Jamie Rivera sings the inspirational “We Give Our Yes,” the official mission song of ‘The 500 Years of Christianity in the Ph'

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“We Give Our Yes” music video out now! 

JAMIE RIVERA SINGS PH’S ‘500 YEARS OF CHRISTIANITY’ MISSION SONG

Jamie Rivera launched the inspirational “We Give Our Yes,” the official mission song of ‘The 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines’ yearlong celebration that commenced this month.

She shared how she felt honored to sing the song during Star Music’s “We Give Our Yes” virtual media conference. 

“I think this is really my mission, a mission for me to be able to give people a prayer and, at the same time, they could sing with it as well,” Jamie said.

The Inspirational Diva introduced “We Give Our Yes” in a remarkable performance on “ASAP Natin ‘To” last Sunday, rendering it beautifully together with The Company and other Kapamilya singers Erik Santos, Jeremy Glinoga, Jed Madela, Jason Dy, and Nyoy Volante.

Jamie first performed the song live at the Manila Cathedral during the Archdiocese of Manila’s launch of the 500 Years of Christianity festivities on February 6. 

Meanwhile, Star Music released the “We Give Our Yes” music video, directed by Frank Mamaril, last week. Together with the lyric video, the song currently has more than 150K combined views on Star Music’s YouTube channel.

The MV, shot in Manila Cathedral, featured important Catholic Church events in the past.

It also showed Jamie wearing an immaculate Mak Tumang creation, which was inspired by the logo of the celebration.  

The motivating tune “We Give Our Yes,” originally commissioned by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the country, conveys the power of faith and hope during difficult times and reminds Filipinos to keep saying yes to the mission of Jesus.

Fr. Carlo Magno

Written by the multi-awarded composer Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo, Jamie’s version of “We Give Our Yes” was produced by the award-winning hitmaker and ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo.

Jonathan Manalo

“We Give Our Yes” is now available on music streaming services worldwide. For more details, like Star Music on Facebook (www.facebook.com/starmusicph) and follow it on Twitter and Instagram (@StarMusicPH).

First-ever Digital PR Congress Opens with Reality Check on PR, Business and Media Landscapes

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(Manila, Philippines, 17 February 2021) — The 27^th National Public Relations Congress kicks off its three-day run today with plenaries looking into the new realities for Philippine PR and the business and media sectors. Presented by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the country’s premier organization for public relations and communication practitioners, this year’s conference is the first time the National PR Congress is being held online in its 27 years and the first time it will run for three days instead of the usual two.

From February 17 to 19, 2021, PR and communication practitioners from all over the nation – and the world -- will come together to examine the current PR landscape and find ways to move forward as one industry. Local and international experts from different fields will share their insights with more than 1,400 registrants for the three-day conference.

The first day, which sets the context and tone for the congress, will tackle the shifts in the PR industry as it is impacted and bounces back from the challenges of the past year, foremost of them being the pandemic. The sessions will look into the state of PR in the country and outside, the role of PR in the new dynamic, Filipinos’ post-pandemic profile, changes in the business terrain and how companies are adjusting, and the challenges for the media and PR in the perspective of the Philippine media.

With the theme “Transcend,” the annual event aims to inspire PR and communication practitioners to break through traditional boundaries, rise above themselves and focus on the bigger issues the nation is facing. The congress hinges on the PRSP’s theme of “PR for Good” to put a spotlight on serving the community better and making a lasting impact through PR.

Each day of the congress is designed to highlight a specific topic of focus. On the first day, participants will deep dive into the state of Philippine PR. The second day will focus on the power of technology and how it is reshaping the practice of PR and communication. Finally, the third day will encourage conversations on critical issues that are shaping business and communication narratives today.

Opening the discussion on the state of Philippine PR is Managing Director of Grupo Agatep and PRSP President Norman Agatep, APR, followed by May Lwin, chair and professor at Wee Kim Wee School of Communication & Information and director of the University Scholars Programme at the Nanyang Technological University Singapore, who will talk about the state of PR in Asia. Nitin Mantri, group CEO of Avian WE and president of the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO), will then provide an overview of world PR.

Ron Jabal, APR, CEO of PageOne Group, will shed some light on the role PR plays in the new dynamic, followed by John Januszczak, president and CEO of UBX, the fintech venture studio created by UnionBank of the Philippines, who will talk about how the pandemic has changed the consumer behavior of Filipinos. Tommaso Di Giovanni, VP for global communications of Philip Morris International and recognized by PRovoke Media as one of the 20 Global Rising Stars in PR and Communications for 2020, will share about business agility, grit and community commitment.

A panel of veteran journalists will close the first day of the congress, providing insights on ensuring accurate and truthful communication. Joining the conversation are Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist John Nery, Board of Trustees of the Center for Media Freedom & Responsibility member Vergel Santos and TV5 journalist Ed Lingao.

“It is important that as we forge ahead and adjust to the new normal, we do not lose sight of what PR is all about. This is what we want to remind practitioners through this Congress: that we also serve the community even as we work with brands and organizations in sharing their messages to the public,” said Agatep.

The congress gathers together participants from industry organizations, SMEs and large corporations, government agencies, NGOs, LGUs and the academe all over the Philippines.

Congress Chair Ana Pista shared, “With Transcend as our theme for this Congress, we hope to enjoin PR and communication practitioners and all delegates to rethink our role and responsibility and in our work contribute to the solution instead of the problem. This Congress theme is about moving forward to create a better normal for all.”

For more information about the 27th National Public Relations Congress, visit the event website or Facebook page or contact Lessa Azcarraga at lessa.azcarraga@ardent.com.ph.

 

Exclusive GLife Promo: 50% OFF on KFC All-Chicken Buckets on February 17!

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It’s the perfect time to celebrate post-Valentine’s Day with an exclusive KFC offer only for GCash customers!

 

GLife, the digital shopping mall inside the GCash app, will be exclusively featuring KFC’s 50% off promo to its All-Chicken Buckets for one day only -- this February 17, 2021! All a customer has to do to avail of the whopping 50% discount is to purchase in KFC through GLife and pay using GCash!

 

Exclusive GLife KFC All-Chicken Bucket Promo

 

KFC All-Chicken Bucket	SRP	Promo Price
Bucket of 6	PHP 439.00	PHP 219.50
Bucket of 8	PHP 579.00	PHP 289.50
Bucket of 10	PHP 720.00	PHP 360.00
Bucket of 15	PHP 1,008.00	PHP 504.00
Bucket of 20	PHP 1,329.00	PHP 664.50

 

Customers with existing GCash accounts will automatically have access to GLife and enjoy all of its feature stores, including digital stores for grocery, retail, health and wellness, gaming, and rewards services. They just need to log-in to the GCash app, tap on the GLife icon, and look for KFC. Customers outside of the GCash app can access https://gcashapp.page.link/KFC to be redirected to the promo.

 

Customers without GCash accounts can just download the GCash app and register for an account through the App Store, Google Play, or Huawei App Gallery for free.

 

Funding a GCash account is easy and can be done through multiple cash-in channels, such as over-the-counter partner establishments like Ministop, Alfamart, and Villarica Pawnshop or supermarkets such as Puregold, Robinsons Supermarkets, and SM Supermarkets. 

To learn more about cashing into your GCash account, visit https://www.gcash.com/getting-started/cash-in.

 

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.

Hope for the Heart: Experts say heart failure is treatable if caught early

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A panel of experts discuss how the approval of AstraZeneca’s Dapagliflozin as a treatment option can make a difference in the lives of thousands of Filipinos. 

(Photo clockwise from above left: Dr. Cyril Tolosa, Head of Medical Affairs, AstraZeneca Philippines, Dr. Erlyn Demerre,  Professor David Sim, Lotis Ramin, Country President, AstraZeneca Philippines, Dr. Alberto Pamplona Jr., Dr. Norbert Uy) 

 

(Manila, Philippines)  Heart failure, commonly called “pumapalyang puso”, affects thousands of Filipinos and approximately 64 million people worldwide, with half of patients dying within five years of diagnosis 1, 2, 3, 4. 

 

Patients with heart failure experience physical and emotional symptoms. It limits their activities resulting to poor quality of life. Even when resting, some patients start experiencing shortness of breath and feeling gets heavier and heavier each day. Everyday activities are getting harder making them feel very vulnerable and hopeless. Many patients have shared that they feel as if they are merely waiting for death and feel guilty about placing a huge economic and emotional burden on their families. 

The good news is that heart failure can be treated and even prevented. To raise conversation and awareness, AstraZeneca Philippines hosted a panel of experts from the Philippines and around the world to discuss the latest developments on heart failure. 

According to Professor David Sim, President of the Heart Failure Society in Singapore, 9 million people in Southeast Asia have heart failure with an overall 15% mortality rate 5,6. However, pharmacological options for heart failure have increased over the last decade and guideline-directed heart failure pharmacotherapy cumulatively reduces mortality by 76% 7.  He highlighted “The approval of dapagliflozin for the treatment of HFrEF in Philippines is a major step forward  in the battle against the disease burden of heart failure. Together with the current standard of care, dapagliflozin will contribute further  to a lower mortality , less heart failure hospitalization and importantly a better quality of life for the patients suffering from heart failure”.

Professor Piotor Ponikowski of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology added that "heart failure is becoming a preventable and treatable disease, with medication that allows patients to live longer and live better outside of the hospital.” 

 

These current developments in the treatment options bring hope to Filipinos diagnosed with heart failure. With the approval of AstraZeneca’s Dapagliflozin as a treatment option for heart failure, Filipinos can now avail of medication that can mitigate the disease. 

 

In his presentation on Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse-outcomes in Heart Failure Trial (DAPA HF) Trial: A New Era in Heart Failure Management, Professor Piotr Ponikowski says “Dapagliflozin has the ability to reduce mortality, prevent hospital admission, improve clinical status, functional capacity, and quality of life.” 

 

As such, to further work towards improved quality care in the Philippines, AstraZeneca also announced a partnership  with the Philippine Heart Association (PHA)  to elevate the standardized care and quality improvement efforts for heart failure to promote better awareness, management and options for patients. 

 

Lotis Ramin, AstraZeneca Philippines Country President says, 

“During this COVID-19 pandemic, people with heart failure are among those at higher risk of complications. Proper disease management will help improve the condition and avoid hospitalization. With the approval of Dapagliflozin for use in adult patients suffering from heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, , we are proud to give hope to the numerous Filipinos affected by heart failure.  Through our partnership with PHA, we aim for a comprehensive cardiovascular care program from prevention, timely diagnosis, and management of symptoms for heart failure to create a meaningful difference in the lives of Filipinos.”  

 

Do not delay. Get an early diagnosis and begin treatment. Start a conversation on heart failure with your doctor today.  

 

About Dapagliflozin  

Dapagliflozin is the first and only drug under the sodium glucose transport protein 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i)  class approved to treat heart failure in adult patients with reduced ejection fraction (pumapalyang puso). 10,11,12 It is the only SGLT2i proven to significantly prevent cardiovascular death and death due to other causes in these heart failure patients.9   

 

This approval was based on the landmark trial Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse-outcomes in Heart Failure Trial (DAPA HF) 1.  It is the first outcomes trial with an SGLT2 inhibitor investigating the treatment of Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).1 The results showed a reduction of 26% in the occurence of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure (hHF) and Urgent Hospital Visit for heart failure (HF) along with a 30% reduction in hHF. 1 Dapagliflozin’s significant 18% reduction in cardiovascular death and 17% reduction on death due to other causes which were only seen in the DAPA HF study. 9 

 

Dapagliflozin has offered an additional treatment option for patients suffering from the symptoms of heart failure and are at risk of dying given the high mortality rate of the disease. Safety findings in patients were consistent with the well established safety profile of Dapagliflozin in previous studies.  It is consistent regardless of age, gender, severity of heart failure, diabetes status and kidney function1. Dapagliflozin was well tolerated and adverse event rarely led to the discontinuation of treatment1,8.  

 

In the Philippines, Dapagliflozin is now approved for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in adult patients. Dapagliflozin is a prescription medicine.10 Patients should not selfmedicate and should consult their physicians regarding their condition and treatment. 

 

About AstraZeneca  

 

AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas - Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca. 

 

References 

 

1. McMurray JJV et al. Dapagliflozin in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction. N Engl J Med 2019. 

2. Mayo Clinic. Heart failure; 2017 [cited 2019 Aug 14]. Available from: URL: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373142. 

3. Vos T et al. Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 328 diseases and injuries for 195 countries, 1990–2016: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. The Lancet 2017; 390(10100):1211–59. 

4. Mozaffarian D et al. Circulation. 2016 Jan 26;133(4):e38-360 and the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_heart_failure.htm. 

5. Mamas MA et al. Do patients have worse outcomes in heart failure than in cancer? A primary carebased cohort study with 10-year follow-up in Scotland. Eur J Heart Fail 2017; 19(9):1095–104. 

6. Azad N, Lemay G. Management of chronic heart failure in the older population. J Geriatr Cardiol 2014; 11(4):329–37. 

7. Study done by National University Health Center (NUHCS)   &Regional and ethnic differences among patients with heart failure in Asia: the Asian sudden cardiac  death in heart failure registry Eur Heart J. 2016;37(41):3141-3153. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehw331 

8. Petrie MC, Verma S, Docherty KF, et al. Effect of dapagliflozin on worsening heart failure and cardiovascular death in patients with heart failure with and without diabetes. JAMA. 2020;323:13531368. 

9. Zannad, Faiez et al. SLGT2 inhibitors in patients with heart failjure with reduced ejection fraction: a meta-analysis of the Emperor-Reduced and Dapa HF Trial. www.thelancet.com Published online August 30, 2020 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31824-9 

10. Dapagliflozin (Forxiga TM) Full Prescribing Information. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Phils. Inc. January 2021. 

11. Canagliflozin (Invokana TM) Full Prescribing Information. Jansenn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Revised 2020. 

12. Empagliflozin (Jardiance TM) Full Prescribing Information. Boehringer Ingelheim International. Revised 2020. 

 

 

 

Shop for your everyday essentials and more at the PayMaya Mall!

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Get the best deals in mobile and cashless shopping at the newly launched PayMaya Mall

Filipinos now have an easier way to shop for their everyday essentials and more and pay cashless for their purchases with the launch of the PayMaya Mall -- a one-stop shop for your mobile shopping needs all within your PayMaya app!

Whether you’re craving for your favorite meals at Jollibee or McDonald’s, looking to buy your groceries at Landers, or shopping for cool new sneakers at Nike, you can find everything you need and get the best deals at the PayMaya Mall.

With your favorite brands housed inside this virtual mall in your PayMaya app, going cashless for your everyday needs is now easier than ever. All you have to do is open your PayMaya app, tap PayMaya Mall and browse through over 100 of PayMaya's partner brands featured inside including Jollibee, McDonald's, Goldilocks, Rustan's, Park Outlet, Mercury Drug, Rose Pharmacy, Landers, AllHome and Boozy, among so many others.

And because you're transacting with PayMaya's trusted partner merchants, you can rest assured that you're only purchasing from legitimate sellers--whether it's a big lifestyle brand, a multinational merchant, or even local businesses.

“In the past year, PayMaya has enabled millions of Filipinos to utilize safe and convenient contactless payment for their everyday needs as we accelerated our push to build a 'Cashless Philippines'. With the launch of PayMaya Mall today, we’re taking this cashless convenience to the next level by bringing consumers the unique mall experience they have grown to love inside the PayMaya app. Now, on top of settling their bills or sending money to their loved ones, they can also pay for their groceries, order lunch, or shop for beauty products, all in one convenient mobile and cashless shopping experience,” said Mark Jason Dee, Head of Growth Marketing and Partnerships of PayMaya.  

Enjoy the best shopping deals at PayMaya Mall

Shopping at PayMaya Mall isn’t just convenient and safe—it’s also the most rewarding way to go cashless. Whatever item you want to purchase, you can find it at the PayMaya Mall and enjoy the best deals through PayMaya’s Balik Bayad promos and exclusive offers from partner merchants.

To kick off your rewarding PayMaya Mall experience, PayMaya is bringing in the good luck this Chinese New Year of the Ox as it offers up to P880 cashback for your purchases inside PayMaya Mall. For a minimum spend of P300 paid using your PayMaya mobile number, you can get a 20% cashback of up to P88 per transaction. You can enjoy this offer up to 10 times until March 15, 2021, or a total of P880 in Balik Bayad savings!

Availing of PayMaya's Balik Bayad offers at the PayMaya Mall is easy, all you have to do is shop at any of the brands featured at this virtual mall, choose the Pay with PayMaya option upon check out and key in your mobile number to complete your contactless payment transaction. 

On top of this Chinese New Year treat, you can also enjoy exclusive deals from your favorite brands at the PayMaya Mall. You can enjoy free delivery on your first Pick.A.Roo order (minimum of P500) just by entering the code PAYMAYAROO upon checkout; enjoy 12% off on your Rustans purchases, perfect for Valentine’s Day gifts; and even score a 5% discount on your Boozy haul for a chill Friday night at home.  

“At PayMaya Mall, we want to make sure that our users get the best cashless shopping experience, and that includes bringing them the best deals from the brands they love. With these exclusive promos and cashback offers, it’s easy to say that whatever you’re planning to buy – be it grocery items or your favorite fastfood meal – talagang mas sulit ‘yan sa PayMaya Mall!” Dee added.

Getting your own PayMaya account and enjoying the convenience of PayMaya Mall is very easy. Just download the PayMaya app at https://official.paymaya.com/CAK1/425eb133 and register an account to find out what it’s like to go cashless with the fastest, safest, and most rewarding way to pay for anything online and in stores! Remember, for your everyday needs, don’t pay cash. PayMaya!  

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, communities, and government. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country including "everyday" merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants as well as government agencies and units.   

Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides over 28 million Filipinos with access to financial services. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out or remit through its over 200,000 digital touchpoints nationwide. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 37,000 partner agent touchpoints nationwide serves as last-mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to digital services. To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.