Category: Business Mirror

The National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI) officially launched this year’s Hog Festival through a press conference and media launch held on Wednesday, June 4, at the QC Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibitions Center in Quezon City Hall.

Now in its third year, Hog Festival 2026 is positioned as a national celebration of Filipino pork heritage, culinary creativity, agriculture, and community spirit, bringing together farmers, chefs, restaurateurs, culinary students, industry leaders, and food lovers in one movement rooted in Filipino pride and agricultural solidarity.

NFHFI Chairman Chester Warren Tan said the festival was created not only as a culinary showcase, but also as a call to support hog raisers and protect local agriculture.

‘The festival champions the belief that Filipino pork deserves to be celebrated, protected, and prioritized-not only because of its quality and flavor, but because it represents the hard work, resilience, and future of Filipino agriculture,’ Tan said.

Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte expressed the city’s support for the initiative.

‘Our hog inventory from January to March this year has hit a 30-year low-the lowest since 1994. Quezon City is proud to stand with the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. to help the industry rise back up,’ Belmonte Said.

Among the highlights of Hog Festival 2026 is PORKlabanan: The Great Pinoy Pork Culinary Wars, the festival’s flagship culinary competition that will gather student teams from Far Eastern University, Lyceum of the Philippines-Manila, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde-Antipolo and Our Lady of Fatima University-Quezon City. Guided by mentor chefs, the competition will showcase Filipino-inspired pork dishes while promoting support for local hog farmers and farm-to-table collaboration.

The festival will also feature The Great Pinoy Pork 8: Degustation with a Mission, a multi-course heritage dinner led by celebrated Filipino chefs. The dinner will highlight locally raised pork and Filipino produce, while also supporting the ‘Pork to Purpose’ scholarship initiative for aspiring chefs, agriculture students and children of hog farmers.

Through its programs, Hog Festival 2026 seeks to go beyond celebration. Organizers said the festival serves as a platform to raise awareness on the importance of buying local, protecting Filipino livelihoods, and strengthening food security.

The Hog Festival 2026 is set to take place on June 12, 2026, at Gateway Mall 2 Quantum Skyview, Araneta City, beginning at 1 p.m. with PORKlabanan. The celebration will continue at 6 p.m. at The Grand Ballroom of Novotel Manila Araneta City for The Great Pinoy Pork 8.

THE Australian government has supported a new sexual and reproductive health clinic in Davao City operated by the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP).

The initiative is part of Australia’s annual development assistance to the Philippines, valued at more than P4 billion, or AU$104 million. Deputy Head of Mission Nicholas Kay of the Australian Embassy officially launched the facility at the WH Vertex Building along Elpidio Quirino Avenue in Poblacion District.

Australia supported the clinic’s refurbishment and transfer to meet the accreditation needs of the Department of Health and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. or PhilHealth to help ensure sustainable delivery of Mindanao’s sexual and reproductive health services.

‘Access to quality sexual and reproductive health services saves lives, reduces maternal and newborn mortality, prevents the spread of HIV and supports the health and well-being of women and young people,’ Kay said. ‘This initiative is part of our long-standing commitment to and partnership with the Philippines.’

The clinic was delivered under ‘Responding with Essential Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (RESPOND)’-an Australian program expanding access to quality, rights-based sexual and reproductive health services for women, girls, and marginalized communities across the Indo-Pacific. Australia works with FPOP to support locally led efforts that advance gender equality, health equity, and the empowerment of women and girls, in line with Philippine government priorities.

In the Philippines, RESPOND will provide P232 million (AU$5.28 million) over four years. Since August 2024, the program has delivered over 1 million sexual and reproductive health services, screened more than 17,000 people for HIV, provided comprehensive sexuality education to nearly 60,000 people, and supported over 40,000 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Around 80 percent of those reached were considered vulnerable or underserved.

Kay’s visit is part of a series of activities marking the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and the Philippines: engagements with local government officials, police and military leaders, business representatives, and Australia Awards Philippines alumni contributing to sustainable development in Mindanao. Its embassy said Australia remains committed to working closely with the Philippines to advance health security, inclusive growth and strong people-to-people connections.

THE government is targeting up to $30 billion in investments through the Philippines AI+ Infrastructure Masterplan (PAIIM) 2033, a long-term roadmap for building out the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure ecosystem.

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda said the investment target covers the full range of digital infrastructure, including hyper scalers, data centers, AI large language models, and related facilities.

‘[We expect] investments to reach $30 billion for the whole Philippines,’ Aguda said at the sidelines of the agency’s 10th anniversary celebration in Quezon City.

The master plan is now awaiting final approval. The Infrastructure Committee (Infracom) of the Economy and Development (ED) Council endorsed the PAIIM during a June 3 meeting, clearing it for deliberation by the ED Council, which is chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Aguda said approval is expected by ‘July.’

The PAIIM 2033 sets out to develop AI-ready infrastructure, expand digital connectivity, build high-performance computing capacity, and attract investment into digital industries.

Among its targets are up to 1.5 gigawatts of AI-ready data center capacity by 2033 and the creation of more than 500,000 AI-related jobs. The masterplan also projects a 10 to 12 percent potential uplift to national gross domestic product (GDP) through productivity gains and digital transformation.

The Philippines ranks fourth in Asean in the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index 2025, placing third in policy capacity and fifth in public sector AI adoption.

Despite this, the country lags regional peers in compute capacity, data center development, and connectivity-gaps the PAIIM seeks to close.

Aguda explained that PAIMM ‘ensures that the Philippines is prepared not only to adopt AI, but to become a regional leader in powering it.’

The masterplan builds on existing programs including the National Digital Connectivity Plan, the National AI Strategy Roadmap 2.0, the National Cybersecurity Plan, and the Philippine Energy Plan. It also supports the administration’s PAX Silica Initiative, which aims to position the Philippines as a trusted digital and innovation hub.

Once approved, the PAIIM will be institutionalized through an executive order designating it a national priority program and establishing the governance mechanisms for its implementation.

At the celebration of Canada Day on June 4, Ambassador David Hartman said that the relationship with the Philippines is entering a ‘new season,’ marked by deeper partnership, greater ambition, and tremendous opportunities for the future.

The envoy elaborated on the expansion of mutual ties on commerce, defense and security cooperation; flourishing educational and cultural partnerships; and strengthening people connections as his three-and-a-half years of diplomatic work in the country nears its completion.

For the first time in Philippine history, thousands of runners will take over one of the nation’s most recognizable roads for a marathon unlike any other. On June 12 to 13, over 25,000 runners will gather at the SM Mall of Asia Complex for the Galaxy Manila Marathon Presented by SM Supermalls, a landmark race that will transform EDSA into the country’s biggest running stage.

Stretching from SM Mall of Asia to SM North EDSA and back, the historic 42-kilometer route gives runners a rare opportunity to race through the heart of Metro Manila on one of the country’s most iconic roads. More than a marathon, it is a celebration of endurance, community, and national pride. As running continues to grow across the Philippines, the Galaxy Manila Marathon is set to become the gold standard for local marathons, combining a world-class race experience with the scale and energy of one of the nation’s largest running events.

‘Running has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the Philippines, bringing together communities across the country,’ said Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls. ‘With the Galaxy Manila Marathon, we’re transforming EDSA into the nation’s biggest running stage. This is more than a race. It’s a defining moment for Philippine running.’

The Galaxy Manila Marathon also marks a major milestone in SM Supermalls’ partnership with RunRio as exclusive mall partner and co-presenter of the Philippine Marathon Majors 2026, the country’s largest marathon series. Together, they will bring seven major races across the Philippines, elevating the running experience through world-class race production and community-driven race weekends.

‘Together with RunRio, we’re proud to bring world-class races and maxed out experiences to more Filipinos through the Philippine Marathon Majors. As the running community continues to grow, so does our commitment to making SM Supermalls the home of running in the Philippines,’ said Tan.

At the heart of this historic race is SM Mall of Asia, which continues to establish itself as a preferred venue for major local and international running events. More than the start and finish line, the SM Mall of Asia Complex will serve as the home of the Galaxy Manila Marathon experience, hosting race kit claiming, pre-race activities, race village activations, and post-race celebrations.

Race kit and the marathon expo will be held at the Main Atrium of SM Mall of Asia from June 8 to 11, while the Race Village at the MOA Concert Grounds will welcome runners and supporters on June 12.

Leading up to race day, participants can enjoy shakeout runs, free cheer sign stations for supporters, exclusive runner rewards from participating mall tenants, complimentary medal engraving services at Sports Central, and interactive partner activations throughout the race village. A brand-new BYD vehicle will also be raffled off during race day festivities.

Race categories include the full marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K distances, allowing runners of all levels to be part of this historic event.

For SM Supermalls, the Galaxy Manila Marathon is part of a broader vision to make sports more accessible and inclusive for Filipinos nationwide. Through SM Active Hub, the country’s largest sports playground, SM continues to unite millions of Filipinos through thousands of races, sporting events, fitness programs, and community activities, helping fuel the rapid growth of the nation’s running and active lifestyle communities.

The Galaxy Manila Marathon Presented by SM Supermalls takes place on June 12 to 13, 2026 at the SM Mall of Asia Complex.

Condominium living in Metro Manila has evolved beyond the idea of a compact residence in a central location. For the upper-middle market segment, it becomes a strategic decision driven by career, connectivity, convenience, and investment choices.

Residents no longer consider high-rise developments because they are near where they socialize and study; they choose them because they support the way they live, learn, and lead.

This is where Vista Residences continues to occupy a relevant position in the residential landscape. With vertical communities across central business districts (CBDs), transport hubs, and university clusters, Vista Residences serves a variety of lifescapes within the city: seasoned professionals, growing households, students, and real estate investors seeking rental returns. Across these segments, condominium living becomes more than a matter of address; it becomes a model for elevated, efficient lifestyles and enduring property value.

Professional pace

For starting and seasoned professionals, living within CBDs is a practical assurance. Multichannel modes and manageability shape the modern workplace. A condominium close to corporate centers allows residents to reduce commute time, remain connected to career opportunities, and access urban comforts.

Long-term lessees, such as consultants, expatriates, and career professionals, and short-term stays by travelers and MICE participants also benefit from the constant circulation of commerce and city activity surrounding established and emerging locations.

Vertical communities such as Wil Tower in Quezon City; The Currency and The Spectrum in Ortigas Center; Vista Shaw and Crosswalk Tower in Mandaluyong, the Best New Launch Condominium Development at the DOT Property Southeast Asia Awards 2025; Mosaic, KL Mosaic, and Salcedo Square in Makati; and Avant at The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, respond to residents whose daily lives are connected to financial frontiers, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and lifestyle landmarks.

Connected convenience

For growing families managing several destinations daily, transit-oriented developments (TODs) enable condominium living to meet citywide commitments.

The Symphony Towers and Pinecrest in Quezon City, Laureano di Trevi Towers in Makati, and The Courtyard at Scala in Taguig address this need for mobility and metropolitan reach. These towers serve working parents and young families commuting to schools, supermarkets, and support services. Households can maximize these vertical communities by aligning their rhythms around accessibility.

Academic advantage

Education remains one of the strongest, most stable drivers of condominiums. Each year, students, reviewees, faculty members, medical trainees, and new professionals join university clusters. In these locations, a condominium becomes more than a place to stay; it becomes a setting for study, security, and self-sufficiency.

Vista Residences is present in academic addresses and serves communities connected to colleges and cultural centers. Vista Taft, Vista GL Taft, Plumeria Heights, award-winning Kizuna Heights, and Kinsan Heights, Sky Arts Manila, Vista Heights, Tennyson Heights, Vista Recto, Bradbury Heights, Crown Tower University Belt, and 878 España respond to residential demand within the country’s competitive scholastic institutions. Along Katipunan Avenue, Vista 309 Katipunan, Vista Pointe, and Hawthorne Heights are distinguished within a distinct market shaped by educational institutions and early-career pursuits.

The University Series condominiums are planned for proximity with purpose. Living near schools can improve punctuality, support stronger study habits, and provide opportunities for campus involvement. Parents gain peace of mind from secure living arrangements for their children. Academics, reviewees, trainees, and professionals also benefit from access to learning lounges, research resources, medical colleges, and progression pathways. For investors, this supports recurring revenue, with demand shaped by consistent need across different life stages.

Cohesive comforts

Amenities contribute to the continuing value of vertical living. These shared spaces function as support systems for work-life balance, wellness, recreation, study, and social connection.

Fitness facilities such as swimming pools, gyms, and function rooms slow the pace of city life. For commuting families in connected corridors, amenities allow residents to rest and reconnect without leaving their home. For vertical communities in campuses, study spaces and lounges support concentration and confidence.

This is relevant to the upper-middle market segment where residents seek convenience and flexibility. Vista Residences vertical communities offer more than condominium living; they create considered, connected, and complete environments that consolidate the elements of contemporary lifestyles.

Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown (right) shared insights into Australia’s efforts to advance cooperation with the Philippines across key sectors, including energy, resources, defense and security, education, and agriculture during the Makati Business Club’s Foreign Leaders Series on June 4.

He said that under Invested 2040, Australia is facilitating investment opportunities, building supply chains and supporting economic resilience in the Philippines and the region.

At the height of the Covid-19 lockdown, a small group of musicians, film people, and Manila city government officials got together for a special free online concert on December 13, 2020.

The concert also coincided with the anniversary of Manila as a city and used the classic music of the 1970s band, Hotdog, whose primary members Dennis and Rene Garcia passed away a few years before the lockdown.

Performances were held in different heritage sites around Manila. In the concert opener, Bing Austria spoke about how we, as Filipinos or Manileños, will rebound from the effects of Covid. He pointed out that Paco Park was the burial site for victims of a cholera outbreak during the Spanish period, but today, the Park celebrates life through concerts, weddings, art, and a place to unwind. Like Manila then, ‘The healing will come,’ said Bing.

Post-pandemic, we saw Austria’s career back on an upswing. He was with his new band, High Targets, along with Tuesday Vargas, and Juan Pablo Dream had a successful reunion.

He saw more of his music out on vinyl. Pre-pandemic, it was just Rosas Epektos with the Flippin’ Soul Stompers. During the pandemic, a seven-inch single recorded during his time with Tropical Depression came out. There was the anthology When We Were Kids by Juan Pablo Dream, and the first album of Put3ska was reissued on vinyl.

And two days before he was admitted to the hospital for a ruptured appendix, he recorded his final song with visiting Mexican reggae band, Travelers All Stars for what would be an international release.

Like any kid growing up in Manila during the 1980s, Abraham ‘Bing’ Austria got into punk and new wave, but it was the soothing sound of reggae and the pulsating beats of ska that touched his soul.

He joined Tropical Depression as their keyboard player during the early days, but came to public consciousness as the dreadlocked keyboard player of Put3ska. Along with guitarist and chief songwriter Arnold Morales, vocalist Myra Ruaro, bassist Rommel Cruz, drummer Luis Guiang, and Bing, they were the faces of Put3ska.

It was during those days when he would dance and toast. In fact, along with Sappy Saplala of Brownman Revival (and later with Milagros Dancehall Collective), he became one of the best toasters in town.

Flush with confidence, by the 2000s, he emerged as the frontman for Juan Pablo Dream.

‘It was my dream band,’ said Bing. ‘As much as I love reggae and ska, soul music hits deeper. And even better, it makes me want to dance.’

If you saw him during his DJ sessions, his playlist consisted of soul and Northern Soul classics. He either DJ’d on his own or with Shane Cosgrove or former Slackers vocalist Mark Lyn.

When Juan Pablo Dream added female backup singers Lotte Villarosa and Bianca Holganza, Bing felt the band finally had the personnel to give life to his vision. He likened having Villarosa and Holganza to when Stevie Wonder has Deniece Williams and Minnie Ripperton as his backup vocalists.

‘Having Lotte and Bianca gave Juan Pablo Dream more flexibility, and they were there for their chops,’ noted Bing.

When Juan Pablo Dream ran its course, he formed Bing Austria and the Flippin’ Soul Stompers with Juan Pablo Dream guitarist Aurelio Castro. They recorded Rosas Epektos, which featured the poetry of Khavn dela Cruz.

Then came ska outfit Todo Pasa, which was a reunion with Tuesday Vargas from the later Put3ska days. His last band was with High Targets, also once more with Vargas.

During the recent reunion of Juan Pablo Dream, Austria admitted to being happy performing soul music once more.

‘In this difficult and challenging world we live in, we just need positive vibes,’ he said of the music. ‘And it feels good when you dance.’

Unfortunately, the gig of the Travelers All Stars was his last dance. We lost a showman, an excellent songwriter, a good frontman, and a legend in the scene.

Rest in peace, Bing Austria. Thank you for the memories and the music.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation and Philippine law enforcement agencies have jointly rescued 21 Filipino minors from the escalating threat of nihilistic violent extremism (NVE), a cult-like digital movement with satanistic undertones that pushes vulnerable youth toward suicide and violence.

FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey said the FBI began sharing intelligence earlier this year on NVE activity with Manila through its anti-terrorism fusion group.

That information identified juveniles showing indicators of extremist behavior, enabling Philippine authorities to intervene.

Bailey reported that 14 operations were conducted, resulting in the rescue of 21 minors who were ‘rapidly mobilizing toward violence.’

‘Those aren’t statistics, those are lives saved and families protected. And potential victims who will never know how close they came to tragedy,’ he told journalists from Asia during an online briefing.

The FBI currently treats NVE networks as a top-tier domestic terrorism priority.

While these groups have not executed traditional mass-casualty bombings or shootings on US soil, their decentralized, interpersonal violence has proven deadly.

Recent federal cases include the prosecution of a foreign operative who coerced a 13-year-old American boy into livestreaming his suicide.

In November 2025, the FBI foiled a mass-casualty plot, arresting a US-based suspect linked to an NVE network who possessed manifestos outlining plans for widespread violence.

In January 2025, a minor affiliated with an NVE network stabbed a 55-year-old woman in Sweden, filming the attack for online clout.

By the end of 2025, Canadian authorities formally designated the primary NVE syndicate as a terrorist entity following the arrest of a 14-year-old on explosives-related charges.

Bailey did not name the specific NVE networks involved in the Philippine rescue operations.

However, the FBI has recently targeted predator groups such as Network 764, linked to sextortion, and CVLT, which masquerades as a neo-Nazi and fascist community.

Bailey warned that NVEs represent a borderless digital menace exploiting isolation to glorify violence.

‘NVEs are the fastest growing threat groups seeking to hurt and ultimately murder our youth,’ he said.

Beyond extremism, Bailey highlighted the proliferation of scam compounds across Southeast Asia, which he linked to Chinese-backed criminal syndicates.

He described their scale as unprecedented, saying the mafia of the 20th century ‘would envy the money, the resources, the technology and infrastructure that these groups command today.’

These compounds, he warned, strip families of their life savings with ruthless efficiency.

‘We know who you are, we know how you operate, and with our law enforcement allies we will hunt you down and bring you to justice,’ he said.

Bailey also addressed fentanyl trafficking, which he called the deadliest narcotic crisis in history.

He revealed that the FBI seized 2,250 kilograms of fentanyl last year-enough to kill more than 178 million people, over half the US population.

He stressed that the bureau is targeting precursor chemicals across Asia to disrupt supply chains fueling the epidemic.

THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) on Wednesday led a multi-agency effort that aims to further guarantee safety in the practice of sports in all its phases-during training and out- and in-competition.

PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio said that safety in sports ranks as high as achieving victories in the competition arena and that the drowning to death of Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles Rene Baterbonia of Agusan del Sur and Divine Adili of Nigeria should never happen again.

While Gregorio was presiding over a fact-finding panel meeting among representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), National Youth Commission (NYC) and University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), Baterbonia’s mother Rovelyn faced a press conference also on Wednesday stressing on the Blue Eagles coaching staff’s failure in ‘communicating’ with her in earnest on the death of her son, a promising basketball player who once lorded over the Palarong Pambansa playing out of Ateneo de Davao.

The Department of Justice, meanwhile, directed the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel probe into the drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora, during the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ team building activity, which the Aurora Police Office abruptly declared as an ‘accident.’

In a statement, DOJ spokesman-lawyer Polo Martinez said the NBI has been instructed to create a task force that would thoroughly investigate the incident and determine possible liabilities of individuals or entities.

Gregorio said that the panel is tasked to standardize preventive measures-rather than sanctions-and stressed that the their future actions would also rely on conclusions reaped from further police investigations on the tragedy.

Gregorio was joined by DepEd Undersecretary Malcolm Garma, NYC chairman Jeff Ortega, Anna Yango, PSC commissioner Fritz Gaston, Rita Sescar and Atty. Ruel Capanzana of the CHED and UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag.

‘The tragedy should lead to stronger safeguards for athletes with the PSC pushing for better sports governance, stronger safety standards, risk management protocols, and emergency response measures across all levels of sport,’ the panel later stated in a statement.

Gregorio said that the panel will push for the Sports Coaching Act that aims to regulate the coaching profession through a national registry, mandatory licensing and certification and continuing professional development requirements.

Gregorio was joined by DepEd Undersecretary Malcolm Garma, NYC chairman Jeff Ortega, Anna Yango, PSC commissioner Fritz Gaston, Rita Sescar and Atty. Ruel Capanzana of the CHED and UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag.

‘The tragedy should lead to stronger safeguards for athletes with the PSC pushing for better sports governance, stronger safety standards, risk management protocols, and emergency response measures across all levels of sport,’ the panel later stated in a statement.

Gregorio said that the panel will push for the Sports Coaching Act that aims to regulate the coaching profession through a national registry, mandatory licensing and certification and continuing professional development requirements.