Acer Academy honored new and loyal members at awards night

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From left to right: Acer Philippines Sales and Marketing Manager Sue Ong-Lim; Acer Philippines Managing Director Manuel Wong; St. Dominic College of Asia President Dr. Greg Andaman and wife; Joselito Dominguez and Fritz Agapito of Metro Manila College; Ivar Nelson Bingcang and Jenald Rodelas of Adventist University of the Philippines; Raul Acapulco of Immaculada Concepcion College; Fr. Uly Rimabawa and Rodelio Barcenas of Don Dosco Technical College; Carlo Anthony Nakpil and Ana Niguidula of Holistic Development Center; Acer Commercial Channel Sales Manager Carren Garcia

Local IT giant Acer Philippines, Inc. recently honored members of its Acer Academy program during the awards night held at the Manila Ocean Park.

Acer introduced the new members of its growing Acer Academy program. The event also served as a platform to showcase its continuing efforts in strengthening its partnership with the academe in setting new benchmarks in the education sphere.

Loyalty awards were also given to schools that were part of the program for no less than 3 years. Benefits included rewards based on purchases where points are earned and can be converted into training opportunities, free devices for the school, discounts and freebies. For walk-in purchases at the Acer Concept Store, the faculty will be awarded with outright discounts upon showing of their school ID and upon availing of the Extended Faculty Purchase Program from the loyalty program. This offer is good for one year only.

The new members for Luzon include Metro Manila College, St. Dominic College of Asia, Adventist University of the Philippines, Immaculada Concepcion College, Don Bosco Technical College, Holistic and Development Center, and Faith Academy. The Loyalty awardees are Saint Pedro Poveda College, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, and Holy Angel University.

Acer also showcased its various impressive new products for the education sector, particularly its latest desktops, laptops, tablets, projectors and other modern teaching equipment for today’s 21st Century classrooms during the event, themed “Dive into Discovery: Experience the world of innovation.”

From left to right: Sue Ong-Lim, Acer Philippines Sales and Marketing Director; Manuel Wong, Acer Philippines Managing Director; Carlo Anthony Nakpil and Ana Niguidula of Holistic Development Center; Acer Philippines Sales Manager for Business Development Alexis De Guzman; Acer Philippines Commercial Channel Sales Manager Carren Garcia.

Major event highlights include the inspirational talks from two of Acer’s latest brand ambassadors. Francis Kong, an award-winning business columnist and speaker, talked about the challenges he faced early on in his career and how he aspired for greater goals in order to succeed. Megan Young, Miss World 2013, on the other hand, talked about how her aspirations to succeed pushed her to achieve her goals through hard work and determination.

Prior to the Acer brand ambassadors’ speeches, an exciting “Mermaid Show” was performed by the Manila Ocean Park Mermaid team. Later in the evening, a thrilling treat was provided by Acer Philippines where member-schools toured the Manila Ocean Park and visited some of its most notable attractions like the “Oceanarium,” “Fish Spa” and “Trails to Antarctica.”

Carren Garcia, Channel Sales Manager, Acer Philippines, also provided updates regarding the program, which now has 97 members, a far cry from only 11 member-schools when the program started several years back. “The target was to grow the membership to 100 schools by year-end. Definitely we are on target of surpassing that number,” she pointed out.

The Acer Academy Program started in 2012. The membership now includes colleges and universities nationwide, with the biggest coming from Luzon, followed by Mindanao and then the Visayas. As member-schools of the program, the school and students enjoy several benefits such as Acer’s sponsorship of school events and activities, free training for the school faculty and IT personnel, participation in campus tours, and students of an Acer Academy program member are prioritized under Acer’s internship program where they get first crack at on-the-job or even possible hiring opportunities.

Garcia also announced that they are looking at growing the number of the program’s member-schools. More importantly, however, she said it is all about retaining more member-schools for it to be able to serve the academe. “Our plan next year is to engage even the students of member-schools and not just the faculty. We are also looking at creating an annual programming and design skills competition using Acer devices, technology and other gadgets. The mechanics is already being crafted. Initially, we’re looking at senior high school to college students as participants.”

From left to right: Sue Ong-Lim, Acer Philippines Sales and Marketing Director; Manuel Wong, Acer Philippines Managing Director, Raul Acapulco of Immaculada Concepcion College; Acer Philippines Sales Manager for Business Development Alexis De Guzman; Acer Philippines Commercial Channel Sales Manager Carren Garcia.

Other plans, Garcia said, include the launching of the “Acer Cloud Professor,” which will utilize software programming and robotics, plus conducting outreach programs where Acer will seek the help of member-schools in identifying certain indigent communities by helping share technologies and other CSR-related activities.

From left to right: Acer Philippines Sales and Marketing Director Sue Ong-Lim; Acer Philippines Managing Director Manuel Wong; Jenal Rodelas and Ivar Nelson Bingcang of Adventist University of the Philippines; Acer Philippines Sales Manager for Business Development Alexis De Guzman; Acer Philippines Commercial Channel Sales Manager Carren Garcia.

From left to right: Acer Philippines Sales and Marketing Director Sue Ong-Lim; Acer Philippines Managing Director Manuel Wong; Fritz Agapito and Joselito Dominguez of Metro Manila College; Acer Philippines Sales Manager for Business Development Alexis De Guzman; Acer Philippines Commercial Channel Sales Manager Carren Garcia.

For more about the Acer Academy Program, go to www.acer.com.ph, follow Acer via Twitter (twitter.com/acerphils) or www.Facebook.com/AcerPH. 

Protecting Patient Health with Gabay Generika

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Improper use of medicines has long been a global health issue . It occurs when patients do not have access to safe, effective, and affordable medication that meet their clinical needs at the right time, and at the right dosage. According to a World Health Organization study, Promoting Rational Use of Medicines: Core Components, over 50% of all medicines are prescribed, dispensed, or sold inappropriately while 50% of patients fail to take them correctly. As a response to this situation, Generika Drugstore now provides Gabay Generika services to help promote the proper use of medicine and to address health concerns of Filipinos ensuring that their health and well-being is well taken care of. 

Under Gabay Generika, patient health is protected through the PLUS services that Generika provides. Filipinos who cannot avail of paid check-up in hospitals and clinics can have free medical consultations in Generika Drugstore branches with scheduled physicians. Under their guidance, patients can better understand their health problems and be provided with the correct treatment plan – including a prescription if medication is deemed necessary. 

Patients purchasing medicine in any Generika Drugstore will be assisted by knowledgeable and well-trained pharmacists. With their help, a patient has the opportunity to clarify anything about the medicines they are about to buy. This service of patient counselling in the context of proper medication intake is intended to support a physician’s treatment plan, helping ensure that the patient fully understands the medicine and prescription given to them. Through this advice, patients can also learn the importance of following the right dosage and medication schedule as indicated by their doctor. 

The core of Gabay Generika’s patient protection lies with the Gamot Guide, a new pharmacy service that is only being offered by Generika. It is the first ever in the industry and it serves as a tool for customers to help them understand how to take their medicines and ensure compliance of medication. The information written on the Gamot Guide consists of a drug’s generic name, dosing schedule and instructions, storage requirements, possible side effects, and helpful do’s and don’ts about the specific drug. Each purchased medication will have its own printed Gamot Guide, whose specific contents can be adjusted by the pharmacist depending on the patient’s prescription. The guide will be explained by the pharmacists so that patients will fully understand the best and safest ways to use their prescribed medicines.

Being a community drugstore that advocates for the protection and well-being of its customers, Generika will continue to provide innovative and meaningful value adding services for the overall health and well-being of Filipinos.

Generika Drugstore is in its 13th year of serving the Filipino People by providing access to safe, effective, and affordable generic drugs. This legacy of protecting patient health is continued through the new Gabay Generika PLUS services, affirming its commitment to bridge the healthcare gap in the country. Now thanks to free medical consultations, patient counselling, and the Gamot Guide, more and more Filipinos are educated on proper medicine intake and can safely purchase and use their medication whenever they need it the most. 

To learn more about Generika Drugstore, simply visit   "http://www.generika.com.ph/" http://www.generika.com.ph/ or like its Facebook page at  "https://www.facebook.com/Generika.com.ph" https://www.facebook.com/Generika.com.ph.

Beyond the dining plate : A quick look at the story of food, from farm to plate to landfill

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For most of us, little to no thought goes into how our food got onto our plates.

Let’s start with your typical chicken: we go to the grocery, buy the plumpest frozen poultry we can find, then take it back to the kitchen to be fried, stewed, or roasted for tonight’s dinner. Simple enough, right?

Food is a source of nutrition, and therefore ingredients should be wholesome and nourishing. Knowing the whole story of where your food comes from may make you want to reconsider your choices.

Hidden dangers

Conventional food production techniques are designed to boost yield so farms can deliver more meat and more crops. ‘Quantity’, however, isn’t necessarily synonymous to ‘quality’.

In the case of crops, a number of synthetic pesticides are applied to fields to eliminate insects, fungi, and rodents so that farms can stock supermarkets with smooth, almost flawless-looking fruits and vegetables.

Sadly, these toxic substances are absorbed by the plants, which in turn introduce harmful chemicals to the food that goes into our bodies. That doesn’t take into account how pesticides poison harmless organisms living on farmlands, while also spreading to nearby bodies of water, grazing fields, and human settlements through wind and runoff.

Many farms today also think little of their methods when it comes to raising chickens for their eggs and meat. Apart from being confined in tiny, cramped cages throughout their lives, these animals are fed with a diet they don’t normally eat like soy, and are given antibiotics to keep them alive amidst unsanitary and inhumane living conditions.

Additionally, egg-laying hens are constantly exposed to artificial lighting and are injected with hormones so they produce as many eggs as they can instead of letting them do so within the means of their natural cycle.

This treatment is not only cruel and against animal welfare standards. Because of all the drugs pumped into the chickens, their meat and eggs are saturated with harmful substances that endanger consumers. Their waste also becomes contaminated with hazardous toxins that threaten human health and the environment when disposed.

Sustainable and healthy

Food is critical not only to our health but also the welfare of our planet. If we truly want us to live full, healthy lives, it’s vital that we change the narrative of what we eat.

As consumers, we can do this by supporting companies that practice sustainable and humane farming. Healthy Options, for instance, ensures food quality by sourcing ingredients from farms that only use natural growing methods.

Healthy Options also ensures that all their chickens are able to roam freely in clean, spacious, and weather-protected grounds so they can forage for bugs and worms—organisms that chickens are designed to eat—on top of organic and natural grain feed.

Unlike factory-farmed chickens, these birds also get to enjoy the light of day while living life as intended by nature. With living conditions maximized for good health and proper egg production, they don’t have to be artificially stimulated or given drugs.

The result is healthy and happy chickens that people can eat without worry.

Check this out .... Know the Whole Story  http://www.healthyoptions.com.ph/"http://www.healthyoptions.com.ph/

Healthy Options is committed to helping people attain and maintain vitality and wellness through superior products. Stores are located in key cities nationwide, including Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City; Rustan’s Supermarket, Makati City; Festival Supermall, Filinvest, Alabang; Ayala Center, Cebu City; SM City, North EDSA, Quezon City; SM City Manila; SM Megamall B, EDSA, Mandaluyong City; SM Pampanga; SM Mall of Asia, Pasay; SM Clark; Bonifacio High Street, Taguig; Trinoma, North EDSA, Quezon City; SM City Davao; Rockwell, Makati; SM City Cebu; Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City; Commerce Mall, Alabang Town Center; Abreeza Mall, Davao City; Robinsons Magnolia, Quezon City; Excelsior, Eastwood City, Quezon City; SM Aura, Taguig; Century City, Makati; Glorietta 2, Makati City; Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro; Kidzania, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig; and now at Solenad 3, Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Chef Anton Amoncio, the Asian Food Channel's Asian Food Hero

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Congratulations to Chef Anton Amoncio, Grand Winner of the Asian Food Channel's Asian Food Hero.

Held in Singapore recently, Chef Anton was chosen from among chefs coming from different Asian countries. He was accompanied to Singapore by Boy Abunda, President and Chief Executive Officer of Asian Artists Agency where Chef Anton is a talent. Also with them is Gasper Gozo, General Consultant of Asian Artists Agency.

As part of the prize, Chef Anton becomes a new host for several programs shown on Asian Food Channel (AFC) and The Food Network channel.

Chef Anton was chosen as one of the finalists when he presented videos of his signature Filipino dishes “Tinola” and “Fried Chicken Adobo sa Gata”.

27 - year old, Chef Anton is a graduate of the Center for Culinary Arts in Quezon City.

Chef Anton owns and runs Antojos, a Filipino specialty restaurant in Quezon City.

During the competition and awarding, Chef Anton Amoncio, Grand Winner of Asian Food Channel's Asian Food Hero is with his manager, Boy Abunda, President and Chief Executive Officer of Asian Artists Agency. Photo taken after Chef Anton won Asian Food Hero contest held in Singapore 

Sanofi Pasteur Presents Updates and Truth About the Dengue Vaccine

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Sanofi Pasteur, the world leader in human vaccines, recently presents updates and truth about Dengvaxia, known as Dengue Vaccine. Sanofi Pasteur has invested in the research and development of a dengue vaccine for about 20 years.

Dengue is a high-profile and ongoing public health concern in the Philippines. During the press conference on Friday, October 21, held at The Dusit Thani Manila Hotel, Makati City, Sanofi Pasteur, presents full data and updates on dengue.

Dengue cases rose to epidemic levels in 2015 with an average of 220 reported cases per day.

The first known epidemic of severe dengue or dengue hemorrhagic fever anywhere in the world was recorded in Manila in 1953.

By the mid-1970s, severe dengue had become a leading cause of hospitalization and death among children in the region. Between 2004 and 2010, the Philippines experienced the seventh highest number of dengue cases in the world according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

2016 data suggests an increasing trend in reported dengue cases

In 2013, DOH reported 204,906 cases of dengue, the highest number recorded since the establishment of the National Dengue Prevention and Control Program in 1993. More than 200,000 dengue cases were reported in the Philippines in 2015, 80,000 more than were reported in 2014. In both September and October 2015, the number of reported cases rose above the epidemic threshold. 

Although the number of reported dengue cases slightly decreased in 2014, the 2015 data suggest an increasing trend in cases in the coming years. Recent data gathered by the Department of Health from January to 24 September this year shows an increase of 11.5 percent year on year across the country, with total dengue infections at 142,247 compared to 127,525 last year and 604 recorded fatalities 

Based on Philippine surveillance data collected between 2011 and 2015, an average of 220 dengue cases were reported in the country every day. In 2015, almost 50% of reported cases came from three most urbanized regions: Region 3 (17.6%), Region 4 (17.3%), and the National Capital Region (12.6%). Cases stemming from all four serotypes of dengue were reported in 2015.

Disease burden: US$345 million per year

The economic burden of dengue in the Philippines is substantial. A study published in 2015 estimated that between 2008 and 2012, clinically diagnosed dengue cases in the Philippines were associated with a direct medical cost (in 2012 US dollars) of $345 million annually. 

The study calculated the average cost of treatment per case to be $409, representing 16% of the Philippines’ 2012 per capita GDP. Sixty-five percent of cases were treated in inpatient hospitals, representing 90% of direct costs.

In addition to dengue’s burden on a household, the illness can adversely impact a country’s economy through a loss of productivity caused by the illness and pre-mature death, increased healthcare costs and a possible reduction in tourism.

Seasonality and global climate change

Dengue has become a year-round threat in the Philippines. However, data suggests that the number of dengue cases increases one to two months after the onset of the rainy season, resulting in a peak of dengue cases between July and November each year. 

The Philippines is severely affected by extreme weather events and is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Vector-borne diseases like dengue may be particularly sensitive to both periodic fluctuations and sustained changes in global and local climates. Additionally, a study examining data from eight Asian countries including the Philippines over 18 years revealed a strong correlation between regional dengue epidemics and elevated temperatures associated with El Niño.

DoH implements a step-wise public vaccination program in 2016

The Department of Health announced on 4 January 2016 that one million (1M) nine-year-old Filipinos enrolled in government schools in Region 3, Region 4-A and the National Capital Region will be the first beneficiaries of the government-procured dengue vaccine. 

In a recent dengue vaccine cost-effectiveness study performed by Professor Hilton Lam of the UP-National Institutes of Health, a nationwide annual routine vaccination of nine-year olds starting in 2016 would lead to an estimated 24.2% reduction in dengue cases in the country over a five-year period. This would translate to 775,053 avoided cases of dengue, 502,000 avoided hospitalizations, 22,010 avoided deaths and almost Php 21 billion in avoided cost to society.