Waiting for the stars

As of this writing, I am in an unusual disposition at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. I’m not here as a traveler rushing to catch a flight, but as a journalist waiting. Along with several colleagues, I am standing by for the arrival of individuals linked to what has become one of the most contentious flood-control controversies in the Philippines. Airports are spaces of movement and transition, yet today, this terminal feels suspended in time, heavy with expectation.

The reason for the wait is public accountability as their cases are transferred in Lapu-Lapu City. Flood-control projects are meant to protect lives, livelihoods, and communities, particularly in a country that is battered by typhoons and seasonal flooding year after year. When questions arise over how funds for such projects were spent, the issue goes beyond paperwork and procurement. It cuts directly into the public’s right to safety.

At the center of attention is Sarah Discaya, who has been alleged to have swindled more than ?96.6 million in connection with anomalous flood-control projects. Whether she will speak, deny, or remain silent is now part of a broader public reckoning. In scandals like this, individuals often become the face of a system that has long normalized impunity, where questionable projects pass through layers of approval with little consequence.

The limelight is now fixed on those implicated, not because of fame or achievement, but because public outrage has finally caught up with bureaucratic failure. We are all waiting to see if those involved will take responsibility, or if this will become yet another case buried under technicalities and delayed proceedings. History has taught us that scandals involving public funds often stretch for years, losing urgency as public attention wanes.

The most logical response, should the allegations be proven true, would be restitution. Returning what was taken --or what was allegedly taken-- should be the bare minimum. Public money is not a private gamble. It is collected from taxpayers who expect that it will serve its intended purpose, especially in projects designed to mitigate disasters.

Flood-control failures are not abstract issues discussed only in hearings and reports. They manifest in submerged homes, displaced families, interrupted schooling, and lives put at risk every rainy season. When projects meant to prevent flooding fail, the cost is borne not by those who signed the contracts, but by communities living near rivers and low-lying areas.

As those watching the whole story unfold, our role is not to convict, but to witness, question, and remember. Journalists like us wait in places like airports not for drama, but for answers. Accountability does not arrive as conveniently as a scheduled flight, and justice rarely comes on time. Still, we wait and document whatever transpires.

While we wait for the so-called stars of this controversy to arrive, we hope for their safety and the truth to come out. They are not here for applause or spectacle, but in the hope that the glare of public scrutiny will finally lead to truth, responsibility, and a reckoning long overdue.

gifts on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s day, Father’s day, etc. Gifts are even given on occasions the millennials fondly referred to as “monthsaries.”

The good news is, gifting market is no longer purely season driven. It is a year-round market. Notably, apart from person-to-person gifts, corporations or proprietors, are not only handing giveaways on holiday seasons. They also give gifts on their anniversaries. Traditionally, apart from their personalized giveaways, they are also gifting clients and employees with cakes, pastries, chocolates, hams, etc. Globally, this is a multibillion-dollar market.

This is confirmed by Fortune Business Insights in its updated report on December 5, 2025. It reported that the “global gift retailing market size was valued at US$475.00 billion in 2024.” It added that the market is “projected to grow from US$491.82 billion in 2025 to US$630.52 billion by 2032, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.61% over the forecast period.” It further stated that “Europe dominated the gift retailing market with a market share of 37.7% in 2024.”

That Europe dominates, the British Retail Consortium confirmed this. It reported that in the United Kingdom alone, the “corporate gifting sector is estimated at US$43.6 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach US$92.5 billion by 2033, driven by a 9.87% CAGR.” More importantly, personalized gifting is consistently on the rise and is the “fastest-growing segment in the UK.” It was “valued at roughly US$1 billion as of late 2024, with expectations to increase by US$1.26 billion through 2029.”

It was also highlighted in the same report that while Europe still leads in the gifting market, the Asia-Pacific is emerging as a major growth region. Fortunately, this is where we are.  And that it was due primarily to the e-commerce penetration in the region confirms this.

Traditionally, the market includes a “broad category of products such as accessories, home décor items, toys, chocolates, and greeting cards.” Also, while buying cards, flowers and chocolates are still among the most preferred, experiential gifts like throwing in dinner as part of their celebration is on the rise. Not to be outdone, corporations are also gifting their employees and customers experiential gifts like travels abroad.

Indeed, increasing gift-giving traditions and raising interest in unique presents boosts these product/services sales. Moreover, growing disposable incomes and consumer spending power fuel global gift retailing market growth. In addition, numerous companies worldwide offer products that are intended to be presented as gifts.

Also, apart from product innovations, the online distribution channels have contributed a lot in its surge. Yes, the likes of Amazon, Alibaba, Shopee and Lazada had something to do with that. One thing though that we should know is that several outfits have started differentiating themselves from these “online giants” by establishing “end-to-end” gifting platforms. One of these fast-rising companies is Sendoso. It is a US company that has “developed a popular gifting platform that allows businesses to send presents to their clients and staff.”

Certainly, this platform helps build relationship between businesses and their clients.  Using this platform, the subscriber (the business) can create the “perfect sending strategy that is fully integrated with its existing programs and campaigns.” Sending options can come in custom boxes, swag, food and wine, eGifts, etc. and at the same time ensure that these are timely, relevant, and completely customized or personalized to its recipients.

Indeed, for a business to grow, management must establish good relationships with its clients and their staff. Personalized gifting is one way of doing it. And doing it through a platform like this will make the goal easily achievable. It is a no-brainer.

As the manufacture of personalized gifts like couple’s shirts, personalized mugs, etc. are so prevalent in the country and are definitely on the rise, all we need to do is to develop an “end-to-end” gifting platform (like Sendoso) that can bridge the manufacturers, the gift givers and the recipients. Done, the gifting market will no longer be seasonal but perennial.