Category: Philippine Star

‘Artificial intelligence (AI) provides speed, but human judgment delivers certainty.’ This principle is shaping SuperStaff’s next phase of growth as it strengthens its human-in-the-loop (HITL) approach to service delivery in 2026.

Rather than treating AI as a replacement for outsourced talent, SuperStaff is redesigning operations around a more practical model. An automation handles speed, scale and repetitive processes, while skilled professionals remain responsible for judgment, oversight, and complex decision-making.

The shift comes as AI rapidly transforms the global outsourcing industry. Routine tasks are being automated at unprecedented speed, disrupting traditional BPO roles and pushing providers to reconsider how people create value within increasingly technology-driven operations.

Nearly 7 in 10 organizations now report severe difficulty in filling full-time positions.

For a time, the corporate world held its breath, hoping that AI would be the silver bullet to automate this talent crisis away. Companies that aggressively replaced their human workforce with automation are now facing a secondary crisis: plummeting customer satisfaction and stalled operations. Technology can parse a database or answer a basic chat query in milliseconds, but it cannot manufacture human empathy, solve unprecedented technical glitches, or negotiate a delicate client dispute.

Forward-thinking business leaders like SuperStaff are using AI as a catalyst to elevate the standard of work. In this new model, the human worker isn’t answering the basic query-they are managing, correcting, and governing what AI does not.

A different way to think about global hiring

To address these challenges, organizations are adopting AI-powered recruitment tools to automate screening and identify qualified candidates more efficiently. However, effective hiring still depends on human judgment. The most successful approach combines AI with Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) recruitment, where recruiters validate AI recommendations and make the final hiring decisions.

Research involving 423 HR professionals found that organizations using AI with human oversight achieved greater recruitment efficiency and stronger candidate assessments.

‘Outsourcing should not be viewed as a mere workaround for hiring gaps. We need to think bigger. Its true value lies in building an operation that can keep pace with where the business is going,’ said Keiji Makita, marketing director of SuperStaff.

While AI can help organizations identify and evaluate candidates more efficiently, it cannot solve talent shortages alone. To access the skills they need, companies must also expand where and how they search for talent. For years, international hiring was viewed mainly as a way to reduce labor costs. Today, companies are looking beyond cost savings and focusing on something more valuable: access to qualified talent.

Finding specialized skills without delaying growth

Expanding recruitment to global markets gives organizations access to a wider range of experienced professionals across different functions. This approach strengthens local hiring by creating a more flexible workforce strategy that enables businesses to respond more quickly to changing talent needs.

To keep projects moving, many companies are expanding their talent search to countries with established outsourcing industries, including the Philippines and Colombia. These markets provide skilled professionals who support businesses across various industries and functions.

‘The goal is not to replace local talent but to expand the possibilities for business growth. By integrating global talent into their hiring strategy, organizations can access hard-to-find skills, improve workforce flexibility, and reduce the time required to fill business-critical roles without compromising quality,’ shared Alessio Urbani, business development director of SuperStaff.

The future belongs to companies that expand their talent strategy

Talent shortages continue to make hiring difficult, especially for companies that rely on one hiring market. Strengthening recruitment to include global talent gives businesses access to more skilled professionals, helping them build stronger teams and support long-term growth.

‘Successful hiring is measured by business outcomes, not just filled positions. A strategic, data-driven approach to global talent acquisition enables organizations to reduce time-to-hire, improve retention, and strengthen workforce stability. These gains translate into greater operational efficiency, lower Cost per Opportunity, and a stronger foundation for growth,” said Matt Narciso, CEO of SuperStaff

Today, staying competitive is about having the right people in the right roles. Companies that combine local and global hiring are better prepared to grow, maintain service quality, and adapt to changing business needs.

Why outsource with SuperStaff

SuperStaff, one of the leading outsourcing providers in Colombia and the Philippines, helps businesses accelerate growth by combining nearshore and offshore staffing solutions with access to skilled global talent.

Through flexible workforce models, we help organizations fill critical roles, strengthen operations, and build high-performing teams across customer service, back-office operations, finance, healthcare support and technical services.

Dinosaurs run wild in David Robert Mitchell’s new sci-fi survival movie “The End of Oak Street” starring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor.

Anne and Ewan play Denise and Greg Platt, a suburban ’80s couple living along the titular street with their kids Audrey (Maisy Stella) and Brian (Christian Convery).

What the children don’t know is that Denise and Greg are having some marital woes which have been boiling now for the last few months.

But relationship troubles take a backseat when the Platts find their neighborhood somehow transported to the prehistoric age, and creatures of those era make their presence known to put everyone’s survival skills to the test.

“The End of Oak Street” serves as a return to the director’s chair after almost a decade for Mitchell, best known for his previous two features “It Follows” and “Under the Silver Lake.”

What the filmmaker does best in this comeback is scratching the itch many viewers have looking for an enjoyable dinosaur flick outside of the “Jurassic” franchise. The dinosaurs are the major pull of the movie, outside of its big-name lead stars, but Mitchell times their presence well to the point that their appearances are thrilling but never distracting.

The creative team has done an impressive job of giving these giant lizards unique looks that people have never seen before, even for species many will be familiar with.

Mitchell again manages to make the worldbuilding of his movie feel lived in, with neighbors who actually interact with each other and a sense of belonging within family units.

There is always a mystery to how Mitchell sets up his stories and that continues in “The End of Oak Street.” The filmmaker again shifts the focus away from the “how” and highlights the “what then,” giving the survival aspect much more weight.

It’s a credit to the talent of McGregor and Hathaway – the latter already into her fourth film of 2026 due to this movie’s numerous delays – as well as young actors Stella and Convery to deliver on Mitchell’s vision.

The film is a welcome sight following a string of blockbusters dominating the box office, even if it comes off as a cousin to not just a “Jurassic” spin-off but the “A Quiet Place” films or a lengthy “Twilight Zone” episode.

Dinosaurs rarely disappoint even if they have to be pulled from time, but families will always stick it out through the most trying times.

Conglomerate Ayala Corp.’s retail drive shifts to a higher gear with the establishment of a dedicated platform that will introduce and grow leading international consumer brands in the Philippines through long-term strategic partnerships.

Ayala, through ACX Holdings Corp., has launched ACX Retail, which aims to become the partner of choice for global consumer companies seeking sustainable and long-term growth in the Philippines.

‘At ACX, our role is to help exceptional brands succeed in the Philippine market by combining their strengths with our understanding of local consumers, our retail capabilities and the reach of the Ayala ecosystem,’ Ayala head of corporate strategy and business development Mark Uy said.

‘Our partnerships reflect our commitment to expanding consumer choice while contributing to the continued growth and competitiveness of Philippine retail,’ he said.

Ayala said the launch of ACX Retail reflects ACX Holdings’ broader strategy of building long-term partnerships with leading global consumer brands at a time when Filipino consumers are seeking greater choice, authentic international offerings and more differentiated retail experiences.

ACX Holdings has earlier announced strategic joint ventures with internationally recognized retail brands, including Anko from Australia, Makro from Thailand, Spinneys from Dubai and, recently, Musinsa Standard from Korea.

Building on these partnerships, ACX Retail will serve as a dedicated platform for bringing sought-after international brands across fashion, lifestyle and specialty retail to the Philippines.

Ayala said ACX Retail would take a deliberate approach to brand selection, prioritizing concepts that offer a strong proposition for Filipino consumers and the potential to build lasting relevance to the local market.

‘Filipino consumers are increasingly looking for quality, relevance and differentiated experiences. Our focus is to bring the right global concepts to the Philippines and build them into sustainable businesses that create long-term value,’ ACX Retail chief retail officer Rohit Kohli said.

For some teams, having a lengthy break is a good time to recharge amid a very tiring conference.

For the Magnolia Hotshots, though, it is a double-edged sword.

Following a slow start in the import-laden conference, Magnolia has won three straight games in the PBA Governors’ Cup, the latest of which was a 115-101 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters Wednesday evening at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

But after this week, the PBA will have a few months’ break in time for the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers and the Asian Games.

‘Too bad, magkaka-break kami ng nine weeks, no. Sayang yung momentum na nandoon na sana,’ Hotshots head coach LA Tenorio said after the game.

‘But again, we really focused on this game. We really needed this game, especially before the long break. Napakalaking bagay sa amin ito,’ he added.

At the start of the conference, Magnolia lost three of its first four games, including their first two contests.

And from that point on, the Hotshots have won by huge margins against Barangay Ginebra, the Meralco Bolts and Phoenix.

The squad is currently second in the standings in Group B.

Tenorio, though, stressed that he will let his players rest during the break.

‘But I told the players na part of being a professional is hindi kayo mawala sa kundisyon kasi mahaba. Ang sinabi ko sa kanila, kung sinong pinaka-smart dito sa break na ito sa mga teams, yun yung team na malaking chance to go to the playoffs,’ Tenorio said.

‘Because maraming pwedeng mangyari with this break. Ako, personally, I have to do my Gilas duties as an assistant coach this window and then Asian Games. But I know my players,’ he added.

‘Some of them will not go home, siguro mga one week or two weeks lang then they will start working already. Kasi they know the importance of this break and this conference for us.’

Magnolia is currently trailing Rain or Shine in Group B. The Elasto Painters are holding a 4-2 win-loss record.

The Hotshots are tied with Phoenix, with a 4-3 slate, while Blackwater Bossing is at 3-3.

Ginebra is currently fifth in group play with a 2-3 card, while Meralco is at the bottom with a 2-5 record.

The PBA will take a break from August 15 to October 6.

The next game day will be on October 7, and the Hotshots’ next game will be against Blackwater on October 9.

First, it was UAAP that lowered the boom on resigned Ateneo men’s basketball team coach Tab Baldwin. Then came DOLE that slapped a P4.9 million fine on Baldwin for Alien Employment Permit violations and another P4.9 million fine for failure to secure a certificate of exemption related to his foreigner status and receiving a salary for unauthorized work.

UAAP also meted a permanent ban on Baldwin from participating in and attending any league activity. Since it’s been established that Baldwin was ineligible to coach Ateneo, what are the repercussions on his record? Of course, this doesn’t disallow any other league from hiring Baldwin but who will want to employ him after an allegation of reckless imprudence leading to double homicide in the Aurora tragedy last June? Besides, he holds no employment permit and under the circumstances, wouldn’t be able to get clearance from DOLE because of his involvement in the deaths of two Ateneo players and alleged moral ineptitude.

Several team officials and coaches were named by UAAP as under suspension and banned from attending any league event or game. UAAP, however, didn’t suspend Ateneo from competing this season, sparing student-athletes who would’ve had to sit out the year. In 1994, UAAP suspended Adamson for a year after fielding an academically ineligible player Marlou Aquino. In 2006, UAAP suspended La Salle for a year due to the use of ineligible players, forcing student-athletes in all sports at both the junior and senior levels to take a hiatus. La Salle was never accused and brought up the matter on its own after reviewing the school’s academic files.

Unlike the merciless attitude towards Adamson and La Salle, UAAP held back on Ateneo. UAAP must have realized how heartless it was in the past and wouldn’t want that dark history repeated. In DOLE’s view, Ateneo wasn’t spared a P4.9 million fine for employing Baldwin without permits.

CIDG has recommended filing of criminal charges against Baldwin and eight Ateneo team officials. NBI has likewise pushed for the filing of homicide charges against Baldwin and 11 others. If convicted, Baldwin will face a long stretch in prison and pay a hefty fine. DOJ will now conduct its own investigation to determine probable cause to file charges.

While different agencies have issued statements on how they’re dealing with this tragedy, CHED has yet to announce its course of action. CHED had ordered a swift, impartial investigation of the incident and said it will ‘pursue the truth without exception, ensure that accountability is imposed where warranted and require corrective measures to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.’ Will CHED issue sanctions or stay silent? Will the sanctions, if any, be far-reaching?

Several properties were damaged after a truck driver fell asleep, causing his vehicle to swerve into the opposite lane and crash into a sari-sari store, several vehicles, and a house in Sitio Dasuna, Barangay DAS, Toledo City, early Wednesday morning, Aug. 12, 2026.

The Toledo City Police Station identified the dump truck as a Howo dump truck driven by 30-year-old Peter Capampangan Obsioma, a resident of Barangay Cambang-ug, Toledo City.

Police said the truck was coming from Barangay Magdugo and was heading toward Naga City when the incident occurred.

Based on the initial investigation, Obsioma allegedly fell asleep while driving, causing the dump truck to swerve and enter the opposite lane.

The truck first sideswiped a sari-sari store before hitting a Yamaha motorcycle and a multicab, both of which were parked along the roadside.

The dump truck continued moving and eventually crashed into a house where several vehicles were parked in the garage.

Four motorcycles and a Toyota Fortuner were among those involved in the collision.

Police have yet to determine the total amount of damage sustained by the sari-sari store, house, and vehicles.

Obsioma also sustained injuries in the incident and was taken by the Barangay DAS Ambulance to the Toledo City General Hospital for medical examination.

Following the incident, police took the driver into custody while awaiting the filing of the appropriate charges.

The police investigation is ongoing to determine the complete circumstances surrounding the incident and the driver’s possible liability.

The House of Representatives under Speaker Faustino Dy III will soon start deliberations on the executive department’s proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027.

Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing, chairperson of the House appropriations committee, told reporters on Tuesday that budget hearings in her committee will start on Aug. 17 and end Oct. 9 when Congress takes a month-long Undas break.

Shortly after the Department of Budget and Management, led by Secretary Kim Robert de Leon, submitted the 2027 National Expenditure Program, Dy vowed that House officials will go over the proposed 2027 national budget with a fine-tooth comb.

Dy said they will use the safeguards the chamber adopted in 2025 to prevent a repeat of alleged questionable insertions and purported leakages, where the creation of a small committee was dispensed with.

‘Last year, we began implementing reforms such as the Budget Amendments and Review Subcommittee, or BARSC, and introduced the live-streaming of our bicameral meetings,’ the congressman from the 6th District of Isabela province said, referring to the House’s ‘open and transparent’ hearings.

The Speaker echoed President Marcos’ call against waste, improper spending and corruption, noting that every peso saved can be redirected toward classrooms, hospitals, food, jobs, agriculture and other services directly needed by Filipinos.

Suansing, from Nueva Ecija, said once again, there will be a ‘people’s budget review’ where non-government organizations and other concerned stakeholders meet lawmakers and raise questions about the budget process.

Meanwhile, Rep. Migz Villafuerte of the 5th District of Camarines Sur called on his colleagues for the swift approval of the official digital budget or ‘CADENA portal,’ which is crucial during this stage of the budget process, where proposed allocations of agencies will undergo scrutiny by legislators.

CADENA stands for Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability – a digital transparency platform designed to publish and track Philippine government budget transactions.

The Commission on Higher Education will draw P56 million from the Higher Education Development Fund to keep hundreds of medical technology and pharmacy scholars on financial aid through the first semester of the next school year.

The commission announced Thursday, August 13, it will use the funding to cover the schooling of 238 scholars for the second semester of Academic Year 2025-2026, and 300 for the first semester of AY 2026-2027. This is under CHED’s “Scholarship Program for Future Medical Technologists and Pharmacists.”

CHED said in its news release that it turned to the HEDF after it “maximized available program funds” to prioritize 71 scholars from the poorest households. The rest, with financial requirements totaling P56.66 million, will be paid out of the HEDF.

This scholarship program by CHED gives financial assistance to qualified Filipino students taking BS Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science and BS Pharmacy at participating colleges and universities.

Under the program, scholars owe one year of government service for every year of scholarship they received, to be served after they pass their licensure exams and in line with Department of Health guidelines.

CHED said the arrangement helps augment the supply of licensed medical technologists and pharmacists in the public health sector.

Thirteen MTP-SP scholars are expected to graduate this academic year, specifically four from medical technology or medical laboratory science, nine from pharmacy.

A 2020 study by the i-Price Group found that medical technologists in the Philippines have the lowest compensation among ASEAN countries, earning around P29,444 monthly or P170 per hour.

The court order temporarily suspending the implementation of the daily minimum wage hike in Metro Manila is set to expire on Thursday, August 13.

Labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said it is waiting to see if the Pasig City Regional Trial Court will grant the writ of preliminary injunction sought by construction companies Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc.

TUCP spokesperson Carlos Miguel Oñate told dzMM on Thursday that if the local court grants the injunction, the implementation of the wage hike will remain suspended indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Francis Tolentino explained on Wednesday, August 12, that only the court has the power to issue a clarificatory order, dismiss the case, or let the suspension lapse.

‘May mga clarificatory order siyang dapat gawin…’yung hakbangin kung ano ‘yung susunod ay magmumula sa Branch 152,’ Tolentino said.

(She has a clarificatory order to do…the next steps would come from Branch 152)

Tolentino said the labor agency does not have the power to simply order the implementation of the wage hike after the suspension expires.

‘Nakadepende sa kanya, pwede niyang i-dismiss ‘yon kung sasabihin niyang wala siyang jurisdiction,’ the labor secretary said.

This week, several labor groups have already filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the lower court’s suspension order.

TUCP said it is also considering taking the same action, depending on the Pasig court’s decision.

‘Hindi po ma-a-afford ng ating mga manggagawa na ma-indefinitely suspended po ‘yung kanilang P60 na wage increase,’ Oñate said.

(Our workers cannot afford to have their P60 wage increase suspended indefinitely.)

The property arm of Megawide Construction Corp. boosted its sales to P3.15 billion in the first half, backed by strong take-up for recently launched projects to overcome a challenging period.

PH1 World Developers Inc. said its sales have doubled in the six months to June, from P1.38 billion a year ago, due to higher demand for its residential projects outside central business districts.

PH1 said 63 percent of the sales are bookings in One Lancaster Place, My Enso Lofts and Lykke Kondo.

One Lancaster Place is the first and only condominium in Lancaster New City in Imus, Cavite. My Enso Lofts, on the other hand, is located in Timog Avenue in Quezon City, while Lykke sits at Amang Rodriguez Avenue in Pasig City.

PH1 president Gigi Alcantara said the developer has also increased its unbooked revenues to P11 billion as of June. These revenues are expected to be recognized over the next few months.

‘The strong take-up of our recently-launched projects reinforces our view that end-user demand outside key business centers remains buoyant and resilient,’ Alcantara said.

Likewise, PH1 is working with the government in a mass housing program Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH), the first of which Avesta Residences would be completed by October.

‘As we roll out our expanded 4PH pipeline, starting with our maiden offering Avesta Residences in Imus, Cavite, we are confident of sustaining an even stronger performance for the long term,’ Alcantara said.

Recently, PH1 has topped the first tower of the five-tower Avesta Residences. The developer will complete the project in about 12 months since it has started construction.

The project employs Megawide’s engineering expertise and precast technology, allowing PH1 to construct the towers quickly. Other 4PH projects to be launched this year are located in Caloocan City and new sites in Dasmariñas and Imus, Cavite.

PH1 has committed to build an initial portfolio of 25,000 units for 4PH in Luzon, with the homes to be delivered over the next two to three years.

Given its growing portfolio, PH1 was supposed to file an initial public offering this year, but had to hold off to consider selling some stake to private investors.