Beneficiaries from the Kalanguya and Bugkalot tribes plant the seedlings on behalf of BPI employees.
BPI Foundation, the social development arm of BPI, has started to reforest 170 hectares of land in Pantabangan, Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve, Nueva Ecija through its Lakbay Luntian initiative as part of the Bank’s 170th-anniversary celebration in August.
“In previous years, we held nationwide volunteer activities as part of our anniversary celebrations. This year, we aligned with the Bank’s 170th anniversary theme and reinvented how we do volunteer work and give back to our communities as one BPI,” said BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo.
Lakbay Luntian is the first-ever virtual tree planting initiative organized by BPI Foundation, in partnership with eco-social enterprise Bambuhay and Ayala Corporation’s Kasibulan Project, a long-term program on reforestation and forest protection. This is part of the Balik-Kalikasan program, which aims to preserve and restore rainforests across the country while equipping local communities with sustainable alternative livelihood and strengthening every Filipino’s commitment to protecting the environment through reforestation.
Through the collaborative efforts of BPI employees and BPI Foundation, a total of 68,000 bamboos and trees will be planted in Nueva Ecija. This will also help offset BPI’s total carbon emissions for the year 2020, while providing sustainable livelihood to 17 Indigenous People (IP) families in the area.
“Our BPI employees have shown that amid the pandemic, the bayanihan spirit remains very much alive in all of us,” said BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco. “Remember that we have not survived 170 years by remaining still. It’s been 170 years of constant reinvention, progress, and thinking to do good for our friends, neighbors, clients, and colleagues.”
2020 has presented numerous challenges to Filipinos, more so, to women. The stress and pressure of pushing forward has left a lot of Filipinas with more on their plates than they could handle. Despite this, women have continued to be the main care providers of their homes, their children, all on top of maintaining a full-time career.
This leaves us wondering, how do Filipinas keep their bodies healthy for their families? We asked three Filipinas how they were able to push through with their daily responsibilities on top of taking good care of their loved ones, and still serve as a greater inspiration for many women.
Besides the usual chores and daily tasks, Mommy Jenica shares that she has been busy with her home-based business making cakes and baked goods. With a business that requires her to exert time and attention to detail being loaded with multiple orders, this leaves her exhausted. “’Yung pagod ka na pero mas napagod ka sa ligpitin. But thankfully I have my husband… to help me.” And yet she continues to struggle keeping her health in check since she took on more responsibilities in their household.
Mommy Anne on the other hand, found herself decluttering as her biggest and most fulfilling challenge on top of taking care of her family. She juggles her night shift full-time job and being a full-time mom during the day. “Sleep was something that was so scarce. Still is. And I’m definitely feeling the adverse impact to my health.”
While for Mommy Ria, due to the educational system shifting to homeschooling, she had to take initiative as her child’s teacher. “Preparing lessons and activities took my time and energy on top of the usual household chores and part time work.” Like many Filipinas, they have a lot of tasks to do on the daily, which leads them to skip meals and overwork. According to Mommy Anne, the past year has led her to closely monitor her health, which many moms can relate to. With their careers and household responsibilities happening all at the same time, it’s easy to lose track of their immunity. How do they maintain their blood healthy? With the help of Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+).
Sangobion
By eating nutritious meals, practicing regular exercise, getting proper sleep, and taking Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) to help maintain their blood health and keep their immunity at its peak. Through these routines they’re able to keep up with their tight schedules and provide the care that their families need.
Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) is an iron supplement with vitamins and minerals that helps to replenish iron stores and increases red blood cell levels in the body. It has ferrous gluconate, a type of iron salt which allows better absorption of iron in the body, Folic acid, and vitamin B12 which are vital for production of red blood cells and during pregnancy. It also contains Vitamin C which helps improve iron absorption, and Copper sulphate and manganese sulphate that helps in the metabolic processes of blood cell production.1
Recommended intake is one to two capsules daily, during or after meals, or as prescribed by your doctor.
As a blood health ally of many Filipinas, Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) helps to treat iron deficiency anemia that can lead to decreased immunity and increased susceptibility to infection. Iron deficiency anemia happens when the blood has a lower amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin than normal. This can cause the body to feel weak, tired, dizzy, look pale, and experience headaches. 2
As 2020 nears its end, Filipinos are hopeful for the positive changes that the new year holds especially to their family’s health. Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) supports empowered women to maintain their blood health in check and keep their immunity at its peak so they can continue to provide the care that their family needs, while being able to accomplish their daily tasks.
If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it is that we should never take our health for granted. From chronic diseases to other potential underlying health conditions, taking care of ourselves in a holistic manner goes a long way to maintaining our overall health and wellbeing.
To raise awareness on health and medical concerns that may arise amid the quarantine, Sanofi Philippines partnered with The Asian Parent to launch FamHealthy, a webinar series that aims to educate Filipino families when it comes to health matters.
In observance of World Thrombosis Day, FamHealthy hosted a special episode featuring the Philippine Society of Vascular Medicine to tackle blood clots or thromboses, a health condition that may go undetected and one that can lead to complications or as a symptom of another disease or ailment.
According to Famhealthy host, Dr. Geraldine Zamora, Thrombosis is often characterized by the formation of clots inside one’s blood vessels. It may go undetected and lead to complications that can contribute to life-threatening medical conditions such as a heart attack or stroke.
Moreover, blood clots have also been observed among COVID-19 patients, and causing severe complications for persons with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
FamHealthy guest speaker, Dr. Paolo Nocom of the Philippine Heart Center and a fellow of the Philippine Society of Vascular Medicine, touched on the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis, which is commonly observed as swelling or dark discolorations in the thighs and lower legs. He warns that if left untreated, the clotting may spread to the lungs in what is known as pulmonary embolism.
“Developing both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is a sign of a severe form of blood clotting known as venous thromboembolism (or VTE),” Nocom adds.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Thrombosis or blood clotting may affect different parts of the body, however it is advised that you seek medical attention if you have the following symptoms:
Redness or swelling in the foot, ankle, or leg.
Pain or tenderness around the calf area.
Shortness of breath or rapid breathing.
Chest pains or Rapid heart rate.
Light-headedness.
Coughing up blood.
How do we prevent or manage it?
Get moving. Life under quarantine may be conducive to a sedentary lifestyle but this inactivity may lead to blood clots forming. That’s why you should always get moving or simply avoid sitting down for long periods of time.
Stay hydrated. Dehydration may cause your blood to thicken and form clots. To help prevent this, always keep yourself hydrated.
Consider investing in compression stockings. As Dr. Nocom explains, compression stockings help to improve circulation and prevent blood clots from forming. Ensure that you have the appropriate size for your leg.
Two pesos a kilo for cabbage. Four pesos for cucumber.
After spending money to bring their produce to the nearest vegetable trading post in the last week of July, Cordilleran farmers were given a cruel rate, crushing their hope of raising cash to buy seeds for the next harvest.
Vegetables
A Sad Story for New-Gen Farmers
Shereen Umayat and Jessica Dapliyan, two young farmers from Sagada, had a cheaper option for their next maturing vegetables- let the plants rot in the farmland to stop having additional expenses.
Asked how much she has spent for her cucumber, Umayat computed it to be at least P40, 000.
While there are active programs like Sustainable Sagada and Rural Rising organized to help ease the situation, not all produce in the remote Mountain Province town can be accommodated.
Dapliyan, a former innkeeper who shifted to farming following travel bans, started giving away her cabbage produce for free in September after unsuccessful attempts to sell what her family has been working since community quarantine restrictions were implemented.
Trying the Metro Manila Market
For generations, farmers in Sagada and other towns of the Cordilleras have been trading in marketplaces within the mountainous region and going to the lowlands is not part of their regular routine. But as they run out of options, they are forced to seek help outside the highlands.
Tapping Metro Manila-based Cordillerans or Igorots was the first move. Upon learning about the crisis, Christian Aligo, a Marketing Communications practitioner living in Quezon City, started the “The Sagada Harvests Project” on Facebook.
With the assistance from Umayat, Menchie Buking of the Department of Agrarian Reform Mt. Province (DAR MP) and other concerned locals, The Sagada Harvests Project is able to sell out about three tons of produce in its first two runs.
Alongside Aligo are other Metro Manila-based Igorots including Luisa Gay Pugong, Jenny Lyn Likigan, Bing Podes Laguipen, and Hector Ngales who transformed themselves into vendors after their day job to help address the crisis.
Joining the force is the couple Atty. Pio and Noemie Jeanet Daoas who now spend their weekends on vegetables. With the help of dedicated riders, the couple deliver the goods within Taguig City at only P20.
The Sagada Harvest Project
A Trade Friendlier to Farmers
As agreed, it is the farmers who set the price of their produce. Currently in marketplaces, it is the multi-level middle-men who dictate the price and get a bigger portion of it.
When the rate at the La Trinidad trading post for cabbage was P2 per kilo, The Sagada Harvests Project purchased the vegetable at P20 per kilo– as dictated by the farmers.
To further assist the Igorot vendors, DAR’s Sagada Linksfarmers Consolidation Center opened its doors to help screen quality produce prior to shipping.
Recently, the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) also offered transportation assistance to help lower expenses.
Meanwhile, local food producers Gabay Wines and Food Preserves and Masferre Country Inn & Restaurant have been doing experiments for delicate items like wild blueberry, wheat bread, and goat cheese products to check on the shelf-life of the products when offered in places with a warmer climate. To know more about The Sagada Harvest Project and a list of Igorot vendors who directly source their goods from farmers, contact Aligo at 0956-174-8464 (Globe) or visit www.facebook.com/sagadaharvests now.
With the fusion of hip-hop and rock, the single BULLET HOLES released a month ago, K-Hiphop artist Jungsu sets up to release his new song, Gotta Bring It Back this month.
Gotta Bring It Back (written on the mask)
This cover for the single, Gotta Bring It Back symbolizing the mask which hides our sorrow and limits our freedom.
This inspiring song about the lockdown and pandemic will bring you to hope for freedom and let you know that we are fighting this together.
With the pandemic affected the world for the past several months, Gotta Bring It Back depicted as a way of wanting freedom from the lockdown and nostalgia about the normal past.
When we were chilling
Having fun like always
Broad daylight now it’s a red light
All day and night all we do is waste time
People only smiling through emojis
Gotta Bring It Back will definitely be the song that you’ll add into your playlist. You can stream it starting September 18 via Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Soundcloud.
Gotta Bring It Back on Spotify Cover
For more updates about Jungsu and his music, check out through social media and music streaming platforms.
Great food and great company are two of life’s simplest pleasures. So mark your calendars and get ready to feast on scrumptious food as The Manila Hotel’s famed Café Ilang Ilang participates in Manila Restaurant Week happening from September 20 to 27, 2020.
Indulge in a choice of starters like the savory Spinach-Ricotta Ravioli in light Parmesan Cream Sauce or Pomelo-Prawns Lumpia in Calamansi Honey Dressing; main course of sumptuous Beef Tenderloin in Balsamic glaze with marble potato and market vegetables or Pampano cooked in Tandoori Oven with Peas Pilaf rice and stir-fried Asian vegetables; and dessert of Fresh Fruits Salad with Ube ice cream or Mango panna cotta as dessert. The starter-main-dessert set is offered at only P980 nett per person, but cannot be availed of in conjunction with other promos or discounts.
Cafe Ilang Ilang chefs led by Executive Chef Konrad Walter (left) preparing the dishes showcased at the Manila Resturant Week launch held in Roma Salon at The Manila Hotel
Manila Restaurant Week is an event under the “Manila, Support Local” Campaign, launched by the Bureau of Permits and City Government of Manila. The city-wide project aims to promote local food establishments in Manila that have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. About 80 restaurants will be offering prix fixe menus at affordable prices during Manila Restaurant Week.
Launched on September 15, The Manila Hotel played one of the hosts of the multi-venue simultaneous kick-off, which was livestreamed on social media platforms. The other hosts were Bayleaf Hotel, Lucky China Town Mall, and Robinsons Place Ermita. The virtual launch was marked by an online performance of Lea Salonga who sang her new single, “Dream Again,” the official theme song of the campaign.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno with The Manila Hotel president Atty Joey Lina visit Cafe Ilang Ilang’s table at the Manila Restaurant Week luanch held at the Roma Salon in Manila Hotel
From left_The Manila Hotel president Atty Joey Lina, Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno watching the livestream during the Manila Restaurant Week launch
The Manila Hotel president Atty Joey Lina (right) welcomes Manila Mayor Isko Moreno during the Manila Restaurant Week at the hotel
“I believe we can do a lot in restoring the City of Manila back to its former glory under the leadership of Mayor Isko Moreno. We in the private sectors will always support you in this very worthwhile undertaking. Soon, Manila will be great again,” said Atty. Joey Lina, The Manila Hotel President, in his opening remarks during the launch.
Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna at the launch of Manila Restaurant Week at the Manila Hotel
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuña gave their respective speeches before checking the 11 restaurants that showcased their dishes at The Manila Hotel’s Roma Salon—namely Café Ilang Ilang, Century Park Hotel, Scorched, Golden Fortune, Luneta Park Hotel, Ilustrado, Tanabe, Jus & Jerrys, Patio de Conchita, Pares Kimchi, and Harbor View—and visiting the other venues, which was watched by thousands via livestream.
The Manila Hotel and all its outlets operates in strict compliance to health protocols, so our guests are assured of the highest standards of food safety and sanitation measures in accordance with the government guidelines.
For more information, you may check us out on Facebook or Instagram (@TheManilaHotel), or call 85270011 or 09989501912. For reservations, email resvn@themanilahotel.com.
Just a day before the historic hotel’s founding anniversary, The Manila Hotel plans to partially open its doors to its valued guests, with the famed Café Ilang Ilang, the Lobby Lounge, and the Delicatessen resuming operations on July 3, 2020. A rebirth of sorts after months of following the government’s quarantine protocols, the hotel has adjusted along with the rest of the world in navigating the “new normal,” and puts a high premium on the well-being of guests.
The Grand Lobby of the historic Manila Hotel will light up again soon as the hotel partially reopens to accept guests beginning July 3, 2020
With the lobby shining bright anew signifying eternal hope, The Manila Hotel commemorates its 108th founding anniversary on July 4 by welcoming guests with an enduring brand of service that is now focused on enhanced health, hygiene, and sanitation protocols in line with DOH guidelines.
As the hotel prepares for the reopening, Atty Joey Lina, the president of The Manila Hotel, assures the public, “You are safe here. We have taken every precaution to heart so you and your loved ones can have peace of mind when you visit or stay with us.”
To its valued guests who are waiting for Café Ilang Ilang to open, The Manila Hotel offers its 108th Anniversary Promo that gives the first 108 customers for the first 108 days of its reopening (including Saturdays and Sundays) a special dining rate of only Php1,250 for lunch, and only Php1,550 for dinner. Café Ilang Ilang likewise returns with a new system for dining where guests can “order and eat all you can,” meaning they can order as much food as they want from the selection of dishes at a fixed price.
Both Café Ilang Ilang and the Lobby Lounge will be open with limited seating capacity. Thorough sanitation procedures will be implemented, and guests can order using disposable menu, eat using cutlery in sealed containers, and even use tables with acrylic dividers. Front-facing personnel communicating with guests like Guest Services Officers (GSOs) and waiters will don masks, gloves, and face shields. To limit contact with guests, Café Ilang Ilang is also fine-tuning its contactless ordering and payment system.
Adopting best practices, the hotel launches a comprehensive initiative to assure its patrons they are safe at The Manila Hotel. High-traffic public areas will have hygiene reminder signages and distance indicators, and guests will be asked to undergo mandatory temperature checks, and health declaration procedure. Limited capacity will also be implemented in elevators, while several hotel facilities will remain closed including the spa, swimming pool, gym, and other areas.
High-touch points like door handles, elevator buttons, public area furniture, and others will be sanitized multiple times per day using UV technology. Tests reveal that UV sanitation greatly reduces the bacteria count on surfaces, as demonstrated by lower RLU readings—whose value is used as a measure of surface cleanliness—after the procedure.
Barring announcements from the government to the contrary, the hotel also plans to start accepting room bookings by August 2020. The public will be assured of rooms thoroughly cleaned first with UV-C light technology to eliminate germs, bacteria, and viruses; followed by medical-grade sterilizing and disinfecting solution. A change of fresh and sanitized linens; sanitation of touch points in the room including remote controls, lamps, etc.; and thorough bathroom disinfection are also art of the procedure. Guests will also receive personal wellness kits, issued a UV-sanitized keycard, and arrive to guestrooms with a seal of assurance that they are the first to enter the sanitized environment.
Because taking care of its own people means they can take better care of guests, The Manila Hotel has invested on testing its staff upon return to work to ensure they are healthy. The culinary team strictly adheres to stringent protocols on proper hygiene, hand washing, and food handling. Staff will be required to wear PPEs as needed, and a strict implementation of distancing measures will be done in the offices, front desk, and other areas frequent by guests.
The Manila Hotel looks forward to welcoming both loyal and new guests with the kind of service it is known for, with the assurance that “YOU ARE SAFE HERE” is not just a tagline but a commitment it truly means to uphold.
Father’s day is right around the corner but how do we make this day extra special for all the dependable and downright awesome fathers and father-figures out there who have helped shape our lives? With the magic of pasta!
For San Remo Philippines, pastas are more than just wonderfully shaped noodle varieties. Pasta is the secret ingredient that shapes great family bonding experiences and memorable moments.
And just like our beloved pastas, our dads come in all shapes and sizes. They are someone we look up to and someone who is always right by our side. What pasta shape best describes the fathers and father-figures in our lives? Is he like a spaghetti noodle; old fashioned? Or maybe a bowtie pasta that loves to look good and presentable all the time?
Share with us what’s the perfect pasta shape that best describes your dad and snap his favorite pasta dish. The most creative and witty photo and caption will get a chance to win a San Remo pasta package and 3,000 Sodexo GCs for their dad.
How to join:
Like and follow San Remo Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.
Pick a pasta shape that best describes your dad/head of the family, make a pasta dish with it, and tell us why in the caption.
The most creative post will get a chance to win a San Remo pasta package and 3,000 Sodexo e-GCs.
6 winners (3 on Facebook & 3 on Instagram) will be announced on June 30, 2020 at 3pm on San Remo’s FB and IG Page, and will be contacted via personal message on how to claim their prize.
Now that the Community Quarantine have eased up a bit to the GCQ (General Community Quarantine) from ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) It’s a bit more relax and people can now go out except for those who are 21 years old and below. This is to give way to our economic condition and some industries were now allowed to operate and people can go back to work as well. Take note that health protocols should still be strictly followed to ensure safety for everyone.
Father’s Day may look a little different this year because of the general community quarantine, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still devote the day to Dad. Got a special dad who deserves a special meal? Show him your appreciation with an exceptional family lunch or dinner with his favorite dishes. Whether you’re planning to fire up the grill or set up a sit-down meal indoors this Father’s Day, The Manila Hotel’s Café Ilang Ilang Takeout service is here to help you create the perfect menu.
Express your gratitude and admiration to the greatest man in your life with an exceptional Father’s Day meal which you can easily make at home. Delight your dad with any of our Home Buffet options or A La Carte menu. Because the best dad deserves only the best, let him indulge with an enticing main course of any of our new Sous Vide Steaks offerings.
The Manila Hotel’s Ilang Ilang Take Out menu
Eating steak is a sensorial gustatory experience: from the visual delight of seeing the marbling on your steak to the sizzle you hear as it cooks to the sensational smell of grilled meat. Dads will surely delight in our special imported meats. It’s value-for-money, too. The cuts are enormous and good enough to share, for those who aren’t voracious carnivores. Marbling is the main contributor of beef juiciness, flavor and tenderness. The steaks are superb, juicy, perfectly tender, and so good.
Our cooked sous vide steaks, with easy to re-cook instructions, are:
*U.S. Beef Rib Steak, 500 grams—Php2,300 nett
*U.S. Beef Tenderloin with Black Peppercorn Sauce, 180 grams—Php1,500 nett
*Prime U.S. Beef Striploin, 280 grams—Php2,100 nett
Enjoy 20% discount if you make an advance order with a minimum amount of Php2,500 nett from our Home Buffet or A La Cart menu or any of our new Sous Vide Steak Offerings from now until June 19,2020 (Friday) for pick-up or delivery on Father’s Day (June 21, 2020).
End the meal on a sweet note with any of our Cake Creations: trio of chocolate mousse layered Opera Cake, Mango Cheesecake and Ohaina chocolate gateau — alluring desserts that your dad will surely love.
Enjoy a 10% discount on our Cake Creations if pre-ordered with our Father’s Day promo.
Additional fee for delivery within Metro Manila only. Other discounts are not applicable for this promo.
Call us now at 85270011 or SMS/Viber at 0998-950-1912 for your pre-orders.
Healthy eating is a must despite being confined in our homes with a limit acess to the market ad groceries during this trying times. It is essential to keep a balance diet and ensure to still have fruits on the table.
Grapes are a natural superfood as it contains 80 percent water and plenty of fibre that can contribute to body hydration, boosting the immune system, as well as to the protection of eye health and heart disease.
Naturally grown and ripened under the Australian sunshine with a sweet burst of flavour and juicy pulp, the new season of fresh Australian Table Grapes are now available for Filipinos to enjoy today.
From April, the 2020 season varieties will be available at different stores and partners like Rustans Supermarket, Shopwise, Marketplace by Rustans, Robinsons Supermarket, S&R, SM, and even thru e-Commerce partners like Baytownsproduce, Crate2plate and Dizon Farms, which includes Tam’s Gold and Crimson Seedless as well as Sweet Sapphire (a long finger shaped black grape), Autumn Crisp (a very sweet and crispy grape) and Cotton Candy (a sweet, aromatic green grape). These varieties are known for their extra sweet taste making them a delicious snack the whole family can enjoy.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Australian Table Grape farmers and food safety inspectors reassured all fruit is grown using the highest food safety standards and most advanced growing techniques, ensuring all produce leaving the farm is of the highest quality and safe for consumption.
Each variety of grape is extremely versatile in its taste – they can be deliciously enjoyed on their own and best enjoyed whole – as well as able to be added to a range of dishes. Considered nature’s candy, Australian Table Grapes are a versatile snack or sweet and crisp addition to any recipe, making them the ideal fresh fruit for all.
Furthermore, the nutritional value that Table Grapes hold make them fantastic for maintaining a healthy diet for people of all ages.
Red Globe table grapes have a low Glycemic Index (GI) value and 5g of gut-healthy fibre in every serving. Meanwhile, the Thompson Seedless variety is packed with vitamin C which is perfect for giving your immune system a boost.
The horticulture industry in Australia prides itself on the idyllic growing conditions Australia is famous for – warm, dry summers, and deep, rich soils provide the perfect environment for Australian growers to produce world class table grapes.
Every grape grown by Australian Table Grape farmers is from an established second or third generation family-owned farm located in pristine rural Australia. The techniques, knowledge and passion for growing and carefully selecting the grapes has been perfected over many years and passed down through the generations of families. Using this expertise, these farmers are proud to work hard producing more than 240,000 tons of the best quality fruit from their farms and exporting 60% of their top quality produce around the world.
As Australia is the closest southern hemisphere supplier to the Philippines, Australian Table Grapes found in store are guaranteed to be the freshest in the market. The whitish bloom on the skin of each grape is another key indicator of freshness, proving they’re delivered directly from the farm to your table.
