Up close with senatorial aspirant Dra. Minguita Padilla, opthalmologist and health advocate

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The national community is finding better ways to confront major health threats, proposes new guidance on emerging health issues of global importance, capacities to address health concerns, to protect and promote better health for all.

Leadership and governance involves ensuring strategic policy frameworks exist and are combined with effective oversight, coalition-building, regulation, attention to system-design and accountability.

Dra. Ma. Dominga "Minguita" Padilla  during the press conference via Zoom with Cebu media and bloggers

This 2022 election, among the senator aspirants, is an advisor to the Health Department and the President of the Eye Bank Foundation.

Dra. Ma. Dominga "Minguita" Padilla

The call to vote another doctor into the Senate has grown after netizens lauded the short film “Liwanag,” which tried to capture the life and legacy of Partido Reporma senatorial candidate Dr. Ma. Dominga Cecilia ‘Minguita’ Padilla, who aims to improve the country’s healthcare system.

In October 2021, after much soul-searching, she decided to heed the requests of various medical groups and seek an elected post.

Padilla is the founder, president and chief executive officer of the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines for 26 years.

She led the medical team of Project ARK, which aimed to widen testing coverage through the use of antibody rapid test kits, said a "call" had been building inside her "for a long time" before she finally tried for the lawmaking chamber. She also has been helping senators, district representatives, and the Department of Health for about three decades now, as a health advocate.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic the nation faces, an eye doctor has decided to run for Senate in order to bring light for the country as well as those who are literally cannot see.

Ophthalmologist, Dra. Minguita, has to give up her position and several other local and international positions to pave the way for her Senate dream in order to help more people and see her advocacies on a wider scale.

"The COVID pandemic sort of showed me that we need to do more as doctors and our presence in government, especially in policymaking positions, is important," Dra. Minguita said.

“Liwanag: The Life and Legacy of Dra. Minguita Padilla"

"Liwanag: The Life and Legacy of Dra. Minguita Padilla"

The inspiring story of opthalmologist-turned-health advocate, Dr. Ma. Dominga "Minguita" Padilla, is now a 45-minute short film entitled "Liwanag: The Life and Legacy of Dra. Minguita Padilla"

“Liwanag” is delivered as a medical drama with a touch of humor and a lot of heart-based on key moments in the life of Dr. Padilla that led to her lifelong mission to serve as many people as possible through her public health advocacy.

"Liwanag: The Life and Legacy of Dra. Minguita Padilla" shows the renowned eye doctor's journey from an unassuming medical student to a public health crusader who is now one of the country's most active medical advocates in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Produced by Kapitana Media Entertainment--the company behind the comedy "The Women of TONTA Club that is now streaming on KTX and Upstream PH--"Liwanag: The Life and Legacy of Dra. Minguita Padilla.

"Liwanag" starring GMA 7 actress Valeen Montenegro. Producer and writer Rossana Hwang says, "Together with friends of Dra. Minguita, like myself, and some of her family members, we decided to create a medical drama, with touches of humor, that will shed light on what she has done for our country. 

Long before the pandemic happened, Dra. Minguita has been helping the sick, especially those afflicted with eye ailments." As Founder and President of Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. Dra. Minguita has been leading in efforts for the procurement, processing and distribution of corneas and eye tissues since 1994 ---an endeavor that has helped restore sight to thousands of patients around the country; including indigent patients, who would otherwise remain blind. 

When Covid-19 hit the Philippines, Dra. Minguita, together with her fellow doctors, raised funds for hospitals, and for PPEs, supplies, and even washing machines that were donated to the medical frontliners who were on perpetual duty at the hospitals. 

Dra. Minguita, who is co-convenor of Doctors for Truth and Public Welfare, also served as resource person in several webinars and online forums in order to inform the public on the facts about Covid-19, the importance of vaccination and how to avoid getting the virus. She also helped the MSMEs through her work with GoNegosyo. Her efforts at training barangay health workers and other doctors at COVID-19 antigen testing, making her own home a virtual testing area, and making herself available for those who needed help in connection with the pandemic, have been recognized by the City of Makati, awarded her with the Exemplary Makatizen Makahero Award last December. 

"Actually, I never thought that there would ever be a biopic about me," says Dra. Minguita. "I am very grateful to those who put this project together. I know it was because they truly care for me and they know my heart and my reasons for taking a very big risk, leaving my comfort zone and running for public office." 

Watch "Liwanag: The Life and Legacy of Dra. Minguita Padilla," directed by the talented and sought-after Rember Gellera.

https://youtu.be/4bWqDgzMc2U

https://www.facebook.com/DraMinguita

https://www.facebook.com/DraMinguita/posts/156561790045114

Macao Imperial Tea’s Unbreakable Commitment to bringing special café experience in every cup

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The COVID-19 pandemic has driven companies to reinvent their operations to effectively deal with the changing needs of their customers. For businesses in the food and beverages industry, undergoing a digital transformation has become instrumental to ensuring business continuity and resiliency at the advent of the so-called new normal.

The café chain Macao Imperial Tea proves how innovation played a significant role in keeping the business up and running during the onset of the pandemic.

With mobility restrictions in place, customers were unable to visit stores to purchase their favorite drinks. Thus, the business dared to develop innovative ways to accomplish its unbreakable commitment of bringing customers genuine, memorable, and special café experience.

Avin Ong, Fredley Group of Companies’ Founder and Chief Executive Officer

"With the pandemic happening, we have sought out different solutions to be more accessible despite shutting off. We started being more proactive with our digital efforts by establishing our online store, our e-store, and by partnering with our third-party aggregators, especially for the Macao Imperial team,” said Fredley Group of Companies’ Founder and CEO Avin Ong.

To support the company's online delivery services, the business needed a robust and reliable internet for the simultaneous reception of orders from their customers. They partnered with PLDT Enterprise for enterprise-grade connectivity solutions that could sustain the business' online operations.

"Part of our company’s vision is to always serve our customers better and we will be able to do that only if we stay connected with our customers. PLDT Enterprise serves as the link between the business and the customers because we were able to listen to their feedback, identify their needs and wants, and take the necessary actions,” said the executive.

PLDT Enterprise has been empowering businesses all over the country through cutting-edge enterprise technologies suited to support businesses in maximizing their business productivity and efficiency.

“We understand the need of our partners for a strong and reliable digital foundation that will allow them to be more agile, resilient, and be always connected to their employees and customers. As we endeavor to make an impact on every single business, we are committed to assisting organizations like Macao Imperial Tea as they work to continually serve their community, especially during these uncertain times,” said Jojo Gendrano, FVP & Head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise.

PLDT Enterprise launched its Unbreakable Commitment campaign to show how partnerships have assisted companies to thrive despite challenges and in turn, contributed to the lives of Filipinos.

Likewise, the campaign highlights PLDT Enterprise’s unbreakable commitment to empowering organizations through digital solutions that empower them in the ever-changing business environment.

“We appreciate that PLDT Enterprise was here to provide us good internet connection, to provide us quality service, and they were very reachable and proactive during this time, easily addressing the challenges we’ve had,” said Ong.

As one of the fastest-growing café chains, the brand has been committed to providing products that are readily available and accessible to customers.

For their casual dining brands, the executive shared that they conceptualized a service where they bring a complete dining experience in the comforts of their customers’ homes. They launched delivery services for an in-home yakiniku and hotpot feast through their Mitasu Grill-to-Go and Nabe On-the-Go set.

“Our dining brands are very experienced-focused and we wanted to make sure that we bring the full dining experience to the homes of our customers,” Ong added.

Despite the extraordinary times, Macao Imperial Tea upholds its unbreakable commitment to serve its customers with an enriching café experience through every cup they serve.

The pandemic may have caused difficulties to the business, but what’s certain is they will keep seeking ways to bring their best-tasting drinks to customers through innovation and digital technology.

Watch Macao Imperial Tea’s interview here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k_RBuLKkcg

For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com 

Local Products Fuel Business Growth and Empower Communities

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Winners of Shopee Celebrates Local campaign share how locally-made products impact the lives of other Filipinos

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, continues to support local sellers through the #TatakPinoy: Shopee Celebrates Local campaign. During the campaign, Shopee held a contest where users voted for their favorite among 12 Filipino sellers. Uniq.mnl, Chelssydresstaytay, and Mighty Clean emerged as the top three winners, where they not only exemplified excellence in their businesses but also supported the community by providing job opportunities amidst difficult times.

Sharing their success to empower others

Sisters Ira and Ireen Cruz have been in the garment industry for five years, but when the pandemic hit in March 2020, their business was greatly affected. Instead of cutting their losses and ceasing operations, the siblings decided to try selling online through Shopee. Their business flourished and they have been consistently hitting their sales targets. The shop’s significant growth also led to more employment opportunities for skilled Filipinos specializing in garments, a point of pride for the entrepreneurs.

Ira Cruz, Owner of Uniq.mnl, said, “It was such an honor to be part of the ‘Shopee Celebrates Local’ campaign. We are happy to be able to provide job opportunities to our community. It is the most rewarding experience of all and we are truly blessed with loyal staff. Since we started, we have grown the team from a handful to now over 50 staff members. We hope to pay it forward and be able to offer more jobs to help improve the livelihood of the people around us.”

In addition, they continue to encourage their team members, resellers, and other small business owners to explore and try out e-commerce and help others find a way to earn a living during this time.

Providing locally-made quality products for the Filipino household

Second runner-up Mighty Clean has been manufacturing household chemicals that fit the needs of every Filipino home since 2004. With a desire for continuous improvement through extensive research and development, Mighty Clean stays true to its promise of providing consumers with high-quality products at affordable prices.

Mico Cruz, Brand Manager at Mighty Clean, said, “We strive to create a difference in every Filipino’s household through high quality and value for money products. With Shopee’s support, we were able to grow and provide our customers with the kind of products and services that they deserve. ”

Like Uniq.mnl, Mighty Clean pivoted to e-commerce in March 2020– a move that allowed them to thrive as they reached even more customers nationwide. Through Shopee’s extensive seller support tools and initiatives, Mighty Clean is able to grow brand awareness through innovative ways, and attract more customers by giving them deals such as flash sales, vouchers, discount promotions, bundle deals, and many more.

Catering to the Filipina’s fashion needs

First runner-up Rochelle Estandarte started joining bazaars and night markets when she was still in college. Armed with her love for fashion and the help of her mother who has been in the industry for 20 years, she began her own clothing business in 2005.

Rochelle’s keen eye and ability to keep a pulse on Filipinas’ evolving fashion needs led to the growth of her sales and orders, as well as an increase in followers. After taking her business online in 2020, she was also able to hire more employees, giving other Filipinos an opportunity to earn and provide for their families amid the pandemic. She attributes her success to Shopee’s marketing tools, campaigns, and support from relationship managers who helped her and her team understand the industry easily.

Rochelle Estandarte, Owner of Chelssdresstaytay, said, “ We are very proud to market our locally-made apparel. We design our clothes with Filipinos in mind and are happy to say that our products are also well-loved by shoppers overseas as well. Since my mother has been in this business for the past 20 years, I picked up a few lessons on ladies’ fashion trends, allowing me to provide a wider variety of clothing pieces that Filipinas can enjoy wearing. We are also grateful for all the support we have received from Shopee and we strive to scale our business further on Shopee.”

These entrepreneurs are only three of the many MSMEs who found success and thrived on the e-commerce platform. At Shopee, sellers can leverage the extensive marketing tools, participate in monthly campaigns, and learn how to maximize the e-commerce landscape through proper guidance and support through the Shopee Seller Education Hub. For current and aspiring entrepreneurs looking to grow their business online, learn more about Getting Started on Shopee here.

VSTECS becomes the first Amazon Web Services Distributor in the Philippines

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VSTECS, Phils. Inc., a leading ICT distributor in the country, has joined the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Distribution Program in the Philippines as an AWS Distributor. 

VSTECS, Phils. Inc. will offer AWS’s portfolio of highly scalable and cost-effective cloud services to technology and system integration partners in the country, helping them access and use AWS capabilities, resell solutions, and expand customer reach, locally and globally.

The AWS Distribution Program enables AWS Partners to grow revenue opportunities by reselling AWS products and solutions. AWS Partners work with AWS Distributors to leverage their go-to-market support, offload billing and operations, receive funding benefits, and gain technical expertise.

Through the AWS Distribution Program, VSTECS Phils. Inc. will be able to guide and provide support to its partners on go-to-market strategies, customers’ cloud adoption journeys, gap analysis, cloud operating models, cloud business value, billing, and assistance, among other benefits. This support is expected to bring a new wave of cloud adoption among partners as they will learn how to effectively sell cloud solutions, understand the cloud billing process, and tap into needed resources to upskill or reskill their workforce. Customers can leverage VSTECS Phils. Inc. and its strong technical capabilities, along with the AWS services it provides, to scale their own businesses in a simple, flexible, and cost-effective way.

“Becoming an AWS Distributor is a great opportunity for us and our channel partners to use AWS cloud technologies and capabilities in architecting digital transformation journeys. Being part of the AWS Partner Network (APN) Program, we can provide our partners with access to a global knowledge base, consulting services, skillsets, and AWS expertise to guide customers on their cloud readiness, architect the appropriate migration strategy, maximize cloud investments, and most importantly grow their cloud business,“ says Jimmy D. Go, president and CEO, VSTECS, Phils. Inc.

The addition of AWS further expands VSTECS’ portfolio of cloud offerings to address private, public, and hybrid cloud requirements.

To learn more about AWS’s cloud offerings and accelerate your digital transformation journey, contact VSTECS Phils. Inc. at rsgonzales@msi-ecs.com.ph.

About VST-ECS

Ranked in the Top 100 companies in the country, VST-ECS Phils. Inc. offers an impressive breadth of offerings for mobility, retail, commercial and enterprise markets. Its wide spectrum of products and solutions include smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, virtual desktops solutions, printers, copiers, gadgets and accessories, gaming, power management, 3D printing, networking, software-defined network, network security, data back-up and protection, big data, hyper-converged infrastructure, software, commercial digital displays, I.P. surveillance, POS solutions, AIDC, document imaging, CAD and graphics, collaboration solutions, cloud computing, containers and micro-services, IoT, AI, Robot Process Automation, data center solutions and managed services, everything as a service, and training.

A member of the VST-ECS Group, one of the largest IT distributors in the region, VSTECS continues to partner with the leading brands in the industry to offer its channel partners best-in-class IT solutions.

Plastic pollution reaching Philippine waters equivalent to 14 Titanics. WWF’s three-year project with Grieg foundation, a Norwegian foundation, aims to reduce the waste by 50%.

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Plastic trash in the sea results in many problems for the environment, animals, and human settlements. A recent study found that there is a significant amount of plastic waste not adequately disposed of and end up polluting the environment. WWF-Philippines/Neal Roxas

Filipinos consume about 2.15 million tons of plastics in a year and from which 9% are recycled and 35% leaks into the open environment, according to a study conducted by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), in a project funded by Grieg Foundation.

That amount of total plastics is equivalent to the weight of 41 Titanics. And out of that total, 14 of those massive ships (35%) end up as plastic waste in the ocean every year. A key pathway in how plastic pollution ends up in oceans is through ports where there is a high level of activity and traffic.

“Plastics do not belong in our oceans. Sometimes we forget that we are part of a world that is a living breathing organism on which our own well-being and survival depend,” Katherine Custodio, WWF-Philippines Executive Director, said.

“There are three big important things we need to do together and at scale to truly address the problem of plastic pollution. First is to close the tap by reducing the amount of plastics we produce. Second is to close the loop by improving recycling, reuse, re-design and doing some very exciting innovative work looking at alternatives. Third is to stop plastic waste from leaking into the environment. We are very pleased to be working alongside partners such as the Grieg Foundation and Grieg Group of Companies in work that will contribute to end-changing impact for our country.” Custodio added.

WWF-Philippines has partnered with Grieg Foundation for a 3-year project that aims to reduce plastic wastes by 50% in three Philippine ports, namely Manila North Port, Port of Batangas, and Port of Cagayan de Oro, and to provide input to the national plan of action on marine litter. WWF also receives valuable input from the Grieg Group companies.

A key component of the partnership project called ‘Clean Ports, Clean Oceans: Improving Port Waste Management in the Philippines’ is the conduct of a Solid Waste Management Baseline Study in Philippine Ports which found that about 114,927 kg of plastic wastes are generated from ports and 128,970 kg of plastic wastes from vessels.

The study attributes the amount of plastic pollution to the waste leakage from ports that happens between collection and disposal - which is connected to the city waste management system. Ports, at least 552 in the country, are likely pathways for plastic waste going into the oceans.

With the national baseline study results, WWF-Philippines worked with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), terminal operators, communities, and concerned LGUs in determining project interventions.

WWF-Philippines’ baseline study recommends several measures to reduce plastic pollution at ports:

• Stricter implementation and review of plans, programs, policies, and law
• Better coordination and teamwork among stakeholders
• Better data management framework
• Installation of properly designed and fully functioning Materials Recovery Facilities
• Installation of trash traps at drainage outfalls when necessary
• Monitoring and utilization of plastic wastes
• IEC campaigns
• Standardization of waste bin color- coding scheme

“Marine litter is one of the fastest-growing environmental problems in the world and threatens biodiversity, ecosystems and livelihoods. In the Grieg Group, we have committed ourselves to be part of the solutions in restoring our oceans. We are happy to have partnered with WWF, trying our best to solve a critical challenge to life below water. Hopefully, we are able to create solutions that can be used in ports worldwide”, says Gry Larsen, Leader Sustainability and Public Affairs, Grieg Group

With this project, WWF-Philippines will identify and implement solutions with the concerned PPA - Port Management Offices (PMOs) in Manila North Port, Port of Batangas, and Port of Cagayan de Oro. The project looks to document these solutions so that other Philippine ports can adopt these solutions to stop plastic pollution.

About Grieg Foundation and the Grieg Group

Grieg Foundation is a Norwegian foundation established in Bergen by the Grieg family in 2002. For generations, the Grieg family has been conscious of leaving footprints, by giving back, by supporting humanitarian, social and cultural aspects of life. They are committed to improving the lives of future generations through the support of national and international projects and initiatives that create meaningful change for individuals and communities. To learn more about Grieg Foundation and the projects they support see www.griegfoundation.com

The Grieg Group derives from a long and proud maritime tradition, which began with Joachim Grieg’s shipbroking firm in Bergen in 1884. Today, the Grieg Group operates within shipping, logistics, maritime innovation, finance, shipbroking, seafood and finance. The Grieg Group is owned by the Grieg Family (75%) and the Grieg Foundation (25%). For more information about Grieg Group activities, see www.grieg.no

About WWF

WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in nearly 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF-Philippines has been working as a national organization of the WWF network since 1997 and implements various conservation projects to help protect some of the most biologically-significant ecosystems in Asia. WWF-Philippines works to improve Filipino lives by crafting solutions to climate change, providing sustainable livelihood programs, and conserving the country’s richest marine and land habitats.

To learn more about WWF and the Solid Waste Management Baseline Study in Philippine Ports, please visit: wwf.org.ph/what-we-do/plastics/cleanportscleanoceans/.