Among the richest people in the Philippines is Ramon S. Ang, more commonly known for his RSA initials. He is the leader of San Miguel Corporation with its subsidiaries Petron, San Miguel Brewery, Magnolia, B-Meg and companies in power generation, packaging, food, beverages, investments and many others. SMC is also involved in the New Manila International Airport being built in Bulacan.

RSA is not your typical low key industrialist who seldom makes headlines because RSA is highly quotable, controversial at times but always straight to the point. His mammoth projects speak volumes about his grand vision and how the Philippines can become much more competitive in the international arena. What really sets RSA apart from fellow rich businessmen is that he consistently delivers the punch line that profit is secondary to service to the community. SMC and RSA have been at the forefront in aid distribution during the pandemic where lots of people lost jobs and opportunities to earn a living. His environmental initiative in cleaning up the Marikina and Pasig Rivers will go a long way in reducing death and destruction due to seasonal floods and improve the quality of the water in the rivers formerly classified as biologically dead.

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte withdrew from her mayoralty re-election race and stated that her brother, Vice Mayor Baste, would run for mayor instead. The twin moves thus set the stage for her candidacy for a national position, theoretically for President, Vice President, senator or party list. Realistically, only the positions of President and Vice President are being considered.

Diehard Duterte senators Bato de la Rosa, running for president and Bong Go, running for vice president are making their slots available for a Sara substitution in the event that she chooses to run under PDP Laban. As the presidential daughter has time and again stated that she will not be joining PDP Laban, then a number of smaller national parties are still there for her. The deadline for substitution is on November 15.

Pro Duterte administration voters (called DDS for Du30 Diehard Supporters) out to reduce ABS CBN Senate numbers

Aside from the historic pandemic problems (health, jobs, livelihood, education) that literally ground the Philippine economy to a snail pace, issues such as the drug war, the insurgency and governance are on top of the list as far as the 2022 electorate is concerned. The controversial ABS CBN free television closure and the Manila Bay white sand beach also divide our people. It is safe to presume that those who are against the present administration would want the return of the Kapamilya network on Channel 2 (whose shows are currently hosted by competitors TV5 and the now renamed Zoe TV aside from being present in cable television, YouTube, websites and other internet platforms.

Once a new Congress is in place in the third quarter of 2022, the process of the ABS CBN franchise renewal would once again start at the House of Representatives. An approved bill at the Lower House is then elevated to the Senate.

Among the incumbent senators, at least 14 have signified that they are in favor of an ABS CBN franchise. Senators Ralph Recto and Franklin Drilon are currently serving their second consecutive Senate terms thus they are prohibited by the Philippine Constitution from running for a third consecutive term, therefore they are not in the running for senator for 2022. Senators Nancy Binay, Sonny Angara and Lito Lapid will be in the Senate up to 2025 (in their six year term). Senators Manny Pacquiao and Panfilo Lacson are running for President. Senators Tito Sotto and Francis Pangilinan are running for Vice President. Senators Migz Zubiri, Sherwin Gatchalian, Dick Gordon, Risa Hontiveros and Joel Villanueva are running for re-election.

Note: Re-electionist Senator Leila De Lima is not in the list but presumed to be for an ABS CBN franchise renewal. Senator Grace Poe, senator till 2025, is pro Kapamilya too.

Pepsi wins worst advertisement award over font choice in AAPE promotion

A co-promotion between Pepsi’s Hong Kong division and Japanese clothing maker A Bathing Ape started out with promise. But the font choice is what derailed the whole project.

Windsor Star

September 24, 2013

In the campaign, a limited edition camo-can, t-shirts, electronics and umbrellas were all emblazoned with the new Pepsi + AAPE branding.

But then they decided to run the slogan in Pepsi’s iconic sloping text. Disaster ensued.

The campaign isn’t a new idea. In fact, it’s a 2012 promotion which was extended into 2013 because of its wild success. Apparently nobody noticed that the A in the Pespi typeface looks remarkably similar to a R, making the whole slogan appear to read Pepsi x Rape.

Once the photo went (predictably) crazy on Reddit, the rest of the Internet was quick to chime in.

We have to wonder how many people saw the mockups of this ad campaign and thought nobody would notice. Well, to their credit, it took a long time for people to put up a fuss about it. The campaign was first launched in Aug. 2012.

Presidential Legal Advisor Salvador Panelo is confident that if Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte changes her mind and runs for president, she will win.

Run Sara Run for President 2022.

Partial DDS choices for senators 2022. Villar Marcoleta Gadon Bello (did not file but may substitute) Panelo Belgica Pinol. Not in photo – Honasan and Robin Padilla