‘Arigato!’: Marcos thanks Japan for subway project, says it will improve Pinoys’ quality of life

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, MB

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has expressed his gratitude to the Japanese government for its continued support for the Philippines’ infrastructure development, saying the country’s first-ever subway system in particular would help improve the quality of life of Filipinos in the city.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (RTVM screenshot)

Marcos said this as he witnessed the contract signing of Contract Package 102 (CP102) – Quezon Avenue Station and Contract Package 103 (CP103) – Anonas and Camp Aguinaldo Stations of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) in Malacañang on Thursday, Nov. 3.

“I thank the Government of Japan for partnering with the Philippines in pursuing this important infrastructure development project,” the President said in his speech.

“We thank you for your continued support, and I hope to further advance our cooperation in other areas for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” he added.

Marcos noted that the world recognizes Japan for having a very efficient rail transport system “which the Philippines aspires to one day emulate.”

The Metro Manila Subway will be the Philippines’ first underground railway system with a total length of 33 kilometers with 17 stations running from Valenzuela City to the FTI-Bicutan in Parañaque City, with a line connecting to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

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Once fully operational, it can accommodate around 519,000 passengers daily and significantly reduce travel time between Quezon City to NAIA from 90 minutes to 35 minutes.

Dubbed the “Crown Jewel” of the country’s mass transit system, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the MMSP could generate over 18,000 jobs during its construction and boost economic activity in nearby areas apart from creating business opportunities once completed.

Funding assistance for the MMSP is from the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

In his speech, the Chief Executive particularly thanked JICA for the financial support and for working closely with the Philippine government in ensuring the completion of these contract packages and other projects.

“I don’t believe that, especially in terms of our infrastructure projects and even in our agricultural projects, we would have come this far without the help of JICA along the way,” Marcos said.

“It has been instrumental, and we have many possible future projects that, maybe, in the pipeline, and for that, once again, we thank JICA for their assistance and continuing interest in the Philippines,” he added.

“We are honored to have you as partners in making the Philippines’ transport operations more efficient, safer, and more reliable,” Marcos continued.

Improved quality of life

Meanwhile, Marcos said the signing of the contract packages clearly demonstrates his administration’s commitment to pursuing big infrastructure projects that will foster growth and revitalize the economy.

“We owe it to the Filipino people to build major roads and critical infrastructure that will not only spur progress and social change but also promote interconnectivity, ease traffic and reduce travel time,” he said.

“Let me assure [you] that the government remains dedicated to maximizing its resources to pursue even more ambitious endeavors that will bring comfort and progress to Filipinos all over the country.

The President said the subway project would improve the quality of life of Filipinos in the metropolis.

“We will reduce the terrible stories that we hear of people who no longer see their children because they come home at 1:30 in the morning, and the children are asleep; they have to wake up at 4 in the morning to get back on the bus to fight with the traffic coming back to work,” Marcos said.

“The subway and all our public transport systems will be able to help and to remedy… so the quality of life in the city should improve significantly,” he added. 

DoH braces for disease outbreaks

By Red Mendoza November 3, 2022 

Residents of Barangay San Juan-1 remove debris of thick mud from their houses due to deep flooding brought on by Typhoon Paeng in Noveleta, Cavite, on 31 October 2022. (PHOTO: MIKE ALQUINTO)

THE Department of Health (DoH) braced for an outbreak of diseases following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm "Paeng" (International name: "Nalgae").

DH Epidemiology Bureau director, Dr. Alethea de Guzman, said that with many families staying in evacuation centers, officials expect outbreaks of respiratory and flu-like cases, vector-borne disease ssuch as dengue and chikungunya, measles and rubella, skin diseases, and noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension.

She said that the DoH has prepared health education and promotion materials to prevent these diseases and prepositioned logisitics such as doxycycline for post-exposure prophylaxis; aquatabs; Campolas or Cotraximole, Amoxicillin, Mefenamic Acid, Paracetamol, Oral rehydration salts, Vitamin A, and Skin ointment; and hygiene kits.

Health Emergency Management Bureau director Dr. Bernadette Velasco said that prior to the landfall of Paeng, the DoH prepositioned nearly P104.72 million worth of assorted drugs, medicines, medical supplies and commodities.

Velasco said that the DoH has deployed nearly P7 million worth of medicines, medical supplies and hygiene kits to Western Visayas, in Mandurriao, Iloilo, and to the Ministry of Health of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to Maguindanao Province and Cotabato City. 

In Tacloban City, a cholera outbreak killed five and afflicted 426 others, the DoH regional office said.

Of the 426 suspected cholera cases, 34 have been confirmed through the department's rapid diagnostic testing, Jelyn Lopez-Malibago, DoH regional information officer, said in a phone interview.

At least 213 individuals have been confined in public and private hospitals in the past two weeks.Confirmed deaths from severe diarrhea include a 12-year-old boy from Santo Niño village; a three-month-old boy from Abucay village; a 71-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman, both from Calvary Hill; and a three-month-old girl from Santo Niño village. Cases were also recorded in the villages of Palanog, San Roque, Diit, New Kawayan, downtown area, San Jose district, Utap, and Calanipawan.

Among the top diseases reported in evacuation centers in Western Visayas were skin diseases and open wounds and bruises, while the top diseases reported in hospitals in the same region were acute and upper respiratory infections and acute gastroenteritis.

Velasco gave assurances that there are enough medicines and other commodities to be deployed in the affected areas, while telemedicine services are also available through the DoH's partners or the National Patient Navigation and Referral Center (formerly the One Hospital Command Center).

Continuity crucial in pursuit of excellence in education

by Manila Bulletin

Despite the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, which seems to be reaching another critical point with the increase of daily cases, the Department of Education (DepEd) has made official its academic calendar for 2022-2023. This includes, as originally planned, five-day in-person classes.

Now under Vice President Sara Duterte, the DepEd seeks to improve the quality of education by pursuing a path that continues the previous efforts of the department under the Duterte administration. This was made evident by VP Sara’s decision to include former DepEd secretary Leonor Briones as one of her consultants.

Continuity, as with any transition from one government to another, is always crucial. Previous administrations have been quite notorious for not continuing their predecessor’s efforts, which is — for all intents and purposes — quite detrimental for development. Why cease a program, when it is effective, simply because it was started by a predecessor? VP Sara seems keen on not doing this and opting to continue the efforts of Briones, as she takes the helm of DepEd. 

This is, perhaps, the better decision, as the education situation has not changed much between then and now, with the Covid-19 pandemic still the larger issue learners and educators, as well as parents, have to contend with. Most critical, it would seem, is the implementation of a schedule that allows for the five-day in-person classes. For one, this could turn into a huge logistical mess if not handled properly. From having barely any students in schools to having most of them back at the same time — provided the parents allow for it — would be akin to a large mass gathering: a hotspot for potential Covid cases.

Having proper health and safety measures in place, of course, would minimize this possibility. Still, after two years of not having learners in their classrooms, schools would have to be familiar with how it is once again to truly be a school, with lots of students around. That it’s something that needs familiarization is ironic, but it is what it is, and it is the situation where the pandemic has left schools in.

Apart from contending with a return to in-person classes in a pandemic, VP Sara also promises to “improve basic education in terms of access, equity, quality, resiliency, and governance.” If this was a novel or a series, these five points are the enduring themes. In the current situation, most of these five points are directly related to education in a pandemic, but it is perhaps notable that VP Sara mentions “equity” and not “equality” as basic education is a right applied equally to every Filipino learner. Equity, on the other hand, suggests getting the kind of education that is due to every and any learner, regardless of background — whether it comes from public schools or private ones.

As the DepEd transitions into a new administration, one thing has remained: its mission to promote the education of every Filipino learner, in formal settings or in alternative learning setups. It is easy to ask for a return to in-person classes. But like at the beginning of every school year before the pandemic, the real test comes when the students (and, most often than not, their parents) come knocking at the gates of schools, bags on their backs and, this time, with facemasks covering their noses and mouths.

Easing of inbound travel restrictions OK’d to boost tourism

 

Helen Flores - The Philippine Star 

MANILA, Philippines — To allow the Philippines’ tourism sector to catch up with that of neighboring countries, President Marcos has approved the recommendation of the government’s pandemic task force to further relax travel restrictions for inbound travelers.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, in a memorandum dated Oct. 28, said the President approved the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ Resolution No. 2, recommending the lifting of pre-departure testing requirement for fully vaccinated arriving passengers, whether Filipinos or foreign nationals.

“Please be informed of the approval of IATF Resolution No. 2 subject to strict observance of other minimum health protocols and compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations,” Bersamin said in his memo addressed to IATF chair Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire and the task force’s members.

Filipino and foreign nationals shall be deemed fully vaccinated if he or she had received the second dose of a two-dose series or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine more than 14 days prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin or port of embarkation, according to IATF Resolution No. 2, dated Oct. 4.

The vaccinated individuals are required to present the following proofs of vaccination upon arrival in the country: World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, VaxCertPH, national or state manual/digital certificate of the country/foreign government or other proof of vaccination.

In the memo, the Palace directed the Bureau of Quarantine to coordinate with the DOH and other concerned agencies to identify the other acceptable proofs of vaccination in order to avoid confusion and inconvenience on the part of inbound travelers, and facilitate dissemination thereof for public information.

Meanwhile, unvaccinated Filipinos and foreign nationals 15 years or older shall present a remotely supervised, or a laboratory-based rapid antigen negative result administered and certified by a health care professional in a health care facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy or other similar establishment taken within 24 hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding layovers; provided that he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such layover.

Filipinos and foreign nationals 15 years or older who fail to present negative pre-departure testing with conditions set forth above, shall be required to undergo a laboratory-based rapid antigen negative result administered and certified by a health care professional in a health care facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy or other similar establishment taken upon arrival at the airport, it said.

Those who shall test positive for COVID-19 through rapid antigen test shall be subjected to the latest prevailing quarantine and isolation protocols of the DOH, the resolution stated.

Accompanied minors below 15 years of age who are not vaccinated for any reason shall follow the quarantine protocols of their parent/s or an accompanying adult/guardian travelling with them, the IATF said.

Unaccompanied minors below 15 years of age who have not been vaccinated for any reason shall follow the protocols set for Filipino and foreign nationals 15 years and above.

On Oct. 28, Marcos issued Executive Order 7, lifting the mandatory wearing of face masks in indoor settings, except in medical facilities and public transportation.

On Sept. 12, the President issued EO 3, which allowed the voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings, particularly in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation.

Alex Eala zooms to career-best world tennis ranking

Luisa Morales - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine teen tennis sensation Alex Eala continued her rise in the pro circuit as she reached a new career-best WTA ranking after a string of three tournaments in Europe.

From ranking 248th, Eala zoomed to World No. 214 shortly after her stint in W100 Shrewsbury. Her three-week schedule was highlighted by a semifinals finish in W80 Poitiers in France just last week.

In 2022, Eala has seen much success, including winning her second pro singles title in Thailand back in April. She reached the final in a W60 tiff in Spain but settled for the runner-up finish.

She also won the US Open Girls' Singles championship for her third Junior Grand Slam title overall.

Additionally, the 17-year-old made her debut for the women's national team in the 31st Southeast Asian Games where she bagged three bronze medals for Team Philippines.

Eala began 2022 ranked 529th in the WTA rankings.

The teen is currently enjoying a short break before diving back into preparations for her next tournaments before the year ends.

Asteroid that may collide with Earth discovered

By Agence France-Presse November 2, 2022

One of the final images from the DART spacecraft, taken a few seconds before crashing into the asteroid Dimorphos. Photo/NASA website

WASHINGTON, D.C.: An international team of astronomers on Monday announced the discovery of a large asteroid whose orbit crosses that of Earth, creating a small chance far in the future of a catastrophic collision.

The 1.5 kilometer- (0.9 mile-) wide asteroid, named 2022 AP7, was discovered in an area notoriously difficult to spot objects due to the glare from the sun.

It was found along with two other near-Earth asteroids using a high-tech instrument on the Victor M. Blanco telescope in Chile that was originally developed to study dark matter.

"2022 AP7 crosses Earth's orbit, which makes it a potentially hazardous asteroid, but it currently does not now or anytime in the future have a trajectory that will have it collide with the Earth," said lead author of the findings, astronomer Scott Sheppard of the Carnegie Institution for Science.

The potential threat comes from the fact that like any orbiting object, its trajectory will be slowly modified due to myriad gravitational forces, notably by planets. Forecasts are therefore difficult on the very long term.

The newly discovered asteroid is "the largest object that is potentially hazardous to Earth to be discovered in the last eight years," said NOIRLab, a US-funded research group that operates multiple observatories.

2022 AP7 takes five years to circle the sun under its current orbit, which at its closest point to Earth remain several million kilometers away.

The risk is therefore very small, but in case of a collision, an asteroid of that size "would have a devastating impact on life as we know it," said Sheppard. He explained that dust launched into the air would have a major cooling effect, provoking an "extinction event like hasn't been seen on Earth in millions of years." His team's results were published in the scientific journal The Astronomical Journal. The two other asteroids pose no risk to Earth, but one is the closest asteroid to the sun ever found.

Some 30,000 asteroids of all sizes — including more than 850 larger than a kilometer wide — have been catalogued in the vicinity of the Earth, earning them the label "Near Earth Objects" (NEOs). None of them threaten Earth for the next 100 years.

According to Sheppard, there are "likely 20 to 50 large NEOs left to find," but most are on orbits that put them in the sun's glare.

In preparation for a future discovery of a more threatening object, NASA conducted a test mission in late September in which it collided a spacecraft with an asteroid, proving that it was possible to change its trajectory.

IATA: Convenience top priority

Published November 2, 2022, 11:32 AM

by Emmie V. Abadilla, MB

Simplification and convenience are travelers’ top concerns in the post-COVID crisis period, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s 2022 Global Passenger Survey (GPS) released last night (November 1).

“Travel during COVID-19 was complex, cumbersome and time consuming due to government-imposed travel requirements,” says Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security.

“Post-pandemic, passengers want improved convenience throughout their trip. Digitalization and use of biometrics to speed up the travel journey is the key,” he maintained. 

Passengers want convenience when they plan their travel and when choosing where to depart from, the GPS revealed after collating over 10,000 responses from 222 countries. 

Their preference is to fly from an airport close to home, have all booking options and services available in one single place, pay with their preferred payment method and easily offset their carbon emissions.

In fact, proximity to the airport was the passengers’ main priority when choosing where to fly from (75 percent). This was more important than ticket price (39 percent).

Travelers were satisfied being able to pay with their preferred payment method which was available for 82 percent of travelers.

Having access to planning and booking information in one single place was identified as being top priority.

Some 18 percent of passengers said that they offset their carbon emissions, the main reason given by those that did not was not being aware of the option (36 percent).

“Today’s travelers expect the same online experience as they get from major retailers like Amazon,” observed Muhammad Albakri, IATA Senior Vice President Financial Settlement and Distribution Services. 

“Airline retailing is driving the response to these needs. It enables airlines to present their full offer to travelers. And that puts the passenger in control of their travel experience with the ability to choose the travel options that they want with convenient payment options,” he explained.

With regards to travel facilitation,

most travelers are willing to share their immigration information for more convenient processing.

A total of 37 percent of travelers admitted they have been discouraged from traveling to a particular destination because of the immigration requirements.

Process complexity was highlighted as the main deterrent by 65 percent of travelers, 12 percent cited costs and 8 percent cited time.

Where visas are required, 66 percent of travelers want to obtain a visa online prior to travel, 20 percent prefer to go to the consulate or embassy and 14 percent at the airport.

The bulk, 83 percent of travelers said they would share their immigration information to speed up the airport arrival process. While this is high, it is slightly down from the 88 percent recorded in 2021.

“Travelers have told us that barriers to travel remain,” Careen pointed out.

Countries with complex visa procedures are losing the economic benefits that these travelers bring. Where countries have removed visa requirements, tourism and travel economies have thrived.

And for countries requiring certain categories of travelers to get visas, taking advantage of traveler willingness to use online processes and share information in advance would be a win-win solution, he noted.

As for airport processes, passengers are willing to take advantage of technology and re-thought processes to improve the convenience of their airport experience and manage their baggage.

Passengers are willing to complete processing elements off-airport, with 44 percent identifying check-in as their top pick for off-airport processing.

Immigration procedures were the second most popular “top-pick” at 32, followed by baggage.

And 93 percent of passengers are interested in a special program for trusted travelers (background checks) to expedite security screening.

Also, passengers are interested in more options for baggage handling, with 67 percent interested in home pick-up and delivery and 73 percent in remote check-in options.

Most, 80 percent of passengers, stated they are more likely to check a bag if they could monitor it throughout the journey while 50 percent would be interested in using an electronic bag tag.

Interestingly, passengers see value in biometric identification, with 75 percent wanting to use biometric data instead of passports and boarding passes.

Over a third have already experienced using biometric identification in their travels, with an 88 percent satisfaction rate.

But data protection remains a concern for about half of travelers.

“Passengers clearly see technology as key to improving the convenience of airport processes,” Careen stressed.

“They want to arrive at the airport ready-to-fly, get through the airport at both ends of their journey more quickly using biometrics and know where their baggage is at all times.”

“The technology exists to support this ideal experience. But we need cooperation across the value chain and with governments to make it happen,” he noted.

“And we need to continuously reassure passengers that the data needed to support such an experience will be safely kept.”

The industry is ready to power airport processes with biometrics through IATA’s One ID initiative.

COVID-19 has helped governments understand the potential for passengers to share their travel information and the power of biometric processes to improve security and facilitations processes.

The proliferation of e-gates at airports is proving the efficiencies that can be gained.

The priority now is to support the OneID standards with regulation to allow its use to create a seamless experience across all parts of the passenger journey.

Ruffa Gutierrez proud of her daughters who value education

Published November 2, 2022, 11:12 AM

by Robert Requintina, MB

Ruffa Gutierrez (Facebook)

Actress Ruffa Gutierrez is proud of her daughters Lorin and Venice Bektas who really care about education.

At the launch of her lifestyle brand “Gutz and Glow” at the Hilton Manila at Newport World Resorts in Pasay City recently, Ruffa also said that she’s so inspired to work hard for them.

“I am very inspired because my eldest daughter who’s now a sophomore at Pepperdine University and we miss her so much will soon be launching her own brand for 2023. 

“I guess both my daughters are inclined to stay in the fashion or beauty industry if that’s what they want. Venice is 18 and she also wants to launch her own products,” the former beauty queen said.

Ruffa, who recently starred as Imelda Marcos in the blockbuster movie “Maid In Malacanang,” believes she also inspired her teens to study hard.

“I think I have inspired them a lot in terms of finishing education. Gusto ko rin ipakita sa kanila that their mom was able to do it. So kayo, kailangan tapusin n’yo rin ang pag-aaral ninyo. I am giving them all the tools so that they would be able to finish. I work so hard as a single mom. Sabi ko yan lang ang gusto kong gift ninyo sa akin na makapagtapos kayo ng pag-aaral,” she said.

Ruffa Gutierrez (left and business partner Maricor Flores

In August, Ruffa announced that she finished her college studies through the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) of Philippine Women’s University (PWU). 

“I would not have been able to successfully embark on my educational journey without the continuous guidance of PWU‘s ETEEAP team of professionals and the immeasurable support of my loved ones,” she quipped.

Ruffa, 48, said that she will support her daughters if their heart is really into fashion, beauty or showbiz.

“They have offers to join showbusiness. In fact Lorin is under the Viva Artists Agency. Dapat ila-launch na siya but she opted to really finish her sophomore year. Importante talaga yung meron kang pinag-aralan. There’s something for you to fall back on,” she said. Venice, meanwhile, is in high school.

Ruffa added: “Especially now sa showbiz, stars come and go so quickly. The turn over is so fast. Hindi katulad ng mga artista noon na decades ang kanilang pagre-reyna at pagha-hari. Ngayon sabi ko, ‘my gosh who’s that? Then there’s another one. Oh goodness!’ In “Showtime,” I see all these new faces and I can’t memorize their names anymore. So for me, talagang importante na meron silang pinag-aralan. If you have talents naman, the doors will be opened in show business.”

Ruffa (center) and daughters Lorin and Venice Bektas (Facebook)

“Gutz and Glow is the newest lifestyle brand made of the finest functional ingredients and best antioxidants to provide complete skin and body care,” said Ruffa, who launched the brand in partnership with entrepreneur Maricor Flores.

Among the products in the lifestyle brand include Butt and Body Scrub, Disinfectant Hand Soap, Feminine Lightening Spray Mist, Luminous Hand Cream, Lustrous Hand Sanitizer, Blazing Hand Sanitizer, Makeup Remover Wipes, and Intimate Feminine Wipes. 

“These products will surely help empower everyone who has the gutz to conquer the odds, and exude the glow that will put everyone in awe,” said Maricor, Ruffa’s business partner and churchmate. Also joining them at the launch was John Flores, head of Gutz and Glow marketing team.

At the same media conference, fans can’t help but ask Ruffa about the status of her relationship with former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.

“You know I read an article and I forgot who wrote about it na kesyo natalo raw siya sa election, hindi na raw kami nagpapansinan or hindi ko na siya kinakausap,” said Ruffa when asked about Herbert at the same launch. “I think that’s wrong because they don’t know what really happens behind closed doors. Tuloy-tuloy ang communications. I believe that a private life is a happy life. What you see is what you get. So ano ba yung nakita ninyo kagabi?”

Last month, Ruffa and Herbert were on a date during the 70th birthday bash of talent manager Annabelle Rama at an exclusive club at the Bonifacio Global City.

Fans believe that Ruffa and Herbert were more than just friends, although she admits she enjoys his company.

Hours before her lifestyle brand was launched, Ruffa revealed Herbert wished her the best. “He just said break a leg. He’s very supportive and excited siya. Ang maganda naman kay Herbert he supports my dreams and goals. Hindi siya nakiki-alam sa mga gusto mong gawin sa buhay.”

Stocks to continue riding on higher earnings

by James A. Loyola, MB

The local stock market is seen to continue riding higher on positive corporate earnings reports as well as the firmer Peso although weak volume in past days call for caution.

“This week, the local market may extend its climb with anticipation of third quarter corporate earnings giving a boost to sentiment,” said Philstocks Research Manager Japhet Tantiangco. 

He added that, “The Peso’s position above the 58.00 per US Dollar level, if sustained may also strengthen the market’s positive momentum.” The local market has been on a positive momentum after touching its trough at 5,699.30 last October 3, 2022.

Tantiangco noted though that, “From October 3 to date, net value turnover has only been averaging P3.97 billion per day, below the year-to-date average of P5.99 billion, implying weak conviction in the market’s climb. Thus caution is still advised in our trades.”

This sentiment was also shared by 2TradeAsia.com which said that, “While the trek north of 6,000 was welcome, the market is left wanting of stronger impetus to carry it convincingly towards 6,500-6,700.” 

“Investors are also expected to look towards the S&P Global Philippines’ Manufacturing PMI, Inflation data, and foreign trade data for clues on the local economy,” said Tantiangco.

2TradeAsia.com said investor focus will be pulled in multiple directions, given macro events unfolding for the month.

“The US midterm elections on the 8th, while not groundbreaking, might cause some volatility especially if the US chambers split (i.e. delays in 2023 stimulus, etc.),” the brokerage said.

It added that, “On the 10th, third quarter GDP will be reported and, while expectations have been tempered (low to mid-6 percent), the print will give funds a bigger sense of the impact of policy tightening and will be a guide to better project the fourth quarter up to 2023.”

Meanwhile, 2TradeAsia.com said that, “in mid-November, another round of Fed rate hikes are anticipated (estimated at 75-bps); the BSP is expected to mirror the Fed on the 17th to protect the peso.” Thus, it advised investors to “Range-trade while funds seek inspiration, noting that intraday selling pressure makes settling for modest gains the more optimal play for now.”

For stock picks, Abacus Securities Corporation is looking at Puregold Price Club because “We are anticipating a stronger second half of 2022 for PGOLD with revenge spending and reopening theme still in play after consumers being locked in the pandemic for two years.” 

“We do acknowledge the challenges presented above (peso, inflation affecting consumer spending) which will eat into the company’s margins and profitability. However, we still expect numbers to remain strong and possibly go beyond management’s expectations of consolidated revenues growing 7 to 9 percent.” It added.

The brokerage noted that, “We also have mentioned prior our preference to remain defensive and be choosy in picking stocks. And PGOLD makes a case for this with the company’s resilience in its line of business on essentials and the stock currently trading at all-time low valuations… Accumulate.”

Abacus is also advising investors watch Wilcon Depot and buy its stock when the price weakens as it is one of the best performing index stocks since the start of 2020.

While its price-to-earnings ratio is the highest in the PSEi and it is the second most expensive home improvement play in the region, “Upgrades are imminent and this will help valuations but the stock will still be pricey.”

“We do believe the premium, especially over its regional peers, is partly justified by the very strong YTD results and expanding margins,’ said Abacus adding that, “we would prefer to wait for dips before buying.”

For its part, COL Financial said it is raising its fair value for Wilcon to P31.70 per share from P25.20 a share “as a result of the changes in our forecasts and after rolling over our estimates to 2023.”

“After factoring in our higher topline and gross margin assumptions, our net income forecasts for FY22 and FY23 increased by 6.2 percent and 6.0 percent, respectively,” it said but noted that, “Despite the upgrade in our estimates, we maintain our HOLD rating on the stock due to current valuations.”

What is your favorite Filipino snack called "merienda"?

Bisaya

Proud Bisaya Ko

Food is a huge part of Filipino culture. There are so many delicious dishes to choose from, each with its unique history and flavor. One of my favorite snacks is the banana cue. Bananas are a staple fruit in the Philippines, and they can be cooked in so many different ways.

 Banana cue

[1]

 is made by skewing banana slices onto bamboo sticks and then coating them in sugar and caramelized banana mixture. It's a delicious treat that's perfect for any occasion. Whenever I eat banana cues, I can't help but feel happy and nostalgic. It's a reminder of all the unforgettable memories I've experienced with family and friends. So if you're ever feeling homesick or want to try something new, I highly recommend giving banana cue a try. You won't be disappointed. 

Footnotes

[1] 

Must-Try Merienda: A Local Guide to Popular Filipino Snacks