Category: Business Mirror

Stepping into the showbiz spotlight can be an exciting yet daunting feat for any young actor, but the Gen Z stars of GMA afternoon series You’re My Favorite Song are also finding their footing thanks to their veteran co-stars.

Heath Jornales, Marco Masa, Clifford, and Caprice Cayetano bring fresh energy to the screen, balanced by the powerhouse cast of Boboy Garrovillo, James Blanco, Katya Santos, and Wilma Doesnt.

For seasoned actor James Blanco, the set feels like home. Laughing as he accepts his newfound ‘tito’ status, he shares that the young actors remind him of his own humble beginnings 26 years ago.

‘Nakaka-excite kasi ang taas ng energy ng mga bata, so kailangan sabayan mo sila…Ganun din ako kakulit [before], parang ‘di nababawasan ng energy,’ James shared.

Katya Santos, who regards the series as a ‘dream project,’ highlights the positive and family-like atmosphere the cast has built off-camera. She plays Mama Bebe, a mother who shifts to working as a virtual assistant for her daughter Angel (Caprice).

‘It’s another family na magaan katrabaho,’ Katya said. ‘I’m excited kasi sa first taping na na-experience ko, nakuha ko ‘yung gaan, saya, at fun na set na pinagdasal ko,’ she added. Also praising Caprice’s natural talent, Katya believes the young actress ‘has a lot to give,’ allowing them to draw out the raw emotions necessary for their mother-daughter scenes.

This admiration for the younger generation is shared by OPM legend Boboy Garrovillo. Much like his character Lolo Xavi, Boboy looks at the fresh talents with fatherly hope.

‘The future is so bright for them. They can reach the stars, some will reach the moon,’ he said.

To help them get there, he offers a gentle and encouraging reminder on how to build longevity in the industry. He inspires them to strive to become ‘true actors,’ a path paved with dedication, a love for the craft, and a willingness to never stop learning.

Learning the craft also means respecting their co-stars’ time-something Wilma Doesnt is eager to instill in the younger cast members. She plays Lady Mara, the head lady of the Montaverde household.

‘Be professional. I-value natin ‘yung time lalo na ng mga kasama natin,’ she advised her younger co-stars.

Wilma is excited to work with fresh faces, finding immense joy in watching the young actors learn, adapt, and blossom with every sequence.

Together, the cast promises a relatable and inspiring series.

‘Maraming makaka-relate dito kasi lahat tayo nangarap magkaroon ng magandang buhay. Dito mapapakita natin paano ba maaabot ‘yung dream na ‘yon, and ano ba ‘yung kailangang gawin para maabot ‘yon with a kind heart, with a pure heart,’ Katya said.

The episodes of You’re My Favorite Song airs weekdays at 4 pm on GMA, and livestreaming on Kapuso Stream. Global Pinoys can watch it on GMA Pinoy TV.

There was a time when Judy Jr. Diaz, Cost Manager from the Cost Management Group of SM EDD, could barely look at a needle.

The thought of donating blood terrified him. But fear has a way of becoming smaller when someone you love is fighting for their life.

Years ago, when his sibling fell seriously ill, Judy witnessed firsthand how precious every bag of blood could be. It was during that difficult season that he made a promise to become a regular blood donor.

Judy is one of the volunteer blood donors who took part in SM Foundation’s blood donation initiative, conducted in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross.

‘Masaya ako na sa simpleng pagdo-donate ng dugo, maaari tayong makatulong na makapagligtas ng buhay. Sana mas marami pang mag-volunteer, dahil hindi natin alam kung kailan tayo o ang ating mga mahal sa buhay ang mangangailangan ng dugo,’ said Judy.

His story is one that many Filipinos can relate to. Often, the importance of blood donation becomes real only when someone close to us needs it. Yet every donation made today could become tomorrow’s miracle for a complete stranger.

A medical technologist from the Philippine Red Cross assists a blood donor during SM Foundation’s blood donation initiative. Every bag of blood collected through the team’s dedicated work has the potential to save multiple lives.

For the Philippine Red Cross, a blood donation drive is more than a one-day event-it is a lifeline.

The blood collected from volunteer donors becomes a source of hope for patients battling cancer, individuals living with chronic illnesses, accident victims, and those undergoing emergency procedures.

‘Importanteng magkaroon tayo ng mga ganitong events kasi, number one, nakakatulong ito sa supply ng dugo. Definitely, nakaka-save ito ng buhay,’ said Philippine Red Cross Medical Officer Dr. Olivia Manalad.

Dr. Manalad explained that blood supplies can quickly become strained during emergencies and natural disasters, when the demand for blood rises all at once. This is why regular blood donation remains one of the simplest yet most powerful ways ordinary people can help save lives.

Recognizing the importance of maintaining a stable blood supply, SM Foundation has been turning compassion into action for the past 15 years.

Since launching its blood donation initiative in September 2011, SM Foundation has worked hand in hand with the Philippine Red Cross and the Department of Health, Philippine Blood Center to help ensure that blood is available when patients need it most.

Over the years, the program has steadily expanded its reach, helping collect more than 40,000 bags of blood through nationwide donation drives. Each donation carries the possibility of saving multiple lives, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to strengthening the country’s blood supply.

In the first half of 2026 alone, the Foundation conducted 40 blood donation activities, collecting 1,317 bags of blood through its partnerships with the Philippine Red Cross and the Department of Health – Philippine Blood Center.

‘Sa bawat dugong inyong ibinibigay, may tatlong buhay kayong nadurugtungan,’ said SM Foundation Health and Medical Programs Project Manager Dalfhen Samson.

Every blood donation carries hope. It offers the quiet assurance that when the next medical emergency comes, or when another family is desperately searching for a donor, blood will be available because someone chose to give.

For SM Foundation, the goal goes beyond organizing blood donation drives. It is about inspiring more Filipinos to become regular volunteer blood donors, helping ensure a safe and adequate blood supply for patients across the country.

‘Ang long-term vision namin ay mas marami pang maging regular blood donors para masigurado na may sapat na supply ng dugo para sa lahat ng pasyente,’ Samson added.

Through every volunteer donor, every blood drive, and every bag collected, SM Foundation continues to build a culture of giving, one that helps ensure lifesaving blood is available long before the next emergency arrives.

THE government is moving away from paper-based cash advances and reimbursement processes with the new Government Purchase Card (GPC) designed to digitize small-value purchases and improve transparency over government agencies’ transactions.

Local executives of American multinational payment card services corporation Visa Inc. and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) led the roll out last Tuesday of the ‘LandBank Visa GPC,’ which functions as a credit card for government agencies to use when purchasing certain items within monthly limits of P100,000 up to P5 million.

The GPC may be used for travel expenses, such as airfare, car rental, ferry/cruise and toll fees; computer software, services and digital content; hotel/lodging; representation expenses; fuel, lubricants, oils, automotive parts and services; and miscellaneous small-value purchases.

Instead of relying on traditional cash advances, reimbursements and manual liquidation procedures, government agencies can procure through a secure and fully digital payment system.

During the news briefing, LandBank First Vice President for Retail Banking Group Kristine Marie G. Cuevas said government agencies can determine their spending caps, depending on how much they require, and assign limits to officials and employees.

Before agencies are issued GPCs, a memorandum of agreement must be executed with LandBank and include the monthly purchase limits, allowed merchants and timelines of billing and due dates. Unauthorized transactions will automatically be declined.

The card will soon be equipped with a digital expense management system (EMS), which automates all expense processes from transaction capture and reconciliation to approval workflows and reporting. This is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026, according to Visa.

Visa Philippines Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro said the card will enable agencies to monitor expenditures in real time to help manage budgets and spending limits.

‘By providing accurate data, it can allow more financial control and better governance by the implementing institution,’ Navarro said. ‘What’s really more important is the governance behind it that LandBank is creating so that government agencies can have more control, visibility, transparency and ability to audit.’

LandBank Executive Vice President of Branch Banking Sector Marilou L. Villafranca said the card would also make government spending easier to audit, providing a digital trail that may be accessed by the Commission on Audit.

The bank has issued 773 cards so far, with the Bureau of the Treasury, along with its 16 regional offices, as the first government agency to adopt the enhanced GPC.

Cuevas said LandBank aims to onboard more agencies, including local government units, state universities and colleges, and government-owned and controlled corporations.

The GPC may be revoked if cardholders are found making unauthorized transactions or personal purchases, in addition to being personally liable to pay for such transactions or purchases.

Aboitiz Economic Estates and Batangas State University, The National Engineering University, formally inducted industry leaders into the Industry Advisory Council (IAC) through an Induction and Onboarding Program, reinforcing collaboration between industry and academia to strengthen workforce readiness and align education with evolving industry needs.

By strengthening links between education and industry, students gain greater exposure to workplace realities, educators benefit from industry insights, and employers help shape a talent pipeline equipped for the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving economy.

The Industry Advisory Council serves as a strategic partner to Batangas State University in aligning academic programs with industry needs. It assists the University in developing graduates with the competencies, skills, and professional attributes required by the workforce while ensuring that academic programs remain responsive to industry standards, professional requirements, and emerging societal and technological developments.

Through regular engagement with the University, Council members will provide insights on workforce trends, emerging skills requirements, evolving technologies, and workplace practices that can inform curriculum development, academic program enhancement, and workforce preparation initiatives. The Council also institutionalizes industry participation in student learning and workforce development by helping integrate industry-relevant competencies into academic programs and learning outcomes.

Beyond its advisory role, members will support initiatives such as industry mentorships, guest lectures, experiential learning opportunities, and workplace exposure programs that connect students to real industry practice and professional environments.

‘Preparing talent for the future requires stronger connections between education and industry. Through the Industry Advisory Council, companies can contribute directly to shaping learning experiences, developing relevant skills, and providing students with greater exposure to real-world industry environments,’ shared Rafael P. Fernandez de Mesa, President and CEO of Aboitiz Economic Estates and Aboitiz Land. ‘By bringing industry closer to education, we strengthen workforce readiness while helping build the talent pipeline needed to support long-term economic growth.’

The Industry Advisory Council brings together representatives from academia, estate development, and industry to help align education with evolving workforce needs. Its industry members include senior leaders from companies spanning automotive manufacturing, consumer goods, food production, packaging, logistics, semiconductors, and industrial manufacturing, including representatives from some of LIMA Estate’s leading locators such as Yamaha, Furukawa, JTEKT, Proterial (formerly Hitachi Metals), Japan Tobacco International, Littelfuse, and Aice.

During the onboarding program, Council members formally committed to active participation in Council meetings, consultations, and collaborative activities that will help guide the continuing development of the Industry-Based Learning Model and strengthen engagement between the University and industry partners.

‘The Industry Advisory Council creates a structured mechanism for industry to participate in the continuous enhancement of our academic programs,’ shared Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, President of Batangas State University. ‘By bringing together leaders from key sectors, we gain valuable insights that help ensure our graduates develop the competencies, technical expertise, and professional attributes required by today’s workforce. These perspectives also help us keep our programs responsive to emerging industry developments and future skills requirements.’

The Council forms part of Talent Edge, Aboitiz Economic Estates’ workforce sustainability platform, which seeks to strengthen talent pipelines by connecting education, industry, and employment opportunities across its economic estates.

‘Building a future-ready workforce requires industry to play an active role in education. Through the Industry Advisory Council, we can help align learning with real-world workforce requirements while giving students greater exposure to the realities of modern manufacturing,’ shared Arnel Recolizado, Chief Green Officer for Yamaha Motor Philippines. ‘This collaboration benefits both industry and society by helping develop skilled talent, expanding opportunities for young people, and strengthening the long-term competitiveness of the Philippine economy.’

The initiative supports the development of the Batangas State University – LIMA Campus, which is designed to advance a model of industry-based learning by bringing education and industry into closer collaboration. Located within LIMA Estate, the campus provides students with direct access to operating industries, modern technologies, and professional environments that can enrich learning and strengthen workforce preparation.

The 10-hectare Batangas State University-LIMA Campus, located within LIMA Estate’s Industrial Hub, will serve as the Philippines’ first learning hub for industry-based learning, strengthening embedded workforce sustainability by directly linking engineering education with the evolving needs of industrial operations and supporting long-term talent development within the ecosystem.

This vision begins to take shape in August 2026 when the Batangas State University-LIMA Campus welcomes its pioneering batch of 800 freshman engineering and engineering technology students. The interim facility represents the first phase of a planned 10-hectare campus that will further expand opportunities for collaboration among students, educators, and industry partners.

As the Industry Advisory Council begins its work and the Batangas State University-LIMA Campus welcomes its first students, the partnership advances a model where education, employment, and industry development are more closely connected. Through Talent Edge and the BatStateU LIMA Campus, LIMA Estate continues to evolve as a working learning ecosystem where students, educators, and industry leaders can engage more closely, creating stronger pathways from education to employment and supporting the long-term competitiveness of Philippine industry.

Blackwater import Kentrell Barkley goes up against his Meralco counterpart Antonio Hester (partly hidden) and Cliff Hodge during the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup game the Bolts won, 116-114, on Chris Newsome’s lay-up with 3.9 seconds at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

The Bossing rally from 17 points down to tie the score at 114-114 only to fall short at crunch time.

Brent could rally to more than $120 a barrel by the fourth quarter if disruptions of the Strait of Hormuz persist, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc., although that’s not the bank’s base case.

‘Escalation in the Middle East and the decline in estimated Persian Gulf flows to below 45 percent of pre-war levels have pushed oil prices back up,’ analysts including Daan Struyven said in a July 20 note.

At present, Goldman sees Brent at $80 a barrel in the fourth quarter, and $75 next year, predicated on a de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Still, the risks to the forecasts are ’tilted to the upside’ given shipping disruptions in Hormuz, as well as potentially in the Red Sea, the analysts said.

Global energy markets have been jolted this month-with Brent surging back above $91 a barrel-on renewed fighting between the US and Iran, as well as a threat by Tehran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen to blockade shipments from Saudi Arabia. Those flows via the Red Sea have been critical in allowing disrupted Persian Gulf crude cargoes to reach customers.

While lower global inventories in the second quarter have left the oil market more exposed to supply shocks, a slump in Chinese imports coupled with greater demand elasticity may limit expected gains, they said.

For investors seeking to hedge persistent geopolitical shocks from the Middle East, as well as from Russia, Goldman suggested a strategy of going long on the December 2026 to March 2027 European diesel timespread.

Diesel markets were very tight before the war, Ukraine was continuing to hit Russian refineries, and there were extra risks to supplies from hurricanes, extreme summer heat, and deferrals in plant maintenance, they said.

Brent futures were last at $88.54 a barrel. They peaked above $126 a barrel in late April, during the initial phase of the US-Iran conflict.

To cut costs for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) next week, the government will utilize its own personnel to perform the National Anthem and direct the program, rather than hiring external contractors.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters in an interview last Tuesday that the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Chorale will sing the National Anthem during the next SONA on 27 July 2026 in the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

She also noted that the Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) will direct the upcoming SONA.

In the previous SONAs of the President, some celebrities participated in the said events. Among them were filmmaker Paul Soriano, who directed Marcos’ first SONA, while The Voice USA Season 26 champion Sofronio Vasquez sang the National Anthem in the SONA last year.

For this year, Castro said Marcos wants preparations for the SONA to be austere as the government cuts its expenses since it requires additional funding for its response to the Middle East crisis.

‘That is indeed the plan, and that is also what the President wants,’ she said.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) earlier said the government will use the savings under its National Budget Circular 602 and 603 to finance the P12.38-billion expanded United Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) assistance.

When asked if the government can sustain its UPLIFT programs in case the Middle East conflict will continue to drag on in the coming months, Castro said it will depend on the availability of funds for it.

But even with the said cost-cutting measures, Castro said the upcoming SONA of the President will remain dignified.

In a bid to expedite recovery efforts after consecutive earthquakes and flash floods in recent weeks, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara, accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Benjamin Benhur Abalos Jr. and Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, conducted an on-site assessment of severely damaged schools in Davao Occidental.

The three government officials inspected severely impacted educational facilities in the municipality of Jose Abad Santos to evaluate the extent of damage and coordinate rehabilitation efforts, while monitoring the immediate needs of affected learners, teachers, and displaced families.

Following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to fast-track government interventions, Secretary Angara emphasized the urgency of an organized, multi-agency response to restore normalcy for learners and teachers.

‘Napakalinaw ng direktiba ng ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos: hindi pwedeng maghintay ang edukasyon, kaya dapat nating maibalik sa normal ang sitwasyon dito sa lalong madaling panahon,’ Angara said. ‘Nandito tayo para tiyakin na tuluy-tuloy ang pag-aaral ng mga bata sa kabila ng krisis,’ he added.

The Cabinet officials visited several severely affected schools and public facilities following a series of natural disasters in the region.

On June 8, 2026, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake centered in Maasim, Sarangani province caused widespread damage across Mindanao, including Davao Occidental. This was followed by flash floods and landslides in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental on July 10 and 14 triggered by the southwest monsoon (Habagat) and typhoon Inday. The situation was further compounded by a magnitude 6.5 tremor on July 14, which severely disrupted school operations and displaced communities in Jose Abad Santos.

At the Emeliano S. Fontanares Sr. National High School in Barangay Sugal, the earthquake left eight classrooms totally damaged, six with major damage, and two with minor damage. The disaster also caused structural damage to the school gymnasium and concrete fences, and while no fatalities were recorded, one teacher and ten learners sustained injuries.

Meanwhile, inspections revealed that Edna Guillermo Memorial National High School in Barangay Nuing lost 31 classrooms to total destruction and three to major damage, severely affecting its 780 learners.

The delegation also visited Butulan Elementary School, which sustained seven totally damaged and two minor-damaged classrooms, and also served as a temporary evacuation center.

As part of its rapid recovery mechanism, the Department of Education (DepEd) has mobilized immediate financial and logistical assistance to the affected schools. To date, DepEd has released P3.51 million to fund immediate critical activities on the ground, which includes P2.061 million downloaded for clean-up and clearing operations and P1.449 million for minor repairs.

To prevent prolonged disruptions to schooling, Davao Occidental has been prioritized for Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS) deployment, which will construct 77 LCS units across 23 target sites in the province, including Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Malita, Santa Maria, and Sarangani municipalities.

Acknowledging the emotional toll of successive disasters, DepEd also successfully rolled out Psychological First Aid (PFA) sessions the previous week for affected learners and teaching personnel at Edna Guillermo Memorial NHS to support their psychosocial well-being.

DepEd continues to work closely with local government units (LGUs), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and health authorities to oversee continuous relief assistance, engineering reviews for permanent reconstruction, and long-term climate-resilient engineering standards for Mindanao schools.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has tightened regulations on the blue swimming crab, locally known as ‘alimasag,’ to secure export markets and safeguard marine biodiversity.

BFAR issued Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 277, which outlined measures for the blue swimming crab, including a 500-meter cap on the aggregate length of gillnets used during fishing operations.

This, as seafood exporters face increasingly stringent sustainability requirements from overseas buyers, particularly the US.

Citing studies, BFAR said the limit significantly reduces the incidental capture of marine mammals and other protected, threatened, and endangered species without sacrificing fishing efficiency.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the new rules highlight the government’s commitment to ensuring that environmental protection and industry growth go hand in hand.

‘Our blue swimming crab industry supports thousands of fisherfolk, processors, exporters, and their families. By embracing better fisheries management, we are protecting our marine resources while ensuring Philippine seafood continues to meet the high standards of premium international markets,’ Tiu Laurel said.

‘Sustainability is no longer just an environmental objective. It is a business imperative,’ he added.

With the new regulations aligning the Philippine fishery with the requirements of the US Marine Mammal Protection Act, the BFAR said this reinforces the country’s reputation as a ‘reliable and sustainable seafood supplier at a time when global buyers increasingly reward responsible sourcing.’

Among the order’s key provisions are stronger enforcement by BFAR in coordination with local government units (LGUs) and fisheries law enforcement agencies, administrative sanctions for violators, and a mandatory review every three years to ensure the measures remain responsive to conditions on the ground.

The agency said the policy was crafted after extensive consultations with LGUs, fisherfolk, processors, scientists, conservation organizations, and other stakeholders.

BFAR said industry players welcomed the order, saying responsible fisheries management is essential to protecting the livelihoods of thousands of coastal families that depend on blue swimming crabs.

With this, BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig, said the collaborative approach is key to the industry’s long-term success.

‘Better management with the active participation of our fishing communities and industry partners, we can protect our marine resources while securing livelihoods and maintaining access to global markets,’ Salilig said.

For Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Bayate, this also bolsters the country’s position in one of its most important seafood markets.

‘This is a critical step toward restoring our access to the US, an important market for Philippine blue swimming crabs,’ she said.

NKS Solar One Inc. (NKS) has secured the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to put up dedicated point-to-point transmission facilities worth P1.38 billion to connect its proposed 250-megawatt peak (MWp) solar power project in Laguna to the Luzon grid.

NKS is a joint venture between Blueleaf Energy Philippines and NKS Energy Utilities. The company said connection will be via the 230-kiloVolt (kV) Lumban substation of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). Based on the system impact study and facility study conducted by the NGCP, the proposed connection to the Luzon grid is ‘technically feasible.’

The NKS Solar One project, which was certified by the Department of Energy (DOE) as an energy project of national significance (CEPNS), will be completed in two phases: the construction of the 162-MWp Caliraya floating solar power project and the construction of the 88-MWp Lumot floating solar power project. These floating solar power projects are intended to be dispatched through the Green Energy Auction (GEA)-2 and GEA-4, respectively.

In approving NKS’ application to connect its 250-MWp floating solar power project to the grid through the NGCP’s Lumban 230-kV substation, the ERC said ‘the evidence presented shows that it will redound to the benefit of the electricity consumers in terms of continuous, quality, reliable, and efficient power supply in accordance with Section 2 of the Epira.’

However, NKS is not authorized to own the proposed facility and should turn this over to NGCP, which will operate and maintain it.

NKS has tapped Power Dimension Inc. (PDI) for the civil works, construction and development of the said facilities. The company was also directed to pay ERC P10.35 million for a permit. The ERC added that its decision is without prejudice to NKS’ compliance with the Certificate of Compliance requirements to the commission.