BIZ BUZZ: Ball player drama spills to corporate world

Recent news that high school sensation Jared Bahay has had a “change of heart” and will no longer join the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons has sent the collegiate basketball world into a tizzy.

That Bahay has decided to take his talents elsewhere—despite having developed a “special relationship” with the state university—the UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development blames on “outside forces,” supposedly coming all the way from the Makati central business district.

Word on the street is that Bahay was enticed to drop UP Diliman in favor of its neighbor down the road because some of the rival university’s top supporters had dangled breathtaking perks, rivaling those offered to professional basketball players.

Chipping in funds to land a prized recruit is not necessarily a problem but it does become an issue if the money that will go to a top prospect will not come from personal pockets but rather charged to corporate coffers.

This has worried minority shareholders looking closely at the corporate bottom line and their potential dividends.

But then again, these shareholders may find the financing worth it in the end. That is, if they’re supporters of Bahay’s final university color choice. If not maroon, will it be blue? Or even green? Abangan! —Tina Arceo-Dumlao

Revenge travel: Clark edition

Clark International Airport saw heavier foot traffic last year in step with the growth momentum for air travel. Its passenger volume reached nearly 2 million last year—42 percent better than the forecast made by partner Changing Airports International Pte. Ltd. and operator Luzon International Premiere Development Corp. (Lipad). The figure was also an impressive 158-percent uptick from the 2022 record.

“The substantial increase in passenger numbers, surpassing both industry forecasts and previous year’s performance, is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated team and the attractiveness of our airport,” said Noel Manankil, Lipad president and CEO.

Manankil vowed to “build on this success and explore new avenues for enhancement.”

The airport in Pampanga services flights to 11 international and 10 domestic destinations. —Tyrone Jasper C. Piad