Take care of yourself and the planet with these simple self-care tips

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While the pressure to live more sustainably is a huge commitment, it should not deter you from leading a more planet-loving lifestyle. Oftentimes the little things we choose to do can make a lasting impact over time. 

With that in mind, here are some simple self-care tips that can benefit both you and the environment.

1. Switch to coffee beans

Nothing beats a good cup of joe in the morning, during work breaks, or even at night. You probably have a line of instant coffee packets in your pantry right now. However, those same coffee packets, which are most often made with non-sustainable materials like plastic, contribute to excessive waste in the environment. Try switching to ground or whole coffee beans and make a delicious cup with the use of a good French press. Not only do they taste (and smell) better than their instant counterparts, but you can also lessen your use of plastic. You also help support local coffee farmers when you buy their produce directly. 

2. Explore natural alternatives for your skin

Some of you may like to take the time to relax and give yourselves a mini spa-day at home, with your favorite sheet masks and skincare essentials. But a lot of your favorite skin remedies are packed in plastic – even the sheet masks themselves! Lessen your plastic usage by exploring some natural remedies to try on your skin that you can easily get in your kitchen. Many natural face mask recipes are available online for you to try! So give yourself the spa day you deserve with a tomato face mask for skin brightening or a honey sugar scrub for smoother skin. Better yet, try incorporating these natural ingredients into your diet for a healthier look in the long run. 

3. Lather, rinse, and reduce water wastage 

Taking long showers is a sure fire hit to help melt away those impurities on your skin, or that stressful day you just had. Those long showers, however, do not help the environment as they waste a lot of water. If you like heated showers, you waste both water and electricity. Save resources by switching off the shower or your faucet when you’re soaping or shampooing. If you’re willing to go the extra mile, finding other alternatives to long showers could also work wonders such as aromatherapy or meditation. 

4. Be kind to Mother Earth, choose paper stems for your cotton tips

Cotton tips, or cotton buds if you prefer, are one of the most commonly used self-care tools available today, with their flexible use in everyday hygiene, makeup, first-aid, and even arts and crafts. You may even be using cotton tips right now in your self-care routine, with a full pack of them in your personal drawer. It is not advisable to reuse cotton tips, yet a lot of them are made of plastic, and you may unknowingly be contributing to more excessive plastic waste that could be detrimental for our environment. Luckily, there are now cotton tips available in the market that are made of biodegradable materials with zero plastic. Consider switching to paper-stemmed cotton buds, which can drastically reduce your plastic usage, especially if you use them heavily.

If you are looking for the perfect eco-friendly option for your cotton tips, Babyflo Gentle Buds Eco-Friendly is the first Earth-minded cotton buds now available in the Philippine market. Made of 100% pure cotton tips, unbleached paper stems that come from responsibly managed forests, and biodegradable packaging, families can now make their personal care routine greener.

Make your personal care routine more sustainable with Babyflo Gentle Buds Eco-Friendly, the first Earth-minded cotton buds in the market. 

Make that greener choice today and enjoy your self-care routine all while helping save the planet – one bud at a time!

Start your sustainable self-care routine with Babyflo Gentle Buds Eco-Friendly, now available in Mercury Drug, Puregold, Robinsons, Metro Gaisano, and other retail stores nationwide and online. For more information, visit https://philusa.com.ph/ or check out Babyflo’s social media pages www.facebook.com/BabyfloPH and https://www.instagram.com/babyflo_ph/. 

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ABOUT BABYFLO

Babyflo is the first company-owned baby brand of PHILUSA Corporation. We are a 100% Filipino-owned company that is engaged in the marketing and distribution of fast-moving consumer goods and pharmaceutical products. The company’s vision is to be the leading Filipino-owned company that provides world-class quality and affordably priced health and wellness, baby care, personal care and home care products, locally and internationally, resulting in being a source of pride for its customers, business partners, employees, and shareholders.

No. 1 OLED laptop brand, ASUS, announces three #IncrediblySlim Zenbook laptops, combines productivity and sustainability

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ASUS introduced three new ultra-thin and light Zenbook laptops, Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304), Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (UP3404), and Zenbook Pro 14 OLED (UX6404), during the Zenbook OLED Series: Incredibly Slim and More event on May 18, 2023.

ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED forefronts the 2023 Zenbook series, adhering to ASUS’ commitment to creating products that minimize environmental impact

This new Zenbook lineup is redefining the meaning of ultraportable, a new chapter in Zenbook’s heritage that boasts ultra-thin and light features, powerful and uncompromised performance with the industry-leading 13th Gen Intel® Core™ Processor with Intel® Evo™ verification, vibrant ASUS Lumina OLED display, durable Military Grade Standard,  and a leap to the next generation of eco-friendly and sustainable technological advancements.

“The new 2023 Zenbook series offers incredible and uncompromised performance designed to empower every Filipino individual to help them achieve their goals. We are confident that the 2023 Zenbook series can provide more with less harm to our environment, adhering to the Zenbook heritage and taking ASUS to a brand new milestone, says ASUS Philippines Country Manager George Su”.

Incredibly Slim and Vibrant Lumina OLED for all

The new 2023 Zenbook series features the new ASUS Lumina OLED Display. It promises a more accurate, adaptive, and reliable laptop experience while giving a visual marvel experience. In addition, users can activate the ASUS OLED Care screensaver to prevent OLED screen aging using the MyASUS app.

ASUS Lumina OLED technology is available and exclusive across the new ASUS Zenbook series. It lets you enjoy an incredible viewing experience with a high contrast ratio, deeper blacks, fast response time, and a 70% less blue light reduction that protects users from eye strain. To know more about the benefits of this technology, check it here Why ASUS Lumina OLED.

Incredibly Slim for every new gen of Filipino individual

Perfect for on-the-go professionals, the ultra-thin and light Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304) is the world’s slimmest OLED ultraportable laptop weighing only 1 kilogram with a 1-centimeter thin body.

With the growing trend for work and life balance, this new Zenbook was designed to have a sophisticated ceramic-coated look and feel, ideal for people needing a reliable, attractive, and timeless device anywhere and any time of the day. Slim as a pen, the new Zenbook S 13 OLED is 30% slimmer with more features to give the best user experience, using fewer materials as compared to the previous models.

Adhering to ASUS’ philosophy of responsible innovation, ASUS is also joining the movement and leaping to produce sustainable devices in the long run. The all-new Zenbook S 13 OLED uses recycled materials in its design, including post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics, post-industrial recycled (PIR) aluminum, and PIR magnesium alloy.

This device is the most eco-friendly Zenbook ever made, reducing its carbon footprint by 50%. To complement its longer product life cycle, the packaging of this new Zenbook is 100% recyclable with reusable and compostable materials.

As a commitment to do more with less through the Zenbook series, ASUS is joining forces with CORA Philippines, a non-profit organization founded by celebrity and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Antoinette Taus. CORA is dedicated to creating sustainable programs that help solve issues centered on poverty, hunger, inequality, and climate change that directly affects underprivileged Filipinos. With this partnership, ASUS and CORA aim to promote the importance of creating sustainable programs to conserve the environment and the lives of future Filipinos through a series of activities.

The Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304) comes in an eco-friendly Basalt Gray color with a starting price of PHP 79,995.00. It will be available with up to Intel® Core™ i7 processor,16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage.

Incredibly Slim for every multi-talented individual

Truly a unique laptop that could give a versatile performance, the new Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (UP3404) would suit you, whether you’re masculine or feminine, because of its convertible and stylish design.

This new Zenbook is the most versatile and incredibly slim with its thin and light form factor. It is capable of a 360° hinge that allows the device in four different modes: Laptop, Tent, Stand, or Tablet, which offers users a wide range of options to work or relax anytime.

Content sharing will now be easier and faster with the Tablet Mode, keeping up with the demands of the digital world can be faster using the Stand Mode, convenience is within your fingertips because of the Laptop Mode, and relaxing after a long day is now possible because of the Tent Mode.

The Zenbook 14 Flip OLED also features a touchscreen ASUS Lumina OLED display. making this device a truly reliable work partner. Upon purchase, the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED will also come with an ASUS Pen 2.0 to replicate the natural feeling of having a real-life pen.

The ASUS 2.0 produces the finest lines and the broadest brush strokes on sketches, and it will also be easier and faster to work or present anytime time of the day.

The Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (UP3404) comes in a premium Ponder Blue color, and it will be available with a starting price of PHP 74,995.00. It will be available with up to an Intel® Core™ i7 processor,16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage.

Incredibly Slim and compact for every creative digital nomad

One of the winning products during the 2023 Red Dot Product design, the new Zenbook Pro 14 OLED (UX6404) is a compact, thin and light creator laptop packed with features a creative professional needs.

This new creator Zenbook boasts the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX™ 4060 GPU with NVIDIA Studio Drivers for content creators, making it a reliable tool for faster rendering, photo or video editing, and a more efficient multitasking experience.

For a seamless and precise editing experience for creative professionals, this new Zenbook Pro has the ASUS DialPad technology customized for Adobe Creative software, now also compatible with other applications. It also features ASUS IceCool Pro thermal technology to ensure the device stays cool and efficient during heavy-duty applications.

As an additional feature, this new Zenbook Pro Creator laptop will have a dedicated MUX Switch to reduce the latency and increase the response time for 3D applications, and perfect for casual gaming on the side.

The Zenbook Pro 14 OLED (UX6404) comes in a premium Tech Black color for PHP 139,995.00. It will be available with an Intel® Core™ i9 processor, 32 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of storage.

 

Incredibly Slim, powerful, and durable

For an ultimate and powerful laptop experience, these three new Incredibly Slim Zenbook laptops boast an industry-leading 13th Gen Intel® Core™ Processor and Intel® Evo™ Certification. With this Intel technology, users are assured that they will not experience any hiccups at any time of the day.

The 2023 Zenbook series is ultra-durable. For 2023, ASUS doubled the Military Grade Standard testing, which means these new Zenbook series have a longer lifespan as compared to the previous models. It underwent 26 rigorous and ultra-demanding procedures and 12 testing methods to ensure that the device will survive every environmental condition that you face every day.

Lastly, these new Zenbook laptops will have two years of ASUS Global Warranty, as well as an additional ASUS Platinum Protection warranty for one year starting from the date of purchase, making it perfect for users traveling abroad with their new Zenbooks. ASUS also has 69 service centers nationwide if you ever run into any problems with your new Zenbook.

Availability & Pricing in the Philippines

The all-new 2023 Zenbook series will have a starting price of PHP 74,995.00 and will be available through Home Credit with up to 18 months of flexible payment terms with 0% interest in-store for ASUS Fans. Learn more about these Incredible Slim laptops, you may check the official page of Where to buy: ASUS OLED Laptops, or you may follow the official social media pages of ASUS.

 

Palawan students bag top prize in 'Shell Pilipinas' NXplorers: The Bright Ideas Challenge' for agri innovation idea

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Team FarmHer Innovators from Palawan National High School (Palawan)

Team FarmHer Innovators, a student team from Palawan brought home the grand prize in the recently concluded Shell NXplorers: The Bright Ideas Challenge (TBIC) for their revolutionary agricultural innovation concept which seeks to address the three problems in agriculture – surplus, shortage, and supply of produce.

“Our project aims to solve three problems that we have identified through our ocular surveys and observations in our community” said Anna Leonora Rodriguez, a member of the all-women team FarmHer Innovators.

Team FarmHer Innovators’ project consists of the Veggie Crate Tracker that measures the weight and freshness of produce and the Mark-It App that notifies the market vendors about the description of the harvests and tracks the surplus and shortage in each cluster.

Shell NXplorers TBIC - Photo Op

Shell NXplorers 2023, a platform for young talents to be positive agents of change, gathered ten teams that were identified as finalists out of the 30 teams that sent their proposals. Each team is focused on solving food, water, and energy problems through innovative projects that are made sustainably. The top five student teams who proposed the most innovative projects that can help solve the country’s issues were also recognized in the culmination activity last May 12 at Makati City.

Shell NXplorers TBIC - Conversations With CCT

Among the panel of judges were Business Advisor for the Office of the Country Chair of Shell companies in the Philippines, Paulo Gavino, Sustainability Manager for Shell Pilipinas Corporation, Stanley Siahetiong, Senior Education Program Specialist of the Department of Education (DepEd), Eliza Peralta, Program Director of the Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev), Zen Dimalanta, and the Senior Science Research Specialist of Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Engr. Marvin Dela Cruz.

“To our participants today, you are this country’s next generation of scientists and engineers. Equipping yourselves with strength in these subjects is tantamount to possessing the power to change the world. Serge Bernal, Vice President for Corporate Relations of Shell Pilipinas Corporation said. “I look to you to use that strength to become changemakers that help the Philippines and the world move forward.”

For this year, the grand winner of The Bright Ideas Challenge (TBIC) Team FarmHer Innovators, won Php 100,000 and their school also received Php 50,000 for the improvement of the institution’s STEM program.

The other winning teams

The first runner-up, Team Maomag from Tagbilaran City Science High School in Bohol won Php 70,000 and their school also received Php 35,000.

Team Maomag from Tagbilaran City Science High School (Bohol)

Team Maomag’s Project Sawod-Lawod converts seawater into drinking water through a solar-and-wind-powered desalination technique. This prototype incorporates rotating mesh panels inside the container to increase the rate of condensation from the water vapor, providing the residents of Batasan Island with clean, safe drinking water.

The second runner-up team, Team Portabio from Gusa Regional Science High School in Cagayan de Oro took home Php 50,000 and their school also received Php 25,000.

Team Portabio from Gusa Regional Science High School (Cagayan de Oro)

The team’s project Portabio aims to provide renewable energy on the go. Through this project, wasted food is utilized to become the energy source for portable power banks.

One of the teams that received the Merit Award who received Php 20,000 are Team Intellihenyo from Philippine Science High School- Cagayan Valley Campus in Nueva Vizcaya.

Team Intellihenyo’s IntelliOutlet is a device that can be used to remotely control electrical appliances at home, anywhere and using any gadget with Internet access. The project can measure how much electricity is being used by an appliance and can turn it on or off remotely using a messaging app called Telegram.

Another team given the Merit Award is from the province of Palawan, Team Thinkerbells from Puerto Princesa City National Science High School.

                 Team Thinkerbells from Puerto Princesa City National Science High School (Palawan)

Team Thinkerbells’ Seament: Seashells as Cement Powder aims to help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills by utilizing seashells.

The product Seament involves crushing discarded seashells and using them as replacements for the raw materials, such as limestone, used in traditional cement production.

On an international platform

Shell NXplorers also opened opportunities to winning student teams to present and be part of the Shell NXplorers Student Carnival, the international platform where Filipino STEM students can stand side-by-side with their global counterparts.

The 2022 Student Carnival, held last November 17, marked the first time that international Shell NXplorers student groups from six countries and from the previous workshops came together to showcase their projects to create a long-term impact on industries like agriculture, energy, and sustainability.

The two Philippine representatives were both from Philippine Science High School - Cagayan Valley Campus” Team Agriserve, the grand winner of the 2021 Philippine Shell NXplorers; and Team El Terratix, the second-place winner who also received an Award of Excellence in the Global Bright Ideas Challenge.

Since its inception in 2019, Shell NXplorers has trained 1839 high school students and 269 teachers from 75 schools. To learn more, click here: https://www.shell.com.ph/energy-and-innovation/make-the-future/what-is-nxplorers.html

Services at Qatar Visa Center: What you need to know before you visit Qatar

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With some 250,000 Filipinos working in Qatar, the Gulf country remains one of the more popular destinations for Overseas Filipino Workers. Filipinos going to Qatar for work, must obtain a work visa (VRN) through their sponsor in Qatar and subsequently complete their biometric enrollment, undergo medical examinations and sign their work contracts by visiting the Qatar Visa Center in Manila, before traveling to Qatar.

Qatar Visa Centers (QVC) are operated under the mandate of the Ministry of Interior (MoI). These centers only handle administrative and non-judgmental aspects, including biometric enrollment and medical services following the requirements of the Ministry of Interior, state of Qatar.

If you’re looking to work in Qatar or are curious about the visa process, here’s a short list of Frequently Asked Questions you may use as a guide in your application process.

What is the role of Qatar Visa Center?

Qatar Visa Centers are operated under the mandate of the Ministry of Interior, the State of Qatar, Qatar Visa Centers only handle the administrative and non-judgmental aspects of the biometric enrollment and medical services as per the directives and requirements defined by MoI. 

What are the services that Qatar Visa Center offers?

Qatar Visa Center services include facial image capture, iris scan, finger roll, thumbprints, palm scan, medical check-ups covering X-rays, blood checks, eye tests, vaccinations, doctor examinations, and consultations.

What is the referral process? Why do applicants need to visit partner hospitals/ labs?

​​Medical examinations and referrals are part of the visa process and depending on the initial visa medical examination, some applicants (Lounge/VIP included) may need to undergo paid/unpaid medical investigations following protocols set by the Qatar Ministry of Health (MoH). Applicants requiring these advanced medical investigations are referred to as Medical Referrals and such investigations are referred to as Medical Referral Tests.

Some applicants may be asked to repeat tests such as X-Rays or do further tests for several reasons and will need to visit an approved external lab or hospital. These facilities are accredited by the Philippine Department of Health and are able to conduct the required tests.

These re-tests will require applicants to revisit the center and complete the process at no additional cost to the applicant. Usually revisits only take a day, however, in special cases, several revisits may be required as medical approvals depend on a lot of factors including the applicant’s current health status, guidelines, and protocols defined by the Qatar authorities.

What are the types of Medical Referrals?

1. Additional X-ray images - Applicants may be required to revisit the Qatar Medical Center (QMC) for additional X-ray images based on MoH instructions.
2. Additional lab tests - If additional lab tests are required, then blood samples are sent to external labs for further testing.
3. External Specialist tests - Applicants may be referred to specialists at approved hospitals for further tests based on MoH guidelines (may require the collection of referral letter/ document submission)

What are the reasons for an applicant’s medical status to remain pending?

As a visa-processing center, Qatar Visa Center submits the medical test reports directly to Qatar authorities. It usually takes 10-15 business days to determine whether the applicant is FIT or UNFIT to work in Qatar. In certain cases, the respective Qatar Authorities may take longer for additional investigations which may delay the declaration of results. Applicants may track the progress of their visa application conveniently through the Track Application or Status Check section by visiting our website.

If your visa application status shows "under process" for longer than the usual processing time, you can contact QVC customer service for assistance. They will be able to provide you with more information on the status of your application and advise you on what steps to take next. As a reminder, the Qatar Visa Center and the Qatar Medical Center are not involved in the decision-making process when it comes to visa applications.

What should I do if I cannot reach QVC's call center?

If you cannot reach QVC's call center, you may contact them via email at info@qatarmedicalcenter.com or info.mnl@qatarvisacenter.com, or use the chat option available on the website www.qatarvisacenter.com.

Do applicants need to pay for advanced medical tests?

Yes, applicants may need to pay for advanced medical tests conducted at approved external hospitals or labs and will receive a receipt for the payment. Blood samples may be collected at the center and sent to external labs to ensure security and prevent fraud. Please note that the QVC does not offer expedited processing or guaranteed approval for a fee.

What is the Qatar Visa Center lounge service?

Our Lounges at the Qatar Visa Centers are designed for patrons who wish for more personalized service in an enhanced atmosphere. The Lounge service entitles the applicant to a one-to-one service with a dedicated staff member ensuring a prioritized biometric enrolment and medical test. To access our Lounge service, kindly inform our reception on the day of your appointment.

The Lounge service at the Qatar Visa Centers is optional and does not affect or guarantee a faster visa or medical processing by the Ministry of Interior, the State of Qatar.

Learn more about the Qatar Visa Center and how to process your visa application by visiting www.qatarvisacenter.com.

Let your epic passions come alive at night with Samsung’s Epic After Hours happening on May 25 to 31

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Get ready to own the night at Samsung’s Epic After Hours, happening from the 25th to the 31st of May at the Bonifacio High Street Amphitheatre, BGC.

Discover the epic new features of the Galaxy S23 series in unforgettable evening revels you surely won’t want to miss! Immerse yourself in experiential content rooms, listen to the country’s top content creators, and get the chance to win the latest Galaxy devices.

Whatever you’re into, Epic After Hours definitely has something for you!

Experience Nightography at its finest

Immerse yourself and capture the night with the many experiential content rooms that you can explore. Three stations will be available to best experience the genius behind the Galaxy S23 series - from the Expert RAW app which enables DSLR-style image shooting to the multiple exposure feature for some cool and unique snaps for the ‘gram. You might even be featured at the event’s exclusive Shot #withGalaxy Gallery alongside top Filipino photographers!

A Nightography booth will also help showcase this incredible feature of the Galaxy S23 series. Nightography allows the Galaxy S23 series’ cameras to adjust to nearly any lighting condition for impeccable detail while low-light images and videos are steadier than ever, thanks to a doubled optical image stabilizer (OIS).

Move from behind the lens to in front of it thanks to award winning photographer JL Javier and take advantage of the opportunity to have your portrait taken professionally during the event. But if center stage isn’t for you, perhaps a little distance will be rewarding at the Zoom in to Win contest. Simply test out the stunning zoom capabilities of the Galaxy S23 Ultra which boasts 200MP by capturing photos of the stage from afar for the chance to win exciting prizes.

A celebration of epic passions

The Samsung Galaxy S23 series phones understand that creativity takes many different forms, which is why various passion booths for self-expression, gaming and productivity will be on-site.

If you’re more of a gamer, check out the gaming lounge to experience the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Processor and game booster to take on the night your way. As the most powerful and efficient platform ever in a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is the fastest available today. At the Creativity Hub, check out how the Galaxy S23 series allows your artistic skills to shine - with the S Pen drawing feature.

Join the epic movement for sustainability

The Galaxy S23 series was designed with the planet in mind so Samsung is continuing this important conversation on sustainability through this station. Check out famed artist and environmental advocate Leeroy New’s immersive art installation and watch the live sustainability themed mural painting session. You may also visit the Trade-in-Station to make that switch to a greener planet.

The Galaxy S23 series not only raises the bar for premium technology but it also helps contribute to a healthier planet. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has 12 internal and external components made from recycled materials, including pre-consumer recycled aluminum and glass and post-consumer recycled plastics sourced from discarded fishing nets, PET bottles and water barrels.

Epic Guests

Throughout the week-long event, expect to see special appearances from #TeamGalaxy, with content creators talking about their passions and how the Galaxy S23 series helps them take these to another level. If all that wasn’t enough to convince you, you can also expect special performances throughout the week at epic after parties, from various artists beginning 7:00pm onwards!

Let your epic passions come alive at night at the Samsung Epic After Hours happening on May 25 to 31, 2023 at the Bonifacio High Street Amphitheatre, Bonifacio Global City.

For more information about Galaxy S23 series, please visit: www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-s23/, https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-s23-ultra/, news.samsung.com/global or www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/.