Meralco SUSPENDS DISCONNECTION ACTIVITIES in areas under ECQ and MECQ

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Urges customers to reach out regarding billing and payment concerns

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said on Tuesday that it is again suspending disconnection activities in the Province of Laguna beginning August 1 to 15 and the National Capital Region (NCR) from August 6 to 20, 2021. The announcement came after the Government placed NCR on ECQ from August 6 to 20 and the Province of Laguna on MECQ from August 1 to 15.

The rest of Meralco’s franchise area remains under GCQ with Heightened Restrictions particularly Bulacan, Cavite, the Province of Rizal and Lucena City from August 1 to 15, while Batangas and Quezon Province remain to be under GCQ for the month of August.

“Given the current situation, we continue to take into consideration the challenges our customers are facing amid these difficult times. Thus, we will again suspend all disconnection activities in NCR and Laguna to help ease the burden of our customers with the needed relief and additional time to settle their bills,” Ferdinand O. Geluz, Meralco FVP and Chief Commercial Officer, said.

He added, “We encourage customers, particularly those with concerns with their previous bills, to reach out, so we can discuss and help clarify their concerns and to even come up with payment terms, if really needed. We also have several platforms by which you can reach us. We hope customers will also take advantage of this period to avoid the inconvenience of having to queue long lines once the ECQ is again lifted.”

For customers in areas under GCQ, Geluz assured that Meralco will continue to be very considerate during this period and vowed to assist customers with their concerns.

Meralco reiterated that it will continue vital operations such as meter reading, following the order of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and will also continue to work round the clock to serve its customers.

“Meralco business operations, including meter reading and bill delivery activities, will continue throughout the ECQ. Our continued operations will ensure that actual consumption for the month will be billed accordingly. But rest assured there will be strict implementation of health protocols in order to safeguard the health and safety of both customers and our personnel,” Geluz said.

The ERC, in an advisory last year, encouraged customers who can pay to settle their bills within the original due date “to help manage the cash flow in the energy supply chain and ensure the continuous supply of electricity."

In minimizing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and ensuring everyone’s safety, Geluz reminded customers to always keep safe and advised customers to use Meralco’s various digital platforms such as Meralco Online and Meralco App, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, call its 16211 hotline and book an appointment through the Online Customer Appointment (OCA) system before going to Meralco Business Centers (BCs). Meralco BCs will be on skeleton workforce, for any inquiries and concerns on billing and payments as a precaution to the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

Meralco BCs will remain open to accept payments, applications and customer assistance. Business hours will be from 7am to 3pm, in compliance to IATF guidelines, from Monday to Friday and 7am to 12pm on Saturdays.

“Meralco crews will also continue to be on standby 24/7 to respond to any emergencies and reports,” Geluz added.

Meralco's customer touchpoints include the Meralco website at www.MERALCO.com.ph, and its social media accounts on twitter @MERALCO, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MERALCO, and the Meralco Hotline at 16211. Customers can also send emails to customercare@meralco.com.ph.

It’s raining deals and discounts this coming 8.8 for OPPO’s Shopee Super Brand Day Sale!

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Don’t snooze so you don’t lose! 

Calling all OPPO fans and users who are looking to score a new phone or gadget - set your alarms for the upcoming OPPO Super Brand Day Sale on Shopee. From August 8-12, score up to 40% off on bestselling A Series and Reno Series smartphones, like A12 4GB, A15s, A54 6GB+128GB, Reno4 and Reno5, as well as accessories, like Enco Buds and Band B1, and even a special offer on the all-new Reno6 Z 5G!

OPPO’s Sweetest Deal Yet

The mega sale extends OPPO’s offers beyond the usual Shopee 8.8 sale, so you can avail of more special discounts and freebies. Want to be one of the first to score the all-new Reno6 Z 5G? Get a limited time Php1000 discount on your order and a free pair of G25 Sports Earphones worth Php1499, when you purchase a Reno6 Z 5G starting August 6 until August 14.

During the five-day sale, all OPPO buyers will get FREE shipping for orders above Php3,999, as well as a FREE DITO Sim card with 10GB data for all smartphone orders. If you’re extra excited for the sale, you can start collecting Php200 store-wide vouchers from August 3, which you can use during the special OPPO sale period for a minimum spend of Php9,999.

Want more? Be one of the first 500 smartphone buyers on August 8 or checkout your new OPPO smartphone on August 11 from 8pm-11:59pm, and take home a FREE pair for G25 Sports Earphones worth Php1499! If you’re feeling extra lucky, OPPO will be having flash sales throughout the Shopee 8.8 Super Brand Day Sale to give you up to Php500 more on discounts for all participating gadgets.

So what are you waiting for? Add your favorite OPPO products to your Shopee cart and score big on infinite deals this 8.8 and beyond!

For more information on OPPO’s 8.8 Sale and Super Brand Day Promo on Shopee and a full list of discounts and offers, visit OPPO’s Official Flagship Store on Shopee.

MSMEs come together for the World Vision and ComCo SEA: Cause Marketing for Good initiative

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As part of their initiative to support MSMEs, global development and advocacy organization World Vision and regional integrated communications agency ComCo Southeast Asia held the Cause Marketing for Good Virtual Conference to give MSMEs the chance to do good for themselves and for others. Different experts from renowned brands and agencies around the country joined the event and shared information, experiences and learnings about cause-related marketing or CRM to help equip MSMEs on how to champion social issues through their marketing efforts.

It’s been over a year since COVID-19 struck and people all around the world are still trying to cope. Millions were left jobless as businesses closed down in the middle of the pandemic. In the Philippines, micro, small and medium enterprises or MSMEs were hit especially hard as they try to keep their businesses afloat while facing huge hurdles brought about by economic downturn, quarantine regulations, and the pandemic itself. But even when faced with these challenges, MSMEs from around the country have come together to find ways to give back to vulnerable communities.

(From top left) Robinsons Supermarket Marketing Manager Angela Totanes, AirAsia Head of Branding and Creatives David Viray, Lazada Strategic Partnerships Senior Associate Yshana Wong, ComCo Southeast Asia Regional Integration & Chief Executive Director Ferdinand Bondoy, World Vision Ambassador Gelli Victor, World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes, IdeasXMachina Group Of Hakuhodo CEO Third Domingo, World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte and David and Golyat President and Co-Founder Miko David

“We at World Vision together with ComCo Southeast Asia and our esteemed speakers are honored to present this online conference in hopes that it will inspire MSMEs to start or to strengthen their own cause marketing initiatives,” shared World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte. “Likewise, we thank all our corporate partners throughout the years for working with us in various initiatives that promote children's wellbeing. As we lift each other this time of pandemic and look after vulnerable families, communities and all children, may God sustain us and be our ultimate source of strength, wisdom and peace.”

The online conference included sessions on defining CRM and developing and implementing a CRM campaign by Angela Totanes, marketing manager of Robinsons Supermarket; CRM’s impact on brand image, sales and consumer behavior by David Viray, head of branding and creatives at AirAsia; the results of their study “Cause Marketing & Driving Digital Uplift” by Miko David, president and co-founder of David and Golyat; and how to use e-commerce to forward your cause by Yshana Wong, Lazada Philippines’ strategic partnerships senior associate. There was also a panel on how to create effective CRM campaigns featuring experts and practitioners of the field such as Ferdinand Bondoy, regional integration and chief executive director, partner and co-founder of ComCo Southeast Asia for public relations and Third Domingo, founder and CEO of IdeasXMachina for creatives.

“Doing cause oriented projects is not a nice to have anymore. It is a must, especially at these challenging times. It is each one's responsibility to help rebuild the society, as business will only flourish if the economy is in place,” shared Ferdinand Bondoy. “Now more than ever, cause-related marketing is becoming an important tool because it not only lets businesses nurture deeper relationships with their consumers, but it also allows them to bring more attention to social causes, doing some good in the process. It’s a good time for businesses to start integrating social causes into their plans and help make a significant change to our country and our world when it’s needed the most.”

Mr. Bondoy also announced the upcoming Igniting Social Good Project – a competition for MSMEs that joined the virtual conference, where participants will create an original cause marketing campaign that supports people and communities that have been affected by the pandemic. The chosen enterprise will win ComCo Southeast Asia’s ignite package – an integrated communications services package for MSMEs for the chance to make their winning cause marketing campaign come to life.

“We are excited to see so many companies interested in cause marketing and promoting social causes. As part of our advocacy for MSMEs, we created this competition in partnership with World Vision to support those enterprises who want to do good and be a driving force for social change,” added Mr. Bondoy.

World Vision and ComCo Southeast Asia’s Cause Marketing for Good campaign aims to support and teach MSMEs how to make their businesses relevant through effective and sustainable cause-related marketing campaigns that can rally support from the public.

To know more about World Vision and ComCo Southeast Asia’s partnership, visit www.worldvision.org.ph or follow World Vision’s official social media pages /worldvisionph on Facebook, @worldvisionphl on Instagram, and @worldvisionph on Twitter. For more information on World Vision Philippines and its other initiatives, call the World Vision hotline number at 8372-77-77 or Ms. Wichelle Cruz, Private Sector Partnerships Manager, at 0917-511-6640.

Tolak Angin Donates to Community Pantries

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Amidst the difficulties the nation is experiencing due to the Covid-10 pandemic, Filipinos have shown their resilience and modern-day “bayanihan” spirit through the community pantries that were inspired by the Maginhawa Community Pantry initiative. .

This act of goodwill created a ripple effect that gave birth to more than 6,700 community pantries all over the Philippines.

Tolak Angin, as with other private companies, stepped up to do their part in helping these community pantries in their goal of alleviating some of the struggles of our fellow Filipinos. Some of the community pantries that Tolak Angin has supported include the Taytay Community Pantry, Cogeo-Antipolo Community Pantry, Marikenya Community Pantry, Nagtahan Community Pantry, Divisoria Market Community Pantry, Winnarey Community Pantry, Nangka Community Pantry, Persons with Disabilities Community Pantry, and many more.

Nagtahan Community Pantry. Photo c/o Eugene Jambalos FB account

Cogeo Community Pantry. Photo c/o Jay-Anne Valdez FB Account

Persons with Disabilities Community Pantry. Photo c/o Marci M. Laurel FB Account

Winnarey Community Pantry. Photo c/o Myr-Dan Balderama FB Page

With another strict lockdown looming, we are once again faced with additional challenges that will affect a lot of people. Tolak Angin will step up once more through its partnership with key influencers who will donate Tolak Angin Anak to community pantries in their neighborhood.

Tolak Angin Anak is suitable for children 2 years old and up. It contains Tolak Angin’s 12 signature herbal ingredients with added Cornu Bubali, which is a known natural fever reliever. It helps boost children’s immune system and aid in relieving early signs of weakened immunity, such as colds, chills, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, stomachache, bloating, and reduced appetite. With children now unable to go out and mingle with their friends and classmates like they used to, they need extra care when it comes to their health and overall wellness.

Tolak Angin Anak is available in 7-Eleven, Southstar Drug, Watsons, Mercury Drug, and other leading drugstores nationwide. For children 7 to 12 years old, the recommended dosage is one sachet three times a day, while kids 12 years and older can take up to two sachets three times per day. Kids can take them directly from the sachet or added to half a glass of warm water. Tolak Angin Anak has been specifically formulated to have a taste children will love.

For more information on Tolak Angin Anak and other Tolak Angin products, visit www.tolakangin.com.ph.

Probiotics: Beyond The Gut - ProBio7 Kids with 7 probiotic strains, aids digestive health, growth, and immunity!

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ProBio7 Kids, PascualLab’s newest pedia product is helping to spread awareness on probiotics and their benefits beyond digestive health.

Promotes Digestive Health

Probiotics are live microorganisms, most of which are bacteria, that have various benefits to the body. In the gut, these probiotics are widely known to help keep the “bad” bacteria in check and maintain a healthy community of microorganisms, thereby supporting digestive health. ¹

Strengthens Immunity

What people also need to be aware of is that probiotic strains can help augment immunity in several ways! One, these probiotic strains strengthen the intestinal wall, preventing the entry of disease-causing bacteria. Moreover, these probiotics suppress the growth of harmful microbes by taking away the nutrients they need. In addition, these probiotic strains produce antimicrobial substances such as hydrogen peroxide that can directly kill bacteria. ²

Through these preventive actions, probiotics help increase resistance to infections such as diarrhea³ and the common cold. In fact, research has shown that children who take probiotics have lesser bouts of colds and flu-like symptoms and are less likely to get the disease, resulting in fewer absences from school. With this, probiotics help lessen the likelihood of children being prescribed antibiotics. ⁴

Boosts Growth

And did you know that probiotics also help improve growth, increasing both weight and height? ⁵ Probiotics aids in the absorption of certain nutrients, which children need especially during their growth years.⁶ Probiotic strains likewise support children’s growth by helping improve lactose absorption in milk drinkers. ⁷

These days, when our kids’ health remain at the top of our priorities and immunity is the call of the times, it is best to be proactive in strengthening our child’s immune system.

Try ProBio7 Kids that has 7 probiotic strains: 

• Streptococcus thermophilus, 
• Lactobacillus plantarum, 
• Bifidobacterium lactis, 
• Bifidobacterium longum, 
• Lactobacillus acidophilus, 
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus, 
• Lactococcus lactis.

Together, these strains help support gut health, augment immunity, and facilitate growth.

ProBio7Kids which comes in a yummy grape flavor is available in select drugstores nationwide.

It is also available in Lazada and Shopee.

Sources:

1. Probiotics: What You Need To Know. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health-National Institutes of Health Web site. Updated August 2019. Accessed May 2021.https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/probiotics-what-you-need-to-know Updated August 2019. Accessed May 2021.

2. Galdeano C, Cazorla S, Dumit J, et al. Beneficial Effects of Probiotic

Consumption on the Immune System. Ann Nutr Metab. 2019; 74: 115–124. doi: 10.1159/000496426

3. Guarino, A, MD; Guandalini, S MD; Lo, V; and Andrea MD. Probiotics for Prevention and Treatment of Diarrhea: Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. Journal of Clinical Gastroentorology, November/December 2015. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000000349

4. Leyer G, Li S, Mubasher M, et al. Probiotic effects on cold and influenza-like symptom incidence and duration in children. Pediatrics. 2009; 124(2): e172-9. doi: 10.1542/peds.2008-2666

5. Onubi O, Poobalan A, Dineen B, et al. Effects of probiotics on child growth: a systematic review. J Health Popul Nutr. 2015; 34(8): https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-015-0010-4

6. Ballini A, Gnoni A, De Vito D, et al. Effect of probiotics on the occurrence of nutrition absorption capacities in healthy children: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled pilot study. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2019; 23: 8645-8657. https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/8645-8657.pdf.

7. Leis R, de Castro M, de Lamas C, et al. Meta-Analysis-Effects of Prebiotic and Probiotic Supplementation on Lactase Deficiency and Lactose Intolerance: A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2020; 12(5): 1487. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051487