BIZ BUZZ: Tough decisions: Golf or Japan trip?

What is probably the country's most prestigious golf tournament —the annual Golden Tee at Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City—will see a number of big names missing from this year's roster of competitors.

That's because the Golden Tee is being held this week, and overlaps with President Bongbong Marcos' visit to Japan, which starts today, Feb 8,  and runs until Sunday.

And when it comes to doing business with Japan, few are in the league of GT Capital's Alfred Ty, who chairs Toyota Motors Philippines. He can't miss this trip to Tokyo, so he'll just have to wait until next year's Golden Tee to play.

Also missing this year's tournament is avid golfer Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, who will be joining the President's trip.

Of course, the most important person who'll miss this year's tournament is Manila Golf president Martin Romualdez who, as House Speaker, will definitely be in Tokyo with Mr. Marcos.

These VIPs, plus a few more, will miss their chance at winning Mercedes Benz and Lexus luxury vehicles for hitting holes-in-one, as well as the grand raffle prize, a Mitsubishi Xpander (which, selling for "only" P1 million, some affluent members are turning up their noses at).

—Daxim L. Lucas

Megaworld and data science

Megaworld Corp. is ramping up efforts to integrate data science into its developments following the recent inauguration of the Dr. Andrew L. Tan Data Science Institute in its McKinley Hill township in Taguig City.

Partnering with De La Salle University (DLSU), Megaworld donated 1,200 square meters of space inside the Venice Corporate Center in McKinley Hill to establish the state-of-the-art learning center.

The Institute becomes the latest addition to the roster of learning institutions located in McKinley Hill, with the others being Enderun, the Chinese International School, Korean International School and the Meridian International Business, Arts and Technology College.

The institute is ideal for the township, which is home to several business process outsourcing (BPO) firms. With the institute now opening its physical doors, BPO employees who want to upskill and learn more about data science can do so by taking up programs, trainings, modular courses and workshops spearheaded by DLSU's faculty.

In the future, Megaworld says that it will be implementing more data science and technology programs in various aspects across its townships, including risks, traffic, security, utilities, waste disposal and sustainability.

Just recently, Megaworld also strengthened its commitment to continue building smart, next-generation townships that are both future-ready and resilient.

Part of this was the creation of the company's very own Township Analytics and Technology Lab (TAT Lab), the first-ever data science lab in Asia owned and operated by a property development company.

Also to be located soon in McKinley Hill, the TAT Lab will be designed to develop, deploy and improve machine learning models and artificial intelligence aimed at increasing the level of safety and security of Megaworld townships nationwide.

—Daxim L. Lucas