Bantay Bata continues to provide utmost care to children in need at Children's Village

 

The coming holidays will again be marked by reunions among many Filipino families but the ongoing pandemic continues to limit social interactions. Despite this, one of the many Christmas traditions that Filipinos will never give up is gift-giving.

 

During this time, several communities will mount fundraising and gift-giving initiatives to bring joy to everyone during this festive occasion. Among the beneficiaries where communities can help are Bantay Bata and their Children’s Village program.

 

With healthy living becoming the top priority for all, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) partners with ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.’s Bantay Bata, in providing vitamin supplements and medicines, like Paracetamol Calpol for Kids, Advil, Scott’s DHA Gummies, thermometers, and more to children and employees, who act as caregivers to the kids in Children’s Village. The donation will benefit kids who are brought in for custody and rehabilitation so they can have holistic care and are protected from diseases. 

 

Bantay Bata brings a powerful message of hope to children in the country. One of its several programs is the Children’s Village, a temporary shelter and healthcare for rescued, abused, neglected, or abandoned children so they can recover from traumatic experiences. In Children’s Village, kids receive child care, education, and spiritual, socio-recreational, and therapeutic activities to help them in the healing process. As they serve as a temporary shelter for kids, the Children’s Village also commits to giving them a healthy lifestyle and holistic immunity. 

 

The supplements will help children have a strong immunity in their fight against bacteria and viruses. When they get sick at Children’s Village, they can rely on Paracetamol Calpol for Kids to relieve fever in just 15 minutes. Paracetamol Calpol can also ease pain discomfort related to toothaches, headaches, migraine, muscle aches, sore throats, and musculoskeletal pain. One can also choose from its different variants and delicious flavors for kids of all ages:

●      0-2 years old: Paracetamol Calpol Infant Drops Orange 10ml

●      2-6 years old: Paracetamol Calpol Suspension Strawberry 60ml and 120ml

●      6-12 years old: Paracetamol Calpol Suspension Orange 60ml and 120ml

 

Bantay Bata continues to provide utmost care to children in need. This holiday season, those who wish to extend help to these kids can still reach out through the following:

●      Bantay Bata 163 Hotline via Landline (toll-free) or thru #163 for Globe users and (02) 163 for Smart subscribers

●      They are also available at bantaybata@abs-cbnfoundation.com or at facebook.com/BantayBata163PH.

 

To know more about Fever and Pain Management and Calpol Dosage Calculator, visit calpol.com.ph or facebook.com/CalpolPH.

Start your shift to a plant-powered lifestyle by switching to Herbal Essences

The new year is almost here — a time to reflect and make positive changes to your lifestyle. This is the perfect chance to look back on your wellness, and how your environment highly affects your mood and happiness.

As another year ends, an opportunity to shift your lifestyle unfolds. Why not consider a plant-powered lifestyle? It has a lot of benefits not just for your physical wellbeing but also for your mental health. Apart from the many benefits that you can experience from a sustainable lifestyle, it’s also another way of giving back to Mother Nature especially when you support products that are plant powered.

 If you’re on the lookout for ways to be more eco-conscious and shift to a plant-powered lifestyle this 2022, it’s easy to start with small changes in your everyday life. It can even be as simple as choosing beauty products that not only help you feel good about yourself but is good for the environment as well. Especially since a lot of popular beauty products are already being made with plant-based ingredients.

One trending plant ingredient is Blue Ginger, or Galangal, which has been use for centuries in Asia in cooking and medicine. Blue ginger comes with a wide range of benefits, especially for hair care. It contains properties that help remove impurities from your hair, cleanse, and revitalize strands. But only a few brands have explored this powerful plant. Good thing, this year’s MEGA Beauty Awards eco-friendly winner, Herbal Essences bio:renew already includes a variant with blue ginger among its wide range of plant-powered haircare line so you can actually already try it out. 

The Herbal Essences bio:renew Revitalising Blue Ginger & Micellar Shampoo contains real Blue Ginger, as certified by plant experts at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It’s made to refresh your strands, remove impurities, and make them feel smoother from root to tip, you would want to touch your hair so often you #CantUnfeelIt. You also get to enjoy an amazing plant-powered shower with a scent experience of blue ginger, floral bouquets, and clean musk. Herbal Essences bio:renew Blue Ginger and Micellar Shampoo is paraben-free, silicone-free, and colorant-free. Plus, it’s also color-safe and pH-balanced, crafted to be safe for color-treated hair.

Start your shift to a plant-powered lifestyle by switching to Herbal Essences. Not only will you be giving your hair extra care, but Mother Nature as well. Herbal Essences bio:renew collection are made from real botanicals with 0% parabens, silicones, glutens and colorants. Your hair will feel so healthy, you won’t be able to unfeel it.

Achieve a more sustainable lifestyle this 2022  through small changes and experience good hair days you can’t unfeel when you shop Herbal Essences through Lazada or Shopee.

BDO Foundation partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Huawei Philippines for the development of supplemental learning materials

As COVID-19 continues to affect the return of students and teachers to classrooms, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank has been finding ways to develop innovative learning materials that can be easily accessed online and shared offline.

 

BDO Foundation partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Huawei Philippines for the development of supplemental learning materials that integrate key concepts into the teaching of Science and Mathematics in schools across the country.

The partnership was officially launched in a virtual event witnessed by BDO Unibank and BDO Foundation chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson, BDO Foundation president Mario A. Deriquito, and BDO Foundation trustee Lucy Co Dy. Also in attendance were DepEd secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones, DepEd undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio, DepEd undersecretary Tonisito Umali and Huawei Philippines vice president Daniel Guo.

 

The launch was highlighted by the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement for the implementation of the program dubbed the Search for the Best Supplemental Learning Materials in the Teaching of Defined Key Concepts in Science and Mathematics.

 

The nationwide competition will invite participants composed of public elementary and high school teachers to develop learning modules that integrate financial literacy into the teaching of Science and Math. The most outstanding entries will receive recognition and will be uploaded on the DepEd online learning portal, where they can be readily downloaded by teachers and students all over the country.

 

According to DepEd secretary Briones, “This is very significant for us. We cannot take for granted the importance of Math and Science in basic education. Our educators and learners are fortunate because new materials will be launched to make Math and Science interesting, exciting and full of discoveries and challenges. I would like to thank BDO Foundation and Huawei Philippines for supporting this project.”

 

The initiative is in line with the shared advocacy of the foundation, DepEd and Huawei—touted as the global leader in information and communications technology infrastructure and smart devices—to promote financial inclusion among educators and learners. The contest supports the partners’ goal to institutionalize financial education in DepEd’s K to 12 curriculum.

Try these recipes made with Mekeni Christmas Hams!

 

Serving ham during the holiday season is a much-loved Yuletide tradition of Filipinos. Holidays are made more delicious with classic, comforting, and gorgeously glazed Christmas hams; and every Filipino household’s holiday feast will not be complete without Mekeni Christmas Ham at the table.

 

Aside from their delicious taste, Mekeni Christmas Hams are also a holiday favorite because of their versatility. You can cook up a dozen delicious dishes using any of Mekeni’s Christmas Hams!

 

You might think that elevating Christmas hams will require time and effort in the kitchen, but there are delicious recipes that are easy to make. Try these recipes made with Mekeni Christmas Hams!

 Mekeni Shredded Christmas Ham with Honey Glaze Pineapple

Honey pineapple glaze basically complements any type of meat, and it is typically used to level up any Christmas ham. Adding pineapple’s tanginess and honey’s subtle sweetness to your smoky and tasty Christmas ham will surely hit the spot! Check this shredded ham recipe with honey pineapple glaze recipe by Mekeni and excite your taste buds!

 

Ingredients:

-       500g Mekeni Deli Premium Ham, cooked and shredded

-       ¾ cup of honey

-       1 cup pineapple juice (fresh or canned)

-       2 tbsp cornstarch

-       ¼ cup of water

-       6-8 flour tortillas

-       shredded lettuce

-       pineapple chunks

-       salsa

 

Procedure:

1. In a saucepan, bring honey and pineapple juice to a boil.
2. While waiting for the pineapple and honey mixture to boil, mix cornstarch and water in a separate bowl. Whisk until smooth.
3. Add the cornstarch mixture to the honey and pineapple mixture. Stir constantly until it thickens. Set aside.
4. Shred the cooked 500g Mekeni Deli Premium Ham and toss with the honey pineapple glaze. Then, set aside.
5. Heat a pan, then warm the flour tortilla pieces according to the package instructions.
6. Assemble the wrap by putting the shredded Mekeni Deli Premium Ham with honey pineapple glaze at the center of the tortilla.
7. Add shredded lettuce, pineapple chunks, and salsa as desired, then wrap it up. 
8. Serve it on a plate.

 

Mekeni Holiday Bell Pepper Cups

Stuffed bell peppers are not just enticing to eat as these are also healthy and easy to assemble. With only just a few ingredients you can find in your pantry, you can make this healthy rainbow of sweet red, yellow, green, and orange bell peppers. To level up this bright and colorful dish, use Mekeni Piña Ham for that subtle sweet and tangy kick!

 

Ingredients:

-       250g Mekeni Piña Ham, shredded

-       4 bell peppers, any color

-       ¼ cup yellow onion, finely chopped

-       4 cloves garlic, minced

-       4 medium-sized eggs

-       ¼ cup cheddar cheese

-       salt and pepper to taste

-       cilantro for garnish (optional)

 

Procedure:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Coat a baking pan with cooking spray. You can use a muffin tray to ensure that the bell peppers will stand.
2. In a saucepan, add water enough to cover the peppers. Bring to a boil.
3. While waiting for the water to boil, cut the top part of the bell pepper. Remove the seeds and membranes then, rinse. 
4. Put the bell peppers in the boiling water for about 2 minutes, then drain.
5. In a pan, sauté onion, garlic, and the shredded Mekeni Piña Ham. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Put the bell peppers in the tray or baking pan then stuff it with the ham mixture, at least half filled. Add cheese if you want a gooey texture.
7. Crack the egg in each pepper cup and season with salt and pepper. You may add more cheese if you prefer. 
8. Bake until egg whites are set and cheese is melted and lightly browned.
9. Garnish it with cilantro.
10. Serve while the bell pepper cups are still hot. 

 

Mekeni Christmas Ham Fried Rice

Hams and fried rice are a perfect combination. Tired of having Christmas ham leftovers? Try this Mekeni Christmas Ham Fried Rice recipe. It is so easy to make plus, it will surely be a hit among the family members.

 

Ingredients:

-       250g Mekeni Pear-Shaped Ham, sliced into pieces

-       3 medium eggs, beaten

-       2 tbsp oil

-       2 tbsp butter

-       6 cloves garlic, minced

-       8 pcs medium shrimps, peeled and deveined

-       ½ cup frozen peas

-       ½ cup frozen carrots

-       ½ cup frozen corn

-       200g pineapple chunks

-       2 tbsp turmeric powder

-       6 cups cooked rice

 

Procedure:

1. Beat eggs in a bowl until smooth. Then, fry it in a hot pan. Set aside. 
2. In the same pan, sauté the Mekeni Pear-Shaped Ham for 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
3. Heat a large-sized wok and add the remaining oil and butter. Sauté the garlic then add the shrimps, peas, carrots, corn, pineapple chunks, and turmeric powder. 
4. Once the shrimps are cooked, add the cold rice to the wok. Continue sauteing until rice is warmed through. Add salt to taste.
5. While the rice is being warmed through, slice the fried eggs, and mix them with the fried rice.
6. Add the Mekeni Pear-Shaped Ham pieces to the rice. 
7. Serve while hot.

 

When it comes to making the holiday season grander and even more special, Mekeni is your ally. Indulge your loved ones with a taste of Mekeni’s family-favorite Christmas Hams—Mekeni Gold Premium Ham, Mekeni Deli Premium Ham, Mekeni Piña Ham, Mekeni Pear-Shaped Ham, and Mekeni Brick Ham— that can make your holiday feasts truly #TimplangAtin.

 

Get your Mekeni Christmas Hams from Mekeni Home2Home Delivery, Mekeni Food Outlets, and wet markets near you.

 

Robredo gains significant ground in latest PUBLiCUS Asia survey

Presidential candidate and Vice President Leni Robredo gained significant ground in the latest by PUBLiCUS Asia’s Pahayag fourth quarter survey.

 

From 15.4 percent in the previous survey conducted on Nov. 16 to 18, Robredo received 20.2 percent in the latest nationwide purposive sampling survey conducted from Dec. 6 to 10 participated in by 1,500 respondents.

Ferdinand “Bongbong Marcos Jr., for his part, suffered a drop of almost five points, from 56.7 percent on Nov. to 18 to 51.9 percent in the latest survey.

Robredo recently revealed her five-point "Hanapbuhay Para sa Lahat" plan to revive industries and create more jobs for Filipinos.

 

Under Robredo’s plan, among the actions to be taken include restoring trust in government, reviving industries, eliminate discrimination in the workplace, supporting small businesses and saving workers.

 

"Bubuwagin natin ang mga sindikatong ginawa nang negosyo ang gobyerno. Gagawin nating patas ang merkado at sisiguruhing may isang salita ang pamahalaan," Robredo said during the program’s unveiling.

As part of her actions to restore trust in government, the Vice President plans to strengthen the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) to end monopoly and unfair business practices and to fully implement the Ease of Doing Business Act.

 

She will prioritize four industries, namely maritime, climate, technology, and manufacturing, and invest in green business such as e-transport, climate-smart agricultural infrastructure, and clean energy.

 

Robredo also committed to implement the Anti-Age Discrimination Act, pass the National Food Security bill to allow government to buy from small farmers and fisherfolk for feeding programs and introduce quality retraining and skills-matching program for workers, among others.

 

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) recently several recognitions from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) for their various programs and processes.

 

The CSC handed the PRIME-HRM Level II Accreditation for Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management to the OVP.

 

The DAP selected OVP’s Community Learning Hubs and Free Shuttle and Ferry Services for frontliners as among the six Government Best Practices for COVID-19 Response.

 

Last week, the OVP was also awarded with another ISO Certification for complying with international standards set by the International Organization for Standardization.

Top Brands Share how Shopee supported its growth on the platform

 

 The Philippines is the fastest-growing market in the SEA region, with an overall internet economy likely to reach $40 billion in value by 2025 — and e-commerce greatly contributes to this significant surge.^[1] More consumers now heavily rely on online platforms like Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, for their needs. With this,  brands shifted online to better connect with their customers and tap into new and unreached markets. Five brands shared how they took advantage of Shopee’s various programs and enhanced marketing solutions to remain top-of-mind while establishing themselves as a strong player in the digital space. 

 

1. Johnson & Johnson wins big during big sales

Johnson & Johnson grew its brand through Shopee’s innovative solutions and services. The recently concluded 11.11 Big Christmas Sale campaign was their most successful one to date with multiple basket-building strategies, such as co-sponsored vouchers, aimed at  driving conversion. Denise Peralta, Head of E-Commerce at Johnson & Johnson Philippines, Inc, said, “We are able to extend J&J’s presence on Shopee with its category-focused programs (Mom’s Club & Shopee Beauty). Through Shopee’s Brand Memberships Program, we are also able to offer our shoppers exclusive perks & privileges like vouchers and gifts.” 

 

2. vivo surpassed target sales with exclusive launches  

vivo also saw significant growth during their Super Brand Days (SBD) on Shopee, as well as the platform’s double-double campaigns and payday sales. Shopee’s extensive marketing solutions also played a big role in the success of vivo’s Y series launch, which saw ₱150 million in sales for 2021. He Zhuopeng (Chris) vivo E-Commerce Manager, said, “Shopee has helped us expand and grow our business through partnered campaigns every month. It gave us the opportunity to be known in the e-commerce industry. We are looking forward to many more years of strong partnership with Shopee.” 

 

3. Crocs won customers with curated pages during campaigns

Through their Shopee store, Crocs created curated pages for campaigns and collections easily. In the recent 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, the brand achieved a 65x uplift in orders compared to the usual, alongside Shopee’s marketing solutions such as Flash Deals and Rush Hour sales. John Darryl Bonifacio, E-Commerce Manager at Crocs, said, “At Crocs, we think of people first at every step and during the pandemic, safety was every Filipino’s priority. Retail store closures were inevitable with the lockdown measures but Shopee has allowed us to reach customers across the country.” 

 

4. SM Online boosted sales after first-ever Super Brand Day

In 2021, SM attained many e-commerce milestones through Shopee, including a successful first-ever Super Brand Day that helped increase sales, and an all-time spike in orders during the 11.11 Big Christmas Sale. In the recent 7.7 Mid-Year Sale and 8.8 Mega Flash Sale campaigns, The SM Store’s participation in the TV Flash segment resulted in a significant increase of their 2021 orders and GMV. Nicole Villanueva, AVP of SM Online, said, “This year has been about how to sustain the massive growth of online from 2020.  Shopee has provided The SM Store prime avenues on which we can serve our customer’s essential and non-essential needs.”

 

5. NIVEA tapped into a new target market through new initiatives

Through weekly in-app visibility and pushes highlighting their best-sellers, NIVEA achieved tremendous growth with Shopee. The brand regularly joined campaigns such as Shopee Beauty and activated their own Brand Days, monthly Grand Launches, and Shopee Live during new product launches. Kitz Literal, E-Commerce Sales Manager at NIVEA, said, “We are happy to share that we achieved record-breaking sales during this year’s 11.11 Big Christmas Sale. Together with our partners in Shopee, we were able to generate a sales uplift of 50x and a traffic uplift of 8x. Another win for NIVEA is securing the third spot in the Personal Care Category last 12.12. Following this momentum, we are looking into finishing this year strong.”

 

Shopee’s brand partners are a driving force for the platform’s success. With the new year approaching, Shopee will adapt quickly to meet user needs and support businesses of all sizes to maximize the full potential of e-commerce.

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^[1] e-Conomy SEA 2021