Life tips to move forward in the time of COVID-19

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Self-quarantine and social distancing can bring down the iron wall for those who have families in far-flung areas. 

While public gatherings and celebrations are cancelled, the ties of the Filipino family are stronger than calamities and maladies. While there are restrictions set-in-place, who said we can’t make this experience fun and productive for you and your family? 

Photo Credit: LBC Express Inc.

Here are some tips to help you make the best out of this situation.

1. Take the quarantine seriously

Going home to provinces may actually be more dangerous than staying at home as you risk carrying the virus into an otherwise Ncov-free community. The first line of defense is discipline and presence of mind in trying times like this. Airports, bus terminals, and exit points of the city can easily be the petri dish for the virus. Trust us, your family would want you away and safe than close and endangering everyone! 

2. Maintain an open line

Nothing causes panic more than not knowing so keep your families updated on your situation. Take that video call to check in on how they are doing; allot your patience into repeating the same details to each of your titas. Appreciate your mother reminding you to wash your hands every thirty minutes; or Facetime with your bunso to ease your homesickness. Telcos are promising a speed bump on their services to ensure everyone stays connected and have a more seamless workflow.

3. Show your loved ones you care across borders

Malls are temporarily closed down and only the necessary establishments are in operation. This means that your family’s supplies might fall short–with a bigger household and everyone staying in– one of the ways to let them know you care is to surprise them with a nice care package. TNVS are still on the road but if your family is outside the metro, reliable courier services like LBC still offer their services. Another option that you may want to explore is LBC’s Instant Peso Padala, where one can drop by on their select operating stores and send money to the province. Staying at home should not equate to feeling paralyzed and helpless to reach your family.

(Our insider tip: Some of your friends might not have the kitchen skills to keep themselves afloat during this quarantine. You can send them groceries as well and they’ll thank you for it).

4. Plan Ahead

With workplace disruptions and work-from-home set-up made available by companies nationwide, probably this is also the time to wear your digital hat on and explore the possibilities of earning money while staying at home. Since everything is going digital nowadays, it might be the perfect time to declutter and set-up your own mini business. Organize your closet and find stuff you would want to sell online. Who knows? LBC is also ready for you to make someone’s day by delivering your pre-loved items. Maybe the money you earn can also be a fundraising activity to help an organization in this trying time.

We should do our best to take part in initiatives that will benefit our society as a whole. While movements are restricted, let’s find ways to continue moving forward as a community to fight COVID-19. Stay indoors! Don’t risk the safety of your loved ones.

Logistics play an important role in our daily lives. Filipinos all over the world deserve a reliable and trusted service to depend on at this most difficult times. LBC is your partner to help you move things forward with you, your family and business.

For the latest updates on LBC’s services, visit https://www.lbcexpress.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/LBCExpress/.

World Vision Acknowledges Corporate Partners and Individual Sponsors for over PHP60M Funding for COVID-19 Emergency Response

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Amidst the current health crisis, World Vision in the Philippines has allotted the total amount of ₱60,254,512.70 from different funding sources and donations including corporate partners and individual child sponsors to fund its ongoing COVID-19 Emergency Response. 

“World Vision is so grateful for the support of all our generous donors in the battle against COVID-19. Like in our past initiatives, your donations are definitely a big help to the Filipino children and their families, and even to the frontliners that we are assisting during these difficult times,” said Rommel V. Fuerte, World Vision National Director.

One month on in its health emergency response, World Vision has served and assisted over 1.4 million people nationwide.

Proceeds directly went to World Vision’s implementation of COVID-19 response including the distribution of 13 triage tents to the hospitals and the provision of basic Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to the frontliners.

In some of the affected communities in Metro Manila, World Vision also provided Sanitation Kits that include alcohol, mouthwash, face mask, and reading materials about hygiene and handwashing to the families in need. Disinfectant Kits were also supplied to the health facilities in the poorest of the poor communities, and most importantly, bestow temporary income to the most vulnerable families through unconditional cash distribution.

In collaboration with Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), the child-focused organization also packed and distributed 16.8 tons of fresh vegetable packs containing okra, sayote, cabbage scorpio, wombok, potatoes, squash, eggplant, onion, garlic, tomatoes, bitter gourd, string beans, and chili pepper to over 5,250 families and 60 frontliners in Manila, Quezon City and Malabon City.

Among the corporate companies which supported World Vision included Accenture, Aidea Inc., BHP Shared Services Philippines, Inc., Chek Hup, Colgate Palmolive, ComCo Southeast Asia, DTCC, Ellite Ads Corporation, Emerson Electric (Asia) Ltd., Frankie & Friends, GCash, Giftaway, Gifted PH, Grab Philippines, ING Foundation, Inc., Investagrams, Lazada, Lexus Manila, Inc., Ligo, Medtronic Philippines, Inc., Merck Inc., Microsourcing, Mirth & Yift, Mondelez, PayMaya, PCCW Solutions, Inc., Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., Seaoil Philippines, Inc., Security Bank, Shopee, Storm Technologies, Inc., ticket2me, Unilever, and Zalora.

To help and learn more about World Vision’s initiative against COVID-19, please visit https://www.worldvision.org.ph/coronavirus-health-crisis/.

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. 

Be a Smart Shopper! 5 Shop from Home Tips For Every Filipino : Catch the 5.5 Shopee Mart Sale from April 22 to May 5 and enjoy deals as low as ₱5 and Free Shipping with P0 minimum spend

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In the middle of the COVID-19 outbreak, we must stay healthy and safe. Shopping at home is the most convenient way to get your daily essential needs, and there’s no better way to get your shopping done from home than with Shopee! Here are some tips to make your #ShopeeAtHome experience easier and help you decide better:

1. Plan ahead and ready your list

Make a list and check it twice. This will give you an overview of what items you really need to buy and help you manage your budget. It will also ensure that you don't forget essential personal care items like antibacterial soaps and shampoos before hitting the checkout button. Take a look at Shopee’s collection and sale pages to see the variety of great deals that are available. Shopee’s collections also make it easier for you to find the items on your list, and get great deals to boot!

2. Choose healthy

   

A healthy lifestyle starts with smart choices when buying food. Make sure to fill your pantry with nutrient-packed meals and drinks. Shopee offers a variety of food products packed with essential vitamins and minerals. You can use its search filter function for easy access to its wide range of food and beverage items, health supplements, and more.

3. Order in bulk

Save more money and get additional discounts when you buy in bulk. Find shop vouchers and bundle deals that give you an extra discount when you purchase more items from the same shop. Items marked as Wholesale can also help you save--if you buy the specified number of items, you can get them at a discounted price.

4. Invest in your family's protection

During this Enhanced Community Quarantine, it may be difficult to find disinfectants and protective gear in local grocery stores. Luckily, Shopee provides a wide range of health products on their Flash Deals and branded collections including face masks, hand sanitizers, alcohol, and anti-bacterial cleaners. Not only is there a lot of variety to choose from, but you’ll also get great discounts. 

5. Look for best deals and bargains 

Don’t fret! Shopee offers the best deals on all your essential needs with 5.5 Shopee Mart Sale. Starting from April 22 - May 5, you can now #ShopeeFromHome and get deals as low as ₱5 and a Free Shipping with P0 minimum spend on your favorite essential goods. Score even better deals when you use discount vouchers, cashback vouchers, and Shopee coins. Even more vouchers await you when you shop using ShopeePay. In addition, top brands like P&G, Wyeth, Nestle, Unilever, Enfagrow, and Abbot will be giving discounts at up to 50% off. 

Visit https://shopee.ph/5-5 for more information.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

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.