PGH calls for blood donations from COVID-19 survivors

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Since April 15, the number of people who have recovered from the coronavirus disease has surpassed the nationwide death toll. Today, there are a total of 693 recoveries and 446 deaths. Of those 446, 9 died just yesterday. So while the situation is improving, there is still much to do.

“Filipinos continue to suffer and some eventually die from Covid 19 everyday. There is no proven treatment yet for this although different medications and regimens are being investigated. And the vaccine against the novel coronavirus is not yet available. That is why we are calling for plasma donations from Covid 19 survivors. Their antibodies  may help save patients who are still battling the disease, especially the severe and critical cases,” said Dr. Jonas Del Rosario, spokesperson for the Philippine General Hospital.

Known as convalescent plasma therapy, the treatment is a century-old technique that has been tried and tested on numerous illnesses, most recently for diseases such as Ebola, Sars, Mers, and Swine Flu. It involves the transfusion of plasma, the liquid component of blood, from a recovered patient to a sick patient.

Much like other organizations around the world, the PGH sees plasma therapy as a possible stop-gap to hold the virus at bay while more complex treatments are developed. “A vaccine is a year out, but what if we can use the antibodies of those who have already survived to strengthen the immune system of those still battling the virus,” said Dr. Del Rosario.

Since beginning the experimental treatment very recently, the PGH has received over 90 inquiries with more than 21 passing the criteria and at least 19 having already donated plasma. At least 5 COVID-19 patients were able to receive transfusions.

“Right now, we are taking care of over 100 COVID-19 patients in the PGH, and some of those are severe and critical cases who have exhausted all other treatment options with no success. For them, plasma therapy could be the last resort. That’s why we’re looking for more donors,” said Dr. Del Rosario.

The plasma donation process for COVID-19 survivors is fairly straightforward. When a prospective donor calls the PGH hotline, he or she is first evaluated over the phone. Once found eligible to donate, PGH personnel will conduct a home visit to get informed consent and a blood sample. After that, the donor is invited to the College of Medicine in UP Manila to donate. For all COVID-19 survivors who want to donate, you may call the PGH hotline at 155-200.

Kapit-Mindanao' COVID-19 digital fundraising, target P1-M donations

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Almost 100 youth organizations and local personalities from all over the country have converged to initiate a digital fundraising campaign that aims to assist grassroots associations in giving aid to Mindanaoan communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Led by volunteer-powered organization I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference) and advocacy-based group Millennials PH,  the youth networks recently launched “Kapit-Mindanao,” a fundraiser to support low-wage earners, non-settler communities, Indigenous Peoples, and the hardest-to-reach barangays most vulnerable in this period of crisis.

“As a Mindanaoan myself, I feel obligated now more than ever to try and help out in any way I can, and reach the most unreached areas in Southern Philippines in terms of relief,” said Meryl Hilda Jalani, national president of Millennials PH and lead convener of Kapit-Mindanao.

A cash donation goal of P1 million will be distributed to youth-led organizations from all over Mindanao who have their own donation drives and response initiatives.  Beneficiaries from the campaign come from 20 areas in all administrative regions in Mindanao, including Zamboanga del Norte, Sarangani, Agusan del Sur, and even as far as Tawi-Tawi, among others.

For frontliners, low-income families, indigenous communities

The different initiatives in the communities range from providing personal protective equipment (PPEs) to frontliners, food packs and family kits containing rice and grocery items, as well as relief goods for indigent communities.

The fundraising campaign's beneficiaries include tricycle drivers from Talakag in Bukidnon, Iligan City, Sindangan in Zamboanga del Norte, and Lamitan City in Basilan; as well as low-wage earners and street vendors from Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Norte, Tipo-Tipo in Basilan, Cotabato City, and Alabel in Sarangani. 

Other beneficiaries of this initiative include medical frontliners from Lianga in Surigao del Sur, Butuan City, Surigao City in Surigao del Norte, Siocon in Zamboanga del Norte, and as far south as Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

This youth-led initiative also aims to reach out to indigenous peoples such as the Sama Dilaut community in Davao City, the T'Boli community in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato; as well as indigent families coming from Maitum in Sarangani, Bayugan in Agusan del Sur, Kabacan in North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinuaut in Maguindanao, and Barangays Pasobolong, La Paz, Talon-Talon, Buenagatas, and Maasin in Zamboanga City.

Biggest ‘Barkada Goals’, #SocialMediaBayanihan

Dubbed by organizers as the “Biggest Barkada Goals,” Kapit-Mindanao has so far raised over P155,000 a week after its digital launch.

“We started receiving donations as much as P20,000 to the smallest but very meaningful one peso. This is a true testament that no amount is too big or too small to help, that anyone can make a difference especially in these trying times,” said Maco Ravanzo, co-founder & Chief Executive Volunteer of I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference),  co-lead convener of Kapit-Mindanao.

The campaign is organized together with the Association of Young Environmental Journalists, Marejada Pilipinas, Project Disponer, Miss Zamboanga, and TAYO Awards Foundation, and partnered with 87 other youth organizations nationwide.

Non-government organizations like Families of the Missing and Keep Hope Alive, as well as small-medium enterprises like Karabella and Jacinto, have joined the campaign in support of Mindanao, among many others.

Kapit-Mindanao calls on everyone to be part of this biggest digital campaign through the hashtag #SocialMediaBayanihan. Local personalities like Ulan and Camp Sawi director Irene Villamor and mental health advocate Dr. Gia Sison have also expressed their support.

To support this initiative, go to bit.ly/KapitDonate or you can make your donations directly through the following channels:

For updates, follow Kapit-Mindanao on Facebook (fb.com/kapitmindanao), Instagram and Twitter (@KapitMindanao) or send an email to kapitmindanao@gmail.com.

9 GCash-friendly Online Stores for your Quarantine Needs and Cravings

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Do you feel like you’re running out of options for your essentials and cravings this enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)? You might be having problems looking for cashless stores to avoid getting the virus through money bills. Or maybe you’re just tired of the same, old online sellers you go to for your quarantine needs. 

Whether it be groceries, your skincare needs, or even a good milk tea fix, here are nine online gems which are bound to save you from your quarantine woes. BONUS: They’re all cashless thanks to GCash!

1.            Session Groceries. While grocery stores remain open regardless of the ECQ, many people still find it safer to stay at home and have the goods delivered to their doorstep. This option is also convenient in more ways than one since it saves time driving to and from the supermarkets. You can order your weekly groceries through their mobile app which is free and easily accessible. They cater to homes not just in Metro Manila but in nearby provinces such as Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal as well! 

Contact them via their Facebook page or message them at 0917 501 0267.

2.            FoodPanda, GrabFood, LalaFood. Everybody’s quarantine best friend. The best thing about these food delivery apps is that it’s essentially the entire world of food packaged in an app. Perfect for those working and studying at home during the ECQ, meals can be delivered to you with just a few taps on your smartphone instead of spending hours in the kitchen which could have been spent being productive instead. It’s perfect for people who miss eating outside as well! To use GCash, you can link your GCash Mastercard to your account under the “My Linked Accounts” tab in the GCash app!

FoodPanda, GrabFood, and LalaFood are available in GooglePlay and the App Store.

3.            Beauté Essentials by Beautéderm. Are you panicking over your depleting stock of skincare products? Just because we’re all in quarantine, it doesn’t mean that we can come out of it with bad skin! Keep on doing your skincare routine with products from this online store while staying safe because you can pay via GCash as well! 

Contact them via their Facebook Page or message them at 0927 135 6564.

4.            Piggy Blinders Cebu. The ECQ isn’t only implemented in Metro Manila, because LGUs outside Luzon also imposed it for their constituents’ safety as well. For those stuck in their homes in Cebu because of COVID-19, Piggy Blinders delivers racks of mouth-watering grilled ribs to ease cravings. Why not have a barbecue party in your backyard?

For orders and reservations message their Facebook page or contact 0995-755-4371.

5.            J&E Trading It’s literally survival of the fittest when it comes to looking for medical supplies nowadays. It’s a rare sight to see face masks on drug store and supermarket shelves because everyone wants to protect themselves and their family from possible infection. If you’re looking for masks, give their store a try by shooting them a message on Facebook.   

 For orders, you can message their Facebook page or contact them at 0916 906 2456 or tradingjel@gmail.com.

6.            Hebrews Shebrews PH (Cebu). Here’s another one for those in Cebu. When milktea is all you can think about, even in your dreams, then maybe it’s time to get some.  Hebrews Shebrews reopened to satisfy everybody’s sweet tooth through online deliveries and payment through GCash!

Place your orders by messaging their Facebook page or Instagram account (@hebrews_shebrews).

7.            Burger Garage. Tired of having the same old, dry fast food burger delivered? Burger Garage is your savior. Made from 100% fresh and pure ground beef, melty cheddar cheese, and fresh toppings, you can say goodbye to substandard burgers forever! You can skip ordering through GrabFood or FoodPanda and just message their Facebook page to process your order faster. Plus, you can directly pay through GCash!

Order your burgers now by contacting them at 0916 401 8147 or via GrabFood/FoodPanda.

8.            Emilia’s Baking Supplies. Everybody’s social media feed is filled with posts of people whipping something up with the oven nowadays. Banana bread? Cheesecake? Cookies? No sweat! Just make sure you have the right supplies from Emilia’s Baking Supplies. You’ll be an expert baker in no time.

Emilia’s Baking Supplies accepts orders through their Facebook page or text (0998 587 2341).

9.            My Own Meatshop. One of the establishments remaining open despite ECQ are wet markets. But if you’re playing the game safe, then you’re probably wondering about online alternatives as well. My Own Meatshop lets you choose fresh cuts from its social media page and delivers produce to your home. They also use GCash, of course! 

My Own Meatshop is only accepting orders via this form: http://bit.ly/MyOwnOrderForm.

While thousands more online sellers use GCash as a mode of payment, GCash users can also use the app to pay merchants who only have bank transfer as their checkout option. Through the Bank Transfer feature, GCash users may send money to almost 40 banks quickly and securely. 

By leveraging digital technologies and innovative solutions, we can expand our options during this global health crisis. 

Globe extends bill payment due dates up to May 15

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Globe Telecom is extending the bill payment due dates for its mobile and broadband postpaid customers, including all business and enterprise clients nationwide, up to May 15.

This in effect, gives Globe customers up to 60 days of bills payment extension equivalent to two months of unpaid bills. Globe initially provided a 30-day bill payments extension which expired on April 15. 

Customers may expect a larger amount in their next bill due to previous unpaid bills prior April. Any late payment fee that may reflect on their Globe At Home billing statements during this period will be waived.

The move is in response to the national government’s decision to continue the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon wherein people are requested to stay at home and practice social distancing to minimize possible exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Local government units in other parts of the country have also adopted similar measures.

“We want to ease the worries of our customers who cannot leave their homes yet and who may be financially burdened due to the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses and employment,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.

However, for those who want to avoid the burden of accumulated bills, Globe said they may still opt to settle their bills using any of the company’s digital channels -- GlobeOne app and Globe At Home app where they can also monitor data usage and subscribe to offers. GCash is another available alternative for settling bills anytime and anywhere. For business customers, they may also use bank online payment and wire transfer services.

Meanwhile, Globe reiterated that as part of its commitment to keeping customers connected while inside the security and safety of their homes, Mobile Postpaid and Platinum customers are given an option to temporarily suspend their monthly spending limit or extend existing suspension further.

The spending limit is a special feature that helps customers take better control of their Postpaid spending. It is the maximum amount that can be used for services when one has exceeded the monthly plan, in order to stay within budget and avoid bill shock. For more information on the spending limit and how to suspend it, please read https://www.globe.com.ph/help/postpaid/spending-limit.html

Mega Prime’s new ambassador Chef Rosebud hosts an online cooking demo to share healthy and practical recipes to Filipino moms during ECQ

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Mega Prime has signed up its newest ambassador—Chef Rosebud Benitez, a top-rated celebrity cook and hands-on mom who has become a household name for her mouthwatering recipes. 

Known for her versatility as a chef, Chef Rosebud has always used Mega Prime’s wide array of high-quality products that has made cooking much easier for moms. “I always have Mega Sweet Chili and Oyster Sauce in my kitchen, because they can be paired easily with any dish. With Sweet Chili, there’s no need to think of a complicated dish,” she shared.

Both Mega Prime and Chef Rosebud are passionate about helping everyone come up with yummy dishes that the whole family will enjoy. That is why homemakers are looking forward to what the partnership between Mega Prime and Chef Rosebud has to offer. 

During this enhanced community quarantine, Mega Prime is aware of the different sentiments of Filipino families in the kitchen at home. With this, Mega Prime is kicking off its partnership with Chef Rosebud through a Facebook Live cooking demo featuring healthy, nutritious and practical recipes to upgrade our everyday meals. 

Happening on April 25, Saturday at 3:00PM, Chef Rosebud will be featuring some of her go-to Mega Prime products that can turn simple dishes into super meals that moms can do at home during the quarantine period. 

Chef Rosebud joins Marian Rivera, who serves as Mega Prime’s main ambassador, in reaching out to moms. Together, the two will add even more dynamism to the Mega Prime Mom Club, which has been steadfast in its efforts to turn Filipino moms into savvy homemakers. 

“I like the products of Mega Prime because the taste is very close to "panlasang Pinoy". They have a variety of products for all our cooking needs and offer value for money. You don't have to pay a premium but what you're getting is of premium taste, which is very important for price-conscious moms,” she said.

Don’t forget to tune in at https://www.facebook.com/MegaPrimeQuality and get ready to cook the yummiest but pocket-friendly dishes with Chef Rosebud and Mega Prime!