When we understand our purpose, it is a moment of epiphany. I finally realized the huge importance of having a blog and how it can serve to disseminate important information. It dawned on me that health should be everybody's concern and top priority.

Ozone Therapy

Thousands of senior high school students received free eye check-up and prescription glasses during the Eye Can Succeed campaign held at the Santa Elena High School in Marikina.

Organized by Essilor Vision Foundation, this advocacy campaign aims to help students in grades 11 and 12 achieve better vision as means to successful lives. The campaign also had a successful run at the Rizal High School in Pasig and High School ng University of Makati (HSU).

Santa Elena High School was recommended by the Department of Education. Essilor Vision Foundation intends to make Eye Can Succeed campaign an annual event and will resume next year to help more Filipino students achieve better life through better sight. For more information, visit Essilor’s website at www.essilor.com.ph.

1. The Philippine Fireworks Association on Nov. 21 spoke at Pandesal Forum at Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City, appealing to leaders of local government units (LGUs) and the media to help clarify that there is no firecrackers ban in the Philippines, that President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s Executive Order 28  allows pyrotechnics (or “pa-ilaw” in Filipino, meaning “lights”) to be used. It is not true that pyrotechnics are prohibited, restricted or limited.
PLS. BAN PICCOLO & SMUGGLED FIREWORKS---The association urges strict ban on dangerous piccolo firecrackers (which had in the past caused 60% or more injuries every New Year) and asks topping of illegal smuggled fireworks which usually have unregulated and dubious quality.

2. Please help clarify that Executive Order 28 only limits the use of firecrackers (or “paputok” in Filipino) to designated areas nationwide, but this doesn’t include the safer pyrotechnics.

3. Our association wishes to appeal to Quezon City and other local government  units not to totally ban all pyrotechnics during this holiday season, especially for welcoming the new year .

4. We wish to appeal to local government officials to please not restrict or discourage these age-old tradition of using pyrotechnics for celebrations, because this is a safer legal alternative to firecrackers

5. Our association appeals to mass media and social media to please help spread the whole truth and to help us clarify misinformation adversely and unfairly affecting our whole industry.

6. The association wishes to thank President Duterte for his fairness towards our local Philippine-made pyrotechnics and fireworks industry, which is mainly but not only limited to Bulacan province,  that’s why Executive Order No. 28 is clear about allowing pyrotechnics and encourages people to shift from firecrackers to pyrotechnics.                 
      Clarification “fireworks” is both firecrackers and pyrotechnics; firecrackers’ main effect is sound and pyrotechnics’ main effects are lights.

7. The Philippine fireworks industry benefits an estimated 150,000 people with livelihoods connected to local manufacturing and selling fireworks nationwide.

8. The association appeals for support for this local industry, which has potentials for exports, but the domestic industry needs to survive and be given fairness. Examples of good local manufacturers is Asean’s biggest fireworks manufacturer the Dragon Fireworks of Bulacan province. This company is ISO-certified, it has represented the Philippines and won gold medals and other honors for the country in international competitions like those in Cannes, France; in the 2013 Berlin “Pyronale”; in Hanover, Germany; etc.

9. The association warns that any moves by local or even national politicians for a total ban of fireworks will just worsen public safety, because it will encourage unregulated small-scale and secret backyard producers and it shall encourage unregulated smuggling of imported fireworks with dubious or inconsistent quality. It will also encourage people to go back to using dangerous firecrackers instead of the safer pyrotechnics.

10. The Philippine Fireworks Association appeals to politicians in LGUs and the media for fairness, for support for this domestic fireworks manufacturing industry which provides many livelihoods, generates taxes, supports the Philippine economy and has huge export potentials.

(L-R) Ms. LJ Moreno and her son Ian; Ms. Nikka Garcia and Isabel Oli-Prats

Nikka Garcia, LJ Moreno-Alapag and Isabel Oli-Prats have many things in common, among them, being devoted wives and doting mothers to their children. Nikka is married to actor Patrick Garcia and mom to Chelsea and Nicole; and she is also a mommy blogger. LJ is wife to retired PBA player and now Meralco Bolts assistant coach Jimmy Alapag, mother to Keona and Ian, and runs a pastry business, The Lollicake Factory. They are also both expectant mothers. Isabel is married to actor John Prats and mother to Lily Feather. All ladies have one important thing in common: they are thankful to have been blessed with husbands who are hands-on fathers.
Showbiz moms care for their children…

During the Tribute to Moms by Cetaphil held in SM Makati on August 27, they shared how they manage to strike a healthy home-life balance and stay looking and feeling great.


THE BALANCING ACT

LJ says that she has learned to maximize her time. “You have to be strict with time management, otherwise, you won’t get things done. I’m lucky because now both [my kids are] in school, so I get some ‘me time’. Lately, what we’ve been doing is [whenever possible], Jimmy and I will drop them off at school, then we have breakfast [together], then go home and he gets ready for his practice and I have my quiet time, and I check on my commissary downstairs. After having kids, my priorities changed.

What I decided to do after I got pregnant was move [the commissary] to the ground floor of the house, good thing we had space. At least I am able to check on the business and be with the kids because they always want to be with me. And if I bring them to the office, I won’t be able to get anything done. Now that it’s at home, they have their playroom upstairs and I can bake downstairs.

Even my workout, I moved to the house because I can’t go to the gym anymore. I compiled Zumba videos and even now [that I’m pregnant], I do prenatal yoga [guided by] videos. You have to manage your time well and be strict with it.”

Isabel says splitting parental duties with her husband is a great help. “My husband is an actor and his schedule is really hectic and there are days when he is not busy. So it is hard to adjust. When my husband is home, he’s very hands-on, so nakakagalaw ako. I can leave the house or I can cook.”

According to Nikka, she has found that changing her perspective has improved the time she spends with her family. “I’ve learned that I just have to put my heart into what I’m doing at that particular time. When I’m giving my eldest attention, I’m there. Pag lumipat ako sa youngest ko, kumpleto din siya. When I spend time with Pat, kumpleto din siya. I’ve learned to just be in the moment with good time management and focusing my mind and my heart at that particular time. I’ve been able to accomplish more, it’s more than spending time, it’s quality time.”


GETTING “ME TIME”

The celeb moms agree that being a wife and mother does not mean you have to give up being yourself. According to Isabel, she makes time to work out when Feather is asleep. Nikka treats herself to pampering with an hour in the salon or by having a massage. LJ makes the same concessions. She also added that she wakes up earlier than her two babies so she can have quiet for her prayer time in the morning.



USING THE SCIENCE OF GENTLE

The three mothers have amazingly clear skin—how do they do it? They each confess that their skincare regimen is simple.

"I'm really lazy when it comes to going to the dermatologist. So I just make sure that I really wash my face and moisturize hanggang leeg before going to sleep." LJ says.

Nikka says that “As much as possible, I don’t apply makeup every day. I use the Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser to wash my face and moisturize. It’s so gentle. Especially now that I’m pregnant, your skin dries up. It’s what has worked.”

According to Isabel, “College palang, I use Cetaphil talaga. My dermatologist prescribed it for me. Even when I was pregnant, my doctor told me to use it. [As celebrities,] we’re always wearing makeup pag nasa labas, make sure really clean before going to sleep. I use the Cetaphil Lotion also. Nakakatuwa, my baby has sensitive skin, so sabi din ng doktor, ‘yun yung puwede sa kanya. So I just use Cetaphil Lotion, Cetaphil Massage Oil, Cetaphil Shampoo, Cetaphil Body Wash.”

LJ, Nikka and Isabel are mothers, like many mothers out there. Real women who try to the best of their abilities to strike a healthy balance of being wife and mother without sacrificing time to take care of themselves. They have found an ally in gentle skincare in the full range of Cetaphil products.

Cetaphil is the most prescribed skin care product by dermatologists and pediatricians. Cetaphil is available in department stores, supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide.

 Light up your night at  ColorManila’s CM Blacklight Run to be held on December 2, 2017, at Clark, Pampanga.


21 November 2017 - MANILA -  ColorManila, known as the most aggressive concept fun-run organizer in the country today, will have its 3rd running event in Clark, Pampanga this year, for its CM Blacklight Run.

ColorManila has in fact hosted over 15,000 participants in their events at Clark, Pampanga for the past 18 months, which makes Clark, one of their biggest fun-run venues outside of Metro Manila.  

In fact, their CM Blacklight Clark Run held December also of last year, gathered 6,000 people at the venue, with some foreigners flying in from the United States and other parts of Asia, just to join the event.

ColorManila Vice President Justine Cordero says, “This is all possible because of Clark Development Corporation’s support.  And we look forward to organizing more events at their venue.”

Cordero continues, “We also want the runners to enjoy the cool breeze of December in this night run, as they go thru various race finishes of 3K, 5K and 10K; and of course, the color stations that everyone looks forward to, along with the color festival.”


Runners have the option of choosing between the Deluxe Kit, Rockstar Kit and the Superstar Kit.  The Deluxe Kit priced at P750, comes with a costume singlet, race bib, costume drawstring bag, color packet and a finisher’s medal.  While the Rockstar Kit priced at P1,050, comes with a dri-ft shirt, race bib, headlamp, color packet and a finisher’s medal.  Lastly, the Superstar Kit which is priced at P1,200, comes with a dri-fit shirt, race bib, headlamp, 3 drawstring bags, headwear, color packet and a finisher’s medal.

CM Blacklight Run co-presented by Sutherland, will be held on December 2, 2017, at the Clark Parade Grounds, assembly time is at 7 p.m.  

Registration is still ongoing. For more information, www.colormanilarun.com for more details.

Keeping it simple with Citi Simplicity+ Card


Citi Philippines recently launched its newest credit card product, dubbed Citi Simplicity+, which is touted as an industry first for the country – offering no annual fee, no late payment fees, and no overlimit fees, as well as 10% back on interest charges for on-time payments. The introduction of Citi Simplicity+ responds to the needs of consumers for a card that’s well-suited for busy lifestyles, by providing a remarkable customer experience that’s simple and convenient. 

Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed said, “Citi Simplicity+ is an example of Citi’s commitment to putting our clients’ interests first while creating economic value.  With Simplicity+, we simplify the client experience and make it more convenient and beneficial for our clients to undertake everyday purchases and transactions.”    


Other benefits available to Citi Simplicity+ cardholders include Citi PayLite for easy installment purchases, Click for Cash for emergency cash loans, Citi One Bill for hassle-free auto-debit payments, and a world of special privileges on shopping, travel, and dining.

Says David Stoughton, head of Credit Payment Products at Citi Philippines: 
“With a growing urban population in the Philippines where people are living in a much more fast-paced environment, Citi Simplicity+ offers  consumers peace of mind with its simplified terms and conditions, no annual fee, no late fees, and no overlimit fees. This is extremely convenient for people who are constantly on the go, managing multiple tasks and schedules. Through Citi Simplicity+, we are also showing our appreciation to those who pay on time by giving them 10% back on interest charges.”   

The Citi Simplicity brand has been rolled out previously in the US, Australia, UAE, Poland, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. 

To apply for the Citi Simplicity+ Card, please visit https://www.citibank.com.ph/simplicity.