Briefs: Power supply-demand dynamics

Energy Power Industry Management Bureau (EPIMB) assistant director Irma Exconde (in photo) discussed the power supply and demand situation in Luzon during a business forum held at the Light Industry & Science Park (LISP I). Exconde presented the existing power supply situation in the Philippines, Luzon and Region IV-A, including current and future demand, as well as government mitigation programs for outages and deratings and future power development plans. Organized by the Laguna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the Philippine Industrial Estate Association and the CALABARZON Regional Development Council, the forum also featured Department of Science and Technology undersecretary Dr. Renato Solidum Jr. who talked about emergency preparedness and updates on earthquakes. The event drew participants from locators of LISP I, II, III and other industrial parks, representatives from LGU, and other government agencies (inset).

Spice Connection at The Ritz-Carlton, Bali

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali is thrilled to announce three exclusive gourmet events as high points of a month-long culinary odyssey, ‘Spice Connection with Petty Elliot.’ A delightful alfresco Summer Lunch will take place on the 20th November, while an inspirational Garden to Table cooking class will happen on 21st November, followed by a 5-course ‘Taste of the Archipelago’ wine pairing dinner.

The ‘Spice Connection’ food festival, hosted at Bejana Indonesian restaurant at this beachfront resort, celebrates the legendary cuisine from the archipelago, highlighting scintillating regional flavors of the vast island nation with a series of bespoke a la carte menus and themed buffets throughout November. All events feature famous food writer, author and guest chef, Petty Elliot, collaborating with The Ritz-Carlton, Bali Director of Culinary Raymond Siek. Petty Elliot is the author of Papaya Flower which focuses on cuisine of her native north Sulawesi, and Jakarta Bites.

The highly-anticipated Summer Lunch event will feature a fresh outdoor dining setting within the flourishing Chef’s Garden at the resort. Guests are invited to join Petty and Raymond to learn the story behind the spices while indulging in an enticing gourmet menu of the freshest Ikan Gohu — tuna ceviche from Maluku, Nasi Uduk — an aromatic dish from Jakarta featuring coconut rice with roasted chicken and spicy beef stew, and Klaapertaart from Manado — a delicately-flavored young coconut vanilla custard tart.

The inspiring Garden to Table cooking demonstration will take place in the atmospheric Culinary Cave, and give guests the opportunity to learn about the richness of spices used in every day cooking in Indonesia. On the menu, Ikan Gohu — tuna ceviche, Pasta Udang Woku — prawn spaghetti and Charred Pineapple with palm sugar sauce and coconut ice cream.

The elaborate 5-course Wine Dinner also takes place in the Culinary Cave, located within the award-winning Bejana Restaurant. Over the course of this memorable evening, Indonesian delicacies will be paired with a selection of premium Gold and Grey labels from Australia’s esteemed Wolfblass Winery. Highlights will include a tantalizing Archipelago Ceviche, 3 styles, a sensational Barramundi, with green chillies, young cloves and nutmeg leaves, and a mouth-watering dessert of Tart Nenas — pineapple tartlet with chocolate truffle, nutmeg and lime soil.

Speaking about the series of events that take place at the resort during the ‘Spice Connection,’ The Ritz-Carlton, Bali, General Manager Karim Tayach, explains that, “Arab and Indian traders first sailed to the Spice islands of Indonesia, returning with ships laden with nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and black pepper. Later the Portuguese and Dutch came, similarly lured by these intoxicating spices. These days aromatic Indonesian spices form the basis of countless recipes and cuisines across the world, keeping the spice connection alive. We are thrilled to celebrate this wonderful legacy during our food festival with the esteemed Petty Elliot and look forward to hosting guests at these carefully curated culinary events which promise to be rich in flavor and in stories.”

Private island opens for corporate leasing

The booming online and offshore business sector will find a new home as award-winning private isle Arena Island announced opening its shores for short- to long-term lease to businesses.

Named Best Luxury Private Island Resort in 2017 and 2018 by the World Luxury Hotel Awards, Arena Island offers modern luxury amid a rustic environment conducive for peace and solitude required of certain professions.

Nestled in Narra, a coastal municipality of Palawan, Arena Island sits on a thriving coral reef, home to a diverse marine life and resources. It is a turtle sanctuary that protects natural-born hatchlings from predators and human traders. Arena Island is surrounded by white sand beach and pristine waters best for relaxation or mindful work.

“The idea of a modern workplace is quickly changing and there’s a demand for better work environments responsive to current needs. By design, Arena Island is ideal for activities that require a clear headspace or induce it, whichever you need. That’s why we think it will be a perfect off-site digital corporate center, creative island for app development and programming, as well as a digital marketing and gaming hub,” said Luis Morales, Managing Partner at Arena Island Turtle Sanctuary Resort.

Arena Island offers various packages depending on a company’s requirements. The most cost-efficient is a 20-year contract for total management business operation. Short-term lessees may also rent the island to themselves on exclusive weekday and weekend rates.

Local government officials and technical staff of local government units (LGU) based in Luzon were briefed on their respective roles in implementing Republic Act 11285, or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) Law.

The Department of Energy (DoE) led the briefing with the support of the European Union (EU), through their Access to Sustainable Energy Program (ASEP), and the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) during the “LGU Forum on Opportunities for Energy Efficiency Projects” held at the ADB from 11 to 12 November 2019.

“The energy family appreciates the continued support of our development partners as we seek to firmly establish energy efficiency and conservation as a way of life here in the Philippines. The success of the EEC Law’s implementation entails the active participation of all our stakeholders, and this forum would go a long way in educating members of our local governments on how they could be agents of energy efficiency and conservation change,” DoE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.

TOWARDS AN EEC CULTURE: Speakers and participants to the “LGU Forum on Opportunities for Energy Efficiency Projects” gather for a group photo after a fruitful two-day briefing on the role of local government units in the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Law.

At the forum, members of the Inter-agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee discussed initial guidelines for developing local EEC plans, technology options, green procurement and green buildings, investment incentives and financing options, and mechanisms for public-private partnerships. Further, representatives from the Cities of Mandaluyong, Santa Rosa and Mandaue demonstrated their efforts on EE initiatives.

Bert Hunter, Chief Investment Officer of the Connecticut Green Bank — a global leader in energy efficiency financing, delivered the keynote address.