Here are five reasons why you should try plant milk

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Did you know that plant-based milk has grown in popularity around the world, especially in the Philippines? There are Filipinos who have started exploring non-lactose alternatives as part of their health and fitness routines.

This year, plant-based products placed fourth in global food trends as more people purchase them for their homes. For those who are looking to try out plant-based milk, here are some helpful facts to keep in mind:

#1 Plant milks are nutritious, thanks to the natural goodness from plants.

In addition to their intrinsic nutritional benefits, plant milks can be enriched with calcium and vitamin D, the key essential micronutrients present in milk. Other nutritional benefits of plants used in beverages include:

Plant Varieties	Key Nutritional Benefits
Soy	High-quality protein and healthy polyunsaturated fats
Oat	Gut-friendly dietary fiber and heart-healthy beta-glucan
Almond	Vitamin E antioxidant and healthy monounsaturated fats

For some products, such as Vitasoy Plus (Milky Flavor, Oat Flavor, Original Flavor, Milky Vanilla Flavor, Milky Oat Flavor and Milky Almond Flavor), fortified plant milk can even provide as much as 36% more calcium than regular milk.

Plant milk made from soy, oat and almond, can be enriched with calcium and vitamins in addition to their intrinsic benefits.

#2 Plant milks can serve different dietary needs.

Other than being rich in calcium, fortified plant milks are naturally free of lactose and cholesterol and tend to contain less calories and saturated fat than regular milk. Hence, they are suitable for people with different dietary needs, including health-conscious individuals, those who follow a plant-based, flexitarian or vegan diet. This also includes people who are lactose intolerant.

Plant milks are naturally lactose- and cholesterol-free, lower in calories (compared to dairy) and vegan friendly

#3 Plant milk is more planet-friendly.

According to The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020, more than seventy five percent of diet-related greenhouse gas emissions come from animal-sourced foods consumed worldwide. Dairy, or more popularly known as cow’s milk, is the second contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, with 25% share, according to reports from international health organizations. By shifting to a plant-based diet, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced significantly.

The production of plant milk has also been found to have lower environmental impact as it uses less water and land, and emits less carbon compared to the production of dairy milk.

The study by Poore & Nemecek shows the production of plant milk has a much lower environmental impact. 

#4 National dietary guidelines recommend plant milks as a part of diverse diet

Plant milks can be delicious choices for consumers who want to have a diverse diet that consists of cereals, legumes, nuts and seeds, whole grains, soybeans. A diverse diet is recommended by many national dietary guidelines, such as:

Dietary Guidelines	Recommendations
Australian Dietary Guidelines	For those who prefer to avoid dairy products, alternatives that have added calcium, such as soy, rice, or other cereal drink with at least 100mg of added calcium per 100ml, can be chosen as an alternative to dairy products.
Canada’s Food Guide	Daily intake of food from the dairy group is no longer recommended. Both dairy product and unsweetened fortified soy beverages are recommended as protein food. The Guide recommends increasing consumption of protein foods from plants.
The EatWell Guide-UK	Soya milks, and other plant milks (rice, oat, almond, hazelnut, coconut, quinoa and potato milks) can be alternative drinks to replace milk and dairy products.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025	Fortified soy beverages (with calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D) can be included as part of the dairy group because they are similar to milk, based on nutrient composition. Other plant milks can be chosen as sources of calcium.

#5 Plant milks can taste “milky” and “creamy” too.

Taste is usually one of the items people consider when purchasing plant-based products. With new technologies, the taste and texture of plant milks are now milkier and creamier.

For instance, Vitasoy has developed creamy soy milk drinks to meet the needs of those wanting the benefits of plant milk, but also looking for that milky taste and creamy mouthfeel closer to dairy. Plant-based milk options are also expanding in coffee chains, thanks to the innovations of Barista edition plant milks. They’re easy to foam, have a creamy mouthfeel, with more neutral flavors that can nicely complement coffee.

Plant milk is not just good for you, but for the planet too! Treat yourself to a tasty and nutritious animal-free milk with Vitasoy’s selection of plant-based drinks! Shop them at the nearest supermarket, and online on Lazada.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/VitasoyPH.

 

TPB Goes Green Through Environmental Initiatives in the La Mesa Nature Reserve and Sierra Madre Mountain Range

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The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), held its corporate social responsibility activity last August 23-24, 2023 as the agency continues to strengthen its commitment to sustainable tourism. The CSR program was done in partnership with Haribon Foundation, which provided proper awareness training, educational sessions, and hands-on environmental activities for the participants in the La Mesa Nature Reserve and the Southern Sierra Madre Mountains. Content creator Cha Ocampo also joined TPB’s CSR program, as one of the leading advocates for environmental awareness in the Philippines.

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines recently conducted a CSR program in partnership with the Haribon Foundation. The TPB employees participated in proper awareness training, educational sessions, and hands-on environmental activities in the La Mesa Nature Reserve and the Southern Sierra Madre Mountains. 

The program kicked off in the La Mesa Nature Reserve where participants went through a guided tour of the Petron Trail. This immersive activity served as an opportunity for them to learn more about the Philippine native trees and understand the species’ importance in sustaining biodiversity. 

TPB also participated in a community native nursery activity in Tanay, Rizal to study how seedlings are correctly prepared for planting. Facilitators and community partners guided the TPB participants to increase their knowledge of forest restoration. 

Environmental advocate and content creator Cha Ocampo shared that the more people know about nature, the more they are able to understand how to conserve it. “As we were educated during the CSR program, we learned that native trees help recover and, at the same time, expand forest habitats for native species of plants and animals. They also protect watershed and freshwater resources to support the livelihood of local people. All of these new learnings are crucial information for forest conservation,” she said. 

Apart from investing in environmental education, TPB also joined the Forest for Life Movement’s Adopt-A-Seedling Program on August 24, 2023. Through this program, TPB was able to plant 1,250 native seedlings in the Southern Sierra Madre Mountain Range located in Brgy. San Andres, Tanay, Rizal. The program also included community training and nursery establishment, livelihood incentives, site preparation, and maintenance and monitoring of the seedlings for three years.

Guided by the facilitators and community partners, TPB participated in a community native nursery activity in Tanay, Rizal to study how seedlings are correctly prepared for planting.

TPB’s CSR program included community training and nursery establishment, livelihood incentives, site preparation, maintenance and monitoring of the seedlings for three years.

TPB participants and Haribon Foundation facilitators doing a tree planting activity.

These CSR activities are crucial to preserving the longest mountain range in the Philippines: the Sierra Madre. The Sierra Madre Mountain Range is not only a green tourism destination but also a water source and a barrier against strong storms for multiple cities. Thus, learning about native trees and planting native seedlings in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range can help preserve its beauty for future generations and also protect the lives of various Filipinos.

“These CSR programs are aligned with the Tourism Promotions Board’s goal of making the Philippines a sustainable and uniquely diverse travel destination. It is important for our employees to immerse themselves into these conservation activities. TPB recognizes that the Sierra Madre Mountain Range plays a vital role in the local tourism industry and the everyday lives of Filipinos. Thus, we wanted to protect the country’s longest mountain range by educating ourselves on conservation practices and planting native trees on the Sierra Madre,” said TPB’s Chief Operating Officer Margarita Montemayor Nograles. 

The native tree trek, community native nursery activity, and exclusive tree planting project are some of the CSR programs that TPB has engaged in since 2015. In fact, TPB already conducted 26 activities from Luzon to Mindanao for this year’s CSR program. TPB will continue to take part in environmental and community-based initiatives, in commitment to its goal of supporting green and sustainable tourism. 

Spotify collaborates with HBO GO to serve more Drag Race Philippines Entertainment to Fans

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Spotify, the world's leading audio streaming platform, is putting the spotlight on the hottest Pinoy queens of the moment as it teams up with HBO GO to bring viewers of Drag Race Philippines Season 2 a range of audio and video content.

From next-day recaps on video podcasts, to playlists curated by the contestants - fans of the show can look forward to discovering their favorite queens in a deeper way with even more Drag Race Philippines content on Spotify.

The sophomore season of Drag Race Philippines is available to stream on HBO GO in the Philippines and WOW Presents Plus Worldwide, with new episodes dropping every following Wednesday.

Soundtracks that Slay

Music is essential to every drag queen’s artistry as it sets the stage for their electrifying performances. To let fans discover the soundtracks to their slay, the season’s queens are taking turns to curate Bahaghari, Spotify’s PRIDE+ playlist that supports LGBTQIA+ artists and allies all year long. In addition to giving listeners a glimpse of their musical tastes, the playlist takeovers also lets the queens share the tracks that have inspired and shaped their flair and journeys as artists.

Every queen will have her time in the spotlight in the lead-up to the season finale of Drag Race Philippines Season 2, so stay tuned to Bahaghari to listen to the playlists from your favorite contestants, and the season’s official theme song, BOOGSH!.

Tune into the Tea

As part of the collaboration, available on Spotify is podcast channel BEKENEMEN, bringing you the scoop of the season. Hosted by the self-proclaimed 'absentee mom of none,' Baus Rufo, and the irresistible drag sensation, Myx Channel, BEKENEMEN is a podcast channel dedicated to the exploration of the modern-day Pinoy queer experience and commentary of episodes from the Drag Race franchise.

With new next-day recap video podcasts set to drop every Thursday starting 7 September, fans can look forward to the fabulous duo’s perspective on this season of Drag Race Philippines as they serve nothing short of an engaging and entertaining time.

Stay tuned to @SpotifyPH on Instagram and TikTok for updates and episode announcements.

Drag Race Philippines Season 2 is now streaming on HBO GO and WOWPresents Plus worldwide.

Samsung Electronics and Thom Browne Launch Special Editions of Galaxy Z Fold5

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SEOUL, Korea – Sept., 2023 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Thom Browne today announced the newest arrivals from their enduring partnership: the Galaxy Z Fold5 Thom Browne Edition. The offering brings together sartorial style and cutting-edge technology, demonstrating a tireless commitment to quality and design — along with additional accessories that bring a level of sophistication fit for a table at the most exclusive gala. This limited edition is as striking as it is inviting, with each piece featuring expert craftsmanship and premium details.

New Thom Browne Editions for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Watch6 blend modern engineering and high fashion for a sophisticated look

“Mobile technology is expected to provide more than just function – it’s an extension of our lifestyles,” Stephanie Choi, EVP & Head of Marketing of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our longstanding work with Thom Browne is rooted in a shared commitment to pair iconic style with advanced innovation and this collection is no exception.”

Bringing Black-Tie Elegance to the Galaxy Portfolio

The grandeur and luxury of a black-tie event serves as the inspiration for the Galaxy Z Fold5 Thom Browne Edition, which is instantly recognizable from a distance thanks to its iconic and delicate design details.

The special edition of the Galaxy Z Fold5 features both Samsung’s latest foldable technology and an homage to Thom Browne’s signature design elements with its black pebble leather and grosgrain details. The sleek exterior has been enhanced with a bevy of design elements: Thom Browne’s signature red, white and blue stripes; fabric texture etched on the back glass; an accentuating black frame and gold hinge; and gold rings around the camera lenses. The limited edition Galaxy Z Fold5 also comes with two distinct leather pouch cases and a special edition of the S Pen[1], a noteworthy addition.

“This continued collaboration with Samsung represents an evolution of what we’ve been creating together for years,” said Thom Browne. “Once again, we want to show that a perfect blend of top quality, innovative design and a classic aesthetic can become a powerful form of self-expression. I believe this Galaxy Z Fold5 Thom Browne Edition is the ultimate example of turning advanced technology into a bold statement.”

And the collaboration doesn’t end with just the product either: the packaging of the Galaxy Z Fold5 Thom Browne Edition boasts the iconic Thom Browne briefcase. Elevating the black-tie effect, the stylish packaging turns a typical unboxing into the upgraded experience of opening a briefcase, while also being designed for long-term use as a memento.

Included in this Thom Browne Edition, the Galaxy Watch6 epitomizes timeless style. Complete with the unique Thom Browne aesthetic, the design features a graceful gold-tone body, special complementary watch face, and the Thom Browne logo engraved on the side. Thom Browne’s red, white and blue colors have also been applied to the buckle, showcasing sophisticated attention to detail. This limited edition Galaxy Watch6 comes with two leather straps: one with black pebble leather and the other with red, white and blue striped leather. These colors are also used on the 25W travel adapter, the coin-style watch charger and an exclusive fabric USB-C to USB-C cable — all brimming with Thom Browne’s trademark influence.

Availability In limited numbers, the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Watch6 Thom Browne Edition will be available from September 12 in select markets including the Philippines. Sales will begin from September 12 on Samsung.com. For more details on the latest additions to the Thom Browne collection, please visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/explore/brand/thom-browne-edition/

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[1] Use an S Pen that is designed for Galaxy Z Fold. All other S Pens or stylus pens may damage the screen. Galaxy Z Fold5 does not have a built-in slot for the S Pen. S Pen support is limited to the Main Screen

Madiskarte Moms PH community celebrates three years of supporting Filipino mompreneurs with Gawad Madiskarte 2023

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The community of women entrepreneurs, Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) is bringing back Gawad Madiskarte to honor outstanding mompreneurs with over P1 million worth of prizes including ASUS laptops, PLDT Home broadband connection, one-year Canva Pro subscriptions, cash, and mentorship.

The awards showcase the success stories of mompreneurs who have subverted conventional expectations to embrace their entrepreneurial spirit. Their businesses are innovative, creative, and run by very hardworking women who do double duty as the glue that holds the family together, run their household and their business.

Major categories for this year’s Gawad Madiskarte include Diskarteng Angat (Fastest-Growing Business), Diskarteng Digital (Best Multi-Channel Business) and Diskarteng May Puso (Best Social Enterprise). Two major winners per category will be chosen from the Startup Division and Scale Up Division. The former are home or online businesses that recently started and show great potential while the latter are businesses that have been running for at least 13 months and are registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Special awards will also be given to three deserving finalists. These awards are Diskarteng Malikhain (Most Creative Business Branding), Diskarteng Pasulong (Most Innovative Product) and Diskarteng Home Biz (Mompreneurs’ Choice Award).

Chosen by industry luminaries

The judges for this year’s Gawad Madiskarte come from the business, telco, communications and creative industries. Maxine Loyola, AVP & Head of PLDT Home Marketing Public Relations, Influencer Marketing and Brand Advocacies, has launched the biggest marketing campaigns for Philippine Internet—from dial-up to prepaid internet cards, DSL and finally the Fiber broadband we enjoy today.

Joining her are entrepreneurs Jorge Wieneke and Jenny Wieneke, who are Mr. and Mrs. Negosyo and PLDT Home Biz ambassadors. Jorge is a GoNegosyo Angelpreneur who serves as consultant to aspiring and starting entrepreneurs all over the country; he also created Kalye Negosyo, a mentoring program for budding entrepreneurs. Jenny is an advertising expert with over 30 years of experience building brands and a PCE-GoNegosyo mentor since 2015. Entrepreneur Janine Khazaiealiabady, owner of Massage MNL, started her career at a fast food and moved to marketing and online commerce before founding Massage MNL five years ago.

From the creative and marketing industries, the judges are Donna Nievera-Conda, Maisie Littaua, and Marjorie Barretto. 

Nievera-Conda leads the integrated marketing communications agency Stratworks as President and co-CEO, and ID8, a digital publishing agency.

Littaua is the Head of Growth for Canva Philippines, a free online visual communication and collaboration platform launched in 2013. Today, Canva has grown to over 135 million monthly active users across 190 countries, with more than 200 designs created per second.

Barretto, actress and entrepreneur, launched her own online home and clothing brand Everything Avery during the pandemic, and opened her stunning River Garden Rest House for private rentals—a true-blue madiskarte mom.

Winners of this year’s Gawad Madiskarte will receive a trophy created by sculptor Ram Mallari, who works with discarded metal and forms them into provocative works of art in the steampunk style.

Mallari grew up in an impoverished district of Manila with his mother, whom he describes as “madiskarte,” and dedicates his Gawad Madiskarte design to all mompreneurs and his own mother.

Celebrating three years of supporting Filipino mompreneurs

Gawad Madiskarte also ushers in the third year of Madiskarte Moms PH as it welcomes more members to its current 162,000-strong base. An online community, MMPH manages a Facebook group and  YouTube channel that give valuable insights into finding business opportunities for all moms, whether they are stay-at-home or have day jobs and are looking for a side hustle to augment the family income.

MMPH’s online platforms also showcase the success stories of their members and how they can take advantage of social media to market and sell their products. But beyond digital interactions, MMPH is fostering economic growth in communities by nurturing a generation of mompreneurs who contribute to everyone’s success.

Mompreneurs are doers, a force for positive change and empowerment. Two of the most heartfelt messages from their stories is that opportunities are everywhere and that inspiration can come from one’s experience.

Their stories are all different and the women take different paths to get their businesses off the ground and scale up. But one thing that threads these experiences together is an openness to learn and to be part of a community that celebrates all their efforts and ideas.

“Our small business has become our primary source of income,” one mom said. “With it, we are able to pay our bills every month and even have some savings.”

We all can learn lessons from these inspiring moms, and Gawad Madiskarte urges us to celebrate them all.

Know more about Gawad Madiskarte and the inspiring moms of Madiskarte Moms PH by visiting pldthome.info/GawadMadiskarteAwards2023.