Coronavirus Lockdown: Cebu Air Pays Dividends, Homegrown Firm Plots, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

FOr the first time since the pandemic Cebu Air has paid dividends on preferred shares. 

https://business.inquirer.net/539951/1st-time-since-pandemic-cebu-air-pays-dividends-for-preferred-shares

For the first time since the COVID-19 lockdowns that wreaked havoc on the global economy for years, Gokongwei-led Cebu Air will resume paying dividends to holders of its preferred shares.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday, the operator of budget carrier Cebu Pacific said its board had approved the declaration of dividends amounting to P9.12 per share for all Cebu Air convertible preferred (CEBCP) shareholders on record as of Sept. 5 this year.

The dividends will be payable on Oct. 1 this year.

“The dividend per share amount covers four years of cumulative preferred dividends for outstanding CEBCP shares, covering the period from the date of issuance of 29 March 2021,” the airline said.

The dividends will be sourced from the unrestricted retained earnings of Cebu Air as of June 30, the disclosure added.

The last time that Cebu Air had paid dividends was in 2019, signaling postpandemic normalization.

Cebu Air ended the first half with net income of P8.97 billion, surging by 153 percent. 

That is great news and it covers four years worth of shares! That could mean a lot of money to some people.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Clarissa Singh-Vergeire who over saw the pandemic was unceremoniously removed from her position after her time expired. People are upset and wondering what happened.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/08/06/2463522/why-was-doh-exec-vergeire-removed-health-advocates-seek-answers

More than 50 health and medical organizations are left questioning the quiet mid-July removal of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Clarissa Singh-Vergeire, who was replaced without recognition of her service. Malacañang simply said her term had “expired, effective immediately." 

In a statement on Monday, August 4, the Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 (HPAAC) commended Singh-Vergeire for her “unwavering science-based leadership” during the pandemic. 

"Her calm and credible presence helped guide Filipinos through uncertainty, and her consistent engagement with the healthcare community earned her deep respect across sectors," the alliance said.

As the Department of Health spokesperson during the COVID-19 pandemic, she became a vital source of information for millions of Filipinos seeking answers in a time of crisis.

Health advocates also called Singh-Vergeire a "trusted partner" who had been open to dialogue and committed to implementing the Universal Health Care.

She later went on to serve as the DOH's officer-in-charge until Teodoro Herbosa was named Health Secretary. Even then, some had already questioned why she was not appointed to the post permanently, despite serving the agency for nearly two decades.

"She was not only the face of the pandemic response, but also a model for integrity & good governance in public service," HPAAC said. 

Given her track record, Singh-Vergeire’s sudden removal has become more puzzling and concerning in the country's healthcare industry.

Yet DOH officials, including Herbosa, have avoided providing details, invoking the “personal nature” of the leave and passing the responsibility of explanation onto Singh-Vergeire herself.

"We are therefore deeply concerned over her recent removal, along with other career DOH officials, who have demonstrated competence and dedication," the HPAAC said. 

Tony Leachon, a health advocate and former DOH special adviser, believes the recent leadership shifts reflect “a troubling tension between technical competence and political expediency.”

"To dismiss her without clear communication from Malacañang, and without the courtesy of a formal citation or recognition from the DOH, is both unjust and demoralizing," he added. 

Singh-Vergeire was replaced by Randy Bacolor Escolango, a lawyer and former undersecretary at the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. 

He also served as an undersecretary at the Department of Labor and Employment sometime between the Duterte and Marcos administrations. 

The alliance, while refraining from naming names, warned that appointing individuals lacking a solid background in public health not only "undermines institutional stability" but also risks damaging morale among health workers and losing public trust.

"While we respect the presidential prerogative to appoint officials, we urge our President to uphold the principles of meritocracy and civil service integrity," the HPAAC said. 

"Political transitions must not come at the cost of technical excellence or institutional memory — especially at a time when the country continues to face urgent health challenges, including the recent calamities affecting our communities," it added.

Health advocates appealed to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to "protect and strengthen the foundations of professional, non-partisan governance." 

The joint statement bore the signatures of 56 medical and health organizations — from the Philippine Medical Association (PMAA) to groups representing practitioners in cardiology, neurology, psychiatry and other fields.

Senior career officials Kenneth Ronquillo and Achilles Gerard Bravo, both former  DOH undersecretaries, were also reportedly removed from the agency’s executive committee.

Malacañang says her time expired and DOH officials say her leave is of a personal nature.  Which is it? Perhaps she will return.

The Philippine Space Agency is set to launch an earth observation satellite.  The pandemic put a stop to its development. 

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2025/8/8/ph-space-agency-to-launch-earth-observation-satellite-mula-1745

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is preparing to launch the country’s most advanced Earth observation satellite yet, MULA or Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment, by mid-2026, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s space journey and technological self-reliance.

Slated for launch between June and August 2026, MULA is not just another satellite; it is operational, powerful, and deeply rooted in what the Philippines needs, the agency said.

Unlike earlier academic satellites such as Diwata and Maya cube satellites, MULA is purpose-built for direct applications in agriculture, disaster response, environmental monitoring, and national development.

“Mula sa kanyang pangalan, ang mission nito ay tingnan iyong kalupaan ng Pilipinas, pati iyong ating mga karagatan,” explained Dr. Izrael Zenar Bautista, MULA Project Manager.

“Sapagkat kailangan natin iyong mga impormasyon na iyon para sa ating agriculture, para sa ating security. So magpi-picture siya sa Pilipinas sa bawat pagdaan niya at ipapasa natin iyong mga satellite images na ito sa ating mga iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno,” he added.

The MULA project was launched in 2020 under PhilSA’s Advanced Satellite Program (ASP), just a year after the agency was created through the Philippine Space Act of 2019. While the COVID-19 pandemic delayed development, Filipino engineers resumed the satellite build in 2023 in partnership with experts abroa.

“Noong 2021, may ilang engineers tayo na nagpunta sa UK para simulan iyong MULA satellite. Dahil syempre dahil sa pandemya, medyo naputol iyong pag-develop natin at naituloy ito noong 2023,” Bautista recalled.

Now in its testing phase, MULA is expected to undergo a test readiness review from late 2025 until early 2026. Upon passing environmental simulations and technical evaluations, it will be sent to its designated launch provider.

Well, now everything is back on schedule.

Apparently Filipino households are still pandemic scarred and that is holding back economic growth. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/08/11/pandemic-scarred-households-weak-consumption-drags-philippine-growtheiu

Tempered household consumption, still reeling from the pandemic-induced recession, is weighing on the Philippine growth outlook, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

With private consumption—which accounts for more than 70 percent of the local economy—showing “weak momentum,” EIU Asia analyst Kalyani Honrao and Asia-Pacific regional director Alex Holmes lowered their 2025 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the Philippines to below six percent from 6.4 percent previously. The government targets 5.5- to 6.5-percent growth this year.

“While we had expected accelerating private consumption to override headwinds from elsewhere, consumers’ reluctance to spend has led us to revise our view,” they said in an Aug. 7 report, a copy of which was obtained by Manila Bulletin.

While EIU noted that real GDP growth quickened to 5.5 percent year-on-year in the second quarter, this expansion was “below our expectation for a stronger pick-up, with the main engine of the economy—consumption—failing to gain much traction.”

“EIU’s cautiously optimistic view that the Philippines will be a bright spot this year amid global trade tensions is now fading,” the report read.

EIU explained that second-quarter growth was underwhelming, falling short of expectations despite several supportive factors—including a prolonged decline in inflation and interest rates, along with a recent boost in government spending—all of which were expected to accelerate real disposable income and drive a stronger rebound.

According to EIU, the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic—at the height of which, in 2020, wrought the Philippines’ worst post-war recession—have left households with higher debt and lower savings, leading many to prioritize saving over spending despite rising disposable incomes.

“The shadow of the pandemic appears to have been longer than we thought,” EIU said.

Even now, “the indicated proportion of households putting money aside jumped back to levels not seen since before the pandemic,” it added.

Citing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data, EIU pointed out that consumer credit demand has also slowed to its weakest pace since 2021, as households focus on deleveraging and reducing reliance on short-term borrowing.

As such, EIU also lowered its expectations for how much rising income will drive spending, as households continue to prioritize repairing their balance sheets.

Also, EIU said government consumption is expected to ease further following pre-election spending ahead of the May 2025 midterm polls, “as some subsequent fiscal moderation will be required to keep the budget deficit for the year in check.”

EIU expects public investment to recover slightly after a weak second quarter driven by soft construction activity, while the trade outlook remains uncertain amid global headwinds.

“Despite strong merchandise trade, export growth disappointed because of continued weakness in service exports. Tourism remains stuck in a rut, with foreign arrivals only just above 60 percent of their 2019 levels and Chinese visitors still almost entirely shying away,” it said.

“The boost from goods exports will probably fade, as support from global trade front-loading quickly peters out,” EIU added.

Philippine goods exports climbed 13.2 percent year-on-year to a record $41.24 billion in the first six months of 2025, as exporters front-loaded shipments ahead of the 19-percent tariff to be imposed by the United States (US), the country’s top export market.

In the month of June alone, sales of Philippine-made products overseas jumped by a faster 26.1 percent year-on-year to $7.02 billion.

The first-half performance came despite the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordinating Committee’s (DBCC) pessimistic expectations back in June, projecting merchandise exports to decline by two percent in 2025 “largely due to slower global demand and heightened trade policy uncertainties.”

This seems to contradict other reports especially about revenge spending on luxuries and travel among other goods. What data can we really trust?

The group behind the Philippine brand Penshoppe is pushing for a global retail comeback post-pandemic. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/homegrown-firm-plots-global-retail-comeback

GOLDEN ABC, the Cebu-born fashion powerhouse behind household names like Penshoppe, is setting the stage for its next growth chapter with a renewed focus on global expansion and brand building, all while staying rooted in Filipino design and manufacturing.

As the company approaches Penshoppe’s 40th anniversary in 2026, Golden ABC is ramping up efforts to bring its flagship and emerging brands to international markets, particularly in the Asean, Africa and South America. The move marks a post-pandemic rebound from earlier overseas store closures and signals its ambition to solidify its vision of “building brands for the world.”

“Our goal is still to build brands for the world,” said Bryan Liu, vice president for Strategy and Operations at Golden ABC. “While the Covid-19 pandemic forced us to scale back and focus locally, the intent to go global has never changed. We are now exploring opportunities in high-potential markets with similar demographics to the Philippines — young, dynamic and developing — such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil and even parts of Africa.”

Besides Penshoppe, Golden ABC also owns Oxygen, Regatta, Memo, ForMe and Bocu. The company is founded by Cebuano entrepreneur Bernie Liu. 

Bryan said the company’s expansion blueprint will largely depend on the market. He stressed the importance of readiness and local market understanding over simply launching stores for visibility.

“We have offers on the table now to open internationally, but our focus is not just on entering markets. It’s about staying in them. We want to be sure we can serve those markets well and sustainably,” said Bryan.

At the forefront of this expansion push is Penshoppe, Golden ABC’s flagship brand, which is gearing up for its milestone 40th anniversary next year. With over 500 stores nationwide and a growing online presence, the brand is doubling down on customer relevance through product innovation, youth-centric campaigns and digital expansion.

Brandon Liu, the newly appointed vice president for Penshoppe, said the brand’s strategic direction will focus on exploring new product categories, evolving store formats and deepening its presence in e-commerce platforms from its own website to TikTok Shop and beyond.

“Penshoppe has always been about staying relevant to the youth. As Gen Z continues to dominate and Gen Alpha emerges, our job is to meet them where they are, whether that’s online, in-store, or through new experiences,” he said.

Penshoppe’s in-house design team, all Filipinos, continues to take inspiration from global fashion trends but filters them through a uniquely local lens.

“We don’t just copy trends. We adapt them to our market from sizing to wearability, ensuring products remain accessible and relevant to Filipino consumers,” Brandon added.

Despite its global aspirations, Golden ABC remains committed to Philippine manufacturing. While select high-volume items are outsourced to partners in China and Vietnam, the majority of its production remains based in Luzon.

“We don’t own factories anymore, but most of our production partners are local,” Bryan said. “This allows us to stay agile when our designers spot a new trend, we can quickly turn it into a product.”

The company sees this “nearshoring” strategy as a competitive advantage, allowing it to balance speed, quality and cost while retaining full control over brand experience and product standards.

In recent years, the group has also prioritized improving pro-duct quality to fight “fast fashion fatigue” and create more lasting value for customers. This back-end focus is now paying off.

“It may not be as flashy as an endorser, but the work we’ve done on quality has been significant. Today’s Penshoppe pieces are designed to last, not just trend for a few weeks,” Brandon said.

Golden ABC also remains open to acquiring local brands and entering strategic partnerships, building on its earlier acquisition of Regatta, which it scaled into a national label. While no active deals have been disclosed, the company is in talks with other founders and next-gen entrepreneurs in Manila and beyond.

“We’re always looking out for the next opportunity, the next Regatta,” Bryan said. “Today, it’s not always about owning everything. We’re open to cooperation and collaboration where it makes sense.”

While initial public offering talks are common for growing brands, Golden ABC remains cautious, saying any decision must align with purpose and long-term strategy.

“An IPO needs to serve a clear purpose. If going public helps us better serve our customers or accelerate our growth, we will consider it. But for now, it’s not on top of our agenda,” Bryan said.

With a portfolio grounded in Filipino creativity, a growing global mindset and third-generation leaders at the helm, brothers Bryan and Brandon are steering Golden ABC to grow not just in scale, but in impact both in the Philippines and on the global stage. 

This is another Filipino success story especially post-pandemic. And it all depends on the economy and whether or not people can spend money on expensive brands.

A Philippine brewing company has also weathered the pandemic. 

https://tribune.net.ph/2025/08/05/first-filipina-brew-master-from-palawan-a-continuing-legacy

Like Julia Child and any passionate cook and foodie, heart and passion have been the “secret” ingredients of Palaweño Brewery, touted as the first craft beer brewery in Palawan, the first Philippine craft beer in the US, and a company founded by what is believed to be the first female craft beer brewers in the Philippines.

But how can one continue brewing something with heart and passion when one’s heart is in pain?

That was the dilemma of the brewery after its female founder, Ayah Javier, died during the pandemic.

“Our master brewer passed away. Her mom passed away… So I asked Malu (Lauengco, co-founder) after we went through this, do you want to continue? Because your heart might not be in it and as we know, all these products require heart require passion,” a representative of the brewery shared at a MaArte Fair gathering in Makati City.

Malu’s answer is obvious as, after that major setback, the brewery is back on its feet to continue Ayah’s legacy. Their brewery will be among the over 160 artisans that will be participating at the fair from 7 to 10 August in The Peninsula Manila in Makati City.

Javier’s brainchild, the brewery was founded in Ayah in Palawan after coming home from San Diego, California, the so-called birthplace of craft breweries in the United States, and where she lived and started to fall in love with craft beers. Armed with only a home brewer’s kit she took home from California, Ayah brought in Malu to start their own brewery from their modest kitchen.

They then began throwing “Ayahay Night” parties for friends to try their new brews. “Ayahay” means “relaxed” in Palawan. Soon, the concoctions became a hit among locals and tourists alike. Prior to the pandemic, the brand has also reached the US East Coast, making them arguably the first Philippine craft beer in America. Their “tiny” brand, said the representative, has also been featured by international press, including CNN and The Guardian.

Apart from offering what they claim as the Philippines’ first microbrewery tour, Palaweño Brewery takes pride in what it calls “pure Filipino beers.”

“San Miguel is based on a Spanish recipe; there are a lot of German beers. But (our beer) is a pure Filipino beer,” the representative declared.

Besides using yeast that is cultivated and identified in Palawan, the brewery uses only indigenous honey sourced and with permission from Palawan tribes.

“As much as possible, we try to use natural ingredients in beers,” he said, adding that they even had to hike to reach far-flung tribes to ask permission to cultivate honey from the tribes’ flowers. 

The brewery might have lost Ayah, but her legacy goes on through her son, Noah, who is not only a “world-class” graphic artist, but is also a brew master. 

“The key to our beer is to support women Filipino entrepreneurs. We’re going to donate a large portion of the (fair) sale to that,” the brewery’s representative avowed.

So, the brewer passed away during the pandemic but the company has continued. It's one more Filipino success story but this one is different as it features a Filipina brewer which is a first.