Category: Business Mirror

Basic Energy Renewable Corp. (BERC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Basic Energy Corp. (BEC), and ACMobility, the Ayala Group’s mobility platform, have partnered for the installation and management of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs).

The partnership, dubbed Basic RePower-ACMobility charging facilities, will debut at the Total stations along South Luzon Expressway (SLEX Northbound) in Sta Rosa, Laguna; Total North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Apalit, Pampanga; and Ecooil EDSA in Mandaluyong. This pilot site will serve as a model for future installations across the country, demonstrating how partnerships among key energy and mobility players can accelerate the Philippines’ shift toward electrified transport.

The partnership also includes a development of a platform called Evro that allows drivers can easily locate, monitor, and pay for their charging sessions.

‘This partnership with ACMobility signifies Basic Energy’s strong commitment to advancing clean energy and sustainable transport,’ said Basic Energy CEO Oscar de Venecia, Jr., adding that the partnership will boost BEC’s Green Energy E-Transport Program and related e-charging facilities.

Continuing from last week, children notice kindness, and they mirror how we value those who serve. My husband is a great example of showing that acts of gratitude, whether big of small, is important. He would gather all of his old running shoes and shirts regularly and share it to either our drivers, guards or even employees in the office. Whenever there is a typhoon is his home province, he would be the first to ask what we things in the house can we send, on top of the monetary support he gives.

I saw that same spirit reflected in our daughter Meagan. In her valedictory address, she offered gratitude not only to her teachers but also to those who made her daily life at school feel like home. Below is an excerpt of her speech:

‘I’d like to start by saying that I did not come out of the womb this way. I was not born an academic weapon. It has been a really difficult road to get to this point. But when my beloved Chi Chi, my auntie, is asked by her friends, ‘Oh, how does Meagan do this?’ she always says that it takes a village-because it truly did take a village.

‘And how lucky I was that my village included Kuya Marlon, welcoming me with a smile and a good morning every day of school since the third grade. Another big part of the village that raised me, apart from the people who welcomed me every day, are the people who raised me in my second home-my teachers.’

Hearing those words as a mother, I couldn’t help but feel a lump in my throat. Gratitude, when taught early, finds its own voice. It reminded me that no achievement stands alone; it is always rooted in a web of kindness, humility and support.

When I see both my children joke around with our drivers or the guards in school, or think about how to help them, I am proud that they know respect and gratitude belong to everyone-especially to those who quietly help us in our everyday lives. It warms my heart that the granddaughter of Marcus’ yaya and our driver’s daughter were both named after Meagan. These small, meaningful connections-acts of naming, of remembering-show that gratitude, when lived, ripples outward.

In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to think that parenting is a competition-who’s more hands-on, who bakes from scratch, who manages to juggle everything with a smile. But the truth is, parenting has never been a solo act. It has always been communal. From our parents and siblings, to teachers, yayas and even neighbors, every family’s rhythm depends on teamwork. Every act of care, no matter how ordinary, becomes a small miracle that keeps the family whole.

Our helpers often carry the emotional weight of our absence. They are the ones who comfort our children when we are in meetings, who ensure the pets are fed when we are away, who quietly remember which day is P.E. day or who likes extra rice for lunch. I am not always there for all of my son’s games but our driver, whether I am present or not, always finds a corner in the court to cheer him on. Afterward, he would tell me how my son played, what moves he made, and how the game went. Hearing his account, filled with pride and excitement, makes my son feel seen and supported.

Gratitude, I’ve learned, is not a reaction to something extraordinary-it is a rhythm we choose daily. It does not need to wait for big occasions or milestones. It lives in how we call our helpers by name, how we make small talk in between tasks, or how we make sure our staff have their own moments of rest. Even saying, ‘Thank you for waiting’ or ‘Ingat sa pag-uwi’ are quiet affirmations that what they do matters. In many ways, these caregivers are our extensions of safety and love. They are the bridge between the spaces we cannot always fill. They help us nurture our families not because it’s part of their job description, but because they choose to care.

As this Gratitude Series comes to a close, I am reminded once again that parenting is never a solo act. It is a shared mission woven through countless unseen acts of love. The yayas who calm our children, the drivers who bring them home safely, the guards who greet them with a smile-they are all part of the our support system that allows us to focus, to grow, and to be present for what matters most.

So today, I invite you to look around your home and think about your own story. Say ‘thank you’ not just in words but with genuine attention. Listen when they speak. Ask about their families, their dreams. Let your children see you practicing gratitude not as a ritual but as a way of life.

Because one day, when our children become adults, they will carry not only our love but our example. They will remember how their parents valued the people who made life smoother, kinder, and more possible. And when they too lead families or teams of their own, they will pass forward that same humanity.

Parenting with gratitude means recognizing that every helping hand is a blessing-and that sometimes, the quietest hearts make the loudest difference.

FIDEL CONCEPCION stood his ground and delivered a steely performance that brought him within striking distance of a long-awaited breakthrough on the Philippine Golf Tour.

In searing heat and on the unforgiving fairways of the Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao, Concepcion produced the day’s lone under-par card-a gritty 71-to seize the solo lead at four-under 212 to move three shots clear of veteran Elmer Salvador.

‘Tomorrow [Friday], I’ll have a chance to do something I’ve never done before, and it’s a pretty good opportunity to keep proving to myself that eventually, it will happen,’ said Concepcion, who admitted that the pressure came more from within than from the local contenders.

‘There’s a lot more pressure coming from myself than from handling the locals,’ he said. ‘But as long as I can manage that internal pressure, I should be okay.’

To finally break through in the P3.5 million championship, Concepcion said his focus would be simple: ‘keep the ball in play.’

‘If you hit the wrong side of the fairways or the greens, it’s pretty tough to make pars,’ he explained as he readied himself to close in on his first title that will be worth P630,000.

Tied with James Ryan Lam after 36 holes, Concepcion faltered with a 37 on the front nine as the lead changed hands almost after every hole, but regained momentum with a birdie on No. 10 to move back in front, then solidified his position with another birdie on the par-five 13th.

As Davao standouts Salvador, Tony Lascuña, Elee Bisera and Zanieboy Gialon and Lam faded one after another, Concepcion remained composed and focused, carding pars over the last five holes to secure a commanding three-stroke lead over Salvador.

But breathing down his neck are some of the country’s most accomplished pros-Salvador, Lascuña, Bisera and Gialon.

Local favorite Salvador, who matched par at the front but bogeyed the water-guarded par-three 11th, birdied the 14th to pull within two of Concepcion. However, he bogeyed the par-5 finishing hole to settle for a 73 and a 215.

Lascuña moved within one stroke after a frontside 36 but slipped with a double bogey on the 12th. He regrouped with two birdies against a bogey over the last six holes to also card a 73, joining Lam, who rallied with two late birdies in the final three holes to salvage a 75, at third place with 216, four shots behind Concepcion.

Bisera and Gialon also stayed within two strokes at the turn but faltered with miscues down the stretch, both finishing with 74s to drop to joint fifth at 217 alongside Korean Jaehyun Jung, who turned in an even-par 72.

Guido van der Valk, last year’s runner-up to Jhonnel Ababa in a sudden-death playoff, struggled with a 75 and slipped to eighth at 218, while Jerson Balasabas and Russell Bautista matched 73s for a share of ninth at 220 with American Collin Wheeler, who stumbled with a 74.

THE national government’s budget deficit expanded to P1.117 trillion as of the end of September, but still came in lower than the fiscal program.

Latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed the shortfall increased by 15.15 percent to P1.117 trillion from January to September this year, from P970.2 billion in the same period last year.

Despite the wider gap, it remained 11.04 percent below of the government’s deficit target of P1.255 trillion for the nine-month period.

Revenues collected reached P3.366 trillion in the third quarter, up by 2.24 percent from P3.292 trillion a year ago.

However, this was marginally lower by 0.55 percent from the P3.385-trillion revenue goal set by the government.

Expenditures, meanwhile, grew by 5.18 percent to P4.484 trillion from the P4.263 trillion recorded in the third quarter last year.

This figure is also lower than the government’s spending target of P4.641 trillion during the period by 3.39 percent.

‘Narrower fiscal deficit in 2025’

According to BMI, a Fitch Solutions Company, the Philippines could see its fiscal deficit to slightly shrink to 5.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

This is on the back of the government bringing in more revenues and lower spending due to the election spending ban and weak infrastructure disbursements.

‘Although we expect the spending shortfall to narrow, expenditure will probably end up undershooting the 2025 budget,’ BMI said, citing Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman’s warning that government spending may slow as investigations into alleged corruption intensify.

For 2026, BMI said fiscal consolidation-the government’s effort to reduce its deficit-will remain slow, with only a slight narrowing of the deficit to 5.4 percent of GDP

With next year’s national budget set at P6.793 trillion, BMI said tax revenue collections ‘will not keep up with spending’ since plans to expand the tax base are ‘feeble at best’ so far.

‘Furthermore, the US-Philippines trade deal is expected to further reduce import duties collected from US exports,’ it added, citing the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) projection of P30 billion in foregone tax revenues.

The narrower deficit projected for 2026 will be partly due to one-time revenues from the sale of state assets, which could yield 0.3 percent of GDP.

‘We think that this is fiscally unfeasible over the long run. The Philippines’ public finances remain fragile,’ BMI said.

With the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio increasing to 60 percent from the prepandemic level of 40 percent, BMI said this puts the Philippines among ‘regional laggards in fiscal recovery.’

‘Elevated borrowing costs and a narrow revenue base further limit Manila’s ability to deliver large-scale fiscal support without compromising debt sustainability,’ it added.

Sept budget gap

In September alone, the budget gap narrowed by 9.22 percent year-on-year to P248.1 billion from P273.3 billion.

The government generated P281.7 billion in revenues, lower by 5.99 percent from P299.7 billion last year.

Tax revenues raised by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and BOC rose to P265.9 billion, up by 4.91 percent from P253.4 billion in the previous year.

However, non-tax revenues plunged by 65.78 percent year-on-year to P15.8 billion from P46.2 billion due to the base effect of extraordinary non-recurring remittances from last year.

Expenditures also dropped by 7.53 percent to P529.8 billion from P572.9 billion in the same month a year ago.

BTr attributed the decrease to the lower spending performance of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), following the agency’s ongoing validation of the status of completed projects and strict verification of progress billings and payments claims.

However, the contraction was slightly offset by the sizable increases in interest payments and allotment to local government units due to the higher National Tax Allotment shares for 2025.

‘While some DPWH projects faced implementation challenges, the government has in place catch-up measures to keep overall spending aligned with the government’s priorities and ensure that expenditures continue to drive economic growth,’ the BTr added.

THE acting National Police (PNP) chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., on Thursday said that the cyber units of the agency will help secure the coming ‘Undas’ holidays.

Nartatez said that the police cyber units will operate in tandem with regional monitoring hubs to watch over social-media chatter and digital incident reports that could indicate emerging threats or misinformation.

‘Security today is no longer confined to physical spaces. We are also monitoring digital spaces where misinformation or scams can spread quickly, especially when millions of Filipinos are travelling and staying connected through their phones,’ Nartatez said.

‘Technology gives us an added layer of situational awareness. It helps us deploy personnel more efficiently and detect possible problems before they escalate,’ he explained.

Nartatez also tasked the Anti-Cybercrime Group to flag fake advisories, phishing messages, or online scams pretending to offer travel assistance or cemetery services.

He said crowd behavior analytics drawn from CCTV (closed-circuit television) networks, drone footage, and mobile app data will also help estimate real-time movement in transport terminals and major cemeteries.

So far, police have not monitored any threats in anticipation of the All Saints/Souls commemoration.

On the ground, some 25,300 policemen and 22,000 force multipliers will be deployed nationwide to ensure the safety of the public.

Assistance desks, patrol teams, and traffic management units will also be stationed in cemeteries, bus terminals, seaports, and airports.

Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI) continues to take the lead in redefining energy efficiency in Philippine real estate by deploying advanced cooling systems in its flagship Festival Mall and in Quest Hotel Clark under Filinvest Hospitality.

Executed through Philippine DCS Development Corporation (PDDC)- a joint venture of FLI and ENGIE-both initiatives are structured as 20-year Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) Energy Efficiency Performance projects that cover the full development, design, installation, operation, and long-term maintenance of these state-of-the-art systems. These landmark projects go beyond routine upgrades. They are bold statements of Filinvest’s commitment to decarbonize its portfolio, cut energy costs, and deliver future-ready assets that set a new benchmark for sustainable operations in Philippine real estate.

Festival Mall: Raising the Bar on Energy Performance

At Festival Mall, Filinvest Land is raising the bar for sustainable retail operations with a state-of-the-art cooling system that redefines both efficiency and comfort. This is not a simple upgrade-it is a decisive leap in how malls can operate more sustainably while delivering superior customer experience.

The initial phase targets a 36% reduction in energy consumption, with even greater efficiencies expected once the project reaches full implementation and commercial operations. This marks an unprecedented milestone in energy performance, setting a new standard for sustainable building operations.

Beyond energy savings, the impact will be felt where it matters most-comfort. Indoor cooling temperatures inside the mall will be a consistently cool 23-24°C. The result is a vastly enhanced customer experience, delivering greater comfort while consuming significantly less energy. This breakthrough proves that cutting-edge technology can drive both sustainability and customer satisfaction, reshaping the way malls operate for the future.

On top of comfort, the new system is projected to generate at least ?56.9 million in annual electricity savings-powerful proof that sustainability drives not only environmental gains but also stronger business performance.

‘Festival Mall’s new cooling system is a clear example of how we are future-proofing our assets through sustainable innovation,’ said Tristan Las Marias, President and CEO of Filinvest Land, Inc. ‘This project reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering greener, more reliable, and more efficient spaces for our stakeholders, while reinforcing our role in shaping sustainable communities nationwide.’

By marrying energy savings with superior customer experience, Festival Mall’s chilled water system proves that sustainability and performance can go hand in hand, setting a benchmark for retail developments across the country.

Quest Hotel Clark: 20-Year Commitment to Efficiency

At Quest Hotel Clark, PDDC is embarking on a 20-year Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) Energy Efficiency Performance project that will completely transform the hotel’s cooling and hot water systems. Covering the full cycle of design, financing, construction, operations, and maintenance, the project also ensures meticulous preventive care and a replacement program of the airside system, securing efficiency and reliability for decades to come.

The timeline reflects the scale of ambition: a swift two-month mobilization, followed by 14 months of construction, testing, and commissioning, before entering 20 years of continuous operations and maintenance. Once operational, the project will cut the hotel’s cooling energy use in half and avoid roughly 7,400 tons of carbon dioxide emissions – an environmental gain comparable to planting 56,000 tree seedlings.

‘As the pioneer of large-scale district cooling system in the Philippines, PDDC is proud to be leading this transformation at Quest Hotel Clark,’ said Engr. Jonathan Urbano, General Manager of PDDC. ‘This project not only demonstrates how advanced technology can deliver significant energy savings, but also how sustainability can be integrated into hospitality operations to create long-term value for businesses, communities, and the environment.’

‘Our partnership with Filinvest goes beyond project delivery – it’s about demonstrating how large-scale cooling can reshape the future of sustainable cities in the Philippines,’ said Jacques Boonen, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, ENGIE. ‘Through PDDC, we combine Filinvest’s local leadership with ENGIE’s global expertise to deliver measurable energy savings, reliability, and tangible progress towards decarbonization.’

Driving the Philippines’ Energy Transition

These milestone projects are more than isolated efforts-they are part of a nationwide shift that supports the Philippines’ energy transition agenda and advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, and SDG 13: Climate Action). By introducing modern and environmentally conscious cooling systems in both hospitality and retail, Filinvest Land is actively cutting emissions, setting new standards for sustainable and efficient commercial operations at scale, and pioneering benchmarks for green operations in the country’s real estate sector.

While other companies are exploring renewable energy and efficiency solutions, PDDC remains the first and only provider to deliver large-scale district cooling in the country. This positions Filinvest Land’s joint venture with ENGIE as a trailblazer in the Philippines-introducing a globally proven technology that has transformed energy use in cities like Singapore, Dubai, and Paris, and adapting it for local needs. By doing so, PDDC is proving that greener infrastructure is not just possible in the Philippines, but commercially viable and operationally superior as seen in its other projects – The Northgate, Filinvest City Alabang District Cooling System currently serving 14 buildings, LIPAD Clark International Airport, Entrata Urban Complex and PBCom Tower.

Filinvest Land, through PDDC, is reaffirming its long-term commitment to sustainability and innovation. The landmark projects at Quest Hotel Clark and Festival Mall are part of a broader drive and strategy to embed energy-efficient, low-carbon solutions across Filinvest’s nationwide portfolio with Filinvest REIT Corp. already leading the way in the office sector. By taking the lead in this transformation, Filinvest Land is shaping not just greener properties, but a more resilient future for communities across the Philippines.

With a proven track record of delivering substantial energy savings, zero-downtime reliability, and lower carbon emissions, PDDC is expanding its solutions beyond the Filinvest ecosystem. Companies with large-scale cooling needs can now entrust PDDC with the future-proofing and operations of their cooling systems through long-term Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) arrangements. This allows client leaders to focus on growing their core businesses-without the burden of significant CAPEX or customer concerns over indoor climate comfort and performance.

The country has lost nearly 480,000 metric tons (MT) of palay supply so far this year after weather-related shocks, particularly typhoons, ravaged plantations.

Since January, the local rice sector has incurred 479,813 MT of palay losses as of October 22, based on the latest damage reports of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The southwest monsoon, along with tropical cyclones Mirasol, Nando, and Opong, accounted for the majority of the production losses in the rice industry, pegged at 354,831 MT, according to the agency.

The DA’s latest bulletin on tropical cyclones Paolo and Ramil, which recently wreaked havoc on the country, destroyed 9,557 MT and 289 MT of rice, respectively.

Prior to this, the DA had already registered 115,136 MT in palay losses due to weather-related shocks, most of which came from typhoons.

The latest figures, however, were yet to breach the average annual palay output losses ranging from 500,000 MT to 600,000 MT, according to agriculture officials.

‘If you look at these losses incurred by the rice industry, it’s a mix of both partially and totally damaged crops,’ DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa told the BusinessMirror.

‘The partially damaged areas have a chance of recovery, meaning some of them can be harvested while others cannot.’

As such, the DA official assured the industry that palay output this year would not dip below the 2024 level, when reached 19.09 million metric tons (MMT), the lowest in four years.

De Mesa also said the agency remains optimistic that the country could reach its revised target of 20.3 MMT palay output in 2025, citing ‘improvements’ in the third quarter harvest.

The DA had scaled back its palay output forecast this year to 20.3 MMT due to torrential downpours, which is lower than its initial projection of 20.45 MMT.

It added that erratic weather patterns could further lower expected paddy rice output in 2025 to as low as 20.09 MMT. If realized, the projected range would still be higher than the record 20.06 MMT in 2023.

Earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that palay harvest may have grown by 18.1 percent to 3.93 MMT in the July to September period from 3.33 MMT in 2024. The third quarter is usually considered the lean season for rice.

However, the latest production estimate is 1.7 percent lower than the agency’s initial forecast of 4 MMT, the PSA said.

In the first semester of the year, the country’s palay harvest hit an all-time high of 9.077 MMT, indicating a 6.41 percent growth from the 8.53 MMT posted in the same period last year.

The last time unmilled rice production breached the 9-MMT mark in the first half of the year was in 2023, when it reached 9.026 MMT.

Historically, the second half of the year accounts for over 55 percent of total rice production.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 4-A has concluded the Calabarzon Cacao Quality Award (CCQA) 2025, a regional initiative recognizing excellence in fermented cacao bean production, through a two-part event held in Quezon Province this October.

DTI said the initiative was carried out in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 4-A, the Calabarzon Cacao Industry Federation Inc., the Calabarzon Cacao Industry Council, and the Offices of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAs) of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Rizal.

The activity began with the Regional Technical Evaluation and Judging on October 7-8, 2025, at Flor and Daisy’s Agricultural Farm in Sariaya, Quezon, followed by the Awarding Ceremony on October 22, 2025, at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City as one of the highlights of the CALABARZON Cacao Congress 2025.

The two-day judging activity brought together cacao producers from across the region, with a total of 17 entries submitted from Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon for a rigorous assessment based on internationally recognized grading protocols.

All entries underwent coding and blind judging to ensure impartiality, with evaluations focusing on moisture content, fermentation level, bean defects, mold presence, and other quality parameters.

The process was conducted under the supervision of Prof. Romel M. Felismino, Lead Technical Consultant from the UPLB Institute of Food Science and Technology. The judging activity also provided participants with valuable technical feedback to help improve their postharvest practices and prepare them for the Philippine Cacao Quality Award (PCQA) 2026.

The culmination of the process took place during the Awarding Ceremony on October 22. The four regional winners were: Florencio Flores, Romeo Manalo, Luz C. Gusto and Paulino Sulibit. They were formally recognized for producing the best fermented cacao beans in Calabarzon. The event honored the outstanding efforts of farmers, cooperatives, and associations who have demonstrated excellence and sustainability in cacao production.

The program featured congratulatory messages, the presentation of plaques and certificates to winners and partners, and a photo session to celebrate the region’s milestone in advancing cacao quality.

‘Local cacao products are more than just ingredients for delicious chocolates – they hold a promise of a brighter sustainable future for our farmers and the entire cacao industry’, said DTI 4-A Assistant Regional Director Revelyn A. Cortez.

‘This gathering celebrates not only the progress of the cacao industry but also the promising development of Calabarzon in shaping its bright future’, said DA Undersecretary Cherryl Marie N. Caballero.

THE Philippines recorded over 52 million exposed credentials in just three months as cyber attacks surged 49 percent during the third quarter of 2025, with artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology enabling a new generation of digital threats that are faster, more deceptive, and harder to detect than ever before.

Viettel Cyber Security documented 76 data breach incidents between July and September, up from 51 cases in the previous quarter, according to its third quarter Cyber Threat Landscape Report on the Philippines.

The breaches compromised 4.3 million accounts, a 73-percent increase from the 2.5 million affected in the second quarter.

According to the report, cybercriminals now deploy AI-generated videos, cloned voices, and fabricated executive communications to deceive employees and business partners.

Combined with AI-assisted malware that adapts to evade detection, these technologies have industrialized deception at scale.

‘Cybersecurity isn’t about fear, it’s about foresight,’ said Thomas Luu, Country Manager at Viettel Cyber Security. ‘As the Philippines accelerates towards digitalization faster than ever, the importance of security must not be overlooked.’

The quarter recorded 7,656 phishing attacks, with 31 percent targeting banking and finance. Researchers also identified 27 new vulnerabilities in commonly used workplace platforms.

The report also noted that healthcare has emerged as the top target for cybercriminals, driven by the growing value of patient data and hospitals’ reliance on digital systems. Medical facilities face ransomware attacks capable of crippling operations and exposing sensitive information.

Finance and e-commerce continue suffering from phishing schemes and credential theft, while manufacturing, energy, and public services remain exposed to ransomware and supply-chain compromises.

‘Organizations who innovate without the necessary protection in place become vulnerable to risks. Cybersecurity isn’t just a safeguard-it’s an enabler of sustainable digital growth,’ Luu said.

With data leaks, ordinary Filipinos are finding their data repurposed for fake job listings, e-commerce scams, and fraudulent loan applications, according to the report.

Those who reuse passwords across accounts face particular vulnerability, while small businesses receive phishing invoices disguised as legitimate supplier communications.

Luu recommended a ‘four-pronged’ defense strategy: regular software patching, offline data backups with disaster recovery procedures, continuous employee training, and round-the-clock threat monitoring through managed Security Operations Center (SOC) services.

‘Cybersecurity has become a marker of leadership and trust, especially in an increasingly digital economy,’ he said. ‘At Viettel Cyber Security, we partner with organizations to build resilience through managed SOC services. Our SOC empowers businesses to enhance operational efficiency and security management, helping them overcome workforce constraints while ensuring 24/7 protection against evolving cyber threats.’

SOMEWHERE in your house, there might be plants waiting to be repotted, a stack of newly bought books, or a pile of boxes needing to be inventoried. Perhaps there is a folder on your laptop labeled ‘Work in Progress’ filled with drafts, designs, or ideas waiting for a perfect moment that never quite arrived. If this sounds familiar, you are in good company. Many people carry the quiet guilt of unfinished projects. Yet, perhaps it is time to look at them differently and learn that not everything needs to reach the finish line to have value.

Our environment often glorifies completion. We celebrate the people who finish marathons, publish books, and master new skills. There is a sense that to stop before completing anything is to fail. However, life rarely follows neat timelines. Sometimes, circumstances change. Sometimes, interest fades. And sometimes, a project serves its purpose long before it is complete. The truth is that the act of beginning something or daring to explore an idea already counts as progress.

Think about the excitement that comes with starting something new. The blank page, the fresh set of tools, or the first spark of creativity brings energy and possibility. That moment alone has value because it allows you to learn something about yourself. Maybe you discovered that woodworking is not your passion after all, or that writing poetry helps you express emotions better than keeping a journal. The lesson lies not only in finishing but also in trying. Every unfinished project teaches something about your preferences, your limits, and your growth.

Making peace with unfinished projects starts with releasing guilt. Instead of thinking, ‘I never finished that painting,’ try saying, ‘That painting helped me relax during a stressful time.’

Changing the story you tell yourself transforms regret into gratitude. Not every effort leads to a grand result. Some projects are stepping stones which helps you practice patience or creativity for something else that will come later.

You can start by taking inventory of your half-done tasks. Make a list of everything that feels incomplete, whether it is cleaning the garage, learning a language, or organizing family photos. Then, ask yourself three questions. First, does this project still matter to me? Second, do I have the time or energy to continue it now? Third, what do I gain from keeping it on my plate? If the answer to any of these is no, it might be time to release it without guilt.

Letting go can be symbolic. You can donate materials from a craft you no longer enjoy, delete digital drafts that no longer speak to you, or pass on an idea to someone who might find completion in it. In doing so, you are not giving up. You are clearing space for new beginnings. Sometimes, closure comes not from finishing but from deciding to stop.

For the projects that still matter, try redefining what ‘finished’ means. Perhaps you started a photo album that you never completed. Instead of waiting for the perfect layout, print a few favorite pictures and frame them. If you began learning guitar but stopped midway, you can still play a song or two whenever you feel like it. Progress does not always require perfection. Small completions count too.

Another helpful practice is to set time limits on revisiting old projects. Tell yourself, ‘I will give this one hour this week and see how I feel.’ Often, the simple act of revisiting rekindles interest or brings closure. You might rediscover the joy of working on it or realize that your enthusiasm has truly passed. Either way, you are moving forward.

It is also important to be kind to yourself when reflecting on why projects remain unfinished. Sometimes life gets in the way, and priorities shift. A job change, family responsibilities, or health concerns can alter your energy and focus. Instead of viewing these interruptions as failures, see them as reminders that you are human. Productivity is not the only measure of worth. Living fully sometimes means choosing rest, relationships, and reflection over relentless completion.

Unfinished projects can even serve as creative compost. The poem that never became a book might inspire a new article. The sketch that was never framed might lead to a digital design. Nothing you create is wasted because every attempt adds to your experience. When you see your efforts as part of a bigger journey rather than isolated results, you free yourself from unnecessary pressure.

So the next time you come across a half-written story, a neglected plan, or a forgotten goal, take a deep breath. Appreciate what it once gave you and what it taught you. You do not have to finish everything you start to have lived meaningfully. Completion is satisfying, but curiosity, courage, and creativity are even more beautiful. Sometimes, peace comes not from crossing something off the list but from accepting that the list itself will always be a work in progress.