Representing Purity and Beauty, Diwatang Maria : Filipino brand aspires to lead Green Beauty Market

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True beauty brings so many rewards. It aligns you with your true nature and It soothes the soul and makes you happy. 

Using a proper skin care regimen daily can help preserve your skin, the important protective layer, and maintains skin's overall hydration and serves as our primary defense against the environment, so keeping it strong and healthy is important.

As always, looking beautiful is still relevant. 

Even in times of calamity or pandemic, men and women choose to look dapper in and out of their homes. But beneath this consciousness to look good, everyone nowadays gives the same emphasis on the importance of feeling good at the same time, a realization that seemed to have led the industry to a continuous transformation.

There is no denying, a lot of consumers are still swayed by the popular concept of beauty – pouty lips, oozing butt, massive breasts, obvious cheekbones, trendy hairstyles and whatnot- Hollywood has drilled in their psyche, countless people are beginning to ask if these products endorsed by celebrities that help them look appealing are safe, harmless, organic, and even ethical.

This gave rise to Green beauty, a growing movement of people and industries who want to be beautiful and responsible at the same time.

The term Green beauty has no precise definition in the dictionary. The person who coined this term must have drawn it from the conclusion of ascensional aesthetic (the belief that one should rise from lower to higher forms of beauty), with contention that artificial beauty is enjoyable.

To be clear about it, Green beauty is clean beauty and generally refers to products which are non-toxic and not harmful whether they are natural or not. One must take not that there is no such thing as ‘chemical-free’ cosmetics since every ingredient used in developing a cosmetic product, natural or synthetic is a chemical. 

What green beauty tries to emphasize is the absence of harsh synthetic elements, which are toxic and carcinogenic every consumer applies in his/her body, and at the same time do not destroy the environment.

This commercial ethos covers a wide spectrum of principles that advocates the use of products that are not harmful to one’s health and the planet. It comes with an awareness that being 'green' also means being socially responsible and ethically mindful.

In the Philippines, Diwatang Maria is setting the benchmark for Green beauty at a high level.

Diwatang Maria is a local start-up brand that blends science and passion to give Filipinos access to effective, achievable, and sustainable skincare. 

“We offer high-quality and locally made organic soaps that help your skin achieve that healthy glow to which the diwatas are known for,” shares Ma. Concepcion Macalintal, founder and CEO of Diwatang Maria.

The company was founded in 2018 when she saw the need to provide beauty products that will not only help consumers attain the results from the products they are using, but also to embrace a business ethic that provides consumers ‘green beauty’ products that are natural, organic, safe, free from harmful and toxic ingredients, and safe to the environment.

Expressing why Diwatang Maria chose to be in the green beauty market, Macalintal said, 

“People are starting to realize the importance of natural or organic products. This Green Beauty movement is more than a practice that was adopted just recently but rather a reticent movement, which started sometime and is growing as consumers are being empowered by the fact that there can be a better and safer choice."

She also added that her company wanted to promote the use of locally made organic goods and “gather support as they promote eco-friendly products and we want to share that Filipino-made products are on a par with international brands when it comes to producing premium quality soaps.”

Diwatang Maria recently introduced its three pilot products, namely Mariang Makiling, Mariang Sinukuan, Mariang Cacao.

Maria Makiling, the sacred protector of Mt. Makiling gives you the harmonious combination of Papaya Enzyme and Kojic Acid, which is an organic compound derived from fungi and malting of rice known to be effective in improving the appearance of melasma and hyperpigmentation.

Diwatang Maria Makiling soap also uses Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera that work best to prevent acne and blemishes. Its rich lather leaves the skin healthy and glowing.

Meanwhile, Diwatang Maria Sinukuan contains Oatmeal Kernel and Colloidal Oatmeal that help your skin free from irritation and itching. Perfect for sensitive skin, DiwatangMaria Sinukuan combines the power of Papaya Enzyme, Glutathione, and Kojic Acid to provide your skin the antioxidants that keep the skin healthy, clean, and glowing. It also contains coconut oil and aloe vera, together with oatmeal, they form a trio of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory lather for healthy and radiant skin.

Diwantang Maria Cacao, the chocolate-scented Diwatang Maria Cacao nourishes the skin through the skin-enhancing benefits from Oatmeal Kernel, Colloidal Oatmeal, and Shea Butter. The powerful moisturizing effect of this trio helps the skin to delay aging and boosts the production of collagen.

All Diwatang Maria products, are all-natural, paraben-free, and free of other harmful ingredients.

Although a number of businesses in the country try to cope with this green movement by offering products with natural ingredients, it wasn’t some five years ago when considerably more organizations saw the importance of green awareness and began the integration cleaner, safer practices in their products and services.

Diwatang Maria also recognizes the importance of sustainability as it uses natural ingredients in its products.

The company is expecting expansion within the year to cater to more Filipinos nationwide to better serve its growing market.

Macalintal also invited entrepreneurial individuals to join Diwatang Maria as distributors or resellers. 

“We are offering exciting packages for those who want to be our partners in the business. Let’s take advantage of earning at the comfort of our homes since most of the people now prefer work from home arrangements.”

Diwatang Maria is available in Lazada and Shoppee. 

For more information check http://www.diwatangmaria.com. 

Follow and like on 

FB: www.facebook.com/diwatangmariaph/. 

Instagram: diwatangmariaph

7 Ways to Live Your Best Life at Home with the Latest Hisense #TvSENSEtials

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We have seen major changes in how people live their lives during the last few months. The day-to-day routines of many have been affected by this pandemic and its resulting weeks of quarantine. In spite of this, there are those who have found ways to sustain and even improve their lifestyles from home. An essential tool that has made this possible is the television.

Everyone can continue making the most out of our life, while still taking measures to remain healthy and virus-free. 

Finding the right #TvSENSEtials from a trusted global brand like Hisense is a great place to start. The Hisense A6505 ULED TV, which comes in 55” or 65” sizes, has all the features and functions that a Filipino home might need.

Here’s how you can live your best life at home with the help of the latest Hisense #TvSENSEtials.

1. Keep yourself informed on what’s going on around the world. For reliable news and information, a TV is your best bet. This is extremely important, especially now that announcements and updates on the ongoing health crisis continue to pour in.

2. Give yourself a break with your favorite programs, concerts and sporting events. Through the Hisense Vidaa U Operating System, you can access your favorite streaming apps such as YouTube and Netflix, to relax and unwind any time of the day. This benefits your mental health and wellbeing, too.

3. Learn something, whether it’s a new language, skill or hobby. With the present thrust towards distance learning, younger family members can also use a smart TV for online classes and other educational content.

4. Stay fit and healthy without leaving the house. There are many different home exercise videos available online. Whether you’re into yoga, cross fit or dance, you’re sure to find a fitness class to follow on your TV.

5. Inspire creativity while you watch. The Hisense A6505 ULED TV features Ultra HD resolution and 2160 lines of pixels that refresh simultaneously, displaying each scene, strike and show in beautiful clarity. This way, you can fully appreciate every detail you see onscreen.

6. Stay connected with family and friends through social media and video calling. You can screen cast your mobile phone into your TV with the Anyview Cast feature to make it bigger.

7. Bond with the people at home as you enjoy sitting in front of the TV together. The Hisense A6505 ULED TV delivers superior video quality with rich and deep audio that makes perfect movie bonding moments for the family!

Ready for an upgrade? Watch out for the latest #Hisense #TvSENSEtials. 

Check out other Hisense products available at leading appliance stores nationwide, and online via LazMall (https://bit.ly/HisenseLaz) and Shopee Mall (https://bit.ly/HisenseSho).

Garmin running watches for every budget at Shopee

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For the runners out there, and if you’re running regularly, it’s useful to be able to track your progress, pace, elevation, and route. Your smartphone can do that, but a dedicated running watch is a far more useful solution. 

If you are interested in the best cheap Garmin watch deals, you are in the right place. Checked this out at   Shopee! The best running watches, whatever your needs.

Now that the lockdown measures have been eased, more people are taking on the roads than ever before and presumably, many of them are trying to get a new Garmin watch, because they are reliable and have a good reputation too.

The best Garmin watches, just like many high-end running watches on the market, can measure heart rate and calories burned, so if you want to keep your weight gain under control or even better, want to lose weight fast, you should get a running watch.

The Forerunner 45 series monitors heart rate¹ at the wrist and uses GPS to track your pace, distance and more. They work with free Garmin Coach adaptive training plans that bring personal coaching to your wrist. 

https://shopee.ph/garminofficial

By monitoring key aspects of your running and fitness progress, you get a better look at your current performance level and what you need to do to keep up the good work or continue improving. Select Garmin devices collect data while you work out in order to bring you these running metrics and physiological measurements. 

A perfect gift this Father's Day, Shopee with great deals from Garmin.

Shopee Philippines offers Online Deals with find discounts. Shopee Guarantee ensures safety in buying. 

Visit https://shopee.ph/garminofficial . Shop Garmin running watches now to save as much on discounts.

To get the latest updates and sale alerts, simply *Download Shopee App !

Download it now for free at the App Store or Google Play and enjoy your Shopping at Shopee!

Stay home, send money online with LBC’s Instant Peso Padala LBC rolls out online remittance service, offers free transaction fee until July 5

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In its effort to make sending money safer, faster, and more convenient for every Filipino, LBC Express Inc. rolls out its Instant Peso Padala (IPP) online service, the company’s latest move in bringing digital solutions closer to everyone. 

As COVID-19 remains a threat, the leader in the remittance space sees the need for a service that will allow Filipinos to send money easily. “At a time when everyone’s move is limited and even sending your padala to your family members or relatives seems challenging, we recognize the need for an online remittance service that will allow you to send money without leaving your house. With just a click, you’re sure that you’re able to look after your loved ones wherever you may be,” says Mr. Oliver Valentin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Philippine Branch Operations of LBC.

LBC also announced that it is waiving the transaction fee for those using the service from June 5, 2020 to July 5, 2020.

To start sending money using IPP online, simply follow these steps:

1. Visit: https://www.lbcexpress.com/ippbanktransaction

2. Provide your details including the sender and the receiver’s name and the amount of money you’ll be sending

3. A Reference Number will be generated for you.

4. You will receive the Reference Number via email and SMS.

5. Use the Reference Number to deposit your transaction amount to any LBC express bank account.

6. Send the proof of credit by uploading your receipt to the link found in the confirmation.

7. You will receive a confirmation via SMS and email that transaction had been processed.

8. The recipient can now claim their money at any branch or partner remittance center.

LBC ensures that the process is easy enough to take away the hassle from both the sender and the receiver. To claim funds, recipients just need to go to the nearest LBC branch or partner remittance centers such as Cebuana Lhuillier, Palawan Express, and MLhuillier.

LBC has over 1,400 branches nationwide, all maintain stringent measures and protocols set by the government including social distancing and regular fumigation and sanitation. Employees are also well-equipped with safety and protection gear.

“This is just one of the several digital transformation initiatives that we are introducing at LBC as the needs of our customers evolve. We are committed to bringing the best and most meaningful solutions to LBC users as we continue to move with them, and for them, during this challenging time,” adds Mr. Valentin.

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

Fintech should power disbursement programs as manual cash aid distribution risky

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Under the “new normal” dictated by COVID-19, contactless solutions are perceived to be the best way of distributing cash assistance to families and households greatly affected by the pandemic.

In the Philippines, the distribution of financial aid under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) to beneficiaries is still implemented on ground. Left with no other choice, thousands of people have flocked to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distribution centers in their respective local government units to receive the cash grant. Social distancing protocols were impossible to follow due to the high volume of beneficiaries lining up for financial assistance, thus increasing the risk of contracting the virus.

Aside from a higher risk of spreading COVID-19 brought about by the lack of social distancing in distribution centers, using bank notes is also a possible way of transmitting the virus. Health experts found that paper money increases the risk of coronavirus transmission since harmful bacteria and viruses can survive on its surface for several days. 

“The current situation demands us to think out of the box to flatten the curve. GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, is more than ready to help the national government shift from paper money to digital finance for quick, safe and secure data-driven transactions. This is also the best way to decongest SAP distribution centers when social distancing is a mandatory protocol we should all follow,” GCash Vice President for Enterprise Luigi Reyes said. 

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno encouraged citizens to go cashless to prevent crowds from forming in essential establishments during quarantine. In the duration of the community quarantine, foreign and local banks alike reported a sharp increase in digital transactions as more and more Filipinos discover the wonders of digital finance.

With the implementation of general community quarantine in the country’s capital and a modified general community quarantine in most areas until June 30, innovative ways of distribution are called for to support public efforts to flatten the curve and to promote public health.

Mobile wallets are not only a matter of convenience anymore. In the face of a pandemic, they have almost become a necessity, since digital fund transfer supports the government’s initiative to keep people in their homes. Aside from this, going digital also promotes transparency and efficiency in keeping track of public funds since every transaction leaves a digital footprint with both the beneficiary and the government agency.

“In a time when lower-income households are struggling to make ends meet, SAP distribution should be faster and more efficient. Digital wallets can address the urgency demanded by the current situation since all it takes is a click to send the cash assistance to the intended beneficiaries,” Reyes said. 

GCash provides a safer and better alternative to cash as it reduces costs and increases efficiency of transactions, better transparency and security, offers greater convenience, and promotes financial inclusion. 

In fact, some local governments have already resorted to contactless solutions through GCash in disbursing economic aid to their residents. Instead of manual disbursement through city hall employees or through physical facilities, Makati City has partnered with GCash to efficiently and safely provide aid to its constituents. 

Makati is the first city in Metro Manila to implement contactless financial assistance through GCash and the Makatizen Card. Beneficiaries can dispense with bank notes and just use their GCash app in buying groceries, paying bills, and other tasks. Long lines at the bank are also dispensed with since GCash allows users to transfer money to their preferred bank. 

Pasig City has also tapped GCash for the pilot implementation of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Adaptable Digitally-Enabled Post Crisis Transformation (ADEPT) Project. This project aims to help an initial 600 families to receive their supplemental SAP via GCash. 

“GCash is always willing to partner with local government units like Makati and Pasig to support their efforts in preventing further spread of COVID-19. We look forward to collaborating with various governments, agencies, and even non-government organizations to provide contactless disbursement solutions to support the flattening of the curve,” Reyes added.

Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), which operates GCash, is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom Inc. 

GCash is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. For more information, kindly visit https://www.gcash.com/.