The Importance of Breakfast Discussed Mondelez Philippines supports Philippine Society of Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Annual Convention

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The Philippine Society of Nutritionist-Dietitians, Inc.’s (PSND) annual convention was held last September 19 and 20 at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. The convention focused on the theme “Adding More Life to Years: An Integrative Approach to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Prevention.” NCDs refer to chronic diseases which may last for long periods of time and progress slowly like diabetes and obesity, among others. The event was attended by some 440 experts and practitioners in nutrition alike, aimed at empowering them with new knowledge and information to help Filipinos live healthier lives.

In support of this cause, Mondelez Philippines became a partner of the PSND’s annual convention. Mondelez Philippines is a company which aims to empower consumers to snack right, by offering the right snack, for the right moment, made the right way. Its products include some of the Philippines’ favorite snack products like Tangpowdered beverage, Eden Cheese and Cheez Whizspread, Oreo cookies and Toblerone and Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolates. 

Mondelez Philippines, Inc. supported the Philippine Society of Nutritionist-Dietitians, Inc.’s (PSND) annual convention last September 19 and 20. The convention focused on integrative approaches to avoiding non-communicable diseases (NCD). Mondelez Philippines shared a discussion on the importance of eating breakfast to help prevent NCDs like obesity and diabetes. Speaking for the Company was Lim Chain Yin, Nutrition Strategy and Communications Specialist from Mondelēz International in Malaysia. 

This 2018, the Company launched a new product, belVitabreakfast biscuits. belVita is the first biscuit in the Philippines that has been especially designed for breakfast. It’s made with whole grain cereals, which include whole wheat and oat, and is fortified with vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, D, calcium, iron and zinc. Thanks to more than 15 years of research, belVita is also baked using a special Mondelēz International gentle baking process, which helps to preserve the nutrition quality of its cereal ingredients.

“Breakfast is important,” shares Lim. “It is the meal that energizes the body for the day ahead. It is supposed to “break the fast,” which is the time the body does not consume any food because of sleep. Apart from making up for the “fasting,” eating breakfast also promotes better concentration at school, work and play, prevents early exhaustion, and helps avoid mood swings, unnecessary cravings and hunger pangs by fueling up the body.” 

She continues, “A balanced breakfast should contain all the food groups namely those which give energy, those which help in body building and repair, the ones which help in regulating normal body functions. For a common breakfast, this means having rice, bread, other grains or cereals, an egg and/or milk, and a piece of fruit.” 

“belVita contains whole grain cereals, which are a main source of energy, and 8 vitamins and minerals which help regulate bodily functions,” explains Lim. “When paired with a source of protein like milk or yogurt and a fruit like an apple or a banana, it can provide a complete breakfast to keep you energized. What’s more, it’s a convenient breakfast because you can bring it on-the-go, even while on the way to work. This convenience helps to avoid skipping breakfast and ensure you get the right nutrients despite your busy day.” 

With belVita, Mondelēz International aims to empower consumers to snack right, for the right moment and made the right way. 

Meet The Newest Boyband, Bring Me the Boys

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Five boys who come from generation M will sing your favorite pop songs of old.

From left to right: Paulo Reyes, Eian Rances, Dior Veneracion, Jovani Manansala, Angelo Nabor

They have banded together to sing music of the past particularly, those that were made famous in the early 90’s, 80’s, 70’s and 60’s. Some of these songs include Light and Shade, When She Cries, Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now, Uptown Girl, You Can’t Hurry Love, Listen to the Rhythm of the Falling Rain, and Can’t Take My Eyes of You. These, aside from the current and more popular ones. The boys call themselves, Bring Me The Boys.

The five good-looking guys of Bring Me The Boys are Eian Rances, Jovani Manansala, Paulo Reyes, Christian Dior Veneracion Paglinawan, and Angelo Nabor.

Eian is the lead actor of the short film Lipstick, Jovani is a commercial model and actor who is part of the Cinema One Originals movie, Mamu: and a Mother Too, Paulo plays the guitar, a skill he learned in high school, Dior is a Peta Theater alumnus and has had stints as a singer in small town events, Angelo is a Pinoy Boyband Superstar 2016 qualifier and has written and published two books for Psicom. Angelo is presently working on his third book.

The members went through rigorous auditions. They also trained in voice, stage presence and movement. “For me, training is the most fun but also the most challenging. I learned not only about singing but also about having the right outlook in life,” Dior shared.

What sets Bring Me The Boys apart from the other bands is their love for classic pop songs. “Sobrang ‘raw’ namin. We are millennials, yet we will be singing classic pop songs. That to me is exciting,” Eian explained.

Paulo adds that aside from singing he dances. Another talent is drawing. “I can do human beatbox, and draw pretty good.”

One helpful advice he got from a friend as he pursues his dream in singing was, “Sing with your heart. Tell your story. Let it out! Make them feel what you feel.”

For Jovani, determination is the key to success, “Pursue your dreams and never give up. And always believe in yourself.”

Band members of Bring Me The Boys are excited as they embark on a new chapter of their lives. They are hopeful of what tomorrow brings. And Angelo has even envisioned himself in the near future, “Isang sikat na mang-aawit, may sariling bahay, may restaurant business, at naipatayo na namin ang pangarap ni mama na grocery para sa kanila ni papa.”

Bring Me The Boys also loves the music of Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Bruno Mars, James Ingram, John Legend, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, KZ Tandingan and Michael Pangilinan. 

Chech this group's social media accounts: 

Facebook: @BMTBmusic

https://www.facebook.com/BMTBMusic/

IG: @BMTB.PH

https://www.instagram.com/bmtb.ph/

For inquiries, please call (02) 855-4765 or (02) 405-4423, email info@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency

A family that cooks together: Rachel and Barni Alejandro whip up a double celebration with their chef-mom Myrna

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Singer/actress/entrepreneur Rachel Alejandro and her sister, Chef Barni Alejandro-Rennebeck—the duo behind the premiere healthy diet delivery company The Sexy Chef and its bestselling cookbook series—have revealed the secret to their sweet success! They take after their mom, Chef Myrna Demauro! The three women recently teamed up for a double celebration: the formal unveiling of The Sexy Chef’s Crave Low-Carb Ice Cream and the grand launch of Chef Myrna’s Chef Mom’s D Lite Catering Service and Canteen.

This time, Rachel and Barni were thrilled to give the spotlight to their mother.

The daughters reveal that their mother is their mentor and idol, especially when it comes to cooking. Rachel says, “One of the many ways our mom shows her love is through feeding us the most incredible feasts. She never scrimps on quality and excellent flavor in all her dishes. You could say she is one of the reasons why Barni and I put up our own food business.” Barni agrees, “I inherited from mom an insatiable passion for food. Her love affair with food motivated me to become a chef.”

 Chef Myrna Demauro with her daughters Chef Barni Alejandro-Rennebeck and Rachel Alejandro at the opening of Chef Mom's D Lite Canteen and launch of The Sexy Chef Crave Low-Carb Ice Cream.

While Rachel and Barni started The Sexy Chef in 2004 with the help of their mother, Myrna’s culinary career took off in 2010 when she established Chef Mom’s D Lite Catering. “I’m a late-bloomer,” Myrna remarks. At any rate, she was very prepared for the endeavor. Myrna had taken a four-year course at Baltimore International Culinary College in the US, plus post-graduate studies in Europe and Asia. Myrna’s business objective was to serve the budget-conscious middle market looking for good taste, quality food and great service.

Chef Mom’s D Lite has now grown to be a leading canteen concessionaire and a caterer of choice. The company’s four-story commissary in Quezon City houses a modern kitchen, high-tech storage, employee dorms and executive offices. Its client roster includes shipping companies, BPOs and big corporations, as well private clients for weddings, debuts, baptisms, dedications and corporate events.

Chef Myrna’s most recent endeavor is a homey canteen on the ground floor of her commissary. Even without any promotion, Chef Mom’s D Lite Canteen has been packing in diners, especially at lunchtime. The canteen’s menu includes the same delightful dishes and yummy baked goods that the catering company serves to corporate clients. “Mom’s expertise lies in cooking the most delectable comfort food. Whether she’s preparing food for guests at home or for her customers, our mom definitely doesn’t shy away from using premium ingredients. Her dishes are absolutely divine and mouthwatering,” says Barni.

At the launch, Chef Mom’s D Lite served its specialties, as well as the three variants of The Sexy Chef’s Crave Low-Carb Ice Cream (Bulletproof Coffee, Cookies ‘N Cream, and Chunky Chocolate Peanut Butter) that Rachel and Barni willingly brought to support their mom’s venture.

For the Chef Mom, the best is yet to come. Chef Myrna keeps busy as she has found her place in the culinary industry. She says, “Sometimes, I ask myself how and why I got into this. I think it’s really a calling and a privilege to cook for people and feed them well.”

Chef Mom’s D Lite Catering Service and Canteen is located at 83 Roces Avenue, QC; for inquiries, contact tel. no. 373-5629, mobile: 0917-6526746 and email chefmomsdlite@yahoo.com. To order Crave Low-Carb Ice Cream, contact The Sexy Chef at tel. no. 721-8881 and mobile 0917-7992433.

Early detection and Post-treatment depression: WHAT FILIPINAS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BREAST CANCER

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Here's to share Alya’s breast cancer journey and advocacy from her early detection to her post-treatment depression, and how ICanServe Foundation and Pfizer hope to address the disease.

With almost 25,000 new cases this year, breast cancer ranks first in cancer incidence among all other cancers here in the Philippines. In fact, one in every 13 Filipinas is expected to develop the disease in her lifetime.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a worldwide campaign held annually to raise awareness on the disease. With the World Health Organization reporting that early detection remains the best protection as the causes of breast cancer are still unknown, this awareness month is crucial to increase understanding of the disease in the Philippines.

Early detection

In the Philippines, breast cancer screening is often seen as a burden and there is a false belief that breast cancer is a sure killer, even if caught in the early stages. The ICanServe Foundation, a breast cancer advocacy group in the Philippines, promotes early breast cancer detection, which encompasses education about breast cancer, breast self-exam (BSE), clinical exam, and mammography. Citing the American Cancer Society, ICanServe suggests women should perform a monthly BSE by the age of 20, schedule an annual clinical exam upon turning 30, and have theirannual mammography by the time they hit 40.

Alya Honasan, ICanServe member and veteran writer and editor, was diagnosed at 49: “I was lucky because it was detected early,” she shared. Having always had regular checks, Alya stopped in 2011, and when she found time again in 2013, her doctor discovered a lump that didn’t look benign.

Due to her early detection, and after having multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Alyasuccessfully completed treatment in 2014. In a recent interview, she referenced both post-treatment depression and support groups as important topics of treatment that are not often discussed.

Post-treatment depression

“Of course, it’s normal to be depressed while you have it, but in my case, I was depressed after,” Alya revealed. In a study, it was found that up to 50% of women diagnosed with early breast cancer had depression and/or anxiety in the year after diagnosis; 25% in the second, third, and fourth years; and 15% in the fifth year. This may be attributed to factors such as adjusting to life after treatment and having worries about breast cancer recurring.

A number of treatments for depression are available,7, and Alya found comfort in seeking professional help and therapy: “It also helps that my psychiatrist is a cancer survivor, so we speak the same language.”

Breast cancer buddies

Aside from seeking professional help, having a support group around you is essential during and after treatment — moms, daughters, and spouses are great point persons. Alya had fellow Bicol native and ex-Marine Ernesto Lozada, aka Kuya Kulot, who was assigned to her by her older brother and who drove her to and from chemo and work just like a true kuya or big brother. “If I’m not done with work by 9 PM, bubusina na nang bubusina yan sa labas (he would honk the horn repeatedly until I came out of the building). He was quite the disciplinarian but was also malambing (affectionate), always there to reassure me that I am loved,” Alya recalled.

Alya with her breast cancer buddies retired Marine Sergeant Ernesto Lozada or Kuya Kulot, and her eldest dog or panganay Kikay

Alya with her breast cancer buddies: retired Marine Sergeant Ernesto Lozada or Kuya Kulot, and her eldest dog or panganay Kikay

Aside from friends such as Kuya Kulot, workmates, and family, Alya also had a spiritual group and ICanServeFoundation to lean on. ICanServe’s flagship project, Ating Dibdibin (Take Your Breast Care to Heart), is the Philippines’ first community-based breast cancer screening program, launched in 2009 under the auspices of the American Cancer Society and with a grant from Pfizer. 

Pfizer’s heritage and innovation in breast cancer

Pfizer’s legacy in breast cancer spans nearly two decades, being a leader in awareness campaigns, advocacy partnerships, and pioneering treatments. Among its latest breakthroughs in research and development is a therapytargeted for specific mutations in breast cancer, which is a significant advancement in first-line treatment of breast cancer in 10 years. 

“We believe that more than the breakthrough therapies that Pfizer develops, our success is also measured by how we are helping redefine life with cancer,” Dr. Veronica Prasad, Medical Manager for Pfizer Oncology in the Philippines, shared. “We want the breast cancer community to know that they are not alone in their journey, and that Pfizer goes beyond treatments to help them live their best lives despite the disease.”

Makati Skyscrapers now known as Makati Super Crunch

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Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) team launches its new name -  from Makati Skyscrapers, they will now be known as the Makati Super Crunch. The PriFood company with new product Super Crunch supports Makati MPBL team.

Super Crunch owner Enrico Yap Jr.  

Team owner Paolo Orbeta recently announce its partnership with Super Crunch, a leading product of PriFood, owned by Enrico Yap Jr.

"We are happy with the support of Super Crunch and we are grateful to Mr. Yap for the trust in the Makati team," Orbeta says.

"We promise to work harder and play better games so we can make Super Crunch proud of us," says co team owner Paolo Pineda.

Makati team Manager Martin Arenas said that Super Crunch has plans to enter the PBA in the coming years and if given the chance "would like to be of help also to our national team and other sports as well."

There will be fun activities with Super Crunch team,  and will bring more exciting games with FREE Super Crunch products to be given to basketball fans and Makati Super Crunch supporters.  

Watch out for more as Super Crunch supports a super MPBL Makati team.