DENR awards wildlife defenders during World Wildlife Day

Protect wildlife habitats. Habitat loss is one of the biggest causes of extinction and it would have a big impact on us humans.

DENR awarded law enforcement agencies during the 7th Wildlife Enforcement Awards held at Wildlife Training Center in QC last March 3. 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced that it will intensify efforts to combat wildlife crime, in partnership with law enforcement agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), during the 7th Wildlife Enforcement Awards held on World Wildlife Day.  

“Our endemic species face the threat of extinction if we do not intensify our law enforcement to crack down illegal wildlife trafficking and other environmental crimes.  We honor the valiant efforts of our enforcers who risk their lives to protect our country’s wildlife resources from poaching, trafficking and overexploitation,” said DENR Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo, Jr.

“We are currently working with Congress to establish an environmental protection and enforcement bureau that will provide the DENR stronger powers and full authority to police wildlife traffickers, illegal loggers, and other environmental criminals,” he added.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) who are working with DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau on projects to address wildlife and environmental crime, were on hand to reaffirm their continued support for the Philippine government’s efforts.

Over the last four years, USAID has supported DENR with enforcement, policy, research, private sector financing, behavior change communication, as well as providing advanced training programs covering wildlife crime scene investigations, advanced intelligence and investigation techniques, and wildlife identification along with improving the wildlife forensics capacity of the Philippines.  WildALERT – a mobile application to aid DENR personnel and law enforcement partners in identifying wildlife species and reporting wildlife crimes while on the field, was also launched.

ADB  is supporting DENR-BMB in its efforts to: (i) strengthen policies and legal frameworks to address large-scale wildlife trafficking, in particular to amend the 19-year old Philippine Wildlife Act, RA 9147 (ii) enhance inter-agency collaboration and information sharing through tools such as the E-CITES online permitting system to prevent fraud and wildlife smuggling, port monitoring assessments, and trainings in cooperation with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and  (iii)  reducing consumer demand for wildlife and wildlife products and make the public and policymakers aware of the long-term value of wildlife to the Philippine economy.

A Joint Declaration Against Wildlife Crime requesting Congress to pass the proposed amendments to RA 9147 in the most expeditious way possible and declaring large-scale illegal wildlife trade as a serious transnational crime that requires close collaboration among law enforcement agencies, was also unveiled.  The declaration also welcomes the inclusion of violations of sections in RA 9147 in the list of predicate crimes to money laundering, consistent with the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001.



The DENR also highlighted its awareness campaigns, #STOPILLEGALWILDLIFETRADE and#BETTERWILDANDALIVE, supported by the ADB and USAID, to raise awareness around illegal wildlife trade, and the urgent need for collective action by government, civil society, private sector, and individuals to help conserve wildlife. 

This year’s celebration of World Wildlife Day is an opportunity for people to recognize the important role of wildlife in our ecology while advocating for its protection, to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the benefits of greater biodiversity.  It also included a ceremonial turnover of a new X-Ray Machine to the National Wildlife Rescue and Research Center, and the 5th National Wildlife Quiz Bee Contest.

Alfamart, the first and only Super Minimart chain in the Philippines

When we hear the word “progress”, images of roads, buildings, and an urbanized lifestyle come to mind. That is all well and good for those residing in so-called “Imperial Manila” but, for most, progress comes at a sustained pace and a grassroots-level scale--a freshly paved road, a new tricycle terminal, or in the case of many developing towns in the north and south, a clean and convenient Super Minimart.

Alfamart, the first and only Super Minimart chain in the Philippines, is very familiar with the positive effects of opening up a store in small towns. Ever since they opened their first store in Trese Martires, Cavite back in 2014, they have been guided by their advocacy of improving overall quality-of-life in the locales they operate in.

Fast forward to today, Alfamart now has 800 stores (their latest one recently opened at Don Ramon Ave., San Fernando, Pampanga). From Cavite, to Laguna, to Bulacan, and finally Pampanga, Alfamart has always been guided by the same principle of improving communities, one Super Minimart at a time.

“A lot of people may overlook what a nearby Super Minimart may bring,” said Alfamart COO Harvey T. Ong. “In our six-year tenure of growing the Alfamart brand, we saw how much a small town has changed by the presence of a clean and convenient Super Minimart where people, especially the housewives, can get their daily needs at everyday low prices,” he added.

Alfamart opened its first store in Pampanga in 2018 and have, since then, been concentrating some of their effort in the area. “Like all the other areas that we’ve expanded into, we see Pampanga as an epicenter of urban growth and community development here in the north,” Ong said.

However, Ong reiterated that their goal is not just to expand for the sake of expanding. They are still committed to their advocacy in improving communities. “As more families establish themselves here, we’d like to provide them with an accessible Super Minimart that has all their needs within reach,” he explained. “By giving them convenience, we hope that affords them more quality time to spend with their respective families,” he concluded.

For more information about Alfamart and its latest offerings, you may visit https://alfamart.com.ph.

Shake it Makati! Paint the Town Green as Shake Shack Heads to Greenbelt

 We’re makin’ our way to ya’, Makati! After opening two restaurants in BGC and Ortigas, Shake Shack will set up shop in the bustling city of Makati at Greenbelt 5 this summer. 

Shack Art in the Park
Shake Shack was born from a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park to support the park conservancy’s first art installation “I ♥ Taxi”, and art has remained a key way that Shacks connect with the local community and reflect the neighborhood. 

Shake Shack partnered with local studio Bad Student, founded by Dyam Gonzales and Pau Tiu, to create a visual narrative of Makati’s development for the construction facade. Using large-scale Risograph printing, a stencil technique with vibrant colors, Bad Student designed an architectural landscape showcasing the city’s iconic buildings with playful 3-D and LED element as well as energetic patterns inspired by local banig handwoven mats. 

Greenbelt 5 “Where's the Shack” – The Shack Clap Challenge

Get ready to Shake it, Makati! From March 27 to May 17, spin and stomp your way to the Shake Shack board up and clap your way to win Shake Shack goods. Snap a 30-second video of your squad performing your take on the Shack Clap. Weekly winners will snag exclusive Shack swag. At the end of the challenge, the ultimate contender will be chosen and will score exclusive swags, a P5,000 Shake Shack gift card and will get to perform their Shack Clap during the opening of Shake Shack in Greenbelt! 

Follow @shakeshackph on Facebook and Instagram for more details.

BRIA Homes rides on Build, Build, Build momentum and creates better lives for Filipinos

Nearly four years into the Duterte administration, official reports disclose that its “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure development program is currently implementing at least 20,000 game-changing projects meant to connect—and promote robust growth in—81 provinces located in 18 regions in the Philippines. 

The DPWH alone, under Secretary Mark Villar, has completed a total of 9845 kms of roads, 2,709 bridges, 64 airport projects, and 243 seaport projects. This is expected to develop industries that, in turn, create jobs and improve the lives of the Filipinos. 

To date, key infrastructure projects under the BBB Program include the Subic-Clark Railway; the North-South railway projects connecting Los Baños, Laguna to Tutuban, Manila and Clark Freeport in Pampanga; a 1,500-hectare industrial park in Clark, Pampanga; and an expanded Clark International Airport also in Pampanga.

Other projects are four energy facilities, ten water resource projects and irrigation systems, and five flood control facilities.

BRIA Homes, one of the leading housing developer in the Philippines is keeping abreast of these positive developments, riding on the momentum as it provides modern and affordable housing options to ordinary Filipinos who stand to benefit from the sustained economic growth.

In fact, BRIA Homes’ winning formula—Affordability (Mura) + Quality (Dekalidad) = a Beautiful BRIA Home for Every Filipino—now makes it possible, through flexible payment schemes, for wage earners to purchase their own homes for a very affordable monthly amortization.

Apart from BRIA Homes’ widespread presence in progressive towns and cities nationwide, it has strategically positioned its residential communities close to transportation, business, and tourism hubs. Its homeowners thus have access to everyday conveniences like shopping and enjoy family leisure activities. BRIA projects are likewise close to schools, hospitals, and churches.

Finally, all BRIA communities feature recreational amenities like covered basketball courts and eco-friendly green spaces, while security is ensured by 24-hour CCTV coverge, guarded entrances and exits, and perimeter fences. 

BRIA Homes is a subsidiary of GOLDEN BRIA Holdings, Inc., considered the third largest real estate company in terms of market capitalization valued at more than P250B. One of the leading housing developer in the Philippines, BRIA Homes is primed to bring affordable house-and-lot packages and condominium units closer to ordinary Filipino families. This is the goal that drives every single employee in the company, for which the ultimate fulfillment is seeing a client happily moving into Bria’s homes.

To know more about BRIA Homes, call (0966) 277 5944, like “Bria Official” on Facebook, and follow “@TheBriaOfficial” on Twitter and Instagram. 

Shakey's goes Plastic Neutral

To help build a better and greener society. Shakey's Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. is now officially plastic neutral. 

Its about time to go plastic neutral and the concept is getting ready to take on the pollution that is generated by plastics.  It is the first restaurant chain in the Philippines to hit this milestone. It set a goal in 2019 to help manage post-consumer waste and push to be plastic neutral in 2020. 

Shakeys celebrated its first year of being "100 percent plastic-neutral" last January 2020.  

But first, what  does being "Plastic Neutral" mean? It is having a zero plastic footprint by recovering and recycling an amount of plastic equal to what it uses. The plastic is then converted into alternative fuel, replacing coal used for producing cement. That is sustainable and responsible business for you. 

Consumer companies face significant cost and performance challenges in finding more sustainable alternatives to plastic. While co-processing is not the perfect solution, it can mitigate the environmental impact of plastic usage,” said Shakey’s Chairman Christopher Po.

Co-processing is meant to “balance out our environmental effects,” said Chairman Po. He added, “Our brands represent quality, value-for-money products. We hope that they will eventually stand for responsible consumption as well.”

Shakey's is the Philippines leader in the pizza and full-service restaurant categories. It is also among top consumer companies working to minimize environmental footprint. 

Bio-Science Skincare: Made for Asian skin with uniquely Asian ingredients

If youre still looking for a quality and affordable skincare nowadays. Then you should try the Bio Science skincare variants which was launched at the SM Makati recently. There are 4 variants available for Filipina skin like Bio-Water, Bio-White, Bio-Gold and Bio-Renew. 

I might give the Bio-Renew a try as part of my anti-aging regimen, as I am still finishing my last bottle from a high-end skincare brand. I was just surprised that their products start at P399 a piece. Yes, you read it right. Its way affordable for a skin care regimen.

Bio Science skincare brand in South east Asia, was formally launched on Thursday, February 27th, 2020, at SM Makati. The event introduced several of Bio-Science’s product lines to women in Metro Manila. The launch was attended by Neeraj Khatri, CEO of Wipro Splash Corporation, Philippines, Thailand, and Indo-China,  together with Ms. Vicci Tomas, COO of Splash Corporation. 

As the number-one skincare brand of choice for women in Southeast Asia, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the Philippine launch of Bio-Science on February 27th, 2020, at SM Makati.In addition, interactive exhibits were set up all around the venue that allowed guests to try samples from Bio-Science’s collection. 

Introducing Bio-Science
First launched in Singapore as Bio-Essence in 2001, Bio-Science has become the most trusted skincare line of choice for women in several countries in Southeast Asia. Bio-Science’s products are developed with Bio Energy Complex. Created through years of extensive research, Bio Energy Complex stimulates the skin’s ability to repair, renew, and replenish itself. Bio-Science’s diverse line of skincare products are formulated with Bio Energy Complex and unique Asian ingredients to make the skin feel healthier, younger, and radiant.

Bio-Science launched in the Philippines with four introductory ranges that cater to Filipinas of various age groups:

Bio-Water
(Perfect for Filipinas ages 18+)
Designed for women with sensitive skin, Bio-Water deeply moisturizes the skin to leave a smooth and supple texture.
Core Ingredients
Hyaluronic Acid – A substance naturally produced by the body, hyaluronic acid continuously hydrates the skin and increases illumination. 
Niacinamide – A form of Vitamin B-3 that stimulates the body’s natural production of keratin and ceramide, which protects the skin and retains moisture. 

Bio-White
(Perfect for Filipinas ages 20+)
Bio-White is highly regarded across Southeast Asia for providing a fair, rosy complexion that complements the skin tones of Asian women. 
Core Ingredients
Camellia –  Known as the “Rose of Winter”, Camellia is a rich antioxidant that moisturizes and rejuvenates the skin from the inside out.  
Tanaka Tree Bark Extract – A traditional ingredient in skin whitening and moisturizing for over 2,000 years, Tanaka is regarded as Myanmar’s best kept secret. 
Arbutin – An extract retrieved from bearberry, Arbutin naturally revitalizes and radiates the skin.

Bio-Gold
(Perfect for Filipinas ages 25+)
Bio-Gold is Bio-Science’s flagship range in the Philippines. The collection harnesses the power of 24K gold to protect the skin against visible signs of aging.
Core Ingredient 
24K Gold – A powerful antioxidant that protects the skin against fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging. In addition, 24K Gold boosts skin illumination and radiance.

Bio-Renew
(Perfect for Filipinas ages 30+)
A collection developed for the needs of women ages 30 and above, Bio-Renew restores the skin’s ability to repair itself once moisture and nutrients are gradually lost from aging. 
Core Ingredients
Royal Jelly – Contains a high concentration of nutrients that nourish the skin and enhance cell renewal.
Fermented Rice – Carries powerful nutrients that enhance clarity and illumination.   

“We identified that specialized solutions for Filipina women were missing from the local market,” shares Neeraj Khatri. “We decided to enter the Philippine market and fulfill the gap by providing women in the Philippines with access to a range of products that are specifically made to meet their skincare needs.”

Experience the Power of Bio-Science

Made for Asian skin with uniquely Asian ingredients, Bio-Science is the leading skincare brand of choice for women all over Southeast Asia. Experience the power of Bio Energy Complex through Bio-Science’s diverse line of luxury skincare products. Bio-Science is now available at all Watson’s Drugstores Nationwide. Prices start at just PHP 399.00 (SRP)!

Get a taste of Kuya J’s new Lechon Baka

There is a new bida coming to Kuya J that will surely level up your next salo-salo!

Tender, flavorful, and juicy, Kuya J’s newest salo-salo star offers a delectable dining experience. A smoky hunk of grilled meat is a staple in Filipino gatherings making Kuya J Lechon Baka a must-try for all barbeque lovers. Whether you want to eat it as it is or with its complementary sides, you will surely enjoy this treat because of its spice, succulence, and value for money.

Available in all Kuya J stores nationwide, this new delicious offering allows diners to enjoy a full and heavy slab of meat covered in lip-smacking barbeque sauce and char-grilled to perfection. Every bite of the Kuya J Lechon Baka is bursting with the right amount of sweet and tangy flavors leaving you wanting for more.

Diners can choose from three variants: 

The Lechon Baka Salo for P1,199 which comes with a full slab of beef and kamote fries; 

Lechon Baka Solo for P499 which is the one slab with kamote fries and 2 cups of rice; and another 

Lechon Baka Solo for P449 which is also one slab but comes with kamote fries only.

Satisfy your barbeque cravings and visit a Kuya J restaurant near you to enjoy Kuya J LechonBaka!

For more information, visit http://www.kuyaj.ph or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @kuyajresto.

Casa de Memoria to hold auction with fine European antiquities

Palacio de Memoria's auction house, Casa de Memoria, or simply the Casa, will be holding Primero, an auction that will feature a curated selection of rare Euro-Filipino treasures, on March 21, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Palacio de Memoria, 95 Roxas Boulevard, Parañaque City. 

Among the coveted antiquities to be sold is the rare map, “Islas Filipinas,” by mapmakers Francisco Coello and Antonio Morata. 

Other auction items include a collection of decorative art, silver, crystals, memorabilia, and ivory with ethical provenance. Photo shows Gallé Vase by French glass artist Émile Gallé.

PLDT-Smart Foundation’s Gabay Guro turns over grand prize to Teacher Mary Jean Libot

Hailing from Marikina City, 26-year old Mary Jean Libot takes home an 8-seater Gratour Van from PLDT-Smart Foundation’s Gabay Guro and Foton. 

Standing 3rd from left is Libot. She is joined by her brother Christian Libot and her mother Violita Libot. 

LexMeet APP provides easier access to legal help

LexMeet APP is a very handy tool for everyday people looking for easier access to legal aid. Whether its personal, family, business or documentation problems. LexMeet is there to help you. Downloading is as easy as 1,2,3. The app is available to android and iOS users.

How to start online consultation in LexMeet?

Step 1: First, download LexMeet on App Store or Google Play Store; or visit website www.Lexmeet.com. 

Step 2: Sign Up and create a profile

Step 3: After creating a profile, one can seek legal advice by providing their legal needs details using the Submit Legal Problem button.  Client needs to have sufficient credits needed to have a consultation with a lawyer. 

Lexmeet Registration is free. To consult with a lawyer, a minimum of Php 500 or 500 credits is needed.  Php 50 for every use of Lawyers List provided by LexMeet. If you will “Talk Again” to the same lawyer for the next consultation, Lawyers List fee is free. 

The online legal consultation via video conference is on a per minute basis equivalent to Php35 per minute. 


There are three (3) payment gateway options to choose from:
• Dragon Pay (Online Banking, OTC/ATM Banks, Remittance Centers, GCash)
• Paypal

• Coins.ph

Mega Global signed partnership with LexMeet the first legal solutions mobile app in the Philippines last Feb 26 at Prime Hotel, QC.  It was attended by Mega Global CEO William Tiu Lim, LexMeet Founder and President Atty. Marlon Valderama and colleagues.

Legal problems that are not readily resolved usually end up being bigger problems.  But many Filipinos who need legal help often feel helpless as getting a trustworthy lawyer is a luxury they cannot afford. Not to mention the proliferation of fake attorneys in social media that victimizes clients in dire need of legal service.

At present, approximately 80% of legal problems in the Philippines do not receive legal assistance based on the World Justice Project Report. Filipinos, specially OFWs and PWDs, find it extremely troublesome to deal with legal issues in the Philippines because they think it’s inconvenient, expensive, and intimidating to deal with legal issues at a lawyer’s office.  

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are also in need of legal assistance also lack access to affordable legal help. 

L-R
Michael Tiu Lim, Vice President for Operations, Mega Global Corporation
Michelle Tiu Lim Chan, Vice President for Finance, Mega Global Corporation
Monica Hipolito-Aguilar, Co-Executive Producer, The Final Pitch
John Aguilar, Executive Producer and Host, The Final Pitch
William Tiu Lim, President & CEO, Mega Global Corporation
Atty. Marlon Valderama, Founder and President, LexMeet, Inc. 
Rigie Fernandez, Vice President for Marketing and Design, LexMeet, Inc. 
Gino Carlo Cortez, Vice President for Technology, LexMeet, Inc. 

This dilemma can now be solved in just a click with LexMeet- the first legal solutions mobile app in the Philippines that aims to bridge the gap between clients and lawyers.  With just a click of the LexMeet APP on a smartphone or a computer, LexMeet can give you quick access to legal services that are both competent and affordable.  

LexMeet gives Filipinos online legal service accessibility anytime, anywhere so clients can receive legal advice, legal documents and legal remedies online, at their own convenience.  LexMeet creates legal tech products that allow clients and lawyers the ability to complete an entire legal case, from assessment to execution of judgment.

LEXMEET’S NEW PRODUCTS
LexMeet’s three new products are grouped into Assist, Consult, and Everyday Law.

  ASSIST – a FREE legal crowdsourcing platform for initial assessment of a client’s legal problem. This is where a client could determine if he/she really needs a lawyer or if he/she really has a case to file in court or not.

CONSULT- a PREPAID online legal consultation platform using video conference with lawyer-client matching algorithm. Clients can comfortably request the date and time of the online legal consultation with the lawyer. They meet the selected lawyer face-to-face in LexMeet’s own video chat consultation platform where they could directly ask questions and make clarifications as well as upload additional documents for review. The lawyer chosen is informed in advance of the client’s legal problem with the attached documents. Follow-up legal consultation can be conveniently made by the client and/or they can easily arrange for another lawyer’s second opinion or advice. 

EVERYDAY LAW- FREE legal information and knowledge through blogs/vlogs.
Lawyers also benefit from LexMeet because it gives them a chance to reach a larger market and improve their individual standing.

LexMeet’s latest data as of February 13, 2020 shows a total number of 29,784 clients served by a pool of 452 lawyers solving a total number of 26,525 legal problems.

Stelton Dermascience BGC introduces Holistic Pod for slimming and relaxation

Stelton Dermascience, known for its affordable and sustainable beauty and skin care services using the most recent innovations and state-of-the-art technology, has once again upped the ante in holistic wellness solutions with the Holistic Pod. Also called H-Pod, it is exclusively found in their branch at One BHS Mall in BGC.

The H-pod is a health, beauty, and wellness machine which does not only deliver skin rejuvenation and anti-aging properties, but also improves both physical and mental performance with regular use. 

A 30-minute session can free the body of excess water and toxins and can aid in slimming and relaxation.  Clients (especially those with a sedentary lifestyle) are advised to have daily sessions. If the goal is to lose weight, having at least 3 to 4 times sessions a week for consecutive 4 weeks is recommended. 

Finally, for those who wish to improve their overall body wellness, sessions for two to three times weekly on a regular basis is ideal.

The H-Pod experience is comfortable and relaxing because of the optional vibrating massage and the fragrant aromatic experience. LED light emitted by the pod helps make skin look younger by enhancing collagen production that helps tighten skin. 

The H-pod uses Himalayan salt crystals that promote overall wellness and healing. While doing the procedure, clients can comfortably watch a movie or listen to their favorite music. 

The machine is also an effective method for detoxification, muscle toning, stress relief, pain and muscle soreness management. It does not only work on your body on the outside but improves overall blood circulation, promotes faster healing and recovery of body cells, and boosts the immune system.

The H-Pod can be combined with S-Body Contouring.  It can also be used with MesoShrink or UlthraBody HIFU to help eliminate unwanted body fat faster. 

Until February 29, 2020, Stelton Dermascience is offering an introductory promo of 10 sessions of  H-Pod & S-Body Contouring for only P20K (from original price of P50K). 

To inquire and book an appointment, pls call (09778555769 / 0279177640).  
Stelton Dermascience’s other branch is located at Ayala North Exchange, Makati City.

Follow Stelton Dermascience on FB, like it on IG: steltondermascience.