Monday, September 25, 2017

Coca-Cola partners with Congressman Nograles for STAR Program in Davao City



Coca-Cola Philippines and Davao City 1st District Representative, Congressman Karlo Nograles, entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to expand the implementation of the Sari-sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program to the women small business owners in the area.

The Coca-Cola 5by20 STAR Program is designed for women micro-entrepreneurs who own and manage sari-sari stores or carinderias, with the goal of addressing the barriers they face by providing an enabling environment for business success. The STAR Program has three components: access to training, access to resources, and access to peer mentoring. The STAR Program is implemented in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and reputable microfinance institutions and cooperatives operating at the regional level.

“We are continuously expanding the coverage of the program by partnering with key government officials and offices. The first district of Davao has one of the largest populations of women micro-entrepreneurs. Together with Congressman Karlo Nograles, we will reach a larger audience and bring the program to those who can benefit from it the most,” said Gilda Maquilan, 5by20 Lead, Sustainability Manager of Coca-Cola Philippines.

The 1st District of Davao City covers the central business district and neighboring suburbs, where a great concentration of micro and small enterprises are located. The office of Congressman Nograles will identify the qualified women for the program and provide the training venue, among others.

“The empowerment of women is at the core of our platform. Over the years, we have helped women in our district through our various livelihood programs. The Coca-Cola STAR Program is a great opportunity to enhance the capabilities of our women micro-entrepreneurs and help them provide more for their families,” said Nograles.

The Coca-Cola STAR Program is part of the 5by20 global initiative of The Coca-Cola Company, which aims to empower 5 million women within its value chain by 2020. The program initially targeted Filipino women engaged in micro-retail enterprise such as sari-sari stores but has expanded to include women in other marginalized sectors since its launch in 2011.

Today, the Coca-Cola STAR Program is implemented in over 54 locations nationwide and has impacted more than 80,000 women. The program has continuously embraced other sectors including distressed female overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through a partnership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the National Reintegration Center for OFWs of the Department of Labor and Employment, beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development–National Capital Region, Artisan Women of Tondo, and women who are in disaster-stricken areas.

The Coca-Cola STAR Program is also supported by Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Alay sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (ASKI), First Community Cooperative (FICCO), Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. (NWTF), ASA Philippines, and National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO).

Saturday, September 23, 2017

THE DANGERS OF SIDE EFFECTS PRESENTED AS MAIN EFFECTS


                In the medical world, proper use of words is highly called for because a simple mistake could complicate things usually unwanted for the patients. Because this field has full of jargons that mostly are too technical to not easily be sifted and digested by the general public, putting them in a layman’s term is indeed helpful.

                A good example of which are the words “side effect” and “main effect”. These, are more often than not, interchanged or used instead of the other. Doing so is not just wrong but also dangerous to the people’s health.

                A side effect of any substance pertains to the result beyond the main or primary action that is intended by the physician giving drug prescription. The doctor, likewise, foresees this extra consequence.

                For instance, the patient might not be conscious of the side effect of unwanted hair growth elsewhere on the body while using vasodilator drug called Minoxidil to treat hypertension. The physician, nevertheless, is very well aware about it, as well as other implications, such as burning or irritation of the eye, itching, and redness or irritation at the treated area. By and large, doctors suggest that patients should ignore the side effects unless serious and often alert the sick persons about their likelihood.

                But not all the side effects are boon. They are bane, too, hence, they are often used as a therapeutic benefit in the pharmaceutical industry. Like the Minoxidil which, initially was developed to treat high blood pressure. People taking it reported an unusual side effect: Hair began to grow on various parts of their bodies. In this case, the downside of the drug is controlled and employed for a beneficial and therapeutic effect judiciously. It is noted that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved prescription of two percent (2%) Minoxidil topical solution for hair loss in men in 1988 and for women in 1992.

                An adverse effect, on the other hand, is identified as an outcome wherein the reaction occurs over and beyond the main and wanted action of a medicine. Both the physician and the patient don’t know about it as a consequence of taking such treatment. It can happen simply due to incorrect dosage. Undesirably, this is very harmful as it can exacerbate the prognosis of the disease. Occasionally, if the adverse effect is too serious, there might be a need for hospitalization.

                Just like the Sildenafil Citrate— a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Its most common adverse reactions (≥ 2%) include headache, flushing, dyspepsia, abnormal vision, nasal congestion, back pain, myalgia, nausea, dizziness and rash. Patients should seek emergency treatment if an erection lasts over four hours. Patients should stop Sildenafil Citrate and seek medical care if a sudden decrease or loss of hearing and also that of vision in one or both eyes.

                Since side effects paired with adverse effects can be fatal and need to be reversed or given antidote immediately, a very extra cautious effort not to interchange them with the main effects in the prescription process must be always observed. After all, it’s the lives of patients at stake here.

                It’s ironic to note that people who seek treatments for their ailments or to prolong their lives become sicker or morbidly end up six feet underground simply because of such medical error. So, it’s still best to deal with health conditions like hair loss the natural way, especially with NOVUHAIR that offers the safe and natural effects.  

               With 19 natural ingredients—mostly standardized herbal extracts, essential oils and co-factor nutrients—it does not only help prevent the hair loss malady, but also aid in stimulating growth of the “crowning glory.” Set aside those chemical-based topical scalp solutions out there. Choose natural, choose NOVUHAR!

                Join NOVUHAIR’s survey and win tickets to the musical SOUND OF MUSIC staging at The Theatre Solaire from September 27 to October 22. For more information, visit Novuhair’s Facebook page: Novuhair Official.


                NOVUHAIR is available at Mercury Drug and other leading drugstores nationwide. For more information visit www.novuhair.com, like the brand’s official Facebook Page, Novuhair Official, and follow on Twitter at @NovuhairNatural. You may also call NOVUHAIR hotlines at 4136570 and 09228830575 and order online through lazada.com.ph and regaloservice.com.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

7th Jollibee Family Values Awards reveals 15 new finalists

CELEBRATING THE HEROISM OF FAMILIES.  The 7th Jollibee Family Values Awards Judges (sitting, from left) Jollibee Group Foundation Executive Director Gisela Tiongson, actress and host Dimples Romana, columnist Audrey Tan-Zubiri, parenting and relationship consultant Maribel Dionisio, Coca-Cola Philippines Public Affairs and Communications Manager Sam Sanchez (representing Atty. Adel Tamano), (standing, from left) inspirational speaker Francis Kong, Jollibee Global Brand Chief Marketing Officer Francis Flores, co-chairs Sen. Sonny Angara and Fr. Jett Villarin, news anchor Edric Mendoza, and Jollibee Philippines Human Resources Head George Wang III.

Jollibee has revealed a new batch of hero families vying for the 7th Jollibee Family Values Awards (JFVA). The annual search for outstanding families has named 15 finalists, from hundreds of entries submitted from all over the country and abroad.

After a rigorous screening process, five families from Luzon, five from Metro Manila, two from the Visayas, one from Mindanao, and two from the United States were handpicked to complete JFVA’s finalist slate.

Among the finalists are: Acula Family (Taguig), Felix Family (Pasay City), Lumbao Family (Pasig City), Matti Family (Taguig City), Rodriguez Family (Quezon City), Arquiza Family (Camarines Norte), Casaje Family (Rizal), Dickson Family (Abra), Macalintal Family (Oriental Mindoro), Mallari Family (Rizal), Caballero Family (Negros Oriental), Drake Family (Bohol), and Borela Family (General Santos City). 

Two OFW families, Castro Family (San Jose, California), and Salangsang Family (Sacramento, California), are also included in JFVA’s top nominees.

The finalists will vie for the six JFVA Family Awards and six Special Citations during the Gabi ng Parangal para sa Pamilyang Pilipino, the search’s culminating event, on October 11 at Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Jollibee’s 11-member panel of judges, co-chaired by Senator Sonny Angara and Father Jett Villarin of Ateneo de Manila University, will determine the winners of this year’s search.  The body is also tasked with confirming the JFVA partners’ recommendations for special citations.

First-time judge Fr. Villarin shares, “This is an eye opener for me. I have worked with Jollibee on several fronts, but this one, it’s heartening. I think that Jollibee is on target when it comes to values being honed, not only in individuals or groups, but as a family.”

His co-chair, Senator Angara, agrees: “Fr. Jett is man of the cloth and I’m a man of the law, but in both areas, the family is (considered) the basic unit. You want to build a better society? Start with the family.”

Actress Dimples Romana and Jollibee Group Foundation Executive Director Gisela Tiongson also join the JFVA this year. Completing the panel are returning judges - children’s advocate and columnist Audrey Tan-Zubiri, ANC news anchor Edric Mendoza, international speaker and author Francis Kong, Coca-Cola Philippines Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications Atty. Adel Tamano, parenting and relationship consultant Maribel Dionisio, Jollibee Philippines Human Resources Head George Wang III, and Jollibee Global Brand Chief Marketing Officer and Jollibee Philippines Marketing Head Francis Flores.

Jollibee’s Flores says, “It is a monumental task for us to identify the JFVA’s winners, but a joyful one nonetheless. We are grateful for all families who have joined us over the years and have, no doubt, poured their heart and resources into their advocacies.”

Five exemplary families and one OFW family will each receive a P300,000 cash prize, Jollibee gift certificates worth P10,000, and a trophy designed by renowned sculptor Michael Cacnio. A P50,000 cash prize, Jollibee gift certificates worth P3,000, and a special plaque will also be conferred by Jollibee along with its citation partners to families with the following advocacies: Education (co-presented with National Bookstore), Environment (Maynilad), Children (Children’s Hour), Youth Empowerment (AIESEC) and PWDs (National Council for Disability Affairs.

The Jollibee Family Values Awards continues to sound the call for heroism among families on its 7th year. The search is made possible with the support from co-presenter Coca-Cola Philippines, official hotel partners Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn, and campaign sponsors Devant and Hisense.

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

GetGo members earn rewards points with Lazada shopping.



GetGo, the lifestyle rewards program of Cebu Pacific, has partnered with Lazada for its Shop N’ Points feature, rewarding members with 1 point for every P10 spend on clothing and fashion finds, health and beauty products, gadgets and accessories, travel and luggage, and fitness and recreation items at the online shopping site. To earn GetGo points, members must log into their accounts at www.getgo.com.ph, click the “Shop N’ Points” tab under the “My Points” menu, and shop at Lazada. Photo shows Lazada co-founder and CEO Necmi Inanc Balci and GetGo Loyalty Division general manager Nik Laming formalizing the agreement.