Canadian research: Superfood Acai berry could help protect vs COVID-19 symptoms, Organique harnesses its anti-inflammation properties

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In this time of the global pandemic, the health and safety of our loved ones are of utmost importance. It is critical for people to protect their immune systems and maximize all the wellness support they can get. 

Thus, Organique, a USDA approved Acai Berry supplement Brand, has partnered with health and wellness experts in the Philippines and a reputable Canadian research team who has done a clinical study on Acai Berry. 

University of Toronto researchers presented as one viable option the nutrients found in the Brazilian acai super berry in a virtual forum on December 1 in partnership with Philippine wellness company Organique. Filipino medical experts were also present in the forum, entitled “Superfood Acai Berry Against COVID-19 symptoms: How to Harness its Nutrients,” which focused on the Canadian study that found the super berry to be a potential treatment for some COVID-19 symptoms. 

The clinical trial tests, which are slated to wrap up by the end of the first quarter of 2021, will determine whether an early intervention of acai palm berry extract can help mitigate severe inflammation problems in COVID-19 patients, thanks to the superfood’s potent anti-inflammatory properties.

“Organique has always believed in ‘prevention over cure.’ This is what has continuously compelled us to provide an affordable, safe, and effective immunity-boosting supplement powered by the acai super berry,” said Organique CEO and President Cathy Salimbangon. “The findings from the University of Toronto’s study could be ground-breaking as we navigate COVID-19.” 

Organique’s premium health products harness the powers of the Brazilian acai super berry, touting benefits for anti-aging, weight-loss support, immunity-boosting, and more. 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been strong evidence that COVID-19 can trigger the body’s acute inflammatory response, leading to severe complications such as heart and lung inflammation. Initial medical studies have shown that the acai berry’s extracts have the potential of controlling the body’s inflammatory response within normal levels. 

The acai can also significantly decrease NLRP3-mediated inflammation, which is what triggers the body's response to ward off infections and stress. These findings came from Dr. Ana Andreazza, associate professor of Pharmacology and Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Originally from Brazil and working with other Brazilian researchers on this berry, Dr. Andreazza said that “acai was effective as an anti-inflammatory. It's important to note that it has a very similar effect on the NLRP3 cell as it does with damaged mitochondria as we’ve seen.” 

Dr. Joseph Lee, a guest speaker at the forum who has done extensive research on Acai, said, “For the duration that we have given acai to our patients, we have noted that they are stable and there is no erratic change to them even if they are on maintenance for high blood and liver enzyme---and those are prone to changes. Basically, through continued monitoring of all our patients and their responses to acai, we have found that acai remains a most promising superfood that can likely live up to all the claims.” 

A previous study by Dr. Andreazza also revealed that acai may even prevent mental stress too—another problem brought about by the pandemic and its socio-economic consequences such as financial uncertainty, economic slowdown, and long bouts of isolation during lockdowns. 

Although much of the research is at its early stages, the researchers remain positive that it can potentially open doors in the fight against disease worldwide. 

“Within the next six months, we can see if it can be shared globally as efficient treatment. We can see if it can treat the virus, and if ever, be used for prevention, as well as for the actual symptoms. We will also monitor if there are any after-effects in COVID-19 patients two to five years down the line,” added Dr. Michael Farkouh, lead researcher and director of the Peter Munk Centre of Excellence in Multinational Clinical Trials. “The beauty of this trial is it can be done remotely. We can ship the extract or the placebo and monitor them for any need for hospitalization. We will be checking in on them on day 1, day 15, and day 30 for regular monitoring of their clinical status.” 

“This can make a huge difference in a country like the Philippines, where many are unable to afford COVID care. If proven effective, this is just another reason why the acai berry should be a staple in our lifestyle,” stated Dr. Sonny Viloria, an expert in Integrative Wellness. While there has yet to be an approved vaccine for COVID-19, Dr. Viloria iterated that our immune system remains our best weapon against sickness. 

Salimbangon concluded, “We at Organique have been believers of the powers of acai since 2009, and we will continue to spread awareness about it until more people have more access to these supplements. Maintaining good health means good nutrition-—and that could possibly be achieved with supplements like Organique.”

Center of Innovation rises in Valenzuela OLFU unveils RISE Tower

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Progress is spurred by ideas born out of creativity, breaking beyond the confines of what is deemed as conventional. To continually develop, society needs more innovative minds – thinkers who refuse to stagnate, and citizens who act towards advancement. 

Distinguished guests join the OLFU Administrators in the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony. L-R: OLFU Executive Vice President Don August O. Santos; University President, Dr. Caroline Marian S. Enriquez; Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Kalookan, Most Rev. Deogracias S. Iñiguez, Jr., D.D.; CHED Commissioner Aldrin Darilag; Senator Win Gatchalian; Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian; Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Yvonne S. Guevara; Fatima University Medical Center President, Dr. Vicente O. Santos. 

In “improving man as man”,  believes that innovation powers the nation; hence its dedication to creating modern, empowering spaces for the promising learners and future visionaries. 

Very recently, OLFU once again affirmed its commitment through the blessing and inauguration of the Research, Innovation, Science and Enterprise Tower, better known as the RISE Tower. Situated in Marulas, Valenzuela City, the RISE is a highly advanced facility housing simulation laboratories and collaborative areas with cutting-edge equipment and technologies. 

“This facility was envisioned to serve as an integrated academic space where theories taught in the four walls of the classroom will be experienced and put into play”, University President Dr. Caroline Marian S. Enriquez said. Notably, the eight-story building features the Clinical Simulation Center furnished with training units and hi-fi manikins that teach pediatric care, obstetrics care, intensive care, surgical procedures, IV therapy and more; the Air Fatima, a mock airplane cabin; the Seven on the 6th, a mock hotel; and the Robotics Center, among others. 

Another highlight is the Learning Commons which is a series of learning spaces for study, research, collaboration and discussion, as well as a repository of print and digital resources. Some of its amenities are the amphitheater-styled Lecture Hall, a spacious Reading Area, and Discussion Rooms. It is also home to the Research Development and Innovation Center, the University’s capital for new discoveries. 

“We hope to build up creative and innovative thinking, encourage interactive discussions, and at the same time, develop confidence and professionalism in our students”, added Dr. Enriquez. 

Several distinguished guests graced the event, including Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian; Valenzuela City officials, Mayor Rexlon “Rex” Gatchalian, Vice Mayor Lorena “Lorie” Natividad-Borja, District 1 Congressman Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian; Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Aldrin Darilag, and CHED NCR Regional Director IV, Dr. Virginia Akiate. Senator Gatchalian applauded the facility’s ability to provide “hands-on experience”, counting it as “one of the most advanced facilities in the entire country”. 

He likewise acknowledged how the City of Valenzuela and OLFU are historically intertwined since the school’s founding in 1967. “As Fatima progresses, develops, and expands, so does Valenzuela”, he said. 

About OLFU: Starting as a 25-bed hospital in 1967 in the City of Valenzuela, OLFU evolved to become the esteemed, progressive institution that it is now – an ISO 9001:2015 Certified university known as the “Home of the Topnotchers” owing to its standing in licensure examinations, year-on-year. With over 50 years of perpetuating its quality brand of education, it has also established a presence in Quezon City, Pampanga, Antipolo, Nueva Ecija, and recently, Laguna. 

The RISE Tower is located on Fatima Avenue corner MacArthur Highway, Marulas, Valenzuela City, Metro Manila. 

For more information, you may visit its official website, www.fatima.edu.ph, or its official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/fatima.university . 

Internet stars band together to better online searching with #GoogleMoLang

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Ryan Morales, Google Philippines Country Marketing Manager, talks about the online game “Google Mo Lang,” where users can learn Google Search tips and tricks with the help of local Internet stars.

#GoogleMoLang, a movement that calls on Filipinos to maximize the full potential of online search. The creators are early Internet adopters who have utilized the web to advance their talents and have proven there’s a wide range of other useful things to be explored online.

Internet content creators like comedic talent Mikey Bustos, Marco Ho or Bogart the Explorer and his manager Jako de Leon, and restaurateur Erwan Heusaff heavily depend on online search in acquiring information and developing shareable content for their audience. But based on experience, limited know-hows in online search are often frustrating when people can't make sense of the results or can’t seem to find what they’re looking for. 

Seeing how online search impacts their work and practically every person’s life, the creators banded with OPM band Sponge Cola and heartthrob group Chicser to form #GoogleMoLang.

“The net has become a home for Internet content creators like Bogart, and we feel the responsibility to make information more accessible for everyone. #GoogleMoLang is a reminder that at every step of people’s search online, Google Search is there to assist them on their quest,” as Marco describes the movement as getting people to see ways in which Google Search can be used in everyday life. 

As part of the movement, the Internet stars, together with Google, devised an online game “Google Mo Lang” (http://www.google.com.ph/campaigns/googlemolang/) where netizens take a virtual adventure to create the perfect night. The interactive game simulates real-life setting by prompting users to use the search engine—through a host of tips and tricks—as they make decisions on how they'd like their night to continue. 

“#GoogleMoLang aims to deepen Filipinos’ knowledge and use of Search. It is the surest shortcut to most items that concern or interest people, so why not maximize it?” Mikey said. 

Erwan, who manages the The Fat Kid Inside blog where he shares ways and recipes on healthy eating habits, said Search helps a lot in developing new recipes and in bringing the advocacy closer to the reach of many Filipinos. “I use it everyday, both for my blog and to my day-to-day work. I use it to research emerging trends on food recipes as well as key items people are looking for, what people are hungry for. Being able to find them and pull them together in one simple step makes my work so much easier,” said Erwan. 

For the young boy band members of Chicser, Google Search has become an aide. “It has a strong impact on us because through it, we can do and know things fast, from homework to new ideas for our videos," said Biboy Cabingon, Chicser member. 

Sponge Cola’s lead guitarist Erwin Armovit turns to Google Search to find the music materials he needs. “When learning new songs, Search comes in handy in finding the chords and lyrics. When scouting for the latest playing equipment, guitars, amps, and pedals for new techniques when recording, Search is our gateway for quick access to information.”

According to the band’s lead vocalist Yael Yuzon, Search plays an important role in leaving people no more in the dark. “Information is everywhere. It's just a matter of how people can get access to it. Google Search bridges you from being uninformed to informed. Having the right information that you need is already half a battle won.”

Internet stars collaborate for #GoogleMoLang movement. Clockwise from left: Erwin Armovit (Sponge Cola), Tricky Ikki, Jako de Leon (Bogart the Explorer manager), Erwan Heussaff, Chicser members Cav Villafuerte, Owy Posadas, Oliver Posadas, Ranz Kyle, Ully Basa, and Biboy Cabingon, Ted Mark Cruz (Sponge Cola), Mikey Bustos, Gosh Dilay (Sponge Cola).

“Google Search ‘listens’ to what people exactly mean by their queries and give people back what they truly need. It shapes our lifestyle by helping us make the right decisions from the best available information,” said Ryan Morales, Google Philippines Country Marketing Manager. 

About Google Inc.

Google is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. Google’s innovations in web search and advertising have made its website a top Internet property and its brand one of the most recognized in the world.

Google is a trademark of Google Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

Google Search

Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful— Google Search is at the core of this mission, allowing users to easily find the information they need amongst the Web’s wealth of information. There are many ways you can use Google Search for life’s little shortcuts, including checking the weather forecase2et, searching for the current time in different geographic locations, calculator, unit conversion, and public data searches, among others.

• Knowledge Graph: The Knowledge Graph allows you to instantly get detailed information about the things, people or places that Google knows about—landmarks, celebrities, cities, sports teams, buildings, geographical features, movies, celestial objects, works of art and more.
• Voice search: You can now search Google by saying your search term, instead of typing it. This is a convenient way to search if you speak faster than you type or if you're not sure how to spell your search term. This works on the Google Search App for iOS, Android and Chrome browsers for laptops and desktops.

Google Trends

Are searches for your brand increasing over time? Are consumers searching for you or your competitor? Learn about your brand (or anything you may be interested in!) with the Google Trends tool. Explore by search term and see the related top searches and rising searches for a particular time period, location, category, and type of search (whether web, image, news, product, or YouTube search).

• Top searches: This refers to search terms with the most significant level of interest. These terms are related to the term you've entered; if you didn't enter in a search term, the top searches will be related to the category or country/territory you've chosen.
• Rising searches: These highlight searches that have experienced significant growth in a given time period, with respect to the preceding time period. So if you're comparing data for a search term during 2006, the time period serving as the basis of comparison is 2005.

Google Search Tips

Get facts for your research fast

Researching can sometimes be frustrating especially if you can’t seem to find what you’re looking for. Fortunately, with Google’s enhanced search functionalities, you can find answers immediately with the right know-how. Here are some tips to get facts fast:

• Get facts in one place with Knowledge graph. When looking for information about a place or a person, Google Search provides answers through a graph of facts and connections to help you understand and explore the topic better. Try searching for “Pyramids of Giza” or even Bohol’s “Chocolate Hills” and Albay’s active volcano, “Mayon Volcano” and get facts on the right side of the Search page.

• Access public data right on your fingertips. It’s now easy to get public data from World Bank by just typing in keywords on Google Search. Try searching ‘Philippine population’ or ‘GDP Philippines’ and get statistics on top of search results.

• Word definitions made easy. There’s no need to open the dictionary when looking for definitions. Type in “define:” and the word you need the definition for. The result will appear on top of the page.

• Calculate anything on Search. You can calculate anything right on Google Search, saving you precious time and giving you the right answers fast. Calculate simple formula or even try complicated ones like 5*9+(sqrt 10)^3.

• All the news you need in one page. Need to be updated on current affairs? Google News helps you see all the headlines and summary of articles you need. Customize what category you want to see—whether technology, local news, business, or even fashion—for a more precise news search.

Search with surgical precision

Aside from typing in keywords, you can be more specific in your search to get the right results on Google Search. Here are some useful search operators to use:

• Search within a specific website. When looking for information in a specific website, use the “site:” operator when searching. For example, when searching for Presidential Decrees, search “Presidential Decrees site:gov.ph.” The results will provide all searches related to it within the government site.

• Trim down results by file type. Scouring web results for a specific file is frustrating, especially if you forgot the exact title of the filename. Use the search operator “filetype:” followed by the file extension. For example, when searching for population data in Excel format, search “population Philippines filetype:xls” and all search results in Excel format will appear.

• Utilize +, -, and quotations when searching. Add and exclude words, as well as search for the exact phrase using search operators +, -, and “”, respectively. For example, if you want to search for previous Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summits but not the 2015 summit in Albay, search for “APEC "summit" -Philippines.” The results will contain the term APEC summit but not with the term “Philippines.”

Discover facts from other countries

Having knowledge about different countries will definitely be useful for school as much as it is useful for traveling. Here are some tips in getting facts about other countries:

• Know other countries’ currency. Type in “What is the currency of x country?” and get the answer immediately. You can even go further by finding out the current exchange rate for that currency. For example, type in “convert 100 MYR to Philippine peso” and get the converted amount without using a calculator.

• Find out the time in other countries. Knowing the current time in other countries is easy as typing in “time” and the city or country. The result will be displayed on top of the search results, complete with the current time and date.

• Check out the weather abroad. Check out how cold the weather is in the South Pole or how hot it is in UAE by typing in “weather” and the location. Get the temperature, precipitation, and even wind predictions for hours during the day.

Voice Search

You can use Voice Actions with Google Search to get directions, send messages, and perform a number of other common tasks on your Android device. Simply touch the Microphone icon in a search box, or by saying "Google" when the Google Now screen is open. Voice Actions are available in French, Italian, German, Spanish, English, and Japanese; this sheet lists out the currently available commands in English only.

Tasks on your phone (Android* only)

Say	Followed by	Examples
"Open..."	App name	"Open Gmail"
"Go to..."	Search string or URL	"Go to Google.com"
“Call...”	Contact name	“Call Mom”
“Text...” or “Send Text...”	Contact name, then content of text	“Text Marty I’ll be five minutes late”
“Email...” or “Send Email...”	Contact name, then content of email One or more of: "To" & contact names, "Cc" & contact names, "Bcc" & contact names, "Subject" & subject text "Message" & message text (speak punctuation)	"Send email to Juan Santos, subject, new shoes, message, I can’t wait to show you my new shoes, period."
“Create a calendar event...” or “Schedule an appointment for...”	"Event description" & "day/date" & "time"	"Create a calendar event: Dinner in Makati, Saturday at 7:00PM"
"Set alarm for..." or “Set timer for...”	as "10:45 a.m." or "20 minutes from now,"; "Label" & name of alarm	"Set alarm for 5:45 p.m., label, cook dinner" “Set timer for 10 minutes.”
"Note to self..." “Remind me to...”	Message; will send yourself an email	"Note to self: remember the milk" “Remind me to pay the bills”
“Remind me to ...at...(time) or (place)”	Sets a geo-tagged or time-tagged reminder; next time you’re in that location a notification will pop up.	“Remind me to water the plants at home.” “Remind me to call Mom at 7 o’clock.”
"Scan a barcode"	Scan a barcode or QR code to learn more about a product.	"Scan a barcode" and hold barcode in front of the device's camera.
"Post to Google+..."	What you want posted to Google+	"Post to Google+ I'm going out of town."

Finding out quick information

Say	Followed by	Examples
Your search query		"bike shoes"
“When is...”	Event name, any named day	“When is Easter this year?” “When is Chinese New Year next year?” “When is the Superbowl?”
“What is...”	Term you want defined	“What is YOLO?”
“What’s the phone number of...”	Name of business, city	“What’s the phone number of Fully Booked in BGC?”
“What’s the weather...”	Ask in all the ways you would ask about the weather. Without saying a specific city it searches based on your current location. You can also find out for a different city.	“What’s the weather like tomorrow?” “What will the weather be like in Manila?” “Am I going to need a jacket in Antipolo?” “Do I need an umbrella tomorrow?”
“What’s the stock price of...” or “What did ... close at today?”	Name of company	“What’s the stock price of Coca-Cola?”
Calculations “What is...divided by...?” or “What’s...plus...%?”	Numbers you want to calculate	“What is 236 divided by 3?" “What’s 56 plus 9%?”
“Who is...?”	Name of person, or fact about the person	“Who was Copernicus?” “Who is David Beckham’s wife?”
“How do I...?”	Query involving “how to” e.g. recipes, DIY	“How do I make adobo?”
“How tall is...?”		“How tall is Mount Everest?”
“Show me...” or “What does the ... look like?”	Name of picture or object	“Show me a picture of the Mona Lisa” “What does the Eiffel Tower look like?”

Navigation

Say	Followed by	Examples
"Map of"	Address, name, business name, type of business, or other location	"Map of Rizal Park, Manila."
“Where is...”	Address, name, business name, type of business, or other location	“Where is Intramuros?”
"Directions to" or "Navigate to"	Address, name, business name, type of business, or other destination	"Directions to España Blvd., Quezon Drive, Manila."
“How do I get to ... by ...”	Destination name; public transit mode	“How do I get to the airport by bus?”
“How far is”	Address, city, or other location	“How far is Quirino Grandstand?”
“Where is the nearest” or “Nearby...”	Business, utility etc. such as gas station, ATM, bank, restaurants	“Where is the nearest Starbucks?

Entertainment

Say	Followed by	Examples
Name of sports team or athlete “Who are the ... playing?” “Did the ... win?”		“Gilas Pilipinas” “Federer” “Who are the Giants playing?”
“Show me the trailer for...” or “Play me a video of...”	Name of movie, video, scene	“Show me the trailer for Skyfall” “Play me a video of someone playing a banjo”
"What's this song?"	Make sure song is audible near phone	When you hear a song, ask "What's this song?"
"Listen to..."	Words to search YouTube for, such as the name of a song, artist, or album.	"Listen to: Smells Like Teen Spirit"

Travel

Say	Followed by	Examples
“Translate...to...”	Phrase you want translated into a different language	“Translate where is the nearest bus stop to German"
“What time is it in...”	City name, location	“What time is it in Paris?”
Currency conversion “How much is...in...?”	Value into target currency	"How much is 167 Euros in dollars?"
Flight times “When does flight ... take off?” or “When does flight...arrive?”	Flight number	“When does United flight 901 take off?”

*Some voice actions’ availability will depend on the version of Android your device is running. For best results, use devices installed with Android 4.1+

**To check your regional setting for voice searches, within the Google search app go to Settings > Voice > Language > English > (choose your language dialect)

Your baby’s precious CORD blood can save his precious life

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As mothers, you will do anything for your child. Even way before they are brought into this world, your instincts kick in and you tirelessly worry about your baby. You want to learn everything there is to learn and more importantly, you want to protect them from anything and everything that can harm them be it the common cold or a fever; and if you had your way, you would gladly get sick for your child. 

And your anxiety is not without reason, since there are many childhood diseases that can be harmful or even fatal to children.

Niña Corpuz, popular reporter, decided to bank with Cordlife, she knew it was an investment in her baby’s and her family’s future. Like any mom, Niña wants to give her baby the best that life has to offer and her baby’s long-term health and well-being was the primary reason for her to consider banking her baby’s cord blood and cord lining. 

“Having my child was the most fulfilling moment of my life. I never thought I’d be capable of so much love and sacrifice until I gave birth to my wonderful kids.” said Corpuz. “Every day is just a joy and as early as now, I think of the many things my child and I will do, experience, and share. I invested in my baby’s cord blood and cord lining because I want to be sure that my baby is given the best investment I could ever give.”

Leukemia is perhaps the most common type of cancer compromising 47.8% of all childhood cancers1. Hodgkin’s Disease1 or non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is the third childhood cancer comprising 9% of childhood cancer. Aside from these types of cancers, certain brain disorders are also common in children. These include cerebral palsy and neuroblastoma. Cerebral palsy severely impairs the development of the motor functions and afflicts 1-2 percent of the Philippine population2. Neuroblastoma, on the other hand, causes the sufferer to lose the ability to empty the bladder, experience paralysis of the hips, feet, legs and uncontrolled movement.

Research into the use of cord blood and cord lining stem cells have been ongoing since the 1980s and has shown promise of saving lives and treating life-threatening diseases. More than 30,000 cord blood stem cell transplants3 have already been performed since 1988. 

“The strides made in cord blood transplantation has made this manner of treating diseases more widely accepted by people,” said Dr. Arvin Faundo, Cordlife Philippines Medical Director. “Currently, umbilical cord blood transplant is considered as one of the standard forms of treatments for leukemia, among others. Also, many clinical trials4, 5 worldwide are ongoing for which the results are encouraging. In fact, Duke Medicine is studying the use of umbilical cord blood stem cells6 to treat autism and related brain disorders. While the trials are still in the initial phases, we are hopeful that these will yield positive results.” 

Last June, Duke Medicine received USD 15 million funding by Atlanta-based Marcus Foundation. Apart from treating patients based in the United States, Duke Medicine has also opened its door for possible participants from outside of the country provided they meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria7 to be considered, patients must be aged between 24 months and 72 months old. The patient would also need to travel at least three times to Duke Medicine in the United States – at the infusion, the six- and 12-month follow up stages. A stipend worth U$1,000 will likewise be provided to the trial participant per trip to help defray travel expenses.

Today, Cordlife has served over 3,000 families in the Philippines alone and is trusted by 100,000 parents8 worldwide.

“We are definitely seeing a growing acceptance and openness of the Filipino market to the idea of umbilical cord lining and cord blood banking because I believe that the parents are now more proactive in finding better means to complete their family’s health protection plan.” said Michael Arnonobal, Cordlife Philippines Managing Director. “More importantly, today’s mothers see investing in their children and families as paramount to ensuring their legacy and their well-being.”

For more information, download Cordlife’s free infopack @ www.cordlife.ph or call (02) 3321888 to know how you can invest in your children’s future.