Cebu Launches Exclusive Behavioral Science Program to Boost Executive Training

The Cebu business community is advancing its ambition to become a premier learning center with the introduction of the Human Interaction Laboratory Program (HIL-1), the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) recently revealed. This behavioral science and management course, previously available solely at two American universities, is now accessible in the Philippines for the first time. CCCI president Jay Yuvallos emphasized on September 15, 2025, that the program represents a significant enhancement in executive and professional development, supporting Cebu’s goal to emerge as a "center for excellence" in business and leadership. The intensive three-and-a-half-day HIL course combines behavioral science theory with practical application, focusing on enhancing both personal and professional effectiveness. With a legacy exceeding 40 years at Stanford University and American University, the program’s expansion into Asia via Cebu highlights its global relevance. Dr. Brian To, senior fellow at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and lead facilitator, explained, \"This program isn\'t about boosting top-line revenue directly but about developing personal and professional effectiveness, solving intricate problems, and ultimately fostering organizational growth. The management challenges faced in Europe and North America are equally pertinent in Asia, making this program especially timely for Cebu.\" Diverging from traditional seminars, HIL-1 emphasizes experiential learning grounded in anthropology, communication, artificial intelligence, and behavioral science. It offers participants a structured environment to analyze group dynamics, reflect on personal values, and understand how interpersonal relationships influence leadership, collaboration, and decision-making. Key objectives include enhancing emotional intelligence, refining communication skills, and exploring how individual behavior is shaped within groups. The course also assists professionals in addressing real-world issues such as customer behavior analysis, brand loyalty development, and navigating complex organizational challenges. Attendees can expect improved interpersonal communication, heightened critical thinking, and increased confidence—crucial competencies for leaders, managers, coaches, consultants, and organizational developers. The program's inaugural Philippine session is scheduled for October 23 to 26, starting with orientation on the 23rd and continuing with intensive sessions from October 24 to 26. Participants are encouraged to dedicate their full attention to the program during this period. Dr. To, acclaimed by Forbes as \"one of Asia\'s greatest thinkers,\" will facilitate the course. His distinguished academic background includes Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, HEC Paris, and Oxford, and he has received multiple accolades for his contributions to business education worldwide. Proceeds from HIL-1 will support philanthropic efforts, including the Simply Share Foundation and CCCI initiatives like the annual Business Month. The program’s Asian iterations have previously benefited organizations such as the Philippine General Hospital and the International Red Cross. Yuvallos reiterated that the introduction of HIL aligns with CCCI\'s vision to cultivate world-class enterprises, an elevated business community, and highly skilled professionals. He sees the initiative as pivotal in strengthening Cebu\'s stature as an advanced hub for business education and leadership. \"By institutionalizing programs of this caliber, Cebu can truly establish itself as a center of excellence,\" Yuvallos stated. This new educational offering complements CCCI\'s broader knowledge agenda, including its forthcoming Economic Briefing 3.0, which will focus on the prospects and challenges of the Philippine economy in 2026.

SEDC Partners with PNOC to Explore Wind Energy Development in Batangas

Simlong Energy Development Corporation (SEDC), a subsidiary of Abacore Capital Holdings Inc., has entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) to evaluate the feasibility of wind energy development in Batangas City. The MOA focuses on a 142-hectare parcel of land owned by SEDC in Simlong, Batangas, identified as potentially suitable for an onshore wind energy facility. According to the agreement, both entities will collaborate to undertake a comprehensive wind resource study aimed at determining the viability of establishing a wind farm and other related renewable energy initiatives on the site. Abacore emphasized that the MOA's primary purpose is "to conduct wind resource studies and eventually acquire the necessary certifications and service contracts on the properties." Additionally, future plans for creating an energy port and expanding energy supply infrastructure will be detailed in a separate addendum to the MOA. The outcomes of the wind resource study will play a crucial role in guiding investments, with the ultimate capacity of the proposed wind energy project contingent upon the results of the feasibility assessment.

ICTSI Enhances Manila Terminal with New Hybrid Gantries to Boost Capacity and Sustainability

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) has expanded its Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) capacity by integrating eight new hybrid rubber-tired gantries (RTGs). These state-of-the-art RTGs, developed by Japan's Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., feature an 80kW lithium-ion battery system paired with a 100kW engine-generator set, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact. According to ICTSI, the smaller engine-generator unit compared to traditional 220kW models substantially lowers fuel consumption and emissions. The RTGs also incorporate a regenerative braking system that recovers energy to recharge batteries, further optimizing energy use. With the addition of these units, MICT now operates 18 quay cranes and 60 RTGs, making it the largest container-handling facility in the Philippines. This upgrade forms part of ICTSI's wider terminal expansion initiative, which includes developing Berth 8 and other infrastructure improvements designed to increase capacity and streamline cargo handling processes. The company highlighted that these enhancements facilitate handling higher cargo volumes, reduce turnaround times, and improve delivery reliability for customers. Moreover, these investments align with ICTSI’s sustainability objectives to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions per container movement by 26% by 2030, with a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This commitment underscores the company’s dedication to minimizing its environmental footprint while supporting economic growth in the region.

Business Couple Involved in Flood Control Scandal Seeks Government Witness Protection

Pacifico "Curlee" and Cezarah Rowena "Sarah" Discaya, a controversial business couple linked to a high-profile flood control scandal, submitted their formal application to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila on Friday morning for entry into the government’s witness protection program (WPP). Curlee arrived ahead of his wife, clad in a bulletproof vest and accompanied by law enforcement officials. Sarah followed later, wearing a baseball cap and mask, and was escorted by their legal representative, Cornelio Samaniego. The Discayas remain at the center of public scrutiny due to their supposed involvement in corrupt flood control projects worth billions. Accusations against them include fraudulent dealings and the creation of ghost projects through various construction firms they control. Their ostentatious lifestyle and candid admissions in media interviews about lucrative contracts with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) propelled them into the spotlight, raising questions about the integrity of their business operations. Despite skepticism from lawmakers regarding their qualifications to serve as state witnesses—given their active roles in the alleged schemes—the DOJ has stated that it will thoroughly assess their petition for protection. The situation continues to evolve, with authorities closely monitoring any additional developments.

Chinese AI Firm DeepSeek Discloses $294,000 Training Cost for R1 Model, Challenging U.S. Benchmarks

Chinese artificial intelligence developer DeepSeek has disclosed for the first time that training its R1 AI model cost approximately $294,000—a figure significantly lower than training expenses reported by leading U.S. AI firms. This information, published in a peer-reviewed paper in the journal Nature, is expected to intensify debate regarding China’s position in the ongoing global AI technology competition. The Hangzhou-based company, which had remained largely discreet since early 2023, included the training cost estimate in the recent article co-authored by its founder, Liang Wenfeng. The paper detailed that the R1 model training utilized 512 Nvidia H800 graphics processing units (GPUs) over 80 hours. Earlier drafts of the paper released in January omitted cost details. By comparison, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, previously estimated that foundational AI model training expenses had surpassed $100 million, although specific spending figures have not been publicly disclosed. The cost of training such large-language models encompasses operational expenses over weeks or months, involving extensive computing power to process vast datasets of text and code. DeepSeek’s claim of substantially lower costs has generated skepticism among U.S. industry experts and officials, particularly regarding the hardware deployed. The Nvidia H800 chips referenced by DeepSeek are tailored for the Chinese market following U.S. export controls enacted in October 2022, which prohibit sales of Nvidia’s more advanced H100 and A100 AI chips to China. While U.S. authorities previously indicated that DeepSeek had accessed large quantities of H100 GPUs despite restrictions, Nvidia has maintained that the company has only used legally obtained H800 units. In supplementary materials accompanying the Nature publication, DeepSeek acknowledged owning A100 GPUs, which it confirmed were used during early development phases involving smaller model experiments before transitioning exclusively to the H800 cluster for the full R1 training. Sources have noted that DeepSeek attracted top Chinese AI talent partly due to its unique possession of A100 supercomputing infrastructure, a rarity among domestic competitors amid tightening geopolitical constraints. This revelation underscores the complexities of technological development and export regulation enforcement in the AI sector, as the U.S. and China continue to vie for leadership in artificial intelligence innovation.

ABS-CBN Maintains Position as Premier Media and Entertainment Company in the Philippines

ABS-CBN remains the foremost media and entertainment organization in the Philippines, providing a wide range of high-quality programming through television, radio, digital platforms, and film. The company is dedicated to serving the public interest and fostering Filipino cultural heritage, consistently engaging and inspiring audiences both domestically and internationally. ABS-CBN’s sustained commitment to excellence, governance, and investor relations underscores its influential role in the media industry. Additionally, the company’s international distribution efforts ensure that Filipino content reaches a global audience, reinforcing its position as a vital ambassador of Filipino culture worldwide.

DPWH Collaborates with Agencies to Recover Assets Linked to Infrastructure Corruption

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has initiated a coordinated effort with multiple government bodies to trace and retrieve assets potentially tied to corrupt practices involving public infrastructure funds. In a press briefing held at the Senate on Thursday, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon revealed that the department is collaborating with the Land Registration Authority (LRA), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and Land Transportation Office (LTO). These agencies are tasked with compiling an inventory of high-value assets, including real estate, vehicles, yachts, aircraft, and helicopters, connected to 26 contractors currently under investigation for irregularities in flood control projects. Secretary Dizon emphasized the importance of freezing these assets to facilitate their recovery, stating, \"We also need to know about this, and eventually these assets need to be frozen as well. Because we need to make sure that we can recover everything we possibly can from those who stole the people's funds.\" Once the consolidated asset list is obtained, it will be forwarded to key bodies such as the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Office of the Ombudsman, and the newly established Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which is spearheading the ongoing investigations. Dizon further noted that this methodology—encompassing asset identification, investigation, freezing, and legal action—will become the DPWH’s standardized approach for managing all future corruption cases. \"All of these steps will be applied to every case we file. This will become a recurring template to be submitted to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure,\" he explained. Addressing the use of intermediaries, the secretary assured that anyone using \"dummies\" or front entities to hide illicit assets will also be pursued. \"If we have evidence linking potential dummies or associates, we will pursue them as well,\" he declared. In a related development, Secretary Dizon accompanied the Commission on Audit (COA) to the Office of the Ombudsman to formally file charges against another group alleged to have misappropriated public funds. He confirmed that case files from Mindoro have already been submitted to the ICI and the commission’s special adviser, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. Expressing confidence in the strength of their evidence, Dizon urged the DOJ and the Ombudsman to expedite the prosecution process. \"We believe these cases have strong evidence, and since all are non-bailable, we hope to see arrests within months, even as proceedings continue in the Sandiganbayan,\" he said. Among those under scrutiny is former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, whose involvement has been discussed in ongoing Senate and House hearings. Dizon clarified that Cabral’s resignation will not exempt her from responsibility, emphasizing, \"We will leave no stone unturned here.\"

DPWH Budget Swells by P289 Billion After Bicameral Conference, Sparks Calls for Transparency

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has confirmed that an additional P289 billion worth of infrastructure projects were incorporated into the 2025 national budget during the bicameral conference committee, rather than by the House of Representatives small committee. Marikina City Representative Miro Quimbo highlighted this discrepancy during a budget briefing, noting that the House originally reduced the DPWH allocation by P73.7 billion—from P898 billion in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to P825 billion in the House General Appropriations Bill (HGAB). The HGAB was later forwarded to the Senate, which passed its own version of the budget. "If the budget is cut here, how can you insert new projects? The House actually slashed the allocation by P73.7 billion, so where did the insertions come from?" Quimbo questioned. Following negotiations in the bicameral conference committee, the DPWH budget surged to P1.13 trillion, representing an increase of nearly P289 billion. DPWH Undersecretary Ador Canlas and Director Alex Bote revealed they were unaware of these adjustments until the final General Appropriations Act (GAA) was published after Senate plenary sessions. Quimbo emphasized that this indicates the significant budget increases, often labeled as "insertions," occurred during the bicameral conference committee rather than in initial House deliberations, contradicting popular assumptions. To address this, Quimbo advocated for a more transparent budgeting process that clearly identifies which lawmakers propose specific projects. He stated, "Let's end the finger-pointing and confusion. If a congressman or senator proposes a project, their name should be attached to it. Just like in the U.S., earmarks must be transparent. Lawmakers must own and defend their insertions publicly." DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon expressed agreement with the call for transparency, highlighting that it aligns with the current administration's efforts to promote accountability. "We fully support Representative Quimbo's recommendations. That is correct, and I believe it is also what the President desires," Dizon said. Quimbo also disclosed that his district will receive P486 million from the DPWH budget, placing it in the lower 20% tier for congressional district allocations. Despite this, he reaffirmed his commitment to advocate for his constituents, saying, "I accept the decision. My responsibility is to fight for Marikina and defend what we receive before my people. Every lawmaker should do the same."

Miguel Tanfelix Embarks on Thrilling Solo Adventure in Peru’s Huacachina

Kapuso star Miguel Tanfelix recently embarked on an exhilarating journey in Peru, capturing his unexpected visit to the desert oasis of Huacachina on social media. In a new Instagram Reel, he detailed his early start at 6 a.m. followed by a four-hour trip that culminated in an afternoon of sandboarding. By 3 p.m., Miguel was already speeding through the dunes in a buggy, showcasing impressive agility as he navigated steep slopes on a sandboard. Reflecting on the experience, he revealed, \"This trip to Huacachina wasn\'t even on the itinerary — turns out to be one of the core memories of this trip.\" He encouraged followers to embrace spontaneity, adding, \"Maybe you\'re just one bus ride away from an adventure... hop on.\" Currently undertaking a solo backpacking expedition across South America, Miguel has previously explored iconic landmarks such as Machu Picchu. Earlier this year, he concluded his role in the television series \"Mga Batang Riles\" and appeared in Zephanie\'s music video \"Kunwari Lang.\" Prior to his South American travels, he also visited Seoul with fellow Kapuso actress Ysabel Ortega. Miguel\'s journey highlights his adventurous spirit and desire to explore new destinations during his well-earned break from the entertainment industry.

FedEx Sweeps Top Honors at HR Excellence Awards 2025

Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), a global leader in express transportation, secured multiple accolades at the HR Excellence Awards 2025, emerging as one of the event's biggest winners. The company took home Gold Awards for both Cross-Generational Workforce Management and Leadership Development. Additionally, FedEx received a Silver Award for Best HR Team (Multinational Companies), demonstrating its dedication to fostering a resilient and inclusive workforce. Competing against 71 leading organizations, FedEx was also a finalist in seven additional categories, reinforcing its reputation for putting employees at the heart of sustainable growth initiatives. The Gold Award for Cross-Generational Workforce Management recognized FedEx's effective strategies in bridging age diversity within its workforce. Through mentorship programs, internal mobility pathways, and targeted leadership training, the company has cultivated an environment where collaboration and innovation thrive across generational lines. FedEx's commitment to inclusivity is reflected in its notable achievements: surpassing the government benchmark of 0.5% for employees with disabilities, attaining 53% female representation in management positions, and recording a 17% year-on-year increase in inclusion metrics. Key initiatives such as the Disability Inclusion Playbook and Sensitivity Training have fostered a workplace culture where every employee feels valued and empowered. The Gold Award for Leadership Development acknowledges FedEx's comprehensive programs designed to develop leaders at all organizational levels. Initiatives like the "Advance into Management" program, immersive cross-functional experiences, and a robust mentoring culture have equipped employees with essential skills and confidence. These efforts have led to a 95% employee engagement score and a 91% inclusion score. Maribeth Espinosa, Managing Director of FedEx Philippines, commented, \"This recognition reaffirms that our people are our greatest asset and the driving force behind our long-term success. It inspires us to continue pushing boundaries in people development and organizational culture. By investing in leadership, inclusion, and workforce agility, we’re not only building a stronger FedEx today — we’re ensuring our team is equipped with the future-ready skills needed to shape what’s next for our business and customers.\" The Silver Award for Best HR Team (Multinational Company) highlights the effectiveness of FedEx's HR professionals in embedding leadership behaviors, championing inclusion, and creating growth opportunities that benefit both individuals and the organization’s sustained performance. For further details on FedEx's initiatives, visit the FedEx Philippines website.