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CREIT named Philippines’ Most Committed to Environmental Stewardship in FinanceAsia Poll

Monday, August 1, 2022

Citicore Energy REIT Corporation (“CREIT” or the “Company”), the country’s first energy REIT, was voted Most Committed to Environmental Stewardship, Most Committed to High Governance Best Standards and Most Committed to Social Causes. These three awards are just among the seven Country awards received by CREIT during the recently concluded FinanceAsia’s 22nd Best Companies in Asia Poll.

CREIT debuted in the Philippine Stock Exchange last February 22, 2022 as the first energy- themed REIT in the country, a trailblazer going beyond the traditional commercial REITs in the market.

The Company pioneered the Agro-Solar concept in the Philippines, which promotes the co- existence between solar power harvesting and vegetable farming. Various root crops and vegetables are planted underneath the panels to augment income of community farmers living within the vicinity of CREIT’s properties, with a long-term goal of transforming Filipino communities through positive energy and empowering investments through green sources of revenue.

As global economies continued to grapple with Covid-19 in 2021, the Company focused on prioritizing the needs of its employees and partner communities. This included strengthening its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) platform, which FinanceAsia’s 2022 Philippines’ Best CEO Oliver Tan considers vital amid the debilitating impact of the health crisis.

“CREIT remains supportive of the country’s desire to return to pre-COVID levels and always looks after the welfare of Filipino families. We are glad to be in the energy sector, which remains resilient due to a sustained demand for electricity amid remote work arrangements and enables us to further extend assistance to our partner communities. Our ESG standards serve as the baseline in achieving our triple bottomline goal of environmental, social, and economic sustainability and we remain thankful to our business partners and investors for recognizing and appreciating our drive to enhance our ESG program to secure the Company’s long-term sustainable growth,” Tan added.

FinanceAsia, a Hong Kong-based publication covering financial and capital markets in Asia, conducts an annual poll among members of the finance industry to determine the best managed companies in the region in categories that include overall management, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, and corporate leadership. Capital providers, including lenders and investors, participate in the survey and voting process.

arts

Visit Ortigas Art Festival until August 7

Friday, July 29, 2022

Don’t miss these exciting activities at the Ortigas Art Festival 2022! The festival will only be until August 7, 2022 at the Estancia East Wing, Pasig City.

Chicks Series 2

Take a look at Rita Bustamante’s Chicks Series 2 collection at the G/F East Wing. This collection is all about women rarity to deliver a message where silence is bliss which was inspired by empowered females from all walks of life. Admission is free!

The Learning Tree Workshops

Join the last 2 workshops with The Learning Tree – Child Growth Center this weekend at the G/F East Wing. Learn how to make Paper Sculptures on July 30, 2022 and how to draw with Oil Pastels on July 31, 2022. These workshops require a fee of Php 600 to be paid at the venue. To register, visit https://bit.ly/OAF2022Workshops.

Ballet Performance

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon with Ballet Works’ A Ballet Medley on July 31, 2022, 5:00 PM at the G/F East Wing. Admission is free!

Estancia Mall is open from 11AM to 9PM from Mondays to Fridays, and 10AM to 10PM on Saturdays and Sundays.

Visit the Ortigas Art Festival Facebook page for more details! #OrtigasArtFestival2022 #EnjoyEveryday #OrtigasMalls

family and health

Filippo Berio: His Signature. Our Promise.

Since the mid-1800s, the Filippo Berio brand has become synonymous with Italian olive oil excellence thanks to modern production facilities, uncompromising quality standards, and strong brand integrity. Its unique flavor has made it one of the leading brands in the world.

If Filippo Berio was particularly proud of one thing, it was the exceptional quality of his olive oils. He worked hard to ensure that each bottle was made from the best olives using tried and true production methods.

In every deliciously rich bottle of Filippo Berio olive oil lies 150 years of skilled craftsmanship. We treat our heritage with great care, ensuring Filippo Berio’s signature today represents the same uncompromising quality that our founder intended.

Today, his stringent quality standards are still applied at every stage of the production process, which takes place in SALOV’s state-of-the-art production facility just outside Lucca, Italy.

Filippo Berio’s highly-experienced tasters sample 6,000 olive oils each year, yet only 6% are selected to become Filippo Berio olive oil.

During the selection process, analysis stages must be passed for olive oil to be considered Extra Virgin.

The very best and purest form of olive oil is extra virgin which is stored or bottled immediately after pressing, just as it is. To obtain this prestigious classification, the olive oil must undergo a range of stringent tests to ensure its acidity levels are below 0.8%. All oils above this limit are sent to a refinery and blended with extra virgin olive oils to add flavor, the resulting product is known as standard or pure olive oil.

Filippo Berio Olive Oil has become a staple ingredient in the kitchen that some of the country's renowned chefs use as an everyday cooking oil.

“What’s great about using Filippo Berio olive oil is that you get a longer shelf life with your pastries than butter,” says Chef Angelo Comsti.

“Filippo Berio Extra Virgin olive oil, it’s really high quality, very flavorful and they’re experts in olive oils” says Chef Jackie Laudico.

Filippo Berio Oils are also certified Kosher and Halal.

Aside from high-quality olive oils, Filippo Berio creates delicious Pestos. Pesto is an Italian sauce. The name ‘Pesto’ derives from the Italian verb, pestare, meaning to crush or grind. Available in the market are the classic pesto, sun-dried tomato pesto, and tomato and ricotta pesto.

Filippo Berio also has Balsamic Vinegar of Modena which is made from specially selected grapes and assures its origin in Modena, Italy which is known for its production of Balsamic Vinegar. Its unique flavor, a perfect complement to our fine Extra Virgin Olive Oil, is ideal for salad dressings, marinades, or even drizzled over grilled fish, meat, and vegetables.

Filippo Berio is available in all major supermarkets nationwide and in e-commerce platforms like Lazada and Shopee.

To know more about Filippo Berio and discover its products, cool recipes, videos, chefs’ tips, and more, you may visit the official Filippo Berio global website, Facebook, and Instagram.

news

SM Home's August Sale at SM Store

Now is the time to create your dream home as SM Home launches its Home Sale this August! You’ll love the great finds and great bargains up to 50% off from select items from August 1 to 31 at all SM Home branches at SM Stores nationwide.

There are stylish and affordable furniture pieces for your home or home office, as well as innovative appliances for gracious living. Entertain in style with elegant dinnerware and tea sets; and whip up a foodie feast for friends and family with state-of-the-art grills and cookware. Organize your home with storage solutions for your pantry, closet, vanity table, or garage; and make your bath and bed true comfort zones with luxe linens. All for less!

Check out the latest SM Home collections in-store or follow their social media accounts at IG: @smhome, FB: facebook.com/SMHome.ph or visit shopsm.com/collections/sm-home/ for more details.

Enjoy the payday weekend with sweet deals from your favorite electronics and beauty brands, 10% off vouchers, free shipping with 0 min. spend, and 100% bills cashback at Shopee’s July 30 Payday Sale!

Who doesn’t love payday weekends? Aside from having the time to relax and unwind, our replenished bank accounts allow us to reward ourselves. This July 30, Shopee is giving its users an extra special treat with up to 50% off on bestselling electronics and beauty products, 10% off vouchers, free shipping with 0 min. spend, and 100% bills cashback!

Be sure to go to Shopee this July 30 to catch exciting deals from leading brands when you watch the Shopee Budol Live: Grand Electronics Sale. Even more, you can also level up your skincare regimen with sweet deals on Shopee Beauty’s wide selection of beauty and skincare items. For more details, here’s what you can expect during Shopee’s July 30 Payday Sale:

Catch Joyce Pring and Show Suzuki give out irresistible deals at the Shopee Budol Live: Grand Electronics Sale

Need advice before buying something? Catch host and content creator Joyce Pring and radio DJ Show Suzuki as they showcase must-have tech and home appliance products on Shopee Budol Live this July 30. From 11 AM to 2 PM, watch as Joyce share tips on how to spruce up your home and tries out trending appliances from Gaabor, Deerma, and Han River. Stay tuned in as Show demos the newest mobile phones and gadgets from OPPO, Logitech, and Bavin so you’re more informed before you make that upgrade. Check out during the stream to enjoy more rewards like deals up to 50% off, discount vouchers, and up to 10,000 Shopee coins.

Pamper yourself with exclusive offers from these Shopee Beauty Luxe brands

Beauty and skincare lovers rejoice– Shopee Beauty has sweet deals and discounts just for you! Enjoy savings up to 50%, exclusive bundles and discounts as you level up your beauty regimen with the following brands:

● Up to 33% off on sleeping masks and expert hydration products from Laneige

● Up to 50% off on bestselling Japanese eye makeup and skincare from Beautybox

● Up to 30% off on BaByliss, the brand for reliable hair styling dryers, curlers and trimmers

● Up to 20% off on crowd-favorite sunscreens from Anessa

● Even more special offers and exclusive bundles from Innisfree, Sasa, NUXE, Philips and Cetaphil

Check out these deals and more by visiting Shopee Beauty.

Get bigger rewards when you shop with ShopeePay

Take your pick and add to cart this payday. But first, register on this site, verify your ShopeePay wallet, and send money for the first time on July 30 or 31 to receive free ₱500. Replenish your budol fund this payday by cashing in at least ₱1,000 via InstaPay to get ₱50 cashback. Surprise your friends with Ang Pao which they can use to pay for their Shopee finds, bills, load, or other transactions—send money to 100 friends and get ₱300 cashback. If you’re a first time Ang Pao user, you get a bigger cashback of ₱500! Watch out for the 8.8 ShopeePay Festival for a chance to win up to 1M by sending money. For updates, visit ShopeePay’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Visit the July 30 Payday Sale to learn more.

entertainment · music

Singaporean R&B singer-songwriter Sezairi hooks up with Filipino rapper Young Cocoa for catchy new track “Dead”

The infectious song is part of Sezairi’s third album, Violets Aren’t Blue — out today via Sony Music Singapore

Singaporean musician and singer-songwriter Sezairi teams up with rising Filipino rapper Young Cocoa for the slinky R&B jam “Dead.”

The track, which follows the release of Young Cocoa’s bossa-meets-rap ditty “Nova” and Sezairi’s streaming hit “Restless Love,” is produced by Canadian hiphop/electronic producer duo Potatohead People. It also comes with a visualizer that expands on the song’s theme with a moody, melancholic touch.

Setting the theme for an exhilarating listening experience, the catchy bop serves as the focus track from Sezairi’s third album, 'Violets Aren't Blue', which features his previous singles, ‘Raindrops’, ‘Blue’, ‘Fool’, and ‘RestlessLove’, and three new tracks that continue his plunge into the depths of love, infatuation, and the desperation of seeking to fill an empty heart.

In this album, Sezairi turns the famous 18th-century poem on its head, challenging the cliched expectations and idealism of great love and being swept off your feet by someone who sees you better than you see yourself.

"The reality isn't quite the same. Just like how violets aren't actually blue, love isn't actually easy. The true strength of love lies in the adversity, the physical labor in the gardening of two people to make each other truly blossom."

Starting at the first moment of attraction and the infatuated daydreams of an idealised future that follows, we follow Sezairi throughout the album on a journey of the bittersweet realities of temporary love.

Tracklist: Dead (ft. Young Cocoa)

Fool
Blue (ft. msftz)
Violets (Interlude)
Raindrops
Restless Love
Lullaby
Raindrops (Outro)

In addition to Young Cocoa, who is signed to Southeast Asian label OFFMUTE, Sezairi pulled together a myriad of talents to co-create this piece this work: Korean artist and labelmate msftz, New Zealander producer Josh Fountain (BENEE, MAALA, Theia), Canadian producer duo Potatohead People, Australian singer-songwriter Brooke Toia, music video director duo Nasri Lian and Hanie Hidayah, fellow Singaporean artists Linying and lewloh, illustrator Sleeping Geisha, and more.

"On a personal level, this album is really the result of a long depressive episode amidst the pandemic and discovering how to re-contextualise my past experiences so I can live alongside them in peace. Working on the songs in isolation was incredibly difficult but assembling my dream team of creatives to work with made it incredibly worth it."

Official Artwork & Lyrics available HERE

‘Violets Aren’t Blue’ is available on all digital streaming platforms from 8th July 2022.

news

LRMC inks partnership with media firm United Neon

LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) officially sealed partnership with the United Neon Media Group (United Neon) as its exclusive ancillary revenue partner for the advertising platforms of LRT-1 Cavite Extension (Phase 1) stations and its brand-new Generation-4 (Gen-4) trains from 2022 until 2027.

Under the partnership, United Neon will be in charge of commercializing all non-fare box revenues that include station-based advertising, digital advertising, marketing activities, such as but not limited to selling and non-selling activations, street level pillars, railway viaducts and bridges, and Gen-4 train sets.

“Both LRMC and United Neon value innovation by promoting a culture of encouraging new ideas and technologies. We see an exciting time ahead of us, and we have full confidence in bringing innovative advertising solutions for LRT-1 Cavite Extension assets with them being the leader in the field of advertising and having expertise in maximizing business potential of various advertising media,” LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso said.

“We thank LRMC for the trust they have placed in United Neon. This partnership unlocks a powerful avenue through which we can continue to connect our clients with their customers especially by implementing spectacular executions and by using data to show the impact of advertising campaigns. As mobility restrictions ease, we anticipate a lot of growth in the out-of-home advertising sector and the economy as a whole,” United Neon CEO Daniel C. Lim said.

The United Neon Media Group is the largest out-of-home advertising company with diversified interests in digital marketing, media, and technology development. Since 1937, the company has enabled both local and foreign brands to grow in the Philippine market by connecting them with their target audiences.

LRMC and United Neon commit to work together for mutual benefit to generate, optimize, and maximize ancillary revenue via sale of advertising, brand, and commercial partnerships in the LRT-1 Cavite Extension covering the permitted sites in the following five stations: Redemptorist Station, MIA Station, Asia World Station, NAIA Station, and Dr. A. Santos Station, which are targeted to be operational in 2024. Gen-4 trains are currently undergoing trial runs and expected to be used for commercial service by Q4 2022.

family and health

Eat healthy and get a chance to win Apple Watch Series 7 through Pru Life UK’s AI-powered app, Pulse

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Encouraging Filipinos to develop winning habits for a healthier lifestyle

Leading life insurer Pru Life UK is encouraging Filipinos to eat healthier while getting a chance to win the latest Apple Watch Series 7 as it launches the Vegethon Challenge promo on Pulse, its AI-powered health and wealth app.

In celebration of Nutrition Month this July, the Vegethon Challenge aims to help Pulse users develop healthier eating habits by incorporating more fruits and vegetables in their daily diet.

“At Pru Life UK, our mission is to help Filipinos lead healthier and wealthier lives so that they can get the most out of life. We are inviting Filipinos to start a healthier diet and track their nutrition. Through this new activity along with the other health and fitness features on Pulse, we offer a holistic approach to health and wellness to Filipinos,” said Pru Life UK Senior Vice President and Chief Customer and Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga.

The Vegethon Challenge raffle promo is open to all registered Pulse users. They will earn one raffle entry by logging their vegetable meals for a total of seven days. It will run until August 10, 2022 and the winner will be drawn on August 26, 2022. The winner will be notified via e-mail, call, and SMS.

Aside from the Vegethon Challenge, Pulse users continue to enjoy FREE access to the app’s AI-powered features such as Healthcheck, Symptom Checker, Fitness Tracker, Food Journal, etc. The app also offers protection products such as personal protection, yearly renewable term insurance, and life insurance.

To join this challenge, users can simply download and register through Pulse. Once logged on, users will need to look for the Vegethon Challenge activity under the Nutrition tab, then start logging their 7-day nutritious meal plans.

To know more about Pru Life UK and this promo, please visit https://www.prulifeuk.com.ph/en/explore-pulse/pulse-nutrition/

family and health

6 simple ways to achieve good quality sleep

It’s a matter of changing your habits, says MakatiMed sleep specialist

It keeps your weight down, elevates your mood, improves concentration, and strengthens your immune system to ward off various ailments. Best of all, it is free! Who knew that sleep—specifically 6-8 hours of shut-eye for the average adult—could achieve all these and more?

Yet why do some people feel they have not slept a wink as soon as they wake up? Blame it on poor quality sleep, says Rosalina Espiritu-Picar, MD from the Neurophysiology and Sleep Disorders Laboratory of the top hospital in the Philippines, Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed).

“If you can sleep within 30 minutes or less after getting into bed (sleep latency), sleep straight through the night and wake up no more than once (sleep waking), sleep in the recommended number of hours, sleep at the right time of the night, spend at least 85 percent actually sleeping (sleep efficiency), and wake up refreshed and energized in the morning, you experienced good quality sleep,” the sleep specialist points out.

“Poor quality sleep is the exact opposite,” she continues. “It takes you longer than half an hour to fall asleep. As a result, you wake up more than once a night and lie awake for 20 minutes or more. As a result, you feel tired the next day, have difficulty focusing, and are moody and stressed.”

Sleep is one of the most natural things to do, so when it does not come easily, it is likely due to many factors. “Perhaps you are consuming caffeine or alcohol close to bedtime, or maybe you are stressed or anxious,” states Rosalina Espiritu-Picar, MD. “The heavy snoring of sleep apnea disrupts sleep, as do the pain and discomfort of chronic diseases like acid reflux, cancer, and body aches. You may also have an undiagnosed sleep disorder like insomnia or involuntary movement of the limbs.”

To enjoy a good night’s rest, the doctor suggests changing your habits and creating an atmosphere conducive to getting your zzzs. These include:

Practicing sleep hygiene

Rosalina Espiritu-Picar, MD explains that sleep hygiene simply means good sleep habits. “Following a bedtime routine is one of the best ways to set yourself up for sleep success,” she continues. Some of these include making sure your bedroom is dark and cool, your beddings are clean, soft and comfortable, and wearing something light and non-constricting. You can also adopt habits like light reading and listening to calming music, instead of staring and scrolling on your phone.

It is also best to avoid working from your bed. “This way your brain will never associate your bed with work. If you can, try bringing your work outside your bedroom and keep screens away at least two hours before tucking in,” the expert says.

Rescheduling naps

While naps help perk you up in the middle of the day, scheduling them in the late afternoon or early evening could keep you up at night when you should be sleeping. “Try napping in the early afternoon. It is recommended to nap anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. This way, you will not mess up your sleep patterns and body clock,” the doctor exerts.

Setting a sleep schedule

By doing so, you slowly train your brain to expect to sleep at that specific hour. Rosalina Espiritu-Picar, MD even recommends setting a fixed wake-up time. A fixed wake-up time sets a regular sleeping time. “This will help you and your body develop that discipline of making sleep a priority no matter what. Furthermore, she proclaims that following your sleep schedule consistently and on weekends will keep you from tweaking it to accommodate work or other activities that can disrupt your sleep goals,” she proclaims.

Changing your diet

Drink caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, and soda only in the morning or latest by early afternoon, as caffeine can increase alertness and delay sleepiness, the specialist asserts. She adds that you should also avoid dining late especially if it is a heavy or spicy meal. “Food can keep your brain alert and awake, while spicy and acidic food tend to cause heartburn that will keep you up at night.”

Exercising

Moderate exercise is best done in the morning or afternoon to boost your energy levels throughout the day and help you sleep better at night. Avoid high-intensity workouts less than three hours before bedtime as physical activity stimulates. ”Instead, you can do gentle stretching or light and simple yoga movements that can help develop your mindfulness and promote better sleep,” Rosalina Espiritu-Picar, MD proposes.

Consulting with your doctor

Medication use, nasal and oral decongestants, and corticosteroids have been known to cause insomnia, the expert points out. “If you take these medicines and have trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor. He or she could recommend you take them at a time that will not affect your sleep, or replace your medication altogether. Your doctor can also prescribe medication that can improve the quality of your sleep.”

Sleep should be one of the easiest ways to stay healthy and strong, underlines Rosalina Espiritu-Picar, MD. “Do what you can to get the optimum amount of sleep. Your body and mind will thank you for it.”

For more information, 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.

entertainment

Pride & Power pays tribute to the LGBTQIA+ community with empowering anthems from Sony Music’s biggest queer icon

The double headliner event also features drag performances from Drag Playhouse Philippines, a DJ set from Jer & Marky, and a surprise appearance from internet sensation Sassa Girl

Sony Music Philippines and the Pop Emergency Podcast recently honored the valuable contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community across the globe with PRIDE & POWER last June 18, 2022 (Saturday) at Tipple & Slaw, Pop-Up Katipunan.

The double headliner event, which features drag performances from the fabulous queens of Drag Playhouse Philippines and music from the record label’s most iconic queer icons, kickstarted the month-long Pride celebration with a defiant yet colorful flavor.

“The event was called PRIDE & POWER to recognize that Pride is not just an extravagant one-month celebration every June, but that we are given the chance to make a statement and empower not just our artists, but the LGBTQIA+ community for an experience they’ll remember all-year-round and even after,” shares the organizing team. “It’s making a stand, but doing it with a bang.”

Centered on the power of music to tell as many uplifting stories as possible about the struggles and triumphs of the community, the event championed the enduring Pride anthems of the past and present, which put a spotlight on Sony Music Philippines’ esteemed roster of queer icons: Beyonce, Britney Spears, Whitney Houston, Lil Nas X, Doja Cat, Ben&Ben, Maris Racal, the Sexbomb Girls, and more. This was powered further by drag performances from Drag Playhouse Philippines.

“It has always been a pleasure to work with Drag Playhouse PH,” shares the Sony Music Philippines team in a statement. “Ever since our first project with them in the start of 2021, including the now iconic Manila Drag Icons video which garnered international attention from legendary RuPaul’s Drag Race alum such as fellow Filipinos Manila Luzon and Kyne from Canada’s Drag Race, Blu Hydrangea from Drag Race UK, and Denali (whose Chicago Drag Excellence video inspired the concept). We have always admired how much of their heart and talent they put in their art, not to mention their focus and attention to detail. It’s always a good time being very hands-on with them to see how we can best send their message, help empower them in their craft, and share music in a way that’s fun, proud, and relatable.”

The second half of the program brought the music of Jer & Marky to the dance floor, along with a special appearance from internet sensation Kumare Harvey.

PRIDE & POWER also launched the year-long Pride and LGBTQIA+ playlist YASSIFY on Filtr Philippines, which put together some of the fiercest bangers that resonate with the queer audiences all around the world.

Pages

CREIT named Philippines’ Most Committed to Environmental Stewardship in FinanceAsia Poll

Monday, August 1, 2022

Visit Ortigas Art Festival until August 7