Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, invites Filipinos to tune in to the Shopee 8.8 Mega Flash Sale TV Special on GMA-7 and Shopee Live this August 8, 10:00 AM to 12:00NN. Viewers can enjoy two whole hours of entertainment and shopping with over ₱8,000,000 worth of prizes, exciting flash deals from leading brands in the country, and special appearances from local celebrities.
Here are the highlights of the 8.8 Mega Flash Sale TV Special:
Over ₱8,000,000 worth of prizes
Viewers should stay tuned for a chance to win plenty of prizes. Eight lucky Watch & Win players will each take home ₱100,000 in cash, ₱10,000 worth of ShopeePay credits, a tablet, and a jacket. Meanwhile, three Shopee Shake players can each win ₱800,000. Users should also play Shopee Quiz for a chance to win up to ₱800,000. Finally, one Shopee Milyonaryo jackpot prize winner gets to claim not just ₱1,000,000, but also eight Lucky Shopee Prizes worth ₱500,000 in total.
Limited-time flash deals from top brands
Shoppers can enjoy limited-time flash deals from their favorite brands such as Enfagrow, Lactum, Argentina, Potato Corner, Domino’s, Huawei, SM, Gong Cha, Bonchon, and Tiger Sugar.
Kris Aquino’s television comeback
Queen of All Media Kris Aquino returns to television as the game master of Shopee Quiz and the host of ShopeePay’s Bongga kay Kris, during which she will share money-saving tips and tricks using ShopeePay. Fans can look forward to the iconic TV personality’s trademark fun and quirky quips.
Appearances and performances by other local celebrities
Ariella Arida and Glaiza de Castro will join TV Special host and Shopee brand ambassador Willie Revillame as his co-hosts. Patricia Tumulak and Victor Anastacio will also host segments. Finally, Andrea Torres and Bianca Umali will star in an all-out K-Pop-themed number.
Shopee 8.8 Mega Flash Deals Sale
Until August 8, Filipinos can enjoy promotions such as midnight flash deals, ₱8 flash deals, and free shipping with no minimum spend at the Shopee 8.8 Mega Flash Deals Sale. Shoppers can also enjoy up to 90% off on a variety of brands.
Shoppers can also pay safely from their homes by going cashless with ShopeePay.
On August 8, users can enjoy ShopeePay promotions such as up to 50% cashback on Bills Payment; 10% discount on mobile load; and ShopeePay ₱1 Deals from Puregold, Seaoil, Potato Corner, and more during over 33x flash timings.
To win up to ₱5,000 worth of ShopeePay credits, users can also join the #BudolFinds challenge on Tiktok until August 8. Interested participants should buy products from the Fashion, Food & Beverages, Electronics, Beauty/Personal Care, and Home categories on Shopee, shoot a creative 30-second review and include the hashtag #BudolFinds in the caption. For more details about the #BudolFinds challenge, visit https://shp.ee/u6vfw6j.
In the Philippines, malnutrition remains one of the leading causes of child deaths. According to a UNICEF report in 2014, 95 Filipino children die from malnutrition every day while 27 out of 1,000 children do not get past their fifth birthday.
A third of Filipino children are stunted, or too short for their age—causing them to fail to grow and develop to full potential. A 2019 study by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) stated that the current chronic malnutrition rate among Filipino children aged 0 to 2 is now at 26.2 percent, the highest in 10 years.
In this regard, Danone, a leading multi-local food and beverage company building on health-focused and fast-growing categories, and Shopee, a leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches the first Regional Brand Day, ‘Our Health, My Choice’ on Shopee Mall to provide consumers in the region access to Danone’s full Specialized Nutrition (SN) portfolio for the whole family.
The SN portfolio includes core milk products for children and convenient cereal bars for pregnant women and lactating mothers and adult nutrition for healthy aging. With more people going online to shop for health products, the collaboration aims to support more families to make informed nutrition choices and discover products that support their health and nutrition needs.
In line with its mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible, Danone ensures that its product portfolio provides the right nutrition across age groups with scientifically proven nutrients.
Deborah Chong, Head of E-commerce, Danone Specialized Nutrition Global, said, “We have witnessed the incredible growth of our business online, including a 20 times growth across Southeast Asia during the Shopee 12.12 Birthday Sale last year. With more people turning to e-commerce platforms like Shopee to seek convenient and reliable product options, we believe this collaboration will further scale our presence in the region. Prioritizing consumers’ health is crucial for us and we believe this Regional Brand Day which focuses on our “Our Health, My Choice” theme, lets us show our care and appreciation for our customers by providing convenient access to products that support their health and nutrition needs.”
Maxime Lafarge, Country Manager, Danone Nutricia Philippines, added, “Danone is proud to partner with Shopee to fulfill our mission of making good nutritional choices accessible for more health-conscious consumers. We believe that our portfolio can cater to the specific nutrition needs of all consumers and encourage the consumption of essential macro and micronutrients for a well-balanced, healthy diet. That’s why we are very excited to leverage Shopee’s wide reach and customer engagement tools such as Brand Membership to better connect with customers and provide them greater value all year round. They can also enjoy savings and rewards by signing up for the free membership on our official stores.”
Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, shared, “With a 2.5 times growth in viewership compared to last year, live streaming is becoming a key part of the online shopping experience in our region. It has also grown to become an effective way for brands to acquire and connect with shoppers, showcase their products, and prompt users to make purchases on the spot. We’re excited to see more brands such as Danone enrich the shopping experience by integrating entertainment and educational content into their campaigns.”
International travelers can now return to the “Land of Smiles” and satisfy their cravings for authentic Thai cuisine with epicurean adventures at world-class, SHA+ certified resorts
PHUKET, THAILAND — Have you missed the fresh flavors and fragrances of Thai cuisine? Do you crave the hot, spicy, sweet, and sour sensations that dance on your tongue when you taste your favorite dishes? Phuket and Koh Samui, Thailand’s two most popular paradise islands are now open again, enabling international travelers to satisfy their appetite for authentic Thai food!
Under the “Phuket Sandbox” and “Samui Plus” programs, both of which commenced in July 2021, fully vaccinated overseas visitors can now plan their long-awaited return to southern Thailand’s pure shores. A wealth of exotic attractions and activities await in these two idyllic islands, including some of the Kingdom’s finest restaurants.
To celebrate the launch of these innovative international travel programs, highly desirable hotels and resorts in Phuket and Koh Samui have created value-added packages so every guest can stay in style and rediscover their love for Thai cuisine. Check out this mouth-watering trio of dining options…
Embark on an unforgettable culinary journey at Black Ginger, The Slate’s Michelin Guide-listed restaurant which is designed in the style of a traditional Thai village and appears to float above a tranquil lagoon. Only accessible by raft, this dramatic dining destination revives Phuket’s ancient recipes and presents them with a contemporary twist.
Recommended by the Michelin Guide, Black Ginger is one of Thailand’s finest places to dine.
Signature Dish:Poh Pia Sod (roll-your-own fresh spring rolls). This interactive experience allows diners to create their own light, vibrant spring rolls, according to a traditional Hokkien recipe passed down from the grandmother of The Slate’s owner, Krystal Prakaikaew Na-Ranong (or Khun Moo, as she is known to her friends).
Try rolling your own fresh spring rolls at Black Ginger, The Slate’s Michelin-recommended Thai restaurant.
Under its “Summer Sandbox” package, The Slate – the Bill Bensley-designed, art-inspired beachfront resort – is offering a free seventh night to guests who book a six-night stay, including 15% off F&B and spa treatments, welcome cocktails, airport transfers, and daily breakfast. Pool Suite and Villa bookings will also receive complimentary spa therapies. This offer is valid until 30th September 2021 and rates start from only THB 5,000 per room per night. Please book direct via the resort’s website: www.theslatephuket.com.
The playful Private Pool Suites at The Slate let you step straight into the refreshing water of your own pool.
What could be more enticing than chilling out next to a soft, sandy beach and enjoying exceptional cuisine, kissed by the gentle sea breeze? At COAST, the casual beach bar and bistro at Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, guests can sit back, sip cool drinks, feast on fresh seafood, and share stories and laughter with family and friends.
Phuket’s famous crab curry, Gaeng Pooh is a must-try dish for visitors to southern Thailand.
Signature Dish:Gaeng Pooh is Phuket’s quintessential dish – a rich, fiery crab curry that blends the finest ingredients from land and sea. COAST’s Thai master chef, Janut Dejharn, uses locally-caught crab, Thai herbs, and creamy coconut to create this delectable yellow curry, which is traditionally served with fermented rice noodles.
Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket is inviting international travelers to “Stay Three, Pay Two” and get 100% of their room rate back in hotel credit! Available for bookings made from now until 31st August 2021, and stays taken by 23rd December 2021, this attractive offer maximizes every vacation with free nights and generous hotel credit, which can be redeemed for memorable meals, refreshing drinks, soothing spa treatments, room upgrades, and more! To book, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com.
Savor sublime cuisine in a spectacular seafront setting at The Beach House & Bar, Santiburi Koh Samui’s elegant alfresco restaurant. Everything about this inviting eatery exudes natural charm and showcases stunning scenery. Diners can select sumptuous seafood and prime meats, or treat their bodies to organic vegetarian and vegan options. Pure bliss.
Delicious and nutritious, Santiburi Koh Samui’s Buddha Bowls are the perfect fuel for a healthy vacation.
Signature Dish:Buddha Bowls are a healthy, flavourful, and fulfilling treat at any time of day. At Santiburi Koh Samui, visitors can combine a wide range of sports and leisure activities with these wholesome bowls, which comprise a variety of organic vegetables, Thai herbs, pan-seared chicken or salmon, and much more. They are even more appetizing when accompanied by a fruit smoothie.
Experience luxurious island living with Santiburi Koh Samui’s Grand Reserve Pool Villa.
Under the “Samui Plus” promotion, guests can book a salubrious island escape at Santiburi Koh Samui, including daily breakfast, in-room fruit, daily afternoon tea, early check-in & late check-out, use of the resort’s gym, tennis court, and non-motorized water sports, shuttle services to Santiburi Samui Country Club and more! Rates start from just THB 5,413 per night – book now at santiburisamui.com/offers/samuiplus.
Saffron, Banyan Tree’s signature restaurant concept, celebrates the joy of Thai cuisine through indigenous ingredients, authentic dishes, and timeless cooking techniques, presented in a contemporary style. Gather your loved ones and experience your favorite Thai dishes, as you’ve never tasted them before!
Signature Dish: Phad Thai is perhaps Thailand’s most popular street food, but the expert chefs at Saffron have elevated this classic noodle dish to new levels of excellence. Banyan Tree Phuket’s Phad Thai Goong Sod features 20 ingredients, all carefully combined to create the perfect balance of tastes and textures. Wok-tossed rice noodles, fresh prawns, and ripe mango are accompanied by a vibrant banana blossom salad.
Guests can stay in a breath-taking DoublePool Villa at Banyan Tree Phuket.
Banyan Tree Phuket’s “Your Sandbox Stay” package gives international travelers the chance to enjoy an extended vacation with luxurious pool villa accommodation, daily breakfast, and generous resort credit. Valid between now and 30th November 2021, this enticing offer is available for bookings from seven to 28 nights, with between THB 3,000 and THB 15,000 of credit to be used for a wide range of resort services. Guests who stay for 14 or more nights will also be treated to Coral Lounge access and a VIP meet & greet service! To book, please email the resort at phuket@banyantree.com.
The Slate Phuket, Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, Santiburi Koh Samui, and Banyan Tree Phuket have all achieved their Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration Plus (SHA+) certificates, which shows that they adhere to the highest health and safety standards and that at least 70% of their staff members have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Under the Phuket Sandbox initiative, fully-vaccinated overseas travelers from 67 countries and territories can fly direct to the “Pearl of the Andaman”, stay in world-class resorts, and soak up the blissful beachfront vibe, without the need to quarantine. The Samui Plus program lets international guests fly to Koh Samui (either direct or via Bangkok) and stay for seven nights in an approved quarantine hotel, before moving to a SHA+ certified resort. After the first week, visitors will be free to explore the three enchanting islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao.
For more information about the international travel requirements for Phuket and Koh Samui, please check the latest updates from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) at www.tatnews.org/category/thailand-tourism-updates.
Featured photo: Saffron’s Phad Thai Goong Sod is a contemporary reinterpretation of Thailand’s most popular street food dish
[Singapore/Hong Kong, August 3, 2021] Huawei announced its plan to invest US$100 million in startup support at the inaugural HUAWEI CLOUD Spark Founders Summit, which took place simultaneously in Singapore and Hong Kong. Huawei said the investment would go towards its Spark Program in the Asia Pacific region including the Philippines, which aims to build a sustainable startup ecosystem over the next three years.
Huawei has been helping Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand build their startup hubs. At the summit, Huawei also announced the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, as four additional startup hubs – in with the overarching aim of recruiting a total of 1,000 startups into the Spark accelerator program and shaping 100 of them into scaleups.
Huawei also launched its Cloud-plus-Cloud Collaboration and Joint Innovation Program, to further ramp up its support for startups around the world. Huawei will devote ongoing efforts and leverage its complete business portfolio in the cloud-plus-cloud collaboration space to foster technological innovation, global and local services, and business ecosystems, accelerating the growth of startups.
Three additional initiatives under the Asia Pacific Spark Program were launched: The Spark Developer Program, which aims to nurture a developer ecosystem powered by HUAWEI CLOUD in the Asia Pacific region; the Spark Pitstop Program, designed to onboard and support startups on HUAWEI CLOUD to accelerate product development; and the Spark Innovation Program (SIP), focused on facilitating enterprise innovation through the Spark startup ecosystem.
Huawei Senior Vice President and Board Member Catherine Chen opened the summit by emphasizing how important startups are to social advancement and what Huawei is doing to support startups: “Startups and SMEs are the innovators, disruptors, and pioneers of our times. 34 years ago, Huawei was a startup with just 5,000 dollars of registered capital. Recently, we have been thinking: How can we leverage our experience and resources to help more startups address their challenges? Doing so would allow them to seize the opportunities posed by digital transformation, achieve business success, and develop more innovative products and solutions for the world.”
Zhang Ping’an, CEO of Huawei’s Cloud Business Unit, noted, “Since its launch in 2017, HUAWEI CLOUD has been the world’s fastest-growing cloud, and has driven the growth of countless startups. Last year, we launched the Spark Program in Asia Pacific. Through this program, we are working with local governments, leading incubators, well-known VC firms, and top universities to build support platforms for startups in many regions. Now 40 startups are participating in our program.”
Zhang continued, “Starting today, we are stepping up our support for startups through four new initiatives, aimed at cloud-plus-cloud collaboration, continuous tech innovation, global and local services, and high-quality business ecosystems. Today, we launched our Cloud-plus-Cloud Collaboration and Joint Innovation Program, through which we will support startups with US$40 million worth of resources. Half of that investment is coming from HUAWEI CLOUD, half from Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). In 2021, our plan is to support 200 startups in the HMS ecosystem, and share our network of channel resources with developers worldwide who together serve 1 billion Huawei device users. In addition, we will open an HMS Developer Innovation Center to support 100,000 HMS cloud-native developers.”
Also present was Dr. Lim Jui, CEO of SGInnovate, who said, “The true impact of the Deep Tech Economy is realized when we’re able to come together to catalyze new opportunities. Working alongside partners like Huawei enables us to accomplish our mission of supporting promising talent and emerging tech startups in Singapore.”
More and more startups are pursuing end-to-end digitalization as they move towards a fully connected, intelligent world. HUAWEI CLOUD infrastructure works in conjunction with Huawei Mobile Services to support startups from all industries. Huawei’s cloud offerings help developers and partners to unify accounts, development platforms, and app distribution and operation. HMS is now the world’s third-largest mobile app ecosystem and is helping many startups expand their global influence. Currently, 4.5 million developers from over 170 countries and regions rely on HMS.
Huawei recognizes startups as key partners. At the HUAWEI CLOUD Spark Founders Summit, Huawei unveiled the latest data on its innovation research programs with startups. The data shows solid relationships between Huawei and more than 2,000 partners from across the Asia Pacific region, with ongoing initiatives to build support platforms in close partnerships with governments, top VC firms.
Huawei rounded off the series of announcements with a plan to build an HMS Developer Innovation Center. Through this center, Huawei aims to cultivate future talent in cooperation with 210 leading universities across the Asia Pacific region.
Jeffery Liu, President for Asia Pacific Region of Huawei, added that “For the past two decades, we have remained committed to being ‘In Asia Pacific, For Asia Pacific’. Leveraging Huawei’s global customer base and full-stack technologies, the Spark Program will invest more than US$100 million over the next three years, and provide comprehensive support to the establishment of a sustainable startup ecosystem that creates new value for this dynamic region.”
This summit was attended by representatives from many prominent Asian startups, academia, various industries and governments, and the media, as well as more than 50 regional top venture capitalists and over 300 startup founders. Speeches and panels at the event focused on the social value of this startup ecosystem and how startups can promote technological and ecosystem innovation, to contribute to local communities and drive socioeconomic development.
Thinking of going on a safari this year? You don’t have to go far. The heritage city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur is now home to this themed luxury hotel and resort called Safari Hotel managed by AURA Hotels and Resorts.
This is the first of its kind with close encounters with safari animals alongside the hotel’s five-star accommodation in the North.
Safari Hotel is the brainchild of former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, who also owns the famous Baluarte Mini Zoo and Safari Gallery.
“It was more or less five years ago that he envisioned to build this property. He started building it two years ago,” shared Victor Marc N. Montesa, the former resort manager.
The resort’s design came from the suggestion of its Korean architect-partner Shaun Kim and his group. It presently has 21 rooms, while another 49 villas and room clusters are being constructed at the back of the 10-hectare property.
The entire estate covers 300 hectares, which also serves as an animal sanctuary. It is now home to a number of animals, including giraffes, ponies, zebras, lions, kangaroos, and tigers. Definitely, hotel guests will have an enjoyable encounter with these lovely creatures.
“We just let the animals roam freely around the grasslands right beside the hotel. And yes they would make a great backdrop for your selfie photos,” said Montesa.
The writer at Baluarte having a close encounter with an animal.
A Unique Place
What makes the resort different from other properties in Vigan? Montesa cites three distinct offerings of Safari Hotel.
Morning coffee at the villa – a totally relaxing experience.
Foremost is the serenity of the place: “Once you’re here, you will feel relaxed communing with nature. It will be worth the long drive. Children will be happy here as well for they will have the opportunity to have a close encounter with animals.”
The second is the service, which comes from the heart. “Passion comes in when you do things from the heart. It’s like enjoying and loving what you do,” said Montesa.
Italian Home Cooking
The third is the delicious food. Safari Hotel has an in-house Italian restaurant called Dario Ristorante Italiano, named after Dario Gardini, the restaurant’s owner, and the hotel’s food and beverage.
“It’s traditional Italian home cooking,” said Montesa. “We also have an open kitchen to showcase the cleanliness and the quality standard of food preparation.”
Of the dishes we tried, our favorites were the carpaccio, assorted Italian cold cuts, toasted fresh bread with mushroom sauce, Calabrese pizza, homemade tagliolini with fresh salmon and caviar, homemade garganeli with shrimp in tomato sauce, homemade tagliatelle with truffle cream and parma ham, and lamb chop grill with herbs. They were truly appetizing and satisfying.
A variety of developments is now in the pipeline for Safari Hotel. These include room expansions, providing an entertainment area for guests, exclusive transportation options via Partas Transit, chartered flights to the resort, and the development in the next two to three years of religious tourism that will once again put Vigan on the world map for the second time, after being hailed as one of the world’s New 7 Wonders Cities.
(Note: The writer went on a trip with the Experience Travel and Living magazine team)
The Department of Tourism (DOT) congratulates Nesthy Petecio for winning the silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics women’s featherweight division.
Petecio’s victory brings pride and joy to the Philippines as she is the first Filipina boxer to bag an Olympic medal, ending the country’s boxing medal drought since Onyok Velasco’s silver medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
The DOT also celebrates Nesthy’s silver medal, along with Hidilyn Diaz’s gold, as these have led the Philippines to a multi-medal finish in the Olympics, a first for the country after 89 years.
The Department expresses its good wishes to Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam, EJ Obiena, Bianca Pagdanganan, and Yuka Saso in their remaining games, also thanking them along with the rest of the dedicated athletes from the Philippines for being a source of inspiration of Filipinos during these times.
According to GMA news online, Petecio will receive at least P17 million in cash rewards, a condominium, free flights, and other pledges from individuals. She is set to receive P5 million to be given by the Philippine government to Olympics silver medalists, as mandated by Republic Act 10699.
Featured photo courtesy of gmanetwork.com / Reuters / Luis Robayo
Aurabeat announces new partnerships with Scania, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Audi, and Jaguar, incorporating its patented AG+™ Antiviral Air Filtration Technology for the driving environment.
Hong Kong – As theworld-first, FDA-cleared air purifier provider, eliminating >99.9% airborne COVID-19, Aurabeat is now introducing its patented AG+™ Antiviral Air Filtration Technology to new confined spaces by unveiling partnerships with Scania, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Audi, and Jaguar. Having been confirmed that COVID-19 is an airborne disease, Aurabeat, in collaboration with private and public organizations worldwide, will begin preventing aerosol transmission of the virus and other bacteria in additional enclosed environments, including vehicles.
Dr. Roger Szeto, Founder and Chief Scientist of Aurabeat said: “In the context of COVID-19, short-range airborne transmission can occur under certain circumstances and settings, particularly crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces. While the markets are exploring ways to improve air circulation of indoor premises, our R&D experts have achieved a breakthrough solution to apply our patented AG+™ Antiviral Air Filtration Technology to eliminate COVID-19 in vehicles, ambulances, elevators, cruise, minibuses, taxis, buses, and other smaller confined areas.”
A driving space free from COVID-19
Aurabeat has partnered closely with renowned global car manufacturers in the Hong Kong market including Scania, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Audi, and Jaguar, to create safe, worry-free driving environments for drivers. Introduced in May this year, Scania, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Audi, and Jaguar now offer AG+™ Antiviral Air Filtration Technology-enabled cabin filters in their select vehicles, effectively trapping and eliminating particles as small as 0.1 micrometers. Relying on the patented AG+™ Antiviral Air Filtration Technology, Aurabeat gives drivers and passengers complete peace of mind by providing thorough protection from Covid-19.
“We hope to ease the concerns for thousands of goods vehicle drivers in Hong Kong. Under our partnership with Aurabeat, we are able to create a safer and cleaner environment daily, for drivers and their passengers,” said Martin Law, Quality and Safety Manager of Scania and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
The front line defense for all kinds of indoor environments
After launching the world’s first FDA-cleared air purifier in 2019, Aurabeat remains an essential community actor in combating COVID-19. With a 10-fold increase in sales since the introduction of its technology solutions, revenue numbers in the coming year are projected to grow even further. Being not only the first line of defense for mission-critical government and public facilities but the brand has also been deemed as a trusted partner for the installation of anti-COVID-19 air filters for businesses and consumers across over 800 cities.
Notable local partners include the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, St. John Ambulance, Engineering and Mechanical Services Department, Legislative Council of Hong Kong, over half of Hong Kong’s public hospitals, Hysan Development, New World Development, Sun Hung Kai Properties, Miramar Group, JW Marriott, Discovery Bay Golf Club, Discovery Bay Recreation Club, Lantau Yacht Club, Fancl, Pure Fitness, GO24 Fitness, Outback, Jollibee, Häagen-Dazs, National Parliament of Papua New Guinea, National Police Office in the Philippines, SM Appliances in the Philippines, Changi Airport in Singapore, Rakuten in Japan.
Aurabeat continues to explore opportunities to work with brands and organizations to create safer and cleaner indoor environments, be it hospitals, homes, offices, shopping malls, hotels, schools, as well as transport, cruises, ambulances, and elevators. Learn more at Aurabeat’s website.
Filipinos have been ranked third among the most optimistic consumers across 14 economies in Asia-Pacific. However, depression and other mental health conditions have been on the rise since the pandemic hit last year. In fact, New Good Feelings (NGF) Mindstrong’s 24/7 suicide hotline HOPELINE alone received a total of 30,452 calls in 2020 — a 250% surge compared to 8,610 calls in 2019.
HOPELINE was created in 2012 with Globe as its technology partner. To reach out to more people in need of immediate crisis intervention to de-escalate their heightened emotions and give guidance and information during their crucial moments, especially in these trying times, Globe and NGF expanded their partnership to include telehealth service integrator HealthNow.
HealthNow is a mobile application that helps patients conveniently consult with a doctor, buy medicine for delivery, and soon, schedule clinic appointments without leaving their homes. Currently, the app has over 600 doctors from various specializations nationwide. It also recognizes and accepts PWD/SC discounts for consultations and pharmacy transactions. The app may be downloaded from Play Store for Android and App Store for iOS. HealthNow is a joint venture between 917Ventures, the country’s largest corporate venture builder wholly owned by Globe, and AC Health.
“Our vision in HealthNow is to make healthcare accessible for every Filipino in a tap. Mental health support continues to be very critical at this time, and so we’re happy to be renewing our collaboration with NGF to ensure our users get the right care they need when they need it most,” said Beia Latay, HealthNow CEO.
Through HealthNow, Globe and TM subscribers may quickly call the NGF HOPELINE for FREE anytime they want to talk to someone. HOPELINE can be found under the Urgent Help button on the welcome page of the HealthNow app.
Globe and NGF are optimistic that with an additional channel for customers to access and seek help, those undergoing an emotional crisis will be more encouraged to call HOPELINE.
“We understand how difficult it is for many people with depression to open up because of the stigma that goes with it. At this time, when we are trying to cope with social restrictions and the uncertainties of COVID-19, it becomes even more necessary to have access to professional help. Globe is empowering its customers who are struggling with mental health to do just that,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression globally. Yearly, close to 800,000 people die due to suicide, the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds. Depression is also a leading cause of disability worldwide.
The integration of HOPELINE in HealthNow is part of Globe’s efforts to support mental health awareness in the Philippines. Aside from conducting mental health webinars, it also launched Hope Bank, an online support community particularly for frontliners and patients suffering from COVID-19 and other illnesses.
Download HealthNow on Android and iOS or dial 2919 for HOPELINE.
Globe is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals such as UN SDG No. 3, which ensures healthy lives and promotes well-being for all ages. The company also supports the UN Global Compact principles and contributes to 10 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Araneta Group continues to ensure the safety of its staff and customers as it vaccinates all of its 3,000 office-based employees and frontline personnel.
The free inoculation for Araneta Group employees and personnel was administered in batches since May 2021 through the arrangements of J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF).
“We are very pleased with the outcome of our internal COVID vaccination program. The company made sure that everyone will be covered and will receive their jabs as soon as possible,” JAAF Executive Director Diane Romero said.
Vaccination – Smart Araneta Theater
Romero also acknowledges the support of Quezon City’s local government in this initiative. As the company waits for the full arrival of its vaccines, the LGU extended its vaccination program to Araneta Group frontliners and other businesses within Araneta City.
“The vaccination program is part of Araneta Group’s goal of providing a safe and healthy live, work, dine, shop, and play environment at the City of Firsts. We are not just guaranteeing the safety of our own people, but we are also assuring the public that they can visit any Araneta City property safely and with ease,” she said.
Aside from the free vaccination, the Araneta Group continues to conduct sanitation and disinfection in all Araneta City properties. Social distancing measures and other health and safety protocols continue to be strictly implemented. Individuals are still required to wear facemasks and face shields, and precautionary measures in entrances such as temperature checks, alcohol dispensers, and foot baths remain.
The Araneta City malls have also received safety seal certifications from the QC LGU following their strict compliance with minimum public health standards.
Since the pandemic hit the country last year, the Araneta Group prioritized to make its businesses safe for its employees and customers with its slogan “Safety First at the City of Firsts”.
Cooking is one of the rainy day activities that we can do as a form of bonding at home. The joy of sharing good food with our loved ones is truly incomparable.
These two dishes – Champorado and Arroz Caldo — are what we always crave during the rainy season – our comfort food, so to speak. The cuddle weather makes us wanting for dishes that are hot, delicious, and with a thick creamy soup. Just imagine enjoying a warm bowl of these flavorful dishes.
We used Adlai rice for the arroz caldo and champorado recipes. Adlai rice is the healthier choice — gluten-free, high in dietary fiber, and rich in protein and calcium. It also contains minerals such as iron and has a low glycemic index that means that it has low sugar levels and is good for those who are diabetic.
Filipinos love rice; it’s a staple in every family’s menu. But with Oh Crop! Adlairice no need to feel guilty every time you have that extra serving of Arroz Caldo and champorado. It will keep you full longer and will make you feel less hungry after hours compared to regular glutinous rice.
According to Tribune World of Flavors columnist Dolly Dy-Zulueta, she was surprised at how economical Oh Crop! Adlai rice when she cooked Arroz Caldo recently. “I was surprised at how matipid Adlai is. You need only a little because it keeps absorbing the liquid that you cook it in so that it doubles in amount. “
It’s important to be health-conscious now that we are in a pandemic. Health is wealth and as long as you take care of yourself by staying fit and eating right, you’ll be able to save yourself from hospital and medicine bills later on. More than ever, we have to make sure that we, and our families, are making efforts to stay healthy. This isn’t the time to let up on our commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
Delicious champorado. Photo courtesy of Oh Crop
Adlai Champorado (By Chef Wado)
Ingredients:
5 cups water
5 tablets of Tablea
¾ cup Condensed milk
¼ cup Muscovado sugar
2 tbsp Desiccated coconut
1 cup Washed Oh Crop! Adlai
Procedure:
Boil water
Add Tablea
Stir until the Tablea dissolve
Add washed Adlai rice
Add Muscovado sugar
Pour the condensed milk
Add desiccated coconut
Wait until it boils
Serve
Topping time: Top it with sliced bananas
Add condensed milk
Enjoy!
Mouthwatering Arroz Caldo. Photo courtesy of Dolly Dy-Zulueta
Adlai Arroz Caldo
1 white onion, chopped
2 tbsp ginger, julienned
2 cloves garlic, minced Cook in 2 tbsp olive oil
Add 150g chicken breast
Add 2 cups washed Adlai
Cook until fragrant
Add 4 cups water 2 chicken cubes
Let it boil for 10 mins or until Adlai is al dente
Season with fish sauce and pepper
Garnish with boiled egg, crunchy garlic, and spring onion
