The Search is Over for the Best Wagyu Burger Ever at Village Tavern

The melt-in-your-mouth goodness Wagyu beef is now made available in a burger patties, with all the trimmings that you want in a burger. You will easily differentiate the taste between a plain burger patty and one with Wagyu beef in it, because it is  tender, the more you chew, the more the flavor comes in every bite, because of its juiciness and buttery taste, not to mention that it is famous around the world because of it marbling characteristics. This is the first time I had a bite of Wagyu burger, believe me, I savor each bite, its distinctive taste is worth marveling about. Village Tavern has put their signature with this delectable creations in Wagyu burger. For all the Wagyu lovers, this one deserve a try.

THE WAIT IS OVER FOR THE BEST WAGYU BURGER

(VILLAGE TAVERN NOW SERVES 4 KINDS OF WAGYU BURGERS)

You haven’t gone to burger heaven if you have not tried Village Tavern’s new to-die-for Wagyu burgers, four kinds of gourmet burgers that are making headlines in food circles with their succulent patties made of the fabled Japanese beef and layered with some of the most exquisite toppings one can think of. 

Created by award-winning Bistro Corporate Chef Josh Boutwood who’s known for pushing the envelope with his original culinary creations, these premium burgers are nothing like anyone has tasted before: each ingredient coming together to create a surge of sensations and textures the moment it hits your mouth. 

Sandwiched inside a homemade pretzel bun is the star of the burger – a juicy, char-grilled beef patty made ofWagyu beef. Wagyu, which means Japanese cattle, is a kind of cattle farmed in Japan and fed a special diet so that itsmeat produces divine flecks of fat that give it that melt-in-your-mouth consistency. According to Chef Josh, the quality of real Wagyu beef is  excellent that it even surpasses the USDA marbling standards for prime-grade beef.

“We are all very excited here at Village Tavern as we launch our Wagyu beef burgers because I am sure our guests will love the immense marbling and the delightful beef flavor in each bite,” Chef Josh said.

To further level up the whole Wagyu experience, Chef Josh created four kinds of burgers using different toppings, giving customers unique set of flavors with every burger. 

Waiting to be relished is the Foie Gras Burgerwhich is a beautiful layer of Wagyu beef patty, grilled cheese, onions and yes, luxurious pan seared foiegraswhich gives the burger a subtle degree of richness without overwhelming the palate. 

Foie Gras Burgerwhich

Who knew that tequila can create magicin burgers? Well, Chef Boutwoodknew exactly and proves it with his Tequila Burger. Oozing with zest, this burger is made with premium grade Wagyu beef splashed with tequila (for that extra kick!),then ladled with fresh cilantro mayo, habanero-infused cheddar cheese and topped with slices of jalapenos for a mind-blowing explosion of flavors.

Tequila Burger

Memories of homemade cooking are the inspiration behind the Reuben Burger. Deceivingly simple, this meat monster combines the goodness of corned beef brisket, pickled cabbage and fried egg atop the Wagyu burger patty. 

Reuben Burger

Rounding out Village Tavern’s Wagyu Burgers offering is the Truffle Burger; a true gourmet treat that features a tier of divine flavors from the Wagyu and truffles. Truffle-infused mayo is generously spread on the homemade pretzel bun, then topped with grilled Wagyu patty, velvety asiago cheese and finished of with sautéed shitake mushrooms. 

Truffle Burger

“Our burgers are exceptionally savory and unparalleled in marbling, richness and taste our customers won’t be disappointed,” Chef Josh enthused.

Chef Boutwood’sWagyu Burgers share stellar billing with Village Tavern’s classic American cuisine inspired by the tradition of the Old World tavern.The restaurant is known for its signature dishes such as flatbreads, steaks, burgers, ribs, pizzas and crab cakes. Also worth another visit are the new additions to the menu like the Crispy Clams Dipped with Spicy Lemon Dip, Homemade Jalapeno Poppers, Spicy Garlic Chicken Wings and Shrimp Balls with Cilantro Lime, Roasted Bone Marrow. Luscious desserts – think of Black Velvet Cake, Warm Butter Cake and Red Velvet Cake – enjoy a huge following as well. 

Check out villagetavernph(Facebook) and  @villagetavernph(Instagram and Twitter). Village Tavern is located at Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Women: Act Those Dreams and Be Able to Inspire Others For the Better

SM Supermalls Honors 100 Women of Power and Substance This March

 It is Women's empowerment month and SM Supermalls is celebrating it with us. In lieu with this, they came up with a Project Headshot  Clinic,  and the Dream Project Philippines are launching a campaign and digital exhibit called Inspire.

Inspire brings together 100 of the country’s most inspiring women from all fields and industries, such as Jessica Cox, Irma Adlawan, Andi Manzano, Cheska Garcia-Kramer, Kai Magsanoc, Margie Moran, Nene Chan, Angel Guerrero, Kara Alikpala, Wilma Galvante, Patricia Bermudez-Hizon, Ingrid Santamaria, Sarah Gaugler, and Merlee Jayme. (Photos can be found here)

The diversity of the women chosen shows that regardless of background, beliefs, and preferences, empowered women who dream and act on those dreams are able to inspire and change their communities for the better.

Inspire is showcasing stories of women empowering others. To get a chance to be one of the 100 women featured in Inspire, applicants must answer the question, “How are you using your power as a woman to inspire change and enable dreams of your own and of others?” Their answers should be posted in any of the  following  social  media  accounts,  Facebook,  Twitter  or  Instagram,  starting  with  the  hashtag
#SMProjectInspire.

Applicants must also register via Headshot Clinic's official website, www.headshotclinic.com, for their entries to be counted. Entries must be received by March 17, 2014.

Inspire is a joint effort of SM Supermalls, Project Headshot Clinic, and the Dream Project Philippines. It is one of the highlights of SM Supermalls’ national celebration of Women’s Month. To know the full schedule of events for March, please visit www.facebook.com/smsupermalls.

Project Headshot Clinic is digital platform that merges profile photos with campaigns and advocacies. The Dream Project Philippines is a volunteer-based community initiative that helps build the nation by shaping the dreams of the Filipino youth.

For more information about Inspire, go to  www.headshotclinic.com,  www.smsupermalls.com or in the
SM Supermalls’ official Facebook page.

Veteran Journalist Writes About the Controversial BIR Ad

For the past few days, there has been a lot of buzz concerning an ad from the BIR which appeared in the newspapers. The ad shows a "Doctor" riding on top of the shoulders of  a teacher with notes showing that the teacher is actually paying bigger taxes despite earning less. 

But should the doctors be offended by the ad? Here is a very informative article written by Solita Monsod in her Phil. Daily Inquirer column.

Get Real
Why take offense?By Solita Collas-Monsod
Philippine Daily Inquirer
12:28 am | Saturday, March 8th, 2014

It is not as if this is the first time we are told that a great number of professionals (e.g., lawyers, accountants, doctors), and the rest of their self-employed, “own-account” brethren, don’t seem to be paying their fair share of taxes. One certainly remembers that P-Noy made a point of it in his State of the Nation Address. It’s been written about at any time these past 20 years, including by yours truly, who also brought it out in any number of speeches in front of professional organizations.

So why has such offense been taken? What’s with the onion-skinned reaction on the part of the Philippine Medical Association? Are the accountants and the lawyers (the lawyers have not as yet been featured, and if the ad campaign of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Department of Finance does not include them soon, there will be hell to pay) going to say that they, too, are being unfairly treated?

Only consider: Of the 1.7 million professionals registered with the Professional Regulation Commission, less than a quarter—about 400,000—are registered taxpayers. That leaves 1.3 million who are not paying taxes.  Surely it is not a leap of logic to conclude that these will include doctors, lawyers, and accountants, among others?

Then there are the studies of the DOF showing that (and I brought this out 12 years ago, courtesy of Nene Guevara) that for every P10 collected from a fixed-income earner, P1 is collected from a professional. That’s how bad it is. Surely doctors, lawyers, and accountants are also involved here.

In other words, there is enough empirical evidence to justify the ad campaign. There is nothing in the ad campaign that says, or even implies, that all doctors are tax cheats. The ad shows one doctor whose income is more than P1 million paying P7.4 thousand in income taxes, riding on the back of a teacher whose income is P852 thousand paying P221 thousand in income taxes. Then there is a message: “When you don’t pay your taxes, you’re a burden to those who do.” That is all.

From there, the PMA has proclaimed that the thrust of the ad is that the entire medical profession is a burden to the Filipino people. Excuse me? What I understood from the ad was that if a doctor earning P1 million pays only P7,000 in taxes, the doctor has to be a tax cheat. That doesn’t mean all doctors are tax cheats. But it does mean that other doctors who pay similar amounts on their income are tax cheats. That is incontrovertible. Why should anyone take offense at that conclusion?

The same thing can be said of the accountants (it was amusing that the PMA’s Dr. Leo Olarte seemed to hold the accountants to blame for any misdeclaration the doctors made). In the ad, the accountant earning P540 thousand paid P2.5 thousand in taxes, while the chef who earned P513 thousand paid P101 thousand in taxes. Notice that the ratio of tax collections from fixed-income earners (the chef, the teacher) to those of professionals is more than P10 to P1—it’s more like P30 or P50 to P1.

So let’s not make any more out of the ad than what it says: for taxpayers to pay the proper taxes. That the message was eye-catching is a plus. Come April 15, let’s do what is right for the country. Kim Henares should be cheered, not jeered. She’s a hard worker, and she needs all the help she can get.

A look at where the Philippines stands with respect to tax efforts and tax collection compared to 110 developing and developed countries tells us what kind of problems we face (Le, Moreno-Dodson, Byraktar, Tax Capacity and Tax Effort: Extended Cross-Country Analysis from 1994 to 2009).

The tax revenue to GDP ratios of high-income countries in 2009 was 29.3 percent; of middle-income countries (the Philippines is one), 19.3 percent; and of low-income countries, 13.6 percent.

If we group the countries by regions, the tax revenues as percentage of GDP in 2009 for East Asia and the Pacific (EAP, which includes the Philippines) was 14.8 percent.
How does the Philippines compare with these averages (19.30 percent for middle income, 14.80 percent for EAP)? Our average for the period 1994-2009 was 14.34 percent, or below both averages. Worse, in 2013, per Sonny Coloma, this ratio was only 13.6 percent. Nota bene: A 1-percent shortfall from the average is equivalent to roughly P100 billion.

But the study goes further. It ranks countries according to “Tax Effort Index”—the ratio of actual tax collections to predicted tax collections (based on their model which includes the effects not only of income but also of demography, trade openness, agriculture value added and governance quality). The Philippines ranks 64th with a tax effort index of 0.91, which means it is not collecting what it should be collecting. Highest tax effort index is 1.66, lowest is 0.16.
It also classifies the Philippines as a low-collection, low-effort country. A country is regarded as low-collection if its tax collection is lower than 18.31 percent of GDP and regarded as low-effort if its tax effort index is less than 1.

The study, though, offers some consolation to Kim Henares, as well as those who feel she is picking on them: It has found that in recent years, countries with better institutional quality (such as bureaucracy and less corruption) can collect higher taxes. In other words, the quality of governance has to be improved for higher tax revenues.

So what do you think? Hit the comments section and speak your mind!

Melanie Griffith's Daughter Dakota Johnson Stars for "Need for Speed"

BEFORE “50 SHADES OF GREY,” SEE DAKOTA JOHNSON IN “NEED FOR SPEED”

Scott Waugh, the director of DreamWorks Pictures' new action-adventure “Need for Speed” was looking for someone special for the role of Anita, the girl the film's hero let get away. Waugh found her in Dakota Johnson, the daughter of actors Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, and one of the hottest, new stars in Hollywood, having taken on the coveted role of Anastasia Steele in the upcoming “50 Shades of Grey.”

“Need for Speed” centers around Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul), a blue-collar mechanic who races muscle cars on the side in an unsanctioned street-racing circuit. He and Anita have a long history, but he lost her to the big city and arrogant, rich rival, Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper).

Waugh says, “Dakota is the siren we have in this movie. You can’t take your eyes off of her when she’s on screen. You just get totally sucked into her world and she’s incredible.”
Following her motion picture debut in “Crazy in Alabama,” Dakota Johnson went on to give critically acclaimed performances in “The Social Network” and “21 Jump Street,” among others. She will soon be seen in the coveted role of Anastasia Steele in “50 Shades of Grey.”

Johnson says that working with Aaron Paul and Dominic Cooper was a very fulfilling experience. “Aaron is so gifted and so accessible. Dominic is the same. It’s so nice to work with actors who accept what you’re giving them and they give it back to you. It’s so much fun to watch them work.”

“Need for Speed” marks an exciting return to the great car culture films of the 1960s and ’70s, when the authenticity of the world brought a new level of intensity to the action on-screen. Tapping into what makes the American myth of the open road so appealing, the story chronicles a near-impossible cross-country journey for our heroes — one that begins as a mission for revenge, but proves to be one of redemption.
Struggling to keep his family-owned garage afloat, Tobey reluctantly partners with the wealthy, ex-NASCAR driver Dino Brewster. But just as a major sale to car broker Julia Maddon (Imogen Poots) looks like it will save Tobey's shop, a disastrous race allows Dino to frame Tobey for a crime he didn’t commit, and sending Tobey to prison while Dino expands his business out West.

Two years later, Tobey is released and set on revenge — but he knows his only chance to take down his rival Dino is to defeat him in the high-stakes race known as De Leon — the Super Bowl of underground racing. However to get there in time, Tobey will have to run a high-octane, action-packed gauntlet that includes dodging pursuing cops coast-to-coast as well as contending with a dangerous bounty Dino has put out on his car. With the help of his loyal crew and the surprisingly resourceful Julia, Tobey defies odds at every turn and proves that even in the flashy world of exotic supercars, the underdog can still finish first.
Based on the car racing video game of the same name, “Need for Speed” captures the freedom and excitement of the game, while bringing to life the passion for the road that has made our love of cars so timeless.

Opening across the Philippines on March 12,“Need for Speed” is distributed in the Philippines by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International.

MEET & GREET “MR. PEABODY” THIS WEEKEND – MARCH 8 & 9

MEET & GREET “MR. PEABODY” THIS WEEKEND – MARCH 8 & 9

                Mr. Peabody, the most accomplished dog in the world is in the country’s premiere malls this weekend (March 8 and 9) for a rollercoaster ride through history!

                Treat your family and friends this weekend and catch Mr. Peabody tomorrow (March 8, Saturday) at Robinson’s Manila (2:00pm); SM Manila (4:00pm); SM Manila (5:00pm) and at Lucky Chinatown (7:00pm).  Mr. Peabody will also be seen on Sunday, March 9 at SM Megamall (2:30pm) and at Robinson’s Metro East (6:30pm).

                In the movie, “Mr. Peabody & Sherman”, the father-son tandem use their time machine - the WABAC - to go on the most outrageous adventures known to man or dog. But when Sherman takes the WABAC out for a joyride to impress his friend Penny, they accidentally rip a hole in the universe, wreaking havoc on the most important events in world history.  Before they forever alter the past, present and future, Mr. Peabody must come to their rescue, ultimately facing the most daunting challenge of any era:  figuring out how to be a parent. Together, the time traveling trio will make their mark on history.

                “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” is now showing nationwide in more 120 screens nationwide –  A DreamWorks Animation presentation from 20th Century Fox distributed by Warner Bros.

#SunsilkHairkada with Sarah Geronimo, Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Julia Montes

Fun and adventure begins with the #SunsilkHairkada

Girls  were treated to a night of fun, pampering and adventure at a recent #SunsilkHairkada event. There were booths provided to style  your crowning glory and explore your creativity. You could style and put blings on headbands and flipflops of your choice. The good thing is you can bring home your own creation afterwards. As everyone is excited to witness the new endorsers of  #SunsilkHairkada.

 Fun, spirited and outgoing – these are the words that aptly describe young ladies of today. They love to bond with their close friends by embarking on new adventures and pursuing shared passions. They are keen on trying out new things and find ultimate fun in all-day adventures with nothing to hold them back.

Yet, there are times when outgoing girls are hesitant to join the fun, especially when their hair is not on their side. Sports, shopping and even taking a stroll outdoors can take its toll on hair at the end of the day.  Good thing there is a trusted haircare brand like Sunsilk for every barkada that allows them to be carefree and to enjoy all day bonding with smooth and fragrant hair.

These bonding moments are in sync with the lifestyle of three of today’s hottest young stars who, together, make up the most sensational barkada in town. The #SunsilkHairkada is comprised of pop princess Sarah Geronimo, the chic and sassy Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and primetime princess Julia Montes.

Despite their hectic schedules, each young lady never fails to find time to indulge in what pretty lasses their age love to do – to take a moment to be spontaneous, expect the unexpected, and have fun pursuing new adventures, without compromising their beautiful hair.

Sarah, Jasmine and Julia are just among the thousands of young girls who are rearing to follow their passions and go for an adventure. Fortunately, Sunsilk’s promise of smooth and fragrant hair all day never fails to bring out the fun and adventurous side of these three women. “Sunsilk’s Smooth and Manageable contains 5 natural oils that deeply nourish each strand leaving your hair smooth and fragrant from day to night. So now, hairkadas like Sarah, Jasmine and Julia can stay out under the sun, go to crowded places, even venture out to new locales without worrying about how their hair will look or smell every minute,” says Sunsilk Brand Manager Ann Esteves.

Sunsilk aims to inspire barkadas all over the country to take on every adventure that comes their way with great hair as their ally. Just like Sarah, Jasmine and Julia, there is no stopping hairkadas from pursuing their goals together, now that they have help from Sunsilk.  Girls can now leave their worries behind and enjoy life to the fullest.


Get to know our #SunsilkHairkada

Sarah’s shining star

The country’s pop princess is no stranger to adventures. Looking at the milestones of her illustrious career is like reading an adventure book itself – from her humble beginning as a contestant in a singing competition to a string of record-breaking concerts, sell-out albums and box office hits. Sarah’s never-ending adventure goes on even after the klieg lights are turned off. Behind the camera, Sarah loves to dine out and watch movies with her close friends. She even throws movie marathon sessions in her place from time to time. She also loves to travel and hike up a mountain or two whenever her hectic schedule permits. Whether giving a stellar performance or trekking a beaten path, Sarah is confident that her hair stays smooth and fragrant with Sunsilk. Sarah and Sunsilk do make good music together – always in harmony whether she’s on top of the concert stage or a scenic mountain.

Jasmine on the rise

Jasmine has definitely stepped out from the shadows of her celebrated big sister, as she is currently being groomed by her home network to be one of its primetime stars. She surely has what it takes to be a star in her own rights, given her talent and captivating screen presence. Her dedication to her craft is also reflected on her passion to pursue her interests with her friends. Jasmine never fails to see the hottest concerts in town, loves to take fun pictures with her friends, and takes good care of herself through Pilates. Always on the go, the energetic young actress keeps her hair on check with Sunsilk. She loves the way it leaves her hair smooth with long lasting fragrance. With Sunsilk as her constant hairkada, Jasmine can only agree that pictures may fade, but having smooth and fragrant hair all day never goes out of style.

Julia’s coming of age

Julia first graced local television screens as a child performer, playing bit roles in soap operas until she became one of the cast members of a children’s gag show, where she made a name for herself. Her legions of followers have seen her grow from a bubbly little girl to a sophisticated young lady, playing lead roles opposite some of the biggest stars in show business today. Her taste for what’s hot and what’s not might have changed over the years, but her gusto for good food never wavered. Julia is still adventurous when it comes to trying out epicurean delights. She is more than willing to try out a new restaurant, scout a food bazaar and even check out a night market for a delicious find.  Despite spending hours outdoors, Julia is confident that her hair is still smooth and fragrant, thanks to Sunsilk.

The #SunsilkHairkada bandwagon   

Sarah, Jasmine and Julia invite hairkadas all over the country to leave their hair worries behind and embark on a fun-filled adventure. The #SunsilkHairkada philosophy believes that every young girl should be able to live out their passions with the confidence that smooth and fragrant hair can bring. It’s the same philosophy that keeps the winning trio of Sarah, Jasmine and Julia on the go and ever ready to take on the challenges set before them.

It’s high time to get barkadas together and brace for an epic adventure. The #SunsilkHairkada celebrates the joys of being young, free, and more importantly, having hair that stays smooth and fragrant all day, which is every young girl’s greatest dream.

SMDC's GRACE Residences Luxurious Amenities in the City of Taguig.

One of the most exciting projects of SMDC is the Grace Residences in Taguig, touted as SMDCs property boasting with the biggest open space ratio and sprawling gardens.

Any weekday spent in the cityscapes of Makati, Ortigas or Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is an adventure. Amid all the fast-paced movement, one can sense the collective pulse of human interaction and the steady bellowing of rushing vehicles. Going home the quickest way possible, whether to retire for the day or to freshen up for a night out, is a challenge because of rush-hour traffic.

Fortunately, there is a residential escape from this feverish pace that is easily accessible. SM Development Corporation’s (SMDC) Grace Residences offers a sanctuary where slowing down is embraced. The sprawling project is designed with a generous open space for tranquility and luxurious amenities that fit the demands of the modern urban professional.

Staying home at Grace Residences is a wonderful option for the city-weary. Its garden concept involves different areas that will benefit every resident, whether single or with family. Lush greens complement subtle swirling patterns reflected on its towers’ facades.

Grace Residences is SMDC’s first mid-rise property development in Taguig. It is near main thoroughfares like C5, EDSA and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). The thriving commercial and financial hub of Bonifacio Global City and the Central Business District of Makati are only minutes away. This proximity to business and commercial areas allows residents to make quick trips to modern facilities like shopping malls, boutique stores, sports halls, arts and culture hubs, and entertainment spots.

Grace Residences is one of the many projects under the SM brand, making it a major investment consideration. SM is acknowledged as a dominant figure in property development, mall operations, banking and finance, retail, hotels and conventions. As a property developer, the quality of SMDC’s projects is compared to that of 5-star hotel. And with a concept like a garden in the city, one can expect a gift of serenity waiting at home by the end of each frenzied day.

SM Development Corporation’s (SMDC) Grace Residences offers a sanctuary where slowing down is embraced. The sprawling project is designed with a generous open space for tranquility and luxurious amenities that fit the demands of the modern urban professional. It is near main thoroughfares like C5, EDSA and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). The thriving commercial and financial hub of Bonifacio Global City and the Central Business District of Makati are only minutes away.

Pillars 5 and its Life Enzyme

A healthy lifestyle involves many choices. Among them, choosing a balanced diet or healthy eating plan.
But creating a healthy eating plan is not as easy as it sounds. It comprises of  fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, raw and unprocessed foods as well as lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts, and those foods that is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium) and no added sugars-- and eating all of these in a day, or even preparing them can be quite difficult.

Pillars 5 now introduces LIFE ENZYME Fruit & Vegetable Enzyme + Probiotics. It is naturally extracted from 150 fruits and vegetables using an ancient oriental fermentation technique that allows for the full retention of their nutritional and enzyme potency. This supplement  helps boost your immune system by delivering the enzymes needed for proper absorption of nutrients.

Pillars 5' s Chairman and CEO Ramon Garcia is a seasoned Management Practitioner, an MBA degree holder from the Ateneo Professional Schools. He is a major force behind the success of Ramon Garcia and Co. CPAs (RFG & CO), a top notch firm with more than 30 years of service and  trusted experience in helping business enterprises and corporate groups through Accounting, Audit and Management Consultancy Services. He is joined in the business by Managing Executive  of Enzyme Village Mr Tony Cheng, an MBA graduate from the University of Taiwan, he is the one responsible for bringing LIFE ENZYME in the Philippines. Mr Cheng and his company  Enzyme Village, have been engaged in the art of producing  the highest quality enzyme products for almost 40 years, and believe that everyone's health can benefit from taking Life Enzyme.

PILLARS 5, INC. is a company established to promote health and wellness through a network of home based entrepreneurs. Its products are directly sold through this organization of independent home -based entrepreneurs called distributors. Its slogan, "Helping people build on dreams one dream builder at a time", embodies the Company's commitment to the progressive development of every Distributor who has put his trust and confidence in the Company's ability to help them grow their business and help keep alive their dream of attaining financial freedom.

The Pillars 5 is the exclusive distributor of Life Enzyme which holds office at: 407W Tektite Towers, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. For more information, call 635-6566, 635-6568 or text (Smart) 0998-470-5164, (Sun) 0943-702-5266, or (Globe) 0917-579-8523.

No Hope Lost: Get Your Child Vaccinated

A mother’s love to her child, as everyone knows, is of deep devotion and of great sacrifice. It is endless, unselfish and enduring. She guides, nourishes and protects her child to the best of her ability.

To lose a child is the most heartbreaking experience a mother can ever have. But having a mother whose care is unconditional; she won’t let this happen at all. To her last breath, she will do anything to save her child, especially from death and disease.

Parents and society in general will do anything to prevent the loss of their children and thus a campaign called “No Hope Lost” has been launched. It is an awareness campaign on the heavy burden of pneumonia and diarrhea as the top leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the Philippines, specifically among children 5 years old and below, and if left unchecked can potentially lead to devastating consequences.

PNEUMONIA AND DIARRHEA: The top two leading causes of death among Filipino children less than 5 years of age.

PNEUMONIA 
Pneumonia is the single greatest cause of death in children worldwide. In fact, pneumonia is the leading cause of illness and death among Filipino children less than 5 years old. National statistics show an estimated 37 Filipino children die of pneumonia every day.1

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung which affects primarily the microscopic air sacs known as alveoli. The typical symptoms of pneumonia include a cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing.
Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the bacterium S. pneumoniae also known as pneumococcus which can result to life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia. It can also result to Acute Otitis Media (AOM) which is an ear infection, a common and highly prevalent disease. It also includes severe diseases such as meningitis, complicated pneumonia, and sepsis (blood poisoning), which occur when the pneumococcus “invades” the blood. The invasive forms of the pneumococcal disease are a category called Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD).

DIARRHEA 
Globally, diarrhea is the second leading killer of children under 5 years of age, accounting for 1.4 million child deaths annually. Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (RVGE) is the common cause of diarrhea and severe dehydration in young children. It is also the leading reason of diarrheal hospitalizations and deaths among children. It is most severe and frequent in infants aged 3-24 months.

Rotavirus infects virtually every child within the first 5 years of life, irrespective of race or socio- economic status.

That is why it is called a “democratic virus.” In the Philippines, diarrhea is the second leading cause of child mortality accounting for almost 5,000 deaths yearly, translating to more than 13 Filipino children dying due to diarrhea every day.

Dr. Sally Gatchalian Dept Exec Director Phil Foundation for Vaccine and Pres Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Phil 2

Prevention is KEY
But no child has to die because of pneumonia or rotavirus diseases, especially since these are both highly preventable. Early protection is the key to reduce disease burden.

Among the ways to get your child protected aside from breastfeeding, hand washing, preventing air pollution, and adequate nutrition, is through vaccination.

“It’s the best time to raise awareness on pneumonia and diarrhea prevention. These diseases should not cause unnecessary suffering to young children,” says Dr. Sally Gatchalian, Philippine Foundation for Vaccination Director. “Sometimes it’s just that parents don’t know enough about these diseases, and they don’t know that there are actually vaccines for them.”

In 2012, the Philippine government has already acknowledged this burden and addressed it by introducing Rotavirus Vaccine (RV) in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) where 700,000 Filipino children aged 6 weeks up to 6 months of age were given free rotavirus vaccines.

In 2013, the Department of Health (DOH) leveled up the fight against the top killer of Filipino children by including another novel vaccine called Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) in the EPI.

This combined effort to protect Filipino children against pneumonia and diarrhea contributes to the achievement of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 of reducing infant and child mortality by 2/3 by 2015. RV and PCV are novel vaccines introduced by the DOH in the last 5 years and the Philippines is the first country in the ASEAN region to introduce both vaccines in the EPI.

GSK’S SUPPORT IN THIS CRUSADE
As one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, GSK continues to be a committed partner of both private healthcare practitioners and the government in the fight against childhood diseases, death and suffering around the world by offering health solutions for the reduction of overall diseases.
The “No Hope Lost” campaign from GlaxoSmithKline, which embodies the need for immediate action to get children vaccinated against pneumonia and diarrhea, will soon be launched through radio ads, print notices, flyers, and posters.

“With the help of our dear pediatricians, and the Department of Health, we are committed to the reduction of pneumonia and diarrhea cases nationwide by supplying high quality vaccines. These diseases account for an alarming almost 50 mortalities per day in the Philippines. GSK is here to support the Filipino medical community and the government’s drive to make health services accessible to everyone,” added Philip Cruz, GSK Medical Director.

Ask your pediatrician about preventive measures against pneumococcal and rotavirus diseases.

Dunk your Oreo Cookies and Win Prizes.

OREO and Family Time: Better Together

LET’S PLAY! Videogames are a good way to bond with your children at the comfort of your own home. Get a chance to win an Oreo couch set, a 40” Samsung Smart TV, and an Xbox 360 with Kinect in the Oreo Better Together Dunk Game on Facebook.

Getting the family together is always enjoyable. Going out of town and trying new things are great ways to spend time with your loved ones but sometimes, something as simple as watching TV, playing games, and catching up are just what your family needs. Oreo has been making family moments more delicious and joyful for many years. A product of Mondelez Philippines, formerly Kraft Foods, Oreo is milk’s favorite cookie. It’s no wonder really because of its chocolate cookie and cream combo. A bite of the crisp chocolate cookie reminds you to savor everyday moments. A lick of the cream in the center tells you that the best things in life are in fact, simple. Apart, the cookie and cream are delicious by themselves. But put them together and you’ll realize they’re better together! Just like family bonding and Oreo cookies.

Just like enjoying Oreo and family time, everything is better if done together. In hindsight, there is also nothing wrong with having a cool couch, a shiny 40” Television and a high-end videogame system – put them all together and family bonding would be definitely more enjoyable!


Just recently, Oreo kicked off their latest promo which gives participants a chance to win a limited-edition Giant Oreo and Milk couch set, a 40” Samsung LED Smart TV, and an Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect. All you have to do is ‘Like’ the OREO Get Dunked Facebook page and click on the Oreo Better Together PROMO or go to OreoBetterTogether.com and play the Oreo Better Together Dunk game. There you can dunk Oreo cookies in a virtual pachinko board to earn points.

To earn cookies which you drop in the said pachinko board, you can either register your details in the game or buy an Oreo Better Together nine-pack in leading stores and supermarkets. Registering will instantly give you 3 free chocolate cookies while buying an Oreo pack will also give you a free Oreo notepad that has a unique promo code inside (which you will input in the game) and this code will automatically give you 65 cookies. Each Oreo Vanilla creme pack gives you 65 vanilla cookies and each Oreo Chocolate creme pack gives you 65 chocolate cookies.

After loading up on cookies, pick the prize you would like to win. Vanilla cookies unlock the couch and TV set while Chocolate cookies unlock the couch and Xbox. After picking your desired prize, dunk your cookies in the pachinko board. As you dunk your cookies, you earn points for your chosen prize. The more points you have, the higher your chance of winning. Remember, you goal is to be number one in the leaderboard of your preferred prize. Enjoy dunking your cookies as you race towards the top of the leaderboard!

To learn more about the Oreo Better Together Dunk game, simply go to the OREO Get Dunked page on Facebook (facebook.com/oreogetdunked.ph) and click on the Better Together PROMO tab or go to OreoBetterTogether.com

Liam Neeson Talks About Manny Pacquiao in ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Hollywood celebrities talk about “Manny” 

Liam Neeson and Mark Wahlberg may be among the biggest names in Hollywood action movies, but when it comes to “real action stars” both celebrities admit to being fans of Filipino Boxing Champion Manny Pacquiao.

Neeson who narrates the documentary “Manny” says he has been a fan of Pacquiao “for many, many years.”

“What a boxer. He is one of the greats,” the Irish actor said during his most recent guesting at ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Kimmel and Neeson then chatted about co-starring together in “Manny,” which will be having its world premiere during the week-long South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas on March 8, 2014.

“After I narrated [our] film, the producer sent me an email with a little film footage of Manny saying to the camera; ‘Hello, Liam, I look forward to meeting you,’ and I’m showing it to everybody!” Neeson shared with the TV host.  “I haven’t met him… but he is a fantastic boxer.”

Pacquiao has appeared on the Kimmel show several times, and Kimmel shared those moments as one of the guest celebrities interviewed for the documentary.

Another very vocal Pacquiao fan is Mark Wahlberg, who often visited the 8-division champion at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles whenever Pacquiao trains there.

Wahlberg even credited Pacquiao as his model when he portrayed retired boxer Mickey "Irish" Ward in the movie, “The Fighter.”

“Every time he was training at Wild Card Gym, I watched him because my whole approach was, I wanted to look like a Manny Pacquiao-caliber fighter. I didn’t want to look like another actor who’s doing an okay job,” he was quoted in one of his interviews.

Other personalities appearing in the documentary include; actor Jeremy Piven; boxers Oscar de la Hoya and Evander Holyfield, singer Dan Hill, respected sportswriters and boxing analysts as well as friends and family of Pacquiao.

Directed by Ryan Moore and Leon Gast, ‘Manny” takes a look at the inspiring life story of Pacquiao who rose from poverty to become a ten-time boxing world champion, congressman, and international icon.

Gast won an Oscar for best documentary feature (1996) for “When We Were Kings” a film about the classic match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman which happened in Kinshaha, Congo, in 1974.

The film also features original music by composer Lorne Balfe (Inception, The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes) and songs by Yardnoise with Chad Hugo (The Neptunes/NERD).

“Manny” opens in theaters on March 12th in Philippine theaters nationwide and will be distributed by Solar Entertainment Corporation.

Website: http://www.mannypacquiaomovie.com
Twitter: @MannyTheMovie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MannyPacquiaoMovie
YouTube Trailer: http://youtu.be/Qqi_DVcSMPY