Saturday, March 23, 2013

Top Japanese hairstyling brand makes sparkling Philippine debut

One of Japan’s top ladies’ hairstyling brands and Singapore’s no.1 ladies’ hairstyling brand is now available in the Philippines.

Lúcido-L Hair Supplement is the answer for soft, manageable, beautiful hair. It lessens the hassles and reverses the damage brought about by other hair treatment products.

Hirotsogu Ohashi, General Manager for Mandom Philippines Corporation

According to Hirotsogu Ohashi, General Manager for Mandom Philippines Corporation, Lúcido-L, “aims to provide long lasting, moisturizing treatment by restoring your hair’s natural moisture retaining system.”

At the recently concluded launch of Lúcido-L, Ohashi explains, “The main reason for split ends and curls falling flat is due to lack of moisture in our hair.”

Healthy hair should have the ability to retain moisture. This is where Cell Membrane Complex, or CMC, plays a vital role. A CMC-like ingredient is present in all Lúcido-L products.

(L to R) Lúcido-L Hair Styling Milk; Lúcido-L Hair Treatment
How does CMC work? Ohashi says, “CMC exists among cuticles and cortex cells to help them bond with each other, and also works as a path to transport water to cells.  When CMC is lost due to hair damage, cuticles and cortex cells break away, reducing the water-maintaining ability of the hair.”
Lúcido-L Hair Treatment Oil is recommended for permed hair and helps maintain a soft, bouncy look. It softens and smoothens by repairing dry and damaged hair while you sleep, as CMC-like ingredients fill up the damaged strands.

Lúcido-L Hair Styling Milk is for girls who want pretty, tamed hair all day long. It contains Hyaluronic Acid that coats and deeply penetrates hair strands, keeping them soft and tangle-free. Lúcido-L products have a light, fruity-floral fragrance.

Mandom Philippines Corporation is a production partner of Mandom Corporation, an Osaka-based manufacturer and distributor of hair care, skin care, perfumes and deodorants, cosmetics and other personal care products.

Lúcido-L Hair Make Supplement is exclusively available at all Watsons outlets.


Thursday, March 21, 2013

Respecting Supreme Court's RH Law TRO

Nacionalista Party-Team PNoy senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar on Tuesday called on everybody to observe sobriety with the Supreme Court’s decision to temporarily put on hold the implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 or RA 10354.          

“We should respect the decision of the Supreme Court, being the highest court of the land. We should strictly adhere to the stay order on the RH law,” said Villar.

While the former congresswomen opposes the RH law, she, however, reminded the public that as law-abiding citizens, we should all follow the ruling of the High Court.

“Our justices have already spoken  about  the highly contentious law that divided our  the nation and our people,” she said.

“Let us just wait for the final decision of the High Court since this is just a temporary ruling,” she further said.

Voting 10-5, the High Court issued a status quo ante order for 120 days or four months on the implementation of RH law.

The Department of Health (DOH) had signed last Friday the Implementing Rules and Regulations  (IRR) for the RH law

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Good sleep for better health


(from left) Dindo Medina, Corporate Sales Director of Multiflex RNC Philippines,makers of popular foam and mattress brand Uratex, Dr. Deborah Bernardo, Head of the Comprehensive Sleep Disorders Center and Chief of the Neurology Section of St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City, and Dr. Teofilo Lee-Chiong Jr., Professor of Medicine at the National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado, USA and the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine at the press conference courtesy of Multiflex RNC Philippines.
While many problems in sleeping are commonly attributable to aging, it may not be the case anymore, according to the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM).

In a global press release, WASM says that in a research, “approximately 50 percent of older adults report difficulty sleeping. But sleep problems in older adults are less a result of aging itself and more related to other conditions that may accompany aging.”

These conditions include respiratory disorders, changes in sleep cycles or rhythms, medical and psychiatric illness and increased medicine use. Thus, these conditions may result to sleeping disturbances that would eventually lead to “less quality of life, depression and anxiety, slower reaction time, memory problems, issues with balance and vision increasing risk of falls, and even death,” the press release noted.

Which explains why, in this year’s celebration of “World Sleep Day,” an annual event  that focuses on the celebration of sleep and a call to action versus important sleep-related issues, WASM chose the theme “Good Sleep, Healthy Aging” in order to elicit attention on common sleep disturbances among older adults. The group said that “getting a good night’s sleep is possible at any age—and it is vitally important for overall health.”

Just like the rest of the world, many Filipinos also suffer from sleep problems. Their conditions or sleep complaints are no different from Americans, French, Germans, or even the Chinese, Japanese, Indians or Indonesians.


That is why here in the Philippines, Uratex, the brand known for making quality foams and mattresses, continues on its advocacy in helping Filipinos get that good sleep by coming up with superior bed products.

And in relation to the celebration of World Sleep Day 2013, Uratex will support a major sleep symposium mounted by the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine happening in the country.  

Prior to the event, the two sleep medicine specialists—Dr.Teofilo Lee-Chiong Jr., M.D. and Dr. Deborah Bernardo—were introduced by Uratex to the media today via a press briefing.

Dr.Teofilo Lee-Chiong Jr., M.D., is a Professor of Medicine at the National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado, USA and has authored or edited several books on sleep medicine and pulmonary medicine. He is the Chief Medical Liaison at Philips Respironics and is a member of various sleep associations in the United States. He graduated from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center.

Dr. Deborah Bernardo, on the other hand, is also a graduate of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, and a Fellow of the Philippine College of Physicians, Philippine Neurological Association and the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine. She trained in sleep medicine at the National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado and is now the Head of the Comprehensive Sleep Disorders Center and Chief of the Neurology Section of St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.

Together, the two sleep experts will talk about how Filipinos can get their good night sleep plus other ways in order to achieve good sleep regardless of their age and benefit from it in order to live healthy lives.

For more information on superior bed products and other sleep solutions provided by Uratex, visit their website, www.uratex.com.ph or call their consumer hotline at 888-6800.

Cynthia Villar Vows to Push Husband’s Anti No Exam No Permit Bill


Former Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar on has vowed to pursue the proposed measure filed by her husband, outgoing Senator Manny Villar, which prohibits colleges and universities from preventing students to take examinations over unpaid tuition and other school fees.

The former congresswoman, who is running for senator under the Nacionalista Party-Team PNoy,  said this will among her priorities in case she wins a senate seat in the coming May elections.

Sen. Villar belongs to the so-called “graduating senators” whose term of office ends in June 2013.

Sometimes in October 2011, Sen. Villar, a former House Speaker and Senate President, filed a bill to keep higher educational institutions from implementing “No permit, No Exam” policies, saying it amounts to depriving students the right to take examinations.

Villar’s bill, however, allows schools to withhold grades and clearances of students, and keep them from enrolling again until they settle their accounts.  But Villar’s bill was not passed in the Senate although it was referred to the Senate committee on education chaired by Senator Edgardo Angara. It’s counterpart bill was approved on third reading in the House of Representatives.

The senator’s wife, widely-known as “Misis Hanep Buhay,” said it is lamentable  this ‘unfortunate’ incident happened to a young “Iskolar ng Bayan” at UP Manila, who could  be the ‘key’ to take out of poverty  her parents and four younger siblings.

“Another life was wasted due to poverty,” said Villar who has also been advocating jobs for everybody to lead a comfortable life.
To avoid another case of Kristel Tejada, who committed suicide after she was forced to file a leave of absence (LOA) due to unpaid tuition fees,  former Rep. Villar also  underscored the need to revisit and  review the policies of our State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to which UP Manila belongs, and the other educational institutions in the country.

“What happened to Kristel is very regrettable especially since she was enrolled in a government-subsidized institution mandated to provide high quality  education to “poor but deserving” students. Just like other SUCs, UP has a regular annual appropriations from the national government. So it is necessary to look into the need to expand the government’s study and scholarship programs in SUCs. Do we need to give them additional budget so that  students like Kristel would no longer be burdened to cough up money for her tuition fees?” said she said.
She said there should also be a review of the SUCs policies for non-payment of tuition fees.

“Perhaps, it’s about time to review these policies,” she further stated. She said Tejada’s suicide also showed the lack of  access to education in the country.

Imagine, Kristel, considered a “Iskolar ng Bayan,” being a student of UP, a state university, killed herself as she has no money to pay her tuitions fees. It’s indeed sad and a total dismay,” she added.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Local appliance maker sets its eyes on the world

 
Once known as an importing country, the Philippines is now quickly establishing a reputation as an exporter of not just agricultural products and semi-conductors but also electrical home appliances.

In order for companies to enter the international market, they need to be able to make products that are at par with the world’s best. Union Home Appliances, one of the country’s top electric fans and small appliance brands, is a good example. Already in the appliances business for more than 50 years, the company recently participated in the prestigious Canton Fair, one of China’s largest trade fairs held yearly in Canton (Guangzhou), China that features a wide array of products and is the most attended, in order to make a splash in the global market.

Being at the Canton Fair officially makes Union Home Appliances the first Filipino company under its category that participated in the esteemed event in recent history. There, the company showcased its core products, all made in the Philippines like electric fans, washing machines and air coolers.

Ben Uy, National Sales Manager of Union Home Appliances, said they decided to participate in the Canton Fair to be able to gain international exposure. “We’ve always wanted to take our products global. While most Filipino and international companies have outsourced their manufacturing to China, we always believed that our country possesses real advantages in manufacturing. Being into manufacturing for a long time, we know our products have a real chance of standing out.”

He noted that during the fair, two of their most innovative products stood out, like the Defender Anti-Mosquito Fan with a built-in heater to ward off mosquitoes, and the Perfect Timing Stand Fan that automatically turns on once the air conditioner turns off. “People saw the innovativeness and the high quality of our products.  We believe they are not just at par but possibly even better than some of the other products displayed in the Canton Fair. We would not have joined if we thought our products could not match up with others.”



Many fair attendees, according to Uy, were also surprised that there were products from the Philippines. There were products from Malaysia, Thailand and India, which had strong government-sponsored representation, but Uy said Union was there, representing the Philippines, despite being a privately-funded booth.  He continued that it was also fun being noticed by fellow Filipinos representing foreign firms who pass by the booth and gush upon seeing the pictures of actress and TV host Kris Aquino, Union’s brand ambassador.

However, Uy emphasized that the biggest benefit for Union in joining the Canton Fair was the change in how the global market perceived the Philippines in general, and Union in particular. He said that taking the Union brand and the Philippines as an exporter in the global marketplace is the first step in their long-term investment. “Businesses from other countries are now starting to see Union—and consequently the Philippines—as a real alternative to traditional suppliers like China.”

Now that they have penetrated the foreign market, Uy said their focus is on countries with the same tropical climate as the Philippines, such as those closer to the equator, who tend to have similar lifestyles and home needs as Filipinos. He mentioned South America as a particular region of interest with great potential for growth.

Because of the success of their participation in the Canton Fair, Uy said they will closely study the possibility of going there again this year and encourages other Filipino-owned companies, including other home appliance makers, to attend as well. With the current strength of the economy, Uy thinks now is the perfect time to take Filipino-made products to the rest of the world because “we have what it takes to stand out.”

“There are 7 billion people in the world. That’s a really big market for home appliances.  We should think big because going global is a real possibility. As we like saying in Union: ‘aim for the stars; even if we don’t get there, we may very well land on the moon,” Uy declares.

Union Home Appliances are available in leading appliance retailers nationwide. For more information, visit their web site, www.union.ph.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Uniqlo Flagship Store in Hong Kong



Good news to fashionista in Hong Kong and tourist of the country.

The UNIQLO Lee Theatre Store, is set to open its doors to stylish and discerning Hong Kong shoppers on 26 April 2013. This impressive new store will span three floors and boast over 37500ft2 of shopping space in the Lee Theatre, located in the centre of Causeway Bay’s fashionable shopping district.

UNIQLO first launched in Hong Kong in September 2005 and currently operates sixteen stores in the city. The brand enjoys a particularly strong presence in the local market thanks to consumers’ strong enthusiasm for UNIQLO’s exceptional quality at competitive prices. Situated in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong’s most esteemed fashion district, UNIQLO’s new global flagship store will showcase the latest and greatest from the brand’s basic wear culture. Shoppers will be able to experience a distinct and satisfying shopping journey at this impressive UNIQLO location.

As a brand, UNIQLO is dedicated to designing functional clothing that comes in a wide variety of selections, all of which feature exceptional quality and fresh styles. The Lee Theatre Store will serve as a giant leap forward for the brand in the region and will certainly benefit its continuous global growth.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Aetas Blanket Weaving Gets Support

Misis Hanepbuhay Cynthia Villar checks on the woven blanket made by women Aetas, who were beneficiaries of her livelihood projects. Villar visited the handloom weaving center to check on the sustainability of the project given a year ago to Aetas from the towns of Porac, Mabalacat and Florida, Pampanga.
Former Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar, who is running for senator under the Nacionalista Party-Team PNoy, yesterday visited the ‘katutubong kababaihan’ (Aetas) belonging to thousands of Filipinos who are beneficiaries of her livelihood projects.

Villar checked on the sustainability of the livelihood projects given to the Aetas from the towns of Porac, Mabalacat and Florida, Pampanga.

Popularly known as “Misis Hanep Buhay” due to her programs of giving opportunities to our countrymen, especially women, to earn a living, Villar has been going around the country to share her livelihood projects.

Villar, who has consistently entered the “winning circle” of senators preferred by voters in the coming May elections based on various election surveys, has obtained recognition from the United Nation for her livelihood projects from wastes.

In running for senator, the three-term congresswoman, said she wants to bring her projects nationwide.

“Mas malawak ang maaabot ng aking mga proyekto kung ako’y magiging senador,” assured Villar.

Even before she decided to run for senator, Villar has already handed six handloom equipment for blanket making to these Aetas.

She likewise helped them acquired the necessary training and skills needed for this particular livelihood project.

Together with Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, Villar handed certificates to the Aetas attesting to the fact that they have finished their training in blanket making.

2013 PMAP Awards launch on March 20



Does your employer offer competitive compensation, benefits and recognition for good work? Do you know a company that provides a stable and secure workplace with substantial retention rate and job security?  Does your boss promote work-life balance and a healthy work culture and present opportunities of career growth?

The People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) encourages the public to help them find and recognize companies and individuals who promote sound people practice in their respective workplaces.  The annual search for the PMAP Employer of the Year (EOY), Personnel Manager of the Year (PMY) and People Program of the Year (PPY) will be launched at the 584th PMAP General Membership Meeting (GMM) at Hotel Intercontinental, Makati City on March 20, 2013.

The PMAP Awards, the highly-coveted recognition from the premiere organization of human resource management (HR) experts, aims to honor organizations and individuals for their outstanding accomplishments and exemplary contributions to the promotion and development of the HR practice and profession. This year’s winners Awards will recognized on September 25, first day of the 50th PMAP Annual Conference at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

To hype up the event, two distinguised speakers are invited to share their stories on the theme “What Makes a Winner” during the GMM. Mr. Francis J. Kong, President of FunWorks Inc. and Success Options Publishing Company, will present, “Defining a Winner.” Mr. Ramon B. Segismundo Senior Vice President & Head of HR and Corporate Services of the Manila Electric Company will tackle “People Leadership Excellence.” Meralco is the 2012 PMAP Employer of the Year awardee.

For more information, please contact the PMAP Secretariat at tel. no. 726-1532 or email pmap@pmap.org.ph. Want to get updates from the premier organization of HR practitioners and people managers in the country? Visit www.pmap.org.ph or “Like” www.facebook.com/PMAP1956.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Misis Hanep Buhay Climbs up the Survey


Team PNoy senatorial candidate, former Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar Ranks  No. 4 in the latest Pulse Asia survey covering the period of February 24 to February 28, 2013.

The three-time congresswoman, who has gained the moniker “Misis Hanep Buhay” due to her programs giving jobs to poor Filipinos through her livelihood projects, was also No. 4 in the SWS  survey  last February 15 to 17.

Villar obtained 44.0 percent of votes in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

She thanked the Filipino people for their continuous support and trust and confidence in her programs and advocacies that she wants to bring on a national scope.

The results of various election surveys where she consistently belonged to the Top 12, Villar said, inspires her to work harder to convey her message to the people.

“Taos puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat, una-unang sa ating Panginoon sa patuloy na paggabay sa akin at sa lahat ng sumusuporta upang manatili ako sa Magic 12. Makaaasa po kayong lalo kong pagsusumikapang maiparating ang aking mensahe sa buong kapuluan,” stressed Villar who disclosed she feels very happy with the survey results.
   
Villar is also the managing director of the Villar Foundation which has been addressing the concerns of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) for the past 20 years.

The wife of former House Speaker and Senate President, Senator Manny Villar, assured to diligently do her ‘mandated’ duties if she becomes senator while strictly adhering to President Noynoy Aquino’s righteous path.