8:14 p.m. February 14, 2025

HARBIN, China – The Philippines saved the best for last in the last day of the ninth Asian Winter Games on Friday morning just a few hours before the closing ceremony as the country’s top men’s curling team gave the Filipinos their first ever gold medal in the winter games. 

Skipper Marc Pfister along with brother second Enrico Pfister, vice skipper Christian Haller, lead Alan Frei showed nerves of steel in the last seventh and eighth ends to outplay erstwhile unbeaten South Korea, 5-3, in the final to bag the historic gold medal here at the Pingfang Curling Arena.  

“Gold medal for Team Philippines, and we expected ourselves to win. It is a great game, and we never doubt ourselves,” the 35-year-old Filipino-Swiss Pfister, who played the sport curling for 26 years, said. “It’s not just only a medal, bronze or silver, but a gold.”

Inspired by her 16-week pregnant wife Jessica Pfister that served as the team men’s coach, Marc also said that he was motivated and inspired by her upcoming first born baby and wife for joining him in their journey in the Asian winter games.

The Philippine men’s curling team formed by Curling Pilipinas President Benjo Delarmente and Secretary-General Jarryd Bello started the match really well by taking a 3-1 cushion although the World’s No. 7 South Korea mounted a comeback to tie the match to 3-3 after the sixth end. 

Despite South Korea’s threatening comeback, the No. 51 Filipinos stayed calm and composed to claim the last two ends with one point each, then becoming the first ever country in Southeast Asia to win a gold in the winter games just a few days after Thailand settled for the first winter bronze medal. 

The Filipinos are now the best performing Southeast Asian nations in the 34-country winter games.

“We are so proud of this milestone, and I would like to thank our fellow Southeast Asian nations as well for congratulating us –Filipinos – for winning the first ever gold of Southeast Asia in the winter games,” Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said. 

“Two days ago, Thailand won Southeast Asia’s first ever medal – bronze – through one of their alpine skiers,” Tolentino said, referring to Thai-French Paul Henri Vieuxtemps who bagged the men’s freeski slopestyle bronze medal in Yabuli, 229 kilometers away to Harbin City, last Tuesday.      

After finishing the round robin with a 4-1 win-loss slate for a qualification spot, the Filipinos blasted No. 10 Japan in the qualification phase, 10-4, on Thursday morning before narrowly beating host No. 17 China, 7-6, in the evening’s semifinal.   

The only loss of the Filipinos came from South Korea, 1-6, during round robin last Saturday. 

The Philippines sent a total of 19 athletes in the Asian Winter Games that competed in five sporting disciplines – alpine skiing, curling, figure skating, short track speed skating and freestyle skiing. 

And none of them made it to the podium except for the men’s curling team in the last day of the competition after surprisingly and historically capturing the gold medal in China’s coldest northernmost Heilongjiang province.  

The curling mixed doubles team of Marc Pfister and Kathleen Dubberstein was just good enough for fourth place last Saturday, while the women’s curling team didn’t qualify for the qualification spot. 

Short track speed skater Peter Groseclose didn’t qualify for the semifinal of all his events – 500 meters, 1,500m and 1000m, while women’s figure skaters Sofia Frank and Cathryn Limketkai finished 12^th and ninth, respectively, while Paolo Borromeo ranked 10^th in the men’s figure skating. 

The pair of Isabella Gamez and Aleksander Korovin placed fourth overall, Alpine skier Tallulah Proulx ended 16^th in the women’s slalom contest, Francis Ceccarelli was disqualified in the men’s slalom after a wrong turn, and 15-year-old Laetaz Amihan Rabe placed sixth and last in her two events – women’s freeski slopestyle and freeski big air events. 

8:08 p.m. February 13, 2025

Valentine’s Day is here, and the pressure to create a memorable experience for your loved one – or even your friends or family members – can be intense. There’s no need to worry, though, as Google Gemini is ready to help you navigate the sea of roses and chocolates and craft a truly special and unforgettable celebration.

With these five handy and reliable prompts, you can tap into Gemini’s power to plan a wonderful Valentine’s Day this year.

1.  Prompt: “Suggest unique date ideas for Valentine’s Day in [your city/region].”

Ditch the crowded restaurants and predictable movie nights. Gemini can be your personal concierge, unearthing hidden gems and unique experiences in your area. Whether it’s a cozy speakeasy, a scenic hiking trail, a pottery class, or a quirky museum, Gemini can provide a list of options you might never have considered. A bonus tip: refine your search further by adding specific interests, like “romantic picnic spots” or “live music venues,” to tailor the suggestions to your partner’s tastes. This prompt is perfect for sparking creativity and ensuring a truly memorable date.

2. Prompt: “Help me brainstorm personalized Valentine’s Day gift ideas for my partner, who is a [description].”

Generic gifts can feel impersonal.  Let Gemini help you create a gift that speaks volumes.  Instead of just asking for any broad gift idea, provide details about your partner’s personality, hobbies, and favorite things.  For example, “My partner loves reading, hiking, and trying new food.  Help me brainstorm personalized Valentine’s Day gift ideas for her.”  Gemini can then generate a range of thoughtful suggestions, from custom-made bookends to a curated foodie basket, ensuring your gift is as unique and special as your relationship.

3. Prompt: “Give me ideas for creating a romantic ambiance at home for Valentine’s Day.”

Don’t have that much budget this year? Not to worry – sometimes, the most romantic setting is the comfort of your own home. Gemini can help you transform your space into a love nest. Ask it for ideas on décor, lighting, music, and even recipes for a delicious and intimate dinner.  For instance, “Give me ideas for creating a romantic ambiance at home for Valentine’s Day, including decorations, music playlists, and a simple but elegant dinner menu.” Gemini can pull up suggestions for everything you need to create the magical love vibe at home, from scented candles and soft lighting to curated playlists and easy-to-follow recipes.

4. Prompt: “Help me write a heartfelt Valentine’s Day message for my [partner/loved one].”

Words can be powerful, but for many of us, they may be hard to find. No matter who you want to make feel special on the 14th, Gemini can help you express your love and appreciation with a personalized Valentine’s Day message. Provide some context about your relationship and what you want to convey, such as, “Help me write a heartfelt Valentine’s Day message for my wife, thanking her for her support and expressing my love for her.”  Gemini can then craft a message that captures your feelings and makes your partner feel truly cherished. And a bonus tip: don’t forget to edit Gemini’s message further to make it truly sound like you.

5. Prompt: “Create a Valentine’s Day itinerary for [date] including [activities/locations].”

Once you’ve decided on the activities, Gemini can help you organize the logistics. You can definitely ask it to create a detailed itinerary, including timings, addresses, and even travel directions.  For example, “Create a Valentine’s Day itinerary for February 14th, including a visit to the botanical gardens, a romantic dinner at [restaurant name], and a stargazing session at [location/area].”  Gemini can help you map out the perfect day, ensuring everything runs smoothly and you can focus on enjoying the special occasion with your loved one.

BONUS: “Suggest some ideas for a self-care date I can enjoy on Valentine’s Day. I’m looking for something relaxing and indulgent that I can do to show myself some love.”

If you’re single, you can still have fun on Valentine’s Day! Self-love is one of the most important kinds of love you can give, and if you want to treat yourself, Gemini can give you different ideas you can do. With Gemini’s suggestions, you definitely don’t need a partner to avoid boredom on the day of hearts.

By using these prompts, you can tap into Gemini’s capabilities to plan a Valentine’s Day that is not only romantic and memorable, but also perfectly tailored to your relationship, friendship, or even yourself. 

Start planning now and celebrate love in style by trying Gemini today.

2:36 p.m. February 13, 2025

SCG maintains a strong 2024 EBITDA and positions itself for regional growth in 2025.

SCG, a leading conglomerate in Southeast Asia, demonstrated resilience in 2024, effectively managing its EBITDA at 87,917 million PHP (US$1,528 million), matching its 2023 performance.

As Thammasak Sethaudom, President and CEO of SCG, highlighted, this achievement came amid a complex economic landscape marked by a slowdown in the petrochemical cycle, geopolitical tensions, volatile energy costs, and high interest rates. Despite these headwinds, SCG maintained financial stability and delivered consistent shareholder returns.

Thammasak Sethaudom, President and CEO of SCG

A key factor in SCG’s success was its proactive implementation of reinforcement measures initiated in late 2024. These measures focused on three core areas: working capital management, operational restructuring, and controlled capital expenditure. These efforts yielded significant results, including a reduction in working capital of approximately 10,613 million PHP (US$183 million) year-on-year, streamlining operations through discontinuing unprofitable ventures, and focusing on high-return, rapid-payback projects. Consequently, net debt decreased by 28,718 million PHP (US$494 million) from the previous quarter, resulting in a healthy net debt-to-equity ratio of 0.7 times. SCG ended the year with robust cash reserves of 91,289 million PHP (US$1,570 million).

Looking ahead, SCG is well-positioned to capitalize on the projected economic recovery in ASEAN. The region, particularly Indonesia and Vietnam, is expected to experience GDP growth exceeding the global average, fueled by strong domestic demand, government stimulus, and increasing foreign investment. This positive outlook bodes well for SCG’s construction materials businesses. SCG Distribution & Retail, for instance, is accelerating the expansion of its Mitra 10 modern trade format in Indonesia. It aims to reach 100 branches by 2030, having already achieved 56 branches serving over one million customers monthly in 2024. SCGP (SCG Packaging) is also poised to benefit from rising ASEAN consumption and the increasing demand for packaging paper.

While SCG’s overall performance remained strong, its chemicals business (SCGC) faced challenges in 2024. The regional petrochemical industry experienced intensified competition due to new production capacity and weakened demand stemming from China’s economic slowdown. SCGC responded by prioritizing the development of High-Value Added Products & Services (HVA) and diligently managing EBITDA, costs, and working capital to maintain competitiveness. With signs of stabilization in the petrochemical cycle and anticipated declines in oil prices in 2025, SCGC is focused on further enhancing EBITDA and cost management efficiency. Notably, SCGC has accelerated its Long Son Petrochemicals (LSP) project in Vietnam by increasing the use of ethane gas feedstock, securing a long-term supply agreement, and chartering ethane shipping vessels to enhance long-term competitiveness.

SCG is also actively pursuing growth in new export markets, including North America and Australia. SCG Cement & Green Solutions is ramping up exports of Low Carbon Cement, targeting approximately one million tons this year. SCG Decor is experiencing success with its high-strength X-PORCELAIN tiles exports and aims to double export growth in 2024. SCGP is similarly expanding exports of polymer packaging, food service packaging, and printing and writing paper.

Furthermore, SCG is investing in smart living solutions and clean energy. SCG Smart Living is broadening its portfolio to include air quality products and solar solutions under the ONNEX brand while introducing more affordable product lines. SCG Cleanergy is expanding its solar power generation and distribution capacity, aiming for 3,500 MW by 2030.

In 2024, SCG reported Revenue from Sales of 833,070 million PHP (US$14,483 million), a 2% increase year-on-year, driven by higher sales volumes from SCGC and SCGP. However, profit for the year declined by 76% to 10,336 million PHP (US$180 million) due to the performance of the LSP project and lower contributions from associate companies. Excluding extraordinary items from 2023, profit declined by 52%. Fourth-quarter 2024 Revenue from Sales increased by 2% from the previous quarter, but the company reported a loss of 834 million PHP (US$15 million) due primarily to LSP performance and entire depreciation expenses.

SCG’s ASEAN operations (excluding Thailand) generated Revenue from Sales of 223,378 million PHP (US$3,883 million) in 2024, a 12% increase year over year and contributing 27% to SCG’s total revenue. In the Philippines, Revenue from Sales reached 19,356 million PHP (US$337 million), a significant 45% increase driven by SCGP.

Meanwhile, SCG Philippines is committed to sustainable development. This quarter, the company introduced the lightweight Q-con block, an eco-friendly building material from Thailand, to the Philippine market, a collaboration with key contractors like EEI that underscores its focus on Inclusive Green Growth. SCG showcased a diverse range of sustainable building solutions at NATCON-CONEX 2024, including Smart Block, Smart Putty, and Façade, reflecting its dedication to providing high-quality, environmentally friendly products. 

Meanwhile, SCG Philippines expanded its retail presence with the opening of four new CTM stores, offering affordable ceramic tiles and sanitary ware. Furthermore, the SCG Open House 2024 provided a platform for industry professionals to explore its latest innovations and foster collaboration within the construction and home improvement sectors.

The company also partnered with Urban Farmers PH on urban farming initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to ESG principles and Inclusive Green Growth. 

“SCG continues to adapt and expand into new markets. We are confident that in 2025, we will sustain strong EBITDA management while ensuring continuous commitment to shareholder care,” Thammasak concluded.