Category: Business Mirror

For over 15 years, Josie Conlu has been at the forefront of serving the Filipino and wider expatriate communities in Dubai, earning recognition as the community’s most familiar and influential personality. Known for her warmth, generosity, and infectious positivity, she is also an award-winning personality, a dedicated youth mentor, and an advocate for SMEs, empowering individuals and communities to grow, thrive, and contribute meaningfully.

Through her current flagship platform, Love Josie, Josie connects communities, fosters engagement, and celebrates Filipino culture across the UAE. The platform has become a trusted hub for information, inspiration, and connection, offering guidance and support to families, workers, and youth alike.

Ms. Josie Conlu, with the Emirates Loves Team, during the Kalayaan 2024 Celebrations.

During her pioneering work as Project Manager for Emirates Loves under the Dubai Government Media Office, Josie helped build these into formidable community platforms with a 14-country reach and over 10 million followers, creating spaces for engagement, cultural dialogue, and authentic community connection. Her work demonstrated a keen ability to mobilize communities, foster meaningful relationships, and deliver initiatives at scale.

Ms. Josie Conlu, whose work bridges cultures through community initiatives together with Infinite Communities, and under Emirates Loves Management, with H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Co-Existence.

Through her partners Infinite Communities, The Filipino Channel, and Emirates Loves Philippines, Josie organizes landmark events that have become cultural touchstones for the Filipino community. Kalayaan, one of the largest Philippine Independence Day celebrations outside the Philippines, attracts over 40,000 attendees annually, while Shukran, the annual Filipino Thanksgiving, celebrates the community’s contributions to the UAE while honoring the host country. These events exemplify her dedication to cultural celebration, unity, and recognition.

Her influence is rooted in deep ties with key UAE institutions and the diplomatic community. She collaborates as a trusted partner in distributing reliable information, serving as a bridge between authorities and communities to ensure initiatives are impactful and relevant.

Ms. Josie Conlu with Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai.

Ms. Elena Cruz, Founder and CEO of Infinite Communities; Ms. Laline Ver, wife of the Ambassador; H.E. Alfonso Ver, Ambassador of the Philippines to the UAE; and Ms. Josie Conlu at the opening of ‘Una Baguena: A Story and Beauty’ at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Josie’s commitment to community development extends to education and skills empowerment. Through her partnership with Crescent Circle Training Institute, she is helping a growing number of Filipino migrant workers access scholarships and highly affordable tuition, making professional upskilling and growth achievable for hardworking Kababayans striving to improve their lives and careers in the UAE.

Ms. Josie Conlu with H.E. Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzabi, UAE Ambassador to the Philippines

Beyond her community work, Josie’s unique brand universe and credibility have made her an excellent and trusted brand ambassador for sustainable brands, allowing her to authentically represent initiatives that align with her values and positively impact communities.

Reflecting on her journey, Josie shares, ‘I am humbled to serve my community, and every connection reminds me that leadership is about listening, supporting, and lifting others.’ Her energy, positivity, and integrity are evident in every initiative she leads, inspiring communities, celebrating heritage, and creating enduring impact across the UAE.

With her strategic vision, compassionate leadership, and unwavering dedication, Josie Conlu continues to shape Dubai’s social fabric. Her tireless efforts prove that one committed individual, grounded in humility and driven by purpose, can transform the lives of thousands and inspire generations to come.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has advised the public against dealing with De Guzman Consumer Goods Trading and an individual named Christabel Arroyo due to their unauthorized solicitation of investments.

The SEC has also warned the public against engaging with individuals or groups who falsely represent themselves as part of COL Financial Group Inc, and use the name and logo of Alpha Securities Corp. without their authority. In an advisory, the SEC said it has found De Guzman Consumer to be inviting the public through Facebook to become an investor or co-partner in its farming and trading business, with a promise of potential returns of 60 percent to 200 percent within 30 to 60 days.

It is not registered as a corporation or partnership and does not have the required license to solicit investments.

Meanwhile, Christabel Arroyo was found offering investment opportunities involving bitcoin mining trading, without the required certificate of registration from the SEC. Through her Facebook account, Arroyo entices the public to invest a minimum capital of P5,000 with a promised earning of P50,000 within 24 hours.

The SEC flagged certain individuals or groups who falsely represented themselves as personnel or representatives of publicly listed stock broker COL Financial Group to scam the public.

Under the scheme, scammers impersonating current or former COL personnel told their victims that money they previously lost in other scams had been reinvested in COL.

To withdraw the supposed investments, victims were required to pay multiple fees, including so-called tax fees. However, the funds were not returned and the scammers kept imposing additional payments until the victims stopped complying.

The SEC also warned that certain individuals are using the name and logo of Alpha Securities Corp. without authority to perpetrate an investment scam.

‘According to reports, certain persons claimed to have invested with Alpha Securities Corporation by sending money, but upon verification, these individuals were never clients of the company and had not opened accounts with it,’ the SEC said.

WITH slightly over a month to go, the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) is stepping up its preparations for arguably an innovative and the biggest international sporting event to be held in the country in terms of its record-breaking number of participating nations and athletes.

Riding on the wave of gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo’s historic golden double in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Philippines will be the global epicenter of the dynamic discipline when the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships officially springs into action from Nov. 20 to 24 at the Manila Marriott Grand Ballroom inside the Newport World Resorts in Pasay City.

Delegates are expected to arrive as early as November 14 with some expected to stay a few days beyond November 25, presenting a valuable opportunity to generate a welcome boost for local business. Adding star power to the event, GAP Board Member Derek Ramsay will host the opening ceremony.

‘We are going all out in our effort in the hosting of this huge international sporting competition featuring the world’s top junior gymnasts, a showcase for their skills and talent amid a lively, festive and warm atmosphere that only Filipinos are known for,’ said GAP president Cynthia Carrion proudly.

‘The Philippines has a proven track record for staging memorable and impressive international competitions and the GAP, with the help of its partners, has also set the bar high to ensure that our hosting of the 3rd Junior World Championships will not only measure up but also even exceed expectations,’ the lively GAP official stressed.

Using her charm and persuasive powers, Carrion said that this was why that the board of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), led by Japanese president Morinari Watanabe, had no qualms in awarding the hosting rights of the world junior gymnastics showcase during the FIG Congress in Doha, Qatar last November 2024.

FIG Technical Officials Give Thumbs Up

She disclosed that even top technical officials of the world gymnastics body, popularly known by its French acronym FIG, were quite impressed by what they saw of the plans for the third edition of the meet that began in 2019 in Gyor, Hungary during their two-day ocular inspection last August.

‘On behalf of the group (FIG), I can say that we’re extremely impressed about their preparation. The junior gymnasts here will have the best conditions to compete-not only in training but also in the competition, and in the hotels and in the transport,’ noted FIG WAG Senior Events Manager Celine Patricia Cachemaille of Switzerland.

‘Everything is being made for them to have a great experience here in the Philippines.’

Cachemaille’s sentiments were echoed by Donatella Sacchi and Andrew Tombs, presidents of the FIG Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) and Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) Technical Committees, respectively.

‘We are very impressed, not only because they are very friendly and have new ideas, but because they developed this organization, which is a complex organization, in such a short time. So we can see here a lot of energy, a lot of new ideas, and people that will host our delegation with a big heart.’ Sacchi enthused.

‘Clearly, the organizers (GAP) are well prepared and I know many gymnasts around the world are very excited to be coming. For many of them, this is their first major championship, the start of their journey hopefully towards the Olympic Games, whether it is the Youth Olympic Games next year or in 2028 (in Los Angeles),’ Tombs pointed out.

FIG Men’s Artistic Senior Events Manager Stephane Detraz agreed with his colleague’s, saying: ‘With meticulous planning, the GAP is gearing up to deliver a world-class event that will showcase the grace, strength and passion of the next generation of gymnasts. The Philippines is set to make this championship an unforgettable experience for athletes, coaches, and fans from around the world.’

To ensure a seamless competition, the GAP convened a general coordination meeting recently with key committees covering hotels, transports, accreditation, security, logistics, and other related key areas.

Record-breaking Turnout Poised to Boost Sports Tourism and Local Economy

Carrion revealed that proof that the blue-ribbon competition has generated popular interest in the international gymnastics community were the 77 countries and 846 athletes that have registered so far for the gymnastics world championships, easily surpassing the previous two occasions when the event was held.

The GAP executive said that these numbers exceeded the 64 countries and 234 campaigners who took part in the 2nd junior worlds in Antalya, Turkey.

‘We believe a reason for this record-breaking turnout is our famed Filipino hospitality that other nationalities have heard about from their own compatriots who visited our country, and keep coming back,’ Carrion said. ‘Our goal is to attain a Grade 10 rating for hosting excellence. We aim to deliver not only an outstanding gymnastics showcase but also to give our guests an exceptional experience. Everything that we are doing is about promoting sports tourism and helping fuel the local economy. When delegates have a positive experience, they are encouraged to explore, visit more destinations, and return to the Philippines.’

She thanked the Newport World Resorts, the premier leisure, entertainment, shopping and gaming resort across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, for being the site of the prestigious championships.

For the first time in gymnastic world championships history, the field of play will move from the traditional sports arena to the elegance and comfort of a hotel setting. This bold and innovative move impressed FIG, proving how creativity and vision can redefine not only where athletes compete, but also how the sport is experienced. More than a change of venue, it marks a new way of thinking in event hosting.

‘We would like to express our gratitude to Newport World Resorts’ Kevin Tan, who is also our Local Organizing Committee Chairman, for accommodating us in staging this grand junior world championships,’ Carrion said.

With the Manila Marriott Grand Ballroom as the major hub of activity, she said, ‘our participants are assured of a confined, comfortable and secure environment, living in hotels that are virtually a stroll away from the competition arena.’

The Manila Marriott Hotel, Sheraton Manila, Hilton Manila, Belmont Manila, Hotel Okura, Savoy Hotel and Hilton Express within the Newport World Resorts will serve as the official accommodations of the delegates, according to Carrion.

She also recognized the support of the Office of the President, Philippine Sports Commission, and Newport World Resorts in making the upcoming event possible.

World Juniors Slogan, Logo Unveiled

Giving the event its own distinct character are the slogan and logo of the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships.

After several brainstorming sessions, ‘Leap High, Flip Strong!’ was chosen by the local gymnastics body as the slogan or motto for the event.

‘Leap High, Flip Strong!’ is more than just a campaign slogan. It’s a rallying cry of our 24-million Filipino youth to mount a leap of faith especially in these challenging times, and to explore and soar high in search for growth and development,’ Carrion elaborated.

On the other hand, the Philippine-inspired logo was taken from the country’s renowned title as ‘The Pearl of the Orient Seas,’ a lustrous, lush and hospitable nation of over 100 million people.

‘At the heart of the design is the FIG logo, representing the unifying spirit of international gymnastics,’ noted a description on the GAP official Facebook account.

‘The pearl metaphor reflects the young athletes (as depicted inside the shell). They are rare, talented, full of potential and ready to shine one world stage,’ it said. ‘Just like pearls formed through time and pressure, these gymnasts represent the result of years of dedication, discipline and dreams.’

The stylized open shell ‘serves as a direct tribute to the Philippines and our role as proud host of this global event.’ It ‘represents a welcoming nation offering a safe and supportive space where future champions are discovered, celebrated, and inspired.’

‘After all, we are staging this event so that a new generation of gymnastics stars from all over the globe will be nurtured and discovered, representing their countries in international play in the future with pride and excellence,’ Carrion said.

Healthway Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH), the first cancer specialty hospital in the Philippines, has partnered with Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH) in Taiwan to provide access to advanced cancer treatments.

This collaboration focuses on a cross-border patient referral program for advanced oncology treatments not yet available in the Philippines, such as proton beam therapy (PBT).

CGMH is a recognized leader in advanced cancer treatments in Asia, offering one of the region’s most comprehensive Proton Beam Therapy centers. The Proton and Radiation Therapy Center at CGMH Linkou is Taiwan’s first proton therapy center. This state-of-the-art facility combines cutting-edge technology with strong clinical expertise and a robust foundation in clinical research. CGMH is highly regarded for generating high-quality research and clinical outcomes data that contribute significantly to the global knowledge of PBT and cancer care.

PBT offers a highly precise way to target tumors, thereby minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue and reducing side effects. This added precision is particularly beneficial for treating tumors located near critical organs such as the lungs, spinal cord, heart, and brain, where damage could cause serious problems.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) took place on September 17, 2025, at HCCH in Taguig City. The event brought together key leaders from both institutions.

Three-pillar approach

The partnership between HCCH and CGMH focuses on three key areas to advance cancer care-Patient Referrals, Clinical Knowledge Exchange, and Data and Outcomes Collaboration.

HCCH will refer eligible patients for proton beam therapy at CGMH with agreed protocols and supported by care coordinators on both sides to facilitate logistics and other requirements.

The collaboration will establish virtual case conferences and tumor boards, allowing physicians from both hospitals to share expertise and discuss complex patient cases.

Additionally, the partnership will facilitate clinical rotations and observership opportunities for HCCH physicians at CGMH, with a special emphasis on radiation oncology and proton beam therapy.

HCCH and CGMH will also collaborate on a joint research initiative by sharing de-identified clinical outcomes for referred patients. This will not only ensure quality assurance but also pave the way for joint research opportunities, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of cancer treatments and their effectiveness.

With the shared goal of bringing the best in cancer care to patients, CGMH now joins HCCH’s ecosystem of international partners, which includes renowned institutions like the US-based City of Hope and National Cancer Centre Singapore.

EFFORTS to stop child marriage in the Bangsamoro region should move beyond information campaigns and awareness drives, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said, urging the use of culturally grounded approaches that resonate with local values and beliefs.

In an October 2025 report, Unicef said that while Republic Act 11596, or the Anti-Child Marriage Law, has made such unions illegal across the Philippines, a lot of people, particularly in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, still see the law as contradictory with people’s beliefs, particularly in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

‘Many view the law as conflicting with tradition or religion, not just as unfamiliar,’ Unicef said in its report Understanding Factors Driving Child, Early, and Forced Marriage and Unions (CEFMU). ‘Efforts should frame the law as protective and values-aligned.’

The group said that simply ‘telling people’ about the law has a limited effect unless communities see how it aligns with their moral and faith-based principles.

For many families, it noted, early marriage is still seen as a way to avoid haram, or acts forbidden in Islam, such as premarital relationships, as well as a way out of poverty.

Citing data from the Bangsamoro Women Commission, Unicef said around 88,600 girls in the region were married before turning 18. Nationally, one in six girls marries before legal age, placing the Philippines 12th in the world in the number of child marriages.

A separate survey by Plan International and the Women’s Refugee Commission found that for every 100 girls in the Bangsamoro region, 15 marry before 18 and two before 15, which are figures that remain far higher than the national average.

Unicef said that despite the law, enforcement remains weak and no cases have yet been officially prosecuted. This lack of visible consequence, it added, fuels the public perception that early marriage is still acceptable.

To shift mindsets, Unicef recommended that messages about the law be co-created with communities, religious councils and local leaders, to make child protection as consistent with Islamic and cultural teachings.

It also urged authorities to share stories of families who delayed marriage and benefited from doing so.

Unicef further called for stronger coordination among local government units, barangays, faith-based organizations and social workers to clarify the law’s intent and improve reporting systems.

‘Social workers, in particular, play a vital role in case management, referrals, and survivor support,’ the agency said. ‘Engaging youth advocates and community leaders in local monitoring and norm-shifting efforts will be key to sustained enforcement.’

As next steps, Unicef recommended co-developing a social and behavior change strategy for the Bangsamoro region.

This will include an implementation guide and monitoring plan to track community response, along with future studies that include Indigenous Peoples, children with disabilities and LGBTQ+ youth.

State-run firm Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has inked a deal with Filipino tech firm CostPlus Inc. to explore the development of ‘innovative’ renewable energy (RE) solutions in New Clark City and other BCDA-managed properties.

BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang and CostPlus President Anand Mahtani signed last October 14 a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will ‘pave the way for feasibility studies on key sustainable energy initiatives.’

‘We are confident that together we can unlock the full clean energy potential of New Clark City, and show the rest of the country that green development and economic growth can go hand in hand.’

Under the agreement, BCDA said proposed projects include the development of a 5-megawatt microgrid system powered by solar energy, battery storage, and auxiliary power technologies.

Another ‘major component,’ BCDA noted, is the establishment of a 20-metric ton per day waste-to-energy (WTE) facility, designed to convert solid waste into compressed natural gas (CNG) that can be used to fuel public transportation.

The facility is also expected to produce high-grade fertilizers as a valuable by-product.

Mahtani said the initiative will convert waste into compressed natural gas, providing a sustainable energy source to support the fuel needs of jeepneys.

Meanwhile, CostPlus donated an electric bus to BCDA, demonstrating both parties’ ‘shared commitment’ to advancing green mobility and supporting the government’s broader sustainability agenda.

The signing event was also witnessed by Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shri Harsh Kumar Jain, Mahtani and BCDA Executive Vice President and COO Gisela Z. Kalalo.

The state-run firm said this is part of BCDA’s broader commitment to position New Clark City as ‘a model for smart, resilient, and sustainable urban development in the Philippines.’

Global AI device ecosystem company HONOR Philippines today announced the launch of its all-new HONOR X7d, the latest addition to its acclaimed X Series line-up for as low as Php 7,299! Get it during pre-order period until October 24, 2025 and get a FREE HONOR Camping Light Speaker worth Php 4,999. Head on to your nearest HONOR Experience and Partner Stores.

‘The HONOR X7d represents HONOR’s dedication to providing practical, feature-rich smartphones catering to the needs of budget-conscious consumers who still desire AI interaction in their mobile devices. Setting a benchmark as a powerful budget phone with enhanced durability and brand-new AI experience in the market, the HONOR X7d brings 5-star Premium Drop Protection, IP65 Water Resistance, a robust 6500mAh Dual-cell Battery, 108MP Ultra-Clear Main Camera and stunning Instant AI Button,’ said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.

Exceptional Durability with All-around Protections

Positioned as a durable entry-level phone, the latest HONOR X7d showcases comprehensive drop protection with prestigious SGS Premium Performance Certification of Drop and Crush Resistance, offering impressive resistance to drops from heights of up to 1.8 meters.  The corners reinforced by Rhinoceros-like structure Bulletproof Vests Design, Cushioning and Fall Protection Architecture and Decentralized Force Design safeguards the phones from different daily impacts.

Equipped with an IP65 Water Resistance, the HONOR X7d’s robust design is further enhanced, making it not afraid of washing, rinsing and water spray. This device has been tested to function after being submerged in water for up to 1 minute at a depth of 0.5 meter, making it a dependable companion in various settings and situations. Meanwhile, with the Wet-hand Touch Enhancement, users can also have smooth experience even with wet or greasy fingers.

Exceptional Battery with Enhanced Safety and Strength

Equipped with a large 6500mAh Battery, the HONOR X7d provides price-level biggest battery life, offering all-day lasting and 5 years Super Durable. The Double-cell Battery Structure design offers longer lasting, faster charging as well as a stronger and safer structure. With multi-point temperature monitoring, the battery performs well in temperatures from -20°C to 55°C, which allows it to work perfectly in the harshest conditions from blizzards to deserts. Additionally. The 35W wired HONOR SuperCharge8 rapidly revives the battery for extended usage.

Practical AI Button for All New AI Experience

As the first smartphone in its class to feature AI Button, the HONOR X7d offers brand-new AI interaction through this subtle design. Simply put, the AI button has two ways to interact which correspond to different functions. With a single click, users can open APP which they customize or perform background cleaning and speeding up, while with a long press, users can activate functions like AI Translation and AI Creation, delivering a truly personalized and seamless user experience.

Additionally, powered by the latest MagicOS 9.0 based on Android 15, the HONOR X7d carries various other intelligence features including Magic Capsule, Magic Portal, Circle to search and Google Gemini Assistant, offering AI Editing functions including AI Outpainting, Al Upscale, AI Cutout and so on, making it the best partner for work and life.

AI-powered Smartphone Photography Experience

Equipped with a 108MP Ultra-Clear Camera, the HONOR X7d captures images with exceptional details and enhanced brightness, empowering users to have the best photography experience even at night. With 3x Lossless Zoom and three distinct portrait modes – 1x Environmental Portrait, 2x Atmospheric Portrait, and 3x Close-up Portrait – users can create stunning portrait shots with diverse focal lengths. Furthermore, the HONOR X7d integrates AI photography features like HONOR AI Eraser, AI Remove Reflection and AI Style, improving image quality and promoting users’ photo editing experience on smartphones.

Generous Storage Saving All Precious Memories

The HONOR X7d comes equipped with 512 GB large internal storage at most providing ample space for years of precious memories. This power efficiency is complemented by HONOR’s innovative RAM Turbo Technology, which effectively provides a 16GB RAM equivalent experience (8GB physical + 8GB virtual). It ensures smooth performance even after extended use, allowing users to multitask and switch between apps effortlessly.

Pricing and Availability

Catering to users’ diverse style preferences, the HONOR X7d is available in 3 captivating colorways: Desert Gold, Ocean Cyan, and Velvet Black. Starting from October 14 to 24, 2025, you can pre-order the HONOR X7d (512GB Variant) for only Php 9,999 to get a FREE HONOR Camping Light Speaker worth Php 4,999 at any HONOR Experience and Partner Stores.

The country’s palay output likely jumped by double digits in the third quarter due to the expansion of harvest area, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The PSA said palay harvest may have grown by 18.1 percent to 3.93 million metric tons (MMT) in July to September from 3.33 MMT last year. 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.

‘Based on the standing crop for the period July to September 2025, the yield per hectare of palay may decrease to 4.17 metric tons or by 0.7 percent from the previous year’s same period yield per hectare of 4.20 metric tons.’

Despite this, PSA said total palay harvest area in the third quarter likely expanded by 19 percent to 943,070 hectares (ha) from the 792,220 ha recorded in the same period last year.

As of September 1, PSA said about 398,320 hectares, or 42.2 percent of the 943,070 hectares of updated area of standing crop, have been harvested. This translates to a palay output of 1.62 MMT.

‘Of the total area of 1.90 million hectares of standing palay as of 01 September 2025, 37.8 percent were at the vegetative stage, 37.5 percent were at the reproductive stage, and 24.6 percent were at the maturing stage.’

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture (DA) scaled back its palay output forecast this year to 20.3 MMT due to torrential downpours. This is lower than its initial projection of 20.45 MMT.

The agency also noted that erratic weather patterns could further push down expected paddy rice output in 2025 to as low as 20.09 MMT. If realized, however, the projected range would still be higher than the record 20.06 MMT in 2023.

Despite such adjustment, the DA said it remains hopeful following the all-time high output in the first semester at 9.08 MMT, which was propelled by improved weather conditions and bolstered government support.

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

Corn outlook

Meanwhile, the PSA projects corn output in the third quarter to contract by 3.6 percent to 2.41 MMT from the actual production of 2.5 MMT in the previous year.

The harvest area during the reference period was expected to decrease by 1.2 percent to 796,780 ha from the 806,160 ha recorded last year.

Furthermore, the state statistics agency noted that the yield per hectare of corn may also drop by 2.6 percent to 3.02 MT from 3.10 MT.

‘As of 01 September 2025, about 431,010 hectares or 54.1 percent of the 796,780 hectares updated harvest area of standing corn have been harvested, translating to 1.18 million metric tons of corn output.’

‘Of the total area of 712,690 hectares of standing corn as of 01 September 2025, 49.6 percent were at the maturing stage, 27.9 percent were at the vegetative stage, and 22.6 percent were at the reproductive stage.’

Megawide Construction Corp. on Wednesday said it secured two new contracts with Andrew Tan’s Megaworld Corp. to build residential towers in the property developer’s townships in Taguig and in Pasay.

The multi-billion-peso contracts cover civil, structural and architectural works as well as MEPF or mechanical, electric, plumbing and fire.

‘We are very excited to again work with Megaworld, who has been our long-standing client. Our partnership with them is built on the shared pursuit of sustainability, excellence, and speed-to-market, which have defined both our organizations’ brand and track record.

We intend to cultivate this further by providing them products and services that meet their very strict quality and workmanship standards,’ Edgar Saavedra, Megawide president and CEO, said.

The two projects are Uptown Modern and One Portwood, both residential facilities in Megaworld’s Uptown BGC development.

Uptown Modern is the newest addition to the high-rise residential towers, which is designed with ‘form and function in mind and sets a new standard for modern living’.

One Portwood, meanwhile, is a residential condominium located in Newport City, right across Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal in Pasay.

Megawide said it will again leverage on its expertise in engineering and construction methodology, anchored on its pre-cast technology and integrated construction solutions, which were earlier showcased in Megaworld developments, such as The Worldwide Plaza, Albany Luxury Suites, Newport Link, International Finance Tower, and Gentry Manor, among others.

‘Our strategic partnership with Megawide has been built on a foundation of trust, and we applaud the consistent excellence they bring to every project,’ Megaworld head of operations Jennifer L. Romualdez said.

The contracts with Megaworld form part of the P20-billion new deals Megawide has been negotiating to bring its order book to P50 billion by yearend. The company is also targeting to forge deals with other clients, such as Trans Aire Development Holdings Corporation (a subsidiary of San Miguel Corp.), DoubleDragon, 8990 Holdings, Landers, and Citicore Power Inc.

Megawide is also targeting ‘a healthy mix’ of residential, commercial/industrial, and infrastructure projects to maintain a balanced, sustainable, and diverse order book that will provide long-term revenue visibility and stability.

THE Philippines is expected to clinch regional agreements aimed at strengthening energy cooperation across Southeast Asia during he Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Ministers on Energy Meeting (Amem) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The meeting started on October 14 and will end on Oct. 17.

‘We’re fully committed to work closely with our Asean neighbors to tackle energy challenges and unlock new opportunities,’ said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin. ‘This meeting is a key moment for all of us to move toward a sustainable and secure energy future.’

The Philippines will spotlight its progress in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and expanding energy access to more communities. The DOE will also share best practices and explore joint projects on smart grids, cross-border power sharing, and modern infrastructure, all essential to building a more innovative and resilient ASEAN energy network.

Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella will represent the Philippines in senior-level talks to finalize key regional agreements, including a new Asean Power Grid Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), an updated Asean Petroleum Security Agreement, the long-term Renewable Energy (RE) Roadmap, a regional Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Framework, discussions on nuclear energy cooperation, and tools to boost energy investments and track efficiency progress.

Beyond the main sessions, Garin and other senior officials will engage in bilateral meetings with Asean counterparts to prepare for the country’s upcoming Chairmanship of the Asean Energy Meetings in 2026. The DOE is looking to host approximately 39 meetings and fora next year. The DOE has formed working committees to implement preparations and activities to ensure the country’s successful hosting of the ASEAN energy-related meetings.

Meanwhile, the DOE said the drafting of action plans for the proposed National Policy and Strategy on Nuclear Security has commenced.

DOE Director Patrick T. Aquino said stressed that the policies are strategic instruments that embody the nation’s resolve to uphold the highest standards of safety, security, and sustainability in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.