Vic Vic Bautista

Looking for the ideal Christmas present to give a new mother? Solenn Heussaff-Bolzico, a celebrity mom, offers some personal suggestions that you might wish to take into account!

Solenn, who is expecting the newest member of the family, talks about how she’s adjusting, something all mothers, especially first-time mothers, can identify all too well.

“I have always been very open about the fact that motherhood was not a walk in the park for me,” she shares. “I think that as a celebrity, it’s very important for myself to share these things with everyone so that other moms know that they are not alone in their struggles. Things can get pretty rough, but if I can overcome it, so can you.”

She adds, “Nothing will ever really prepare you for motherhood. Nothing. Especially during the first few months after giving birth to Tili, there were days when I would just ask myself, ‘When will it end? When will we get proper sleep again?’ It’s not a bad thing. We are entitled to feel tired. But of course, as moms, we must let our love for our family always take over. But, again, this doesn’t mean that we cannot ask for or expect help.”

But even with all the challenges of raising a toddler, Solenn still prioritizes healthy skin for Tili above anything else as this is the foundation of a healthy childhood. And for Christmas, Solenn shares the gift of healthy skin to her fellow moms through her recommendations.

“I believe that healthy skin should be essential to every baby, that’s why I’m so happy to share with you the products that help me raise Tili to the happy and healthy toddler that she is today!”

Here are Solenn’s top gift picks for Christmas:

• Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion with Organic Calendula

First in Solenn’s list of recommendations is the newest product line from acclaimed sensitive skincare brand for babies, Cetaphil Baby. The Cetaphil Baby Calendula range is composed of three products, which includes the Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion with Organic Calendula. The Daily Lotion provides baby’s skin with 24-hour hydration to help soothe and calm sensitive skin. Formulated with calendula, sunflower oil, almond oil, and Vitamins B5 & E, the Daily Lotion is clinically proven to prevent baby’s skin from drying out.

• Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo with Organic Calendula

Another product under the Calendula line is the Wash & Shampoo, which is specifically designed for head-to-toe use and is hypoallergenic and enriched with Calendula and Aloe for up to 8 hours of long-lasting moisturization. It also helps smoothen, soften, and improve skin texture, perfect for everyday use.

• Cetaphil Baby Advanced Protection Cream with Organic Calendula

Finally, there’s the Advanced Protection Cream under the Calendula line, which is used for babies experiencing irritation & rough skin patches on cheeks, knees, elbow areas, or under those chubby folds. “This is especially great now that we’re experiencing colder days, that’s why Tili loves it so much whenever I apply the Advanced Protection Cream before going to bed.

• Cetaphil Baby Gentle Cleansing Bar

As Tili grows to be an active toddler, playtime is part of her everyday routine. Before and after playtime, mealtime or anything in between, she already knows the importance of proper handwashing. The Gentle Cleansing Bar blends into a rich lather that gently cleanses and gives a moisturizing feeling on delicate skin. “We love this because it does not dry out her skin even with frequent washing.”

• Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wipes

Baby Wipes may be one of the last things that you’ll think about giving someone, but for first-time moms, this is a definite must-have! Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wipes gently cleanses and moisturises baby’s delicate skin with its hypoallergenic formulation. It is made from 100% plant derived fabric and has natural ingredients like Aloe vera and Vitamin E. It also helps prevent baby’s skin from drying out, making Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wipes ideal for face and body use of baby’s delicate skin.

Don’t miss out on Cetaphil Baby’s incredible sales and discounts if you’re intending to purchase these necessities in time for the holidays! Simply add items to your cart at the official Cetaphil Flagship store on Shopee and Lazada and browse Solenn’s best selections.

“At the end of the day, Christmas is all about spending time with your loved ones, so any gift you’ll be able to give will be greatly appreciated by the receiver,” shares Solenn.

In addition to being sold on e-commerce platforms like Lazada and Shopee, Watsons and Mercury Drug Stores also carry Cetaphil Baby.

BingoPlus Foundation, the nation’s first live-streaming and digital bingo game provider, plans to invest in the enormous potential of young Filipinos in order to contribute to the creation of a better future for the nation.

The BingoPlus Foundation and iACADEMY, one of the nation’s most cutting-edge and sought-after academic institutions for technology, design, and business, have signed a three-year, six million peso FutureSmart Scholarship Program agreement. Ten exceptional students from deserving families will receive scholarships through the FutureSmart Scholarship program for their studies in BCSC software engineering, BS in entertainment and multimedia computing game development, and BS in information technology with a focus on web development.   

Jasper Vicencio, President of BingoPlus and Trustee of BingoPlus Foundation said, “The FutureSmart Scholarship is our way of investing in the country’s youth as the driver of progress in the future. And we want to give equal opportunities to deserving students with so much potential but lack the necessary resources to continue their education in pursuit of their dreams and aspirations for themselves, their families, and the nation. Indeed, doing something good especially for education is a plus.”

The choice of technology for the program is inspired by BingoPlus. “Economies depend on

digital-savvy individuals who are ready to take the helm of their organization’s digital transformation. BingoPlus itself, like any modern company, runs on the wonders of technology and a solid IT infrastructure. Our mission is not only to provide support for education but also future employment for qualified individuals,” Vincencio added.

iAcademy Chief Operating Officer Raquel Wong meanwhile expressed her utmost gratitude to BingoPlus Foundation for extending its generosity to exemplary students who will not have to worry about finishing the program due to lack of financial resources. 

“What BingoPlus Foundation and iAcademy crafted for the program will definitely help students fulfill their dreams, as well as contribute positive change to our society. The career path in computing is very lucrative and iAcademy has been very consistent because our programs, especially the ones related to computing, delivered 96% placement rate,” she says.

Apply for the scholarship today!

Stringent criteria, requirements and screening process have been set to ensure that only qualified and deserving students are accepted for the program. Students must have good moral character, General Weighted Average (GWA) of not lower than 1.75 and no grade lower than 2.50 and must not have been subjected previously to any disciplinary action by their schools, either academically or administratively.

Additionally, applicants must submit a two-minute video pitch outlining their case for the scholarship and their plans to work with the BingoPlus Foundation once they have completed the program.

Applications may be sent to [email protected] by interested parties. In January 2023, the 10 scholars who have been chosen will be identified.

The holiday giving season is here, and despite all of life’s difficulties, Filipinos—some of the world’s most giving people—will always find a way to give back and share their blessings. As a result, the top superapp Grab makes the most of its parcel delivery service, GrabExpress, to make it simpler and less expensive to help out fellow Filipinos.

Grab teamed up with the charities SOS Children’s Villages, Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Inc., and Caritas Manila for their campaign “Paskumpleto Para Sa Lahat: Give Back Through GrabExpress” in an effort to spread holiday cheer and provide a Paskumpletong Pasko to more Filipinos. By offering discounts and benefits to customers who use GrabExpress to send donations to the partner charities, the superapp hopes to leverage its technology for good. As I attended the event held by Grab, I was so touched by the stories shared with us by the people from the charity. The event was made even more meaningful by the presence of PWD attendees. Thanks to Grab and its partners, the event was a ton of fun and learning.

Donating is made easy via GrabExpress by using the promo code PARASALAHAT to get a 25% OFF on your delivery fee. Customers can also choose to send their donations via the new GrabExpress service: Instant – Saver which lines up deliveries in batches of other parcels, giving the same convenience of a regular GrabExpress delivery, but at a cheaper price. 

Learn more about the partner organizations and what they’ll need to help make this year’s celebration Paskumpleto:

Caritas Manila Church of the Poor

With a vision of creating a Spirit-led community free of poverty and committed to love for the common good, Caritas Manila’s programs are geared towards transformation of people from poverty and dependence to self-reliance with dignity. For this Christmas season, GrabExpress will be supporting Cartias Manila’s Segunda Mana— a donation-in-kind program which primarily benefits the Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP) and supports the education of more than 5,000 Filipino students.

To help make their celebration a Paskumpleto one, consumers can send via cash or in-kind donations of clothes, bags, shoes, and household items to Caritas Manila or any Segunda Mana Charity Outlet via 09175955083.

Tahanan Walang Hagdanan, Inc.

Founded in 1973, Tahanan Walang Hagdanan, Inc. was established to provide programs, services, and assistance to People With Disabilities (PWDs). Located in Cainta, Rizal, the compound of Tahanan Walang Hagdanan, Inc. serves as a home and workplace to almost a hundred PWDs. And as the name implies, no stairs can be found in its compound— creating a space inclusive and accessible even to wheelchair users. 

Consumers can help give Tahanan Walang Hagdanan, Inc. a Paskumpleto Christmas celebration by sending them Noche Buena packages with pantry staples and hygiene essentials for 270 workers. All donations can be delivered via GrabExpress directly to their office at Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Inc., Cainta Rizal via Carmelita Narciza at 09234536276 or Erika Villaflores at 09637683725. People can also opt to send financial support through the Chief Operations Officer of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan,Inc., Angelita B. Evangelista  via GCash Account No. 09206447789.

SOS Children’s Villages

Because every child deserves to grow up in a loving home, SOS Children’s Villages Philippines provides homes to neglected, abandoned, orphaned, and abused children. Since 1967, this private, non-political, and non-government organization has been providing support and guidance to thousands of Filipinos through their alternative care and family strengthening programs. 

Customers can send Noche Buena packages to approximately 170 children, guardians, and staff members of the SOS Children’s Villages in Alabang to support the celebration of Paskumpleto for the children and families there. Customers can support the company’s programs that promote children’s health and developmental needs by making financial contributions. One child can receive 5 days’ worth of nutritious meals with a donation of P1,000. Contact Kaila Gilo, the corporate relations officer at SOS Children’s Villages, at 0927417907 for coordination and questions concerning donations.

Everyone deserves to celebrate Paskumpleto Christmas, and thanks to Grab’s continuing offer of GrabExpress, it’s now simpler and more accessible than ever to help your fellow Filipinos. On the Grab Facebook Page and through the Grab app, you can learn more about the “Paskumpleto Para Sa Lahat: Give Back Through GrabExpress” program. Download the Grab app at https://www.grab.com/ph/download/ to help others celebrate Paskumpleto by sending your donations to SOS Children’s Villages, Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, and Caritas Manila via GrabExpress.

Jewels from Cebuana Lhuillier are more than just pricey accessories for many of their pawning customers. These objects represented the products of their labor, family heirlooms, or priceless investments to many. They also serve as a fast fix, a chance for a better life, or a clean slate in times of need.

Cebuana Lhuillier has been familiar with these tales from its customers for more than 35 years when they enter during their moments of need. More than just offering high appraisal rates, they reassure their clients that their priceless possessions are being cared for properly and securely with the assistance of knowledgeable branch staff. Until the clients return to pick up their pawned pieces, this makes it easier for them to part with the jewels.

Knowing that the objects under their care are worth more than their weight in gold, Cebuana Lhuillier came up with a plan to help some of its most devoted customers find additional significance in the holiday season.

Salamat, Ka-Cebuana

As part of its CSR initiatives, the company has made it its annual tradition to give back to those in need during the Holidays. Usually, these gift-giving activities were held every 6^th of December in celebration of the Feast of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of pawnbrokers and the inspiration behind the legend of Santa Claus.

This year, Cebuana Lhuillier chose the best recipients—its valued clients, many of whom has stayed with the company for years, entrusting some of their most precious items in their times of need. The event, dubbed “Pasasalamat,” gathered more than 200 clients across eight regional locations nationwide in a simultaneous celebration of thanks and love from Cebuana Lhuillier. The gathering proved to be more than a celebration as attendees were feted to a day of fun and prizes, but the end of the program proved to be the most poignant of all when Cebuana Lhuillier, through its operations team, returned all the pawned items of its attendees as a special surprise.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, president and CEO, shared, “Pasasalamat 2022 is our way of giving thanks to our clients for the trust and partnership we have established in the last 35 years. We’ve known their stories—and were blessed to be with them as they chased their dreams and provided better lives for their loved ones. With “Pasasalamat,” we are returning this trust by gifting them with the items they pawned with us. We hope that through this small gesture, Cebuana Lhuillier is able to give further meaning to this season.”

A Season of Joy, Hope, and Giving Thanks

For many of the attendees of the Pasasalamat celebration, the unexpected blessings were more than expressions of gratitude coming from a long-time ally—it brought hope and joy as precious pieces, family heirlooms, and cherished investments find its way back to them.

For Grecilda Torres, a small business owner and client of Cebuana Lhuilier for 26 years, the unexpected return of her pawned items—all rings—brought to tears. “Nakaka-touch isipin na gumawa ng time si Cebuana Lhuillier na ipakita sa amin na importante kami. I am very much grateful and thankful na—yung 26 years naming magkasama, it keeps going lang. My business and the business of Cebuana Lhuillier, magkasama pa din kami. Nagka-doctor na akong anak, pero still, nandito pa din ako with Cebuana. And for that, I am very thankful,” she shares.

Meanwhile, Remigia Mejia, a 79-year-old cancer survivor and loyal client of Cebuana Lhuillier for 30 years, cannot believe that a pendant which her late husband gifted her before they were married has found its way back to her. She shares, “Hindi ko akalain na babalik yung mga alahas ko since pinag-iipunan ko din na matubos sila. Karamihan sa kanila, matatagal na sa akin, including yung pendant na bigay ng asawa ko and yung singsing ng anak ko which I gave her nung nag-debut siya. As much as possible, ayaw ko silang maremata kasi they are very valuable and sentimental pieces para sa akin. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa Cebuana Lhuillier for this event and for the many years na hindi nya din ako pinabayaan. Nagtra-trabaho pa lang ako, kasama ko na ang Cebuana Lhuillier and even till now, kami pa din ang magkasama.”

For Ana Marie Mendoza Rapido, a teacher from Cavite and a Ka-Cebuana since 2012, Cebuana Lhuillier has been a trusted ally during times of emergencies. Through their jewelries, Ana Marie and her siblings were able to sustain the hospitalization and medication of their mother who have been in-and-out of hospitals in the last ten years. “Ang Cebuana po, trusted na namin at lagi naming taga-sagip sa oras ng kagipitan, lalo na nung panahon ng pandemic,” shared Ana Marie who was in tears when she opened the box and saw her pawned item inside.

Grecilda, Remigia, and Ana Marie were just three of the many devoted customers whose continuing confidence in and loyalty to Cebuana Lhuillier proved to be crucial in the business’s ability to maintain its position as the top pawnshop in the nation. With Pasasalamat, the long-standing financial institution was able to acknowledge and convey its gratitude to the numerous people whose continuing support has allowed it to flourish and continues to fuel its ambition to support millions of Filipinos on their quest for a better future.