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Eco group warns vs toxic lead spray paints
An environmental group on Wednesday has urged authorities to look into the sale of five lead-containing spray paints being sold in Metro Cebu cities. According to the EcoWaste Coalition, the spray paint brands — the yellow Bad Axe Spray Paint which contains 23,080 ppm lead, canary yellow, jade green, Gongcheng orange yellow and deep yellow variants — had 21,610 ppm, 21,500 ppm, 20,040 ppm and 15,700 ppm. It added that it discovered these spray paints are being sold in the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue. “Our discovery of five more lead-containing aerosol paints in Cebu indicates the need for improved compliance monitoring, particularly outside Metro Manila and Luzon, to protect the health of children and adults from this continuing source lead exposure,” said EcoWaste Coalition’s Manny Calonzo. These five Bad Axe brand spray paints are being sold each for less than P100 per 400 ml can. As indicated on the label, Bad Axe can be used for coating the interior and exterior wood, steel and other metal surfaces of household appliances, equipment, furniture, bicycles and the like. “The product has no manufacturer’s markings and its country of manufacture is unknown. It provides no information or warning about the paint’s lead content,” said the group. However, the product’s date of manufacture is indicated at the bottom of the can and all variants of Bad Axe were manufactured between 2021 to 2023, or after the completion of the national phase-out deadline for lead-containing decorative paints in December 2016. The World Health Organization, which co-manages the Secretariat of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint or the Lead Paint Alliance, has warned that lead exposure can have serious consequences for the health of children. EcoWaste Coalition added that exposure to lead is known to result in adverse health effects such as damage to the brain and central nervous system, slowed growth and development, hearing and speech problems, learning difficulties and behavioral problems, which can cause reduced ability to pay attention, underperformance in school, and lower intelligence quotient. The country’s lead paint regulation is stipulated under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order 2013-24, which established a maximum limit of 90 ppm for total lead in paint. This landmark chemical policy phased out leaded decorative and industrial paints in December 2016 and December 2019, respectively. The post Eco group warns vs toxic lead spray paints appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biggest franchise expo rides on growth
Franchising is expected to earn an unprecedented P30 billion by the end of the year, based on industry projections. During the Franchise Asia Philippines 2023 International Expo briefing on Monday, Philippine Franchise Association chairperson Sherill Quintana said that franchising revenues has reached P27 billion in the year to date, already surpassing the pre-pandemic 2019 revenues of P25 billion. With the growing local market, Quintana said global franchise brands should consider the Philippines as their “launching pad” in Asia. “The future is Asia, and the Philippines will be the launch pad for what the Asian economy will be able to seize for the global market,” Quintana said in a press conference in Quezon City. In the next five years, she said her group is expecting to reap 10 to 13 percent revenues for the industry over the next five years. PFA president Chris Lim said the exposition will be the biggest franchise show that the country hosted in the past 10 years. Franchise Asia Philippines 2023 International Franchise Expo will run from 27 to 29 October and the meetings of the World Franchise Council and the Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation from 24 to 30 October 2023. “More than a decade ago was the last time that a similar event was held in the Philippines, so it is really a very momentous occasion. And what a great way to really celebrate and to really show that we’re back in business, that the franchise industry in the Philippines is as vibrant as ever,” Lim added. SMX Convention Center taken up Franchise Asia Philippines 2023 overall co-chair Richard Sanz said this will be the first time for a franchise event to occupy the entire SMX Convention Center in Pasay City to showcase 1,000 local and global franchise brands from 26 countries. Further, he said 39 percent of the expo participants are new exhibitors with new concepts such as breastfeeding center, agriculture supplies, automated retail and convenience store, vape store and kickboxing gym. “This speaks of the vibrancy of the franchise sector with new players joining the market,” he said. Sanz mentioned that also 20 percent of the participants are international brands from Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Sinapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States. More than 50,000 exhibitors are expected to attend the expo. “This highlights the continued interest among Filipinos in franchising as an investment option,” Sanz said. The post Biggest franchise expo rides on growth appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Helmut Lang and Ralph Lauren kick off New York Fashion Week
Amid sweltering heat and jitters over the Hollywood strike, New York kicked off its Spring-Summer 2024 Fashion Week on Friday, with heavyweights Ralph Lauren and Helmut Lang returning to the industry's flagship event with fresh ideas. American luxury brand Coach unveiled its collection of sensual translucent dresses at the New York Public Library in Manhattan on Thursday, but the event was briefly disrupted by animal rights activists. As Vogue editor Anna Wintour and Jennifer Lopez watched the show, two female protesters from the animal rights group PETA -- one covered in body paint that mimicked animal flaying and another holding a poster that read "Coach: Leather Kills" -- joined the models on the runway before security led them away. At another unofficial kick-off event on Wednesday, featuring Naomi Campbell, Doja Cat, Naomi Osaka and Gigi Hadid, the iconic lingerie label Victoria's Secret teased a film meant to showcase the brand's new and more inclusive identity after it was criticized for designing garments that objectify women. The film, entitled "The Victoria's Secret World Tour," to be released on Amazon Prime at the end of September, highlights the work of creators and artists from Lagos, London, Bogota, and Tokyo. Yellow taxi This year, New York Fashion Week will feature young talents and emerging brands, along with heavyweights such as Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Altuzarra, Gabriela Hearst, Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch, and Luar. The city will then pass the baton to London, Milan, and Paris. "New York has always been a cornerstone of Fashion Week," said Steven Kolb, CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. "It really underscores how strong it is, in terms of presenting creative thinking." Under the humid heat of the New York summer, the six-day marathon kicked off Friday afternoon in Manhattan's Lower East Side with a show by Helmut Lang, who rose to fame in the 1990s and 2000s, thanks to the minimalist aesthetic of the Austrian artist. Helmut Lang, the designer, left fashion in 2005 but Helmut Lang, the brand, lives on, bought by Prada and then by the Japanese group Fast Retailing, which owns Uniqlo. The brand now returns to the runways of the Big Apple with a collection concocted by its new artistic director, Peter Do, widely considered a fashion prodigy. The show had nostalgic undertones, a bow to the 1990s when it became the first fashion brand to advertise on New York yellow taxi signs. Fewer red carpets Another brand to make its return on Friday, albeit in Brooklyn where many of the fashion shows have migrated, was Ralph Lauren, the legendary brand that defined American elegance and embodied preppy US style with an annual turnover of more than $6 billion. The brand, whose founder was born in the Bronx, has not held a show in New York since 2019. This fashion season is marked by the double strike of Hollywood screenwriters and actors seeking better compensation, which has reduced the number of red carpet previews to a minimum, thus depriving brands of a chance to dress stars and promote themselves in the process. "Certainly, the red carpet is a way to speak to the audience," said Kolb, adding that fashion shows were no less important. The "content that they create for social channels will contribute to a very loud, very visible Fashion Week," he added. The post Helmut Lang and Ralph Lauren kick off New York Fashion Week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pinyapel, Bakong products diversify, fight climate change
The Design Center of the Philippines has made 200 products out of Pinyapel, a paper from pineapple leaves, and Bakong, an aquatic plant, and helping build 60 small businesses while protecting the environment in the process. The Filipino-made products have resulted from 170 intellectual properties since 2019 under the center’s Smart Materials Development Program. This aims to conserve wastes and natural resources by transforming them into innovative products while generating jobs for the less privileged. “Pinyapel and Bakong highlight the design center’s response to the growing local and international call for global action on climate resiliency, addressing social, economic and environmental issues that threaten the general public,” Rose Marie O. Mendoza, the center’s chief industrial specialist, told the Daily Tribune last Friday. Mendoza, a recipient of this year’s The Eight Bravo Empowered Women Awards organized by the Security Bank Corp. and Zonta Club of Makati & Environs Foundation Inc., shared that the Philippines is the world’s third largest producer of pineapples. Alternatives to plastic Their leaves are processed mostly into alternatives to plastic packaging and dining materials in reducing air and garbage pollution. The DCP aims to help cut plastic production in the world by at least 300 million tons. Mendoza, however, said the center continues to explore other ways to use Pinyapel. “On top of this is a boiling pot of materials and products that has great potential to help the country mitigate climate change while brewing potential industries to contribute to the country’s economic complexity,” she said. Bakong, meanwhile, is a plant growing year-round near Bangalao Lake in Cagayan whose fibers are mostly used to make fabrics, furniture, bags and home accessories. Sustainable clothing material Mendoza said the DCP plans to increase manufacturing of Bakong as luxury brands have taken notice of the sustainable clothing material. Luxury clothes are projected to rake in global revenues up to $278 billion by 2031, more than double of the $103 billion this year. “Supported by the sustainable research and development framework of creation-protection-commercialization -industrialization, the design center will not stop introducing new products to the market, rather push these materials and products to scale,” she said. The DCP is an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry mandated to promote design as a creative tool towards the production of new products, purpose-driven design decisions and human-centered products and systems that improve the quality of human life. The post Pinyapel, Bakong products diversify, fight climate change appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Janella Salvador stars with Thai actor Win Metawin in new movie
Filipina actress Janella Salvador and Thai Actor Win Metawin are joining forces for the upcoming film Under Parallel Skies. In an announcement video posted by production company 28 Squared Studios on 18 July, Salvador and Win confirmed details about their collaboration. “We are so excited to announce to you guys that we will be teaming up for the upcoming movie Under Parallel Skies,” Win said in the announcement video. The production company also released sneak peek photos of Salvador and Win while filming. More details about the movie and its premiere date are yet to be announced. The film, to be shot in Hong Kong, will be directed by Sigrid Bernardo, the director of the 2017 romantic-comedy Kita Kita, the highest-grossing Philippine indie film. Salvador, an award-winning Filipina actress-singer, debuted in the hit morning drama Be Careful with My Heart (2012-2014), eventually bagging lead roles in Oh My G! (2015), Born for You (2016) and The Killer Bride (2019 - 2020). She further cemented her place in the Philippine entertainment scene when she played the supervillain Valentina in ABS-CBN’s latest production of “Mars Ravelo’s Darna.” Meanwhile, Win Metawin rose to fame in 2020 with his acting debut 2gether: The Series alongside Bright Vachirawit. He then joined the main cast of F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers. The Thai star has also made a mark in the fashion industry. He has deals with multiple lifestyle brands and has graced numerous prestigious fashion magazines. He was also appointed Prada’s global brand ambassador. Win has met his Pinoy fans. In November 2022, the actor came to the Philippines for the first time with the cast of F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers for a fan meet. Last June, Metawin returned for a solo fan meet at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. The post Janella Salvador stars with Thai actor Win Metawin in new movie appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EU watchlist excludes Phl
In its fifth year, the Philippines remains excluded from the European Commission’s intellectual property rights watchlist, a biennial publication identifying the priority countries that pose a great level of concern to the IP-laden industries of the European Union. A report released on 17 May, relayed by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines on Tuesday, mentioned “legal uncertainties and diverging applications of the law, low level of trade secrets protection and enforcements and overall weak IPR enforcement” as the deciding factors of the priority countries. “Our exclusion from the list from 2019 signifies that we remain an attractive investment destination to trade partners. Truly, we have come a long way in maintaining a safe IP climate in tune with global economic standards,” said IPOPHL director general Rowel Barba. China is ‘priority one’ in the list The EU report stated that China tops the list as the sole country under “priority one” due to the persistence of IP rights violations through piracy and counterfeiting, paired with inconsistent IPR law enforcement and application. While under “priority two,” the EU Commission report has flagged India, particularly for the several constraints on patent protection, and Turkey, generally for their gaps in national IP enforcement. Meanwhile, “priority three” countries consist of Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Thailand, for varying IP protection concerns. Despite the Philippines being delisted from the report, Barba emphasized the importance of “going beyond” the exclusion from global watchlists. More work needs to be done “Still, we acknowledge that there is much more work needed to be done to ensure a clean and reliable marketplace for IP rights owners across all nations. Since our last mention as a priority three in 2019, we have doubled down our efforts to safeguard our investment attractiveness, a testament to our commitment as a proactive national IP office,” Barba added, with the assurance that they continue efforts to keep counterfeiting and piracy at bay. Last May, IPOPHL successfully facilitated the addition of eight well-known brands to the E-commerce MoU, internationally recognized as one of the best practices to foster trust in online marketplaces. In a recent capacity-building effort with the EU Commission-funded ARISE + Philippines, over 40 representatives of the National Committee for IP Rights, aided by the International Trade Centre, tackled the matter of general IP enforcement and enforcement within the digital environment. Meanwhile, IPOPHL continues to initiate anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy policy campaigns across local government units and the academe to deepen IP rights awareness, especially among public authorities critical in IP enforcement. Whole-of-nation approach “Our whole-of-nation approach to IP enforcement does not only empower our economic landscape. This also translates to a prosperous and lasting relationship with critical trade partners such as the EU,” Barba remarked. According to the EU Commission, trade in goods in 2022 between the Philippines and the EU amounted to €18.4 billion, while the 2022 bilateral trade in services amounted to €4.7 billion. In 2021, the EU accounted for 7.9 percent of the Philippines’ total trade, making it the Philippines’ fourth-largest trading partner. On the other hand, the Philippines ranks as the EU’s 39th largest foreign investor, making up for 0.4 percent of the EU’s overall trade. The post EU watchlist excludes Phl appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
French supermarket CEO detained in stock manipulation probe
The head of a top French supermarket chain was briefly taken into custody for questioning Thursday in an inquiry over stock price manipulation, insider trading, and corruption suspicions, a source close to the case said. Jean-Charles Naouri -- already under pressure to reduce debt at retailer Casino -- was held in Paris by judges probing links between the CEO and a populist financial journalist who has made several attempts at the French presidency. The alleged acts date to 2018 and 2019, the source told AFP, with judges investigating since 2020. Lawyers for Naouri did not respond to requests for comment. Sources familiar with the matter told AFP later Thursday that Naouri had been released without charges being brought against him at this stage. Investigators searched Casino's headquarters as well as Naouri's home in May 2022. According to the French daily Le Parisien, Casino paid more than 800,000 euros ($857,000) to several companies controlled by Nicolas Miguet, editor of financial newsletters who has sought the French presidency on an anti-tax platform. The French financial markets regulator AMF, which lodged the complaint, suspects that in exchange Miguet made "buy" recommendations on Casino shares in his various publications and statements. In a recent financial filing, Casino said the legal inquiry was based only on "an encounter with a former consultant to Casino" and denied the allegations. Naouri's detention comes after a Paris court ordered last week that Casino, whose debt mountain stood at 6.4 billion euros at the end of 2022, be placed in conciliatory proceedings with creditors ahead of a potential debt restructuring. The share price of the group -- which employs more than 200,000 people worldwide under several brands -- hit a record low in Paris at the end of trading on Thursday. The post French supermarket CEO detained in stock manipulation probe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
GrabFood grabs post-Covid glory
Grab Philippines food delivery service GrabFood believes consumers will continue to order their meals online despite the return to normal after the pandemic since the app offers convinience and choices are wider. “Merchants keep coming in and consumers are also growing, proving that deliveries are here to stay. And as people keep going out, what we are doing is tapping those markets. Basically, growth has normalized,” Greg Camacho, Grab Philippines director for deliveries, told reporters on Thursday. He said the company is banking on adaptation to a changed environment and staying relevant. “We see continued growth offering different touchpoints to our consumers,” Camacho added. Expansion outside capital Aside from Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao, Grab Philippines has recently launched its services in Cabanatuan City, and in other cities that have huge potential for food delivery. “We are still deliberating now and we already have the shortlist (of cities) to expand our presence, including Tagbilaran City in Bohol,” he said. Based on the data of Grab Philippines, 88 percent of consumers discovered a new store through the app while 90 percent tried at least one new store that they have not personally visited. Also, nine out of 10 consumers across the region prefer brands with an integrated online-to-offline experience, and GrabFood consumers ordered 1.7 times more often in 2022 compared to 2019. Further, GrabFood consumers ordered 1.4 times more often in 2022 compared to 2020 when Covid-19 was at its worst. Taking the pulse of merchants, Grab Philippines data showed that eight in 10 merchants say that delivery platforms are a must-have for their businesses to survive. In 2022, the average basket size on GrabFood and GrabMart, grew by 84 percent against 2019, the data showed. Financing access to MSMEs The Grab executive said to maintain the presence of merchants, Grab Philippines has conceptualized programs that will aid them, who belong to micro, small, and medium enterprises, including cash loans. “We are starting to offer more and more merchant cash loans, whether to help with their operating expenses or to help with their expansion, as we realize how important financing is for them. The minimum cash loan will depend on the performance of the merchant’s business,” he said. And for the celebration of Filipino Food Month, Camacho said GrabFood is reaffirming its commitment to future-proofing the reach and business viability of Filipino cuisine. With its tech solutions and support mechanisms, the platform is optimistic that the local food industry can achieve the optimum reach and commercial activity necessary to promote the culinary identity of the country in the post-pandemic era. “A country’s culinary identity is a hallmark of its culture. This Filipino food month, GrabFood is proud to be a partner of Filipino restaurateurs in making sure that proudly Pinoy flavors get the attention and business they deserve as we transition to the post-pandemic era,” according to Camacho. The post GrabFood grabs post-Covid glory appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tier One’s BLCKBOX opens flagship store
From its first offering of "FIRST DROP" in 2019, to the creation of BLCKBOX and the official launch of its shops in Lazada and Shopee, Tier One Entertainment's venture into the gaming lifestyle brands has provided fans with high-quality fashion items for the avid gamers......»»
DOH-7: We will accept any COVID vaccine brand that will arrive
CEBU CITY, Philippines—There are no definitive plans yet as to what brand of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will be allocated for Cebu as far as the regional health office here is concerned. But the agency assured that they are ready for their arrival, and that they will accept any brands the national government will […] The post DOH-7: We will accept any COVID vaccine brand that will arrive appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Lawmaker to DOH: Reject flawed, costly COVID-19 tests
An official of the House of Representatives yesterday called for a comprehensive review of the accuracy of all brands of coronavirus disease 2019 tests being used by the Department of Health and licensed laboratories across the country......»»
PH media slam Chinese foreign ministry’s claims of manipulating WPS reports
Philippine media groups criticized the Chinese foreign ministry for suggesting that recent reports on Chinese harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea involved video manipulation and sensationalism to portray the Philippines as a victim. The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap) and National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) expressed offense.....»»
LIST: Saint movies to watch this Holy Week
YouTube offers free access to films on the lives of Catholic Saints in time for the Holy Week. .....»»
In Papa’s footsteps
The late Lope Sarreal Sr. is the only Filipino who wasn’t a fighter inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York......»»
Creamline still team to beat
Creamline’s dramatic, come-from-behind 26-28, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14 win over Cignal Tuesday night at the PhilSports Arena showed that it’s still the superpower in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.....»»
Jollibee invests $28 million in beverage tech firm
Filipino-owned Asian food conglomerate Jollibee Foods Corp. is investing $28 million for a 10 percent stake in beverage technology company Botrista Inc. to support the growth of its coffee and tea business......»»
Marian Rivera takes on projects that her children can watch
With her upcoming primetime show, “My Guardian Alien,” Marian Rivera has added sci-fi to the growing array of genres — from drama, fantasy, romance, and action to historical and comedy — that the Kapuso actress has successfully ventured into thus far......»»
Roque: Xi, Duterte agreed to keep West Philippines Sea status quo
The Philippines under former president Rodrigo Duterte had a “gentleman’s agreement” with China to keep the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, a former Cabinet official said yesterday, as fresh tensions surround the WPS due to recent incursions by Beijing that targeted a Filipino resupply mission and a research team......»»
The significance of Holy Thursday
In the Christian world, there are three very popular scenes found in many Filipino homes......»»
Eala advances in W75 Croissy-Beaubourg tennis tilt
Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala has gone into the next round of the W75 Croissy-Beaubourg tournament in France after sweeping hometown bet Emeline Dartron, 6-3, 6-4, late Tuesday night (Manila time)......»»