Category: Business Mirror

Globe Telecom Inc. is targeting the completion of its Starlink-powered satellite service rollout to iPhones by yearend, an executive said.

In an interview, Globe VP Eric Tan said the telco is currently testing the service with Apple Inc., with connectivity expected to be enabled through an upcoming iOS software update rather than new hardware.

‘Our target rollout is the end of the year. We are already at the testing phase, so it’s really in collaboration with Apple to deploy it in their next iOS release,’ Tan told reporters.

Globe’s satellite service currently runs on compatible Android and iOS smartphones, covering about 70 percent of its addressable base.

Tan said extending support to iPhones-which account for an estimated 20 percent to 30 percent of that market-would lift coverage to roughly 90 percent.

He noted that demand has been climbing nearly two months after the service’s commercial launch.

‘We’re very happy with the take-up so far. So, as I mentioned, I think today we are on our seventh or eighth week in the market, and our paying customers continue to grow week-on-week.’ The company is also broadening satellite connectivity beyond the Philippines through reciprocal roaming arrangements with telcos partnered with Starlink. Tan said Globe is ready to launch a reciprocal roaming tie-up in Japan, while similar arrangements in the United States and Canada remain under testing, with a possible rollout by yearend.

The satellite update was among the developments Globe unveiled at The Blueprint, the company’s event series centered on connectivity that delivers greater convenience and personalized value.

‘Connectivity means different things at different moments for every customer. Sometimes it’s about being able to reach someone when it matters, while other times it’s about making everyday tasks easier or simply enjoying more of what they love,’ said KD Dizon, Globe chief marketing officer.

‘Our goal is to understand those moments and make the Globe experience work around them, strengthening the systems and applications customers use, making them more dependable and reliable.’

Among the announcements, Globe introduced Globe Circle, which rewards customers who rely on the telco for both mobile and home connectivity with added benefits and experiences. It also confirmed the return of 917 GDay 2026, its annual customer celebration.

The company unveiled fresh offers spanning roaming, home internet and digital lifestyle partnerships, including tie-ups with short-form entertainment platform ReelShort, fitness app Strava and Meta AI. It also launched Green GSM, an all-electric ride-hailing service using VinFast electric vehicles, giving customers a greener mobility option while opening earning opportunities for drivers.

Globe’s prepaid brand TM, meanwhile, marked its 25th anniversary with a year-long celebration featuring nationwide TeaM Fair caravans, culminating in the TeaM Fair Concert on September 12 with Dionela and SB19.

LAOAG City is set to open a new chapter in Philippine triathlon history as it welcomes Ironman 70.3 in 2027 bringing one of the world’s most recognized endurance events to Ilocos Norte for the first time and launching what promises to be a landmark season for the country’s growing triathlon community.

The inaugural Ironman 70.3 Laoag will mark the first time the Ilocos Norte capital hosts a triathlon of this scale, offering athletes a fast, accessible course while introducing them and their families to a destination rich in history, culture, cuisine and northern hospitality.

Set against the distinctive character of Laoag, the race will combine a 1.9-km swim, 90-km bike and 21.1-km run with a destination experience unlike any other on the Philippine Ironman calendar.

From the waters of Sadiri Beach to the wide northern roads and historic streets at the heart of the city, athletes can expect a course shaped by both speed and scenery.

Registration is now open. For details, visit www.ironman.com/races/im703-laoag.

Known as the Sunshine City, the Ilocos Norte capital offers a warm, almost always-summer character that lends itself naturally to a race weekend, while its relatively compact urban setting provides athletes and spectators an accessible base from which to experience the best of the city and the wider province.

Laoag City Mayor James Bryan Alcid said the event provides the city with an opportunity to introduce its character and hospitality to a much wider international audience.

‘We are proud to welcome Ironman 70.3 and the athletes, families and supporters who will come to experience Laoag City,’ Alcid said. ‘This event gives us an opportunity to share what makes our city special-our history, our culture, our food, our people and the genuine warmth with which we welcome our visitors.’

For organizing Sunrise Events Inc., the race represents an opportunity to expand the Philippine Ironman experience into a destination with its own distinct character.

‘We are especially excited for athletes to discover Laoag for the first time through Ironman 70.3,’ SEI president and managing director Princess Galura said. ‘From the ocean swim and fast northern roads to the city finish and everything athletes can experience away from the course, this race is about creating new stories in a new destination.’

Michelle Pepper, managing director of Asia-Pacific for the Ironman Group, said the organization was excited to bring the race to a new part of the country.

‘We’re proud to have had Ironman and Ironman 70.3 triathlon races in the Philippines since 2009,’ Pepper said. ‘It has been great to see the local triathlon community grow over the years, and for so many athletes from around the world to have experienced racing in the country during that time.’

Cagayan Valley’s vibrant craftsmanship, flavors, and entrepreneurial spirit have arrived in Alabang as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 2 opened the 20th Padday na Lima Regional Trade Fair on 24 August 2026 at Festival Mall. With more than 100 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from the region’s five provinces, this milestone fair invites shoppers to discover products that are proudly local and thoughtfully made with sustainability in mind.

Carrying the theme ’20 Years of Vibrant Hands: Crafting a Sustainable Legacy of Culture and Community,’ this year’s Padday na Lima goes beyond showcasing products as it celebrates the hands, stories, skills, and communities that make them possible. From regional delicacies and handcrafted pieces to fashion, home products, and other unique finds, visitors can experience the many ways Cagayan Valley’s local enterprise is creating value while keeping culture and sustainability alive.

The celebration drew distinguished guests including DTI Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona, Muntinlupa City Mayor Hon. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon. Meanwhile, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and the PLGUs of Batanes, Cagayan and Isabela conveyed their support for the trade fair. DTI Region 2 Regional Director Ma. Sofia G. Narag, CESO V, and Acting Assistant Regional Directory Atty. Michael B. Paggabao welcomed them all to the celebration along with other partners and guests.

The Padday na Lima Website 2.0 was also relaunched, giving MSMEs another avenue to bring their products to customers through digital commerce. Meanwhile, DTI Region 2 and the Department of Tourism launched Lakbay Likha: A Creative Tourism Experience, opening new possibilities for local products and craftsmanship by connecting them with the region’s tourism destinations and experiences.

The spotlight also shone on enterprises making a difference through the Padday na Lima MSME Awards, which recognized businesses demonstrating innovation and sustainability. Adding flair to the celebration, the 20th Padday na Lima Fashion Show, ‘Hibla’t Habi ng Rehiyon Dos: Padday na Lima Collections,’ transformed local materials and traditional craftsmanship into contemporary fashion under the creative direction of Nueva Vizcaya-born designer and Region 2 Creative Icon Michael Barassi.

The opening festivities culminated in a ceremonial bamboo tapping and the launch of the Padday na Lima Song, followed by an exhibit tour that officially opened the seven-day fair to shoppers and visitors.

For 20 years, Padday na Lima has been bringing Cagayan Valley closer to wider markets while helping sustain the people, skills, traditions, and livelihoods behind every product. Now, it’s your turn to experience it. Visit Padday na Lima at Festival Mall from 24-30 August 2026 and discover your next local favorite. Come and take home a piece of Cagayan Valley’s vibrant and sustainable story.

Dolly Parton, the country music icon whose soaring vibrato vocals, poignant songwriting and sparkling costumes defined her rise from a log cabin in the Tennessee mountains to the height of stardom and acclaim, has died in Nashville. She was 80.

‘After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,’ her publicist, Marcel Pariseau, said in a statement Tuesday.

Known for her curvy physique, massive blond wigs and skin-tight outfits that served her self-deprecating wit, she was among the most beloved personalities in music and beyond-the rare celebrity whose appeal transcended generations, geography and politics.

She wrote hundreds of songs, including classics like ‘Jolene,’ ‘Coat of Many Colors’ and ‘I Will Always Love You,’ that totaled more than 100 million worldwide sales and more than 1 billion online streams. Parton, who plucked bejeweled banjos, guitars and dulcimers with her long fingernails during performances, was a generous philanthropist and successful businesswoman whose projects included a theme park in the Smoky Mountain foothills near her birthplace.

Her career was forever influenced by her upbringing as one of 12 children born into what she called a ‘dirt poor’ Tennessee family. She started her education nonprofit, Imagination Library, to send free books to children in Tennessee because her father, who quit school to work on the farm, struggled to learn to read.

For millions of fans, she was simply ‘Dolly,’ a mixture of Southern charm, humor and glamour. But she was also considered a feminist role model for holding the reins of her own career, writing her own songs, owning her content and looking after her finances in an entertainment world dominated by men.

Parton was open to making fun of herself; when she hosted Saturday Night Live in 1989 she told the writers that her only restrictions were she wouldn’t curse and she wouldn’t make fun of Jesus. She regularly joked about her breasts or her dumb blonde appearance, but with a wink that she was the one controlling the laughs. In the memoir My Life So Far, actress Jane Fonda, Parton’s costar in the seminal hit 9 to 5, remembered Parton’s way with a wisecrack, ‘usually high raunch,’ and a laugh that was ‘somewhere between a girl’s giggle, an explosive shriek, and a cascade of little bells.’

With 55 Grammy nominations and 10 wins, Parton is the third-most nominated woman in Grammy history, only behind Beyoncé and Taylor Swift.

Parton spanned social and political divides, through multiple generations of fans, urban and rural and in between. In tumultuous election years, it wasn’t uncommon to see ‘Dolly for President’ shirts. But she was strict in not voicing her own political beliefs, often turning aside questions about presidents, candidates, policies and other controversies.

‘I don’t do politics,’ Parton told host Jad Abumrad on his hit podcast Dolly Parton’s America.

‘I have too many fans on both sides of the fence. Of course, I have my opinion about everything, but I learned years ago to keep your mouth shut about things.’

When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation sent out a ballot in 2022 with her name on it, though, she said she felt she hadn’t earned it, the voters answered with a ‘Hello, Dolly.’ Parton showed up to the induction ceremony, performed and then put out a rock album.

A professional license helps education graduates improve their chances of getting employed, but finding work that matches their training matters more when it comes to wages, according to a Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) study.

Licensure significantly increases the probability of employment, while education-to-occupation matching is significantly associated with higher wages, the study found.

Wage gains were also stronger among licensed graduates working in the public sector, suggesting that employment setting plays an important role in the returns to a professional credential.

‘Licensure is positive but not significantly associated with wages,’ PIDS said.

The findings were based on the July 2024 merged Labor Force Survey-Annual Poverty Indicator Survey covering bachelor’s degree holders aged 22 to 60 from education science and related programs.

It covered a weighted sample of about 1.83 million graduates, including more than 1.2 million who had taken and passed a licensure examination.

Among licensed graduates, 84 percent were employed, compared with 54 percent among those without a license.

Licensure also coincided with a much smaller share of graduates being outside the labor force, with 10 percent among licensed graduates compared with 32 percent among those without a license.

Job matching mattered for employment quality as well, according to the study.

Licensed graduates working in jobs aligned with their education had a predicted underemployment probability of 7.20 percent, compared with 8.46 percent among those working outside their field.

Public-sector employment produced a wider difference, with licensed graduates in government posting a predicted underemployment probability of 3.98 percent versus 14.73 percent among those in private employment or self-employment.

The study noted that professional licensure is particularly relevant to education graduates because a teaching license is required for permanent teaching positions in public schools.

However, for graduates without licenses working in an education-related occupation did not produce the same underemployment advantage.

Their predicted underemployment probability was 7.89 percent when working in an education-related occupation, compared with 7.12 percent when working outside the field.

‘For education program graduates, having a license alone does not significantly improve one’s labor market experience,’ the study said.

The researchers recommended stronger career pathways for education graduates, alongside better alignment among teacher education, licensure and labor-market demand.

A DAY ahead of the Monetary Board’s policy meeting, a former deputy governor of the central bank explained how a potential third straight hike in the key interest rate would influence the behavior of households, manufacturers and businesses in the Philippines.

In a message sent to the BusinessMirror on Wednesday, Former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo said that while the immediate effect of another rate hike would be a ‘further tightening of financial conditions,’ the ‘bigger risk’ is allowing inflation expectations to become unanchored, particularly when both this year’s and next year’s inflation are still seen to linger above the central bank’s 2 to 4-percent target range.

Guinigundo said further tightening of financial conditions means borrowing becomes more expensive, credit growth may moderate, and spending and investment could soften.

‘That is the cost of bringing inflation back under control,’ the former central bank deputy governor added.

Households and consumers

For households and consumers, Guinigundo said higher interest rates mean more expensive loans, particularly housing, auto and consumer loans-and potentially higher debt-servicing costs for households with variable-rate borrowing.

His sentiment was echoed by former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dante B. Canlas, who said that rising interest rates affect households ‘adversely’ in many ways.

‘Mortgage rates for say houses and cars increase, making it more burdensome to own houses and cars and other debt-financed consumer durables,’ the former director general of the Neda told this newspaper.

As such, Guinigundo said some households may postpone big-ticket purchases.

On the other hand, he said savers and households with deposits may benefit from higher returns.

But more important, Guinigundo emphasized: ‘Successful monetary tightening should eventually help protect households’ purchasing power by bringing inflation down.’

Producers and manufacturers

For producers and manufacturers, the former BSP deputy governor said higher borrowing costs raise the cost of working capital and financing inventories, equipment and expansion.

‘Some firms may therefore defer investment or pass part of the higher financing cost to prices,’ Guinigundo explained.

‘But this is precisely why monetary policy has to be calibrated carefully: the objective is not to suppress productive activity, but to prevent demand and inflation pressures from becoming entrenched,’ added the former central bank deputy governor.

Businesses in general

For businesses generally, Guinigundo said the impact would be mixed.

‘Highly leveraged firms and interest-sensitive sectors such as property, construction and consumer durables would feel the pressure more quickly,’ he explained.

But firms with strong balance sheets and cash positions would be less affected, he added.

For his part, Canlas told this paper: ‘Incentives to invest are dampened by rising interest rates. Real GDP growth is thus negatively affected.’

Balancing act

Over time, Guinigundo explained that a ‘credible anti-inflation stance’ can improve the business environment by reducing uncertainty about future costs, interest rates and purchasing power.

He also pointed out that the response to inflation should be broader.

‘Fiscal authorities, trade authorities and especially the agriculture sector have to address the supply-side sources of inflation, while the BSP focuses on preventing second-round e?ects and keeping inflation expectations anchored,’ added Guinigundo.

Meanwhile, fixing the economy’s growth problem should not rest on the shoulders of monetary policy, he pointed out.

‘If growth is weakening because of supply constraints, high food prices, infrastructure bottlenecks, weak productivity or inadequate investment, lower interest rates cannot by themselves cure those problems,’ the former BSP deputy governor told this newspaper.

While an easy monetary policy may stimulate demand, he said it cannot produce more rice, lower logistics costs or remove structural constraints on production.

‘So I would characterize another rate hike not simply as being ‘bad for growth,” Guinigundo emphasized.

Instead, he described it as a deliberate trade-off: ‘Accept some short-term moderation in demand today to avoid a much more damaging episode of persistent inflation tomorrow.’

Guinigundo said the BSP should be guided by the inflation outlook and expectations, not simply by the desire to support short-term growth.

‘The key issue is credibility. If inflation is still projected to remain above target and there is substantial uncertainty around food, energy, exchange-rate and external price pressures, the BSP should be careful about declaring victory too early,’ Guinigundo said.

‘Weaker growth cannot be cured simply by easier monetary policy; but an unanchoring of inflation expectations can make the eventual cost of restoring price stability much higher,’ he stressed.

The Monetary Board, the highest policy-making body of the BSP, has raised the key interest rate by a total of 50 basis points since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, delivering two separate quarter-point rate hikes at the Monetary Board’s rate-setting meetings held on April 23 and June 18.

These policy actions brought the Target Reverse Repurchase (RRP) Rate to 4.75 percent.

With a fresh white expression and defining Click125 performance, another Game-Changer Upgrade arrives with this limited-edition release

Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), the leading motorcycle manufacturer in the country, officially introduces the latest addition to the popular model lineup with The Click125 Smart Edition White, giving today’s riders another option to enjoy the Click125 experience on their everyday mobility. Staying true to its ‘Game-Changer Upgrade’ concept, the new color variant brings a fresh look while still resonates on the signature bold styling and refined performance that the Click125 has been known for.

A new take on the familiar appeal

The Click125 Smart Edition White arrives with a refreshed visual identity to the model’s distinctive sporty character, highlighted by its striking white color that gives a modern, clean and confident look. Combining the All-LED lighting system across headlight, taillight, position lights, and turn signals, The Click125 Smart Edition White also gives a distinctive road presence with brighter illumination and visibility while moving.

Capable to move in every journey

The Click125 Smart Edition White comes with 125cc, liquid-cooled, PGM-FI, eSP Engine, built to balance responsive power for everyday mobility. With its 50.3km/L fuel consumption rating under WMTC testing, the model enables riders to go through long distances and spend less time on fuel stops.

Enjoy the ride with built-in features

Beyond its head-turning design and engine capacity, The Click125 Smart Edition White retains the familiar features built to make everyday journeys more seamless and convenient. This includes the Full Digital Meter Panel that makes essential information accessible within the rider’s view through its sophisticated display placed in front.

It is also equipped with Smart Key System for smoother rides without any conventional key needed, complemented with an 18L luggage box for ample storage and carrying personal items while on the go. The model also features an Idling Stop System that helps optimize fuel use by automatically shutting off engine during brief stops, and a USB-C Charger to keep devices charged throughout the journey.

Limited Edition new Game-Changer Upgrade

The Click125 Series has earned its place as a trusted name among Filipino riders, becoming a reliable companion for daily commutes and extended journeys. Standing out with a crisp white color and dynamic performance, The Click125 Smart Edition White adds another way to experience a confident and seamless ride on the road.

As part of the major achievement of Honda’s journey, The Click125 Smart Edition White is set to commemorate the 10-Millionth Unit Production Milestone event. The Click125 Smart Edition Pearl Arctic White will be available for a limited allocation of 20,000 units only and will be available to all Honda Exclusive Shops nationwide.

THE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) placed on red and yellow alert the Visayas power grid on Thursday.

The red alert takes effect from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A red alert status is issued when power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement.

From 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from 8:00 p.m. to 9 p.m., the grid is on yellow alert because operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.

The NGCP reported that the Visayas’ available capacity stood at 2,344 megawatts (MW) while peak demand reached 2,452MW.

It added that nine plants are on forced outage this month, one plant since July, three plants since June, seven plants since May, one plant since March, three plants since 2025, two plants since 2024, two plants since 2023, and one plant since 2021, while 16 plants are running on derated capacities, for a total of 916.2.MW unavailable to the grid.

The NGCP cited other factors that contributed to the red and yellow alert declarations:

Unavailability of Visayas’ large coal plants TVI 1, TVI 2 and KSPC 1.

Limited power import from Mindanao.

WHILE still reeling from days of non-stop rains, parts of Northern and Central Luzon are experiencing heavy rainfall that may last until the end of the month due to the southwest monsoon, the government weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said moderate to heavy rain is forecast over Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro today until tomorrow, August 28; while Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Cavite and Batangas will experience moderate to heavy rain from Friday until Saturday.

The inclement weather will continue until August 29, affecting Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Pangasinan, Bataan, Pampanga, Cavite, and Batangas, and Ilocos Norte.

Pagasa said that more areas will experience moderate to heavy rainfall until August 30, including locos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, and Batangas.

Meanwhile, Heavy rainfall is forecasted over Benguet, Zambales, and Occidental Mindoro until August 30. This means that 100 to 200 mm of rain is expected to pour during the period.

Under such conditions, Pagasa said flooding is likely, especially in areas that are urbanized, low-lying, or near rivers. Moreover, the weather bureau warned that landslide is likely in moderate to highly susceptible areas.

Zambales, one of the provinces hardest hit by flooding, remains under a state of calamity.

Heavy rainfall over the past three weeks has triggered flashfloods, caused severe flooding and induced landslides that claimed 31 people and injured 19 others, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Search and rescue operations are still ongoing for three other persons.

NDRRMC reported that at least 2.2 million families or 7.7 million persons were affected, with 8,200 families or 28,000 persons still seeking refuge in 325 different evacuation centers.

The NDRRMC said the severe flooding in various low-lying areas in Luzon damaged a total of 2,800 houses.

According to authorities, damage to public and private infrastructure has now reached P5.59 billion while damage to crops has now reached P1.91 billion.

The government said some P1.56 billion has been spent to assist the affected families.

According to the NDRRMC, 104 cities and municipalities are still under states of calamity.

THE issue surrounding the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) confidential funds concerns the alleged misuse of public funds, not the use of aliases associated with Filipino heroes during the Spanish colonial period, according to spokespersons of the House prosecution team.

They issued the statement after Senator-Judge Robinhood Padilla attempted to provide historical context during Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial last Wednesday. Padilla pointed out that Filipino revolutionaries also used aliases to conceal and protect their identities.

The actor-turned-lawmaker raised the point after the use of unusual names and aliases by the alleged recipients of the OVP’s confidential funds became the subject of public ridicule and criticism.

‘I think those national heroes whose aliases were referenced would probably be rolling in their graves after their nom de guerre was mentioned in the same context as the allegation of misuse of confidential funds,’ prosecution spokesman Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia-ur Rahman Alonto Adiong told a press briefing.

Adiong explained that the real identities of individuals listed in acknowledgement receipts used to support the disbursement of confidential funds may be kept from public disclosure while still being made available to state auditors for verification.

‘This is an auditing problem,’ Adiong said. ‘No amount of confidential activity can ever weaken the constitutional mandate of the Commission on Audit in finding out what happened to the money of the people.’

He stressed that the controversy is not a question of patriotism but an auditing issue involving both the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, which Duterte previously headed as secretary.

Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega drew the distinction more directly, saying that Filipino heroes used aliases in pursuit of their struggle for the country and the Filipino people, not to deceive the public or misuse government funds.

‘Our heroes used and were known by such names because they were fighting for the country,’ Ortega, who represents La Union, said.

For her part, Deputy Speaker Janette Garin acknowledged that aliases may be necessary to protect the identities of legitimate informants and individuals involved in sensitive operations. However, she emphasized that the use of aliases does not remove the need to establish the purpose of an operation, its results, and a verifiable audit trail.

The impeachment trial has examined acknowledgement receipts containing questionable names, including Mary Grace Piattos, Pusa, Pagong, and Ngitngit.

‘The question is: What was the money used for?’ Garin, who represents Iloilo, asked. ‘If the output is under an alias, or if even the program itself exists only under an alias, then there is only one implication: the confidential funds may have been spent on a ghost or nonexistent activity.’

The prosecution team maintained that the central issue remains whether public funds were properly spent, documented, and accounted for in accordance with government auditing requirements.