Haute ‘jusi’

Six young local designers have brandished their Philippine folklore-inspired collections in London, hoping to gain a foothold in one of the world’s fashion capitals.

The designers who participated in the International Fashion Showcase 2015 were Jaggy Glarino, John Herrera, Ken Samudio, Michelline Syjuco, Renan Pacson and Tony Evan. Widely known Filipino set and costume designer Gino Gonzales led the group, which was back by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem).

According to Citem, the group was “hot-tipped” to take the prize at the IFS 2015, where local mythical creatures took center stage at the Philippine pavilion.

But more than the design aspect of fashion, the Philippines’ exposure in the IFS was also meant to showcase the country’s indigenous materials, such as “jusi,” abaca, pineapple fibers and capiz shells for potential export to the European Union.

As the EU market steadily opens up, the Philippines can take advantage of this opportunity, especially since textiles produced locally may now be exported to Europe duty-free due to the country’s inclusion in the bloc’s new generalized scheme of preferences (GSP+).  Amy R. Remo

Gourmet coffee blends

Philippine Coffee Board Inc. (PCBI) is rallying farmers and entrepreneurs to go into the production of specialty and gourmet blends as the domestic industry faces a dip in bean output despite growing demand. After all, climbing up the value chain is a good way for the P21-billion industry to stay competitive.

At first glance, it’s a tough climb. There is the farmers’ flagging interest in growing the aromatic beans aside from their lack of skills and equipment.

Even then, PCBI chair Nicholas Matti believes that Philippine coffee can take up a spot beside the famous blends of Africa and Latin America.

Coffee evangelists at PCBI have been making the rounds of farms and cooperatives to shore up growers’ interest and hopes, not without the good news of available know-how and contacts for possible funding through the Philippine Equity Foundation (PEF).

Matti says there is reason enough for farmers to focus more on coffee growing, especially when niche products are concerned. For one, coffee from Mt. Apo caught international attention when it won two awards at a Roasters Choice competition at the Thailand International Food Expo in 2014.

Mindanao is now being promoted as a coffee center for its potential to yield beans all year round due to the climate in some areas are favorable for growing coffee, PCBI said.

The group learned that investments would soon come in, enough to cover 4,000 hectares of new coffee plantations in Bukidnon.

“There is much hope for specialty coffee,” Matti says. “With the new plantings we saw in Mindanao, we are certain we can produce better coffee in the coming years.”

It’s not just Mindanao that aims to deliver world-class coffee. PCBI plans to bring coffee from Benguet to the next Roasters Choice event. Potential entries are expected from Cavite and Batangas, where farmers are eager to show off their gourmet “barako.”

If Mt. Apo “can produce winning coffee, we believe that more origins or sources of coffee can also compete for the annual Roasters awards,” Matti says.  Ronnel W. Domingo

Vague horizon

The Philippines seems to be on its best behavior  as it initiates talks over competing claims on the West Philippine Sea—even to the extent of holding back exploration in the oil-rich area, particularly in Recto Bank.

Wanting to keep the coast clear, so to speak, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has apparently asked the Department of Energy (DOE) to minimize activity in the area since the Philippines sought international arbitration on the West Philippine Sea claims, particularly against that of China.

DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said the DFA would ask concerned parties to hold off oil exploration activities in the West Philippine Sea for at least until after summer 2015.

The DOE thus told Forum Energy Plc, which is supposed to start exploration drilling in Service Contract (SC) 72’s Recto Bank next year, that it could take its time on its work program. All the company has to do, the DOE says, is to ask for an extension and it will be granted.

As to whether this show of “good faith” will be reciprocated, nobody’s sure.

“One party is saying this is ours, and the other party is saying this is mine,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, chair of Forum Energy’s majority owner, Philex Petroleum Corp. “I don’t think China will give up its claim of sovereignty.

And will the Philippine side, or at least Forum, give up its stand?

“Of course not. I believe it’s ours,” Pangilinan said.

As for the arbitration, Pangilinan said, it is unsure whether China will follow the result. That is, if it can be compelled to do so.

As for Petilla, he said it would still be good for the Philippines to take an open position by delaying exploration works, hoping China will participate in arbitration or talks.

“(For) even the slightest chance, it’s worth it,” he explained.

As to how long the Philippines will have to wait, and to what end, remains to be seen.  Riza T. Olchondra

Bye, bye, bye

Energy authorities have floated an antidote to recent concerns over a “national security virus”—that is, having Chinese managers and engineers in transmission backbone operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines or NGCP.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago recently expressed her concern that a state-run Chinese firm holds 40 percent of NGCP’s capital stock.

Santiago did not name the Chinese company. It was later learned that State Grid Corp. of China held a 40-percent stake in NGCP.

Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said that he understands such concern in light of the competing claims over the West Philippine Sea, particularly the one between the Philippines and China.

“It’s also our concern,” Petilla said, adding that the issue had been raised years before, and that a solution had already been agreed upon as early as last year—all but two of about 18 Chinese citizens holding key positions in NGCP would have to go home.

There should have been an apprenticeship program to turn over equipment and technical knowledge to Filipino engineers and managers since the Chinese firm bought a stake in NGCP. But since it did not happen, it was decided to give NGCP a deadline, Petilla said.

Apparently, it was agreed upon by NGCP, the Department of Justice, the office of the National Security Advisor, and the DOE that by July this year, all but two Chinese nationals will be given visa extensions and only in their capacity as board directors of NGCP.

“Two persons will remain, but only in their capacity as board directors. The rest will have to go home or get married,” quipped Petilla, when asked of the deadline for NGCP.  Riza T. Olchondra

MVP on Asean Law

He isn’t a legal luminary, but businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan, aka MVP, the Filipino chief executive officer of Hong Kong-based regional conglomerate First Pacific Co. Ltd., has much insight on legal matters affecting business, and has decided to share it with the region’s top law practitioners.

On Feb. 28, he will keynote the Asean Law Association (ALA), which was founded in 1979 and designated in the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) charter of 2007 as the bloc’s only civil society affiliate for law.

ALA counts as its members chief justices, bar society leaders, deans of law and government lawyers across the region.

MVP is expected to talk about the challenges that the country’s business sector faces, in view of the basic objectives for this year’s Asean economic integration.

The local business honcho is in a good position to potentially influence the crafting of laws to ensure the success of the Asean integration.

MVP is the only non-lawyer and non-government representative speaking before ALA, which is being hosted by the Philippines for the first time since 1995.

Other Filipino speakers during the ALA general assembly are: Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, former Chief Justice Art Panganiban, first ALA president and former Senator Edgardo Angara and Senate President Franklin Drilon.
Doris C. Dumlao

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