speaking outBy Ignacio R. Bunye “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” —Psalm 127:3 In line with Kiwanis International’s first object — to give primacy to the spiritual rather than the material values of life — the Kiwanis Club of Muntinlupa Rizal (KCMR)’s “Better to Best” year commenced with a heartfelt …
Speaking Out
Alarming rise in cellphone snatching: A global concern
By Ignacio R. Bunye The issue of cellphone snatching has become a pressing global concern. This realization hit home during a recent BPI Direct BanKo board meeting when Director John-C Syquia joined us from London via Zoom. Our pre-board small talk touched on the latest happenings in the British capital, including the alarming surge in …
From Madrid to Manila: Zóbel’s timeless journey
By Ignacio R. Bunye The Ayala Museum in Manila has become the latest stage for the celebrated exhibition, Zóbel: The Future of the Past. Following its successful run at the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, where it drew an impressive 80,000 visitors in 2022, the exhibition has now made its Asian debut. This event …
Empowering SMEs
By Ignacio R. Bunye In a world where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) often struggle to find their footing, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has once again stepped up to the plate with its Ka-Negosyo Festival. Now in its third year, this initiative is more than just a series of events; it’s a lifeline …
Green revolution in waste management
By Ignacio R. Bunye In a groundbreaking move towards sustainability, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC), the hospitality arm of the SM Group, has unveiled an innovative technology that transforms food waste into filtered wastewater within 24 hours. This cutting-edge solution, known as the Organic Refuse Conversion Alternative (ORCA) biodigester, is currently operational at Taal …
A vision for the future
By Ignacio R. Bunye The future may seem uncertain, especially with the potential risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI). However, this does not mean we cannot harness AI to work for us and reap its potential rewards. Many innovative solutions that can transform our society are within our grasp. Karl Kendrick Chua, managing director for …
Escalating tensions in the South China Sea
By Ignacio Bunye The June 14, 2024 Communiqué from the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Apulia, Italy, has once again brought attention to the escalating tensions in the South China Sea. As the world’s leading industrialized democracies, the G7 leaders expressed serious concern about China’s behavior in the region, particularly its “dangerous use of coast …
Sustainable finance
By Ignacio Bunye Ayala Corporation, through its subsidiaries Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), has recently made notable advancements in the capital market by issuing green bonds. On August 9, BPI successfully raised an impressive P33.7 billion from its initial P5 billion offering of peso-denominated fixed-rate Sustainable, Environmental and …
BSP rate cut a little bit less likely?
By Ignacio R. Bunye The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is facing a critical decision on whether to cut interest rates at its upcoming meeting on August 15. With inflation breaching the two to four percent target band in July, BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. has indicated that a rate cut is now “a little …
Addressing persistent flooding in Metro Manila
By Ignacio Bunye The persistent flooding in Metro Manila, exacerbated by Typhoon “Carina,” has brought to light a critical oversight: Our flood-control strategies are simply not working. It’s time we confront this harsh reality head-on. The urgency for long-term disaster prevention and mitigation cannot be overstated; yet it seems we’re dragging our feet. And when billions …