Made It Through Mum

The SM Store’s Green Finds When it comes to challenges as big as climate change, businesses and communities have to work together and consumers need to have concrete, practical options that can allow them to go green in their everyday life. SM Supermalls President Steven Tan acknowledges that “People already know about the importance of sustainability. Their question is ‘What can I do?’ SM helps them find a way to make a difference.” SM, the country’s largest retailer, is taking the lead in offering accessible eco-friendly options to its consumers through the recently launched Green Finds. Consumers simply need to spot items and products with a Green Finds badge.  The SM Green Finds initiative helps customers develop a sustainable lifestyle through affordable and easy-to-find eco-friendly products showcased in convenient pop-up stores. These kiosks feature several green shopping options from 22 participating brands which include Home, SM Fashion, Watsons, The Body Shop, Kultura, Ba...

Itching to go on a family vacation but still wary of mingling with crowds? Don’t worry. You can still take that much-needed holiday without overexposing yourself and your loved ones with the help of the right planning and itinerary. Here’s a compilation of off-the-beaten-path travel ideas that could satisfy your wanderlust.  Take to the outdoors One of the easiest ways to shrug off two-year-long cabin fever is to take to the outdoors. Let the kids stretch their muscles and experience nature in full bloom by taking them on easy hikes. Beginner mountain trails on Mt. Oro in Rizal, Mt. Tayawan in Benguet, or         Mt. Samat in Bataan can be trekked by children from one to three hours, depending on their age, weather, and trail. Hikes not only teach kids to care for the environment, but it also helps them achieve a sense of accomplishment.  Better by a campfire  If you’re not quite ready to go on a trek, try camping instead. Various campsites are op...

In the Philippines, the National and Health Nutrition Survey states that the overall prevalence of asthma was estimated at 8.7% based on wheezing for the past 12 months. And according to the 2017 WHO data, asthma deaths in the country reached over 13,000.4 According to this research, “New Versus Old: The Impact of Changing Patterns of Inhaled Corticosteroid Prescribing and Dosing Regimens in Asthma Management” by Professor Dave Singh, daily usage of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) or maintenance inhalers, addresses both the evident and underlying asthma symptoms that patients experience, decreasing the number and severity of their asthma attacks. This also solves the tendency of patients' over-reliance or under-reliance on their needed medication.  An additional study shows that nearly 50% of asthma patients in Asia have uncontrolled asthma, despite the same research stating that over 80% of patients consider their asthma to be controlled.   Consistency over complacency “Wh...

Global technology company OPPO recently announced its partnership with the popular audio streaming platform Spotify. Through this collaboration, they created an all-new simple, and customizable listening experience on OPPO smartphones with its latest ColorOS 13 Operating System. With the app fully integrated with many new smart features in ColorOS 13, Spotify users can now enjoy music, podcasts, and audiobooks with easier access and convenient controls on the home screen of their OPPO device. Smart Always-On-Display (AOD)： The AOD gives Spotify listeners a whole new way to keep their music, podcasts, and audiobooks at their fingertips. Spotify users can now know what Spotify content is currently playing, without having to unlock their device. By simply glancing at the AOD and double-tapping the music control panel, users can access and control what they’re listening to on their OPPO gadget. Smart Always-On-Display supports Spotify controls and information display Shelf : The new Sh...

  Working towards “a future where the disease is a thing of the past” – to take a step towards this goal, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Philippines, will again be supporting the initiatives of the Philippine Urological Association (PUA). For 2022 , PUA is ramping up education on one specific type of cancer that both patients and healthcare personnel still lack ample awareness of prostate cancer, one of the top five cancers affecting Filipino males across the country (WHO Globocan Report 2020 - Philippines, March 2021 ). “A lot of prostate cancer cases are detected late because of this lack of education and awareness, but prostate cancer can be ‘curable’ if diagnosed early enough,” says Dr. Erwin Benedicto, J&J Southeast Asia portfolio medical director. “There are also new therapies now available, even to advanced prostate cancer patients, that do not require chemotherapy.” Evidence of this can be seen in the comparison of prostate cancer mortality rates between developed...

  The food industry is a tough market to crack in the Philippines. With so many new competitors vying to place first in consumer awareness, it takes a well-formulated and executed business formula to come out on top in such a competitive landscape.  A perfect example of a brand that has mastered this kind of standout marketing leadership is Jolly, a packaged fruits and vegetable brand under Fly Ace Corporation. Backed by heritage and a steadfast dedication to fulfilling the needs of its market, Jolly has retained its position of being the leader of its niche twenty-five years since its launch. Now, the brand continues to gain success by following a simple formula: staying true to its consumer promise.   “The vision of Jolly is to be part of every Filipino household,” shares Larry Cochanco, one of the directors of Fly Ace Corporation. “We want to develop a trusted brand that is delicious and nutritious for the common Filipino to use.” By providing fresh and nutriti...

  Canva Philippines holds a get-together to cap off its Negosyantrends: MSME Summit which ran from July 19 to August 6, 2022. To cap off the Negosyantrends: MSME Summit 2022, Canva Philippines held a get-together at its Makati headquarters featuring successful entrepreneurs Marvin Agustin, president, and owner of Secret Kitchen, Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, president and founding partner of Rags2Riches, Nian Ellao, CEO and founder of Vyous Digital, and Andrea Sumida, CEO, and founder of Kohi Social. Canva’s design experts also treated the participants to a free brand consultation to help them with their branding needs. Before the onsite gathering, Canva Philippines also held a series of online talks on designing for e-commerce, social media advertising, leveling up your online sales strategy, and creating and scaling your business through video content with speakers from the Department of Trade and Industry, TikTok Shop, Lazada, and WhenInManila.com. Here are some of the lessons shared by...

  Alya Honasan, a breast cancer survivor, revealed the cover of the ICANSERVE Patient Manual. The Patient Manual will be launched officially on the last day of the 6th Southeast Asian Breast Cancer Symposium (SEABCS) happening on September 23-25 . It will be downloadable for free at the ICANSERVE website. Looking on is ICANSERVE president Nikoy de Guzman. Philippines-based ICANSERVE Foundation, Inc. launches its online Manual for breast cancer patients on the last day of the 6th Southeast Asia Breast Cancer Symposium (SEABCS), to be held virtually from September 23-25 , 2022 . ICANSERVE’s comprehensive and engaging Manual is designed to guide breast cancer patients, survivors, and their caregivers throughout every step of their journey, from understanding their diagnosis to living beyond cancer. Written entirely by breast cancer survivors, the Breast Cancer Patient’s Manual conversationally delivers vital information to help patients feel less overwhelmed and intimidated. A sou...

  Covid- 19 is still here, but a new virus threatens us again. Yes, I'm talking about Monkeypox. As of August 22, we have 4 reported cases of Monkeypox in the Philippines but the information about the virus remains largely unclear to many Filipinos.  Although experts think that Monkeypox will unlikely become a pandemic, the cure and nature of the virus give the public heightened fear and anxiety.  Philcare recently held a webinar with the help of an infectious disease expert, Dr. Christoper John N. Tibayan, RMT, MD FPCP DPSMID,  to shed light on this health threat, including how to prevent and treat it. What is Monkeypox?   Monkeypox is a virus usually transmitted from animals to people. However with the current outbreak right now, there's a transmission from one person to another.  Monkeypox was first discovered in Asiatic monkeys found originally in tropical rainforests in Africa. Squirrels and rats can also be sources of the said virus.  The usual s...

Japanese global apparel retailer UNIQLO redefines what classics are with the launch of its Fall/Winter 2022 collection. Dubbed Today’s Classics, the new collection of LifeWear is filled with wardrobe staples that have been reinvented to adapt to the needs of today’s lifestyle. “There is a reason why our LifeWear pieces such as the tweed jacket, trench coat, or cashmere sweater are loved through the years. They are designed well and effectively serve their purpose. UNIQLO, however, believes that even these classics can evolve with the times. That’s the inspiration behind this season’s collection,” says Geraldine Sia, UNIQLO Philippines’ COO. For Fall/Winter 2022, UNIQLO has designed warmer and lighter jackets, water-repellent coats, and knitwear made using *WHOLEGARMENT® technology. Emphasizing sustainability, this new collection features denims that require much less water during production, and jackets and fleeces made from recycled plastic bottles. *WHOLEGARMENT is a registered trade...