It’s time to try flexing some creative muscle with your little ones while doing something new!

Thinking of what else you can do at home with your little ones? 

Keep them entertained with new curated Print & Play activities from HP. Suitable for ages 2 to 12, kids can try out hours of craft making, mazes, dot-to-dot drawing and many other puzzles. 

Whether you are looking for content to support your child’s home-based learning or trying to juggle work and play, you can find printable arts & crafts to create fun and engaging experiences to bond with your kids. With HP Print & Play, parents can choose from a range of activities that are best suited to their children’s needs to achieve the best possible learning outcomes. 

Why We Print & Play - The HP New Asian Learning Experience Study

With the need to spend more time at home, parents are on the lookout for exercises that can stimulate a child’s mind and invoke a greater love for learning.  

HP’s New Asian Learning Experience Study identifies millennial parents’ attitudes towards learning and how their personalities impact the way their children learn. Our study shows that while print and digital each have their own strengths, a combination of digital and print was most beneficial in helping children stay focused and engaged while they learn.

Parents in the Philippines said that printed materials were better used for activities related to art (61%), math (60%), and memorization (50%), whereas electronic materials better facilitated learning in music or auditory skills (60%). 

HP Print & Play was created from a need to help parents bridge the gap between education in school and learning at home by supplementing their child’s learning while making playtime at home more engaging. 

Parents can refer to the study findings to understand how to best use different formats to facilitate positive learning outcomes without taking the joy out of learning.

AGE GROUP	ACTIVITIES
2 to 4 years old	ANIMAL FUN – learn through play with cute animal buddies!  ·       Find the Bunny’s Way Level: Easy Estimated Time: 10 Minutes Help! The little bunny is trapped! Tag team with your little one to save the poor rabbit and help him find his way through the maze – start from where the red arrow is pointing and exit through the green arrow. Pro tip: after drawing the correct path, colour the different pathways to make it into a funky piece of artwork!
	·       Connect to see the Cow  Level: Easy Estimated Time: 15 Minutes Little cow can’t find his spots! Can you help him? Get your child to finish the drawing while following the numbers with the dots. Complete the picture by getting them to colour it in.
	·       Build a Bird Level: Medium Estimated Time: 15 Minutes What is that you spot with your little eye, flying in the sky? Try out some craft fun with your little one by getting them to make their own bird in three simple steps!  Pro tip: create more animals with the other paper craft activities to build your own animal farm.
4 to 8 years old	FRUIT FUN – learn through play with these fruity challenges!  ·       Solve the Pear Puzzle Level: Easy Estimated Time: 15 Minutes It’s sweet and yellow with a nice crunch in every bite. Can you guess what I see? I see a pear!  Challenge your child to piece together the fruit with this puzzle.
	·       Put the Fruits Correctly Level: Medium Estimated Time: 20 Minutes Are you a professional packer? Sort the fruits into the right boxes! Work with your child to help put the fruits in the right boxes through the maze.  Pro tip: End off with colouring the different pathways to create a new artwork!  Applicable for 8 to 12 years old as well.
	·       Connect to see the Crab Level: Difficult  Estimated Time: 30 Minutes Oh no! The poor crab is missing its pincers! Connect all the dots to draw all its missing parts. As an added activity, have your child colour the crab to create a special artwork that you can put on your fridge! Pro tip: Join your child in a “race” to see who completes the activity first. Give it a go for lesser time if you want to train up their speed.
8 to 12 years old	CULTURAL FUN – learn through play with different cultures!  ·       Find the Elephant Level: Difficult  Estimated Time: 30 Minutes It’s massive animal with a long trunk! Some of them grow very large tusks made with ivory. Can you guess what animal I see? It’s an elephant! Find the elephant with this puzzle.
	·       Creating a Seventh Wonder of the World  Level: Difficult  Estimated Time: 40 Minutes Have you always wanted to explore the world and visit the seven wonders of the world? Take craft making to another level by having your little one build their very own miniature Taj Mahal!  Pro tip: aside from doing the craft, take the time to share some knowledge about India and the iconic site.
	·       Colour the Map  Level: Difficult  Estimated Time: 40 Minutes Mr Koala bear is cute, furry and always sleeping. What else do you know about him? Do you know where he lives? Get your child to colour the map of Australia based on their own interpretation. Pro tip: use this time to teach about the different colouring techniques such as gradient colouring, or using watercolours aside from just coloured pencils.

 

Your Learning Buddy At Home
	HP Ink Advantage Small yet mighty, the HP Ink Advantage is designed to fit your child’s study desk. Aside from its wireless printing capabilities, this compact printer allows you and your child to easily handle most scan jobs, from plain paper to photos with HP Scroll Scan.
	HP Smart Tank Hoping to take learning to another level? Allow your creativity to flow with the HP Smart Tank which allows for high volume printing from your phone via the HP Smart App or your laptop – perfect for creating that journal of Print & Play activities with your child. What’s more, its spill-free refill system using Original HP high-yield ink bottles allows for convenient “replacement” of ink.

For more information on how to keep learning, keep working and keep going, visit your nearest HP Authorized Premier Reseller or log on to HP.com. You may also visit the official HP flagship store at Lazada and Shopee.

BDO to online bankers: “Never share your OTPs!”

BDO Unibank, Inc. warns against scammers who are taking advantage of the enhanced community quarantine to trick people into giving their personal information, such as usernames, passwords, account numbers, and One-Time PINs (OTPs). Using this information, scammers take their victims’ identities, access their online bank accounts, and steal their hard-earned money.

Pretending to be bank officers, they communicate with accountholders over the phone, SMS, email, or even social media and urge them to verify their accounts or validate a transaction by sharing their personal information. Alarmed and anxious, many are victimized, especially those who are new to online banking.

BDO assures its clients that real bank officers will never ask for their personal information. One of the best defenses against scam, according to the bank, is never sharing OTPs with anyone.

Never share OTPs

OTPs provide another layer of protection for online bankers. They can be used once and only within a short span of time. The bank sends these unique six-character codes on two occasions: first, to complete a mobile number’s registration to BDO Online Banking, and second, to confirm an online transaction. 

Besides asking directly, scammers can obtain OTPs from a stolen phone. They can hack apps, which may have the owner’s banking details to make quick online transactions. The bank reminds its clients to report when their registered mobile devices are stolen or missing, so that it can detect unauthorized transactions from it.

Some scammers select their victims carefully. They gather their victims’ personal information first before attacking. Through a scheme called SIM swapping, they pretend to be the mobile owner and deceive a phone line carrier into giving out a new SIM card.

BDO advises clients, when they notice unusual activities on their mobile devices, to ask their telecommunication company to block their SIM number and for extra safety, freeze their bank accounts through customercare@bdo.com.ph or BDO Customer Care on Messenger.

Keep personal info private

With the community quarantine in place, many Filipinos are shifting to online banking to stay at home and safe from the virus. Through BDO Online Banking, clients can pay bills, send money, load up their prepaid mobile phones, and check account balances.

BDO encourages those who would like to bank online to visit its official website, click on “eBanking,” then “Online Banking,” then “Enroll Now.” An ATM activation code will be sent out via SMS after the application form is completed. This code will allow clients to confirm their enrollment at the nearest BDO ATM. 

COVID-19 did not stop scammers from doing what they do best; in fact, it has only fueled them to intensify their attacks. From pretending to be bank officers to staging coronavirus-related schemes, they continue to take a shot at unsuspecting accountholders.

BDO however, reiterates that for as long as clients do not share their personal information with anyone, including their OTPs when they bank online, they can beat scam attacks and protect their bank accounts.

Globe Studios via .giff teams up with local filmmakers and enthusiasts to raise funds for daily wage film workers

In light of the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon, the Philippine film industry along with many other local businesses continue to be impacted as normal operations and services are put on halt. Globe recognizes this pressing need and continues its efforts to help frontliners and daily wage earners who have been affected by these developments through a new unique collaborative effort with film artists. 

Globe Studios via .giff festival of new cinema has teamed up with Lockdown Cinema Club, a coalition of independent Filipino filmmakers who wish to reach and help their colleagues amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to raise funds for daily wage film industry workers in the country. Workers affected by the crisis include crew members, electricians, caretakers, camera men, artists, post-production assistants, and everyone who is vital in creating a film.  Majority of them are freelancers and are compensated on a per project basis.

To raise funds, directors, writers, producers, cinematographers, production designers, production managers, film editors and film students will showcase their best works online and for free via https://giff.ph/watch/. Film enthusiasts and audiences from all walks of life can visit the page to stream, enjoy their favorite films, and take part in raising funds through donations via GCash - all while staying connected, inspired and #SafeAtHome. 

As of April 7, the initiative has extended aid to over 1000 film workers. Through the combined efforts of .giff, Lockdown Cinema Club and local film aficionados, the goal is to raise P3,000,000 in the succeeding weeks of the extended ECQ. 

Everyone is invited to watch all they want through the .giff site https://giff.ph/watch/ and give what they can via the GCash QR code found within the same page. For updates, you may visit the official Globe Studios FB page at https://www.facebook.com/globestudiosph/ . 

Useful tips on what to buy, how to buy, and ways to avoid panicking during the enhanced community quarantine

With the whole country placed in an enhanced community lockdown in view of the raging COVD-19 pandemic, and with the limited mobility everyone is experiencing, the temptation to hoard during grocery runs is difficult to resist, what with the uncertainty and confusion gripping everyone.

At a time like this, panic-buying or panicking in general is something we should best avoid doing, which actually does not help the situation any. Worse still, you deprive others who also need to buy food and supplies.

As wisely suggested, the key lies in proper planning and preparation, to make the most of the trip to the market.

Because you don't want the food that you prepare and eat to get contaminated, keeping your kitchen area clean and disinfected is a must! After scrubbing countertops and other work surfaces clean, follow-up with Lysol disinfecting spray!

1.     Make a list 

As you prepare your grocery list, do a thorough inventory of your pantry—what you have and don’t; and if you have enough of something to last you a couple of weeks, then clearly there’s no need to hoard. Being properly prepared with a plan can make your grocery run quick and easy.

2.     Come up with a menu

Since you’re going to have to cook during the duration of the quarantine period, develop a menu plan of dishes you intend serve. This is also a good way to practice your culinary skills, get family members involved, and to be extra creative!

3.     Be smart with perishables

If you have perishable goods such as produce and other ingredients, consume them first while still edible. From there and based on your menu plan, you can buy these ingredients as needed without over-stocking.

4.      Stock up on shelf-stable foods

It may be also be a smart idea to stock-up on canned goods, pasta, sardines, and the like. Not only do these last longer, they are easier to prepare too.

5.     Identify freezable pantry items

Similarly, choose items whose shelf life can be extended by freezing such as meat, bread, fruits, and milk.

6.     Do not hoard                                                                                                              

Again, choose items that will last longer since stepping out of the house and trips to the grocery are limited. Buy supplies that are enough for the people in the household, while keeping in mind others out their who need to do the groceries as well. It’s all about showing courtesy and care at a difficult time like this.

7.     Include home cleaning materials as ‘essentials’

Aside from toiletries and cleaning supplies, don’t forget to have household disinfectants on your list: this is crucial for disinfecting doorknobs, countertops, tables, and other frequently-touched surfaces which can then reduce the spread of viruses such as the novel coronavirus. 

8.     The earlier, the better     

To avoid the long lines, the confusion, and to better practice social distancing, head to the grocery as early as possible. That way, you accomplish your errand faster while reducing your exposure to crowded areas.  

                                                                                                            

During challenging times like these, let’s all stay safe, keep smart, and remain calm. You can achieve this through suitable grocery planning; always having soap, detergents, and household disinfectants on your shopping list; practicing thorough handwashing and disinfection of frequently-touched surfaces! 

The Orange Lady, Ms Joby Moreno, celebrates birthday with hope and positivity amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

I met Ms Joby Linsangan-Moreno about four years ago when we went to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija to check out one of the most popular salons in the province, Orange Blush Salon. 

Back then everyone had red hair, so I also got my hair colored to vibrant red. It was the first time I had my hair dyed and it turned out so good.  I liked it so much that I’ve tried to maintain the look for the next couple of years carefully treating it to protect the color and prevent dryness. I even remember buying a purple shampoo to keep the color from fading. I loved that it faded to purple then to soft pink. But when I tried to get the same bright color (red) from a different salon. It turned out a hit and miss because the colorist  wasn’t able to achieve the color that I wanted, good thing I don’t have to go back to Nueva Ecija because Orange Blush Salon now has branches here in Manila. And I promise to visit one the moment this enhanced community quarantine is lifted by the end of the month. 

Because of that experience,  Orange Blush Salon easily became one of my favorites, proof that Joby—also known as the Orange Lady, commitment to satisfy each customer of the salon.

Joby Linsangan-Moreno shares, “Our goal is to become the top-of-mind hair salon in the country. We want people to think of Orange Blush Salon when they want to have their hair cut or rebonded. We want them to feel that at OBS, you are being cared for and that our customers are our highest priority. Our mission is to make our customers feel loved, happy, hopeful, and beautiful.”

Clients are pampered like royalties and celebrities with its wide array of premium service including haircutting, hair treatments, hair rebonding, hair straightening, hair coloring, manicure and pedicure, foot spa, makeup, Power Dose Treatment, Brazillian Keratin Treatment, and Semi De Lino Treatment, among others.

Orange Blush Salon was Ms. Joby’s passion project. A medical technologist by profession, Joby said she had always been fascinated with the business of beauty. Using the P30,000 she earned from her salary, Joby put us the very first Orange Blush salon.

It wasn’t always easy, and Joby recalls that during the first months, as her stylists were even pirated by another salon, forcing her to ask for help from another salon and dividing each P60 peso haircut 50-50 just so she could get more customers. 

Her hardwork and business-savvy skills eventually transformed Orange Blush Salon into one of the biggest salon chains in Northern Luzon.  Orange Blush Salon has 20 branches scattered in the different parts of Northern Luzon and Metro Manila with 10 branches are wholly-owned while the other 10 are franchises. The flagship store is located in Sparks Place Cubao. 

Today, April 8, 2020 would’ve been a very special day for Joby as she celebrates her 40^th birthday. And to celebrate this milestone Joby was supposed to launch two new passion projects—the PAK FOUNDATION: PARLORISTA AT BARBERO KAMI FOUNDATION and her very first book BEAUTY AND THE BIZ.

PAK FOUNDATION

THE PARLORISTA AT BARBERO KAMI FOUNDATION or PAK is first organization that unifies salon owners and workers, barbers and other related beauty and wellness institutions. “It seeks to prioritize, improve, and safeguard the lives and the welfare of our Parloristas (Hairdressers, Estheticians, Massage therapists, Nail Technicians, salon receptionists), Barbers and their families.”

PAK aims to promote hairdressing as a serious profession and educational program that generates employment and contribute to the over-all economic development of the country.  It also seeks to uphold Hairdressing, Massage, Hair and Makeup and other beauty and wellness related courses to the highest standards and ensure the welfare of ALL CUSTOMERS of Health and Wellness industries by providing them with the proper and the best professional hairdressing services possible.

For the launch they plan to provide FREE Haircut and other wellness services and hold free summer camps and short courses about Hairdressing and other beauty and wellness-related programs in cooperation with TESDA. 

The long-term goal is to educate and encourage students to enroll in Hairdressing program as offered in K-12 curriculum by the Department of Education (Home Economics Thread), and provide scholarship programs to the children and families of PAK members.  

In the future, Joby adds PAK hopes to put up hair salons that will offer free haircut to the indigent and less fortunate and partner with government or private institutions to provide health and wellness services.

BEAUTY and THE BIZ 

Besides the launch of the PAK foundation, Ms Joby said they also planned to introduce her very first book, Beauty and the Biz. 

The book is a guide for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to build their own beauty empire. The book features stories from self made beauty entrepreneur who share their personal experiences and success stories to help you establish your own beauty brand. 

The book will be published by ABS CBN Publishing and will be sold at National Bookstores nationwide soon.

As a bonus, the book will likewise include Joby’s “10 commandments of the Orange Lady” a list of rules on how to live a joyful and balanced personal business life.

The ECQ may have prevented Joby from celebrating this milestone with family and friends, so instead they are devoting their efforts to helping the frontliners.  Together with Aliaga Rice Supply (the business of her husband Lawrence) Orange Blush Salon helps in distributing rice, orange masks and Orange salon hair products: leave on conditioners and hair serum sprays to HONOR our FRONTLINERS: Hospital attendants, doctors, nurses, bank employees, supermarket employees, barangay captains and councilors, Military and police, pharmacists in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

The announcement that the enhanced community quarantine will be further extended buy Joby remains hopeful and thankful amidst the crisis. Through her unwavering faith, JOby believes that we shall all prevail in the end, despite our current difficulties. “We are being confronted with challenging times, but we shall not be afraid, and we should all keep the faith, and know in our hearts that this too, shall pass. We may all be physically apart, but we are all emotionally together as one in this battle. And we shall win this! Looking forward to a fresh start, a wiser beginning and a stronger and more resilient Team Pilipinas as we go back to normalcy soon.”

#JOBYis40