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October 2, 2021

Legarda is the first national candidate to file COC at 8 am, seeks re-election as Senator



Three-term Senator, now Deputy Speaker , Loren Legarda filed her candidacy as Senator at the Sofitel Tent in Pasay City early morning on October 1.

Legarda currently serves as member of the House of Representatives, representing the Lone District of the Province of Antique. Prior to her election to the current position in May 2019, she was a three-term Senator and chaired the Committees on Finance, Foreign Relations, economic affairs, environment and Climate Change, among others. She has authored numerous laws currently being used during the pandemic, and, as Finance Chair for four years, ensured the funding of vital government programs aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos and making such programs more accessible to the people.

“Our pandemic recovery should respond to the health needs of our people and on our economic recovery and should be attuned to the climate pathway as we are also dealing with the climate crisis. With my 20 years of experience as Senator and my stint as Representative of the Lone District of Antique, I am confident that I can do much more to help solve the twin crisis, for the welfare of the Filipino people,” Legarda said

Legarda, who previously topped the Senate race twice, in 1998 and 2007, explained that she will be campaigning for the future generations and will continue to push for the advocacies she has always espoused for decades now.

“More jobs and livelihood, quality education, efficient healthcare system, stronger environmental protection and cultural preservation – these are what I have always championed since I was first elected Senator in 1998 and these are what I will continue to prioritize, given a fresh start in the Senate in 2022. I would like to continue what I have started and do much more – provide for the needs of all Filipinos, bring the government programs closer to them especially to the marginalized and vulnerable, and ensure an inclusive, equitable, resilient and sustainable growth and recovery for all,” Legarda concluded.

October 1, 2021

Bianca, Melai, and Enchong Bring Good Vibes on ‘PBB Kumulitan’ Show on Kumu

Fun conversations and juicy updates about the upcoming 10th regular season of “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) will abound as Bianca Gonzalez, Enchong Dee, and Melai Cantiveros team up for the “PBB Kumulitan” show on Kumu.

Bianca revealed on their Livestream last (September 27) that the lineup of official celebrity housemates for “PBB Kumunity Season 10” is being finalized as they are the first batch to enter the famous house.

But before the big reveal to the public, the selected celebrities will undergo quarantine and go through psychological, physical, and COVID-19 tests to ensure their health and safety before they will be named as official celebrity housemates.

Enchong on the other hand shared that he is excited to find out who are the celebrities that Kuya will be welcoming into his home.

Meanwhile, the Online Bahay ni Kuya on Kumu for Kumunizens with bronze and silver badges ended on Monday (September 27). Two from the top 50 live streamers will be chosen as official celebrity housemates.

Who will be the personalities that audiences will see inside the “PBB” house? Watch the updates on “PBB Kumulitan” online show with Bianca, Enchong, and Melai every weekday at 5:30 pm on Pinoy Big Brother’s official Facebook and Kumu accounts. 

Join Sky Quizon of “PBB Otso” for more fun and laughter for the weekend edition of “PBB Kumulitan.”

PropTech: real estate digitalization and stakeholder convergence will advance industry

Addressing rich-poor gap, need for equal opportunities

Experts from a variety of fields discuss the future of the Real Estate landscape in the country at the launch of the Proptech Consortium of the Philippines.

First row, L to R: Hon. Eduardo del Rosario, Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD); Jean-Marc Arbogast, Country Manager of International Finance Corporation; Rosemarie Bosch Ong, Founding Director of PropTech Consortium of the Philippines, and SEVP-COO of Wilcon Depot; Rosie Tsai, Chairperson of Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA); Anton Perdices, Senior Vice Presiident and Chief Operations Officer of AboitizPower; Hon. Carlos Dominguez III, Secretary of the Department of Finance

Second row, L to R: Agnes Devanadera, Chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission; Amor Maclang, Co- Founder of PropTech Consortium of the Philippines, Convenor of Digital Pilipinas, and Co-Founder of Geiser Maclang Marketing Communications, Inc.; Emma Imperial, Chairperson & Co- Founder of PropTech Consortium of the Philippines; Cathy Saldaña, CEO & Managing Partner of PDP Architects; Raymond Rufino, Chief Executive Officer of NEO

Third row, L to R: Sylvester Wong, Vice President of Asia Pacific Cities in AECOM; John Januszczak, President & CEO of UBX; David Almirol, Founder & CEO of Multisys; Engr. Juanito D. Cunanan, President of Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines; Ricardo Lagdameo, President of Damosa Land

Fourth row, L to R: Carlo Luis Rabat, President of the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation; Imelda Magtoto, National President of National Real Estate Association; Mike de Guzman, President of Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance; Marcelino Mendoza, Chairperson of Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers; Wick Veloso, President of Bankers Association of the Philippines

Fifth row, L to R: John Aguilar, Host; Josephine Romero, Founding Director of PropTech Consortium of the Philippines, and Head of Strategic Partnership Magpie.IM


The increase in digitalization and the rapid adoption of technology in property development will advance the industry, especially as digital solutions and platforms are becoming the norm in business. This forward-looking outlook was discussed during the launch of the PropTech Consortium of the Philippines which gathered experts in property, banking, government, energy, and technology. Techifying real estate and related sectors can also reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, and generate employment and business opportunities.

“The digitalization of the real estate industry will allow [the practitioners] to make processes more efficient, which will benefit the end user of these developments … PropTech will be a great platform to achieve that, " Carlos Dominguez III, Secretary of the Department of Finance, said during the digital event.

Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development also gave a preview as to why adoption of technology is vital to the development of the real estate industry: “Climate change is among the biggest challenges [that housing faces]. The Philippines is strengthening its efforts into environmentally-friendly [structures]. We need to promote efficient, affordable, and clean energy for more efficient energy consumption.”

Also represented and participating in the inaugural PropTech consortium were the Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines, the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA), the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA), the National Real Estate Association (NREA), the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP), and FinTech Philippines Association (FTA).

Citing that the anticipated post-pandemic boom in real estate requires innovative solutions, Agnes Devanadera, Chairperson of the Energy Regulation Commission, expressed that “with PropTech all the leading companies and organizations that contribute to property development will be able to help each other in managing the emerging needs of this industry. We have seen the rise of the residential sector compared to the industrial and commercial sectors, and PropTech will allow us to better plan and tackle these set of new challenges and opportunities.”

While the current health situation has put more challenges in implementing innovation, the PropTech leaders still see the Philippines rising as a technology leader in Southeast Asia. Amor Maclang, PropTech Co-Founder, pointed out that “by merging technology and real estate and other recent developments on finance, the Philippines is well-positioned to be a PropTech capital in Asia one sandbox, one experiment, one talk at a time.”

Other participants in the virtual event included Jean-Marc Arbogast, Country Manager of the International Finance Corporation; Marcelino Mendoza, Chairman of the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines; Carlo Luis Rabat, President of the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation; Sylvester Wong, Vice President of Asia Pacific Cities, AECOM; Ricardo Lagdameo, President of Damosa Land; Raymond Rufino, Chief Executive Officer of NEO; John Januszczak, President and CEO of UBX; and Dr. Justo Ortiz, Vice Chairman of the Union Bank of the Philippines.

Recognizing the present inequality in some industry processes that distinguish the affluent from the marginalized, Emma Imperial, PropTech Chairperson and Co-Founder, described one of the goals of the organization: “This consortium should unite in bringing the dividends of digitalization not only for the rich but also for the poor. As technology brings more transparency and speed, we could achieve more in making the real estate globally competitive.”

Anton Perdices, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of AboitizPower Distribution Utilities, also reiterated the need for a tech revolution in bringing sustainable solutions to the country. He said that, despite the immense challenges facing the industry, the digitalization of processes such as smart meters will lead to a “better understanding of the needs, perhaps in real-time, to be able to not only bring sustainable energy to the consumers but also tackle the challenges of climate change.”

Wick Veloso, President of the Bankers Association of the Philippines, expressed optimism in providing innovative solutions to potential home buyers: “In acquiring a new asset, finance is at the forefront of such decisions. As such the need to create more financing options for consumers will be handy in moving us forward and helping each and every Filipino to have their own investment by owning property.”

Cathy Saldaña, CEO and Managing Partner of PDP Architects, expressed the need to look ahead in utilizing emerging technologies because “this will help save cost and save time...the technology is already out there and we just have to be brave in implementing them in our design and for use in making regulations more efficient.” She reiterated, “PropTech is the future.”

One such emerging innovation is real estate tokenization wherein property is converted into trading digital assets on a blockchain. David Almirol, Founder and CEO of Multisys Tech Corp., reiterated the vital role that tech and digital security play in developing customer relationships. He said, “There is a need to create a trust mindset based on security and transparency. Ultimately in this way we will be able to protect our consumers and boost confidence in what we can bring to them, whether it is about energy, technology, finance, or real estate.”

Things Only Financially Independent Millennials Can Relate to


Were you born between 1981 to 1996? If you answered ‘yes,’ then you’re a millennial! Millennials experienced life before smartphones, social media, and the internet, while also living and thriving in the current digital age. Although millennials sometimes get an undeserved bad rap, this generation, in fact, displays high levels of maturity and responsibility—they’re socially aware, financially conscious, and tech-savvy.

Do you consider yourself a financially independent millennial? Here’s a quick adulting checklist for all you independent millennials:

You pay your household and utility bills on time.

Tired of getting late notices for your bills? Now, you are more responsible with your spending and settle all your financial obligations on time. Through ShopeePay, you can pay for your utility bills right from the comforts of your home and enjoy up to 25% cashback. These include companies such as Meralco, Maynilad, Globe, Smart, PLDT, SkyCable, and many more.

You have enough to give to your family.

In Filipino culture, it’s considered an act of love and a way to show gratitude when children extend monetary support to their parents. With enough savings, you can give back to your parents by helping them financially and even have sufficient funds for yourself. Sending money to your loved ones is easy and free with ShopeePay. To transfer money, just click “Transfer” on your ShopeePay wallet and input the recipient. You can also make your transfers more special with themed virtual cards! Before transferring cash, make sure that your ShopeePay is verified.

You have your own place.

...and you’re way ahead of your rent. There’s nothing more satisfying than being able to afford your own place where you can relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Did you get a loan to fund your apartment’s security deposit? Through ShopeePay, you can settle your loans on time and with ease from third-party lenders such as Dragonloans, Home Credit, SkyPay, and Cashalo.

You know where to find the best deals.

You’re practical and are always on the lookout for the best deals out there. With ShopeePay, you can maximize discounts, cashback, and “Buy 1, Take 1” promos at thousands of partner merchants nationwide. You also don’t miss out on ₱1 deals which can be used for adulting essentials like groceries, food, and gas. ShopeePay partner merchants include Puregold, Potato Corner, Seaoil, Lawson, National Bookstore, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Tiger Sugar, and more.

You donate to charitable causes.

Another Filipino trait most millennials possess is generosity. Even with the global situation right now, you’re still giving towards others. ShopeePay lets you donate to these partner organizations: Caritas, Gawad Kalinga, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross Philippines, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Save Philippine Seas, Save The Children, UNICEF, Virlanie Foundation, World Vision, and many more.

Want to know more about ShopeePay and its benefits? Check out https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay for more details.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Connectivity Makes SMDC’s Glam Residences an Ideal Investment Today and for Years to Come

For any person looking to make a sound investment in this post-pandemic world, there is a fair amount of caution taken. After last year’s global economic slowdown, people have become guarded when it comes to investing their hard-earned cash.

In terms of the property then, it is only logical that people who are looking to invest in real estate want some reassurance that they are making a sound investment. That is what Glam Residences from SM Development Corporation (SMDC) has to offer.

SMDC’s Glam Residences is an iconic 45-storey, master-planned development
that is set to rise along EDSA in Quezon City

In a report prepared by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) called “The Metro Manila Greenprint 2030: Building a Vision,” a goal cited to help the country leverage investments into positive gains revolved around connectivity. “Build on the potential of Metro Manila’s multi-centered spatial structure to be green and time-saving, by enhancing connectivity among and within urban centers, and by selectively designating new urban centers, as Metro Manila integrates with its peri-urban hinterland,” the report says.

Located right off Quezon City’s rising CBD – the Triangle Park – SMDC’s Glam Residences is in the thick of all commercial activities in northern Metro Manila and offers that critical connectivity that the report states. This integrated development’s location is home to office towers, shopping malls, hotels, renowned medical centers, numerous parks, and strategic transport hubs that offer easy access to vital points of Metro Manila.

The importance of transport hubs in relation to real estate properties is further validated by an Asian Development Bank (ADB) study in 2019, which states that residential parcels within 1km from the MRT 3 line appreciated in value by 223%, 20 years from the commencement of construction of the MRT 3 line. 

Inspired by Hollywood Glamour, the bespoke interiors highlight a mixture of textures like marble and steel, in hues of gold, grey, white, and blue   

That same MRT 3 line, with a station a few steps away from Glam Residences, has just increased its number of operating trains from 15 to 21 while doubling the operating speed of those trains from 30 to 60 kilometers per hour. It’s projected that this will improve waiting times between trains from the current rate of seven to ten minutes going all the way down to just 3.5 minutes.

One of the principles cited by the MMDA report was to focus future large-scale investments in mass rapid transit (e.g. MRT and LRT) and real estate around existing urban nodes. Another of those principles was to enable mixed-use development in the center of these nodes to promote public transport ridership by minimizing the need for long non-commuting trips for shopping, entertainment, schooling, etc. It goes without saying, then, that SMDC’s Glam Residences lives up to these principles.

Glam Residences will also be just one station away from the unified Grand Central Station that will connect the MRT 3, MRT 7, LRT 1, and the Metro Manila Subway lines. This will provide easier access to other CBDs, schools and entertainment districts all over the metro, and to regional and global gateways like the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and the international airports in Bulacan and Clark. 

On the top-most floor is a sky lounge that offers panoramic views of the pulsating
Metro Manila skyline

Aside from the impeccable location, SMDC’s Glam Residences is an upscale vertical community that matches the cosmopolitan lifestyles of working millennials. With thoughtfully designed amenities including a lap pool, Jacuzzi, and rooftop lounge and bar, millennials can come home to a rewarding respite after those hectic workdays. Other benefits include an indoor gym, children’s play area, function rooms, and the development’s very own mall at the ground floor.

With the location and amenities combined, and its immediate access to major transport hubs, SMDC’s Glam Residences is certainly a sound investment opportunity today and for years to come.

For more information about SMDC Glam Residences, visit  https://smdc.com/properties/glam-residences/glam-residences/. 

 

DOE, PEIC, ECCP: PH energy sufficiency at 53%, still needs to rise

 Country now in state of climate justice, passing mitigation 

The Philippines’ energy industry has to make and carry out firm decisions to become more independent and resilient as it has now arrived at a state of climate justice, which is well beyond mere mitigation.  Its 53% energy sufficiency level also has to increase and can be strengthened by tapping into renewable energy resources. Government officials and industry leaders from the energy sector reached this conclusion during the recent webinar, “Energy in Sustainability: Renewable Energy Solutions at the Core of Climate Crisis,” conducted by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) in partnership with the Philippine Energy Independence Council (PEIC).  


PEIC, ECCP, DOE leaders join experts and industry captains on energy sector for

 first 2021 Energy Smart Forum webinar.

L to R:  Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella, Department of Energy; Atty. Paola Alvarez ,Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance; Hon. Jesus Tamang Director, Energy Policy and Planning Bureau – Department of Energy; Mr. Gerry Constantino, Director for Projects, Events and Trainings, ECCP; Ms. Ruth Yu-Owen, Chair, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Committee ECCP; Mr. Don Paulino, President, PEIC; Mr. Eric Francia, President & CEO, AC Energy; Dr. Antonio Gabriel La Viña, Secretary, PEIC; Mr. Joseph Incalcaterra, CFA, Chief ASEAN Economist, HSBC; Ms. Nazrin Castro, Branch Manager, The Climate Reality Project Philippines; Mr. Emmanuel Yu, Executive Director, Ditrolic Solar Philippines Inc.; Ms. Myrna Velasco, International Relations Consultant, PEIC. 



During this session, which is part of the 2021 Energy Smart Forum Series, the delegates investigated requirements for the national energy sustainability framework, presented solutions to enhance power-generation capabilities, and came up with a roadmap towards the use of cleaner energy sources by 2040 to prevent an energy crisis. 


First, the Department of Energy (DOE) Director of the Energy Policy and Planning Bureau Jesus T. Tamang contextualized the current state of renewable energy in the Philippines in the ASEAN. He noted, “Our energy self-sufficiency is about 53%, which represents the share of our region’s energy sources to total. At the level of 34% share of renewable energy in 2020, the Philippines remains to have the highest renewable energy share in total primary energy supply among all the ASEAN countries. This puts us at the forefront of the sustainability game in the region.” 


Then, Eric Francia, President and CEO of AC Energy and PEIC board member, asserted the necessity for the Philippines to be energy-independent, saying, “An opportunity that the country has set is to increase its target renewables output from 21% to 35% by 2030. Renewables definitely have a major, major role to play. Energy independence is a critical imperative in this day and age.” 


PEIC Secretary Dr. Antonio Gabriel La Viña emphasized that the Philippines is in “stage of climate justice and no longer a stage of mitigation. The decision must be done in a just way.”  He also asserted, “We are not ambitious enough to ask for the money that is owed us for climate finance. We can fund big energy projects, big forestry projects, and big agricultural projects if we just think big enough.” 


Don Paulino, President of PEIC, also said that progress can be achieved by an informed collaboration between the government, the private sector, and the general public. He said, “There needs to be an active request and participation by other people in the country. We need to demand from our leaders, whether it’s the public, the government, or the private sector, to think about climate change. You have a voice, by educating yourself, by being a part of the public discourse, and by actively campaigning. We need to make sure that public issues on energy are properly discussed so that by 2040, 2050, we’ll actually be carbon neutral as a country.” 


Attorney Paola Alvarez, Department of Finance Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson expressed the urgency of climate change action, saying, “The Philippines is at the forefront of a global movement seeking climate justice. We look forward to more collaboration with our international partners and the private sector to achieve our climate ambition. We have only one planet and all of us must act decisively today in order to save it.” 


The session, which was hosted by Gerry Constantino, ECCP Director for Projects, Events, and Training, and moderated by energy journalist Myrna Velasco, also reviewed concrete action points, moving forward to achieve the country’s sustainability goals by at least 2030.  


Nazrin Camille Castro, Branch Manager at The Climate Reality Project Philippines, was hopeful about innovation and development in the economy that will continue to support the transition towards clean energy, “The Philippines is now ready to modernize its power system. The need for a clean energy transition in the Philippines is more on the matter of modernizing its economy, delivering affordable power to the Filipino people, and driving energy self-sufficiency.” 


DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella drew focus on the technical developments in the country’s energy sector that help progress the nation towards a more sustainable future, “We have emphasized the competitive renewable energy zones,” he said. “It’s where to put these renewable energy developments that are already easier to connect to the grid so that we can reach our goals, and rolling out the green energy option for the contracting of the smaller plants and partnering them directly to contestable customers.” 


Rising costs are among the many challenges that have arisen in the journey towards sustainability, usually found in erecting the infrastructural support needed to generate and maintain clean energy sources. 


However, Emmanuel Yu, Executive Director of Ditrolic Solar Philippines Inc., pointed out a silver lining, “The renewable sector has been growing by more than 100% since 2017. With the increased capacity, new technology, and better efficiency, the cost of renewable energy has been going down to the point that the Levelized cost of electricity now is lower than the price from the ground energy sector.” 


HSBC Chief ASEAN Economist Joseph Incalcaterra also acknowledged, ““In terms of financing renewables in the Philippines, the cost is large, but with public-private partnership and the right regulations, it will be doable.” 


Ruth Yu-Owen, Chair of the ECCP Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Committee, highlighted the importance of the forum series as it explores the future of the nation’s energy, saying, “Energy is interconnected with all aspects of our daily life. To create a safe and secure future for all, we need to ensure that not only the country’s energy demand is met, but that also its environmental and sustainability goals are achieved.” 


PEIC Executive Director Amor Maclang reinforces the urgent call towards Philippine energy security and independence in the face of climate change saying, “We need to intensify our efforts towards indigenous energy explorations within the country's jurisdiction. That will support our road to energy independence. The climate crisis concerns us all, and we should take part in solving it in whatever way we can.” 

 

The Philippine Energy Independence Council consists of energy advocates who, through public discourse and lobbying, aim to secure an energy-independent Philippines. 


For more information on membership and organization activities, please contact PEIC via their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/energyindependenceph. 

 

 

 

 

DITO expands presence to 45 new areas this October


DITO Telecommunity, the newest major player in Philippine telecommunication industry, announced its expansion to 45 additional areas on October 1 and October 8. 

The following areas are as follows:

OCTOBER 1, 2021 (17 cities)

1. Samal, Bataan

2. Abucay, Bataan

3. Talisay, Camarines Norte

4. Vinzons, Camarines Norte

5. Noveleta, Cavite

6. Canaman, Camarines Sur

7. Pamplona, Camarines Sur

8. Libmanan, Camarines Sur

9. Sipocot, Camarines Sur

10. Murcia, Negros Occidental

11. Enrique B. Magalona, Negros Occidental

12. Bago City, Negros Occidental

13. City of Tanjay, Negros Oriental

14. Nabas, Aklan

15. Ibajay, Aklan

16. Baloi, Lanao Del Norte

17. City of Iligan, Lanao Del Norte


Mindanao = 2 cities

South Luzon = 22 cities



OCTOBER 8, 2021 (28 Cities)

1. Santa Rita, Pampanga

2. Mayantoc, Tarlac

3. San Clemente, Tarlac

4. Bayambang, Pangasinan

5. Cabiao, Nueva Ecija

6. Candaba Pampanga

7. Daet, Camarines Norte

8. Basud, Camarines Norte

9. Ocampo, Camarines Sur

10. Bombon, Camarines Sur

11. San Jose, Camarines Sur

12. Sagnay, Camarines Sur

13. Naga City, Camarines Sur

14. Pili (Capital), Camarines Sur

15. Bato, Camarines Sur

16. Iriga City, Camarines Sur

17. Baao Camarines Sur

18. Bula, Camarines Sur

19. Malilipot, Albay

20. Legazpi City (Capital), Albay

21. City of Ligao, Albay

22. Daraga (Locsin), Albay

23. Camalig, Albay

24. Oas, Albay

25. Polangui, Albay

26. City of Sorsogon (Capital), Sorsogon

27. Irosin, Sorsogon

28. Bay, Laguna


For more information on the points of sale, data offers, and other details, please visit the official Facebook page of DITO at www.facebook.com/DITOphofficial or the website at www.dito.ph.

Alice Dixson starts making good choices for health; chooses PascualLab's WellGreens

PascualLab Goes Beyond Natural with WellGreens’ New Premium and Certified Organic Products & New Partner in Health

Pascual Laboratories, Inc. (PascualLab), one of the top-of-mind pharmaceutical companies in the Philippines,¹ launches its natural food supplement brand WellGreens’ newest premium and certified organic products in a campaign and with a new partner in health.

Choose Premium and Certified Organic - WellGreens

WellGreens delivers the organic goodness and natural benefits of these premium ingredients in one convenient capsule:
  • Sinta – helps to lower blood sugar2 and relieve symptoms of common cold3
  • Mangosteen + Malunggay – aids in weight management4 and boosting the immune system5 and milk production in lactating women6
  • Lagundi + Cuban Oregano – helps relieve mild to moderate cough7 and for Cuban Oregano,
  • increases expectoration8
  • Turmeric – helps reduce inflammation or relieve the pain caused by osteoarthritis9
  • and alleviate exercise-induced muscle soreness10
  • Ginger – helps ease migraine,11 dysmenorrhea,12 and heavy menstrual bleeding13
  • Malunggay – benefits people with poor nourishment,14 compromised immunity,5 anemia,15 as well as lactating women6
  • Ampalaya – helps reduce blood sugar level and other risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, such as body weight, blood pressure, and blood lipid levels.16

These premium and certified organic WellGreens natural food supplements are made from high-quality and 100% organic ingredients grown and manufactured in one of the largest organic farms in the Philippines, Leonie Agri Corp – a PascualLab subsidiary.

Each WellGreens product is made by LAC using a combination of internationally certified organic methods and adherence to high pharmaceutical standards. LAC is proudly certified organic by the USDA and EU Organic and is also certified by the Department of Agriculture for Good Agricultural Practice, the Food and Drug Authority for Good Manufacturing Practice, and by the Islamic Dawah Council for Halal. These further ensure premium quality in each product.

Alice Dixson Starts Making Good Choices

And in going beyond, WellGreens also takes it further as it welcomes movie and TV actress, and model Alice Dixson, as its newest brand endorser.  Dixson is also a fitspiration so it makes her the natural choice for WellGreens as she walks the talk in terms of her personal journey towards health and wellness.

Dixon says:
“I started as a commercial model and my initial foray has taken me to TV and then to movies.  Just like my work, I’ve also experienced going out of my comfort zone in terms of my health. Years ago, I started working out and eating healthy and I have not looked back since.”  She adds: “Now that I’m a mother, it all the more makes sense to start making good choices for my health. That’s why WellGreens’ offer came at such a right time.”

So whether in life or in health, go beyond natural. Choose the premium and certified organic food supplements of WellGreens.

WellGreens organic natural food supplements are exclusively available in Mercury Drug branches nationwide and at PascualLab’s flagship Lazada and Shopee stores.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sources:

¹IQVIA 2020 Data
² Nizmawardini Y, Endang H, Djunaidi R, et al. The Effect of Andrographis paniculata Extract Capsules on Blood Glucose Level in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. International Journal of Current Research. 2013; 5(3): 578-581. ISSN: 0975-833X.
3 Gabrielian E, Shukarian A, Goukasova G. A double blind, placebo-controlled study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination Kan Jang in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections including sinusitis. Phytomedicine. 2002; 9(7): 589-597. https://doi.org/10.1078/094471102321616391https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711304701610
4Watanabe M, Gangitano E, Francomano D, et al. Mangosteen Extract Shows a Potent Insulin Sensitizing Effect in Obese Female Patients: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2018; 10(5): 586. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10050586 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29747432/
5 Kou X, Li B, Olayanju J, et al. Nutraceutical or Pharmacological Potential of Moringa oleifera Lam. Nutrients.2018;10:343. doi:10.3390/nu10030343 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5872761
6King J, Raguindin P, Dans L. Moringa oleifera (Malunggay) as a Galactagogue for Breastfeeding Mothers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. The Philippine Journal of Pediatrics. 2013; 61(2): 34-42.
7Lagundi Anti-cough and Anti-asthma Medicine. Philippine Council for Health Research and Development In https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/programs-and-services/create-article/6560-lagundi-anti-cough-and-anti-asthma-medicine Accessed March 2021
8Cámbara Y, Rodríguez D, Chanfrau J, et al. Efficacy of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng (French oregano) tablets in patients with common cold: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Bionatura. 2016; 1(4). doi:: 10.21931/RB/2016.01.04.4.
9 Daily J, Yang M, Park S. Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. J Med Food. 2016; 19(8): 717-29. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2016.3705
10 Fang W, Nasir Y. The effect of curcumin supplementation on recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage and delayed-onset muscle soreness: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytother Res. 2021; 35(4): 1768-1781. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6912
¹¹Martins L., Rodrigues A, Rodrigues D, et al. Double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc) addition in migraine acute treatment. Cephalalgia. 2019; 39:68–76. doi: 10.1177/0333102418776016.
¹²Rahnama P, Montazeri A, Huseini H, et al. Effect of zingiber officinale R. rhizomes (ginger) on pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea: A placebo randomized trial. BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 2012;12:92. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-92.
13 Kashefi F, Khajehei M, Alavinia M, et al. Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on heavy menstrual bleeding: a placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2015; 29(1): 114-9. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5235. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25298352/
14 Gopalakrishnan L, Doriya K, Kumar D. Moringa oleifera: A review on nutritive importance and its medicinal application. Food Science and Human Wellness. 2016; 5: 49-56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fshw.2016.04.001
15 Caraos A, Cortez A. A randomized controlled trial: Comparison of malunggay (moringa oleifera) and ferrous sulfate in preventing anemia in pregnant patients in the out-patient department of a tertiary hospital. Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2017; 41(6): 25-35.
16 Rahman I, Khan R, Rahman K, et al. Lower hypoglycemic but higher antiatherogenic effects of bitter melon than glibenclamide in type 2 diabetic patients. Nutr J. 2015; (14)13. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-14-13

Managing your child’s school expenses? Here’s how to stay in control

 Stay on top of fees and payments this school year with these tips

For most schools, the year has just begun. And while students have already turned a fresh new page in their academic career, some parents may still be found fretting over how they can afford a whole new year of tuition fees and other school expenses.

The numbers may appear daunting, but there some ways you can stay on top of payments, particularly for your child’s school:

Save a portion of your monthly income for your child’s education. Now that you have an idea of how much you should be shelling out per school year, you can plan how much per month you need to allot from your income and contribute to the school fund.

Negotiate the payment schedule with the school. Talk to the school about paying in installments fitting to your current financial situation. Just be mindful of the interest rates of the school’s payment programs, especially for longer paying terms.

Review the tuition fee inclusions. Tuition fees may already include essentials like books and supplies, which you can purchase outside the school to help reduce the total amount. An example would be secondhand books which can be sourced from mom groups that sell their children’s pre-used books at lower prices.

Partner with a bank that provides installment options at low-interest rates. A bank can become your reliable payment partner for high, long-term dues—and what could be a greater priority than your child’s education, right?

EastWest Credit Card’s Tuition Installment Facility gives cardholders the option to reimburse tuition fee transactions and repay them in fixed monthly installments through their credit card. With a minimum of PHP 10,000.00, the transaction amount can be paid in easy and flexible installment terms of 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months with monthly add-on rates of as low as 1.00%.

“The country’s current situation brings about a lot of financial uncertainty, so it’s vital for us to plan ahead especially for big-ticket expenses such as the tuition fees of our children, EastWest FVP & Head of Credit Cards and Business Governance, Mia Tamayo said. “EastWest helps our customers do just that—stay in control of specific priorities such as their children’s education through our products. Hearing about the positive impact these have made on their lives fuels us to level up our services even more.”

EastWest Credit Card’s Tuition Installment Facility promo will run until December 31, 2021 and is open to all active EastWest credit cardholders in good credit standing. To learn more, visit bit.ly/EWBTIFPR. To apply, call the EastWest 24-hour Customer Service Hotline at +63288881700.

September 30, 2021

Newsreels – The next TikTok, But for News - Watch top news videos, curated for you

The app development powerhouse behind Newsreels has done it again. Revolutionizing the traditional has always been part of their DNA. And this time, they took the notoriously rigid and conventional news format to the next level by creating an app that delivers 100% accurate news, up to 20 times faster.

With its two trailblazing news formats – reels and bullets – everyone can get to know more updates, in no time at all.

This is the future of news. Welcome to Newsreels.

While a conventional news app shows its collection of headlines with full articles, Newsreels introduces a game-changer in the news industry through its bullet summarization engine. Readers get to save precious minutes by getting just the important bullet points from the news they want.

To make things a whole lot better, modern readers get to enjoy informative news content in trendy reels format. Now, users can simply swipe across an endless stream of news reels. Living with its moniker, Newsreels has jazzed up the interface with a video-upload feed for the users, much like Instagram or TikTok. This is another unique feature that cashes in on the younger generation and offers them digestible, up-to-the-minute news.

On top of that, Newsreels covers a wider spectrum of publishers - right from the regional/local level to the global news houses. Truly, nothing comes close when it comes to the sheer volume of their partner publications.

The app goes further by giving content creators the option to collab with the app, letting them use it as a publishing platform to reach more audiences. For an app born out of the innovation surge during the 2020 pandemic, Newsreels is the much-needed power-up of both emerging and established news outlets.

"It is our answer to the growing need of the public to have a one-stop news portal to get all the relevant information they need, be it for COVID-related topics or absolutely anything they want, without having to jump between apps and news sources," says RJ David, the team’s Product Innovation Officer.

Gone are the glory days of the plain vanilla newsreader apps. The readers today are smart: we want more; we want better, quicker. And we want it how we like it. Newsreels has quashed the "same-old, same-old" monotony of current affairs through its contemporary, made-to-order, openly inclusive news aggregation platform. The era of engaging, on-point, choice news is in.

You are cordially invited to experience the future of news. And the future is now.

Welcome to Newsreels.

To know more about Newsreels or to download the app, please click here. You can also follow the company on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. For partnerships related queries, you can contact them at partnership@newsreels.app.

Discover what kind of Spotify listener you are on PayMaya

Whether it's an inspiring podcast to kickstart your week or a playlist of your favorite tracks for your run, nothing perks up anyone's mood like good audio content. Good news! PayMaya has teamed up with Spotify to offer the ability to directly purchase Premium and Premium Mini plans on the PayMaya mobile app. With Spotify’s recent launch of Premium Mini in the Philippines, PayMaya users can now conveniently access their everyday e-wallet to purchase its weekly and daily subscriptions for as low as PHP7/day and PHP26/week.   

And hello to listening to downloaded music while on the go! Spotify Premium Mini gives listeners a subset of their favorite Premium features, and the ability to pay for it by the day or by the week, paying for only when they need it.   

  

Looking to upgrade your listening experience? Find out what kind of listener you are and check out the best Spotify Premium Mini plan suited for your lifestyle:   

 

For the on-the-go listener. Your days are usually packed with a long list of tasks to tick off, and you’d like to kickstart your week with a motivational podcast from Superhuman with Wil Dasovich or an entertaining episode from Between Us Queens to get you going. You only want to enjoy ad-free listening for an entire day, Mondays specifically – to get you ready for the rest of the week. With the Spotify Premium Mini plan worth PHP7, you can do just that, available for purchase directly on the PayMaya app!   

 

For the holidaymakers at home. Reimagine a vacation at home with a few tweaks to make your house staycation ready. You’ve finally decided to take that well-deserved break, so disconnect from your emails and rearrange your space, maybe pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read, or even try out that recipe that’s burning in your mind. Spotify’s weekly Premium Mini plan will be the perfect audio companion during your break, from curated playlists to podcasts to inspire you. Simply purchase via the PayMaya app for just PHP26.  

 

For the fitness newbie. You've just started a new 30-day workout challenge, and you're determined to get fitter and stronger by the end of the month. Since gyms are not yet operational, you have to do all this while staying at home. Good thing, all you need is your yoga mat and a fun Spotify workout playlist to keep you pumped. You can conveniently purchase a Spotify Premium Plan good for 30 days for just PHP149!   

 

As a special launch offer, PayMaya users can access a 7-day Spotify Premium free trial on the PayMaya mobile app. To subscribe to Spotify Premium on PayMaya:  

  • Make sure that your PayMaya app is updated to the latest version, then tap the "Play" button on the PayMaya app homepage.   
  • On the “Music” tab, choose Spotify and the desired Premium Mini Plan. Choose between the monthly, weekly or daily subscription.  
  • Download and sign in to Spotify.   
  • Complete the purchase using your PayMaya wallet, and you're in!