Panasonic Protects Ospital ng Malabon with nanoeTM X Technology.

Panasonic, as part of its global campaign to spread advocacy for cleaner and fresher air for life, continued to reach out to local governments through a contribution to Malabon City in the form of nanoeTM X air purifiers, and nanoeTM X generators, that have been verified to have inhibitory effects on the novel coronavirus* for use at the Ospital ng Malabon.

Panasonic Country Head and General Manager of Life Solutions Group Yosuke Tanaka, Panasonic Air-Conditioning Philippines (PACPH) Communications & Product Planning Manager Francis Serrato, Malabon City Mayor Antolin Oreta III, Ospital ng Malabon Chief of Hospital Dr. Jen Amolo - Lim, Ospital ng Malabon Administrator Flourescelle Austria, Ospital ng Malabon doctors, nurses, front liners, and staff were present during the turn-over.

The nanoeTM X air purifiers and portable nanoeTM X generators are to be used by the hospital to ensure quality air in high-risk areas as well as in the outpatient areas of the City’s premier public hospital that caters not only to Covid-19 patients but other medical needs of the people of Malabon. The hospital in 2020, was forced to temporarily stop accepting non-COVID-19 cases after several medical workers tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

In his acceptance speech, Malabon City Mayor Oreta thanked Panasonic for its invaluable support to the city, “This is a big help for the city of Malabon. On behalf of the 380,000 Malabon-ians who come to the hospital often (hopefully they don’t come as much and bababa ang COVID cases natin), we are very thankful for Panasonic Philippines and Life Solutions for helping us clean our air here in OsMal, Malabon Hospital.”

It has always been the intention of Panasonic to provide cleaner and fresher air to improve the quality of life for everyone with the introduction of the nanoeTM in 1997 and nanoeTM X in 2016.

Tanaka said, “It has always been the intention of Panasonic to provide cleaner and fresher air to improve the quality of life for everyone. For years, we have been growing and advocating the use of our nanoeTM and nanoeTMX technology; and now, timely as it may seem, it is here to help us in controlling the transmission of the novel coronavirus as well as other possible air-borne infections as proven by independent testing organizations.”

In 2009, with the help of an independent testing organization, Panasonic verified the effect of hydroxyl radicals contained in water against bird flu and new strains of influenza, and in 2012, in collaboration with an independent testing organization in Germany, again conducted virus clearance testing that showed effectiveness of the technology against highly resistant viruses and unknown viruses. **

Just last year, again using an independent testing organization, Texcell*** – France, further verified the inhibitory effect of Panasonic’s patented nanoeTM X technology on the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19.

The Malabon City partnership is part of a bigger program of Panasonic in the Philippines to provide air purifying and anti-covid technology of nanoeTM X in selected sites in the National Capital Region to protect medical front liners and Filipinos.

In the past months, Panasonic has been to vaccination sites in Mandaluyong City, and Makati City, as well as in the Philippine General Hospital to make the front liners and the public feel safer.

“It is our hope, in Panasonic, that as one community, we may ACT TOGETHER in helping bring back the Filipino smile through the technology and innovation that we in Panasonic can provide,” Tanaka ended.

Panasonic works hard to bring back the smiles of the unsung heroes of this pandemic, and the Filipino people, for them to feel safer, breathe easier, and be more secure to smile once again. For more information on Panasonic and its patented technologies, please visit https://www.panasonic.com/ph/nanoe

*1: based on the Texcell, global contract research organization, verified the inhibitory effect of the nanoe™ X technology with the benefits of hydroxyl radicals on adhered novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) placed in 45L box. Over 99.99% of adhered novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) activity was inhibited within 2 hours. Note: This verification was designed to generate basic research data on the effects of nanoe™ X on the novel coronavirus in laboratory conditions different from those found in living spaces. It was not designed to evaluate product performance.

 

**2: Main releases on verification cases - May 12, 2009：Positive effects of charged water particles on viruses, bacteria, and agricultural chemicals have been verified. - October 20, 2009： The new influenza virus inhibition effect of charged water particles has been verified. - February 20, 2012：Suppression effect of charged water particles on pet-related allergens, bacteria, fungi, and viruses have been verified. - January 16, 2014：Nano-sized electrostatic atomized water particles effectively break down PM2.5 components and inhibits growth of fungi attached to Yellow Sand. 

***3: Texcell is a global contract research organization that specializes in viral testings, viral clearance, immunoprofiling and R&D or GMP cell banking, for your R&D, GClP, GLP and GMP projects. With more than 30 years of experience and roots within the Pasteur Institute in Paris, Texcell has a long-recognized expertise in viral testing with a broad range of protocols for the detection of adventitious agents. Texcell is the first spin-off of the Pasteur institute of Paris created in 1997.

AJI-GINISA® marks 30 years of gisa goodness in the Philippines.

It’s been 30 years since AJI-GINISA® was first introduced in the Philippines. As the first flavor seasoning in the country that provides complete gisa deliciousness, AJI-GINISA® changed the way Filipinos cook sumptuous homemade meals for their families.

Three decades ago, AJI-GINISA® brought the gisa taste of garlic, onion, meat, and seasonings in an easy-to-use package. Today, as the well-loved flavor seasoning turns 30, the Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) Group proudly launches a new and improved version—now made ‘more meaty, more gisa' in an 8g pack retailing only P3.00 (SRP).

“We are grateful to be a kitchen staple in Filipino household for the past 30 years. It’s both humbling and a delight to know that AJI-GINISA® plays an important part of families’ bond over delicious food. With the improved Aji-Ginisa®, we wish that more families, especially the young ones, to eat nutritious meals, which should do wonders in these challenging times,” said Roann Co, Ajinomoto General Manager of Marketing and Public Relations.

Zia Dantes for AJI-GINISA®.

As part of the celebration, the APC Group is also excited to welcome the newest member of the Ajinomoto family: Zia Dantes, the adorable daughter of the brand’s long-time brand ambassador and superstar Marian Rivera-Dantes.

Zia is the perfect endorser for the new and improved AJI-GINISA®, as she embodies the brand’s mission of encouraging fellow kids to eat nutritious, yummy food, made possible through AJI-GINISA®. It’s fitting to have the mother-and-daughter tandem of Marian and Zia as they capture what AJI-GINISA® has been doing for years—making it easier for parents to have their kids eat more vegetables.

AJI-GINISA® - a kitchen staple for 30 years.

Launched in 1991, the AJI-GINISA® has always been the “secret ingredient” that makes any stir-fried vegetable meal taste appealing to kids and adults alike. With just a few sprinkles of AJI-GINISA®, ordinary veggies become extraordinary dishes. The reason behind this is the product’s powdered form that makes it easier to apply to any dish. While AJI-GINISA® is perfect for stir-fried dishes, it is also perfect for fried rice, fried egg, and fried fish among others. Its recent quality improvement will also give you improved overall deliciousness or ‘umami’, stronger gisa taste and enhanced meaty taste.

AJI-GINISA®’s 30th year in the country is reflective of the brand’s strong “Eat Well, Live Well” promise, helping Filipinos enjoy nutritious and delicious meals through the years. With the new and improved AJI-GINISA®, the brand also hopes to enjoin more families, especially kids, to live a healthier lifestyle.

Gisa goodness with AJI-GINISA®!

“What an amazing 30 years it has been for AJI-GINISA®. We are humbled to have been embraced by Filipino homes through the delicious meals that AJI-GINISA® helped cook. We look forward to being part of more memorable and happy moments for the family around the dinner table,” Co shared.

For more information about AJI-GINISA® (including gisa goodness recipes), head on to COOKMUNITY by Ajinomoto Philippines Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CookmunitybyAjinomotoPH/

Sterling Bank of Asia supports San Juan's BJMP Livelihood Program.

Sterling Bank of Asia (SBA) has selected San Juan City's Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) as one of this year's beneficiaries of their annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, the Kind Heart Gives Campaign.

Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) of San Juan City's BJMP showcased their craftsmanship in their parol-making project, which also serves as an opportunity for them to support themselves and their families financially.

In photo (L-R): Raquel Bumbay, VP-Marketing;
Arlene Siongco, VP-Compensation and Benefits,
Ethel Peralta, VP-Management Support Services;
JO2 Karl Julius C. Leano, BJMP representative;
 and Dan Guevara, VP-Center for Learning

The "parol," which is one of the most iconic symbols of Filipino Christmas, is a staple decoration in most houses. "The parol is a great expression of the Filipinos’ faith and hope," said Cecilio San Pedro, SBA's President and CEO. "We'd like to take this opportunity to extend our support to the PDL's of San Juan City as we move towards a brighter Christmas celebration in these challenging times," San Pedro added.

During the announcement of the activity, Sterling Bank of Asia employees also ordered their own parols to bring home and hang in their homes.

“It is inspiring to see how our fellow employees happily bought their own parols as a way of helping these persons deprived of liberty,” said Dulce Edillor, SBA’s Human Resources Group Head. "From a company-led initiative, our fellow employees voluntarily involved themselves in the project,” exclaimed Edillor.

To know more about Sterling Bank of Asia, visit www.sterlingbankasia.com.

Wishcovery Originals Grand Winner Peniel Roxas wins Lumina House and Lot!

Singer-songwriter Peniel Roxas has finally made her dreams come true! 

As the grand champion of Wishcovery Originals, she just won P1 million cash, a recording contract, a brand-new car, and a house and lot from Lumina Homes. Wishcovery Originals is a Wish 107.5-produced competition for talented Filipino singer-songwriters.

"I just want to thank my family, my friends, and everyone who found my music, listened to my music, or found something special in me because most of the time, I don't think I deserve it. Thank you, thank you so much for seeing me and seeing my music," Roxas said in her speech.

Peniel Roxas also wins a brand new Lumina House and Lot!

Roxas, along with her fellow finalists, showed off their singing and songwriting chops in front of 800 people at the LausGroup Event Center in Pampanga.

Strict health and safety protocols were implemented throughout the show. Prior to the grand finals, the contestants, staff guest performers, including Juan Karlos Labajo, Oh, Flamingo!, and Mayonnaise, and the audience members tested negative for COVID-19.

The live performances of the finalists composed 80% of their final score, while the remaining 20% came from the total number of views in their Wishclusive videos. The power-viewing period took place from October 25 to November 5.

The panel of judges was comprised of Mayonnaise's Monty Macalino, Jungee Marcelo, and Jay R, who kept in touch with the contestants through a virtual setup.

Since the lockdowns started, the Wishcovery Grand Finals marks the first time performers and a sizeable audience gathered for an in-person musical event in the country.

A peek into Peniel's Lumina house and lot

Roxas is set to move into her new home at the Aimee home. One of Lumina's best-selling rowhouses, Aimee features a 22-square-meter floor area on a 36-square-meter lot. It includes a living area, dining and kitchen, one bedroom provision, one toilet and bath, and a service area.

Roxas also has a chance to choose a location from any of Lumina Homes' available locations nationwide! Lumina has over 50 developments in key locations across the country: Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Cagayan, Isabela, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Capiz, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Agusan del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and South Cotabato.

For more information and announcements, follow @luminahomesofficial on Facebook or visit Lumina Homes’ official website at www.lumina.com.ph.

McDonald's brightens up the holidays with the launch of its Ube Pastillas and Brazo desserts.

As the holiday season draws near, more Filipinos are looking forward to celebrating by sharing the light and happiness to their loved ones despite being apart. Luckily, McDonald’s is here to bring back a taste of that signature Pinoy Christmas through the new festive and Filipino-inspired holiday desserts!

Taste the festive and Filipino-inspired holiday desserts from McDonald's!

Combining Filipinos’ sweet tooth and love for the holidays, McDonald’s is adding a Pinoy twist to their best-tasting desserts with some crowd-favorite Filipino desserts. For ube lovers, indulge in McDonald’s take on the sugary delicacy with the Ube Pastillas Sundae and Ube Pastillas Frappe, while you can enjoy the sweet, creamy, and delicate flavor of Brazo de Mercedes with McDonald’s various renditions of the classic cake: the Brazo Sundae, Brazo Frappe, or Brazo Iced Coffee! Those looking for the classic taste of sweetness and warmth can also grab a cup of McDonald’s Hot Chocolate, perfect for cozy Ber-month mornings.

New frappe flavors!

New sundae flavors!

It’s never too early to start the holiday season! Brighten up and sweeten the holiday celebrations with the new McDonald’s Ube Pastillas and Brazo desserts—available for a limited time only.

Taste the festive twist to McDonald’s desserts by ordering via Dine-In, Take Out, Ride-Thru or via delivery through McDelivery, Grab or foodpanda! Follow McDonald’s Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and Viber to stay up to date on all McDonald’s announcements.

Live Safe with Defensil Isopropyl Alcohol.

Defensil Isopropyl Alcohol encourages Filipinos to live safe with many establishments slowly re-opening and allowing people to resume their pre-pandemic lifestyles. But we have to keep in mind that establishments are re-opening for the economy and the livelihood of many, not because it's safe or the country is already COVID-free. 

We are still in the midst of the pandemic, but with the nationwide vaccination program in full force, Filipinos can slowly enjoy various activities. These include more dining options, leisure activities such as going to parks and playgrounds, and even physical activities such as going to the gym. In Metro Manila, kids are now allowed entry to malls, restaurants, and other indoor establishments. However, health experts continue to remind everyone to not let their guards down even as we gradually go back to normal.

My son got his first dose of the COVID vaccine, too!

As there are reports of new and potentially more contagious variants, everyone must remain vigilant through following established health protocols and getting vaccinated so we can all continue to live safe and prevent the cases from surging again. Thankfully, everyone in our family is now vaccinated - Yue finally got his first dose of the COVID vaccine last Friday and he couldn't be happier! He says it's an early birthday gift for him (he's turning thirteen in a few days!).

Also, when we do essential errands such as buying groceries, exercising outdoors, or simply going outside, we disinfect our hands and any surface we interact with, and make sure we always, always follow health and safety protocols.

Can't leave home without a bottle of Defensil!

One way to prevent the spread of the virus is by always carrying a trusted rubbing alcohol brand that contains at least 70% alcohol solution whenever we go outdoors.

Defensil 70% Solution Isopropyl Alcohol, the alcohol recommended by the Philippine Society for Microbiology (PSM), can kill 99.9% of common germs and bacteria*, and eliminate them on contact so that we can safely do the activities we love wherever we are. Defensil also provides up to 12 hours of protection upon constant use so that we are protected and can do activities with ease.

Skin dryness from too frequent sanitizing will also not be a worry as Defensil has moisturizing properties and is hypoallergenic, giving us one less thing to worry about when going indoors.

There's always a bottle of Defensil (or two) in Yue's study area.

 "We are 100% behind the government in their efforts to prevent further spread of the virus. Defensil encourages everyone to remain vigilant now more than ever and do our part in this fight towards eventually resuming our normal way of life by adhering to social Distancing and sanitation protocols, especially when doing essential errands outdoors," shared Nikko Cruz, Brand Manager of Defensil Isopropyl Alcohol.

For more information on how to stay protected, you may visit the Defensil Isopropyl Alcohol’s Facebook page at facebook.com/defensil.philippines. 

*Defensil 70% Isopropyl Alcohol was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli or E. coli and Candida albicans

PH’s 1st Stevia grower-manufacturer launches No Sugar iced tea mixes.

GIDC, The Stevia Company, and maker of Glorious products, is bringing no sugar iced tea mixes in major supermarkets and groceries! Consumers who cuts on sugar in their diet can now enjoy low calorie, no sugar iced tea mixes that are sweetened by natural alternatives.

Glorious Blend Lemon Iced Tea, Red Tea and Cucumber Lemonade that are sweetened iced tea mixes without sugar are especially produced for people who are cutting and avoiding food and drinks with too much sugar.

Glorious Blend iced tea mixes are naturally sweetened with stevia. The mixes are made from premium ingredients that include mixed berries, real black tea leaves, lemon, and real cucumber. It is low in calorie and loaded with vitamin C.

No sugar added!

“Stevia has been regarded as a safe and healthy sugar substitute. It can sweeten foods, and it has several health benefits, including decreased calorie intake, lower blood sugar levels, and less risk of cavities,” said Maura De Leon, the woman behind GIDC, the country’s first FDA registered stevia grower and manufacturer.

Before, stevia was restricted to the health food market without any FDA approval. However, it is now widely used as a natural substitute for artificial sweeteners in many products.

While it has zero calories, stevia is 200 times sweeter than refined sugar and does not affect blood sugar. It is a popular option for people looking to lose weight but who want to reduce their sugar intake.

Stevia is an herb that has been grown in tropical climates for centuries. It is a small bushy plant that belongs to the sunflower family and grows in Paraguay and Brazil, but it can be quickly grown elsewhere. For centuries, the people of Paraguay add them to their foods as sweeteners, and countries like Korea, Brazil, China, Japan, and South America, have long used stevia. 

Stevia is now being widely used as a natural sweetener in various food preparations.

Guilt-free iced tea!

People who have diabetes can benefit from stevia. Choosing pure stevia extract can help maintain normal blood sugar levels and should be used in moderation. Stevia can also help cut down added sugar consumption, which can be beneficial for children. High sugar intake in children could lead to heart disease due to reconstructing triglyceride and cholesterol levels, contributing to children's weight gain. Substituting added sugar for stevia can minimize these risks. At the same time, moderate consumption of foods with stevia and other sweeteners can prevent adverse side effects and promote overall health.

Stevia products such as iced tea mixes, healthy coffees and chocolate beverages manufactured by Glorious, are approved safe by the Food and Drug Association (FDA) for pregnant women or people who have diabetes.

Incidentally, all Glorious Blend beverages -- from the 3in1 coffee, 4in1 Malunggay mix, 5in1 Brown Rice Coffee, 7-in-1 Mangosteen-Malunggay Coffee, 7in1Native Cacao Choco and Maxitrim with L-Carnitine, use Stevia which has no calories, no carbohydrates, and zero glycemic index. All of their instant drinks will keep you alert and energized throughout the day. For more information about Glorious products, log on to https://gidc.com.ph/.

A Compassionate Guide to Caring for an Elderly Relative.

With the increased life expectancy, more and more people in the United States will start caring for their elderly relatives. This can be a stressful and overwhelming task for anyone.

Since it is such a difficult task, you may want to interview a home health care service to guide you through this process. It is important to make sure that your loved one is in good hands and they are getting the best care possible.

The caring of an elderly relative can be daunting but it doesn't have to be if you take into account these steps:

Make Sure They Understand What's Expected of Them

One of the most important things you must do as a family caregiver is to make sure your elderly relatives understand what is expected of them. This includes making sure that they take their medications as prescribed, that they're aware of upcoming medical appointments, and that they’re honest and open about their health.

Photo credit: Forbes Health.

Make Sure They Feel Like They're Supported

Many elderly are faced with challenges as they age that they have not faced before. These transitions can be scary and confusing for most. It’s important that as a caregiver you help ease their burden by supporting them through these different stages.

Offering assistance with medical care or general daily duties can make a big difference in their daily lives. It is also important for them to understand that you are available to talk about their challenges or provide additional resources that can help them when you are unsure of what to do.

Keep Them Safe and Secure

It is important for the elderly to keep their environment safe and secure, especially if they are homebound. There are different ways that people can do this. Some examples include installing an alarm system, getting an elder care aide, alerting the neighbors, and having a panic button nearby. Some families may look at putting their loved one into a nursing home so they get around the clock care. Whilst this can be highly beneficial and there are many care homes out there that are fantastic, there are still some that are not great, which can result in a terrible time for the elderly. If you have put your relative into a nursing home and they are raising issues with their care, listen to them. They could be being abused, whether that is emotionally or physically, so you may want to speak to Houston's leading nursing home abuse attorneys, or an attorney in your state, so that you can go over your next steps at tackling this. The elderly are in a vulnerable state, so you must do everything you can to keep them safe.

Stay Calm During Disagreements

Staying calm during a disagreement is a key skill that can keep a family together and avoid unnecessary drama. This is especially important if you're dealing with an older relative who might struggle with communication and social cues due to dementia or other health issues.

Being open, honest, but fair during disagreements while also allowing the other party to voice their opinion and thoughts will lead to better outcomes than refusing to hear the other’s point of view.

Photo credit: SHVETS on Pexels.

Give Them Company

Elderly people often get lonely and need company due to physical and mental health issues. However, finding the time to spend 24/7 with them can be difficult. This is where other family members can come into play or different services such as respite or adult day cares.

Providing your elderly relatives with different options such as staying at home but having an aide visit them daily for a few hours or allowing them to experience an adult day care center a few times a week can meet their socialization needs.

Ensure Their Needs are Being Met

It can be difficult to understand what our elderly relatives' needs are and how you can meet them. Focus on the basics of hygiene, food, and shelter. Ensuring that their home is up to par, they have adequate food and water or a service that provides this to them such as Meals on Wheels, and are sustaining appropriate hygiene is key.

If they require assistance in these fields but you are unable to meet them due to your own family or work duties then obtaining the appropriate resources are necessary. This might include asking other family members to pitch in or may even involve finding a high quality home health care service provider who can give your loved one the level of attention and care they require.

Shin Min Ah and Kim Young Ok in Hometown Cha Cha Cha (2021).

Utilizes Resources as Needed

Resources that your family members need can include home health aids for simple activity of daily living assistance such as bathing and meal prep. They may also require the need for someone to sit with them while you are away to ensure their safety. These types of services can be found through respite care.

If your family member is at the end of their life and requires support and care through the transition then hospice services may be appropriate. Hospice of Northern VA suggests speaking with your family member’s doctor to determine appropriateness and if deemed appropriate, a hospice consult can be placed to move forward.

Caring for an Elderly Relative

Most of the elderly would be unable to live on their own. It is important that we make sure that they are properly cared for with supports and specialized caretakers. If you are involved with the care of an elderly relative following these tips should help guide their care in the right direction.

Surviving the Pandemic with Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings.

The uncertainties that came with the global health pandemic led to financial stress that altered the lifestyle of many Filipinos. For close to two years since the global COVID-19 pandemic started, many lost their jobs and had to make do with what little savings they have stashed away.

A study titled, “State of Banking and Financial Wellness” commissioned by US-based research firm Forrester, indicated that more than half of Filipinos identified building their savings as one of their top concerns when it comes to personal finance.

The desire to have money safely stashed when rainy days come, is one that is shared by every Filipino—regardless of stature in life or the money they earn. When COVID-19 hit, majority of Filipinos were left without a stable means of livelihood as the strict lockdown badly affected the economy, leading to a significant number of business closures and an uncertain future for those engaged in the gig economy.

Photo credit: Olya Kobruseva on Pexels.

Stemming from its desire to push for financial inclusion for every Filipino, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank partnered with Cebuana Lhuillier, one of the country’s leading micro financial service providers, to introduce Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings in 2019. Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings provided Filipinos with an accessible and convenient means to save their hard-earned money by addressing the common barriers in saving, including lack of accessibility, the need for numerous documentary requirements, and the high cost of a starting and maintaining a balance.

“Our main priority is to be a one-stop shop for the micro financial needs of our kababayans. With our commitment of financial inclusion and mobility for everyone, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings account is one of the great products we have created to empower many of our kababayans to save, regardless of their status in life,” Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier said.

The promise of having money saved in times of need was what inspired Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings account holders Pillilia Pardo and Maria Luisa Luna to open a savings account and work hard to build a comfortable fund that they can rely on when needed.

Pillilia, a 79-year-old sari-sari store owner in Las Pinas, makes sure to deposit a fraction of her daily earnings into her micro savings account. With her store located right beside the Cebuana Lhuillier Casimiro branch, she has become a daily fixture for the branch personnel who assists her on her everyday transactions.

Pililia Pardo, a 79-year old sari-sari store owner from Las Pinas
and a loyal micro savings account holder, dreams of imparting
the value of savings to her children.

“Napakahalaga ng savings, kasi pag dumating ang pagkakataon na ikaw ay magigipit, kailangan mo ng pera. Kung mayroon kang ipon, anytime puwede ka makapag-withdraw,” shares the septuagenarian. When the pandemic hit, Pillilia used her micro savings account to augment her day-to-day expenses, which included medicines, food, utilities, and rent. When the lockdowns affected her store’s earnings, she was comforted by the fact that she did not have to resort to borrowing money in order to get by. “Hindi ka magsisisi kung nakapag-ipon ka…anytime nangailangan, nandiyan ang ipon ko. Mayroon akong magagamit,” she adds.

For Maria Luisa, it was her savings that literally saved her family in the midst of the strict Manila lockdowns. She earns her keep by collecting recyclables which she then sells in a junkyard. For over two years, even before the lockdown began, she would make sure that a portion of her earnings goes to her Cebuana Lhuillier micro savings account, which she intends to use during emergencies.

Maria Luisa Luna, a 64-year old garbage collector from Manila,
relied on her micro savings account when the pandemic badly hit her family.

“Hindi na kami makapangalakal nung naghigpit sa lockdown. Yung kinakain namin, halos galing na lang sa ayuda ng gobyerno pero hindi naman sapat yun. Nagkasakit pa ang anak ko. Hindi ko naman matiis na hindi maipagamot. Doon ko na naisip na gamitin yung ipon ko sa Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings. Tuwing may kailangan sa bahay, gaya nang pangkain at pang-renta, withdraw ako. Tapos pagpapagamot sa anak, withdraw ulit,” Maria Luisa shares. She admits that the protracted quarantine period had drained her savings, but now that everything is slowly going back to normal, she has also resumed building her emergency nest egg, visiting the Cebuana Lhuillier branch nearest her after a day of collecting recyclables and items to sell.

Since its launch, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings has enabled more than 5.5M account holders to have a semblance of peace of mind in times of great need and emergencies. As a cash agent, Cebuana Lhuillier provided account holders with a reliable and highly accessible venue to deposit and withdraw their money in any of its 2,500 branches nationwide, anytime and anywhere.

In 2020, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings was made even more accessible and convenient with the introduction of its new digital features.

“We’ve always believed that Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings should be able to evolve according to the changing needs of its users. By going digital, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings is providing greater IPON POWER to its account holders, by providing them convenience and mobility in maximizing the use of their savings through digital channels,” Cebuana Lhuillier bank President, Dennis Valdes added.

May IPON POWER ka na with Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings!

Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings boasts of greater IPON POWER through the following features: withdraw cash in over 21,000+ BancNet ATMs nationwide anytime and anywhere; purchase online thru UnionPay merchants worldwide; 24/7 unlimited banking access with eCebuana app; and do cashless payments in over 350,000 UnionPay and BancNet accredited stores nationwide.

With more and more Filipinos slowly realizing the value of saving, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings is gearing towards further improving its features to better provide its account holders with a dependable ally they can continuously rely on.

Sigurista Parent Essentials You Need To Add To Cart ASAP.

Being a new parent is such an exciting time. Whether it’s your first baby, or your second or third, every newborn makes any parent feel like they are entering a new chapter in their lives. But with the excitement of this chapter comes worries and fears about making sure you are giving your baby everything he or she needs. Sigurista Parents like you can’t help but want only the best for your baby!

To help you get started, here are some of the items you need to invest in and stock up on as soon as possible. It will help make your baby’s first few months some of the best months of his or her life!

Drink up

One of the first decisions every parent has to make is how they will feed their baby. There is extensive research on the benefits of breastfeeding, so if you are going this route, it’s best you stock up on breast pumps, nursing pads, and nipple cream. If you’re going the bottle-feeding path, stock up on quality bottles and bottle brushes. There are also a bunch of sterilizers that you can look into to make the cleaning process easier for you!

Photo credit: Pexels.

Bath time is fun time

For first time parents, giving their tiny babies a bath can be daunting. To ease your fears, make sure you get shampoo and soap that are gentle on baby’s skin, as well as soft towels to dry them off with. Invest in a bath seat or infant tub to lessen chances of accidents in the bathroom.

Photo credit: Getty Images.

Sweet dreams all night

Sleep training is becoming more popular among this generation of new parents. Not only will your baby have better sleep quality, so will you! Check out crib sheets and mattresses first, then extend your research to swaddles and hush machines. Soon you and your baby will wake up energized every morning!

Photo credit: Natalie on Pexels.

Rash protection like no other

A baby’s diaper is one of the most important items in a parent’s must-have list. A Sigurista Parent knows that a good diaper will help keep baby more comfortable and prevent unwanted rashes. That’s why it’s important for Sigurista Parents like you to invest in the best.

Pampers Baby Dry for Newborn has a 2-in-1 Rash Shield that helps prevent diaper rash that comes long periods of kulob and babad. Pampers Baby Dry for Newborn the best diaper choice if you’re looking for superior protection from rashes for your newborn’s skin.

As a new mom, Sigurista Parent Camille Co shares how her adorable little girl is growing up so quickly and how choosing Pampers Baby Dry for Newborn has helped her savor every moment with her baby. “Sienna bug is growing up too fast! 😭 She’s already learning how to sit! Soon, she’ll be crawling. Someone press pause please. Before we know it, we won’t be playing like this anymore and I’ll probably be chasing her all over the house. Imagine having to chase her countless times for diaper changes too? 😂 Good thing with @pampersph Baby Dry For Newborn’s 2-in-1 Rash Shield, we can do less diaper changes and not worry about rashes brought about by kulob and wetness.”

Photo credit: Camille Co-Koro.

Mommy Fidelis on the other hand puts her baby’s comfort as top priority and Pampers Baby Dry for Newborn helps her provide this. She shares, “Playtime and bedtime is very important to growing babies like Francine. And ayokong naabala yun just because I need to change her diaper frequently. Kaya naman simula umpisa pa lang, Pampers Baby Dry na ang gamit nya that protects her all day from kulob and wetness. And most importantly, it has a #SiguristaShield kaya iwas rashes! Comfy night and day!”

Photo credit: Fabsistersnmom

You got this Sigurista Parent!

At the end of the day, you are the best person to judge what’s best for your baby. Don’t panic too much. Trust your parental instincts. Let your love and care for your baby guide your way. Start with the essentials and trust only the best reviewed products with proven benefits.

When you’ve invested in only quality products like Pampers Baby Dry for Newborn, you can rest assured that your baby is well taken care of. Camille reiterates, “#ChoosePampers and trust in its #SiguristaShield for more bonding moments and less stress.”

Add this Sigurista Parent essential to your cart today. Pampers Baby Dry for Newborn is available in the P&G Official online shops on Lazada and Shopee.