BIZ BUZZ: When scammers name-drop BSP execs

MANILA, Philippines — It wasn’t too long ago that fraudsters were invoking the name of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. to make their scams appear legitimate.

Now, they have added another high-profile central banker to their playbook: Monetary Board member Benjamin Diokno.

The BSP has warned the public against fraudulent messages falsely claiming to come from Diokno or other central bank officials to solicit donations for supposed charitable causes.

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The messages typically ask recipients to send money to bank accounts purportedly belonging to charities.

The central bank stressed that neither the BSP nor any of its officials or employees solicit donations, sponsorships or financial assistance from the public, nor do they collect funds on behalf of charitable organizations.

So if an email or message lands in your inbox asking for a “charitable donation” in the name of a BSP official, treat it as a red flag. Don’t send money, don’t click suspicious links and verify the request through official BSP channels before taking any action. — Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral

SM’s newest luxury pitch

The old concert brag used to be a front-row ticket. These days, companies are being pitched something far more exclusive—a private room that comes with year-round access to the biggest shows.

That’s the idea behind the premium suites at the upcoming SM Seaside Cebu Arena, where just 30 suites will be offered under lease terms of one to three years. The limited supply appears designed to create scarcity while giving businesses a permanent foothold inside one of Cebu’s biggest entertainment venues.

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But these aren’t just luxury boxes for watching concerts. They’re being marketed as corporate hospitality spaces where executives can entertain clients, reward employees or even hold meetings while the main event unfolds just outside.

Each suite comes with its own lounge and restroom, while food can be delivered directly from the arena’s Premiere Cafe. Lessees can also customize the space with their own branding and tap venue advertising opportunities, turning every concert or sporting event into a networking opportunity.

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The pitch is simple: why settle for one unforgettable night when you can secure a private suite for every major event on the calendar?

As live entertainment becomes an increasingly competitive business, arena operators are betting that companies will see these spaces not as an expense, but as an investment in client relationships.

In other words, the hottest ticket in Cebu may no longer be a ticket at all. — Emmanuel John B. Abris INQ