Category: Business Mirror

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the timely upgrade of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area (AKFTA) will help the regional bloc and South Korea repel the effects of the ‘growing protectionist tendencies in the global economy.’

He also recognized the role of South Korea in enhancing the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) and start-ups.

‘On the economic front, the Philippines welcomes the launch of the negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area (AKFTA), a timely step in strengthening ASEAN-Korea economic ties and ensuring that our partnership remains relevant in today’s rapidly changing global economy,’ the chief executive said in his intervention at the second day of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia on Monday morning.

A strengthened AKFTA, he said, will help keep the economies and involved parties ‘to remain open’ as more countries focus on their domestic trade.

After taking effect in 2019, the AKFTA helped boost trade between ASEAN and South Korea, reaching US$156.5 billion in 2019 and helping generate 700 million people.

It provided ASEAN exports greater market access to Korea starting from 2006, and helped them get free market access in 2010 as Korea eliminates tariffs for goods coming the regional bloc.

The Philippines also signed its own FTA with South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 2024, which is also expected to spur trade between the two countries.

Marcos also cited South Korea’s support for MSMEs and start-up development.

‘In particular, we commend the initiatives of the ASEAN-Korea Centre, such as the annual ASEAN-Korea Startup Week, which serves as a valuable platform for promising ASEAN startups to engage in networking and capacity-building activities with their Korean counterparts,’ he said.

The President also cited South Korea’s roles for promoting cybersecurity; disaster mitigation through upskilling; cultural exchanges; environmental sustainability; and maritime priorities of ASEAN, which are ‘anchored on a rules-based international order.’

He said he is looking forward to co-chairing with South Korea and the United States the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Workshop on Best Practices for Port State Measures to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.

‘I am confident that ASEAN and the ROK [Republic of Korea] will continue to work together to advance peace, prosperity, and security in our region because we are guided by a common goal of uplifting the lives of our peoples,’ Marcos said.

THE East West Banking Corp. is expan6ding further into the small and medium enterprise banking space with the launch of a new debit card geared toward into the sector, the Gotianun-led lender’s chief executive officer announced.

Jerry G. Ngo said during the launch last Tuesday that the country’s first debit card for business will give owners tools to run their trade.

The card, called ‘BizAcess Visa Debit,’ gives customers a checking account with minimum maintaining balance of P25,000. It will give them access to the bank’s platform that will let them view balances, monitor transactions, pay suppliers and manage cash flow.

The debit card includes a travel accident insurance, among other perks.

‘We’ve already realized that a lot of our customers are using our services for their own. Our personal loan business is being used for me-funding, a lot of our business banking clients are already SMEs. What this gives us lang right now is really a step-up offering,’ Ngo said.

He said there is no exact data on how SMEs manage their funds as the owners’ personal money is mixed into the business.

‘Right now, we don’t have a clear view because apparently we’re really not something that’s being packed. Our consumer portfolio is now 84 percent of our total book. And what we’re hoping to do is through this initiative, through this new set of product services and value proposition is to formalize that (funds used for SME’s enterprise,’ Ngo said.

He said the decision to go deeper into the SME segment is that most of the country’s enterprise composed of these businesses and only 0.5 percent came from large corporate conglomerates and multinationals combined.

‘But more importantly also, a lot of the SMEs are also individuals themselves, and run their business as a family affair. So normally you would also tap into that,’ Ngo said.

He said many of the SMEs are failing, which is why the bank should support the,

‘But the fact is that the banks will only support if there is data. But we don’t know who are those that is scaling up as opposed to those who are just starting,’ he said.

The debit card is just a start, Ngo said, as the company is launching a lending product geared towards the SMEs.

‘Nothing beats having your own business. Longer term, the returns to capital is so much higher than returns to labor. I would know,’ said Ngo, who admitted he was once an entrepreneur for four years, before going into East West.

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THE art of greeting cards lives strong with Unicef. This year, the United Nations agency for children goes beyond offering Christmas cards and releases its first-ever ‘all-occasion’ series, titled the Hiraya Collection, in partnership with Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK), the country’s premier collective of children’s book illustrators.

Creating greeting cards has been a Unicef tradition since 1949. It started when a young girl in then-Czechoslovakia expressed her gratitude to the global agency for providing aid to her village, gifting them with a painting of children dancing around a maypole, which became Unicef’s first greeting card. Since then, Unicef cards have been a symbol of hope to vulnerable children and a way for people to give back.

‘More than just a piece of art, we want these cards to speak the message that donations and fundraising are more than mere transactions. They make dreams of a better life a reality for vulnerable children everywhere,’ said Carmen Gonzalez Ortiz, chief of Unicef Philippines’ Private Sector Fundraising.

The Hiraya Collection offers a variety of Unicef merchandise, including the Unicef Cards for Every Occasion, priced at P1,000 for 12 unique designs, and the Unicef Tote Bags, which come in three designs with a keychain for P1,500. Additional Unicef merchandise, such as the Unicef Mini Backpack Charm (P1,200), Unicef Notebooks (P500), and Unicef Gift Bag (P200), is also available at the Unicef Giving Shop (donate.unicef.ph/shop), designed to ‘bring children in the Philippines a step closer toward the happy childhood they deserve.’

The limited-edition collection carries the name ‘Hiraya’ after the Filipino term that signifies deep hope and aspiration. Meanwhile, the greeting cards paint an image of a happy childhood every child deserves to experience, featuring unique designs by the artists of Ang INK who specialize in children’s illustrations. Each collectible card and merchandise is inspired by the artist’s fondest childhood memories, ‘turning every item into a meaningful gift that connects, celebrates, and gives hope.’

‘Because of their unique understanding of children’s worlds,’ Ortiz added, ‘we believe the Ang INK illustrators have perfectly captured the heart of our cause in their artwork – to give children a bright future and help them simply enjoy their childhood by having access to their basic rights.’

Among the Ang INK artists featured in the Hiraya Collection is Iori Espiritu. An illustrator since 2013, she presents her artwork titled Sama-sama salu-salo, inspired by a personal childhood memory of familial bonding over food.

‘Two things my family likes doing are growing things in the garden and cooking, and we are often asked to help around,’ Espiritu said. However, she understands that many children do not have access to proper nutrition growing up, and the artist hopes that more children will experience the same fond memory she has of a childhood nourished with healthy food.

Another Ang INK collaborator is Fran Alvarez. Her artwork, Tag-Araw, features children at play, channeling her own favorite childhood memory of spending countless hours playing with her cousins and neighbors. She wants to show ‘how happy it feels to just be a kid knowing you’re safe, and free to have as much fun as you want.’ At the same time, Alvarez acknowledges that many children grow up in very challenging circumstances, and she hopes her work can contribute to advocating for a safe and peaceful world for children everywhere.

There’s also artist Al Estrella, who created Pangalawang Tahanan, based on his childhood and vocation as a grade school teacher. He said children and art are his passions, which is why the theme of childhood memories and education deeply resonates with him.

‘It’s a vital cliché: Education is a great equalizer,’ he said. ‘By giving everyone access to quality education, regardless of background, the knowledge, skills and opportunities needed to improve their lives [deepen], and social and economic inequalities can be reduced.’

According to Unicef data, however, the Philippines is still ways away from this vision, as one in three children faces the ‘triple burden’ that ‘threatens their survival.’ The trifecta includes ‘malnutrition, disruptions in education, and other deprivations due to climate-related risks.’

Despite these odds, Unicef successfully reached almost a million children in 2024 with essential nutrition services. Following the six typhoons from late 2024 to early 2025, Unicef was one of the first to respond with water kits, hygiene kits, essential healthcare support, access to education, and humanitarian cash transfers that were crucial for children and their communities to ease their suffering and restore their dignity. These were possible, among others, through the unwavering support of Unicef’s donors who provide a lifeline for children in need.

FORMER Ombudsman Samuel Martires has maintained that his appointment of more than 200 individuals to various positions in the agency prior to his retirement was necessary and cannot be considered as ‘midnight appointments.’

Martires stressed that the ban on midnight appointment under Section 5, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, does not cover the Office of the Ombudsman since it is not a political office.

The said provision specifically states that: ‘Two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety,’ Martires said in an interview over radio station dzBB.

‘I don’t have midnight appointees because we are not a political office,’ Martires stressed.

He added that some of the appointments were in line with his objective to fill-up existing vacancies for plantilla positions while the other appointments were for new positions which were approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The former Ombudsman recounted that in August 2024 he asked the DBM to allow him to hire 60 lawyers following his decision to do away with the fact-finding investigation and merge its unit with the preliminary investigation unit of the agency in order to speed up the resolution of complaints.

The request was approved by the DBM in January 2025 and the hiring for the 60 lawyers was immediately published on the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) website.

Aside from the 60 new posts, Martires said he also secured DBM approval for hiring of personnel for other plantilla positions in the Ombudsman.

‘These 204 positions are from drivers up to the lawyers,’ he pointed out.

Martires also stressed that the promotion of two personnel to Assistant Ombudsman was based on merit.

He added that the promotion was necessary following the retirement of two assistant Ombudsman.

Martires was responding to the claim of his successor, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, that the said appointments may be considered as midnight appointees.

Thus, Remulla ordered the 204 newly-hired and newly-promoted employees to submit their courtesy resignations to show that they are in good faith.

Meanwhile, Assistant Ombudsman and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano IV has disclosed that some of the 204 employees have already tendered their courtesy resignations.

‘I am not aware of how many submitted but there’s a good number that have submitted already and have shown their good faith to the Ombudsman regarding their recent appointments or recent promotions,’ Clavano said.

Clavano also confirmed that there were those who are opposing the order and are gathering support against it.

‘The Ombudsman is aware of that. But, again, he is giving another chance to these individuals to file their courtesy resignations as a show of good faith. If they are not hiding anything in terms of procedures in which they were hired or promoted, then there’s really nothing to worry about,’ he added.

DESCRIBED as ‘variety of food that you have to try because while everything is different, each have their unique and palatable taste’ by Puregold festival director and award-winning filmmaker/producer Chris Cahilig, the lineup for 2026 Puregold CinePanalo was finalized, with seven films being set for production to the big screen.

From 203 submissions, Puregold whittled it down to seven ‘unique’ and ‘appealing’ scripts to be realized for film, granting them each P5 million fund for production.

Cahilig told media that they were very stern and discreet in selecting the scripts as they would be giving the winning filmmakers their biggest grant to date.

True to the festival’s spirit of creativity and artistry, the films presented diversity in their concepts. Wantawsan by Joseph Abello follows a father’s love to his son through a P1,000 bill; Mono no Aware by BC Amparado is set in Japan, tackling a story of life and death, and the sadness of things; Apol of my Ai by Thop Nazareno will be a love rivalry between a dad and son who both fall in love with a teacher; Patay Gutom (Dead Hungry) by Carl Papa and Ian Pangilinan will experiment on different forms and themes of love;

Beast by Lawrence Fajardo, on the other hand, entails a farmer’s story with his kalabaw (carabao) who decide to travel to Manila; Stuck on You by Mikko Baldoza follows a hopeless romantic ‘manicurista’ who got an assassination assignment; Multwoh by Rodina Singh, finally, is an LGBT+ story about finding a way to say ‘I love you’ from the afterlife to their lover.

‘Diversity, originality of the story, and, at the same time, how attractive they are to international festivals and local markets. Are they crowd drawers?’ Chris posited when asked what stood out about the seven entries of the 2026 fest.

Now in its third year, with their past films even competing at international filmfests, CinePanalo ’26 promises to deliver quality films that Chris Cahilig still hopes could reach local and international acclaim. ‘Gusto talaga naming makapasok sa mga A-list festivals, at gusto naming ‘yung mga pelikula ay panoorin ng maraming tao,’ he said.

Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad said the ‘upcoming 2026 Puregold CinePanalo is going to be the festival’s biggest installment yet.’

WHILE the Department of Agriculture (DA) is prepared to implement the farm-to-market road (FMR) projects, the standard cost per kilometer should vary depending on topography, according to a ranking official.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the benchmark quotation per kilometer for FMR projects, which stands at P15 million, should differ depending on the terrain’s conditions. This could be cheaper or more expensive than the current standard cost, he added.

‘The standard cost should vary depending on the area, if it’s flat or rolling [.] If it’s flat and already features an existing trail, the costs should be cheaper since it’s already compacted. It would cost more if it’s not yet compacted,’ De Mesa told reporters on Monday.

He said the FMR projects should also incorporate bridges to maximize their potential, noting that over 1,400 bridges need to be built nationwide.

‘These FMRs should also have bridges. What happens is roads were being built, but we couldn’t maximize their full potential because we don’t have bridges,’ de Mesa said.

He noted that based on their records, around 1,482 small bridges of about 20 to 60 linear meters should be constructed all over the country, most of which in Mindanao.

Earlier, the DA said it accepted the Senate’s challenge to take the lead in FMR projects amid allegations of misuse of public funds in previous FMR schemes managed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The agency had explained that even though FMR schemes are identified and validated by the agency, these road projects are commissioned, bid out, and constructed by the DPWH.

De Mesa noted that the agency initially took the helm of FMR projects before it was transferred to the DPWH.

‘During that time, we had an engineering department, but it was weak. And we didn’t have a BAFE [Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering] yet,’ he said.

Currently, De Mesa noted that the DA has BAFE, while its Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) is ‘very strong.’

He added that the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards (PAES) for roads was already established.

‘So all of these mechanisms, plus the strengthening of the RAED, will help in implementing the DA’s FMR projects,’ he said.

Should the DA implement FMRs starting 2026, de Mesa said the government will find ways to carry these out given the number of projects involved.

‘There’s a lot of FMRs, and our regional offices might be taken aback. But it can be done through the local governments or a design-and-build scheme. There could be other ways on how to implement FMRs,’ he said.

‘The important thing here is to ensure that from the design to bidding to actual implementation, everything is done properly.’

THE annual WorkAbility Asia (WAsia) Conference, a premier gathering of regional leaders and advocates on disability inclusion to promote employment for persons with disabilities (PWDs) across the continent, was recently held in Manila. Guided by the theme Inclusion at Work: Transforming Perspectives, Creating Opportunities, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) hosted the event through its School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS).

It was conducted in collaboration with the Nippon Foundation. After a colorful parade of national flags, Silent Steps, the official Deaf dance group of Benilde SDEAS, took the stage with an inspiring performance.

The conference served as a platform for government agencies, NGOs, businesses, and educators to exchange strategies and successful projects. Among the relevant issues tackled during the discussion were policy reform, leadership development, inclusive recruitment, livelihood pathways, assistive technology, and mental health.

The event was graced by DLS-CSB president Br. Edmundo Fernandez, FSC, and WAsia chairman Dipesh Sutariya. Susan Scott-Parker, OBE HonD, founder of Business Disability International, delivered a comprehensive keynote speech on employer engagement. Meanwhile Colin Allen AM, honorary president of the World Federation of the Deaf, imparted his insights about moving ‘From Tokenism to True Inclusion.’

Arch. Erico Abordo, Architects for Accessibility Philippines co-founder, inspired the group in his master class titled ‘Inclusive by Design: Rethinking Accessibility in the Workplace.’

Speaker representatives from global organizations such as Accenture Philippines, Enable India, Eden Social Welfare Foundation Taiwan, and WOWLEAP Philippines likewise shared best practices which redefine the future of work.

Leading the charge for the Filipino Deaf community were faculty, alumni, and staff from the Benilde SDEAS Center for Partnership and Development, who presented pioneering research and practical models for Deaf empowerment, including career development programs, inclusive workplace assessments, and industry partnerships.

Aside from the plenary sessions, the delegates immersed in various cultural exchanges and industry visits, which gave them glimpses of Philippine institutions and companies which champion diversity and accessibility. As part of their real-world learning experience, the delegations visited the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Quezon City Kabahagi Center, Accenture Philippines, and Shell Philippines.

WAsia, which was founded in 2004 as the regional arm of Workability International, has 50-member organizations that cover 13 countries and regions, such as Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand.

After a successful staging of the WAsia Conference in the Philippines, Japan will host next year’s edition.

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is pushing a ‘granural’ tack for highly detailed line items in the proposed 2026 national budget, arguing that a high level of granularity would remove any room for discretion that could potentially become an opportunity for corruption.

‘Let’s take this as a wake-up call to reform our budget nomenclature, process, and implementation,’ said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, during the continuation of the DPWH budget hearing.

Gatchalian was referring to proposed projects such as farm-to-roads (FMR) that do not have specific details, such as station number, coordinates, and approximate length, to distinguish them from other infrastructure projects.

Emphasizing the need for a high level of granularity, Gatchalian pointed out that a proposed road project for 2026 bearing the same title as a road project that was already funded under the 2025 budget provides an opening for irregularity.

‘Dapat pagdating sa budget, wala nang room for discretion. Kapag approved na ang budget, i-implement na lang nang tama. Ganyan ang ginagawa natin ngayon, nilalagyan ng detalye para walang room ang mga corrupt officials na paglaruan ang generic titles,’ he emphasized.

[When it comes to the budget, there should be no room for discretion. Once the budget is approved, the project should be closely implemented. That’s what we are doing now, we put details so there is no room for corrupt officials to play around with generic titles].

WITH its nod to International Chefs Day last October 20, Solaire Resort North turns the spotlight on the talented chefs shaping its diverse dining destinations. Behind every plate, they bring stories of heritage, craft, and global finesse, turning Solaire Resort North a food lover’s dream in Quezon City and beyond.

At Quezon Club, exclusivity and ambiance take center stage. There, chef January ‘Janu’ Belardo, Solaire Resort North’s first female chef de cuisine, crafts modern Filipino dishes infused with elegance. Janu, who has been with Solaire Resort since 2017, rose through the ranks and sharpened her skills during an internship at Fontainebleau Miami, and even earned national and continental recognition in the Young Taken Escoffier competitions.

Trattoria e Dolci brings vibrant reinterpretations of Italian classics in a casual, convivial setting where guests can enjoy pastas, pizzas and desserts under chef Jose Mari ‘Joboy’ Bitoon’s stewardship. He joined Solaire Resort in 2014 and worked his way up from Fresh to becoming Chef de Cuisine, blending comfort with refinement in every dish.

The atmosphere at Cafe Mangrove is inviting with a focus on all-day dining and well-curated offerings. chef Joel Ombi-on, new to Solaire Resort North in 2025 whose culinary experience has brought him to UAE and North America, whips up plates of global comfort food that appeal to discerning guests seeking both flavor and ease in every bite.

Fresh International Buffet is known for epicurean abundance and under chef Rodoflo ‘Jhun’ Perreras, a Solaire Resort stalwart since 2013, gourmet delights continue to be created, from seafood towers to mouthwatering carving stations. With over 30 years in the industry, chef Jhun balances generosity with culinary discipline.

The Food Court at Solaire Resort North is where casual dining meets bold flavor. Chef Hisham Johari, with 27 years of global experience and roots in Chinese-Malay cuisine, dishes up a wide selection in this gastronomy hub where the heart and soul of culinary flavors come alive.

Chef Rolando Idjao prepares the most flavorful Asian offerings at Lucky Noodles, Solaire Resort North’s casual dining restaurant. Drawing on decades of experience across UAE, the Maldives, and the Philippines, guests can enjoy his Asian twists and local versions of noodle dishes and street food in a relaxed setting.

Chef Jeffrey Fong rules at Manyaman where Pampangueño food reigns supreme. He brings many years of Philippine hotel and restaurant experience, crafting dishes that spotlight regional ingredients with a refined touch.

At Finestra Solaire North, sophistication and Italian artistry define the dining experience. Chef Joel Manchia, who hails from Sardinian descent, leads the restaurant with over 20 years of culinary experience across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Having joined Solaire Resort in 2024, chef Manchia continues to shape Finestra’s identity through refined Italian cuisine and masterful technique that celebrates both heritage and innovation.

Leading the culinary vision at Yakumi is chef Cristian Asato. Of Japanese-Peruvian descent and with more than 16 years of global experience, chef Asato presents an interplay between traditional and contemporary Japanese cuisine for guests who seek more than just an exquisite sushi and sashimi experience.

At Red Lantern, chef Jason Wong brings nearly two decades of regional and global kitchen experience as he takes refined Chinese cuisine to a new level. Guests can embark on a sensory exploration through China’s regional flavors, from dim sum, wok-fired specialties to abundant Cantonese and Szechuan dishes.

Overseeing the broader kitchen operations are executive chefs Michael Tinsay who leads Western cuisine offerings with a modern and health-conscious sensibility and Richard Thong who directs the Chinese kitchen, drawing 25 years of experience spanning Singapore and Manila to maintain authenticity with contemporary relevance.

Finally, executive pastry chef Christian Monera ensures that the sweet side of Solaire Resort North is nothing short of artistic. With more than 25 years under his toque in global destinations like UAE, Zambia, and the Maldives, he crafts cakes and signature desserts that elevate every dining experience.

Together, these chef-led outlets represent more than just restaurants. They are expressions of culture, storytelling, and dedication to one’s culinary craft. Solaire Rest North honors its culinary masters and invites guests to taste their journeys across plates that delight, surprise and linger.