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The world’s biggest cleft-focused charity, Smile Train, and Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation Philippines, Inc. (NCFPI) open the nation’s first Cleft Leadership Center (CLC), united by a shared mission to enhancing access to cleft care. The opening of this premier cleft clinic, which coincides with Smile Train’s milestone of funding more than 75,000 cleft surgeries in the Philippines, affirms the organization’s ongoing commitment to offering improved progressive care, particularly for cleft-affected Filipinos in need. As we witnessed the event, I acquired so much information about the organization and its genuine mission to give a bright smile to those with cleft palates. I also had the chance to talk to one of the surgeons there and get enlightened on how these surgeries work, especially for the young ones. I was delighted that the event was successfully held and we got so much information from them.

“Smile Train celebrates its 75,000 cleft surgery milestone this year and, as we recognize this significant accomplishment, we know there is still more work ahead of us. The launch of the CLC represents our commitment to continuously providing safe, high-quality, and timely care for the Philippine cleft community by building a stronger, comprehensive cleft care system,” shared Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Smile Train’s Vice President for Southeast Asia.

The CLC also functions as a regional center for cleft care and education, building on Smile Train’s all-inclusive strategy and long-term paradigm for cleft care. The CLC’s presence in the nation fills the gap between the community of Filipinos with clefts and their accessibility to high-quality cleft care.

High-Quality Cleft Care

The CLC is a multidisciplinary center that provides 100% free comprehensive cleft care from birth to adulthood, powered by a capable local network of medical professionals.

To reach more cleft-affected Filipinos in need, Smile Train strengthened its existing partnership with NCFPI, an organization that leads the standard of multidisciplinary cleft care in the Philippines. Both organizations work together to provide free, quality cleft care to Filipinos who would otherwise not be able to afford the treatment they need.

“NCFPI is a long-time partner of Smile Train in bringing holistic cleft care to cleft-affected individuals in the Philippines. The CLC ensures that an individual’s treatment journey does not stop with cleft surgery but also requires other services necessary for them to live a full and healthier life,” said Dr. Bernard Tansipek, President of NCFPI.

The CLC brings comprehensive cleft care closer to Filipinos as it houses different services necessary for holistic treatment and rehabilitation. All these can be found in NCFPI’s two sites: the Smile Train Craniofacial Center in Joshua Center, which has orthodontic and speech therapy services, and at the Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Parañaque where surgeries, orthodontics and dental treatment, nutrition services, and counseling are held.

The CLC also serves as a training and educational hub for local medical practitioners. The skills and experience of the cleft teams and state-of-the-art technology in these centers help build local medical capacity in treating different types of clefts, ensuring that Filipinos do not have to travel far to get access to high-quality cleft care. Smile Train supports NCFPI with the needed resources and enables them to help those in need.

Going Beyond the 75k Smiles

The opening of the first CLC in the Philippines opens the door for more Filipinos to receive the excellent, secure, and free care they require. More than this, it also symbolizes a continual innovation and improvement of care that will result in a more ideal outcome for every procedure.

Visit smiletrain.org  to learn more about Smile Train’s international initiatives. Visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines to find out more about our regional initiatives in the Philippines.

Together, let’s celebrate Padday na Lima’s 17th year and its return to the metropolis’ BEAUTY, CULTURE, VAST RESOURCES, and INFINITE OPPORTUNITIES!

We celebrate Region 2’s festive, rich, dynamic, sophisticated, and quality-certified offerings at the 17th Padday na Lima Regional Trade Fair in this all-in-one bonanza!

The platform now has a promising position as the nation’s leading provider of minimally processed foods for institutional use thanks to its ongoing innovation and development initiatives.

“Padday Na Lima”, an Ybanag vernacular that means “made by hands” or “hand-crafted”, is the banner of the agency for the marketing and promotion of Region 2 products.

A bigger trade and industry community will definitely catch your scrutiny as we will be engaging retail and institutional buyers in the B2B matching!

Get mesmerized with Breathtaking Batanes, Endless Fun Cagayan, Majestic Isabela Naturally Vibrant Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino: Your Basket of Happiness and fill your shopping carts with their products at the Product Showcases all brought to the metro! These goods are also made available online at https://paddaynalima.com/ powered by DeliverE and Mayani!

The Department of Tourism Region 2 will also spotlight the islands and valley of fun for their rich culture and well-known tourist destinations, offering tourism packages through tour operators.

In order to create awareness and build relationships with the top institutional buyers and regional MSMEs, Padday na Lima will also host its inaugural Media Experience Tour this year.

Watch the parade of colors in the Padday na Lima Collection fashion show and experience the tastes of the Cagayan Valley through wine and food tasting, the Wheel of Prizes, the Padday na Lima Bingo Challenge, basic weaving, bag painting, and homemade paper beading demonstrations, as well as a series of courses.

Visit the 17th Padday na Lima Regional Trade Fair from August 7–13, 2023, in the Carousel Court, Upper Ground Floor, West Wing, Festival Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, to see and taste the flavors and colors of the Cagayan Valley.

The spirit can be nourished and healed via art. The world’s largest cleft-focused nonprofit, Smile Train, is bringing the transforming power of art to the Philippine cleft community through Art Impact for Health as it commemorates funding of more than 75,000 cleft surgeries in the country.

Art Impact for Health is a global effort run in collaboration with the World Health Organization that aims to increase psychological wellbeing for all patients by facilitating healing and communication. sPatients with clefts continue to be stigmatized, and many of them are bullied or treated unfairly as a result of their condition. They consequently struggle with poor self-esteem and a negative perception of themselves.

Developing sustainable cleft care in the Philippines

Smile Train knows that cleft care is not just surgical care, and patients with cleft often need ongoing speech, orthodontic, nutrition, and psychosocial care to survive and thrive. Beyond surgery, cleft patients need psychosocial care integrated into their cleft treatment. In celebration of the organization’s 75,000 surgery landmark, Smile Train, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Philippine Band of Mercy, held an art workshop today, bringing the cleft community closer together. The event was attended by patients and families affected by cleft, cleft community advocates, representatives of the World Health Organization, and Smile Train partners and ambassadors, including the winner and runners-up of Miss Universe Philippines 2023.

The workshop aims to help cleft-affected patients discover healing through art by forging a connection between one’s mind and body, thereby enabling self-expression and empowerment.

“Healing and health go beyond procedures and treatments. Psychosocial well-being plays a big role in healing and recovery, as well as in building resilience to overcome challenges,” said Mamta Carroll, Senior Vice President and Regional Director for Smile Train Asia.

“As such, we at Smile Train are proud to work alongside the World Health Organization in the Art Impact for Health initiative, as it engages not just patients but those helping in their care by supporting culture and art activities that promote well-being and health for all.”

The Art Impact for Health workshop also spreads awareness and deters stigma regarding cleft, which affects children around the world – including the Philippines, where around 5,000 children are born with a cleft every year.

It also mirrors Smile Train’s enduring commitment to serve the Filipino cleft community through free cleft care and treatment services that can bring transformative change to thousands of Filipinos born with a cleft.  

Over time, Smile Train has succeeded in achieving its goal of developing a sustainable and regional strategy for financing operations and other critical medical services. It advocates for completely free cleft repair surgery and total cleft care for kids, including through developments like telehealth, the opening of comprehensive cleft care facilities across the country, and initiatives like Art Impact for Health. Through programs that offer access to comprehensive cleft care services, Smile Train treats each patient as a whole, fostering in them the confidence to engage with others in the classroom, community, and workplace and ultimately enabling them to thrive.

Visit smiletrain.org. to learn more about Smile Train’s global initiatives and to make a donation. Visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines to find out more about our regional initiatives in the Philippines.

Billy dela Fuente is well-known to many in the area of professional consumer direct marketing.

Billy is one of the Philippines’ top businessmen and direct marketing specialists along with his wife Josephine. In a significant acknowledgement of his sales accomplishments, he was USANA Health Sciences’ highest income earner in the Philippines from 2013 to 2019 and its youngest “Million Dollar Club” member globally.

His 13-year-old business, XTRM 1-11 (pronounced “Extreme One Eleven”), operates in eight nations: the United States, Germany, Canada, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Italy.

Billy is a mentor, a role model, and an inspiration to many people. He is a salesman and an entrepreneur at heart. He sees the professionalization of direct marketing as a way for Filipino businesspeople to make the most of their talents and not merely as a corporate sales strategy for more product distribution.

A rebel, a waiter, and an engineering student

The third among the four siblings, Billy’s father was an entrepreneur who made money selling chemical supplies. This business meant that the Dela Fuentes were constantly moving across the country. Billy hopped from one school to another until college when he entered the chemical engineering program at the University of Santos Tomas.

While in college, Billy witnessed the downfall of his father’s business and how it affected his life severely. As the family went bankrupt, he was asked to stop his school for the time being to focus on selling soft drinks. But Billy rebelled; he packed up his things and left home, angry with the unwelcome detour of their fortunes.

“It was a difficult period in my life to be alone, broke, hungry, and trying to keep up with my academics. I remember being in debt with almost everyone I knew, and I even sold my SIM card for 50 pesos just to have something to eat on one particular day,” recalls Billy.

He found work as a waiter at Red Ribbon. It was then that he discovered his love for selling and interacting with people. He was so good at upselling cakes that he was frequently rewarded at the end of his shift. He was made a cashier as a result. He eventually left waiting tables as a working student and discovered modeling, a career which he soon realized was not for him.

Having married Josephine in 2009, they found success in direct selling and made it into a partnership that blossomed over the years while tending to 4 growing children. Billy became the Philippines’ first 2-star diamond director (and eventually its first 10-star diamond director). His successive climb eventually reached Asia Pacific; for four years from 2011, he was among the 25 fastest-growing direct sellers in the region. For 2 consecutive years, Billy was also awarded as part of USANA’s Fortune 25, a recognition reserved to top global income earners. He was the first Filipino to be included in this group.

His laurels continued to arrive: In 2017, Billy was awarded by ANCE with its People’s Choice Rising Star Global Best Male Award, and, the year after, he received the Most Outstanding Trainor in the Philippines award from the Junior Chambers International. In the U.S. Billy received the USANA True Health Ambassador Award, a recognition of associates who support USANA’s True Health Foundation through charity, service, and promotion.

“Earning money is different from managing money,” he shares. “You have to know both to achieve your personal ambitions.”

Lifelong learning & paying it forward.

An important ingredient to Billy’s success is his ability to form a great team. Having founded XTRM 1-11 in 2010, he, Josephine, and his core group of leaders expanded the organization internationally to nearly 400,000 associates, and at one point he became the top enroller in Asia Pacific by sponsoring the most number of new direct associates.

Billy’s personality and outlook have made him a popular inspirational speaker, giving 60 talks each year before the pandemic. This record included speaking engagements in Mexico for 15,000 people and South Korea for 10,000 listeners.

He inspires people by going beyond selling, helping them understand purpose and how to make sense of their careers and personal lives. “Everyone has the potential to succeed. The challenge is how to turn that potential energy into kinetic energy,” he says.

He founded and invested in several businesses, including Infinitemedia Corporation, a digital marketing agency and House of Bilao, a restaurant in Pasig; he invested in Xpense, an IT company that provided automatic delivery systems for SMEs; and he was a franchise store owner of a Technomarine shop in Uptown BGC. While these businesses were significantly affected by the pandemic, Billy understands that one learns more from failing than they do from winning. He used these lessons to drive XTRM 1-11 further.

“People often ask me: ‘How do you become driven?’ I acknowledge it can be difficult to push oneself. We are often drawn to settle and take the short route. One should learn or find out about their “Deep Why”. There will be a lot of tests and hardships ahead, but when you know the things that will push you to do greater things in life, you will become unstoppable.”

“Successful people are disciplined. They become winners through consistency,” he shares.

Billy hopes to mentor up to a million colleagues, both directly and through the mentees he has been training for more than 15 years. Billy, who is only 40 years old, is moving quickly while helping others.

On July 11, 2023, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) and Citicore Renewable Energy Company (CREC) agreed to work together to promote renewable energy.

Through this collaboration, SM Prime would obtain up to 90 Megawatts (MWac) of its energy needs from CREC’s new Lumbangan Solar Power Plant in Tuy, Batangas. Beginning in the first part of 2024, the long-term agreement will take effect. This is in accordance with the Department of Energy’s Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) policies.

This development reinforces CREC and SM Prime’s dedication to the Department of Energy’s aim to increase the Philippines’ share of renewable energy supply to 35% by 2030.

“This partnership marks our strong commitment to providing sustainable operations in our developments nationwide. It is aligned with SM Prime’s target of achieving net zero by the year 2040. SM Prime ensures that its risk-informed investments catalyze sustainable development and positive change in the communities where it operates,” said Mr. John Ong, SM Prime Chief Finance Officer.

The partnership with SM Prime is the latest blue-chip firm partner for CREC, demonstrating the organization’s strong performance and superior customer service.

“We are happy to partner with SM Prime in providing clean and safe renewable energy for their power requirements,” said Mr. Oliver Tan, CREC President. “We believe that their support and trust in us through this partnership reflects our commitment as a renewable energy provider, and we are glad that SM Prime shares in our vision of a sustainable future,” Mr. Tan added.

The SM Foundation, through its Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program (KSK-SAP), is in charge of this Urban Farming effort. It aims to enhance the farming community, promote environmental awareness, increase food security, and offer marginalized urban communities chances to earn a living. A thorough program of urban farming methods, product creation, marketing, and fundamental accounting are provided through the KSK-SAP in field schools that are strategically positioned.

Over 260 trainings on sustainable agriculture have been successfully performed by the KSK program, helping a total of 28,550 farmers. Participants in these trainings have been exposed to sustainable farming modules that encourage the development of wholesome, high-quality vegetables and fruits in both rural and urban settings.

The KSK program has successfully conducted over 260 sustainable agricultural trainings, benefiting a total of 28,550 farmers. These trainings have taken place in both rural and urban settings, where participants have been exposed to sustainable farming modules that promote the cultivation of nutritious, high-quality vegetables and fruits.

Partnering with the SM Foundation, SM Supermalls, and SM Markets are the following government agencies; the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Tourism, and the Quezon City Government. Each government organization and LGU plays a vital role in maintaining the viability of the program, and so that no stone is left unturned in ensuring its success

As an example, the SM Foundation has brought SM Supermalls and SM Markets into the picture so that as these urban farmers successfully harvest, they’re given an opportunity to market and sell their produce at the Sunday Markets that are now being held in several malls across the nation. When the produce reaches a volume that goes beyond this Sunday marketing mechanism, the SM Markets offer other alternatives.

It’s about creating integration and circularity so that a mini-economic ecosystem is realized. After all, it can’t be about teaching them what and how to farm and then leaving them with no outlet with which to monetize this harvest. The SM Foundation creates these strategic partnerships so that true income opportunities become part of the overall scenario.

Who would have imagined that Henry Sy, Sr.’s vision from back in 2007 would be so remarkably prescient in foretelling the growing issues and challenges we now face in agriculture, sustainable food production, food security, and urban development? The SM Foundation is very happy to continue and fulfill this vision and dream.

The creation of a sustainable environment is what SM accomplishes. We continue to achieve key sustainability milestones, from being the first to incorporate renewable energy in mall buildings to putting energy-saving technology into place.

Visit smgreenmovement.com and use the hashtag #SMGreenMovement to pledge your commitment to an eco-friendly lifestyle.

On June 25, 2023, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office presented SM City San Pablo guard SG Hassan Pasco with a plaque in appreciation of his self-less and brave actions in saving a life during a dire and life-threatening scenario.

During his routine rounds, SG Pasco observed a 74-year-old client having trouble breathing because of something stuck in his throat. Fortunately, the client was saved thanks to the guard’s quick application of the Heimlich procedure (Abdominal Thrusts), which he conducted as a certified first aid rescuer.

With the help of a Certified First Aid Trainer from the Philippine Red Cross, SG Pasco has received training in first aid rescue procedures and routinely attends refresher courses. Every morning before the mall opens, these training sessions are held.

His fast thinking, decisive action, compassion, and unshakable dedication to the preservation of human life, according to the CDRRMO Management Council in San Pablo, Laguna, have had a significant impact on the neighborhood. Additional P10,000 was given to SG Pasco by the local administration office.

Click to watch TV Patrol coverage:

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The largest cleft-focused organization in the world, Smile Train, is attempting to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ record for the most extensive online collection of smiling faces.

“We’re passionate about smiles because we know what a serious business they are. As an organization that supports free cleft surgeries and comprehensive cleft care, including oral health care, we are embarking on a global effort to honor all smiles by setting a world record,” said Susannah Schaefer, President, and CEO of Smile Train.

The attempt by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDSTM will begin on July 17, 2023, and the company hopes to break the record by World Smile Day® on October 6, 2023. We need to post 20,000 pictures of mouths to our online photo gallery, whether they are grinning, smiling, or otherwise.

Actress and Smile Train Ambassador, Samantha Hanratty is sharing her smile in support of the campaign. “I’m proud to partner with Smile Train on this global effort,” said Hanratty. Anyone over the age of 13 can participate and it’s simple to do.  Go to everysmile.org and click on I want to make history. The platform will guide you in taking and uploading a clear and well-lit photo of your smile. That’s it. I did it and encourage you to do the same in support of Smile Train.”

Once the record is set, Smile Train partner, Dentsply Sirona – the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, will be donating $20,000 to Smile Train on World Smile Day^® – for life-changing surgeries for children with clefts.

“We are proud to help shine a light on the important work that Smile Train does to help children and all people with clefts around the world,” said Erania Brackett, Senior Vice-President of Orthodontic Aligner Solutions & Customer Experience and Head of Sustainability at Dentsply Sirona.

The campaign launch coincides with the celebration of National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month in July 2023. Cleft lip and cleft palate are common birth conditions that can make eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking difficult.

“This is another opportunity to raise awareness, support, and celebrate people born with a facial difference. We strive to give every child with a cleft the opportunity to smile and lead a full and happy life by empowering medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally,” Schaefer said.

“Let’s make history together while continuing to help children across the globe who are cleft-affected,” Schaefer concluded.

In the Philippines, Smile Train is commemorating its milestone of performing more than 75,000 free cleft surgery on underprivileged Filipinos. Support Smile Train as it pursues its goal of providing vital cleft care to more children through its different programs and initiatives.

Visit smiletrain.org to learn more about Smile Train’s global initiatives and to make a donation. Visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines to find out more about our regional initiatives in the Philippines.

According to a survey done by the Singapore-Manila Branch of the Nomura Research Institute (NRI), middle-class Gen Zs and Millennials in Metro Manila have been increasingly concerned about the effects of inflation during the second quarter of 2023. The poll, which was performed in May and June, found that an astounding 94% of participants experienced inflation during this time.

These young adults have had to reduce their non-essential spending, such as leisure and entertainment prices, due to the rising costs of vital products and services like food, transportation, fuel, and utilities. Following transportation and fuel prices at 15% and utilities like power, water, and internet bills at 14%, the respondents (60%) said that their food and beverage expenses had been the most affected by the ongoing price hikes. Additionally, a staggering 83% of participants claimed to have cut back on non-essential purchases, while 79% felt it necessary to limit spending on entertainment and leisure activities.

The survey also highlighted the financial challenges faced by this demographic. Approximately one-third of respondents (32%) reported being unable to save over the past 6 to 12 months. For those who managed to save, 44% saved a lower percentage of their income. The persistent inflationary pressures have led 38% of respondents to adjust their savings goals by either reducing the target amount or delaying their timelines. Similarly, 47% of participants had to make similar adjustments to their savings plans.

To cope with the financial strain, a significant number of respondents have turned to loans. Of the surveyed individuals, 71% reported having outstanding loans. In an attempt to augment their incomes, 43% of respondents resorted to taking out additional loans in the past year. Among those who already had loans, 58% had to cut back on other expenses to meet their loan obligations, while 19% were forced to delay payments. The survey also revealed that 41% of respondents possessed credit cards. Personal loans were the most prevalent type of loan, accounting for 30% of respondents, followed by alternative installment loans and salary loans, each representing 19% respectively.

Regarding investments, 52% of respondents had existing investment portfolios. Among these, mutual funds and stocks were the top investment products, chosen by 18% of participants each. However, due to the inflationary pressures, 12% of respondents had to partially liquidate their holdings for increased liquidity, and a minimal 1% sold off their entire investment portfolio.

Given the challenges posed by inflation, respondents have adopted a diverse array of coping strategies. A notable 94% expressed concerns that continuous price increases would persist over the next 6 to 12 months. Consequently, 91% of participants felt the need to explore additional income streams. To adjust to the current economic situation, 86% of respondents planned to continue cutting back on expenses, while 73% intended to reduce their spending on entertainment and leisure activities.

In terms of savings, 34% of participants expressed plans to increase their savings allocations to better prepare for the future, while 33% aimed to maintain their current savings pattern. However, 16% of respondents planned to reduce their monthly savings allocation due to inflationary pressures.

The survey also shed light on borrowing habits, with 46% of respondents indicating that they were less likely to take out loans, while 28% stated they were more likely to acquire additional loans.

Regarding investments, 12% expressed a desire to explore risky investments in the hopes of achieving high returns over the next 6 to 12 months. Meanwhile, 40% were considering more conservative options. Notably, 30% stated that they would choose to stay away from investing altogether, while 18% aimed to maintain liquidity.

295 persons from Metro Manila participated in the online poll run by the NRI Singapore-Manila Branch, including 203 middle-class Millennials and 92 members of the Gen Z generation. Individual participant incomes per month ranged from PHP 13,000 to PHP 41,000 and PHP 41,001 to PHP 163,000.

It is evident that middle-class Gen Zs and Millennials in Metro Manila are actively looking for solutions to handle these issues and safeguard their financial futures as inflation continues to have an influence on their everyday lives and financial well-being.

Recently, Luciano Armand Copok made headlines by taking home the bronze medal at the 4th Copernicus Math Olympiad and two golf championships from the US Kids Hudson Valley Tour and the SCJGT Oceanside Invitational, both of which were hosted in the USA.

In all areas, 14-year-old Luciano Armand, a Grade 8 student at the British School of Manila, excels while balancing his schoolwork and training at the same time.

He achieved Bronze in the Grade 7–8 division of the just finished 4th Copernicus Math Olympiad Global Round out of more than 100 finalists from 22 nations, showcasing his intelligence and commitment to the subject. Francis Deinmel Legaspi, a fellow Filipino and winner in his category, was also recognized. children in grades 3 through 12 compete in the Copernicus Olympiad, an international competition that strives to help children reach their full potential by enhancing their logical reasoning skills and fostering global connections with like-minded individuals.

Luciano Armand was also named Champion for two separate US golf tournaments. He first competed in the US Kids Hudson Valley Tour for Boys 13-14 Years Old Category last July 8 in Freehold, New York. Then moved and claimed another Championship in Oceanside Invitational by SCJGT last July 18 in Ormond Beach, Florida.

His success is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication. He has proven that it is possible to excel at two seemingly unrelated activities and that it is possible to achieve success even when it requires juggling two different pursuits.

Ms. Tiffany Chua Copok, Armand’s mother, is appreciative of the help in their son’s competition journey.

The accomplishments of Luciano Armand in both the Math Olympiad and the Golf Tournaments serve as a reminder of the value of perseverance and hard effort as well as proof that success in several other areas is attainable.