Elevate your Christmas feast with these Pinoy hams, Mekeni offers #TimplangAtin Christmas hams in four varieties

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The way Pinoys celebrate Christmas stands out from the rest of the world. Pre-pandemic, streets and homes are decked out with parols and twinkling lights and Christmas carols are blasting from every establishment’s speakers as early as September.

We also make it a point to have something special on the table for the family to partake as one of the highlights of Paskong Pinoy is Noche Buena; and usually, the star of this annual feast is Christmas Ham.

Mekeni Christmas Hams are available in five variants (L-R) – Gold Premium Ham, Deli Premium Ham, Piña Ham, Pear-Shaped Ham, and Brick Ham.

Our love for this handa is reflected by the variety of Christmas Hams available in the market—from the classic pineapple-flavored to smoky ham. When it comes to quality and delicious hams, Mekeni will make your celebration even more joyful and festive with its variety of family-favorite Christmas Hams.

Have a golden feast with Mekeni Gold Premium Ham

Smoky and aromatic hams are such a holiday classic. But while almost all store-bought hams are already smoked, Mekeni takes their premium ham a notch higher. Every piece has been soaked in a rare blend of exotic herbs and spices. This variety carries Mekeni’s gold standard in food manufacturing as it is made from the choicest pork cuts, so you are sure that each bite is super moist and juicy!

Stick to the tradition with Mekeni Deli Ham

There is something special about Mekeni’s no-frills, ready-to-eat, traditional deli ham. It’s succulent and tender, and every slice has just the right amount of marbling.

True to its name, the Mekeni Deli Ham is Deli-ciously good! This variety is aromatic and smoky, but it is more on the sweet side, it will make you want more. Kids and kids-at-heart will surely love a piece of Mekeni Deli Ham because of its traditional sweet-savory taste. This is the type of ham you will still want to eat with bread even after Christmas because of its bold flavor.

Pineapple is A-okay in Mekeni Piña Ham

If you are a fan of fruity hams, Mekeni’s Piña Ham is the ultimate #TimplangAtin ham that you could ever wish for! It has the right balance of smoky, sweet, and salty flavors. It is perfectly seasoned and glazed with a rich coating of pineapple sauce, making you finish your ham with so much gusto in no time.

Its zesty flavor makes Mekeni Piña Ham a real holiday treat. Its pineapple taste is not too overpowering so that you will feel like having more than just a slice.

Mekeni Pear-Shaped Ham

There is nothing more festive than a juicy ham for Noche Buena. But if you are on a budget, you can still make your holiday feast special with Mekeni’s Pear-Shaped Ham. This shaped ham is juicy, lean, and fits your budget. It is made from the choicest meat, cured with seasonings and spices that will tickle your Pinoy tastebuds. And although this one does not have that glazed or caramel crust that Pinoys adore, its succulent meat makes up for it.

Time to usher in the holidays and make it truly #TimplangAtin with these Mekeni Christmas Hams. 

These are available in wet markets nationwide, Mekeni Home2Home Delivery, and Mekeni Food Outlets.

Meralco Shifting To Eco-friendly Distribution Transformers

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With their goal for a greener and more sustainable Meralco, the power company will begin to retrofill existing transformers with natural ester oil.

The sweltering heat of recent months took its toll not only on the millions who live and work in Meralco’s sprawling franchise area but on power distribution equipment as well, resulting in some power interruptions during the summer. The sharp surge in consumption of residential customers due to work-from-home arrangements and community quarantine exacerbated the situation.

But that would gradually change and may eventually become a thing of the past as Meralco shifts to an environment-friendlier alternative to the mineral oil used as the insulating liquid for its distribution transformers.

Data studied by Meralco suggests that using natural ester oil as an insulating liquid allows for higher loading capacities of distribution transformers which is crucial during summer months when demand for electricity is higher. The plant-based oil has higher “fire point” of 360 degrees Celsius compared with 180 degrees Celsius for mineral oil, which will make distribution transformers less of a fire hazard. Data also showed ester oil could extend distribution transformers’ useful life.

Since natural ester oil comes from vegetables, it is also readily biodegradable—a quality that meets Meralco’s goal of going greener and pushing for sustainability.

Starting this year, the country’s largest power distributor with over seven million customers will retrofill with plant-based ester oil the fluid used to insulate existing distribution transformers.

Meralco plans to spend billions of pesos through 2030 to fill with ester oil more than 180,000 distribution transformers. The move would make these equipment run more efficiently, operate more safely, and be eco-friendly.

“Using natural ester oil as an insulating liquid in our distribution transformers instead of mineral oil will allow us to extend the life of this crucial equipment as well as do away with using mineral oil that is harder to dispose of,” said Ronnie L. Aperocho, Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks.

After his appointment as Meralco Chief Executive Officer in 2019, Atty. Ray C. Espinosa underscored that stewardship of the environment and sustainability are among the top priorities of the company that distributes electricity to an area that accounts for around half of the Philippines’ gross domestic product.

At this year’s stockholders meeting, Espinosa unveiled Meralco’s plan to source more electricity from renewables, revamp the company’s vehicle fleet to use more electric vehicles, and to use extensively plant-based oil for distribution transformers.

“Going forward, one hundred percent of our new distribution transformers will use plant-based natural ester oil, making these assets 99% recyclable and biodegradable,” he told shareholders.

Adele’s new album, 30 is out now!

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30, the new album from global superstar Adele is available everywhere. The highly anticipated album was preceded by the release of several tracks including lead single “Easy On Me,” which has commandeered the #1 position on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart since it was released four weeks ago. The single has also broken streaming, radio and chart records around the world. Adele also premiered three additional songs, “I Drink Wine,” “Hold On” and “Love Is A Game” during her recent Adele One Night Only TV special. The TV special was the most viewed entertainment program this year, drawing even a larger audience than The Oscars.

30 is being heralded by critics as Adele’s finest album to date. Rolling Stone exclaimed “Adele has never sounded more ferocious” in their 5-star review of the album. They went on to definitively say “30 is the Best Adele Album Yet.” Variety agreed and described 30 as “a richer, more compelling collection that feels like her best.” Clash called the album “a work of personal and artistic triumph,” and I-D noted “no one does it better.”

30 is produced with Greg Kurstin, Max Martin, Shellback, Tobias Jesso Jr, Inflo and Ludwig Göransson. 30 is available at all physical and digital retailers globally. In addition, exclusive configurations will be available at select retailers nationwide including a Target deluxe CD featuring three bonus tracks and a Walmart clear exclusive double vinyl. An Amazon white exclusive double vinyl will be available globally. 30 and lead single “Easy On Me” will also be offered on cassette, exclusive to Adele’s D2C store while supplies last. The album is available on all digital platforms.

Photo credit: Simon Emmett

Cover photo credit: Simon Emmett

"Masaya ang Pasko ng Bakunadong Pamilyang Pilipino": Medical, health experts upbeat on a healthier, safer Christmas for Filipinos this year

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In line with the National Vaccination Day, a webinar on the latest global trends on pediatric COVID vaccinations and how critical it is for minors to get themselves vaccinated for COVID-19 was held this Saturday morning, November 20.

Medical and health experts are optimistic that the country may enjoy a healthier, safer Christmas this year with an opportunity to get the whole family vaccinated in the upcoming 3-day National Vaccination Day on November 29-30 and December 1.

The Philippine Medical Association’s (PMA) campaign, themed “Masaya ang Pasko ng Bakunadong Pamilyang Pilipino," is in line with the government's drive to get 15 million more Filipinos inoculated during the three-day nationwide event.

Upper row, from L-R:   Business journalist Mimi Ong; Dr Lulu Bravo, Executive Director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination; and Dr. Maria Corazon Dumlao, Chief of the Department of Education’s Bureau of Learner Support Services – School Health Division.

Middle row, from L-R:  Dr Nina Gloriani, Chairperson of the Vaccine Expert Panel, Technical Working Group for COVID-19 Vaccines, Department of Science and Technology; Dr Benny Atienza, President of the Philippine Medical Association; and Enrique Gonzalez, Founder and Chairman of IPB/Family Vaccines Specialty Clinics.

Bottom row, from L-R:  Journalist and entrepreneur Niña Corpuz; Dr Eric Tayag, Director of the National Epidemiology Center, Department of Health; and Miguel Bermundo, Senior Manager of Sustainability and Social Responsibility, Globe Telecom.

With the long Christmas holiday’s tradition of gathering entire clans together, PMA President Dr. Benny Atienza remarked that their younger members should also receive protection against COVID-19. He expressed his “hope that children be vaccinated and we encourage parents, barangays, and LGUs to join us in our National Vaccination Day. Public and private entities are working as one to disseminate benefits of vaccination.”

Dr. Atienza added that vaccine hesitancy can be overcome by continuous dissemination of correct medical information to all demographics, young and old: “The PMA believes in teaching empowerment. We will continue implementing innovative activities that will raise standard health education among young children and their respective communities.”

Dr. Lulu Bravo, Executive Director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV), agreed about teaching children about vaccination at an early age because “they can lead us to the end of this pandemic.”  She further urged the adult members of society, especially the parents, to “be a hero, by saving your lives and your loved ones through vaccination.”

Reason for children vaccination

There are pressing if little-known, medical reasons to include children and teens in COVID-19 vaccination.  Although perceived as “more low risk, they can get very sick with COVID-19. They can also get short and long-term complications,” explained Dr. Nina G. Gloriani, Chairperson of the Vaccine Expert Panel, Technical Working Group for COVID-19 Vaccines, Department of Science and Technology. “Children can spread COVID-19 via droplets. We have to underscore the fact that unvaccinated children can be asymptomatic.”

Dr. Gloriani added that COVID-19 children vaccination had already started with those who have comorbidities, focusing first on the 16-17-year-olds, and then proceeding to the 12-to-14-year-old demographic. She also acknowledged that “almost 50% of the targeted Filipino individuals have received their first doses, 74 million doses in total. The more recent is 103 million jabs. The number of jabs a day is a million in the NCR. “

Dr. Eric Tayag, Director of the National Epidemiology Center in the Department of Health  (DOH), added that the vaccination of children should be ongoing, not just against COVID-19 but also “preventable diseases. We are having catch-up vaccinations on measles, diphtheria, and hemophilia. We protect the children when we vaccinate them.”

 National recovery

Enrique Gonzalez, Founder and Chairman of IPB/Family Vaccines Specialty Clinics (FVSC), affirmed that “Ensuring the safety of vaccines to children is of prime importance.”  He also pointed out that SinoVac, the vaccine his company distributes, is doing a global trial on children’s COVID-19 vaccination in several countries. The more agile regulators in nations like Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Chile have been using SinoVac  under the Emergency Use Agreement, acting “quickly in ensuring that kids are protected when they go back to school.”

Gonzalez gave another insight on the importance of quick mass vaccination, saying: “It is critical to helping the country recover and get back on its feet.  Vaccines prevent severe symptoms and hospitalization. It is important that the public continue to have access to vaccines so we can achieve and maintain herd immunity.” 

Prior to the pandemic, FVSC has been at the forefront of inoculation against infectious diseases to the marginalized, subsidizing 50,000 vaccinations for the rural poor across more than 18 provinces.

Accomplished journalist Niña Corpuz gave her perspective on vaccination as a mother of three kids.  Addressing the understandable fears of parents, she said that “webinars and access to experts and research show that there is no reason to be hesitant. If vaccines come out for younglings, I would be among the first to give vaccines to my children.”

Education vs. fake news

Finally, amidst the gradual reopening of onsite classes in the country, Dr. Maria Corazon C. Dumlao, Chief of the Department of Education’s Bureau of Learner Support Services – School Health Division, affirmed their support for “pediatric vaccinations against COVID-19. Immunization activities are being conducted with learners continue during the pandemic.”  Other initiatives include allowing schools to become vaccination sites and coming up with strategies related to vaccination campaigns.

Miguel Bermundo, Senior Manager of Sustainability and Social Responsibility of Globe Telecom, agreed that education and fighting vaccine disinformation are vital to increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake.  Through their many platforms, programs, and partnerships with groups like the UNICEF, "we use our digital resources and network to fight harm against kids online and the proliferation of fake news.”

As the National Vaccination Day approaches, Dr. Bravo exhorted the public to be well-informed and join a health advocacy which can provide a better life for themselves and their families: “We should prepare for a pandemic preparedness plan---this will not be the last. We should value experts' opinions. Be a vaccine advocate, someone who can lead us to restore vaccine confidence and fight vaccine hesitancy.”

 

ePLDT, MPower partner for its largest renewable energy supply in PH data centers

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(Manila, Philippines) ePLDT furthers its commitment to sustainability as it partners with MPower—the local retail electricity supply arm of Meralco—for its largest allocation of both contracted power and renewable energy supply that will sustain the group’s data centers in the country.

ePLDT’s collaboration with MPower was first announced during the launch of the Philippine Board of Investments’ Make It Happen in the Philippines Campaign where public and private institutions teamed up to promote the Philippines as the next hyperscaler destination in Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific region.

The two companies aim to raise the digital and power infrastructure of the Philippines to the standards sought by global hyperscalers looking to expand their operations in the country. Through the partnership, MPower’s renewable energy supply will help decarbonize ePLDT’s VITRO data centers in line with the PLDT group’s sustainability roadmap and in support of the carbon neutrality commitments of hyperscaler companies.

Senior Vice President and Head Roberto Almazora said that sustainability is one of MPower’s top priorities, and in line with Meralco’s sustainability agenda, they target to provide a just, orderly and affordable transition towards renewable energy.

“We're in full support of the government’s aspiration to hit the 50-percent RE energy mix by 2040. We strongly agree, but we would like to ensure that there is an orderly and cost-efficient transition towards clean energy… As One Meralco, we're looking at securing about 1,500 megawatts or more from the RE space in the next five to seven years. We are also in support of the development of greenfield plants, in alignment with the national sustainability agenda to replace old and unsustainable energy sources.” said Almazora during the exclusive CEO Roundtable Discussion of PLDT Enterprise’s Philippine Digital Convention 2021.

ePLDT and MPower recently formalized their partnership in a virtual ceremony to progress ePLDT’s bid to source the power of its data center facilities from RE. Incorporating RE in the energy mix of ePLDT VITRO Data Centers is part of its strategic roadmap which involves putting sustainability at the core of its design and operations.

Jovy I. Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise and International Business Groups, said that ePLDT is firm in its move towards sustainability and reducing carbon emissions in its data centers through the use of clean energy.

“As the largest data center network service provider in the country, we recognize our crucial role in keeping our operations sustainable and the positive impact that this transformation will bring to the Philippines in general. This initiative is in line with the PLDT Group’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) where sustainability is one of the key fulcrums,” Hernandez said.

“We are glad to formally establish this partnership with MPower as we pave the path to using renewable energy in our VITRO Data Centers. ePLDT recognizes the existing environmental emergency, and we thank MPower for their support as we work for this vision,” Hernandez added.

MPower will provide Renewable Energy for a significant portion of the total consumption for each of ePLDT’s VITRO data center, which is the largest RE supply they will provide to a commercial data center operator and will be sourced from MPower’s greenfield RE plants.

The RE transition is expected to reduce greenhouse and carbon emissions in the data centers by up to 20 percent—which translates to about 924,000 tree seedlings grown for 10 years according to the Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator of epa.gov.

The use of RE supply will initially be rolled out in six VITRO Data Centers, while the other four will later on advance as part of ePLDT’s sustainability workplan.

“Aside from providing superior network and infrastructure services, it is also important for us at PLDT Enterprise to operate our facilities efficiently and sustainably. Through the use of RE, we will be able to decarbonize our data centers and at the same time support the sustainability commitments of both local enterprises and the global hyperscaler market,” said Jojo Gendrano, First Vice President and Head of PLDT Enterprise Core Business Solutions.

MPower is the most trusted Retail Electricity Supplier in the Competitive Retail Electricity Market, holding a 30% market share nationwide. It offers customized energy solutions to meet the needs of Contestable Customers with an average demand of at least 500 kW for the past 12 months, resulting in significant cost savings.

Recently, the PLDT Group and Meralco subsidiaries namely MServ and Spectrum announced its collaboration for new energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives that promote responsible energy use and reduction of carbon footprint.

To learn more, visit epldt.com