FEU spearheads 1st Ph research on stillbirth, neonatal deaths

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The research initiative “COntinuing care in COVID-19 Outbreak: A global survey of New expectant and bereaved parent experiences (COCOON)” is led by Far Eastern University (FEU), as the Philippines is one of its contributing countries.

“COCOON Philippines is a collaborative project between FEU and the University of Queensland. It is a global project conducted in different countries. We are also collaborating with Mater Research Institute, King’s College London, and International Stillbirth Alliance.,” said Dr. Joemer Maravilla, supervising coordinator of COCOON and adjunct faculty of the FEU Nursing Department.

FEU is primarily funding COCOON Philippines through its University Research Assistance Grant (URAG), a university-wide research time and financial assistance to FEU academic researchers. The project is currently funded until 2026 and is headed by the principal investigator Asst. Prof. Joycelyn Abiog Filoteo of the Nursing Department, with Dr. Ana Nelia Lopez Jumamil of the Psychology Department as co-leads.

The project is one of the first projects in the university wherein two disciplines collaborate: nursing and psychology. It is also the first study in the Philippines that aims to look at the social determinants of stillbirth and neonatal deaths to parents.

Maravilla explained that according to the Department of Health, the Philippine government has no specific projects on bereavement care for mothers who had experienced stillbirth and neonatal death thus, positioning COCOON Philippines in the forefront in accessing and understanding the experiences and concerns of bereaved parents and developing support services appropriate for them.

Meanwhile, according to the 2021 World Health Organization country key indicators, the Philippines has a still birth rate of 10.17 per 1000 births, and a neonatal mortality rate of 12.28 (0-27 completed days of life) per 1000 births. Moreover, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund released an article last January 2023 mentioning that the Philippines has an annual record of more than 25,000 stillborn babies.

“The focus of the country, at the moment, is to help mothers with safe deliveries but in cases of loss, we have no guidelines or in-depth data on it in the Philippines. We know there are cases of stillbirth and neonatal losses, but we do not know the solutions, the coping strategies we can introduce to help the grieving parents. And that is one of the expected outcomes of our study,” said Maravilla.

COCOON Philippines aims to include 1,100 participants, composed of pregnant women, women who experienced stillbirth and neonatal death, and their partners. The data collection involves a mixed self-administered online survey and face-to-face survey in Metro Manila and Region IV-A (CALABARZON). Research participants will receive P250 as compensation for their time taking the survey.

As of this moment, COCOON Philippines already launched it official Facebook page and will serve as the research’s avenue in looking for additional participants. If people want to join this global initiative to improve women’s health and bereavement services, or if they know of others who are willing to participate, they can visit and message https://www.facebook.com/cocoon.

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Due to the sensitive nature of the study, links to online survey will not be released publicly and will only be given to the successfully screened participants.

The country’s creative powerhouses bring to life - Ballet Manila’s Ang Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang

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Ballet Manila once again unearths the magical baul of Lola Basyang as it transports its audience to a world of fantastic dance, music and spectacular visuals with Ang Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang set to happen at Aliw Theater from May 11, 2024 at 8PM and May 12 &18, 2024 at 5PM.

Ballet Manila stages a beloved Filipino children's classic in

Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang

The second show among the repertoire for Ballet Manila’s 26th Performance Season aptly titled “Ballet Masterpieces,” Ang Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang is based on the retellings of Severino Reyes’ stories by Christine Bellen Ang. Published by Anvil Publishing, the three stories are an engaging mix of romance, adventure and comedy, touching on such universal themes as loyalty and commitment to family, the power of humility and of course, love conquers all.

“We chose three stories out of twelve (12) Lola Basyang books. It was an interesting process because there were so many great tales that were worth sharing. But in the end, we felt that the themes we chose can truly resonate with an audience across many generations,” shared Lisa Macuja Elizalde, artistic director and chief executive officer of Ballet Manila.

“As a publishing company that’s known for producing books about Philippine culture, we feel it is part of our duty to ensure that the magic of these stories is not lost among the younger generation. “Ang Mga Kwento Ni Lola Basyang” is among the books that have mesmerized generations of Filipino children and we are confident they will love the ballet version,” shared Xandra Ramos Padilla, Anvil Publishing president. ”We’re so thrilled that these stories will once again be brought to life through compelling performances, thanks to our partnership with Ballet Manila.”

Bringing life to the enduring character of Lola Basyang is Mitch Valdes – the acclaimed performance artist who has been active in the theater and entertainment industry for over 50 years. Best known for her award-winning roles in Lunes, Martes, Miyerkules, Huwebes, Biyernes, Sabado, Linggo where she won a Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actress, Mitch has also starred in highly-acclaimed movies such as Oro, Plata, Mata; Manila by Night; and Bulaklak sa City Jail.

Mitch’s captivating performance of Lola Basyang will open the production. Not surprisingly, the role has evoked a sense of patriotism in the actress. “We’re familiar with all the international classics but this one is a rare chance to see one of our beloved folklore come to life in classical ballet. It will be beautiful because the story is one of our own.”

The cast of Ballet Manila’s Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang standing from left: John Ralp Balago, Stephanie Santiago, Ris Camaclang, Gerardo Francisco, Jessica Pearl Dames, Jasmine Pia Dames, and Romeo Peralta; along with (seated from left) Singer-actress and comedienne Mitch Valdes as Lola Basyang, Ballet Manila artistic director and CEO Lisa Macuja Elizalde and Anvil Publishing Inc. managing editor Jordan Santos

Ang Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang will then unfold with the first story, Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon which tells the tale of a princess who wishes to marry her beloved bird against her father’s disapproval. In the end, the princess decides to turn into a beautiful bird to join her beloved bird who happens to be a prince in his kingdom.

Breathing life into the characters are principal dancers Jasmine Pia Dames/Shaira Comeros as Prinsesa Singsing and Romeo Peralta/Joshua Enciso as Prinsipe ng mga Ibon. Choreographed by the late Osias Barroso Jr., Ballet Manila’s co-artistic director until his passing in December 2023, the production hopes his legacy will live on through the choreographies he has created.

Barroso once said, “I want Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon to be very romantic. I want people to fall in love after watching it.” Complementing his vision is the award-winning musical arranger Mon Faustino who arranged music for the production using compositions of national artists for music.

From the soaring magic of enchanted birds, the production moves on to focus on the dark ramifications of greed in Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Maria which tells the story of a couple who are folk healers, thanks to the leaves of a magical tree that their three daughters would pick every morning. Because of the couple’s greed, they were punished by the serpent living in the tree, taking their three daughters to marry them off to beastly animals. The couple soon had another child, this time a son, and before the father’s death, he requested his son to look for his three sisters.

Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Maria is a collaborative partnership between Lisa Macuja Elizalde as the choreographer, and Filipino Music legend, Joey Ayala who composed the music for the entire ballet.

“For Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya, I wanted to merge the movements of the folk dances of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to represent the three worlds to show the cultural diversity and color of our nation,” explained Macuja Elizalde.

Apart from the magnificent ballet, the production is an auditory treat as it will feature a rare combination of raw sounds from kawayan and metal, complemented by orchestral synthesizer sounds to stimulate the imagination of the audience. For this story, Anselmo Dictado/Sean Pelegrin will perform the role of Pedro, while the Tatlong Maria will be played by Rissa May Camaclang (Maria Trining), Stephanie Santiago (Maria Loleng) and Jessa Balote/Jessica Pearl Dames (Maria Upeng).

No less than National Artist Ryan Cayabyab composed the lively and catchy music that will accompany the dancers in Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin. The last installment in the trilogy, its tells the story of a young man named Rodrigo who is rewarded with a magical violin for his kindness to an old woman.

Completing the creative powerhouse for this final tale is the late award-winning Filipino ballet dancer Tony Fabella, whose amazing choreography reaffirms his belief that, while the story is easy enough to understand, audiences will have a deeper appreciation for the beautiful message of Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin if told through ballet. True enough, theater goers must prepare to be enthralled by the performances of Gerardo Francisco Jr./Anselmo Dictado as Rodrigo and John Ralp Balago/Junmark Sumaylo as Ahab.

From the brilliantly written word to the wonderful stage of ballet, Ang Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang is a production mounted with the heartfelt intention of giving birth to a newfound appreciation for our vibrant Filipino culture: “We hope that they come out of the theaters having learned so many valuable life lessons,” said Macuja Elizalde.

All performances will be staged at Aliw Theater, Pasay City. For tickets, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. To know more about Ballet Manila and its shows, visit www.balletmanila.com.ph

Home Credit, Puregold secure partnership, give more Filipinos access to convenient and flexible consumer products purchase through credit

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Staying true to its commitment of being the Filipinos’ financial ally, Home Credit Philippines (HCPH) has recently formed a partnership with one of the country’s biggest chain of supermarkets, Puregold, to allow its customers to use credit when purchasing their necessities.

Recently launched, this collaboration offers Puregold customers nationwide an easy, convenient, and secure way of purchasing their groceries using Home Credit Card or Qwarta. In addition, they will get opportunities to participate in seasonal, brand specific, and other unique and exclusive deals.

Home Credit Card is HCPH’s premium revolving product that offers select customers the perfect first-time Visa credit card with 3% load discount, zero additional fees on bills payment, interest-free option for up to 45 days per month and low interest fee at 3%. Meanwhile, Qwarta is HCPH’s virtual shopping line that users can use via the My Home Credit App to buy load, pay bills, buy groceries (via QR), and shop online.

“Home Credit is steadfast in its role of being a financial partner to Filipinos to help them realize and achieve the life that they want for themselves. This collaboration with one of the country’s biggest chain of supermarkets enables us to strengthen this commitment and reach more people nationwide with offers that can help them better manage their finances,” Sheila Paul, Chief Marketing Officer of HCPH, said.

This seamless payment journey only involves three easy steps, starting with the customers’ download of the My Home Credit App. Those who are eligible to use Home Credit’s Qwarta or those who have a Home Credit credit card may then generate a QR code that, lastly, they will present to a Puregold’s cashier for scanning to complete their purchase.

“As we approach the remarkable milestone of having 500 stores nationwide, our unwavering commitment to our company’s core values is stronger. We are not just a retail business, but an enterprise of service, dedicated to supporting lives and nurturing stronger communities across the country.

This strategic partnership with Home Credit Philippines allows us to further amplify flexibility and convenience for our valued customers and Ka-Asensos,” Jenny Jacintos, Senior Manager for Merchandising and Marketing Services of Puregold.

To know 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 also encouraged to download the My Home Credit App on Google Play to learn more about the latest promos and see what’s new in Shopping Mall Philippines.  

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).  

[ARF(1]Space for Statement from Puregold

[MCDM(2]Yes please, let's put this to establish stronger partnership with PureGold

Jobstreet by SEEK democratizes platform, offers free job posts for all employers

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As it continues to revolutionize the employment market in the new age of hiring, Jobstreet by SEEK has democratized its all-new platform with Free Lite Ads, giving employers the opportunity to post unlimited job listings anytime and for any role, for free.

Employers in need of job applicants need not worry about their hiring budget as Free Lite Ads let you enjoy free access and seamless hiring on the Philippines’ largest AI-powered career platform that delivers faster and better matches. Jobstreet by SEEK has the largest talent pool with over 11.6 million Filipino registered candidates so you can ensure greater talent reach and applications.

This initiative seeks to empower employers with freedom and value, strengthening Jobstreet by SEEK’s goal of attaining eight million jobs nationwide, and allowing small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and large businesses to meet their demands for quality talent.

“Jobstreet by SEEK has been essential to employers in streamlining their hiring processes. That is why we continue to innovate and ensure efficiency and flexibility among our existing and potential partner employers every step of the way, thereby empowering them with the freedom to utilize our platform to assist them in finding the best talents,” shared Dannah Majarocon, Managing Director, Philippines, Jobstreet by SEEK.

Whether you’re a startup looking to expand your team or a multinational company seeking professional candidates, you can take advantage of unlimited Free Lite Ads and create your job listings, visible to candidates for 30 days per job post.

To maximize the platform and keep up with today’s highly competitive job market, hirers may also explore other premium features, providing up to [1]3X more applications through priority listing, company branding opportunities to help job posts stand out, and access to analytics and reporting, among others. These essential features can help employers prioritize and centralize the visibility of their job posts, attracting more talent from across the Asia-Pacific region.

Early this year, Jobstreet by SEEK introduced its newly transformed platform promising better matches for hirers and candidates. The new platform deploys AI models to assess talent suitability and provide highly personalized recommendations by processing data from various sources, including resumes, job ad descriptions, and the employer’s past behaviors. This allows employers to find the best match faster.

To learn more about Free Lite Ads, check out: https://ph.employer.seek.com/products/jobads.

[1] Jobstreet by SEEK premium account offers 3X more job applications vs free account

Darren for his 10th anniversary concert "D10" with special celebrity guests

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The multi-awarded artist is set to dominate the stage in his 10th anniversary concert dubbed “D10” !

Asia’s Pop Heartthrob Darren will take over the  Araneta Coliseum on June 1, 2024 (Saturday).

Tickets to the much-awaited concert are available in Ticketnet outlets and ticketnet.com.ph priced at P8,004 (Platinum), P6,404 (VIP), P4,269 (Patron A), P2,668 (Patron B), P2,135 (Lower box), P1,068 (Upper box), and P427 (General admission).

Darren entered the industry after joining the first season of “The Voice Kids Philippines” where he finished as a runner-up under Sarah Geronimo’s team. With his wide range and unique vocal style, he has captivated listeners with a slew of hits such as “Dying Inside To Hold You,” “In Love Ako Sa’yo,” and “7 Minutes.” He has two platinum albums under his belt “Darren” and “Be With Me.” Last year, he released the track “Bibitaw Na” which marked his first single under Star Music.

He also dabbled into acting via the blockbuster film “The Hows of Us” and the iWantTFC series “Lyric and Beat.” Currently, he portrays the role of Stephen in ABS-CBN’s hit primetime series “Can’t Buy Me Love.”

Don’t miss Darren’s “D10” concert happening on June 1. For more details, follow Star Music on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

For updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, or visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.