August 19, 2024

Building Filipino resilience through health and financial security

In a country often impacted by natural disasters, resilience has become a way of life. These days, however, having a resilient mindset is not enough as having the right mitigation and adaptation tools can spell a difference in one’s ability to bounce back from adversity.

Health protection ensures access to essential medical treatments without financial stress, which is crucial after natural disasters when health risks, like infectious diseases, often arise.

Financial security provides the necessary support to manage unexpected expenses, allowing families to focus on recovery.

“Building resilience involves more than having a resilient mindset; it’s about being prepared and equipped with sufficient instruments to overcome life’s difficulties, including health and financial challenges. Having a proactive mindset can help families cope better with setbacks,” shares Maricel Maricel Estavillo, Pru Life UK’s Vice President for Government Relations & Sustainability.

In support of this advocacy to adopt a proactive approach, Pru Life UK has been growing its pool of affordable and accessible life insurance products designed to reduce financial burden and enhance health protection during times of crisis and more so during natural disasters or disease outbreaks:

        PRUDengue MedCare and PRUDengue MedCare Pro provide financial assistance upon dengue diagnosis.

        PRUMedCare – Select Infectious Diseases offers broader coverage, including protection against a range of infectious diseases namely Dengue, Typhoid, Measles, and Malaria.

        PRUWellness and PRUShield both provide hospitalisation coverage. PRUWellness covers dread diseases, surgical expenses, and death of the life insured. On the other hand, PRUShield covers injuries, illnesses, and death.  

        PRUPersonal Accident, a yearly renewable insurance, provides financial support in the event of injury or death due to unforeseen events.

“Shaping a fully prepared society that embraces a new approach to resilience requires collective effort. Pru Life UK contributes through simple and accessible insurance solutions to provide financial protection for many Filipino families,” shared Garen Dee, Pru Life UK’s Chief Product Officer. 

Championing community-based financial education 

Beyond making affordable health and life insurance products available, Pru Life UK educates communities on the importance of financial preparedness and security. 

In 2023, Pru Life UK and Prudence Foundation partnered with the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation for Project Padayon Bantayan Island, Cebu. The project aimed to help uplift lives through training and development programmes focused on health, employment, and disaster preparedness. 

Pru Life UK employees and agent volunteers helped conduct community education sessions on financial management, empowerment of micro, small, and medium enterprises, employment, family health and nutrition, women's health, disaster risk preparedness and management, and climate change resilience. 

Community-based climate and financial education sessions were also conducted in Lian, Batangas for women farmers during the Wais sa Pera si Juana financial literacy session; Taytay, Palawan for mothers; and Mandaluyong city for the beneficiaries of its Solo Parent programme. 

"These learning sessions are part of our commitment to being the most trusted partner and protector of Filipino families. We especially want to help families from disadvantaged backgrounds better manage their finances to build long-term resilience,” Estavillo further shares.

As communities across the Philippines continue to face and recover from various challenges, resilience is not just about having the mindset to endure hardships but also about being able to recover fast and move forward. This strength is built through preparation, education, health protection, and financial security that can empower Filipinos to better navigate adversity and emerge stronger.

For more information about Pru Life UK, visit https://www.prulifeuk.com.ph/en/.

MMDA Hands Over Mobile Materials Recovery Facility (MMRF) Operations to Brgy. Bayanan, Muntinlupa City


The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has formally turned over the operations of the Mobile Materials Recovery Facility (MMRF) to Brgy. Bayanan, Muntinlupa City. This milestone is part of MMDA’s ongoing efforts to empower local communities in managing their waste more effectively, ensuring that the responsibility of solid waste management is both localized and sustainable.

The MMRF, an essential tool in the Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP) Solid Waste Management Component 2, is designed to streamline waste segregation and recycling at the barangay level. During the turnover ceremony, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed, marking the formal transfer of responsibility from MMDA to the local government unit (LGU) and Brgy. Bayanan. This MOA highlights the barangay's commitment to uphold and operate the MMRF system, under the close monitoring and guidance of the LGU’s City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and the MMDA Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO).
“The involvement of the residents, barangay, and local government is crucial to our waste management initiatives,” said Dir. Josias Syquimsiam Jr., Project Director of the MMDA Solid Waste Management Office. “The MMRF provides a structure to waste segregation, allowing communities to turn waste into valuable resources. This represents a shared commitment to creating a cleaner and more sustainable Metro Manila.”

Brgy. Bayanan’s adoption of the MMRF system has already led to significant achievements. Over the past two years, the barangay has collected 18,746.6 kilograms of recyclables, which were exchanged for 78,473 goods, and generated 72,154 pesos from sales to junk shops. These figures translate directly into reduced waste in landfills, cleaner streets, and a more engaged community. The barangay faced challenges such as initial resistance to the new waste segregation policies, but through continuous education and community involvement, they have successfully increased resident participation and established valuable partnerships with local recycling businesses.

Punong Barangay Engr. Jonathan “Athan” Gutierrez expressed the community's commitment to sustaining the MMRF operations: “Our barangay is dedicated to maintaining the MMRF system and expanding our waste management efforts. With the support of our residents and the guidance of MMDA and CENRO, we can achieve even greater results in waste recovery and environmental protection.”

The turnover ceremony was attended by key officials from Brgy. Bayanan, the Muntinlupa City LGU, and MMDA. Community members also participated, demonstrating their ongoing support for the MMRF initiative. The event included the formal signing of the MOA, symbolizing the strong collaboration between MMDA and Brgy. Bayanan. This partnership is expected to serve as a model for other communities as MMDA continues to roll out the MMRF program in other areas of Metro Manila, including Lower Bicutan, Batis and Corazon de Jesus, Pio and 135, San Isidro, and Daang Bakal.

The MMDA remains committed to supporting Brgy. Bayanan as it takes full control of the MMRF operations. This ongoing collaboration will ensure that the barangay continues to benefit from technical assistance and monitoring, fostering a sustainable environment for its residents. Future turnovers in other Metro Manila areas will follow a similar approach, focusing on empowering communities to manage their waste effectively and contribute to the broader goal of waste diversion and recovery across the region.

Kai Del Rio announces first headline show in nearly a decade

 The indie artist is also set to launch her back-to-back singles “Ang Nag-iisa” on September 13, 2024 and “Storm Like Me” on September 20, 2024

 

Official poster by Dee Cruz

Filipino singer-songwriter Kai Del Rio (formerly known as Kai Honasan) gears up for an electrifying comeback with her first solo headline show in nearly a decade.

The former The Voice of the Philippines season 2 semi-finalist will perform her dual singles “Ang Nag-iisa” and “Storm Like Me” for the first time live on September 13, 2024 (Friday) at Sari Sari Bar in Makati City.

Photo by Dee Cruz

The back-to-back songs highlight Del Rio's versatility and range, with "Ang Nag-iisa" (to be released on September 13, 2024) revealing her grittier version with blues and alt-rock influences and "Storm Like Me" (to be released on September 20, 2024) taking listeners back to her stripped-down roots.

Kai shares that both tracks have the same message and heart at the core of it all, but are musically different by intention.

 “When I considered returning to my solo work, I always envisioned releasing a double single as a way to showcase my duality right off the bat. Nagagalit tayo at nasasaktan tayo. When you experience so much pain, you eventually experience hope. These two songs show the spectrum of rage and sadness and how it manifests differently within the same person.”

The official launch will not only include the performance of the new original songs, which Underdog Music will release on all streaming/digital platforms on September 13 and 20 respectively, but it will also serve as a reintroduction of the indie singer-songwriter, complete with a new moniker, a new record label and management team, and a fresh perspective on the music-making process.

“I took my time because I wanted it to be as real, as sincere and as authentic as possible,” the Liwanag act explains. “These will be my first solo songs in a decade and I wanted to take my time with them from crafting the songs to building the team. That included finding the right musicians, the right group to work with, the right time. Everyone who has worked on these two singles are authentic, decent, good people, but above all they are insanely talented.”

Kai Del Rio is co-producing the official launch alongside GNN Entertainment Productions and Locked Down Entertainment, with backing from Lightfirst and Underdog Music.

“For this reintroduction, trust and history were very important to me. Both the teams behind Gabi Na Naman and Locked Down have been there at the first few years of my career in the indie scene, after the Voice and my time in a band. They know my story and are equally as invested as I am, and I could not ask for more from partners in this first chapter. In addition to them, this event will also be co-presented by Lightfirst, which is a lovely company that focuses on helping make high quality educational content available to schools all over the Philippines.”

Kai promises that the show will be worth the wait, as she’ll be performing alongside some of her peers and idols in the local music industry, as well as playing with a special setup for the headline show happening next month. 

“It’s very different from the ukulele or keytar girl you might have met before, but I hope you’re ready for the ride,” shares Kai. “It’s going to get real, but it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Tickets to KAI DEL RIO: “ANG NAG-IISA x STORM LIKE ME” Double Single Launch are now available on bit.ly/kaidrlaunch.

 

August 18, 2024

realme Philippines Teases Arrival of the realme 13 Pro Series 5G

Following the success and milestones it has achieved for realme 12 Pro Series 5G and realme GT 6, realme Philippines is now gearing up for the realme 13 Pro Series 5G launch. The brand has confirmed the arrival of the latest smartphone lineup via a teaser post on its official Facebook page, although the official date of the launch has yet to be announced.

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Ultra Clear Camera with AI soon available in PH

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The much-anticipated realme 13 Pro Series 5G stirred excitement for fans as it features realme’s first-ever Ultra Clear Camera with AI. This technology marries next-gen camera innovations with stunning designs to empower young users to capture the world in a whole new way.

Known for its legacy of integrating popular culture into innovative designs, such as the realme 10 Pro 5G Coca-Cola® Edition, the GT NEO 3T Dragon Ball Z Edition, and the GT NEO 3 Naruto Edition, realme collaborates with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) this time for the realme 13 Pro Series 5G. The partnership aims to bring inspiration from one of the legendary masters of Impressionism, Claude Monet, to the realme 13 Pro Series.

The collaboration is said to be the first of its kind in the smartphone industry, combining unique elements from Monet's iconic works enhanced with a state-of-the-art flash gold process to create a premium aesthetic appearance. Drawing inspiration from Monet’s depictions of nature and beauty, the design of the realme 13 Pro Series 5G reflects the stunning play of light and color found in two of his masterpieces: Grainstack (Sunset) and Water Lilies. The golden haystacks and purple water lilies in these paintings were transformed into two exclusive color variants, Monet Gold and Monet Purple.

The realme 13 Pro Series 5G launch reaffirms the brand’s focus on providing the Squad with immersive experiences through Ultra Clear Camera with AI and standout design. Stay tuned on realme’s official Facebook page for the realme 13 Pro Series 5G launch announcement..


It’s Alabang’s Turn: Big Bad Wolf Continues to Pursue 1M New Readers as it Heads to Filinvest for Book Sale!

Calling all Wolfies! Big Bad Wolf is making its way to the south of the metro! The world’s biggest book sale is set to take over the Filinvest Tent in Alabang from August 23 to September 1.

The Big Bad Wolf Filinvest Book Sale marks Big Bad Wolf’s return to the South, but its first time in Alabang. As it strives to reach 1M new readers, the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale makes its highly anticipated debut in Alabang! The VIP Day of the Filinvest book sale, happening on August 22, will see the presence of Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon, and the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino.

With more exciting surprises up ahead, Big Bad Wolf promises to deliver a spectacular book sale experience for residents of Alabang and neighboring areas, all while it furthers its mission to promote literacy and inspire a life-long passion for reading in communities far and wide. Bringing its selection of over two million books at insanely good prices, plus jaw-dropping deals and discounts, book enthusiasts and budding readers from the south of the city are sure to pile on their next great reads! Join us for another great adventure you definitely won’t want to miss!

WHAT        -  The Big Bad Wolf Filinvest Book Sale

WHEN        -   August 23 to September 1, 10 AM - 12 NN

WHERE      -  Filinvest Tent, Alabang

For more information regarding Big Bad Wolf’s current and upcoming Book Sales, you can visit their website or check out their social media accounts (Facebook | Instagram)


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About Big Bad Wolf Books

The Big Bad Wolf Books was founded by Andrew Yap and Jacqueline Ng in 2009 and first launched in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In the words of the company’s founders, Big Bad Wolf aims to cultivate reading habits, increase English literacy worldwide, and build a new generation of readers by making books more affordable and accessible to everyone.

One of the company’s best highlights is its book sales, which is popular among readers around the world. As a global reading advocacy initiative, the sales aim to encourage people of all ages to discover the joys of reading, inspire them to pursue their dreams, and, importantly, empower them with the knowledge to realize them.

Big Bad Wolf Book Sale has toured 15 countries and 37 cities. Among these include different cities in Asia like Malaysia, Cambodia, Manila, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. The company has also begun branching out to book readers outside the Asia Pacific, having held book tours in Tanzania, Kenya, and the United Arab Emirates.

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