In the morning of 15 December 2023, PAGASA Pres. Steven T. Cua was invited as Resource Person at The Media Forum organized by Capstone Intel Corp.> a research company on commuter & consumer trends. It was held at Daburu Ramen in Malate, Manila. Guest for commuter update was Elvira Medina, a former DOTC Asec & an advocate for commuters' rights. (L-R) Also at head table is OCTA Research Fellow Dr. Guido David, Capstone's Liaison Officer Atty. Nick Conti & Capstone's Dir. for Research & Publication Ella Kristina "K" Coronel. Topics were Food Security & Jeepney Modernization Program.

MEDIA BLITZ ON CHRISTMAS RETAIL SITUATIONER

From 12-14 December 2023, STC was interviewed via phone patch, Zoom or live by ANC's Michelle Ong on her News Program, by the Presidential Broadcast Service (PBS) as hosted by Program Anchor Ms. Janet Bayan on her Show entitled "Agenda ng Bayan" and by GMA 7's Sandra Aguinaldo among others. Below you will find portion of STC's interview with the PBS which starts at the 30.35 min. mark & ends at 45.20.

On 8 December 2023, PAGASA's very own Prince Retail Group of Companies was awarded by The Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) as "Captain of Industry for Retail Mass."

In the afternoon of 6 December 2023, STC attended the final meeting of a series organized by the Development Academy of the Philippines (both f2f & via Zoom) regarding regulations & over-regulation. DAP focused on DTI's practice of enforcing SRPs as detrimental to growth of the food retail industry.

PAGASA's Steven Cua was invited on 3 December 2023 as guest of the recently-formed "Kapihan sa QC." It was held at Mangan-tila Restaurant along Scout Torillo, QC. Major tv stations & news networks gathered to the get the freshest news in the country over a weekend. To complete the picture on the state of the economy is Chairman Rodolfo "Ka RJ" Javellana of UFCC (United Filipino Consumers & Commuters). Angelo Almonte hosted the affair with Cecille Lardizabal.

PAGASA's STC met with visitors from Brunei on 29 November 2023 at the lobby of The Manila Peninsula. They were interested in the Philippine halal market. Introduced to PAGASA by his friend Gil Gonzales/Exec. Dir. of ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC) were Ms. Norlela Suhailee/Enterprise Dev't. Dir. of Darussalam Enterprise & her colleague, Ms. Siti Normardinah bte Pg Hj Omarali. They were in town to study the consumer habits of Filipinos to find a good match for their products.

In the morning of 21 November 2023, DTI finally releases to media the long-awaited List of SRPs for 240 Noche Buena Items now renamed as Price Guide (and not List of SRPs anymore). Media immediately went to work by interviewing Pres. Steven T. Cua about PAGASA's take on this new development. DTI allowed more than 50% of those on the list to reflect increase in prices. Mr. Cua said the government should allow the natural market forces to dictate prices of BNPCs. After all, he says, items priced beyond the reach of targetted market will soon find themselves out-of-the- market. Media online, offline & via SMS or phone patch went busy that day.

Close to 3 decades ago, a piece of coal entered what was then the Chamber of Dept. Stores (precursor of the PRA). I say coal not because it was black or it dirtied its surroundings but because it was capable of producing diamonds within. It was so they say, Evelyn was a diamond in the rough.

I was fortunate to have represented PAGASA as its VP during the early years of the PRA. The Phil. Amalgamated Supermarkets Assn. has matured through the years holding the hands of Kuya PRA.

Through these years, the diamond within Evelyn Balmeo-Salire was developed and polished as its color shined through brightly, carats of initiated activities turned priceless into retail tradition, clarity of her purpose at the PRA became national as well as global and cuts of her diamond grew into a Team of honed staff ready to carry out PRA's thrusts for any given year.

Coal no more, we salute the diamond that in one way or the other propelled the PRA into what it is today. Of course, the Officers coursed the PRA through good times & bad but Evelyn carried out their decisions & made things happen for the PRA. Rest well, my friend...until we all meet again.

In the morning of 8 November 2023, PAGASA Pres. STC guested via Zoom live over TV5's "One Business News Now." Program was hosted by Diego Castro. A clearer picture regarding stability of prices during this Season to be featured soon in an upcoming National Price Coordinating Council meeting to be called by the DTI Secretary.

In the morning of 4 November 2023, PAGASA Pres. Steven Cua guested via Zoom together with PCAFI Pres. Danny Fausto at TV-Radio Program of "Dito sa Bayan ni Juan" over DZAR with hosts Jesse Lim Arranza & Admar Villando. PCAFI is the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture & Food, Inc. Discussion focused on supply/prices of goods & fresh produce this coming X'mas Season and reasons why costs of production keep getting higher.