Idyllic mountain resort living at Tagaytay Highlands’ Woodlands Point

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Woodlands Point boasts of its lush community with only five log cabins per hectare, allowing residents to maximize space and views. 

Charming log cabins set against a majestic backdrop of mountain ranges and surrounded by lush flora — such are the stunning scenery that greet you at Woodlands Point, an exclusive community in the heart of Tagaytay Highlands. 

Visualize the serene, relaxed life you’ve always dreamed of, with the peace and calm of the mountains just within your reach. Then claim it for your own.

At Woodlands Point, you will find luxury log cabins of Western red cedar imported from Canada with elegant detailing of glass and stone

Nestled in one of the topmost elevations in Highlands, Woodlands Point is constantly enveloped in Tagaytay’s cool and misty weather and offers panoramic vistas of the Canlubang countryside, Laguna de Bay and verdant mountains in the horizon. 

On your journey to find a quintessential escape beyond the bustling city life, you will find luxury log cabins of Western red cedar imported from Canada and elegant detailing of glass and stone sprawled on 12 hectares of land. Perfecting your luxe mountain resort living in Woodlands Point is the low-density neighborhood of only five cabins per hectare, allowing residents to enjoy their space and lush surrounding – landscaped with thousands of Norfolk pines for an authentic mountaintop ambience. 

Inspired by log cabins in North America, each stylish home at Woodlands Point features beautifully designed spaces with high ceilings and engineered wood floorings. 

Inspired by log cabins of old in North America, each stylish home at Woodlands Point is designed with large picture windows which make it blend beautifully with the natural bounties of the Highlands countryside. Every log cabin takes you to another level of luxury through beautifully designed spaces — with high ceilings in living and dining areas, spacious bedrooms with walk-in closets, en-suite toilets and baths, and a semi-furnished kitchen equipped with a complete cabinet system, refrigerator, oven, cooking range, and range hood. 

Cherish a home that’s built to last with a state-of-the-art reticulation system for mess-free termite control log protection. Other unit features include emergency power systems, water heaters and engineered wood floorings. The Western red cedar log is decay and insect resistant, as well as fragrant — all pointing towards a distinct living experience.

Woodlands Point is enveloped in Tagaytay’s cool and misty weather and offers panoramic vistas of the lush Canlubang countryside, Laguna de bay and verdant mountains in the horizon.

Aside from savoring the comfort, luxury, and tranquility of the community, homeowners can enjoy the various recreational opportunities offered at the exclusive Tagaytay Highlands Country Club. Membership to the Country Club comes with owning a Woodlands Point home, giving residents access to world-class leisure facilities to take pleasure in. 

Let the rustic charm of the log cabins enchant you as you come home to your own perfect hideaway. 

Settle seamlessly and be enthralled by the luxuries of countryside living.

Stay Healthy, Stay Happy: 10 foolproof ways to lead a healthier lifestyle

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As we enter the New Year, many of us promised to commit to a healthier lifestyle as part of our New Year’s Resolutions. Sticking to a resolution is easier said than done, but as long as we have a plan to fall back on, it shouldn’t be as daunting or as difficult as it seems. 

To help us out, here are 10 foolproof ways to ensure that we live a healthier and happier lifestyle.

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables.

• The health benefits of eating a diet with generous servings of fruits and vegetables are endless. Not only are they dense sources of a variety of essential minerals and nutrients, they are generally high in fiber which will keep your digestive system happy and smooth-running. Pro-tip: fruits and veggies have unique antioxidant properties depending on their color. Eat the rainbow!

2. Go for regular check-ups. 

• Don’t leave your body to take care of itself. We all need a little help sometimes, and your doctor’s job is to ensure that everything is in tip-top condition and to provide solutions when needed. 

3. Stay stress-free. 

• While diet and exercise are very important in leading a healthy lifestyle, your mindset and attitude may be sabotaging their benefits. Stress can affect your sleep, your tendency to engage in unhealthy behaviors, and your productivity. Ensure that your lifestyle is as stress-free as possible by organizing your financial and work life; create a long-term financial plan to alleviate financial pressures and increase your financial security. 

4. Avoid foods high in saturated fat and simple sugars.

• Swap out your white bread for wholegrain, and use canola or olive oil instead of butter in your cooking. Complex carbohydrates give you slow-release energy which will keep you energised throughout the day, and unsaturated fats will promote healthy cholesterol levels, keeping you trim and combating fatigue.

5. Find an exercise program you enjoy. 

• It is no secret that exercise gives you more energy, helps keep your head clear, and keeps you in shape. Find what you enjoy and stick to it! If you hate jogging, try dancing. If you don’t like exercising alone, look to join a basketball or frisbee team. 

6. Make sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep per night.

• Give your body a well-deserved break, so that it can re-energize and prepare itself for a happy and productive day. 

7. Ditch your unhealthy vices. 

• Smoking, drinking, or consuming too much caffeine is toxic to our bodies. Replace your unhealthy habits with healthier ones, such as exercise. If you are struggling to give up smoking, join a program that offers support and guidance.

8. Make time for friends and family. 

• Social interaction is essential to human well-being. Appreciate the supportive people in your life and invest in the meaningful connections that will ultimately lead you to a happier lifestyle.  

9. Stay hydrated.

• The common recommendation for water intake is eight 8-ounce glasses a day. Drinking a sufficient amount of water promotes healthy skin and will prevent headaches and other symptoms of dehydration. Additionally, for those of us trying to lose weight, a common sign of dehydration is the feeling of hunger despite having eaten adequately. Drink up!

10. Set and track fitness goals by using apps and devices.

• Having fitness goals is a sure fire way of ensuring happiness; overcoming hurdles, whether small or big, can increase your confidence. One fitness app that helps you track your progress and remind you to hit some benchmarks is Philam Vitality Active, a free mobile app that allows you to enjoy immediate and free rewards such as free cinema ticket, free game of bowling to name a few, upon completion of your weekly goals. To experience a whole new journey to being fit and healthy, you may download the Philam Vitality Active app now available in Apple Store Phils or Google Play and sign-up using the promo code “liveactive”.

Following these simple steps will ensure that you can make the most of 2017 towards a healthier and happier you.

JDI takes 158 customers in an incentive trip to Jeju Island, South Korea

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Participants pose for a photo during their trip to Jeju Island, South Korea, a free gift from Jardine Distribution, Inc. (JDI).

Jardine Distribution, Inc. (JDI) takes 158 customers to Jeju Island, South Korea, known as the “Island of the Gods” for a four-day vacation. 

As a “thank you” to its customers, Jardine Distribution, Inc. (JDI) recently took them to South Korea’s Jeju Island, a place that is known in the travel industry as the “Island of the Gods,” for a four-day vacation. 

A total of 158 customers that included dealers, distributors, and mango contractors—and six JDI representatives—joined the trip that lasted from January 4 to 7.

Participants in the Jeju Island incentive trip of Jardine Distribution, Inc. (JDI)  listen attentively to the unique culture of Seoungeup Folk Village.

The fun getaway featured trekking on Mt. Halla, South Korea’s highest peak; a visit at the gravity-defying Mysterious Road; a look at one of the nation’s monuments—the Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff; and a glimpse of Seongsan Ilchubong, the “Sunrise Peak” formed five thousand years ago by hydrovolcanic eruptions upon a shallow seabed. 

Customers of Jardine Distribution, Inc. (JDI) take a photo in front of the Teddy Bear Museum during their Jeju Island incentive trip. 

The happy vacationers also enjoyed the attractions at Glass Castle, a glass art theme park; viewed the adorable displays at the Hello Kitty and Teddy Bear museums; strolled the gardens of, and checked out the zoo at, Hallim Park; visited the historic and cultural Seoungeup Folk Village; watched the classic Painters Show; and saw the famed sensual and erotic sculpture park, Love Land. 

During breaks from exploring tourist destinations, the travelers shopped and dined at Jeju Island’s shopping destinations: Ginseng Outlet, Duty Free, and Chilseongro Street. 

Jardine Distribution, Inc. (JDI) Jeju Island incentive trip participants enjoy delicious Korean cuisine. 

Kaye Aguilan, JDI product manager, said, “We at JDI believe that this incentive trip is a way to thank our loyal customers, and at the same time, strengthen our relationship with them.”

“We value our dealers, distributors and contractors, and this is just one of the many ways we can express our gratitude,” she added. 

The participants were from different provinces of the Philippines: Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Benguet, Tuguegarao, Isabela, Batangas, Quezon, Palawan, Mindoro, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, Butuan, General Santos and Cagayan de Oro. 

The trip was arranged to reciprocate the support of these customers in purchasing a package of JDI agro-products—insecticides, herbicides, molluscicides, fungicides, seeds and yield boosters. 

Jardine Distribution, Inc. (JDI), a member company of the Jardine Matheson Group, represents a number of leading brands in crop protection, local and foreign-made pesticides, plant growth regulators, plant nutrition, hybrid rice seeds, and vegetable seeds. 

For more information, please visit www.jardinedistribution.com

The Voice Season 12 exclusively premieres in the Philippines on February 28, 2017 (Tuesday) only on Star World

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THE VOICE EXCLUSIVELY RETURNS TO STAR WORLD

Star World, FOX Networks Group (FNG) Philippines’ number one female-oriented general entertainment channel announced today the return of the well-loved and three-time Emmy winning talent show, The Voice. The Voice Season 12 exclusively premieres in the Philippines on February 28, 2017 (Tuesday) only on Star World with live telecasts every 2:00 PM and primetime replays at 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM respectively. 

Exciting turn of events are in-store for the viewers on the latest season of The Voice as we continue on the search for the next best voice that will shake the music industry to the core. The season premiere of The Voice marks the sweet return of Gwen Stefani as she once again secures her judging spot, rounding up the girl power action on the competition up against Adam Levine and once again reunited with her partner, Blake Shelton. 

The latest season of The Voice boosts a bigger, better and more engaging experience than it has on its previous season by bringing in the biggest and most recognizable names in the music industry as adviser to the coaches, making everything a match made in heaven; Celine Dion joins Gwen Stefani as an adviser taking the femme fatal action to high roads. On the other corner of music, five-time winner of show, Blake Shelton is joined by Luke Bryan — a tandem easy on the eyes and easy on dynamics as the two have worked together before to co-host the Academy of Country Music Awards. 

Adam Levine pairs up with a legend, John Legend that is. These swoon-worthy gents collaborate to take ordinary people to the next level while keeping their dapper in check. Running on her second season for The Voice, Alicia Keys, is all about winning as she teams up with award-winning hip hop artist DJ Khaled, and everyone sure knows, that all he does is win no matter what.

With all these great additions to The Voice stage, the stakes get even higher and better as the season presents extended Blind Auditions, making room for far more artists, far more voices and far more drama — leave it to host Carson Daly to make sure things don’t get out of hand. As the latest season steps up in more ways than one, Star World stays true to its promise of delivering only the best and premier content and immediately brings it fresh from the US! 

Caring for Rare: 1st Philippine Rare Disease Symposium

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The 1st Philippine Rare Disease Symposium was held at the Century Park Hotel, Metro Manila, hosted by University of the Philippines National Institute for Health (NIH) and the Department of Health (DOH) last February 22, 2017 with the theme 'Working together for Better Care.'

The Philippines celebrates the 8th National Rare Disease Week on 22-28 February 2017 which, together with the global commemoration of the Rare Disease Day on February 28, 2017, highlights the need to intensify the country’s efforts to provide adequate health care and government support to persons afflicted with a Rare Disease otherwise known as orphan disorder.

What is a rare disease? 

A “life-threatening or chronically debilitating diseases which are of such low prevalence that special combined efforts are needed to address them”.¹ According to the World Health Organization, a disease is considered rare when it affects one person out of 2,000 or less.²

In the Philippines, a disease is considered rare if it affects 1 in every 20,000 individuals or less. Those afflicted with rare disease or orphan disorders suffer from social abandonment due to lack of existing network of support to aid them. The nature of rare disease is hardly known as well due to lack of information; and only few medical professionals in the country are aware of these disorders and how to diagnose and address these conditions. Medical help is also elusive under the conditions of the country’s health priorities.

The country recently enacted the Rare Diseases Act of 2016 (Republic Act 10747) which seeks to “improve the access of persons diagnosed to have a rare disease, or persons highly suspected of having a rare disease, to comprehensive medical care and to timely health information to help them cope with their condition.” 

The law mandates the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to provide benefit package; medical assistance as provided in the Sin Tax Reform Act of 2012; fiscal incentives for donations intended for researches on rare diseases, maintenance of the Rare Disease Registry, or for purchase of orphan drugs or orphan products for use solely by persons with rare diseases as certified by FDA. Further, under RA 10747, patients with rare disease will also be considered as persons with disabilities and will be granted benefits and privileges such as priority programs and discounts as mandated by the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.

Challenges in living with rare disease⁶

Beyond the diversity of the diseases, rare disease patients and their families are confronted with the same wide range of difficulties arising directly from the rarity of these pathologies:

• Lack of access to correct diagnosis: the period between the emergence of the first symptoms and the appropriate diagnosis involves unacceptable and highly risky delays, as well as wrong diagnosis leading to inaccurate treatments (the pre-diagnosis maze);
• Lack of information: about both the disease itself and about where to obtain help, including lack of referral to qualified professionals;
• Lack of scientific knowledge: this results in difficulties in developing therapeutic tools, in defining the therapeutic strategy and in shortage of therapeutic products, both medicinal products and appropriate medical devices;
• Social consequences: living with a rare disease has implications in all areas of life, whether school, choice of future work, leisure time with friends, or affective life. It may lead to stigmatization, isolation, exclusion from social community, discrimination, and often reduced professional opportunities (when at all relevant);
• Lack of appropriate quality healthcare (combining different spheres of expertise): Patients can live for several years in precarious situations without competent medical attention, including rehabilitation interventions; they remain excluded from the health care system, even after the diagnosis is made;
• High cost of the few existing drugs and care: the additional expense of coping with the disease, in terms of both human and technical aids, combined with the lack of social benefits and reimbursement, cause an overall pauperisation of the family, and dramatically increases the inequity of access to care for rare disease patients.
• Lack of access to treatment, if treatment is at all available.

Mr. Randy Martinez, recounts the challenges of going back and forth to the hospital as her daughter Pauline, seeks treatment for her Gaucher disease. Pauline who is now 11 years old, was noticed to have a small bump on her left torso when she was 6 months old and was later found out after years of several tests to be Gaucher disease. 

“Sana magpatuloy pa ang paggamot kay Pauline at marami pang tumulong sa kanya para dire-diretso ang gamutan. Para makapag tapos din siya ng pag-aaral”, Pauline’s father said.

² de Vrueh, R., Baekelandt, R.F. & de Haan, J.M.H.. (2013). World Health Organization Update on 2004 Background Paper: Priority Medicines for Europe and the World "A Public Health Approach to Innovation".

⁶ Eurodis/ (2005). “Rare Diseases: understanding this Public Health Priority”.

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