Lifestyle

The cost of having your home destroyed by fire is immeasurable; fires can occur at any time and in any place, destroying your life, household appliances, and more. From January to December 2018, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported a total of 14,316 fire incidents.

This is why every March is Fire Prevention Month in the Philippines, and BFP’s campaign for this month is safety consciousness among our people every day of the year as a positive preventive approach to a problem that can be solved by more caution, vigilance, sobriety, exercise of common sense and respect for the law.” It is a campaign that focuses on exercising vigilance at home and keeping oneself knowledgeable on the best way to protect your home and family from destruction brought about by fire. “Cebuana Lhuillier has always committed to be of help to the Filipinos at all times, and our call for Fire Prevention is a reflection of that, our insurance products that aims to keep our clients protected at all times is a complementary effort to our advocacy for this month.” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.

PJ Lhuillier’s insurance arm, the Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers, Inc (CLIB), has also expressed its support for BFP’s campaign through the years. It has been a staunch advocate of having Filipinos insured, posting almost a 35% contribution to the total number of insured Filipinos through microinsurance. CLIB has also worked together closely with the Insurance Commission in promoting microinsurance in the country, they have settled over more than 5,300 million claims worth over Php 500 million they have serviced over 16,500 claimants. Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers’, Inc. is also the first and only ISO-certified insurance broker in the Philippines. Also launched this month in conjunction with the celebration of the Fire Prevention Month is a promo dubbed “Panalo ka sa ProtectMax” where clients of the ProtectMax product of CLIB get a chance to win Php 25,000. The promo is open to all clients who will purchase 5 ProtectMax COCs; these 5 COCs are equal to e-raffle entry. For the promo, 20 lucky raffle winners will be selected and will win Php 25,000.

“This Fire Prevention month, it is very important to drumbeat awareness on fire safety and prevention, and the importance of being protected. CLIB believes that an information and education drive is very important to ensure that everyone is well-informed against conflagration.” said Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers’ Inc., Jonathan Batangan.

For clients who are interested to keep themselves protected without having to go to Cebuana Lhuillier’s more than 2,500 branches, they may purchase Home Insurance via the ProtectNow app or website, just log on to protectnow.com to see CLIB’s full range of products online.

They’ve also organized the #SunogFreeWorryFree: ProtectMax Kontra Sunog webinar, which aims to emphasize the importance of being prepared for unexpected events, especially fire, as well as the importance of having protection whenever conflagration is a hazard.

Lab worker preparing test blood for detection of antibodies and infections Corona virus.

Scientists are working to develop effective vaccines to combat COVID-19, which continues to infect and kill millions of people around the world. However, while they investigate other man-made cures, the answer may be right inside your body in the form of a neutralizing antibody. A neutralizing antibody (NAb) protects a cell from a pathogen or infectious particle by neutralizing any biological effects it may have. The particle will no longer be contagious as a result of this action. In this case, neutralizing antibodies may be the ones that keep COVID-19 from infecting you.

But how will you know that you have such neutralizing antibodies inside you?

Hi-Precision Diagnostics (HPD), the pioneer and leading medical laboratory in the country, introduces the cPassTMKit SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Detection Test with cPassTM technology powered by GenScript. The only commercially available test that specifically detects the neutralizing antibodies against COVID-19, it is a first in the Philippines and available only in HPD.

This is a qualitative test, recommended for those who have had previous COVID-19 infection, and for those who want to check their immunity status pre and post vaccination for COVID-19, especially for:

• Frontline workers/individuals who may have higher exposure potentiality to the virus;
• Frontline workers/individuals who may be asymptomatic but have developed neutralizing antibodies against COVID-19;
• Individuals who may be asymptomatic and do not have clinical indications to COVID-19;
• Individuals who may require serology test results to demonstrate the status of a previous infection; and
• Individuals who would like to investigate possible false negative COVID-19 results and past infection.

A positive result of this test indicates the presence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies, which means that you may have been potentially exposed to COVID-19.  SARS-Cov-2 neutralizing antibodies usually develop from one to two weeks after exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus, its derivatives, or vaccines, as it takes time for our immune system to generate antibodies.

Before you proceed with thecPassTM test, however, you should first take this up with your clinician. If your clinician recommends that you take this test, submit a blood sample; the cPassTM test requires 3-6 mL of blood sample via venipuncture. The test report will be sent to your clinician, who will discuss your results with you.

HPD’s cPassTM Kit SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Detection Test is FDA EUA approved in US (also approved in Philippines). It is available at all HPD and HPD Plus branches, except Cebu.

Contact Hi-Precision Diagnostics at 8741-7777 or visit hi-precision.com.ph for more information on the cPassTM Kit SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Detection Test.

We were aware of the tragic tales of returning Overseas Filipino Employees long before the COVID-19 pandemic (OFWs). They also seek high-paying work abroad in order to save money and return money to their families back home. However, migration stories do not always have a happy ending, and when people are forced to return home, they need assistance.

According to the OFW returnee Marites Coronado “Dahil ang pagkakaakala ko ay ang pagiging OFW ang sagot sa lahat ng naging problemang financial namin at gusto kong maiahon ang aking pamilya at mapagtapos ang aking anak,”. Being an OFW isn’t easy at all, as for the case of another former OFW Alma Palafox. She said, “Hindi po ako sini-suwerte sa napupuntahan na bansa. Laging may masamang nangyayari po sa akin. At minsan na rin muntik na akong hindi nakabalik ng Pinas ng buhay. Kaya hindi ko po natatapos kontrata ko.”

Gerlie Austria shares a similar experience but remains grateful despite the hardships she endured abroad. “Hindi man po ako naging maswerte sa ibang bansa, pero nagpapasalamat po ako sa Panginoong Diyos at ako po ay nakauwi nang buhay.”

Myrna Peñosa Corporal recalled the gloom she felt when she decided to go back to her family. “Noong nagsabi ako sa amo ko na ibalik na ako sa agency, dinala po nila ako sa Labor. Ang unang pumasok sa isip ko at naiyak ako, ‘Paano na ang pamilya ko? Uuwi ako na walang pera at naipon’,” said Corporal.

Coronado, Palafox, Austria, and Corporal are among the OFWs who had to return home even if they haven’t achieved yet the financial goals they set for themselves.

The Balikabayanihan campaign, a program supported by the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), seeks to help these OFWs whose dreams were interrupted for various reasons.

Spearheaded by NEDA-Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency and Atikha — a non-government organization working with OFWs and their families to maximize the gains of working abroad — Balikabayanihan calls on the spirit of volunteerism of Filipinos to help returning OFWs.

It is a call for partnership by the Overseas Filipino organizations with government agencies, local government units, and the private sector to help OFWs by providing the needed resources — manpower and funds or mobilizing their volunteer network to serve as mentors to the OFWs.

Melanie Labera, a returning OFW whose plan to resume her work abroad was put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, benefitted from the program. “Nang umuwi ako ng Pilipinas, nagkataon naman na pandemic. Gusto ko sana bumalik [abroad], pero di na ako makabalik. Kaya malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa programang ito, pati sa BPI. May konting puhunan naman ako sa aking tindahan, pero konti lang. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako na nadagdagan dahil sa inyo.”

For her part, Austria, also a program beneficiary, said, “Nang makabalik po ako sa Pilipinas, isa po ako sa maswerteng napili ng Atikha na mabigyan ng tulong upang ako’y makapagsimula ulit sa aking buhay. Naging masaya po ako at nagkaroon ng pag-asa sa buhay. Ngayon po ay natupad ang isa kong pangarap na makabili ng makina.”

Financial empowerment

As one of the program supporters, BPI aims to empower repatriated OFWs by helping them manage their finances through learning webinars and by mobilizing volunteers and sponsors. BPI implements their programs through its business units BPI Foundation, BPI-Philam, and Remittance and Fund Transfers.

“This pandemic has been hard on everyone, but repatriated OFWs and their families have been particularly affected. OFWs have done so much to uplift our entire nation’s economy over the decades. It’s only right that we stand by them now and help them get back on their feet and establish a financially secure life for themselves and their families,” said Reggie Cariaso, BPI Head of Corporate Banking Strategy, Products, and Support.

“Napakaganda po ng aking karanasan dahil nagkaroon po ako ng pag-asa sa buhay at talagang ipinangako ko po sa aking sarili na pagbubutihin ko po itong tulong na ibinigay sa akin ng Atikha at BPI Pamana Padala. At ang nagustuhan ko po dito ay ang mga taong kasapi dito na maaayos ang pakikitungo at napakamapagkumbaba at napakababait upang matulungan kaming lahat,” said Coronado.

BPI Foundation holds mentoring sessions for OFWs with BPI Unibankers as volunteer mentors. For its part, BPI Philam provides free COVID-19 insurance coverage worth P200,000. BPI’s Remittance and Fund Transfers offers financial grants and monthly mentoring sessions for chosen OFWs and instills the value of saving using their BPI Pamana Padala account.

With opportunities such as the Balikabayanihan, returning OFWs are more empowered than ever to try their luck in their home country.

Palafox said, “Dito nalang po ako sa Pinas. Kahit mahirap po basta’t sama-sama kami ng mga anak ko. Kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa Balikabayanihan at sa BPI. Ang tanging hinahangad ko po sa aking sarili ay mapaunlad ko ang munting negosyo at magkaroon ng maraming kaalaman. “

Corporal shared another insight: “natutunan ko po sa Balikbayanihan na kailangan po tayung magtulungan para makabangon ulit sa hamon ng buhay. “

After a year of working from home, we have a better understanding of the challenges that this arrangement may bring. We’ve also improved our ability to deal with these challenges, having learned what it takes to solve them, both by changing the way we work and by stocking our home offices with all we need to complete every mission.

The best work-from-home equipment can do more than just keep you busy. They should also be able to provide convenience and comfort. If you’re an entrepreneur, a business professional, or a creative, Logitech has incredible innovation and productivity essentials to meet your work-from-home needs.

Overcome conference calls

For several people, virtual meetings, video calls, and webinars are an essential part of their remote workday. Finding a quiet place to work is difficult enough for many people, but when you need to engage in a conversation or present at an online event, it becomes even more critical.

When working from home, Logitech’s plug-and-play H340 USB Computer Headset will get you to all of your meetings and webinars. Its noise-canceling microphone creates crystal-clear audio while reducing background noise from vehicles, pets, children, and other sources. When not in use, the microphone can be easily tucked away. The headset is also easy to wear for long periods of time due to its lightweight and adjustable design.

Multitask seamlessly

Working outside the office necessitates keeping all of your papers and materials on hand and ready to review. This will necessitate the use of several devices to complete the regular work tasks that you have set for yourself. The M585 Multi-Device Mouse is an excellent choice for multitasking. It can seamlessly navigate between two computers and copy and paste data from one to the other. When moving documents, photographs, and text between two machines, such as your laptop and your desktop PC, this function comes in handy. It’s no longer possible to send these files to yourself via email or cloud storage. For fast navigation and power, it has a micro-precise scroll wheel and two thumb buttons. Its curved form provides ample support for long periods of work or play.

Create balance between work and play

Although it’s important to hustle while working from home, the boundaries between work and personal life can often blur. You can also set aside time to relax and unwind, and the right home office necessities will assist you in doing so.

Set the tone for a productive day at work with the Z333 Speaker System with Subwoofer, which features powerful bass and bold sound. You’ll never have to think about bad audio quality while watching or listening to work-related media or attending virtual meetings again. With this in your home office arsenal, you’ll be able to quickly move from work to play at the end of the day.

Excited for an upgrade?

Given that many of us will be working from home for the foreseeable future, now is the perfect time to set up a functional home office. If you’re in the market for a home office upgrade or just want to see what else Logitech has to sell, stop by the Logitech Official Store on Shopee on March 15-17, 2021 for the Logitech Brand Day Sale. Take advantage of these incredible bargains during the sale:

• Discounts of up to 40% on featured products
• free shipping capped at P50
• Vouchers amounting to P50 for a minimum purchase of P1,500
• Vouchers amounting to P150 for a minimum purchase of P2,500

Visit and follow the Logitech Official Store on Shopee, or go to the Logitech website and official Facebook page for more information.

Octagon, Silicon Valley, PC Express, Datablitz, Complink, I-Tech/Gamezone, Electroworld, Abenson, Office Warehouse, PC Hub, PC Worx, Villman, DynaQuest, Techwarez, Gameline, Thinking Tools, GaisanoInterpace, Digi-Serv Solutions, Davao FutureBright, Concept Computer, and Nutech are only a few of the Logitech partner stores.

About Logitech

Logitech designs products that have an everyday place in people’s lives, connecting them to the digital experiences they care about. More than 35 years ago, Logitech started connecting people through computers, and now it’s a multi-brand company designing products that bring people together through music, gaming, video, and computing. Brands of Logitech include Logitech, Logitech G, ASTRO Gaming, Streamlabs, Ultimate Ears, Jaybird and Blue Microphones. Founded in 1981, and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI). Find Logitech at www.logitech.com.ph. Follow Logitech official FB Page @LogitechPhilippines.