November 29, 2021

Chit chat and Sweet Treats! Sanofi's Sweet Talk Your Way Out of Diabetes

The Sweet Talk Your Way Out of Diabetes media get-together was a sweet end to the month-long World Diabetes Day Celebration of Sanofi Philippines. In the words of Sanofi’s Country Lead Dr. Amal Makhloufi, “we put the spotlight on what is being done to create awareness and provide solutions for those affected by this lifestyle disease.”

For the organization, the event was created to amplify their Panata in cultivating a healthier Philippines for all. It was a friendly and casual approach on how they can bring important topics such as diabetes care into the spotlight without instilling fear among the audience.

“Our goal is to make it easier for every Filipino to seek access to quality innovative care. It is our mission to just go beyond medicines, but to look and explore holistic care and management especially for our patients with chronic conditions like diabetes,” Dr. Makhloufi shared during her opening remarks.

The said event was well attended by press and bloggers, alongside the general public who were able to join the live via Step Up for Diabetes, Philippine Diabetes Support, and Sabrina’s Kitchen Facebook Pages. Both audiences were able to get a handful of information about how to do grocery shopping for diabetics and how to mindfully create a healthy routine for everyone in the household. Several industry icons and experts were also present to add value to the event.

Bianca Dualan of Sakro and Tonyo Silva of Gising Gising PH were generous enough to answer curious questions from the attendees and share their knowledge on how to create a healthy grocery shopping habit. They also talked about the role of their Panata Box and how it provides attainable access to lifestyle diseases care and management.

The Panata Box is Gising Gising’s newest addition, hinging from Sanofi’s Panata, which contains high fiber, low glycemic index/glycemic load fruits and vegetables that help in diabetes management.

For every Panata Box sold, Gising Gising PH shall also share a box to patients from the Philippine Diabetes Support. The Philippine Diabetes Support is an organization that helps spread awareness on this lifestyle disease.

For diabetic patients, community support is as crucial as the treatment itself. Cynthia Yu Duntz of Philippine Diabetes Support remarked how important it is to create a spirit of companionship and empathy among patients dealing with the same situation.

The event wouldn’t be complete without a special recipe demonstration. Former Bb. Pilipinas-International and now a chef, Sabrina Artadi shared a mouthwatering recipe for her Mango Pineapple Yogurt treat that can definitely be enjoyed even by diabetic patients.

A longer Instagram Live on Sanofi PH’s official Instagram page will happen on December 1, Wednesday, featuring more of Chef Sabrina’s recipes and techniques on how to enjoy a gastronomic experience without the guilt.

“It is our Panata here in the PH to improve the management of this disease because [once again, remember] it's not the end of life, it's the beginning of change to empower people to [a] better life, live their life. Dr. Amal Makhloufi shared during her Q&A portion.

For more information on Sanofi PH’s programs and campaigns on lifestyle diseases management, visit the official website and verified Instagram and LinkedIn pages.

 

The TECNO Way of Winning AI Camera Technology Race for Future

Step into the TAIVOS Imaging Lab to learn about the cool technology behind CAMON 18’s clear and steady, advanced AI Camera!
Cameras and mobile technology have always been symbiotic, and have heavily influenced the development of modern smartphones. This effectively means that any manufacturer who is able to provide leading, cutting-edge mobile imaging solutions for smartphones will be able to determine what the future of smartphones will look like. This is why TECNO started TAIVOS Labs, focusing on innovative and cutting-edge technological breakthroughs for mobile imaging technology. TECNO’s labs have been involved in numerous in-depth research and analysis that contributed to many of the new camera innovations that we see today.

We talked to Jiangtao Li, Senior Director of TECNO Imaging Product and Head of TECNO TAIVOS™ Labs, to learn more about the lab, and also to learn about how he reimagines the future of mobile camera technology.
Jiangtao Li, Head of TECNO TAIVOS Lab

TAIVOS™ Lab, short for TECNO AI Vision Optimization Solution Lab, was set up to enhance photography and videography through the latest technology. When asked about how the lab came about, Li said, “Based on these grand objectives, our TAIVOS laboratory studies our devices extensively to make some deeper innovations that our users will enjoy and benefit from. We want to redefine how the mobile camera is perceived and what it can do for our users.”

With this goal in mind, one of TECNO’s grand challenges it had to overcome was to cater to the many varying views of beauty over different regions and cultures, combining the best of the past and the present. With this awareness that beauty can be subjective and individualized, TECNO added more than 200 professionals to its research team, successfully producing more than 6,120 Evaluation Scenarios spanning 115 countries. According to Li, TECNO is putting in so much effort because it is not enough to advance technology. Still, it is essential to build it with diversity in mind so that everyone can enjoy and utilize mobile imaging technology together.

TAIVOS™ Lab’s final products have continually exceeded the expectations of consumers, producing many successful commercialized features. Specifically, TECNO TAIVOS™ certified cameras could reach a remarkable 4,500 fine-tuning settings thanks to the 3A Algorithm and ISP (Image Signal Processor) module. Pictures that are inclusive of all demographics and all three primary skin types, particularly those with darker skin tones, are sharpened. A comprehensive Material Library covers nine skin types and 76 categories so that everyone, regardless of demographic, gets to enjoy these improved features. On TECNO’s CAMON 18 Premier, these optimizations enable excellent visuals even in low-light situations.

Another breakthrough of TECNO TAIVOS™ Lab is in the advancement of the Screen Inspection Process. TECNO screens and cameras are fine-tuned for up to a half-year apiece throughout this procedure to provide users with the most bright and compelling colors. This has brought about many learnings for TECNO, as lighting is one major issue for mobile camera users that inhibits them from creating professional-level photos and videos. Li wants to democratize the pleasures of taking a good picture, and technology can be a significant aid to people looking to gain confidence in their photography skills.

TAIVOS™ Lab’s innovative deep technologies are also evident in its Image Algorithm Technology. Using AI algorithms for Image Super-Resolution, low-resolution images caused by digital zoom can be recovered. As a result, even for those with close to no photography skills, images on TECNO’s upcoming flagship will turn out to be more explicit, richer in detail, and more true-to-life than ever before.

TAIVOS™ Lab has also patented various technologies to support the innovative ideas churned out by the lab. For example, featured inside the upcoming CAMON 18 Premier is a self-developed Galileo Algorithm Engine. Thanks to this new engine, TECNO says that users can enjoy ultra-long-distance shooting effects comparable to astronomical telescopes and pixel-level image segmentation accuracy, all from the comfort of the smartphone in their pocket.

Li shares: “TAIVOS started five years ago when we established a project department at that time, and then we began to accumulate our data from that time. We have a huge database, and compared to the entire industry, the quality of this database is high because, firstly, it is very focused. Secondly, we are spending a lot of energy to label the data. After we accumulate and label the data, we can do so much more to improve on what we have so that our users will always have the best.”

That data becomes helpful in applications such as a cutting-edge gender recognition feature that comes packed in the CAMON 18 Premier. For example, with a complete understanding that males and females have unique facial traits and different desires when taking selfies, the gender recognition AI protects the details of your natural features – men with beards can enhance them. At the same time, women can enable the technology to deliver beautiful lashes.

Li concludes: “TAIVOS™ Lab has allowed us to enable our users to analyze and recombine photos on a pixel level, bringing out the best photos for our users. Now with the CAMON 18 Premier, we are extending this technology to video. Hardware is only half the battle. We work incessantly to improve our software to bring the best user experience to our customers. TAIVOS™ Lab is at the forefront of mobile imaging technology today, and we will keep you excited for years and decades to come.”

The highly-anticipated TECNO CAMON 18 Series launched in the Philippines this November, bringing an array of exciting innovations developed by the TAIVOS lab to consumers around the country.


CAMON 18: TECNO Mobile’s most advanced pro-camera phone to date

As the most advanced pro-camera phone to come out of TECNO Mobile’s CAMON line, the CAMON 18 Series is perfect for filmmakers, and anyone who loves taking videos using their smartphones.

Video enthusiasts will certainly enjoy the experience of shooting with CAMON 18P’s 48MP clear and steady video camera, and its 13MP 50mm pro portrait camera. The CAMON 18 variant is another great choice for mobile videography and photography, with its 48MP multi-function triple camera. CAMON 18 also comes in an exciting new Iris Purple colorway that women are sure to love.

CAMON 18P and CAMON 18 are available at the TECNO Mobile PH Official Store in Shopee Mall, the TECNO Mobile Flagship Store in Lazada, and select TECNO stores. CAMON 18P is priced at Php 10,990, while the CAMON 18 variant retails for Php 9,499.

Also check out the ‘Movie Master’ CAMON 18 Premier with Stabilized Gimbal Camera, which retails for Php 15,990.

Shop at the Black Friday Sale, until November 26, and get the CAMON 18 Premier for only Php 14,990, CAMON 18P for just Php 10,490, and CAMON 18 for Php 8,999.

Stay updated on all the latest promos when you like and follow TECNO Mobile Philippines on Facebook. Visit www.tecno-mobile.com/ph to learn more about your favorite TECNO Mobile smartphones and gadgets.

Your future and your next binge-watch is written in the stars, according to one Madame N



Looking for some answers? In need of guidance? Asking yourself “Ano ang kapalaran ko today?” Netflix hears you. Madame N sees you. Starting today, NetflixPH’s YouTube channel launches Madame N, a reco show where a fortune teller shares what’s next for her viewers with quickfire, tongue-in-cheek horoscopes—and the titles they should watch. Comedienne and radio jock Nicki Morena as Madame N will give answers, provide guidance, and show what the stars possibly have planned for the important aspects in your life: love and relationships, family, health, career and finance, education, and travel. 


EPISODE LIST

Each episode will start off with a typical horoscope theme that guides each zodiac prediction and Netflix title discussion.


Nov 29 - Ep 1 Theme: Love & Relationships
Title recos: Romance/Drama, Romance/Comedy, Buddy Movies

Dec 6 - Ep 2 Theme: Family 

Title recos: Family Content


Dec 13 - Ep 3 Theme: Health

Title recos: Medical Drama/Comedy, Psychological Thriller, Horror, Feel-good/Good for the heart Titles


Dec 20 - Ep 4 Theme: Career / Finance

Title recos: Career and Money Motivation Titles 


Jan 3 - Ep 5 Theme: Education

Title recos: Educational shows in and out of school


Jan 10 - Ep 6 Theme: Travel

Title recos: Destination movies/series, Sci-Fi


Because this fortune teller is never wrong—and if she is, she's not above saying sorry. Madame N will see you now. ✨🔮✨


 

YouTube: @Netflix Philippines

Facebook: @netflixph

Twitter: @Netflix_PH

Cast of movie NELIA, wows Korean community in PH


The cast of the upcoming film Nelia
impressed the Korean community with their performance last night, November 19, at a gathering in Manila-Korea Town, at Remedios Circle, Malate, Manila. It was attended by various leaders of the Korean community in Manila, including Consul General Kyu Hu Lee of the Korean Embassy, Chairman Jae Jung Jang of the Manila-Korea Town Association, Chairman Jae Heung Byun of the United Korean Community in the Philippines, and several member of the Korean Culture Center, Korean Sports Association in the Philippines, and Peaceful Unification Advisory Council - South East Asia to inaugurate the opening of the Manila K -Town Cha Cha Cha Fest.

The three of the main cast of Nelia-- Ali Forbes, Shido Roxas, and Juan Carlos Galano -- impressed the crowd with their song numbers and entertained guests. The Korean community also welcomed the presence of veteran actor Raymond Bagatsing, who once wowed the Korean audience with his performance in a Filipino film that participated in the prestigious Busan International Film Festival in Korea in 2012.

According to the Korean community, Nelia has a huge potential to have a Korean adaptation because of its unique theme. Nelia is said to be a "daring suspense thriller," which can be compared to Korean movies such as "The Housemaid" and "Parasite," which is the first Korean film to win Best Picture at the Oscars. In fact, several Korean film production companies are currently talking to Nelia producer Atty. Aldwin Alegre of A and Q Production Films Inc. to make a Korean adaptation or remake of the film.

“We're really very happy because even though our film hasn't been released yet, the reception that people have been giving to our film is very good, especially in the Korean community. We look up to a lot of Korean films, and for them to acknowledge Nelia to be at par with them is a great honor for us. This is the only suspense thriller genre that entered the MMFF this year, so we are also excited to offer the Filipino viewers something different from the usual fare this coming Christmas," said Atty. Alegre.

He also confirmed that they are already in talks with some film production companies in Korea for a possible Korean remake or adaptation of Nelia. “Yes, two production companies from Korea have already approached our team to remake Nelia. A production company from Los Angeles, California also contacted us just the other day, and they are interested in Nelia for possible distribution in the US," he said.

Nelia stars Winwyn Marquez as the titular Nurse Nelia. The film is one of the eight official entries of the Metro Manila Film Festival that will be screened in select theaters throughout the Philippines this coming December 25.

Packaging Company Betafoam Rebuilt Itself From The Ashes with The Help of This Energy Expert

How does one rebuild from literal ashes? You do it with strength, character, a lot of optimism, and the right partners. For Betafoam Corporation, an insulation and packaging company located in Dasmariñas, Cavite, this holds true.

During the pandemic, Betafoam increased its operations for products that saw higher demand, including packaging for essential goods and logistics companies, bubble wrap, and plastic sheets.


Betafoam Corporation has been manufacturing insulation and specialized packaging since 2003.

In 2014, Betafoam was on its eleventh year in manufacturing polyethylene (PE) foam when its two-building facility in Dasmariñas Technopark, Cavite was decimated by a fire. “Our entire factory got burned. We had to start from zero. The product we make is injected with LPG so it’s flammable at a certain point of manufacturing. Unfortunately, that sparked the fire and it burned the building down,” says President Greg Marañon.

While planning their new facility, Betafoam knew that they were going to need the help of Meralco. Good thing the energy distributor has a dedicated segment handling small and medium enterprises -- the Meralco Biz Partners group. A dedicated Biz Partner Manager was assigned to Betafoam to help them power through.

The Restart
Marañon (right) with Meralco Biz Partner Manager Kim Gabilo.

In 2017, Betafoam rebuilt and moved back to Dasmariñas Technopark, the same site their original facility was in. They expanded from a modest 2,000 square meter factory to an ample 10,000 square meters of manufacturing, warehousing, packaging, and administration space. The facility was intended to be low-risk and high in safety, with each standalone building designed with its own function and energy needs in mind.

The new compound was energized by Meralco right on time to keep up with its production and delivery schedules. But more significantly, this energization allowed them to experience the reliability of being connected to the power grid. The company previously had to rely on the use of generators while operating from their temporary facility, which was located in an area that didn’t have a three-phase power line—which they needed for their machines to operate optimally.

Since the company has already been operating 24/7, Meralco also recommended to have their manufacturing operations subscribed to their Peak / Off-Peak (POP) rates program to further cut costs. They can operate their power-intensive machinery at night when power rates are lower, while the low-power-consuming machines run during the day. Through this scheme, Betafoam has been enjoying significant savings of up to P50,000 a month.

Partners Through the Pandemic

POP continues to be effective for the company with Betafoam seeing their current operations at nearly pre-pandemic levels. “Our subscription to the Peak / Off-Peak program is still beneficial to us as our production is almost normal.”

But regaining this almost-normal production seemed unimaginable in March 2020 when ECQ was implemented. Work halted due to checkpoints that kept their employees from going to work and their trucks off the road. “We had to close our operations for 1.5 months. We had skeletal force operations starting May, as we had customers asking us to serve their orders.”

Marañon, just as he did with the 2014 fire that engulfed his facility, rose to the challenge. He and his firm forged on and adapted to the situation, producing products that their customers needed.

Further building on their partnership with Meralco, Betafoam installed solar panels in their production facilities early in 2021 with the help of Spectrum.

Spectrum is a solar power company built with Meralco's energy expertise and service standards. They provide safe and high-quality solar power that seamlessly integrates with Meralco’s grid. With solar power, Betafoam generated additional monthly savings of almost P60,000.

He added that Meralco became a formidable partner during the pandemic. To ease the payment burden of business customers, Meralco suspended the Guaranteed Minimum Billing Demand (GMBD). This was initially implemented for bills from March 16 to June 30, 2020 but was eventually extended until end of 2020 for businesses that were not allowed to operate based on IATF guidelines. This resulted to significant savings for Betafoam.

Viewing and paying bills were also made convenient and easy despite the quarantine restrictions. “For our safety, we limited our transactions to online channels. Good thing we signed up to Meralco Online which allowed us to view and pay our bills online”,

What Lies Ahead

All things considered, Betafoam Corporation has now become an embodiment of what it means to get back on one’s feet and what it takes to move forward—a reflection of Marañon’s indomitable spirit. Rising from the ashes and surviving one of the most challenging years in 2020, Betafoam has rebuilt itself to a sustainable, well-designed, and efficient company.

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
enjoying wonderful world