MFT Group Praised for New Cage-Free Egg Policy

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Private equity firm MFT Group won praise today from international non-profit Lever Foundation for its new commitment to source only cage-free eggs by 2025 for all of its food-related brands.

MFT Group's portfolio includes financial services, real estate, healthcare, and food and beverage brands. Its subsidiary Waterwoods Group Corporation produces ready-to-eat products for several leading retail and convenience chains in the Philippines, including FamilyMart. The Group also operates Mimi & Bros in the Philippines, La Lola Churreria in Singapore, and SaladStop! restaurants in Vietnam.

“Our company strives for excellence while always keeping an eye on community impact and social responsibility. Committing to the finest ingredients is paramount for us, which is why we have decided to switch to using only cage-free eggs and egg ingredients by 2025 for all of our food-related brands,” said Astrid Serrano, Head of F&B Operations for MFT Group.

“We applaud MFT Group for this important cage-free commitment, which will benefit Filipino consumers, while also improving the welfare of animals in the company’s supply chain," said Robyn del Rosario, Sustainability Program Manager at Lever Foundation, which worked with MFT on its pledge. “MFT is the first fresh food manufacturer in the Philippines to announce a cage-free commitment, and we encourage other companies to follow MFT’s great example in order to protect food safety and animal welfare.”

Leading animal protection and food safety organizations worldwide encourage a switch to cage-free eggs, which are less cruel to animals and safer for consumers. On caged egg farms, each egg-laying hen is confined in a cage so small she can barely turn around for nearly her entire life. Research by the European Food Safety Authority and others has found that cage-free egg farms are up to 25 times less likely to be contaminated with key salmonella strains than hens raised in cages. Battery cage egg production has been banned throughout the European Union as well as in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada, India, and parts of the United States.

Demand for cage-free eggs is flourishing in the Philippines, spurred by consumer demand for healthier options and concern for animal welfare. In recent years a growing list of restaurant, hospitality, retail and packaged foods brands have pledged to use only cage-free eggs in the country. In response to the growing shift, in 2020 the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) initiated the development of a national Code of Practice (COP) for Cage-free Egg Production, a comprehensive set of animal welfare guidelines for the growing cage-free egg sector.

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About Lever Foundation

Lever Foundation is a global NGO based in the United States and operating across southeast Asia. Lever Foundation works with leading food companies in the Philippines and across the region to help them upgrade their protein sourcing for a more humane, safe and sustainable supply chain, with a focus on cage-free eggs and alternative protein.

Three things you need to get started on a healthier life

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As the old adage goes, health is wealth and you are what you eat. In more recent times, there has been an increasing desire among Filipinos to create new lifestyle routines and habits—whether that means integrating wellness practices into your schedule, trying to stay active, or eating healthy for maintenance.

Recent reports had shown that 89% of Filipinos had a specific moment during the past two years when they realized they needed to change their diet and live a healthier life. They are now more conscious of taking care of themselves with consistent physical activity and better nutrition. Now, with the New Year coming up, today is the best time to get started on the path towards a healthier you.

Registered nutritionist-dietitian Dr. Dexter Macalintal offers these simple tips to get started on the road to a healthier lifestyle.

TIP 1: SIMPLE, PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

Doing a moderate-intense physical activity for at least 30 minutes daily can go a long way. Start with one day and then try to gradually increase it to five times a week. Be sure to compute your target heart rate, based on your age, and try to consistently reach that to make each physical movement count.

It also helps to find workout styles that you actually enjoy doing. That way, it won’t feel as draining or like a chore. Simple choices such as taking the stairs or taking short walks can be just as effective.

TIP 2: A PROPER DIET

Eating right means going beyond what the stomach and gut want. Instead, choose what is ultimately good for the heart to maintain healthy living. Heart health is typically tied to your blood cholesterol levels and it’s important to eat foods that help you keep control of it.

“A person with an increased level of cholesterol in their blood may lead to a possible condition called atherosclerosis that could develop when different substances form a plaque in one’s arteries and may link to stroke and heart disease,” said Dr. Macalintal.

When planning your dietary meals, it would be best to have a combination of complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fats to provide the energy, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients essential for daily living. You can have a healthier option for your merienda by having a vegetable burger cooked in canola oil, partnered with wheat bread, lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber as the other ingredients

TIP 3: USE HEALTHY OILS

Having heart-healthy food means using heart-healthy ingredients, especially with daily essentials like cooking oil. A staple for most Filipino households and dishes, choosing a heart-healthy cooking oil is good in replacing bad fats as this can manage the risk of heart disease and stroke.

“Canola oil with phytosterols is a good option as it has unsaturated fats in it and is known for being better and generally safe for most home cooking uses, which in this case, the dietary meals,” added Dr. Macalintal. “It also has positive effects on the body by providing nutrients such as Vitamin E which helps act as an antioxidant that is highly needed in one’s personal daily life.”

Furthermore, Dr. Macalintal advises that it is important for one to take into consideration moderation, variety, and balance when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

On your next grocery run, try Golden Fiesta Canola Oil - the healthy cooking oil with 0% Cholesterol, 0% Trans Fat, and Phytosterols that can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by reducing the absorption of cholesterol into the body.

As a leading cooking expert, Golden Fiesta Canola Oil is made good for the heart and comes with the assurance of uncompromised quality and health with every prepared meal. According to a recent study, 8 out of 10 doctors highly recommend Golden Fiesta Canola Oil to their patients—making it the perfect and credible partner in healthy cooking backed up by its nutritional benefits.

 

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About Golden Fiesta

Golden Fiesta is the number one branded cooking oil in the Philippines. Our wide portfolio of cooking oils helps homecooks prepare high quality dishes without any compromise on health.

Welcome 2023 with huge savings, exciting promos at Araneta City

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 City of Firsts holds Grand Clearance Sale and other promos until Jan. 15

As we welcome the new year, it’s time to take a new lease on life! Whether it’s updating your wardrobe, purchasing a new pair of kicks to spruce up your next OOTD, or looking for great bargains for home appliances and furniture, there’s no better place to do it than at Araneta City!

Head on to the City of Firsts to enjoy huge savings on some of the hottest items from your favorite shops and boutiques. Araneta City’s Grand Clearance Sale, which will last until January 15, offers up to 70 percent discount on items like clothing, footwear, appliances, home decor, and so much more.

Stores at the Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, Farmers Plaza, and SM Araneta City are all participating in the Grand Clearance Sale so make sure that you don’t miss out on all these exciting offers.

Meanwhile, shopping at the City of Firsts will not only help you save on some of your favorite items as it can also be very rewarding!

Every ₱2,000 single or accumulated receipt purchase from any Araneta City establishment will entitle a customer to one free Araneta City Calendar. Just present your receipts at any of the redemption booths situated at the Gateway Activity Area, Food Express, Gateway Mall Concierge, Ali Mall Concierge, and Farmers Plaza Concierge to claim your special freebie.

Also, you still have a chance to win a brand-new Geely Okavango, a 7-seater Mild Hybrid SUV, with Araneta City's "Dream Ride Like No Other" Christmas car promo. Earn a raffle entry through any of the following: single receipt purchase worth ₱1,000 from any Araneta City establishment (including Novotel Manila Araneta City), up to 4 accumulated receipts worth ₱250 from Araneta City food courts or Dampa, four Gateway Cineplex tickets, or a single or accumulated receipt purchase worth ₱2,000 of Petron products.

Present your proof of purchase at the Gateway Mall Concierge, Gateway Mall Activity Area, Gateway Mall Food Express, Ali Mall Concierge, or Farmers Plaza Concierge until February 5 to qualify for the raffle. You may even get closer to the prize as you get double e-raffle entries on purchases and e-raffle stub redemptions made from January 13 to 15!

Aside from that, you can also receive some Coca-Cola collectibles with any meal at Food Express, Food Gallery, Food Plaza, and at the Dampa at Farmers Market as part of the On-The-Go Christmas Treats foodcourts and Dampa promo. Just present ₱350 worth of single or accumulated receipt purchase that includes any Coca-Cola product from any Araneta City food court to get these free Coke merchandise. The promo will also end on January 15.

“Let’s start 2023 with a bang only here at the City of Firsts,” Marjorie Go, AVP for Marketing of Araneta City, said. “You can enjoy some seriously huge savings when you shop today because of our Grand Clearance Sale. Whether you're looking for new clothes, new gadgets, or new home items, you’ll find it here at great prices. Not only are you saving when you shop, we’re also making every purchase and every meal you have here more rewarding with our promos. So come and visit us at Araneta City.”

Ring in the New Year with Great Deals and Promos at MR.DIY!

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New year, new stores and deals, but ALWAYS LOW PRICES!

True to its promise to make quality yet affordable items accessible to every Filipino, MR.DIY, your one-stop shop for home improvement and more, will be welcoming the new year with a bang! Beginning January 13 until January 15, 2023, awesome freebies and deals are up for grabs at select MR.DIY stores for their Grand Opening Event.

Start the new year by stocking up on essential items or giving your home a mini makeover. You’ll be surprised that you can find everything you need at MR.DIY!

With just a minimum spend of PHP 450 in a single receipt, shoppers can take home their own rainbow umbrella, while the first 100 lucky shoppers who spend a minimum of PHP 1000 stand the chance to take home a free rainbow umbrella and a mystery prize in MR. DIY’s Lucky Shoppers’ promo that will run from January 14 to January 15! (DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-157782 Series of 2022).

“The newly opened MR.DIY store here in Puregold Taguig is now my favorite go-to place!” Jamie Mendoza, a local shopper at MR.DIY Puregold Taguig shared. “I can save a lot of money with MR. DIY's ALWAYS LOW PRICES!” he added.

Another local shopper from Sta. Quiteria Quezon City, also shared his excitement with the upcoming Grand Opening Event. “My family and I can’t wait to go to the MR.DIY branch near us,” shopper Gabriel Gale said. “As a busy person, having a one stop shop near where I live is very convenient. Thanks to MR.DIY, last December, I was able to buy the best Christmas presents for my loved ones despite my hectic schedule!”

Grab hold of these awesome deals at any participating branch of MR.DIY: M'Lang North Cotabato, Puregold Taguig, McArthur Leyte, Binalbagan Negros Occidental, Balingasag Misamis Oriental, Gaisano Capital Balasan, Trento Agusan Del Sur, Waltermart Tanauan, Pinamalayan Oriental Mindoro, Mariposa Arcade, Sta. Quiteria Quezon City and San Miguel Bulacan.

MR.DIY, a Malaysian-based one-stop value retailer, now has over 300 branches in the Philippines. For more information about MR. DIY and their products, visit www.mrdiy.com/ph. You may also follow them on their social media accounts /mrdiyPH for Facebook and @mrdiy.philippines for Instagram and TikTok and be updated on their upcoming promos.

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About MR.DIY

MR D.I.Y. is the largest home improvement retailer with more than 2,000 stores across Southeast Asia including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Cambodia, India, and Europe in Turkey and Spain. The home improvement retailer has dedicated itself to making a positive difference in the lives of its valued customers by offering convenience at all its stores nationwide.

All MR. D.I.Y. stores are managed directly and the company often works in collaboration with other mass merchandise retailers or owners of malls or shopfront properties. MR. D.I.Y. stores offer a wide selection of — approximately 18,000 SKUs — across 5 major categories, namely hardware; household and furnishing; electrical; stationery and sports equipment products; and others (comprising amongst others toys, car accessories, jewelry, and cosmetics).

The company strives to put customers first by operating an innovative business that is flexible when it comes to providing a wide variety of products, good quality, and value-for-money, holding true to the Company’s motto of “ALWAYS LOW PRICES”.

Celebrate life’s meaningful moments at Max’s Restaurant through Home Credit

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Enjoy Max’s party packages via flexible monthly payments through Home Credit’s Qwarta and HC Credit Card

Let the good times roll! Pinoys are known to be lovers of food and fun that bring everyone closer. Whether birthdays, class reunions or kiddie parties, Filipinos always make a way to share their blessings and celebrate milestones and special moments with friends and loved ones!

 

To offer Filipinos better ways to make their wonderful celebrations memorable and affordable, the lifestyle partner of every Filipino Home Credit Philippines expands its services and offerings to Food and Beverages, starting with its partnership with Max’s Restaurant.

 

Customers can enjoy a Sarap to the Bones experience with their loved ones in every special occasion by celebrating at Max’s Restaurant without breaking the bank! So if you’re looking for a sign to go a little extra on the family’s holiday celebrations, this is it!

 

Party Now, Pay Later

A staple in every Filipino’s childhood and adulthood, Max’s Restaurant has always been a venue for family gatherings, with almost 200 branches nationwide. Their themed party packages -- from kiddie party with goodies and a mascot for children, elegant wedding package to christening package, enjoyable group meeting, or other fun event packages -- are all-inclusive of a decorated venue and a wide selection of food and programs to serve their beloved customers. 

 

Good news! Celebrations do not have to put your budget to the max. Now with Max’s Party Gives offering, customers can enjoy any special occasion at select Max’s Restaurant through an affordable monthly installment plan with Home Credit. Get that well-deserved party time without a hassle by choosing and customizing the suitable party packages that fit your liking.

 

Home Credit Qwarta users can avail of an exclusive 5 percent off for any of Max’s party packages. Simply download the My Home Credit App via mobile, register, and enjoy this promo and other app-user benefits, such as paying your bills contactless with no extra charge and rebates when you scan-to-pay in-store.

 

Pinoys can also party now and pay later through Home Credit Card. Both Qwarta and Home Credit Card offer customers their last installment for FREE for consistent on-time payments of their Max’s Restaurant party package transactions.  

 

What are you waiting for? Come and party to the max! Visit any participating Max’s Restaurant to avail of their latest party promo. Download the My Home Credit App to learn more about Qwarta and Home Credit Card offerings.

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). To learn more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers are encouraged to download the My Home Credit app on Google Play to know more about the latest promos and see what is new in the Marketplace.