Lifestyle, News

Save the Children Philippines commemorates National Children’s Month by collaborating with Mayani and Aboitiz on a hunger-reduction effort

In honor of National Children’s Month and the theme “New Normal na Walang Iwanan: Karapatan nang Bawat Bata ating Tutukan,” Save the Children Philippines, a member of the world’s largest independent children’s organization, reiterates its focus on addressing one of the most pressing problems concerning Filipino children: hunger.

4.8 million families, or at least 8 million children, are experiencing involuntary hunger as a result of the pandemic. Because one of a kid’s rights is the right to basic necessities, which includes a balanced diet, the conditions surrounding hunger suggest that this basic child right has not yet been fulfilled.

Save the Children expanded its ecosystem of “Save the Children from Hunger” campaign proponents through an online giving drive, partnering with homegrown farm-to-table platform Mayani and the Aboitiz Group’s social arm, the Aboitiz Foundation, to combat nutritional deficiencies while also uplifting our Benguet small scale farmers.

“One of the causes of hunger among children is their lack of access to a nutritious diet, and this campaign helps address this gap by also supporting smallholder farmers, one of the pillars of our country’s food security.  By ensuring that food supply, particularly rice and vegetables, quickly reach poor families at reasonable prices, our team-up with Mayani and Aboitiz lessens hunger among children,” said Naida Pasion, Chief Business Development Officer of Save the Children Philippines.

Over 500 nutritional boxes have been digitally donated via the Mayani platform so far since the kickoff last October, and the outpouring of support still continues. The food components will be sourced to the Aboitiz-assisted farmers in Bakun, Benguet through a market-directed social procurement process, then the boxes will be delivered by Mayani to the target communities of Save the Children under the objective of “no children goes to bed hungry and learns at home hungry.”

Mayani has been building sustainable smallholder agri-value chains in the country through its grassroots network of over 70,000 rural farmers across four regions: Ilocos, Calabarzon, the Cordilleras, and Cagayan Valley. It deepened its community engagement in Benguet Province by onboarding the farmers in Barangay Sinacbat – a community capacitated by AboitizPower subsidiary Hedcor.

“Having a reliable offtake for their harvested crops after months of production remains to be a recurring challenge among our rural farmers. Not only are they remote to urban centers where demand is huge, their digital quotient and access to alternative digital channels to sell their produce are two areas that require continuing attention,” said Ochie San Juan, Co-Founder and Chief Farmer of Mayani, who has been in organic farming for over three decades and personally met the Sinacbat farmers.

The “Save the Children from Hunger” campaign continue to leverage the shared channels of Aboitiz Group and Mayani, including the latter’s omni-channel routes to generating awareness and calling up support in the fight against children’s hunger. Mayani’s strategic out-of-home advertising partner also joined the collaboration mission.

Raoul Buencuchillo, President of HDI Adventures said, “Our core is all about giving equal opportunities for busineses and individuals. We believe that by supporting Mayani through our platforms, we help empower and give the opportunities our local farmers deserve.”

 

 

 

Food

The new McDonald’s festive and filipino-inspired holiday deserts Ube Pastillas and delicate flavor of Brazo de Mercedes

Taste the festive and Filipino-inspired holiday desserts of McDonald’s Philippines

More Filipinos are looking forward the holiday season to celebrate by sharing the light and happiness to their loved ones despite being apart. We are lucky McDonald’s is here to bring back a taste of that signature Pinoy Christmas through the new festive and Filipino-inspired holiday desserts!

Combining Filipinos’ sweet tooth and love for the holidays, McDonald’s is adding a Pinoy twist to their best-tasting desserts with some crowd-favorite Filipino desserts. For ube lovers, indulge in McDonald’s take on the sugary delicacy with the Ube Pastillas Sundae and Ube Pastillas Frappe, while you can enjoy the sweet, creamy, and delicate flavor of Brazo de Mercedes with McDonald’s various renditions of the classic cake: the Brazo Sundae, Brazo Frappe, or Brazo Iced Coffee! Those looking for the classic taste of sweetness and warmth can also grab a cup of McDonald’s Hot Chocolate, perfect for cozy Ber-month mornings.

It’s never too early to start the holiday season! Brighten up and sweeten the holiday celebrations with the new McDonald’s Ube Pastillas and Brazo desserts—available for a limited time only.

To stay up todate on all McDonald’s announcements just follow McDonald’s Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and Viber. Taste the festive twist to McDonald’s desserts by ordering via Dine-In, Take Out, Ride-Thru or via delivery through McDelivery, Grab or foodpanda!

 

 

Lifestyle, News

BGC announced the Quiet Zone in the community

The topmost priority of Bonifacio Global City is always the welfare of its residents with 20,000 households. BGC has decided to put certain solutions into action where the residents constant and reasonable complaints about noise pollution coming from two or four-wheeled vehicles.

BGC declared in their recent Facebook post that it will be implementing a Quiet Zone from 8PM to 8AM every day as a gentle reminder to all vehicle owners, two or four-wheeled, to practice respect at all times. Marshals will be deployed within the estate to remind vehicles about the said protocols. Signages were also deployed around BGC to remind residents, employees and visitors alike about this policy.

To show BGC’s dedication to this matter, they are also closely coordinating with the city of Taguig and Barangay Fort Bonifacio who are currently working on an ordinance to regulate the unnecessary noise BGCitizens are dealing with on a regular basis.

For more updates stay tuned from Bonifacio Global City’s official Facebook page. The BGC community shows their utmost support and appreciation to the action being taken to solve this matter.

 

Food

No Sugar iced tea blends are now available from the Philippines’ first Stevia grower-manufacturer

The Stevia Company, which also makes Glorious products, is delivering sugar-free iced tea blends to major supermarkets and grocery stores! Consumers who are reducing their sugar intake can now benefit from low, sugar-free iced tea mixes sweetened with natural ingredients. Sweetened iced tea mixes without sugar, such as Glorious Blend Lemon Iced Tea, Red Tea, and Cucumber Lemonade, are especially made for people who are cutting and avoiding foods and drinks with too much sugar. The iced tea blends in Glorious Blend are naturally sweetened with stevia. Mixed berries, real black tea leaves, lemon, and real cucumber are among the premium components included in the blends. It has a low calorie count and is high in vitamin C.

“Stevia has been regarded as a safe and healthy sugar substitute. It can sweeten foods, and it has several health benefits, including decreased calorie intake, lower blood sugar levels, and less risk of cavities,” said Maura De Leon, the woman behind GIDC, the country’s first FDA registered stevia grower and manufacturer.

Before, stevia was restricted to the health food market without any FDA approval. However, it is now widely used as a natural substitute for artificial sweeteners in many products.

While it has zero calories, stevia is 200 times sweeter than refined sugar and does not affect blood sugar. It is a popular option for people looking to lose weight but who want to reduce their sugar intake.

Stevia is an herb that has been grown in tropical climates for centuries. It is a small bushy plant that belongs to the sunflower family and grows in Paraguay and Brazil, but it can be quickly grown elsewhere. For centuries, the people of Paraguay add them to their foods as sweeteners, and countries like Korea, Brazil, China, Japan, and South America, have long used stevia.

Stevia is now being widely used as a natural sweetener in various food preparations.

People who have diabetes can benefit from stevia. Choosing pure stevia extract can help maintain normal blood sugar levels and should be used in moderation. Stevia can also help cut down added sugar consumption, which can be beneficial for children. High sugar intake in children could lead to heart disease due to reconstructing triglyceride and cholesterol levels, contributing to children’s weight gain. Substituting added sugar for stevia can minimize these risks. At the same time, moderate consumption of foods with stevia and other sweeteners can prevent adverse side effects and promote overall health.

Stevia products such as iced tea mixes, healthy coffees and chocolate beverages manufactured by Glorious, are approved safe by the Food and Drug Association (FDA) for pregnant women or people who have diabetes.

In addition, Stevia is used in all Glorious Blend beverages, including the 3in1 coffee, 4in1 Malunggay mix, 5in1 Brown Rice Coffee, 7-in-1 Mangosteen-Malunggay Coffee, 7in1Native Cacao Choco, and Maxitrim with L-Carnitine. Throughout the day, all of their instant drinks will keep you attentive and energized.

Go to www.gidc.com for more information on Glorious goods.

Lifestyle

Trip to East Africa, the Smile Train Global Ambassador Catriona Gray Brings Smiles to Kenya

Smile Train Global Ambassador Catriona Gray visits baby Grace at her home in Limuru, Kiambu County. Gray, who just concluded her two-day visit to Kenya, had the chance to interact with beneficiaries of cleft treatment to spread the message that ‘All Smiles are Beautiful’.

Even after her reign as Miss Universe ended, Smile Train Global Ambassador Catriona Gray recently visited Kenya to spread awareness of Smile Train as a partner in comprehensive cleft care for those in need. Catriona continues to use her voice to share the message that “All Smiles are Beautiful” and help reach more people who can benefit from Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity.

Despite of her busy schedules filming in Mauritius and hosting segments at the Miss Universe South Africa 2021 pageant, Catriona made time to visit Smile Train patients and their families in Kenya. She was able to learn about their cleft care journey and the stigma that cleft lip and palate bring through her interactions with them.

LOOK: Smile Train Global Ambassador Catriona Gray in an African neckpiece by Smile Train Vice President and Regional Director for Africa Mrs. Nkeiruka Obi during a press conference.

Smile Train Global Ambassador Catriona Gray at a Smile Train Africa press conference

At a press conference arranged by Smile Train Africa in Kenya, Smile Train Global Ambassador Catriona Gray also appealed to the Department of Health to implement birth screenings so that cleft lip and palate can be detected in the early stages of development, enabling both mother and child to receive appropriate care and support. In Africa, 1,300 children are born with cleft issues every year, and 1 out of 10 newborns die due to malnutrition. Despite many who believe cleft is only a cosmetic issue, cleft has serious health implications. Cleft can also affect a child’s ability to breastfeed properly, therefore many suffer from malnutrition.

“It is vital to note that cleft also affects one’s emotional and mental wellbeing,” said Gray. Thus, Smile Train wants to break down the stigma for people who suffer from cleft, as many of those with untreated cleft conditions cannot productively participate in society without being taunted for their appearance.

“We also ask media to help in demystifying cleft and educating the public that cleft is not the result of a ‘curse’ or ‘witchcraft’, nor is it an indicator of mental disability,” added Gray.

Smile Train Global Ambassador Catriona Gray poses with Travis and his mother Rahab Mwau (left), and Grace with her mother Damaris Murugi (right) when she visited Kenya, seeking to raise awareness about cleft.

Across the globe, Smile Train has a sustainable system focused on solving the problems brought about by cleft lip and palate. Smile Train’s global footprint allows them to partner with local health organizations to provide proper cleft care treatment at no cost to patients.

In addition to life-changing surgery, Smile Train’s local medical partners provide essential cleft care such as speech therapy, emotional support, nutrition services, and orthodontic care to ensure that children have the opportunity to lead full and productive lives. Smile Train, with the support of its donors and partners around the world, has supported safe and quality cleft care for more than 1.5 million children in need for the past 22 years.

Even during the pandemic, Smile Train in the Philippines has continued to provide comprehensive cleft care and patients still have access to Smile Train’s services and are still able to schedule surgeries in partner hospitals, despite lockdown retrictions. With the launch of the first Filipino mobile Smile Train Speech App and the Virtual Telehealth Program, Smile Train enabled Filipino patients to join speech therapy sessions from the safety of their homes.

Philippine TV Actor Sam Milby (left) and Smile Train Global Ambassador Catriona Gray (right) share smiles with Anastacia and her daughter, Grace (center) during a visit to their home.

Please visit smiletrain.org for more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, please visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.

Lifestyle

Watch out for the biggest sale on Happy Life Organics this 11.11

Have you tried an all-natural product for your home, pets, or personal hygiene? There’s no need to look everywhere because Happy Life Organics will be holding its greatest one-day deal ever! Get a discount of up to 65 percent, or over P1,860 in savings! You may find them in Lazada, Shopee, and Zalora’s official online malls.

Watch out for their best-selling banner goods, such as the waterless pet shampoo, the first and first no-rinse pet shampoo that simulates a bath without the trouble by reducing bath time by 70%. Because it contains the power plants madre de cacao, neem, aloe vera, and lavender, it’s ideal for your dogs and cats.

Pets spray, an instant Pet Disinfectant, Deodorizer and Insect Repellent on the go, is perfect before and after dog/cat walks. It is safe and mild, effectively repels and kills insects, and removes odors instantly.

Pet Shampoo and Conditioner, the 2-in-1 (shampoo and conditioner), is perfect for sensitive skin. It will help repel and kill ticks and fleas leaving fur skin soft and huggable for many days.

For your home and pet essentials, BGone LC Disinfectant is an area heavy duty Disinfectant, Deodorizer and Insect Repellent that is also a plant-based disinfectant used in Malacanang Palace to fight Covid. It effectively gets rid of mosquitoes, ants and cockroaches. It’s a strong deodorizer and cleaner yet mild and gentle in formula. Additionally, it is very cost efficient as it needs to be diluted before use. More importantly, it is safe for pets, babies, pregnant women, elderlies and asthmatic children.

Alcohol is the most essential item nowadays.

  • It eliminates germs and viruses in less than a second and protects up to 3 hours.
  • Moisturizes hands in every application with signature fresh scent and is FDA approved.

With dengue rising up, Lotion and Mosquito Cologne is the perfect mosquito repellent protection. With two choices of either perfume or lotion based solution, both safely repel mosquitoes and are safe for babies from 6 months old and above, and even for pregnant women.

Finally, with Christmas approaching quickly, they provide a large assortment of Christmas bundles. Happy Life Organics has handpicked gift sets that you can purchase. Follow the link below to the store.

Happy Life Organics can be purchase on this site below:

 

 

Entertainment

“Fall In Love at Christmas,” new holiday song of Mariah Carey with Khalid and Kirk Franklin

The Queen of Christmas is back and multi-platinum megastar Mariah Carey teams up with award-winning R&B singers Khalid and Kirk Franklin for the holiday-inspired jam “Fall In Love at Christmas”. After establishing a reputation for spreading yuletide cheer every end of the year with “All I Want For Christmas Is You”.

Recorded in Atlanta and Los Angeles at Carey’s Butterfly Lounge recording studios, the R&B and gospel-infused ballad arrives just in time for the season.

The all-star collaboration was released by Carey’s imprint, MARIAH, in partnership with RCA Records and RCA Inspiration, and was written and produced by Carey, Franklin and Daniel Moore II. What promises to be a new holiday classic, “Fall in Love at Christmas” is now streaming on all digital platforms worldwide.

Music Video and Physical Release

Today, the three artists also premiered the music video for “Fall in Love at Christmas,” which was directed by Carey and Bryan Tanaka. Filmed at Carey’s home and the Butterfly Lounge in LA, the visuals feature her twins, Monroe and Moroccan, and evokes the warm and loving spirit of the holidays.

For those who like CDs, a special, three-track release can be purchased on the official Mariah Carey Store. It is available for pre-order now at the website.

Following the release of “Fall in Love at Christmas,” Mariah Carey will continue celebrating the season with a new holiday event on Apple TV+ in December, featuring the first and only exclusive performance of “Fall in Love at Christmas” with Carey, Khalid and Franklin.

Listen to “Fall in Love at Christmas” at https://smarturl.it/FILAC

Watch the “Fall in Love at Christmas” video at https://smarturl.it/FILAC/YouTube

 

 

 

Entertainment

“Sugal” Dionela’s latest single

Listen to DIONELA’s “SUGAL”: https://dionela.lnk.to/sugal

Love is a gamble release of the rising star Dionela is riding the soul train of his new single “Sugal”— is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via MCA Music Inc. The soothing R&B track equates loving someone to betting your heart in a gamble: it’s a risky endeavor that has no assurance of winning or losing, but it’s part of growing up.

“The song is about being courageous in falling in love again after so many heartbreaks from your past toxic relationships,” the Agaw singer-songwriter/producer adds. With his velvety vocals floating freely into the background, Dionela delivers a captivating performance that fleshes out both his persona and aesthetic. Over slick, bedroom beats and somber instrumentation, he sings as if coming from a place of innocence and earnestness—never holding back, but ready to accept whatever consequences that might come his way.

“Sugal” is written and produced by Dionela himself and is considered as a product of both love and experiment. The promising newcomer shares, “everything, from tracking to mastering, I did it in my room. There are flaws about the track when it comes to the technical side, but I’m beyond happy about the result.  It feels like the first time I rode a bike without the training wheels and I’m super proud of it.”

The song follows the online success of “Agaw,” which has amassed over a million streams to date, and the moody but inescapable tune “Gone,” released in 2020.

About Dionela

Dionela

When Tim Dionela was older, his parents told him that, after a pastors’ meeting his father attended, a foreign missionary there went over to him and predicted, or rather prophesied, that their son would someday make it to the top of the music world with God’s help. Whether this will come to pass is something we have yet to know, but Dionela, as he wants us to call him, has enough promise to at least make a start.
Dionela was born in 1999 and lives in Guiguinto, Bulacan. His parents loved to make music, and he started singing when he was three. “Even at a very young age,” he says, “my parents noticed that I’m not afraid to sing in front of many people.” He would volunteer to entertain people at parties and events. When he was eight, he says that he became able to sing in tune. His mother even reports that he would call out musicians and singers in church for playing and singing off-key. Even at that age, he took music very seriously.
Dionela took his musical skills one step further when he turned 11. Someone taught him how to play the guitar, and he learned how to do it even if he didn’t know what chord he was playing. He started composing songs back then and would make his friends at the computer shop hear his new tunes. When he turned 16, he auditioned for a choir at school, but he didn’t make it after the choir director heard him singing the notes of his audition piece with a twist. The choir director’s conclusion? Dionela was better as a soloist.
After some disappointments in life, many years later, Dionela decided to start making music on his terms. He learned music production and set up his own studio, which proved helpful during the pandemic. He continued to compose songs about love and to keep learning how to make his music better. Now, he says, he has found his musical identity. He is an R&B artist with dreams of being a pop star.
Dionela’s fondness for R&B began when he first encountered American singer-songwriter Ginuwine’s 2001 tune “Differences.” The song is still one of Dionela’s favorites to this day; he still listens to it. Its distinct synth intro and melodic chorus left an impression on him. It is just one example of the kind of music that he feels is connected to his soul. He has since discovered many other R&B artists, particularly those who have crossed over into the pop charts like Bruno Mars. However, R&B acts from the 1990s and early 2000s have a special place in his heart, including Boyz II Men, Destiny’s Child, Neyo, and Usher.
What does Dionela hope for his music? He wants to make his songs the kind that fit into a couple’s love story that they would remember as they grow older. He wants his music to leave a legacy for other younger musicians to admire. Most of all, despite his dreams of success, he hopes to remain the humble kid from Guiguinto whose parents were told that God had big musical plans in store for him. After all, musical talent can be providential.

 

 

Entertainment

British singer-songwriter James Arthur shares personal changes in life and relationships on new album, It’ll All Make Sense In The End

Finally back James Arthur with his highly anticipated fourth studio album, It’ll All Make Sense In The End. Having written and recorded bulk of the songs during the lockdown in the comforts of his home, the versatile hitmaker spent some time ruminating on the changes in his personal life, while using it as inspiration for his music-making journey. This enabled him and his collaborators to work on their own convenient time, round the clock, but not to the clock.

“And all of a sudden, the music started sounding great,” the former X Factor UK winner shares in a statement. “From day one there was a sound that I wanted to go for. Even early on, it sounded like a real album, a proper body of work. This is the first time I’ve made an album all in one place and you can hear this in the music. There’s something really comfortable about working in your own home – I was able to be more vulnerable than ever.”

James Arthur

After writing the boldly autobiographical first single “Medicine,” James and frequent collaborator Andrew Jackson (“Train Wreck”) quickly came up with “Losing You,” an anthemic electronic-rock song that’s big on heart, riffs and emotive punch.

Arthur reveals, “I wanted this album to have proper rock elements. The kind of rock I love is emo and pop-punk, so I wanted to domy take on that genre. Lyrically that song, like a lot of the songs, is the sound of someone who’s doing a lotof reflecting, a lot of processing and being really honest about where I’ve been in my head. And in that song I’m talking to myself: I feel like I’m always on the verge of losing you.”

Another important track in the album is the early keeper “Déjà Vu,” written with Jackson and Mark Crew (Bastille, Rag’n’Bone Man). Demonstrating the full range of his vocal abilities, Arthur sings, ‘You fucked me up, I can’t get enough,’ with astounding vagueness that is a bit of everything, depending on how the listeners interpret the material.

“It’s been well documented that I’ve had my issues with all of those. It’s just quite honest stuff, really,” the iconic British artist adds.

Second single “September” is also part of the album, and shines through with its no-holds-barred confessional appeal and acoustic-meets-trap sound. As vulnerably naked in his lyrics as he ever was, Arthur also isn’t afraid to sing to the next generation: “Emily” is a tender, intimate mea culpa to the daughter he might one day have.

“That arose from conversations about having kids,” the pop/rock dad explains. “Would I even be a good dad? What if they read about all the shit I’ve been through? It doesn’t matter, because ultimately I’m the guy who’s going to be there for you all your life.”

The record also includes “SOS,” which Arthur describes as an album-defining song with 30 Seconds To Mars-esque chorus and a rap flow reminiscent of Miguel.

In moving out of London, the musician has created a safe space: a working place, family place, fitness place. In building that sanctuary he’s felt even more comfortable to be even more open, not just about the things that are inspiring him but also the things that are plaguing him.

“Travelling, going to other people’s studios, doing sessions in new places – for someone like me who has a bit of social anxiety, all that was difficult,” the multi-platinum musician shares. “But working at home allowed me to be more vulnerable.”

It allowed him to finesse a sound that gels over the entire album, that process aided by additional production from Matt Rad, who’s worked with Taking Back Sunday, one of his favorite bands. He helps bring cohesion.

“The sound is very simple. It’s basically raucous guitars with trap beats and strong, strong melodies,” Rad says of a musical approach he’s been honing for years in his collaborations with superstar artists such as Ty Dolla $ign, Machine Gun Kelly and Juicy J.

To date, James Arthur has sold over 30 million records worldwide and has to date released three hugely successful albums: James Arthur (UK No. 2), Back From The Edge (UK No. 1) and YOU (UK No.2), alongside nine solo UK Top 40 singles. He’s had two No.1 smash hits and was awarded a disc for reaching a billion streams on

Spotify with ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’, the No.1 global hit that brought the singer-songwriter from Middlesbrough back from the edge (it currently has 1.7 billion streams on the platform).

James recently dominated the airwaves and charts with his storming collaboration with Sigala ‘Lasting Lover’. The track was a No.1 airplay song in the UK, No.1 on iTunes and Top 10 on the Official Singles Chart.

James has announced tours of both UK and Ireland and North America in 2022, including a date at London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall..

For more details, check out his music website. Out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music the James Arthur’s It’ll All Make Sense In The End.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lifestyle

Initiative of BGC regarding Recycling

Bonifacio Global City implements community initiatives that can make it easier for BGCitizens and more to be involved in actions that champion eco-friendly solutions. This steps toward sustainability even the smallest way can create huge impact to heal our earth.

Most recent endeavours of BGC is in partnership with the City of Taguig, BEST and BXtra, is Project Bins, an app-and-cashback-based waste recycling program for residents to have an avenue to drop off recyclables and earn points to purchase their weekly vegetables at Luntian Express, BGC’s mobile market. Those interested simply have to download the bXTRA CLIENT APP to exchange their recyclables into environmental points (EP).

Aside from purchasing goods at Luntian Express, earned EPs can also be used to purchase goods either in-store through merchants such as Rackshack, Pooch Park, Brothers Burger and more, or they can also visit www.bXTRAoutlet.delivery to convert their EPs into Lazada wallet credits.

The drop off process is made smooth as the Bins Truck goes around different locations in BGC every weekend from 8AM to 5PM to collect recyclables. For more information on the schedule, locations, and allowed items, check out the attached FAQs.

To be in the know of the estate’s other sustainability projects and the latest updates, visit Bonifacio Global City’s Facebook page! We know that recycling and taking part in protecting the environment has never been easier.