Category: Business Mirror

MPower, the local retail electricity supplier of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), sealed an agreement with First Cavite Industrial Estate Association Inc. (FCIE) for the energization of its facilities and enrollment under the Retail Aggregation Program (RAP).

RAP, a key initiative of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) under the Customer Choice Program, allows end-users within the same franchise area to combine their electricity demand and qualify as a single contestable customer-enabling them to participate more competitively in the retail electricity market, gaining access to better pricing and flexible energy supply options.

This move positions FCIE, a 150-hectare industrial park in Cavite, as one of the first mixed-use developments in the Philippines to join RAP, consolidating its multiple accounts into a single aggregated portfolio for optimized power sourcing and cost efficiency.

‘FCIE’s participation in the RAP sets a new benchmark for energy collaboration in the Philippines. By consolidating demand and adopting more efficient power solutions, this partnership advances sustainable progress,’ said MPower Head Redel Domingo.

Last August, MPower announced that The Peninsula Manila in Makati City will source renewable energy (RE) from the company.

This development makes The Peninsula Manila the second property in Southeast Asia, and the fourth globally, within the hospitality giant’s portfolio to transition to RE.

RECORD performances continued in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines athletics and swimming competitions, with Edna Magtubo shining brightest on Friday at the Athletics Stadium of the New Clark City Sports Hub in Capas, Tarlac.

Far Eastern University’s Magtubo setting a new league record in the women’s 5000 meters to spark the defending champions’ resurgence after trailing the University of Santo Tomas early in the meet.

The second-year standout clocked 17:59.13, breaking the 13-year-old mark of Mercedita Manipol (17:59.22) by just nine milliseconds.

National University’s Jesse Roda came in a close second with a time of 17:59.50, just 37 milliseconds behind Magtubo, while FEU’s Nicole Diloy completed the podium with 18:03.01.

At the Aquatics Center here, Ateneo’s Miguel Martinez matched the long-standing UAAP record of former Blue Eagle Rian Tirol in the boys’ 50-meter breaststroke.

Martinez clocked 51.04 seconds during the morning preliminaries of the championships.

The Lady Tamaraws, aiming for back-to-back titles and their 26th women’s athletics crown overall, also struck gold in the women’s javelin throw.

Ana Espenilla unleashed a best throw of 48.00 meters as UP’s Chrizzel Lanipa bagged silver with a 38.08-m thrown and and UE’s Janice Nemi earning bronze with 37.18 meters.

Meanwhile, National University finally broke through with its first gold of Season 88, thanks to Rico Jay Patanao, who pulled off the tournament’s biggest upset so far in the men’s 10,000 meters.

The one-and-done Bulldog outlasted reigning MVP Alfrence Braza of FEU, finishing with a time of 32:44.72 against Braza’s 32:52.39.

UP’s Roy Laudit bagged bronze with 32:56.66.

UST’s Azeneth Serat, 21, earlier defended her title in the women’s 5,000-meter racewalk and broke a 16-year-old record previously held by Far Eastern University’s Florida Gonzales.

Serat set a new mark of 26:04.63, eclipsing Gonzales’ 27:27.73.

The athlete from Bukidnon finished well ahead of University of the Philippines’ Juliana Talaro (27:44.80) and Julianne Bayola (29:21.33).

Season 85 MVP Lianne Pama delivered UST’s second gold medal after ruling the women’s 100 meters with a blistering 11.82 seconds-the only sub-12 performance in the final.

FEU’s Shane Ponce (12.00) and Annie Mercurio (12.24) settled for silver and bronze, respectively.

On the men’s side, Hokkett Delos Santos maintained his dominance in the pole vault, claiming another gold with 4.50 meters to lead a UST sweep of the podium.

Mejen Sumbongan (4.30) and Sean Harry Narag (4.20) completed the 1-2-3 finish.

Susan Ramadan captured gold in the 800 meters with a time of 2:12.25.

The FEU senior edged UP rookie Mary Jane Pagayon (2:14.10) and Adamson University’s Ligan Duhaylungsod (2:14.46).

THE Philippines should follow the path of major global stock markets where technology companies dominate valuations, with a Cabinet official urging local tech firms to go public and transform the country’s sluggish bourse.

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda said his ‘advocacy’ offers a straightforward value exchange where companies raise expansion capital through initial public offerings (IPOs) while opening the booming tech sector to ordinary Filipino investors.

The proposition aims to transform the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) into a tech-driven marketplace similar to major global bourses where technology giants dominate valuations.

‘My advocacy for next year and the year after is this-for us to revive the stock market. Why can’t we do what other countries are doing, wherein those that have high capitalization are tech companies?’ Aguda said at the sidelines of the launch of Grab Asenso Center in Marikina.

Historically, the PSE is dominated by conglomerates, property developers, power companies, and banks, with technology representation remaining minimal despite the sector’s growing economic importance.

Aguda said tech companies going public will also ensure transparency in an industry that increasingly provides critical government services, given the repertorial requirements of listed companies.

‘For us, we have a scarcity of companies that service government IT projects. I am more confident if the company that services the government IT requirements is listed,’ he said.

Aguda also linked market maturity directly to development speed.

‘If the capital market of the country is mature, development will be faster,’ he said, explaining his position in advocating for the revival of the local bourse.

The PSE remains well below its prepandemic levels, with the benchmark PSEi hovering around 6,000 points compared to over 7,200 before the pandemic.

Despite steady economic growth, investor sentiment has yet to recover amid global uncertainties, high interest rates, and weaker foreign inflows.

‘I am encouraging all tech companies that are reputable, Filipino, and with good track record-they should start thinking about going public,’ Aguda said. ‘They should not wait for a mega listing. Let the capital markets now figure out who the best performers are.’

Public listing, he added, should not be exclusive to big tech companies, but should include ‘smaller IT systems integrators that have operated successfully for years but struggle to access growth capital.’

When pressed for examples of companies ripe for IPO, Aguda mentioned Grab Philippines and Mynt, which operates the ubiquitous GCash mobile wallet.

Grab Philippines Country Head Ronald Roda, whose parent company is already listed on the New York Stock Exchange, indicated a Philippine listing would require evaluation but stressed Grab’s commitment to the local market.

‘We are a serious investor in the Philippines,’ Roda said. ‘There are other ways to contribute to the Philippines and we will continue to invest as a whole.’

TOUTED as the country’s leading media company, GMA Network continues its dominance of the digital space.

According to data from global analytics company Tubular Labs, GMA secured the No. 20 spot in the Tubular Leadership Worldwide Ranking for September 2025, making it the world’s highest-ranking Philippine media company.

For September, GMA Network’s official social media properties garnered a combined total of more than 7.5 billion video views: 3.37 billion on Facebook, 2.91 billion on TikTok, 1.05 billion on YouTube, and 203 million on Instagram.

As GMA Network celebrates 75 years of excellence, its latest achievement in the digital space underscores its commitment to Filipino storytelling that inspires and connects with global audiences.

Audiences can stream GMA programs daily through Kapuso Stream on GMA Network’s YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/@gmanetwork.

THIS World Menopause Awareness Month, it’s time for mothers to step out from the shadow of silence around menopause. For Filipino parents, the health crisis of menopause often runs quietly in the background, shaping the choices we make every day for our families and ourselves. Research in Metro Manila reveals a striking truth: 83 percent of women report menopausal symptoms, but most-about 8 in 10-never seek medical help. If you’re a parent reading this, know that this silence is not strength; it places us at real risk, and it’s time to shift our parenting toward proactive wellness, for ourselves and those who look up to us.

Filipino women enter menopause at an average age of 48, spending up to a third of their lives in the post-menopausal stage. But cultural habits-especially the value of ‘pagtitiis,’ quiet endurance-often mean mothers, aunts, and even grandmothers bear symptoms alone, worrying that it shows weakness to voice discomfort. A parent’s resilience is admirable, but not at the cost of long-term health. Silence around menopause is rooted in old attitudes, influenced by Asian and Third World circumstances, and further strengthened by a lack of robust support systems.

Even when national societies advocate for menopause-focused clinics and health programs, the response struggles: limited infrastructure, lack of practitioner training, and hesitancy around hormone therapy create deep gaps in care. As parents, we teach health habits to our children; yet when it comes to our own hormonal health, most simply wait out symptoms, not realizing the stakes. In fact, 70 percent of women don’t know menopause raises osteoporosis risk, and 88 percent are unaware of its link to heart disease.

What is the difference between Peri-Menopause and Menopause? Menopause is marked by 12 months with no period, usually around 48, but its lead-up-perimenopause-can start in the late 30s or early 40s, lasting years. Fluctuating and declining hormones trigger symptoms ranging from joint aches, easy fatigue, and emotional shifts, to anxiety, brain fog, and skin changes. In Filipino hospital studies, psychological disorders hit 79 percent, easy fatigability 89 percent, while joint discomfort is the No. 1 reason women miss work. These changes impact our ability as parents and partners, straining relationships and challenging daily routines.

Critically, declining estrogen raises long-term risk for heart disease-the top killer of Filipino women-and spurs metabolic shifts. Ignoring symptoms isn’t just toughing it out; it means skipping vital preventive steps that ensure parents’ health for years to come.

Perimenopause, in particular, can reduce bone density by an average 10 percent and muscle mass by 0.6 percent per year post-menopause. Supporting ourselves with proper nutrition, especially protein, is essential. Lean muscle preserves metabolism, bone strength, and keeps parents active and engaged with our kids well into later life. Nutritional support begun in perimenopause helps manage symptoms, so we keep showing up for our families.

Recognizing this need, SecondSpring-a Philippine wellness brand-launched its Premium Women’s Blend, a protein supplement tailored for this life stage to give mothers tools to maintain strength and energy, so caring for children and running a household isn’t a battle against fatigue and discomfort.

SecondSpring includes proven ingredients: premium whey protein isolate for muscle, Verisol collagen peptides for skin, hair, and nail elasticity, and key vitamins and minerals like C, D3, B12, calcium and magnesium. All are backed by best practice standards, and uniquely for the Philippines the product carries the global MTick for menopause-friendly goods. That means parents can buy with trust, knowing it’s been rated for safety, efficacy, and real impact.

Brand founder Jasmin Vinculado puts it well: ‘Filipino women often endure this transition quietly-‘tiis lang’. But staying silent doesn’t serve anyone. Women are living 30-plus years post-menopause, and our bodies have specific nutritional needs during this transition. SecondSpring is about support-giving women tools to thrive, not just survive.’

Co-founder Carlos Vargas adds, ‘ SecondSpring is proof that midlife deserves full support. It’s not just a supplement; it’s a way to help women reclaim their strength, challenge cultural taboos, and celebrate an incredible transition.’

Whether you’re a parent in your 40s, an older sibling, or caring for your own aging mom, this transition calls for conversation. Let’s help our loved ones name their symptoms, seek professional advice, and make changes before major health issues arise. By being open about menopause as parents, we model for our children the value of self-care and truthful support.

MONEY from Filipinos working abroad and in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector have relatively steeled the Philippines from the fallout of a tariff tiff launched by Washington, a central bank official said.

Noting that the country’s structure is ‘very different from other countries,’ Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Zeno Ronald R. Abenoja revealed during a forum co-organized with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) that the combined value of the Philippines’s exports and imports is ‘less than 50 percent’ of gross domestic product (GDP).

Current account deficits in the Philippines are largely investment-driven, Abenoja said.

‘It’s not immediately obvious that it’s a bad deficit because it’s being driven by investments, which will increase efficiency and potential output moving forward,’ he explained.

Abenoja emphasized the economy’s resilience is ensured by major components other than trade.

Speaking at the BSP-ADB Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Economic Outlook webinar, he said remittances from overseas Filipino workers continue to provide a stabilizing force, sustaining household consumption even amid international turbulence.

‘The altruistic nature of remittances has provided resiliency over the global business cycle,’ Abenoja said.

Meanwhile, he said the BPO sector remains a key driver of employment and revenue growth.

This sector’s role could last as BPO firms are adapting to technological shifts such as artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure sustainability, he added.

‘The BPO sector is transforming to adopt AI, ensuring medium-term revenue and employment growth of up to 5 percent annually,’ he said.

Myriad of drivers

Tourism revenues also help absorb external shocks, as demand from both domestic and international travelers continues to support service-oriented industries, Abenoja added.

According to the ‘2025 Economic Impact Research’ forecast of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the sector will contribute P5.9 trillion to the Philippines economy this year: 13.5 percent above 2019 and ‘a new all-time high.’

The WTTC added that ‘this new record’ would represent more than a fifth (21 percent) of GDP, cementing travel and tourism’s place as ‘a backbone of the Philippine economy.’

Meanwhile, Indonesia pointed to domestic reforms, capital mobilization and human capital development to maintain its near-5 percent growth.

According to ADB principal country economist Reza Anglingkusumo, Jakarta ‘is mobilizing domestic savings into manufacturing and high-value services to sustain middle-class growth and create decent jobs.’

Singapore’s whole-of-nation approach, meanwhile, ensures private-sector participation steels the Philippines’s neighbor, according to AMRO Deputy Group Head Laura Britt-Fermo.

Initiatives such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone demonstrate the importance of coordinated infrastructure and labor planning, Fermo said, ensuring smooth flows of goods and skilled personnel.

Jolted by tariffs

Abenoja’s statements were issued as the region grapples with the effect of a tariff tiff that Donald Trump imposed in the first week of coming into office as the 47th president of the world’s largest economy.

The central bank is monitoring potential spillover effects from shifting US tariff policies and global trade tensions, he said, noting that external developments may influence the Philippines’s growth outlook over the next few quarters.

Still, Roland Rajah of the Australian think-tank Lowy Institute noted the region is still able to run on trade and foreign direct investment, and that remains largely intact despite global uncertainties.

‘China’s exports to the United States have collapsed by 35 percent to 50 percent, whereas Asean’s exports have boomed,’ Rajah said.

Nonetheless, ADB Cambodia economist Milan Thomas said his office’s modeling indicates that the Philippines is among the least-affected Asean economies under US tariff scenarios. The country’s aegis, Thomas added, is its service-oriented economy and lower exposure to US demand.

Tariff impacts vary across member countries, with Vietnam facing higher exposure due to competition in machinery and electronics, while the Philippines benefits from a large service sector, he said.

‘Most Asean countries would see a net GDP change between a 1 percent gain and a 1 percent loss, depending on trade composition,’ Thomas added.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has filed two additional bid rigging cases before the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), targeting contractors involved in alleged manipulation of flood control projects worth hundreds of millions of pesos.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Wednesday submitted complaints for preliminary inquiry against St. Timothy Construction Corp. of the Discayas and Silverwolves Construction Corp. of a certain Moises Tabucol, along with several officials from DPWH’s Davao Occidental and La Union 2nd District Engineering Offices.

The cases cover three contracts related to what the department described as ‘ghost and substandard’ flood control projects in Culaman and Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental, and Bauang in La Union.

The DPWH expects to recover approximately P500 million from the two contractors.

‘The President said those who should be held accountable must be held accountable, these people should be imprisoned, and we must ensure the money stolen from the people is returned. As long as we gather evidence, we will continue to recommend filing complaints,’ Dizon said.

The latest filings bring the total number of contracts referred to the PCC to 15, with potential fines reaching P3.13 billion if those implicated are found guilty under Section 14, Chapter III of the Philippine Competition Act.

Meanwhile, complaints filed by Secretary Dizon with the Ombudsman on October 23 against 20 accredited and licensed DPWH officials have been forwarded to the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) for investigation and possible filing of multiple charges.

Dizon’s anti-corruption drive has gained momentum in recent months, with the agency filing multiple cases against contractors and officials suspected of anomalies in government infrastructure projects.

Authorities have also secured freeze orders on assets linked to the alleged irregularities as part of efforts to recover misused public funds.

A total of 70 personnel and officials of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) were given the authority by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze assets and conduct financial investigations to intensify the government’s campaign against illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

Last Wednesday, DMW formally signed its Terms of Reference (TOR) agreement with the AMLC, which certified the said personnel and officials from the agency’s central and regional offices as Deputized AMLC Financial Investigators (DAFI).

Under the said agreement, the DAFI will be given the power to conduct financial investigation, asset freezing, and provide support in the prosecution of the accused of money laundering.

DMW Secretary Hans J. Cacdac welcomed the said development since it will provide them with more tools to go after illegal recruiters and human traffickers.

He said it shows the government efforts to ensure the financial security and protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) worldwide.

‘Together, we send a clear message: We will protect our migrant workers. We will follow the money. And we will hold human traffickers and illegal recruiters to account for their evil deeds, again we will throw them in jail,’ he said.

For his part, AMLC Executive Director Matthew M. David said the new arrangement will also enhance the government campaign against money laundering and financial fraud.

He said it will also help allay the concerns of OFW, when it comes to financial irregularities.

‘As we sign through the enlistment of the DMW officers as deputized financial investigators we significantly strengthen our capacity to investigate and prosecute human trafficking and other unlawful activities committed against OFWs,’ David said.

Aron Ray Carandang’s first solo exhibition, Hugis ng Gunita (Shapes of Memories), opens on November 18 at the Adamson Art Gallery, Adamson University Manila.

The show gathers his most defining works that highlight Filipino childhood, family life, and the shared experiences that shape identity. Through a clear, organized Cubist structure and vivid colors, Carandang captures scenes that many Filipinos recognize from their own past, games, outdoor play, and everyday togetherness.

Carandang’s style is best described as Filipino Neo-Cubism with a documentary approach. His compositions rely on geometric forms, rectangles, triangles, and curved planes that fit together to form movement and space. Unlike classical Cubism, his style remains representational. Figures are simplified but readable, actions are familiar, and every element supports the story being told. His use of bold, flat colors such as yellow, turquoise, and magenta reinforces clarity instead of illusion.

Each canvas presents a specific part of Filipino life. Children play piko, tumbang preso, and patintero. Friends share laughter under the sun, families spend time by the sea, and young boys climb bamboo poles or fly kites in the wind. These images are not nostalgic recreations but reminders of how culture lives in motion and connection. Carandang removes faces so that gestures become universal, allowing viewers to see themselves in the scene.

His technique uses clean acrylic application with sharp color divisions, giving every panel a polished and precise finish. Instead of depth or shadow, Carandang builds emotion through arrangement and contrast. The result is a visual rhythm that mirrors the energy of Filipino street life.

The artist explains, ‘My art draws inspiration from the vibrant memories of Filipino childhood and the timeless essence of our everyday lives. I create these works so that both the young and the old may remember and reconnect, to grasp the beauty of the past that often slips away in the fast pace of modern life.’

Born in Tuy, Batangas in 2001, Carandang earned his degree in Human Resource Management at Batangas State University. His passion for art grew during the pandemic, influenced by his father, who is also a painter. He began participating in local exhibitions, later joining international shows such as Face the Race in the United States and Creative Journey at the Philippine Consulate in New York. He is now a resident artist at the Manila Clock Tower Museum.

Carandang also leads community art workshops for children and families affected by natural disasters and those with special needs. His belief that ‘art is a piece of your soul’ reflects both his creative and social purpose, to make art a space of care, memory, and shared experience. Former Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste, one of his collectors, once remarked that Carandang’s work represents ‘a new version of HR Ocampo,’ referencing the National Artist known for modern Filipino abstraction.

Hugis ng Gunita (Shapes of Memories) demonstrates how art can preserve culture without turning it into nostalgia. Carandang’s paintings show life as it is remembered, bright, active, and sincere. His work connects generations through images that remain part of Filipino life, serving as a reminder of the value of play, friendship, and the stories that stay with us.

Exhibition Details

Hugis ng Gunita (Shapes of Memories)

1st Solo Art Exhibition by Aron Ray Carandang

Adamson Art Gallery, Adamson University Manila

Opening and Artist’s Reception: November 18, 2025, 3:00 PM

The country’s rice arrivals slid by nearly 15 percent through October following the temporary ban slapped by the government on the imported staple.

Figures from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) showed that rice imports fell by 14.78 percent to 3.3 million metric tons (MMT) in the January to October from the 3.87 MMT posted last year.

Of this, only 31,101 metric tons (MT) of rice entered the country last month, from the average 362,761 MT in the preceding months.

Furthermore, BPI data showed that 2.67 MMT of rice shipments came from Vietnam, which remained the country’s top supplier. This was followed by Myanmar at 343,910.33 MT.

The Philippines also purchased rice stocks from other countries, such as Thailand (176,270.26 MT), Pakistan (76,394.02 MT), and India (20,314.78 MT).

The slowdown in rice arrivals comes after President Marcos issued an Executive Order (EO) suspending the imports of regular and well-milled rice for 60 days until October 31, 2025 to counter the sharp drop in palay prices ahead of the wet harvest season.

With this, the BPI halted the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs) starting September 1. Specialty rice varieties, such as Japonica, glutinous, and basmati rice, are exempt from the import freeze.

While the measure briefly lifted farmgate prices, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said whatever gains the local rice industry attained had tapered off as the suspension neared its expiry.

Because of this, Marcos extended the rice import ban until the end of 2025 in a bid to arrest the slide in farmgate prices of paddy rice.

Despite the temporary ban slapped on foreign shipments of the staple grain, the DA projected that rice stocks would remain ample.

It added that conservative estimates place supply at 89 days by yearend, while optimistic scenarios forecast up to 92 days, at 122.7 kilos per annum of projected per capita consumption compared with just 58 days’ worth of stocks at the end of 2024.

The agency also said retail rice prices remained relatively stable amid the suspension, citing its price monitoring data.

In November, the DA expects well-milled rice to average around P42 per kilo, while regular-milled rice to hover near P40 per kilo.