Category: Business Mirror

As Metro Manila continues to grow into a more connected and spread-out urban area, demand continues to rise for well-planned communities that offer accessibility, long-term value, and everyday convenience. This shift reflects the growing preference for well-planned, mixed-use communities outside traditional business districts.[Analyzing Urban Agglomeration Patterns and Economic Development in Metro Manila using Social Network Analysis]

Within this changing landscape, MidPark Towers stands as a thoughtfully designed residential development within Aseana City, supporting its continued growth as a modern urban and lifestyle destination. The project adds to the district’s growing mix of homes, offices, and lifestyle spaces.

Located in Aseana City, MidPark Towers gives residents easy access to major business districts, transport links, and lifestyle destinations across Metro Manila. It is designed for professionals, young families, investors, and homebuyers who value convenience, connectivity, and long-term property value.

MidPark Towers is designed to support modern city living through a range of features and amenities that promote comfort, safety, and convenience. The development, comprising four towers, offers modern contemporary main lobbies, 24-hour security with CCTV, high-speed elevators, and 100 percent standby back-up power. Safety and efficiency are further supported by two fire exits per residential floor, a fully automated fire protection system, water reservoirs with fire reserves, intercom per unit, and dedicated property management services.

Residents can also enjoy lifestyle amenities such as an outdoor swimming pool, fitness gym, private and business lounge, function rooms, and a kids’ play area. Additional facilities include lanai spaces and a viewing deck that support everyday comfort within a well-rounded residential environment.

Altogether, MidPark Towers offers a total of 669 residential units across its four towers-Howell, Pine, Mercer, and Malden-underscoring its role as a significant residential addition within Aseana City.

‘The inauguration of MidPark Towers reflects our continued commitment to delivering quality residential developments that support the growth of Aseana City and the communities we serve,’ said Delfin Angelo ‘Buds’ Wenceslao, Chief Executive Officer of DMW.

Inauguration and turnover ceremony

MidPark Towers celebrated its inauguration through a ceremonial inauguration, key turnover, and unveiling ceremony, gathering company executives, partners, and project stakeholders. D.M. Wenceslao Group Chairperson Dr. Sylvia Wenceslao led the ribbon cutting ceremony together with Ar. Carmelo Casas, Founder and Chairman, Casas + Architects, Inc.; Mr. Delfin Angelo Wenceslao, President and CEO, D.M. Wenceslao Group; Dr. Alberto Fenix, Independent Director, D.M. Wenceslao Group; and Ronald Austria, SVP, Luzon Distribution Head, Security Bank Corporation.

Beyond the formal program, the celebration underscored the shared commitment and collaboration behind MidPark Towers, reflecting its role in supporting the continued growth and evolution of Aseana City. ‘MidPark Towers reflects our continued vision of building well-integrated communities where residential spaces are closely connected to work, lifestyle, and everyday conveniences within Aseana City,’ said Delfin Angelo ‘Buds’ Wenceslao, Chief Executive Officer of DMW.

MidPark Towers stands as a defining addition to Aseana City’s urban landscape, contributing to its development as a connected and forward-looking district where residential living is seamlessly integrated with business and lifestyle spaces. Located within a well-connected district in Metro Manila, the development provides residents convenient access to major business centers, transport routes, and everyday lifestyle destinations. It supports modern urban living for professionals, families, and investors seeking accessibility, long-term value, and a well-integrated community environment.

With its official turnover, MidPark Towers ushers in a new chapter for its future residents-marking the transition from development phase to lived experience, where homes are ready for occupancy and the community begins to take shape. This milestone reflects not only the successful delivery of the development but also the beginning of a new phase of life within Aseana City.

This further strengthens Aseana City’s position as a rising urban destination, anchored on accessibility, long-term value, and sustained development momentum.

RECORD-HIGH vacancy in Metro Manila’s condominium market is expected this year as thousands of new units enter the market while unsold inventory remains elevated, according to property consultancy firm Colliers Philippines.

In its first quarter residential report, Colliers projected condominium vacancy in Metro Manila to reach 25.6 percent by end-2026, up from 24.7 percent in the first quarter.

The Bay Area is expected to post the highest vacancy level, nearing 60 percent, due to the ‘sizable turnover of new supply’ scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter.

The consultancy said nearly 13,000 condominium units are expected to be completed in 2026, almost double the 7,400 units delivered in 2025, further adding to supply pressures in the market.

The C5 Corridor is projected to account for about a third of the new supply, while substantial completions are also expected in the Bay Area.

‘Lease rates will likely remain flat in 2026. The still-elevated vacancy and substantial delivery of new units in some submarkets will likely hamper condominium rental recovery,’ the firm stated.

Colliers also noted that still-elevated mortgage rates, rising inflation-which already soared to 7.2 percent in April-and possible interest rate hikes may also delay purchases of big-ticket items like property, as buyers prioritize essential spending.

As such, the consultancy said the current market conditions may push developers to remain cautious in launching new projects.

‘In our view, developers remain cautious in launching new projects especially with the sizable unsold inventory,’ it added. Despite the supply glut, the market showed early signs of recovery in the first quarter as pre-selling condominium take-up surged 765 percent year-on-year, driven largely by economic and affordable housing segments.

Developers’ aggressive promotions and flexible payment terms, particularly for ready-for-occupancy units, helped boost demand during the quarter.

Colliers said Metro Manila’s remaining inventory life-or the estimated period needed to absorb unsold units-improved to 6.8 years from a peak of 13.4 years in mid-2025. To help improve take-up, particularly in lower-priced residential projects, Colliers said developers should continue exploring the affordable and economic housing segments while maximizing public sector-led initiatives such as the government’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) housing program.

The report cited 8990 Holdings Inc.’s Urban Deca Homes Tondo as among the projects that posted significant take-up in the first quarter, offering rent-to-own studio units with monthly amortization of between P5,000 and P7,000 subsidized by Pag-IBIG under the 4PH program.

‘Colliers believes that these initiatives should help improve take-up especially for lower-priced residential units. Local governments can also take an active part in helping solve the housing backlog,’ it also said.

YOU wake up and reach for your phone. Within minutes, you scroll through messages, headlines, updates and notifications. By the time you begin your day, your mind already feels crowded. This is the reality of living in a world where information is constant and endless. While access to knowledge has never been greater, the ability to manage it has become a quiet challenge. Information overload does not only waste time. It drains your focus, clouds your judgment, and leaves you feeling mentally tired without clear results. Over time, it can even affect your ability to make decisions with confidence.

One common pattern is the habit of consuming more than you can process. You read articles, watch videos, and save posts with the intention of learning something useful.

However, much of this content remains untouched or forgotten. Instead of gaining clarity, you accumulate mental clutter. You can begin to shift this pattern by being more selective. Before engaging with any content, ask yourself if it serves a clear purpose. Does it help you solve a problem or support a goal you care about? If it does not, let it pass. This simple filter reduces noise and protects your attention from unnecessary strain.

Another source of overload is the urge to stay constantly updated. You check news feeds, social media, and messages throughout the day to avoid missing anything important.

In reality, this habit keeps your mind in a state of constant alert. You may feel informed, but you rarely feel settled or focused. You can create relief by setting boundaries around when you consume information. For example, you can choose specific times to check updates, such as once in the morning and once in the evening. Outside those moments, give yourself permission to stay present with your current task. You will likely find that fewer interruptions lead to clearer thinking.

Multitasking with information is another hidden trap. You may read an article while responding to messages and listening to a podcast at the same time. Although it feels efficient, your brain struggles to absorb anything deeply. The result is shallow understanding and frequent repetition of the same content. You can improve this by practicing single focus learning. Choose one piece of information and engage with it fully. Take notes in your own words, pause to reflect, and consider how it applies to your life or work. When you slow down, you often learn faster and remember more.

Digital clutter also contributes to the feeling of overload. Saved links, unread emails, and scattered notes create a sense of unfinished business. Even if you do not actively engage with them, they occupy mental space and quietly demand attention. You can address this by organizing your digital environment. Set aside time each week to review and clear unnecessary items. Archive emails you no longer need, delete duplicate files, and keep only what is relevant and actionable. A simple system that you trust makes it easier to find what matters when you need it.

Another helpful approach is to turn information into action. It is easy to collect ideas without applying them. Over time, this creates a gap between what you know and what you do. To close this gap, you can adopt a simple rule. For every piece of useful information you consume, identify one action you can take. If you read about improving focus, try one technique during your next work session. If you learn about better communication, practice it in your next conversation. This habit transforms information from passive input into meaningful progress that you can see and feel.

Rest is often overlooked in conversations about information. Your mind needs space to process and recover. Without breaks, even valuable content becomes overwhelming and difficult to retain. You can build short pauses into your day where you step away from screens and allow your thoughts to settle. A quiet moment, a short walk, or a few minutes of stillness can help your mind regain clarity. These pauses support memory and understanding, which makes your learning more effective. Finally, you may need to accept that you cannot know everything. The digital world encourages the idea that you should always be informed and updated. This expectation is neither realistic nor helpful. You can choose to focus on what truly matters to you and let go of the rest. When you define your priorities, you create a clear guide for what deserves your attention and what can be ignored without regret.

Managing information overload is not about rejecting technology. It is about using it with intent. When you become selective, set boundaries, and turn knowledge into action, you regain control over your attention. Instead of drowning in endless input, you begin to experience clarity, focus, and a deeper sense of understanding in your daily life.

SENIOR citizens may use the digital National Senior Citizens ID (NSCID) in claiming discounts, tax exemptions, government services, and other transactions where a senior citizen card is required, the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) said on Tuesday.

The NCSC issued the reminder as it called on government offices, banks, financial institutions, and private establishments to recognize the digital NSCID, accessible through the eGovPH app, as a valid proof of identity for older Filipinos.

‘We call on all institutions and establishments to accept the digital NSCID in accordance with the law, similar to other government IDs available through the eGovPH App,’ the NCSC chairperson and chief executive officer, Maria Merceditas Gutierrez, said.

Under NCSC Public Advisory 1, series of 2026, the digital ID may be used to avail of the 20-percent discount and value-added tax exemption on medicines, food, transportation, and other covered goods and services.

It may be presented in accessing government assistance programs, benefits, priority accommodations, account opening, loan applications, benefit claims, and identity verification transactions.

The digital NSCID is an official government-issued identification meant to make services easier and more convenient for senior citizens.

‘The digital National Senior Citizens ID is an official and legitimate government-issued identification designed to make services more accessible and convenient for our senior citizens,’ Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez said wider recognition of the digital ID would help prevent inconvenience and discrimination against older Filipinos, particularly those claiming lawful benefits in public and private establishments.

The digital NSCID was launched by the NCSC and the Department of Information and Communications Technology in August 2025 as part of the government’s shift to a secure, app-based system for accessing senior citizen rights and benefits.

Therma South Inc. (TSI), a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower), and Misamis Occidental I Electric Cooperative Inc. (MOELCI-I) have sealed a 2-megawatt (MW) emergency power supply agreement (EPSA).

The EPSA ensures that MOELCI-I’s customers in Oroquieta City and the municipalities of Aloran, Lopez Jaena, Plaridel, Calamba, Baliangao, Sapang Dalaga, and Concepcion will continue to receive stable power.

MOELCI-I is already a long-time customer of TSI but this is the first EPSA of its kind for TSI which is expected to help address the region’s growing energy challenges.

‘Our partnership with AboitizPower has always been rooted in reliability and mutual trust, and this EPSA is a reflection of that. For over 10 years, TSI has been a steadfast partner in keeping the lights on for our customers, and we are proud that this agreement makes history as the first of its kind,’ said MOELCI-I General Manager Guilvin Medina.

As Mindanao’s energy landscape continues to evolve amid an increasingly complex market environment, AboitizPower said it continues to support its customers by making sure that they have access to the power they need.

‘At TSI and AboitizPower, we don’t just provide power-we stand by our partners in every situation, including the critical moments when they need us most. Being part of TSI’s first-ever emergency power supply agreement is something that we are truly proud of,’ said AboitizPower Head of Revenue Operations James Yu.

The government socioeconomic planning body for Mindanao is currently facilitating discussion with a South Korean steel-making company for a possible venture in nickel smelting plant in the northeastern Mindanao region of Caraga.

Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno, chairman of the Mindanao Development said Authority (MinDA) told the gathering of mining engineers here that this prospect of a smelting plant will add up to Mindanao become what he described as ‘the next growth frontier’ of the country.

‘This project underscores the importance of value- adding in the minerals sector, creating jobs, strengthening local enterprises, and ensuring that resource wealth translates into tangible benefits for communities,’ he said in his speech this week during the 32nd Annual Mining Symposium and Exhibits of the Mindanao Association of Mining Engineers (MAEM International, Inc.) and the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers -Mindanao Chapter at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang.

The South Korean firm JSCO Holdings was one of five South Korean companies that MinDA has formalized Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in December last year during the Philippines-Korea Business Forum and Networking Session.

This year’s symposium could not be more timely, he said, as Mindanao stands at a decisive point in shaping the future of the Philippine mining industry. Competitiveness must now align with responsibility and long-term sustainability to ensure that rising global demand for critical minerals translates into inclusive growth and resilient communities.

He said that in 2024 alone, the minerals industry generated P316.29 billion in production value, $7.38 billion in exports, and supported nearly 291,000 jobs, ‘underscoring its vital role in both national economic performance and livelihood generation.’

He said that this strength is most evident in Mindanao, where mining remains the backbone of the regional economy, contributing about 95 percent of the country’s nickel ore output and positioning the Philippines as the world’s second-largest nickel producer after Indonesia.

Moreover, large-scale projects in Mindanao, such as the Tampakan Copper-Gold Project in South Cotabato and the Silangan Copper-Gold Project in Surigao del Norte highlight both the scale of investment and the long-term potential of responsible mineral development in the region.

He said the opportunity loomed large ahead as the current global energy transition and recurring volatility in fossil fuel markets ‘reinforces the urgency of strengthening alternative and sustainable energy systems’ and as government continued to remind investors of responsible mining and the care of the environment. More importantly, he said ‘we advocate for greater value-adding and downstream processing so that Mindanao benefits more fully from its own resources through industrialization, job creation, and local enterprise growth.’

In the case of gold mining, which Mindanao has one of the greatest resource, government has encouraged value-adding activities, such as jewelry-making, such as the municipality of Monkayo, Davao de Oro, where the erstwhile largest, and trouble-torn Diwalwal small-scale mining once thrived.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has been providing access since 2014 to additional and upgraded equipment to jewelry-makers to improve their jewelry pieces crafted from the ores of the Diwalwal mines. The DTI-Davao de Oro officer in charge Art A. Hermoso said assistance came in the form of shared service facility, or SSF, with upgraded equipment such as polishing machines, ultrasonic cleaners, and a 3D printer. He said more than 60 local artisans, including members of the Monkayo Association of Persons with Disabilities (Monkasped) have directly benefited from the facility through training and access to modern tools.

The DTI said Monkayo got the first-ever Technical Education (TESDA)-National Certificate II Jewelry Training and Assessment Center in the Philippines. ‘This pioneering development ensures that local jewelers, out-of-school youth, women, and displaced miners will have direct access to world-class training, certification, and skills upgrading right in their community.’

The DTI said Philippine jewelry market was valued at about $7.318 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $11.304 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.95 percent. ‘Domestic demand is being fueled by rising interest in gold jewelry and traditional/hybrid designs, growth of e-commerce and livestream selling, plus consumer preference shifts toward ethically sourced or lab-grown gems,’ it said.

A Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) project has successfully provided a tribal community in Barangay Butbut Proper in Tinglayan, Kalinga with clean drinking water.

Barangay Butbut Proper’s physical landscape lacks one precious economic resource – water. Access to water means people must exert extra effort and make daily sacrifices to fetch just a bucket of clean water.

Families have endured long walks to far-off sources to secure a basic need that should be within reach. This scarcity has shaped routines, strained households, and limited opportunities for daily living, turning a simple survival need into a grueling communal labor, the DENR said.

‘When water systems work, progress flows,’ President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said, under whose directive the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR) provided the community with the Level II Water Works Project (Spring Development).

The project funded under the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) established by President Marcos through Executive Order No. 22, comes at a critical moment after the latter underscored water as a vital resource that sustains health, lives, and economic activities. Jonathan L. Mayuga

The Butbut Tribe is one of the many ethnolinguistic groups within the Kalinga province, primarily inhabiting the rugged, mountainous terrain of Tinglayan. Known for their fierce independence and rich warrior history, they are also the keepers of ancient traditions that have survived centuries of colonial influence.

The P2-million project, which will serve 147 households, includes a 31.394-cubic-meter intake tank, a filtration tank, and a main tank. The amount also covers the installation of pipelines and fittings, hauling of materials and other external works.

Butbut Community Integrated School, which children of the Butbut tribe attend, was the first one to have direct access to the water supply. The school primarily serves the Butbut youth, aiming to empower them by providing a conducive learning environment and offering quality education necessary for students to thrive and succeed.

School Head Joy Bagni shared that before the project, learners and teachers had to fetch water from distant sources and often struggled with a limited supply for daily use. ‘With the new system in place, the school now benefits from a more stable and accessible water supply that supports sanitation and learning activities,’ she said. Punong Barangay Pedro Bugawit shared how the project delivered a deeper impact on the tribe’s daily life. ‘It reduces the burden of water collection, improves health conditions, and restores time for education, livelihood, and community activities,’ he said. ‘In Butbut, water is now closer, bringing with it relief, dignity, and renewed hope for sustainable living.’

DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said that through this initiative, DENR reinforces its commitment to provide essential services to vulnerable and underserved communities.

‘Our objective is evolving into becoming architects of systems that bridge the gap between resource management and community resilience. We are building a foundation where water security is no longer a daily struggle for upland communities, but a permanent catalyst for their health and progress,’ he stated. The turnover ceremony was held in the remote Barangay Butbut Proper and was received by the community reflecting gratitude and unity. The event was graced by Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Benjamin Ventura, representing Regional Executive Director Paquito T. Moreno Jr., together with Project Coordinator Angelica C. Jacela of the Water Resources Management Office

Jacela underscored the importance of collective responsibility in sustaining the project. ‘This initiative helps alleviate one challenge at a time faced by the community. Its success is a reflection of unity. We encourage everyone to help maintain the water system and protect the water source,’ she said.

The ceremony was also attended by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office Kalinga Francisco Balutoc, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of Tabuk Imelda Casiwen, Planning and Management Division Chief Rosita Apilis, Development Management Officer IV Simeon Micklay, and personnel from the regional and provincial offices.

ELITE speed cubing comes to Philippine soil with the staging of the inaugural Philippine National Speed Cubing Open 2026 on May 27 and 28 in Tagaytay City.

It’s the first nationally-endorsed speed cubing tournament in the Philippines which the Asian Mind Sports Association (AMSA) is conducting in partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

The event set at the Tagaytay City Combat Sports Center, according to POC president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino, is expected to propagate the mind game in the country.

‘We played the cube as kids at one time or another and what we thought then was merely a game is now a serious sport,’ Tolentino said.

The most famous speed cubing equipment is the Rubik’s Cube which elite cubers solve using pattern recognition, muscle memory and predefined sequences called ‘algorithms,’ according to the web.

As the first nationally endorsed speed cubing open tournament in the Philippines, the event sponsored by Stellar Cube represents a significant step toward the professionalization and integration of speed cubing into the country’s sports ecosystem.

AMSA signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the POC to further the development of mind sports in the country-the partnership combines top tier international event standards with local resources.

Day 1 on May 27 covers the Philippine National Speed Cubing Summit and AMSA Referee Certification Training while Day 2 on May 28 will be the tournament proper featuring 3x3x3 cube, 2x2x2 cube, Pyraminx, 3x3x3 one-handed and 3x3x3 blindfolded.

A team relay exhibition event is also included to balance competition and viewership.

The agenda for the first day focuses on building an ecosystem for Philippine speed cubing, centering on AMSA’s referee and trainer certification system.

The schedule includes an introduction to AMSA’s referee system and athlete rankings, discussions of official competition rules and standards, training on scrambling standards and event-specific rules for each discipline, as well as hands-on refereeing practice, simulation of competition procedures, and certification assessment.

SM Prime Holdings Inc., the property development arm of the Sy family, will open the SM Seaside Cebu Arena next month.

The facility will become the second largest indoor arena in the country, with seven storeys and a capacity of up to 25,000 people.

The large-scale venue is designed to meet global standards for live entertainment, sports and major events, the company said.

‘The enduring success of SM MOA Arena shows the strong demand for world-class entertainment venues, so we are bringing the same proven model to Cebu,’ Jeffrey C. Lim, the company’s president, said.

‘We believe Cebu is a key growth center, and this arena will help attract major events, support tourism and create more economic activity for the region.’ The company said its flexible event bowl allows seamless configuration for both large-scale concerts and more intimate events, giving promoters greater versatility in staging productions.

The SM Seaside Cebu Arena will feature one of the most advanced center-hung displays in the country, supported by LED ribbon boards that deliver a 360-degree viewing experience. These are complemented by high-capacity digital infrastructure, including 5G connectivity, enabling real-time engagement and enhanced production capabilities for both organizers and audiences.

Dedicated premium suites are integrated into the design to cater to corporate partners and elevate the overall hospitality offering, the company said.

Cebu Arena was also designed to support both front-of-house and back-of-house requirements for major productions. A practice court is available for performers, while multi-functional event spaces can be used as holding areas, breakout rooms or venues for smaller private events.

Located within the SM Seaside Complex, the arena benefits from direct access to retail, hospitality and transport infrastructure, creating a seamless ecosystem for visitors and event organizers. Its proximity to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and surrounding lifestyle developments strengthens its appeal as a regional destination for international acts and large gatherings.

BELGIUM has secured a regionalization agreement with the Philippines to maintain exports of poultry products despite the persistent threat of bird flu.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Department Circular (DC) 25, which granted bilateral recognition of regionalization for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) to Belgium.

The same circular also lifted the temporary ban Manila imposed on birds and poultry goods, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from Belgium, which was issued in December 2025.

Belgium received system accreditation to export live poultry and chicken meat into the Philippines in 2016.

Under DC 25, the Philippines requested several documents from Belgium’s veterinary authorities to evaluate the measures it applied and implemented against bird flu.

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), an attached agency of the DA, then reviewed the country’s application for bilateral recognition of regionalization for HPAI.

BAI concluded that Belgium ‘maintains sufficient veterinary oversight and has established necessary control and mitigating measures against HPAI,’ which ensures a low risk of importing live poultry, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from identified proposed zones for recognition.

With this, the circular noted that all import transactions should follow the bilaterally agreed import terms and conditions on regionalization and the current rules and regulations, the DA said.

A regionalization agreement stipulates that the Philippines will restrict shipments of the commodity only from certain areas with confirmed bird flu cases instead of imposing a country-wide ban.

The measure aims to sustain trade of poultry goods, since imposing a temporary ban for the entire country limits sources of raw materials that could potentially affect prices.

Bird-flu free

IN a separate development, South Cotabato has regained its bird flu-free status after a confirmed outbreak of the disease in the province in October 2025.

Tiu Laurel signed Memorandum Circular 26, which declared South Cotabato free from bird flu, following a confirmed case of the HPAI H5N1 strain at a backyard duck farm in the town of Norala.

Upon the detection of bird flu, the DA said the government conducted disease investigation, culling, cleaning and disinfection, movement restrictions, and surveillance in the affected areas.

‘Continued disease monitoring and surveillance in the one-kilometer and seven-km surveillance zones surrounding the affected farms yielded negative test results for influenza type A virus and the initial and final cleaning and disinfection operations were completed.’ Prior to the recent outbreak, South Cotabato had reported bird flu cases in 2022 wherein the province has subsequently regained its AI-free status the following year.