Category: Business Mirror

For dub chemists Red-I and Soulsteppa, making music is literally crossing borders.

Soulsteppa’s new 7-inch single is a collaboration with Indian singer Lady Skavya titled, ‘Chakra’. It is Lady Skavya’s first official release in English outside her native Tegulu. Prior to her collaboration with Soulsteppa and Red-I, Lady Skavya recently released her full-length debut album, ‘Peru Gurthu Pettukondi’, Telugu for ‘Remember the Name’.

Local dub master Red-I mixed the song with British dub legend Steve Vibronics handling mastering chores, and the record manufactured by Japanese indie label, Oto Records.

Chakra was released internationally last September 17 by the Japan-based Oto Records.

The single also happens to be the 20th release by Red-I since he put out that bold debut album Jahdgement Day that fused Red-I’s love for reggae, dub, hiphop, bass, and experimental music in a self-released on 12-inch vinyl on April 20, 2012.

More than the fusion of sound, Jahdgement Day was the first locally produced vinyl record this 21st century.

And 13 years onward, Red-I has been prolific averaging two vinyl releases a year.

As for Chakra, it is his second work with Soulsteppa who released her debut 7-inch single ‘Spiritual Warrior’ in 2023 with Croation reggae singer, Anya G.

”Chakra’ has this heavy eastern riddim by Soulsteppa,’ described Red-I. ‘The flipside is a heavy meditative dub built for sound systems.’

Red-I bared that their releases – even under his own Dubplate Pressure Records – does better outside the Philippines. In fact, he was invited to perform at the One Love Festival in England back in 2017.

‘Outside Jamaica, dub music does very well in Europe especially in the United Kingdom and France,’ bared Red-I. ‘In the Philippines, hindi pa. Malayo pa.’

On the average, Red-I’s records see anywhere from a 300-500 copy run. And the price goes high up in the back sellers’ market.

A recent release, ‘Siam Punch’ sells for US $100 and pound 100!

‘We have more releases and some really cool collaborations coming up,’ promised Red-I. ‘We’re just getting started.’

According to Red-I, there are few copies of ‘Chakra’ left for the domestic market. Interested parties may inquire at his Facebook page, ‘Red Astrid’ or through Dubplate Pressure Records’ Bandcamp page.

AFTER last year’s opulent ball, Raymond Gutierrez and Ashleigh Rye once again gathered Manila’s glitterati for another grand Halloween affair.

This year’s theme, ‘The New Nocturnals,’ transformed the Shooting Gallery Studios in Makati into a hauntingly elegant playground for the city’s actors, influencers, and socialites who came out in full force on October 29.

From the event’s name alone, it hinted at an atmosphere both eerie and electric. The venue, bathed in black and crimson lights, looked like a dark and cinematic ghost town that refused to sleep.

The mood was sinister yet stylish, as though all kinds of creatures were welcome to dance under one moon.

The stars, digital darlings, arrive

THE hosts immediately set the standard. Raymond Gutierrez went for a sleek yet chilling black-and-white ensemble with one side of his body designed to reveal a ghoul in couture. Ashleigh Rye, his cohost and creative partner, channeled timeless glamour with a furry gown and dark, polished makeup.

Then the Gutierrez family made a commanding entrance. Richard wore a red, black, and white suit with half his face zombified, while Ruffa turned heads in an evil-queen-inspired look, given her minimalist black gown paired with sleek hair, red lips, and a single rose in hand. Matriarch Annabelle Rama, meanwhile, was also in attendance.

Barbie Imperial followed soon after Richard in a sultry green siren look that shimmered with every flash of light.

And the spotlight quickly turned to Andrea Brillantes. Known as the undisputed Queen of Halloween Costumes, she once again lived up to her title. This time, she arrived unrecognizable, being painted head-to-toe as a black cat.

According to Andrea, the look took four hours to complete, executed by makeup artist Marlyn Ocampo, a Drag Den Season 2 contestant. She said her inspiration came from her childhood fascination with black cats, which she always considered mysterious and misunderstood.

Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin, on the other hand, opted for a coordinated take on modern mummies, dressed in sleek brown wrappings with minimal makeup.

Kyline Alcantara went bolder, pairing short blonde hair with a menswear-inspired outfit, with it being half dapper human, half ghoul. Meanwhile, Jillian Ward was equally striking in a straight black gown with a sheer veil, carrying a fake knife for a chilling twist.

And then there was Darren Espanto, who managed to pull together a sharp vampire look with all-black attire and classic fanged makeup.

Digital personalities also brought their own flair to the event runway of costumes. Hayden Kho took a futuristic route with a Dune-inspired ensemble, having a sci-fi regal.

Miss Intercontinental 2015 first runner-up Christi McGarry turned heads with a half-skeleton face design paired with a fitted black gown that was both sultry and striking.

Athlete Mikee Reyes leaned into his signature ‘tito’ branding while keeping it sharp in a modern, all-black, Jafar-inspired outfit complete with a wide circular hat. Meanwhile, social media personality CK De Leon chanelled Maleficent, blending villainous drama with a chic, high-fashion black gown.

Gen Z TikTok stars Russco Jarvina arrived in a clean, Dracula-inspired look, and Sophia Margarette To in a wild, furry jungle ensemble that balanced sexy and playful energy.

Drag royalty

NO Halloween spectacle would be complete without the queens who redefine glamour and theatrics.

The country’s top drag artists brought high-drama, high-fashion energy to ‘The New Nocturnals,’ proving once again that drag is an art form and a statement.

Leading the pack was Marina Summers, who turned heads in a sultry, grown-up take on Wednesday Addams. She also headlined the night’s main performance.

Viñas De Luxe also stunned in an unexpected cockroach-inspired look, topped with an elaborate neckpiece that made the outfit more couture. Eva Le Queen embodied avian fantasy in a feathered gown and horns, while Arizona Brandy reinterpreted her Face-tival challenge look from Drag Race Philippines Slaysian Royale.

Khianna kept things sharp and on-brand, donning a red spiky puff dress with matching spike details on her earrings and necklace, which is a mix of danger and polish.

But the night’s most pointed social commentary came from Drag Den contestant Shewarma, who spoofed government inefficiency with her character ‘Sarah Discaya.’ Carrying a briefcase labeled ‘Ghost Projects,’ she playfully strutted down the carpet in a parody of bureaucratic embarrassment.

Serving as an important bridge between the government and the private sector, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) will play a crucial role in sustaining the momentum of inclusive global economic growth through joint initiatives on digital economy, food security, and empowerment of the marginalized, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Recognizing the potential of the digital economy in enhancing the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), the chief executive called for international initiatives to harness the advantages of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI).

‘By streamlining rules, investing in digital infrastructure and platforms, and equipping our MSMEs and workforce with the skills and tools they need to compete globally, we can secure our collective resilience and ensure that growth remains inclusive,’ Marcos said in his intervention at the Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting informal dialogue at the Hwabaek International Convention Center in Gyeongju, South Korea on Friday.

‘Through cooperation, regulatory transparency, and capacity building, we can ensure that the benefits of growth extend across all services sectors, powered by digital transformation and the responsible use of AI,’ he added.

The President said an innovation-driven economy may be achieved through the ‘Incheon Plan,’ which was approved by Apec Finance Ministers’ Process.

‘This plan addresses emerging challenges through adaptive fiscal policies, strengthened climate resilience mechanisms, and modernized regulatory frameworks to foster innovation and digital transformation,’ Marcos said.

The Philippines, he said, is ready to support such integration, which can spur regional innovation and economic growth and even help combat climate change by highlighting initiatives from the private sector.

The Plan, the chief executive said, can augment the National AI Strategy Roadmap of the Department of Science and Technology.

Under the roadmap. AI will be used to enhance public services and streamline trade; amplify MSMEs innovation, automate processes, and make ‘smarter data-driven’ decisions for its users.

Sustained momentum

The Apec economies, he said, must collaborate with the Apec Business Advisory Council (Abac) ‘to develop frameworks to address gaps in infrastructure investment for energy security, energy transition, and digital transformation.’

To support food security in Apec, he also called on its members to complete the negotiations of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement.

‘Within Apec, we can build on this momentum by strengthening the platforms for dialogue between the public and private sectors, ensuring that business perspectives shape our regional strategies and initiatives,’ Marcos said.

Joint initiatives of the public and private sector can also enhance the competitiveness of women and children by eliminating gender gaps.

‘Empowering women to participate fully in the economy could add as much as US$28 trillion to global GDP [gross domestic product], making this the most critical investment for sustained growth,’ Marcos said.

‘Together, we can unlock the full potential of our peoples to foster peace, bolster shared prosperity, and build resilience across our region and beyond,’ he added.

The private sector can help business barriers such as regulatory fragmentation, uneven digital infrastructure, and supply chain vulnerabilities persist through policy advocacy and cross-border standardization.

‘Businesses must not only benefit from progress but actively co-create the future by leading in technology development, supporting startups, embedding sustainability, and upholding good corporate governance that builds trust and accountability,’ Marcos said.

Investment destination

In his keynote speech before the Apec CEO Summit on Friday, Marcos invited the participants from the private sector to invest in the Philippines, citing its ‘deep institutional and business-friendly’ reforms such as the Republic Act (RA) No. 11966 or Public-Private Partnership Code; RA 12252 or the ‘Investors’ Lease Act;’ RA 12253 or the ‘Enhanced Fiscal Regime for Large-Scale Metallic Mining Act.’

Companies which will consider setting operations in the Philippines can also take advantage of its growing free trade agreements (FTA). He noted that the country has ongoing FTA negotiations with the European Union, Chile, and is working on possible membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

He said the agreements are key to fostering cooperation, innovation, and rules-based integration enabling harmonized standards and transparent supply chains.

The advantages, Marcos said, give the country an edge to companies that will invest in it.

‘Let me make our message clear, the Philippines is open and eager to do business with you. The Philippines offers more than just a strategic location at the heart of the region. We bring a dynamic workforce, a thriving economic system and an unwavering commitment to sustainable prosperity,’ Marcos said.

He also urged them to support the Philippines as it hosts the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) , where they are committed to a stronger public-private partnership.

Among the highlights of the Asean Summit next year, Marcos said, will be the signing of the Asean Digital Economy framework agreement to help the region target US$2 trillion by 2030.

‘As the Philippines takes on the Asean chairship 2026, we stand ready to build a more connective, competitive and sustainable regional economy-driven by deeper cooperation and shared growth,’ Marcos said.

Nvidia has become the first $5 trillion company, just three months after the Silicon Valley chipmaker was first to break through the $4 trillion barrier.

Hitting the new benchmark puts more emphasis on the upheaval being unleashed by an artificial intelligence craze that’s widely viewed as the biggest tectonic shift in technology since Apple co-founder Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone 18 years ago. Apple rode the iPhone’s success to become the first publicly traded company to be valued at $1 trillion, $2 trillion and eventually, $3 trillion.

But there are concerns of a possible AI bubble, with officials at the Bank of England earlier this month flagging the growing risk that tech stock prices pumped up by the AI boom could burst. The head of the International Monetary Fund has raised a similar alarm.

The ravenous appetite for Nvidia’s chips is the main reason that the company’s stock price has increased so rapidly since early 2023.

On Wednesday the shares closed at $207.04 with 24.3 billion shares outstanding, putting its market cap at $5.03 trillion.

In comparison, Nvidia’s value is greater than the GDP of India, Japan and the United Kingdom, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Nvidia carved out an early lead in tailoring its chipsets known as graphics processing units, or GPUs, from use in powering video games to helping to train powerful AI systems, like the technology behind ChatGPT and image generators. Demand skyrocketed as more people began using AI chatbots. Tech companies scrambled for more chips to build and run them.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has downplayed concerns of a bubble bursting, saying that the generative AI chatbots that were merely ‘interesting’ when they first took hold a few years ago are now becoming so useful that they will be profitable.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has directed its Regional Offices (ROs) to provide assistance in their areas of jurisdiction for UNDAS 2025.

In a Memorandum dated 21 October 2025, the NTC called on all ROs to coordinate and extend assistance to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Civic Action Groups (CAGs), and Amateur Radio Groups (ARGs) that will render public assistance operations within their respective areas of jurisdiction.

This includes the issuance of temporary permits and licenses to ensure the safety and convenience of our kababayans traveling to various parts of the country.

Furthermore, Regional Directors (RDs) were directed to proactively enlist the assistance of all radio, television, and cable TV stations/operators to facilitate the proper and timely dissemination of public information related to the UNDAS 2025 operations.

The NTC reaffirms its commitment to the public and communication readiness in support of the government’s collective efforts to maintain safety, order, and efficient nationwide coordination in the observance of UNDAS 2025.

This NTC nationwide communications and emergency assistance program is an annual tradition commitment undertaken by all NTC ROs to assist motorists and commuters across the country during the undas.

President Ferdinand Marcos was able to secure the cooperation of Korean President Lee Jae Myung in boosting the competitiveness of the Philippine shipbuilding industry as well as enhancing its defense, infrastructure and anti-crime initiatives.

The partnerships were discussed during the bilateral meeting between the two state leaders at the sidelines of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in South Korea last Friday.

Reviving the Philippine shipbuilding industry is currently among the priorities of the Marcos administration to help generate more jobs and spur economic growth.

In September, Marcos led the inauguration of the reopening of the massive shipyard in Subic, Zambales, which was previously operated by the bankrupt Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines (HHIC-Phil.), under the new management of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Philippines (HHIP) and the United States equity firm Cerberus Global Investment LLC.

The facility produced 1.2 to 2 million gross tons of ships-roughly around 20 oil tankers or 30 large container ships before its closure from 2014 to 2018.

During their bilateral talk, Marcos thanked Lee for South Korea’s assistance to the Philippines in times of calamities and protecting the rights and welfare of Filipinos within its jurisdiction. He praised Lee for successfully hosting the latest Apec Summit.

He also said the Philippines and South Korea have already made steady progress in their strategic partnership, which includes a bilateral free trade agreement and also cooperation in defense and security.

Marcos invited Lee to attend the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit, which will be hosted by the Philippines.

‘Next year, the Philippines will chair the Asean summits, and I see a real opportunity for us to promote a rules-based order, a more secure and more prosperous region,’ Marcos said.

Lee said he will see if he can find the time to attend the regional forum next year.

He said he considers the Philippines as a ‘special friend’ of South Korea after it sent troops during the Korean War.

‘So the people of Korea will never forget the contributions and dedication and sacrifices made by the Philippines,’ Lee said.

Gyeongju, South Korea-President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is hopeful South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will also back Manila’s hosting of the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

The chief executive invited Lee to attend the 2026 ASEAN Summit during the Philippines-Republic of Korea bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea last Friday.

‘Next year, the Philippines will chair the ASEAN summits, and I see a real opportunity for us to promote a rules-based order, a more secure and more prosperous region,’ Marcos said.

He said the Philippines and South Korea have already made steady progress in their strategic partnership, which includes a bilateral free trade agreement and also cooperation in defense and security.

South Korea was also the Philippine’s 4th top trading partner last year, when total trade between the two countries reached US$13.2 billion.

Marcos also thanked South Korea for sending assistance to the Philippines in times of calamities and protecting the rights and welfare of Filipinos within its jurisdiction. He praised South Korea’s successful hosting of the latest APEC Summit.

During his chairmanship of the ASEAN, Marcos said he wants to ‘build a more connected, competitive, and sustainable regional economy-driven by deeper cooperation and shared growth.’

Lee said he considers the Philippines as a ‘special friend’ of South Korea after it sent troops during the Korean War.

‘So the people of Korea will never forget the contributions and dedication and sacrifices made by the Philippines,’ he said.

‘Our two countries have maintained a very close relationship of cooperation and support, and we have mutually helped each other out over the years. But I hope that through your visit, we will be able to take that to another level and have much closer cooperation,’ he added.

The Korean leader said he will see if he can find the time to attend the ASEAN Summit next year.

Don’t let your Halloween pumpkin haunt the landfill this November.

More than 1 billion pounds (454 million kilograms) of pumpkins rot in U.S. landfills each year after Halloween, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Yours doesn’t have to go to waste. Experts told us your pumpkins can be eaten, composted or even fed to animals. Here’s how.

Cooking with pumpkin waste

If you’re carving a jack-o’-lantern, don’t throw away the skin or innards-every part is edible.

After carving, you can cube the excess flesh-the thick part between the outer skin and the inner pulp that holds the seeds-for soups and stews, says Carleigh Bodrug, a chef known for cooking with common food scraps. You can also puree it and add a tablespoon to your dog’s dinner for extra nutrients. And pumpkin chunks can be frozen for future use.

‘The seeds are a nutritional gold mine,’ Bodrug said. They’re packed with protein, magnesium, zinc and healthy fats, according to a 2022 study in the journal Plants.

One of Bodrug’s recipes involves removing the seeds, rinsing and roasting them with cinnamon for a crunchy snack or salad topper. Then you can use the stringy guts to make a pumpkin puree for muffins. This version differs from canned purees in grocery stores-which typically use a different type of pumpkin or squash-because carving pumpkins have stringier innards and a milder flavor. A carving pumpkin’s guts can still be used for baking-you’ll just have to amp up the seasoning to boost the flavor.

If you don’t want to eat your pumpkins, you can donate them to a local farm, which might use them to feed pigs, chickens and other animals.

Edible parts should be collected while you’re carving and before it’s painted, decorated or left on your porch for weeks. Paint and wax aren’t food-safe, and bacteria and mold can grow on the skin in outdoor climates.

Once you’ve cooked what you can and donated what’s safe to feed, composting the rest is the easiest way to keep it out of the landfill.

‘That way, even though they’re not safe to eat, they can still give back to the earth,’ Bodrug said.

Composting at home or donating to a farm

Composting pumpkins keeps them out of methane-emitting landfills and turns them into nutrient-rich soil instead. You can do this at home or drop them off at a local farm, compost collection bin or drop-off site.

‘A large percentage of what ends up going to the landfill is stuff that could have been composted,’ said Dante Sclafani, compost coordinator at Queens County Farm in New York. ‘So even just cutting down something like pumpkins could really help curb how many garbage bags you’re putting out every week.’

Before composting, remove any candles, plastic, glitter, or other decorations-they can contaminate the compost. A little glitter or paint won’t ruin the pile, but it’s best to get it as clean as possible before tossing it in. Then, chop up the pumpkin in 1-inch (2.5-centimeter) pieces so it can break down easier.

‘Pumpkins are full of water, so it’s important to maintain a good balance of dried leaves, wood chips, sawdust, shredded newspaper, cardboard, straw-anything that’s a dry organic material-in your compost bin,’ Sclafani said. If you don’t maintain this balance, your compost might start to stink.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a healthy compost pile should include a mix of ‘greens’-like pumpkin scraps and food waste-and ‘browns’ like dry leaves, straw or cardboard, in roughly a three-to-one ratio. That balance helps the pile break down faster and prevents odors.

And if your pumpkin’s been sitting on the porch all month? That’s actually ideal. ‘It’s never too far gone for compost,’ Sclafani said. ‘Even if it’s mushy or moldy, that actually helps, because the fungus speeds up decomposition.’

‘Composting anything organic is better than throwing it out because you’re not creating more refuse in landfills, you’re not creating methane gas,’ said Laura Graney, the farm’s education director.

Graney said autumn on the farm is the perfect opportunity to teach kids about composting since it gives them a sense of power in the face of big environmental challenges.

‘Even though they’re little, composting helps them feel like they can make a difference,’ Graney said. ‘They take that message home to their families, and that’s how we spread the word.’

Meta’s stock slid in after-hours trading on Wednesday after the tech giant posted strong third-quarter results but warned that its expenses will be significantly higher in 2026 than this year. Like its rivals, Meta Platforms Inc. has been on an artificial intelligence spending spree and said its costs will grow much faster next year, driven by infrastructure costs and employee compensation as it has hired AI experts at eye-popping compensation levels.

‘Employee compensation costs will be the second largest contributor to growth, as we recognize a full year of compensation for employees hired throughout 2025, particularly AI talent, and add technical talent in priority areas,’ Meta said.

Menlo Park, California-based Meta Platforms Inc. earned $2.71 billion, or $1.05 per share, in the July-September period. Excluding tax-related special expenses, the company would have earned $7.25. Revenue rose 26 percent to $51.42 billion from $40.59 billion.

Analysts, on average, were expecting earnings of $6.72 per share on revenue of $49.51 billion, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Meta’s daily active user base on its apps-Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram and Threads-was 3.54 billion on average for September, up 8 percent year-over-year.

For the current quarter, Meta is forecasting revenue in the range of $56 billion to $59 billion. Analysts are forecasting $57.36 billion for the October-December quarter.

Meta did not say what it expects 2026 expenses to be, but analysts are forecasting $97 billion according to FactSet. For this year, the company expects capital expenditures in the range of $70 billion to $72 billion, up from its previous outlook of $66 billion to $72 billion.

Andrew Rocco, stock strategist at Zacks Investment Research, said ‘the quarter was not terrible, and forward statements continue to be positive. Most importantly, management confirmed that they expect ad revenue to remain strong.’ Meta also cautioned that it is facing a slew of legal and regulatory issues in the US and the European Union that could hurt its bottom line.

‘In the US, a number of youth-related trials are scheduled for 2026, and may ultimately result in a material loss,’ the company said.

Meta’s shares fell $57.67, or 7.7 percent, to $694 in after-hours trading. The stock had closed up slightly at $751.67.

The province of Ilocos Norte recently honored over 83,000 senior citizens for their legacy and contributions to nation-building, pledging to include them in various programs and activities organized by the local government.

As the culmination of the Elderly Week celebration, hundreds of senior citizens gathered at the Laoag City Centennial Arena for a day of entertainment that showcased their talents. The event featured the grand coronation of the 2025 Gwapong Lolo and Gandang Lola, complete with a royal court, escorts, and muses.

In her short speech, Ilocos Norte Gov. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos paid tribute to her ‘dabarkads’ for their presence and active participation during the Elderly Week celebration, which has the theme ‘Embracing Age: Living a Life with Dignity and Purpose.’

‘We have given so much of our lives for our children, for our communities, and for our province. Today, we come together to celebrate the lifelong contributions of our fellow elderly that continue to inspire the younger generations of Ilocanos,’ she said.

Governor Araneta-Marcos assured the elderly that the provincial government will continue to uphold their welfare, dignity and participation in various programs and activities.

The Elderly Filipino Week is celebrated annually pursuant to Proclamation No. 470, signed on September 26, 1994 by President Fidel V. Ramos.

On top of receiving their monthly social pension, indigent senior citizens in the province continue to receive medical and burial assistance from the provincial government through Provincial Ordinance No. 2018-10-063.

Through this ordinance, a qualified beneficiary is entitled to a minimum of P5,000 in the event of death and P3,000 for medical expenses.

The province is also open to hiring interested senior citizens as museum guides in government-managed museums to share their expertise in history and culture.

Through the National Commission of Senior Citizens, various service caravans are offered to the elderly. These include medical consultations, vaccinations, wellness activities, livelihood assistance, legal counseling, recreational opportunities, and disaster preparedness training, among others.