Category: Business Mirror

PUERTO Princesa City is setting its sights on becoming the Sports Capital of the Philippines, a vision strengthened by its partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and showcased during the three-day Palawan Youth and Sports Summit.

PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio hailed Puerto Princesa’s sports program as a model of excellence, driven by the dynamic leadership of Mayor Lucilo Bayron and his city officials.

‘The sports program of Puerto Princesa City is worth emulating by other LGUs,’ Gregorio said. ‘You are truly advanced in research, development and implementation.’

‘You already know the benefits of sports tourism to grassroots development and tourism contribution to the economy. Mayor Bayron is your No. 1 cheerleader,” Gregorio added.

Beyond the summit halls, PSC and Puerto Princesa City leaders moved into the field to see firsthand the infrastructure that will anchor the city’s ambition.

Their first stop was the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF), where a sprawling 20-hectare site donated by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology through its Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang will become a home for several sports facilities.

The PSC Regional Sports Complex will rise with plans taking shape for a baseball diamond in partnership with the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association and its secretary-general Mike Asuncion.

It will be complemented by a softball field, a football pitch and a host of multi-sport facilities that will serve as the backbone of the city’s regional sports hub.

The PSC team was welcomed by IPPF Superintendent Col. Edgardo Mendoza Jr. and from there, the delegation proceeded to the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex, a vibrant arena that pulses with activity across a wide range of disciplines. Indoor athletes train in sepak takraw, boxing, tennis, badminton, table tennis, basketball and combat sports such as wushu, taekwondo and arnis.

‘Puerto Princesa is ready to lead,’ Bayron said. ‘With PSC as our partner, we will build the future of Philippine sports here in Palawan.’

The complex also boasts a track and field oval, football field, volleyball court, swimming pool, archery range and baseball field, complemented by a PSC-donated gymnasium.

The visit turned into a celebration of youth sports as Gregorio and his fellow commissioners joined children on the courts and fields, underscoring the PSC’s commitment to grassroots development.

‘It’s always inspiring to see kids out on the courts. Less screen time, more play time, and along the way healthier habits, new friendships, and perhaps even a few future champions,’ said Gregorio, who later joined PSC Commissioner Matthew ‘Fritz’ Gaston in an animated Zumba routine at the track and field oval.

The tour culminated with the awarding ceremony of Puerto Princesa’s successful hosting of the World Table Tennis Youth Contender at the Edward S. Hagedorn Coliseum, further solidifying the city’s standing as a consistent hub for sports tourism.

The event was organized by the Philippine Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) under the leadership of president Ting Ledesma and secretary-general Pong Ducanes.

In partnership with the PSC, the PTTF is set to launch a promising grassroots initiative that will see the donation of 240 table tennis tables to Filipino-Chinese schools nationwide.

The Palawan Youth and Sports Summit became a powerful forum the next day where national sports leaders and experts converged to chart Puerto Princesa’s trajectory toward becoming the country’s sports capital.

Gregorio opened the discussions by laying down the priorities and strategic direction for sports development in Puerto Princesa and the province of Palawan, emphasizing how the city’s advanced programs could serve as a model for other local government units.

His message was reinforced by City Administrator Atty. Arnel Pedrosa, who represented Bayron and reported on the city’s sports initiatives while City Sports Director Atty. Gregorio Austria presented the current status of sports development, highlighting Puerto Princesa’s readiness to host regional and international events.

PSC Chief of Staff Prof. Louise Jashil Sonido shared insights on leveraging social media to maximize visibility and engagement while Commissioner Gaston spoke about bridging grassroots athletes to elite sports through high-performance programs.

PSC Commissioner Walter Torres captivated the audience with his personal journey as an Olympian fencer at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in a no-holds-barred couch interview with Chairman Gregorio.

Torres detailed the discipline, challenges, and mindset required to reach the Olympic stage, embodying the PSC’s advocacy of ‘From Grassroots to Gold, From Gold to Greatness.’

As Gregorio explained, grassroots to gold is the journey of local athletes toward winning medals at the SEA Games, Asian Games and Olympics, while gold to greatness is the act of giving back to the country after those victories, building legacy through service and inspiration.

Pilipinas Sepak Takraw Association president Karen Caballero shared best practices in advancing women in sports, while PHINADO Consultant Angelica Phoebe Mendinueto educated the youth on anti-doping, stressing the importance of playing true and clean.

Complementing these discussions, Sports Psychologist Dr. Rodel Canlas tackled the psychology of sports and athlete mental well-being and veteran sports journalist June Navarro addressed the importance of maintaining high standards in mainstream sports reporting.

The summit was organized by the team of PSC Chief Planning Officer Dr. Lauro O. Domingo Jr. with local city officials. On the final day, the delegation proceeded to the Philippine Paddling Federation’s (PPF) training center along the Iwahig River.

Already recognized as a world-class paddling hub, the facility has become home to national athletes in dragonboat, canoeing and kayaking.

‘This facility can host world-class competitions annually. Puerto Princesa has already proven itself with the successful World Dragonboat Championships two years ago,’ said PPF president Len Escollante. With PSC’s full backing, it is now poised to evolve into a regional training center capable of hosting global tournaments, further strengthening Puerto Princesa’s reputation as a sports tourism destination.

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is taking the digital lifestyle beyond the smartphone, giving Filipinos more ways to stay connected, manage their health, and make payments from their wrist with Apple Watch, Smart Device Link, and Apple Pay.

‘With the digital lifestyle evolving beyond the smartphone, connectivity is no longer limited to the device in our pocket. With Apple Watch, Smart Device Link, and Apple Pay, we’re giving Filipinos more freedom to stay connected, stay on top of their health, and manage everyday tasks right from their wrist,’ said Lloyd R. Manaloto, FVP and OIC for Smart.

The latest Apple Watch lineup-including the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch Ultra 3-is now available with Smart Postpaid Plans with Device starting at Plan 999.

Subscribers can get the Apple Watch SE 3 starting at P692 per month, Apple Watch Series 11 starting at P1,321 per month, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 starting at P2,275 per month. Customers can also enjoy 0% installment plans with participating bank partners. iPhones are likewise available through participating Smart channels for those looking to complete the Apple ecosystem.

Stay connected without your iPhone

With Smart Device Link, Apple Watch users can share their primary mobile number and plan with their smartwatch for P199/month, enabling calls, texts, and mobile data even when their iPhone is not nearby.

First-time Smart Device Link users can enjoy a FREE six-month trial until September 30. For activation instructions, visit smart.com.ph/Postpaid/devicelink.

More than connectivity, right on your wrist

Apple Watch also brings health, fitness, safety, and wellness features to the wrist, with capabilities varying by model-from heart rate and sleep tracking to ECG, Sleep Score, workout tracking, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS.

With Apple Pay, users can also make secure, contactless payments directly from their Apple Watch, adding convenience to everyday transactions.

The latest lineup includes the Apple Watch SE 3, designed for essential health, fitness, safety, and connectivity; Apple Watch Series 11, with advanced health and fitness features for everyday use; and Apple Watch Ultra 3, built for demanding sports and outdoor activities.

Powered by Smart 5G

The Apple Watch experience is further enhanced by Smart 5G, enabling seamless connectivity across Apple Watch, iPhone, and other digital services whether subscribers are at work or on the go.

Smart was recently recognized by global connectivity intelligence leader Ookla® for delivering the Best Mobile Video Experience in the Philippines for the first half of 2026, with a Video Score of 72.82-the highest among mobile operators in the country.

Get the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, or Apple Watch Ultra 3 with Smart Postpaid Plans with Device starting at Plan 999 through the Smart Online Store or at the nearest Smart Store.

Advent Upgrade Solar Inc. (AUSI) and Proterial Philippines Inc. signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA), with the latter’s facility in LIMA Estate, Batangas to source power from a 1,587.20 kilowatt-peak ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system.

Targeted to begin commercial operations in the first quarter of 2027, the project represents the first ground-mounted solar installation within the estate.

‘Through this collaboration, we are taking a meaningful step toward reducing our carbon footprint, enhancing energy efficiency, and contributing to the country’s transition to a more sustainable energy landscape,’ said Proterial Philippines, Inc. President Yoshiaki Yamashita.

‘As a responsible corporate organization, we recognize the growing importance of renewable energy in addressing environmental challenges while supporting long-term economic growth,’ he added. ‘Once operational, the use of the solar PV system is expected to avoid over 1,400 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, or roughly about 28,000 tons over the 20-year term of the agreement.’

Proterial Philippines, Inc. (formerly Hitachi Cable Philippines, Inc. until its 2023 rebranding) is the local manufacturing arm of Japan-based materials manufacturer Proterial, Ltd., and has been a long-standing anchor locator at LIMA Estate since 1997.

‘We are incredibly proud to partner with you on what is the very first ground-mounted solar facility in LIMA Estate. By pioneering this installation, Proterial is setting a new benchmark for industrial sustainability in the region,’ said AUSI Chairperson and Upgrade Energy Philippines President and CEO Ruth Yu-Owen.

‘Together with Proterial and LIMA Estate, we are proving that industrial growth and environmental responsibility can move forward hand-in-hand, and we look forward to building on this partnership over the next 20 years.’

Advent Upgrade Solar Inc. (AUSI) is a joint venture between AboitizPower Distributed Renewables, Inc. (APx) and Upgrade Energy Philippines Inc. (UGEP), which develops, builds, and operates distributed solar solutions catered to large commercial and industrial consumers.

For consumers who want to experience a vivo smartphone without necessarily buying a brand-new unit, there is another option worth considering: vivo refurbished phones.

Unlike ordinary second-hand phones, refurbished vivo units are brand-managed devices that undergo inspection, cleaning, and necessary repairs by vivo customer service professionals before being made available for resale. This gives consumers a more accessible way to own a vivo smartphone, while offering the added assurance of professional quality checks and warranty support. Refurbished vivo phones may come from units previously used by KOLs or ambassadors, as well as store display and demo units. Once these devices are returned, they are handled by vivo customer service professionals and undergo the necessary inspection, cleaning, and repair processes before being relisted for sale.

This is what sets refurbished vivo phones apart from ordinary second-hand devices. Rather than being resold as-is, refurbished units are professionally checked and prepared before being made available to another consumer.

For Filipino consumers, this means having another option when looking for a vivo smartphone that fits their budget. Refurbished units can make selected vivo devices more accessible, while the professional refurbishment process and warranty support provide added confidence compared with buying a phone solely based on its previous ownership.

Professional refurbishment with warranty support

For consumers, knowing that a device has gone through a professional refurbishment process can provide added peace of mind when considering a refurbished phone.

Refurbished vivo phones come with a standard one-year warranty, with the warranty start date determined according to the unit’s classification and available proof of purchase.

There are two types of refurbished vivo phones:

Pre-owned (LDU) – These are older demo or ex-display units that have been refurbished for resale. The product code carries a two-digit suffix, while the device and packaging carry a ‘Pre-owned’ label.

Near New – These are units returned within 15 days and subsequently refurbished for resale. The product code carries a one-digit suffix, while the device and packaging carry a ‘Near New’ label.

For purchases with proof of purchase, the warranty starts on the purchase date indicated on the receipt.

For pre-owned units without proof of purchase, the warranty start date is based on the device’s IMEI binding, activation, or sold date.

For Near New units without proof of purchase, the 90th day after the production date applies as the warranty start date, in accordance with vivo’s warranty policy.

With clear classifications and warranty guidelines, consumers can better understand the refurbished unit they are purchasing and have the added reassurance of vivo’s after-sales support.

How to buy a refurbished vivo phone

For Filipinos looking for a more accessible way to experience vivo, purchasing a refurbished unit is also straightforward.

Consumers can visit the official vivo website, go to the e-store, select products, and choose refurbished phones. Refurbished units can also be purchased through a vivo Store by selecting shop and then refurbished phones.

For Filipino consumers weighing their options when purchasing a smartphone, vivo refurbished phones offer a practical alternative to buying brand-new or ordinary second-hand devices. With professionally refurbished units, clear classifications, and warranty support, consumers can enjoy a more accessible way to own selected vivo smartphones while having the added confidence of vivo’s after-sales service.

SEVERAL lawmakers from the House of Representatives have endorsed the P5.5-billion budget requested by the Department of Tourism (DOT), its attached agencies, and government corporations under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2027.

This includes a P1-billion Branding Campaign budget lodged with the DOT-Office of the Secretary’s Market and Product Development Program under its Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses.

Most lawmakers attending the House Committee on Appropriations’ hearing on DOT’s budget also supported the agency’s request for P82.33 million in additional Tier 2 funds to further boost the agency and its other units’ initiatives to attract more foreign visitors to the Philippines.

They backed as well some P1.65 billion in additional funds for DOT’s attached agencies and government firms, the largest of which, will support the Tieza Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (P1.31 billion). The latter’s internally generated funds are expected to run out if legislators approve the abolition of the travel tax.

These endorsements were spearheaded by Reps. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro), Perci Cendaña (Akbayan), Salvador A. Pleyto (6th District, Bulacan), among others. As per the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Tier 2 funds cover completely new initiatives and capital outlays, or existing projects and services that are being expanded.

‘Discover’ yields P1.8-M revenue

‘Because I acknowledge that the DOT is a vital cog in the economic development of our country, together with its attached agencies, this is therefore a budget augmentation we should all support…,’ said Rodriguez.

Under the NEP 2027, no visitor numbers are proposed for that year except for a target increase in tourism receipts by some P2.45 billion. (See, ‘Tourism gets smaller share in proposed P7.2-T national budget for 2027,’ in the BusinessMirror, Aug. 18, 2026.)

In her budget presentation, Acting Tourism Secretary Ma. Bernadita Angara-Mathay underscored the Philippines’s various tourism awards and recognitions, including the performance of its recently launched ‘Discover More to Love’ campaign. This is meant to push domestic travel in the light of the Middle East crisis, which has raised the cost of foreigners’ travel to the Philippines.

She noted that in the last 100 days since the ‘Discover More’ campaign was launched, participating hotels have earned P1.79 million in revenue from 800 room nights booked. Airlines have also reported over 203,000 seats sold since the campaign began in July. The campaign will continue until November.

She added that since the announcement of the Michelin Guide for Metro Manila and Cebu, the selected restaurants showed a 34-percent increase in transactions in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 77,500, valued at P366 million, up 23 percent, year on year. The DOT chief has mentioned that the contract with Michelin Guide will be continued until 2028, although like her predecessor, she has not revealed its total contract price.

Funds for TMAP pushed

BusinessMirror sources had earlier intimated that the contract price is US$5 million or roughly P300 million. This appears to correspond to the annual P75 million notation in DOT’s budget on Locally funded projects, namely ‘Culinary Guide Selection and Activation for the Philippines’ Emergence as a Global Gastronomy Destination.’ (See, ‘DOT eyes permanent partnership with Michelin Guide,’ in the BusinessMirror, Nov. 3, 2025.)

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javi Benitez pointed out that DOT’s proposed budget for 2027 failed to include funds for the Philippines’s hosting of Terra Madre Asia Pacific (TMAP) in July next year. TMAP, the nexus of the Slow Food movement in the region, he noted, attracted 2,500 delegates and some 75,000 visitors in Bacolod City last year, with sales of almost P47 million.

Angara-Mathay assured the lawmaker, ‘I’m a fan of slow food and have made it a part of all my public speeches. And no less than the chairman of the Japan Travel Bureau asked about it. So definitely, we will knock on the door of [DBM] Secretary Kim [Robert C. De Leon] to ask that at least he approves this part of the second-tier [fund requests].’

DOT had actually requested P45 million from the DBM for TMAP under Tier 2 funds, but this was not approved. The DOT had projected a return on investment of ‘132 percent’ on the requested funds.

THE health maintenance organization (HMO) industry remained profitable in the first half of 2026, as total revenues grew by a fifth on higher membership fee collections.

Latest data from the Insurance Commission (IC) showed that the HMO sector’s first-half net income grew by 42.29 percent to P2.093 billion from P1.471 billion in the same period a year ago.

The increase came after revenues rose by 19.99 percent year-on-year to P56.432 billion from P45.561 billion.

Membership fees, which accounted for P54.818 billion of industry revenues, jumped by 19.71 percent from P45.792 billion a year earlier.

Meanwhile, HMOs paid P41.227 billion in benefits and claims during the six-month period, also up by 13.62 percent from P36.285 billion a year earlier.

Total expenses likewise increased by 19.27 percent to P54.338 billion from P45.561 billion in the same period last year.

‘This reflects an increased utilization of health care services and the HMOs’ continued commitment to providing benefits to their members,’ the IC said.

IC data showed that all other key indicators improved in the first half compared to a year ago.

Total assets of the industry grew by 18.75 percent year-on-year to P99.640 billion from P83.910 billion.

HMOs’ invested assets, which comprised 27.26 percent of the industry’s total assets, likewise expanded by 49.02 percent to P27.165 billion in the first half from P18.229 billion a year earlier.

Total liabilities of the industry also climbed by 15.77 percent year-on-year to P83.646 billion from P72.249 billion.

The IC said the industry’s performance demonstrated its financial resilience and capacity to meet its obligations.

‘[The Commission] remains committed to supporting its continued development to better respond to the increasing demand for healthcare services,’ it added.

THE economy may have recovered from the pandemic but jobs have yet to catch up, with unemployment returning to post-pandemic levels in July as the labor market failed to transform fast enough, economists said.

On Tuesday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported 3.14 million jobless Filipinos in July, pushing the unemployment rate to 6 percent. This is the highest unemployment rate since June 2022, when the economy was still recovering from Covid-19.

The latest reading also brought the January-to-July unemployment rate to 5.2 percent, significantly higher than the 4.1 percent recorded in the same period last year.

The increase came even as employment grew, as more Filipinos entered the labor market than the economy could absorb. Employment rose by 3.16 million year-on-year to 49.21 million, but the labor force expanded by 3.71 million to 52.36 million.

De La Salle University economist Marites M. Tiongco said this gap reflects a deeper weakness in the post-pandemic recovery: the economy has restored jobs, but has not transformed its job base enough to absorb the growing labor force.

‘We restored jobs faster than we transformed jobs. The Philippines has not generated enough sustained expansion in manufacturing, modern agriculture, construction, logistics, digital industries and other sectors capable of producing large numbers of higher-productivity, better-paying jobs,’ Tiongco told the BusinessMirror.

PSA data showed that 62.8 percent of employed Filipinos were in services in July, compared with 19.7 percent in agriculture and just 17.5 percent in industry.

Tiongco said the lack of transformation in the job market mirrors the broader path of the economy since the 2022 reopening, which remained heavily reliant on consumption and services instead of stronger investment and productivity-enhancing industries.

That weakness has become more visible this year as economic growth slowed to 2.8 percent in the first quarter and 2.3 percent in the second quarter.

Household consumption and investment remained the biggest drags on growth, with consumption growth slowing to 2.8 percent in the second quarter from 3 percent in the first, while gross capital formation contracted by 9.2 percent, worsening from a 3.1-percent decline in the previous quarter.

University of Asia and the Pacific economist Marco C. Agonia echoed Tiongco’s assessment, saying the post-pandemic recovery has failed to develop more durable and diversified sources of growth.

‘The economy has not grown large nor deep enough to accommodate the growing pool of young workers joining the job market. Add recent macro headwinds dampening economic performance, and the macro picture goes from steady to sputtering,’ Agonia told this newspaper.

Ateneo de Manila University economist Leonardo A. Lanzona Jr. also pointed to a weakness in the country’s investment-led job creation, saying investment incentives have not generated enough employment relative to the size of capital being invested.

He said incentives programs under the Board of Investments, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, and Strategic Investment Priority Plan have tended to favor the scale of investments over their job-generating capacity-resulting in fewer jobs being created for every peso invested.

‘That gap compounds yearly: degree-holders’ share of the jobless rose from 26.9 percent (2020) to 35.6 percent now, Lanzona told the BusinessMirror.

Job concentration

Beyond the weak transformation of the job market, economists flagged the concentration of economic activity in Metro Manila as another constraint on job creation.

PSA data showed that among regions, Metro Manila posted the highest unemployment rate at 8.8 percent or 560,000 jobless individuals. This is a significant jump from the 5.2 percent in April 2026 and 4.7 percent in July 2025.

Agonia said the spike shows the limits of relying on one region to absorb the country’s growing pool of workers, as Metro Manila’s physical constraints and slower economic growth could eventually make it harder to generate enough jobs for new entrants.

‘This highlights the need for developing new growth corridors and regional economies to spread out hiring activity,’ he said.

Tiongco agreed, saying the country needs to diversify growth beyond Metro Manila, with emerging regional cities developed as stronger centers for manufacturing, logistics, agribusiness, digital services and professional employment.

She said it would be difficult to continue relying on Metro Manila to absorb a large share of the country’s growing labor force.

‘This requires infrastructure, reliable electricity, industrial estates, housing, public transport, skills formation and investment incentives to operate as a coordinated regional-development strategy,’ she added.

Temporary relief?

With these structural weaknesses weighing on the labor market, economists had mixed views on whether employment can meaningfully recover in the coming months, even as the holiday season typically brings more hiring.

Lanzona said any improvement from holiday hiring would likely be temporary because the pressure on the labor market is structural rather than seasonal.

He said new groups of young Filipinos will continue entering the workforce each year regardless of the holiday cycle, keeping pressure on job creation.

‘Any holiday bump would be temporary…and only sustained labor-intensive investment would narrow the gap,’ he added.

Tiongco also noted that the usual seasonal boost could also be weaker this year as slower economic growth may discourage firms from making permanent hires, high borrowing costs could weigh on construction and investment, and renewed Middle East tensions could raise fuel costs and weaken household spending and business activity.

‘A more convincing recovery would require simultaneous improvements in manufacturing employment, construction, private investment, average hours worked, real wages and permanent wage-and-salary employment,’ she added.

Agonia, for his part, said seasonal hiring could still provide some support to employment figures, but a more meaningful recovery would depend on greater stability from both domestic and external shocks.

Easier business, more quality jobs

Meanwhile, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) said the country needs to improve its ease of doing business to attract more investment and generate quality jobs.

‘More Filipinos are participating in the labor market, which means that we need to intensify efforts to attract investments, especially those that create quality jobs. The key is to continuously improve the ease of doing business in the country,’ DepDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said.

He said the government needs to help workers and businesses adapt to changing economic, technological and climate-related conditions by supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises, attracting investment in high-growth industries, and expanding skills training and pathways to formal employment.

This includes scaling up platforms such as AI-enabled eTrabaho and the Tesda Skills Passport, strengthening links from social assistance to jobs and training, helping MSMEs adopt new technologies, and advancing reforms under the National Education and Workforce Development Plan 2026-2035.

From Gourdo’s, the collaboration of three innovative brands provides a holistic sleep wellness line that covers various bedding concerns.

For many Filipinos, particularly those living and working in the metro, hours lost to traffic mean arriving home exhausted after a long day at work, with little time left to unwind or rest. More often than not, sleep does not follow.

A study by the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine Inc. (PSSMI) in March 2025 stated that the Philippines ranks number one in Southeast Asia and fourth globally as the ‘most sleep-deprived’ nation.

The report noted that this situation will only worsen if Filipinos continue to compromise quality sleep for other activities.

This is especially true in recent months, when long commutes home tend to take away hours meant for sleep.

Gourdo’s, a Filipino specialty store that sources quality homeware, kitchen accessories, and bed linens, recently launched a pop-up event at The Podium mall called ‘The Dream Oasis: Sleepcare x Healthguard,’ where it presented the latest innovations in pillows and bed sheets.

The event showcased the collaboration of three brands: homegrown Gourdo’s line Sleepcare; Healthguard, a technology from Australia; and A-Fontane, a bedding textile brand from Hong Kong.

The collaboration of these three innovative brands provides a holistic sleep wellness line that addresses various bedding concerns. Sleepcare provides precision ergonomic design and tailored contouring to relieve spinal strain caused by hunched posture and daily back, muscle, and neck fatigue. Meanwhile, Sleepcare pillows are treated with Healthguard’s advanced biocide and medical-grade anti-dust mite treatments.

Completing this sleep wellness set is A-Fontane, which brings its flagship StayClean technology-‘a self-cleaning, stain-resistant, and liquid-repellent fabric barrier that keeps bedding hygienic, fresh, and effortlessly low-maintenance.’

Pillow profiles

To match the different needs of sleepers, the Gourdo’s Sleepcare pillow collection has four distinct pillow types, each with its own specialized engineering.

The Sleepcare Memory Comfort Pillow has high-density, open-cell memory foam and an ergonomic contoured design to support the cervical curve and align the spine, thus relieving pressure points across the neck and shoulders.

The Sleepcare Memory Gel Pillow has an integrated Cool Gel membrane layer combined with a breathable bamboo cover. The gel layer absorbs and dissipates body heat away from the head and neck to regulate surface temperature, while the memory foam follows the neck’s natural curve to keep the spine straight during deep sleep.

The Sleepcare Anti-Mite Anti-Bacterial Anti-Bed Bug Pillow is Healthguard-treated and encased in a premium 300-thread-count, air-permeable fabric. The full-length body pillow opens up the hips to align the lumbar spine.

The Hotel Atelier Premium Queen Pillow is wrapped in 100 percent combed cotton and filled with high-loft microfiber similar to those found in five-star hotel bedding.

The Gourdo’s Sleepcare product line is available at Gourdo’s branches and online via Lazada and Shopee.

Investing in a good night’s sleep

With today’s demanding lifestyle, Sleepcare pillows are designed to address specific needs.

‘We recognize that nowadays there are so many issues happening, and people are more stressed. Sleep is very important, and this is why we want to promote all the bedding products we have,’ Susan San Miguel, Gourdo’s general manager, told the BusinessMirror.

The Anti-Dust Mite pillows are priced at P995, while the Hotel Atelier Pillow is priced at P1,850 for Queen Size and P1,990 for King Size.

Pricier than standard pillows sold in department stores, which range from P179 to P1,300, the medical-grade treatment in Sleepcare pillows provides long-term health benefits.

Quality pillows and other bed linens are important, San Miguel emphasized.

‘You need to invest in good bedding products. Why? Because you spend maybe 50 percent of your life sleeping. You do need to invest in a good mattress and good bedding because it will give you a good night’s sleep. And what I would always say is that if you try good sheets and good pillows, you will never go back.’

Founded in 2001, Gourdo’s is a Filipino family-owned specialty retailer offering quality home, kitchen, dining, and lifestyle products sourced from around the world. It aims to provide Filipino households with top-of-the-line products that combine elegance, comfort, quality, and functionality.

A group of agrarian reform beneficiaries in Santiago, Isabela, is exploring new ways to turn their tomatoes into additional livelihood opportunities.

The Sinili Vegetable Growers Agriculture Cooperative is now venturing into tomato jam processing. During a product development training on tomato jam processing held in Sinili, Santiago City, ARB members learned practical ways to turn their fresh tomato harvest into a value-added product.

The hands-on activity introduced participants to the basic preparation and processing of tomato jam, giving them skills they can potentially use to develop products for their families, cooperatives, and local markets.

Development Facilitator (DF) Melanio Dalit Sison assisted and guided the participants throughout the activity, providing hands-on support as they went through the different stages of tomato jam preparation and processing.

Retired Department of Education teacher Jesusa Flores served as the resource speaker and trainer. She demonstrated the step-by-step process of making tomato jam and shared practical techniques and tips with the participants.

For the ARBs, the training was an opportunity to look beyond traditional crop production and explore how their harvest can be processed into products with added value. Instead of selling tomatoes solely as fresh produce, they can explore other ways to make their harvest more useful and potentially more profitable.

The activity also forms part of the Sinili Vegetable Growers Agriculture Cooperative’s efforts to strengthen its product development initiatives and explore additional enterprise and market opportunities for its ARB members.

The training also highlights how knowledge and skills can help farmer-beneficiaries maximize the value of what they produce. Through simple food processing and product development, the ARBs gain another avenue to turn their harvest into potential sources of livelihood and income.

From the fields of Sinili to the kitchen and eventually to the market, tomato jam represents more than a new product for the cooperative. It represents the ARBs’ continuing efforts to find innovative ways to make the most of their harvest, strengthen their cooperative, and build more sustainable livelihoods for their families.

LAST Tuesday, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) held its Season 89 presscon at Novotel and stimulated the nerve endings of the ‘long-suffering,’ diehard collegiate basketball fanatics.

It’s going to be a very interesting and exciting season.

The opening ceremony on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena is bound to be a blockbuster. The ‘unkabogable’ Vice Ganda and rapper-singer-songwriter Gloc-9 will headline the show that will be remembered for a long time for its uniqueness, core messages and sparkly star appeal.

The basketball tournament itself will be intriguing and irresistible because there are no clear-cut, obvious front runners this time. Transitions and changes in all eight teams have erased old patterns. What was predictable has become unpredictable. The ‘P’ word rules, and it’s called parity.

Some conjectures persevere. The University of the Philippines (UP) and De La Salle University (DLSU) are still considered the teams to beat. But their lock on the championship is no longer automatic.

This time the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers are being touted as a team that can crash the intimate party. The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws are expected to rampage, making these four the favorites to enter the Final Four.

But nothing’s cast in stone. Ateneo de Manila in its new era is clicking on all cylinders under Coach Louie Alas. Adamson U has lost Cedrick Manzano but will still pull off surprises, thanks to Coach Nash Racela’s wizardry. The National University Bulldogs have lost Jake Figueroa, Steve Nash Enriquez and Jolo Manansala, but Reinhard Jumamoy will step up and lead this team.

The University of the East (UE) are in ‘building,’ not ‘rebuilding’ mode, says Coach Chris Gavina. So they’re bound to surprise, even shock us. With UE legend Allan Caidic as team consultant, a new culture is surely rising in the East.

As for me, I’m super hyped about being part of the UAAP crowd again. I feel the rest of the sports world is on mute compared to a packed UAAP arena. The electricity produced by school pride can’t be found anywhere else. I love soaking in the energy that rocks me at the cellular level.

Speaking of crowds, I asked AI to characterize the different UAAP crowds per school and this is what it said:

‘When it comes to the sheer volume, noise, and psychological pressure of a live game, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons arguably own the most avid, passionate, and intimidating crowd in the UAAP today. Defending their turf with an almost religious fervor, the UP crowd creates a uniquely overwhelming environment…The UP community completely floods venues in a sea of maroon shirts.. Their signature cheers..create a chilling, echo-chamber effect that heavily pressures opponents.

The DLSU and Ateneo crowds were described as ‘the gold standard rivalry’-‘elite, organized, and hostile in the most traditional sense.’ ‘When the Animo crowd meets the One Big Fight contingent, the atmosphere is electric. (The) intimidation factor stems from decades of pure, unadulterated sports rivalry. The drums are deafening, the school anthems are sung with extreme pride, and a winner-take-all game between these schools routinely smashes gate attendance records.’

‘When UST is winning,’ AI continued, ‘there is arguably no scarier crowd in collegiate sports. The Thomasian community is famously loyal and boasts one of the largest student populations in the country. Known as the ‘Yellow Wall,’ a packed UST crowd is fiercely vocal, bringing an intense, disruptive energy that can rattle even the most seasoned UAAP veterans.’

As for the FEU crowd, ‘it is legendary for its relentless, heavy drum cadences. The rhythm of the FEU Cheering Squad drums is uniquely deep and driving, mimicking the charging stomp of a Tamaraw.

When the crowd coordinates their standard ‘Let’s Go Tamaraws!’ shout to that booming bass line, the acoustic weight inside the stadium creates a heavily pressurized environment for opposing teams.

They also have a massive student baseline that shows out heavily during rivalry matches.’

The Adamson crowd was described as ‘incredibly united, family-oriented, and loud.. It behaves like a tight-knit family that rallies fiercely around its student-athletes. It’s a sleeping giant that explodes into total frenzy when their team goes on a run.

Because they frequently wear the tag of the ‘scrappy underdog’ out to defy the odds, their arena energy is fueled by pure emotion.’

‘NU fans bring a high-morale, tactical noise to the game. They possess one of the most mechanically synchronized pep squadrons in the league. Opposing players frequently note the intimidation value of their signature, synchronized ‘Barking’ chant, which is deafening when thousands of fans do it in unison.

When the Bulldogs are in a championship hunt, this crowd comes out in historic, record-breaking droves.’

UE’s crowd is described as ‘gritty, fiercely loyal, and loud and defined by its raw grassroots energy. UE fans have endured long rebuilding cycles, which has forged a fanbase that is incredibly resilient and vocal.

The UE crowd doesn’t rely on overly polished, heavily orchestrated stadium dynamics; their energy is pure, unfiltered vocal intensity.’ Everyone loses it when they go, ‘Bomba UE, Igma Kadima!’