Monday, June 14, 2021
NTF’s Galvez discourages Bohol from buying own Covid vaccines
THE initiative of the Bohol local government to establish a travel bubble or “Green Zone” between international destinations and Panglao Island, is being hampered by the inadequacy of vaccines…
Regulars
Expressway to Quezon on; Toyota ‘kaizen’
IT is obvious. There’s no stopping Ramon S. Ang (RSA) from pursuing his nation-building platform. Not even the pandemic. If only half of the nation’s billionaires can have RSA’s mindset, economic resurgence will never be utopia as it is now. With the metropolis still euphoric over the recent opening of the RSA-authored Skyway from South to North and vice versa that…
Revisiting the Small Business Wage Subsidy Program
Second of two parts Last week, I discussed the Small Business Wage Subsidy Program (SBWS), which is a collaborative project among three government institutions led by the Department of Finance (DOF), in cooperation with the Social Security System (SSS) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), to assist the more than 3 million workers of small and medium business enterprises negatively…
Chief data officers deliver value!
The data-driven approach requires an emphasis on securing data and analytics leadership. While not every business may need a chief data officer, leadership in data and analytics can however help the enterprise use data as an asset and develop a modern approach to planning.
Pacquiao’s last hurrah!
Somebody once said that every story has a happy ending. If it’s not happy, it’s not yet the end. Will August 21, 2021 be a happy ending to the marvelous boxing career of our “Pambansang Kamao” Manny Pacquiao? No less than our boxing icon, Pacquiao himself recently announced his forthcoming fight with Errol Spence Jr. in Las Vegas on August 21, 2021. …
The free market works
The journey started in 1761 when Ebenezer Kinnersley demonstrated heating a wire to incandescence and ended when Thomas Edison lost his company in the 1889 merger that formed Edison General Electric. In the intervening period, countless thousands of scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and financiers around the world worked towards one objective: commercially viable, safe, and efficient…
The road to pre-pandemic levels
The return to normalcy is beginning to take shape in the United States, the United Kingdom and some parts of the European Union. Opened dine-in restaurants, resumption of cruise travel and people spending their time in their favorite bars are becoming frequent—the sights that we normally saw before the pandemic. The speedy vaccine rollout in these developed nations clearly allowed them to…
When your salary is not enough
JUST recently, there emerged discussions about a college graduate rejecting a P37,000 starting salary as an entry level Marketing Associate. The said graduate was expecting a P60,000 income due to the fact that she graduated from a prestigious university (probably one of many reasons). This has sparked online debate on whether or not, the decision was correct. But before we make judgments…
‘Terra incognita’
It is April 2020 and the world is gripped by fear and uncertainty. Covid-19 was just declared by the World Health Organization as a pandemic a month ago, and vaccine research and development are still ways away. “We are in the middle and the end is not in sight,” American writer Rebecca Solnit wrote at that time for a piece on Literary Hub (www.lithub.com). “We are waiting, which is among…
The bond is stronger than ever
Lotlot de Leon is happy that she made time when asked to be part of the movie Dito at Doon, produced by TBA Studios under the direction of JP Habac. The highly successful movie that debuted online, and is now available in more than 60 countries worldwide via TBA Play, starred her real-life daughter Janine Gutierrez. “When they inquired about the possibility of me playing Janine’s mom in…
‘Protect your data like you would protect your cash’
This is what you need to know if you are using GCash: Protect your data like you would protect your cash. Chito Maniago, GCash vice president of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, said they are always asked by users how to protect themselves from fraud. “Never give away personal data like your MPIN [mobile personal identification number] and OTP [one time pin] to anyone,…
Huawei FreeBuds 4i: ANC for less
IF we are to believe the rumors, June is going to be an exciting month for Huawei as the tech giant is expected to launch its very intriguing HarmonyOS (outside China) alongside two new tablets and smartwatches. The Android OS alternative will then appear on all Huawei products going forward including the long-awaited Huawei P50—and maybe even for other smartphone brands. The release of…
The many roles of an association CEO
I was invited by the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) to the second run of its “Association Insiders” webinar series entitled, “The Many Roles of an Association CEO.” AuSAE is the premier not-for-profit professional society representing over 10,000 individual leaders working in associations in Australia and New Zealand. The new series features monthly interviews…
Gordon redux
Sen. Richard Gordon was born to be a presidential contender. He is gifted with personal attributes and leadership qualities that destined him to lead people. He has exceptional administrative and organizational skills, which he has amply demonstrated when he was the city mayor of Olongapo City for several terms, Chairman and Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority,…
Road to recovery shaping up; Lexus RX 350L
IT’S increasingly becoming obvious that a robust rebound is peering through the clouds. Meaning, the industry is now transforming from road to perdition to road to recovery. As the saying goes whenever a calamity strikes, “There is no way but up.” Take it from Campi (Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc.) and (Truck Manufacturers of the…
Nora
IT is tempting, but facile, to use the wine as metaphor for Nora Aunor, with another year added to her gilded age. But she deserves more than metaphors and modifiers. You know, the cliché of mellowing through the years, and being more superior over any in our memory of her excellence. How she is the greatest, or how she rose from being a social zero to a breathtaking phenomenon—those…
The waiting game
GOVERNMENT estimates about 3 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered to Filipinos, nationwide. That’s just about 2.7 percent of the country’s population, or perhaps even less, considering that individuals below 18 years old are not eligible for the jabs. In the National Capital Region, where most of the Covid cases are concentrated, the population is close to 13…
Memories of May
May is a funny month for me. I remember in my childhood the many times when, after I was introduced myself, the next remark would be: “Your birthday must be in May.” I would say, “No, my birthday is in February and my name is spelled with an ‘e.’” That would lead to another question about why my name was pronounced as “May.” Even though my birth month is not May, the month has always been…
2021: Another ‘annus horribilis’?
Conclusion Another good example is the implementation by some countries of the Alma-Ata Declaration (1978), which calls for the development of a strong primary health care at the community level. This primary health care serves as the fulcrum for the development of other social and economic wellness concerns of the community. Hence, it is an integrated health-economic resiliency program.…
Opinion
The ultimate oligarchy
The largest and most powerful international oligarchy met over the weekend. How large and powerful is this cabal? This consortium accounts for 58 percent of the global net wealth and almost 50 percent of the nominal global gross domestic product. They represent about 10 percent of the world’s population, but in the past that has been 80 percent. Fifty-six percent of global major weapons…
Making the office safe again
IN many places around the world, offices are coming back to life one by one. It is gradual but some employers do want their teams, or at least a few of them, to report back and work from the office a few days a week. It may be the same in the Philippines, although some office workers here have been coming to work in the office for some time now. But for those who are reopening the…
Street Talk, 2022
AS 2022 draws near, we will again have a cacophony of voices promising us a better tomorrow. We cannot blame these candidates, as their promises of doing good once elected have always been the hallmark of our elections. Whether they fulfill these promises or not once elected is another matter. We can try to be different this time around. Why don’t we, for once, tell these candidates what…
End of days
Most of my PMA classmates, after occupying significant positions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and in the Philippine National Police (PNP), have been given testimonial parades and retirement ceremonies to commemorate the end of illustrious careers. One by one, the end of their careers in the uniformed service came at a screeching halt, regardless of their contributions and…
Musings on the amendments of the Accountancy Law
Fifth part of a series Should the accountancy profession have an integrated and unified Accredited Profession Organization (APO)? This intent of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy (BOA) is quite clear with its proposed revision of Section 30 of the Accountancy Act of 2004 (Republic Act 9298 or “Accountancy Act”). The present clause provides for an “Accredited…
Editorial Cartoon June 11, 2021
Image courtesy of Jimbo Albano
Agri-Commodities
Companies
Export Unlimited
Entrepreneur
Bigas Online: Going an extra mile to serve OFWs and their families in times of crisis
IF there’s one positive effect the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has on Filipinos today, that would be their increasing adoption of the digital way of life. This holds true with the emergence of different online channels that cater to their everyday needs given their restricted mobility due to…
Executive Views
TAKING FLIGHT
Oman is a destination known to Filipinos as a hub for OFWs. With 52,000 Filipino workers employed in various capacities including domestic work, retail, and health care according to data from the Philippine Embassy as of May 2020, it is known as a safe destination for workers in the Middle…
Nation
Philippine pork imports may reach ‘record-high’ this year–BAI data
The Philippines’s imports of pork bellies and cuts this year are on-track to reach a record-high after January-to-May volume surged by nearly 330 percent to 98,369.608 metric tons (MT), surpassing total purchase last year. Industry players attributed the increase to the need to plug the…
World
G-7 leaders agree on vaccines, China and taxing corporations
CARBIS BAY, England—Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy nations staked their claim Sunday to leading the world out of the coronavirus pandemic and crisis, pledging more than 1 billion coronavirus vaccine doses to poorer nations, vowing to help developing countries grow while fighting…
Economy
Sports
Krejcikova champ on Paris clay
PARIS—Thinking of her late coach the whole time, Barbora Krejcikova went from unseeded player to Grand Slam champion at a French Open full of surprises. Krejcikova beat 31st-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, in the final at Roland Garros on Saturday to win the title in just her…
Life
Pride 2021: ‘Gender Mysterious’
Here’s the T: “[LGBT] Pride was not born of a need to celebrate being [LGBT], but our right to exist without persecution [and prosecution]. So instead of wondering why there isn’t a Straight Pride, be thankful that you don’t need one.” “‘We can disagree and still be friends’ doesn’t apply to racism, sexism, homophobia or transphobia.” And: “Remember before…
Digital Life
Motoring
Property
Tourism
Y2Z
Gucci digitally outfits Gen Z in metaverse foray with Roblox
MILAN—Anyone whose virtual alter ego is wandering around the Roblox online game platform these days might run into other avatars sporting Gucci handbags, sunglasses or hats. The digital-only items were part of a limited Gucci collection for Roblox, a step by the fashion house that prides…
Gen Z spending more now than it did pre-pandemic
OK boomer, you may have money, but you’re not spending it. Younger consumers, even though they have less saved than older Americans, are the ones opening their wallets as the US economy recovers. Millennials and members of Generation Z are spending even more than they did before the pandemic…
Pride Month and queer students: Why creatively drawing on virtual community matters
By David J Kinitz University of Toronto & Alan Santinele Carleton University As academics who are part of a collaborative research team focused on the health inequities experienced by 2SLGBTQ+ people, we know that discrimination, mental distress and isolation are the everyday reality for…
How ‘allyship’ can make LGBT+ staff feel less excluded in the workplace
More than 40 percent of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people experience conflict at work, such as being undermined, humiliated or discriminated against, according to a recent report. This figure rises to 55 percent for transgender and non-binary staff, compared with 29 percent for their…
What’s the average age of a start-up founder? Study says it’s 34
The notion of the teenage and twenty-something technology entrepreneur looms large. In reality, the most successful companies are more commonly founded by people in their 30s or older. Among start-ups valued at $1 billion or more created over the last 15 years, the median age of the founders…
Squarespace founder nabs $2.1-billion fortune with listing
Anthony Casalena founded web-hosting company Squarespace Inc. from his dorm room at the University of Maryland. Eighteen years later, the business has made Casalena, 39, a billionaire twice over. His stake in the company, which helps businesses and individuals build and manage web sites, is…
Biodiversity
Education
Envoys & Expats
Faith
Green
Health & Fitness
Covid-19 Updates
Our Time
Perspective
What are the ethics of giving back money that doesn’t belong to you?
Suppose you found a wallet full of cash lying on the ground. Usually, the right thing to do would be to contact the wallet’s owner and return it, money included. That’s because people have a prima facie obligation to return the belongings of others. Prima facie is a legal term, originally…
Sick of dangerous city traffic? Remove left turns
Left turns are dangerous. Approximately 61% of all crashes that occur at intersections involve a left-hand turn.
When will the first baby be born in space?
I’m a professor of astronomy who has written a book and a number of articles about humans’ future in space. Today, all activity in space is tethered to the Earth. But I predict that in around 30 years people will start living in space – and soon after, the first off-Earth baby will be born.
Enabling dreams to take flight
“The engine is the heart of an airplane, but the pilot is its soul,” so goes the saying. As the world celebrates World Pilots’ Day, get to know three dedicated aviation professionals and proud pilots of Cebu Pacific, with which one of its pillars is supporting the education of aspiring Juans…
Science
The Broader Look
PHL building digital economy blocks one step at a time
ONE and zero. These two binary digits have been, and still are, the building blocks of a new way of doing business after the nation’s leaders ordered the lockdown of territorial borders and forced people to close doors to neighbors and friends. The economy went into entropy. But the binary…
In rising tide of financial inclusion, PHL seeks to lift all boats
TWO years ago, then central bank Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. set out to put the country shoulder to shoulder with 14 nations in the world. It was a noble ambition. The impetus came along with the release of the World Bank’s comprehensive database on global financial inclusion. The 2017…
Amid pandemic, Pinays prevail, pound PHL’s pavement for progress
THEY saw Maria Clara. And a marketing agency said she’s no longer the woman Jose Rizal embodied in his opus “Noli Me Tangere.” Owing to those whose blood drenched the road to freedom, today’s women now have a choice: go to school or not; vote or boycott; bear children or not; and, run for…
Supply stiffness to stay as shipment issues seen spilling past Yule season
SUPPLY constraints were already a given before the Ever Given blocked the Suez Canal: lockdowns are to blame and exporters are seen to put up with the setback for a long term. And merchants relying on revenues from sending goods out of the country’s borders—nay, the whole economy itself have…
Pandemic forces Filipinos to find fresh financial fountain
SOME fought a virus characterized by a corona with Dalgona; and, the creamy-coffee craze began. The battle against boredom ensued after lockdown measures were imposed in March last year to stem the spread of Covid-19. Some Filipinos sought ways to distract themselves from isolation with a…
