with Singh on the poster for her film ‘Dreamboi.’ Blending the haunting, hilarious, and tender sides of the story, the artwork draws viewers into the kind of love that endures even beyond death.

Together, the seven posters do more than showcase the faces and titles behind the featured films. They offer a portal to the worlds their filmmakers have created, from the strange and surreal to the funny, heartfelt, romantic, and deeply human.

The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026 runs from September 23 to October 4 at Gateway Cineplex 18, Trinoma, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, and Market! Market!

Tickets are priced at ?250 for regular admission and ?200 for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, students, national athletes, and Aling Puring cardholders. Individual tickets will also be made available online, with an official announcement to follow once online sales begin.

A ?2,000 festival pass will be available exclusively at participating venues, with no online purchase option. Passes may be purchased at Gateway Cineplex 18 starting September 22, before becoming available at all participating malls on September 23.

As audiences begin the countdown to another edition of Puregold CinePanalo, the newly revealed posters bring this collection of fresh Filipino films a little closer to the big screen. Seven panalo titles, seven distinct visions, and seven more reasons to look forward to a celebration of local artistry.

The local information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) industry is turning to one of its longtime insiders to lead its largest industry association, with Celeste Ilagan set to become the first woman to head the group.

The Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) on Thursday named Ilagan, its current chief operating officer, as president and chief executive officer (CEO)-designate, succeeding Jack Madrid effective October 11. Ilagan brings nearly three decades of experience in the IT-BPM industry, including four years in IBPAP’s leadership ranks. She joined the association in 2022 as chief policy and regulatory affairs officer and currently serves as chief operating officer.

Before joining IBPAP, she began her career in investment promotion at the Board of Investments. She also served two terms on IBPAP’s Board of Trustees from 2019 to 2022.

Her work at the association has focused on policy and regulatory affairs, legislative advocacy, investor and government engagement, as well as workforce development.

She has been involved in industry efforts related to the CREATE MORE Act, including work on tax matters, ease-of-doing-business initiatives and cybersecurity partnerships.

Ilagan also oversees IBPAP’s talent and workforce agenda, including its work with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education and Department of Education on the Enterprise-Based Education and Training framework.

Her appointment comes as the sector continues to adjust to changes in technology, global demand and the composition of outsourced services.

IBPAP now projects the industry to generate $43.3 billion to $50.5 billion in revenues and employ 1.85 million to 2.14 million full-time workers by 2028.

The revised outlook is below the association’s 2022 roadmap, which had targeted $58.9 billion in revenues and 2.5 million workers by 2028, equivalent to an additional 1.1 million jobs.

Madrid will remain president and CEO until October 10. After his IBPAP tenure, he will take on a new role as Philippines ambassador for speech AI company Sanas, which is expanding its presence in the country.