BER Months: Be Ready #MommyFrontliners

BER- months na, mga mommies! At alam natin na ito rin ang panahon kung kailan usong-uso ang sakit katulad na lamang ng ubo sa ating mga kids. Nakaka-stress hindi ba? Lalong-lalo na ngayon, nakakapraning kapag makarinig lang tayo ng simpleng pag-ubo. 

 

 

 

Kaya naman para sa ating mga #MommyFrontliners, let us altogether join the Facebook live, HEROES AT HOME: Tips for Mommy Frontliners Facing Cough in Children on September 5, 2020, Saturday at 7:00 PM kasama ang pediatric expert, Dr. Royce at celebrity mom and host, Dimples Romana!. Sabay-sabay nating alamin how to manage cough in our children at kung paano maging #MommyFrontliner kahit nasa bahay tayo. 

 

To know more about Heroes at Home Live, like and follow Pambatang Solmux Facebook page : [https://web.facebook.com/PambatangSolmux](https://web.facebook.com/PambatangSolmux)

Talking About Moving Forward

I told myself that I won't be meddling with the issues between my partner and his ex. But there are situations that went off hand. I have nothing against the girl. I feel for her actually. I am not even mad at her. It's just that it bothers me when she started lurking at my page and started talking things about me with her friends, to the point that some of her relatives started following me on my SocMed accounts. 

I don't mind at all at first, but I had this thought in mind that they might cause me trouble soon if they started bothering my kids (out of desperation). 

Hence, I am writing this article to share some ideas/thoughts on how to move on with life despite the fact that you've been crushed to tiny pieces because of the trauma. I am hoping that someone out there might get use some help out of this write up.

Being dumped for someone else is a double punch: Not only do you feel abandoned but you also feel replaced. It’s a biological imperative to guard your mate – and now he or she is with someone else and you’re stuck with the harrowing, awful, alone feeling of knowing that the person you love is loving another. Being left for someone else can also bring feelings of great shame: You may feel inadequate or unable to “keep” your partner. You may feel expendable. And, whatever the characteristics of the new man or woman in your ex-partner's life, you feel less special, less interesting, less attractive. The experience can feel like it has emotionally leveled you.

Here are some keys that might help you move forward with life after the traumatic breakup you had:

1. "Take it one day at a time. Know that there was nothing you could have done differently. They made the choice to leave you for someone else." 

2. "Whatever you do, don't try to get your ex back. Just leave them alone. And for the love of all that's good and holy, do not poke around their Facebook page. It's self-inflicted torture. Give yourself time to feel your way through everything. It is hard at first, but take it from me -- it gets better."

3. "Don't cave into the pressure to let go and move on. The hardest thing for people on the outside to understand is that there is no timeline for getting through this."

4. "First, don't go after the other woman or man -- they didn't make the oath to you. Anger and frustration can fester and in the end it only hurts you. It is not their fault that your partner chose them over you. Find an outlet and get those feelings out. You didn't cheat, your ex did. Mourn the loss of him and your marriage, then go forward. You have to do this alone for a while, so hold off on that new relationship."

5. "This too shall pass. No one ever dies from a breakup."

6. "You're going to have to grieve. I cried a lot. Eventually I learned a few important things, though: I made mistakes in the relationship, too, including communicating poorly. You also realize there are plenty other potential partners out there for you." 

7. "Take care of yourself. The fact that someone left you doesn't mean you're not worthy of love. No matter what happens in your life, you should never abandon yourself."

8. "Embrace all the little things you love but your ex never cared about. Enjoy sleeping in the middle of the bed and eating at the restaurants your ex didn't like. Go and do what you want, when you want. Enjoy the time alone and with your family."

9. "I'm a firm believer that living well is the best revenge. Let your ex see how happy you are without them. Believe me, you may have to 'fake it till you make it' at the start. Focus on doing things that make you happy. Live the life you've always wanted -- the one you may have put on the back-burner for your ex. It's your time now."

10. "Get to the gym. You're going need every endorphin rush you can get."

11. "Show yourself patience and love. See a counselor and work through your issues with them. Don't talk about it at work or on Facebook. Gossip gets around and it will come back to haunt you."

12. "Thank your ex for not wasting your time anymore. Look at it this way: They did you a favor. Your ex is someone else's problem now. Anxiety, be gone!" 

The relationship bug can sting very hard, but we shouldn’t wallow in our sorrows. It is truly better to get over a relationship before it has died and rolled over in its grave. Don’t lose your dignity and plead for the person who dumped you back; in the long run it’s not worth it, and if they dumped an awesome person like you then they are not worth your time.

Most people, at some point in their lives, have been dumped by a guy or girl, no matter their sexual orientation. After being dumped, it’s important to set your life in motion towards the way you want to live it. Even if emotionally you don’t feel like doing so, if you can mentally tell yourself to let go and move in another direction in life, your heart will soon follow your mind’s endeavors. You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep rereading the last one.

As trite as it is going to sound, the best revenge is to forgive, live well, and succeed. The immediate satisfaction is not there; I will definitely grant you that. You know the one I'm talking about. The one you dream about, the one you fantasize about when you are thinking about which revenge you are going to use, and you are picturing the reaction, the stun on their smug face. But the satisfaction is fleeting and will only come back and bite you in the end (either financially or emotionally).

Many people say that "living well is the best revenge," and it is true: if you focus on living your best life that will yield the best outcome for you. While it may be hard to do that at first, continuing to pursue vengeance will only lead to more anger and frustration.

Jollibee Opens First Cloud Kitchen in Singapore

re Adapting to the needs of its customerzs in the changing business environment, the Jollibee Group opened its first cloud kitchen in Singapore today, August 10, 2020, for its Jollibee brand. Cloud kitchens are unmarked food production and delivery hubs without any dine-in facility in discreet and lower rent urban locations. 

 

 The opening of Jollibee Singapore’s inaugural cloud kitchen comes as demand for its food delivery continues to grow significantly. The business contribution of Jollibee Singapore’s Delivery has more than quadrupled compared to last year – from 10% in 2019 to 45% in 2020. 

 “As cloud kitchens roll out, we will be able to reach more consumers and fulfill more orders. The Jollibee Group is able to expand more quickly and cost-efficiently through this innovative store model, while maintaining the same safety and quality standards of our food,” said Ernesto Tanmantiong, Chief Executive Officer of the Jollibee Group. 

 

The cloud kitchen in Singapore is the third cloud kitchen to open in the Jollibee Group, with more slated to open soon. Cloud kitchens are part of the Jollibee Group’s overall transformation strategy to adapt to new customer habits and meet the continued strong demand for delivery amid the pandemic. 

Jollibee Group opened its very first cloud kitchen in the UAE last March, which continues to outperform targets. In the US, its recently opened cloud kitchen in Chicago’s bustling River North neighborhood was also well-received. 

Tampines is a residential area in the region of Tanah Merah located in the East Region of Singapore. The Jollibee cloud kitchen in Singapore is open from 10 am to 8 pm.

Shopee Powers Growth for Filipino Brands and Sellers with Enhanced Warehouse and Logistics Capabilities

• Shopee offers a full range of warehouse and fulfillment support to help brands and sellers meet increased demand and to grow their e-commerce business

 

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, steps up its logistics preparations to help brands and sellers meet the increased online demand in the peak year-end shopping season.

As e-commerce in the region continues to flourish, there is a higher demand for quicker and secure deliveries for online purchases. Shopee offers a robust logistics ecosystem to help brands and sellers meet evolving consumer needs. This year-end shopping season, Shopee commits to strengthening its warehouse and fulfillment support for brands and sellers, enabling them to increase sales and maximize customer satisfaction even as online shopping activity peaks.

 

Martin Yu, Associate Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Quality and reliable logistics are integral to the online shopping experience. As consumers turn to and rely more on e-commerce, businesses aim to deliver more quickly and efficiently to remain competitive. With this, Shopee has built up a robust logistics ecosystem designed for quality, reliable, and scalable deliveries. We want to simplify logistics for brands and sellers by providing them with solutions that support their business needs. The initiative helps them attract more customers, increase sales, and grow their e-commerce business in the long-term.”

 

Optimized warehouse and inventory support

Shopee has an optimized network of warehouses that form the backbone of its logistics networks in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. They are integrated with the Shopee platform and leverages data to help brands and sellers ship out orders more efficiently.

 

In the Philippines, its purpose-built Warehouse Management System (WMS) uses data to make smart recommendations to trained warehouse teams, allowing increased efficiency from product picking to dispatching. The WMS uses data to forecast demand ahead of peak shopping periods so that brands and sellers can better allocate their resources. These services help brands and sellers to optimize their inventories and ship out parcels more efficiently, which translates to increased customer satisfaction and drives business growth.

 

Offering quality, reliable, and scalable deliveries

Shopee has over 100 logistics partners in the region who are highly familiar with local landscapes and provide quality services tailored for consumer needs. Brands and sellers on Shopee can tap on their reliable expertise and extensive coverage to reach customers.

 

Shopee also has its own Shopee Xpress fleet that specializes in e-commerce deliveries. It provides additional capacity and flexibility for Shopee to scale delivery operations during busy periods, allowing sellers and brands to ship quickly and reliably out parcels during peak shopping seasons.

 

Shopee’s logistics partners and its own Shopee Xpress fleet are closely integrated with its platform and warehouses. It means that sellers and brands have access to quality and reliable logistics support all year round and can easily manage and track shipments on Shopee.

 

Driving long-term e-commerce growth for brands and sellers

Shopee’s logistics ecosystem allows sellers and brands to grow their e-commerce business with confidence. Supported by quality, reliable, and scalable logistics on Shopee, brands, and sellers can focus their attention on other vital areas of their business, such as optimizing their product assortment, marketing, and sales.

 

Shopee’s robust logistics support has enabled sellers and brands to scale their e-commerce business effectively. Across the region, sellers and brands who use Shopee’s warehouse services sell more and ship up to 4 times more parcels than before. It shows how Shopee allows sellers and brands to deliver with higher speed, reliability, and efficiency.

 

Shopee also enabled sellers and brands to scale their delivery operations in times of peak demand. In the Philippines, the Covid-19 pandemic increased the online demand for Home & Living, Food & Beverages, and Fashion categories. Sellers and brands offering these items on Shopee were able to ship more parcels during this time, allowing them to meet their customers’ needs and grow their e-commerce business.

 

Yu closed, “As the year-end shopping season arrives, Shopee will continue to strengthen its logistics support and maximize growth for sellers and brands. For users, they can look forward to greater value with exclusive free shipping promotions from our trusted logistics partners across the Philippines. In line with our vision to power the future of retail, we will keep evolving our logistics ecosystem so that our users, sellers, and brands can unlock the full potential of e-commerce in the months and years ahead.”

 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

 

HIV-Free in the New Normal

Inevitably, there are numerous issues of importance that have taken a backseat because of the ongoing pandemic. One of them is HIV, which has not only been a cause for concern for those in the LGBTQIA+ community, but the entire human race as well. And while the DOH recently announced that HIV cases have gone down by an astounding 68% in the 2nd quarter of 2020, they also note that it is no cause for celebration.

Whether the number of cases has truly gone down or is simply unreported due to lockdowns across the country, the fact remains that there are still new cases daily. In fact, before the pandemic, DOH statistics revealed that the country averaged 35 cases on a daily basis.

While we have movements and events like Pride Month that promote HIV-awareness alongside gender equality, bringing awareness to this cause, even while on lockdown, should not stop. There are actually some ways to raise the alarm and bring the issue of HIV to the fore. Here are a few:

Accept

A good first step—especially for those who are still on the fence and have reservations on the matter—would be to acknowledge and accept that people are free to identify themselves as they wish and that there is no one way to express one’s self and one’s love—not to mention that HIV exists. With this first step, individuals will have a much easier time trying to understand and empathize with each other and possibly help each other overcome challenges such as HIV, gender inequality, and other similar issues.

Educate

One of the many benefits of this fast-paced, digital world we live in today is that seemingly-unlimited information is readily available within our fingertips. This is key because part of creating an HIV-free world also entails learning more about it, the groups of people who usually contract it, and ways in which the virus can be eradicated.

Advocate

With a clear understanding on HIV, creating a world without it would mean spreading the word, engaging in discourse, and spreading your knowledge to uninformed people. In advocating, one can also learn more through likeminded people looking to express themselves as well.

Heed

Lastly, in order to disseminate information and knowledge further while building a sense of community, it would be good to take action and support calls and campaigns such as Durex’s “No One Way Love All Ways” Campaign that supports and promotes all ways of living and expressing.

“A big challenge in the fight against HIV has always been the lack of acknowledgement and proper education on the matter.” Said Dr. Rica Cruz, Licensed Psychologist, Sex Therapist and Educator. “While our current situation presents difficulties as physical events cannot be staged, the opportunity to use available technologies such as social media and online webinars can also be utilized to our advantage. These are excellent tools for spreading the word to a wider audience from the comforts of our home while still being safe in more ways than one.”

Ever Bilena's HELLO GLOW

It’s time to say goodbye to whitening products that cause pain, burning sensation and peeling, and hello to a skin care line that gives skin a clear, healthy glow in a safe and effective way.   Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc.’s (EBCI) newest skincare brand Hello Glow is a complete line of skin rejuvenation and whitening products expertly designed and formulated using only safe, high-grade nourishing and effective natural ingredients.

Rejuvenate your skin with Eve Bilena’s Hello Glow

Because your skin matters, Hello Glow products contain safe extracts such as Papaya, Peony Root, Strawberry Begonia and powerful whitening ingredients such as Kojic and Gluthatione. Additionally, their products are vegan, sodium & sulfate-free, hydroquinone & tretinoin-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and no mercury!

 

Hello Glow comes in four key items: the 4-in-1 whitening soap for cleansing, clarifying toner for toning; sunscreen cream for additional protection to the skin, and whitening cream to moisturize. Products can be bought in set (P360) or separately.

“Hello Glow is specially formulated for all skin types, giving the best glowing transformation while still being kind to the skin,” says Denice Sy-Munez, Ever Bilena chief sales and marketing officer.

 

Launched last February to help its employees amid COVID-19 pandemic, Hello Glow can be found on Hello Glow’s page on Lazada (www.lazada.com.ph). To know more about Hello Glow, like and follow its Facebook page (@helloglowofficial) and Instagram (@helloglowofficial).

 

BPI celebrates 169th anniversary with purposeful banking

 

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is celebrating its 169th anniversary by revitalizing its commitment to be a lifeline for Filipinos and continuing to help build a better Philippines with purposeful phygital (physical and digital) banking. 

BPI President and CEO Cezar P. Consing, who delivered his anniversary message online, highlighted the Bank’s steadfast mission to provide financial services to Filipinos amid the challenges and confusion brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The combination of our branches, bravely manned, and our digital channels have allowed millions of Filipinos and thousands of businesses to conduct essential banking transactions throughout this challenging period,” he said. 

Consing emphasized how the limitations, imposed by the lockdown, have demonstrated the strength of BPI’s digital platform. “Our 169-year history has seen us make a real, positive difference in difficult times. We are seen as leading in the market not because we’re bigger, but because we are professional, inclusive and forward looking, and have a brand that defines trust, stability and nation-building,” he said. 

To kick off the Bank’s month-long celebration, Rev. Fr. Angelo Paolo Asprer of Society of St. Paul (SSP), led the virtual anniversary Mass, which was broadcast through BPI’s internal social media channel. Other activities are lined up for BPI’s anniversary celebration this August. One of these is the “#PhygitallyYours” campaign, a weekly digital community service, to encourage employees to share social media posts about helpful and informative topics. 

BPI, through its social development arm, BPI Foundation, is also set to launch its food security fundraising campaign titled “Pagsibol,” in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines). The project aims to build sustainable food sheds – or climate-resilient food production facilities – to address food security and help hundreds of families all over the country to adapt and build their resilience in the new normal. 

BPI has prepared other initiatives as well such as the “#ECONversationSeries,” a series of webinars focused on purposeful phygital banking, and “Dream Bayan Podcast”, a podcast that seeks to uplift the spirits of Filipinos as they face challenges and hardships brought by the pandemic.

McDonald's Safety Protocols

The fast food giant ensures superior heating, ventilation, and air conditioning facilities

for customer and employee safety

As the country adapts to the new normal, McDonald’s Philippines continues to re-assure its customers of its steadfast commitment to safety through its protocols and facilities.

Quality, service, safety, cleanliness and value have always been inherent in McDonald’s operating culture. Aside from complying with government guidelines, the company leverages on global standards on safety to better protect its people and safely serve its customers.

 

McDonald’s has already implemented various measures in their stores and different ordering channels through its M Safe program. Each store has a dedicated safety manager to ensure all protocols are followed by employees such as wearing of masks and/or face shields, use of gloves, daily submission of health check forms, temperature checks before and after every shift, and increased hand washing frequency to every 30 minutes, among others. The safety managers also ensure that customers are properly guided on the protocols in the store.

 

In addition, McDonald’s ensures customers that it uses fresh air ventilation and air conditioning mechanism in all its stores. Its fresh air supply system is certified by the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (Mandaluyong Chapter).

 

With its design, McDonald’s stores are equipped with the following, ensuring a safer environment in the store:

• centralized air conditioners that are equipped with higher filtration systems
• low air velocity for lower risk of the spread of airborne contaminants
• proper air humidity and comfortable temperature where contaminants are less active
• efficient utilization of outdoor fresh air for better ventilation

 

“We understand that consumers remain to be wary of their safety in shared spaces. Part of our commitment is to ensure that from our protocols to our facilities, we have the best systems in place for the safety of everyone, especially inside our stores,” said Kenneth S. Yang, President and Chief Executive Officer of McDonald’s Philippines. “With these measures in place, employees are safe and customers can enjoy their favorite World Famous Fries or Best-Tasting Chicken McDo worry-free in any McDonald’s branch in the country.” Yang added.

 

“We commend McDonald’s for their continuous efforts not just in implementing preventive measures for their customers and employees, but also in ensuring that their stores are in the safest conditions to operate,” DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

 

McDonald’s encourages customers to send their feedback to msafe@ph.mcd.com.

PCPPI wins Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards 2020

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI)—the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages and snacks in the Philippines—was hailed as the Sustainability Rising Star during the recently concluded Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards 2020 held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

 

 

The Sustainability Rising Star Award is presented to organizations that create new pathways and pilot a change of course through grassroot sustainable initiatives. The winner demonstrates commitment to sustainable development by implementing diverse solutions to sustainability challenges faced in their settings. 

 

PCPPI is among the highly qualified and deserving participants selected as winners by the jury members of ACES, headed by ACES’ Chairman of Panel of Jury, Hemant K. Batra. Batra is the founder and chairman of Kaden Borris, a global alliance of full-service law firms and legal enterprises; and the vice president of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law (SAARCLAW). 

 

“We are honored to have been recognized as a sustainable company, a good news amid the pandemic. Over the years, PCPPI has always been relentless and committed to create a positive impact on society with programs focused on environmental sustainability, nation-building, and inclusive development,” said PCPPI president and CEO Frederick D. Ong.

 

PCPPI’s sustainability agenda is driven by the “Sustainability Play” framework, which was created in 2018 in response to the global effort towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). The Framework consists of three key sustainability pillars which are Water Stewardship, Circular Economy, and Inclusive Business, and are led by a three-pronged “Engage, Transform, and Lead” strategy. 

 

PCPPI’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs are in line with the company’s sustainability framework. One fine example is the Water for Peace in Marawi, whereby PCPPI teamed up with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) to provide clean water to the Internally Displaced People (IDP) of Marawi.

 

This helps PCPPI in creating a healthy and sustainable ecosystem that nurtures the business and its employees, as well as the communities upon which the company built its success, and the environment that provides resources needed for businesses to thrive.

 

One of the flagship programs of PCPPI's sustainability efforts is Luntiang Yaman, which is an initiative to reduce water use, optimize electricity use, optimization of fuel yield, solid waste management, and community-building participation. 

 

Through years of developing Returnable Glass Bottles, PCPPI has optimized packaging by reducing the materials in other containers apart from glass bottles by making them lighter, successfully diverting tons of solid waste from landfills. Since the implementation of the program, PCPPI has successfully recycled 81% of in-plant solid waste, putting them right on track to reach their 85% goal by 2020.

 

Since its inauguration in 2014, the ACES Awards has grown to become one of the most sought-after accolades in Asia. The Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards recognizes Asia’s most renowned business leaders, corporations, and brands across two main domains; leadership and corporate social responsibility.

Something BERRY delicious is in Dairy Queen

Blueberry cheesecake is one of those crowd-favorite desserts that’s really hard to resist. Between the sweet and juicy blueberry plus the salty-creamy cheesecake, it’s a combination of flavors that makes you come back for more. Sadly, such delectable creation is not easy to prepare. Good thing Dairy Queen is bringing the taste of this favorite baked confection to their much-loved frozen specialties!

 

Introducing Dairy Queen’s Blueberry Fest Blizzard of the Month, inspired by everybody’s favorite dessert—blueberry cheesecake! For Oreo lovers who are looking for a twist, the Blueberry Oreo Blizzard is just for you! Made with creamy vanilla soft serve, blueberry syrup, and delectable Oreo cookies, this is a treat that you’ll truly crave. If you’re looking for the OG cake we all know and love, the Blueberry Cheesecake Delight Blizzard will surely hit you right on the spot. It’s made with vanilla soft serve and blueberry syrup with the addition of crushed graham and cheesecake bits taking this Blizzard treat to an all-new level!

 

It doesn’t stop there. Dairy Queen is also launching the Blueberry Parfait – a showstopper, Gram-worthy dessert. The Blueberry Parfait take-out treat comes with a perfect layering of vanilla soft serve, blueberry syrup, and cheesecake bits, topped with whipped cream and crumbled graham. It’s a delectable treat both for the eyes and the palate!

 

To top it all off, you can enjoy this featured flavor group-style with the NEW! Blueberry Cheesecake Blizzard Cake. Available in eight-inch and six-inch round cakes, it’s made with 100% ice cream, blueberry syrup, crumbled graham, and cheesecake, perfect for sharing with your family and friends!

 

These blueberry cheesecake-inspired creations are available in any DQ branch for take-out orders. You may also call 8911-11-11 or order via GrabFood, FoodPanda and LalaFood to have these delivered right to your doorstep. Get it for a limited time only.

 

For more information, promos, and offers from Dairy Queen, follow them on their social media accounts or visit their website www.dairyqueen.com.ph.

Liga Adarna: Laban Para Sa Korona’ for COVID-19

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has teamed up with Eplayment Entertainment for ‘Liga Adarna: Laban Para Sa Korona,’ an all-female esports league running from Aug. 16 to Sept. 17, 2020 in support of COVID-19 initiatives.

Spearheaded by Eplayment Entertainment, the first esports multi-platform in the Philippines, the league features various esports and mobile gaming events including Valorant, DOTA 2, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang with a total of Php 140,000 cash prize pool and the coveted Liga Adarna Crown up for grabs.

 

Interested participants may register online starting Aug. 10 through Mogul Arena. All games will be live-streamed on Liga Adarna’s official Facebook page.

 

Empowering Connected Filipinas

 

This all-female esports league is in line with Smart’s ‘Connected Filipina’ advocacy to put the spotlight on remarkable women who are embracing digital technology in various fields and inspire more Filipinas to do the same.

 

The new normal has particularly seen women connect more to digital means in order to perform multiple roles as homemakers, breadwinners, teachers, and entrepreneurs all at once.

 

Since March, Smart has also backed a series of Mobile Legends tournaments such as the MPL Pro League in support of COVID-19 frontliners and affected communities.

 

Train with your team with Giga Games

 

Smart encourages subscribers to enjoy leveling up with their friends on their favorite mobile games with Giga Games 99, which comes with 2 GB data and 1 GB of Games Every Day for Mobile Legends, Facebook Gaming, and more for 7 days. To register, dial *123#, choose Giga, and select Games.

 

Giga Games is powered by Smart LTE, the country’s fastest mobile data network, as certified by third-party mobile analytics firms, such as Ookla and Opensignal.

 

Ookla, the global leader in internet testing and analysis, recently named Smart as the country’s fastest mobile data network in the first half of 2020 after it achieved a Speed Score™ of 18.33, with average speeds of 15.94 Mbps for download, and 7.57 Mbps for upload, based on 2,810,963 user-initiated tests taken with Speedtest®.

 

On the other hand, Opensignal, an independent mobile analytics firm, reported in its April 2020 Mobile Network Experience Report for the Philippines that Smart remained ahead of the competition in terms of Video Experience, Upload and Download Speed Experience, Voice App Experience, Games Experience, and 4G Availability.

 

For updates on Smart’s eSports initiatives, follow Smart on Facebook at facebook.com/SmartCommunications, Twitter and Instagram (@LiveSmart).

 

 

 

Some Simple Guides To Moving On After Heartbreak

It's inevitable: At some point after break-up, a well-meaning friend or family member will suggest that it's time to "just move on" from the split. The advice is meant to be constructive but it's totally unhelpful; getting over the end of a relationship is easier said than done.

With that in mind, we reached out to life coaches and therapists to share small pointers on getting through the hardest, most emotional days post-break-ups. See what they had to say below.

 

 

1. Grieve the end of your relationship.

Don't let anyone rush you through the grieving process: When you give yourself permission to feel everything, you're setting the stage for moving on in a healthy, productive way,

 

"Our culture doesn’t give permission to grieve but it’s important to ride the wave and allow yourself to feel the emotions and work through them -- otherwise you will get stuck in them," she said. "Many divorcées get stuck in anger, resentment or victimization. It is through moving through [your emotions] that you are able to heal."

2. Surround yourself with good people and distance yourself from those who aren't supportive.

Rally the troops after divorce: Let your bestie regale you with her very detailed list of why your ex was wrong for you. Take your mom up on her offer for dinner this weekend. You need a support system right now. By that same token, distance yourself from people who only bring negativity into your life.

"If friends or family are being intrusive and it doesn’t feel supportive, it’s OK to let them know you aren’t in a place to discuss it with them and you just need their support," Petruk said.

3. Do something for yourself that you've been putting off.

What's the one thing you always wanted to do during your marriage but never actually addressed? Whether it's going bold with a pixie cut or finally going after that promotion at work, get it done post-split, said Deb Besinger, a life and relationship coach based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

"Knock something off your bucket list," she said. "These sorts of markers in our life are physical representations of the next chapter and remind us that we are moving forward."

4. Don't dwell on the could haves, should haves, and would haves.

Instead of replaying the mistakes you made in your relationship over and over again, show yourself some compassion and focus on what you did right, said Besinger.

"Give yourself a lot of grace and think of the ways you showed up as your authentic self in the relationship, the things you enjoyed about the other person and your time together." she said. "Also, take a minute to reflect on anything you would like to do differently when its time to date again. Dating and relationships are a practice and ideally, we grow with each experience."

5. Write a letter to your ex.

This may sound a little weird but it can be really helpful: Write down all that was left unsaid in your marriage in a letter to your ex. (This isn't something you're actually going to send to your ex so if the letter starts to take a "You Oughta Know"-turn, don't sweat it.)

"Express all your hurt, frustration, guilt, anger, sadness and memories. Let it all out -- write until you have nothing left," she said. "Then write at the end: 'I forgive you and I let you go.' Then read it over and find a way to symbolically destroy it."

6. Don't go to sleep in an empty bed.

No, this isn't the point in the list where we tell you "the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else." This is where we suggest you buy a new set of pillows and brand new comforter to make the bed feel a little less empty.

"One of the most difficult parts of being suddenly single is the loneliness – especially at night,". "Pillows will fill up your bed and make it feel more cozy. You can even snuggle with them; a body pillow was my sleeping companion for months after my divorce."

7. Rediscover an old passion -- or find a new one.

Divorce takes up lot of time and energy. Don't forget to give yourself a breather every once in a while, said Morey. Explore new and old hobbies and interests -- and sign up for dating sites/apps to find people interested in them, too.

"Find your passion," she said. "For me it was travel. For one of my clients, it was improve. It could be yoga teacher training, gardening, decorating your new place, but figure it out and start doing it."

8. Analyze the part you played in the breakdown of the relationship.

No one comes out of a failed relationship entirely guilt-free. While it is important to handle yourself with care during the months following a split, at some point, it's worth assessing the part you played in the relationship's breakdown, Petruk said.

"It’s hard to look within but doing so will help you avoid recreating the same dynamic in your next relationship," she said. "Taking responsibility for your part will help you heal and move forward with more intention and self-awareness."

9. Put a limit on your sadness.

The watch-sad-movies-on-Netflix-and-cry-in-the-fetal-position phase can't go on forever, reminded Besinger. At some point, you need to close the door on grief.

"When my clients go through a breakup, I like to suggest putting a time limit on the initial grieving," she said. "This allows you to really feel your feelings, sit in the discomfort but not get too comfortable or stuck there."

Besinger recommends starting slowly and setting feasible goal posts for yourself: "Try something like 48 hours of really wallowing and then when you get waves of sadness that are triggered unexpectedly, maybe you indulge it until dinner or for the next hour."

10. Get excited about the future.

A year from now, where do you want to be? More importantly, who do you want to be? Asking yourself open-ended questions like these will help you map out a happier and healthier future for yourself -- and your kids, if you have them.

"Let go of the old vision and in it's place, craft a new vision for your life, including doing what you've always wanted to do but didn't because you were married," she said. "It could include travel, learning languages, even going back to school or trying a totally different vocation. It's all up to you."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beating Depression By Action

Depression can happen to anyone at any time of the year. Sometimes, holidays are the worst times for those that feel this down-in-the-dumps fear and worry and things just seem to happen to make us feel gloomy and sad. Note that this feeling happens to all of us at one time or another. How to recognize the feeling and know what to do about it is the purpose of this article. 

 

 

No one can or should ignore this feeling. It is universal and the blues are very much ingrained in our world. Music and movies are legendary in handling this subject. If the feeling is too overwhelming, then sometimes professional help is the desired action. We will just talk here about the funk of depression, the knotted thinking that nothing is right and it will only get worse. The following things are suggested to help:

1. Laughing is the best medicine is an old adage, but so true. It is amazing how when you are depressed, just laughing about something and releasing the stress, can make you feel better. If you are having trouble finding something to laugh about, maybe you can find some people to keep close that cheer you up, that you can call when you feel bad, those who you know will let you apply the "strength in numbers" theory. Invite a few good friends over just to talk and have an appetizer and you will see how much better you feel afterwards.

2. Listening to music is another key to overcoming depression. If you can just relax and let the type of music you love drift over you and enter your senses, you will find that you calm down and feel better. Even as babies in the womb, we respond to music. Maybe you will find you want to get up and dance and there is nothing wrong with that - even without a partner! Just move to the beat and let all your stress flow out of your fingertips and toes.

3. Do some work and you will find you feel less depressed. There is something about a clean bathroom, living room, or kitchen that gives most women a sense of pride and order and joy. Men sometimes enjoy doing some of the same work and experiencing the same attitudes. The point is you just need to get out and do something that moves your body. Maybe you can shoot hoops in the driveway, ride a bicycle through the neighborhood and say "HI" to a few of your neighbors. There is something to be said for just watching a sunset and realizing how mighty the world is and how we are just one part of it. That sometimes seems to put our troubles more in perspective.

4. While we are on that thought, why not try prayer when you feel depressed? Try helping out someone less fortunate. Think of hospital patients and know that they most likely have things worse than you. Yet, you see happier children and adults in some of the worst settings in the hospital. Count your blessings. Hug someone or maybe go through some old pictures of happy times with your family.

Doing productive activities will always perk you up. Think positively about your life and the things you have been given and do not dwell on the problems. Take your dog for a walk and relish in the animal's unending enjoyment at seeing you and being with you. Sometimes simple undemanding love is all we need to overcome the blue feeling.

The last suggestion may sound unusual, but here it is. EAT ICE CREAM! Yes, just swirling that cold stuff around on your tongue and all the different flavors can make you feel good! The idea is to eat something that you totally enjoy and see how hard it is to be depressed when you have your favorite food and are enjoying it. The world just seems a little better!

Of course, all the suggestions given above may not apply to everyone. But give them a try and who knows...maybe they can help just a little. Keep this list handy and the next time you are feeling a little down, find something that triggers the best response to get you to feel happy again. Be aware that when depression creeps in, you need to take action and beat the depression back to the corner where it belongs.

We all have more important things to do in life than feel blue and depressed. Keep this thought in-mind and may your life be filled with joy.

Mastercard Leads the Payments Industry Forward to a More Sustainable Future

 

• Directory of Sustainable Card Materials and Vendors Now Available
• 60+ Financial Institutions have Issued Cards Made from Recyclable, Bio-Sourced, Chlorine-Free, Degradable and Ocean Plastics

 

More than three quarters of people say they are “very concerned”  about the environment and feel companies should be doing more to address their impact on the planet . As consumers look for ways to help tackle climate change through their own positive actions, many are limiting their use of single-use plastics. To address this growing concern, Mastercard has worked with global industry players to develop a sustainable card program for all card issuers globally.  A new directory of sustainable materials and vendors for card products aims to make sustainable choice the preferred option for all financial institutions worldwide and drive enhanced innovation.

Today, Mastercard’s sustainable card offerings are available to consumers in over a dozen countries globally and more than 60 financial institutions have issued cards with approved materials made from recyclable, bio-sourced, chlorine-free, degradable and ocean plastics. These institutions include DBS Bank (Taiwan) and Crédit Agricole, as well as Santander, which will issue cards shortly. With this resource, banks can learn more about these alternatives, connect to card manufacturers and ultimately augment their own sustainability initiatives with a systemic change to their supply chain.

 

This initiative is a new milestone in a multi-year effort that will lead to the launch of Mastercard’s global certification scheme for approved sustainable cards.  It builds on the Greener Payments Partnership (GPP) formed by Mastercard and card manufacturers Gemalto, Giesecke+Devrient and IDEMIA in 2018 to establish environmental best practices and reduce first-use PVC plastic in card manufacturing.  Six billion payments cards are produced each year, typically from PVC.  These cards are replaced on average every three to four years, with discarded cards going to landfills across the world.

 

“Our goal is simple: we want to help banks offer more eco-friendly cards to consumers, and we are taking concrete steps to bring about that change.  This way, everyone benefits – it’s better for the environment, it’s better for business and it meets evolving consumer needs,” says Ajay Bhalla, president of Cyber & Intelligence, Mastercard. “We’re excited to see our efforts gaining traction in so many parts of the world and hope more organizations will join us, as we collectively use our power for good to address these urgent environmental challenges.”

 

“We’re pleased to partner with Mastercard on this important environmental initiative with the new DBS Eco Card, the first credit card in Asia made from polylactic acid — a renewable and biodegradable polymer material that emits no toxic gases during incineration,” said LIM Him Chuan, General Manager of DBS Bank (Taiwan). “With DBS and Mastercard focused on sustainability, this card underscores our commitment to protecting the environment as the way forward for everyone.”

Mastercard continues to invest in new technology and resources to bring new learnings and insight to the global market in support of sustainable choice across all payment rails. Mastercard’s Global DigiSec Lab in the UK, which works to maximize product innovation and security investments, has invested in technology that analyses the material makeup of a card to assess environmental claims on behalf of the industry, so that customers can be confident that any Mastercard they are issuing from a sustainable material has been evaluated and independently verified.  In addition, the Lab is investing in leading academic research related to environmentally friendly ways to recycle existing plastic cards.

 

“We know our customers are looking for more sustainable products and looking for ways to effect positive change in the world. This approach has enabled us to not only deliver on a consumer need but also offer a product that’s in line with our corporate sustainability values,” says Marco Briata, Head of Digital & Payments – Crédit Agricole Italia.

 

“MCB is fully committed towards protecting the environment and our local heritage. We are converting our cards portfolio to Polylactic Acid (PLA), which reduces traditional PVC use by more than 80%.  In addition, every time that a customer uses our Mastercard debit card, we make a contribution to the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation to save threatened Mauritian species through the restoration of entire ecosystems,” says Stephanie Ng Tseung, Head of Cards at MCB.

 

Inspiring Environmentally Conscious Choices

Mastercard makes Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) central to its business model; applying the full scale and scope of technology, partnerships and people to pioneer inclusive and sustainable growth for all.  The company has an extensive track record in creating products, services, partnerships and experiences that enable consumers to make sustainable consumption choices that are better for the planet – easily, intuitively, to their benefit.

 

The Priceless Planet Coalition (PPC) is a platform to unite corporate sustainability efforts and make meaningful investments to preserve the environment. Together with partners who share a commitment to doing well by doing good, PPC is pledging to plant 100 million trees over five years, inspiring positive consumer action.  Additionally, a partnership with the Swedish fintech startup Doconomy enables consumers to track, understand and take accountability of their environmental footprint through digital tools that set a new standard for purpose-driven payment solutions.  The company has also recently joined RE100, furthering its commitment to renewable energy, and set a new ambitious Greenhouse Gas Emissions target to meet a 1.5°C, approved by The Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi).  To learn more about Mastercard’s commitment to environmental sustainability, please visit https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/vision/corp-responsibility/sustainability.html.

 

Mastercard is committed to building a more inclusive digital economy that works for everyone.  That includes connecting 1 billion people and 50 million SMEs to the digital economy by 2025 and supporting 25 million women entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

WILKINS: N CHOOSING PURIFIED WATER, ARE YOU SURE IT’S ‘UNTOUCHED BY HUMAN HANDS’?

Sanitation concerns in the ongoing pandemic calls for ‘contactless’ procedures—that is, human touch at barest minimum during transactions whenever possible. This prevents the potential spread of the virus through human hands.

It makes sense that this same norm should also be applied in the production of packaged goods we buy, especially in something as essential as bottled water.  When you wonder about your cleanest, safest choice for your everyday drinking water, it’s worth asking: which among the countless water brands available are bottled with the least hand contact?  Is zero human intervention even possible in the bottling process?

 

It’s reassuring to know that Coca-Cola Philippines has Wilkins Pure which is guaranteed to be ‘untouched by human hands.’ A state-of-the-art and fully-automated production line helps ensure that every bottle is safe and free from harmful contaminants unseen to the naked eye, and is at peak quality for your daily hydration needs.

 

It doesn’t stop there.  Every bottle of Wilkins Pure undergoes all of the 7 stages of purification — micro-filtration, multi-media filtration, carbon filtration, polishing filtration, reverse osmosis, UV treatment and ozonization. Such a thorough process ensures high quality water that is pure to the last drop.

 

This certainty of purity is authoritatively vouched for by international global safety standards. Wilkins Pure has qualified for: Food Safety System Certification version 5 as recognized by the Global Safety Initiative; NSF Certification; Certification of Good Manufacturing Practices, Certification for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Codex Alimentarius and ABWA Certification under the International Bottled Water Association; among other certifications for Occupational Health and Safety Management and Environmental Management.  That’s all on top of the exacting the exacting global audit standards of the Coca Cola Company, acknowledged for its longstanding quality reputation worldwide.

 

“We know how important water is for our daily health and hydration. But in these times of uncertainty, we also know that the last thing consumers need to worry about is what bottled water to buy,” says Teejae Sonza, Marketing Director of Coca-Cola Philippines. “With Wilkins Pure, they can be assured that what they’re buying is internationally certified safe and free from unseen contaminants, giving them peace of mind knowing what they are drinking is indeed pure and good for every day consumption.”

 

At a time where each day is faced with the threat of unseen enemies, don’t leave one’s health and safety to chance. Go with guaranteed safe drinking water, and ‘para sure’ choose Wilkins Pure. Order Wilkins Pure via cokebeverages.ph or call the hotline at (02) 8813-2653 for deliveries within Metro Manila and 1800-1-888-2653 for orders outside Metro Manila.

 

 

 

 

 

Taiwan offers knowledge in combating Covid-19 through smart solutions and effective communications

New Covid 19 info drive website offers information for stakeholders, local and foreign expertise.

There is no doubt that the best and most effective way of combating the Covid-19 virus and prevent its further spread, aside from an effective vaccine, is for the public to be well informed.

Taiwan is among the more than 200 countries around the world affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) said there are 18,354,342 confirmed cases globally, with deaths amounting to 696,147. Despite these alarming numbers, Taiwan met the challenge with effective contact tracing measures, smart products and solutions, advanced preparations, swift action, and enough forward-thinking vision. Thus, the country became one of the most successful when it came to early containment and prevention to minimize the virus’ impact.

To date, Taiwan is largely considered as among the global “gold” standards in fighting the dreaded Covid-19. The Global Covid-19 Index (GCI), which compiles and analyzes daily data from 184 countries around the world, in its July 25, 2020 report, ranked Taiwan as among the Top 5 countries that can best recover from Covid-19.

Taiwan believes effective communication should be at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19 so it recently launched https://www.anticovid19tw.org, a website where Taiwan shares its experience in fighting Covid-19 to affected countries around the world, including the Philippines. The website provides information to various stakeholders and also features some of Taiwan’s most advanced and state-of-the-art epidemic prevention measures and smart technologies in fighting the virus.

Equipping the Public with Information

 For the general public, the website effectively and comprehensively answers common questions and other information the public needs to know regarding the virus, such as the virus transmission, risks and complications that affect various age and gender demographics, even mental health concerns, the usual symptoms, and also what to do immediately in case of suspected infection and where to go for medical assistance.

Measures that the government can consider
In the Philippines, Local Government Units (LGUs), mostly the densely populated ones, may also benefit from the website since they can learn how the Taiwanese government conducts its own “Contact-Information-Based Measures” or “Contact Tracing” as it is called locally. It also shows how the Taiwanese government responds in terms of providing assistance to foreigners in Taiwan who may have Covid-19 related concerns, and how the Taiwanese government implements health and safety regulations and other important protocols to help prevent the spread of the virus upon initial reporting. It even shows how foreign governments can enter into collaborative and cooperative agreements with Taiwan and seek its knowledge in combating the virus.

Empowering the medical industry
Finally, by browsing the website, the Philippine medical community can also discover various Covid-19 diagnostic and treatment modes employed in Taiwan for confirmed cases that can be adopted locally. Medical professionals are also presented with different scenarios on how patients with special needs can be treated in case they are infected.

Enabling the business community to cope
To help them cope with the pandemic, the Philippine business community may also browse through the website and learn how to keep their businesses afloat in such a difficult time. Information on smart supply management solutions, plus measures on how companies can help protect their employees through face masks and other protective equipment, may be found on the website. There are also actual experiences by Taiwanese businesses that enabled them to mitigate the devastating impact of the Covid-19 contagion.

Over the past few years, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) has been a reliable partner of Filipino businesses in connecting and doing business with quality Taiwan suppliers, products and services. TAITRA continues to introduce Taiwan companies to its Philippine counterparts through frequent dialogues and business familiarization tours even prior to Covid-19. The contagion did not stop TAITRA in its endeavors as it organized various online events for the benefit of stakeholders amid the pandemic, such as “Taiwan’s Medical Services and Epidemic Prevention Experience Sharing” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ndgzjkjUqU&feature=youtu.be) held last July, and even the online product presentation via YouTube of “Taiwan Biomedical Solution to Covid-19 and Genetic Analysis,” organized by Hsinchu Science Park and TAITRA, and featured some of the top biomedical companies in Taiwan.

Taiwan believes that the fight against the virus continues and there should be no letup to control it. Its model of excellence in fighting the disease has become a hallmark, and the Taiwanese government is more than willing to share to other affected countries in the world its best practices to help finally end this debilitating pandemic.