Milkana Creamy Lollipops : Healthy Snack Your Kids Will Like

Get Ready To Bite Into Milky Goodness. 

Paving the way for a new, delightful, and healthy habit of snacking for kids – Milkana, Savencia’s international brand, was born more than 60 years ago in the Alps, using excellent milk from Allgäu. The number 1 processed cheese in Germany and sold across Europe, China, Egypt, and Africa – Milkana now introduces its latest Creamy Lollipops to the Philippines.

The Creamy Lollipops were launched officially via a virtual event hosted by celebrity mommies Karel Marquez and Pat Sevilla on August 30, 2023, with media, mommy bloggers, mommy influencers, and other guests joining the much-anticipated event and engaging in fun activities prepared for them and their kids.

The nutritious and flavorful Creamy Lollipops, made with care and innovation, are new premium dairy snacks for kids with no added preservatives. They are excellent sources of milk proteins naturally containing essential amino acids, as well as calcium and vitamin D, which contribute to kids’ stronger bones.

Fruit Heart Strawberry

Milky Ice Cream

Yogurt N Fruits

Mixed Berries

Available in four delicious honest-to-goodness flavors: Fruit Heart Strawberry – the main variant with real fruit filling, Yogurt N Fruits, Mixed Berries, and Milky Ice Cream, these Creamy Lollipops are perfectly adapted to kids’ tastes to be enjoyed as a great snack and as a fun dessert anytime and anywhere.

All it takes for the kids is to open up the lollipop, lick, bite, nibble, and savor slowly. They can also collect the Creamy Lollipops' fun sticks and animal designs, which come in practical and fun packaging. 

  

With kids back at school, they’re also the perfect “baon” lunch box treats – becoming the special partner of moms as they contribute to building their kids’ health and growth development. 

Flora Guyenot, Southern Asia Marketing Director of Savencia Fromage & Dairy, makers of Milkana, says:

“Here at Savencia, we are always looking at new ways to provide better nutrition to consumers worldwide. Guided by our company’s mission – To Lead the Way to Better Food – we are happy and proud to launch our Milkana Creamy Lollipops in the Philippines in the spirit of contributing and helping parents bring healthy and nutritional snacks to their young ones.”

Savencia Fromage & Dairy is an international, family-based, and independent food group among the world’s leading dairy processors.

Parents who are interested in trying the all-new Milkana Creamy Lollipops from Savencia may purchase the products from these leading supermarkets and outlets: Robinsons, The Marketplace, Shopwise, South Supermarket, SM Supermarkets (SVI, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore), S&R, Landers, All Day, Unimart, Cash&Carry, Makati Supermarket, Pioneer Centre, Hi-Top, and Alfamart.

Kids are also invited to come along to choose the flavor they want! Suitable for children from three (3) years and above.

To learn more about the all-new healthy and delicious Milkana Lollipops, please follow https://www.facebook.com/MilkanaPhilippines and

https://www.instagram.com/milkanaph/

Lungs Matter: Breathe Hope Against Lung Diseases

Medical societies and patient-leaders unite for respiratory disease awareness campaign.

August is National Lung Month. 

To celebrate, frontrunners in the Philippine healthcare industry join together to increase public education on various lung diseases.  Spearheaded the Lungs Matter: Raising Awareness for Respiratory Wellness event are the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations,  Psoriasis Philippines,  Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders, Scleroderma Awareness Philippines, and Philippine College of Chest Physicians, supported by pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), Inc.

Lungs Matter:  Raising Awareness for Respiratory Wellness was held at The Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros Manila and was attended by esteemed healthcare experts who shared fruitful insights on popular and lesser-known respiratory diseases,  and the basics of lung care.

Dr. Mae Campomanes, Chair for the Council on Occupational and Interstitial Lung Diseases, PCCP.

"This National Lung Month is a good opportunity for us to focus the public's attention on respiratory wellness, spread more awareness on the different kinds of lung disease, and call on a collective movement to support healthier air," said Dr. Mae Campomanes, Chair for the Council on Occupational and Interstitial Lung Diseases, PCCP.

Attendees doing the Shibashi

Healthcare leaders during the Motivational Walk in Arroceros Forest Park

The "Lungs Matter: Raising Awareness for Respiratory Wellness" event took guests on various forum talks, pocket activities, and wellness exercises, such as Breathwork Practices and Shibashi - an 18-posture exercise that coordinates movement with breathing and concentration. It was then followed by a meditational walk in the historic Arroceros Forest Park. Known as "Manila's last lung", the Arroceros Forest Park was a catalyst for a better and healthier environment to foster lung health. The walk was done in solidarity with all partners to focus the public's attention on respiratory wellness and to encourage participants to make a personal pledge to support lung health.

Leading the fight against lung diseases

In 2022, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 300,000 cases of acute respiratory infection over six months. Among the most common lung diseases known to Filipinos are asthma, a disease of the airways in the lungs caused by inflammation; pneumonia, which happens when fluids build up in the lungs; tuberculosis (TB), a contagious disease caused by germs; and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an inflammation that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Other rare lung diseases that are equally important, but which are difficult to diagnose are interstitial lung disease (ILD), which is a group of disorders that cause progressive scarring of lung tissue.

Host Jing Castaneda with the Panelists

"There's a wide range of topics for us to touch on regarding respiratory wellness. We at Boehringer Ingelheim, are committed to supporting our health organizations and medical societies to further increase disease education. We want to help push prevention and early diagnosis at the forefront so we can safeguard the health of many Filipinos," said Dr. Greta Cortez, Head of Medicine for Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), Inc.

Through the "Lungs Matter: Raising Awareness for Respiratory Wellness" event, advocates champion the patients' quality of life by putting importance on prevention and early detection. This educational discussion, in honor of National Lung Month, aims to inform the public about the predispositions and risks associated with common to life-threatening respiratory diseases.

FASHION-FORWARD AT SM

Dedicated to introducing renowned brands and enhanced shopping experiences, SM City Grand Central, SM City Valenzuela, and SM Center Sangandaan introduce top-tier fashion and beauty labels. These establishments are poised to serve the expanding consumer base within the Camanava area. From the first international fashion sensation to brands that celebrate local heritage, these exciting tenants bring a wave of energy, style, and individuality to the fashion scene, catering to diverse tastes and empowering every shopper to express themselves confidently through their unique fashion choices.

6IXTY 8IGHT has captured the hearts of young women across Asia with its playful attitude and joyous approach to fashion. 

Hailing from the heart of fashion innovation, 6IXTY 8IGHT opened its first 168-square-meter brick-and-mortar store in the Philippines at SM City Grand Central. Founded by visionary entrepreneur Erik Ryd, this brand has redefined youthful and energetic lingerie for young women. With over 200 stores across Asia, including Greater China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and more, 6IXTY 8IGHT offers a seamless blend of contemporary trends and casual-cool attitudes. Their collections are a reflection of the brand's ethos: embrace contemporary trends, mix and match, and express yourself with joyous authenticity. The store's signature pink hue welcomes shoppers to explore a world of self-expression and fashionable fun. Whether you're looking for lingerie or sleepwear, 6IXTY 8IGHT has got you covered.

Unica is working with WWF Philippines in promoting sustainable and responsible fashion for a healthy planet. Visit Unica at SM City Grand Central. 

SM City Grand Central not only embraces international fashion brands but also takes pride in promoting brands that honor local heritages, like Unica. Embodying the essence of contemporary Filipina style, Unica seamlessly blends comfort and trendiness, addressing the dynamic lifestyle of the modern ‘Pinay’. With a keen understanding of the dynamic lifestyles of Filipino women, Unica offers a range of contemporary casual wear that effortlessly combines comfort and trendiness. Each piece is a testament to impeccable tailoring and current fashion trends, celebrating the strength, grace, and individuality of the modern Filipina.

Indio Filipino at SM Center Sangandaan invites wearers to connect with their Filipino roots and wear their heritage with pride.

SM Center Sangandaan introduces Indio Filipino, a brand that pays homage to the Philippines' rich heritage through clothing. Each garment from Indio Filipino is a tribute to Filipino craftsmanship and identity that beautifully blends traditional elements with contemporary aesthetics. With an unwavering commitment to preserving local artistry, Indio Filipino invites wearers to connect with their roots and wear their heritage with pride.

ForMe creates clothing that resonates with modern women's aspirations and lifestyles. Check out the new collection at SM Center Sangandaan and SM City Valenzuela. 

Bringing fresh and exhilarating styles to Valenzuela City, SM elevates the shopping experience with ForMe and Penshoppe Accessories. Celebrating women's individuality and confidence, ForMe introduces a collection that effortlessly bridges contemporary style with timeless elegance. From casual wear to sophisticated ensembles, ForMe offers a diverse range of chic and versatile pieces that seamlessly transition from day to night. Beyond clothing, ForMe fosters a community where women find inspiration, encouragement, and belonging — a celebration of modern femininity and empowerment through fashion. Shoppers may also visit ForMe stores at SM Center Sangandaan. 

Penshoppe accessories provide the perfect finishing touch to any outfit. Visit their shop at SM City Valenzuela. 

Penshoppe Accessories is also your destination for adding a touch of sophistication and flair to any outfit. Discover an exquisite collection of accessories that range from statement jewelry to chic bags and sleek belts. Whether you're aiming for a polished look or an expression of your unique personality, Penshoppe Accessories at SM City Valenzuela offers the perfect finishing touch. Vibrant, dynamic, and fashion-forward, these accessories resonate with the youthful spirit within you, allowing you to craft looks that are authentically yours.

With its vibrant urban atmosphere, SM becomes a thriving city adorned with fresh entertainment destinations and high-end shopping malls. These innovative concept stores are set to contribute to the already varied array of tenants in the Camanava area. 

SUN LIFE HYPES BASKETBALL FEVER WITH 3X3 CHARITY CHALLENGE

Sunlife 3X3 Charity Challenge

As basketball stars converge in Manila this August for the FIBA World Cup, Sun Life is adding to the hype with an exciting activity that will bring together local celebrities while also promoting the sport in communities. 

Dubbed the Sun Life 3x3 Charity Challenge, the event will take place from August 18 to 20 at SM Megamall with close to 400 players expected to participate, led by celebrities and basketball pros including Ael Barial, Brent Javier, Jollo Go, Andre Felix, Gab Banal, Thor Gomez, Brent Paraiso, John Custodio, Axel Torres, Pat Sugui, Kirst Viray, Ralph Molina Martin Reyes, Miguel Aytona, Hendrix Jim, and Martin Javier. The event will also be open to the public who wish to showcase their skills on the court and experience the excitement of participating in the basketball fever across the country. 

Moreover, for every participant who will play, Sun Life will donate P4,000 to revitalize basketball courts and launch fitness programs in different communities, so that more Filipinos may enjoy the sport, stay active, and live healthier lives. The same amount will be donated for every like, share, and post on social media with the hashtags #MovementMatters and #SunLifePartnerforLife.

A similar activity is being launched in Jakarta, Indonesia, with a maximum donation of CAD 1 million in total.

The event also sets the tone for the anticipated participation of Canada Basketball in the FIBA World Cup happening in Manila beginning August 25, with NBA stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kelly Olynyk leading the pack. Sun Life is the Official Health & Wellness partner of Canada Basketball.

"Sun Life is always eager to promote health and wellness in fun and engaging ways so more Filipinos will be encouraged to make it a part of their lifestyle. Movement matters, and we hope that this activity will bring home this important message," said Sun Life Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer Carla Gonzalez- Chong. "At the same time, we wish to create a lasting legacy in the communities we work in so they too will be on the road to healthier lives."

Converge Fiber Powers Pampanga High School

Left to Right: Mr. Romeo Sapao Jr, IT Officer of Dep Ed, Councillor Ricky Hizon, Assistant Principal Loida Maglanque, Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy, Honorable Mayor Vilma Caluag, and Atty James Francis Villanueva, San Fernando City ICT Officer. 

Leading fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. in partnership with the city government of San Fernando, Pampanga, provided free internet connectivity to three classroom buildings of the Pampanga High School (PHS).

PHS, the largest secondary educational institution in San Fernando City, is the first beneficiary of the Kayabe Ka Free Public Wi-Fi program jointly implemented by Converge and the city government of San Fernando. 

In his message during the launch of the program, Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy said that having the right digital infrastructure is key in ensuring the resiliency of schools and education institutions coming from the lockdown.

“Tulad nga ng sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos sa kanyang SONA, nagsisimula ang lahat sa Edukasyon. Kailangan natin palakasin ang isip at kakayahan ng bawat Pilipino. Kaya naman ang learning recovery ay nangunguna sa education agenda. We had a lot of hard-earned lessons during the pandemic. One thing is for sure, we need to make our schools more resilient to adapt to different situations and teaching scenarios - blended, hybrid, or face-to-face. We cannot do this without fast, reliable connectivity,” he said.

Converge CEO Dennis Anthony Uy speaks about nationwide connectivity and the possibilities of greater digital adoption in the delivery of public services, including education. 

“Imagine if we have fast, reliable, and stable internet in all of our schools - half of the class can take their lessons remotely while the other half is reporting from the campuses. The possibilities are endless and the opportunities are bountiful. With the right technology, Philippine education can be improved. We will leave no one behind in this journey, especially our students,” he added. 

Meanwhile, San Fernando City Mayor Vilma Caluag said that the partnership will help improve the learning experience of the students in Pampanga High School despite the challenges ahead.

“Isa sa mga proyekto natin ay i-equip ang mga estudyante. Sila ang future natin, and digital na talaga lahat. We have to learn how to be ‘techies’,” said Caluag in her remarks. 

Loida Manlaque, vice principal of Pampanga High School, lauded the partnership between Converge and the city government of San Fernando.

“Partnerships like these make a difference in the lives of our students and we want to thank our local government and Converge for making this project possible,” Manlaque said. 

Pampanga High School is a five-hectare educational institution that serves more than 13,000 students. Of these, roughly 8,000 are junior high school students, while the remaining 5,000 are in senior high school. 

Converge will also be serving other institutions with connectivity under the Kayabe Ka Free Public Wifi program. 

Canva Philippines Negosyantrends Expo 2023 empowers businesses, teams of all sizes with design tools, activities

The Negosyantrends Expo 2023 features a panel discussion on business innovation, branding, and nurturing communities. Photo shows from left to right: Andre Chanco (Co-owner and Head of Product of Yardstick Coffee), Reese Fernandez-Ruiz (Founder of Rags2Riches), Cara Paguio (Co-founder of Guppy Beachwear), Nice Domanog (Community Manager for Canva For Pinoy Freelancers and Creatives), Maisie Littaua (Canva Philippines Head of Marketing and Growth), and Yani Hornilla-Donato (Canva Philippines Country Manager).

Canva Philippines held Negosyantrends Expo 2023, its biggest face-to-face event for entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners, last August 5 at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia. The event featured one-on-one consultations with brand and design experts, interactive stations, and design activities to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

Headlined by Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, president and co-founder of Rags2Riches, Andre Chanco, head of product and co-founder of Yardstick Coffee, and Cara Paguio, senior creative for photography at Canva and owner of the local beachwear brand Guppy PH, the expo featured insightful discussions on starting and managing a business, building a brand, implementing innovations, and nurturing communities among others. 

“Negosyantrends marks an exciting time for Canva Philippines. It is our first face-to-face event since the pandemic and a testament to our stronger commitment to Pinoy negosyantes. It’s very inspiring to witness how Canva has empowered businesses, and we look forward to where this new chapter takes us,” Maisie Littaua, Canva Philippines Head of Marketing and Growth said.

The expo featured interactive stations such as the Design Playground for an immersive Canva experience; the Brand Classroom, where event attendees got a 15-minute consultation with a brand expert; the Sari-Sari Street, where select businesses showcased and sold their products. The attendees also enjoyed games and brought home printed items designed on Canva.

The event is in partnership with SM Mall of Asia, Rappler, CNN Philippines, WhenInManila.com, Spot.ph, ABS-CBN News, PhilStar Global, adobo Magazine, BusinessWorld, and Angkas.

Sari-Sari Street’s entrepreneurs enthusiastically showcased their products from beauty, home and living, and arts and crafts, among others.

Unleash your creativity, collaborate, and create on-brand content for your business

When COVID-19 hit, Filipino businesses turned to social media to reach their customers. With Canva’s design solutions, businesses of all sizes were able to build their brands, create engaging content, and publish them all within the platform.

“During the lockdown, Canva helped us a lot in developing our branding, designing our product labels and packaging, ads and social media content, and on overall business visibility. Canva is our go-to tool for designing our new products, collections, and content. Now that Canva has upgraded features, that would help the users more,” shared Soyscape PH owners Christopher Banaag and Mark Calica.

Andre Chanco, head of product and co-founder of Yardstick Coffee, shared how their team leveraged the power of social media to connect with their customers. “The number one thing we did for two years was to be the loudest online. Being able to engage digitally with existing customers saved Yardstick during Covid.”

Canva also offers customizable templates you can update with your brand colors, fonts, and logos. Choose from Canva’s media library of over 100 million visual and audio assets. Canva Pro users can also access features like Magic Resize, Background Remover, Folders, and Brand Kits.

Expo attendees line up for a 15-minute consultation with design experts from Canva Philippines.

For businesses with a group of two or more, Canva for Teams enables you to collaborate together, streamline your workflow, keep projects organized, and stay on-brand with Brand Kit, Shared Folders, and Brand Controls.

Canva's Visual Suite also offers end-to-end design solutions for business owners. Canva Docs lets your team create visually engaging documents, from business proposals to reports and even checklists. Whiteboards allow teams to collaborate, brainstorm, and plan on an infinite canvas. Canva Presentations let you create presentations that will surely captivate your audience.

Canva's online video editor allows you to create professional and engaging videos, complete with animation and speed controls. For those who need a website without coding experience, Canva Websites makes it easy to design a responsive one-page website, perfect for landing pages and event invitations.

Leira Dumalay, owner of Baked Goodies by Leira, highlighted how Canva makes designing easier for business owners like her. “I love how Canva is accessible to everyone. They have pre-made designs that businesses can use to make their projects. I also love that Canva listens to their users to improve their services.”

Empowering Entrepreneurs Through Design

In 2020, Canva Philippines launched Canva for Negosyo, which provides entrepreneurs with free branding and graphic design resources, marketing toolkits, photo collections, and video tutorials. 

The participants of the Negosyantrends Expo 2023 were treated to an immersive platform experience to try out their ideas and start designing.

The Canva for Negosyantes community on Facebook has since reached over 60,000 members and continues to be a platform for many business owners to share ideas, collaborate on designs, and provide insights to each other.

As Pinoy entrepreneurs take their businesses online, we want to be right there with them," Littaua said. "When it comes to design and branding, Canva for Negosyo is the Filipino business owner's partner in creativity and productivity for their digital presence."

For more updates on Canva Philippines' efforts for entrepreneurs, follow @CanvaPhilippines on Facebook or join Canva for Negosyantes.

Converge sustains broadband subscriber growth, leverages full product portfolio

Leading fiber broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. sustained the growth in its residential subscriber base while maintaining robust growth for its enterprise business, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to achieve an 8% revenue growth to P17.4 billion in the first half of the year.

Total net subscriber additions for residential customers reached 92,000 during the first six months, growing by 5% compared to the same period last year. For the second quarter alone, there were 49,000 residential net additions. The prepaid fiber internet subscribers reached more than 54,000 as of end-June, nearly doubling compared to the end-March 2023 level. This brings the total residential subscriber base of Converge to 1.97 million.

Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy

“Converge continues to reap impressive results in our effort to bolster the availability and affordability of our fiber internet solutions. We anticipate more opportunities to grow our subscriber base as we innovate products to cater to the demand from specific socioeconomic segments.  This is evident in the second quarter subscriber growth - with the prepaid market gaining significant traction,” said Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy.

The fiber broadband provider recently introduced its prepaid fiber offering Surf2Sawa to serve households looking for more affordable connectivity, providing flexible top-up options from as low as P50 per day to P700 for 30-day unlimited connectivity. This is good for six devices with an average speed of 25 Mbps.

Converge also introduced a more affordable postpaid broadband called Bida Fiber which was tailored for budget-conscious households with a more consistent income. Priced at P888 per month, subscribers can connect up to six devices with an average speed of 35 Mbps, and experience quality and unlimited connection.

“The market for Surf2Sawa prepaid fiber internet and Bida Fiber represents around 70% of the total population, representing vast opportunities for us and we are in the best position in the industry to take advantage of this. This opens another blue ocean for Converge,” Uy added.

Converge SEVP and COO Jesus Romero

Converge SEVP and COO Jesus Romero said that having Bida Fiber and Surf2Sawa arms Converge with a full portfolio of products that can cater to almost all economic class households. “The targets for these products are value-conscious customers who are not yet connected by fiber broadband but likely to be using mobile or fixed wireless connectivity at home which can be burdensome,” he adds.

Converge President and Co-Founder Grace Uy

“Our goal with the full product portfolio is to ensure that all subscribers are connected with the most appropriate plan that they can afford in the long-term,” noted Converge President and Co-Founder Grace Uy.

Meanwhile, Converge Business continued to deliver outstanding growth in 1H2023 across all segments. The SME segment continued to lead growth with year-on-year (YoY) revenues increasing by 41.5%, followed by the wholesale segment increasing by 28.6% in the same period. Revenues from large enterprise customers, making up the largest sub-segment, grew by 18.5% YoY.

Net income after tax climbed to P 4.3 billion in the first six months of the year from P3.95 billion in the first half of 2022, representing a net income margin of 24.7 percent.   

Converge also increased its EBITDA (earnings before interests, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) by 9.5% to P10.1 billion in the January to June period, thereby improving its consolidated EBITDA margin to 57.9%.

Meanwhile, Converge remains industry-leading in terms of the latest available reports on Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) which improved to 15.4% as of end-June with capital expenditures mostly attributable to the 800,000 new fiber ports deployed. This industry-leading performance is a result of the Company’s disciplined approach to deploying capital to expand its fiber network and improve its overall services.

ABOUT CONVERGE ICT SOLUTIONS, INC.

Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions, Inc. (PSE:CNVRG) is the fastest-growing fixed broadband service provider in the Philippines. It is the first to run an end-to-end pure fiber internet network in the country, providing Filipinos with simple, fast, and reliable connectivity. Aside from broadband services, Converge also offers integrated data center and network solutions services.

With over 646,000 kilometers of fiber optic assets nationwide, it has one of the most extensive fiber networks in the Philippines.

With this fiber-powered network, Converge provides a premium world-class digital experience for residential, enterprise, and wholesale customers.

Go to https://www.convergeict.com for more information.

Converge remains best internet provider for Netflix users

Converge remains the top ISP for Netflix users, as per the most recent ISP speed index report by Netflix for the first half of 2023.

Leading fiber broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. maintained its spot as the best internet service provider (ISP) for Netflix users based on the video streaming giant’s most recent ISP speed index report, tracking its performance for the first half of 2023. 

According to the latest data from Netflix, Converge delivered the best speeds among local telcos with an average of 3.4 Mbps from January to June this year.

“It is our pride to have been consistently recognized for the quality of our service to customers. Rest assured that they can rely on us for their daily entertainment needs as we continue to give them only the best possible online experience,” said Converge CEO and co-founder Dennis Anthony Uy.

The Netflix ISP Speed Index measures the prime-time Netflix performance of internet service providers, assessing which network offers the best picture quality, start times, and fewer interruptions to Netflix users. 

“Our network was designed to deliver high-speed connectivity while keeping latency and jitter at a minimum. Our dominance in the Netflix Speed leaderboard is just a reflection of our commitment to give more value to our customers through reliable, top-notch internet services,” said Converge SEVP and COO Jesus Romero. 

Netflix also ranked Converge as the top internet provider last year for having the fastest internet speeds based on its monthly speed ratings, garnering a full-year average of 3.42 Mbps. 

Recently, a study from independent insights and data company OpenSignal identified Converge as the country’s fastest fixed broadband operator, with unmatched download and upload speeds at 52.8 Mbps and 35.9 Mbps, respectively. 

The fiber broadband and technology provider offers one of the country’s most affordable and fastest internet solutions. From a base plan of P1,500 monthly, customers will get up to 200 Mbps of connectivity with 30 percent minimum speed at 80 percent service reliability.

Preventing kidney diseases by making heartful choices

In celebration of National Kidney Month last June, pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), Inc. champions the health of Filipinos by giving them access to information that promotes kidney health.

It is true what they say we are what we eat. Food is not just fuel that sustains our bodies but also becomes fragments of our cells that affect how we do, think, and feel. Most of the time when people notice slight changes in their physical appearance, their immediate response is to look for commercialized products that will give them the best results. However, rarely do people realize that changes in the physical body can sometimes be a manifestation of what goes on inside our vital organs.

One of the leading causes of disability in the Philippines is chronic kidney disease (CKD). The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) estimates that one Filipino gets diagnosed with it every hour. (Source: Kidney Health Plus)

The kidneys are one of the hardest-working organs in the body, where millions of filters work together to turn excess waste into urine. A person with CKD may experience warning signs like low urine output, swollen lower extremities, and extreme fatigue, as waste builds up in the body.

Chronic Kidney Disease

In celebration of National Kidney Month last June, pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), Inc. champions the health of Filipinos by giving them access to information that promotes kidney health. CKD, as described by the company, is known as a “silent killer”. Many of its symptoms might not show up until the later stages of the condition, causing people to go about their lives undiagnosed and oblivious to further complications.

Boehringer Ingelheim makes a significant contribution to public health by reinforcing the need for prevention and early detection. One way to allow better management is to do routine health checks. The attending physician may order a few kidney function tests in ways of blood work procedures and urinalysis to gauge how efficiently your kidneys are working. 

Adopting a healthy lifestyle is also key to combating CKD. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that 150 minutes of physical activity per week is enough to help keep adult bodies healthy. On top of this, following a diet specific to one’s needs can also be an effective way to prevent CKD.

Limiting sodium intake can help manage conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, which in turn can support kidney health. Choosing food close to nature like fruits, leafy vegetables, whole grains, and the like, can be the first step toward reversing CKD symptoms.

Making conscious decisions in our everyday lives can lead us to reach our potential. When our bodies are healthy and our well-being is assured, our power comes from within knowing we can live life to the fullest.

To know more about chronic kidney disease prevention, visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/chronic-kidney-disease.

Grab spotlights community restaurants anew in the second year of Indie Eats

GrabFood Indie Eats

GrabFood, the Philippines’ leading on-demand delivery platform, shines the spotlight yet again on Filipino mom-and-pop shops, community restaurants, and independent merchants in the second year of its most talked about food campaign Indie Eats. Bannering “Sarap na Lumalaban”, this year’s Indie Eats invites foodies everywhere to savor culinary delights from MSMEs that can stand toe-to-toe with the usual, go-to restaurant chains. 

Indie Eats is one of Grab’s pioneering efforts that support thousands of homegrown small businesses. Building on its success in 2022, the Indie Eats community has flourished and welcomed thousands of new merchant partners, providing an even richer culinary experience for food enthusiasts across the country. 

This year, Grab also partnered with renowned street photographer Jilson Tiu to give select Filipino restaurants a creative boost as they showcase the art behind every mouthwatering creation they offer. With the Indie Eats x Jilson Tiu campaign, small food businesses Barls Snack Corner, Bebette’s Pancit Malabon, Doble Pares, and Hungry Buns are given an artistic uplift in capturing the art behind their kitchen innovations. 

Pancit Malabon and Beef Mechado by Bebette’s are a must-try for anyone staying in or going to Malabon [Photo by Jilson Tiu]

This August, the Grab App will showcase the exclusive Jilson Tiu photos of the merchant partners, adding an irresistibly mouth-watering touch to every Indie Eats order. The featured merchant-partners are also given the creative liberty to use the photos in various assets as they introduce their restaurants and offerings to more Filipinos. 

Grab Philippines Senior Director for Deliveries Anton Bautista says, “Grab takes pride in offering foodies the opportunity to discover hidden gems right in their backyard. Through this, we are giving these community culinary movers the spotlight, enabling them to tap into a wider consumer base. As we grow our Indie Eats program with more exciting food offerings for everyone, we will continue to leverage our platform to allow our network of highly engaged consumers to experience the wide variety of food that our merchants can provide.”

Dobles Pares is a beloved streetside eatery in Mandaluyong widely known for its Classic Beef Pares [Photo by Jilson Tiu]

To discover new food faves and to check out the Indie Eats x Jilson Tiu photos, foodies can simply click the Indie Eats icon found in the GrabFood tab of their app. With a minimum order of Php400 on Indie Eats, foodies will also enjoy a Php 80 discount on GrabFood until September 3.

ABOUT GRAB

Grab is a leading superapp in Southeast Asia, operating across the delivery, mobility, and digital financial services sectors. Serving over 500 cities in eight Southeast Asian countries - Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam - Grab enables millions of people every day to order food or groceries, send packages, hail a ride or taxi, pay for online purchases or access services such as lending and insurance, all through a single app. Grab was founded in 2012 with the mission to drive Southeast Asia forward by creating economic empowerment for everyone, and strives to serve a triple bottom line: to simultaneously deliver financial sustainability and have a positive social and environmental impact in Southeast Asia