GSK Philippines rallies women to put on their power pout against cervical cancer

Tweet

Women empowerment is having positive thinking on the ability to make change, power of enduring or bearing pain, hardships or stress and the strength to continue life to last.

Life will never the same after you hear the "C" word - Cancer. Every woman is at risk. There are women who have survived cervical cancer and have decided to share their stories not only to help empower themselves and move past cervical cancer, but educate and empower other women who might be going through similar situations.

Cervical cancer is a major problem for Filipino women: it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Filipinas, with seven dying of the dreaded disease every single day. What’s more worrying is that two in three Filipinas diagnosed with cervical cancer may die within five years. Cervical cancer is a risk for women regardless of race, age, lifestyle or socio-economic status.

Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop and spread in the cervix, the entrance between the vagina and the uterus. The human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common virus, is the necessary cause of cervical cancer. It has been shown that 99.7 percent of cervical cancer patients are positive for HPV infection. It is also estimated that up to 80 percent of women will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives.

While HPV is primarily transmitted via sexual intercourse, skin-to-skin genital contact is also a recognized mode of transmission.

Lifestyle changes can help prevent the development of cervical cancer, such as being conscientious about one’s sexual activities. Beyond regular consultations and pap smears by your OB-GYN, vaccines that protect against cancer-causing HPV are also now readily available.

Gypsy Abilla explaining how she won against the disease

Andi Manzano-Reyes

A risk regardless of age

Based on a study of 307 women in Ontario, the incidence of cancer-causing HPV infection is actually highest at the young ages of 15-19. The World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (WHO-SAGE) on Immunization reiterates the importance of getting young girls protected through HPV immunization before their first exposure to HPV (i.e. before sexual contact), as young as 9 years old.

What about older women? The risk of persistent infection with cancer-causing HPV (which is necessary for cervical cancer to develop) increases with age, and is highest when a woman is over 66 years old. Thus, screening is recommended starting age 21 to detect cervical abnormalities that precede actual cervical cancer. Vaccination remains to be recommended for older women to prevent new HPV infections.

Power Over Cervical Cancer

Leading research-based pharmaceutical company GSK continues to ramp up its cervical cancer awareness efforts this year with the patient—the woman—always in mind. In the Philippines, the Power Over Cervical Cancer campaign urges Filipinas to realize that they are empowered—that they can do something to prevent the disease from happening to them, so they don’t miss out on a colorful life ahead or leave their loved ones behind.

Purple lips against cervical cancer

In commemoration of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, GSK Philippines launched its partnership with cosmetics manufacturer VMV Hypoallergenics at a press event entitled Put On Your Power Pout!, held last May 28th at Makati Shangri-La Hotel. 

The partnership introduces a twist on spreading awareness: encouraging women to join the movement by wearing purple lipstick to show their support for the advocacy on cervical cancer prevention. 

“Cancer is quite a distant concept for women who are well. What might be more important to them is keeping up with the latest trends, especially in fashion and beauty. The lipstick is a woman’s own—when she wears it, she makes a statement about herself. Through this partnership with VMV, we hope to drive women to make a statement against cervical cancer,” says Mark Castillo, GSK product manager.

Jacklyn Remo, assistant marketing manager for VMV Hypoallergenics, supports the movement:

“We are fully committed toward this partnership with GSK Philippines. At VMV Hypoallergenics, we promise the safest, most proven effective care on the planet—and that extends to beauty. This unique combination of science, wellness and beauty means we also strongly stand for advocacies that help women, their health and happiness.”

So take care of yourself. Take care of daughters. Talk to your female friends, colleagues, family members. Vaccination is available. Vaccinating young girls can help reduce rates of cervical cancer in the future. We can protect our daughters by vaccinating them now.

Andi Manzano-Reyes; Vanee Gosiengfiao - Business Development Director, GSK;
Dr. Esther Ganzon; Gypsy Abilla; Marie Cortez; Mark Castillo

JOIN THE MOVEMENT NOW—take a photo of yourself wearing VMV Hypoallergenics’ Tutu or Chorus Line lipstick (or a photo of you holding your kiss mark from the lipstick) and post it on Instagram and Facebook with the hashtags #PowerPout and #PowerOverCervicalCancer!

A health service message brought to you by GSK. For further information on cervical cancer, please consult your doctor.


Photos:  #PowerPout  #PowerOverCervicalCancer!

Via Venetto, a world-class Pinoy shoe brand

Tweet

“World-class” has become a buzzword in today’s increasingly globalized economy. In a market that welcomes the influx of products from everywhere, only those with truly special offerings survive. Via Venetto is one such brand.

Founded in 1973, exporting to the United States of America, France and Singapore, Via Venetto is a company that draws upon a cherished shoemaking tradition in the Philippines – one carried on by families in the neighborhoods of Marikina and Liliw, even as cheap, low-quality shoes are being mass produced by the thousands in China and other Asian countries. 

Amid the threat of growing competition, the people behind Via Venetto were unafraid to ask themselves: “How do we keep our shoes world-class?” The answer, it appears, lay in sticking to what the company has championed over the years: a strong commitment to quality, handcrafted craftsmanship, and solid support and appreciation of the highly skilled Filipino artisan. 

A trusted brand

Since its foray into the shoe business in 1973, Via Venetto has enjoyed a strong following among women of style, with its collection of shoes that are touted to be at par with the world’s finest. Not surprisingly, the brand has earned an iconic status in the Philippine shoe industry.

“Our clients have grown old with us, and it’s a matter of pride for us. We enjoy the trust of many lolas, moms and titas, and we are thankful for that,” reveals Ms. Ging Pajaro, President of Via Venetto. Ging shares that the brand’s designs also cater to teens, women aged 25 to 35, young executives, upward mobile young professionals and the daughters, pamangkins, and apos of their patrons of many, many years.

Via Venetto has since launched new shoe collections that are set to catch the eye of the younger set. Now gracing their racks at Greenbelt, Glorietta, Ayala Town Center, SM Megamall, and Trinoma are ballerina flats and loafers in a variety of shades, as well as platforms, classic pumps, sandals, slingbacks, wedges, and mules with trendy woven, in glittery leathers, snakeskin, patent and new fashion finishes.

While they now sport a contemporary look, somehow the shoes still embody Via Venetto’s distinct aesthetic: made of fine Italian and European leathers, classy, and durable. After all, behind each pair is the brand’s 40 year-tradition of shoemaking.

Fatto a Mano

Via Venetto takes pride in a 39-step process of shoemaking by hand (or in Italian, fatto a mano), a practice inspired by some of the world’s most renowned brands and perfected by the company for over four decades.

Crafting shoes at the Via Venetto factory in Marikina begins with the conceptualization of a shoe design, as well as its translation into a working pattern. This is followed by the cutting, preparation, and closing of the upper, during which the leather is cut by hand or a machine, folded, and sewn together.

The shoemaker will then prepare the counter, outsole, insole, heel, and toplift, which are skived (cut into thin layers), buffed (smoothed), pressed, cemented, and nailed, before they are placed inside shoe lasts or wooden molds. After the lasting comes the attachment of the sole and heel.

Finally, the shoes undergo buffing, painting, polishing and cleaning, to the shoe tree for quality control, and are placed in boxes for distribution to stores, where they are sure to be ogled, touched and tried on by enthusiastic customers.

World-class 

In the face of the tougher competition brought by the onslaught of cheaper, imported shoes and knock-offs, Ging and the rest of the people behind Via Venetto are unperturbed.

“At Via Venetto, we have always stayed true to our cherished tradition of superior craftsmanship and our use of only the world’s finest leathers to make high-quality shoes. Hindi pwede ang pwede na (We do not suffice with make-do). It is this tradition which earned us a loyal patronage through the years, and which will enable us to keep our leadership and special place in the hearts of our clients and in Philippine shoe market,” Ging explained.

With a solid handcrafted shoemaking tradition, a devoted – and growing – following, and an innovative vision for the brand, Via Venetto is truly set to conquer greater heights, one step (of a superbly-crafted shoe) at a time. 

TV Host Iya Villania-Arellano enjoys an allergy-free active lifestyle with Claritin Reditabs

Tweet

Actress and TV host Iya Villania-Arellano is physically active and always involve at athletics and sports. 

Currently seen in Sunday variety show "Sunday All Stars" and magazine show "Taste Buddies", Iya even finds herself more active and adventurous now that she's together with her hubby Drew. 

Adventurous souls don’t like to be bogged down by anything, not even an allergy attack. Knowing what makes you allergy on things, but symptoms usually can be prevented or controlled with major improvement in quality of life.

Iya is still not immune to allergy attacks. Iya said she suffers from allergy, but she still takes life by the horns and doesn’t let anything get in the way. 

“I believe allergies shouldn’t be an excuse to forgo an active lifestyle. The great outdoors is fun! There’s so much you can discover about yourself, your loved ones and the world when you’re out there. It was when I realized this that I decided to do everything I can to not let allergies control what I can and cannot do. I decided that I should always be ready,” Iya said. 

She is in the gym at least four times a week, does a mixture of core kinesis, Plana Forma and Power Plate. She also trains regularly to prepare for a roster of challenging triathlon events this year. 

“This active lifestyle is a choice I had to make. After seeing how certain foods, combined with a sedentary lifestyle, affect my health and mood, I decided to take charge of my health. I definitely feel better than I did before,” she said. 

“It catches up with me during the most unexpected moments. Once when I was on a trip, my allergy broke out because of pollen and I wasn’t able to act on it because I had no water with me. Allergy attacks strike even at home when I play with Drew’s pet. Good thing, I am now always ready by bringing a pack of Claritin Reditabs wherever I go,” she said.

Iya Villania-Arellano with Claritin Reditabs

Loratadine (Claritin Reditabs) is the same powerful Claritin millions have trusted in a new and revolutionary format.

“Just peel off the foil and pop it in your mouth. This new and convenient format can be taken anytime, anywhere. No water needed!

This non-drowse variant orally dissolves in seconds and leaves you with a fresh minty taste. And the effects last for 24 hours,” Iya said.

“Living a healthy and active lifestyle is possible in spite of allergy attacks. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and of course, always be ready with a pack of New Claritin Reditabs,” she added.

More Photos: Claritin Reditabs #AlwaysRedi 

Epson's Projector Market Share Grows by 6 points to Capture Market Leadership

Tweet

Epson Maintains Global Leadership for 14 Years 

FutureSource Consulting, the leading research and forecasting company in consumer electronics, entertainment, and education markets, recently confirmed Epson's 14th consecutive year of global leadership in the projector category.

In an independent 3rd party study in the US made by 

Radius Global Market Research of nearly 900 participants, 

9 out of 10 people prefer images from Epson projectors 

compared to other brands.

Here in the Philippines, a growth spurt of 6 percentage points enabled the Epson brand to capture market leadership in the country, leading the industry with a commanding 31 % Market Share.

Lyn Lizarondo, EPC Product Manager for Projectors

Lyn Lizarondo, Epson Philippines Corporation's (EPC) Product Manager for Projectors, explained :

"As the World's No.1 brand in projectors, Epson pioneered a campaign to inform customers about Color Brightness -  an important measurement of red, green and blue light projection measured in lumens. Prior to this, lumens only referred to white brightness. Because of our very own 3LCD technology, Epson delivers the same high level of Color Brightness and White Brightness to deliver vivid and realistic colors .. unlike 1·chip projectors that deliver a color brightness of only 1/3 of their white lumens.

For example 1· chip projectors with 2100 lumens usually only produce 700 lumens of color; Epson's 3LCD projectors, on the other hand, produce 2100 white and 2100 color lumens equally."

Angelia Ong from Manila is Miss Philippines Earth 2015

Tweet

Angelia Gabrena Ong

From the City of Manila,  Angelia Gabrena Ong has been crowned as the Miss Philippines Earth 2015 at the grand finals held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, hosted by Robi Domingo and Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry, and Ginger Conejero.

 

Now the new Earth Warrior, Marketing Management student Angelia, 24 years old will serve as the Ambassador to environmental protection campaigns in the country, and represent the Philippines to one of the biggest international beauty competitions - the Miss Earth Pageant. 

Carousel Productions, Inc. believed beauty queens would be a good and effective advocate of worthy causes. Together with the Miss Earth Foundation, Miss Philippines - Earth  aims to give a strong emphasis on environmental awareness programs.

Here is the full list of winners:

Miss PH Earth: Manila, Angelia Ong

Miss PH Air: San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, Chanel Thomas

Miss PH Water: Bago City, Catherine Joy Marin

Miss PH Fire: Siniloan, Lagunam Carla Angela Valderrama

Miss Eco Tourism: Iloilo City, Jona Sweett

This is the list of top 15:

City of Manila, Angelia Ong

Baguio, Sofia Deliu

Cabanatuan, Diana Mackey

Dinalupihan, Bataan, Myle Reyes

San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, Chanel Thomas

Guinobatan, Albay Jian Salazar

Lipa City, Paris Silva

Santa Cruz, Laguna, Alyanna Mikaela Cagandahan

Siniloan, Lagunam Carla Angela Valderrama

Bago City, Catherine Joy Marin

Iloilo City, Jona Sweett

Mandaue City, Mhon Theress Menaling

Cagayan De Oro City, Beatrice Alvarez

Iligan City, Jocehl Cristoria

Misamis Oriental, Mitsume Aguilar

Winners of the special awards:

Best cultural costume: Lipa City, gown designed by Chico Estiva

Best eco video: Ipil Zamboanga Sibugay, Maria Loraine Macay Grengia.

Miss SM Markets: Bago City, Catherine Marin

Miss Hana 2015: Manila, Angelia Ong

Congratulations to Miss Philippines Earth 2015 winners ! 

Photo: Missology/ Miss Philippines Earth