Category: Business Mirror

The Philippines and Japan will activate their landmark Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) on Aug. 22, further strengthening defense cooperation as both countries seek closer security coordination amid growing regional tensions.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi formalized the agreement’s entry into force by exchanging diplomatic notes during their meeting in Manila on July 23.

According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ACSA will officially take effect on Aug. 22, 2026.

The agreement will allow the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Japan Self-Defense Forces to exchange logistics support and services-including food, fuel, water and other essential supplies-making it easier for the two militaries to operate together during joint exercises and humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions.

The activation of the ACSA marks another milestone in the two countries’ expanding security partnership as they prepare to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations.

During their meeting, Lazaro and Motegi reaffirmed their commitment to the Philippines-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and agreed to further strengthen defense and diplomatic cooperation.

The ACSA complements other bilateral security arrangements, including the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which provides the legal framework for the deployment of military personnel for joint training and other activities, and Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) program, under which Tokyo provides defense equipment such as coastal radar systems to the Philippines.

The two ministers also exchanged views on regional security issues, particularly developments in the South China Sea, and reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination on regional and international concerns.

‘They also exchanged views on future cooperation between Japan and ASEAN as well as regional and international affairs such as issues concerning the South China Sea, and confirmed that they would continue coordinating closely,’ Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The ministers said the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to serve as the framework for expanding bilateral cooperation in defense, diplomacy and other areas of mutual interest.

Japan also reaffirmed its continued support for the Philippines through its Official Development Assistance (ODA) program.

Mention Greenhills and the buzz phrases shopping haven and foodie mecca come to mind. But for the past nine years, this mixed-use property in Ortigas has been emerging as an art and culture hub, thanks to its annual gathering of creative talents and stakeholders in the scene.

From July 17 to July 30 this year, the ninth edition of the Ortigas Art Festival continues its multidisciplinary celebration at the spacious GH Mall.

With the theme ‘Elevate,’ the festival steps up with the launch of the 1st Ortigas Art Competition, where the winner gets the opportunity to have an all-expenses-paid exposure to the prestigious Art Basel Hong Kong in 2027.

Under its ‘Art For All’ mission, the festival continues its efforts to democratize art by making it accessible to both artists and the public.

‘This is an advocacy festival in the sense that admission is free and even the space for the exhibition is free for the participating galleries. artists, and regional art collectives,’ said Lead Curator and noted painter Renato ‘Ato’ Habulan.

Looking back, Habulan takes pride in the roster of participating artists whose early art careers started through the Ortigas Art Festival.

‘We started with young artists who were fresh graduates. Now they are considered ‘rockstars’ who have won awards along the way and have been exhibiting abroad. Our connections with them carried on and they continue to participate in the festival,’ Habulan added.

Diverse art showcase

Participating spaces and artist collectives include Agos Studio, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of Kaisahan, a pioneering collective of progressive Filipino visual artists who founded the Social Realism art movement in 1976. Among its founders are Renato Habulan, Pablo Baens Santos, Edgar Talusan Fernandez, Neil Doloricon, and Antipas Delotavo.

Also participating are Eskinita Art Gallery, Linangan Art Residency, Thombayan Art Space, Art Circle Gallery, Historia Art Gallery, Nami Art Gallery, the Collective Artists of Angono, the Mindoro Artists Group, Pasig Art Club, the Ortigas Foundation, and several artist-run initiatives.

This year’s festival likewise honors two National Artists through a special presentation of their works. On display are the prized books of National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario in partnership with the University of the Philippines (UP) Press, while the timeless costumes of National Artist for Theater Design Salvador Bernal are presented with the support of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

The festival also puts the spotlight on environmental sculptor and the ‘Father of Philippine Installation Art’ Junyee, this year’s featured artist.

Hands-on workshops let visitors discover various art processes such as acrylic pouring and block printing.

Film and photography

A photography exhibit by Born in Film showcases nostalgic and modern shots from around the Philippines. A copyright masterclass will also be conducted by Born In Film.

Film enthusiasts can watch full-length features and acclaimed short films from emerging and established Filipino filmmakers like National Artist for Film, Kidlat Tahimik (‘I Am Furious Yellow’), Sari Dalena (‘Cinemartyrs’), and JL Burgos (‘Alipato at Muog’). The free screenings are in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and CCP,

Premiering at the Ortigas Art Festival is ‘That We May See,’ a documentary film directed by Paul Morales that revisits the story of Kaisahan on its 50th anniversary.

First Ortigas Art Grant

Gearing up for its decade celebration next year, the Ortigas Art Festival also launched the inaugural Ortigas Art Grant, an artist development initiative supporting young talents. Through the 1st Ortigas Art Competition, a total of 24 artists were named finalists during the festival’s opening ceremony.

The shortlisted artists will present new works in 2027, with the selected grantee receiving the award at the festival’s 10th anniversary celebration. The winning artist will get the chance to visit the prestigious Art Basel Hong Kong 2027.

Art Basel Hong Kong is the Asian edition of the world’s premier international contemporary and modern art fair, also held in Basel, Miami Beach, and Paris. More than 240 galleries from more than 40 countries attend the yearly gathering in Hong Kong

Airfare, accommodation, and a pass to the international art fair will be sponsored by the Ortigas Art Festival.

According to Monique Castañeda, Ortigas Malls AVP and Head of Marketing, the art grant is a response to the theme, ‘Elevate,’ where the organizers were challenged to offer something new to the proverbial table.

‘Besides the recognition, we want to give our artists the chance to be exposed to international art by bringing them to Art Basel Hong Kong. We are talking about young artists from places like Mindoro who have never left the country. Winning the art grant will allow them to see the bigger art landscape abroad.’

Ortigas as cultural hub

‘At Ortigas Malls, we believe our spaces are more than just for shopping and dining. We also want to offer community spaces where culture flourishes, creativity is celebrated, and meaningful experiences are created,’ explained Castaneda.

The enduring slogan, ‘Art for All,’ is indeed lived at the 9th Ortigas Art Festival, which has evolved into a community, offering new ways of seeing the world, providing economic opportunities for artists, and serving as a meaningful hub for asserting identity and self-expression.

For more information, follow the Ortigas Art Festival Facebook page. For more updates on Ortigas Malls events, join Ortigas Malls’ Viber Community and follow GH Mall on Facebook.

The central bank emphasizes that a modern economy also depends on payments system that works-one that supports financial transactions that are ‘fast,secure, and reliable.’

Over the past year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it pursued reforms intended to toughen up the fundamentals of central banking: stable prices, a sound financial system and safe and efficient payments.

PRICE STABILITY

With price stability as its primary mandate, the central bank has the duty to prevent prices from rising or falling to help protect the purchasing power and support better financial decision making of Filipinos.

‘When inflation is kept in check, households can manage budgets more effectively, save money with greater confidence, and plan better. Businesses, in turn, are better able to invest, expand, and create jobs,’ the central bank said.

As such, in 2025, the BSP ‘carefully’ adjusted its monetary policy in response to inflation trends and expectations.

The target reverse repurchase (RRP) rate was reduced to 4.50 percent.

By year-end, interest rates on overnight deposit and lending facilities were also lowered to 4 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

‘This timely easing helped stimulate business activity and consumer confidence without compromising inflation management,’ the central bank noted.

The central bank explained that inflation remained ‘benign’ in early 2026 before rising in March due primarily to global oil supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

In response, the BSP implemented a preemptive 25-basis-point policy rate increase in April and another 25-basis-point in June, bringing the reverse repurchase (RRP) rate to 4.75 percent.

‘The move was meant to anchor inflation expectations and prevent potential second-round effects, or subsequent increases in wages, prices, and inflation expectations following an initial price shock, in this case the spike in global oil prices due to the Middle East conflict,’ the central bank also noted.

In 2025, the BSP said it also actively managed liquidity in the financial system to ensure that market conditions remained aligned with policy goals.

As of December 2025, the central bank said outstanding liquidity placements reached P1.5 trillion, with a greater share shifting to short-term, overnight instruments.

‘Banks used BSP facilities to support lending, meet withdrawals, manage deposit movements, and comply with reserve requirements,’ the central bank said.

Meanwhile, the BSP explained that price stability is ‘further supported’ by a stable external environment.

‘The BSP facilitated private sector foreign borrowings and prudently managed the country’s gross international reserves (GIR),’ the central bank said.

As of end-April 2026, the country’s foreign reserves reached US$104 billion, equivalent to almost seven months of import cover and nearly four times short-term external debt.

FINANCIAL SYSTEM

Beyond price stability, the BSP highlighted the importance of strengthening the financial system ‘against tomorrow’s risks.’

‘A financial system that people can trust-one that remains resilient in the face of shocks, emerging risks, and rapid technological change-is another,’ the central bank emphasized.

This was evident in how Philippine banks continued to grow in 2025, with total banking assets expanding to nearly ?30 trillion, driven by ‘healthy growth’ in loans and investments, the BSP said.

‘This steady expansion reflected sustained confidence in the system and the banks’ continued ability to support households, businesses, and key industries,’ it also noted.

According to BSP, bank credit also grew at double-digit rates in 2025, widening access to financing for households and productive sectors.

‘Loans flow to real estate, manufacturing, trade, utilities, and families-sectors that drive jobs, commerce, and everyday economic activity,’ BSP said.

This expansion, the central bank said, ‘directly supported’ financial inclusion, giving more Filipinos the ability to save, invest, build homes, and grow enterprises.

Moreover, the central bank said BSP-supervised non-bank financial institutions-from electronic money issuers and payment service providers to pawnshops and remittance firms-played an ‘increasingly important role’ in widening access to finance.

‘Digital payments and alternative credit channels helped reach underserved communities, providing lower-cost and more convenient services,’ BSP said.

FUTURE-READY PAYMENTS SYSTEM

The central bank also emphasized that a modern economy also depends on payments system that works-one that supports financial transactions that are ‘fast,secure, and reliable.’

In 2025, the BSP reported that digital payments continued to expand, supported by the quick response (QR) code-based payment ecosystem, particularly QR Ph person-to-merchant (P2M) and InstaPay QR person-to-person (P2P) payments.

‘QR Ph P2M posted 2.5 billion transactions amounting to ?1.2 trillion, reflecting broader merchant acceptance and rising consumer preference for more convenient retail payments. Likewise, InstaPay QR contributed to this momentum with 183.3 million transactions valued at ?926.1 billion,’ the BSP said.

Meanwhile, PESONet facilitated 117.2 million transactions worth P13.2 trillion, supporting higher-value transfers such as corporate, payroll, and bulk payments.

‘Behind these channels, resilience remained a priority. The Peso Real-Time Gross Settlement Payment System or PhilPaSSplus delivered consistently high efficiency, ensuring the timely settlement of large-value interbank transactions and retail payment clearing results,’ the central bank said.

Looking ahead, BSP said it advanced initiatives to prepare the Philippines for an ‘increasingly connected’ payments landscape.

‘The adoption of ISO 20022 messaging standards strengthened data quality and transparency, laying the groundwork for more efficient, interoperable, and future-ready payment systems,’ the central bank said.

Phoenix Suns forward Miles Bridges appears to be a good fit for his new team on the basketball court, giving it a beefy frontcourt presence who has scored at a high level over seven NBA seasons.

The problem is his troublesome off-the-court history – including pleading no contest to a felony domestic violence charge in 2022 – has mostly overshadowed his arrival.

The 28-year-old Bridges said he’s very aware that some Suns fans aren’t thrilled that he’s now with the franchise.

‘It’s mixed feelings about me being here,’ Bridges said during his introductory press conference on Wednesday. ‘But I take full responsibility for my actions, I’ve been to counseling, I’ve been to therapy. Right now I’m prioritizing just being better as a man every day, on and off the court.

‘Mainly off the court.’

The Suns acquired Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick in exchange for guard Grayson Allen, foward Royce O’Neale and a 2033 first-round pick in a trade on June 28.

Suns general manager Brian Gregory said the franchise felt comfortable bringing Bridges to the desert despite his ‘unacceptable conduct that has occurred in the past.’

Gregory’s relationship with Bridges goes back roughly a decade to when the GM was a consultant at Michigan State and Bridges was a freshman with the Spartans. The Suns’ ties with the Michigan State are deep – owner Mat Ishbia was a walk-on player for the Spartans in the late 1990s and early 2000s, while coach Jordan Ott spent time with the program as a video coordinator from 2008 to 2013.

Gregory said he’s confident that Bridges has grown since his arrest, but that he would have to earn the trust of the Suns’ fans.

‘Those questions are part of his story,’ Gregory said. ‘He’s dealt with them before and he’ll deal with them today as well. I think those questions – we were aware of and we knew about – and that’s why we took this decision so seriously.’

Bridges was arrested in June 2022 on the eve of free agency on charges including felony child abuse and injuring a child’s parent. The NBA forced him to to sit out while his legal case was pending and he ultimately pleaded no contest.

Bridges was suspended for 30 games in April 2023 by the league but received a 20-game credit because he missed the entire 2022-23 season. Bridges also faced three charges for an alleged violation of a domestic violence protection order on Oct. 6, 2023, before the case was eventually dropped.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has created ‘Task Force Cash Cow’ to investigate alleged irregularities in the disbursement of government funds for the country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the task force will examine the release and utilization of about ?6.7 billion in government funds reportedly funneled to the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), a private entity that handled the staging of the regional sporting event.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Rotary Club of Manila’s weekly membership meeting at the Sheraton Manila Hotel in Newport World Resorts, Matibag said the task force is composed of personnel from the NBI’s Public Corruption Division, Special Action Unit, the Office of the Director and various field offices.

According to Matibag, the initial NBI inquiry showed that funds from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) were released to PHISGOC for the conduct of the SEA Games.

To trace how the funds were used, Matibag said he has sought the assistance of the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

‘We are looking into BIR records. We will ask the assistance of COA and, of course, the Securities and Exchange Commission,’ Matibag said.

He noted that PHISGOC, being a corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), should have submitted audited financial statements.

Matibag also said the NBI intends to question officials of the POC and the PSC as part of the investigation and expand the probe to include other funds allegedly received by PHISGOC.

The NBI chief confirmed that seven individuals, including PHISGOC chairman Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara, chief financial officer Dexter Estacio and corporate secretary John Lester Buenconsejo, have been subpoenaed to appear before the bureau on Monday.

The investigation comes as the Office of the Ombudsman earlier announced it would review its 2021 resolution dismissing the criminal and administrative complaints filed against former Bases Conversion and Development Authority president, now Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, and several others over the construction of sports facilities for the Southeast Asian Games.

The Ombudsman dismissed the complaints in December 2021 for insufficiency of evidence.

EXPANDING indigenous renewable energy (RE) provides stable pricing that shields consumers from volatile market costs and lowers electricity rates, the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) said Thursday.

ICSC’s insight comes after the Department of Energy (DOE) announced that the Philippines has the highest average residential electricity rate in Southeast Asia. According to the DOE, high electricity prices have been driven by tightening supply, prolonged power plant outages, higher fuel costs, and greater reliance on more expensive electricity sources.

Nearly 50 distribution utilities (DUs) recorded residential electricity rates above the national average of P12.43 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in June 2026, indicating that consumers in many parts of the Philippines continue to pay significantly more than the national benchmark.

‘National averages, however, tell only part of the story. Data compiled by ICSC through its electricity rate monitoring platform-the Power Rates and Energy Supply Overview for the Philippines (PRESYO-PH)-indicates that 48 on-grid electricity providers recorded residential rates above the national average in June 2026. This shows that many Filipino households are paying significantly more than the national benchmark,’ it said.

Electricity prices are influenced by a range of factors, including power supply agreements, exposure to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), and local operating conditions. The recurrent outages of many coal power plants, particularly in the Visayas region, have driven WESM prices sharply higher. This significantly contributed to the recurring grid alerts and the increase in electricity rates. DUs with greater exposure to WESM purchases were particularly affected by these price spikes.

Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative (Soleco) posted the highest residential electricity rate in June at P16.57 per kWh, up 32 percent from May. This surge occurred after the generation charge-the largest component of an electricity bill-shot up by almost P4 per kWh.

Next is the Aurora Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Aurelco) which currently charges P16.42 per kWh.

On the other hand, there are DUs with lower rates like Bohol Electric Cooperative I (Boheco I) in Bohol province, whose residential electricity rate was approximately P10.80/kWh in June. Another is Sna Jose City Electric Cooperative (Sajelco) in NuevaEcija, with a residential electricity rate of P9.85/kWh.

ICSC said a contributing factor to these lower rates is their power procurement strategy, which prioritizes geothermal energy, an indigenous resource with relatively stable and predictable generation costs. As a result, despite elevated WESM prices, these DUs were better able to shield their consumers from higher electricity costs.

ICSC pointed out the need to diversify the country’s power mix by expanding the use of indigenous RE resources with more stable and predictable pricing, supported by prudent long-term power procurement and planning.

‘While recent public discussions have focused on the various charges reflected in electricity bills, the generation charge consistently accounts for the largest share of what consumers pay. This highlights the need for a more diversified power mix centered on indigenous renewable energy resources and improved power procurement strategies that prioritizes affordability, energy security, and resilience,’ noted ICSC Energy Transition Advisor Alberto Dalusung III.

He stressed that expanding the role of indigenous RE resources presents a practical path toward a more secure, affordable, and reliable energy future.

For decades, our financial system was an exclusive club, locking out ordinary Filipinos who lacked the income, address, or patience for bureaucratic hurdles. The unbanked survived on cash and loan sharks. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Circular No. 1238-eliminating transfer fees-represents the final demolition of the walls that kept ordinary Filipinos locked outside the formal economyBSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan’s choice of words is telling: Filipinos must ‘evolve.’ But evolution requires more than willpower; it requires an environment where adaptation is possible. The BSP understands this. Since 2015, the central bank has been methodically constructing the scaffolding upon which financial inclusion could actually stand-the National Retail Payment System, PESONet, InstaPay, QR Ph, and the modernization of PhilPass. These were infrastructure projects as essential as highways or power grids.

The results speak volumes. Digital payments now account for 57 percent of all retail transactions-a figure that would have been unimaginable a decade ago when cash was king and digital wallets were curiosities for the tech-savvy elite. Over 1,400 local government units have adopted QR payment systems. Even jeepney and tricycle drivers-icons of informal enterprise-now scan codes instead of fumbling for change.

Circular No. 1238 recognized that cost-not capability-was the barrier to digital payment adoption. By pressuring banks and e-wallets to reduce or eliminate transfer fees, the BSP sparked a network effect: more users make the system more valuable, attracting even more participants and driving down costs. This transforms digital payments from a convenience into an essential utility.

Yet the BSP’s vision extends beyond mere transaction efficiency. Tangonan’s mention of ‘unmet needs’-responsible credit, insurance, savings, and investments-reveals the endgame. This isn’t about making it easier to split a restaurant bill or pay for groceries. It’s about creating the on-ramp for genuine financial empowerment.

The critics will argue that zero fees hurt bank profitability, that institutions need revenue to innovate. Tangonan counters this with a compelling rebuttal: with transfer fees mostly eliminated, providers must now compete on actual financial products and services rather than rent-seeking from basic transactions. This shifts the competitive landscape from ‘who can charge the most for moving money’ to ‘who can offer the best tools for growing wealth.’ That’s a win for consumers and, ultimately, for institutions capable of adapting.

There are risks, of course. Cybersecurity threats grow as digital adoption expands. The digital divide-those without smartphones or reliable internet-could deepen if not addressed. And the BSP must remain vigilant that ‘zero fees’ don’t become ‘hidden fees’ through creative accounting.

But these are manageable challenges. What the BSP has orchestrated over the past 11 years is nothing less than the transformation of Philippine society’s relationship with money. From a cash-heavy economy where the poor paid the highest costs for financial exclusion, to an interoperable digital ecosystem where a transaction between a rural cooperative and a major bank costs the same as one between two friends splitting dinner.

The evolution Tangonan speaks of isn’t optional-it’s inevitable. And for millions of Filipinos who have long been excluded from the tools of wealth-building, it couldn’t come soon enough. The Philippines isn’t just adopting digital payments. It’s finally building a financial system that works for the people.

A MEDIA colleague posted on her Facebook account on Wednesday, rather wistfully, that Tropical Hut Supermarket on Scout Borromeo St. was closing shop.

For those of us who have been long-time residents of Quezon City, Tropical Hut was one of the OG grocery stores we patronized, where we bought anything from fresh meats to canned goods and small toys. And when the holiday season came around, we would buy our leg of ham at the kiosk which sold Majestic Ham, which the supermarket hosted. Papa would also have his keys duplicated at one of the stalls outside, along the supermarket’s perimeter.

Boosting the popularity of Tropical Hut are its delicious burgers, which thank goodness will not be affected by the closure of the supermarket slated at the end of July. Back in my elementary years, whenever Mama said she was going to shop for groceries at Tropical Hut, I was very eager to tag along because, most likely, there would be an opportunity to eat a cheeseburger at the adjacent cafe.

While Mama was picking up our groceries, I would sometimes sneak off and cross over to National Book Store to check out the latest Nancy Drew books in stock, buy school supplies I needed, then after make my way to the small Sanrio store-the first of its kind in the Philippines-to see what new kawaii My Melody or Little Twin Stars stuff had come in. (Nope, I was never a Hello Kitty fan.)

These days, National Book Store at the corner of Quezon Avenue is a shadow of its former self. It’s now called just ‘NBS’, and the Sanrio store has been long gone. And much of the property is devoted to food and beverage merchants, instead of books. The small-sizing of NBS began sometime in the early 2000s, which was later mirrored by Tropical Hut, in that the favored supermarket which once dominated the Scout area had also gradually scaled back its operations. (Apparently, it is no longer a ‘Supermarket’ but a ‘Foodmart’.)

The area also hosts other equally popular community supermarkets-the former Rustans-owned The Marketplace at Scout Madriñan, which caters to the more affluent residents; another OG, Hi-Top Supermarket along Quezon Avenue; and just a hop and a skip away, Robinsons Supermarket along Tomas Morato Avenue on the ground floor of a towering condominium.

I suppose the onslaught of more supermarkets in the area, along with availability of online store delivery, no longer made it tenable for Tropical Hut to continue operating. With higher cost of utilities and persistent inflation, it may have been difficult for the supermarket to keep the prices of its grocery items affordable as it once had.

Besides, Tropical Hut’s owner, the Mercury Drug Group, already sells grocery items at its drugstores so in a way, the company hasn’t strictly exited the supermarket business. The grocery portion of the group will just exist inside its ever-expanding drugstore network, side by side its pharmaceutical business. In a way, it is serving more customers by killing two birds with one stone: buy your drugs, buy your snack food-in just one store.

While it’s a tad upsetting to say goodbye to my once favorite playground, Tropical Hut fans will be happy to know that the burger joint at Scout Borromeo will be kept, and even expanded to a full-blown restaurant, while the rest of property will reportedly house the burger operations’ main office. And perhaps, more restaurant branches will be rolled in the near future.

Once upon a time, I also thought Tropical Hut Hamburger would likely go the way of its supermarket business. But in 2022, one guy’s tweet about his visit to the burger joint’s Escolta branch, along with a photo of his order-burger, fries, and a glass of soda-sparked a sentimental frenzy of visits to other branches.

I admit that because of that tweet, I have since returned to patronizing the restaurant, ordering what is now dubbed the Super Cheeseburger Classic.

The sandwich is wrapped in foil such that it is still warm when I receive it via delivery, and doesn’t break the bank because it costs just P187. It is beefy, juicy, and just the perfect no-frills cheese burger. I also belatedly realized that Tropical Hut Hamburger now caters to group orders, so it makes for an inexpensive meal for company meetings or family hangs, while bingeing on the latest hot streaming series.

Meanwhile, according to another Facebook post, there is an ongoing closing-out sale at Tropical Hut Supermarket, uhm, Foodmart, where its remaining inventory are being sold at heavily discounted prices, in case our dear readers are interested in making a nostalgic pilgrimage to the place.

Living in Quezon City most of my life, I’ve said goodbye to other great well-stocked supermarkets, which sold some unique goods. My Lola’s favorite was Sunshine Mart near the Mayon St.-Quezon Avenue area, where she would buy prepared morcon for cooking during Christmas Day.

Then there was also Glo-ri Supermarket along Del Monte Avenue, which was walking distance from our former home in Santa Mesa Heights, where my favorite purchase was Caroline’s Potato Chips, which was a treat using my saved baon. (Sheesh. Who even remembers that chip brand? I’m definitely showing my age!)

Of course, cities must change. New businesses will come, old ones will find new lives, and today’s children will someday look back with the same fondness on the places they now take for granted. That’s the cycle of every neighborhood, and every generation.

Still, every now and then, I can’t help but grieve the loss of these familiar landmarks, because they were never just stores. They were the backdrop to our family traditions, small triumphs, childhood treats, and ordinary weekends that, without realizing it then, would become ingrained as my life’s sweetest memories.

Maybe that’s why the news about Tropical Hut Supermarket feels so personal to me. It isn’t really about the closing of a grocery store. It’s about saying goodbye to a place that quietly witnessed my youth. And while the shelves may soon be empty, the flavors, the faces, and the memories it gave me remain wonderfully, deliciously full.

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) clarified that Filipinos do not need an existing valid government-issued ID to apply for a Postal ID.

Applicants only need to submit a Birth Certificate, a Barangay Certificate or other acceptable proof of address, and a duly accomplished Postal ID application form. These have long been the standard requirements for first-time applicants.

Applicants who are unable to present a Barangay Certificate may instead submit other accepted proof of address, such as a recent electricity, water, internet, or other utility bill reflecting their name and current residential address.

PHLPost issued the clarification to reinforce public awareness of the Postal ID application requirements and address the misconception that applicants must already possess another valid government-issued ID before they can obtain one.

‘The Postal ID has always been intended to make it easier for Filipinos to establish their identity, especially those applying for their first government-issued ID,’ said Postmaster General and CEO Maximo C. Sta. Maria III. ‘By presenting a Birth Certificate and proof of address, eligible applicants can already begin the process of securing a trusted government-issued ID.’

As one of the country’s most accessible government-issued identification cards, the Postal ID is especially beneficial for first-time ID holders, students, job seekers, senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and individuals in underserved communities.

Widely accepted in both public and private transactions, the Postal ID may be used for opening bank accounts, applying for a passport, claiming parcels, sending and receiving mail, and processing various legal and financial transactions.

San Miguel Beer import George King Jr. goes hard for a layup against Converge big man Justin Baltazar in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup on Wednesday night at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

The Beermen won, 128-122, to remain undefeated in three games while the FiberXers dropped to 3-1 won-lost.