SOCIAL MEDIA

Takeda Philippines urges public to #ContinueCaring for Lymphoma Patients

Monday, July 18, 2022

As the COVID situation in the country is improving, biopharmaceutical leader Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc. highlights the importance of providing continuous care for patients that are diagnosed with lymphoma.




“Now that restrictions are easing up, we have the opportunity to take initiative and engage in activities that will allow us to extend the much-needed assistance that lymphoma patients need,” said Loreann Villanueva, Country Manager of Takeda Philippines. “The situation may constantly change, but our commitment towards educating Filipinos about this disease and improving patient access to treatment and quality of lymphoma care remains the same.”



Knowing the enemy disease




Lymphoma is the most common type of blood cancer in the world. According to a study by the Global Cancer Observatory (Globocan), over 600,000 new cases of lymphoma were detected worldwide in 2020, making it the 11th most common cancer in the world.[1] In the Philippines, there were over 4,000 new patients that were diagnosed with this disease in 2020.[2]



It begins when an infection-fighting white blood cell (or lymphocyte) mutates, divides and grows out of control, compromising the immune system and lodging itself onto lymph nodes or "kulani" and causing them to swell. Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of lymphoma that involves the presence of a specific type of lymphocyte called Reed-Sternberg cells. Hodgkin lymphoma cases comprise one-fifth of all lymphoma cases in the world, making it a rare cancer.[3]

Like any other cancers, detecting the disease in its early stages is essential, as survival rates drop from 90% to 70% in patients with advanced stages of the disease. Hodgkin lymphoma shares common symptoms with other diseases such as fever, chills, night sweats, unexplained weight loss and fatigue. This, coupled with the fact that it is a relatively rare disease, makes it difficult for people to identify it in its early stages.

Diagnosing lymphoma entails several tests to confirm its type. One of which is through a bone marrow biopsy. Another one is through a series of panel tests called immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing, specifically the one that tests for the CD30 lymphoma marker. However, IHC is not a standard test in the country due to its cost and lack of availability in hospitals.



Plights of a lymphoma patient




Jheric Delos Angeles, lymphoma survivor-advocate and co-founder of Lymphoma Philippines, shared some of the struggles faced by lymphoma patients. These challenges include access to accurate diagnosis and new medicines, financial means, communication gaps with healthcare providers, cultural stigma, and discrimination.






Having battled lymphoma himself, he co-founded Lymphoma Philippines, a patient support group that aims to help patients and their loved ones who are diagnosed with the disease, and to raise awareness about lymphoma.



Apart from these barriers, Delos Angeles added, “Every individual requires a strong support system. In fact, Lymphoma Philippines was created to provide emotional support and empowerment, as well as to bridge the information gap.”



Takeda Philippines stands with all the lymphoma patients and recognizes the struggles they face, and the many dreams and hopes they are yet to fulfill. Hence, Takeda Philippines takes on the mission to create approaches that would help patients overcome the barriers and shares multiple ways on how the company shows continuity of care for lymphoma patients.



Takeda Philippines invests in various programs and solutions to address affordability barriers and to improve treatment access among patients. First, the company is guided by a tier-pricing approach where medicines are priced in a manner that reflects the holistic value they offer to patients, the healthcare system, and society. Secondly, Takeda Philippines has the Patient Assistance Program (PAP). This makes use of innovative and collaborative financing models to increase access to treatment and medicines for the recommended duration. Eligible patients may get in touch with their doctors for information on how to enroll in the program.



“Aside from this, educating ourselves about the nature of the disease – its causes, symptoms, manifestations – is one of the first steps to take, which we can easily do by researching about lymphoma and attending talks facilitated by medical experts,” shared Dr. Joy Pabellon, Medical Affairs Lead at Takeda Philippines.



She added, “Engaging in conversations about lymphoma can also help strengthen the dialogue surrounding it. Through our social circles and platforms, we can create spaces for lymphoma awareness and care campaigns.”



A commitment to lymphoma patients


Takeda Philippines has engaged in several initiatives on lymphoma awareness, such as webinars, talks, and workshops, in partnership with national organizations for cancer. Earlier this year, it launched the “Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma,” a campaign that aims to raise awareness about lymphoma by providing free testing to patients, partnering with relevant organizations and institutions, and sponsoring talks and seminars to educate the public about the disease.



Representatives from Takeda Philippines and Care PH doing the symbolic gesture of Takeda’s Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma campaign. (From left to right) Loreann Villanueva, Country Manager, Takeda Philippines; Igor Gomes, Cluster Head and General Manager, VMAPS; Dr. Beatrice Tiangco, Founder of Care PH; and Mr. Jojo Flores, Program and Administrative Officer of Care PH



Recently, Takeda Philippines provided a Php 1,000,000 grant to Cancer Care Registry and Research Philippines Foundation (CARE PH) to expand cancer research efforts in the country. This initiative is geared towards providing a more comprehensive range of support for Filipino cancer patients. The grant will allow CARE PH to train encoders and lead additional site-specific cancer registries. It will be used in contributing to the research and development of newer diagnostic and therapeutic modalities to diagnose cancers earlier, while also ensuring that the best possible treatments are accessible and available to patients.

Furthermore, Takeda Philippines aims to sustain its efforts to provide patients access to the CD30 lymphoma marker test through a donation to the PHAPCares Foundation. The PHAPCares Foundation is the social responsibility arm of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) mandated to help improve the health and lives of Filipinos disadvantaged by sickness, poverty, conflicts and disasters.



This year, the PHAPCares Foundation is partnering with one of the country's largest tertiary public referral hospitals for the CD30 Testing for Lymphoma Awareness and Prevention Program (CLAP) to facilitate early screening, diagnosis and confirmation of the disease. The CLAP initiative will provide CD30 testing for free to indigent Filipinos who would not have otherwise been tested.



“We are committed to outsmarting cancer so that more patients can benefit from—and have access to—life-transforming medicines. Through our cancer research and development, we are building up on our deep understanding of cancer to develop new ways to approach the disease,” said Villanueva.



She added, “In all our efforts, we seek not only to increase awareness about lymphoma, but also to heed the call of the government to implement the spirit of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act and for the medical, patient and healthcare community, to come together to work towards a cancer-free Philippines.”



To know more about Takeda and its initiatives, visit www.takeda.com.








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Capture, curate, and convey unforgettable moments with the all-new Samsung Galaxy M53 5G

For creatives, living life is not enough. They need to document it through photos and videos for social media. Capturing and curating moments are not just to create a visual diary for others to see, it is also a way for them to express themselves and preserve special memories.




Samsung empowers creatives to capture picture-perfect moments with the Quad Camera of the new Galaxy M53 5G.



Self Portraits and Reels are always clear and vibrant with the 108MP Main camera. It takes in more light from darkness, highlighting all the details in incredible high-resolution photos and videos. Even far-away subjects such as incredible views are brought closer with Hybrid Optic Zoom, with reduced noise for sharper content.



The 8MP Ultra-Wide Camera is even more helpful as Filipinos continue to travel amid relaxed border restrictions. This lens expands to have a clearer view and captures more of the frame's mountains, sea, and skyscrapers.



While the Ultra-Wide lens takes a step back to include more in the frame, the 2MP Macro Camera does the opposite. First, it zooms in to highlight ultra-fine details, such as each individual petal on a flower or the drizzle of sugar on a dessert. Then, a gentle blur is applied to the background to make the subject pop.



This bokeh effect also applies to the AI-powered dual-lens 32MP Front Camera. Selfies look professionally shot through the vast and depth lenses and the background blur.



Take content to the next level

.


The Galaxy M53 5G is a creative's dream. It's easy to edit photos and create Instagram Reels on the 6.7" Infinity-O Display since the borders have been reduced to increase the screen size. In addition, the FHD+ Super AMOLED Plus display promises true-to-life colors.



5G connectivity lets creatives share Facebook photos, TikTok videos, and even long-form vlogs at lightning speed. This hyperfast connection is also useful when going live on Instagram.



The smartphone's high storage capacity, which starts at 256GB and is expandable by up to 1TB, is enough to keep all memories without transferring or deleting anything. In addition, RAM Plus gives extra space to run apps smoothly, while the 120 Hz refresh rate makes using the smartphone virtually lag-free.



These combined features make the Galaxy M53 5G the ideal device to help creatives capture, curate, and embrace their special moments.



Samsung's latest smartphone is available in Blue, Green, and Brown. Customers can purchase the smartphone for PHP 29,990 SRP but are offered PHP 3,000 off at Samsung Authorized Online Stores from July 1 to September 30.[1] Customers can purchase the device for PHP 26,990 for a limited time at Samsung.com and online platforms like Lazada, Shopee, and Abenson.com.



Capture special moments and preserve them as memories with the Galaxy M53 5G on samsung.com/ph.



Safe Samsung Shopping


Samsung Experience Stores strictly follows health and safety protocols to keep consumers and employees safe. Adhering to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Samsung has implemented the mandatory use of face masks and performs frequent sanitation in all stores.



Samsung Experience Stores also has unique QR health declaration codes to promote a safe, contactless contact tracing process. In addition, product demonstrations are done side-by-side instead of face-to-face while keeping the required safe distance of one (1) meter to ensure everyone is socially distanced.



To find the nearest Samsung Experience Store, visit samsung.com/ph/samsung-experience-store/locations.




[1] DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-146458 Series of 2022
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Five tips to keep kids COVID-free


MakatiMed’s Department of Pediatrics helps parents prepare for the big day





After living for two years with the perks and pitfalls of online classes (your internet is spotty but at least the kids are safe from COVID-19), students in all levels are set to go back to school for traditional in-person classes this August. National Action Plan on COVID-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. made the announcement in February after noting that no transmission of the novel coronavirus was reported among the 10,000 children who participated in face-to-face classes held in pilot-tested schools. All participating children were inoculated with the vaccine against COVID-19.



Naturally, this news leaves parents of school-aged kids with mixed feelings. “On the one hand, you are happy your children can finally go back to school. There is nothing like learning in an actual classroom setting where they can get instant feedback from a teacher and interact with classmates,” says Dr. Shirley V. Dy, MD, Active Consultant from the Department of Pediatrics of top hospital in the Philippines, Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed).



“On the other hand, COVID-19 is still very much a threat and as a parent you cannot always be there to shield your children from classmates, teachers, or school employees who may have the virus and not know it.”



Still, you can prepare your kids for their inevitable return to school. Use the months ahead of their return to ensure your children remain healthy and COVID-free despite their exposure to the outdoors. Dr. Dy recommends the following:



Get your children vaccinated


“No less than the US’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that everyone ages 5 years and older get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against the virus,” she underlines. “The CDC reassures that COVID-19 vaccines were developed using science that has been around for decades. They are much safer than getting COVID-19 and more effective at preventing severe diseases from COVID-19 and limiting the spread of the virus that causes it.”



As proof, only 4 of the 10,000 inoculated children who participated in the pilot-tested schools experienced “very, very minor side effects,” according to Secretary Galvez.



Vaccinations for kids aged 5 to 11 (which are given in a smaller dose that befits their size) began in February 2022, while jabs for ages 12 to 17 years old were given as early as October 2021. Vaccine rollouts for these age groups are found almost everywhere; selected malls, schools, and hospitals offer them for free.



Instill healthy habits


By now, the pandemic’s health and safety standards are ingrained into our system: Wear a facemask. Observe social distancing. Hand-wash regularly. “Get your kids to practice them too,” says Dr. Dy. “Stock up on facemasks designed for their size and age. Remind them to stand a meter apart from people. And pack a small container of alcohol in their bags so they can use it to disinfect their hands when water and soap aren’t available.”



Raise healthy children


Minimum health and safety protocols protect you from COVID-19—but they are not enough. “Even with vaccines and facemasks, it is still important to build a strong immune system,” she points out. “Make fruits and vegetables part of your children’s meals. Expose them to the morning sun every day. Get them to be active through sports and play at least 30 minutes a day. And make sure they get at least eight hours of sleep at night.”



Schedule an annual checkup


Did your children skip a visit to their pediatrician, or worse, miss routine immunizations for measles, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) and other vaccine-preventable diseases during the pandemic? They are not alone. According to the Department of Health’s data on Fully Immunized Children, the immunization rate among infants and children in 2020 is 3.9% lower than the rate in 2019.



“It’s a reflection of parents’ fear of exposing their kids to COVID-19 in a hospital or health center setting,” says Dr. Dy. “But do not put your children at risk for developing diseases that are easily preventable by vaccines.”



“Even strictly observing health and safety protocols is a big help,” she shares. “By now, your child’s doctor would have had vaccinations and booster shots, and he or she will most likely be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), which should guard your kids against the virus.”



It helps to know that many hospitals have ramped up their efforts to maintain safe and sterile surroundings. For its best practices against COVID-19, MakatiMed was recognized with the Excellence Award for Patient Safety in the 2020 Asian Hospital Management Awards, besting 89 hospitals in 16 countries. The International Hospital Federation also praised MakatiMed for its timely and effective response to the coronavirus pandemic, particularly its prioritizing the health and safety of its patients and healthcare workers.



Listen to your children


Are they afraid of needles—or of catching COVID-19 when they go back to school? Dr. Dy says, “Tell them that these are unprecedented times we are all trying to navigate together. Most of all, let them feel that they are always loved and that they can come to you for anything, whether it is because they’re afraid of something or are experiencing out-of-the-ordinary symptoms.”



For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.
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JolliBots are back to take play time to the next level!

 

The robot-themed Jolly Kiddie Meal toys are back!  With its highly successful launch last February, Jollibee is bringing back the well-loved JolliBots starting July 16 to the delight of many kids and kids-at-heart.




 

The JolliBots are making a much-awaited comeback to provide an enjoyable playtime for kids as they transform their favorite Jollibee food items into their favorite mascots.

 

Jollibee leads the pack, who pops out of a Chickenjoy Bucket by retracting both arms and flipping its lid. Simply twisting and turning the upper corners of the Jolly Spaghetti box will reveal Hetty. Those who love the Jollibee Chocolate Sundae will also enjoy revealing Twirlie from the robot cup—just split the ice cream portion and rotate the arms to extend the toy figure. Kids can complete the JolliBots experience with the robotized Jolly Crispy Fries and Yumburger. They just have to flip the upper portions of the toys to reveal Popo and Yum, respectively.

 

All Jolly Kiddie Meal toys are designed with eye-catching colors and designs that will give Jolly kids loads of fun! Each of the five collectible pieces is available with every purchase of a Yumburger (P82), Yumburger Meal with Drink (P102), Jolly Spaghetti (P97), Jolly Spaghetti Meal with Drink (P107), 1-pc. Burger Steak (P97), 1-pc. Burger Steak Meal with Drink (P114), 1-pc. Chickenjoy with rice (P129), or a 1-pc. Chickenjoy Meal with Drink (P144), each coming with its own Jolly Joy Box. Collectors can also get their hands on the complete set by purchasing the 6-pc. Chickenjoy Bucket for only P624.

 

Have an amazing futuristic play time every day with the JolliBots! Don’t miss another chance to collect all five toys by visiting the Jollibee branch nearest you, or by having them delivered to your home through the Jollibee App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000 hotline, GrabFood, or foodpanda.

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Stay Dry and Ready With These Rainy Day Items From MR.DIY

MR.DIY, your one-stop shop for home improvement, reminds every Filipino to always be alert and ready for all kinds of disasters as the country celebrates National Disaster Resilience Month this July.




As the country undergoes yet another typhoon season, it’s very important for everyone to be prepared and practice extra precautions at home. And to keep you and your family protected from these disasters, MR.DIY has rainy day essentials that are value for your money.
Flextape Waterproof

Got leaks and cracks on your roof? This Flextape Waterproof is a useful cover-up to keep water from dribbling from your roof. This powerful tape from MR.DIY is made with a thick, flexible rubber that gets stronger with time and pressure and can withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions.

First Aid Tool Box


Having a first aid kit is essential in any family home, especially during emergencies. MR.DIY’s First Aid Tool Box comes in handy and can store your necessities for every situation, from medicines to bandages!

Raincoat for Kids and Adults


For your protection from the rain and cold, a raincoat is a must for this rainy season. MR.DIY offers this water-resistant garment that shields the wearer from rain and will prevent you from catching a cold. It’s large enough to cover your whole body thus keeping the wearer dry and comfortable during a rainy day.

Strong Rubber Waterproof Tape


Here’s a great partner to your Flextape Waterproof tape, the Strong Rubber Waterproof Tape! MR.DIY offers this strong waterproof tape that can instantly patch and seal almost anything. It can be applied on dry or wet surfaces, and it’s easy to use and handle!


These rainy day essentials, among many others, are available at MR.DIY’s stores nationwide!

To learn more about MR.DIY and its products, visit www.mrdiy.com/ph. You may also follow /mrdiyPH on Facebook, and @mrdiy.philippines on Instagram and Tiktok for updates and upcoming promos.
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Entravision MediaDonuts inks partnership with Carousell Media Group

Entravision MediaDonuts, a leading digital marketing performance and branding solutions platform in Asia-Pacific has signed a partnership agreement with Carousell Media Group for Carousell in the Philippines and Cho Tot in Vietnam, as their official reseller. Carousell Media Group is the number one recommerce marketing platform in Greater Southeast Asia. Recommerce or reverse commerce is the selling of previously owned, new or used products, online.




Through this partnership, brands can advertise on premium real estate in Carousell’s e-commerce space while leveraging its advanced contextual and audience targeting capabilities. Carousell Media Group has a database of 58 million registered users across Greater Southeast Asia (Carousell, Mudah.my, Cho Tot, OneKyat, Ox Street, and Refash). Millennials comprise 70% of this targeted group of highly engaged consumers with buying intent. According to SimilarWeb PH, Carousell Philippines is the number 1 online classifieds in the Philippines with 5.4 million monthly visits.



In addition, advertisers can leverage on Connect, Carousell Media Group’s off-platform solution, to engage consumers across the open internet through millions of other publishers across mobile and web app inventories. Powered by The Trade Desk technology, the leading independent DSP, this feature allows brands to target and retarget users throughout their buying journey.



“Our recommerce marketplaces across the region have emerged from the pandemic in an extremely strong position. More consumers are shopping for secondhand items, growth has accelerated, and the interest from brands has soared. As we scale our media offering in the Philippines, we are excited to partner with Entravision MediaDonuts to connect advertisers with passionate communities and sustainability-conscious shoppers,” said JJ Eastwood, Managing Director of Carousell Media Group.



Pieter-Jan de Kroon, CEO of Entravision MediaDonuts, noted, “The Philippine internet economy has reached USD 17 billion, and is expected to grow to USD 40 billion by 2025. Entravision MediaDonuts is in the Philippines to provide on-ground support to all marketers expecting the best-in-class solutions for their digital media campaigns.”



On the partnership with Carousell Media Group, de Kroon shared, “We are very excited to represent Carousell in the Philippines, which will help advertisers achieve superior performance at scale. The digital media landscape is evolving fast in the Philippines and we’re seeing a very interesting opportunity, especially in the e-commerce space. Therefore, this partnership will be a game changer for all companies eager to exceed their media and business objectives by implementing sophisticated campaign strategies and levering Carousell’s targeting capabilities.”
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Gadgets everyday at SM Appliance

Whether at home, at the office, or on the road, gadgets have made our lives easier, more convenient, and even happier – as in the case of home entertainment – through the most creative of innovations and the most advanced technology.





The good news for SM Appliance customers is that they not only can shop for the latest gadget finds, but also have a chance to win exciting prizes in its Gadgets Everyday Raffle Promo, which is ongoing until July 31, 2022.

Create a smart home with LG Stylers that refresh and sanitize garments by reducing allergens for clothes, pillows, and more in minutes, keeping you fresh and hygienic. There are also energy-saving Samsung inverter washing machines that can customize washing habits with an automatic selection drying course with AI Control technology. Cooking your family’s heart-healthy favorite recipes also made faster and more efficient with the high-performance Beko Range with specially-designed burners and a multifunctional oven.

Upgrade your movie nights at your home entertainment center to an ultimate cinematic experience with the Samsung The Serif TV’s elegant white frame, QLED technology, and smart features that elevate streaming standards. You may move The Serif literally anywhere in the room because of its Detachable Floor Stand.

Get the ultimate cinematic experience at home with Samsung The Premiere TV Projector with elegant minimized design and built-in speaker. This is not only space-saving but uses a triple laser light source for a dramatic home cinema viewing, just like being in a theater.

Stay connected with family, friends, and associates with smartphones like the foldable and water-resistant Samsung Galaxy ZFold 3 with unrivaled camera zoom, big storage capacity and long battery life. Its Flex Mode feature splits the large screen into two or three apps at once for instant multitasking. Taking best night shots is also made easy with the premium Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra series Nightography camera feature. The Samsung Galaxy ZFlip 3 that folds to fit small-sized pockets can also be found at SM Appliance.

Now is the best time to shop for your favorite gadgets and appliances with SM Appliance’s Gadgets Everyday Raffle Promo which is ongoing until July 31, 2022. Every P1000 single receipt of purchase at SM Appliance branches or online channel at www.smappliance.com or ShopSM at https://shopsm.com/collections/sm-appliance entitles you to 1 e-raffle entry. You’ll automatically get double entries when you purchase select Samsung Gadgets: S22 Series, TAB S8 Series, ZFlip3 Series, ZFold 3 Series, S20 FE, Tab S6 Lite, A53 5G, A33 5G, A23 LTE and A13 LTE. Visit https://smappliancepromos.com/terms_and_conditions to know more!

Sixty (60) lucky winners will bring home these amazing Samsung gadgets and more! All winners shall receive KonsultaMD vouchers where they can get access to 24/7 online consultations, Grab vouchers, Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi with 10GB load bundled with a 1-year Discovery+ subscription.




Head over to your nearest SM Appliance branch or visit their online channel at www.smappliance.com or ShopSM at https://shopsm.com/collections/sm-appliance.​ For more updates, follow them on Facebook: http://facebook.com/smappliance and Instagram instagram.com/smappliance/.

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Top Five Tips to Start a Vegetable Garden

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Urban farming tips from the MAGGI Sarap Sustansya Garden to inspire Filipino families to grow vegetables in the home




The Food and Nutrition Research Institute, in its latest survey, found that micronutrient deficiency persists in all age groups with over 75 percent consuming less than the recommended allowances, especially on iron, calcium and vitamin C; while more than 70 percent of teenagers and 65 percent adults have inadequate Vitamin A intake. These micronutrients are vital to health and can easily be acquired by consuming enough green, leafy, yellow and orange vegetables.



As the trusted ally of homecooks, MAGGI encourages Filipinos to start an ‘edible garden’ in their homes to increase the vegetable intake of their family members. Through the MAGGI Sarap Sustansya Garden, its Urban Agriculture partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), MAGGI has put together five useful tips to help Filipinos start growing their own vegetables.


Don’t be discouraged by small spaces 


Vegetables can grow in small plots or even pots on window sills. In the early stage, it’s likely you will need only small pots to grow seedlings, which can be placed in low-light corners of the home or yard. When seedlings mature, they can be transferred to bucket-sized containers and moved to sunnier spots or directly planted in a plot. Make sure pots have good drainage to avoid root rot.


Choose low-maintenance staples 


Tomatoes, sitaw, and eggplant are the most commonly used vegetables in Filipino dishes and also some of the most nutritious. They can thrive in 7-to 10-liter pots, as long as they have a good support structure such as a trellis, stakes, cages or hoops.



Don’t throw away stems and roots


Some vegetables can be grown from cuttings. For example, after cutting its root portion, pechay, kinchay and Chinese cabbage can be soaked in water to grow new sprouts. This can be transferred to pots when leaves are grown and roots are longer. After cutting away its leaves, kangkong can also be replanted in soil, and a small bulb of ginger can be re-grown in a pot of soil.


Use a good planting medium


Nutrient-rich soil promotes healthy and rapid plant growth so it is important to start with a good substrate made with compost, coconut coir dust and garden soil.



Grow organic and make use of food waste 


Avoid using chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and instead, opt for natural insecticides and compost. You can make your own compost by mixing soil with kitchen waste such as peelings, coffee grounds, unbleached paper towels, newspapers, and eggshells. Water used to rinse rice can also be used to water plants as these contain minerals that promote healthy soil bacteria.





MAGGI believes gardening empowers families to take control of their diet and their health and enables them to save on food-buying expenses. Based on the DA’s sustainable urban agriculture practices, these tips focus on simple ways to grow food in small spaces.



“It’s important to start simple,” said Rosalyn Simba. “Homecooks will appreciate how convenient it is to have vegetables right at their fingertips, and how their family’s diet can be improved with sarap-sustansya meals every day.”



The Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agriculture (DA-BPI) also gives out free seeds and seedlings so be sure to check out their website for announcements on how to avail of them.

MAGGI has also created an urban gardening video demonstration with the help of DA-BPI, featuring the best practices used in the MAGGI Sarap Sustansya Garden.



In celebration of Nutrition Month, catch the livestream on MAGGI’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MaggiPhilippines) to learn how to start your own edible garden, along with veggie-cooking tips from Chef Erik Magtanong, on July 15, 2022 at 4:00 PM.
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How to build successful online business

With inflation rising and economic recession looming, aspiring entrepreneurs may find it difficult to invest in an online business. Despite the economic situation and the challenges it poses, Davao-based Shopee sellers Shiela Reyes-Lao and Lou Putian prove that one can still manage to start an online business and become successful.







In a recent face-to-face event held by Shopee for Davao-based entrepreneurs, both sellers shared how easy it was to join and grow their businesses on Shopee, even in the face of economic uncertainty.


Tip #1: Just go online, digitize your business





SY Glow Cosmetics owner Lou Putian’s e-commerce journey started when her husband, an Overseas Filipino Worker, was sent home in 2020. “We had little to no income at the time. To continue paying our bills, I started selling bath and body care essentials haphazardly online until some of my loyal customers urged me to set up a Shopee store,” she shared.


In just 2 months after creating an account and learning how to market her products through the platform, her sales greatly increased. “From barely making ends meet then, I’ve now been able to fulfill my dream of purchasing houses for family members and even establishing my own warehouse,” she added.







Meanwhile, Shiela of Cacao Culture, already joined Shopee in 2017. However, she and her team only focused their efforts on the platform after the pandemic affected their operations. “Initially, our Shopee account was only meant to supplement our retail store sales. But when the pandemic hit, we were forced to close down our physical stores and outlets—prompting us to refocus our efforts on e-commerce,” she shared.


Since making the leap to e-commerce, Shiela grew her sales volume 7x. Cacao Culture’s growth and visibility on the platform also encouraged Shiela and her team to carry more Davao-based cacao brands and sell them nationwide.

Tip #2: Maximize Shopee’s convenience, seller tools, and nationwide logistics network


Besides the need to shift to a new income stream, what drew both sellers to Shopee was how easy it was to onboard into and sell on the platform. “With Shopee, all you need is a mobile phone and internet connection,” shared Lou. “The convenience that Shopee offers allows entrepreneurs like me to manage my own business and care for my family, all from the comfort of my own home.”


Having benefited from the seamless Shopee experience to easily bring sellers online, Shiela also highlighted that growing and sustaining one’s business is another story and different kind of challenge. Fortunately, Shopee offers tools like insights and marketing solutions to help sellers further their business growth and visibility. Moreover, Shopee’s continuous logistics expansion nationwide also allows sellers like Shiela to reach more customers.


“As a Davao-based seller, I found it challenging to sell my products online and attract more buyers at the beginning. Through Shopee’s establishment of more hubs in Mindanao and the tools on the platform’s Marketing Center, I was able to attract more customers nationwide by setting up promotions, discounts, and vouchers,” she said.


Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines said, “It is heartwarming to hear Lou and Shiela’s success stories as it is a testament to what sellers are capable of achieving on Shopee’s platform. Through seller education activities, continuous advancement of platform features, nationwide hub expansion, and other initiatives, we strengthen our commitment to deliver a safe and convenient online shopping experience for both our customers and sellers, no matter where they are in the Philippines.”


If you want to grow your business online and enjoy the numerous benefits of e-commerce, start your online selling journey with Shopee today. Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.


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High Vaccine Coverage, Vaccine Suitability, crucial to combating Pneumonia in PH, says Vaccine Expert

A VACCINE EXPERT reinforced high vaccine coverage and the suitability of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) as crucial strategies for reducing the overall pneumococcal disease burden in the Philippines.




Pneumonia is the leading cause of death of children below five years old in the Philippines. Globally, around 672,000 children die from pneumonia every year. This is equivalent to a child dying every 47 seconds.

Dr. Olakunle Oladehin, a vaccine expert and current Regional Vaccines Medical Lead for GSK, stressed the importance of high vaccine coverage to ensuring a vaccination program's success, especially in the current context of the pandemic.

“Even if we have the best vaccines, we will not be able to see its full impact if vaccination coverage is low. It is critical that every country strives to revive its vaccination uptake against diseases like pneumonia,” said Dr.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), childhood immunization fell to 48.5% in 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary focus on COVID-19 vaccination as a response. The DOH has continuously ramped up its routine immunization activities including implementing the Chikiting Bakunation Days from April to June.

“I commend the determination of the Philippine government to bring back its immunization rates coming from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr Oladehin.

Meanwhile, Dr. Oladehin also reiterated the importance of ensuring that a given PCV should protect against relevant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the Philippines, a type of bacteria that causes pneumonia and other invasive diseases.

“To achieve overall protection, the choice of PCV should address the most prevalent strains in the local landscape,” said the vaccine expert.

In 2020, the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) of DOH reviewed the use of PCVs in the country, coming from a position statement issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019. The mandate of HTAC is to undertake technology appraisals by determining their clinical and economic values in the Philippine healthcare system.

In its report, HTAC recommended the use of PCVs protecting against 11 important strains which accounted for 48% of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD) cases found in the Philippines namely 1, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F. The recommendation was based on local surveillance data from the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) from 2012-2019.

The majority of these strains are highly invasive, and it is imperative that a given PCV should have evidence of being able to protect against them, Dr Oladehin said.

“Invasive pneumococcal strains like 18C and 4 can destroy living tissues or spread to many organs of the body through the blood, increasing the likelihood of death,” Dr Oladehin zeroed in during his presentation.

Currently, there are three PCVs pre-qualified by the WHO—PCV13 and 2 kinds of PCV10: PHID-CV and SIIL- PCV. The two PCVs reviewed by HTAC—PHID-CV and PCV13—are suitable to address the 11 strains in the country.

Backed by real-world evidence and experience of being used in National Immunization Programs (NIP) worldwide, both PHID-CV and PCV13 are included in the Philippine National Formulary (PNF) and can be procured for use under the Philippine’s own NIP.
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