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Megaworld Sets P50B CapEx, to Launch Four Townships in 2022
Township developer Megaworld is allocating P50-billion for capital spending this year, 39% higher than last year as the company expects improved mobility and a more revitalized economy this year. Around 75% will be spent for real estate developments, particularly on the construction of new residential properties and land development of townships, while 25% will be […].....»»
Megaworld invests P7 billion in Palawan project
Megaworld Corp., Andrew Tan-led developer of integrated urban townships, is pouring in P7 billion to develop a new lifestyle estate in Palawan in the next five years......»»
Jordin Sparks, LorinAllred, OPM greatsin Troy Laureta’snew album ‘Dalamhati’
Award-winning Filipino musical director Troy Laureta has released his latest album Dalamhati, which contains fresh covers of OPM classics and contemporary hits and some of his original songs. The album includes 24 tracks featuring outstanding musical artists from the Philippines and abroad, such as Regine Velasquez (“Huwag Mo Kong Iwan”), Ogie Alcasid (“Pangarap Ko’y Ibigin Ka”), Jed Madela (“The Memory”), Loren Allred and Pia Toscano (“Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw”), Katharine McPhee-Foster (“Kailan Kaya”) and many more. “Being able to collaborate with amazing artists singing our songs will always be one of my greatest accomplishments,” said Laureta. Dalamhati also serves as the final installment of the “Troy Laureta OPM Collective” album trilogy which began with Kaibigan and Giliw, released in 2020 and 2021, respectively. In the key track “Akin Ka Na Lang,” Laureta introduces a fresh and interesting twist to the famous ballad by teaming up with singer-songwriter and American Idol season 6 winner Jordin Sparks. Laureta also produced the track while Kikx Salazar composed its lyrics. Prior to the album launch, Laureta dropped his collab with Martin Nievera, “Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika,” which is also part of the album. Aside from being a musical director, Laureta is also an internationally renowned keyboardist and producer who has worked with numerous artists including Ariana Grande, Deborah Cox, Melanie Fiona, Cheesa, Tommy Page and Iggy Azalea. He was mentored by Canadian musician and composer David Foster and is known for the lush sound and classical influences of his contemporary pop works. Dalamhati is available now on various music streaming platforms. The post Jordin Sparks, LorinAllred, OPM greatsin Troy Laureta’snew album ‘Dalamhati’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
China to send youngest-ever crew to space station
Tiangong is the crown jewel of Beijing's space program, which has also landed robotic rovers on Mars and the Moon and made China the third country to put humans in orbit. The station is constantly crewed by teams of three astronauts, who are rotated out every six months. The Shenzhou-17 module carrying the trio to the station is scheduled to blast off at 11:14 a.m. (0314 GMT) Thursday from the Jiuquan launch site in China's arid northwest. "It is the crew of astronauts with the youngest average age since the launch of the space station construction mission," Beijing's State Council Information Office said in a statement. The all-male trio will be led by Tang Hongbo, who is on his first return mission to the Tiangong space station. "Throughout the past two years, I have often dreamt of going back to space," Tang said at a press conference on Wednesday. "The space station is our other home that takes us away from Earth and into the universe," he added. Accompanying him will be Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin, both in their thirties and each making maiden space voyages. The crew has an average age of 38, compared to 42 for the crew of Shenzhou-16 when it launched. "According to the plan, the Shenzhou-17 spacecraft will conduct autonomous rendezvous and docking procedures after entering orbit," Lin Xiqiang, spokesperson for China's space program, said during a Wednesday morning press briefing. It will dock with the station's core module "about six-and-a-half hours" after first initiating the procedure, he added. 'Space dream' Plans for China's "space dream" have been put into overdrive under President Xi Jinping. The world's second-largest economy has pumped billions of dollars into its military-run space program in an effort to catch up with the United States and Russia. In June, the return capsule of the Shenzhou-15 spaceship touched down at a landing site in the northern Inner Mongolia region, with state media hailing the mission as a "complete success". That month also saw the launch of the Shenzhou-16 capsule, which carried the first Chinese civilian -- Beihang University professor Gui Haichao -- into orbit. That crew will return to Earth on October 31 after completing a handover, officials said Wednesday. Beijing also aims to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030 and plans to build a base on the lunar surface. Spokesperson Lin reiterated that aim Wednesday, saying that the "goal of landing Chinese people on the moon by 2030 will be realized as scheduled". Lunar plans The country's lunar plans were dealt a setback in 2017 when the powerful Long March-5 Y2 rocket failed to launch on a mission to put communication satellites into orbit. That forced the postponement of the Chang'e-5 launch, originally scheduled to collect Moon samples in the second half of 2017. Another robot, the Chang'e-4, landed on the far side of the Moon in January 2019 -- a historic first. Chang'e-5 eventually landed on the Moon in 2020, raising a Chinese flag on the lunar surface and returning to Earth with the first lunar samples in four decades. The final module of the T-shaped Tiangong -- which means "heavenly palace" -- successfully docked with the core structure last year. The station carries several pieces of cutting-edge scientific equipment, according to state news agency Xinhua, including "the world's first space-based cold atomic clock system". The Tiangong is expected to remain in low Earth orbit at between 400 and 450 kilometers (250 and 280 miles) above the planet for at least 10 years. China will send its youngest-ever crew of astronauts to the Tiangong space station this week, officials said Wednesday, as Beijing pursues plans for a manned mission to the Moon by the end of the decade. Tiangong is the crown jewel of Beijing's space program, which has also landed robotic rovers on Mars and the Moon and made China the third country to put humans in orbit. The station is constantly crewed by teams of three astronauts, who are rotated out every six months. The Shenzhou-17 module carrying the trio to the station is scheduled to blast off at 11:14 am (0314 GMT) Thursday from the Jiuquan launch site in China's arid northwest. "It is the crew of astronauts with the youngest average age since the launch of the space station construction mission," Beijing's State Council Information Office said in a statement. The all-male trio will be led by Tang Hongbo, who is on his first return mission to the Tiangong space station. "Throughout the past two years, I have often dreamt of going back to space," Tang said at a press conference on Wednesday. "The space station is our other home that takes us away from Earth and into the universe," he added. Accompanying him will be Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin, both in their thirties and each making maiden space voyages. The crew has an average age of 38, compared to 42 for the crew of Shenzhou-16 when it launched. "According to the plan, the Shenzhou-17 spacecraft will conduct autonomous rendezvous and docking procedures after entering orbit," Lin Xiqiang, spokesperson for China's space program, said during a Wednesday morning press briefing. It will dock with the station's core module "about six-and-a-half hours" after first initiating the procedure, he added. 'Space dream' Plans for China's "space dream" have been put into overdrive under President Xi Jinping. The world's second-largest economy has pumped billions of dollars into its military-run space program in an effort to catch up with the United States and Russia. In June, the return capsule of the Shenzhou-15 spaceship touched down at a landing site in the northern Inner Mongolia region, with state media hailing the mission as a "complete success". That month also saw the launch of the Shenzhou-16 capsule, which carried the first Chinese civilian -- Beihang University professor Gui Haichao -- into orbit. That crew will return to Earth on October 31 after completing a handover, officials said Wednesday. Beijing also aims to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030 and plans to build a base on the lunar surface. Spokesperson Lin reiterated that aim Wednesday, saying that the "goal of landing Chinese people on the moon by 2030 will be realized as scheduled". Lunar plans The country's lunar plans were dealt a setback in 2017 when the powerful Long March-5 Y2 rocket failed to launch on a mission to put communication satellites into orbit. That forced the postponement of the Chang'e-5 launch, originally scheduled to collect Moon samples in the second half of 2017. Another robot, the Chang'e-4, landed on the far side of the Moon in January 2019 -- a historic first. Chang'e-5 eventually landed on the Moon in 2020, raising a Chinese flag on the lunar surface and returning to Earth the first lunar samples in four decades. The final module of the T-shaped Tiangong -- which means "heavenly palace" -- successfully docked with the core structure last year. The station carries several pieces of cutting-edge scientific equipment, according to state news agency Xinhua, including "the world's first space-based cold atomic clock system". The Tiangong is expected to remain in low Earth orbit at between 400 and 450 kilometers (250 and 280 miles) above the planet for at least 10 years. The post China to send youngest-ever crew to space station appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Driverless taxis to serve Tokyo commuters
Japan’s Honda and American auto titan General Motors announced on Thursday that they plan to launch a driverless taxi service in Tokyo in 2026, helping tackle labor shortages in an ageing society. Co-developed by San Francisco-based self-driving car operator Cruise, the project also will offer “an entirely new kind of mobility experience” in Japan, Honda said in a statement. “This will be a major step toward the realization of an advanced mobility society,” its chief executive Toshihiro Mibe said. The project is also aimed at “helping address societal issues facing Japan, such as the taxi and bus driver shortage,” Honda added. Autonomous vehicles are being pushed by Japan’s government as the country battles a rapidly ageing population and persistent labor shortages. In 2020, Japan became the first country in the world to allow a vehicle capable of taking full control in certain situations to operate on public roads. The post Driverless taxis to serve Tokyo commuters appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Youth backsliding on tobacco use feared
Public health advocates in the Philippines expressed growing concern on Thursday over the escalation of influence by the tobacco industry, which they say threatens the health and welfare of young Filipinos. At the launch of the 2022 and 2023 Tobacco Industry Interference Index Country Reports, the advocates warned that the downward trend of smoking in the country could be reversed, and more young people could become addicted to nicotine products if the situation is not addressed. “The tobacco industry has proven just how relentless they are in using their political and marketing machinery to assert their interests via interactions with the government,” said Rom Dongeto, convenor of the Child Rights Network and executive director of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development. “We need to stop tobacco companies from targeting children and youth, especially through online platforms, in the propagation of their deadly vapes and cigarettes,” he added. The 2022 and 2023 TII Index Reports found that the Philippines’ score has consistently increased over the years, indicating the increasing influence of the tobacco industry and the government’s failure to combat interference. The country’s score rose from 45 in 2017 to 54 in 2018 and 57 in 2019. At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, scores rose to 54 in 2020 and 58 in 2021. By 2022, the country’s score was up another notch at 59 and moved up further to 60 in 2023. The post Youth backsliding on tobacco use feared appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Each shrinking his carbon
Recently, residents in Metro Manila woke up to an overcast, foggy morning sky. Conjectures attributed it to another impending eruption of Taal Volcano, like it did in 2020. Phivolcs clarified that the smog that covered Metro Manila was not caused by the volcano; it was rather pollution trapped in the lower levels of the atmosphere. It was a surprise to many because, while traffic congestion has been worsening after the pandemic and Manila was identified as one of the most congested cities in Asia, it rarely brought to the public’s attention that the air pollution it causes is so serious. During the pandemic, people noticed that, due to the lockdown implemented in most countries, air quality improved and we were seeing clearer skies, but the situation changed rapidly as almost everything was “back to normal”. Countries are doing their bit to mitigate air pollution and slow global warming. The European Union set a goal to cut carbon emissions by at least 55 percent and source 45 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. Starting today, EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism, a carbon tariff on carbon-intensive products, will enter its trial phase. The transition phase of CBAM, from October 2023 to December 2025, will require exporters to submit emissions reports to importing partners. From January 2026, CBAM will be implemented and initially apply to imports in the emissions-intensive sectors deemed at greater risk of carbon leakage: cement, electricity, fertilizers, iron and steel, aluminum and hydrogen. From 2026, EU importers will start paying a financial adjustment by surrendering the amount of CBAM certificates that correspond to the emissions embedded in their imports. The EU Emissions Trading System’s free emission allowances are to be replaced by the CBAM gradually from 2026 to 2034. Thus, CBAM, the CO2 border tax, will be fully phased in at the start of 2034, when free carbon certificates are eliminated. In the Philippines, electric vehicle adoption was given a boost by Executive Order No. 12 issued in January, which reduced the tariffs on certain EVs to zero for five years, effectively lowering vehicle prices and encouraging people to purchase EVs. The EO covers EV segments such as cars, buses, vans, trucks, kick scooters, self-balancing cycles, bicycles and pocket motorcycles with auxiliary motors not exceeding 250 watts and with a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour. Nonetheless, electric motorcycles were excluded from the EO, and are still subject to a 30-percent tariff. In Taiwan, to encourage people to stop buying fuel vehicles by 2040 and achieve the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, people who buy new electric motorcycles enjoy a subsidy from the government varies from NT$5,100 to 7,000, equals to 8,990 to P12,340, depending on the model purchased until the end of 2026. If the battery cores, negative electrode materials, electrolyte and copper foil used in the electric motorcycles are all domestically produced, each vehicle will receive an additional subsidy of NT$3,000. Until the end of 2024, people who replace their more than 10-year-old car with an electric car will get a NT$15,000 to 18,000 subsidy in Taiwan. While Singapore and Taiwan launched their first carbon exchange platform Climate Impact X and Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange in 2021 and August 2023, respectively, Indonesia also started its carbon trading market on 26 September. President Joko Widodo attended the launch, saying the exchange could create a new sustainable economy, estimating it has the potential to be worth at least Rp3,000 trillion ($194 billion). “This will be a new sustainable economic opportunity as the world is heading toward the green economy,” he said. The post Each shrinking his carbon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Video games give sports stars second life
The post-retirement careers of the biggest sports stars can be fascinating to watch -- Viagra ads, property ventures, crypto projects -- but one option is becoming a sure-fire winner: put your face on the cover of a video game. And death is no barrier for this particular career, with two popular games this year choosing sports legends who are no longer with us. LA Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter accident in 2020, graces the cover of "NBA 2K24". And two of the world's greatest footballers from bygone eras -- Pele and Johan Cruyff -- get posthumous respect with their figures emblazoned on "FC 24" from EA Sports. They are joined on the cover of the EA game by a galaxy of still-living stars of the more recent past -- Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho -- and present -- Erling Haaland and Alexia Putellas. French legend Zidane told AFP in June that many young children now knew him largely through his appearance in the EA's game, formerly known as "FIFA". "Kids aged eight to 10 don't know me, unless their dads have told them about what I did back in the day," said the World Cup winner. "It's more through PlayStation, so it's kind of funny. I'm used to it." Marketing nostalgia The ties between video game publishers and sports stars go deep, particularly in the United States. The leading video game series on American football bears the name of a former player, John Madden, who retired in 1978 to become a sports commentator. Julien Pillot, an economist specializing in cultural industries, told AFP the endorsement of bona fide legends was clearly a powerful marketing tool. And the often huge cost of getting their endorsement, he said, was "more than offset" by the sales they generate -- both of the games themselves and the ubiquitous in-game "cards" required to unlock additional content. Gaming firms were playing on the "intergenerational aspect" and adding "a touch of nostalgia", said Pillot. It's a feature that executives are not shy about highlighting. "My seven-year-old only really knows who Pele is because of his amazing rating on FC," David Jackson, vice-president of the EA Sports FC brand, told AFP. He said the game had allowed fans to feel a little bit of the magic of playing with stars from earlier generations. And it works both ways, according to some of the stars involved -- even those who don't rate as highly as Pele. "People of a certain generation know me by what I've done on the pitch," said World Cup winner Robert Pires at the launch party for the EA game in Paris. But a 12-year-old boy told Pires recently he had only learnt who the French star was through playing the game. "I asked him: 'Am I good?'" said Pires. "He told me: 'You're good, but you're slow.'" The post Video games give sports stars second life appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sub bolsters Taiwan defense vs China
Taiwan unveiled its first domestically built submarine on Thursday to bolster the island’s defenses against China. President Tsai Ing-wen presided over the launch ceremony for the Hai Kun or “Narwhal” in English at CSBC Corporation's Kaohsiung shipyard, according to Taiwan News. Tsai performed the bottle-breaking ritual and named the submarine, which means “giant fish” in Chinese. National Security Council Secretary General Wellington Koo, American Institute in Taiwan Director Sandra Oudkirk, Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai and other dignitaries attended the ceremony, CNA reported. Strongly opposed by Beijing for her refusal to accept China’s authority over the island, Tsai launched a submarine program in 2016 with the aim of delivering a fleet of eight vessels. Construction on the first started in 2020 by CSBC Corporation, a company specializing in container ships and military vessels. Carrying a price tag of $1.5 billion, the submarine’s displacement weight is about 2,500 to 3,000 tons, with its combat systems and torpedoes sourced from the United States defense company Lockheed Martin. Ben Lewis, a US-based independent analyst who focuses on the Chinese military’s movements around the island, said the Taiwanese submarine can pose a threat to Chinese amphibious assault and troop transport capabilities. “They have practised extensively the use of civilian vessels to augment their existing troop delivery platforms, and a submarine could wreak havoc on vessels not designed for naval warfare,” Lewis said. The submarine will still need at least three years to become operational, Zivon Wang, a military analyst at Taipei-based think tank the Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies, said. “The launch... does not mean that Taiwan will become very powerful right away but it is a crucial element of Taiwan’s defense strategy and a part of our efforts to build deterrence capabilities,” Wang said. China’s state-run Global Times on Monday published an op-ed saying Taiwan’s submarine deployment plan to block the Chinese military was “daydreaming.” “The plan is just an illusion of the island attempting to resist reunification by force,” it said. The post Sub bolsters Taiwan defense vs China appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
FLI debt papers get top PhilRatings grade
The proposed P10-billion bond float of property developer Filinvest Land Inc., or FLI, has been assigned the highest credit ratings and stable outlooks by the Philippine Rating Services Corporation, or PhilRatings. FLI’s proposed bonds, amounting to P10 billion with a P2-billion oversubscription allowance, were assigned an issue credit rating of PRS Aaa. The high rating was also assigned to FLI’s outstanding bonds, totaling P35.4 billion. Proceeds from the issuance will be used for capital expenditures and debt refinancing. “We are delighted to receive a PRS Aaa rating from PhilRatings for our proposed bond issuance. This rating reflects our healthy fundamentals and underscores our constant focus on growth and financial sustainability,” Tristan Las Marias, FLI president and chief executive officer, said. PRS Aaa signifies the highest credit quality with minimal risk. The capacity to meet financial commitment is extremely strong under the grade. Outlook stable PhilRatings also issued a stable outlook on PhilRatings. An outlook gives a glimpse on the direction of any rating change within one year. A Stable outlook means the rating will likely be unchanged in the next 12 months. PhilRatings said it took “into account the following key considerations: FLI’s established brand name and track record, with geographically diverse real estate products and substantial land bank for future expansion; its sound growth strategies; its improved revenues and operating cash flow, supported by more than satisfactory liquidity and interest coverage” for the outlook. For 2023, FLI will launch condominium and housing developments in Antipolo City, Taytay, Angono, Calamba City, Tanauan City, Trece Martires City, Bacoor City, Dumaguete City, and the Island Garden City of Samal. FLI will also accelerate the development of its township projects in East Town in Cainta, Rizal; Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal; Ciudad de Calamba in Calamba City, Laguna, The Wood Estates in Trece Martires City, Cavite, and Palm Estates in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. The FLI townships will include residential, commercial, transportation, and school components to create a self-sufficient environment that considers the needs of residents and customers in mind. For malls, FLI is currently constructing Marina Town in Dumaguete City which will open by end-2023, and new malls in Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City and Activa Cubao which will open by end-2024. These will expand FLI’s retail portfolio by about 55,000 square meters in gross leasable area, or GLA, bringing FLI’s nationwide retail GLA to 300,000 square meters. The post FLI debt papers get top PhilRatings grade appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
It’s imperative to rise in the Life Sciences and Global Innovation Index
Increasing and improving the quality of life sciences innovation in the country is mission-critical if we want our people to thrive and achieve a successful way of life. However, the life sciences, which include pharmaceuticals and medical technologies, is a complex sector heavily dependent on large capital due to the intensity of the research needed and the cost of development. The entire process, from research to commercialization, could take more than a decade, if not decades. Moreover, manufacturers are exposed to high risks, such as if field trials do not yield favorable results or if a product fails to meet regulatory standards. How then can we boost innovation outputs in this high risk and capital intensive sector? This was the question hanging over everyone’s head at the Asian Regional Conference in Support of Accelerated Life Sciences Innovation which IPOPHL and the World Intellectual Property Organization held earlier this September. In the Philippines, what we want is to sustain the momentum as patenting in life sciences has been growing over the years. Our data show that patent filings in the pharmaceutical sector have been growing by over 4 percent annually since 2020. Success in boosting life sciences innovation, as shown by the experiences of various countries, depends on robust incentives for research and development, a strong and balanced patent system and an effective rule of law. Another important factor is the establishment of trust among crucial players in the life sciences value chain, allowing them to collaborate and co-create. In fact, it was collaboration that paved the way for the world’s new and brave story of survival and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. In his opening remarks, Alejandro Campaña, senior director at WIPO’s IP for Innovators Department, highlighted collaboration as making possible the development and launch of vaccines in one and a half years, a far cry from the average 10 to 15 years. This was supported by WIPO’s patent applications data in which almost a quarter named more than one inventor as the patent holder. Rising in the GII In the Philippines, collaboration takes center stage in our innovation efforts with the creation of the National Innovation Council, created by the Philippine Innovation Act of 2019. The 25-member NIC, which IPOPHL is a member of, aims to transform Philippine innovation with more and better quality outputs. It also aims to elevate the country’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index from 59th to the top third of economies. The 16th edition of WIPO’s GII will be released on Wednesday, 27 September, during a hybrid event from 13:30 to 15:30 p.m. CEST (Geneva time). Centered on a very timely theme, “Innovation in the face of uncertainty,” the report will be discussed in greater detail in a panel discussion which will also talk about the way forward for global innovation. Aside from driving innovation in an imperative sector like the life sciences, the Philippines has been relentless in making the country’s overall innovation ecosystem more vibrant and productive. Our efforts must be reflected and justified in this next GII report where we hope to see the Philippines rise up and soar. The post It’s imperative to rise in the Life Sciences and Global Innovation Index appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Filinvest Land bonds earn top credit score, stable outlook from PhilRatings
The proposed bond issuance of full-range developer Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) has been assigned the highest issue credit ratings and stable outlooks by the Philippine Rating Services Corporation (PhilRatings). FLI’s proposed bonds, amounting to P10 billion with a P2 billion oversubscription option, were assigned an issue credit rating of PRS Aaa. The same PRS Aaa rating was also assigned to FLI’s outstanding bonds, totaling P35.4 billion. Proceeds from these bonds will be used for capital expenditures and debt refinancing. "We are delighted to receive a PRS Aaa rating from PhilRatings for our proposed bond issuance. This rating reflects our healthy fundamentals and underscores our constant focus on growth and financial sustainability. We are grateful for PhilRatings’ trust and confidence in Filinvest Land and aim to continue building the Filipino dream through our various property developments,” said Tristan Las Marias, FLI president and chief executive officer. Obligations rated PRS Aaa (the highest rating assigned by PhilRatings) are of the highest quality with minimal credit risk. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment to the obligation is extremely strong. Each of the ratings was also assigned an Outlook of Stable. An Outlook is an indication as to the possible direction of any rating change within a one-year period and serves as a further refinement to the assigned credit rating for the guidance of investors, regulators, and the general public. A "stable outlook" means the rating will likely be unchanged in the next 12 months. According to PhilRatings, the assigned credit ratings "take into account the following key considerations: (1) FLI’s established brand name and track record, with geographically diverse real estate products and substantial land bank for future expansion; (2) its sound growth strategies; (3) its improved revenues and operating cash flow, supported by more than satisfactory liquidity and interest coverage,” among other factors. For 2023, FLI will launch condominium and housing developments in Antipolo City, Taytay, Angono, Calamba City, Tanauan City, Trece Martires City, Bacoor City, Dumaguete City, and the Island Garden City of Samal. FLI will also accelerate the development of its township projects in East Town in Cainta, Rizal; Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal; Ciudad de Calamba in Calamba City, Laguna, The Wood Estates in Trece Martires City, Cavite, and Palm Estates in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. These FLI townships will include residential, commercial, transportation, and school components to create a self-sufficient environment that considers the needs of residents and customers in mind. For malls, FLI is currently constructing Marina Town in Dumaguete City which will open by end-2023, and new malls in Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City and Activa Cubao which will open by end-2024. These will expand FLI’s retail portfolio by about 55,000 square meters in gross leasable area (GLA), bringing FLI’s nationwide retail GLA to 300,000 square meters. FLI is also present in the industrial park and ready-built factory leasing businesses with its Filinvest Innovation Parks in New Clark City, Tarlac, and Calamba City, Laguna. Last 19 August, FLI broke ground on the 25-hectare Filinvest Innovation Park Ciudad de Calamba, an expansion of the 50-hectare Filinvest Technology Park in Ciudad de Calamba. FIP-CDC is envisioned to become a stage for new and relevant products that will catalyze progress in the local community. The post Filinvest Land bonds earn top credit score, stable outlook from PhilRatings appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Major asteroid sample brought to Earth in NASA first
A seven-year space voyage came to its climactic end Sunday when a NASA capsule landed in the desert in the US state of Utah, carrying to Earth the largest asteroid samples ever collected. Scientists have high hopes for the sample, saying it will provide a better understanding of the formation of our solar system and how Earth became habitable. When they learned that the capsule's main parachute had deployed, "I literally broke into tears," the Osiris-Rex mission's principal investigator Dante Lauretta told a press conference. "That was the moment I knew we made it home... For me, the real science is just beginning." The 3.86-billion-mile (6.21-billion-kilometer) journey marked the United States' first sample return mission of its kind, the US space agency said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. NASA chief Bill Nelson hailed the mission and said the asteroid dust "will give scientists an extraordinary glimpse into the beginnings of our solar system." The Osiris-Rex probe's final, fiery descent through Earth's atmosphere was perilous, but NASA managed to engineer a soft landing at 8:52 am local time (1452 GMT), in the military's Utah Test and Training Range. Four years after its 2016 launch, the probe landed on the asteroid Bennu and collected what NASA estimated is roughly nine ounces (250 grams) of dust from its rocky surface. Even that small amount, NASA says, should "help us better understand the types of asteroids that could threaten Earth." The sample return "is really historic," NASA scientist Amy Simon told AFP. "This is going to be the biggest sample we've brought back since the Apollo moon rocks" were returned to Earth. Osiris-Rex released its capsule early Sunday from an altitude of more than 67,000 miles. The fiery passage through the atmosphere came only in the last 13 minutes, as the capsule hurtled downward at a speed of more than 27,000 miles per hour, with temperatures of up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius). NASA images showed the tire-sized capsule on the ground in a desert wash, with scientists approaching the device and taking readings. Eventually, they concluded the capsule was not breached, meaning its all-important air-tight seal remained intact, avoiding any contamination of the sample with desert sands. The team then lifted the capsule by helicopter to a nearby "clean room." Meanwhile, the probe that made the space journey fired its engines and shifted course away from Earth, NASA said, "on its way" for a date with another asteroid. Japanese samples On Monday, the sample heads to the Johnson Space Center in Houston for additional study, and NASA plans to announce its first results at a news conference 11 October. Roughly one-fourth of the sample will be immediately used in experiments, and a small amount will be sent to mission partners Japan and Canada. But most of it will be saved for future generations -- a "treasure for scientific analysis for years and years and years to come, to our kids and grandkids and people that haven't even been born yet," Lori Glaze, director of NASA's Planetary Sciences division, said. Japan had earlier given NASA a few grains from asteroid Ryugu, after bringing 0.2 ounces of dust to Earth in 2020 during the Hayabusa-2 mission. Ten years before, it had brought back a microscopic quantity from another asteroid. But the sample from Bennu is much larger, allowing for significantly more testing, Simon said. Earth's origin story Asteroids are composed of the original materials of the solar system, dating back some 4.5 billion years, and have remained relatively intact. They "can give us clues about how the solar system formed and evolved," said Osiris-Rex program executive Melissa Morris. "It's our own origin story." By striking Earth's surface, "we do believe asteroids and comets delivered organic material, potentially water, that helped life flourish here on Earth," Simon said. Scientists believe Bennu, about 500 meters (1,640 feet) in diameter, is rich in carbon -- a building block of life on Earth -- and contains water molecules locked in minerals. Bennu surprised scientists in 2020 when the probe, during its brief contact with the asteroid's surface, sank into the soil, revealing an unexpectedly low density, like a children's pool filled with plastic balls. Understanding its composition could come in handy, for there is a slight -- but non-zero -- chance (one in 2,700) that Bennu could collide catastrophically with Earth, though not until 2182. NASA last year successfully deviated the course of an asteroid by crashing a probe into it in a test, and it might at some point need to repeat that exercise -- but with much higher stakes. The post Major asteroid sample brought to Earth in NASA first appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Megaworld dev’t targets P5-B sale
Property developer Megaworld Corp. led by tycoon Andrew Tan is expecting to generate P5 billion in sales from building its fifth residential condominium development inside its 34-hectare Upper East township in Bacolod City. In a stock report on Wednesday, the company said the 26-story Kensington Sky Garden, scheduled for completion in 2029, will be the tallest residential development among its Visayas townships to date. The venture will be a two-tower residential development offering 643 smart home units located at the corner of Upper East Avenue and Bentley Street, just across the newly-opened Landers Superstore. Carrying a unique design that reflects Victorian era influences in New York — a city where The Upper East draws much of its inspiration — Kensington Sky Gardens units range from from Studio and Executive Studio (up to 40 square meters), One Bedroom (up to 56 square meters), Two Bedroom (up to 90 square meters), and Three Bedroom (up to 110 square meters). All unit sizes have either a balcony or a lanai. E Vehicle facility set According to Megaworld, the project is planned to have an electric vehicle-charging facility in its basement parking area, the first of its kind in Bacolod City, in preparation for the influx of electric and hybrid cars soon. Other green and sustainability features include low flow rate fixtures to promote water conservation, occupancy sensors in hallways and parking floors that help conserve energy, LED lights for units and common areas, a rainwater harvesting system, and its own materials recovery facility. The post Megaworld dev’t targets P5-B sale appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Championing ‘Sampaguita’ hospitality
Megaworld Hotels & Resorts is bringing in a Filipino touch to its signature brand of hospitality. Sampaguita, the Philippines’ national flower, is Megaworld’s new brand symbol in promoting sustainable tourism, hospitality and agriculture — all part of the company’s thrust toward providing a unique and proudly Filipino guest experience. “Megaworld Hotels & Resorts resonates with the values of the country’s national flower, namely love, honor, dignity and healing. We desire for our brand to stand out and touch the heart of every Filipino, and be the brand that one can be truly proud of. It’s our goal to be the hospitality chain whose story people can relate with because our journey mirrors what every Filipino undergoes, yet comes out stronger from,” Cleofe Albiso, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts managing director said. [caption id="attachment_181097" align="aligncenter" width="650"] SAVOY Hotel Manila.[/caption] She added, Sampaguita artworks will greet guests on entrance, with the staff donning the flower’s pins painted with colors of the Philippine flag. Guests will also get a whiff of a specially-concocted sampaguita scent with notes of fresh herbs, eucalyptus and peppermint during their stay. Exclusive and new dishes infused with sampaguita essence, such as salads, soups, mains and desserts, will be offered at the different Megaworld hotel restaurants and cafes. Meanwhile, guests who wish to have a soothing, relaxing massage can opt to use sampaguita massage oils in one of the spa’s or room service. They can also choose to end their session with a cup of SaMaRra tea with flavors of sampaguita, mango and tarragon to provide healing from the inside. [caption id="attachment_181098" align="aligncenter" width="1589"] Sampaguita, the Philippines’ national flower, is Megaworld’s new brand symbol in promoting sustainable tourism, hospitality and agriculture.[/caption] Reviving the Sampaguita industry Megaworld Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Dwellbeing, a sustainable, private enterprise led by visionary women. It provides jobs to challenged sectors of society by converting used bottles to create organic home cleaning products and scents. Through this, Dwellbeing is able to continue its advocacy of feeding families through “Project Pearls” that provide employment to the deaf and mute in partnership with the Hand and Heart Organization. Raw materials will be sourced in collaboration with the local government of San Pedro, Laguna, the “Sampaguita Capital of the Philippines.” [caption id="attachment_181099" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MEGAWORLDBELMONT Manila.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_181100" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] HOTEL Lucky Chinatown.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_181101" align="aligncenter" width="1278"] RICHMONDE Tower.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_181102" align="aligncenter" width="700"] KINGSFORD Hotel Manila.[/caption] The sampaguita is part of MEGreen, Megaworld’s company-wide sustainability program that promotes the real estate developer’s commitment to providing patches of land dedicated to the planting of sampaguita in its townships across the country. Megaworld Hotels & Resorts has launched 18 hotel properties, 12 of which are operational while five more are in the pipeline including Savoy Palawan in San Vicente and Grand Westside Hotel in Parañaque City, poised to be the biggest hotel in the Philippines once it opens. The existing operational hotels with around 7,700 hotel room keys being managed and operated by the group include Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, Savoy Hotel Newport, Savoy Hotel Boracay, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, Belmont Hotel Manila, Belmont Hotel Boracay, Belmont Hotel Mactan, Kingsford Hotel Manila, Twin Lakes Hotel in Tagaytay and Hotel Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Manila. The post Championing ‘Sampaguita’ hospitality appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Online travel fair offers deals with no expiry dates
If you can’t pass the planning stage of your dream vacation because you’re having difficulty finding a window of availability in your schedule or a common travel period with your companion/s while you’re all trying to find the best deals, then you shouldn’t miss this year’s September Online Sale put together by the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association. SOS is basically a travel fair, but done virtually for utmost convenience. As explained by HSMA vice president Amie Villena at the recent launch of SOS 2023, which she heads, all you have to do is visit their website and choose among the various deals their 87 property-members offer. You can buy one or more vouchers now and, since they don’t have expiry dates, you use any or all of them when needed. Just take note of the terms and conditions, including the blocked dates. [caption id="attachment_178857" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] STONE massage in Club Paradise Palawan.[/caption] The deals offered are in line with SOS 2023’s theme: ‘Eat. Stay. Love.’ So aside from discounted room stays, there are also weekend getaways, rejuvenation spa experiences and other recreational activities. Additionally, there are deals on restaurants, meetings and conferences packages and banquet occasions, such as weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. You can even mix and match your chosen deals, according to Villena, who’s also the director of sales and marketing at the Four Points by Sheraton Palawan Puerto Princesa. For instance, you can combine Cebu-Bohol deals, “therefore creating a unique itinerary for you and your friends or your family.” After purchasing the vouchers, you can then contact the hotel or resort when you’re ready to use them. “Domestic travelers can now start planning their vacations early as this allows them to catch seat sales, too,” said Loleth So, HSMA’s president who’s also area director of Sales and Marketing of Savoy and Belmont Hotel Manila Megaworld Hotels and Resorts. “That’s why SOS is very timely.” SOS participating hotels and resorts include: Acacia Hotel Manila, Belmont Hotel Manila, Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Manila, Holiday Inn Express Manila, Newport City, Kingsford Hotel Manila, Marriott Hotel Manila, Okada Manila, Savoy Hotel Manila, Sheraton Manila, Solaire Resort, The Bellevue Manila, and The Heritage Hotel Manila in the Alabang/Pasay/Parañaque area; [caption id="attachment_178856" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] STAYCATION at Clark Marriott Hotel.[/caption] Alta Vista de Boracay, Belmont Hotel Boracay, Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay, Discovery Shores Boracay, Feliz Hotel Boracay, Hue Hotels and Resorts Boracay, Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel, Movenpick Resort & Spa Boracay, Patio Pacific Boracay, Savoy Hotel Boracay, and The Lind Boracay in Boracay; Armada Hotel Manila, Bayview Park Hotel, Dusit Thani Manila, Hotel Lucky Chinatown, I’M Hotel, New World Makati Hotel, One Pacific Place Serviced Residences, Ramada by Wyndham Manila Central, Seda Residences Makati, The Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences, and Winford Resort and Casino Manila in the cities of Manila and Makati; Best Western Plus Metro Clark, Clark Marriott Hotel, Grand Sierra Pines Baguio, and Quest Plus Conference Center in Central Clark, SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western, AC Luxe Angeles City, and Swissotel Clark in North Luzon; Bai Hotel Cebu, Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort, Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort, Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort, Fili Hotel Cebu - Nustar, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, MetroCentre Hotel and Convention Center, Mithi Resort and Spa, Modala Beach Resort, Quest Hotel Conference Center Cebu, The Bellevue Resort, Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino Mactan, and Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino in Cebu and Bohol; Bacau Bay Resort Coron, Club Paradise Palawan, Dusit Thani Hotels and Resorts Davao, Four Points by Sheraton Palawan Puerto Princesa, Seda Lio, Huni Lio, Lihim Resort, Miniloc Island Resort, The Oriental Leyte, and Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao in Palawan, Leyte, and Davao; Ace Hotel & Suites, B Hotel Quezon City, Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Discovery Suites, F1 Hotel Manila, Holiday Inn Manila Galleria, Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila, Luxent Hotel, Novotel Suites Manila at Acqua, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, Seda BGC, Seda Vertis North, and The Linden Suites in Quezon City and Ortigas; Acuatico Beach Resort, Acuaverde Beach Resort and Hotel, Anya Resort Tagaytay, Club Balai Isabel, Hotel Casiana Tagaytay, Pico Sands Hotel, Quest Hotel Tagaytay, Seda Nuvali, Summit Ridge Tagaytay, Taal Vista Hotel, and Twin Lakes Hotel in South Luzon. SOS 2023 is supported by the Department of Tourism, the Tourism Promotions Board, Atlantis and Isentia. It runs until 30 September. Visit www.HSMA.org.ph/SOS. The post Online travel fair offers deals with no expiry dates appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NASA and SpaceX re-attempt launch of four crew to ISS
NASA and SpaceX will try again on Saturday to send the next crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station. Dubbed Crew-7, the mission will be commanded by American Jasmin Moghbeli and includes Andreas Mogensen of Denmark, Satoshi Furukawa of Japan, and Konstantin Borisov of Russia. Liftoff is planned for 3:27 am (0727 GMT) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with a backup opportunity on Sunday. The launch was pushed back to Saturday to give engineers an extra day to review a component of the Crew Dragon capsule's environmental control and life support system, NASA said in a blog post. It will be the first space mission for both Moghbeli and Borisov. "This is something I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember," said Moghbeli, a Naval test pilot, during a media call last month. "One of the things I'm most excited about is looking back at our beautiful planet," added the 40-year-old of Iranian heritage. "Everyone who I've talked to who has flown already has said that was a life-changing perspective -- and also floating around in space, it seems really fun." Crew-7 is set to be the seventh routine mission to the orbital platform for Elon Musk's SpaceX, with the first coming in 2020. NASA pays SpaceX for the taxi service as part of a commercial crew program that it put in place to reduce dependency on Russian rockets for astronaut transport after the space shuttle program ended in 2011. Boeing is the other contracted private partner, but its program remains mired in delays and technical difficulties. It has not yet flown any crew. Borisov will be the third Russian to fly on a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, fixed atop a Falcon 9 rocket. Space remains a rare area of cooperation between the United States and Russia despite Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, with Americans also continuing to fly aboard Russian Soyuz rockets that launch from Kazakhstan. The crew will spend six months aboard the ISS, where they will carry out science experiments including collecting samples during a spacewalk to determine whether the station releases microorganisms through its life support system vents. The goal is to understand if microorganisms can survive and reproduce in space. Another experiment will aim to assess the physiological differences between sleep on Earth and in space. "I'm looking forward to coping with all the tasks. This is a very interesting profession: you are preparing for something that you haven't tried yet, and you really want to do it well," said Borisov. Crew-7 will join the seven people already aboard the ISS, before members of Crew-6 leave for Earth a few days later. The first segment of the ISS was launched in 1998, and it has been continuously inhabited by an international crew since 2001. Its operations are set to continue until at least 2030, after which it will be decommissioned and crash into the ocean. Several private companies are working on commercial space stations to replace it. The post NASA and SpaceX re-attempt launch of four crew to ISS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A Zoom shift
Voice over Internet Protocol technology is becoming the norm for businesses following the move of tech giants such as Zoom Video Communications, Inc. to modernize communication. The real estate Industry in the Philippines, being one of the key drivers of the economy, is now taking advantage of these technologies, moving forward in their digital transformation journey to better serve the country. Property giant Megaworld, which introduced live-work-play townships in the Philippines in the late 90s by launching Eastwood City, is strengthening its foothold at the forefront of innovation in real estate by embracing technology to elevate the customer experience. Sharing a common goal to utilize digital innovation as a business enabler, Megaworld joins hands with Globe Business and Zoom to transform communication. “Communication holds a paramount significance for Globe, having our roots as a telco. But now that we’ve become a TechCo, or tech company, we understand the need for digital tools that work together in an ecosystem, which is what Zoom provides,” said KD Dizon, Head of Globe Business. By enabling industries, such as real estate through this partnership with Megaworld, we can help shape the future and achieve more things in service of the Filipino people.” Megaworld has redefined the business of real estate in the Philippines by creating vibrant and dynamic townships that integrate residential condominiums, offices, hotels, and lifestyle malls for their communities. As the real estate development arm of the Andrew Tan-led Alliance Global Group Inc., Megaworld has consistently shaped the nation’s urban landscape. “Megaworld is now venturing into a new chapter of sustaining our business with technology as a valuable enabler. As a company, our purpose has always been to create ecosystems where people and our partners, particularly our clients, can grow as we elevate their customer experience,” said Lino Victorioso Jr., Head of Corporate Financial Services Group for Megaworld. “With this collaboration with Globe Business and Zoom, we intend to do just that as we fulfill our mission of uplifting lives, impacting society, and helping shape the nation.” With the Zoom Phone licenses provided by Globe Business, Megaworld’s employees have access to modernized and reliable communication tools. This solution enables enterprises to enjoy numerous benefits, including obtaining a dedicated direct dial number for effortless two-way voice calling and facilitating smooth connections with partners and stakeholders. The post A Zoom shift appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
One giant step: Moon race hots up
Russia's plan to launch its lunar lander on Friday is the latest in an international push to return to the Moon that includes the world's top powers but also new players. Technology, science and politics are all essential factors in the Moon race. Here is the latest: China's great leap China is pursuing plans to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030 and plans to build a base there. The world's second-largest economy has invested billions of dollars in its military-run space program in a push to catch up with the United States and Russia. China was the third country to put humans in orbit in 2003 and Tiangong is the crown jewel of its space program, which has also landed rovers on Mars and the Moon. The unmanned Chang'e-4 rocket landed on the far side of the Moon in 2019, with another robot mission to the near side raising the Chinese flag there in 2020. That moonshot brought rock and soil samples back to Earth, the first time that has been done in more than four decades. NASA's Artemis NASA's Artemis 3 mission is set to return humans to the Moon in 2025 including its first woman and first non-white astronaut. Under the Artemis program, NASA is planning a series of missions of increasing complexity to return to the Moon and build a sustained presence in order to develop and test technologies for an eventual journey to Mars. The first, Artemis 1, flew an uncrewed spacecraft around the Moon in 2022. Artemis 2, planned for November 2024, will do the same with crew on board. NASA sees the Moon as a pit stop for missions to Mars and has done a deal with Finnish mobile firm Nokia to set up a 4G network there. However, NASA said this week that the Artemis 3 mission may not land humans on the Moon, depending on whether certain key elements, including the landing system developed by SpaceX, were ready. Elon Musk's firm won the contract for a landing system based on a version of its prototype Starship rocket, which remains far from ready. An orbital test flight of the uncrewed Starship ended in a dramatic explosion in April. Russia's Luna Russia's launch of Luna-25 on Friday will be its first to the Moon since 1976 and marks the beginning of Moscow's new lunar project. President Vladimir Putin is looking to strengthen space cooperation with China after ties with the West broke down following the start of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. New players Recent technological progress has reduced the cost of missions and opened the way for new players in the public and private sector to get involved. India's latest space mission Chandrayaan-3 entered the Moon's orbit in August ahead of the country's second attempted lunar landing later this month. But getting to the Moon is not an easy task. Israeli non-profit SpaceIL launched its Beresheet lunar lander in 2019, but it crashed. And in April this year Japan's ispace was the latest company to try, and fail, at the historic bid to put a private lunar lander on the Moon. Two other US companies, Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines, are set to try later in the year. The post One giant step: Moon race hots up appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
GERI profits nearly P1B in H1 amid real estate boom
Buoyed by the robust performance of its real estate, rental, and hotel businesses, Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. or GERI, a subsidiary of Megaworld Corp., delivered a 17 percent growth in its first-half profits. In a stock exchange report on Tuesday, GERI disclosed that its net income during the first six months of the year reached P996 million—a significant improvement from last year’s P848 million. Likewise, net income attributable to owners during the period also increased by 13 percent to PP848-million from last year’s P748-million. Consolidated revenues, on the other hand, surged by 32 percent to P3.9 billion from P3 billion in the same period last year. According to GERI, its real estate arm, which accounted for 79 percent of its total revenues, led the entire company’s growth. From January to June, real estate sales climbed by 32 percent to P3.1 billion from last year’s P2.3 billion. Reservation sales also soared by 39 percent to P11.7 billion during the first half of the year. “Our focus on our tourism townships allowed our company to achieve remarkable growth through the first half of the year,” GERI president Monica T. Salomon said in the report. “The company’s core businesses, especially those in our destination estates, largely benefited from the increasing tourism in our country. This second half, we are determined to leverage our expertise and hope to continue capturing the increasing tourism opportunities in the sector.” Demand for GERI’s residential and commercial properties remained strong, particularly for its projects in Boracay Newcoast, Eastland Heights in Antipolo, Rizal, and Twin Lakes in Laurel, Batangas. Its newest project, the P817-million Ocean Garden Villas Cluster C in Boracay Newcoast, which was only launched earlier this year, is now 94 percent sold as of end-June. Hotel revenues, on the other hand, doubled to P308 million from last year’s P158 million due to higher occupancy and room rates as local tourism and travel recover. Leasing revenues, likewise, rose by 29 percent to P273 million from last year’s P211- million. The contribution of retail spaces to the company’s leasing income grew from the year-ago level as foot traffic and tenant sales already recovered from the slowdown. To date, GERI operates nine tourism estates and integrated lifestyle communities across the country covering more than 3,300 hectares of land. The post GERI profits nearly P1B in H1 amid real estate boom appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»