New and endless adventures await you at the Kamia Bay Resort

Palawan is often called the Philippines' Last Frontier. It is an archipelagic province in the country located in the region of MIMAROPA. It is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction and is one of the most sought-after attractions for both local and international tourists for its beautiful mountains in lush forest and pristine clear water.

The pristine seawater surrounding Palawan is amazingly rich in natural resources. The corals are visible even from up above the sky. 

Palawan is indeed a place bounty in nature which is why every summer, a lot of tourists from here and abroad flock to the place to witness its beauty and enjoy numerous activities that can be enjoyed within the province.

If you are a first time tourist in Palawan, what you have in mind might initially be Puerto Princesa's Underground River, Calauit's Safari Park, scuba diving in Coron, the Matinloc Shrine and the whale sharks in Honda Bay. But do you know there's a better way to enjoy Palawan, specifically Puerto Princesa?

The airport itself is a manifestation of a bountiful nature in Palawan, lush green all around the place.

At the Kamia Bay in Binunsalian, Puerto Princesa - there's this huge water park, around 4,000 square meters in area; offering endless fun and challenging activities for both young and old. It's called Aqua Play Parks - a floating playground featuring the biggest and the wildest inflatables not just in the country but Asia, as well.

Kamia Bay Resort is a place surrounded by large mangroves. The place was formerly a plain aquatic area where the wide variety of fish species breed. The area is actually not suitable for inexperienced tourists because the water then was too deep. Until the owner decided to dump the place to make it a little bit shallow so it becomes more inviting to tourists. Now Kamia Bay is home to this fun and challenging inflatable waterpark which features obstacles, large volleyball pad, huge water slides and more apparatus that tests one's fitness, agility and stamina.

How to get to Kamia Bay 
Kamia Bay Resort is 30 to 45 minutes away from the city proper of Puerto Princesa. For easy access, try to avail a pass from the resort, that includes a shuttle to and from Kamia. 
Contact details : 0917 543 5770

Kamia Bay Resort ticket prices:
Rates are applicable for ages 7 years old and above , for tickets and packages you must pre-booked at Amika Travel & Tours main office in Puerto Princesa to earn savings.

One of the two giant Slidezillas, this one is the higher one, standing 40ft tall

► AQUA PLAY - PHP 788.00 / person

Inclusions:
- 1 hr. pass in Aquapark
- Eco tour
- Use of non-motorized activities
-Buffet lunch
► AQUA PLAY UNLIMITED - PHP 1,488 / person
Inclusions:
- UNLIMITED pass in Aquapark
- Eco tour
- Use of non-motorized activities
-Buffet lunch

► AQUA ADVENTURE - PHP 1,188.00 / person
Inclusions:
- 1 hr. pass in Aquapark
- Eco tour
- Use of non-motorized activities
-Buffet lunch
-Round-trip Transfer

► AQUA ADVENTURE UNLIMITED - PHP 1,788 / person
- UNLIMITED pass in Aquapark
- Eco tour
- Use of non-motorized activities
-Buffet lunch
-Round-trip Transfer

► For guest who wanted to avail for BUFFET LUNCH ONLY
PHP 588/ PERSON (adult rate)
PHP 399/ PERSON (kids rate)

Reminders to everyone who would like to try the water park:
- You must be between 7 yrs. old to 60 yrs. old.

- Persons with congenital heart disease, hypertension and other serious illness is discourage from participating the adventure.
- Pregnant women are not allowed in the park.
- Persons with mobility issues as in the following & including back, knee, hip & joint problem cannot participate as well.

Additional reminders:
- Bringing of food & drinks are not allowed inside the park.

Safety reminders:
- Always wear your life vest while inside the water park.
- Avoid wearing any kind of accessories - ring, earing, bracelet and the likes. Remove any sharp or hard objects from the body before playing.

Any adventure is greater when paired with sumptuous meals. At the Kamia Bay Resort, you need not worry because they will prepare hearty dishes for you to enjoy after a tiring yet fun play at the floating playground.

 To make the most out of your Kamia day tour, you can have an eco-tour at the Binunsalian Bay and see the awe-inspiring rock formations and magnificent mangroves all over the place. You may also enjoy mountain biking, island hopping, jetskiing, paddling and more.

Kamia Bay Resort is open from 9am till 4pm daily.

For more details, visit Aqua Play parks Group at http://aquaplayparks.com/index.html.

Vivo X21 is an eyecatcher at the Mobile Fest 2018

At the recently held SM Cyberzone’s Mobile Fest 2018, global smartphone brand Vivo has made a good impression on tech enthusiasts.

To explain all the goods on Vivo’s latest flagship smartphone—the X21, the brand tapped respected tech experts Mark Macanas of TechPinas and Alora Uy Guerrero of Revu. They discussed Vivo X21’s unlocking technologies, dual rear camera, AI Selfie Camera, AI Game Mode, Hi-Fi, performance, and design.

Alora Uy Guerrero of Revu and Mark Macanas of TechPinas had nothing but praises for Vivo X21 

Macanas and Guerrero mentioned that there are two ways to unlock the Vivo X21, through the Face ID Access with Infrared that accurately identifies a user’s facial features even in nighttime and the In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology that replaces the rear fingerprint sensor. Vivo is the industry pioneer of In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology.

Aside from pioneering features, the pair also talked about Vivo X21’s photography-related specs. The 12 megapixel+5MP dual rear camera and the 12MP front camera with Dual Pixel Sensor. These impressive hardware specs are even boosted by the X21’s AI features like the AI Face Beauty and AI HDR.

SM Cyberzone's Mobile Fest is open until July 29, 2018

In terms of performance, the Vivo X21 proved to be a hard worker, said Macanas and Guerrero. After all, the X21 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660AIE chip that can process complex AI and neural computing. It has a 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM to improve the speed of launching, loading, and switching including large and complex mobile games.

To complement all these, Vivo X21 has a 6.28-inch 19:9 FHD+ FullView™ Display with a 90.3% screen-to-body ratio for every user’s viewing pleasure.

Moreover, Guerrero, a music-lover, even praised Vivo for continuing its Hi-Fi legacy in the X21. The smartphone is equipped with Deep Field technology, which was developed by Vivo to provide panoramic surround, mega bass, clear voice effects and various environmental audio effects, allowing users to customize their audio experience.

The Vivo booth at the Mobile Fest 2018

Vivo is one of the key brands that participated in the Mobile Fest 2018.
The Vivo booth will be at the Mobile Fest until July 29 in SM City North EDSA.


About Vivo

A global smartphone brand focused on introducing perfect sound quality and ultimate photography with cutting-edge technology, Vivo develops innovative and stylish products for young people. We now have over two hundred million users and are one of the preferred brands of young people around the world. As an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™, Vivo believes in the importance of encouraging young people to embrace self-expression and an energetic lifestyle. In the Philippines, Vivo is the top 3 smartphone brand in terms of market share with 1.5 million users nationwide.

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/vivophil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivo_philippines/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts.

Taiwan Excellence Basketball Camp fuels Pinoy court skills and Taiwanese innovation

Combining the Filipino passion for basketball and the Taiwanese drive for innovation, the first-ever Taiwan Excellence Basketball Camp recently filled the Mall of Asia Music Hall with an intense 3-on-3 Hoop Challenge, top-notch innovations from Taiwan Excellence, and PBA stars.

JC Intal, Director Chen & Doug Kramer

A partnership between Taiwan Excellence and legendary PBA star Coach Eric Altamirano, the two-day Camp aimed to promote sportsmanship as it brought together some of the Metro’s most promising basketball players while highlighting the incredible products awarded with the Taiwan Excellence Seal.

“Taiwan Excellence Basketball Camp is an exemplary showcase of excellence from both countries: the fighting spirit of the Filipinos further empowered by the products of Taiwan,” said Alfred Wang, Director of the Economic Division of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO).

With its aim of promoting the leading products, Taiwan Excellence shares to the world a variety of truly innovative brands. Initiated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), Taiwan, R.O.C., in 1992, the symbol of Taiwan Excellence is continuously recognized by 102 countries.

The symbol of Taiwan Excellence, according to Wang, honors Taiwan’s most innovative products “that provide tremendous value to users worldwide.” Each product has been selected for a specific Taiwan Excellence Award based on their excellence in the following categories: design, quality, marketing, Taiwanese R&D, and manufacturing.

3-on-3 Hoop Challenge; players in action

Boasting participation of 192 amateur Pinoy ballers, the Camp put their skills to the test in a rigorous 3-on-3 matches while 3 PBA stars are on the sidelines showing support.

Alongside Coach E of Alaska Aces, local court heroes JC Intal and Doug Kramer of Phoenix Fuel Masters also gave their support to the budding ballers.

Also integral to the whole Taiwan Excellence Basketball Camp set up is the Taiwan Excellence Experience Zone which exhibits the top-of-the-line products of Taiwan.

With products from tech giant Asus, fitness company Johnson, and bike manufacturer Tern, among others, the Taiwan Excellence Zone got everyone up close and personal with impressive products championed by Taiwan.

Wang hopes these superior products from Taiwan will boost the way of life and strengthen the love of Filipinos for basketball and sports in general.

Participants during the event held at the Mall of Asia

“They did a great job in showcasing the best products that Taiwan can offer. The quality can go head to head with other global brands,” said Christian Ramos, one of the players for the Camp.

Meanwhile, the two celebrity players look forward to using the products themselves.

“I am really excited about the bikes from Tern. They make biking and going around the city a much more fun experience,” said Intal.

As for Kramer, he has his sights on the Paper Shoot, compact digital cameras with cases made out of eco-friendly paper.

“I really feel that the whole family will fall in love with it. It is so simple and sophisticated, I know my kids will love using Paper Shoot.” Kramer said.

For updates about Taiwan Excellence, visit their website https://www.taiwanexcellence.org/ph and follow their Facebook page at facebook.com/TaiwanExcellence.ph.

earAccess hearing aids to be available in the Philippines

Canadian social enterprise makes high quality hearing aids accessible to Filipinos.

Not too many Filipinos are knowledgeable when it comes to detecting possible hearing problems. And even if they are, devices that provide immediate solutions like hearing aids may be out of their reach because of the prohibitive prices.

But it will soon be a thing of the past as Canadian social enterprise earAccess, Inc. makes its high quality yet affordable hearing aids available in the Philippines. The company partnered with FINE Nutrition Trading International, a company known for its various health and well-being products, who will serve as the exclusive local distributor of earAccess hearing aids in the country.

earAccess hearing aids will be formally launched this month, and they will be available initially at select Watsons stores.

Thanks to ACCESS® 1 and ACCESS® 2 hearing aid models being launched, more Filipinos will now have access to high quality, durable and more importantly affordable, hearing aids. Currently, hearing aids are out of reach to many hearing-impaired Filipinos because they are expensive. The high price tag for hearing aids thus acted as a barrier for those with hearing impairment to get the access and relief that hearing aids provide. earAccess will change all of that.

“Indeed, hearing aids are very pricey so we changed the low-volume, high-margin status quo to a high-volume, lower margin model since hearing aids, although sold mostly at high prices, cost relatively little to make. With our ACCESS® brand of hearing aids, we were able to combine quality and low price to make them truly affordable,” declares Audra Renyi, Chief Executive Officer of earAccess, Inc.

In the Philippines, Filipinos with hearing impairment are about 17%, of the population based on the last National Registry done by the Department of Health (DOH) back in 1997.

Better Hearing Philippines, a non-government organization that assists the government in helping prevent hearing loss, conducted a nationwide survey on hearing disability and ear disorders in 2005. It estimated the prevalence of hearing disability at 8.8%, with hearing impairment, including mild forms of hearing loss, at 28%. The Philippine National Ear Institute, meanwhile, reported that “at least eight profoundly hearing deaf babies are born every day in the country, which is about one deaf baby born every 3 hours.”

Renyi said over 1 billion people worldwide suffer from hearing loss, and most live in developing countries and would need hearing aids. However, almost none of them can afford hearing aids so she decided to launch earAccess after her work at World Wide Hearing, a non-profit organization that works to provide hearings aids in underserved communities globally.

“With earAccess, our social mission is to create a financially sustainable way of reaching millions of people around the world who need hearing aids through our advocacy of ‘Come, Save, and Hear.’ We believe that if you cannot hear, you are cut off from your world, so we want to help you acquire hearing aids and reconnect with family and friends” Renyi adds.

To know more about earAccess and its ACCESS® 1 and ACCESS® 2 hearing aids, like the earAccess Facebook page,www.facebook.com/earaccessph or visit https://earaccess.com.

Olay’s #FearlessAtAnyAge Campaign empowers women to break free from unfair age-pectations

A survey conducted by Olay Philippines has uncovered that Filipinas are often burdened by the expectations that society puts on them whether they are in their late 20s, 30s or even 40s. These expectations range widely from what she should be doing to who she should be.

These unfair “age-pectations” about their behavior, career and marital status that come with negative comments about their looks, leave Filipinas feeling constantly judged and labeled based on their age.

Among the key findings of the survey is that 69% of women aged 30-39 years old are afraid of the expectations they know will come with aging. About 91% of Filipinas between the same age bracket also receive mean and negative comments about their age.

Another finding is that 83% of Filipinas are pressured to get married by the time they are in their thirties while 93% of them also feel the pressure of being financially independent by their thirties as well.

Genuinely knowing the strain these expectations can bring at every point in their lives, Olay is encouraging women to live their lives in their own terms, no matter their age through its new campaign #FearlessAtAnyAge. With the campaign, Olay wants women to know that no unfair expectation and no age label can limit them or stand in the way of who they want to be or what they want to do.

“I can personally identify with the challenges that many women face on their own personal journeys”, says Chandana Sunder, Olay Philippines Country Leader at Procter & Gamble. “We want women to realize that age is just a number and should not dictate what they can and cannot do. At Olay, we want to encourage women to live life fearless of ageing and any societal expectations that come with it, to not feel restricted by what’s expected of them at a certain age, or limited by what is deemed right ‘at your age’.”

The #FearlessAtAnyAge campaign video entitled 30! So What? captures the life lessons of being fearless by a woman on the brink of a major change in her life at a time when everyone around her expects her to have an established career. Despite the expectations of those around her, the heroine in the video defies all odds and pursues her dreams.

Watch the video on Youtube and learn what it means to be #FearlessAtAnyAge. Olay is committed to encouraging women to overcome these societal expectations and live their life regardless of their age. Join the Olay movement today by sharing the video and your own personal story on social media with the hashtags #FearlessAtAnyAge and #Olay to let other women know that age really is just a number.

Making Fabulous Meals and Creating Fond Memories with my Trusted Peanut Butter Brand

Peanut butter has been an important part of my childhood. Being a "probinsyana" peanut butter is the most popular spread we have in our household and the most delicious spread I knew when I was just a kid.

Every merienda or almusal is special whenever there is a cup or a bottle of peanut butter on our
table. This spread has made a lot of happy memories of me and my Nanay because it is the favorite spread we used to share from morning until nighttime. Whether a homemade peanut butter or the one bought in-store, that would make us more than satisfied.

Why did my mother and I prefer peanut butter over any other types of spread? She had always told me that peanuts are food for the brain and it will help me be smarter in school and peanut butter is, of course, has that benefit too. Yes, Nanay was right since research shows that peanut butter contains brain-boosting vitamins and minerals to keep one's memory sharp. It also contains protein, dietary fiber, potassium and iron, which makes for a healthy go-to food for the family.

Whenever Nanay couldn't do a homemade peanut butter, she would always go for Lily's brand because it has the same goodness and quality as the one she used to make. Unlike any other brand, it is not too oily and it tastes natural. It also has the right consistency and creaminess from the first scoop down to the last.

When I became a Mom, Nanay was no longer beside me ( she happily joined Our Creator when I was just 19) but I kept all those happy memories including the ones we shared together with the peanut butter. As a mother, I am just like her but a little tech-savvy, hands-on and into healthy lifestyles. I also want my kids to grow smart and healthy so the first spread I introduced them was peanut butter, like my Nanay told so. Surprisingly, all my three kids love peanut butter, too; and since then, it became part of our weekly grocery list.

I have never trusted any other brand so I would always go for Lily's and I wouldn't look for any other brand especially now that Lily's is no longer just the sweet peanut spread that we've come to love but a versatile kitchen staple that can transform ordinary fare into dishes that are exciting, delicious, and nutritious.

With the rise of Internet and tech-based devices, millennial moms have more access to a wide variety of information such as innovative recipes and different research about health. Hence, they have better appreciation for Lily's Peanut Butter. They have rediscovered the product, seeing it as more than a snack and breakfast option but also as a healthy food ideal for making cookies, savory dishes, peanut-based dips, homemade ice cream, smoothies and weight-loss snacks.

Made from carefully selected premium peanuts, Lily's Crunchy Peanut Butter is 100% natural and free from harmful additives. In fact, the oil that pools on top of a newly-opened jar of Lily's is evidence that the product is free from chemicals, emulsifiers or stabilizers. Only natural sugar and iodized salt are added to the main ingredient to create that wonderfully creamy and sweet peanut spread that Filipinos love.

First introduced to Filipino cupboards in the 1950's, Lily's started as a homemade product and grew into a national household brand that adheres to the International Standards in Food Manufacturing. At first, Lily's has expanded its market and delivers its quality food products to Filipinos around the globe. Lily's has spawned an array of variants to cater to the evolving tastes of its consumers. Lily's Coco Jam is made from fresh cocont milk and brown sugar slow-cooked the traditional way. This delicacy is perfect as a bread filling, topping for native cakes or simply straight-from-the-jar snacking.

The chocolate spread fad paved the way for Lily's Chocolate Peanut Butter, which combines the indulgence oof chocolate with good old Lily's classic peanut butter. High-quality peanuts, natural sugar, and cocoa powder were combines to produce this all-new premium spread.

Then there was a clamor for some extra crunch so the company came out with Lily's Peanut Butter Crunchy. It has real peanut bits for that unique texture.

Meanwhile, Lily's Peanut Spread Lite was rolled out to cater to diet-conscious consumers and to those who are experiencing health issues. Sweetened with all-naturalized-calorie Stevia extract, Lily's Peanut Spread Lite lets consumers enjoy the sweet goodness of Lily's peanut butter sans the guilt.

Indeed, Lily's brand has come a long way. Yet it remains true to its heritage as a healthy, natural peanut butter brand that serves as the modern Mom's ally in creating fabulous meals and memories for Filipino families.

Generations through generations, Lily's will surely continue to delight every family's meal time and will continue to be a part of every family's moments of bonding and togetherness.

Cancer Game Plan PH launched; aims for a stronger supportive care systems for patients

Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2012, there were 14.1 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths worldwide and the number of new cancer cases per year is expected to rise to 23.6 million by 2030.

In the Philippines, it is the 3rd leading cause of death wherein 7 adults and 8 kids die everyday because of the disease. This statistics that was gathered in 2017 is alarming because, despite the effort of NGO's and a few government institutions to raise the awareness about the disease, the number of cases still increases each year. 

The cost of cancer treatment is a recurring challenge for both patients and caregivers. As therapies have significant costs attached to them, the imperative then is on policymakers and leaders to provide better support systems that make access more affordable - especially to those who most need it. 

Cancer Game Plan Ambassadors (L to R) : Mr. Danny Dimabuyu, Ms. Susan Africa and Dr. Gia Sison doing the ceremonial gesture

As a firm response to the growing threat and impact of cancer to Filipino patients, a multi-stakeholder gathering was held to publicly launch Cancer Game Plan PH. It is a movement and an advocacy that aims to help arm patients with the necessary resources for them to effectively fight the dreaded disease.

Pillars of the advocacy include the promotion of early detection through testing, the building of solid support systems that address patient needs from the onset, as well as increasing access to treatments which oftentimes cannot be availed due to their costly nature.

An expanded plan stemming from last year's Hope from Within campaign, the Cancer Game Plan PH is geared to systematically change the face of disease care -  highlighting existing targeted therapies and breakthrough new treatments - such as immunotherapy - that address a greater body of cancers, effectively helping many patients in their journey to be better. 

Cancer Game Plan PH expands this scope, in particular, to include in addition to lung cancer : melanoma, head and neck, gastric, bladder, and Hodgkin lymphoma types of cancers.

Representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO), Philippines Society of Medical Oncologists (PSMO), Sunlife Insurance Corporation, and Cancer Coalition of the Philippines (CCP), together with the newly -introduced Cancer Game Plan PH influencers, provided a diverse set of clear perspectives on the advocacy and the plan.

Influencers (L to R) Diego Castro, Susan Africa, Dr. Meredith garcia, Dr. Gia Sison and Danny Dimabuyu with Ms. Fatima Lorenzo, President of PAPO (2nd fr left)

The following are the Cancer Game Plan PH influencers who shared personal stories that put a fiercer spotlight on the importance of a proper and reliable support system in the cancer patient journey. They were also appointed as official members of PAPO who now form part of the movement to proactively fight cancer. They committed to lend their voices and credibility to drive discussions that will lead to concrete actions.

Diego Castro, who also served as moderator for the event; is a longtime lung cancer ambassador and a face of the Hope from Within : Test, Talk, Take Action campaign.

Susan Africa, television personality and wife to the late veteran actor Spanky Manikan; shared the pain and challenges their family went through while her husband was battling with cancer - financial, emotional, psychological and physical. 

Louie Sangalang, a Filipino marathoner and a cancer survivor for 19 years now; was diagnosed with a cancer of the appendix when he was 21. Instead of feeling down, he battled cancer with positivity by living a healthy and active life. He perfectly embodies the Filipino spirit as he continues to overcome life's adversaries.

Mr. Danny Dimabuyu, a melanoma survivor was a previous face of the Hope from Within Campaign. He has shared his experience in battling cancer on various occasions, highlighting in particular how he was able to benefit from immunotherapy through the assistance of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Dr. Gia Sison, Occupational Medicine specialist and breast cancer survivor; is also a blogger. She blogs about her personal views about life, love, and happiness thru Sand and Stone blog. She also left this words of wisdom -  "In every battle you face, realize that there is always hope. I won't forever beat the disease but I will always cherish the lessons."

Dr. Meredith Garcia, a medical oncologist and Kaalaman at Katotohanan tungkol sa Kanser (KKK) Facebook community founder was also introduced as one of the influencers.

Dr. Clarito Cairo, Cancer Program Manager of the DOH and a staunch advocate in the fight against cancer gave his expert overview and analysis on the burden of cancer in the Philippines and how the government has been seeking better alternatives to give better support to patients. He referenced the plans in the DOH cancer road map, which include broader coverage of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation's (PhilHealth) Z Benefit package.

President of PAPO, Fatima "Girlie" Lorenzo, shared and elaborated on the stages of the patient journey in the context of cancer care. Ms. Lorenzo provided a clear grounding of the situation, painstakingly going through each emotion, consideration, and burden that the patient experiences during the whole process - thereby stressing the urgent need for a "cancer game plan" that would address these factors effectively and sustainably.

Dr. Herdee Luna, Multimedia Commitee Associate of PSMO and Ms. Lorenzo reiterated the vital significance of empowering cancer patients -  giving them real options and solutions, through collaborative actions and initiatives.

Lirio Torres, Head of the Accident and Health Group of Sun Life Insurance built on this portion of the discussion by sharing and explaining the benefits of acquiring health insurance packages that may help individuals and families prepare for the unforeseen effects of the disease - making them more secured in their journey.

To cover existing movements and initiatives that aim to improve care and services for cancer patients, Paul Perez of the Cancer Coalition of the Philippines provided updates on the cancer bill, a body of work that proposes an integrated, multi-disciplinary, nationwide cancer control and management program. The program is intended to enhance the response capacity for all types of cancers, to provide high-quality, adequately sourced medicines and services for patients and their families.

As a further testament to the advocacy, Allan Ancheta, Oncology Business Unit Lead of MSD in the Philippines, announced the formal launch of the Cancer Game Plan PH social media platforms to encourage more stakeholders to be involved in the cause. The gathering was capped off with a ceremonial gesture to emphasize the deepened and expanded commitment to fight cancer, in the mission to save more lives.

Ambassadors, influencers, and advocates of Cancer Game Plan PH

For more information visit the following pages:

https://www.facebook.com/Hopefromwithinph/
http://www.hopefromwithin.org/
https://www.facebook.com/DrMeredithGarcia/

Sun Life Financial and The Spark Project announce the winners for Brighter World Builder Challenge

It is always enlightening and inspiring everytime we see big companies or organizations recognize the work and advocacies of small groups to help the local communities. In the Philippines where more or less 20 million people or 20% are below the poverty line, groups' initiative to raise awareness about financial literacy can make a big difference.

Sun Life Financial - Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) is one of those big names in the industry which constantly helps alleviate or reduce poverty among the Filipino people. In partnership with The Spark Project, Sun Life Foundation recently announced the winners of its Brighter World Builder Challenge. The program was launched to search for, fund, and accelerate financial literacy initiatives, in celebration of Sun Life Foundation’s 10th anniversary.

Out of a total of 49 applications, 20 entries were chosen to undergo a Social Impact Boot Camp spearheaded by The Spark Project where applicants were given pointers on how to prepare for their final pitch, which they presented to a distinguished panel of judges.

From the final pitch, 10 lucky entries were selected:

Bin Stalk – A program designed by Domyson Dulay Abuan for the community of Malaban that combines learnings on financial literacy and waste management;

Budget Squad Manila – A social enterprise focused on teaching good money management skills and financial literacy through creatively designed personal finance tools;

EmpoWomen PH – A non-profit organization that aims to help displaced women and families in Marawi City through sustainable sources of income;

FLOW Inc. – Stands for Financial and Life Opportunities for Women and focuses on giving practical education in finance for marginalized and average social class women;

Kids Who Save (KHuSA) – Game-based learning designed to simplify the concept of financial literacy for young kids; 

Young Savers: Experiential Learning to Financial Literacy – At the Mano Amiga Academy, children from the lower end of the socio economic ladder are taught the value of financial responsibility through project-based learning;

Change for a Life – A campaign created to help lower income families manage their finances to fit their expenses and save money;

Children of Sugar Cane Farmers in Bacolod – A program designed to teach children of sugar cane farmers about the opportunities open to them to uplift their family’s lives;

COINscious JUAN – A savings app created to promote the importance of being conscious of one’s spending habits, and;

Pitaka ko:’ A Learning & Savings Journal for Kids – An interactive and creative learning and savings journal for kids ages eight to 15 designed by Roxanne Navarro.


The top 10 winners will receive a Php 100,000 grant they can use in the implementation of their projects and programs as well as crowdfunding support from The Spark Project.

“One of the core pillars of Sun Life Foundation is education, and the Brighter World Builder Challenge was launched because we wanted to give recognition to individuals and groups who have programs in place that teach Filipinos about the importance of financial literacy,” said Alex Narciso, President of Sun Life Foundation.

“Our 10 winners have indeed shown that is through creativity and innovation that we are able to encourage Filipinos to be more financially savvy and to become more financially secure,” he added.


About Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial Inc. is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2018, Sun Life Financial had total assets under management of $979 billion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Carbs during pregnancy —Yay or Nay?

Do you know that a pregnant woman needs to consume about 300 more calories per day for the next nine months? After all, a pregnant woman is going through big changes and will need a full dose of nutrients to help with her baby’s growth and development.

However, when it comes to this topic, most, if not all, still have this question: do I need carbs to keep me and my baby healthy?

As one of the most delicate time in your life, you can’t just eat everything you want. But studies shows that carbohydrates should remain in your diet. Despite gaining a bad reputation, thanks to the popularity of low-carb diets in recent years, this nutrient remains a big source of energy.

Starchy foods such as potatoes, rice, pasta, and bread are good sources of vitamins and fiber, which can help provide you the energy to support your baby during pregnancy. Many of such foods also provide other important nutrients for his or her development, including calcium, iron, and B vitamins.

But of course, eating carbs is not enough. According Ms. Mary Jude “Jong” Icasiano, a Wyeth nutritionist, you should also follow some good eating habits so that your baby gets the best start in life.

Ms. Icasiano noted three of these habits below:

Get yourself some good fats. When you are pregnant, having too many fatty foods is a big no. But, your body still needs a certain amount of fat (just make sure that it is the good kind). Fats play important role in providing energy and nutrient absorption. This is since many vitamins are “fat-soluble”, which means that your body needs fat to use them. Vitamins such as A, D, E, and K are all fat soluble and are vital to fetal development.

Try cutting down on saturated fats like butter, cheese, cakes, and sweets, and instead, start including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in nuts, avocados, plant-based oils, and types of fish like salmon and tuna.

Polyunsaturated fats are rich in omega-3s to help develop and sustain the health of your baby's heart, immune system, brain, eyes and more, while monounsaturated fats are a good source of folic acid, which helps protect your baby against birth defects.

Eat fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are nutrient-dense foods and key sources of a number of essential nutrients, such as potassium, magnesium, dietary fiber, folate, and vitamins A and C, which all play a huge role for you and your baby’s health.

Eating fresh produce during pregnancy is also an excellent way to manage your weight and reduce the risks of health complications and diseases.

Avoid coffee. If you are a coffee drinker, then you may have to start avoiding it for the meantime. According to a study conducted by Jongeun Rhee, et al., high caffeine intake during pregnancy is associated with a significant increase in the risk of low birth weight, and this risk appears to increase linearly as caffeine intake increases.

While small servings shouldn’t have an impact on an unborn baby, it is still best to limit your coffee intake during pregnancy. Instead, you can opt for a decaf coffee or non-caffeinated drinks such as milk, fruit juices, and chocolate drink, among other things.

A diet that lacks key nutrients may negatively affect the baby’s development. That is why it is important to pick the right foods during pregnancy to supplement your baby’s needs. In addition to a healthy diet, you also need a milk that will supplement you and your baby with essential nutrients.

Consider drinking ProMama®, a delicious tasting nutritional milk drink, specially formulated with key nutrients designed to support you during preconception, pregnancy, and lactation. It is rich in DHA, Folic Acid, Choline, Iron and Iodine, to help support your baby’s brain growth and development.

Good nutrition plays a pivotal role in the health of you and your baby. As a pregnant woman, your body needs higher nutrients than you did before conception. That is why it is essential to start making better food choices for your baby’s bright tomorrow.

Phenom Advances to Global Red Bull Reign Finals

Sixteen teams, finalists from the previous Qualifiers (Manila A, Manila B, Last Chance), went head-to-head at the Red Bull Reign Finals at Taft Food by the Court in Pasay City, last Saturday, June 30, 2018. Phenom emerged as the tournament winners and earned the chance to represent the Philippines at the Red Bull Reign World Finals.

Red Bull Reign is a high-endurance, offense-driven 3x3 basketball tournament that gathers the world’s top ballers to battle it out for the chance to compete at the World Finals in Washington, DC, USA. The rules are simple: the team that scores the most overall points in each round will advance until only one team remains.

The final sixteen teams consisted of:

• LGU
• PACITA
• SOULDIER
• Kervy
• LA
• Team Kate
• Better Basketball PH
• VVEstrada
• Sy Men
• HumKins
• Phenom
• King of Hoops
• Evogen
• Tough Gear C
• Tough Gear A
• 7 Eleven

The event kicked off with the Last Chance Qualifier that enabled Phenom to advance to the Finals later that afternoon. Over the course of the day, each team collided in a series of round-robin style matches, intensified by familiar players like former NCAA player from Lyceum of the Philippines – Seraj Elmejrab of team PACITA, former UAAP player from UST Growling Tigers – John Jordan Sta. Ana of team Phenom, and Senior Board Member of Ilocos Norte – Matthew Marcos Manotoc of LGU.

“It’s super robust. Everywhere, you have people playing basketball – old to young, good to not very good, it’s always been a very healthy basketball scene,” says Manotoc. “Probably one of the most vibrant in the world, very proud of the basketball scene, and Red Bull Reign is just a testament to that.”

Red Bull Reign progressed into the semi-finals, which saw three rounds of competitive back-to-back contests between Phenom, Souldier, and LGU.

Despite delays due to the weather throughout the day, Phenom and LGU later advanced to the finals with a score of 46-to-50. Both teams collided on the court but Phenom would emerge as the Philippine Champions, at a score of 10-to-06. The winning team included team captain, Carl Kenneth Sumalacan, Jarrold Flores, John Rom Alvarado, and John Jordan Sta. Ana.

“Today was extremely difficult, it was as if we went through the eye of a needle. They were all skilled and hungry to win,” shares Sumalacan. “We are happy and at the same time, excited. We were constantly worn out, but it was all worth it.”

For the second year in a row, PBA legend Vince Hizon oversaw Red Bull Reign as tournament director.

“We’re really trying to get bigger and better every year. And I think we’re definitely doing that,” says Hizon. “Red Bull truly made a big presence here and what’s nice is the homegrown presence. So hopefully, Phenom represents us well in Washington D.C., and we’re praying for the best.”

According to sports consultant, Al Delos Reyes, “What’s good about Red Bull Reign is that it opens another door for amateurs who, even though haven’t been part of any basketball professional leagues, get the chance to represent the Philippines against 60+ countries. And it’s on, Phenom is flying to Washington, D.C. later this year!”

Following their hard fought victory at the second annual Red Bull Reign, Phenom will represent the Philippines at the World Finals in Washington DC, USA, later this year.

For more information, please visit: redbull.com/reign

About Red Bull Philippines

The premium Energy Drink known all around the world – Red Bull (Blue & Silver can) – was launched in the Philippines last May 2012. Thanks to its unique formula, Red Bull Energy Drink gives you wings by vitalizing body and mind. For more information on Red Bull, visit our website at www.redbull.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: facebook.com/redbull | twitter.com/redbullph | instagram.com/redbullph

Wedding of the Century - making your dream wedding come to life

According to study; June, August, September, and October are the most popular months for weddings. To give soon-to-wed couples ideas on how to achieve their dream wedding, Century City Mall organized a wedding expo dubbed as Wedding of the Century last June 30 to July 1 2018. The event featured a one of a kind bridal fair that was held in the Century City Mall Events Center along with a showcase of creations from Edwin Uy, Dave Ocampo and Chynna Mamawal.

Called Wedding of the Century Bridal Fair, guests and soon to weds were face to face with the top caliber wedding suppliers in the country to make planning easier for couples that are about to tie the knot. From venues to wedding cakes and even caterers - Wedding of the Century treated the attendees like royalty and offered services that do not come with a hefty price tag. Along with giving discounts to those that will book on the fair itself.

 On June 30, as a highlight of the whole event, guests were able to see the Fashion showcase of wedding gowns and suits for interested couples that will tie the knot from designers Edwin Uy, Dave Ocampo and Chynna Mamawal that showcased the different bridal gown trends today for brides and grooms-to-be to choose from. From the simple and delicate to a more glamorous style, brides-to-be were at awe with the designs showcased in Century City Mall's Wedding of the Century. Brides-to-be were also able to experience a make up session from the Hair and Make up artists present in the venue and can book there for their upcoming wedding!

Food tasting from Le Chef by Chef Billy King which guests were given a scrumptious food spread of wedding themed entrees and desserts that would make you feel the love given in making the occasion more special. Wedding of the Century Bridal Fair was such a success with all the couples and guest that attended and joined us in Century City Mall that we hoped you can join us again at the Century City Mall.

#WeddingsOfTheCentury #CenturyCityMall

Here’s a directory of the wedding suppliers for your reference:

LIGHTS AND SOUNDS


AUC INC. / 0917-138-2229

abbybanaresco@yahoo.com / FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AUCinc/


FILMS, VIDEOGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPHY


VISUALS BY ALAZ / (+63) 917 112 5566 / visualsbyalaz@gmail.com

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/visualsbyalaz

INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/visualsbyalaz



MARCO CONSTANTINO / 09052130411 / 09778363258

j316.marcoconstantino@gmail.com

Unit 1, 2nd floor, No. 24, Paz Street Morning Breeze Subdivision, Caloocan City, Philippines



TIME CAPSULE: ART HOUSE PRODUCTION

09950158015 / 09151096924 / 09264523236 / 09173668913

Timecapsuleahprod@gmail.com / FACEBOOK: @TcartProd / INSTAGRAM: timecapsuleph



SLAM PRODUCTION (also offers Bridal Makeup Packages)

0977-8535181 / (02) 6176792 / (02) 5880590

info@slameventproduction.com / www.slameventproduction.com

SNAPCHAT, TWITTER & INSTAGRAM: @slameventprod

FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE: SLAM Event Production



PHOTOBOOTH


PARTY STUDIO MANILA

252-45056 / 09175408575 / 09055669790

thepartystudiomanila@gmail.com /thepartystudiomanila@yahoo.com

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/thepartystudiomanila / INSTAGRAM: @thepartystudiomanila


PHOTO STRIP PARTY BOOTH

09179936105 / (02)2524056 / FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/photostrip.partybooth



WEDDING RINGS


MATUS

+02 706 5391 / +63 998 564 8349

infomatus@gmail.com / www.weddingrings.com.ph

FACEBOOK: facebook.com/matusrings / 5th Level Mega Atrium, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City



PARTY VENUE AND CATERING


LE CHEF by Chef Billy King

0917-8370609 / 0918-8990609 / (046) 419-8190 local 127 / (02) 779-5590 local 127

vanessa.briones@lechef.cc /minette.morana727@gmail.com

The Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club, Southwoods Avenue, Carmona, Cavite 4116 / No. 1 Villonco Road, Sucat, Parañaque, Muntinlupa City



PLAZA IBARRA

922-6868 / 413-0706 / 374-8354 / 374-8355 / 0998-9881336 / 0906-2601336

bqt_plazaibarra@ibarraspartyvenues.com.ph / www.ibarraspartyvenues.com.ph

FACEBOOK, PINTEREST & INSTAGRAM: @ibarrascatering

TWITTER: @ibarras_party

77 Timog Ave., South Triangle, Quezon City

Other Branches: Quezon Ave., Quezon City • Malate, Manila • Tagaytay City (411-5529 • 522-9999 • 986•1107)




CITY GARDEN GRAND HOTEL MAKATI

+63 2 888-8181 loc 1214 / +63917-5723486 / +63 2 554-3421

banquetsales@citygardengrandhotel.com / www.citygardengrandhotel.com




MAKEUP AND SKIN CARE


CRÈCHE Skin Care Center (for Bridal Rejuvenation)

09178786048 / FACEBOOK: facebook.com/crecheskincare

2113 Anonas St. Corner Rd. 5 Brgy. 628, Sta. Mesa, Manila 1016




MAKEUP BY ROSE PEDAYO

02-9789801 / 09060679175 / pedayoroselyn@gmail.com

FACEBOOK: make up by rose pedayo / INSTAGRAM: rosepedayohmua



HANNA PECHON Professional Makeup Artist

+63-917-507-9564 / info@hannapechonmakeup.com /hannapechon@gmail.com

www.hannapechonmakeup.com / INSTAGRAM: hannapechon



AILEEN MAY Hair and Make-Up Artistry

09477789438 / aileenmayespiritu@gmail.com

FACEBOOK: Aileen May Hair and Make Up Artistry / INSTAGRAM: aileenmayhairandmakeup

1600 Int. 8 J. Fajardo St. Sampaloc, Manila




WEDDING COORDINATOR



4:13 EVENTS PRO

0975-365-8093 / (046) 489-5498 / marvintulawan@gmail.com

FACEBOOK: 4:13 Events Pro



AMORE DE FLEURPH

02-5074535 / 09989925157

amoredefleurph@gmail.com

FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM: amoredefleurph




SAMNICE WEDDING AND EVENTS MANAGEMENT

0928-2998-421 / 0906-5366-182 / 0918-2623-384 / (02) 986-2942




WEDDING CAKES




SWEET CRAVINGS by Khai’s Cake & Pastries

0977-2774047 / 0922-80155913

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/Sweet-Cravings / Village East Cainta, Rizal




REENZSON’S PATISSERIE

0935-9324317 / 0936-3242688

FACEBOOK: Cakes by Reenzson’s Patisserie




D&D CAKES ETC.

0915-2483296 / FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/dndcakesetc/

AUC Inc. - Audio, Stage & Lighting Professional Service
230 Sumolung Highway Bo. Mambugan Antipolo, Rizal 187

Shopee Celebrity Club and AvelxMatteo Launch - a grand gathering of celebrities

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, is the first e-commerce platform in the Philippines to onboard a series of official celebrities on the platform with the launch of the Shopee Celebrity Club. The Shopee Celebrity Club features a series of celebrity stores by famed Filipino personalities including Shopee’s brand ambassador Anne Curtis, Avel Bacudio, Matteo Guidicelli, Vice Ganda, Kris Aquino, and more.

With this, Shopee users can now easily access a curated collection of products by their favorite celebrities on Shopee, including brand ambassador Anne Curtis, Avel Bacudio, Matteo Guidicelli, Vice Ganda, Kris Aquino, and more.

To mark the launch of Shopee Celebrity Squad, Shopee will be offering exclusive deals and discounts across all celebrity stores from July 4 to 7. As a special treat, Shopee in collaboration with Grab Express, will also offer same-day delivery to all celebrity stores for free!

Jane Lim, Director of Shopee Philippines, said, “Our users form the core of all our strategies, and the launch of Shopee Celebrity Club represents our commitment to always find new ways to reach out to and engage them. We know Filipinos adore their homegrown celebrities, and we began to notice a rising demand for their products. Hence, we decided to introduce a dedicated in-app space featuring a variety of celebrity brands to allow shoppers to easily access products sold by their favourite celebrities. We are proud to be the first e-commerce to officially launch such an initiative in the Philippines and look forward to even more exciting celebrity collaborations to come.”

The grand launch of Shopee Celebrity Club will feature exclusive offers, including a 20% storewide discount on selected celebrity shops from July 4 to 7. Celebrities featured in the debut of Shopee Celebrity Club include:

Shopee Philippines’ first-ever brand ambassador Anne Curtis, with her cosmetics line, BLK Cosmetics

Comedian and TV host, Vice Ganda, with his brand Vice Cosmetics

Actress, producer, and host, Kris Aquino, with her famous collaboration Kris x Ever Bilena featuring lipsticks and brow products

Filipino broadcast journalist, Korina Sanchez, with her skincare line K Everyday Beauty

Much-loved actress, Karel Marquez, who will be releasing her first cosmetics line, Kspark Beauty Cosmetics, exclusively on Shopee

Best-selling authors Charo Santos, Alex Gonzaga, Ramon Bautista, Richard Poon, and Maricar Reyes from ABS-CBN Publishing, each with their own novels 

To add to the excitement, the kick off of Shopee Celebrity Club will also feature the launch of the highly anticipated apparel label Avel x Matteo by Filipino designer Avel Bacudio and actor Matteo Guidicelli. The denim brand will be exclusively available on Shopee from July 4.

“Avel x Matteo’s concept is about quality of life and finding a good balance between work and friends. I am excited to be part of the Shopee Celebrity Club, and also, to be working with the leading e-commerce platform in the Philippines. After a year of planning and creating, I’m finally able to share these ripped, stretch and lightweight jeans with everyone. This is my first time venturing into the fashion industry- collaborating with Avel and launching exclusively in Shopee make it extra special for me, ” said Matteo Guidicelli.

“We are so thrilled to debut Avel x Matteo, a collection of limited edition ripped jeans exclusively on Shopee. Our goal was to make designer jeans accessible to a broader market. We are able to do that with our partnership with Shopee. It enables us to reach a wide network of customers in the Philippines,” said Avel Bacudio.

Beyond providing users with access to products by their favourite celebrities, users can also look forward to exclusive campaigns and events presented in collaboration with these celebrities, including giveaways and celebrity appearances on Shopee’s Facebook live sessions. Stay tuned on Shopee’s Facebook page for a one-on-one Facebook live session with Korina Sanchez, Matteo Guidicelli and Enchong Dee for more details on their products.

Celebrities such as Vhong Navarro who came early at the One Canvas; Dra. Vicki Belo and Dr. Hayden Kho; teen stars Jerome Ponce, Elmo Magalona and Donnie Pangilinan; beauty queen MJ Lastimosa; heartthrobs Alden Richards and JC de Vera and Ria Atayde showed their full support to AvelxMatteo launch. Of course, Sarah Geronimo was present, too.

Don’t miss the chance to shop from your favourite celebrities on Shopee. For more information about Shopee Celebrity Club, visit https://shopee.ph/ShopeeCelebrityClub

Download the Shopee app for free on App Store or Google Play Store.