For those who know Cusi, this moment was a departure from his usual preference for privacy. “Popoy is a low-key artist, revered internationally but happy to remain in his studio,” says Monsi Serrano, founder of THEPHILBIZNEWS. “He’s not the type to seek the spotlight. For him, it’s always about the art, not the attention.”

Convincing Cusi to attend the event required some persuasion. “I had to wake up early on April 3 and ask him to meet for coffee,” Serrano recalls. “He was reluctant, but I told him it would be the perfect birthday gift for me. And so, he agreed.” It was a special request, indeed, as the event not only celebrated art but also bridged cultural connections, offering attendees the chance to meet the artist behind the masterpiece.

Cusi’s Labuyo, a watercolor painting measuring 22 by 30 inches, was no ordinary piece. For Cusi, this creation had been more than two decades in the making. “I’ve always dreamed of painting the labuyo,” he shares. “But everything happens in God’s time. It was only at this moment, with the prestigious gathering of ambassadors and business leaders, that I felt it was the right time to bring this vision to life.”

The labuyo, or red junglefowl, is not just any bird. It is a symbol of the Philippines’ rich natural heritage and a call for conservation. “The labuyo is in danger of extinction,” Cusi explains. “I wanted to raise awareness, especially among the younger generation, about this beautiful creature. It’s small, almost like a chicken, but it thrives in the dense forests and hides in the trees to avoid hunters.”

Creating the painting was a labor of love. “It took me over a month,” Cusi says. “There are several layers of detail that need to be built up. It couldn’t be rushed; otherwise, it wouldn’t have captured the vibrancy and detail you see now.” The artist, working from his home studio, describes the process as nostalgic. “Every morning, I’d wake up and stare at the painting, adding little touches until it felt complete. It took me back to my childhood, chasing these birds from tree to tree, appreciating their agility.”

Interestingly, Cusi revealed that the Labuyo painting at Embassy Night is part of a series. “I’ve done two other Labuyo pieces,” he says. “But this one is different. I signed it with the full title to make it even more special. The occasion called for it.”

The painting not only drew admiration from the crowd but also sparked deep reflections. British Ambassador to the Philippines, Laure Beaufils, was fascinated by the bird. “I didn’t even know the Philippines had a bird like this,” she marveled. Meanwhile, Archbishop Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, asked Cusi why he chose the labuyo over more traditional subjects like mountains or flowers. Cusi’s answer reflected the symbolism behind his choice: “The labuyo represents freedom. It moves freely in the jungle, unburdened and strong. I wanted to capture that spirit of liberation.”

Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo, also struck by the painting, inquired about the preservation of the labuyo. Cusi was hopeful, “With community awareness, government action, and support from lawmakers, we can save it. The extinction threat can be mitigated if we protect the environment and biodiversity.”

For Cusi, this Labuyo painting holds more than just artistic value. It is a powerful statement about nature’s fragility and the need to protect it. The labuyo, revered by the Mangyan tribes of Mindoro as sacred, symbolizes power, agility, and the spirit of freedom. Through his art, Cusi calls for both appreciation and preservation of the beauty that lies within the heart of the Philippines’ tropical forests.

“I felt so proud of how the ambassadors and other distinguished guests appreciated the Labuyo. In a way, I expected them to have many questions on their minds. At one point, one of the guests even approached me and offered to buy the painting for ₱2 million, but I politely refused and explained that I am not selling it. It’s a special gift to my dear friend that I promised to paint eight years ago,” Cusi said. Then there was another guest who expressed interest in buying the Labuyo to give to his father, a cockfighting aficionado. But I smiled and told him that the Labuyo is not for sale.

This rare glimpse into Popoy Cusi’s world reminds us that art, much like nature itself, is a precious thing and priceless one at that — meant to be admired, protected, and cherished for generations to come.

The event was a vibrant celebration of international partnerships, collaboration, and cross-cultural understanding, with diplomats from a diverse range of countries in attendance. The evening fostered meaningful exchanges and discussions aimed at strengthening the Philippines’ diplomatic and economic relations globally.

Monsi Serrano, founder and publisher of The Philippine Business and News (THEPHILBIZNEWS), delivered a heartfelt speech expressing gratitude to the distinguished guests and emphasizing the importance of fostering relationships between the Philippines and the global community.

“It is truly an honor to welcome you all to this year’s Embassy Night. Since its inception, this event has served as a bridge, connecting diplomats and industry leaders to collaborate and cultivate meaningful partnerships. Tonight, we celebrate the friendships and partnerships that continue to drive progress and cooperation between our nations,” he said.

Serrano also recognized the invaluable support of Hotel Okura Manila, whose hospitality has made Embassy Night an unforgettable experience for attendees over the past three years. He went on to highlight THEPHILBIZNEWS’ major projects for 2025, including the launch of its book The Philippine Business and News: Lessons from the Pandemic, a documentary on Ukrainian schoolchildren affected by war, and the debut of its Entrepreneurs’ Night.

This year’s limited-edition mug, a treasured gift for all attendees, was designed by Master Watercolor Artist Rafael “Popoy” Cusi. The artwork, Labuyo, depicts the rare and intricate red junglefowl, symbolizing agility, power, and freedom, while advocating for wildlife conservation. Cusi’s work celebrates the beauty of Filipino life and the importance of preserving the nation’s natural heritage.

His Excellency Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, gave the invocation.

Ambassadors who spoke at the event included:

• H.E. Răduţa Dana Matache (Romania)
• H.E. Marielle Geraedts (The Netherlands)
• H.E. Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin (Denmark)
• H.E. Dr. Nicolas Brühl (Switzerland)
• H.E. Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura (Brazil)
• H.E. Kazuya Endo (Japan)
• H.E. Saija Nurminen (Finland)
• H.E. Anna Ferry (Sweden)
• Ambassador Wallace Chow (Taiwan)

Also in attendance were:

• H.E. Emma Hickey (Ireland)
• H.E. Karel Hejč (Czech Republic)
• H.E. Massimo Santoro (European Union)
• H.E. Ilan Fluss (Israel)
• H.E. Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino (Malaysia)
• H.E. Mohammed Rida El Fassi (Morocco)
• H.E. Dr. Catherine McIntosh (New Zealand)
• H.E. Niyazi Akyol (Turkey)
• H.E. Yuliia Fediv (Ukraine)
• HMA Laure Beaufils (United Kingdom)

Other embassies were represented by officials from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, Spain, and Austria.

Embassy Night has proven to be an essential platform for diplomatic discourse, celebrating international unity and further solidifying the Philippines’ role as a vital partner in the global arena.

Serrano expressed his excitement about continuing THEPHILBIZNEWS’s role in fostering strong diplomatic and economic ties, contributing to a more connected and collaborative world.

As one of the Philippines’ first Abstractionists, National Artist in Painting Vicente Silva Manansala had a penchant for depicting contemporary Filipino life that touches on societal issues such as religion, life in the urban and countryside, poverty, culture and day-to-day Filipino life.

Manansala’s works of art are injected with social relevance and that element of timeless value, which continues to charm art aficionados. As proof, he remains one of the best-selling Philippine artists in the West.

As a painter and illustrator, Manansala’s revolutionary style of cubism represented the realities of life and cultural significance in the Philippines that remains relevant to the present time and maintains a strong social impact.

Strong cultural identity in his artworks

The illustrious artist from Macabebe, Pampanga made a conscious effort to stay focused on creating artworks with subjects that would resonate with Filipinos. Thus, his portrayal of people in both urban and rural settings like Pamilya (family), Tsismis (chitchatting), Barung-barong (shanties), Sabung (cockfighting), Banaklaot (local fishermen on the coastal area), Tindera (market vendors), and congestion issues of the city such as Jeepneys, among others.

The early and rare masterpiece of this great Filipino artist, titled Barung-barong (shanty), was displayed at the Hotel Okura Manila during THEPHILBIZNEWS Embassy Night Year 3 last April 4.

A testament to his profound artistry, Manansala’s artistic excellence and cultural appreciation is poured into this painting. The Barung-barung captures the essence of everyday life in the Philippines and symbolizes Filipinos’ enduring values of humility, hospitality, and resilience.

Ronna Manansala, granddaughter of the esteemed artist and also a painter, gave her express permission to have her Lolo Enteng’s artwork the centerpiece attraction for the recent Embassy Night.

Speaking to THEPHILBIZNEWS, she said her grandfather has different styles or sets of signature for his artworks according to the years that he accomplished them. And she keeps the catalog of his signatures to her to verify if an artwork is indeed by the Filipino national artist.

“There are so many people who approached me to issue a certificate of authentication for the supposedly my Lolo’s (grandfather’s) work and even offered me money. But at first glance, I would already know and feel if that piece of art shown to me is counterfeit or not,” Ronna told THEPHILBIZNEWS.

“I just smiled and turned down the offer as I could not betray the legacy of my grandfather. The truth is, there are many counterfeit Manansala artworks sold online and even some poseur-collectors. That is why buyers have to be very careful,” she added.

Rare Barung-barong acrylic on metal tapping

The Barung-barong that was exhibited at Hotel Okura Manila and the limited edition mugs featuring a reproduction of one of Manansala’s early and rare masterpieces has given much honor to THEPHILBIZNEWS event.

According to Ronna, this acrylic on metal tapping painting is quite different from her Lolo Enteng’s work in 1967.

It was only fitting that not only was it featured in memorabilia for THEPHILBIZNEWS Embassy Night but also exalted during the program to remind Filipinos and the foreign missions in the country of Manansala’s contribution to the society.

“I am happy and proud that the ambassadors, diplomats and Philippine industry leaders and business community will see that rare work of my grandfather. Immortalizing his rare artwork through memorabilia of limited edition mugs, is more than enough for me to be elated and I will forever cherish this profound respect you have given to Lolo Enteng,” said Ronna.

“Barung-barong is Lolo Enteng’s rare work and only two were made because it is very laborious. Unlike painting on canvass, paper or lawanit (wood panel), all you have to do is to stroke the brush and voila, there’s the painting,” she explained.

“But this metal tapping on acrylic is far different. You have to think of how the contour, during the tapping, will turn out. After that, you have to paint it with acrylic to ensure that the paints will perfectly fit on the metal. Maybe that is the reason he only made two pieces. One for him, and the other one for his best friend,” she said.

“The Barung-barong is a testament to Lolo’s humility. Both my grandparents had very humble beginnings. But even when Lolo Enteng was already making a name, they always lived a simple life,” Ronna added.

In many ways Manansala lived the life in his masterpieces, a genuine representative of Filipino life and values.

Six years under the tutelage of China’s puppet and the Philippines’ first psychotic President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, should have provided ample time for the Chinese Communist Party to win the hearts of the Filipino people. However, this never happened, and gladly, not even came close. Let me explain why.

Many misinterpreted Duterte’s flamboyant leadership style and ended up regretting their choice. They believed that with Duterte at the helm, our country would be steered to salvation rather than damnation. However, in the end, many felt not just the pinch but the punch of Duterte’s misgovernance. Of course, he simply laughed at those who embraced the fallacies of false cause, false analogy, false dilemma, and endless fallacies in their “assumptio non probata”.

Duterte is a master of deceit and, perhaps, a devil incarnate. He convinced everyone that he came from a poor family, but it’s rare for a political clan to remain impoverished after ruling for more than five decades. On that tactic alone, it’s a bad indicator. Nevertheless, a million trolls employed by the government propagated his narrative on social media, and for the undiscerning Filipinos, they believed it. Their belief is akin to a joke I heard before, “The Cockfighters and the Duck.”

The question is, how do you know when there’s a stupid man at a cockpit arena? The answer is when someone brings a duck. How do you know if someone is even more foolish? The answer: when someone bets on the duck. And how do you know if there’s a syndicate working in the cockpit? When the duck wins over the rooster.

When Duterte won, I said to myself, “This is the beginning of the end for the Philippines and the Filipino people.” And that is due to his incompetence, Chinese-centric foreign policy, and wanton disregard for human rights — a leadership style reminiscent of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.

As a journalist vocal about Duterte and his shenanigans, I didn’t escape his wrath and that of his trolls. I received threats, and the police frequently visited our house over the past six years since September 2016. They called my wife, asking me to refrain from criticizing the government, threatening to shoot our house. Lastly, my Facebook account was mass-reported (and frequently suspended), and I was asked to produce several IDs. I decided to write to Facebook, refusing to submit my passport after already providing three IDs to establish my identity and prove that my account is not fake.

All of these are what I had to endure during his time. Looking back, this style is very much like the situation in China—despotic. I remember being kicked out of the China Embassy Viber Media group not because I was belligerent, but because I couldn’t stand their style of using “media” within the group chat to answer on behalf of the embassy.

For us journalists, we clarified whether their collaborators in the Viber group who answered our questions were appointed by the embassy to speak on their behalf. There were heated discussions among us, and on the side, some media colleagues and I expressed our surprise with how these so-called journalists can prostitute their craft. When they sensed we were not going to stand down seeking clarifications on issues, especially on the West Philippine Sea, someone from the China Embassy group invited members in the group chat to have some drinks, but no one accepted the offer. One joked in our personal chat that perhaps those China defenders were Beijing scholars paid to defend China despite the palpable truth about how they treat us Filipinos.

China: The Taker and Bully

The unanimous decision of the arbitral tribunal in the South China Sea handed down in July 2016, favoring the Philippines, should have paved the way for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. However, China, despite being a signatory of UNCLOS, rejected the ruling, and Duterte is instrumental in the territorial expansion and building of military facilities inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. So, the reclamation activities, and other activities, the unabated harassment of Philippine vessels in our own EEZ (and as of this writing), another incident of endangering the lives of our compatriots when Chinese coast guard and militia vessels attacked by ramming on the vessels and water cannoned them that caused serious engine damage to the vessels.

This tactic is not only undiplomatic but also idiotic, knowing that there’s no place in the realm of diplomacy for this kind of move. You’d see the semblance of how Duterte ruled the country in the six agonizing years for the Filipinos and the diplomats who expressed their concern in the way he viciously attacked his naysayers.

From whatever angle you look at it, diplomacy is not in the vocabulary of China, and that’s how they see it. This is also why many Filipinos are aloof with them, and if there’s existing Sinophobia, there’s no one to blame but China and Duterte. Duterte emboldened many Mainland Chinese to disrespect his very own Kababayan, and that is so enraging.

Remember the MRT passenger Chinese lady Jiale Zhang who threw a plastic cup of taho at the police in the Metro Rail Transit station? Mainland Chinese harassing Grab drivers when they were stopped from spitting inside the car or putting their feet on the headrest of the car from the backseat? Tell me why this kind of behavior from these Chinese is happening? Of course, who’d not forget Duterte’s favorite Mainland Chinese guy, Michael Yang?

In my humble opinion, if China wasn’t tricked by Duterte, they could have won the hearts of the Filipinos if they did some piggy banking in the community. This long-standing practice of the diplomats made them closer to the people in the country host.

The United States, Japan, the European countries, South Korea, Israel, Taiwan, to name a few, have successfully embarked on this strategy. But China’s diplomacy sucks. They lack practical intelligence, and the key to winning the hearts of the people is not by force but by being with them. It’s Sociology 101, like enculturation, acculturation, assimilation, and amalgamation. I hope one of their diplomats took up their sociology subject seriously so they can cascade down to their colleagues. Learn from the Italian Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci, who successfully brought Christianity to China by studying Chinese language and customs.

With this ongoing tag of war and hide and seek, bullying of China against the Philippines and Filipino people, there’s no way they can expect Filipinos to be cordial to them anymore. While we Filipinos are typically friendly and hospitable, we all had enough of your bullying. Yes, you may continue to embark on your “exchange program,” which I call the Stockholm syndrome class for the journalists, as I know, you’ve won to corrupt some of them. Their pro-Filipino view made a 180-degree turn. Whether it’s due to monosodium glutamate or Methamphetamine HCL, only you know.

For years, despite the standing and overwhelming decision of the Hague Tribunal’s South China Sea in favor of the Philippines, China remains adamant on the decision. Instead of allowing the rule of law to prevail, they take Duterte’s way of bullying, and trust me, you will never win the heart of the Filipino people!

But let me tell you something, people, “If you want honey, don’t kick the beehive.”

In a powerful show of support for ethical journalism and economic diplomacy, German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel commended THEPHILBIZNEWS for its vital role in fostering Philippine-German investment relations and advancing the fight against disinformation.

Speaking at the 2nd Embassy Night hosted by THEPHILBIZNEWS at Hotel Okura Manila, on April 26, 2023, Ambassador Reiffenstuel praised the leadership of Monsi A. Serrano, Founder and Publisher of THEPHILBIZNEWS, for his commitment to truth, professionalism, and responsible journalism.

“Monsi is much more than a personal friend. He is a professional and reliable journalist,” said Ambassador Reiffenstuel. “He and his team take the responsibility of a journalist seriously—namely, to provide objective and reliable information in a professional manner.”

The Ambassador emphasized that in an era where fake news and disinformation are gaining ground, a credible media company like THEPHILBIZNEWS is essential in preserving public trust and providing business communities, foreign missions, and policymakers with accurate, insightful reporting.

Highlighting the shared priorities between Germany and the Philippines, particularly in economic recovery, renewable energy, waste management, and trade, Ambassador Reiffenstuel cited the increasing presence of German companies such as Siemens, Bosch, and Lufthansa in the Philippine market. She also pointed to the successful bilateral climate consultations recently held in Manila as a sign of deepening cooperation.

“THEPHILBIZNEWS is an important provider of relevant information beyond business news,” she noted, expressing confidence that the platform will continue to be instrumental in expanding economic and investment partnerships between the two countries.

As Germany remains the Philippines’ largest EU trading partner, the lady envoy called for greater participation of Filipino companies in German trade fairs and underscored the momentum for enhanced bilateral collaboration.

Ambassador Reiffenstuel concluded her message by affirming her belief that with the continued efforts of THEPHILBIZNEWS and its steadfast editorial leadership, “we will be successful.”

If there was people power in the Philippines 37 years ago, the journey towards the “Digital Renaissance” brings “Women Power” to the world.

As International Women’s Month concludes, the German Embassy in Manila bares initiatives to protect and celebrate the rights of women and girls. This month, Germany launched its Feministische Außenpolitik or Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP). The move is slated to strengthen the rights, resources, and representation of women and girls worldwide while promoting social diversity through foreign policy.

“The FFP is an approach that runs as a thread through all aspects of foreign policy,” said German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel. “All employees of the Federal Foreign Office at home and abroad are motivated to actively adhere and make themselves part of it. In conference and delegation programs, our project and media work as well as in all other events and activities, care is taken to adequately include women and members of marginalized groups and their respective concerns. This is what we call the feminist reflex.”

An FFP Ambassador will be appointed along with designated contact persons in embassies. They will be responsible for consistently promoting the policy and helping it go mainstream. Amb. Reiffenstuel shared that it is also a priority of the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) to make sure that women are able to benefit from project funds to the same extent as men. Gender budgeting for all project funds will be applied by 2025, meaning that 85 % of all projects need to be gender sensitive and 8% gender transformative.

Photo credit: Embassy of the United States in the Philippines
“The FFP is a way to maximize the potential of our existing toolbox, without blind spots in our optics,” she added.

Gender Champion

At the beginning of 2023, it was announced that German Amb. Reiffenstuel is the new EU Gender Champion. The role gives her the unique responsibility of advocating for the EU Gender Equality Action Plan.

The announcement was followed by the publishing of an opinion piece in one of the country’s major broadsheets where the Ambassador talked about teenage pregnancy in the Philippines – one of the most pressing issues when it comes to women’s rights and reproductive healthy – and how it affects opportunities available to girls when it comes to education and economic advancement.

Titled Let’s Talk About Sex, the Ambassador highlighted the alarming numbers of teenage pregnancies in the country. While children are a blessing, she pressed for the importance of the right of young women and girls to self-determination and education in order to make informed decisions about their future.

Blessed with three children herself, she added that “pregnancy should be an educated and informed choice – not forced upon, destroying dreams and futures of teenage girls in the Philippines.”

The piece also brings into focus Germany’s commitments to the Philippines within the fields of sexual and reproductive health, as well as advocating for intersectional gender equality.

“This women’s month was especially important for me as German Ambassador, since Germany did not only publish its guidelines on Feminist Foreign Policy, but I also have the honor to be the 2023 EU Gender Champion, shedding light on what the EU and its Member States do to promote women empowerment and Gender Equality in the Philippines,” Amb. Reiffenstuel shared.

Part of her duties as EU Gender Champion brought Amb. Reiffenstuel to an EU-funded Youth Activity Center in Pasay, focusing on ‘Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for Children and Young People’.

Together with EU Ambassador Luc Veron, the two envoys learned about the offered services ranging from family planning counseling, provision of free contraceptives, to free HIV counseling and screening provided by Community and Family Services International (CFSI) and Medecins du Monde France. The EU has provided the center with 500 thousand Euros in funding.

They also visited the Likhaan Center for Women’s Health in Malabon. Here, Ambassadors Reiffenstuel and Veron witnessed the signing ceremony to formalize a cooperation agreement between Likhaan and local youth organization, Tinig ng Kabataan (TINK).

Amb. Reiffenstuel also lent her support to several events organized by other embassies and institutions as EU Gender Champion. From the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ #MakePHSchoolsInclusive at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina College, The Philippine Commission on Women and UN Women’s IWD Celebration, the Belgian Embassy’s #BEHerAlly campaign, and the Management Association of the Philippines’ (MAP) Annual General Meeting with a discussion on women empowerment.

“I had the opportunity to participate in an event to discuss, together with my ambassador counterparts from the US and the UK, about gender equity needs, the significance of education, and the importance of allies, to just name a few,” Amb. Reiffenstuel shared about the MAP event.

At the Kapihan ng mga Peminista 2023 organized by the UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, Amb. Reiffenstuel was part of a panel which featured officials from Likhaan, German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Commission on Human Rights, and women empowerment advocates.

With the GIZ and the UP Diliman Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, the embassy co-organized a free advocacy concert in honor of Women’s Month on the 24th of March. The concert, entitled “Mga Awit, Tula, at Kwento ni Dakila” was held at Gyud Food, UP Diliman and featured established musical acts like HEY JUNE!, syd hartha, Munimuni, and Talata alongside spoken word poetry artists Beverly CuMLA, Hannah Pabilonia, and Anthonio Bathan.

And again, with the GIZ, the ambassador pushed for the advocacy of women’s sexual and reproductive health through a video campaign filmed with GIZ Goodwill Ambassador for Menstrual Health and Hygiene in the Philippines and Miss Eco International 2022 Kathleen Paton.

“Menstruating girls are still confronted with a lot of taboos here in the Philippines with stigma and embarrassment. Insufficient access to basic services like water or sanitation and hygiene makes it difficult for them to properly manage menstruation,” Amb. Reiffenstuel said.

“The ability to manage menstruation in schools has been shown to have a positive impact on the education of girls in terms of reducing absenteeism and increasing participation in turn allowing them to reach their full potential. The Philippines has done great in recent years to advance access to female-friendly toilets at schools, serving as the best model for other countries in the region.” She added that it is imperative to empower women at a young age to help achieve gender equality. This entails paying attention and addressing the needs of girls and women, especially at a young age.

Together Towards a Feminist Future

“Germany and the Philippines are allies in the promotion of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment. Feminist foreign policy is inclusive, not directed against men,” Amb. Reiffenstuel said. “We do not want to lecture anyone. We are aware that Germany also has some catching up to do – for example, in the equal representation of women in parliament.”

As of 2022, 49.8 % of staff at the GFFO are women. 39.1 % are in higher grades of the civil service at the GFFO while 28.7 % are in leading management functions. By the end of 2022, Germany was represented abroad by 36 women ambassadors, 14 women consuls general, and three women honorary consuls.
To move forward and improve the standing of women in society, Amb. Reiffenstuel said that Germany seeks dialogue at eye level with other states and civil societies. “In everything we do, every project or event, we have to ensure that women and their concerns are adequately reflected and represented.”

She added that political commitments must also translate to reality. “Both Germany and the Philippines committed themselves to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda of the UN, which underlines that women have a crucial role in making conflict solution and peace processes sustainable and successful,” she said. “Together, we have to make sure that this fact is reflected in the efforts in the Peace Process in the BARMM.”

German-funded projects are making headway toward such goals. Women Engaged in Responsive Solutions to Conflicts and Violence in Mindanao (WE RESOLVE) implemented by Relief International in cooperation with Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BMFI) is helping 40 women leaders in Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao gain more active roles in peacebuilding.

Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy (PAP) implemented by Plan International Philippines was also active in five municipalities in Northern and Western Samar, aiming to decrease the incidents of unplanned pregnancies among adolescent girls. Over a hundred youth peer educators were trained on sexual and reproductive health and rights to provide peer support. As a result, cases of adolescent pregnancies in their communities have declined by 18%.
While the fight for gender equality remains to be a long and uphill struggle, Germany affirms that it will be a strong ally to the Philippines in every step of the way.

Entrepreneurs lining up in the MSME Week at Philippine Trade Training Center
File photo/THEPHILBIZNEWS

By Alithea De Jesus

Social media has been utilized by many entrepreneurs in the country as the e-commerce industry has grown dramatically based on the recent study as PH overtakes Asian neighbors in the growth of online business during the time that community quarantine was implemented on March 15, 2020.

Read related story: https://thephilbiznews.com/ph-records-biggest-growth-in-e-commerce-in-the-region/

The biggest success factor in building brand awareness on digital media is the ability to create strong personal relationships and trigger positive emotions in your audience, according to a Dutch business expert.

Jannes van der Velde, spokesperson of the General Netherlands Federation of Employers and consultant with the Dutch Employers’ Cooperation Programme, advises Filipino entrepreneurs to cultivate good personal relationships with their online audience in order to attract customers and raise awareness of their brand.

More importantly, they should create positive emotions that customers can associate with their brand, said Velde, who spoke during a recent e-forum organized by the Employers Confederation of the Philippines.

Social media is very often about emotions, he said. When you build good vibes, people will want to read or watch your message, and they will remember your brand as something that was fun or made them happy or nostalgic.

Velde mentioned, in particular, a popular cola brand and a big hamburger chain, both of which have mastered the art of evoking happy feelings from people who see their ads or posts.

He also gave other tips and insights on how to make a brand outstanding on social media.

Integration is important. Social media channels should never be stand-alone accounts but should be integrated, with the common objective of directing users to the company’s website.

It is also good to be consistent and to repeat the same core message in all posts and messages, but packaged or worded differently.

To make messages stick, be simple and concrete, Velde continued. Focus on the core elements. Avoid difficult words or concepts as people only give a few seconds to a message on Twitter, for instance.

In relation to this, he also stressed that pictures make a big difference in social media. He pointed out that social networking services such as Instagram and TikTok owe much of their global popularity to the heavy use of imagery.

Companies should likewise not just act, but also react if they get feedback from their posts or messages. They must also strive to be credible and trustworthy.

They should avoid taking risks and stick to their own business, Velde continued. Don’t go into areas where you’re not knowledgeable enough as it may prove harmful. It is difficult to build a good reputation but very easy to lose it on social media, he said, mentioning the CEO of a branded fitness regimen who was forced to resign recently after making offensive tweets.

He also urged enterprises to choose their field of authority and stick to it. Otherwise, they run the risk of sending mixed messages to the world.

Social media is important and can be put to good use, but don’t overestimate it or allow yourself to be replaced by apps or bots. You are still the best when it comes to building relationships, whether online or offline”, Velde concluded.

Meanwhile, Monsi A. Serrano, 2015 PEACE Awardee on Best Blogger given by the Universal PEACE Federation awards noted, “While social media plays a big factor in brand awareness, it is not enough that your brand is known. You must also have a well-performing brand in your category and attract your market. Remember brand performance is the ultimate measurement vis-à-vis with your brand awareness, and these are separate and district from one another.”

“Awareness is important, but that awareness must perform in the process. Awareness posits being in the top of the mind, so sustained awareness will make it happen,” he concluded.

In my last column (May 15, 2020), I had the pleasure to share the amazing foresight of my friend from Japan, Mr. Satoshi Tateno, about a rare opportunity to boost the Philippines-Japan trade amid a world trapped in pandemic paralysis.

For those who did not have the chance to read it, here is the link:

https://thephilbiznews.com/beyond-sight-covid19-spells-new-investments-in-phl/

Lounging at a restaurant in Makati with Tateno-san pre-ECQ (Enhance Community Quarantine), we had a detailed discussion of his view of the dawning of a great economic maneuver to benefit the Philippines. My Japanese friend has been doing business in different parts of the archipelago more than most of the accomplished Filipino businessmen I know in the last 20 years. So when he predicted big Japanese investments coming the Philippines’ way in the midst of this global crisis – it sounded to me as more like prophecy than opinion.

He said a wave of Japanese companies and businessmen were pulling out of China and moving back to Japan under an economic policy of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Japan gives incentives to these companies returning to Japan, but there are those moving out of China that could be diverted to the Philippines, Tateno-san told me since the objective really is to plainly abandon China. For us to snare this wave of relocating Japanese businesses, the government must do its part to make foreign investments from Japan a-whole-new-world easier. In my last column I enumerated five of his list of 8 steps to capture new and big Japanese investments. To recap – first, business registration processes should be eased up; second, human resource development should be made dynamic; third, the foreign capital release policy should be reviewed; fourth, land ownership should be approved; and fifth, the liberalization of the Philippine market.

Next in line in this “Swan Dance” for the Philippines to woo Japan, according to Mr. Tateno, is the protection of intellectual property rights. What are the franchise rights and what are the limits and conditions for remittances of royalties overseas? We have to clearly define conditions for establishing a franchise company in the Philippines. For example, is foreign capital less than 40 percent? Can these companies make and/or receive loans?

These questions need to be answered with credible and implementable guidelines, because said requirements and regulations, rewards, protection for technologies, and big data are essential not only in the manufacturing industry but also in the retail industry, explained Tateno-san.

Seventh, our government should set up professional training on legal, tax, labor, import/export, advertising, etc. that are difficult for Japanese to manage.

Eighth is domestic industrial protection. Foreign capital regulations aimed at protecting the Philippine domestic industry are a right of the Philippine government, but in this case, foreign investment is not protected, so training of domestic investors is required as a set. The manufacturing industry needs to, not only invest, but also develop a system that can do product development, manufacturing technology, cost management, labor management, raw material procurement, sales, and so on.

At the moment, only a few Japanese companies want to place an order in the Philippines. Even in the distribution business including retail, modern technology is competitive with high-tech such as big data, so it is necessary to introduce at least know-how.

With so many business ventures done, some succeed, some fail because of betrayal. The palpable love of Mr. Tateno cannot be hidden as he remains hopeful that this pandemic will keep the minds of our government leaders open to bringing in more Japanese investors not just for now but also for future prospects.

“I think this is the biggest and last chance for the Philippines,” he opined. “If you deregulate foreign capital, open markets, and protect intellectual property rights, all kinds of industries would want to enter the Philippines not just Japanese.”

Tateno-san added: “The important thing is to select what industries to attract as a national policy of the Philippines which will be effective for economic growth at the national level. I also think it would be good to identify promising successful business models in the future and concentrate on releasing the negative list for each individual industry.”

Down the road, it is also empirical to welcome and introduce Japanese technology, basic technology, management skills, big data, development skills, etc. The Philippines should regain its old glory lording over the agriculture industry in the region.

“In Japan, the rich people are farmers, and I wish our young Filipino people will look at agri-business as an opportunity not just to earn money, but more importantly to stabilize the food security because we don’t know if another global crisis like this will happen again. When you have food security, there will be peace and harmony,” Mr. Tateno said.

From his own experience in dealing with the Philippine agriculture industry, he pointed out the commercialization of fishery resources by increasing the size and efficiency of fisheries. Like a call center, there is a high possibility that a large number of companies will enter the market simply by approving the operation of foreign fishing boats.

In addition, the protection of domestic fishers and the increase of tax revenue in the national treasury can be obtained at the same time by using fishery taxes. Introduction of advanced technology is indispensable to foster internationally competitive industries. By combining topography surrounded by the sea and advanced aquaculture technology, we can improve varieties and quality, and secure internationally competitive raw materials.

If foreign companies establish legislation that allows them to own land and conduct large-scale agriculture, many companies will enter. Improvements in agricultural technology increase productivity and competitiveness in terms of cost and quality. If the supply of raw materials for marine and agricultural products becomes stable, the processing industry will become more competitive.

Along with the abundant human resources that are now at a comparative advantage, processed products will also be more internationally competitive.

Read related columns on Japanese investors:

https://thephilbiznews.com/beyond-sight-quo-vadis-china/

https://thephilbiznews.com/beyond-sight-doing-business-with-the-japanese-part-1/

https://thephilbiznews.com/doing-business-with-the-japanese-part-2-2/

Like it or not, COVID-19 dubbed as #WuhanVirus, #ChinaVirus or #CCPVirus has disrupted the whole world in a magnitude beyond imagination. While I was not born yet when both World Wars I and II happened, from my grandparents’ and parents’ accounts, these wars brought several countries down to their knees.

No matter how much China denies it, the #CCPVirus originated from them and several studies showed that COVID-19 is a synthetic virus. What China did is they even made it appear that the virus came from bats being sold at the seafood market in Wuhan, Central China’s Hubei province.

However independent investigations conducted by various groups that are not controlled by China yielded that no bats were being sold at the Wuhan seafood market.

Watch related video from The Epoch Times:

During the early outbreak of the CCP Virus in Wuhan, China, a Japanese friend who is like a father to me and has been living and doing business in the Philippines for more than 30 years, told me last February 6 that during the outbreak, there were already several Japanese companies that declared bankruptcy and closed their business in China. Mind you, that was more than two months ago.

What is interesting to note is the fact that my Japanese friend already sees an opportunity in this crisis not for him but for the Philippines! But any opportunity when not seen as such would be wasted. So since that meeting we had last February 6, there were subsequent meetings and exchanges of emails to plan to seize the opportunity for the Philippines.

Crisis in the eyes of the Japanese

Many people do not look beyond the crisis, hence, they become victims of analysis paralysis. But for my Japanese friend, even though the cases of CCPVirus were not that much yet, he amazingly discussed with me what we do together to prepare for the Philippines and bring the lost opportunity to China to the Philippines.

So I was asked to prepare business plans for various business concepts that he had on the top of his mind. Together with his son, who is like a brother to me, we have all been planning out and throwing ideas through emails and other available technology, doing our SWOT analyses for each business model to come up with a well-developed business model that would draw interest from prospective Japanese investors.

While there are opportunities in the crisis, there is also a threat and this is what I see. The open-door policy and preferential treatment to China of the current Duterte administration would likely be deemed as a threat by the Japanese. Unknown to many, after the post-war era, a strong anti-Japanese sentiment happened in 2012 in most major cities in China, and Japanese-owned businesses were smashed. Needless to say, there were even some reports that people who were using Japanese products were attacked by the public.

For me, this inevitably posits a Cold War between Japan and China. But knowing how respectful and non-confrontational Japanese people are after World War II, the hostilities that happened to them in China, back before and with this CCP Virus pandemic would really pave the way for more opportunities for the Philippines.

China against the world

While China has been denying that COVID-19 is part of its plan to seize political and economic power in the world, many country leaders believe that theory. Observers claimed that if other key cities in the world are hit with such great magnitude, why China’s Beijing and Shanghai are not that badly hit?

With many other circumstantial pieces of evidence related to the involvement of China in propagating the virus across the world, many did not take it sitting down given the fact that the CCP virus has a significant impact on the global economy.

Already, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s gambit of taking a bold and drastic move to give incentives for Japanese companies to leave China and return to Japan. This sends a clear message to China, that these countries are not dumb not to believe in the conspiracy theory perpetuated by the Chinese Communist Party. With Japan’s move, all other countries follow suit. Thus, the US, UK, and Australia are set to abandon their trade relationship with China and pull out of all manufacturing companies from China. Given this move, it is likely that the European Union composed of 27 member states would take the same step.

China’s loss could be the Philippines’ gain

Depending on how fast our policymakers will act on this, it would be best for us to prepare for these opportunities by adding bells and whistles which our other ASEAN neighbors do not have. Realistically speaking, we can no longer brag about our excellent English communication skills given the fact that the advent of AI (Artificial Intelligence) can easily replicate this and even do more.

But perhaps to my mind, we can also boast of our recreational facilities and tourist spots which they can enjoy that would not cost them an arm and a leg, Filipino work ethic, honesty, and culture of trustworthiness.

In my humble opinion, one of the many reasons why many foreign investors shun away from us despite our increase in the ranks of Ease of Doing Business is the reality happening on the ground. For instance, the SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) is the term they use for grease money being given to the various signatories of a document when applying for business permits. This is still very prevalent in the local government and even in the Barangay. While the Anti-Red Tape Authority is already there, it still has yet to prove its seriousness in prosecuting the complaints passed on it.

Our ASEAN neighbors are very aggressive and successful in attracting foreign investors by providing tax incentives, government support like a long lease and discounted rate of property for industrial sectors, some free land leases via BOT (Build Operate and Transfer), subsidies, and zero labor strikes. Why did Intel leave the Philippines, and move to Vietnam its biggest facility in the world? Because Vietnam offered a better deal.

Now, with a new normal and a need to resuscitate our economy, it is just proper for our government officials and economic managers to review their policies and work with lawmakers to amend the economic provisions in our constitutions, especially on the amendments of the Retail Trade Liberalization Act Law 2000 which remains a big turn off to would-be foreign investors.

Realistically speaking and based on the feedback given by my Japanese friends who are also looking for Japanese investors to come to the Philippines, the capital requirement stipulated by our current Retail Trade Liberalization Act Law which is US$2.5 million paid-up capital plus a minimum investment of 830,000 US dollars per retail store is not also impractical but too risky. Unlike our ASEAN neighbors which have a much lower capital requirement and are certainly attractive to other foreign investors. Having said this, perhaps right now, our ASEAN neighbors are all working on the drawing board and thinking about how to get a big chunk of the pie to entice those companies owned by other countries to invest in their respective countries.

What our government needs to do

Just like in the corporate world, there is what you call Corporate Planning and Evaluation. With the Social Amelioration Program and other help extended by the government to the Filipino people amid the COVID-19 pandemic, if the government does not manage the crisis with a sound and balanced calibrated response, the coffer will bleed and many companies are bound to close down.

The critical issue now that needs immediate attention is how fast the government can prepare its action plan and prepare for the inevitable, which is to jumpstart our economy. It is a global economic survival that is a big issue that all the developing countries like the Philippines ought to address while China has earned the wrath of the world, this provides us a lot of opportunities to welcome those companies pulling out from China in our homeland.

But before we can successfully do that, we have to do “silo-busting” within the cabinet officials of Duterte. What makes their action plans incoherent and poorly executed is the palpable silos they painstakingly built around them. They need to consult other stakeholders, conduct a survey, deliberate, and make a clear deadline and when they do this, we can easily get back on our feet, take off the ground once again, and fly high.

So the question is no longer Quo vadis China? Because in the reason for the survival of our country and compatriots, this should not matter anymore, but rather, Ubi sunt? Quo vadis Pilipinas? And the answer is, “Ubi panis, ibi Patria”. (Where there is bread, there is my country!)

As the late US President Lyndon B. Johnson said and I quote, “We must open the doors of opportunity. But we must also equip our people to walk through those doors.”

Creating more alternative energy sources for a growing population and driving down the cost of electricity must be pursued by the government, alongside its infrastructure development program, if it is to attract investors and avoid a power crisis, a new group of energy advocates said at a recent forum in Pasay City.

The energy advocates form the Philippine Energy Independence Council (PEIC), which was launched last Tuesday at the SMX Convention Powertrends Exhibition. Officers aim to make the PEIC the voice of the energy sector in airing its concerns to the government.

Shell Philippines Exploration BV Paulo Gavino said there is a need to ensure energy access and affordability to the Filipino people.

“As the population grows, the demand for the usage of energy is directly proportionate because of the user. This is something that we at PEIC is advocating. A growing population requires more energy. Currently, there are 2.4 million Filipinos still don’t have electricity, are we going to leave them in the dark?” Gavino asked.

“Thus, while our economy is growing rapidly, the huge demand which is expected inevitably calls for the increase in demand for more and cleaner energy. So we really need to create alternative energy sources that are indigenous and sustainable. By 2020 there will be an estimated 125 million population and in 2030 – 130 million. This rapid population growth requires more energy,” he said.

There are many energy sources in the Philippines, but Gavino said the pressing question is “Are they enough?” He cited the Malampaya gas field as generating 30 percent of the country’s power, but when it runs out, what would be next?

It will be recalled that former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla had warned that Malampaya, the country’s biggest source of energy, may be used up by 2024.

Looking at the bright side, Gavino said: “The Philippines can be a leader in geothermal power and natural gas if we have that long term vision.”

In this regard, the PEIC finds its purpose to help guide the country’s leadership and propose legislation that will secure Filipinos’ energy needs in the future through indigenous, renewable, and cleaner energy options.

Dr. Arthur Saldivar-Sali, chairman and CEO of Geotecnica Corp., said the Philippines is in a good position to develop its energy sector and that his belief is supported by history. “Back in the ’70s, other countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia were lagging behind us. They envied us because we were even ready for nuclear power before,” he said.

Sali said the government and the energy sector must put its act together to address energy security concerns. If not, he warned: “The growing demand for energy, despite the escalating power rate, and population growth would really put our country at risk if this will not be addressed.”

Why depend on energy imports?

Speaking to THEPHILBIZNEWS, PEIC chairman, Dean Antonio La Viña who has strong sentiments against importing oil and coal for the country’s energy needs said, ” The PEIC believes energy self-sufficiency is the key, citing how rich in gas, oil, the geothermal, wind, and solar resources in the Philippines.”

“Our too much dependence on imported oil and coals will really hurt us if not addressed properly by coming up with a long term plan for energy exploration, management, and sourcing locally. While we know we cannot be 100-percent independent from importation, we need to come up with a longer solution to address this access and affordability issues on energy,” he added.

La Viña said this is the reason why energy advocates came together to form the PEIC.

“We want to lobby to the government and work with other private sectors to address this critical issue on energy independence of our country. Because if we don’t face this head-on, we might be caught flat-footed,” Dean La Viña concluded.

Gov’t needs direction

Asked why such an organization as the PEIC should step up while it is incumbent upon the government to plan and implement the future of the energy sector, Dr. Sali said energy advocates can work together with the government to keep it on track.

“That is one thing that our past, present and future government administrations should learn from other countries, which is to have a regulation that is constant. So even if a term of this President ends, the law is carried forward to the next administration. In that way, there will be no confusion and there is a clear path to where the country is heading too,” Dr. Sali told THEPHILBIZNEWS.

“We at PEIC wants our advocacy as our legacy to the next generation of Filipinos, by having affordable, sustainable, and locally sourced energy for our country that would give access to many Filipino people,” he said.

What about the BNPP?

Meanwhile, THEPHILBIZNEWS asked Dr. Sali the viability of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) had it not been mothballed and he said: “Certainly, BNPP would be a big help. In fact, (if it had been in operation) we will not be a victim of this power rate hike in the Philippines.”

“Those who doubt our engineers’ capability and competency are being unfair. Those engineers were trained in the US. When the BNPP was mothballed, they left and started working for nuclear plants in the US, Japan, and New Zealand. Mind you, the BNPP is safe. There was an earthquake and Mt. Pinatubo eruption, but the BNPP is still standing there,” Dr. Sali explained.

Dr. Sali went on to say: “The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster was not because of the earthquake. It was because of the tsunami because the nuclear plant was built near the shore. But our BNPP is built on a solid and elevated foundation.”