East-West Seed hosts Vegetable Field Day at Villar Sipag Farm

I have been to Organic Agriculture Farm tours from several farms in Cagayan De Oro Mindanao, Bukidnon, Leyte, Bicol and a lot more.  It was an unforgettable experience-- informative, helpful and fun as we  toured different farms learning about their farming methods, their different products and more importantly experienced how it is to live in a farm.

It has been 2 years since I had a farm tour This time around I got to tour Villar SIPAG Farm in Bacoor, Cavite as part of its participation to the 25th Asian Seed Congress 2018, East-West Seed (EWS) . They organized a demo field in Villar SIPAG Farm in Bacoor, Cavite. 

Formally opened through a Field Day November 16, 2018, the EWS Demo Field showcases over 100 vegetable varieties in a unique ‘Pinoy Fiesta’ set-up.

Asian Seed Congress delegates and media guests were greeted by Sen. Cynthia Villar, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food. “We are glad that East-West Seed has chosen this as the venue for the East-West Seed Field Day 2018.”

She also thanked EWS for partnering with Villar SIPAG in the training programs and its generosity in sharing expertise in vegetable farming.
“East-West Seed developed these vegetable varieties with the aim to improve the lives and incomes of smallholder farmers around the world and to help give better nutrition to consumers,” said Mike Dela Paz, Product Manager of East-West Seed.

#1 in South and Southeast Asia 

This commitment was recently highlighted in a recognition received by East-West Seed at the Asian Seed Congress 2018. The independent organization Access to Seeds revealed EWS to be number 1 out of 24 companies in in serving smallholder farmers in South and Southeast Asia.

The Access to Seeds Index is measuring and ranking seed companies according to their efforts to improve access to quality seeds of improved varieties to support smallholder farmer productivity.

For over three decades, East-West Seed has served over 18 million smallholder farmers worldwide to increase their productivity and incomes. Part of their efforts have been to provide and breed specific needs of their clients, selling seeds in small packages, and providing training to farmers. It is this business model that proves and supports the goal of the Access to Seed Index which is to bridge the gap between the world’s leading seed companies and the smallholder farmer.

“We are deeply proud of this achievement as it reflects our continued mission to improve the lives of farmers one seed at a time,” said Henk Hermans, EWS General Manager in the Philippines.

“Better Seeds for a Better World”
With the theme, “Better Seeds for a Better World,” the field demo features a wide range of vegetable varieties that produce better yield, thrive in changing conditions, and have traits that are attractive to vegetable consumers.
It also boasts unique varieties including rounded eggplant, butternut pumpkin, purple waxy-sweet corn, and purple yardlong bean.

This event also has an interactive component with East-West Seed’s catalog app CropWiki which was launched last 2017. CropWiki contains detailed information on over 900 of East-West Seed’s vegetable varieties. Filled with physical and genetic crop information, the app can help increase farmers’ income because it provides knowledge needed to make informed decisions in farming.

East-West Seed will also hold Field Days for the public on November 21 to 23 in their demo fields in Villar SIPAG Farm and in the University of the Philippines - Los Banos.

Urban gardening workshops, cooking demos, learning sessions with farmers, and a career day for students will be held during these field days and will be offered for FREE to everyone.

Are you constipated? Check out 5 signs of constipation

Discomfort, days of waiting and, sometimes, tears are only some of the things constipated people go through on a daily basis.

You know that expression, “It looks like you’re constipated,” referring to your facial expression? That means you have a pained look; an expression that conveys you’ve been suffering.

The suffering is real. There is no pleasure derived from constipation. A person is supposed to poop every day or at least regularly, not twice a week. Moving your bowels should give you a feeling of relief, not pain and more suffering.

So how do you know you’re constipated? Here are some common signs:

1. You poop less than three times a week . While it is not true that you should move your bowels every day in order to be in the non-constipated category , less than three times a week is too much.

2. Your poop is painful, dry and dark. According to the Bristol Stool Chart , if your stool is hard to pass, lumpy and shaped like nuts, you are constipated. You are doing okay if your stool looks like a sausage, has cracks on the surface and is soft and smooth. It is not true that your stools need to be very soft. In fact, having very soft stools that are bordering on being almost liquid is a sign that there is a problem.

3. You’re always gassy. Yes, it can be embarrassing to always be farting, especially when you’re in a public place or, heaven forbid, while out on a date! But being flatulent can be a sign of constipation. Yes, farting isn’t necessarily a sign that you’re on the verge of pooping. Having stored feces makes it difficult for a constipation to pass gas normally and this can result in flatulence .

4. Bleeding. If you see blood in your stool, you may be constipated. Having bloody stools can be caused by anal fissures resulting from hard bowel movement . But it can also mean there is bleeding somewhere in your digestive tract. It is best to have it checked by a doctor.

5. You need a laxative to poop. Laxatives stimulate the lining of the intestine to haste the stool's journey through the colon. They also help increase stool's hydration .

It’s not true that taking laxatives is an unhealthy habit. There is no evidence that use of stimulant laxatives leads to serious health problems .

With decades of clinically proven efficacy and scientific expertise, Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) is the No. 1 laxative in the Philippines.

Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) helps you be in control of your life by helping you poop regularly. If you poop regularly without any straining or pain, you don’t feel bloated or gassy. It can make your life easier. Not worrying about constipation will give you time to enjoy the more important things in life like time with family and friends, traveling, going on adventures and many others.

For more information, visit www.dulcolax.com.ph

FengShui Queen Marites Allen 2019 Annual Feng Shui Updates for the Year of the Earth Boar

Starting February 5, 2019 until January 24, 2020, the Earth Boar will take over the Earth Dog as the ruling animal of the Chinese zodiac. For feng shui followers, the changing of the lunar year brings different opportunities and challenges for each animal sign. Understandably, many people look forward to the luck forecasts for their respective birth signs as they go through another year.

Fortunately for these people, there is an annual event that addresses their need for Chinese New Year forecasts: the Annual Feng Shui Updates hosted by international feng shui master Marites Allen. This year it is set for November 18, 2018 at the Forbes Ballroom, Conrad Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

The yearly event has continued to attract feng shui aficionados for its forecasts and valuable recommendations on how to make the most of the incoming Chinese New Year.  International feng shui master Marites Allen and cohost Dr. Boy Abunda will lead the discussions.

The November 18 convention has a lot in store for participants and guests. Pre-registered attendees who send in details of their birth year and birth hour will be provided specific destiny readings. This way they will be better prepared to enhance their luck for more success and prosperity in the Year of the Earth Boar. 

Each participant gets a copy of the summarized forecasts in booklet form that they can use throughout the year. Helpful references, such as the 2019 Feng Shui Planner and Almanac,  plus new feng shui charms and enhancers especially designed for the Year of the Earth Boar will be available at the merchandise area. Valuable prizes from generous event partners and sponsors will also be raffled off. These and many more surprises await participants on November18.

Marites has also written horoscope book for each of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. Each year, these books are updated to reflect the energies that may be favorable or unfavorable for each zodiac sign, and thus help readers harmonize those energies to help them achieve their set goals for the year. She shared a sneak preview into the luck indications for each sign in 2019:

RAT

Great fortune combined with fabulous networking ability will help bring about profits in 2019. Love and career prospects will bring so much happiness during the year.  

OX

Threat of the illness star requires the Ox to be more mindful of his physical and mental health. Practice tolerance and re-focus your attention into caring about yourself.  

TIGER

A reasonably good year expected, provided you beat the threat of this year’s illness star.  You may have to contend with doing more than expected in 2019.

RABBIT

It will be a hectic 2019 with possible cash inflows in the form of windfall. Almost all aspects of your life could be joyful and memorable as there are many positive events to look forward to. 

DRAGON

Protect yourself from losses as the Robbery Star flies into your chart. Watch your investments, keep your properties safe to avoid any loss or damage. 

SNAKE

Keep a low profile, do more charitable work, and make you mantra be “take it easy” in 2019!  Tough times never last and this, being your conflict year, calls for a subtler you.  

HORSE

Pleasant news as heavenly fortune visits you in 2019!  Good fortune luck is possible if you will train yourself to stay out of trouble or any disagreements.  

SHEEP

Opportunities both in career and business luck can spill over from last year to this year. Although the misfortune star pays you a visit this year, there are ways to protect you from possible losses in 2019.  

MONKEY

This year may bring possible cash inflows especially from your property investments.  While your luck may be positive in most aspects, beware of some possible backstabbers.

ROOSTER

Time to let go and forget about the anxieties you had and the mistakes you made in the past.  Try to make changes within yourself and to your environment.  Keep your cool and manage your health and finances well.  

DOG

There is little need to explore and initiate brand-new ventures.  You may, however, have to redouble your efforts to achieve your goals as you may face some delays and stumbling blocks

BOAR

Although income may grow in 2019, there could be losses to expect, too.  Avoid splurging on unnecessary investments and expenditures, as losing savings are in the cards.   

The books may be pre-ordered at 0920 9509390, or through email :connect@frigga.co.uk. Limited seats for the 2019 Feng Shui Updates are still available. Please visit any Frigga shop or call 0920-9509390 / 8188858/ 7360512 / 4707661/ or get your tickets online at the EventBrite site.

A glimpse of a seaside living redefined through Avara in Taytay Palawan

If youve been to El Nido, Palawan.  Its beautiful unspoiled beaches surrounded by crystal-clear waters are one of its top attractions. If youre after serenity and nature tripping then Palawan is for you.

If you are like me, you probably basked under the sun and swam to its pristine clear beaches and explored the nearest island or went island hopping with your loved ones. I went there twice already, believe me I wanted to stay longer given that I have the budget to splurge. Its a paradise to itself, and has the cleanest resorts and crystal-clear waters to begin with. The good thing is a resort named Avara Nature & Yacht Club is on its way to Taytay, Palawan on 2020.

Seaside Premier Development Corporation recently launches Avara Nature & Yacht Club to the public at The  Hyatt Hotel, BGC last November 13.

Imagine this: The sound of waves crashing on the shore and the sunlight peeking through the window wake you up on a lazy Saturday morning. You slowly open your eyes, afraid that you’re just in the middle of a dream. But you’re not. You stand up as you feel the gentle sea breeze touch your face. You go out of the porch and look at the horizon. You take your time to enjoy the beauty of the blue skies and the deep sea. The yacht will be waiting for you whenever you’re ready, anyway. That’s the promise of Avara Nature & Yacht Club—the easy life of the seaside.

         The Avara Balanghai designed and created by Master Sculptor Rey Paz Contreras.

 
Airdance group and Filipina harpist Avon Lea Paraiso wowed the Avara guests with their performances.

Established by the Seaside Premier Development Corporation, Avara is the first of its kind nature and yacht club located at Calauag Bay in Taytay, which was Palawan’s first capital.

The plan for the exclusive resort was formally unveiled at the Grand Hyatt Manila led by its President and CEO Ms. Veronica C. Young.

“After many months of sailing and voyaging aboard bangkas and riding waves, we found the perfect island in Taytay, Palawan to be the home of our pioneering project. It is with a great pleasure to present to you tonight, Avara Nature and Yacht Club - the first of its kind in the Philippines, bridging the middle class to the lifestyle of the rich and famous. As Seaside Premier Development Corporation’s flagship project, we aim to redefine seaside living, where nature meets luxury,” she said in her opening remarks. 

Coastal living redefined 

Avara, which means Sunshine Island, is an eco-luxurious resort that use solar panels as a source of renewable energy, utilize a recycled water treatment system, maximize a hydroponic garden, and take advantage of other eco-materials available.

Its accommodation is inspired by the Maldivian architecture. Members can choose to stay in a one-bedroom Water Villa with jacuzzi, two-bedroom Water Villa with private infinity pool, or one- or two-bedroom Beach Casitas.

Aside from the villas and casitas, Avara members will also have an exclusive access to a two-bedroom yacht with crew for an overnight stay or for cruising around the island and nearby areas. Avara’s yacht features two cabins and a family room in the lower deck; a living room, a kitchen and dining area, and a plunge pool in the main deck; and an open dining space and a sun deck in the fly bridge.

The Avara Island has nothing but the best facilities for its members. Guests will first experience the Avara service upon their arrival at the dock or the harbor. But the ultra-luxurious resort also has a helipad for those who will be coming in by air. VIPs also have the option to skip the reception and go straight to their accommodation.

There will also be a boardwalk open for development to entrepreneurial Avara member. Meaning, Avara members can also be concessionaires to open their own business—it could be a coffee shop, a grocery store, a bakery, a souvenir stop, and similar ventures. As support to the member-concessionaires, Avara will ensure that the business will be the island’s lone supplier for the specific product.



The island can also accommodate as many as 100 guests at their main dining area and at the grill restaurant. But guests will have more dining options since Avara includes a poolside bar, a seaside bar and lounge, picnic areas, and private dining venues.

Avara is fully equipped with a gym, a water sports center, a tennis court, and a golf course to those who want to keep up with their fitness routine.

The island also has a playroom and nursery, spa and massage cabanas, a bonfire area, a clinic with an in-house doctor and nurse, and a gaming area for the enjoyment of the Avara members.

At any given time, Avara will host up to 300 members to ensure quality service.

As a promised paradise for those who love the beach, Avara offers a myriad of water action such as diving, snorkeling, kayaking, jet-skiing, banana boat riding, stand-up paddle boarding, wind surfing, scuba diving, island hopping, and fishing in coordination with neighbor islands. The resort also provides options for on land activities like trekking, biking, and vegetable picking.

There are also a lot of activities that Avara members can enjoy outside its vicinity. After all, Taytay, Palawan boasts of picturesque sites like the Canique Waterfalls, the Lake Manguao, the Irrawaddy Dolphins in Malampaya Sound, the Fuerza de Santa Isabel, and the Church of Santa Monica. Taytay is also hope to a paradise-like hidden valley that gives tourists a bird’s eye view of the pristine, idyllic coastal areas of the municipality.

Board of advisors


The executives and board of advisors behind the Avara Nature & Yacht Club.

To ensure nothing but the best of services and facilities at Avara, Seaside Premier Development Corporation tapped some of the industry’s most respected personalities for the resort.

Its board of advisors include the following:

• National Coast Watch Center Executive Director Rear Admiral Joel S. Garcia for Coastal and Marine Management
• Philippine Army’s 7CMO Battalion Commanding Officer Col. Eugene Osias for Security Affairs
• Cebu Port Authority Commissioner for the Shipping Sector Ms. Regina Barleta for Port Management and Shipping
• Incoming Manila Board of Realtors, Inc. President Ma. Teresa R. Bigornia for Marketing
• Motivational speaker John Anthony Calub for Sales
• The Manor’s Le Chef Executive Chef William “Billy” King for Culinary Arts

“We thank these distinguished personalities for believing in our idea. We can’t wait to show you the beauty of Avara,” Ms. Young said.

Avara Nature & Yacht Club will formally open its shores in the summer of 2020.



Visit the Avara website (http://avaraisland.com/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/avaraisland), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/avaraisland/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/avaraisland/) to learn more.

Hamilo Coast Breaks New Grounds for FREIA

It’s your choice – a weekend family home that looks out to the blue hues of a tranquil West Philippine Sea, or maybe a getaway address set against a backdrop of verdant foliage.

Such sights can be yours at Hamilo Coast’s latest seaside condominium development – FREIA. 

FREIA offers a premium lifestyle choice amidst an incomparable setting. Competition will find it hard to match its three-step mid-rise structure, comprised of 214 superior two-bedroom units and 9 bi-level three-bedroom penthouses, that open up to sweeping views of the West Philippine Sea and the Pico mountains. FREIA’s proximity to the 1.5 kilometer stretch of pristine white sand and shoreline of Pico Beach gives it an extra plus.

FREIA utilizes the talents of both international and locally renowned architects – Broadway Malyan, GF & Partners, and Budji+Royal – to bridge the gap between utility and aesthetics in order to create beautiful spaces for its residents. Its contemporary tropical-inspired architecture blends with the captivating scenery. Each exquisitely designed living space boasts of large picture windows and expansive terraces maximizing the unit owner’s chosen view. Modern luxury characterizes FREIA’s grand lobby and hallways through the use of cutting-edge concepts and high-quality furniture pieces.

In keeping with Hamilo Coast’s vision to build a master-planned community anchored on premier sustainable beach resort living, FREIA takes pride in integrating multiple green building strategies. Solar energy will power common areas of the condominium. Natural lighting and ventilation shall be a standard feature of the hallways and lobby. An efficient waste management system will ensure reduced carbon footprints on the part of the residential community.

To date, FREIA is the only condominium development in Pico de Loro Cove with its own set of resort-like amenities where residents can spend precious “me-time” or create special moments with family right outside their doorstep. There are outdoor adult & kiddie pools, a lounge deck, function rooms, and lush pocket gardens for all to use and enjoy.

And should Freia residents desire more extensive recreational facilities, access is just a few steps away. Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club offers a variety of first-class sports facilities as well as outdoor pursuits, such as mountain trekking, kayaking, cove boat tours, or bird watching, to satisfy the more adventurous.

As CDHI Senior Assistant Vice-President Alexis Ortiga sums it up:

“Freia was created with the end user in mind. Adopting the notion of ‘360 degrees of comfort and convenience’, we want everything to be within reach – from appreciating and partaking in nature’s beauty, to creating new memories and experiences with loved ones, to having everyday conveniences and facilities close by – FREIA is designed so that you can leave your worries behind.” 

Following the successful groundbreaking last August 2018, target turnover of units will begin in 2022.

#

Hamilo Coast is the SM Group’s premier beach resort town in Nasugbu, Batangas. Hamilo Coast is now approximately 90 minutes from Manila via Cavitex and the new Ternate-Nasugbu Road. For inquiries, call (632) 945-8000, or visit www.hamilocoast.com

Sister-bloggers Vern and Verniece Enciso love everything pink

Sister-bloggers Vern and Verniece Enciso are famous for two things: their beauty and style sensibility. The dreamy photos of their travels coupled with fashion inspiration are glossy magazine spread-worthy, to the delight of young females all over. Vern was the first to start blogging in 2010 with a “Shoe Tale”. Verniece later followed suit and the rest is history.

The Enciso sisters powerdress in pink like no other.

Vern and Verniece, collectively known as V&V, have proven that self-expression knows no boundaries. They have traversed all forms of topic from beauty to fashion to travel to inspiration articles. The sisters’ blog page is also very delicately feminine: Hues of pink are prominent, exuding a feminine and charming vibe.

 

                      Vern and Verniece are no doubt gorgeous in pink

Vern loves pink, something that shows in her unique style. “[Pink is] pleasing to the eyes and it’s reminiscent of youth!” Vern said.

“Every time I wear [pink], I feel like a teenager all over again!” her sister Verniece was thrilled to learn of the limited edition Vivo V11i Fairy Pink Edition. “Finally, a pink phone!” she gushed.

 

Vern and Verniece know how to rock pink outfits.

Much like the gorgeous V&V sisters, the Vivo V11i Fairy Pink Edition is beautiful and impressive inside and out. Its blush pink case conceals under its hood powerful artificial intelligence-mechanized features.

                 Turn heads with the prettiest Vivo V11i in Fairy Pink

The Vivo V11i boasts of a new-generation 2.0 GHz octa-core processor, which transforms this unique smartphone from a mere phone to a portable gaming console, allowing users to play games anytime, anywhere at their convenience. The Vivo V11i also features the latest Funtouch OS 4.5 (based on Android 8.1) and Vivo’s Jovi AI Engine also work together to allocate CPU and memory resources efficiently to handle multiple complex operations.

The Vivo V11i also features a 19:9 aspect ratio, 6.3-inch Super AMOLED Halo FullView™ Display with a 90.4% screen-to-body ratio for a more immersive gaming experience. Its ultra-thin 1.76mm side bezels, paired with the 3D curved body design blends the edges of the phone into the display for easier hand grip.

Most importantly, the Vivo V11i caters to fashion and lifestyle lovers like V&V with its AI dual rear cameras which offers an augmented perspective with the second lens allowing for improvement of sharpness. The ever popular Bokeh effect enhances photograph focus with a blurry effect thrown in for added drama. Its 16MP and 5MP dual rear camera fusion increases the amount of perspective, giving a near 3D image effect on photos. The superior photo quality is supported by Dual Pixel Sensors which boosts light sensitivity and focusing speeds.

Furthermore, Vivo V11i has added an AI Face Shaping technology which naturally enhances the selfie taker’s facial features. The magic comes in when perfect portrait shots are produced because of AI face-modeling algorithms, transforming a 2D image to a 3D one with the added feature of individual editing focused on the nose, mouth, and eyes for beautiful albeit natural looking selfies.

It also has a 25MP front camera that renders high quality selfies. It is also equipped with the AI Face Beauty, the AI Selfie Lighting specs, and the newly-updated AI Face Shaping technology that adds oomph to every shot.

Moreover, Vivo V11i has installed an AI Portrait Framing feature which allows for taking of selfies easier than ever. Backed by AI technology, the AI Portrait Framing prompts the user to hold his phone in an optimal position, thus producing perfectly framed shots each time, effortlessly. With the Vivo V11i Fairy Pink Edition, anyone can start a prolific lifestyle blog with all the great content just like V&V’s own blog site.

            Enjoy the powerful specs of the V11i in its daintiest color ever

The Vivo V11i’s Fairy Pink Edition validates V&V’s love for pink since the phone is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and its features are aligned with the activities of today’s youth which are all anchored in self-expression and social media.

Love pink as much as V&V? Own V11i’s Fairy Pink Edition now! Yours at only P15,999 and available on hand at Vivo kiosks and concept stores and online exclusively via Shopee.

Have a glitter-y and critter-y christmas at SM City North Edsa

SM North Edsa never stops offering theme celebration during the holidays. This time around  Glitter Critter Characters will be at SM The Block and Sky Garden during the Holiday season to give joy to kids and kids at heart.

Everything is merry and bright at SM City North EDSA as it celebrates a Glitter Critter Christmas for kids of all ages.

Leading the festivities are the mall’s Glitter Critter Characters from the Planet Hopitu, who led by Cop, looked for explorers from the citizens of Planet Hopitu to join him on his mission to find the happiest place in the universe. The Critters made their biggest discovery and found a spectacular place full of wonder and joy in SM City North EDSA.

After their arrival, the Glitter Critter Characters Cop, Boom, Chum, Lox, Cola and Lola, Puchik, Ching, Twinkle, Mick, Boloo, 0nd Bobo explored the mall, discovered Christmas, and decided to make it even more festive and fun.

Cap together with the Glitter Critters transformed The Block and Skygarden into a happy ploy pork in glittering lights where the Glitter Critters play around and enjoy the holiday season. At the Skygorden, one can find Glitter Critter ploy pork installations: the KIDS Mountain, the Space Shuttle Sleigh which Baloo and Baba pilot to deliver gifts and Christmas magic; and the Fun Christmas Roller Coaster Ride, which kids can share with their new-found friends.

Likewise, SM City North EDSA will make the world go RAWR this Christmas during the special Meet and Greet sessions with the Glitter Critter Characters on November 17, 24 and December 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 at The Block and Skygarden.

They will get to meet up close Cap, the wisest of the critter bunch and the captain of the expedition; Boom, the DJ of the critter planet who loves music: Chum, the foodie always hungry critter who thinks of food all the time: and Lox, the mischievous critter who stalks Cop, sneaking into the ship to join the expedition.






Kids will be spellbound with A Magical Science Show by Nutty Scientist on November 30 and December 16: and get a chance to share their wishes as they Meet and Greet Santa on December 2, 9, 23, 24, and 25, at The Block Atrium. Christmas is definitely in the air with live performances from the NU Chorale  on December 7, as well as Ben&Ben, Keiko Necessario, Leanne & Nooro and December Avenue. Northern skies will light up with the Grand Firework Display on December 15, 22, and 29.

The Glitter Critter Christmas is one of the many exciting seasonal events at SM City North EDSA. #SMGIitterCritterChristmas

Hallmark and L.I.F.E. Foundation gives children another chance at life

I miss giving and receiving hallmark cards the past 2 decades. I always got them from relatives abroad. I love reading personalized greeting cards. Its kind of real given that someone scribbled/wrote his/her feelings for you. That's why when I passed by National Bookstore or any bookstore for that matter. I always have a jingle recall for Hallmark cards..its nostalgic.

Through every celebration—may it be a birthday, an anniversary, or a wedding—Hallmark has been part of spreading the most precious messages of love and cheer. Their well-loved cards have connected and brought smiles throughout people all over the world. And this year’s holiday season is no exception.

For 23 years, Filstar Distributors Corporation (FDC), the country’s exclusive licensee of Hallmark USA together with the Leukemic Indigents Fund Endowment (L.I.F.E.) Foundation created a charitable project called “Hallmark for L.I.F.E.” to help alleviate the condition of indigent children with Leukemia.
Every year, Hallmark collaborates with top local artists in creating special limited edition L.I.F.E. products such as greeting cards, gift wrappers, bags, and other giftable items where a portion from the sales of these products go straight to the foundation.

L-R Jose Martin Ramos Licauco, Management Trainee, Filstar Distributors Corporation, Mia Christina Licauco Alindogan, Vice President, Filstar Distributors Corporation, Carmela Gozon, Corporate Secretary, LIFE Foundation, Katrina M. Yatco, Business Co - Chair, LIFE Foundation, Winfred Huang, President, LIFE Foundation, Gabriel A. Felix, Treasurer, LIFE Foundation, Nanette M. Garcia, Assistant Vice President - Sales, Filstar Distributors Corporation


This holiday season, FDC will donate to the Foundation a portion from the sales of all Christmas products of Hallmark including the 2018 L.I.F.E. Christmas card collection

Hallmark for L.I.F.E. sparks hope back into the lives of less fortunate children and helps them in their fight against leukemia. Since its inception in 1995, this charitable project has eased the burden of families experiencing the ordeal of both disease and poverty.


To formally launch Hallmark for L.I.F.E, an event was held last October 31 at the Ayala Malls 30th Cinema 1. It was attended by the Hallmark for L.I.F.E team and some of the kids of the foundation. Through this, the people behind Hallmark and L.I.F.E. Foundation hope to help uplift the spirits of the kids, put a smile on their faces, and give them the encouragement and support that they need.