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‘Ormoc LGU owns San Pablo property’
Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez has denied claims that the city government does not own a parcel of land in Barangay San Pablo, where the Ormoc City College will be constructed......»»
Stitched in time: Likhang Habi Market Fair returns to weave through cultures
The 13th edition of the annual Likhang HABI Market Fair, organized by HABI: The Philippine Textile Council, is set to take place from 13 to 15 October at the Glorietta and Palm Drive Activity Center. This celebration, themed “Web of Woven Wonders,” promotes the Philippines’ rich textile legacy while embracing technology. [caption id="attachment_186369" align="aligncenter" width="1418"] A MASTER weaver from the Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association Inc.[/caption] Tradition and innovation “Web of Woven Wonders” pays homage to the World Wide Web, symbolizing the interconnectedness of people, places and textiles. The community is brought together via traditional fabrics and inventive weaves, Adelaida Lim, the former president of HABI, stressed, demonstrating their diversity and expert craftsmanship. “The way textiles tie and bind us to each other,” Lim said. “The country’s traditional textiles and the innovative weaves various groups of Filipinos have come up with are truly wonderful,” she added. “The diversity and beauty of finished products, and the consummate skill it took to make them are something we can all be proud of!” Designer Len Cabili, a strong advocate for traditional textiles and the woman behind Filip+Inna, praised HABI’s efforts in “pushing weaving into the forefront of Philippine culture.” Cabili highlighted how these textiles are a profound expression of the country’s culture and a testament to the “true value of handcrafted textiles and the unique processes” of its artisans. Following the challenges posed by the pandemic, the fair will host an impressive 72 vendors, including Creative Definitions, Ditta Sandico, Gifts and Graces and Ruyag PH, who represent numerous regional and cultural groups around the Philippines. The vendors will display a wide array of hand-woven products, including textiles, ready-to-wear clothes, bags, shoes, home accessories and furniture made from materials like piña, abaca and cotton. This year’s fair will occupy a bigger area, extending from the Glorietta Activity Center to the area in front of Palm Drive, to accommodate the expanding number of attendees. The current president of HABI, Mia Villanueva, emphasized the growth in participants and the association with local government organizations to promote their goods. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="186371,186372"] Embracing global threads As the nation’s de facto textile council, HABI encourages cooperation not only within the Philippines but also the ASEAN neighborhood. Since ASEAN nations are seen as vital sources of inspiration and ideas rather than rivals, the exhibition encourages exhibitors from their nations. Local designers have more options to this collaborative approach, which also allows them to absorb international best practices and experiences. Likhang HABI Market Fair is the climax of the year-round work that HABI has been doing since its founding in 2009. The show, which is sponsored by Ayala Land and the Ayala Foundation, gathers the finest handcrafted textiles, generating respectable employment possibilities and boosting sales for weavers across the Philippines. The fair is more than just a place to sell things; it’s also an opportunity to learn. HABI’s efforts include making documentaries called “The Threaded Traditions Series” about textiles from Panay Island, the Cordillera’s ikat and the Bagobo Tagabawa’s inabal. They’ve also published a book called Piña Futures: Weaving Memories and Innovations by Dr. Randy M. Madrid, edited by Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, which celebrates and explains the Philippines’ rich hand-weaving tradition. Paul Jatayna, an artist, will present a textile display this year that will focus on fresh and imaginative uses of textiles in an effort to draw in a younger audience. Weaving a sustainable future For the purpose of recognizing and developing the craft of hand-weaving, the fair also holds two weaving competitions: the second Eloisa Hizon Gomez Abaca Weaving Competition and the sixth annual Lourdes Montinola Pia Weaving Competition. Such events not only honor the best weavings but also promote creativity and the return of lost styles and techniques. HABI sets its sights on sustaining and advancing heritage fabrics made of locally grown natural fibers. As the 13th Likhang HABI Market Fair draws near, it stands as a celebration of history and creativity and ensures that hand-weaving and its place in the Philippines’ cultural fabric have a bright future. The post Stitched in time: Likhang Habi Market Fair returns to weave through cultures appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ACEN acquires Viet solar giant
Ayala Corp. energy unit ACEN completed the first phase of the acquisition of Super Energy’s Vietnam solar platform. ACEN said it will acquire 49 percent of the platform, which has 837 megawatts or MW of solar assets in Vietnam. The acquisition will be completed in four phases, with the first phase adding 141 MW of attributable capacity. This four-phased acquisition will bring ACEN’s renewables portfolio in Vietnam Lao PDR to 1,200 MW of attributable capacity. A strategic partnership has the potential for expansion of renewable energy developments across ASEAN 26 June 2023. Through its subsidiary, ACEN Vietnam Investments Pte. Ltd., the company signed the shareholders’ agreement and other definitive agreements for the closing of the acquisition of Super Energy Corporation Public Company Limited’s solar power business in Vietnam. Share purchase deal The strategic partnership follows the share purchase agreement signed by the two companies in 2022. SUPER currently owns and operates 837 MW of solar projects in Vietnam through Solar NT; ACEN will take up 49 percent ownership of Solar NT through a phased acquisition. Closing of the first phase of the transaction has just been completed, while the remaining phases are expected to be completed within the year, with a total consideration estimated at $165 million. Patrice Clausse, CEO of ACEN International, said: “The partnership with SUPER marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration as we will continue to look for new opportunities to grow our portfolio and jointly develop renewable energy projects across ASEAN.” ACEN and SUPER share the same belief about a sustainable future, and their combined strengths and extensive experience in renewable energy development will unlock new opportunities to grow the strategic partnership’s portfolio, create jobs and accelerate the energy transition. “This synergy will enhance SUPER’s growth potential and strengthen the renewable energy business structure, which will support our strategic partnership in many areas, including capital, personnel, technology, and networks for additional investment opportunities in the future,” Jormsup Lochaya, chairman and CEO of SUPER, said. This total strategic investment will bring ACEN’s Vietnam-Lao PDR portfolio to approximately 1,200 megawatts MW in attributable renewables capacity, further solidifying its position as a leading renewable energy player in Southeast Asia. The post ACEN acquires Viet solar giant appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DENR eyes more biodiversity partnerships
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Antonia Loyzaga addressed over 150 World Wide Fund for Nature international leaders from 80 countries during the 2023 WWF Annual Conference held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on 25 May. Loyzaga said her department is exploring a potential partnership with global conservation organization WWF to boost efforts toward preserving the country’s rich biological diversity and protecting threatened species and their habitats amid climate change. Founded in 1961, WWF is the world’s leading independent conservation organization. It aims to conserve and restore biodiversity and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources to support current and future generations. Leaders who attended the conference in Palawan included newly-appointed WWF international president Dr. Adil Najam, director general Dr. Kirsten Shujit, president ad interim Neville Isdell, WWF Philippines chairperson Maribel Garcia and executive director Trin Custodio. Joining them were WWF international board member and former Department of Energy chief Vince Perez. Loyzaga said that while the Philippines is one of the world’s 18 mega-biodiverse countries and considered the richest marine eco-region on the planet, it is also one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots with at least 700 threatened species. “We must now prioritize restoration of degraded areas to prevent and reverse species loss, and work together toward investing in the regeneration of life on land and below water to achieve a nature-positive world,” Loyzaga said during her keynote speech. “I would like to extend an invitation to WWF to work with the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, the Manila Observatory and the DENR on climate change-related species vulnerability analysis by biogeographic region using high-resolution scenarios, and the adoption of threatened endemic species in order to move them away from the threat of extinction,” she added. Loyzaga also urged the WWF to work with DENR on innovative approaches for corporate responsibilities through the adoption of spatial finance. According to Loyzaga, a whole-of-society approach is needed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, accelerate climate action and strengthen disaster resilience, which are key components of the Philippine Development Plan. “We must ensure a balance between advancing human development and protecting biodiversity, and the DENR is committed to investing in urgent and transformative change to address the intersecting crises of biodiversity loss and climate change,” she said, noting that achieving resilient and sustainable development can only be realized through concerted efforts and the sustained commitment of all. In 2010, the DENR issued its Administrative Order No. 2010-16 which established the “Adopt-A-Wildlife Species Program” pursuant to the Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. The order aims to ensure the perpetuity of threatened species and protection of their habitats; promote biodiversity conservation and prevent species extinction through the active participation of stakeholders; and raise awareness on the country’s threatened wildlife species, among others. The DENR and its partners in government, the private sector, development bodies and civil society groups are also implementing programs to fulfill the country’s global commitments under the Global Biodiversity Framework, the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. These include the USAID Philippines Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes; Protect Wildlife Project; and collaborations with private sector organizations. This includes collaboration with Energy Development Corporation, Ayala Group, and Prime Infra on GHG and biodiversity inventories, climate disaster risk management programs, research, monitoring, reforestation, watershed area protection, and remote sensing technologies, to name a few. The post DENR eyes more biodiversity partnerships appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Globe data center readies PHL as regional technology hub
With the flood of data across the globe from the ever-growing demands of a thriving digital landscape, data has become the new gold. The more data you have, the more gold you will get, according to Ivan Uy, the Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology. At the launch of the ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (Philippines), a joint venture between Globe, Ayala Corporation, and Singapore-based ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, Uy underscored the significance of harnessing the potential of data centers to catapult the Philippines’ hypergrowth and position the country as regional hub for information technology and digital innovations. “The Philippines is in a good position to take the front seat in the digital space,” Uy said, “we have the talent, the skillset, and the right motivation. Digitalization is one of the primary thrusts of the Marcos administration.” He added, “Traditional areas like Singapore and Japan are getting crowded. So the Philippines is an open field where they can see almost unlimited growth not just because of the untouched potential of our land but even our human resources.” Carlo Malana, STT GDC Philippines president, added the Philippines benefited from the geopolitical tensions in Europe and parts of the Indo-Pacific being at the heart of the ASEAN region. “Singapore has no available land and there is tension in the Taiwan Straits. But the Philippines has real estate space and power requirements to host data centers,” Malana said. The new data center campus, STT Fairview, will comprise over 83,000 square meters of gross floor area across four buildings. Once fully built, it offers a development potential of 124 megawatts of IT load capacity. It is strategically positioned within Quezon City with access to nearby substations and critical telecommunications, transportation links, and logistics, business, and industrial hubs. This data center is expected to store and manage various digital data of customers of nearly all types of businesses now operating in the digital age. Connected Filipinos with faster internet and high-technology smartphones, people now consume as much as they share data — texts, photos, audio, and videos online. According to a 2021 report by social media management firms Hootsuite and We Are Social, Filipinos have been the heaviest internet users in Southeast Asia and the world, surfing the web for an average of 10 hours each day, longer than that of Colombia, Thailand, and Indonesia. “Data is the fuel that will drive everything we do, from social to e-commerce. Data centers are growing at a phenomenal pace in the region. Still, the Philippines will be the center of growth in Southeast Asia,” Bruno Lopez, president and CEO of ST Telemedia Global Data Centres-International, said. In addition, Uy said the Philippines has the labor force, land area, and regulations to build the country as an efficient data center location. Uy said the government had launched programs to upskill Filipinos in data management, tapping the youth’s higher interest and knowledge absorption in technology. “Other countries’ aging population cannot cope with the future demand.” Half of the Philippine population is aged 25, while that of Japan is 48. Level of expertise Manala added, “There’s a different level required for running a critical facility. For example, a mechanic fixing your car and the other a Formula One are different mechanics.” For data protection and cybersecurity regulations, Uy said authorities would strictly implement data privacy laws and anti-cybercrime measures. “The DICT will provide companies guidelines for compliance and training to build their capacities. We will put these as our priorities for reliable data interoperability.” With these critical elements for operating an efficient data center, Lopez believes there will be at least 28,000 jobs for Filipinos and $5 billion more in national income for every 20-megawatt data center. “Data now is the new gold, and the data center is your vault. The bigger the data center, the more gold you have,” Manala explained. In the next three years, Lopez said there could be ten other data center providers in the Philippines as the digitalization of activities is accelerated by hyper scalers, which are companies engaged in various businesses like e-commerce, entertainment, and research. “I’ve worked with Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. Before, each of them wanted just five megawatts. With data centers and mobile applications growing phenomenally, 124 megawatts is a drop in the bucket.” Aside from a significant land area, hyper scalers are looking for high power capacity to run their data-centric computers 24/7. Uy said the demand for more data centers and the interest in electric vehicles or EVs would rise. “I’m also initiating programs to retool our mechanics to become EV mechanics because our automobile industry will have a profound transformation in the next ten years because computers will power these EVs.” Located along Regalado Avenue in West Fairview, Quezon City, the data center’s first phase is expected to rise in 2025, while the rest in eight years or less. “We’ll scale the growth of the rest of the facility as the demand comes in. As the customers come in, we’re prepared to give them a strategic highway for their development and growth in their countries,” Manala said. The post Globe data center readies PHL as regional technology hub appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PTA hosts 16th ASEAN Taekwondo tilt
The Philippine Taekwondo Association is hosting the 16th ASEAN Taekwondo Championships slated March 10-12 at the Ayala Malls, Manila Bay in Parañaque City......»»
Ayala Land tops ASEAN Governance Scorecard
Ayala Land Inc. is once again recognized for its outstanding corporate governance practices by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Institute of Corporate Directors after being named one of the top publicly-listed companies at the 2019 SEC-ICD ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard Awards. The virtual awards ceremony was held on January 29, 2021......»»
Property prices slow in Q4
The growth in property prices has been sustained for 10 straight quarters, albeit at a slower pace in the fourth quarter last year, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas......»»
Binance ban a boon to local crypto firms
Local crypto traders are now experiencing as much as four times higher transaction volumes as investors shift their tokens from Binance......»»
Vehicle sales rev up by 23% in February
Vehicle sales accelerated by more than a fifth in February from a year ago, supported by automotive firms’ marketing efforts as well as stable interest rates......»»
Oplan Harabas yields 3 drivers positive for drugs
FOLLOWING the surprise drug test conducted by the Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Davao and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on public utility vehicles (PUVs) last March 26, 2024, two taxi drivers in Davao City were found to be positive for drugs......»»
Ati tribe fenced off in Boracay
Tension has sparked in Boracay after security guards allegedly fenced off parcels of land owned by members of the Ati tribe......»»
DOTr: 2.2 million more plastic cards to be delivered
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista inspected yesterday the one million delivered plastic cards to be used for the printing of driver’s licenses, at the Land Transportation Office central office in Quezon City......»»
DOF: GFIs can seek extended relief after Maharlika infusion
Government financial institutions Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines will likely seek an extension of its regulatory relief following contributions to the country’s sovereign wealth fund......»»
Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar on overseas deployment to ASEAN, arrives im Phillipines
Manila [Philippines], March 25 (ANI): India Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, reached Manila, Philippines on Monday, marking the commencement of its (overseas deployment) OSD mission to Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. ASEAN countries includes Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, " acc.....»»
Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar on overseas deployment to ASEAN nations, arrives in Philippines
Manila [Philippines], March 25 (ANI): India Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, reached Manila, Philippines on Monday, marking the commencement of its (overseas deployment) OSD mission to Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. ASEAN countries includes Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, " acc.....»»
EAM Jaishankar discusses security, maritime cooperation with his Philippine counterpart in Manila
Manila [Philippines], March 26 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to Manila, held a 'warm and productive' meeting with Philippines Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Enrique Manalo on Tuesday and discussed wide-ranging issues of security and maritime cooperation. During the meeting, both leaders exchanged views on global, regional, and multilateral issues, including Indo-Pacific, ASEAN,.....»»
Indian Coast Guard ship docks at Manila port amid tensions in South China Sea
Manila [Philippines], March 26 (ANI): Amid tensions in the South China Sea, the Indian Coast Guard ship, Samudra Paheredar docked at the Manila Bay in the Philippines as part of a broader initiative aimed at demonstrating ICG Marine Pollution Response capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in an official release on Tuesday. The ICG ship which arrived at the port on Monday, is on an overseas deployment to ASEAN c.....»»
Solon bats for expansion of motorcycle taxis outside Metro Manila
A House lawmaker has voiced his support for expanding the government's allotment of motorcycle taxis outside Metro Manila as the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board is set to greenlight the participation of more players in its pilot study......»»
Stop motorcycle taxi expansion, Marcos urged
Various transport groups yesterday appealed to President Marcos to stop the expansion of motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila amid the impending decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board o authorize several companies as players in the pilot study......»»