Crizal launches first preventive lenses for selective protection against blue light and UV rays

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Essilor, the world leader in corrective lenses, is launching the first lens to offer selective protection against harmful blue light and UV rays. Crizal Prevencia lens lets in essential light, which your body needs to function properly, while filtering out harmful light. It thus helps to protect your eyes against the risk of retina damage, caused by Blue-Violet light, and to reduce the risk of cataracts, which can result from overexposure to UV.

Prevention is essential, especially for children & adults over 45

Prevention with Crizal Prevencia is currently the first line of defence against the worldwide problems of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. These conditions affect more than 350 million people around the world, a figure that may double in the next 30 years as the worldwide population ages. 

Dr Emelita Roleda, General Manager of Essilor Philippines, sums up the importance of this new lens: “It is a landmark discovery in the field of optical science and we are very proud to have contributed, to this major step forward in the battle against one of the most devastating eye conditions. With Crizal Prevencia, we are pioneers in addressing the challenge of preventative innovation today. This perfectly fits in with Essilor’s strategy of playing a predominant role in the implementation of solutions for better visual health for everyone, all over the world.”

Children and adults over 45 are the most vulnerable to the dangers of light. Children’s developing eyes are very transparent, letting visible light and UV pass through the retina. This is a pressing matter, as they tend to spend their days outdoors, accumulating high exposure of UV. As for adults over 45, their eyes’ natural defence system is weakened and more susceptible to the effects of Blue-Violet light and UV.

Prevention is critical in current digital times

LED-based equipment such as the environmentally safer LED lights and LED screens of smartphones, tablets and laptops, have been shown to emit larger proportion of blue light as compared to the old incandescent lamps and fluorescent tubes. Out of the blue light emitted by these devices, it is the Blue-Violet light that is raising concerns. 

With more people embracing digital lifestyles, exposure to Blue-Violet light increases. Over long hours, it can lead to eyestrain and fatigue, thus overexposure to Blue-Violet light may increase the likelihood of AMD.

Good and bad blue light

Emitted by the sun, as well as by artificial light sources, such as LEDs, blue light is part of visible light and is close to UV on the light spectrum. 

A certain part of blue light, known as Blue-Turquoise light, is a natural form of light therapy. It acts as a “natural regulator” for our bodies, helping balance our sleep cycle and keep us energised and alert.

However, recent research by Essilor and the Paris Vision Institute, one of Europe’s largest eye health research centres, confirms that a specific band of blue light is more harmful for our eyes. The joint team developed a completely new protocol in this scientific domain: an in vitro test on retinal cells to determine the harmfulness of different light rays. This enabled them to identify Blue-Violet light as the portion of the visible light spectrum that presents the biggest risk of causing gradual degeneration of retinal cells, potentially leading to serious eye conditions.

A lens that selectively filters light to reduce the risks of AMD and cataracts

In response to this finding, Essilor has developed the Crizal Prevencia lens, which protects your eyes from the Blue-Violet light that contributes to retinal cell degeneration while allowing beneficial Blue-Turquoise light to pass through. 

This is new category of preventive lenses developed thanks to Light Scan™, an exclusive technology that filters light selectively by letting beneficial Blue-Turquoise light pass through, filtering out harmful Blue-Violet rays that can contribute to AMD and UV rays that are a major cause of cataracts, while maintaining the transparency of the lens, ensuring an optimal visual experience for prescription glasses wearers.

Techbox Philippines is moving!

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Merely two years after its establishment, Techbox Philippines has tallied impressive wins -- the launch of 32 branches nationwide, six overwhelmingly-successful warehouse sales, and the creation of its own online retail store. Now, Techbox Philippines is about to ‘move’ to something bigger – a new head office in Pasig City!

“The growth of Techbox surpassed our wildest expectations. We’re blessed beyond belief by a great set of customers,” said Angela Gutierrez, Business Unit Head for Techbox Philippines. 

“That is why we want to show our appreciation of their loyalty and support by holding a marvelous moving-out sale. Our customers’ favorite gadgets will be made available at incredibly low prices,” added Gutierrez. The sale will take place on May 15-17, 2015 at Techbox’s old office at 2299 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City.

As this is most likely Techbox’s last warehouse sale in its old office, the company promises that they’re going all-out. “Aside from our regular customers, we expect that those whom we failed to serve in our past warehouse sales will get their chance this time,” said Angela. “This will be an unforgettable send-off,” added Angela. The sale will feature products from Lenovo, Nokia, LG, Nikon, Sony, Belkin, and Philips. 

Techbox Philippines is the fastest growing gadget retail chain in the country. They offer trusted handset brands and cellphone accessories at affordable prices.

To get the latest Techbox deals, visit www.techboxhub.com. 

5 items you can sell right now and be a wealthier you!

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One of the New Year’s resolution and future plans -  cleaning your room and to have more space you can enjoy. How to do it?  You will free up space in your closet and take out clothes you’re no longer using. If you haven’t cleaned or decluttered your home yet, there is no better occasion than now. And while you’re at it, you can also sell the unused stuff to make extra cash.

Open your closet and table drawers, look under your bed and move your furniture aside. To give you a head start, here are 5 items that you can consider selling:

Summer clothing and accessories

Hoarding a closetful of extra clothes? Sell them as preloved to fashionistas online. You can sell the old tees and jeans you haven’t used in ages and the dresses that no longer fit you. The rule is, if you haven’t seen or worn them in 3 months, let it go. 

Cameras

If you have an old camera that has long been forgotten, it can be sold for a good price online. Tip: sell your old gadgets as soon you have bought a new one. Cameras are also one of the most sought-after gadgets during the summer, especially since most families and friends are going on vacations and outdoor trips. Smartphones may be ideal for selfies, but hi-res cameras are still the preferred lens for shooting landscapes and group shots. 

Books and other publications

Got a bookcase full of old books you’ve grown tired of reading all over again? Why don’t you sell them and use the money to buy the latest books you want? Used books, regardless if they are classic or contemporary, are the choice companions of people who are either on vacation or staycation.

Electronic gadgets and appliances

Want to upgrade to the latest high-end smartphone or LED TV without breaking the bank? Sell your old gadgets and appliances and then use the extra cash to supplement the money you need to buy brand-new gizmos. Lots of trendy online buyers are looking for good quality but discounted smartphones, TVs and other electronic appliances. 

Fitness and sporting equipment

If you have an unused yoga mat or an exercise bike that’s been left to gather dust in the corner of your room, sell it to other fitness enthusiasts. Lots of folks will be pursuing a new sports or fitness routine during the summer season. Most of them will also be looking for quality and affordable sports equipment and gears, from fitness trackers to treadmills. Take advantage of this trend by selling the ones you’re no longer using.

After you’re done identifying all the household items you want to sell, take photos and post your ads online. 

Use leading buy and sell sites, like OLX, to reach millions of Pinoy buyers and sell your preloved items fast. You can even download their free Android and iOS app to make your selling experience a lot faster and easier. 

Extend the value of your stuff by earning extra cash from it while also helping others get a good deal. This year, aim for an improved living space and a wealthier you! 

Asia Tour of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER Aims to Bring Audience To Their Feet—And Dance in the Aisles

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Remembering "Saturday Night Fever"? A huge commercial success, "Saturday Night Fever" significantly popularized disco music around the world and made celebrities like John Travolta famous. The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack featuring disco songs by the Bee Gees became one of the best-selling soundtracks of all time.

The younger generation has not had a chance to witness the impact of the movie 'Saturday Night Fever' made in the '70s. I'd be great to see a new generation of theatergoers dancing in the aisles to the timeless tunes of The Bee Gees,” says Patrick Bywalski, deputy chairman of Robert Stigwood Organisation Ltd. , which co-produces the upcoming Asian Tour of the hit West End and Broadway dance musical SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER alongside Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) and Ten Bridges Media Corp. 

The dancing crowd doing the hustle is expected to spill out of The Theatre at Solaire Resort and Casino, where a '70s disco-themed party will take place at a nearby venue to aptly kick off the tour running in Manila (July 3-26), Kuala Lumpur (Septmber 1-15), and Singapore (September 25 to October 11). 

“Since SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER opened in the West End in 1997, we've nurtured the musical around the globe with each production contextualized [and recontextualized] to please the local customs,” adds Bywalski. Apparently, the recent UK productions and the upcoming Asian Tour of the musical have been more fearless—definitely more provocative—than their sanitized predecessors in the West End and on Broadway by staying true to the authentic, gritty realism depicted in the landmark film. 

“The film was, finally, so authentic...it was more of a documentary,” Karen Lynn Gorney, the actress who played Stephanie Mangano, the love interest of John Travolta's Tony Manero in the film, told Vanity Fair in December 2007. “We improvised for two weeks, so that by the time it came to filming, [film director] John Badham just shot what was happening. It wasn't acting.”

With the stamp of approval to reimagine SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER onstage for Asian audiences, multi-awarded stage director Bobby Garcia has set his eyes on reliving the authentic coming-of-age in a tough world story of the film—amid the backdrop of the pulsating strobe lights of the infamous retro '70s disco era.

For Garcia, nothing would be more authentic than asking Broadway choreographer and child of the '70s Vince Pesce to join his creative team. Pesce, who's a longtime associate choreographer of Tony winner Kathleen Marshall, grew up in the same neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, where the movie was filmed. “I've a clear memory of the movement/dance and how it made us feel,” says Pesce.

Based upon music critic Nik Cohn's magazine article “Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night,” which was published in the June 7, 1976 issue of New York, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER tells the story of Italian-American Vincent (later renamed to Tony Manero) and his gang in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn who are stuck in dead-end jobs but rule the dance floor at the discotheque 2001 Odyssey. Vincent or Tony is a tough cookie; an outstanding dancer, his ultimate dream was to escape the mean streets of Brooklyn.

“I did go back and look at the movie again just to make sure I capture the gritty, dynamic, and social movement that shifted popular dance as we know it,” Pesce continues. “With that in mind, Bobby Garcia, our director, and I felt we needed to expand the dancing in the show and make it more relatable to modern audiences yet remain true to the original choreography. You'll get to see the hustle, Travolta's finger point, and lots of exciting disco dancing but much more is needed to be done.

“Today's sophisticated audiences are accustomed to intricate, dynamic dance styles on TV, e.g. 'Dancing with the Stars.' We have to deliver expanded dance sequences that will thrill. On the other hand, we also have to create a world of movement that doesn't only take place in the disco. Essentially, we need to capture the pulse, frustration, and energy of the streets of Brooklyn and the '70s social movements.”

A show that's heavy on the dance side yet demands authentic emotions onstage, a triple threat casting is equally crucial. “We auditioned for the roles of Tony, Stephanie, Tony's friend Double J, and a [Latin] dancer in N.Y.,” says West End and Broadway casting director Tara Rubin. “We were looking for great actors, singers, and dancers who seemed authentic to the show's time and place. We needed actors experienced enough to star in the show and play these iconic roles.”

Pesce adds, “The culture in Brooklyn is all about bigger than life and fun loving personalities. We didn't stop looking until we found them.”

At the end of the auditions, Brandon Rubendall (“Spider-man” on Broadway), Jenna Rubaii (“American Idiot”), and Nick Varricchio (“A Chorus Line”) were cast as Tony, Stephanie, and Double J, respectively.

Thespians Marie Rose, Rafa Giguion-Reyna, Yanah Laurel, Jamie Wilson, and Carla Guevara-Laforteza are also joining its 20-strong cast.

Besides Garcia, Pesce, and Rubin, Tony Award-winning scenic designer David Gallo, original lighting designer of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER on Broadway Paul Miller, costume designer Eric Pineda, and musical director Ceejay Javier are also part of the show's first-rate creative team.

For tickets and more information, call ATEG at (632)650 5144 or (63917) 8381534; visit TicketWorld at ticketworld.com.ph.

Like ATEG on facebook.com/ATEGasia.

DepEd publishes partial list of schools that will offer SHS nationwide

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As part of the continuous preparations for the full implementation of the K to 12 program, the Department of Education (DepEd) released the initial list of Senior High Schools (SHS) online, comprised of DepEd and non-DepEd schools, higher education institutions (HEIs), technical vocational institutions (TVIs), state universities and colleges (SUCs).

DepEd Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said that “the 2014 and 2015 budgets already have allocations for 30,000 classrooms for SHS.” He also mentioned that the initial target for the proposed 2016 budget, which is subject for approval, is over 20,000 classrooms for SHS. The government shall further allocate investments for SHS.

The partial list shows 3,839 public schools that were submitted to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for funding and to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for bidding and construction. Also included is the initial list of the 1,866 non-DepEd schools, which include private schools, HEIS, TVIs, LUCs, and SUCs that have been cleared to offer SHS come June 2016. There are still applications being processed.

The list may be viewed at www.deped.gov.ph/datasets.