Monday, May 18, 2020
Why don’t you try whipping up something in the kitchen using ingredients you never thought would work before—like the famous, easy 7-up chicken marinade or challenge yourself to cook a perfectly seared steak or experimenting on preparing the Dalgona in various versions—from coffee to fruity flavors—that are making the rounds on the internet? Now is the best time to sharpen your culinary skills; then by the time the quarantine is over, you may gather your friends for a dinner at home and serve them your best recipe discoveries yet.
Baking
While you’re at it, why don’t you try baking sweet treats to brighten someone’s day, too? You can start with the basic ones—from baking cookies, then banana bread, to probably advancing to cakes; that is when you’re confident enough with your weighing and measuring skills. Yes, bake it ’til you make it.
Arts & Crafts
While garbage collection may be a problem these days, recycling and upcycling wastes at home are highly recommended. Turn them into something useful.such as the tissue roll carton as a cable wire organizer, PET bottles as a case for your pencil or art tools, cans as flower vases, etc. You can make pencil cases for your kids, new jars for your room, and even toys for your kids, among other creative ways to reuse them. There are even free online classes that you may join to unleash your artistic side, as well as free music lessons, to boot.
Reading
Want an escape but can’t go out because of the virus? Let must-read fiction and non-fiction—be it hard copies or eBooks—take you to places and settings you’ve never seen before. Books help your brain withdraw from anxiety-inducing news on your social media feeds. You can do light reading with food books or to feel some love while on quarantine, there’s romance novels. Do read up on travel and create that itinerary of your biggest adventure yet once this quarantine is over.
Work it out
In these uncertain times, it is best to sweat the stress out, not only to stay healthy but to also keep the happy hormones going. No gym equipment? No problem. There are still a lot of exercises you may do using ordinary items or fixtures at home. Need weights? Use PET bottles as DIY dumbbell; need elevation for your cardio exercise, use the stairs; or if you need to run but has no space, do high-knee, stationary run or jog. For Zumba or Yoga classes, there’s always YouTube.
We’ve also seen more people trying to grow their own urban garden at home in their effort to be more sustainable these days. You might have come across Facebook and Instagram posts by your friends showing off the progress of their mini farm and hydrophonic techniques using recyclable bottles. A lot of beverage companies are receiving requests from non-government organizations for donations of PET and other plastic bottles, too, as they will use them as pots for their plants to create sustainable farms for the communities they are serving.
“We have received several requests for plastic bottle donations from various groups for urban farming projects. And as a company that champions sustainable practices, we are more than willing to help them create a greener world,” said Frederick Ong, President and CEO of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc.
“We have received several requests for plastic bottle donations from various groups for urban farming projects. And as a company that champions sustainable practices, we are more than willing to help them create a greener world,” said Frederick Ong, President and CEO of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc.
“Other than our frontliners, our environmental advocates are to be considered heroes also, because what they are doing is for the long-term. And we are here to support their causes,” he added.
And if there’s something we are realizing during the quarantine period, it is that the earth seems to be healing, because of less human activities outside our homes. Most of us are realizing the grim effects of not taking care of the environment. And this pandemic is teaching us to nourish Mother Nature more for us to enjoy healthier years.
More than ever, it is high time to learn how to remain productive, while taking care of the environment. It is clear that we are breathing cleaner air and seeing clearer skies these days. And let’s all do our job to keep it this way to save more lives and for the benefit of generations to come.
But if you opt to do nothing during this quarantine period, there’s no problem about that, too. Remember: The most productive people also make time doing nothing for self-care and a balanced life.
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| Speakers of the virtual conference share different aspects of startup operations from remote global locations. Photo credit: QBO Innovation Hub |
Over 100 startup and technology leaders from 20 cities across the Philippines, other parts of Southeast Asia, and the United States gathered together in a five-day virtual training conference organized by QBO Innovation Hub together with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The conference aims to elevate the capacities of Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) in the country.
TBIs are facilities that house startups and equip their business development. They ensure the sustainability of the startup’s operation, the advancement of entrepreneurs, and partnership of the startups with public sectors.
"During this difficult time, the need to come together and work on solutions is placed at the forefront of innovation. Now is the best time for us incubator managers and technology leaders to help give birth to new startups and develop existing ones,” shared QBO Operations Head Natasha Bautista.
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| QBO Operations Head Natasha Bautista emphasized the importance of leadership and the clarity of the mission and vision in the day-to-day business of a startup. Photo credit: QBO Innovation Hub |
DOST, for its part, is keen on paving the road through tech-enabled assembly as it aligns with the agency’s #RoadTo100Startups initiative to support the training and development of startup industry leaders all over the country and enable a rise in the number of Filipino startups.
DOST Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit remarked, “We at the DOST, firmly believe in the startups’ vital role in our nation’s future. With the right support and resources, their capacities are limitless. We aim to empower them and elevate their operations so they can remain at the forefront of innovation. That’s why conferences like these are so important.”
Funding support for startups
Insights from the conference focused on the creation of incubator programs, use of creative marketing tools, planning of effective online campaigns, fostering of startup engagement, development of incubators in university setting, and garnering of stakeholder support especially during times of crisis.
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, examining company values may prove particularly apt. It’s during a crisis that startups who can provide solutions may need more funding.
Innovative startups will also need to know how to remain relevant. That’s why in a session focusing on the best ways to generate buzz for a startup, tech media outlet e27 co-founder Thaddeus Koh encouraged startups to improve their public relations tactics and invest in their relationship with the media as it will help drive awareness for their brand. “PR is about telling the best story about someone else,” explained Koh.
The pandemic has also shown why there is a need for strong startup support and funding. Early-stage venture fund and seed accelerator 500 Startups was represented by Singapore Country Lead EE Ling Lim. According to her, accelerators and incubators always make sure to ask startup founders about what they want their startups to get out of their programs.
Lim was joined by their Partnerships Director Thomas Jeng who bared that operations require paying the bills, thus strong support is needed. “Accelerators and incubators need to pay for staff and related expenses: grants, and stipends, and entrepreneurs; office space and other overhead; marketing and PR for the programs as well as ongoing events especially those that are trying to build sustainable communities around entrepreneurship, ranging from demo days to happy hours, to networking events,” he explained.
Working together to solve problems
Collaborations are not only possible during crises but are also welcomed under normal circumstances. This was highlighted by Plug and Play Tech Center’s Co-Founder Jojo Flores, who talked about “Bridging the Startup-Corporate Gap.”
As a large organization itself, Plug and Play Tech Center invests in around 200 early stage startups per year and works with over 400 large global networks. “Corporations have accepted that a lot of new technologies, new ideas and innovation is really happening outside their environment,” said Flores. “It’s all about creating this platform whereby startups can collaborate with the various stakeholders, whether corporations, VCs, etc.”
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| PQBO brings its community online in a virtual conference to continue empowering and honing their operations amidst COVID-19. Photo credit: QBO Innovation Hub |
In the Philippines, for example, startups step up to help combat COVID-19 through collaborating with the private sector and the government. DOST, in collaboration with Developers Connect, helped launch the RapidPass system where frontliners manning checkpoints can easily inspect vehicles and individuals by scanning QR codes. Tech startup Senti is working closely with the Department of Health (DOH) by providing the knowledge-base for the chatbots in DOH’s different channels to address COVID-19-related inquiries while Multisys developed the online and mobile platform StaySafe.ph which aims to help the government in conducting efficient contact tracing. Limitless Lab, in partnership with The Asia Foundation, developed LGU vs COVID PH, an easy-to-use, updated, and reliable dashboard of all COVID-19 related information which LGUs can use and refer to.
Academes stepping up to develop startups
Collaboration in the interest of innovation isn’t limited solely between corporations and startups. Schools, for one, also definitely play a role in the innovation ecosystem.
This was the topic covered by Rick Rasmussen, an industry fellow at UC Berkeley’s Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology. During his session he explored not only the evolution of incubator and accelerator programs but also the various ways schools such as UC Berkeley mentor startups and foster environments that will help them grow. Here, he cited examples such as Northwestern University’s “Experiential Entrepreneurship Course” and UC Berkeley’s “Disrupt Berkeley” to illustrate how academe collaborates with startups to enable their growth.
In “Disrupt Berkeley”, for instance, Rasmussen details how that class covered the idea of social entrepreneurships. “We talked about how you do mission-based interviews and goals, and identify impact. We also covered problem-solution in social entrepreneurship mode.” It was during this class that Rasmussen was able to guide his students to create projects of their own that would solve various issues around campus.
It’s this sort of guidance that startups can do with, especially in a challenging and unprecedented crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. With schools playing their role in the startup ecosystem, startups can look back on the values of social entrepreneurship and solving real-world problems.
Apart from the technical aspect of operations, the key takeaway from the training conference is that there is a glimmer of hope even in tough times, the Filipino startup community is still rallying and going strong. In fact, it may be them that best ensures our country can have a future to look forward to, and so the push by QBO and DOST to encourage the growth of Filipino startups is now timelier than ever.
“There is a need to support our startups now, more than ever,” concluded Bautista. “Because startups and what they bring–digitalization, automation, speed–will be what we need to keep going in the post COVID-world.”
Sunday, May 17, 2020
During these challenging times, SM Bulacan Malls are redefining customer experience with many shopping options for easy, safe, and efficient shopping.
NEW NORMAL. Shoppers practice #SafeMallingAtSM at SM City Marilao as the SM Malls in Bulacan partially resume operations today. Adapting to the “new normal,” mallgoers are requested to observe physical distancing at all times. Temperature checks upon entry, mandatory wearing of face mask, and strictly no loitering will likewise be observed. Because shoppers’ safety is a priority, all entrances will be equipped with bright colored physical distancing markers, disinfectant mats for feet as well as alcohol and hand sanitizer dispensers to encourage safe malling before entering mall premises.
Shoppers can now book from the comfort of their home, enjoy specialties from their favorite restaurants at SM Malls in Marilao, Baliwag as well as Pulilan and have their basics delivered to their doorstep through official partners such as Pabili-Bulacan, Ride Eat, and Pa Suyo Po.
More of your favorite restaurants at SM City San Jose Del Monte and SM City Baliwag are open for take-out and delivery via JoyRide and Bulacan 3 wheels on-the-go.
ONE-WAY CUSTOMER TRAFFIC. Customers line up while observing proper social distancing at Ramen Kuroda in SM City Baliwag. When picking out food in restaurants, chairs are spaced out and directional arrows are also placed on the floor to enforce “one-way customer traffic”. Food and dining tenants at all SM Malls can only offer delivery and take-out services.Shoppers can chat and contact their favorite SM Mall through our SM Bulacan Malls viber community to find out the availability of essentials and answers to any mall queries that you may have. The system was designed for easy navigation and transaction tailored to your preference.
For convenience, SM Bulacan Malls also offer take-out and delivery services. Shoppers simply need to choose from the list of open establishments that may be found on our official social media pages; contact the restaurant or store directly to order and arrange for payment as well as delivery.
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| SHOP CLEAN. Employee in SM City San Jose del Monte thoroughly clean and sanitize products as well as surfaces as they safely welcome back shoppers. SM deployed sanitation team to thoroughly disinfect high-touch areas. Deep cleaning are also practiced before opening and after closing hours so customers can shop clean and shop safe the following day. |
With this, you can treat your family to culinary specialties from Max’s, Classic Savory, Kenny Rogers; southern fried chicken at KFC, as well as delightful desserts from JCO, Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts; drinks from Starbucks and Gong Cha, Dakasi and many more.
You can also call or order online and pick up your essentials from The SM Store, Ace Hardware, Our Home and SM Appliance at the store’s designated pick up point. Goods can also be delivered at a preferred location.
SM Bulacan Malls will also have your basic needs covered as essential and non-leisure stores gradually resume operations. Adapting to the “new normal,” malls will be practicing the #SafeMallingAtSM. Mallgoers will be requested to observe a safe distance, especially when queuing. Temperature checks upon entry, mandatory wearing of face mask, and strictly no loitering will likewise be observed. The number of people inside the mall, stores, and restaurants will also be limited for employees and customers’ safety. In addition, food and dining tenants can only offer delivery and take-out services.
Ushering a new era of customer experience, SM Bulacan Malls in Marilao, San Jose Del Monte, Baliwag and Pulilan will continue to provide safe and efficient solutions for the benefit of its shoppers. For more information follow SM Bulacan Malls on Facebook and Instagram.
Saturday, May 16, 2020
Want to know how to maximize savings in true insider-style? Here are some tips and tricks that will not require you to camp out on the Lazada app for more discounts when shopping online. Challenge yourself to stretch the dollar, and get the best prices on your next shopping haul.
Play LazGames to earn coins and redeem vouchers
Lazada’s in-app games will help you earn coins. Trust us, these addictive games will keep you entertained and on your toes! Choose from Lazada’s roster of LazGames including Moji-Go, LazCity, Lazzie Hop, Mini Bump, Shop & Match, Popping Star, Tower, Target, and Push Cart, to win coins and redeem discount vouchers when you check out your shopping cart. The more you play, the more coins you collect!
Earn more coins as you get cosmic advice from Lucky Horoscope
Did you know that you can get daily horoscope readings on Lazada? Earn more coins by reading up on your star sign on Lucky Horoscope in Lazada’s app! Simply tap your screen to fill out the red bar, collect all 5 charms, earn coins, to reveal daily predictions around your love life and career, based on your astrological sign. Click here to read your horoscope for today: lzd.co/LuckyHoroscope.
Get more rewards as you watch livestreams, guess the price, and Sing It! with your favorite celebrities
Have you been tuning in to Lazada’s livestreaming shows on LazLive? Consumers can gain access to a wide variety of lifestyle programs covering activities such as fitness and wellness, kitchen hacks, beauty and even live concerts directly from the app!
Besides enjoying these experiences from the comfort your home, you get to win 50 coins per day, collect discount vouchers, and wallet credits when you tune in daily to Lazada’s LazLive shows! Click lzd.co/WatchLazLive to learn more.
You can also join host Sam YG on Lazada’s interactive game show Guess It! every Friday and stand a chance to win over PHP 600,000 worth of Lazada Wallet credits. Simply guess the price of featured items to win Lazada Wallet credits! Are you up for the challenge? Guess the price and win the prize on lzd.co/LazGuessItPH.
Looking for more vouchers? Bag exclusive vouchers by tuning in to Lazada’s Sing It! show every Saturday at 12NN. Sit back, relax, and be entertained by our guest performers, as they sing their hearts out and perform the songs you requested for!
View your collection of coins and vouchers
Navigate through your rewards page on the Lazada app to see which ones you can use on your next purchase.
Follow these simple steps to redeem your coins:
● Step 1: Launch the Lazada app and click on ‘Account’ and tap ‘My Coins’
● Step 2: Click on ‘Go to Reward Store’ at the end of the page to be redirected to the rewards store to
convert your coins into vouchers and rewards.
● Step 3: Select your preferred voucher or sponsored gift.
Find out more by visiting Lazada.com.ph, https://www.facebook.com/LazadaPhilippines, instagram.com/lazadaph/
and https://twitter.com/LazadaPH.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
There are many ways through which people are coping with feelings of anxiety, depression, boredom and other ill-effects of an extended enhanced community quarantine. One of these is stress-eating.
While understandable, such a lifestyle may not be sustainable in the long run--especially if one has not been exercising. Unfortunately, most gyms and sports facilities won’t be opening anytime soon, so there is really no better way to shed-off excess fat than by adopting exercise habits at home.
Don’t know where to start? Here are simple and easy ways to get your body moving and getting it back into tip-top shape.
Start with simple activities
It would be unwise to instantly go through rigorous exercises and programs without priming your body to go through them. Activate and engage your body through simple activities such as cleaning the house while listening to upbeat music. You can also try meditating just to make sure that your mind is in harmony with your body.
Download Workout apps
The vivo app store has workout apps that contain plenty of programs and exercises. Try apps that include High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) programs where you do a series of repetitions continuously with minimal rest time. While these apps promote quick workouts that last less than 10 minutes, do not be fooled--you will feel like you just ran a marathon.
Head to Facebook for live workout videos
If motivation is what gets you going when it comes to workouts, try doing it together with other online users. Facebook pages of different gyms around the metro now offer both free and paid live online workout classes like yoga and shadow boxing that are sure to shed off a few “quarantine pounds”. If you’re not to keen on working out with strangers, you can always gather your friends for a video call workout session. Just make sure you actually work out and not end up having an “e-numan”--you can always do that at a different time.
Try Tik-Tok dance challenges
If conventional workout routines and exercises aren’t your thing, you can always try creating TikTok videos. Try engaging in a “dance workout” by trying out all the dance challenges created by users in the platform. You will actually sweat buckets trying to perfect the challenges over and over again.
These home-based exercise methods may not be the same as “maxing out” in the gym, but these are great ways to maintain an active lifestyle and fight off the urge to stress-eat during these unprecedented times.
All it takes are a few clicks. You can download the Facebook app and plenty of workout apps using the vivo app store, pre-installed in all vivo mobile devices.
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| Photo 1. Representatives from the Municipality of Mabalacat, Pampanga receiving the PPE donation |
As everyone continues the plight against Covid-19, Converge ICT has reaffirmed its commitment to be of service to the Filipinos. Recognizing the nation’s primary line of defense in the current virus situation, the company is helping make sure that front-liners are properly equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment. Thousands of the said protective equipment have been donated to certain areas in Tarlac and Pampanga (Angeles, San Fernando, Mabalacat, Porac, Apalit, Mexico, Bacolor, Magalang, Arayat, Sta. Ana, Candaba, San Luis, Macabebe, San Simon, Floridablanca, Guagua, Lubao, Sta. Rita).
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| Photo 2. Hon. Edwin Santiago, Mayor of San Fernando Pampanga, accepts PPE donation |
“This is our way of saying ‘Thank you’ to the men and women who act as our first line of defense against the virus. The frontliners sacrifice their lives to take care of us. We hope that small efforts such as this, may somehow alleviate concerns about their safety. They have been protecting all of us from day one, so let us try to protect them as well. Again, all our gratitude goes to the true heroes of today. Thank you, dear frontliners, for allowing us to stay strong at home,” said Dennis Anthony Uy, President and CEO of Converge ICT Solutions.
The said personal protective equipment are currently being distributed in Central Luzon. Ensuing efforts for other areas will follow in the coming days.
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| Photo 3. Mayor Romulo Pecson of Magalang Pampanga welcomes Converge’s donation in the form of personal protective equipment. |
For inquiries, you may visit www.convergeict.com
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
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Photo credit: Stephanie Nodado
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As COVID-19 continues to spread across the globe, the number of cases has also escalated in the Philippines placing Filipino healthcare workers at the forefront to fight against the virus. Doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, and hospital staff face the hazard of infection everyday, and extensive working hours at the hospital can be very exhausting. Virus-stricken patients, on the other hand, have limited contact with their families, and being away from loved ones can really be lonesome.
If there’s one thing that keeps them going: it’s the overflowing support of families, friends, and even strangers.
To show compassion for COVID-19 patients and gratitude for frontliners, online design platform Canva encouraged netizens to show their support by simply designing a motivational card using pre-made Canva templates. In response, different groups and individuals have shared their messages to our frontline heroes and COVID-19 patients. The Filipinos’ trait of bayanihan is indeed in action even online.
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| Photo Credit: Ivy Awayan Araullo |
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| Photo Credit: Yasha Christina Alarcon |
“At a time when the country is facing multiple restrictions, it’s more important than ever to reach out to those in isolation. It’s incredibly motivating to see so many people step up to demonstrate compassion, something I hope will continue once COVID-19 is eradicated. We’re putting people first, which in turn provides stability and psychological safety in the community - the key to all of us winning the war on an invisible, yet shared, enemy,” shared Yani Hornilla-Donato, Canva Manila, Country Manager.
Canva sent over 4,000 motivational cards and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donations to hospitals around Metro Manila to applaud the sacrifice and dedication of the healthcare workers, and to show support to COVID-19 patients.
Check out more cards for frontliners here and for COVID-19 patients here.
For more information about Canva, visit https://www.canva.com/.
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