Parents’ flu-proof guide to sending their kids back to face-to-face classes.

The resumption of face-to-face classes coinciding with flu season heightens the need for parents to stay on track of their children’s health and wellbeing. Increased exposure means that there must also be increased vigilance in the observance of public health and safety protocols.

"Parents are naturally on guard now that their kids are getting more face time. We’re dealing with dangerous illnesses such as COVID-19, Dengue, and Monkeypox, which happen to have flu-like symptoms," says Dr. Gyneth Lourdes Bibera, country medical director of GSK Philippines. “It’s important to remember that despite their similarities, these are all separate illnesses, caused by different viruses and having different treatments. This is why it is important to strengthen our immunity through proper nutrition, regular exercise, and eliminating the chances of catching communicable diseases by updating your vaccinations."

To prevent contracting the flu or any of the transmissible diseases, here are 3 important health guidelines to remember:

Be Flutected. GSK hosted a press briefing on flu-awareness 

to help parents keep children protected for face-to-face classes. 

The discussion was led by GSK Philippines' Country Medical Director, 

Dr. Gyneth Lourdes Bibera, and actress and lifestyle influencer, Dimples Romana.

1. Keep your child’s vaccines up to date.

Experts advise that vaccination is the best way to stay protected from the flu. Getting an annual flu shot will reduce the risk of illness, severity, and hospitalization among children while lowering their chances of developing any complications. Flu vaccinations can be administered to children starting at six months old. Depending on the child's age and the doctor's recommendation, immunizations may be given in one or two doses.

Annual vaccinations are also necessary because the flu virus constantly mutates. This means that new strains may be formed from year to year, necessitating new vaccines. When getting the flu vaccine around the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine, follow the national guidelines prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH), which is to take the flu vaccine 14 days before or after the COVID-19 vaccine.

2. Isolate at the onset of symptoms.

If your children start showing or complaining about any signs of flu or illness, they should stay home to avoid potentially infecting others or having their symptoms worsen. At the same time, check with their schools as to what the standard protocol is when a student is ill so that they don’t miss out on important activities for any of their classes.

3. Start healthy habits at home.

Following the right health and safety measures should always start at home, and parents must ensure that children learn these early on. Practicing good hygiene plays a huge role in the prevention of diseases like the flu. Instill in your children the practices of covering their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, washing their hands with soap and water, not touching their eyes, noses, and mouths, wearing masks, keeping a safe distance from other students or teachers, and disinfecting their personal spaces.

Besides this, other good habits they may also follow include getting enough sleep, being physically active, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating nutritious food. By setting these practices as the standard at home, children will be more likely to follow them when they go out for school or other activities.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic coinciding with flu season might raise alarm bells for parents who are now sending their kids to school but making sure to follow the proper ways to prevent sickness will go a long way in staying healthy.

"The health protocols we've been following the past two years must be standard practice by now," reminds Dr. Bibera. "Beyond that, we've seen the positive effects of vaccinations on disease severity. We implore all parents to get the annual flu vaccine for themselves and their kids, as this is still the best way to protect against the flu," she ends.

Grocery shopping done right with pandamart!

Whether it’s for a short list of items or a monthly supply of essentials, our regular grocery store visits have its fair share of struggles: waiting in long lines, the struggle of looking for a parking spot, getting lost going around the aisles, or the moment you forget to pick up something.

If you want to avoid these usual hassles, choose to shop smart with pandamart! It’s the perfect partner for all your grocery shopping needs especially now that the hustle and bustle of BER months is finally here. foodpanda’s pandamart is not just your regular grocery delivery service, it’s so much more! And we’ll give you reasons why pandamart is the best to rely on for grocery shopping:

Widest selection of the freshest groceries

Offering all of your food and essential needs, pandamart has got over 5,000+ items such as groceries, fresh produce, household items, beauty products, and more from your trusted brands.

From snacks, beverages, and fresh fruits & vegetables, to home care items, access all the freshness and assortment of everything you want and need to stock up your grocery shelves.

Fast delivery for those in a hurry

Whether you’re a busy parent or an always on-the-go professional, time is of essence. For those of you looking for a fast and easy way to get your much-needed essentials, pandamart allows you to get a hold of your grocery items in as fast as 30 minutes – safely delivered at your doorstep by their Ka-panda delivery partners.

Sulit deals and vouchers

Who doesn’t want discounts? As a smart shopper, all of us like to take advantage of these special offers! With pandamart, sulit deals and vouchers are available daily. And sometimes if you get lucky, they also offer free delivery.

Easy to stay within budget

Budgeting on a monthly basis can really have us scratching our heads, especially with the rising cost of goods these days. Shopping at an online grocery platform like pandamart lets you easily track your total bill as you add them to cart so you can check if you’re already over the budget.

Elevating your grocery shopping experience

Online grocery shopping has truly reached a whole new level of convenience. It’s a great way to get the goodies you need delivered straight to your home. Not only can you use your valuable time elsewhere, but you can also save on gas, effort and a whole lot more.

According to foodpanda Philippines Director for New Verticals Karan Bhaskar, they are excited to improve even more and further expand to cater to more customers. “Our number one goal is to always give the best because our customers deserve simply the best. We want to make sure that you get a top-notch and seamless grocery shopping experience – from the moment you shop in our app, to the pickers who will get the items you selected, up to the delivery itself,” Bhaskar says, noting that pandamart will soon be implementing a small platform fee that goes to these enhancements.

“This should help provide our Filipino consumers with a truly world-class online delivery experience, as it goes towards ensuring all products are stored hygienically, picked efficiently and delivered in record time” he says.

Enjoying speedy delivery with top-quality grocery items has never been this fun and simple. What are you waiting for? Switch to pandamart and experience #GroceriesDoneRight with just a few taps on the foodpanda app!

Returning to the office? Never get ‘hangry’ by having these snacks and drinks on hand.

It always pays to be prepared when hunger pangs hit you at work! When working from home, you can quickly get snacks from the kitchen or from the nearest sari-sari store, or order them via food delivery apps — but not so much when you’re back in the office.

It’s best to stuff your bag — or locker — with ready-to-eat snacks and ready-to-drink beverages so you always have something delicious on hand. No one wants to be that “hangry” (hungry and angry) one whose energy and productivity get affected because there’s no food or drink to perk them up.

Here are some snacks and drinks you can cop from the supermarket so you’ll never go “hangry” at work: 

Jack 'n Jill Presto Creams

Feel like you’re losing your focus at work because you’re hangry? If lunch can’t come any quicker, you can grab Presto Creams from your bag. Not only is this treat filling, but it can also help give you the mental focus you need at work because it’s rich in B Vitamins! This delicious cookie sandwich has a yummy peanut butter filling so you’ll surely enjoy every bite.

Chicharron ni Mang Juan Espesyal Suka’t Sili

For your mid-afternoon slump, Chicharron ni Mang Juan Espesyal Suka’t Sili is the way to go! This crunchy, tasty snack captures asim-anghang sarap in every bite and will surely push you to keep going! It's also good for sharing, too, so might as well get the party pack!

Jack ‘n Jill Cloud 9

During particular busy hours, one snack that can help you pull through is Jack ‘n Jill Cloud 9. This can be your go-to snack during those hangry moments or those times when you simply want to treat yourself for a job well done at the office. Your workdays are bound to get sweeter with this delicious treat!

Great Taste Choco

Calling all coffee lovers! You’ll want Great Taste Choco as part of your workday caffeine selection. It’s an indulgent choco-flavored coffee that can help give you that boost of happy energy as you work. It’s affordable, easy to prepare, and totally satisfying with its delicious, rich chocolate coffee taste.

C2 Milk Tea

No doubt milk tea is one of those drinks you’ll crave when you need a pick-me-up. Happy feels? C2 Milk Tea is all you need! Enjoy it in your favorite flavors: Wintermelon, Chocolate, and Caramel. Each one is brewed from natural green tea leaves and real milk so you know it’s legit!

Universal Robina Corporation (URC) has been delighting Filipinos with its wide range of delicious and high-quality snacks and drinks. Remember to stock up on your URC faves so you won’t get “hangry” during long days at work!

Shop for URC products in grocery stores and supermarkets nationwide, as well as online via URC’s stores at Lazada, Shopee, and Zalora. Get your stash of these yummy treats so you always have something delicious on hand

Ajinomoto partners with Mega Prime to promote healthy eating habits.

True to the “Eat Well, Live Well” promise, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) aims to propel meaningful initiatives that will improve the health and wellbeing of Filipino families. In line with this, APC teams up with Mega Prime to encourage vegetable intake through easy to prepare yummy recipes which will help in strengthening immunity.

AJI-GINISA® Flavor Seasoning Mix and Mega Prime formed win-win alliance to aid homemakers in making nutritious and delicious meals for the family as well as offering value to consumers with bundling promotions amidst rising prices of commodities.

Eggs are always an easy go-to dish, being easily accessible and quick to cook. Instead of usual scrambled egg, why not level up and cook Button Mushrooms Omelet with AJI-GINISA® and Mega Prime Pieces and Stems Mushrooms? Egg is good source of protein, but by adding mushrooms, you also add dietary fiber into your meals. Full recipe here.

 “With day-to -day busy schedule of homemakers and budget limitation, we understand that nutrition usually takes a step back when preparing meals. Through the partnership with Mega Prime, we aim to help homemakers in preparing affordable, nutritious and delicious meals for the family.” shares Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation Marketing Department Head Daryl Magno.

Veggie Fried Rice

Starting, or getting through a long day requires having a meal that’s rich in energy sources. For those days, what better way to fill up your stomach than by preparing some fried rice. Veggie Fried Rice is an all-in-one meal, with rice and corn as main sources of carbohydrates to produce energy, alongside egg which is rich in protein and repairs the body's cells and creates new ones. Stir-fry your favorite Mega Prime green peas with leftover rice and season with a pack of AJI-GINISA® Flavor Seasoning Mix to add more flavor. Green peas are good source of Vitamins A, K and C and rich in antioxidants. Check the recipe here.

Visit Ajinomoto’s LazMall and Shopee Mall pages and get 1 free can of Mega Prime Green Peas (155g) for every purchase of 2 polybags Aji-Ginisa® 8g until October 30, 2022. Homemakers may also shop in select local grocery stores to avail for one free pack of Aji-Ginisa® 8g for every purchase of Mega Prime canned mushroom 425g.

“Nutrition need not be expensive and difficult. Nutritious food does not have to come at the expense of convenience and ease,” says Magno. “We at Ajinomoto, aim to provide solution and equip homemakers on preparing affordable, delicious and well-balanced meals so that every Filipino family can eat well and live well.”

For more delicious and healthy recipes, visit Ajinomoto’s Cookmunity website: https://www.cookmunitybyajinomoto.com/

Cetaphil partners with Watsons for the National Healthy Skin Mission.

To celebrate 75 years of being the leaders in the sensitive skin space, Cetaphil has partnered with Watsons for this year’s National Healthy Skin Mission.

A brand whose success is built on creating dermatologist-recommended skincare products for every skin story, this year’s National Healthy Skin Mission is an experimental booth located at SM Makati that will serve as a one-stop shop for all skincare needs and will allow customers to learn from trusted dermatologist experts.

The entire roster of Cetaphil products will be sold at the booth. The master brand Cetaphil is comprised of the iconic Gentle Skin Cleanser, the Gentle Moisturising Lotion, and the Gentle Moisturising Cream. All three products have recently been reformulated with glycerin (to help prevent dryness), niacinamide (to strengthen the skin barrier), and panthenol (to soothe and restore dry skin).

The Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance line is also present at the booth that focuses on brightening skin the healthy way, with products that are effective yet gentle on the skin. With the Bright Healthy Radiance products, you can be sure to target issues like hyperpigmentation, melanogenesis, even skin tone, and dark spot reduction.

Finally, for baby’s skin, the brand offers the Cetaphil Baby range. It features gentle and tear-free formulations, making bath time with your newborn an enjoyable process. Mommies can also avail of the Cetaphil Baby calendula line, allowing their baby’s to have a healthy start in life. While for those with Atopic Dermatitis, the Cetaphil Pro products are also found at Cetaphil’s National Healthy Skin Mission booth.

Buy any of these products for your sensitive skins (or your baby’s!) and get a chance to spin the wheel to take home more free Cetaphil products. In addition, consumers get a limited Cetaphil tote bag if they buy products worth PHP 1500. You can also bring any empty skincare products, and get free Cetaphil products. Lastly, the brand also offers free Dermatologist consultations.

Cetaphil and Watsons have a lot more in store for you throughout the National Healthy Skin Mission event. On September 5, Mariel Padilla will help moms, especially first-time moms to navigate the world of parenting, while on September 14, Michelle Dy will host a masterclass on how to achieve healthy radiant skin.

Learn more about this year’s National Healthy Skin Mission by tuning in to Cetaphil and Watsons' Facebook page.

Solving family problems in the most excellent way.

The Covid-19 pandemic did not spare anyone, in the Philippines or anywhere else in the world. Businesses big or small, tourist destinations, even the small sari-sari store, did not escape the wrath of the deadly virus.

Moreso families like the Ekselente family.

The Ekselente family is your typical Filipino brood that struggled mightily during the pandemic. They own a resort, which is both their family home and prime source of income. Since they have no visitors because of the lockdowns and community quarantines, the family business is losing money for lack of income. Worse, the family is considering selling it to be able to survive.

Theirs was an archetypal dilemma that would test their values, and how they would be able to keep the family together in such stressful times was told through the eyes of the family’s helper or “Kasambahay,” Ofelia, who remained loyal and true to the Ekselente family. She shared in their difficulties and heartaches, and even went out of her way to help the family that had been good to her by staying with them, to help them keep themselves together as they go through life’s challenges.

Their story showcased several facets of family life: the emotional struggles of the father, the resolve of the mother whose stabilizing force is tested constantly, and the situation that their son and daughter are in as they suddenly faced an unexpected turn from the life that they were used to before the pandemic, when everything was still sweet and rosy.

The story of the Ekselente family was convincingly brought to life through a six-part series that featured real-life scenarios, coupled with pleasant and rejuvenating—sometimes heart-wrenching—music, as the family went through their daily struggles, a life suddenly turned upside down. The father, Jojo Ekselente, is a former Overseas Filipino Worker who bought the resort to show that he is capable of giving his wife, who comes from a well-off family, and his children, whom he barely knew him since he was always overseas working, a comfortable life. He returned to the country because of the pandemic but struggled to find a decent job.

Soledad “Sol” Ekselente, the resolute rich kid, struggled in keeping the resort and her family intact, even if she has almost zero experience running a business, let alone a household because she was a unica hija. She is trying to learn to handle things, no doubt, but the hardships kept piling up, like whether to sell the resort or not, and keeping away from her snobbish mother.

David Ekselente, the “chill” guy, is the exact opposite of his sister. The family’s “gamer” seems to lack that competitive fire his sister has, and would rather settle with what he has at the moment than chase the bigger things in life and not be too preoccupied with the family’s problems since he has problems of his own.

Cheska Ekselente, the last member of the Ekselente off-springs, is very much like his father—competitive and go-getter—an ambitious Dean’s Lister in college and an aspiring social media influencer. She is driven by her desire to be fully independent and will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, yet longs for attention from her father whom she feels she doesn’t know much since he was always out of the country working, until now that he became jobless but may soon return for work and may leave again.

Finally, the matriarch, Lola Beatrice (Sol’s mother) is the picture-perfect rendition of an alta sosyedad mother– nosy, sneering, condescending—but can be deemed overprotective since Sol is an only daughter. She makes known her disdain for his son-in-law, rubbing in his incompetence by being a lola who spoils her grandchildren, always giving them what they want just to despise their father.

The six-episode Casa Ekselente story was part of an impressive digital marketing promotion initiative for 2022 presented by Taiwan Excellence, and ably utilized the power of cohesive content to broaden engagement and reach. The story of the Ekselente family is part of a strategy that used organic and creative content in order to generate organic reach and strengthen product and consumer connection for six Taiwan Excellence Award-winning brands such as Juliart, Asus, Acer and FECA during the regular scenes.

For the scenes that involved music, on the other hand, the brands that were seen were Aromase, Annie’s Way, Gigabyte, Johnson Fitness, Tatung and Transcend.

And the results for Casa Ekselente were totally impressive and significant, where the six episodes garnered over 900,000 views on Facebook and Instagram. It was, indeed, a successful move by Taiwan Excellence that employed excellent strategies in order to achieve excellence and achievement in digital marketing.

Treat yourself to your fave OPPO gadgets at the Shopee Super Brand Day on September 2-3!

Greet the start of the BER months with amazing discounts and freebies when you add OPPO gadgets to your cart at the Shopee Super Brand Day this September 2 and 3.

Be one of the first to avail the all-new OPPO Reno8 Series with exclusive deals. Add the latest Portrait Expert to cart and get up to Php1000 off, a free pair OPPO Enco Buds, and free shipping vouchers. If that’s not enough to entice you, you’ll also be scoring a raffle entry to be one of five winners of the soon-to-be released OPPO Pad Air.

If you have your eyes set on another OPPO gadget, you’ll still be taking home loads of freebies during the two-day sale period. Take home a free 32GB Memory Card when you shop the A16 3GB, free Bluetooth speakers with every purchase of the A55, or a free Neon Island Deskpad when buying the Reno6 Z 5G.

Plan on shopping for your Christmas gifts this early? Treating yourself and others is made more enjoyable during the Shopee Super Brand Day Sale, as you can get Php400 vouchers for a minimum spend of PHP 14,999, and Php200 vouchers for a minimum spend of Php9,999.

They say two is better than one, and that is most definitely true with OPPO’s exclusive Bundle Deals available only this September 2 and 3. Originally Php 26,698, you can score Reno5 5G + Enco Buds for only Php 18,999. Other steals you wouldn’t want to miss out on are Reno5 + Enco Buds for only Php 15,999, down from Php 21,698; A94 + Enco Buds for only Php 11,999, discounted from Php 16,698; or A55 + Enco Buds for only Php 9,499, down from Php12,698. Lastly, if you’re eyeing to revamp smart gadgets, you can get the OPPO Band + Enco Buds bundle for only Php 1,999, originally priced at Php5,398.

Shop now and pay later, worry-free! Purchase the Reno8 Z 5G, A16 4GB, or A55 with 0% interest for up to 6 months, thanks to SPayLater.

Looking to score even more freebies? Tune into the livestream on both days from 10:00- 11:30am via the OPPO Official Store on Shopee and get a chance to win exclusive perks, including Php100 discount vouchers, valid for minimum spends of Php 4,999, and prizes like mobile phone holders and electronic toothbrushes.

Score the most exciting deals during OPPO’s Super Brand Day on Shopee! For more updates and detailed promotion mechanics about the sale, visit OPPO’s official website at www.oppo.com/ph or the official Facebook page.