DOE to Develop PH as LNG Hub

The Department of Energy (DOE) today bared plans to develop the domestic natural gas industry, and eventually transform the Philippines as the liquefied natural gas (LNG) trading and trans-shipment hub in the Asia-Pacific Region.

According to Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, the DOE is "already preparing the necessary policies as we approach the depletion of indigenous natural gas supply from Malampaya by 2024.”

“By diversifying our energy mix through LNG, we are ensuring a secure and stable supply of energy. This is a priority,” Cusi pointed out.

The DOE public consultation was held Tuesday (10 October) at its headquarters in BGC, Taguig City to fine-tune the draft Philippine Natural Gas Regulation (PNGR), the policy framework that will guide the development of the natural gas industry in the country.

The DOE presented the draft PNGR in accordance with several key considerations:

1. The expected drop in indigenous natural gas supply coming from Malampaya gas field by 2024.

2. The potential of LNG to cover the increasing mid-merit to peaking demand of the Philippines which is expected to require around 18,500 megawatts (MW) by 2040 based on the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP).

3. The potential of LNG/natural gas-fired power plants in complementing renewables which are poised to increase from 5,000 MW to 15,000 MW by 2035.

4. The potential of LNG to replace diesel-fired power plants in off-grid areas.

5. The expected non-power demand for natural gas from the commercial, industrial, transportation, and even household sectors.

The Philippine Natural Gas Regulation (PNGR) public consultation was attended by interested local and foreign stakeholders Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., Aboitiz Power, CN Energy, Energy Development Corporation, CNOOC, Embassy of Australia, Embassy of Singapore, Embassy of Japan, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Energy World Corporated Ltd., Gas Power Solutions, GE Philippines, Inc., IE Singapore, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, JGC Philippines Inc., JSK Gas Corporation, JSK Holdings, KEPCO Philippines Corporation, Lantau Group, Marubeni Philippines Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments, Mitsui & Co. (Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.), National Power Corporation, Osaka Gas Manila, Pavilion Energy Pte. Ltd., Philippine Petroleum Association of Upstream Industry Inc. (PAP), Sumitomo Corporation of the Philippines, Sembcorp Marine Rigs & Floaters Pte. Ltd., SK E&S, SSB Cryogenic Equipment Pte Ltd., Tokyo Gas Co, Ltd., Total Gas and Power Asia, Vires, PXP Energy Corporation, Shell, Philodrill, Star Power, PHINMA, First Gen Corporation, Blackstone, CleanRock, Basic Energy Corporation, Enerbay, Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation, CGN New Energy Holdings Co. Ltd., Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., SCU, PhiLNG, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, City Enro (BCG), LGU-Pagbilao, Philippine National Oil Company, First Gas, Puno and Peñarroyo Law Offices, International Finance Corporation.

Family Weekend Bonding at the Grolier Fair in Ali Mall

If you’re up for some great family fun this coming weekend, look no further! Kids and parents are in for a world of exciting activities that stimulate learning at the grand launch of the Grolier Carnival Fair at Ali Mall, Araneta Center in Quezon City.

Grolier International Inc. brings a colorful set-up at Ali Mall, which will feature a spacious play area, a reading corner and drawing area, plus a creative challenge corner where kids could unleash their artistic talents.  There are even free balloons for everyone, and a fantastic balloon-twisting show that would surely leave everyone in awe!

Guests would get to be the first ones to meet the Talking English Mascot, who will teach basic dance steps to the tune of various nursery rhymes.  For a minimum single receipt purchase of P 500.00 from Ali Mall food, and retail shops, Grolier will also offer a book and child development program briefing for free.

In-home learning expert Grolier International Inc. is a subsidiary of Scholastic, the world’s largest book publisher and distributor of highly successful children’s books like Harry Potter, Geronimo Stilton and Thea Stilton, and many others. Grolier has been providing high-quality educational and interactive materials for educators and young learners in the Philippines for over 50 years, as well as in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and India.  

The Grolier Fair at Ali Mall is one of their biggest and grandest events to date, intended for children and parents to engage in fun learning activities that would encourage love for reading, and maximizing kids’ learning potentials.  

The Grolier Fair runs from October 13-15, 2017, 10am onwards at the Ali Mall Skywalk, located at the Upper Ground Floor. Entrance is free.

For more information, visit www.aranetacenter.net, or its social media pages @thearanetacenter.   

Tingin ASEAN Film Festival runs at Shang Cineplex from October 11 to 15

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Philippines’ membership to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the country's chairmanship of the ASEAN in 2017, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts will hold the Tingin ASEAN Film Festival (Southeast Asia through the Eyes of Cinema) at the Shang Cineplex, Shangri-la Plaza, Mandaluyong City from October 11 to 15. 

The film festival attempts to draw a composite picture of modern Southeast Asia by bringing together exemplary contemporary films from the ASEAN region. It also aims to hold up a mirror to our many struggles and triumphs as people living in the margins, left of center.

Tingin will screen notable ASEAN films like "A Yellow Bird" (Singapore), "Ilo Ilo" (Singapore), "Golden Slumbers" (Cambodia), "Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria" (Philippines), "Dearest Sister" (Lao PDR) and "Kayan Beauties" (Myanmar), among others. These films each tell a particular story about their origin countries and gathering them in the festival consequently hopes to map out the different facets of the region. 

Some of the directors of these award-winning films, such as K. Rajagopal (Singapore), Remton Siega Zuasola (Philippines), Mattie Do (Lao PDR) and Aung Ko Latt (Myanmar), will be present during the screenings for Q&As with the audience.

The event will also include daily forums on the future of film distribution and an overview of contemporary Southeast Asian cinemas led by Dr. Arminda Santiago, Prof. Patrick Campos and award-winning documentary filmmaker Babyruth Villarama-Gutierrez. 

Admission to the screenings and forums is free and open to the public. The festival begins at 1 p.m. and the last screening starts at 8 p.m. 

Tingin is being organized by the NCCA in cooperation with its partners ASEAN, CulturAid, Shang Cineplex and Shangri-la Plaza. For questions and inquiries, please contact Tingin marketing coordinator Ginny Mata at 0917-5296133 and ginny.mata@gmail.com. Check out the Tingin ASEAN Film Festival Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TinginASEANFilmFest) for the complete schedule and more information.