Category: Business Mirror

UNBEATEN defending champion National University (NU) boosted its quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantage bid after beating University of the Philippines (UP), 25-20, 23-25, 25-13, 25-18, for a second straight win in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup second round Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Skipper Vange Alinsug and Celine Marsh did most of the damage as the ‘four-peat-seeking’ Lady Bulldogs again stamped their class over their National Invitationals Davao Leg gold medal match victim for the solo lead in Pool E.

NU came up with a strong third set fightback after yielding the second frame and carried the momentum into the fourth for its fifth straight victory overall in the tournament, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.

Alinsug scored 14 points from 11 kills, two kill blocks and an ace to go with five excellent receptions and two digs in an all-around performance for the Lady Bulldogs, who were inspired by the presence of their former ace player and decorated spiker Bella Belen watching on the sideline.

Marsh finished with 14 points off 10 kills, including the match-clinching crosscourt hit that ended the one-hour, 53-minute encounter, and four aces, while Alexa Mata added 10 markers for NU, which came off a five-set escape over Adamson University on Saturday.

‘We always motivate ourselves because we’re playing one match after another,’ Alinsug said. ‘And our goal is to perform well each match.’

Frances Mordi, meanwhile, powered Adamson University to a 25-23, 25-19, 22-25, 25-15 rebound win over Ateneo de Manila University in Pool E to remain in contention for a quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantage.

The Nigerian winger blasted 20 points anchored on 17 kills and three kill blocks for the Lady Falcons, who improved to a 1-1 slate following a five-set loss to reigning three-time champion National University on Saturday.

Princess Dote had eight points while Joy Aseo and Lhouriz Tuddao added seven markers each as Adamson opted to sit out ace spiker Shaina Nitura for the second straight game.

The Blue Eagles lost steam in the fourth set after surviving a tight third frame to start their second-round campaign.

May Tsunashima was the lone Ateneo player in double figures with 12 points, all coming from spikes. Zey Pacia had nine markers while Dona De Leon added eight points.

Jelai Gajero and Cassiey Dongallo scored 14 points each with a combined 25 kills in the Fighting Maroons’ 45 attack points.

Nina Ytang added seven points but failed to save UP, which threw away 35 points off errors, from absorbing its first loss in the tournament after a three-game sweep of the preliminary round

Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila urged Filipinos to rediscover the true meaning of holiness and ‘normalize sainthood’ in everyday life as the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines launched its new CBCP Office for the Postulation of the Causes of Saints.

Speaking at the First National Postulation Conference held October 7 at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila, he said holiness is not a privilege for a few but a call for all the baptized.

‘Let us normalize the idea of sainthood for all, especially among the young people. God did not call the perfect or the ideal-He looked at the heart and the potential,’ Advincula said during the ‘Llamados a ser Santos [Called to be Saints] Postulation Conference 2025.’

The cardinal described the conference as timely and crucial amid the nation’s moral and social challenges.

‘It was when times were extremely dark that the Lord called saints to serve as beacons of light amid the decadence and despair,’ he said. ‘We are saints in process, and the Lord is not finished with us yet.’

Advincula reminded the faithful that holiness is not measured by perfection or miracles but by love, humility, and service.

‘The Lord is calling every one of us to be saints-to proclaim the light and joy of the Gospel in our homes, parishes, and communities,’ he added.

Bishop Renato Mayugba of Laoag, chairman of the new CBCP office, said its mission is to assist dioceses and religious communities in promoting candidates for sainthood and to rekindle public awareness of the universal call to holiness.

‘The office aims to help dioceses and communities advance their sainthood causes and to make people aware of this universal call to holiness,’ Mayugba said.

There are currently two canonized Filipino saints-St. Lorenzo Ruiz and St. Pedro Calungsod.

As of today, the Philippine Church has 22 other causes officially recognized by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Of these, seven remain under investigation in the dioceses where the causes were initiated, while 15 are under review by the Holy See, or in what is known as the Roman Phase.

Among those advancing in the Roman Phase are the causes of Venerables Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, Maria Beatrice Rosario Arroyo, Fr. Aloysius Schwartz, Mother Francisca del Espíritu Santo de Fuentes, Sr. Joaquina Mercedes Barceló, Bishop Alfredo Obviar, and Mother Ignacia del Espíritu Santo.

Advincula expressed hope that through the work of the new office, more Filipinos-clergy, religious, and laypeople alike-will be inspired to live as ‘saints next door.’

He also dispelled the notion that holiness is reserved for those who perform miracles or live without sin.

‘Holiness is a lifelong process of spiritual growth and deepening one’s relationship with God,’ the cardinal said.

The national conference gathered postulators, diocesan representatives, and members of religious congregations from across the country to strengthen collaboration in promoting Filipino sainthood causes.

Advincula called on the faithful to persevere in their spiritual journey.

‘May we raise more Filipino saints-canonized and the ordinary ‘next-door’ saints. May the Lord bless the work that you do. Padayon tayo sa landas ng kabanalan [Let us continue on the path of holiness],’ he said.

Angel Reese is getting a pair of wings.

The Chicago Sky star announced on Instagram that she will be walking in the upcoming Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on October 15.

It will be the first time a professional athlete will walk the runway in the show.

‘Stepping into a dream: From Angel to a Victoria Secret ANGEL,’ the 23-year-old Reese posted on Instagram. ‘I’m finally getting my wings I’ll be walking the Victoria’s Secret 2025 runway show for the first time, and it feels like destiny. Wings on, heels ready.Catch me on the runway.’

The retailer posted a video on Instagram of the announcement showing the Women’s National Basketball Association player in a pink robe, black lingerie and white feather wings.

‘Angel Reese, welcome to the runway. The first professional athlete angel.major is an understatement,’ the post reads.

The lingerie show began in 2001 and took place annually for nearly two decades. Victoria’s Secret canceled the show in 2019, but brought it back last year, with Reese attending.

Two cousins will meet in the final of the Shanghai Masters after qualifier Valentin Vacherot stunned a hobbled Novak Djokovic and relative Arthur Rinderknech fought back to beat Daniil Medvedev on Saturday.

The 204th-ranked Vacherot earned the biggest win of his career by downing Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 and becoming the lowest-ranked finalist in ATP Masters 1000 history, the ATP said.

While Djokovic was aiming to add to his 100 career titles, the 26-year-old Vacherot will go for number one – against his cousin and fellow Texas A and M alum.

A couple of hours after beating Djokovic, Vacherot walked back onto the court and hugged Rinderknech to help celebrate his cousin’s 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 comeback win over Medvedev and relish the rare moment. Sunday’s final will be the first time the cousins have played each other on the ATP circuit.

‘In the best dreams, we couldn’t have dreamt about this, so I can’t even say it’s a dream, because I don’t think even one person in our family dreamt about it,’ the 54th-ranked Rinderknech said. ‘Now we are here, we fought through so many matches and somehow we are the guys standing at the end, so it’s just incredible.’

Vacherot, of Monaco, was an alternate in qualifying but is having a career week, which included a quarterfinal win over Holger Rune.

‘Is this real? I don’t know,’ the 26-year-old Vacherot said moments after defeating Djokovic. ‘To have Novak on the other side of the court was, first of all, an unbelievable experience for me.’

The 38-year-old Djokovic was slowed throughout the match by a sore hip. He took a medical timeout after falling behind 4-3 in the opening set. He won only one point in the next two games.

But the four-time tournament champion did not make an excuse of his physical struggles.

‘It’s all about him,’ Djokovic said. ‘I wish him all the best in the final, and the better player won today.

‘Going from qualifications, it’s an amazing story,’ the 24-time Grand Slam champion added. ‘I told him at the net that he’s had an amazing tournament, but more so his attitude is very good, and his game was amazing as well.’

IN an era defined by urgency-climate threats, social inequality, and economic disruption-the question facing the next generation is not if they are ready to lead, but how they will carry forward the legacy entrusted to them.

At the Asean Youth Exchange (AYE) 2025 in Bangkok, Taylor’s University delegates explored family values, sustainability, and cultural identity, shaping a new kind of leadership for Southeast Asia-rooted in legacy, yet equipped for innovation.

In thriving landscapes of family enterprises, these lessons resonate deeply. Family businesses-long the backbone of national development-are being called to embrace a future where succession is more than ownership transfer; it is about stewardship of purpose, people, and planet.

Stewardship + social innovation

A KEY insight from the exchange was the need to embed sustainability into leadership DNA.

At the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), delegates were reminded that the world is far from achieving its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UN’s call to ‘leave no one behind’ mirrors the inclusive ethos that defines strong family enterprises. Delegates saw that leadership today must go beyond the boardroom, tapping into social innovation such as converting food waste into products, or building digital mental health platforms-not for profit alone, but to preserve community, resilience, and dignity.

For next-gen leaders, the message is clear: Family legacy is not static-it evolves when purpose leads.

By anchoring innovation in family values, the next generation can future-proof their enterprises, while honoring the vision of their founders.

Culture and legacy: Asean advantages

THROUGHOUT the exchange, cultural immersion offered more than inspiration; it provided a blueprint for resilient leadership. Visits to heritage sites reinforced the belief that identity is not an obstacle to progress, but its foundation.

From traditional crafts to community festivals, culture is a driver of both social unity and entrepreneurial opportunity. In family businesses, heritage is not just preserved-it is lived, and in times of global uncertainty, it becomes a competitive advantage.

Just as family businesses pass down stories, recipes, and rituals, they also pass down the duty to protect what matters: people, culture, and integrity.

THERE is no doubt that matcha is one of the hottest trends in the Philippines this year. Matcha has been a permanent fixture in the global coffee shop chain Starbucks’ menu for several years now. Many new coffee shops have opened and are devoted solely to matcha.

Matcha’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, spurred by colorful and aesthetically pleasing social media content. The ‘Matcha Tok’ hashtag has clocked up tens of millions of views.

One of the reasons for matcha’s popularity online is its reputation as a ‘superfood’ due to its antioxidants, energy-boosting properties, and benefits for metabolism and weight loss. This fits right into current fitness trends.

Globally, matcha fans and enthusiasts faced high prices and short supplies of the tea powder.

In 2024, matcha accounted for more than half of the 8,798 tonnes of green tea exported from Japan, according to data from Japan’s Agriculture Ministry.

The bright green powder is swirled into drinks, ice cream, and pastries, and I won’t lie-it’s very photogenic, which is why matcha is so popular on social media.

Influencers like Sophia Margarette To and Caitlin Lee have driven the popularity of matcha online. To, who has over half a million followers on social media, is very popular for her ‘make matcha with me’ content on TikTok. She even has a matcha bar at home.

Lee and To have created content showcasing preparation techniques, innovative recipes (like chocolate matcha), and recommendations, contributing to its trendiness. Lee has her own matcha business called Maison Midori, which is available online via the brand’s website and bazaars.

Lee was abroad when she first tried matcha. It was a peanut butter matcha latte.

Long after she came back to the Philippines, Lee was still thinking about that matcha latte.

That memorable matcha became Maison Midori, Lee’s own brand that debuted in the Philippines with the goal of introducing what Lee calls ‘good matcha’ at fair prices to Filipinos.

Maison Midori officially launched in 2024 with its first line of premium matcha powders, supported by family, friends, and a growing community. In just a few months, the brand gained momentum through events such as the Soirée Bazaar, where Lee sold over 500 matcha drinks during her first pop-up.

‘From the very beginning, I wanted Maison Midori to be more than a product. I wanted it to be an experience that brings people closer to the heart of matcha,’ said Lee. She explained that while matcha is a green tea derivative, not all green tea leaves qualify as matcha, as only those grown under shade to boost chlorophyll and amino acids can be considered the real thing. ‘The location is very important. Where matcha is grown, how they cover it. Because the green matcha and the green leaves that you see in the matcha farm, it’s actually not matcha. It’s green tea. So, the ones covered are matcha. And that is how they actually measure how good matcha is,’ she said.

Maison Midori sources its matcha from Uji, known as the birthplace of matcha. It also sources its matcha from Wazuka, a region in Japan that has been gaining attention for its farms. Its first release, the Tenshi variant from the Samidori cultivar, is an ‘approachable, everyday matcha.’ Another variant, Mariaca, has a more floral profile, with what some describe as a subtle corn-like aftertaste.

There have been global shortages of matcha because of its popularity.

Lee said there is a shortage when it comes to the bigger and more popular brands but if you source from small farmers, there is adequate supply.

‘We also get our matcha from small farmers and they are able to supply us with what we need,’ she said.

Leading the Elderly Filipino Week 2025 celebration at SM Mall of Asia, SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, and the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) honored the pivotal role of Filipino seniors in nation-building, while advocating for their continued inclusion and empowerment.

With the theme ‘Embracing Age: Living a Life with Dignity and Purpose,’ the event gathered hundreds of senior citizens and partner organizations for a day filled with wellness activities, recreation, and meaningful engagement. The program featured a Eucharistic celebration, a Walk for Life, uplifting messages from senior citizen advocates, and a lively Zumba session that highlighted the energy and vitality of the elderly community.

Wellness booths offering free services -including medical consultations, massage and acupuncture, eye care, and e-government ID registration – were set up around the venue, providing participants with access to programs that promote health, inclusion, and continuous learning.

‘Our seniors have given so much to their families and communities. Through Elderly Filipino Week, SM Cares reaffirms its commitment to championing the welfare of our elderly, making sure they feel celebrated, supported, and empowered,’ said Engr. Bien C. Mateo, SM Cares Program Director for Senior Citizens.

‘We are deeply grateful to SM Cares for walking hand in hand with us in celebrating and empowering our senior citizens through meaningful activities like this,’ shared Ana Marie C. Calapit, Acting Executive Director of the National Commission of Senior Citizens.

This year’s celebration once again reinforced SM Supermalls’ commitment to inclusivity by fostering spaces where generations can meaningfully connect. It also highlighted the importance of building supportive communities for seniors – both within the mall and in the broader society.

For years, SM Cares has been at the forefront of programs for senior citizens, from barrier-free mall facilities, emergency preparedness forums to social development initiatives. Through Elderly Filipino Week 2025, SM Cares continues to highlight the invaluable contributions of seniors while promoting wellness, dignity, and purpose at every stage of life.

Celebrating 40 super years

SM Supermalls-one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers with 88 malls in the Philippines – marks four decades of growing with Filipinos and becoming a trusted space where diverse lifestyles and generations connect, while continuously evolving to redefine the malling experience through sustainability, innovation, and a deep commitment to shaping the future of retail and urban life with inclusive and meaningful experiences.

PHILIPPINE conglomerates San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and Ayala Corp. are among the world’s best employers, according to a list compiled by Forbes magazine.

Of the nine Philippine firms that made it to this year’s edition of Forbes’ World Best Employers, only SMC landed in the top 50. The diversified conglomerate was ranked 42nd.

The eight other top Philippine employers are Ayala (139th), Metrobank (154th), Land Bank of the Philippines (187th), LT Group Inc. (421st), Century Pacific Food Inc. (453rd), Jollibee Foods Corp. (455th), BDO Unibank Inc. (585th) and Cebu Pacific (770th).

To determine the list, Forbes said it partnered with market research firm Statista to survey more than 300,000 employees in over 50 countries.

‘The surveys, which were conducted online, were independent of any corporations so that participants could remain anonymous. Survey respondents were asked where they worked via an open-ended question with an autofill option, and corporations were eligible for this ranking if they employed more than 1,000 people and operated globally.’

The participants noted how likely they were to recommend their employer to family and friends, and rated the company on such criteria as salary, career advancement opportunities, work-life balance and company reputation.

‘Survey respondents could also evaluate former employers (within the past two years) and companies they knew through their own industry knowledge and through friends and family who worked there.’

The responses were then tallied and put through a scoring system that included data from the previous three years, with heavier weight given to the more recent data and to the evaluations from current employees.

‘The corporations that earned the highest scores made our final ranking. And while the number of honorees per country varied based on the population and qualifying companies in each area, ultimately 900 companies made our list of the World’s Best Employers 2025,’ Forbes said.

THE US Supreme Court on Monday refused to protect Google from a year-old order requiring a major makeover of its Android app store that’s designed to unleash more competition against a system that a jury declared an illegal monopoly.

The rebuff delivered in a one-sentence decision by the Supreme Court means Google will soon have to start an overhaul of its Play Store for the apps running on the Android software that powers most smartphones that compete against Apple’s iPhone in the US.

Among other changes, US District Judge James Donato last October ordered Google to give its competitors access to its entire inventory of Android apps and also make those alternative options available to download from the Play Store.

In a filing last month, Google told the US Supreme Court that Donato’s order would expose the Play Store’s more than 100 million US users to ‘enormous security and safety risks by enabling stores that stock malicious, deceptive, or pirated content to proliferate.

Google also said it faced an October 22 deadline to begin complying with the judge’s order if the Supreme Court didn’t grant its request for a stay. The Mountain View, California, company was seeking the protection while pursuing a last-ditch attempt to overturn the December 2023 jury verdict that condemned the Play Store as an abusive monopoly.

In a statement, Google said it will continue its fight in the Supreme Court while submitting to what it believes is a problematic order.

‘The changes ordered by the US District Court will jeopardize users’ ability to safely download apps,’ Google warned. Google had been insulated from the order while trying to overturn it and the monopoly verdict, but the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected that attempt in a decision issued two months ago.

In its filing with the Supreme Court, Google argued it was being unfairly turned into a supplier and distributor for would-be rivals.

Donato concluded the digital walls shielding the Play Store from competition needed to be torn down to counteract a pattern of abusive behavior.

To highlight Taiwan’s commitment to creating solutions that improve lives while setting high standards of quality, the dynamic island nation held the ‘Taiwan Expo 2025,’ which ran from September 17 until September 19, at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

The event reinforced the Taiwan-Philippines partnership, which is ‘an invitation to connect, to collaborate, and to create, and to work hand-in-hand not only to build on past successes, but to define a better future.’

Simon Wang, the president and CEO of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), said: ‘On behalf of TAITRA, we are proud to bring Taiwan’s spirit of innovation and excellence to the Philippines through the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion. All these products combine smart design, advanced technology, and practicality.’

The Taiwan Excellence Awards, established in 1993 by Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), recognize and celebrate the exceptional achievements of Taiwan’s most innovative products.

Taiwan-RP Common Goal

One of the standout exhibits, the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion displayed innovative products that carried the theme: ‘Inspiring Tomorrow: Solutions for a Brighter Life,’ presenting solutions in smart city, comfortable life, and greener future.

‘Manila is a city full of vitality. We’re delighted to be back to share our latest innovations. And, you know, the Philippines is one of Taiwan’s closest trading partners in ASEAN. With strong growth under the Build Better More program and the Philippines Development Plan 2023 to 2028, Taiwan is sharing what we can offer in ICT, in AI, brain technology, and healthcare, which perfectly match the Philippines’ vision of digital transformation and sustainable development,’ shared Wang.

For over 30 years, Wang said, Taiwan Excellence has stood for the best of Taiwan’s innovation.

‘So, from smart lifestyle devices to eco-friendly ICT and safety innovations, the pavilion showcases products that are practical, sustainable, and people-centered,’ added Wang. ‘In closing, Taiwan and the Philippines share a common goal, which are building smarter, greener, and healthier communities.’

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray hosted a meet and greet, and a live autograph signing session to fans and visitors of the pavilion, expressing her enthusiasm: ‘It is such an honor to be here today at the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion. Witnessing these innovative solutions from Taiwan inspires me in looking forward to a better tomorrow. I hope that Filipinos will seize every opportunity that’s available to them here at the pavilion, and that we all take home the empowering spirit from seeing a brighter future together as Taiwan and the Philippines.’

Key Brands

Key representatives of leading Taiwanese brands gave product presentations: Jacqueline Hsiao – Vinxper Life; George Pascua – Team Group; Joseph Aquino – Zyxel Networks; and Charge Lu – Hepty.

Vinxper combines the French word for wine, ‘Vin,’ and the English word ‘Expert,’ signifying its expertise in wine accessories. In 2024, it launched its first product – Vinxper Expert – The World’s 4th Generation Adjustable Electric Wine Aerator. ‘Through the new exclusive patented aeration technology, it is the first to offer precise and customizable wine decanting effects ranging from 0 to 240 minutes (Suitable for 99% of young wines aged 3 to 7 years), along with TYPE-C Charging and Water-Resistant Design,’ its site says.

Team Group Inc. is a company that ‘offers a wide range of memory, memory cards, USB flash drives, solid state drives, peripherals, cell phone accessories and industrial products to meet the needs of consumers in different fields.’

Zyxel Networks, meanwhile, is a leading provider of secure, AI-powered cloud networking solutions for SMBs and the enterprise edge, ensuring seamless connectivity and robust security.

Hepty aerosol fire extinguisher, on the other hand, is a company specializing in portable handheld aerosol firefighting technology that produces high-quality, effective and eco-friendly aerosol fire extinguishers.

Partners in a High-Tech Ecosystem

Josephine Shun, the director of the Economic Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office of the Philippines (TECO), delivered a speech about Taiwan’s initiatives to improve everyday living for everyone:

‘In 2024, our bilateral trade reached 6.7 billion US dollars. And from January to August this year, we have already recorded nearly 4.6 billion US dollars. For the Philippines, Taiwan is in the top 10 trading partners.

‘And for Taiwan, the Philippines is one of our most vital partners in ASEAN. Behind this number is a deeper story of industry scenario. Our top trading item is integrated circuit, IC.

‘Showing that Taiwan and the Philippines are not just buyers and sellers, but partners in the same high-tech ecosystem. Taiwan’s leadership in IC design and manufacturing, together with Philippines’ strength in assembly, testing, and electronic manufacturing services, form a highly resilient supply chain for the region.

‘Here at the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion, you will see this spirit in action. Taiwan’s strength in innovation, high quality, and agent manufacturing allow us to transform cutting-edge technologies into real-world solutions.

‘Looking ahead, our opportunities for collaboration are immense. Together, we can build a smarter city powered by IoT and AI, improve quality of life through healthcare and lifestyle reservations, and embrace greener futures through circular economic solutio