Football training bubble
LIMA Estate has become a safe haven for the Philippine Football Federation and its member clubs.
LIMA Estate is a 794-hectare industrial-anchored township located in Lipa-Malvar Batangas.
The Aboitiz Pitch is one of the largest artificial turfs in Luzon and can be utilized to play multiple sports including football. The sporting facility is integrated into The Outlets at Lipa, a lifestyle mall with 167 shops and restaurants, just a short walk from LIMA Park Hotel, a 138-room 4-star hotel.
A number of Philippine Football Federation member clubs have been training at LIMA, as well as the U23 Men’s National Football team in preparation for the Asian Football Confederation Under-23 Cup 2022 Qualifiers in Singapore on October 25 – 31.
To further secure the teams’ health, the training areas and hotel are closed to spectators, guests, media, and non-essential individuals.
QC Food Security Program recognized
The Quezon City government’s innovative food security and self-sustainability strategy through urban farming was among the 10 programs recognized during the 2021 Galing Pook Awards on Wednesday.
Under the “GROWQC: Kasama ka sa Pag-unlad, Kabuhayan at Kalusugan Food Security Program”, the local government has converted idle lands into abundant food sources that helps boost the city’s food security efforts.
The program, launched by Mayor Joy Belmonte during the height of the pandemic last April 2020, has also provided displaced workers alternative sources of income, and community access to healthy and nutritious food.
Belmonte launched the initiative also as part of the local government’s objective to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), including zero hunger, good health and well-being, decent work and economic growth, and boost partnership for SDGs.
Aside from GrowQC, the 2021 Galing Pook Awards also selected three programs of Hall of Famer Valenzuela — Valenzuela Live: The Valenzuela City Streaming School, Paspas Permit, and the Tagalag Fishing Village, Cagayan de Oro’s Local Health Board expansion, and Negros Occidental’s rehabilitation and protection of their marine resources.
Galing Pook Chairman Mel Sarmiento said there is so much cause to honor and celebrate the best models of excellence in this year’s awards as they have delivered the most outstanding innovations even in the most challenging times, coming up with programs to address gaps in health, education, economy, and the environment.
SM Prime Holdings, Inc., Galing Pook’s private institutional partner for the awards, is excited to work with these LGUs in building smart, safe, and sustainable communities.
The 2021 Galing Pook Awards was held recently through a virtual awarding ceremony. It was co-presented by SM Prime and the DILG-LGA.
Watsons offers high-quality, affordable COVID-19 antigen rapid tests
Recognizing the importance of widespread testing, Watsons are now selling FDA-certified COVID-19 antigen test kits with a price range of P399-P500 at select stores nationwide starting October 25.
The testing kits are for administering by medical professionals such as doctors, nurses and medical technologists and will require medical prescription. The required specifications set by the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) are at 80 percent sensitivity and 97 percent specificity; these test kits can deliver at least 95 percent sensitivity and 99.2 percent specificity.
“As more people head out to work, school and gatherings, Watsons knows that antigen test kits are important in helping reduce transmission,” said Maita A. Santiago, Watsons Philippines customer director.
Having antigen testing available at Watsons, the Filipino’s trusted health and wellness partner, means more people will have access to affordable and effective testing options, which can result in fewer transmissions. The antigen test kits will use saliva as the indicator for the presence of the virus and results can be seen in 30 minutes or less.
“Watsons is taking a proactive role as the Philippines continues to fight this pandemic. Tools such as antigen testing kits help provide important information and serve as a guide so the public will know what steps to take,” said Santiago.
For more information and counseling, you can ask your Watsons pharmacist.You can also download the Watsons app and shop for your vitamins and medicines.
J&J forum
Johnson & Johnson (Philippines), Inc. (J&J) has partnered with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Rheumatology Association (PRA), and Axial Spondyloarthritis Association of the Philippines (ASAPh) to create greater awareness for axial spondyloarthritis, and encourage suspect patients to seek medical help.
Axial spondyloarthritis is an inflammatory disease of the axial skeleton and it can cause significant pain and, possibly, complete disability if not treated.
The DOH, PRA, ASAPh and J&J recently conducted a lay forum Inflammatory Back Pain: Ating Suriin, Ating Alamin! to educate more Filipinos about chronic and debilitating conditions such as axial spondyloarthritis. The partnership frequently distributes reference materials too, so that more people would become aware of the complications that follow this chronic, inflammatory rheumatic disease if not acted upon immediately.
Health information program
Atimonan One Energy, Inc. (A1E) teamed up with a local radio station for an informative program on health dubbed as Kaisa sa Kalusugan.
The program features guest health experts who discuss relevant and timely information related to health, which is very important now as the world continues to battle the pandemic.
Launched early this year, Kaisa sa Kalusugan, airs every Sunday morning via Radyo Natin Atimonan 106.5 — which reaches more than 50 percent of barangays in Atimonan. The program is also streamed in A1E’s community Facebook page.
Since its launch, Kaisa sa Kalusugan has featured discussions on COVID-19 and the vaccination program; oral health; eye care; family planning; nutrition; teenage pregnancy; mental health; childhood immunization; and importance of breastfeeding. The company aims to continue this IEC campaign, even after the pandemic. Listeners can expect more interesting and relevant discussions on drug and alcohol; sports and other fitness programs, and relevance of PhilHealth in the upcoming episodes.
Maynilad launches paperless billing
West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. is launching a program that will give customers the option to receive an electronic statement of account (e-SOA) instead of a printed copy of their monthly water bill.
Enrolling in the Maynilad Paperless Billing Program eliminates the need to touch a printed copy of SOA or face a meter reader to receive the SOA, thus lessening physical contact that may lead to COVID-19 transmission.
Once enrolled, customers will also have convenient 24/7 access to their current and previous Maynilad water bills via the My Water Bill Portal and receive bill notifications via the channel of their choice (e.g., email or SMS). Customers can also contribute to helping save the environment through reduced paper consumption.
Maynilad customers with an active My Water Bill online portal account as of October 22 are automatically enrolled to the Paperless Billing Program. Those without portal accounts yet but would like to enroll to the Paperless Billing Program may do so via SMS.
Addressing child malnutrition
Smart Communications together with the Coca-Cola Foundation is supporting a community-based supplemental feeding initiative of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) that benefits more than 120 underweight children three to seven years old from Barangay Sitio Pintor, Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal. The community is situated near a landfill where most families make a living by sifting through garbage.
The program started in September and will continue until March 2022. Smart is providing two kilograms of rice per week for eight weeks to around 100 families sourced from its own ‘Buy Local’ program that benefits small-holder farmers in Luzon. Working with local health workers, children-beneficiaries will be monitored throughout the period. This is Smart’s first private sector collaboration addressing malnutrition and stunting.
KARE showroom at the Podium
Esteemed German furniture brand KARE recently opened its showroom at The Podium, its first in the Philippines.
“We are delighted to give our home decor enthusiasts a kick of inspiration with our unconventional selection of lifestyle pieces and anything but ordinary ideas for their living spaces,” said Ivan Yao during the showroom opening held at the Level 3 of The Podium.
With the opening of its first showroom, KARE brings a breath of fresh air into the country’s urban-living sphere. The brand represents a unique mix of furniture, lighting, home accessories, and gift articles that will help people showcase their individuality and personality, and to make their home a place where they feel good.
The KARE Showroom features a new concept of interior design: furniture and lights, accessories, and gifts which come across like art objects on a scene.
The unique signature of KARE Design is reflected in its over 5,000 pieces of furniture, lamps, and interior accessories. The collections have been meticulously prepared by Jí¼rgen Reiter, one of KARE’s two founders and owners
For home-builders and interior design enthusiasts with an eye for good and trendy design, KARE is just the right choice. The KARE Showroom is located at The Podium in Mandaluyong City. Check out the official website at kare.com.ph, and the KARE Philippines Facebook page at KARE Philippines, and on Instagram @karephilippines for KARE’s new products and services as well as news and updates about the brand.
